Azarinth Healer by Rhaegar

Category: Original

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Female Lead, LitRPG, Magic

Status: In-Progress

Published: 2018-03-02

Updated: 2022-07-02

Packaged: 2022-07-05 22:00:46

Warnings: Gore, Profanity, Sexual Content, Traumatising content

Chapters: 856

Words: 2,633,858

Publisher: www.royalroad.com

Summary:

A new world with nearly unlimited possibilities. A status, classes, magic and monsters. Sounds good? Well, for Ilea it didn't come quite as expected as for some other protagonists, nor was there a king or god to welcome her.

The grand quest? Well, she might figure that out someday but for now, a new world with new food is prize enough. Her fists at the ready, she's prepared to punch and get punched, however long it takes and however many limbs she might have to regrow.

A story I've started writing now quite a while ago. Transported to another world, somewhat standard fantasy setting with my beginner attempts to make it dark but funny. There are Litrpg elements here but I do hope it's not too heavy and annoying. The fights should be interesting and aren't just numbers vs numbers. Contrary to the title the protagonist will be quite an offensive fighter.

Ilea Spears is your average sarcastic kick-boxing fast food worker and soon to be student. She will be transported to another world rather conventionally and will be confronted with survival in the wild.

Give it a shot and let me know what you think. My experience is incredibly lacking. If you find yourself hating it early on, do convey your anger in a detailed comment or review :) I want to get better but without any feedback it's simply quite difficult.

Quick heads up: Around chapter 120 there are a bunch of longer PoV changes that I discontinued again shortly after. The Arc around chapters 150-200 is darker than the rest and the themes shift quite a bit. Just know that it goes back to what you've come to know after that section.

Thank you for reading.

Quick update June 2019: Many complaints regarding the formatting, specifically spacing in conversations and of course the usage of the present tense in the first 36 chapters have been addressed. I'm of course learning by the day but compared to how it was before it should be an improvement at least.

Chapters usually around 3k words

Cover art by Kevin Catalan

Chapter 1 Boring introduction - Where is the magic?

Chapter 1 Boring introduction - Where is the magic?

The dull sound of gloved fists hitting a sack filled with sand was all she focused on, her own breathing and heartbeat growing distant as her unrelenting assault pummeled into the unfeeling enemy. A beeping sound woke her from the trance, the phone lying on the ground calling for her to stop. Sweat dripped down her brow as she looked around the gym. Picking up the phone, she grabbed her towel and walked towards the exit.

“Bye Mark.” She called out to the bald man engrossed in a conversation near the counter. He gestured to the other man and smiled at her.

“Ilea, hey I just wanted to ask again about the classes. Are you sure you don’t want to try?”

She stopped and looked at him, cleaning her face with the towel, “I appreciate the offer, really. You know I love it but with uni starting next week I just can’t.”

The younger man next to Mark lifted his eyebrows. She was aware of his stare and locked eyes with him until he shifted his attention. “Mark are you kidding me? I’ve been training every day for the past two weeks and you won’t let me join the locals?”

He was obviously upset but Mark just smiled at him, “Jon, I would be careful or she’ll show you the reason why I wanted her to go instead of you or anybody else. Two weeks doesn’t make a tournament ready fighter.” He nodded to Ilea and smiled. Of course he understood but she couldn’t help but feel a little bad about it.

Mark had been there for her but never interrupted other than correcting her form. She had crunched the numbers however and didn’t plan to end up as a thirty year old still working in fast food with a fucked up face to boot. Even if she somehow won at the locals and moved on to become a professional, she wasn’t ready for destroyed knees at the age of forty. The complaining she barely recognized behind her nearly made her stop and reconsider but she had signed up for a different life already. As a hobby, that’s what it will stay.

With what she had in mind she could at least help people with said destroyed knees. Walking out of the gym, she was met by the bright afternoon sun. The walk back to her small one room apartment was brief, her towel dropped on the pile of unwashed clothing near the door. Tomorrow I’ll clean up, I swear. The thought wasn’t meant for anybody in particular, a remainder of the trained shame she should feel at the scene before her.

Sunlight breaking through the half closed blinds illuminated the battlefield of a room that probably hadn’t seen much cleaning in the past couple days or even weeks. Dirty bowls, food packages and bottles littered the table, only interrupted by two screens and a half covered keyboard. The ground was covered in clothes, books and various other things.

Ilea closed her eyes and smiled. It wasn’t the biggest place nor the most organized but hey, it was hers. Undressing on the way to the shower, she reveled in the cold water before searching for her work uniform. “There you are.” Stuffed in a corner of the room, she frowned at the wrinkles on it and threw it on the big pile near the door. Luckily she had three sets, one of them remained washed and at least somewhat straight in the drawer below her bed.

“Good day at shitty fast-food place 87, what would you like to order?” with a monotone voice she greeted the person in front of her.

“Did you just say shitty fast-food place… well whatever… I’d just like a coffee and one of the cheeseburgers. And only a little sugar, I’m on a diet.” the man winked at her as she typed the order into the computer in front of her.

“Anything else?”

The man shook his head “Your company with the coffee, if that’s on the menu?” He smiled at her

“I’m afraid slavery is illegal sir but I heard the chicken nuggets tell some interesting tales.” She finished her typing as he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“That’ll be 3.99.” Putting the money into the counter she placed the requested order on the tray in front of her, “Have a wonderful day.” A radiant smile with piercing blue eyes saw the customer off as she shifted her gaze to the next one. ‘Another week…,’ she thought. ‘Well not quite.’

“Hey Ilea, you’re not coming in tomorrow right?” Her colleague greeted her as he took over her place a couple hours later.

“Yes, orientation at college.”

He smiled “Oh interesting, so we’re seeing less of your beautiful face around here from now on? Major?”

She grunted and replied, “Medicine.”

“Oof, that’s a tough one. Didn’t think you’d go that way.” The man said making her rise her eyebrow.

She had thought about a major for a while and definitely wanted to go into the health sector. Nursing school was an alternative but her snarky comments would likely make problems with the doctors. Why not infiltrate their ranks then. Tuition was the same and she could think about it in the first semester. Maybe something with nutrition would be interesting as well. Working in a gym sounds interesting too. Therapy or something. First she had to survive the organizational nightmare that was joining the academic life.

“Might change it after a semester or specialize. A lot of the basic classes overlap.”

He nodded and smiled, as he always did. Philosophy majors had a reputation after all. “Well good luck either way!”

A solid ten hours of sleep after her shift had ended, It would take the full force of the sun to wake up what lay slumbering between the numerous pillows on the bed. Not leaving waking up to chance though, the mechanical device next to the bed sprang to life as the room was filled with noise.

A groan escaped the woman lying in the bed as an outstretched arm swiftly disabled the alarm clock. “Fuuuuck, it’s too early.” going back to sleep, the woman laid there for another fifteen minutes until the first of her five alarms on her phone sprang to life. After another half an hour, the last one was disabled and with another groan Ilea finally managed to sit up on her bed with all of her willpower. “Mornings suck.” She declared to the world and any gods that were listening.

Not quite awake, the woman grudgingly left her warm nest and entered the small bathroom in her flat, her morning autopilot helping her dodge any stray item on the floor. Standing in the shower for ten minutes, her eyes slowly started to open. She nearly slipped when leaving the shower but caught herself in the last second. “Avoided death there…,” murmuring, the woman left the bathroom with a toothbrush in her mouth. Fighting to get her socks on, sniffing on some clothes and lastly going back shirtless to the bathroom, she spat into the sink. This is going to be every single day for years now. Are you ready?

Getting a bus after changing her clothes at home, Ilea watched the houses and streets fly by as she sipped from her third coffee. The woman occasionally staring back at her in the murky glass looked everything but ready to her. “Next stop Silan college.” reacting to the female voice coming from the speakers, she stood up quickly and left the bus. A field of green with a towering structure in the middle of it all spread in front of her as she took in the view, falling in line with the other supposed students having their first day. Seems rather plain. Walking towards the structure, she entered into a hall decorated with various expensive looking furniture. Dozens of other people her age stood or sat around. Some talking, some looking at their phones.

“Ilea!” a shrill voice took her out of her daydream about chocolate when two arms reached around her and hugged her tight.

“...air” She managed to say with the last of her breath. Oblivious to her pleas, her friend kept hugging her, only letting her go just as the world around Ilea became dark. She could swear she felt a cracking of bone.

Breathing steadily she looked at her friend “Rory I told you not to do that.” she said with a weak voice.

“I know I know, I’m just so excited you know! We both made it in! Can you believe it??” Some of the people around them chuckled at the sight but were soon lost again in their own activities.

“Yes, yes in fact I can believe it, we’re here after all Rory.”

Rory only frowned at her “Always so rational. Can’t you FEEL the excitement!” Her friend said

Oh boy this is gonna be a long day…, Ilea’s thoughts were interrupted as an announcer asked the newly enrolled students to enter the main hall. The day went by without any major surprises. Ilea reached her home with her new and fully packed schedule including a bunch of paper she didn’t know what to do with. Her floor was already filled which made her chose the chair instead.

“Why are they not giving us these in digital form?” The mountain of paper was at least a tree’s worth. Something like the fabled internet could really improve the archaic school she had chosen. Sinking into the bed, she checked out the latest trends in cat videos.

Sooner rather than later, a rumbling reminded her of the purest primal need. The thought driving her forward, she forced herself to get up and check the fridge standing in the small kitchen. A single pan covered loosely with an unfitting lid laughed at her, filled with the curry she had tried two days before. It wasn’t a good one.

Adding some more chili and pepper as well as a dash of pure hope, she heated up some of the meal before turning on her computer to check if her favorite producers had uploaded any new videos. Nothing new today, man that sucks. Streaming it is then. another half an hour of indecision later, four episodes of a new show about forging were consumed.

Going to bed Ilea stared at the ceiling with a bit of a frown on her face. Tomorrow the university life starts. Grinding for years on end. To continue grinding afterward. Maybe I should’ve chosen kick boxing after all. Safe and boring isn’t too bad… maybe the excitement would fade if I fought professionally. One day at a time. The thought calmed her down a little, the woman entering her standard state of deep sleep in a matter of minutes, dreaming of fantasy wars, healers on a battlefield and of course chocolate. It was a good night after all.

Waking up to the chirping of birds and the sun shining in her face, Ilea’s eyes slowly opened. Only to be greeted by grass. “What the actual fuck?” she said out loud as she took in her surroundings. Trees all around her, the sun shining through the cracks. She could hear a small stream in the distance. Ok what the hell is going on? The adrenaline of the unexpected situation woke her up far faster than any shower could manage Did someone kidnap me? Or is this a very very bad prank? Maybe one of those famous prankster gluetubers made me his target. looking around herself only trees could be seen Well where’s the idiot screaming “It’s just a prank bro!”

Should I stay here? after ten minutes of waiting and nothing happening, she grew impatient, confusion and fear creeping up on her mind, telling her that this might not be just some unfunny yet harmless prank. Let’s move then I guess. Maybe it’s a new survival show or something. They’ll hear from my lawyer though… as soon as I hire one that is.

Thinking of where to go, she started towards the sound of the stream Where water is, there is life, villages and towns. So I’ll start there I guess. Maybe some human traffickers kidnapped me and somehow weren’t satisfied with me. Why am I disappointed in them not liking what they got? I’m fucking fabulous for fucks sake! Trying to distract herself from the growing urge to panic, she walked towards the stream, the forest seemingly untouched. No sound remotely unnatural could be heard.

It’s not that strange, I’m pretty far out there after all. At least I have my pajamas. Uneasiness apparent on her face, not that there was anyone to see. Ilea walked towards the stream, her only hold in this unfamiliar place. A roar broke the serene atmosphere, nothing like she had ever heard. Freezing in place she looked towards the source. Nothing. Her mind blank as she stood there for a whole minute What was that? What the fuck was that!? A bear? No they sound different, I’ve seen a few videos…, making herself finally move, she sneaked up to a tree and hid behind it.

Whatever I do I need to be quiet and not move, I don’t think my kickboxing will help a lot against a bear. Another roar much closer froze her again, her whole body trembling, the woman could feel her heartbeat trying to hammer it’s way out of her chest.

Running steps were suddenly audible. Huge was the only thing she could think of when the sounds of two running animals came closer. A high pitched cry filled the air and another roar deafened it right after, including all other sound around her. A thud could be heard as the steps came to an end.

A sickening crunch filled Ilea’s ears and then silence. What… what the… fuck… what the fuck…, sneaking a glance around the tree, the woman stopped moving entirely. Her blue eyes fixated on the sight before her. Not even recognizing the smell of urine and the warmth spreading between her legs, a small ding reverberated through her mind as she looked at the dragon before her, biting into whatever mess was left of the creature it killed. Three meters in length, the head of a dragon and no wings, its maw bloody, it looked in her direction.

It’s yellow reptile eyes locked with her blue human ones.

[Drake – lvl ??]

‘ding’ ‘Congratulations! You have learned the general skill [Identify]’

Losing interest, the Drake continued its meal, bones cracking under the strength of its massive jaw. The smell of blood and her own urine suddenly came back to her as her senses seemed to amplify. Run instinct taking over, the woman started to move. Stumbling and slow, every step steadier and faster than the one before.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

2019 June 24th: Rewrote chapter.

Chapter 2 Generic wolves - who would've guessed

Chapter 2 Generic wolves – who would’ve guessed

Running at a full sprint for over half an hour, Ilea finally collapsed near a pond of water. Catching her breath for several minutes and trying to not puke, her thoughts were in complete turmoil. Tears came to her eyes as she rolled up into the fetal position. ‘No no no no no no no!’ her training in kickboxing took over as her breathing slows down, her body not able to distinguish this situation from a mock fight she used to have with other people at the center.

Laying there for another two minutes, her mind calmed down.

‘ding’ ‘Reached limit of Endurance – Recalculating value – Endurance +3’

‘Calm your mind Ilea. There’s a beast out there. It just ate but it can find you. You’re lucky nothing else was on your path. The trail is there though and the smell...’ looking down at herself, most of the urine still sticking to her had dried. Starting to move, she put her legs into the small pond and started to scrub.

‘I hope that thing had enough for dinner...’ clean enough she exited the pond. ‘I need to move away from here.’ carefully not treading on anything that would make too much noise, Ilea started to walk in a different direction.

‘I need to focus on my surroundings, I’m obviously somewhere weird. Maybe some island with dinosaurs or some military testing facility...that wouldn’t explain the weird noises in my head though. A magical fantasy place in a different world? I always liked the multiverse theory, not when Drakes want to eat me though...I’m not even sure if it wanted to, maybe it’s friendly? Could be virtual reality too, they did make some improvements lately, nothing to this extent that I ever heard of. I don’t want to try dying though with the off chance of a respawn.’ she walked on for another fifteen minutes before coming to a stop at the edge of a clearing.

Sitting down next to one of the trees she gathered her thoughts. ‘I’m in an unfamiliar place. There are Drakes and I have notifications in my head. Maybe it’s a new social media product, they would definitely do this for money.’

Looking at the sky, now free of any leaves in the clearing, she noticed something different. ‘Two suns, so we can rule out Military facility or island on earth. So either a completely different world or virtual reality. Or some weird drug? Mental illness? There are too many possibilities, what I know though is that I’m here now. In a fucking forest. With fucking Drakes. In my pajamas. With piss all over them.’ taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes “Fuck.”

‘I’m still not thirsty or hungry so those aren’t immediate concerns. I’ve read somewhere on the internet that shelter should be your first concern when found in an unknown place in the wilderness. I’ll walk around and do that first then. No idea what would be considered shelter though. For all I know a cave here might be hiding another one of those monsters.

I did get a skill though didn’t I? What was it? Something related to the Drake I saw. There must be a way to see what I have, like in RPGs.’ She thought of different words that would describe a status table or character sheet in a video game. What did the trick was simply thinking of her own name. ‘Ilea Spears’ A list formed in her mind.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: None

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language lvl 5

- Identify lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 5

Endurance: 8

Strength 5

Dexterity 5

Intelligence 5

Wisdom 5

Health: 50/50

Stamina: 36/80

Mana: 50/50

‘Ok so it’s like an RPG, just that everything feels like real life. So basically real life with numbers to show how fucking dead I’d be against a Drake. The question is if I can advance beyond what a normal human can or if progression is like on earth. What about technology? Well those are thoughts for later. First I need to find some form of shelter. 36 Stamina for now, I’ll check it in another minute and see how much it grows.’ A minute passed. Checking her stats again, her stamina was now sitting at 44. ‘So 8 per minute, or at the moment 10% of my maximum. Might be a coincidence. Doesn’t seem too bad though.’

Standing up she started to walk in a random direction ‘I’m not going back to either the pond or wherever that Drake was last.’ ten minutes passed without anything happening, the forest was alive. The hot sunlight was broken by the sea of leaves above. Sweat dripping down Ilea’s brow she soon realized that the ground wasn’t flat. ‘It’s a slope. Going further up might lead to more rocky terrain and maybe shelter.’

The forest itself would mostly shelter her from rain or the suns and the temperature didn’t seem to be an issue either. Yet it felt wrong to Ilea to sleep where something like the Drake would tread. Not that it would simply stop higher up but she knew that feeling even remotely safe would be difficult in the forest.

Walking on for another twenty minutes, the forest didn’t seem to change at all. She was sure though that there was at least some incline. Stopping and holding her breath whenever she’d hear the now familiar roar in the distance. They came from different directions so she was sure there was more than one of them out there. Her only goal was to walk upwards and perhaps out of this forest, without getting eaten first that is.

The Drakes seemed to have a rather large territory though and she saw several seemingly harmless animals that even felt familiar. There was enough for them to hunt, she’d be unlucky to fall prey to one of the Drakes. At least that’s what she hoped. Using her skill on every creature she saw she didn’t really get useful information. [Red stag lvl ??], [Woodpecker lvl ??], [Worm lvl 3] and several other animals were identified by her. ‘Seems to work on any living creature. How important is the level though. I wouldn’t want to fight a level one Drake...’ thinking on the world around her she continued upwards.

Thirst was starting to grow as she climbed the slope but the thought was soon overwritten by the sight before her. ‘Ruins...looks like a temple, damn this place is super fantasy. Well let’s hope it’s not a dungeon or something. I don’t even have a knife or anything.’ Carefully walking around the temple, or what was left of it, she realized that this was the highest point of the slope. Ilea found herself on the top of a hill, standing in front of the broken down entrance to the temple she heard a low growl behind her. Turning around carefully, she checked the intruder. ‘What if I am the intruder...’

[Red Wolf – lvl 4],

Three more of them with similar levels, the highest being 5, emerged from the trees and slowly advanced on her.

‘So the Drakes aren’t the only predators here...figures. I’m lost in the forest, they’ll tire me out and kill me. Only one place to go then...’ Ilea wasn’t surprised by how calm she was. Compared to the Drake these wolves weren’t as frightening. They even had a sort of calming normalcy about them. She had actually seen wolves in zoos before coming here but they held a familiarity that made her less scared. Of course wolves could kill people but on Earth Man was king, and a bit of that feeling now welled up inside her. She knew that in this world, wherever it may be, that might not be the case anymore.

The wolves advanced as she slowly retreated backwards to the entrance of the temple, the growling steadily intensifying as they began to encircle Ilea. To completely close her in was impossible now but she had only one way to go. Ducking under a broken down pillar she entered the temple, the wolves on her heels. Light filled the hall she was in now through many cracks in the ceiling and walls. Stone everywhere, she didn’t look closely at the statues. ‘A way out of here...’

There were several doors in the room but they seemed sealed shut. One was thankfully broken down and she quickly entered. Running down a hallway, hearing the wolves close behind her she entered another room. There was a wall with a statue depicting a man in a fighting stance. His arms held high, poised for his adversary. Which it seemed was Ilea. His eyes held empty sockets. Remnants of a campfire could be seen in the room.

‘There were people here...no idea how long ago though…’ checking around the room franticly Ilea couldn’t make out any way to leave. There was a hole in the ceiling, yet it was much too high for her to reach. Her thoughts were interrupted by the first wolf entering the room.

She turned towards it and her more or less calm feeling from before was completely gone. There was no way out. Backing up to the the wall with the statue Ilea was afraid. ‘Is this it already...well at least I can test if I have more than one life...’ Looking at the statue next to her she smirked and copied his stance. ‘Not too far from kickboxing I guess...’ looking at the wolf, she put on a determined look.

“Just a puppy...with sharp teeth...” a growl the only response, the wolf leaped at her. Fast, yet not too fast for her to handle. A powerful kick caught the wolf’s head from the side and sent it sprawling to the left. Two more of the beasts had entered the room in the meantime.

Concentrating on the newcomers Ilea ignored the whimpers from her left and prepared for another charge. The wolves broke out into a sprint and jumped at her from two sides. The left one was caught by a kick to its jaw while the one on the right was blocked by her arm. The wolf bit deep before she was able to shake it off. Several punches to its stomach were needed to make it release her arm. Regrouping, the now four wolves stared at her, now more wary of their supposed prey. Blood dripped down her arm as she prepared for the next attack.

The pain was a numb feeling in the back of her mind, adrenaline helping her cope with it. A sudden loud humming noise made her lose concentration. Luckily the wolves were just as startled as her and before long were whimpering while they scrambled to leave the room. “Hahahaha got you, you shitbags!! Overgrown puppies go to hell!” not noticing the blue glow below her, Ilea only shouted after the wolves, elated by her victory.

The world shifted violently before her and she immediately knelt to the ground, retching up whatever was left in her stomach. “What the….” wiping her mouth after puking again “...fuck.”

[You have proven strength and dexterity beyond your limits +2 Strength +3 Dexterity]

‘At least something for that fight...’ looking around her she found herself in a long hallway. There were more of the statues. Only a faint blue light came from a moss growing on the walls. All the walls and the ceiling were overgrown with it. ‘Magic? Teleportation?’ thinking on the ways she might have gotten to this place Ilea scanned her surroundings. ‘The statues look the same. Different stances though. I’m still in the temple? Maybe one of the closed off rooms from the main hall?’

Standing up she winced. “Fuck that hurts….fuck fuck fuck” her arm was still bleeding, the adrenaline gone it quickly became the worst pain Ilea had ever been in. ‘Worse than when I broke my leg for fuck’s sake!’ trying to steady her arm she looked around and saw a fountain a dozen or so meters away. ‘I’ll have to clean this...’ walking up to the fountain she held her arm into the water. ‘Can’t be worse than some wolf’s spit.’

To her surprise the pain lessened immediately, the wounds closing faster than anything she’d ever seen, not even leaving scars behind. “What the hell….the fountain of youth or what? This is amazing!” elated by her discovery she remembered that she was thirsty and started drinking the water. ‘Wow this tastes amazing...’ feeling much better than before Ilea sat down and rested her back on the wall next to the fountain.

“What a day...” making herself move again she got up and started to walk to one side of the hallway. An open door greeted her. Inside the room it was dark. No moss seemed to be growing inside. Ripping some moss from the hallway wall she entered again, happy that the moss kept glowing. Inside there was what once might have been a bed.

The room was empty otherwise. ‘What a weird room…seems like a cell.’ walking back into the hallway ‘I wonder’ she looked at the moss in her hand and used identify.

[Bluemoon Grass]

“Well that’s not really helping me, now is it?” walking to the other side of the hallway, she checked out the statues on the walls every couple meters. Both sides of the hallway were adorned with them. ‘They all have certain stances…some kind of fighting style I assume. The detail is insane...and the eyes...’ she noticed that the eyes weren’t empty sockets like the statue in the room she had fought the wolves in. ‘Some kind of jewel...blue jewels’ it was hard to see because of the blue glowing moss growing all around the statues.

Reaching the other side of the hallway, another open door greeted her. Inside was something far different than just a bed though. “Books...” A large room littered with hundreds of books greeted her as she enters.

The only light source the slowly fading Bluemoon grass in her hands. No other entry or exit could be seen. “This is weird. Like a study place for some sort of hermit or maybe a cult?” Taking one of the books, it instantly crumbled into dust.

‘And it’s old...how long does a book need to be somewhere until it literally crumbles into dust?’ checking out the rest she realized that some are in better condition than others. Getting closer, she noticed weird writing on some of the shelves ‘Runes maybe? I’m assuming if there’s magic here, there should be some kind of runes. An enchantment maybe.’ Checking the shelf where she removed the dust book, she saw that all the books looked deteriorated there. ‘Maybe the power went out or something...these look fine though.’ Taking out a book from one of the few shelfs where the enchantments seemed to be working still, she walked back into the hall.

The light brighter, she looked at the cover. “Azarinth Advanced Stances Part III”

‘Oh wow I can read it! Must be that weird skill, doesn’t look like English to me.’

“But I don’t think Part III of some advanced stances helps me a lot here. Maybe there’s something more useful in there.” Going back inside Ilea grabbed all the books that were still intact. Sadly not many remained out of the once hundreds of books. The immediately most interesting one was a small journal. “Gregory Pale – Days of Awakening” flipping through it there seemed to be dates. ‘A diary of some sorts?’

“Day 1 of my Awakening, or shall I call it imprisonment? I question my decision to join the Order but such thoughts are for naught at this point. I entered the chamber of awakening of my own free will and shall either succeed or succumb. I shall become a warrior of Azarinth, more powerful than any before me….” reading the first couple days it seemed that this place belonged to an Order of some sorts. Calling themselves the Order of Azarinth. Mages, fighters and healers were mentioned.

‘So I’m in the chamber of awakening myself now eh? Well that’s just great’ continuing to read Gregory thankfully described the process of awakening in great detail.

“Well he probably would, seeing all the time he had down here alone with a bunch of books that he’s probably all read before coming here...”

Apparently the order had classes regarding a special way of magic they called Azarinth. ‘The whole order is named after the magic...bunch of nerds...’ chuckling to herself she continued to read. The Bluemoon grass seemed to be of great importance to that magic and the process of awakening the class and training the related skills.

It could apparently be reached normally too, with a lot of study and time, meditation and patience. Most of the people reaching the class in this manner were very old. After likely horrible testing they discovered a way to speed up the process. Being enclosed in the chamber, only able to eat the Bluemoon grass and drinking from the fountain of clarity would have many of the people reach the class far faster, not to mention the speed of their skill growth would increase.

‘Fountain of clarity...holy shit this is so bad...they should get better writers...’ the method of course had downsides too. For one, around 35% of the initiates would immediately die upon eating the grass. It changed parts of the body and was highly poisonous if not compatible. The order was very secretive, losing just over a third of their members was disastrous. Many still took the risk.

The fast skill growth would leave many of the fighters overconfident though, able to use the skills but not having trained with them enough.The faster skill growth was mostly dependent on how long a person could stay in the chambers. The grass grew very slowly so only a limited amount could be used by the Order. Leveling the skills up to the third stage in the chamber was apparently not possible. The needed grass would increase dramatically after the second stage was achieved until it showed no discernible effect anymore.

Most would only advance to the early second stage because of the limited availability of the grass. “Wow so they were basically junkies...weed man...” Gregory apparently advanced some skills up to the later second stages and then left. Leaving apparently only possible by using a skill acquired through the Bluemoon grass.

“Well fuck...means I have to eat it. Not like I’d have much of a survival chance without a class out there anyway. If classes work like they do in RPGs that is...I’d still be level 1 without killing anything...” looking at the glowing moss suspiciously she went through the books still in an alright condition.

“Azarinth: Basic Stances I”, “Azarinth Basic Stances II”, “Azarinth Basic Stances III”, “Azarinth Advanced Stances III”, “History of the Order Part IV”, “History of the Order Part XII”, “Azarinth Healing”, “Azarinth Healing Advanced”, “Mana conversion and flow by Magus Izalar”, in addition there were dozens of diaries from members of the order. Apparently it was a must to write one when in the chamber to help guide initiates following in their steps.

“I’m glad some useful ones remain...it’s a shame that so many of the books were lost.” She checked through the chamber and rooms to see if there was any way out or food other than the grass on the walls. After nearly two hours of searching every nook and cranny she sat back down next to the fountain and sighed.

Looking at the Bluemoon grass on the wall Ilea got up “Well….might as well get it over with. Either I live and become a badass fighter or...well let’s not be negative here shall we.” grabbing a healthy fistfull of the moss from the wall she put it into her mouth and ate it.

A minute passed….another….approaching ten minutes still absolutely nothing happened. “Well...that’s wei..” her voice was cut off as her whole body convulsed.

Falling to the ground in a sprawl of limbs Ilea started to scream. The pain was worse that the wolf’s bite. Nobody had mentioned the pain in the diaries. Likely out of consideration of the initiates. Ten minutes passed and Ilea was still writhing there screaming, the pain not diminishing in the slightest as each beat of her heart ended only to bring a new eternity of torment.

The screams stopped after half an hour, yet the pain didn’t. She twitched every couple minutes as she felt each and every nerve in her body tear itself apart. After an hour a blue glow started to radiate off of her. Forming a pattern not unlike the runes found on the shelves, just on her body. The glow died down after another hour and the human on the ground groaned weakly. “I hate this world...”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 3 Glowing Moss

Chapter 3 Glowing Moss

‘ding’ ‘The Bluemoon Grass has changed your body permanently.

You grow more resilient +10 Vitality.

The flow of your mana was changed +10 Intelligence +10 Wisdom.

You recharge Mana at a faster pace +100% mana recovery rate.’

“Holy, this is pretty good for two hours of the worst pain in my entire life.” still breathing heavily Ilea sat up and checked her stats.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: None

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language Lvl 5

- Identify Lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 15

Endurance: 8

Strength 7

Dexterity 8

Intelligence 15

Wisdom 15

Health: 4/150

Stamina: 12/80

Mana: 0/150

‘That explains why I feel like dying. I need some clarity...heh’ walking to the fountain she started to drink. Her health reached 150 in a matter of minutes. ‘Wow this is great...still have the worst headache...the mana maybe?’

It was slowly recharging, yet apparently the change used all of it up initially. ‘No class nor skill hmm...well I’ll find out why tomorrow. First is sleep.’ laying down on the floor she immediately slept, only waking up two days later.

The blue glow was still in the air as Ilea woke up, her head heavy and her whole body hurting. ‘There was a room with a bed you idiot...thirsty’ getting up slowly, she went and drank some more of the fountain water.

‘Why don’t I have the class yet though...hmm. Let’s check some of the diaries.’ None of them mentioned anything about not getting the class after eating the grass. “What’s different then?” she looked around her and her gaze fell upon the books still laying on the ground.

“I haven’t read them...they all probably have...well let’s start then.” grabbing some of the grass off the wall, she ate it ‘let’s just hope it doesn’t hurt again...’ nothing happened this time and Ilea started to read through the books she had available.’

The books on stances were what one might expect. A detailed description of the fighting style used by the order. Some of it seemed familiar to Ilea and other things looked rather weird. ‘This is impossible...no human could do that...’ finishing up the books on stances, she started reading the books on Azarinth healing and Mana conversion. The basic ones she understood but the advanced books went over her head.

Finishing those seven books took her the better part of two weeks, taking the necessary time to understand what she was reading. She ate grass and drank from the fountain. In between she trained her body but didn’t get any notification about stat changes. In addition she slept on the very old bed. It was barely a bed anymore but still better than the stone floor. Finishing up the book on Advanced healing, she grabbed the first book on history but was interrupted by a

‘bing’ ‘You have met the requirements for a class change: Azarinth Healer – Knowledge about the basics of Azarinth fighting stances and Azarinth healing, Survived the change invoked by the Bluemoon Grass.’

‘The Azarinth Healer is not exactly what the name might portray. A close quarters fighter that chooses an unarmed style of combat to both heal and destroy. Enhanced by an ancient technique of magic their bodies become resistant to even the strongest of attacks and heal at a rapid pace.’

‘Would you like to change to this class. Bonuses and skills will be applied after doing so.’

“Oh fuck yeees!” nothing happened ‘yes.’ she thought and more messages appeared in her mind.

‘New Class: Azarinth Healer

Vitality +10

Strength +5

Dexterity +5

Intelligence +10

Wisdom +10

Body enhancement magic is improved by 100%

All healing magic skills are improved by 100%

Natural regeneration increased by 1% per minute

Skills gained in Azarinth Healer:

Active: Destruction – lvl 1:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every punch or kick. Your Intelligence stat enhances the damage potential.

Category: Healing

Active: Reconstruction – lvl 1:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled.

Category: Healing

Active: State of Azarinth – lvl 1:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed and strength by 35% [after bonuses 70%].

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Passive: Body of Azarinth – lvl 1:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced by 25% [after bonuses 50%]. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural regeneration is improved by 50% [after bonuses 100%]

Category: Healing

Passive: Azarinth Fighting – lvl 1:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Azarinth. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 75% higher [after bonuses 150%]’

Category: Body Enhancement

Reading all of the notifications, Ilea was stunned. ‘Well I don’t know how other classes in this world are but this seems fucking amazing. I’m like a mix of three different classes. I hope it’s strong enough to fill any of those roles in a group...or maybe the common composition of teams is different in this world. I’ll see. I must say for a solo thing this is fantastic. Can’t wait to try all of those skills.’

Getting up, Ilea felt powerful. The stat changes increased her capabilities by an incredible amount. Walking into the library that now only collected dust, she went to the far wall. ‘Now let’s see what I have...’

Taking proper form Ilea threw a solid punch, resulting in a sharp crack that briefly echoed. Checking her hand, it was fine and she didn’t feel anything wrong. Looking at the wall she realized the sound came from there. ‘Aww shit. I’m awesome.’

Continuing to punch, the noise reverberated through the chamber of awakening. Pieces of the stone wall started to collect at her feet. ‘Hmm let’s see if destruction does anything to inanimate objects.’ activating the skill with a simple thought she punched the wall.

The noise was the same as before but this time spiderweb like cracks immediately formed in a one meter radius. It didn’t even use a lot of mana. Checking her stats the punch had taken only 5 Mana. ‘Which means with my current supply I can use it 50 times in a row...nice.’ using the skill a couple more times she wondered if that was how the other members of the order got out. ‘Nah I can’t see dozens of holes in the walls around here...except maybe they had an earth mage to fix it again? If such a thing even exists here...’

“One more thing to try….” Ilea’s body started to glow in a faint blue. It looked like she had blue tattoos on her body written in runic symbols. They could be seen on her torso, arms and legs. One tattoo went along her spine up to her neck and under her hair. They shined faintly through her pajamas. Slowly breathing out, she formed a fist with her right hand and punched.

The walls shook, dust falling from the ceiling and her fist formed a dent roughly the size of a basketball. ‘I’d be pretty good at basketball with this body I’d think...’ still with the active Aura of State of Azarinth, she ran all the way to the room with the bed. “This feels absolutely amazing.” exhausting her Stamina on the poor library wall.

She couldn’t stop, her power and excitement overwhelming her completely. She read the remaining books and some of the diaries in the next four days while eating Bluemoon Grass and using her skills. They slowly improved. When Destruction reached level three she received an unexpected message.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 2. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘So I do level without having to fight anything. That’s good then. Guess I’ll stay down here for a while….a long while. Especially considering I have no idea where I am or how I’d get out...’

The weeks passed, Ilea’s days spent with eating, fighting the library wall and reading diaries. She studied the Stances in detail and tried to use her healing magic. Punching the walls wouldn’t hurt her enough to use Reconstruction though, so the skill didn’t level. She could keep up her Aura skill for longer and longer as time went on.

According to the diaries it would normally take weeks if not longer of constant training to improve a skill even by one level. The Bluemoon Grass and fountain of clarity helped speed up the process a lot. Ilea didn’t have anything to measure her progress against though so she couldn’t be sure.

‘I’ll just get as strong as I can down here until I can get out. There doesn’t really seem to be a downside to it. Even if it might get boring at some point I’d rather stay a couple months longer in boredom than die immediately out in the forest.

There was no map or any geographical information in the remaining books whatsoever, so she knew as much about where she was as she did when she got here. Three weeks of constant training later there was nothing new to read anymore and the days became rather tedious. Sitting down Ilea again read through the Mana conversion book and thought to try something.

‘The main problem here is that I’m bored while I wait for my mana and stamina to recover...’ reading through the whole book again it was still a mystery to her what it was about exactly. It talked of regulating the flows of mana but her understanding of mana itself was nothing to begin with. The concepts were foreign to her even though she understood the words.

‘Might as well try to meditate, maybe I’ll gain some sort of clarity...’ looking suspiciously towards the fountain, she sat down and tried to clear her mind. Nothing happened at first. She tried in every pause for the next two days. It felt relaxing and there was nothing better to do anyways. At the end of the second day she received a message that woke her from her meditative state.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Meditation – While in the state of meditation you cannot move. Your mana and stamina regeneration is increased by a factor of three. This factor is improved upon leveling up the skill. - lvl 1’

“Well this’ll make my days a lot less boring.” even though she was mostly just punching walls or practicing stances it was fun to her. Her body had an incredible strength that she’d never even dreamed of. Even on Earth she enjoyed simply attacking a punching bag for hours on end. The only reason she didn’t do it longer were responsibilities, other interesting hobbies and her bodily limitations.

She didn’t have internet or even new books anymore here, so this was what was left and it wasn’t bad. With the still level one meditation skill her training speed improved threefold. After another month she had improved her Destruction skill to lvl 8, her State of Azarinth skill to lvl 6, her Body of Azarinth skill to lvl 2, her Azarinth Fighting skill to lvl 7 and her Meditation skill to lvl 5. Additionally her stats improved slowly over time too. Endurance especially improved every couple days.

With her last advancement in Azarinth Fighting she received another level up, bringing her to lvl 5.

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 5. 5 Stat points awarded. You have learned the skill Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 1

This skill lets you see magic. Can be activated or deactivated on command.

Category: Body Enhancement

“A skill...hah...seems useful but I can’t really picture it.” activating the skill, she had to shield her eyes immediately from the radiance surrounding her. ‘Deactivate Magic Perception!’ she yelled in her mind.

“Well that was stupid...could’ve guessed the Bluemoon Grass was magical...” going into the library she activated the skill again and looked at the runes she had discovered on her first day in the chamber. ‘Interesting...they’re clearer. And they glow a faint blue. I wonder if all magic is blue with this sight.’ she kept the skill deactivated in the hallway but tried to use it sometimes in the library or when she was using her Destruction and Aura skill. The day came to an end and she checked her progress again, as she did every day before sleeping.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 5

Unspent statpoints: 20

- Active: Destruction – lvl 8

- Active: Reconstruction – lvl 1

- Active: State of Azarinth – lvl 6

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – lvl 2

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – lvl 7

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 1

- Meditation – lvl 5

Status:

Vitality: 26

Endurance: 16

Strength 14

Dexterity 17

Intelligence 27

Wisdom 32

Health: 260/260

Stamina: 8/160

Mana: 13/320

Another three months passed like this. The meditation being an actual skill helping to tremendously reduce the mental strain such a lifestyle would’ve had on her otherwise. Talking to herself still became the norm and she even started to miss her coworkers at the fast-food joint. Her goal also slowly shifted from becoming stronger to getting out of the chamber. ‘I can see how this is an incredible privilege to have, training with the Bluemoon Grass that is but I’d still like to see the sun sometime.’ A fourth of the Grass was already gone from one of the walls when Ilea reached level 10 in her Class.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 10. 5 Stat points awarded.

You have learned the skill

Active: Blink – lvl 1

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

Category: Teleportation Magic

“This is it….I finally got my way out! Maybe...hopefully...” activating the skill with the will to move across the hallway Ilea teleported around fifteen meters away. “Man this is great...I’ll have to get used to the feeling though. Not as bad as when I was teleported down here but still...” holding her stomach she went and drank some water from the fountain. “Now the question is, can I teleport to places I can’t see and what happens when I teleport into something...” going into the library she tried teleporting into one of the shelves. Only her arm would theoretically be inside the shelf.

“Would still hurt like hell but maybe then I’d have a way to level up my healing...” The teleport worked, but her hand was pushed away from the shelf. No weird Human/shelf creature was born on that day.

“Which means...” trying to teleport halfway into the fountain she appeared next to it or above it. “Next step” halfway into the wall failed too, she always appeared next to it.

“Now the leap of faith...” blinking into the wall she found herself standing in front of it. “YES!!! It works! Now I just have to level it up and try to teleport out of here...” So she tried. Teleporting away from the chamber into any direction. There were a lot of ways to try and her skill slowly gained levels over the weeks, increasing the range and reducing the cost. After another month in the chamber Ilea was successful.

Appearing in a closed room, she was elated “FUCK YEAH!!” jumping up and down, Ilea looked around the room. It was a small room with only dust and stone in it but it was new. After months in her own box of stone this new one was a blessing to her. And there was a closed door in front of her.

“Well well well...now what’s a stone door against this...” raising her fist with her Aura spell activated she punched right through the thick stone door. Outside was a familiar room. The hall she had entered after being ambushed by the wolves outside the temple. “OH YES...YESYESYES!!!” not able to repress her excitement she ran outside.

It was night, an ocean of stars shining bright, illuminating the sky. There were two moons and they shone brightly. Ilea simply stood there stunned, her head held up to the sky. Tears falling from her face as she breathed her first breath of fresh air in months. The wind caressing her body, blue tattoos faintly glowing from below her worn clothes. “Hahahahahaahaaa” standing there with tears in her eyes, the woman was laughing.

Snapping her head down suddenly she became quiet and listened “I want food...something other than that bloody Grass...” She couldn’t hear anything so she entered the forest. It would be easy to find the temple again as it was on a slope. Starting to run, Ilea crossed the forest at a speed she’d never dreamed possible. Her perception even more surprising, the light of the moon more than enough for her to make out any details around her.

Not long after, she came across a small creek. “Food can wait...some real water first.” jumping into the creek she splashed around in the cold water and drank mouthfuls. A rather curious sight, a grown woman splashing around in a creek in the middle of the night, laughing maniacally. Perhaps even scary considering the magical world she was in. Stopping after fifteen minutes, Ilea resumed her search for food. Soon she came across some berries. Immediately eating one of them.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Cinderberry, -3 HP/s for 5 Minutes’

Stopping her enthusiasm her mind focused. ‘That can kill me like three times over. I need to heal. I don’t know enough about my Reconstruction spell yet.’ grabbing a couple more of the berries she started to run back, occasionally using blink while keeping an eye on her mana, the weird warm feeling in her chest didn’t help her mind calm down either.

One and a half minutes later she was back at the temple. Using Reconstruction on herself had healed her for thirty points. ‘That should be enough really...but I have to be sure.’ she was already at close to fifty health remaining. Going into the room she’d smashed the door in, she blinked into the direction of the chamber. Reappearing in her familiar training space or prison of clarity, as she’d started to call it, she immediately went to the fountain and drank. Without possible external danger she used her mana freely to power up Reconstruction.

One minute later she was back at full health. “Man this world is insane. One berry would’ve killed me if I didn’t have a fucking healing spell and a well of health...” looking at the berries she wondered “Maybe I’ve been a little overconfident...I don’t even know what level one of those Drakes is. Even if I’ve grown stronger, there’s stuff out there that can kill me in one hit...like a bloody berry...wait no...Cinderberry”

She couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous situation she was in. After meditating and recovering her mana she looked at one of the berries...and ate it. “Mhm...at least they taste great...”

‘bing’ ‘You have been poisoned by Cinderberry, -3 HP/s for 5 Minutes’

Smiling she started to use Reconstruction on her own body. The drain of the berry felt weird but it didn’t hurt much. “A good way to level up Reconstruction...and eat delicious berries!” Repeating the steps for the other six berries she had, she leveled up Reconstruction and even received a special message at the end of her endeavor.

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the general skill Poison Resistance – You are a target of assassins or not very good at distinguishing berries. Surviving either of those you have developed a general resistance to poisons. - lvl 1’

“Man this is stupid...a general poison resistance? That doesn’t make sense at all….then again a lot of things here don’t seem to make sense and I’ve barely scratched the surface.” looking up she blinked outside again. This time she blinked again and found herself on the roof of the ruined temple.

Again she was stunned. Standing above the trees she could see for miles, even in the night. The forest was huge. ‘Beautiful...’ Ilea stood there for an hour and simply enjoyed being outside. ‘I’ll be more careful tomorrow. I can’t be overconfident. Although I’ve made incredible progress.’ Blinking back downstairs she made herself ready to sleep and checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 12

Unspent statpoints: 55

- Active: Destruction – lvl 14

- Active: Reconstruction – lvl 2

- Active: State of Azarinth – lvl 10

- Active: Blink – lvl 7

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – lvl 12

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 3

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 1

- Meditation – lvl 8

- Poison Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 29

Endurance: 25

Strength 18

Dexterity 21

Intelligence 34

Wisdom 42

Health: 290/290

Stamina: 233/250

Mana: 396/420

‘Tomorrow I’ll start to finally explore this weird world.’

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 4 Exploration

A note from Rhaegar

Hello.

Formatting of the stats done a bit differently. Should be more companct, feedback welcome.

Question: Are the paragraphs too big, or is it not an issue?

Chapter 4 Exploration

Waking up, Ilea was happy. For the first time in months she was truly and utterly happy. Coming to this world, she had been scared and confused. Nearly died three times and now after months of training she had something resembling confidence. “At least I’ll survive. I’m pretty tough at this point and I can heal myself. Blink is perfect for fleeing too, if there’s something too strong for me. Just don’t eat any weird berries...”

Blinking upstairs and on to the roof of the building, the suns nearly blinded her. After months in the chamber of clarity and last night’s quick romp, she totally forgot that the suns were this bright. Her eyes hurt but a smile was on her lips. After a couple minutes of adjusting, she removed the arm in front of her face and took in the true view of the forest.

Activating her Aura, her tattoos faintly glowed blue, barely noticeable in the sun, she scratched a simple compass rose into the roof of the temple with one of her nails. Enhanced and with her stats, she could with effort do this on rock. Obviously she didn’t know where North was. Or even if a compass was a thing in this magical land. It helped her orient though, so she did it.

Northwards was forest until a chain of mountains came into view. They were far away. Too far to casually walk there in a couple of days. Eastwards was forest, until barely noticeable, grassland started. “Plains...if I want to find humans I’d probably have to search there. Another question is if they’re friendly towards me.” Looking southwards Ilea could see a couple mountains, behind them was a full chain like in the north. There seemed to be plains in between and she could even see a river. “Definitely the most reasonable thing to reach for now.” It was much closer than the plains in the east or the mountains in the north.

Westward was only forest as far as the eye could see.. Only some rivers cutting the grand forest apart. “So the closest way out is southeast or directly south.” Looking at the distance it would be at least a three day trip, maybe longer. “I don’t have any supplies, no backpack...I don’t even have a knife or water bottle...well water skin or whatever they use here. For whatever I know they could be using guns and cloaked airplanes...”

Ilea then blinked back into the main hall of the temple and looked around “I do have a feeling though that this is a rather medieval world. I mean come on...Drakes?” walking up to one of the closed doors she felt the wall, and blinked inside.

A scream sounded through the temple and a couple birds took flight as Ilea stared at the skeleton in front of her. “Holy shitballs skelly, you scared the shit out of me.” After smacking the skeleton on the head like an old friend she looked around the room.

There were some books but they all turned to dust as soon as she touched them. No runes prevented their decay. Removing the skeleton from the rotting chair, she saw that he still wore boots. “Well look at that...” carefully removing them from the skeleton she appraised them. “They’re still in alright shape...not bad. Identify!”

‘ding’ [Old sturdy boots]

“Hmm...no +15 walking speed or anything like that? Well that’s disappointing. Oh well.” Ilea shook the boots to remove all the dust inside then blinked back out of the room. “I’ll just pile the stuff here.” leaving the boots on the ground in the main hall, she continued to investigate the rooms. There were eight in total. One was the one she broke the door to get out and one the skeleton room.

The next three rooms only held dust and stone. Whatever may have been stored in there a long time ago, has long since turned to dust. Blinking into the next room Ilea looked around in surprise “A kitchen. Very nice, maybe there’s a water flask or a knife for me to use somewhere.” checking around she realized that most things inside were rusted beyond use.

Trying to use Reconstruction on the items didn’t help. Destruction seemed to be able to affect inanimate objects whereas Reconstruction didn’t “Figures...would be way too convenient a spell. No more visits to any tailor or blacksmith.” searching through the kitchen she found a not too rusty canteen. Although identifying it told her it was in fact rusty.

“Better than nothing.” Ilea grumbled to herself, the knives were sadly completely unusable. The thin layers of metal were too worn by time to be used for anything other than making more rust. The next room was empty again. “Why do they have so many empty rooms? Hmm what if...” she tried to use blink to get downstairs. The third spot she tried worked and she found herself in a chamber that at first glance looked very similar to her own. “How many of those do they have….well let’s finish up upstairs first.” The last room held some barrels without any contents. Well there was dust inside. “Beer or wine maybe? Maybe cinderberry wine….hahaaha” laughing at her own joke, she was back in the main hall.

Walking through the broken down entryway she’d used when she fled the wolves she checked the room again. It looked exactly the same. Activating her Magic Perception she saw runes all around the ground where she had fought against her adversaries months ago. “Interesting...” she went back and checked all the other rooms again, this time with Magic Perception activated.

She made no further discoveries though. “I guess downstairs it is then.” warping back into the unexplored chamber she soon found it had the exact same layout as hers. The Grass was growing on the walls and the bed was just as old as hers. The library however held more books than her own had at the start. And even better many were still intact, the shelves brightly glowing with numerous runes

It took a couple hours to sort through all of them. A significant portion of them being even more diaries. She took them all with her upstairs. Two books were actually useful to her. “Azarinth Fighting – Advanced Stances I”, “Azarinth Fighting – Advanced Stances II”. “Seems like the stock is rather similar though. More history ones..” she wasn’t too fond of the Order’s history books. They depicted themselves as some sort of savior mages without any flaws. “Guess that happens when you write your own history down. Bunch of arrogant pricks.”

Blinking back to the main hall she tried to blink downstairs from all of the eight rooms. Ilea found only one more chamber. It was much like the other two, except that only one shelf of books remained, none of which new to her. Having an idea, she tried to warp further down. To her surprise she succeeded.

She found herself in a rather large hall. After the warp she fell for a couple meters before hitting the ground. ‘There’s no dust here...’ she immediately noticed. The room was illuminated yet not by moss on the walls. There was some sort of artificial light source on the top of the room and some of the walls. ‘Magic lamps...fancy...at least they do have some sort of technology. I’ll try to dismantle one of those after I’m sure it’s safe h..’ her thought was interrupted by an arrow nearly striking her head. Ilea’s tattoos flared to life and she dodged in the last fraction of a second.

“Did I just...” another three arrows flew in her direction. Dodging to the right Ilea avoided all of them “...dodge arrows? Fuck I’m awesome.” looking at the source of the assault a corner of the room started to shift and a humanoid form slowly unfolded itself to a height of three and a half meters. “Oh shit.”

[Guardian Golem – lvl ??]

Using identify she jumped back a couple meters to get some distance to the Golem. Activating Magic Perception her enemy glowed a dark red. “Well that answers the question if all magic is blue...” On the golem’s left arm was a seemingly automatic crossbow and on his right was a mace as big as Ilea. Around 1.75m in height. “I REALLY don’t want to get hit by that. Well let’s see what I’ve learned...I can just blink out with two blinks to get away if I can’t handle it.”

Getting into an advanced Azarinth stance Ilea prepared herself as the Golem slowly walked towards her. In a sudden burst she moved, leaving her position in a rush faster than any Earth human could possibly manage she reached the Golem’s right side and simply waited there. The Golem turned slowly and tried to hit her with the mace. “Hahaha you’re slow mate...” she easily dodged it and moved again.

Punching the Golem without Destruction left dents in its metal shell. Still trying to turn and attack her with its mace Ilea skillfully danced around the Golem. “These skills are seriously no joke...I’ve never fought against anything with them and it feels so natural...” after another series of punches to one of the Golem’s legs, she decided to use Destruction.

Her punch landed on the Golem’s left leg and half of it exploded backwards as her fist collided with it. The metal was badly dented and the Golem had difficulties standing upright. Another punch disabled its right leg too. Now falling to the ground Ilea jumped backwards. “Well seems like your question marks aren’t really that scary after all, Guardian.”

Doing a small mock curtsy in front of the downed Golem’s head, its eyes suddenly flared a bright red. Caught in an awkward position Ilea could only look at the Golem as it raised its mace and smashed it right into her. Flying backwards into the wall fifteen meters behind her, it knocked all the air out of her lungs.

Blood dripped down her mouth as she smiled “Oh man I have to say I am rather stupid sometimes. Why am I smiling by the way?” checking her stats she saw that she had lost over a third of her HP from that hit. Quickly using Reconstruction she healed back a part of her lost health “Why am I having so much fun?? Nice move though mister metal.” Blinking above the Golem she did a front flip, landing with a powerful kick on top of the Golem’s back. The Guardian exploded downwards, its eyes immediately losing their light.

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated the [Guardian Golem], access to the treasure room is now possible.’

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy ten levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 13. 5 Stat points awarded.’

“Nice...” sitting down on the defeated Golem she breathed out “This is way too much fun...I nearly died there...” her heart still pounding in her chest she lied down completely on the Golem. “I feel amazing...is this what being an adventurer in a dangerous world feels like?” lying there for a while Ilea simply enjoyed the moment “Wait...treasure room?”

Jumping up from the downed enemy she looked around the room. It was a huge hall, she could see a door at the end of it, right behind where the Golem sat before. Walking towards it she noticed that the body of the Golem hasn’t disappeared yet. ‘Seems like it’s not like a game after all...’ turning back to the door she continued. A long corridor opened up before her, a huge double door at the end of it. With Magic perception she could see bright runes written on the door.

“Let’s first check the rooms around here.” walking to the first room she found only dust again. A skeleton greeted her in the second room. Other than that it was empty. ‘Two more to go...’ The rooms only held dust. ‘That is kinda weird...but I mean it’s been...long I guess.’ Ending up on the double doors, she looked on as the runes on the door faded. A crack could be heard and the doors opened.

Cough cough, ‘How can the the air in here be even worse than out in the corridor? It’s just as old...’ waiting for the stale air to at least disperse a little, Ilea entered the supposed treasure room. “Not a lot left here eh?” looking around there were a lot of shelves and a couple chests. Two were open and empty, the shelves held nothing but more dust. “Well let’s see if there’s anything in the chest...” opening it, her eyes sparkled “Oh boi, at least it’s not empty...what’s that? Coins?” taking the five silver coins and one gold coin from the chest she held them in her hand “Wow these are heavy...a pouch would be nice actually...now for the main prize...” taking out the last item in the chest she marveled at the quality.

[Cloak of the night – High Quality ‘You are harder to detect in the dark’]

She hugged the cloak immediately “Oh my, it’s so soft I love it!” getting it on, the cloak nearly covered all of her. She looked a bit like a wraith, were it not for the pajamas underneath. “I’m the pajama death!” tattoos flaring to light she teleported to the wall and punched it, cracks forming all over it and some chunks of stone falling to the ground after she removed her fist. The blue light didn’t penetrate the cloak from within. “I like it.”

Ilea tried to use blink from every room in the cellar, sadly there was no other destination she could find. Going back upstairs she tried to use blink twice. While still in the air it didn’t work “Hmm...let’s see...” blinking into the air of the hall but this time right next to the wall, she touched it and used another blink. This time it worked and she found herself back in the third chamber. Going back up she looked at the collected things. “Is there?...” checking her cloak thoroughly she was happy to find two small pockets. Putting the coins inside she noted they would be clinking around all the time. Getting to the kitchen she removed some metal wire from one of the pots and bent it around the coins.

Getting the shoes she ran outside and headed for the stream she’d found before. Once there she cleaned the boots thoroughly before putting them on. “Nearly clothed now. I hope they don’t break when I kick something...” the boots fit quite snugly, so she at least wouldn’t lose them from a bit of fighting. Getting some more of the Cinderberries she returned to the temple.

Sitting on top of it she planned her next steps. ‘I think I’ll first definitely check for any possible hidden rooms in the temple. Afterwards I’ll go towards the mountains in the south.’ looking at the distant target she sighed ‘That’s gonna take a while...I kinda wanted to wait with this until I met someone but if I die on the way it’s not really worth it anyway, now is it?’

Checking her stats she used 50 of the remaining 60 stat points from her level ups. ‘Let’s see...Vitality up to 40, never wrong to be more tough….that’s 11 points, then 15 into Endurance, up to 40 too. Definitely Wisdom up to 50, that’s 8. That’s 34 points. Means 16 remaining. Guess I’ll go 6 into Intelligence to get 40 there too and 5 each into Strength and Dexterity.’ she finished her distribution with a thought, leaving 10 points unspent, just in case there was something fundamental she didn’t understand about stats and distributing points. Checking her status she felt ready...at least somewhat.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 13

Unspent statpoints: 10

- Active: Destruction – lvl 14

- Active: Reconstruction – lvl 2

- Active: State of Azarinth – lvl 10

- Active: Blink – lvl 7

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – lvl 12

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 3

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 1

- Meditation – lvl 8

- Poison Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 40

Endurance: 40

Strength 23

Dexterity 26

Intelligence 40

Wisdom 50

Health: 400/400

Stamina: 389/400

Mana: 487/500

“I need to find some clothes...and food...like...with spices!” looking into the distance she once more thought of her past. Ilea enjoyed the freedom she had here, all the time spent improving her fighting skills but she did miss her other hobbies, her bed and most of all good food. ‘I’m not sure if this is better or worse in the end. Training in itself is fun but fighting against that Golem...I can see myself getting into that. And I have no responsibilities really, no annoying fast-food work...plus I could heal people...if there are any that is...’

‘Guess I’ll find out tomorrow.’ going back downstairs she removed some of the Grass and stored it in her cloak. It would help her keep the faster training up for a while whilst she traveled. ‘I can check how fast my skill progress is without the Bluemoon Grass...there isn’t really any indication of it even improving anything. I do hope the Order actually tested the effectiveness beyond the body change.’ Sleeping early, she dreamed of a warm and soft bed.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 5 Civilization

Chapter 5 Civilization

Ilea felt ready when she woke up. She filled her rusty canteen with water from the fountain, put on her boots, her cloak and left. ‘So let’s see what I’ll find today.’ with a smile on her face Ilea tried to blink in every possible direction from any room in the temple. Sadly no hidden places were found. ‘I did find two chambers and the treasure room already, so I guess this was to be expected.’

After that she entered the forest in the direction of what she defined as south. It was a nice day outside, the suns were dimmed by the thick forest. Birds were chirping and the occasional roar sent them flying away. Ilea walked at a normal pace, enjoying the finally achieved freedom. Not just simply being outside, but being confident enough to not die on the first encounter with the wildlife.

She walked for half an hour until one of the roars filled her ears. ‘That one’s close...I really want to know their levels...’ starting to quietly run in the direction of the roar she soon came across a Drake. It was eating whatever was left of its prey. ‘Hellooo there...now let’s check’

[Drake lvl ??]

‘Hmm, still can’t see its level. I could beat the Guardian though so I’m not really sure about this. I think I won’t mess with any until I know how important the level of a creature even is.’ The Drake looked up and roared in her direction. “Yea yea, sorry for interrupting your meal.” leaving, she looked back and saw the Drake continue its meal ‘Seems like they don’t really care as long as there’s food...kinda reminds me of myself...as long as that food isn’t Grass.’

Leaving the Drake behind she continued on through the wilderness. She only came across some wolves that left after growling at her. ‘Yea you better leave, puppies.’ After four hours of walking Ilea started to run. ‘As long as I keep mindful of my Stamina I should be fine for a couple hours like this.’ her speed was extraordinary, at least for a human on earth. She sped through the forest, occasionally climbing a tree to stay in the right direction. Climbing wasn’t hard with her current strength and dexterity. A simple use of Blink would remove the climbing altogether but she wanted to save her Mana, just in case.

The mountains gradually creeped nearer but Ilea soon realized that something was wrong. ‘Either I’m tripping or these mountains are ridiculously huge...I should have reached them by now.’ shrugging, she continued on. Night eventually fell and Ilea climbed a monstrous tree to find a place to stay the night. ‘The slope ended around an hour ago...’ Ilea wasn’t sure if she should continue on.

‘Maybe I should first fight a little and get stronger...’ she couldn’t shake of her curiosity though. Even if she didn’t really have a problem with staying alone for extended periods of time, it was months since she talked to anyone. ‘I’ll get some necessities if at all possible and then go back to train. Maybe some food...I hope the money is enough...’

It took her three more days to finally exit the forest. It didn’t end abruptly but it became less densely populated with trees, until only a few remained in the vicinity. ‘Maybe I overdid it...hopefully I’ll find my way back again.’ eating only berries and drinking from any stream she could find, the three days had passed without any major incident. The roars stopped after the second day. The forest became more populated after that, mostly wolves and harmless animals. Nothing really bothered her on the journey.

Reaching the plains before the mountains, she once again marveled at their size. ‘This journey won’t be over for some time, now will it?’ continuing on, a worry that had bothered her more subconsciously was vaporized in an instant. “A street!...well...a road...I guess.” her mood now sky high again she started to follow the road. For three hours she didn’t come across any travelers, the mountains now seemed actually close, the terrain becoming steadily more rocky.

Seeing movement in the distance, Ilea strained her eyes ‘It’s people!’ starting to walk a little faster she saw wagons and a lot of figures walking around next to them ‘Why are they stopped though? Maybe something broke?’ then the smell hit her. ‘That’s blood...’ slowly backing up she suddenly heard a noise from her right. In the bushes a man in armor motioned her to come closer and to be quiet. She used identify on him.

[Warrior lvl ??]

He didn’t ambush me so I’ll trust him for now...first human I see in months yey.’ crouching lower and hurriedly going to the man she nodded towards him. He nodded too and talked to her in a whisper.

“Greetings, you’re lucky we caught you just now. There are some rogue adventurers down the road. We’re about to ambush them and could use a healer in the battle. If you accompany us we’ll compensate you for the services.”

“Who are you people exactly?” looking around she found around ten more people hidden around her. Some wore armor, some robes. Using identify on them told her there were some warriors, mages and rogues. Surprisingly no healers. She couldn’t see any of their levels. ‘Seems like my 13 levels aren’t that impressive after all...’

“Guard team from Riverwatch. Been hunting these guys for a week now already. Seems like today’s our lucky day.” the guard looked a bit curious at her attire but concentrated on his task.

Ilea nodded and the Guard motioned her to stay behind the team. Slowly they started creeping towards the people she’d seen before. The smell of blood started to get stronger. Advancing further they were now only around twenty meters away. Seeing how the adventurers had lookouts scanning their blind spots as the others looted the wagons, the guard made some signals with his hands.

Two of the guards nocked arrows while heat started to gather around the two mages. In a flash the arrows were released and shortly after, two scorching fireballs were launched. Two of the plunderers were struck by the arrows, one immediately dead. One of the fireballs set an adventurer on fire while the other one was skillfully dodged.

Noise filled her ears as battle cries were shouted all around her. The guards charged while more arrows and fireballs were released. After being stunned for a second, Ilea started to move. A smile on her face, she joined the fray. ‘I won’t use any skills, just punches and maybe healing my allies. There’s no telling if my magic is somehow seen as evil or whatever...medieval people are crazy.’ her cloak fluttering a little behind her, she ran behind the guards. Swords flashing in the sun while arrows flew around her. The smell of smoke and fire mixing with the blood already penetrating the air.

Jumping over the ridge Ilea stood on the road. Looking around she barely dodged an arrow fired at her “You fuck!” running towards the attacker he fired another one. Dodging to the right she found herself standing next to a one on one fight between one of the guards and a rogue. The rogue managed to sink his dagger into the guard, who answered with a heavy swing of his claymore. The swing nearly cleaved the rogue in two as his shoulder split. Blood colored both the guard’s armor and Ilea’s face. A quick scream escaped her lungs as she fell backwards, hitting herself on the wagon standing there. The guard barely took notice of her as he looked for his next target, his shining metal armor newly colored in red.

Her senses overloaded, Ilea tried to calm her breathing, nearly hyperventilating in the process. Not able to take her eyes off the newly made corpse before her, she closed them. Covering her ears with her hands she simply sat there, tears forming in her eyes. ‘Come on Ilea, move! You’ll die here if you don’t!’ getting a hold of herself she started running back to the ridge and jumped over it.

Walking to the mages and archers of the guards she simply stood there, watching the carnage from afar while her heartbeat drummed in her chest. The mages had stopped using fireballs, probably because of the not very precise way of attack while the archers sometimes still fired arrows.

Calming down Ilea’s eyes glazed over a bit. Ten minutes passed and the noise came to an end. The smell was still there, worse than before. A hand on her shoulder woke Ilea from her dizzy state.

“First battle it seems? I’m sorry to say this but our healer was injured last week and we do need your support here. Do you think you can work your magic?” Ilea looked up and saw one of the mages that stood next to her. After locking eyes for a couple seconds she hurriedly nodded.

“Can you walk on your own?” she nodded again to his question. He motioned her to follow and she did. Trying not to look too closely at the corpses around her, she knelt down next to a guard with a huge cut on his thigh. The man only grunted while nodding to the healer.

Activating her Reconstruction spell, her hand glowed a pale blue. She touched his leg and watched as the wound closed. The blood stopped pouring out and slowly the cut disappeared. Before she could finish though, a hand stopped her.

“That’s enough for me, save your mana for others.” the man again nodded to her and then rested his head while closing his eyes. Continuing, she healed three more people in immediate danger. None of the guards seemed to have died. Removing an arrow from a guards arm, she healed him.

‘ding’ ‘Reconstruction has reached lvl 3’

“That’s everyone I think. Thanks.” holding his hand out to her the guard that talked to her first, offered his name

“Dale, you saved us some expensive potions by being here lady healer. And that blue light magic is very interesting. Haven’t ever seen anything like it.” she shook his hand and offered her own name

“Ilea Spears, no worries. Glad I could help. I can finish up healing the badly injured people if you want to.” he shook his head

“They’ll heal in time. Let them suffer a bit. Even though they’re all experienced it’s good to sometimes see again that you’re not immortal.”

She nodded at that and looked around “You can come back to Riverwatch with us. Maybe we can get you some proper clothes.” Dale said and smiled a genuine smile at her

“We’ll clean up here and then move back. Don’t stray too far if you want to come. Payment for your services is in the city.” he finishes. Nodding at him she started to walk around the road, quickly finding what she was looking for.

The corpse still laid there, blood coloring the road. Guts flowing from the open wound. The shoulder was split, nearly to the stomach. Trying to keep herself from retching, Ilea made herself look at the corpse.

She stood there for a long time. The guards around her stripped the adventurers from any gear and loaded both the corpses and the gear on some still working wagons. The broken ones were burned. Someone nudged her on the shoulder. Turning to her right one of the guards motioned to the corpse in front of her “You wanna keep that?”

Shaking her head she simply turned around and nodded to herself. ‘This’ll need some time to get used to...fighting against people as a sport is one thing...killing though….’

The road cleared fast, the guards obviously experienced. Looking at them, Ilea also guessed they were all veterans. ‘They clear the corpses like it’s a job.’ a shout made her look up “Let’s get moving people!” Dale shouted and so they did.

Walking next to some of the guards, Ilea stayed silent. They joked around but still seemed ready to react at a moment’s notice.

“So what makes a healer travel these roads alone?” Dale appeared next to her

“I’ve been traveling alone for quite a while now already. I’m a pretty fast runner though.” she finished with a smile.

Laughing, Dale continued “I suppose you are. Heard you darted in and out of the fight at the start. Impressive, I won’t ask about why you did that though. Just don’t recklessly risk your life like that.” she nodded at that “And just saying...if you were one of my own healers you’d get cleaning duties for a month for that.”

Feeling a bit ashamed Ilea only nodded at him. ‘I did freeze in the fight and I suppose not knowing about my abilities it did look like a healer joined in close quarters fighting….which is incredibly stupid. Better not say anything else about that.’ Dale didn’t pry further and simply walked on.

“Can I ask you to show me a place where I can get some cheap clothes and a backpack?” hearing her question Dale nodded.

“You’ll get a couple silver for your service today. And I suppose nobody will miss a couple things looted from the adventurers...there are several shops if you don’t want to search through the stuff.”

“Thank you, I’m a bit short on money at the moment. Would be glad to take that opportunity.” thinking on it she smiled ‘I don’t really know HOW I’m doing on money exactly. Guess I’ll find out soon enough. This guy is a good man though, thankfully. Wouldn’t want to stand against this squad.’ Walking for two hours, the sound of a stream grew in her ears. Slowly it became louder, until a river could be seen in the distance. Some trees dotted the green landscape. It was already early evening, the sky darkening into a deep orange.

After another half an hour, Ilea could spot the supposed Riverwatch. A walled city built half into the mountain she’s tried to reach for the past week. ‘I was right after all...’ the river flowed at the city and then turned a sharp right, parts of the city open to the river. She didn’t talk much with the guards, still processing the fight and especially the rogue dying in front of her.

Arriving at the city the group was greeted by some guards at the gate. Passing through quickly on account of her present company, they walked through a market district with hundreds of people around and soon entered a separate walled off section. Dale again was walking next to her

“I assume you’ve never been to Riverwatch.” after not getting a response he continued “This is the southern guard station. You can have one of the rooms for the night, it’s not amazing but better than outside. With the festival so soon most inns are probably full too.” Ilea nodded

“Thanks, appreciate it. The clothes...” he again looked at her ragged pajamas

“I assumed you wanted to sleep first. You can search through the stuff now of course. Leave some for the others though.” he laughed and walked off. “I’m in the common room for another couple hours. Find me there as soon as you got your stuff. Just follow the wagon!”

Watching his back she turned around and followed the wagon with the gear. A quick glance around made her realize that the corpse wagon wasn’t here anymore. ‘Church? Or maybe burned. I wonder if there are zombies or something here. Would be amazing for necromancers to have that wagon.’ Reaching their destination, the two guards leading the wagon got off and started to move the things into an empty room.

She started to help. “Thanks, we’ll leave the stuff in there till tomorrow at least. I’ll wait outside for a while. Just show me the stuff you get afterwards. We might have to deduct some of your pay if it’s too valuable. I hope you understand.”

Ilea simply nodded ‘If I find anything good it’s even better. Won’t have to search through all the shops to get what I need.’

There was a lot of stuff. At least twelve ex-adventurers were killed in the attack. ‘Now let’s hope there were some people my size.’ It took the better part of an hour to search through the things. She found a rather nice intact set of leather armor and some brown traveling clothes for underneath. The clothes fit and the armor was adjustable so it was pretty good. In addition she took a small backpack with a clean canteen, some blankets, rope and a sturdy looking knife.

She kept the boots she had already on, liking them more than any of the ones available here. Getting out of the room she showed the things to the guard that had talked to her before. “Hmm, I’ll have to report the leather armor. That’s pretty good quality. The rest you can keep, wouldn’t want you to keep walking around in those rags.” he winked at her

“Anywhere I could wash this?” he simply pointed her in a direction after her question.

“There’s only the well. There should be some cleaning tools at the hut nearby. Use that stuff freely. If anyone asks you what you’re doing there just mention Dale.”

Ilea said her thanks and went to the well. Cleaning the clothing took an excruciatingly long hour. There was plenty of blood on it. ‘I hate not having a washing machine available...’ finishing up she took her things and went to the common hall. There weren’t many people in there. ‘Might be nicer to go to an establishment outside of the guard center...’

Dale was drinking a beer and talking to two other guards. He nodded at her as soon as he saw her. “A drink first or your room?”

Nodding back, she closed in on the table and sat down “A drink would be nice right now actually.”

“Oy Robin! A drink for the healer!” an affirmative shout was heard from somewhere behind the bar and soon she was drinking mead from a huge jug

‘Wow this is actually pretty good stuff.’ finishing half of it in one swig the guards stared at her and then started laughing.

“Been a long day eh?” The woman in front of her asked.

Ilea nodded “Never seen a man get killed...” they all were quiet for a moment after that

“To surviving.” the man next to her said while lifting his jug

“Aye” Dale agreed and they all took another swig.

She listened to them talk about the day and some gossip. Apparently they were still trying to find a guy selling poison in the city. Most of the talk was about the coming festival in three months. For the guards it meant a lot more work for the time before and after. Ilea laid out her clothes to dry next to the fireplace in the common room. Dale had noted that she got some nice things and that he wouldn’t deduct anything from her pay. ‘I don’t know why he’s so nice but I’ll take it nonetheless.’

They stayed there for a couple hours. After that, Dale showed her the room she could stay in for the night. “Thanks, appreciate the help Dale.” he only nodded

“No worries Ilea, you were a great help today.” closing the door she looked around the room. There was a rudimentary bed, a mirror and an empty chest. ‘The bed is still better than that old thing in the temple.’ putting her things into the chest, including her cloak, she glanced at the mirror and was immediately startled.

“What the fuck?!” looking away she nearly cried “I’m a fucking mess!”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 6 E X P O S I T I O N

A note from Rhaegar

Let's call it world building. Apologies for the boring chapter. 3 chaps today.

Chapter 6 E X P O S I T I O N

Her clothes were barely holding together and her hair was an absolute mess. Dried blood stuck to both her body and her clothes. ‘I must smell horrible...’ Taking the traveling clothes, she immediately went outside again. The guards on night duty looked on with various expressions as the woman took a bucket of water and walked to the shed next to the well. Ilea undressed and thoroughly cleaned herself. After half an hour of cold water and hard brushes she got into her new clothes and went back to her room. Looking into the mirror she found herself staring back at her. Clean this time.

Going to bed she removed most of the traveling clothes again and slept. ‘This is the most comfortable I’ve felt in months...’ sleep came easy even though her day held some very jarring experiences. No dreams would come to her that night and a knock on the door woke her up rather early again.

“Ilea? Sorry to wake you this early but I’m leaving in an hour and would like to finish my business with you before I go.” Dale was standing outside.

Dressing in under a minute, she put on the traveling clothes and her cloak. All her other things went into the backpack, which she slung around her shoulder. Looking into the mirror she smiled ‘Looking like a real badass there mate.’ her cloak was down and her black hair flowed freely. There was no shampoo but the washing still did wonders.

Opening the door, Dale stood there for two seconds with wide eyes before he caught himself. “Oh, morning. Sorry you look….different. Very good actually.” he scratched his beard “Guess we won’t have to check your magic for witchcraft after all...” chuckling he motioned her to follow him.

“I do hope you burned those rags.” she chuckled at his joke.

“They hold some sentimental value, though otherwise I’d agree. How can I stay out of trouble in the city?” they turned a corner, most everything in the guard center made of stone.

“Not much really, no crime obviously or you have me hunting you down. The east side is a little rougher but you can run very fast, right?”

‘Not fast enough to run away from you...’ Entering a room, he opened a drawer and after searching for a while removed a couple coins and handed them to her.

“Three silver as the standard fee for a healer in employ of the city.” she took the coins and added them to her own.

“What about the gear?” She asked but he just looked at her confused.

“What gear? I’m not sure what you’re talking about Ilea. The things on your body are yours.” she simply nodded slowly.

“Aaaalright. Thanks a ton Dale, you really helped me out here.” she held out her hand and he shook it.

“No worries, healers are always welcome, no matter how crazy they look.” winking at her he motioned her to the door. “Any plans from now on?”

Following her outside and locking the door she answered “I’ll check out the city for a while and then leave again for a couple weeks, or months. Might be back for the festival though. Three months right?”

He nodded “Don’t get yourself killed out there Ilea. Yes, the city festival starts in three and a half months. Would be nice to see you there. Maybe you can join the tournament and run around a bit.” laughing together she bid him farewell and left the guard center.

It was early morning, the city was slowly coming to life. A bell could be heard in the distance and some dogs were barking. Ilea turned around and walked to the guard posted at the entrance of the center. Nodding to him she asked if there’s a place to get general information about the wildlife, the geography and the city itself. He directed her to the main library of the city. Apparently pretty much in the center of Riverwatch. Thanking him, she left and soon found herself lost in the small alleys. She wasn’t in a bad mood though. People were finally around her after so much time of solitude. ‘I’ll get sick of it again in a day though...’ she chuckled to herself and kept walking.

The architecture was medieval and very practical. No fancy structures or statues adorned the buildings, at least not in the district she was currently in. Children played in the alleys and people started to prepare their stalls to sell whatever goods they specialized in. The closer she got to the center, the more people and stalls were around. ‘There’s so much food...’ holding herself back because of her limited finances and fear of getting taken advantage of, she hurried to the library. The guard had described it pretty well and there was a fancy statue of a woman holding a battle ax into the air in front of it, which made it hard to miss. It was still morning, so navigating around the center wasn’t that difficult. Ilea already dreaded going back out in the middle of the day though.

Entering, the air was immediately much cooler. There were shelves far into the back of the main room, stacked with books. A lone librarian was sitting on a desk and writing down on a sheet of paper. Walking up to the desk Ilea coughed once. The man didn’t look up “What?”

Shrugging at his tone she started talking “I’m not from around here and need information on the wildlife, the geography and some about the city itself. I’m looking to be an adventurer someday.” trying to sound like a foreigner, which she was. And like a greenhorn adventurer, which she also was.

“Another life...wasted to adventure...” the man mumbled, nearly sneering at the word adventure.

‘Probably lost someone close to him to it...oh well.’ the man finished what he was writing and then rang a bell that was on his desk. “An attendant will….tend to you. 5 coppers per hour. And now schsh.”

Ilea walked a couple steps back and waited ‘At least he doesn’t pretend to be nice.’ ten seconds later a girl of around sixteen years appeared and looked expectantly at the librarian. He simply pointed at Ilea.

She walked up to her and held out her hand “Hi, I’m Maria. How may I help you. Oh it’s five coppers an hour if you need help finding books or information about anything. Oh and welcome to the Riverwatch library!”

Shaking her hand Ilea looked around “Hi Maria, nice to meet you I’m Ilea. Do you have somewhere to sit down? I need to know quite a few things.”

Maria nodded and beckoned her to follow. Sitting down at a table in a separate room Maria looked at her expectantly. ‘Wow she’s motivated...did she start today?’ Ilea thought.

“Alright, as I said I’m Ilea. I just arrived here in the city. I grew up in a small village so remote that nobody has ever heard of it and we weren’t really taught much. Only my grandfather traveled outside the village and he died when I was little. I learned some things from the books we had but as I said...very little.” the girl just sat there and nodded.

“Well there are a couple very basic things I need to know. Please tell me if anything I say or ask is offensive or forbidden. I really don’t know about that stuff.” She tried to look innocent and ashamed, which she basically was in a way.

Even though there was no way she could know anything about this world in her situation it was still weird to ask a sixteen year old for general knowledge. “Sure, just ask me. If I don’t know something I’ll find it in a book or ask someone.” a bright smile accompanied her assurance. Letting out a breath she didn’t know she held, Ilea started.

“How does the money system work? I got some money from my village to help on my travels but I have no idea how much a silver coin or a copper coin is worth.” raising her eyebrows at the question the girl sighed.

“That basic of a question...hmm...” she continued mumbling very quietly, Ilea could practically hear her thought of “this is gonna be boring...” then out loud again she answered the question. “Basically it’s one to one hundred copper being the lowest, then silver, then gold. Wait...do you...know numbers? Basic math?” she had the worst fake smile on her face that Ilea had ever seen.

“I do, don’t worry. Can you tell me a couple things that would convey the general worth of money? Like how much does an iron sword cost or a piece of bread?”

Seemingly relieved, Maria continued. “Well it’s different from place to place of course. And with swords and stuff it’s super different right? Cause they have very different qualities. A basic meal costs around two to ten coppers. You can easily pay several silvers for a meal though if it’s amazing. Clothes...hmm a full set of leather armor would be around ten silver or so. A minor healing potion goes for a gold or two, depending on availability. An armor set like the city guards wear can be a gold or even several too. Again, depending on the quality. If you’re looking to not get cheated in the city it’s difficult though...you’d have to know all the products, the current market value, problems in other cities and trade routes and...”

‘Wow so those clothes and leather armor were a lot more than Dale owed me. Considering the prices for potions I don’t feel too bad though.’ Ilea stopped her there. “I got the idea. Thanks. Now what big countries are around the continent...how do you call the continent by the way? And in each what are some big organizations I should know about?”

Maria blinked “You’re weird...wait sorry! I didn’t mean to insult a customer...it’s just...”

Ilea smiled at her “It’s fine...my knowledge is only bits and pieces of whatever I could get. That’s why I’m here. I’d be thankful though if you just tried to answer the questions as simply as possible. I promise there’ll be something in it for you too.” she winked at her.

This seemed to elate the girl again “Alright..well we’re in Elos...that’s the continent. There are a ton of books on the geography. Very very broadly put the east is occupied by mostly human kingdoms up to the sea, there are many places on the other side of the ocean but few have returned and the ones who have spoke of strong monsters and very harsh terrain.”

“Northwards is the great Naraza mountain chain. There are some cities there and many different species living in it. The higher up you go the climate gets harsher though and powerful monsters occupy the place. Beyond that is mountains as far as one can see. News of adventurers pushing further reaches us every couple years but not a lot of it is charted yet. Of course before that is the Navali forest. Again many different species living there. Directly north it’s mostly monsters though. After many years of skirmishes between elves, humans and dwarfs it was kinda unofficially declared that nobody gets the place. Few travel through it anymore. The lack of regulation means a lot of strong monsters and supposedly even cults and practitioners of forbidden magic. That’s only rumors though.”

‘Wow I was right with my compass rose. That’s pretty cool.’ She thought.

“Well the western part of the forest is basically elven territory although there isn’t a lot of trade going on there so we know little. The war is of course still going on. You know about the war though I hope?” shaking her head the girl sighed, took a deep breath and continued “Elves are at war with basically everything else. Because they’re bloodthirsty and crazy. There aren’t many though so the other races could push them back into the forest. Many tried to go in there and attack their villages but nobody made it back alive. It’s their domain and most humans at least are fine with that it seems, other species still try though.”

‘Elves are bloodthirsty creatures? Interesting.’ Ilea thought

“This is Riverwatch. We’re an independent city just like seven or so more directly south of the forest. Should I get into the kingdoms and bigger cities in the east, or continue with the independent cities here?”

Ilea shook her head “That’s enough geography for now, thanks. Another thing I’m very interested in is levels and skills. You see I’m a healer from my village and nobody else really trained to be a warrior or mage there. Can you talk about that a little?”

Maria nodded “Well there are an insane amount of classes obviously...if you reach certain requirements you can chose one. A person can choose two classes, if there are any ways to gain more, I don’t know them. Just tell me if I’m too basic here...” Ilea motioned for Maria to continue.

“Well every class has certain related skills, either active or passive. I’m sure you have some too. They level up by you using them. You can level your class and skills up by killing monsters, or even other sapient beings. The stronger the better. Of course you could just use the skills a lot but it’s way slower that way. You want to become an adventurer right? So you should know this too. To join the guild you need to be level 10 at least. For higher ranks you’ll need higher levels. At least ten for each rank.”

“What’s the highest known level of a person or skill?” she asked

“Well here in Riverwatch there are several adventurers known to be over level 100. Some elite guards are in that range as well. Some old mages are said to have similar or higher levels. Skill wise I’ve heard about people having skills in the second tier at level 10 or even higher. If you didn’t know, once a skill reaches level 20 and levels again it goes into the 2nd tier. They change slightly and become more powerful of course. There are generally probably people with higher levels or skills but already low level adventurers are reluctant to share their stats. It’s not everything but you know a lot about a person if you know their stats. I can’t even guess about other cities, especially in the bigger kingdoms.”

“That was very helpful information Maria, thanks. In that sense, how important are levels anyway, of humans and monsters….let’s say for example...a Drake.”

Maria didn’t show a major reaction to the word so Ilea was relieved “Well a level one person with a high enough leveled skill could hurt or even kill a level 100 adventurer. It’s unlikely but levels don’t mean everything. With monsters it’s even more apparent. The Drake you mentioned is a very strong beast, having dragon’s blood in its veins. A level five Drake could be a tough challenge to a level thirty adventurer. There have been sightings of them only a week or two to the north by the way, so be wary of that place. So a level thirty Drake could probably take a level 80 wolf but there are so many factors involved in fights it’s hard to say really...as I said...levels are just a base number. If one beast is ten times as fast it can kill the slower beast even if the slower one has one hundred levels more.”

“Alright, I see I see. The last thing I wanted to know is about gear. Generally weapons, armors and clothing. Are there ways to enchant them with additional powers, maybe even status points?

“I’ve never heard of armor with stat improvements honestly but it wouldn’t be too weird. The best things I’ve heard of add some special ability to the wearer but they’re very rare and people tend to be super secretive about them. Mostly adventurers wear that stuff because they found it in a dungeon. Hope that answers your question.”

“It does. The last thing...you mentioned dungeons, what are they exactly?”

Maria continued “Well there are places where the natural magic is very strong. Monsters tend to gather there and whenever there are enough, some form of evolution can happen. Nobody really knows yet about the process. A boss monster is born or evolved and the monsters in the dungeon will turn more aggressive and unite under the boss. Sometimes they even leave to attack villages or cities. They also breed faster and sometimes even drop rare loot when killed. Adventurers like to go there to strengthen themselves and find better gear. Or simply to make money.”

“Well I guess that’s all for now. Thanks Maria for the kind help. Keep the rest, that old geezer doesn’t need to know.” leaving a silver piece on the desk Maria started to fumble with her words “It’s fine.” Ilea said as she got up and walked back to the main hall. The talk was barely an hour long but having such an enthusiastic girl help her was the best. ‘She didn’t go into too much detail. Wouldn’t want to read about the specific creatures and kingdoms anyway. Exploring them on my own seems more fun. Heh...thinking like a true adventurer already...’

Leaving the library Ilea frowned ‘It’s barely been an hour and look at all the people...I want my temple back.’ starting to descend the stairs to the central square she started to smile ‘I guess it’s not so bad in this world...now for the food...’

It was still early in the morning but many stands already sold food. The smells filling the streets were wonderful compared to Ilea’s Grass only diet. Getting some grilled meat at a stand she walked on while eating. A nice looking salad, several interesting juices, two sausages and what she thought was a kebab later, she sat down in a park overlooking a big part of the city. “Ouuf, I’m having a food baby…,” The sun was shining bright on the city. Half of it cornered on the mountain. A tree provided shade for Ilea. The busy city below her. “Fuck I forgot to ask about the different stats...”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

2019 June 27th: Minor changes.

Chapter 7 Broken Bones

Chapter 7 Broken Bones

Getting ready to leave the city in the evening of the same day, Ilea had visited the library again and bought a lot of food. As much as would fit in her new backpack. She had also visited a tailor to explain to her how she had to put on the leather armor. It was surprisingly complicated. In addition she bought a piece of flint for fire making and a small pouch for her money, leaving her at 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 25 Copper coins. Luckily there were bigger pieces of copper coins to prevent having a one kilogram heavy pouch.

‘Seems like I’m ready for now. I’ll continue to work on my skills till the festival. Hopefully I can fight and kill some Drakes...’ thinking on that she left through the same gate she came from. Sadly compasses weren’t a thing here but some questions she asked at the library on her second visit about the sun and stars left her with a vague ability to navigate. At least at night. ‘Perfect really with my cloak...’ she thought while walking down the same path she had traveled on yesterday with the guards. She could easily join an adventurer team but was still unsure if any of her abilities weren’t common or even forbidden. Getting killed because of that wasn’t on the top of her list. ‘I’ll probably see a ton of abilities at the tournament in three months.’

Running nearly the entire way back she was faster than before and even leveled Endurance once. She had put the remaining ten of her stats in both Vitality and Intelligence, both now at 45. Apparently no additional stats were known of...at least it wasn’t common knowledge. ‘If I get one someday I’ll handle it then.’ the other stats were pretty much the way she thought of them. It seemed a little more fluid though, the strength of a spell could be improved by Strength too and not only by the magic related stats. Many people had at least a certain amount of points in all stats.

Finding the slope again she was happy to not have been lost. She had known how long she traveled and more or less in which direction. Back at the temple she warped downstairs and smiled. ‘Home sweet home...or prison...whatever’ Depositing her new stuff on the ground next to the bed, she used the blankets she got from Dale to make it a bit more tolerable. The shelves were dusted and stocked with the food she bought. ‘I’ll have to ration it for the next three weeks, hopefully the preservation runes work on food as well as they do the books. And I do have to eat the grass.’ According to Maria, skills normally gained levels only after weeks of training...without killing anything that is. Expensive Elixirs could supposedly speed up the process. Only very rich or powerful people had access to them though. ‘I mean using the grass and killing things can only be better, right?’

Sitting on top of the temple and looking at the forest and the stars, Ilea enjoyed some of the smoked meat she bought. ‘I do like it here...the feeling of freedom is something else...I never felt like this on Earth...if this is virtual reality then they fucking nailed it...’ lying down on her rather comfortable cloak and using one of the blankets as a pillow, she enjoyed the sky nearly as much as the meat. ‘Tomorrow I’ll find one of the Drakes and fight it. Apparently they can breathe fire to an extent, are very fast and tough. We’ll see if they’re too tough for Destruction...’ looking at her fist absentmindedly ‘...that Golem certainly wasn’t.’

Blinking back down to her chamber she was much happier. She had food, blankets and even a backpack. ‘Damn I should get candles or something...not for down here though, this place is a fire hazard. In the main hall though...maybe.’ Ilea fell asleep to thoughts of candles and a burning chamber of awakening.

Morning came and Ilea left for her hunt. Not before eating a generous amount of Bluemoon grass though. Blinking upstairs Ilea looked at her hands and wondered “Hmm...I’m not nauseous anymore at all...at least not with Blink.’ looking suspiciously towards the room she was teleported from she turned again and left the temple.

‘Now I just have to wait for a roar.’ running around in the forest she collected any Cinderberries she could find and patiently waited for her prey. Or predator, she wasn’t quite sure yet. After half an hour she heard the first one.

Running into the direction of the sound Ilea soon lost the trail. ‘Back to square one I guess.’ waiting again she used Magic Perception to look around. There was only a faint glow, nothing especially bright. ‘I really have to use it more often...’ another roar got her out of the thought. ‘That one’s closer.’ again speeding into the direction of the roar with her Aura skill active she soon reached the place where it came from.

Standing there was what she was looking for.

[Drake – lvl ??]

It eyed her suspiciously as she slowly approached. “Nice kill you got there...” she gestured towards the corpse of some now unrecognizable animal at the ground. The Drake opened its maw and roared at her.

‘You have heard a mighty beast’s roar, movement is slowed by 15% for one minute.’

“Well it seems your food is g...” she couldn’t continue as the beast opened its mouth again but this time it was not a roar that came out. Immediately Blinking ten meters to the right the place she stood in before was obliterated by fire. Heat filled the area and a smell of burned wood and leaves penetrated her nose.

“Let’s play then!” the woman said with a smile on her face that might have seemed uncharacteristic on her for everyone in her old life but her kickboxing friends. The Drake turned his head towards her and breathed fire. This time she was ready and jumped to the side with all her force. It wasn’t quite enough to dodge completely, her left arm got badly burnt. Immediately using Reconstruction on herself the arm began to heal as the Drake advanced. Its speed was just as described. Ilea barely managed to dodge to the side as a swipe from its maw passes next to her head. ‘Teeth...’ she thought as she kept channeling Reconstruction into herself. The healing magic was being absorbed by her burnt arm, skin reformed and turned a bright pink.

Gritting her teeth Ilea was glad for her pain reduction, otherwise she wasn’t sure if she would’ve even been standing. Rushing at her again, this time she was ready. She dodged to the side at the last moment and kicked the beast in its side with Destruction. Getting further away through the kick she landed, she looked at the beast. It turned and breathed fire again. This time she blinked directly behind the beast and kicked it on its neck. It turned to swipe at her with its teeth but she was already ten meters further back, the kick having propelled her.

Turning around it charged again. The same event repeated several times until the beast was too cautious to approach. ‘I’ve hit it at least ten times now...come on, no reaction?’ just as she started to become frustrated, blood leaked out of the monster’s maw. Her smile broadened, immediately after having to dodge another assault of fire. She appeared next to the beast and used a series of jabs with Destruction to attack its side. The Drake staggered, not able to dodge the teleporting mage and not able to hit her with its fire. ‘It’s definitely weakening’ a sudden kick of the Drake sent her flying. Blood coming to her mouth, she stopped herself on the ground ten meters further back. Wincing she activated Reconstruction. ‘Ribs broken ey?’

She felt her bones bending back to their original shape but had to stop healing because of the pain. Even with the 50% reduction, it was too much for her. Losing concentration in a fight like this could prove fatal. Still she was smiling. “You’re one tough motherfucker, you know that?” talking to the beast only made it more infuriated. Roaring at her, it charged again. Its steps not as sure as before. Just when Ilea dodged, the beast used a sudden change of movement to tackle its body into her. Her half healed bones cracked again and she fell to the ground, the monster on top of her.

Both are barely breathing, blood collected on the forest ground. The air was thick with smoke, and a strong smell of blood, burnt wood and flesh lingered around them. Coughing up blood Ilea tried to push away the Drake but it was too heavy and her injuries limited her too much. The glow of her Aura spell faded as she was no longer able to sustain it. All her mana was going into Reconstruction, barely keeping herself alive.

They lied there for ten minutes, her HP was going up and down at the same time. Soon after the Drake stopped breathing.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Drake]. For killing an adversary 30 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 14. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 15. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Reconstruction reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Azarinth reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches lvl 13’

The smile never left Ilea, even though the pain was terrible. ‘Why do I feel so good when there is so much pain...I’m not into that kinda shit…fighting is the best!’ coughing up another load of blood her regenerated mana went directly into healing her body. Slowly she stabilized. After that she entered a meditative state and restored a third of her mana. Healing herself up to her full HP, she activated her Aura again and pushed the Drake off of her. The body was heavy. Looking down at it she spoke “Can I eat you?” trying to lift it she barely managed to drag the beast. ‘Well I guess this is training too...’ It took nearly an hour to drag the corpse back to the temple. Luckily nothing else attacked her on the trip back. Using Blink left the beast behind, so that wasn’t an option.

Arriving at the temple she deposited the drake in the middle of the main hall. Gathering wood in the forest, she returned and built a fire. There were enough holes in the ceiling for there to be plenty of airflow. The flint worked like a charm with the knife she got from the killed adventurers. Trying to cut into the drake proved hard though. Impossible really. “Well only one thing to do then...” activating her Aura spell she used several jabs to loosen the scales and finally penetrate them. Making the opening bigger, she made a huge mess with Drake blood squirting all over the place.

After half an hour of struggling, she had finally removed enough of the scales to cut some of the meat inside. Continuing her work on the scales the meat grilled over the fire. She used rusty remnants of kitchen utensils to build a makeshift grid above the fire. ‘These scales could be amazing as some sort of protection. Maybe someone can help me put them on my leather armor. They were a dark red. ‘Will have to find a blue Drake...’ she thought as she peeled off some leftover skin from a severed Scale.

Already being midday, it was evening when she was done. The meat tasted horrible, even with applied salt that she had brought from the city. ‘Too much muscle. I should hunt some domesticated cows...’ finishing up she stored the scales in the chamber library. There was plenty of space after having removed all the rotting shelves. Ilea had to use Blink several times to get all the Scales downstairs, seemingly having a weight limit on the things she could carry with the skill. This weirdly didn’t apply to the backpack she had used before. ‘Next time I’ll put the scales in there and then use the skill...’

Putting out the campfire, she looked at the bloody Drake. Only flesh remained. ‘The bones...I bet I could use those...’ being too tired to remove all the bones from the Drake though, she dragged the corpse outside and threw it into the forest. ‘Dinner for whomever...’ going back inside she warped to her chamber and slept upon hitting the bed.

Waking up, Ilea was hungry. She ate more Grass than she had ever before, continuing with some smoked meat. ‘I eat too much meat...’ she thought but still continued to eat. Warping upstairs she was greeted by a very close roar. ‘Oh man...this day starts great...let’s nearly die again...’ smiling already she put the ten gained skill points into Vitality and walked outside.

The nearby Drake with green scales looked up at the intruder. “Eww, cannibalism! You’re gross man...’

[Drake – lvl ??]

Looking at her the Drake growled and prepared to breathe fire. Tattoos coming to life Ilea immediately blinked to the Drake’s side and punched it three times. Warping to the other side to avoid a kick, she repeated the punches. The kick came and she dodged to the left, now standing right under the Drake’s head. A strong uppercut sent destructive magic through the beast and right when it tried to bite her she blinked above it and sent a powerful kick into its neck.

Blink at level 8 cost only around 15 Mana to use, less if the distance was short. Combined with the hits of Destruction it was a considerable mana drain, but with 500 Mana at her disposal Ilea wasn’t stingy. ‘The higher the level, the cheaper the skills will be. And how do you level skills?...’ the Drake ran away a couple meters and turned around while breathing fire at its previous location. ‘...by using them...’ blinking again next to the beast she again managed to hit it three times before she had to back away from a kick. Growing desperate, the Drake charged at her at a slow speed, sometimes bursting in speed to make her use the teleportation spell. Occasionally she brought in a punch or two before having to blink away. Blood already visible on the Drake’s mouth it took only another two minutes for it to go down.

“This time not on top of me!”

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Drake]. For killing an adversary 10 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 16. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches lvl 14’

“Nice...Reconstruction didn’t level but I mean I wasn’t hit...” deciding not to move the corpse inside the temple again, she dragged it to the clearing in front of it. With some experience it was a little easier to remove the scales. Getting them all into the backpack and then using blink actually worked. ‘Interesting...will ask about this when I get back to the city.’ settling into meditation to restore her lost energy, she Blinked back outside. Checking the bodies, she realized that the one from yesterday had less meat on its bones. ‘I mean the green one did eat some of it...maybe I can let the beasts do my work...’ leaving the corpses there she searched for more Drakes.

‘My skills and levels are growing astronomically fast...it kinda feels like cheating. Is that all the Bluemoon Grass? Or maybe because I’m fighting alone against monsters with a much higher level. Will ask about that in the city too...’ grabbing every Cinderberry she could find, Ilea listened for another roar. After another hour of walking around she heard it. The fight went much the same. Knowing the Drakes and their abilities she overwhelmed it with her Destruction spell and blinking. ‘No level up this time huh?’ sitting down next to the downed Drake, she started to remove its scales again while restoring the lost mana and stamina.

“And so the grind begins...” standing up with a smile on her face, she ran back to the temple to get her backpack. This process repeated another four times that day, her levels progressing steadily. Coming back to the temple, she ate some grass and cheese on the roof of it while looking at the sunset. ‘Only one more thing for today.’ finishing up, she Blinked down into her chamber. Going to the library she ignored the already sizable amount of scales. Crouching down next to the pile of Cinderberries she collected, she smirks. ‘Reconstruction, here I come...’ eating one berry, then two, then three she healed herself steadily while her health depleted and then came back again. Half an hour later she received the message she’d been waiting for.

‘bing’ ‘Reconstruction reaches lvl 5’

“Well it works...but it’s fucking boring...maybe I can let the Drakes hurt me….nah, that’d be crazy. This is safe and easy. I can read some of the other diaries from the other chambers...will get some books from the city during the festival. Hopefully they’re not too expensive.” Going to sleep, Ilea smiled and dreamt of fighting Drakes.

Three months pass like this. The amount of Drakes she killed increasing every day, even though she had to search farther and farther for new prey. Her speed increased with every Stat point she put into Strength, the time needed for rest after each fight lessened with each level in Endurance and Wisdom. The rapidly leveling skills amplified her damage the stronger she got. After three weeks she even stopped collecting the scales, the way back too far to justify the trip. Her first skill to reach the 2nd stage was Destruction, the skill becoming far stronger than before. Additionally the ability to choose how much mana to use per strike was added to the skill. Most of her mainly used skills reached the second stage after around another week of fighting, the progress slowing down extremely after that.

Running through the forest at full speed with her Aura activated, Ilea scanned her surroundings, the trees flying by. Ignoring any wild animals, she was searching for more of her prey. ‘Where are you Drakes...’ she had only found two so far today. ‘I’m behind...the first time in three months I’m behind. They don’t seem to respawn as they do in video games, that at least is sure.’ running into a big clearing a loud roar made her stop.

Looking to her right, a Drake walked out from the tree line. It was the biggest Drake she’d seen so far.

[Drake – lvl ??]

‘Not a different name, looks different to me though...’ heat gathered around her as the Drake unleashed his fire breath, a much bigger cone than usual.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 8 Death

Chapter 8 Death

Having to blink away twice, she healed the sustained damage she received in between the teleports. Her clothes took the brunt of the heat, the leather armor and traveling clothes not looking as good as they had three months ago. Blinking again, she dodged another fire breath. ‘You’re annoying...’ she started to rapidly advance towards the beast while healing herself. Blinking left and right occasionally to confuse the beast, she got closer and closer. She had learned that the Drakes would not use their breath if the target was moving too fast.

Reaching the beast, she prepared a punch to its left side but the Drake looked towards the ground. And breathed fire. The flames spread around the Drake and covered it completely. Her extended right hand still on fire, Ilea shook it out after having blinked away backwards. ‘Might be why it’s black...’ smelling the burnt flesh, she grimaced ‘Been a while since one of them got me that badly...’ a smile returning to her face, she moved into a stance ‘It’s also been a while since I was that excited to fight one of them.’ Repeating her move from before, the Drake did the same thing and pushed her back. She didn’t get burned this time but still couldn’t reach her adversary.

‘I don’t have any ranged attacks...and I doubt I can outlast it with mana...’ blinking back towards the Drake, she kicked from above while the fire spread around herself and the beast. ‘The only thing I have that it doesn’t...’ the flames engulfed her and she screamed. Her kick connected and she warped away, immediately using Reconstruction. ‘...is healing...but fuck that hurts...’ The beast looked at her with anger in its eyes. A deep roar filled the clearing.

She dodged two more cones of fire as while advancing again. Her Reconstruction spell working overtime through the whole fight. With her current level and mana quantity it wasn’t an issue. Reaching the Drake again the same event repeated. Two punches staggered the beast as Ilea gritted her teeth through the fire and flames, her clothes and armor getting scorched in the process.

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Heat Resistance.

Ignoring the warnings of your parents and friends, you refuse to not stand in fire. This skill will help lessen the damage and pain a little. - lvl 1’

“Perfect timing...” blinking in again she kicked at the monster. Trying a new approach the Drake didn’t burn her but snapped at her with its sharp teeth in a flash of movement. Ilea screamed as her right arm was crushed by the beast’s strong jaw. Finding herself unable to blink away, she used her free arm to punch at the Drake’s head. Her mana was rapidly draining as her Aura spell, healing spell and her Destruction spell each were being supplied. This continued for four seconds, her health declining slowly. The Drake, seeing itself at the losing end of the exchange let go of her arm, jumped back and released fire again.

Blinking directly above it she got a kick in before the drake moved its head to the ground to cover itself in flames again. With bloodshot yellow eyes and blood around its mouth, the monster stared at her. Ilea didn’t look much better as she returned the stare. Unceremoniously, the Drake collapsed. ‘It’s still alive...’ she noted, working hard to heal herself. Ilea fell down to one knee, breathing hard. Her eyes never left her adversary as her burned body slowly formed new skin. Patches of her once nice traveling clothing were blackened or completely missing now but it still held together.

After a minute of healing she blinked to the beast and kicked hard in its unprotected belly. Then she blinked away again. She did this two more times until the Drake stopped moving completely.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Drake]. For killing an adversary 30 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth healer has reached level 47. 5 Stat points awarded’

“Damn, that guy was over lvl 76...” quickly going into meditation she slowly walked up to the downed Drake. She noticed in the past couple months that she could see any beast’s level with up to 12 levels above her own. When she leveled Identify to two, the limit increased to 14 levels above her own. Which meant she could see the Drake’s levels after a while, some were even below her own. They did vary greatly though, likely a product of their territorial behavior.

Reaching the Drake she started to remove its scales. ‘This is much harder than any others so far...’ finally penetrating the closely connected scales she removed one

[Charred Drake Scale – High Quality]

‘Nice! So far they were all just Drake Scales...’ she kept removing scales for the better part of two hours, enjoying the sun in the clearing. The height of summer having passed two months ago, it was still rather hot. At least she thought of it that way, the climate and seasons could be different here than they were on earth after all.

“Now how the fuck am I going to move them...I don’t have my backpack here and I’m like two hours away from the temple, even at full speed...” looking down at the pile of scales she sighs “I really want them though...” filling any pocket in her burnt clothing and her cloak, she managed to get around a third of them.

‘Guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow...’ seeing as it was already late in the afternoon, she made her decision. ‘Don’t want anyone taking them though...even though I haven’t met a soul around here so far.’

Leaving the clearing she used her hands to dig a hole in the soft earth and then put the remaining scales in there. Around twenty scales now rested below half a meter of dirt. Scratching a nearby tree with a nail Ilea marked the spot. ‘Let’s move back then...’ speeding up, she ran through the forest towards the slope with the temple. Occasionally she scared off some wolves. They seemed to have retaken a big part of the forest after the Drake population suddenly plummeted for some weird reason.

Stopping sometimes to grab any Cinderberries in her path, she reached the temple around two and a half hours later. Getting some grass from the chamber, she sat on the roof of the temple and enjoyed the sunset. Eating berries and Bluemoon grass had again become the norm after her supplies ran out a month ago. Eating wild animals wasn’t an option either anymore with her salt gone. It would nourish her of course but the taste was bland. ‘Cinderberries still taste great...I love them.’ the damage she sustained from them was reduced greatly by her high poison resistance. She didn’t even have to use her Reconstruction spell anymore while eating them.

Having finished her meal, she warped down to her chamber and deposited the Charred Drake scales. Nearly a third of the library room was now full with various scales and bones. The new population of wolves helped her greatly by removing the meat from the dead Drakes. The bones were too dense for them to eat, probably even hurting their teeth when trying to gnaw on them.

“Bone armor here I cooome!” Ilea said as she lay down on her bed. “I think tomorrow I’ll go back to Riverwatch. It’s been two weeks since good food and the festival starts soon anyway. Guess I’ll finish up here in the morning, pack my backpack and go get the rest of the charred scales. Maybe I can sell them in the city or have something made from them...I doubt my money’s enough for that though.”

Checking her stats as she did every evening she grinned. The incredible progress she made in the past three months a testament to the Bluemoon Grass and her ability to fight much higher level beasts nearly all day long for all that time. She had even gained some stat points apart from the ones received from leveling her class. ‘I’m so glad the Drakes are such a bad match for my class and skills. If I were a swordswoman or a simple fire mage I’d be dead a hundred times over...and with no healing...’ shuddering at the thought she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.

Her gained stats amounted to three to five in every category. Leveling from 15 to 47 she received 160 Stat points. Ilea distributed them with a focus on Vitality, Endurance and Wisdom. She didn’t neglect any of the other stats either though.

Name: Ilea Spears

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 47

Unspent Stat points: 0

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 8

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 3

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 8

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: None

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 3

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 4

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 90

Endurance: 76

Strength 50

Dexterity 50

Intelligence 70

Wisdom 80

Health: 900/900

Stamina: 760/760

Mana: 779/800

Reaching the second stage, her skills gained new effects. In addition to the increased power and cost reduction at each of their own level ups. She noticed that all skills in Azarinth Healer with percentages would grow 0.5% higher with each level.

Skills: Azarinth Healer:

Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 17:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every punch or kick. The stronger the physical force, the higher the damage caused.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 20 mana per strike.

Category: Healing

Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 8:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body.

Category: Healing

Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 14:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed and strength by 51.5% [after bonuses 103%].

2nd stage: Your sight, hearing and sense of smell is also affected by State of Azarinth

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 10:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between blinks is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between blinks.

Category: Teleportation Magic

Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 3:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced by 25% [after bonuses 50%]. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural regeneration is improved by 61% [after bonuses 122%]

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 15% [after bonuses 30%]

Category: Healing

Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 15:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Azarinth. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 92% higher [after bonuses 184%]’

2nd stage: Getting used to fighting in close quarters, your reaction time is increased by a static 10% [after bonuses 20%]

Category: Body Enhancement

Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 8:

This skill lets you see magic. Can be activated or deactivated on command.

Category: Body Enhancement

Compared to the Azarinth Healer skills, her general skills didn’t grow as fast. Except for Meditation, which she used between every fight and every eaten cinderberry to restore her Mana and Stamina. Meditation’s effectiveness grew by 3% per level. Likely because of its already high starting point.

General skills

Elos Standard language - lvl 5

You can speak and read the Standard language of Elos

Identify - lvl 3

You can grasp general information from someone or something.

12 levels above as a base, after that 2 per level more

Meditation – 2nd lvl 4

While in the state of meditation you cannot move. Your mana and stamina regeneration is increased by a factor of 369%. This factor is improved upon leveling up the skill.

2nd stage: Your familiarity with Meditation lets you move slowly while the skill is active

Poison Resistance – lvl 16

You are a target of assassins or not very good at distinguishing berries. Surviving either of those you have developed a general resistance to poisons.

Heat Resistance – lvl 1

Ignoring the warnings of your parents and friends, you refuse to not stand in fire. This skill will help lessen the damage and pain a little.

Ilea woke up in the morning and felt ready. “Doesn’t really make sense to hunt Drakes here anyway. Most are below or around my level at this point. The Grass is coming to an end too.” Checking her own chamber, it was empty of the valuable herb. She had removed the lamps from the hall below two months ago and was happy to find they worked without any external source. The chamber was thus not dark. Opening one had revealed a crystal inside. It pulsed a dark red when viewed with Magic Perception.

The diaries revealed that the order regulated the use of the grass strictly, some people staying in the chambers for years to reach the second stage of even one skill. Gregory, whom’s diary she was the first she read, had stayed in the chamber for over five years. The other chambers were nearly empty too, only one of them still holding a small amount. Having tested the effects, she had used different amounts on different days. Eating a higher amount equaled a consistent increase in her skill leveling, so she concluded her overuse of the grass to be simply a shortening in leveling time. ‘Which means there are ways to powerlevel skills here, if enough resources are available. Not sure how many people can do that though, considering the time it took for all that grass to grow...’ looking at the roots with her magic perception, she could see that there was still power and the grass would grow again. Not for a long while though, according to the diaries.

Stashing one of her blankets and the remaining grass from the last chamber that held any in the backpack, she blinked above. “Man my clothes are messed up, I’ll need new ones as soon as I reach Riverwatch...if they even let me in like this..” chuckling to herself she thought of all the fights she had with the Drakes and all the times she nearly tasted death. She only took the necessities with her, leaving quite a lot of room in her backpack. “I’ll exchange the scales with fooood.” smiling, she left her temple.

Ilea walked towards the clearing she’d fought the Drake in yesterday. Not running and in a good mood, she needed around six hours to reach it. The forest seemingly more alive than ever. ‘Killing all those Drakes seems to have created a lot of room for other animals.’ bowing to a deer that immediately darted away at a full sprint she shouted after it “You’re welcome!!” entering the clearing she saw that some of the Drake’s meat has already gone. “See, I’m even feeding the animals….a true saint of nature...” smiling to herself, she identified the bones but found them to be of the same quality as the other Drakes.

‘I’m actually kinda glad I don’t have to carry them back...’ lifting her head, she looked for the place she’d buried the scales at. Unearthing the treasure she stacked them next to the hole when she heard a crack behind her. Turning around she found a young man looking at her. His focused look turned annoyed as his posture relaxed. “She found me guys!” to his sentence, two more men and two women came out from hiding spots further inside the forest.

Quickly using identify on them all she checked them. The man in front of her was a level 52 warrior. One man was a mage at level 41, another a rogue at 48. The first woman was a level 45 ranger, while the last of their group was a healer at only level 18. The ranger punched the healer mockingly while speaking “Hey look, we found another one… and alone… what a lucky coincidence!” the healer looked to the ground, seemingly afraid. “And at such a high level… today really is a very good day.” said the warrior before her with a smile on his face.

“Stop looking at me so fucking creepily you twat.” Ilea said, after confirming their levels.

He didn’t react at all, looking at her as if she was as irrelevant as the tree behind him “Come on Hog, grab her and we’ll move on. It’s a long way back.” The rogue simply grunted in response and twirled his knifes, looking at the healer in their group.

The woman lightly trembled and seemed to stare at the ground even more intensely. “Did you find an interesting worm?” the mage asked her and the group laughed in response.

“Nah, I think then she’d be looking at you guys.” Ilea said to which they quieted down pretty quickly.

“She’s getting on my nerves Tom. Can we start?” The Ranger asked the warrior, apparently called Tom.

“Why again are we doing this? We only needed to get that one.” The mage asked, staring at the warrior with a tired look on his face.

“Well now she knows too much anyway. Why not, I doubt she’ll make problems. Maybe we can sell her to the army even. They’ve been looking all over the place for healers and any type of support mage.” The warrior said and looked at her. Ilea tensed up a little as she focused on the people around her.

‘Surrounding me eh… the healer girl isn’t moving though, I guess she went through a similar situation?’ locking eyes with Tom she asked “Who is she?” nodding towards the healer, Tom’s smile broadened.

“Nice joker cosplay… where’s the green hair though?” Ilea asked.

“Calling me a joker… and that is none of your concern. Don’t resist or we’ll be forced to hurt you. Not that you’ll have much choice anyway.” the Ranger released an arrow in that moment, faster than any human had the right to draw a bow.

Her aura activating in an instant, she blinked behind the ranger and punched her with all her strength. Destruction released on impact and she could feel the ranger’s spine splinter instantly. A quick yelp left the woman’s throat as she slumped down. Silence filled the space around them as every pair of eyes was focused on the corpse before Ilea.

‘I k… I killed her…,’ the thought froze her in place.

“You whore!!” Tom screamed as he rushed at her with a quickly drawn sword.

The yell jerked her out of her frozen thoughts, Ilea felt the air behind her change and immediately dodged to the right. One of Hog’s daggers sliced her left arm.

‘You have been poisoned by [Dreaded Wyrmgrass] -1 HP/sec for 5 Minutes. Natural regeneration won’t heal sustained wounds.’

Activating Reconstruction out of instinct, the wound on her arm closed. Feeling the air cool around her Ilea blinked to the left, a stream of ice freezing the place she was standing in a second ago. Seeing the mage lowering his arm she Blinked towards him ‘I can think about this after I kill these fucking lunatics, it’s self defense after all.’ reaching the mage after another blink, dodging an explosion of ice she kneed him in the stomach. ‘He’s too dangerous with his ice magic’ releasing Destruction from her knee, the mage fell to the ground, immediately coughing up blood.

Another punch to his head cracked his skull, killing him on the spot. She felt the air distort next to her while she delivered the punch and with her fist’s impact a dagger entered her side. Grabbing the hand on the dagger she squeezed. Bones were crushed as Hog screamed, struggling to get out of her hold. He attacked her with his other dagger but Ilea blocked by grabbing his hand with hers. Dragging him closer she head-butted him with her full force and Destruction. The sickening crunch of his head made her reel back. Blood and bits of his head on her face, Ilea stumbled away from the falling corpse of the Rogue.

Using Reconstruction on herself, focusing on the open wound in her side she swished at her face with one of her arms. Tom reached her then, his sword already moving towards her. She blinked behind him but he turned immediately, a slash of his sword cutting open her stomach. Another swing was dodged as she blinked twenty meters away. Using all her healing, she stopped the bleeding. The wound slowly closed. ‘I need three more seconds for that cut...’ she thought as another power enveloped her, helping her heal.

“Stop you idiot!” understanding the situation she shouted towards the healer but it was already too late.

Tom’s angry grimace turned towards the girl and in a dash of insane speed he reached her, his sword stabbing into her stomach. Ilea’s blink followed right after, catching his second stab with her right hand. Squeezing, his metal armor dented. A grunt left his body as he let go of the sword. Blinking behind the man, Ilea grabbed his head and snapped it to the right. The crunch reverberated through the forest and then there was only silence.

Sinking to the ground, Ilea removed the dagger in her rib that the warrior had stabbed her with in the last second. Checking her health she was down to a third, the poison still in her veins. ‘Should’ve used Cinderberries you idiot...’ starting to laugh she healed herself. A whimper got her out of her hysteric daze. Looking down at the healer, her face quickly turned serious. Feeling the tears streaming down her own face, Ilea swished them away and crouched down next to the girl.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

2019 June 27th: Character changes to the thugs to make them just a little less badly written.

Chapter 9 Graves to dig

Chapter 9 Graves to dig

Ignoring the messages she had received from the fight, she started to heal the girl before her. “Fuck, don’t die you idiot!” The wound on her stomach slowly began to close but the life was already leaving her. ‘I can feel the life draining out of her...I won’t make it...fuck...isn’t there...’

In a last ditch effort, Ilea blinked to her backpack that she lost somewhere in the fight and removed some of the Bluemoon Grass...’10 vitality if she makes it...’ Blinking back, she chewed the grass in her own mouth and then put it into the girls mouth. Making her swallow by holding her mouth closed she kept her Reconstruction spell up.

After that the girl stopped moving. Keeping up her Reconstruction, ten minutes later the healer twitched. Her face distorted by agony, she started to scream. “Guess you’re not one of the 35% who die...”

Still not letting off on the healing, she watched the girl under her thrash around with tears in her eyes. The screaming stopped after a while but Ilea knew the pain was still there. Half an hour passed of Ilea stroking the woman’s hair and healing her. Stopping the spell, she meditated for five minutes to restore some of her Mana and then continued.

The girl’s breathing became weaker in the five minutes but started to pick up again with the resumed Reconstruction spell. ‘Fuck I’m glad I didn’t kill you there girl...’ repeating the same process two more times, the girl finally relaxed. Opening her eyes they were red from the crying. “I...I...” putting a finger on her mouth Ilea stopped her “Ssssh, don’t talk yet. You’re safe now. Sleep.” a shudder ran through the healer as she closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep.

Setting the girl down slowly and resting her head on the blanket she brought, Ilea sat back and checked her health. “At half still...man I’m glad that guy didn’t have a more potent poison...” looking towards the corpse of the Rogue she started to meditate. Her natural Mana recovery was 1%. Adding the 1% she had received from eating the Bluemoon Grass initially it was at 2%. The wisdom stat added an additional 0.1% recovery rate for every 10 points. At 80 that made 0.8%. So her recovery was 2.8% of her Maximum mana per minute. While meditating it was around 10%. So she was back at full mana after ten minutes.

Healing herself with the recovered mana, she again used her healing spell on the girl. ‘Better safe than sorry...’ five minutes later she got up again. ‘Man...I really killed them...’ looking around her it smelled faintly of blood. ‘...all of them.’ having an uneasy feeling in her stomach, Ilea made herself look at each of the corpses. Turning them to look at their faces. ‘They were awful people and they even attacked me first…I know my actions are justified but man...’ looking to the sky she could feel tears coming to her eyes. She looked down again and walked towards the girl. Laying down next her, she started to cry as she used Reconstruction on the healer whose life she had saved.

Two hours later Ilea got back up again, her throat was dry and her eyes were red. Walking up to the Ranger she looked at the face distorted by death. Crouching down she closed the woman’s eyes, fingers lingering for a long moment. Breathing in deeply she walked to a tree nearby and punched it. Only using her raw strength without any skills, she exhausted her stamina. The process took another hour, the tree barely surviving the assault. Slumping down next to it, Ilea slowly breathed in and out.

“This is difficult as fuck...” looking at her hands tears started forming at the corners of her eyes “No, not again...” getting up she walked to the ranger and undressed her, piling all the clothes and gear next to the sleeping girl. ‘She looks like she’s seventeen or so...’ Going through the same process with the three men, she didn’t remove their clothes. Only their weapons and other valuables were dropped on the pile. Identifying their clothing revealed no special gear.

Walking to the clearing, Ilea activated her Aura and started to dig. Half an hour later, four single meter deep holes were produced. Getting out of one, she moved the corpses inside. They weren’t close to as heavy as a Drake would have been and with her new strength she could easily lift their combined weight. Still she carefully moved one after the other. Each she buried with their face looking up, their eyes closed. She stayed silent through the whole process, looking at each of them for another minute before covering them with earth.

Sitting down on the ground, Ilea waited for a while. ‘Maybe I should get some sticks for crosses...’ forgetting the idea as quickly as it came she got up ‘...well I don’t want a necromancer to find them...wait, maybe I should have burnt them...oh well. I hope zombies take a couple days to wake up.’ Going back to the girl and the pile of gear, she started to undress. Her cloak was seemingly unaffected by all the fire and bites from the past three months was removed first. ‘Damage still gets through...I guess the High Quality thing has something to do with it not breaking...’

Washing the ranger’s clothes a little with some water in one of their bottles, she put them on. They were a very similar style as her old traveling clothes, but seemingly more sturdy. Keeping with her own boots, she moved through the group’s stuff. ‘84 Silver and fifteen bronze...’ adding the money to her pouch she used Identify on all the weapons. They seemed in pretty good condition.

[Iron Sword – Medium quality]

[Eldwood Bow – High quality]

[Poisoned Dagger – Low quality] x2

The mage didn’t have a weapon. ‘They must’ve had a camp somewhere...impossible for them to travel with only this much...’ looking at the bits of food and three canteens they had with them.

“I mean I’ve traveled with less but they even had spare clothes...” looking at the bow, Ilea started smiling. ‘I’ve always wanted to try one of those...’ reaching for it and the quiver next to it, she walked to the clearing. Setting the things down she went back and moved all the other things, including the healer girl.

A day passed as Ilea realized that her bow and arrow skills were severely lacking. Her strength allowing her to shoot arrows at a high speed and her dexterity allowing her to shoot them fast, she still missed nearly all her shots. Towards a tree...from ten meters away. Occasionally she walked over to the girl and used her healing spell on her. Some wolves would wander near occasionally, sniffing around. Some arrows fired in their general direction would send them running though.

Remembering the messages from the fight, she checked them.

‘Azarinth Fighting has reached 2nd lvl 16.’

‘Body of Azarinth has reached 2nd lvl 4.’

“Two level ups...they were only my level though...maybe fighting all of them at once changes something?” Looking over at the girl she wondered.

‘I hope she wakes up soon, I’ll have to sleep in a while...’ using the meditation skill, Ilea could postpone sleeping for a couple days but it would weigh on her mind. Another day passed like this, the girl waking up in the afternoon.

Opening her eyes slowly, Alice started coughing immediately ‘Wh.. what’s wrong with me… I… I need water…,’ looking up, there was a woman standing there with beautiful black hair, wearing brown traveling clothes. Panicking for a second, she realized that it was not the same woman who wore those clothes before. Using identify on her out of habit, the woman was using a bow and arrow in an awkward way.

[Healer – lvl ??]

The arrow flew into the forest, not hitting anything in the process. Coughing again, the woman looked towards her with a frown.

Tensing up, Alice scrambled backwards. The frown turning quickly into a worried expression as the woman came closer.

‘She finally woke up...did I sleep that long too after eating that glowing moss?’ walking next to the trembling girl, she grabbed one of the canteens. Opening it, she held it to the girls face, who after a doubtful pause started to drink. She didn’t stop until the bottle was empty. Handing her another one, the girl continued. Looking up she made eye contact but immediately turned away again. Patting her head, Ilea smiled at the girl. “You’re safe now...they...they’re gone now.” seemingly panicking for a second, the girl looked around frantically until Ilea grabbed her hand. “I will not hurt you.”

“What’s your name?” the girl’s eyes widened a little as tears slowly formed.

“I’m A… Alice… th.. thank.. thank you!” holding Alice’s hand while she cried, Ilea felt a little awkward.

‘I’m not good at this stuff...this girl has probably gone through some traumatic shit and I’m supposed to help her? I’m a college student working in a fast-food joint for fuck’s sake...’ sitting down next to the girl, Ilea just let her cry for a while.

“Alright, it’ll get dark again in a while. Let’s get moving. Oh and I’m Ilea.” Helping the girl stand up her stomach rumbled. “Here.” giving her some of the remaining food from the group she’d killed, Ilea put the sword and daggers into her backpack. Joining the charred scales already resting in there.

Getting on her cloak, she also put the blanket, food and canteens into the backpack. There wasn’t space enough for the bow and quiver, so she handed it to Alice. “Can you hold on to this?” Alice’s eyes widened again as she looked at the bow but then nodded a moment later.

“Now I know you’ve probably been through some horrific shit and frankly I’m the wrong person to talk to about that stuff so I won’t even ask.” Alice simply looked at her “So fact is, we’re out here and I’m tired. I know a safe place but it’s hours away and I don’t think you can run as fast as me… no offense.” looking around Ilea locked eyes with her. “I think I heard you speak before so I assume you do have that capability?” a second later Alice nodded again.

“I.. I mean… yes. I can speak, yes!” looking at the descending sun, Ilea put on the backpack.

“Congratulations… those fuckers.. .did they have a camp? I mean… only if its close and you… you can handle going back there…,” Alice was seemingly becoming a little uncertain at that proposition “… we can burn it down when we leave again if you want to.”

Thinking it over, Alice nodded “That would be nice, yes.” standing there awkwardly for ten seconds Ilea inclined her head while looking at Alice.

“You’re aware that I don’t know where the camp is?” twitching a little, Alice pointed in a direction

“I’m sorry… it’s somewhere there… only about twenty minutes away…,” starting to move, Alice followed her.

“Tell me when we have to change directions.”

They continued for ten minutes without talking. “We have to go this way…,” changing directions a little, they soon reached the campsite. Three tents and a fireplace.

‘Seems rather basic to me… let’s check their backpacks…,’ looking behind her Ilea saw Alice with an unreadable expression on her face staring at something. Following her gaze, Ilea’s eyes fell upon a tree. She watched the healer rub her hands.

Her stare stayed focused. Activating her Aura, Ilea walked to the tree. Kicking the tree sideways, her shin moved right through the dense wood, her leg coming out on the other side. Splinters and a groan of the tree answered her as it slowly fell down to the side. Directing it with her hand, the tree smashed into another one and then to the ground. Looking behind her, she caught a flash of a smile on Alice’s face. Vanishing as fast as it came, the girl looked down. “Change of plan. Let’s get what we need and burn it down now.” moving to the tents she searched through them. A couple backpacks with food and other things one might need for traveling was everything that could be found.

Emptying all the backpacks, she filled her own and one more with food and a copy of her own needed utensils. Handing the backpack to Alice, she got on her own and then moved everything else together in a pile. Getting some small sticks and wood near and half below the pile, she silently started a fire with her knife and flint. Alice watched on, not uttering a single word.

As the flames grew, Ilea seemed to see a spark in Alice’s eyes. Not finding any words to say, the two women simply stood there as the fire consumed the rest of the campsite. The sun went down as they stood there, the crackling of the fire the only noise in the vicinity. An hour went by, only the light glow of embers illuminating Alice and Ilea. “We should move.” Ilea stated, got on her backpack and started to walk. Alice followed.

Finding a clearing with a fallen down tree, Ilea stopped. “We’ll stay here for the night. You have watch for four hours or so, then you wake me. If there are any beasts coming, wake me immediately.” Alice stared at her frightened “Don’t worry, just wake me. I really need sleep.” Laying down with her head on her blanket, Ilea slept in a matter of minutes.

She woke up as something tugged at her shoulder. “M… Miss I… Ilea… please wake up…,” looking up at a frightened face with big brown eyes, Ilea looked around.

“It’s been four hours?” the girl shook her head.

“N… no… it’s, I couldn’t sleep anyway. It’s a… already nearly morning but…,” a growl stopped Alice. Blue light illuminated the still dark clearing as Ilea got up.

“Alright, come on out whatever you are.” as if answering her call, four wolves emerged from the tree line. She lifted her foot and stomped down, the ground rumbling a little, the wolves fleeing immediately.

Looking at Alice, the girl’s eyes were huge “Already morning you say?” sitting down again with her back to the fallen tree, Ilea opened her backpack. “Might as well have breakfast.” offering some meat and dried fruits to Alice, the girl accepted. “So what’s your story?” gulping down the bite she was eating, Alice cleared her throat.

“I’m studying magic in Dawntree… me and my peers were on our way to Riverwatch for the festival next week when…,” gulping once, she continued “My carriage had to stop because of a broken wheel… they k… killed the driver and t… took me. T… they said if I resist they w… would kill me too.” waving her off Ilea tried to smile at her.

“It’s fine, the rest is history… and they’re dead now. Just to be sure, there were only four of them right?”

Alice nodded “Again… thank you. I owe you my life miss… Ilea.” shoving a piece of fruit in her mouth Ilea nodded.

“No worries, they were huge asshats. I’m on my way to Riverwatch myself. Maybe we can find your friends there and maybe watch the tournament together.” Alice brightened a little at that

“Well it’s going to be very full… my school has pretty good places though, even a whole house to stay in!” getting excited at the prospect and forgetting the past week with her tormentors a little.

“Well then let’s do this… as repayment, you’ll get me one of those spaces.”

Alice nodded vigorously, seemingly happy to be able to repay her at least a little. “You can even stay with us!” shaking her head at that, Ilea smiled.

“I’ll be fine somewhere in the woods outside the city, don’t worry. Not the biggest fan of roommates.” thinking on it she continued absentmindedly “Maybe Dale has a spot free...” Alice perked up at that but didn’t ask anything.

“What kind of magic can you do? All I know is that you’re a healer...csorry if the question is rude, I’m not from around here…,” Ilea said but Alice only shook her head.

“Nono, it’s not rude to ask that...I’m a Corinth Healer...” seemingly not getting a reaction she added “...that’s an order of healers in Dawntree. I go there half the week and the other half I spend in the College of Magic. I’m studying to become an enchantress as my second class...”

“That’s quite impressive actually...I’m an Azarinth Healer.” the girl’s expression didn’t change “It’s an order of healers quite a far way from here...we heal and fight at the same time.” Alice nodded

“I’ve never heard of that order...any healers fighting for that matter. Well old man George was an adventurer once and his second class is something related to fighting...you’re very strong though! You won against all four of them alone!” patting her head for some reason, Ilea smiled at the girl

“Yes yes, I’d rather like you to keep all of that to yourself though. Let’s say I sneaked you out of their camp or something alright?”

Nodding, Alice affirmed “Of course, I won’t say a word about your abilities.” moving her hand in front of her face in a gesture that indicated silence.

Ilea smiled “Thanks, appreciate that. It’s apparently a great trump card to have if everyone thinks you’re just a healer….by the way, did you get a message regarding some Bluemoon Grass?”

Alice nodded “YES! The bonuses are amazing but that was very painful...very...”

Ilea nodded “Yes, trust me I know. That is another thing I’d like to keep a secret though. You could now actually become an Azarinth healer yourself if you like. There are only a couple books you’d have to study...” shaking her head Alice declined

“Thank you, I know it’s very special for an order to share something like that with me but I’m sworn to the Corinth order. And I really don’t want to fight things like you do...no offense...”

Ilea chuckled “None taken...I myself don’t know why I enjoy it so much...just tell me if you change your mind.”

Standing up, she dusted off her clothes “You sure you don’t want to get some sleep?” shaking her head Alice stood up too.

“No, I want to get as far away from this forest as soon as I can...” getting on her backpack, Ilea nodded.

“Sure, let’s get moving then Alice. To Riverwatch.” The sun starting to shine through the dense trees, two women could be seen walking southwards. Birds greeting a new day with their songs.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

2019 June 27th: Minor changes.

Chapter 10 Catch a ride

Chapter 10 Catch a ride

Walking in the forest, Ilea used the opportunity to ask questions since Alice was likely someone who would keep quiet “Hey Alice, I was wondering. I know this might sound weird but our order sometimes didn’t teach us basic things...”

Looking briefly in her direction, Alice kept walking “Ask away Ilea, I’ll gladly answer if I know anything…,”

Putting a fruit in her mouth Ilea chewed and swallowed.“Thanks...well I was wondering how skill growth is influenced by how you use the skill, the things you fight...how many people are in your group and...do you know about Elixirs?”

“Well yea, Elixirs are super rare. I think our order has some too but they don’t tell me that stuff. Only the genius students would get them anyway. It increases the growth of certain skills, often related to specific classes. That’s what I know. Skills level faster in combat situations, even if you just heal someone. It’s faster if you’re healing while you’re in combat. Additionally the general growth...also of levels, is decreased a lot by how many people are in your group. It’s still generally more effective to be in a group, that’s why adventurers go to dungeons together for example.”

Nearly stumbling on a rock in the way, Alice caught herself. In the pause that followed Ilea asked her next question “So if I’m fighting something alone instead of with four people, I level five times as fast?”

Alice nodded “Yea, well theoretically...only crazy people do that though because you normally really need a healer or someone to block damage from beasts as a mage channels his or her spells. Hmm...now that I think on it, you’re really not limited by that...is that why you travel alone?”

“Yea, that’s one of the reasons...” Ilea stopped for a couple seconds to get a sip of water before she caught up with Alice again.

“You asked about the levels too right? Well you get a lot of bonus experience for both your class levels and your skills by fighting monsters or people much higher in level than you. Again, that’s kind of crazy because they’re obviously stronger than you.”

‘That explains my fast growth. A combination of all those things...well we’ll see how fast my skills level once the Grass is used up.’ feeling her backpack, the last remains of grass were in there. Enough for maybe a week of training. She had learned that even though the light of the grass would fade after a while, the effects from eating it were still there. “You mentioned wanting to become an enchantress as your second class? Is there a limit to what second class you can chose?”

“They really didn’t teach you a lot in your order. There isn’t really a limit no, you can be a swordsman and a cook if you like. Or a water and fire mage at the same time. In general it’s more common for people to choose two classes that complement each other. Like for example a swordsman and shieldbearer. Or a fire and wind mage.”

Thinking on it Ilea had another question “Which class is seen by identify? And can people with a higher level of the skill see both classes?”

“Not really, well I mean I don’t know anyone with the skill in the second stage. It’s very hard to level that one up. They will see a generalization of your highest leveled class. I can only see healer when I use the skill on you.”

Ilea motioned for Alice to stop “We’ll eat lunch here.” sitting down on a mossy rock she opened her backpack and took out some food. Alice did the same before they both ate in silence. “What would you suggest to me as a second class?”

Alice was a bit taken aback by that question but seemed to concentrate on it quite intensely for a minute “Hmm, I don’t think I know enough to be of much help here...you fight with your body right, so definitely nothing with weapons. Some magic? Ranged doesn’t really complement you so maybe something with body enhancement spells?”

Ilea nodded “That sounds pretty cool… I’ll look into that… thanks for the suggestion.” They completed their meal in silent contemplation ‘Something like a lightning or rock enhancement combined with my current skills...that would be amazing...wait’ looking towards Alice her eyes sparkled a little “Is there magic to fly?”

Alice only nodded while she peeled a fruit “Sure, I mean most classes have a ton of skills to choose from, only five active and passive can normally be chosen though. I think a lot of magic schools have flight spells but they’re pretty advanced. High leveled mages normally travel that way. Not very high up though, there are some nasty creatures higher up in the sky and they don’t like to share. At least that’s what an old mage once told me.” She said and chuckled.

Giddy with excitement, Ilea listened intently to every word Alice uttered ‘I’ll be able to fly...oh my god, that’s fucking amazing!’ calming down again she continued her questioning “What about teleportation magic, like the skill I used in the fight...”

“Well again, there are a lot of spells like that too, they’re even higher up than the flight spells though. You must be a very high level! Normally they’re not anywhere near as fast. Yours helps you fight, more commonly mages use it to flee.” Alice replied.

‘Well I got it at level 10 so that’s awesome...although I didn’t get any other skills after that. I guess it’s a quirk with this class.’

“Oh… what about gear and stuff I carry while I teleport?” Ilea asked and again Alice knew the answer.

“Normally you can teleport the things you’re wearing including a backpack and some additional things. Here the spells differ greatly though. I hear it’s not very nice on the stomach though…,” a frown from Ilea confirmed the story.

‘She knows literally everything...guess their order or the college are pretty good….or this is all basically common knowledge here...’

Finishing up, the girls got ready again. Alice began walking but Ilea stopped her “Wait a second, I have an idea… I really don’t feel like walking for two weeks to Riverwatch…,” changing her backpack to the front, she crouched down. “Get on my back darling.” Alice just looked at her and raised her eyebrows.

“Are you kidding me?” the stern look on Ilea’s face made her move quickly though. With Alice on her back, Ilea’s runes started to shine blue as she began to run with a large grin.

Wild animals moved out of the way from the fearsome screaming predator. The two women tore through the forest at an incredible pace, Alice’s screams soon turning into laughter as she tried to hold on to her mighty steed. Four hours later they stopped for a rest.

Laying on her back, Alice smiled at the sky. “You’re fucking crazy you know that right?”

Eating something, Ilea smiled. “Oh girl, you have no idea. You feel like sleeping?”

“I don’t...” Alice sullenly mumbled.

Ilea put her backpack on again “Well me neither. Let’s continue then.” They ran through the whole night, occasionally stopping to drink, eat or relieve themselves. The sun came out again, yet Ilea didn’t stop. It was midday when the forest started to seem less dense. Soon they were standing in an open field, mountains taking up half of the skyline.

“Already out? Have I gotten this much faster…,” Ilea grinned mischievously. “Even with all this weight…,”

Tapping her on the head, Alice frowned down at her “Hey, that’s not a nice thing to say to an eighteen year old!”

Crouching down for her to get off, Ilea then sat down on the ground “You’re eighteen? Better eat some more then girl. We’re only a couple more hours away from Riverwatch. Ready to see your friends again?” Alice’s smile slowly waned as she nodded.

“Let’s get there then...my mighty steed.” Running off again, the two reached the river in half an hour. Following it, they soon found a bridge. “Let’s walk from here, it’d seem weird for me to carry you and I hate attracting attention." Letting Alice climb down, they walked over the bridge, the water rushing below them, a warm late summer breeze blowing through their hair.

Walking for fifteen minutes, they started to see the city of Riverwatch in the distance. Different to when Ilea came there last time, there were hundreds of tents in front of the city and all along the river. “Seems like this festival is the real deal…,”

Nodding next to her Alice takes in the sight “They do this every ten years ever since the founding of the city. This was supposed to be the first time I…,”

Getting closer to her, Ilea squeezed her hand lightly. “Believe me Alice, things will get better.”

With those words the two entered the mass of people. Food was being sold even in front of the city, as adventurers, guards and farmers mingled, everyone in a merry mood.

As they reached the city gates a guard stopped them. “Names and business please.”

Ilea was surprised as Alice took over, not able to use Dale as her ticket into the likely already overfilled city. “Alice Forkspear, with the Order of Corinth, and my lovely assistant, Ilea.”

The guard’s eyes went a little wide as his posture straightened considerably. “Lady Forkspear, please excuse me. I expected a more… well, bigger entourage.”

Alice waved him off and entered. Turning towards the guard, she asked for someone to lead them to the house they were staying at. The guard happily complied and another guard lead them through the busy city.

Walking for half an hour, they finally reached a rather big mansion near the mountain. The guards outside of it having different armor on than the city guards and stood at attention as Alice neared the gate. Another guard behind the gates ran to the mansion door. As they reached the gates, several people rushed out of the building and opened the gate.

A middle aged woman with graying hair nearly tackled the girl as she embraced her in a hug. “We worried SO much! Where have you been?? Wait let’s get inside first. Thanks for accompanying her adventurer, you’re dismissed.” talking to Ilea in an off handed manner Alice stopped her.

“Tell Inna I have to speak with her, alone, and this is Ilea, she is to be treated as my equal and is to be taken care of in one of the Guest rooms.”

The woman went through around thirteen different facial expressions at the uttered sentences, ending with a bow to Alice and then to Ilea. “At once lady Forkspear.” motioning another woman over, she told her to take Ilea to one of the guest rooms.

Raising an eyebrow at Alice, Ilea shruged and followed the woman inside.

“Oh my god...” standing in the supposed guest room, Ilea simply stared at the bed in front of her.

“Is everything alright miss?” the woman next to her asked.

In near shock Ilea manages to reply “Well...yes..more than alright to be quite frank.” the woman nodded.

“Would you like something to drink or perhaps eat?” Nodding at the request, Ilea stammered out a yes. Bowing deeply, the woman left the room. Ilea walked close to the bed and touched the corner… and then jumped on top of it with a squeal. The food arrived shortly after, Ilea nearly drooling at the smell alone.

“Thank you so much!” with tears in her eyes, she shook the servant’s hands who just stood there with a confused expression on her face.

“It’s fine my lady, it’s only food from the festival. The cooks didn’t have time to prepare anything yet...I hope it’s fine.”

Getting close to her ear Ilea whispered “It’s perfect darling.” Giggling, she took a bite from the potato dish in front of her. ‘How the fuck did I survive on Grass??’ she ate and lounged around for half an hour before lying back into the bed in a state of pure happiness.

Ready for a nap, a knock on the door snapped her out of her reverie.

The woman who had ran outside to greet Alice opened the door. “Miss Ilea? Lady Forkspear wishes for your presence.” Getting up from her perfect bed, Ilea nodded and followed the woman to a bigger room upstairs in the mansion. The walls were adorned with paintings and exotic looking plants.

Getting into the room, there were only two women in there. Alice and an older looking woman with a sad look on her face. “Hey there…,” Greeting the women, Ilea stopped in the middle of the room.

“Hello Ilea. So Inna, that’s the woman who saved me. She would like to keep the circumstances of the fight to herself and I shall respect that request.” The woman named Inna approached Ilea and abruptly hugged her.

Releasing her two seconds later she locked eyes with Ilea. “I thank you from the deepest of my heart for what you have done for us. We would be happy to reward you with anything at all possible.”

Shaking her head Ilea looked at Alice “She promised me some seats for the tournament. Food would be nice too…. Oh… and… the bed… the bed in the guest room, I’d like to have it.” A little ashamed at her request, she looked down at the ground.

Inna just glanced at her and then towards Alice “I told you Inna.” looking back at Ilea she continued “Ilea I want to thank you again too. I’ll leave today for Dawntree, I’d like to be with my family after… you… ” opening and closing her mouth, she caught herself again “I’m afraid I'll likely not see you for a while… a long while. I hope you do understand.”

Nodding at her, Ilea smirked “As I said Alice.. Things will get better and I believe in you. Do not worry about me, I’ll find my way.”

Alice then suddenly ran towards her, hugging her as deep sobs reverberated through the room while they stood there for a full minute.

Letting go, Alice brushed away her tears. “Come visit sometime in the future…,” with one last look at her, Alice left the room.

Inna solemnly looked at the door for a while “You know… some spark in her has gone… it’s terrible…,”

Ilea as well watched the door “As I said, I believe in her. She’ll find that spark again.” nodding after a while Inna turned towards her.

“I do hope you’re right Miss Ilea. We’ll get you the best seat we can at the tournament. Food will be supplied to you directly from our best cooks and the bed is for you to do with as you please.”

Shaking her head, Ilea smiled “A normal seat at the tournament is fine, I’d like to not attract too much attention. I won’t say no to the rest though.”

Nodding at that Inna thanked her again and excused herself. Leaving the room soon after, Ilea went back to her new treasure. Sitting on top of it, she removed her cloak, covering herself in a soft blanket and going to sleep in total comfort for the first time in what seemed like forever.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

2019 June 27th: Minor changes.

Chapter 11 City life

Chapter 11 City life

Ilea felt like she was in a dream as she woke up. It was the evening of the same day. “I love this bed.” she stayed in it for another thirty minutes. Getting up, she checked her things. Both backpacks were there. ‘She didn’t take anything with her...’ stretching herself, a yawn escaped her lips ‘Well might as well just leave it here.’ putting on her cloak, she left the room. Walking outside, every servant greeted her and one of the guards even nodded at her. Out of curiosity Ilea Identified the guard.

[warrior – lvl ??]

Nodding back, Ilea left the estate. “I can come back whenever?” asking one of the guards outside.

He nodded at her “You’re welcome here as long as you live my lady.” ‘I don’t blame Alice lying to me about this being some sort of class trip. With guards like these, she’s probably worth a ton of gold.’

“Well that’s kinda creepy but thanks. When does the tournament start?” Ilea asked with a slight smile.

The guard didn't react to her comment “It’s supposed to start in two days my lady. The seat arrangements are being taken care of as we speak. You will be informed about it tomorrow.” thanking the guard, Ilea started to explore the city. Being at a higher point, she had a good view of much of it. Wanting to go higher, she climbed up one of the nearby houses. Three jumps later, she had a view of most of the city. The sun slowly setting in the horizon.

“Breathtaking...the noise...it’s a bit different than my temple. But hey...there’s good food here.” jumping down from the house just as one of the guards noticed her, she ran off into one of the nearby alleyways. ‘I guess standing on top of buildings isn’t exactly allowed.’ turning a couple corners, she put up her hood and started to walk normally again. “Now what to do, what to do...” deciding to just stroll around a bit and see what interesting thing she finds, she soon entered a blacksmith’s shop. There were several people inside already, looking at various displayed weapons. ‘Look like adventurers...’ Identifying the people inside told her they were warriors in the level ranges of thirty to forty.

They looked at her a little stunned but soon continued their inspection of wares inside the smithy. “And what might a level 47 healer do in my smithy?” a burly man with a mighty beard greeted her from behind.

[smith – lvl 55]

Grabbing his outstretched hand, she smirked as he tried to squeeze it. “Oho, as I suspected, you don’t exactly have the eyes of a helping healer...” getting closer to her and whispering “...got me one of those battle healers didn’t I?” smiling at each other, he let go of her hand “Well what exactly do you use then to smack your foes heads in while you heal your own wounds?”

‘So battle healers are not as foreign a concept as Alice had me believe...’ showing the smith her hands, she answered “These babies right here.”

Laughing, the smith stroked his beard “What a rare sight...well you’re the first battle healer that has graced my shop. I’ve only read about one of your kind in a story once. Always liked the idea though...but your hands??” clapping his hands together, the other customers looked up from their business “I LOVE IT!” the smith exclaimed to the whole shop and part of the street outside. “I’m Earl by the way. I like you. What are you looking for?”

“Glad you like me Earl. Ilea’s the name. I was looking to sell a sword and some daggers. Might I be able to do that here?”

Shrugging, Earl walked back behind the counter. “Sure, you got them here?” shaking her head.

Ilea looked at some spears next to her “Not right now, no. Will get here tomorrow then. Oh and any ideas what to do with some Charred Drake scales?” one of Earl’s eyebrows rose.

“Well they’re certainly rare...and very hard to work with. Best used for armor improvements. I wouldn’t suggest weapons, though arrowheads would fetch quite a price. If they have a great base, a shield improvement is worth it too.”

“That sounds great. I’ll go with some armor improvement I guess. What would you suggest for a fast moving, close combat...healer?” smiling at that Earl again stroked his beard.

“Hmm, well you need mobility, so nothing full plate. Something light to be sure. A hide maybe...the scales are great at deflecting slashes, fire and even magic. Something that would absorb a lot of shock then. A Windpuma’s hide would be perfect. That’s something even rarer than your scales though.”

“How much would the Windpuma’s hide cost? And how much the manufacturing of the armor?” calculating in his head, his response was as expected.

“The hide itself, maybe four gold if you’re lucky. The armor I’d make for you for three.”

Frowning, Ilea looked down and then back at Earl “Well where can I find a Windpuma?”

Leaving the smithy, Ilea had another goal added to her list. Hunt down a Windpuma on the mountain of Karth. Looking up, the mountain stretched higher than she could see. ‘At least I’m at the mountain’s base already...yeyyy.’

Night falling, Ilea returned to her bed again and slept until morning. She was not particularly tired, having slept right before but the bed was too good to pass up for her. ‘A nap is a nap.’ she thought, as she drifted in and out of sleep thinking of all the things she should do during the festival.

She got up bright and early, managing to somehow sleep the whole night even with her growing ability to need less of it and left to explore more of Riverwatch.

Getting some food from a stall, she ate as she explored the city. ‘There are more guards around than last time I’ve been here it seems.’ entering a shop that seemed interesting, Ilea found herself inside a deserted bookstore.

“Greetings young adventurer.” the old man behind the counter greeted her.

“Good morning sir, this is quite a nice store you have here.” looking around, the shelfs were stocked with books, not a speck of dust on any of them.

“Why thank you, it’s not every day an adventurer like yourself comes to a literature only bookstore.”

“What do you mean literature only? Aren’t all books literature?” he looked up at the ceiling and then nodded.

“Well you’re not wrong but most people seem to differentiate between a novel or history book and a book about magic theory or fighting stances. They’re more of a tool to them. I think the difference is how you read them...for a goal in mind or simply for the pleasure of reading.”

Nodding to him Ilea grabbed one of the books nearby [The dragon’s tail] “Yes I suppose a lot of people don’t appreciate a good story...” putting the book back, she looked back at the man “I’m new in the city and was wondering how much one of these books might cost. Can you give me a generalized price, I’m sure they differ in worth greatly.”

“The lowest prices are around 30 Silver, I’d say most books here range in the 50 Silver category. There are some that cost much more because of the rarity or special materials used. Or simply their historical worth.”

Walking up to the counter, Ilea wondered “Hmm, well that’s not really in my budget right now but I’m sure I’ll return sometime. I have a question though. You seem rather knowledgeable. Ever heard of the Azarinth order?” seemingly thinking on it for a while the man nodded.

“I do believe so, an old cult of healers if I recall correctly. They’re mentioned in a very old story. I don’t think anyone could prove to you though that they really existed. Magical orders like that are very secretive anyway, I don’t doubt that many are hidden away and long forgotten in some ruin.” looking at her inquisitively he got a little closer “Might you know of the Azarinth order then miss...”

Ilea smirked “Ilea...and perhaps. Theoretically speaking, what might one get for some diaries and history books from such an order. Theoretically speaking all original and very old tomes...”

Ilea had no intention of sharing any of the stances or healing books though. ‘If anyone finds the chamber and has a similar experience as I did, then fine but I won’t go out of my way to share my skills and abilities.’ she had the man on her hook now

“Miss Ilea. You may call me Splicer. And that is quite some theoretical proposition there. Well theoretically finding such books could prove rather valuable to the historian and literature communities. I would say they’d be worth as much as an expensive armor or high quality sword might be.”

“Even diaries?” there were mentions of the Bluemoon grass in the diaries but with the lack of grass now, it would take years if not decades for anyone to repeat her skill leveling feat. Weirdly the initiates of the order didn’t talk about the skills from the class in their diaries, only about the process in the chamber itself.

“Yes, well diaries are likely even more valuable. An original account of events could be used in many ways. If very old, it could prove or disprove current theories. And the story I know the Azarinth order from is over a thousand years old.”

She smiled at him “Well then Splicer...” ‘what a peculiar name’ “...I guess we’ll theoretically see each other someday again and I might or might not sell some old diaries...” waving to him, she started to exit the shop.

“I’ll be here miss Ilea of the Azarinth order...” out in the street, Ilea turned right and continued exploring ‘He figured it out...well I am a healer at lvl 47 and I don’t exactly look or act the part I guess. I look like an adventurer who stumbled on some old ruin and found a strong healer class...which is exactly what happened. Well not an adventurer, more a frightened college girl.”

Checking out some more stores, she tried any food she didn’t recognize on the way. Entering another bookstore, she frowned. ‘It’s packed in here...’ identifying all the people around, she noticed that mages, warriors, some lone healers, rogues, monks and many others were inside, browsing the books. ‘So I guess these are the immediately useful books for classes and skills. Might as well check some of that stuff out.’ grabbing books at random, she read about different fighting styles and magics. Staying nearly three hours in there.

Someone poked her on the shoulder as she was reading about a staff fighting style. “Excuse me miss, you’ve been in here for over two hours now. You’ll have to either pay a fee or buy one of the books to keep staying. I hope you understand. The contents of these books is our business.” he smiled at her awkwardly, obviously uncomfortable with the job of kicking out adventurers.

“Sure, I understand. Can I ask about the general prices by the way? For example this book here?”

The man seemed relieved “Thank you for your understanding. The prices are mentioned here.” motioning to some small scratches below the books.

She frowned ‘How did I not get that...’ looking at the scratches that were below the book she just put back, she saw three lines. “So three gold I assume?” the attendant nodded

“Yes, that’s the price for that particular book.” smiling at him, she left the store. ‘Didn’t really find anything I’m particularly interested in today but there are a lot of books in there. Will visit again.’

It was already early in the afternoon by then. Finding a nice restaurant, she sat down in a balcony seat and ordered something similar to pizza. The place was overlooking a plaza, perfect for watching the daily business of the Riverwatch people.

Asking the waiter where to find the adventurer’s guild, she paid and left in the general direction of her next target. It was a huge building, near the center of the city where the main library was. Inside was some sort of pub, with more business like counters on the far side of it. Bored looking people processed the lines of adventurers, handing out papers, money and information. Other people in the room were drinking and laughing together. Two men were playing instruments very similar to guitars.

A smile on her face, Ilea took in the sight. ‘I like it...a lot.’ they weren’t kidding about it being hard to level up identify. She had used it on hundreds of people in the city today and yesterday, yet it didn’t level even once. Checking a wall with several dozens of papers on it, she read about odd jobs ranging from collecting rare flowers, to helping to seduce a woman. Normal ones like groups looking for people or requests for killing a beast or pests were the more common ones though. ‘Lots of people looking for a healer it seems...heh.’

It wasn’t long until a gruff looking warrior approached her “Excuse me miss, are you perhaps looking to join a group? We’d be happy to accommodate a high level healer like yourself.”

Checking him, he was at level 58. Shaking her head, she declined “I’m not looking for a group currently, thank you though for the request.” he looked like he expected the answer and returned to his group at one of the tables with the expected news.

Standing in one of the lines, Ilea was approached two more times, once by a mage with a very wizardly hat and once by a knight in shining armor. They only showed question marks in their level.

‘Seems like even higher leveled groups lack healers...’ Ilea observed while she waited for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only ten minutes to get to the front of the line.

The attendant greeted her. “How can I help you miss?”

“Hi, I’m pretty new here and wanted to ask about becoming an adventurer. What’s the process and payment involved?” the attendant rattled down the options and prices, in a professional and practiced manner.

“Depending on your level you can become an adventurer immediately. A minimum of 10 for Bronze, 30 Silver, 50 Gold, 75 Crystal, 100 Ruby. Higher than that needs approval first. Joining with level 30 to 49 has a fee of 10 Silver. You’ll get a tag that will identify you as an adventurer with the corresponding level. You won’t get any bounties or payment if you don’t have a badge. That’s basically the main function. It’s just a fee that keeps us going. If you lose it, you have to get a new one. We get 10% of every job you do.”

“Additionally you can take a test, basically you fight someone we provide, to get a higher rank than your level. That costs fifty silver, plus the 10 silver once you get a tag.”

Listening to the information, Ilea nodded “So if I find a higher level tag I can just use it?”

The attendant smiled “Yes of course but you’d be putting yourself in danger by doing so. Stealing one isn’t easy either because you’d have to fool a higher level adventurer than you should be. Additionally the tags show your general class, so you can’t use one from a warrior for example. You might get lucky but it’s a sure way to destroy your reputation or get your whole team killed. If you’re on that level anyway then go for it. All you save is 10 Silver though, so I’m not sure if that’s worth it.”

‘Seems like a pretty simple yet effective system to me. They must be making bank anyway, seeing how many people are in here. Regulations can be this lax.’ seeing no reason to wait, Ilea got ten silver from her pouch. “Then I’d like a silver badge please.” handing over the money.

The attendant grabbed it and searched through something below the counter. “Ahh, seems like the silver healer badges are out. Give me a second please.” going over to his colleague, the attendant there handed him a badge which he then handed to Ilea. “There you go. Good luck on your journeys.”

“Oh by the way” Ilea asked “Why are healers so rare here? I got three requests to join teams in the past twenty minutes.” the man looked at her a little confused

“You don’t seem from around here...well healers are often employed by the cities, military or colleges. It’s a much safer prospect for them and the pay is very good. They’re integral to any fighting formation really, thus a very valuable asset to have. Not many adventurous souls choose to pursue healing either, not being able to effectively defend themselves is by and large why many choose other paths. Even though your team might value you.”

“What about hybrids? Like a warrior with a healing class as his second one?”

Nodding, the man answered “Well it’s not unheard of but sacrificing your second class for that is often just as bad as simply being a pure healer. At least from a fighting capacity per level perspective. Body enhancement or weapon enchanting multiplies the capabilities of an already graceful swordsman or woman. Losing out on that multiplier isn’t often a wise path to choose.”

“Oh I forgot to tell you about the prices for general information. This one’s for free but if you need more, that’ll be ten copper per question.”

Waving him off, Ilea prepared to leave, putting the tag around her neck. Checking it with Magic Perception revealed nothing. A small herb was engraved in it, likely the symbol for healers. “That’s all, thanks for the info.”

‘It’s already pretty late. I’ll have to inform myself about the tournament tomorrow.’ going back to the Forkspear mansion, she talked to one of the guards.

“Yes lady Ilea, your seat has been reserved. The necessary documentation is waiting for you in your room. The arena is in the north east part of the city. If you wish for someone to escort you there tomorrow, we’d be happy to comply.”

Thanking him but declining the offer of an escort, she checked the things in her room. Some papers with wax seals on them were on her bed. ‘They even glow with my magical perception...’ asking a servant it was apparently a verification for the arena to ensure the authenticity of the papers.

Going out again, Ilea spent the rest of the day loitering about, eating various foods and enjoying some live music in a pub near the city center. ‘Well I guess all music here is live...’ having a slight buzz from the ale she drank.

Ilea walked back to the mansion, only occasionally staggering because of her drunken state. In a bout of drunken brilliance she used Reconstruction on herself and found the effects of the alcohol swiftly vanishing. ‘That’s reassuring but now I’m not drunk anymore...oh well.’ returning to her fluffy bed, she dreamt of gladiators fighting in a roman arena.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 12 Bread and Circuses

Chapter 12 Bread and Circuses

Ilea packed the spare one of her backpacks with the things she didn’t need. Adding the Charred Drake scales too. ‘I won’t be able to drag them around with me all the time...’ looking at the other things she still had, she frowned ‘Do I want the bow? I mean it’s fun but a bit bulky...’ shrugging, she took the bow and quiver with her and soon found herself in Earl’s shop.

“Ah the battle healer. Well well, here to sell your precious things?” nodding, Ilea removed the Sword and daggers from her backpack.

Adding the bow and quiver, she closed her backpack. “Do I need to find an archery shop to sell that?”

Earl shook his head “It’s fine, I do have some people asking for bows from time to time too so I can sell it just fine.” checking the items intently, Earl started with the bow and ended with the daggers.

“The bow is very high quality. With the quiver I can do 3 Gold. The sword is worth 2 Gold. The daggers 1 Gold each. And Ilea, I’m not trying to rip you off here. These are very good items. I’m not prepared to haggle either.” having checked some of the prices for similar swords and daggers in the shop, Ilea believed him.

‘Less stressful for me as well, so it’s fine.’ getting out various things from her backpack, Ilea answered “That’s fine with me...only if you take these things too. Basically a basic backpack with necessities for an adventurer.”

“Hahaha, well I won’t ask you why you don’t need it anymore or where you got it. Fine, I’m sure I’ll find a buyer. Half a gold for that stuff, that makes 7 Gold and 50 Silver.”

Shaking the outstretched hand on the deal, Ilea removed the Charred Drake scales from the just sold backpack. “Wanted to ask you this...that armor for me, how many of those would I need?”

Earl’s eyes went a little wide “Wow, that’s a lot...I think a third of these would be sufficient, better half but that might be overdoing it a little.”

‘Perfect, that’s exactly how many I still have at the chamber...as a backup I suppose.’

“Alright, then I’ll sell half of them to you now if you’re interested. The other half I’d like you to store if possible for when I get that hide.” smiling, Earl again agreed

“I like how direct you are. I hate the business part of this job. So that’s five gold for half of them. 50 Silver for storage. Plus the money from the other deal. Twelve Gold for you.” taking the scales and storing them, he handed her the money which quickly wandered to her pouch.

“Happy to do business with you Earl.” shaking his hand again.

“The feeling’s mutual. Come by whenever. I’ll think of some other material you could use for the armor. Maybe I’ll use the scales you sold me to create something...” seeing that the smith got back into his work mind, Ilea said farewell and left the shop. ‘That taken care of...time for second breakfast.’

Holding her stomach from the food, she slowly made her way towards the arena. ‘There’s no big building anywhere here...just normal houses.’ asking some passerby, she was apparently very close. Turning around another corner she saw the entrance. ‘Why are there no buildings here?’ looking behind the entrance, there didn’t seem to be any structures for a couple hundred meters.

Two guards blocked the way inside, an official sat next to them inside a booth. “Greetings, is this the arena where the tournament is at?”.

The man nodded. “Yes yes. I don’t think a healer was scheduled for today...all tournament really.” checking his books.

Ilea stopped him “Oh no, I’m just a spectator.”

“Ah yes, another foreigner I see. The entrance for spectators is further down the street. Here it’s only for the fighters. Enjoy the show!” excusing herself, Ilea walked around the supposed arena. The noises of the city grew and soon she found herself before a mass of people, trying to get into the main entrance. The mass was moving quickly though, so it took her only ten minutes to stand in front of another official. Ten of them were handling the masses at a surprising speed.

“Welcome, papers please.” handing him the magical paper, he checked it and nodded. “Sector 14, row 28, number 31. Please don’t move seats or you’ll be removed. Keep the paper on you while inside. Enjoy the show!” already greeting the next spectator, Ilea was shoved inside by the unruly mob trying to push its way in. Walking through a small dark corridor, she came out to the cheers of already more than a thousand people.

“Oh wow...” she uttered, as she took in the view. An arena dug into the ground stretched before her. Thousands of seats and just as many people continuing to fill the place, more streamedin from other entries as she stood there. About fifty meters further down, a sandy pit with some mages performing could be seen. Looking around, Ilea spotted her sector and soon found her spot. It’s around in the middle of it all. ‘Not too suspicious but a nice view...thanks Inna.’

There were people selling food and drinks walking around. Motioning to one of them, Ilea soon has an ale and some grilled chicken. ‘It’s pretty early but I mean it’s a festival right?’ eating the chicken, she watched the performers.

An ice mage and a swordsman were working together to create beautiful ice sculptures. The two performed for another fifteen minutes until an announcer started to speak. Identifying the man as some sort of mage. ‘He’s incredibly loud though...maybe there’s sound magic or something?’

“Welcome again to the newcomers. Welcome to the fifth decade of Riverwatch! Let us celebrate today. Now for your pleasure, the magnificent Chalene from the distant Thordain! The main show will start in another hour as soon as everyone has found their place.”

A mage with colorful clothing entered the arena, waving at the people. Cheers erupted from many of the spectators as his magic flared to life. Colorful changes and waves in the light form, and rainbows fill the whole arena. ‘Neat, it’s like a laser show...’ watching with Magic perception, it was even more impressive. Obviously a lot of preparation, work and skill went into this showing.

‘Some sort of light mage? Or maybe illusions...I can’t tell at all...’ the spectacle continued for another twenty minutes, the crowd silently watching on as Chalene span inside a colorful tornado of magic. Cheers and clapping filled the arena as his show came to an end. Bowing several times, the entertainer left the stage.

The speaker walked back to his podium on the ground level of the city. “Wonderful performance. Thank you Chalene! And now for the last performer before the tournament. Please help me in greeting Jyraiu, the great fire sage!”

The temperature in the whole arena suddenly increased and everyone stood up, some people screaming at the top of their lungs. ‘A big deal that Jyraiu...’ getting interested as well, Ilea stood to see above the people before her.

Fire erupted from one of the entrances for fighters below, blasting out is a man covered in flame and fiery wings steaming from his back as he rockets in circles spanning the whole arena, gently increasing in altitude with each complete circuit. A tornado of fire followed his ascent.

‘Beautiful…’ the only word in Ilea’s mind as she watched on with thousands of people. Jyraiu stopped at little above the arena, visibly concentrating. Releasing his spell, a fire erupted in the form of a lotus, burning above the place.

The lotus seemed to then split instantly into smaller pieces, that began to rain down. Just before hitting the people watching, they all grew wings and flew towards the center. Circling around the mage, the whole stream of fire followed him in a magnificent choreography.

‘...It’s like a jet show...and those wings...’ not able to get her eyes away from the man’s wings, Ilea was transfixed. Flying around for two minutes, the birds then formed into bigger targets, flying behind the mage. Seemingly threatening to eat him, he masterfully dodged them. A fiery lance appeared in his hand, which he threw at one of the birds.

Hitting his target, the bird exploded in a beautiful display of fire. ‘This is the best...’ the show came to an end, as all the small firebirds reappeared, forming a monstrous phoenix above the arena. Crashing down on Jyraiu, a bow made of pure fire appeared in his hand with a massive arrow made out of nearly blinding white flame. Releasing the arrow in the last second, the phoenix exploded from within, creating fireworks that would rival the best Ilea had seen on earth. Bowing elegantly in the air, his wings keeping him afloat, Jyraiu’s performance ended.

The crowd didn’t calm down for a whole five minutes, the announcer was unable to start his next sentence. ‘I want those wings...I don’t even care man but those wings are fucking amazing.’ looking at the descending mage, Ilea watched, transfixed with the intricate detail of the wings visible to her magical perception. ‘It’s even more beautiful like this...’

“Alright ladies and gentlemen!” finally getting the crowd’s attention, the announcer spoke up. “Thank you Jyraiu, that was magnificent to say the least! Now we’re ready to start the main event you’ve all been waiting for. The great tournament of Riverwatch!” cheers were accompanying his expected reveal. “Anyone between level 50 and 100 was allowed to qualify. They fought in up to five preliminary matches and now we have only sixteen people remaining. They will fight until but one remains at the top. We have healers standing by to help recover the contestants from pretty much anything but instant death. Intentional deathblows will lead to immediate disqualification. So now we start!”

‘Disqualification for murdering someone? Well this is hardcore...’

“For the first match it’s Aaron the bard against Silvis the rogue...”

‘They’re not revealing anything else...guess to keep it interesting. A bard hmm?’

A man in light armor and a short eastern looking sword emerged from nowhere in a bit of smoke. ‘Teleportation...that seems rather similar to my spell...’ teleporting around a couple times, the man bowed to the crowd.

[Rogue – lvl ??]

Throwing his weapon into the air, he caught it skillfully. While his opponent slowly entered the arena.

[Bard – lvl 60]

A huge bulky man with a metal hammer or something similar on his back. ‘That’s all muscle...he’s a bard?’ removing the cloth that had covered his weapon, Aaron unslung his huge lute.

It was a monstrous thing. With a dull metal color and spikes around it, he bowed slightly to his opponent who did the same.

“Let the match begin!” instantly vanishing Silvis appeared next to Aaron. ‘Over that fast?’ jumping back before getting a hit in, Silvis had to dodge a couple of stray rocks. As the dust settled, Aaron was covered in a rocky armor. Grinding noises could be heard as he turned towards the rogue.

Starting to play his massive instrument, Ilea watched on with magic perception. The shine of Aaron intensified as the notes leave the lute.

Silvis tried the same approach and got a couple shallow cuts in as Aaron ignored him and simply kept playing. The rogue’s movements became slower and slower the longer the sound played.

The rock around him started to crumble from the constant assault. Stomping to the ground, some earth spikes came out of the ground right around Aaron. He renewed his rock armor and stopped playing.

Turning the lute around, it seemed more like a mace. Suddenly rushing at Silvis with incredible speed for his size and what should be at least several inches of rock, the lute descending onto the rogues position.

A teleport saved the rogue as Aaron’s lute crashed into the stone floor and apparently getting wedged in there as he is trying to remove his stuck weapon.

Rushing at him, Silvis had to dodge spikes from the ground again. ‘There were no spikes in front of him...is the lute in the way?’

Repeating the same thing two more times, Silvis seemed to catch on too. He rushed to Aaron, who again was removing his lute from the ground, but teleported right in front of him in the last moment. No spikes hitting him, he grinned while slashing at his opponents face.

Lightly stomping on the ground, Aaron took the hit as a surge in earth magic shot the lute from the ground in a burst of motion. Silvis was right in front of him, the musical instrument hit the rogue and threw him upwards.

A sickening crunch was heard through the arena as Silvis landed, not unlike a lifeless doll. Rushing into the arena, a team of three healers hastily worked their magic on the downed rogue. Ten seconds later the man coughed and tried to sit up. One of the healer pushed him down again and motioned to some other people on the sidelines.

Silvis was removed from the stage on a stretcher as Aaron covered his lute again, bowing slightly to his opponent and then to the crowd. “The winner of the first match is Aaron, the stoic bard!” not seeming to mind the added adjective, Aaron simply walked off the stage.

‘So that’s rock enhancement I’d guess? Seems pretty cool too but I’d think it’d remove too much of my mobility...hmm not necessarily but can you use armor while you have that spell activated...the skills he used seem mostly defensive in nature too, I probably have enough of that with Azarinth healer already. Otherwise I’d become a tank healer or something.’

After a ten minute break to repair the arena and some more food for many of the spectators, the announcer started the second match of the day. “For our second match, the lovely Eleonora! A beast tamer and traveling enchantress. Her opponent is Marco from the pranking falcons adventurer team! Please welcome the contestants!”

Walking on stage was a burly man with an even burlier shield.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

On the other side of the arena, a rather petite woman entered, wearing a colorful yellow and red dress. ‘Oh wow, she’s like a princess from a children’s movie...’ following behind the girl was a plethora of small birds in dozens of different color combinations.

[Beast tamer – lvl ??]

Waving to her opponent, the woman smiled and looked at the arena around her. Grunting, Marco took up his shield and unsheathed his short sword, while he got into a defensive stance. Ilea saw magic flow around him and concentrate on his shield.

‘He’s just gonna wait? I mean I guess he is the tank of that adventurer team...’ Eleonora sat down on the ground and the birds simply chirped and flew around, some landing on their master. Opening her bag, Eleonora removed some stones.

‘They’re glowing...’ Ilea turned off her magic perception and only saw normal stones. Some of the birds grabbed the stones and started flying around in higher and bigger circles. Getting more of the stones from her bag, Eleonora repeated the process until nearly all the birds held one of the enchanted pieces of rock.

“I’ve heard about you girl.” Marco spoke. “I’ve tanked the repeated magical assault of a level 130 Night stag. Now show me what you got!”

Eleonora ignored him and started to draw in the sand. “Did you hear m...” his shout was interrupted by the sudden need to raise his shield. One of the birds circling above him released its stone. Impacting on the shield, the magic unleashed. Marco’s knees bending hard, as the force of a magical explosion pushed his shield down. More of the birds started circling above him and every now and then they dropped their payload.

Some sort of pressure magic, fire magic and even lightning landed on his shield as he struggled to keep his balance. ‘His magic is weakening...’ seeing the magic on the shield, Ilea rooted for the small woman. ‘I like her dress, she should win.’

Eleonora was now drawing on the ground around her with her back to Marco. Five minutes of bombardment later, Marco apparently lost his nerve. Ilea is one of the few watchers in the arena who knew the real reason.

His shield would have not held for another ten seconds. Getting out of the direct strike zone of the birds, he ran towards Eleonora. Reaching her, Marco raised his sword and was about to strike as the ground around the woman started to glow.

His sword impacted upon a small dome shield around her. His confused expression turns into shock as he raised his battered shield, half of her birds releasing their payload all at once on top of them both.

The entire arena shook as different magical powers landed upon the tank. Ilea could make out a glow coming from him right before the first stone hit. Several dozens of impacts in the span of two seconds later, the dust slowly cleared.

Standing there was a disheveled Marco and a woman sitting inside a small dome shield. Jumping backwards, Marco dodged a late explosive stone. The birds followed him this time, unlike when he had approached Eleonora before. Like a bombing squadron, they peppered the ground before and around him.

He tried his best to block the impacts with his shield but one of the strikes eventually slipped through his guard, a lightning explosion propelled the huge man into the wall of the arena. The healers rushing to his side as the birds collected their stones and returned to Eleonora, her shield dissolving with a colorful aurora shimmer.

‘What a cool combination...she’s like heavy air support...and she can bomb her own position.’

Eleonora stood up and waved at the spectators, her birds happily chirping and jumping around. “And the second winner is Eleonora!” Clapping and cheering filled the arena as Eleonora left through one of the entrances below.

“We will now pause the event until later this afternoon, when Iris will face Atur in the first fight! Be here one hour after midday ladies and gentlemen!”

Leaving the arena, Ilea looked for some food again. She sat outside one of the restaurants nearby, when a group of lizardmen walked by. ‘Wait…what?’ looking after them, Ilea noticed some other people were staring as well. Most ignoring them completely.

Bringing the ordered beverage, the waiter smiled at her “Never seen any lizardfolk eh?” nodding at that, she took a gulp from the drink. “They mostly stay in the plains to the east. I mean it’s been mostly humans to found the cities south of the Navali forest.”

‘Why are waiters always so talkative?’ Ilea groaned silently.

“They just fear the elves too much...Oh am I boring you? I’m really sorry, you know I’m just super talkative. Do you want anything else with that mead? We have a great ham dish at the moment and some amazing fish...just caught earlier today!”

Finishing her mead while he stood there talking, Ilea laid down a silver piece and leaves without another word. ‘That’s why I like my temple...just need to find a way to produce mead there...’

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 13 Relaxing afternoon

Chapter 13 Relaxing afternoon

Back in the arena, Ilea eagerly waited for the fights to start. ‘I really don’t think my abilities are special or dangerous to show anymore. It might surprise people to see a fighting healer but it’s not witchcraft or necromancy. Maybe even that isn’t too frowned upon. I still don’t know if Dale was only joking about that.’

Feeling the heat of the afternoon sun, she put up her hood. ‘Ah, nice and cold…,’ the effect wasn’t mentioned in the item description ‘...maybe it’s the material… whatever it is, it’s great.’

“Welcome back to the arena! I won’t delay any further. Let’s start with the third match for today. We have Iris, the templar of light! Her opponent today is Atur from the distant mountains of Naraza!” The announcer shouted from his elevated position looking over the arena.

A knight in white colored full plate armor entered the arena. Getting the claymore from her back, she rammed it into the ground. Making a welcoming gesture to the crowd, she spoke “Children of the light I welcome you! It’s not too late to turn your sinful ways around! Join me in the crusade to enlighten everyone to Ataniel’s word!”

‘Oh boy,’ Ilea thought ‘I hope fighting healers aren’t some sort of sacrilege to the church...I’d hate to run from some inquisitors...’

Entering opposite of the fanatic, a barbaric looking man with two small axes greeted the arena. “You speak of a god that doesn’t exist fanatic!” he shouted. Chatter and laughter could be heard around Ilea. Nobody seemed too offended. “Who is this Ataniel you speak of? Are you trying to found a new religion on your own, mighty templar?” mocking her he spat on the ground.

‘So no church?’ Ilea sat there confused.

“The heathens shall fall to your blade. You shall gut them and hear their screams of agony as you cut away the foul stench of SIN.” pulling out the claymore with a yank, she held it out towards her opponent. “You shall burn in his fire.”

Shaking his head, Atur only chuckled “You’re crazy woman. Let us fight then, me against you and your made up god.” Iris started to shine a little as some magic settled on her. They circled each other for a while, until she rushed at him. The claymore striking at Atur in a blur, sometimes a clang could be heard when one of the strikes was parried.

Her assault continued for a full five minutes until suddenly a red mist burst out of the man. The word berserker was said around Ilea as even from her seat she could feel the power of the man, her hair standing up. ‘I want to fight too...’ a smile on her face she watched on as the tides turned in the fight below.

Atur now on the offensive, the two didn’t give each other an inch as blades were parried and deflected. A bright flash sometimes filled the arena as Iris tried to blind her opponent. He reacted to each flash by jumping back and then closing in again immediately.

Iris’s armor was dented in many places while shallow cuts lined Atur’s chest, arms and legs. “The longer the fight goes, the more your loss is certain.” He chuckled and continued the fight.

Iris didn’t seem to tire either, even beginning to laugh after a while, joining her adversary as they became one with the fight. Deflecting one of his axes with her sword, Iris ignored the second one ramming into her side as her fist came smashing into his face.

Removing the axe in her side, she kicked the still dizzy Atur in one knee. Light formed below her as the bleeding from her wound slowly stopped. The now kneeling Atur looked up to her and lashed out with his remaining axe. However a swift cleave removed his arm at the elbow, blood spurting to the sandy ground before he could land the blow.

The healers started to run towards him as Iris spoke “For insulting Ataniel, you shall pay with your life.” lifting her sword, she cleaved through the man’s neck. The arena was quiet as his head hit the ground, his body following quickly after.

The healers reached the corpse and tried to reattach his head. ‘Are you serious?’ Ilea thought before one of them started shaking his head after a few seconds, one of the healers signaled something to the announcer.

“Well it seems Atur is no more. Which means lady Iris is hereby disqualified from the tournament of Riverwatch.” Bowing to the crowd, Iris strapped her sword to her back and left the arena.

‘Nobody’s reacting much..some people are even cheering for her…,’ The corpse was removed quickly as the arena was prepared for the last fight of the day. The other four from the first round would be fought tomorrow.

After a ten minute pause, the fight was finally announced. “And now for the final fight of today, from the esteemed college of magic in Riverwatch. A professor that many here might know, please cheer for the shield and light mage Esteban!”

Many people stood up, the man seemingly quite famous in the city. “And his opponent today is Oliver, a pyromancer from the same college. Who will win today, student or teacher?”

The two people entered the arena. Easily distinguishing the two, Ilea checked out the old wizardly looking man. His robes a dark blue, he nodded towards his opponent. The pyromancer showed his respect as he bowed much deeper.

“It is a delight to see you have come this far Oliver. I hope you will not be too discouraged by losing so early in the tournament.” a small smirk playing on the old man’s face as he dusted off his robe.

Power surged around them and a colorful display shone before Ilea’s magic perception enhanced eyes. ‘They seem rather powerful but it’ll be a while until I can actually read anything with magic perception...’

‘ding’ ‘Magic Perception has reached lvl 9.’

The message brought a smile to Ilea’s face.

“Esteemed master. Even if I may lose, my display here will not disappoint you.” activating a spell, sand from nowhere started to take form around Oliver.

‘Can’t he use the sand around here?...might be an unfair advantage I guess...’ Ilea could feel the heat around the mage, the sand burned a white red.

‘He’s melting it?’ Forming into shards, only glass remained where the burning sand once floated around Oliver. With a gesture, the shards flew at Esteban at an incredible speed.

Completely unmoved by the display, the older mage simply stood there. The shards reached him but impacted on a shield, the created sparks showing its form around the professor. More shards impacted as the shield took on a slightly blue color, possibly strengthened by the mage controlling it.

While smaller shards were flung towards Esteban, Oliver prepared a larger amount of sand. The created shard looked more thought out and linear than its smaller counterparts. Seeing the monstrous shard approach at much the same speed as the smaller ones, Esteban changed into a defensive stance, three more blue shield walls forming before his first one.

Contrary to what Ilea expected, the shard didn’t impact on the formation. Out of the old wizard’s hand, a beam of light formed and impacted his own shield. Visibly multiplying its strength, the light beam repeated those steps until it left the last shield wall. A scorching beam of light, around one meter in diameter connected with the glass shard.

Ilea watched all of it, only able to process what was happening thanks to her high Intelligence stat. Only a second passed since Esteban cast his light beam. The shard exploded into a thousand pieces, the beam continuing on towards Oliver.

The pyromancer was no longer there though, several more shards from the smaller variety floating around him as he stood twenty meters above his previous location on top of a small glass platform.

A beam of light was sent towards him but a skillful placement of one small shard deflected the beam into the sky. ‘They’re being considerate of the spectators it seems… or there are shields… I can’t see anything though...’

Another three light beams later, the remaining shards in front of Oliver crashed together and formed a crude looking spear. Fire whirled around it, starting from the mage’s hand. Reaching the tip of the spear, the weapon was released.

A beam of light hit the spear but it didn’t explode like the bigger shards did. Flying right through the light, it impacted the first shield and shattered it. Another shield was broken before it stopped. Seemingly stuck in the air, the spear slowly fell apart. “Not bad young student. Let me show you something too that I’ve been working on…

A distant explosion stopped the old mage from his casting preparations. Looking into the direction of the sound, the old man frowned. The spectators started to murmur as a second explosion, closer to their location shook the ground.

A ringing bell was heard, louder than the explosions themselves. “Oh no...” Ilea heard a man next to her whisper. “What does that mea…,” she tried to ask but he was already running towards the exit, like nearly all of the other spectators too.

Being pushed and nearly squashed, Ilea jumped up. Just as a massive fireball entered the arena from above, the heat in the reverse dome rising by over ten degrees instantly. The meteor like fireball approached a chanting Esteban, as a shield formed above him.

This new shield was a radiant blue, clearly much stronger than any shown before. The meteor impacted and sent a shock wave through the arena, many of the people stumbling from the force.

‘I need space.’ Ilea thought and jumped down onto the sandy fighting pit below. The fireball melted and bent the shield before both slowly crumbled harmlessly, pieces of smoldering rock falling down. Nobody looked towards her, all eyes fixated on the origin of the attack.

Some others from the VIP seats joined them in the pit, quickly getting into some sort of formation. ‘They seem to know what’s going on...’ not wanting to distract the people around her, Ilea noticed that most of the contestants from the fights today and some guards had joined them. Others from the spectators joined too as they prepare for an expected attack.

Two more, much smaller meteors hit into the fleeing masses. The explosions sent what remained of dozens of spectators flying as cries filled the now burning arena. Another two attacks were blocked by magical shields, the explosions raining burning debris down on the fleeing people below.

“If there is more than one, I want everyone below level 100 to flee through the tunnels. Up here you’re just more targets to feed their long range mages. Glenn you will lead them.” Esteban commanded them.

One of the guards in full plate armor nodded at the last sentence. “You have the lead Esteban.”

The smell of blood and fire wasn’t bothering Ilea as much as they would have only half a year prior. ‘Who’s they?’ just when the thought reached her brain, three figures landed with heavy impacts in front of the group of around thirty people.

Clothed in mystical looking leather armor, the three figures recovered from their landing. Magic vibrating around them, Ilea had to deactivate her Magic Perception to see the figures. ‘Elves?’ she wondered, looking at their long ears as one of them opened his mouth to reveal sharp teeth.

[Mage - ??]

A smile nearly tearing his face apart, the creature spoke. “Quite unfortunate for you to be in this city on this day my dear general Esteban.” His voice a whisper, yet so loud in her ears that Ilea had to cover them with her hands.

“Glenn!” Esteban shouted, just as one of the attackers released a storm of fire from his hands. Four of their group answered as fire met fire, the roaring noise filling the arena.

“You heard the geezer, with me.” Glenn said as he started to lead a defensive retreat.

Jumping backwards, away from the fire, a guard shouted. “You’ll just be a burden in this fight.” Ilea saw how several shields formed in the air above Esteban, using the sun to channel a light beam through them.

The impact shakes the ground again, two of the attackers reemerging to the side of the swirling dust and debris. Massive arrows of fire impacted one of them, Jyraiu flying a couple dozen meters behind their group with his fiery bow in hand.

The attacks scorched the ground around the elf but he simply deflected them with his hands and sharp looking nails. Silvis teleported behind him but the elf twirled around grabbing the rogue by the neck before he even had a chance to attack.

A crunch was heard and a lifeless Silvis sacked to the ground. ‘Oh fuck, teleporting not safe… noted.’ looking for Glenn, she blinked towards him. Crackling lightning, ice shards and other magic filled the arena as the defenders tried to keep the Elves busy.

A few seconds later most of the people below lvl 100 were gathered near Glenn or running in his direction. Not wanting to attract too much attention he simply motioned for the others to follow as he started running towards one of the arena entrances for the fighters.

Ilea followed him, ready to blink away at any sign one of those monsters might possibly get her. Entering the gate, she foud herself inside of a tunnel but Glenn didn’t stop. The group of people kept running for ten minutes, occasionally turning around corners while hearing dulled explosions and roars from the city above.

“There were fucking three of them! What does this mean?!” a warrior type shouted from the back, immediately silenced by a hard punch to the side by Marco.

The tank from the Pranking falcons put a finger in front of his mouth. “You keep quiet, I don’t plan to die here today.”

“That applies to everyone.” Glenn said from the front while slowly coming to a stop. Continuing in a much quieter tone he motioned for the group to keep following “We’ve made good distance, hopefully none of them is following us. We’ll continue slower and much more quietly for now and try to get out of the city. One of those tunnels leads into a mine south west of here.”

Some people murmured at that. Aaron the bard walked up to Glenn “The Calys mine is abandoned and for good reason. I’ve heard stalker hounds have been sighted in the area.” some of the people around Ilea frowned at the mention of the hounds.

‘Haven’t heard of those...’ a small smile tugged on Ilea’s lips. ‘New things to fight, and an abandoned mine? If that doesn’t sound like a possible dungeon then I don’t know what does…,’

“Hmm...foooound you.” everyone froze when the voice reverberated in their ears. Turning around, Ilea saw one of the Elves standing around fifty meters away back in the tunnel.

[Warrior - ??]

“Prepare to fight, tanks to the front and back. The rest in the middle. If we die here we’ll at least take a chunk out of that fucker!” Glenn shouted and a couple of the men and one woman around Ilea roared at that as everyone activated their skills and got into position.

“Hmm… yes… you’re gonna taste… wonderful.” suddenly sprinting, the Elf smiled as his magic gathered.

“Try to move further down the tunnel as we fight, the mine shouldn’t be far. Mages, be careful not to collapse the ceiling!” spells sprang to life as a massive force slammed into the tanks up front. A crack was heard as an arm broke, trying to hold up a shield against the elven warrior.

Two swords pierced through the opening and left only the falling corpse of the man behind. Dodging the magic that was sent towards the elf, he spun around and kept slashing at the shields in front of him.

A healer next to Ilea tried to help the fallen tank, panicking a little. ‘He’s already dead...’ focusing back to the front, the tanks seemed to have stabilized. With supporting magic from behind the group steadily but slowly advanced through the tunnel.

Ilea saw some of the people around her shaking. ‘If he gets through...’ seconds passed slower than she had ever experienced, as the group continued on their way and clangs of metal against metal filled the tight space with noise.

Luckily the elf didn’t manage to break through and they soon reached a hall of some kind. The walls seemingly more rough and natural than in the tunnels before. “This is it! Mages, trash that barricade over there.” motioning to a construction of metal and wood, Glenn shouted to the group. “Tanks don’t exit the tunnel, we hold here!”

Some of the mages were chanting or channeling their mana to break through the sturdy looking barrier at the other end of the hall. ‘Around thirty meters… I should be able to blink that far.’

Just as the first shards of ice and rocks hit the barrier, another one of the tanks went down, gurgling as he held the wound on his neck. The elven swords quickly pierced right through the shield in front of them. Letting go of it, another tank slashed at his adversary.

The sword stopped suddenly, the elf having released one of his to block the attacker’s with his now free hand. Letting go of his weapon, the tank turned around but before he could even start to flee, the Elf was upon him. His claws dug into the man’s neck. An eerie quiet filled the room, the blood spurting the only noise as the elf slowly got up from his crouched position above his dying victim.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 14 It's a party!

Chapter 14 It's a party!

As the elf grabbed his two swords from the downed shield the room exploded into motion. The mages stopped casting and ran towards the barrier, many of the warriors following.

Five or six people prepared to fight the adversary, Ilea included. ‘I can just blink away if it gets hairy… can’t let my chance at that leather armor get away… ’ next to her, Oliver prepared glass shards and Aaron was playing on his massive lute.

Glenn and another warrior prepared their skills. Completely ignoring the group in front of him, the Elf ran to the side with incredible speed. Dodging the glass shards thrown his way, he ran after the fleeing members of the group.

“Stand and fight!” Glenn shouted but few of them even heared him. Magic and weapons alike hammered against the barrier, at least from those already in range.

Quickly catching up with his prey, the Elf left severed limbs and deep wounds behind as he cut clean through bone and armor with his haunting looking swords. Running after him, the group got into a loose formation.

Glenn, the other warrior and Aaron in front with Ilea, Oliver and Eleonora in the back. The enchantress had a huge smile on her face. ‘Can’t really blame her now can I?’ Ilea thought, grinning too. The adrenaline from the danger, blood and smoke in the air but most of all her ability to actually do something about it and fight filled her with joy. ‘Now don’t do anything stupid… this guy rips through people much higher in level than you in one slash… no stupid teleports… together with the others…,’

They ran over the devastated corpses, not gaining an inch on the fast and skillfully moving elf. Some of the fighters at the barrier turned around to face him, a similar formation formed as the mages shot projectiles of elements towards the fast moving predator.

Around fifteen people were now facing the elf and six ran after him. He continued to advance while dodging or deflecting the magic and arrows of his prey. Reaching the first warrior the elf ducked under a sword swing and returned, cutting the warrior in half with a single clean slash.

Some magic managed to hit him in the chest but it didn’t slow him down in the slightest. Two more warriors fell as he jumped into the group of mages. A flurry of blades, blood and screams followed as he slashed through the group.

No longer smiling, Ilea activated her aura ‘That’s not a fight… it’s a massacre. We don’t stand a chance.’ Glenn seemingly having reached the same conclusion slowed down a little.

“We have to get through the barricade… let’s hope a dungeon has formed or we’re all dead. Give it all you have!” his sword started to glow and a beam of red energy flew over the mangled corpses into the battered barrier.

Wood shattered but it wasn’t enough to break through. Becoming rock, Aaron slowed down as he spun around, throwing the monstrous lute with his full body weight towards the barricade. Two massive fiery glass spears followed, the explosion nearly robbing Ilea of her hearing.

A swing of Glenn’s sword sent a wave of wind towards the barrier, clearing the dust. “It’s open, run for th…,” his shout was stopped when a sword pierced through his throat.

“RUN!” Oliver shouted next to her as they increased their speed. Only five meters away from the opening, the Elf reached Aaron. The bard blocked the two swords with his arms.

‘My chance…,’ trying to keep the blades away from his chest, Aaron fought back for a second as Ilea blinked above the elf. Already spinning in the air, her kick aimed for his head. Unable to block her as his blades were stuck in Aaron, the kick landed. Ilea’s shin cracked and splintered on impact but the warrior was sent flying. Aaron lurched as the swords dislodged from his arms, still held by the elf.

Landing on her feet, Ilea crouched and tackled Aaron hard enough to throw them through the opening. They landed in a clutter, moaning at the pain of their injuries.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Calys dungeon’

After healing her shattered leg a bit, Ilea turned to Aaron and used Reconstruction on his arms. One of them had nearly been cut through completely. The man only grunted as the cuts closed, his flesh forming new connections.

Finally looking around, Ilea saw Eleonora sitting next to her, fascinated by the healer’s magic. Oliver was standing a little behind her. They were in a small cave opening and the Elf was staring at them from the room they’d just escaped from, hatred in his eyes.

Oliver was staring back. The warrior that stood by their side was also with them. All the others seemed to be lying scattered around the ground next to the elven male. “Why is he not attacking?” Ilea asked.

“We’re in a dungeon. They don’t like dungeons… no idea why but many a time people survived simply because of this fact. If the elves don’t wait at the entrance for weeks that is… let’s hope this one has other plans.” Oliver talked but continued staring at the elf.

The elf calmed down a little, a smile once again spread on his face as he reached down to one of the corpses. Lifting the body of the small man, he bit into the neck.

“Oh wow that’s disgusting.” Finishing her healing of Aaron, Ilea stood up again to test her leg. It’s was already healed ‘I love my this skill...’

“That’s some very impressive healing. Thank you… for saving my life.” stretching out his fixed arm, Aaron got up “I’m Aaron. Bard and rock enhancer” She clasped his huge hand.

“Ilea, battle healer.” ‘I guess…,’ Nodding at that, Aaron looked around.

“I suggest we go a bit further in as well, we don’t need to honor that cunt with our presence any longer.” Oliver said and turned around before he walked inside the cave. Nobody seemed to be against it and followed.

Taking a last glance at the eating elf, Ilea locked eyes with him. A shiver ran down her spine but a smile soon came to her face. ‘In this world I can become as strong as him… fighting like that must be amazing… and being able to fight against that… even more so.’ Joining her fists together like she had learned in one of the Azarinth fighting stance books, she broke eye contact and left the elf to his lunch.

“Your magic is beautiful!” a female voice said next to her. Turning, Ilea found Eleonora staring at her with big eyes. If one counted the birds sitting on her shoulders, hair, arms, around her and on her bag, it was more than two eyes staring at Ilea.

“Not as brilliant as his...” she motioned to the elf “...but there’s a controlled flow to it… I’ve never seen anything like it…,” suddenly embracing Ilea, the birds joined as they landed in her hair and on her arms “..I like you!” the woman said. Ilea returned the hug a little apprehensively.

She started to move the two of them towards the others as she talked “I’m happy to hear that, let’s get moving though.”

A minute of walking later, the cave opened up into a bigger cave with several tunnel openings. Sitting on the ground, the remaining warrior rested his back and closed his eyes while chuckling. “What a fucking day. Hoped to never see those bastards again.”

Grunting at that, Oliver looked around the room “Should’ve gone east… and not stayed so close to the forest you idiot.” The smile on his face and his tone removing any possibility of interpreting the jab as an actual insult.

“I know I know but the laws are a bit looser here and the women…,” looking towards the two women that just entered, the warrior stoped talking.

“Oh don’t worry about us, I do believe we can take a joke about our gender.” Ilea said as Eleonora finally released her from the hug.

“I probably don’t have to remind you as you are all rather skilled fighters that we are in a dungeon. And if the story about the stalker hounds is true then we better at least be ready to work together.” Aaron said in a more serious tone. “Although I am glad we survived that… any of you lose anyone close?”

‘Is he checking our mental states? I vote him the leader!’ Everyone responded to the question with either a no or a shaking of their head.

“I did know Glenn… was a massive cunt though. Don’t get me wrong, the elves are more cunty but yea… plus I owed him some gambling money… you didn’t hear that though.” the warrior said as he jumped up and dusted himself off.

“Well then I’ll start. Name’s Geronimo, warrior and ranger. Around level 60 warrior, 50s ranger. I won’t tank and I lost my crossbow while running for my life.” Twirling his short sword around a couple times, he bowed.

“Oliver. You’ve seen me in the arena? Glass mage around 70. Ranged so I’ll stay back with Eleonora.” He said while looking at the woman.

“I’m Eleonora but you guys can call me Ellie. Wait I have to check my level… ah it’s 92 for tamer at the moment and 78 for enchantress. My birds can throw bombs and I can also make shields and other enchantments!”

“I’m Ilea. Healer and close combat fighter. Both in one class and it’s only lvl 47.” none of the others seemed to be bothered by her comparatively low level.

“I’m Aaron, bard and rock enhancer both at around 60. Glad to have a healer in the team… a fighting one at that apparently. So what do you guys want to do? We could wait here for a day or two gambling to see if he leaves. Or we could try to find another way out… I doubt this was the only entrance to the mine, it being a dungeon now doesn’t change that fact. I also doubt we have enough food and water to stay here?” looking at the group, only silence was his answer “Well then I suggest we start moving. Me and Geronimo at the front, then Ilea then Oliver and Ellie.”

Nobody seemed to question the leading role Aaron assumed, even though he was the second lowest in level. ‘Glad I didn’t land here with idiots.’ getting into the suggested formation, the group walked into one of the tunnels.

“Stalker hounds range to the lower hundreds in level so let’s try not to fight too many at once.” Aaron concluded and the group continued on without another word. All of them were working through what had happened just fifteen minutes ago in their own way. Talking apparently, was not part of it.

The group continued for twenty minutes in silence, always vigilant of any danger. They were in a dungeon after all. The whole mine seemed deserted, some tools and wagons still standing in the mine shafts. If not for Oliver’s fire it would’ve been completely dark. Reaching an old waypoint, they opened a shut door to find a rather spacious room.

“There’s wood here and those rags seem good enough for sleeping.” said Oliver, motioning to the old sleeping bags and the tools in the room. “Might as well stay the night.”

Immediately slumping down, Eleonora seemed to fall asleep almost instantly. “Oliver fire, Geronimo help me close up that door again. Ilea can you check supplies?” they started moving at Aaron’s words and soon a small fire was crackling in the room.

Light dancing on the cave walls around them, the door was barred once more. “That’s not a lot…,” looking over the things Ilea had found, Aaron obviously wasn’t pleased. “Guess it’s stalker hound on the menu from tomorrow on. We’ll plan more in the morning. This is as safe as we’ll get. I’ll take first watch.”

Everyone got to sleeping pretty quickly, the exhaustion from near death experiences and seeing a whole group of people completely wiped out not easily brushed off even by veterans.

Waking up a couple hours later, Ilea motioned for Aaron to go to sleep. ‘Man I’m glad for my class… I barely need any more sleep than this anymore. Although once I’m in a safe place again I’ll sleep for twelve hours… wait my bed! Oh no, I fucking hope those shitty elves didn’t ruin my beloved! I just got it!’

“You seem upset, bad dreams?” Aaron asked as he laid down. “Something like that yea.” answering with a thoughtful voice, Ilea took the place next to the fire and watched the barricade.

The night passed without any further disturbance. Ilea let the others sleep while keeping her Aura skill up until her mana reached half while moving through some stances as quietly as possible. ‘Dunno how common the class effect is.’

Aaron was the first to get up again to her surprise. Yawning he looked at her “Still up? Or did you rotate through and forgot about me?” his answer was Ilea’s shaking head “You have some passive skill or something that reduces your needed sleep time?” This time it was a nod “Nice, not too uncommon for healers. Many envy that trait but then again few envy healers, unless there’s one of em saving their ass.”

Chuckling slightly Aaron sat opposite of her, the fire had been kept alive by Ilea through the night. She smiled in return. “A shame what happened to those people. I’m new around here, how common are attacks like that?” Ilea asked after a while of silence.

“Yea, knew some of them. Nobody too close but it’s a shame. It’s been a while since the last elven attacks, maybe a couple months. We’re close to the Navali forest so it’s a given but this one was different. They haven’t directly attacked a city in years. Guess they just waited for us to shift our attention to other things. I mean what’s a couple years to an elf?”

Staring at the fire for a minute, Aaron continued “I just hope the city’s still standing and that we got some of them. Not likely though, they’re great at fighting and magic but even greater at running away.” Picking up a stick and playing with the fire, he returned to silence.

Trying to change the obviously difficult topic for Aaron, Ilea started again “You’re a rock enhancer right?” she took his silence for affirmation “I’m from a pretty far away healing order and we didn’t train in anything else but our fighting and healing. I saw some pretty impressive skills in the tournament though and thought of getting an enhancement class… seeing as I fight with my body. What would you suggest? Oh and I know very little about all this, my order literally ignored anything not having to do with their own greatness.”

“Hmm...well you’re rather open about your lack of knowledge. You saved my life though so I’ll help you anyway I can. Enhancements… well it’s always a personal thing. There are many elemental enhancements. Like my rock enhancer class. It’s a pretty defensive one. Ice, fire and lightning for example are more offensively oriented. Ice being precise and deadly, fire solely power and lightning is speed oriented.”

“There are many skills though in each one of them so one isn’t too trapped in one style of fighting. As well as a myriad of other enhancer classes, and I definitely don’t know all of them. Any ideas about where you want to go?” The man asked.

“After seeing Jyraiu I kinda wanna go for fire… are there differences in class strengths and how do I get said class? Also what if I want to change later on?” Looking a bit confused at her, Aaron stopped playing with the fire.

“You’re level 47 and don’t know about that stuff? Well… ok… sorry about that, your healing order’s education is a bit questionable to say the least… no offense of course.”

“None taken. Normally we don’t leave the order so it wouldn’t be as much of an issue…,” this fabricated information seemed to convince Aaron as he lowered his eyebrows again.

“Well there are some crazy cults and orders out there… to answer your questions there are definitely differences in strength between classes. Some rarer ones like I’d imagine your healing and fighting one to be can be acquired through specific tasks or requirements that have to be met.”

“There are stories of people getting very advanced classes as their first class. The normal way though is to get the most basic class in the area and work your way up from there.”

“So for fire enhancer or like Jyraiu’s I think pyro enhancer I’d suggest starting at simply being a fire mage. Once you reach certain requirements you’ll get a chance to upgrade your class. You’ll keep the skills normally or they change according to the new class. Plus of course the class bonuses themselves change.”

“The higher the level the more specialized people are, at least that’s normally the case. You don’t lose any levels in the class though so starting as a fire mage isn’t a bad investment. I know little about the matter but maybe Oliver over there can help you get started. Usually a service like that would cost you quite a bit of gold but these circumstances might change it a little… I suggest taking full advantage.” He winked at her before continuing.

“As for the strengths… well it’s mostly related to the skills you have and at what level they are. I won’t ask but a level 47 shouldn’t have been able to move that elf with a kick… I’m assuming your skill level in whatever you used is pretty high. More specialized or higher classes give you access to better or more specialized skills. A very highly leveled normal fireball can win against a low leveled sun meteor… although the base skills are very differently placed in power.”

“Hmm that’s very informative. Guess I’ll ask Oliver about starting fire magics later. What skill levels should someone at 47 have then if you don’t mind telling?”

Standing up and stretching, another yawn escaped Aaron “Maybe level 10… at most.”

Ilea then asked “In the first or second tier?” and Aaron immediately stopped his stretch, looking at her with big eyes.

“You don’t mean to tell me you have skills in the second tier? What in the hell did you do?” looking to the ground, Ilea couldn’t help but smile.

‘Maybe giving away that information is a bit risky but he seems trustworthy… plus I saved his life and I’m gaining enough information anyway…,’ “Mostly fought alone vs monsters with a much higher level than me.”

“Well…,” standing there for half a minute, Aaron seemed to be looking for words “..that would explain it… yea. Although I’m sure you’re aware of how incredibly stupid and risky that is? People normally go the safest route possible in leveling. Even in a group of five or more people with a healer and someone to tank the monsters, it’s uncommon to go against anything at the same level… let alone higher level… and alone. You’re one of those crazy people eh? I mean I’m not judging but take my advice here… not many of your kind live through their twenties. You’re a healer though so maybe you have better chances… STILL! It’s VERY dangerous to do what you’re doing.”

Smiling brightly at him she answered “I love it though!”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 15 Bad doggos

Chapter 15 Bad doggos

Aaron just grumbled in response while shaking his head “You people are crazy. Well suit yourself. Fighting higher leveled beasts often means having to use skills more often until you kill them. The experience you receive for your skills is enormous when fighting monsters alone...if they’re higher levels even more so. It’s very effective but as I said very stupid and dangerous. Cost many a new adventurer his or her life. Having someone on watch while you do it is the least you could do although not even that is a sure way to be safe. We both know how fast a secure fight can change into death. Seeing that elf yesterday should be a lesson to you.”

‘It’s like he’s lecturing a young girl...well I am rather young but what is he? Thirty?’ nodding at his advice, Ilea stood up.

‘The idea with someone on watch is pretty good though, maybe I could do that...I’ll just have to find a fighting nut like myself. Someone who can blink too so we can save each other in tricky situations.’

“I’ll think about your advice Aaron. Thanks for the info though. I do believe it’s time to wake the others though.” agreeing with her, Aaron got up and together with Ilea woke the others up.

“Time for guard change?” Oliver asked but Aaron shook his head.

“Ilea did most of it, it’s morning already...I think. Not too good at judging the time below the earth.”

Nodding in appreciation, Oliver got up “Thank you, I do hope though that you don’t need as much sleep...don’t want a tired healer in the group.” he said.

“Don’t worry, I did get my needed sleep.” answering him, she moved to put out the fire but it suddenly simply stopped burning as Oliver waved his hand, a grin on his face.

“Teach me that.” she said suddenly.

“What? Are you joking?” he replied, a bit of a perplexed expression on his face.

“I’m not actually. I don’t have a second class and I think fire enhancer would be perfect. Can you teach me the basics of being a fire mage?”

The other two were awake by then too, the cave they were in rather dark without the fire. “Well you’re a direct one...normally this is a pretty complicated process. An expensive and complicated process. You know what though, maybe I can distract myself a little by teaching you though. I don’t like caves and I don’t like the prospect of my home being destroyed by elves even more.”

Clapping her hands together, Ilea smiled brightly “Great, when do we start?”

Walking together through the cavern corridors, it had been ten minutes since the group left their shelter. They decided to explore the dungeon and map it out as best they could. Their goal was an alternative exit hopefully not too far from Riverwatch. Ilea was focused on the burning torch in her hand though. Well it was basically just a piece of wood that was burning.

‘Infuse the fire with mana...feel the fire...become the fire! Well he didn’t say that but that basically sums it up. All I’m getting though is that it’s hot.’ healing her burns occasionally the others just smiled a little at her attempt to become a fire mage. Some made it in a day and others needed weeks or even years to unlock the class but at least the atmosphere was a little lighter due to her antics.

Another whiff of burned flesh entered their noses as Ilea again simply held her other hand into the flames.

“Are you sure you’re alright? You know burns hurt right?” healing herself against the fire, Ilea was much too focused to react to Aaron’s question.

“I do believe she knows about that judging by her face.” Geronimo smiled and most of the group chuckled. Five minutes later, Oliver held up his hand.

“Quiet now. We have company.” Just as he finished talking, two rather huge hounds with abnormally long teeth and black fur emerged seemingly out of nowhere right before them. Letting the piece of wood fall to the ground, Ilea identified them.

[Stalker Hound – lvl ??]

“Eleonora? What are their levels?” she got out of her daydream when she heard her name

“Oh, doggies!...their levels you ask? Hmm...97 and 99...they’re soooo cute though oh my goood!” nearly squealing at the two beasts before them, the hounds bared their teeth. Now only standing ten meters from the group and slowly advancing. Unsheathing their weapons, they readied themselves.

“They’re a lot higher than us so nothing stupid, Ilea you stay behind the two. This is gonna be difficult...” Aaron said as his skin became rock. The temperature behind Ilea got higher as Oliver prepared a spell. Several birds flew in front of Aaron and Geronimo, starting to drop stones between them and the hounds.

“You sure the tunnel won’t collapse?” Oliver looked at Aaron with a doubtful expression

“Yes, these walls are very sturdy. Rock mages seem to have made them stronger to prevent just such an event for the miners.”

Suddenly changing to a full sprint, the hounds advanced not understanding or caring what their supposed prey might be saying. They nearly reached the designated tanks of the group when five explosions filled the tunnel with fire.

Two shields flared to life as Aaron and Geronimo held the stones they got from Eleonora in front of them. The noise died down and the smoke cleared and two slightly injured hounds continued their advance. The shields began to shatter just when a barrage of glass shards entered the beasts.

It definitely affected them but the cuts seemed rather shallow. A quick sword jab from Geronimo cut one of the distracted hounds right in its maw. Aaron swung his lute but the beast simply jumped back, dodging the slow blow. Three birds dropped another barrage of explosive stones down on the now a little further away hound.

Geronimo tried to do his best at dodging the hound he cut before, but it was soon upon him. Right before it could bite down on his sword arm though, Ilea appeared next to them and punched the hound on the side of its head.

The beast flew into the wall and Ilea didn’t let up. Immediately appearing next to the disoriented monster, she let loose a barrage of attacks, fueled by both her aura spell State of Azarinth and her attack skill Destruction.

The hound got hit at least eight times before it managed to turn towards her. Biting down on her incoming arm, its teeth penetrated only about a centimeter deep. Ilea’s strengthened body didn’t allow the beast to take her arm.

“Oliver now!” she shouted as she held the hound to the wall with her arm still in its maw. A spear of burning glass entered the pinned stalker hound.

The blast made the beast release its prize. Immediately continuing her assault, Ilea kneed the falling hound in its stomach. “Geronimo switch!” she shouted as she stepped back to heal her bleeding arm.‘Fuck that hurts’

Aaron meanwhile held off the second hound with rock spikes from the ground and occasional swings of his lute. The monster grew increasingly wary of the birds that circled above it. Both attacking the rock enhancer and getting further back was not an option. Another spear of glass and two stabs from Geronimo finished the first hound, its bloody corpse sacked to the ground.

Not quite finished with healing, Ilea shouted to Aaron while she ran toward him “I have an idea. Rock spikes from the wall to your left please!” doing as she asked, Aaron released his magic. Ilea blinked behind the hound and grabbed its tail.

‘They’re lighter than the Drakes...’ with a grin on her face she spun with the tail firmly in her uninjured hand. The rock spikes appeared right when the hound was smashed full force into the wall.

Most of them shattered instantly but some managed to penetrate the beast. Aaron followed up immediately with a massive smash of his metal lute to finish the beast.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Stalker Hound] x2. For killing an adversary 50 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘Not even a level for that? Is this the group thing they’ve been talking about?’ the bleeding on her arm stopped as her health regenerated at a rapid pace.

“Those things are tough. I normally only need one spear to kill anything around my level...” Oliver commented from the back.

“Yea, my sword barely scratched them...and I nearly died there...thanks Ilea.” Geronimo added.

‘Really? This was much cleaner than many of my fights before...I guess I won’t mention any of that to them.’

“You really are crazy...although your plans did work and you can heal yourself so it’s alright. I do hope you didn’t waste all your mana in that fight...” Aaron removed the lute that was half stuck in the hound and half stuck in the crumbling earth spikes he had summoned.

“Hmm? Oh yes I only used a fifth of my mana and I can move while meditating so it’s not an issue.” the mages in the group stopped moving.

“You have meditation in the second stage?? At lvl 47? I’m still not there and I’ve been using the skill for years!” Oliver shouted.

“She’s a nutter, fighting all the time and immediately using meditation then continuing to fight...I’m assuming that’s correct?” looking at her Aaron stated his suspicion. Her nod made him grumble a little. “Yea, I heard that some of the bonuses from fighting higher leveled monsters and fighting alone stay for a little while after the fight for certain skills...meditation seems to be one of them.” seeing the topic as closed he put his lute on his back and checked the hounds.

Oliver’s mouth was closing slowly “We should skin them and take some of the flesh to eat later. Never had stalker hound but it can’t be worse than rocks.” Geronimo said as he started to work on one of the corpses with his sword, grumbling about not having a hunting knife and crazy mages teleporting around.

“That was awesome Ilea!!” Eleonora shouted “When you grabbed the doggy by its tail and smashed it into the wall! Hahahahahaha!” running up to her and hugging the much taller woman, her giggles were drowned in Ilea’s chest.

“And she doesn’t even have a second class...” Oliver grumbled from behind.

“I also can’t throw fiery glass spears from dozens of meters at my enemies...” she said as she patted Ellie’s back.

“Fair enough...I have to say I normally hate having fighting fanatics in my group but it being our healer doesn’t seem so bad.” he answered, a little less grumpy. “Now get that piece of wood again and train.”

Saluting to Oliver, Ilea freed herself of Ellie and started burning herself again. Feeling the flame of course, just a little more literally than most aspiring fire mages.

“Alright then I think we should move on. Let’s hope it’s a while before we meet the next group of beasts.” Aaron said after the hounds were skinned and the meat was put into makeshift bags made from their fur.

Continuing on, they soon reached a fork in their path. Choosing one side at random, Eleonora whistled while Ilea burned herself. Oliver sometimes gave a little not very helpful advice while Aaron and Geronimo maintained focus on their surroundings.

‘Learning from that guy might not have been the best idea...bet he was a natural.’ she thought.“Hey Oliver, how long did you need to get the fire mage class?”

“Oh I immediately got the pyromancer class...it was kind of an accident anyway haha I was cooking for my then girlfriend...well let’s just say the house burning down didn’t help with our future relationship.” the story garnered a couple chuckles from the group but Ilea just sighed.

‘Perfect, so he’s just telling me to feel what is natural for him...don’t have anything better to go on though...’ having mapped a sizable portion of the mine another hour later, their second encounter with the new residents happened in the form of a group of four stalker hounds.

Although they were a little lower in level, the group was much more apprehensive. Numbers made a huge difference in any fight after all.

“Oliver a line of fire before us, let’s see if they get more defensive. Eleonora full offensive, I want you to bomb them with everything you have before they even think of advancing. Ilea you can take a hit so stand between me and Geronimo.” while speaking, a line of fire formed before them.

Right behind it Aaron summoned spikes as another line of defense. A swarm of birds already closing in on the hounds as they turned towards the group of survivors.

“Oliver, glass bombs!” Aaron shouted. The previously discussed idea came to fruition as chunks of glass form around provided stones by Eleonora. The swarm of birds released their payload and explosions rang through the caves. The hounds disoriented and injured by the blasts staggered towards the group just as chunks of glass flew into their midst. “Now Ellie!”

Snapping her fingers, the chunks exploded and a massive amount of glass shards cut through the hounds. Some of the birds above got hit and even the trio standing behind the line of fire recieved some damage.

Charging in a blind rage of pain and anger, the hounds advanced on the group. A spear of glass hit one of them in the back. The fire was not enough anymore to deter the beasts, they jumped right through it.

Not able to see through the flames they impaled themselves in the spikes behind it. It only stopped them momentarily though as they broke through. Each of the three warriors was now fighting against one of the hounds while Oliver tried to keep the fourth one further back with his ranged attacks.

Kicking her hound in the jaw as it jumped at her, Ilea punched the falling dog with both fists. The beast flew back a couple meters and she immediately changed her targets to the hound pressuring Geronimo.

Hitting it hard in the side, she gave him the opportunity to strike before she had to focus on her hound again. Geronimo took full advantage of the opening and cut the hound on both legs in an attempt to hamstring the beast, making it much slower.

Having suffered a couple scratches from the monster in front of him, Aaron activated his defensive spikes just when Ilea got out of range to the right of him. The hound flew in the air as he swung his lute like a baseball bat to throw it back again.

Explosive stones fell onto the now three hounds further back with the occasional barrage of glass shards cutting into them. One of them fell to its stomach, its struggle was over while the two other hounds advanced again.

Dodging another lute blow, one of them bit deep into Aaron’s leg. A pained shout escaped the man as he punched into the beast with all his weight and power.

“Oliver spear at me now!” blinking away in the last moment, the spear of glass entered the leaping beast right into its mouth, ending its life in an instant.

Geronimo meanwhile traded cuts with his injured hound. The latter was in a much worse state due to its slowed movements and the warrior’s better reach. Ilea appeared behind the hound and kicked it in its side. Knocked off balance, Geronimo managed to cut deep into its neck. The stalker hound died but not before it managed to dig its claws deep into its killer’s right leg.

Checking to see if she had to help Aaron, Ilea realized that the fight was already over. The jaw of the beast was still loosely hanging on Aaron’s leg as he smashed his massive fist into what’s left of the beast. Shouting with every punch.

Walking up to Geronimo, she began healing his wounds. The bleeding closed rapidly at her touch. It took only a minute to heal him completely. Only the crackling of some fire around the cave and the rhythmical wet blows of rock against flesh were heard as Ilea turned to Aaron.

She simply walked next to him and started to use her healing spell. Feeling him calm down a little, she grabbed the hound’s head and ripped it away from his leg. He growled but soon calmed down again when he felt the wounds healing.

“Fucking FUCK that hurt!” he said, throwing what was left of the monster at the wall. “I hate fighting things tougher than me.” he said as he lied down on the ground. Two minutes later his wounds were healed too, at least the physical ones.

“Seems we should go back now, I don’t think we can take another fight like this.” Oliver calmly said from behind.

“Agreed, I want to eat and lie down.” Geronimo added. Ilea nodded and Aaron only grunted from the ground.

“I don’t have any stones anymore anyway...and my poor birdies...” holding some injured birds in her arms Ellie caressed them as best as she could. Walking up to her, Ilea began to heal them which only made Ellie more emotional.

“Thank you so much…I...I..Ilea bahaaa” she sobbed.

‘Oh no please don’t cry woman...’ thankfully she quickly calmed down as her birds were healed and the group soon left the burning part of the mine behind to take refuge in their shelter.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Stalker Hound] x4. For killing an adversary 50 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 48. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Reconstruction has reached 2nd lvl 9’

‘Yey, more power to meee.’ smiling at the messages, the group reached their hideout another hour later without any further incidents. Apart from Ilea’s heat resistance gaining another two levels.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 16 Loss

Chapter 16 Loss

Sitting in a meditative state with both her hands over the fire, Ilea kept an ear out for anything that might attack the group. After roasting and eating some of the meat...a lot of the meat, the group had shared some stories for a while before calling it a day. Ilea had offered to take the first, second and third watch of the night, still trying to learn something from burning herself.

‘I should at least get an award for being stubborn or something...’ the wounds healed as they were created. Her tough skin and heat resistance slowly made it hard for the fire to harm her. Six hours of this earned her another four levels of heat resistance and a new general skill called pain tolerance.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill General: Pain Tolerance lvl 1

Being a bit of a masochist, you have learned to ignore some of the pain. No, only physical pain. You’re feeling a little more numb towards pain but careful...the damage is still being done!’

She would’ve earned that skill much earlier in her time on Elos but her passive skill Body of Azarinth increased her pain tolerance by a lot already, causing the normal tolerance skill to be much harder for her to achieve. Waking up Oliver who volunteered for the fourth and last watch of the night, Ilea finally lied down. She only woke up four hours later, the others laughing while some more meat was roasting over the fire.

“I really really am eating too much meat...aren’t there plant monsters here?” sitting up with her hair disheveled she asked “Where are the salad monsters?” the group stared at her and laughed even louder.

Back in the tunnels the group continued to map out the once mine now dungeon. No enemies crossed them as they made their way past the tunnels they had already explored. “They don’t roam as much as I thought they would...” Ilea commented after hours of not encountering anything.

“It’s a new dungeon, although they breed more and faster it takes some time to fill a massive mine like this. Though I have to agree...there are still not enough here.” Oliver agreed. The day passed as the group mapped out more and more, trying to get higher and higher.

They encountered stalker hounds five times that day but with much more time in between the fights than the day before and only groups of two or three. The now more coordinated team took care of the enemies with little effort.

At least Ilea thought so. ‘They complain about the difficulty of the fights...barely any of them get wounded more than once in a fight anymore. Where’s the adventuring spirit?’ grumbling a bit to herself, Ilea kept burning her hand but the fire was barely doing anything to her anymore. Her Reconstruction skill earned another level though as she continually only healed her hand. Fighting monsters of double her level also earned Ilea a lot of experience. Not as much as if she were fighting them alone but comparing to a more cautious adventurer she was rising at a very fast pace.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 49. 5 Stat points awarded.’

A couple hours and two small fights against stalker hounds later the group entered a big cavern. More importantly though it was bright in there, the fire they brought was barely improving their sight anymore.

“I think we finally found another exit...” Aaron commented but the sound of fighting made the group tense up immediately. Coming into the room they saw seven stalker hounds facing off an equal number of men.

‘Not men...’

[Undead warrior lvl ??]

Watching the fight, the undead were slow but somehow weren’t being overwhelmed. Not responding to any of the wounds they received, they traded blows with the hounds who didn’t have the luxury of being unfeeling.

“What does that...why are there undead here?” Geronimo said.

“Hey guys I have an idea...they fight each other and are distracted...let’s do a surprise attack alright?” the others just stared at Ilea with a mix of surprise, anger and confusion.

“Are you mad? There are over ten enemies there, we struggled against five!” Oliver said.

“Plus we’re pretty hidden here...we’ll just wait until they’re done and then get out of here...maybe finish the rest if they see us.” Ilea just shook her head.

“I won’t let this opportunity get away...I’ll teleport away if I get into danger. You guys don’t owe me anything and you’ll still be hidden. If anything I’ll make getting out of here easier for you. Once out you shouldn’t have a problem getting back right?” getting no answer from the group, she took it as a yes.

Turning around Ilea immediately blinked to the stalker hound she deemed most injured. Her analysis was confirmed as its head exploded in a red shower of brains and bones as her leg hit from above. Now Blinking behind the undead she carefully looked for one with a lot of injuries. Not able to make out an obvious target, she ran to the Undead most separated from the others.

‘If they don’t feel pain...I’ll just have to incapacitate them...’ a kick to the undead’s knee broke through. Landing on top of its back, Ilea proceeded to punch on its skull. After seven punches she heard a crack. Another five and the skull gave in with a wet squelch.

“Ew that’s disgusting...” Blinking back she shook the rotten flesh from her hands. Some of the monsters turned to her after she had killed one of each group.

“Haha you’re as stupid as expected...” her smile was widening even more as the ones not distracted by her fall onto the monsters turned towards the healer.

“Chaos...” getting into a stance, the faintly glowing healer vanished again. Only to appear at the side of the battle, sending an already wounded hound flying with a kick. Following the monster she quickly finished it with some more kicks and the help of the stone wall.

‘Eleven to go...’ eager for more she looked towards the fight ‘More like eight...damn don’t kill my experience!’ three of the hounds were killed by the undead, not able to handle the unfeeling monsters.

Ilea appeared behind the line of undead and broke several of their legs. Finishing one that didn’t have a hound as an immediate opponent with ten blows to the head too quick for the single undead to offer any real resistance, she turned only to find a blade abruptly impaling her. ‘Fuck..’ kicking at the new undead before her, she released herself from the blade and Blinked away.

Falling to one knee she held the bleeding wound in her stomach. Grimacing from the pain, all her healing efforts went towards the wound, the gash slowly closing. Half a minute passed before the bleeding stopped.

‘That took nearly a third of my health...guess that’s the level difference….’ the frown on her face that the others, waiting at a safe distance, interpreted as a realization of her mortality and frailty was but annoyance that in the time she had lost, another three creatures fell in the fight.

‘Stupid...’ getting back into the fight Ilea took more care at watching all around her. She still received two more cuts and a bite to the shin in the fight but managed to finish the remaining four enemies.

The noise in the cavern ceased as Ilea repeatedly stomped on the Undead that had managed to gut her. “You” stomp “stupid” stomp “fucker” stomp. The rib cage gave way to the powerful blows.

“Well that was...something.” Oliver said from the side.

“Fucking amazing...are you looking for some fun later?” Geronimo said “I’d love to be ravaged like that...well not literally...” he looked at her with hungry eyes tinged with a little fear.

“It’s been a while actually. I’ll first have to check something though before I get a drink with you.” winking at the warrior Ilea gathered the rusty swords of the undead and started skinning the hounds ‘Don’t want to get fantasy aids after all...”

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Stalker Hound] x3. For killing an adversary 50 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Undead warrior] x6. For killing an adversary 50 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 50. 5 Stat points awarded.’

You have learned the skill Active: Azarinth Sphere – lvl 1

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

For reaching level 50 in Azarinth Healer and having five class specific skills in the second tier you have learned the skill

Passive: Azarinth Perception – lvl 1:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body a healer of Azarinth has to be able to control it.

Category: Body Enhancement

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 51. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 52. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 53. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 54. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 2nd lvl 17’

“Hah, that’s more like it” grinning at the messages, Ilea continued to skin the hounds ‘And finally some new skills! They seem amazing already, can’t wait to fight again.’ Some of the others had started to help her skin the hounds.

“The exit is here!” Aaron shouted from a little further down the cavern.

“We’re pretty high up though.” approaching the group he looked warily at the corpses. “We’ll have to report the undead. I’ve never heard of any dungeons with both any kind of hounds and undead.” Finishing up they stored the skins and swords in some old backpacks they had found in one of the miner shacks on the way there.

“You guys don’t have to carry that stuff, don’t worry.” Trying to take the backpacks from the others, they refused.

“I honestly don’t know if we’d survived this whole ordeal without you. Don’t get me wrong you’re crazy and I hope something like this never happens again. If it does though, you’d be my first choice to have my back.” all of them nodded to her after Aaron’s words. His debt was of course a little more personal.

Her healing had saved all of them more than once in their time down there, again showing the importance of a healer in any long term adventuring. “No worries guys, thanks for carrying me.” her only reply was greeted with confusion or ignored.

“..but we didn’t carry...” Oliver started but Geronimo stopped him with a pat to the shoulder.

“Let it be man...” mistaking her reference to role playing games or what little she’d heard of them for perhaps lunacy, they finally finished packing and left the dungeon. Carefully surveying the surroundings of the entrance, Aaron had Eleonora fly some birds out to check for any danger.

“They found nothing...” releasing a breath, Aaron walked through the entrance, his lute ready to block and all his defensive magic activated. After a minute he signaled for the others to join him.

“Normally they’d attack immediately...they hate people plundering their oh so holy dungeons and trust me they’re emotional. Let’s just hope the way to Riverwatch is clear.” putting his lute on his back, the rocky surface of Aaron’s skin slowly crumbled away as he started walking.

“if it still exists...” Geronimo commented. Nobody replied as they walk, tension in the air and ready to fight at any moment.

“We shouldn’t be more than a couple hours away from the city. Let’s keep in the forest. Eleonora please send out your birds to warn us from any possible danger...in any direction.” Aaron said.

“Yes siiir!” the woman exaggerating a salute that annoyed Aaron. The sun started to fall below the horizon on the adventurers as they traveled closer to the city.

‘Lucky that the visibility is this good.’ looking around the forest seemed to lose density. I’ll have to ask Aaron how he navigates...there are no stars and I have no idea where we are...’

looking at the man he seemed to be sure of every step he took.‘...or maybe it’s just confidence...’ she thought.

“My birds can see it now...” were the first words after two hours of traveling through the forest later. Motioning for everyone to lay low, Aaron gestured to Geronimo.

“I believe you have the most experience in scouting. Do you mind checking the situation?” nodding, Geronimo slowly started walking when his eyes suddenly opened wide in shock.

“Well I don’t believe scouting will be necessary...” he said.

At least six figures in shadowy black armor appeared around the group, Ilea was the only one moving into a fighting stance.

“...the hand...” Aaron grumbled. One of the figures chuckled as another spoke. His voice was deep and seemingly just as shadowy as his armor. No emotion was shown on his black full plate helmet as he relaxed into a less threatening stance.

‘Creepy...’ was the only though going through her mind, unwilling to reciprocate his gesture.

“You must be quite on edge. Quite a thing to see the healer being the one ready to attack. Maybe you’ll find your way to Ravenhall in time….”

Glancing over the group his perceived sight rested Aaron. “Who are you, what are you doing here?” the man asked. Aaron quickly reported everything about their experience in the past couple days to which he simply nodded.

“We’ll inform the city guard about the losses and where to find anything that’s left. The elves left after a couple hours of heavy attack. Some of the city is still burning. More information you’ll have to acquire yourself.” Aaron nodded.

“Good luck on the hunt.” taking a last glance at Ilea, the man moved into the forest and quickly vanished, the others already gone.

Ilea shivers slightly as she finally relaxes. “Creepy troup..” turning to her Aaron nodded.

“The Shadow’s Hand. Elite mercenaries you should hope to never stand against. I hate to say it but their presence is comforting...although not for Riverwatch.”

‘Guess their awesome armor justifies the stupid name...I just hope my stuff somehow survived the flames.’ moving on the group seemed to be much more relaxed. The mercenaries having had quite an influence on the tension that just a moment ago filled their minds.

‘They seem to be quite a big deal around here...’

Clearing the woods after another half an hour of walking, the group looked over a burning Riverwatch. The smell had started right after they had encountered the hand.

“Well that looks fucking awful.” Geronimo’s comment summed up their thoughts.“And I was so looking forward to that tournament. Although I got to see some of the contestants quite close...” sighing he started to walk down to the city. “Any of you care for a drink? On me.”

Soon after the group found themselves in a half burnt down inn. The first floor was quite windy after an impact had taken half of the roof away. “A miracle that this place is still standing...one of my favourites...” the ranger commented as he stood up. “What can I bring you guys?”

Sitting there the group enjoyed the rather morbid view over a burning city. The opposite house being completely destroyed improved the initial view from the inn by quite a bit. The smell of fire and death lingered as their drinks arrived.

“Scuse the wait, lost two of our waitresses in the attack. At least most of the alcohol wasn’t hit.” placing the lemonade in front of Eleonora, the rest received the inn’s own dark beer.

“Cheers Gary. Appreciate the business still being open.” raising his beer to the innkeeper, Geronimo gestured to the others. “To surviving...and to a crazy healer.” raising their mugs they each took a deep gulp, finally calming down after their rather stressful days.

Finishing his beer, Oliver got up and bows to the group. “It was quite a pleasure to fight at your side. If you find yourself in need of my services I’d be honored to give you a more than fair price. I’m afraid I’ll have to go see what’s happening to the tournament and my pay. Thanks for the drink and good luck everyone.”

Raising their mugs to the pyromancer, Aaron soon joined him. “I’ll go see if I can be of use to the city guard. Damn shame...thanks for the help. Ilea I’m in your debt. Find me here or in Dawntree whenever you wish for anything I can provide. I bid you farewell.” shaking his hand, Ilea got up too.

“I’ll have to go check on my things. You sure none of you want to accompany me back to the mine?” smiling at them she didn’t get a response. “And Geronimo...I might come back to you about that offer...” winking at him, she left right behind Aaron. Nodding to each other a last time, they parted ways.

‘Wow they really hit this city hard….’ the healer walked through the still smouldering rubble. A lot of the mostly wooden buildings were burnt down, even though the majority of the city had been spared.

The blood on the streets was underlining the impact of the attack and the fact that destroying architecture hadn’t been the main goal of the elves. Walking through the streets Ilea was a bit perplexed by not finding any injured people.

‘Guess I’ll check a guard center and offer my services...never wrong to build some easy reputation, money and skill levels. Won’t do to only injure and heal myself. First the mansion though...’

Arriving at the Forkspear mansion Ilea fell to her knees tasting true despair for the first time in her life. ‘My beautiful bed...may you rest in peace.’ closing her eyes for a moment she got back up and started to move the rubble.

Some of it was only possible with her Aura active. Mostly ashes remained of her belongings. Only the resilient charred drake scales remained intact.

‘Even more charred I guess….although they don’t seem different. Hey at least nobody stole them. Maybe the smith is still alive...what was his name again?’

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 17 Bracers and Books

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys, I wanted to thank everyone for 100 Followers. It makes me happy to know that so many of you enjoy something I wrote.

This chapter is actually the point where I was at a week ago. Here a special thanks to Tason who wrote a really nice encouraging comment on the first chapter that brought me the motivation to start writing again.

So for any following chapters you can also thank him/her

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I have a couple chapters stored up that I wrote since last week but from this point on I'm not sure how regular updates are gonna be.

So again thanks and enjoy.

Chapter 17 Bracers and Books

Moving the remaining scales to the blacksmith’s shop Ilea smiled as she arrived at the still standing house. Earl was working inside, talking to a city guard about repairs as Ilea entered, trying not to drop any of the scales in her arms.

Dropping them on a nearby empty table, she simply leaned on it and waited. The shop looked ransacked. Most of the weapons she’d seen only a couple days ago were gone. Only some older looking pieces remained.

‘Guess war isn’t the worst for everyone…,’ Finishing his business, Earl looked at her and smiled.

“The healer! You made it, glad you survived. Any stories?” He asked.

“Yes but for another day, there’s still business to be made in this chaos don’t you think…,” winking at the blacksmith she motioned to the scales. “Care to store some more of my stuff? For the appropriate price of course. I seem to have misplaced my backpack. I don’t suppose you have time working on anything?” she put a couple silver coins on the table as Earl started to move the scales.

“You’d be surprised. I honestly lack the metal stock to work on the ridiculous requests that came in from the city and other parties involved in this mess. Without the Windpuma I’m afraid little will be possible… little additional that is…,”

Breaking out into an enormous smile, the blacksmith placed two beautifully crafted scaled bracers on the again empty table. “I couldn’t quite resist and I had some strong hide on hand… I suggest replacing them with Windpuma as soon as you get it but they’ll do the job.”

Her eyes glowing a strong blue and her mouth nearly watering, Ilea grabbed the bracers and hugged them close to her chest. Identifying them, her smile grew bigger.

[Bracers of ash – High Quality ‘Additional protection against fire’]

“They look fucking awesome man, I think I love you!” Earl just laughed as she looked closely at the bracers. They were long enough to nearly cover all the way up to her elbows but left enough room for her wrists to stay flexible at the front. The whole way around was covered in the drake scales, joined together masterfully and fixed to a strong leather below.

As Ilea got them on she was happy to feel they were very smooth on the inside. On the outside they were a little bit bulky and weren’t as smooth but that was a given considering what they’d been made with. “Thought you could use a bit more bulk to block and the scales are rigid and extremely tough, perfect to deflect blades… I wish I’d see you do that…,” his grin matching her own as he told her about the bracers.

“They’re amazing. Really. What do I owe you?” holding up two fingers he shrugged.

“Two gold would be the price as most of the material came from you. I did need quite a while to make them… don’t tell the guard I kinda neglected some of their contracts to make this. I love working with scales.”

Handing him the two gold coins she simply nodded “You’ll be able to make more than that as soon as I get you a good hide. Seeing the guard Earl was talking to before leave the shop, Ilea blinked behind the smith and gave him a strong hug, lifting him up a little. “Thanks for those, have some other business to attend to though.”

Earl caught his breath as he shouted a weak bye her way. “That fucking monster… now about those two hundred new spears and swords… oh I have some days ahead of me.” the grin on Earl’s face and a glint of gold in his eyes showed the true way he felt about this whole ordeal.

Appearing behind the guard, he spun around drawing his sword. “Whoa whoa easy there mate, just have a question.” She quickly said, calming him with a defensive gesture. Breathing out, the guard sheathed his sword again and glared at her

“You’re aware that nerves are a LITTLE on edge here?!” Nodding extra excessively she put an arm around the guard.

“Yes yes, those were some days. To business though, I didn’t see any injured people. I’m a healer and would be able to help out if you show me where they are.” His eyes opened a little, the guard simply pointing into a direction.

“Most of the injured were taken to the closest guard center, although the eastern one isn’t more than smoking rocks at this point. I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms… if you don’t teleport behind them…,”

Ilea ran into the suggested direction while waving and saying thanks as he muttered “...damn teleporters…,” she jumped up on top the nearest house and continued on that way “Hey! that’s not allowed…,” the guard shouted after her but quickly stopped and scratched his head “Guess we have bigger problems than that healer…,”

Running towards the general direction of the closest guard center, Ilea crossed over the buildings. Sometimes she had to move back down to a street to cross blown up sections. Not like she couldn’t cross but more collateral damage wouldn’t help. ‘It wouldn’t hurt much either…,’ she thought before she jumped a couple dozen meters towards the gates of the guard center.

The man standing at the gate just looked at her while cleaning his nose when she suddenly facepalmed “Fuuuuck. I forgot to ask Oliver about the second class stuff… oh well, he wasn’t that helpful anyway. Guess I’ll go get one of those overpriced books if they’re not burnt down. Or watered down… now that I think about it water magic in a library… scary scary.”

Having reached the gate while talking to nobody in particular, she greeted the guard. He let her in rather quickly as soon as he identified her and got the info that she was there to help with any injured.

The guard and members of a taskforce of adventurers in the city were organizing the defense, rebuilding, logistics et cetera and assigned Ilea a tent with a lot of injured people inside. Most of them weren’t badly injured or at least not in a critical condition. All those were already dead or stabilized.

Rubbing her hands she silently started her duty. Just an hour later she emerged and informed the guy in the fancy armor that she was done. “Good job, you didn’t strike me as so diligent…,”

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she thought as the guy quickly whispered to one of the men next to him that ran to the tent.

“Thanks for the service though, the other three healers we had are sleeping off the night shifts they had to pull. I’m sure the injured are glad that they don’t have to suffer any longer.” Receiving a nod from the man he sent to apparently check if she had done her job right, he handed her a small bag with coins. “Three silver, plus two for a job well done. Mostly for doubting you though.” he winked at her and refocused on the map in front of him while talking to another fancy looking man that had just approached.

‘Guess I’m done here… not as much work as I expected.’ She walked through the smouldering city towards where she remembered the book shop being.

Not the fun one. On the way she bought a couple of things to eat, not really caring exactly what. Standing in front of the thankfully not demolished bookstore, Ilea finished the last of the potatoes filled with cheese that she had bought and entered.

‘Ah, much fewer people than last time. Let’s browse then, at least this time I know more or less what I’m looking for.’ After nearly four hours and a fee of twenty silver coins later for not buying anything yet, she approached the counter.

‘There are really some very interesting classes, styles and magic… I just hope this third class isn’t as mythical as people say and that I get there at some point. Sadly there wasn’t anything more interesting than the pyro enhancer class that I found here but some of those styles seemed fun…,’

Nobody was in front of her. Barely three people including the attendant were in the shop at all. “Business not going well?” she asked as she placed her four books on the counter.

“No ma’am. After the attack I’d wager buying expensive skill books isn’t on the top priority list for most people.” She nodded at that.

“Any room for haggling then?” She asked but he just smiled at her question.

“You’re not the best at this are you?” Sighing he took the books “Can’t really blame you though. We even thought about moving parts of the shop to a bit of a more… well… stable city. Seeing the worth of these books.”

He looked over the books “List prices it’d be 10 Gold. I can do 8 and 50 Silver, only on the condition that you show me those bracers clad in fire at some point though.” he said smirking.

“Oh caan do. But I’ll need a while for that. As you can see I’m a bit of a beginner in the subject.” motioning to the Basic Magic theory book.

“Sure, well then enjoy reading and don’t get yourself killed out there.” She handed him the money and nodded, leaving her at just above three gold pieces.

‘Alright, what else do I need before it’s back to that mine…,’ leaving the shop thinking about supplies, she needed more time than expected to find the basic things she was looking for. And it cost more than expected too. Seeing the dire state of the city it made sense of course.

“Thirty silver for a small backpack, some food and another canteen… man.” Seeing the dwindling funds, Ilea decided to sleep outside the city and just start on her way back to the Calys mine. An hour outside the city, the suns started to set and Ilea found herself the nicest tree in the vicinity and jumped up.

Climbing a bit she gothigh enough to see the city in the distance. Most of the fires and smoke she had seen before had already been put out. The sundown and the bustling city in the distance made for a very nice view as she stretched her legs on top of the tree.

“Might as well nap… let’s see if the sphere thingy works while I sleep. First though I still have like thirty stat points to distribute.” she said to herself, putting ten points into Vitality, Endurance and Intelligence each.

Status:

Vitality: 100

Endurance: 86

Strength 50

Dexterity 50

Intelligence 80

Wisdom 80

Health: 907/1000

Stamina: 788/860

Mana: 800/800

“I feel just a bit sharper, I hope this Intelligence thingy also works for witty comebacks. Oh yes, all seeing gods, I am stranded in a fantasy world with war and monsters and I use my stats to get better comebacks…,”

Ilea activated her Azarinth Sphere hoping to get some levels out of it. Five minutes later she prepared to sleep. Having checked the mana it took to keep the sphere up for five minutes, she realized it would take a couple more levels in both the skill and Wisdom to be able to maintain it indefinitely. Shutting the skill off again, she closed her eyes on top of the tree as the last light slowly drifted over the horizon to reveal the stars above.

She woke up only two hours later, thoroughly rested. ‘I mean it’s nice to wake up so rested after so little sleep but I kinda miss waking up as the suns come up… maybe I should just go to sleep later in the night.’ Activating her aura skill, the faint blue light was enough for her enhanced eyes to make out everything around her.

It was a cloudy night and mist had gathered in the forest around Riverwatch. One wouldn’t be able to see the glow of her skill from below the tree Ilea was lying on. She opened her backpack to reveal the books she’d bought for most of her remaining gold. The first one being Basic Magic theory. ‘Guess I’ll start with that one...’ she began reading through the night. She had bought three more books next to the Basic Magic theory one.

[Body Enhancement and you]

[Fire Magic for dummies]

[Fire Enhancer, Is the pain worth it?]

The books became more expensive the more specialized they were. Not having a lot of pages, Ilea burned through all of them in about six hours when the suns were slowly rising. ‘Well Magic theory didn’t help much. Guess I gained that understanding by surviving the Bluemoon grass.

‘Apparently most mages didn’t have it that easy… or is it magi? Magister? No wait, that’s latin…,’ Looking at the book and putting it into the backpack, she removed some bread and meat to have breakfast while enjoying the view of the rising suns.

‘Body enhancement seems very interesting. Didn’t learn that much there either because my aura comes so naturally to me. Apparently that’s also because of the class and the grass I ate in the ruins. Luckyyyy me. Plus apparently my class is amazing.’

All the examples in the book for class bonuses were at 20% to 30% bonuses for body enhancements tops. Most also had other bonuses such as elemental damage bonuses, cast time bonuses, resistances and much more. ‘My class only has three bonuses although those three are so good I don’t really care about any others...’ The book also confirmed what Ilea already felt to be true, increasing her Intelligence stat would help her more with raw power than the Strength stat.

Putting the book back into her backpack too, she finished eating. The fire magics book explained different ways to look at fire. Different existing religions, theories by archmages and science related explanations.

Apparently it was paramount to have a great understanding of fire, in different viewpoints to become a fire mage. The way mana was released in fire magic was also a little different than the spells Ilea used in her Azarinth healer category. The Azarinth style was more explosive, be it the healing spells or the Aura. Once activated it was certainly controlled but the initial activation of the skills was rather intense.

Fire needed a more gradual buildup apparently, at least until you achieved much better control. That’s why having a cast time reduction bonus on your class was important to them. Apparently the speed of Ilea’s spell activation was incredibly high for her level. The body enhancement book explained that a little though as apparently body enhancements and often associated Aura spells were much faster.

It was theorized that manipulating your body which was already used to your mana and it’s flow was easier than creating a ball of fire for example in the air in front of you. Ilea took most of the theories in the books with a grain of salt.

In a world where personal power was this important and magic books were this expensive there was probably quite a bit of non shared knowledge out there. ‘Doesn’t matter as long as I learn how to set myself aflame… in a non dying way.’ She thought as she put the last two books into her backpack.

At the start of each book it was mentioned that after first reading the book it would dissolve in a week’s time so that reselling or simply gifting it to another person wasn’t possible.

‘Couldn’t I just copy the knowledge into another book? Eh maybe there are laws or something… like with piracy on earth, seems a bit difficult to enforce and they do have libraries here…,’ getting up to stretch, Ilea realized that most of the mist had been broken by the suns. “Back to grinding it is then. This time no distractions.” smashing her fists together, she jumped off the tree with her backpack in tow.

Ilea ran at nearly full speed until she reached the mine entrance. ‘Back to the underground.’ she thought as she entered. The big room they had fought in as they left was now empty. ‘Guess I’ll just walk around exploring. Ilea had a crude map on a piece of half burnt paper that she had copied from Geronimo as he was scribbling down the information they had gathered so far on the night before they left.

She basically doodled some tunnels and would continue to occasionally do so as she explored, not trying too hard to maintain scale or accuracy. There were two ways to go from the big room and Ilea chose the one she hadn’t come from with her party before.

It didn’t take long to her first encounter.

[Undead Warrior - lvl ??]

There were two of them slowly shambling her way, holding crude rusty swords in their rotten hands. ‘Well here goes nothing, let’s try the new skills I got… the passive should activate automatically once I fight…,’

Activating both State of Azarinth and Sphere of Azarinth she blinked right behind the Undead that was further away, spinning into a sweep kick, the zombie fell down. One of its legs cracking in the process.

The second Undead reacting to the sound slowly turned toward her but not before Ilea stomped on the other leg of her downed enemy. ‘I still have time… is this the perception skill I got?’ Not wasting anything, Ilea jumped up slightly and crashed down with a full power stomp on the first Undead’s head. A slight crack was heard but the head didn’t give yet.

Four more stomps and mushy flesh covered the ground. ‘Still… fucking gross…,’ The second Undead had reached her at that point. Dodging a swing that felt too slow for her, she punched the sword arm of her adversary upwards, cracking some bones as it flew above her head.

The weapon was dropped and Ilea continued with her proven method of leg braking. She blinked behind the Undead, dodging the wild flailing of her foe and broke both of its shins with swift kicks. The rest of the fight went much like the first Undead. A couple stomps on its head finished it soon.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Undead warrior] x2. For killing an adversary 40 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 55. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches lvl 2’

‘Well that was easy...’ Deactivating the sphere skill Ilea realized how dark it was inside the cavern already. ‘I saw them perfectly fine though… must be the skill.’ Activating it again, she perceived the Unundead in her radius perfectly. ‘It’s not exactly sight… but I know where they are… I’d argue it’s better than sight, I also perceive what’s behind them and I have no blind spots… this skill is phenomenal. Then again I got it as the first skill in the class in a while and that at level 50.’

She simply stood there for a minute, activating and deactivating the skill, getting used to the sensation and slightly different way of seeing the world. It was a very different way but having the skill meant it came naturally to her.

‘Still it costs quite a bit of mana still… I barely notice the drain of my main aura. Guess it’ll change as I level it.’ She grabbed the two rusty swords and then thought better of it, throwing them away ‘This is stupid, I don’t want to gather this rusty junk and carry it around for the scrap money I’ll get.’

‘If I continue as I do, I’ll get better stuff to sell at one point or another.’ She walked on, deeper into the cavern ‘Plus the only thing I need money for is food and maybe stuff from Earl…,’ looking at her bracers, she hadn’t used them at all in the fight before. The faintly glowing figure of Ilea slowly descended into the cave system, only a faint blue glow illuminating her smile as she lifted the black hood over her hair.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 18 Through the fire and flames

Chapter 18 Through the Fire and Flames

Nearly five hours later, Ilea had fought seven stalker hounds and ten zombies, having reached level 62 in her class. The fights usually didn’t last long, her sphere and perception skill made it too easy.

Even the much faster hounds weren’t much of a challenge to her as she saw behind herself and could react much faster than before. It still took quite a few hits for the kills which is understandable with being a lower lvl, but most of the time was spent on simply walking and searching for more enemies to fight in the enormous cavern system.

After a while she even began running between fights. ‘This might even be the main cave system…,’ she thought as she passed another split in the tunnel.

Her skills steadily grew as well. The ones in the second tier painfully slow but still presumably much faster than most other adventurers leveled theirs. Her two new skills took off though and she noticed the difference after every fight, making them even easier.

After her last fight she took a bite of bread and sat down between the two stalker hounds she had slaughtered, not a scratch on herself. ‘I have to be careful not to become overconfident… lest I forget how easily these creatures could rip me apart if I make a mistake… well at this point maybe not these exact creatures but there’s enough out there that could. I probably won’t stay long enough to reach level 100 though, fighting these beasts is already not very exciting anymore.’

Thinking to take a break, Ilea walked back to one of the miner’s stations she had passed half an hour ago and settled down there. There were plenty of materials still present and she started by making a fire. Took her only half an hour to get a nice cheery blaze going.

‘Now to apply what I learned.’ She simply watched the fire, thinking about all the different interpretations she read in the fire magic book. In a hunch she closed her eyes and activated her Sphere, watching the fire closely in its entirety.

Ten minutes later, she also activated her magic perception, noticing that it affected her Sphere too. She sat there with closed eyes, sensing how the mana flowed within and around the fire and soon tried to emulate a similar flow in herself.

She had to take several pauses as her mana ran out to meditate. There luckily was enough wood stored up to keep the fire going for another day at least. After five hours of this, Ilea had the flow down and as she thought about forming a flame atop her palm, the mana flowed out and a tiny spark of flame came into existence. It vanished just as fast as it had appeared and Ilea doubted she would’ve even noticed it were it not for her Sphere.

She slowly stood up and stretched, breaking out of her meditative state after nearly six more hours. “FUCK YEAH!” Pumping her fist into the air, the blue light of her tattoos flared up. She ate a little of her food and then sat down again to continue.

She thought about going out of the cave to work on this as the view was nicer but decided against it as more distractions meant less focus. ‘I’ll have to concentrate on this. Getting the second class has priority… if I can level both classes in this dungeon, I’ll grow insanely fast in strength…,’

So her days passed, although she didn’t know how many as there was no sun and she only needed around two hours of sleep. When her food ran out she would go out into the forest to hunt wild animals and look for any berries and fruits.

There wasn’t much available anymore as Autumn slowly drifted over Elos, turning the scenery from green to brown. Ilea simply continued with her meditation, her control over the flow of her mana getting better and better. The flame lasted nearly nine seconds in her hand now before it snuffed out.

Nearly two weeks passed like this, making steady incremental progress until finally the long awaited message appeared before her after she had managed to keep the flame alive for half a minute.

‘bing’ ‘You have met the requirements for a class change: Fire Mage – Manipulated mana into fire for more than thirty seconds. Basic understanding of fire.

‘The Fire Mage is the most basic of fire based mages. She controls the flames and leaves only ash in her path.’

‘Would you like to change to this class. Bonuses and skills will be applied after doing so. Attention, only one class slot is free, choose wisely.’

Ilea simply confirmed the choice in her head as more information popped up.

‘New class: Fire Mage

Vitality +5

Intelligence +10

Wisdom +10

Fire magic is cast 50% faster

Fire magic is 25% stronger

You gain the general skill heat resistance

Your mana regeneration is increased by 20% around fire

Skills gained in Fire Mage:

Active: Flame – lvl 1:

Create a flame from your mana to attack your enemies or heat a pot. You can control the flame through your fire manipulation.

Category: Projectile Magic - Area of Effect

Passive: Fire Manipulation – lvl 1:

Your control over fire increases dramatically. Bend it to your wishes and burn whatever lies before you. [Effect doubled after bonuses]

Category: Body Enhancement

Failed to learn Heat resistance, the skill is already available.’

“I did iiiiit!!!” she jumped up and down a bit before carefully reading through the descriptions. The bonuses weren’t even close to as good as Azarinth healer and she didn’t gain nearly as many skills.

‘Well hopefully I’ll learn more skills from leveling or experimenting. Should be the case with a more normal class.’ a flame burst from her hand, much brighter and stronger than any she had conjured before and she quickly moved it around easily.

‘Wait….Fire Manipulation is doubled? So the Azarinth healer bonus applies to this class’s skills as well? Well then I can’t wait for the Body Enhancement bonuses from a better class than this one… my power will multiply…,’ she thought with a big grin on her face, the flame still dancing around her.

‘Sucks that I didn’t get another resistance skill… could’ve saved me from all that burning from before…,’ She checked out all her current stats and smiled.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 40

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 62

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 19

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 10

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 16

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 11

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – lvl 9

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – lvl 6

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: Fire Mage – lvl 1

- Active: Flame – lvl 1

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Fire Manipulation – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 3

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 105

Endurance: 86

Strength 50

Dexterity 50

Intelligence 90

Wisdom 90

Health: 1003/1050

Stamina: 850/860

Mana: 609/900

‘Well that looks pretty good compared to when I arrived in this shithole… although I have to say I’m starting to like it. It’s like a fun shithole… this is sending the wrong signals.’ She stopped her train of thought there and focused on the task at hand.

Evolving the Fire Mage class into the Fire Enhancer class. There were several methods mentioned in the Fire Enhancer book, some faster and some slower and more difficult but safe. It came as no surprise which method Ilea chose.

‘So how do I set myself on fire…,’ Her meditation continued, the focus being again the mana flow inside of her. It was similar to before and the fire manipulation skill definitely helped, even internally. The difference now being that instead of a flame above her palm, which was the natural way the mana tried to exit once she willed it, she had to get the mana out all over her body… all at once.

The book mentioned pain… a lot of it but it was definitely the fastest and easiest method to gain an enhancer class, not just with fire. A healer at hand was advised, so Ilea had the requirements already fulfilled. ‘Time to level pain tolerance… oh boy here I come.’

Two undead warriors were shuffling through a dark cave, unmoved by the distant screaming of a young woman. Light flickered at the end of their tunnel but they were mindlessly shuffling about. Unfeeling and uncaring they trotted on.

A stalker hound slowly crept past them, a glint of fear in its eyes. The screams had terrorized its pack for nearly a week now already, not that the hound grasped the concept of time.

Getting closer to the noise, one could make out a bright figure. Clad in flame the creature buckled to its knees, holding its head with fiery arms. The screams turning into a hoarse chuckle. Soon the light faded and skin began to regenerate, eyes filled their sockets and raven black hair grew from the creature’s head.

After just half a minute, a naked woman in her early twenties stood where the creature had knelt before, her blue eyes twinkling in the light of the campfire in front of her as she laughed and screamed, just a bit of madness in her eyes.

“I did it! Finally! FUCK FIRE! I HATE YOU!” Ilea screamed towards the flames. Calming down she quickly checked all her messages. She had willed them away shortly after starting her second phase of meditation because it would be distracting.

Not like she’d be able to read anything with the pain and exhaustion. ‘Sleep then pain, sleep then pain…,’ the only respite she had was her Meditation skill whenever her mana ran out. Though as time went on the pain decreased more and more. Now being on fire hurt barely more than having a deep cut in her arm before. Weirdly since about half an hour ago she didn’t feel any pain at all but kept screaming out of habit. Activating the notifications again, she read through what she had gained.

‘ding’ ‘Meditation has reached - 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Pain tolerance has reached – 2nd lvl 1’

Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 1

Being a bit of a masochist, you have learned to ignore some of the pain. No, only physical pain. You’re feeling a little more numb towards pain but careful...the damage is still being done!

2nd stage: You’ve been through more pain than most others. You are now able to completely turn off your perception of pain. Be wary as there is a reason pain exists.

“Well perfect timing then assholes!” she said towards the sky. The gods were laughing. At least that’s what she thought.

‘ding’ ‘Fire Manipulation has reached – lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Mage has reached level 2. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Mage has reached level 3. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘So I do get the same amount of stat points… so I could stand my ground like the others in the makeshift party when fighting the hounds and I had half of the status points?’ She was a bit overwhelmed by what that meant but smiled in the end, liking her main class even more.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Fire mage becomes Fire Enhancer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – Become one with the flame. Clad your body in fire for more than ten minutes while being in control of the flames. Have Fire Manipulation at level 10 or higher.

‘The Fire Enhancer becomes one with the flame. She controls the flames to strengthen her own body and abilities. Fire flows within her blood.’

Would you like to evolve your class [Fire Mage] to [Fire Enhancer]?

Confirming the change, another window appeared.

‘Class change: Fire Mage becomes Fire Enhancer

Vitality +5

Strength + 5

Dexterity + 5

Intelligence +10

Wisdom +10

Fire magic is cast 50% faster

Fire magic is 25% stronger

Body enhancement magic is improved by 20%

You gain the general skill heat resistance

Your mana regeneration is increased by 50% around fire

Skills gained in Fire Enhancer:

Active: Body of Flame – lvl 1:

Clad yourself in flames raising your resilience, speed and strength by 20% [Effect after bonuses 49%]

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement – Fire magic’

“There goes the multiplier… now the only question remains…,” Activating Body of Flame, wisps of fire gathered around her and moved slowly in an ever changing pattern a couple millimeters away from her body. She looked at her hands and felt the power flow through her.

‘Not as much as State of Azarinth but still around half more with both of the multipliers. Now let’s see if it works…,’ Behind the fiery wisps blue tattoos began to shine on her still naked body. She suddenly vanished and her fist landed on the cave wall. Ilea didn’t use her Blink spell but with both her auras active and the new bonuses from the class she had become nearly another sixty percent stronger.

The walls shook and some stone started to fall. ‘Oh fuck’ Blinking to get her backpack and clothes, Ilea appeared outside the miner station. Outside the walls held, the tunnels were constructed to be incredibly sturdy. It was quite surprising that Ilea even managed to create so much force to make parts of it cave in.

‘I feel fucking amazing’ She thought as she slowly breathed out. The auras weren’t multiplicative with each other but additive, which meant her State that gave roughly 113% increase in strength, resilience and speed and her Body of Flame which gave roughly 50% together came out at 163% which was an incredible bonus.

Considering State started with a 35% bonus and Body of Flame with 20% it was rather incredible. Seeing the skills affected her sturdiness, speed and strength, investing into more stat points would make her power skyrocket.

‘Although Intelligence does make my Destruction spell make more boom I might add some points into Strength and Dexterity to gain more from my auras. One point in Dexterity will equal nearly three points while all auras are active… but enough stats and points… it’s finally time to,’ “SMASH!” her fists punched together, a light shock wave leaving the center.

It would have been very badass, had it not been for her lightly wobbling chest. ‘First, clothes.’ she thought as she quickly got dressed.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 19 Caves. Still caves.

Chapter 19 Caves. Still caves.

Booms echoed through the cave as a crazed young woman appeared and disappeared, leaving behind cracks and craters on the walls around her. ‘I’m glad my clothes don’t burn up while using Body of Flame’ She had tested it prior with only her underwear on.

It turned out that the fiery wisps around her were mostly for show as they didn’t even generate noticeable heat. Laughing, Ilea stopped her antics to test her newfound power. Speaking of which, she had invested 20 skill points each into Strength and Dexterity, reaching a whopping 75 in each of them. The remaining 10 points had been spent on Endurance.

“Are you ready boys!?” Screaming into the dark tunnel before her, she started into a sprint. “Here comes MAMA!” A shiver ran through all Stalker Hounds remaining in the dungeon.

Feeling a bit anticlimactic for not finding an enemy after running for twenty minutes, the glow of excitement slightly dimmed and a slight annoyance crept into her eyes. ‘Finally’ she thought, as she came upon a group of three stalker hounds.

She blinked into their midst and kicked one in its side with the full power of all her skills combined. A reassuring crack resounded through the cave. Another blink, and Ilea delivered a punch into the snout of another hound while her first victim was still flying towards the nearby wall.

Ten punches later, the hounds that didn’t know what had hit them were no more. ‘I’m amazing, did anyone see that?’ Nobody did of course and so she went on, deeper and deeper into the cave system. Neither undead nor the stalker hounds posed a threat to her anymore. Larger groups were whittled down carefully while smaller groups or single enemies were steamrolled by the crazed fire enhancer.

Stopping sometimes to eat or sleep for an hour or two, her pace continued like this for several days. On the seventh day, she found something abnormal. Or maybe it was the tenth day, Ilea wasn’t sure.

A wide grin formed on her face as her blue eyes sparkled from beneath her black hood. She had arrived in a much wider area than any tunnels before. And in the middle of the cave around one hundred meters in front of her lay something spectacular. ‘Well not spectacular I guess but it’s bigger at least!’

She had gained several levels in both her classes in the past week. Her Fire Enhancer class climbing at an abnormal speed. Considering that even her main class was much lower leveled than her enemies, her second class’ growth was absurd. At least compared to normal people or adventurers.

Nobody in their right mind would walk into a dungeon without having leveled both their classes to at least a comparable one as the enemies inside. Some people did of course, people similar in their mindset to Ilea. Some loved fighting, some did it for love. Others again just liked killing. Many would die with this approach just as fast as their power would climb.

Although Ilea loved fighting and her reckless approach would signal an early death, it hadn’t happened so far. The most important difference to other people like her was that she was a healer.

Of course some people could pay a healer to accompany them but the world had a way of knowing if you were alone or not. If there was another person hiding around the corner to heal you at a moments notice, your experience gained would be reduced.

This didn’t apply to Ilea… it seemed fair as most healers wouldn’t have her offensive capabilities. Because of this many chose to go alone and without a healer. Many of them also didn’t have abilities like blink to flee quickly from a hopeless situation.

Maybe parts of these arguments went through Ilea’s head as she stared at the massive ten meter long hound before her with a manic smile on her face. A normally reasonable person like Ilea would need some justification to approach something like that even with her lust for battle.

[Alpha Stalker Hound – lvl ??]

Seeing that Ilea still couldn’t identify the enemy at her level wasn’t a surprise. Even normal stalker hounds were outside her Identify range. ‘Not for long anymore though…,’ she thought. As her Azarinth Healer class reached lvl 70 not long ago this thought wasn’t a stretch. Investing her gained Stat points into Intelligence, Wisdom and Vitality, Ilea slowly got up from her crouching position and approached the presumed boss of the dungeon.

As the woman closed in on the Alpha, she started to emit a faint blue light. Quickly joined by fiery wisps, she cracked her knuckles and neck. The Alpha sniffed the air and lifted his head, growling at the slowly approaching woman before him.

A snack perhaps, delivered straight to its maw, how lovely. Feeling no danger from the approaching human, the Alpha got up and growled at her. The level difference obvious. Were its instincts only a little bit more honed, he would’ve noticed something was wrong. Many months without anybody challenging him had made the Alpha complacent and sure of itself.

“Let’s begin then” Ilea said as she activated Azarinth Sphere and started running. The Alpha growled and started running as well, only slightly faster than her.

A snap of his maw around the victim before him brought nothing but air into his mouth as a sudden impact buckled his right hind leg. Kicking the Alpha left Ilea with a slight throb in her leg, choosing not to remove the pain with her Pain Tolerance skill, she blinked to the other side just as the hound moved his whole body with a rapid motion right where she had stood before.

Another kick hit the hounds left hind leg. Following up her attack by a dodge of the hounds kick, Ilea found herself below him. Punching upwards with her right arm, she found his belly to be much less resistant than his legs.

Before the Alpha could squash her with his weight, she blinked right in front of the hound. Having predicted his movements she landed a punch right onto his snout. The hound reeled back to roar at her.

‘You have heard the Alpha Hound’s roar, you are paralyzed for three seconds’

Before even reading the message, a swipe of the hound’s front paw sent Ilea flying. Landing with a crash twenty meters away, she groaned as her blood pooled below her.

Closing the wounds on her left arm and torso, she waited on the ground and continued healing the internal damage. ‘Those claws are sharp.’ the pain was dulled by her tolerance but she still chose not to completely eradicate it. The beast seemingly content in its victory slowly approached, giving Ilea precious seconds to work on the damage.

Just when the hound entered her Sphere of perception, she blinked in front of him and hit his throat with all she had. Her right arm functioning completely and her buffs helping her to ignore the still healing wounds.

The beast recoiled as another hit damaged its throat. ‘No more roaring my little friend.’ she thought as she blinked to dodge a swipe of his paw. Kicking into his hind legs again, she managed to break one after the third hit. The beast was slow to respond after its throat had been damaged.

A tail swipe sent Ilea tumbling, but this time she landed on her feet, skidding for a couple meters. The two stared at each other as the monster turned fully towards her. Both panting with blood leaking out of their mouths.

Every second where they didn’t move, Ilea kept healing. Her unnatural health recovery combined with her Reconstruction magic put her at a massive advantage in this fight.

Seeing as her mana was still relatively high, Ilea also kept up her buffs to be able to respond quickly. As if to confirm her decision, she suddenly felt a burst of mana below her and blinked away just as a spike of earth pushed away the air from where she had just stood.

Starting to run, Ilea moved in an unpredictable pattern as the Alpha stared at her with concentration in his eyes. ‘A monster like that having earth magic at his disposal seems kinda unfair.’ she thought.

What she didn’t know was that the Alpha stalker hound was at level 146 and boss monsters normally had at least some magical capability. The stalker hounds living in the cave system below the earth naturally formed a connection to that element.

Dodging another three spikes, the hound seemed to become irritated that his prey was still moving. Advancing on her, he again found only air but this time he was ready.

The strike didn’t come though and just as the Alpha tried to sense where his prey went to, there was a tugging on his tail. With all her strength Ilea dragged the weakened Alpha by it’s tail and swung it’s massive form around to throw it.

Sadly the result was less impressive than she had hoped for as the beast only slid a couple meters on the ground before stopping on his feet. ‘Guess stuff like that has to wait for a bit longer… or for when my enemies weigh less than a fucking tank.’

Her move had more of an impact than she thought though. The Alpha was both stronger and more intelligent than its lesser pack members and while her punches hurt him severely, being moved like a pup made him fear for his life for the first time in the fight.

With resolve in its eyes and a fight for survival imminent, its mind turned more wild. Spikes of earth emerged from all around Ilea and she dodged them as fast as she could, some even scratching her slightly. The beast was upon her as still more spikes emerged before it swiped at her with its long fangs.

Ilea blinked behind his left paw and punched into his ribcage. Three punches she landed as she continued moving down the length of the beast before it jumped back. Blinking in front of it again, she punched it’s face and dodged his nail like teeth before delivering an upper cut into the Alpha’s jaw.

Satisfied at the cracking sound of bone breaking, she moved ahead and stomped at the beast’s front leg. The physical damage alone wouldn’t have been much of an issue for the monster but her mana enhanced punches and kicks using the Destruction skill started to wear on the Alpha.

Howling in pain, the hound started thrashing around, trying to squash the annoying human with its weight and size alone. This didn’t pose much of a threat to Ilea though, as her sphere of perception allowed her to see just when and where to dodge.

The faster and more calculated strikes of his paws before had been much harder to dodge. This continued for nearly fifteen seconds as the beast continuously thrashed around while Ilea circled the massive form to land strike upon strike on the wounded beast.

Trying to get up and use it’s paws again, the hound stopped thrashing. The woman was relentless though and didn’t stop delivering pain and broken bones as he tried to stand on his broken legs. Its movements slowed massively by the blood loss and internal damage,

Ilea continued her barrage. Not being fooled by the beast’s weakness, she stayed concentrated and didn’t get too bold. Every strike calculated. Where she could deliver three blows before retaliation earlier, now she could deliver five.

With a last blink right in front of the hound’s head, she spun and delivered a kick with her heel and the power of her whole body and buffs behind it right onto the Alpha’s head. The crack was louder than the others and the Alpha went down.

Whimpering on the ground below her, his eyes stared defiantly yet much less focused towards his doom. Another two fully powered stomps to the beast’s skull ended its life.

Standing there in the dark and silent cave, a massive pool of blood forming around the smashed beast’s skull Ilea shivered. A combination of pain, excitement, happiness, fear and repulsion came over her.

Pain because of the wounds she started to feel, still healing but now with less and less adrenaline in her body. Excitement because of her massive increase in abilities and future prospects. Happiness at being able to experience a fight like that and live. At being able to call herself strong.

Fear at what she had become. At how much she had changed since coming here to this horrible yet beautiful world. At being able to kill without blinking an eye. Yes this was simply a monster but there was intelligence in its eyes and she would’ve done the same to a human trying to kill her. Repulsion at the blood and gore around her. She was getting used to it but the smell sometimes still made her a little nauseous.

‘An incredible feeling...’ She thought, as the emotions passed and left her in a thoughtful state. Smiling and looking down at the monster she fought and killed she bowed down and closed its eyes, what remained of them at least. “Thank you.” she said and closed her own eyes for a couple seconds.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 20 Superhero landing, yea that's really hard on your knees

Chapter 20 Superhero landing, yea that's really hard on your knees

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated the [Alpha Stalker Hound].’

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 71. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 72. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Sphere has reached 2nd lvl 1

Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 1

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

2nd stage: The Sphere now also influences the senses of smell, hearing, touch and taste as you will it.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 40. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 41. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 42. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 43. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 44. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

The massive amount of bings and new information coming from her Sphere skill woke Ilea from her thoughtful state. Immediately repulsed by the smell around her, she found she could reduce the effect by simply willing it.

‘So that’s the 2nd stage of Azarinth Sphere...more testing to do hmm.’ she thought as she looked over the rest of her accomplishments. ‘Quite the haul for a single enemy defeated.’ seeing as she was alone and at close to half the creatures level, most people would call her insane and the reward not at all worth it for the risk she took.

Walking away from the corpse, she sat down on a stone and leaned on the wall of the cave, still healing herself. ‘Even more Fire skills… this is getting frustrating.’ Ilea had found that while her main class very rarely gave her any skills, the Fire Enhancer class was the complete opposite. She was informed about this before but it was a bit overwhelming now that it actually happened. Thinking about it she saw all the available skills…

[Fire Ball]

[Greater Fire Ball]

[Fire Whip]

[Fire Surge]

[Heated Body]

[Fire Storm]

[Combustion]

[Campfire control]

[Magma throw]

[The call of flame]

[….]

[….]

And on and on it went. She could choose from at least 35 skills at this point. Being in a state of training she didn’t really feel like adding more and more things she had to worry about to her established fighting style.

She could level up her class by simply using Body of Flame while fighting, which didn’t have an impact on how she fought, except faster and stronger. Anything thrown or ranged wise would put her at a distance, unable to use her greatest strengths. She wanted to use the Fire Enhancer class to bolster her main abilities from the Azarinth class.

At least until stronger skills made themselves known. Additionally a lot of the skills didn’t seem to be about Body Enhancement. The ones that were seemed useless.

Heated body for example simply increased one’s body heat. Ilea didn’t know what good that would do her. Obviously there had to be some use or maybe for a combination with another class later on. Perhaps its second stage was something to be marveled at, but it didn’t give her an immediate advantage.

Looking through the list again, she saw there were two new skills available from the recent level up.

Active: Fire Serpent – lvl 1:

Calls forth a serpent of fire to consume your enemy. The serpent's strength and heat increases with each level in the skill.

Category: Summoning - Fire Magic

Would you like to learn this skill?

Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1:

You are able to see the sources of heat around you. You may disable this ability at will. The distance, penetrative power and accuracy increase with each level in the skill.

Category: Body Enhancement

Would you like to learn this skill?

‘Hmm that one might actually be useful.’ she immediately discarded the serpent skill and accepted the Heat vision skill. Activating it for now. The only sources of heat around her were herself and the slowly cooling body of the Alpha hound she had killed a couple minutes prior.

Putting 4 Stat points into Endurance, she got it to a round 150. The remaining 31 stat points were put into Strength and Dexterity. Checking her status she sighed with a smile on her face. ‘It’s getting complicated… I’m glad the values aren’t in the tens of thousands though. Can’t imagine the skill management a dragon or god would need…,’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 72

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 13

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 1

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 7

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – lvl 18

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: Fire Enhancer – lvl 44

- Active: Flame – lvl 1

- Active: Body of Flame – lvl 8

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Fire Manipulation – lvl 12

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 3

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 12

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 155

Endurance: 150

Strength 91

Dexterity 90

Intelligence 150

Wisdom 150

Health: 933/1550

Stamina: 828/1500

Mana: 743/1500

Ilea healed herself fully before going back to her last resting place. Getting her backpack and returning to the cave with the corpse still in it. ‘Should’ve gotten a knife to get some of the materials of that monster…,’ She thought but likely wouldn’t have been able to get a lot with a knife anyway. Most of the creature was crushed or too hard to slice through with a simple knife. ‘Can you not drop me a magical dagger or something…,’

Chewing on a piece of bread, she started moving the creature out of the way to see if any materials or items were dropped. The creatures she fought previously didn’t but she was informed that it would sometimes happen in dungeons. ‘At least the boss is supposed to drop something, come on…,’

After wading through the tons of flesh and bones, she finally found something. A small dark silver necklace. On it was a roundish form of dark silver lines. Using identify on the item she got the following.

[Alpha Hound’s trinket – Rare Quality ‘Increased affinity with canines’]

“Well that’s kinda cool… I wonder how that effect is practically applied.” She had been told by the library girl that these items are pretty rare and she already held three items with an effect on them. Admittedly they weren’t incredibly impressive but still.

Cleaning the necklace off of blood as best as she could, she put it on and continued her search. No further things were found though if you didn’t count bones and meat.

Leaving the corpse behind, Ilea checked the cave. There was not a lot of light but with her advanced senses it wasn’t difficult to see. At the back of the cave were two openings. Choosing one at random, Ilea walked for around ten minutes before coming up to a drop.

Not seeing the ground, she activated all her buffs. ‘Around sixty meters down hmm?’ deciding that she should check out the other opening before jumping down, she turned around. ‘Before I go…,’ She thought, getting out the crude map of the Calys mine and updated it with a piece of coal. ‘I hope this stuff doesn’t smudge too badly…,’

It hadn’t been a problem so far as she usually put her backpack away while fighting. Reaching the cave, she chose the other direction to walk in and quickly reached what seemed to be the den of the Alpha hound.

“Damn, I expected a baby hound or something… this is just creepy…,” Ilea’s voice filling the chamber, trying to disperse the ominous feeling the skeletons of various creatures gave off.

She shrugged and started to go through the lot. The gear that had once belonged to the unfortunate souls now occupying this old cave left much to be desired. Some coins did find their way into her pockets though. Nearly fifty silver at that.

Taking one of the better looking swords, she tried to cut at the more intact parts of the Alpha but soon considered her efforts to be fruitless. Keeping the old sword, she walked back to the drop. “And down you go…,” Letting the sword fall, she counted the seconds.

‘Well I still have no idea how far exactly this is… but hey...I can heal myself and I’ve done more reckless shit just half an hour ago…,’ Activating her skill set again, she simply dropped down. A couple seconds later she landed in a crouch.

“Wow that was cool…,” she whispered “Did anybody see… no of course you didn’t.” her enhanced body didn’t even flinch at the impact. Even the crouch might’ve been excessive. Standing up and looking around her, Ilea’s eyes fell on the bewildered face of a robed man.

Their eyes met and while she cocked her head to its side, his eyes widened in shock. “So somebody DID see that landing?” the man’s eyes suddenly focused and he jumped back while magic started to gather around him.

[Mage - lvl ??]

“Hey man, no need to be so defensive, a simple rating out of ten would’ve been fine.” she said “Not here to fight you… but if you want to I’m up for it.” With that the man paused.

Indra Sekki couldn’t believe his eyes. Just a moment ago he was minding his own business, on his way to the common hall when he heard the clattering of metal behind him. A sword had fallen from above and shortly thereafter a cloaked figure with blue shining tattoos and flames playing around their body landed close to where the blade lay.

‘Like an Archangel of death.’ He thought, paralyzed by the beautiful yet terrifying person before him. Magical displays like Ilea’s buffs were by no means visually shocking. Impressive of course, seeing comparable things in the arena fights in Riverwatch but not to the extent of paralyzing an experienced magician like Indra.

The reason was simply that he hadn’t seen any other magic than his own in quite some time. At least nothing comparable to fire or whatever the blue glow was. Reacting a little late for his status, he jumped back.

‘Embarrassing, you fool could’ve already died were it not for her inaction…,’ he thought as he channeled his mana.

[Healer – lvl 72]

‘A healer hmm? Must’ve gotten separated from her party… the sword then?’ The words coming out of her mouth gave him pause again.

“Well are you gonna do something or not? Cause if not I have some questions. Where are we? Still the Calys mines right?” The man had again stopped moving. His posture relaxed a bit but the mana was still present.

“Who are you? And what are you doing in the domain of the Vultures?” The man in front of her attempted to sound authoritative, mostly succeeding in spite of his mental state.

“Vultures? Never heard of ya, no offense. This is your domain? You live underground?”

The man sighed “None taken… we’re pretty new at this you know. But where are my manners. My name is Indra, journeyman necromancer of the Vultures Brotherhood.”

“Nice to meet you Indra. Guess you being a necromancer explains a bit why you’re living underground. Isn’t that stuff illegal? Oh well… do you sell any food down here? I’m really sick of stalker hound at this point…,”

‘She eats the stalker hounds? Fighting them alone is rather impressive. And really… illegal? Most people would run away or attack hearing that...’ Indra thought and sighed again ‘And of course she asks about food…,’

‘What a happy go lucky fool I’ve stumbled across here…,’ “Yes, we do have some food different from the hounds. Necromancy is indeed quite illegal as you put it. And yes, it is part of why we live down here. How did you even get here? There’s only one way to this cave and it’s heavily guarded.”

“Fought the Alpha and jumped down. My name is Ilea by the way. And I’m intrigued and tempted by the food you have. Hope it’s not brains or something.” She went to pick up the sword.

____________________________________________________________________________

‘I guess being necromancers makes these people quite evil. I’ll check them out further though if I can, don’t want to antagonize people unnecessarily. After all they might have good food or information I can use.’

“Y..you fought… the alpha??” for the third time Indra was paralyzed “… we sent dozens of undead in there to try and kill that creature… and she… alone?” he mumbled the last part in a quiet whisper.

Ilea caught all of it with her enhanced senses, him being in the currently 15m radius of Azarinth Sphere. It did put a smile on her face and answered some of the questions. ‘I can take this guy probably… and this explains why the undead are here… guess I could’ve come to that conclusion myself.’

“Yea I got separated from my group and stumbled upon him. Managed to get away in the end but the only way I could go was down here…,” ‘why not give them a bit of misdirection just in case… and maybe some valuable information as a greeting offer…,’

“The others mentioned they’d report the undead in the city. Just thought I’d let you know. Maybe you want to call them back from the above parts of the cave.” that seemed to get Indra’s attention back.

“Ah yes yes… well it was only a matter of time. We are relatively well hidden though and undead can appear naturally so it shouldn’t be much of a problem. You mentioned food though… I was on my way to the common room when you… fell. Maybe you want to accompany me there and we can discuss… our… well, further relations?”

‘Got him. Wow it’s hard to hold back a smile… I hope he thinks it’s the prospect of food… well I can’t say it isn’t… just not exclusively.’ “That sounds fair, and food sounds better.” The mana was still around Indra and he gestured to the sword in her hand.

“As a token of trust though… I would have you give that to me. Throw it my way with the handle in front. Otherwise I’ll have to treat you as an invader.” His tone was still normal but a slight tension was mixed in with his last words

‘Wow now I’m glad I took the stupid sword… mate I’d smash your head in in two seconds if I wanted to… at least if his apprehension isn’t played… hmm.’ Moving the sword slowly towards him with the handle away from her, she threw it his way a bit wobbly.

“There you go. I know when I should fight and when I shouldn’t. You seem like a decent guy and honestly I’ve never met a necromancer. Trying to not be too influenced by stereotypes since people can’t just choose what they have a talent in. Lead the way!”

Smiling at him Indra seemed to relax at that and a weak smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, seemingly a strained action for the middle aged man.

‘I’m glad I didn’t have to murder that young woman. She is so energetic! Reminds me of my old self. Maybe I can get a bit of that enthusiasm back…,’ “I’d rather have you at the front.” he said and she had to stop herself from chuckling.

‘He knows what he’s doing… although is my butt really that great?’ walking in front of him, he gestured into the direction he was previously walking towards. They walked for fifteen minutes until they came upon a cave entrance with a crude door and a torch on each side. An undead was standing beside each torch. Far enough away not to get burned.

They let the two in without hassle, although the undead did turn to her and examined her with their lifeless eyes. “Where do you get all the corpses? Or do you not need corpses for those undead?” She asked as they entered a rather spacious cave, nearly as big as the one she had fought the Alpha in.

There were dozens of torches on the walls that seemed to be a bit more evenly formed than a natural cave. Several wooden benches and tables adorned the room with pictures on the walls and even some pelts. All in all a quite lovely atmosphere Ilea thought. ‘For a bar inside a cave at least…,’ there was indeed a bar with a barkeeper that nodded towards Indra as he entered. The man seemingly the same age as Indra lifted his eyebrows at Ilea’s entrance but kept cleaning the glass as stereotypically as a barkeeper could.

A fire was burning in a hearth next to the bar, making the temperature quite comfortable inside. “Who’s she Indra? New apprentice?” the barkeep asked. Indra gestured to a table close to the bar and signed with two fingers to the barkeep.

“No Walter, you know I don’t take apprentices. And to hear more than a single word out of your mouth… what a day.” Walter shrugged at that and put down the glass to fulfill Indra’s request.

Standing at the bar, Indra answered Ilea’s question. “Bounties mostly, we hunt down criminals and keep the corpses. Some of the patrols know about it but are ok with it. Others we get from dead adventurers, morgues or wars. There’s plenty around here.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t hunt down townsfolk. We’d be killed pretty quickly. Not worth the risk if there are other ways.” Walter had at that point filled two mugs with a questionable substance and put them on the bar.

Taking them and nodding to Walter, Indra sat down and pushed one of the mugs towards her. “And it’s not like any of us want to raise an army of the dead. You don’t need many corpses to advance your magic. And many have died trying to summon some ungodly demon or Halthir himself by using too many corpses… innocent ones especially.” The man explained.

She nodded at that and suspiciously looked at the drink. ‘Lvl 16 poison resistance, here we go.’ she thought as she took a small sip of the brownish liquid. She didn’t think the guy would poison her but examined the liquid with all her senses and buffs applied. Cranking up the glow of her buffs, Indra only raised an eyebrow at her while taking a sip himself. She found nothing wrong with the drink and took a sip.

Her eyes opened wide as she stared at her opposite in shock...

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 21 The Unlife

Chapter 21 The Unlife

“This is delicious!” Ilea proclaimed, raising the cup to the barkeeper and smiling wide. Walter only smiled back while cleaning another mug. “Where did you get this stuff?” She asked but the barkeep only shrugged at her question.

“He brews it himself. No idea how he manages to do that down here. He’s good with earth magic and one of his helpers has a talent for wind. That’s also how the fire in here isn’t killing us with the smoke…,” Indra explained.

She nodded towards Walter and turned to Indra. “That’s quite a nice place you got here. Where are the murder and experimentation rooms?” she asked, with a smile on her lips. Indra sighed while Walter chuckled from the side.

“I’ll show them to you later. For now I’d like to know what you’re going to do next. You can’t go back up the way you came and I’m not sure we can let you go with the knowledge of us being here. No matter how nice you seem.”

“Oh I was aware of that. I’m alright with staying for a while… maybe a couple weeks, if that’s alright with you. Sightseeing and learning about your work would be a nice change of pace. I do hope there’s not too many people here… not the biggest fan of large crowds.” Ilea replied.

Indra again smiled his strained smile at which Walter nearly dropped his mug. “HAH!” the barkeep exclaims “You smiled you old bastard!”

At which Indra growled “That does seem appropriate. Maybe we’ll be able to find an agreement that includes you leaving this place while being alive after your stay. For now please wait here, I’ll inform the others and then get you a room.”

Getting up, he started leaving the room but stopped “Oh you mentioned food right? Walter can get you something, just ask. I’ll be back in a couple hours, hope that’s alright with you.” she simply nodded at that and kept drinking the delicious ale.

Walter watched the girl drink from one of his best batches so far and smiled to himself. Looking down at the mug he’d been cleaning, he marveled again at the intricate design Lucia had put on them. ‘I should ask her to work on more than just the mugs...’ looking back up, he was surprised to see the table in front of him empty.

A chill went down his spine as a soft whisper entered his left ear. “I heard there was food…,” turning toward the creepy girl, two bright blue eyes stared into his own. A manic grin was plastered on her face. “Whatcha got?”

_______________________________________________________________________

Indra finished filing his notes on the new mushroom he had started cultivating last month and got up. ‘Time to inform the others. They’ll soon be going to the common room I wager. Even I am getting a bit hungry… if only I were undead… the time I wouldn’t have to waste on sleeping and eating… hmm hmm’ The man hmmed to himself as he exited one of his personal rooms. Walking down to another section of the molded cave, he heard a gruff greeting from the side.

“You smell of someone new Indra. Are you sneaking out? Or is there a new pet you’ve found?” A gravelly voice said to him before a massive hand clasped his shoulder.

“Harthome, nice to see you. How are your… experiments going?” The massive man laughed at that.

“Experiments? Indra they’re hammers. Just hammers… with darkness in them… still, just hammers.” He was of course talking about his passion, making hammers. Dark hammers to be precise. Indra wasn’t a fan of the crude work of a blacksmith but even he had to admit that Harthome’s hammers were one of a kind. Especially because they brought a sizable income to the Brotherhood.

“Yes yes, just hammers. Listen, this new person. It’s a healer that dropped down into our caves. She doesn’t seem to be a danger to the order and maybe we could employ her services. The effects of healing on the undead is a rather fascinating topic I’d very much like to...”

Harthome stopped him there with a gruff noise “Yes yes, I’ll meet your new experiment later then. Did you see Lucas? He messed up.”

“I did not, no.” He answered. Harthome grunted and left Indra standing ‘Well poor Lucas. Maybe I can revive him after. An undead necromancer? I do have some theories on the creation of a Lich… hmm hmm’ Indra thought as he looked for the other members of the Vultures.

He passed Ellie and Naiir, who quickly went for the common room to see the new person. The initiates seemed rather excited at the prospect of a guest. Coming up to the summoning hall, he heared a heated discussion from inside.

“You can’t do it Celene! I don’t give a flying fuck how high your bloody level is and how much you prepared for this shitty moment. Just don’t, aight? It’s not how you think it’ll be. Trust me, I’ve seen one of them once and they are hot yes, but bloody murderous. And not in a good way!”

Coming into the room, the woman who just spoke gathered some notes and stamped out of the hall while quickly nodding to Indra. “Lucia, there’s a woman here as a guest in the common room… thought I’d let you know!” Indra said as she walked by him.

“I told you I know what I’m doing!” The remaining woman shouted at Lucia’s back.

“Oh hello Indra. How are you doing? How’s the hip? Aren’t you like forty… this really shouldn’t happen at that age already should it?” Sighing at her, Indra already wanted to leave again.

“Celene, yes. I told you it was the accident back when I was an adventurer. You also heard the part about the guest? So I’ll leave again. You know where Bones is?”

“Yes I heard you. He’s not here, so I guess he’s digging up something… somewhere.” nodding at her, he quickly left again lest he be trapped in one of her lengthy discussions about her hobby again.

‘Less of a discussion and more of a monologue to be honest… now where is that geezer?’ Indra needed the better part of an hour to walk through the cave system they deemed their own until he heard the sound of metal hitting stone.

Turning a corner he came up to a group of skeletons with pickaxes, hammering the walls. In their midst stood a man shrouded in a black tattered robe. A massive skull resting on his head. “Grandpa bones, what are you digging for this time?” He asked, knowing that sneaking up without warning wasn’t the best for the old man.

“Aaaah, Indra.” The man turned around in a comically dramatic fashion and opened his arms in a greeting. “I told you to call me Neeto. How often do I have to repeat that! I’m digging for crystals my dear friend.”

“Neeto then. What for? As far as I know they rarely hold any magical power in them. Did you come across a new theory?” Indra’s eyes sparkled as he asked that question, his thirst for knowledge knowing no bounds.

“What? No. I just thought I could put them in the eye sockets of my summons. Wouldn’t that be marvelous!” This was the fourth time today that Indra was paralyzed.

‘How did I expect any different?’ He asked himself as he informed Neeto about the guest that would be staying here. Neeto didn’t seem particularly interested and simply kept talking about colored crystals and how they would reflect light differently.

Arriving back at the common room, there was laughter coming from inside, and oddly, music. He had to stop himself from entering for a couple seconds to control the smile that might’ve started to creep onto his face. ‘Once a day is enough for that man to see me smile.’

Entering the common room, Indra was surprised to see a table full of empty dishes. Lucas, Ellie and Ilea were raising their mugs to the song Walter was singing while playing along with his lute.

_______________________________________________________________________

‘Still love the live music. This is like a personal concert!’ Ilea thought as she emptied her mug. The drink was incredible. And using Reconstruction on herself during drinking, she kept her intoxication at a minimum level. ‘Maybe he has a music related class and that’s why he’s so good? If people can level up those skills…,’ Looking towards the door, she saw that Indra had come back.

Waving at him she gestured for him to join them. “There’s no food left anymore but the ale is still flowing!” she said while the two initiates smiled in his direction. He shook his head as he sat down at the table next to them.

They listened to Walter play for another half an hour. Lucia and Harthome joining them in the meantime. When Walter stopped everyone started cheering and applauding while the barkeeper nimbly jumped on top of the bar and bowed to the crowd several times. “Fucking brilliant!” Lucia shouted and Ilea thought the man blushed a little at that.

“What happened for you to get out the lute again so soon?” Harthome asked the man as he helped himself to some ale.

“Well we do have a guest, and I didn’t want to make the welcome as cold as the guards standing outside.” While some chuckled at that he went to the back and got more food. Apparently it was the time most of the others would eat normally. Harthome and Lucia introduced themselves to Ilea while they ate. Surprisingly to Walter and the two present initiates, Ilea ate too, again.

‘They’re surprisingly nice. Maybe they’re like the guys I knew working in the fast food place and smoking weed… doing something illegal that’s not actually bad. Just with corpses and souls… I’m having difficulties drawing the parallels.’ the discussion on the table took her out of her daydreaming.

“They’re gonna be more bold in the coming months I tell you. Moving on Riverwatch like that is no easy feat. Especially during a tournament. It wasn’t a raid, more a demonstration of their power.”

They were talking about the Elven attack ‘Guess they do go outside.’ She thought, as she bit into a piece of bread.

“I just wish we could get one of their corpses… nobody ever sells them to us…,” Indra said

“Yea… we don’t really have the resources for that either… as much as it pains me to say that.” Walter mentioned while bringing more filled mugs.

“What are those markings by the way?” Ilea asked as she studied one of the mugs. Walter seemed to light up at that as Lucia explained.

“They’re enchantments… make the shit in there more tasty. Pretty low level stuff and barely noticeable.” she said.

“Well that’s neat.” Ilea commented and got a chuckle from Lucas.

They continued talking and eating for an hour before most of them started going back to their work, research or to sleep. Indra showed Ilea the place where she would stay. “It’s not a luxury inn but then again you’re not exactly an esteemed guest. Tomorrow you can show me some of your healing magic and maybe I’ll be able to include you in some experiments I wanted to try.”

Ilea nodded and looked at the rather poor room. ‘Experiments? You creepy fuck. The room is alright though, considering we’re in a cave. And compared to the mining stations it’s miles better.’

“Sure.” she said, while putting her belongings next to the bed. “When will you give me my sword back? I’d like to keep my training routine up. Now that I can’t really heal anything.”

Indra nodded at that “I’ll see to it tomorrow, maybe I can get you something a bit less dangerous… although that thing didn’t seem exceedingly so…,” He mumbled the last part but Ilea heard and smiled a little.

‘Oh it’s pretty harmless… especially if I use it.’

He soon left and she started meditating with all her buffs applied. Trying to grasp the extent of her new sphere ability and implementing her heat vision. She used her Flame spell to create sources of heat while using different ways to look at it. Her heat vision even leveled once and she got much better at grasping the heightened senses from her Sphere. She however meditated for nearly eight hours straight doing it.

After that she wanted to go check on the common room but found that two undead had been placed on her entrance. One of them held up a notice for her to read.

‘Ilea. These two will see that you do not enter any forbidden rooms or try to leave. They will warn you with a grunt before attacking. I do hope you can agree to those terms. Do find me on the third room to the left one floor down if you wish to negotiate the conditions.’

She nodded to herself after reading and started towards the common room.

The guards at the common room let her pass and her undead followed inside. She waved her hand in front of them and poked them in their rotten faces. “No reaction hmm? And Walter isn’t here either…,” placing a couple copper coins on the counter, she helped herself to a pint and walked back out of the bar. Looking behind her, she read the letters above the entry. ‘Vultures Den… original, are we?’

Walking around in the cave system, she was stopped from entering some of the rooms by her guardians and found little of interest in the ones she could enter. ‘I do like the common room but this place is pretty boring, I do have to say…,’ she walked, sometimes trying to trip her followers.

After the third fall that also got boring. ‘They’re reeeeally boring pets. I’d rather have a baby dragon or something. Not a fae though, those are bloody annoying I hear…,’

Entering another big room, she found someone she hadn’t met before. A woman with red hair, looked to be in her thirties. She had a beautiful black dress on and was chanting something from the book she held in front of her. ‘VERY revealing dress…,’ Ilea thought, as she sat down on a nearby chair. Mana gathered around the woman and as she finished the chant it went into the complicated carvings etched into the stone floor.

Smoke rose up but nothing else happened. Ilea saw with her magic perception that the used mana slowly dissipated. She loudly groaned at that.

The woman sharply turned around and glared at her. “RIGHT??? WHY does it not WORK?” without further notice, she sat down opposite of Ilea and poured herself what looked like whiskey. “You’re that guest girl hmm? Sorry for the disappointing show. Guess there’s not much interesting going on in this bloody cave… Indra plays around with his mushrooms, papa bones digs for gold or whatever and Walter cleans his glasses… at least the ale is good.”

She sighed, downed her glass and arched her back. Then poured herself another glass and downed that too. Gesturing to Ilea, the healer declined while motioning to her mug. “You took one of his mugs out of the common room? Brave girl… brave girl. You’re a healer eh? How’d ya get here? Well whatever. Do you like reading?”

Ilea felt that answering in the positive would open a barrel that she wasn’t sure she wanted to open. Having nothing better to do she nodded. Not like she could’ve said no to that question anyway. She indeed did open an apparently sparkly barrel as the woman that turned out to be called Celene started talking about her passion of writing romance and erotica novels. She was apparently obsessed with vampires and demons, thinking them to be the superior lovers.

‘Maybe Earth and Elos aren’t that different after all…,’ Ilea thought as Celene was showing her different anatomical pictures of vampire and demon penises. It did actually get very interesting as she described the species transforming capabilities.

“As a healer you really ought to try at some point. You being here just reaffirms my latest tries… you could patch me up easily should it be too much!”

Ilea just sipped her ale, trying not to interrupt the passionate woman. ‘It always is a pleasure to hear someone talk about what they love… be it the prospect of mating with a vampire…,’ She had a good time until Indra entered the room.

“What in Halthir’s world… Celene, stop tainting that innocent girl! Ilea, I have something I need you for, if you would.”

Affirming him and saying her goodbyes to the now again caught in her notes Celene, she followed Indra to another room. There were several undead there on which she was supposed to apply her magic. Indra was surprised to see that he didn’t know which elements were used in the healing process.

“Hmm… this is not a holy power… nor a natural one… interesting interesting… it seems rather arcane at its core, pure healing power…,” he said as Ilea repeatedly used Reconstruction on the living corpse before her. It did have an impact as new wounds produced on its body were healed by her.

“Normally healing magic that heals the living would destroy the dead. Your power works on both I suppose…,” he shelved that knowledge as interesting yet ultimately useless as most necromancers had ways of un-healing their creations, or simply raising them again.

Several hours later, Ilea excused herself to take a two hour nap. Afterwards she went back to the common room to find an agitated Walter looking around the place. His eyes fixated on the mug in her hand as she entered as his eyes turned completely black. Black lightning started to spark around him as he approached her slowly. She activated her buffs as well as he stopped right in front of her, ready to react in a fraction of a second.

He just grunted in an ethereal tone and took the mug from her hands. “At least you paid. No mugs outside the common room.” He said, the mana vanishing as he went back behind the bar, immediately starting to clean the mug she brought.

She sat down and enjoyed a meal after the scary ordeal. The initiates soon joined her, three of them this time. Naiir was the last one’s name. He had a sling around his arm, apparently the punishment for working on a hammer of Harthome he hadn’t been supposed to.

“I could heal that for you you know?” Naiir just shook his head at the suggestion.

“I appreciate the gesture but a punishment is supposed to be borne… otherwise what is the purpose?” she shrugged and continued eating.

They were caught up in a conversation about the different quality tiers of corpses when Ilea suddenly felt a massive pulse of mana go through her. She had her buffs on low burn most of the time now as she had more mana to spare and the higher levels would continue to reduce the cost. Walter and herself immediately looked into the direction that the pulse came from as the three initiates noticed the sudden change in their moods.

“Wanna get that heal now?” she asked, as a grin spread on her face.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 22 Not a cliffhanger

A note from Rhaegar

Yea yea, I realize my mistake. No chap till the weekend, I'm running low...

And I know the dialogue formatting sucks, I'll fix it someday. Like next year maybe.

Chapter 22 Not a cliffhanger

The three initiates looked at her confused as she grabbed Naiir’s arm. She started glowing blue as flames formed around her. He recoiled letting out a gasp of pain but couldn’t move his arm out of her grasp, relaxing a little again after the fire didn’t burn him.

“Hold still. Something dangerous is here. Or was that normal Walter?” She asked the barman who had put down the mug and jumped over the counter.

“No, not normal. Initiates you should stay here, this likely isn’t something you can handle. Ilea, can I ask you to come with me? A healer might be invaluable. And I’m certain it’s in your best interest as well…,”

She got up after healing Naiir, who started moving his previously broken arm in wonder. “I’ve got your back… my sword?” he nodded and exited the door.

Handing her one of the guard’s swords he started running towards the epicenter of the pulse. “What do you think that was?” she asked as she easily followed his rapid pace.

“Came from the summoning hall I think. Nothing good. Let’s hope whatever whomever summoned is under control…,”

Turning the corner to the summoning hall, a dark clothed silhouette crashed into the opposite wall. “Indra!” Walter shouted as he closed in on the bleeding man.

“...Demon…,” the man gurgled the words out before Walter motioned Ilea to Indra and rushed into the room with impressive speed. His mana surging and black lightning crackling around himself.

Ilea started healing the man. ‘Broken ribs, several organs damaged. These skills really help with identifying those wounds hmm…,’ she thought. The second tier of her Reconstruction spell helped miles in saving the man’s life. She could heal specific parts but also had knowledge on what was the worst damage.

After his ribs cracked back into the right places he gasped for air. Looking at her, he seemed tired “...careful, mind…,” he slumped down in her hands. Feeling no more damage in the man she also noticed he was completely devoid of mana, probably having used it all defending himself. The noise from the room had stopped and Ilea rushed in to help. The scene before her was confusing yet at the same time mesmerizing.

Walter and Harthome were standing still with both a hammer and a fist raised. Dark lightning periodically crackling around both of them. Behind them was a being shrouded in a powerful mana with its hand around Celene’s neck. She had a vacant look in her eyes. Before Ilea could even think to teleport, the being turned its head and locked eyes with her.

A dizzying headache assaulted her, memories flooding through her brain at an insane speed. “StiLL…,” the being whispered. It’s black eyes and abyss like mouth left no power in her to argue.

‘Mind...Reconstruct…,’ Her mana surging as all of her remaining consciousness healed her whole being. The headache lessened and by the time the being turned its head back to Celene, Ilea could move again.

Seeing the being not react, she spent another three seconds getting over the shock and continuing to heal herself. Focusing completely on her head now. ‘What the hell… you fuck!’ with that she blinked next to the being and smashed a fully powered punch into it’s unprotected side. The lifted arm gave her a free shot at its torso.

[Mage – lvl ??]

Like a rag doll the being so helpfully identified crashed into the wall as Ilea caught Celene. “...YoU DaRe DeFy ME?” A loud voice only describable as a whisper spoke as the being got up in an inhuman way, it’s legs and arms bending where they shouldn’t.

Laying Celene down on the ground, she faced the being while maintaining Reconstruction to her head. Another powerful surge of mana was released by the monster paralyzing Ilea for two full seconds while she resisted the spell.

With a fluid motion the being flung its arms and two spikes entered Ilea’s eyes, blinding her and filling her with unimaginable pain. She screamed as she kept healing her mind, Only now removing her perception of pain.

“YoU wILL DiE iN AgoNY!” the whisper now felt like it was coming from inside her head. Seeing the being before her with her Sphere, it was holding its side, obviously injured by her one attack.

‘Not...such...a...strong...guy...are...you…?’ She thought sluggishly, healing the damage from what she presumed to be a mental attack.

Suddenly the pressure ended. Trying to lift her arms, an impact rocketed her backwards and she landed with a loud crack in the wall behind her. The being had suddenly moved and pushed her with a shock wave.

Seeing no bones broken, she kept only healing her head. The pressure started again and surged, stronger and stronger. “HoW dO yOU ReSIst?!? STILL!!”

Ilea felt as a massive surge of mana traveled from the spikes in her head through her body. Shivering at what she assumed to be raw pain, she was glad she had removed her perception of it.

Another two seconds of this precarious balance between damage and recovery passed when the pressure suddenly lessened.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill General: Mental Resistance: You are more adept at resisting and detecting attacks to your mind – lvl 1’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 5’

A total of only twenty five seconds, half of her mana channeled to her head and thankfully no pain later, her new skill had leveled four times. ‘I can move again. Man that headache would’ve likely literally killed me.’ She stayed unmoving as the being advanced again, the pressure much less prevalent now.

Again the mental attack ceased as it pushed towards her with one limb, clearly preparing to send out another wave of force.

Ilea ready this time blinked behind the beast and slammed a fist into its back sending it towards the opposite end of the room. Spinning with the momentum of her punch, she blinked towards the being just as it slammed into the wall and delivered a kick into its already injured back.

The pressure started again but Ilea never stopped healing her head and thus brain. She steadily raised her fist and slammed it into the being now sprawled below her.

She hit its shoulder when it managed to pierce her torso with its left arm which moved unnaturally behind its back. Jerking in the last moment, she managed to deflect the fatal blow to her heart towards her ribcage and shoulder.

Holding the arm inside of her with her left arm, she delivered another punch to the being with her right one. This time she hit its left arm. It seemed the punch to its shoulder had already removed its ability to move it but she wanted to make sure. The mental pressure lessened a little after that.

The next punch hit the being’s neck, the next one its head. Each punch lessening the pressure a little until she was moving with her full speed and power, punching until no more noise or struggling came from her enemy. Punching until she felt her fist enter the ground up to her wrist behind the downed being.

Ilea quickly ripped the arm out of her shoulder and blinked away. Standing there, she heard movement around her as the others were released from the spell that held them. Circulating Reconstruction through herself, the wounds on her side quickly closed.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Demon - Mind Weaver lvl 180].’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy a hundred levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 73. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 74. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 75. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 45. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 46. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 47. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 48. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 49. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 50. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Reconstruction reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

_________________________________________________________________________

Walter looked on as the girl punched into the Demon Mind Weaver, his heart sinking as the Demon pierced her side. The girl however simply grappled it and kept on punching, sending a shock wave of air and sound through the room and another shock wave of raw mana through the Demon.

‘What horrifying power… and her class is below level 72…,’ He still couldn’t move as the girl kept on punching. The pressure on his body and mind lessened quickly.

The fight was over. Their guest had saved them from an untimely demise. He looked on as she completely obliterated the corpse below her, only a little disappointed as this likely rendered it unusable for resurrection.

‘She’s gonna hear that from Indra…,’ able to move again, he breathed out and nearly buckled. Catching himself, he looked up to see Ilea a fair distance away from the beast, clutching the spikes in her eyes and ripping them out with a sickening crunch.

She crushed the spikes in her hands while her eye sockets and eyes rebuilt at an insane speed. ‘What on Elos are that girl’s classes?’ Walter thought as he noticed Harthome advancing on the corpse, completely ignoring Ilea. Raising his hammer, he finished what the healer had begun. ‘Poor Indra…,’

________________________________________________________________________

Ilea blinked her eyes as light entered them again. Double checking for any left damage, she reactivated her perception of pain and buckled down at the throbbing through her whole body. Dry heaving on the ground, she waited until the pain recedes.

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

Nearly two minutes later, the pain faded completely. She tried to turn off pain completely twice but it only continued at the same intensity as soon as she activated its perception again.

‘Seems like I had to go through that…,’ relaxing on her back, she stared into Walter’s black eyes above her. He nodded and turned around. ‘How can anything hurt more than being burned alive?’

She sat up to that puzzling question in her head and saw Walter crouching over Celene. Heavy impacts of a hammer hitting flesh and stone reverberated through the room as Walter turned to Ilea and motioned her towards him.

“Can you help her?” he asked in his ethereal voice again. Touching the woman, Ilea didn’t notice anything wrong with her. Her breathing was a bit erratic and her eyes seemed lifeless but nothing looked to be damaged. Still, she started to circle Reconstruction through Celene, focusing mostly on her brain… or mind as seemed to be more accurate.

After a minute of this, she noticed that the woman’s breathing calmed a little. Another two minutes and some life returned to her eyes. “What power…,” an echoing whisper left Walter’s mouth as he looked at her with a newfound respect. Destroying is one thing, healing not just the body but the mind? That was a completely different feat.

Ilea kept healing Celene and after five more minutes, Harthome stopped his hammering and joined them silently. Celene slowly looked at Ilea and mouthed a thank you before closing her eyes. Harthome moved towards her but was stopped by Walter.

“She is asleep…,” He looked towards Ilea “...and no longer in immediate danger. Please look after Indra first. And then Harthome. I will care for my own mind.”

Looking towards him, she nodded and quickly moved out of the room to heal the knocked out necromancer, stabilizing him more but saving some of her mana. ‘Just in case…,’

Going back into the room, she locked eyes with Walter’s. ‘Unnerving...that darkness…,’

“Is he healed? And tell me what that was. That power you used on the Demon.”

“So it was a Demon… interesting.” she answered ‘It seems Celene got something a bit different than expected. Certainly not a romantic…,’ Glancing at the pieces of flesh remaining of the Demon “Indra is stabilized, I ran out of mana. I’ll continue later.”

“You lie. But it is no matter. It is only natural not to trust us. Him being stabilized is enough as of yet. Again, what was that power… what second class do you wield? Are you some sort of Pyro Enhancer? Or something more rare?”

His ethereal voice and black eyes bore down on her. ‘Maybe I should lie… but he has a way of telling, I’m sure of it…,’ Looking at his eyes, she had a feeling of it to be true. ‘...but this might be the time to gain their trust. All I’ve seen of them so far makes them a bunch of perhaps misguided but not evil scientists. And it’s certainly time to do some exploring outside again some time in the future… I’ve only left these caves a couple times since the elves attacked after all…,’

“My second class is Fire Enhancer. My main class is a sort of offensive healer class. Sending both destructive and healing waves of mana through someone by touch. What you saw of my fight was just that, combined with the Body of Flame skill.”

Walter’s posture relaxed visibly. It was certainly not poised for a fight but nevertheless tense. “Ahh…,” his eyes returned to normal but somehow his piercing glare didn’t lessen in intensity. “An interesting class then. Something I’ve never seen before. Certainly something unexpected. Powerful and unique. I’ve read about something like that at the Foundation of Glass… Would you tell me its name?”

“For the price of letting me travel freely, in this cave and outside. As an equal to your Brotherhood.” She smiled at him and he smiled back.

“With what you’ve done today, what you wish for is already granted. I’ll call you my equal and friend to the Vultures. My name is Ethinu Skorn, often called Walter. Bard and Dark Sorcerer. Combined level of 384 and Elder of the Vultures Brotherhood.”

Ilea smiled “Ilea Spears, people call me all kinds of names. Combined level of 125 Fire Enhancer and Azarinth Healer.”

Harthome laughed from the side “And I’m the mighty Harthome! You two should get a room!”

She chuckled at that but Ethinu’s eyes never left hers. “As much as I wanted to right now, he’s already hopelessly lost to another.” Ilea teased to which Walter finally averted his gaze.

“Let’s check on the others. And let’s move Celene and Indra to the common room. It’s the warmest.” Walter said after he regained his composure.

Before they could move though, an unsettling rattling sound could be heard from the now splintered door. A skeleton entered with its Falchion drawn and yellow sparkling crystals in its eye sockets. They all looked at the creature before Ilea let loose a chuckle and Walter facepalmed while Harthome was outright laughing.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 23 Sun

Chapter 23 Sun

Harthome and Ilea moved the two unconscious or sleeping people into the common room while Walter checked on the dead Demon with the later arrival Neeto. After entering the bar, they informed the waiting initiates about what happened and Ilea continued coursing her healing mana through the two injured people.

Lucia joined them later and had apparently slept through the whole ordeal. She wasn’t the least embarrassed and simply sat down next to Celene’s sleeping form to stroke her hair. “You poor idiotic lunatic…,” she said in a scolding voice. “...I told you Demons are bad news…,”

Soon after Walter joined them. Neeto and his skeletons were tasked to extract what they could from the dead Demon and guard its body. One apparently had to handle them very carefully, even after death.

He let the others in that Ilea saved them without going into specifics. Harthome had listened to their conversation before of course but he had not seen her fight the Demon, completely caught in its mental attack.

They all looked at Ilea with respect and thanked her. She just smiled back “It’s no matter, I got a bunch of levels out of it…,” Continuing to heal the two people, the others made note not to anger the healer in the future.

Even Walter was impressed with her power ‘She’s gonna be something when she continues like that… hopefully not an early grave… her corpse though… hmm…,’

“Don’t look at her like that.” Lucia bopped Walter on the head with a spoon “And get to the kitchen!” He turned to her with a perplexed look, some of the people in the room chuckling.

“Yes ma’am. Oh and by the way.” He leaned in and kissed her. Ilea gave a thumbs up while Ellie cheered. Lucia just stood there dumbfounded while Walter went to the kitchen to prepare food for everyone.

“...wha…,” She stammered as Ellie embraced her in a big hug.

A cosy fire burned in the hearth as everyone enjoyed the relaxing tune of Walter’s playing. The two injured were brought to their respective rooms to recover further as everyone ate their fill and enjoyed each other’s company.

Soon only Walter and Ilea remained. “I thank you again for your rescue.” he said as he started cleaning a mug.

“Did you really need it? With your level…,” he stopped her with a gesture

“Demons are a very peculiar species. Dangerous in their specializations. I could resist the being’s mind attack for a while and might’ve been able to retaliate in time… but I don’t know how many would’ve died until then. Neeto would’ve been a better opponent for the demon but he was late as well…,”

“And levels hardly matter… seeing what you did to him.” He paused and she took a contemplative sip of ale. “That name… Azarinth Healer. I did hear it before. In the Foundation of Glass.”

She stopped drinking at that “What do you know of it?”

“Very little sadly. I was seeking power at the time. And an old librarian had shown me the name. Fierce warriors with the ability to heal even the worst of wounds before their enemies eyes. Their fists would strike terror into all that attacked them.”

“The Class was apparently lost. Eradicated by who knows what. And now I’m standing across from one of them.”

She shook her head at his questioning look “I only stumbled across it in dumb luck I’m afraid. They were a healing order. The order of Azarinth.” Ilea chose not to mention the Bluemoon Grass or the book helping her gain the skills. “To be frank they seem like a bunch of pricks by their history accounts I found…,”

He chuckled “What powerful person or order isn’t.” he grinned at the two thumbs Ilea directed at herself at his rhetorical question. “You’re certainly something but don’t get cocky. If that Demon would’ve been a warrior type, you would’ve been obliterated.”

“That’s why you were there Mr. Skorn.” She said innocently. He looked down and shook his head while smiling “You know if it weren’t for Lucia…,”

“Oh I knoooow I knooow, the tragic binding of looove. Well Walter, I’ve honestly been in this cave system long enough by now. You’re a bunch of quirky fanatics but I like you lot. Although I do need my me time and you know… the sun?”

She got up and put more coppers on the counter “I’ll take my leave then. Considering what you said before I take it that that isn’t a problem? Even though you really want my corpse…,”

“It is not. I’ll have one of the guards guide you out. How do you come to the conclusion with the corpse? I’m not even a necromancer…,”

“Dark magic is dark magic Walter… but seriously, it’s your creepy as fuck eyes when you’re in magic mode.”

“Says the walking light show.” they both smiled.

“Hey, leave a girl her sparkles. I’ll leave now though, I really don’t feel like ruining this love story… give the others my regards. And Celene that maybe she should start with an Elf and go from there…,” She held out her hand to him which he shook.

“If only I were younger… I’ll tell them but don’t expect them to be happy you just left.”

“They’ll survive… and if not, Indra will resurrect them… or maybe Mr Bones…,”

“Any ideas where the winds might take you?” He said to her back as she started towards the door.

“Oh, visiting a dusty cellar, some old friends and maybe a castle in the sky?” She said, winking at him while looking back. ‘This is a very nice place… I think I’ll be back at some point… the beds suck though. And the window coverage leaves a lot to be desired.’ She thought as she looked at the fire in the hearth and a newly found friend in this strange world.

“Goodbye Ethinu.” She said and left.

_____________________________________________________________________

Walter kept cleaning his mug while smiling to himself. ‘What an interesting girl. I bet she’ll send some big waves through the world. Unpredictable and strange waves but waves nonetheless.’ putting the mug down he sighed ‘Time to take what I can get from what she left me…,’

“I know you’re there.” a chuckle could be heard from the kitchen. “She’s a nice lass isn’t she?” Lucia stepped out, a glint in her eyes and a black dress leaving little to the imagination.

“I’ll thank her later.” closing in on her, he put his arms on her waist “You think it’s ok to let her go? She does know a lot you know?” Lucia asked while staring into his eyes, a slight smile forming on her lips.

“You weren’t there Lucia. Trust me on this one.” She thoughtfully looked away but was brought back to him by the second kiss they shared. “My cave or yours?”

______________________________________________________________________

Ilea reached the top of the cave after half an hour of following the incredibly slow undead before her. ‘I fucking hate these guys’ The undead stopped and turned towards her “What the hell are you looking at?” she asked but the undead simply pointed towards a small opening on the wall.

“Aight, nice meeting you mr zombie.” She waved at the undead as she entered the hole in the wall. Exiting into a rather spacious cave, she felt a breeze on her skin as a smile spread on her face.

‘Is this??? Fresh air??’ running towards the source of the breeze, she squeezed through another two small openings in the cave wall.

The autumn forest greeted her with a spectacular display of golden leaves in the morning sun. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath of the cool air. “I hope Winter isn’t like four times longer than the other seasons… shoulda asked about that.” Shrugging and forgetting about it again immediately, she made her way towards Riverwatch.

Enjoying the view and nature, Ilea simply walked while looking over her stats. ‘Hmm 45 skill points remaining… I have already everything over 150 except Strength and Dexterity… so I guess there goes my choice…,’ Putting twenty points each into Strength and Dexterity, she put the remaining five into Vitality to top it off at a round 160.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 75

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 1

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 7

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – lvl 18

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: Fire Enhancer – lvl 50

- Active: Flame – lvl 1

- Active: Body of Flame – lvl 10

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Fire Manipulation – lvl 12

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 3

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 12

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

Status:

Vitality: 160

Endurance: 150

Strength 111

Dexterity 110

Intelligence 150

Wisdom 150

Health: 1600/1600

Stamina: 1486/1500

Mana: 1493/1500

Seeing her Mana sitting higher than her stamina even though she was continuously using some of her buffs at a low power, she chuckled. ‘I think I started at a fifty health?’ Remembering the time around 7 or 8 months ago made her smile. ‘It feels more like a couple years… this lifestyle… I can’t deny that I like it…,’

The walk took a couple hours. She ate some jerky she had bought from Walter as she walked and looked over the new skills for her Fire Enhancer class. ‘At least at lvl 75 I should’ve gotten a skill for Azarinth Healer… oh well, at least they’re all amazing… compared to this load of bollocks.’

[Heat surge]

[Wings of Arith]

[Coal dancer]

Stopping in her tracks, Ilea immediately read the information on the Wings of Arith skill.

Active: Wings of Arith - lvl 1:

Wield the wings of Arith and throw them at your enemy. Wind explosion on impact.

Category: Fire Magic

“What. A. Fucking. Tease.” She stated and kept walking, at a more angry and irritated pace though. Checking the other spells they seemed a bit more interesting.

Active: Heat Surge – lvl 1

Create a wave of fire with you at its center. Distance, heat and speed depend on skill level and mana invested (max 40 Mana).

Category: Fire Magic

Passive: Coal Dancer – lvl 1

You walk on fire as if it were earth. Any fire you walk on won’t hurt you.

Category: Body Enhancement

‘The second one is interesting but at the moment useless… Heat Surge though…,’ thinking it over, she accepted Heat Surge into her skills and immediately tried it out. At full power.

A powerful wave of fire appeared around her and turned the lovely autumn morning around Ilea into a blazing inferno. “Oh no, what did I dooooo!” panicking at the presumed forest fire she just laid, she cranked her buffs up to the max and quenched the flames with her fire manipulation. Darting from left to right to came into range of her manipulation.

Soon the fire was out and Ilea kept walking, a suspicious whistling tune following the woman through the singed but still alive forest.

‘It’s a pretty nice spell. Might be able to use it to create distance… if I ever wanted that. Or as a trump card when someone gets behind my guard. And I guess as my first Area attack. I mean a fully powered dose of destruction into the ground kinda counts as that as well but yea…,’

‘Now I also don’t need the Flame spell to light a fire...’ cackling at her own joke, she continued onwards.

A couple hours later the city wass finally in view. She came across a road after two hours of walking and decided to follow it. The sun was higher on the horizon now but she guessed it still to be mid morning.

‘I really missed this…,’ looking at the clouds in the sky and the nature around her, she again took a deep breath and closed her eyes. ‘Just quickly get some stuff and then back out…,’

Buying some food, water and two big sturdy bags at the nearest store to the south gate of Riverwatch, she soon left again. The bags and food in her backpack, she started running. First just with her raw speed and strength. Ilea found that she was moving at an incredible pace with just her stats alone.

Activating first Body of Flame and then State of Azarinth, her speed nearly tripled. Leaving a trail of noticeable footprints in her wake, she simply jumped over the river and kept running towards the temple. When her first journey to Riverwatch had taken close to four days, this time she made it back in under eight hours.

‘How has nobody found this temple yet…,’ She thought, as the nostalgic roar of a Drake entered her ears. Much further away than she would’ve heard half a year ago.

Ilea didn’t know that many an adventurer had stumbled upon the temple. Nothing of worth was found, so it was usually left behind. Sleeping in old ruins at best brought bad luck after all.

Jumping on top of the temple with a powerful leap, she gracefully landed and looked at the compass rose she had put there. Crouching down, she used her nails again to scratch a crude mountain into the stone near the south marker of the compass rose.

Another two quick additions now showed Riverwatch and the Calys mines dungeon. A skull next to the mine would indicate to someone unknowing that there was danger. To Ilea though it simply meant the location of some bone lovers she recently met.

Having finished that, she blinked downwards twice, finding herself in the room that started her off in this once scary and dangerous world. Seeing the wisps of flame arching from her body and the glow of her Aura, that danger had turned into excitement.

The excitement of exploring a whole new world. A world where no planes and satellites had reached every corner. And more importantly a place where a satellite would find a hiding dragon instead of just another forest or lake.

The room was dark, only illuminated by her buffs. A fully powered Flame spell helped in that regard. The walls didn’t seem like they had grown anything in all this time. ‘Guess it does take a while… I’ll be back sporadically anyway to check…,’

Going into the once library, she started filling one of her newly purchased bags with scales. Stopping about a third in, she blinked upstairs. The bag was still in her hand, with the scales in it. Testing the limits, she managed to fill the large bag about halfway. After another four blinks, two full bags of Drake scales and bones waited for her to be delivered.

Grabbing some of the diaries and history books as well, she put them into her backpack and left again. Some scales and bones were still remaining in the library but Ilea thought she had enough. Even if it wasn’t, she could still come back whenever to get more. ‘Considering how much stronger I got, I can hunt stronger monsters as well. Might make a bit of a stir if I suddenly sell high level things in Riverwatch. Maybe once I’ve become stronger.’

She started to run with one heavy bag held in each hand. Barely noticing the weight, she chuckled ‘Maybe I’m being too careful here… overconfidence kills though… and having the element of surprise is never a bad thing to have… the poor defenseless healer… I could bait criminals with me as the bait…,’

Smiling at the thought, she was certainly a sight to behold. Running at an absolutely inhuman speed with two bags containing nearly half a ton of cargo.

The way back didn’t even take any longer. With her increased Dexterity and Strength it wasn’t an issue to balance the two bags while running and controlling the weight.

‘It’s scary to know how strong beings can become in this world… I do believe my run here defies some natural laws… hmm, magic I guess, so fuck it.’

Reaching the road to Riverwatch, she placed the bags near a tree and sat down on the ground. Ilea enjoyed the noise of the river and the sun shining down on her, taking away the chill of the wind. Not that she had to worry about catching a cold with her Vitality.

After nearly two hours of lazing about, finally a wagon came up on the road towards the city. Dusting herself of, Ilea got up and stretched “Woah, that was nice…,” she said as she stepped into the road and waved to the man sitting on the wagon.

“Hey, hey.” He said as he stopped the old horse. The back of the wagon had different kinds of wood in it Ilea noticed. “Greetings traveler, what can old Greg do for ya?” Ilea stopped waving and motioned to the two bags near the tree.

“I have quite the heavy burden. My team and I hunted down some Drakes the past couple weeks and I’m on my way to sell the harvest.” Beaming a smile at him, he nodded.

“I do have some spare room, so why not hop on.”

“That’s incredibly nice of you Greg. Name’s Ilea.” She quickly put the bags on the wagon while acting like they were much heavier to her than they were and jumped in right after.

“Ready when you are!” She said

The drive took another two hours and Greg talked about his farm and the different trees he’s been growing around it for the past three decades. His voice sounded nice to Ilea, so she didn’t mind him talking. Especially hearing someone talk about trees after topics like necromancy and demons in the past days.

They entered the city on the east gate. Showing her Silver adventurer badge with the healer insignia on it left the guards happy and let them through. She heard one of them talk about her silver badge because he couldn’t identify her level. The man was level forty which meant he should be able to identify anyone with a silver badge.

He didn’t stop her though so it was likely not an uncommon practice to use an adventurer badge below your level. ‘What happens if I get a higher one anyway? Do I have to give this one back?’ she thought as Greg steered the cart towards a side street.

The city was busy. It was still morning as Ilea had ran all the way back through the night. The stone buildings cast shadows on the streets and people below, some still damaged from the elven attack over a month ago.

Ilea closed her eyes as the sun warmed her body and lightly dozed to the sound of wheels hitting the cobblestone.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 24 The Queen

Chapter 24 The Queen

The cart came to an abrupt halt, waking Ilea from her doze. “We’ve arrived lady adventurer.” Greg says, as he started unhitching the horse, whose name apparently was White Ash. Getting up from her lying position, Ilea grabbed the bags but only belatedly remembered to act like they were heavy.

Getting down from the cart, she placed them a couple meters behind herself. Getting two silver coins from her pouch, she handed them to Greg who was a bit shocked at the amount. “Lady, that is way too much for a simple transport. I didn’t expect anything to be honest!”

Reassuring him that it was fine, Ilea bid him farewell before turning around again. “Greg. Another question. You work with the wood as well or do you just sell it?” He quizzically looked at her and then smiled.

“I do I do, whenever I find the time. Tables, beds, whatever it is. Just come by at my farm east of the city. It’s only a couple hours down the road.”

‘Do you have a business card as well?’ She thought as she nodded at him “I’ll do that maybe. Thanks again and have a good day!” She said and walked down the alley.

Greg said his goodbyes as she turned around, going up to the nearby workshop undoubtedly going to sell his cargo. Ilea meanwhile activated her Sphere skill to perceive anything in a 15m globe around her. Seeing nothing, she increased her pace.

Going from back alley to back alley, she sometimes slowed down as people approached or a beggar laid near the walls. She threw a Drake scale at one of them who just confusedly thanked her. She saw him trying to take a bite out of the scale just before her range of perception left him behind.

Chuckling, she walked through the city until she came out near Earl’s shop. ‘Busy as ever I see…,’ she wondered at the people walking in and out of the blacksmith’s shop.

Stepping inside with her massive bags, a couple people stole glances at her but nobody said anything. There was a line at the counter of four people while an attendant she hadn’t seen before talked to them. Standing in line, Ilea looked at the plentiful gear in the shop ‘Guess he did fulfill those contracts hmm?’

Two minutes later, she stood in front of the clerk. ‘Well that sure was quick.’

“Hello, I’m Ilea. Can you get Earl for me? Tell him it’s the healer.” the attendant was confused at that.

“I’m sorry miss but the head smith is currently quite busy. I’ll have to check the schedule but I can’t promise anything until the upcoming spring.” He explained regretfully.

‘Ah fuck this…,’ Checking the shop with her sphere, she found Earl working in the back. The clerk only blinked as the healer in front of him disappeared.

“Spring? Are you fucking kidding me you old cunt?” She blared, startling the smith out of his work. The sword fell to the ground, which Ilea caught in a quick fluid motion. Earl just stared at her hand, as she handed the glowing piece of metal back to him. Bare handed.

Gesturing to the anvil, she placed it there. “I forgot how nuts you are.” Turning to Ilea he extended his hand but thought better of it, instead patting her on the back. “How is our little Berserk healer doing? Any new developments?” He asked, a smile spreading on his face.

A hint of fear evident as he kept glancing at her completely fine hand and the level next to her class that changed to two question marks compared to the last time when he had still been able to see her level.

Ilea quickly caught him up on her past month. The smith apparently hadn’t been doing bad either. Having fulfilled some rather big contracts in an incredible time with even less sleep, his status had risen by quite a bit. And apparently his smithing skills as well. Hence the attendant out front, dealing with the ever increasing customers.

“So you’re a rich fuck now. Congratulations. Why not get some apprentices?” He nodded at that

“Yea yea, I know but they are all so… adequate. Haven’t found one to really strike me as the one ya know?”

‘Is this a love story or what?’ She nodded and motioned to the front. “Hey, I have something for you. And a request or two maybe.” The attendant seemed conflicted if he should check with Earl but relaxed as both the healer and his boss came out from the back room.

“It’s materials I gathered a while ago. You still have the charred scales right? Should be enough for a set. Well I thought before I get you the higher quality hide, I can get something with this in the meantime.” She opened one of the bags and he whistled.

“So one set with this stuff? Bony with scales. Red or green?” Checking the scales he added “Doesn’t seem to be of a very different quality.”

She thought and decided on red ‘Fits the fire I guess and the camouflage would only really help in a forest.’“Do the red one. I’ll sell you the rest.”

“Hmm yes yes…,” Motioning the attendant away from the counter, he removed some big books from below it. “..the armor I can do for four gold in three days.” The attendant’s eyes opened wide at that.

“But Earl, the contracts and time…,” Getting interrupted by a hand on his shoulder, Earl stepped back to the bags.

“Mason my boy, do you know how much I bore working on iron swords all day and steel plate armor? This… this here…,” Opening the bags, he grinned “This is why I became a blacksmith!”

“And the sweet sweet gold of course.” Ilea added.

“And the sweet gold of course.” Earl confirmed. Getting the two bags into the back room, he emptied them onto a massive workbench. He counted the scales and bones and checked them for their quality and weight.

Ilea meanwhile fucked with the different equipment in the smithy, burning herself in ways others would scream for hours and need a healer to attend to their injuries.

“You’re like a newborn puppy. Do you not fear pain?” He asked, seemingly done with his work.

“Oh, I fear the absence of it more to be honest.” Thinking of the Demon, a thoughtful expression showed on her face.

“Well none of that seriousness now. I like that puppy more. All of the materials you could sell to the adventurer’s guild or any trader for between 7 Gold, 13 Silver and 12 Bronze up to… well up to infinity really. I could get that stuff for around 13 Gold from the guild or a trader. 10 Gold 10 Silver sounds fair?”

She just nodded at him ‘Is he really that trustworthy?’

“Deducting the cost of the armor, which includes any materials used and my labor you come out at 6 Gold and 10 Silver.” The smith said as he walked back outside.

Receiving the money, she thanked Earl again, got her bags and stored them in her backpack. ‘Back to 9 Gold eh… what do I need money for again?’ she thought but then remembered that food existed.

Looking through the markets she found what she was looking for. A small empty booklet, similar to what would be a notebook on earth. Compared to the machine manufactured and plain paper ones she remembered, this one held quite a lot more charm. She also got a magical pen in a shop nearby, leaving her 10 silvers lighter as she went back to Earl’s shop.

‘Considering a meal is a couple coppers, notebooks and pens are luxurious as fuck.’ She mused as she walked behind Earl’s shop. Just in range of her perception, she could see the scales and bones still on the table. Taking out her notebook, she took an intricate inventory of everything she had given to Earl. Checking through the rest of the shop quickly too, to make sure he hadn’t moved anything yet.

She was glad to see the charred scales were still there, hidden away in what seemed to be a secret compartment. ‘He didn’t lie about liking them at least…,’

A guard was chasing a dog through the street as she entered it, a boy frantically trying to keep pace and shouting after the dog.

Going back to the market street she got the pen from, Ilea bought some food on the go. Two hours later of eating different foods and watching the people make it in front of her, she finally got closer to her next target. ‘Street food is like a live performance…,’ thinking on that, she finished the last of her noodles while standing in front of Splicer’s bookstore.

“Hello! Schroedinger’s healer is back!” She shouted into the seemingly empty shop. ‘No customers today hmm… how does he stay afloat?…,’

The old man appeared from a back room “Schrodinger's what? Oh it’s the theoretical dealer of black market information. Greetings young adventurer!” He said with a completely straight face.

“You’re as dry as your skin old man.” she answered, removing her backpack and getting out the old tomes and diaries.

“First hand accounts of the Order of Azarinth.” She had brought five diaries and three history books. The ones holding nearly no knowledge on the Bluemoon Grass and her techniques.

His eyes became a little wider and his heartbeat quickened. Ilea was only able to tell because of her buffs and newfound sense enhancing perception. ‘Or my stats as well… at this point I’m like a superhuman and I’m too afraid to ask…,’

“Wanna buy any of them? How much would you pay? I’d take some good stories as well.”

He calmed down again. “I’ll have to check their authenticity, age and contents. If they aren’t fake the diaries between 4 to 8 Gold each. The histories around two Gold each. Would you lend them to me for one or two days?”

“Sure sure, I’ll come back again in two days then.” She said “Thinking about it maybe you can lend me some books as well, you know… as collateral?” He nodded and after discussing some of her preferences, he suggested five books to her which she packed into her backpack.

“Another thing Splicer. How much knowledge do you have on the worth of… say Drake bones and scales?” A shot in the dark, but she had a feeling that when Walter was a powerful sorcerer in disguise, the man in front of her was the same… just with a different kind of power.

Knowledge that is. And he didn’t disappoint. “Yes, I do dabble in the exchange of goods. Do you have an exact number, quality, weight. And where would you like to sell them?”

She gave him the notebook, opened at the page with her inventory. He took a look and three minutes later wrote down some numbers. “Selling that to the adventurers guild would net you between 7 Gold and 5 Silver and 7 Gold and 30 Silver depending on the day and demand. Buying it from a trader or the guild you’d have to pay 13 Gold and 20 to 50 Silver.”

‘Fuck that’s scarily accurate. He’s like the god of numbers.’ Looking into his eyes, she could see a spark. ‘Is that…. No… the infamous… billing intent. Yea that was bad, even for me…,’ Lost in her own joke, she just nodded to Splicer.

‘Apologies for doubting you Earl. At this point you’re 100% Ilea approved.’ Putting the notebook back, she closed her backpack and got it back on again. ‘Or maybe this is some underground trader monopoly and they all know exactly what prices to tell to whom… scary scary.’

“Do I owe you something for that math?” She asked but he waved her away

“It’s on the house lady Ilea.” She curtsied at that, the grace of the movement surprising her.

‘It’s the staaats...’ She reminded herself. ‘I should go dancing…,’

Saying her goodbyes to Splicer, she exited the store and promptly bought more food. After walking aimlessly for twenty minutes, she decided to go eat something in a nice restaurant. All that snacking made her hungry after all. ‘And it’s nearly midday judging by the suns.’

After finding a nice place, Ilea sat down and thought about her next actions. ‘I can do whatever I want…,’ smiling to herself, she apologized to the waiter that had asked her twice if she wanted to order something.

Waiting for her food, she got out the map of the Calys mine that she had improved upon with coal whenever she discovered a new tunnel or cave. Going to a new page of her notebook, she wrote down ‘Calys Mine’ and started to copy the crude map sharply onto the thick paper with her black inked pen.

The food arrived fifteen minutes later and let her take a break from the work. ‘Who would’ve thought copying maps is that difficult. Where’s my ctrl plus c ctrl v?’ the food stealing her attention. It was a potato soup with sausage in it and some fresh bread on the side, perfectly fitting the autumn temperature.

Ilea chose to sit outside, having a pretty good view and a decent supply of people to identify and possibly gain some skill levels. The restaurant was located on a small square with few people walking through. She was actually the only one sitting outside.

Finishing her meal, she ordered a tea and continued her work. ‘How peaceful it seems… and at any moment a bunch of bloodthirsty monsters or Elves could come and attack… is this how people in the cold war thought like?’

She finished the map and burned the coal version in her hand. No guard was around to scold her. The people that saw her casual use of fire magic certainly weren’t happy though.

She paid and made her way to the southern guard station. Getting stopped by a gruff looking man outside the gate, she asked to see his excellency lord Dale. The guard didn’t laugh but his posture relaxed a bit.

“And what business do you have with his lordship?” He asked her, apparently bored enough to join at least a little in her escapades. Guard duty certainly wasn’t the most interesting of jobs.

“We’re old friends, thought I’d visit him while I’m in town.” She said.

“DALE!!!” The guard suddenly shouted.

“What the fuck John?” A voice came from the other side of the gate.

“There’s someone here looking for his lordship prince Dale. Would you ask for an audience… What’s your name lass?” Turning to her with the question.

‘Nice touch with the prince…,’ “Ilea the healer.”

Waiting at the gate for five minutes, it was soon opened from the other side. “He says it’s fine. Come on in my lady.” The guard motioned for her to follow.

The guard station was clean and everyone seemed ready and on alert albeit in a relaxed way. Very professional to say the least. ‘Considering the action they get it’s no surprise…,’ She thought, as they rounded a corner when the sound of metal meeting metal could be heard.

“Good, another one.” Dale’s voice sounded out.

Coming into a walled off square with a gravel floor, Ilea and her guide entered a scene of two guards fighting Dale.

[Warrior – lvl 83]

She identified him, happy to see that she could finally see his level. The other two were in a level range of fifty to sixty. The ten or so spectators were even lower leveled than that.

‘blng’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 4’

‘Oh, I forgot that was even a skill for a second there…,’ she thought as the two warriors slowly circled Dale. With a sudden explosion of speed and power, the two approached him at the same time from different angles. Dale simply crouched in a smooth movement and lifted his sword and shield to intercept both attacks.

Following up with an elbow to one of the men’s ribs, he quickly turned to the other to block with his shield. Ilea felt a quick surge of mana exiting Dale’s shield, as his opponent’s sword was deflected off his shield right on impact. He placed his own sword at the man’s throat at that opening in a practiced and fast motion, ending the practice bout right there.

Some of the men clapped, other’s exchange tickets. Seemingly a betting system.

Her guide guard coughed and in an exaggerated voice announced. “Ilea the healer queen! Here to see the prince of Practice Square, Dale Langston!” All the eyes immediately turned first to her guide and then to her. Some of them chuckled.

She walked in front of her guide in the most noble way she could think of while quickly unbuttoning two of her leather armor chest buttons. Standing ten meters before Dale, she bowed deeply, getting whistles and applause for the act and likely the cleavage as well.

Standing up again, she buttoned up her chest piece while smirking at Dale. “Been a while Mr 83.”

“Indeed it has. Ms… 75… well, that is indeed quite a change. Are you still running into battle to heal your enemies to death?” He joked.

“Oh don’t be so mean, a girl’s first rodeo is always painful. And the blood…,” some of the men laughed, while two of them got up from their lounging positions.

“We’re next Dale, you up for another or do you have to attend to the princess?”

Shooting a glare at the man and activating her buffs, she declared “It’s Queen.” The man stopped in his tracks as some tense stares were exchanged before Dale started laughing.

They relaxed again, the man calling her princess seemingly embarrassed. “We can surely catch up later, I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to. I do have my duties though and today that duty is to whip this bunch into at least somewhat capable warriors.”

Getting an idea, Ilea walked closer to him. Talking in a voice much lower than before. “You know, the running in part… that wasn’t because I was reckless or stupid… I’m not exactly just a healer.” his eyebrows rose at that.

“And even though since then I’ve fought monsters and people, maybe some pointers against swords and other weapons might come in handy… you’ll get it once I start fighting. I won’t kill you, don’t worry.” she winked at him

“What you’re saying is a bit confusing but you don’t seem the type to lie. First you prove yourself against the royal offender there and then I’ll face you, what do you say?”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 25 Woman and Monster

Chapter 25 Woman and Monster

Dale smiled, obviously amused at the turn of events. ‘This is already the most interesting day in a week…,’ Dale thought as he motioned to Gary. “Gary you’ll face her for your royal offense. See what the Queen can do. And don’t hold back, she can heal herself…,” He smiled at her as he joined the other spectators.

‘She’s leveled up insanely fast. If she’s just a healer she’ll still get messed up by Gary but something tells me this isn’t quite what will happen…,’

Gary the level 43 warrior unsheathed his sword and stiffly bowed to her. His eyes turned from embarrassed to focused. Dale was proud that even in a situation like this, his men turned serious and professional when asked to do so. Ilea also got into a fighting stance.

‘Hand to hand? Hmm… even more interesting.’ he thought. The blue aura she had quickly used before wasn’t present now, yet her eyes were focused as well. A grin was spreading on her face. ‘She’s changed more than just in levels, hasn’t she?’

Gary wasn’t bothered by the lack of a weapon and assumed she was a mage. Raising his shield a bit more and ready to dodge a ranged attack, he waited for Dale’s signal.

“Go!” Dale shouted and both of them sprang into action ‘She’s graceful… high Dexterity… and fast. Her Strength must be high as well. Why would a healer level those that high?’ Dale thought as the two advanced on each other, Ilea with aggressive abandon and Gary in a careful defensive fashion.

They came together and Gary slashed at her horizontally. Ilea dodged the blow and closed the distance on the side. Her punch was blocked by his shield as he skidded back two meters from the impact.

‘So it is hand to hand. A powerful strike but nothing special for someone her level. Being able to heal oneself though…,’ Dale mused about the possibilities but came to the conclusion that using a sword and being able to heal would still be better. ‘It’s certainly a surprise… especially with her Healer class.’

He analyzed the fight as three more blows were blocked by Gary, now fully on the defense. He slashed at her from above to which Ilea simply caught his sword. “What…,” A guard next to Dale exclaimed.

Turning the blade aside, Ilea smiled at Gary and punched him, sending the man to the ground three meters away. ‘She caught the sword? What are you doing girl?’ Some of the men clapped as Ilea helped Gary back up.

“So whacha think?” She asked Dale.

Ilea held back all of her skills. Not a single point of mana was used in the fight against the guard. She thought she did an alright job but Dale’s gaze didn’t seem to confirm that.

“You’re very graceful and strong. Your movements are… well how should I say it… they seem exaggerated. The first blow you dodged from Gary for example. It was executed well but you moved too far, losing the opening it would’ve given you.”

‘I’m starting to feel like coming here was a brilliant idea…,’ She thought, as she listened intently to what the experienced warrior had to tell her.

“You have a skill for moving, for fighting with your body? Or am I wrong?” He asked and she just nodded. “Well then you should use it. Either the skill isn’t high leveled enough or you’re disregarding parts of what it’s telling you.”

‘Of what it’s telling me? It’s not talking to me…,’

“I’m not sure what you mean Dale. I don’t think the level of the skill is the problem though.” He grunted affirmatively to her reply.

“How should I say it… all fighting classes or skills will let you instinctively move in the right way. You have to trust them, even if your mind is telling you that that sword will hit you. If you trust the skill and its level is high enough, you’ll be fine.”

The way she looked at him made him continue “I know it might sound stupid. Compare it to an ice mage knowing instinctively how to control or create the element with his mana. That comes from a passive skill the class grants him. A comparable passive skill for a warrior is Battle Sense or Swordsmanship.”

“As soon as the skills reach a higher level, you know instinctively how to get better at it. Continuous training will let you level up the skill and the skill will help you move into the right direction. In a fight you have to be able to trust your instincts, your mind will often be too slow to react.”

‘Insightful… it sounds like something that would be said in a samurai movie… the comparison with the ice manipulation makes sense to me… my fire manipulation works similar and when I try to consciously control it with my mind it’s much harder than just feeling it out…,’ She thought and went back to where she had stood at the start of the fight.

“Thank you for the guidance. Gary was it? Another round?” The man was standing again as well, listening to Dale. He nodded to her and got back into a fighting stance.

‘Body of Azarinth, Azarinth Perception and most importantly Azarinth Fighting. Two of them in the second tier already. Let’s see what I can do… what do they say in the movies? Don’t think so much.’

Dale watched as Ilea closed her eyes. ‘Let’s see if that helped…,’ He thought.

“GO!” He shouted and Gary immediately advanced on her. Knowing that she was a hand to hand fighter, he was less defensive about spells anymore. He reached her in three seconds, slashing at her from the side.

In the last moment Ilea took a small step backwards, the sword passing centimeters before her. Gary followed up with a twirl of his body and a shield bash with his left arm. Ilea still with her eyes closed crouched and turned with him, dodging the shield entirely. Her movement more akin to a dance than to fighting.

Turning around, Gary slashed from above. A small sidestep by her and his sword passed harmlessly by her side, the flat part of his weapon briefly touching her scale bracer.

Ilea opened her eyes as Gary thrust his sword directly at her. A ring sounded out when she deflected it with her left arm and bracer.

A grin growing on Ilea’s face, she got into a fighting stance “Let’s begin then. You have thirty seconds.”

Gary didn’t let himself be taunted and unleashed a flurry of sword slashes and thrusts at her interspersed by a couple of shield thrusts, kicks and even punches. All of them were swiftly dodged or deflected at the last moment with incredible ease.

The onlookers were speechless as they couldn’t believe the girl was the same person they had seen fighting just a moment before.

‘His time is up.’ Dale thought as a sudden punch landed on Gary’s stomach after a fluid and seemingly close dodge of his sword. He let out all the air in his lungs and buckled, the sword falling to his side.

Ilea caught him and propped him back up. “Thank you for the fight.” she said but Gary just bowed to her.

“Thank you for the demonstration. I’ll work harder to improve. Next time we meet I won’t be bested that easily.” He said but Dale knows that what the girl just demonstrated was not something Gary would reach in the near future, if ever.

The onlookers clapped, some with impressed looks on their faces. They’ve all seen good fighters before so this wasn’t something completely mind blowing. They were a little jealous as well as they must’ve attributed her skills to being born talented or into privilege. Most of them however were happy to have another healer on Elos especially one that could defend herself.

“Well that was quite a demonstration. I don’t think I could beat you with skill alone but I’ll definitely give it my best shot.” Dale said from the side as he prepared his gear. Getting on his helmet and shield, he walked to where Gary had stood before.

Facing the girl he had seen in her first real fight, he was proud in a way to see her reach this level. Dale cared a lot for the people he trained and fought with and he counted strays like her just as much as his own men. She had listened to his advice even though she had seemed cocky at first.

On the other hand he was excited to fight her, hopefully teach her a lesson or two. He was her senior after all and his experience vastly outclassed hers.

“Are you ready?” He called out and the girl changed into her fighting stance. “Yes sir!” She shouted which put a smile on his face. ‘Maybe we can recruit her after all…,’

Activating his aura skill that strengthened his muscles and heightened his reactions, he crouched down low and readied his shield. ‘I’ll end this one quickly, don’t want it to turn out like with Gary…,’ using his skill Dash, he closed the distance in a blur, following up with Shield Bash. The skill released a burst of kinetic force much greater than the shield itself could ever produce.

A shock wave ran through his left arm as he was stopped in his tracks. Locking eyes with Ilea, she grinned. The shield bash had only pushed her back half a meter, blocking the force with her arms crossed.

‘Stronger than I thought…,’ he thought. Gary would be transported into the wall behind him if Dale would use that technique on him.

Following up with a sword strike, she dodged them seemingly just as easily as the slashed from Gary. He confirmed this by having one of his kicks and two more slashes dodged just as easily. Immediately stepping back to make some distance, Dale wanted to prevent her using an opening by dodging his swings.

‘Let her come then…,’ he thought and raised his shield. His sword poised for a quick jab. Ilea quickly approached. His sword lashed out like a cobra striking its prey. And passed harmlessly by the girls side as she dodged with the smallest of movements. Cognitive Burst, a trump skill of Dale’s activated as his perception and speed immediately accelerated.

Predicting her attack, the world slowed down to a crawl for him as he redirected his sword jab with unnatural force towards her again. ‘Got you now.’ He thought as their eyes lock and he saw the grin still on her face.

A sudden blue glow shined from a row of runic tattoos on Ilea’s body, barely noticeable in the sun. His strike found its target but only air was there to greet it as a sudden impact to his side behind his shield rocked through him. The world spun and a sudden impact on his back pushed the last remains of air out of his lungs.

His ears rang as he heard muffled shouting from around him. He fell but was caught, blood filling his mouth. ‘Teach her a lesson… heh…,’ was all he could think before unconsciousness took him.

“Oh fuck fuck sorry sorry sorry! I overdid it!” Ilea shouted as she was the first one to arrive at Dale’s side the man half embedded in one of the building’s walls. Falling down, she caught him and immediately started to heal his injuries.

Realizing that he was not in any life threatening danger, she released a strained breath while continuing to heal. The other guards started moving as well and closed in on her, unsure on how to act. She was a healer but she did just injure one of theirs.

Not able to do anything else reasonable, they went to call for a healer while a couple of them stayed there to survey the situation.

Six minutes later two guards came back, a man in leather armor in their tow. He breathed heavily as he knelt down next to Ilea and checked on Dale.

“He’s fine. Why did you call me you idiots! You said he was heavily injured!” Noticing the smell, Ilea looked at the man and realized that he was in his underwear.

“They didn’t trust me. It’s fine if you go back and clean up though.” she smiled at the man as she identified him.

[Healer – lvl 53]

His face turned a bit red. “Apologies. I do have to take these claims seriously though. You guys owe me!” He shouted at the two guards who winced at his rage as he walked back the way he came, a brown stain clearly visible on his undergarments.

Shortly after Dale woke up, coughing a couple times while getting his bearings. “I passed out.” He said quietly and rested his head back on the ground.

“Healer my ass…,” He said as he closes his eyes and smiled.

“You might’ve won were it not for your advice before…,” She said to which he didn’t answer. ‘Likely not’ they both thought at the same time.

Excusing himself to the other guards five minutes later, Dale lead Ilea to his office. “You were holding back the whole time weren’t you?”

“I was, only body enhancing spells though. My first fight with Gary wasn’t me playing around.” She said. “Thank you again for the advice, I will take it to heart. Anything else you noticed?” Ilea asked him.

“I should be asking you instead… your technique is more refined than mine and your speed faster than even my best skill…,” ‘second best’ he thought but using a fatal skill in a training match would be beyond unreasonable. ‘… and who says that was her full power too…,’

His questions were well founded as Ilea didn’t even use Destruction in any of her punches. Body of Flame wasn’t used either, nor Azarinth Sphere. She had however used the Sphere against Gary when her eyes were closed.

“I don’t have anything for you either. That last skill was impressive, had you known about my abilities it might’ve even worked.”

Seeing that this didn’t improve his mood, Ilea started talking about her exploits in the past couple weeks, not mentioning the Alpha hound or the necromancers.

“A Fire Enhancer, quite impressive…,” Dale said as the picture of this innocent healer changed in his mind to a bloodthirsty fighter demon ‘She got the class in mere weeks… I don’t want to know what she had to do for that…,’

“Stalker Hounds… above level 90 you say…,” The bloodthirsty fighter demon was growing horns in his mind.

“Oh and you were there alone? That’s quite something.” His complexion was turning a little paler as the conversation went on ‘She could’ve killed me in that spar…,’ he thought as Ilea asked him a question.

“...Oh what?” he said.

“I asked how you’ve been doing. After the Elven attack a month ago. I’m sure there was a lot going on. The city seems mostly fine now though…,”

A bit of color coming back to his face, he focused on the question at hand. “A lot of people left the city. We helped rebuild and patrolled the surrounding areas. The Elves haven’t shown themselves since. It’s easier for people to ignore it you know… the constant danger.”

“Even though their house was burned down a month ago, it’s rebuilt again and they’re alive. Hating and blaming the Elves is easy. This attack didn’t change how anybody feels about them.” He continued.

“We’ve increased our training and patrols heavily though. Next week we’ll start going into nearby Dungeons and dangerous areas to make ourselves stronger. I can’t say we’ve always been as vigilant and disciplined as we should have been but starting now again is the best we can do.” He said thoughtfully.

“I just don’t get it you know…,” Ilea started and then trails off. She looked at the wall behind him as he waited for her to continue.

“You… we... have the opportunity to strengthen ourselves. To work hard and fight back. One person’s efforts alone can save a whole city…,” She thought back at the shields Esteban had raised above the arena to protect the people inside. He might not have saved the city but certainly hundreds of lives.

“I know what you mean Ilea. Most feel content to be protected by the strong though. They live their daily lives, not dreaming of improvement and adventure but the next arena fights or show at the tavern. Not realizing that they could be that same person fighting or performing.” He got up and came back with a bottle and two glasses.

“I hope juice is fine, I’m on duty.” he said and poured two glasses at her nod. “And you’ve been out there. I remember how you looked next to the burning caravan and the dead adventurers.”

“Not everyone can face that, can overcome it and become stronger through it. I’m not ashamed to say that I wouldn’t go into a Dungeon by myself either although I know it would be the fastest and best way to improve my own strength. And the ability to protect those I love.”

She drank some of the juice as he leaned back. “It’s just so much more graspable than…,” She trailed off again ‘… than on Earth. Where superpowers only existed in fiction. A bullet to the head means you’re dead most of the time and a fatal wound would kill no matter how skilled the surgeon was.’

“… to be able to stand when someone threatens you or someone you hold dear. To be able to save those injured with fatal wounds. What other choice do you have but to fight?” She said, feeling a bit ashamed at knowing how scared she had been when coming to this world and how much she actually enjoyed fighting, and winning.

The killing was a price she was willing to pay for the thrill, the power and the ability to protect and save. Or to just smash a Demon to pieces that your erotica novel loving friend tried to summon for sex.

“… I know I’m being unfair. I love fighting. The thrill… the power. It’s just a bit confusing to me that not more people chose a similar way of going about it…,” She finished.

“I understand. Many still do chose your way. Many of those again die, leaving behind grieving parents or lovers.” Dale told her and then opened and closed his mouth.

“What?” She asked, a smile coming to her face.

“You… well.” he started.

“I’m quite a maniac, I’m aware of that.” she said as he mirrored her smile.

“You sure are… fucking fire enhancer in less than a month…,” He answered, mumbling the latter half of the sentence.

“What level were you when you fought the Stalker hounds at first?” She was beginning to answer but he stopped her “No, thinking about it again, I don’t want to know.”

Dale then lifted his glass to her “To protecting our loved ones then.” he declared.

“To killing monsters.” she said as their glasses clinked.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 26 Not a title

A note from Rhaegar

I might have some time this weekend to edit some earlier chapters regarding the present/past tense problem. I do still feel like in action scenes the present tense feels cooler. Please do comment how the chapters from now on turn out in that regards. I do try to listen to feedback.

At least the paragraph issue with different people talking should soon not be an issue anymore.

Do comment on other stuff you're bothered with. Editing is boring though and a lot of work so I dunno when that's gonna happen. If you made it so far then great, hopefully it's gonna get better from now on.

Cheers, next chap on saturday or so. Bye!

Chapter 26 Not a title

Leaving the guard station, Ilea was both in a thoughtful but content mood. The talk with Dale showed her a new perspective on things. ‘I’m glad I’m as free as I am. To be constantly afraid of dying and leaving behind a family or an unprotected town would suuuck.’

Walking around in the town aimlessly, the sun began to slowly sink. She heard mothers calling for their kids to come home and eat. Saw men closing down their shops with tired expressions on their faces, ready to go home.

A kid was playing happily with his dog. Perhaps the same she had seen earlier today.

Ilea found a bench on a hill with a nice view of a big part of the city. ‘I guess if I can be there to fight monsters and these people don’t have to. Kind of a win-win situation.’

She sat there for nearly an hour thinking about her purpose in life. Before it was more of an ongoing drag. Working out, consuming entertainment, going to work, school. In the future college and then work.

It seemed a bit pointless to her now. Of course she had enjoyed parts of her life back on Earth, other parts were annoying.

There was just something she enjoyed about her current lifestyle. The simplicity of it. ‘Maybe I should’ve gone into pest control instead of medicine…,’ She wondered. ‘Or maybe a farmer?’

What she knew for certain was that in this world, she was free. and she could forge her own path with her own strength. ‘The strength I luckily gained from an old ruin I accidentally stumbled upon…,’

She chuckled at that and decided that what she knew for certain was that she knew very little. There was no definite answer but she was happy, right here and right now. Getting up from the bench she stretched.

“Time to lose the sentimentality and do something.” So she did. She ran through the city in the evening glow of the sun with more and more lights coming to life around Riverwatch. Jumping up on a building, she continued on the rooftops, her Dexterity and speed leaving no mark of her passing behind.

‘Does the why really matter when you can run around on top of buildings, feeling the wind in your hair?’ Ilea didn’t care about the answer as she kept running, a smile on her face. Some people were wondering where the laughter came from that they heard, but it was infectious and many a face turned a bit more brighter at the noise. Others of course shouted at her to shut the fuck up but to her it was all the same.

The next day soon came. Ilea stayed in her expensive Inn bed reading the books Splicer had left in her possession after eating a rich meal and taking a long bath the evening before. Only getting up for lunch, she got dressed and walked downstairs.

Giving the room key back, she said goodbye to the innkeeper. The whole night cost her five silver.

‘So what to do today…,’ she thought as she stepped out into the road. It must’ve rained later in the night as she saw a cart being pulled through the muddy road. The sun was out and shining though.

She walked through the city, occasionally stopping to check out a shop or a stand with food. Finally she came up on the adventurer guild and went inside. The people inside immediately glared at her again and they started whispering.

“A healer above level 50??”, “Do you see her… no not the red haired one… what, yes I can see she has a great ass but look at the healer!”, “Matt, what team is she with?”, “Oh my god you bunch of creepy assholes.”, “Let’s go ask her, I’m sure she won’t decline your pure heart Legomo!”

‘I don’t have a great ass?’ She looked at the red haired woman and had to sadly agree. Looking to the guy who said that she raised her thumb. The man next to him freaked out but he just smiled and gave a thumbs up back.

“She heard me? What the fuck??”, “Don’t worry, she didn’t. It’s a language of the soul.”, “Your dick you mean…,”

She stopped listening after that and went to a notice board on the wall to check on assignments. Ilea completely ignored the people that came up to her and after the third one, they left her alone, back to their own conversations or on top of the next unlucky desirable that entered the building.

She noticed that very few people were alone. ‘Guess those are nutters like me.’ checking the notice board, she found a lot of different assignments. A lot of them were for protection of caravans or property. Some others for monster subjugation, many of those were posted by the city itself it seemed.

Gathering was a big aspect as well but those assignments were a bit different than Ilea expected them to be. Instead of going out and gathering, they were simply about protecting the person that wished to gather something.

‘Makes sense I guess… I’m not a herbalist or a miner after all…,’ She was interrupted by a clerk calling out to her.

"Excuse me, what's your name?" He asked as she approached.

"Ilea, why do you ask?" She said as she leaned on the counter

"Yea, not a lot of healers around. Fewer with black hair and blue eyes. There was a letter delivered for you. Please wait a moment." He said and went to a back room. A minute later he came back and handed her a sealed letter.

“Does this cost me anything?” She asked but he shook his head.

“Paid in advance but I do appreciate tips.” He smiled a bright smile to which she handed over a couple coppers. Returning towards the notice board, she opened the envelope and read the contents.

‘Dear Ilea.

I have heard of the Elven attack and hope dearly that you are doing well. Please visit me in Dawntree as soon as you can, I have a job that you might be interested in.

Alice’

‘Didn’t she say she wouldn’t see me in quite a while… it’s only been a month or so.’ She shrugged as she thought that ‘Not like I have anything better to do and traveling seems nice.’

Continuing through the list of posted assignments, Ilea found something appropriate and took it. It was about the protection of a caravan on their way westward. They would leave in two days, exactly when her armor would be done.

Seeing as she was a healer, the clerk didn’t even double check anything and immediately approved her. “Your contact is Arven. He’s gonna be the captain of the caravan guard. They leave at midday from the southern gate. Take this with you to identify yourself.” She got back the paper she took from the wall which now additionally held a stamp.

Thanking the clerk, she went back outside, folding the paper and putting it into her notebook. She visited the library again but didn’t find Maria so left soon after again. She had plenty of books to read for now so there was no need to get more.

Ilea decided then that she’d be spending the next two days relaxing. ‘Not in the city though… I need some time away from all this busyness…,’ She thought, as she walked towards the southern gate. Exiting the city, she ran for around an hour, reaching an area overlooking the city.

Normally one would assume that a place with an as wonderful view as the one before her would be filled with people, or at least someone trying to sell something. It wasn’t though, for the simple reason that it was outside the city walls. ‘At least something good comes from so many people choosing not to fight…,’ She thought as she jumped up a favorable tree to look for a nice place to rest and read.

The day went by and before Ilea noticed, she had read through three of the five books Splicer had lent her. ‘Not bad…,’ she thought as she looked at the cover of the best one she’d read so far. A fantasy story about a young man facing down a demon to protect his family. The demon then forces the man to help him, holding his family hostage.

Upon helping the demon find an ancient sword, he learned that his family had long been eaten by the demon. Being left for dead by some of the demon’s followers in a high level dungeon, his resolve was set and he struggled against impossible foes.

The latter half of the book was basically him entering the demon’s kingdom and finding his revenge. ‘Not really a fantasy story though… considering the world I live in now I guess…,’

‘I do like revenge stories…,’ smiling at the book with the familiar feeling of loss in her stomach, she put it back into her pack. Deciding that she had read enough, she prepared to sleep.

Sleeping on something like wood didn’t bother her much anymore. Her much stronger body barely noticing the normally unpleasant cushion. Although she did of course prefer a nice inn bed, there was something about sleeping outside in this strange world that she found captivating.

‘Maybe I should carry around a nice feather bed with me…,’ Ilea mused as sleep came to her.

The next day was spent much the same. This time she also went for a walk around the forest, trying to sneak up on different animals. It didn’t quite succeed as planned but being able to outrun them still allowed her to catch up to them easily. Being a bit sick of meat though, she usually just forcefully cuddled them or fed them some fruit. Some of the animals even tried to follow her around afterwards. ‘I’m a princess alright…,’ She smugly thought, as she tried her best at singing songs from a different world.

“You finished all of them?” Splicer asked as Ilea put the books on the counter. She had finished the two last books she had the day before and was now preparing to leave with the caravan. “I did, I did… this one was really good. Got anything similar or by the same author?” She pointed to the revenge story to which he chuckled.

“Didn’t take you for that type. Remind me not to get on your bad side. The author has another couple books as far as I remember. I only have one of them though.” She nodded and got her backpack on again.

“Could you check the books and diaries I brought?” He got something from below the counter. Nodding, he pushed over the coin pouch. “31 Gold for the diaries and another three gold for the books. Although I have to say most of their worth comes with the age and not the content.”

“Thank you. Although I have to say this is a LOT of money. Considering I had an armor made for four gold just a couple days ago… where’s the catch?”

“There is no catch my dear healer. Information and history is a pricey business and although one has to look hard to sell, there are some people willing to buy. Some very very wealthy people.”

Taking the money, she eyed him skeptically while jingling the pouch. “Like the Foundation of Glass for example?”

The corner of his mouth lifted a nearly unnoticeable amount at that. “Yes. For example the Foundation.” He affirmed. “Now would you like to buy the book I mentioned?”

Ilea chose three books, including the one he had mentioned. Totaling at one Gold coin it was one of the priciest investments she had made so far. Considering what she was paid before it was a fair exchange though. ‘Some old diaries by a bunch of junkies for thirty gold…,’ She thought. Indeed Ilea had been a Bluemoon junkie as well just half a year ago but she’s been clean for quite some time now.

She left the store soon after with her three first books that wouldn’t dissolve after a week. She didn’t count the history books by the order and all the rest was just borrowed.

‘I kinda like Riverwatch at this point. It certainly has it’s charm.’ She smiled to herself, while looking at the small restaurants and cafes. ‘Sometimes I forget that I’m in a medieval like world… magic really does change some things that would have only been possible via technological advancements on earth.’

She passed a tough looking adventurer team with blood and injuries all over them. “That girl there is a healer, come on Alex!” She overheard one of them saying. The man, apparently Alex just grunted and continued walking.

‘Dunno what that is about…,’ Ilea kept walking as well though, thinking about the possibility of bringing some of the technology from earth into this place. ‘I sadly know way too little about most things to really make a difference… and with magic being there, a lot gets easier or completely different as well.’

Before she knew it, Ilea arrived before Earl’s shop. Thoughts of becoming magical Ol’Musky left her at the prospect of what waited inside the store. ‘Nobody calls me that…,’

“It’s fifty silver or there’s the door.” Earl’s voice entered her ears, her entrance seemingly demonstrating where the exit was for the woman standing before the blacksmith.

“Well fuck this then…,” The woman said and stormed past Ilea.

“What was that about?” The healer asked, while approaching the counter. “Just another customer that isn’t used to paying for quality. Bunch of second rate hawks calling themselves smiths…,” Earl stumbled upon the last words but soon a smile formed on his face.

“You’re here though and a paying customer at that!” He said, gesturing her to follow. ‘Guess it’s done then…,’ She mused, following the bulky man.

“I finished it yesterday. Not my greatest work I have to admit but still better than most things you can buy out there. I’ll give you a discount or you can choose any weapon out front. Nothing worth more than half a Gold though.” He said, removing a piece of cloth from the armor stand.

What greeted her was something beautiful. Akin to seeing a nice sports car on the street. Not something that you could or likely even would buy, nonetheless beautiful to look at. ‘A sports car’s power is rarely used in everyday life though… I feel like with this it’s a bit different…,’ She thought, while approaching the armor.

It had a base of a flexible leather, dark brownish red in color. Drake bone would lay on top of the shins, thighs, parts of the chest. Additionally the bone covered parts of her upper arms. The sides of the legs, arms, the torso and the stomach were partly covered by red Drake scales.

Some scales also covered the shoulders, all there more to deflect blows than to absorb energy. The bone however seemed very sturdy. At least to Ilea’s untrained eye.

Walking around the armor stand, she noticed that the back of the legs were only partly covered by scales with no bones to be seen. Surely to allow better movement she thought. What seemed to be a mini skirt of leather and scales hung behind and to the side of the armor, not covering the front though.

Looking at it a bit skeptically, Earl finally decided to wake from his smiling trance and hastily explained. “It’ll protect your backside while not inhibiting any movements. I find it to be a good solution for female warriors of most races…,” He said and she just nodded.

‘Hips don’t lie apparently… hopefully I still get pockets though…,’ She noticed several places on the armor where pouches could be put or where a belt could be slung through.

The rest of the back was covered in nicely intertwined scales, with two rather big plates of bone covering the upper back. All in all the materials were very well used and left little room where the leather below could be seen. ‘Not a lot of weak points…,’ she thought while nodding.

She also liked the hooks below where her neck would be. Most likely to fasten a hood, not quite unlike the one she wore at that very moment.

Earl didn’t miss her smile at that which only made his even bigger. “How’d ya like it lass?”

She smiled back at him and again marveled at the armor.

[Drake Chest piece – High Quality]

[Drake Waist piece – High Quality]

[Drake Leg Armor – High Quality]

[Drake Boots – High Quality]

“I love it Earl, it’s beautiful.”

“Armor’s not supposed to be beautiful, it’s supposed to protect you. How’s your Strength looking?” He asked

“111, why?” she supplied while touching the armor. Earl was a bit taken aback by her statement. Both by the high level of strength investment for an apparent healer but more so by her casual information. Most people would be more secretive about their stats.

He knew she was a fighter as anybody else would question the intelligence of a healer with over a hundred strength. Not Intelligence, intelligence. Intelligence would be a quite intelligent investment for a healer after all.

“It’s pretty heavy all in all. With over a hundred Strength you’ll be more than fine though. The leg armor can be put on similar to pants. The boots and chest piece shouldn’t be a problem either. I’ll give you a couple minutes to change… or do you want to try it out later?”

She shook her head “I’ll call you when I’m done.” She said as he unfastened the buckles on the waist piece ‘Mini skirt…,’ and then the ones connecting the leg piece to the chest piece.

Ilea removed her backpack and leather armor and put it on the ground. ‘This is like Christmas…,’ She thought, removing the leg piece from the stand and hugging it. Putting it on the ground next to her, she also removed her traveling clothes. Earl had supplied a new set with a different cloth that would cling better to the leather above.

Ilea had usually washed her underwear and clothes in whatever water source she had found at the time. Being in the wild or being able to get there in but a couple hours made it easy for her to find secluded water sources. The fact that there were much much fewer people out there and her enhanced senses made it easy for her to be naked for a while.

‘I’ll have to get a bunch more clothes for winter probably…,’ She thought mostly of comfy underwear. With her stats and buffs to her body, it would take quite the unheard of weather conditions to even bother her a little.

Ready to move on to the armor itself, Ilea got on the leg armor. ‘It really is like pants…,’ She thought, as she easily slipped into them. The boots soon followed and then the chest piece. It was a bit bulky compared to the previous pieces but certainly no issue for the inhumanly strong woman. ‘I mean I am human and this is normal here isn’t it? Maybe unearthly strength?’

Thinking of that, she turned around to look at herself in a piece of polished metal that was conveniently placed near the stand. ‘Well ain’t that something…,’ A smile spread on her lips.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 27 It's a roadtrip!

Chapter 27 It’s a road trip!

The sight before her was certainly a lot more badass than she expected to ever be. ‘I look like a cosplayer with this on though… and the mini skirt isn’t even there yet…,’

After calling for Earl, the man entered the workshop and whistled. “Aw I love it when the customers wear my crafts. And it fits really well it seems. Wait I’ll help you with the rest.”

He quickly approached her and fastened all the hidden buckles and strips while showing them to her and explaining what they each do. The legs and boots she would easily be able to do on her own. Fastening the chest piece to the leg piece was rather simple as well, albeit time consuming.

Some parts of the torso she couldn’t do herself but Earl told her she’d only have to fasten them every couple weeks to make sure they would stay tight.

The skirt as well was simpler than expected. It laid around her waist almost like a bigger belt, held by several straps and even some metal hooks. After his suggestion, Ilea bought a used belt and some pouches from him.

He showed her how to fasten the belt around the skirt and how to add the pouches to it. Both laid half on top and half inside the scaly skirt. “The design is incredible…,” she praised but the smith only waved her off. She didn’t miss the proud look on his face though before he went behind her back to finish his work.

“And we’re done. Move around a bit, how’s the weight? Comfort? Ease of movement?” he asked as he stepped a couple meters away from her.

The full armor certainly weighed more than her previous clothes but Ilea only noticed because she was focused on it. ‘I won’t even feel like I’m wearing armor in ten minutes…,’ she thought as she started moving around. First carefully and gingerly, then faster and faster with punches and kicks in between.

Earl looked on as the cute armored healer in front of him turned into a demon of death, her blows into the air luckily not going towards his direction. Suddenly the hairs on his back stood up, a faint glow of blue coming from the healer’s half exposed neck.

He moved further and further back as the speed and strength of her testing increased. When the wisps of fire started to dance around the armor he had already hit the wall behind him, still feeling the sheer ferocity of the warrior before him.

Earl the blacksmith at that moment felt quite reassured of his decision to become a smith and stay behind sturdy city walls. He would go talk to the guard and see if he could improve on their gear sometime in the future. If what stood before him was required to stand against the monsters out there, he would do everything to keep them there.

‘This is incredible….’ Ilea thought as she stopped moving. Quite embarrassed at Earls apprehensive look, she stretched. ‘I overdid it a little… I guess I’m getting to the point of having to cover my strength up a bit…,’ She looked at him and smiled ‘It’s Earl though.’

“The armor is amazing Earl. Worth every Penny. I don’t feel restricted at all, even at full power.” Earl came closer again, thinking about what the hell a Penny was “Speaking of which… I hope what you saw here stays between the two of us.”

The man quickly nodded “I don’t want to imagine you thrashing my shop… my lips are sealed.” he said, seemingly relaxing after her display.

“That is good to hear. You mentioned something about a weapon… what do you think would fit me the most?” She asked, a grin spreading on her face.

After checking some of the inventory, Ilea and Earl together decided on a rather small but heavy steel mace. Considering her lack of training in weaponry yet high stats, it wouldn’t be too difficult to smash some things while not seeming completely incapable.

Ilea got her backpack and fastened the mace to her belt with the handle faced towards the ground. Looking down at herself, she felt very good. ‘I’m like a real adventurer now…,’ Although she felt the armor looked a bit too pristine at the moment. That would change with time though, she was sure.

“Earl this is really really good work.” She said as she put two Gold coins on the counter “Consider it a tip.” she said and bid him farewell.

“May it protect you on your journey.” He said at the leaving form of the healer. Ilea had told him to throw away or sell her old clothes and armor but the smith decided to keep them in a small box in his workshop for now.

It was soon time to meet the caravan at the southern gate so Ilea made her way there, not forgetting to buy food and drink for the journey. And of course food and drink for right that moment, as buying food and drink made her quite hungry.

She definitely got more looks because of her newly acquired armor, some people even commenting on how it looked unused. Most of them seemed to get out of her way though, no reason in angering an adventurer with an unidentifiable level even if they could tell she was a healer.

Ilea arrived at the southern gate a bit early and seeing as there was no caravan there at the moment, she decided to get at least a better view while waiting. She jumped up a nearby building, giving her a rather good view of the square and its busy occupants.

Several stalls were built up selling different goods, adventurers would sporadically leave the gate or come back from the wilderness. Some carrying back monsters, and smiles on their faces, others with thousand yard stares and gear that told more of a story than a thousand words.

The guards didn’t seem to mind her too much being up there. One of them tried to ask her to get down but left upon being ignored, ranting about not being paid enough for this shit.

Nearly half an hour passed until some wagons and carts arrived. More and more pulled into the square as Ilea watched on while eating something akin to chips.

There were nearly twenty carts with horses, drivers and passengers when a man in black spiky armor made his way to the front. “Alright everyone!” He shouted and the square immediately quieted down.

“I’m Arven, assigned guard captain for the caravan to Salia. Cart owners please join me so we can start organizing. Adventurers and guards will come after, I’ll call you later. I expect everyone to be ready to leave in two hours time!”

Some of the people left the carts and joined him as he started taking notes in a big notebook he was carrying. Ilea lied down on the roof and enjoyed the light warmth brought by the midday autumn sun. ‘A little nap won’t hurt…,’

Ilea was rudely awakened by Arven shouting again, calling the adventurers and guards to himself. At least fifty people moved from their conversations on the square, in shops or restaurants or from the carts to join the guard captain. Ilea noticed that at least one other person jumped down from a roof at the other side of the square.

Arven waited for all of them to join him in a semi circle before addressing them. “Alright, as I said I’m Arven. I’ll be in charge of you all for the duration of the journey.” Ilea noticed that she couldn’t identify his level. The people around her were between lvl 50 to as high as lvl 93, which was her current maximum level to identify with the level of her skill.

‘So gold level and higher adventurers only…,’ There were all kinds of people with all kinds of different armor and robes. ‘This feels like a cosplay convention… and I fit riiight in.’ She smiled to herself. There was one face she felt was familiar but she couldn’t place it at the moment.

“Alright, now please everyone 75 above with some leading experience to me. The rest please form groups of defenders, supporters, fighters, long range and healers.” people started forming groups as around seven higher leveled people joined Arven and started talking.

Ilea stood there for twenty seconds before finally finding two other people that had the [Healer] tag when identified. She joined them and introduced herself “Hey guys, I’m Ilea. Nice to meet you.”

The two others were a teenage girl with her highest class being lvl 23 and a robed man in his thirties with lvl 47. He nodded to her and the girl said hello in a quiet voice. ‘Not a talkative bunch… I like it.’

They waited for a while as the apparent group leaders were discussing strategies, watch plans, division of forces, compensation, timetables and other boring things with Arven. Ilea stopped listening after a while.

“You guys aren’t Gold level yet, how’d you get in?” She asked after a while. The man looked at her with a confused expression below his hood. “You’re a healer as well, aren’t you?” He asked which didn’t really answer her question.

Ilea recalled how she was treated in the adventurers guild and how the clerk had talked about healers. ‘Seems there’s really not a lot of us…,’ She grunted in understanding and started eating a piece of jerky she got from one of her pouches. Naturally she had filled all of them with different kinds of foods.

“Miss Healer, That’s a pretty nice armor...what’s it made of?” the girl next to her seemed to be in awe of her ‘Oh boi, already a fangirl…,’

“It’s made from Drake materials.” Ilea simply answered. ‘So other people can’t identify my armor as I can?… Considering I don’t see any info on their gear I guess it makes sense…,’ she thought, looking at the leather armor the girl wore and the brown robe the male healer had.

“I’m Ilea by the way, who are you guys?” The girl was starting to answer when a clap from Arven shut her up.

Three of the seven people went to the biggest group, the warriors. Nearly twenty of the guards were in that group. The fifteen long ranged guards, mages and rangers by the looks of their clothes, were joined by a woman that immediately got Ilea’s attention. Her black hair and blue eyes that matched Ilea were one thing. What really got Ilea’s attention was the black robe she wore.

‘I’ll have to ask where she got that robe from…,’ The robe was even more comfortable than Ilea could imagine but she didn’t know that.

They locked eyes for a second and the woman nodded towards her. The five supporters were joined by a man dressed in furs while Arven quickly joined the defenders, their numbers being around fourteen.

After quickly talking to the defenders, he made his way towards Ilea and the other two healers. “You three are the healers hmm? The guild had promised experienced people, guess I’ll have to take what I can get…,”

He looked up and down Ilea’s armor while completely ignoring the other two. “Is that one new or is this your first time out of the walls?” His question was directed at Ilea but there was no hint of sarcasm nor a mocking tone in his voice.

‘Professional hmm… although a bit of an asshole…,’ She thought.

“I just got it today, been outside a couple times before.” She locked eyes with him which seemed to convince the man.

“Alright, you’ll be the healer in charge based on your level. You three stay behind us defenders, divided along the caravan to cover its length. I’ll coordinate you should the need arise. Your job is to stay back and deal with injured people. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Understood sir!” Ilea saluted in an exaggerated manner to which Arven just nodded.

“I’ll talk to the defender group then, you’re at the front, you’re in the middle and you’re in the back. Just choose a cart and enter. They’ll be happy to have a healer that close. Come to me if you have questions or concerns. And thank you for joining the guard.”

Ilea would be in the front, the girl in the middle and the man in the back. Arven had nodded at them before leaving, seemingly showing more respect than to others she’d seen him interact with. ‘Guess being a healer has its good and bad sides… not that the bad ones apply to me… and that guy apparently lacks a humor organ, or he’s a good actor. Nice armor though…,’

“I’m Chloe!” The girl next to Ilea interrupted her thoughts.

“Nice to meet you Chloe.” turning to the male healer “Anything I should know? Or is it as simple as he said?”

The man just shrugged “Name’s Sebastian. It’s pretty much that, we’re here for our healing mostly and of course any skill or class levels we pick up by being with the group and using our magic. I saw Arven work before, he’s as capable as he looks.”

Ilea nodded to him when the girl next to her made an exciting noise “I gained a point in Wisdom!” she exclaimed.

Ilea smiled at her “Congratulations Chloe.” it’s been a while since Ilea had gained even a single stat point while simply reading, running or fighting.

‘I guess it’s because my stats are relatively high, which makes it harder for them to naturally grow. Maybe I should’ve gained more stats before starting to level up…,’

“I’ll check for a cart then before the others start to disperse. And I suggest you two do the same.” Sebastian suggested to which all of them started walking towards the carts.

“Ataniel will wait for you, trust me!” turning her head, Ilea saw the woman that seemed familiar to her before.

Hearing her talk let the gears in Ilea’s mind click. ‘She’s that crusader chick from the arena! Good on her for surviving… I’ll get as far away as I can from her though…,’

The guards and travelers soon filled in on the carts, some of them mounting horses to ride alongside the caravan. Ilea had chosen a merchant's cart that was filled with boxes of goods. It had a roof which Ilea jumped on to continue her nap from before.

The hours passed as she napped and then listened to adventurers talk about monsters, women and men. She read a part of one of her new books when an armored guy joined her on the roof, having jumped from the cart behind hers. He motioned to the other and currently free half of the roof to which she just nodded.

He nodded back and sat down, taking a notebook from his pack and a pen to write or draw. She smiled at his action and they continued to sketch and read quietly.

Evening came and went as the caravan built a circle on a clearing in the forest. Cooking fires were made and maintained by mages inside the wagon. Two people of the support group were bards that entertained everyone with their tunes.

Rangers were scouting the woods around them as fighters and defenders rotated the guard. Ilea enjoyed the view of the stars and didn’t sleep that night, savoring the quiet after a morning filled with talking. The armored guy on her roof left a couple hours ago to build and sleep in his tent. He bid her a good night and offered his name.

‘Roland hmm?’ she looked at the stars and smiled.

The night passed uneventfully. Some wolves and a shining elk monster were scared away by some of the mages but the commotion was so small, barely anybody even woke up.

The days passed as the caravan traveled westwards. The only healing Ilea got to do were burns from cooking or small injuries of overexcited warriors that hurt each other in mock battles. Luckily the girl from the arena didn’t seem to be in the mood of killing. ‘Not that she’d leave more than a severed head behind…,’

As time went on Ilea noticed that the road became progressively less maintained, the land more rough and the people less jolly. She had started to sometimes talk to Roland who still joined her on her roof every day.

He told her that the further from the city, the more dangerous it became. Just a couple days out and it would become rather unpredictable what kind of monsters or other sources of danger could arise.

The travelers would still have their cooking fires and songs but more and more subdued. Only some of it enforced by Arven.

All of that made perfect sense to Ilea, especially six days into their travels when Ilea was abruptly woken up by the sound of a scream.

Her buffs flared into life as she got up from her sleeping position. Hitting the naked Roland next to her lightly on his head.

She got her armor on in under a minute. She had become much better at fiddling with the different straps and buckles, especially after starting to spend the nights with her newly found companion.

Exiting the tent, she finished up with her scaled skirt just as Roland exited, putting on his steel helmet. “You’re not wearing a shirt.” She said to the man. He just smiled and lifted his rather large steel axes as a dim red glow filled his eyes.

Ilea unstrapped her mace and motioned towards the noise of fighting. “Not me this time, hush… go get them!” the man shook his head while walking past her, his fist hitting her in the shoulder with a strength that would down a normal city resident. She showed no reaction other than to just smile at his bare back as he was running towards the noise with powerful steps.

Shouts started to fill the caravan as the sleeping came to life. Roars of yet unknown beasts joined the symphony of the night as Ilea twirled her fifteen kilogram mace with the ease of a child moving a plastic knife, the moon illuminating her smile.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 28 Actual healing, what?

Chapter 28 Actual healing, what?

Stalking the stinking humans, Kariiik avoided the big burly ones. The smell of his brethren’s blood and the blood of the humans filled his nose, lifting him to the Plane of War. He ran by as one of his brothers was impaled by a spike of ice the size of his torso.

Blood splattered as his packmate was torn to shreds by magic. In the distance a woman with a big stick of metal was cleaving through a small group of his pack as they teared one of the guards apart.

The moonlight filled Kariik with power as he finally found his prey.

Blue eyes stared into his own black ones but the fear he so anticipated was absent. Instead the human’s expression turned weird as the corners of its mouth lifted up.

Kariik raised his clawed arm to deliver death.

A dull sound filled her ears as her mace impacted the creatures face, killing it instantly. ‘These would be creepy, but they have nothing on a certain bartender’ Turning around, another two of the bipedal creatures ran towards her.

[Nazark – lvl 42]

She identified one of them as she dodged a clawed arm by the closest of margins. The beasts were nearly two meters tall and very thin. Their 30cm long claws made them rather creepy though.

The beast stopped in its tracks, held back by the knee she had placed in its way. The force of the beast and her leg’s speed combining to form a rather impressive amount of energy that was released into the creature’s bones and organs upon impact.

Releasing Destruction with her hit seemed to be a bit much as the Nazark immediately died, blood and flesh spraying from its back.

Her second foe managed to stop and turn around. Running away it increased its speed now fueled by terror instead of bloodlust just as her mace impacted a tree two meters next to it.

“My throwing sucks huh…,” Walking to the tree, she ripped the mace back out. The noise of fighting and magical explosions was only sporadically heard soon after, Ilea focusing more on the several shouts of “HEALER!!”

Ilea moved around the forest at a high speed, stopping only to stabilize the wounded warriors and mages. Some with worse wounds than others, some she ignored completely. “You won’t die, you two stop his bleeding.” she told the two people watching her before she stormed off again.

Stabilizing eight more badly wounded individuals from that devastating initial clash, she made sure to backtrack and heal them more thoroughly. During the next two hours of steadily dwindling battle Ilea sent those too injured to fight to the caravan where the other healers could take care of them.

Ilea slowed down her work, listening to the near silence after the din of battle was finally over, starting to meditate as she soaked in the now peaceful night. When she was half full again, she started to move faster again when necessary.

The beasts left nasty cuts with their massive claws and many of the half dressed warriors and mages had difficulties reacting to the monsters in the dark of night.

Another three hours passed as people came and went. Some thanking her for the healing, others to check up on teammates or friends. “I need more fresh water.” Ilea said to two of the watching adventurers who sprang to life, running off at their full speed.

“You should get buckets you idiots…,” she said after them, turning around while cleaning her bare arms of blood with an already stained cloth.

She had removed her armor at some point to not drench it in even more blood. ‘I’ll have to clean all that… aaah’ she sighed and continued.

Chloe had passed out half an hour into healing the people brought to the center of the wagons, her mana running dry. She had been too focused but worked hard for that time, taking some stress off the two more experienced healers.

Sebastian apparently was some kind of druid and could work on several people at the same time. His healing was much less focused than Ilea’s second stage Reconstruction but nearly as strong. He had two healing classes working in tandem after all. If his skills were in the second stage as well, he would have been much more efficient than her.

She found that they worked great together. Ilea stabilized the most gravely injured right after the fights had stopped in the forest. They were then brought to the center where Sebastian and Chloe continued her work.

Ilea was nearing an empty mana pool again when Sebastian looked up with a tired smile. “You can leave the rest to me.” she saw with her Magic perception that he somehow got energy from the ground or specifically plants around himself.

“Don’t worry about me.” she said and started meditating again as she worked, albeit a little slower than before. Ilea had gained another level in Reconstruction right before patching up the last patient. The mage thanked her and joined her friends that were waiting, now filled with relief.

Just then the two adventurers from before returned with four buckets of fresh water. “Thanks” she said and promptly splashed some of it on her face.

Chloe had been brought to her tent a while ago and most of the bystanders went to sleep as well. The caravan was still on high alert and she heard that Arven lead a party of high leveled guards on a hunt to frighten the Nazarks a bit more to discourage them from another full attack.

Arven had returned a while ago and was talking to different leaders of other groups while taking notes. He approached Ilea as she and Sebastian were cleaning themselves up, the ground next to them marked by blood, its smell and dark color unmistakable even in the dull light of the moon.

“Heavily injured… fourteen. Medium injuries… nine. Dead… three. Of which two lost their heads and one was literally tore apart by the beasts. Great work tonight, I misjudged the both of you.”

“Chloe worked well too, albeit with her level she was quickly out of mana.” Ilea supplied to which Arven made a quick note.

“Rest now, we’ll leave at the planned time tomorrow.” he said and turned around, gesturing to four guards talking nearby.

“And here I thought you were green… your level should’ve convinced me.” the voice of Sebastian made her turn away from the even darker seeming armor of Arven.

“How did you not pass out? I won’t believe that you never run out of mana, even with Meditation…,” he said while finishing up with cleaning himself.

“We all have our secrets Druid.” she smiled at him to which he chuckled tiredly.

“I’ll go rest then, maybe it’s the moonlight but you don’t seem like you need any rest… see you around then and good work.” Sebastian said as he turned to leave for his tent.

Ilea stood there while cleaning herself and looking at the blood on the ground. ‘Guess there is a reason people don’t leave their cities…,’

She took two of the unused buckets of water and walked to Roland’s tent. He wasn’t there unsurprisingly to her. Taking one of the buckets, she walked to the edge of the caravan circle and exited into the woods, taking care not to alert any of the guards.

Out of sight, she undressed and started cleaning all of herself. Half an hour later she went back. ‘The cold air and water don’t even slightly bother me… this would already be very dangerous back on Earth. Here though…,’ she looked down at her hands and clenched them into fists.

She sat down on the grass next to Roland’s tent and started eating something. There was no time while healing and the continuous use of her mana certainly didn’t help. Twenty minutes later, Roland came back.

Several cuts could be seen on his still naked torso, some scratches adorned his helmet. His axes told another story though, being nearly completely dark red with blood. “You alright?” She asked, still chewing on some cheese.

Roland just sat down next to her and fell on his back while grunting affirmatively. She still checked him with a quick touch but none of his injuries were severe. He had an ability to heal some of the damage himself after all. And he liked to feel the injuries of his battles she learned.

He fell asleep soon after, which was when she healed the rest of his cuts. Ilea stayed by his side until early morning, humming otherworldly tunes.

Everyone was woken up before the sun rose, voluntarily or not. “Come on move, move. I want everyone to be ready for departure in thirty minutes!” Arven was shouting through the camp, his armor still had smudges of blood on it not unlike Ilea’s.

She had gotten it on again after healing Roland but not before cleaning it as well as she could with half of the water she had left.

A groan got her attention and she saw the zombie like Roland rising to his feet. “What happened? I have a bloody headache…,” he said before falling into a coughing fit.

She approached him and patted his back. “You went out on one of your famous hunts…,” she said to which some color returned to his face.

“Great… and I just started to like you…,” He shook his head and went to the nearby bucked to check if there was water inside.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked and handed him a cleanish piece of cloth.

He took the cloth and dipped it into the water. “Most women freak out when it happens… hard to be attached to someone who does that…,”

Ilea shrugged and started eating something she got from one of her pouches. “You forgot to clean your mace by the way.” Roland said while gesturing with one hand to the piece of metal that lay next to his tent. He removed his helmet in the meantime and washed his face.

‘You hot piece of shit…,’ she thought, chewing on a sausage. “Don’t give me that look.” he smiled but it wavered as she aggressively bit through the sausage.

They had told each other vaguely about their classes and he shared that he sometimes got a bit overwhelmed by one of them when fighting. Nothing could stop him until the last of his enemies were dead or he was completely out of juice. Last night was the first time she had seen it in action, at least that intensely.

She frowned at that thought and would tell him tonight that he shouldn’t hold back anymore. She was a grown woman after all. ‘And I have claws as well’ she thought as she lifted the bloodied mace and made her way towards the bucket.

Most everyone was ready after the thirty minutes and the rest were helped along. The caravan was moving again only a bit later than the planned thirty minutes and Ilea and Roland could enjoy the sunrise on top of their temporary moving home.

The day was certainly a quiet one. Barely anybody felt like speaking after being attacked last night. The guards were on high alert and Arven had upped the patrols. They now went out even further which was a risk he apparently thought of as reasonable.

“You think they’ll be back?” Ilea asked Roland a couple hours after they started moving. He stopped drawing and turned the notebook around. It was her, quite naked. “I’m flattered.” she said and she actually meant it. He would’ve definitely studied art back on Earth. She was happy though that he could at least realize himself in his hobby.

“I don’t know. I’ve actually never fought them before. Heard stories though. They like revenge apparently, which I believe is why we left so quickly.”

They both stopped talking after that. He continued to draw her and she enjoyed the sunlight that streamed through the trees above. Their pace was quite relaxed, at least compared to Ilea running at full speed.

The day peacefully passed and this time the night went by without incident as well. They did receive a scout report of a ranger who apparently saw a Nazark but they weren’t uncommon in these parts.

Nothing was done about it as they could certainly defend themselves and what choice did they have but to move on? They were halfway to their destination after all.

The terrain got more and more rocky as the road followed closer to the mountain than before. It also made the ride a lot more bumpy and uncomfortable. Ilea was getting a bit sick of it. ‘Next time I’ll travel by foot again and alone. Although Roland definitely isn’t unpleasant.’ she thought as she looked at the man.

‘He must have a full notebook of me by now...’ the caravan came to a halt a couple hours later. They exited the forest and were now at the southern base of the mountain Karth. The sun was slowly setting as they neared a massive rift in the mountain’s side.

The rift was diagonal, nearly a kilometer long and a couple hundred meters wide. Ilea was completely blown away by the sight. She had certainly seen the Naraza mountain chain in the far away north and the Navali forest was impressive as well. ‘But well… still just a forest.’

It reminded her of pictures she’d seen of some natural formations in Iceland or Scandinavia. Seeing it in person was certainly something else though.

The caravan halted when they arrived inside the rift.

“First time seeing rock?” Roland asked, not looking up from his notebook.

Ilea ignored him and simply jumped down from the wagon. The caravan was forming their by now trained circle while she was still enjoying the view. ‘Puts my power into perspective…,’

Arven walked into the middle of the Caravan, doing his famous clap. When he had everyone’s attention he explained today’s setup. He would sometimes do that if they came up on a not so ideal spot for the night.

“We’re gonna be staying inside this part of the Karth cave system. Nobody wanders off.”

Some grumbles could be heard and some questioning about the cave system. Roland started to explain as he saw Ilea’s look, having descended the wagon after her. He figured she for some reason knew very little of the world.

Some of his theories involved an escaped slave, far away royalty or a sheltered noble. He would’ve bet on the last one if he had to.

“They’re largely unexplored, is why nobody should wander off, not that anyone ever did so far… We’ll be in a much better defensible position though and much less room to keep an eye on so I get his decision.”

Ilea nodded at that and continued staring above her as she twirled around. Forming a hashtag with her fingers, she looked towards Roland and said “Hashtag traveling!”

“You’re fucking weird Ilea.” He started to build his tent, ignoring the chuckling idiot next to himself. Sebastian and Chloe joined them for dinner as they sometimes did in the past week.

Chloe was still a bit shook up by what had happened two days ago but she was taking it well. ‘Much better than I did…,’ Ilea thought as she remembered her first encounter with a Drake.

“What are your plans once we’re in Salia?” Chloe asked her. She had tried to make conversation with Ilea every time she had the chance. It was endearing to Ilea as the girl was obviously looking up to the experienced healer. A bit annoying too, Ilea didn’t hate socializing even though she enjoyed her time alone the most but this felt more like being a manager or team leader.

Not something she ever wanted to be. “I don’t know yet. Explore the city a little?” Chloe seemed confused at her answer. It seemed her sentiment wasn’t one very common in these parts. ‘And here I thought adventurers are adventurers and not just gold diggers… well I shouldn’t base my knowledge of the people in Elos on a teenage girl’s reaction to my actions…,’

They continued talking for a while and then enjoyed the bards playing a tune. Looking at the stars while a bonfire was burning next to you and a bard played a tune was certainly a very nice thing to have. ‘Although Walter was better…,’ Ilea thought but enjoyed it nonetheless. ‘At least we’re not inside a cave… the rift doesn’t count.’

Arven’s decision to camp inside the rift was proven to be the right one as they saw the Nazarks coming from a couple hundred meters away. There wasn’t enough cover to hide the nearly two hundred of them as they moved in. The battle cries certainly didn’t help.

The monsters also proved to be monsters as they didn’t wait for the people of the caravan to sleep before attacking. A night attack wouldn’t have shocked the guards but with everyone still up, the defenses would be a lot tougher and faster to respond.

Arven immediately jumped on top of a wagon facing the beast horde while shouting. “Warriors, defenders to me. Form a line in front. Long range and support on top of the wagons behind.”

All the people around Ilea sprang to action as they scrambled to follow the guard captain’s orders. It would be quite a different battle today than the last time they had faced the Nazarks. The monsters didn’t realize they were charging into their doom.

Ilea also jumped on top of the wagons where she saw Mia. The woman whom’s robe she had admired before. The blue in her eyes seemed brighter as she gestured with her hands, a massive amount of mana condensing around her.

“...let them know Winter. For you are here Incarnation of Ice!” With that a massive wave of frost materialized before the mage and rushed towards their enemies. The first two rows of monsters froze in their tracks, instantly dead.

Fireballs, arrows and rock spikes were shot and flung into the advancing horde, following the frost wave by their group’s leader. Ilea watched the gruesome display of explosions, crushed bones and blood. It reminded her of a documentary she watched about world war one and the introduction of machine guns.

‘They should’ve built trenches…,’ she thought as she wondered if even a single one of them would make it to the line of warriors that started to buff themselves and were buffed by the supportive bards and enchanters behind them.

The smell of blood and burned hair entered her nose just as the loudest noise she had ever heard rang through her head. A hiss, immediately shattering her eardrums. The whole battle stopped as if frozen in a picture.

'ding' ‘You have heard a mighty being’s cry, you are paralyzed for thirty seconds.’

‘Thirty seconds? Are you fucking kidding me??’

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 29 Force of nature

Chapter 29 Force of nature

'ding' ‘You have heard a mighty being’s cry, you are paralyzed for thirty seconds.’

The message appeared for all the present warriors, merchants and even Nazark. The time of paralysis was rather different for each individual. Ilea’s mental resistance and high Vitality and Endurance resulted in only thirty seconds. Some of them couldn’t move for up to three minutes.

The cave was quiet, not a single one of the monsters or people moving a muscle. An eerie quiet was what Ilea thought, just before she felt an incredible buildup of mana around a hundred meters behind her. She had never felt mana from that far away.

The mana vanished and the sound of approaching wind could be heard, even with Ilea’s only partially healed ears. The paralysis only affected the body and not skills or the circulation of mana after all and by now healing herself was mere instinct.

A massive wave of air disrupted the frozen scene as wagons, stone and people alike were flung in their frozen states. The circle of wagons was rapidly pushed together to first form an oval and then a line as people in between them were crushed by a cacophony of wood, stone and metal, their screams silent, frozen by paralysis.

The lucky long ranged guards atop the wagons were flung towards the Nazarks, while the unlucky ones were impaled by flying debris. A few of them got completely crushed while others were dismembered or torn apart.

Ilea was hit by a massive impact to her back, flung towards the monsters in front of the caravan. The bone plates and scales in her armor reduced the damage to only a cracked spine and around twenty shattered ribs.

She would’ve been torn apart like some of the other unfortunate souls on top of the wagons if she didn’t have her high defensive stats and the buffs she applied to her body.

The fighters fared a bit better as the second line of wagons somewhat stopped the first. Some of them were still crushed but most only got injured, the impact waking them from their paralyzed state.

Only a couple of the Nazarks were hit by debris, most of them remained in their frozen state.

Ilea was thrown towards the monsters, tumbling several times before heavily impacting into a large boulder. This injured her further but not as much as whatever had impacted her before.

The broken ribs however punctured her lungs and other organs as blood oozed from her mouth and newly made holes in her body.

Her second stage of Reconstruction shined as she focused on the most dangerous of injuries. Her consciousness a testament to the toughness of her stats, body and mind. She was lying with her face towards the caravan and to the side of the frozen Nazarks.

Bones were reset and regrown as new tissue formed in and around her organs. The cracking was unsettling to hear but Ilea was most shocked by the first injury she had already healed.

Her heart had been punctured by a rib. ‘How do you even survive that… that’s impossible…,’ her half working mind told her as her skills and instincts slowly reconstructed her body.

Groans and screams started to fill the space as flung bodies came to a halt, some only skidding for a few meters while others impacted into the waiting Nazark, breaking both their own bodies and the monster’s.

Ilea’s body started to twitch as feeling returned to her. Behind the caravan she saw two battered scaly wings rising. She gasped and started coughing up blood when a head lifted itself between the wings, a long green and scaled neck supporting its ascent.

Two white eyes stared into her blue ones just as another hiss entered her ears. She felt a pressure similar to the Demon’s, much more raw though and even stronger.

The still standing people and Nazarks fell to their knees, holding their heads as Ilea gasped for air, finally having coughed out more blood than she wanted to question.

She got on all fours when the hiss finally receded, checking herself up and down even though her healing skill told her she was mostly fine again. Her HP took a hit but she kept healing the damage as she slowly got to her feet.

Facing the monster nearly two hundred meters away, she finally managed to use identify.

[Basilisk – lvl ????]

Ilea in that moment didn’t want to know what the four question marks meant and simply stared at the mighty beast. People started shouting again while everyone that could move started running or crawling towards the rift’s exit.

“Flee!!! Run for your lives!” Arven’s voice overpowered the shouts and screams for a second as the seemingly uninjured guard captain walked towards the fleeing warriors and towards the Basilisk while unsheathing his sword.

‘What is he doing?’ Ilea thought, removed from her awed state by his display of stupid heroism. She noticed that some of the warriors and mages stopped running at his shout. Others apparently didn’t run to begin with.

“Do what you can then Ilea.” she said to herself as her eyes focused. She slapped herself on her cheeks turning them red and blinked towards the nearest fallen warrior.

‘Head injury but still alive…,’ her touch told her as she pumped mana into the half dead man.

“The fast one’s with me, we can’t tank that one. Rock mages form deflective plates. The rest try to save as many as possible!” Arven’s instructions were overheard by Ilea as she told the groggy man on the ground to run.

He looked at her confused and then towards the Basilisk and the carnage around them before nodding. “Don’t run too fast, you’re not out of the woods yet.” she said and blinked to the next fallen human.

Three of them she found to be dead, the next one was woken up from his unconscious state by a pulse of reconstructive mana.

Ilea continued her work as pieces of rock impaced close to her and gushes of wind sliced into the stone around the rift.

‘To know there’s a Basilisk so close to the entrance… new roads will have to be built further away...’ Arven thought as the mix of snake and dragon before him bit down on a too slow mage.

The victim managed to detonate a massive explosion inside the beasts mouth as his last act of defiance, managing to stagger the beast for a split second.

Seven warriors had stayed with him, four mages were still standing and even two rangers were firing their ineffective arrows at the monster before them. Five of the defenders with classes that didn’t have speed enhancements were rummaging through the wagon wreckage to find survivors. Their high stats in Strength helped tremendously.

A blue and fiery glow caught his eye as a smile spread on his lips. ‘Perhaps not all hope is lost…,’ turning away from the teleporting healer, he faced the Basilisk again.

“Deflect!” he shouted as the monster opened its wings. Ice formed before himself and the two mages that stood close to him right before the powerful wind magic impacted them. Most of it was redirected by the quickly cracking ice before them and cut into the ground or the rock behind them.

One of the mages was flung back but still standing. Mia focused back on the creature after having saved the three people’s lives. “Ice Blade” she said with her hands outstretched, wincing at the cut in her left side.

The massive blades of ice impacted the Basilisk’s head without doing noticeable damage. It did change its focus towards the woman though and slithered towards her with incredible speed and an open maw.

One of the warriors impacted the beast from the side with a powerful shield bash, redirecting it enough to miss the dodging Mia.

The snake smashed into the stone wall as the survivors regrouped. “We need to get further away from the carts! We still have a healer!” Arven shouted and gestured them to follow him.

“Keep attacking!” he shouted to the mages and Rangers who continued to shoot fire magic, rocks and arrows towards the beast that slowly emerged from the cracked stone wall.

Its mouth opened as Arven shouts “Fortify!” the hiss made them all clench their teeth but they were not overwhelmed by the pressure anymore with the support of his ability.

“Now COME! we’ll show you humanity’s power!” Arven shouted in defiance as the Basilisk lifted its head, towering nearly twenty meters high with a wing span of fifteen meters.

“RUN!” Ilea shouted at the slowly walking woman she had just healed. All the adventurers and guards that were still alive were now on their way outside the cave. Some of them started helping to clear debris and help the civilians out of the wreckage. The ones still alive at least.

Ilea turned back to the wreckage, working even faster at clearing it than the warriors and defenders close to her. She flung hundreds of kilograms worth of wood away as if it was tinder.

‘Another one…,’ she thought, as she grabbed the half mushed corpse from the wreckage. She held back a choke as she unceremoniously tossed the corpse behind her. ‘I don’t have time for respect nor revulsion…,’

She knew that she’d have to work over what she was seeing right now at a later time, should she survive. That time wasn’t now though, there still were lives to be saved.

A whimper could be heard as another piece of wood was thrown away. “Chloe… o no…,” she whispered as she carefully started healing the woman.

“Circulate the mana through yourself. I know you can do it!” she said, while working on the worst damage. The girl had miraculously survived. She was standing inside the cart circle with the merchants and civilians.

“S… Seb… Sebastian…,” the girl stutterd as Ilea stabilized her.

“Can you heal the rest… look at me, focus!” Ilea grabbed her face to which the girl nodded with tears in her eyes and blood all over her.

“Good. When you’re done you run outside.” Ilea told her while moving back to the wreckage. Behind where she had found Chloe was Sebastian and three other people, much less injured than anyone else she had found so far.

A half formed shield of battered roots was formed behind Sebastian although he lay there unconscious. Checking on the people around him, she healed him first.

Slapping his face, his eyes gained focus “The Basilisk.. Ilea.” he locked eyes with her and then looked around, immediately starting to heal the people laying there.

“Can you finish here then? I can help the others distract it.” she said to him, readying for a fight.

“I can feel the life energies of another five people here. I’ll get to it immediately.” He said as he stumbled to his feet. The people around him started to wake.

“You’ll have to exit the rift immediately after. We’ll hold it off as long as we can.”

He nodded just as a hiss ran through their bodies. Ilea stumbled but caught herself while Sebastian didn’t seem to be affected except for his frown deepening.

“It’s angry, we have invaded its domain… it’s… it has young…,” he said

“Great news for it then! I’ll go congratulate it!” Ilea helped up the people around her that had fallen down from the hiss.

“You don’t understand… it will not pursue us if we leave… it’s only defending. Leave as fast as you can. I’ll be done in… three minutes.” Sebastian finished as roots started to surgically push aside wreckage to reveal the battered body of a girl below.

Ilea nodded to him and blinked above the wreckage. “Defenders! Sebastian the healer is below me, he can sense the living. Help him get to them.” she finished but only half of the searching people heard her.

Sprinting forward Ilea looked at the massive Basilisk up close for the first time. It was nearly fifty meters long nose to tail tip, its head twenty meters above ground with its wings extended.

Blinking and running closer, she saw a small group of warriors and mages led by the black armored Arven shouting his defiance. ‘Let’s play then.’ she thought, as a smile spread on her face.

Arven’s shout was interrupted by a flap of the Basilisk’s wings. Ice and rock formed in an instant before them as the wind was redirected to their sides.

Both broke and through the splintered wall the monster’s teeth and eyes was all he could see. Raising his shield, the sound of an impact filled his ears but his arms told a different story than his mind.

The dust settled and Ilea stood before him, cracks in her expertly crafted not so new anymore Drake armor. A blue light shone through the cracks, runes of blue light exposed on her naked skin wherever the armor was ripped open. Red wisps of fire danced around her and blood covered her entire being, giving what remained of her red armor a sinister color.

Her head turned towards him and blue piercing eyes locked with his gray ones. A smile was plastered on her face as the tissue of her ravaged arm reformed before him, the bones and flesh completely ripped apart by the punch she had just delivered.

‘What.. are you..,’ he thought as a hiss from their left stole both of their attention.

“We need around three minutes. Sebastian will get the others out.” she said, seemingly not even bothered by the mental pressure that hammered against his Fortitude enhanced defenses.

“It’s defending its newborn. We’ve come at a bad time.” Ilea said, forming a fist with her already reformed arm. “Three minutes and we’re out.”

Arven nodded to her, knowing that Sebastian had some sort of druid class. They were renowned for feeling whatever a beast was thinking.

Ilea in the meantime blinked to Mia and touched her side. She winced but relief spread on her face, still focused on the enemy that was slowly getting up again.

A discolored dent could be seen on the beast’s head where Ilea had impacted it with all her enhanced strength and Destruction. It didn’t seem to bother the Basilisk a lot though as it immediately lifted its wings again to deliver another air attack.

The deflective ice cracked as all of the remaining survivors protected themselves with lifted arms. “My mana won’t last much longer. Buy me some time so I can meditate!” Mia shouted over the noise of battle as she slowed her movements down.

‘She has the second stage as well… neat.’ Ilea thought as Arven used Fortify to bolster everyone’s defenses.

“You two to the right, you two to the left!” Arven shouted as he gestures to the warriors and Ilea. Everyone fanned out at incredible speed while the rangers and mages continued to assault the beast with fire and arrows.

Closing in on the beast, Ilea blinked to its head again. The beast’s eye quickly focused on her though and its head impacted her with a quick movement, sending her flying.

With her arms before her, only cracks formed on her wrists that were healed even as she was flying through the air. In the meantime the warrior that was running with her managed to bite his sword into the snake like tail, before being flung away too.

Arven was more successful as his massive axe bit into the base of the Basilisk’s right wing. The cut seemed insignificant but the beast hissed and started to thrash around.

Arven was saved by the other warrior with him that managed to drag him away right before the beast’s jaw closed on their previous location.

The injury caused to the beast’s wing seemed to have more of an impact than whatever Ilea managed with her punch before as it seemed to be a bit more apprehensive of the humans before it.

Precious seconds were won as the beast took in its adversaries again and hissed. ‘It’s now or never.’ Ilea thought as she landed, skidding ten meters upon impact.

“Leave the cave now! I’ll get its attention!” She shouted and blinked several times towards the beast while running at full speed.

The others looked on as the healer disappeared and reappeared next to the Basilisk’s wing before a nova of fire extended outwards, getting another hiss out of the monster. The Heat Surge spell was not even close to powerful enough to damage the beast but it was certainly flashy enough to get the cave dweller’s attention.

“She’s right. The ones without any energy left leave. Injured also.” the other mages and the rangers nodded and started to run towards the rift’s entrance. Four of the warriors left as well, nodding to Arven with battered shields and armor.

“Tom, can you get Ryan?” Arven asked the Rogue next to him

He nodded and ran towards where Ryan had been flung before. Ryan was the warrior that had cut the Basilisk’s side after Ilea had been pushed away initially.

“Mia, you think we can give them some more time?” he asked the ice mage, who somehow still managed to look dignified with her dress destroyed and blood all over her. She smiled at him as her mana condensed.

Ilea blinked under the fast moving head of the Basilisk and delivered punch after punch into the hard scales of its body. Nothing even slowed the beast and it was too apprehensive at this point to let her get close to its head.

Both Ilea and the monster noticed the mana buildup coming from below. The Basilisk moved in on the mage as Ilea blinked above the monster’s head to deliver a kick with her heel to its skull.

The beast crashed into the stone below, while Ilea was propelled forwards by both the impact of her kick and the speed of the Basilisk. She felt the wave of ice pass below her before landing behind the remaining warrior and mage.

Turning around, the monster was fighting through a frozen wing and face, both stuck to the ground. Mia collapsed and was caught by Arven who quickly ran towards Ilea. “We leave!” he shouted and she quickly followed.

The Rogue managed to get the remaining warrior out and they were running a hundred meters parallel to Ilea and Arven. There was no sight of Sebastian or anybody else in the rift.

Another hiss resounded and Ilea looked back to see the Basilisk lifting itself up, cracking the ice in its wing. Its eyes focused on Ilea and Arven as it slithered closer to them. Its speed didn’t match theirs, apparently unsure if to let them go.

‘I’ll be back for you my friend…,’ Ilea thought while running as she stopped looking at the beast, quickly scanning the remains of the caravan and the pile of bodies before it. ‘...just you wait.’

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 30 Claymore

Chapter 30 Claymore

Roland waded through the Nazarks before him, cutting into their limbs with his axes. After getting outside again, some of them had turned on the humans running behind and between them.

As the terror of hearing and seeing the Basilisk left them, they were again filled with bloodlust and revenge.

Roland didn’t care much, he welcomed the fight and these were certainly enemies he could face. ‘Unlike that fucker in there… I hope some of the people survived… Ilea.’

He liked the woman. She was talkative and fun, quick to joke yet completely fine with an afternoon of no words at all. And of course the sex. He could finally go all out, compared to his husband and two wives. ‘Although George can take quite a bit as well…,’ he thought.

Dodging a claw that would otherwise have taken his face off, he kicked the Nazark and smashed one of his heavy axes into its skull. Blood splattered over him and he smiled, a red glow barely recognizable in his eyes with only the shrouded light of the moon.

“A cloudy night.” he said, ripping the axe and half of the monster’s head from the corpse.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!!” Iris laughed loudly as her claymore cleaved through another of the unholy monsters “FEEL MY WRATH! CURSED BEINGS!” a claw impacted her head but she just impaled the Nazark before her.

Magic lit up the night as warriors glowed in different auras, blades of fire and ice impacting upon the monster’s bodies while torrents of spikes impaled even more of them.

The lower leveled monsters didn’t stand a chance against the remaining warriors and mages of the caravan guard, even with their once vastly superior numbers. Many were already killed in their initial assault, and what was left was quickly being whittled away.

“Regroup! To mee!” the surviving leader of the support group shouted. Most of the survivors follow his call, quickly building a core of fighters, pushing back against the remaining Nazarks while protecting the heavily injured.

They moved through the monsters, their formation strengthened in time with rangers and mages. Behind them some of the civilians even started to throw rocks at the enemies while others laid on the ground crying.

In the end they cleared out the beasts, some of them attempting to flee. Two warriors didn’t let up though and hunted down the running monsters. One in silence and the other in a manic laughter.

“She’s mad that one.” someone commented and got a couple grunts of assent.

They noticed that after a while more and more people came running or walking from the rift. The sound of battle still raged inside but none of them went back in.

“That was a Basilisk… I hear they can take on whole groups of Ruby level adventurers… ” one of the fighters said, nervously moving his sword from hand to hand.

“Stop that hooey. Let’s help the ones that come out. Form a defensive line back there.” the support leader, an older white haired enchanter took charge and motioned for the survivors to move further away from the rift.

The faster warriors were to take the exiting survivors and bring them to the rest where they were treated as well as could be done. Sadly none of the healers had made it out.

For the next ten to fifteen minutes more and more people came out. Roland was still on the hunt while Iris had returned. She was sitting near the group mumbling to herself about unbelievers and blood mostly.

Some of the others tried to distance themselves a bit from the woman. She was quite famous for killing whomever she deemed unholy. Some wondered why she was allowed to join the caravan but one doesn’t question the guild.

Arven or Mia could deal with her after all, so it wasn’t an issue. Neither were here right now though.

“Look, more made it!” one of the surviving civilians exclaimed.

One of the healers was emerging from the rift with nearly ten other people, most of them being defenders.

“Sebastian...” the old enchanter said, relief spreading on his face.

They soon reached the group. “Ilea is still in there. I think Arven, her and some others are distracting the Basilisk… we’re safe here though, it won’t follow us out.”

Many of the people shouted or clapped at that. Some because they were apparently now safe. Some because they knew Arven or Ilea and had seen them fight or heal.

“They stayed behind to save us…,” someone said. Others joined with similar statements while Sebastian started to treat the injured.

Three minutes later some guards and adventurers exited the rift and joined them. Ilea, Mia and Arven were apparently still buying time against the terrifying Basilisk.

Some of the survivors went closer to the rift again, believing the words of Sebastian. Just as they reached the massive entrance, the five remaining survivors exited. A rogue helping a warrior stand, Ilea waking next to them and Arven carrying Mia.

He set the woman down and Ilea immediately checked her. “She’s fine. No mana though, just let her sleep for a while.” Arven nodded at that. They had made sure the Basilisk wasn’t following them before exiting.

The beast was still sending waves of air their way but didn’t move closer. The magic dissipating after a couple hundred meters.

Ilea started to treat the man that was running next to her on their assault on the beast. Ryan was apparently his name. “You can lie down, back to the rock.” he followed her orders as she started treating his broken arm and shoulder.

“Unholy!” a sudden scream made all the people focus on Iris who was pushing through the people around her. Her armor stained by blood, she unsheathed her sword and suddenly rushed at Ilea with an incredible burst of speed.

Her claymore held high, Arven could only watch as the healer he so learned to respect was cleaved in half.

That didn’t happen though. Ilea sidestepped skillfully and just slapped the woman with all her strength and a full load of Destruction. A loud clap resounded and a wave of force could be felt by the closest bystanders as the corpse of Iris slid a couple meters to the left of Ilea, her neck broken.

Ilea shook most of the new blood on her hand off and continued to treat Ryan. “Anyone got a problem with that?” she asked, with her back to the group.

Nobody said anything until Arven started laughing. A loud, deep laugh and soon joined by everyone else present.

The survivors couldn’t stop laughing, their situation so ridiculous, all the adrenaline leaving their bodies. Some collapsed in relief while others hugged each other. Nobody had heard Arven laugh before but that didn’t matter in that moment.

Ilea finished patching up Ryan and helped Sebastian with the rest. He smiled weakly at her, not stopping his work.

They were done an hour later when Arven got up from his sitting position next to Mia and addressed everyone.

“Alright people. We’re only forty five remaining out of the hundred fifty that left Riverwatch. We have some decisions to make.”

Thirty seven out of those forty five were from the guard. A miracle really that eight civilians even survived. They had been between the carts when the Basilisk first attacked. Most of them died instantly.

Ilea finished her work and joined the others that were listening to Arven. They voted on going back to Riverwatch or continuing their way to Salia. Most of them wanted to continue. Some of them seemed to change their mind after seeing Ilea and Arven choosing Salia.

“Alright that’s settled then. I suggest we camp out here for a while until everyone’s recovered a bit. Then some of us can go in again to salvage whatever we can from the caravan. Did anyone see any horses survive?”

Some people nodded and mentioned that they saw a bunch of them running away towards the forest. Arven nodded to the remaining Rangers who nodded and fanned out. It was in the middle of the night but they would likely still find the animals.

“Tom, do you feel up for a scout inside the rift in an hour or so?” Arven asked the Rogue.

“Sure, if you and Ilea wait at the entrance to bail me out should anything happen.” he replied

They were of course alright with that and so everyone spent the next hour recovering. Seeing all their physical injuries were healed, it was mostly a mental thing. Ilea remembered after half an hour of checking her armor’s damage that she could heal mental damage. ‘Maybe it works on shock and building PTSD as well…,’

She started healing the civilians who all seemed a bit more relaxed after. Most of the adventurers and guards seemed to be fine, mostly. Life in those professions brought similar things like what happened that night on a regular basis, albeit maybe not as intense.

Ilea finished checking up on the last one of them when Arven patted her on the shoulder. “It’s time, ready?”

She joined him and they escorted Tom into the rift. “This is far enough, you guys are too loud.” the rogue stopped them with a gesture after a while and continued on alone, crouching slightly.

“I couldn’t do that…,” Ilea said after a minute.

“What do you mean?” Arven asked, scanning the open space before them. There was no sight of the Basilisk or anything else moving really.

“I mean the rougey kind of work you know…,” she kicked the dust on the ground.

“Yea. Not my thing either. Didn’t expect you to be a psycho though.” the man said with a completely straight face.

“Psycho, what’s that supposed to mean? And yea, you’re more the leader type.” Ilea then removed her mace and started playing with it, throwing it into the air and catching it.

“It’s what I call people like you. The ones that get enjoyment out of… well this…,” he gestured to the scene before them.

“It’s not that I enjoy the killing and deaths, trust me I don’t. It’s just… the fighting itself. There’s something about it.” the mace fell to the ground a couple meters away from her. She went to it and picked it up.

“I know I know. Many Psychos do though, so you’re a special case I think. Sometimes I just think it would make it easier you know. To enjoy it.” he started tweaking the straps on his armor.

“I get you.” she started to throw her mace again. “What’s that armor made of by the way? Heard someone whisper about a dragon.” This time she caught the mace out of the air.

“It’s a secret.” was his plain response. In that moment Ilea felt a presence with her spherical perception and turned to her side to see Tom crouching closer to her. His eyes widened and he straightened himself immediately.

“At least you’re not completely unaware of your surroundings. But holy fuck you idiots, can you be even louder?” he cocked his head as he looked at the now slightly embarrassed pair.

“No sign of the Basilisk, or anything else living. The tracks should be at least an hour old so the thing probably left soon after the fight.”

“You think we’re fine with checking?” Arven asked, none of the embarrassment showing anymore.

Tom made a wavy motion with his hand. “I’d give it another hour or two. Maybe let them sleep first.” he suggested. Arven grunted affirmatively.

They went back outside and informed the group. A watch plan was put into place while the rest prepared to get some sleep. Some of the others apparently had a similarly reduced need for sleep as Ilea. She believed the Body of Azarinth skill or the class itself was responsible for that.

She could certainly sleep for over ten hours if she was in a safe environment and wasn’t woken up, but two hours was all she really needed at this point. If she meditated regularly, she could even push sleep aside for days upon days. It didn’t feel right to her though and would always end with a headache. Ilea didn’t like headaches.

Sleep took her after all though as the night had been rather intense, even for her. A shout woke her up three hours later. One of the guards on watch had his sword drawn at the sight before him.

“It’s alright, I know the guy.” Ilea said from her half sitting position.

Roland gestured to her in a friendly manner and sheathed his axes. “You survived hmm? Well I won’t say I’m surprised. Managed to run away in the end?” he approached them as the guard sheathed his sword.

“I was in there for most of it. Quite a thing that Basilisk…,” she laid back down, resting her head on her hands.

Roland laid down next to her “Glad you made it.” he said after a minute of silence.

“Same.” Ilea said.

The sky was clear that night, stars shining bright. People sleeping could be heard while the occasional howl of a wolf split the night.

Ilea quietly chuckled to herself. ‘How did I get here…,’ she smiled at the absurd situation she had found herself in. ‘Guess I’m twenty now too. And I didn’t even celebrate my birthday by shutting myself in and avoiding all human contact...’

She didn’t feel like it was her mission to find out why she came to this world but there was certainly interest. No obvious party declared her the hero of the land and there seemed plenty of people stronger or wiser than her. Neither was there a demon lord to be defeated.

‘It just seems like some sort of joke. I do appreciate jokes but where’s the punchline?’ she thought about it for another hour or two before getting up and stretching.

The sun was already rising at that point and more of the guards woke up. The atmosphere was certainly not a happy one but to Ilea it seemed not gloomy enough for what happened the last night. ‘Life here is tough huh?’

Roland shared some fresh eggs and meat he fried with her. “Where’s the wind taking you after this? You’ll stay in Salia?”

“No no, I’m heading for Dawntree actually, I’ll likely stay in Salia for a couple days or so though. What about you?” she bit down on one of the eggs.

“Salia for me. Back to the family again.” he finished eating and started sharpening one of his axes with a whetstone.

Ilea finished her first egg “Kids? Don’t tell me you’re married.”

“Oh yes, yes. Seven of them. Two wives and a husband.” he smiled at her, completely straight faced.

Ilea laughed at his joke but stopped after half a minute “Wait, you’re serious?”

“Of course… why wouldn’t I be?” he stopped his sharpening and looked at her confused.

Ilea bit into the second egg, not realizing she was eating the shell as well. “Well that’s neat…,” she gave him a thumbs up.

‘And here I thought he was cheating… he’s only triple cheating.’ she continued to chew on the egg ‘Or is it even cheating for him?’

“Can I meet them? Your family I mean.” she tested.

“Sure! They’ll love you. Although the kids might be too much for you… main reason I do this job, next to you know… my well let’s call them needs.” he chuckled lightheartedly at that and continued to sharpen his axe.

‘Well that settles it then I guess. I won’t out myself as the backwards conservative prude that prefers monogamy…,’

“Sure, I’ll need a guide to the city anyway. Maybe one of your kids can show me around.”

Arven’s signature clap resounded and woke the last of the late sleepers. “Tom says the coast is clear. Ilea and… Roland was it? Feel like joining us to check the wreckage?”

They both got ready. Ilea asked Roland quietly why the people didn’t seem more bothered by what had happened the night before. “What do you mean? They encountered a Basilisk and lived. If anything there’s reason to celebrate.” was his response.

“Huh...” she got out as she followed him and the other seven people that chose to join Arven. ‘Guess something like that beast is more akin to a natural catastrophe…,’ she thought.

The group entered the rift’s entrance and were joined by Tom and another roguish adventurer. There was no sight of any beast and the place was as quiet and peaceful as when they had arrived the day prior.

‘Eerie…,’ Ilea thought as she looked at the pile of bodies and wreckage of carts. They quietly got to work. There were too many corpses to be reasonably buried, not that Ilea knew for sure that that was actually a custom here.

One of the mages made a massive hole in the ground where another one burned the corpses. Of course they were first stripped of any useful gear. ‘That seems cold…,’ Ilea thought, looking at the scene.

It didn’t seem like something special to the people around her, just everyday life...or death. She shuddered and continued to help work through the wreckage.

The sun was shining into the rift from far above, illuminating half of the cave inside and the humans working to recover what they could from their once proud caravan.

The group worked for nearly six hours to salvage what they could. Some of the goods were rather sturdy and four wagons that stood a little to the side were nearly completely fine.

The rangers had gotten some of the horses back in the night. They had more horses than needed to pull the carts at least.

Another two hours passed until the damaged wagons were repaired and filled with whatever was remaining. Many of the people had to walk next to the wagons because of a lack of horses. They would need a bit over a week to get to Salia.

Considering the large amount of management and coordination a large caravan needed, they didn’t lose as much time as Ilea expected by going this much slower.

Some beasts tried to get close and some of the guards got injured but it was much like the first week of travel. Nothing major like the Nazark’s attack or the Basilisk happened. It might just have overwhelmed the already decimated group.

Roland was certainly confused when Ilea refused to share his bed from now on but accepted her decision.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 31 Arrival

Chapter 31 Arrival

The journey took them close from the base of Karth back into the forest. After around five days of traveling through the forest, it suddenly opened up into open and a bit hilly territory as far as the eye could see.

From their position a bit higher up than the country before them, Ilea could see kilometers into the distance. A cold breeze was ruffling through the healer’s hair and made her cloak flap a bit.

One of the survivors had a bit of talent in tailoring so offered to patch up everyone’s clothes if he could sit on one of the carts. Most of them had obliged immediately, some even trying to pay the man. He certainly had enough materials to work with from all the gear the deceased had left behind.

There were lonely trees moving in the wind, some having only half or less of their summer adornments left, filling parts of the landscape with orange or brown color.

A particularly strong gust of wind made some of the horses recoil. Ilea’s blue eyes pierced the sky as she looked at the gray clouds above, the color a testament to their past week of travel.

“Three to four days now.” Arven said as he walked up next to her, his armor clinking a little as he moved. “And we’ve made it through the danger zone.”

Ilea chuckled at his joke but then remembered that for one, Arven didn’t know that the crocodile was an apex predator that lived for over 100 million years because it was the perfect killing machine. And secondly, Arven didn’t do jokes.

Traveling through the albeit hilly yet non forested land was much easier than through the woods, where danger could lurk behind every tree. The caravan reached a hill overlooking Salia four days later, the quiet pace a welcome change to many of them.

Ilea did get a bit bored after finishing the books she had with her from Splicer. Knowing that the whole caravan knew at this point that she could fight and had some sort of fire magic, she instead tried to work on her skills.

‘Why isn’t there a redmoon grass or something...’ the progress of even her flame spell was certainly not impressive. It made sense as she was traveling surrounded by lots of capable warriors. Nearly no danger was associated with her skill usage. They would certainly grow with time but nothing compared to using them in a battle where her life was on the line. Especially facing off higher leveled enemies while completely alone.

Healing skills and even something like the buff of a bard were subject to this. When you healed someone in a walled off facility inside of a city, the skill growth was lower than stabilizing people while enemies were still around, trying to stop you.

Smithing or cooking were apparently subject to the ingredients and the difficulty at which they were used. Ilea had been a bit frustrated and a nice enough adventurer explained that to her after her sixth hour of using the Flame spell.

She did however gain a level in the Flame spell and also one in the Body of Flame skill in the week they were traveling. Whenever somebody was in the mood and had time, Ilea would ask them to spar with her, learning a lot about different weapons and commonly used skills.

Nobody felt like holding back information as many were personally familiar with the healer that had saved theirs or a friend’s life.

The last stretch to the city that lay in the distance became a bit of a struggle because the dark clouds that had been looming over them for half a day now finally released their payload. Not a dangerous ones to humans but certainly not favorable to the wheels of the carts or everyone’s footing.

“Who goes there!” a shout came from atop the city walls, a little less high than the ones in Riverwatch but still quite impressive to Ilea.

Arven emerged from the group and removed his helmet. “Arven, we’re the caravan planned to arrive three days ago from Riverwatch.”

The man on the wall signaled someone below. Presumably to open the gates as a loud mechanical noise resounded while the massive metal structure came to life.

“Come on in then. Welcome to Salia!” the man completely misread the mood or perhaps thought the gloomy atmosphere was caused by the dark sky and the pouring rain. It was late afternoon when they arrived, the city alive with merchants and people going about their business.

Some merchants came up to the caravan immediately, already starting to haggle for prices. A couple of them quickly realized that too few merchants were with the carts.

Arven talked to a city guard who quickly sent another to get someone. “Alright, let’s move the wagons somewhere dry and wait for a guard officer. Tom, can you go get someone from the guild? Then we won’t have to go through the whole story twice.”

They moved the carts, horses and themselves to a nearby a little secluded area where the horses could eat and drink, the architecture providing shelter from the rain.

Ilea noticed that the buildings reminded her a bit of pictures she’d seen of Italy and old Roman structures. Quite a different style compared to the practical approach most of Riverwatch was built on. There were intricate design here adorning nearly every building. A lot of them looked rather old.

‘Do they have a colosseum?’ she thought while drying herself off. Heat Surge certainly wasn’t a possibility here with all those people but her flame spell did the job just fine.

The city guard officer joined them rather quickly, a bulky man with black hair and full plate armor. Ilea couldn’t see his level which meant he was at least lvl 94 in his main class.

The officer listened to a quick explanation from Arven, his eyes widening slightly at the mention of a Basilisk. The man agreed to wait for the guild representative before they went into detail though.

Ten minutes later, a woman with blond hair and an incredibly bored expression joined them. Some gasps resounded around the group as they saw her. Apparently she was famous or perhaps infamous.

“Valery, glad you’re the one to join us. Then this will be done with even faster.” Arven seemed glad at the woman’s presence and went into a detailed retelling of their travels. He left out anything that wasn’t vital while still painting an understandable picture.

His good reputation and relationship with Valery was as Ilea later discovered the reason why their group wasn’t questioned more thoroughly about the loss of over two thirds of their caravan’s personnel.

Arven informed them all that they were free to enter the city and do as they will. Payment for the guard services could be received at the city’s branch of the guild.

Some of the people immediately left in groups or alone. A couple of them nodded to Ilea before going back into the rain while five people personally thanked her and Sebastian again. She refused money from two of them.

Arven was the last one to approach her. “Again, thanks for your work. Many more would’ve died if it weren’t for you.” the man shook her hand.

“Same to you captain Arven.” she returned the handshake and he was off ‘Not one for overcomplicated farewells.’

“Look at you...” Roland stopped leaning on the wall next to him and grabbed his pack. “the famous healer Ilea. Or murderous slapper I hear? Maybe even Psycho healer?” he joked and approached her.

“The invitation stands, it’s already late and the inns have little space even if you book a week prior. You’ll also have your own room.” he winked at her as he passed, stopping a couple meters further and looking back at her.

“I’m not one to turn down a free room.” she said and followed him through the city, the rain falling on the cobbled ground. Arven's talk with the guild and guard took nearly an hour as the sky darkened even further.

The walk took them through a rather large part of the city until they reached a house among many. The architecture again impressed Ilea, although she assumed the sun would change the scenery quite a bit in its already high favor.

Roland knocked on the door, noticeably holding back his strength. Still the noise must have woken at least some people inside the big building because a comotion could immediately be heard behind the heavy door.

The door swung open and a horde of kids smashed into Roland with shouts of “Dad” and other variations joining the noise of the rain outside. Behind the children stood a woman that stared first at Roland and then at Ilea. Her red eyes piercing seemingly into her soul.

Ilea smiled and waved at the brown haired woman. 'Scary...' her only thought at the sight of the demon. The children at that point started to notice the woman, their reactions as different as their looks. 'This looks more like a kindergarten instead of a family...'

One of the kids immediately hid behind the woman that was now standing in the doorway. Another one of them came up to Ilea, dark eyes staring into hers.

“Hey” Ilea said, lifting her hand in greeting

“Ello” the kid replied, imitating her gesture nonchalantly.

“Now now children, why don't you go in with Roland and welcome him back in the kitchen.” they immediately followed the woman's suggestion like a well trained group of huskies.

Passing her, Roland got a kiss on his cheek “Welcome back, glad you're alive.” she told him while was dragged away. He looked back a bit apologetic to Ilea.

“Hello, I'm Samantha. Roland's First wife.” she said to Ilea while folding her arms in front of her. Seeing no reaction from Ilea, she continued “He told you?”

“Two wives and one husband. He seems like quite the man for me to get that introduction.” Ilea said while closing in on the woman “I'm Ilea, nice to meet you Samantha.” she said, holding out her hand.

Sighing, the woman returned the greeting “Nearly every time he comes back...can you believe that the men usually react much worse?” Samantha seemed relieved to hear that Ilea wasn't too bothered, the situation apparently nothing new to her.

Ilea looked the woman over. She had dark brown hair, red piercing eyes and was of a medium build. In this world however Ilea had no idea regarding her capabilities. Her status told her the woman was a [Mage - lvl 43] which wasn’t much.

Samantha was wearing a very nice looking apron and a rather plain skirt and shirt below. “I can imagine...didn't expect him to be like that at the start. Considering his tendencies though...” Ilea told her while looking her up and down.

Samantha laughed at that, a very nice sounding laugh that reminded Ilea of her mother. 'Hope she's doing alright with me gone...oh who am I kidding, she'll be fine.' she thought, a part of her knowing that even a mother as uncaring as hers would not be unscathed by the disappearance of her only daughter.

Ilea cleared her mind of those thoughts. 'Nothing I can do about it now. Maybe there's a clone of me there now, or time is frozen. Or maybe that world never even existed...' she thought.

“You alright?” Samantha asked but didn't wait for an answer “There's still some dinner left. The people he brings usually stay for a night or two considering the housing situation around here. You're the same I presume?”

Ilea nodded and was promptly led inside while Samantha kept talking. “Well his 'tendencies' as you call them have certainly landed us one or the other quite special guest. I like you more than some already.” they walked into the nicely furnished building, the temperature rising as they passed the doorway.

“Not all of them?” Ilea said while smirking.

“You're not a man. So no, not even close.” Samantha said. Ilea did have her fair share of experience with relationships but certainly nothing as open as the people in this house had.

Ilea knew from her time in Elos and in Riverwatch specifically that polygamy wasn't considered too weird but it wasn't something you saw every day either.

They entered what Ilea thought was the kitchen slash dining room. A big man was cleaning behind a wooden counter. Apparently a warrior with a level of 52, not that she needed the prompt to determine that. He had scars all over his arms.

He looked at Ilea and then Samantha before shaking his head while smiling. “A healer even, how did he manage to land that?” he asked while throwing the towel over his shoulder.

“Nice to meet you lass” he said as he approached her, but was stopped short by one of the small boys running into him.

“You must be the husband then, or maybe a lover and cook?” she smiled at the scene as the man picked the boy up and whirled him around himself.

He stopped and put the now disoriented boy back down “All three hit the mark Ms Healer. George's the name. Warrior cook.”

‘Warrior fucking cook...oh well’ from another door in the room two of the kids ran inside while talking loudly about their returned dad. ‘One of their dads at least’ she thought but smiled as the scent of food entered her nostrils.

Ilea joined all the others at the a bit small table and shared a meal with them. She had long given up on remembering or even caring much about the different names and excited stories about hunting dragons and discovering ancient treasure, most of it coming from the kids that is.

She made an effort to remember the second wife’s name who joined them an hour later. ‘At least the adults...Sophie...Sophie, it’s Sophie Sophie Sophie...’ sadly her high Intelligence stat didn’t seem to help a lot with remembering names. ‘150 Intelligence my ass...although I wonder how differently my studies would go like this...’

‘...I could go into pro kickboxing...’ she finished the mead in front of her and sighed in a relaxed manner. The room had gotten a little more quiet since Samantha chased the kids away to bed. Roland had joined them again and the three were talking about the Basilisk and Roland’s travels while Ilea simply drank her mead.

‘Some time alone would be nice...maybe I’ll only stay the night.’ she thought, looking at the ceiling.

“How does your healing help with your periods?” Sophie asked and got Ilea out of her daydream.

‘How’d they get to that?’ she thought while looking at the three interested pairs of eyes. Ilea shrugged and explained a bit about how her pain tolerance skills would remove that problem while Reconstruction dealt with most of the rest. The blood was certainly a mess sometimes but nothing even comparable to what she dealt with after fighting...well, anything really.

Sophie seemed satisfied albeit a little annoyed at the benefits. She did however completely ignore Roland’s idea of becoming a healer or having some of the kids work towards it.

“I’ll not have that, they have to be able to defend themselves. No offense Ilea...you’re apparently a maniac and we’re working hard not to let them strive after their father’s way.” Sophie said.

“No offense taken. Hey if you’re alright with it it’s been quite a long day and I’d like to finally get some sleep in a real bed again.” Ilea slowly got up from her chair and was joined by Roland

“Sure you won’t join us? Trust me it’s fun and there’s plenty to like...” George said while Sophie blushed a little.

“Thank you but again, I’d prefer to just stay the night. I do appreciate the hospitality though and of course the invitation.” she winked at a disappointed George and followed Roland who had gestured her to do so.

“It’s certainly not the most luxurious home but it beats sleeping on the road every day of the week. George is right you know, our bed is better.” he finished while opening the wooden door to what was apparently the guest room.

“Thank you. Really. Also for accepting my way of life.” she told him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Roland nodded and closed the door behind himself “Have a good night Ilea.”

“You too” she said to the now quiet room but smiled at the comfortable looking bed before her. Ilea meticulously removed the damaged armor and clothes before entering her own personal heaven. It wasn’t as if this was the best bed she’d ever entered but it felt like an eternity since her last indulgence.

The girl with black hair and blue eyes got lost inside her blankets, resting inside the wooden room. Five children were sleeping in the house while two others worked on their magic and skills, trying to be as sneaky as possible. The adults of the house were training other skills of the more fun kind, at least if you asked most people.

The rain kept falling over the city and unbeknown to most of its inhabitants it also fell over Riverwatch and most of the lands directly south of Karth. An ominous feeling went through one or the other seasoned adventurer that night. Some of them rushing outside to find an enemy to fight while others were plagued by an uneasy rest or even nightmares.

Night passed and while many an unnamed monster and adventurer died of various different reasons that night none of them could explain the feeling that spread in that single moment the night before.

Ilea didn’t notice a thing like most creatures in and around Salia. She woke up to the faint smell of sizzling bacon pushing through the door to reach her enhanced senses. The noise she produced while waking was more akin to one a beast would make but nothing weird to anyone that knew the woman cuddled inside three blankets.

‘New day, less talk...hopefully.’ she thought and kept laying there until the taunting smell overwhelmed the comfort of bed and blankets.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 32 Slice of life

Chapter 32 Slice of life

‘This girl is legit creeping me out...’ Ilea thought as she stared into the little girl’s eyes.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked Roland who was finishing up his breakfast next to the three empty plates of Ilea.

He swallowed the last bit of bread and nodded while George came to collect the dishes.

“Glad you’re only staying today. You eat more than five children combined...” the self proclaimed warrior cook mentioned to her in passing.

‘Still not sure if he’s actually a warrior cook...’ her eyes narrowed as they bored into his large back.

Roland got her back on track as he wiped his mouth with a piece of cloth “Lily enjoys being quiet. Like you do...usually. And she knows the city quite well.”

‘And I’ll be babysitting one of your annoying children...’ was what she wanted to say but considering the hospitality they’d shown her there was no reason for her to decline. She nodded to the kid. To her surprise, Lily simply nodded back in a way too mature way.

“It’s not raining either today so you’ll be able to enjoy the city a bit more. Still planning to visit Dawntree? You know it’s nearly two weeks with a caravan.” Roland said as he got up from his chair.

“I do yes, although I won’t be joining a caravan this time around.” Ilea turned to the kid that was still looking at her “I’m Ilea and I heard you’ll be my guide to the city today. Are you ready to go?”

Lily nodded and started to walk towards the door. “It was really a pleasure to meet you Ilea. And thanks for saving all those people. Some of them I’ve known for quite some time you know. Your name will be quite well known as soon as word gets out.” Roland said as he put away the dishes.

“Oh I hope not. Just the way everyone glared at me inside the guild in Riverwatch was a bit much already.” she said as she shouldered her backpack that surprisingly was still in a rather good state.

“Oh you’ll be fine. If it’s too much just punch your way out. And now follow Lily before she gets impatient with you.” Roland said

Ilea went for a light hug and kissed him goodbye. “It was very nice to meet you Roland. And your family. They’re lovely...just...a bit much for me.”

“Why didn’t I meet you before all of the others...” he whispered at which George threw a towel his way.

“I heard that. You want to sleep in the guest room tonight?” George joked with a grin

“Goodbye Ilea. Do visit whenever you’re in Salia. Even if I might not be here.” Roland released their hug and bent down to grab the towel George had thrown his way.

“Goodbye Roland and George. Do greet the others for me.” she curtsied and turned around to find an empty hallway.

“She did it again...” Roland said but Ilea only smiled.

‘The hunt is on...’ she thought and extended her sphere of perception. Before Blinking away, Ilea placed five silver coins on the table. She did feel a little bit guilty about the amount of food she had eaten.

The girl was leaning on the side of the house and was certainly not prepared for Ilea to suddenly appear right behind her.

“Ready?” Ilea asked, surprised that the girl hadn’t even flinched. Her reddish eyes did widen a little though. Lily shrugged and walked away, Ilea following close behind.

“I need a smithy first to have my gear repaired.” she said to which Lily stopped in her tracks and started walking into a different direction.

There was no rain falling on the city of Salia but the weather was certainly nothing to be excited about. It reminded Ilea of Great Britain a lot. ‘I wonder how their one day of summer went...’ she thought.

From a side street a couple adventurers ran past them, talking excitedly about the newly discovered dungeon not far from here. Bread and food was being sold in the streets quite similarly to Riverwatch. Ilea could resist everything of course, except temptation.

Lily didn’t say anything to Ilea’s questioning gestures but nonetheless took the food given to her. The two girls walked the streets quietly, enjoying the busy life around them. Ilea observed that Salia was a bit more cramped than Riverwatch.

She thought it might be an issue with city planning and the necessity for high walls. ‘Can’t blame them with monsters out there...I wonder how that tree farmer does it...Greg was the name?’

Lily tugged on Ilea’s arm, causing the woman to stop walking and focus around herself. “Oh a smithy. Thanks Lily.” Ilea patted the girl on her head to which she recoiled with a disgruntled face.

“Alright alright.” Ilea gestured placidly and then extended her hand. Lily shook it and seemed happy with the arrangement. ‘Do I have to pay her as well?’

“You wanna come inside too? I might even buy you something if it’s not too unreasonable.” Ilea said. She had grown to like the girl in the last half hour maybe because she hadn’t spoken a single word so far. Ilea was quite sure that Lily’s lips curled in a smile at her question but didn’t bother trying to pry any.

The smithy looked like a smithy, but to Ilea it was a lot less charming than Earl’s shop in Riverwatch. The architecture was of course rather nice like most buildings she’d seen in Salia so far but there were several attendants inside and everything was a bit too shiny for her taste.

One of them soon joined her and inquired about her wishes. “I’d like to have my armor repaired if that’s even possible at this point.” she gestured at herself and the several holes and cuts upon her otherwise still new gear.

The attendant nodded and gestured her to follow. “I’ll have one of the smiths evaluate it for you. That would be a fee of twenty silver. The cost and duration of the repair itself will be evaluated by him.” the man said as he rang a small bell on the wall.

“You can look around you know.” Ilea told Lily but found her doing just that already.

“Yes, how may I help you?” a bearded man with a level of forty in smithing stepped out from what Ilea assumed was the workshop. The attendant quickly filled him in while sometimes doing some weird gestures with his hands that Ilea couldn’t make sense of. The smith nodded and took a look at her armor.

“It’s very well made. We do have some Drake materials around somewhere.” he talked while walking around Ilea. “Gonna be around half a day’s work.” he stopped in front of her. “Three gold coins for the repair. You can come get it in three days.” he finished.

“Let’s make that one gold coin, I’m not as clueless as I look.” she said. The smith looked at the attendant and slapped the back of his head.

“Two. The damage IS rather extensive. And the materials are a bit harder to come by in these parts.” the smith said.

Ilea was sure the man was asking for too much but she did have plenty of money at the moment and food was laughably cheap in her opinion. “I really don’t feel like walking into another five smithies today. Get it done by this evening and we have a deal.” she said with finality in her tone.

The smith immediately nodded, partially confirming to her that the price was still too high. “You can come get it in the evening then. Around five hours I estimate. Payment now though.”

Ilea handed the attendant one gold coin and ten silvers. “Half now, half in the evening and maybe even a tip if you actually care about the work.” she said as she expertly undid her armor and placed the pieces on the smith’s outstretched arms.

“That’s alright with me. It’s just business young healer but the work is fine, you can trust me on that.” he said before walking back to the workshop.

Ilea certainly did not trust the man but fixing an already made piece of armor didn’t seem very hard to do. Especially considering the man had the smith class and likely a bunch of related skills. ‘I hope it’s not the apprentices working on my stuff...’ she thought.

Looking for Lily, she found the girl playing with a dagger made of black steel. “You like daggers?” she asked but didn’t get a reply. Ilea smiled as she perceived the smith starting to work on her armor himself in the workshop that was still in range of her sphere.

“Let’s go then, I’m not about to waste more money on this shop.” she said and the girl reluctantly put the dagger back in its place. Ilea made quite sure that none of the attendants had noticed the girl playing with that particular dagger. It wasn’t hard as most of them seemed more busy being bored than caring about the seven or so potential customers in the shop.

The one attendant that had approached her before seemed to be the only one actually caring a little about his job. ‘And being punished for misjudging my knowledge...no wonder the others don’t give a shit.’

“Next stop the adventurer’s guild. I think there was mention of getting paid.” Ilea said and followed Lily who again took the lead. They walked for another half an hour through the streets without a word. Ilea didn’t feel like browsing the shops today and only went for more food along the way.

When they reached the guild there was a group of armed adventurers standing around the entrance talking excitedly about the new dungeon and the apparent sighting of a Basilisk. ‘Seems like that dungeon is gonna be filled with people instead of monsters rather soon...’

The two entered the guild and soon got to the front of one of the lines. Ilea asked for her pay for the caravan job upon which the attendant went to a back room. She came back with an adventurer that Ilea vaguely remembered as one of the guards that worked with Arven.

“Oh it’s Ilea the healer.” some people who heard him talk looked at her with newly found interest. “She was with us, top healer and bonus pay.” he quickly confirmed with the attendant and went back to the room he came from while waving.

‘Must be bored of staying here all day for this...’ she thought and quickly received her pay. All in all one gold and twenty silver. A bit more than what she had paid at the smithy earlier. She thanked the attendant and left the guild building again.

The two girls entered the square in front of the guild building as the sun finally managed to pierce through the gray veil so common in this time of year. Ilea hadn’t thought about it a lot but the seasons seemed quite similar to the ones on earth so far.

‘Only one sun manages to pierce though...’ she thought as she looked up. The two suns have become so normal to her at this point that she barely ever notices.

‘I wonder how winter will be with two suns...’ with her sphere skill still active, Ilea noticed that Lily started walking away from her. Having finished her most urgent tasks, Ilea noticed that Lily wasn’t walking towards her house so thought it might be interesting to follow the girl.

Lily noticed her stalker after she entered a side street and quickly glared at the woman. Ilea just shrugged and bit into a piece of kebab she somehow managed to acquire. The staring contest went on for three seconds until Ilea waved the food in her direction.

Lily rolled her eyes at that and shrugged too. “So it’s ok if I follow you? I’ll leave the city later today so show me some cool shit. I’ll pay you.” Ilea said

“You really are a child...” Lily said, making Ilea proud of breaking the mute’s dry spell on talking with her sheer annoying presence.

She didn’t refute Lily’s statement and simply continued to follow as she walked further down the alley. They walked for several minutes in silence before Lily stopped in front of some steps down into what smelled to be the sewers.

The girl turned around, her slightly red eyes seemingly glowing in the shadow of the houses around them. “Promise no to tell.”

‘Now this...this is interesting...’ Ilea nodded and put her right hand towards her heart. “I promise that whatever your secret is, I won’t tell anybody. Except if it puts your life in grave danger...” she finished to which Lily’s expression turned thoughtful.

After a minute of thinking Lily nodded and turned around again. From between some rubble in the alley she pulled out a rough looking bag and checked its contents. Nodding, she walked down the steps quietly with Ilea close behind.

Another two minutes passed before the sound of rushing water could be heard. They were below the street level now with stone above them. After walking into the sewers a bit further, Lily turned around and motions for Ilea to wait.

She then advanced five more meters and opened the bag. Lily removed a couple pieces of dry looking meat and placed them on the ground before her before, then producing a whistling noise with her mouth.

Ilea stood there for a minute until movement could be made out at the closest corner before them.

[Wild dog – lvl 3]

Plopped into her mind’s eye as she stops an aggressive reaction from her body. ‘Too many bad dogs lately…’ she thought as the dog advanced towards Lily and the food.

He reached her and snuggled her leg before starting to eat. A second dog emerged from the nearby tunnels and then a third. There were a total of seven dogs in the end, all being fed by Lily who methodically checked on each of the dogs. She touched their sides, checked their teeth and paws before offering more of the meat in her bag.

Ilea slowly approached to stand at Lily’s side. One of the dogs looked up at her but then just continued eating. ‘I wonder if my necklace is working’

She crouched down to the dog and touched its side with her palm. ‘This one’s fine...’ she thought but still pushed some healing mana into the creature.

The dog looked up startled but quickly relaxed and continued its meal. Ilea hadn’t noticed Lily staring at her during the whole thing. She shook her head after a couple seconds and continued to look after the dogs.

Ilea did the same, checking each and every one of them for injuries. She knew some things about the human body from earth, she had wanted to become a doctor after all but her healing skill here seemed to give her some insight on any creature’s well being she touched.

Two of the dogs had light injuries that she quickly healed. The dogs stayed with the two girls for an hour or two, cuddling or playing. Lily didn’t seem bothered by the stench and grime they got on her.

“Is there a bathhouse in the city?” Ilea asked to which Lily nodded. Only one of the dogs was still with them and Lily shooed it away to join its brethren.

“Then lead us there, queen of dogs.” Ilea said and followed the girl who quickly gathered up her things and walked back out. She didn’t miss the big grin on the girl’s face with her Azarinth Sphere but chose not to mention it.

The two made their way to one of the city’s bathhouses in complete silence while they walked between the people of Salia.

“Aaaaaah. This...this is it.” Ilea exclaimed, naked and relaxed inside the warm bath. Only three other women and Lily were in the bath, the latter looked a bit uncomfortable.

“What’s the matter?” Ilea asked, focusing on the girl.

“You’ve been very nice to me. Thank you. Sorry for calling you a kid.” Lily said, looking down embarrassed.

Ilea lifted her hand to pat the girl’s head but stopped midway through the movement. She lowered her hand back into the water and smiled. “Apology accepted. Although I hope I wont ever stop being a bit of a kid.”

Later that day Ilea had said her goodbyes to the newly found friend, the queen of dogs and was now crouching on top of a building. The moon was shrouded by clouds and only illuminated parts of the city. ‘A good night...’ Ilea thought, double checking the freshly repaired armor she had gotten just a couple hours prior.

It didn’t look as good anymore but the smith did a good job. ‘Worth the money.’ she thought as she looked down at the same smithy from before, now quiet and dead in the night. ‘Still overpriced though...’ she thought as she again checked the street for any guard patrols.

She Blinked down right into the shop itself, grabbing what she came to get and Blinking back out. Three seconds in total and she was crouching back at the spot she started at.

Checking around her again, she then started stealthily running over the rooftops before Blinking down into an alley. The rest of the way she simply walked, to not to raise suspicion while maintaining full awareness of her surroundings. Some people were out but she avoided as many of them as she could.

Arriving at her destination Ilea listened with her buffs active, all occupants were fast asleep. Two blinks later Ilea left again, having disturbed nobody in their slumber.

Lily would wake up with a black steel sheathed dagger next to her arm under her blanket and a pouch with fifty silver coins inside one of her boots. No dogs would go hungry for a while in Salia.

Ilea walked towards the northern wall, putting up her cloak against the rapidly cooling wind, smiling at the prospect of a night alone in the wilderness of Elos.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 33 #Traveling

A note from Rhaegar

I've not been very active replying to comments and correcting mistakes. I'll get to it at some point though, so thanks to all the comments, compliments, thanks, critique and corrections. Appreciate it all

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Have a lovely day and weekend. If you're feeling well, be thankful. If you're feeling down, don't worry. It'll pass in time.

Chapter 33 #Traveling

Ilea walked through the city towards the north and soon found herself in front of the store she’d seen earlier in the day. Blinking inside, she made sure to be as quiet as possible and started to browse.

Five minutes later, she found what she was looking for and started to sketch in her notebook. It took her thirty minutes to copy the map as well as she could. The lack of light wasn’t a big problem with her enhanced senses. Her cloak, armor and some shelves were blocking most of the light caused by her active buffs.

‘Good enough...’ she thought as she looked at the end result. Buying maps was exorbitantly expensive and Ilea always had a bit of talent in sketching. ‘People would think me mad for going somewhere based on this though...’

Closing the book, she put it into her backpack and put the map back inside the shelf. ‘I should stop with the stealing though, bad for the economy...’

The healer blinked back outside and finished her way to the north wall. Checking the other side, she simply blinked there and continued on northwards. Ilea broke into a jog and then a sprint. After five minutes of running, her runes came to life and fire started to dance around her.

‘Certainly faster than a caravan...’ she thought as she ran into the night. What followed was a series of running, hunting and sleeping. The colder weather didn’t bother the highly resistant healer. She didn’t even consider selecting a Fire Enhancer skill to make herself more warm, she already was warm after all.

The first three days of traveling were met without any interruption. Ilea enjoyed being alone and lost herself in the speed, the view and simply being free in the dangerous wild. In those three days she had unknowingly already traveled as far as a caravan would’ve gotten in a week and a half.

With her very small need for sleep and enhanced body, most normal travelers were much much slower. Her being alone made the biggest difference. Even though there were some that matched her in speed and endurance, they mostly still had slower members in their team or people that couldn’t forgo sleep for a couple days.

At that point Ilea had reached the base of the mountain Karth, it wasn’t easy to find as even from miles away the massive mountain towered in the distance.

The wind was blowing through her hair as Ilea scratched the top of her head. “Where the fuck do I go now…,” she asked the wind, sadly not receiving an answer. The mountain was huge and in her sketched map the city of Dawntree was somewhere halfway up the mountain.

“I need a road to follow.” she said and started running diagonally towards the mountain. Seeing how easily she had come to the mountain itself, she never really followed any of the roads she came across.

They often went around the straightest path to the destination for various reasons. Reasons that Ilea didn’t really care about.

It took her nearly five hours of consecutive running until she finally found a road that led up the mountain. The healer still wasn’t sure if this was the one leading to Dawntree but it was the best she had at the moment. As she started following the street though, she soon came across other travelers.

At first there were lone teams of adventurers and as time went on, there were some carts as well. Seeing how some other people were running as well or rushing through on horses, Ilea didn’t find anything wrong with continuing this way.

She did however stop at one time to ask someone about where the road led and it was indeed Dawntree. Their confused looks meant that either one should know or that there simply wasn’t anything else up this mountain.

Another four hours of running later, Ilea finally came up on what looked like a dam to her. A massive dam. Of course it was instead the stone wall of Dawntree, half built and half carved into the mountain side. Ilea stopped in her tracks and continued in a walking pace, a bit stunned by the sight.

‘This magic thing really puts another level on medieval architecture…,’ she thought as she looked upon the nearly two hundred meter high structure that nearly seamlessly blended into the mountain on each side. ‘Like a half finished carving...’ she thought.

Nothing could be seen behind the wall itself and while on her right side, the rock simply continued into the mountain, on the left side there was a straight drop further down than Ilea could see from her current angle.

It took her another fifteen minutes to reach the gate at the bottom of the wall, where an assortment of guards with rather high levels controlled everyone that went inside. Some were even a higher level than Ilea.

“Reason for coming?” one of the guards talked to her in a rude tone.

“Visiting a friend.” she answered and shrugged. The guard wasn’t amused though and motioned to two other guards standing nearby.

“Trying to be funny eh? Well we’ll see why you’re here soon enough. Grab her!” they advanced towards her while some of the other travelers looked on interested or tried to get out of the way.

“Alice Forkspear. I’m a friend and on my way to see her.” she said, lifting her hands placidly. “I have a letter from her with me.”

The guards hesitated immediately upon hearing the name. Apparently it held a certain amount of weight in Dawntree. ‘What am I getting myself into...’ Ilea thought but got the letter out of her pack nonetheless ‘…I hope some good fights.’ she finished her thoughts and handed the letter to the guard that first talked to her.

“That’s the original seal. Please excuse us for offending you young lady. She’s with the Forkspears guys.” he apologized mechanically and informed his colleagues.

‘Either he’s not used to being nice or just really wanted to mess up my day.’ she grabbed the letter from his hands again and entered through the gate before anyone could change their mind or got the brilliant idea of her not being the actual recipient of the letter.

The wall was massive and it took her a full minute to cross through the gate that was more akin to a tunnel. Reaching the other side, bright sunlight blinded her for a split second before she could take in the city before her.

It stretched downward and into the mountain for hundreds of meters. Houses of stone filled the whole place with colorful flags and banners flying here and there. There were temples and what looked like forts and castles. High above the city was the rock of the mountain forming a natural wall and even topping that was another man made wall with defensive structures and patrolling guards.

Avoiding any further questions, Ilea quickly made her way into the city, descending the first fifty steps and entering the city proper. The now familiar noise of a medieval city greeted her as adventurers, merchants and carts made their way here and there.

The city stretched much further than Ilea first thought, the mountain seemingly having formed a crevice in which the city was placed. And right where the opening would be, they placed the wall. It would only be feasible to attack the city from the air and the citizens of Dawntree certainly knew about that. Nearly every bigger building and certainly every castle and fort had several anti air machines and likely even more mages or rangers that were specialized in ranged combat.

‘The cities I’ve been to so far are nothing compared to this...’ she thought, remembering the attack on Riverwatch. Size wise the cities were rather similar but everything else was like day and night.

‘I enjoyed being outside though so I’ll go check on Alice as soon as possible before leaving again. Maybe find that dungeon the adventurers in Salia spoke about. Or go to that bath house again...’ she smiled at the thought and noticed an incredibly light tug on her armor.

Seeing with her sphere skill, she quickly found the culprit and grabbed his arm. “That’s not yours little man.” she said and put pressure on his arm. The boy immediately released the pouch he had gotten from her.

Prepared to let the kid go, Ilea suddenly had a different idea and removed two silver coins from her actual coin pouch that was a bit more hidden inside her armored skirt. “Lead me to the Forkspear residence and these coins are yours. Hmm?”

The kid made big eyes and quickly nodded at the obviously rich tourist. Everyone knew after all where the six big houses had their residences. He held a quick pace, obviously excited to get two whole silver coins for this little amount of work and they reached one of the big castles half an hour later. Ilea handed the coins over and took in the structure before her. Within her sphere she saw the kid already sneaking away quickly, hoping she wouldn’t change her mind.

She didn’t though and soon approached one of the guards at the massive gate. “I’m here to see Alice Forkspear. My name is Ilea Spears.” she handed over the letter to the guard who took his time to study the seal and letter itself. He looked her up and down before shrugging.

“I’ll have someone tell her you’re here. Please wait a moment.” he said and gestured to a young woman behind the gate. The moment turned out to be just under fifty minutes long as Ilea even witnessed a change of the guard.

“Ilea spears?” a woman that just approached asked the waiting healer who by now was leaning on the wall. To the displeasure of the guards of course but they weren’t sure yet if she’d be a guest or not.

“Yea that’s me.” she waved, slightly annoyed at the waiting time. ‘Does she want to see me now or does she not?’ she asked herself but followed the woman nonetheless.

Ilea was led to a house next to the castle. It was still impressive but she was certainly a little disappointed that she wouldn’t be entering the real residence. “Please wait here, Lady Forkspear will be with you shortly.” the woman bowed slightly and left Ilea standing inside one of the house’s rooms.

‘You’ve got to be...’ she closed her eyes, trying to focus on the past three days of quiet nature before sitting down on one of the fancy looking chairs that adorned the very beautifully furnished room.

Paintings on the walls showed different presumably important members of the house but Ilea was more interested in the mounted bear head with antlers. ‘Where can I find something like That? Can I ride it?’ she thought before a knock on the door got her attention.

A woman in a traditional maid outfit entered the room with a plate in her hands. An unfamiliar yet somehow nostalgic scent filled Ilea’s nose as she unconsciously got up from her chair. ‘...coffee...’ she thought, advancing on the plate.

The woman swiftly put it down on the table and poured two cups before bowing and leaving the room again. Ilea sat down and grabbed one of the cups. Smelling it, there was a distinct difference to the beverage she knew and loved. She took a sip and was intrigued. ‘Not quite...but it’s the closest anything here came so far...’ she thought and noted to herself to ask Alice or one of the maids about this beverage.

The door opened again three minutes later and Alice entered with a big smile on her face. She was followed by a man in what Ilea could only describe as a suit. “Ilea! I’m so glad you could make it, how have you been?” Alice greeted her merrily.

‘Is she already over it? Or maybe she’s trying to forget? Well it’s her decision anyway so I’ll play along.’ Ilea thought and got up from her chair to greet the girl. She took her into a powerful bear hug.

“Hey Alice, did you miss your ride so much that you had to send a letter my way?” she asked and noticed a small shiver run through the girl while they hugged. She let go quickly after and made some distance.

“My ride, well not quite. Although the job I mentioned has turned into somewhat of an emergency I’m afraid. We’ll talk about it later though, do tell me about the attack, were you there when it happened?” Alice said, looking so similar to Rory with her excited questioning.

‘There’s less bulk on her though… it’s eerie, knowing what happened to her. What else can people do though but to go on with their life?’ she thought and shook her head.

“It was quite impressive, one moment I’m watching the arena battle and the nex…,”

They talked for nearly an hour, sharing stories about their lives. Ilea’s travels and progress, Alice’s studies and advances in healing magic. Ilea found out that the beverage was called Saaih and was apparently a tea rather famous in Dawntree.

“So what was this job or emergency you mentioned. The reason you got me here.” Ilea asked while pouring herself another cup of Saalih

“Well it’s a rather complicated situation. Have you ever heard of the sleeping plague?” Alice asked, her tone changing from jolly to serious. Ilea shook her head at the question and started to sip on her tea.

“It’s no wonder, considering it’s a rare disease that only ever pops up in cities right around Karth. The problem is that conventional healing methods don’t work with this disease. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, there aren’t many deaths attributed to disease every year after all but my sister has contracted the sickness.” she looked away thoughtfully and continued after a short pause.

“We currently have no cure. I think the Forkspears might even be the only ones knowing about the disease. What we know though is that the Taleen quite certainly did have a cure.”

“This is where you come into play. We’ve discovered a new Taleen ruin around two months ago. It’s bigger than anything we’ve uncovered before and right in Forkspear territory.” Alice smiled a bitter smile.

“I’m afraid I’ve sent everyone I could trust or afford into the ruin already to look for a possible cure, to bring back any artifacts, machines, herbs or mushrooms that can be found.”

“My family won’t do more either so if you go, you’d be going alone. If you find any other team inside you could join them of course but I remember you were alone in the forest too so I thought...” the girl was running over her own words, getting seemingly worked up about the issue.

“It’s fine Alice, I do prefer to explore alone anyway. Who are the Taleen though? I apologize if it should be common knowledge.” Ilea said, holding one of Alice’s hands in her own.

Her eyes widened a little at the question but she quickly focused again and answered Ilea “I forgot about your remote healing order… the Taleen were an ancient dwarven civilization. We’ve found ruins all over Elos but they’re most common in the cave systems of Karth. They were highly advanced with technology and magic. Different from what most people use today.” she explained as Ilea nodded to the new information.

“Sure, I can check it out. I’m pretty good at running away should something dangerous show. And some ruins to explore was pretty much exactly the thing I’ve been looking for.” she said but refrained from smiling.

“I can leave immediately to start the search. How do I identify a possible cure? And you don't want me to see her first? Maybe I can do something, my healing IS a bit different...I think at least”

“I'm afraid that's not possible. We consulted every healer in the city and some outside. The disease has been researched for decades in secret and nothing was found. My family is unaware of you being here and they wouldn't allow a wayward healer to walk in and look at her, even if you saved me before. Please accept it, I've gone through enough to even be allowed to send people to the ruin...”

“We’re not sure how to identify the cure sadly. That’s why you should simply map out the ruins, clear out whatever machines and traps you can. Mark possible places of interest or machines too big to carry on the map. And of course take any machine, device or artifact with you that seems out of the ordinary. And of course any mushrooms or herbs. And most importantly, don’t die. Taleen ruins are incredibly dangerous, their defensive mechanisms and machines rival the strongest beasts you might stumble upon in the cave systems.” Alice explained.

Thinking of the Basilisk, Ilea shook her head to get the thought out again. ‘I can just run away should something like that happen. Though it’s a good way to fight strong opponents and explore while helping out a friend in the process.

“It's ok, if it's not possible to see her that's ok, still do consider it if I don't find the cure. I have everything I need already with me then. Is it alright if I leave some unimportant things here so I have more space in my pack?” Ilea asked and upon Alice’s nod started to remove the books she bought from Splicer from her pack. Additionally she set aside some of the food she had brought from Salia.

“Jaime please get Ilea the map to the ruins.” Alice told the man she came in with and continued talking to Ilea “The entrance to the cave systems is at the very bottom of the city. You can simply go down and you’ll find it. Or ask around.” she finished just when Jaime got back with a big map.

“This is the most accurate map we have at the moment Miss Spears.” he said as he placed the map on the table. He handed her a smaller version as well. “This one is for you but you’re free to copy your own version.” he finished.

Ilea chose to quickly sketch the map into her notebook but also keep the map she got from Jaime. Backups were never a bad thing after all. “I’ll be on my way then Alice and I’ll bring back whatever I can. Don’t worry too much.” she said and hugged the girl again. ”I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Ilea got up and quickly left the room, ready to take on some ancient dwarven machines. And for a good cause even.

Alice’s weak smile vanished after Ilea left the property and she sighed.

Jaime shook his head. “The sleeping plague… really?”

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 34 Dungeon diving

Chapter 34 Dungeon diving

“Why not tell her the truth? She seemed eager enough to walk to her death alone...” an agitated Jaime told Alice. Ilea had left a while ago, the guards had confirmed seeing her walk towards the cave systems.

“I’m well aware of that Jaime. Do remember who you’re talking to.” Alice replied with not a hint of cheerfulness on her face.

“I don’t have the funds to pay her and with this she even has a good motivation to not lose track of her objectives. You heard her stories, she seems to just wander from one place to the other without aim.

I can’t have her reappear in a year, saying she found the capital of the Elves. We need results fast Jaime.” she said, taking a sip of the now cold tea.

“She saved you. I simply cannot accept that you would act this way...my lady. You sent her to her death, like all the others you sent her...” Jaime was interrupted by Alice’s cup which loudly clattered on the plate below.

“I’m aware that she saved me Jaime. Where were you when they!!?...” she trailed off, steadying her shaking hand “It is necessary, for the family and for Dawntree...it’s necessary...for me.” Alice said, a sad expression crossing her face. The first real one that she showed that afternoon.

She got up from her chair and walked to the door “Additionally I think you underestimate her. She can teleport a short range and can take out five seasoned adventurers with little difficulty.” Alice said but didn’t lie to herself about the difference in difficulty that Ilea would face in a Taleen ruin. Jaime was tactful enough not to point out the obvious.

“Come now, it’s nearly time for my training. Maybe I’ll finally get rid of this useless healer class...” she said, smiling bitterly at the refusal she gave Ilea about learning her class, yet too proud to ask her now.

Ilea reached the lowest level of the city in a leisurely jog. The mountain was looming from above, casting nearly a third of the city in shadow. At the lowest part Ilea could see waited a seemingly unending tunnel into the void. ‘I’d be scared of that stuff falling down on me at some point...’ Ilea though as she looked up on the hundreds of tons of solid rock.

The living space became less cramped as she got closer to the tunnel, fewer people in normal clothing and more adventurers occupying the space. Small fires often burned with food cooking on top of them.

After around two hundred meters of free space between the last house and the tunnel there was another wall that separated the city from whatever lay beyond. The defenses were much less impressive than what Ilea saw above but there was likely less of a threat coming from below.

Reaching the still nearly seven meters high wall, a guard stopped her. “Level fifty and above. You with the guild?” he asked to which she nodded. The level statement seemed more like information for her, everyone could identify her level after all.

“Sure you want to leave alone?” Ilea got a little annoyed at his question.

‘I obviously meet the requirements to go through, the guards in this town...seriously.’ Ilea decided to simply ignore the man and walk through the gate. He didn’t stop her and shrugged, with an annoyed frown on his face.

On the other side, Ilea started running into the darkness. The first couple dozen meters were illuminated by some torches but after that adventurers seemed to be on their own. She saw a group of five adventurers walking before her while what seemed to be their leader gave a small pep talk.

“We’re the Piercing Eagles, don’t forget that. We’re gonna defy the evil that lays beyond this point!” the man said, lifting his shining great sword into the air.

‘They’re gonna die...’ Ilea though as she ran past them. On the map it seemed like the tunnel would go on for at least two kilometers before even starting to branch in any direction. ‘If they post scouts there with some sort of light magic or whatever then they’d have a pretty good early warning system...’ she thought.

Activating her buffs, her speed multiplied and she crossed the two kilometers in no time. Before she could go into any branch tunnels there was another wall built inside the tunnel. This one looked more rough than the one above but didn’t seem any less sturdy.

There were magical lamps all over the battlements and some stone houses were standing before the wall. The diameter of the tunnel at that point was still around fifty meters. Certainly not the best choke point to fight off anything that came from the deep but nonetheless the tightest spot in the tunnel.

There were more guards here as well and a lot of them were at a higher level than Ilea. One of them quickly spoke to her as she walked up to the gate.

“Out is free but entering again is a fee of one silver and we’ll have to examine you and your items. For any kilogram of goods above what you can carry on your body and in your backpack there’s a tax of ten coppers.” like a machine, the guard went through the information.

Ilea just nodded and exited through the gate. What greeted her on the other side was certainly not what she expected.

A huge open cave spread before her with houses big and small. Someone was playing music nearby while two bystanders danced together. A fist fight between a woman and a man was being carried out while people cheered them on and bet on either of them.

“Welcome to the Root. By the looks of ya face you’re new ere. If ya want booze cam to Rick’s.” a small and obviously drunk man with barely a hair left on his head greeted her, pointing in an indiscernible direction.

Ilea kept walking and opened her arms in a welcoming gesture. “I’m home.” she exclaimed with a big smile on her face just as the woman knocked out the man in the fistfight and started kicking his groin. The advertiser behind her puked on the ground while a loud monster roar and laughter came from behind the building in front of her.

‘Wish I could stay and explore a bit. Later maybe.’ she thought and went the way the map in her notebook indicated. What was apparently called the Root wasn’t very big in size as the cave limited it and even though the people here seemed geared well enough, it was still a risk to build one’s shop at the edge of the adventurer town.

She found the next tunnel easily enough and started running again. A kilometer later, the right side of the wall opened up to a cliff. Beyond was a beautiful shining blue sea, illuminated by what seemed to be crystals below the water and on the far away walls. Ilea had to slow her pace for a minute to appreciate the sight.

There were creatures in the water as well which made Ilea hasten her pace again ‘Nope.’ she thought at the massive unclear silhouettes inside the water.

She quickly came up on a spacious cave again with several branching ways. The sea was still sparkling to her right and some burnt out fireplaces were strewn around the cave.

The only vegetation inside were a bunch of mushrooms, the only light was the sea and of course Ilea’s flames and runes. Although the runes were only visible on her exposed neck.

Looking around Ilea chose the next path and followed it. A much more boring route than with the sea next to her but after twenty minutes of running, she reached another opening. Blackness extended before her. Activating heat perception, the whole space took on a sort of blue tone.

It was so dark that Ilea must’ve seemed like a beacon in the night. Even with her enhanced senses she could barely see ten meters into the dark. With her sphere skill and heat vision it was easy to continue though. The sphere only had a radius of 15 meters but with her incredible reflexes it was enough to not suddenly run into a wall or a monster that somehow escaped her heat perception.

The cave was massive and pretty boring to Ilea as all she could see were the rocks in a sphere around her. No life seemed to be present. She ran at full speed for over an hour to reach the other side of the cave. There was detailed information included with Jaime’s map that explained where she had to go in there.

This kind of traveling continued for another six massive caves, several drops topping at fifty meters and even a quick swim through a dark lake. It took Ilea several minutes to build up the courage to swim. In the end she even got a notification for her troubles.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill General: Fear Resistance – lvl 1:

You have overcome something truly terrifying to you. Your ability to deal with non magical fear is increased.’

Ilea was shivering when she exited the pond and immediately continued running.

Luckily there were several hidden markers scratched into specific stones or walls that she easily made out with her sphere skill. They matched with what she had on her map and after another two hours of traveling she finally found her destination.

A small crevice in the wall led her into a perfectly rectangular room with weird rune markings on the walls. ‘They look kinda mechanical...like when my friend replaced parts of my pc…’ she thought as she looked at the purposeful looking lines on the wall.

More eye catching though were the runes on the door of the room. They were of the same design but compared to the ones on the wall, these were glowing. A faint green glow exuded from the runes and illuminated a meter or two of rock in front of the wall. Above the door some sort of green moss grew but it didn’t have a glowing quality to it like the bluemoon grass.

It looked a bit like ivy to Ilea. With her magic perception she saw that the door glowed in a bright light while the ivy glowed too, albeit more subdued. Walking up to it, she obviously touched the ivy and identified it.

[ivy]

…....... ‘Well fuck me.’

The next step was basically instinct to Ilea as she ripped some of the ivy from the wall and lifted it to her mouth. Stopping right before putting the plant in her mouth, she chuckled.

“What the fuck has this world turned me into. A toddler?” she threw the ivy on the ground and approached the door. ‘I’ll eat some of it after I informed myself.’ remembering Alice’s words though, she picked the ivy back up and put it into her backpack.

Upon touching the door, nothing happened. The next thing Ilea tried was inserting a bit of mana. She nodded to herself as the runes sprang to life and the lines moved to the four corners of the door before the remaining rock just sort of crumbled.

“That doesn’t seem like an efficient door system...” she said out loud but couldn’t deny the cool special effect. ‘Well it’s not really a special effect, is it...’ she entered the room and found herself in one quite similar to the one before. Also empty but this time with two doors.

The growth of ivy could be seen on all walls. It didn’t cover the place but was certainly prevalent among the otherwise gray rock. ‘Or concrete...whatever these people built with...’ her thoughts were interrupted by a notification in her mind.

‘bliing’ ‘You have entered the Iztacalum dungeon.’

“Cheers mate, guess we’re invading the new world...” the healer said out loud and checked the adjacent rooms. They were both empty and looked exactly like the room she was standing in, just with only the door to enter.

‘It seems to be a pattern...where are the robots trying to murder me?’ she thought and advanced through the last remaining door. A big hallway spread before her, looking very similar in style as the rooms before. The rock crumbled here and there.

‘Taleens hmm? Certainly not a race for interior decoration...’ walking through the room she removed her notebook from the backpack and started to map out the whole thing while listening to the mechanical sounds of gears turning that were only interrupted by hissing steam from whatever pipes lay in the walls.

Luckily her swim was brief enough for the water not to have penetrated her pack too far. The notebook had an additional pouch as well which would save it even from a longer dive.

She started sketching the rooms rather small, any points of interest she would mark with a number that she’d describe or sketch in more detail on another page. She sat on the ground for the work and was finished in a couple minutes.

The next five hours were spent by doing exactly that. The dungeon seemed bigger than Ilea had expected. She did find some materials, rusted metal and some stony furniture after a while and soon came to the conclusion that she was currently in a storage part of the dungeon. ‘Or city or dwelling or whatever this was for the Taleen.’ she thought as she entered another big area through a massive five by five meter door.

Her arms relaxed to her sides and her eyes widened as she gazed upon the spectacle before her. She knew for a fact that she was underground in a cave but looking out into the street with houses on each side and glowing greenish magical lamps above made her feel more like she was in an ancient city on an autumn evening. Albeit a greenish evening.

Some of the lamps lay broken on the ground while others still flickered slightly, giving the whole view an eerie atmosphere. The seemingly empty and dead stone houses on each side, perfectly carved into the stone certainly didn’t help either.

Deciding to sketch later, Ilea walked into the only direction possible without checking all the houses for anything inside. Two minutes of following the street later, she came out on what looked like a square.

In the middle was what once had to be a fountain. There were some poles on the houses but no fabric still hung there, rust covering parts of the metal pipes.

At the other end of the square laid pieces of metal that Ilea was sure didn’t come from the broken lamps above. Coming closer, she noticed gashes in the stone floor and close houses while before her was a pile of half melted and cut apart greenish metal.

Going through the pile, she found something that resembled a mask or helmet. ‘Looks a bit like an insect but the angles are too even. Guess these are the robots trying to kill me… but who killed this one?’ She thought and suddenly stopped.

Backtracking, she removed her notebook again from her pack and started to map out the street and square. Anything notable got added as well. The houses held different furniture but either the dwarves preferred stone or anything else has rotted away a long time ago.

She moved through the houses and quickly started to notice the patterns in design. The lack of individualism made her sketching a lot easier and she was done with the street in no time.

The square was a bit of a different story, combined with the bigger building the had the poles fastened to it. Inside there was more than just stone beds and shelving. There was dust on the ground in some places, while the stone was discolored in some places.

‘I assume something was moved away rather recently…,’ Ilea thought, noticing some likely wooden splinters with her sphere of perception.

‘Probably the others Alice mentioned. They’re taking even the furniture?’ she marked where she found the splinters in her notebook and continued on.

The square itself had two roads leading away from it. Ilea chose the one where no metal remains littered the ground. Looking into the dark road, she was quite sure that her Fear resistance did its job quite well already.

‘This is like an alien movie… why do I remember that now?’ she thought with a groan and made herself continue down the path, the green light illuminating the perfectly cut rock while Ilea’s blue and red colors presented a stark contrast in the scenery.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 35 Outclassed

Chapter 35 Outclassed

Not too far along Ilea suddenly stopped. The smell of blood was in the air and it came from one of the houses to her right. Sneaking up on the wall, she tried to determine what was inside with her sphere skill but whatever caused the smell was simply too far away.

Walking inside, the mechanical noises seemed to heighten as her eyes spot what lay just outside her sphere’s range. Five bodies, and more blood than seemed possible for them to possess. The ivy and walls were painted red, the smell of the scene reaching Ilea so late a testament to the dwarves ventilation systems.

Ilea listened to the room but couldn’t make out anything extraordinary. Approaching the bodies, she kept her senses on high alert.

‘There...’ she thought, a click sounding a bit different than the monotone noises before. She dodged to the side before a dull sound could be heard from her left. Something impacted the wall behind where Ilea had just stood and cracked the rock.

Movement could be seen on the wall from where the noises came. A fast moving creature walked upon the wall with six metal legs. On top of the legs was a metal cube with a round opening sticking out, not quite unlike a gun barrel. Even higher up extends what looked like a spine made of metal with a mask quite similar to the one Ilea had found just moments prior.

The legs clicked on the walls before the creature’s torso angled towards Ilea, the barrel aimed at her head. A dull noise echoed through the room as a quick flash of light exited the barrel. Ilea sensed the bullet and slightly leaned to the side. The metal slug glanced her armored shoulder only to harmlessly enter the wall behind right after.

Ilea spun with the force and blinks next to the creature, her movement continued into a kick to its head. The creature’s head slightly wobbled before its torso turned back to face Ilea.

Another blink brought her behind it before she delivered a punch to the metal cube. There was a loud noise upon impact but nothing else seemed to happen as the creature turned around again in a fluid motion.

At the same time its legs moved away from Ilea and while she knew the thing was made of metal, the movements were too smooth, too animal like to accept it.

Ilea blinked back outside, taking shelter behind the house’s wall. A slug impacted where she had been before. Looking around the corner, she identified the creature.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl ??]

‘Well as always, identify is just rather underwhelming…,’ she thought as a slug impacted the wall she was hiding behind.

Failing to get any reaction from the creature with the next five attacks to its head and torso, Ilea changed to the next obvious target. Blinking next to the creature, she stomped down on one of the spider like metal legs.

Again there was no obvious reaction but she still felt like this was the only way she could win. Escaping wasn’t an option yet as she was still nearly fully stocked on all her resources.

She continued to alternate her attacks between the six legs until finally there was a change. The machine started to favor one side a little more and became a little slower in its movement to the other side.

‘There is also no change in its behavior…,’ her thoughts were interrupted by a slug barely dodged with another blink. ‘...if it had an actual AI I’d probably be dead already…,’ her stomp finally broke through as that leg dangled uselessly from the creature’s side.

The Guardian wasn’t inhibited by the smashed leg much and continued its merry shooting. To Ilea though her victory was certain, just postponed. Ten minutes later, she finally disabled the creature’s last leg, the machine now resting on the ground. Its torso was still frantically turning to find its enemy.

“It even looks a little sad…,” she said as she blinked behind the machine and grabbed onto the moving torso. Punch upon punch rattled the Guardian as it spun around itself, trying to attack the foe on its back.

The execution dragged on for nearly another ten minutes. Ilea even paused for a while to steady herself, her head growing more and more dizzy at the constant spinning.

Truly with some funfair music this scene would look quite a bit different. The corpses nearby didn’t paint a very fun atmosphere though.

Finally the last punch landed, a wave of destructive mana fried whatever laid within and the spinning slowly glided to a halt.

The noise in the room reverted to the monotone sound of gears and steam, only Ilea’s breathing remaining to contrast the mechanical sounds.

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian]

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy seventy-five levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 76. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 77. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 51. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 52. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 53. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 54. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 14’

‘Now this is what I call power leveling!’ she thought, looking at the battered machine below her. She sat down next to it and relaxed while activating meditation. Her sphere and auras were still up, considering how quiet the machine had been before.

After two minutes however, the smell of blood became a little too irritating to ignore. The woman got up and walked to the corpses.

There were two men, two women and a lizard man. ‘Or lizard woman, not gonna check...’ she thought as she knelt down and started to go through their gear. All of the armor was heavily damaged. There were holes that she attributed to the guardian she’d just fought but there were also dozens of cuts all over the bodies.

‘That thing couldn’t cut...’ she thought and became a little more wary. The corpses were once adventurers, Ilea found tags with golden and crystal markings.

Three of them were warriors, one was a mage and one a ranger. ‘No healer...’ she thought and continued her search.

She found three gold coins and ten silvers that she added to her pouch, making her have just around forty one gold coins.

The rest of the gear was either heavily damaged or simply useless to her. She closed the people’s eyes and arranged them in a bit of a more dignified manner before moving on.

There was no earth here where she could bury them and digging into the stone with her hands seemed even less appropriate than leaving them as they were.

The rest of the road, Ilea checked every house and every corner for guardians or other beasts but nothing showed itself. Six houses later, she came up on the next square. ‘Or rather bigger room...’ she thought.

The square wasn’t as big as the one with the fountain from before. As Ilea approached, she could see movement in the corner of her right eye. From a bigger house on the square, another Guardian moved out. It had no box as its torso but simply a thick spherical base with six legs. A spine extended upwards and ended in the same insect like mask on top.

The spine itself was noticeably bigger and had six appendages that moved in an eerie skeletal manner. ‘It’s just a machine...’ Ilea steadied herself, pushing her buffs to the max and letting her backpack fall to the ground next to her as she moved into a stance.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl ??]

It was the same message she had seen before, which was both good and bad. The creature stopped around ten meters before her and straightened itself. The six appendages extended outwards to reveal metal arms ending in nearly a meter long blades.

A moment later, the creature was upon her.

Fluid movements let the Guardian close the distance in under two seconds, a flurry of attacks from six different angles immediately assaulted Ilea. She could only blink away, unable to process all the attacks at the same time even with her enhanced senses and all skills.

Using the same tactic she’d applied for the other Guardian, she blinked close to the creature and kicked at one of its legs, only to be immediately cut deeply into her right arm. She winced and blinked away again, the wound slowly staining her clothes red with blood.

The bleeding stopped with a pulse of healing as the creature rushed her again. Ilea blinked away and looked at the creature that upon her disappearance immediately started to slash in every direction with seemingly random strikes.

Finding her, the creature stopped and focused again.

‘Well that isn’t going to work...’ she thought but wasn’t quite ready to give up yet. Blinking again, she tried to see where the creature attacked but after four more tries, she couldn’t find a blind spot. The guardian changed the strikes up in all of the four tries.

Seeing how the machine easily cut through her armor and deep into her arm, it seemed too risky for Ilea to try and approach it further.

A dull sound coming from the alley behind the machine sealed the deal, as Ilea narrowly dodged a metal slug, quickly followed by blinking away from six blades on their way to reap her life.

She grabbed her pack with her uninjured arm and blinked another two times into the closest building behind her, getting back into the alley where she had come from. Not stopping, she blinked again and again until she sat behind a wall on the first floor of the big building with the pole in front, overlooking the fountain square.

Breathing heavily, Ilea waited while using Reconstruction on her arm. Looking down on it, the creature’s bladed arms had cut through it like a sushi knife through cheesecake. ‘Pain tolerance is good and bad eh..’ she winced as she looked at the clean cut that is slowly closing.

A minute passed, then two. Ten minutes of waiting and listening later, Ilea looked out onto the square but there was no sign of the creatures.

She sat back down on the wall and breathed out. The wound had closed after a minute of healing, still the blood on the ground would give her away with the smell at least. She blinked again, going even further back into one of the houses in the first alley.

‘That thing is too much...no wonder those adventurers were sliced apart...’ she thought. Even the long ranged Guardian would be too much for her if she couldn’t teleport in quick succession to close the distance.

With the sword guardian having a way to counter that tactic, there was no way for her to win, not with how little damage she did.

‘Fucking ridiculous… I can punch a hole into a wall but can’t damage some creepy insect RC...’ she put 10 stat points each into Vitality, Intelligence and Wisdom. ‘At least I can avoid fighting them easily enough, although...’ thinking of the sliced up corpses, she shuddered, thankful for her evasion skills, speed and ability to heal.

‘What should I tell Alice...’ Ilea sat there for another ten minutes before slapping herself lightly on her cheeks. ‘There’s still another street...and there was a destroyed guardian there. Maybe some of the people she sent made it through. If I can find and help them with healing or distracting machines, then it’ll still be good enough.’

Having found another target to work towards, Ilea checked the square again but it was a empty as before. She blinked down on the ground and approached the remains of the guardian at the start of the other side street.

‘That one has sword arms...’ being able to discern the parts better now that she’d seen the guardians in action, she was sure. ‘Which means they have the ability to power through That.’

A slight smile formed on her lips as she walked down the street, checking every house for guardians.

Her map grew in size as more and more streets joined her sketch, as well as more and more trashed guardians which she marked as points of interest. The metal they were made of was impressive enough to consider taking some of it with her outside.

Nearly five hours of walking and three pages of her notebook later, she decided to call it a day and hid away in one of the houses. Eating some bread, dried fruits and meat later, she decided to sleep for an hour or two.

She chose the top floor of a building and closed up the stairway with some very old furniture that started to pop up more and more as time went on.

Apparently whoever or whatever was killing those guardians didn’t care much about moving furniture around.

She woke up undisturbed two hours later and continued on, refreshed and topped of on all resources.

Three hours of walking later, she finally came upon something new.

A bunch of adventurers were walking in the distance in front of her, at a bit of a slower pace than her. Two women and one guy, what she could see of their equipment was rather impressive. She didn’t get close enough to the three to identify them when one of the women suddenly turned her head while walking and waved her right arm slightly.

In that moment Ilea’s thoughts froze, a surge of mana erupting next to her neck followed by an incredibly thin line of air. She immediately blinked away, clutching her neck as Reconstruction started working on the wound.

Blood flowed down into her shirt and armor as she tried to move as little as possible, her mind in a bit of a haze. The wind blade had entered nearly five centimeters into her neck before her Blink skill had activated. Slowly the wound closed as she stared at the three people in front of her.

They had stopped and the man was talking to the woman that had attacked Ilea. She seemed embarrassed about it and simply nodded to whatever the man was saying. For some reason Ilea didn’t hear a word of what they were saying.

The other woman looked Ilea’s way and smiled, pointing towards her while saying something. The two others stopped immediately and looked her way. The man’s eyes turned apprehensive but his stare was overshadowed by the woman next to him running Ilea’s way while talking loudly, tears falling from her eyes.

Suddenly Ilea could hear them. “…….waaaaaaa I’m soooo sooo sorry!!! Are you alive??!” the woman yelled and came to a stop a meter away from Ilea. “Can you heal it??! Please tell me you can…,” she said in a rushed tone, sounding like a teenage girl that had accidentally made a scratch on their father’s car.

Ilea didn’t make a move to run away, figuring it the best to hope for a friendly resolution. With her neck cut halfway through she wouldn’t have moved anyway. The other two reached her at that point, the man again looking at her and checking the surroundings with his deep black eyes.

“Oh wow, she got you good! You’re the first one in a long time to not lose their head from that!” the woman that didn’t attack her said in a happy tone and with a big smile.

‘Why don’t I feel like celebrating...and that guy looks like he’s deciding on murdering me...’ their eyes met at which his gaze relaxed a little.

“Your speed and healing is rather impressive. Instant spacial movement? Not long range though as you wouldn’t be here in that case...disappointing...” the man said and continued “Fel, apologize to her...for all the people you beheaded because you were startled.”

The woman that had attacked her, apparently called Fel nodded and bowed to Ilea “I, Felicia Redleaf apologize for cutting you a little.” she went for a hug that Ilea didn’t stop.

‘If she did that twenty seconds ago I’d have lost my head...’ she patted the woman on her shoulder.

“S...” talking was a bad idea as a part of the internal wound opened up again. She gestured with her hand to wait for a while to which the others complied.

“Not as good a healer as I thought. Although for level 77 that isn’t bad. You’re a peculiar one.” the man kept analyzing her. “Aliana, we’ve been fighting for a while now, why don’t we rest here. I feel obligated to at least get this healer woman a meal.” he said while gesturing to the woman not currently hugging Ilea.

The wound closed then and Ilea finished up with the internal damage. This time she did manage to talk. “S...So t...this happens often?” she asked the man in front of her, studying him for the first time.

He had cold black eyes and matching hair. Armor that looked both like metal and leather with complicated symbols carved on it. A tattered cloak covered the armor, all in black.

‘Only the helmet missing for a true black knight...’ she thought while looking at the two sheathed swords on his back.

“Not that often, no. Rarely is it someone without the intent to kill us though.” the man said “I’m Edwin. Would you join us for a meal?”

The green light illuminated them in an eerie manner and Ilea asked herself why she didn’t leave after being so outclassed by the guardian.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 36 Sparring and advice

A note from Rhaegar

Double chapter for you guys today. Thanks for a thousand followers and trending

">. Really appreciate the feedback and comments.

Starting chapter 37 the present tense will not show up intentionally again outside of dialogue. I'll retroactively edit that at some point. At the moment I enjoy it more to write new content though.

Hef fun

June 2019 update: And a year later he actually did it, the absolute madman. Up to this point chapters have been reformatted, all present tense outside of thoughts and conversations have been removed and a first round of editing by lomie0 and me has been done.

Chapter 36 Sparring and advice

“So you’re the ones that cleared the way? I was just on my way back...” she said but was stopped by his gaze “...but I wouldn’t turn down a free meal now would I?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll leave unscathed...as much as that’s possible after that...” he gestured to her neck “...but I’ll have to insist on the meal.” his tone was non negotiable.

Felicia soon released her surprisingly strong hug and smiled brightly at Ilea. “Ed, I didn’t kill her!” she said to which Edwin smiled a weak smile.

“You didn’t, good job Fel. Now go help Aliana.” the woman saluted to that and went to Aliana.

“Now you know our names already, would you care to reciprocate that gesture? And also add in your origins and reason for being here. Current occupation and if you’re willing your classes.” he said but to Ilea it didn’t sound like a question.

In the meantime Ilea had identified the three and all she got were question marks, him being a warrior while the women were mages. Something told her not to take them lightly, her instinct perhaps. The phantom pain in her neck certainly helped in that regard as well. She was pretty sure that these were the people who trashed the guardians.

“Ilea Spears is the name. Grew up in Riverwatch and became an adventurer. I’m currently just that. I’m here on a mission for a friend of mine. I’m a close combat healer and body enhancer. Second class is Fire Enhancer currently.” she told him as much as she was willing, not wanting to make it more complicated with her true origins.

“You’re not completely telling the truth but I guess this is good enough. Close combat healer…very very interesting. Healing yourself while fighting...you could technically fight on your own...” he was apparently lost in thought at the possibilities of her class but soon focused on her again.

“Did you know any of the names we mentioned so far?” he asked, his eyes turning cold again.

“No. I have never heard any of the names.” she said, locking eyes with him. He stared at her for ten seconds before turning away.

“You’re either the best liar I’ve ever seen or you’re really that clueless. Well I promised you a meal. You’re free to go now though if you like. I apologize for being like this but you wouldn’t be the first one sent to murder us. Even in a place like this” he said, a slight smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes.

“You’re a scary fucker you know that?” Ilea couldn’t resist after all. His eyes widened a little at that and while the smile on his mouth stayed the same, his eyes smiled as well this time.

“How one sentence can change the whole perceived personality of a stranger. I’m glad I didn’t kill you on the spot Ilea. Edwin Redleaf, I am indeed a scary fucker. To most at least.” he extended his hand which she shook in greeting, smiling back at the man.

“I would like the meal but I have to warn you...I eat a lot.” she said as they walked towards the other two. Aliana had already set up a fire, two pots and was cutting meat that certainly hadn’t been anywhere before.

“We have a lot of food.” Edwin said “And I’d be very impressed if you managed to even match Aliana or Fel, let alone me.” they sat down on destroyed guardians next to the fire and watched Aliana slice through what seemed at least ten kilograms of meat. Ancient dwarven furniture was burning in the fire but Ilea didn’t feel like mentioning it.

“Where did she get all that from, you guys don’t have packs...” Ilea wondered out loud to which Felicia giggled and showed her her hand. She then started outright laughing at Ilea’s confused look.

“It’s a spacial enchantment bound to her ring. You’re really not that worldly are you? I’m aware that an item like that is incredibly rare but there are plenty of myths going around. Many powerful people like to flaunt them as well.” Edwin supplied.

“Like for food?” Ilea said and her eyes glazed over “Where do I get one?” she asked to which even Edwin chuckled.

“You don’t. Nobody in their right mind would sell one. Only dwarves and elves know how to make them and good luck trying to buy one from them...” Edwin was smiling, more towards Felicia than Ilea.

‘So I guess these people are very powerful. Their names were important which means their family is probably famous as well, or infamous.’ she thought, smiling at the possibilities of a spacial ring.

Looking at the meat she was sure that the things inside would stay fresh as well. It looked like it was cut just a moment ago. And she hadn’t seen a single living thing in this dungeon so far.

“So about that close combat healer thing. How is it working out for you? How are you fighting and leveling?” Edwin’s question surprised her a little. It felt more akin to someone asking about the engine of their friend’s car instead of a fighting style.

“Well it’s going quite well. Since I’ve left Riverwatch I’ve mostly fought things alone and it’s been quite...rewarding. And fun to be honest.” Ilea didn’t feel like she was over sharing. Something about the group made her feel comfortable.

‘Maybe it’s a mind spell or something… or the food…,’ she thought but was interrupted by the confirming sounds of Edwin.

“Mhm, mhm… interesting interesting. If only I could’ve stumbled upon your class earlier. How is your destructive power? You already showed your movement skill. What other skills do you have? Can you only heal yourself or others as well?” he asked all those questions in quick succession while Felicia nodded to all of it quite attentively.

Aliana in the meantime was humming a tune and hacking into the flesh in front of her.

“Wait, don’t answer...let’s have a quick bout before we eat ok? I can give you some pointers as well if I see something, how does that sound?” Edwin said, getting up from his rock.

‘They seem scarily friendly… I’m obviously not a threat to them so why the hell not? That guy though, he treats me like a computer character in a video game with a rare skill to share. What a nerd.’ she thought but got up as well. ‘Seeing the girl nearly beheaded me I can definitely learn something from this guy.’

“Sure, you tell me when you’re ready.” she told him after they moved a bit further away from Aliana.

“I’m always ready to fight. Do you have a skill that lets you sense things around you in any way?” he asked her, standing opposite her nearly ten meters away.

“I do, yes.” she answered and activated both State of Azarinth and Body of Flame, getting into a stance.

“Hmm, yes. Body of flame. And the blue runes… I assume from your healer class? Two body enhancing classes working together while being able to heal. That is quite the combination. Why I asked about the perception skill, you should always and when I say always, I mean at All times keep that skill up. I assume it saved your life earlier when Fel attacked you. Are you ready then?” he finished to which Ilea nodded

A red mist suddenly exited out of Edwin, hovering sporadically above his armor. And he vanished, appearing to Ilea’s right. His right sword was unsheathed in a speed barely comprehensible to Ilea and slashed towards her arm. She turned her body slightly, trusting fully in her Azarinth Fighting and Perception skills. Blink would’ve been the safer way but she didn’t feel like running away right now.

The sword scraped against her bracers before she started to deliver a punch towards the man. A touch to her side let her know she has already lost though as his second sword somehow already reached her.

Blinking away, Ilea held her side that started to bleed a second later. She healed it while Edwin slowly sheathed his swords.

“Very impressive. I can barely think of anyone able to touch you in your level range. Although body enhancers do have a massive advantage early on, don’t forget that. Good reliance on your skills and instincts as well, you’ve been fighting for your life more than once already. Your perception skill can certainly use some training though. You didn’t seem to notice my second sword until it reached you.” he analyzed

“Let’s just say you’re good. You were simply too fast. I could barely comprehend your first strike.” she answered, getting back into a fighting stance, her wound healed.

“Healing seems second nature to you too. Do try to ignore superficial wounds like that in a fight of attrition, every ounce of mana is important, even though your regeneration might be high. I didn’t hold back much on speed seeing how you dodged Fel’s windblade before.” he said

‘Not much? This guy really is fucking scary.’ the smile on her face betrayed her thoughts though as she prepared for another strike.

“Let’s see your destructive power then. You can heal others right?” he asked and received a nod in reply.

“Good, then give me all you’ve got. I’d normally not do that but honestly you don’t seem smart enough to fool me like that.” he said, holding his hands in a cross in front of him.

“Fucker.” she said and blinked right in front of him. Somehow his comment didn’t insult her, she truly wasn’t the kind of person that would scheme like that.

Her fist reaches him a split second after blinking and impacts on his arms, a full wave of Destruction following after. Both of them smile as their eyes lock.

“Not bad, not bad at all. That did more damage than I ever expected...” he said as she extended her hand towards his. He let her do her thing as he assumed what her intentions were.

She assessed the damage and healed him, rather disappointed by what little her attack seemed to do to him.

“Don’t be discouraged. I assume you can feel my injury? Many healers have that ability. It’s a wonder someone of your level even managed to hurt me...I have plenty of Vitality after all. Your strike was good, very fast and combined with the teleport you’re the bane of any mage...just like I am.” he said and smiled again.

“The actual impact of the strike wasn’t too bad either. Considering you’re using Body of Flame the other skill you have must be quite impressive. Now the reason you managed to hurt me though was the force of mana that entered my body upon impact. A very rare form of attack and only hand to hand combatants can usually use something similar. Just be aware that there are ways to guard against it for many mages out there. It’s still a strong attack but don’t rely on its impact in all cases.” he lectured

‘That’s a bit more than some pointers but it’s free and he seems capable enough….’ she thought as she nodded, internalizing his comments.

“Your skills make your form nearly perfect. How many times have you fought against mages, swordsmen, people using axes, monsters with claws….” she stopped him there.

“I’ve mostly just fought Drakes and Stalker Hounds so far. Not many actual people...” she said, a thoughtful expression forming on his face

“...aaand I do believe the food is ready.” she finished while motioning to a waving Aliana. Something about the woman made her shiver right then.

‘What a bunch of nutters…I feel right at home.’ she thought, a manic grin forming on her face. ‘Fucking fitting that I find them hundreds of meters underground inside an ancient dwarven ruin...now let’s just hope they don’t murder me.’

The four people sat around the fire while eating the generous amounts of meat Aliana had prepared. “Wow, this is delicious…” Ilea said to which Aliana smiled brightly.

“Yea right!” she answered, getting a thumbs up from Ilea.

“Although it seems like you’re not here for us, may I ask you about what you’re doing here?” Edwin asked, after having eaten a massive piece of meat already, throwing the bone behind himself.

Ilea explained her talk with Alice and what she experienced on her way here. Seeing how easily Edwin could dispatch her if he wanted to, she told them about the dead adventurers and her fight with the guardians as well.

“That is some creative usage of your skills. If only all of them were gunners…” he said.

“Don’t be mean to her Ed, explain the rest.” Felicia told him with a mischievous look and continued eating.

“Hmm, well alright. That girl, your so called friend is using you. I’ll give you more if you give me the name of your class.” he said, looking at Ilea.

“I’ll tell you for that information AND if you let me come along with you. I won’t get in the way, I promise.” she answered, knowing that his curiosity would likely win over.

Edwin tsked in an annoyed way which made Felicia laugh loudly, dropping her food in the process. Edwin looked at the scene and his annoyed look turned joyous. Looking back to Ilea after a couple seconds though, it seemed like the joy was an illusion.

“Alright, we can handle it and your healing might come in handy once or twice.” he said but to Ilea it seemed more like an excuse. She didn’t question his decision further though.

“Azarinth healer it’s called. A very old order of mages. I stumbled upon their remains and got the class through various met requirements.” she said.

“You can teach it to others?” his eyes lit up a little.

“Not for many years I’m afraid. A moss like substance is required to get it and nothing remains sadly.” she answered.

“Bloody idiot...could’ve made a fortune with selling that class. I don’t know the circumstances though so no offense. And it doesn’t seem worth to switch at this point...” he looked at her thoughtfully.

‘I really could’ve done that, yea. But then other people would have the class and I do like being special.’ she smiled “None taken. It was necessary at the time to use it all, not to mention the 35% mortality rate.” she said ‘It really wasn’t.’

“You’re not the best liar you know? I guess keeping the class to yourself is an advantage in itself as well though. And there’s plenty powerful classes out there anyway.” he finished another leg and threw the bone away.

‘Is he reading my mind?’ Ilea thought and also grabbed more food. “You mentioned something about Alice though, do tell. How is she using me?”

Edwin nodded “Hmm yes, well you’re aware that the six big houses of Dawntree declared different parts of the cave systems their own right?...” he looked at her and continued “...You don’t. Well it’s no matter. They just chose different tunnels and declared them theirs. Whatever lies within they claim, not that the houses play by the rules. This dungeon was found a couple months ago by the Forkspears. Usually Taleen dungeons are left alone because they’re too dangerous and not rewarding enough to touch. Whatever those dwarves did before leaving, they had a way to make their valuables disappear as well.” he paused to chew some more meat.

“I did hear about some Forkspears sending adventurers inside to map the dungeon out. Outrageous prices are usually paid for that, not that many actually make it back. Only the desperate, the stupid or very powerful take on first dungeon explorations in Taleen ruins. Compared to most other dungeons, these hold ridiculous traps and usually beasts above level 150.”

“More importantly though, I’ve never heard of a sleeping plague and it seems like a bit of a stretch to find a cure in a newly discovered Taleen dungeon. More a political move it seems, and why not send a free scout in there that thinks they’re doing their friend a favor…” he finished

“No...she didn’t seem like that...I mean maybe something changed after it happened...” Ilea mumbled to herself.

“The girl is part of a major house, she probably values the opportunity to gain favor in her family more than a friend she knew for a couple months.” Edwin said. Ilea had mentioned that she didn’t know Alice for very long.

“I...guess. How cold though, I mean it makes sense given your information, but...” she stopped herself. ‘It makes perfect sense in this world but I still didn’t expect it. Even on earth people would easily do something like that if they were in a higher political position...I was simply never exposed to that.’ she analyzed her thoughts and continued.

“You said gain favor...how would you do that by sending adventurers into this dungeon? Didn’t you say it’s too dangerous and not rewarding enough?”

He nodded “I also said the desperate would take the job. She doesn’t seem to be in a very stable position if this is what she uses her resources for. It is certainly highly dangerous but some Taleen dungeons also hold treasures many would kill for, while others hold only death and despair.”

Ilea nodded and stayed quiet for a while, thinking it over. She was more hurt by the lie than anything else. ‘Going to the dungeon is a good opportunity and I would’ve done it anyway if she’d just asked me...I’m gonna ask her about it once I’m back. As much as it makes sense, I won’t simply trust this man’s word for it.’

“What’s your objective here then? Were you hired as well?” Ilea asked but didn’t receive an answer. The fire had burned out at that point and everyone was done eating. Nothing was left after all. Edwin hadn’t exaggerated their appetite.

“You can come with us, we’ll go further into the dungeon and destroy more guardians. Additionally I’d like us three to spar with you regularly. It would be a hindrance to leave your lack of experience unattended. And it will be good for them as well.” he gestured towards the two women.

A note from Rhaegar

2019 June: Updated to address issues with tenses, spacing, paragraphs and dialogue.

Chapter 37 Azarinth Leecher

A note from Rhaegar

As mentioned no present tense anymore intentionally outside of dialogue and thoughts.

Happy Wednesday

Chapter 37 Azarinth Leecher

Ilea didn’t have a problem with that arrangement. She could learn a lot from these people and didn’t feel like confronting Alice just yet anyway. ‘He seems a bit too forward about this...there has to be a catch somewhere but trying to escape now or later seems to be similarly dangerous. Plus the longer they keep me around, the stronger I’ll get. I assume with their levels it’s not as effective for them...’ she thought.

Felicia seemed especially happy about the arrangement and immediately hugged Ilea again. “Yey, finally some new company!” she yelled while Edwin extinguished the last remaining embers of their little makeshift fireplace.

“With her here we won’t stop as often to let our wounds heal.” Edwin nodded and completely ignored Felicia’s groan. She turned smiley again quickly though and started to ask Ilea all sorts of questions ranging from cute clothes to removing the eyes of dead animals without damaging them. The girl didn’t specifically mention animals but Ilea didn’t want to think too hard about any other applications.

‘Grant us eyes...’ she thought, remembering a quote from some gluetube video she’d watched a while ago. ‘It’s weird how little I’ve actually missed the internet...’ Ilea thought as she got up, seeing the others preparing to leave.

‘Makes sense I guess with all the things I can do here...some more shallow entertainment would be nice thought from time to time. Carrying only three books for weeks is a pain. I need a kindle.’ lost in thought, she ignored the constant rambling of questions and following answers or thoughts from Felicia.

“...so that means the moon has thirteen different powers and have you heard it’s actually a flat disk?” the rising tone of the question and subsequent pause made Ilea look at Felicia. Her yellow eyes were sparkling with excitement.

“I’ve heard of a similar theory about Elos, never about the moon though.” Ilea answered.

“Thirteen powers in Elos? Hmm yes yes...with the elements...and the cycles...” the woman continued rambling while slowly following Edwin who gestured for the group to continue.

‘I was more thinking about the flat part but I guess powers are more interesting in the end. Magic IS real after all.’ Ilea smiled at the thought, remembering again that on earth she’d probably be able to win nearly all Olympic disciplines with ease by now. ‘I wonder if there’s an equivalent here...something else than simply fighting each other.’

The thought entertained her for a while longer as she marveled at the possibilities. Felicia never stopped talking or mumbling next to her while Aliana and Edwin walked in silence before them.

“Get ready. Two sword guardians and one ranged guardian. Ilea I assume the sword ones are too much for you? Any success with a ranged one?” Edwin asked as he stopped walking. Ilea didn’t notice any guardian machines nearby but trusted his senses nonetheless.

“I destroyed one before, will take a while though. Swords are too much for me yet I’m afraid.” she answered honestly. He knew of her capabilities already so there was no reason to hide the truth.

“You go for the ranged one then down the middle, I’ll take right and you two take the one on the left. Shout for help if you need any.” he said and immediately disappeared. A loud boom echoed through the dwarven street, moving the dust on the ground as Edwin reappeared inside a nearby building.

A clash of metal on metal signaled the start of the fight as magical power condensed next to Ilea’s companions. The healer herself ran towards the indicated location and was soon greeted by the now familiar sound of a ranged Taleen guardian shooting a slug her way.

It took a while for her to close in on the machine but with it being alone and seemingly exactly the same as her previous encounter, she soon found herself on a spinning back again.

When her final punch landed, she looked up to a smiling Edwin and a clapping Aliana. Felicia obviously ran up to her and caught her in a strong hug.

“Quite the tactic to use. I must say I’m impressed. I expected you to hold it off while we were finishing up….good thing I let you continue.” Edwin said and continued “Aliana and I have some minor cuts if you would...” he said as the two approached the hugging pair.

Ilea healed them and finished up just as Felicia let go of her. “Then let’s go to sparing. I suggest you split up your stat points into two parts Vitality, two parts Intelligence and one part Dexterity. Seeing you fight you don’t seem to have any big mana spenders like Felicia and Aliana so Wisdom wise you’re probably good for now. With all your Body Enhancements you probably get more of a punch out of Intelligence than out of Strength. Dexterity will help with reactions though so at this point it’s important as well.” Edwin lectured.

“So you’re telling me I wasted a ton of stat points?” Ilea asked a little disappointed.

“No, not really. Maybe if you wanted to become the hardest punching level 77 hand to hand fighter but not if you’re plan includes surviving. There are always drawbacks of specializing. What are your current stats at by the way?” he explained.

The question seemed incredibly insensitive, even to Ilea who’s not even lived on Elos for a year yet. Although still she answered with her current status points.

“Hmm, It’s a good base. I stand by the suggestion from before though. Whenever possible we’ll leave a single ranged guardian to you. With the level difference it’ll be no time until you hit the hundreds. We’ll also try to go further away once you’re alone with one of them so it’s a bit more dangerous and rewarding.” he said.

“Isn’t that...I don’t know, kind of cheap? I can easily destroy these machines now. It doesn’t seem reasonable for me to level up as much from them as I do...” Ilea stated, looking down on the destroyed guardian.

“If two of them engaged you, you’d be dead. You need several minutes to destroy one and one slip up could easily cost you your life so no...it’s definitely not unreasonable. You enjoy fighting though so I understand your thoughts...maybe you enjoy it a bit too much. Well this is the only way for you to reasonably fight one of the sword guardians so deal with it.” he said and gestured to Aliana.

“You fight her this time, show her some of your spells...oh and Aliana...try not to kill her.” he finished as the woman prepared, her easygoing smile replaced by a manic grin.

Ilea hadn’t seen the two women fight as she was preoccupied by the guardian. She ignored the messages after destroying the machine and simply invested the points as Edwin suggested. Again she’d gained six levels across her two classes.

‘If this continues for a while I’ll get that damn Basilisk in no time….although...’ she thought and looked towards Edwin to ask him about the four question marks she’d seen above the Basilisk. Just then something hot splashed in her face.

Ilea’s eyes widened as she immediately started to heal her burnt up face, her pain resistance the only thing keeping her from screaming. Aliana hadn’t waited for her to ask the question but seemed bored by the talking.

Another wave of boiling liquid made its way to Ilea but this time she blinked through, getting closer to her opponent. Her face was still healing when her back started itching. The wave of water had returned after the blink and hit her back.

“Use your perception skill girl.” Edwin said from the side, twirling around one of his sword with an amused smile.

Calming down, Ilea activated her sphere and started moving away from the water that formed out of nowhere around Aliana and came at her from every direction. A wave of deadly hot liquid flowing through the air like through the rocky bed of a river, released from its limitations of gravity.

With her sphere active and the help of her Azarinth Perception and Blink, Ilea managed to evade any further injuries for a full twenty seven minutes. At that point Edwin got up from his lounging position.

“Alright Aliana, enough playing around. Go for the kill now. Ilea, good luck.” he said as the grin on Aliana grew more than Ilea thought possible.

‘Wait what?’ she thought as the water suddenly dropped to the floor. The whole square they stood in suddenly heated up as some lamps above burst. Drops of hot liquid suddenly fell in such numbers that Ilea found it impossible to dodge their number.

She got away with light burns and stood inside a nearby house looking at Aliana. The drops of boiling water were still falling as the woman started gesturing with her arms. Her eyes closed and the movements stopped as a whisper too soft for Ilea to hear left her mouth.

Ilea’s eyes widened as a half transparent massive gate formed above the woman. ‘A floodgate...’ the thought was too late as she blinked towards where Edwin stood, making only a third of the distance even with the full 32m of her current Blink ability.

The gates had opened at that point and released a seemingly unfathomable amount of water towards Ilea’s direction. The problem she had though was that the water was boiling. Her next blink brought her closer to Edwin who stood safely to the side, the water rushed below her and a glance towards Aliana brought a shiver to her back as more and more water poured out of the gate.

‘I’d blink right into it with the next one...’ she thought, more annoyed at losing to the mage without having gotten in a single punch than at the prospect of dying. ‘...a cook huh?’ she thought and smiled, blinking as close to Edwin as she could.

Felicia watched as her new friend was about to be consumed by Aliana’s deadly wave and frowned. Moving her hand, a strong gust of wind formed and flew towards Ilea’s position. The girl had blinked into the mass of water as a last ditch effort to get through but Aliana wasn’t having it.

The wind pushed away the water in front of the already severely burned Ilea. Both wind and water continued to fight each other for another thirty seconds before the gates finally closed again, Aliana collapsing on the ground.

Her brother shook his head and went to look after Aliana. “She alive?” he asked.

Felicia was already kneeling above Ilea but couldn’t make out much from the disfigured face. “Yes, she’s healing.” she answered as she felt the magic flow through the girl.

“You really like her don’t you?” Edwin asked but she didn’t feel like answering rhetorical questions. Not if they were coming from anybody else than herself. It took the healer an impressive seven minutes to get back on her feet.

After using an insane amount of mana to heal herself, Ilea slowly got up while coughing. “Well that was close, I’m alive right?” she asked towards a smiling Felicia.

“You are. Quite impressive that healing power. Aliana’s still recovering as well.” she said as she gestured to the woman that lay on the ground while chewing on a piece of meat.

“I just healed burns, nothing new...” Ilea asked but Felicia shook her head.

“Then why isn’t your armor sticking to your molten skin by now? Aliana’s water is far deadlier than spilling a boiling pot of it onto yourself.” she said and looked towards the water mage on the ground.

Ilea touched her armor and indeed, it seemed only her skin suffered any burns. Compared to any burns she’d received before it took a substantial amount of mana and time to heal as well. Seeing how her skills got stronger since then it seemed strange to say the least.

‘Scary’ she thought.

“You made it. I really thought you were done for there. Well I hope you learned something from that fight. Next up is Felicia but we’ll wait until we get a bit deeper in.” Edwin said as he helped Aliana stand up.

“Once someone starts channeling for more than a second get the fuck away. And Aliana is scary.” Ilea said as she walked towards them. Aliana started smiling upon hearing the comment and nodded.

“I am I am, I didn’t plan on killing you but after smelling your burning flesh I just couldn’t resist!” the voice sounded like the cute woman in front of her should sound but as the meaning of the words were processed by Ilea, she could only smile back awkwardly, her eyes turning panicky towards Edwin.

“Don’t worry, she keeps her...indulgences to her own plate.” he soothed the healer and motioned for all of them to start moving again.

‘Five minutes after I nearly died boiling...’ Ilea thought but the smile on her face definitely told of her true sentiments. ‘My brain will need a while to get used to this lifestyle...’ she thought as they walked further into the dwarven ruin.

It turned out that the dungeon or ruin seemed to once have been a rather big Taleen city. The four intruders cleared road after road, square after square for nearly three days straight. Edwin, their by now unquestionable leader didn’t seem to have the goal of clearing everything out.

Ilea was sure they were walking into a specific direction. While they did destroy all guardians they came across, it would’ve likely taken them weeks if not months to clear out all of the city space they’ve come across so far.

‘He’s after something or somewhere specific.’ Ilea thought as again the road that would lead them further down was chosen instead of the three side streets. He didn’t share any of his plans with Ilea and she stopped asking after the third time. Aliana and Felicia seemed either painfully oblivious or simply apathetic for any further goal Edwin had.

Ilea did grow to like the two though through all the spars and meals they shared. It was no surprise to her that the first spar with Felicia ended much faster than the one against Aliana. What she did learn though, was that reattaching limbs was possible for her if she acted fast enough. Regrowing wasn’t something she’d be willing to test quite yet though.

On the third day, they reached the entrance to a natural cave, before them a massive chasm without any visible ground below stretched from left to right for a couple hundred meters. On the other side of the chasm was a massive door, greenish runes covered nearly all of it.

Ilea had grown tremendously in those three days, being with the group that destroyed dozens of machines while she managed to get eight ranged guardians on her own. That experience combined with what she got from the group effort made her level fifty full levels. She nearly died just as many times though, only her healing power making her able to continue.

Both Aliana and Felicia got badly injured several times and when they would’ve had to wait for days to heal, with Ilea there the recovery time was reduced to mere minutes. Edwin however only got small injuries from time to time which he healed himself.

“The great hall...” Edwin said, in awe of the massive door in front of him. “...finally.”

He then effortlessly jumped over the nearly twenty meters wide chasm, followed by the others carried by magic. Ilea simply blinked over.

“So what’s this great hall?” she asked, completely unprepared for an actual answer.

“Some of the Taleen cities held what are called great halls. They are basically the only reason anybody would even venture to a place like this, except for fighting experience like you of course. Those people are rather rare though...” he explained.

“A lot of Taleen dungeons simply hold something similar to what you’ve experienced the past three days. Great halls though...they usually hold similar machines with additional traps inside. And usable technology and artifacts. Of the sparse reports I’ve heard of and read half of the great halls hold something valuable inside. Oh, sorry I must be boring you. Let’s go then.” he stopped at that and walked up to the door.

‘Bored? Please, this is the first relevant thing you shared in the past three days…’

Aliana started cooking and Felicia sat near the edge, dangling her feet into the chasm. When the food was ready, Edwin returned from the door with a bit of a frown on his face. It was very subtle but Ilea started to notice more and more of his behavior in those three days. Frowns were mostly present when Felicia got hurt and smiles when she was happy. He cared a lot for his sister, that was the only thing Ilea was sure of with Edwin.

“I can’t figure it out. We’ll have to push through with brute force. Aliana can you start melting through after we had dinner?” he said and sat down next to Ilea.

“Sure thing boss.” Aliana said and tasted the broth she was cooking.

“You should check your status and possible new skills, with how thick the door seems to be it’ll take a couple hours at least. Did you follow the suggestions with that stats?” Edwin asked with a side glance towards Ilea.

“I did indeed...” she mumbled back while looking through her messages and status.

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian]

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 78. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 79. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 55. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 56. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 57. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 58. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Flame reaches lvl 16’

…

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian]

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

...

Skipping the other six messages for destroying guardians, she looked through the other level ups. The messages went on and on and it took a while for her to work through them. ‘Quite a bit for simply being close and fighting with the others...’ she thought. In total she had gained 56 levels from all the fights since encountering the group. A total of 280 stat points. 112 into Vitality, 112 into Intelligence and 56 into Dexterity.

A lot of her skills had improved as well upon using them to fight and destroy guardians, others by simply using them. The most interesting of them being Body of flame that reached the second stage.

Active: Body of Flame – 2nd lvl 3:

Clad yourself in flames raising your resilience, speed and strength by 31% [Effect after bonuses 75.95%]

2nd stage: The longer you fight within the Body of Flame, the stronger burns its heat. Each minute of fighting adds 10% to the bonuses with a maximum of 100%.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement – Fire magic

Her last two opponent guardians got a taste of that powerful second stage as her average time for one guardian fight was reduced by nearly two full minutes.

It’s been a scarily fruitful three days for Ilea. She felt like her levels and stats were slowly catching up to her incredibly high skill levels.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 99

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 16

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 8

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 12

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – lvl 20

- Passive: Free Slot

Class 2: Fire Enhancer – lvl 88

- Active: Flame – lvl 2

- Active: Body of Flame – 2nd lvl 3

- Active: Heat Surge – lvl 2

- Active: Free Slot

- Active: Free Slot

- Passive: Fire Manipulation – lvl 14

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

- Passive: Free Slot

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 9

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 282

Endurance: 150

Strength 111

Dexterity 166

Intelligence 272

Wisdom 160

Health: 2820/2820

Stamina: 1423/1500

Mana: 1489/1600

Chapter 38 Centurion

Chapter 38 Centurion

With each passing fight, Ilea could hold her own a little longer against both Aliana and Felicia. Edwin still judged her unable to face one of the sword guardians on her own and he only sparred rarely with her, demonstrating again and again how vastly inadequate her power still was, even after gaining over fifty levels.

To a normal adventurer even at level 150, Ilea would be a formidable opponent. The three people fighting alongside her against the machines of the Taleen were everything but normal though. They all had specialized classes and very effective skills for killing, with the ruthlessness and experience to use them to a scarily efficient degree.

Edwin had explained after one of their spars that Ilea had an incredible advantage with her healing against unknown enemies. A surprise attack executed by both her and her enemy would leave her healing her wounds and most opponents bleeding out. If the opponents attack didn’t kill her on the spot, she would already have an advantage.

Ilea looked through the plethora of useless skills she could choose from in her Fire Enhancer class. Edwin had told her not to bother too much with them as it was still a rather basic class. Most of the skills reflected that. Ilea did however spot one skill that intrigued her.

Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

Regulate the heat in your body to protect yourself against harsh climates or even blend in your environment.

Category: Body Enhancement – Fire magic

Would you like to learn this skill?

Willing her mind to add the skill to her arsenal, her body cooled and heated itself quickly before she managed to control the newfound feeling inside of her. ‘Wow this is cool...’ she thought and chose a rather warm temperature.

With some testing she managed to match her surroundings rather easily, mostly thanks to her Heat Perception skill that complimented the body heat skill quite a bit.

Half an hour later Aliana called them all to herself “You guys! I’m through I think!” she exclaimed to which Edwin got up quickly while the two others followed after. At that point Felicia was playing above the chasm, flying this way and that.

“Ilea, if you would be so kind? My swords are unfit for this task.” Edwin said and gestured to the door. Her buffs immediately surging up, she stepped closer and hit the door with everything she had.

A dull sound could be heard. Edwin stopped her from punching again and with a quick motion cut into the door. Two cuts later, he inserted his hands and pulled. After a painful minute of grating noise, Edwin managed to open up the remaining part of the door. Ilea’s punch had cleared away a big chunk of the green metal that was already melted and malleable.

The four of them entered the opening into a big hall. Immediately four sword guardians advanced on the intruders while four ranged guardians started shooting from the nearly a hundred meters far away wall. Two quick movements of Edwin’s swords deflected the slugs before the others finished entering through the opening.

Water started flowing around them immediately, taking care of some slugs while others were cut in half by gusts of magical wind. The two mages walked to the side slowly while casting, each to one side of the hall. The pillars posted on each side would give them cover while they wielded their magic.

Edwin’s form blurred and appeared behind one of the sword guardians, cutting off two of its arms with clean swings before retreating from a second guardian’s approach. Ilea followed quickly behind him with a blink but didn’t stop until she reached the wall on the other side.

Dodging slugs here and there, she positioned herself in a way that obscured three of the ranged machine’s vision of her. Only two of them were focused on her as the other two continued attacking Edwin, their slugs finding only water or air instead of the desired flesh and bones.

Ilea’s punches came rapidly and several dodges and blinks later, her two opponents already showed several destroyed or damaged legs. Her stats in Intelligence helped a great deal and with the second stage of Body of Flame, the fight would only continue to become easier.

Three of the sword guardians were missing limbs at that point while Felicia managed to destroy one of the ranged enemies. Boiling water slowly worked on the guardian’s shells, slowly melting away the sharp edges of the machines.

As Edwin had to retreat from the combined assault of three machines, the third remaining ranged guardian turned to Ilea and attacked her too. A third slug to dodge sporadically made her fight much more complicated. She was used to only fight one of them at once.

Her leveled sphere and perception skills helped her tremendously at avoiding any fatal shots. A minute had passed at that point, her second stage Body of Flame bonus kicking in. Felicia and Aliana focused on the sword guardians that threatened to overwhelm Edwin with their sheer number of attacks and blades.

With more than one ranged attacker, Ilea could only buy time for the others to destroy their enemies. Her mana was still high when suddenly a spear like object entered her sphere of perception, making her blink away behind a pilar immediately.

The spear continued and entered the wall, forming a huge crack in the process. It was a spear made from the same greenish metal the guardians were made of. It suddenly vanished from the wall and entered the creature’s hand which it belonged to.

Ilea looked to the side where a new machine stood. It had six legs as well, with the same headpiece but only two arms. Compared to the sword arms the other guardians had, the machine sported quite normal arms, holding the thrown spear in its metal hands.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl ??]

Ilea moved her head to the side as the thrown spear passed her. The throw itself was as fast as Edwin’s swings, if not faster. “Centurion!” she shouted, before blinking towards the three remaining ranged enemies.

The others had managed to finish off two of the remaining three sword guardians just before she had warned them. Edwin immediately disengaged the remaining sword machine and engaged the centurion.

With two punches Ilea destroyed the last leg of one of the guardians before continuing to the next one. The guardian fell down from the wall, leaving it sprawled on the ground, turning and shooting at whatever it could.

Leaving two enemies to face, Ilea relaxed when a blade of wind cut into the guardian before her. ‘They must’ve finished the last sword guardian.’ she thought as another blade of wind unbalanced the ranged guardian.

Five punches and two kicks to its torso later, the machine gave in. Most of the damage came from the blades of wind that kept rushing into Ilea’s adversary. Only one of them remained functional now and no more magic came to her assistance.

‘I’ll finish this one normally then...’ she thought as she blinked closer and started working on the machine’s legs. It took her only two minutes to finish the last enemy. It was already damaged by her previous attacks and a couple hits of magic from both Aliana and Felicia.

Looking over, Ilea realized that the others were still engaged in the fight. And a fight it was. Both Aliana and Felicia were walking behind Edwin, throwing whatever magic they could at the centurion which was fiercely engaged in a flurry of strikes with Edwin. The most amazing thing to Ilea was that the machine could actually match the man.

It was hard to tell how damaged the centurion was but Edwin sported several damaged parts on his armor and both fresh and healed cuts from the machine’s spear. Ilea stopped watching and blinked down to the remaining ranged guardian that was nearly out of the fight but still dangerous.

Several dozen punches later, the machine’s struggles ended. Not before releasing a final slug that nearly struck her skull. She moved her head slightly right before the shot, having expected the attack.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception has reached 2nd lvl 1’

Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 1:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body a healer of Azarinth has to control it.

2nd stage: Your perception spikes for two seconds, should you be about to receive a blow that would take 75% or more of your life. This can happen only once per hour.

Category: Body Enhancement

‘Nice, no more sudden death by Basilisk sneak attack...maybe.’ she thought and looked towards the group again. Not much seemed to have changed but she could tell that both of the mages were running low. Even Edwin seemed more exhausted than she’d seen him ever before.

She had reached the final stage of her Body of Flame bonus meaning it’s been at least ten minutes since the fighting started. Felicia and Aliana were hard hitters that used up their mana much quicker than Ilea or Edwin. Although Aliana had demonstrated over twenty minutes of spells in the spar against Ilea, what she was throwing around against guardians was quite a bit more intense than the playful splashes she had used against Ilea in their first bout.

‘Playful splashes my ass...’ Ilea thought as she blinked closer to the three of them. ‘This thing is overwhelming to me and none of them seem actually hurt...’ she thought.

She didn’t want to distract Edwin from the intense battle and simply decided to move in between the man and the two mages as a second line of defense. The others immediately reacted, giving her enough space to move.

“Aliana how much do you have left?!” Edwin shouted, deflecting another five consecutive blows from the centurion’s spear. Meanwhile a blade of wind cut into the machine, leaving a deep cut in the stone below and behind the enemy but only a scratch on the green metal itself.

“I’m nearly there, tell me when to use it!” Aliana shouted back.

“Then use it, now!” Edwin’s answer made Aliana jump back a couple meters before starting her gestures. The now familiar movements made Ilea move in front of Aliana. Not a moment too late as the guardian immediately focused on her, sensing the buildup of mana from the mage.

It moved back from Edwin, while punching him in the side with its left arm. He blocked which made him move half a meter to the left right in front of Felicia. With free space before it, the centurion threw its spear towards Aliana.

Ilea blinked before the woman and time slowed down as the spear closed in on her. It was already only a meter away when her blink finished, moving too fast for her to completely deflect it or move both her and Aliana away.

Trusting all her skills completely, her hand moved to intercept the spear. It impacted her hand and cut right through before hitting her right breast. The interception had moved the spear slightly from its trajectory towards Aliana which would have made it punch right through Ilea’s spine and into the mage.

Time accelerated and Ilea was thrown away into one of the pillars as the spear traveled seemingly unhindered through the healer but past Aliana’s moving form and impacted the far wall behind them. Edwin vanished from before the creature right when the spear vanished from the wall.

The next throw of the machine was intercepted by one of Edwin’s swords, when the flood finally reached their enemy. The Taleen Centurion tried to move against the tide but more and more water came from Aliana’s spell. The flood of boiling water didn’t stop for five minutes before Felicia caught a collapsing Aliana.

The remaining water flowed towards the other side of the hall, leaving a molten husk of green metal behind.

Ilea’s body finished healing the deadly wound a couple minutes ago and simply watched the unending tide. ‘Now this is what I call a commercial...how did I survive that again?’ she thought as a bling noise interrupted her thinking.

‘blang’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl ??]. For killing an adversary two hundred or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘bling’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl ??] x 8. For killing an adversary fifty or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 100. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 89. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 90. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 91. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skill available for Azarinth Healer’

‘bing’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

‘Two hundred levels...oh man...’ Ilea thought while getting up. ‘Wait...new skill twice?!’ checking her messages again, she rejoiced ‘Azarinth Healer...’ she read through the information.

‘bing’ ‘You have met following conditions: Reached lvl 100 in Azarinth Healer. Reached at least 2nd lvl 15 of both Destruction and Reconstruction in the Azarinth Healer class.’

‘Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 1

You have learned of Destruction and Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Destruction will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Destruction’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Reconstruction will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

Category: Body Enhancement’

‘Would you like to learn this skill?’

“Hell yea I would!” she said out loud, the skill being added to her abilities.

“100 huh? Something good I hope.” Edwin said after having checked the remains of the centurion. “Can you check on Aliana first though?”

“Oh sure sure!” Ilea exclaimed, turning a bit red with embarrassment. All the blood from her injury hid that fact rather well though.

Aliana was fine, simply out of any juice. Healing all the minor injuries of the group, Ilea read through her new skill again and assigned the new stat points the same was as she did before. Eight points into Vitality, eight into Intelligence and four into Dexterity. ‘Level one hundred bitches!’ she thought happily as she finished up.

Looking down on herself, she frowns again though. ‘Another armor repair session eh?’ she thought, although this time it was only a massive hole in her right chest and back area. She held a hand to her exposed breast as she approached the others.

“Fought a centurion before?” she asked Edwin who was making a makeshift pillow for Aliana.

“No, I know someone who did though. I’m surprised we survived actually...we’ve grown Balt...” he stopped himself before finishing the sentence. “So what did you get for your 100?” he shifted the topic back to Ilea.

“Yes! Whatcha got?” Felicia added and jumphugged her.

“It’s very interesting. Edwin, up for a trial?” she didn’t need to ask twice as they moved a bit further away from the resting Aliana.

“So this is supposed to...well...steal mana from you?” she exclaimed a bit unsure of herself.

“Mana stealing? That’s worthy of a level one hundred skill. I have something similar with life. I believe I got it at 150 though of my second class...” Edwin said. He had a way of slipping into a scholar’s mind when it came to skills and classes, sharing knowledge that many would rather die with.

“Well with my healing abilities it’s basically the same really...let’s try then?” Ilea asked and activated Azarinth Reversal. A light punch later, all three of them smiled. What to most normal adventurers and civilians would look like a simple punch without and effect, was in fact a reversed Destruction spell. On impact, a small portion of Edwin’s mana was removed from him and integrated into Ilea.

The attack didn’t cost her any mana, just the energy of her executing the punch. “Impressive. That was more than I expected.” he said.

“It’s related to another skill I already had, so I assume it’s affected by that one’s skill level. I got a second thing too though, let’s try that one!” Ilea exclaimed, a bit inspired by Felicia’s enthusiastic glare and smile.

She touched Edwin and released a reversed Reconstruction spell. He winced away after five seconds. “You can keep that up?” he asked to which she nodded.

“That’s the most damage you’ve dealt to me so far.” the man exclaimed, one hand on his chin. “So it’s like a reversion of your healing and attack skills?” he asked.

“You’re way too smart Edwin.” Ilea sighed. They were all taken from their talk by noise coming from Aliana.

Felicia rushed to the woman and held her head, Aliana’s eyes opening slowly. “Hungry.” she said in a quiet and weak voice, before out of nowhere several big cuts of meat appeared and Aliana went unconscious again.

“Wow...Fel I told you we shouldn’t let her keep the ring on once she’s unconscious...” Edwin said, Ilea just then getting what had happened.

“She loves the ring though, and you know what happened last time I asked her to take it off.” Felicia answered.

“You guys make great parents.” Ilea said from behind the two “So everyone hungry, maybe the smell will wake her up?” A flame formed above her hand after she finished.

Chapter 39 Traps

Chapter 39 Traps

The smell of food didn’t wake up Aliana immediately. It did however help to have food around once she did.

“How are you feeling? You’ve been out for nearly an hour this time...” Edwin told Aliana after she had her fill of food.

“I’m ok. So it finished the centurion?” Edwin gestured to the piece of metal in the middle of the hall, answering her question.

“You did yes. With a centurion present there will certainly be a lot of interesting things to find here.” he said and got up from his crouching position.

“Looking for anything specific?” Ilea asked but this time she didn’t receive an answer. “Figures...” she mumbled and looked around the hall. A lot of it was bruised, a testament to the battle they’d fought here. “So this is the great hall? Doesn’t look very special to me. The stone seems to be a bit nicer and there’s more runes on the walls.” Ilea commented as she walked around a broken pillar.

She saw six doors in total, one of them being the one they entered from. All of the other doors were of a similar size and the only difference between the doors were different assortments of runes above, on and next to said doors.

“Any idea what they mean? I know I’m not the brightest torch in the dungeon but I know you’re here for a reason. And with your power it’s not some random riches.” Ilea talked with her head slightly inclined towards Edwin’s direction.

“We are here for something specific, I’ll tell you that much. I know that the runes next to the doorways explain what’s behind. And I know two of the ones in this room.” Edwin explained, walking next to Ilea and stopping. Felicia and Aliana were coming too, listening to what they were talking about. Although Felicia seemed more busy with cutting small holes into the magical lamps above to create patterns in the green light.

“Don’t hold me in suspense Edwin, what do they mean?” Ilea asked, walking close to one of the doors and nearly touching one of the runes before stopping herself ‘Maybe not the best idea...’ she thought.

“The one you’re standing in front of means prison, dungeon or something to that extent. I’ve seen it in a report on another Taleen great hall. The symbol over there means armory. That is where we’ll be going.” he gestured towards the door on the other side of the hall and started walking towards it.

“Do you like it?” Felicia suddenly asked Ilea from the side while gesturing above herself. Ilea looked and was impressed with the light show the wind mage managed to produce with some incredibly precise cuts.

Looking back down at the smiling woman, she couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘Sometimes she seems like a kid.’ she thought before hugging the woman. “I like you Felicia, you’re goddamn cute.” she said and released the grown woman who kept smiling.

“You may call me Fel if you like.” and with that Felicia walked after her brother.

Aliana and Ilea followed behind, with the lack of voices the sound of the machines took over again.

‘They really built all of this underground...quite an impressive race the Taleen.’ the healer thought as they entered the door which apparently led to the armory.

“So an ancient weapon maybe, a legendary shield?” Ilea tried to pry something out of Edwin, trying to distract herself from Felicia’s questions that started raining on her again. Receiving nothing in return, Ilea couldn’t help but listen to the woman again.

“...so if a wyvern and a lizard mate, do you think something more or less powerful will come out? A dragon maybe or just a winged lizard?” Felicia finished with a thoughtful look on her face.

‘She looks like she’s doing math...’ Ilea thought and answered “Realistically speaking I don’t think they can mate but my heart says baby dragons. They won’t ever grow bigger but they’re very cute.”

“What? Ridiculous. Haven’t your read The Breeding of Scaled Creatures by Rhywis Walt? Of course they can breed. It just depends on which power of the moon is relevant that day.” Felicia said, although her tone made it impossible for Ilea to tell if she was being sarcastic or not.

They were walking down a stairway after entering the door to the armory. Coming out inside a long hallway, the walls were completely lit with greenish runes. A perfectly straight hallway, stretching for over a hundred meters. Ilea kept listening to Felicia’s theories on different species’ mating capabilities before they finally came up to an opening on the other side.

Felicia quieted down at the sight just as all the others were seemed to be a bit taken at the beautiful room before them. Machinery, pipes and gears were exposed all over the place. Everything was moving in tandem, followed by the noise of surprisingly well oiled mechanical parts flowing into each other.

Different than the scenery Ilea had seen of the Taleen dungeon before, the metal used here wasn’t the greenish one they’d seen before but something that looked more silvery. It still had a bit of a green shine to it but much more subdued.

‘Well this find would certainly please Alice if what Edwin said about her is true. I’ll continue though and see how much I can profit from being with these guys before trying to sneak back out through the residential part of town.’ Ilea quickly glanced at the others. She’d become a lot more familiar with both the people and their powers but still it was a weird feeling to know they could put her down easily at any moment.

Ilea wasn’t sure what exactly Edwin’s deal was. The women seemed a lot more straightforward. Both of them she thought certainly had the capability of killing her if she said something wrong but Edwin was a bit more complicated. There was a reason he kept her around...or maybe several reasons. ‘I don’t care though, I gained over fifty levels already and I feel like if this continues I could maybe even escape his wrath if necessary...’

They walked down the broad stairway down towards a big round space. The stone used in construction here seemed different than the rest of the ruin. ‘Not really a ruin anymore...at least not this part...’ A white stone was used for everything compared to the normal stone from before.

The bright ground and walls combined with the silvery machinery gave the place a very different feel. There was still a greenish light coming from above but all of it seemed more bright.

“Ilea, if you would?” Edwin said with a cold voice and gestured to the round space at the end of the stairs. “This place will have traps and you will be the one activating them.”

“Aaaah, here we go. So this is the reason you took me with you?” Ilea asked and warily retracted some of her steps.

“It’s one of the reasons, yes.” he answered, ignoring her attempt to get further away completely.

Ilea stopped her movements. “I’m not getting away anyway….oh well, any idea what I can expect?”

“Not particularly, no. Spears, spikes whatever. We’ll support you as best we can from a safe distance. The Taleen are infamous for integrating traps into traps so we won’t jump in there.” he paused for a second and his eyes softened a little bit.

“Please don’t take this personal though. I don’t dislike you Ilea. You DO have the highest possibility of survival here with your healing and high Vitality. Before you ask, no I didn’t just suggest leveling Vitality because of this. My advice stands true….” he stopped and closed his eyes while sighing “...don’t look at me like that, the experience you got so far was certainly worth it for you and maybe...maybe if you survive this, you’ll be the one profiting the most.” he finished and stepped aside for her to continue.

“Thanks for the explanation at least. I did profit from this, you are right. Still you’re a fucking shitbag for doing this...” she said and walked past the man down onto the platform. It hurt her more that none of the women seemed to really care. At least Felicia cheered her on to survive.

‘She treats it like a game….’ Ilea thought, her frown turning into a grin while waving to Felicia ‘...maybe I should do that too...bonus points if I survive.’

As soon as Ilea reached the middle of the round platform, a mechanism below her feet activated. Immediately upon activation, Ilea blinked above, about halfway towards the roof. From both the ground and the roof spikes nearly ten meters long were released at a very high speed.

Ilea found herself suspended in the air between green metal spikes above and below. Seemingly in slow motion, her fall began again. The spikes were positioned with around half a meter between them. A bit of maneuvering let her land between three spikes without ending up skewered to one of them.

Landing on the ground, she felt something shift below her before she blinked above again. A spear shot out of the ground right where she stood. ‘What are those?’ she thought as she slowly descended and saw different greenly lit patterns around the spears on the ground.

“Any idea what they mean?!” she shouted as she again moved her body to land between some spears. The same thing happened as before, a spear shot out from where she landed and again she was in the air. She could’ve simply blinked back to the others but that would mean no safe passage would be possible for them.

“No, I don’t know the runes!” Edwin’s shout reached her ears as she landed again.

‘Well too bad...but if it’s a game, why not cheat?’ she thought at his answer. ‘Throw at me what you got dwarves. I have fists of iron.’ her arm shot out and punched into one of the spears. A very slight dent formed before she had to blink away again.

Edwin simply watched on as the spectacle unfolded. Ilea simply blinked around, kicking and punching at the spears where she could. Dents formed and soon she found herself balancing on top of a bent spear that couldn’t hurt her anymore from that angle.

Other spears around her shot up but couldn’t reach her on top of the other spears. ‘She didn’t solve the riddle...not that I could without the language...but this...this is out of the box thinking.’ he thought while his beloved sister cheered like a lunatic next to him. Even Aliana was clapping.

The healer made it a bit of a show as she bowed a couple times before continuing her assault on the metal spikes. After damaging nearly ten of the spears, a loud mechanical noise could be heard and the spears vanished into the ground. Some were stuck because of their bent state.

Ilea was still suspended in the air, when all the spikes were suddenly shot out from the ground. She tried blinking through them but there were simply too many of them. Two spikes smashed through her legs and five through her torso.

Felicia’s cheer turned into a scream as all the spears and a skewered Ilea landed on the ground. A lot of the spikes impacted on their respective opposite side from where they came and dug deep into the ground or roof. Aliana winced at the sight and Edwin stopped Felicia from running in.

‘She teleported smartly...maybe I underestimated her...the levels she gained certainly made a difference...’ Edwin thought. “She should be alive Felicia, don’t run in yet though the Taleen have a way of...” he was interrupted by a roar of fire that suddenly burst out from the still intact openings where the spears had come from.

The healer was bathed in fire as Edwin hugged his crying sister to his chest. ‘Well...’ he thought but his eyes widened as he heard another sound coming from inside the firestorm.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA...FIRE??!” the voice exclaimed before a cone in the middle of the storm seemed to stabilize. Suddenly some of the fire parted and a kneeling Ilea could be seen, the spears that pierced her held her up as blood soaked her armor. A bloody smile was on her face as she locked eyes with Edwin.

The man suppressed a shiver at the sight and activated his Aura instinctively. It calmed him down immediately but he was surprised the woman had such an effect on him. “Ferocious...” he said but his voice was overshadowed by the laughing and firestorm.

Ilea smiled as the fire died down. ‘Lucky that it wasn’t poison gas or something like that...’ she thought as she stopped manipulating the flames away from herself. She steeled herself, closed her eyes and removed her perception of pain while channeling Reconstruction on herself.

Fully buffed, she grabbed one of the spears that pierced her and pushed it out backwards. The spear exited with a lot of gore coming out as well, clattering on the ground behind her. Reconstruction did it’s job though as the wound slowly closed.

She gave it a minute before removing the next spear and then the next one. After removing all of them, she healed herself completely and activated her perception of pain again. A light soreness could be felt but nothing concerning. Her Reconstruction spell told her already that her body was fine. She was down to two thirds of her mana after the whole ordeal, most of it used to heal herself and push the flames away from herself.

She got up and waved to Felicia. The three still didn’t join her on the platform. “Open the door on the other side.” Edwin told her “And good job.” he nodded towards her.

“Doesn’t make you less of a dick...” she said to herself and walked to the silvery door. Nothing happened upon touching it. So the obvious course of action was punching it. The sound of bending metal reverberated through the hall as the door that led further into the complex slowly gave way to a slightly pissed off healer.

One last punch landed before what remained of the door clanged backwards into the hallway beyond. She bowed again to the other three and motioned for them to follow. “I’ll walk a couple meters in front of you...” she said and went inside, not caring if they followed or not.

There were no traps in the hallway that quickly changed into downwards leading stairs. ‘Down, down down we go...’ she thought as she heard the others enter the hallway behind her. A couple minutes of walking later, they came out onto a platform, a massive chasm below them and only a thin bridge leading further across the abyss.

A dull sound made Ilea duck as a metal slug impacted behind her. More noises came from far away before she blinked back into the hallway. Over ten impacts could be heard from outside, the slugs digging into the white rock that still made up all of the walls around them.

The chasm itself was still perfectly even, an impressive feat of architecture and magic. “I’ll cross the bridge and suggest you wait here.” she didn’t wait for a response from the still further away trio of adventurers before walking out again into the hail of bullets. ‘I should call them kidnappers at this point...’ she thought as she started running through the bullets.

Blinking and dodging for nearly twenty minutes left her rather exhausted as she reached the other side of the bridge. There was another closed door there that seemed a lot more sturdy than the one before. The shots came from mounted turrets along the walls of the chasm nearly fifty meters away on each side of the bridge.

‘I never tested how many consecutive blinks are possible but hey...’ she thought as she blinked towards one of the walls, below her the black abyss was ready to consume her. “...this is all I got!” she shouted and blinked to the side, dodging a hail of bullets. This continued until she reached the wall four blinks later. It seemed to her less like flying and more like throwing herself at the wall. The second stage of Blink had allowed her to use the skill while in the air.

‘How have I never tried this before?’ she thought, as she impacted on one of the turrets. She stomped on it several times in quick succession before blinking to the next one, dozens of slugs impacting near the turret she stood on before.

She made sure to remember testing the limits of blink traveling as soon as possible right when the first turret finally gave way to her abuse. The metal holding it in place got loose on her last kick and the whole thing fell down into the void.

Ilea smiled and continued her work. Nearly a minute later she got a notification.

‘dingggg’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Turret]’

‘dingg’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

“Wow, the way down is far eh?” she asked the lifeless turret she was currently kicking. Soon after another notification popped up in her head but she ignored them and continued her work. It took her twenty minutes to clear out around a third of the one of the walls before her mana was running low.

Blinking back towards the bridge, she landed and ran back towards the entrance while dodging bullets. Coming up close to the door, she blinked inside and crashed into a smiling Felicia. They both fell down in a tumble before getting up again.

“You alright?” Ilea asked but knew already with her touch and Reconstruction that the woman was fine. Felicia nodded.

“Where are the other two?” Ilea asked at the absence of Edwin and Aliana.

“Preparing dinner, you coming too?” Felicia asked “That was quite the confusing teleporting, isn’t your head spinning?” she finished.

“Food would be nice, yes. I’ll continue after. It’s alright actually, you get used to it...” Ilea answered while smiling mischievously at the still appearing notifications.

Chapter 40 Fire and Ash

Chapter 40 Fire and Ash

‘Maybe I can sneakily check it out...’ Ilea thought as she looked at the food but concentrated on all the messages she got.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Turret]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Turret]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Turret]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

….

She had already destroyed nearly thirty of the turrets and more would be waiting to be reaped inside. ‘What a lucky trap this is...’ she thought as she checked out the messages that made her smile the most.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 101. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 102. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 103. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 92. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 93. 5 Stat points awarded.’

...

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 99. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Fire Enhancer has reached level 100. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skills available for Fire Enhancer’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Fire Enhancer becomes Pyro Enhancer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – Become one with the flame. Have the Fire Enhancer class at lvl 100 or more. Leveled the skill Body of Flame to the 2nd Stage.’

‘The Pyro Enhancer is a master of the flame. She is both a master of the fire within herself and the one she wields in ranged battles.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Fire Enhancer] to [Pyro Enhancer]?’

It was hard for Ilea to hide the smile but the food she was currently stuffing into her face helped a lot at that. Her eyes widened a little though as another message appeared in her mind. Luckily Edwin currently had his attention on the map before him that he updated every time they stopped to eat.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Fire Enhancer becomes Ash Wielder. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – You are the wielder of ash. Have a fire related body enhancement class at lvl 100 or more. Have a total of at least three Body Enhancement skills in the 2nd stage. Hand to hand combat has been used primarily in fights. Has brushed death more than ten times in the past week.

‘You are the smoldering heat left by fire. Ember glows within you as an ashen mist shrouds your form.’

Would you like to evolve your class [Fire Enhancer] to [Ash Wielder]?

‘Oh boi...’ Ilea simply continued eating as she thought over what she read. Pyro Enhancer was the plan from the start but Ash Wielder seemed more geared towards hand to hand combat. ‘Damn I wanted those fire wings...’ she thought, remembering Jyraiu’s display in the arena.

‘Though the requirements for Ash Wielder seem super specific. Assuming that the more specific, the rarer I should definitely go with that. It also said I wouldn’t be losing any skills so I should be fine...’ she made the decision rather hastily, the man in front of her who she lost all respect for made her a bit nervous.

She finished her meal and told the others she’d be continuing to clear out turrets and left. On the way down the stairs, she accepted the Ash Wielder class. Having thought a bit more about it, the hand to hand requirement was what finally sold her on the class. ‘It’s my main thing and so far any fire related abilities I could’ve learned seemed a bit useless...except Body of Flame which isn’t really a fire specific thing I guess...’

More information filled her mind as she continued downwards.

‘Class change: Fire Enhancer becomes Ash Wielder

Vitality +10

Strength + 5

Dexterity + 5

Intelligence +15

Wisdom +10

Body enhancement magic is improved by 100%

All fighting styles using hand to hand combat are more refined’

Ilea’s steps slowed down as she read the description while her eyes widened. The Body enhancement bonus was increased from 20% to 100%. Although the 25% bonus for fire magic were gone, this was still unbelievably huge. ‘My Azarinth skills will also be affected by this...’ she thought as more messages came to her mind’s eye.

‘Skills changed by Ash Wielder:

[Body of Flame] becomes [Form of Ember]’

‘Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 3:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed and dexterity by 46% [Effect after bonuses 138%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight while in the Form of Ember, the stronger burns its heat. Each minute of fighting adds 15% to the bonuses with a maximum of 150%.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement’

Another step was taken by Ilea while processing the change. ‘The bonuses doubled...’ her foot seemingly impacted the white stone beneath in slow motion as she read the next message.

‘[Heat Surge] becomes [Ash Surge]’

‘Active: Ash Surge – lvl 2

Create a wave of ash and ember with you at its center. Distance, density and speed depend on skill level and mana invested (max 60 Mana).

Category: Ashen Magic’

‘[Fire Manipulation] becomes [Ash and Ember Manipulation]

‘Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 14:

Your control over Ash and Ember increases dramatically. Bend it to your wishes and shroud the path before you.

Category: Ashen magic’

Ilea quickly read through them but it wasn’t over yet. Her heart rate sped up to nearly as high as when she was fighting.

‘Skills gained in Ash Wielder:’

‘Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 1

Shroud yourself in a mist of ash increasing your resilience by 50% [Effect after bonuses 150%]

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

‘Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 1

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers.

Category: Ashen magic’

‘You have no more free slots for Active skills in your second class. Please chose a skill to be replaced by Wave of Ember or chose not to gain the skill.’

Ilea quickly selected her low leveled active skill [Flame] to be replaced. As convenient as it was, it didn’t really help her fight. The healer was standing still in the white corridor by now, her breathing turning hectic.

‘Passive: Eyes of ash – lvl 1:

Increases your perception by 30% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 90%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

‘Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 1:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 30% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 90%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

She had to steady herself on the wall next to her to stop the trembling and calm her breathing. ‘Not now Ilea, calm down...calm down, calm down...’ she thought and closed her eyes. Checking her status she simply stood there reading over all the messages again and again. Two minutes later, her breath had steadied and she took a last glance at the status information she’d been looking at.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 60

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 103

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 16

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 8

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 12

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 1

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 1

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 100

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 1

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 3

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 2

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 1

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 14

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 1

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 1

- Passive: Free Slot

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 9

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 295

Endurance: 150

Strength 111

Dexterity 170

Intelligence 285

Wisdom 160

Health: 2950/2950

Stamina: 1488/1500

Mana: 1566/1600

The healer opened her mouth, letting out the breath she’d been holding and her eyes opened. A slight tug could be seen on the corners of her mouth as she started moving again. ‘I can’t let them see yet...I’ll deal with the turrets without any of the new skills.’ she quickly thought over the numbers and came to the conclusion that even without using any of the new skills, she was still stronger than with the Body of Flame spell she had before.

The new bonus to Body Enhancement magic that came with the Ash Wielder class alone had a higher impact on her fighting capabilities than the whole Fire Enhancer class before.

‘They did tell me that the classes before Pyro Enhancer wouldn’t be all that...but this...’ she balled her hands into fists as she exited onto the bridge, immediately being bombarded by the still massive amount of turrets.

“Let’s get going then bois...” she said with a wide smile on her face as she started to blink through the air.

Edwin was finishing the map with what they’d explored so far. ‘Finally...’ he swatted away some sweat. Fighting was one thing, a thing he was very good in but cartography was quite a different beast. He was certainly good at remembering all the different streets and corners but putting them on paper proved a difficult task for him.

“You should really do the maps Fel...” he said, repeating himself again in his frustration. The girl waved to him dismissively, still trying to produce sound with wind magic and some exposed tubes she’d cut in on the walls.

“We’d have to stop in every other room for that Ed...” she absentmindedly said.

He just nodded and walked back to Aliana who was trying to figure out the machines that had produced the fire storm that nearly burnt Ilea to a crisp. ‘Bringing her more and more proves to be a good decision...we’ll reach the gate in no time with that indestructible trap finder...’ he frowned at the thought of being caught between those spikes. A part of him had wanted to try but the more rational side of him had won out in the end.

“Aliana, can you store it again?” he asked, handing her the map. She took it in her hand where it quickly vanished.

“Why do you let her get all those towers?” Aliana asked when he started to walk away.

He stopped and looked at her a bit confused. “Why would you care? They’re far below our level, a drop in the bucket.” he said.

Aliana then looked at him for the first time in the conversation, her brown eyes had an intensity to them that they only held rarely. Usually it was connected to meat. “They wouldn’t help us. But they do help her. A lot. She’s already level 103 Edwin and she will only grow from here.”

He blinked at her and answered “I know. I’d like to see how far she can go...what an interesting combination of skills...and soon she’ll get an upgrade to Fire Enhancer. Pyro should be in her range of possi….” Aliana grunted which stopped his monologue.

“You always do that Ed...for how smart you are you can be blind and stupid. You’re aware that behind that interesting and deadly combination of skills is a woman? A woman that doesn’t like to be lied to and used.” she said to him, still looking into his eyes.

The man scoffed “You think she’d become a danger to any of us? Maybe if she reached our levels but that won’t happen while we’re here. And I believe her more rational than you think. I apologize that I brought up some bad memories but this is different...at least accept that.” he left her after finishing. No response came from the woman that sat there, her eyes having lost some of the life they held before.

‘She does have a point though...’ Edwin thought as he came closer to the sound of music his sister finally managed to produce. A genuine smile formed on his lips as a warm expression spread on his face.

Ilea didn’t return to the others while clearing the turrets. It took another five rounds of depleting her mana and sitting in meditation in between. The whole ordeal took her nearly two hours. It wasn’t fruitless though as she’d destroyed over a hundred turrets. The notifications came clashing in and she kept ignoring them as time went on.

Ten minutes after the last turret was destroyed, Ilea was sitting on the middle of the bridge. The last notification plopped up and she checked her gains.

‘Seven levels in Azarinth healer and five in Ash Wielder...’ she simply checked her status because the level ups were displayed in between the dozens of other messages. ‘Less than I expected. I guess the level difference getting smaller made a big difference...’

She then distributed all her remaining stats like Edwin had suggested to her. Not exactly though as 50 Points each went into Vitality and Intelligence. The remaining twenty went into Dexterity.

‘I think I’ll invest some into Endurance and Wisdom soon...stopping after half an hour of blinking around and fighting is annoying...’ she thought ‘..especially considering how much mana all my new skills will be using if I want to keep them up for long periods of time.’ she smiled at the thought.

Before she went to get the others, she tried blinking from one end of the bridge to the other in quick succession. ‘It’s certainly fast. But I don’t know if I want to risk having less than my maximum amount of mana ever. And if I blink into a trap it might be dangerous...having something come into my Azarinth Sphere at the edge is easier to react to than it suddenly being a meter away from me.’

She did consider using the method to travel through the air where she saw all of the ground or maybe as a way to quickly escape. She remembered having used blink in quick succession before to escape but never more than a couple times in a row.

Coming up in front of the closed silvery door at the other end of the bridge, Ilea continued her assault on it. It took ten minutes for her to break the door down when a rumbling sound came from below.

Suddenly the stone below her feet cracked and the sound of breaking stone could be heard going through the bridge as dust and pieces of rock flew into the air. Ilea simply stepped into the opened corridor and watched as the bridge collapsed.

‘Oh well...’ she thought and blinked back towards the other entrance. Walking up the stairs again, Edwin greeted her halfway up.

“Bridge collapsed?” he asked and shrugged to the nod he received as a response. “They tend to do that...” he said. “Before I get the others I have to ask you something.” he said and locked eyes with her. His face became the cold facade he had shown her when they first met.

“Interrogation face eh?” Ilea smiled but was a bit scared he found out about her class change.

“Yes, interrogation face….you’ve grown quite a bit. The turrets helped a lot in that as well. We’re using you as a trap detector but I hope you’re rational enough to see how much you’ve gained so far.” he said and she nodded warily.

“Good, then my question. If you had the ability, or maybe a tool, choice or other way to kill us. Would you do it?” he asked.

Ilea was a bit taken aback by the directness of the question. “You’re frank aren’t you?” she said, her smile vanishing. She thought about it seriously, as she knew anything less than the truth wouldn’t satisfy him. She had gained over fifty levels, amazing pointers from all three of them and experience fighting seasoned mages and a swordsman, let alone her new amazing class.

She might’ve not even gotten the class seeing the brush with death requirement. Of course she could’ve gone to a different dungeon or simply somewhere in the wild to level up but the speed at which she did here would be impossible without help. At least not with amazing luck. The sword guardians would’ve cut her apart a long while ago without her being able to isolate the ranged machines and destroying them.

If anything Alice said was the truth, then they would be helping there as well. Although Ilea was leaning more and more towards Edwin’s interpretation of her friend than the remaining hope she still held on.

Most important of all though, she liked the three. After realizing that Ilea was a battle maniac, most people she’d met so far had looked at her differently. They likely wouldn’t want to associate with her in fear of the risk. She didn’t blame people of course, she did live an incredibly risky life since coming to this world.

It felt disconnecting, few people really understood her. Roland was certainly one of them but even he had his family to worry about. Hell even she herself had a hard time coming to terms with her enjoyment for fighting. These three people she met in the dungeon understood her as well. She didn’t know the history and goals they had but felt comfortable around them. They didn’t look at her as if she were crazy, they understood completely.

Edwin using her seemed only rational and fair from an objective standpoint. Of course it hurt her but in a twisted way it made sense to somehow repay their help at all the power she’d found inside the dwarven ruin.

She shook her head. “No...no I wouldn’t kill you. I still consider the others companions. You? Maybe I would hurt you if I could. Kick you in the nuts for being an asshole. Fully buffed, mind you.” she said seriously.

They stood there quietly for a couple seconds before Edwin started chuckling. She smiled in return.

“See, I did think it wasn’t anything to worry about...to be honest I like you Ilea. You’re the first one in a long time that I can say that about honestly. Getting through this dungeon without losing too much time and without one of us dying is more important to me than your life though. I hope you can understand.” he said, starting to walk back upwards.

“Is the path clear?” he asked

“The bridge is gone but yes, the path is clear.” she replied.

‘If this is how he treats people he likes, I don’t want to be his enemy...’ she thought and turned back to look out over the dark chasm.

Chapter 41 Trash compactor

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo you guys.

First of all a big thank you to David for the donation

">. It's pretty insane to think someone is ready to pay for the product of a hobby of mine! I hope I can further improve and bring you guys a fun and entertaining story to read.

Some people mentioned the blink problem where she can blink again without touching the ground. An oversight by me, changed the 2nd stage description in chapter 8 to the following now:

2nd stage: The time between blinks is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between blinks.

And no, she didn't think of using it like this since then

">

))))

Chapter 41 Trash compactor

The group of four blinked or flew towards the other side before landing in the entrance to the next hallway. Upon landing Ilea asked Edwin how many more trap rooms she should expect.

“I don’t know. Sorry...” he said. And that was that. They continued with Ilea leading the way.

Ten minutes of walking later, they came up on an entrance. Looking inside, the same walls were made with the same white stone. Nothing else seemed to be out of the ordinary. The room was around fifty by fifty meters while being nearly twenty meters high. The only thing other than some runes and magic lights in the room was a door on the other end and a pedestal in the middle of the room.

“Peculiar...” Edwin mumbled. “Go and try to activate the pedestal. We’ll support you from the doorway if necessary.” he said. Ilea nodded and walked inside the room.

“Go Ilea!” Felicia shouted, a big smile on her face. “Don’t get stabbed again!”

‘Well that’s encouraging...’ Ilea thought but smiled nonetheless as she put her hand on the pedestal and let some mana seep inside. ‘Whatcha got for me this time dwarves?’

Some runes lit up and a rumble could be heard near the doorway. Edwin seemed to have activated some buffs and dragged the other two behind while jumping back himself. A fraction of a second later, the doorway was closed by stone. From this distance Ilea couldn’t tell that the doorway had ever existed.

“A room for myself then hmm?” looked to the noise on her right and wasn’t surprised to see a sword guardian exiting from another opening in the wall that closed and vanished as fast as it had opened.

‘Oh hello there my friend...’ she smiled at the sword guardian before her.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl ??]

“You’re quite perfect for some testing...” she said and looked back towards where she had entered the room. She hoped Edwin wouldn’t break through immediately. With his somewhat cautious approach towards the traps so far she assumed though that she had some time at least.

And the risk of being found out was worth it to her to see how much she’d changed. Ilea walked towards the sword guardian that was unfolding its torso. Her Azarinth Sphere was becoming a constant companion after Edwin’s suggestion. State of Azarinth activated at full power, increasing her speed, strength and resilience just like her senses of smell, her hearing and her sight.

This alone was still covered by her mana regeneration. The blue runes shone from the holes in her more and more battered armor, at least her boots were still fine. Ilea took a deep breath and let it out again.

She looked down on herself as lines of firey dark red color formed on her body. She let her backpack fall to the ground and threw the mace a couple meters away. ‘Form of Ember…’ she thought as the mace clanged on the stone floor.

A dark yellow and red glow intertwined with blue runes on her body as the healer changed into a fighting stance, her blue eyes focusing on her adversary.

Her resiliance, speed and dexterity more than doubled again from their level before activating State of Azarinth. She also felt how her passive Ashen skills sharpened her senses even further.

A mist of ash formed around her, slightly obscuring the warrior beneath. “Shroud of Ash...” she whispered. A warm feeling spread through her, comfortable in the ash’s embrace.

“Ash surge...” she said out loud just when the guardian sped up to attack her. It seemed weird to her how slowly the machine was moving compared to when she faced one of them for the first time. ‘I really have grown...’ she thought and smiled just when a mist of ash and ember surged outwards from her, shrouding the space in heated cinders.

Her vision was perfectly fine though, combined with her sphere the enemy stood before her as if it stood in the hot summer sun. A blade cut through the ashen mist, missing Ilea by a couple centimeters. Another blade and then another joined the assault as her senses went into overdrive. Dodging with the smallest margin, Ilea made her way slightly backwards before she stopped.

The human and the machine engaged in a dance of blades as one sought to kill and the other sought only to avoid the reaper. At least at first. Twenty seconds later, an opening was seen by the woman and a punch enhanced with both Destruction and Wave of Ember rocked through the dwarven creation.

It recoiled for the fraction of a second before moving in again. With each passing second, Ilea could comprehend the pattern better and better. The time between her attacks shrunk down with each attack she delivered until finally her attacks and dodges reached an even amount.

Twenty five fully powered attacks were needed until with the final one, the Guardian faltered, it’s blades and legs uselessly clattering to the ground before the healer. She breathed out, balling her hands into fists again before moving into her initial stance.

Two doors opened this time, her enemies doubling. Ilea stood there, looking at the sword guardians approaching her while unfolding their torsos. She opened one of her fists and gestured for them to come. And so they did.

The adventurer danced skillfully between the twelve blades, a mist of ash following the blue and fiery glow that came from her form. The sound of air being slashed and powerful punches hitting metal filled the room with noise, music in the ears of the dancing warrior.

With two enemies it took longer for her to find openings and she started using her blink ability sparingly in between. The enemies still fell to her assault, their lifeless bodies of cold metal falling to the ground before four guardians entered from unseen chambers in the walls.

Ilea continued on, dodging and fighting but four guardians at once proved too much for her senses. When clustered together more than twenty blades came at her at once until finally one of them hit their mark. Ilea blinked away, blood dripping from the cut on her shoulder.

She looked at it and grinned, the shallow wound closing before her eyes in seconds. ‘Guess I don’t have to be THAT careful anymore...’ she thought, thanking her new defensive skills that changed a previously fatal attack into a mere kitchen accident.

The fight dragged on for another five minutes, her enemies slowly losing numbers as her power only grew. The last one fell to her knee hitting the creature from below. She breathed out and went back into a stance.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x 7’

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy a hundred levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 111. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 112. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 113. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 114. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 115. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 116. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 106. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 107. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 108. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 109. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 110. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 111. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 2

‘No new skills to chose from at least...’ Ilea thought as she relaxed her stance. She had mixed feelings about that. Azarinth healer only gave her skills incredibly rarely while Fire Enhancer just covered her in skills. ‘I’d rather have rare but good skills though...’ she shelved that thought for now and looked at the wreckage before her.

‘He won’t believe that I killed them with the classes and skills he thinks I have...’ her thought was interrupted by a familiar noise as spears shot out from the ground upwards. Two things surprised Ilea as it happened. One, time didn’t slow down which meant the spear that was currently moving upwards to pierce her wouldn’t take more than 75% of her life force.

Two, she saw the spears moving upwards and was able to move her body slightly to dodge them. Not quite fast enough though as the spear below her scratched her leg. The word scratch was key here as the spears that previously punched through her skin, muscle and bone now didn’t even manage to completely get through her skin.

“You’re repeating yourself dwarves...” she said out loud, moving to dodge the spear that would inevitably try to pierce her from between the other spikes. Using the same tactic as before, she simply started punching the spears, bending them out of shape much faster than previously.

After damaging ten of the spears something different happened though. ‘Where’s the fire?’ she thought as the walls started to rumble. Contrary to the expected firestorm the walls on each side of the room started to slowly close in on her.

‘Oh we’re going the garbage disposal route now?’ she thought as the spears close to the wall went back into the roof and floor. The stone reached her half a minute later, bending some of the damaged spears aside as it closed in on her. Ilea walked through the dense forest of metal spikes until the met the very center of the room.

‘I don’t know if I can take the pressure...’ she thought about how easily the wall had bent the spear for which she needed several punches at least.

Reaching the center of the room, Ilea started to stomp into the ground. Cracks appeared as Destruction and Wave of Ember slowly dug into the white stone. ‘They used something more resilient here...or maybe enchantments?’ she thought as her impact was more subdued than in other rooms before where she had for example hit the stone the turrets were attached to.

That was also before she had her Ash Wielder class and related skills. The walls closed in just when she had managed to make a hole big enough for herself to fit in. “At least give it a shot Ilea...” she smiled and took some of the stone dust created from her digging before rubbing it in her hands.

She stretched and held out her hands to both sides. The stone touched her and she pushed back. A loud metal groaning sound could be heard as the walls were stopped by the healer. Flesh pushed against stone and metal as the human struggled against the dwarven trap.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!” she shouted, cracks forming around her hands. The red glow of ember mixed with blue illuminated parts of the thin space that remained of the once spacious room. All the lamps had been shattered when the spears searched the way towards the intruder.

A loud sound of something like a spring coming loose found itself into Ilea’s ears. The pressure lessened a little before increasing ten fold. Ilea immediately dropped herself to the ground, even blinking in the last moment to avoid the walls quicker.

The air pressure produced by the two walls smashing into each other nearly blew out Ilea’s eardrums even with all her defensive capabilities. Trapped in the small space below the walls, she simply waited. “You got me now walls...but I swear, after I kill that Basilisk I’ll be back for the end boss!!!” she shouted and laughed.

Five minutes later the machinery behind the walls came to life again and the stone parted. It made sense for the dwarves not to completely remove the way further in. What if the walls suddenly bugged out. Lots of digging would be necessary. At least that was what Ilea thought as she slowly got up again.

‘Will they do it again though?’ she thought, as she looked around the room. A couple disks of green metal lay on the ground in a line towards one of the exit doors. ‘Poor guardians...’ she thought and moved out from her safe spot.

She deactivated all her Ash Wielder skills and walked back to the place where the entrance should’ve been. The pedestal had been obliterated as well so there was nothing else to do in the room but get out at either of the exits.

Ilea started punching the wall until cracks formed. Without her Ashen skills it took a little longer to dig into the resilient stone. She also shouted in the hopes that the others would hear her. Not too far fetched with their likely enhanced senses.

When she managed to dig nearly a meter into the wall, a splash of boiling water hit her right in the face. “Fuck!” she exclaimed and started healing it immediately. “Should’ve seen that one coming...” she said, already hearing the cheer from Felicia on the other side.

It took Aliana another five minutes to melt a hole big enough to get through through the wall. Ilea stopped them from exiting though and entered the hallway the group had come from.

“Explain.” Edwin simply said. And so she did. She mentioned a bunch of ranged guardians attacking her when she was inside and then the spikes and finally the walls moving in. ‘No way would anybody be able to identify the disks of metal as sword guardians at this point.’ she thought.

With the story being mostly the truth, Edwin didn’t spot the lie either. At least he didn’t say anything. ‘So he’s not a walking lie detector at least...’ Ilea thought, a little relieved. It didn’t seem too far fetched for there to be an actual lie detection skill out there.

“Good job on surviving then. This one might’ve killed even me...it’s not easy to cut a hole into rock with two thin swords...” he said and then gestured to Aliana. “Please just flood and melt the whole place. Try to focus on a straight pathway to the other side where we can crawl through.

Ilea nodded to his comment and went to the side so Aliana could get to work. “I wish I could’ve seen it!” Felicia said, hugging Ilea. This time though her strength didn’t seem as impressive to Ilea anymore. She smiled at that and hugged the woman back. “Glad to be alive.” she said and didn’t miss the quick unreadable glance Edwin gave her at that.

It took Aliana the good part of two hours with some pauses in between to cook and eat to finish the path through the room. “Couldn’t any hallway do that here?” Felicia suddenly asked while looking around her in a concerned manner.

Edwin calmed her down though “That’s a very slight possibility. Though there has to be a way to determine that an intruder is inside. For this room it was the pedestal and the destroyed guardians. So just make sure not to damage anything in the normal hallways and we should be fine.” he answered. Felicia still looked a bit worriedly at the walls, albeit less so.

“There are also metal constructions behind the walls around seven meters in. I can’t see anything similar with my perception around here.” Ilea supplied to which Edwin nodded. She had perceived the metal beforehand but the trap room walls were full with machinery anyway. Now knowing what to look for though, Ilea was sure she could identify a moving wall trap if they came across another one.

“Let’s move on then.” Edwin said and the group crawled their way to the other side where Aliana started to melt through the door. The walls didn’t move again but Ilea approved of Edwin’s cautious approach, although all four of them seemed a little giddy at the waiting time.

Finally breaking through, another hallway greeted the group. Ilea took the lead and walked inside. The walls slowly grew wider the further they walked. There was a slight downwards slope until finally they came into what Ilea could only describe as a park.

The walls seemed slightly artificial but they were much less even than the rooms in the great hall before. The walls looked more like a cave, although still the white stone covered all of it. At the top of the cave was what made the second biggest difference, a massive crystal growing downwards for nearly twenty meters. It gave off a bright light that illuminated the massive cave they were in.

“Finally not green anymore...” Aliana mumbled and Ilea could only agree. Being in caves all the time had an effect on her, but the continuously monotonous artificial light was the worst of it.

“Well there is SOME green remaining.” Ilea commented, motioning to the biggest difference the cave made. It was covered in different plants. In the middle of it all was a small lake that was around fifty meters long and thirty meters wide.

“Ilea please explore the place, we’ll watch from here.” Edwin said but seemed a little relaxed at the sight. “There shouldn’t be any traps but I want to be sure.” he finished but she was already walking around, welcoming the different sight that brought new smells, colors and most importantly a peaceful atmosphere with it.

At first she simply walked around aimlessly but then started to methodically check the plants, the lake and the walls. The whole thing took nearly an hour and Edwin had to hold back Felicia five times from running towards the lake. The water was shallow and Ilea cautiously walked inside, finding nothing artificial about it even fifteen meters into the ground below.

“I think we’re fine here. Just don’t eat or drink anything.” Ilea said as she waved to the others. To the right of the lake from the group’s perspective was a wonderfully crafted archway, stone stairs leading up to it.

“Who feels like sparring?” Edwin said while cracking his neck and smiling.

“Fuck sparring, swimming!” Felicia shouted as she half ran, half hobbled towards the pond while undressing.

Edwin looked towards Aliana who was already in the process of building a fireplace with some rocks and melting down one of the trees to get some wood to burn. “Don’t look at me Edwin, I don’t know this wood and I HAVE to taste meat grilled on top of it.”

He simply sighed and looked at his last hope in the form of a healer that was biting into a big fruit she had removed from a tree nearby. She just shrugged at him and chewed happily.

“Poisoned?” he asked and put his hand to his face as Felicia fell down into the dirt trying to remove her pants.

Blue glowing runes appeared on Ilea’s body as she took another bite and smiled a toothy smile towards him. “Yep! In my defense, they looked like Mangos.”

‘What the hell are Mangos?’ he thought and sat down on the ground, looking up to the light crystal. ‘There’s one here, I’m sure of it. We’ll get you soon...’ he looked towards the familiar archway with a determined look on his face.

Chapter 42 Sushi

A note from Rhaegar

Hope you all have a chill weekend

Chapter 42 Sushi

‘diiiing’ ‘You have been poisoned by the coco fruit. -25 HP/s for 30 seconds.’

‘Quite potent eh.’ she thought and continued eating. The damage was nothing compared to Reconstruction. ‘Maybe some light poison resistance leveling the next days?’

Thinking about it, she walked up to Edwin and asked her question. “What do you think of resistances, worth going through the pain to get them and level them up?”

He looked at her, seemingly a bit distracted but then focused again. “Oh, I mean most people wouldn’t want to go through the pain. You gain some through class changes. Pain resistance would help a lot in getting them but as I said, generally people wouldn’t do it.”

“I have pain tolerance in the 2nd stage.” Ilea simply said and continued eating her fruit.

He took a while to comprehend her words. “What?” he said but then shook his head. “I know like ten people who even have the skill and only two that might have the second stage. They never confirmed though. What does it do?”

“You can turn off pain.” she said and smiled.

He stared at her and then started laughing. “Hahahahahahahaha!” Edwin was caught in a fit and only stopped after a solid minute of laughing.

Wishing away a tear that formed in his eye, he slowly calmed down into chuckles. “Oh that...that is. Thank you for that Ilea. So you’re basically perfectly equipped for getting resistances then. With what should we start?” he asked, still smiling.

“What do we have?” Ilea answered, matching his smile.

There was sadly nothing that could be gained by Edwin’s swords. He also mentioned that no other skills he had would contribute towards any possible resistances. The obvious ones that could be gained were Aliana’s water and Felicia’s wind magic.

Sadly neither of them could be convinced to spar or use their time to shoot spells her way. Ilea simply decided to join Felicia in a nice bath. It wasn’t a warm bathhouse yet but as soon as Aliana was done cooking, that would be changed in a heartbeat.

It took around half an hour and the group followed up the swimming with a proper portion of meat. Ilea was actually craving some potatoes and vegetables but she felt her life was in danger enough as it was and thus refrained from mentioning anything to Aliana.

‘Edwin is open enough about murdering me but that woman has something about her...’ Ilea thought and looked away quickly when their eyes met.

“So Ilea wants to train some resistances, she can apparently turn off her perception of pain...which by the way is the second stage of pain resistance.” Edwin said to the others once everyone had their fill.

“Well let’s get started then.” Aliana stated in a matter of fact way and boiling water formed around Ilea.

As soon as the water touched Ilea, she received a notification.

‘blang’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘Guess that one was close to leveling...not surprising considering my bath from before.’ Ilea of course didn’t think of the nice lake but more the doors of hell that Aliana had opened on their round of sparring.

She had gotten better and better at keeping up her sphere skill and magic perception skill in the past couple days. Magic perception sometimes got in the way a little but with conscious effort she could dim the light a little and it would help a lot with noticing magical attacks before they actually happened. This had allowed her to disable her pain before the water had hit her.

So in the next couple of hours there was a constant pour of boiling water, only interrupted by cuts of wind. Felicia actually turned away to not look at the constantly melting and reforming flesh of Ilea. Aliana on the other hand had an incredibly unsettling expression on her face that Ilea only saw glimpses off between healing and losing her eyes.

‘Not feeling pain is very weird...’ she thought, getting a bit bored of the whole process. There was a difference in grinding something like this and actually fighting against something that tried to kill you. Edwin seemingly thought something similar and motioned for them to stop and finally continue on their way.

Ilea checked her messages and was rather happy at the results. ‘Although fighting Guardians is certainly more effective…’ she thought.

‘clang’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘blang’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Water Resistance – lvl 1

In your days you have learned many things. One of them is that water pressure is not a joke. This Resistance helps a little with reducing the damage.’

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Wind Resistance – lvl 1

The ever elusive magic of Wind can cut from any side. You have learned that it might’ve been a good idea to become a Void mage. This skill helps you resist the power of wind a little more.

‘kong’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘bazinga’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘beng’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘bazinga’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘bazinga’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘beng’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘bazinga’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 5’

“Yea, let’s move on actually. As much as this is beneficial to me it’s boring as fuck...” Ilea commented to which Felicia let out a big breath and opened her eyes after a long while.

They packed their things together, most of it going into Aliana’s ring and walked towards the door. The room behind the door had runes on each wall quite similar to most interiors they had seen so far in the dwarven ruin. Of course it was also carved in the white stone that seemed to be the norm inside what Edwin had called the great hall.

The room was rather spacious and in the middle was a rectangular stone platform with a pressure plate in the center of it. “A lift?” Ilea asked to which Edwin nodded. He then motioned for her to go activate the elevator.

Ilea nodded solemnly and stepped onto the platform. Mechanisms came to life and the stone floor dropped downwards quickly with a noise that indicated no use in quite some time. Ilea braced herself against an impact that never came. Suddenly the tight walls were replaced by a beautiful view spanning several hundred meters in all directions, filled with water and white light.

‘Filled with water...’ Ilea repeated in her head and started to blink upwards to the opening in the roof where the elevator had come from. She reached it in four blinks and dug her hand into the white stone to keep herself there.

The platform kept falling for another five seconds before finally impacting upon the still water. Waves were created and Ilea watched on as a set of massive tentacles suddenly shot out of the water and dragged the platform downwards. She was too far away to identify the creature and couldn’t see through the dark water to make out its shape.

“I’ve got the right girl for the job...” she said and blinked upwards until finally reaching the top again. The others were already busy with their own things. Edwin was sketching the trap rooms when he lifted his head to look at Ilea.

“Already back? No trap down there then?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Not exactly...” she went on to explain what she had seen down below and suggested her idea. Edwin was against it at first, saying that she could certainly blink close to the creature and use her reverse healing spell to drain it. The other two in the room overheard the conversation though and Aliana accepted Ilea’s proposal immediately, putting a stop to Edwin’s arguing.

“If I can control the water, I’ll be able to cook it just perfectly.” she said while licking her lips. “It’s been long enough since we ate some fish...Ilea, a hand?” Aliana extended her hand before Ilea grabbed it and they started to climb downwards.

Edwin and Felicia followed close behind. “Do you need to touch the water to use it?” Ilea asked.

“No, I just have to be close enough to send some of my own magic into it...the heat will soon enough spread through it all. Depending on how much water there is though, it’s gonna be difficult to get a perfect cooked monster in the end. Do you have an idea of how big it is exactly?” Aliana replied to which she didn’t receive any further info from Ilea.

They reached the point where the healer had hung while clinging to the wall and Ilea saw with her perception how Aliana’s power flowed downwards before touching the water. Bubbles instantly started to form at the points where her magic touched and started to spread quickly just like she had described.

More and more of the massive hall filled with water started to boil in the unnatural way Aliana’s powers worked. It reminded Ilea more of an infection than simply boiling up water. Three minutes later in one of the corners of the room a tentacle lifted itself out of the water, soon followed by two more.

First the monster seemed to be confused and testing the changing environment but quite quickly it started panicking and thrashing around. More and more of it became visible as horrifying screams filled the room with noise. The heat in the room rose and steam soon filled their vision. Ilea’s heat perception turned into a blinding light and only her magic perception let her determine where the beast was.

Ten minutes passed and then twenty but the monster was still screaming. Ilea looked at Aliana’s concentrated face, sweat dropping downwards from the nearly spent woman. She didn’t interrupt the cook in her hobby and simply waited it out.

Aliana had changed into a meditative state, only moving slowly while recharging mana. “Is it dead already?” Felicia asked finally, quite bored of the process.

“Oh, it’s been dead for ten minutes already...but its so big it’ll need another three hours for the perfect cooking stage.” Aliana answered. Felicia groaned and started to fly back upwards, Edwin stayed back.

‘dong’ ‘Your group has defeated [Caller of the deep]. For killing an adversary 200 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

‘200...well I’m glad I didn’t go down there...no level ups hmm? Guess it was mostly Aliana….although I did hold her up!’ Ilea thought towards the gods.

“You can’t hold yourself?” Ilea asked and didn’t receive an answer. ‘Oh well, guess I’ll meditate too then...’ she thought. Edwin watched on from the side and shook his head, standing on one of his swords he had inserted into the wall.

“It’s done.” Ilea immediately opened her eyes at the sudden exclamation and looked on as Aliana let herself fall downwards, a wave of water formed to embrace her and carry the powerful mage safely towards her destination. Ilea followed behind, Edwin going upwards to get Felicia.

Quite a lot of the water had evaporated in the cooking process and they were left with only around four meters of water remaining, the monster that had owned the hall was towering above even that. Although it might’ve been more impressive when it wasn’t simply an animal corpse. One that to Ilea smelled surprisingly nice.

“Want some squid?” Aliana asked with a smile on her face. Ilea had blinked to the closest wall near the dead monster and clung to it by smashing her hand into the rock.

“I mean it’s been hours since our last meal, so why not.” she answered and smiled back. Although she gulped when she looked at the creature from close up. It looked straight out of an Eldritch story with spikes, tentacles and likely more teeth than the whole body of a college had in its entirety.

Although Ilea didn’t even think of comparing the beast to something like sushi, in the end she didn’t dislike the notion of adding some rice to her plate. ‘Soy sauce would be glorious...and wasabi...’

Aliana kept serving the three people, Felicia and Edwin had joined them in the meantime. The three were sitting on top of the stone platform Ilea had descended on beforehand. It now protruded above the water and was the flattest surface that did so in the room.

Upon Edwin’s request, Aliana kept boiling the water until nearly all of it was gone. More and more of the room became visible as time went on. Ilea decided to simply stick her feet into the boiling water while leveling her resistances. She got a nice message in between the resistances leveling up.

‘ding’ ‘Reconstruction reaches 2nd lvl 16.’

‘I just keep on growing...’ she smiled to herself at the thought and simply enjoyed being in that very moment. Half an hour later nearly none of the water was remaining and Ilea had leveled up Heat Resistance one more time.

“Ilea please check the whole room for any mechanisms that look a little like traps to you. At least compared to the rooms before.” Edwin said while sitting up. “Although I believe with so much water and that monster here for so long they might not work anymore anyway.”

“How did that thing even get here?” Ilea asked but Edwin just shrugged.

“We’re both in a Taleen ruin and once city but it’s also marked as a dungeon now so the rules are a little bent.” Edwin answered and started to sketch the room they were standing in.

Ilea shrugged and walked into the still boiling hot water with her Sphere skill active. There was indeed machinery down below the ground but it seemed the monster or something else had already worked hard to destroy most of it. There were cracks and gashes in the ground, rendering the exit points of whatever unholy hell the dwarves would’ve unleashed here unusable.

“I’m done, most of it seems destroyed and if we steer clear from the edges of the room we’re fine.” Ilea said after checking the hall carefully for around twenty minutes. Edwin answered by getting up and giving his notebook to Aliana for storage.

“So we have three exits from here. I do believe we’re getting closer to the armory though.” Edwin said as he walked closer to the biggest door. “This should be it...” Ilea heard him mumble with her enhanced senses.

‘Should be what?’ she thought but didn’t ask him. They were completely silent about why they were here up until now and never answered questions about it. Edwin had intensely looked at the rune above the door before motioning Ilea to continue on.

She nodded ‘Like the good dog I am….man as soon as I get stronger than Edwin I’ll really crush those balls...into powder...then heal them and do it again...’ thinking of that made Ilea smile. Although she did profit from the arrangement incredibly, it irked her a little to be used.

‘Not really the being used part, I am using them just as much...but them having the ability to use me...to threaten my life so lightly.’ she clenched her fist at her weakness but let go of the feeling quickly. ‘I’ve grown stronger than most people I’ve seen so far in just a year of being here. I really can’t complain...likely there will be entities able to threaten my life forever, I can’t become the strongest on Elos. This isn’t an actual role playing game...’

She thought about her situation for a while, continuing to walk down the corridor that led further downwards from the hall that had been filled with water. ‘What is my goal then? I thought simply fighting monsters and in the process helping the people around here was enough but now...’

‘If I simply continue to wander and explore I’ll come across a being stronger than me that will want to use or eat me at some point in my travels. Maybe the goal is just to see and fight as much as possible until that day comes?’

‘Or maybe I can find a way to at least escape creatures or people hundreds or even thousands of levels above my own. This really is a strange world to live in.’

She soon reached another opening that led into a spacious room with stone chairs and even some tables. Checking through the whole thing there was no indication of a trap. On one side of the room were several gates that were blocked by a grid of silvery green metal rods.

“I think we’re in the clear here!” she shouted back to the others who soon joined her. A smile formed on Edwin’s face as he entered the room but it vanished as quickly as it came. ‘So whatever they’re looking for it’s probably here.’ Ilea thought.

Edwin walked towards the grids and simply cut them apart. Ilea was sure that he wasn’t using his full speed as she could follow his swings completely for the first time.

What surprised her more than that was that Edwin walked through the grid and continued on alone. The three women in the room followed after a couple of seconds. ‘No more traps then?’ Ilea thought while walking through the tight corridor.

After a five minute walk they came out in an artificial cave bigger than even the one with the pond in it. The same white crystal was growing above and lit the room in a bright light. In the middle of the room was a platform with stone arches above it that Ilea could only describe as art.

Compared to anything else she had seen of the dwarves architecture and machinery, the thing before her seemed the most unnecessarily decorated one. ‘Could be part of the tech but it seems weird to me...’ she thought. There were dozens of Guardians kneeling near the walls of the cave, even one centurion. All of them weren’t active though.

Chapter 43 Reasons and talks

Chapter 43 Reasons and talks

Edwin had a determined expression on his face as he approached the platform and smiled upon touching it. “It still works...we’ve finally found one Felicia.”

“I’m happy for you Edwin.” Felicia answered, her tone earnest yet tinged with a little bit of sadness.

“Now we can finally go.” Edwin continued and let go of the arch he was touching.

“Don’t get too enthusiastic Edwin, they might be dead already.” Aliana said and walked towards the platform.

“Hah, his head would’ve been cleaved from his shoulders already were that the case. Both he and me know this.” Edwin answered, his eyes containing something Ilea hadn’t really seen before in him, anger.

Ilea debated about what to do and if it would be a good idea to interrupt them. She had some ideas to what the platform might be but couldn’t be sure yet. Edwin took in a deep breath and then hugged Felicia. The woman simply stood there with her arms to her sides before lightly hugging her brother back.

When they let go Ilea could see a tear running down Felicia’s cheek. ‘He’s going to kill me isn’t he?’ she thought and activated all the skills she had that wouldn’t show a visual effect.

“I’m not going to murder you Ilea.” he said and looked at her. Walking towards her, he locked eyes with her. A complicated expression hung in his eyes. “Thanks to you we’ve at least saved a couple days if not more. And I got to see some interesting skills. This is where we part ways though I’m afraid.” his tone was final and Ilea knew in that moment that there was no arguing with the man.

“So it’s a gate?” she asked while motioning to the platform.

“Yes, it’s a gate that links different Taleen cities together. Our goal lies in one of them. I won’t kill you because you saved Aliana from the centurion’s spear. Mostly though because my sister likes you. It’s been a long time since she’d smiled the way she did with you….This is something we have to do on our own though and I don’t see a need to shackle you further.” he answered her.

“No way for her to come with us?” Aliana asked, seemingly only for the sake of Felicia.

“She would die. As much as we likely will.” he said. Nobody disputed this and even Felicia didn’t look like she disagreed. “Come find us though, as soon as you’re stronger. Stronger than me.”

Ilea only shook her head. Aliana ran up to her and hugged her with all her strength. Ilea did the same. “You are a weird bunch. Why does it make me sad to see you go when I should be filled with joy to finally be rid of you?” she asked quietly while still hugging Felicia.

“Please Ilea, don’t do anything stupid. He really is protecting you. Do it for me at least.” Felicia said to her and weakly smiled while looking at the taller woman before her.

‘So blinking onto the platform in the last moment is not an option then...’ Ilea thought. She had talked to Felicia quite often in the past days and a bond formed through fighting is something quite special compared to the bond formed through working together in a fast food joint. Felicia didn’t feel to Ilea like a good friend but more like something to be protected. She could certainly take care of herself but there was an innocence about her that was hard to explain.

Even harder considering she nearly cut off Ilea’s head on their first meeting. Ilea cared little for Edwin. He was a capable fighter to say the least but to Ilea he simply was a pragmatic asshole that had used her as a trap detector.

“I’ll respect your wishes Felicia. Don’t you dare dying on me.” she looked at Edwin while releasing the hug “Especially not you you fucking dipshit. I’ll destroy you for using me like that and threatening to kill me. Cheers for the levels and advice though.” she nodded her head while showing her middle fingers to him with both arms outstretched.

“Take care Ilea. And I’d like to see you try...” he quickly smirked at her and simply turned around to walk onto the platform.

“Don’t forget to eat your meat little one.” Aliana said and nodded. Ilea simply replied with a nod, still too cautious around the woman to even think of vegetables.

“Ilea you’re great! Don’t die down here...as a tip, the guardians will probably wake when we leave. And do explore more, there’s probably some treasures hiding away. I also really like your new class, you’re gonna crush them all!” Felicia said to her in a quiet but excited voice while smiling.

‘How the fuck did you find out about my class??’ her eyes widening a little at the mention.

“When should I find you? And where?” Ilea whispered to her but Felicia shook her head.

“Brother is nearly level 200 now. It’s something to go on. No info to where...you’re smart, you’ll figure it out.” she said and winked at Ilea. The healer couldn’t help but smile widely at the pure joy and mischievousness radiating from the woman before her.

“Thank you, I’ll see you soon then.” Ilea said and continued smiling. Felicia turned around and joined the others on the platform. Ilea locked eyes with Edwin one last time and both had the same determined look on their faces. Both of their thoughts were along the same lines. ‘Don’t die.’

Felicia cheered and waved to Ilea. The other two simply stood there while Ilea responded to the wave with her own. Mana surged and Ilea could see a spiral of it forming around the circular platform before with a flash, the three were gone.

Nothing remained of them as she stomped the ground. “Fucking you’d die in there???! What the hell is that?? I nearly died like fifty times while fighting and disabling traps for that fucking shit!!” the guardians around the room slowly came to life as she shouted but Ilea didn’t stop.

“I’ll show you fucking stronger you bloodsucking maniac!! I’ll fucking smash your balls back to another dimension if there’s even any left down there!” she turned towards an approaching sword guardian that was slowly opening its torso. “What the fuck are you looking at asshole?!”

The guardian didn’t seem to comprehend anything shouted from the angry intruder and simply followed protocol. All of Ilea’s buffs came to life at once, blinking to the guardian with fury and reckless abandon, leaving a trail of blue and fiery light behind.

Ash shrouded around her as her fist impacted the machine. One of its swords cut her arm lightly, breaking through the shroud of ash but Ilea did not care, it only made her angrier. With all her skills and stats though the anger turned more into a need to efficiently destroy all of her enemies in the room and less so a mindless berserker state. A seething calculated wrath.

She was an Azarinth Healer and Ash Wielder after all and not a Berserker. Her blood tainted the ground as her fist smashed into the guardian and rocked the metal structure. More and more of them joined the fight while slugs of metal impacted around the healer, hitting more guardians than their intended target.

She blinked through the mass of blades while caring little about her own well being. Slugs impacted her but when they would have been deadly before, they simply slowed her down a little with all the new defensive and offensive power. Since the last fight with sword guardians she had gained another couple levels and she noticed that it was a little easier to see and react to their moves. Her hits seemed to pack a bit more of a punch as well but it still took over twenty two hits to fell one of them.

And so she fought, more and more cuts and bruises appeared on her body as she traded hits with the guardians around her without healing the insignificant injuries. The pain was dull and only spurred her onwards. “What about me? How would it make ME feel to simply be left behind??” she shouted before three slugs impacted her chest and threw her back several meters. She skidded on the ground before blinking inside the group of nearly forty guardians.

Although she had troubles fighting four of them at once before, that was when she didn’t take any blows from them. With so many and their big size their sheer numbers were more of a detriment than an advantage against a single teleporting close range mage. The ranged guardians injured their comrades, seemingly more focused on destroying any intruders than not attacking their brothers in arms. ‘Or sisters in arms.’ Ilea didn’t want to be sexist, maybe that was the trigger for the Centurion to wake that was still sitting inactive near the cave wall right behind the teleportation gate.

“And why do I care so much about a group that used me and didn’t share a single fucking thing about their plans or goals??!” kicking a guardian on its head, it cracked, signaling the first downed enemy after nearly ten minutes of continued fighting. Three swords impacted from behind, being redirected by the shroud of ash, changing the blows from fatal to simple cuts on her torso.

She blinked away right into a group of ranged guardians. The sword guardians followed her and the already chaotic battle turned even more so as ranged machines tried to get away while close ranged ones pushed them back from behind. “Should have gotten the gluemazone drone swarm firmware you shits!!” she shouted, finishing off another sword guardian with a punch to its side.

“I’m gonna find them and I’m gonna make them explain everything to me!” she shouted while dodging skillfully through seven blades directed at her before kneeling a guardian in its base. “First I’ll murder all of you fucks though!” three of the blades had sliced her and more blood fell to the floor and colored their blades.

“I’m gonna show Edwin how to get that 2nd stage of Pain Tolerance too.” the thought gave her some more energy as she downed another guardian. Five minutes of fighting later she had destroyed six more guardians which still left her with over thirty of them. Her health was reaching forty percent and her mana didn’t look better.

Having vented a little though, she was ready to make the right decision and blinked towards the entrance of the room. She didn’t stop and blinked further out, quickly reaching the room with chairs and tables. Another five blinks brought her back to the room that still held the squid monster. Not taking chances though, Ilea blinked upwards and crossed all the way back to the first trap room, even crossing the chasm that held the turrets.

Finally standing in the room where the spears had pierced her, she sunk down and started hitting the floor. Her body started to heal and her mana was reaching twenty percent of its capacity. The wounds closed as she hit the ground time and time again. No other skills but her Sphere and Reconstruction were active, giving her time to react to danger while at the same time using the least amount of mana.

‘Why did that hit me so hard. Why?’ she thought. Ten minutes later she calmed down a little more and started to meditate. The skill had a way of letting her mind clear, although she wasn’t sure how much of it was because of the skill itself or well...actual meditation.

‘I’m conflicted.’ she concluded after a couple minutes of meditating and regenerating mana at a rapid pace. Even though in the end they had used her, Ilea had grown to like them. She felt a connection to them that she hadn’t felt so far since coming to Elos. It hurt so see them throw her away so easily, she had believed herself more important to them than she obviously was.

‘Maybe I was naive again. To be this cold, maybe it’s normal in this world. I’ve adjusted to killing but I haven’t adjusted to this.’ she thought about it and wanted to get her notebook to write down some plans but then remembered that it was still in the room with the teleportation gate.

“So let’s be pragmatic here. First things first I have to get tougher, no more bullshit. Maybe I’ll start associating with someone or an organization that could back me up. Being alone and only having my own power won’t be enough forever. It wasn’t enough so far. I’ll start with Alice though. Talk to her and find out what the fuck she thought she was doing.” she said out loud to the demolished room.

“Personal power is important though and there’s still a ton to be gained here in this dungeon. Seeing how the adventurers in Salia were talking about a new dungeon this is an opportunity I won’t squander. So first fighting. As soon as I’ve cleared most of it I’ll go back and talk to Alice. If I’ve gained enough power then I’ll go look for Felicia. I’ll need information and backing though.”

“I need my bloody notebook.” she said finally and got up again. She walked slowly towards the chasm while continuing to meditate. Her mana was maxed again and so was her health. “Ready for the next round, this is gonna be a looong day.” she checked her messages while walking and was happy at the result.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x 9’

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy eighty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 117. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 118. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 119. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 120. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 121. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 112. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 113. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 114. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 115. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 116. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Magic Perception reaches lvl 13’

And so she went back. First things first she blinked inside, grabbed her backpack and went back outside before most of the guardians even reacted to her. Leaving the pack above the squid room as she started to call it, she went back and walked inside the gate room.

“I’m back motherfuckers, ready for another pounding?” she was happy to see that some of the guardians still had scratches and damaged parts. They needed maintenance and apparently there was no automated workshop nearby.

Cracks filled with a deep fiery color formed on her body and a mist of ash formed around her while blue runes shined on. A smile was on her lips, the anger gone only her joy for fighting remained. Not that it made a difference for the guardians, they would fall either way.

She blinked in and the dance of slugs and blades started again. This time she destroyed five of them before leaving. Although her health had reached a similar point. The numbers were still overwhelming. ‘Next time let’s see how much Azarinth Reversal can change my staying power...’ she thought as she sat down again to meditate.

Capping out her mana, she checked her messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x 5’

‘bing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy seventy levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 122. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 123. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 124. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 125. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 117. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 118. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 119. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 120. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Azarinth reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘Glad they left me the machines in that room as well...I have a feeling even Edwin knew I could take sword guardians already. Maybe I’m paranoid though.’ she distributed the 150 stat points equally into Vitality, Endurance, Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom. 30 for each she quickly checked her stats.

Status:

Vitality: 375

Endurance: 180

Strength 111

Dexterity 220

Intelligence 365

Wisdom 190

‘Quite the tank...but it’s not even close to Edwin I’m sure. My high skill levels let me survive this far, let me fight against the fuckers that got Alice, let me kill stalker hounds and undead. Even just surviving that Elf chasing us was certainly not due to my stats.’ Taking out her notebook she started to look through her notes.

Ilea added the coco fruit to her list of interesting foods that she had started a long while ago. ‘Now to plan some...’ she wrote down her thoughts from before.

- Clear Taleen dungeon

- Smack Alice

- Smack Edwin (much harder, twice ten times)

-

She was drawing a blank after that already. It helped her to write down the three things at least. She thought of other necessities, questions and tasks that she had neglected and wrote them down as well. Suddenly her eyes opened wide. “Where will I get food without Aliana???”

Chapter 44 Newcomers

Chapter 44 Newcomers

A lack of food wasn’t really something that would kill Ilea in the short term but it was a matter of principals. The coco fruits were quite alright but there was no diversity. Of course Ilea could live off grass or unseasoned meat for a long time but if there was a town just a couple hours away with food to buy, she wouldn’t say no.

‘So I’ll finish up the teleport room and then quickly go back to Dawntree...’ she already dreaded the thought of confronting Alice but having made up her mind, she stuck to her decision. Looking down on herself made her a bit weary as well. Her once beautiful armor was in tatters. ‘No smith will be able to repair this...’ she thought.

“Oh well, nothing I can do about that now. If only there was an actual armory here...wait. Maybe...” Ilea said out loud and thought back to the three adventurers she found dead at the start of the dungeon. ‘Free clothes...with holes...still better than whatever my current attire would be classified as..’

So Ilea went back down to fight more guardians. The next day was spent fighting them and she gained an absurd amount of levels and stats. Reaching level 125 in Ash Wielder filled her last passive slot in the class as well.

Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 1:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted with your own body and while shrouded in Ash is 50% higher [after bonuses 150%]’

Category: Body Enhancement

The skill alone made fighting the guardians much faster. Although the fight did turn quite a bit harder as soon as only around fifteen guardians remained. The chaos previously abused by her wasn’t present anymore and Ilea had to leave more often to recover. Using Azarinth Reversal she could fight around 30-40% longer until her stamina reached critical levels. She debated if it was more or less efficient that way as with using reversed destruction, her damage would plummet by a lot.

In total she had destroyed 43 guardians that stood in the teleportation room. Checking her status, Ilea had made quite a leap. Although the more she killed the fewer levels she got for each one of them. It seemed her familiarity with them and of course her closing the gap in levels reduced the rewards exponentially.

Her stat points she split through five again in what she considered to be the most important stats. ‘From now on though I’ll continue for a while with Edwin’s suggested Vitality, Dexterity and Intelligence route...’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 144

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 18

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 19

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 3

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 9

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 138

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 8

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 6

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 5

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 9

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 6

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 6

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 3

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 14

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 5

- Wind Resistance – lvl 3

Status:

Vitality: 412

Endurance: 217

Strength 111

Dexterity 257

Intelligence 402

Wisdom 227

Health: 4120/4120

Stamina: 2133/2170

Mana: 1828/2270

Ilea finished distributing her latest gains as she stood next to what remained of the last guardian in the room. “Well not quite the last one eh?” she asked while looking towards the still kneeling form behind the teleportation platform.

Slowly the dust on the machine started to move as it came to life with jerky movements. Seemingly cracking its neck, the six legs that previously were joined together to form a kneeling position separated and the Centurion got up. Slowly the jerky movements turned fluid and a massive spear appeared in its right hand.

Ilea watched on, all her buffs active, as the monster of a machine started to advance on her. “Let’s see then...if this is a challenge I can best...” she said out loud, a grin on her face.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl ??]

The spear was thrown before Ilea registered the movement. With all her skills she could still dodge it without having to use blink, albeit barely. Her head moved to the side as the weapon passed, crashing into the ground several meters behind her. It vanished and the machine was upon her.

Three thrusts of the spear came nearly simultaneously which made Ilea blink to the machine’s right. It let go of the spear and punched her way without even looking. ‘Fuck’ the thought didn’t finish in her head before the fist impacted her chest. The small cooldown time between blinks was enough for the warrior to land a hit on her.

And a hit it was. Ilea was sure that the sheer force would’ve killed her on the spot the last time she’d faced a centurion. Her health was down a whopping thirty percent and she started healing the broken bones while flying backwards. A blink saved her from the thrown spear that reached her before she hit the ground. Sliding to a stop, she coughed up blood. Her chest reformed and the shroud of ash that was dispersed by the punch came back together.

The centurion advanced again and thrust towards her heart. Ilea trusted all her skills and deflected the weapon with her arm. It was enough to change the direction of the spear but not enough to completely avoid the attack. The spear cut a part of her arm and her side, the ash around her reduced the damage greatly.

At the same time as the centurion’s attack, her right hand advanced with her fist at the front. The machine moved to block with its left hand, the two limbs crashing together with a loud noise and a gust of wind that was pushed away upon impact. The full force of Destruction and Wave of Ember crashed into its hand, enhanced by her classes, aura skills and both Azarinth Figher and Ashen Warrior.

She noticed that the centurion’s hand was pushed back a couple centimeters. The damage had gone through, it was simply a question of how much it actually affected her enemy. In the meantime the spear had been removed and another thrust came her way. This time Ilea blinked behind it.

Her punch was met by the creature’s left elbow that intercepted her attack while the centurion’s torso turned to the left with the force of its spear thrust. Another wave of destructive mana entered the centurion but it didn’t slow down at all. Ilea was still in the air as the creature’s torso turned 180 degrees in a fluid motion, trying to hit her with a swiping motion of its spear that was still too far extended to thrust at her.

Ilea appeared ten meters away from the centurion and breathed out. ‘I can hit it….’ she thought and smirked. Another spear throw was dodged as she advanced again. The centurion had learned from her moves and got better and better at predicting where she would appear. It started to act more defensive as time went on, trying to cover its blind spots first before attacking Ilea.

“You’re way smarter than the others eh?” she asked, another thrust was barely dodged and left a bleeding cut on her arm. She was covered in them by now and the fight had only been going on for two minutes. In those two minutes she had managed to hit five attacks on the Centurion. Four of them in the first minute.

Although her Form of Ember skill enhanced her speed as time went on, she found it harder and harder to see any openings. The centurion had changed from holding its spear at the last third to the middle, effectively countering her blinking behind it. There was no bladed end on that side of the spear but Ilea had learned it could still break all the bones in her fist and wrist should they collide.

Four minutes later, Ilea was bleeding from several superficial wounds and hadn’t managed to hit even one additional attack. Her mana was running low as well as she hadn’t meditated between her last fight with the sword guardians and the centurion. Additionally this enemy made her use Reconstruction quite a bit more frequently on severe wounds than her previous foes.

“Time to go for now but we’ll play again later Centurion...” Ilea said and blinked away towards the door. Blinking again, she found her perception heightened to the extreme. The Centurion’s spear was two meters behind her and closing in. With her sphere and the 2nd stage ability of Azarinth Perception active, she managed to dodge the attack easily and blinked out of the room.

‘That was a close one...’ she blinked further and further out. ‘...it knows the maximum distance of my blink and I couldn’t get even a single hit in in those four minutes...’ she reached the squid and blinked upwards.

Three minutes later she reached the first trap room and breathed out. ‘Well that was something.’ she sat down and started meditating. ‘Even the centurion doesn’t follow me this far...’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception has reached 2nd lvl 4’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 145. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘Hmm, been a while since I got a class level through skill advancement...’ she thought. A while later she got up again and cracked her neck. “Alright, once more with full power.” Ilea said out loud and walked back to the stairs.

Sadly though the centurion hadn’t forgotten about her and the way she fought. It immediately changed the grip on its spear and rushed her. Twenty five minutes of fighting later, Ilea fled again. This time using different distances to blink which made the spear throws miss completely.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception has reached 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere has reached 2nd lvl 13’

‘dang’ ‘Shroud of Ash has reached lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash has reached lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash has reached lvl 7’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 139. 5 Stat points awarded.’

“Not a single hit...” she said out loud with a frown on her face. The fight was fun for her to be sure but after a couple minutes she felt almost mocked by the expressionless machine. ‘As if it said it’s untouchable.’ she thought and hit the ground next to her. “I’ll show you in time...” she said and got up a while later. ‘First though, food...’ she thought.

And so Ilea went back. It’s been over four days since she had left Dawntree but her progress was as much as the past couple months combined. ‘Sucks to not have the guys around anymore...’ she thought as she blinked over the crevice that marked the way between the city and the great hall.

The scenery changed slightly again as the white stone was replaced by the more natural looking gray one from what Ilea assumed was the residential district of the dwarven city. She took her time to walk back the way they came. She had continued her sketching as best as she could and found her way back easily enough. The dwarves had a flair for symmetry, which made it easy to find one’s way. ‘Glad these guys understood town planning better than the humans living above...’ Ilea thought. Her ability to simply climb up and cross buildings made it much easier to navigate the otherwise rather chaotic cities she’d visited so far.

Ilea didn’t come across any guardians on her way back but she didn’t try particularly hard to find any of them, still a little down from her inability to win against the centurion. When she reached the square where she had found the first destroyed guardians, she turned left and followed the road until she found what she came for.

The corpses were as she had left them. ‘Maybe a rock mage can bury them...’ she thought as she checked through the people. “Well this is goodbye then...” she said and sighed. Removing the barely still connected pieces of armor she still wore, she threw them on the ground and undressed one of the dead women.

The clothes stank of death and rot but it wasn’t too bad compared to Ilea’s which smelled of blood and ash. ‘Guess the water on the way here might actually help this time...’ she thought and finished putting on the straps on the leather armor. Luckily the pieces she had found covered her more private bits. ‘Let’s move on then...’ she thought and walked back towards the first house she had come out from at the very start of this dungeon crawl.

She quickly looked backwards before entering and smiled at the greenish light and gray houses and streets. What others might see as a deathtrap, she already looked at fondly as one of the biggest treasure troves she’d ever found. ‘Maybe I’ll find some actual treasure for once in a fucking while...’ she thought and entered into the hall connecting the storage rooms together.

Ilea didn’t quite find the empty room she expected though as immediately two people jumped up from their lazy lounging positions while grabbing their weapons. “Who goes there!!?” a man in his thirties shouted.

[Warrior – lvl 142]

‘I’m a higher level than him, heh’ she thought as a slight smile tugged on her lips. It didn’t quite yet sink in just how many levels and stats she’d gained in the past week.

“Cheers lads. No reason to be so on alert. Just a healer passing through.” she said in a neutral voice.

One of them held up his spear and nodded towards her. “A healer eh, where’s your party then?” he asked to which she sighed.

“They died nearly a week ago. I only managed to get away because I could heal myself...one of those...machines ambushed us.” she said. The blood on her body and her stench helped a lot with selling the story. The man lowered his spear a little and sighed. They were obviously afraid.

“Why stay in there for so long then? We’ve been here almost two days now.” the other man said. His dark eyes looked at her suspiciously but Ilea stayed calm.

“I wanted to get them out. They managed to nearly destroy the machine and I could actually finish it after a couple days...not a lot of damage but it gets the job done...” she said and tapped the mace on her belt.

‘Glad I kept that bad boy.’ she thought as his eyes softened and he nodded towards her.

“I couldn’t move them yet and even had to get some gear from my friend cause mine was in tatters.” she said noticing that the look on one of the men changed to something she hadn’t quite calculated in.

‘Maybe I acted too vulnerable...oh well, two more corpses on the way to...well food.’ she thought as she prepared herself to attack them. Suddenly the one that hadn’t looked at her like a savage slapped his friend in his face.

“Get your head out of the gutter you cunt.” he said and walked up to Ilea. “Excuse the idiot, been a while since he got lucky. And you know how adventuring can get lonely. Name’s Roger. And the idiot’s Tim.” he extended his hand which she shook.

“Don’t worry about it Roger, I’ve seen worse. Those guys with you?” she said, not mentioning her own name and motioned to several groups of well equipped people behind them. Some were wearing shiny armor that would blind someone in broad daylight while others sported gear even more horny than Arven’s.

“They are, ye. Appreciate the lack of offense taken by the way. You were part of the scouts then?” he asked to which she shook her head.

“Not exactly...a Forkspear sent you?” she asked to which he nodded.

“Bjorn Forkspear, yes. Oooh let me guess. You’re sent by a different member of the family. Well no matter, not like we care much who pays. Planning on going back in?” he asked.

“Not right now, no...” she answered and looked at the other people.

“Hey who’s she?” one of the men standing next to a makeshift table with a map on it said, getting the attention of most of the mercenaries and adventurers around himself. Their armor shifted as they looked at Ilea. Some of them resumed their tasks of sharpening blades or checking potions and bombs after a couple seconds but others’ gazes lingered for longer.

Ilea approached the man that had spoken and patted Roger on his shoulder when she passed him. “Lilith, nice to meet you.” She walked up to the man, choosing a random name that came to her mind and extended her hand, her face solemn. She continued talking but at a lower volume “My party was killed a couple streets in, four days ago.” She didn’t let the man ask questions as she quickly approached the map that was apparently blank after the room they were standing in.

“May I?” she asked a lvl 120 mage with a scholarly looking robe. He nodded and she started sketching with the pencil that lay on the table. “There was a square here, we managed to defeat one of the guardians…” she sketched and the people around her listened attentively. Nobody seemed to have a problem with her sketching on their map. Considering her looks and smell, she certainly sold the persona well.

Her status as a healer was certainly of help as well. “There’s a fork here, we went to the right and were ambushed on the ground floor of this building…” she showed it to them. “I managed to finish off the severely damaged guardian after two days of going in and going back out to heal.” She motioned to the holes in her armor that were punched through by the guardian’s metal slugs.

“There are ranged and sword guardians in there, around lvl 150 and up.” She finished and leaned back while putting the pencil down.

“Well that’s nothing majorly new…” one of the men said.

“Nonetheless thank you for the information. We’ll go in tomorrow. You probably won’t be able to convince Bjorn to let you join, assuming you were sent by someone else in that family. We’d appreciate the help of a healer though and would pay you a fee.” He finished and looked at her with anticipation.

His hopes for another healer were dashed though as Ilea shook her head. “I’ll come back to get the bodies with some help…I won’t let them rot down here. But I won’t be going further in…” her tone was final and most of the people that had listened in nodded or showed some sort of understanding.

Her presence then seemed to have less and less impact and Ilea decided it was a good time to leave them be. “I’ll go to Dawntree first to speak with my contact…” she tried to sound resigned and with what she could read on the man’s face it worked at least on the surface.

“I understand. Shame you won’t join us, such high leveled healers are rare as it is. Do you need somebody to guide you back? I’m afraid that would cost you though” the man asked to which she shook her head.

“I’ll be fine on my own. I assume you cleared the way here?” she paused and he nodded “Then I’ll go, I hope you’ll fare better down there than we did…” she finished and simply left. They would likely not fare better than she did but Ilea decided to keep her visit to Dawntree to at most two days. ‘Can’t let them get to the great hall before me…’ she thought but deemed it unlikely to happen even in the next week, considering they’d stayed in the first couple rooms for two days already.

Nobody stopped her after that, most of the people hadn’t cared much to begin with. They were focused on the hard weeks of battle to come. Many of them didn’t plan to go very deep into the dungeon. They were paid to explore, not to fulfil a specific goal or even clear the dungeon. Likely some of them were excited as well or thought about finding a rare treasure or gaining a lot of strength but Taleen dungeons had a reputation that could be summed up in one word, dread.

Chapter 45 Cake

Chapter 45 Cake

Ilea started sprinting after ten minutes of walking and soon activated her buffs as well. In just over an hour she reached the Root. The last couple hundred meters she ran without any buffs.

A smell of booze, blood and food greeted her, a smile spreading on her face. “Aaaah, civilization.”

“Oh a healer HEY you wanna…” the man couldn’t finish his sentence as a woman tackled him from his feet and started punching his head.

“You fucking fuck!” she shouted while punching and Ilea simply moved on in silence.

‘Civilization indeed…’ she thought and bought some food at a nearby store. Ilea reached the gate that led towards Dawntree accompanied by two people trying to recruit her and one musician singing about her fair skin. ‘I smell of death…this healer tag can be quite annoying…’ the guard at the gate didn’t ask many questions and let her pass after he accepted the fee. He quickly checked her backpack but luckily didn’t think it important enough to check inside her notebook.

Ilea breathed a breath of fresh air and enjoyed the light of the autumn sun on her skin as she reached the city of Dawntree. The noise of the busy lives of many people reached her enhanced ears. ‘Good way to get used to the sphere I guess…’ Ilea thought, not having disabled her perception skill since Felicia and the others had left.

‘Now what to do first…’ she thought and grabbed a small hand that tried to grab her coin pouch. “Again, you little shits.” She said and let the small girl go. The girl started running away immediately before Ilea threw a silver coin her way, missing by over a meter.

The thief bee lined though and grabbed the coin from the ground. “Cheers asshole!” she shouted back to which Ilea shook her head. “Kids these days…” she murmured and continued on her way. She jumped upwards and saw the Forkspear palace from a distance but decided not to go there immediately. Ilea was obviously postponing her uncomfortable talk with Alice.

‘Doesn’t Aaron live here? He mentioned something about visiting…maybe I can clear up some questions too.’ she thought and jumped down from the house. “Excuse me, where’s the guild in town?” she asked and received another “asshole” as a response. Three fuck offs later she finally at least got a direction. Walking there she took in the city that was a lot more rudimentarily built than Salia. ‘A lot more rock…although the castles stand out for sure…’ she thought, looking at one of them from between buildings.

She walked for ten minutes through the city, trying different foods on the way. Nothing really stood out and Ilea decided then to visit Salia again at some point to enjoy the much nicer looking restaurants there. ‘Maybe I can sneak into one of those castles to get some noble’s food…’ she thought, looking at a bored guard in front of a rich looking mansion.

The guild looked much like the ones she’d seen before. Mostly the armed and geared people in front of it made the difference. The Root didn’t have a post of the guild. There were certainly other ways to get jobs there though.

Ilea entered and found a queue to wait in. As usual though requests for her joining some parties came up immediately. Although Ilea thought there were less than in Salia. She overheard most of the people talking and focused on some specific conversations.

“…are you nuts?! We can’t even see her level, I bet she’s part of a famous team or something…don’t you dare talk to her…” one warrior at level 89 said to his rogue looking friend.

“…we can’t pay her at that level, she won’t join us anyway on the jobs we’re doing…” someone else said.

‘The level change seems to make a hell of a difference…now I can chose my teams myself…heh’ Ilea thought and smiled brightly while getting closer to the clerk at the end of the queue. ‘Come on! I need to pee….’

“Welcome, your tag please. What can I do for you” Ilea handed over her silver healing badge and some silver coins.

“I need information, is there somewhere more private?” she asked, sure that many of the people in the room could hear her perfectly well. ‘No need to blurt out everything like I did with Edwin…I have to learn that as well…’ she thought as the clerk nodded.

“You want to update that? I can see you’re over level 50.” He asked and motioned her to follow another clerk. She shook her head at the question.

“Is there even a point, people can see my level.” She answered and made her way to the other clerk.

“Not people below yours…” the clerk answered and Ilea thought about it as she walked behind the woman that had taken over her case. The walked upstairs and into a nicely furnished room. It was good to see some wood again after so much stone in the past week.

The clerk motioned for Ilea to sit down while she looked for something to drink. “Do you have a toilet I could quickly use?” Ilea asked and was shown towards a room on the same floor where she took care of her business.

Getting back to the room the woman had placed both water and a mug of ale on the table for Ilea to choose. It was water that time. “So you’re looking for information. I’ll tell you if your questions rise over the payment you already placed.” The clerk said, sitting back in her chair.

“Yea I just need some small things. Some basic info on a rock bard adventurer called Aaron, some info on the Forkspear family and the location of a library in the city.”

“That should be manageable.” The woman said and disclosed what she could for the price paid.

Ilea walked out of the guild a couple silvers lighter but with a ruby healer badge and information to continue her daily business. She felt a bit bad about not immediately going to Alice so she’d asked for information on the Forkspears as well. It was a good decision as it turned out. Two higher than one hundred leveled adventurers had vouched to the clerk that she was between 100 and 150.

Ilea had learned that Alice wasn’t quite as important as she thought. One of many daughters and not close to the eldest or youngest. The Forkspears additionally were famous for promoting men inside their hierarchy while women were mostly married off. Contrary to Ilea’s thinking this was not as normal as she’d thought. Many families were actually led by women. The existence of levels helped quite a bit at bridging the gap between musclemass in the sexes and thus warriors weren’t primarily men, at least among humans.

‘Maybe that’s why there was nobody looking for her in that forest…’ Ilea thought as she walked towards the school where Aaron apparently taught part time. ‘Taleen dungeons are for the desperate hmm?’

She walked for another half an hour and was already a little annoyed at the densely packed streets when she finally came upon a massive mansion with a big yard in front. ‘Magic Academy…eh?’ Ilea thought and continued onwards through the open gates.

There were some students laying or training on the grass as she passed. One student even thought she’d be the new teacher in healing magic. “Damn she stinks from that distance...how badass!” one of the students exclaimed to which Ilea chuckled.

‘Quite a different outlook to the stench of blood and rot here hmm?’ other people had steered clear of her on her walk through the city and the pupil’s comment was the time Ilea finally understood why.

‘Weirdly it’s not really bothering me...although a bath would be nice.’ she walked up to one of the students and put on her biggest smile.

“Hey, I’m late to my first day of teaching. Do you guys have a bath? And where’s the administration and library?” her question was met with some flustered expression by the group she stood before. They sputtered out the answers as fast as they could, obviously intimidated by her get up.

‘I feel like I’m thirty...I was a bloody student just a year ago...well I was supposed to be I guess.’ she went up to the mansion and walked behind it. As soon as no students were in direct sight of her, she blinked inside a small room where she was sure nobody was inside.

‘Now...wait why didn’t I just use the door?’ she thought but just shrugged. The mansion was huge, several hundred meters long. Exiting the room, there were only a couple students walking around and Ilea quickly found the designated bath. The bath was separated into male and female. Only two other people occupied the women’s bath.

Ilea ditched her clothes and walked inside. Steam was rising and she saw with her magic perception that there were runes on the ground inside the bath itself. ‘Neat.’

“Aaaaah, that’s it...that’s the reason to live.” she said out loud upon entering the warm embrace of heated water. The filth of her past days slowly colored her immediate surroundings brown and red. ‘A possible exercise for some water and earth mages.’ she wondered. With magic present, shared pools were actually quite a bit more hygienic than the yellow mess that was usually there on earth.

Ilea inched closer to one of the other women after twenty minutes of cleaning herself and relaxing. It was the one more similar in size to her own. “Hey, do you have a spare set of clothes? Doesn’t really matter what...a robe, school uniform or pajamas. I’ll pay you ten silvers.”

“T...ten? Silvers? Yes! Yes I have something, just wait!” the woman immediately left the bath and ran towards the changing rooms.

‘Students are dirt poor everywhere it seems...’ she thought and noticed something in her sphere of perception.

Sammy enjoyed the view as always, his [Eye of Inna] skill he had gotten a couple months prior upon a level up in his main class made his day something quite special again. The steam and stone separation of the men’s and women’s baths didn’t bother him a bit as he took in the sight of a gorgeous black haired beauty that had entered the bath around twenty minutes prior.

‘Never seen her before...maybe a new girl?’ he started touching his leg and went closer and closer to his swollen bratwurst.

The woman suddenly cocked her head thought and vanished from his sight. ‘Wha?’ he thought as two arms slowly embraced him from behind.

“Touch it and it’s gone...” a beautiful voice whispered in his ear.

The touch was gone as fast as it came and he quickly moved his hand away from his crotch. Sammy looked back and the woman was there again, looking towards him on the other side of the bath.

She moved her hand to her crotch and made a snipping motion with two fingers. He gulped and ran.

“Heh...” Ilea said out loud and continued to relax. Not that she cared much but it was fun and nobody got hurt. ‘Good lesson to learn that you’re not the only one who can see through walls...should note that myself as well.’ she thought and continued soaking for another five minutes before the girl came back with a set of fresh clothes.

“Hahh..hahh….haaa I got it!” she shouted through the whole bath.

“Yes yes...I’ll be right there.” Ilea answered and left the bath. She got on the quite comfortable clothes that consisted of brown cloth pants and a cloth shirt in the same color. She even got fresh underwear as well. They were a little wide at the waist but there was string to make them fit. Ilea kept the boots and got her backpack on again.

Handing over ten silver coins from her pouch, she motioned to the old leather armor and clothing. “Can you...like burn this?” she asked the girl to which she nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you so much!!” the girl shouted after Ilea as she exited the changing room.

“Sure sure...now where to go...” Ilea said and walked towards where the library was supposed to be.

Ten minutes of walking later, she found the place and walked in. It was right after lunch time and apparently a student was on duty to deal with anyone that entered. “Can I help you?” she asked Ilea, looking a little intimidated.

“Yea you can. I just have a couple questions. Pretty basic stuff I wager but I honestly never thought about them before deciding to explore a dungeon.”

The girl opened her eyes wide at the statement. “Dungeon? Well this ought to be interesting...what do you want to know?”

“Well I’ve seen something that showed four question marks when I identified it, what does that mean? I’ve only ever seen two before.”

The girl got a noticeable amount less enthusiastic and even blanched a little. “F..four? How are you alive??”

Ilea sighed “Question, please answer.”

“Apparently three question marks describe a monster above level 500, four I don’t know. Probably 750 or even 1000. Maybe someone in the guild or in the city library knows. You should go ask there.”

“That’s fine for now I guess. Well the other thing I was wondering...how do I level skills to the 3rd tier? Not like I have anything in the 2nd tier but someone in the guild mentioned it.” Ilea asked.

The girl sadly didn’t know that either so Ilea left a little disappointed. ‘People know nothing without the presence of the internet….’

“Ok gluegle!” she said out loud but nothing happened.

‘At least I know they’re not responsible for me landing here...maybe they’re the final boss or something...’ she thought and walked back into the library.

“I’m looking for Aaron, teacher, rock mage and bard? Any ideas?” she said and was luckily directed to classroom 501.

The quick search for classroom 501 turned out to be not so quick as Ilea descended back into the ground again. Not cave edges but normal steps led her towards her destination. She opened the door to classroom 501 and was surprised to find a rather spacious hall with around a dozen students inside.

Aaron was standing in the front and was explaining something while gesturing with a rock in his hand. Ilea started to sneak up behind the man which got some giggles from some students.

They were immediately hit by small pebbles that hovered around Aaron before impacting on their heads. “Ow...” one of them exclaimed.

Ilea had managed to sneak up on Aaron and simply stood there with crossed arms. At least that was what she thought when he suddenly whipped his arm towards her with quite a bit of force.

Ilea simply stopped his arm with one hand. “Nice to see your senses aren’t as shit as I thought.” she said and smiled.

Aaron simply looked at her. “Well look who we have here. I didn’t actually expect for you to visit you know?” he said and offered a hand in greeting. The same one he had used to try and strike her.

“And you’ve grown again I see...quite a lot seeing those question marks. Didn’t think you’d make it longer than a month with that recklessness.” he said while shaking her hand.

“I’ll be done in ten minutes. Grab a drink later?” he asked.

“Aaron it’s not even two in the afternoon, you have a drinking problem.”

“Nothing alcoholic of course.” he answered.

Ilea just sat down with the other students. Aaron was nice enough to make her a rock chair as well. Ten minutes later Ilea knew for sure that rock magic was nothing for her. Additionally Aaron wasn’t as inspiring a teacher as he was a tank.

“Now tell me how you got higher than level 80 in such a short amount of time.” Aaron asked when they were sitting on a balcony café at the top of the mansion. Ilea had half a cake in front of her and started eating.

“Oh wow this is good. Well this happened and that. You know how it goes Aaron. I fought stalker hounds for a while though. Alone.” she answered without telling him that she was quite a way above level 80 already.

“Yea, I saw you do that. Guess if you just continued for a while you’d reach 80 at some point. For you it was lucky that we found a new dungeon. Glad you didn’t come across whatever the boss would’ve been down there.”

Ilea just silently ate her cake. ‘He’s not as imaginative as I thought...’

“So you like teaching here? What about the adventuring, you seemed pretty adept at the whole thing back in the Calys mines...” she asked, already having finished a piece.

“It’s rewarding. Seeing the young ones progress so fast is incredible. All that enthusiasm yet to be replaced by dread and death.” he said and looked over the court yard.

‘He really has quite a different outlook. It’s nice though, caring for the next generation and giving on his knowledge.’ she smiled as she looked at the man. ‘He’s happy.’

“What’s that...” he suddenly said. Ilea followed his gaze and had to stifle a laugh as two young fire mages helped a young woman burn some clothes.

“Hey go to the training rooms for that!!” Aaron shouted to which the students ran away in different directions. The deed was done though and only ash remained of the leather armor.

“Aaron, can I ask for some advice?” Ilea started. She soon left the school behind. Aaron had wished her luck on her meeting and crazy endeavors she’d be going on after.

‘Time to get it over with...’ Ilea looked up to find the Forkspear palace and started walking.

Chapter 46 I feel like my titles are boring

Chapter 46 I feel like my titles are boring

Alice came running towards her after she’d waited in the hallway for around five minutes. There were pictures of various supposedly important people on the walls. Alice was on none of them.

“Ilea!” the girl shouted and came to a stop in front of the healer. Jaime came around the corner at the end of the hall to join them soon after.

“You did it, you came back! Did you find anything interesting?” Alice said, a genuine smile on her face.

“I did find some things, yes. Can we talk somewhere more private?” Ilea asked right when Jaime joined them.

‘There are no guards around to protect her from me...’ Ilea thought as they followed Jaime who had indicated for them to do so. Candlelight lit the room they arrived in, it was furnished as well as the last one they’ve talked in.

Alice sat down on a chair while Jaime prepared some tea. “None for me, thanks.” Ilea said and leaned on the table, still standing.

“So Alice...” she stopped and looked upwards to think. Alice’s smile left her eyes as she looked at the healer.

“That plague you mentioned? That doesn’t really exist right? There’s nobody in danger.” Ilea said. Alice’s smile now left her face completely as she looked downwards. A minute of silence passed.

“There is...” she started but Ilea interrupted her.

“Then let me see her.”

“I can’t...you know my family.” but she was interrupted again.

“No, I don’t give a fuck Alice. Tell me where she is and I’ll go there and see for myself. I think I can get away from whoever guards the place.” she said, rather confident in her blinking ability. Inside a city like this it would be a cake walk to lose most people. Even if they were a higher level than her.

“Alright alright! Ok. There is no plague...nobody is in danger! I just needed more people to go down there for me. I didn’t have money to pay you and to be honest for how strong you are, you’re pretty gullible Ilea.” Alice rushed the words out and continued to avoid eye contact with Ilea. Her hands were fidgeting. Jaime stood next to her without a readable expression on his face.

“Alice. I considered you a friend. Was all the talk just played? You seemed to enjoy traveling with me near Riverwatch, as much as you could back then.” she said and paused.

“You could’ve just asked me to go. I’ve gained more in that dungeon than anywhere else before, why would I need to get paid for that.” she finished.

Alice perked up at that “So we’re alright? What did you find then, you said you gained a lot.” she said and smiled again.

Ilea’s hand tightened and the wood of the table splintered. She calmed herself and took a deep breath. “You don’t seem to understand Alice. You lied to me, you used me and now you’re not even showing anything close to an apology?”

Alice opened and closed her mouth but didn’t say anything else. “You know what, I’m out of here. Hope you’ll learn something from this girlie.” Ilea said and stopped leaning on the table. While walking out, she touched Alice’s shoulder and stopped quickly next to Jaime.

“Apologies for the table.” she said and walked out.

Back outside, Ilea walked towards the gates but stopped quickly to look backwards. ‘I swear there was somebody there...’ she thought and continued on. ‘Fucking creepy this place...’ she looked at the palace and left the estate.

‘To think she wouldn’t even apologize...and she admitted to the lie even. Maybe I really should’ve slapped her.’ she walked aimlessly through the city, not really focusing on anything specifically. ‘Then again that might’ve killed her. I’ve grown quite a bit.’ Ilea smiled at that and balled her fist.

Before going back though, she needed a drink. The girl left a sour taste in her mouth. ‘Not here though.’ she thought and made her way downwards.

“Another one.” the woman said and clinked some copper coins on the counter.

“I like that one, hey lassy you in for a ride!?” a man in silver plate armor sitting on a nearby table said to Ilea who had downed her fifth mug of ale. Her poison resistance didn’t help with getting drunk but she liked the taste and light buzz that came with it.

“You know we have stronger stuff if you’re just looking to knock yourself out.” the barman said as he brought her a fresh mug.

“No I’m fine, don’t like the taste of stronger stuff.” she answered and started to down the new drink.

“Hey you listening lassy??” the man insisted and got up a little from his chair. His helmet sat next to him on the table and his two companions looked on while cheering.

She held up one finger and finished the what she assumed to be a liter of ale. Done, she put it down and got her mace that sat on the ground next to her backpack. “Mate if you call me lassy one more time I’ll fucking throw this thing here right in your bloody teeth, alright?”

Some people chuckled while the man’s companions outright laughed at their friend. “Bit off a bit too much there Willy eh?” one of them said and downed his mug.

“Well I’d like to see you try, lassy.” he smirked and opened his arms wide while getting up. It seemed all in good cheer though, that was why Ilea had initially liked the Root. People here were more easygoing and ready to receive a mace in their face.

The mace thrown without any buffs applied flew and hit the man’s shoulder, denting it a little and then bouncing off, shattering the table behind him. The four people sitting there shouted and got out of the way.

“Hah she actually did it, the absolute madman!” one woman shouted and gave a thumbs up.

The man had been drunk enough to stumble and fall from the impact but laughed while getting up. “You think that will stop the great Willy!”

“Are you compensating with your name for the lack of one?” Ilea asked but only got a confused stare and smile from the man. Two people nearby laughed though so she considered it a win. “How much for the table and their drinks?” Ilea asked the barman and motioned to the people that had spilled some when getting out of the way.

“Don’t sweat it, their own fault for being too slow...you’re all dead you idiots!” he said to the men in what Ilea could only describe as a military voice. Green magic gathered around the barkeeper as Ilea watched on with magic perception and the splintered table rebuild in front of her eyes.

“Aye cheers mate.” someone said and sat back down on the table. “Cards?” he asked and the three others standing sat down and shrugged before throwing some coins into the middle.

“Leave her alone Willy, she’s obviously not interested. Remember the last time you tried to get a higher leveled woman...” the mage in leather armor said to his companion.

“Can I get three more? I’ll be in the corner there.” Ilea said and got up from the bar to sit down at at table a little away from the loudest people. She didn’t dislike the place and atmosphere but her social energy was used up from the talks with Aaron and Alice earlier in the day. It was getting close to evening now and she thought about going back to the dungeon a bit earlier than planned. ‘They might’ve not even left yet…’ she thought and decided to at least wait another couple hours.

She noticed in her sphere skill that someone new had entered the bar and quickly scanned the room before walking straight towards her. [mage lvl 98] ‘Where’d I see that level before?’

The robed man stopped in front of her and bowed lightly. “Miss Ilea, may I sit down?” Jaime asked and locked eyes with her from below his dark hood.

“Ah yes, that’s where. Call me Ilea and sure, if you must.” she said and lightly gestured with one hand while lifting one of the three mugs to her face.

“Didn’t think you’re a drinker.” he said as he sat down on the table. A cute waitress quickly came up to them but was stopped by a man touching her a little too aggressively. A spark of electricity left the waitress and left the man spasming for a solid ten seconds.

“What may I bring you?” she asked, looking at them with her dark brown eyes and a smirk on her lips. Ilea sipped at her ale while looking at the woman. They locked eyes for a second.

“Do you have Darkseed?” Jaime asked and the girl just nodded and sped away to the next table.

“I apologize Ilea. For Alice’s behavior. It seems my subtle influence wasn’t quite enough to break through her parent’s indoctrination. The noble world is quite different I’m afraid. I hope you do not take her disregard personally. She simply does not understand.” he sighed and looked at her. Not getting a reaction, he continued.

“Your actions today might get her thinking again though. And I’ll get a little more bold as well. It’s not like her family keeps a close watch on her anymore since your rescue and what happened before. But for now please accept my apology on her behalf, I hope I’ll manage to make her understand and do it herself in the future.” he finished just as his glass of dark liquid arrived.

Ilea turned down her increased sense of smell from her sphere as a whiff of the foul smell entered her nose. She tore away her gaze from the sensual movements and looked at Jaime.

“I’m glad at least one decent person is around her. Why did she send me to that deathtrap anyway? Most others would’ve died at my level and I have a hunch that some corpses I found weren’t exactly unrelated.” she said.

She saw him closing his eyes as he looked away and lifted his glass. ‘Didn’t even cough...’ she thought as he took a sip.

“She had sent two parties before you. I hear one of them returned but they refused to talk to her or me. I assume the corpses you speak of are the others. Taleen dungeon. It’s certainly a risk but there is a possible reward. They were the only ones willing to go for the price we could pay.”

“You basically murdered them.” Ilea said and continued drinking as well.

He shook his head lightly at that. “Not everyone is as ignorant as you when it comes to the Taleen. They knew very well what they were getting into. Debt or fear would’ve driven them into a dangerous place one way or the other, I do not see us having any blame to carry for their deaths.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” she answered.

“You have an interesting outlook Ilea. To care for the lives of adventurers you didn’t even know. I’m afraid Alice doesn’t have that luxury. She was defiled and she failed in defending herself or proving herself extraordinary as a healer.” he said and took another sip.

“Hold your thought. I need to pee.” she said and quickly left for the bathroom while thinking about his words.

“What would happen to her then?” Ilea asked as she sat down again with two new mugs of ale she had gotten on her way back.

“Hmm...that is indeed the question. She will likely lose her status as a Forkspear in time. Blood alone means little to them I’m afraid. It’s a ticket inside but certainly not one to stay. I’ll try to get her out but many have failed before...” he finished his drink and leaned back.

“Shame that, the girl had drive and some good ideas. Even though she’s cold and heartless at times. The higher ups certainly aren’t better.” he said.

“How would me finding some treasure in the Taleen dungeon change that outcome?” Ilea asked.

“Taleen treasures are worth a lot. That’s it. Alice needs resources and status to advance. Or power but her healing class doesn’t seem to want to change into a warrior’s or mage’s.”

Ilea thought for a while and took out her notebook. “You care for her deeply don’t you Jaime?”

He didn’t answer. “I’ll give you something then. To you and the hope that you can change her for the better.” she started to write and draw on some blank pages in her notebook. “Someone with her fate deserves better than being married or killed off by her own family.”

Thirty minutes later she handed five pages to Jaime and continued drinking. “She’s already fulfilled the main requirement for the class...do me a favor and burn it as soon as she’s gotten it.” he took the pages sceptically and nodded to her. All he knew about Ilea was that she took down a group of adventurers alone and that she had a close combat class with short range teleporting abilities. Nothing too special he thought but then again the healer tag above her head made him curious.

“It’s a healer class isn’t it?” he asked, looking through the notes and sketches.

She didn’t say anything to that and simply finished her ale. The buzz had gotten a little stronger and Ilea grew a bit tired of talking. “This is more than I should probably give to you two. Please leave before I change my mind.” she said but didn’t plan on doing that. There was no bluemoon grass left, let alone anybody except for her knowing where it grew.

‘I don’t really care if there will be a bunch of hundred year old Azarinth healers out there in a century to come.’ she thought as Jaime got up.

“Well I thank you for listening to me then. I’ll have to return to my duties again now. Take care Ilea and good hunting.” he said while bowing and left.

Ilea continued drinking for a couple hours and simply listened to different conversations in the room without joining in. Her sphere made it easy to understand everything in the inn.

‘Now...’ Ilea quickly made her way to the bathroom and entered. She brushed against the waitress who exited at that exact moment and stopped the woman with a hand on her side. Her runes and embered lines shone lightly through her brown clothes as the lightning coursed through her.

Seemingly unaffected by it, the waitress smirked and increased her power output. Sparks flew around them and scorched the wood as they stood there with locked eyes. The waitress was above lvl 100 as well and certainly had a punch to her attack.

“How about you and me? Room 23 seems to be free still...” Ilea asked, completely unaffected by the lightning.

“You’re certainly interesting...and your resistance...” the woman answered while a hand entered Ilea’s shirt from below, sparks arching between the hand and her bare skin. The hand went upwards further and further until Ilea bit her lower lip.

“I’ll think about it.” the waitress said and removed her hand. She winked at Ilea and walked back to the open room. Ilea stood there smiling.

“Fucken queer...” the man that had exited the bathroom just before the waitress left said while walking by. He would actually not talk for a couple days to come as even with a healer, teeth regenerated quite slowly.

Ilea found in the next twenty minutes that she wasn’t quite as talented as Roland at drawing a naked human form and gave up to simply stare at the waitress, her body ached still from her touch. ‘What a fucking tease...’ she thought and didn’t miss any of the quick glances and smirks the woman sent her way.

“I think you’re quite ready...” the waitress said while jingling some keys in her hand. She smiled a perfect smile at Ilea before a small spark went through the keys.

Ilea breathed out and got up. ‘Put fresh underwear on the list as well...’ she thought and followed the waitress after a while, who had gone upstairs on her own. She got some glances but most people either missed it or didn’t care at all.

She entered the room and slowly closed the door behind herself. The woman already laid on the bed, none of her clothing remaining as she had ditched her shirt, pants and underwear.

Ilea walked up to her after having locked the door and slowly removed her own shirt in the process. She crawled onto the bed and continued until being eye to eye with the lightning mage. They both smiled as Ilea’s runes started to shine blue and electricity started to spark between them. Slowly Ilea went down and kissed the woman’s neck.

With each kiss the intensity of the lightning grew stronger as Ilea went down further and further. Upon reaching a certain point, Ilea got a message in her head accompanied by a moan.

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Lightning Resistance – lvl 1

Either in a storm or fighting a ferocious beast blessed by lightning you have resisted. This skill will help further with your endeavors.’

She smirked and continued moving her tongue. ‘It’s gonna be a long night...’

Chapter 47 Darkness

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks to Nikko for the donation!

Surprise chapter or maybe it's my release schedule. Who am I kidding, there is no schedule.

Chapter 47 Darkness

Ilea woke up refreshed after two hours of sleeping. The waitress lay next to her and would likely continue her slumber for quite some time. ‘I’ll definitely visit again...’ Ilea thought as she got up and dressed herself. She decided to steal the woman’s panties, they were a considerable amount less ruined than her own after all. Something told her that Chris would agree to the trade.

She touched her backpack and blinked out of the room to make as little noise as possible. Walking down the stairs, she stopped at the bottom and walked over to her mace that was still stuck in the ground. Yanking it out, she left the inn.

The Root looked the same as it had the last night. Being underground had that effect on a town. Still it seemed like most people were still asleep as Ilea looked at some of them knocked out right in the street.

She walked to a nearby store and bought provisions for her next go at the Taleen great hall. ‘Made myself remember the centurion...’ she frowned a little but the food placed in her backpack and the past night’s activities brought a smile to her face again quickly.

Another half an hour was spent looking for a comfortable leather armor, which she found in the only armor store that apparently opened this early. It only cost her ten silver coins. After that Ilea was decked out and ready to go. ‘I forgot the books I left at Alice’s...oh well.’

She walked back towards the cave that led to the Taleen dungeon and soon changed into a jog and then sprint. More and more buffs activated as her speed increased. She reached the entrance to the dungeon a while later and found only the remains of a camp in the big room where the group of adventurers had gathered the day before.

Checking the street outside with her sphere, she didn’t find anybody there. She walked towards where her first encounter with the guardians happened and started moving the bodies left behind. Half an hour later she had moved all of them out of the dungeon and buried them a couple meters deep in stone and dirt. ‘Hopefully they’ll decompose in time...’ she thought and closed her eyes for a minute. Touching the closed up stone, she got up and went back into the dungeon.

The residential area was big enough for thousands if not more people to live and Ilea quickly ran the exact route they had cleared up on the way to the great hall. The healer only encountered a couple guardians on her way whom she left alone to not attract anyone’s attention. ‘At least no corpses found so far...’ she thought as she reached the chasm that led to the great hall.

Inside nothing seemed disturbed but she couldn’t be sure if nobody had managed to get there yet. ‘So I assume that one means teleportation or something similar...’ she looked at the symbol near the door where Edwin led them through before.

There were two doors on each side and one door facing the entrance where Ilea had come from. “So obviously I chose the side doors first...don’t wanna face a boss yet...not before I destroy a centurion...” she said to herself and thought about which door to chose. Edwin had mentioned a prison and she didn’t see a reason for him to lie there. She knew the teleportation one so chose the door immediately to the right of the entrance.

It opened upon her usage of mana and Ilea found herself in the familiar environment of stairs again. Activating all her buffs, she ran downwards for fifteen minutes. ‘Quite a long way...’ she thought and finally reached a small room with four sword guardians in it.

They were upon her right after she had managed to drop her backpack and activate Shroud of Ash. The fight itself took only fifteen minutes until Ilea stood victorious above the dented machines.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x4’

‘diing’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 146. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 147. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 140. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 141. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 6’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 10’

‘Not quite as much anymore eh...although I assume gaining four levels from four enemies is quite spectacular for most other people...’ she thought and went onwards. Next were further stairs that led downwards again. Only twenty steps thought before a similarly sized room lit by green magic light and made from white stone opened up to her.

She could make out the traps in the ground and walls from experience by now and simply walked in to receive the spears. Without Edwin and co though, Ilea simply decided to blink through the place and found herself behind the closed door leading further down.

It was the right decision she quickly found as four more similar trap rooms followed with an increasing amount of spears and fire. ‘Well this is boring, not even anything to fight?’ Ilea asked herself when the next room finally showed something different.

A big hall with plants and trees growing in selected spots and guardians stationed on the walls and kneeling near them on the ground.

‘The plants couldn’t grow further in all this time...’ she looked upwards and couldn’t find the ivy that was so prevalent on the stone in the residential area.

“Some of those guardians...” she started but was interrupted when one of them moved and looked at her. It was a bigger model but not an unfamiliar one. It’s whole torso area was a massive cannon and the loud bang that resounded woke up all the other guardians from their centuries long rest.

The projectile fired was quite similar than the ones fired from the normal ranged machines but simply bigger and presumably deadlier. Ilea smiled and dodged to the side. “This is gonna be so much...” she jumped again before the slug impacted the ground behind her “...easier. With heavy artillery on my side.”

Around a dozen sword guardians moved in on her position while ten heavy and five normal ranged machines started firing her way. ‘Not gonna waste this precious experience...’ she thought and blinked a couple times until she reached one of the heavy ones. She attacked and found that they were much slower than the normal smaller ones.

“Hahahaha” dodging several blades coming her way, Ilea laughed and blinked away as three massive slugs smashed into the group of guardians near her. “Your programming sucks guys!” she shouted and blinked again into the fray. Ilea would’ve thought differently about the machines if any of the Taleen had remained to control them. What she faces was simply the autopilot.

Ten minutes later, three of the sword guardians were already down when a careless strike from above let one of the sword guardians pierce through Ilea’s leg. Immediately following was a massive slug that impacted her side and crushed some ribs.

The healer was sent flying into the nearby wall and only another blink saved her from the incoming projectiles. ‘It broke so easily through the ash...man what would’ve happened if I didn’t have the skill...’ she thought as she danced around the projectiles while healing her injury.

‘Don’t get too cocky Ilea...’ she reminded herself of Dale’s words after her first battle with people and breathed in deeply. ‘Don’t forget you’re not immortal Ilea...’ she told herself and continued on. The smile never left her face though and got even brighter as the danger of her situation seeped in again.

She wasn’t hit again but had to flee the room twenty minutes later to regenerate her mana. Moving out and meditating was much faster than using Azarinth Reversal but she still used the skill sometimes in between punches to make sure it would at least level up.

The next fight finished up the remaining guardians and Ilea meditated in the room again after waiting for additional traps or enemies. None came.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x27’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy fifty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy forty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 148. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 149. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 150. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 151. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 152. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 153. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 154. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 155. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 142. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 143. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 144. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 145. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 146. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 147. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 148. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 149. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Blink reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 10’

‘bing’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 11’

‘bing’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 11’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 8’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 7’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 8’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 4’

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Ilea jumped up and crashed into the leftover and bent metal. The woman turned around to face the ceiling with blood running down her face and smiled. Metal screeched against the stone floor as the first Taleen metal angel was born.

All attributes except for strength profited again as the 110 remaining stat points were spent. Not quite the same amount for each stat though as Ilea aimed to make the numbers a little bit more even.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 155

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 18

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 5

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 10

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 149

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 11

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 7

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 12

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Heat Perception – lvl 1

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 8

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 8

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 4

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 14

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 5

- Wind Resistance – lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 430

Endurance: 240

Strength 111

Dexterity 280

Intelligence 425

Wisdom 250

Health: 4011/4300

Stamina: 1398//2400

Mana: 1255/2500

Even though more and more points were spent on the attributes, Ilea noticed less and less of a difference. She was sure there was one and the numbers reflected it but when you had a skill that boosted your speed by a factor of two, a slight increase in Dexterity wasn’t as noticeable anymore.

Still she stood up and stretched before shadow fighting a little, getting used to the changes. ‘Now I just need a couple more of these rooms and I’ll hit 200 in no time. Edwin here I come...’ Quickly checking through the metal of the machines, she didn’t find anything dropped. In all of the Taleen dungeon not a single item had dropped for her yet.

Ilea walked through the now silent hall to the only door that led further into the complex. Of course there was the constant noise of gears but that had become second nature to her by now. The massive door came to life and Ilea watched on as a beautiful hallway opened up behind. It was just as wide as the hall she’d stood in moments before but the runes on the walls were much more numerous. No trees decorated this room but something else that made even Ilea tense up.

Six Centurions were kneeling on one knee, three on each side of the hallway. ‘What to do...’ she thought as she evaluated her chances. ‘They don’t know my abilities yet and if they’re at least similar to each other, dodging one spear is the same as dodging six...’ seeing no reason not to at least try, Ilea walked into the room. She was pretty confident in her ability to escape, at least if she was close to the hall behind her.

The machines came to life as she walked closer and six spears immediately flew her way. Ilea smirked and blinked to the side. The spears vanished and the centurions advanced. Blinking backwards, Ilea tried to get away and noticed that all six spears would miss if she chose random distances to teleport. Only two of them followed her out into the other hall before she escaped back through the trap rooms.

‘So they won’t hit me if I chose random distances...now the door looked super massive in that hallway...’ she nodded and got up again. Entering the hall, two of the centurions had stayed outside while four remained in the hallway beyond. Ilea breathed in and out before starting to run.

The first spear flew her way and she blinked away. The next spear was dodged by a simply movement. She got closer and closer to the hall before all six of them were upon her. Dodging left and right, Ilea blinked above to avoid the spears that were closing in.

Another six random blinks towards the door, she could finally make it out with her perception sphere. The stone was closed up for around twenty meters but that was doable. She blinked inside and saw the spears in her perception hit the walls, no sound came through though.

Waiting for a while, Ilea made sure the centurions didn’t have a way to follow her. After five minutes she was a sure as she’d get and continued onwards. She was in a small corridor that led forward. Finally she came out into a chamber twenty by twenty meters wide and around five meters high.

She could see the familiar machinery of traps all around the room’s walls. More importantly though there was a small one by one meter hole in the middle of the room that led downwards. ‘Not like I came here for nothing.’ She blinked right into the hole without touching anything else in the room that would presumably trigger the traps.

Upon entering the hole in the ground, Ilea fell. She fell for nearly two full minutes. She was sure to have passed out if she were the Ilea from a year ago. The walls flew by until she came out in an open space. There was no light, her being the only source of slight illumination.

Ilea continued to fall until she noticed the ground coming closer towards her in her sphere. ‘Not ground...’ she thought and blinked above to stop her movement. Some of the momentum could be kept after a blink but she could also nearly completely steady herself again. The 2nd stage of the skill made it much more useful for a wing suit enthusiast.

Ilea blinked a bit closer to the still water and touched it with her foot before blinking up again. ‘As I thought...’ she winced through the pain as a corrosive acid burned through her sole. ‘Should’ve used my hand...’ she thought as she healed herself while blinking.

Around 10 units of mana were used for each blink and blink she did. The room was massive, the wall Ilea had found after five minutes was completely covered by what she now knew to be pressure plates, only stopping around one centimeter above the still acid.

‘So if anything big enough falls in, something will happen...’ she thought while blinking backwards. Meticulously Ilea searched through the massive chamber, first through the middle and then along the walls until finally, fifteen minutes later and nearly out of mana, she found an opening in one of the walls.

Blinking inside, she had to keep herself from touching any of the walls until finally coming out in a small hall where no more pressure plates resided. ‘At least not on the ground.’ she thought, as she smiled at what she’d found.

Around her was a round room with twelve pedestals, behind said pedestals were chests and random items strewn on the ground. ‘Treasure room?’ she thought as she noticed that the pedestals themselves held pressure plates.

On top of the pedestals was contrary to Ilea’s expectations nothing. Except for one of them. On it was a gray pyramid shaped metal form that Ilea immediately felt drawn to. Complex runes were engraved on it and it shone beautifully in the otherwise dark room, reflecting the little light that came from Ilea’s auras.

‘Now what else do we have around here...’ she thought and smirked in the darkness.

Chapter 48 Treasures and fire

A note from Rhaegar

I like penguins. And pak choi.

Chapter 48 Treasures and fire

With her sphere, Ilea could see everything in the room and even what was within the various chests. She was sure now that the only traps in the room were the pedestals. Except of course if there was something new to the mechanisms here that she had never seen before.

In the chests Ilea saw mostly coins. Nearly all of them were empty though and the rest were close enough. ‘If this was the treasury they certainly hit hard times before they left or died or whatever...’ she thought and kept scanning the room. Several small items hid between the chests, horns, a helmet, a sword but the most interesting thing in the room was what hid near the wall right behind the pyramid shaped object.

A skeleton clad in armor. Ilea slowly walked to the skeleton, making sure not to even breath towards the pedestals. Crouching down, her auras lit it up a little. It was small and broad, just as one would imagine a dwarf to be.

‘So you stayed hmm?’ she asked in her head and slowly extended her hand. Touching the skeleton, it immediately turned to dust. Ilea immediately reacted and caught the falling armor and clothing that still remained. Only dust fell to the ground as she slowly lowered the gear.

‘Apologies...’ she thought as she put down the armor. She identified the gear and smiled.

[Legate Guardian Armor – Rare Quality]

The armor didn’t reflect any light so Ilea had no idea how it actually looked like. She moved it a little further away. Other than the armor that seemed to consist of five individual pieces, there was a necklace still lying on the ground.

A noise resounded inside Ilea’s head as soon as she touched it.

[Legate Guardian Necklace – Ancient Quality] – Would you like to claim the Legate Guardian Necklace?

‘Wat?’ she thought and confirmed the question.

You have claimed the Legate Guardian Necklace

She held the necklace in her hand. It had a thin metal string and on it hung a small piece of metal in a similar form to a Taleen Guardian’s head. It didn’t look exactly like one though but it was the closest thing Ilea could compare it to. Holding it in her hand, she concentrated on it more.

[Legate Guardian Necklace – Ancient Quality] - [Storage capacity at 7/250]

“Are you kidding me!” she said out loud and saw some gears click in the walls upon her outburst. ‘Oh fuck...guess we’re out of time...’ she thought and willed mana into the necklace while touching the armor on the ground. It vanished but Ilea knew for a fact that it was inside the storage necklace.

She had definitely fucked up by talking out loud but couldn’t help smiling a wide smile. Quickly she ran around the room and grabbed the two horns, the helmet and the sword and made them vanish as well.

The noises of gears became louder and louder as she emptied the coins inside the chests into her necklace that she had put around her neck. It had immediately closed down to not hang as loosely.

“Hahahahahaaaa fuck all of you!” she shouted as the coins vanished into her necklace. Luckily the process didn’t use a lot of mana, not as much as moving the armor inside had taken.

She heard loud groaning noises of metal upon metal coming to life and just when she grabbed the pyramid shaped object, the sound of a flood entered her ears. “Shit, acid.” she said out loud and made the pyramid vanish into her necklace.

Luckily she had meditated before as that act used up over a thousand points of mana. ‘What the hell is this thing???’ she thought as she exited with a blink. Below her she could already see the acid rising and it was rising fast. Blinking up, Ilea reached the hole five seconds later and continued upwards.

After blinking half a minute she came upon a closed ceiling. ‘Oh fuck no...’ she thought and started punching with all her power. “Come ON!!” the stone gave in and pieces of it fell downwards, she could hear the acid rising but wasn’t sure just how close it was already.

Her punches rained into the stone and she quickly tunneled through. Not quick enough though as the acid had reached the ceiling of the wall and pushed upwards into the small opening. ‘Fuck fuck fuck’ was all her thoughts consisted of as she continued cleaving through. She couldn’t see above the closed off tunnel yet but her blink ability reached over ten meters further than her sphere skill.

Ilea held her legs close to her chest and blinked upwards, appearing inside the room above. Breathing out, she landed on the floor and activated the traps there as well. The room closed up and Ilea stared into an opening on the wall where a green flame rushed towards her.

She blinked out of the room but not before touching the fire. Her skin had melted immediately and she turned off her perception of pain to heal the damage. Ilea stood outside the room and fell to the ground, breathing heavily while Reconstruction restored her body.

She checked the necklace but found it completely unharmed. All her other clothes and even her mace had started melting in the quick touch with the flame. Ten minutes later, she was healed fully.

“Fuck, that was close...” she said out loud. The fire had moved faster than a centurion’s attack. “What the hell was all that, that was way more deadly than just a bunch of spears...” the bright smile on her face betrayed her words though as she played with her necklace.

‘Can’t wait to see how this thing’s gonna work...glad I could at least get all the stuff in the treasure room. This is definitely the biggest win though...’ she thought and twirled around.

“My precious!” she shouted and lifted it up. “And I won’t have to share any of this stuff. Fuck yea.” she was giddy with excitement to look at all the things she’d gotten but tried to calm down a little first to think about her next steps.

‘Meditate first though...’ she thought and sat down again. Breathing in and out consciously helped a lot at calming her adrenaline pumped body. A couple minutes later she had recovered a fair bit.

‘Might as well look at everything right here, can’t imagine a safer place than between acid and green murder fire and six centurions...heh.’

And so Ilea removed the necklace from her neck and studied it in her hand. Sadly there was no additional information than the following which she had already seen.

[Legate Guardian Necklace – Ancient Quality] - [Storage capacity at 21/250]

‘21/250? Wasn’t it seven before..makes sense though considering I added a bunch of things.’ Ilea tried to see what was in the necklace and immediately new knowledge came to her head. It wasn’t instantaneously knowing all the things inside but she could look through them. Items she knew were inside she could access rather easily.

Willing an item to appear, the sword she had found came to her hand. It took a little over a second to completely appear but touching it, she didn’t see any difference than an actual sword. It of course was an actual sword but to Ilea it was a bit strange to simply have things appear and disappear.

Shooting around fireballs and lightning seemed less strange after all this time in Elos. Only Aliana had used something like her necklace but doing it herself, Ilea didn’t know how to feel.

She continued to make the sword appear and disappear for the next two or three minutes. ‘This is so cool.’ she thought and started checking her mana and notices. It only took her around ten mana to either make the sword disappear or appear. The capacity went up or down by one upon removal or storage.

Actually identifying the sword was a little underwhelming.

[Legate Guardian Sword – Rare Quality]

It was a silvery green short sword that looked a little like the one romans would use. ‘Gladius...’ Ilea thought and played around with it a little. She didn’t have a sword skill but with her high stats in Dexterity it didn’t look quite stupid when she thrust the sword in the air.

‘Rare quality though...whatever that means. Gold is rare and would probably break immediately. Oh well...’ she shrugged and made the sword disappear again. Removing the armor pieces next, she placed them on the ground in front of her.

[Legate Guardian Armor – Rare Quality]

Each individual piece could be identified as [Legate Guardian Armor Chest – Rare Quality] and so on. It seemed to be some sort of fabric with a lot of the silvery green metal added. The problem was that it was obviously made for a dwarf. ‘Sadly I’m not one meter fifty tall and just as wide...’ she thought and made the armor vanish again.

She noticed that it took a little more mana to summon and store the armor but compared to her total it was negligible. The next obvious thing to look at was the helmet she’d found. Unsurprisingly it was a [Legate Guardian Helmet – Rare Quality] made from the same metal. The metal covered nearly all of one’s face with only tiny holes for eyes. She tried to put it on but it fit loosely on her head.

Sadly the armor didn’t seem to have the ability to change its size to the wearer like the necklace did. Ilea tried on the armor to make sure. Looking down on her naked body she sighed. ‘I’m gonna store so much clothes in this thing...’

Next were the horns. They looked incredibly beautiful, reflecting the dull green light on their complex metal workings.

[Taleen ceremonial horn – HIgh Quality ‘Used in Taleen celebrations’]

‘What does that mean...great, I hoped for a buff or summoning something...oh well.’ Ilea knew without taking out any of the coins that she had gathered 2683 Gold coins from the treasury. “Guess money won’t be an issue in a while...how much is a house?” nobody answered her question.

Seven units in the necklace had already been occupied before she had gotten it. Checking them she found that one was a book written in a language she didn’t understand. Further there was a set of clothes for a dwarf, equipment to cook and a tent.

‘How is that seven...I’ll find out in time I guess.’ She added just the pot for cooking and found it was one unit. The ladle was another unit.

‘So separate things are definitely units...what about the gold then though...’ she couldn’t figure it out with moving a bunch of coins in and out of the necklace.

‘The book is the most interesting one, maybe Splicer can read it or someone in that Foundation...’ she thought and got back up. Her mana had reached the maximum again in the meantime as she hadn’t stopped using meditation.

“Oh, wait I forgot one thing.” Using one thousand mana to get out the pyramid shaped object, she held it in her hands. There were complicated runes carved into the metal. ‘It’s beautiful, maybe I can use it to decorate my place in the temple or something.’

[The Tungsten Key – Ancient Quality]

‘Well yea with that description it’s not good for anything more than a bloody decoration. Where’s my quest?’ she thought but no further information came to her. Throwing the pyramid shaped key up and catching it a couple times, she stored it again and continued to meditate, two thousand mana down. ‘Guess it’s a good way to use up mana if that helps in any way...’ she thought but still smiled. The necklace rested on her neck again and after she had reached maximum mana again, she prepared to leave.

And so Ilea blinked back towards the waiting centurions, escaping quite similarly as she had before. One randomly thrown spear nearly got her right before she blinked out of the second hall after grabbing her backpack.

Reaching the great hall entrance, Ilea checked cautiously if any of the other adventurers had reached this far already but everything seemed undisturbed. She had an idea and placed some destroyed guardians at the molten entrance that would have to be moved upon coming in.

‘So now the left entrances...’ Ilea removed the dwarve’s clothes from her storage and looked at them sceptically. ‘Better than naked I suppose...’ smelling them she couldn’t find anything wrong with them and dressed. The pants were too high and broad but luckily there was a belt included.

She used the gladius to remove the arms of the shirt. ‘Basically a crop top now...’ she smiled and got it on as well. The clothes were obviously green. Testing a little, Ilea could store her whole backpack but it would take over ten units.

‘It’s weird to see someone down here without a pack though...’ she thought and stored her notebook inside the leather pouch which took only one unit. One of her two canteens with water was stored as well. Her cloak and alpha hound trinket went into the necklace too.

The metal pen and a good portion of the food made the storage capacity reach 31/250. ‘That’s a lot of space...I wonder what Aliana’s ring has...’ she thought and got on the backpack again that only held food, one canteen and her adventurer badge. ‘Oh I forgot to get that one updated.’ she shrugged and walked into the first door on the left.

‘With this necklace I can have second breakfast at any point of the day anywhere...’ she smiled happily at her new trinket while playing with the gladius. She could store it or summon it in her hand because her neck was touching the necklace at all times. ‘Can I...’ she thought and made the blade appear on top of her foot which worked as well.

On top of her head worked as well but not further away than a couple millimeters from her body or the clothes that were above it. ‘Could someone wear like a ton of armor and summon fifty swords around it as a sort of hedgehog tactic?’ her thoughts were interrupted as she walked into the the room that followed the staircase.

Or well, lack thereof. A chasm opened before her that led onwards for nearly a kilometer. Ilea blinked through the room with nearly thirty uses of the skill and found that one the other side there was no door or way to go further. Her sphere couldn’t detect anything behind the stone wall either.

She clung to it by slamming her outstretched hand into the wall. ‘There’s nothing further up...so only one way to go...’ she thought and let herself fall. Every hundred meters or so, she would punch into the wall again to slow herself and look around.

‘This chasm is stupid deep...and the other one before the great hall must be right over there...’ she thought and looked at the wall to her left. A couple minutes of falling later, she saw some stone protruding outwards into the chasm. Landing on it, it was as expected an entrance but she didn’t go in immediately and looked downwards over the edge. ‘Nothing I can see...but man this means there could be more secret entrances down in all the chasms so far...’ Ilea went inside.

“Stone Wall!” Jeremy shouted as the machine’s swords stuck into his hastily built defense. At the same time lightning and fire joined together to slam into the creature but it wasn’t enough. Arrows flew over his head to strike the ranged machines a little further away. Five of them had ambushed their group while two of the bladed machines attacked directly.

“Where’s the backup!!?” he shouted but didn’t dare look back. Stone spikes stopped the sword guardian before him for a couple seconds as more spells rained onto the monster. They were a group of five, sent in to explore one of the many roads in this Taleen Dungeon. Their group of nearly forty adventurers had at first tried to lure out the machines into the more open squares to deal with them using their full group’s power but they sometimes wouldn’t follow them further than a certain point.

At the moment there were three groups of five exploring different roads with orders to fall back to the last square should they be overwhelmed. They went in and spent their resources to deal as much damage as possible and then fall back again. Dedicated tanks combined with magic support could stop the sword guardians in their tracks for half a minute or more while mages and rangers delivered their fully powered magic attacks.

In the meantime rangers or rogues would distract the ranged attackers with smoke bombs, arrows or even teleporting skills. It wasn’t a very quick method to deal with the machines but quite effective nonetheless. They had only lost three people quite early on because the groups sent into the streets were too big and the people got into each other’s way.

Most of the adventurers were around level 150 to 170 with some individuals even exceeding that. Certainly not an ordinary adventurer group but considering a high noble paid them and planned for months for this expedition it wasn’t surprising.

Jeremy himself was at level 172 with his main class Ground Caller, and level 166 with his second class Heavy Paladin. This made him effectively a tank and crowd controller with some very limited healing abilities. They certainly needed that as only two people in the whole group were dedicated healers. They had been brought in from other cities just like many of the higher leveled specialists as well. Only two other people next to the healers had abilities to treat people other than themselves, Jeremy being one of them.

Of course some had an ability to heal their own wounds but those skills were often limited or bound to killing or harming an enemy to trigger.

‘How did they even manage to hire those people...’ he thought as someone shouted behind them.

“Switch!” was all Jeremy heard as a lance of ice hit the guardian before him, expanding into big crystals after the impact.

Chapter 49 On the trail of history

A note from Rhaegar

Thank you for the donations Jan and Lucas! I'll get some cookies to fuel my writing mode

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Chapter 49 On the trail of history

Jeremy retreated with the other four people that had spent their energy. He deflected two rounds fired at him by the ranged machines with his massive shield as another tank took his place. “Good job mate….” the woman said as she raised her massive two handed sword and shouted at the enemies, instantly gaining their attention.

‘Reckless...’ he thought but still hadn’t seen the woman injured even once in the past day. Jeremy was a Dawntree native and had joined a couple different adventurer teams and expeditions into Karth in the past couple years. He loved investigating old ruins and finding timeless artifacts left behind by long lost civilizations.

In his spare time he taught history at the College of Magic in Dawntree but he certainly preferred the exploration his job brought with it. First clearing out guardians or pest infestations was just part of the job as well but he certainly didn’t like that part.

Getting back to the camp, he and his group reported their progress, and then went to eat. Next to the forty adventurers there were cooks, smiths, tailors and many other utility workers brought with them. ‘Even managed to hire an alchemist...’ he thought as he looked at the old man with disheveled hair. ‘Commissioned healing potions...what a luxury.’ he thought as he looked at the man work.

Certainly a dedicated healer was miles above what a potion could do but saving a life is saving a life. Jeremy got some food from a cook and then walked through a Taleen house inside their barricaded camp. ‘Fascinating…’ he thought as he looked at the stone structure from within. It was the first Taleen ruin he’d been in, having jumped at the opportunity of joining the expedition.

Jeremy was lucky enough to have known some people in Forkspear employ and had heard of the expedition. His small abilities in healing had landed him the spot in the end. He sat on a window ledge and ate while looking at the dark and greenish scenery before him. ‘It’s just a tunnel system but somehow they managed to make it feel like a city...’

“Healer!!” a shout made him drop his food and jump down immediately from the window. Running up to the bloodied man dragging an adventurer behind him, he ignored the obviously injured but standing man and applied his limited healing spells to the man on the ground. He had several deep cuts in his chest, the guardian had gone right through his thick plate armor.

His spell managed to stabilize the man enough for the healer to do his job. “Thanks...” the adventurer that had dragged the dying man touched his shoulder before Jeremy went back and got some new food. ‘Another close one…’ he thought. At these levels many of them could die in a couple hits from the enemies and every mistake would cost them dearly even with perfect group compositions, plans and healers.

“Scouts have returned.” someone said next to him and jogged into the square to check what the rogues had discovered. Jeremy turned around as well but continued eating. ‘Only three have returned...’ he thought. Five had been sent a couple hours ago.

‘This whole expedition would be deemed as a disaster already...’ only the pay and the fact that it was a Taleen dungeon seemed to justify the deaths already suffered.

“More guardians here, here and here.” one of the rogues said and pointed at specific parts on the map. Someone else marked the spots before nodding to the rogue. The second scout had something interesting to tell though.

“I’ve found destroyed guardians all the way through here...” he pointed to the map and compared it to the one sketched on a smaller one he had with him. “...I’ve only spotted isolated guardians in these streets but decided not to go further.”

“How many destroyed?” one of the expedition leaders asked, an at least level 190 mage. Seeing his decorated armor Jeremy was sure the man was a lightning mage.

“Two to ten in each street and square. Both sword and ranged. Some dented, others melted. Most of them show precise cuts though. As I said it went on but I decided to report before I went further in.”

Another leader nodded, his dark horned armor and helmet didn’t let any of his thoughts slip. “We’re not the first down here then. Someone broke through before us. The question is if it was a thousand years ago or more recent.”

“It’s hard to tell down here. We have to assume it was more recent though as other Forkspears have definitely sent people down here before. That healer we saw a couple days ago might’ve only been a small part of a bigger expedition.” the mage said.

“We should’ve questioned her.” the man in black armor said.

“And anger someone in a big family. No, what does it change that someone was here before? We are perfectly equipped for this and can retreat at any time should something insurmountable appear.” the mage responded.

“They left a path then...” a third voice said that had been quiet before. A man who seemed to be in his late fifties thoughtfully scratched his neatly trimmed beard. “Whomever they are or were. They seem to have cleared a path. Judging by the streets chosen they either knew where they were going or simple charged through like some maniacs.” his words quieted the others.

“I vote that we stay and continue the same way, I won’t gamble on them having a specific target.” the mage said but the man in black armor shook his head.

“We’re already surrounded. Like this we will have to resupply soon and we will lose more and more while morale drops. I say we follow the path. There aren’t many guardians we’ve seen so far that would follow someone more than a couple streets back. As long as we don’t make too much noise we won’t alert them to our presence. Either we meet more guardians at the end, some dead adventurers or a cleared path to...well something.” he said and the older man nodded.

“I agree with Agor. Should the road lead to anything but despair we would at least save some time and maybe lives.” he stopped stroking his beard and put both hands on the table.

“What about the people who are here for the experience?” the mage said but the old man simply waved his hand and answered.

“Then they may return again. The guardian’s have been here for a thousand years or longer, they may wait another month or year. We’ll put it to a vote as soon as the current streets are cleared.”

Jeremy was sure of his answer already and was glad the leaders decided to be open about the plans and put most bigger decisions to a general vote although the three had a veto right. He didn’t think any of them would use it for this though, as Mr. Horim had said, there was no detriment of choosing an already cleared path.

He smiled as he looked at the busy square that had become the expedition’s camp. ‘I wonder what we’ll find...’

Ilea dodged several spears that shot out from the wall opposite her. Bending this way and that she sometimes deflected some of them with her bare hands while slowly advancing. She decided to tackle the last couple trap rooms without using her blink skill. She thought she’d started to rely on it too much and even though it was an absolutely amazing skill, she had to learn how to deal with things the normal way instead of just teleporting behind them.

Seeing as these traps weren’t very dangerous to her it was the perfect opportunity. After entering the doorway in the chasm the dwarves had shown her some new traps but generally much less deadly than the acid or green fire trap she’d encountered in the treasury. Sadly she hadn’t found any guardians to fight but sticking to evasion without blinking it didn’t get boring either.

Two spears closed in on her as she took one light step to the side to have them both pass her head, one of them scratching slightly into her ashen mist. Reaching the end of the room, she punched the door three times and entered through the created rubble. ‘Another one down. That was five already.’ she thought as a noise reverberated inside her head.

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘bing’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 9’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 9’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 150. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘New skill available for Ash Wielder’

‘150 already...well that certainly didn’t take very long. And a new skill, let me guess, embered fireball...’ she thought but stopped in her tracks with wide opened eyes as she continued reading.

‘bing’ ‘You have met following conditions: Reached level 150 in Ash Wielder class. Reached at least lvl 15 in Ash and Ember Manipulation.’

‘Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 1

Your understanding of Ash Wielder allows you to form wings from ash and ember. Strike your enemies from above and close the distance to deliver your wrath.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

‘You have no more free slots for Passive skills in your second class. Please chose a skill to be replaced by Ashen Wings or chose not to gain the skill.’

Ilea shakily steadied herself on the wall nearby, her hand digging into the stone while she quickly thought over her skills. ‘Heat perception...’ she thought and the skill was replaced by something she’d been waiting for for quite some time.

‘Wings...’ she thought and smiled, blinking back through the five trap rooms she’d come through. Coming to a stop at the entrance and small ledge before the chasm, she activated her new skill. Ash immediately shot out from her back and she looked left and right to see wings quickly extend several meters on each side.

They were formed from ash and shrouded at their edges. A slight glow of ember could sometimes be seen between them. Ilea felt them upon activation. Like a third and fourth arm. The skill helped her move them and understand how they worked. She moved them closer towards her back and then closed them before her as if to hug herself.

“AAAAAH I love you...” she said in her blanket of warm ash. They were a very dark gray, nearing on black just like her shroud of ash. “Now let’s see how this goes...” she said and extended the wings again. Moving them up and down, Ilea found the process rather instinctual and soon slowly lifted off the ground.

The magic wings could easily carry the human where physics would have needed a massive wingspan to accomplish the same. “Hahahahahahaha!” Ilea laughed as she got higher and higher. First one meter then ten. The wings felt light to her, barely a distraction. She smirked and moved forward.

Like a baby bird thrown from its nest, Ilea flung into the wall of the chasm, falling for ten meters before catching herself again and stabilizing. A wise regular at the local pub would’ve described Ilea’s performance of the drunk flying man as spectacular.

Nearly thirty minutes of trying later, Ilea could steadily move forwards. ‘Flying life ain’t easy...’ she thought while still smiling. Blood ran down her face and arms as she had refused to heal herself from her flight training. The wings were rather powerful in acceleration and the walls were made from the strong white stone.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 2’

‘Heh.’ she thought and continued. Three hours had passed as a winged demon fell downwards into the chasm below only to spread its wings to slow down and twirl several times. The demon used its momentum of falling to quickly gain height again and sped upwards at an incredibly high velocity before landing on a ledge of the chasm.

Sitting down, the demon summoned some bread and meat in its hands and began eating. “I’m getting better at this...holy shit though, without the skill to help I might’ve just fallen down and died...” Ilea said while chewing.

Having finished the quick meal, she got back to training. A couple more hours later the skill had leveled up to three and Ilea had gotten more and more used to the feeling of flying. The last hour had been pure joy instead of her previously high concentration and wall banging.

She soared through the sky at an incredible speed, even beginning to blink in between and smash into the walls with more and more precise punches and kicks. She especially liked to accelerate to full speed before slamming knee first into the wall. A maneuver previously impossible because she needed her legs to gain speed.

Flying through the full length of the chasm Ilea found her speed to be even faster than her full sprint, although she wasn’t as flexible in the air because her wings didn’t have the stopping power her legs did. ‘Preferable to fight on the ground then still...’ she thought as she continued to laugh and twirl around in the air.

Activating the wings used up around thirty units of mana but keeping them didn’t seem to have a noticeable mana cost. Although her stamina sank faster but she simply attributed that to the low level of the skill and her difficulty in using it.

Another two hours later Ilea likely wasn’t ready yet to fight a flying sword guardian, should something like that exist but using the skill to get from point A to point B with even some skillfully executed twirls and evasions included had certainly become possible.

She landed on the ledge and thoughtfully put a hand to her chin while smiling. “Awwww, I really really want to continue but I should use my time alone down here productively...” she thought of the adventurers she’d seen. A lot of them had shown question marks upon her identification which meant they probably had people on Edwin’s level there. ‘Something still tells me those three were a bit different...’ she thought and obviously continued to enjoy her new wings for another hour.

Two hours later she stopped though and went back through the still activated trap rooms, simply blinking through the ones she’d already crossed without the skill. Another three rooms with simply spear and fire traps followed, none of the fire being green. Ilea worked through them without using blink and got done even faster, still enthused by her new wings.

“I have wings!” she shouted while activating them and catching a spear shot towards her with her bare hand. The metal weapon clanged to the ground as the healer continued barefeet through the door.

On the other side was a big hall. Ilea smiled and slammed a fist into her palm, all her buffs coming to life. “Well hello there darlings!” the woman said to the waking guardians that clattered the ground and walls of the otherwise empty room. Even some turrets were installed in the room. “Here to do some security system checks...” she said while walking onwards and dodging three slugs fired towards her.

The fight in the hall before the treasure room still somewhat fresh on her mind, Ilea took her time to meticulously dismantle every single guardian without taking too big of a risk. Two heavy ranged ones were present and the turrets helped as well at battering the sword guardians around her.

Blinking through, she destroyed seventeen sword guardians and six ranged ones in the span of twenty five minutes before blinking out to restore her mana. No sword guardians remained in the room as she entered and took care of the two heavy ranged guardians. Before she worked on the turrets though, she had an idea and blinked back out of the room to regain her lost mana again and checked her messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x17’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy forty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x6’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 156. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 157. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 158. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 159. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 151. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 152. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 153. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 154. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 13’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian] x2’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy forty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 160. 5 Stat points awarded.’

“Levels...levels for me, aha.” she sang and danced a small victory dance. ‘Now...’ she put the fifty stat points into her five important stats again and walked back to the hall. Activating her skills, she let the first slug from a turret hit her. It didn’t break through her shroud of ash and only did marginal damage. Smirking, her wings extended and she lifted into the air.

The other nine turrets aimed at her as well and her training began. Dodging the slugs on the ground had become easy enough but in the air it became a completely different thing. At least Ilea quickly learned that her wings being hit wouldn’t actually damage her although it could create quickly closing holes in the ash which lessened her stability in the air a little.

She got hit a lot in the first thirty minutes of her training and had to leave to actually heal herself and not because her mana was low. The next three attempts were each better than the last and she even gained a level in Ashen Wings and Eyes of Ash.

At that point Ilea was able to dodge all slugs fired from the ten turrets with her wings only. ‘Now let’s try something a little more offensive...’ she thought and flew at high speed into one of the turrets, her knee easily bending the metal upon impact, destroying the target with a single hit. The others quickly followed until nothing but bent metal and cracks in the ceiling remained.

Ilea gently landed on the ground and her wings disappeared.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Turret] x10’

‘No levels eh...guess I’ll have to find stronger enemies than that...’ she thought and walked onwards into the complex, leaving only rubble and bent metal behind.

Chapter 50 Demon of Ash

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys, wanted to thank you for the continued support, comments, follows and ratings. Made it to 50 chapters and I'm still having a ton of fun writing.

If you have any basic suggestions on improving the story, the writing or whatever please feel free to share it via a comment or pm. I'm aware that chapters 10-37 or so are still not changed to past tense and to be honest I'd rather just write new stuff than go back and edit.

I'd gladly try to include improvemetns as I go though. So happy reading and hopefully you'll continue to enjoy the story

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Chapter 50 Demon of Ash

Ilea was granted her wish in the next room as a beautiful large cave with a white crystal on top much like the room she had found with Felicia’s group opened up to her. In the middle of the room was another pond but much larger than the one before. A massive rock stood out in the middle and overlooked a part of the pond.

On the very top of it stood a centurion. Ilea breathed out at the sight and checked the rest of the room. ‘No other guardians...’ she thought and quickly checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 160

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 18

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 6

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 10

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 154

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 12

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 7

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 13

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 4

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 10

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 9

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 5

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 16

- Heat Resistance – lvl 14

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 5

- Wind Resistance – lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 440

Endurance: 250

Strength 111

Dexterity 290

Intelligence 435

Wisdom 260

Health: 4363/4400

Stamina: 2396/2500

Mana: 2580/2600

She had nearly thirty levels more compared to her fight against the single centurion in the teleportation room. Additionally several levels in a lot of skills had been gained, not to mention wings.

She shrugged and started walking. ‘Might as well give it a shot...’ she thought and spread her wings after five steps. Flying closer to the centurion, the machine woke from its slumber and aimed its spear at the intruder. “And so it starts...”

The thrown spear was dodged even in her flying form. Her speed hadn’t lessened and if it was only a single projectile she was confident in her airborne form. Ilea dived quickly and her descending kick was blocked by the centurion’s outstretched hand. The spear materialized in its other hand and its thrust was dodged by her as she flew backwards again, away from the machine.

The spear was thrown again and dodged. She sped up just as she did before and released Destruction and Wave of Ember into the outstretched arm. ‘It won’t be this simple though...’ her thought was confirmed on her third try of the same tactic as the centurion didn’t summon his spear but instead grabbed at her leg with both hands.

Her spells were released but the machine powered through and squeezed her shin, nearly breaking the bone. Being grabbed by the machine let her use the anchor to get closer towards its head with her torso. Five quick punches with all her offensive skills were released into the creature’s head, rocking the metal plate before it let go of her leg with one hand.

Three more punches landed as the centurion summoned its spear and thrust at the woman whom it still held in one of its hands. Ilea’s wings moved with their full force as she twisted her leg and torso. The spear was narrowly dodged as it cut her shoulder lightly. Activating Azarinth Reversal, Ilea started pumping destructive mana into the machine through the leg it was still holding.

Another five thrusts followed while more and more mana flowed into the creature. Ilea managed to narrowly dodge three of them while two actually cut deeply into her. She had moved her body in such a way as to make the thrusts miss her vital organs though. The machine apparently didn’t deem it worth it to continue this line of attack and let go of her leg.

Ilea immediately blinked upwards as another thrust pierced the air where she just was. Deactivating Azarinth Reversal, she started healing her wounds and looked at the centurion. ‘I think I might have this...’ she thought and dodged the thrown spear.

Another three throws later, she was healed fully and advanced again. The fraction of a second the creature needed to summon its spear was enough for her to land a kick. Even though it blocked all her hits, the skills that didn’t rely on kinetic force did their damage. Ilea was lucky that nearly all her damage came from non kinetic energies.

‘To think the wings had made the difference.’ she thought as she dodged another throw. The creature grabbed her legs again upon which she channeled mana into it. This time though the centurion didn’t aim for her body where she could dodge its attacks but cut straight into her ankle, above where it held her.

The spear went through her shroud of ash and cut deeply into her leg. She still channeled mana and moved in closer. Punches landed on the machine’s head as the second spear thrust cut through her shin completely. Ilea blinked away while wincing, dodging the spear thrown at her.

Checking her health she noticed that only about fifteen percent of it was gone after the attack. ‘Well I haven't put that to the test yet...’ she thought and channeled Reconstruction into her foot while dodging another throw. She was sure that she could simply close the bleeding wound in a matter of a couple dozen seconds but instead concentrated on regrowing it.

New bone started to form when Ilea quickly stopped and had to blink away to dodge the next throw. ‘That was something else...’ she thought, having just experienced pain similar to the demon’s mind attack she had suffered a while ago.

She activated her 2nd stage Pain Tolerance ability and continued healing. Dodging the thrown spears wasn’t very hard anymore and Ilea thought it good practice to do it while healing. It would also prevent the Guardian from repairing itself if that was possible. At least not if it looked obvious to Ilea.

Fifteen minutes later her foot was back and she tried moving it. ‘Doesn’t seem weird...’ reactivating the feeling of pain again, she felt a strong tingle in the foot but otherwise there was nothing. ‘Guess that kinda justifies the whole class being classified as a healer class...with this ability, the rest kinda pales in comparison...’ she thought and moved in on the Centurion again.

It had learned that holding her didn’t help and simply blocking her with its hands didn’t either. Damage would come through either way. A while later, with Ilea now feeling sure of her victory, the Centurion stopped throwing its spear and held it just like the one in the teleportation room had before.

“Oh no you don’t...” she said and advanced. Blinking around the creature, her hits were blocked by the spear and no destructive spells could be fired into the creature. Using Ash Surge, she clouded the machine’s sight but found it only slightly slowed by the spell. It quickly moved out of the cloud and away from the rock they had fought in all this time.

Ilea blinked in close to the ground and kicked at one of the creature’s legs. The hit landed right before the butt of its spear crashed into her and sent her flying. She tumbled and slid to a halt before cocking her head slightly, the spear rushing past. Her grin widened and she showed pearly white teeth as she ran in again. Keeping the creature moving with Ash Surge and changing from blink attacks to aerial attacks or simply rushing in from the ground was the best way to go as time and time again a single hit was landed, even as the creature got more and more defensive.

‘It’s health must’ve reached a certain threshold...’ Ilea thought as she checked her own resources. ‘So did my mana...’ she ground her teeth and flew out of the room. ‘Let’s hope it can’t heal at least...’ she thought and began meditating. As the skill and mana recovery itself were both measured in percentages, she needed less time to have full mana again than she did several months back. Close to six minutes later, she was ready to go again.

Coming into the room she flew towards the centurion and laughed at its sight. “Hahahaha, no self repair eh T-1000?” she asked mockingly and continued her assault. She hit and was thrown back, only to repeat the process again and again.

Nearly fifteen minutes of fighting later, she felt something change. Seeing the centurion change its grip on the handle again, she instinctively blinked away. A second later the machine was upon her. She dodged the spear thrust and punched with her right hand. The hit landed on the centurion’s torso but at the same time its fist hit her in the chest.

She was thrown back, her torso bruised by the attack. The centurion immediately threw its spear and ran at her with its six legs. The spear flew past as the machine attacked her hand to hand, ignoring any hits she landed on it. The fight continued like this as blows were traded until Ilea had to blink away and flew upwards to heal her severely damaged body.

Blood dripped to the ground below as the machine threw its spear again and again. Healed fully again she moved back in. ‘I’m close now...’ she thought and grew more defensive as she dodged the crazed machine’s attacks that didn’t have any regard for its own health anymore. Two minutes later, Ilea hit the creature again and readied herself for the counter attack that didn’t come.

Instead the creature grabbed her again. Her mana immediately entered it and her fists punched its torso. The machine grabbed her with both arms and squeezed her to its metal shell. Suddenly her perception sped up and her movements slowed down tremendously. Thinking through all possibilities, her eyes widened. She couldn’t blink away as the creature was holding her so she put all her strength into her wings and pushed against the creature with her arms and legs to create some distance.

A full second had passed and she had created a distance of about thirty centimeters between the machine’s torso and her own. Willing mana into her necklace, Ilea summoned the full Legate Guardian Armor in front of herself. The respective pieces appearing in front of the body parts they would be worn on.

For whatever it was worth, she also summoned the dwarf’s tent behind the armor and the cooking pot in front of her head as she leaned it backwards. Luckily the space created was enough for the armor to fit and just as the two seconds of her 2nd stage Azarinth Perception passed everything had materialized and Ilea activated Reconstruction on herself, stopping its reversal and the channel into the creature.

A loud noise and bright light destroyed Ilea’s eardrums and burned through her retinas as she was blown backwards, the armor hitting her, breaking through her shroud of ash and destroying bones and organs. The tent was shredded right through as if it hadn’t existed.

Ilea flew backwards and tumbled for nearly fifty meters before impacting hard into the wall. Her arms and legs had been blown off completely as she had still held the machine away upon its apparent self destruction.

The dwarf’s chest armor ground her bones and organs even more upon her impact with the wall as blood spurted out of her mouth. Her body had dug half a meter into the wall and she simply hung there as blood flowed downwards.

The runes and embers slowly faded from her.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy one hundred and forty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 161. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 162. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 163. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 164. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 165. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 155. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 156. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 157. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 158. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 159. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Reconstruction reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Azarinth reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 11’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 13’

‘bing’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 14’

‘bing’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 14’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 5’

‘bing’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 11’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 10’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 6’

All of Ilea’s mana subconsciously went into Reconstruction as over the next ten minutes the worst bleedings were stopped and her arteries and damaged or destroyed organs were slowly rebuilt. She still hung in the wall, mutilated by the explosion. What would have killed almost any adventurer at her level and certainly a human on earth had taken 89% of Ilea’s health points.

The blast first dented the dwarven armor, heavily damaging it and then went on to punch into Ilea’s shroud of ash before ultimately hitting her reinforced and strengthened body. The shrapnel had been stopped by the Legate’s armor, having punched through the first layer but ultimately being stopped by the armor’s back.

A gasp of air entered her rebuilt lungs, pushing away the armor and thus reopening some wounds that had been closed. She turned off the pain and in her lucid state tried to concentrate her mana on the most important parts. It took another ten minutes of healing while meditating to stabilize herself. Her health hadn’t gone up by more than ten percent in all that time.

Rebuilding the skin on her chest, she finally closed up her torso and started to work on her face. The skin rebuilt as the bone of her jaw regrew. Light returned to her eyes as she blinked and saw the destruction before her. A small crater could be seen where they had stood before, the plants were blown away and parts of the room still burned.

Debris and pieces of metal lay everywhere on the path from the crater to where Ilea hung in the wall. Her ears popped and she started hearing the burning fire in the room and low hum of gears in the walls.

Her pain was still off as she started rebuilding her limbs. One by one they grew back. As soon as she could move her arms, she started removing the shrapnel that had managed to get through. New wounds were opened and quickly closed as the metal and stone was removed from her body. Her legs healed completely as she summoned her canteen from the unharmed necklace and drank deeply from the water.

She coughed up half of the water and let the metal canteen fall to the ground as she slowly peeled herself out of the stone. The rashes and cuts on her back began to heal as she fell to one knee. “I’m the T-1000 now...” she said and coughed again.

Ilea removed whatever remained of her dwarven clothes and stored the heavily damaged pieces of Legate armor in her necklace again. ‘Saved my life...’ she looked at the chest plate before storing it. “Hahaha...I summoned a leather tent….” she fell on her butt and simply laughed at the situation, the adrenaline from surviving the fight and actually taking down a centurion left her body as she laughed and laughed.

“And I’m naked again...fucking great.” she said, chuckling a couple times more as she got up. She then walked towards the crater and looked inside. Nothing of the centurion had remained. “Quite a blast hmm?” she asked and looked around the room. “Whatever Iron man bullshit powers these things...’ she thought while ashen wings appeared on her back.

Flying upwards, she quickly closed the distance to the pond and let herself fall into the clear water.

Rin watched on as a massive bolt of lightning entered the Guardian, finishing it off in the process. It clattered to the ground and so did she, completely spent on resources. ‘That Inström is nuts...’ she thought, referring to one of the declared leaders of the expedition and the source of the lightning spell.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Guardian] x4’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy thirty levels or more above your own. Additional experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Sword dancer has reached level 166, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Bladed whirlwind reaches 2nd lvl 4’

She slowly lifted herself up from the ground and smiled. “That was the last one.” someone said. Rin put her stat points into Vitality, Endurance and Dexterity before sheathing her curved swords and looking around. The expedition had voted on taking an apparently nearly cleared route through the dungeon and a majority of the people had agreed.

Rin would likely return here with another team or even her own as soon as they reached her levels. It was certainly effective to fight against enemies with such a high level. They had encountered much fewer enemies than before and progressed incredibly far into the dungeon already. At least from a pure distance perspective. Rin had no idea how big this city once was.

“We’re gonna quickly camp here and move on in three hours!” Agor shouted and people started building their cooking stations while some went to the smiths to get some armor or weapons repaired. Rin had checked her swords and they were fine so she joined the forming queue for the food prepared by the cooks.

“Scout report...” she heard someone say as over half the people in the queue looked backwards to find a healer working on a nasty cut one of the rogue scouts had received.

Jasper Horim and Agor were talking to the man until Jasper broke off to draw something on the map that was hastily placed on a table two servants had brought.

“What he say Lisa?” a man next to Rin in line asked another adventurer further up ahead.

“He found a chasm a couple streets further, and a massive door. Agor whispered something about a great hall.” the woman said and received some confused looks while others gasped at the mention of a great hall. Conversations sprang up after that and Rin tried to learn as much as she could from listening in.

“Stay increased to five hours. Prepare yourself as best as possible. The true challenge will likely start soon.” Agor said and walked over to Jasper.

“A great hall...wow...” a huge man behind her said.

“You know anything about it?” she asked and he nodded in reply.

“Oh yes, I’ve read some things about it before. It’s mostly speculation though...”

Chapter 51 That is no bird

A note from Rhaegar

Another one bois.

Chapter 51 That is no bird

Ilea enjoyed the bath for half an hour before getting out again. She went and grabbed her canteen and checked if the centurion had dropped anything. Other than some remaining shrapnel quite far away from the crater she didn’t find anything.

‘These dungeons must be super shit for normal adventurers who go in for the treasure...’ she thought but smiled as she touched her necklace. ‘Dunno how many would’ve gotten that one...’

She put all her fifty stat points into Vitality. ‘I can take on a centurion now but that blast...’ she thought and got her backpack that she had left at the entrance. “Why do I still have that...” she thought as she removed the green ivy from her pack. Shrugging she put it back in. ‘It’s everywhere, can’t be something special...’

The only other way out of the room was a big archway similar to the one that had led to the teleportation gate. It looked rather nice to Ilea, although not as intricately decorated as the teleportation device itself. She touched it as she went through, looking back at the seemingly idyllic scene behind her, were it not for the crater and burnt trees left behind.

In the next hour, Ilea walked through several big hallways with dozens of rooms to each side. She checked every single one of them with her sphere but couldn’t find anything other than some old stone beds and other furniture.

‘Not residential though...’ she thought as she walked through another huge spartan looking room with dozens of beds. “Barracks!” she suddenly exclaimed loudly as it finally clicked. There were weird contraptions on the walls that would likely hold weapons, the furniture was aligned perfectly symmetrical to allow the same storage for everyone that had claimed one of these beds.

‘So I’m in the heart of the Taleen military here...’ she thought and continued on. A couple big rooms later, she came up on a massive hall with hundreds of tables. “So this is where you ate hmm?” she asked nobody. There were no dwarves or even skeletons remaining who could’ve answered the intruder to their ancient home.

Ilea walked through the eerily quiet room. The absence of gears and noisy pipes was immediately noticeable. “How long since the last meal was served here?” She picked up a mug that stood on one of the tables. There was nearly no dust on it and the greenish metal shined on splendidly, reflecting the light above.

“Guess now that I have space...where’s the kitchen?” she asked and made the mug vanish. Four more followed as she made her way towards the kitchen. The fact that she had beaten a centurion made Ilea more and more giddy as she jumped on top of a nearby table and continued her way like that.

Wings sprouted from her back as she flew upwards and twirled before landing on the counter where the dwarves must’ve gotten their meals from millenia past. “Kitchen utensils here I come!” sadly there wasn’t as much left as Ilea assumed. A nice set of kitchen knifes joined her collection though, as did two pots, one of them looking quite similar to a wok.

Finding nothing else interesting, Ilea moved on. Three more doors led away from the big dining hall and she intended to explore all of them. One inevitably led to a massive cleaning room, sadly without any clothes inside. “If I have to wash an army’s clothes I know where to go though. Seeing the guardians I bet these weird as fuck washing machines still work as well...” she touched one of them and wasn’t surprised to see some runes light up on the side of it.

Not knowing how to use them though, she moved on to the next door that led away from the big hall. Sadly from the cleaning room only small storage rooms were attached that held what Ilea thought to be the taleen equivalent to cleaning pods. ‘Is this whole world an ad as well?’ she thought as she thought of eating one. She didn’t though, although with her resistances and healing power it would’ve been quite the miracle pod to actually hurt her in any significant way.

The next big door that led away from the mess hall held something quite interesting. Ilea took out her notebook and put the word Armory next to the rune she had drawn before entering the first door to the left in the great hall’s first room. The words Wash room, treasury, teleportation room and some others were already on the page of her interpretations. They were certainly no perfect translation but Ilea thought that good language professors could already do quite a bit with that.

She opened her arms and smirked as she greeted the room before her. “I had hoped for clothes...but this...” before her stretched several hundred meters of carefully placed gear on racks and tables. Admittedly most of it was missing but the things that remained were still more than plenty to arm a small town with incredibly high quality gear.

Ilea walked up to the nearest rack and took one of the spears into her hand. [Taleen Spear – High Quality] she balanced it on her finger and then shrugged. “I have no idea what I’m doing.” she then twirled the spear, surprising her at her own grace and made it vanish into her necklace. Ilea ran around the room, trying out different weapons and wondering at the uses of some of the devices.

In the next twenty five minutes, Ilea had stocked her necklace with over a hundred weapons and was ready to move on to the piles of armor and clothes that were both strewn around on tables while others were carefully put onto mannequins without heads.

‘Most of this stuff sadly doesn’t fit me...’ she thought but still moved through the things and looked at most of it. To her disappointment there was nothing that wasn’t at least a little green but she did find some clothes and armors that actually fit her. Apparently not all the dwarves were built the same, at least some taller and thinner dwarves must’ve existed. Or they made armor for other people as well, Ilea didn’t know. In total she’d found five whole armor sets that fit her somewhat well. Nothing comparable to her drake armor but at least it didn’t fall down after she got it on and fastened it with enough straps.

The clothes were easier as she could cut through parts and make them fit a little better. She kept ten sets of clothes that she thought fit her the best.

She got on one set of clothes and one set of armor on top. Checking her movements she felt it wasn’t particularly limiting. Even the sets for apparently very tall and skinny dwarves had rather short arm and leg pieces, leaving quite a bit of space free where Ilea’s joints were. The clothes were quite similar to the legate’s, plain and greenish with a bit of shine to them. The armor on the other hand was a little darker, albeit still green.

It was made from the same metal as the guardians but after Ilea went over it with a piece of cloth it shined much more. She looked into a mirror that was placed nearby and admitted that she looked like quite the warrior. ‘Although the blue eyes certainly don’t fit...’

“I have just the thing for that though...” she said and walked to the pile of helmets she’d tried on and deemed fitting enough. Where the dwarves were orderly and identical in weapons and armor, they seemed to have quite a bit of diversity in headgear. At least to an extent.

The helmets were of course all made from the same green metal but some had horns on top while others had spikes that reached to the side and downwards. Ilea assumed that some of them once held feathers or other things, looking at the old straps and metal rings and attachments that adorned some of the helmets.

In the end Ilea chose ten different helmets. Four with horns, two with spikes, three with wing like attachments and one that didn’t have any attachments. All of them covered her face completely, leaving only small slits for her eyes. Her necklace showed 181/250 holding capacity at that point. ‘I’ll definitely sell a bunch of this, food is certainly preferable...’ she thought as she put on one of the helmets with horns. They went a little to the side and then forward in a slight upward angle.

Activating her wings, she found they grew outwards from her armor without any problems. She looked into the mirror again and found a quite dangerous looking Taleen warrior looking back at her. Summoning one of the spears, she held it up in one arm and smiled. ‘Should’ve gone for a heavy spear or hammer class with all that gear...’ she thought but didn’t really mean it.

Thinking on it, Ilea grabbed five of the round shields she’d found and put four of them into storage. Getting into a fierce stance, she looked into the mirror and nodded. Storing the spear and shield again, she continued walking around the room while chucking her helmet upwards with one hand.

“I like these outfits...” she said out loud and continued looking through things. Sadly there were no lighter sets or hand to hand combat weapons among the armory but Ilea felt quite decked out, at least she could throw these weapons. Not seeing anything else interesting in the room after half an hour of searching, she left and went for the last doorway in the hall.

“Rotten...” she said as she held the dust in her hand. What she found was apparently the pantry. Sadly these dwarves didn’t seem to have any runes that would’ve kept the food fresh. Or they did and didn’t chose to keep them activated. Whatever reason there was nothing more to be found inside the room and Ilea quickly left, sketching down the rune on the door, Ilea sat down on one of the tables and summoned some bread and meat. ‘Haven’t tried to store a fully cooked and hot meal in here...’

Jeremy was in the third group to be brought over the chasm. ‘A great hall...I never would’ve dreamed of this...’ he thought as the wind mage made him land softly on the ground. His heavy armor and shield still made him bend his knees a little but he quickly jogged onwards to not block the passage of others. Whatever would wait on this side of the chasm, they had to be ready and they had to have a certain amount of firepower at their disposal.

Agor and Douglas Inström, two of the leaders were already standing near the massive doorway and inspected something on it that Jeremy couldn’t yet see from the angle he was currently at. Some other adventurers had joined them and started discussing. He walked up to them and saw what they were on about.

There was a one meter by one fifty big hole in the door, seemingly melted into it. “They’ve reached this far...” Agor said “I say we enter as soon as we have twenty people here. What do you see?” he said, the question directed towards all of the adventurers behind him.

“Nothing, the room seems empty.” one of them said. “There are no heat signatures...” another one said. “The spirits tell me of no danger.” and many more confirmations of safe passage followed before Douglas stopped them.

“We move as soon as the next group is down.” he said and just as he finished talking, four more people landed on this side of the chasm. Two of them having simply jumped over. “Let’s move then.” he said and motioned for Agor to lead. The man nodded and went through the hole in the door.

Jeremy watched as more and more of the people vanished through the door and into what was considered a great hall. He would’ve gladly given some additional insight or warning regarding the nature of the place inside but even to Jeremy most of it was myth. He knew that great halls were supposed to hold dangerous traps to ward off any intruders but that was about the end of his knowledge. Most of the others knew that much as well. ‘Time to change that lack of knowledge then...’ he thought and smiled while he entered into the much brighter room, the dozens of magical effects from their party reflecting on the white stone walls.

Pete walked up to Jasper, the old sword master currently standing over the map of the Taleen Dungeon they had explored for a couple days now. The whole group of adventurers and aides had been brought over the chasm in the past couple hours and had built their new base of operations inside the great hall. There were only destroyed machines remaining of whatever resistance had once resided there.

Now there were tents built up, pots with boiling soup were being tended to and a couple smiths were loitering about, talking about the dwarven metal they were inspecting. Some people had built up tables and were playing cards while they waited for the cautious leadership to declare the next move. No entrances had been touched at all until a couple hours ago. Scouts had been sent into the doors to the right.

In the first one, a trap had nearly cost the woman’s life but she managed to get to safety thanks to a short range teleportation skill. The second door had apparently been the one whoever came before them had chosen as a destroyed trap was reported until the scout had to return. There was apparently a large chasm that he couldn’t cross with his skills. People with flying abilities would have to explore further.

Seems like Pete would be the next scout to be chosen. ‘Hopefully not the big door in the middle...’ he looked nervously at the massive doorway that was as big as the entrance to the great hall. Some mages were standing around the entrance at that moment, trying to figure out how to open it. ‘It’s already open, why waste your time?’ Pete asked himself as he looked at the molten part of the door and shook his head.

“Pete right?” Jasper asked and didn’t wait for a response. “You’ll be the first one to enter the first door to the left. Two ways right are clear so far but I want to be sure no surprises will fall onto our backs.” the man said. Pete just nodded and walked towards the door. “Same procedure I assume" he asked while looking backwards. Jasper just nodded and absorbed himself again in the map.

Agor, Douglas and some other adventurers were standing over a stump of metal that stood in the middle of the room with somewhat concerned expressions on their faces. “Sorry to break up the gathering, I’ll be going into the next door. You guys free?” Pete asked and got some nods and yeses from the group.

They motioned and shouted for some more people to come until a whole twenty adventurers stood behind the waiting Pete, ready to strike at whatever unholy beast would be unleashed upon his trespassing. ‘Let’s hope it’s just another trap...’ he thought as he breathed in deeply and poured mana into the door. It lit up and opened. Pete entered and heard the door close behind him.

He walked down some stairs and let out the breath he was holding. ‘Just another chasm...earned my pay easily this time...’ his thoughts were interrupted as a sudden gust of wind blew him backwards a little. Looking up he saw a demon flying with ashen wings, embers burned deep within the wings as a deep and hateful glow shined onto him from inside the creature’s helmet.

‘Fuck this.’ he thought and turned tail, activating all his available buffs to make him swifter and to avoid any possible retribution for his intrusion.

Jeremy stood next to Rin whom he had gotten to know a couple hours ago when news of the great hall had spread. “He’s running back!” one of the mages said, her eyes glowing with a deep crimson. A moment later dozens of spells went off around Jeremy, people buffing themselves or others. Mages activating slower spells while some warriors infused their weapons with magical power.

A glance towards Rin told him that her two blades were drawn, a reddish glow coming from their thin metal. His tower shield got infused by his own spell as his body grew heavier. Whatever the scout was running from would find quite the surprise waiting for them.

Two slow seconds passed before the door opened and the scout ran out. “Demon!” he shouted and jumped over the line of waiting people.

“Did you identify whatever it was??!” Agor shouted but the word demon had already made its way through the whole hall while people canceled spells and prepared deadlier ones, his question drowned out by lightning, fire and earth cracking while people were shouting battle cries.

“Incoming!” the mage with a crimson glow in her eyes shouted as the door opened and out stepped an armored guardian. The green metal and horns made it clear that whatever it was, it was part of the dungeon. The red glow coming from inside its helmet made it understandable for the scout to shout the word demon but Jeremy had too much experience to simply trust a man like that and he was too curious to attack something so ancient without good reasons. Asking questions first might be dangerous yes, but asking questions later might be a loss of knowledge, forgotten for thousands of years.

The knowledge of his identify skill came to him just as the first attacks were let loose. [Healer lvl 165] he wanted to shout but the noise was deafening. An arrow was the first thing to hit the healer as a shroud of ash covered him and his arm shot out to intercept the projectile. Catching it, a bolt of lightning hit the healer and then hell followed. Jeremy tried to shout through the carnage but could only watch on helplessly as more and more fire, ice and many other ranged elemental attacks destroyed the healer and everything beyond.

Chapter 52 New companions and enemies

A note from Rhaegar

I apologize for the cliffhanger. I am a very volatile person, sometimes slightly evil and sometimes pure and unfiltered evil.

I thought about posting an empty chapter asking you guys how the cliffhanger was going. Additionally I intended to draw a picture of you guys hanging from a cliff BUT then I thought that might be a tad too much. The power I now have is corrupting me you see...

Enjoy the chapter, probably nothing else till next weekend but it depends on how much I get done.

Chapter 52 New companions and enemies

Agor’s question to the incompetent scout was ignored completely as the supposed demon stepped out of the doorway. His instincts and experience told him long before identify even got him any further information that this was no demon. It was too late though as the more inexperienced parts of their defensive line already started to let loose their spells. All he could do now was maybe save the person’s life for his own but there was too much unknown.

Steeling his will he looked on as a piercing shot from one of the rangers was easily caught by the person in front of him. ‘Healer?’ he thought as a lightning bolt was dodged by the man with a slight tilt of his head. ‘Level 165? What is he...no...’ Fireballs and icicles clashed into the healer’s armor while the more pointy spells were dodged with minimal movements. ‘A woman...’ he thought as more spells reached the healer.

A sudden explosion of ash followed that left most of them searching for their enemy. “Cease fire!!” Agor shouted, accompanied by others shouting similar things.

“I believe we’ve met before but I assure you. I’ve come in peace.” Agor and some others were already turned around to find the healer behind Pete, holding a dagger to his throat. He looked at her and knew she was smiling. He too smirked behind his dark helmet. ‘Interesting.’ was all he thought as he advanced through the adventurers who were in states of anger, realization and confusion. More than Agor had expected had immediately stopped attacking after she’d stepped out.

‘Can’t believe Inström let loose his lightning though...that old fool is getting senile...’ he thought as he advanced to the tip of the poised adventurers. “So then you’re that defenseless healer girl we met a couple days ago?” he asked and continued, stopping a couple meters before the woman. “Then give me a reason not to cut you apart right now. And don’t think that useless scout will deter me...” he asked, having no intention at all of attacking the woman.

“You already told me two reasons my friend. I’m a healer and I’m defenseless.” the woman answered and played with the dagger in her hand. “Plus you’re in luck. I’m for hire.”

The adventurers stood there tensed before a laugh filled the room. Agor stopped himself after a couple seconds and finished with a chuckle. “Alright alright, come on girl let the man go. We talk. Inström, Jasper!” he said and shouted to the two other leaders before motioning for the healer to follow. He was confident of taking her down, she would certainly take some of the adventurers with her but it didn’t seem to Agor that she had such intentions. ‘Another one that loves the thrill has joined us...’ he thought and smiled.

Ilea took down the dagger and put it into her backpack. ‘Fuck it’s broken...’ she thought and looked at the still burning pack. ‘Should have left it on the stairs.’ the man scrambled to his feet after she let him go and looked at her hatefully. She shot him a radiant smile and followed the man with the spiky armor, not realizing her smile was covered by the helmet. ‘Worse than Arven that guy...where do they find monsters that horny?’ she smiled at the innuendo and started flicking the dagger in her hand. Her backpack was hanging on one side of her back, still burning a little.

‘I think that went pretty well. Didn’t get murdered, showed my ability without giving too much away. I can be incredibly useful to those people and they know it. Now let’s see what I can get out of it...’ she thought and looked towards some of the people cooking. One of the men shied back as he locked eyes with her. Some of the adventurers were whispering while others shrugged and went back to their games or preparations.

“Your backpack is on fire.” the spiky man said. Two others had joined her. She couldn’t see any of their levels but something told her they weren’t as dangerous as Edwin had been.

‘Close enough though...’ she thought as she got off her backpack and patted the fire out with her hand. “I’m aware. I’ll have to ask you to replace it.” she said.

The mage that had attacked her with lightning before wanted to say something at that but the third man stopped him with a gesture. “We’ll replace the backpack of course. So you sent quite the scare through some of the less experienced members of our party, although seeing their level I’m rather disappointed...I’m Jasper. One of the three appointed leaders of this expedition.” the man said and continued.

“Agor.” he motioned to the spiky man who simply nodded towards her. She nodded back with a smile, knowing he was smiling too behind his helmet. It wasn’t just her sphere that had told her that. “And Mr Inström, the third part of our leadership. Now we’re both aware that you likely have some rather interesting stories to tell and presumably some information that could help save us quite a bit of lives and time. I’d prefer not to get that information out of you with unsavory methods but I will if I must.” he finished.

A shiver ran through Ilea at that but compared to the fear of death it was more like excitement. ‘Oh I’d like to see you try old man...’ she thought but kept her smile going. “Perfect, then let’s trade. First thing’s first I have info on the room I just came out of. What do you have?”

“Before we trade we have to make sure you’re no danger to us or any of our adventuring party.” Agor said. “As much as I’d like to fight you I feel we could use another healer...and whatever else you have to offer.” the man said.

“And how would you confirm I’m no danger? My name’s Lilith as I’ve told some of you before. I followed a group of people down here but lost their track inside the great hall. My goal now is to clear out the dungeon and get as much info on it and the people I’ve followed as I can before leaving again. If I can do that with a whole expedition behind me then that is no problem for me.” Ilea said. What she’d said was certainly true, except for the expedition part. She would’ve preferred to be left alone in the dungeon but considering she’d already raided the treasury, there were only two ways left unexplored. And seeing the party hadn’t fallen on their heads, a meeting at some point seemed unavoidable.

“Well Lilith...then you may join us. All the artifacts we find go to the Forkspears. The more we find the more we’re paid. Contribution is taken into account of course and any information you could provide will be seen as just that. My condition is that you only enter a room when we tell you to and otherwise stay back. You’ll be guarded by me personally.” Jasper said at which point the other two looked at him.

“Do you not agree?” he asked them but didn’t get an answer. “Is that alright for you?” he asked Ilea.

“Sure. Some demands though before we start trading. If there are more than ten guardians in a room you let me go in alone. I assume the lives and time you might lose are more important to you than the experience?” she said. Agor chuckled at her demand.

“To me yes, some of the others will disagree though but I’ll convince them if they get too loud.” Jasper answered. “So what did you have in mind for the information. I’d rather be done with this quickly so we can move on.” he said.

“Is that seriously all you’re gonna check? You just believe her story?” Inström said, his voice still calm though.

Jasper looked at the man “I said I’ll be guarding her. Do you not trust me to take care of a level 165 healer?” he asked.

Inström shrugged to that. “I just think we should get some more information out of her before we start offering her anything.” a small spark formed on his fingertips at that but Jasper gestured for him to stop.

“Oh, some lightning resistance? That seems like a good idea. For the info on the room I just came from I want free service of the cooks you’ve brought, free food, free service of the smiths and some of your lightning spells.” she said, finishing while pointing towards Inström.

“Are you mad, I’m not gonna share my knowledge with you. Who do you think you are?” the man said in a calm and calculated way.

“What?” Ilea said.

“I think she means you blast her with it...” Agor said and chuckled.

Inström looked at him confused and then opened his eyes widely. “Oh for f…. sake...well you convinced me, she’s no danger to us...if anything she’s a danger to herself. Alright I’ll gladly use some of my lightning on you, it’s gonna be painful though I assure you.”

“I doubt that...” Ilea said and thought she might’ve just given away a bit too much information as Jasper’s eyebrows lifted up a little at her statement. Agor didn’t seem to have a reaction under his helmet.

“That’s a deal then. Agor alright?” he looked at the man who just shrugged “Tell us about the room then.” Jasper finished.

The adventurers watched on as the healer that had survived the attacks of over ten of their own followed their leaders to the map placed on a table in the middle of the room. Her greenish armor was a little singed and her backpack seemed rather unusable. People looked up from their games, cooking pots and from their conversations to see what was going to happen. Apparently a deal was struck with the proclaimed demon.

Some of the people started going closer to the table to listen in on the conversation while others with sharper senses let in their friends and companions on the discussed content. “….massive crater and parts of what I assume were a centurion...are you familiar with them?” the healer asked to which all three leaders nodded.

“Heard of them, never seen one. Agor?” Jasper said.

“Yea, got one a couple years ago. Took me damn near my life to take the fucker down.” he looked upwards reminiscing. “Our healer died as well to the machine...they’re smart. So you’re saying the people you’re following took one down?” Agor said.

“Maybe...could be longer ago too for all I know.” Ilea shrugged. ‘He took one down...had a team as well though. Is he stronger than Edwin? Edwin seemed to be protecting the others though. Using their spells was the safest method but I wouldn’t put it past him to take on a centurion...hell even two at the same time.’ she thought and explained the traps and rooms that led towards the armory.

“A taleen armory...the gear in there is certainly worth a fortune to both collectors and adventurers. Your gear is from there as well?” Inström asked.

She handed him the dagger. “Ye, my previous gear got fucked by some of the traps. The dwarves liked fire apparently.” she said while Inström looked at the dagger and then handed it to Jasper.

“High quality gear hmm….and you said there were hundreds of weapons and armors?” Jasper asked. Some of the adventurers listening in gasped at that and more and more joined them near the table.

“Yes, you’ll need people who can fly though to get down there.” she said. The scout had seen her wings already so it wasn’t worth trying to cover that up anymore.

“We have plenty for that. Depending on the walls we could build stairs as well. Getting all that safely out of the dungeon is gonna be annoying though. Bjorn will have to organize that though.” Jasper said while thoughtfully touching his beard. “Can you go into details on the traps?” he asked and Ilea provided.

“We’ll be able to deal with that then, gonna take a while though. I’ll start sending some people then. Agor please go with them and confirm her information. Be careful.” the man just walked away from the table upon Jasper’s request while gesturing to some others that followed him immediately.

“I’ll get some food then.” Ilea said and walked to the cooks. Nobody stopped her. “Can I get like six plates. Whatever you have.” the cook looked at her a bit perplexed before looking towards the table. Jasper nodded towards him and he hurriedly got to work. Ilea walked to another table and got a chair there before moving back to Jasper and sitting down.

A lot of the adventurers were watching her. “What?” she asked as she removed her helmet and placed it on the ground.

The first plate arrived then and she started eating. “What do you wanna know next? I went into two more doors before.”

Jasper walked away to get a chair as well and joined her soon after. Most of the adventurers were still standing nearby, looking at the scene as if it were an interesting documentary. Ilea certainly looked less threatening with her black hair and blue eyes out instead of the greenish horned full plate helmet.

“The door there then.” Jasper said and pointed towards the first door to the right, where the treasury had been.

‘Well maybe it somehow survived the acid...not like there’s anything left to get though.’ she thought and started explaining the trap rooms and their intricacies. “Sadly in the hall beyond were a full six centurions.” she said. ‘Should I ask to help them clear the centurions out? Doesn’t seem wise to show all my cards and I don’t feel like they’ll advance into there any time soon.’ she though.

“Six of them you say...that might be a problem. We’ll see though. What do you want for that piece of information?” he asked her.

“Your mages, same as with the lightning guy, an hour or so each? And I want to have two potions, I assume that guy over there is an Alchemist or something?” she asked.

“An hour from all of them is too much time lost, I give you an hour with five of them...the rest you can freely ask or pay if you feel like it. Two potions in addition to that is fine. Nothing special though...not that he makes anything special.” Jasper answered.

“The third door then.” he said.

“That one was cleared by the people I’m following...at least I assume. Traps are destroyed and there’s a massive dead monster in one of the rooms.” she mapped out the place and finished with the teleportation room.

“This info I give you for two things.” she said and held up two fingers “A favor from you and...the second thing I’ll explain after you followed me inside there.” she motioned to the door they had just talked about.

“You want me to follow you in there alone? I’m rather confident in myself but don’t think I trust you this far. The favor you get, albeit a small one.” Jasper answered.

“You take that spiky guy with you then, how does that sound?” she asked to which he nodded. Ilea smiled at the man and continued eating, reaching her fourth plate.

Jeremy looked on as the woman stuffed herself with the sixth plate already. She apparently had been here for a while and had provided information to the expedition in exchange for some things, one of them weirdly being food. Agor had returned a while ago and was discussing with Jasper and Mr. Inström. The information the healer had provided seemed to be quite accurate in nature.

“You wanna talk to her?” Rin asked from the side. The two had started talking more and more, both of them seemingly didn’t know a lot of people down there and didn’t mind each other’s company.

“Kinda. The three seemed to have gotten what they wanted but I’m sure she has more...” he said and looked the woman over.

“Yea, mr obvious over here. We don’t care though, we’re here for the artifacts and everyone has their own motives. Hers don’t really matter as long as she doesn’t fall in our backs which would be a ridiculously stupid decision.”

“Oh I know that, although I’m sure she could wreak some havoc...” he said and started walking towards the healer.

“What are you….” Rin said and started following after sighing.

“Mind if I join you...Lilith right?” Jeremy said and motioned to the chair Jasper had so nicely left behind. Lilith shrugged while finishing her last plate of food. “I’m Jeremy. So you’ve been here alone for a while?”

“Yea, are you looking to trade information as well or what do I owe the honor Mr. Jeremy?” Lilith asked, having finished her meal she looked at the man with her blue piercing eyes. “Where is that new backpack?” the woman asked absentmindedly after she had stopped the eye contact.

“Maybe, I’m not sure what I could offer you though. Are you looking for a replacement backpack for the one we burned up?” he asked while looking at the pack that was placed behind the woman.

“I’m supposed to get one, yes...ah there you go.” she said as she received a new pack from one of the workers that was brought along the adventure. “Thank you, it looks beautiful.” she said and looked the backpack over before moving her things from one pack to the other. Jeremy didn’t make out anything interesting between the food and canteen that she moved.

‘Does she not map out the dungeon? Maybe she has a skill for that...or maybe...’ he thought and looked for any jewelery she might be wearing but he couldn’t make out anything. Even if, it didn’t mean she had a device with a storage enchantment. Someone alone in a dungeon that could withstand the combined attack of ten adventurers her level might just be the one person to have one though.

“So I’m a bit of a history fanatic Miss Lilith and I’d be quite happy to somehow get any historical knowledge, documents or artifacts that you might or might not have found in this dungeon. There is little known about the Taleen and I’m pretty sure it’s been a while since someone even discovered a great hall.” he said.

“Just Lilith is fine really. I might have one or the other thing for you then. Can you read their runes?” she asked him and looked at the man. Rin had started leaning on the table in the meantime but hadn’t engaged in their conversation yet.

“I’ve dabbled in them but can’t say I understand more than the very basics. It’s not like we have a lot of writing remaining other than the runes you see on the walls here and there. Although I’m sure some people have more, the college of magic however does not. Why do you ask?” he asked but she only nodded thoughtfully.

“So you teach at the college in Dawntree?” Lilith said suddenly to which he nodded. “Interesting, I’ll come back to you about your inquiry then Jeremy. Nice to make your acquaintance.” she said and got up to join Jasper and Agor who were walking back to her.

“I feel like she’s got something juicy Rin...” Jeremy said after Lilith had left.

Chapter 53 The forgotten title

A note from Rhaegar

Thank you Phillip for the donation!

Another one guys, before you hopefully will be fed a little by Aternus

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Chapter 53 The forgotten title

‘Interesting man, maybe I’ll ask him about the journal I found and the pyramid key.’ Ilea thought as she got up from the chair to join Agor and Jasper. Agor had returned a couple minutes ago and it seemed he had found nothing amiss with her story, otherwise he wouldn’t be walking as relaxed.

“So it seems your information was top notch. Would’ve definitely cost us more time to get through all those traps. The weapons and armor are a solid find as well. I assume you got yours there too?” Jasper said as she reached them.

“Nah, fell off a wagon in Dawntree.” Ilea said and smirked as she got her helmet back on.

“You can keep it, doesn’t matter if there’s fifty or forty nine. Guess some people will help themselves as well.” Agor said but Jasper didn’t seem to find it as funny. He didn’t say anything more though and motioned to the doorway that led to the teleportation gate.

“So you want us to follow, the scouts are doing their jobs and setting up a way down to the armory will take at least a couple hours. Let’s do this now then, shall we.” Jasper said and Ilea nodded with her horned helmet before walking towards the door.

Agor and Jasper followed her as she entered and led them through the destroyed trap rooms. Seeing their hesitation she explained. “I checked through here, there’s no active trap. Hope you guys have a way of flying though, the next one is a big chasm much like the way to the armory...” she finished just as they entered the stairway to the turret trap room. She took the silence as an answer and assumed there wouldn’t be a problem.

Ilea jumped off from the destroyed edge of the once astonishing bridge. Flying through the air, her wings of ash materialized and moved to keep her there. She flew upwards a couple meters and turned around to see the others looking at her.

“Always wanted wings...oh well.” Agor said and jumped off. He touched his arm and a massive dark chipped great sword materialized in his hand. He fell downwards before he moved the sword below himself when a massive burst of red fire exited from the blade’s top that was now pointing behind him. Like a rocket he first stopped falling and then shot towards the other side with comparable speed to Ilea’s wings. Ilea smirked at the “wohooooo!” that came from the less and less serious seeming Agor.

Jasper just sighed and jumped off too. Ilea saw with her magic perception that there were blue magical fields forming below his feet from which he jumped off. He stopped and looked at her two steps later, motioning for her to lead the way. ‘Still doesn’t trust me eh? Well he’s smarter than me...’ she thought and shrugged before flying off, trying to catch Agor.

She closed in on the man but didn’t quite manage to pass him with the lead he had before he slammed into the opposite wall. Right before reaching the wall, the fire had stopped and he made the sword disappear again before slamming his outstretched hands into the stone.

Slowly working his way downwards, he reached Ilea who was already waiting in the doorway. The two stayed there and waited for Jasper who was still quite a way off. “Storage ring?” she asked the man. He shook his head and showed her a bracelet on his arm.

“Just for the weapon, was a gift by my favourite smith, love that guy.” he said and stuffed the bracelet back into the gauntlet.

“Who is he if I may ask?” Ilea said while playing with her dagger that she took with her.

“His name is Balduur Birch, resides in a village near Morhill. Mention me and bring him something interesting to work with and you’re golden.” he answered. Jasper arrived then and Ilea moved onwards. Before the two followed her down into the once dark and monster infested swimming pool, Jasper stopped her.

“I want to know why you dragged us two down here first. No secrets this time.”

Ilea sighed. “Alright. There’s a lone centurion down there. Likely around level 300. I wanted to beat it alone but I guessed you wouldn’t just let me leave the expedition at this point. So how about it...is that enough for the information I provided?”

The two others looked at one another, Jasper lifting his right eyebrow at Agor. “I’ll stay out of it Lilith but I can’t speak for Agor here. I assume it’s been a while since he found something close enough to his level to kill.” he said and Agor just nodded.

“You and me girl. Trust me it’s still worth it for the levels if the thing really is 300. Last one I fought was around there as well if I remember right. Wouldn’t want to miss that fight...I owe you one.” he said, nodding towards her.

Ilea sighed again “Oh well, why did you lead this expedition down here again?” she looked at Jasper who just shrugged at her with an uncaring expression. “Down we go then, don’t be scared by the squid.” she said and jumped down the hole. Before hitting the ground, she activated her wings and flew to the next doorway, looking sideways at the tentacle monster and hulling up her nose at the more and more intense smell of decay coming from the corpse.

Ilea noticed that the water was ever so slightly higher since her last venture into this part of the great hall. ‘A leak somewhere then...’ she thought as she waited for the others in the room before the teleportation one.

“Jasper I’d prefer you leave the room once you confirmed the centurion. I don’t want to lose any experience because of your presence.” she said and Agor put his hand on the man’s shoulder.

“She’s right you know.” he said and Jasper just shook his head.

“Sure, sure. I’ll never get you battle maniacs...”

“How’d you get to 200 again old man?” Agor asked him and chuckled.

The three went into the next room where the centurion slowly came to life. The light above reflected on the machine’s carapace, shining on the light amount of dust in the room.

“Here we go then, Jasper you’re convinced?” Ilea asked as she got off her helmet and chucked it to the side. It landed with a clang as Jasper nodded and left the room swiftly.

“He’d be a big help you know...” Agor said after the man had left and the centurion started to advance towards them.

“Oh I’m quite sure...but even you are unnecessary here...my spiky friend.” Ilea said as her buffs activated. This was no place to hide any of her power, even if Agor was there and Jasper likely had a way of seeing what was happening.

“Spiky hmm? Well you’re just as unnecessary...and removing the helmet doesn’t mean your armor ain’t spiky...” he finished as his great sword materialized, the red fire that was used to propel him before now coming from both the sword and his body.

The centurion threw its spear at Ilea who dodged to the side easily, slowly advancing on the creature before starting into a sprint. Agor followed her example and flanked the centurion. ‘Well maybe I can save some time at least...’ she thought as she reached the creature who immediately thrust its spear towards her. She dodged with her body without moving in and was satisfied when the machine turned around to block an incoming sword hit by Agor.

Using the split second to its fullest, Ilea moved in and delivered two punches before blocking the butt of the centurion’s spear with the palm of her hand. It didn’t pierce but she was thrown back a couple meters, landing on her feet. Contrary to what she’d expected no spear throw followed and she looked on as Agor blocked the spear attacks with swift movements of his ridiculously large sword.

‘Fuck it...’ she thought and blinked next to the creature’s head to deliver a kick. Destruction and Wave of Ember released into its head followed by the kinetic force of her full weight and strength supported by all her stats. It didn’t unbalance the centurion but its attention was on her before a heavy swing of the chipped great sword hit its torso.

The sound of metal on metal could be heard before both Ilea and Agor quickly retreated a couple meters back. “Not bad, that the move you used to get behind that scout?” Agor asked and she nodded. “Why didn’t I get a short range teleport move...annoying.” he said and moved in again. Ilea followed.

The two could match the centurion in speed and certainly in ferocity. Blow upon blow was delivered, not leaving the enemy enough time to focus on one of them for long enough to pin them down. Five minutes later the machine went into its defensive phase. “Second phase eh...” Agor said.

“They do that all the time? Third is the reckless one then. How would you categorize the self destruct in the end?” she asked with a smirk.

“I guess we have two experiences then to confirm the theory. The self destruct? It’s the last ditch effort and the only thing dangerous about these fuckers.” he said.

“Hah, you would be skewered by its spear with a single hit...” she said while dodging a throw. Blinking in, her fist hit the machine’s fist and she was blown backwards. Her destructive mana had been delivered nonetheless.

“That’s why there’s a healer here...” he said as his sword hit one of the machine’s legs with a loud crash. He let go of it to lean backwards and dodged a swipe in doing so. Landing on his right hand he pushed himself to the left, away from the creature’s spear thrust. The sword had vanished and appeared again in time to come between the spear and his armor.

Ilea blinked behind the machine’s head and delivered another kick. “I do hope you can actually heal my dear...” he said while skidding backwards from the blocked attack.

Ilea was slapped away by the machine’s right hand that didn’t hold its spear, attacking both of the intruders at the same time. She flew a couple meters before her wings materialized and she stabilized. “I can, probably not comparable to the healers you have with you but I do have quite a formidable skill...I tanked most of the last centurion’s explosion with my body and recovered.” she said while advancing from the air.

“That’s reassuring to hear.” he said before throwing his sword at the creature in an arch. The centurion simply caught the weapon and threw its spear at Ilea at the same time. It was dodged and the machine had to block again with its body.

“I assume the mana that enters the creature when you hit it deals damage.” Agor stated as the weapon vanished again from the creature to reappear in his hands. He moved in again, only to be pushed back by its spear.

“Yea it does, gonna take a while with my level though but I assume you don’t deal much more damage either. 200 or so?” she asked, delivering a kick but being caught in the process. Reversed Reconstruction flowed into the creature immediately. Instead of thrusting its spear at Ilea as the previous centurion had though, it smashed the woman into the ground. Her ribs cracked even though the armor took a lot of the force. Blood spurted out of her before Agor’s sword distracted the machine again.

It used Ilea as a weapon and threw her at Agor, likely letting go because of the destructive mana still flowing into it. He caught her and skidded backwards for ten meters, letting go of his weapon.

“My prince!” she exclaimed, looking up at him while blood flowed from her mouth. Letting go of the woman, Agor summoned his sword just in time to deflect the thrown spear.

Ilea turned in the air and caught herself before sprouting wings again. “Around 200, yes.” he said as three more throws were deflected as he was pushed back a little.

Ilea, having healed her light injury was moving in again, dodging the machine’s spear while Agor advanced again. Seven more minutes of fighting later, the centurion went into its third stage, attacking them in a much more aggressive manner.

“What do we do about the explosion?!” Ilea shouted, blinking away from the machine’s assault, only to be lightly cut by its thrown spear that was a little too close to be dodged completely. Agor in the meantime had his sword stopped by the creature’s arm and dodged the other hand that tried to punch him. The centurion used the man’s sword to slash at him after the punch, leaving no room to dodge further.

Agor was blown away to the side, hitting the ground several times in his skid before impacting heavily into the cave wall. Ilea’s kick was delivered to the creature’s back, before it turned around and caught her foot. She smirked at the centurion while mana poured into it.

The machine imitated its copy’s moves and cut through Ilea’s leg at the knee to which she blinked away and dodged the thrown spear while laughing and showing two thumbs ups to the centurion. “Hey Centurion, what has two thumbs and doesn’t give a crap?” she asked before dodging another throw, her leg was already in the process of rebuilding.

“Ilea Spears.” she said and advanced again. This time the creature didn’t catch her again but tried to unsuccessfully pierce her with its spear. A couple of glancing strikes didn’t quite manage to cut through her armor but unexpected to her, the spear got caught in the armor after one strike and the machine used that to slam the woman downwards into the ground before delivering another blow.

The impact was enough to delay her activation of blink for a split second and the spear pierced her lung. A loud impact of metal on metal reverberated through her ears as Agor’s sword impacted the creature’s back. It had let go of it after Agor was thrown away.

“Should’ve gone for the head...” she said and blinked backwards to heal the damage. “How are you holding up Agor?!” she shouted at the man who was blocking spear thrusts again. The side of his armor was dented a little and there was blood dripping down on his chest plate.

“Been worse...been better. Ilea huh?” he asked as another thrust made him skid back again. The subsequent throw was sloppily dodged and glanced his shoulder piece, making him twirl around. The centurion advanced but was hit by the slash that was enhanced by the twirling momentum.

Ilea had taken care of the wound by now, at least mostly and moved in again to buy Agor a bit of time. Her kick was blocked by the spear’s pole which gave Agor an opportunity to strike again. “About that explosion, can you lift that thing?!” he shouted as his massive sword hit, making one of the legs buckle.

The centurion slashed its spear towards Agor with Ilea in the way, making her blink away and him move backwards to dodge. “Should be possible if it’s not actively attacking me!” she shouted back and moved in again from the air.

Agor met the creature’s spear and was rewarded by the impact of her kick on its head. Moving backwards from the machine, he shouted to Ilea as a bright light came from its core. “Spear!!” the flames around him grew more intense, their translucent edges more defined as he rushed towards the creature with his sword in front, his movement much faster than before.

Ilea understood and blinked next to the centurion’s outstretched arm while arching backwards to deliver a kick below and slightly behind its arm. The force made its arm move ever so slightly, its spear scratching into Agor’s helmet, barely reducing his speed in the process. Ilea’s kick to the nearly immovable machine let her bounce back to the other direction, landing on her feet just as Agor’s sword impacted the centurion’s chest.

A loud noise moved through the room and the shock wave moved dust and debris away as Ilea blinked behind the creature that had been lifted half a meter high by Agor’s dash while being thrown back over a meter already. She grabbed onto one of its legs and spun her body with all her strength and buffs active, her runes and lines of ember shining bright in the process.

The already airborne machine couldn’t resist as it was thrown towards one of the cave’s walls, crashing into it just as its core reached its explosive temperature. Ilea locked eyes with Agor as her spin came to an end and his sword slowly sunk downwards, a massive explosion rocking the cave behind her.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy one hundred and forty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 166. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 167. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 168. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 160. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 161. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘bing’ ‘Magic Perception reaches lvl 15’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 13’

‘bing’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 15’

‘bing’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 15’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 6’

‘bing’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 12’

‘bing’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 11’

‘bing’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 7’

Chapter 54 Cards and poison

A note from Rhaegar

Again, thank you David for the support

!

Chapter 54 Cards and poison

The remaining debris clattered to the ground slowly as Ilea blinked to Agor and checked his injuries. ‘Not too bad...’ she thought as her healing mana flowed into him. Just half a minute later he was completely fine again.

“Thanks, although it would’ve healed in a couple minutes more on its own. You have to touch people to heal them?” he asked to which she nodded.

‘Quite a bit less experience compared to when I fought alone...’ she thought. ‘...although still not bad and it was much faster.’

“Well that sucks, you’re more a heal after battle type then. Or I guess we could’ve retreated to take care of our injuries.” he said as he made his sword vanish. “Pretty good experience, although it would’ve been better if I killed it alone.” he said.

“My thoughts exactly...” she said and moved to the crater in the cave’s wall.

“Anything?” he asked but she just shook her head after looking in the area.

“I don’t think they drop anything...” she said as Agor removed his helmet. The man below was smiling, his light skin was accompanied by a cleanly shaved rough face with two noticeable scars crossing through. Bright red hair that looked wild but was kept short accompanied his blue eyes that matched hers. He looked to be around his thirties, not very handsome but Ilea liked his smile.

“Maybe not, no. Haven’t heard of anyone finding something from the guardians either...” he said and looked at the teleportation gate. “...what’s that?” he asked and walked up to it to touch the luckily undamaged contraption.

“I have no idea...” she said as she walked by him to get her helmet that still lay on the ground.

He chuckled and looked at her. “For someone so beautiful, you’re a terrible liar Ilea. Keep them to one word replies or half truths...I didn’t question the false name you gave before. Just a tip.” he said, still smiling as he put on his helmet again.

The two horny adventurers looked at each other for a second before she nodded and walked towards the door. Horny, not horny mind you. Though horny they may have been.

“You said there were six of them one of the other ways?” Agor asked after a moment of silence.

“Mhm.” she answered “I don’t think we can take them though...let alone two at the same time.”

“Two or three would be manageable but I agree. By the way, you forgot this.” he handed her the dagger she had left behind. “I’m Lorcan Agor.” his hand was kept extended after she took the dagger.

“Thanks, Ilea Spears.” she shook his hand and let go again.

The two reached the squid room where they found Jasper looking at the dead monster. “Found something?” she asked the man who shook his head.

“I’m a little confused to its presence here but otherwise no. You destroyed the centurion then? Agor it’s been a while since I saw you this battered. Congratulations on the two levels though.” he said and continued “I assume the way is clear then, no more traps or enemies this way?”

Ilea nodded. “Good, then I’ll have the scouts map out this part as well. Let’s go back then. We have a dungeon to explore.” he said and jumped upwards. Ilea followed with her wings and Lorcan with his sword. The three reached the campsite in the great hall ten minutes later.

“I think we can trust her Jasper.” Agor said as the two man walked to join Inström.

“How’d she do?” Jasper asked only received a nod in response. That seemed to be quite enough though as he nodded back slightly. Ilea wondered at the intricacies of the nods.

‘Like two mute monks, an understanding transcending time and reality...’ she thought and walked to the cooks. “Hey guys, guess who’s back.” she waved at them, not realizing that her dagger was looking quite fearsome combined with the now battered armor. A massive hole was in her chest area, covered only by some tattered cloth. Additionally a piece of her leg armor was missing where her leg had been cut off.

“Maybe you should visit the smiths first to fix you up Lilith.” Jeremy said as he sat down on the table she had chosen to eat at. A bard was playing light music nearby next to a small campfire that broke through the monotone green color the lights gave off. The smell of food filled the room nearly completely now, only hours after the expedition had arrived.

A couple of guards had been posted at each entrance to the room, the people switching out positions after a couple hours. Some of the people chose to sleep in individual or bigger tents that were built up in the space they had. The hall was quite big, easily accommodating the sixty or so people inside it.

“Maybe I should, I’m getting free service anyway. What’d you do in the past hours?” she asked the man as she slurped the last of her minestrone soup down. The girl that had stood on the table when they had last talked was there again, standing a little further away.

“Hey! Hey you! Reddie. Why not sit down with us?” Ilea shouted and waved. Some of the people around them looked at her and chuckled at Rin’s expression. The woman sat down, her face matching her red hair ever so slightly. “What’s your name? You’re with Jeremy here?” Ilea asked and motioned for one of the cooks to bring some more soup. The cook returned her look with a ferocious stare.

“I’m a friend miss Lilith. I’m Rin.” the woman said. Ilea received her bowl of soup and started eating again.

“Well nice to meet you Rin. So how’s the expedition doing?” Ilea asked as a message popped up in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by dark potion, -50 HP/s for 2 Minutes.’

‘Wow, that cook has balls. I’ll go talk to him later...’ she thought as Reconstruction started canceling out the poison while she simply continued to eat. ‘The flavor is actually better like this...’

“Scouts have been sent into all four smaller entrances, although twice as many into the one you haven’t mentioned. They haven’t returned yet so it’s kind of a waiting game at this point. Some mages are still building a safer way down to the armory while others are dismantling the traps there.” Jeremy said “I helped there as well until half an hour ago.”

Ilea finished her soup and motioned to the cook for more. He looked back frowning at her and nodded.

“Do you guys have cards or something? Anyone brought ale?” she asked but neither of them had any of the requested things. ‘I really have to go back to the city and make some use of my necklace. There’s so much I can take with me everywhere now…’ she smiled at the thought as more soup arrived.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by midnight dream, -93 HP/s for 4 Minutes.’

Reconstruction worked hard to keep the poison at bay this time and her mana would’ve reached quite a low point were it not for her Meditation skill that she had activated as well. The slowed movement wasn’t noticeable while simply eating. Her poison resistance apparently helped a lot as well as her HP didn’t at all sink as fast as implied by the message in her head, even without using Reconstruction.

“I can ask some of the others if they have cards. I’m sure I saw some before...” Rin said and got up. Ilea got up as well and took the bowl of soup that still had some left in it with her.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches lvl 17’

Walking up to the cook she locked eyes with him and held the soup out to him. “This is good soup.”

“Yes of course it is. And you’re eating more than your share lady. We’re gonna run out of stock if you continue like that.” the man replied.

“And it’s poisoned.” she said and held the bowl out to the man.

“Bullshit.” he said and took some of it, his face blanching immediately.

“That was stupid.” he said and sagged down to one knee.

“Oh yes, yes it was.” Ilea said, shaking her head and started healing the man. Seeing the poison being much more effective than it had been on her and seeing that the man was only level 42 left her with little choice but to ask for help. “HEALER!!” she shouted as her spell barely managed to keep the man from dying.

His life was slipping when a sudden dark green light enveloped the two and quickly focused on the man, leaving her with a slight pleasant tingle. ‘Magic perception sure is nice...’ she looked over to see a robed woman with a cloaked head, blond hair reaching out a little. Her hands were outstretched, holding onto a wooden staff with intricate runes carved into it.

[Healer lvl 142] she saw with Identify and could hardly believe the stereotypical healer that stood before her.

The woman closed in on them and Ilea felt how the man’s health returned to him. They stood there with both healing spells active for another three minutes until the poison lost its potency.

“At least you have poison resistance now.” Ilea said to the cook, chuckling.

“The man nearly died, this should easily be manageable by a healer your level.” the woman lectured Ilea and shooed her away from the man before looking into his eyes. “Were you the one that poisoned him?” she asked. Others had arrived to look at the scene.

“Nah, I was poisoned first and he didn’t believe me. So in his fabulous brilliance he took a sip from my soup. It’s still there if you want proof.” she motioned to the bowl that still stood nearby.

“Okay who poisoned her?” Agor asked, not doubting Ilea’s story. The other adventurers and the healer didn’t seem to question her either after the man asked the question.

“It’s alright Agor. Not like they’ll out themselves. But let me make sure the rest of the soup is fine...” she said and dunked a fresh bowl into the boiling soup before downing the whole bowl where she stood. Some of the people looked horrified at the scene while others nodded with respect. Her Heat and Pain resistances did quite the job. The boiling soup didn’t hurt her in the slightest.

“It’s fine. And very good. My compliments to the cook.” she said and helped the man up.

“You’re coming with me...” Jasper came up to the man and grabbed his arm. Ilea certainly didn’t envy the cook.

‘Edwin vs Jasper, scarybowl get hype...’ she thought as she got another bowl of soup. ‘Fuck this is good.’

The people around them whispered and talked but soon found their way back to whatever they were doing. It didn’t seem too strange to most of them that someone wanted to poison someone else. The general concern that Ilea heard was what if the poison had gone into everybody else’s soup. The cooks seemed most terrified at the situation and kept their heads low but Ilea doubted any of them were actually involved.

She walked up to the healer and introduced herself. “Hey, Lilith the name. Thanks for the help and sorry for being inadequate at healing apparently. Any tips?”

“I apologize for the comment Miss Lilith. I’m sure that with resistances like that, you’re not a full healer. I’m Luciana from the Corinth Order.” she bowed a little.

“Wow you’re graceful. And beautiful. Just Lilith is fine by the way. And no, I’m not a full healer. The skill might not be very strong but it can heal quite a surprising amount of damage if given enough time.” she said.

“Hmm yes, a hybrid class then. Usually whatever else might be included in the class will take precedence in the description but you might be an outlier. Just out of curiosity, what damages can you heal?” the woman responded.

“Hmm, I’m not sure I want to tell you...how about a trade then. I trust you are quite honorable...with that robe and all. Give me a second please.” Ilea said and let the woman stand there before approaching Jeremy and Rin again who had watched the whole scene from near their table.

“Hey you guys, you think I can trust the lady from the Corinth Order over there with some details on my healing skills?” she asked them quietly.

“Are you nuts? The order hunts down any healer class that might threaten their superiority. At least that’s what I’ve heard...” Rin whispered to her.

“What with like a monk hitsquad?” she asked to a confused Rin.

“What’s a hitsquad?” the woman asked.

“Lilith you shouldn’t share too much with her, Rin is right.” Jeremy said, looking towards the healer with disdain.

‘I kinda want to see that now...it’s like the inquisition of healers or whatever...I hope they have similar robes...’ she looked towards the healer and smiled brightly. “I’ve barely encountered any good healers, can they reform lost limbs?” she whispered the question to the people next to her.

“Yea, I think after lvl 50 or so that’s a pretty common thing. Otherwise you’d see a lot more retired adventurers.” Jeremy said as Ilea walked back towards the healer.

“Ok I can share, just wanted to make sure you don’t murder me in my sleep first.” Ilea said with a smile. The woman grinned back while cocking her head to the side.

“I had no such intentions.” she said with a sweet voice, lyingly.

“God damn I love you.” Ilea said “I can heal most wounds and given enough time even limbs. I do feel like I’m not special enough for your interests though sadly...” she said but didn’t mention her ability to heal even crushed organs as vital as her heart. Or her ability to heal the mind, Walter seemed to interpret that as quite the feat back when she’d fought the demon.

“That is indeed rather average. It would’ve been wonderful if you could’ve added something to the order.” the woman said and bowed again before leaving Ilea standing there.

‘Wow she’s fucking creepy.’ Ilea thought, looking at the woman like a fascinated zoo visitor. ‘Well I wonder if she believed that or if I’m gonna be visited by the baba yaga of healer monks...’

Getting her helmet back on, Ilea walked over to the smiths. “Got some cards?” she asked Rin and Jeremy who were woken up from their stares to the Corinth woman. Rin resumed her self bestowed task of finding cards and Jeremy seemed to join her. ‘Oh they’re gonna be a thing aren’t they...’ she thought as she looked back at them.

“Hello there. Can you fix this?” she asked the smith in front of her, pointing at her chest and then leg. The burly man looked at her with a thoughtful expression and grunted.

“I’m not fluent in smith but I take that as a yes.” she said and started removing her chest plate and pieces of leg armor. “There you go. Do you need more of the dwarven metal?” she asked but received a likely negative grunt in return. Seeing the smashed bits of dwarven metal piled on a table behind the man she was quite sure of her interpretation.

“I’ll be back in an hour or so then.” a grunt answered her. “Ok two.” she walked back to Jeremy and Rin. The woman had apparently managed to get some cards. ‘Now I just have to learn whatever games these people play.’

“You don’t know Stent? What a boring life you must’ve led.” Agor said, having nonchalantly joined the three on their table.

“We didn’t play cards in demon land sadly. There’s only fire and pain.” Ilea answered and got a chuckle from the man in response.

“Nice demonstration with the soup. I don’t think anyone’s gonna try and poison you anymore.” he said.

“I was just hungry.” Ilea said when Jeremy tapped the cards on the table.

“I’m explaining, so LISTEN.”

“Hai shishou!” Ilea said which led to some confused expressions but as on earth, weird people were quickly categorized as weird and their antics were mostly ignored. ‘The power to smash some skulls certainly helps though...’ Ilea thought as she smiled under her helmet. She liked the thing. With her sphere and high stats it barely reduced her visibility and the looks she got were fewer and less creepy. ‘My horny disguise...’ she thought and realized she hadn’t listened to Jeremy at all. He noticed too and looked at her with a stare that could down a flock of angry geese. A feat impossible to all but gods.

“I apologize teacher. I have difficulties with concentrating.”

“I noticed but do not worry child. You too shall learn.” Jeremy answered.

Stent was a rather simple game that once learned, Ilea found to be incredibly addicting. The bard playing music in the background made the whole thing rather wholesome. Two hours passed until one of the sent scouts returned from the last smaller unexplored doorway.

“What does the rune mean Jeremy?” Ilea asked the man while they watched the slightly charred scout report back to the leaders. Agor had left the table as well to join the man.

“Dungeon I think. I mean we are in a dungeon but they had a dungeon as well. Not sure if it means there’s another dungeon in there or that they held prisoners in there.” he replied.

“Well either way I think it’s time we get back to exploring...” Ilea said. She had lost eighty silver pieces while playing Stent. Rin wanted to play something called Magic but complained that nobody had any cards with them. Ilea had managed to get the coins from her new backpack, summoning them while her hand was inside. Luckily nobody seemed to notice or they simply didn’t care.

A note from Rhaegar

If there's anyone that hates something like the small "hai sensei" joke, don't worry I won't tuck a -san after every name from now on

Chapter 55 Welcome to the Internet

Chapter 55 Welcome to the Internet

At least one of the scouts that had been sent into the dungeon was confirmed dead. Apparently a trapped hallway followed the door and they had spend hours to just dismantle the different killing devices. A massive elevator followed after, bringing whoever chose to use it downwards for over five hundred meters, into the dungeons.

No massive surprises were reported by the scout, sword guardians all over the place though. “Well what are we waiting for then?” Ilea asked into the group and made her way towards the door.

“Lilith I know we agreed on the ten guardians thing but if the layout of the place is that complicated it's not practical.” Jasper told her and walked next to her. “We'll pay you differently for that part of the information, for now we all go down there and clear it. You get as many as you destroy.” he said.

“I feel cheated but do see how it doesn't make sense to wait for me. Let the faster one win then.” she said and ran towards the door.

“Agor, keep a lookout for her. Please do let her kill the guardians, she's a headache as it is I don't want her to become even more annoying.” Jasper said to Agor who nodded to the man.

“They're about my level so I'll let her do the killing...if we encounter more centurions though...” he followed the excited healer towards the dungeons, getting stares from many of the adventurers around.

Ilea reached the elevator in no time and stepped on the pressure plate to activate it. The design was quite similar to the one she’d used before, although this one seemed a little less cared for. The chains she could see even showed some rust. Agor landed on the elevator after it had descended ten meters.

“You don’t feel like waiting, do you?” he said and looked at her.

“Lorcan, so you’re my babysitter then. Well just keep far enough away and don’t interfere when I’m destroying the guardians. Compared to you they’re actually pretty decent for my experience.” she answered, cracking her neck in preparation.

“Referring to sword guardians at level 200 as pretty decent for your experience. You truly are a battle maniac...” she could tell he was smiling below his helmet.

“Well so are you. So don’t give me that judgmental tone Lorcan. And hey, we might find one or the other centurion down there as well...” the man seemed to tense up a little at the uses of his name which Ilea noticed immediately. “Don’t worry, I won’t use it when others are around. Same as you’re not using mine...” she told him just as the elevator slowed down to a stop.

‘Smoother than some elevators on earth...these dwarves really were remarkable. I mean the machines are decades ahead of whatever the military had chosen to make public so far. I’m sure they’re hiding away some gurren lagann type shit somewhere though...’ she thought as the two heavily armored adventurers exited the elevator.

Another scout was crouched in the room next door, her eyes glowing in an eerie red. “Hey, can you point us to the biggest clusters of enemies around here?” Ilea asked, stopping next to the woman.

The red glow vanished as she looked at Ilea. She was a level 149 rogue, at least that was what identify had told the healer. “They’re everywhere, you’ll find them easy enough. This way I generally see more of them though.” the woman pointed and Ilea nodded.

“Thanks, let’s go clear out this prison then. Agor?” the man nodded and gestured for her to go.

“I’ll follow the trail.” he said and smirked under his helmet. The scout looked at them and shook her head.

“Fucking lunatics...” she whispered, knowing full well that both of them might’ve heard her.

Bumping her fists together, Ilea exploded into a run. Soon after she activated her buffs. The dungeon’s hallways were much smaller than anything she’d encountered in the great hall before. There was barely enough space to fit a single sword guardian, let alone a party of adventurers.

‘They’re gonna have a bad time...’ she thought as she encountered her first enemy. Dodging the blades it was second nature by now to face a single sword guardian. Using her blinking ability to strategically position herself, she used the tight corridors to her advantage.

Her quickly increasing power overwhelmed the guardian though she was cut several times in the fight until the machine fell before her unrelenting assault. Small cuts closed quickly as she started to run again, ignoring the messages she’d received from destroying a single guardian.

In the next half hour Ilea cleared out a number or random corridors and rooms that held single or up to three guardians inside. ‘There certainly are a lot of them here...’ she thought as she dodged a dozen swords from two guardians in the current room. The possibility of destroying guardians to level up and the looming expedition behind her, ready to steal her experience made her a little more reckless than usual.

There were some cracks in the wall where a guardian’s blade had sent her after she had to block one of it’s hits. Her armor combined with the shroud of ash negated most of the damage but the force was still there. ‘Man I’m already out of mana...’ she thought as she started to meditate in the now empty room, besides the dented metal on the ground.

Agor caught up to her a minute later. “Meditating eh, well the close quarters helps them as much as they help you...destroyed over twenty already. Level...” she stopped him there with a quick open palm towards him.

“Don’t spoil me, I’ll get to the messages later.” she exclaimed and bit on some dried meat she got from one of her pockets. The backpack she had left upstairs in the great hall where the expedition resided. She would’ve likely slowed down a little if she had known that the group was still discussing tactics and team compositions as she was meditating.

And so the half hour of fighting turned into one and then two. The dungeons were vast and filled to the brim with sword guardians. None of them came close to hurting Ilea more than superficially. “I need a quick break and some food.” she said to Agor who had come into the room she’d cleared most recently.

“Yea, it’s fucking boring down here.” the man said and closed the book he was holding.

“You read? Did you at least sketch down the layout while you were walking behind me.” she asked, while chewing on her last piece of dried meat.

“I do, shocking I know. It sure would make you more interesting if you chose to learn your letters. I did map out the rough layout, here it is.” he flipped to the first couple pages of the book and showed her.

“Let’s go back then, this meat isn’t satisfying and there are professional cooks up there with free food.” she said and regretted her choice not to use the necklace to store some of their food. It would’ve likely been a risk to let Agor know though so she sucked up her disappointment.

They ran back in just twenty minutes and in the last stretch encountered a group of adventurers from the expedition. ‘They haven’t come far yet.’ she thought.

“Why don’t they go through faster? You and Jasper alone could cleave through the guardians with ease.” she asked Agor as they entered the elevator room. Several adventurers perked up at their entrance.

“Even you would be gutted quite quickly were it not for your set of skills. Most adventurers aren’t as mobile and self regenerative as you are.” he said and continued as they stepped on the elevator that had conveniently been down in the dungeons already. “Additionally it’s a worthless risk to take. For the expedition, all its members and subsequently Jasper it’s more beneficial not to lose too many people and have a lot of them come out stronger. The Forkspears aren’t the only ones with that interest. Maybe after this he’ll finally be able to open the stupid school he’s been talking about...”

“He wants to open a school?” she asked.

“Yea, sword master and all. Wants to give his knowledge to worthy students.”

“Nice sentiment I guess. Doesn’t he have enough money to just build a school?”

“You need more than just gold to build a prominent school in Dawntree, even if you’re at his level of strength and fame. There’s bigger fish out there and quite a few of them reside in Dawntree. Having a sword master train random pupils might be a thorn in their eyes. Or a boon if enough powerful adventurers and noble families support him.” Agor explained.

“Politics man...he just wants to build a school.” she said and shook her head, the horns accidentally scratching on the walls that were rushing past them. The two reached the great hall’s entrance soon after and got some food from the cooks. Ilea noticed that the cook that had handed her the poisoned food was there as well.

“I...I apo...apologize, ma’am.” he stuttered out as she stood before him. She removed her helmet and smiled at him.

“Don’t sweat it and call me Lilith.” she said as she dunked her new bowl into the broth. Joining Agor on a nearby table, they started eating.

“You’re way too nice to people Il...Lilith. The man quite possibly knew about the poison.” he said as he ate, looking around to check if anybody heard his near slip up.

“Maybe, but again it’s just politics. That might also be a reason for me to become more powerful. To be able to somewhat avoid that stuff and just be nice to someone that might have tried to kill me. No reason to be paranoid all the time if you’re the least killable thing in the room.” she waved off his coming answer and continued.

“I’m aware that won’t work all the time and if people work together I may still be killed no matter how powerful. It still gives a lot of leeway for me to do whatever the fuck I want though. You see how most of this expedition group looks at me...you’d need to pay them quite a bit to try and murder me.”

Agor nodded at that. “You’re not wrong and if it’s a carefree lifestyle you’re looking for you’ll probably get it like this. People with power tend to gain attention though and attention means problems.”

“I’m aware of that Agor. It’s happened before and I’m not even the strongest on this table. I’ll still give people the benefit of the doubt though. The ones that spit on it will learn not to mess with me while the people I consider friends will find me next to them in battle.” she said and got up to get more broth. The cook seemed more relaxed now and already handed her a bowl.

“I tried it myself, Lilith.” he said and she nodded and took the bowl.

The food wasn’t poisoned, which made Ilea quite happy. At least one person to prove her point, even though there were and will be many more to disappoint her. She knew that for a fact. ‘It’s interesting how personal power changes up everything...’ she thought and ate in silence for a while.

“Hey Agor, you got a skill in the third tier?” she asked between bites of bread, using it to clean out the bowl in her hand. “I’ve been wondering for a while. Got a bunch at 2nd 20 and nothing is happening.”

“That is quite personal information that most people wouldn’t share Lilith.” he shook his head and smiled. Ilea took in the sight as it was a rare thing to see the man without his helmet.

‘Fuck am I falling for him?’ she thought but smiled back.

“I don’t, no. I heard of people that do though, Jasper might be one of them. I’ve been on 2nd 20 on many skills myself but have no idea what the requirements for higher tiers might be. I assume it’s either many skills at that level, doing something specific with a skill or simply a higher level. No idea...” he finished.

“Eh, guess I’ll get there eventually. Maybe I’ll ask Jasper about it. What about a third class, I heard it’s possible.”

“Same there but what I heard was that a third class gives less bonuses than the first two. The source might not be too reliable though.” he answered.

“So you don’t know shit even though you’re one of the highest leveled adventurers I’ve ever met...fucking hell you guys need the internet.” she sighed and motioned for another bowl which swiftly arrived.

“That information is highly guarded Lilith. The people that actually reach those levels and tiers might share the knowledge, sure. They’re so few and far in between though that it’s probably hard to confirm it and it would quickly fade into mere rumors. The internet though? What are you talking about?”

‘First guy to actually ask about an earth reference I’ve made...’ she thought.

“It’s from a book I once read. Like a network for sharing information. Everybody could access it and learn of the whole world’s knowledge with ease.”

“So like a library holding all knowledge? Who would put the knowledge there and control it though?” he asked, more interested than Ilea had expected.

“Everyone can put knowledge there. There were more trusted places than others though and one would have to be careful not to believe lies.”

“Man, people would do that? Just go to this Internet and tell lies?” he asked and continued “Well if it’s not really controlled how could you be sure. Libraries share knowledge too and people do as well, it’s not that different.” Agor said.

“It would be instant though...a new dungeon gets discovered and people miles away would know at the same time.” Ilea countered, trying to defend one of the most important inventions in the past century on earth.

“I’m sure there’s magic for that but I can see how that would change an ordinary person’s life...if truly all could access this network of information. What book was that? I’m intrigued.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have it anymore. Or never really had it to be honest. It was owned by a traveler I met near Riverwatch. Could ride in his chart for a couple days.” It didn’t seem to Ilea that he believed the lie but he didn’t press the issue.

“So back down? Can’t wait to actually find something interesting to fight...” the man said and Ilea nodded. Getting up the two walked back to the elevator. “You already destroyed eighty or so guardians, sure you don’t want to know your level and invest the stat points?” the man teased her as they drove down the elevator.

“I’ll check it after the next run okay? What about you? The guardians aren’t much higher than you sure but you could still level from killing them, not bothered that I get to destroy them all?” she smirked but he only shrugged.

“The difference between level 99 to 101 is pretty big but 199 to 201 is even more so. You’ll find it quite annoying to level up after 200 and it’s not easy to find, let alone kill anything with a much higher level than that.”

“I already know where I can find something like that...although I don’t think I’m ready for that yet. Didn’t really notice the difference between before 100 and after though, you sure about that?” she answered.

“Quite, yes. How did you not notice? It’s like you’ve been fighting guardians since level 100...” he said and she kept quiet. “Are you kidding me?” Ilea didn’t answer him but instead posed another question.

“I don’t get it, so you say there’s not a lot of enemies out there at a higher level than 200? Are you sure? Elos is quite vast you know...”

“Well there certainly are a lot of them out there but not close enough and safe enough for most people to reach. This dungeon is actually quite the exception at how close it is to a city.” he said.

“There are people like you and Jasper though...ready to take on higher leveled foes.” she said.

“Yes but this again is where information gets scarce or very expensive. It’s not like someone who finds and manages to kill very high level beings would just share that knowledge for free. Lower leveled adventurers wouldn’t just stumble upon it either or might even just die discovering it. So maybe there are a lot out there, sure but you’ll either have to pay a lot to get that information or you’ll have to find it for yourself.” he finished as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

The scout they had greeted before was quite surprisingly not at her post but rather lying next to a nearby wall in her own blood. Ilea blinked to the woman but found her quite dead already. A big wound showed on her chest. “Centurion?” Ilea asked. It seemed a spear or sword had punched through the woman, exiting on her back.

“Maybe, let’s go find it then.” Agor seemed less enthusiastic and more angry at the prospect, red fire gathering around him.

“May you rest in peace.” Ilea whispered and closed the woman’s eyes before following behind Agor who had already left the room. ‘They shouldn’t have come here...’ she thought as she reached Agor checking on five corpses in a nearby room. There was no sign of an enemy. Agor got up from his crouching position over one of the dead adventurers before both of them turned towards a noise in the distance.

“Let’s go.” he said as his great sword punched through the wall to save time.

Chapter 56 Cleanup crew

Chapter 56 Cleanup crew

Jeremy blocked the thrown spear with his shield and managed to deflect it towards the nearby wall. Jasper looked back at him and nodded before engaging the centurion again. They had managed to stand against the machine for twenty minutes already with their group of seven. It had suddenly appeared from behind them and had nearly taken two of their lives immediately.

‘Were it not for Jasper...’ Jeremy thought and looked at the man who glowed with a slight tinge of blue, holding his fragile looking sword with a confident posture.

The centurion slashed towards the man but its strikes were deflected with seemingly slow moves. The sword was precisely where it had to be. Jasper’s sword struck the centurion again but didn’t manage to cut deeply. ‘The fact that he can even cut it...’ Jeremy thought as another bout of magic was released from the three mages behind him. The centurion swiped away two of the attacks with its spear and blocked the last one, a crystal spear with its arm.

Another spear throw followed towards the mages but Jeremy held fast. The rogue and warrior that were with them stood behind him as well but couldn’t help out in the fight at all. Their speed and skills weren’t on par with the centurion which had nearly cost them their lives at the beginning of the fight. Jasper reassured them to get behind Jeremy and try to protect the mages. With their ranged attacks they were a great distraction for Jasper and got in arguably more damage than the sword master did himself.

Jeremy didn’t use any ranged attacks to focus all his energy on defense. ‘I hope Rin is doing alright...’ he thought. The woman had been with a different group. Inström had led them. ‘We’re gonna be fine with Jasper though...’ he thought just when another spear throw was sent their way. This one wasn’t aimed at the mages though but at the warrior who was standing a little too far to the right. Jeremy moved to the right but only managed to deflect the spear slightly.

Combined with the dodging attempt by the slow warrior it was enough to save the man’s life. The spear punched through his armor and exited on the back but didn’t hit anything vital. “Get him behind me!!” Jeremy shouted as the people behind him tried to become as small a target as possible while moving the screaming warrior who was losing blood quite quickly.

The centurion tried to circle around Jasper to get to the group but it proved rather difficult in the small room. It’s movements were fast, nearly too fast for Jeremy to follow but luckily Jasper was there to block the machine’s advance. ‘Like a shepherd protecting sheep...’ Jeremy thought and couldn’t help but chuckle at his own lack of power. Still the excitement of seeing and facing a live centurion made him smile. ‘A story to tell if we survive this...’

Another spear throw struck his shield, hitting it dead center. The enchantments, metal and his buffs to the shield held true though and the weapon didn’t penetrate. Suddenly the wall next to Jasper exploded and two armored people jumped through it. Jeremy looked on as Agor immediately charged the centurion while Lilith looked around the room and then vanished.

He needed a couple seconds to realize the woman had appeared behind himself and had started healing the warrior who had gone silent a small while ago. “Is he gonna make it?” Jeremy shouted as the centurion now fully focused on the two expedition leaders.

“He’s gonna be alright, give me a minute and then you guys are out of here...” she said as Agor was thrown back by the butt of the centurion’s spear. Jasper managed to make a direct hit at the opening.

“Don’t attack! It can’t reach it’s third phase!!” Lilith shouted to the man while her mana entered the warrior who was lucid again but breathing heavily. “We have to get everyone out of here!” Agor nodded at her and then towards Jasper who moved back a little to make space between himself and the centurion.

“Just hold him off the others, they go berserk when they near death and self destruct in the end.” Agor shouted, swiping the advancing spear away with his great sword. “Lilith get them out and then help us out here...” he shouted and circled the centurion to keep its attention.

‘How can she help out with her level...’ Jeremy thought but looking at the woman he was somehow reassured she could.

“Hey Jeremy, you saw the crater near the armory?” Lilith asked him as she got up from her crouching position. The warrior slowly got up as well. She continued after he nodded. “You think you can take a blast like that point blank?” she said and he nodded again.

“Should be able to, haven’t found anything that got through my shield before.” he said and she motioned for everyone to follow. They left the two warriors to fight the centurion and ran towards the elevator.

The rogue screamed and advanced on the dead scout in the elevator room before one of the mages ran after him. “You’ll stay down here...the self destruct is gonna be difficult to avoid in these tight hallways.” Lilith told him.

“You guys need to leave, now!” she shouted to the others. The mage dragged away the mourning man, telling him they’d burn the corpse at a later time. The warrior nodded to Lilith as they entered the elevator. “Make sure to send the lift back down afterwards...” Lilith said to the man and then went back into the dungeons. Jeremy followed.

The two ran back to the room and found a bleeding yet smiling Agor and an expressionless Jasper both facing the centurion. “Backup is here...” Lilith said and threw away her helmet, revealing a grin that mirrored Agor’s.

‘How will she...’ Jeremy thought as Lilith suddenly vanished, only to appear behind the centurion’s head while delivering a kick. The machine buckled a little at the hit, opening up a chance for the other two to attack which the experienced warriors didn’t miss.

“Let’s whittle this fucker down!” Lilith shouted as she dodged a spear thrust coming her way.

‘She’s ridiculously fast...how can she keep up with that level...’ Jeremy thought and prepared all his defensive buffs. He hadn’t forgotten about the explosion that was supposed to come and even though he was sure he’d be able to take much more damage than the three others in the room, he was not a hundred percent sure he could take whatever had created that crater.

The fight went on as he applied layer upon layer of dense rock on his shield and body to both heighten his defense but also his weight. “He’s going berserk!” Agor shouted after nearly seven minutes of relentless attacking. The machine grew more savage afterwards, taking more and more blows at the chance to land a counter.

All three of the warriors managed to avoid serious injuries though, becoming much more defensive in the last phase of the fight. The damage was still done though as the more reckless machine left more openings than before until Jeremy saw a bright glow emanate from the centurion while all three adventurers jumped backwards.

“Behind Jeremy!” Lilith shouted as she vanished and appeared behind him, holding on tightly to his back, strengthening his position. Jasper and Agor reached them half a second later. Agor pushed his back to Ilea’s and smashed his great sword into the ground, giving him more hold.

The centurion’s spear vanished as it slowly advanced towards the group, its chest glowing too bright for Jeremy to see. Jasper held out his hand and concentrated before blue runes started floating before them. A second later the blast followed. Jeremy’s ears popped immediately and a massive shock wave of force and fire struck against his shield, pushing the whole group backwards a whole meter. Agor’s sword cut through the ground as if it were mere earth while the layers of stone on Jeremy’s shield were shattered on impact.

Jasper’s defensive rune had been obliterated as well, barely slowing down the explosion but as the dust settled they stood. Lilith let go of Jeremy and stepped out as Agor removed his sword from the ground.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy one hundred and thirty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Ground Caller has reached level 173. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Ground Caller has reached level 174. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘bing’ ‘Heavy Paladin has reached level 167. 5 Stat points awarded.’

“Another one down...” Ilea said and quickly checked through her messages. She had used up all stat points before the centurion fight to make sure she was at the best she could be. The guardians weren’t a challenge and she preferred to feel a big change every time she used stat points. She had destroyed a total of 83 sword guardians in the past couple hours and had gained fourteen levels in both Azarinth healer and Ash Wielder, netting her a whopping 140 stat points which she had invested into Vitality, Dexterity and Intelligence. Some skills had grown as well. Additionally the fight against the centurion had given her another level in both her classes. She quickly checked her status after all her stats were distributed.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 183

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 15

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 13

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 175

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 15

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 8

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 16

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 6

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 13

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 13

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 8

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 14

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 5

- Wind Resistance – lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 550

Endurance: 250

Strength 111

Dexterity 340

Intelligence 495

Wisdom 260

Health: 5122/5500

Stamina: 1918/2500

Mana: 1785/2600

“Alright people good work but let’s move on, there are other groups that might have been ambushed. We’ve lost enough people already...” Jasper said and walked out of the room. All of them had gained at least one level from the fight. Ilea herself had certainly enjoyed the fight but afterwards the deaths of the other adventurers she’d seen happily playing music or cards started weighing on her. She hadn’t known any of the ones she’d seen dead but still they were people.

‘Focus on what you can do...’ she thought and followed Jasper. The group ran through the dungeons trying to find other adventurers by following the trails of destroyed guardians. Jasper was luckily the one who had planned on where the groups would be going and they quickly found the traces of a recent battle.

“He’s still alive...” Ilea said out loud and blinked to one of the piles of metal. The destroyed guardian was removed with ease and Ilea quickly started healing the man who had been caught below the wreckage. Twenty seconds of healing later he opened his eyes.

“You’re...Lilith...the others...” he coughed up blood but Ilea just kept on healing.

“Where are they, centurion?” she asked after he had stopped coughing.

“Yes...straight ahead...” he managed to get the words out between the blood. Ilea ignored the smell of urine and nodded to the others. She had put on her helmet again after defeating the centurion.

“Go ahead, I’ll stabilize him. Need another minute or two.” she said and the others left immediately, whatever buffs they had for speed were applied. Ilea was done with the man a minute later. “You better stay here, it should be safe as long as you don’t move. If we’re not back in an hour go for the elevator.” the man who was a warrior at level 160 nodded to the woman, her reputation likely convinced him.

Applying both State of Azarinth and Form of Ember, Ilea rushed forward. She dodged the strewn around destroyed machines and finally reached the biggest room she’d seen so far in the dungeons. ‘The mess hall...’ she thought and focused on the centurion that was currently engaged by Agor, Jasper and several mages that were protected by a bulky woman, some warriors and Jasper.

A little above the group flew Inström, his eyes blue, firing down lightning at the machine. ‘The Thor is here...’ she thought and was surprisingly elated at the fact that there were no more corpses in the room. They had held off the centurion and might’ve even destroyed it in time. With their help it wouldn’t be a problem to deal with this.

Ilea blinked towards the group of adventurers and checked them quickly. None were badly injured. She looked upwards as she saw drops of blood falling down from Inström. She sprouted her wings and flew to the man before starting to heal him.

He just grunted and gave her a quick glance before concentrating on the enemy again. Spells were fired from the group of mages that now had two tanks to protect them against any ranged attacks. Some of the present warriors again would’ve only been a liability when fighting the centurion.

Fire and ice hit the centurion while Agor and Jasper kept the machine busy up close. Ilea stayed in the air, watching the overwhelming victory unfold. She didn’t feel like engaging the enemy anymore and simply stayed in the air. ‘Just get it over with already...’ she thought when the centurion reached its final phase and kept getting battered from ranged attacks.

A minute after it started to glow and everyone retreated behind the tanks before the explosion shook the room. Ilea stayed in the air and tried hard to push against the shock wave. Partially successful, she landed again, a couple meters behind where she’d been floating.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy one hundred and twenty levels or more above your own. Additional Experience is granted.’

‘bing’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 184. 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘No wonder people have difficulties leveling in groups...’ she thought and put her points into wisdom.

“Anybody injured?” she asked as she approached the group but none seemed to be more than battered or simply tired. Some people looked at her, one of them even nodding. Inström didn’t say a thing about her healing him.

The group was still recovering when she reached Agor. “I’m gonna continue with clearing. You feel up for it?” he just nodded and motioned her to march on.

“Thanks for the help Lilith.” Jasper said as he reached her. “You saved some lives today. We’ll regroup and get the corpses out of here, feel free to clear as much as you like...” he said almost in a resigned way before going back to the group.

“Let’s go then...” she told Agor and led the way. It would likely take a while until the expedition came down here again and there probably wouldn’t be as many of them so she decided to slow her pace a little. “So ever found an ancient item?” she asked the man while they were walking through the dark corridors.

The lights in the dungeons were actually less bright than in the rest of the dungeon. “No, sadly not but I’ve seen some. Why do you ask?”

Ilea gambled a little but at this point she was pretty sure she could get away from the expedition if she tried and Lorcan didn’t seem like he really cared about the others. “Well let’s just say that there’s something the Forkspears won’t be getting from this place...” she told him.

“Hahahaha...well I for one think whatever you found is better in your hands than theirs. What is it?” he asked but Ilea continued in silence for thirty seconds. “Come on Ilea...what iiiis it?”

“It’s a storage necklace...” she said and prepared for any reaction he might have.

“Eh, well that’s disappointing. I mean sure it’s useful and if it’s ancient it probably has a ton of space inside. Just you know...I was more hoping on a great sword or something...I hope you’re not angry that I would’ve taken you out for that...” he said, continuing onwards without even pausing.

“On a date? Well you can do that anyway if you like...” she said but he didn’t respond for a while after that. The mood had gotten a little heavy after that and Ilea wasn’t quite sure what to say anymore. The sword guardians they soon came across were quite the welcome distraction.

After destroying five of them the two walked on, Lorcan breaking the silence after a couple minutes. “I apologize but I have to decline.” Ilea waited for a while too while thinking his words over.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you have your reasons. Do tell if I can help somehow though.” she said but didn’t wait for a possible response. Trying to change the obviously unpleasant topic for Lorcan, she continued on the necklace. “I have another question on the ancient item...is why I mentioned it in the first place really...it asked me to claim the necklace. Do you know what that means?” she asked.

“I do...well what I heard and I think this should be reliable...it’s bound to your mana. If you die someone else can take it. If someone steals it from you and you were bound to it for a month, the person would have to wait for a month to be able to claim it...as long as you’re still alive. You can also will other people to be allowed to use it or to access certain items inside. Someone I worked with did that once so I’m somewhat familiar with the enchantment...and of course this.” he gestured to the bracelet on his arm.

“Thanks for the explanation...glad to hear people can’t just steal it. There’s no way to access anything inside otherwise?” she asked.

“None I’ve heard of but there’s magic for nearly everything you know. Now stop talking, we have company...” two sword guardians stood up from their deactivated position and approached them slowly as Ilea’s slit in her helmet started glowing with a colorful mixture of blue and fire.

Chapter 57 Loony steel

A note from Rhaegar

Doubles for today, hope you all have a nice day

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I corrected the mistakes pointed out in 55, it was late and I didn't want to answer all of you. Thanks for the notices though!

Chapter 57 Loony steel

“What if I want to destroy it? It survived the explosion of a centurion but so did I...” Ilea continued her questioning, completely forgetting her cautious approach she intended to have towards new people. Lorcan was certainly not new anymore but she didn’t know much more about him than his name and that he liked to battle.

“It’s ancient. I’ve never heard of an ancient item getting destroyed...” he answered while reading his book.

“Interesting...say do you know what four question marks mean when you identify someone?” she continued asking the obviously knowledgeable and experienced adventurer whatever came to her mind. Fighting the guardians had become a little boring a couple hours ago already. There were never more than three at the same time and that was simply nothing that got her blood boiling anymore.

“Three definitely means 500 or higher. I’ve heard four means 1000 and higher but it’s hard to say. I’ve also never encountered someone with three question marks so it might only work on monsters.” he answered, obviously distracted by the book.

“What are you reading?”

“An erotic novel...you probably wouldn’t like it.” he answered.

“What’s it about? You really think you’ve met people above level 500 or that they even exist?”

“Some guy is trying to resurrect his dead wife. I don’t know honestly but why wouldn’t there be...Elves alone are said to be hundreds if not thousands of years old. And I know that there are monsters with incredibly high levels out there so why wouldn’t there be someone hunting them?” he asked and continued.

“Probably not a lot of people but then again there are a lot...even in Dawntree this expedition isn’t something too extraordinary. Sure being level 100 grants you respect and most people look at you with either fear or amazement. 200 and higher is just more rare but why would people stop there. As you continue to look for and fight stronger beings there is a chance of dying but you will inevitably grow. To me it seems only logical that there are people and creatures with a level much higher than even 1000. Although many disagree with my opinion.” he finished and turned a page.

“Out of a thousand people how many do you think are level 100?” she asked and looked around.

“Maybe ten, maybe more or less depending on species, culture, where the group lives. I’ve heard of cultures that banish people if they don’t reach that level at twenty years old...” he said.

“I have to pee, give me a minute.” she said and he shrugged. Ilea blinked through the nearby wall and released herself after removing the lower part of her armor.

Putting everything back on she frowned at the sight before her. There was a skeleton in the room, chained up and protected by two guardians. Well not in the room she stood in but the one behind two more walls. Her sphere was active at all times after all.

She punched through the wall and looked through. “Found a skeleton, wanna come?” she asked.

“Yea sure...” he said and turned the page. “Oh wow...”

“What is it?” Ilea asked and punched through the next wall. Her fist simply broke through and she had to punch a couple more times to make a sizable hole.

“He managed to resurrect his wife but then she murdered him...I like this book.” he explained.

“Good for you...glad you’re not as bored as me...” she said and waved to the two guardians that slowly came to life at their less than civil entrance. Dust was still settling as the machines approached.

“Oh hey that’s an elf...” Lorcan said, his sword materializing in his hand. He put the book into his pack and helped Ilea clear the two guardians. She didn’t really care about the lost experience, it had taken longer and longer to level anyway. Mere guardians wouldn’t help her advance for much longer.

“So an elf huh?” she asked as the two crouched down to look at the skeleton. “Look at his teeth...” she got up again and looked at the nearby table. There was some gear on it that she assumed were from the elf.

“Why would they leave all that here?” she asked as Lorcan joined her side.

He whistled and touched the armor on the table. “Now that is some quality work...a bit too light for both of us though...” he said. It was a thin metal armor in black. Anything that might have been engraved on it had long vanished. Ilea picked the chest plate up and was surprised at its weight.

“Too light...check it out..” she tossed the thing that weighed at least fifty kilograms to the man and he caught it with one hand.

“Oh you’re right...what is this metal?” he marveled.

“AKALISHE SANUR!!” a voice suddenly shouted, both Ilea and Lorcan immediately preparing to fight. Nothing happened though.

“Did that come from the table?” he asked to which she nodded. Moving the armor pieces away, there was a small dagger below. It’s design was incredibly intricate and it looked like blood was oozing from its curved blade.

“SALINA DAVUUR!!!” the voice definitely came from the dagger.

“I think that’s elvish...been a while since I heard anything in that cursed language though.” Lorcan said.

Ilea picked the blade up and held it in front of her face, ignoring the sizzling of her flesh where she held it. Healing against the burn, she shook the dagger a little. “Stop that. We don’t speak elvish. Do you speak our language?” she asked.

“Unworthy!!” the dagger shouted to which Ilea just shrugged and put the blade down again.

“You wanna have it?” she asked as she looked at the armor again. “I couldn’t identify it but I’m sure it’s ancient at least...” she said.

“And cursed...or whatever gave it a voice. No, I use great swords anyway, what the hell would I do with a dagger.” he said and checked out the bow on the table. “This one is nice as well...”

“HOW DARE YOU?!” the voice of the dagger exclaimed.

“I don’t use daggers either...do you have a problem with me taking the armor? I like the matte black look, very elegant.” she said and he grunted in response.

“I don’t care, just don’t wear it in front of the others. Don’t want to have That talk with Jasper...he takes his job way too seriously.” Lorcan said and pulled the bowstring. “If I can have the bow...I know someone who might like this.”

“STOP THIS INSOLENCE!!” the dagger screamed.

“Sure, how will you get it out without them noticing though?” she asked as she made the armor pieces vanish.

[Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor Helm – Rare Quality]

[Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor Chest Piece – Rare Quality]

[Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor Arms – Rare Quality]

[Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor Legs – Rare Quality]

[Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor Boots – Rare Quality]

“Well maybe a friend can smuggle it out for me hmm?” he asked, not a trace of mischievousness in his voice.

“Maybe a friend can.” she said and touched the items to store them in her necklace.

[Dark Elf Ranger Bow – Rare Quality]

“WHAT?? ARE YOU MAD???” the dagger kept screaming until Ilea took it and slammed the blade into the stone table.

“HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME!” the muffled scream was quite a bit more pleasant in Ilea’s ears compared to the annoying voice before.

“Hey at least it speaks our language?” she said and checked the rest of the room.

“That’s everything here...wanna move on? Oh think about the dagger though, you could sell it to someone...at least better than the Forkspears getting it...think about it.” he said to which Ilea removed the dagger from the table and stored it.

[Dagger of Akelion - ??? Quality]

“I can’t see the quality still...” she said and shrugged. She got the dagger out again and it immediately burned her hand again. “You’re gonna stay in there if you keep doing that you know?” she said and stored it again. “What an asshole...meets people for the first time in how many hundred years and that’s how you act?” she shook her head and the two continued with clearing the dungeons.

The expedition had entered the dungeons again but only groups that could manage a centurion were allowed back into the dungeons and the clearing was done even more cautiously. It took them nearly another full day to clear out all of the dungeon, with Ilea destroying more than half of the guardians.

There luckily weren’t any more centurions down there but in the end it was just a dungeon. Some skeletons of different species were found accompanied by some gear. Ilea and Lorcan had come across many of them before the others but nothing proved to be quite as interesting or high quality as the things they had found with the elf.

The destroyed guardians had netted Ilea another seven levels in both classes but considering she had to destroy nearly ten guardians for each level it wasn’t a very exciting day for Ilea. She was certainly happy about the progress and acknowledged that it was quite a bit faster than most other people’s leveling but it just wasn’t the same to her when she didn’t leave the battlefield bleeding and missing a limb.

Ilea was sitting on a table eating some curry while Rin explained the game Magic to her. It was a bit complicated but she was sure lands were very important. In the middle of the lengthy explanation that without any actual cards to look at lacked a visualization, Ilea checked her status and put her newly acquired 70 stat points into Endurance and Wisdom.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 191

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 14

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 182

- Active: Shroud of Ash – lvl 15

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 9

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 18

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 6

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 14

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 13

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 9

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 4

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 14

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mental Resistance – lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 5

- Wind Resistance – lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 550

Endurance: 285

Strength 111

Dexterity 340

Intelligence 495

Wisdom 300

Health: 5500/5500

Stamina: 2843/2850

Mana: 2932/3000

‘Wait didn’t I get time with some of the mages for resistance training??? Damn I totally forgot about that...and the potions and smiths as well.’ she got up from the table, stopping Rin’s explanation in its tracks.

“Oh I’m really sorry...it’s just hard to get it without any cards. We can get some in Dawntree and meet if you like.” she said with an apologetic smile while slowly walking backwards. Rin nodded and waved her off.

“People just don’t get the brilliance of it...” the sword dancer said. Ilea reached the smith a little while after and simply stood there.

“Hmmmmmmm” she exclaimed.

“What is it lassy. Anything I can do for you? Mr Horim mentioned you get free service.” the smith said as he cleaned a sword they’d gotten from the armory. “I also hear we have to thank you for this stuff.” he added.

“Oh, no the dwarves made that. I just told you the way there. Not like you guys wouldn’t have found it anyway.” she said and continued “I don’t really know what I want to be honest...something ranged would be cool...I mean I can fly but have to get in close all the time anyway.” she mumbled.

“A bow then maybe? Or some bombs from that alchemist...” the smith suggested but Ilea waved him away.

“I don’t have any skills for that stuff so it would be terribly ineffective wouldn’t it?”

“Not if you’re packing enough fire power...how strong are you lassy?” he asked and smirked at her.

Ilea just walked to the closest wall and punched it with all buffs active. A massive boom reverberated through the whole hall, making some heads turn towards her. Cracks formed in the wall and a sizable chunk of it was simply missing. It didn’t fall down but was simply punched to dust.

“How strong is that?” she asked the smith whose smirk was wavering a little.

“Strong enough I suppose. We have some sinew left from that monster down one of the ways. Some of the dwarven metal and I could make you quite a difficult to use bow. Add some of the guardian’s legs together and we’ve got you some pretty heavy ammo. Nothing too special but you’ll be able to blow through some pretty thick armor even without the help of any skill...” the man said.

“Wow...that’s quite something. You came up with that so easily?” she asked a little surprise.

“I’m a master smith girlie. Just because I’m bulky doesn’t mean I’m stupid. I’ve worked with weapons of war for decades even before you were born.” he finished.

“Alright alright. Just get me that bow.” she said.

“Will do but everything here is owned by the expedition so you’ll have to pay for the materials. The time is free as of Mr Horim’s orders.”

“How much for the materials...some additional ammo might be nice as well.” she told the man.

“Five Gold all in all.” Ilea got her pack from her back and put her hand inside, making five gold coins appear and handing them to the man.

“There you are. Just get me once you’re done.” she told the man and nodded towards him. Receiving a nod in response, she left the makeshift smithy and walked towards the alchemist at the other end of the hall.

The mood in the expedition had been rather solemn since they had lost so many people in the dungeons but these were experienced adventurers and few of them knew each other very well. They were preparing to tackle the last door in the great hall and likely the most dangerous one. ‘Dunno if they’ll destroy the six centurions that remain...’ she thought as she reached the alchemist who was looking at some of the green moss that had overgrown parts of the ruin.

“What!” he suddenly exclaimed “What! Do you think this iiiiis?” the man asked and looked at her with intense yet a little glassy eyes.

“It’s green moss...” she answered and shrugged.

“EXACTLY! How can this forgotten ruin that was isolated for thousands of years only grow this SHIT!!” he shouted and threw the moss in her face. Ilea caught it with a swift motion of her arm, seemingly surprising the man who cackled a little.

“Bored eh?” she asked. “I’m here for my two potions...”

“Oh yes yes, the demon needs its tribute. LILITH the demon queen. Well here you go woman. Take, take.” he put two small flasks on the table which Ilea swiftly exchanged for the green moss he had thrown at her.

[Health Potion – High Quality]

Ilea took one of the knifes on the table and cut herself in her arm. Blood started to drip on the ground until she drank one of the potions. The wound quickly started to close and she noticed it had restored around 100 health points. ‘Neat...if I have a gallon of this in my necklace.’

“How much for one of these potions?”

“Ten gold.” the answer wasn’t surprising. Otherwise everybody would walk around with dozens of the things.

“Nah, guess I’m fine. Hey, ever heard of bluemoon grass?” she asked.

“The legendary?? How do YOU KNOW?!!?” he shouted.

‘Mistakes were made...’ she thought, calming the man down. “I heard someone in Dawntree talk about it. Seemed interesting. Apparently it can help grow a beard.”

“AH This is TYPICAL. Away with you, you got what you came here for demon!” the alchemist was already occupied with his moss again.

‘Thought it was useless...’ she thought while shrugging and leaving the man to his devices.

Going back to the leader’s table, which was just a normal table with a map on it, Ilea stood next to Jasper who was focused on the map.

“What do you see sword master?” she asked and was rewarded by an annoyed groan.

“Lilith. What do I owe the pleasure?” there was no pleasure.

“An hour with five mages...not sure if I can take that much though...” she winked at the man who just sighed.

“You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?” he asked and started walking towards a group of mages.

“Of course I am.” she said as they reached the mages who were in a game of cards Ilea hadn’t seen before.

“So Lilith here gets an hour from each of you to show or use your magic for her.” he said and immediately walked away.

“So who’s the first one? It’s my first time though so be gentle.” the heavily armored lvl 191 killing machine said and moved her body into the most embarrassing posture possible to her, knowing full well that Jasper wasn’t far away enough not to hear it. A barely audible groan reached her ears with the help of Azarinth Sphere’s 2nd stage.

‘Got him.’ she thought and stood there normally again. “What are you guys looking at? You what’s your main element?” she pointed to one of them. A level 170 mage.

“I’m an ice mage Miss Lilith.” the man said.

Ilea nearly laughed at the white robe he wore adorned with crystals. ‘He looks like a bloody chandelier...’ she thought.

Chapter 58 Resisting

Chapter 58 Resisting

“Perfect, follow me please.” she said and walked with the man towards the second door to the right, leading to the teleportation gate. The man followed until she stopped in the first trap room. A couple adventurers were in that room as well, meditating or training as well while two were making out in the hallway beyond. Ilea saw them with her sphere only.

“So please use your weakest ice magic on me. If I don’t stop you just keep using stronger magic until you hit something you can sustain for a while.” she explained, activating her auras but not her shroud of ash.

“You want me to attack you?” he asked and she nodded. The man looked at her for five full seconds before shrugging. A weak ice spell hit her soon after and then a stronger one. Ilea didn’t chose to use her second stage of pain tolerance as the pain was reduced quite a bit already anyway. She healed the damage as it was done and simply took the mage’s attacks for twenty five minutes straight.

Afterwards the man meditated for five minutes until he could continue. People came and went but Ilea noticed more and more adventurers stayed in the room and watched her training. “Does she not feel pain?” someone asked.

“Demons don’t feel pain didn’t you know?” another adventurer joked, getting some chuckles from around them.

“Hey iceman...can you use a really strong attack? Like a lance or something to pierce me? You think you can do that?” Ilea whispered to the man in front of her. He raised his eyebrows but nodded.

“There’s a weak spot in my armor here...” she showed him the part where the centurion had pierced her. The repairs were well done but the armor’s integrity had certainly been lessened, at least at that specific point.

A much bigger amount of mana gathered near the mage’s hand before he unleashed a massive spear of ice right at the spot in her armor, piercing it and then her flesh. The spear was blocked by one of her ribs and was stuck inside her. Ilea didn’t immediately heal the wound but simply cocked her head towards the joking adventurer. Her buffs were put to the max as the inside of her horned helmet glowed slightly red.

The man’s smile turned to a flat line as he excused himself from the premises. Ilea watched him go and removed the spear, splattering a lot of blood onto the ground in the process. Healing up, she gave the ice mage a thumbs up. “Worth it.” she said and smiled from under her helmet.

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Ice Resistance – lvl 1

You have endured the biting cold of ice and lived to tell the tale. One of the deadliest climates and magics will now be less dangerous to you with this skill.’

“You’re sure you’re alright?” the mage asked, seemingly worried at the damage he did. He was level 170 after all and a pure mage.

“Yea, surprised you actually managed to punch through...although my buffs weren’t at their highest.” she said and held out her hand. “Can you try that again with my hand?” she said and removed the armored glove, putting her buffs to the maximum but not using her shroud of ash.

The ice lance still managed to punch through her hand to Ilea’s annoyance. ‘Maybe if I level ice resistance...I mean it’s not like I’d get hit by that but still...’ she thought and looked at the man with angry eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t...” she stopped him immediately.

“Again...” she said as a mist of ash started swirling around her.

This time the lance was deflected to the side by the ash even though it would’ve been a direct hit. Ilea nodded and motioned for the man to continue. The thirty minutes she had left with the man passed quickly as she adjusted her skills to take just enough damage not to lose time healing. Her ice resistance leveled to three and she already noticed that less and less of her defensive skills were necessary to block the attacks.

“That’s it I guess. Thanks for the hour. Let’s go see who’s next...” Ilea walked back with the man until they reached the other mages. “What’s your specialty?” she asked one of them.

“Fire mage.” was his short answer. Ilea shook her head and looked at the next one.

“Crystal magic, dunno if that might be of use to you Miss Lilith.”

“Why does everybody call me miss Lilith. Just Lilith or Demon is quite fine, thank you.” she motioned for the mage to follow her and went to the same place. There were more people watching this time, apparently there was only so much time you could kill with card games. Or perhaps there weren’t just quite enough cards to go around.

“She’s back guys!” someone said and cheered.

“I should sell merchandise at this point...do you guys have popcorn?” she asked the female mage that came with her. The woman shrugged, either not knowing popcorn or completely apathetic to her obviously joking questions.

“Let’s get started then. You’re aware of what I’m doing at the moment right?” Ilea prepared her buffs and stood a couple meters away from the woman in plated leather armor.

“You’re raising resistances the painful way. Yea I know. I’ve done this to others before, at least you can heal yourself and don’t need the services of another. Quite the expensive and...well painful way to gain strength….”

“Perfect, then let us get started.” she punched her fists together and got into a defensive stance. “Low first and then stronger, I’ll stop you once it’s too much.”

The woman nodded and a thin crystal spear shot from the ground, punching at her armor. Ilea motioned for the destroyed part near her chest so that the woman could hit her directly. The next spike scratched against her skin. Soon after blood was drawn.

Ilea was sure that being hit in an actually dangerous spot would fasten the learning of a resistance. “Are general skills limited by the way? Getting quite a bunch at this point.” she asked the mage.

“You do not seem to be very informed. Well seeing your strength I do not fault you. They shouldn’t be limited. At least I have never heard of something like that.” the woman explained helpfully before more spikes pierced Ilea’s chest.

‘bing’ ‘You have learned the General skill Crystal Resistance – lvl 1

Crystals aren’t just shiny decorations to old ruins and caves. You have learned that the arcane scholars have found ways to turn the beautiful natural phenomenon into something quite more deadly. Less deadly to you with this skill.’

“Oh got it, continue lovely.”

“Did you just call me lovely?” the woman said and closed her eyes for a second before more crystal spears formed and pierced Ilea. The hour passed and Ilea managed to level her resistance to 5.

“Thank you for the assistance.” Ilea said and nodded to the woman.

“That’s it?! Come on show us something better.” one of the watching adventurers said. One of the cooks had joined them and served food while the last surviving bard was playing some music. The stairs and destroyed mechanisms in the trap room gave it a little more charm than the hall above.

“Alright alright. Hit me with something heavy love...” Ilea said and the shroud of ash formed around her.

“What’s your resistance at?” the mage asked and Ilea held up five fingers. The woman nodded and walked back a couple more meters. The healer saw a massive amount of mana manifest around the mage, a grayish mana in the eyes of her magic perception.

The head of a dragon formed before Ilea and quickly closed in, closing its maw around her. The crystal teeth bit deep into her ash, then flesh and finally bone. “AAAAAHHHH!” her scream was accompanied by a burst of all her skills and her healing trying to keep the damage at bay.

As quickly as the attack had come it vanished again. Ilea stood, her armor pierced by dozens of holes, blood leaking from some of them while a part of her helmet was missing, revealing a smile and one blue eye.

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 6.’

“You wanna go another round mage?” Ilea asked as her wings spread behind her, red lines of ember formed on the exposed parts of her body and the blue runes shined on. The mage in front of her collapsed though, no magic remained around the woman as told by her magic perception.

‘What the hell was that...cool attack but it seems a little overkill to make a fun show off move at the end...cost me only twenty percent of my life, heh.’ she thought as she walked up to the mage and lifted her up with one hand to bring her back to the table with the others.

‘Maybe the person responsible for the poison is paying people...’ she thought and shrugged. ‘What better way to tell them to fuck off than use their mightiest attacks as a source for more strength...still remembering Aliana I’ll have to be careful.’

Dropping the mage next to the others Ilea asked who’d be next. An earth mage and another ice mage followed, granting and raising her earth magic resistance to level four and raising her ice resistance to level five subsequently.

Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 4

The earth trembles as arcane beings bend its nature to their will. You have found stone and earth to be a worthwhile opponent yet stood unmoving in its destructive path. This skill will help you negate more of its damage.

Ilea made sure to let the people use their finishers on the stone walls before hitting her with them. Although she did let them meditate before doing so. The attendees loved the last blows and went to get more people to watch whenever it happened. A rather big part of the expedition forces was currently looking at Ilea’s training. Some people even got inspired and asked some of the mages to do the same to them. There were two healers and a paladin present as well who could mend their wounds for free. At least one healer and the paladin agreed to that.

Even Ilea herself chipped in and healed some of the people present. Without being able to regenerate themselves though the ordeal was a little more complicated though but some managed to gain a resistance or even two.

The last one of the five was a level 192 mage that told her he uses the arcane powers themselves. Pure magic so to speak. ‘So apparently pure magic is a red laser beam...a bit chaotic though, more like red electricity...’ Ilea thought as the magic flowed into her. It was more painful than anything else that day yet she powered through. A part of it certainly was the high level of the mage as well.

The man continued for a while and Ilea prompted him to get more serious. Her magic worked against the spell and she soon had to activate her shroud to retain the ability to cancel out the damage done to her. People watched on as she screamed through the magical assault that seemed to tear at her mind as well.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Wielding the true arcane is a rare and powerful talent only accessible to few. The raw energies tear at not just flesh and bone but at the magical structure and minds of whomever faces them. Its red glow turns purple the more refined it is. This skill shall help you counter masters of the arcane.’

The man continued for a while, raising her resistance to level five. Her Pain Tolerance finally leveled up too, as did her Mental Resistance. “Quite impressive...well let’s give the audience a nice finisher then. Can you use it on the stone first though?” she said to the mage.

“No. Either you take it or you don’t.” the man said, smirking at her.

‘Fuck they found my weakness...’ she thought and nodded, all her buffs flaring up.

A great amount of reddish mana left the man and formed a ring in front of him and then another and another until the last and smallest ring was just a meter in front of Ilea. “Zhul rakuul!!” the man shouted and nearly all of his remaining mana left him. Purple runes formed on his forehead and his eyes glowed red before a beam of pure magic flowed through the rings and through Ilea.

She screamed and shut off the pain, using meditation and Reconstruction to keep her body from falling apart. Her wings formed and extended to the front yet burning away immediately. Her arms folded in front of her as she was pushed back a meter then two, before suddenly the surge of mana stopped and the mage dropped to one knee. Blood dripped from his mouth to the ground, the room quiet except for the mechanical noises from the dwarven architecture.

Ilea’s armor was molten in the front and her skin was burnt to the bone at points. Her bones, muscles and skin reformed quickly as the healing magic flowed through the damaged parts. A smile formed on her face as soon as her jaw and muscles were restored. ‘Only forty percent of my health...’ she thought and laughed loudly as people watched on, horrified and astonished. A smile was on the female healer from the Corinth order, the rest of her face shrouded in the brown hood.

The mage looked at the healer who was now naked on her front, all the molten metal had dropped to the ground as her healing commenced. “You have my respect demon...” he said, still on one knee but now looking at her and grinning.

“And so do you. Arcane wizard.” the man collapsed at that and Ilea quickly checked if he was alright. ‘Completely spent...’ she thought and looked around. Her Resistance had grown another level from that last attack. “Anybody got a spare leather armor. I can pay.” she smiled at them as one woman quickly got up and ran to the hall.

Decked out in new comfortable leather gear, Ilea looked for the last one to owe her a free taste of their magic, nodding to the woman that had gotten her the armor. ‘Inström...’ she found the man with the other leaders of the expedition standing over the map arguing.

“The centurions are too numerous even if we use the whole expedition. And it’s too much of a risk.” Jasper said.

“So let’s just quickly go in, use ranged magic and leave again after doing some damage. They likely can’t repair themselves.” Inström suggested. They were obviously talking about the centurions before the treasure room.

“What if they follow, Lilith told us they wouldn’t and some of our scouts have reported the same but what if they reach their third stage?” Jasper said.

“Then we first face the last door and deal with the centurions as a last effort before leaving. After all the equipment has been safely brought back and the rest of the dungeon is cleared.” Agor said and the other two nodded.

“Sorry to interrupt. Mr Inström I’ll need an hour of your time. You may of course continue to plan while you use your lightning magic on me.” Ilea interrupted the discussion at what she considered a good point.

“Oh yes, that was a debt promised. Well then stand over there. I’ll start lowest and continue from there.” the man was surprisingly uncomplicated and started using his lightning as soon as Ilea was in position, a couple meters away from the table.

Some of the other adventurers saw and came to watch while others who had been annoyed already moved to other places in the great hall to avoid the spectacle. Ilea felt bad for annoying some of the grieving people in the expedition but most of them had found a secluded space where they could mourn or drink themselves away from the sorrow of losing someone. It wasn’t the first time for any of them, and likely not the last.

The intensity of the lightning increased until the shroud of ash came to her help. The pain was surprisingly manageable, although Ilea was glad she wasn’t a man for her thoughts again and again slipped to a night not long past.

The hour passed and Inström stopped his magic, having given Ilea another four levels of lightning resistance. He refused to use anything stronger on her and Ilea was sure there’d be no way for her to convince the old man. Even if she would’ve brought up the fact that she had healed him in the dungeons of the great hall.

People seemed disappointed and hearing that she had access to five mages’ magic they slowly dispersed until someone shouted. “DEMON! I dare you to stand against my strongest spells!” the man was clothed in a dark robe with a stereotypical wizard hat.

“What do you have to offer then grand wizard?” she asked, grinning at the man.

“Well I bet that my mightiest spell can push you away over ten meters!” he said and some people interjected and others called his statement a bluff.

“Well then bet against me fellas but you’ll see.”

‘I like where this is going...free resistances and I become a race horse to bet on...maybe..’

“You may use magic or other skills on me to see if they have the desired reaction. Remember though that for every single attempt you owe me a favor...” Ilea said and smiled brightly.

“Shall we then?” she said and walked back to the destroyed trap room that more and more looked like a wild magical beast had been let loose. Or an army of them.

“When do we continue Agor?” she asked in passing and he just shook his head.

“A lot to organize with all the stuff we found. Gonna take a while. Reinforcements and workers will be brought from Dawntree as we secure a route through the residential area.” he explained and started walking back to the other leaders.

“Oh hey Agor before you go back, quick question. I kinda want to get some of my skills higher quickly, you think I could just use them against sword guardians, should still be effective right? Seems reasonable before we face the last room.”

“If you kill them in reasonable time, yes. Just like you did before. Though just dancing around them won’t do you much good at how easy you already deal with them. After a while the skill bonus will be quite similar to simply using it on your own.” He said “Anything else Miss Demon?”

She shook her head. ‘Not gonna shoot around smoke for three months again…oh wait, no grass so what, three years? Or ten? Guess they’ll level as they level…’ she thought and continued onwards. ‘Man if that worked they could just cage a strong monster and let some low level class attack from a safe distance...’ she shrugged and motioned for the mage to begin.

The wizard had unluckily been a wind mage and his spell didn’t even make Ilea move more than one meter. Although she did ask him to continue for a while and managed to level her Wind Resistance another level. Even though the man was only twenty levels or so lower than Felicia had been, considering she was likely a lower level than Edwin, the man’s power was surprisingly low.

‘Although I haven’t faced Felicia with this new body of mine.’ Ilea thought and formed a fist with her hand. ‘Edwin did have some trouble with the centurion...no..no I’m not ready. I have to be able to crush him...fair and completely.’ she smiled as the next contender stepped up.

Chapter 59 Boss battles are easy

Chapter 59 Boss battles are easy

Five hours had passed and as time went on the contestants reduced their boasts and some of them even managed to pull off what they had claimed. Ilea was quite sure at that point though that she could crush this expedition’s members with ease were it one on one battles. The only people she wasn’t sure about were the three leaders.

Warriors, rogues and rangers had joined the bets and tried different skills and challenges against the healer. People lost and won money and soon more than half of the expedition’s adventurers owed Ilea a favor or two. Of course she wasn’t sure what that meant to them exactly but what she was really happy about weren’t the favors but the skills she had gained and strengthened.

Shroud of Ash had leveled three times, reaching eighteen. Many resistances had leveled while some more were gained.

Corrosion Resistance – lvl 3

Many substances can be corrosive. Even the strongest stone will be cut through by the right combination of chemicals. You have been exposed to more corrosion than many others and with this skill your resistance to many substances will be heightened.

Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

The power of the sun harnessed and enhanced by magic. You have experienced the burning heat of light and pushed ahead. This skill will help you be more resistant.

Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Mist magic is a rare talent, found in students of the arcane adept in both wind and water magic. It is an elusive power, difficult to wield yet ultimately destructive and impossible to avoid. You have faced it and lived. This skill will help you do so again.

Additionally Ilea had learned that pure warriors on a similar level were as strong if not stronger than her with all her buffs active. One of them even managed to make her skid away for more than five meters upon a blocked hit. ‘Guess they have their own way of enhancing their strength...’ Ilea only had a base Strength of 111 but with State of Azarinth that was increased to over 250.

‘Guess I’ll increase that at some point to at least 150...Edwin was probably right but I can’t be losing arm wrestling so easily...sucks that Form of Ember doesn’t increase my Strength anymore...’ she thought.

“It’s time guys.” Agor had entered the trap room. “We’re going for the last door.”

“God finally.” someone said while others got up and prepared themselves.

“Half an hour and we go in, prepare yourselves, it will likely be the hardest trial we’ve faced thus far.” Agor said and left the room.

“The boss then...” a mage said and a ranger next to him nodded.

“Likely, let’s go and prepare then.”

Ilea also followed and got some food from the cooks. The others started preparing as well but most of them seemed to just want to get it over with already. They had been waiting for hours already and finally the leaders had decided to tackle the last obvious route in the dungeon. They had already found a lot of gear in the dungeon so a good pay was a given at this point.

Ilea overheard an adventurer questioning going into the last door, saying that they had already fulfilled what they were contracted to do and then some. Jasper apparently didn’t agree to that though and led the adventurers forward.

“Whatever lies beyond this door we’ll be prepared to tackle it.” he said and then went on for twenty minutes ordering people into groups and explaining different roles and possibilities.

‘Is this what those games like WOW felt like...glad I’m not the leader here...’ Ilea thought. Her role in her group of five was to get the attention of whatever enemy was waiting for them inside the door. If it got overwhelming she should distract it and then move out after the others had fled. It made sense to her. She was pretty good at being an annoying punk to stronger enemies, especially slower ones that couldn’t teleport.

Her healing ability might save one or two people’s lives but like this she could both output her damage and protect the mages and other ranged or slower adventurers in the expedition.

They had lost quite a high number of capable people so far and Jasper wanted to make sure to keep it at a minimum. Though considering the otherwise successful expedition the Forkspears would likely not care much about the lost people. At least considering what Ilea had heard about Bjorn specifically.

“So what do you think we’ll face in there?” she asked Agor who was standing next to her. “Faced anything bigger Taleen made than a centurion before?”

He shook his head and looked at her through the thin eye slit in his helmet. “We’ll see soon enough. Just follow Jasper, he’s a good tactician with this amount of people at least...”

‘There seems to be more there...’ Ilea thought but focused on the task at hand.

“So everybody knows what to do then. We’ll start with groups one and two. Three and four will follow closely after, fifteen seconds between entering. Scouts ahead of everyone. Make sure to dismantle as many traps as possible. Tanks ahead of each group.

Ilea apparently was considered the tank of her group, especially after her resistance training just hours before. ‘Why doesn’t he send in scouts before, without all the groups...’ she asked herself but was sure the man had a good reason to do what he did.

And so they entered. The door opened to Jasper’s touch and his mana flowing into it. Ilea was in group two so entered right after the first one. There was a small hallway spanning only about ten meters in length and five in width right after the entrance. Beyond that was a big hall. One of the biggest she had seen yet in the dungeon. Even bigger than the hall they had entered from and where the whole expedition had made their camp.

Inside the hall there were pillars on each side. In the middle and far back of the room stood an empty throne. It was a very simple thing, quite free of any complicated carvings, runes or designs. ‘Cold...’ was what came to Ilea’s mind as she entered the room and spread out to the left with her group as planned. Group one had spread out to the right and soon the more range oriented groups three and four would enter behind them and cover the ones who came in before.

‘There’s nothing here...’ Ilea thought as she looked around. The same green lamps as always were lighting the room in an eerie green. There was no moss here and the sound of gears and pipes only came from the hall behind them, much more subdued now as they had entered the throne room.

As the group advanced closer to the throne a large amount of the adventurers tensed up and immediately signaled for retreat. Ilea too, felt an ominous presence that made her hair stand up. Behind them the door shut again and with it closed as well the corridor that led into the throne room.

‘Another trap...’ she thought as everybody prepared to fight. The ground in front of the throne slowly opened up and two machines slowly came into view, lifted up by an elevator below. The same green metal as the centurions and the guardians made up their armor. They had the same heads and the same legs but they were bigger by quite a bit.

‘Different weapons as well...a mace and...two scythes?’ she looked at the two machines and in that very moment their eyes started to glow green.

“Intruders.” one of the machines said in an eerily human voice. “The throne room has been breached.” the machine said and looked around almost lifelike.

‘These guys are creeping me out...’ Ilea thought as she identified them.

[Taleen Praetorian – lvl ???]

[Taleen Praetorian – lvl ???]

“Get me those doors open! Team three and four, send two mages each to burn through!” Jasper shouted as magic gathered around him.

“Prepare for battle!” he shouted, enticing many of the adventurers to do the same.

“This feels wrong….these guys don’t feel like the others at all...” Ilea whispered and just then the Praetorian with the mace looked at her and she swore she saw its eyes glow a little brighter.

‘We have to get out of here...’ she thought and wanted to say just that when the mage behind her started shouting.

“This feels bad guys...we should get out of here!!” he said while preparing his spell. Arrows started flying towards the machines as the warriors advanced steadily. Magic joined the arrows and a big fiery impact followed by lances of ice and crystal hammered into their enemies in quick succession.

Out of the dust flew one of the scythes faster than an arrow, piercing through a warrior’s shield and his arm. Blood started to spray from the screaming man. The fight had started.

Ilea quickly buffed herself and advanced towards the enemies, ranged attacks still rained on their positions. Her magic perception was rather unusable with all the explosions and projectiles but a couple steps later the two machines were in her range of perception. A mace was suddenly in front of her, ready to crush her.

Blinking away to the left, she looked at her previous position to find the mace praetorian standing there and then moving to its next target with a powerful leap. It landed between one of the ranged groups who barely managed to react to what happened before its mace splattered the crystal mage Ilea had trained with just earlier that day. The massive metal weapon destroyed the woman’s body and left little recognizable behind.

Spells rained on the machine but it didn’t seem to do a lot as it simply turned and attacked again. “Fuck this is bad...” she said and blinked closer to the Praetorian. The mage that would’ve been killed next managed to teleport away just as Ilea had done before. She quickly glanced to the left to see the second enemy wade through the group of close combat fighters with both scythes dancing gracefully around its body.

She blinked again, reaching the Praetorian’s head with a kick. Her spells activated on impact but something felt wrong. Like the energy that was supposed to be released inside the enemy was rejected. Ilea flew backwards with her wings that sprouted from her back as more spells impacted the machine.

‘What was that...’ she thought and blinked in again. This time she chose one of the beast’s legs and paid close attention with her magic perception. The energies created by her offensive skills were blocked by something layering over the machine. Looking upwards she saw that most of the magic used by the other adventurers had the same fate.

‘We’re not dealing any damage...they have shields….’ she thought as the hammer swung her way. She prepared to blink when a sudden wave of mana rippled through her, emanating from the mace. Her blink was disrupted and all she could do was fly upwards. The mace caught her in the legs, making her spiral through the air before she impacted hard on one of the pillars.

She hung from the pillar while healing herself and looked around the room. Four of the warriors were dead already, sliced in half or their heads removed. Another mage had died right after Ilea had been hit by the mace, his remains colored the ground red near the Praetorian who looked around, oddly focusing on the close combat fighters.

Suddenly the machine jumped to join its scythed counterpart which in turn threw both of its weapons towards the mace Praetorian’s last position. A mage was cleanly sliced in half while two more managed to dodge the hit. Jeremy who was with the close combat fighters took the mace head on and Ilea could see the dent in his shield as he was thrown backwards, sliding to a stop only fifteen meters further back.

“This is a massacre...we have to get out of here...” Ilea said out loud and checked the door where four mages were burning through the stone with different magics, looking backwards sometimes with sweat covering their faces. Ilea blinked downwards and checked away a warrior who was focused on the weaponless machine while the other’s mace was about to impact his back.

Ilea got up from the man and turned around just quickly enough to blink away from a flying scythe. “We need to get out!” Agor shouted in the middle of the chaos, deflecting a flying scythe with his great sword. The warrior Ilea had saved was back on his feet and joined Jeremy, quickly advancing on one of the Praetorians.

“Everyone too slow and with no teleports to the door, crack that stone open!!” Jasper shouted and deflected both scythes with quick movements of his sword, aided by blue magic. Ilea blinked in again and punched the scythe machine but the same thing happened again as when she had attacked the other Praetorian.

She still managed to get the machine’s attention and had to dodge the scythe coming her way. Reduced to her physical damage only, her impact had been reduced nearly completely. Ilea was sure that the shields wouldn’t last forever but the enemies didn’t show a single reaction to anything the over thirty people strong expedition had thrown at them so far.

‘Jasper’s right...we have to get out of here...fuck...’ she thought and glanced at the door. More and more mages and close combat fighters were working on getting through the stone but it would take a while to break it all down. Time they certainly didn’t have as another warrior was smashed by the massive mace.

Ilea dodged two more swipes of the scythes when the mages finally broke through the door and started running out in single file. “They’re getting out!” a scout shouted next to Ilea and started running towards the door only to be pierced by a scythe and thrown away, spattering on a nearby wall.

“We need more time, stand firm!” Jasper shouted. No magic was hitting the Praetorians anymore as everyone was trying to get out of the deathtrap they’d found themselves in. The two machines concentrated fully on the few remaining close combat fighters quick enough to dodge their blows. Ilea, Jasper and Lorcan were three of them. She also recognized the girl Rin and had seen the other three warriors before as well.

They worked hard to dodge and attack as best they could but one of the warriors was hit quickly after. Ilea blinked towards him but could only watch as the mace of the other Praetorian landed in front of her, splattering her with blood and guts. “AAAAAH!!” the scream left her lung as she blinked away again.

Appearing behind one of the pillars, she saw with her sphere that one of the scythes was flying towards her from behind the stone, prompting her to dodge to the side quickly. The stone was pierced and quite a bit of air as well where she had stood a moment ago. Nearly all the adventurers had fled through the opened pathway by that point. Ilea slid to the ground next to the pillar as the blade was recalled to the machine again, glowing faintly and sliding out of the rock again.

Her hands were shaking as she tried to wipe away the blood from her face and neck. ‘Fuck….fuck fuck...’ was all she thought before slapping herself in her face. She got up again and blinked towards the others. Lorcan took a direct hit from the mace right then. The swipe sent him flying, ending in a hard crash into a pillar.

Ilea could see his armor was bend too far. ‘He...he’s dying...’ she thought and forgot about distracting the machines, blinking to them an immediately. She started healing him while bending the metal backwards to allow his bones and organs to recover.

“LEAVE!!” Jasper shouted and the remaining people started running to the opening in the door. Ilea shouldered Lorcan and ran as well. Glancing sideways she saw Jasper jumping backwards before an incredible amount of mana gathered at the tip of his sword. The Praetorians looked at him and advanced slowly before they were engulfed in a storm of blue fire emanating from the tip of his sword.

‘That won’t stop them for long...’ Ilea thought as she ran and nearly tripped on some of the corpses that littered the floor. Just then she felt her hairs stand up and time slow down. She saw the scythe advance behind her and blinked away. The angle would allow for the blade to pass harmlessly below Lorcan’s body. She appeared a couple meters away and ran back to catch the falling man.

The blade passed both of them and sliced into the wall. She caught him and spun around. Aiming for the doorway she threw the man with all her strength. Lorcan had regained consciousness a moment ago and managed to move slightly in the air not to hit the stone. Ilea watched on as he landed outside safely before she blinked through the wall. At least that was what she had planned to do before she looked down and saw a meter long blade sticking out from her stomach. An incredible pain spread through her immediately, accompanied by a cold she hadn’t experienced ever before.

Chapter 60 Scythes and Swords

A note from Rhaegar

So this will be up earlier because of the cliffhanger. Hope you all have a nice weekend

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No more chaps this week though.

Chapter 60 Scythes and Swords

Touching the blade, she felt as it slowly slid backwards out of her body before her sphere recognized the mace coming down on her. As the blade left her she blinked through the wall, falling down on her knees on the other side. She gagged and puked all of the remaining contents in her stomach out on the ground before her as she healed the wound.

‘...it...s...not...closin...g..’ she thought and looked down on the blood soaking her hands that tried desperately to keep inside what wasn’t supposed to come out. Her vision was getting blurry as a warmth started to fill her. She looked up to see a mage helping her stay on her knees. Looking down the man was holding together her wound and burning it shut.

Ilea didn’t feel any pain but screamed nonetheless. She closed her eyes as tears joined the blood on her face. The man continued with her back to stop the bleeding. The arcane mage collapsed on his knees, having used his powerful beam attack to destroy the stone above the door to the throne room.

More spells followed and a wave of dust took everyone’s visibility as more and more of the stone fell to block the path they had created. Ilea entered a state of meditation as she took in the damage with her healing spell. The blade had luckily not pierced an important organ but a lot of other important things were sliced through. More unsettling though was the fact that she wasn’t healing.

Whatever that blade was it fought against her healing spell and her natural regeneration. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Ilea found herself losing mana much faster than it was supposed to go. She deactivated any buffs that wouldn’t aid her in healing and simply sat there trying to fight whatever it was that tore at her body.

The mage that had saved her life was running away towards the chasm before the great hall, joined by many other adventurers. The smiths, cooks and other workers were either frozen or running as well.

“Will they come for us??!” someone shouted to the left of Ilea, joining the shouts of others and she forced herself to open her eyes. Her mana was draining fast and she had to do something quick. Suddenly a wave of mana coming from the throne room silenced most of the people still standing near the entrance. Quickly thereafter a massive boom resounded. The Praetorian was trying to get through the wall of stone.

“Run.” the word was spoken in a moderate tone but quickly everyone started running backwards and then towards the door. Ilea was happy to see Agor among the people running although he wasn’t moving quite straight. She got to her feet and started moving, falling down three steps later.

Gambling a little with her mana, she activated her wings and made herself move through the air. The wings didn’t make the rest of her body and muscles move as much as her legs did which irritated her injury less. She still felt the cold spread inside her and was quite grateful again for her Pain Tolerance skill that had likely already saved her life. ‘Now to keep it that way...’ she thought as more and more powerful blows echoed from the throne room.

With her wings she quickly passed the lower leveled workers and some of the less speedy adventurers. Ilea suddenly looked to the left of the hall where a centurion had exited from the door to the treasure room and threw his spear at one of the smiths, killing him instantly.

‘Why are they...’ she thought as another blow echoed behind her. She glanced back to see the Praetorian crawl through the debris while its eyes glowed a bright green. The centurion’s eyes glowed similarly as it slashed through the fleeing expedition.

Ilea reached the door but seeing the bottleneck and over a dozen people trying to squeeze through, she blinked through the stone and kept flying. ‘I can’t save them...’ she thought as her body grew more and more cold. Her mana was reaching an end as she flew over the people entering the residential part of the dungeon.

Contrary to a cleared road though the adventurers found sword guardians and ranged enemies advancing through the roads. Ilea looked on as Jasper rallied some survivors around him to push through. Many of the guardians from the road to the right joined their brethren in the middle, effectively standing between Ilea and Jasper’s group.

Checking her mana Ilea’s eyes opened wide. She continued flying with full speed, entering the nearly clear road to the right. She had only a couple hundred mana remaining and it was dropping fast. Blinking inside one of the buildings in an effort to lose the guardians that had seen her, her wings disappeared as she slid on the wall on her left, steadying herself with her arms.

She quickly activated her sphere and saw a guardian entering the house below her and blinked a house further into the road. Another two blinks later she had reached the square and blinked again inside the big building that accompanied nearly all of the squares.

The Praetorians had apparently called all the guardians to themselves as Ilea heard more of them advancing from the side roads. ‘We should’ve cleared all of it...’ she thought as she entered the next house through a door. The woman coughed into her arm as quietly as possible before continuing. Door through door she walked until she came up on the next square. ‘I’m nearly out...’ she thought and hid again as she heard more guardians advancing through the roads.

Using her last remaining pooled mana she summoned the Dark Elf armor and got it on. Luckily she had quite some experience with taking on and off armor and the elven one was even simpler than many she’d worn before. The helmet fit snugly on her head, two black horns protruded downwards and to the front of the helmet while her face was covered by metal with openings for her eyes.

It took her two minutes to get on the rest of the armor. Afterwards she checked outside and found no more guardians advancing. ‘I need to get further away...’ she thought and exited the building. Limping through the next square, she reached another side street and went into the houses. Three minutes later she reached the next square and continued this for another two streets.

‘I should be far enough...’ her mana had reached a critical state when she could hear a noise right next to the house she had entered a moment ago. Suddenly a sword guardian was entering through one of the windows and was upon her. Without her active buffs Ilea was moving at less than a fourth of her full speed and was considerably more vulnerable.

Her health was still at the twenty percent it had been left with after the Praetorian’s scythe had pierced her and it was declining slowly. She saw the blades coming but her body reacted sluggishly, the blades scratching at her resilient armor before one of the sworded arms found purchase between her left shoulder blade. Ilea didn’t feel the pain and used the chance to punch the guardian with her reversed destruction spell, gaining little amounts of mana with each hit.

The machine pierced her right leg at the knee before Ilea activated all her buffs. Suddenly the tides turned and Ilea’s blows rattled through the machine, destroying it in less than ten blows. The healer collapsed together with the machine but before landing she used a big part of her remaining mana to blink upwards and to the other side of the street, right into one of the houses’ attics.

Collapsing on the ground, she made sure to lie sideways in case she would pass out. Seeing no other way Ilea summoned both the remaining potion she had stored a while ago and one of the dwarven shirts she had. Her hands were still shaking as she opened the potion and drank its contents. Other than the warm sensation that went through her the liquid didn’t change her state greatly.

She ripped the shirt apart and used some of the clothing to bandage her new wounds she had gotten from the sword guardian. Having stopped the bleeding with as much pressure as she could apply without causing more damage, she focused internally and started meditating. Her mana was still not regenerating any quicker but she didn’t have trouble anymore keeping her Reconstruction spell up. She also decided to let State of Azarinth burn at a very low intensity as it enhanced her hearing as well. Quickly checking to see how much mana it used Ilea also activated Body Heat Manipulation to make herself as cold as the stone beneath her.

Her eyes were closed as her body fought whatever that scythe did to it and Ilea for the first time in quite a while felt afraid. Some tears formed in her eyes yet she refused to cry and tried to calm her breathing. ‘I’m tired.....’ she thought of the bed back in her apartment on earth as tears fell to the floor beneath her. ‘..I wanna go home...’ exhaustion took her then as her body continued to try and heal itself. Luckily for her most body enhancement and self healing spells would continue to work after the user had fallen asleep and didn’t wish for them to end. Sadly though Reconstruction’s ability to heal the mind did not seem to apply this time.

An undefined while later the healer woke up coughing, stopping herself immediately, hearing a slight irregularity in the hums of machines outside and in the walls. Her lips were dry and her body was cold. Blood had soaked the shreds of cloth that were used as makeshift bandages around her wounds and filled the room with the smell of iron and death.

Ilea could make out a distant scream as her eyes closed and her consciousness faded again.

She woke up again and felt that some of her mana had returned. The cold in her stomach was still there but she summoned her water canteen close to her face and struggled to remove her helmet. Using her shaking hand that was still covered in blood, she opened the bottle and splashed some water into her face before putting it to her mouth to drink deeply. Coughing immediately, she stopped while nearly a third of the remaining water poured onto the stone below her.

She let go of the bottle, trying not to cough again. The helmet was lying next to her head on the ground. Ilea summoned some jerky and made herself eat some of it. Checking her status she found she had received a message while being unconscious.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Curse Resistance – lvl 1

Curses are seldom cast and even more seldom survived. You are one of few individuals to tell the tale. Not a pleasant one to be sure but with this skill you might be able to survive it again should the need arise.

‘Ok got it...don’t get cursed...’ she thought and drifted off to sleep again. Ilea dreamed of earth, of a world where survival meant having a job and putting a meal on one’s table.

“Welcome to shitty fastfood place, what can I do...” the customer turned into a Praetorian before her eyes and Ilea woke up in a cold sweat just when the scythes reached her face. The woman breathed heavily and started to cough again. ‘Fuck I hate this...’ she thought and grabbed the canteen before her and drank some of the water.

Checking herself she found that her injury was still there but she was at more than half her mana and it was slowly rising. ‘I’m recovering then...’ she thought and smiled a little. ‘So many died...’ she tried to not think of the people who died in the throne room but the images came to her head nonetheless. She didn’t know the people who she had seen dying but still remembered their faces.

‘I have to get out of here...see if others survived...’ she thought and made herself move a little. Activating her pain she nearly screamed and turned it off again. ‘How is this possible...’ she thought and looked down on herself, touching her stomach with her hand. She was shaking less now but it was still there. Before doing anything else, Ilea removed the lower parts of her armor and relieved herself in a corner of the room, using some of the dwarven clothes to clean herself as well as possible.

Considering the amount of blood that stuck to her, hers and others’, it didn’t really make a difference. She drank half of the remaining water and used the rest to wet some of the cloth to clean her face.

The blood soaked tatters of clothing were removed from the wounds, reopening them partially. She saw quickly though that they were closing slowly, her mana draining again but at a much slower pace than before. A normal pace.

She sighed and sat down on the stairs. ‘What the hell were those machines...’ she thought and stopped an upcoming sob in her throat. She deactivated her absence of pain and gritted her teeth, the physical pain a distraction to the mental images that had replayed in her mind the past minutes.

Her fists clenched and tears started falling from her eyes before she bit down on a rolled up wad of clothing. She had to stop the pain again. ‘I’m a mess...’ she thought and chuckled to herself, reminded of the time she had faced her first Drake at level one. ‘Guess there will always be a drake...’

She looked upwards and started meditating. It was hard but the high level of the skill managed to calm her down a little. The images were still there, and the pain. Though it calmed her a little. ‘Glad I got that skill….’ she thought as she heard a noise outside. ‘Guardians?...’ her sphere activated and she saw three people sneaking through the house on the other side of the street.

‘Wait what if they’re being followed...’ she thought and immediately scolded herself. ‘You’re afraid...why are you afraid...’ she tried getting up once, then again and finally made herself move. The people had settled down in the other house, one of them coughing heavily, a substance falling to the ground before them.

‘You’re a healer damn it...’ Ilea slowly walked downstairs, the cold in her stomach was nearly gone, just a lingering of what she had survived. She looked both ways on the street and then walked to the other side. Her body should’ve mostly been fine, at least that was what Reconstruction told her but still it felt stiff and unresponsive.

She reached the other side without alerting the people until she entered the building. Knocking on the wall slightly the three turned towards her, two of them drawing their weapons. “It’s Lilith...” she said and came around the corner.

She saw Jeremy, battered and bloodied looking at her, his helmet was missing and many cuts had broken through his armor. No shield could be seen and even his sword was cracked in places. On the ground was Rin, a big diagonal cut through her chest was covered in dried blood and pus. Fresh blood colored the ground before her, her eyes glassy.

The last one in the room was the ice mage who had first helped her with the Resistance. He was holding a small dagger covered in icy spikes.

“Let me look at her...” she said immediately, ignoring the stares and still lifted weapons as she limped past them and knelt down next to Rin. “Praetorian?” she asked Jeremy who looked towards the street before kneeling down as well.

“No...guardian.” he said, his voice dry and hoarse. Ilea checked the woman and used some of her mana to heal the wounds. Luckily without a present curse it wasn’t an issue and two minutes later Rin was as good as new, closing her eyes in exhaustion. The others hadn’t spoken a word and only looked on as she saved Rin.

Jeremy’s eyes softened a little but he soon focused on the street again. “I will hear them if they’re coming, you can relax a little. Were you followed?” Ilea asked, walking up to Jeremy and touching his shoulder lightly.

“No...we finished them. Stevan first...” he said and motioned to the ice mage who had started leaning on the wall behind him. Ilea nodded and walked over to the man, touching his arm. He twitched quickly but relaxed as the healing magic flowed into him. There were several cuts and bruises on the man and a part of his torso was seemingly frozen.

‘Does that happen if he uses too many spells?...’ she asked herself as she fixed the damage. ‘I need to conserve my mana a little.’

“Let’s go upstairs, its a little safer, Jeremy, let me take care of your worst wounds and then we go up. My mana is regenerating slower so I’ll need some time to completely take care of you two...” the man nodded and walked up to her. Twenty seconds later she had taken care of the worst and he nodded to her and grabbed Rin from the ground.

They reached the attic two minutes later where all of them sat down, Rin’s head resting on Jeremy’s thigh. “I thought we’d die, Lilith...” he whispered a couple minutes later, getting her out of her meditation.

“I thought so too...” she answered quietly. “Those enemies...how can we stand against something like that...” she asked and he just shook his head slightly.

“Taleen dungeons...well I certainly learned some history...” he said and looked down on his battered armor.

“I have some things that might help...” she said and summoned three suits of armor. Rin and Stevan would have no problems wearing them and Jeremy would be fine with some straps.

“A storage device...” Stevan said, touching one of the armors.

“I don’t have anymore water...” she said and summoned half of the meat and bread she still had. Looking at Jeremy’s sword she spoke while dividing the food through four. “Short sword or bigger?”

Jeremy’s eyes opened wide as he took the offered food and stuffed it in his mouth, slightly shaking. “Short sword...” he said and she summoned the Legate Guardian Sword with one of the round shields, handing them to the man.

“I...I can’t...” he said as he identified the sword.

“If we’re planning on surviving this you’ll need it.” she answered in a final tone. “Stevan you just need mana I assume, so meditate.” the man was nibbling at some dried meat and looked at her.

“I am...” he whispered coldly and she nodded.

“What happened out there?” Ilea asked Jeremy who stopped looking at the sword as his eyes turned cold again.

Chapter 61 Sharing is caring

Chapter 61 Sharing is caring

“We fled the hall after the throne room...but from everywhere the guardians closed in. We were in the main group with Jasper and Agor, fleeing while destroying guardians. A while after we were separated by a centurion. Rin was hit badly and Stevan here managed to drag her into one of the nearby houses. We held off the guardians that came for us and managed to advance a couple streets further back...” Jeremy chewed on some bread and swallowed hard before continuing.

“Two of them followed us, their eyes were glowing, just like the Praetorian’s had. They wouldn’t relent so me and Stevan took them down. It was a close one that fight...” he sighed and nodded to Stevan who was staring into nothingness before him.

“You were hit weren’t you...by one of them...I saw you on the ground when you...” Jeremy stopped talking, seeing her hands shake. She held them together to stop it but still tears formed on her eyes.

She wiped them away and looked at him with red eyes. “The scythe...it’s cursed. A fire mage saved my life and I didn’t even see their face...” she remembered the person burning her wounds to stop the bleeding. “The internal bleeding nearly killed me still and the curse of course...”

“Curse...what have we gotten ourselves into...” Jeremy said, focusing on the street again.

“We’ll move further back...and out of this hellhole as soon as she’s up again...” Ilea said and nodded to the unconscious Rin. She summoned two more swords and placed them next to the armor that lay prepared for the woman.

Jeremy nodded and silently finished his food. “The others...” he said but Ilea stopped him.

“We would die trying to save them...you saw those machines...what they can do. None of us here can stop them.”

“But we have to try….” he stopped talking and looked away. “The cave before the dungeon...in the worst possible outcome it was where we should meet...” he said, starting to take off his armor.

“Then we’ll go there. We’ll wake her if she doesn’t herself in half an hour. The longer we stay here the more dangerous it gets...” Ilea said and finished her food as well, getting her helmet back on.

The thirty minutes passed in silence, both Jeremy and Stevan had gotten on the armor. The latter seemed to have calmed down a little compared to before. Though he was still staring at nothing. They all had rather similar demons to fight and Ilea was glad when the defined time had passed.

Gently Jeremy woke up Rin, who took a deep breath, her eyes opening wide. Her breathing was hectic but calmed quickly as she saw Jeremy looming above her. She hugged the man and started sobbing quietly while he hugged her closely. “Lilith saved us my dear...we have to keep moving though, I’m sorry.” he said and released the hug.

Rin looked at Ilea with hopeful eyes before she looked downwards again, having seen Ilea’s cold stare. “The armor and swords. Can you fight?” Ilea asked and Rin nodded weakly.

“Thank you...” she said but Ilea waved her off.

“Thank me once we’re out of here...” she said and got up to check the street. Rin quickly ate the food left for her and then got the armor on. The swords she held one in each hand.

“Do you guys want helmets?” Ilea asked. Jeremy was the only one who agreed and she gave him the one helmet without any attachments to it. Her own had horns again but it was a more lithe design than the dwarven craft had been.

“Thank you for the gear...” Rin said. Nobody seemed bothered by the fact that she had hid a storage device from them before.

“Let’s move then...” Jeremy said, seemingly in higher spirits now that Rin was up again. Ilea was glad to see him take the lead as she had been struggling herself, trying not to be overwhelmed by her thoughts.

‘Focus now...you’ll get out of here alive...and these people with you...’ she told herself as they moved quietly through the houses until reaching the next square. There were no guardians they could see, which continued for four more streets. On the fifth square though stood two sword guardians, still their eyes were glowing. They were looking around as if they were searching.

Ilea pressed herself on the wall of the house they were in and started breathing heavily, sinking down on the ground. Jeremy was on her quickly, steadying the woman while holding a hand over her mouth. “Ssssh, calm down Lilith. What did you see?” he asked but it took a minute for her to calm down.

“T...two sword...guardians...” she said in a whisper. The man looked at her, his look something between worry and pity.

“Come on...think of the time you dismantled groups of them alone in the dungeons...I saw the remains and those weren’t destroyed by Agor...and the time you faced the centurion with the others. These guardians are nothing to you...” he said.

It was clear that Jeremy wasn’t sure the three of them alone could take on the two guardians without any injuries. They needed Lilith, she was powerful enough to take on centurions but apparently less experienced than he had thought.

“You can do this.” he said and repeated the words three times.

‘You can do this...’ Ilea heard the voice of her mind speaking. ‘They’re just normal guardians...you’ve faced worse...much worse and you’re stronger...stronger than you’ve ever been...’ she thought but somehow the cold in her stomach got the upper hand again.

“It’s just two of them...we cannot linger...” Stevan harshly whispered to Jeremy who had gone back to the others. “We take them down and she can heal us after if anything happens...come on.” Jeremy nodded after looking towards Ilea again.

Rin looked at her with sympathetic eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek before she nodded determined. “Let’s go...as quietly as possible...” the woman said as her dwarven blades started glowing red. Jeremy’s shield grew rock on it while magic started gathering around Stevan.

“I open...” the mage said and stepped out of the house ten seconds later. Ilea’s sphere was still active as she absentmindedly saw a spike of ice form and hit one of the guardians. The two engaged the group, Rin and Jeremy running at them with weapons drawn as spikes and mist of ice hit the guardians to slow and damage them.

Rin was cut on her arm slightly as she entered the first guardian’s guard, cutting the machine with both her blades. Jeremy blocked the machine’s hits as spikes of earth hit the enemy from below, summoned on each blocked hit on his shield.

The first of the guardians fell half a minute later, a spike of ice finishing it. Quickly thereafter the three focused down the second enemy, Rin’s swords cleaved through its neck with glowing blades before she landed with a flip.

Her arm was bleeding heavily as they reached Ilea who had been hugging her knees while sitting down on the ground. “Get up!” Stevan said in a harsh tone before Rin slapped the man.

“Don’t talk to her!” she said in a loud hiss and knelt down next to Ilea.

“We have to continue. I’m sorry but we have to.” she didn’t mention her bleeding arm but upon touching Ilea, mana flowed through her and fixed the arm. She smiled brightly and helped Ilea up.

“Thank you. We’ll get you out of here, alright?” she told her and tightly held her shaking hands with her own.

Stevan scoffed but then slapped his face with both hands, focusing again. “I’m sorry.” he said in a whisper that Ilea only heard thanks to her sphere.

‘What the hell was that...’ she thought about the panic that had suddenly gripped her.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘It’s still there...’ she thought and activated her pain again. She hissed, Rin immediately checking on her, stopping the three.

“Walk on...I’m fine...” Ilea said through gritted teeth and tears in her eyes. “I have to...do this...” she said and forced herself to keep walking. The pain was less bad than before but still there. She felt the cold in her was still there yet not as prominent as earlier. The pain helped her focus.

‘Get out of here...’ she thought and the three kept walking, entering the houses again to avoid more guardian encounters. Two streets later Ilea groaned.

“What is it?” Jeremy asked, checking their surroundings.

“People, there.” Ilea said, gritting through the pain. Her tolerance had leveled again five minutes earlier. She pointed to a house on the left after the square in front of them. She saw four people on the first floor of the building.

The group entered and Jeremy announced them before going up to the first floor. “We’re from the expedition. Can you hear us? We have a healer.” he said and Ilea saw the people start moving agitated. Two of them preparing to fight.

“Come up then!” a familiar voice said. It was the arcane mage who had managed to block in the Praetorians before their flight. They came up and found the arcane mage and another mage with bloodied clothes but otherwise not in too bad of a condition. One of the smiths was with them, holding a smith’s hammer ready to strike. The last of the group was one of the scouts without armor or weapons.

“Anybody hurt?” Jeremy asked but the mage who seemed to have become the leader of the small group shook his head.

“We haven’t encountered anymore guardians after the initial assault. If you have food and water though...” Ilea summoned the last of her food and handed it to Rin, standing a little behind Jeremy. The mage likely noticed the storage item but didn’t seem to care at the moment. Rin handed the food to the others whose eyes lit up as they went through the food in under a minute.

“No water either sadly. But it shouldn’t be too far anymore. Maybe a couple hours.” Jeremy said and the mage nodded.

“Thank you. We’ll move on then, or do you need a break?” he asked Jeremy who shook his head.

“We move on.” they all got up before the last of Ilea’s armors clattered to the floor.

“The last one I have.” a spear, warhammer and two shields fell to the ground as well. “A spear?” she looked at the scout who nodded.

“A spear...” he said and grabbed the weapon and a shield. The smith threw away his hammer and grabbed the war hammer and a shield instead. They nodded to Ilea who was looking at the ground before her. She saw Jeremy shake his head at the mage with her sphere.

The group continued in silence for the next hour, no more enemies were encountered and luckily they soon reached a part of the residential area they had cleared out before. “We’ll be out in another hour.” The mage said as they walked through another house.

Another empty square lay before them and Jeremy motioned for the group to follow. As they reached the middle of the square the tank suddenly spun around and deflected a spear with his shield, the weapons continuing into the closest house and vanishing again.

“Get back...” he said as he looked at the centurion that emerged from another side street. Ilea stuttered and walked backwards when the smith grabbed her, strapping his shield to his back.

“Come on lassy, we’d be in the way.” he calmly said and quickly rushed her to the nearest house. The rest of the group faced the centurion while slowly walking backwards.

“Can we just run away?” the scout asked but Jeremy shook his head.

“We have open space here and these things are damn fast...mages to the back, we’ll have to whittle it down. Prepare.” the centurion was upon them and Ilea watched on as the group moved into a formation, the mages attacking from behind while the scout and Rin circled the machine and Jeremy tried to hold its attention, clashing the sword against his shield.

The smith watched from the door as Ilea fell down on her knees and skidded backwards to the wall before hitting it and breathing hard. He alternated between looking at the fight and her. Jeremy was thrown back by the Centurion’s attack before it was distracted by Rin’s attacks. The scout managed to get a spear attack in before being punched back by the enemy.

Magic missiles were fired by the mages, impacting on the centurion and forcing it to block with its spear. Ilea watched the fight through blurry eyes filled with tears, the action happened outside of her sphere’s reach. ‘no’ she thought.

‘No’ the voice in her head grew louder. The pain in her body was agonizing, the cold in her stomach flaring up.

‘NO’ the back of her fist hit the wall next to her, slapping onto the metal with barely a sound.

“No...” she said. Her left arm cleared the tears away from her eyes as they focused. Jeremy was bleeding from his side and Rin circled the centurion before being thrown back, hitting the ground hard.

“No” she said again, lines of red and yellow fire formed on her body as she hit the wall again. The smith looked back at the noise with wide eyes, seeing the crack in the wall.

“NO!” Ilea shouted, blue runes shining inside her armor as her fist hit the wall and punched through it.

Jeremy could only look on as the centurion advanced on the downed Rin, still skidding backwards from the last spear he had deflected. The mages were attacking nonstop but the centurion didn’t seem to care. The scout was unsteadily scrambling to his feet, having hit his head on the stone floor.

Rin looked at the advancing spear and closed her eyes, the sound of it impacting her reverberated through her head but she didn’t feel anything. Opening her eyes again a winged creature in black armor stood before her.

“I said no more...” Ilea said to the machine quietly, struggling to hold the spear in front of her.

The centurion removed the spear from her grasp and thrust at her. She moved her body slightly to the right, the spear glancing off her shroud of ash and armor below before a jab of her right fist hit the machine’s outstretched arm, sending destructive mana through its body.

The machine continued its assault on the woman before him but none of its hits seemed to go through. The mages got out of their haze and continued their barrage as Jeremy quickly used one of his small healing spells to steady the scout who shook his head.

Rin scrambled backwards before getting up and circling the machine again. Ilea danced with the centurion, blinking behind it when it tried to grab her. Sending mana through the machine when it managed to grasp her arm. Its spear was deflected again and again from her armor and shroud, the healer moved her body ever so slightly to never allow a direct piercing hit to land on her.

Dozens of scratches could be seen on her armor already when the machine went into its final form. She stopped attacking and simply dodged the crazed machine and blocked its attacks that were directed at the others in their group. The magic and her occasional flow of destructive mana whittled the enemy down until its core started glowing. She blinked away immediately before the centurion managed to grab her and stood a couple meters in front of it.

“Jeremy!” she shouted as a dense wall of rock formed in front of her, quickly evaporated by the coming explosion. Ilea stood where she was, blocking any debris from hitting the mages behind her.

Metal and rock was still falling when she turned around to the group. “They must’ve heard that. We have to move.” she said, a slight smile on her face below the helmet and a warm feeling in her stomach.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 3’

She ignored the rest of the messages, noting that both her classes leveled by one. The ten points were put into Strength as the group ran back to the dungeon entrance, Ilea at the front. In her sphere she noticed Jeremy glance at Rin and both smiling at each other.

The last stretch of the way was littered by destroyed guardians and even another centurion in between. Some corpses of adventurers were sadly strewn in between but it didn’t deter the group as they ran faster, driven by hope.

Ilea stopped suddenly and turned around. The rest of the group continued running, Rin slowing down though and shouting to Ilea. “Lilith we have to go, come on!!”

Ilea watched the empty street with clenched fists, slowly getting them up to remove her helmet. It vanished in her hands. The green and eerie light still shone onto the street below, illuminating the destroyed guardians of this ancient place.

“There will always be a drake...” Ilea said quietly and turned around. ‘And for this one too I shall be back...’ she started walking towards the exit, the rest of the group had reached it already, Rin entered the doorway at that moment. ‘...but not today.’ she thought and entered the doorway, looking back one last time before a slight smile tugged on her lips.

Chapter 62 Survivors

A note from Rhaegar

Author's note, a couple things.

First I'll change the picture of the story with the release of this chapter. I'll be using the cover provided by Robbobbert. Thanks again for the free art

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Thanks as well to ShadowSnake and Gurzix for the provided covers.

This is likely temporary, though I'm not sure how long it'll last. I'm looking for a cover featuring mostly a fantasy landscape with Ilea featured at the bottom or a corner of the picture (see art style like the background of the royalroadl website, something like guild wars 2 concept art or the cover of Change New World). If you know an artist that could do that or has a similar style and does comissions please do suggest.

Additionally this chapter is the end of what I'd consider book one. It's supposedly around 700 pages long according to Royalroadl which I think is a good length.

I will stop releasing chapters and edit for the next two months until I self publish...

I'm kidding of course, editing hah. I'll probably do it at some point though or if I'm not motivated to write anymore. Still a couple chapters ahead at the moment so at least you're safe for some weeks. Hehehehe.

Thanks to all the readers so far, the comments, encouraging words and criticism. I wanted to write an easygoing story I'd have fun reading and it seems a lot of you do enjoy it which is pretty fucking amazing. I think I'll add a poll to the chapter. Do answer the questions quickly if you have a couple minutes, would help me out a ton. Maybe I fuck up the formatting or whatever so if it doesn't work at first reload in half an hour or so. - So I tried but I can't seem to add more than one question so that's fucked. Will think about it further at some other time or when that's possible.

I'll keep you posted on further developments and questions I have. Maybe I'll try to get the story into Tobwebfiction or some other sites to gain more likes and subscribers, that's how it works right? Maybe instagram and snapchat as well. What do you guys think? A twitter account maybe?

Have fun reading guys. Leave a like and subscribe if you wanna see videos stories similar to this one. See ya.

Chapter 62 Survivors

“Will they follow us outside the dungeon?!” one of the mages shouted while they ran through the caves, arcane magic lighting the way.

“They shouldn’t!” the scout shouted back from further back. Ilea was running at the very back, sometimes looking backwards to see if anything was following them. The doors were too small for the Praetorians to follow immediately but she was sure they could break through in time.

“It would be highly unusual...” the arcane mage said. “...either dungeon inhabitants send out raiding groups or they stay inside completely. I doubt they will follow us...although the Praetorians suddenly calling the other machines was a surprise as well to say the least.” he kept on talking through the run. Twenty minutes later they reached the rendezvous location and were greeted by torches and shouts.

“We have more survivors!” a warrior shouted and waved to the group. Ilea came up to the camp and looked around. A fire on its last breath illuminated the dark caves and downtrodden faces. Some of them looked up to check who had come while others seemed preoccupied by other things, be it grief, fear or anger. Ilea did notice that some of the adventurers didn’t seem to care much, likely somewhat used to the outcome of a failed expedition.

‘I need a warm bed and some nice snacks...’ she thought and sighed, before a big hand rested on her shoulder, making her twitch away a little.

“I’m glad you survived Il..Lilith. You’ve seen better days.” Lorcan stated and didn’t mention the twitch for which Ilea was grateful.

“Glad you survived as well Agor...” no further words were spoken as both looked into the flames with unreadable expressions, joining the others in their solemn play. Ilea saw that Jasper had survived as well though he was missing an arm. She made herself stop looking at the flames and walked to the man after touching Agor’s shoulder in a similar gesture as he had done to her.

“Jasper. Your arm.” she simply stated and started healing.

“Thank you, glad you made it out. Didn’t think I’d say that one to you...” his arm twitched as bone, then muscle and finally flesh was reborn through mana. “Thank you for saving them.” he whispered, likely talking about the others in Ilea’s group. He must’ve heard about the centurion or simply assumed.

Not a word was uttered about her armor or necklace, a trivial matter after what had happened to be sure yet one to demand a reaction nonetheless. A testament to the companionship Ilea’s group had learned towards each other in the little time they had spent together.

‘A bond formed by blood...or something like that...’ Ilea thought. Nobody had food and some bellies were rumbling in the dark. Conversations were kept to a minimum as the group waited. Jasper had decided to wait another three hours before they would return to the Root and subsequently Dawntree.

There were twenty two people all in all, eight of them from Ilea’s group. A surprisingly high amount of survivors Ilea thought, having seen the slaughter firsthand. Ilea decided to wait with the others should somebody injured arrive that she could perhaps save with her magic.

The hours passed though and nobody turned up. “We go then, maybe some scouts can return at a later date...” Jasper said and got up from the stone he had been sitting on. Ilea had played the fight in the throne room before her eyes time and time again, thinking of a way she could’ve changed the outcome but nothing came to mind.

The feelings of fear and even guilt were confusing to be sure. Things she hadn’t felt in quite some time and something that sprang up now in combination with her entanglement with the expedition. Of course her near death experience that somehow felt different than surviving some traps played a big part in the fear she had experienced.

‘This world has become my own...’ she thought and remembered earth while getting up and following the group out of the dark cave. It would take a couple hours for them to reach the Root at least but she was in no hurry. For the first time since her first encounter with the drake the danger she’d found herself in felt real. The pain she had experienced in the meantime was certainly there but Ilea found that she had treated the whole thing a little like she would a game.

‘Like a dream...but now I’m awake and I’m still here...’ she thought and looked at her closing fist. The fastfood worker turned battle healer had made acquaintances and met people she would even consider friends. She had grown powerful, powerful enough that a certain responsibility would normally pressure her into action.

Ilea thought about her time in Elos while the group of survivors advanced through the caves, only quickly taken out of her reminiscing at the stretch of water before her. She decided to fly over it and landed gracefully on the other side. Touching her wings, she moved her fingers through the levitating ash and found no residue on her fingers after. ‘Warm...’ she thought and smiled at the limbs she’d always wanted.

Her arrival in Elos had been confusing to be sure, she still had no clue about why it had happened. An ancient magic perhaps, maybe she was trapped in a simulation conducted by the military or some alien life form. What Ilea liked the most though was the simple Idea of an accident. A shift in the fabric that connected her universe to this one. It didn’t feel like she had been chosen after all. No ring to destroy and no deity to ask for her bidding.

For months she had trained alone in her stone chamber, her meditation skill the only thing keeping her from going mad. She smiled a little at the memory, glad she didn’t have her enhanced smelling back then already. Her excrements had been buried under pieces of rock after all, yet there wasn’t much considering her then diet.

Afterwards followed more training and her first encounter with the new world she had found herself in. A world full of magic yet when she had encountered people felt so very similar to her previous one. Mas was man after all. ‘I should find other races then...here they actually exist.’ the elves didn’t seem to be much of an improvement to Ilea though but she knew for a fact that there were others.

Dungeons, monsters, necromancers and a roadtrip later had landed her here. In a dark cave accompanied by a group of survivors who had lost friends and companions to ancient machines guarding their lost city, long forgotten by their likely once proud owners. ‘More interesting than fastfood though...that’s for sure...’ she thought as a slight smile quickly came and faded again.

“What are you gonna do after this?” Lorcan had walked quietly next to her up until the question. He was wearing his helmet, more dents and cuts were showing on his armor than before. He would likely have to give it in for extensive repairs or even get a new one altogether. Ilea’s group were still wearing the dwarven armor, it was the last thing on her mind in that moment.

“I don’t know.” she said and walked on quietly for a couple minutes. “Travel more. Not get caught up in expeditions...” she said to which he nodded.

“You’re not responsible for any of them Lilith. They all chose to come here, knowing the risks.” he said calmly.

“Yet it hurts.” she said to his remark, the man having guessed correctly with his assumption.

“Yet it hurts.” he said before the two joined again in their mutual silence.

“I’ll need some time alone, outside of cities. Maybe try out my wings a little more...” she smiled as she said that a couple minutes later. The thought of soaring through the skies was an enticing one after all.

“Can’t say I don’t envy you.” Lorcan said.

“What about you? What’s your story? And where to from here?”

“Another day Lilith, should we meet again. For now as you I will take some time off. As much as we lost many in this endeavor, we’ve gained quite a wealth of information and goods. Though much of it is still down there we now know where to get it. The Praetorians will likely return to their resting place after a while. It won’t be me going back down there though...” the mention of the Praetorian brought the flash of a scythe piercing her stomach back to Ilea and she quickly closed her eyes, concentrating on her breathing.

“Are you sure you want to continue traveling?” the man asked, a little worry seeping into his voice.

“I’m alright. The settled down lifestyle isn’t really for me, not if I have the possibility to just fly away whenever I want. Besides I’ve not been doing this for long, I think with time...I’ll work it out.” she answered.

“That you might, or you might not. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone though, even the strong need help at times.” Lorcan said.

‘Surprisingly progressive for someone wearing metal armor and using a sword to fight monsters.’

“Don’t worry about me.” Lorcan looked at her for a couple seconds while walking, somehow it felt different to Ilea then. With her sphere she saw a tear running down the man’s face below his helmet but she chose not to pry. Not a tear for her to be sure.

“I’ll visit some friends.” she said after a while. “And I’ll find the people I’ve been looking for down here...”

“Not friends then?” Lorcan asked, seemingly having gotten over his quick sentimental moment.

Ilea gestured with her hand but stopped when she realized that she was still a little shaky. “Not really. Well one of them perhaps...I would like to know where they are though and why they did what they did.”

“Hmm, I get that. Well I hope you do find them then. Teleported away from here?” he asked and she nodded. They were far enough away from others to hear without skills or advanced hearing but Ilea was tired of keeping everything to herself. Lorcan seemed trustworthy to her as well. She chuckled though at her ability to make out someone trustworthy.

‘Well Dale and Walter seemed to be alright so I’m not that bad...’ she thought.

They continued in silence for the next hour. The hardened adventurers were all used to not eating for prolonged periods of time and whatever they had left was given to the surviving aides from the expedition. The smith who was with Ilea’s group had refused all of it though.

‘We’re stopping...’ they had come up on the underground lake, still shining with its untouched brilliance.

“Here is nice...” someone said and nodded, most others were quiet.

“What is this about?” she asked Jeremy who was standing next to her. He looked at her a little confused but then nodded.

“A place to say farewell. Often there is nothing to recover or it’s too dangerous to get what is left...” one of the surviving members shot a firewall above the lake and it sizzled out a couple dozen meters later.

A lance of ice followed, exploding in splinters that reflected the light above. More spells followed after and Ilea saw some people close their eyes, some saying prayers while others simply stood there. All of them respected the ritual though and Ilea too found it to be somewhat cathartic. Ten minutes of silence passed as spells were continued to be released sporadically.

The group then moved on in silence, coming closer to the Root and Ilea already welcomed the food. ‘I’ll definitely try to store done meals...and some milk to test expiration...’ she thought as they came out of the tunnel.

Contrary to the usually lively atmosphere the adventurer village was completely empty. Thinking that she had missed something Ilea looked at the others but they seemed as confused as she was. “Something’s wrong...” a warrior said.

“Keep together.” Lorcan said as they advanced towards the gate.

‘Stripped clean...’ Ilea looked at the shops and streets of the Root as they walked through. Some things were strewn about as if people had left in a hurry. Coming up on the gate Ilea saw more people than before standing on top of it. All of them were heavily armored and spells started to shine as soon as the expedition came into sight.

Some of them faded again as they got closer. “Halt! Who are you?! State your business in Dawntree!” someone on the gate shouted as Jasper stepped up.

“I’m Jasper Horim. Leader of a Forkspear expedition. We’re returning home...” he said and the last of the spells went out at the mention of his name. “...what the hell is going on?”

“Come on in then, you’re more than welcome. Open the gate!” the man shouted and the gate quickly opened. Ilea noticed a mage using some form of magic that spanned all of them as they entered and then nodded to another man in armor.

‘He didn’t change anything on me...so he checked us? For what though...’ she thought as Jasper was joined by the man who had talked to them. He was a level 160 warrior she noted.

“Mr Horim, they have returned. The elves are back and the city is locked down.” he said in a hushed tone yet Ilea heard him as if he had stood next to her.

‘The elves...well it’s just my luck that they attack whatever city I’m currently in...’ Ilea thought, her dream of a nice fluffy bed and some hearty food evaporating instantly.

“Have they breached?” Jasper asked to which the man shook his head.

“Agor let’s go report to Bjorn then, you can deal with the details. Everyone else come to the Forkspear estate, Agor will get you there.” he said and ran off.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Lilith. Until next time then, maybe we’ll have time for stories then.” Lorcan said as a red flame covered him, quickly following after Jasper.

Ilea just nodded and followed too. “Wait, we have to check you guys first.” one of the guards said behind her but she ignored the man and kept walking. He closed in on her but she shot him a glance that stopped him in his tracks.

“Alright alright, you go. The rest though we have to quickly check your wares and gear. Even in wartime the rules apply.” Ilea kept walking. A cold breeze soon reached her, making the torches on the walls flicker.

Soon later the wind brought something wet with it and as Ilea looked down more snow fell on her. She lifted her hands that weren’t covered by armor and touched the snow on her chest plate. ‘It’s winter...’ she thought and continued walking, quickly reaching the second gate guarded by much fewer people.

One guard was ignored as she entered the city. “Miss I need to see your badge please.” but she just pointed to above her head where the man would see [Healer - ??] in his mind’s eye. With his level 103 it was likely not a possibility for him to know her exact level.

Ilea looked upwards after entering the city, a fireball came rushing down from a high altitude before impacting a barrier that seemed to cover the city. Its fire erupted in a massive explosion before it was dispersed by wind and snow Ilea knew to be magical in nature as well.

Some people covered at the sight but more simply ignored it. Ilea stood there taking in the sight and smell as the snow that fell on her was joined by ash. There was smoke coming from several places in the city with even some fires burning. Ilea wasn’t sure if the fires were there on purpose though.

The just a couple weeks ago lively city had turned into something else. People looked around with solemn expressions while others were arguing over who would get which part of the ration that day. Ilea walked through quietly taking in the smells and noises. “Her...” someone whispered to her left when two men quickly closed in on her and went to grab her backpack.

Ilea just blinked away and kept walking, hearing the confused chatter behind her. A dog growled at her as she passed. The healer kept walking until she reached the school she had visited before. The premises were deserted but she found someone still working on the reception desk. The desk she had not even seen before as she had entered the building differently before.

“Hello there.” she entered and waved.

The woman looked at her sceptically “The Academy is closed. And I assure you there is nothing worth to be taken here.” she continued to write on the paper before her.

“I’m not here to take something, I’m looking for a friend. Aaron, he’s a teacher here.” Ilea said as she walked up to the desk. The hall was big, two sets of chairs leading to the upper floors behind the reception desk. All of it was white and spotless, undoubtedly an earth mage’s doing. She wondered at the roman’s ability to build something like this without magic when the woman responded.

“He’s not here. He likely joined the defense or is with his family.”

“Does the city need healers?” Ilea asked but the woman shook her head.

“The corinth order is rather big here so what we need is barrier mages. I don’t know how long they can keep that up...”

“Barrier mages huh...no way in no way out?” she asked the woman.

“Why would you want out, this is likely the safest place to be for hundreds of miles.”

‘Dale...Roland...’ Ilea thought and quickly left the building.

“Tell him my well wishes should you meet him...” she said to the woman as she exited and heard a grunt.

Her wings spread and she quickly started flying upwards. “This does seem rather safe…” she said out loud looking at the city’s defenses and the mages standing on top of many of the buildings. “...then there’s nothing left here for me. Do survive for me Lorcan, I do want to hear those stories...” she said and flew upwards to the rocky side of the city that lead down the mountain, landing next to a mage whose mana she saw was being channeled into the barrier.

She looked downwards one last time, seeing the crowded city covered in snow, magic flaring up here and there. “Any of the scouts gotten out?” she asked the woman next to her.

The woman looked at her and nodded “Several, yes. I doubt the elves have caught them either. As usual they don’t seem to be very organized at their assault.”

Ilea nodded, happy that the burden of reinforcements wouldn’t lie on her. It seemed to her that food would likely be the biggest problem for the city but then again they had the caves within and certainly some magical way to grow more. What she was worried about were the cities that had less of a defense than Dawntree.

Lightning crackled above and hit the barrier with a massive spark but it held true. “Mind if I quickly jump out?” Ilea asked and the woman looked at her for the first time then, confusion in her eyes.

“Will a teleport disrupt the barrier?” Ilea asked to which the woman shook her head.

“You won’t get through though...that’s the idea of a barrier...” the woman said and Ilea nodded.

She saw that the barrier’s magic didn’t continue through the rock below and simply let herself fall before blinking through the stone. Snow kept falling as Ilea flew upwards, passing the mage on the other side of the barrier. Ilea started to fly southwards, to Salia. ‘Don’t you dare dying shitbag.’ she thought and smiled slightly at the figures quickly closing in on her from above. Her body started to glow blue and red below the armor as a horned helmed appeared in her hand. ‘There will always be a drake...’

Chapter 63 Onwards through the storm

A note from Rhaegar

Chapter 63 Onwards through the storm

“You just let her go?” holding his forehead, the guard captain sighed and looked to a mage standing near the wall. “No risk?” he asked and the mage nodded.

“She's fine. I’m sure of it cap.”

“Alright alright, come on then. Line up people we have to check you for taxable and dangerous materials...” the guard captain said.

‘Dawntree is under attack and this is what they do...maybe we should’ve stayed in that dungeon.’ Jeremy thought but lined up nonetheless. No reason in making the guard your enemy, they were unpleasant enough as it was.

“You would expect them to treat such a high level expedition like us with some leeway. Not like we couldn’t be a serious help up there...” Rin commented quietly from the side, the first people were being checked by two mages with detection skills.

“I agree with the first comment. Dawntree has a lot of higher leveled people though and we both know that the noblehouses hold so much influence not only because of money and history. I’m sure they’re doing fine on defense even without us there. I’m not so sure about the other cities south of Karth...”

“Yea, even though we’re the westernmost city it’s quite the fortress...”

“Alright you’re up, come on...” one of the guards motioned for Jeremy who quickly walked up to the mages. He was still wearing the Taleen armor Lilith had given him.

‘I hope that girl’s fine. So strong at her age...’ the guard nodded and Jeremy waited for Rin a couple meters in the front. Some of the previously checked had already ran to the city to check on the situation and their families. Seeing the guards’ casual behavior though Jeremy wasn’t too worried. Not like he had many people in the city he cared about anyway. The ones he did care about would likely have a way to get away anyway.

“You’re thinking about her?” Rin asked as she joined his side.

“Yea, the way she reacted. She might be much less experienced than we had assumed.”

Rin nodded “Shock and awe...she makes quite the impression, though I do hope she doesn’t lose that smile of hers because of this. You think she’s gonna be alright?”

“That she does...I hope so too Rin and I don’t know. I’ve seen people broken by less but then again I’ve seen people persevere where I didn’t expect them to. Life is full of surprises, so let’s give her a chance to surprise us.”

A couple minutes later all the surviving members of the expedition had joined the group while some had left already. The remaining group walked together to the city above. Coming out of the tunnel they saw the snow fall.

“Winter eh...” Jeremy said and looked above, only to see a massive bolt of lightning strike the magical barrier held up by mages around the city. The noise was deafening and both the golden light of the barrier and the lightning itself made Jeremy look away quickly and blink his eyes. A combined effort of several level 100 people was easily enough to stop an elf’s attack. ‘Sadly that doesn’t work out as well if you’re fighting something close quarters inside a throne room...’ he thought as he glanced towards Rin. Though he wasn’t sure how an elf would compare to a Praetorian.

The woman was beautiful, the snow falling in her red hair and the cold giving her cheeks a slight red tinge. Jeremy felt a pang of guilt at the fact that he felt glad someone else had died in her place.

“I’ll go check on my family Jeremy...do you...wanna come too?” she asked him and he nodded.

“Sure, let’s go then.” they had talked quite extensively in the past week and Rin knew he had nobody in the city to check up on in the event of an attack.

They walked through the streets, passing fights and nervous animals. The ongoing bombardment certainly didn’t help and even though the people were inside the city at all times anyway, knowing that there was no way to get out changed the feeling of protection to a feeling of imprisonment.

‘They can still escape into the mountain...yet that is even more uncertain than escaping into the wild.’ Jeremy thought as he looked at the storefronts. ‘They’re already hoarding food...’ though with magic there was likely no shortness coming, everything but mushrooms would become a luxury. A lot of coins would trade owners in this siege. ‘Let’s just hope there’s someone left to spend it after this is over...’

The two reached Rin’s house a while later. It was nothing too special yet to even own a whole house in Dawntree was quite an achievement. With her adventurer rank and level the pay way obviously good enough though.

“I’m home!” immediately skidding could be heard upstairs as a light brown mutt ran down the stairs. The dog jumped Rin and she hugged it and laughed. “Yea yea, I missed you too...”

“You’re back Rin...” a voice came from upstairs as a woman quite similar looking to Rin slowly advanced but stopped in her tracks, looking at Jeremy. He smiled at her as he did to some students but she just stared at him.

He nodded and quickly left the house. “I’ll be outside.” Rin looked at him and put the dog down.

“I’ll get you in a minute...sorry.” she said.

Jeremy waited outside, moving his armored boot in the snow. The noise of it being pushed together still was a delight, even at his age. Luckily Dawntree got a lot of snow in Winter. He watched the people hurrying past, preparing for whatever they thought this siege might bring. In the past hundreds of years the city hadn’t been breached by anything so nobody truly expected that to happen.

‘Should always be prepared for the worst though...’ Jeremy thought and looked up. Though seeing how unorganized the elves’ attacks were he just shook his head. ‘The only reason they haven’t destroyed humanity is their arrogant nature...’ he saw how the spells hit different places of the shield every time. They didn’t want to strategically weaken one of the barrier mages, they wanted to break through with their individual power. Additionally there were pauses in between the strikes as well, as if the elves were giving each other time slots to attack. Jeremy didn’t smile at their efforts though, he knew what happened when they did break through and it wasn’t pretty.

The door behind him slowly opened and Rin peaked out. “You can come now Jeremy.” she said with an apologetic smile.

He couldn’t help but smile back as he entered the house again. The other woman was sitting in the living room now and was fidgeting with her hands. “Jeremy, meet my younger sister Laura. Laura, this is Jeremy, he’s a friend of mine.” she said calmly, sitting close to her sister and motioning to Jeremy who sat down on a chair opposite the sisters.

“It’s nice to meet you Laura. I’m a teacher in the academy.” Jeremy said, smiling as he got off his armor. Rin nodded at that and got up to do the same.

The two were putting the armor in a corner of the room as a loud explosion could be heard above. Jeremy quickly checked outside but came in again and nodded. “It’s fine.” he said. Laura had began to fidget more at the explosion but the dog jumped on her lap and curled up to cuddle her.

“I knew you’d be doing ok with her.” Rin whispered to him when they hid away their armor. “And good idea with the armor. I’ve been so lost in though...at least there’s no blood on it.” she finished and joined her sister again.

“We’ll have to go to the Forkspear estate soon. Agor will be waiting.” she said as she petted the dog.

“We probably have a couple hours for the reports to finish. Jasper will probably leave quickly to join the defense organizers so it’ll be Agor. He’ll probably need a little longer.”

“You’re right...” she answered and calmed down a little.

“You don’t have to come you know.” Jeremy said but she shook her head.

“We’re not getting paid otherwise. Agor might trust us but not Bjorn.”

He didn’t say anything to that as he knew it to be true. “What’s his name?” he asked and motioned to the dog.

“Her...and it’s Bug.”

“Bug? That’s peculiar. I like it though.” he chuckled “It’s not a bug though.”

“It isn’t, no. The previous owner had named her and Laura didn’t want to change it. She said it wouldn’t be fair to take its identity and give it a new one.”

Jeremy nodded at that and they enjoyed a couple more quiet minutes before the next explosion rang out above. He went to check again and gave the all-clear before sitting down.

“I think as soon as this attack ends we’ll finally go east. Somewhere close to the sea. Asila maybe.” she said as she petted Bug.

“It’s not necessarily safer there. Perhaps less frequent monster or elf attacks but man is just as bad.”

“But I know men and I can deal with them. These creatures at our doorstep...I don’t think I could face one or even get away.” she said.

“We can face them together. What else is there to face for people if there’s no common enemy?” he asked.

“We’re not all like that.” she said and looked at him fiercely.

“I know yet we can’t change our nature, even though some go a different path. Yet the stronger we are the more chance there is for corruption.”

“You’re talking in absolutes Jeremy. Humanity is more than that. In times like these we just tend to forget that...”

More powerful magic gathered and condensed in a blindingly bright ball of light that was sent downwards at a slow speed, it’s impact inevitable. The ball hit a magical barrier and lit up the white city below in a brilliant flash. Far above the city three beings sensed something in the distance and rushed away, carried by magic they grinned widely at their careless prey and the coming feast.

Ilea shone in the snowstorm raging outside of Dawntree, her wings easily cutting through the winds. Something deep inside her conscious rejoiced at the freedom of flight and the unstoppable speed she was moving with.

Her more pressing concerns were outlined by the three pursuers whose attention she had gained by her hasty departure. She wasn’t annoyed or angry though, she could’ve likely sneaked away more safely or might’ve learned more vital information in the city but Ilea only knew one thing for certain. That she wanted to get away.

Away from Dawntree and all the people she had met in the past weeks. She had the goal to go check on Roland, on Dale and maybe even Walter but if she was honest, she just wanted to get away.

She glanced behind her and saw again as one of the pursuers attacked another one with lightning magic. Her magic perception let her see the defender use ice magic to stop the attack. ‘Infighting...’ she thought and pushed downwards to the south.

The third elf had managed to get past the two fighting ones and show a beam of condensed fire at her which she easily dodged. ‘All mages.’ she thought, her lips twitching. Adrenaline filled her body as Ilea again was in a highly dangerous situation. The difference though was that this time she was alone again.

‘Alone with the enemy...’ she thought as she pushed on, occasionally dodging magical fire that threatened to burn her. ‘Maybe I should...’ she thought and didn’t dodge the latest beam of fire. Time didn’t slow down for her so nothing close to a deathblow was coming her way. The fire impacted her back, seeping through the joints in her armor and burning the clothes and flesh beneath.

Her Heat Resistance at lvl 16 the fire attack did minimal damage though and Ilea didn’t lose the smallest bit of concentration from the attack. The wounds were healed in the next five seconds. The elf had gotten closer and closer while the other two were fighting a little further back.

A moment later Ilea came out of the storm and a snowy landscape opened up to her. The sun didn’t manage to shine through, the clouds gray and looming above. She continued on as another fire beam was dodged. She was a couple hundred meters away from the ground and continued descending. ‘I don’t want to bring them to Salia. And I can’t lose them in the air.’ she thought and rushed towards the ground.

She went for the densest forest she could see from the distance and entered it. Trees flew past as she moved left and right to avoid destroying any of them before she suddenly came to a stop and deactivated all her skills except for the Sphere.

Ilea hid behind a tree and looked behind. An elf landed moments later in a massive explosion, sending several trees the the side.

[Mage – lvl ??]

‘Undefined hmm...engaging seems stupid right now. I want to check Salia as quickly as possible.’ she thought as the elf scanned his surroundings. His magic was blinding in the eye of magic perception and he didn’t seem to see her sphere. The elf sniffed the air before looking directly at her. “Ffooound you human.” its voice again sounded like a loud whisper but this time Ilea heard it quite normally. The pressure in its obviously magic infused voice did nothing to her.

Ilea blinked away to a tree thirty meters away while being at an angle the elf wouldn’t see. An explosion of fire rocked the earth where she had just stood and she kept on blinking to the next tree and then the next.

The explosions continued behind her though as she moved they went further and further away. To her left was a small lake frozen over and covered by snow. Another five blinks later she looked backwards and saw the ice elf and fire elf fighting on the lake.

They both teleported around while magic came and went, sending explosions and shards of ice through the lake and the trees beyond. Both of them were flying yet had no wings and both of them were wielding the strongest magic of the respective element Ilea had seen so far.

Contrary to what she had seen men do, these two would engage in close combat battles, teleporting close and using powerful magic at point blank range, often injuring themselves. ‘They likely have more resistance to the element they’re wielding so it only makes sense...’ she thought as she turned around and continued to blink. She soon did a sharp turn to the right and continued blinking through the forest while staying airborne.

No tracks would be left behind except her smell but she couldn’t really do anything about that right now. She regulated the heat in her body so that she would blend into the environment as best as possible. She hoped the elves wouldn’t see her blink usage or her sphere but from the distance she had looked at the fight, Ilea could only see magic when highly volatile spells were being used. ‘Let’s hope they have similar limitations...’

Twenty minutes of blinking later, she finally stopped at a tree and started meditating. Ilea still had plenty of mana but should she be forced to engage one of them she wanted to be decked out. The explosions had stopped a while ago though Ilea was sure she would still hear them at the distance she had come so far. ‘One of them won...something tells me it was the ice mage...’

She kept on rushing through the woods, trying to orient herself to the south yet not quite sure if she was on the right track. An hour later Ilea was rather sure she had lost the elves. ‘At least for now. Let’s hope whatever they want in Dawntree is more important than me.’

Another hour later Ilea finally found a road. The snow crunched below her armored boots and the healer in elven armor looked through the white forest and the road that split the scenery. Sighing deeply, Ilea closed her eyes and took a deep breath of cold air. Her instincts told her that it was too cold, that she should seek shelter, warmth and food but her body desired nothing of the sort. She felt powerful, cold yes yet it didn’t matter.

Her wings sprouted out of her armor and Ilea flew over the road, keeping lower than the trees on each side. Half an hour later she came up on a hill and crossing it the forest beyond opened up. In the distance were more hills and beyond was smoke. Ilea fastened her pace yet continued to use the road, her ashen wings moving gracefully in the winter air.

A determined expression was on the healer’s face and not a trace of a smile could be seen as she closed in on the next hill. More and more of the landscape seemed familiar to her and as soon as she reached the hill overlooking the city beyond her breathing quickened. A slight cold spread in her abdomen but it quickly faded again as she steadied her breathing. Lifting her hand she found that the shaking lessened slowly. ‘Let’s go Ilea.’

A note from Rhaegar

Survey removed, thanks for the answers everyone

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Chapter 64 Snow and Ice

A note from Rhaegar

Been busy with Dark Souls remastered and Destiny so didn't write a lot this week. Here's a chapter though, enjoy.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter. https://twitter.com/RhaegarRRL

Chapter 64 Snow and Ice

The city lay in flames. A beacon of light in the gray and white landscape. Ilea rushed closer on the ground, quickly reaching the walls and blinking beyond. She jumped up the closest house and looked over the city.

Fires were still burning all over the place but it didn’t feel to Ilea like they had started recently. Corpses of guards and adventurers littered the wall behind her and the streets below, interspersed by civilians and non combatants. Looking over into the next street she saw monsters feasting on the dead and even some wild animals doing the same.

[Goblin – lvl 22]

A brown bear roared at some of the small green creatures who immediately scrambled and ran away to another street. Ilea ignored either and blinked into the next house beyond. The inside was eerily untouched, she heard nobody and with her sphere couldn’t make out anything moving except the light snow that still fell outside, hiding the bloodied streets below.

She looked around the room and then continued on her way. She still knew where Roland had lived and so made her way there slowly. Two streets further she came upon five Nazarks going through a house. She would’ve let them be but found there was someone hiding in the basement.

Blinking behind the first monster a Taleen dagger appeared in her hand and she stabbed right through the beast’s skull.

[Nazark – lvl 52]

She quickly walked through the place, not alerting any of the loud and angry monsters. One by one they fell until she stood over the last of them, some of their blood had sullied her armor. Ilea quickly blinked down into the basement right behind the person hiding there, an armored woman in her teens.

[Warrior – lvl 42]

Ilea held her hand over the woman’s mouth and calmed her down as she struggled to get away. “I’m not your enemy.” was all she said and the woman calmed down a moment later. She had a nasty cut in her side which Ilea quickly healed, still holding her mouth shut.

“I have some questions and then I’ll leave you be.” the woman nodded nervously and Ilea let her go. She banged against the wall behind her as she turned around to look at Ilea. The black and bloodied armor and icy eyes behind her horned full plate helmet didn’t make the friendliest first impression. Ilea didn’t care in the slightest though.

“Elf’s came and destroyed the city?” she asked.

The woman nodded quickly “Yes! There were so many of them, I thought they only attack in groups of three or four normally...they came in the night four days ago and I just barely managed to hide away. They herded a lot of monsters in front of them and destroyed the gate to let them in...a Nazark got me badly but you healed me thank you!! I don’t know what I would’ve done down here, I’m sure they...” Ilea put her hand back on the woman’s mouth.

“Thanks, that’s enough.” Ilea blinked out and heard the woman from below ask for her help but then look around confused at the disappeared healer. Ilea closed her eyes slowly and rammed a Taleen sword she had summoned into the wooden floor before blinking to the next house.

‘So they came in force, same time as Dawntree...’ she looked around the streets. Dozens of corpses both of humans and monsters littered the ground. She stood in another street and moved one of the corpses only to find a dead elf staring back at her. ‘Not invincible...’ she thought and continued.

‘They left already then...maybe I’m the first to find the city in this state...’ she thought, ignoring some goblins and nazarks who were fighting over a shiny sword they had found. Tragedy for many would mean very successful days for others, especially in war.

Ilea ignored the dead with cold eyes, moving on through the city. Soon she came up on Roland’s house. Nothing was moving in and around the house and her sphere already told her of some of the things that had happened inside. Blinking into the living room she found Samantha’s dead eyes staring back at her.

Slowly kneeling down, Ilea closed the woman’s eyes and moved her body into a more peaceful position. She quietly moved through the house and repeated the gesture for all the other people she found dead, the icy wind of winter blowing through the house the only other noise besides her silent work.

In the end she had moved all the corpses into the living room and looked at them each before closing her eyes. Her wings spread and all her buffs activated as she stood there with closed eyes and bowing her head. “Rest now and find peace.” she whispered. Not an eloquent prayer or something deserving of the people she had known here but it was all Ilea could give.

She left the house soon after and closed the door behind herself. Roland and Lily were the only ones she hadn’t found and she had a hunch where they could be, should they still be alive. Ilea stopped a couple steps from the house though and looked around. ‘No father should see this.’ she thought and blinked to the next house. Looking through some places she found some beds and even stacks of hay which she all moved to Roland’s house, stacking them inside.

Having done that she jumped to a nearby house and grabbed a massive piece of burning wood. A loud groaning went through the room as the wood fought against her strength. With a snap it came loose and Ilea moved it to the stack of beds and hay she had prepared, setting it on fire.

She stood outside and looked on as the fire took hold, first gradually and then in an outright inferno as the wood was consumed. The fire was crackling and pieces of the house were falling when Ilea heard someone landing behind her, the snow crunching in the process.

“Ah humans...so very...emotional.” the elf said and Ilea turned around. Tears were running down her cheeks as she locked eyes with him.

[Mage - ??]

“That armor? Where did you get that??...” he asked but didn’t seem very surprised “No matter, you will die like all of your kind here have.” he gestured around himself while walking, smiling brightly at her and showing his sharp teeth.

“You cannot hurt them anymore demon.” she said to him, her mind was calm and her hands were steady.

“Demon?? You DARE insult me like this...you will suffer...they are dead already, yes. RAPED and DEFILED as you all should be...but you...you will suffer...humiliating me with such a long hunt for something...so WEAK.” he said, every shouted word brought with it magic that froze the ground around him.

“Stop talking Demon.” she said as her buffs came to life.

“AAAAH!” the elf shouted as a lance of ice formed above Ilea and rushed down. She blinked to the right and ran through the side streets, some wolves immediately rushed away at the explosion of magic behind her.

“Not here...” Ilea whispered as she ran through the streets, feeling the magic behind her. She dodged to the right as she came up on a small square, the lance of ice impacted a shop beyond, exploding into thousands of tiny shards.

The elf came out from the street and faced her, wrath and joy playing a gruesome play on his face. “Running is POINTLESS hu...” Ilea blinked in and punched the elf, releasing all her spells in the process. The monster was thrown backwards and impacted the side of a house, breaking through stone and coming to a stop on the stone ground.

“YOU DARE!!!” he shouted as he got up, his claws extending from his fingers. The blow didn’t seem to have damaged the elf at all.

“Stop talking.” she said as he advanced again, an armor of ice forming around his body while spikes came from all sides to pierce the healer. She blinked around and jumped from house to house to avoid the magic that relentlessly advanced on her.

“HAHAHAHAAAAAA DIE HUMAN!!” the elf was controlling his magic as Ilea grabbed bricks from a nearby house and threw them at him. The impacts didn’t even crack his armor of ice but it certainly helped to piss him off.

“Insolent...BITCH!!” another brick hit the elf right in his face, his head moving backwards a little at the impact.

‘I’ve gotten better at throwing hmm?’ Ilea thought as the annoying elf continued to spew insults at her while ice impacted around her. She noticed that wherever she was the air and ground would freeze slowly so she kept moving through the houses and streets. The elf followed her into the latest house and she blinked in to punch the man, cracking his armor and sending her destructive mana inside.

He was too heavy with his armor to be thrown away like before but Ilea was satisfied to see her mana reached his very core. Another punch hit as ice spikes shot out of his armor, skidding at her armor and piercing her arm near a joint.

She removed the spike as it was slowly freezing her insides and healed the damage. Her ice resistance certainly did its job as even with level six nearly half of her arm was nearly frozen in seconds.

“WHAT...you...a healer after all...” the man smiled at her just as he blocked a thrown candlestick with his arm. “You think this will...” a massive wooden closet flew into the elf and shot him backwards before impacting the wall behind. Air was pushed out of his lungs before Ilea kicked the back of the closet, splintering the wood in the process.

“AAAAH!!!” Ilea blinked outside as an explosion of cold froze a big part of the house solid. The elf burst out from the stone roof, his eyes glowing blue from below the ice armor. Some chips on it could be seen but they were quickly reforming.

“You’re ANNOYING me. Just DIE already.” he screamed and shot over a hundred shards of ice at her. Ilea just flew in place with her wings and protected her eyes with her arms as the ice clanged against her armor, piercing through where no armor was. She got the pieces out quickly before they would freeze her body and looked at the fuming elf.

“No shit you’re annoying.” she got another brick and threw it at the elf who dodged it. Blinking in again, she punched just as more ice pierced her skin. The elf was a little deranged she found but certainly not a bad warrior. The best she’d seen so far she found, not counting the Praetorians.

‘I’d like to see Edwin fight this guy...’ her need to touch the man in combat certainly didn’t help her with his ice armor and its ability to sprout spikes immediately. So Ilea summoned a Taleen spear and tried to assault him from a little further away while dodging his ranged attacks.

Sadly though the spear didn’t even manage to scratch the armor and at one point the elf simply grabbed it and shock froze it until it splintered.

“A storage item?? So the hunt was not completely worthless...” the elf said and smiled wide, some spittle forming on his mouth.

“You’re drooling mate.” Ilea said and smiled a little as she dodged another barrage of ice by blinking into a nearby house. ‘How much mana does this guy have...’ she thought and blinked close again to punch the elf. Again her arm was pierced and ice spread through her. This time though Ilea persevered and used her reverse reconstruction to trade damage with the elf.

“What ARE YOU?!” he shouted and shot her away with more spikes of ice. Ilea turned off her pain and used her right fist to smash through her frozen arm before she started to regenerate it.

“What is it? Not used to hunt something that fights back?” she asked and blinked in again, punching more mana into the elf before being pierced again. This time the elf went for her eyes and she barely managed to move her head in the last second before blinking away again.

‘I’m gonna run out soon. Been healing myself nearly constantly...’ Ilea thought as she blinked through the nearby houses, wherever she stood shards of ice would land and freeze even the stone below.

She tried to get away with random blinks but found the elf was always just a second behind her, not enough for her to regenerate significant amounts of mana. The problem was that the elf was regenerating as well and Ilea felt that he was fighting very economical. His attacks were precise and deadly yet not over the top, except that one time he had frozen nearly a full house.

Three lances of ice landed on her chest and sent her flying as she appeared again in one of the streets, she skidded to a halt on the snow below, blood coming to her mouth. “Why do you fight it human...it’s in your nature to DIE!” a hundred shards formed above and rained down on Ilea who summoned a dwarven shield and blocked the attacks. None of them pierced and she made the shield vanish again.

“YOU FLY!!” another volley hit with the same result as before, for some reason infuriating the elf even more so.

“It’s in our nature to fight.” she stated and blinked in again, delivering a kick to his side, cracking the ice before her leg started freezing.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches level 7’

She smiled at the slight help in the fight and ran into another side street. A gust of cold wind came in behind her and a thousand small shards of frozen water pierced her skin. Reconstruction stopped the spreading of the cold and healed the small cuts immediately, her mana was running low though.

‘One thing left to try then...’ she thought and summoned the elven dagger that immediately started to scream.

“AAAAH YOU DARE TO LOCK ME AWAY HUMAN!!!” she dodged some shards of ice and jumped to the elf, stabbing into his shoulder.

“AAAAH!!!” he screamed as she removed the dagger and her arm went numb from the cold. Another frost nova turned the elf’s surroundings into ice as Ilea appeared twenty meters away, flying in the air.

‘Great, now there’s two of them...’ she ignored both the elf’s and elven dagger’s screaming and concentrated on the fight. Ice had already formed around the wound again and the elf only seemed to get angrier. ‘I don’t think I can kill this guy...’ she thought as a golden lance impacted her enemy and slightly cracking his armor. She made the dagger vanish and blinked away before checking where the attack had come from.

She saw nothing until a small flash of light could be seen from a hill several hundred meters away and outside the city. Another lance impacted the elf who looked around irritated. ‘Someone’s helping.’ she thought and quickly started meditating. She would get as much of her mana back as she could as long as the elf was distracted.

He was in the range of her sphere and had found the attacker as well, dodging another lance and sending spears of ice their way. ‘He can shoot that far...’ she thought as the last of her wounds closed and her mana started to rapidly regenerate.

Suddenly Ilea saw someone with an immensely big war hammer fly towards the elf. The monster dodged and the hammer impacted the ground below, sending a shockwave through the vicinity. Even Ilea who stood nearly twenty meters away and on the first floor was a little unsteady on her feet as the wave went through.

More golden lances impacted the elf who crashed into a nearby house. The war hammer man followed. Ilea was back at a third of her power as she saw someone rush past her house and after the elf. The silhouette had two curved daggers and moved faster than Ilea at full speed.

Quickly after both of them jumped out of the house as a nova of frost froze their backs. The fast one screamed and slowly got up while the one with the war hammer stood before her. ‘A woman the rogue...’ Ilea thought as she looked upwards to see mana form and then unleash on the house inside which the elf resided.

The air distorted as the whole house was pushed downwards for over five seconds. Ilea was starstruck as she watched the stone crumble downwards. She jumped out of the window with over half her mana restored and rushed up to the rogue. “I’m friendly.” she said and started healing the woman who relaxed immediately as the mana flowed into her.

“Save some of it for that guy.” the man next to her said as he lifted his hammer and jumped inside the torrent of magic.

“What is he...” Ilea asked as she saw the elf was the only thing still standing in the middle of the ruined house. The stone around him was completely flattened. ‘Gravity...’ As the man jumped in, the magic stopped until his hammer was right above the elf. Activating the magic again, the hammer and all of the man’s strength landed on the elf, cracking his armor as another frost nova exited. It was immediately pushed downwards and only managed to freeze the man’s legs.

The magic from above stopped and the rogue rushed in again as golden lances landed on the elf from another angle than before. Ilea blinked in again and punched the elf four times, sending her mana through him. She saw the rogue punch the daggers through the elf’s armor and back before rushing away again.

Ilea threw the massive man away, useless with his legs frozen and hugged the elf, tanking the next frost nova while pushing reversed Reconstruction into the enemy. Her eyes were frozen as was a big part of her body. The ice cracked as her hands reached around the elf’s head, her unfeeling frozen thumbs were pushed into the creature’s eyes as it screamed.

With her sphere Ilea saw the man had crawled to his war hammer as a bolt of magic impacted the elf’s head right next to her arm. Moving his body the man threw his hammer upwards over the two before gravity was increased and pushed it downwards with incredible speed.

Ilea watched on as the hammer impacted the unarmored skull of the elf, completely obliterating its head and torso with her arms along with it. All three collapsed as the increased gravity stopped and all her mana rushed in to restore her body. More lances of mana impacted the destroyed body of the elf as the rogue advanced, grabbed the daggers and started smashing them into the destroyed enemy’s body while screaming.

‘He’s dead...’ Ilea thought as the information came to her head. Her eyes were restored and she looked at the man who had lost his legs, both of them were smiling.

Chapter 65 There is a title though it holds no meaning

A note from Rhaegar

I am trying to cobble together the next arc, send interesting ability ideas please. Hev fun.

Chapter 65 There is a title though it holds no meaning

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Ozanion – Ethereal Ice Weaver - lvl 293 / Fortress of Ice – lvl 258]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy one hundred levels or more above your own. Additional experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 193, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 194, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 195, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 196, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 197, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 184, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 185, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 186, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 187, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 188, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 1’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 10’

Ilea lay there smiling at the man in front of her and was overwhelmed by the amount of levels and skill advancements she had received. ‘He was only a hundred levels higher...I remember getting much less for the centurion I killed together with Agor...’ her body continued to heal as more and more of the ice on her cracked. As soon as her throat and lungs returned to their former glory she started laughing. A loud and hearty laugh. The rogue behind her was still stabbing the lifeless remains of the elf while the warrior on the ground just smiled below his helmet. Both of them were wearing pitch black armor with wisps of shadow moving on it from time to time.

Ilea couldn’t stop laughing and remembering these people’s name didn’t help in that endeavor. “Sha….haahahahaha..shadow’s...hahahah hand...” her stomach hurt as she turned on her perception of pain again, finishing the process of healing. The mage had landed in the meantime and calmed down the rogue. He too was wearing black armor but with an additional mantle on top.

Ilea slowly calmed down and crawled to the warrior while still chuckling. Her healing mana flowed through him but Ilea couldn’t even feel his legs anymore. She calmed down finally and felt immensely tired suddenly. Completely serious again she looked down on him. “I have to take off your legs before healing them. How’s your pain resistance?”

“High enough. I’m no masochist but welcome a necessary way to level it higher. Go on then.” Ilea removed the man’s helmet, revealing an unremarkable man in his thirties, scars all over his face. She then summoned a dagger and put its handle into the man’s mouth. He bit down and closed his eyes. She couldn’t care less about them knowing about her storage necklace, she was too tired. She punched on the ice around his legs and ripped away some of the armor pieces. Silently she stood up and summoned a great sword.

Her buffs activated and she cut down on the man’s legs, slightly above where they had been frozen. He screamed as blood started to flow. Ilea knelt down and quickly stopped the bleeding on both legs. The rogue had calmed down and looked on with the mage as she did her healing.

Ilea saw that above the house next to them someone else had appeared and looked on in silence. The warrior’s legs slowly rebuilt as he screamed and screamed until the mage lifted his hand. A quick burst of mana impacted the warrior’s head and knocked him out. Ilea meditated while healing and twenty minutes later his legs were good as new. It took longer to heal someone else’s limbs than her own she found.

She sat down on her ass and looked upwards. “Is he dead?” the rogue asked but the mage shook his head. “No, she saved him and us a lot of time to find a healer.” he said.

Ilea saw the rogue was level 203. The three others were too high for her to see. “It’s you who saved me.” she said quietly, looking at the elf’s remains.

“You have gained much more experience than we have. So the damage dealt by you in the prior fight must have been substantial. Do not undersell yourself child.” the mage said. Instead of a helmet he wore a strange mask. Ilea found she couldn’t see below with her sphere.

“Child...” she said the word out loud. “..in some ways I guess I am. Let’s leave then, I know a place that might be a little safer. It’s somewhere in the city, maybe we’ll find survivors there.” Ilea said and got up. She was too tired to notice no objections came from the others. Not even when she simply grabbed the unconscious warrior and walked onwards to the sewer entrance she had remembered taking with Lily.

The shadow’s hand followed her quietly as if it were the most normal thing in the world until they came up on the stairs to the sewers. Ilea didn’t notice anything weird and simply walked in. “Can one of you find people down here? I can only spot them when I’m close.” Ilea asked and the mage motioned to the rogue.

The small woman took the lead and the group walked on until fifteen minutes later the rogue stopped in front of a wall. “Teleportation?” Ilea asked and looked at the mage whom she assumed to be the leader of the squad.

“Only me and her.” he said to which Ilea used her right fist to smash through the stone wall. One punch was enough to make a big enough hole for them to move through and the group went on. The mage took the lead then and Ilea let him, their reputation would help smite any misunderstandings should they actually find someone.

“Next room, six people. They’re nervous. Two mages I think.” Ilea said and the mage nodded before entering. The others followed and saw how he deflected an arrow and an ice projectile before taking a rock spike directly to the chest.

“Stop attacking!” someone shouted and no more projectiles followed. Whispers of “Shadow’s hand.” went through the room as the group advanced.

Ilea talked to one of the men before the mage introduced their group. “Is Roland alive?” she asked and the man just looked at her confused. “Roland, berserker uses two axes.” the man finally opened his eyes wide.

“Yes...yes he’s here, not on shift. You know him?”

“He’s the reason I’m here. I’m a friend, he’s behind?” she asked and the man nodded.

“Yes but we have to check you first let me...” she had already blinked behind and looked around the room. There were nearly forty people in the small space and it reeked. ‘Shit piss and blood.’ she thought and spat on the ground.

“Roland where are you, it’s Ilea.” she said into the room, only some coughs and frightened shouts at her sudden appearance were the answer.

“Dad it’s her! It’s Ilea!” a bundle of clothes suddenly ran out of a corner, waking up the two people next to her.

“Lily...” Ilea said and smiled the brightest smile she had shown since the Praetorian encounter. ‘It wasn’t for nothing...’ she thought and knelt down to embrace the girl.

“Ilea you’re suffocating me...” the girl said after a couple seconds and Ilea let her go, looking at the dirty face and ragged clothes.

“I’m sorry, it’s just...” tears formed in her eyes and Ilea couldn’t stop herself from crying at the sight of this innocent girl, caught up in this completely ridiculous mess. ‘Elves murdered everyone...how is this even real...what the hell..’ she thought and wiped away the tears.

“Well look at that...can’t blame you for crying at my beautiful sight.” Roland said and smirked at her. His right arm was missing and had been sloppily bandaged. Ilea repressed her urge to punch the man and got up to heal his arm.

“This is going to hurt. I need you to bite on this.” she said, summoning another dagger. His eyes went wide as he looked at the weapon.

“Ilea when did you get a..a.aaAAAHHHHH” she stopped again and shoved the weapon in his mouth.

“I said this is going to hurt. Bite down.” he listened this time and bit down until the arm was as good as new. It went a little better than healing the warrior. Maybe it had to do with his higher level or the sheer mass of the guys legs.

“Ilea how did you find us and why are you here? What happened...where did you?” she stopped him and made the dagger vanish again before making him follow.

“We need to talk, alone.” her icy eyes met his and he nodded.

“Lily we’ll be back soon, wait here.” Roland said to the girl who didn’t look like she planned on listening.

“Lily, please round up all the injured people and I’ll heal them after. Can you do that?” Ilea asked seriously and the girl nodded, a new purpose filling her eyes.

The two walked silently out of the room where they found the guards talking to the mage. The rogue tried to wake up the warrior while the ranger stood silently in a corner.

“The shadow’s hand...what are they? Don’t tell me you joined them..with that armor and all...what’s your level by the way, I can’t see it anymore..not that that surprises me.” Roland asked on but Ilea went into the only empty corner in the room and turned to face him.

“No I did not join them. I went to Dawntree and joined an expedition, many died. I got some gear and a storage necklace out of it. The elves attacked outside of Dawntree so I rushed here in the hopes to find you. Roland I’m sorry.” she finished and Ilea looked on as he processed all she’d said until with the last bit his eyes lost their life.

He lightly punched her chest as his lips quivered a little. “None…?” he asked and she shook her head lightly. The man’s shoulders sank as Ilea removed her helmet and hugged him. Her wings sprouted and wrapped around Roland as he mourned the loss of his family.

Some of her own tears joined his as they stood there. The shadow’s hand ignored them completely and the survivors who looked at her looked away quite quickly again seeing her stare.

Five minutes later the man had calmed down a little and Ilea helped him sit down and lean on the wall. “Mage.” the man looked at her. “I assume the breach has been closed already?” he nodded and just then one of the survivors returned, a level 80 mage.

“Ranger. Can you look after him?” she looked at the person shrouded in shadows and received a light nod in return. With her sphere she could make out that it was a woman. Likely all members of this group have experienced loss and that one was a quiet one. Ilea liked the woman immediately when she had landed on the house next to the group.

“Roland, I’ll be back soon with Lily. We will talk about the next steps then.” she just said it to him knowing he didn’t hear her at all. Should he recover the ranger would at least know his daughter’s name.

Ilea saw behind her how the ranger knelt down next to Roland and removed a flask from her pack. “Mage, what’s your name?” Ilea asked the man. The guards literally recoiled at her questions while the mage didn’t react.

“In our order it is considered offensive to ask for names, they are offered. Mage is perfectly fine but you may address me as Sulivhaan if you must.” he said.

“Sulivhaan then. The injured are being woken up as we speak. I’ll heal them after. Why did you come to this city?” she asked and the surviving adventurers were looking at each other as if they were seeing their first eclipse happening.

Ilea blinked to the room before the one they were standing in and the mage appeared nearly immediately after. “Be careful, though it is a small amount of mana there are many who can detect it.” he said but didn’t seem to be scolding her.

“Our purpose here is with the order. So it shall stay. Yet I feel you are not inquiring about the depths of our plans.” he waited for her to nod. “Good, it is never good to assume, though one may be right nearly at all times.” he said but Ilea didn’t feel like the statement was arrogant, he was merely stating a fact.

“We are here to investigate the elves and their recent movements. To kill ones who are acting alone or in small groups. The one you were fighting was especially dangerous. You would have died if we hadn’t intervened.” he finished.

“Yes I would have.” she said yet there was no feeling of gratefulness, only a dull acceptance of the fact.

“What do you know of the elf then and how did you start to fight?” the mage asked.

“I came from Dawntree, the city is under siege. I don’t know how many of them are there but at least three followed me initially. They fought each other for the right to hunt me...at least that’s what I assume. I then came to Salia in the hopes to find someone. I found their house and burned it down when the elf appeared. I don’t think he tracked me, more that he came to the closest city in the hopes of finding me.”

“Dawntree is new but it was to be expected. They won’t break through without heavy losses so we shall focus on other places. Salia is lost though and so are at least Venea, Wolf Fort and Stormbreach. Though many were luckily saved by a quick intervention.” Sulivhaan said.

“Do you know about Riverwatch?” Ilea asked the man.

“As far as I know no attack has happened there but my information is a couple days old at best.”

‘Will go there then after we’re done here.’ She thought and stayed silent.

“Do you have information on the elves’ abilities?” the man asked and Ilea mentioned all the spells she had seen either shot at Dawntree before she left or afterwards at her or between the elves.

“That will help a little. What will you do then? I cannot deny that your assistance and previous fight with the elf helped us achieve victory without casualties. The levels gained by the others are thanks to you. Otherwise we would’ve lost promising recruits again.”

“Recruits? They’re over level 200.” Ilea said

“The order only accepts recruits at level 200. If you wished to join though I’d be able to give in a recommendation. It would be an honor to have a warrior like yourself in our order.” he said.

“I’ll think about it. Didn’t really plan to join any cults today though. Where were you stationed again?”

“Ravenhall.” came the short answer.

“Ravenhall, of course...my first reaction is a joke about how edgy that is but with all those people dying...it just doesn’t seem funny anymore...” she said in a quiet tone.

“Interesting. Are you perhaps from a distant land?” the man asked and Ilea locked eyes with him.

“Yes...and children stories warned us from sharing too much with dark mages shrouded in shadows. Not that I keep anything to myself.” she shrugged.

“Yet I am no dark mage, merely interested in geography. Though perhaps you are from a different realm altogether, there our librarian would certainly be interested. Another reason for you to visit at least.”

“Again, I’ll visit. Why do you care so much anyway? And why did you chose to follow me here, it could’ve been a trap.” she asked.

“You do not seem to be yourself at the moment or perhaps this is truly who you are? There was no reason for you to intervene. Of course you had been fighting before but I had expected you to run away after we showed up, yet you did not. You used your storage device in front of us so casually it seemed not foolish yet curious to me. Those are the reasons we have followed you here. You gave us your trust as a courtesy, the reasons for which do not matter. It is a gesture seldom rewarded and I am glad I did so today.”

The man then sighed. “To answer your first question...I see something in you. Something that many young ones have. Most of them do not reach the level of power you already have and perish long before. Too many like me….” he suddenly stopped “I have said too much already but I will explain shall you chose to visit. Do not give up.”

Ilea was confused when the man walked back to the others and stood there for a minute. ‘Another realm? So there’s someone interested in that. I’m not sure what he meant but maybe there’s someone there who knows why I’m here…another place to visit then. What did he mean by not giving up?’ she shrugged and walked back to heal the injured. On her way she saw that Roland had regained some of his color and was talking to...well at the ranger. She nodded sometimes but stayed silent.

Only around ten people had injuries that hadn’t healed on their own in the time they had been down there and Ilea quickly and quietly took care of them, ignoring all questions and thanks. “What’s your level Ilea?” Lily asked when she was done.

“I’m 197 dear.” she said and rubbed the girl’s head “Don’t ask people that though, they can get angry sometimes.”

“Why?” came the inevitable question.

“Because it gives people a certain power over you if they know your level. And people want to take advantage of you Lily. Not all of them, but many.” she smiled and thought of Alice and Edwin.

“So I should never tell them?” Lily asked.

“That you will have to decide for yourself.”

“You just told me...but maybe that was a mistake.” the girl looked at her mischievously. Ilea was glad the girl had a nice moment like that. The inevitable tragic would come sooner or later. It was not her place to share it with her though, that was Roland’s alone.

“Maybe it was little one. Maybe it was. Not the first time I made mistakes.” The girl nodded attentively before Ilea walked back to Sulivhaan, Lily did follow her this time and hid behind her looking at the mage.

“Ilea he’s scary.”

“Then you better not tell him his level and prepare your weapon...do you have it still?” Ilea asked.

Suddenly a black dagger appeared from below the girl’s clothes, angled at the mage. A moment later the girl hid behind Ilea again.

“You have to chose your opponents wisely, sometimes retreat or diplomacy is the way to victory or survival.” the mage supplied unexpectedly. Ilea felt like the man was smiling behind his mask but she couldn’t be sure.

“OH, I never thanked you Ilea! Thank you for the dagger, I LOVE it!!”

“It’s alright it’s alright. I’m glad you like the weapon. Don’t forget to thank the man for his counsel, did you listen to what he said?” Ilea asked while smirking.

“Yes, one has to chose one’s opponents wisely. And sometimes running away is better.”

“Smart one that one.” one of the survivors commented.

“What have you planned for the people here Sulivhaan?” Ilea asked then, turning the conversation towards a more serious topic again.

“They are their own masters.” was his simple reply.

‘So he does not intend to help them or care for them.’ Ilea thought and nodded.

“What about you then?” she asked.

“There are many possibilities. Though as you mentioned there were three elves following you...” she smiled at that and nodded.

“I’ll play bait. As long as you let me play a little before you intervene.” she said, her smile widening.

“You could die child. You will if you do not take this seriously. And do not let your thoughts of vengeance get in your way.” the man told her.

“Let me worry about my own life old man.” she said and walked to Roland, the smile leaving her eyes. ‘If I die I die.’ she though ‘Maybe I can take one or two of the fuckers with me.’

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there general kenobi.

Chapter 66 Hunting

A note from Rhaegar

Wrong question last time. I need abilitiy ideas for new people, not for Ilea. Though still you got me some good ideas, so thanks

">.

Chapter 66 Hunting

‘I’m thinking more about his vengeance than mine.’ she thought as she reached the man and knelt down next to him.

“How are you feeling?” she asked him and nodded to the ranger who gracefully excused herself, retaking her vacant spot on the wall.

“As well as you might expect...” the man said, though a little life has returned to his eyes. “George always said he wanted to move...” his head sank again.

“Do you want to see the house?” he nodded and she helped him up.

“We’re going out quickly, you guy mage over there, close up behind us.” Ilea said. The shadow’s hand followed her unexpectedly. The warrior was on his feet again as well and nodded lightly to her.

“Lily we’ll be back shortly! I’ll have a small present for you as well!” Ilea said to the kid with a smile. Upon leaving the room her smile left though and the group walked sullenly towards Roland’s house. The snow crunched below their boots as they walked through the less and less bloody streets.

More monsters had come in the meantime and goblins were fighting over random things they had found. They all steered clear of their group though. Ilea was pretty sure it wasn’t her though.

Reaching the house, they found it had burned down nearly completely in the meantime. Ilea was glad to not find any silhouettes of people left inside, only ash. Roland cried quietly as they all stood there in silence. The ranger stepped forward and unstrapped her bow, before loosing a single arrow into the air. It glowed golden as it expanded into the size of a lance and flew on for hundreds of meters.

Ilea touched Roland’s shoulder and kept her hand there for a while. “I would like to have a moment alone...” he said and the group quietly left. Sulivhaan motioned for them to follow and approached the dead elf they had left behind.

He had to calm down the rogue again who had already unsheathed her daggers and approached the mangled corpse. “What do you plan on doing?” Ilea asked the mage.

“I intend to set...an example. You may wait here while I go...rogue come help me.” the corpse suddenly began to float as his magic took hold and the two walked away, leaving Ilea behind with the two others.

“Thank you for the help. You may call me Rock.” the warrior said and held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you Rock. I’m Ilea.” she shook the man’s hand and had to activate her buffs not to get her hand crushed.

“Ha, you actually didn’t break anything. That very rarely happens. It’s an honor Ilea.” he said.

The conversation died there, none of the three felt the need to talk about anything. Ilea checked her status and put her newly acquired fifty points into strength, quickly going over her gains again. Shroud of ash reaching the 2nd stage was the biggest change and she quickly read it through before checking her status.

Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 1

Shroud yourself in a mist of ash increasing your resilience by 60% [Effect after bonuses 180%]

2nd stage: Your resistances also benefit from Shroud of Ash’s bonus.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Class 1: Azarinth Healer – lvl 197

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Reconstruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Sphere – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Body of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Magic Perception – lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 16

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 188

- Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 1

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 19

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 15

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 8

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 15

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 15

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 10

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 6

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 16

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – lvl 7

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 5

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 3

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – lvl 3

Status:

Vitality: 550

Endurance: 285

Strength 171

Dexterity 340

Intelligence 495

Wisdom 300

Health: 5500/5500

Stamina: 2848/2850

Mana: 2989/3000

‘Well that’s basically tripling my resistances.’ a couple weeks ago she would’ve likely rejoiced about the outcome but seeing Roland looking at his house left her in quite the opposite mood. The three waited for a while longer until Roland showed up first. He had simply followed the fresh tracks in the snow.

The sun was actually out a little and no fresh snow was falling though it wasn’t warm by any stretch. “Ilea can I ask for something.” the man said and she nodded.

“I’ll go join the others again. We’ll discuss what to do next but it’s too dangerous for any of us up here. With the possibility of more elves….” he trailed off and she just nodded.

“Whatever you want Roland, just tell me.” it turned out he just asked for her to bring the people some food, water and other necessities like blankets and fresh clothes. There was plenty around in the city and it would take the goblins and other vaguely intelligent monsters quite a while to strip it clean.

“I’ll be back here then, will bring him back first.” Ilea said to the others but the warrior stood up and stopped her.

“I’ll bring him, you go look for the things he asked for.” the man said.

“Aren’t we a little too casual, an elf could come at any minute.”

Rock chuckled “Sulivhaan knows. As soon as he says there’s danger, there’s danger.” it seemed like a fact to him and Ilea found no reason to doubt his word.

‘I’d be dead without them already so why the hell not.’ she shrugged and got up.

“Then I’ll see you later.” she said to Roland who nodded to her.

Walking off, Ilea intended to find food and water first. She noticed a couple steps later that the ranger was following her. “You wanna come?” she didn’t receive an answer but shrugged and walked on. Three side streets later the ranger stopped behind her and knocked on one of the buildings.

“What is it? You think there’s food in there.”

“Storage.” came the reply and Ilea followed the ranger. Inside the store was a complete mess, monsters had certainly made this place an early target. Though Ilea saw underground with her sphere and knelt down to the ground.

She grabbed the handle of the cellar door and ripped it away, skidding it across the floor for a couple meters before walking downstairs.

“Teleport?” the ranger asked but Ilea just shook her head.

“You’re with me and you can’t teleport right?” she more stated than asked and walked down into the cellar. The ranger had been right, there was plenty of food down there. The attack had happened less than a week ago so perishables were still mostly fine.

“Do you know if food perishes inside storage?” she asked the ranger who shook her head.

“So it doesn’t?”

“It shouldn’t” the ranger said.

“Good to know.” Ilea stored all the food in the whole cellar inside her necklace, filling around forty units of storage with vegetables, bread, meat and grain while intending to leave half of that with Roland. The two quietly moved on and checked different stores and buildings, some of them government as well. Salia was after all an independent city so there was a city armory and treasury as well.

An hour later, the two had gotten enough weapons, food and water for the survivors to continue to stay survivors for at least the next couple weeks. The ranger left after to go report to Sulivhaan while Ilea went to dump all the things.

Blinking down into the cellar there were discussions going on all over the place, their coming had roused quite a bit of a reaction from the survivors and most of them quickly shushed each other to listen to the healer. Though the healer said nothing and walked to Roland.

“I have the things you’ve asked for.” she said as crates of food appeared around her. Soon weapons joined, blankets and clothes, armors and shields. Backpacks were added as well as water canteens though they weren’t filled. There were wells in the city though with all the blood and corpses Ilea didn’t think it the best idea to use them. She did however find a metal water tank inside one of the shop’s cellars which she took with her. It wasn’t too big not to fit into her necklace.

“You’ve done more than asked Ilea. Thank you.” Roland said and hugged her. “We’ll organize everything here and inform you when and where we plan to leave to.” he continued “You won’t come with us?” he asked.

Ilea looked at him. ‘He hasn’t told her yet...though he is hiding it well.’ she shook her head. “I’m sorry Roland but I’ll have to find my own path, wherever that may be. Though I have a hunch it will be a bloody one...at least for the next couple weeks and months.” with that another box appeared though it looked quite different than the others.

“From the city’s treasury. Before the looters get it I thought the actual owners should have it.” Roland nodded but it was obvious he didn’t really care about any of those things.

‘If it can provide some help with Lily then it’s worth it.’ Ilea thought as the people walked up to the crates and started distributing and looking through the weapons and clothes.

Ilea turned to Lily and knelt down next to her. “I have a little something for you too, something you can remember me by. We will probably not see each other in quite some time but I promise I’ll visit.” she smiled at the girl as the Alpha Hound trinket appeared in her hand. She then fastened the small necklace around the girl’s neck and hugged her.

“I’ll miss you Ilea!” the girl said and smiled. Ilea smiled at her and then looked at Roland. Their eyes locked for a moment before she nodded and vanished.

‘I’ll miss you too Lily...’ she thought as she walked through the streets. She found the ranger waiting for her where they had fought the elf and followed. The two walked in silence until they came out of the city, past its broken down gate.

Ilea stood still for a moment and took in the sight. It seemed like the shadow’s hand had gathered all the dead elves who had fallen in the city and put them up on metal poles, pierced mind you. Ilea shook her head but didn’t mind the display of violence. ‘For a man that speaks of diplomacy and retreat he certainly knows how to send a message.’

“You disapprove?” he asked as he reached her.

“No. I find it unnecessary and below us. As humans, though I understand.” he seemed happy with the answer and simply watched on as the rogue prepared the last corpse.

“Twelve of them for the whole city?” Ilea asked and the others stayed silent. She left back into the city soon after and simply walked around. Curiously she walked into a fancy looking bookstore and opened one of the heavy leather covers. ‘A novel...’ she thought and smiled.

The next few hours were spent by her filling up crates with books she was interested in and putting them into her storage. She left it at ten crates before she continued onwards. Only some of the books were purely chosen on beautiful covers though nearly all of them looked very nice to her. Looking at the prices she certainly made quite a steal with the find. None of the monsters had seemingly been interested in the books either.

Ilea had found a map of the city as well and held it out in front of her while walking through the streets, the snow crunching below her. A sudden whistling noise made her perk up and she made the map vanish and ran towards the noise. She put on her helmet in time as she jumped up on one of the buildings.

In the distance she could see a streak of fire coming closer at a quick pace. ‘The next one then...the one who was hunting me before.’ she thought as she waved at the distant figure.

The top two floors of the house next to hers exploded as the elf impacted on it. “Aaaaaah, you. I remember your smell. So that wretch didn’t find you...what a waste of breath he is.” the man said and looked around before focusing on her.

“More survivors here I see, well I’ll hunt them down after you.”

“Stop talking.” she simply said and blinked in, punching the man. He blocked with his hand and held her fist while smiling. Ilea smiled back as her mana entered his body. Her shroud of ash combined with her high Heat Resistance made fire licking at her manageable.

Still her skin was melting and she had to start healing herself, thus stopping the mana flow into the creature. Using her left leg, she kicked the elf who was brought of balance, letting her blink away. Her skin reformed quickly and her eyesight returned to her just as a beam of fire shot her way. She dodged to the left as it passed her.

“You hurt me human. That is unforgivable...” the elf said and rushed her.

‘Less of a screamer at least...’ Ilea thought and blinked away, intending the elf to follow her. There was a possibility of an immediate third elf joining them so she couldn’t risk losing too much time. Additionally Ilea started to enjoy the sightseeing in the empty town and really didn’t feel like fighting right then.

‘Is that the first time I’ve felt like that?’ she thought but then shook her head and concentrated. A beam of fire shot her way and she blocked it with her arms after turning around. With her shroud and her healing active she could actually counter the attack completely.

The reason she didn’t just dodge the attack was that it was heading for a cute clothing shop she wanted to look at later. ‘Fucking annoying pisser...’ she thought as she continued to run and blink closer to the western gate of the city. She had to block more and more hits as the elf seemingly got just as annoyed with her as she had gotten with him.

Ilea burst out of the gate and landed in the cold blanket of white, rolling. Steam rose from the evaporated snow as she turned around and blinked another twenty meters further back. The elf slowly walked out of the gate with a massive grin on his face.

“A good hunt. So seldom these days. But now please stop running I’m at…..you...” he noticed the strung up and mangled corpses of his brethren and literally exploded in fire. The red flame turned blue as he rushed Ilea with a scream.

“AAAAAHHHHHH” though his claw never landed on her as a massive shift in gravity pushed him downwards suddenly. Three streaks of gold came from a nearby hill and pierced his skin when the rogue appeared behind him with her blades held high. The gravity immediately pushed her arms and subsequently blades downwards and into the elf’s slightly bent back.

He fought on and pushed through the gravity, his eyes fixated on Ilea and completely ignoring the other humans who had joined the fight. Suddenly he vanished and appeared before Ilea but his claw was stopped by her hand. More destructive mana flowed into him as the gravity around them heightened again.

Ilea let go of him in the last moment and blinked away, the air she was standing in replaced by a war hammer in its path to crush them both. The elf lifted his hands up and blocked the hammer enhanced by gravity magic before a fire explosion send both him and the hammer backwards.

A torrent of fire was shot towards the mage flowing above who simply teleported away. Two yellow lances found their target before the elf vanished too. “You dare...do this...to me...” he said, more bewildered than scared.

Ilea appeared before him and sent him skidding backwards with a punch. Blood leaked from his mouth as two blue flaming swords appeared in his hands. “You leave me no choice...” he said and appeared next to Ilea. She moved her torso downwards to dodge the horizontal swing but had to blink away to dodge the second sword coming from the other side a little delayed.

The rogue appeared behind the elf but had to jump backwards again as one of his swords nearly cut her. Gravity enhanced again around the elf but he teleported away again, this time to Rock who blocked the swords with his hammer. The fire licked on his armor as he screamed and was sent backwards.

Two golden streaks were deflected by the elf’s swords before he send a small fireball towards the distant ranger. Ilea advanced again and dodged around, trying to find an opening while avoiding the blades. The rogue tried the same from behind the elf but they both didn’t find purchase. Rock interrupted the fight with his hammer landing in the middle of them and sending them all skidding back.

An explosion made their heads turn slightly as the distant hill from where the golden streaks came burst into flame. The elf smiled and ran at Ilea only to find himself floating slightly. She didn’t let the opening go and punched him in the chest with all her power. The elf was sent flying straight at Rock who swung his hammer sideways, combining the elf’s momentum with all his strength.

A sickening crunch sounded out as the hammer hit and the mangled body was sent into the snow. The elf coughed blood on the ground, two daggers entering his back a moment later. He started burning brightly and the rogue had to retreat. The others had to retreat a couple steps because of the heat and Ilea saw with her perception how his bones snapped back into place.

She blinked into the inferno, landing on the elf’s chest and started pounding her fists onto his skull. With each hit her mana was released as her body and skills fought to keep herself from melting away. After the second hit she felt her whole body drawn to the ground as her fists fell. Cracks formed on the enemy’s skull as her skin was melted off.

With a final hit her fist broke through and the elf’s skull was smashed in, stopping the flames around her in a matter of seconds. Ilea was glad she was still covered in armor, though everything below had third degree burns only the uncovered parts actually lost the skin completely. Only the combination of her new 2nd stage of Shroud of Ash, her 2nd stage of Pain Tolerance and her self healing power allowed for this stunt to work. Additionally of course the added power from Sulivhaan’s magic.

She sat there on top of the elf as her body regenerated, only minutes later did she activate her Pain again and got up.

Chapter 67 Evolution

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone, some things.

I made a Patreon, yey. You get up to 8 additional chapters before they're released on RoyalRoad for supporting me and it's live as of right now (with chapters). Thanks for reading the story so far and I hope to bring you a lot more reading content in the future

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Here's the link (will be added to the Patreon link of the story of course): https://www.patreon.com/RhaegarRRL/overview

For direct pledging: https://www.patreon.com/RhaegarRRL/memberships

I will of course continue to post on RoyalRoad but also want to make it worth it to become a Patron. If you have any ideas and suggestions do comment below or directly on Patreon.

Unrelated: Some people have mentioned that it's often unclear who's talking in dialogue. I'm currently working on that in new chapters. Do keep me updated on how you feel about it.

And of course, enjoy the chapter

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Chapter 67 Evolution

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Werhal – Fire Bearer - lvl 244 / Sword of Atuun – lvl 229]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy forty levels or more above your own. Additional experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 198, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 199, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Healer has reached level 200, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 189, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 190, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 191, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘You have reached level 200 in your primary class. 3rd tier skills are now available.’

‘ding’ ‘You have 1 skill point to bring a skill into the third tier.’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth Healer becomes Azarinth High Priest. No current stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable –

You have healed many on your path to strength. Has saved one hundred people from certain death. Leveled the skill Reconstruction to the end of the 2nd stage. Has the Azarinth Healer class at lvl 200 or higher.

‘The Azarinth High Priest is only second to the elders. She has laid down the path of war to save lives and is a beacon of light for the weary on her path.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth Healer] to [Azarinth High Priest]?’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth Healer becomes Azarinth Juggernaut. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – You have proven yourself unmovable. Has killed five beings with fifty levels above their own. Has killed a being one hundred levels above their own. Leveled the skills Destruction and State of Azarinth to the end of the 2nd stage. Has the Azarinth Healer class at lvl 200 or higher.

‘The Azarinth Juggernaut is the elite of the Azarinth order. She is sent in against all odds and stands against hordes of enemies, supported by her brothers and sisters in arms. Combined with High priests and heavy artillery she builds the core of the Azarinth fighting force.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth Healer] to [Azarinth Juggernaut]?’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth Healer becomes Azarinth blood Berserker. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – You have proven yourself unkillable. Has killed a being two hundred levels above their own. Has killed five beings with one hundred levels above their own. Has fought fifty beings above their level at the same time and won. Has regenerated 50% of their body on their own after winning a fight. Has leveled at least four skills of Azarinth Healer to the second stage. Leveled the skills Destruction and Azarinth Fighting to the end of the 2nd stage. Has the Azarinth Healer class at lvl 200.

‘The Azarinth blood Berserker is a rare elite fighter of the order. Myths and legends are shrouded around this warrior and only few have seen one fight. They are only unleashed at great peril and will slay thousands before they fall. Their regeneration and resilience is as feared as is their blood-lust.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth Healer] to [Azarinth blood Berserker]?’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth Healer becomes Azarinth First Hunter. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable – You are the first hunter, the strongest of your kind. Has fought and killed ten beings with fifty levels above their own while alone. Has fought and killed a being at full power one hundred levels above their own while alone. Has leveled at least five skills of Azarinth Healer to the second stage, at least three of them to the end of the second stage. Has at least ten Resistance skills at lvl 5 or above. Must have the Fear and Mental Resistance skills. Has the Azarinth Healer class at lvl 200.

‘The Azarinth First Hunter is often sent alone on scouting missions to unknown lands and dungeons or used to hunt and kill priority targets otherwise untouchable. They often prefer a more solitary lifestyle and are feared even by the elders. Never more than ten First Hunters have existed at the same time.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth Healer] to [Azarinth First Hunter]?’

Ilea breathed out, still standing over the destroyed elf. ‘I want to go back to look at the city...’ she thought as she read through the messages. ‘Neat. I’ll check that out later...’

She walked up to Rock and healed the burns he had retained from his block. The rogue was fine and Ilea actually smiled when the ranger returned to join them a couple moments later.

“Congratulations on reaching 200.” Rock said as Sulivhaan landed “What are you gonna choose for your first third tier skill? Or do you not have one yet?” he finished.

“I’m not sure yet. How do I get more than one?”

“You get a 3rd stage skill point for each twenty levels after 200, at least that’s how it’s been for me so far. Though the skills you can choose vary. Each has separate requirements.” Sulivhaan helpfully supplied.

“Why didn’t I ask you about this earlier.” Ilea said and looked towards the sky. “When will the next one appear you think?” she asked but Sulivhaan was silent. “Well I’ll go check out the city some more then, will hear the fuck anyway.”

She walked away as Sulivhaan started to talk to the rogue about her advancements. She had gained two levels from the fight. Ilea put her new points into Strength and got her map out again to find the city library. The walk was quiet and the smell of blood and smoke was less prominent already with the layer of snow above the corpses. The weather was shifting again and Ilea assumed the snowfall would return shortly.

Coming to a stop in front of a massive building with beautifully designed architecture Ilea shooed away some goblins and entered the building. ‘Now where would be a good reading spot?’ she thought and walked up to the reception. There was blood smeared on the book in the middle of the counter but luckily it had been closed when the attack had happened.

She opened it up and looked through the pages, quickly finding what she had been looking for. A map of the building itself and prominently placed in the top floor was the office of the top dog in the library. ‘Maybe there’s a high librarian class...’ some air left her nose at her own joke but she didn’t smile.

Ilea simply blinked upwards twice before she entered the luxurious room. ‘More like a penthouse.’ there was a massive desk in the middle of the room and walls lined with bookshelves. More importantly though there were very comfortable looking leather chairs and a fireplace. Nothing was burning at the moment and it gave the room a gray and eerie atmosphere but that would be changed quite quickly. Ilea took the golden lighter that was above the fireplace and looked at it. ‘Nice.’ she thought and used it. A small blue flame appeared before her but there was no spark. Magic perception told her that yes, it was magic. She placed some of the wood from next to the fireplace inside and lit it.

Walking around the room, she looked through the shelfs until she found something interesting enough. It was a book about magical creatures and where to find them in the world. She liked the beautiful painted pictures inside and thought about what something like that might cost without printing being a thing.

Ilea sat down with the book after having moved the chair a little. Now she could both see the crackling fireplace and the snow falling outside. Opening the book she started to read.

The worm of madness can be found in the great Isanna desert. It is vulnerable to light based magic though scholars are still unclear how that is possible seeing the monster is blind. It can track with tremors in the ground and even fluctuations in the air. Be wary of its illusion magic that can turn even the strongest warriors mad.

Half an hour passed and Ilea had read up on many interesting yet terrifying creatures. She was most interested in the backgrounds of the pictures though which depicted beautiful lands and vast natural wonders, though she wasn’t sure how much liberty the artist executed in creating the work. The last part of the book was outright declared as fiction, as many of the monsters were never confirmed to exist and their levels were unknown.

Ilea put the book into her storage necklace, quite interested to continue at a later point in time. Again she checked the possibilities of evolving her class. ‘The healer one is right out. Blood Berserker looks better than the Juggernaut but the blood lust freaks me out a little.’ checking the last class she accepted it.

‘Azarinth First Hunter...seems right up my alley with those descriptions. And it has the highest requirements, though that doesn’t have to mean anything.’ she was sure that Blood Berserker and First Hunter were much more rare because it stated one had to be exactly level 200 in Azarinth healer to get them. So the requirements had to be filled before that time.

‘Class change: Azarinth Healer becomes Azarinth First Hunter

Vitality +15

Strength + 15

Dexterity + 15

Intelligence +15

Wisdom +15

Body enhancement magic is improved by 200%

All healing magic skills are improved by 100%

Natural health regeneration increased by 1% per minute

Food, water and sleep needed to sustain yourself is reduced

‘Skills changed by Azarinth First Hunter:

[Reconstruction] becomes [Hunter Recovery]’

‘Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled. The effects on your own body are vastly improved.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remain, your Hunter Recovery will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself!

Category: Healing’

‘[Azarinth Sphere] becomes [Azarinth Hunter Sphere]’

‘Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 19

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

2nd stage: The Sphere influences the senses of smell, hearing, touch and taste as you will it. Additionally you gain a vague idea of traps and hidden paths inside the sphere.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura’

‘[Body of Azarinth] becomes [Body of the First Hunter]

‘Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 14:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced by 25% [after bonuses 50%]. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural regeneration is improved by 66.5% [after bonuses 133%]

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 25% [after bonuses 50%] and your bones are three times as dense.

Category: Healing’

‘Skills gained in Azarinth First Hunter:’

‘Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 1

Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings to find clues about your prey’s whereabouts.

Category: Body Enhancement’

‘You have no more free slots for Passive skills in your first class. Please choose a skill to be replaced by Hunter’s Sight or choose not to gain the skill.’

Ilea sat quietly in her chair as the snow fell outside, reading over the changes once more. She suddenly started laughing and held up her hands to her face. Tears soon joined the laughter as both joy and sadness mixed in her mind, creating a cocktail of explosive emotions. Though quite contrary to Ilea’s usual personality she slowly calmed down until a deep sigh left her.

“And you give this to me after those motherFUCking Praetorians...” another sob went through her before she slapped herself in the face. “Enough of this...self pity...” though the words felt hollow to her. Still now they were out there and as little sense as it made to her in that moment Ilea knew, that acceptance was the first step, at least that was how it was supposed to go.

‘Concentrate on what’s before you then...’ she thought and looked over the skills again. The most notable change of course was the two hundred percent to body enhancement magic compared to the one hundred before. A change that alone would make her an incredible amount stronger, faster and more resilient.

Ilea summoned a dagger and cut into her arm. The dull pain helped her focus and she watched the wound close quickly with the help of Hunter Recovery through her blurry eyes. It was certainly an improvement but just how much was left to be seen.

‘I have a sense that Hunter’s Sight is gonna be invaluable...and the only skill I can reasonably give up is Magic Perception...’ certainly Magic Perception had warned her of incoming attacks before but in the great scheme of things its bonuses were lackluster compared to many other skills she possessed.

Ilea suddenly felt something was wrong about one of the shelfs near the fireplace. With her sphere she could not see anything behind it yet there was something wrong. Her body felt heavier as she got up and she nearly stumbled. Activating her buffs made her yelp and gasp for air as the power flowed through her. Checking her status she quickly listed the details in her skills.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth Healer]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 200

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 1

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 17

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 191

- Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 2

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 11

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 8

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 16

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 11

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 6

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 17

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – lvl 7

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 5

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 3

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – lvl 3

Status:

Vitality: 555

Endurance: 285

Strength 211

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 500

Wisdom 305

Health: 5550/5550

Stamina: 2783/2850

Mana: 3022/3050

Azarinth First Hunter

Vitality +15

Strength +15

Dexterity +15

Intelligence +15

Wisdom +15

Body enhancement magic is improved by 200%

All healing magic skills are improved by 100%

Natural health regeneration increased by 1% per minute

Food, water and sleep needed to sustain yourself is reduced

Skills: Azarinth First Hunter:

‘Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every punch or kick. The stronger the physical force, the higher the damage caused.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 20 mana per strike.

Category: Healing’

‘Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled. The effects on your own body are vastly improved.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remain, your Hunter Recovery will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself!

Category: Healing’

‘Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed and strength by 54.5% [Effect after bonuses 218%].

2nd stage: Your sight, hearing and sense of smell is also affected by State of Azarinth

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement’

‘Active: Blink – 2nd lvl 20:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between blinks is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between blinks.

Category: Teleportation Magic’

‘Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 19

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

2nd stage: The Sphere influences the senses of smell, hearing, touch and taste as you will it. Additionally you gain a vague idea of traps and hidden paths inside the sphere.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura’

‘Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 14:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced by 25% [after bonuses 50%]. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural regeneration is improved by 66.5% [after bonuses 133%]

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 25% [after bonuses 50%] and your bones are three times as dense.

Category: Healing’

‘Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Azarinth. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 94.5% higher (base 75%) [Effect after bonuses 378%]’

2nd stage: Getting used to fighting in close quarters, your reaction time is increased by a static 10% [after bonuses 40%]

Category: Body Enhancement’

‘Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 1

Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings to find clues about your prey’s whereabouts.

Category: Body Enhancement’

‘Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 12:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body a healer of Azarinth has to control it.

2nd stage: Your perception spikes for two seconds, should you be about to receive a blow that would take 75% or more of your life. This can happen only once per hour.

Category: Body Enhancement’

‘Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 17:

You have learned of Destruction and Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Destruction will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Destruction’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Reconstruction will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

Category: Body Enhancement’

Ash Wielder

Vitality +10

Strength + 5

Dexterity + 5

Intelligence +15

Wisdom +10

Body enhancement magic is improved by 100%

All fighting styles using hand to hand combat are more refined

Skills: Ash Wielder:

‘Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 2

Shroud yourself in a mist of ash increasing your resilience by 60.5% [Effect after bonuses 242%]

2nd stage: Your resistances also benefit from Shroud of Ash’s bonus.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

‘Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 11:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed and dexterity by 50% [Effect after bonuses 200%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight while in the Form of Ember, the stronger burns its heat. Each minute of fighting adds 15% to the bonuses with a maximum of 150%.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement’

‘Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

Create a wave of ash and ember with you at its center. Distance, density and speed depend on skill level and mana invested (max 60 Mana).

Category: Ashen Magic’

‘Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

Regulate the heat in your body to protect yourself against harsh climates or even blend in your environment.

Category: Body Enhancement – Fire magic’

‘Active: Wave of Ember – lvl 20

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers.

Category: Ashen magic’

‘Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 16:

Your control over Ash and Ember increases dramatically. Bend it to your wishes and shroud the path before you.

Category: Ashen magic’

‘Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 8

Your understanding of Ash Wielder allows you to form wings from ash and ember. Strike your enemies from above and close the distance to deliver your wrath.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic’

‘Passive: Eyes of ash – lvl 16:

Increases your perception by 38% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 152%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

‘Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 16:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 38% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 152%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

‘Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 11:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted with your own body and while shrouded in Ash is 55.5% higher [after bonuses 222%]’

Category: Body Enhancement’

Ilea only skimmed over the information, one or two bigger numbers stood out to her as having changed significantly. Generally speaking though Ilea preferred to feel the difference herself. Moving through the room with her nearly newfound buffs active she found the experience confusing at first. The increased speed yet changed weight of her bones was interesting to say the least.

Though with all her stats and perception skills it took her mere minutes to get used to the changes. Even switching the skills off and then on again wasn’t as confusing anymore. She slowly breathed in and out while standing in front of the window. It felt a little like a punch in her gut to gain so much power right after she had needed it most but this was just part of the world she was now in.

‘I have to accept it. Accept that this is my reality now.’ Ilea stood there for a couple minutes, simply looking at the slow falling snow. ‘Peaceful...’ turning away from the window Ilea again activated her familiar yet newfound spells and clenched her fists. ‘Time to see what this newfound power can do...first though, secret passages...’ Ilea walked up to the bookshelf she deemed weird before and examined it.

Chapter 68 Library

A note from Rhaegar

I'll be out of town for the weekend so won't answer to comments and messages. Enjoy the chapter

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Likely no updates until next week either.

Chapter 68 Library

“What do you mean you’re cutting the pay?” Jasper was looking at Bjorn with disbelief on his face “We mapped nearly the whole dungeon...a Taleen dungeon. I’m sure you understand how difficult such a thing is.”

Bjorn walked up to the massive window behind his desk and looked out the window. The snow was slowly falling while occasionally flashes of magic could be seen in the distance and above, hitting the city’s defenses.

‘What a cunt.’ Lorcan thought as he watched the conversation from the side, leaning on one of the cabinets in the room. He locked eyes with one of the guards in the room while touching his bracelet. The man was close to his level at 204 while the second guard was even higher, though he was sure there were more guards waiting just outside or even above and below.

Bjorn didn’t seem like a man who would let two high leveled individuals into his office without a hundred percent guarantee of no danger. Though Lorcan was sure that Jasper could kill the man before the guards would even be able to blink.

“Jasper please mind your tone. You’re talking to your better. I am aware of the difficulties and of your findings. That is why you will receive a pay and not a prison sentence. You’re responsible for over half the expedition’s deaths, including Douglas Inström and a renowned member of the Corinth Order.” Bjorn turned around at the last sentence and looked at Jasper.

“With all due respect Mr. Forkspear the circumstance of their demise was completely out of my...” the noble shut him up with a gesture.

“I am tired. Jasper I am tired of hearing excuses all day long. You will take what you get and you will leave, so will the rest of the expedition. Now on to something else, there was a woman with you I hear. A healer with black hair and blue eyes. Do tell me, was she an approved member of your expedition?” Bjorn asked.

“She was not. We traded for information.” Jasper replied.

“Information? And what could be so valuable that you would listen to some lone stray lost in a dungeon?”

“The woman had explored some parts of the dungeon already Mr. Forkspear. She saved a lot of lives and time with the information provided.” Jasper replied.

“Well well, then maybe I should give the money to her and not you...but I digress. The woman you see, was spotted meeting with one of my dear little sisters. A sister whom as of now is missing. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” he asked Jasper who just shook his head in response.

“It was the first time I’ve seen the woman. Lilith was her name, she didn’t mention a connection to the Forkspears.”

“Lilith...well that isn’t her real name...or perhaps she lied to the poor girl. Well it is no matter. Did she survive as well? I would like to have a talk with her.” Bjorn asked.

“She did, she came out with us.” Bjorn at that nodded to one of the guards who left the room.

“The woman is still below level 100 I presume?” Bjorn asked.

“What?” Jasper’s eyes opened wide and Lorcan had to stop himself from smiling widely.

‘Below a hundred…’

“I think you’ll find that guard to be a little lacking should she resist...” Jasper said to a confused Bjorn. The man shook his head and sat down on his chair.

“You shouldn’t be joking in times like these Jasper Horim. Now then if that is all do leave. You will receive your pay downstairs.” Jasper just nodded and left the room without a word. “You, adventurer. A serf will write down your report, wait with Jasper.” Lorcan just followed Jasper out the door and walked with the man downstairs.

He was smiling as he started talking “Enough for the school?” Jasper gestured for him to shut up but Lorcan wasn’t quite in the mood anymore for this ridiculous behavior. “You could’ve just murdered them all. They’re not paying enough and you know it old friend.”

“That would not help my goals.” Jasper answered.

“Yea he had level 200 guards…bloody guards. What the hell are they offering?” he asked but knew the rumors quite well that circulated around nearly all the noble houses in Dawntree. They were the law after all.

“Don’t you want to save your new friend?” Jasper said as he stopped in the entrance hall. The chandelier above was quite eye catching to Lorcan.

“Hahaha...they’ll find her to be...rather uncooperative. I’m not even sure you could take her Jasper.” the other man just shrugged.

“You have a report to give.” he said as a man walked up to Jasper with a chest in his hands.

“I do, I do.”

“You want your money now?” Jasper asked as he received the chest.

“No. Give it to the others.” with that he walked towards the woman who gestured for him to follow. “See you old man.” a grunt was his response as Lorcan thought about what he should twist or exclude from his report without too much trouble.

The guard of course would find it quite difficult to find the described healer. Not having anybody check directly at the gate that led inside the mountain proved to be a mistake, one Bjorn Forkspear cared little about. It was a hassle to be sure that Alice had vanished though to him it didn’t quite matter if she did that in whatever city south of Karth or in the Forkspear dungeons. As long as she didn’t stir up trouble and rumors. The girl was too smart for that, or at least her butler was.

Jasper went to distribute the money and to inform the survivors about the bad news. Some were annoyed but most of them took it with a shrug, the pay wasn’t cut by much after all and there was an ongoing elven attack to worry about. Considering the Forkspears as future employers or enemies was something to think about at a later time.

“Have you seen the girl, Lilith?” Jasper asked Jeremy who he knew was at least on friendly terms with the woman. Not as much as Agor but close enough and he was quite sure his old friend wouldn’t share a thing with him.

“She went into the city before us, I don’t know where she is now.” Jeremy answered while looking up worriedly. A flash of purple lit up the evening. Jasper nodded.

“Should you see her, the Forkspears are looking for her. Bjorn specifically. I suggest she hide.” he left after that to join the city guard and its defenses. As he did with every attack in the past fifty years.

Ilea touched the bookshelf and found that she could take out the books quite normally. More and more of them joined the ground where she put them carefully. Some that interested her joined her storage which still had quite a substantial amount of free space.

“Natural wonders of the plains….” she flipped through and found some very impressive looking paintings. The absence of the internet and perfectly shot high resolution pictures made her really want to visit some of the depicted places. “...hot springs of Baz Ager, why not...I can fly after all.” she chuckled a little as her wings sprouted and absentmindedly touched her arms.

Ilea sighed and made the book vanish. “What am I doing...” she said out loud and hit her hand through the now empty shelf in the wall. There was no mechanism she noticed and she could see nothing behind the wall with her sphere. Her arm passed the wood easily and she removed a part of it when exiting again.

“Runes hmm?” she asked as she looked at the pieces in her hand. Three kicks brought down the rest of the wall and Ilea found that she could see a pathway now with her sphere. A small pathway and it led into a single room. “With people in there...Hey!!” she shouted inside and blinked right next to them.

A sword clad in purple flame was unsheathed next to Ilea and struck towards her. She simply moved her head slightly to dodge the diagonal swing and caught the arm that held the sword with hers before using her second arm to jab against the person’s arm. Bone broke and the woman screamed as people pushed against the walls to get away from Ilea.

“Calm down guys. I’m human.” she said and let the woman’s arm go. The sword fell down from her limp arm but she caught it with the other one and held it out against Ilea, a purple glow in her eyes.

“How did you find us!? Who are you!” the woman said, changing her stance to favor her non injured side. Ilea looked around to find only below level fifty people to be in the room. Except for the woman before her, she was level 167 and Ilea had seen her before.

“I know you...where have I seen you before...” she relaxed her pose but kept her buffs up just in case the woman would do something stupid. “I came here with the expedition that encountered a Basilisk...maybe there?” Ilea wondered, completely ignoring the woman’s questions.

She did lower her sword a little hearing that but was obviously too stressed out and tired to trust a stranger so easily. “Again who are you?” she asked but in a less hostile tone.

“Why is everybody so fucking hostile here? I’m obviously not your enemy, you’re starving.” Ilea said as food appeared from her storage. The people around the room looked at it hungrily as it fell to the ground but nobody made a move. “Oh my god.” Ilea said and kicked some of the food to the people who finally took it and started eating.

“There’s a group of people leaving the city soon, they have more equipment, food and money to build a new life somewhere else. We’re leaving in ten minutes, grab your stuff. I’ll bring you to them, they’re from Salia as well.” she said.

“More survivors??” some people said while others ate. More questions came for Ilea but she just ignored them and looked at the woman’s sword. It was a beautiful thing Ilea thought and the purple buff made it even better. The dirt and blood on the woman let her look like some hero from a movie she would’ve enjoyed back on earth.

“But now I’m here and this is real...” she whispered and shook her head. ‘How long until I accept that...’ she thought before the woman got her out of her own head.

“Why...” she said as her sword slowly came down “Why help us? You don’t know who we are...you don’t owe us anything...”

Ilea just shrugged before she walked towards the passageway to the big office “Dunno, you’re people. Isn’t that enough?” she said and blinked through the way too tight passage.

The group of people emerged ten minutes later and found Ilea sitting in the big leather chair reading a book about Salia cuisine. She closed it and got up. “There you are. Follow pleeease.” she said and walked out the room, a group of ten people followed behind.

“What’s your name warrior?” someone asked behind Ilea and only her sphere let her know the man had spoken to her.

“Warrior? Is that what you see when you look at me?” she asked. His body language made her thing he was afraid of her. Maybe he thought he had offended her.

“Yes ma’am, it’s what identify tells me. Though I cannot see your level.”

‘Interesting...so not a healer anymore...well I do only have one healing skill. Guess it changed with being a first hunter.’ she didn’t react outwards and just kept walking through the snow. The group tensed up at some Nazarks in the next street and the woman unsheathed her sword, ready for battle. Ilea just kept walking until one of the beasts foolishly ran at her.

Her fist lashed out and crashed into the beast’s skull, completely obliterating it in the process. Blood, pieces of bone and flesh splashed on her black armor and face. ‘Should’ve worn the helmet.’ she thought as the other Nazarks ran away quickly, having seen their mate splattered with one punch.

Ilea knelt down, taking some of the snow to clean her face before continuing onwards toward the survivor’s hideout in the sewers. The group hesitated for a moment but followed after her with a bit more distance between them.

They entered the sever fifteen minutes later and Ilea turned around in front of the hideout wall. “Earth mage?” she asked and one teenager came up to the front a little timidly. “Can you open the wall and close it behind us?” she asked and the kid started concentrating. Slowly the wall opened up before Ilea blinked through, walking up to the two survivors who had already drawn their swords.

‘Level fifty...they would be eaten alive in seconds...’ she thought and walked through. Everyone had seen her before so this time there was no hostility.

“Wasn’t she a healer before?” one of the guards asked the other one quietly as they walked to the opening to help the survivors through. Ilea reached a now thoroughly equipped group of survivors, quite a change compared to the raggedly clothed bunch from before.

Roland looked up from the axes he was checking and locked eyes with her. “You look tired.” he said after a couple seconds and she just smiled. She didn’t say that he looked the same, both of them knew. It was not a tiredness brought by lack of sleep either, but one only remedied through time.

“I found more survivors.” she said just as the first ones entered the room.

“Any fighters? We’re direly lacking.” he whispered knowing she’d hear. Just then the woman walked in and his eyes grew wide. “Valery Stormbound...” he looked at Ilea confused and then back to the woman. “Are you sure they didn’t find you?” he said but Ilea ignored the comment.

Valery walked up to them and greeted Roland. “You’re an adventurer from around here, I’ve seen you before. You lead these men?” she asked gesturing around.

“I’ve seen you before as well Ms Stormbound. I wouldn’t say lead, you can gladly take over.” he said and she nodded at that.

“I’m glad there are more survivors. We’ll have to get supplies for the journey, can’t stay here. And the city’s treasury. We’ll have to get the gold to start a new life somewhere else, further east. Provisions and weapons come first, did you send out scouts into the city already?” Ilea ignored the woman and just nodded to Roland while touching his shoulder.

“There should be one more of them coming for sure. We’ll get you when it’s done.” she said and he nodded lightly. Both of them quickly looked into a corner of the room where Lily was practicing with her dagger. Ilea left them then, to return to the library and possibly other interesting buildings in the city. She felt a little bad about being nearly as interested in exploring the city as in going back to Riverwatch to check up on Dale and Earl. ‘Still haven’t checked the 3rd tier skill either...’ she thought as she walked out of the hideout again, the wall closing behind her.

“Who is she? I don’t remember her from that caravan that encountered the Basilisk.” Valery asked Roland as she checked the equipment.

“She’s a friend.” was his response as he continued checking weapons. The woman grunted and looked through the things as well.

“You went through the city then? Got all this gear?” he shook his head but kept quiet.

“She did then? What did she mean with one more of them coming?”

“Another Elf I think.” he answered.

“Is she insane...what’s her level anyway...one warrior can’t stand against an elf...” she whispered in a worried tone.

“She’s not alone...the shadow’s hand is in the city. One squad at least. And they’re hunting elves.” he said which made her quiet down for a while. She shook her head and continued going through the gear before moving on to talking to the people. Roland was glad that someone like her had shown up, it was hard enough to keep himself together for Lily. For all the other people? He wasn’t sure how long he could keep it up.

Ilea exited the sewers and found the ranger standing there. “He’s here then?” the ranger nodded and jumped away. Ilea blinked above to see clouds gathering above, darker than what they’d been before and in an unnatural way. At least it looked that way to her eyes. Without magic perception it was much harder to tell if they had a magical origin or not.

The flashy blue flying person in the middle of the clouds told her all she had to know though. “Let’s get him then.” she said as her body started to glow and her wings spread. Ilea immediately rushed the elf, reaching him in the span of a couple seconds, her new speed translating to flying as well. A massive strike of lightning reached her a split second before she reached the elf but she didn’t stop, letting the energy flow through her.

She tensed up slightly but with her 2nd stage of Shroud of Ash and new class that made nearly all her defensive skills stronger she only lost around seven percent of her health to the hit and her fist landed with a crash that sent the elf flying through the air before he could stabilize himself again.

Ilea’s health was already topped off when the elf stabilized himself again. She looked towards him as several golden arrows were dodged by the already angry beast. She ignored his screaming and shouting and simply blinked closer, dodging some of the lightning as best she could. Its speed was hard to react to but the elf’s gestures were not.

She reached him again and landed another punch. He held on to her and a massive amount of lightning channeled through her as she released her own destructive mana into the man while smashing her fists into his skull. With her last hit the creature was sent flying and she herself couldn’t keep herself up in the air anymore.

Ilea flew downwards and crashed into a house, coming to a stop on the ground floor after crashing through two floors. Her body was sizzling as it rebuilt, the burnt flesh, muscles and organs reforming inside herself.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 6’

She grunted as she got up. Her health had reached forty percent but she was sure the elf wasn’t doing very well either, considering the way his skull had dented with the last couple punches. She slowly got up and walked out the door and into the snow. A couple streets further she saw lightning strike from above. A person clad in shadows ran out from the roof of a nearby building, jumping towards the light show. Ilea smiled as the adrenaline flowed through her. Her buffs flared as she blinked closer and ran around the corner.

The elf was bleeding and stumbling while lightning arched around him to burn the houses. Ilea saw how the air distorted before spikes of iron flew downwards and scratched the creature before they entered deep into the earth. The elf buckled under the gravity magic and knelt down before the rogue landed with her daggers from above.

The elf dodged a little to the side but the blades still entered his shoulder and bit deeply into his flesh before an arch of lightning sent the rogue flying. The gravity left as the elf stumbled again, his words were drowned out by the blood coming out of his mouth and other wounds on his head.

Rock walked out from a nearby building in a brisk pace before the elf shot a bolt of lightning towards him. The strike was interrupted by a golden lance that deflected the magic.

“Oh...” could be interpreted from the elf before the massive war hammer landed on his side, breaking every bone in his side and fusing things that should not be brought together. Ilea was impressed that he still seemed to be alive as another burst of gravity magic pushed down on the elf. The group watched as the creature screamed and screamed. Ilea looked towards where the ranger stood in the distance and nodded towards her.

A golden lance entered the creature a moment later and ended its suffering.

A note from Rhaegar

Oh and if I manage to make it work there will be a free chapter on the patreon page here.

Sort by chapter and you should see it at the bottom, publicly available

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Chapter 69 Return

A note from Rhaegar

This was posted for free on Patreon last week, chapter 70 will follow in a couple minutes

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Chapter 69 Return

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Zenorin – Stormbearer - lvl 232 / Lightning weaver – lvl 221]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated an enemy thirty levels or more above your own. Additional experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 201, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 192, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 193, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 194, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 1’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 12’

The group stood over the dead enemy in silence. Ilea walked up to the corpse and tried to store it in her necklace. Mana left her body and the corpse vanished. “Oh so it works.” she said. Nobody commented on it.

“That was the three elves that would’ve followed you immediately. We probably have a couple days now until more will try to find the dead. More likely though they won’t even bother.” Sulivhaan said.

“What will you do then?” Ilea asked and the man looked towards the north.

“Dawntree is still under siege or has been breached. I doubt we will find many more stragglers here. I thank you for the help.” the man extended his hand which she shook.

Sulivhaan flew off right after and the rogue followed after nodding towards Ilea. Rock extended his hand as well. “Where will you be going?”

“Riverwatch will be the first stop, after that no idea...” she said and he nodded.

“Do visit in Ravenhall. We’d welcome you should we all survive.” he said and smiled before following after the others. Ilea watched after them when the ranger landed next to her and extended her hand.

“Navalis.” the woman said and Ilea shook her hand.

“I assume your name?” she didn’t receive an answer and took that as a yes “Ilea, I hope to see you again some day.”

“Navuur sevari Ilea.” the woman said and walked away.

‘I’ll just assume that was something profound.’ Ilea thought and walked off as well. The snow crunched below her boots as blood still dripped from her armor and onto the white carpet on the ground.

The snow kept falling lightly around her as she walked through the deserted city covered in blood and snow.

She reached the hideout soon after and simply smashed through the wall. ‘They won’t be needing this anymore.’ the designated guards tensed up but relaxed upon seeing the woman. Ilea passed them and reached a now fully geared up and prepared group of people. ‘As prepared as they’re gonna get...’ she thought about the expedition of experienced adventurers and couldn’t help but smile a little.

‘Let’s hope they don’t encounter any murder machines on the way...’ she thought as she reached Roland who was showing Lily how to get off her backpack in an emergency situation.

He looked at her approaching and showed a small smile on his face. “Hey, so the last one’s dead?” he asked and she nodded. People around them quieted down to listen to Ilea.

“He is. So where will you be going?” she asked.

“East, the first city intact is where we will decide on how to continue. It’s best if we stay together for as long as possible. Valery will take the lead, she’s well respected and has connections with the guild in other cities.” Ilea nodded at his answer and was mostly satisfied.

“What about you?” he asked and she locked eyes with the man.

“Riverwatch, then I’ll see.” she said and he nodded slowly while looking down.

“You did a good thing here...” he said. Nothing else came to him as he put a hand on her shoulder. Ilea nodded and mirrored his gesture. She then ruffled Lily’s head and left the hideout again, ignoring anybody else that tried to talk to her or thank her.

Ilea stood inside an abandoned house, looking into the old and expensive looking mirror before her. The woodworking on the mirror’s frame was something else. Ilea made her armor disappear and looked at the pieces of cloth that still remained before summoning another set of Taleen clothes. She got dressed slowly and then tried to summon the armor directly onto her body.

Sadly though the pieces just fell down and she got them on normally. First the chest piece and then the armor and legs. All the straps were put into place and fastened before she looked at herself in the mirror. “You’re not smiling Ilea.” she said and smirked a bit at herself. “Why are you not smiling?” she asked as she walked closer to the mirror and touched it.

Suddenly the mirror vanished and Ilea blinked up onto the roof. The snow was falling on her cheeks as she looked upwards. A cold wind was blowing as she looked around. ‘First Riverwatch then maybe I’ll come back here to look through some things...oh wait...two things I can’t miss.’ she thought as her wings spread and she flew at a high speed towards the library building. Blinking inside it she quickly touched the leather chair she’d been sitting on and made it vanish into her storage.

The same thing happened to the elven corpses before the main gate. She removed them from their grotesque presentations and made them vanish before flying eastwards. She saw a group of people around an hour on foot outside Salia walking east as she passed far above. Quite likely the survivors she’d found. ‘How high can I go?...’ she thought suddenly and went upwards at her top speed, helped by her newly strengthened buffs.

Five minutes later she was still going up and the clouds became more and more dense and stormy. The cold got so intense that only her ice resistance and shroud of ash held off the incoming damage she would’ve otherwise sustained. Though Ilea was smiling through the whole ordeal, the speed and air while flying hundreds of meters above ground were just as exhilarating as she had dreamed they’d be.

‘What if there’s a dragon or something?’ she suddenly asked herself and stopped flying upwards. Though she didn’t expect there to be something, the Praetorians flashed before her and made her dive again. If something just a couple hundred levels above her own could destroy her so easily, what would a dragon be able to do.

‘Why am I scared though? There’s nobody else here...’ she thought and kept flying straight, neither going up nor down. She had found that with the wings came a new instinct that let her know where she was in relations to the ground. A rather useful ability she’d found as she flew through the clouds, her embered wings cutting through the icy formations.

The adrenaline of flying and the possibility of danger made the whole journey even more exciting as Ilea started to rise again. ‘You can just blink or fly away...’ she thought as she got higher and higher. And suddenly she was in a quiet space between clouds. It reminded her of the rare times she’d used a plane to get somewhere. Though this time she was outside, feeling the wind against her skin and the cold brush against her body.

The clouds moved past the nearly stationary woman and Ilea found herself hovering above a sea of dark clouds, the setting winter sun in the distance managed to illuminate the scene slightly as Ilea looked up to see the mountain of Karth extend out from the clouds only to be swallowed up again further up. She felt small in that moment, small and insignificant, yet at the same time free and unstoppable.

“I can fly!!” she shouted and let herself fall downwards while laughing loudly. Half a minute later her wings sprouted again and she accelerated further towards the ground until she came out of the clouds and saw the winter landscape spread before her. Ilea slowed down as quickly as she could and found it to be very quick. With her strong body and all her skills, the force that would’ve probably killed a normal person simply stopped her motion.

She explained the stopping power as she did her ability to fly with the small wingspan, magic. She looked around and decided she’d check up on Dale now. ‘Enough fucking around...’ so she made her way east and passed distances that would take weeks for carts in mere hours. Only air stood in her way and she found its resistance lacking.

Luckily Ilea had a massive mountain to orient herself with, otherwise she was quite sure she would’ve already been lost ten times over. Nothing stopped her on her way and she reached Riverwatch in the same night.

It was a dark night. The stars were covered by a gray mesh of clouds and Ilea could only see anything thanks to the buffs that came with her classes and skills. Her sphere was second nature to her by now and she deemed it much better at perceiving her surroundings than her eyes were. At least should she have to fight.

She could make out some fires in the distant city and landed in the forest nearby, deciding to go the rest of the way on foot, should the worst have happened already. ‘Better do this now...’ she thought and put all her remaining points into vitality, getting the stat to 575. Certainly nothing to scoff at combined with her resistances and regeneration.

‘I believe I’ve missed something...’ she thought and looked at her freshly leveled Wave of Ember skill.

‘Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 1

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect.

Category: Ashen magic’

‘Not a surprising change...it’s gonna help out in longer fights though...’ she thought.

‘And the last thing...’ Ilea was still crouching inside the dark forest covered in snow while she looked through the possible third tier advancements.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:’

- Hunter Recovery

- State of Azarinth

- Blink

‘Well that’s less than expected and no further information?’ Ilea decided almost immediately on Blink. It was the skill that had saved her most often, the skill that had enabled her to move so quickly through levels, the skill that had made the first drake she encountered a stepping stone to her current power compared to the meal she would’ve otherwise been destined to become.

‘ding’ ‘Blink advances to 3rd tier’

‘Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 1:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between blinks is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between blinks.

3rd stage: You may set one destination you touch. You may change it every six months. You may travel to said destination once every three days.

Category: Teleportation Magic’

‘Hah, Edwin would be jealous...’ she thought and started walking towards the city. ‘Long distance travel...this will save me quite some time...though I’ll need a place to return to first...’ Ilea wasn’t interrupted in her walking until she came rather close to the city. She saw that the last couple dozen meters or so of forest were burnt down or otherwise removed. Likely to let the defenders know ahead of time of an incoming attack.

“Who goes there!?” a guard on the walls shouted. Immediately Ilea could see over ten spells materializing near the shout, some of them looking rather impressive. Ilea slowly walked out of the woods with her arms raised high.

“I’m not an elf.” she said, the snow falling quietly around her. “And I’d be happy to help defend against more of them coming, a bit difficult to do that out here though.” she said and smiled brightly, her eyes stayed cold.

“Come on up then, or do you need a gate?” someone shouted though some of the spells didn’t dissipate quite yet.

‘They’re nervous...so an attack already happened?’ Ilea thought and walked closer to the walls. She was completely confident that none of the currently displayed spells could hurt her, let alone reach her. Reaching the walls nobody was quite jumpy enough to let loose an attack so Ilea jumped up and landed next to the man who had shouted towards her at first.

“Lilith, adventurer and part time healer at your service.” she said to the man who looked at her sceptically.

“You’ll remove your armor and weapons. If you play by the rules you’ll be joining the next shift quite quickly and won’t end up with any further interrogation.” he said quite seriously. Ilea blinked her eyes and made sure the level 89 she saw above the man’s head wasn’t an illusion.

“I don’t think so mate. I’m human and on your side, I’d focus on the walls.” she said and blinked into the next house. Another couple blinks later she couldn’t hear any shouts anymore but didn’t stop quite yet before she came to a stop inside a basement. Turning off everything except her sphere and body heat manipulation, she simply waited and ate a carrot.

Finishing the carrot three minutes later, she blinked up and onto the street. Nobody could be seen so she started walking towards the guard station Dale was last stationed at. He would likely not be there at the moment as it seemed the city was on lock down and the guards would be well, guarding. She had to find out something though and it seemed the most logical step to take.

Ilea felt a little reminded of Salia with the empty and snowed in city. Though the architecture made it less creepy and more something you’d expect in a medieval city like this. At least she felt like that until a group of three people landed ten meters in front of her in the snow. She identified them to be two warriors at level 203 and level 188 respectively. The last member of the group was a mage at level 198.

“State your business in Riverwatch.” the mage said in a tired voice.

“I’m looking for a friend. Dale, he’s a guard captain here. Know where he is?” she said in a relaxed manner.

“Stop joking around, you breached the defenses without going through the normal channels. If you weren’t so high leveled I’d have put you down already.” the man said and Ilea sighed.

“Look, I’m coming from Dawntree and had quite enough shit today...just like you seem to have had. I’m on your side and will gladly assist you in smearing some more elf blood on my armor. I think we all have better things to do than this conversation.” she finished, surprised she hadn’t been interrupted.

The man sighed now too and stopped one of the warriors from unsheathing his weapon. “You’re right, just make sure to follow through with that first promise.”

“Are you fucking nuts?” one of the warriors said but the mage waved him off.

“Not worth the trouble, let’s focus on what’s important here. You’re free to hunt her down after this whole mess is over. For now please listen to me.” the mage finished and the warrior stopped touching his weapon, obviously not happy though.

Ilea walked off towards the guard station and the three people left again, presumably to continue their patrol or return to a checkpoint. ‘This whole war might actually help out at dealing with annoyances.’ Ilea thought as she started running. Quickly she jumped on top of the nearest building and continued her way.

Snow kept falling but now the moon managed to break through parts of the clouds to shine an eerie light onto the city below. As quickly as it came though, it vanished again and Ilea was in the dark again. Very few houses had lights on, Ilea assumed the residents either left, were already dead or they simply didn’t want to draw anyone’s attention to themselves.

A couple minutes later she jumped into the guard station and greeted a guard who quickly drew his sword with a wave. “Don’t shout, I’m friendly.” she said and the guard nodded.

She walked up to him and continued “You know you’re not supposed to just believe an intruder.” she said and crossed her arms in front of her.

“I know how to do my job princess. I’m just good at remembering faces, yours is not one easily forgotten anyway.” he smirked at her and she locked eyes with him.

“Dale around? Or is he dead already?” she asked and the man nodded.

“Not dead. The man seems to thrive in situations like these. You’ll find him in his office.” she nodded to the man and walked towards the place, ultimately blinking straight in front of the room. Dale was inside and reading through what she assumed to be reports. She knocked on the door twice and waited for him.

The man put the report down and rubbed his eyes slowly before looking up. “Come in.” he said and Ilea opened the door and walked inside, closing the heavy wood behind her. She quietly walked up to the desk and sat down on the opposite chair while he looked at her.

“Back so soon. I’m rather busy at the moment Ilea but it is nice to see you. I’m glad you’re alive.” he said and genuinely smiled at her. Ilea smiled back. “I’m glad you’re alive as well Dale.” she said and meant it.

“Sure you don’t need a pause in the canteen? I’m sure you’ve been working nonstop for days.” she said while looking at the stacks of papers on the table and the used mugs and plates on the ground next to it. ‘Maybe he has that tea...’ she thought when he rubbed his eyes again.

“You know what you’re right. On one condition though...you help me out after.” he smirked and she shrugged.

“Sure Dale, I’ll be here for a couple days at least. To be honest I have no idea where to go from here anyway. Wanna hear about some fucked up adventures?”

“I might I might. Just to make sure what kind of help I just acquired, what’s your current level?” he asked with a tired smile on his face.

“I fought elves alongside a squad of the shadow’s hand. That answers your question?” the man sat quietly for a moment before shaking his head and getting up.

“It was inevitable wasn’t it? You survived thus far and I hope you’ll continue to do so. Come, let’s have a drink. No alcohol though, as much as I’d need a drink right now.”

“I can heal the poison if you really want one. And I see you’ve advanced as well. Level 103 already? So the dungeon diving with the guard went well?” she asked and he nodded as he opened the door, gesturing for her to go out first. She nodded and exited the office.

“It went good and bad. We didn’t lose anybody to the monsters but some people chose to change their professions seeing the better pay as an adventurer. Though yes in general it was a success.” the two walked down the stairs and into the square where the guard from before waved to them.

“Not enough to fight elves to be sure but ten people with ten levels more does make a significant difference.” he said and saluted the guard. Ilea ignored the wave.

“It would appear so. Riverwatch still stands.” Ilea said which garners a chuckle from the man.

A note from Rhaegar

I plan to do a free chapter on Patreon maybe once a month but am not set on that. Check it out, up to ten chapters ahead at the moment if you feel like spending a pint's worth of money on me

or don't, it's gonna be posted here as well so no worries.

Chapter 70 Bait

A note from Rhaegar

ETA for next chapter is Thursday 28th of June. Probably another chapter somewhen on the weekend.

Chapter 70 Bait

“It does indeed.” Dale said and opened the heavy door to the canteen. A few people were already inside and looked at the newcomers with interest, specifically Ilea.

“Captain.” the group closest to them said and nodded to the man, who returned the gesture.

“You sure about this healing alcohol poisoning thing you have?” he asked to which Ilea looked around the room for a while until she decided on who seemed to be the drunkest. She blinked next to the man and started healing him with Hunter’s Recovery.

Nowhere in the skill description was it mentioned that it would remove the effects of alcohol, but it did help Ilea sober up quite quickly herself. And it did help with other poisons as well it seemed. The man blinked after a while and stood a little straighter before he held his hand up to his head.

Apparently a premature hangover which soon was healed as well. “Drunk lad?” she asked and the man looked at her with big eyes.

“What the hell did you do?” he said, the slurred speech from before completely gone. Ilea turned around and walked back to Dale, having gotten the attention of all the patrons.

“It does seem to work, so knock yourself out captain.” she said and smiled at the man. He shook his head and waved to the man behind the bar with two fingers outstretched.

“So you are still a healer... was wondering what the class change meant. Second class got higher then?” he asked but she shook her head.

“It’s due to an evolution.” she said and sat down on a nearby table. Most of the others were already involved in their own talks again. Ilea made a gold piece appear in her hand under the table and started playing with it in her hand. “So how’s Riverwatch holding up? The elfs came here too then?” she asked and Dale nodded.

The barkeeper brought them two mugs of presumably ale and Ilea placed the gold on the table. “Drinks on me tonight.” she said loudly while nodding to the still confused man she had robbed of his desired state. Some people cheered while others nodded quietly.

“Didn’t think you’d support alcoholism...” Dale said and held up his mug. She hit his mug with hers and took a deep gulp.

Putting the mug back down, she looked at him. “I’ll heal them again, alright?” she said and waited for him to answer her previous question. He leaned back and started.

“Nearly a week ago now they came again. Of course a lot of people already left eastwards after the previous attack at the tournament. The rest was somewhat better prepared and we still had some mercenaries and representatives stationed here in case of another attack. A bloody shame though because of the already rebuilt houses. Now there’s even more destroyed...” he took a sip from his mug and put it back down again.

Ilea listened in silence and waited for him to continue. “The Kroll kingdom responded rather quickly though. We only had to hold the city for two days until reinforcements and specialized squads arrived. The shadow’s hand is also here, in case you wondered.”

“A lot more have died this time though to be sure...” he finished.

“How bad is it?” Ilea asked, moving around her drink from side to side. Dale didn’t answer but shook his head slowly. She took another sip and went to relieve herself.

Sitting back down again, she decided against telling Dale about the Taleen dungeon, simply because the man didn’t need more negativity right now. “Can I ask you for some advice?” the man nodded to her question, and Ilea leaned in.

“My second class is gonna hit level 200 soon. You think I should train some skills up first before I try and level? It might take ages though, and I’m not sure it’s worth it.” she said.

“200, well you have problems. You know this isn’t information one just gets at the guild or in a tavern?... of course you do. Well Ilea, honestly I don’t know. I’ve got some rumors but nothing substantial enough to inform you.” the man said to her disappointment.

“I understand.” she took a drink “Don’t worry, I think I know some other people who might be able to help. Something else I’ve been wondering about though...well the shadow’s hand and I... well we did manage to finish off an elf. And I got substantially more experience for that than for dungeon monsters of similar level difference. Do you know why?”

“You killed... well that is impressive, and thank you for the service to humankind. Well, for one thing, I assume the monster had only one class, the elves are similar to us, so I assume they have two.”

“They do” she confirmed.

“Well, there you go. And it also depends a little on how difficult the fight was and how much you contributed. The levels you likely gained are a part of the life force you take upon killing something... at least that’s what I believe. Higher leveled beings usually have more life force, as simple as that.”

“What do you base that on?” she asked.

“Personal experience.” he answered and took a sip of his ale.

“Do you know the blacksmith Earl?” she suddenly asked, trying to steer the discussion to a different topic. Dale nodded in response.

“Yea, patrolled in his district when I was younger. Though I have no idea where he is right now or if he’s even alive.” To Ilea, it didn’t seem like he was a massive fan of the man.

“I’ll find him myself then.” she said when a sudden explosion nearby rattled the wooden building they were in. Two people stumbled, one of them falling down.

“Guess it’s time.” Ilea said, finished her ale and got up before healing Dale from the alcohol.

“Thanks, ignore the others though. They’re not on duty anyway.” they ran outside to see a fire a couple streets over and a burning figure flying above while dozens of spells were being fired at it.

“So you told me you’d help out?” he asked, but Ilea’s wings were already extended and she sped up towards the creature with her buffs activating.

‘Another one...’ she thought as she got closer. ‘Alone it seems...’ she looked around and saw the mages who had started the assault on the elf spread around on different houses. Riverwatch certainly had some rather prepared personnel. Nobody was engaging the elf directly though, at least yet.

Seeing that circumstance the elf looked to enjoy himself and fired volley after volley of destructive yet slow fireballs at the nearby houses, making mages jump or teleport away while the simple architecture burned and crumbled. Ilea decided to distract the elf until reinforcements would arrive and back out should he prove too much to handle, though she doubted it.

‘Why are they always men...’ she thought as she closed in on the creature, who shot a much faster fireball towards her. ‘Free resistance training on top... how nice you are.’ she thought as she simply took the attack that burned her arms lightly, which she had extended in a defensive manner before her.

With her shroud the attack was nearly completely negated. Her armor seemed unaffected as well, a testament to the dark elf smiths, who had likely created it. Heat resistance was one of her highest skills on top of it all. Her healing immediately kicked in as well and she was nearly topped off again before she even reached the elf.

More prepared for resistance than her previous adversaries of the race, the elf teleported a fair distance away and was now focusing on her while still dodging or countering the many spells that were fired at him. He didn’t simply let them hit and Ilea smirked at that. ‘Not a defensive powerhouse then...’ she thought as she simply advanced on the elf again. She couldn’t see his level, so there was at least some danger.

Ilea felt reasonably confident though as she brushed off another attack and the elf vanished again as she reached him. Slowly though the monster was pushed towards the city walls as more and more mages and ranged fighters joined on the ground, others were even flying.

The elf vanished again long before she reached him as a warrior with drawn sword sliced thought the air where the elf had floated a fraction of a second before. The sword had a gray aura around it and Ilea felt a chill go down her back as she looked at the armored man. She couldn’t discern his level nor could she see his face which was covered by a dark red full plate armor.

‘So at least four people around 200 in the city then...it starts to feel like elfs aren’t as much of a danger as they’re made out to be...’ she thought but quickly remembered Salia and that there were at least eight dead elfs, she didn’t know how many living ones had attacked then.

‘Half the city against one of them...’ she thought as she watched the warrior try and reach the elf again as dozens of spells rushed towards the creature. She advanced again as well but decided not to blink as two more seemingly high level people joined them. The elf was quickly forced back and outside the city as even he couldn’t dodge this many attacks and experienced warriors and mages for much longer.

Ilea followed the elf over the city walls but quickly noticed that no other human came with her. Stopping a hundred or so meters outside the city she looked back to see the warriors and mages she had deemed at a similar level to her own waiting near or above the wall. They were shouting something but Ilea couldn’t hear the mixed voices.

Suddenly a searing pain shot into her head and Ilea wobbled a little in the air but steadied herself quickly, trying to orient herself. “Dad...” Ilea said as she looked at the familiar face before her, tears filling her eyes as the pain in her head increased.

“The idiot! Why is everyone so high leveled this stupid?!” Tason listened to one of the elites from the Kroll kingdom talk about the woman who had flown out after the elf. His night shift on the wall was coming to an end when one of the beasts had come from high above right over the walls to assault the city.

The firework of magic had been spectacular and as many times before, the elf had been pushed back outside. The woman with dark gray wings had followed at a speed that scared Tason while everyone else stopped at the walls. Some people had died before when they had followed, even a member of the shadow’s hand.

It seemed the elfs wanted to lure out strong prey and then kill them. Though some people argued about it being a tactic to lower morale in the city, Tason felt the monsters were probably just hungry. Whatever he had seen of them in the past week and at the attack a couple months back made him think of them as much less tactically inclined.

‘And my shift was just about to end...’ he thought of the unfinished books at home but concentrated on the scene before him. His eyes were sharp even in the night, a perk that came with being a level one hundred ranger. Sadly though, the elves never showed themselves for him to loose an arrow and the fiery one from before had easily dodged all his attacks. ‘And the attacks of dozens of other people as well for that matter...’

Different from the last person that had followed the elf out, the woman didn’t immediately crash to the ground, to be swallowed by the trees and snow below. She seemed a little unstable in the air and rocked to the side a little, but she didn’t fall.

“She’s not down yet...” someone commented. “Interesting... should we go rescue her?” one of the elites asked though nobody moved a muscle. “It’s too risky still...,let’s see what happens first. If they show themselves in force, we attack. Mages and rangers prepare...” one of the highest leveled Riverwatch guards said at last.

Tason tensed up as he nocked an arrow and scanned the woods. Suddenly, three green arrows shot towards the woman from further away in the forest than Tason could see. ‘So they have a ranger as well...’ the arrows seemed to hit their mark as the woman rocked backwards a little on impact. Though contrary to what he expected, the woman stabilized quickly after and vanished, only to appear closer to the city.

Again and again the woman came closer before appearing on the wall right next to the guard, still having his arrow nocked. Three arrows stuck out from joints in her black armor, and a sizzling noise could be heard from them.

Her blue eyes seemed to shine out from the black horned helmet she was wearing as she ripped out the arrows one by one. “They have a mind mage. And I assume an illusionist if something like that exists.” she said as the last arrow clattered to the ground, immediately starting to burn into the stone of the wall.

The smell of burning flesh filled the surroundings as a guard shouted for a healer. The warrior woman held up her hand though. “I’m fine, don’t worry.” she said, but nobody seemed to believe her as people were running to get help.

“What else did you find out?” Romulus asked. He was what Tason assumed to be the highest leveled man in employ of Riverwatch. Contrary to the smell and noise coming from the woman’s wounds she straightened and didn’t seem bothered by the pain at all as she answered the man’s question.

“Ranger with corrosive arrows. Did he never try to shoot anybody?” she seemed confused as she grabbed one of the arrows. Touching the tip, her fingers immediately started to melt and Tason recoiled at the scene.

“Why would you touch that?” a mage who landed next to her said.

“And who are you anyway? You’re an idiot for following him...” the Kroll elite who was floating a little above commented.

The woman ignored the comments completely and seemed to simply be interested in the arrow in her hand. She quickly grabbed the others on the ground as a healer finally appeared.

“You’ll answer my question woman.” the Kroll warrior floated closer to her as the healer pushed through and a spell of his extended to engulf the woman. His face turned to confusion as the woman looked at him.

“I told you I’m fine. If this fuckface doesn’t stop talking, you’ll be able to heal him though.” she said to the healer. Immediately the man drew his sword as Romulus stood in front of Ilea.

“Stop this right now. You’re here to defend the city not govern it, boy.” Romulus said in a harsh tone. The Kroll elite seemed torn at what to do, but looking around he realized that he was alone.

“This is not over bitch.” he said and flew away while sheathing his sword.

The woman again focused on the arrows while Romulus watched the elite depart. He just shook his head as everyone’s attention focused on the woman again.

Ilea looked at the arrows in her hand and was absolutely fascinated. ‘This stuff is amazing...’ she thought as she touched the arrowhead again. Immediately her hand began to sizzle from the acid on the arrowhead though it didn’t seem to lessen at all. It had taken a considerable amount of mana to counteract the corrosion inside her body and if they had stayed inside she would have probably been in trouble at this point.

Though the elf had gotten her out of the mind mage’s grasp. ‘Or whatever the hell that was...’ she shook her head as the image of her dad came to her again. ‘What a creepy ability...’ The people around her had been looking at her for quite some time. Her wings extended, and she flew back towards the guard station.

The man who had defended her followed though. Ilea sighed and landed on a building nearby, waiting for him. “What do you want?” she asked.

He landed with a thud. “You must be the warrior I was told about. You came to the city today. I wasn’t sure about what to do with you, but it seems your claims weren’t lies. I would appreciate your continued help with defending the city, the pay would be good I promise.”

Ilea smiled and looked at the dark night above. “You seem to be quite in control. Though that can’t be said about your defenders.” she said and only got a grunt in response. “I’m here for a couple days probably. Not for you though. The elfs will probably get bored soon anyway.” she said and started flying again. This time the man didn’t follow.

Ilea took an arrow in each hand and rammed them into her legs, right at the knees. The pain was laughable compared to the mind attack she had sustained a couple minutes ago. Though still it seemed less powerful than that demon.

Checking her messages, she continued on towards the guard station.

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 8’

A note from Rhaegar

Shameless whoring: Read ahead on Patreon and get up to 10 chapters immediately. This is completely optional and everything will be posted on Royalroad eventually. But my name is Weed and I need to build a city

Chapter 71 A dark night

A note from Rhaegar

ETA next chapter prolly Saturday ayayay. Thanks for reading

">!

Chapter 71 A dark night

Dale was standing outside with a couple guards, ready to go should the attack be more than just a quick annoyance. Ilea flew downwards and landed on the square next to the people. She had seen some water mages trying to take care of the fires caused by the elf though some houses couldn’t be saved anymore.

“You’re back already? I like the wings.” Dale said at her as a man came running up to her.

“Miss, you have arrows in your knees!” he exclaimed and Ilea stared at him as if he were stupid. The man looked around confused but everybody else just looked on the ground or away.

“The elf is gone already and I believe the city is sufficiently defended. Considering a lot of people already left on the last attack, it doesn’t seem as interesting as a target to them anymore.” Ilea said.

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 8’

“About those arrows Ilea. They seem to be burning you up. Though I don’t want to question it, the smell is quite disgusting.” she nodded and removed the arrows.

“Compelling argument, though it doesn’t seem that bad to me...” she said.

“Alright, the attack was nothing serious. Back to your posts men!” Dale shouted and the people dispersed quietly. He walked up to Ilea and put a hand on her shoulder. “Thanks for the help.”

“Didn’t seem like they needed it to be frank.”

“I watched from here and you were the first to distract him sufficiently. I’m sure you saved one or the other life with that intervention.” he said.

She sighed as her wings dissipated. “I can’t bring myself to care right now.”

Dale grunted and walked next to her to look at the water mages work in the distance. “I don’t think you ever truly did.”

“Why do you say that?”

He looked at her and answered. “Because you’re not a guard. You’re a solo adventurer and a reckless one at that.” he looked at the clouds above and the stars in between. “More a hunter than a protector. Both are needed though you likely see more death.”

The two stayed quiet for a minute or two. “Know the Kroll guy in red armor?” she broke the silence, still looking at the mages.

“I’ve seen one or two in red armor, why?”

“Well I have a feeling I’ll meet him again. Hypothetically speaking, who do you think will try to kill me should I murder him?” she asked with a tinge of humor in her voice.

“You scare me sometimes Ilea. At first you were just a low leveled healer but now...your jokes don’t seem as funny anymore.”

She grunted in response but didn’t say anymore until he answered her question. “They’re definitely associated with the Kroll kingdom though I don’t know them. Killing anybody at that level will have significant consequences though that is for sure.

‘Not very helpful Dale...’ she thought and shrugged.

“I’m sure I have plenty of people looking for me already. Good or bad. Where is the shadow’s hand staying do you know?” he shook his head to her question.

“Alright, I’ll ask around then. See you Dale, thanks for the talk.” she said and walked away.

“See you, don’t do anything crazy.” he said and couldn’t help but chuckle. Though his eyes were hard. The naive child had turned into a powerful adult, either still naive or simply uncaring of any consequences.

Ilea walked through the silent city, enjoying the light breeze and the snow below her boots. Reaching her destination twenty minutes later she was glad to see that Earl’s shop was still standing and additionally someone seemed to be working inside.

She reached the door and opened it. The well oiled frame didn’t make a noise though the bell attached on top did quite the contrary. “Earl are you in?” she asked more as a warning for the man, her sphere had answered her question twenty meters further back.

“Oh. Oh look who it is!” the man exclaimed and came out from the back of the shop laughing. “Come on in Il….WHAT what is this!” he exclaimed immediately and rushed to the woman. Ignoring her outstretched hand he touched her armor while fumbling over his words.

“Ilea what...where did you get this!?” the healer turned warrior tried to calm the man down with gestures though he seemed too absorbed. She quickly removed a bracer and handed it to the man who ran back into the workshop with his newly found treasure.

Ilea sighed and looked around the room as the door closed behind her, making the bell ring once again. A blink let her follow and appear next to the blacksmith who was looking at the bracer’s metal through different magnifying glasses.

“Are you alright old man?” she asked with a smirk.

“I am I am...this! How is it called? It’s yours I assume?” he asked, referring to her ability to identify her own armor.

“It’s a Dark Elf Juggernaut armor...whole set. Found it in a Taleen dungeon.” she said. “What’s it made of?”

“I don’t know...I don’t know but the feel of it I tell ya. Rarely have I laid eyes on something quite as spectacular. Has anything managed to scratch it, dent it?” she thought quickly and shook her head.

‘Should’ve worn it before going into the Praetorian fight...’ she thought but shook her head. It had made sense at the time not to reveal her possession. “No, nothing. It’s quite durable.”

“Yes that it seems to be. Though it doesn’t have any ability to stop magical attacks or the elements...” he said as he put the bracer on top of different runes that lit up with ice and fire before the whole thing was engulfed in a red mist.

“Don’t break them alright.” Ilea chuckled on the side, opening a hidden drawer to reveal an old leather armor of hers. She quickly sniffed it and put it back. Thinking on it again she removed the armor and the traveling clothes that were stored as well and threw them into the closest burning thing. Quite a lot of those in a smithy.

Earl would’ve likely complained for one reason or the other but he was still quite focused on her bracer. “This metal, this rivals the strongest alloys I’ve come across. I hope your magic resistance is high if you want to keep using it girl.”

“I can’t complain.” she said as she held her hand into a nearby furnace. Though her hand did burn it was something comparable to touching a kettle filled with boiling water.

“Can you paint it pink?” she asked suddenly which seemed to get the man’s attention.

“What...no. I won’t do such a thing, are you mad?” he asked and Ilea chuckled.

“I was kidding. I’m quite fond of the bat style. Can I have that back now?”

He handed her the bracer slowly. “You be careful, people might want that.” for the first time he looked into her eyes and grinned a little. “Glad you’re alive! Gave up the healer thing too. And a Taleen dungeon, got anything else interesting out there a smith could like?”

“Perhaps. What about the drake scales and the windpuma hide? Haven’t come around to get that yet sadly.” she said to which he looked at her with a puzzled expression. Suddenly the man burst out laughing.

“Drake scales!! HAHAHAHAHA Well well well. Don’t be offended silly girl but what you have there is a little bit more advanced than what I could ever make you. And trust me I’m proud of my work.” he turned serious at the end. “Now show me what you have. I’ll buy the scales if you don’t need em.”

“Sure, couple gold? How’s the elven attack going for you?” Ilea said.

“Couple gold she says. You get one gold and thirty silver for that and that’s it. I’ve barely had an hour to sleep if that answers your question.”

Ilea just shrugged and summoned one of each Taleen weapon onto a nearby workbench.

“The green steel….now that that is rare. Though not nearly as interesting as the thing you’re wearing it’s good steel. I’ll buy them off you if you’d like to sell.” she just nodded and ignored his calculations for gold.

“And how dare you get a storage item before me. Do you know how useful that could be for me?” the man grumbled while picking up each weapon and checking it.

“It’s pretty useful, yea.” she commented and made the gold he handed her vanish as he grunted angrily. Fourteen more gold in total. ‘Not like I need it...’ she thought.

“Oh and I have this annoying little fuck.” she said and summoned the dagger that immediately started to spout offensive vulgarities. “Don’t touch it, it burns.” she said before tossing the thing into a nearby furnace.

“Why did you do that? And where did you find a sentient dagger? What does the appraisal say?” the man asked though she ignored the first two questions.

“Dagger of Akelion quality says three question marks.” she removed the dagger from the furnace. Unsurprisingly it didn’t even glow lightly. “If you don’t at least shut the hell up I’ll leave you in there.” she said and less unsurprisingly the thing actually did. Shut up that is.

“Never seen that before with anything. Maybe you’ll find something in the library. Otherwise go ask the bloody dwarves. I’ll buy it though if you sell.” the man finished.

She twirled the dagger around in her hand and shook her head lightly. “I’m afraid not.” she said. “You have a matching sheath?”

Fastening the dagger around her waist she put it inside where it suddenly began shouting again.

“What is it? Dagger you shut the hell up right now or I put you in the furnace again.” she said calmly and the dagger calmed down.

“I know you speak this language and if you want something you ask for it like a normal dagger.” she said. ‘Why am I even listening to this little shit.’ she held her hand to her forehead and sighed.

“Well that face tells me how the attack has been for you. Need a drink?” he asked as she closed her eyes and nodded.

“I want to see.” a voice said and Ilea looked down at the dagger.

“You want to see? What do you mean? The sheath?” she waited for the dagger to nod but realized a second later that that likely wouldn’t happen.

“Yes.” came the answer.

“Earl do you have anything more open, less closed up metal. The dagger wants to see.” she said to the smith who had come back with two small wooden mugs.

“With what eyes?” he asked, handing her one of the mugs.

“With the ONES I’ll tear out of your SKULL HUMAN!!” the dagger shouted. Ilea tossed it into the furnace again.

“Just get me one please. And thanks.” she said and downed the drink. “That’s good.” she commented as the dagger screamed in the furnace. A minute later the smith returned and handed her a metal sheath which would show the blade. The dagger wouldn’t fit perfectly well but it would stay inside. A strap on top made sure of that.

Ilea grabbed the dagger out of the furnace and put it inside the sheath. “Happy? Then SHUT IT.” she said and didn’t get anything in return.

Earl was back and looked through the Taleen weaponry again, commenting on some small things while Ilea looked at herself in the nearby mirror. She had removed her helmet when she had talked to Dale.

Her armor was splattered with dried blood and the black metal was dusty and parts of it were covered in dirt. The Taleen clothing she had been wearing below was burnt up mostly and most parts of her that weren’t covered with armor were bare. She blinked above into the living quarters of Earl and removed her armor before getting on another Taleen set of clothes.

‘I’m running out of clothing.’ she thought as the bell below rang out again. With her sphere she had seen some people coming from outside. She heard them through the floor as Earl went out to greet them.

Her chest plate was fixed as she noticed the people seemed tense, their hands close to their swords. ‘Now what business do you have with my blacksmith?’ she thought as her thighs were covered and her boots were put on.

“Oy smith, how’s it looking on gold? Mus be ratha lucratif this attack n all.” one of the men said, sweat on his face.

“Yes, and what with all the guards protecting the walls? Their eyes are quite a while away my friend.” a woman commented. There were three people in the room downstairs in total. By their attire and weapons Ilea thought the man was a warrior, the woman a mage and the last man who hadn’t talked yet was a rogue or something similar.

Her shins came on just as the warrior unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards Earl. “Ya hand over your gold right now ol man.” he said when Ilea appeared in front of Earl.

‘60, 46 and 82. Should theoretically be a cakewalk.’ Ilea thought as she identified the people.

“I suggest you leave. Earl’s closed.” she said and the smith chuckled behind her.

“Not if they’re buying.” though she heard a slight shaking in his voice which made her a little angry. Not at him of course.

“Sha we risk it Lucy? I can’t read er.” the warrior said, talking to the woman in robes.

“All the strong ones are out there, bravely defending the city. Don’t kill her though, I promised you some fun tonight didn’t I. Go for it.” the man started grinning immediately while Ilea just glanced back at Earl.

“Sorry for the mess.” she said as the warrior’s sword closed in on her neck. She appeared behind him and grabbed his neck, unsheathing her dagger and stabbing it into his side. The blade cut directly into his heart though it seemed the man had invested quite a bit of his stats into vitality.

A sudden push came to Ilea’s head and a light headache formed as the rogue appeared next to her, stabbing at her side. Her arm shot out and caught the blade, letting go of the nearly dead warrior. She let go of her own weapon and punched the rogue in his skull, cracking it like a watermelon shot by a .50 cal sniper rifle.

The resulting explosion of flesh and blood painted the windows of Earl’s shop red as the mage screamed and teleported outside to run away. Ilea bowed down and removed her dagger from the man before stabbing it into his skull, ending his life.

Her eyes were cold and not a trace of a smile could be found in her expression as she slowly got up again. Earl looked on in horror as she grabbed the two corpses and dragged them outside. She put one each on her shoulder and followed the remaining attacker.

A couple streets later she tossed the corpses into an alley and looked around. Her new skill Hunter’s Sight came to it’s first real use as she looked around for clues. The previously panicked mage had obviously calmed down a little and had started to use her teleportation magic to run away.

Though her smell was still in the air and Ilea could perceive everything in an over twenty meter sphere around her. Two blinks later she stood in front of the mage who had teleported into a basement.

Unfortunately there were other occupants as well and the mage was currently holding a kid hostage while its parents begged for her to stop.

“Really? A kid?” Ilea asked.

“I’ll kill him...let me go and we’re fine. Nobody got hurt and all is forgotten, how about it?” the mage spoke in a slightly panicked voice though her eyes were focused on Ilea.

She vanished and punched the woman’s side, breaking at least a couple ribs. She didn’t use any buffs to ensure exactly zero heavily traumatized kids that night. At least traumas caused by her.

The woman shot to the side and hit the wall hard before she teleported upwards again. Ilea saw her crawling on the street while calling out for help.

“Are you alright, did she hurt you.” the father ran to the boy and hugged him while the mother walked up to Ilea.

“You will let her go?” Ilea didn’t answer.

“She threatened to kill my boy.” the woman said as went to a corner of the room to get a dagger Ilea perceived inside a chest.

“She tried to rob a friend. Don’t worry I won’t let her go.” Ilea said while touching the woman’s shoulder before blinking upwards and onto the street.

“I did give you guys a chance to leave, you know.” she said before stomping down hard on the woman’s head, ending her life immediately.

She stood there then, her face covered in blood from the man she had killed. ‘I’m cold.’ she thought as tears ran down her face. ‘Fuck’ she stomped on the woman’s head again. “FUCK” again the bones were reduced to dust as the street itself cracked below.

A couple minutes later Ilea walked back to Earl’s place and shut the door behind her. The man was calmly cleaning the window and wall when he looked at the returning woman.

“Thanks.” he said quietly as she walked past him to grab a fresh towel for her face.

Chapter 72 Old Beings

A note from Rhaegar

ETA next chapter prolly next week Thursday. Enjoy reading

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Chapter 72 Old Beings

Ilea walked outside to put some snow on her towel. It melted slowly as she put it to her face to get away the blood and grime.

“Why do you cry?” someone asked and Ilea tensed up before realizing it had been the dagger on her side, covered in blood just as she was.

She continued cleaning herself quietly before unsheathing the dagger. “Because I killed people tonight.” The dagger got the same treatment as her face.

“I do not understand.” the dagger said but kept quiet after that.

‘I need a bath.’ Ilea thought and walked back inside. “I’ll use your bath if that’s alright.” she said to Earl who grunted in response, still cleaning up the mess she’d caused. She blinked to the room that held the tub and started trying the runes installed around it.

Feeding mana into one of them released a slow stream of water into the tub and it was filled a couple minutes later. Ilea undressed in the meantime and tried the other runes. The one for heat was of course the most important one and as soon as the tub was full, steam had risen in the room.

Ilea sighed happily as she let herself sink into the hot water. Luckily Earl was quite a bit bigger than her, making the space phenomenal. ‘I’ll have to get something like this...’ she thought.

Half an hour passed in silence as Ilea thought about her night. The elf encounter had been stupid, the arrows could’ve been cursed or could’ve added a strong paralyzing effect. She sighed again and rested her head on the tub’s edge while playing with her necklace.

‘Though I doubt I could be brought down that easily...’ she thought and looked through her stats.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 201

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 1

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 17

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 194

- Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 2

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 11

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 6

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 1

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 10

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 17

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 17

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 12

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 6

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 17

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – lvl 8

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 5

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 6

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – lvl 3

Status:

Vitality: 575

Endurance: 285

Strength 211

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 500

Wisdom 305

Health: 5750/5750

Stamina: 2850/2850

Mana: 3050/3050

‘I should try to get my second class skills higher somehow before it hits two hundred...’ her head sunk a little deeper into the water before she exhaled to create bubbles. ‘I killed three people today and this is what I think about...’ she chuckled and smiled in her bathtub. “This is who I have become...” she said and balled her hand into a fist.

‘Maybe I should get a haircut to signify the change...’ she thought and smiled, determined to not lose the humor at least. Getting on her clothes, she dumped the armor into the tub and scrubbed it with a nearby brush likely intended for the body. Twenty minutes later she had an alright looking armor again and got it on.

Earl was waiting downstairs when she returned. He had stopped cleaning at some point yet Ilea still smelled the blood. “You cleaned as well I see...” the man said and she nodded in response. Earl seemed different to her somehow. It might’ve been nothing though Ilea was sure her actions today had influenced his opinion of her in one way or the other.

She had certainly changed since she’d come to Elos though what was certainly the most influential thing to others was her sheer power. People treated her differently now than even just a couple months ago. It was a weird feeling to her and a little scary. Certainly it made her not want to stay in Riverwatch for much longer, despite her mentions to Dale.

An elven attack was already reduced to a mere couple houses burning down partially due to her help. “I’m gonna leave again soon I think.” she said into the quiet room. Earl didn’t answer immediately and Ilea simply walked up to him and extended her hand.

“I’ll come back if I find interesting things for you or if I need a good smith. Good luck Earl.” the man shook her hand.

“Good luck to you too Ilea.” he said to her back as she walked out, letting the door close behind her.

‘Weird...’ she though. The whole interaction with the smith that day had felt different to her. Perhaps it was only in her mind, maybe something caused by her recent experiences. Though Ilea couldn’t shake off that it had been the smith that had treated her differently.

Walking through the city for a while and thinking on the past day’s and night’s events Ilea came to a stop near a book store. A nearly burnt down book store and not one unfamiliar to her. It wasn’t Splicer’s shop but the skill book store that had let her onto the path of her current Ash Wielder class.

Her wings extended and she smiled as she looked at the deserted and quiet store. The night was dark above and the snow mixed with ash in the store. ‘I’m sure the clerk would’ve liked my wings...’ she moved into the store and touched some of the still standing shelfs before flying up and above the city.

The city itself was lit up by many torches and lanterns though nothing came close to the walls around it. She could see people patrolling in the distance. Beyond was darkness, the wild and probably elves lurking behind rocks and trees, waiting for a foolish adventurer to leave the fortified settlement.

“Fuck that...” Ilea said out loud into the night before her. ‘I’m not gonna let some abomination of the fairer race stop me from exploring this world. Not after I’ve gotten to this point.’ she thought as her buffs became active. She thought about informing Dale or visiting Splicer first but decided not to in the end.

‘I need advice though. At this point I’m an aimless wanderer and will die somewhere in a fucking dwarven dungeon if I don’t get some information. And more personal strength of course. There’s only a couple people that could help me with that then.’

“Time to make a delivery...” she said and flew out of the city. She was wary, though considering how close her goal was it wouldn’t be much of an issue. Diving down she landed in the forest before any elves showed themselves, her knees bending and snow being crushed below her feet.

Looking around her body heat regulated to become the same as her surroundings. Her helmet was put on to hide most of the light her buffs were giving off. And then Ilea started to fly. Low but fast, her incredible speed and reflexes helping her dodge through the trees while being concealed by the clouds and night above.

The elves’ noses would likely not be enough to follow her quick movement though if it came to an encounter Ilea was sure to give them more than just some bruises. Usually her sustenance and healing were the reason she overcame tougher enemies but now with the increased mobility of flight and a close city to dive into as a last effort to flee, she’d be a nightmarish cockroach for most enemies.

Though she didn’t sense anything through her whole travel. It certainly took longer than simply flying above the forests but Ilea reached her goal uninterrupted after just a couple hours of travel. Looking back and above there was no sign of any movement.

“They will not follow you here.” a voice said and Ilea looked down at the dagger.

“You’re talking.”

“I am.” came the short answer.

“How do you know they won’t?” she asked while looking through the trees behind her.

“They are keeping the people in the city inside. You are already too far away for them to follow.”

“You’re implying they’re not acting on pure instinct? Elves seem rather emotional to me and having someone escape doesn’t seem to be something they would let go.” she said.

“They are not, though the young ones can certainly be hot headed I doubt any of them will follow you here. There were only four of them there after all.”

“Four? I thought only three...the illusionist or whatever that was, the ranger and the fire mage.” she counted through.

“There was a mind mage as well, though you seem to be as thick headed literally as you are figuratively.” the dagger said.

She chuckled at that and walked into the Calys mines. “That is why I am looking for advice, though perhaps I had it with me all the time. Why the sudden talking without sounding like a spoiled noble being lynched by common rabble?”

The dagger kept quiet for a while as Ilea walked through the dungeon. She had killed the Alpha of this place but it didn’t seem like the dungeon ceased to be. There were some Stalker Hounds around though they scattered away immediately upon sensing her, their perception matching earth’s dogs.

“I’m old. Older than you can imagine.” the dagger suddenly said as Ilea came up on the cave she’d fought the Alpha in. She knew there was another entry though she didn’t want to lead any potential followers directly to the necromancers. And elves hated dungeons.

“And I’ve had many owners.” the dagger continued.

“All of them elven?” she asked as she walked up to the decaying skeleton of the Alpha. Something or someone had cleaned up the flesh quite thoroughly.

“No. Though for a long time that has been the case.”

“How were you made? Or are you a person put into metal?” she asked, noticing for the first time the connection of her mana to the dagger.

“I do not know. Though my earliest memories are of being a dagger. Seeing the existence of magical beings, mind magic, curses and artifacts I cannot say for sure that I have never been an entity outside of this metal.”

“Why the change of attitude towards me?” Ilea asked as she jumped down into the abyss.

“I have memories of many owners and I remember what I said to them and how I did so. I conclude that the connection I have to my owner influences my character. The being you met when you found me was still much the same as the one it had been a thousand years ago.” the dagger said.

Ilea stopped in her tracks. “You’ve been down there alone for a thousand years?”

“Yes, more than that actually. Quite a bit more. I would have to know the current calculation of time and the definition of a year to give you an answer.” it said.

“You didn’t go insane, wasn’t that lonely? I can’t even comprehend being alone for a single year.” Ilea said. The dagger was quiet for a while but ultimately answered.

“You have the meditation skill?” it asked and Ilea nodded “Well I don’t though it was a similar experience, at least compared to what people have told me about the skill. Time flows faster and mental strain caused by a lack of social interaction has less of an influence. Not that it would matter to me anyway, I’m a dagger after all.”

“That you are. It’s certainly interesting though how do you want to do this? I mean travel with me.”

“I don’t understand your question, I’m a weapon and you use me.”

“I use my fists to fight, though I could profit from your knowledge certainly. I’m not keen on slavery though so I won’t be your owner, except your into that kind of shit.” Ilea said.

“I’m linked to your mana already so you will influence me. If it is my knowledge you deem useful then so be it. Though I am Very sharp.”

“Are you talking about your mind or blade.” she asked though didn’t receive an answer. “I’ll keep you around though but not without your consent. Don’t want a level thousand white knight to hunt me down because of accused rape.”

“I am a dagger, I would suggest you do not use me for coitus.” Ilea didn’t answer and simply waited. “I don’t mind traveling with you.” the dagger said.

“There you go. Now let me show you that everything can be a dildo if you’re brave enough.” Ilea said with a smile on her face as she walked on. The two didn’t talk after that. Ilea was content with the quiet and would question the dagger at a later point in time. She didn’t know about the inner workings of the being she had found, so couldn’t assume what it thought about the quiet, if it did think at all.

Speaking of meditation made Ilea think about the skill and her other general skills as well. They’ve been very slow at leveling, especially identify. Though she shrugged and walked on. Some patrolling undead with pieces of stinking meat hanging down from their bodies had noticed her but didn’t seem interested in attacking. ‘Maybe they know me still...’ Ilea thought.

The necromancer tunnels looked the exact same as they did before and Ilea already felt claustrophobic, the thought supported heavily by her newfound ability to fly. The common hall was empty as she entered, leaving behind the sword wielding undead guarding the entrance. She stood still in the quiet tavern and perceived it in its entirety, down to the rock covering all sides and the mold growing behind the wooden shelfs.

‘It stinks here.’ she thought, though compared to Salia it was barely noticeable. Noticing the smell Ilea felt a little less hollow, she had barely cared about similar impressions just a couple days ago.

Finally the door opened and Walter walked through, smiling as he looked at the woman clad in black. She had removed her helmet, looking back at him as she poured another mug of mead. “Well isn’t that a surprise.” the man said as he walked down the stairs. “I hadn’t expected you again so soon.”

[Mage - lvl 204]

Ilea smirked a little. ‘Very close now. I wonder if I could see Edwin’s.’ she thought as she finished up the mug and walked back out from the counter with two drinks in her hands. “Neither have I Walter. Come, sit with me.” she said and put the mugs down. The man looked at her a little bit hesitant but nodded in the end.

“I’m assuming you didn’t lead anybody here...with what is going on in Riverwatch at the moment?” he took his mug and touched it to hers, creating a hollow sound in the otherwise rather quiet room.

“We should be fine. Likely nothing the two of us can’t take.” she said, drinking a bit of her beverage. “This is really really good. Do you sell it?” she asked.

“I’m not sure we can take down an elf Ilea. Even seeing your absurd growth. What the hell did you do?” she was a little annoyed that he ignored the question about the mead.

“You’re a good brewer my friend. I’ve had a couple rather interesting weeks. Filled with a Taleen dungeon, a mysterious group of nobles, curses and the dead.” she finished while he listened intently. Ilea was aware that he was on edge. They only knew each other for a short while and she had jumped over a hundred levels in her main class, now able to challenge him if she wished to do so. At least from a level perspective.

“That is quite a lot to take in Ilea.” he said, now visibly tense. Ilea realized she had been staring at him, lacking her usual stupid grin. She rectified that and got up slowly.

“Walter, calm the fuck down, it’s still me. I’m just here because I’m in need of your counsel.” she said and turned to one of the empty tables just as the door to the common room opened for the second time since she’d been there. “And I’ve come bearing gifts.” she said, smiling at the man just as Indra and Lucia entered the room.

Two dead elves still wearing their armor materialized on the tables as the other two approached, greeting Ilea. Walter’s eyes opened quickly as he nearly stumbled out of his chair and Indra was upon the corpses before the first drop of blood reached the ground. His magic was in full effect already, having forgotten completely about the return of Ilea.

“A scholar. Well I hope you like them, I remember you were quite short on elven corpses. And there’s more where that one came from.” Ilea said as she sat down again. Lucia had gotten the mood immediately and joined Walter’s side of the table while he shook his head.

“Alright alright. How am I welcoming a friend...who has saved one of our own. I’m sorry Ilea it’s just a bit much you know...level 201, the elves, and you have a storage item? Well fuck all that. Let’s get more drinks.” he said and got up while extending his hand towards Ilea.

She got up as well and shook it while locking eyes with the man. “A lot has happened but I’m still a friend. Don’t think you’ll get rid of me so easily.” she said as Lucia started smiling.

Chapter 73 Decisions and Ale

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone.

ETA next chapter probably Thursday 5th of July.

Thank you to everyone reading and following so far, you guys are bloody awesome.

For the few that care, I started reading Don’t Fear the Reaper years and years ago, starting my journey on RoyalRoad. I’ve read many stories on the site since then. Some have captured me on my phone for days at a time where I even forgot to eat or sleep while others made me rage at the introduced harem or sudden drop of a story.

We’ve all been there and it’s a beautiful feeling to look up from a story and know there are fifty more chapters of this awesomeness.

When I started writing for fun on a day when I just couldn’t find any more stories I enjoyed for longer than a single chapter, I never thought I’d come this far. Trust me, I’m aware of how much luck is involved in getting so many followers but hey, here I am and it’s pretty fucking cool. A couple days ago Azarinth Healer even passed Don’t Fear the Reaper for a moment in the ratings.

What I’m trying to say is thank you. Thank you for being here and sharing your thoughts on the story or simply just reading. The nearly 100% constructive criticism has helped me improve so much and just shows how much this community cares. The positive feedback is something else and makes me smile every time someone is crying because there are no more chapters or because there is a cliffhanger. Seriously though it makes me incredibly happy that so many of you enjoy the story.

I will stop now because you’re here to read the story and not for my sentimental blabber. At least that’s how I felt whenever an author of my currently preferred story would go on and on about something like this. I try to keep it a rare thing though and today just seemed right.

As many of you know I've started doing Patreon a while ago and the first month just came to an end. It's awesome that so many of you chose to support me financially. If you can't or don't feel like it that's completely fine too, it makes me happy that you read my story or even comment sometimes

">.

So cheers everyone, to RoyalRoad, to fantasy and litrpg and to reading itself. A hobby that allows us to create and immerse ourselves in magical worlds and lets us wonder just how much blood that roundhouse kick of Ilea managed to splatter on the wall behind her enemy.

Chapter 73 Decisions and Ale

“And that’s when I left Riverwatch and came here.” Ilea finished to the group of people in front of her. Everyone had joined after Lucia decided to inform them about her return. Drinks and food were sitting on the table and a small fire was burning in the hearth, its light intertwining with the flames of the torches.

“You should really work on your storytelling...” Celene commented, hitting an uncaring Ilea with her unwanted criticism.

“So the shadow’s hand saved you?” one of the initiates asked while Ilea grabbed some of the food and started eating.

“Well that’s convenient isn’t it?” Harthome commented.

“What level do you thing the Praetorians were?” Walter asked while Ilea chewed. She swallowed and took a drink from the ale he had brought halfway through the story. She lifted her hand and showed him three fingers.

“Three hundred? That sounds dangerous...” Lucia commented, showing a worried expression. Though it didn’t seem like she was worrying about Ilea, considering the tight grip she held Walter’s hand with. The man on the other hand seemed to understand the meaning and took a deep gulp of his drink.

“You survived...” he said, looking deep into her eyes.

“So I did.” Ilea said.

“Amazing! Amazing!! This is unprecedented, hahahahaHAHAHAHA!!!” the sudden exclamation of Indra stopped any further questions coming at Ilea. Apparently he had found something deep inside the chest cavity of one of the corpses. Nothing Ilea could see.

“Indra you’re ruining my tables. Can you take them to your rooms?” Walter more stated than asked. Indra quickly nodded and motioned for the initiates to help him move the corpses. Though the blood dripping on the ground wasn’t helping Walter’s mood.

“Elven blood...” the barkeep said and shook his head at the rare resource coloring the stone ground. The light smell of iron a reminder of elven mortality, and their own.

“Those are certainly gifts worth quite a lot Ilea. And you say there’s more?” Walter asked, looking at Ilea.

“There are. I need information though, and from all your brewery creations. I can see eight barrels in the back but I bet you have more. I want six.” Ilea said.

Walter chuckled and then started laughing out loud, his actions met with an awkward silence by everyone else except for Ilea who was more waiting for his response. “You bring elven corpses to a necromancer brotherhood and ask for ale in return.” he calmed down and smiled brightly at the healer turned warrior. “And you shall have it.”

“Great, your stuff is really good Walter. You could sell this at least in Dawntree and Riverwatch...though I have to say I haven’t tried whatever the nobles have yet...” a desire sprouted in her mind as she said it though she decided it would be something for a later time. The other present members of the vultures were rather quiet so far, obviously leaving it to their leader to talk.

“Oh I don’t know about that. Though I’ll try to answer the questions you have.” Walter said as he started to bring away the now empty plates and to get more ale.

“Alright, first thing I want to know is how curses work. I couldn’t heal anymore suddenly and my mana was regenerating much slower...” Walter was already nodding.

“Hasn’t happened to me yet luckily but I know of two people who have been cursed. Went away for both of them after less than a day. One of them had similar symptoms as you described...luckily she managed to kill the beast that did it to her and waited the curse out.” he took a sip from his drink before continuing.

“The other one had their total health reduced for a couple hours...well he told me he felt like absolute crap, worse than the worst sicknesses he ever had. He hid in a hole until the stuff went away. Not much you can do it seems...how did you manage to get it away?”

Ilea finished her mug of ale and explained. “Hid in a hole basically.” the others nodded at that and Harthome chuckled. “Mate I’d like to see you get gutted by that scythe...” she said though her grin removed the malicious edge her words might’ve otherwise had.

“So if you try to fight with it you’re probably dead...” Celene said and Lucia nodded.

“Well just a lot easier to kill…” Walter said.

“Well that’s not really new information for me...though I’m glad it’s nothing more permanent.” Ilea said and looked at the empty plates in front of her. Shrugging, she summoned a bit of food from her storage device and continued eating.

“Where’d you get that by the way?” Harthome asked as he grabbed some of the dried meat she had placed on the table. Walter sighed and walked back to the counter to get more food.

“Dwarven dungeon. Also the armor.” Ilea said after swallowing. “You know anything about why the elves started attacking again?” she asked, welcoming the plate placed on the table by Walter.

“Not really, not like anyone understands why they’re doing anything. It’s been at least a decade since the last bigger attack though...is it more than just Riverwatch?” Walter asked. Ilea nodded.

“Yea, Dawntree is under siege and Salia has been completely destroyed...lots of corpses there for you guys if you manage the trip...” she said and chuckled before continuing. “Lucky me though...”

“Salia where you got the elven corpses as well?” Harthome asked.

“Mhm, yea that was certainly lucky.” Ilea said, not wanting to go into her fights with the elfs again. “I would’ve probably been dead if I had faced all of them.”

“So you guys don’t really know a lot either, hiding away here in this cave...ever heard the name Edwin Redleaf?” she asked and this time Celene reacted.

“I think I heard the name...noble house in..Baralia...no Lys I think. Though I don’t know more about it. I can go check my books though, just come and see me in a while.” Celene finished.

‘Great, two more places I’ve never heard of...’

“Ravenhall anywhere near that?” Ilea asked and Walter nodded.

“It’s in Lys actually. A big contributor to the empire’s taxes...” he said.

“You think I should go?” Ilea asked.

“To Lys you mean? It certainly has some nice places though you don’t seem like the kind that looks for safety and stability. Not that the wilderness there is any better than further west.” Walter explained.

“Less elves...” Harthome commented and the others nodded.

“Yea...that.” Lucia said.

“I meant Ravenhall...” Ilea said. ‘Seems like a good place to get more information on Edwin plus the hand is there and I’ve been unofficially invited.’

“There are nicer cities in Lys...” Celene said.

“You mean joining the shadow’s hand?” Walter asked. “You are level 200 so it’s a possibility. Not something I’d suggest if you’re not ready to stay for a while though.”

“I thought about it, yes. What do you mean with the staying? They’re mercenaries right?” Ilea asked.

“That they are, some of the best out there. Well last time I heard you had to be level 200 and pay a ridiculous amount of gold to join without any strings attached. Most join with a contract where you do jobs for them until your debt is paid.” he explained.

“Define ridiculous.” Ilea said and continued eating.

“Eighty gold was what I heard. Though you get lodging, food, training, information, jobs and most importantly a team to work with.” Walter finished.

‘Doesn’t seem like a lot...though I guess it would be twice what I’ve earned and found in total if it weren’t for that dwarven treasury...’ she thought. Luckily she was chewing so she didn’t react visibly to the amount of gold. She trusted the necromancers to an extent but money had a lot of influence on man.

‘Sometimes even I make good decisions.’ Ilea thought. “So you get the same thing but if you pay you have no debt?” she asked and got a confirming nod from Walter.

‘Why the hell not then...if I don’t get some people to fight with me soon I’ll die just looking at it from a statistical view...can’t be lucky all the time.’ Ilea finished the food and summoned more. The women were looking at her with envy but she didn’t really understand what that was about. ‘Plus I can find out more about Edwin while exploring...’

“Ravenhall for you then?” Harthome asked.

“Maybe, I’ll think about it some more. What’s the hotel necromancer fee for a night?” Ilea asked. Lucia chuckled.

“For those dead elves you can stay for a lifetime...or three. We don’t have the gold to pay for them but if you need anything, just ask.” Walter said and the others didn’t seem to have a problem with that.

“Sure...happy to be your corpse delivery service.” Ilea said with a smile. “Guess I’ll stay for a couple days before I leave for Ravenhall.” she summoned her notebook and grinned at the others “Anyone good with maps?”

It turned out that enchanters have to be rather precise in their drawing abilities so Ilea’s map was updated quite significantly. She got her barrels of ale and mead and left two more of the elven bodies with the necromancers. Four were still in her necklace and she decided to keep them. The lodging left as much to be desired with as last time already.

“If only I could get back that bed...maybe I can put one in my storage...” Ilea talked while throwing her dagger up to the ceiling. She was currently lying in her straw bed, relaxing after too much socializing.

“You certainly could. Though it probably wouldn’t last long from the things I’ve seen of you so far.” the dagger said while spinning through the air. “And on an unrelated note that ale and information you got is not nearly enough compensation for the value these people seem to have for elven corpses.” it said.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“What?” the dagger asked back. “Did you not hear me remark about your so called trade of goods?” it finished.

“Oh I did hear you. It’s just that I don’t care. Even though for most people the information I got wasn’t worth much, to me it is right now. And I still have some corpses if you want to bite into some flesh.” she answered.

“I suppose that’s alright, you could still ask for some funds if you wish to join that mercenary band you talked about.” it said.

“You’re not answering my question, dagger.” Ilea said and threw it upwards with a little more force. This time the metal bit into the ceiling and a little bit of stone fell down on her. With a seemingly practiced movement the debris was deflected away from the bed.

“I don’t have a name. I’ve been called many things though none were what you would consider a name, I do not have.” it said while dangling from the ceiling. Ilea summoned a dwarven blade and threw it up to hit the dagger. She missed and had to throw another one as the first blade clattered to the ground.

“Dagger of Akelion...that’s what it says. Not your name?” she asked, summoning more food.

“Where do you put all that food? Are you perhaps a void mage disguised as a warrior?” it asked and continued after a while as Ilea’s response limited itself to chewing. “I do not know where the name comes from. It holds no meaning for me.”

“Sure, sure. So do you want to give one to yourself or should I? I really don’t mind but I don’t want to keep addressing you as my magical dagger.” Ilea said and continued eating. She wondered herself where all the food was going. Likely a change connected to her status and growing levels, or perhaps her healing skills. As long as her favorite hobby didn’t impede on her fighting capabilities, it was fine for her.

“If you really need to address me differently then you may choose.” the dagger said as finally a sword hit it and it fell down again, getting caught by its blue eyed wielder.

“Mjolnir? No, too generic...and I’d have to melt you into a tiny hammer. What about Dagon, for dagger? Or Bloodbringer?” Ilea asked while twirling the blade in her hand.

“You’re really bad at this. The first name is interesting though you deem it generic? Must’ve been something in the past thousand years then.” it said and continued “Something simple will do.”

“What about Narsil? Or Damaris?” Ilea continued.

“Aki will do.” it said.

“Aki? From Akelion?” Ilea asked.

“Why not? It’s short.” the dagger said.

“Aki it is then, though I have to say your originality isn’t as superior as you made it out to be.” she commented.

“I am influenced by you.” Aki said simply.

“Are you male or female?” Ilea asked suddenly, furrowing her brow.

“I am mostly metal.” Aki answered.

“Though of phallic form.” Ilea commented.

“Though of phallic form.” the dagger confirmed.

“You’re a boyblade then. Don’t spin away though.” she said while getting up. “I’m getting bored.”

“Your references elude me. Though I have been away for long. How are you bored, you’ve been sitting here for only twenty minutes. Meditate, your skill will grow.” Aki said.

“It’s in the second stage, that would take months.” Ilea said, getting on her armor that had been lying around the bed the past half hour.

“Then you could leave for Ravenhall. The city you were talking about. Or do you desire to do something here before?” Aki asked.

“Maybe...though it’s mostly that I mentioned to Walter that I’d stay a couple days.” Ilea said, sheathing Aki and closing the wooden door behind her.

“I believe he will understand. Seeing the way they treated you I believe there’s little reason to consider them.” Aki said.

“What makes you say that? They didn’t treat me badly.”

“They did not. I was talking about how you compare in strength. I believe they fear your strength and for good reason. Thus you do not have to consider what they think, at least not too much.” the dagger said.

Ilea decided to go to the common room and talk to Walter again. It’s been barely four hours since her arrival and she already planned to leave again. “As much as I’m learning the importance of strength, you don’t have to be an asshole to everyone just because you can kill them on a whim. And I think these guys have more tricks up their sleeves than me.” Ilea said.

“Perhaps you’re right. Many of my previous owners did not think that way I recall.” Aki said, ending their current bout of conversation. It felt different to Ilea to talk to the dagger, less like a person to consider and more a tool, something akin to an AI in movies she had watched or stories she had read.

‘Without any cool gadgets though...it can cut fruit I guess.’ she thought and smiled at an arrogant dagger of myth being reduced to a fruit cutting device. Though she had the feeling that Aki wouldn’t care, if he actually cared about anything at all.

“Harthome the fool, lost another bet.” Walter said as he stood behind the counter, practicing his renowned glass cleaning skill. At least in the 3rd tier, if not higher.

“We’re only ever using mugs, why are you cleaning glasses.” Ilea asked as she leaned on the counter.

“Because, my dear Azarinth Healer. Glasses get dirty, you smell the mold don’t you?” the barkeep remarked. Ilea shrugged and shouldered her pack, before she made it vanish.

“Well Ethinu, I’m gonna visit again in the future if I manage to survive. In the meantime I hope you make more ale.” she said.

“I will I will. And we’ll pay you back for the corpses, sure you don’t need anything else?” the man asked though Ilea shook her head.

“I’m alright, thanks. Having a place to come back to with friendly people is enough.” she smiled at the man with a genuine expression.

‘Though the beds aren’t nice enough to use my blink’s 3rd tier skill here...’

“I’m glad to call you my friend Ilea. I’m sure you’re gonna go far. The hand will have some opinions about necromancers and the dark arts. I hope you won’t come back here with a cleansing squad.”

“Same, well if I do come I expect some elf zombies while you play heavy metal with black eyes to strengthen them from behind. That would be a sight worth seeing.” she said, though she didn’t lean further into the joke as with her strength it might actually be a considerable risk for Walter and the vultures. “I’m joking of course, your location is safe with me. Mental Resistance lvl 8. They need some figurative warhammers to crack my skull.” she tapped her head.

“Don’t worry, there are others I trust much less than you. At least in their ability to keep this location hidden. Though with the elves coming out again in seemingly bigger force it’s gonna be a good time for us.” Walter said, putting his glass down finally.

“Lots of corpses and less available guards or hunters. Yea I can see that. Just make sure you don’t turn into an overlord controlling an army of undead. Careful what you summon too.” Ilea said and winked.

Walter laughed and walked out from behind the bar. “We will be, otherwise I’ll send a letter to the hand. There have to be some people there crazy enough to help us.” he smiled and held out his arm which Ilea grabbed close to the elbow.

“I’ll see you. And hopefully bring interesting corpses.” she said and let go.

“Be as safe as you can be. And find someone to have your back finally.”

“Yea, it’s about time.” Ilea said “Greet the others from me. I’m not one for excessive goodbyes.” she turned and walked to the door while summoning her helmet.

“I know you aren’t.” Walter said into the empty room, grabbing another glass to clean. ‘What a lucky thing that this girl stumbled upon us. Elven corpses...’ he put the glass down a couple minutes later to go and see Indra. The man must’ve already made several breakthroughs.

A note from Rhaegar

Thank you Lomie 0 for proofreading

">.

Plug of Patreon as the month just started. Read ahead currently up to 11 chapters for 7 bucks. Or don't, everything will be posted here eventually

">. Do have a nice day though.

Chapter 74 Hashtag Traveling

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyboooody. Chapters prolly today, tomorrow and on Saturday. Gonna be out of town for a week.

Chapter 74

Ilea came out into the still dark forest. The sky was a little clearer and no snow was falling in the vicinity. “You’re sure they didn’t follow?” Ilea asked.

“About ninety percent. Though there are surprises in life.” Aki answered. She nodded at that and double checked her armor. All straps hat to be in order, a thing that took her less time by the day now that she was wearing it most of the time.

‘Maybe I shouldn’t show up with this in Ravenhall though. Try to lay a little more low...though that usually goes right out the window whenever something happens...’ she though about it and decided to ask her new traveling companion about it.

“You should be able to summon it directly onto your body. I thought you were just paranoid and wore it at all times because of that.” Aki’s answer was surprising to Ilea as she had tried and failed to apply that technique.

She looked into the night with a skeptical expression. “You sure? Maybe my necklace doesn’t work that way.”

“You just suck.” Aki said.

“I swear as soon as we find a smithy you’ll get another flaming bath.” Ilea said, a grunt her only reply. She looked around again and decided to step out into the wild. With the same tactic as before she flew a little over the ground to not disturb the snow. This time she went slower though, not to alert something with keen eyes. Though it was a gamble, slow or fast.

The map told her to go east. Where the human empires and kingdoms resided. At least in this part of the world. There would be a mountain range to the south and near the sea where Ravenhall was located. With her literal bird’s view she wasn’t too afraid of getting lost, though it certainly was a possibility. Not one she cared about deeply though.

She had planned to explore anyway. Her only goal where time mattered was finding Edwin, Aliana and Felicia. ‘I doubt they’d die. And every day I get stronger, the same is true for them of course but I have a feeling I’ve been doing rather well in that regard.’ she thought and smiled. Hours passed in silence as Ilea flew through the snowy forest.

The night had gotten rather clear and after around four hours the two suns of Elos made their appearance. First slowly but soon the land was cast in light, bidding farewell to a dark night filled with blood. Ilea slowed down and went up to the top of a tree. She had gotten quite far though she didn’t know how far exactly. Around her were no remarkable natural phenomenons, just trees. ‘You could think I’m on earth...’ she thought and decided to risk flying up higher to get a better view.

Nothing had assaulted her in the night though she had heard and perceived different monsters and animals around her. Many of them fled after sensing her though more didn’t even notice her passing. The ones that could’ve challenged her, if there were any, decided not to do so. ‘The elfs wouldn’t have waited so long...’ she thought and ascended.

A couple hundred meters high in the air the view from the endless forest changed a little. There were few clouds around which helped Ilea orient immensely. She saw something change in the distance and decided to go there. It was the only way that held anything else than trees. And it seemed like the so far hilly terrain became flatter in the direction of her new goal.

Ilea accelerated with her buffs active, the air rushed by making the sensation something she couldn’t help but smile to. She twirled in the air and tried to go faster and faster until she noticed that there were no more trees below her.

Coming to a sudden halt that would’ve torn a normal human apart, Ilea looked ahead. Before her stretched a vast land with occasional lonely trees and hills. She could see small dots in the distance that would either indicate cities, higher hills or perhaps massive creatures. Though she was pretty sure they were cities. No streets were visible around her though she was sure they were there.

Winter had reached the plains as well as a white blanket covered all that she could see. “Do you know where south is?” she asked, taking the dagger into her hand.

“Not if you twirl me around like that...” Aki said and was thus held up high into the air.

“To your right should be south, in addition considering the tree line it’s only logical.” the answer was satisfying enough for Ilea. She didn’t mind the edge of mockery.

‘I’d be mad and bitchy too if I didn’t have a head. Or lungs.’ she thought. A herd of seemingly wild horses could be seen in the distance, running towards her. They split up into two groups as they saw her approach though, running into two directions. “Now that makes me a little sad...” she said out loud and then noticed the riders that had been following the herd. They came to a halt a hundred meters away and she could make out shouts in the distance.

‘I really don’t feel like bothering...’ she thought and simply continued. Though she did fly around the riders. A couple of them tried to fire arrows at her but she noticed what seemed to be their commander stopping them.

“That’s gonna be double shifts for the guards today for whatever place they belong to.” Aki said but Ilea just shrugged.

“With the elfs so close I don’t think that’s a bad idea.” she answered and went up higher again. The plains stretched far and wide. Ilea flew for hours until she finally saw the mountain chain in the distance. She had seen a couple of cities and was even approached from time to time though nobody got close enough for an actual interaction. She avoided it and simply made a arc around whatever city these people worked for.

Ilea did realize thought that Elos didn’t have quite a comparable air force as some nations on earth had. Or they simply didn’t bother as much because of shield magic. Why confront a flying enemy in their territory if you can just bunker down and attack from a distance. She probably would’ve had to deal with a rather expansive array of magic if she had approached any of the settlements closer.

The mountains were massive. Seven or eight of them towered out from the more and more hilly terrain, the tallest cutting into the clouds above. It wasn’t comparable to some pictures Ilea had seen of the Himalaya but it was certainly more impressive than anything she’d seen before. Even Karth which likely towered above what she was seeing now.

Just as impressive as the mountains was the ocean expanding out next to them. The plains ended in rocky beaches and Ilea decided to go there first. ‘The ocean...’ a deeply terrifying thing to her yet also something connected to the freedom one felt on vacation. A reminder of more peaceful and less complicated times. ‘Though what I’m doing now isn’t that complicated either….’ she smirked, remembering just the paperwork required for a uni application and ten times worse the stipend she had applied for. Hitting things until they stopped moving was in some ways much less complicated, at least once you got used to the mess and emotional trauma of killing. Something easier said than done.

She reached the ocean half an hour later, a longer travel than she had expected. No cities were around where she landed and she walked up to the cliff overlooking the waves below. The smell of salt lay in the air and the wind brushed through her hair as she removed her helmet. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath.

“One of my past wielders has always dreamed of this view.” Aki said as Ilea sat down, dangling her legs down the cliff side.

“It’s beautiful...” she said and summoned some food. She was glad that she could eat and sleep as much as she liked even though her body wouldn’t need even a fraction of it. “I could build a restaurant here...” she said suddenly. “The view is spectacular.”

“What about the harpies?” Aki asked.

“Do some pest control first.” she said as she suddenly shot out her hand, stopping the crude spear thrown at her from one of the flying monsters. She looked at it and threw the spear back, making the creature fly lazily to the side.

“Let’s not disturb the residents then.” she said as she got up and flew away. They didn’t follow, though with a glance back Ilea saw the harpy dive for the discarded spear. Likely a prized possession for the beast.

This part of the cliff side was mostly occupied by the harpies though Ilea saw some drake like creatures as well. These ones had wings though but were only in the level range of fifty to eighty. Not something worth bothering for her. She liked their flamboyant colors though, especially with the contrasting bland colors of the snow and water below.

“Do they not migrate somewhere warmer in the winter?” Ilea asked while chasing one of the drakes. She finally reached the monster and landed on its back, holding on to the feathers. It seemed more annoyed than anything and tried to get her off with twirls and dives. Nothing seemed to work though and an hour later the beast flew downwards and landed on the ground, breathing heavily.

‘That would be a cool ride if it were five times as fast...’ she thought and petted the drake that bit at her with its massive maw. Ilea easily dodged to the side and continued petting the drake. It didn’t seem to have an ability to breathe fire so Ilea just smiled at it as it tried to attack her. Soon those attempts came to a stop as well and the beast accepted its dreadful fate.

“Some species do fly south or north to warmer climates.” the delayed answer came as Ilea tried to feed the beast some vegetables.

It refused, obviously a carnivore. “North? Wouldn’t that be even colder?” she asked and summoned some meat which she threw into the creatures mouth. This time it chewed and swallowed, seemingly calming down a little before a sudden bite was dodged with a blink to the side. “Cheeky bastard...” Ilea said and resumed her petting. “If you weren’t so cute I’d make a bed out of your feathers...”

“There is more heat coming from the ground in the north. At least that’s what I’ve heard before. I was never there. At least not north of the great divide.” Aki explained.

“The great divide? You mean the massive mountain chain in the north...I forgot its name...” she said and summoned her notebook with the maps in it. “Naraza mountain chain...”

“That would be it, yes. Though its name is different in my memories. The great divide was a somewhat common one among different species though. Do you want to keep that drake?” Aki asked.

“No no, we’re going now.” she got on her helmet again and blinked a meter backwards at another attempt from the beast. “Goodbye you beautiful beast...” she said as her wings sprouted and she flew into the air.

“You could’ve killed it and sold the parts, I’m sure you could’ve made a couple silvers at least. If not more.” the dagger said.

“I’m good on money for now. And there’s other ways to get it that are less messy. Trust me I’ve done it before...” she answered and they continued in silence.

Ilea followed the coastline for two hours until she finally came upon the first changes in terrain. More rock could be seen between the snow and it would’ve become much harder to tread if it weren’t for her wings. She looked up towards the high mountain ahead of her and enjoyed the sight that held true natural power and beauty. Something untouchable and ancient, the world of magic around her only added to the feeling of mystery and adventure she got from looking at it.

‘I love you guys...’ she thought as she hugged herself with her wings, falling down towards the ground before she spread them again to catch herself. In the next half hour the mountain was climbed. Literally. Ilea read about extreme climbers that didn’t use any security measures and it had intrigued her at times. Though she would never try something like that it must’ve felt amazing.

At least that’s what she thought. Now she was hanging from the steep mountain side, hammering her hands into the stone to make herself get higher. It wasn’t as fun as she’d expected and she quickly stopped again to resume one of her new favorite pasttimes, flying.

It took quite a bit longer to get to the top as she let herself fall several times just for the fun of it. Quite a change compared to the way she felt when going to Salia. ‘Time heals...though flying heals faster...’ she thought as she giggled while accelerating downwards. Some mountain goats looked up at the intruder and one troll even threw a massive ice ball at her. Ilea obviously caught it and sent it back right where it came from.

When the suns were up high and Ilea determined it to be midday, she decided to finally find Ravenhall. She flew up to the top of the mountain and gazed at the scenery below. ‘This is much bigger than it seems on the map.’ she unsheathed her dagger and held it over the map.

“Where to? I have no idea if I have to go there or there.” she asked and pointed towards two directions in the distance.

“Neither...how did you survive again? Oh yes, self healing and the luckiest possession of a storage item.” Aki said.

“Hey I didn’t have that thing for long. And yes the self healing is quite useful. Better than being inside metal.”

“That’s a low blow. You see the rock in the distance, the one shaped more spherical than everything around it? Do you know angles?” Aki asked.

“I don’t know which rock you mean. Though yes, if you mean this is zero and this is ninety degrees to the right and this left.” She pointed first to the front and then to her right and left.

“Yes, so go about thirty degrees to the right. I think that’s the direction.” the dagger explained and Ilea finally saw the rock he had meant. She flew downwards and towards the stone and passed it, coming out into a massive valley high in the mountains. A frozen lake covered a third of it and only the lacking trees and nearly perfect smoothness of its surface betrayed its existence.

Beyond the trees and lake was a city of stone. Bigger than anything Ilea had expected it stretched into the valley and onto the mountain with high walls and different sections. An impressive view and certainly something that inspired fear in an approaching enemy, more so than a beautiful castle would inspire awe.

“So this is Ravenhall.” she said and decided to walk the rest of the distance. There was a road close to the lake down in the valley and Ilea could already see carts and people going in and out of the city in the distance. The road down in the valley was nearly empty in comparison and she reached it in fifteen minutes of walking.

Ilea walked through the forest and tried to get as much nature into herself before she would go back into another city. She certainly liked both sceneries but the absence of people was something she sometimes needed. More and more it seemed. Ilea stopped then and moved her armor into her necklace. She got her backpack back on and moved her money pouch into it. The one with all the gold she had before finding the treasury.

‘Perfect time to join a mercenary team then...’ she though and chuckled as she exited the forest and joined the main street towards the city gate. A massive thing that even had a bridge in front of it with a fifty meter fall on each side. ‘Missed opportunity for a drawbridge...’ she thought as she joined the stream of people going towards it.

She got some looks, likely because of her lack of warm clothes though it was much more subdued than one would expect. People had magic here after all and she saw some people wearing even less than her taleen clothes. ‘Will I get a set of that edgy shadow armor as well? I sure hope so...’ she thought as she listened to the people around her talk.

Processing at the gate was fast and she didn’t have to wait even a minute.

“Reason for entering? Fee is two silvers.” the guard quickly looked up at her with a little bored expression on his face.

“Shadow’s hand.” she stated and handed two silver coins to him which she had gotten from her backpack. The man nodded, seemingly used to seeing high level people going into the city. He was at 122 as well, quite high for someone working as a guard.

Ilea walked into the city and went into the first restaurant she found. ‘Time to explore then.’ she thought, a smile spreading on her lips, her sphere observing everything around her. Looking for hidden pathways and weapons. ‘Let’s see what this city has to offer...’

A note from Rhaegar

Patreon plug - read ahead and support me, double the trouble and stay for James.

Chapter 75 A Guild and a Bed

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there...

Chapter 75 A Guild and a Bed

Ilea happily tried four different menus from the card and left the restaurant two hours later satisfied. ‘Now what to get first...’ she thought as she walked through the city. Someone next to her suddenly grabbed at her and she spun around, stopping the hand with her own and putting pressure on it while looking at the man’s face.

The hand gave in with a crunch of bone as the man screamed in the street. Some people stopped but most decided to just ignore it and minded their own business. “What do you want?” she asked as she healed the broken bone. She didn’t actually intend to break it but might’ve been a little on edge around so many people. Especially after that night in Earl’s shop.

“I...I’m...you’re joining the hand right?” the man gulped and asked.

“None of your business.” she stated and started walking away.

“I would like to be your agent, organize jobs and all that for you. Would you like to….” Ilea didn’t hear the rest as she blinked into a nearby shop before blinking behind into the next street.

‘Fucking annoying...maybe I do need to wear my armor...’ she thought and entered an armory right after.

“Hello miss. Anything specific you’re looking for?” the woman asked in a polite tone. The store looked incredibly fancy and Ilea was sure that if it weren’t for the question marks the level 80 woman likely saw above her head, she’d be kicked out in two seconds.

“Yea, comfortable leather armor...with a hood.” she said and the woman quickly nodded.

“Please follow me, what’s the price range you’re looking for?” the employee asked.

“What ranges do you have?” Ilea asked in return.

“We have cheaper sets starting at two gold coins. Higher quality ones starting at five gold and specialized creations starting at ten gold.”

“The high quality one then, five to eight gold is fine.” Ilea said and soon stood in front of several very nice looking leather armor sets in a back room. She decided on a brown one that looked especially comfortable to wear. It had a lot of fabric below as well so it wasn’t necessary to wear anything under the armor.

“That’s six gold then. Would you like to change immediately?” the woman asked and seemed happy at Ilea’s nod while she grabbed the gold from her backpack and handed it over.

“That’s all, thanks.” Ilea said and the woman nodded and walked away with the money while Ilea changed. She simply blinked out into the street again and put up her hood, hiding her black hair and blue eyes a little. ‘Hopefully I don’t look as poor anymore for someone to just grab me and try to become my secretary or whatever…’

“You’re wearing inferior armor. I think that’s dangerous.” Aki said.

“I know, right now the benefits outweigh the risk though and I’ll try the trick you mentioned with the storage item soon enough.” she said and betrayed her statement by going into a cake store. She simply walked around and made five cakes vanish before she put three silver coins on the counter. The cakes were sold for less but she didn’t want to count out the coppers.

It was likely that nobody would’ve stopped her from simply stealing the cakes but Ilea already had a lot of gold, no reason to make life harder on someone that decided to bake cakes in a world filled with magic and monsters.

‘Next thing...hmm yes...yes that is very much an important thing...’ she thought as she looked at the store in front of her. It looked much the same as all the other buildings with its stone walls and European architecture. At least that was what Ilea compared it to. The buildings around her looked similar to Salia though a little more geared towards practicality and less towards artistry.

The difference in the store in front of her was what was inside, as is often the case with stores and any building. Ilea walked in and was immediately greeted by an annoyed looking man standing in front of a book. “YES. What do you want?” he asked, with an obviously fake smile on his face.

“I want to buy.” Ilea said.

“She wants to buy. And who says you’re allowed to buy?” the man asked, catching her so off guard she was literally speechless. The gears in her head started turning again and she was ready to reply when a young woman walked in from a side room.

“Michael stop it. Miss how can I help you?” the woman smiled at her and motioned for her to follow.

“I want to buy a bed.” Ilea simply stated and followed the woman.

“Sure, they range from four to ten gold. All made with real feathers and masterful labor.”

‘Isn’t that enough to feed someone for years? What kind of luxury shop have I ended up in...’ Ilea thought but just shrugged and followed the woman.

“Do you have drake feather beds?” she asked and the woman nodded.

“There’s one remaining I believe. Seven gold. Would you like to try it out?” Ilea nodded at that and was brought into a room with a rather large bed, though not quite queen size.

“Leave the room for half a minute please.” Ilea said. “Don’t worry I won’t steal it.”

The woman reluctantly left the room and waited outside. Ilea saw her sighing and signaling towards the man who looked on from downstairs. Ilea quickly lay down on the bed and nearly moaned at the magical feeling. She smiled as it vanished into her inventory and blinked upwards to not fall on the ground. The wooden frame came with it as well.

She walked back out and handed the woman seven gold coins. “Business done?” Ilea asked and the woman nodded. “Thank you, it’s a lovely bed.” she said and left the building, smiling brightly at the man who looked at her with mockery in his eyes.

‘That man lives a dangerous life….’ she thought and exited the store. ‘To the hand then...’

Ilea walked through the streets for another two hours, looking at anything that interested her though she had noticed some people had started following her a while ago. They didn’t engage so she was fine with it. Having talked to some guards she knew where the hand was located and slowly made her way there.

Soon Ilea arrived at a symmetrical building that looked a little like a temple. Two people with level 202 and 205 stood next to the doorway that was the shape of a triangle. She walked up to them and entered without hindrance. Her shadows didn’t seem to follow her inside and Ilea decided to investigate if they follow her again.

Inside the room opened up into a massive hall. White stone similar to ivory decorated it though the feeling was much different compared to the Taleen great hall. There were paintings on the walls, plants and carpets brought warmth and a high society feeling to the room. Even more so than the armor shop she had been in before.

Ilea walked up to the woman standing behind a counter in the middle of the hall. She was surprised to see that the clerk was level 173 and a mage. “Yes?” the woman asked.

“Hey, I’d like to join the shadow’s hand. Is this the right place to do so?” Ilea asked.

“Yes yes. You have to be level 200 to join but seeing as you got inside that should be fulfilled. Now there are two ways of joining, either you get a contract and work off your debt or you pay one hundred gold upfront. You will be treated as an initiate either way, I hope you understand. Though if you pay you can leave at any time. No questions asked.” the woman explained and Ilea nodded.

“I’d like to know some more but I’ll definitely go with the paying upfront.” she said and the woman took a small bell from her desk and rang it. A man who looked to be in his forties suddenly appeared next to the desk and extended his hand to Ilea. His gray hair more a factor of attractiveness than it was one of age.

Ilea shook his hand as he introduced himself. “William Hendricks. Nice to meet you.”

“Name’s Ilea.” she answered.

“Ilea then, would you please follow me. A couple formalities to fill out before you can join. Any question you have I’ll answer to the best of my capability.” he said and motioned for her to follow. “Teleportation?” he asked and she motioned for him to continue.

The man vanished and Ilea perceived him appearing in a room on the first floor. She followed behind with a Blink and took a seat opposite the man who was sitting down as well.

“Perception and teleportation. Already two very valuable assets to have. You would like to join with the fee?” he asked and Ilea nodded.

“Though I would like to have a better picture of what exactly I’m buying if you would be so kind.” she said and looked at the question marks next to the warrior title of the man. He nodded and started explaining.

“I will do the short version. Ask whenever you need me to elaborate. The shadow’s hand is a mercenary guild famous for it’s highly qualified members and their strength. As long as you pay and do not try to harm humanity as a whole we will do the job. As a member you either join with payment or without. With payment you can leave whenever you want to, there are no strings attached. Though otherwise the treatment you will receive won’t differ greatly from the non paying members.

You won’t have to do guard duty and you will get the whole pay for the jobs you finish. Additionally you may refuse any job without reason. You will be evaluated by me and two other high ranking members and put into a team of five. You will train and learn with them for the next six months while doing jobs depending on your capabilities.

You will receive lodging here but of course may stay wherever you like. As long as you are here for mandatory trainings and classes. As a paid member you may refuse your assigned squad once and only once. Members are put together into teams to get the best synergy of abilities.” Ilea interjected here.

“There are classes, what are the mandatory ones and what else is there?”

“Mandatory are team fighting, team tactics and monster knowledge. The first one four hours a day and the other ones each one hour. No classes when you are out on jobs. Each group gets assigned an instructor, these may change as time goes on.” he paused for two seconds and continued.

“There is a range of other classes you may visit. Each with at least a level 100 instructor in the specific field or skill. You may choose freely here but if there are less than three members in a class you will have to pay a fee depending on the class.” he finished.

“Can I join classes again after the six months is up? What if I leave the guild at some point?” Ilea asked.

“Of course you can. And as long as you don’t work against humanity as a whole or the guild, you won’t be banned from our services. I do not see a reason for anybody to not associate with us anymore but there is the possibility. It’s akin to a ban and all documentation we have on you will be erased. You won’t be allowed to take jobs anymore or to join a team. After the six months you won’t have an obligation to the guild anymore though, not if you have paid beforehand.” he said and continued.

“You may leave for fifty years and come back to join a team and take jobs again. We won’t allow less than five people to take jobs except if you are a higher ranking member.”

“Alright, so it’s more an initial training and then just a network used to get together teams and do jobs.” Ilea clarified and the man nodded.

“Though the influence and recognition we have reaches further than what you describe.” William clarified.

“Yes, I see. Well then I don’t see a downside.” Ilea said and grinned at the man. He stayed stoic and simply opened a drawer to remove paperwork from.

“This is the contract, read through it carefully and make sure you agree to all of it. If you don’t comply to the rules you may be banned from the guild.” he explained and put the stack of papers on the table.

“Alright, I’ll read it downstairs and tell the woman to signal you as soon as I’m done.” she said and the man nodded and watched her disappear into the hall downstairs.

Ilea read through the contract in the next hour and made sure that there were no loopholes. Aki confirmed as much when she was done and signaled to the woman working at the reception. The contract was pretty straight forward and even less shady than the one Ilea had signed to work at the fast food joint. ‘Guess instead of level 200 lawyers they have level 200 mages...’ she thought as William appeared again next to the woman.

“Do you agree to the contract?” he asked and she nodded.

“Ready to sign and start.” Ilea said and smiled at him. She wasn’t proud about the itch she had to fight the man. See him turn into a wild warrior. ‘It’s been a while hmm...’ she thought and sighed before following the man back into his office.

The contract was signed with mana and her written name though Aki assured her there was no binding magic involved. He wasn’t even sure anything like that existed and he’s probably seen more than most powerful mages walking around.

Ilea had put the gold into her backpack in preparation for paying while reading through the contract, though she couldn’t be sure William didn’t know about her storage item. If he did, he didn’t show it. She got the gold out of her backpack and stacked the money on his table. He watched and counted until finally nodding and taking the money. It vanished immediately upon his touch which made Ilea feel a little silly.

“We can do your evaluation tomorrow right after midday if that is ok for you. Do you need specific materials, an environment or anything else during the evaluation to show us your full capabilities?” he asked.

“No, I should be fine anywhere. Not under water if that’s possible.” she said.

“I’ll note that. In that case I suggest the underwater warfare class, if it’s not an intricate incapability.” he said and got up.

"I’ll think about it. Where do I stay until tomorrow?” Ilea asked, thinking of sharing a dorm room with a bunch of smelly guys.

“As a paid member you will get your own rooms. Wait down in the hall, an assistant will take care of you shortly. And it’s a pleasure to have you join us Miss Ilea.” he got up and shook her hand before she blinked down into the hall.

It didn’t take long until someone else showed up. Level 120 this time, Ilea couldn’t help but ask this time. “Hey how is someone with your level working this job?” the man looked at her sideways.

“You get training here and opportunities. And you can already work on the fee you’d have to pay at level 200 to join as a member. The positions are actually very hard to get, though every other new member I talk to asks me that. Sometimes I get to go along expeditions or can join a team that will have me.” the man concluded and Ilea decided not to pry any further.

It did make sense and would be a gradual rise in strength instead of her own explosive one. The man most certainly knew much more about monsters and tactics than she did. And that didn’t mean he lacked any of the experience she had gotten when fighting. Perhaps he lacked experience when fighting alone but why would he need it? He would probably be in a team for the rest of his life.

“Welcome to the Shadow’s hand.” the man said as the two reached the end of a corridor. Some other people were walking around and Ilea got quite a bunch of glances. Coming out of the corridor, something akin to the Root opened up before them. The architecture of the different houses was the same as the rest of Ravenhall but the whole thing was built quite a bit more vertical.

‘A city inside the mountain….yet a small one to be sure.’ she thought as she looked around. The lighting came from massive magical constructions above, mimicking a sun without it being blinding to the eye. Ilea kept following the man who accelerated his pace for some reason. There were dozens of people either walking around or talking to each other.

Food was being sold or made and Ilea even saw some smiths and stores. “Are they part of the Hand as well? Or independent?” she asked the man in front of her.

He answered a minute later after they had entered one of the houses to the right. “They have contracts with the hand and aren’t allowed to sell anywhere else. It’s a bit of a gamble if you ask me but it ensures we only have quality work here. And I believe their contracts work in a similar way than the ones from the members do.” he explained and walked to the first floor of the building.

Using a key to open the door, he gestured for her to enter. “Your rooms. As a paid member you have the apartment for yourself. Any looting or unwanted entrances are to be reported. Trespassing is considered enough for a ban but just as a tip from someone who’s been here for a while...don’t keep too much of your valuables here. There are some ridiculously good thieves and rogues here. Some of them make it a challenge...” he said and handed her the key before walking back to the door.

“Good luck...” he said and Ilea nodded towards him.

Ilea smiled and looked around. A fully furbished apartment with three rooms and a toilet. She checked through it all with her eyes and sphere. It was very rich. The bed was nearly of the same quality as the one she had bought earlier that day. The toilet was close to something she’d have on earth and the carpets and decorations didn’t disappoint either.

Compared to the expected dark theme that the Hand seemed to have, this room was more focused on a dark red and gold while the walls were white stone. She wondered if it was perhaps inspired by the dwarves. Or even originally built by them.

A note from Rhaegar

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Chapter 76 Storage Skills

A note from Rhaegar

General Kenobi

Chapter 76 Storage Skills

Ilea put her hood back and jumped on the bed, smiling at its softness. ‘So tomorrow is the evaluation. And then I’ll get a team and some education. Seems like I’m at the same point as I was in my previous life then.’ she thought and balled her hand into a fist ‘Just that I can punch holes in walls and survive the attacks of specialized magic death elves...’ she smiled and closed her eyes.

It had been a while since she had last slept. “Aki, wake me if anybody comes.” she said to the dagger and dozed off in a matter of minutes.

“Wake up!” came the call and Ilea’s eyes shot open, her buffs flaring to the max as she faintly perceived a person vanishing from the middle of the room, something was wrong with it them though. She quickly checked her belongings but found nothing wrong with them and nothing removed.

Ilea was sure that the person’s silhouette at least looked feminine as she used her Hunter’s Sight to check for and clues left behind. Though there was nothing...no new smell in the room and other than a very faint touch to the rug in the room there was nothing. Sadly whoever it was had touched the ground too faintly to leave any comprehensive track.

‘I’ll ask around I guess...’ she thought and jumped back to her bed. Nobody that looked familiar was in her sphere of perception.

“What did you see?” she asked Aki as she got up again and walked towards the windows. Though the place inside the mountain seemed small, there were enough people and merchants that it seemed just as busy as outside in the city proper.

“I immediately woke you as soon as I sensed someone. Whatever it was vanished at your waking before I saw something. I do not believe it was illusion magic though I also don’t think someone actually was in the room….it was something I’ve not sensed before...” Aki finished.

“Something you’ve not sensed before huh...well if anywhere I think we’re gonna find quite a bit of that here.” she said and walked back to the bed, sitting on its edge. “How long did I sleep?”

“One hour thirty two minutes and thirteen seconds.” Aki answered.

“You’re making that up aren’t you?” she said and twirled the dagger after unsheathing it.

“It was around one and a half hour...” he said and was promptly thrown into the wall.

“So you know how long an hour is now?” she asked as she made her armor vanish into her necklace. She was now standing in the room with only her underwear and necklace.

“I figured it out, yes. Why are you getting naked? I hope you’re not making good on the coitus comment.” Aki said and got a snort from the woman.

“I’m trying your thing...works with both armor and clothes right?” she asked and summoned the taleen clothes she had removed earlier. They appeared jumbled on top of her.

“You really are untalented. I’ve never heard of anybody having difficulties with that...just picture yourself dressed I guess.” Aki said from his position on the wall.

The clothes disappeared again and came back. The same thing happened though this time at least the chest piece appeared near the chest and not on her head like before. Ilea tried for the next half hour and finally figured it out. It wasn’t just about picturing the clothes on her but she had to think about the position of the arms, the legs, the hole for her heads and she had to picture the clothing stretched out and not jumbled. She was sure that people who had spatial storage either were told as much or they had to try just as long.

Next came the armor. Though it had more separate pieces and intricacies Ilea managed to summon it onto her body after just fifteen minutes of trying. The next step, combining the two and then switching between her leather armor and her taleen and elven combination occupied her for another half hour.

Aki looked on as his new wielder switched between armors in mere seconds. He didn’t actually know how long it took someone to learn to do that as all his previous wielders who had spacial storage items had already mastered this technique and likely long before they had found him.

A strange pride filled him as he watched his master, no, wielder put on her clothes. She was certainly different than all the others before her. The last human who had wielded him was doing so thousands of years ago and the man had discarded the dagger after realizing the new sword he had found was better for killing.

He watched the woman laugh as she switched clothes in front of the mirror and felt a warm sensation. ‘Perhaps she is the one.’ he thought as he still hung on the wall, piercing the stone of this ancient place.

“I’m getting good at this...” Ilea said and blinked to the wall where she removed Aki and put him in his sheath on her waist. She was wearing the light brown leather armor again and put up her cloak before she looked through the apartment again. ‘I like it. Though it’s not mine...’ she thought and unsheathed Aki again.

“Does it hurt or is it bad inside the necklace?” she asked and waited.

“No, it’s similar to a meditative state. Though I would prefer to stay outside if at all possible.” the dagger answered.

“That’s fine then, just for the toilet.” she said and made him vanish.

Her business done, she sheathed Aki again and left the apartment, locking it in the process. Walking down she realized that the apartment below hers was empty and seemed undisturbed. Her sphere wasn’t blocked by anything so she assumed others would see her just as well if they had the right abilities. Not that she cared deeply. Privacy wasn’t necessary but certainly welcome. She would get it in time.

She walked out into the street and looked around. Some people were playing music on different instruments while a beautiful voice was singing. One level further down, separated by two flights of stairs was a fountain and around it something akin to a main square. Across from her apartment was another house pretty much the same as hers. She could see half of what was going on inside, though at the moment it didn’t seem like anybody was there.

To the left were more stairs that led to the corridor and out into the Hand’s main building or what she assumed to be the main building. Some merchants were selling food up there but she decided to walk downwards and check out the square. Several people changed their behavior slightly as she approached though only two or three of them actually turned and looked at her. There were people on the ground playing a game of dice with a clawed insect in the middle of them. It reminded her of the scene with the cobras in some old movies she had watched.

They certainly looked different than whatever she had seen in the adventurer guild before. Just the gear alone showed that. Ilea didn’t approach anybody and just checked out the different stores that seemed more like luxury yard sale stands. At first the whole place didn’t seem very different from the Root but having a community based on higher leveled adventurers brought a certain amount of high society with it.

Though as luxury as it was, so were the prices. Magical items and monster parts were being sold in the square and Ilea quickly lost interest in the seemingly useless things. Though many an adventurer was bartering with the vendors. They certainly had a use but Ilea wasn’t into alchemy or building magical constructs, she was more about destroying them.

Perhaps there was a way to use them to improve her armor or maybe find a way to attack but she had quite some time to figure that out. ‘Six months I’m gonna be here...well maybe. I can leave at any time after all.’ she came to a stop another level further down, where the houses on either side were occupied by smiths.

She checked out some weapons but decided to move on. ‘That village Lorcan mentioned should be reachable in less than an hour from here...’ she had seen the name on her map and she really liked the man’s sword. Buying from another smith seemed to be ill advised before she even went to check out what the man had to offer.

‘What do I even want from a smith...’ she thought suddenly and put the battle axe back that she had held in her hands. She walked onwards and quickly reached the end of the open space. Tunnels and elevators led down or up from a small square at the bottom of the square and somebody would sometimes come up for go down. Though it wouldn’t serve her to simply go down and explore. She’d likely see enough of this place rather soon.

Interesting was that none of the people she saw were wearing the black misty armor that she had seen the Hand use before. ‘Maybe everyone here is an initiate...or perhaps you’re simply not allowed to wear it here...’ she thought as she subconsciously moved away from a man who nearly bumped into her.

It was on purpose of course but Ilea didn’t mind in that moment. She would get enough enemies here as it was, no reason to accelerate that. She was already walking back upwards when she noticed the man had bumped into someone else. The small woman who had been bumped into flashed a quick grin that Ilea only saw thanks to her sphere. The woman then turned around and looked at the man with fear in her eyes. The two talked for a while before the man pushed her away, though Ilea saw how she slipped something into his pack. Nothing seemed to happen to the pack and the man walked on.

Ilea couldn’t find anything wrong with the pack either but the hair on her neck had stood up when whatever it was the woman slipped in seemed to vanish into his pack. The whole situation had renewed her conviction to be very careful in this place and maybe try for at least a couple hours not to make a scene.

Soon she entered one of the many bars and ordered a couple mugs of ale before sitting down at a table in one of the corners. The place was by no means empty but certainly not comparable to an english pub on a football championship finale. The ale tasted good, not as good as Walter’s Ilea decided but good.

Surprisingly the smell inside the bar was nothing to scoff at. Compared to the Root Ilea felt like she had everything she wanted from an adventurer town without too much dirt and shit. The people seemed to have a little more tact as well. Except for the likely murder she had witnessed there were no brawls. Probably because a lot would get destroyed if anybody here got serious.

There had been a rule about fighting in the contract. It strictly said to do so only in the designated training areas and arenas. Killing somebody had to be reasonable and at least three witnesses had to confirm that both parties agreed on a fight to the death. The winning person would still have to pay a sizable fee as killing someone above level 200 would be a big loss for humankind, or so the Hand thought.

Ilea enjoyed it in the bar and only got happier as a group of people decided to perform some life music. There were level 130 bards there, likely trying to get recognition or even trying to get hired by somebody in the room. One young man was especially enchanting with his lute.

Ilea hadn’t even noticed the time passing as she enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the entertainment.

“May I join you?” a man with rough gray hair and a glint of red in his eyes had come up to her table and asked to sit down on it. She checked the room and noticed that it had gotten quite a bit fuller, apparently the musical entertainment in this specific pub was quite desirable. She nodded and watched the musicians again. To her surprise and pleasure the man simply sat down and enjoyed his drink while listening.

Half an hour later the musicians who had played lined up and received applause from the onlookers before they walked around and collected donations. Ilea had thought she was a bit loose with her money though what these people displayed seemed on a different level altogether. Gold coins were tossed into the hats and even some rings or likely expensive artifacts or monster parts were donated.

‘Must be quite the killing you make if you play here...’ she thought and tossed a bunch of silver coins into the hats that were held towards her.

“Liam, there you are. Oh, found new company?” a woman who had walked up to the table sat down next to the man and started talking.

“Hey Demora. I don’t know her actually, only free space with some quiet I could find. Already back? I thought you’d go deep into Karth this time.” the man, apparently called Liam asked the woman.

“Yea that whole thing kinda fell short. We lost our tank to a shredder. Not a nice sight. He was pretty fresh though, was bound to happen. And with the elves attacking again we decided to leave it there.” Demora said and sat down next to the man.

Ilea sat back and continued drinking, she had several filled mugs in front of her. The barmaids, all above level 100, had learned quickly about both her ability to drink quickly and her generous tips.

“Javis wanted to go with a fresh tank?” Liam asked and she confirmed while shaking her head.

“He was good looking too the lad.” she said and motioned for one of the barmaids. "The offer still stands you know. We’d love to have you on the team.” she said but the man waved her away.

“The answer’s the same and it will stay the same.” he said and took a sip of his drink.

“Suit yourself.” Demora said, obviously not happy about his answer. She simply left the place, leaving one of the barmaids stranded with two mugs in her hand. Ilea, in her opportunist brilliance motioned to the woman who seemed relieved that she found someone to help her out.

The mugs were placed on the table and Ilea paid. It was ale just like the one she had already been drinking. Looking over to the man, she found him looking at her. Though it was no surprise as she had already seen that with her sphere. Motioning to one of the mugs, the man sighed and nodded before a silver coin appeared in his hand and was flung her way.

She wasn’t quite sure if the coin had been summoned or if it was simply a sleight of hand. Ilea didn’t care much and continued to watch the bar.

“Never seen you before.” the man suddenly said. “201. Your first day here?” she nodded slightly though neither of them were looking at the other.

“Word of advice. Stay away from that woman.” he said and continued drinking in silence. Ilea noted that and did the same. A bit later more musicians came and played but Ilea had already left. She was walking up towards the exit of the small town of extraordinary adventurers and thought about the impact that a cave in would have on the overall forces of humanity in Elos.

She smiled at the idea and thought about her chances of survival. With her resistances, physical strength and durability she would probably make it. Getting out would be time consuming but rather easy in the end. ‘Not as much for some of the manges or rogues...’ she thought as she exited into the corridor that she had been led through earlier that day.

Backtracking her steps, Ilea soon reached the entrance hall again and walked up to the reception. A different person was occupying the desk this time. The man turned around and smiled at Ilea a little awkwardly as she approached from behind. He was already at level 204 she noticed, a little surprised at the reception duty someone like him was given.

“Hey, just a quick question. I’m allowed to leave the city whenever I want right? As long as I’m here for the mandatory classes and assessments. The contract wasn’t very clear about that.” she asked and looked at the man. His gray eyes stared back at her as he stammered out his response.

“Y...you...you c..can. Y...yes. No...rule agai...against leaving..th..the city.” he managed and Ilea smiled at him while nodding.

“Great, thanks.” she wasn’t a hundred percent sure that what the man had said was the truth but she didn’t really mind even if she broke any rules. It was good to know when one did so though and the contract really didn’t mention leaving the city. There was no requirement to stay anywhere really. Still maybe it was obvious that one had to stay inside the Hand’s headquarters.

The man nodded a little too quickly at her and turned back around as she walked past him and towards the exit. ‘He’s cute.’ she thought and went back into the city proper. ‘Still have around half a day...’ she thought as she looked at the dark sky above.

A note from Rhaegar

Cheers for the proofread Lomie 0!

Find out how Jeremy managed to read ahead, join today!

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Chapter 77 Evaluation

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys, back in town and here's a chapter. Next one prolly tomorrow or sunday.

Additional info: I do check all comments on Royalroad. The corrections will be evaluated whenever proofreading/editing comes around. It's a bit messy atm because there are chapters on RRL, Patreon and I have a proofreader working on older chapters as well. Thanks for all the typos pointed out, they will be found eventually and eradicated

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Whenever there is a discussion regarding plot or the system I try not to weigh in too much because of possible spoilers or because I think the discussion is good and might give me new ideas. Cheers to everyone commenting and reading

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Chapter 77 Evaluation

‘bling’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 7’

‘Well hello there...been a while since you last showed yourself...must be because of all those 200 and above people down there...’ Ilea thought.

“So what do you think?” she asked as she walked through the city. Ilea noticed that there was nobody following her anymore so it had likely just been a security measure to find out why she had been in the city. There was more air outside and after all that musical entertainment she enjoyed the more quiet evening city life.

‘Half the people in the headquarters probably wouldn’t have to sleep a lot.’ she thought.

“It’s an assortment of powerful people. Though be aware that compared to the elven and dwarven communities I’ve seen they are but a band of children, playing a game they do not understand.” Aki said from his position on her waist.

“What do you mean, they’re all above 200, same goes for the elves I’ve encountered so far...” Ilea said as she jumped up a building to get a better view of the city.

“Hmm yes, though those are the frontliners. If it’s still the same...and trust me elven culture doesn’t change over night…then the elves you’ve fought were all rather young. Or foolish. It’s true that deeper inside the elven territory the residents might not be stronger in level but certainly in cunning and experience. They’ve held their positions over thousands of years, and for good reason.” he explained.

Ilea shrugged as she jumped from building to building. “Well we don’t really have a choice but to try our best. Even if the adversary is thousands of years old and probably has just as many points in their status.”

“I wouldn’t say you’re an adversary. More a thing to train their youth with or to find interesting classes and ways to use magic and technology. You tend to think too much of your own species, you’re not the center of Elos.” Aki said.

“I know that...I’ve known that as soon as I saw that Basilisk use its magic. Though if anything we’re persistent and good at surviving.”

“That you are.” Aki concluded.

Ilea wandered around the city roofs for a while, enjoying the stars shining above. Even after close to a year it was incredible to see them. A muffled cry a couple streets over made her perk up though and she blinked closer until she was close enough for her sphere to perceive the full scene.

Two men in armor were punching a young girl, ripping away her clothes. Ilea wanted to make sure and continued watching, getting close enough to blink in and intervene when an eerie melody filled her ears. Her head started throbbing hard as blood leaked out from her nose. She stumbled to one knee and closed her eyes as every hair on her body stood up in alarm.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 9’

The melody changed its flow to a quicker one and Ilea activated her shroud of ash, immediately taking away a layer of the powerful spell and the influence it had on her. The eerie melody turned into faint humming that came from a couple streets over.

Deciding to go there, Ilea suddenly stopped in her tracks, realizing that the two men were in the process of killing each other. They were attacking with reckless abandon and no regard for their own safety as each one’s weapon found the other’s flesh. The humming stopped as both of them fell to the icy ground, their blood painting the cobblestone a tinge of red.

Ilea blinked towards where the sound had come from and saw a woman running away. Smiling, she followed. Turning a corner though there was nothing. No smell or prints in the snow. Walking back to the scene of violence, the girl had already ran away as well. Saved by strange magic.

“What was that magic?” she asked as she put her hand to her chin, looking at the two bodies, soon to be found and buried.

“Mind magic to be sure...though very subtle...I thought I had lost you there for a second.” Aki said. Ilea grunted and left the scene. Deciding that she’d want to use her new bed again after all. One of them at least.

Waking up after a glorious full eight hours, Ilea blinked at the light coming in from the windows. The curtains moved a little as she turned around in her bed. ‘Warm...’ she thought and tried to get out of the blanket unsuccessfully. With a stroke of brilliance the blanket vanished into her necklace. “Better...” she said and enjoyed the light breeze coming in from the windows.

Outside music was playing and she could hear people bartering and laughing. “Wait...” she suddenly said, her eyes opening again “...where’s the wind coming from?” she stretched on her bed and blinked right onto the toilet.

Her business done, she walked out, summoned Aki and threw him into the wall. She had decided not to have him anywhere steal-able. Of course she still had her necklace but one had to actually touch her to remove it and Ilea felt safe enough with that. With all her skills, she had woken up from much less.

Summoning her leather armor, she checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and she didn’t even own a brush. ‘Wait no I do...’ she thought and went back into the bathroom. There was an assortment of tools there, two of them being brushes. She sat down on the bed and started working, with her pain perception disabled of course.

Half an hour later she put the brush into her necklace and got up to get Aki. “Let’s go get some food, I’m starving.” she said and twirled around the blade.

“Why do I not believe you?” the dagger asked while he was being sheathed.

“Because your character is shaped by my being?” Ilea more stated than asked and got a grunt in response. She smiled as she exited the building and walked upwards towards some of the food stands. They were selling all sorts of meat dishes, curry and even kebab. Quite the range of goods in a small square like that.

Though sadly none of that was eligible for breakfast, or so at least Ilea thought. One of the merchants sold something that looked similar to donuts though and Ilea decided that would do. Or five of them would do. ‘How did I not get fat in my last life? I mean one or two are ok but five...for breakfast. Am I a hobbit?’ she thought and then remembered that her funds were a bit too limited to eat five donuts every morning. Not anymore though and with her newfound stats and skills that turned her body into something superhuman, a couple baked goods more here and there didn’t really make a difference.

‘Let’s not forget all the fighting...’ she thought and walked up towards the main hall. It was still a little early but she didn’t want to go into one of the bars, for the same reason really. The hall was just as empty as it had been the day before, one or two people would occasionally walk through but the bulk of the members were either somewhere else or in the small city.

Ilea walked up to the reception where again a new guy was sitting. He had a lower level than the one from yesterday though. “Hey, two questions.” she said and rested her hands on the desk. The man just motioned for her to continue, helping out members and orienting new ones was his job after all.

“What’s the city called where members stay? And where can I find information on available classes?” she asked.

The man scratched his stubbly beard and mumbled his response. “The city has different names I think. Most refer to it as Viscera. You can find the list of available classes at the bottom of the town, near the elevators.”

“Viscera? As in guts?” Ilea asked and the man just grinned and nodded. “Thanks, gonna check it out.” she said and he waved her away.

‘Viscera huh...seems a little too peaceful for that but hey what do I know?’ she thought as she walked back into the town and down towards the bottom. It was getting close to noon so she couldn’t lose too much time. The classes could also wait until later but she was curious.

‘Hmm, that’s a lot...’ she thought, standing in front of the stone that listed all the available classes and further information. ‘How do they update carvings?...oh yes, magic...’

- Alchemy I

- Alchemy II

- Alchemy III

- Astronomy I

- Astronomy II

- Algebra I

….

Ilea read through the list and found nearly everything she could think of on there. She had thought the classes would be more focused on fighting but then again something like the knowledge of stars or geometry might actually come in handy for some specialized classes. What if your power comes from the stars and their alignment, Ilea was sure something like that existed.

And William had mentioned that one could pay for classes with too few attending people so a lot of them likely had one or two pupils. ‘Why even have all that...’ she thought as she listened in on the conversation the two women next to her were having. Apparently they weren’t paid members and had to choose at least three classes in addition to the mandatory ones.

‘The privileged rich...though I don’t think mandatory education is a bad thing at all...’ she thought and made her way up to the main hall again, different ideas for learning in her head.

Adam held his hands to his face, stopping his trembling hands. The paper in front of him was grabbed and crumpled up. Tossed to the dogs as thousands before it. He sighed and opened the bottle of strong alcohol on his desk. Holding the cork in his hand he looked straight ahead and put it down into the bottle again.

The dogs were still munching on the paper when a knock could be heard from the door. Adam waited for the dog to stop chewing before he made both of them vanish, back to the realm of beasts. Getting up he summoned his coat and his intricately designed notebook. He flipped through it as he approached the door of his office. The maroon wood under his boots grated a little as his finger came to a stop.

‘Ah yes, new initiate. Fifth one this month.’ he thought as the book vanished again and he opened the door.

“Elder Strand. The initiate is ready.” the woman bowed. She worked hard, level 130. It would take a while for her to reduce her debt to zero and reach the required level to become a member but Adam was sure she could do it. A brilliant mage with marvelous classes. He smiled at the woman genuinely and nodded.

“I’m on my way.” he said simply and walked down the stairs.

‘This is the third one that I supervise this month...’ his teeth ground together at the thought and the lost time in his work.

The man reached his destination fifteen minutes later as he descended one of the elevators at the end of Viscera. A tasteless name for something beautiful and old. He walked out and into the big corridor that held around a dozen big doors to the left. Choosing the third one, he opened it and entered.

William was there, as he always was. ‘The man will become elder as soon as one of us bites the dust...’ he grinned and saw the man nod towards him, likely grateful that at least one of the elders was on time and took his duty somewhat seriously. Though he couldn’t fault most of the others. They did more for the guild than he ever did. Focusing on the task at hand he joined the others.

Sidney was there as well and completed the requirement for three higher members of the guild being there for the evaluation. ‘A good combination too, she’s gonna be pushed to the limit...’ he looked at the initiate, she was wearing leather armor, had black hair and blue eyes.

Her slight grin told him that she was a little too cocky, not ready for the guild but when he looked into her eyes he knew there was more. ‘She’s a veteran alright...though a young one at that.’ he thought, saddened as he was many times before at the requirements of becoming strong.

‘She could’ve lived a happy life on some farm...’ he thought but shook his head. The farm wouldn’t be if it weren’t for them and others who were prepared to fight. He wouldn’t stand in her way.

“So let me start then. I’m Elder Strand. Please quickly explain your classes, abilities and where you would see yourself in a team of adventurers.” he said and stepped up to the others. “Explain as freely as you can. Everything we learn here will stay here and is only used to evaluate an appropriate team for you to join.”

He could see that she didn’t trust that completely but still she started explaining. “I’m mostly hand to hand. I can attack by pushing destructive mana into an enemy I hit. I can take quite some damage as well and I can heal. Both myself and others, though it’s apparently much weaker than a dedicated healer.” she finished and looked at them.

“A healer...that’s a quite rare and valuable ability to have at this level. Well let’s test the extent of your abilities then.” Adam said. “We’ll start with damage sustain…please stand a bit further away. William here will attack you with increasingly powerful ice and water magic. Tell us as soon as you lose more than thirty percent of your health.” he explained and motioned for William to start.

Of course a tank did have specific elements or weapons he was especially strong against but they also had to be ready for any kind of attack. Today it was ice and water, mostly piercing types of attacks.

“I just bought this leather armor...” the woman said, obviously a little attached to the clothing. Sidney motioned to a corner of the room where some chests were sitting.

“You have some things in there. Please just take clothes, armor doesn’t come into account here.” Sidney explained. The initiate nodded and went to change. William summoned a wall of ice that would obstruct their view of her. Unnecessary Adam though, though he didn’t comment on it.

The girl was quick and went to the middle of the room, dressed in some very basic clothing. “Let’s start then.” William said. With that a number of blue runes appeared on the woman’s body, followed by red firey lines. Her eyes seemed to become even brighter as a shroud of ash came into existence around her.

‘Ash Wielder...impressive.’ Adam thought though he did not know the other class of the girl. ‘I believe the 2nd stage of that defensive spell can be rather impressive...’ he thought as the first ice attacks didn’t even make the woman move.

Bigger and bigger blocks of ice hit the initiate but she simply shrugged it off. The blocks turned into spikes and then lances. Finally a massive lance managed to pierce through the shroud and impaled itself into the girl’s chest. Not far though and she simply ripped it out again, the wound closing before their eyes.

William stopped for a second and blinked but Adam was smiling. “Continue, she hasn’t lost thirty percent.” he said to the ice mage.

The man nodded and summoned more ice lances, first bigger and then more numerous. They continued to pierce but the woman just shrugged at the wounds. Her clothing was torn to shreds as time went on and more and more lances attacked her.

“That was thirty...I’m back to eighty percent...and full again but that was thirty in between.” the woman said.

“That certainly qualifies as a tank role. I’ve seen tougher at your level but combined with the healing you’re certainly up there. And I have the feeling you’re more mobile. Try again but this time you’re allowed to dodge.” Adam said and the woman nodded. He didn’t miss the slight smirk on her face.

‘Show me something...’ Adam thought. William started where he left off and the woman went into motion. Even Adam was surprised at her speed, something that could possibly rival even Verena, were she at her level. ‘Body Enhancers...and with that defense as well...’ he thought and watched as the stone hall was destroyed by ice. Not a single lance managed to hit the woman, she dodged them in the last moment with minimal movements.

‘And efficient too...’ Adam thought and motioned for them to stop. He didn’t feel like having William run out of mana here. An embarrassing sight that would be, though it would be an interesting battle if he had seriously tried.

“You’ve been fighting alone haven’t you?” Adam asked. The woman didn’t respond but he was sure. Rarely did body enhancers turn into such balanced fighters when they were in a team. Though he didn’t know about her destructive capabilities yet.

“Next up technique. Sidney. If you will.” he said.

“With pleasure.” the woman said and smiled as she grabbed two wooden swords but hesitated. The wooden ones were replaced by dull steel swords.

“Just try to dodge and attack without skills….to be sure can you hit the ground for me first?” Sidney asked, twirling around her swords.

A note from Rhaegar

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Chapter 78 Excursion

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, another chapter. Enjoy reading

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ETA next chapter probably next Thursday.

Chapter 78 Excursion

The woman nodded and punched the ground in a similarly fast and elegant way as the movements of her dodging had been. Adam didn’t feel any mana exit with the punch so she was likely only using her strength and innate skills which enhanced that. A loud boom echoed and a crack formed in the stone floor. A small crater showed where the woman had hit. Sidney smiled even more brightly though and nodded.

“I can take a couple of those, but don’t overdo it. If you even get a hit in...” she said and suddenly appeared next to the initiate. Adam watched the woman duck and punch at Sidney though the fist was dodged by a sideways swirl and a back step.

“You’re prepared...I like that...” Sidney said and attacked again. The two met in the middle as punches and swings were exchanged. The better reach of the swords meant Sidney had the initial advantage though none of her swings hit, they were all deflected by the woman’s arms or hands, hitting the blades at their flat parts. Even more attacks were simply dodged though.

After fifteen seconds of trading, the initiate finally managed to get in closer. Her fist was about to hit Sidney when she vanished and appeared five meters further back. To her surprise though, the initiate appeared as well and finished delivering her blow.

‘She waited until the teleport was used again...’ Adam thought as he watched Sidney cough up blood. Suddenly a reddish fire formed around Sidney as she grinned at the initiate. William walked up to Adam in the meantime.

“We should stop this if nobody should get hurt.” he stated. Adam knew the man simply told him out of obligation to the guild, he likely didn’t care either way. ‘I would usually stop this but it seems like they’re having fun...’ he thought and didn’t say or do anything to stop it.

Sidney’s speed accelerated and with each blocked hit the initiate was pushed back a little. Bruises were forming where she had been hit and she switched to a more dodge focused defense. Both started using their teleportation spells more frequently, appearing and disappearing all over the room. Both Adam and William had no problem following them but neither had the illusion of being able to match their mobility. ‘Not like this at least...’ Adam though.

The initiate started using her defensive shroud to reduce the impact of Sidney’s hits but still she was pushed back. Suddenly one of Sidney’s swings connected, the full force of it entering the initiate’s torso. With it though she held onto Sidney’s arm and delivered a punch towards her chest, sending her flying. Sidney landed on her feet and skidded for a meter until the initiate was upon her again.

Seemingly ignoring Sidney’s attacks the woman started trading blows whenever possible and pushed the sword master on the defensive. Soon Sidney had blood covering most of her face and torso. The initiate on the other hand didn’t look worse for wear. At least everything except for her clothes. Though Sidney’s was a little shredded in parts a well.

“Stop.” Adam said loudly and the initiate teleported backwards ten meters. Both were breathing heavily and Sidney went down to one knee, grinning at her adversary.

“Now you can show us the healing as well. Sidney how low are you?” Adam asked as he walked to the woman.

“Sixty five percent or so.” Sidney said and spit out blood. The initiate appeared next to Sidney and looked at Adam.

“Go on.” he said and watched. Upon her touch, mana flowed through Sidney and specifically healed the wounds and bruises she had sustained. It took a while but she was back to her top in under a minute.

“You can heal specific injuries at least. You have to touch the target?” Adam asked and received a nod.

“Yes, well as soon as you’re applying the healing spell I don’t think you’re much behind a more dedicated healer. Though I assume you can only heal one person at a time. The teleportation certainly helps with the touching requirement.” he said and ignored the woman’s still lingering hand on Sidney’s shoulder.

“For technique, Sidney?” he looked at the woman who slowly got up again, brushing away the initiate’s hand from her shoulder.

“Adequate or better for her level. Fighting skills at least in the second stage.” Sidney said and Adam nodded.

“You’re certainly a balanced warrior. Believe me though even for people like you a team is invaluable.” Adam explained though her gaze told him she knew as much already.

“I’m aware.” she said, confirming his feeling.

“Neither of you have used the edge of your weapons. I would like to see yours though.” Adam said and looked at the initiate. She nodded as he gathered his mana. A magical construct formed as he concentrated and one second later a fully realized level 50 drake stood in the room with them. Adam was confused at the big smile the creature summoned from the initiate but he concentrated on the task at hand. Soon he would be back in his office, there was no question about her capabilities already.

“Kill the drake. Use your full power, only skills you can use several times after one another.” he said and walked back to Walter with Sidney.

The woman walked up to the drake and looked towards Adam. He nodded and watched as she petted the monster and then punched. A wave of mana from seemingly both her classes went into the animal and tore its innards to shreds. The beast nearly exploded to its back as blood and guts cluttered on the ground, some of it getting on the woman.

“That’s a five or six.” William said and Sidney nodded.

“Again with something bigger...” Adam said and used more mana this time. A level 100 Monster toad came to life a couple meters away from him and lazily hopped towards the initiate. It was massive and would show just how far her powers would dig into an enemy. This time the woman didn’t hesitate and attacked immediately. The frog survived the first hit and died on the second.

“Thanks, that’s enough.” Adam said and the initiate walked towards them again. Only some pieces of clothing were remaining and blood covered at least a third of her body, little of it her own. “You can use another set of clothing before bathing.” Adam said but the woman looked at William.

“You’re ice and water?” she asked and the man understood. He summoned his mana and a stream of compressed water punched into the initiate, pushing her back a little. Her skin alone resisted the attack but the blood and guts didn’t resist just as well.

“Thanks.” she said and went back to where she had left her leather armor. This time William didn’t feel the need to erect an ice barrier. Two minutes later the initiate stood in front of them again.

“You’re more than qualified and can fill several roles in several teams. Though I would suggest a tank and healer combination for you as a main thing. Depending on the enemy you can help attack or distract. Considering how little damage a lot of warriors and mages can take I want to put that to use. Do you object?” Adam asked.

“No, that’s alright.” she said and Adam nodded.

“Great, then thanks again for the demonstrations. We will decide on your rating and put you into a team by tomorrow. You’re a paid member right? Then you can refuse a team once, though I assure you there are gonna be people you hate in each of them.” Adam explained. “At noon tomorrow please come to the main hall again, an assistant will take care of you.” he finished and received a nod in reply.

The initiate looked at them and even winked to Sidney before leaving the room.

“What’s her name?” Adam asked, a while later in a warded room at the end of the training corridor.

“She calls herself Ilea, Elder.” William answered.

“Resilience 10, Speed 10, Attack 6, technique 9. Do you agree?” the two others nodded at Adam’s assessment.

“She would be a great member for nearly any team.” Sidney said.

“Well three of the newcomers from this month are without a team yet and we have that Alymie who refused his first team.” Adam said and the others seemed uncertain.

“One attack mage, a trapper and two influencers...they do need a tank and healer desperately.” William said.

“I would say two attack mages...” Sydney said. Only the evaluators had a vague idea of everyone’s abilities. To form teams it was a must.

“It can work certainly. So it’s decided. Team 34 then.” Adam declared and Sidney chuckled at that.

“Not for long I think...” she said and Adam agreed.

“William can you handle the rest?” he more demanded than asked before he got up from his chair. William nodded as Adam exited the room. ‘Back to work then.’ he thought, his face getting serious.

“How’d you think I did?” Ilea asked as she sat on her bed and ate one of several meals she had bought right after the evaluation. “You saw everything right?”

“Yes, thanks for the placement.” Aki said. “I think you did very well and I agree with their decision to put you into the tank role. A good thing too that you are, too many choose something destructive and get blindsided by an assassin or ranger.” he explained.

“Something you’ve experienced?” she asked.

“Oh yes...more than a couple times. And assassin types tend to die just as easily to their own kind, not meaning race.” the dagger said.

“Mhm…” Ilea commented, falling backwards onto the bed. The ceiling had a surprisingly intricate design. ‘Not quite like the dwarves...’ she thought though it might’ve been a possible addition by somebody else at a later time.

“You think the dwarves built this place?” she asked, throwing Aki at the ceiling, disturbing some of the beautiful design by another cut. She was getting better at throwing for sure, though had still not received a skill for it.

“It’s certainly possible...a lot of underground cities were built by them and then abandoned for one reason or another. What they build tends to last though, especially the Taleen kind.” the explanation from the ceiling made a lot of sense to Ilea.

“You were inside a Taleen city, what was your last wielder looking for there?” she asked.

“An artifact of great power. The elf did not share a lot with me, a quiet one yet you saw my personality...” Ilea nodded in her lying position before blinking up to retrieve Aki.

“We have a day, and I have just the right place to visit...” she said and rushed out the apartment. Ilea had an idea what the powerful artifact might’ve been but she wouldn’t reveal quite yet what was held inside of her beautiful necklace. She walked out of Viscera at a quick pace and reached Ravenhall in a couple minutes.

Standing atop a building, she ducked for cover and summoned her notebook. ‘There it is...’ she thought and held her finger over the place indicated on the map. ‘Let’s see if we can get something cool...’ she spread her wings and flew straight towards her goal, not wasting any time in hiding her ability to fly. Why have something as useful as that and not use it?

Though it might come in handy as a trump card, never playing one’s cards could become an issue as well. Especially if it was something like her ability to fly, which substantially influenced her travel speed. ‘Or amazing armor in a boss fight...’ she thought back to the Praetorians while looking down on her leather armor. ‘If only I had mastered the clothing change ability….no, stop it Ilea. Regret will bring you nothing.’ her thoughts didn’t reduce her ability to perceive her surroundings and especially not the wind flowing through her hair.

A smile tugged on her lips as she started twirling and speeding up, farther and farther away from the city of Ravenhall. In the next hour of traveling through the mountain chain, Ilea tried to avoid any encounters with the wildlife. Further levels to her second class could be very detrimental whenever it would advance. Her skills had to grow.

To that end the air was filled by ash and ember, painting a trail of gray behind the flying warrior. Her body heat changed as often as her wings pushed against the air and ever so few were the minuscule pieces of ash controlled by her manipulation.

‘Oh wow that one looks cool...’ she thought as she stopped in the air to look at a massive level 180 troll fighting against a pack of direwolves. They weren’t nearly the troll’s level but their speed made up for it. The wounded were saved by their brethren while more of them would attack the slow moving troll from behind.

The fight dragged on to nearly half an hour when the troll finally fell, dead and bleeding from a hundred cuts and bite marks. The wolves went to enjoy their lunch as Ilea looked on from above, a little annoyed at the reproachful lesson dealt to her by nature itself. ‘And they call it lone wolf...’

She reached her goal twenty minutes later at a lower point of the mountain chain. A city around half the city of Ravenhall stood embedded partly into the mountain itself, as it seemed custom to build on top of mountains. Or at least it had been to whomever had build these cities. Though with magic a lot that would seem impractical proved the best of solutions, or the safest.

Ilea’s goal didn’t lie within the city of Morhill, but a supposed small village that would not be far from there. Landing a couple meters away from a guard on the walls of the city proved to be the right entrance, as the young man stumbled back and tried to shoot a flamebolt at her. Tried and succeeded.

Though the attack simply painted her face a little bit reddish. Luckily for the man he hadn’t aimed for her leather armor, though Ilea likely didn’t plan on finding out the process of how Morhill dealt with murderers that day.

“Stop that. I’m not your enemy.” she said in a neutral voice. The disappearance of her wings and time to realize his situation seemed enough for the man to calm down considerably.

“What...why did you, who are you?!” he babbled out more than said clearly.

“I’m not your enemy. I’m looking for a small village...and the smith who lives therein.” she said and didn’t give the man time to collect his thoughts.

“Balduur Birch, ever heard of the man?” she asked, walking closer to the man.

“Old Birch, yea he doesn’t smith for people anymore. Nobles from all over Lys and even farther have tried. Sure thing he won’t do nothin for you.” the man spat and chuckled.

“Where will I get rejected then?” she asked and moved her backpack, putting a hand inside and removing a silver coin.

“Oh miss, I apologize. It’s an hour south on foot, just go straight there, ya won’t miss it!” he said and pointed in a direction. The coin was flipped towards him as Ilea’s wings materialized behind her. She was gone before the coin reached the man’s greedy hands.

‘Gold really is useful...or silver in this case...’ she thought.

“You’re really bad with money...” Aki said a while later but she simply ignored him, looking out for the village in the distance. This time she didn’t intend to make quite the same impression and landed as soon as she saw the specks of houses in the distance. An hour on foot as advertised had been crossed in a mere minutes by her speed and ability to cross over any obstacles put in her way.

The last stretch took as long as the flight from Morhill but she was rewarded with a comfortable lack of attention as she arrived in the village. A sign read Indur and a rough looking man in heavy armor greeted her at the entrance of the village. There was a chest high stone wall and Ilea could spot five guards from her angle.

“Hella there travela. What’s ya buiness in Indur?” the man asked and moved the top of his helmet to reveal a surprisingly charming face. Though he was not smiling and had Ilea been in this position on earth she would’ve probably been quite a bit less confident.

“I’m looking for a warm place to stay for a while before I continue my travels. Ale and food are welcome as well.” she said and smiled to the man, pulling back the hood from her head. The gesture and answer seemed to soothe the man a little, though she didn’t know how much either played into the favorable result.

“The inn is the central building in the village. Toll is ten coppers.” the man said to which she nodded and removed her pouch from her backpack. Handing over the copper, she hung the pouch onto her waist. The armor did provide with several straps for just such an occasion.

The guard took the money and gestured for her to enter the village, closing his helmet again after she had passed.

Checking her messages as she walked into the village, Ilea smiled and dragged on the strap of her backpack.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ Ash Surge reaches lvl 7’

Her flying skill had advanced on her way to Ravenhall a little as well though it was a welcome surprise that it did so again on her way to Indur. ‘Now, let’s see what this Birch can do...’

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for the proofread Lomie 0

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Chapter 79 Iron

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, enjoy the chapter

">. More coming on the weekend.

Chapter 79 Iron

“Wow that was good...” a heavy breath left the First Hunter as she slumped back on the bench she occupied. The empty plates in front of her told a tale as old as nearly a year now. Whatever Ilea was known for, a bad customer it was not.

“Glad you liked it lassy!” a burly woman in her forties walked out from behind the bar to gather up all the plates left by her patron. The only one at the time. It had been afternoon and it seemed as if people living in a small village didn’t have the luxury to frequent the inn both in the morning and afternoon.

“I’ll pay.” Ilea said, stopping a burp from escaping her highly feminine figure, accented by the belly that for once didn’t stand for fertility and new life. Though considering how much calories her body somehow managed to burn she did have to ask herself if there wasn’t some sort of alien inside of her, benefiting from her indulgences and ready to burst out in the most inopportune moment.

Ilea skidded a little lower on the bench and enjoyed the rustic look of the inn. It was a mixture of wood and stone. The oil lamps gave the place a warm feel though Ilea wondered if it weren’t a little bit of a fire risk to install said facility. ‘Maybe she’s a water mage...’ she thought but couldn’t quite get a feeling for the woman. She did have the mage tag but that could be as widely ranged as a person’s personality could.

‘Though fire is certainly popular...’ Ilea thought and finished her ale.

“That will be eighty coppers.” the woman said and received two whole silvers. The coins vanished too quickly for Ilea to change her mind, a testament to the inkeep’s abilities.

‘Everything’s cheap when you have a dwarven treasury inside your necklace...hah never thought I’d say that sentence.’ she thought as she walked up on the bar.

“Can you tell me where I can find Balduur Birch?” she said, quite sure that the woman would be substantially more open about helping her after the generous tip.

“The smithy’s three houses this way.” she pointed towards the back of the inn. “To the right, though be warned. The man has a temper and he only smiths for the village, cept for some rare occasions.” she explained and smiled mischievously at Ilea, making it unclear if it had been for the upcoming suffering or for her expected success.

Not one to mind too much, Ilea left the inn and made her way towards the intended destination. The snow crunched under her boots as she walked on the dirt ground. The village only held around twenty houses in total though most of them seemed big enough to hold at least a family of five. There were very few people around though, Ilea assumed most of them were hunting or training. The guard had been at level 120, quite a bit higher than your average villager. At least that was what she assumed.

Perhaps the life inside city walls was why so many of the people living there didn’t chose to become stronger. Not that Ilea judged them, they certainly didn’t have to. ‘It’s such a waste though...everyone should experience the joy of flying...’ she thought and opened the massive oak door that lead inside the second biggest house next to the inn. The smithy.

“Anybody home!” Ilea shouted into the room, unsure whether she had intruded or if it was intended for customers to walk into this place.

“Another one...how often do I have to tell you...” a grumbling yet loud man’s voice could be heard coming from somewhere downstairs.

‘He has a beard...’ she thought just before the man entered from a side room. He was burly and had a beard as massive and brown as the door attached to his house. The arms didn’t disappoint either. His eyes stared angrily at her as he came to a stop two meters away from her.

[Smith – lvl 181]

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?” the shout was certainly not a shock but nonetheless unexpected.

“I just really REALLY need to use a toilet.” Ilea said and smirked at the man. This apparently was not the right approach, as he closed in on her much quicker than she had expected, his arm shooting out to hit her where she stood.

Her buffs flared up as she intercepted his hand with her arm, skidding a meter backwards. She smiled though, rather happy that she could match his strength so closely. Her grin betrayed her thoughts as the smith looked at the tiny woman before him.

“Well look at that. You’re strong, I give you that.” he said and moved back his arm. “Now begone with you, you’ll spoil my focus!”

“I’m a friend of Agor, who is currently in Dawntree. He was the one who told me about you. Well I do believe I inquired about his sword.” she smiled with a little less edge in it, deciding that she’d been fooling around enough. The house was nice, it would be a shame if he threw her through it.

“Agor...” his voice changed a little. “So you’ve come to pay his debts. Finally”

“Oh you little shit.” she said and balled her fists.

“HAHAHAHA!” the man laughed, making Ilea clench her fists even more. She couldn’t help but smile though but it was very close to her giving him a similar greeting as he did to her a minute ago.

“Now tell me the man’s first name so I believe the story...” he said, quickly turning serious again.

“Tell me the first and last letter. It seemed important to the man and I’m not gonna just give you that...” she said and he nodded, seemingly happy with her answer.

“L as in lumber and N as in necromancer.” he said, giving her the correct letters.

“Lorcan.” she simply stated and a small smile tugged on his mouth.

“I can see the lad liking you. Has always been one for the meatless. Now follow me down.”

“Meatless...should’ve seen me in the inn...” she mumbled and followed, realizing that perhaps the innkeeper was what he’d consider somebody with enough meat on her bones. ‘They’d fit, in a both cute and scary way...’ she thought, not surprised to find an expansive smithy quite a bit further down than a normal cellar would be.

There were several different forges, different machines and tools hanging on the walls or strewn around on the ground. Weapons ranging from simple looking swords to intricate waraxes similar to what a norse god would bring to the battlefield. “Well that’s one hell of a forge you have here...” she said, finding dozens of runes on each machine and piece of equipment.

“Now I have one rule lassy. No matter how strong you are you have to show me something interesting before I’ll continue this conversation, no matter if you wish for a new weapon or to use my toilet.” he folded his arms in front of him, a gesture Ilea couldn’t quite comprehend, even with her sphere perceiving it from every angle.

‘Two birds with one stone...’

“Hey Aki, you remember when I told you I’d throw you into the next forge I’ll find?” she asked, confusing the smith in front of her. “Ever seen a screaming dagger?” she asked as she threw Aki into an open forge.

“AAAAAAAAAH YOU FUCKING BIIIIIIITCH!!!” the screaming turned from angry to pain as Ilea stared into the smith’s eyes.

“That’s enough, get it out.” he said, though he seemed more interested to see the dagger than to save it from its predicament. Ilea shrugged and walked to the forge, simply putting her arm inside and grabbing the dagger instantly. Her sphere and heat perception made this action possible.

“You remember right?” she said as she removed the dagger that didn’t even seem to have a bit of a shine to it. ‘A lot more is likely needed to melt this guy...’

“I do I do but that was unnecessary...if I could do anything I’d swear you revenge.” Aki said though he seemed to have calmed down already. Ilea wasn’t sure how the dagger even perceived heat or pain. Maybe it had to do with a memory, not something she really wanted to induce.

‘I’ll ask him as soon as I get out of here...’

“That interesting enough?” she asked in a leveled tone, quite sure that the smith would be impressed.

“It certainly is...this is dark magic girl, something I haven’t ever seen before. May I see it?” Balduur asked and Ilea handed over Aki.

“His name is Aki.” she said as the smith turned over the dagger.

“Any info on the quality?” the smith asked. “The metal isn’t something I’ve seen before either and that certainly says something. It looks dwarven in design but I can’t be sure.”

“Sadly not, can’t identify it. Though it’s apparently very very old.” Ilea answered. The smith turned the dagger around a bit more before handing it back to Ilea.

“Well that’s certainly interesting. To say the least. I don’t suppose you’re selling?” she simply stared at him and held out her hand. The smith sighed and handed it back to her.

“So you’re a friend of that useless adventurer. Name’s Balduur Birch, what are you looking for?” the man said and held out his hand. Ilea smirked a little bit and grabbed the man’s hand upon which her buffs activated and a battle of handshakes ensued. Both parties used mana to increase their strength and Ilea could only hold on with her reconstruction healing the damage as it was being done.

Ilea’s sphere had told her that another person had joined them in the cellar workshop about a minute ago but she chose to concentrate on the handshake while staring into the smith’s eyes. They looked at each other like predators fighting over a newly found hunting ground.

“Dad, you’re doing it again. Let the woman go.” a raspy voice came from the woman standing a couple meters behind Balduur. The man’s grip didn’t soften at all as he continued to put his life blood towards destroying Ilea’s hand. The woman walked closer and shook her head as her supposed father replied.

“This one’s tough...” he said and shook his head, letting go of Ilea’s hand. She smiled as the cracked bones in her hand came back into the right position.

“She certainly looks it...no broken bones?” the woman asked, obviously surprised. “So she showed you something interesting...may I see it too?” she asked and walked closer to Ilea.

“I’m Ilea, you’re this man’s daughter?” the question got a scoff out of the woman as she received the out held and unsheathed dagger.

“I am I am, I believe the arms are not hereditary though perhaps I am adopted.” the woman said and looked the dagger over, her eyes glowing a dark blue. “This is...new...very interesting.” she stopped after a minute and handed Aki back to Ilea. “I’m Iana, nice to meet you. So we finally have a customer again. He’s getting more and more demanding.”

“People are getting more and more stupid and arrogant.” the man simply responded as he walked to one of the forges. “So what do you want, I do hope you have the gold or something else to pay.”

“I’d like to see your dagger again for a while, maybe half an hour or so?” Iana asked and Ilea nodded.

“Enchantments on one thing for free then.” she said and smiled. The girl nodded and happily walked away while staring at Aki with her shining eyes. ‘More than mine...’ Ilea thought and watched the girl’s back. Her white braided hair swayed a little in the artificial airflow caused by one rune or the other in the cellar.

Ilea turned her head to look at the smith who was stacking metal ingots of differing kinds on top of a heavy steel workbench. “Hammer, sword, shield? You’re strong enough to wield pretty much anything and you look like you’re dexterous enough to wield whatever it may be efficiently as well.”

“I’m not sure really, I normally just fight with my hands alone.” Ilea said, walking closer and picking up some of the ingots. ‘I have no idea what this is...’ she thought as she clanged two of them together lightly.

“Gauntlets maybe? Or are you using magic that is unleashed upon attacking?” the smith asked, visibly annoyed at her actions.

She stopped and put the ingots back down. “The latter, most of the damage comes from the mana released. At least I think so.” Ilea said. Balduur nodded at that and lifted his right hand to his chin in a thoughtful gesture.

“Well then the metal won’t help a lot. It might be useful in some cases but generally speaking direct contact is the best by far for skills like that. Still perhaps I can make you something to be used whenever you face something where your skills might be useless...” he said and Ilea nodded in response.

“That would certainly be helpful. Maybe two pairs, one heavy one and one with spikes on top?” she said and lifted some of the metals. “What’s the heaviest you’ve got?”

Balduur smiled at the question. “Oh I’ve always wanted to do something like that...rarely useful black obsidian from the north. If it’s ever used, it’s as a counterweight. Though very durable it doesn’t mix well with other metals and quickly brakes off anything you attach it to. I’ll make you a pair of gauntlets starting at the elbows. Come help me get the ingots...” he said and motioned for her to follow. “Did I mention very rare and expensive as well?” he asked though Ilea didn’t react, if anybody had the funds it was her.

“What about the sharp one?” she asked and he chuckled immediately.

“Oh I know what we’re gonna use for that. And I have an idea for the form as well.” he said as they reached what seemed to be the main storage room. Ilea couldn’t deny that the sight of all the metals and tools inside looked incredibly impressive. There were all sorts of colors and different shines, all of it seemed meticulously cleaned. With her sphere she saw many runes etched into the metal shelves and was sure they were responsible for the absence of dust in the room.

It all looked new. The smith led her towards one of the corners of the room and motioned to the bars on the ground. There were eight pieces of metal that didn’t look particularly impressive to look at. They didn’t have much of a shine to them but Ilea was sure they would be something special. The man was supposedly a very good smith after all.

“Try to lift one.” he said and smiled though from an angle where Ilea wouldn’t have seen him were it not for her sphere. She decided to play his game and grabbed one of the bars. The muscles in her arm strained to the max as she barely moved the metal an inch from its position. She moved her body to have a better balance and tried again. This time the metal moved, though only a millimeter.

State of Azarinth and Form of Ember came alive, their shine reflecting beautifully from all the metals in the room that allowed it. Even though only her neck, hands and head were exposed and thus the only sources of light. The bar was lifted slowly as Ilea strained against the weight. Slowly she lifted it until it was finally as high as her stomach.

She couldn’t help but be proud of the annoyed expression on the smith’s face. Using her other hand to stabilize the bar the weight became manageable and she smiled at the man next to her.

“Get two.” he said smugly and walked by her, a light glow forming around him as well as he grabbed two of the bars and lifted them. It didn’t look any less difficult for him than it was for Ilea. Though she didn’t see it as a problem, only a testament to the metal’s quality and usability. She could already see the uses with her necklace. Though the viability of her necklace strategy that she could now apply to her armor was yet to be tested in a fighting situation.

The two walked twice to bring the eight bars to one of the biggest forges in the cellar. The magically created air certainly helped them not to pass out on their short yet very difficult walk to their destination. Twenty minutes later the eight ingots rested near the forge and were ready to be smithed.

“Your hand girl.” Balduur said and looked intensely at her arm, likely taking measurements for the gauntlets.

“What’s the other metal?” Ilea asked, realizing that they had only gotten one kind.

“We’ll get that one now….I hope it’s gonna be enough. Let me draw it out for you first alright? Oh and we’ll have to discuss the cost as well.” he said and motioned for the woman to follow. Iana had nearly had her half hour with Aki and Ilea planned to make use of the free enchantment, likely for the heavy gauntlets.

The two went upstairs again to a room Ilea hadn’t seen before, at least not with her eyes. Balduur moved the plates and candle holders from the wooden table and opened a chest nearby. Revealed was a roll of paper which was expanded on the table to create a big space to draw on. Ilea watched on for the next ten minutes as the smith wrote down numbers and measurements. A little bored, she had started playing with the candle sticks, lighting one and burning one of the wooden plates the smith had put away from the table. Whatever little ash was left from the signed plate, she tried to lift with her ash manipulation. It was fascinating to her, seeing the ash move a little into the air.

Balduur seemed to be done a couple minutes later and looked at her. “Are you done burning my house down?” he asked with raised eyebrows. Ilea nodded and put the plate down.

“I am...Iana really is taking her time...” she said as she joined the smith next to his calculations.

“She is, well let’s start then. The materials, and I assume you want all the eight ingots to be used, and my labor will come out at twenty five gold coins. I’m aware that that price is rather high but go and try to find black obsidian and buy as much as is being used for your gauntlets here. The rest isn’t cheap either but definitely considerably less than the obsidian.” he paused for a second, likely to let the price sink in. Ilea was undisturbed though and simply motioned for the man to continue.

“That is just for the heavy gauntlets. The blue steel ones come out at fifteen gold as the making will be quite a bit more difficult. Materials are cheaper though. So we’re talking forty gold plus a five gold increase for the plate you burned.” Ilea didn’t react and simply nodded.

“I want half of that in advance and will need around two weeks to complete the requests. Any additional enchantments you want from Iana will cost too and might take just as long.” the smith finished. “I doubt you’ll get the gauntlets very far with your current strength though.” he smiled at her.

Ilea decided then to reveal one of her prized secrets, sure that a smith this capable would be a beneficial ally to have in the future. One that could know some of the secrets she bore. She summoned twenty three gold coins onto the table where she held her hand. The smith didn’t react and simply waved his hand over the money, making it vanish.

“Iana will like to see that storage item as well, she’s very good with them. I believe you have seen Lorcan’s sword? So that’s how you’ll get the gauntlets out of here then?” he asked and she nodded. Though she wasn’t sure how much spaces the gauntlets would occupy, they would be ridiculously heavy after all.

“Then I’ll make some quick plans for the gauntlets for you.” the smith said as a pencil appeared in his hand. He looked at her again, stopping his work as she hadn’t moved away yet.

“Can you make me a bow as well? A heavy one with ridiculously huge arrows...” she asked, a little inspired by the ranger she had met in Salia. A smith back in the Taleen dungeon had already promised her such a weapon but now she really wanted one.

“I can do something like that, sure. Will be another four gold but you can keep the advance for now.” Balduur said, happy that Ilea finally left the room and him to his work.

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for the quick proofread Lomie 0.

Chapter 80 Team

A note from Rhaegar

I'm sick. A cold in summer, how is that logical?

Chapter 80 Team

Walking down the stairs, Ilea found Iana intently touching and looking all over Aki. The dagger didn’t seem to mind and was actually engaged in a conversation with the woman.

“So you believe it to be dwarven in nature?" He asked and Iana grunted her confirmation.

“Yes, though it’s nothing I’ve seen, at least not as complete as is engraved inside of you. I can barely see through the complex layers at the top though perhaps I’ll be able to decipher it in time.”

Ilea decided to join the conversation there and leaned on the wall nearby. “Like half an hour of time?” she asked and startled the girl with her sudden approach. ‘Craftsmen and women don’t seem to be very perceptive of their surroundings...’

“Oh yes, I’ve been keeping him. Apologies.” Iana said and quickly handed her the dagger.

“A second free enchantment perhaps?” Ilea asked, getting a defeated sigh from the woman.

“I’ll never be able to make a decent living with dad refusing all customers and working for free for the ones he actually allows...” Iana complained.

“Why not make your own shop? You seem to be quite capable enough to be servicing any big city and its respective nobles...” Ilea suggested but Iana just shook her head lightly.

“It’s complicated.” Ilea accepted the answer and sheathed Aki.

“How much more time would you need to decipher whatever you found?” she asked.

“Oh I’ll figure it out in time. I have the outer layers in my head and will draw them out in the next hour. A helpful skill with enchanting.” the girl explained, showing a beautiful smile.

“Perfect, then you’ll get him in a couple weeks when I come to pick up my things.” Ilea said and decided not to show the smith her armor just yet. He would be occupied enough with her new gauntlets and bow for a while. “Before I go though, another thing. Can you take a look at this?” Ilea said and held her necklace towards Iana.

“Sure, let me see...” she said and leaned in, her eyes starting to shine blue. From this distance Ilea could make out complicated lines in her irises, almost like runes. “Interesting. Definitely dwarven, Taleen if I’m not mistaken. Seems rather rare, a very nice find. Sadly it doesn’t seem like the work is much better than any modern enchantments. Very stable though, I doubt anybody could weasel their way inside.” Iana explained.

“Weasel their way inside?” Ilea asked. Iana nodded, confirming her statement.

“Yes, usually you have to wait for the amount of time the item had been bound to someone by mana. There are certain very expensive and difficult ways to reduce that time or to get in earlier without killing the owner. Not usually worth it though except in very rare occasions. Or simply for curiosity’s sake. There are rumors that the current empress of Lys got to power by breaking into her brother’s storage ring, though only rumors...”

“And you think that would be more difficult with mine?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, nearly impossible. Even with the best enchanters and materials I’ve heard of. And it would take ages. So you’re fine, as long as you don’t die.” the smile on the girl’s face didn’t quite fit the statement but Ilea completely understood.

“Thanks. So I’ll be back in a couple weeks, we can discuss enchantments then.” Ilea said and nodded to the woman who repeated the gesture. Walking upstairs, Ilea shouted close to the same thing to Balduur who pushed his pencil a little too strongly into the paper as a reaction. She smiled at his frown that she only perceived with her sphere before she left the house, Blinking on top of it.

Snow had started to fall in the meantime, removing the beautiful view of the mountains around the village. Ilea’s wings spread and lifted her up into the storm. Flying back was made much more difficult because of the weather and Ilea only managed to avoid crashing into rocks and cliffs thanks to her spherical perception and high reaction time. She continued to try and manipulate parts of the ash she generated with ash surge but couldn’t manage to raise it in level this time around.

Neither did her flying skill level up. She landed again on the walls of Ravenhall a couple hours later , without having encountered anything substantial on her way. Most monsters would likely stay inside as well in a storm like that. Or more likely they would be living higher up or in some caves.

The troll Ilea had seen though would be quite the challenge for most adventurers she had seen until she joined the hand. Likely a reason they were stationed in Ravenhall and not somewhere on the plains. Though Ilea didn’t know what dangers could wait in the plains either.

The suns were setting as she stood on the walls, looking over the city before her. The guards that saw her didn’t seem to mind much, likely used to such behavior by the members of the hand. ‘Doesn’t seem very wise...’ Ilea thought and jumped down into the city, landing with a thud.

She walked through while visiting every restaurant she could find to buy any meals they had already ready or wouldn’t need more than fifteen minutes to prepare. Her necklace filled with hot and steaming food as she walked on and she did hope it would stay that way. ‘Would be a mess if all of it just jumbled together in there...my armor would smell...’

She reached the entrance to the hand’s main quarters another couple hours later and walked down Viscera’s road while yawning.

Closing the door behind herself in her apartment, Ilea unsheathed Aki and threw him to the nearby wall before going on the toilet. A couple minutes later she was lying on her bed and looked up at the beautiful ceiling. “So tomorrow I’ll get a team….what did you think of the weapon ideas?” she asked Aki.

“I was with Iana while you were discussing...though I saw you carrying something that seemed very heavy...” the dagger answered from his place in the wall.

“Gauntlets, one pair very heavy, black obsidian or something Balduur said. And one pair with Blue steel, I’m assuming there’s gonna be spikes or blades attached somehow.” she explained.

“Hmm, yes. Those are good ideas, especially for enemies who have defenses against mana intrusion, which I believe your skills to be.” Aki said and continued “Don’t start to rely on them too much though, your skills are first and will always deal the most damage...or will if you hone them.”

Ilea turned on the bed to look at the dagger. “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.” she said. “On another note, why the reaction to fire? Do you experience pain or what is it?” the dagger didn’t answer her question and simply hung on the wall quietly as a dagger would. A minute later Ilea rolled back to look at the ceiling again, accepting that Aki didn’t want to explain. “I won’t do it again.” she said and sat up.

“I’m gonna enjoy some live music, wanna come?” she asked, blinking to the wall.

“I would like to.” Aki said as he was pulled out of the wall and sheathed.

The two walked downstairs quietly, joining the few people who were walking on the stairways leading down to the elevators. She decided to try a different bar and went to the one two stairways down from her apartment and to the right. When the one she had visited the day before seemed to be very rustic and focused on wood with warm light, this one was nearly purely furnished with stone.

There were cushions to sit on and the light was produced from magical lamps, giving different parts of the establishment different vibes. Ilea decided to go where the light was blueish before sitting down. There was a single woman playing on her lute as she got in, making the atmosphere a lot more relaxed than what the other bar further down Viscera had been.

A waitress came up to her a couple minutes later and nodded at her order of three mugs of different ale. She was still looking for something as tasty as Walter’s and would keep her limited stock for now. What better place than the elite adventurer guild of the Shadow’s hand to look for something like that.

She enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere and especially that nobody came up to her except for the waitress herself. One of the ales came somewhat close to Walter’s but it wasn’t quite the same. Apparently it was the house ale made by the owner himself.

Ilea left after enjoying a satisfying evening and prepared for bed. Aki was stored in her necklace to not bore him too much while keeping him as safe as possible, at least from theft. Or perhaps kidnapping, depending on how the law in Lys would define a conscious dagger. Ilea drifted off to sleep with that thought and enjoyed an uninterrupted night.

"How long do we have, oh dearest clock?" Ilea asked, twirling Aki around in the air after waking up. 'How have I not gotten a twirl skill...' her thought was interrupted by Aki's answer.

Apparently the scheduled meeting with her newly assigned team would happen in just one hour, barely enough to get something to eat. At least in Ilea's opinion. She didn’t already want to use up the meals she had stored, deciding to use the close sellers as long as they were available.

Viscera looked the same as it had the days before. The surprising part though was that the food being sold looked and smelled quite different. Even the style of music seemed different. ‘They really put a lot of money into this…or maybe the members do…’ Ilea thought as she walked through the small town. She bought a meal consisting of pig, rice and peppers. It definitely had what she would’ve considered an Asian touch but the spices here were a bit different than what she had been used to on earth.

A lot of the food she had consumed so far had been a bit blander but here in Viscera it was quite the opposite. She walked up towards the corridor leading towards the main hall and ate from the bowl she had gotten with the meal. With her find in the dwarven treasury, money really wasn’t much of an issue. At least for the foreseeable future.

‘As long as I don’t become queen and have to finance my own country I think I’m fine…’ Ilea thought as she walked past the numerous high level adventurers with their fancy armor or robes. Again nobody was wearing the black shadowy armor she had associated heavily with the Shadow’s Hand.

The corridor and main hall were rather empty again and she reached the city of Ravenhall in a mere minutes of travel. Her bowl was already missing a third of its initial content but she decided to get a bit of a better view for the rest. Jumping up a nearby house, her wings sprouted and with a quick ascend, she was flying over the city. ‘The lake seems nice enough..’

The hour passed in but a moment as Ilea enjoyed the blue sky and snowy scenery. Truly a magical place that would’ve likely been a beautiful skiing area filled with tourists or simply an empty place too dangerous to stay alone in on earth. At least without a tent.

Ilea tried to get a piece of meat out of her teeth as she waited in the main hall of the guild. Right before she decided on simply removing her jaw with her pain deactivated, someone walked up to her.

“You must be Ilea.” The man said and waited for her confirmation.

“I am. You guessed right out of the ten people here.” She said. The man looked at her a little annoyed, not missing the sarcasm but obviously not finding it to be funny.

“Lead the way then.” She said and the man nodded. Contrary to what Ilea had thought to be a meeting inside or near the main hall, the attendant led her through Viscera again and down one of the elevators. The same one she had used the day before.

“Here you are…” the man said, nodded and was quite visibly glad to see his job done. Ilea decided not to further annoy the man, lest her food be poisoned again. ‘Poison resistance is never a bad thing though…’ she thought as she entered the rudimentary stone hall.

There were magical lights at the top of the hall and just like the one she had been tested in, this one held several chests at one side of the room. Compared to the one before though, this one was higher and ended in angles instead of the room being in the form of a rectangle. A smile immediately bloomed on Ilea as she walked towards the only person already in the room.

It was the man she had seen before, with the grayish eyes. He had been studying the ground before him since she had entered and continued to do so upon her approach. Though Ilea didn’t feel like the man hadn’t been paying attention. “Hey, I’m Ilea.” She said to which the man finally looked at her.

“...Kyrian” He answered, with a sense of uncertainty.

‘Is he uncomfortable around me?’ Ilea thought and sighed, walking to the side and sitting on one of the chests. Her hood had been up the whole time. She was just about to ask something when the door opened again and another man entered. He opened the door with both hands, swinging them far and entering with a confident stride and a smirk on his face. Ilea was impressed by his clothing, both seemingly practical but beautiful. A vest and long jacket in red and black colors. Though there were many people in Viscera looking similarly colorful.

The smirk turned to a frown as he approached Ilea and Kyrian. “You. What are your abilities.” the man said as he stopped a couple meters in front of Kyrian.

“I..I use metal to...” he was interrupted by the door opening again and two people entering. A woman looking to be in her thirties and a bald man with a serious expression. Ilea waved lazily to the two as they approached, getting a smile from the woman and a glare from the man.

“Alright everyone’s here. Eve I’m assuming you too. Come out please.” the man said, taking charge of the group and already getting an irritated look by the man in the red and black coat.

A giggle could be heard around them when a young woman faded into existence right next to Ilea. ‘Nothing in the sphere...’ Ilea thought and warily looked at the girl.

“I’ll be here in a minute.” the woman said, smiling brightly. The light leather armor and blond hair made for a rather striking view. Both Ilea and the man in the coat seemed to share that opinion, if one would rate their stares.

“Alright then we start. So as you all know this is the team you’re gonna be in. Paid members have one chance to switch. And one only.” the bald man said, looking at the man in the coat.

“This will be the team fighting class and I will be your teacher or rather, supervisor. Your team tactics teacher is here today as well but I will let her introduce herself in a minute. If you kill anybody in your team or render them incapable of fighting ever again you will be kicked out of the hand, so try not to do that. We do have a healer and I would like to hear about your capabilities in your introduction please.” the man said and continued.

“My name is Joseph Trail. You may call me Joseph. Now, I believe in a more practical approach in getting to know one another so please just say your name and role you would see yourself filling in the team.” he said and motioned to the man with the coat, who was seemingly already struggling to stay quiet.

“My name is Trian Alymie.” he said and looked around, seemingly proud of the statement until he sighed. “Oh boy...this really is my last choice?” he asked Joseph who just stared at him with cold eyes. Trian sighed again and continued.

“We’re one of the most influential families in the empire of Lys and it would do you good to remember that.” he paused, waiting for the words to sink in when the doors to the room opened again and the girl standing next to Ilea vanished, only to be replaced by that same girl walking towards them. She smiled and waved at them.

“Don’t stop, I’m here I’m here!” she said. Ilea thought her to be of similar age to herself though her demeanor seemed to be a little more playful. Trian coughed which made Ilea chuckle. He angrily stared at her but continued.

“I’m a lightning and vampyrist mage and as you can see the highest level of you all at two hundred fifteen. I’ll destroy whatever stands in my way and will fill exactly that role in the team.” he finished and looked around, glaring at Ilea again who smiled back.

‘He seems charming.’ she thought and decided to continue.

“Name’s Ilea. I’m a common pleb and have some ability in healing, getting hit really hard and hitting back.” she said and looked from Trian to Kyrian, the challenge in her eyes vanishing when the latter looked at her.

‘God his eyes are fascinating.’ she thought as she smiled at the grinding teeth of Trian she heard with her sphere. The second thing that made her smile was that she could perceive the last girl with her sphere, meaning the one from before had likely been a mirage or an illusion.

A note from Rhaegar

Cheers Lomie for the quick proofread.

Check out the Patreon to read ahead and support me. And either way, stay healthy and take a moment to appreciate that you don't have a headache or something else right now

">.

Chapter 81 Class

A note from Rhaegar

Aaaand another one. Hope you all have a nice Sunday

.

ETA next chapter, prolly next Thursday or Friday.

Chapter 81 Class

“I’m Kyrian. I’m a metal mage and will be able to slow down the enemy.” he said simply and looked down again.

“Can you speak up?” Trian asked in a mocking tone but was ignored by the others.

“My name is Claire, I’m a rune and explosion mage and I’ll be able to trap enemies. Additionally I’ll be your team tactics instructor, nice to meet you all.” she said and bowed towards the others.

Ilea already smirked before Trian even said something about the fact that a team member would be an instructor but to her surprise the man kept his mouth shut and simply looked at the woman with a glare. The last person to introduce themselves was the woman who had joined them mere minutes before.

“I’m Eve and I’m an illusionist and singer. It’s nice to meet you all.” the woman smiled brightly and waved at them.

Joseph clapped his hands then to get the attention of the team. “Alright, now that we all know each other’s names let’s actually get to know one another. You’re team 34, currently the lowest ranking team in the Shadow’s hand, not that I or anybody here should care too much about that. Ilea.” he said and looked at the woman. “How good is your healing? We would have to book one for these trainings if you’re not up to the task.” he asked.

“As long as nobody dies it should be fine, though I need longer to heal others than a full fledged healer at my level.” she said and Joseph nodded.

“Well only one way to find out the extent of your abilities then. We’re gonna do some bouts then. Who wants to face Ilea first?” Joseph said and looked through the group. Before anybody could say something though he pointed to the metal mage. “Kyrian. You two seem like you wouldn’t kill each other immediately. Come on, show us what you have.”

The man nodded and looked at Ilea, his eyes quickly sinking down to the ground again as he turned and walked to the middle of the hall. “Don’t worry about destroying anything, I’ll be able to repair it. Ilea, I hope you know the limits of your powers. If either of you don’t think you can continue the fight simply say so, or gesture if you can’t talk anymore for some reason.”

‘Doesn’t seem very safe...’ Ilea thought as she joined Kyrian in the middle of the hall with a smirk on her face.

“Now try not to go soft on me...I can take it.” she said and switched into a fighting stance. The others walked around the hall to either get a better view or a more comfortable seat.

“I didn’t plan to.” Kyrian answered quietly.

“Ready? Start whenever.” Joseph said from the side.

Ilea watched Kyrian focusing on her, the gray in his eyes seemed to intensify when a needle like object entered her sphere, making her move her head slightly to see the projectile pass. Metal balls, needles and spikes came out of the man’s backpack which he slid off his shoulders a moment later. The spheres started rotating round him as the needles and spikes hovered over and next to him.

The first spike was released and shot right towards Ilea’s chest. Though she perceived that the needle from before came at her back from behind. Something told her that she shouldn’t get hit by the piece of metal, even though it seemed so small and non threatening. With a small turn of her body, both projectiles shot past her, getting an interested look from Kyrian.

‘My turn...’ she thought and advanced on the man, dodging past the needles shot towards her. Her pace slowed as more and more projectiles flew towards her as she moved to the sides and even backwards. As the needles were distributed around the hall it became harder and harder to simply dodge them.

Ilea decided to show her first card as ash extended around her and took the view from anybody that wasn’t able to perceive through the black dust like substance. She was immediately sure that Kyrian had no way to see through it as the projectile attacks became less direct and more chaotic, random even.

It wasn’t a certainty that Kyrian wasn’t simply fooling her but Ilea didn’t have another choice but to advance further. More and more ash filled the hall around the two combatants as Ilea circled against the man. She had to admit that his control of the needles and frequency of attacks was incredibly efficient at keeping her at bay.

At this point there was ash all around the man and Ilea decided then to move in. A blink got her right next to Kyrian and her fist shot out to punch his back. The impact shot through her arm and his back as spikes extended from the closest metal sphere, cutting deeply into her skin. Her destructive mana shot through the man before she jumped away again, holding her side.

Kyrian had stumbled to the side, holding his shoulder while breathing heavily. Ilea on the other hand walked backwards slowly and back into the ash while her smile vanished. The cut on her side refused to heal and she knew exactly what the cold feeling radiating from the wound meant. Her hands started to shake as she perceived the man slowly steadying himself, the pieces of metal that had fallen down around him starting to hover again.

Acting on a whim Ilea unsheathed Aki and cut into her side, through muscle and flesh until she cut out everything around where she had gotten sliced by the sphere of metal. Confirming her suspicion, the wound started healing again albeit a little slower than normally. It took a while of dodging and healing longer before she was ready to engage again, her hands still shaking.

‘Let’s do this then...just a bunch of curses...’ she thought, her shroud coming to life for the first time in the fight and her wings spreading inside the ash still filling the surroundings. Jumping up, she spread her wings, blinking into Kyrian’s melee range to deliver a kick at his head. A needle scratched at her shroud but didn’t manage to get through right before her foot connected and knocked the man down.

She blinked away again before the needles and spikes shooting towards her managed to do any damage. The man got up again slowly, coughing blood this time but he didn’t signal for the fight to end.

Ilea felt as the mana gathered around the man even though she didn’t have her Magic Perception anymore. Suddenly the spheres of metal burst apart and thousands of needles flew towards her. There were too many and too spread out for a blink to really do anything so Ilea simply held out her hands to try and minimize the damage.

Her shroud of ash fought against the onslaught of needles as more and more pierced her defense to try and get through her armor and skin. Some managed to get through and the cold feeling of the now familiar curse spread from the small wounds through her body.

Half a minute later Ilea opened her hands and started to rip the needles out of her body. None managed to pierce too far inside of her. The ash around them was disturbed enough by Kyrian’s spell that she could now see the man panting before her, seemingly struggling to stay on his feet.

‘Used up his mana...’ she thought as more and more needles clanged on the ground with a metal noise, the cold and numb feeling leaving her body slowly. Though some of it remained even with the metal removed. It was not enough to get her down though and Kyrian seemed to realize that as well. He lifted his arms and opened his mouth.

“You win, I’m out.” he said and nodded to Ilea. “Good fight. I’m sorry.” he said, confusing Ilea a little. Until that moment she hadn’t noticed the tears streaming down her face and the shaking hands on her side. Her wound slowly but surely closed as the curse was pushed out of her body.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches lvl 18’

“Not bad, not bad.” Joseph said as he slowly approached the two fighters, standing opposite each other. He completely ignored the tears and shaking Ilea was showing, likely having an idea where it had come from. “So Kyrian doesn’t seem to have enough to push through a heavily agile armored target. You did manage to slow her down and your defense was pretty good considering her ability to teleport right next to you. The spiked metal spheres are very useful but your mana ran out rather quickly.” Joseph finished, coming to a stop a little to the side of the two.

The others had joined the middle as well. Ilea tried to get the shaking under control and had her eyes closed as Kyrian commented on the analysis.

“The ash was a problem, I...I had to keep her busy while not being able to see her. More mana used than normally...” the man said while the scattered needles started to move towards him at a slow pace.

Joseph nodded and prepared to answer when Trian chuckled and pointed at Ilea. “Why the fuck are you crying? You won you idiot.” he said but Ilea completely ignored him, proud of that achievement. She still had her eyes closed and her hands were shaking considerably less than before.

“Leave her alone.” Eve said, her expression cold and hard.

“Now now, stop this now. You’ll all get the chance to face each other every single day in the next couple months. I’m sure she has a good reason to cry Mr. Alymie.” Joseph said and looked towards Kyrian again.

“It was not a good matchup for you, that is for sure. I think the offensive approach even at the cost of a higher mana usage was the right decision though try to be more mobile and get a bigger picture of the battlefield. The ash was not as spread out as you might’ve thought and a simple sprint to one direction might’ve given you enough to focus your attack again. Considering Ilea’s similarly offensive approach there was little you could do though. Get a skill to see through the ash for next time.” he finished and Kyrian nodded.

“How w..would I do that?” Kyrian asked and received a small smile from Joseph.

“Finally, a member of the hand willing to listen. Try to fight in the dark, train with a blindfold or even pierce your eyes out. We have healers that can deal with that. Fighting in a blinded state might at some point yield a skill for you to see with not just your eyes. A very valuable thing for everyone but especially someone like you, who needs that much precision to make use of their full power.” he explained and Kyrian nodded.

“I request to fight Trian next.” Ilea said after the man had stopped talking.

“Sure you can go again so soon?” Joseph asked while Trian smiled at her.

“Oh I’m sure. Kyrian can you remove it?” Ilea said. She wanted to see if Trian’s cockiness was grounded on any actual skill or simply a result of his upbringing. Either way it would be a fun fight. Hopefully he would not be able to curse her as well. Kyrian nodded and the little remains of the cold feeling inside her immediately vanished.

“Do you need healing?” Ilea looked towards Kyrian who was rebuilding the metal spheres.

“He’s fine, don’t heal everyone if they’re still able to walk and fight. It would be detrimental for us to have a healer at hand at all times for every little injury.” Claire said from the side and Ilea found herself agreeing. She would’ve healed the man anyway but considering he would be having her back for likely at least the next six months, she decided to go with Claire’s way and nodded, joining the waiting Trian in the middle of the hall.

The others walked back to the sides and Ilea just now noticed the walls of earth and scattered runed stones on the ground next to the people watching. The last attack at least not only had her as a target, though doubtfully an intentional circumstance.

“Now that was certainly an impressive shower of metal but seeing you would be our tank I’d have to test your defenses with actual power. Don’t cry again please.” he said and grinned at her.

“You’re talking a lot. Kyrian’s metal has a certain specialty to it that I’m sure you’ll experience quite soon. Come then.” she said and activated her buffs and shroud.

Trian nodded as blue lightning sparkled between his fingers. A sudden crack sounded through the hall as a bolt of lightning hit Ilea’s defenses with a loud boom, shredding through her shroud and washing through her body.

“That’s it already?” Trian said as he looked at her, though he prepared again quickly as Ilea’s smile didn’t waver even for a second.

“Isn’t that supposed to be my question?” she asked, the little damage healed nearly immediately. Her lightning resistance doubled by shroud of ash reduced the damage of his attack by a significant amount, not forgetting the shroud itself that had to be pierced first.

Contrary to Ilea’s expectations, her opponent wasn’t tricked into any rash actions with her taunting but instead his smile widened as he launched the next attacks. She got into motion and advanced towards him with unpredictable movements, the lightning striking into the ground next to her. Some strikes singed her shroud or her skin but nothing did any significant damage.

As she got closer though she noticed the strikes getting stronger and quicker in execution, the lightning manifesting closer and closer to her, leaving very little time to react. Though with her reflexes and speed that time was enough to change a direct hit to a mere glancing strike that did little to stop her unyielding approach.

Three more steps and Ilea reached him, standing face to face with the man her fist advanced towards his sternum but the mage vanished right before her fist reached him. Instead she found a pulse of electricity flow through her as a massive bust of power and heat flashed through her, burning a part of her insides.

She turned again to face the man as hunter’s recovery repaired the damage impressively fast. Half of it was already healed before her head even turned to him.

“You’re still standing?” the man said, though his tense stance and light panting betrayed the tone of his voice. “That would’ve killed an ice troll...”

“Impressive power but if that’s all you have you’re not going to win this...” she said, now completely healed and meditating in the calm moment to keep her mana as high as possible. A sudden pull had her blink at the man, with her eyes that is. She noticed her mana ever so slightly dropping faster than before.

“I’ve never seen this...what are you doing?” she asked and locked eyes with the man.

“It’s a very rare class. And you will learn why quite quickly...” he said as lightning materialized above Ilea. This time though it wasn’t blue in color like it was as a natural occurrence but red. She dodged in the last moment but still felt a part of her power leave her when the next strike already came down on her.

‘You’re not gonna win this...’ she thought and blinked towards him. He vanished again, leaving behind the same pulse of lightning as before but this time she was prepared and vanished as well, just before she was hit. A battle of teleportation ensued as the two mages vanished and reappeared in quick succession. Ilea noticed a little amount of her power leaving her constantly in addition to the mana required to uphold her skills.

Deciding to use a similar tactic as she had against Kyrian, she started using her ash surge after every blink. She was rewarded by Trian trying to go to places where no ash was, leaving him slightly predictable. The third blink left Ilea arriving a moment before him and her fist connected satisfyingly with his stomach right after he appeared, her mana flowing into him and the hit pushing all the air out of his lungs as he was thrown backwards.

Trian rolled twice in the air, hitting his shoulder hard on the ground before he skidded to a halt when Ilea appeared in front of him. The moment of shock and the disruptive mana that had flown through him left his reaction time a little slow when she grabbed his arm and squeezed, breaking the bone below his coat. Immediately she felt her power drain and not just her mana.

She swung the man by his arm and landed his body hard in the ground below them. The drain continued but less strong. She landed on top of him and started punching into him. Three punches landed hard on his face before a massive burst of lightning shot Ilea away and dragged more of her mana and life energy out of her. She landed on her feet and looked towards the man who was rising with red lightning manifesting around him, levitating him above the ground.

“It’s been a while since someone pushed me this much...” he said and smiled. Ilea couldn’t help but feel excited as well, her wings sprouting as she felt the power from all her buffs flow through her.

A note from Rhaegar

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Chapter 82 Vampyr

A note from Rhaegar

Hello. Enjoy eating the words. There are around 3000 individual ones here, imagine that. All of them lined up together so that they create meaning inside of your head. Your brain will then make it seem like the events are actually unfolding. How fucking weird is that ey? They're literally just shapes... don't get me started on the internet and how those words get delivered to you. Humanity is pretty dope sometimes. Just sometimes.

More chapters on the weekend.

A friend from my hockey team had a pretty stressful week. Send your positive vibes and energy! In the form of cookies, prayers, dabs or whatever the fuck you do.

Chapter 82 Vampyr

Joseph watched on as two people from his newly assigned team clashed together, red lightning flashing and painting the whole hall as the woman’s fist smashed into the ground, cracking it and sending stone flying.

The magical lamps above flickered as more and more red lightning landed around Ilea who was dodging incredibly efficiently. Her body moved, powered by no doubt second stage fighting and movement skills and seemingly a lot of experience. Joseph pierced the ashen mist used by the girl to inhibit the view of her opponent and concentrated to keep up with the fast paced fighting.

He was aware that the longer the fight went on, the more of an advantage the vampyrist would have. Though he was shelling out spell after spell just to keep Ilea away from him. Every so often she would manage to predict his movements and get a punch or a kick in though Joseph was betting on Trian more and more. It didn’t matter to him though as with them in the team, he would certainly climb as their designated team fighting teacher. His face was stone though and didn’t show any emotion.

‘Fuck he’s going to get me like this...’ Ilea thought as she followed the teleporting mage just a moment too late to deliver another attack. The lightning that coursed through her a testament to her failure. The man was certainly dangerous. Without her Resistance skills she would’ve likely been dead for quite some time already.

‘I need to grab him again...it’s the only way for me to win...’ she thought and blinked again. His lightning attacks continued to disturb the ash she still distributed after every teleport. He had some way to see or feel her, at least partially but considering he tried to get out of the ash most of the time she was sure it was troubling him at least somewhat.

Two blinks later she finally got her opportunity and grabbed his arm again. She noticed that the bone wasn’t broken anymore and remedied that immediately. She was hit straight on by red lightning and the full force of his draining but simply smashed him into the ground again.

Instead of her previous actions, she used her legs to push her reversed hunter’s recovery into the man while punching him with reversed destruction. His drain was certainly stronger than hers, and that by a large margin though her still powerful physical punches seemingly pushed his concentration enough to make his spell a lot less effective.

He punched at her as well while lightning bolts rained into her from above, both of them too caught up in the fight to stop at that point. Punch after punch landed on his face as bone cracked and the control on his magic waned. Ilea didn’t look much better as she couldn’t heal herself anymore with her reversed healing spell entering the man. More and more of her internal organs were being burnt up and she felt her control leave as well.

Just before she decided to jump away to save her life and heal herself, the man’s attacks stopped. He lay there under her, unconscious and bleeding. His face was barely recognizable as Ilea’s healing spell changed from destructive to constructive again.

‘She actually did it...’ Joseph thought and immediately ran towards the two to stop her from killing the man, if it weren’t already too late. He should’ve stopped them earlier but he had been too caught up in the fight to react. The sheer raw power of these combatants was blowing him away. It’s been a while since he had taught people that were this powerful right after they had joined.

Usually he had to deal with people who had some sort of trick to kill higher leveled monsters quickly. He assumed the boy and his metal was something similar though even he was much more advanced than many Joseph had taught before.

He reached the two and stopped himself from intervening as he watched the woman’s burnt flesh rebuild right before his eyes. Both her burns and the man’s wounds below her healed quickly as he stood there. ‘She either heals herself much more quickly or she uses more resources on herself right now...’ he thought as he watched her move to the side of the man, not stopping her touch.

“You heal with touch, no other way? And is this the fastest you can go?” he asked the woman. She didn’t look at him but answered nonetheless. Only a gargling noise came out, likely a cause of one of Trian’s attacks. She waited a moment and then answered.

“Only with touch, yes. And that’s the fastest I can heal others.” she said and continued in silence. The others were slowly advancing on the scene, a gust of wind pushed away the remaining ash and Joseph nodded towards Claire whose rune still hung in the air as she joined the group.

Ilea meditated as she healed the man in front of her, her own wounds had been taken care of more quickly. She had to admit that his damage output had been incredibly impressive. More so than anybody she had faced before lest perhaps the elves. Though she had an easier time dodging them and of course a team of the hand helping her out. With his vampyrism as he had called it, he had become much harder to take down than she had expected.

The damage she had inflicted slowly healed and his bones set again before he finally woke, gasping for air and quickly coughing. He lied down again and breathed out.

“I lost.” he said and then smiled. “How close did I get though?” he asked, turning his head to look at Ilea.

“Very close.” she simply said and held out her hand to help him up. He refused though and got up himself, brushing off his coat. It didn’t help a lot with the blood though but considering it was red and black it wasn’t much of a problem in the first place already.

“Well that was certainly an interesting fight. I’m sure I could take you though, knowing now of your abilities.” he said.

“That is often the case Mr. Alymie.” Joseph said to the man “You both have impressive levels of strength though and use your skills and resources very well. I’m afraid I won’t be able to teach you a lot. As most of these classes will consist of spars though, it won’t be a problem. You’ll advance your skills and will have to get creative with using them.” he finished.

“Who’s next?” he asked and looked towards the two women standing around.

Ilea walked to the side of the hall and checked her leather armor. It was singed in a lot of places but the lightning didn’t destroy it as fire would have. She checked the notifications she had gotten during the fight and was quite happy with them.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 1

Rare foes will have the ability to drain your mana. Either for their own use or simply to weaken you. Having encountered one such being, you have learned of its destructive effect. This skill will help you reduce the effect any mana draining abilities will have on you.’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Health Drain Resistance – lvl 1

Some creatures have the ability to drain your health. You have been subjected to such a spell and have endured. This skill will help you endure more easily and turn the tables on your enemies.’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 13’

‘Quite the result...’ Ilea thought and smiled, mostly at her win though. It had been a good fight and as much as she had gotten used to it, she felt a little good about how nobody had to die this time around. She would be able to raise her skills here at least, no matter how the whole team thing would go in the end. Though if Trian didn’t already plan on gutting her for insulting a noble or whatever, she was quite happy to have him at her back.

‘He’s certainly more than just talk...’ she thought, looking over at the man at the other side of the hall. They locked eyes and she felt his glare to be more challenging than insulted. A good sign for now but her judgment of character had been wrong before. She would keep her guard up, as she tried to do at all times now anyway.

Kyrian joined her a couple meters away, leaning on the wall while looking at the ground. “Good fight, I..Ilea.” he said after a while and she nodded.

“Thanks.” the two watched the women of their team face each other in the middle of the hall. Joseph motioned for them to start with a gesture and the two women went into motion.

Claire dropped a bunch of stones on the ground and started seemingly painting into the air before her, a shining rune appeared where her hand moved. Ilea heard the humming and started smiling widely as she finally found the person she had been looking for. Her head throbbed a little but Claire seemingly was a little more unprepared.

Their tactics teacher slumped down on the ground, seemingly unconscious as Eve giggled innocently. The tone of the hum laid in the air still, giving the giggle a much more sinister feeling than what it actually sounded like. ‘That’s pretty scary...’ Ilea thought and looked towards Joseph who was walking towards the downed Claire.

A splash of water magic to her face seemed to do the trick as she slowly opened her eyes and held her head. “Care to try again? Or do you lack the runes?” Joseph asked as he helped her stand up. Her eyes focused as she looked towards Eve again.

“Again, give me a moment to prepare please.” she said and Eve nodded happily.

“Sure! Tell me when to start then.” she said with a big smile. Ilea chuckled at the situation from the side but calmed down again quickly. A mind mage had just knocked out a rune mage and they would be members in her new adventurer team in a magical land filled with monsters and ruins.

‘Let’s see how the next try goes then...’ Ilea thought as she watched Claire draw several runes into the air. The shining manifestations stayed there and thrummed with power.

“You may start.” Claire said. The room quickly filled with sound again, pushing on everyone’s minds. Ilea thought herself to be the most resistant to the magic but she couldn’t be sure. None of the others showed a visible reaction to the magic either though she was sure the power of the spell was reduced by an incredibly margin compared to being targeted directly.

This time Claire didn’t faint immediately but stood her ground. Her face was visibly strained as the runes in front of her started glowing brighter. Eve giggled again before she started walking towards Claire. Her body suddenly shifted and seven copies walked out of herself. The humming intensified and more runes appeared in front of Claire.

Contrary to the seemingly defensive ones from before, these runes started glowing and immediately Eve had to shield herself against the air that started blowing her way. The debris still cluttering the training hall rolled towards Eve and Ilea noticed with her sphere that some of the debris was a little different than mere stone and dust.

A sudden explosion racked through the hall and the Eves were thrown backwards, most of them vanishing immediately. The explosion took all of them while the real one caught herself, her leather armor cut in some places and blood leaking out.

“I give up. You win.” the remaining Eve said while holding one wound in particular. Ilea immediately appeared next to the woman and started healing her. Her right lung had been pierced and she quickly stopped the bleeding. Ilea doubted heavily that her hunter recovery’s second stage regarding healing a removed head would be applicable to other people. She certainly wouldn’t be trying it out on these people.

Eve coughed and smiled at Ilea while mouthing a thank you. Joseph and the others had walked towards them when Ilea turned and started healing Claire. Recent mind attacks were a part of her range as well.

“Alright, so I’m assuming this one on one style against a prepared enemy isn’t really your strength Eve.” Joseph asked and waited for her nod though he seemed rather sure about his statement.

“We have another three hours today and I’ve seen all of you fight at least once so far. Now I’ll suggest some ways for your abilities to improve and we’ll fill the three hours with those. We’ll have four hours of this every day for at least the next three months. After that, if none of you have died or decided to leave, you’ll start to do jobs together.” he explained and walked over to the side of the hall. The others followed behind in silence.

“First we’ll start the lessons with bouts. The first month only one against one, after that we’ll see, depending on your progress and my judgment. Eve I’m assuming you’re more about sneaking?” he finished with his question, looking towards the woman.

“Yes, I don’t see how I can hide around here though...” the woman said and Joseph nodded.

“Good, for your mind magic or whatever that noise is I think everyone would benefit from a Resistance to that. Do you know what the Resistance will be?” he asked.

“Mental Resistance.” Eve simply stated.

“Good. Who has the skill already and at what level?” he asked. Only Ilea and Trian lifted their hands. The noble looked at her and nodded.

“Level three.” Trian said and looked at Ilea.

“Nine.” she stated simply.

“Good good, then to focus on your mind magic Eve you will start with Ilea and you will use it on the others as well until they reach at least level five. If possible I’d like for all of you to reach the same level but that will likely not be possible.” Joseph explained. “Regarding the hiding, don’t worry about that. I’ll be able to modify the hall to remedy that. Your clones are a big help as well with that I assume. Can you quickly make one for me?” Eve nodded at the request and a clone appeared next to her.

“Now who can tell the difference between them. I can’t.” Joseph said and this time Ilea and Claire held up their hands.

“So you will train with Kyrian or Trian mostly. Though I’m sure it’s good to fight against somebody who can tell as well. Focus on the first two though.” he said and then looked towards Trian.

“I will ask all of you for suggestions after so please wait with that for now.” he said, glancing quickly at Eve. “Trian I’m assuming your spells just need to be used to level up. I think something like the fight against Ilea today would be most beneficial for both of you. Though I suggest you decide on who’s attacking and who’s defending for each bout to not get a one sided result in skill growth. Try not to kill each other.” he said “I’ll ask for the whole team to be able to use the mobility training grounds. I’m sure all of you will benefit from that.” he finished and moved on to Claire.

“Claire I’m not sure yet about your abilities. You will likely benefit from bouts and simply attacking or defending against different people.” he said and she nodded.

“Kyrian I’ll talk to you in depth later. For now You’ll fight mostly against Ilea and Claire.” he said and finally looked towards Ilea.

“You can take quite the abuse. I’m assuming your meditation is rather high? How’s your pain tolerance?” he asked, getting a smirk from her.

“High enough for whatever you wanna do.” she said.

“Perfect. Then after the one on one battles in the first month we’ll have everyone attacking Ilea. First in turn and as time goes on or if it’s manageable, in teams or all at once. This is for your defense and their attack skills only so don’t dodge anything. For your offensive skills I’ll have to decide. A part of it will be against Trian but I’ll have to get a better feel for you all and then maybe I can find something.” he finished and clapped, rubbing his hands together after.

“Let’s start then. Ilea go to the left side of the hall please. Trian and Eve please go with her and level your skills against her defense.” he said and dismissed them.

Ilea looked at Trian and Eve. One of them grinning and the other one smiling brightly. ‘That’s gonna be fun...’ she thought but only in part sarcastic. She blinked to the boxes and looked through.

“What are you doing?” Trian asked in a condescending tone, though Ilea ignored it and got what she needed from the crate.

“Give me a minute to change.” she said and cast Ash Surge before removing her lightly singed leather armor to change into the provided leather armor from the guild. It looked a little more used and had definitely been repaired a couple times but she found it to be of a similarly high quality as her own.

She walked out of the ash and faced the two waiting members of her team. “I’m ready, go whenever. Eve first please, start slow and then go stronger. I’ll tell you when you’ve reached a manageable level.” she said and motioned to the woman who smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

The hum started and Ilea felt her lungs restrict and her breathing quicken as an urge to puke formed in her throat. She activated her shroud and the effect lessened considerably. Her eyes focused and she looked at the humming woman and realized that Trian had moved a step or two away from her.

‘This is gonna be a long day...’ she thought and decided not to activate the second stage of her Pain Tolerance. It was manageable and she had a feeling that it would help not just her Pain Tolerance to level but all the other resistances as well. ‘Plus I’ll understand what’s happening better if I perceive my body’s feedback...’ she thought.

“Stronger.” she said and the growing headache increased. Her Hunter’s Recovery kicked in and the damage done was healed in tune. “Stronger.” she said again and saw Eve strain her face. Sweat began to form on both of their brows and Ilea thought it to be a good place for each of them to improve.

“Trian, give me some sparkles.” she said, grinning at the man who grunted, obviously annoyed. The lightning hit her and made her gasp, though she ground her teeth together and powered through. The humming didn’t stop and neither did the lightning. Instead Trian increased the dosage continuously, before he added his mana and health drain abilities as well. She was a little surprised at how calm and controlled he was considering he had lost a fight to her earlier.

A note from Rhaegar

You made it, hopefully you enjoyed it but I mean you've been here for 81 chapters already. Or maybe you're just wild. You do you.

If you want to support me and get access to more chapters, check out my Patreon - haha your add block doesn't remove this one.

Chapter 83 Team building excercises

A note from Rhaegar

Enjoy guys and gals. Probably another one tomorrow or sunday.

Chapter 83 Team building excercises

Joseph looked over and nodded at the three people already engaged in their training. Having a self healing tank would help them improve immensely. Especially without having to wait for any healers they had employed. Some tanks in other teams needed three of them at once and had to wait for their mana to recover in between attacking sessions. ‘We’ll still probably need one or two occasionally if the others fight against each other. Considering her rather slow healing speed...’ he thought and continued explaining his idea to the two people in front of him.

“So your metal manipulation skill only applies to metal you have claimed for yourself?” he asked to clarify and nodded at the confirming response. “You can change the trajectory of the needles though so we’ll work with that. Just try to manipulate them more and more as you attack Claire.” he said and switched to the woman.

“Your defensive runes can help out Ilea and the team immensely. Both of you try to work on your mobility and casting speed. You need to be able to maneuver around the battlefield. Kyrian try to make shields with your metal if at all possible to defend against Claire’s offensive runes and explosive magic. The resistances will help as well. Call for Ilea once the damage gets too extensive.” he finished and the two looked at each other and walked away to start their training.

Joseph himself claimed the other half of the hall and started to work.

Another strike of lightning completely broke through her defensive shroud and made her teeth clatter together. The pain was dull and manageable but would ever so slightly help with her Pain Tolerance skill though Ilea wasn’t quite sure how much leveling that skill would benefit her in the future considering she could deactivate her pain perception already.

The headache had stayed the same as she healed her mind while the damage was being done. Hunter Recovery really showed it’s power in the difference between healing her own body compared to others. All three people in their group were benefiting heavily from the training method until Joseph called for them again a little over an hour after they had started.

Ilea decided to check her notifications later as soon as she would be back in her apartment. “I hope the training was efficient for all of you. Now for suggestions from your side please wait for after the four hours.” he said and motioned for the group to follow. The other side of the hall had changed quite significantly in the meantime.

The flat ground had changed into a nearly natural looking formation of rocks, hills and even small ponds filled with water. Cover against ranged attacks and trenches for covered advances had been added and all of it done by Joseph. Ilea determined it to be some sort of hobby for the man as a seemingly unnecessary amount of detail went into the creations. It certainly looked lovely, that much was easily admitted.

“Now for the next part Ilea and Trian, please continue to bout as at the start. One attacks and one defends, switch after twenty minutes or decide on your own time.” he said and she looked towards Trian. He nodded her way and walked to the empty part of the hall. They would not need any cover to fight.

‘Let’s see if his boasting was justified...’ Ilea thought and smiled. Her buffs came active as she walked behind the man.

“I attack first, ready?” he asked as he teleported away, now facing her. She answered with a gesture, telling him to start.

The loud lightning attacks started already twenty seconds after he had dismissed them, making Joseph happy about his new team’s drive. ‘Already miles ahead of the last one...’ he thought and looked towards the three members in front of him.

“Alright, you three will fight each other however you see fit inside the prepared area. Everything is allowed and I will be watching you. Start.” he said and was glad to see them quickly run towards cover.

“Does the ash actually disturb your vision? Because if not I’ll use it here...” Ilea said as she sidestepped another flash of red lightning. The ground splintered a little at the raw power of the impact, though the only noticeable thing to Ilea was the mana and health she lost through his vampyrism abilities.

‘Aren’t vampires supposed to be something a bit different than that?’ she asked herself as more and more lightning attacks were side stepped.

“It disturbs my vision though I can track your whereabouts vaguely with my draining abilities.” the man supplied her and continued attacking. This went on for quite some time until Ilea decided a switch was needed. She simply started using her Ash Surge ability and advanced on the man with her Blink skill. He quickly caught on and went on the defensive, still trying to get in the occasional attack just like when they had fought earlier.

Ilea was more and more convinced that the man was a similarly strong foe as the elfs had been. ‘Though there is nobody here who can help me fight against swords and other weapons...’ she thought as she finally managed to catch the man again, landing a punch on his back.

The fight was stopped by Ilea twenty minutes later as she had run out of mana. Trian seemed annoyed but didn’t comment on it as she went into meditation, getting back her resources. Under ten minutes later they were back at it and continued. The attacking, dodging and teleporting fused into one as the two combatants synchronized more and more, each trying to find weaknesses in the other’s approach.

Three more pauses later, one of them initiated by Trian, they were stopped by Joseph. The four hours of team fighting were apparently over.

“Alright, I hope you got used to each other a little. You will continue with team tactics with Claire here. You are all rather promising and I hope to hear you all will be alive for many years to come. Now does anybody have suggestions for trainings?” he asked, looking to the group.

“I think Ilea can train with me for a while tomorrow. Kyrian and Eve can benefit a lot from facing each other in an environment as provided by you.” Claire said “I also think Trian should face Kyrian. The metal defenses he managed today should be quite formidable against lightning.” she said. Joseph looked around though nobody else seemed to have anything to add.

“Great, then I will see you all tomorrow. Would you prefer morning or noon?” Joseph asked.

“Noon.” Ilea said immediately.

“Same.” Eve said and Claire confirmed as well.

“That’s settled then. Good luck on the lesson.” Joseph said and left the hall.

The group stood a little forlorn in the middle of the hall after Joseph had left. They didn’t really know each other other than what kind of general abilities they had. Though fighting against someone certainly formed a certain and very special bond, it didn’t let one know about the food preferences of the other.

“What does he get out of it?” Ilea asked, looking towards where Joseph had left. She didn’t really see a reason for someone at his level to teach them. Only question marks had shown themselves when she had identified him.

“He moves up the ladder. Being higher up in the guild will lead to more resources and influence. Without the added danger of getting them yourself.” Claire explained helpfully while Trian chuckled.

“You’re bloody uneducated for someone that strong.” he said though it didn’t provoke a reaction out of Ilea. She hadn’t exactly hit the books since coming to Elos and even then felt like she knew quite a bit for the time she’d been there.

“Stop insulting people.” Eve said and received a hard glare from the man.

“She at least can pull her weight. I admit that this group is miles ahead of the useless mutts from the first group presented to me but you really aren’t the shining star here. If you feel like challenging me then we can do so right here right now.” Trian said but Eve didn’t relent to his glare. Ilea chuckled then and clapped.

“We’re getting along then, that’s great. I’m sorry noble boy but I think you’d babble on the ground pretty quickly when she starts humming.” Ilea said, smirking at the man and winking towards Eve.

“Please, we have the next hour to discuss team tactics.” Claire interjected rather quietly compared to the others who had been talking.

“You didn’t tell me why you cried yet? Is it just because women do that sometimes?” Trian ignored Claire completely and looked towards Ilea again.

She smiled at him though her eyes were cold. “Can you show him Kyrian?” Ilea asked, still looking towards Trian.

“No...y...you are acting immature. Claire is going to talk about strategies so stop it, please.” Kyrian said, quickly taking the edge off Ilea. She felt a little embarrassed at the outburst but calmed down again quickly. Trian will learn soon enough.

“Well I for one will be skipping the team tactics instructions for the first couple weeks. I’ve been educated on the subject for years and likely know more about it than any of you. Teach them the basics so we can go into more advanced things later on will you.” Trian said to Claire and flashed his right hand, which was sporting a beautiful black ring.

His red and black coat that had been bloodied and lightly damaged was replaced with a clean one in a flash as he grinned at his teammates. “I’ll join at some point if this team proves to be worth it.” he said and walked to the door, leaving them behind.

“Arrogant ass...is he even allowed to do that?” Eve commented, obviously annoyed by the man’s behavior.

“The class is mandatory so we could report him. I don’t think that would be wise though.” Claire said.

“I agree. He does seem to be rather p..powerful, both in personal and political strength.” Kyrian said and nodded to Claire’s comment.

“You guys are afraid of him?” Eve said, with a perplexed expression. Claire looked away but Kyrian met her gaze.

“He might not be easy to deal with but he d..did not hinder our training.” he told her, but it didn’t quite seem to convince her.

“Nah, I hate the guy. And I won’t stand next to him when we’re facing any actual danger.” Eve said, crossing her arms in front of her.

“Give it some time.” Ilea interjected “At least let me exploit his strength for my training.” she said and smiled. The joking comment seemed to calm Eve a little as her expression softened.

“Ok, though I swear I’ll kill him if he goes too far.” Eve said without a hint of sarcasm. Ilea reminded herself that she was among the elite now. People who for one reason or the other got to the level of strength they possessed now.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have your back if he goes as far as endangering us.” Ilea said and shrugged, looking towards the teacher of their next class.

‘So I kind of did get my college education. Though I didn’t expect myself to be a sports student...’ she smiled and nodded to Claire.

The next hour passed in a flash. Claire was a good teacher and seemed really informed when it came to tactics and compositions of teams. She said she’d only cover some basics today and explained to them the fighting strategies most commonly used with adventurers, guards of cities or nobles and even some monsters.

It seemed to Ilea that both Eve and Kyrian were lacking in this department as well and all of them could benefit. She had some vague ideas about the whole setup of adventurer teams but a lot of it was new to her. Claire finished with the promise to go into their own team and their roles on the next day’s lesson.

“I think we’re out of time though and the monster knowledge class starts soon.” Claire said. “Any questions you might have please ask me tomorrow.”

The others thanked her for the lesson and followed her towards the next one. Claire seemed to be the only one informed about its location and the general time table of their days. Ilea was quite fine with that, something more she didn’t have to worry about.

“Hey Eve...” Ilea looked over to the woman while they were ascending with the elevator. “Were you in my room recently?” her eyes were cold as she gazed at the woman though a light grin tugged on her lips. “And perhaps in the city...rescuing a girl from some men of questionable morality? Hmm?” Eve returned her gaze with a smile.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Ilea.” she said and that was that. Ilea decided not to smash her into the moving walls next to them as a part of her mind was demanding her to do. Simply because she didn’t want to antagonize a team member. ‘I’ll probably have enough opportunity in the next training sessions...’ she thought, turning her gaze away from the woman. She wasn’t a hundred percent sure it had been Eve but it was damn close. She knew her now though and her Hunter’s Sight would likely pick up on it.

The four ascended another elevator after coming out in Viscera. Ilea quickly glanced at the wall with all the available classes and frowned. “Claire, am I too late to apply for any other classes?” she asked, a little annoyed at the possibility.

“What...” Claire said and looked towards Ilea “… sorry, I didn’t hear you there.” Ilea repeated her question and got a reassuring answer. “No you can apply whenever. Some classes aren’t visited often, I mean what swordsman at level 200 would take a swordsmanship I class? They will find a teacher though as long as you pay or if you have two other people, at least that’s what I remember.” Claire explained.

“Great, gonna check them out later then. I can cancel too whenever I want right?” Claire nodded to her question and the group went back into silence, ascending with the elevator that didn’t seem to have an end to its journey.

“What are you g… going to take?” Kyrian suddenly asked, right before the platform came to an abrupt stop. They walked out while Ilea answered his question.

“I’m not sure yet to be honest. Probably archery at some point, it seems fun. Are you going to take any?” Ilea said.

“Fun? I d… don’t understand.” Kyrian said, shaking his head slowly. “I will take classes related to my classes… my classes you know?” he explained and Ilea nodded, signaling her understanding.

‘Maybe I should do that too...though I don’t see how that would help much. There’s not a lot to understand here...I punch things and they die.’ she thought and shrugged, deciding to at least take a look at the possibilities. She could cancel them immediately if it wasn’t anything useful and with her money she was in the opposite position than a debt ridden student on earth would have been. At least in some countries.

They walked through stone hallways, decorated quite similarly as her apartment had been. It gave the whole place a very high class feeling, reminding Ilea again that she had joined quite the prestigious institution. One of the doors was chosen by Claire and the group entered.

There were tables and some chairs in the room and even a blackboard. ‘I’m trapped in an anime aren’t I...’ Ilea thought as she checked her hair, glad to find it had not changed into a bright blue or red.

“Are you our teacher again?” Eve asked Claire though the latter seemed to be as uninformed as the rest about the absence of their teacher.

“When does it start?” Ilea asked before she saw someone advance through her sphere. “Nevermind, someone’s coming.” she informed the others and moments later the door to the room opened. A man walked in and Ilea immediately locked eyes with him.

“Hey I know you!” she said and got a smirk in response. “Forgot your name though, you’re a teacher?” she asked.

“Indeed I am, name’s Liam. You’re the new girl from the bar...with the impressive drinking capabilities.” he told her and she smiled back at him.

“I have a fast metabolism.” she simply stated and sat down on one of the chairs. The others listened with varied interest while the man called Liam unpacked his bag.

“So I’m assuming you’re Ilea, the tank?” he asked and moved on, not getting a denying response. “Claire the tactician teacher, Kyrian the influencer and Eve the influencer. Got it right?” again there was no response.

“You seem like a quiet bunch. The noble didn’t chose to show up huh? Well it wouldn’t be the first time for their breed. You’re not gonna learn about them in this class though. Monster knowledge.” he stated and paused, turning around and writing the term onto the board.

“Everyone here is level 200 and above. Everyone here has a lot of fighting experience and has probably killed or has nearly been killed several times before. So why are you having this as a mandatory class? Any ideas?” he asked, sitting down on the table at the front of the room.

“Because we were probably lucky.” Ilea said, thinking back on the many encounters she’s had with different monsters and people. Had she encountered something with a shield like the Praetorian’s, she would probably not be sitting here in this classroom.

The man looked at her with an understanding gaze and nodded. “You’re right. Though to say it in a different way, there’s a high chance that each of you has found a dungeon or other place to kill something your abilities gave you an edge over. I myself have the ability to poison things, stumbled upon and poisoned one of the only water sources near the Isanna desert. At least near the village I lived. Only did it in the night and nearly nobody of the village died.” he got up and continued talking.

“Though many other things died and I got a massive boost at a rather young age. It gave me an edge and let me continue to use this tactic without having to face a single enemy.” he paused. “I’m not saying all of you are like that. Though out of the people coming here at level 200 there are many who share similar stories. People who legitimately and slowly worked their way up to 200 likely are too involved in their cities, countries or noblehouses to come here in the first place. Or they have a team already. For everyone else and some outliers, there’s the hand. I, am here to teach you about monsters you might not be able to poison.”

A note from Rhaegar

It's fucking warm. Helios mate, turn it down.

Chapter 84 Yield

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you're not burning up. Next chapter probably Wednesday.

Chapter 84 Yield

Ilea’s mind was swimming in the names of different beasts, insects and birds of prey when the class came to an end. She clutched the received encyclopedia of monsters, ready to compare some of the beasts to the ones mentioned in Magical Creatures which she had picked up in Salia.

She had certainly been lucky with receiving a healing skill so early on, and with how many beasts there were with some ability to paralyze, mind attack or poison you, she had lucked out with the Drakes. Though she also learned that someone like Eve would’ve had massive troubles against them as they’re apparently rather resistant to mind magic.

Influencers, as Liam had called Eve and Kyrian at the start of the lesson were apparently people with skills to slow down or poison enemies. Ilea wasn’t quite sure the word really fit but it was descriptive enough.

The class ended with Ilea asking about a Shredder, something the woman who had been seeking Liam a couple days ago in a bar in Viscera had talked about. Apparently it was a worm like creature with high abilities in wind magic, encircling the target and then attacking from all around with small wind blades to shred the target, as the name implied.

There was an entry in the encyclopedia which they looked through together. Liam asked them each about a general idea of their abilities and then made sure to explain a possible fight for each of them against the monster they talked about. Additionally he went into possibilities of facing them as a team, where Claire mentioned some things as well usually.

“Alright then, time’s up. We’ll be continuing tomorrow at the same time. As a last thing before you go though, the book I gave you is filled with rather common monsters. There are many many more we do not know out there and variations of the ones we know that have different abilities and strengths. Don’t get cocky when you see a monster. Evaluate it and take it seriously, levels matter but abilities matter more. Most important of all have someone have your back. If you came this far alone then count yourself lucky, most don’t.” Liam finished and closed his own copy of the monster encyclopedia.

The others nodded at his finishing sentence and watched him leave the room before they too got up. “Sooo, do you guys want to eat together later?” Eve asked with a bright smile.

“I can’t, will have to prepare for tomorrow. Some other time perhaps?” Claire said as she got up and went for the door. “I’m happy about the team though, so see you all tomorrow.” everyone said their goodbyes before the woman left.

“Sure, we can eat together. Kyrian you up for it?” Ilea said and looked to the man who seemed a little conflicted.

“Maybe, t...though later I have to train and learn.” he said.

“Sundown then? So you have a couple hours.” Eve said and Ilea nodded. Kyrian seemed ok with the idea as well and left.

“Ilea I...I have to confess something...” Eve said to Ilea when they were alone, preparing to leave as well. Ilea perked up and looked at the woman.

“You made those men murder each other and you creeped into my apartment?” she said and Eve scratched her head while looking downwards. Though a second later she looked at Ilea and smiled, clapping her hands together.

“Yes! Exactly that. I hope you’re not mad.” she said and to Ilea’s surprise, she wasn’t.

“The men I don’t care about but why did you come into my apartment? If there’s no good reason I’ll need a bit more than a simple apology...” Ilea said and looked at her coldly.

“You will think it ridiculous...” Eve said but continued at Ilea’s unrelenting gaze “I really like the art above your bed...and I wanted to...you know, steal it. But you woke up so I ran. Haha.” Eve said and Ilea just looked at her a little confused.

“The painting? There’s a painting?” she certainly remembered the beautiful ceiling but the painting above her bed was a little hazy. “Why not ask, you can have it if you like.” she said, which made the woman smile brightly.

“Really?! Really? That’s so nice of you! Thank you, can I get it now?” Eve asked.

“Yes yes, get it whenever. Though Eve...” she said, making the already turning woman stop and look at her. “If I find you in my apartment again uninvited, it’s gonna be your defenses we’ll be leveling in the next training session.” she said with a smile and noticed the woman gulping.

“O...of course Ilea. Won’t happen again. I’ll get it now though, that’s ok?” Eve said and Ilea nodded, watching the giggling girl’s back as she ran away.

“Likes paintings I guess?...or did I unwittingly give away a priceless artifact...what ya think Aki?” she asked, finding herself the only person remaining in the room.

“I’m rather sure it’s just art. Then again there are many who would kill for art. You should be aware of that. She might be one of those people.” the dagger said, breaking his six hour silence.

Ilea grunted and walked towards the elevator. “What do you think of them?” she asked Aki as they descended towards Viscera.

“The noble is strong and experienced. As much if not more than you are in both. The rune mage has a lot of potential and will be invaluable for your team. The other two are interesting and certainly have as much if not more potential than you but they need time and training for their skills. But in time and if you manage not to kill each other, you might become quite the deadly group.” Aki analyzed and finished right when the elevator came to a stop.

“I feel the same...now what additional classes should I take...” Ilea asked as she walked towards the wall with the classes. Archery was there of course and she asked the person who seemed to be the attendant how to join a class. Apparently the first archery class had zero people attending and a teacher would have to be found first. The price depended on the teacher but it would likely not extend five to ten silvers per hour.

“I’ll join then, find me a teacher.” she said to the attendant before walking back to the wall. “Oh and class should be after the monster knowledge lesson I have every day.”

“Of course Miss Ilea.” the woman answered from the side, writing some things down.

“A lot of these seem interesting...hey woman, put me down for advanced healing and hand to hand combat five as well.” both were the highest available classes related to her abilities.

“Will do, both will need teachers as well but we should be able to find some until next week. After Archery class?” she asked and Ilea nodded. Some other people were walking up to the wall while she talked to the woman.

‘There’s nothing on other planes...lots of classes on summoning but I’m not sure that will help me in any way...’ she thought and decided to first seek out the library and perhaps an expert on the subject before randomly joining classes.

Ilea turned around and walked back to her apartment in Viscera, before jumping into bed and throwing Aki to the ceiling. The wall above her bed seemed a little bare, the painting that had decorated it was gone. “What other class should I take you think?” she asked the dagger.

“Hmm” Aki paused “You seem to like eating a lot.”

“An eating class, I’m not sure that exists.” she answered, her leather armor vanishing as she crawled under her blanket.

“You know very well what I mean.” the dagger replied.

“I don’t think they have cooking classes here.” she said.

“Go to Ravenhall then. Plenty of cooks who would be willing to teach for the right price. They way you spend money it doesn’t seem to bother you. How much do you have stored away anyway?” Aki asked.

“I’ll check it out maybe...though eating seems more fun than cooking. And I have enough...otherwise I’ll just sell you to Balduur.” that seemed to satisfy the dagger as no further reply came from the piece of metal.

“Let’s see how much the training today did already...” Ilea said and checked her notices she had ignored all day.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Hunter Sphere reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 11’

...

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Body Heat Manipulation reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches lvl 5’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 201

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 3

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 17

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 194

- Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 4

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 11

- Active: Ash Surge – lvl 13

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 2

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 1

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Wings – lvl 13

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 18

- Passive: Body of Ash – lvl 18

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – lvl 13

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 14

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 17

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – lvl 13

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 5

- Lightning Resistance – lvl 12

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – lvl 4

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 5

Status:

Vitality: 575

Endurance: 285

Strength 211

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 500

Wisdom 305

Health: 5750/5750

Stamina: 2842/2850

Mana: 3047/3050

‘One hell of a yield. And luckily no level up for Ash Wielder yet. I hope I can get the skills high enough for the lvl 200 change to be good… if there even is one. Another question for the library...’ she thought and decided it was a good time to eat. Summoning her leather armor again, she left the apartment for Ravenhall and then found her spot outside the city again.

“Didn’t you plan to eat with the others?” Aki asked while she was chewing on the bread and meat she had summoned. The suns were still up, illuminating the city of Ravenhall a couple kilometers away.

“This is pre eating Aki. And yes I’ll meet them to eat later… Wait, we didn’t specify a place.” she said and laughed. “Sadly Claire couldn’t come, I’m sure she wouldn’t have forgotten.”

Ilea finished her meal and enjoyed the sight before she sprouted her wings and decided to fly around the mountains for a while. It didn’t seem like a bad idea to familiarize herself with the surroundings of the city she’d be staying in for a couple months at least.

The higher parts, including Ravenhall were covered in snow, of course this time of the year that was even the case in the plains below. Dawntree, Salia and Riverwatch had been covered as well. Ilea quickly found that as with the wilderness outside Riverwatch, there were awfully few people out here.

Not a single soul could be seen a couple kilometers away from Riverwatch. She landed on a cliff side overlooking the sea and enjoying the view and quiet when she heard silent steps behind her. They were still quite far away but she turned to find a tiger like creature advancing on her. Upon its discovery, the creature lifted itself from its crouched position and growled at her, showing long teeth.

Ilea checked its level and found it to be quite a lot below her own.

[Swordmouth Tiger – lvl 143]

Liam’s words still rang freshly in her mind as she prepared to face the beast. Though she doubted it had any capacity of hurting her seriously. There was enough space to fight on the platform. If she would come to any danger, she’d simply blink or fly away.

“Do you really want to do this?” she asked the tiger, who only growled at her more. “I’m gonna stay here and enjoy the view. Go back to your cave.” she said, looking behind the beast to find an opening in the mountain side. Ilea turned around to face the sea, though as expected the tiger took it as its opportunity to strike.

The cat rushed her and pounced at an incredibly high speed. Not yet at Ilea’s level with all her buffs but certainly close enough. She whirled around and moved her torso while blocking the beast’s paw with her arm. The claws bounced off the suddenly appearing black armor and Ilea grabbed the hind leg of the creature before throwing it back towards the cave.

It bounced a couple times, one of the bounces was accompanied by a crack that Ilea only picked up with her enhanced hearing. Both her Sphere and State of Azarinth told her of the creature’s injury before it had even landed.

She looked at the creature as it slowly got up again and slipped on an obviously broken leg. “Stop it.” she said but the cat advanced again, this time it seemed a little unsure though and circled her slowly. Another pounce and Ilea stopped the monster in its tracks, grabbing both its outstretched paws with her hands before headbutting it on its snout.

No skills were used with the attack and the monster was thrown back again. Ilea watched it through her sphere as she summoned her encyclopedia to look for the beast. ‘Swordmouth tiger...here you are.’ she thought and turned the page to the beast’s entry.

...usually resides in a cave or somewhere else dark and shaded. Avoids conflict at all cost and even allows trespassers. Ignore but do not show your back to it. It’s high speed can be dangerous to even higher leveled adventurers….. warning, do not get close if you see any kittens, highly aggressive when nursing….

‘Interesting...so maybe there are baby cats somewhere...’ Ilea thought and smirked at the beast. “Are you hiding snacks from me?” she asked and advanced towards the growling and still disoriented monster.

She walked right past it and towards the cave. Entering, she found what she had been looking for rather quickly. There were four sleeping kittens and Ilea couldn’t help but aww as she saw them with her own eyes. They were beautiful, sporting the same striped white fur as their mother, who had apparently found her orientation again, advancing at the highest speed possible towards Ilea.

She simply stood there before turning around and stopping the cat again. “Compared to the Basilisk, you haven’t killed any of the people I was traveling with...” she whispered as her healing mana flowed into the creature, mending its broken bone and bruised head. The beast stared at her angrily before Ilea threw her towards her kittens, soft enough for the cat to land safely between Ilea and its young.

It growled at her again before she slowly walked out of the cave, stopping again on the platform overlooking the sea. It was a nice place. The cliff side was rocky and several hundred meters high, below were rocky edges sprouting from the waves. With her sphere she saw the frozen ponds reached deep into the ground below.

The suns were slowly setting on the horizon as Ilea turned around to look at the tiger who was standing defiantly at the edge of its cave. Ilea smiled and waved at it before her wings sprouted again and she flew backwards, looking at the rather sizable ledge on the cliff and the small cave where it met the mountain. ‘I like this place...’ she thought before she landed again.

On a whim Ilea activated Blink’s 3rd tier ability. Perhaps not the most thought out action but she had to try it at some point. She liked the view, it was far enough from any settlement she could find to not be bothered, except someone was specifically looking for her. And finally, it reminded her of a now seemingly far away place and the many vacations that had led her there. A place on earth and near the sea. Though this time she felt much more safe so close to the water, with her wings and teleportation ability. She breathed out and touched the ground before her, the magic instinctively leaving her body.

‘You have set the destination for Blink. You may change the destination again in six months.’

Ilea got up again from her crouched position and smiled towards the tiger still looking at her. ‘Just need some nice tables and a mini fridge.’ she thought before she flew away again.

Chapter 85 A fine Establishment

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone. Hope you're having an alright week. I'll be out of town but scheduled the next two chapters for Friday and Saturday. Hopefully that works out

Enjoy and don't burn.

Chapter 85 A fine Establishment

“Come on, we have to continue.” Roland quietly said to Lily, waking her from her slumber with a gentle brush to her cheek. Most of the others were already up, preparing their packs and checking the surroundings for any danger. They had left Salia behind nearly a week ago. Ilea and the Hand had given them a chance at survival and Roland wouldn’t throw that away.

“Already? But I’m so tired dad...” the girl told him in a sleepy voice. For many of the lower leveled people it had been a very difficult week. They had lived inside the city, protected by its walls and guards for all their life. The didn’t have any skills that let them forgo sleep or let them walk for hours on end without tiring.

If he had to be honest, Roland would’ve likely left them behind to make his own way with Lily a while ago already but Valery held them together. She was the reason he had stayed and with her they might even survive an elven attack, should worst come to worst.

“I’m sorry alright, I’ll carry you for the first hour or so, ok?” he said to Lily and lifted her up on his shoulder. The weight was nothing to him and he joined the group of waiting people, only to hear their bickering again.

“We have to leave them behind if we want to survive, don’t you see that?” a man said to Valerie who seemed rather full of him. Some people in the group seemed to agree while others looked at the man with tired and hateful eyes. The waiting group consisted mostly of adventurers, or guards who had a certain amount of strength to them. Nothing compared to a member of the hand or even Roland or Valery but enough to maybe survive in the wild.

“We’ve come this far, we won’t stop now. As soon as we reach a safe city you can go wherever you want to.” Valery said in a tired voice, shutting the man down. Roland didn’t know exactly where she planned to go, though east seemed to be the way for now. They had heard from the Hand that many of the independent cities had been destroyed similarly to their own so it wouldn’t be a quick journey, especially lacking any horses and wagons.

They had enough gold to live like nobles wherever they got to, they only had to survive getting there and keeping the gold when they arrived. Some places had already been ruled out because of that and their journey would take at least another two or three weeks at this speed to reach any reasonable city in Kroll or Nipha, the westernmost human countries.

‘They won’t leave...’ Roland thought, looking at the man grinding his teeth. They were too afraid of any dangers in the night. Even Nazarks would be their doom if it weren’t for some select members of their group. An elf might be the end of them all but by staying, they might at least have a chance. Roland just didn’t know if that chance would be at fighting or at flight.

He looked up towards the shrouded suns, hidden behind cloud formations and sighed. The breath turning into white mist. “Papa, you’re h..hurting me...” Lily said. His eyes focused again as he loosened his grip on her legs.

“I’m sorry.” he said and looked back to the preparing group of survivors. ‘I’ll find a way to avenge them...’ he thought, but his chest felt hollow and the fire that had burned his house and their corpses was nowhere to be found within him.

‘She forgot to give me the bow...’ Lorcan was standing on the wall of Dawntree, looking up to see the elves hovering in the distance. Around him were members of the guard, the adventurer guild, the noble houses of Dawntree and even a squad of the Shadow’s Hand. The city’s defenses had held true and though some of the elves had broken through one way or the other, Dawntree stood strong.

With four more people at level 200 they now were nearly equal to the number of elves he could see on the horizon, let alone the amount of defensive weapons and mages they had. It annoyed him. The waiting annoyed him. He wanted to go out and meet them and not wait here for them to taunt the humans. Days passed and all he could do was wait and watch their game of magic while the city fired at them from a distance.

The elves must know that the city wouldn’t starve or thirst. Certainly crime and the respective violent guard response rose heavily through the attack but what were they planning to achieve? Lorcan shook his head and sat down again on the edge of the wall, ignoring the flashes of magic and conversations around him.

‘She left the city I think...’ he looked around and again noticed someone looking at him a little too intently. It wasn’t a secret anymore that one of the Forkspear daughers had disappeared and with her the healer that had been seen with her. At least in the circles Lorcan resided it was known and he couldn’t help but be happy about it. Smiling below his helmet, he pictured the reaction of whoever was hunting her when the level 100 healer they were expecting turns out to be not quite so defenseless.

‘Why even care about something like this while the city is under attack...’ he looked down at his hands. Lorcan Agor had never been one for politics, though right now the elves were doing more for the nobles in the city than for themselves. At least for the winning side of the nobles.

“Are you annoyed at their taunting?” someone said behind him, his annoyance rising a little more at being talked to.

“May I sit?” Lorcan turned to see a masked member of the Hand standing a meter away from him. Lorcan simply nodded lightly and looked back out towards the white landscape below.

The man sat down and sighed. “If only we could lure one of them.” he said and Lorcan found himself agreeing.

“Why are they here?” he found himself asking the man next to him, looking at the wisps of shadow moving away from the armor. The mask turned towards him at the question and then back towards the elves.

“I do not know. They have attacked many of the independent cities, decimating the population in many of them. This might be the last one standing.” the man said.

“I heard of that, so you were the ones bringing those news?” Lorcan said and chuckled “The leaders of the city will never move out to attack with that, so thanks.”

The man didn’t say anything for a while before answering. “It is the wise choice. Though you thirst for battle it would likely bring death.” he paused and watched Lorcan’s reaction. “The elves will bore soon, I have rarely seen them stay so long in one place. Either that or they will attack. You will be free again to follow or you will be fighting.” he finished.

Lorcan just nodded once and touched the bracelet on his arm thoughtfully. “If I may ask, as soon as this is over. Would you join me on my way to Ravenhall? And perhaps join the Shadow’s Hand?” the man asked him which brought a laugh out of Lorcan.

“No. Apologies Elder but you will found me cast out already.” Lorcan said after he had stopped laughing. He prepared to fight but it seemed the man only sighed again.

“A shame then. I am no Elder of the Hand and I hold no grudges against cast out members. I do hope you will find your way, do not give up.” the man said and got up, leaving Lorcan to his thoughts.

Flying towards the city again, Ilea felt a little melancholic, nostalgic even. The vacation home her family had owned near the sea was something very close to her, for many different reasons. Choosing the place for her blink ability felt right to her and she wouldn’t leave the barren ledge as it was. There was enough space to make something, build something. A place to rest and to recover, should that time ever come again.

Ilea reached Ravenhall half an hour later, flying up and through the mountain chain at her top speed. The suns had nearly set already when she reached the entrance to the Shadow’s Hand.

‘Now let’s see how useful the skill really is...’ she thought as she concentrated on Hunter’s Sight. Immediately Ilea focused on a specific smell. She was sure it was his and quickly she followed its trail. It seemed obvious to her where the smell had been lingering longer. The trail led her out to Ravenhall and even out of it towards the forest she had walked through on her first arrival.

Deeper and deeper she went until she finally found him. Kyrian was standing in the middle of a pulsing circle of magic. Trees had been cut down and the snow below his feet was disturbed, intricate patterns were drawn into it and magic pulsed from it in a sickly green light. Sweat covered his brow and she watched as the light got brighter and brighter before with a flash, it vanished.

Kyrian was thrown back a little and wobbled on his legs before he held his head. “Nice show, need a healer?” Ilea commented from the side, startling him immediately.

“I thought you were a beast deciding on attacking.” he said after he registered the voice.

“Best moment to blow your magic and cripple yourself then smartass.” she said as she walked closer. Stepping into the circle, she stopped and walked back again, the smile on her face vanishing.

“I know...though the effects should linger for a while.” he said, looking at her for the first time. “Are you ok?” he asked, the effects of the curse vanished instantly after he quickly closed his eyes.

“I don’t n… need healing.” he said and walked closer to her, leaving the circle behind. “We wanted to get food right?”

Ilea looked at him and nodded. ‘I can’t space out like that whenever I get cursed...’ she thought and answered his question.

“Yea, let’s look for Eve. I have a feeling she’s somewhere in Ravenhall and not Viscera.” she said, turning around. Her buffs came active and she blinked away, her heart beat first accelerating and then slowing down because of her buffs.

“What the hell, you dipshit!!” Ilea shouted as the reason for her sudden teleport started giggling and then outright laughing.

“Got you!” Eve said, after she had stopped laughing.

“You’re sent a clone after me?” Ilea asked as she walked closer to the two. Kyrian’s reaction had been much more subdued though Ilea had missed it in her flight.

“They’re illusions. And no, this is me.” Eve said and smirked.

“I can’t perceive you...” Ilea said, trying to see the woman with her sphere. There was nothing there, no matter and no smell. She didn’t even hear her.

Eve grinned as she locked eyes with Ilea. “I think I figured your skill out…” she said and giggled again.

“I swear if I find you in my room again...” Ilea said and continued to focus on the place where her eyes told her the woman was standing. Slowly she realized something. Though her skill couldn’t see her directly, she noticed the air flow was different around her. There was weight pressing down on the snow below Eve’s feet and where there was the smell of trees and snow around her, there was nothing where Eve stood.

‘God, now I have to focus on things like that too...’ Ilea thought and sighed, before shaking her head.

Eve’s smile turned into a frown. “You found a way to see me?” she asked and Ilea shook her head.

“It’s more that I can see the absence of you if that explains it. Maybe you should try to blend in better. Invisible yet not leaving a void. Like a chameleon.” Ilea explained, asking herself why she helped the woman hide even better.

“What’s a c...chameleon?” Kyrian asked from the side but Eve seemed to have understood the meaning.

“I’ll try though I think it’s gonna take me a while...perception skills like you have are pretty rare though, as is mental resistance.” she said, smiling at Ilea.

“Let’s go eat.” Ilea said, tired of being cursed and sneaked upon.

“I suggest Ravenhall itself and I have some restaurants I like already but I’m open for suggestions. Haven’t tried nearly all of them yet.” Ilea explained as the three walked back out of the forest and towards the city.

“How long have you been here? I have a really nice place in mind!” Eve said, lifting her arms to signal her good idea. At least that was what Ilea thought it meant.

“I… might n...not be able to pay that.” Kyrian said from the side and Ilea frowned.

“First off, I’ve been here a couple days so it’s only reasonable that I haven’t tried all the restaurants Eve. And Kyrian, how the fuck do you not have money for food? You’re level 204, you probably get paid more for a single day’s work than most of the people in the city get for a year...” Ilea said. She knew he likely couldn’t pay the Hand and was now in debt but it was food they were talking about.

“It’s more a saving strategy. I’d rather not waste money on luxuries and be done with paying my debt earlier.” Kyrian explained and Ilea nodded, seeing some sort of sense in his actions. She for one would never try to save on food, though remembering her solo days on earth without the financial support of her family made her question her thinking.

“I’ll invite you then and I won’t accept a no.” she said and the man looked at her briefly. “I said N O.” Ilea said and he closed his mouth again, continuing in silence.

“So how’d you guys get here?? Why join the hand and how’d you get to level 200?!” Eve asked as they approached the city gate. Ilea handed the guard a couple silver coins before they were let in, getting a look from Kyrian.

“Let’s wait with the socializing until I have food in front of me, ok?” Ilea asked a minute later, walking behind the woman as she led them to her restaurant of choice. It turned out to be an incredibly high class place. The building itself was already decorated and styled quite more intricately than most buildings in Ravenhall.

The inside didn’t disappoint either though Ilea wasn’t sure if she arrived in a restaurant or an art gallery. There were paintings on all walls and even some structures behind barriers. Magical ones at that.

“I really really like that piece...” Eve commented on the abstract looking piece Ilea was staring at. To Ilea it looked like several miniature beams of metal were melted into some sort of star or sea mine.

“I don’t get art.” she said and looked back towards Eve. She wondered how the woman hadn’t stolen everything in this place yet. Looking back at the piece Ilea wondered how the art looked modern, at least what would likely be considered modern on earth. ‘I’m glad they haven’t discovered guns yet...’ she thought, wondering if her speed and reflexes would allow her to dodge a bullet from a modern rifle already and how much damage it would do to her skin or armor. It was hard to tell how much the previously encountered Taleen machinery differed.

“...depends on the caliber...” she mumbled when an attendant walked towards the standing group.

“Aaah, miss Aillan. I am glad to see you back and you’ve brought… company.” the last word was obviously meant as an insult though as Ilea looked at the man she was convinced he didn’t mean it to attack them. It was a simple fact to him that Ilea and Kyrian were lesser beings.

‘Maybe he’s a demon of art...’ Ilea thought and smiled at the man.

“Filemon my dear. I apologize terribly for their attire though it couldn’t be helped. I’ve joined the Hand today and they were assigned to me. I will do my utmost to teach them, do not be concerned.” Eve said while walking around the man and winking at her two waiting team members.

Filemon seemed to be torn between pity and sadness as he looked at the guests. “Alright, alright. Follow me please. Your usual space?” he asked and Eve confirmed with a gesture.

“He’s very sensitive.” she whispered to Ilea and Kyrian.

The group was led upstairs and then towards a corner of the room. Their table was set a little higher than the middle of the room which was a opened up, though Ilea wasn’t sure for what. A dance floor perhaps. At least they could see the whole room and all of the art spaced around it and on its walls.

Ilea had to agree that it looked nice. “How is the food though?” she asked, looking towards Eve who was whispering and giggling with Filemon.

“The food is exquisite my dear warrior.” Filemon turned and said to her, bowing slightly.

“I’d like to start with something you would suggest then. To get a taste.” Ilea said.

“With the refreshments then?” he asked towards the whole group.

“Yes please, some wine and ale as well if you would.” Eve said and Filemon nodded to her.

Ilea found the place to be a little empty, only a couple tables even occupied any customers. “How do they stay afloat?” Ilea asked, a little confused at an establishment like this placed in a rather rough city up in the snowy mountains.

“The hand houses some very rich members and the few who appreciate service and art like this finance the place themselves.” Eve explained, relaxing in her chair.

Chapter 86 Dinner

A note from Rhaegar

Next chapter should be released tomorrow Saturday.

Enjoy

">

Chapter 86 Dinner

“You’re one of them then?” Ilea asked.

“Well I’d like to but I’m also indebted to the Hand now. I have enough saved up to indulge here and there but certainly not enough to finance the place. Though I hear Wallace Urn frequents it as well so there’s nothing to worry about.” Eve said and smiled.

“Who’s that?” Ilea asked and Kyrian seemed to have the same question on his mind.

“Wow, you don’t even know the elders of the Shadow’s Hand? Well he’s one of them, then there’s Adam Strand, Verena Quil and two more whom’s names I don’t know.” she explained but quickly realized the others weren’t really listening.

“I know you don’t have food yet but back to my questions! I want to get to know you guys.” Eve said, rejoicing when Filemon came up to the table to serve drinks. He carefully placed a ridiculously large place with a small amount of food in the middle before Ilea.

‘What is that supposed to be...gourmet food?’ Ilea thought and looked at the artistically pleasing potato gratin with a crust of cheese on top and several herbs placed in a likely highly time consuming fashion. She took a fork and ate half of it in one bite. All eyes were on her when she closed her eyes and a low moan escaped her. She swallowed and slumped back in her chair before shivering a little. “Oh my god this is heaven. What did you do to this food?” Ilea asked the proud looking Filemon.

“We have a rather high level cook. Something that needs to be nurtured greatly and is incredibly rare.” he explained before Ilea finished the plate of food.

“What can I bring you? The card first I assume?” the waiter asked and Ilea shook her head.

“No, no not at all. I’d like to order everything. Twice.” she said and seemed to have burnt his circuits. A reboot of his brain later, he blinked and nodded.

“You are aware that an order like this will cost two gold and fifty two silver.” he said. Ilea quickly got her pouch from her backpack and handed over three gold coins.

“Yes please, and I’ll pay for the others as well. Drinks to be refilled whenever of course.” she said and the man nodded and took the money.

“As you wish my lady.” he said and left them, taking the empty plate with him.

“Well now we know who’s swimming in money! Are you a noble? Or perhaps you’re a robber trying to hide in the Shadow’s Hand? Hmm?” Eve asked.

Ilea looked at her and burped slightly, taking a sip from her glass of ale. Yes, actual glass. “Nah, I’m from a healing order from far away. Sold materials mostly to get my funds and some books actually. How have you not gotten a hundred gold yet? Especially you Kyrian? I sold a bunch of old books from my order and got thirty gold for that as far as I remember.” she asked.

“You’re from a healing order...from far away? Hah, liar. Though I’ll pry it out of you at some point.” Eve said and started to drink her wine.

“Equipment is expensive.” was Kyrian’s answer, making Ilea think he was hiding as much as she was. Or more.

“And you probably lack the funds because you frequent places like this...” Ilea said to Eve “… though I can’t imagine someone like you would have difficulties just stealing it.”

“I only steal from the ones that deserve it.” Eve said and continued her drinking.

“What about you Kyrian? Where are you from?” Eve asked after her cup was empty.

“I’m from Asila.” he answered.

“Uuuuh, that’s pretty far north. It’s near the sea right? Are you a noble, why join the hand?” she asked. Ilea doubted she’d get a lot out of the man but couldn’t deny her own curiosity. They would be her teammates after all.

“It is, near the sea… I’m n..not a noble. I reached level 200 quite quickly I hear and people told me I could learn and g...get to join a t..team in the Hand...” he said “...with other freaks...” the last part was whispered so silently that Ilea only caught it with her sphere and enhanced hearing, though she couldn’t quite understand why any of them would be called freaks. Perhaps out of fear for their power.

“Well that’s the common story then...how’d you reach lvl 200, found something you could use your curses on without retaliation?” Eve asked and filled her glass with wine again. Ilea didn’t plan to get even a little drunk that night and had Hunter Recovery on a small burn at all times. She did like the taste of the ale though.

“I joined an adventurer team and when we explored a new dungeon we discovered there was a second part to it...I was...I stayed...alone and, there were magical slimes only reacting to movement or the source of attacks...at least w...what I think. Using needles I threw first behind them and then towards them I managed to kill some of them. Though the first one took me eighteen hours to kill….” he explained.

“What was the level difference?” Ilea asked out of curiosity.

“M...me fifty, they a hundred and eighty...” he said. “I stayed there for months, leveling up though my s..skills leveled slower than my classes. It is good though as I now have the fighting classes.” he said and seemed genuinely happy about the classes.

‘Guess some had it easier than fighting drakes and Taleen guardians...bloody slimes?’ Ilea thought but didn’t say anything as she had learned in the monster class that some rather weak seeming monsters had some nasty abilities.

“How were they called?” Ilea asked, thinking on checking her encyclopedia at a later time.

“Dream slimes...” Eve cracked her glass at the name and spilled her wine.

“Ah shit.” she exclaimed, using a towel to dry her clothes and the table.

“It’s good then that you can level your skills here. Was the thing in the forest for leveling too?” Ilea asked, ignoring Eve’s reaction.

“Yes. But it’s hard to do on snow...lots of work on anything else though.” he explained.

“Speaking of his curses, what’s the story behind your reaction today Ilea? I don’t want to pry but there’s a story here.” Eve asked as Filemon joined their table again.

“Miss Eve and Mr, the standard seven course menu? The order of the mistress is nearly ready and I’d like to serve at the same time.” the waiter explained.

“Yes, that is alright. Thank you.” Eve said and focused back on Ilea.

“I was cursed in a fight and nearly died. Nothing more to say. At least for now.” Ilea said and was glad that Eve simply nodded and continued to drink wine. She noticed that Kyrian hadn’t touched neither ale nor wine.

“You don’t drink?” she asked and the man shook his head. “I can heal it’s effects...” Ilea said but Kyrian seemed skeptical. “Here, look.” Ilea said smirking and touched Eve’s food below the table, using her Hunter Recovery to remove the effects of the poisonous beverage in her body.

“WHAT!? What the hell are you doing? Stop that!” Eve exclaimed and skidded back with her chair. “Great, now the buzz is gone. Fantastic job healer girl. Wow.” she clapped sarcastically and Ilea decided not to get up and bow to the woman for her fantastic use of her abilities.

“See, it’s alright.” Ilea said but Kyrian still shook his head. Ilea looked at him and then dropped the subject, likely another reason for the man.

“What about you Eve? Where are you from, why are you here and how did you reach level 200, answer me or you die.” Ilea said to the woman who was filling up her glass again, still grumpy at the loss of her intoxication.

“You dare try and I’ll smash you through the table.” Eve answered but continued “I’m from a village in Lys actually been doing adventuring and other jobs here and there until lo and behold I reached level 200. I didn’t like any of the other possibilities then and the normal adventuring guild is super annoying when you’re level 200. Though I now owe money the Hand is much more easy to deal with.” she drank her whole cup in a single motion and filled it again. That one was emptied as well before she continued talking.

“As to how I reached the level, well as mentioned before many things don’t have mental resistance or a good enough perception skill to find me. As simple as that.” she said and smiled.

‘She said things...’ Ilea thought and smiled back though her eyes were cold, as were Eve’s. Nothing else was said as the food arrived then. Similarly huge plates again for all three. Ilea asked for some water or juice for Kyrian which he seemed grateful for, not someone keen on talking to waiters.

Eve and Kyrian talked about this and that but Ilea couldn’t help but be completely mesmerized by the dishes that came and went. Exotic dishes with tastes she had never experienced and seemingly ordinary things that had a twist to them she didn’t expect. She ate and ate until finally she found herself sitting again in front of the potato gratin.

“I’m done. That was the whole card. Once.” she said, looking up to the other two, Kyrian seemingly talking about preparing a fish to cook while Eve looked too drunk to really comprehend anything he was talking about.

“Welcome back I...Ilea.” Kyrian said and smiled a little, looking at her.

“Oh this is only temporary...I’ll be gone again soon. Are you done eating already?” she asked though he shook his head.

“I think we’re at four out of seven dishes. It really is an experience to eat here. I would like to talk to the chef later.” he said.

“Oh I’ll join you there… have to kiss that man, or woman.” Ilea said as she focused on her plate again.

Two hours later the table looked exactly the same. All of them had finished their meals and the only noticeable difference was Eve passed out on the table, though Ilea thought she looked rather cute, even the drool that came out of her mouth. She quickly patted it down with a napkin before taking a sip of her ale.

“Sure, I’ll join the attack sessions soon and you can level your curse resistance. I can remove it at will so you’ll just have to tell me when it’s t… too much.” Kyrian answered her previous question.

“I see you’re done. How was the food.” Filemon stood next to their table, looking at Eve with something akin to a fatherly look.

“Absolutely bloody amazing. Best I’ve ever eaten I think. Though the portion sizes are questionable.” Ilea answered his question.

“I’m glad to hear that. Though the portions aren’t negotiable.” the waiter answered.

“We’d like to meet the chef if possible. I want to thank them personally.” Ilea said though Filemon shook his head.

“I’m afraid that is not possible. She is very busy at the moment.” Filemon said though Ilea could perceive the light gulp he took and was even more determined to see the chef, a woman apparently.

“Of course, I understand.” Ilea said and sat back.

“You don’t seem disappointed...” Kyrian said after the waiter had left again.

“Oh, that’s because I’m going to meet her anyway.” Ilea said and smiled at the man before she vanished, appearing above the restaurant in the empty apartment that resided there. She blinked around and tried to find the kitchen with her sphere. Three telepots later she found it and inside, something peculiar. ‘Interesting...’ she thought and blinked right into the kitchen.

“Hello there.” she said and took in the view of the startled chef who raised a knife, aiming at Ilea.

“Wow you look cool, like a dragon or something.” the woman was covered in scales and had reptile like eyes that stared at Ilea. The knife came flying and was caught by the blade. Ilea found her to be a level 162 cook, something apparently rather rare. Considering it probably wasn’t a fighting class it seemed hard to level up such a class depending on the second class of course.

“Some of our kind would’ve killed you for that statement.” the woman said.

“Well you did throw a knife my way. Sorry for insulting you, first time I see one of your kind.” Ilea shrugged and put the knife on a nearby table. “More importantly though, you were the one preparing the meals? The two menus.”

“You mean you’re the one who ordered the whole card, twice...” the woman responded, though Ilea wasn’t sure how she felt about that order.

“Yes exactly, absolutely amazing. You’re a magician, an artist. I think I love you but I’d rather watch you make food and eat it than do you. You know what I mean?” Ilea said which got a laugh out of the cook.

“You’re a peculiar one for this establishment. Not that I dislike that. Name’s Kayla.” the cook replied.

“Keyla then, what would it cost me for you to prepare those meals. Specifically the potato gratin, the fish on wine sauce, the one with the green fruits and red meat, and of course the hummus like paste with the spicy yet sweet flavor. I would like for you to prepare bigger quantities though, more than those small plates. Is that a possibility?” Ilea asked, her words flowing out of her mouth as fast as she could think them up.

“Sure, my contract doesn’t prohibit something like that. Though they do try to keep me hidden away I think. For good reason.” Keyla said.

“Great. Make as much as you can of all that then. I’ll come daily before sundown to pick it up, how does that sound. Make more than I can eat.” Ilea said.

The woman chuckled “It would be sad for the food to go to waste.” she said but Ilea simply summoned a plate of food from one of the restaurants she had visited the days prior. It was hot and steamy still, nothing inside was overcooked.

“It’s fresh...a storage device then. I get it. Ok we can do something like that. It’s gonna cost you though. Less than the restaurant asks but the ingredients are rather cumbersome to get and my time invested plus the experience and my level raise the price as well of course.” Keyla explained.

Ilea summoned five gold coins and put them on the table. “Don’t worry, I’ll inform you when money becomes an issue. This is as an advance and show of trust.” Ilea said seriously “This is important to me, do not disappoint me Keyla.” she said and the woman nodded slowly, probably asking herself if this was a good idea.

Ilea blinked away and watched Keyla lean back on the counter she was working on before shaking her head and getting the money. ‘Got her...’ Ilea thought and smirked. She appeared next to Kyrian again and sat down, taking a sip of her ale with a winning smile.

“You met her?” Kyrian asked and she just looked at him.

“Do you know where Eve lives?” Ilea asked him but he shook his head. “Should we just leave her like this?” Ilea asked but decided to use her healing spell to at least prevent a headache for Eve the net morning. She waved towards Filemon who promptly walked towards them.

“I’m assuming this isn’t the first time she did this?” Ilea asked while healing Eve’s intoxicated body. “Where do you take her usually?”

“Don’t worry about her, I’ll take care of it. She has a room above.” he said. Ilea didn’t respond and finished her healing before sitting back, emptying her glass of ale.

“That was nice, should we go then?” she asked Kyrian who nodded.

The two bid farewell to Filemon and walked out into the cold city, the snow crunching below their boots. “I’m gonna check on her. Take care and see you tomorrow.” she said to Kyrian, locking eyes with him quickly.

“Thank you for the food. And y… yes, see you tomorrow.” he said and walked off towards the Shadow’s Hand. Ilea smiled as she watched his lips twitch upwards several times before he left her sphere of perception. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her specifically, or for some other reason. Like a sinister plan that seemed to be going well. Ilea stopped the strain of thoughts and looked upwards, before blinking twice and landing in the attic of the house.

The apartment below held two rooms with beds in them and she didn’t have to wait long until she perceived Filemon entering the apartment, carrying Eve to one of the beds. He put her down on the soft mattress and went to get a wet towel to cool her head. He tucked her in before kissing her on the forehead.

Ilea sighed and smiled. ‘Trust, but verify...’ she thought and watched him quietly close the room before she blinked away into the night, running towards the Shadow’s Hand and her new home.

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Patreon if you feel like supporting me and/or reading ahead

">.

Chapter 87 A Knowing Trade

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, hope you enjoy the chapter

">.

Next ones probably next Friday or Saturday, depending on when I get back.

Hope you all have a nice week.

Chapter 87 A Knowing Trade

Ilea couldn’t sleep quite as long as she wanted that night, too much to think about from the past couple days. She was lying in bed smiling though, glad to have found a place to stay and perhaps some people she could stay with for a while.

“I think I like them Aki.” Ilea said to the dagger stuck in the ceiling.

“I think you liked the food the most.” he replied.

“Ah yes, that as well, what a magnificent cook. You know about their race?” she asked.

“No, I have not seen anything like it before.”

“Interesting. I’ll definitely ask the others to do some more training after the classes though. If feel like at least Kyrian would be up for that. Maybe even that noble, he seemed to enjoy the bouts.” she said.

“I think he tried to kill you.” Aki answered.

“Even better, means there’s actual danger. I didn’t necessarily try to kill the man but I did punch him into unconsciousness in the first fight.” Ilea said, grinning.

“So this is the fabled battle maniac...I have certainly heard of your kind but none of my wielders so far was quite the same.” Aki commented.

“Really? Not a single one? I would assume elves would be exactly that, considering the ones I’ve fought so far.”

“I would assume you have fought young elves, impulsive, uncontrolled and angry. It usually changes over time though looking from a human moral standpoint they don’t necessarily become better.” Aki explained.

“Perhaps, yes. Though humans are shit too, greedy and evil. I honestly don’t think we’re much better but I know little of what elves actually do except for genocide. Which again is not something only they do. Humans are exceptional at it as well.” Ilea said, getting up from her bed.

“True, though I have seen only very rare occasions of elves treating someone or something weaker with anything but disregard. There are some humans who are different. At least from what I’ve seen.” Aki said and continued as Ilea got him out of the ceiling. “Where are we going? It’s hours until noon.

“I’m not tired and I can’t go train. Maybe some music?” Ilea asked.

“Whatever you like.” Aki answered, though Ilea just held the dagger up to her face.

“What do You like Aki?” she asked and waited for a response.

“You’re asking your dagger what it likes?” the piece of metal replied.

“Yes I am. Done weirder things since I’m in Elos, so what is it?”

“Since you’re in Elos? What do you mean?” the question wasn’t surprising. The dagger certainly picked up on things quickly and Ilea was prone to let something slip at some point.

“I’ll come to that at a later time, ok? So what do you want to do?” Ilea didn’t mind much that Aki now had an idea that she was from somewhere other than this continent. He probably had assumed as much already.

“How about books?” Aki said after being quiet for half a minute.

“Like reading, or stabbing them?” Ilea joked and walked towards the door.

“You know the answer girl...” the reply came while she opened the door. She of course knew that Aki wanted nothing more than to stab a good book.

Viscera felt alive even this late into the night. Of course the magical lights above never wavered and with the rich adventurers the influx of new musicians and other artists and salespeople never stopped. Though Ilea was sure there was a certain rotation with Ravenhall going on. It was doubtful someone would travel through the mountains just to play or sell in Viscera.

Seeing some of the wares and people thought, Ilea doubted her thinking a little. Perhaps it was just that profitable.

This time the person manning the reception seemed to be fighting off sleep. It was night outside and Ilea was glad again that she needed less and less sleep to stay functioning. “Hey, anybody there?” she asked the woman who blinked her eyes open in shock.

Ilea touched her arm and started to heal her in an attempt to wake her up but realized that the warm feeling might not be what the woman needed right now. “Y...Yes, what can I do for you.” she finally said.

“Where’s the library.” Ilea asked and the woman pointed towards Viscera.

“Down and then the right most elevator up.” she said and continued to blink her eyes.

‘These positions with a chance to become a member are really looked for… or maybe she just parties too much.’ Ilea thought and walked back to the town. Ready to find some new questions and perhaps some answers as well.

“Ilea Spears. Yes, quite an impressive evaluation you had and yesterday were your first classes?” the man sitting in front of her said. “You are a paid member so you will have full access to the base level of the library. Any specialized information will cost you.” the man explained.

“Oh don’t worry about that...” Ilea said, walking around the room, thinking that Eve would like it here quite a lot. It was dark in the room, quite unlike the white stone most of Viscera seemed to be built with. The stone was nearly black and there were structures in the room made from the same material. A multitude of angled blue tinted windows let some of the magical light inside from the great cave that was Viscera.

Though traveling with the elevator had put Ilea quite a bit above the ground level of the city, at least the level of the last staircase.

“I am not talking about gold, miss Ilea.” the man said, his gaze hovering a little above his spectacles. “I am talking about knowledge.” he finished.

“I assume any kind of knowledge, though an oral testimony won’t be enough I assume?” Ilea asked, getting a slight smile from the man.

“No, quite so.” he said, putting down the pen he was writing with, leaning back in his massive chair. Ilea could see the leather and wood strain, keeping his weight at bay. She smiled, knowing that she wasn’t talking with the average librarian. The question marks upon her identification underlined that thought.

“And what about the knowledge I get? How do I trust that you’re not gonna tell other people what I might ask?” Ilea said, walking closer to the table again.

“That is knowledge as well my dear. And for the right price, one might acquire it. Though depending on what you have to share I can ensure you will get a one year period where your questions will stay locked. For anyone but me.” the way he talked Ilea was sure there was no way to haggle with the man, his word was final.

“Interesting. Well for now I’m here to say hello. You already have my name, what will yours cost?” Ilea said, smirking at the man. She was quite happy to find he repeated the gesture.

“That, is free. I am Dagon Keywire. Humble, librarian of this fine guild. Head librarian I might add, though it does not matter. We are in the pursuit of knowledge and such titles hold little meaning. I am happy to welcome you in the guild.” Ilea stared at him before turning around and walking towards the windows.

“I quite like these windows Head librarian Keywire. Where might I find the maker?” Ilea asked, touching the glass.

“Dagon is quite alright. Another free piece of advice Miss Spears. In Viscera, asking for a name is no issue… usually. Though be careful with members of the hand you encounter in the wild. They might take, offense. An outdated and unreasonable tradition they hold on, though many enjoy the reverie they are viewed in. An image, nothing more.” the man explained “The maker of this glass I would have to search, what piece of knowledge or artifact will you trade for a name and location, should the being still exist?”

“I was told that before...doesn’t seem to be an issue though. You take artifacts as well then, is that the reason why you welcome me so warmly?” Ilea said and walked back to the man.

“That is another piece of knowledge, yet I have yet to receive any compensation Miss Spears.”

“Ilea is quite fine on my side as well Dagon. Now how much is the knowledge worth that I own a storage item?” Ilea said and the man perked up.

“Not a lot.” he paused and looked at her in an evaluating way. “You are in Viscera now. There’s a high chance some others have the same. Though it is a piece of information I have yet to see proof.” he said.

Ilea checked with her Sphere but found nobody else to be in her range. She quickly summoned the damaged Legate Guardian helmet she still held in her necklace. It appeared in her hand and she placed it on the table. “It holds little use for me anymore but it is an artifact. One likely over a thousand years old. And you have proof of my necklace. I intend to have the year period of silence about it’s existence as well.” Ilea said.

The man extended his rather big hands and grabbed the helmet from its place on the table. Dagon examined the piece of armor and then grunted approvingly. “Yes, it’s real. Quite a find. I’ve only ever heard of the rank Legate, though to have found a piece of armor. Quite exceptional. The Taleen are still rather shrouded, and I find it infuriating how little of the hoarded knowledge is shared with the guild.” he said and continued, the helmet vanishing from his hand.

“The silence is of course guaranteed, for a year. Nothing longer than that can be bought. Not from me at least. The maker of the glass lives in Ravenhall, quite a nice glass mage and artist. Elvon Isar. I am an opportunist and yes, the chance of you finding knowledge is a big part of why I welcome you. Though I am not here to deceive you. I trade knowledge for knowledge, as simple as that.” Dagon said.

“The artifact you gave is of rare quality but its historical value far exceeds its quality as a piece of equipment. You may still ask some questions. The year of silence is guaranteed for anyhting you may ask. The answer might cost more.” the librarian finished.

“May I come back with those questions? I have more things to share with you as well of course.” Ilea asked. Dagon closed his eyes and nodded lightly. “For one that you’re quite a bit more heavy than you seem. And I assume you move a bit faster as you seem as well.” Ilea said and smirked. Dagon smiled back at her as she left the room.

“I will look forward to it.” he said after her.

“Do you think I can trust him? To stand to his word?” Ilea asked while descending the elevator.

“Every man has a price. Though he seems to be very open with his. The question is if the year of silence is anything to trust.” Aki said and continued. “Though who would want to know about your secrets? What will you want to ask him?”

Ilea stayed quiet for a while but ultimately answered. “There’s a low chance of anybody caring. Or of anybody being a danger to me that finds out but I tend to overshare and trust too easily. I at least want to ask around a little before I ask some of the riskier questions to a shady librarian working for a guild of shadowed adventurers.”

“They’re mercenaries. You, are a mercenary.” Aki said.

“It’s basically the same.” Ilea answered and exited the elevator. ‘Who should I ask though, there’s nobody here I really trust… ‘ she thought and walked upwards towards Ravenhall. ‘Next best thing then...’ her Hunter’s Sight came in handy again and a couple minutes later she stood in front of an office and knocked.

“Come in.” the man said, Ilea blinking inside immediately. “Oh, the new initiate. What is it?” William asked, looking up from the paper he was writing on.

“I was wondering about Dagon Keywire and his knowledge trading.” Ilea said.

“You’re rather upfront. You don’t trust the man? I assure you the guild is no exception to his year of silence. Though the knowledge not protected by his dubious vow is open to us. I have not yet seen any exception being made but you have nothing more than my word.” he immediately understood and answered Ilea’s question. She couldn’t find any obvious tells of him lying but then again it all could be a ploy.

She sighed and looked towards the ceiling. “This is annoying.” she exclaimed. The chuckling coming from William surprised her as he didn’t seem the type of person to do that, ever.

“Well, being at your level of strength will bring knowledge and questions that will put yourself or others in danger. Trust me everybody here shares the sentiment. It’s for you to evaluate what is save to share and what risk is worth taking.” he explained.

“Why did you answer? And why chuckle?” Ilea asked as she focused on the man again.

“The answer is because you seem genuine. I am with the guild and every member can expect a measure of support from me. For the second question, that is not something I’d share with you or Dagon for that matter.” he said, his face serious again.

“Aight, thanks anyway.” she said and the man motioned for her to leave.

‘One more I guess...’ Ilea thought and walked around the entrance hall before she finally decided on someone.

“Yea, he’s fine. Never heard of anybody getting anything out of him that is under his year of silence. Not for a lack of trying. One noble woman even offered him a storage ring and access to their whole library for some piece of knowledge. Heard she left angrily. Nobody’s heard of her since then. Some say she came back to force it out of Dagon but I’ve yet to hear anything more than rumors. All I know he takes his vows seriously.” Liam said, taking a sip of the mead Ilea had brought the man.

He had been sitting alone on a table in one of the pubs, listening to the live music. “What do you want to ask him?”

“I’m looking for someone. Heard the name is pretty influential. Just trying to keep somewhat of a low profile.” Ilea said, making him choke on his drink. “What?”

“Hahaha, well and you tell me that? Oh well as long as you don’t tell me the name too!” he put the mug down. “What’s the name?” he whispered.

“Fuck off.” she waved the obviously drunk man off and drank from her own mug, leaning back onto the bench and enjoying the singing voices. ‘Quite different than what’s played in earthen pubs...’ she thought but didn’t dislike the change.

“You like this bar and the music?” she asked, half listening to the response.

“It’s peaceful. Yes.” Liam said. Ilea quickly looked at his eyes, unfocused from the alcohol but intently locked on the musicians.

“Thanks for the help.” she said, smiling at him and got up. Looking at him woke a certain urge in Ilea though she didn’t plan on engaging with anybody for now. If only she had a way to get to the Root and find that waitress again. ‘Now to help myself...’ she thought and went back to her apartment.

The door closed behind her and both her clothes and Aki vanished into her necklace. The next hour was quite relaxing though she did miss the convenience of batteries. ‘Maybe there’s a literal magic wand for that...’ she thought, panting in her bed after she had finally reached her climax. The last ten minutes felt more like work than anything else.

Ilea’s clothes came back on as did the sentient dagger fill its sheath again as she got up from her bed.

“I know what you did.” Aki said.

“Don’t tell me you have a libido. Should I ram you into the wall repeatedly?”

“Hah.” Aki’s answer didn’t quite resolve the mystery but Ilea had other questions to ask. And not to her magical dagger. She thought about leaving him in her necklace while she spoke to Dagon but in the end didn’t think it necessary. He had not revealed himself among all the people she’d been with so far and had been providing her with advice and answers, while being a dry sarcastic little shit. Of course for Ilea that wasn’t a negative.

“So she returns. Did you find me trustworthy after all?” Dagon asked, looking over his glasses at the entering woman.

“Well I seem to be the only one around here so I’m not so sure anymore.” Ilea commented as she entered the room.

“It’s been a slow week. I presume it has to do with the elven attacks. Many are out there fighting. Nearly all who remain are new members of the guild and Viscera has draws that many deem more engaging than a library or the trade of knowledge.” Dagon explained.

“Yes, those. Well I have some questions then. I assume people can’t listen in, at least with known skills.”

“Not anymore.” Dagon said and Ilea was immediately on alert as her Sphere cut off on the edges of the room.

“So you too? A very valuable skill to have thought I cannot discern it’s exact powers with that reaction alone.” Dagon commented. Ilea was a little annoyed that he had seen her reaction but it wasn’t a common thing for her Sphere to be cut off. So far only the library wall in Salia managed it and of course Eve.

A note from Rhaegar

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Chapter 88 Questions

A note from Rhaegar

Back, more chapters coming on the weekend.

Chapter 88 Questions

“Alright, to the questions then. I assume I don’t get anything for you knowing about my ability?” she asked but his slight smile gave her enough of an answer. A no, that is.

“I’m looking for Edwin Redleaf. I want to know everything you have on him. There’s more where that helmet came from.” Ilea said. She decided that Edwin would be the first thing she’d ask about, both to find out how much she could get with her artifacts but also to see how much Dagon could actually help her out.

“Yes, very interesting. That is certainly a good reason to verify my trustworthiness. Well for one, you’re not the first one to come looking here for him. It’s been a couple years though so you’re late. The information I have is definitely outdated.” Dagon said.

“So you know him. Well I might have some newer information on him as well but I’ll decide on what to share after you tell me some more. Also about his sister, Felicia Redleaf. Start with their family and where they come from.” Ilea carefully studied the man’s reaction but couldn’t discern anything abnormal.

“Now I really want to know why you’re looking for him if you don’t even know that much.” he said and took off his spectacles. “The Redleafs are a noble house from Lys, the empire you’re standing in. Not a small one at that, I’d estimate their influence to be at least in the top four or five houses. In Lys at least. Edwin is one of the sons of the current head which makes Felicia his sister.”

“So he’s in line to take over?” Ilea asked.

“No, not at all. Direct ascendancy doesn’t matter for the Redleafs, as long as it’s anybody in the family. I’m afraid not even I know exactly how they chose their new heads. It’s been sixty four years since Arthur Redleaf took over as head, Edwin’s father. His grandfather was not the head before, which is why I draw the conclusion.” he said.

“Where do they reside?”

“The capital, Virilya. As do all other big noble houses. Though they have many strongholds throughout Lys so you might find it difficult to find him there. Especially since he’s vanished around eight years ago. As did his sister. The Redleafs have been looking for him ever since, with more and less concealed measures. They never mentioned any reason but my theory is that he simply left the house on bad terms for one reason or the other. Now of course he holds a lot of their secrets and is a liability. Enough for them to track him down. The same could be said about his sister but all the requests and information gathering by the house has focused on him, so I assume it’s him that is the rogue part.” he paused and let Ilea process the information.

“It is mere speculation by me of course and I won’t be able to help you in finding him. Neither do I have any information on his abilities or level at the time.” Dagon finished.

“Helpful, but not quite as helpful as I had hoped for. Do you have information about the people that asked for him before?” Ilea said.

“I do have some.” he said and started writing on a sheet of paper that had appeared in his hand. “Names and locations, some even requested anybody looking for him to contact them. Information about his whereabouts are paid rather well I might add. This is what you get for the helmet. There are no more names to add to the list and I have nothing else on him, except you’re interested in his history.”

“If it doesn’t answer why he left the house then no, not particularly interested. Nothing on Felicia either?” Ilea took the paper, quickly looked it over and made it vanish.

“I’m afraid not. The high nobles of Lys can be incredibly secretive. And few of them travel to the Hand. Fewer even share any knowledge with me.” he said and Ilea thought to hear disappointment in his tone.

“I’ll look for these people then. At least something helpful.” Ilea said and summoned the rest of the damaged Legate Guardian armor.

“The whole set! Marvelous.” Dagon commented and quickly made the whole thing vanish before the woman could change her mind.

“I would like to know about other realms. Worlds here but not here. I have talked to a man who claimed to be from a different land, where magic was nonexistent, no levels or stats were known to him and machines and technology ruled everything. It was intriguing to me but when I looked for him the next day he had vanished. I am good at finding people but he was gone. The thought of traveling through realms has never left me since.” she finished, rather proud of her made up narrative, perhaps he would see through it but perhaps he wouldn’t either.

Dagon scratched the short beard on his chin, looking deeply into her eyes. “There are stories. A lot of stories. There is likely a demon realm, they have to come from somewhere after all but scholars debate about its existence still. Additionally there is talk of the realm of the dead. It depends on the religion you look at there. A realm of the gods and even one of the dragons. None of it is based on any proof I have. I know that demons exist, and the undead. I have yet to see a dragon and hope to never encounter one but I am certain they exist. Gods I am not sure about either.” he was still scratching his beard.

“The world you speak of is something else. Levels and magic is ingrained in all of existence, or so I thought. It’s a completely abstract idea but certainly interesting. I can see how the topic didn’t leave you. There are non magical ways to power machines but they are inefficient compared to mana. The equality in a society without magic would be astounding though.” he said but then shook his head.

“No, better armor and gold would simply become much more influential when personal power is equalized. Though without magic and levels...yes I can see how it could work. I will look through historical and fictional literature to see if anything comes up. I’ll have you inform if I find anything.” Dagon finished. Ilea was quite glad that the man seemed immediately invested in her pursuit, if only for his personal interest.

“Do that. Now I have questions about classes. How much will the armor cover still?” Ilea asked.

“If I find out anything substantial about this realm you speak of, then I will inform you about the cost. You may still continue to ask.”

“All of this is under this year of silence vow of yours?” Ilea wanted to make sure.

“Yes.”

“Alright, and so will be the next questions. I want to know about the Ash Wielder class and possible advancements at level 200.” she said.

“Ash Wielder. Yes, that would fit you. The last reported Ash Wielder joined the hand three hundred and thirty years ago.”

“Luckily for you the man traded some of his class information in. Now the armor you have provided is certainly enough for me to give you the information but not for the year guarantee. So should anybody care enough, they would find out that you asked about the class.” Dagon explained.

“Can I hear it and then decide if I want to get your vow or not?” the man nodded to her question.

“Certainly.” The man said and smiled, giving Ilea the idea that this must be a good way for him to get the highly guarded information. Desperate customers accept worse prices after all. Ilea motioned for him to continue, she had enough things in her storage device that were likely valuable enough for the man. And having someone know her class wouldn’t be the worst of all possible outcomes.

‘They’ll probably know one way or the other with all the people who have seen me fight so far. Not the exact name though perhaps…’ she thought.

“There are three advancement options at level 200 that I know of. Be aware that I have no hard proof for this but all three classes have been confirmed by three people in the past eight hundred years.” Dagon said, getting back her attention. “The first one is Ashen Warrior and likely the easiest one to get. The sources didn’t go into specifics on the requirements here but told me if you had the Ash Wielder class, you’d have this one pretty much guaranteed.”

“It’s a simple advancement of the skills Ash Wielder already provides. Now I believe the last Ash Wielder I talked to was a mage and not like you a warrior. So I think the class he chose finally would not be very beneficial to you. The name was Embered Hand of Sarin. I do not know of Sarin and not for a lack of looking. It wasn’t something related to the man I believe as I have documentation on another Ash Wielder receiving the class. A god or demon perhaps or maybe even a place. If you choose the class, I’d be more than willing to trade for any information on it.” the man paused, likely to show how important that piece of information would be to him.

“As they told me the class skills turn into a long range style and it’s primarily a support class for a main mage class, enhancing whatever magic one was using primarily. The way you look I don’t think you would be choosing that one, although it was supposed to be superior to the others.”

“Now the third and last class possibility I know of was called Ashen Mist and as far as I was informed it mostly changed all skills to a more rogue like style. I have asked all Ash Wielders I’ve talked to about the specific requirements for each class but they wouldn’t share. I believe you will have one or the other available as long as you have used your skills often enough. Perhaps some specific deeds would unlock more possibilities but I’m afraid I do not know.” Dagon finished.

‘That is surprisingly unhelpful… he did provide information on possible advancements but the latter two don’t seem very useful to me and the first one is a simple advancement. It’s even called the same as the passive skill… very underwhelming.’ Ilea thought and scratched the side of her head. ‘Well I guess I’ll get something and leveling the skills as high as possible can’t do anything but help me.’ she looked at the ceiling and decided not to give the man any more information or artifacts. Should anybody care enough to ask, they’d know she was an Ash Wielder.

‘As soon as they see me fight that secret is out anyway. The price seems too high. Although I do have a lot of dwarven weapons left that I probably won’t need anytime soon. Especially with Balduur working on some specialized gear...’

“You said you’ve met several of the Ash Wielders, how old exactly are you?” Ilea asked, suddenly curious as to the nature of the man. Perhaps he was no man at all.

“That is a piece of information that costs quite a lot. And a lot more than what you’d get out of it. A personal price perhaps but even I have my secrets.” Dagon said.

‘That’s literally all you have...’ she thought and asked the next question that came up during his explanations of the class possibilities.

“You mentioned Sarin or something. I’ve killed some things with specialized class names like that, what do they mean? People can be simple warriors but how do the names come to be?” Ilea’s question of course stemmed heavily from her own knowledge of the Azarinth classes. An order of healers influencing the world enough to become its own class?

“Yes, the higher level one attains, the higher the chance of a class being more specialized. The more influential or powerful a group of people or even single person is, the higher the chance of bringing a new class into the world. I hear the empress of Lys has guards with classes unique to them, mere speculation and whispers of course but history will likely tell of them in decades to come.” Dagon said before a cup with a steamy liquid inside suddenly appeared before him. Taking a sip he continued.

“There have been many a group of people becoming influential enough for their own classes to be born. Said classes come up again today from time to time even though the group has been extinct for millenia.” Dagon explained, looking at her with a smirk and a questioning look in his eyes.

‘You’re not getting that one old man.’ Ilea thought and trained her poker face. No new skill appeared though.

“Certainly interesting. Will this suffice as payment.” she said and summoned three Taleen swords of high quality. Dagon nodded, satisfied and made the weapons vanish.

“You have brought me some interesting items. What else have you found in the Taleen Dungeon you were in?” the man asked and leaned forward “I’m sure to pay you well.” he finished and stared into her eyes.

“Perhaps if I find more questions to ask. Or perhaps there are some questions I should be asking?” Ilea said. Dagon took a quick sip of his tea, identified by its scent.

“Those you will have to find yourself.” he said but Ilea was sure that he would’ve helped her out if he thought any information vital to her. Somebody looking for her for example or something dangerous about her teammates or classes.

“Then I’m sure we’ll meet again, Dagon.”

“Ilea.” he said and continued to drink his tea while she made her way back towards the elevator.

“This place does yield a lot.” Ilea said to Aki, lying in her bed. Not the one provided to her but the one she had specifically bought. It had been placed in the middle of her room. The Drake feathers were incredibly comfortable but Ilea questioned the quality difference compared to something much much more affordable.

She couldn’t say the same thing about the gourmet food Keyla managed to whip up but maybe there was no level 160 bedmaker out there. “How long until the next team fighting class starts?” she asked and her dagger answered. Ilea still wasn’t sure if the times were made up or if the dagger somehow had an ability to know the exact time. The provided frames so far felt accurate enough to her so she decided to trust him.

“This other realm you spoke of. Is that where you’re from?” Aki asked suddenly and Ilea was glad her eyes had been closed when the question came. She simply summoned her encyclopedia of monsters and started reading, completely ignoring the dagger’s question.

The hours passed as Ilea first worked herself through a part of the monster encyclopedia and then read a part of a novel she had from Salia and to finish it off a book about natural wonders in Elos. Many of them seemed worth a trip at least and Ilea marked them as accurately as she could on her map. The book seemed old and the descriptions were scarce. The artists who had worked on it at least knew what they were doing, providing most of the reasons Ilea wanted to visit the sites. The bowls and plates of empty food next to Ilea’s Drake bed spoke for themselves and were quickly put back into her necklace as soon as her time alone was coming to an end.

The bed followed and finally Aki was put into his sheath. The two walked out of her apartment and soon found themselves descending down towards the training area of Viscera. At least where the team fighting exercise of team 34 was supposed to be held.

Ilea walked through the corridor and quickly blinked inside the training hall they had been using the day before. “Heyo!” she shouted towards the people already present. Everyone except Eve. Ilea wondered if the woman was perhaps still sleeping off the alcohol from the day before.

Kyrian nodded towards her, as did Claire. Trian didn’t as much as turn towards her but Ilea was sure he was thrilled to see her. His outfit today was smashing again, putting everybody else to shame with their plain armor. This time it was white and red. Kyrian had the same armor on that he did the day before. Light black leather that looked easy to move in.

Claire had a mix of robes and armor. It looked heavier than what both Trian and Kyrian were wearing. Ilea wasn’t sure this was their best equipment. With Trian at least she though he had better gear stashed away. ‘He does have a storage device...one of the few things we seem to have in common.’ she thought as she joined the others.

Joseph was nowhere to be seen and the three people already present seemed to be unsure of how to proceed. “Should we start already? Me and Trian, Kyrian and Claire? Until the others join us?”

“Perfect, as much as you’re irritating you at least get to the point.” Trian said and teleported away, appearing and activating his skills. Ilea waved to the other two who seemed a little overwhelmed and blinked away as well, State of Azarinth and Form of Ember coming to life before a shroud of ash ensnared her.

Continuing where they left off, Ilea was the one attacking, ash surging in all directions around her as she tried to disturb his vision. The first bolts of red lightning landed around her as she ran through the mist of ash, a big grin on her face, her black hair pushed away by the explosions of stone around her.

Chapter 89 Shields and Explosions

A note from Rhaegar

Hello all, hope you're having an alright weekend. Next chapter probably tomorrow.

Enjoy reading and don't forget to back up your data. Also hydrate.

Chapter 89 Shields and Explosions

It only took the span of ten minutes for both Joseph and Eve to arrive but Ilea was already so immersed in the fight, she only noticed them as potential dangers through her Sphere. Lightning roared on, piercing the ash surrounding the fighters, both of them vanishing and appearing, clashing and disengaging.

Joseph just let them fight and would include them in the plans for today’s classes as soon as they would reach their first mana exhaustion. ‘It’s not them that I have to teach much either...’ he thought and walked towards the fighting Kyrian and Claire, a much less explosive encounter. Dangerous mages nonetheless but he felt they were lacking the edge Ilea and Trian already possessed.

“You two, incorporate Eve in your fighting while I build today’s training ground. Try to get moving a little more. Getting injured is fine, we have a healer.” he exclaimed to the two, Eve joining them quickly.

His mana surged as he started molding the ground and walls of the training area, adding flair wherever he deemed necessary. Though nothing comparable to his work in Eregar’s Haven.

Fifteen minutes later he was done and checked on the team. Ilea and Trian had apparently stopped and the woman was taking care of Eve who had been badly hit by an explosion. Though it was nothing life threatening. Not with a healer around.

“Alright people, same drill as yesterday. Today we’ll do Eve and Trian attacking Ilea for the first hour. Kyrian and Claire to me.”

So the first hour passed. Both Eve and Trian enhanced their attacking power while Ilea improved her ability to defend and resist said attacks. Kyrian and Claire worked together to figure out more efficient and tactical ways to use their abilities as Joseph felt their control was more important at the moment compared to raw power. Both Ilea and Trian had excellent control of their powers and were using them in efficient ways already. They also seemed like they could incorporate a new way of fighting while they were facing an opponent.

Eve on the other hand was the best by far when it came to using her skills. Joseph thought that while her brute force was low, the skill she showed in using her abilities was much higher than anybody else in the team. Higher even than his own but he knew little about mind magic. The girl had a calculative way and he didn’t dare face her if life was on the line. Not on a battlefield that was anything more complex than a simple field.

The second hour was spent with bouts. This time Trian learned that Kyrian’s metal wasn’t just that and though nobody seemed to notice but he didn’t taunt Ilea about her crying anymore. Ilea enjoyed watching the fight and already saw massive improvements in Kyrian’s fighting. The spheres of metal expanded into disks that would block incoming attacks.

Lightning strikes were deflected to the ground and walls around the hall as Trian grew frustrated with the efficient defense. Additionally he only had his agility to dodge the incoming projectiles that resembled a storm more than anything else at that point. It was inevitable that he would get hit at some point and while his draining abilities were useful, curses were something else entirely.

Trian was slowed down soon as more and more of his body was filled with the cold sensation of the curse. His abilities failed him as time went on and Joseph quickly stopped the fight when Trian looked hungrily at Kyrian, knowing that what would’ve followed might’ve been difficult to heal. No matter who would have been at the receiving end.

Ilea pictured Trian teleporting into Kyrian’s range and lightning expanding from his body while the spheres of metal expanded into the form of a morning star’s end. Not a beautiful sight and likely not one Ilea could remedy with her healing ability. She was curious though and a small part of her urged the two to try, just to find out if she could still heal them. Hunter Recovery mentioned only her own body being healed from fatal wounds like that but perhaps there was a chance.

Ilea thought about the possibility of trying the ability in Riverwatch but the thought got her in a sour mood. A mood that would be helped by fighting against Claire. The second bout was called out by Joseph after he had talked to both Kyrian and Trian about their fight, possible changes in their skill usage and ways to improve. The man didn’t seem like a dangerous warrior or mage to Ilea but if anything he was experienced.

What impressed Ilea the most was his ability to explain shortcomings in a way that not even the noble Trian was offended, though more and more Ilea felt the man was less the noble stereotype than he pretended to be.

“Now Ilea and Claire. Please don’t use your full power from the start Ilea. Try to break through with reasonable power but let Claire use her skills as well. This is more about her than you. Do try to blink inside any barriers to test their making. Claire for you, try to hit her while defending. Use everything you have and good luck.” Joseph finished and stepped aside.

Ilea felt a little bad about his portrayal of Claire’s abilities but then again she did feel rather sure about winning, more so than against any of the other members of their team. Claire just seemed nonthreatening to her. She looked at Joseph who was watching from the side and perceived the smallest smirk on his lips. It clicked then and Ilea smiled as well.

‘This is about Claire, not me...’ she thought and moved into a much less aggressive stance. “Come on Claire. I’m gonna give you three free shots, not like you can hurt me anyway.” Ilea said while imitating a yawn. The woman didn’t show much of a reaction so Ilea simply waited.

Claire looked to Joseph and the others for help but none of them reacted in any way. She looked towards Ilea with an unsure expression on her face before she threw a rune inscribed rock towards her. It landed a meter away from Ilea and exploded in a flash of fire and force.

The dust settled and Ilea hadn’t even moved a single step away. Her training armor was singed at the side and her face was reddened but after her healing was activated, it quickly returned to normal. She hadn’t even used her Shroud of Ash to reduce the damage.

“Claire.” Ilea started and paused, looking directly into the woman’s eyes. “This is child’s play. Have you reached level 200 with attacks like that? Attack me! You’ve seen me fight Trian, I can take it.”

Claire nodded and her expression turned serious. This time four stones landed next to Ilea and the woman in front of her started drawing runes into the air before her. More and more formed before they were moved together. A pulse of force reached Ilea and the four stones closed in on her, exploding when they reached her armor. Ilea activated her Shroud of Ash in the last moment which took the brunt of the attack.

Ilea stood and the blood dripping from her arm quickly came to a stop as the light burns were healed. Impressive power, especially considering her Heat Resistance. The force of the explosion had likely done the most damage though.

“Not bad, not bad. Not enough though. Claire you’re not a paid member?” Ilea asked and seeing no reaction continued. “Well if you manage to take more than fifty percent of my health with the last attack I’ll pay your share, how about that?” Ilea finished. The woman’s reaction was something quite different than what Ilea had anticipated.

Joseph watched from the side as Claire’s jaw clenched upon hearing Ilea’s suggestion. Her eyes turned cold as she advanced on the only present healer while throwing stones around her. They landed precisely where the rune mage wanted them and Joseph grew a little wary. ‘Something’s different...’ he thought but didn’t dare interfere. With the shown attacks there was no way Ilea would be hurt seriously.

“Don’t patronize me.” Claire’s words were cold and calculated, different from her previous demeanor. Runes came to life in front of her as a dome of light formed around Ilea. Two seconds later the runes before Claire aligned and a pulse of mana reached the dome. The following explosion rattled the ground as the inside of the dome turned into fire.

Brighter and stronger than anything Claire had shown before, the explosion was followed by another one and then another. Five consecutive blasts followed, each of them stronger than the one before. Joseph only caught glimpses of a silhouette inside the dome, the only proof there was anything left inside. He doubted anybody else in the room could survive the attack but if anybody, then the tank. Otherwise this team’s endeavors would end even earlier than his last.

He looked on as Claire’s face turned from a cold mask to a horrified expression, her arms lifted up to her face as she realized what she’d done. She watched on as the fire continued to rage inside the dome, a tear running down her face as she mumbled something that Joseph couldn’t hear.

A long minute passed as the storm of fire and light came to and end. The inside of the dome was still shrouded when a laugh suddenly filled the otherwise quiet hall. A hoarse and inhuman laugh but every passing second it turned more and more into a voice they recognized until finally, thirty seconds later it was obviously Ilea’s laugh. She had survived.

“That’s what I’m talking about!!” the shout came and then a dull slam made the shield dome quiver. Two more and the dome was cracking. Claire took two steps back and had to catch herself from falling down, tears now flowing down her face. Joseph wasn’t sure anymore if they were out of terror or happiness.

The shield broke and Ilea stepped from the released steam, seemingly completely unharmed. Her armor was gone, the woman completely naked and with a big smile on her face. “That was good. You nearly killed me there Claire.” Ilea said as she appeared next to the woman. “Warn me next time.” she said and punched into Claire’s stomach. Joseph saw no mana was used with the attack as the air left Claire’s mouth and she sunk to the ground coughing.

Ilea stood there and put a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “Eve would you be so kind to bring me some clothes? Trian is creeping me out.” Ilea said without looking at any of them. Kyrian had been looking away but Trian was glaring at Ilea. Not with lust, Joseph thought but with intrigue perhaps?

Eve ran to the chests in the room and got Ilea some new clothes, running back to the bare woman.

‘That was close...’ Ilea thought as she received her new clothing from Eve. She was glad that likely nobody in the team had a perception ability like her own. At least she thought that was the case. She wasn’t sure about Eve and Claire but the latter would likely not be in the same state had she an ability like that. Something about her remark for paying Claire’s debt had unhinged the woman. Not in a bad way at all but more an unexpected one.

The power in her attack had been something completely different. Stronger even than Trian’s lightning, condensed inside the sphere and ongoing for over thirty seconds. Ilea’s perception had slowed down, triggering the 2nd stage of Azarinth Perception for the first time in a while. She had summoned her Juggernaut armor and had crouched down with all her defensive skills at the maximum.

The explosion still took over fifty percent of her health. A testament to the armor’s quality but also to the attack’s power, considering it would’ve taken 75% or more of her health according to the 2nd stage of Azarinth Perception. She had gained Blast Resistance in the process as well and leveled it to four already. A nice addition. Hunter Recovery proved invaluable as well as it healed her whole body in moments while the steam around her was still hot enough to boil anything inside alive. Heat Resistance had leveled as well.

“Remind me not to talk about money with you.” Ilea whispered to the still crouched and coughing Claire. She wouldn’t heal her. Nothing should be able to taunt one enough to suddenly go for a sure killing blow on a team mate. Although she had to cut Claire some slack, Ilea was definitely asking for it. She got what she wanted and she was still alive. It proved to her again that her power wasn’t adequate. She needed this team and the training with them if she planned to face enemies at their level or higher. Unexpected attacks were the norm in the wild after all.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Claire got up as soon as the coughing stopped and jumped Ilea, hugging the woman tightly. Ilea patted her on her back and then firmly removed her from her own person.

“Let me get some clothes on first.” she said as she put on the clothes and leather armor she had gotten from Eve. She had decided not to reveal her storage item just yet and the reactions from both Kyrian and Trian were certainly worth it. Though again it seemed the noble was less interested in the obvious. Kyrian was plain cute though and she couldn’t help but wonder if he had ever seen a woman naked.

“Impressive, I accept you as the group’s tank.” Trian was surprisingly the first to talk after the whole ordeal.

“That would’ve killed me three times over...” Eve said from the side and then hugged Ilea tightly.

‘What’s with the hugging today...’ Ilea thought and just let it happen. The women both felt nice at least but she wasn’t quite in the mood after that fight.

“I think that concludes the bouts for today. Ilea and Trian, you can go on of course. The rest will be inside the prepared area again. Claire, that was impressive. Do warn your teammates before though. I’ve seen level 200 tanks die to less powerful attacks.” he said and looked at Ilea a little intrigued.

“I’ll be on the offensive.” Ilea stated to Trian who just nodded and started attacking her again, resuming their bout. They were already at a point where either noticed the other one improving ever so slightly.

Claire paused for a while but joined Eve and Kyrian’s fighting a while later, each of them trying new ways to get to the others. Joseph looked on from the side and allowed himself to smile a little. ‘I got lucky...’

Before the team tactics lesson started, Ilea asked Trian to continue their training later in the day. The man just chuckled at her though.

“You already crave me so much you want to see me after the classes? Oh honey. I’m afraid that won’t happen though. I have important meetings to attend you see.” he stated and shook his head.

Ilea wasn’t convinced though. The man seemed more sincere when he was actually fighting. It looked to her like he was acting and saying recited lines his noble status brought with it. Perhaps it was only a small hope inside of her, telling her that he wasn’t as bad as he seemed. The feeling was definitely cause by their fights and a weird connection she was forming with him through that. Nothing she had experienced ever before. Then again she has never trained with someone using fatal attacks.

Even while kick-boxing she mostly just trained alone and used it more as a way to let off some steam. All she could say was that she was glad that they were training together, or rather against each other. The intent to kill was still there even though they stopped themselves in the last moments, at least so far.

Trian left soon after Joseph had ended the lesson, leaving the four of them to the team tactics lesson with Claire. She was still a little shaken from her nearly murder of Ilea but still managed to give the rest of the team some valuable information. The class still only consisted of theory but today she went into more detail for the different roles people could have in a team and how they applied to their team’s members.

All of them weren’t as one sided as lower leveled guards or military squads for example. Adventurers were usually more creative with their skill usage as they had to fight stronger or specialized monsters more often. The members of team 34 all survived so far, most of them alone and all had the capacity to kill and maim while sporting an impressive defense or evading ability. Of course Ilea could tank more direct damage than Eve but she was certainly good at vanishing from her enemy’s sight.

The conclusion of Claire was that with their team they could maneuver more freely and could implement tactics according to the enemy’s abilities and numbers. A more traditional approach with Ilea tanking damage while Kyrian and Claire would be supporting, leaving Eve and Trian to destroy the opponents was certainly a possibility and sometimes even the favorable approach but with their diversity of abilities many more constellations were possible.

They went to the monster knowledge class with newfound confidence in their team and started learning about unknown dangers waiting for them in the wild of Elos.

A note from Rhaegar

Self plug if you feel like reading ahead and supporting me

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Chapter 90 Picnic

A note from Rhaegar

ETA next chapter, Thursday or Friday.

Have a nice week everyone

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Chapter 90 Picnic

The Tremorling is a dangerous foe. Their earth magic combined with excellent perception lets them set up traps to lure and catch any wandering adventurer. The low level is deceiving as they are proven to chose the lowest leveled and youngest members of their tribe to lure any prey towards their traps. Usually Tremorlings reside inside caves or near mountains but rare occasions have been reported of them appearing in forests as well, using the trees and bushes as extensions of their devious traps.

The picture of the beast looked incredibly cute to Ilea, ignoring their hands instead of paws. ‘Like a small puppy but with thumbs.’ she thought as she listened to Liam talk about the beast and possible ways to approach them. The first suggestions was not to. They were found to kill beings and monsters a hundred or more levels above them. A collapsing tunnel was quite deadly to a mage after all, no matter how strong their ice powers were.

Ilea smiles as none of the monsters so far seemed to pose a massive threat to her. She would likely be able to get away from nearly all of them. Killing the monsters was a completely different story though as many of them had specialized abilities to deal with her sort of attacks. Her high level would help of course but then again they were talking about common and known monsters, not about the ones that would be able to easily kill a level 200 human.

They covered only two monsters in the hour long class but Ilea tried to internalize the knowledge as best as possible. She found herself very interested in the topic which helped tremendously. Eve seemed to be half asleep and Kyrian had a hard time remembering the names and abilities when they quickly recapped the monsters from yesterday’s class.

Claire of course knew a lot about them already and could answer all questions even for the new monsters they were discussing. Being the team tactics teacher and likely the one calling the shots when the team would actually face one of the enemies, Ilea found it comforting.

The class ended soon and Liam excused himself quickly, leaving in a hurry. As everyone was getting up, Ilea proposed the same thing she had tried to convince Trian of.

“Would any of you like to continue the training, bouts and attacks you can try on me? I don’t need a lot of sleep and while I’m here it seems like a good way to spend the time.”

Kyrian nodded “I’m t...training in the wood where you found me yesterday for most of the time. You can join if you like.” he told her.

“Maybe but I’m rather busy. I’ll come join you sometimes I guess.” Eve said. Both Kyrian and Ilea looked towards Claire then.

“I… I’ve been training alone usually...” she scratched the back of her head and looked to the floor.

“Perfect, I assume you won’t argue about the efficiency. Except of course you were killing things to level up?” Ilea asked. Claire shook her head though and then looked at Ilea, her eyes brightening.

“Maybe we can get an area in Eregar’s Haven...but we’d need the whole team for that I think. We’re the lowest ranked after all.” she said and put her hand to her chin.

“What the hell’s Eregar’s Haven? And what do you mean lowest ranked? What would the impact of that be?” Ilea asked.

“It’s a place below Viscera. I’ve not been there but I hear it’s massive. A magically constructed landscape all the elders and many members of the Hand have been working on for centuries. Eregar was one of the first Elders of the order and expanded the cave system to start the whole thing. Beasts were brought down and whole ecosystems grew. I assume we’ll be seeing some of the monsters in our monster knowledge class at some point.” Claire explained while everyone else listened.

“People are not just let down there. We need to have permission from the team fighting teacher and with our low rank we also have to go there as a whole team. I think top 20 can go inside with two people and top ten can go in individually, though I don’t know how helpful that might be.” she explained.

“What stops someone from just killing everything down there? The monsters I mean.” Eve asked.

“Well they are all lower than level 200. It wouldn’t be worth anyone’s time. I have a theory that the level 200 requirement is there in big part because of Eregar’s Haven. The Elders really want to keep it the way it is.” Claire explained.

“What’s the benefit though, we can just train outside can’t we?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t know to be honest. The tournaments are down there at least.” Claire said.

“Maybe it’s just very beautiful?” Eve asked.

“T..tournaments?” Kyrian interjected.

“Yes, it’s a part of the rankings. Finished jobs and the power of killed beings is the biggest part but bouts against other teams and their members help as well. It can get very messy though that’s why they’re only held every three months or so. Many teams aren’t even there and even fewer participate but it is a good way to see people on our level fight. All teams that are in Viscera come to see the fights at least.” Claire went on. “Usually the new teams don’t join because they have to show off their abilities, not something easily shared. Killings among the hand have been relatively rare though, that’s why the tournaments are still there.”

“Oh and of course you can challenge anybody in the Haven at all times. It has no impact on the rankings and everybody can refuse but it’s an easy way to fight people on your level without them killing you. At least that isn’t allowed.” Claire finished.

“So that’s the middle elevator?” Ilea asked and Claire nodded.

“Yes, exactly. Though as I said new teams aren’t allowed to go down there except all members are present. And don’t look at me like that, don’t break that rule. We’d be expelled. Do you really want to lose a hundred gold coins just to go where you could go anyway? We just have to convince Trian to join us.” Claire said.

“Alright alright, I won’t go. If Eve promises the same...” Ilea said and looked at the woman. A smile was on her face but she sighed theatrically.

“Oooookay, I won’t sneak in either. Maybe I have already though...” she said but Ilea was sure she hadn’t. Eve likely wouldn’t have been able to not say anything about its beauty. No matter how nice it actually looked.

“Forest today then? I’ll ask Trian about the Haven tomorrow. And we need permission from Joseph.” Ilea said and the others nodded.

“When should we meet there?” Kyrian asked.

“Now? Let’s get some food first though, I’m starving.” Ilea said.

“I’ll join later as mentioned." Eve said. "But I know where you are so it’s fine. See ya.” she said and vanished from Ilea’s Sphere. She saw Eve smile at her as Ilea struggled to perceive the woman. There was still a weird distortion in her perception but it was less noticeable than it had been the day before.

‘You little shit...’ she thought but couldn’t help smile. That would be the woman sneaking into enemy strongholds and unknown monster infested places for the team after all.

“Let’s go then.” Ilea said to the two others who followed in silence. She would wait with revealing either her storage necklace or Aki to them for a while. It wasn’t easy for Ilea to try and not trust them already. Her life on earth had schooled her that most people were somewhat trustworthy, as long as they weren’t salespeople. Of course there would be gossip and possible bullying but there was nobody trying to kill her because she owned a new computer or was looking for someone. At least not in her circles. Life in Elos was different and Ilea slowly learned that if she wanted to stay alive, she had to be more careful about what she shared with people.

The three found themselves in the forest just thirty minutes later, with a basket of hot food and drinks. Both kept at the perfect temperature thanks to some of Claire’s runes. ‘She really is helpful for a nice pick nick.’ Ilea thought as she unpacked the food and sat down on the snowy ground. The others followed suit, sitting down as well.

“We should bring chairs or at least a blanket next time.” Claire commented, getting an approving grunt from Ilea. Kyrian didn’t seem to care either way and started eating his food happily. Claire had insisted on paying her own part but Ilea decided not to talk about it. It seemed like a rather delicate topic to the woman.

“So you two have been training alone the past days? What else do you do in your spare time?” she asked and started eating as well. “I read mostly and find new places to eat at.” she said after the others had stayed quiet for a while.

“I...c...I like cooking.” Kyrian said quietly, looking down at his food.

“That’s cool, do you wanna cook for us at some point? I can get you the ingredients.” Ilea said and looked away when the man stared at her and she saw fresh life come to his gray eyes. ‘Careful Ilea, don’t fall for the guy just yet...’ she thought.

“I would love to, y...yes.” Kyrian said. Claire didn’t comment on anything and neither shared any of her spare time activities with the others but Ilea didn’t mind. The two were rather quiet and she liked that. It didn’t feel like a chore to stay with them. They started their training a while later, having eaten their fill.

“How do you want to do it?” Kyrian asked, looking at Ilea with a bit of a worried expression. She wanted him to curse her. To try and face her fear of his ability. It was the obvious step for her and the first one she wanted to work on with the two.

“You had a field of runes or something last time I came here… can you do that? I can step in and out at my own consideration.” Ilea explained and Kyrian nodded. Both Claire and Ilea watched him work then, using a wooden stick to draw in the snow and dirt below. A beautiful runic formation that even Claire seemed impressed by.

“Can you do that as well?” Ilea asked the other woman while watching Kyrian move his stick around with skillful motions.

“No, curse runes elude me. I’m sure I’d manage at some point but I don’t see it being worth the effort. Understanding and using a rune is much more difficult than simply being able to draw it. Ones mana has to resonate at least to an extent and only rare rune mages can use something as exotic as curses while still being able to use fire or barrier runes.” Claire answered.

“I’m glad I don’t have to think that much about my abilities...” Ilea said and clenched her fist, getting a chuckle from the woman next to her.

“You seem more the type, yes, I have to say though that your instincts and speed at which you use your skills is very impressive. Stats help of course but you’re born for your classes.” Claire said, making Ilea smile.

“Thank you.” she said when Kyrian stopped his drawing and Ilea’s stomach dropped as an eerie feeling filled their surroundings. His mana flowed into the rune on the ground and he looked up to the others with sweat on his brow.

“Step in and out. I made it so the effect gets stronger the closer t… to the center. Tell me if I have to stop the effects.” he said and then nodded to Clarie as Ilea gulped. “We can do the same as earlier today, ok?” he asked and Claire nodded happily, walking far enough away with him so they wouldn’t disturb his drawn runes.

‘Alright, here goes nothing...’ Ilea though and took a step into the circle. Immediately the cold and familiar feeling filled her stomach as her body started to feel wrong. Everything started to feel wrong and she found herself clenching her teeth and hands enough to break the skin with her nails. Ilea persevered and closed her eyes, steadying her breathing. It was hard, one of the hardest things Ilea had ever done.

It was harder than killing her first drake, harder than the first date she went to and harder even than killing her first human. The weird pain and coldness throbbed through her in waves and it didn’t get any easier as time went on. Only the sudden notice in her head made the ordeal a little easier.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 5’

She had decided not to use her shroud to intensify the curse’s effect on her. With the level up she took an ever so slight step further into the circle to get to the same level of intensity she had been before. To distract herself she used Ash Surge and tried to manipulate the ash around her. The curse certainly didn’t help but she found that concentrating on the ash made it easier to bear.

Ilea became one with the curse and ash as a slight whirl of the gray and black particles around her started to form. Time passed and only a sudden absence of wrongness got Ilea out of her reverie. “W...what..” she exclaimed and found herself looking straight into Kyrian’s worried eyes. The ash around her fell down in that moment, tainting the snow in a dark gray color.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“Too close...” Ilea pushed him away a little and breathed out. She looked down at her hands and found them bleeding. The ground was soaked in her blood that had formed a trail from the outer part of the circle up to nearly halfway towards the center. “I’m fine.” she said.

“Alright, we wanted to switch it up for a while. It’s been three hours you know?” Kyrian asked.

“Three...oh well. Yea, what did you have in mind?” Ilea asked.

“Eve joined a couple minutes ago so we’ll figure something out. Maybe C… Claire has an idea or two.” he said and held out his hand to her.

“I said I’m fine.” Ilea said and walked by him, stopping next to the man. “Thanks for the circle. I’ll need that again tomorrow.”

“Sure.” Kyrian said, watching her back. “It helps me too you know.” he said quietly and followed.

Claire was already discussing possible trainings for them with Eve when the others joined and immediately included Ilea in the discussion.

“So seeing as we’re in a forest I thought we should work on our perception skills. In the training sessions and if you guys want to after, we can work enough on using our attack and defense skills but as you all know we need more than just that to survive in the wild. At least when we encounter things that could easily kill or maim us.” she explained and Ilea sat down on a tree trunk that was lying nearby, wringing her already healed hands while listening.

“What I had in mind was somebody plays the hunter and the rest hide and try to make themselves invisible. Eve will probably be the best at that anyway but the rest of us have to get to some level as well. Does anybody not have any hiding skills?”

Ilea wanted to answer but her Body Heat Manipulation skill was a sort of hiding skill but she certainly preferred fleeing if at all possible. She was certainly better at that.

“So everyone has something at least. Good. Now the trickier question thing, who is good at locating people?” Eve immediately looked towards Ilea and smiled as soon as Claire asked the question, giving the rune mage her answer.

“She can see me completely concealed. Nothing easy to accomplish.” Eve said.

“I’m good at finding people. So I’ll play the huntress.” Ilea said and couldn’t help but smirk a little at the prospect.

“Good, then let’s do that for now. We’ll hide while you wait here. Seeing your speed I think the forest seems like a good area limitation. Can you find people with tracks or smell as well? Otherwise it might be better to just hide in a hundred meter radius.” Claire said and looked towards Ilea with a questioning look on her face.

“The forest is fine. I can fly as well so that’s good. And I won’t reveal my skills so easily.” Ilea said and smiled, while she motioned for them to start. “I’ll count to one hundred. One… two… three...” she started and closed her eyes, seeing the others through her sphere which she refused to deactivate. Knowing the first thirty meters wouldn’t help much and monsters would cheat as well. She smiled while counting, remembering her youth. Memories flashed through her and the desire to visit her designated Blink destination made itself noticeable.

‘Soon.’ she thought and opened her eyes, the blue shine in her eyes playful yet calculating. Hunter’s Sight activated as she looked around and took in her surroundings with all her enhanced senses.

“one hundred… enhanced human magical hide and seek… Here I come!”

Chapter 91 Hide and Seek

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone, I hope you're having an alright week. Here's some words for you. More coming Saturday probably.

Enjoy

">

Chapter 91 Hide and Seek

‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ Ilea thought as she ran through the forest, following the obvious tracks in the snow and smelling the air around her. Her eyes let her follow the trail much faster than the smell did but she wanted to have at least another reassurance that she was on the right track. Her buffs were all active except for her shroud and she continuously tried to manipulate the ash around her from the occasionally used Ash Surge.

With her speed it was pretty hard to keep anything with her but Ilea’s control has certainly improved over the past couple days. ‘Some dedicated skill training was certainly necessary...’ she thought but didn’t really blame herself as her ridiculous leveling speed was sort of pushed on her by circumstance. The opportunities she had in the Taleen Dungeon would’ve been wasted if she went away to train her skills, even though it might’ve meant a better class advancement.

Levels were still levels and she still had a couple levels to go until she would reach the threshold for Ash Wielder at level 200. Ilea suddenly stopped as the tracks had come to an end and looked up. ‘At least he’s thinking a little bit...’ she thought and jumped up the tree Kyrian had obviously used to continue on his way.

Ilea’s speed slowed down a little as she had to identify Kyrian’s impact on the trees he had used to travel. Several other trees were marked by his metal attacks but her Hunter’s Sight could tell the difference. Surprisingly easy too. ‘Years and years of training to become a tracker were simply gifted to me as soon as I received this skill...’ she thought and shook her head to focus on the imminent.

“Hey.” she exclaimed, appearing on the tree next to Kyrian. He tensed up a little but relaxed quickly upon seeing her.

“Already...it’s been like two minutes...” he said, obviously disappointed.

“You left tracks in the snow. A child could follow that. Distort them or make other ones like you did with the tree branches. The best way would be to fly. No actual concealment skills?” Ilea asked.

“I have some ideas. Thanks for the tips. I’ll wait at the start.” Ilea nodded to his answer and flew back to the beginning, picking up another scent. There was a third one around that definitely belonged to Eve but it didn’t lead anywhere.

‘Easy one’s first, then they can train together...’ she thought and followed the trail of Claire. Two hundred meters into her search, she held her nose together suddenly and reduced her sense of smell as much as possible through the 2nd stage of her Sphere.

‘Clever...’ she thought and saw the runes carved into the trees and ground around her. Somehow Claire had created an area where scents were overwhelming Ilea. There were so many and they were so strong Ilea thought herself to be a dog trapped in the perfume department of a shopping mall.

‘I won’t destroy the runes. Let’s try another way then...’ she thought. There were no tracks in the snow or on the trees so Claire had used some form of flight or teleportation. Nothing she had used in their trainings before for sure. ‘She does have some control over wind magic at least...’

Ilea walked around the area and five minutes later found something peculiar in her sphere. It looked similar to when Eve had vanished. There was a spherical part of the world missing. And of course instead of a mini black hole, it was Claire. Curled up and surrounded by runes covering the tree and ground where she crouched, Ilea walked up to her.

“The smell distortion was great. I think most not so intelligent monsters with a keen sense of smell will fall for that. And were it not for my perception, the hideout would’ve been perfect. I mean if you were invisible to the eye as well.” Ilea said as the runes stopped their work and Claire got up.

“It’s the best I can do without the magic of the runes becoming too much to feel. A good balance is difficult. Congratulations on finding me, you’re the first actually.” Claire said and Ilea felt there was a bit of pride in the compliment.

“Having such a capable tracker in our team will be invaluable.” Claire looked around “Anybody else found already?”

“Kyrian is waiting at the beginning. I’ll go find Eve, don’t wait on us.” Ilea said and flew back to the start.

“Back already, found Claire then?” Kyrian asked and was answered with a confirming nod.

“She’ll be back soon...now...” Ilea said and concentrated on her surroundings.

‘The smell just...stops existing...’ she tried to find the exact place where the smell stopped. There were no tracks in the snow nor on the trees. Everything looked completely undisturbed. She would swear there were four people here and one vanished with some sort of teleportation skill.

‘She really is amazing...’ Ilea thought and focused on the smell or more the absence of it. Eve had some sort of ability to change the world around her, to make scent appear where there was none but she wasn’t perfect. Ilea’s Hunter skill was incredibly advanced and could detect even the smallest differences in the scents around her. Something felt off about the smell of wood in one specific direction so Ilea followed that.

Five steps later though she lost it again. ‘I have no idea where she is.’ she thought and checked around the starting area for the next thirty minutes. Her Hunter’s Sight advanced a couple times during that so she was sure she was doing, well something but at that point Eve never existed, at least that was what Ilea’s senses were telling her. Claire and Kyrian had started a movement exercise where they tried to tag each other. Really all playground games would be represented in their training, or so Ilea thought at least.

“I think this is enough.” the sudden and close voice of Eve ripped Ilea out of her concentration. The girl stepped out from her hiding spot on a tree. Only Ilea’s eyes and ears let her believe she was there.

“You’re invisible.” she said in both amazement and respect. Someone like that could sneak up on her, even with all her spells active.

“Not quite, look again.” Eve said and jumped down from the tree, landing and walking towards Ilea. The familiar disturbance of the air and scents around Eve were recognizable to Ilea instantly. It was still hard to see but there was something, something disturbing their surrounding.

“You see it don’t you. I simply cannot control everything around me while I move. There is too much change going on. The pressure on the snow and ground, the airflow around me, my scent mixing with the surrounding scent. I was lucky you didn’t just look up to me.” Eve said but it certainly wasn’t an efficient way to look considering there were thousands of trees in the surrounding forest. She couldn’t have known Eve was so close.

“You’re incredibly good though. Is there a way for you to turn invisible to the eye as well?” Ilea asked but Eve shook her head.

“Not yet at least but the mirages certainly help.” she answered.

“The leveling was good, not for you?” Ilea asked.

“Oh no it’s phenomenal, the concentration and combinations of skills I have to use to hide from you are great for getting the skills higher. I simply ran out of mana up there. You would’ve noticed me in the next five minutes.” she said and Ilea counted that as a win.

“What about meditation? I can keep the rest up with the skill activated if I don’t move too fast.” Ilea asked.

“I did keep it up.” she smiled and Ilea realized just how much mana the hiding skills of Eve demanded. The sweat on her face and her stressed breathing didn’t help either. At least it looked like that to Ilea as she was still hiding from her Sphere.

‘She’s beautiful...’ the random thought came to her head as she looked at the reddened cheeks of Eve and her brown eyes that held a tinge of green. ‘I’ll find out at some point...’ Ilea thought and looked to Kyrian and Claire.

“What do you want to do? I don’t think I’d be much of a help if we do the same as them.” Eve commented and Ilea had to agree. As well as Eve could hide, she was no match for Ilea’s speed and maneuverability.

“I don’t know. Mental Resistance?” Ilea asked.

“Sure, give me a couple minutes to get my mana back and we can start.” she answered.

“Can you turn it down Eve? We’re done and wanted to try something else.” Claire commented on the humming coming from the mind mage. Eve stopped immediately and looked towards Claire, both her own face and Ilea’s softening at the released strain.

“Ilea can we just join her and attack you? I wanted to try some things.” Claire asked and looked down on the ground, likely because of her earlier near murder of her teammate.

“Sure. I’ll stay here.” Ilea said and nodded to Kyrian as well who looked at her with a question on his face. Her Shroud of Ash came alive as her three teammates distanced themselves from each other to not get into one another’s ways. The humming started again and cursed needles soon joined the attack. Kyrian seemed to try and move them in the air. He was already progressing quite a bit from just the last day.

Ilea used her Ash Surge again and made the particles move around her. Whenever an attack from either Kyrian or Claire disturbed it, new ash would be produced. All of them seemed to work on their manipulation and clever usage of skills and not on pure power alone. This and the lack of movement made it possible for all of them to use Meditation while they trained and made pauses obsolete. At least for a while.

“How long do you guys need to sleep?” Ilea asked after a couple hours of this.

“Three or four hours is enough for me. I have ways to ignore it for a couple d… days if necessary.” Kyrian said.

“Around two hours. Every four days or so I need more, around six or seven.” Claire said. They looked towards Eve but she didn’t answer and just continued her humming. Ilea looked towards Claire and shook her head before shrugging.

“So we’re all fine to continue then. Want to grab some food soon?” she asked, looking at the setting sun. “Of course everyone should just leave if they don’t want to continue.”

“I’ll join you for dinner then but afterwards I’ll be off.” Eve said, breaking her previous silence.

“Sure. Same place as yesterday?” Ilea asked.

“M...maybe something c...cheaper.” Kyrian said and looked at her with intense eyes.

“Wh...ah...yes, sure. Anything you have in mind?” Ilea asked the man who nodded, glad she had understood.

“Y...yes, I do. It’s nice.” Kyrian said.

“As long as there’s food of any kind I’m fine. Wanna go now?” Ilea asked.

“Sure.” Claire said and the others seemed alright with the idea as well.

Eve excused herself right after finishing her meal. Ilea noticed that she had already consumed a high amount of alcohol before leaving but decided not to pry.

“I’ll have to do some things as well, do you want to meet up again later so we can train some more?” Claire asked, in a careful but excited tone.

“That’s perfect for me. An hour or two?” Ilea said.

“One is fine for me, how about you?” Claire answered.

Ilea nodded and looked towards Kyrian. “I’ll be waiting in the forest. Same place.” he said. The three paid for their food and left the small restaurant behind, going their separate ways while seeing each other off.

“That’s impressive. Thanks again for the deal.” Ilea said and made the prepared food vanish.

“I honestly wasn’t sure if you’d come today. Would’ve been a bloody waste of food.” Keyla said while drying her hands with a towel.

“Why’d you think that, and what do I owe you?” Ilea asked.

“Dunno, you seem like the kind of woman who suddenly vanishes for a month after making a weird deal with a cook. That’s two gold coins worth. Not sure about the advance you already paid though.” Keyla said.

“Keep it, here you go.” Ilea said and summoned two gold coins. “If that ever happens give the food away, it’s too delicious to waste.” she said it in a serious tone and got a nod from the cook, not one to antagonize a crazed warrior with an unknown level.

“I’ll be back tomorrow then if that’s alright?” Ilea asked.

“Sure, the place is pretty slow most of the time.” Keyla said. Ilea smiled and waved towards the woman before blinking away with her treasure safely stored away in her necklace.

Blinking upwards again, Ilea found herself on top of the restaurant favored by Eve and finally checked the notifications she had gotten during the day’s trainings.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 13’

...

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Shroud of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ash Surge reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 195, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Blast Resistance – lvl 1

Explosions can be an unpredictable and chaotic thing. You have survived quite an impressive one to get this skill. It will help you negate the damage ever so slightly for the next time you chose to stand in one.

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches lvl 4’

It impressed Ilea again how fruitful a single dedicated day of training could be if she had people to work with. At least speaking for her defensive capabilities. ‘I’m probably the one profiting the most as well, seeing how two to four people usually focus their attacks on me. More resistances and skills to train for me there...’ she thought. ‘I’ll have to find someone to train my offensive abilities on as well though.’

Ilea didn’t go for her room or towards the forest then but decided to fly out of the city and a little around the mountain. Some overzealous guards tried to shoot arrows at her but she simply ignored it. None of their attacks even managed to reach her after all. Clouds had taken over the evening sky and a light snowfall started to cover again what had been revealed by the sun or sentient activity throughout the day.

Ilea found a spot between some high rocks and checked her surroundings for a couple minutes. ‘Let’s see what happens then...’ she thought and mentally activated the 3rd stage of Blink. Ilea gasped as the mana started flowing out of her. She knew instinctively that she could stop the skill at any time but decided to go for it. Steadily her mana left her as the blue runes on her body intensified with light, shining even partially through the clothes not covered by her leather armor. Compared to the quick escape she had hoped for, the spell took a total of thirty minutes to activate. Ilea vanished just like when she blinked normally and appeared on the cliff above the ocean, exactly where she had set her 3rd stage marker.

“Awesome...” she whispered and touched the ground below her. A growl could be heard from near the cave entrance but the tiger quickly quieted down again once it realized who the visitor was. ‘So I can come here from wherever? And it takes half an hour and over half my mana… including mana regenerated. I should use Meditation next time while the spell channels.’

The view comforted her as it did before. The suns were nowhere to be seen but without the high amount of light pollution she was used to on earth, the stars illuminated the ocean in a spectacle of nature. She walked towards the ocean and sat down with her legs hanging over the cliff side. It felt like her whole being was calming down slowly.

‘I could just stay here and live off the gold I’ve already found...’ she thought and smiled. It wasn’t the idea that came to her mind but the simple fact that she was free to chose what to do that garnered that reaction. Ilea liked the new team of mercenaries she had found herself in and she enjoyed the trainings as well, including the change of pace they brought with them. It wasn’t as exciting as exploring the Taleen Dungeon had been but they would get to that again soon enough.

For now Ilea was content to level her skills and specifically her survivability before advancing in level again and exploring the world. Finding Keyla had been a blessing as well and she summoned one of the meals prepared by the woman to enjoy it combined with the marvelous view, thankful that she had stumbled upon the Azarinth temple what felt like so long ago.

Chapter 92 Vampire?

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, eta next chapter probably next Thursday. Enjoy

and have a nice weekend!

Chapter 92 Vampire?

Ilea flew back and landed in the forest again after the hour of pause had come to an end. Kyrian had already been waiting and practicing his curse runes.

“Can you draw those wherever you want? Or does it have to be on the ground?” Ilea asked after she landed, her wings disintegrating next to her back, coloring the snow on the ground a light gray.

“Doesn’t matter where but for the big one I need a… a somewhat flat surface, otherwise it doesn’t work.” the man responded.

The two decided to work on both movement and Ilea’s defense as Kyrian tried to attack her while she tried to catch him. With his defenses up it wasn’t easy for her to simply approach the man but she still held back a little on her speed. He wasn’t quite as fast as she and Trian.

Claire arrived around ten minutes later and joined in. They decided on doing the same as Ilea had been doing with Kyrian, just with Claire joining the man’s team. It got much harder for Ilea to stay on the offensive but with her blinking and Sphere she managed to avoid most attacks while getting behind and around the two people.

The training was fruitful and both Ilea and the others got better at battling the other. She found them to be adequate at defense but didn’t know how they would deal with Trian for example. One could say what one wanted about the man but he certainly had power to his lightning and the mobility to get around enemies.

The three trained deep into the night and only stopped if someone was out of mana or needed to eat or relieve themselves. With them being three people there was somebody fighting at most times. They did decide to eat together.

When the sun began rising Claire and Kyrian decided to go back and catch some sleep. They needed a little more than Ilea but it was still something quite unnatural to the earthen born woman who was used to get a solid twelve hours of sleep.

A couple hours of sleep later and a quick assessment of their training by Aki, Ilea found herself back in the training hall and ready to smash some vampire. Her wish was granted of course and the training resumed as it had the past two days before.

This time after the monster knowledge lesson Ilea decided to go find Trian and ask him about joining them to enter Eregar’s Haven.

“You think you can find him?” Claire asked, seemingly a little unsure.

“Yea, he’s very confident in his abilities so I doubt he will conceal himself a lot. Let’s see what important meetings he has to attend to.” Ilea said and waved to the others before blinking out of the room.

Going back to the training hall she activated Hunter’s Sight and checked around. His smell was easy enough to identify and she quickly followed the trail. It led out of Viscera and into Ravenhall. Ilea quickly found herself in what she identified as the noble section of the city and her trail led towards one of the bigger houses.

Apparently the city didn’t allow the nobles to get a lot of space as the luxurious looking stone structures were still placed in close proximity to each other. Ilea blinked inside the one Trian’s trail led to and found herself inside a beautifully furnished room. Comparable to the Forkspear estate in Dawntree, there were paintings on the walls and a hearth burning near one of the walls.

Parts of the room were colored in red and contrary to the stony exterior, everything inside was covered in wood. The smell was especially nice to Ilea’s enhanced senses as she took everything in. Someone was approaching the door to the room so Ilea blinked below. Her sphere told her little and so she blinked deeper, there seemed to be an extensive amount of levels going into the ground.

Soon she found a trail again but it was isolated and weak. ‘He probably teleported down here as well...’ she thought, finding it to be the only explanation for the sudden disappearance of his smell.

A couple levels further down she finally found what she had been looking for. And it was certainly not an important noble meeting. Admittedly it wasn’t an orgy or blood sacrifice either, something one would expect from a noble man being somewhat of a vampire.

No, it was something quite simple and something Ilea had somewhat expected as well. Trian was working on his skills. In an expensive and very noble way. Ilea whiled above the room he was in and through her Sphere perceived him and his assistants.

Trian was standing in the middle of the room and drained ten people around him, occasionally pausing for them to be healed. Considering the pain on their faces Ilea thought he was alternating between mana and health draining. ‘Quite efficient, quite evil as well.’ she thought but decided to keep watching for a while. Judging too fast can lead to misunderstandings. So far nobody had died at least. And it wasn’t like Ilea really knew any of the people there. What if It were simply a job someone could take. She doubted it of course but attacking one of her to be teammates wasn’t something easily done.

Especially not considering his abilities. The session continued for quite a while until one of the people collapsed on the ground. It wasn’t one of the people being drained but one of the healers.

“Is she alright?” Trian immediately asked as another healer went to check the woman.

“Yea, just needs a while to recover some mana. She’ll be fine.” the man who checked on her said.

“Good, bring her to a bed and then we’ll continue. A couple minutes pause.” Trian said, using a towel that appeared in his hand to brush away the sweat on his brow.

Ilea decided it was a good time to go and say hello and blinked downwards.

“Hello there.” she exclaimed and everyone in the room tensed up as magic flared and weapons were drawn. The only one who stayed calm was Trian himself and he quickly motioned for everybody to calm down.

“Ilea. Well I did kind of except for somebody to invade my privacy at one point or another. Didn’t think it would be you. Missed my amazing looks so much?” he said and smirked towards her.

“No, you’re the opposite of my type Trian I’m really sorry.” Ilea said and started walking around the room. The other people were focused on her but seemed to have calmed down at them apparently knowing each other.

“It’s just that you have a perfectly fine tank ready to level her Resistances and you chose to stay in your basement with your slaves...” Ilea said, checking everyone’s reactions but most of them just looked to Trian. Some few seemed angry at her exclamation.

“They aren’t slaves. The resistances and available healers aren’t something easily gotten and you’re not the only one looking for them. Everyone please give us some privacy.” he gestured for them to leave and so they did.

“So employees?” Ilea asked, walking around the room and picking up a staff from a weapon rack.

“They’re people employed by my house. Not cheap but it’s efficient. Having more than one target is better for the specific skills. That’s why I’m doing this and not you.” Ilea was aware of the innuendo but decided to ignore it while she twirled around her newfound staff.

“Don’t tell me you would’ve actually attacked me if they were slaves?” he asked and interpreted her silence as a yes.

“Hahahahaha. Well look at you. A righteous hero aren’t we. Are you going to declare war on at least three human kingdoms then? Last I heard they allow slavery… at least to an extent.” Ilea knew he was just provoking her.

“Trian I’m aware that I’m not going to change anything big. People are people but if I stumble upon a vampiristic ritual where slaves are being sacrificed I’m gonna at least slap somebody. Hard.” she said and smiled at him.

Trian scoffed and shook his head. “Well that’s at least somewhat more reasonable then. So if you’re not here for my beauty or to save lives then what are you still doing here?” he asked, obviously annoyed at her presence. She wasn’t sure if it was simply for the interruption or because he truly didn’t want to see her face.

“We wanted to go to Eregar’s Haven to train. Most of us don’t need a lot of sleep and we’ve been working together to improve our skills. We need a full team to do that. I can see how this kind of training is efficient for you but that’s what? Two skills? I doubt they can take a full on attack from you or have the ability to match your speed.” Ilea smirked at the lack of an answer. None of the other people who had been in the room were higher than level 120. She had him.

“Alright. Where?” Trian said after a minute of silence.

“Follow me sparky.” she said and blinked upwards. Trian first teleported to a side room and informed the people about his plans, reassuring them that they will still get paid for the whole session. He quickly appeared next to Ilea and looked at her.

“That wasn’t cheap. Go on.” he said, grinding his teeth as Ilea smiled and blinked upwards until they were standing on top of the house in Ravenhall. The weather was nice, few clouds dotted the horizon and a cool winter breeze flowed through their hair.

“Can you fly?” Ilea asked. Trian jumped off the house as red lightning came out of his back and somehow kept him in the air. She activated her own wings and followed.

“I’m jealous. Those look fancy.” she said as she hovered next to the man.

“They’re too bright but it’s what I have. Not good for sneaking up on anything.” he said.

“I don’t think sneaking fits you in any way noble boy.” Ilea said and accelerated towards the forest where the others would be training already. The wind blew through her hair as she smiled at the joy of flying, laughing in the process as Trian tried hard to keep up. He didn’t seem to be quite as fast in the air as on the ground where he matched her well enough.

“Huh, she actually did it.” Eve said, walking up to the approaching Ilea and Trian. They landed and their wings disintegrated.

“Hey Eve, where are the others?” Ilea asked, looking around.

“Follow me. They started discussing about runes and it got a little boring for me. So we’re going to the Haven?” Eve asked.

“We plan to, yes. As I remember we need the ok from Joseph to enter.” Eve nodded lightly at Ilea’s remark and led them to the two people sitting over a bunch of papers and scribbling down runes with their pens.

“Mr. Alymie.” Claire said without looking up “I see you have joined us, I assume we’re going to visit the Haven then?” she didn’t look up from her drawing and Kyrian seemed fascinated by the contents on the paper.

Ilea looked as well but couldn’t make much sense of the sketches. It looked somewhat similar to her own runes but then again so did all runes she’d seen so far. ‘Another language...’ she thought and knew that languages weren’t quite her best skill. If she hadn’t gotten Elos Standard Language when she had come here she would’ve probably been killed by some adventurer who took her silence as an attack.

“Yes we are.” Eve interjected as Ilea didn’t answer “We need to find Joseph first.”

“Oh don’t worry I’ve already talked to him. Here is the signed allowance.” Claire said and took out a piece of paper from a delicate looking section in her pack. Eve looked at Ilea and both just shrugged.

“Great, let’s go then. Can you continue later or do you need some more time?” Ilea asked.

“Give us fifteen minutes or so alright?” Claire asked. Ilea shrugged and looked back at Kyrian while activating her buffs.

“Come then, no reason to waste time.” she said, getting a smirk from the man.

“You’re alright for a common wench...” Trian said, following behind her and activating his skills as well.

“You don’t have to pretend to be a noble ass with me you know.” Ilea said, not in the least bit offended. The whole concept of nobles looking down on her because of her bloodline was so far removed for Ilea she couldn’t take it as more than a child’s teasing. Especially because of the power she held. Still she would likely break at least some bones if it had been anybody else but her teammate, whom she thought to be mostly pretending. The slight twitch on his face at her remark only undermined that thought.

‘Well some bones are alright...’ she thought and smiled before the two clashed, her on the offensive.

Thirty minutes and a dozen destroyed trees later, Kyrian and Claire were done. Trian was spitting blood before Ilea healed him, signaling an end to their bout. Trian as usual got more hits in but Ilea’s counted for more. He definitely hit harder but with her defense and healing power compared to his vampyrism this was the result.

“When is one of you going to die from this?” Eve asked and Claire seemed to agree.

“You both are very enthusiastic about fighting I can’t help but worry a little as well.” she said.

“Nah, I don’t want to kill the guy. At least not anymore than other cocky shits like him. And I’m just too good of a skill grind for him to kill me.” Ilea said, saying the last part in an overly erotic fashion.

“Don’t embarrass him, I’ve seen nobles kill for less.” Eve said dryly.

“Well you’re upbeat today. Don’t worry I don’t think all nobles are the same. Prince Charles doesn’t seem like he’d do something like that.” Ilea commented as they started walking towards Ravenhall.

“Who is this prince Charles? Is he from Salia?” Claire asked.

“He’s from further away I think. Hey who of you can fly? We’re faster if we fly.” Ilea asked suddenly, trying to change the subject. Especially because Eve seemed to be tensing up the longer it went on.

“Trian and me obviously can, Eve?” she asked.

The only response was a slight shake of her head. “Me neither sadly but I’m sure I’ll figure out some rune usage at some point.” Claire commented “I’m actually pretty close but it’s not really flying yet.”

“That’s cool, will be good to have more people capable of flying at some point. Kyrian?” Ilea answered.

“N… no, I have ideas like Claire b… but nothing yet.” the man said to her question.

“Alright, well let’s add a new formation to the team tactics training then. Eve come hug me.” Ilea said.

“Ilea I don’t know if this is the right moment for something like this.” Eve said.

“I only have two hands and I doubt your ability to hold on to my legs.” Ilea said, her wings spreading behind her and her arms unfolding, ready to embrace the beautiful girl’s hug. Both efficient and accompanying her selfish wishes. ‘If only my armor was broken as well...’ Ilea thought as Eve understood and held on to her front.

It might’ve been possible to hold on to her back as well but Ilea didn’t feel like putting that idea into the room at the moment. She started flapping her wings and found Eve’s weight to be nothing more than what she’d consider a small backpack. A little more uneven yes but with her skills and Dexterity it wouldn’t be much of an issue.

Ilea hovered and held out both her hands. “Come on, hang on guys.” she said. Claire and Kyrian looked at each other with skepticism but in the end each held on to one of Ilea’s arms. She grabbed them and started to ascend. It was much easier than she had expected. A human shouldn’t be able to fly at all, let alone carry three people with a wingspan of less than four meters.

‘I like this magic business...’ Ilea thought as she nodded to Trian who had been waiting with his electric wings singeing snow and wood around him. He looked at her with a blank expression on his face before he shook his head lightly and started towards the city of Ravenhall. Ilea followed and had to concentrate to keep her balance but after just a minute she smiled at Trian who had to work hard to stay ahead.

‘Investing in Strength wasn’t useless after all...’ she thought as they reached the few blocks before the Hand’s headquarters. Ilea landed and let go of the two people next to her. Eve was right in front of her face and smiled brightly before she kissed Ilea on the cheek.

“That was SO fun!!” she exclaimed and Ilea used her Body Heat Manipulation to keep the red color from her face, unsure if it worked at all. Kyrian and Claire were smiling as well and would surely be more invested in finding a way to fly themselves after this experience. At least Ilea thought so, seeing her own enthusiasm for the skill.

“Anybody wants to get something before we go below?” Claire asked “Traders aren’t allowed down there and I doubt another member would give us a fair price.” she said.

“Drinks?” Eve asked.

“And food...” Ilea commented, they still didn’t know about her storage necklace after all.

“I have both.” Trian said, flashing his ring at them. “You’ll pay me of course.”

“Eh, not really. Eve let’s go shop then?” Ilea said and was already walking away when Trian sighed.

“Alriiight. Only this time though, come on. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.” he said and grumbled something about people not being paid by his house.

Chapter 93 Workaholics

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, new chapter. I hope you enjoy!

I'm aware that there's currently not a lot of action going on but I suppose some world building is important. If you dislike it then I suggest waiting for a couple weeks for the chapters to pile up!

ETA next chapter: On the weekend. Saturday is likely. Keeping that 100% confirmation away so you don't form a lynch mob...

Chapter 93 Workaholics

The members of team 34 walked up to the middle elevator and Claire showed the guard there the document signed by Joseph. The man nodded and motioned them through, scratching a 34 into the stone tabled that was lying on a table next to the entrance.

Magical lights lined the corridor that led towards the elevator and after a two minute descent the group came up to a hall that held another five elevators, likely there to better distribute the people and goods being transported. The blueish light in the hall gave Ilea the feeling of a club or late night bathroom lighting.

The brief thought on the existence of heroin in Elos was swept away a couple minutes later as the side of the elevator opened up to reveal something beautiful. A massively diverse and vast landscape illuminated by what seemed to be an artificial sun covered in runes spread before them, sporting mountains, trees, lakes and even a small desert in the distance.

The roof of the place was covered in magical lights and crystals that added to the illusion of a sky above. They were speechless as they descended for another five minutes, the ground coming closer and closer, the height change letting them grasp just how vast this place was.

The sound of the platform landing and the kinetic force associated with the action jump-started Ilea’s brain again and made her walk forward and out of the half opened elevator shaft. The smell of different vegetation and the blinding sun above mad her hold up her hand to her eyes. Birds sang in the distance and there was no question in her mind that Spring had come around.

Through her Sphere she saw everyone else wander about just as aimlessly though likely focused on different things. Ilea closed her eyes and breathed in and out several times before her wings spread behind her and she quickly ascended again. The view changed as she flew up and the vast landscape spread out before her again.

There was a forest to the west, with lakes and even a marsh in between. Two mountains could be seen in the distance, with their size they wouldn’t have to hide behind the very mountains they were residing in. ‘This isn’t possible...’ Ilea thought as she descended again, her mind rejecting the truth of this place. The sci fi side of her thought of some sort of pocket dimension, perhaps something like her storage device. She hadn’t noticed anything when descending with the elevator though.

“This is marvelous...” Claire exclaimed, making the group focus on her.

“Is this real? No illusions?” Eve asked.

“I believe there are some illusions at play in the distance but I think what you see is real.” Claire answered.

“Impressive.” even Trian commented on it.

“The metal is singing to me….” Kyrian said and showed a rare smile. “There is so much of it here, below the ground. The runes carved inside are strong and... old...” he said and walked in a circle.

“Good place for vacation in the winter...” Ilea said and got a chuckle from Eve.

“Oh you say it…” the woman commented before picking up a rock from the ground. “This is all real...” she said after a while.

“Eregar’s quite a guy huh?” Ilea said.

“Well he didn’t build all of this himself… there were hundreds if not thousands of mages involved and they worked on this for over a thousand years. Still they expand it today.” Claire explained.

“But why?” Trian asked, looking into the distance.

“Why what? Build it? I’m not sure. There are plenty of theories around but likely only the elders know, if at all.” Claire said and shrugged.

“I’m just glad they added forests and natural light compared to the Taleen green this is quite the improvement.” Ilea said and got a side glance from Trian.

“You’ve been inside a Taleen dungeon?” he asked.

“Yea, how I leveled up so quickly.” Ilea answered and started walking up a nearby slope covered in healthy grass.

“Against Taleen Guardians? Well there’s certainly easier ways to level up. They’re pretty much the most dangerous things we know of at level two hundred, at least when it comes to monsters without specializations.” Trian said and there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

“You know they’re not monsters right? They were made by the Taleen Dwarfs, at least that’s what I assume.” Ilea said and looked around. “Just like this was made by humans...”

“True, well let’s hope there are not Guardians here then. And let’s train. Where should we go?” Claire asked, joining Ilea’s side on the slope overlooking the proximity. They were standing in a field of grass, interspersed by hills and the occasional tree.

“We don’t know how everything looks like yet. I think something near the mountains would suit us best but let’s move around a little...” Ilea said and started walking, seeing with her Sphere that the others followed. Eve and Trian close behind followed by Claire and Kyrian.

After the grassy hills came a section of forest with some low leveled creatures inhabiting it. None of them chose to attack and neither did anybody of their team feel the need to lash out. Ilea was quite surprised there hadn’t been anybody just killing the monsters for fun. Perhaps there were ways to prevent it or maybe there were rules against that.

Claire explained upon her question. There apparently were rules in place and the possible repercussions weren’t usually worth whatever sadistic tendencies the person would satisfy. There was a whole world filled with monsters out there after all.

After around an hour’s travel at running speed, the section of forest opened up to reveal a small lake, reflecting the artificial sun’s light coming from above. Ilea saw fish inside of the lake and breathing in she found nothing in the air indicating them to be inside of the biggest cave she’d ever seen. ‘If we really are in a cave...’ she thought, repressing the upcoming thoughts on the whole nature of Elos. There was nothing these thoughts would give her except for uncertainty.

Elos was real and so where the people in it, including herself. The group ran around the lake on one of its shorelines, entering a rocky terrain covered in cave entrances and rocks that would be useful as cover. “Something like this?” Claire shouted from her position at the back of the group.

“Yea why not.” Eve said, tired of running but likely not actually exhausted.

“This will do well as a training ground. Just bouts?” Trian asked, looking towards Claire who seemed surprised that he would consult her.

“We can start with bouts, yes. I want to continue with Kyrian and his runes for a while anyway. Eve just join the others and train your magic on both of them.” Claire finished, shooing them away before getting out her notes from her pack again.

“With pleasure.” Eve said with a smile and a glint of malice in her eyes as she looked towards Trian.

The terrain made it quite a bit more interesting than the simple training hall Ilea and Trian had fought in before. Of course the earlier bout in the forest had already been an improvement but the trees were simply smashed away. Rock and small caves weren’t as easily destroyed.

Ilea certainly had the power to smash through a rock wall but the several meters thick ground made it a little more difficult. Her Sphere showed its overwhelming power in this terrain as Trian didn’t know from where she would come from, trying to find places that gave him enough space to react. He was pushed onto the defensive for the whole training session while trying to avoid Eve however possible.

It turned out that her mental attacks only worked when she actually saw her target which made the session into a bout between Ilea and Trian who in turn tried to avoid Eve as best as possible. Eve found that sneaking up on the two worked much better than trying to keep up. She would use her attacks to distract either of the two in vital moments of their fight to simulate and actual mind mage intervening in the conflict.

Ilea was much better at dealing with Eve which pushed her advantage even further. It was mostly due to her higher resistance and Trian would catch up in time.

In one of the pauses where all of them consulted together they decided to do resistance training for every member. The impact Eve’s mind magic had on Trian was nothing short of fatal. She could’ve simply taken him out at any time if she had chosen to do so. Ilea couldn’t stay the only one ready for a diversity of attacks.

Claire joined the bout soon after and laid traps all over the caves while moving strategically through the terrain, keeping herself as safe as possible behind her shield runes. Ilea still managed to surprise her often enough and again demonstrated the advantages of her perception skill.

Kyrian focused on his manipulation skills as he sometimes joined the fight to attack Claire who was the least mobile target. Nobody interfered with him as his sole focus was the movement of his metal.

Nearly eight hours later the group finally decided it was time to move back up. Ilea was glad that even Eve chose to stay for this long. Likely the group pressure of having to stay with the whole team or perhaps even the enthusiasm everyone showed in training convinced the woman not to leave early as she had the day prior.

Ilea said her goodbyes to the others as the group dispersed in Viscera. She went straight for her apartment and lied down on her bed, sleep taking her in a matter of minutes. It had been a good day.

Aki watched his wielder sleep who had forgotten to move him inside the storage device she wore on her neck. Her name was Ilea and more and more he was glad that she was the one to find him inside that lost dungeon of the dwarfs. The team she had joined would prove to be useful as well, if only to strengthen his wielder.

Today alone she had progressed further than some of his previous holders did in weeks or months. She was young, ready to improve and adapt and most importantly having fun with it. Her enjoyment of fighting alone wasn’t what Aki determined to be important in itself but it would push her to take risks that others would disregard. It would push her to challenge monsters that would improve her instead of fleeing from them.

Still he thought she was experienced enough not to die against an unbeatable foe. At least he hoped so. It was a thin line between those who chose their fights wisely and improved and those who died with the odds stacked against them. The thin line that distinguished the elite from the elite who lay dead.

The woman woke just an hour later, ready to face the next day after such a short rest. Aki knew she would compare to even the most promising of the elven youth but the fewer people who knew that the better. Even Ilea herself. Her newfound team members had similar potentials. Perhaps in time, one of them would find a way. And what else did he have but time?

The next days flowed into one as Ilea slept quickly, ate the delicious food from Keyla and most importantly trained. She trained like she had never before. Even her time trapped inside the Azarinth temple didn’t compare to the intensity of her newfound routine. She was afraid her team members would not be able to keep up but contrary to her expectations they each spurred each other onwards.

Ilea was left with little distractions as the others demanded her to be there. Kyrian and Claire gave their all to reach the other’s levels, their control and cunning improving by the hour. Eve was dragged along and seemed happier and more in control of herself as time went on. Ilea wasn’t sure what exactly caused that change but she never pried and was simply happy for her team mate.

The only small issue they faced was the difference in needed sleep. Both Trian and Ilea needed one to three hours less than Kyrian and Claire. Eve still refused to comment on it.

Trian went to deal with his family business in those times. There wasn’t much but he still had some obligations as a noble living in a city in Lys.

Ilea herself used those hours to look for craftsmen and women to build some things for her. After a week she finally got to participate in the classes she had signed up for. The three hours were enough for all of them but she had to stop any other activities, at least for the first day.

The classes on both healing and hand to hand combat were a complete waste of time for her. Both Ilea’s healing and fighting skill gave her the knowledge to use them efficiently. She even had some experience in both fields at least interest wise from her time on earth.

Everything left for her to get was experience at using both and she certainly was getting more of that from her training sessions compared to the classes. The theory on fighting wasn’t too shabby but Ilea already knew the basics from her time in kick-boxing. The skills she had gained and the fights she’s been part of have formed these basics into something fearsome.

She was sure that she hadn’t veered off enough for her fighting to be inefficient, quite the contrary actually. The teacher on the other hand was obviously coming from a different style and didn’t seem to comprehend that there is more than a single approach to fighting hand to hand. Instead of arguing with the man Ilea decided to fight him without using any active skills.

She won five times out of five. Granted the man was only level one hundred and fifty but she felt superior in technique, strength and speed. He grudgingly admitted that he could not teach her anything if she didn’t chose to change her path which was quite fine for Ilea. She would find strong fighters one way or the other and would implement what she would learn whenever the time came. Sadly nothing the man did in their bouts was helpful for her.

The healing class was somehow even more disappointing. Her modern knowledge of the human body combined with the immediate knowledge she gained whenever she touched somebody with Hunter’s Recovery activated gave her an advantage in healing that her teacher didn’t seem to be able to bridge. Even with her being a pure healer.

It was certainly interesting to listen to the woman but Ilea was a little shocked at how much her teacher seemed to trust in her spell instead of actually understanding what was happening to the body.

Ilea decided not to quit on the first day already. Another input on her skills would certainly be helpful in some way. So she told the teachers that it would be a weekly thing. Additionally she informed the person managing the classes that she’d like another teacher in each of the two courses.

“Do you want the classes to be at another time or do you want both teachers to give their class at the same time?” the clerk gave Ilea a good idea with her question. It would be more like a discussion and perhaps she could gain more out of it if the teachers had to argue against each other as well. Or she would realize that it just wasn’t worth it.

“At the same time would be perfect actually. If at all possible get me somebody that is as different from the first teachers as possible...” Ilea said and walked away while the clerk nodded and wrote Ilea’s wishes down. It was time for her third and last class. Archery.

“Hello, you must be Ilea Spears. You can call me Martha. I’ll be your archery teacher, nice to meet you!” The level 183 ranger smiled brightly at Ilea who walked into the otherwise nearly empty hall. Only a couple of targets could be seen distributed throughout the open space. And of course her teacher, the red haired, thin and beautiful Martha.

“Nice to meet you too Martha. So where do we start.” Ilea asked, ready to shoot some arrows.

“First please tell me how high your archery related skills are and what class level you have. I assume your second one is related to it. Or do you have archery skills in your warrior class?” Martha asked, obviously expecting something quite different than what she got.

“Ehm, no. Well I don’t have any skills related to archery at all. It just seemed fun and maybe it’s a good way to attack from a distance.” Ilea said. Martha’s smile vanished and she just blankly stared at her pupil to be.

“I’ll get a new bow next week though! A big one probably so I can rely more on strength and pure impact compared to related skills.” Ilea tried to revive the woman.

Slowly Martha looked up to meet her eyes. “So you want to learn to use a bow… from scratch? With no supporting skills… how’s your Dexterity and Strength?” Martha asked.

“Exactly, do you think you could teach me that? I don’t have to be amazing at it but it would be quite a helpful skill to have. And I heard you can gain skills even without having a related class, isn’t that the case?” Ilea said, it was mostly the fun of using a bow that drew her to the class but she felt like she was already walking on a thin line with Martha. “Oh and I have 300 Dexterity and 200 Strength.” she added, underplaying her stats just a little.

“At least the numbers aren’t abysmal. You’re a warrior though at 200? That seems rather low to be honest. Well whatever. Yes you can learn the archery skill this way but it’s going to take quite a lot more work than any class related skills. And it’s going to be weaker than any specialized skills, at least for the first… well a hundred years or so I assume.” Martha explained, waving her hand at the estimate. Ilea just nodded happily, accepting the odds.

“Do you have a bow at least?”

“No.” Ilea said, not wanting to reveal the bow she had found in the Taleen dungeon. “But I’ll get one next week. Can you lend me one for now?” she asked, smiling at the teacher.

Chapter 94 Rarities

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, next chapter tomorrow (probably).

Cheers

Chapter 94 Rarities

The hour of archery passed in a flash and Ilea left the hall with a big grin on her face. In a world where skills gave one immediate knowledge of at least some aspects of whatever one decided to learn, going the normal route was quite refreshing. The stance and drawing came somewhat easy to Ilea because of her enhanced body and reflexes. She decided not to use any of her body enhancement skills in the first lesson and to just trust the rest of her stats.

She missed and missed again. With the steady supply of arrows and the constant feedback from her teacher, Ilea progressed incredibly fast. At least she thought so. Martha wasn’t quite as convinced but agreed to continue and help Ilea out with her endeavor of learning archery, while getting paid of course.

The three teachers together cost quite a bit but it was still nothing Ilea would scoff at. At least healing and hand to hand would become a weekly thing from now on. Archery alone was certainly worth the ten silver she paid the woman for the hour. Ilea was a little confused why someone at her level would decide to teach for that meager amount of coins when you could go out and hunt beasts, selling their hide and bones at a much higher price.

She decided not to pry or judge though and was simply glad that she had a teacher who knew what she was doing. And so the rest of the week came and went, filled with training, gourmet food and archery. The group sometimes explored more parts of Eregar’s Haven but found the cave system to be the best part for their current training sessions. Additionally there didn’t seem to be any other teams residing in those parts. Generally it seemed weird to Ilea how few other teams visited the Haven. They only saw four other groups in the span of a week. Nobody in the team wanted to challenge the other as they still had enough to work on themselves.

Ilea managed to get quite an assortment of decorations and other items together while even finding the glass mage and artist the librarian had mentioned. He was happy to sell some windows to her. All that was left was to find someone who knew how to build a house. That would come after her visit to Balduur. At this point the smith should’ve been done with her weapons.

It was exactly two weeks after Ilea had ordered the weapons from Balduur and again she found herself flying towards the small village of Indur. Having already eaten enough for a group of four, she decided not to visit the inn and made directly towards the smith. Ilea didn’t pay the entry fee but saw none of the guards coming for her. Either they knew the woman already or they were too lazy to fetch her for the coins.

She blinked inside the house and then down to the smithy where she saw Balduur working on something. Iana was there as well, looking over her father’s shoulder.

“Hey all. Your favorite customer has returned.” Ilea exclaimed, immediately getting a smile from Iana who ran towards her. Balduur didn’t show any reaction to her sudden appearance and simply continued to work. Ilea threw Aki the dagger towards Iana and watched her running off while giggling.

“Thanks! You’ll have him back soon!” Iana exclaimed while Aki stayed quiet, making Ilea unsure of how her companion felt about this arrangement.

‘He should learn more about his own nature through this…’ she thought and walked up to Balduur. The man was completely focused on a small strap of leather. Ilea watched him and after a minute of silence the man looked up to her.

“Ah, it’s you. Ilea eh?” he said and walked away from the workbench, motioning for her to follow. “Your gauntlets are done, easier than I expected and to be frank moving the ingots was the hardest part, hahaha.” he laughed and stopped in front of the forge where they had placed the ingots on two weeks prior. His cheerful behavior was a little confusing to Ilea but it certainly was preferable to a grumpy smith.

“I’m glad to hear they’re done. The bow as well?” Ilea asked, excited to see what the smith had produced.

“Yes, the bow as well. And I made some custom arrows as well, quite a fun idea I have to say. Usually this stuff is only used in city defense or big monster hunts but it’s usually too expensive for them to do anything this unique.” he explained and motioned for Ilea to come closer and behind the workbench he was standing.

“Down here are the black obsidian gauntlets. I’d be surprised if you could even lift one of them but give it a try. It’s what you wanted after all.” he finished and chuckled at her already. Ilea didn’t pretend and activated all her buffs before grabbing one of the massive black gauntlets with both her arms. And then she lifted.

The gauntlet first moved and was then lifted from its place. Ilea grunted but managed to place the heavy piece of equipment on top of the workbench. It took thirty seconds but she did manage it to Balduur’s surprise. The second gauntlet followed quickly after and was placed with a heavy thump on top of the workbench.

“You’ve improved your strength I see. Or were you just fooling with me last time?” the smith asked, looking at her sceptically.

“No.” Ilea said, wiping away some sweat from her forehead. “I’ve been working like a madwoman the past two weeks and plan to be able to wield these bastards in a couple months.” she said and touched the weapons. They were made from the same black and matte metal that was still in the form of ingots just two weeks ago.

The form was simple gauntlets that would fit her arms perfectly. ‘He only held my arms once last time and this is what he achieved...’ she was impressed with the smith’s work to say the least. The fingers wouldn’t be movable she noticed and were in the form of a fist but that was perfectly fine for her. There was no reason to bend a hammer either. She touched the gauntlets and identified them.

[Heavy Obsidian Gauntlets – Rare Quality]

Storing them inside her necklace used up four units. Two for each of them. Considering a whole bed only used one, the gauntlets were no joke when it came to weight.

“They seem nice, rare quality as well. No special name though I see. Or are heavy obsidian gauntlets special?” Ilea commented, getting a sigh from the smith.

“They’re very special. Most weapons and armor get their name not from the smith or where they’re made but from what they’ve been through and survived. A rare sword used by the king’s guard of Kroll might turn into Kroll’s guardian sword or something. Give it time and maybe they’ll become quite a bit more special.” the smith explained.

“Will they get abilities as well from that?” Ilea asked, making the gauntlets appear on her arms. Both immediately clanged onto the workbench before her, leaving her no choice but to store them again.

“That’s a very rare thing to happen, a possibility but most often it’s just a name and perhaps a small increase in the durability of the item or its sharpness.” Balduur said, not offended by her ignorance.

“I like them. Thank you.” Ilea said, making them appear again and trying to lift them up. Balduur in the meantime went to get the other gauntlets that looked a lot less stiff than the obsidian ones.

“It was fun to make them, I just hope you do reach a level of Strength at some point where you can wield them efficiently. These here are blue steel gauntlets.” Balduur said and placed the pair of gauntlets in front of Ilea who again made the obsidian ones disappear.

The blue steel weapons looked a lot more usable as actual gauntlets. She grabbed them and got them on, finding them more comfortable than expected. The fingers could be moved as well but she found it not quite necessary. The main part of the gauntlets were of course the blue and silver blades coming out from each of them.

Ilea lifted her right arm to see the forty centimeters blue blade a little better. It came out of the gauntlets as if it were a growth, part of the item itself and not simply attached to it. Balduur must have formed the gauntlet around the blade and not the other way around. It looked sharp and most importantly durable. The blade curved downwards and ended at a level with Ilea’s outstretched fingers, just around thirty centimeters in front of it.

The sharp side of the blade looked towards the gauntlet it was attached to and faced the same way Ilea’s palm did. “They’re great as well. Nice work Balduur. Did you make the blade first and then the gauntlets?” she asked while she identified the weapons.

[Blue Steel Gauntlets – Rare]

Again the actual name didn’t promise anything too special but Ilea decided to trust Balduur and she would see the result at one point or another anyway.

“I formed each at the same time. I have quite a lot of experience working with blue steel but have never made actual gauntlets out of it. I think they should be viable though. Do report your findings to me.” Balduur commented.

“I will, I will. Now I’ve joined an archery class and boy do I hope you got me something cool to show the teacher.” Ilea said.

“You’ve joined. An archery class? I thought you’d actually put this to use… oh well whatever you do with it. Come, it’s not here.” he said and Ilea followed the smith again.

“What do you do if you’re not working for somebody?” Ilea asked and joined Balduur in a storage room to the side of the main forge hall.

“I try things out, try to improve my smithing. Just like you train your skills. It’s my passion.” he finished and Ilea nodded, understanding it completely.

“Seems safer than my hobby of fighting murderous monsters and machines.” she said.

“It’s dangerous as well, trust me. I have several resistances in the second stage already.” Balduur said, making Ilea appreciate his hard work and trial and error. She was one of the benefactors of his suffering after all. Perhaps he had Pain Tolerance in the second stage as well though which would make the whole thing a lot easier but Ilea decided not to ask.

“Here it is.” Balduur said and motioned towards an absurdly large bow hanging on one of the walls in the room.

“You’re kidding me right?” Ilea asked, a big smile spreading on her face as she walked up to the mobile artillery device which would be her new bow. The thing was made of some kind of dark metal and the string had a blue color to it. It looked strong. The nearly black sheen gave it an elegant look and Ilea found herself touching the weapon with a reverence she didn’t show towards the gauntlets.

“Of course she likes the bow the most...ah women.” Balduur mumbled from the side, getting a chuckle from Ilea.

“Well my fists are already my main weapons. I didn’t have a bow yet so it’s something new. Trust me I appreciate the gauntlets already and will come back to you with field reports. Completely new toys are usually more exciting.” she said, winking towards the man who just shook his head.

“Whatever, you owe me 26 gold coins. Check out the arrows too.” he said, leaning on the door frame.

[Heavy Dark Steel Bow]

‘More like Heavy Ballista...’ Ilea thought as she looked at the arrows placed below the bow. Grabbing one of them she found them to be rather light, looking more akin to spears than arrows.

“Those are the normal ones. They shouldn’t break but you can get more made by any smith you find. I used a strong and light alloy so as long as you don’t fire them into pure steel you should be fine reusing them. There’s thirty of those, each ten silver. So three more gold if you want them all.” he said as Ilea moved on to the next batch of arrows.

“Runes engraved for lightning, explosion, fire and ice. More exotic ones can be prepared upon your request. Each arrow twenty silver. Ten of them each for two gold coins. So eight gold coins for all of them.” he explained.

“Twice what the bow itself cost?” Ilea asked a little doubtful “Can they be reused as well?” she asked.

“It’s the quantity that makes them expensive. And yes, as long as the runes don’t get destroyed.”

“Great.” Ilea said and handed over thirty seven gold coins, paying for everything.

“Where the hell did you get so much money to spend...” Balduur said but took the coins nonetheless.

“None of your damn business. Can you make me a hundred more normal arrows? For eight gold.” Ilea asked.

“Sure, I’ll need a couple hours though. Maybe go check on your dagger until then.” Balduur said. Ilea would miss the start of her archery session but Martha had mentioned before that she’d be there as long as she was paid. And considering the new bow that was nearly as big as Ilea herself, she was sure Martha wouldn’t mind.

Stashing the bow and arrows in her necklace, Ilea left Balduur to make her arrows. She had a feeling that a lot of them would break in her training sessions. Walking to Iana she found the woman completely absorbed standing over a workbench with her eyes glowing a bright blue.

Aki had been placed on the workbench and it looked like several different magics were being used on the dagger. “How are you doing buddy?” Ilea asked, standing opposite of Iana and looking towards her companion.

“I am lying here. Have I mentioned before that I’m glad you’re not an enchanter?” Aki asked.

“Why, does it hurt?” Ilea asked back.

“No, it’s just very boring.” came the response. Apparently the dagger was quite fond of Ilea’s lifestyle.

“Mhm. Iana how’s it going? Found out anything interesting in the two weeks and now?” the girl’s face gave Ilea an idea about the progression already. It would probably take a while for anything substantial to be discovered. Iana’s answer confirmed the warrior’s suspicion.

“Honestly? No, nothing. At first I thought I could work down the layers and unlock each of them but this is something I’ve never seen before, not remotely. I’ve worked for a full two weeks and can’t even grasp the first levels. The runes I know, at least some of them but the connections...” Iana looked completely lost.

“I can bring him around more often if you like? Would that be alright with you Aki?” Ilea looked at the dagger on the table.

“As long as it’s not more than a day a week or so...” Aki said. He obviously found it very boring with Iana.

“Can’t you just meditate or something while you’re here?” Ilea thought of the idea, he had been in a dungeon for a thousand years after all.

“Iana says it distorts the image. It’s not a possibility.” the explanation made sense.

“Anything you would like for your time then? I’m just gonna get free enchantments from Iana...” Ilea said, winking at the woman who was still focused on the dagger.

“It should benefit me in time so it’s fine. I can’t think of anything I’d want right now.” Ilea nodded to the dagger.

“Alright, then I’ll bring him over once every week for a day or so. He can stay until tomorrow. Iana do you have a couple minutes for enchantment questions? Maybe a distraction for a while isn’t the worst idea. You’ll have a whole day afterwards.” the girl looked at her as the light in her eyes faded to a normal degree.

“Sure!” the enchantress smiled and removed the gloves she was wearing. “I saw your weapons are done, do you want anything on them?”

“Well the question is what can you do? I have a storage item but I really liked the way Agor’s sword could be summoned from his bracelet. An increase in damage or weight would be good as well. Maybe for the bow that the arrows fly faster, is any of that possible?” Ilea asked, her lack of knowledge about enchanting was quite obvious.

“I’m good with space enchantments so I could certainly get all your weapons into some kind of bracelets or ear rings. Or rings of course but considering you fight with your hands it might not be the best idea. Wind enchantments are rather common to make bows stronger but you won’t be able to shoot as stealthily. I’m not sure if that’s a possibility with that size of a bow anyway. The arrows would have to be enchanted themselves but you already have a couple of those, my work actually.” Iana explained.

“That’s perfect for the bow if you don’t have any other ideas. I’m not sure about the limitations of enchanting. Can you make the gauntlets heavier?” Ilea asked, summoning the gauntlets onto the table before her.

“I’m afraid not. I could make them more durable though. I can make the blades on your other gauntlets sharper while making everything more durable as well. I think that would be the best approach compared to more exotic things.” Iana said.

“You’re the enchantress so I’ll trust you. Can they be removed again and can others be added? And can you both do the bracelet enchantment and the durability and sharpness ones?” Ilea summoned both her bow and the blue steel gauntlets onto the table.

“With the quality of these, yes. I can remove and add different enchantments. At some point dad will have to work on them again before I can continue though. And to your second question yes, the runes are different enough so that they won’t overlap. I can add all of them. Do you want to bring the items at a later time or should I work on them immediately? I’ll need around four days for everything.” Iana offered.

“Work on them now, I’ll get them in a week then and bring over Aki again. It’s not very far if I fly at top speed.” Ilea said. She could always leave the training sessions a little early to visit Balduur and Iana. The enchantress agreed and put away the bow and blue steel gauntlets. The black obsidian ones had to stay on the table as she was unable to move them.

Chapter 95 Negotiations

A note from Rhaegar

Heeeelo. Next chapter next week Thursday probably. Hope you all have a nice rest of the weekend

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Chapter 95 Negotiations

Ilea continued to talk about enchantments with Iana for a while and found the possibilities to be much less amazing than what she thought possible. The difference of an enchanted armor would be able to save one’s life in certain situations but it wouldn’t make the difference between being completely overwhelmed by an enemy and winning against the same foe.

Balduur was still working on her new arrows and a glance towards the man revealed that he was already done with a sizable amount of them. Ilea looked to Iana and switched her leather armor with her elven juggernaut armor, getting a quick gasp out of the girl.

“W...what is That??” the girl said and immediately closed in on Ilea before touching the armor. “This is amazing… brilliant workmanship… the layers are beautifully done… Ilea this is elven! High quality elven, not what the elves who attack our cities wear. Where did you find this?” the reaction was a little more extreme than Ilea had expected but the armor certainly was impressive.

“Found it in a dungeon. It’s Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor.” Ilea explained.

“Now that is a beautiful set of armor.” Balduur saw the change and had approached in the meantime. “Elven and it’s actually made to last. I was sure they were holding back on the equipment they give to the ones attacking at the front lines. Probably so that we can’t equip our own people with their gear. Can I see?” the man asked and Ilea just nodded, switching back to her leather armor and placing the Juggernaut armor on a nearby workbench.

“Knock yourselves out. I’m going to take it with me as soon as you’re done with the arrows though.” Ilea said, quite sure she could handle the two should they get any ideas with her equipment. Not that she really expected anything considering they ignored her storage necklace completely.

“It’s good.” Balduur said after five minutes. “As good if not better than the best armors I’ve worked on. I’m unfamiliar with the metal but it seems to be an alloy of black mithril, drakken ore and something else. Impressive to say the least and expensive. You’re wearing a suit of gold Ilea.” the smith commented and held up a bracer.

“The enchantments are pure durability. Several layers and beautifully intertwined. I’ve rarely seen anything this indestructible that can actually be worn. With the metal combination I think it’s mostly good against physical damage, right Balduur?” Iana commented on the enchantments.

“You’re right. So the wearer better have elemental resistances. Something tells me this lassie here does.” Balduur said and put the armor down, walking back to his workbench. His suspicion was mostly based on the grin Ilea sported through the whole conversation, especially intensifying at the part about resistances.

“So no way for you two to make it any better?” Balduur simply ignored the question and Iana shook her head. The armor was stored again inside her necklace and Ilea was left with a good feeling about her equipment. At least at the moment it seemed to be the best thing available to her.

“Sure you don’t want to have another look at the armor. It didn’t seem like there are a lot of comparable sets out there.” Ilea asked the smith.

“It’s just rare but to be honest elves were never very famous for smithing. I applaud their skill but it’s nothing world changing. Confirms that they’re not sending their elite to attack us. The question remains as to why. It’s good to know that they’re not out to destroy humanity, not yet at least.” the smith explained his theories before Ilea handed over the rest of her debt. Another eight gold for the arrows, of which she now had a hundred and thirty.

‘Can’t wait to try these bad boys out...’ Ilea thought. She still had to wait another four days for Iana to be done with the enchantments but she was ready to plunge herself back into training.

“I’ll see you in a couple days then. Make sure the bracelets aren’t destructible either.” Ilea said to the two people and waved.

“Don’t die out there.” Balduur said and walked back down to his smithy.

“Sure you don’t want another bracelet or ear rings?” Iana asked but Ilea wanted nothing else but tight fitting bracelets to store her weapons in. She did decide to pay the girl at least a part of the work, even though she had found an easy way to exploit her with her dagger.

“Bracelets are fine.” Ilea said and summoned ten gold coins before handing them to the girl.

“I’ll make them extra nice.” she said smiling and waved towards Ilea who smiled back and blinked out into the winter morning air. She was late already for her last class and activated all her buffs before her wings spread behind her. A second later she was on her way back to Ravenhall and to an angry archery teacher waiting for her only pupil.

The next four days were spent again with training but on the third, Ilea finally found what she had been looking for. The two people in front of her looked at each other with skepticism, unsure of the proposal they had received.

“And you will fly us there?” the woman, a level 85 mage asked to confirm. Ilea nodded, activating her wings that spread behind her.

“I’m really not sure about this Lars.” the woman said, looking at her colleague.

“I can wait outside if you want to discuss.” Ilea said but she seemed to have somewhat convinced the man already.

“Our rate is ten silvers per hour. I’ll consider the job for twice that.” Lars said, obviously annoying the woman by not communicating with her beforehand. Ilea didn’t miss the chance though and interjected.

“I’ll make it twenty per hour. We can only work on it for two hours every day but we can do the planning here of course.” Ilea said and now even the woman seemed to be considering the proposal.

“We’ll have to see the place first. And you’ll only take me while leaving a deposit of two gold coins here.” the man said.

“Lars are you really sure about this?” the woman asked.

“Alina it’s alright.” he closed in on her and continued in a whisper “If this works out for us this is gonna secure our shop for the next two years. I’m sure she’ll want some extravagant things as well...” he finished and Alina seemed to be intrigued.

“I’ll leave five gold coins as a deposit and we leave right now. You can take a look and then we’ll be back in two hours. If I break my word the gold is yours.” Ilea said and placed five gold coins on a nearby table.

“If I’m happy with the finished job I’ll pay you including the deposit.” she finished, quite tired of the debating. They were the only capable architects willing to even see her though. The way from Morhill to the cliff she would build on was reasonable enough. Sadly all of the people capable of building houses in Ravenhall were employed by the city and quite unwilling to help her build.

She could of course force somebody or pay outrageous prices but Ilea believed the end result would suffer from such actions.

“Alright, let me get ready and I’ll be with you in five minutes.” Lars said, obviously trying not to stare at the gold placed on the table. Even Alina’s doubts were washed away by the shine of the small coins.

‘The power of gold...’ Ilea thought and repressed the smile she wanted to show, knowing that it could be interpreted as something quite different. The man was ready in two minutes, dressed in leather armor and a heavy coat that would protect him from the cold weather outside, something Ilea had stopped to consider because of her resistances and high stats.

“Ready then?” she asked and watched the man bind a thick piece of cloth around his head, covering his eyes. It had been one of the requirements for the job. Ilea knew that they could probably guess the location of her cliff side but having them cover their eyes on the way would at least help somewhat with keeping it secret.

Ilea let the two builders say their goodbyes and then grabbed the man below his shoulders as her wings spread out behind her. “Just tell me when I have to stop. I’ll heal you on the way so you should be fine.” Ilea said and started rising up. The man tensed up and didn’t calm down through the whole trip. He never asked for her to stop and neither did her healing skill tell her about any damage he was taking.

The two landed safely on the cliff side just under an hour later. Ilea would be late for her archery lesson again but that had already happened a couple times by now and Martha didn’t seem to be bothered, quite the contrary really her mood seemed to worsen whenever Ilea actually arrived to the scheduled lesson. The woman would get paid either way.

“We’re here.” Ilea said and let the man down. He stumbled a couple times on the stone and used both hands to get the coat closer to his body. His teeth were clattering together as Ilea removed the blind fold from his face. “You alright?” she asked and the man nodded slowly before a low growl made him tense up again.

“S...ss….swordmouth...” he stuttered and fell backwards while Ilea walked up to the tiger, shushing it away while gesturing.

“Go back to your cave.” she said and the tiger listened. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll be here to protect you while you work.” the man slowly got up again while shaking his head.

“T...this is ridiculous...” he said as Ilea walked up to him.

“As I said I’ll be here. Trust me I can handle that little cat. What do you think of the place? We don’t have long before we have to leave again.” Ilea asked. She would probably take a day off from the training with the others to let them work on her project for longer.

Lars seemed to calm down a little and breathed in and out slowly with closed eyes. “Alright alright. So I’ll take measurements and check the stone. Then we’ll figure something out when we’re back in Morhill.

“Sure, knock yourself out.” Ilea said, taking some food from her pack and sitting down in front of the cave to not let the tiger out of her eyes and Sphere.

“That should be doable. We’ll figure out some concepts and I’ll draw up some plans for you. How long should we invest in the planning phase?” Lars asked and his partner nodded at the sketches he already produced.

“Until we find something I like. I’ll be back tomorrow to take Alina to the location as well like you suggested. After that you have a week to plan some things out, go a little crazy with the designs. I’ll pay 20 Silver per hour you two invest in this as discussed.” Ilea explained and placed the silver for the time already invested for travel and evaluation on the table. The gold deposit was still there but she made no move to take it back.

“If you need help from somebody else or materials just inform me and I’ll try to get that for you.” Ilea said while getting up. She decided to skip the archery lesson today to finish up with the two builders.

“That’s very generous of you. We won’t disappoint, don’t you worry.” Lars said and Alina nodded from the side.

“Great, see you tomorrow then.” Ilea said before blinking out of their beautiful house in Morhill, one of the reasons she trusted the two with her own future home.

“We better not disappoint that one...” Lars said to his wife and colleague. The woman nodded and went to take the money left behind by their customer.

“Let’s get to drawing then. At least we know this one won’t bail on paying like the ones before.” Lars had a sad look on his face, remembering the debacle. It was one of the problems of working for people independent of any guilds or cities. This one too, the flying black haired warrior could simply leave as soon as her requests were fulfilled. Or kill them as soon as it’s done.

Lars and Alina didn’t come as far as having their own house and business in Morhill without having to deal with those kind of people. Background checks were already being paid for with the advance the woman had left behind.

“Are you sure that’s necessary? I don’t think she’ll try to screw us over or attack us.” the water in front of him started boiling as he activated the rune below the kettle. Alina really liked her tea when she was working. It got the mind running is what she usually said. Lars found himself agreeing as he added the dried leafs into the boiling water, filling the room in a beautiful and fresh aroma, quite contrary to the bleak weather outside.

“She seemed nice. And honest. But you know just as well as I do that there are good actors out there.” Alina said, preparing their worktables and rolling out the paper. They would analyze their customers requirements and then discuss some basic ideas.

“She’s not a mage at least.” he commented as he got two cups from the nearby cupboard. Warriors tended to be easier to deal with, at least in Lars’ experience. Alina grunted to his comment and went to get their pencils.

“We have the requirements. Did she mention a budget?” Alina asked, hovering above the paper with her drawing utensil.

Lars would’ve liked to hug her but the rune below the boiling tea needed to be powered by his mana. “I mentioned some estimates and she just nodded. I don’t think there is an upper limit dear.”

“Then it shouldn’t be as hard to make something outstanding. How was the flight by the way?” the woman asked and started to draw.

“I think she flew slower than she normally does. She can heal as well and other than the cold it was quite comfortable. An efficient way to travel… to think we’d have to join a caravan for dozens of silvers to just get to the next city and this woman can just fly wherever she wants to.” he shook his head and let go of the rune. The tea would be left boiling for a little while until the aroma mixed perfectly with the water. Something he learned to do in the past five years while working with Alina.

“I’m sure she’s suffered enough to get those wings. You can go out there too and prove yourself.” Lars just grunted at her response and finally hugged her.

“What do you think her level is?” Alina asked with a smile as he hugged her.

“I don’t care.” Lars said and kissed the woman on her neck.

“That is quite troubling news Dagon...” Adam scratched the stubble on his chin as he thought about the new information Dagon had provided.

“It is. And we have to act if we intend to stop his greed filled intentions. Elder Urn is betraying the very bases this guild has been built on and if we let him gain more favor and influence it may soon be too late to stop the man.” Dagon was standing in his office, quite unhindered by his unnatural proportions.

“Dagon. If there is a single man I trust with the Hand’s legacy then it’s you. Do you believe a forceful removal is the only way we have left? I’m sure he has gotten quite a number of members to his side by now. It won’t be a quiet removal, even if the other elders agree.” Adam was aware of the severity of the situation but he couldn’t quite help his mind wander to his more personal projects. He was so close already. Perhaps…

“Verena will be persuaded easily enough. She cares about the guild as much as I do. The other two won’t even know what has happened until a couple months or years have passed. When was the last time they were even here?” Dagon’s concerns weren’t quite unfounded. Adam didn’t even know if the two missing Elders Pierce and Lucas were still alive.

Something told him they were and while someone like Wallace Urn was playing political games they were out there fighting monsters well beyond what the man had ever seen. ‘Not for long...’ Adam thought and stopped himself from forming a smile. His quite selfish goal would have a rather nice double edged result. If he dared combine it with this problem threatening the Hand. The conditions would be much better and the cost of human life would be washed away by the removal of Elder Urn and his greed.

“We need a team of members we can trust. Strong enough to deal deathblows to other members. Contact all your sources and get in all your favors. We will need to strike fast and remove this corruption from the Shadow’s Hand in a single and brutal strike. There is no room here for politics and negotiation. Wallace has to be removed and so do his supporters.” Adam said, his eyes gazing into Dagon’s.

“How long. Will you be the distraction?” Dagon asked.

“I need around three months to prepare. Runes and ingredients to summon enough monsters for a massive distraction. The whole Hand will be busy while we take out his faction. In the meantime we send away the members who were simply paid on missions as far away as we can get them. They’ll return and find Urn removed.” Adam explained.

“Have you really advanced enough to prepare something on that scale? Your monsters will run rampart and without control.” Dagon’s concern wasn’t unfounded but even he will be quite surprised at what Adam is capable of.

“They will, and it will be a good opportunity for some newer members to taste blood, together.” he was glad that Dagon seemed to agree with his proposition.

“What about the returning traitors?” he asked.

“Don’t call them that. We are still mercenaries and we cannot weaken ourselves too much. They may do as they like but as long as we remove Urn as the root, they will fall in line. I am sure of it.” Dagon nodded at his explanation and prepared to leave.

“I will find them all. Prepare everything and do tell me when you’re ready. Send the names of any trustworthy soul capable of matching a full member to me and I will manage the rest.” Dagon whispered and bowed to Adam with a fierce fire in his eyes.

“Elder.” he said and left Adam’s office.

A deep sigh left Adam as soon as the door closed and the protective runes around his office activated again. He had fooled one of his oldest friends, had used his desire to save the Hand to hide his own intentions. Yet still it was more important to him. And perhaps the Hand will prevail. Should they manage it, they would come out stronger than they had ever been before. There was doubt inside his heart but the same hope that had kept him going for the past twenty years burned not just for his love but for the Hand as well.

Chapter 96 Survival

A note from Rhaegar

Hello everybody. First chapter for the week, more coming tomorrow and Saturday

.

Chapter 96 Survival

Snow was falling heavily now. Three months had passed since the elven attack on Dawntree had started and the land of Elos was covered in white. Sulivhaan stood on top of a mountain overlooking the city of Ravenhall. ‘Hello old friend...’ he thought as he looked upon the stone walls of what he considered to be home.

The defenders at Dawntree had managed to lure some of the elves inside the city and finished them off at great cost. Both property wise and with human life. None of the highest leveled people in Dawntree or his squad of the Hand had come to substantial damage but as soon as one trapped an elf inside of a human city, it will not fight honorably against the defenders.

Two weeks after his arrival the elves had turned back. Immediate discussions among the Dawntree nobles sprung up as to why the elves had come and gone but Sulivhaan didn’t intend to find out the enemy’s reasons. He had already wasted enough time of his life to figure that out and what he learned was sobering to say the least.

Whatever elf was sent to the front-lines was either a marvelous actor and liar or simply didn’t know anything about the plans behind the attacks. After so many tortured creatures Sulivhaan had come to accept the latter. The elves would not easily be understood and their plans would not leave wherever they had their military bases. If such a thing even existed. Perhaps some of the theories were right and the species was simply fueled by bloodlust and simply lived for the fighting and killing.

The attacks were too coordinated though and with the decades of experience Sulivhaan had he just couldn’t accept something like that. He was tired, tired of fighting an enemy that didn’t seem to take humanity seriously. How could they? Whatever rabble they send to die in the human cities don’t even know anything about their plans. The young sent to test themselves against a worm they didn’t even consider worth fighting.

With the infighting and squabbles over land and policy that color the lands of humanity it didn’t come as a surprise either. Sulivhaan was sure that most people would sell their neighbor to an elven torturer for a single coin of gold. ‘These are dark thoughts.’ Sulivhaan forced himself to smile. He was home and though many of the surviving elves had remained inside the human territories it would only be a matter of time until they were hunted down by elite forces of both the hand, the adventurer guild and the kingdoms and empires looking to improve their soldiers and standing.

Many had declared the destruction of the western cities as unprecedented but Sulivhaan had considered their colonization as risky at best. Many of the cities were built and left behind previously but just as much as an innkeeper doesn’t care about the monsters luring inside dungeons, a pioneer leaving an overcrowded human city doesn’t care about the history behind his next home town. Living in ignorance and safety is something deeply ingrained inside humans and in times of peace this feeling got stronger. People look towards others for safety and find not their own strength and fire to be the one fighting back.

Sulivhaan hoped that through the thousands of dead some will find their own fire. To stand up and show Elos what humans were capable of.

“Getting teary?” Rock had finally climbed the last bit of the mountain and was now standing next to the squad leader. No answer was expected and Sulivhaan was glad that he had his squad to rely on. Even the new member who had been added to their team before they had left Ravenhall for their long mission had grown quite substantially. The rogue was standing quietly nearby, a quality she had learned from Navalis to be sure.

The ranger was nowhere to be seen but he knew she was close enough to fire an arrow should it be necessary. That was who she was and he accepted that. Not one for people.

“Let’s go.” Sulivhaan said and started flying towards the city, the two members behind him following on the ground. ‘I hope you haven’t changed too much Viscera...’

“Do I h… have to?” the pleading eyes of his daughter didn’t dissuade him.

“This is part of getting strong Lily. I’m truly sorry that you have to do this so early but it’s the only way we will survive.” Roland was holding down the dying beast he had fought against for the past twenty minutes. It wasn’t usual to get a class before the age of sixteen but Roland had heard of enough cases to try. It was cruel he knew but he felt it the best way to prepare his last surviving daughter for her life in this cruel world.

Two months ago they had been let inside one of the outer cities in the Kroll kingdom. Luckily the refugees weren’t robbed immediately, mostly thanks to Valery and of course the hundreds of other refugees flooding the town. Salia hadn’t been the only city which was attacked and it wasn’t the only city that held survivors. Survivors who didn’t quite felt like staying inside the now monster infested fallen cities.

“Do it Lily, it’s a monster and it would do the same to you in a heartbeat if it could.” he appealed to the girl with logic and was glad to find she followed through. The blood colored her black dagger a deep crimson as the smell filled her senses. The beast continued to struggle but he didn’t let it slip from his hold. The cut had been thorough and the level 90 horned lion would bleed out in mere minutes.

Roland would find a safe place to sleep for the girl soon and he would hunt more of the lions. Neither him nor his daughter would ever stagnate again. Even if she didn’t get a class early he could teach her to hunt, to fight and to survive. Killing was simply a part of it. Of course he wouldn’t be so cruel as to have the girl fight a human or beast with a high level of intelligence but there was enough she could learn from him.

Staying inside a city filled by refugees with inflated prices for even the most basic of goods wasn’t going to be very helpful for her. Roland slowly let down the dead monster and closed its eyes. Removing the dagger from its neck, he cleaned it on the beast’s fur before handing it back to Lily. The girl was still staring at the dead animal with slightly teary eyes. An experience that would stay with her but a necessary one.

“You did well.” he said and handed the clean knife back to her. A gift from Ilea. He wasn’t sure if they would’ve died inside that hideout or if a stray elf would’ve hunted them down were it not for that squad of the Hand and Ilea herself who knew where they were hiding. He saw it as another chance. To make things better, to not live as carefree as he had before, traveling around with a family safe behind a city’s walls.

A loud growl sounded too close to him and Roland’s eyes blinked open, his hands on his axes and immediately on his feet when the beast was upon them. ‘Couldn’t hold back could you...’ he thought as the monster pounced on him, his axes cutting into the beast’s shoulders as its claws dug into his leather armor. The two fell down, the monster’s weight resting on his axes and its claws ripped through his protection, drawing blood.

The beast suddenly jerked to the left, giving Roland enough control to rip out the right ax and smash it into the lion’s head. Another two hits and the beast lay dead on top op him, bleeding onto his face. He received a couple messages from the fight but ignored the new information in his mind, using his full strength to push away the carcass. A frightened girl appeared behind the dead beast, getting closer to check on her injured father.

Roland reassured her that he was fine, checking his injuries himself. ‘A day at most...’ thinking on the time he would need to heal. Less if he found anymore beasts to kill. He looked back to Lily, who was wishing her hand before her face with confusion apparent on her face.

“Good job, you saved me Lily.” Roland said and got up before he hugged the girl tightly.

“D...dad there is something here, there was a noise and now there are words I can read...” the girl said and he hugged her even tighter, smiling to himself. She would have a head start after all. He hoped dearly that this was the right decision, thinking on their portion of the Salia gold in his pack. A new life to build somewhere far away. First they had to improve, at least enough to fight back against the world.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

The message reverberated through Maria’s mind, ripping her out of her meditative state and reminding her that she was still alive. ‘Another one...been a while...’ she thought, opening her eyes and looking at the mage before her. Blood dripped down onto the cold stone ground below, lost in the permanently crimson colored cell floor.

Her face reacted automatically to the levels of power used in her tormentor’s attacks, distorted in a grimace of blood and pain. Only that there was no pain. She had reached the second stage of Pain Tolerance a long time ago and to her confusion and luck somehow not even the noble houses of Lys knew about what exactly it did. She repressed the smile threatening to show on her face as she did many thousands of times before and simply waited through the ordeal, her only solace being the resources lost in this endeavor.

Another hour or two and an interrogator would join her to ask the same questions she had denied knowing anything about four years ago already. They would learn nothing today either.

“You wanna go to Red’s later?” one of the mages in the room asked his colleague who was currently draining Maria’s steadily recovering Mana. She had become resistant enough that two mages with the ability to drain mana had to be placed in the room at all times. Not a questionable decision considering her abilities. Still she was surprised that nobody had come to finish her off. Four years and nothing. Either they were too scared of Edwin and wanted to have her as a bargaining piece or someone involved in her upbringing still pulled some strings.

Either way Maria was bored most of all. She swore long ago that if she ever got out she’d form a cult worshiping the Meditation skill. The only reason she hadn’t gone nuts in all this time.

“Nah, you know I’m married now Steve, I can’t do that shit anymore. Stop asking me, I’m sure some of the new guys will want to join.” the other mage responded a little delayed, sweat on his face from the constant use of his draining ability.

“Ah you bore...can we switch soon, I wanted to level my attack magic as well.” the first guard said and looked towards the lightning mage standing in front of Maria. He nodded and stopped his attack, motioning to the healer sitting nearby. The last person in the room.

The woman did her job silently as she had many times before with this prisoner and others. Well paid work after all. Maria knew there was more to the woman though, seeing the excited quivering of her lips under the brown hood.

“We can switch, sure. Don’t think you’re gonna be the one making her talk.” the lightning mage said and cleaned his blood stained hands. Some of the attacks had been a little more violent.

“I tell you she doesn’t feel pain anymore...” the first mage said and stepped up before Maria, grabbing her hair and pulling her head up to look into her eyes. “You’re not feeling anything anymore, are you? I tell you she’s been dead for a long time. Good gig to level, I’m gonna join the adventurer guild in another couple months.” the mage said, making another one in the room laugh.

“You’ve been saying that for years. Don’t fool yourself, you’re too much of a coward to actually go out there. Even if you get all your skills to the second stage down here.” the second mage said.

As predicted an interrogator joined Maria soon after. To her delight he was more into hitting her than talking to her. Some quiet after the previous group talking about their miserable lives, the only actual torture she had to go through in this hellhole. Luckily this one didn’t yet decide to rape her as many had done before. Every single one of their faces was engraved in her mind. Every healer, every torturer and every interrogator. And most of all the rare visits by someone better clothed than a beggar. They were the ones responsible for her situation and the ones that would pay dearly should she ever get out.

Just when she thought the interrogation had ended and she would finally be left alone for a couple hours due to staff shortage in the prison, two steps resounded behind her.

“What do you want?” the interrogator asked, wiping his big arms clean of all the blood, wincing back at an injury one of her teeth had caused. She had read him quickly enough and angled her head well enough to cause a bit of pain in return. One of the few upsides in her days.

The person in the room with them walked closer to the prisoner, ignoring the mage draining her mana and the healer standing nearby. “I have a certain interest in this woman.” Maria’s eyes shot open and she fought with her whole will to stop herself from tensing up. Luckily her hair was hanging in front of her face, not revealing the only visible reaction she had shown. Her heart started beating faster and she made it slow down. One of the many things she had learned to do inside the prison.

‘It’s him...’ she thought, waiting with her whole being in anticipation for the next words from the man.

“I’d like to have some...privacy. If you all understand...” he said and the sound of appearing coins could be heard. They were flung towards all the rooms occupants in painful slowness. Luckily the practice was known well enough and Maria had been on the receiving end of the bargain many times before, at least in the first two years.

“Have your fun noble. You know the dangers I hope, this one’s apparently above 200 and dangerous. Not that I’ve ever noticed any fight in her...” the man said, chuckling and moving her head around violently while grabbing her hair.

“How long do I have?” the man said and touched her back.

“Ten minutes max, the spell’s effects lessen after and we don’t want anybody injured.” the mage draining her mana said and stopped his spell, putting the coins into his pocket before leaving the room. The healer followed when the interrogator decided to punch her one last time, removing three of her teeth. Considering the healers they probably had a full room of her bones stored away already.

“Knock before you come in if you will.” the man said and turned, watching the interrogator leave.

As soon as the lock closed, the man walked around her, coming to a stop before her face. He grabbed her hair and hit her hard in the stomach. Maria coughed. Another hit and he closed in on her face.

“Can they listen?” the question came with a third hit and all of Maria’s tension broke. She quivered in her restraints and played her part.

“No, they only watch.” she whispered her reply.

“Foolish, I would’ve put you on watch every second of every day.” the man said. “Are you still in there?” he asked, slapping her hard, moving her hair out of the way. Their eyes locked as her head moved back and Maria’s lips strained to not move upwards.

“Same as the day you left Edwin.” she said.

“I expected nothing less. Someone I met on the road told me about the second stage of pain tolerance. How boring was it?” Edwin asked, testing the restraints around her and continuing to hit her occasionally to keep the image up.

“Like you wouldn’t believe. What’s the plan?” Maria asked, realizing the young man she had fallen in love with so long ago had grown not just in height but also in strength. Level 218 to be exact.

“No runic traps either, just like the sources confirmed… you go on my back and hold on as best as you can.” Edwin explained, making Maria a little annoyed at the fact that he didn’t involve her but considering the circumstances it was understandable. “I’m sorry...” Edwin said and Maria couldn’t stop her tears anymore.

“You will hit me for this. I was never meant to see you cry.” he said and tried to wipe away her tears. “Come, you’ve been bound long enough.” the man said as two swords appeared in his hands, the steel restraints holding her in place shattered in an instant and Maria found herself falling. The world stopped before she was caught. Looking up she was staring at the back of Edwin’s head. Her hands and legs moved around him to secure herself as best as she could. Every muscle in her body ached from being used again after such a long time. What irritated her the most was the smile on her face. It felt wrong but she couldn’t stop it as Edwin got up from his crouch, his swords brandished the man stepped towards the door, a red mist forming around his body.

Chapter 97 Change

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there.

Chapter 97 Change

The metal hold of the spear like arrow laid cold against Ilea’s hand as she carefully pulled the string of her massive bow backwards, focusing on the moving targets set before her. The last bit of breath left Ilea’s mouth and she let go, the wind enchantment of her bow coming to life in the last moment, giving her arrow just a bit more speed. She watched it fly and punch through three targets before the metal arrow buried itself inside the wall of the training hall.

A dull noise resounded and then silence came to the hall as Ilea breathed in her next breath.

“Passable, at best.” came the harsh verdict from her teacher. Ilea smiled brightly as her bow vanished inside one of her bracelets and she went for a big hug. Martha’s dodging skills weren’t quite up to dealing with the agile Ilea and she quickly found herself caught in her pupil’s embrace.

For the first time in three months Ilea had been deemed passable. She still sadly lacked any archery related skills but still it was a big achievement for the healer turned warrior standing inside one of the Hand’s training halls, hugging her teacher.

“Thank you so much for teaching me!” Ilea exclaimed, finally letting go of the woman who was already gasping for air. It had been a fun time for Ilea. Next to her more serious and demanding training in all her other skills and learning about monsters living in Elos, she found archery to be a surprisingly fun past time. Additionally it would add a somewhat dangerous ranged attack to her arsenal of skills, even though she didn’t have any related skills to enhance it.

“Don’t get so excited. You still lack any skills. Why do you even focus on this, it’s a waste of bloody time.” the woman commented but Ilea was already not listening anymore, still happy about her previous comment. She left Martha to her negative blabbering to wait in another hall for her team fighting lesson. Tomorrow they would get their first mission after everybody had agreed, considering their skill growth. Kyrian had delayed the whole thing another week as he wanted to get his second class’ skills just a little higher.

Not just her archery had improved in the past three months and Ilea quickly checked through her skills and stats as she sat waiting in the training hall where team 34 would soon join her for their daily lesson. She was ready to level her classes again and if she was honest she was itching to finally get some real action again. They all had a lot of close calls in their bouts but there was something exciting about the unknown that simply wasn’t there anymore fighting against her team members.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 203

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 2

Class 2: Ash Wielder – lvl 199

- Active: Shroud of Ash – 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Form of Ember – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: Ash Surge – 2nd lvl 4

- Active: Body Heat Manipulation – lvl 12

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 3

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 2

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 11

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 4

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 15

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

Status:

Vitality: 575

Endurance: 285

Strength 246

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 500

Wisdom 305

Health: 5750/5750

Stamina: 2850/2850

Mana: 3050/3050

The big changes were of course the new second stages for Azarinth Reversal and many of her Ash Wielder skills.

Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 2:

You have learned of Destruction and Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Destruction will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Destruction’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Hunter Recovery will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

2nd stage: You may have both aspects activated at the same time.

Category: Body Enhancement

Ilea had already tried this and it effectively meant that she could drain a small amount of mana with every attack using Destruction, nearly making it pay for itself. Additionally every prolonged touch would lead to destructive mana being forced into her opponents, without having to consider her ability to heal herself. The skill became something she started using in every single fight compared to the occasional surprise it had been for her enemies before.

Active: Ash Surge – 2nd lvl 4

Create a wave of ash and ember with you at its center. Distance, density and speed depend on skill level and mana invested (max 60 Mana).

2nd stage: Focus the direction and density of the surge.

Category: Ashen Magic

The second stage of Ash Surge added surprising diversity to the spell. Ilea could now summon ash in a controlled manner in front of her or to her side to manipulate it. Additionally she wouldn’t blind her team mates whenever she used the skill. The density addition to the second stage made it usable as a distraction even in the last moment of an attack and there was little reason for Ilea to hold back on using the spell, except of course for the mana cost.

Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 9:

Your control over Ash and Ember increases dramatically. Bend it to your wishes and shroud the path before you.

2nd stage: Ash and Ember have become your ally. Your control increases greatly.

Category: Ashen magic

Ash and Ember Manipulation was a little strange to define for Ilea. Even before it reached the second stage she wasn’t sure if it was a viable skill to have. It had come from Fire Manipulation she had gotten with her Fire Mage class. With the second stage she was now much more in control of any ash she summoned through her Ash Surge or even through her wings. When Ilea found herself in front of a mirror and summoned her black elven armor while she controlled some ash around her, she was determined to never lose the skill. It simply looked too good and she had the feeling that it influenced all her other ashen skills.

It was only reasonable to assume that Fire Manipulation increased one’s power of fire spells, why would this be any different?

‘Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 2

Your understanding of Ash Wielder allows you to form wings from ash and ember. Strike your enemies from above and close the distance to deliver your wrath.

2nd stage: Your wings become more dense and tangible, able to help you defend and attack.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

This one was perhaps Ilea’s favorite change. She could now slap people with her wings. Considering her speed it was a force to be reckoned with as well. Not remotely comparable to her fists but certainly helpful. The defensive capability the wings added weren’t too shabby either, making her able to block smaller projectiles without taking any damage, like Kyrian’s small needles. The two wings were like an added layer of Shroud of Ash, although much weaker in defense they weren’t affected by at least curse attacks.

Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 12:

Increases your perception by 45.5% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 182%].

2nd stage: Effects apply with weapons as well. Opportunity calls, you notice possible critical weak points on enemies with more ease.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 11:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 45% when fighting without a weapon [Effect after bonuses 180%].

2nd stage: Effects apply with weapons as well. Your instincts sharpen and your ability to avoid damage to your vitals when dodging increases.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Body of Ash and Eyes of Ash went hand in hand. With their second stages the focus on the hand was reduced by quite a bit but they added very noticeable additions to Ilea’s fighting. She became more efficient, more fluent as soon as she had reached the second stage for either of the skills. Neither would she slow down anymore whenever she used her bow or gauntlets.

Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 4:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted with your own body and while shrouded in Ash is 61.5% higher [after bonuses 246%]’

2nd stage: Shroud your weapons in ash to produce various effects. Shrouded weapons deal additional damage. Affected by Ash and Ember Manipulation.

Category: Body Enhancement

Ilea was a little hung up on Ashen Warrior’s second stage. Azarinth Fighting had given her a reaction time bonus of 40% which was ridiculous. With time she learned to value the new addition to Ashen Warrior. With her higher and higher level of Ash and Ember Manipulation it was a simple manner to shroud any of her weapons in a dark mist of ash. Her hands luckily counted as weapons as well. Not her head or her knees sadly but her hands and feet were affected.

The part about various effects was great as well, letting Ilea produce small spikes to increase armor penetration or even blades similar to her Blue Steel Gauntlets, not close to as damaging but it was something. Most of all it looked impressive and Ilea couldn’t stop herself from giggling as she combined her Ash and Ember Manipulation with the newly shrouded hands and elven armor to form quite the spectacle to look at.

The stats Ilea had gotten went straight into Strength, with the eventual goal to be able to use her heavy gauntlets but also because it was behind her other stats and she learned specifically when fighting against Claire that her normal skills were sometimes not as effective as pure physical force.

To round it all up, Ilea’s Resistances were heightened as well. The main magic types used by her teammates at least, some of them even reaching the second stage. Contrary to Pain Tolerance, the other Resistances didn’t completely nullify the damage taken but it still felt like a massive boost with all of them.

Mental Resistance now reflected a part of the damage done to the attacker, making it much harder to attack Ilea that way. Lightning Resistance now let her body harness a part of the energy used in the attacks to fuel her Mana and Stamina. This was especially useful when fighting against Trian. The pauses needed by each of the fighters was now close to even. As Trian’s skills grew as well, the distance of sustainability wasn’t quite closed though.

The last Resistance that had reached the second stage was Curse Resistance and it simply halved the duration of any curse’s effect on her. The effect was much more noticeable than she had anticipated at first. Kyrian had explained to her that a curse’s main strength came from its lasting effect. One of his classes’ attacks was effectively half as effective on Ilea than before she reached the second stage of the Resistance.

All in all it made Ilea question why not more people leveled their Resistances. Either there were no healers available or people simply weren’t willing to go through the agony of the process. Specifically Pain Tolerance wasn’t easy but it was the one necessary to quite simply level the rest. As long as a healer was available of course.

The team didn’t quite agree with Ilea pushing them to level their defenses as well but had found her and her Resistances to be perfect for their training. They did agree to go through some pain and had to fight each other constantly anyway but nothing was quite as efficient for skill training than to push all of your power into attacking someone who could take it. Apparently the training got much less efficient as soon as Ilea reached the respective second stages of her defenses, explaining why not all noble houses and cities simply used a high leveled tank type for everyone else to attack.

For the skill to grow there had to be damage done and each and everyone of team 34 found it increasingly hard to damage Ilea. The Resistance sessions were still continued of course but they became more willing to attack each other as well, to Ilea’s delight. She had grown to like them over the past months, even Trian and it would be quite disappointing to see one of them die because of low resistances.

Ilea summoned one of Keyla’s meals and started eating. Contrary to what she had feared, the food stayed as amazing as the first time she had tasted it. The cook explained that with her high level in the class, everything she prepared would hold a certain edge that others wouldn’t have. The dishes didn’t improve ones stats or skills but Ilea believed a happy belly was a happy and focused mind. And a focused mind won bouts.

She was halfway through her dish when the first of her team arrived in the hall. Kyrian, clad in his newly forged full plate spike armor that had extensions and separable parts complimenting his growing control of metal. Both his defensive and offensive capabilities skyrocketed with the addition of the armor, made by Balduur, enchanted by Iana and paid for by Ilea. It took nearly a week for her to convince him that she would be paying and another week to convince Balduur to actually produce the armor.

Kyrian nodded lightly at the waving Ilea who still had a spoon in her face. One of Kyrian’s conditions on letting Ilea pay was that a cape would be added to the armor. A cape weaved with metal. This had been the main reason Balduur was so hard to convince but Ilea was just glad that her mate got the armor in the end. Both armor and cape were made with a high quality alloy that sported both durability and penetrative power when used in attacks. The high weight of the armor was a detriment for Kyrian at first but his mobility wasn’t one of his strengths either way.

It was a good way for him to train his body as well and considering his nature as a mage that had certainly been necessary. His gray eyes shone from the slit in his helmet, intensified by the otherwise dark and nearly black color of the armor.

“Nobody here yet?” he asked as Ilea put down her bowl and got up from her sitting position.

“Wanna start?” she asked, her wings forming behind her as she smirked at the man. Both Form of Ember and State of Azarinth came to life as a burst of ashen mist was released above Ilea, quickly twirling downwards and around the woman.

“Sure.” Kyrian answered in a typical manner and walked towards the middle of the hall. The quiver like metal object strapped to his back moved a little as dozens of metal spheres came to life inside of it and flew out to circle the man. Four of the spheres splintered to become floating needles, thin enough to perform surgery.

Contrary to the earliest encounters Ilea had with the man, the needles flowed downwards and in a circle around him before they scratched into the stone floor, producing an orchestra of screeches. Ilea was wearing a Hand training leather armor as she had for the past three months. Many hadn’t survived their bouts and today’s copy would struggle to hold up as well.

She flew upwards as the ash twirled around her, an additional and much denser shroud formed around her just when the screeching came to an end and a cold feeling filled the hall. A dull green light was emitted from the scratches in the floor around Kyrian for a second while mana flowed into one of Ilea’s bracelets, making her bow appear with an arrow already placed in her hand.

From her position in the air she saw the beautiful work of scratched runes in the floor and drew back her bow, aiming for his head. The arrows were still stored in her necklace but she had the others believe they were inside of her bracelet as well. The spear like arrow reached her ear before she let it fly.

One of Kyrian’s spheres flattened into a disc and intercepted the attack, deflecting the spear just enough for it to miss him. The sound of metal upon metal signaled the start of their training session while both of the contestants smiled with focused eyes and tense bodies.

Chapter 98 Statistics

A note from Rhaegar

And the last one for the week. Hopefully I'm bloody writing more while this is released. The following chapters are a little slow and for those wondering if this is indeed filler, then no. I just suuuuck. Let me know what you think, in general. I wrote a thousand pages and the story is pretty popular so you can be mean. It's only gonna help everybody if your criticism makes me improve!

Appreciate you all for being here through it all

">, thanks for reading.

Chapter 98 Statistics

Ilea blinked around Kyrian as usual and tried to find a gap in his defensive line of metal. More and more Ash was released to wards the somewhat stationary man, making it hard for him to see the moving target. Occasionally an arrow was loosed both towards Kyrian and the runes on the ground around him. Even with her high amount of Curse Resistance it was a massive detriment to enter his domain. Combined with the high amount of spheres still hovering around him it meant nothing else but death.

An important lesson that every member of their team had learned in the span of the past three months was that Ilea didn’t quite fear death as much as she probably should. ‘There it is...’ she thought and blinked into the curse rune and close to her target. Ash whirled around her foot as her kick connected, the formed spike of ash cutting into the unprotected back of Kyrian’s knee with added Wave of Ember and Destruction spells.

The spheres expanded and cut deep into Ilea’s protections, drawing blood on both her face, leg and side. She ripped away from the metal and blinked backwards in the same time Kyrian buckled on his injured knee, catching himself with an arm on one of his spheres. A mist of needles followed Ilea’s last position but she was already lost in the sea of dark air, heavy with ash.

Her wounds healed in seconds while the shroud of ash around her closed even quicker. Another arrow was loosed towards the man and this time the deflection led the spear directly into the runes on the ground below him. Their effect wouldn’t vanish immediately when the runes were disturbed but it would weaken over time. The curse’s effect on Ilea was already waning as she circled in the air around her defensive opponent whose only attack was the hovering needles and spheres of metal traveling through the ash, trying to find something to connect with.

Azarinth Hunter Sphere combined with Ilea’s speed and perception were too much for such a tactic to bear any fruit. The flying metal was simply a small obstacle course for her to overcome with flying and blinking before she would inevitably arrive again to deliver her deadly payload of destructive mana and physical force. Kyrian had formed spheres around all his joints, making him both more protected but also more immobile.

A tactic he had used against Ilea with more and less success before. Her answer was simple arrows at first but as time went on so did Kyrian’s perception and speed of both movement and manipulating the metal around himself increase. Her attacks would be deflected in the last moments, bringing the fight to a stalemate.

Even though his defensive spheres could take Ilea’s fully powered punch, there was one thing they didn’t quite manage to block. Ilea blinked in behind the man, spikes forming around the spheres closest to her as parts of his armor loosened to pierce her as well. Two spheres moved to intercept her and expanded into discs when a black obsidian gauntlet materialized on her moving fist before impacting on the defensive measures put in place.

A loud clang resounded through the hall as metal spikes impacted Ilea’s shroud of ash, the needles coming from behind deflected by her wings. Some of the metal managed to pierce and draw blood while cursing the target but while Kyrian managed to partially pierce Ilea’s defenses, the heavy fist crashed both metal disks together and landed them right on his back, putting all of her enhanced body’s strength combined with the weight of black obsidian into one punch.

Kyrian remained standing, stabilizing himself on two metal spheres before Ilea vanished again. Seven more of the same encounters happened in the next thirty seconds, each of them ending in more damage to Kyrian while she simply healed the damage done to her. Not enough time was left for the metal mage to orient himself against the assault. The last punch was too much for him and with an awkward angle, Kyrian couldn’t stabilize himself against the force anymore.

The impact of the fist shot the man forward through his own field of metal spheres, one of them impacting his head and ending his flight rather quickly and with another impact on his back. Ilea knew how much he could take but this hit would be the end of their fight. He would still put up an impressive defense even while lying injured on the ground but it was only a matter of time for her to push through, she had proven that many a time before.

“Over?” she asked and got a painful groan in response, all metal clattering to the ground around her. Ilea concentrated and all the ash in the air around them slowly came downwards before the floor was covered in a dark gray carpet. She blinked to the man when his helmet vanished. Iana had added the feature but informed them that the whole armor sadly wasn’t possible with her skills.

Blood came out of his mouth and he looked at her with pained eyes. She touched his face and pushed her healing mana inside of him.

“Well done.” Trian said from the side as everyone clapped for the two. “Another one for the healer.” he said with an added layer of mockery in his tone. Something Ilea gave up on removing, probably too ingrained with his being. She sat down on Kyrian’s armor and finished healing him in the next minute or two. His back was severely injured and she doubted the man could even stand if he wanted to. He was ill suited to fight her but Ilea knew that it came down to her Ash Surge and Curse Resistance. Without either the fights would turn out quite differently.

No Ash Surge meant a more even field and Kyrian had even managed to win a couple of those fights against her. Against Trian it looked a little different, both for Ilea and for Kyrian. Ilea lost over half her fights against the noble but she was catching up slowly, especially since reaching the second tiers of her Ash Wielder skills and Lightning Resistance. Kyrian on the other hand won nearly every fight against Trian. The lightning was easily deflected and Trian had no way of countering the curse, even with his high mobility. Neither did he have a way to shroud Kyrian’s vision as Ilea’s Ash Surge did. And lastly he lost if he simply went for an attack like Ilea did. His vampyrism didn’t quite counteract the damage Kyrian’s metal managed to dish out.

“Nicely done Ilea. It’s still impressive to see someone able to punch through Kyrian’s defense. He might even be a more efficient tank than you are.” Joseph said, nodding to both of them.

“Only until he gets hit.” Eve said from the side and giggled, getting an annoyed grunt from Trian. The noble was likely annoyed at his inability to land exactly that first hit and that a simple punch of Ilea managed to land while his lightning did next to nothing.

“Those gauntlets of yours are still frightening to me...” Claire said. The woman had refused any help offered from Ilea regarding new specialized gear from Balduur. She had at least met with Iana to discuss enchanting and her runes but that was it. The woman usually sat behind her defensive domes while she summoned explosions around herself or tried to trap her opponents in a dome themselves. Everything about her had improved but considering everyone else didn’t stand still either Ilea considered her the second weakest one on one fighter in their team.

Whenever they would split up and fight each other the team with Claire usually won though so there was that.

“Why didn’t Kyrian get that metal?” Eve asked, helping the man up after he was completely healed by Ilea. Claire summoned a bunch of wind to clean the ash away while they talked.

“It’s too heavy. The manipulation skill doesn’t negate weight.” Trian explained, an interjection he likely wouldn’t have made three months ago. Ilea was glad he at least started interacting with them somewhat normally. “The only reason this brute is able to wield it is because of her storage bracelets.” he said, getting a smile from Ilea.

“Aww, are you still mad that somebody else has storage items?” Ilea asked, making him lift his hand but put it down quickly after. He shook his head and visibly tried to calm down. ‘At least he learns...’ Ilea smirked and punched her fists together. “Who’s next?”

“Actually I have some info on your job that starts tomorrow.” Joseph said, calming the mood down a bit.

“Yea I have some questions as well, most importantly we’ll be back for the tournament right?” Eve asked. The woman had been going on about it for the past four weeks already and the others were mostly ignoring it. Claire was the only one sharing the enthusiasm and talked about opportunities for new tactics and seeing other teams fight.

“About that, that’s the reason I’ve been somewhat absent from your trainings in the past two weeks but as you were training outside of the designated time anyway it’s no matter. It starts in two weeks so you should be fine. The job is a simple monster extermination in a silver mine north of the Isanna Desert. About three weeks travel eastwards with a caravan but I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it back in time.” Joseph explained, handing Claire a piece of paper.

“Is that all we have to go on?” she asked after looking the piece over and even checking the backside.

“That’s more than many usually work with. The Shadow’s Hand isn’t called for a weak or known enemy.” Joseph said, crossing his arms in front of himself.

“Four teams of adventurers already went in and nobody came back. One of the teams was twenty people strong, their leader at level 150.” Claire checked through the information again.

“How long you think we need there?” Eve whispered to Ilea, standing next to her.

“Half a day? Not sure, you’re pretty heavy.” Ilea whispered back and got a joking punch to her side, ignoring the whispered threat of murder.

“We’ll be careful and if we can’t handle it we can just leave again or get reinforcements. Pay happens after completion.” Kyrian commented and Joseph nodded.

“We never get swindled?” Ilea asked, smiling.

“Oh they try. We have a certain… reputation when it comes to that.” Joseph said and mirrored her expression, a rather rare sight on his face. Ilea nodded in understanding.

“When do we leave?” she asked.

“You can go tomorrow at dawn. This is also somewhat of a test, not that this is necessary for you but know that half of new teams lose at least one member on their first three missions together.” Joseph said, putting a bit of a lid on the excitement of Ilea.

‘Well 83.4% of statistics are made up...’ she thought and tapped her leather armor. She would wear her elven one tomorrow for sure but still wouldn’t reveal her storage necklace if not absolutely necessary. Thinking of armor she had another question for Joseph.

“Will we get the cool black mist armor everyone has? We’re going out after all aren’t we?” Ilea asked.

“An enchanter will take care of that tomorrow. The armor is your own and we will add the effect to it. Don’t worry any previous enchantments will be unaffected, there were zero cases so far where the enchantment caused any problems. Oh and we will have to dye your armor black. I hope nobody has a problem with that.” Joseph continued. The group looked at Trian who was already chewing on his lip.

“Don’t worry nobly, black plus the blood of our enemies equals one combination you wear every other day, right?” Ilea joked but it seemed to make something click in the man’s mind.

“You’re right. We’ll have to find something to kill quickly then. Wait no, I can just buy blood.” the noble said out loud, making Eve shake her head.

“You shouldn’t worry about style when it comes to actually dangerous situations.” Eve said with mockery in her voice.

“You wouldn’t understand.” came the immediate response but Claire managed to distract the two with another question.

“The runes we saw in Eregar’s Haven?” Kyrian and Eve strained their ears at that.

“I informed the responsible people and was told they were preparations for the tournament.” Joseph said “I didn’t get anything else and don’t look at me like that. I know what you said but even one of the elders is a summoner so he would know what he’s talking about. Perhaps it’s a new challenge for the contestants. There are new ones every other year after all.” Joseph finished, a little overwhelmed by Claire’s worry.

Ilea had asked Claire about it and the answer was simply that she had a bad feeling about the runes. Not quite enough to do anything substantial. Ilea was reminded of her corporate days in the fast food chain and how customer complaints were redirected up into the responsible office somewhere far away and likely straight from the printer into a shredder. A really nice shredder though so the customers would feel appreciated.

“The golden shredder...” Ilea mumbled and got a confused look from Eve.

“I hope there are no shredders...” the whispered response in turned confused Ilea. They hadn’t learned about a shredder in their monster knowledge classes yet after all.

The rest of the day went more or less just like the previous ones did. First the team fighting with Joseph which consisted mostly of bouts and resistance trainings between the members and then team tactics lessons which consisted of more bouts but somewhat more strategic ones. Trian had started joining them after the first month came to an end and his seamless integration into Claire’s planning and trainings left both of them in a positive light.

They had learned to move as a team, at least in practice. Some rare occasions for team fights had presented themselves inside Eregar’s Haven but little had come of them. Every time the fights had to be stopped early because someone got heavily injured. Both in team 34 and the others. Ilea at least was never one of them, proving to be rather resilient even against people of similar destructive power to Trian.

Those encounters were rare as though there was a sizable amount of people in Viscera, the Haven was vast and most teams kept to themselves. With the tournament coming up that would surely change.

“So are you all going to join the tournament?” Liam asked between teaching them about the previously mentioned shredder after Eve had insisted Ilea learn about it. Ilea had to agree that the name fit the descriptions rather well. Little would be left to bury should one encounter such a mass of bladed fury.

“We don't plan to.” Claire answered the question. Though Eve had talked excessively about the tournament that happened every three to six months for members of the Shadow’s Hand, the thought of joining never seemed to come up. Ilea already smiled as she saw Eve’s eyes slowly open, an idea forming inside of her mind.

‘Wha if???’ Ilea thought and chuckled when Eve uttered those exact word a couple seconds later.

“What if we Do join?” it apparently seemed like a revolutionary idea to her and Ilea couldn’t deny that she itched to fight some interesting classes. The only negative part was that she had to hold back. Not because she wanted to kill them but holding back was definitely harder than losing oneself in fury and blood. At least in her opinion. It did help her grow in skill in the past three months and she found some additional respect for Claire and Trian who had the firepower to end any other team member except for her in but moments.

At least that had been true two months ago. All of them had brushes with death but that was nothing new to any of them.

“You really want to join? I sure would like to show them what we’ve got.” Trian agreed with Eve for once. If anything got him to participate it was to show off. He probably even meant his shiny robes and not his skills. Definitely not the other members of his team.

“You won’t be the spotlight you know?” Ilea smirked, lounging in her seat but definitely amused by the situation.

“You don’t think so? At least everyone will be able to see me compared to your black dirt cloud.” he said nonchalantly, only a faint sound of mockery in his tone.

“Good, they’ll know to fear me.” Ilea said and felt like his immature behavior was rubbing off on her. She shook her head and decided not to contribute anything else to the conversation, lest her edge cut through the chair she was sitting on.

The others didn’t seem to take it as a joke. At least until Trian snorted. Eve clapped her hands together before he could retort though. “So it’s three to two! We’re joining the tournament.” she exclaimed.

“We can’t join the tournament.” Claire said, sighing at the whole ordeal. “We have to get permission from Joseph and we have to successfully finish a level three mission.”

“What the hell’s a level three mission?” Ilea asked, breaking her resolution not to say anything else in but half a minute.

“It’s a categorization and we’d never get a mission at that level for our first one.” Claire explained.

“How do they categorize it without knowing what the hell’s in that mine?” Ilea asked.

“It’s math, complex algorithms and complicated risk analysis put together with veterans evaluating the missions.” the explanation sounded like a heated poker player explaining to Ilea why the game had skill involved. Perhaps it did but what she knew after going into the Taleen dungeon’s throne room was that deep caverns in Elos were about as predictable as the success of crypto currencies.

Chapter 99 Housing

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, finally a new cover art

">. What do you think? Check out the artist Kevin Catalan!

Next chapter either tomorrow or Sunday.

Chapter 99 Housing

“So they guess?” Ilea asked. Claire seemed actually annoyed, a very rare occurrence Ilea had found. “Alright, let’s say they don’t and it makes sense but can a mission’s classification change?”

“It can but you’ll have to bring proof and argue for the change. Not something that is easy to justify. And it’s going to be tough arguing for a level three on a level one mission.” Claire’s explanation just seemed like an excuse for the rating system to Ilea. Considering the members would likely get paid accordingly, it made sense.

“Then there better be a bloody shredder in there.” Ilea said and smiled, getting a chuckle from Eve.

“Let’s focus on the mission and if we can join after we will. Otherwise we’ll be able to learn a lot from the fights either way.” Kyrian finally interjected, his voice of reason acting like a relieving potion for Claire’s mind, if one went by her facial expression.

“Sounds good, I do of course like the idea of killing a shredder.” Trian said, getting a smile from Ilea alone.

“Alright, let’s get back to work. You can finish discussing that later, children.” Liam said but to his annoyance didn’t get much of a reaction from anybody, not even the noble. Ilea saw with her sphere that Trian’s eye twitched a little though which made her happy. Annoying the hypocritical man with a fist of gold up his ass and an arrogance to rival an emperor gave her a fuzzy feeling deep down in her heart. Of course it wasn’t her that caused it this time but his annoyance was there.

The shredder has up to 738 blades of bone growing out of its flexible body. It’s most common approach is the surrounding of a foe followed by furious movement. The resulting damage is likely one of the reasons for its name. The….

“We should take the day off before the first mission.” it was Claire who suggested the day off, at least from everything except the classes. “I need time to prepare runes and provisions anyway.” Ilea was keeping back a smile, thinking of her necklace that simplified preparations a thousandfold. She couldn’t imagine waiting at a gate for check in anymore after having used the magical device for the past months.

Food wasn’t an issue, clothing wasn’t an issue. Not even getting on the clothes was any effort anymore. She still sometimes practiced getting on and off her armor just in case she’d lose the item at some point or if it was stolen. It seemed like a rather slim possibility but nonetheless something to be prepared for. ‘For all the training and preparing we did in the past months we still know jack shit about what’s in that mine we’ll clear out tomorrow…’ she thought.

“I agree, I’ll have some preparations to do as well.” Kyrian agreed with their unofficial team leader. Even Trian agreed as he had to prepare quite a bit considering he’d be gone from the city for a week or longer. Ilea felt the day off to be unnecessary. She had food and a bunch of stuff in her necklace, no further preparation would be needed. It really was easier as soon as one had a certain level and resistances to boast. She contemplated on how to spend the day without filling it with training. ‘Maybe I’ll finally show him?’ she thought and smiled at the idea.

“We’ll meet tomorrow at dawn then. North gate of Ravenhall, alright? Don’t forget to visit the enchanter for your armor changes.” Claire informed them and got some confirming gestures in response. They quickly split up to do their own preparations for the mission, Ilea finishing up the only thing left to do in Viscera.

Her wings vanished, leaving some floating ash behind which Ilea floated quickly towards the cliff behind her with Ash manipulation. It would soon join the ocean in it’s vastness. The cliff side had changed drastically in the past three months, the two workers outdoing their promises. Of course Ilea had likely overpaid them but she really wanted a satisfying product.

Many sessions of discussing the drafts for the house had been held in the first two weeks after she had hired the Lars and Alina, the architects and builders from Morhill. Ilea gave the two some modern ideas from earth regarding architecture and certainly challenged them in more than one way. The two took the suggestions and added their own experience and expertise, creating the building before her.

First they had laid the foundations, many storage and training rooms going deep into the mountains side had been created at first, outlined with high quality steel inscribed with defensive runes, both for illusionary attacks, physical ones and even some elemental. It would defend the structure against low leveled magical attacks but mostly against rust, the salt and moisture from the ocean and generally nature’s workings.

The whole frame of the structure was made of the expensive steel Ilea had purchased and brought to the site by both carrying and with her storage device if the singular pieces were small enough. The now a little daring looking structure, overhanging the cliff side by several meters was rooted deeply into the mountain and wouldn’t budge, even against heavy winds. The ocean itself was too far below for any water to actually reach the house.

The actual walls and roof of the structure were wooden. A dark brown and heavy wood that gave the structure both weight and character against the stony and dark mountainside. Two lines of wood followed along the steel skeleton both inside and outside, at least with the part of the house visible from outside. The bigger part with nearly three thirds of the room was build deep into the stone below and was only clad with wood on the inside.

To fill out the space between the metal and wood above or stone below, the two architects mixed something they called Breathing Earth, a mud like substance to hold the structure together while providing protection against the cold winds outside. Of course the warmth would be kept inside rather well too.

The exposed part of the house had a lot of big windows, many of them made from the blue glass Ilea had admired in Viscera’s library. “Are you ready for a house tour?” she said, having summoned Aki who she purposefully kept inside her necklace whenever she met with the architects or came to check on the progress.

“And here I thought you had an interesting secret. A bloody house?” Aki asked “How did you pay for this even...and why is it out here?” Ilea was a little annoyed at the negativity, maybe a second opinion would help balance it out.

Five minutes later and a lot of struggling and healing later, Ilea stood in front of the house with Aki sheathed in his usual place on her leather armor and a leash that was more rope in her right hand, ending around a defeated looking Swordmouth Tiger’s neck. Ilea summoned a piece of meat and threw it in front of the creature which happily ate the gift.

“See, she likes it.” Aki didn’t comment on it anymore.

‘And now we’ll do the bloody tour.’ Ilea thought. She could’ve brought her team but didn’t quite feel comfortable enough for them to find this creation. It wasn’t exactly hidden away but it would need a lot of dumb luck to stumble upon it by accident. The dark wood didn’t stand out too much against the cliff side and some light illusion runes were carved into the outer layer so one’s eye wouldn’t be drawn on it too much.

Additionally this was hers. Ilea’s private house and she already used it occasionally to get some alone time to relax or read on the few occasions where she had an hour or two to spend between trainings.

The outside of the house looked modern, at least what Ilea considered to be modern. There were a lot of angles, not even the side walls going up completely straight. It looked a little like the top side of a small zeppelin or space ship with large windows and dark wood. Something that looked quite alien in this medieval like world Ilea had found herself in nearly a year ago. ‘It certainly feels longer than that...’ she thought as she led the now more agreeing tiger towards the entrance.

There was a patio facing the mountain side with a wooden swing bench attached to the roof covering it. The door itself was an artwork in itself and actually one of the more expensive parts of the house. Days of work even for an experienced wood mage. Ilea turned the old school key in the lock and opened the door, leading the animal and Aki inside.

A big open room with no carpets, clad in wood opened up before them. Magical lights came to life and lit the place in a warm and cozy light. The big windows opened up the room and counteracted the heavy wood, letting in more light from outside. There were chairs and a big table, a leather sofa and the leather chair she had gotten in Salia. Spaced out to create both a lounging area and a space to eat with others. Something that had only happened with Lars and Alina so far.

No unnecessary clutter could be found in the room, a space to breathe and take in the raw nature outside the house while protected by warmth and shelter.

“It’s nice. I like the simplicity but it feels a little cold.” Aki commented, a sentiment Ilea certainly shared. She liked it about this room though. It captured the feeling she had when she stood alone on the cliff side, overlooking the ocean. There was a terrace as well, only separated by a sliding window one could open. The terrace hung several meters over the cliff side and gave Ilea similar feeling to flying when she stood out there, bracing against the strong ocean winds.

She led her two visitors towards a discrete looking wooden stairway separated with another wooden wall. It led upstairs and to Ilea’s new favorite place to be. In the middle of the room was her drake feather bed and on both walls were lined shelfs filled with books. Above her bed hung a massive five to three meter painting of a winged drake like creature. To her it was obviously a dragon but the artist had vehemently told her not to call it that. On the far wall from the stairs between the bookshelf and her bed was a wooden cabinet with different drawers and open spaces with inscribed runes. Some of them held beverages kept cold or food kept fresh. Most of them were actually filled with food she had gotten from Keyla who had worked nearly exclusively for Ilea in the past months. Even she couldn’t eat as much as the excellent cook provided.

The open floor was covered in comfortable fur from creatures Ilea had never seen before. Considering most people died from monster attacks she didn’t feel bad about keeping pelts there. A sentiment not quite translatable from the human dominated earth to the monster dominated Elos. At least not yet, perhaps an industrialization was on the way even here in this magical world.

Ilea’s favorite feature of the room was the roof, completely made from glass and big enough to give her the feeling she was outside. With no light pollution the stars would shine into the room with their full brilliance. The glass was a specialty from a mage in Ravenhall and had runes inscribed that could darken the glass considerably upon activation, making the room dark against both the sun and stars.

The novel Ilea had started reading two weeks ago was still lying in the messy bed, in addition of several pillows and blankets covering the massive mattress. It was her little haven and she would hunt down anything that would disturb it. Considering the placement in the house it was strategically the least defended place but Ilea didn’t mind. It could be rebuilt should anything happen, except for the books but she made it a goal to only store volumes in the shelfs that held little value or quality. The good ones were far below in one of the storage rooms and her personal library.

She had actually looked for a book lover in Ravenhall and luckily found a group of somewhat noble people willing to sort through her collection from Salia for a reasonable pay. Ilea simply didn’t have the time to do so herself. She had shown all the books to Aki beforehand to make sure nothing was stolen and sold it to the dagger as a categorization effort. A little bit of threatening had gotten her back the books that were removed from her collection and she even saved on some of the pay with their disregard of the contract.

Apparently there were some rather rare and priced books in her collection and she would continue to add to it. The library was the most protected room inside her house after all. Also the biggest but most of the shelves were still empty, her collection from Salia only able to fill a tenth of the big space in addition to her room.

She slowly breathed out and found herself relaxing at just the view of the place. Somewhere she could likely stay forever if it weren’t for that itch she had. The itch to explore and fight, something she didn’t remember having on earth. Perhaps the explorers discovering the Americas had a similar feeling like she did regarding Elos. Instead of gold and natives she would find magic, ruins and artifacts.

Gold was certainly nice as well and really gave her the opportunity to build this house in the first place. It cost her a little over a hundred gold in total for all the wood work, enchantments, labor, art and furniture filling it out. Keyla’s food had come up to nearly forty gold in the past three months and Ilea had informed the cook to stop for now. There were around four storage rooms full with her food and with the convenience of magic it would still be good to eat in a hundred years to come. Should nobody disturb it of course.

Turning around, Ilea led the tiger downstairs again and into the open space. It had tried to get to some of the food in the cabinets but a strong hand on its leash dissuaded it promptly.

“I must say it seems very cozy. Not sure how much my sentiment is influenced by your continued influx of mana.” Aki commented as they went for the stairway leading down into the floor below. Like above it was open and just as big as the ground level. Compared the room holding her bed was much smaller.

There was a kitchen and dozens of crates and cupboards on the floor, lit by a much colder light than above. A big workspace was separated from the kitchen itself and provided ample space to prepare meals, something Ilea hadn’t gotten around to doing yet. A further stairway led downwards and into a vertically higher room than any of the others beforehand.

On the walls were stands and racks holding weapons Ilea still held from the Taleen dungeon. Enough to supply a village with gear but mostly a waste to keep inside of her necklace. She did keep a couple weapons but most of it had been placed here. Ilea even purchased a couple sets of armor to not have the stands completely empty.

There were no further stairways and the rest of the house only held storage rooms for food and possibly rarer gear and of course the library at the lowest part. A place Ilea considered her own, just as much as the room above the ground floor. She would’ve shown it to Aki but the presence of a certain cat complicated the blinking maneuver a little. Two floors of storage rooms were below and another three, opened in the middle were the library.

Ten times around four meters, thirty two meters of which went into the mountain side and deep underground. Something she assumed much harder to accomplish without the help of earth magic, Lars’ expertise.

“There’s still plenty of space to fill.” Ilea felt the same way and heard a little bit of anxiety in Aki’s voice, an unprecedented occurrence.

“What is it?” she asked and unsheathed the dagger, making the tiger next to her a little jupmy.

“Will you leave me here?” the weapon asked Ilea, making her understand the reason for Aki’s anxiety.

“Of course not.” she simply stated and sheathed the dagger again, walking back upstairs and out of the house again. The leash was removed from the patient tiger and more meat was dropped in front of the creature. It quickly ran off with its food towards the waiting kittens that had grown up considerably in the past three months. Ilea had wondered how the animal got food but the question was resolved one day when she was reading in her bed, hearing the cat move outside. The monster simply ran up the steep mountain side, bursts of magic left behind it climbed the rocky wall only to vanish at the very top a couple minutes later. Ilea had watched in wonder but quickly continued to read, thinking of the absurdity of climbing cats and winged humans.

Chapter 100 Mission

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, next chapter probably on Thursday.

Chapter 100 Mission

After having released the tiger, Ilea went back to her reading spot and continued where she left off. For the first time in three months she had more than just an hour or two to invest in reading and to relax. It was incredible how much the team had progressed and tomorrow they would have to prove themselves against an actual threat. Ilea was definitely more excited than nervous which left her not quite in a state to relax and read.

In the end she decided to eat in bed and maybe visit Viscera at a later point to enjoy some live music. She did miss the existence of headphones or even a radio but couldn’t find anything remotely capable of producing music that wasn’t alive. ‘Perhaps they have record players somewhere… maybe ask the librarian about it...’ the thought was interrupted by her enjoyment of the food. One of the reasons she considered the past months to be some of the best in her life.

The training was effective but her skill growth had been slowing down steadily over the past couple weeks. She was ready for some adventures again and tomorrow would see a start to them.

A cold wind was flowing through Ilea’s hair as she stood on top of the wall near the north gate of Ravenhall. The guards nearby seemed to avoid looking at her, likely a cause of her black elven armor and more importantly the black wisps of shadow occasionally flowing from it. They had no effect other than visual and Ilea was informed by the enchanter that one could easily disable it so the movement wouldn’t reveal one’s hiding place.

Her head was covered fully by the black helmet and the metal horns protruded a little to the side and then towards the front. The armor was heavy but Ilea didn’t notice much of a difference compared to the usual leather armor. She felt safe, safer than she had ever felt before when going out into the wild of Elos. When she calmed herself down with the knowledge that she could probably flee, she was now confident that she could at least give her team mates some time before they would have to retreat, even against something like the Basilisk.

Her level was of course nowhere near a monster like that and she had no illusions about killing one but her reflexes, her perception and resilience were nothing to be easily bypassed. Adding the rare juggernaut armor on top and Ilea made quite the convincing member of the Shadow’s Hand. Something to be looked at in awe by most of the population. She remembered that Jirayu the fire mage had been an impressive sight, nothing comparable to any member of her new guild. The top of humanity, at least officially.

Ilea was sure there were secret societies and noble houses holding some quite impressive members themselves but this was the general pinnacle of humanity’s strength and she had reached it. ‘Now to go beyond...’ she thought as a dark rogue with a black face mask landed softly next to her.

Eve had a smile painted on the mask in white and Ilea couldn’t discern any holes or a slit for her eyes. The woman wore black leather armor with metal pieces guarding vital points but she was certainly geared much lighter than Ilea. Both had a small pack on their backs that had also been dyed black. The few resources they took with them was a testament to their enhanced bodies, needing little to no sustenance to work for days and weeks.

Claire and Kyrian walked up to the gate, the man looking downright scary with his spiked armor now completely black. Some of the guards veered back a little even with their high levels. The Hand went out there and into the unknown. There was quite a difference between them and a high leveled guard.

Claire was wearing an armor Ilea hadn’t seen her in before. It looked somewhat heavy and had a long armored skirt that went further than her knees. With her sphere Ilea could see a lot of hidden pockets for runed plates, disks and stones inside the skirt. Her pack was the biggest, likely holding similar items within. Claire’s head was only covered by a hood and cloth, revealing only her eyes.

The last to arrive was Trian. He couldn’t resist putting up a show again and flew high above the city with his bright red wings of lightning, only to land next to Ilea and Eve on the wall, bending down in an exaggerated pose that wasn’t quite necessary considering the fall. Ilea knew that but the guards didn’t. She heard them whisper about him being the leader of the team while wondering about who they were exactly.

The noble wore an impressive looking black full plate armor that seemed both light and sturdy. Perfect for his high mobility but more geared towards defense than Ilea had expected of him. His helmet was black as well and reminded Ilea of a Greek warrior. Wisps of black smoke came out of the slit for his eyes as he moved himself to an upright position. Ilea would’ve clapped and joked about his dramatic entrance but she had to admit that they looked pretty scary.

She couldn’t help but be a little proud of the team as well. They had worked hard and today all their training will be tested. Considering it was labeled as a level one mission it likely wouldn’t be too much trouble but Ilea had learned before that an overwhelming advantage could quickly turn into a downright massacre.

Ilea looked down on Trian and couldn’t help but chuckle a little in the end. He had actually gone and put blood on his armor to get some red in there. ‘We’re not even on a mission yet...’

“I can smell you.” she said to the noble, motioning to the blood. “I hope you wash that off as soon as there’s nobody to see you anymore.” she finished and looked towards Claire. “Where to?”

Trian looked down on himself while Claire and Kyrian walked up to Ilea. “West over the mountain chain until we come to the Isanna desert. As soon as we meet the next chain of mountains we’ll have to slow down to find the specific town. It should be about a third of the way across the first mountain chain.” her explanation was easy enough. Ilea knew more or less where to go, having studied her own and some other maps along the way.

“I hope you know not to fly too high.” Claire said and continued, not getting an answer from Ilea “The skies do not belong to us. Never forget that.” she finished and Ilea took the advice as fact, knowing that Claire wouldn’t warn her about something trivial.

“Let’s go then.” Trian said and started hovering.

“How’s your flight Kyrian?” Claire asked the man and in response four metal spheres hovered out of his quiver that hung next to his pack. Two of them formed disks which he stepped onto while two of them he grasped with his hands. Slowly he started flying as his magic control of the metal pushed him upwards.

Ilea wondered why he didn’t just control the metal in his armor, she knew it was metal he had bonded with as he called it. She shrugged internally and decided it had likely to do with stability or speed. The man quickly flew to where Trian was waiting and twirled around in a steady maneuver, showing his apparent expertise.

“Alright you two?” Ilea asked and extended her arms a little.

“This is so embarrassing...” Eve muttered as she came to a stop next to one of Ilea’s arms. Claire stopped next to the other and nodded to Ilea.

“Then try to get a flying skill. It’s actually pretty rare to have three people in a single team able to fly.” the explanation did nothing to quell the feeling of Eve as they both grabbed Ilea’s upper arms. Dark gray ashen wings with lines of red fire in between formed behind the woman and started moving quickly thereafter.

The three people ascended slowly as Ilea got used to the weight. She would be slower but not by much, as long as the two didn’t move a lot. “Claire, hand your pack to Eve, I’m unbalanced.” she said, having her orders followed quickly.

“Why don’t you put everything into your ring?” Kyrian asked the noble hovering next to him but didn’t get a response.

“I wouldn’t want him to have my stuff...” Eve said as the three people carried by Ilea came to a stop next to their male teammates.

“Come.” Ilea stated and started flying westwards, her speed increasing steadily. Five minutes of flying later she found the sweet spot and continued on as Trian flew next to her, nearly at his top speed. Kyrian didn’t seem to have a problem keeping up but Ilea quickly noticed that any turns she did made him fall back a little. ‘Good exercise for him...’ she thought as she continued, concentrating on balancing the weight of the two people she was carrying.

The mountain chain both Ravenhall and Morhill were built on was left behind just two hours of travling later, a rocky but much lower terrain opening up before them. Ilea followed Claire’s notion and went down a little lower. The barren hills and rocks went on for another hour until they were slowly replaced by dirt and sand. Ilea could now see the supposed mountain chain in the distance but it would take a while to reach it.

The team was mostly quiet through the travel, either concentrating, excited, nervous or embarrassed. All of them had mostly fought alone up until this point and though they knew each other somewhat there was little actual trust. Especially towards Trian. Eve had outrightly despised the man and was now close to tolerating him. Ilea didn’t know how exactly she felt about the others but was confident enough in her own abilities to escape should worse come to worst, hopefully while carrying some of them out with her.

Three hours later the team finally reached the first mountain and paused to quickly eat and drink something. Trian had still not cleaned himself of the blood and Eve didn’t like that one bit.

“Fuck off, I’ll clean it when we’re there.” several illusions of Eve appeared after the remark was uttered, making some red lightning spark around Trian before the others intervened.

“Keep the heat for your actual enemies sparky.” Ilea said to the noble as her buffs flared up, the slit in her helmet shining with a subdued blue and red. Claire calmed down Eve in the meantime while Kyrian stood a little helplessly to the side.

“Let’s just move on. Nobly I’m sure you have water with you, nobody in that mining town will even know your family so give it a break. The smell of blood on you is gonna be a problem and you know it.” Ilea said, reasoning with the man who slowly calmed down. Glass bottles of water were summoned by the man including a cloth to wash off the blood. ‘At least he was smart enough only to put it onto the metal parts...’ Ilea thought as she watched the blood flow down and into the sand below.

The heat had increased a lot in the small distance they had traveled. It wasn’t an issue for any of them, heat resistance being one of the skills they had worked on at least a little but it was still noticeable. “The town is near the fourth mountain from here. We should be able to make it in half an hour or so.” Claire said, one of her hands resting on Eve’s shoulder.

Ilea couldn’t see below any of their helmets even with her sphere. A handy byproduct of the shadow enchantment but a little detrimental for her at the moment. At least there were no more comments for the rest of their journey but Ilea felt emotionally more drained than at any time in the past three months. Any tension they had was easily resolved by fighting each other, something a little ill advised in their current situation.

‘At least we’ll get something to fight soon enough...’ she thought as she slowly landed, seeing the supposed town in the distance. It was located in the valley between two of the mountains, surrounded by rocks and sand. Barely any green was visible from the elevated position they had landed on.

“That the town?” Eve asked as she stretched her arms and legs after hanging on to Ilea for the flight.

“It should be. Let’s find out.” Claire said, jumping down the slope and speeding up into a run. The others followed quickly, forming a vague formation with Claire at the front. The walls of the city weren’t very high and looked flimsy compared to something like Ravenhall. The guards visible on top of the wall formed a line as more and more of them appeared while the group got closer to the town.

A couple hundred meters around the walls was nothing but sandy rock. Claire slowed down to a jog and stopped around fifty meters before the wall, all of them clearly visible to the guards on top of the wall.

“They’re a… afraid.” Kyian’s comment was a little unexpected. They weren’t close enough to the city for the guards to be able to identify them.

“Why? We’re here to help them.” Ilea’s question got a condescending chuckle from Trian.

“They don’t know that. I’ll go talk and you wait here. If anything happens wait for my signal to interfere.” Claire said and slowly walked towards the gate of the city.

“What’s the signal?” Ilea whispered to Eve next to her.

“An explosion and flying bodyparts I assume.” Eve answered her in a similar whisper while shrugging.

The four people watched as Claire approached the gate and came to a stop around ten meters in front of it.

“The captain will soon be here. Wait until then.” Ilea made out the words of one of the guards even from the high distance.

“What are they waiting for?” Trian asked, obviously impatient. “They should be happy to receive us for fuck’s sake.” Ilea tended to agree, especially because the town had sought help from them and should know about it. She remembered how Aaron, herself and the group of adventurers who were trapped inside the Calys mine had reacted to the group of the Hand they had encountered.

“They are but they also aren’t.” Kyrian said, getting a quick look from Trian.

“Stop talking in riddles.” The noble said with a calm voice.

“The Shadow’s Hand appearing anywhere near you means they’re needed there. It’s a bad fucking sign.” Ilea explained, making the man shut up and wait. Ilea had missed if any further communication had happened between Claire and the town because of her teammates.

Two minutes of waiting later a new armored man appeared on top of the walls and promptly jumped down, landing in front of the gate and walking up to Claire. He shook her hand and talked too quietly for Ilea to hear.

Claire nodded a couple times before they shook hands again. The captain walked back to the town again, a blue fire exploding below his feet, propelling him to the top of the wall while Claire ran back to her team.

“Another team of adventurers went in two days ago and they haven’t heard back anything. The mine is in that direction, half an hour and up the mountain. We just have to follow the rails.” Claire finished, motioning towards a mountain side. Ilea couldn’t see any rails nor any other signs that there was anything nearby but she nodded nonetheless. No questions were asked and the team started running towards the indicated spot.

Five minutes later they came up on an iron railway, likely used to transport metal with a mine cart or something similar. Dust and sand was shot up as the team ran up the mountain, following the metal tracks until they passed some high rocks followed by an opening in the mountain. The sun was high and burned down on the armored squad of mercenaries.

“Let’s get some shade...” Trian said and took the lead, walking into the mine.

“What is he doing?” Eve asked and shook her head.

“Trian let Eve scout ahead, you’re here to deliver lightning and death, not die by going in alone.” Claire said, impressing Ilea with the subtle manipulation by complimenting his skills. He did in fact stop and motioned to Eve.

The woman walked up to the entrance as several illusion copies of herself came to life around her. Quickly they ran into the mine one by one. The rest of the team closed in on the girl and strained their ears to hear anything inside. “Stop the shadow enchantment.” Claire said, becoming unusually talkative when she gave commands. She had never led the whole team before but Ilea found her instant reactions and instructions to be the main reason whatever team she was on had won most bouts.

The others knew that as well and though this was their first actual mission together they all knew that Claire was good at it.

“The cavern is huge… I haven’t encountered anything so far but the illusions had to split into three different tunnels. Not a single torch is lit… it’s cold inside. Very cold.” Eve commented as her illusions advanced through the tunnels, going deeper and deeper inside.

“Dead end on the left…” she said “… what?” suddenly there was silence as Eve shook her head. “There is a corpse. It’s facing towards the exit with a pained expression on his face. He is armored, no weapon to be seen. He’s curled up as if he was in pain. I’ll go further in...” she continued.

“Death...” Eve said and staggered back a little. “My illusions in the central tunnel have faded, a last impression of death came to me...”

“Explain.” Claire asked.

“My illusions were sighted and attacked by something that caused death. I have no idea what it means, I’ve never encountered this impression. It’s… odd.”

“Spirits.” Kyrian said from the side. Liam had talked about them before but little was known about the creatures, only that they had a strong mental attack and were sighted in seemingly random places.

“Let’s go then. I hope your attack is stronger than theirs.” Ilea said and put a hand on Eve’s shoulder, grinned and walked into the mine.

Chapter 101 Inheritor

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, more chapters prolly on the weekend. Have a nice day all

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Chapter 101 Inheritor

All of Ilea’s buffs were running at the maximum as the group slowly advanced through the mine. Eve was carrying a lit torch, not needing her hands to fight. Their tank shrouded in ash was taking the front with Eve close behind, followed by a line of the other members with Claire in the middle.

Five minutes later they came up on the corpse Eve had talked about. It was a man who looked to be in his thirties, lying dead on the ground with a distorted face. The corpse was clad in leather armor but held not a single weapon on him.

“No blood...” Claire whispered as she turned the man around on the ground, checking for any obvious wounds.

“Good thing we all worked on mental resistance...” Ilea said and chuckled, failing to light the mood. It seemed not everybody shared her easy going approach when advancing through an apparently haunted mine. She shrugged and continued onwards to where the man had likely come from. The team followed her in the same formation as they had before, yet none too disturbed at the corpse.

Another tunnel later the group came into a natural looking cave system, Ilea rolling her eyes at the repetitive life she had found herself in. “We’ve got more corpses.” Ilea could see a little further than the others with her Sphere, an advantage she still held even after all the training they went through. The comment left her mouth just when her head was pressured suddenly. A headache came out of nowhere and with it blurred visions of death and murder.

Nothing was quite clear enough to Ilea to leave a lasting impression but a couple things became clear. They were most certainly under attack and the room was spinning, making her uneven on her feet, buckling down to one knee. Hunter’s Recovery came to life as soon as the headache started and slowly pushed against the mental attack. It felt like something between the demon’s and Eve’s attacks and Ilea found herself thinking on different kinds of mental attacks and their flairs when a sudden slap made her focus.

Again a slap landed on her face and then another one. The third one she caught with her hand, still resting on one knee her surroundings became clearer and the room stopped spinning. A feeling amplified a hundredfold through the perception of her Sphere, maybe something to turn off once a mental attack had such an influence on her.

“That’s for the next one...” Ilea said, breathing out and letting her resistances and healing power flow through her mind. The attack continued through but the slaps coming from the angry woman before her made her focus, the enemy had a flair to their mental attack and as soon as she found herself able to focus on it, it became easier to counteract.

“I didn’t know you were into that Eve...” Ilea said, smiling at the woman and focusing on healing herself. Deactivating the Sphere helped a lot already but it felt wrong to her, the enhanced perception something she had gotten used to too much.

“Y...you’re breaking..my….aaarm!” Eve said, sweat covering her face and concentration in her eyes. The comment interrupted her humming for a couple seconds.

“Oh...” Ilea said, looking down on the arm in her grasp that looked to be bent into a wrong direction. She softened her grip and focused some healing power into the cracked bone but was still a little disoriented. There was no enemy to be seen but her head was still pounding, less and less as she got used to the mental attack. Around Ilea were the other members of their team, lying on the ground and shaking. “Well.” Ilea said as she stumbled up from her kneeling position, a bad idea as it turned out. She decided to go back on all fours and moved to the others, grabbing them one after the other and moving them closer to Eve. “This is bad I think.” she mumbled as she finally had them all huddled together.

Touching them all at once, she started pumping out as much healing power as she could, including herself and Eve. She focused on the head and specifically brain as she had with Celene after the woman had summoned a demon. Slowly she felt each of them get better, especially herself and Eve. Her health had dropped a sizable amount in the short time, even with all her resistances. ‘Lucky we had a mind mage to train with...’ she thought and smiled under her helmet, concentrating on her healing spell and trying to ignore the eerie humming coming from their own metal spell caster.

“What the hell is that Eve?” she asked a couple minutes later, her teammates weren’t spasming anymore but still unconscious.

“Death Spirits is all I can see...below our level...they’re all around us Ilea...” Eve’s voice was strained, likely the girl was defending the group and counterattacking as best she could but time was of essence.

“Should we go out? How long can you hold?” Ilea asked, using her meditation skill to keep the mana cost for healing at a minimum.

“I can hold for a while...they’re evil and crude but...many. I’m getting better at dealing with them.” the response calmed Ilea down a little, they wouldn’t be overwhelmed immediately but the others had to get going. Nobody could know what else was luring in this cave. The first to wake was Trian, his eyes shooting open as he was pushed down again by Ilea’s hand.

“Calm down there mate and wait till Claire wakes up...” Ilea said and found the man actually listen to her, closing his eyes again and calming his breathing. Claire came to a minute later but continued lying there.

“You’re awake. Good. Apparently we’re surrounded by Death Spirits, whatever they are. Strong mental attacks but as long as I keep healing your mind you seem to be mostly alright. Eve’s defending us too.” Claire put a hand to her face and then carefully sat up, removing the pack from her shoulder and opening the whole thing up sideways. It looked more like a suitcase this way and held many different sections with strapped on stones and plates.

Claire chose a bunch of them and started throwing them around the room, some further some very close and in a circle around them. “I need a moment...” she said just when Kyrian came to as well. Another minute passed and Claire was now sitting up properly.

“A...” she started and coughed “Ilea you keep healing, Eve you keep defending, both of you inform me when you hit 20% of whatever resource you need to keep it up.” she held out her arms and closed her eyes “Kyrian curse needle storm in all directions around us, wait for my signal.” The man had barely any time to recover but all his metal spheres came out of his pack and started hovering around the room. A dome of light suddenly formed around them, the plates Claire had placed likely the source.

“Now.” Ilea watched the spheres split as she had many times before, the loud cracks filled the cave with noise and quickly after, a storm followed. Thousands of needles flowed through the room and impacted both the walls and the spherical shield around them. A sudden shriek of dozens of screaming voices flowed through the room as the stones placed by Claire started glowing and revealed creatures of pure shadow with no faces. They were screaming and what looked like their limbs were shaking, affected by the curse. “Trian give them hell.” the dome lowered at Claire’s command and a smile lit up on the lightning mage’s face as the room erupted in even more noise and red light.

[Death Spirit – lvl 148]

Ilea could identify the creatures as well at that point and watched their energy snuff out as they were hit by the potent magical blasts of vampire lightning. A terrifying light show that didn’t end for a whole minute as more and more of the dozens of creatures were destroyed. Ilea activated her Sphere again when only five of them remained and found only fluctuations in the space where she saw them with her eyes but the nausea didn’t get worse anymore, likely the attacks had stopped as soon as they started fighting back.

The last five were snuffed out as four more lighting bolts hit the earth above which they had hovered, followed by a battle shout from Trian. Ilea started laughing and Eve went to one knee. Kyrian had sat up and the metal in the room slowly formed back together into spheres.

‘bang’ ‘Your group has defeated [Death Spirit – lvl 148]

‘bang’ ‘Your group has defeated [Death Spirit – lvl 152]

…

The messages went on for quite a while and Ilea just skipped through to the end, finding a single level up to her Ash Wielder class. Her mental resistance had leveled once as well

‘ding’ ‘Ash Wielder has reached level 200, 5 Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘You have reached level 200 in your secondary class. 3rd tier skills are now available.’

‘ding’ ‘You have 1 skill point to bring a skill into the third tier.’

Ilea quickly checked on the others and found them to be recovering, Kyrian seemed to be busy reading as well. ‘Seems safe enough now...’ she thought and started reading.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Ash Wielder becomes Ashen Warrior. No current stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable –

You have fought and killed at least a hundred enemies while in the Form of Ember. Has Ashen Warrior in the 2nd stage. Has the Ash Wielder class at lvl 200 or higher.’

‘The Ashen Warrior has embraced Ash and uses it to confuse and fight her enemies.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Ash Wielder] to [Ashen Warrior]?’

Ilea just skipped through the text, immediately uninterested at the low requirements and the actual name of the class. She had a skill with the same name, all in all it looked more like a downgrade to Ash Wielder.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Ash Wielder becomes Bound Ash of Kroiin. No current stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable –

You follow the path of Kroiin, the great calamity. Has Ashen Warrior, Form of Ember and Eyes of Ash in the 2nd stage. Has the Ash Wielder class at lvl 200.’

‘The Bound Ash of Kroiin is frenzied by battle, the path of death and destruction following them to all places. As the great father of Kroiin has foretold his sons and daughters will bring death to all living and return all to ash.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Ash Wielder] to [Bound Ash of Kroiin]?’

A strong vibe of wrongness immediately filled Ilea’s gut and she decided not to chose that one whatever the other choices would be, even Ashen Warrior would be a more acceptable class. She couldn’t quite explain why she felt that way but perhaps the mention of a great father and following someone gave her cult vibes. ‘Not going there, even if it’s just a class description...’ Ilea thought ‘...I have one cult class already.’

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Ash Wielder becomes Inheritor of Eternal Ash. No current stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable –

You have followed the path of Ash. Has Shroud of Ash and four other Ash Wielder skills in the 2nd stage. Has fifteen or more Resistance skills, three or more of which in the 2nd stage. Has the Ash Wielder class at lvl 200.’

‘The Inheritor of Eternal Ash has chosen to shroud herself in the powerful and eternal ash. Many have tried to end her and just as many have failed. She marches onwards, stronger and calmer but the Ember deep down burns hotter than ever, waiting to break out of its protective shell.’

‘Would you like to evolve your class [Ash Wielder] to [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]?’

‘There it is.’ Ilea thought with a big grin on her face and accepted the last possible class for her. Neither of the two other classes she had heard about from Dagon were even available to her but she didn’t care. Inheritor of Eternal Ash sounded right up her alley, especially with all those resistances. In her sphere she saw Kyrian similarly concentrated on something other than his surroundings. ‘So I’m not the only one it seems...’

‘Class change: Ash Wielder becomes Inheritor of Eternal Ash

Vitality +30

Strength + 10

Dexterity + 5

Intelligence +15

Wisdom +15

Body enhancement magic is improved by 200%

All fighting styles using hand to hand combat are more refined

Your control over ash is enhanced greatly

‘Skills changed by Inheritor of Eternal Ash:

‘[Shroud of Ash] becomes [Veil of Ash]’

‘Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 10

A thin mist of ash forms around you to both protect you and attack nearby enemies. You are in full control. The veil increases your resilience by 74.5% [Effect after bonuses 372.5%].

2nd stage: Your resistances also benefit from the Veil of Ash’s bonus.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

The base level of the skill had gone up from fifty to sixty percent, which Ilea found to make just as much of a difference as the added one hundred percent to Body Enhancement magic. ‘So the higher I get the more the base of the skill will make a difference…’

‘[Form of Ember] becomes [Form of Ash and Ember]’

‘Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 14:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, strength and dexterity by 51.5% [Effect after bonuses 257.5%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight while in the Form of Ash and Ember, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% to the bonuses with a maximum of 150%.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement’

Ilea had to read through twice to realize that Strength had been added back into the mix. It would make a ridiculous difference and might bring the change to finally be able and use her heavy gauntlets.

‘[Ash Surge] becomes [Ash Creation]’

‘Active: Ash Creation – 2nd lvl 4

Create ash in a certain radius around you. It can be used as a surge to blind or as a shroud to hide.

2nd stage: You can control the density of the ash to an extent.

Category: Ashen Magic’

Ilea wasn’t quite sure how versatile the skill would be now, combined with Ash and Ember Manipulation and the new notice in the class description but she certainly felt like trying it out. “Shall we continue then? I feel like we can handle them if an ambush like that happens again. Nearly no experience sadly...” Eve commented, taking Ilea out of her concentration on the messages. Claire looked around and Ilea found them all standing again, preparing to continue. Except for her and Kyrian.

“Class evolution?” Claire understood and checked on her runes that were still distributed around them. “We can wait a couple more minutes, no need to rush. Eve and I will prepare should anything come close again. It’s a miracle nothing did after the noise caused by Trian.” it was in no way an insult but the man still ground his teeth a little. Both Ilea and Kyrian nodded and continued.

‘[Body Heat Manipulation] becomes [Embered Body Heat]’

Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 12

Regulate the heat in your body to protect yourself against harsh climates or even blend in your environment.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

Nothing had changed with the skill description, at least as far as Ilea remembered. She was pretty sure as well that the spell wasn’t Ashen Magic before but it didn’t matter much. It was one of the few skills she hadn’t focused on heavily in her training, hoping it would be replaced in her class evolution.

Sadly though that skill didn’t come. Not a single one was gained through her new class but Ilea just breathed out and focused on her surroundings again. Kyrian was still focused so she tried out the changes. The new Strength from From of Ash and Ember combined with a high amount of her skills gaining another twenty five percent in power would be felt quite a bit upon activation.

Mana flowed through her veins and the blue light of State of Azarinth came to life below her heavy elven armor. She noticed that the red glow from Form of Ember seemed to be absent but upon further inspection of her hands, the glow was simply much more subdued compared to before. Trying out her new Ash Creation skill, she simply focused before her and a mist of dark gray matter formed with her expended mana.

She tried to move it and found the process easy, natural even. The mist of ash spun around her as if a familiar bound to their master, it expanded and then formed into a ball. Ilea tried to make it as dense as possible and found the mist that had expanded around two cubic meters to be pressed into a ball the size of a marble. It was hard, not quite as hard as rock but it was getting there. The ball was obviously tossed at Trian’s head.

Lightning flared and destroyed the ball before it even hit and the man looked at her annoyed. “Stop fucking around, we’re on a mission.” the man said, finding Ilea both amused and a little embarrassed. He had of course been right and she knew as much but considering the gains she had just gotten it was hard to stay serious.

The throw showed her a little of her newfound strength and combined with all the other skills she definitely felt it. Not as huge of a change as when she had gotten Ash Wielder in the first place or even Azarinth First Hunter but she felt it. Ilea kept summoning and moving around ash before finally forming a spherical shield of it around her. It used up quite a bit of mana and time to summon the needed ash for a dense shield and she already deemed it impractical but perhaps it would be a viable defense in the future.

Attacking with the ash was a possibility as well but Ilea was more intrigued at tripping her enemies or having them walk into a newly formed wall behind them. Crouching to the ground, Ilea summoned her black obsidian gauntlets and found herself quite able to lift them. It was an ordeal to be sure but not an impossibility anymore. Moving with the Gauntlets proved difficult with the added weight to her body but slowly she got the hang of it as she swung the heavy weapons around, pulling her body with each swing. ‘Fantastic...’ she though and smiled before the gauntlets vanished into their bracelets again.

Chapter 102 Lost Wanderer

Chapter 102 Lost Wanderer

Ilea was sure that after getting used to the new weight and her newfound strength, she’d be able to use the gauntlets like a heavy and slow troll would use their massive fists, good enough for the purpose they had to fulfill.

Checking the 3rd tier skill point Ilea found it only available for the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class and not for her Azarinth ones. After concentrating on it more she also found that none of the skills were ready for an upgrade, not a surprise as none were at 2nd level 20.

“How did you reveal them? I only felt their presence.” the conversation between Eve and Claire started after Ilea had stopped using her new skills. Probably a somewhat underwhelming display of newfound power when viewed externally. At least with the displayed skills.

“The runes reveal some hidden enemies. Only if they’re wounded or damaged, hence the needle storm.” Claire explained and nodded towards Ilea who was approaching them again, having moved a couple meters away to test her changed skills.

“Ash Creation, not bad. Weird for a close combat fighter to gain the highest form of manipulation in an element.” she commented and looked towards Kyrian who was apparently still reading. “Trian was right by the way, try to focus on the mission alright?” Ilea was a little confused.

‘Did she really just scold me?’ she thought and smiled at the unexpected feedback. She didn’t retort initially, after all there were now four other lives connected to the levels of her shenanigans.

“Considering me and Eve just saved your asses you should be grateful.” the comment couldn’t quite be blocked by her filter but the tone was obviously in jest. Trian looked down while Claire nodded towards her.

“You did, thank you. That’s why we’re all here, together. Next time it will be somebody else with the deciding ability. As our tank and healer you hold two very important responsibilities, just make sure to remember that.” Claire thanked her but Ilea was still a little annoyed.

“Unclench Claire. I’m aware of the stakes.” and that was that. The rune mage nodded, having locked eyes with the cold gaze of Ilea. It was understandable that the team didn’t yet trust each other in an unknown situation. Both Claire and Ilea knew that but the tension still lingered in the air.

“Ah, relax you two. Trian don’t you want to collect the dust you made? It’s quite valuable I hear.” Eve suggested and continued “Kyrian are you sure you can read?” she walked up to the man and waved her hand before his face.

“Might as well get some quiet.” Trian mumbled and walked around the cave to collect the dust and likely alchemical pieces dropped by the Death Spirits with his storage ring. They still didn’t know about Ilea’s and she wasn’t about to show them when the noble boy was made to collect some dirt, the scene already well worth her secrecy.

Ilea tried out her new body heat spell as well, still waiting for Kyrian and Eve who were now joined by Claire. Apparently the man had some difficulties understanding parts of his new class evolution. Her body went cold the same way it had before, until she was indistinguishable from one of the corpses in the room, at least temperature wise. The other way went a little different as the heat in her body increased and increased further and further.

Ilea checked her health and found nothing wrong but the ground below her feet was sizzling a little a little even through her armored boots. ‘So it did change...’ she thought, having been unable to have such an impact on her surroundings with the skill. Possibly a help in some ways and it made the skill a little more viable. At least now she was actually curious about its second stage.

Kyrian nodded and Claire called out to Trian. Apparently they would continue at last. Ilea was annoyed that she had left her pack at the entrance of the mine and she wasn’t about to reveal her storage necklace because she wanted to eat.

“Claire do you have anything edible with you per chance?” Claire shook her head to her disappointment, Trian joining them a minute later.

“So further in?” Eve asked, looking towards the only other exit to the cave they were in.

“Yes, there are only seven corpses in this room. Not enough to account for all the adventurers that went here.” Claire explained and looked towards Ilea who shrugged and walked onwards, activating her new Veil of Ash. Compared to the more chaotic looking shroud, the veil looked a lot more thin and slower moving.

Walking onwards the team was on much higher alert, having nearly been wiped out by a group of enemies fifty or more levels below them. Ilea didn’t care much and was just happy she had leveled up her class and could save the others but she surely would’ve been annoyed if she had been taken out by something like that. ‘That’s why I have all those resistances… one moment of bad luck or the lack of a healer and you’re dead. Even against something that should be weaker…’

The problem was of course the sheer number of enemies the team had faced and the mind attack bypassing most of their defenses. Considering the team had a mind mage themselves it was no surprise so many adventurers had died in this death trap when even Ilea’s team nearly lost.

“Stop...” Eve whispered behind her and Ilea stood still and crouched a little just shy of entering the next open cave. “Something’s in there I can feel it… it’s weird.” Eve continued, adding nothing but confusion to Ilea who just wanted to walk in and find out.

“Explain. We have time.” Claire said. Everyone looked towards Eve who was struggling with something.

“It’s like there’s hundreds of them in there… some sort of magical creature… I can feel some of their emotions, they’re angry and scared. There’s something else, it’s not quite sentient but nothing like I’ve ever felt.”

“Well that’s all fascinating. Can we go in now?” Trian asked but Claire insisted on waiting for a moment longer. Eve calmed down a minute later.

“Are you alright? Can you send an illusion to check?” Claire asked and was happy to find Eve nodding back at her. Something had obviously overwhelmed the woman a little and Claire wouldn’t ignore that. An illusion came to life next to the group and quickly vanished towards the open cave.

“It’s a glowing stone of some sort… I believe it’s the source of the weird feeling… there is something there… oh wow I’m not sure we can take that.”

“Eve tell us what you see.” Claire had a calm voice but Ilea was sure she was just as annoyed by the incomplete descriptions. The mind mage had to work on describing a scene, that was sure. Otherwise whatever they were looking for would be gone long before they even made it there.

“I can’t use identify but it looks scary. And strong. Some sort of black and thin creature with a silver skull. It seems to be attacking a glowing spot on the ground but I can’t make out what exactly.” the explanation gave them a little more than before.

“So in we go, smash skeleton, save glowing thing and recover weird stone. Blast whatever else is in there.” Ilea summarized and got some stares from the others.

“What she said.” Claire confirmed, not wanting to waste anymore time with the skeleton having some sort of agenda.

All of Ilea’s skills flared up and she felt magic surge behind her as well, even without the specific perception. The team followed her out into the cave beyond and the scene Eve had described played out in front of them. There was a bright blue crystalline stone shining out from its place in the wall, giving Ilea a headache when she looked at it. Close by was a massive and spindly creature with a silver skull resting on top of its black body that consisted of three black legs and four black arms. All of it looked more like branches of a black tree.

A black fire was being released by the monster towards a shining light on the ground. With her sphere Ilea could see some other guests in the room that seemed to avoid the conflict in the middle of it, gravitating more towards the shining blue stone.

“More Death Spirits I think.” Ilea immediately said as Claire threw runes all around them and the room. Trian started glowing red as he powered up and dozens of needles flew through the room, creating circles of runes that came to life a moment later with a short green light. Illusions of Eve came into existence and flowed into the room as Ilea summoned a thick cluster of ash around her, ready for whatever would come.

The headaches started as screams of cursed Death spirits resounded, quickly made visible by Claire’s runes the monsters advanced on them and were quickly dealt with by Trian’s lightning. Less than in the cave before but still a sizable amount. The skeleton stopped it’s black fire attack and turned its head towards the apparent intruders as lighting flashed around the cave to end the spirits.

“Whhh...whh..wheereee?” the sinister voice resounded inside Ilea’s head and she fought with all her power against the opponent’s assault on her mind. A globe of light formed around the team as Eve’s illusions were extinguished, Claire’s shield forming a barrier against the powerful pressure.

[Lost Wanderer of Elysium – lvl ??]

“Anybody see it’s level?” Claire asked but none of the team responded, Trian and Kyrian breathing heavily after the shield came up. The creature was advancing on them while Claire’s shield shook under the mental assault.

“Do we have anything on it?” no reply either. Ilea was sure the name wasn’t mentioned in any of the monster books she had and Liam hadn’t talked about it either.

“It’s an unknown. Blast it with everything you have, Eve and Ilea try to distract it. It if hits for more than half your health Ilea we’re out of here.” Ilea smiled brightly as she nodded to Claire’s assessment.

“I’ll distract it alright.” she said as the beast slowly walked towards the shining dome of silvery light.

“Focus and move out as soon as the shield breaks. Everyone but Ilea with me.” Claire said and laid out a half circle of runed plates on the back of the sphere that was being assaulted. The team moved behind the line and Ilea stood in front of it, ready to blink away as soon as the shield was broken.

The wanderer stopped and lifted its four spindly black arms, mana forming a black pulsing sphere between them before a roaring dark fire was unleashed onto the dome. It broke in just under two seconds, the team of mercenaries jumping into action.

Ilea blinked above the creature and kicked its silver skull with her full force and all destructive spells activated. The mana left her leg on impact as a loud noise resounded, her bone colliding with the creature’s head. Neither gave in but one of the creature’s arms whipped out towards her, making her blink away. A loud crack resounded as a massive bolt of lightning impacted the creature from above while runes were formed with metal needles on the stony ground below it.

A moment later the runes came to life and the creature wailed out in pain as the curse took root. More and more lighting impacted it while Ilea blinked in and out to deliver her attacks. The mental pressure from the monster was weighing on her and she felt herself getting slower. The second stage of Form of Ash and Ember kicked in soon after and counteracted that.

Eve was standing between the others with outstretched arms and closed eyes as she protected the group from the pressure. Claire’s shield shuddered as she threw out runed stones towards the monster. Just when the creature used its arms to cut through the runes on the ground, a massive explosion resounded as she ground below the wanderer was destroyed. Ilea narrowly avoided one of its arms with her next attack that she delivered as the monster fell into the hole below. The nearly three meter tall enemy sunk in nearly to half of its size.

“Ilea to me!” Claire shouted as more lighting was cast onto their foe. Blinking next to Claire, Ilea understood immediately and took the load of stones from Claire to blink back above the confused wanderer to drop the payload into the whole. A whipped arm brushed her leg and broke through her Veil, not able to penetrate her elven armor. Ilea landed as a massive explosion resounded behind her.

More lightning followed as Ilea moved all the ash she had created in the meantime towards the beast and surrounded it, forming small walls around the broken in part of the ground to make it even harder for the wanderer to escape. Wails resounded from it as the pressure lightened, lightning, explosions and cursed needles and spears rushing in to rob the monster of it’s life force.

Ilea stood back not to get caught in the now constant barrage of spells, choosing to summon her bow to shoot some ice arrows at the creature’s legs, hoping to make it even harder for it to move. She was flying above now, only seeing the wanderer through her sphere as a massive cloud of ash and fire was obstructing the view. Nobody relented, even when the beast started throwing black fireballs around the room.

When Claire’s shield went down, Ilea blinked in front of the group and formed walls of ash while trying to block the explosions of dark fire with her own body and wings. With her armor and shroud the damage was manageable and she stayed at full health thanks to Hunter Recovery. Claire shouted to her in the middle but Ilea just gave a thumbs up, letting the woman concentrate on her impressive explosion magic.

The rune mage made the wanderer fall deeper and deeper into the newly formed pit, being very accurate with her spells. Kyrian’s needles were constantly cutting into the creature as curse runes were formed and reformed around the walls of its prison. Ilea managed to quickly check on Eve in the middle of the assault and shouted for Claire to activate her shield again. She healed Eve, removing a big part of the mental pressure she was under.

Two minutes later the woman nodded again and Ilea went back to her defensive role with the shield down again. The now controlled encounter went on for another six minutes until they finally received a message.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Lost Wanderer of Elysium – lvl 262]. For killing an adversary 50 or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 204. 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill General: Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

You have stood against a being of true darkness. Its magic was not able to pierce your defenses and you stand to tell the tale. This skill will help you repeat such actions.’

“Wow, only one level for that. What the hell.” Ilea uttered a little frustrated.

“Welcome to the two hundreds. I didn’t get a single one. Plus you’re in a group now, don’t forget that.” Trian said but he didn’t seem to be annoyed at the fact. He would’ve died that day were it not for the team he was with and Ilea knew he was aware of that fact.

‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash didn’t even level and I have no idea how much it will take for another one there…’ the thought was a little sobering but then again Ilea had progressed at an enormous speed in the past year and she was at a point where actual fighting experience meant more than the experience gained from killing enemies. The latter would come in time. Considering the massive gains she had gotten that day already Ilea was quite confident in her newfound power. ‘One drake at a time.’ she thought as she checked on the team.

Eve was the only one with more than a little damage done to her but it was nothing a bit of healing magic couldn’t fix. Luckily her spell affected damage to the mind as well.

“What is that...oh my god...” the sudden exclaim by Eve made everybody look at her as she advanced on the still glowing spot on the floor. “Ilea come, we need your healing magic!” she shouted and the healer quickly blinked next to her, seeing the small figure on the ground before her. A shining silhouette of a winged creature.

[Fae – lvl 83]

“It’s dying.” Ilea said and started pouring her magic into the creature. Her attempts were blocked by the shining light glowing around the misty Fae. It had six wings on its back and had a vague humanoid shape. The creature was shaking slightly but looked up a moment later and met Ilea’s eyes.

The Fae’s head was round and held no discernible features other than two white eyes on its pitch black head. Ilea felt a pull on her mind and smiled as the creature didn’t recoil. It hadn’t been an attack, otherwise her second stage of mental resistance would’ve produced a feedback. She smiled at the creature as she continued to try and reach it with her hands and healing magic. Suddenly the light opened up to let her through, reaching the Fae a moment later as she perceived its confusing physiology with her healing magic.

She didn’t know what to heal or where the damage was but simply continued to pour in mana.

Chapter 103 Mission accomplished

Chapter 103 Mission accomplished

Claire quickly checked on the two as did Kyrian and Trian but all three continued to the silver skull still lying inside the still smoking hole in the ground. Nobody wanted to touch either the skull or the stone still shining from its corner in the cave. Eve was smiling so brightly Ilea was about to fall in love when the light around the Fae suddenly vanished and the creature flapped its wings. It quickly flew upwards and booped both Ilea and Eve on their noses, it’s eyes suggesting joy. Quickly thereafter the creature flew at nearly Ilea’s top speed out of the cave.

“There it goes.” Eve said in a wondrous tone.

“You let it go? Do you have any idea how much a living Fae could be sold at? I don’t even know about a sighting in the past ten years!” Trian commented from the side, getting an angry glare from Eve.

“Why would you capture such a beautiful creature?!” Eve shouted at the man.

“Why are they worth so much?” Ilea asked. She had killed plenty of living beings but the Fae did look like it comprehended more than the Drakes had. It didn’t attack her either so she had no reason to fight it. Of course some of her previous killings of animals could be argued to be morally wrong but it was mostly for survival purposes. Getting stronger in Elos was done mostly through killing and Ilea didn’t plan to die because she emphasized with the wildlife.

Trian seemed perplexed by the question. “I have no idea. They’re rare?” he said, getting a laugh out of Ilea.

“I didn’t think you’d be the one worrying about money. Maybe we can sell the skull. Claire how do we distribute what we find on missions anyway?” Ilea asked and walked to the group standing above the crater. Eve was still glaring at Trian but soon sighed and joined them as well.

“It’s not even slightly damaged…” Kyrian said as he looked down onto the silver skull.

“Well let’s see what it is.” Ilea said and blinked down towards it.

“If she’s the one getting cursed...” Trian said and shrugged. Claire didn’t intervene as Ilea touched the skull. Ash came to life around her and shook as Ilea screamed and went down to her knees as she held on closely to the skull. Eve rushed towards her as Claire threw runes into the crater but Ilea’s shuddering quickly turned into laughter as she got up and waved towards the group with the skull.

“It’s alright, it’s just a spooky skull!” she held the thing in front of her face as Eve skidded to a halt in front of her, slapping the woman hard.

“Shit head!” she said and stomped out of the hole and towards the glowing stone, muttering about immature idiots.

“That was in poor taste.” Claire said as she slowly descended and collected her runes again.

“Welcome to Ilea’s wild ride.” she said and flipped around the skull in her hands, looking into its empty eye sockets.

[Skull of the Wanderer – Rare Quality ‘A lost soul wails for salvation’]

“Well that’s helpful.” Ilea said and threw the skull to Claire who caught it with both hands.

“Yea we can sell that. Or we can get info from Dagon. Can you store it Trian?” Claire asked and walked towards the man, handing him the skull carefully.

“At least we can play ball now.” Ilea commented as she blinked out of the cave and towards Eve. “What is it?”

The woman just quickly looked at her and continued to focus on the stone. Ilea identified it as well with just a quick glance, not enough to get a headache.

[Soulshard ore]

“Soulshard ore. Well look at that, another thing I’ve never heard of.” Ilea said as she joined back with the others.

“My god can you shut up for fucking once.” Trian said in a tired voice, getting a smile from Ilea below her mask. She did feel a little bad, the man seemed at least somewhat on edge and she could read people enough to know that he wasn’t the only one with that opinion.

“Give me some food and I’ll shut up, I get cranky when I don’t get my snacks.” Ilea said and received a killing stare from the man who summoned an assortment of bread, meat and cheese and tossed it towards her. She caught it all with the help of some swirling ash before walking to the edge of the crater, sitting down and removing her helm. “Cheers.” she said and started eating.

“Do you think this will put the mission at level three?” Kyrian asked Claire who was staring at Eve.

“Perhaps. I’m not sure if the Wanderer qualifies as dangerous enough but I’ll start writing the report as soon as we’re back. To answer your previous question Ilea, whatever we sell is split through five. If we find anything that can help one of us that person gets it through voting. The others get nothing then, an effort for the team.”

Ilea just held up a thumb to the people behind her, the cheese was excellent. “Can you find a cart or something so we can bring the corpses to the city? Finish the food first.” Claire said and got another thumb in response.

“I’ll try to pull some strings as well to get the level three. Not like anybody would be against having us in the tournament. Joseph will put in a good word as well, I’m sure of it.” Trian said and summoned some food as well, teleporting to the other side of the crater and sitting down to eat as well.

“Got some more?” Claire asked.

“Not for you, just to shut up the kid. And as thanks, for getting us out of here alive.” he said, making Ilea choke on the meat she was chewing. He smiled at the coughing but stopped himself when she used her dagger to cut a hole into her throat, breathing a deep breath again. She poked around with the blade until she found the piece causing her so much trouble, removed the blade and healed the wound before putting the meat back in her mouth.

“You’re disgusting.” Trian said and she just winked at him. Claire sat down next to Ilea and happily received a piece of bread and cheese without asking, pulling down the hood and cloth on her face to eat. Kyrian went to join Eve at her inspection of the soulshard ore.

“That was pretty good teamwork today.” Claire commented and Ilea confirmed with a grunt. “Good job everyone.” the rune mage said before she put her pack behind her and lied down on it.

Ilea moved the last corpse they had found in the mine into the mine cart she had gotten from one of the other tunnels. No other enemies were in the mines. Eve had the theory that the soulshard ore was uncovered by the miners and drew in the spirits and ultimately the lost wanderer. Ilea closed the woman’s eyes before her and put a gray blanket over the cart before touching it for a moment.

Kyrian was watching in silence from a couple meters away until she opened her eyes again. “What did that mean?” the man asked her a minute later as they slowly pushed the cart towards the exit.

“A prayer to send them off.” Ilea said simply.

“The corpses? Send them off where?” the question sounded curious rather than insulting.

“I don’t know. Wherever their souls may go, if such a thing exists.”

“You don’t know yet you do it? Why?” he asked as they reached the entrance of the mine.

“My people used to do it. It’s a way to respect the dead. There are many ways to do it. Do you not have similar customs where you’re from?” Ilea asked as she rested the cart in a shaded part of the railway, the sun would increase the stench tenfold.

“I… I don’t know.” the simple answer was just fine for Ilea as the two walked back in silence. Claire and Eve had managed to remove the soulshard ore in the meantime and Trian stored it in his ring. The mine would be safe for any workers from now on. There was of course the question if more soulshard ore was to be found inside but that was not their worry.

The group walked back towards the town in the valley below as Ilea pushed the cart with the corpses. They walked mostly in silence but satisfied with their first finished job. It was certainly a warning but also proof of their strength. Ilea was happy with the team. Although leveling would be slower she now had a bunch of companions to talk to and fight with. Many strong foes she wouldn’t have been able to touch were now at least approachable.

It was fun as well. More so than she had anticipated. She could still fight with her full power. The explosions and lighting around her just added some nice special effects she could enjoy. And it would of course decrease the time needed to finish off a foe. Ilea wasn’t sure where to go after they had finished their half year but right now she wasn’t completely against staying with those people, or at least seeing them from time to time.

As the railroad ended, ash was summoned and formed new rails leading towards the city. A good way for Ilea to get more comfortable with her newfound level of ash manipulation. This time the gates to the town opened after they had shown the guards the inside of the cart. The city life seemed to grind to a halt around them as a group of guards escorted the group of mercenaries towards the nearest guard station. People looked at them as if they were aliens, many focused on the ashen rails created and broken down below the rather huge mine cart. Whispers filled the streets and more and more people came to look at the group but a couple minutes later they were behind another set of walls inside the guard station.

Claire went with the captain to discuss both payment and the circumstances of the mission. A group of guards took care of the mine cart and carefully laid out the corpses before covering them in thin cloth.

“What happens if the team of Shadow mercenaries don’t come back out either?” Ilea asked as she looked at the process. She leaned on the side wall that was around two meters in height, removing her helmet.

“You’re not supposed to reveal you face.” Kyrian said “I heard a member talk about it before.” the second part was added after her got a stare down from Ilea.

“Plenty of places where we don’t come out either. Just considered lost. And if whatever’s in there comes out the nearby town either gets demolished or is relocated. Or maybe it can be held off with whatever authority is willing to send an army.” Eve explained, looking at the scene just as solemnly.

“Enemies like that are rare.” Kyrian said, likely meaning the strong mental attacks that made it nearly impossible for anybody to flee in the first place. A quick reaction isn’t enough against an instant shutdown of one’s processor.

“How long do you think she’ll take?” Ilea had smelled interesting food on the way to the station and was positively starving. It was hard to maintain her secret storage necklace now more than ever.

“Feed the tank.” Trian grunted at Eve’s comment, obviously said towards him.

“We could also eat where the guards eat. Maybe have a drink as well. To c… celebrate.” Kyrian’s suggestion was met with a shrug from Eve and a smile and thumbs up from Ilea. Trian didn’t comment on it but followed Ilea none the less. She was quickly given directions by an intimidated guard but her revealed face probably helped a little in the process.

The four soon sat on a table outside of the guard canteen, shaded from the sun with some ale and food. Ilea was pretty sure the kitchen was closed at the moment but being part of the Shadow’s Hand brought some special privileges. Not like any of the station’s occupants looked to be very busy anyway.

Ilea was happy to get food and the others joined in as well, a happy and quiet dinner. “Hey Trian, have any cool noble house stories for us plebs?” Ilea asked while chewing some dried meat. She was happy to find the place had olives. It lacked some oil and garlic but she hadn’t seen olives in Elos before.

Trian was playing with the mug of ale in his hand. He moved his helmet up to take a sip and let it fall down again. Eve had removed her mask and even Kyrian made his helmet vanish.

“Did you attend balls? Any interesting marriage proposals?” Ilea tried to lighten the mood a little but didn’t expect to make the man choke with the question. “Oh so that’s a yes, do tell. Did she look horrible? Was it a guy?” she leaned in and continued in her best conspiracy voice “You loved her but the house wasn’t powerful enough… your parents said no. Tragic, so now you’re here to gain strength so that you can follow your true love.” she finished proudly and sat back, finishing the piece of meat.

The man just stared at her through his helmet. “But she was captured and is held now by your father, the only way for her to be released is for you to marry someone else...” Eve joined in and grabbed a couple olives. One of the guards brought some cheese as well, getting a quick thanks from Ilea.

“I disliked the balls. You wouldn’t believe how many women there can’t dance. All of it is a political farce, one person trying to impress the other. It’s a game they play while there is a world out here to get strong in. Territory to win back from the terrors that now call it theirs.” the outburst was fueled by quite a bit of emotion and Ilea was quite impressed.

“You feel we should fight back against the elves? Take territory back?” the man finished his ale in a single long drink.

“Not the elves, fuck them. They can keep their forest. We have plenty here but all we do is sit in our walled off cities, living off of magically grown plants when we should be out there.”

“Most people prefer the safety of walls.” Eve said, flipping an olive upwards and catching it with her mouth. Ilea was impressed but quickly remembered that stats existed. She copied the move and was disappointed at how easy it was.

“Most nobles do as well. Killing captured animals to gain levels and classes at an early age. A disgrace. They...” he stopped then, looking around as if somebody was listening in. Eve and Ilea had started somewhat of a competition and the olives flew higher and higher.

“Well you’re doing a good job of being out there already. I’m sure a couple people that saw us will become adventurers soon.” Ilea commented, activating her buffs to catch the thrown olive.

“And die like those in that mine...” Eve said “Walls aren’t bad and most people don’t want to fight every day of their bloody life.” the conversation died again and so did their competition, the supply of olives having reached their end.

“What we do helps a lot I think. The mine is now back in the town’s possession.” Kyrian said and got a nod from Trian. Claire joined the group a moment later and took a seat on the table. The same guard that had brought the cheese put down another mug of ale for the woman.

“Thanks.” Claire said.

“No worries… my brother was in there you know. He died in that mine I mean. Thanks for killing whatever was in there.” the guard said and nodded to the group before he went back inside.

The group didn’t stay for long but decided to remain in the town for the night. It was getting dark and flying back at night wasn’t in Claire’s plan. “At the gate we entered, tomorrow midday.” the woman said and got up “Good job today, I’m glad to be in this team.”

“Same, good calls Claire.” Ilea said and everyone else nodded. It seemed they had settled a little, their personal differences pushed back by the need for professionalism. Anything else meant death and today proved as much again.

“You weren’t half bad either. No idea how I would’ve gotten those heavy guys out there without your help.” Eve said and smiled, getting a chuckle from Kyrian.

“The armor IS very heavy.” the man commented and fondled one of the spikes.

Ilea spent the remainder of the day and most of the night exploring the city. The others had joined her at first but left to do their own things or sleep one after the other. The last to leave was Eve. Ilea felt a little like stalking the woman but even though she wouldn’t have gone through with it she quickly found that Eve had vanished. Impossible to find within the still rather active city. The climate was rather warm considering it was actually winter.

The proximity to the desert likely influenced the weather around the town but it still seemed a little weird to Ilea. It wasn’t that far away from the snowy mountains to the east. She somehow ended up in a theater underground where a bunch of actors reenacted a tale involving bears and a princess. It had some surprising twists in it that Ilea quite enjoyed, combining that with the brutality and dark jokes that were added it was quite a spectacle to her and she tipped them quite a bit for the play.

Chapter 104 Another settlement needs our help

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, tripple release today

">. Will be on vacation so next chapter probably Saturday or Sunday next week.

Have a nice weekend all and thanks for reading

">.

Chapter 104 Another settlement needs our help

“What do you mean they didn’t give it level three? We nearly died!” Claire was a little lost at Eve’s outburst at the news. The woman had received the money from the guard captain, receiving a thanks for recovering the bodies. The discussion with the Guild had taken her only fifteen minutes but as Ilea heard with her Sphere, waiting outside the room the reason the mission’s level wasn’t risen was simply because the enemy mostly used mind magic.

A one dimensional threat, dangerous yes but nothing that would constitute raising the mission’s level. Ilea was pretty sure whoever rated the missions simply didn’t want anybody to question them but quite frankly she didn’t care that much. Eve was the one who really wanted to get the level three mission so that the team could join in the tournament.

“Don’t worry, we still have nearly the full two weeks to get a level three. Claire did you get us some more missions?” Ilea asked, patting Eve on the shoulder. More to keep her from going in there and murdering the person Claire had talked to than to console her.

“The mission was a success and we’re now all considered full fledged members of the Shadow’s Hand. I think we’ll get badges but Joseph will have to handle that. Honestly I didn’t think you’d want to get another mission so quickly.” she checked the paperwork she had received and looked to all of them.

“Took us a day to finish that one, why not get some more? You guys need the money.” Ilea said, getting a chuckle from Trian but he didn’t seem to disagree.

“Sure, m… might even be better to fight together more before the tournament.” Kyrian said and Ilea shrugged, both looking towards Claire. Ilea wasn’t quite sure everyone thought of her as the team leader but she was definitely the team manager already.

‘Thank fuck for that...’ she thought, looking at the stack of paper Claire was carrying in her arms.

“We won’t be able to just get a level three mission. I can look for anything located in Lys that is level one or two. Maybe we’ll be able to get some missions.” Claire said, the papers nearly falling out of her hands when a metal disk hovered below the papers, expanding to hold them in place.

“Thanks.” the woman holding the papers said and glanced towards Kyrian.

“Get more than one mission, three to four then we don’t have to travel back every time.” Trian said and continued “More training before she’s done? Blasting spirits isn’t quite as satisfying as attacking humans.”

“Fucking psycho.” Ilea said in a mocking tone, only getting an eye roll from the man. It was getting harder to annoy him every day. Maybe he got a direct Resistance skill to her comments, or perhaps it was classified under Mental Resistance. A mystery that Ilea likely wouldn’t solve in the next months or years to come.

“Let’s go then. Same place as the last two weeks. Claire come get us when you’re done.” Eve said, still sounding a little annoyed at the whole situation but it was the only solution they had at the moment. “Why are these stupid requirements even in place?” she said as the group descended downwards. Ilea had managed to get some food from the street vendors in Viscera, some of them knowing her already, running up to her with food already in their hands. She would buy, every single time.

“So that the casualties stay as low as possible.” Trian answered the question “I know of more than one fighting ring, some of them noble only. Trust me a requirement like that is good for all the participants.” he said and stared at the moving wall of the elevator shaft. Ilea looked at him but then shook her head.

“Makes sense...” Kyrian said “If they would just let us in we’d murder everybody.”

“Did you just make a joke?” Ilea asked and chuckled.

“I’m learning from the best.” this time Trian audibly groaned at Kyrian’s response, giving Ilea a big smile on her face. The day wasn’t lost after all.

Claire pointed at three specific parts on the map laid out in front of her. “These are the locations of the three missions I could get. I’m getting the feeling that we won’t be getting a lot of info on any of these. All of them are level one sadly.” she looked towards Eve who was grumbling under her breath. Ilea chuckled at one of the more original swear words.

“You still think the ratings make sense considering how little they actually know?” Ilea asked in Eve’s stead.

“Somewhat, yes. To raise the level there needs to be an identified threat. If a shadow’s hand team is sent and doesn’t come back it’s immediately level three. If it’s unidentified and in a territory not known to inhabit high level threats, it’s level one. Also why those missions are usually not very popular, even for the Hand.”

Claire continued as nobody else interrupted “The first one is a village nobody has heard from since three months ago. Some people and adventurers went to investigate but they haven’t returned either. Right here.” she pointed again to an indistinct part of the forest a couple hours of flying time north west of Ravenhall. “The second one is likely a Harpy Queen near Damwell. The adventurers who were sent did not manage to advance through the cliffs but reported the high pitches cries of the harpies, indicating a nearby queen. The empire apparently doesn’t want to waste resources so the city sent a request our way.” this time there was a small city painted on the map with the name Damwell underneath in neat handwriting.

The city was at the sea, so quite a while from the first mission’s location. Considering their ability to fly, it wouldn’t be as much of a travel nightmare than it would be for most people. “Last one is a newly discovered ruin close to the coast here...” the map didn’t show anything but water.

“In the water?” Ilea asked, her tone a little more serious than before.

“Possibly but there are massive rock formations going into the ocean. Likely caves, water might be an issue but I have some runes to deal with it. Trian should be quite a bit more effective too. Apparently there are a lot of traps inside, none of the adventurers who went in have managed to find even a single monster so far. Over twenty have died already. The adventurer guild has sent a request in to minimize further casualties.” Claire finished explaining and rolled up the map before putting it into her pack. “No time limits or anything but the sooner we leave the sooner we’re back.”

“Well let’s go then.” Eve said and shouldered her pack. They were all still in the same gear they had arrived in just two hours earlier. Well rested and itching for more.

“The village over there? Is that it?” Ilea asked, looking at the small dots of houses in the distance, surrounded by trees.

“Should be the contact the empire has listed. Or it’s the abandoned village already.” Claire said but as they got closer Ilea could see people moving about.

“Those don’t look like monsters.” Eve said, holding on to Ilea’s right arm.

‘They’re getting suspicious of me...’ Sally thought, spotting at least two people looking at her from the comfort of their homes. The village had treated her as an outsider from the first day of her arrival and it was bloody miserable. They wouldn’t sell her any of the good food and her lodgings were laughable compared to what she was used to in any town with more than a hundred inhabitants.

‘Sometimes this job bloody sucks...’ the woman thought, pulling her coat a little closer towards her chest and grabbing the mug of ale sitting on the table next to her. At least they had alcohol here and a somewhat steady supply of goods.

“How ya doin Sally?” the innkeeper came out into the cold air to talk to her as he had many a time before in the past weeks. “Still nothin? Aventures stopped comin eh?”

It had been six days since the last group of adventurers tried their luck but still nobody had returned. Neither she nor the empire made them stop trying. The pay got up after every failed attempt after all and if one of them managed, the empire wouldn’t have to pay themselves. The guild would. Sally couldn’t care less about who managed to find out what happened to that god forsaken village if only she could leave this place already.

The gold she constantly carried on herself didn’t help in the least to make the uneasy feeling go away. The villagers likely wouldn’t try something but she wouldn’t be the first official to be murdered in their sleep. Why they stopped sending them out in teams was a complete puzzle to her but then again having one person murdered instead of two was a smaller loss. The woman sighed and finished her ale, handing the mug to the innkeeper whose name was still unknown to her. A testament to the level of trust these villagers showed towards an imperial official.

‘The only reason these savages haven’t looted me dry is my high level...’ she thought and smirked at the thought of them trying something. It would be the first time she would be attacked by citizens of the empire but she mentally dared them to try, ready for anything.

In the next moment a group of armored adventurers landed in the middle of the square Sally was overlooking. Snow and earth was flattened as the people landed from their way too speedy descent and the woman was gulping as she looked at the team of high level mercenaries slowly rising from their crouched landing positions, checking the village while lightning crackled around one of them.

‘Menacing...’ she thought. This was actually the first time a group of the hand had shown up for a job assigned to her. So far it had been other mercenary groups, independent adventurers or even squads of empire soldiers.

“That’s probably her, she’s the highest level around.” a hooded woman said while nodding towards Sally. She gulped again and slowly got up.

‘They’re like anybody else...’ she thought, looking at the question marks above the people’s heads and feeling the sweat build despite the cold wind flowing through her hair.

Ilea looked around the village and locked eyes with at least four people trying to get a glance at the group from their barred up windows. “Are they hiding?” Ilea asked, honestly confused. They likely hadn’t known about their group’s arrival which made the whole thing a little suspicious.

“Well apparently there’s something happening in the nearby village so it’s only reasonable for them to be on edge.” Eve said and started following Claire who was already advancing on the woman she had talked about before.

“We’ll find out soon enough. Come.” Ilea shrugged and followed Eve after the comment. Trian and Kyrian did the same, the noble’s lightning still crackling sometimes.

‘Is he trying to impress the people here or send a warning?’ Ilea thought but didn’t comment on it. As long as he wouldn’t outright murder random innocents he could do with his lightning whatever the hell he wanted to. The woman had gotten up but looked a little shaky on her legs, perhaps she was already drunk. Ilea looked at the mugs on the table next to her.

“Greetings. You must be the Lys official.” Claire held out her hand and shook the woman’s hand who answered the greeting.

“Greetings back. I didn’t expect a Shadow squad mistress.” she said and even bowed a little to Claire before continuing. “I am the official if you are here regarding the missing reports from the village to the west.” Ilea chuckled to herself at the downright glorification with which the official treated Claire. If she knew their team leader’s social capabilities she probably wouldn’t try that hard.

“You may call me Claire. I’m here with team 34 of the hand and yes, we’re here related to the village. Can we talk inside? And may I quickly see your badge for confirmation?” Claire stood there and followed the woman inside a moment later. Ilea wasn’t quite so sure about her judgment of Claire’s social skills anymore but shrugged and followed. She stopped next to the door and looked at the man who tried to make himself invisible, not quite as effectively as Eve used to do.

“You the innkeep? Do you have food and drink?” the man nodded and Ilea got a couple silver coins out of her pack before she handed them to the man. The others were already inside by that time. “For everybody if you would.” Ilea said before going inside as well.

The inn was illuminated in a warm light by the hearth on the left side of the room. There were only a couple tables but all of them made of good looking wood. Something Ilea still appreciated whenever she saw it even after a year in Elos. They didn’t really have anything else but it still looked very nice. Claire was already talking with the official about the circumstances of the village they were currently in and the one they had lost contact with. The wood creaked as Ilea walked to the table and finally sat down next to Kyrian.

Removing her helmet, she thanked the innkeeper as he put down a couple mugs of ale and some water. “We’re not going to be here for a long time you know?” Trian said but still grabbed a mug for himself.

“The half hour won’t make the difference anymore either. We’ve been bloody rigorously training for months now, let’s at least relax sometimes when we’re on missions.” Ilea said. Kyrian looked at her a little confused from the side.

“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” he asked in a whisper before Trian waved his hand in front of the two.

“Listen to her, might be the difference between living and dying.” he said and looked back towards Claire.

“So you basically know nothing more than what we already have. No scouts went in to investigate and returned? No survivors coming back?” Ilea looked at Trian before she rolled her eyes.

‘Vital information...’ she thought as she took a deep drink from her mug. The innkeeper arrived with food then. Bread and a warm soup with potatoes and meat, likely bacon by the smell of it.

“Wonderful, thank you.” she said and smiled at the man who returned the gesture. Ilea noticed in her sphere that there were two villagers who had stopped near the walls and now listened in on the conversation. At least that was the only logical explanation, maybe they were just lovers of stone walls or they found a rare insect.

“What about this village? It’s by far the closest other settlement. They must have at least known some of the people. Anything suspicious or interesting there? Did anybody from the other village come here?” Claire asked before Ilea blinked next to Trian, getting close to his ear.

“Look there. Exactly behind that wall. A guy listening in, get him and bring him inside. I’ll get the other one. On three...” Ilea whispered, only Eve looking at the two. Counting to three, Ilea appeared behind the villager who stood outside the wall.

[Mage – lvl 72]

‘Seems pretty high for a small village in the outskirts of an empire...’ she thought and moved in on the man who hadn’t noticed her thus far. Her hands reached around him before she put one of them before his mouth. He immediately tensed up and tried to look around as magic formed around him. Ilea just held him there.

“Think twice before you do something stupid.” she said in a quiet voice. The magic vanished again and with it the heat coming from the red orbs that slowly dissipated.

“Now why don’t we have a quick word inside.” she said “You try to run or shout I’ll smash your skull in, alright?” she asked and smiled at him as she let go of his mouth. He turned to look at her with fear in his eyes. They had seen the squad arrive and he probably knew the risks of spying on them. Ilea motioned for him to walk to the back of the building where another door was located. Trian walked around the other corner with a woman on his shoulder.

Ilea saw with her Sphere that the woman was still breathing. Quite an advantage of lightning magic and a testament to Trian’s control over his powers. The man didn’t just have high skill levels, he was naturally talented at it as well. Ilea had an idea what would happen should she hit someone’s skull to knock them out. Brain damage would be the least of her worries.

“Please open the door.” she said to the man in front of her who shot a glance towards Trian and gulped before opening the door.

“What are you doing??” Claire exclaimed. Their whole squad was standing and ready to fight but quickly calmed down as they saw Ilea and Trian bringing in two villagers. Ilea noticed the innkeeper swallowed but kept quiet otherwise. The official seemed confused first and foremost.

“These two were spying on us. I’d like to know why.” Ilea said as she pulled back a chair and sat down the man, getting back to her own and continuing her meal. All eyes were on her as she started slurping her soup. She stopped and looked up.

“What are you looking at me for. I found them, I suck at interrogating.” she continued to eat while checking the surroundings with her sphere and listening closely to everybody in the room.

Chapter 105 Don't fear the old blood

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, back from vacation. Only one chapter this week, more next Thursday

">.

Have a nice rest of the weekend everyone!

Chapter 105 Don't fear the old blood

The whole group of armored combat veterans in the room looked forlorn towards their healer and tank who was happily eating the soup in front of herself. Glances were exchanged before Claire was left with the task to hold the interrogation, a burden of the team manager.

“So you’ve been listening to us?” she asked the man who looked at the scene with big eyes. These people were a squad of the legendary Shadow’s Hand. They had come to his village and now he was caught spying on them. One misstep could cost him his life.

“I have...we...we’re sort of the guardians of the village...me and a couple o… others...” he managed to stutter out, not looking at any of them. Trian placed the unconscious woman on a nearby table.

“Why spy on us then, we’re here to find out what happened in the village nearby, not attack you.” Claire’s question was asked with much more confidence than the first one, seemingly committed to the interrogator role she was pushed into.

“H… high level adv… mercenaries like you c… can be a threat...” he was sweating by now, answering the question. Ilea looked at the man and though him to be younger than even herself.

“Why would we be a threat to a village in the empire?” Claire asked, leaning towards the man.

Ilea had finished her soup and held up the empty plate to the innkeeper who was watching on with focused eyes. He noticed her and nodded before he came and got the plate.

“Th… there are rumors… about the h… hand I mean.” the man said, shaking a little by now.

“We’re not going to hurt you if you just tell us why you were spying on us?” Eve interjected in an annoyed tone.

“I… I s… said already...” the man covered down, trying to protect himself with his hands against the masked mage next to him.

“Oh man this is bloody useless.” Eve said, getting up and walking towards the door. Ilea blinked to Eve and whispered to her.

“Can’t you fuck with his mind or something?” the woman asked but Eve just stared at her with anger in her eyes. She quickly calmed down again and shook her head.

“You obviously don’t know better but no. It’s unreliable and destroys the brain most of the time. People have tried. People still try and it’s fucking disgusting. I swear whenever I hear somebody say it works they just destroyed so much whoever they’re interrogating just isn’t there anymore. No.” she turned around and opened the door but Ilea blinked in front of her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know about that.” she said and locked eyes with Eve. “I know I can be a bit dense sometimes...” she said, mostly meaning her lack of common knowledge about Elos. She had five hundred intelligence points and believed her humor to be on point, either of those things must at least mean something.

“It’s...” Eve started but then shook her head. She lifted her hand to put it on Ilea’s shoulder but stopped half way there when Ilea just hugged her. Eve’s hands were hovering behind Ilea before she embraced her too.

“What is this, did you two realize you came from the same gutter?” Trian asked as he walked up to the two. “Don’t look at me like I pissed in your drinks.” he switched to a whisper as he got closer “This feels wrong, something’s wrong here. What do your guts tell you?” he asked and Ilea definitely agreed.

“The hand has a reputation but I’ve never heard of it having a bad one. High level people can certainly be problematic, I have to agree there. Maybe they’re just a suspicious bunch?” Eve suggested but Ilea didn’t quite feel the same way.

“Maybe but the way they were staring out of their windows after we landed. Plus they could’ve just come into the inn, declaring that they would have an eye on us. No reason to be shady.” she explained. “The guy is needlessly afraid. We’ve not been hostile towards him and our strength alone doesn’t warrant that reaction… at least not in most cases… I think. He has something to hide.”

“I agree, Eve don’t you think so?” Trian asked catching the woman a little off guard.

“Maybe, let’s find out then.” two clones of her emerged and ran out of the door.

“I’ll check around too, back in fifteen minutes or so.” Ilea said and nodded to Eve who walked out of the door with her.

“I’ll stay, shout if you need something blown up.” the lightning mage said and walked back to his seat. They had no intention of torturing the two people they had caught but there was no reason not to check the village quickly before they went to their actual target.

Eve was out of sight rather quickly and Ilea didn’t invest any concentration on tracking the woman any further. She simply looked and felt her surroundings. Both Hunter’s Sight and her Sphere let her perceive irregularities, hidden traps and pathways but nothing had come up after the hidden library sector in Salia when she had actually gotten the skills.

The village consisted of less than twenty buildings, all of them mostly wooden. Most of them were covered in snow at least to an extent. Ilea walked through the muddy streets while the inhabitants went their usual business, her plate boots squashing into the wet ground. The woman was wearing her helmet again, no reason not to wear it now that she wasn’t eating anymore.

Everyone that came across her path tried very hard not to stare at her. They would turn their heads or glance at her whenever they thought she would not be able to spot them. Ilea did see them however and she tried to read their expressions and what they meant.

After walking around for twenty minutes, Ilea had checked every single house but none of them showed anything different than what one might expect from a home in a village like this. Hearths, food and beds mostly. Tools for farming and fighting with some rare books and staffs. Neither did Ilea’s senses alarm her of any hidden pathways but she wasn’t very sure about how that part of the skill really worked.

Hunter’s Sight at least was amazing at finding people, not particularly good at finding something unknown. Either that or there simply wasn’t anything here. There was of course a possibility that the man had told the truth and they were simply worried about the squad coming to the village. Ilea shrugged and made her way back to the inn to check with the others. The suns pushed through and made the winter day rather splendid to look at.

‘I wonder how this whole season stuff makes sense with two suns...’ she thought. Winter was slowly coming to an end and while it had been rather long it was nothing extraordinary compared to the ones she had experienced on Earth. She took in a deep breath of fresh air and thought about spring. It would mark the first full cycle she had been in Elos while not trapped inside of a temple basement.

Ilea reached the inn a moment later and blinked inside to find everybody else sitting on the same table. The two people they had caught sneaking around weren’t anywhere to be seen anymore. Kyrian looked towards Ilea and nodded.

“So everybody’s back then. Did you find anything Ilea?” Claire asked but received a shaking head from the approaching woman.

“Same as everybody then. Well we’re already wasting time and let’s be honest, we would’ve gone to the other village one way or the other.” their team manager said and got up. Ilea noticed that the innkeeper wasn’t in the inn. A shame for the lack of food but probably instigated by one of her team mates. The Official couldn’t be seen either.

“Some more information would’ve been helpful.” Trian said and sighed, getting up in the process “But you’re right, let’s go then.”

“Eve you’ll scout it out with your clones. Let’s take some time to make sure we’re not walking into a trap.” Claire said, the group prepared to leave and stored their packs at the inn. At least everybody but Claire, who was quite reliant on the prepared runes in hers.

Ilea couldn’t see anybody near the windows and the villagers walking around were trying hard not to look at the group. “Let’s go on foot, it should be that road.” Claire said and nodded towards one of the dirt roads leaving the village, quickly covered by snow again. The others followed as they walked and then ran along the road. The slowest members with Claire and Kyrian ran on the road itself while the others hid themselves a little in the forest next to it.

Fifteen minutes of sprinting later they could make out houses in the distance. Claire stopped them with a gesture and went to the side of the road as well. At this point the road was so small the trees above touched, even with the snow weighing them down.

“Ilea take us up, we’ll get an aerial view first. Eve send in some of your clones. Try to turn every stone you can.” Two copies of Eve appeared when Claire had stopped talking and started making their way through the forest and towards the village. The actual team flew upwards and out of the trees to get a better look at their target.

Coming out, the suns painted a rather clear picture of the small village that consisted of five houses only. One of them was rather big and built mostly with stone instead of wood. “Is such a size even sustainable?” Kyrian asked and Ilea thought about it.

“As long as they get necessities from the other village or further out, they’re fine. Not like these forests are very dangerous.” Eve explained.

“I though any forest is dangerous...” Ilea mumbled and got a look from Eve.

“Well if the villagers go out alone and unprotected, then maybe. Most monsters around here wouldn’t invade a human settlement. The meter of stone wall around the village is deterrent enough.” the explanation of Eve made sense but considering they were here because no info came from the village it probably wasn’t as safe as Eve made it sound.

“I’m entering the village now. The wall is similar to the one in the other village. Houses are barred and I can’t slip in anywhere.” Eve commented what she saw with her clones.

“Can’t you try to open the doors?” Trian asked.

“No, I can’t go through solid objects and I can’t interact with them either. The door of the main building is a little open, I think I can get through the slit….” she paused for a couple seconds before continuing. Ilea tried to spot what was happening in the village but it seemed the door of the stone building in the middle wasn’t visible from this angle.

“Alright I’m in… there are corpses there. One… two… five or six. Shredded apart, I would say a clawed beast of some kind but then again aren’t most?” Ilea stared at the woman that was holding onto her arm and then looked back towards the village. What had she seen that she can talk about a scene like that so calmly? Of course Ilea had seen her fair share as well since coming to this world but Eve seemed downright resistant.

‘Maybe Mental Resistance has something to do with it?’ she thought when Eve continued.

“Found a somewhat hidden pathway in the cellar. All doors were open. Pure stone at this point and a lot of runes on the entrance. I assume the… they’re activating. The runes are glowing red. I think I triggered something.” just then the air around the stone building started fluctuating a little.

“What’s that?” Ilea asked.

“A barrier of some kind.” Claire answered. “Is the clone still there?”

“They are, I’ll go further in to see. The other clone is hiding upstairs, maybe I can find out more if whatever is in there comes up. The barrier seems to be around the full building.”

Trian flew a little closer as his eyes started glowing red. “That’s bloodmagic.” Ilea looked around at the different reactions but didn’t really know what that entailed.

“Explain.” she said and Trian turned back around.

“Well it’s magic fueled by mana, blood and life energy. Generally frowned upon but somewhat common in the noble circles. Why it’s not completely outlawed. You can use your own blood but you can also use other’s to fuel some spells and rituals. Less effective but if you have enough corpses...” the man explained.

“It’s going in pretty deep, that’s not just a hidden cellar or anything. There are several levels. Oh that’s disgusting...” Eve chimed in again between Trian’s explanation “Yea someone’s been rather liberal with their sacrifices.” her voice turned cold, something Ilea hadn’t heard from the woman before. “Animals and people, at least a dozen in total. Still no enemy in sight. There are cages but all of them open and empty.”

“Down another level...oh here we are...ok that’s one clone gone. Some sort of wolf and human abomination. Can’t use identify with them so that’s all I got. They’re fast but it took a while for them to notice me even though there was only one way to go and they were looking at me directly. Wait...yea they’re already in the main room upstairs. Furry, around two meters tall, long arms with clawed hands. They’re trying to sniff me out. Good luck with that.”

“Scouting done then.” Claire said. “Let’s go and find out what else is in there.” The others nodded and the group flew right into the village, landing in front of the house.

“They heard us and went down again. Wait let me check...” Eve said as the group approached the barrier around the house.

“How do we crack that open?” Ilea asked, trying to touch the barrier.

“I wouldn’t do that, we have no idea how it will react.” Claire said and unslung her pack before she looked through her runed plates. “This one maybe...” she thought but then put the thing down again. “Blood magic...” she took a bunch of plates and handed them to Ilea. “Distribute those evenly around the house please. First one of those and then at the same place but further away from the barrier these.” she showed her the different plates and Ilea nodded, taking them and blinking around the building to place the runed plates as instructed.

Coming back to the group a mere ten seconds later Trian gave her a look. “Gotten faster? From the mine yesterday?”

“Yea, hit 200 on my second class. You’re gonna be fucked in our next spar.” she said and smirked below her helmet as ash came into existence around her, forming a sinister whirling cloud around her.

“Congratulations, then I won’t have to hold back anymore.” the man said but Ilea was quite sure he hadn’t been doing that, except maybe for some spells that he thought would’ve endangered her.

“Make yourself believe that sparky...” she said as another barrier thrummed to life around the house. This one golden, nearly white in color. One of Claire’s defensive barriers to be sure.

“We have to get in you know, not make it even harder...” Ilea said jokingly, smiling at what was to come. A dull thrum resounded from between the two barriers as the space was filled with fire. Another one followed and another.

“How do you know yours won’t break but the blood magic one will?” Kyrian asked, looking towards their rune mage.

“I have preparations for different magics. My own explosion magic I know the best, thus my barriers for that are the best.” Kyrian nodded at the answer.

“Yea, remember that one time she nearly fried me?” Ilea asked and saw Claire gulp. “I told you it’s fine. That was an impressive barrier, at least against your own explosions.” the thrums didn’t stop until a louder sizzling noise could be heard.

“It’s down, let’s go and find out if we can take them. I’ll keep the barrier ready and if they overwhelm us we go out and close it.” Claire said as Ilea walked to the door, kicking it open with one smooth movement. All her buffs were at the max and her Veil of Ash formed around her.

The stench immediately hit her and the downright shredded people were not a pleasant sight. She stopped for a second and gulped down before walking onwards, her eyes glowing an icy blue below her helmet and the smirk vanishing from her face. She could perceive the way down into the cellar perfectly and made her way there, the team following in formation. One step on the now white stone staircase followed the next before she came out into a room painted in red.

She didn’t have time to really take the view in as two massive werewolves immediately were upon her. Ilea stood still before in the last moment she blinked in between the creatures to grab their arms, stopping their movement and knocking them together in the now empty space where she had stood. Trian teleported further into the room while the others spread out as well. Ilea started pumping destructive mana into the beasts, making them howl.

[Wolfbeast – lvl 183]

She didn’t let go of the animals even when they started clawing at her with their free arms. Two spikes of metal entered their chests then before lightning came down on the creatures, quickly ending their lives. Ilea wasn’t phased by any of the attacks, only the lightning damaging her slightly. She let the creatures fall down as the fight messages came to her mind. No level ups to any skills or classes as expected. More importantly Ilea perceived something else in the room.

“Someone survived.” she said and blinked towards a pile of flesh and corpses. The stench was disgusting but Ilea ignored it, grabbing a corpse and throwing it to the side.

Chapter 106 Cleanup Crew

A note from Rhaegar

Enjoy and let me know about all the shit I do wrong!

More chapters on the weekend

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Chapter 106 Cleanup Crew

The team watched on as Ilea threw around corpses of animals and humans before she got something out of the pile. A shivering human, its eyes locking with Ilea’s under her black helmet. The woman removed it to not scare the child any further. No status showed when she identified the kid and she moved her hand get the hair out of its face.

“They must’ve not smelled it under there.” Eve commented.

“She, it’s a she.” Ilea said as Trian walked up to them with a flask of water and cloth he used to wordlessly clean the child’s face from the blood and grime. Ilea thought her to be around six or seven years old, black hair and black eyes.

“Can you make her sleep?” Ilea asked to nobody in particular. Eve walked up to them and started humming a slow and quiet tune, making the girl sleep in less than fifteen seconds.

“We should’ve at least tried to ask some questions.” Trian said.

“You insensitive asshole.” Eve said and punched the man. He let the punch hit and looked at the woman afterwards.

“I’m quite aware of her mental state. But our survival is more important than this random child we found. Perhaps some of what she could’ve shared would...” Ilea interrupted the two.

“Shut the hell up, she’s sleeping.” she said with an icy tone before walking upstairs and out of the building, bringing the girl to one of the nearby houses and putting her in one of the beds before tucking her in. “We’ll be back.” she said and blinked back to the others. The whole thing had taken her less than three minutes and the others were still waiting for her, now in silence.

“Let’s go.” Ilea simply said and continued further down into the underground complex. The room where Eve’s first clone had vanished was now empty, with a staircase leading further down. Ilea walked a couple meters in front of the others in case of traps. Sure enough she saw spikes and hidden crossbows in the walls of the staircase. She simply punched into the stone with her bare hands to rip out the weapons, tossing them to the ground, not stopping in the process.

At last they came into a round hall with runes pained in blood on the ground. There were corpses here as well, one of them being worked on in that moment. A pale man in his thirties turned around to look at Ilea, his eyes blood red and his body cut in dozens of places.

“Aaaaaah, more have arrived. Come in come in, you are ready for the feast. All my children, come and join your father!” he said, in a completely normal tone which to Ilea was somehow even more unnerving.

[Mage – lvl 202]

‘See, that’s why I didn’t chose the weird cult class...’ she thought and looked at the man.

“You will die.” she said and prepared to blink towards him. Blood swirled around him but fell down to the ground a moment later. Ilea looked on confused when Eve’s head poked out from behind the man. A dagger was stabbed deep into his neck. He convulsed and closed and opened his mouth as blood came out of it. Eve got another dagger and held the man’s head. Black veins formed around the first dagger’s wound as he tried to reach her with his arms. The blood on the ground slowly levitated again when Eve stabbed him with the second dagger, one, two and three times. His blood joined the pool on the ground as with a last stab and cut his head came loose. His body hit the ground when Eve tossed the head to the side, bending down to collect her second dagger. Her eyes quickly locked with Ilea’s when she looked up.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [John Gilligan – Follower of Blood lvl 202 / Beast Summoner lvl 192]

Nobody said a word as they spread out in the room to investigate. Claire started painting runes on the ground and walls as Eve walked up to Ilea. “Where’s the girl?” she asked and Ilea looked at her again before telling her which house she had put the girl in. Perhaps Eve was even angrier than her. Ilea hadn’t seen her vanish in the room. She had leveled some of her skills to the second stage just as most of their group had in the past months. One of them allowed her to blend into her surroundings. Not quite invisible but combined with the rest of her skills she was Very hard to make out. That hadn’t exactly worked against the Death Spirits but against the blood mage in this cellar it had worked wonders.

“There’s a hidden shelf here. Claire, wanna check for runes?” Ilea said, looking at the wall before her. The woman stopped her drawing and walked up to her.

“Are you using blood for your runes now?” Ilea asked and Claire checked the wall before checking her pack.

“I’m sure they would’ve liked to be used for that one last time.” she said and activated her magic, the compartment in the wall springing open. Ilea saw the needles flying out and shoved herself between them an Claire, all of it harmlessly blocked by her veil. She picked them up and looked closely.

“Coated in something.” she said and Claire grabbed the needle out of her hand.

“Thank you, but don’t even think about it.” she tossed the needles back to the ground before inspecting the shelf. There was gold in it, three books and some letters. Claire took all of it and handed them out to the group who was now waiting in the middle of the room. “Read through it and then we discuss the contents.” she said and continued to draw runes on the walls and the ground.

Ten minutes later Claire told them to move a floor up and continued to draw there. Now using one of Kyrian’s created spikes to scratch the runes.

“The letters are from two different noble families, both of them from Lys. Apparently they were asking for some experiments to be performed here. Quite a normal practice if I might add, though these were rather gruesome.” he finished and made the letters vanish.

“This book is about rituals for summoning, blood magic generally using corpses and life energy to create some sort of abominations.” Ilea commented on her book while flipping through it. She threw it to Trian who looked through as well and then made it vanish.

“What did you get Kyrian?” Ilea asked, the man still concentrated on reading.

“I think it’s a diary.” he said after a couple seconds.

“You think? Is it a different language or can’t you read?” Trian asked.

“I’m n… not very good at it yet.” he answered which made Trian chuckle a little. Ilea was next to him the next instant as her fully powered fist hit his side, making the noble fly and crash into the wall of the room.

“Don’t worry about it, you’ll get there soon enough. Can I see?” Ilea said to Kyrian, smiling under his helmet as the man looked at the noble now inhabiting the wall before handing her the book.

Trian coughed from the side before peeling himself out of the stone. “Guess I deserved that one. You really have gotten stronger. Want to bout?” he asked, a big grin on his face.

“Later sparky, later.” Ilea said as she started to read out loud.

“Day forty seven. The village elders have finally agreed to the deal. It seems the gold was too tempting to reject. Dorothy even asked if we could do more experiments for more gold. I’m glad that woman is part of the elders. Truly a visionary like myself...”

“Day one hundred and three. I have gained another twelve levels and my skills are skyrocketing. Two of the experiments have been complete successes, I have to push on. Get more people. Maybe the villagers in this small part of the world won’t be missed. Who would care about such a small place anyway… soon enough I’ll be too strong to stop...”

“Too strong to stop, the guy wasn’t even at two hundred.” Ilea commented as she closed the book and handed it to Claire who stopped scratching. “Please read through so we can find out who is responsible. I’m sure you’re the most… thorough of us.” Claire nodded and put the book on the ground, continuing to carve runes.

“Well we don’t know at what level he started. Blood mages, necromancers, witches and similar classes can advance quite quickly when they have enough resources to sacrifice and work on.” Trian explained as he dusted himself off. “What are you even doing Claire?” he asked and looked around the room “Ah, I understand. Well I’ll go out, the stench in here is disgusting. Get me when you’re done.” he said and walked out.

Ilea went to grab the diary again and opened it before walking to Kyrian and grabbing the man on his spiked armor before sitting down on the half destroyed staircase. “Alright, read to me. I’ll explain the words you don’t know.”

“Ilea I don’t think...” the man started but she put a finger on his helmet.

“It’s alright, I just want to help. Tell me if you really feel uncomfortable with it and I’ll stop.” she said and looked at him. The metal and curse mage equipped in full plate armor that was bloodied in parts looked away before focusing on the book before him.

“D...day f… fifty?” Ilea nodded and he continued.

They emerged out of the stone building half an hour later when Claire was done with everything. Ilea led them to the building where Eve and the girl would be waiting and also found Trian inside, sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, his helmet off while Eve was sitting next to the bed. The young girl was still asleep, even snoring rather loudly.

Claire sat down on the table in the living room and started reading the diary, taking notes here and there. Ilea blinked outside and to the roof of the building, removing her helmet and breathing in the cool air. She closed her eyes and thought about what she had seen inside that stone building. It would haunt her for quite some time she was sure. She summoned some of Keyla’s food but found it bland and tasteless, leaving it on the roof next to her.

Trian found her a couple minutes later and teleported next to her. He looked at her and then towards the sky. “You know a bout is usually quite helpful in these situations.” he said and Ilea turned to the side, groaning.

“Leave me alone lightning mage.” she said and looked at the snow covered roof before her.

“So you do have a storage item… I definitely had my suspicions.” her eyes opened up a little wider but she couldn’t bring herself to care too much at him finding out.

“No I don’t.”

“Ilea the food is steaming. As much as you like food I doubt you’re a cook that good.” he grabbed the food and smelled it. “This is amazing. You don’t want it?” he asked and started eating without waiting for even a second.

“It’s poisoned.” Ilea said.

“No it’s not. I wondered why you only had that small pack with you when I assumed you would need three times that in food. I get that you kept it hidden though. Now that I know there’s really no reason for the others not to know either.” Ilea didn’t comment on any of that.

‘So he does deem himself the least trustworthy, or he at least knows that I trust him the least.’ she sighed and turned towards the man. “Alright, let’s have that bout but be warned, I’m angry.”

He kept quiet and continued to eat her food before he threw the empty bowl down into the woods. His helmet appeared and lightning wings spread while red sparks crackled around him. “What makes you think I’m not?”

The wall of ash was burst through by a strike of red lightning as Ilea blinked towards the man who quickly teleported away. Her fist broke through the tree that had been standing behind the man as a flash of lightning advanced on her. Another blink and she was gone again, creating and spreading ash around as best as she could. Without a limitation to their training ground the mage simply ran further away to not be caught in the mist of black.

Ilea was definitely much faster and hit harder than before. He knew that as well and was on the defensive through most of the bout. Some attacks still connected but Ilea definitely found it simpler to catch the elusive man. He would try to teleport away earlier, relying on his movement much more than his attacks. Trian focused on his draining spells more than his lightning ones but Ilea had improved too much for him to completely evade her as would’ve been possible before her class evolution.

She appeared at the same time as him and grabbed his arm, signaling the end of the bout which at this point was more a game of catch than anything. His lightning cursed through her as she smashed her other fist into his chest, distributing destructive mana into the man. Her punch was about as effective as it had been before, simply because of his added enchanted armor that she had only faced at the earlier training session the same day, which had been more about team fighting than one versus one.

She didn’t stop and her self healing combined with defense would overwhelm the man in time so he lifted his arms and stopped his attacks. Ilea calmed down and threw the man at the next best tree, which he hit hard.

“That actually was helpful, thanks.” she said as he got up and dusted himself off.

“You’re quite a bit stronger. Good fight.” he said and she nodded, walking back to the village with him joining her side. They had fought for around twenty minutes but a big chunk of the forest was showing small fires and destroyed trees. Ash was covering big parts of the ground, interspersed with snow. Ilea was surprised the man could hold on for so long. ‘If it weren’t for my defense against his draining and lightning...’

“Those hits would have broken my rib cage without the armor. Did you get a Strength enhancement?”

“One of my body enhancement skills now also enhances Strength.” Ilea explained and he nodded.

“Figured. So you can use those gauntlets now?”

Ilea summoned them and lifted them up slowly. “Yes, but I’m much slower with the weight.” Trian looked towards her and kept walking. They were silent until they reached the village again and entered the house. Kyrian was sitting on the ground in the living room with closed eyes. Claire had a bunch of notes on some paper next to the diary, already nearly done with the whole book. Granted it wasn’t huge but Ilea was a much slower reader, even with her enhanced senses.

“She’s awake.” Ilea noticed and looked at the closed door of the room Eve was in with the girl. The two were talking but Ilea decided not to listen too closely. With her skills she could’ve made out the conversation through the wooden door. She sat down on the ground next to Kyrian and summoned two of Keyla’s meals, handing one of them to the man next to her.

“You…?” he said but then just nodded and took the bowl. Claire looked towards them and smiled but continued to scribble on her notes. None of them were wearing their helmets, something Ilea quite enjoyed. The team of Sulivhaan had never taken theirs off but perhaps that was simply because Ilea had been there. She didn’t know how they interacted when nobody was around.

“I was wondering.” she started. “The guy Eve murdered. I didn’t get a single level up even though he was as high as me. Granted his second class wasn’t at two hundred yet...”

“It slows down a lot after two hundred. You ever fought any elves?” Trian asked and smiled when she nodded. “Well didn’t you ever wonder how they weren’t a much higher level than what they are?”

“I don’t think those are the strongest elves out there.” she answered.

“Oh I’m sure they’re not, as are we not the strongest humans. Still with decades ahead wouldn’t you think they’d be much higher compared to you for example? You’re what? Twenty? Thirty?” Trian commented as he leaned on a nearby wall.

“Don’t assume a woman’s age.” she said but found herself agreeing with the man. ‘So it just slows down a lot after two hundred. Weird.” she thought but continued eating, satisfied with the explanation. The village house was dark and cold, only a small flame burned over some runes Claire had placed on the table to make reading a simpler task. She stopped writing and sat back in the chair around ten minutes later, her armored skirt producing a metallic rustling at the movement.

Eve joined them a moment later, closing the door quietly behind her.

“How is she?” Kyrian asked and Eve made a wavy motion with her hand.

“As well as she could be considering the circumstances. Claire how does it look?” Eve looked towards the woman with cold eyes.

“It looks like we will have more than just money to collect in that village.”

Chapter 107 Everyday Life

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, two chatpers today. Next one probably Thursday.

I'm aware that these chapters are a bit boring. When I wrote this I planned a couple things that I wanted Ilea and co. to accomplish which made this arc feel a little like a bucket list/filler, at least to me. I realized that and will change/skip a part of this arc whenever I come around revising the whole thing. Still, enjoy reading and let me know what you think on them, I appreciate any feedback

">.

Thanks!

Chapter 107 Everyday Life

Sally had watched the squad of the hand leave the village and felt the gazes upon her heavily. For once it didn’t seem the people watching her were after the money she hid in her heavy coats. ‘I hope they come back alive...’ she thought as she turned to grab her drink that had been untouched for a while. She had left the mercenaries to interrogate the two people they had found spying on them and returned to the inn as soon as they were done.

The innkeeper was acting a little tense now after the squad was through but if it weren’t for the constant bad feeling she had inside of this village, she would’ve attributed that to simply being in contact with a shadow squad. ‘I need to get the hell out of here...’ she thought and finished the drink.

A couple hours later a group of villagers burst into the inn, some of them looking at her but they didn’t seem too concerned by the woman. She was a couple dozen levels higher than anybody in the room but if they would gang up on her it would prove to be a difficult fight. She read the mood and respectfully left towards the top floor and her room, mostly to not end up in a fight.

What the group downstairs didn’t know was that Sally had exceptional hearing, coming from her second more stealthy class. Standing still near the stairway, she strained her ears and listened in, if only to be able to flee should the need arise.

“...they have entered the main hall.” one of the men said in a hushed but aggravated voice, clearly not handling the stress as well as he should be.

“So? Many have done the same and so far nobody has returned. Trust in the Father.” Sally found herself a little surprised at the innkeeper’s words. Except for a little tension she hadn’t felt anything from him. A good actor. She wasn’t quite sure who this father was supposed to be but it was quite clear that this village was the reason for all the missing adventurers who went to investigate the other village.

Sally wondered how the empire had even been notified about the missing people in the first place but shelved that thought for now. She was in danger for sure and the only reason the people likely hadn’t looked for her already was the bigger threat of the shadow squad.

“Yes we know but nobody has entered the same way… they broke the barrier Hollum!” the last part would’ve even been heard by someone without enhanced hearing. It was the same man speaking but more voices skipped over each other now, trying to get their opinions in.

“It was a mistake, a big mistake… I’m gonna leave. You do whatever you want.” one of them said and stormed towards the door but was stopped by one of his fellows.

“Don’t get cold feet now, we’ve been in this together Karl.” somebody else said but then the room fell quiet as Sally heard the door open and someone step in. A quiet step. She could feel shivers form on her back and her skills activated as she waited on the top of the staircase.

“Welcome back. So have you found the...” the innkeeper started but was interrupted by the sound of someone humming. Sally stepped back one step and then two as she listened to the eerie tune, the sound of a blade cutting through flesh and blood dripping on the ground was quickly added, finally followed by the presumably falling corpses that hit the floor. Not a single word was uttered by any of the people downstairs until the humming stopped. Sally had her hand on the handle of her sword when the same humming voice came from below.

“No need to be afraid officer.” it was one of the mercenaries and Sally found herself unable to let go of her sword. Concentrating on it she finally released her tense hand and released the buffs she had cast upon herself. ‘No stupid moves now or you’re dead...’ the thought came to her mind as she steeled herself and walked downstairs slowly.

All seven people including the innkeeper were laying on the floor of the building, dead and bleeding, coloring the brown wood in a dark shade of red. One of the mercenaries was standing in the middle of the room, clad in her dark armor, her face covered in a mask that showed a white smile. The woman was staring towards the ceiling and turned towards Sally as soon as she set foot into the room. She readied all her resolve and all her skills to react in an instant should the mercenary find a reason to attack her.

“Relax.” came the word from the door as another one of them entered. The woman who had presumably found the spies and was constantly eating. It didn’t look as silly anymore now that Sally faced her, clad in black full plate armor with a horned helmet and covered in blood. “We found and killed the responsible. Turns out most of them were from this village. You got all of them?” she asked towards the masked mercenary.

“Seven. There should be five more.” she said and walked towards the door, vanishing before Sally’s eyes.

“Good hunt.” the other woman said and looked at the scene before her, the look on her face unreadable below her helmet. She then walked to each corpse and closed their eyes, a weird gesture. Sally’s eyebrows lifted as the first corpse vanished and then the second one. All of them vanished before the woman walked out the back door. No other words had been spoken and Sally found her curiosity win over as she followed behind the woman.

A couple dozen meters behind the inn, right at the start of a field the mercenary stopped and started digging with the shovel she had gotten from god knows where. ‘Graves...’ Sally thought as she watched the woman dig seven graves for the people who were killed.

“Here you are.” a new voice joined the solemn scene as the mercenary team leader walked up to Sally who turned to look at her. “Would you please come with me to discuss the report.” the woman said and Sally found herself nodding along, following behind as the sound of shoveling continued behind her.

Ilea finished the last grave and summoned the corpses from her necklace to fill the spaces. She felt a slight disturbance in her sphere but continued. “You think they deserve that?” Eve asked as she appeared a couple meters away from her. “After what they’ve done.”

“Maybe not, but we don’t have to become them.” Ilea answered, getting a slight chuckle from Eve.

“I have murdered them all in cold blood. And you would have done the same had I not asked for it.” Ilea stayed quiet, knowing that there was some truth to what her team mate said. Still she refused to give in completely. Foolish maybe but something inside of her didn’t want to let go. Eve scoffed but didn’t leave, instead watching the woman work as she closed up the graves with earth. Three metal spheres hovered into her sphere and expanded into plates, closing the last four graves in one move. A gesture one could interpret in different ways but Ilea knew Kyrian meant well.

“You stopped something before it got dangerous then. Thank you.” the official said and got a pouch from her coat.

“It was plenty dangerous for everybody who died already.” Eve said in a cold voice.

“O… of course, I’m sorry… I meant for the empire itself.” the official tried to salvage her comments but Ilea was quite sure Eve was having none of that. She was enjoying a meal from Keyla and looked on as Claire counted the gold. Eve had simply handed Ilea her pack when she realized that she had a storage item, grumbling about unnecessary weight she had been carrying all this time.

Claire took a while to finish up with the official and Ilea had managed to try most of the different beverages stored in the inn and its cellar. Luckily there was no further blood magic related finds in said cellar. There would be an investigator sent by the empire to determine the involvement of the village in the killings but the shadow squad had already cleaned up rather well. The evidence combined with some last minute confessions made for a compelling argument though Ilea still had some qualms about being the vigilante murderer she had become.

It didn't bother her nearly as much anymore as the first time she had killed and it would bother her less and less, she was sure of it. 'I'll have to visit a priest or something...' she thought as she emptied the last bit of the best mead she could find in the cellar.

“Ilea we're leaving!” Eve shouted from above and a blink later the squad was back together, ready to go onto their third mission together. It had taken a total of five hours to finish up everything in the village and they left in a rather solemn atmosphere. The girl turned out to be related to some of the people in the village who had believed her to be missing in the nearby forest. Eve made quite sure to mention that she would check in on them and if any harm would come to the girl the whole village would be razed.

Ilea believed her when she heard the woman talk, painting a rather different picture of the mage than she had of her before. Then again it wasn't that surprising. They all were at a certain level of strength and Ilea started to form a theory on how Eve had gotten there.

The team was flying eastwards soon thereafter, towards Damwell, one of Lys' cities by the sea. Hopefully this job would be a little less emotionally draining but Ilea tried to prepare for everything as she flew through the empire's lands, carrying two of her team mates next to her.

It took another three hours to reach the city and the suns of Elos were slowly moving downwards on the horizon. Ilea thought of dinner as the group landed near the city gates and soon joined the few travelers nearby, most of which were adventurers or merchants protected by such.

They did get a few looks but considerably fewer than on their first mission. This changed quickly upon entering the city itself where most people weren't part of one or the other adventurer guild, making the group of armored mercenaries quite a scene to behold. One of the city guards escorted the group towards the responsible station where they would be further instructed on the job.

After the initial mention of a queen harpy no other adventurer had even tried to enter the cliffs, the monster too dangerous a prospect. Claire finished up with the city official rather quickly as the team waited outside. Ilea was getting a little sick of the constant attention they got due to the black wisps and heavy armor. 'I could just switch to my leather one... but the others are still here... eh.' she thought and summoned her monster encyclopedia, looking for the Queen Harpy entry. Ilea was sure that at least Claire had looked it up beforehand when they were still in Viscera.

A queen harpy appears in a harpy nest around every other decade. Usually the monsters fly towards a high mountain or an isolated cliff side to build their new nest. When a queen appears the harpies grow more defensive and ultimately aggressive towards the neighboring species. The monster itself usually reaches a level slightly above two hundred. No notable capabilities besides the purely physical have been reported.

She read the text out loud to the loitering team members also waiting for Claire's return.

“So we go there and kill the birds...” Kyrian said.

“They're like half human right?” Ilea asked as she looked at the picture of the monster before the book vanished from her hand.

“Since when do you care, the last job involved killing actual people.” Trian said from the side, looking around at the guards sometimes glancing at the group. Ilea shrugged at the question and thought about it. It seemed comparable to not eating meat on earth but then again if a wolf pack attacked the lifestock of a farm they would probably be hunted down as well.

“We can focus on the queen, less work for us and we're doen quicker.” Trian said.

“Me and Ilea sneak in while the rest makes a lot of noise at the entrance?” Eve suggested and Kyrian nodded.

“The close quarters might not be benefitial for us if there are a lot of them in there.” he said but Ilea wasn't quite so sure about that. They would probably do fine either way and splitting up didn't seem like the best idea.

“Let's ask Claire about it once she's done.” Ilea said and ended the conversation there. The rune mage came back a couple minutes later, and quickly briefed the group on any new information she might've received. There wasn't a lot, other than an increasing amount of harpy attacks near the southern parts of the city. Fishermen and adventurers were avoiding big parts of their usual hunting grounds because of it.

They didn't have to stay in the city for any longer and quickly left towards the south, where the location of the supposed queen harpy was. Claire was ok with the plan of splitting up as long as Eve first scouted out the cliffs to find the queen. Ilea would go in with her to ensure they could actually take the beast down. Eve wasn't sure she could kill the beast quickly enough in addition to escaping without getting hurt.

The group landed twenty minutes later on an empty beach, the stormy waves of the ocean hitting the sand and rocks with cold water. Ilea breathed in the salty winds and looked around. There were many openings in the cliff side and Eve's illusions went towards them at a quick running pace. Sadly her clones didn't have the same chameleon like ability she could manifest herself.

Ilea and Eve went to hide near a rock formation while the others prominently made their stand on the beach itself. Runes were carved and placed by Claire and Kyrian while Trian hovered above, his lightning ready to strike.

“Got it...” Eve said around ten minutes later. One of her illusions had found the location of the queen harpy, apparently inside of an open cave with plenty of water and sunlight inside. She motioned to Claire who was just finishing up carving into the cliff side with Kyrian carrying her up and down the formations. She nodded to Eve as the two landed back inside their defensive rune formations below Trian.

The lightning mage nodded as well before blue lightning formed around his hands and impacted the cliff side. Claire added a couple smaller explosions to the mix and they got the intended response. Loud and angry bird noises came from the caves before the first of them burst out. To Ilea they looked quite a bit different than the ones she had seen before, perhaps a different species but most notable was the look in their eyes.

“They seem crazed or something...” she whispered to Eve who started to assume her surrounding's colors, becoming nearly invisible in mere seconds.

“Come.” the woman said as more and more birds poured out of the tunnels to attack the apparent intruders. Eve started running, masking herself so well Ilea had difficulties making out the woman, even with her perception skills. She tried hiding as best she could with her Embered Body Heat. She also quickly switched her elven armor out with a leather one to make a little less noise while walking.

The explosions resounded through the caves as the two women sneaked deeper into the cave systems while more harpies flew out above them. 'That's quite a number...' Ilea thought, a little more convinced of their chosen method. The beasts were between level seventy and one hundred and thirty so Claire and the others would be fine for quite some time. Maybe the whole colony would be wiped out already when Ilea and Eve exited the caves again but the First Hunter doubted that.

Luckily nearly no harpy was on the ground and all of them were too crazed to notice the two women below. They still had to hide sometimes as they went around corners and deeper into the caves. After a while there were non crazed harpies standing guard to any tunnels that would lead further in but combined with Eve's near invisibility and Ilea's blinking ability the two moved through undiscovered until they finally came into the main cave where the queen harpy resided.

The monster looked a little taller than the rest with horns on its head but Ilea couldn't quite make out any other differences.

[Queen Harpy – lvl 205]

'Just as in the monster book.' Ilea smiled and looked towards Eve. They had decided on an approach beforehand and now executed it. Ilea waited in the small hiding spot between rocks and looked towards the beast which was standing at an elevated position in the cave. Ilea activated all her buffs a moment later when the beast's eyes went wide and blood spurted from its neck that had been sliced.

She blinked twice as ash formed around her, staining the ground black and gray and filling the air with a mist of the magically created substance. It twirled around her as her wings came alive and carried her the last ten or so meters. The harpy was gurgling and screaming with all her power as it tried to remove the dagger from her neck, black veins slowly forming near the blade. It hit around herself but Ilea knew that Eve was already quite a distance away, waiting. Ilea impacted the beast and gripped the blade before pushing it in further, ignoring the claws that scratched against her Veil of ash.

Chapter 108 Tactical Defusing

Chapter 108 Tactical Defusing

More and more black ash formed around her as she started punching the beast's head, focusing on its eyes and beak first to further disorient it. The cries still came out even though most of its throat had been cut through and Ilea heard any nearby harpy cry out in turn to create a deafening concert of voices. She turned down her hearing before she would get hurt and simply continued her attacks, more and more mana flowing into the beast and destroying it from the inside.

It would only be a matter of time before the beast fell. Combined with the black veins coming from Eve's dagger Ilea estimated it to be a rather quick thing too, still she summoned her elven armor in case of resistance. The queen's cries slowly softened, its head a swollen mess of blood and broken bone as Ilea's fists continued to rain into the beast. The first harpies started to arrive then and clawed at her veil of ash but the Azarinth hunter had formed a thick mist of ash around her, making it hard for the birds to find her.

In their haste to help their queen they even managed to injure her further with their sharp talons. Ilea just clung to the monster's chest and continued her relentless assault while ignoring the damage she herself sustained. Some claws from the now numerous harpies around her managed to get through the veil but none had actually drawn blood so far, unable to breach the elven armor.

Some damage was of course still being done but Ilea's healing skill was easily countering that and with her newfound strength it was quite simple for her to hang onto her target while delivering more and more blows. A sickening crunch resounded through the whole cave when Ilea managed to break the queen's beak, finally killing her.

Silence swept through the cave and Ilea saw all the harpies around her slow down and look around confused. 'They must have lost their frenzy with the queen's death...' Ilea thought and dodged a clawed foot going for her back. Sneaking back, she stored both the dead queen and Eve's dagger in her necklace and made her way towards the exit. Eve should've been long gone to avoid entering a skirmish like the one Ilea had just been a part of.

With her full speed and blink's capability, Ilea ran out of the cave. Dozens of bewildered harpies were strewn around the tunnels, trying to find the intruders. To Ilea's surprise some of the harpies even started attacking each other, apparently lost without their deceased leader. As Ilea got further out, the harpies seemed to follow the same goal as they simply ran or flew next to her, croaking loudly into her ears.

The run continued as Ilea sometimes dodged one or the other attack coming her way with a blink or quick movement, most of them didn't seem to be intentional and simply a circumstance of the small space they had found themselves in. With a burst of speed and three quick successive blinks, Ilea appeared outside of the cliff side and around thirty meters above the beach they had started on. Her wings spread as she twirled and dived downwards, avoiding any escaping harpy on the way until she landed with a thump on the sand, digging deep into the ground before another blink brought her behind some nearby rocks to hide from the swarm above.

The croaking was all that filled her ears by now as she danced across the rocky landscape. Luckily the beasts were too occupied with each other to notice Ilea or perhaps they simply felt her strength and avoided her thus. The reason didn't quite matter to the woman who was still moving through the rocks until she saw the rest of her team, standing under a nearly white shield, conjured by Claire while curse runes were placed in circles a couple meters away from the shield. Trian was standing inside as well, the air around him crackling with red lightning. There were dozens of dead harpies spread around them but with the queen's death it seemed that the rest now completely avoided the trio, and with that a sure way to die.

Ilea walked closer until she felt the curse take effect on her, quite a bit weaker than when she had set food into one of Kyrian's runes before. Not as weak as she expected either, must've come with his class upgrade as well. She didn't want to know the effects without any resistance to the magic. The dome of light came down as the curse' effect weakened and then vanished, marking the end of the mage's runes.

Ilea figuratively knocked on the dissolving dome of light as she checked through the messages that started appearing in her mind midway through her walk on the beach. Truly a vacation in a foreign land.

'ding' 'Your group has defeated [Queen Harpy – lvl 205]'

'ding' 'Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 5'

'It's gonna be less and less if I don't go and attack masses of higher leveled beasts alone isn't it?' she thought as Claire greeted her. Eve wasn't yet outside it seemed or she chose to stay hidden for some reason. 'Maybe masses of higher leveled beasts with this group?' she mused the thought when a couple dozen meters away Eve slowly came into view. Ilea summoned the woman's dagger and threw it towards her, the piece of metal easily being caught.

“So you did it? Is that why they're so bloody disoriented?” Trian asked as he looked at the two women.

“Yea, have the body stored away. You wanna go back to the city?” Ilea asked.

“It's barely been two hours... did you find the location of the harpy?” the guard captain asked, a grizzly old man. A ranger at level 130 as Ilea identified. Claire motioned outside where they had left the carcass and the man was quickly cursing with delight as he exited his office.

“You damn motherfuckers. Great job, you cost a damn lot but it's damn worth it.” he went and touched the body with glee in his eyes. “Damn monster that one. Over two hundred?” Claire nodded to his question as he let go of the corpse.

“Well come then, we'll pay you and you can be on your way. Of course if you want to stay in the city? I'm sure a lot of adventurers would gladly thank you for the service.” he grinned at that but no reaction could be gleamed from the shadow squad, stoic as their reputation. Under the facemasks and helmets the reactions were rather different of course but the man likely didn't know that.

“Two done, one to go. And we're still on the same day.” Kyrian said as the group waited for Claire again. This time it didn't take quite as long, likely because no execution of a blood magic cult had taken place in this mission. Hopefully this would stay the same for the last one.

'Should've taken those water fighting lessons...' Ilea thought a little worried as the group flew over open water near the coastline, Eve and Claire holding on to Ilea. 'I wonder if Aki is bored...' she thought as Eve started humming and then singing a song. Ilea didn't know it but it had a bit of a happier tone to it than her usual musical additions, maybe she was excited at the prospect of exploring a newly discovered ruin or perhaps it was because the group might be able to join the tournament if they performed well on some missions before the two weeks were over.

Nonetheless it was nice to have something else than the waves in her ears, a constant reminder of the unending depths below, just waiting to swallow her. She gulped and concentrated on the song.

“I think that's it. See those formations over there... they fit the description.” Claire said as the group was hovering over the hundreds of rocks creeping out of the water a couple hundred meters away from the shoreline. No city or village was anywhere near close by.

“You mean those gray rocky ones?” Ilea asked excitedly. Claire nodded slightly, the sarcasm shooting right over her head. “Claire I have no idea where, please just guide me...” Ilea said and started flying, following the hand gestures of her team mate holding on to her left arm.

“I can see movement...” Eve said as they got closer to rocks that looked quite the same as everything else Ilea had in her vision. Soon enough she saw it too, a bunch of people moving about a platform of rock, supplies and tents all around them. There was neither a fire nor any boats which made the place a little harder to find. The group landed a couple dozen meters away and made their way towards the adventurer camp.

It seemed in good shape and at least some of the people there had noticed the approaching group, shouting to get the attention of the rest. A quick line was formed as buffs came to life.

“They know who we are don't they?” Kyrian asked towards Claire who was walking closer while the rest of the team stayed back. It was the general approach they had settled on, the rest of the team too socially inept to make first contact with a giddy group of dangerous warriors.

“We're a bunch of people in black armor, could be anyone really. Dunno if they know about a hired squad of the Hand making an appearance.” Ilea commented and spun Aki around to make sure he wouldn't suddenly snore off. She wasn't sure the guy was even with her most of the time in the past days but he did like it whenever there was action.

With raised arms Claire walked closer to the adventurers until there was only a couple meters of water between them. Ilea noticed that a lot of the adventurers were relaxing already, some even leaving the formation.

“Shadow's Hand, we've been hired to help with the exploration.” there were still some doubtful faces but Claire calmly moved her backpack to the front before she got out a piece of paper with the guild seal on it. An additional document they had gotten when receiving the mission. Even the last of the people seemed more relaxed now upon viewing the document and Claire soon waved the group over as she herself jumped onto the plateau of rock where the camp was made. Compared to the stares they had gotten in Damwell, Ilea noticed a lot more respectful nods their way in addition to some smiles and relieved faces.

It seemed that the exploration was going just as well as described by the guild which was confirmed by one of the rangers in the group of adventurers. “Yea we lost two more since the request went out. Didn't know there would be a shadow squad hired but the report we sent to the guild was quite detailed. I assume you read it?” the woman asked.

“I did, poison, arrows, rusty spike traps. No monsters discovered so far.” Claire summarized. She had talked a little more about the report on their flight here but to Ilea it didn't seem as dangerous.

“So how will you go about it?” the woman asked and Claire just motioned to Ilea.

“Are you sure about this?” Claire asked.

“Oh yes, I'm the trap buster 3000.” Ilea said in a completely serious tone before a veil of ash formed around her. She then unceremoniously put her pack down and got a piece of paper and her pen out to draw out a map. Eve smiled and Claire shrugged as Trian sat down on a stone nearby.

“Don't take too long, and get us if you find anything interesting. Don't touch anything.” Trian said to her which made Ilea grin from ear to ear.

“I'll touch everything mate...all of the things...” she giggled and vanished into the cave.

“Y... you sure she'll be alright?” the ranger asked Claire, obviously not intimidated by the prospect of a shadow squad. Not surprising with her level being at one hundred and sixty herself.

“She's quite... durable.” Claire said and got out some documents from her backpack, ready to start writing the report for this mission. She liked to be ahead when it came to documentation. Her mood was high though as they had already made a substantial amount of money in just one day. The jobs given to the Hand were certainly profitable. Looking around at the icy rocks, the rune mage smiled. She might have paid back her debt to the Guild sooner than expected.

“Are you serious...” Ilea asked as a bunch of poison darts flew her way, interrupted in their short flight by the ash flowing around her. She kept herself over the water with both her wings and by simply grabbing onto the rock. The traps were well hidden and without her sphere Ilea would've been quite surprised at some of them. Even then none would've likely managed to injure her in any major way. Most of her time was spent drawing out the ruin, at this point mostly a cave with hints of symmetrical influences.

A sudden rock slide above her made some pieces tumble towards her that would've pushed her onto the spikes hiding in the water below but with a well timed blink Ilea simply stood on top of the traps. 'Compared to the Taleen this seems like amateur hour...' she thought but considering the traps here were based mostly on mechanical finesse and less runic, it was certainly impressive. Ilea saw the spikes below enter even the stone itself, speaking for the quality of the metal used. 'And that for a lousy trap...' she thought as she continued onwards.

An hour of trap deactivation turned into two as Ilea chose more often to simply let the mechanisms spring instead of trying to dismantle them. The caves ran rather deep and Ilea was glad she could blink through water as many sections were flooded or even held traps of such nature. Finally Ilea came up on a massive stone door with runes carved into it. Still there was no sign of any life inside the ruins but Ilea had a feeling this would be quite different after entering whatever the stone door was protecting.

She couldn't see through with her Sphere and neither could she blink inside. The attempt even released some poison darts straight from the door which did manage to pierce her veil of ash. An impressive feat to say the least.

'ding' 'You have been poisoned by ???. -100 HP/s -100 Stamina/s'

'Yea I can see this dungeon being deadly to people without healers or poison resistances...' she thought, smiling and activating Hunter Recovery. It didn't even say how long the poison would last and the Stamina part made her a little anxious. Ilea quickly ran back and found a space between a couple rocks to hide and wait out the poison in case something came up while she was healing and out of stamina.

The poison took a total of ten minutes to completely wear off. Sixty thousand health in total were lost and regained as Ilea waited, nearly paralyzed by the lack of stamina, a state she rarely reached through conventional training and fighting. The idea of getting a stamina drain resistance and perhaps a drowning resistance became quite important to her as she struggled to not fall onto the ground which was at least half a meter deep in water.

With the combined effort of Meditation, Poison Resistance, Hunter Recovery and Veil of Ash which doubled the resistance again, the poison was fought off and removed from her body. Ilea thought that not even Trian would've likely survived that one, not even with her help. 'What the hell... some bloody poison darts killing a literal thunder vampire...' it just seemed wrong to her. 'Maybe we should get a full time healer in the group just to make sure something like this doesn't happen.'

She slowly got up and out of her hiding spot, stretching every limb of her body until she felt capable again to fight off some poison darts. A feat now probably close to her survival of fighting the Taleen Praetorians. 'Maybe this ruin isn't quite so far away from the dungeon...' she thought and chuckled as she touched the round stone door. Trying to blink inside again didn't release any more darts but still wasn't possible for her. She didn't want to force her way in as that would likely cause some other problems, problems that now weren't just her own anymore.

Ilea checked around the room for any hidden traps she might have missed and only found two more dart traps that she destroyed without issue. Having no way to safely continue she made her way back to the adventurer camp with the map she had been adding to continuously. There were a lot of side tunnels as well but all of them ended in traps. Whoever built this place definitely didn't want anybody to find a place of safe rest, at least not until the traps had been activated.

Coming out of the cave Ilea sped up, hearing the sound of magic and explosions. She came out to her team and most of the adventurers being engaged with some kind of stone creature.

[Stone Guardian of Karul – lvl ??]

“Oh shit...” she exclaimed and activated all her buffs, jumping into combat with a smile.

Chapter 109 Dangerous Leeching

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there, hope you're having a good day

">. Enjoy the chap, one more coming on the weekend.

Chapter 109 Dangerous Leeching

Ilea blinked into the magic laden air and grabbed onto the guardian, a creature made entirely of stone but much more durable considering the magic that was continuously rained into it. With a couple punches Ilea noticed quite quickly that neither of her mana intrusion abilities worked on the creature. Her fist even bounced back as Wave of Ember and Destruction tried to damage the creature. She didn't take any damage herself but was quite sure the golem didn't even notice her.

Ilea found herself to be the only one actually on the creature, all the other adventurers had formed lines of defense with mages behind, attacking the creature from a distance. It would sometimes shoot a lance of stone towards them which the first line tried to block or deflect. A couple adventurers had been hurt but nobody was killed so far, at least as far as Ilea could see from her vantage position.

They had one or two healers with them as well so she felt her abilities more usable on the offensive. The creature was riddled with Kyrian's needles which barely managed to pierce its shell, if there even was something else than stone inside. It was slow and under constant bombardment so Ilea decided to try and get its attention away from the mages and towards the fly that was crawling on its face. Arrows and bursts of fire and lightning hit close to her as she blinked towards the monster's head, summoning her black obsidian gauntlets in the process.

It was much too slow to do anything as Ilea's fist connected with her full force and all her buffs behind her, adding an inhuman amount of power into the already heavy gauntlets. Pure physical force smashed into the Guardian's head but its reaction was only a small bob to the other side. The head was chipped a little but it didn't seem like any substantial damage had been done. 'Not the head then...' Ilea thought and blinked downwards as another barrage of magic hit the creature. She was now standing below its massive legs, several meters in length and over one meter thick.

Its arms and legs tried to smash her now as more stone lances were released from its head and body to attack the adventurers around her. Ilea's speed was reduced by the weight but the slow movements of her enemy allowed her to easily dodge nonetheless. Some of the other adventurers who saw her display joined in and danced around the monster's legs as well, attacking it with physical damage while the mages worked on its torso.

Some of the spears were soon shot towards the annoying people attacking the monster's legs as well. One of them would've taken an ax wielding warrior right in the chest were it not for Ilea who appeared in front of him, deflecting the spear enough with her hand that it glanced her shoulder and then entered the water a dozen meters behind them. She continued her assault, appearing and disappearing, chipping away at the enemy's legs, hoping to topple the creature.

Nearly all of Kyrian's metal had dug into the creature by that point and combined with the many other mages near the ruin and their spells, the enemy was slowed down to a crawl. Still its spears were dangerous and if any of its limbs hit you, the force was considerable. Without a perception of pain or time the monster raged on but the group of warriors and mages had come into a routine, resting and fighting in groups, healing the injured and meditating back their resources at a safe distance.

“How long do you think that thing will hold up?” Ilea asked Trian who was standing next to her, getting back the mana they had used up when fighting the creature.

“You touched something didn't you?” he smiled as he said it and panted, sitting down on a rock behind him.

“You know it baby. I'm not sure it was me though. There was a massive door that nearly poisoned me to death. Maybe me interacting with it made the thing appear.” she said and he grunted in response.

“Ready?” he asked and Ilea's gauntlets appeared again, grinning below her helmet and blinking back into combat. A couple minutes later the creature suddenly stopped shooting spears and retracted its attacking arms back to its side. Most of the close combat adventurers pulled back while the magic attacks continued. Ilea watched as the outer shell of the creature crumbled and fell down, creating dust and a loud noise. Some of the stone fell on her head but she simply ignored it, continuing her assault. This time her fist seemed to have a much bigger impact as the now much thinner leg of the creature nearly buckled.

She felt the heat rise as she looked up, her eyes opening quickly as she looked at the supposed core of the creature glowing a deep red below its cracked stone mantle. 'Not again...' she thought and blinked on top of the monster, shouting to the people around her.

“Into the water! It's gonna explode!” it only reached some but the news spread quickly. The first of the adventurers were already spreading out to either jump into the water or run along the stone platforms to shield themselves with stone. The Guardian's arms and legs started moving again as it moved at a much quicker pace than before towards the biggest group of people still standing and attacking, two of the healers taking care of the previously injured.

“Nah mate...” Ilea said as she appeared right before the monster's chest and punched with her full force and heavy gauntlets. It slowed the creature down considerably as the adventurers got up and fled. With the fifth punch the monster tried to grab her, the heat still increasing around her but Ilea blinked behind one of its legs and punched where its knee would be. Another two punches and the leg buckled, the monster now on one knee. Ilea blinked to the other leg and continued her work while she avoided its arms.

She saw with her sphere that Claire was running around her position, distributing runed plates while Trian flew above, mana and lightning gathering around him in droves. Four big spikes of metal entered the monster's legs as Ilea delivered a last punch not onto the creature but onto the spikes, driving them further into the ground. Looking at Trian she disappeared and appeared right next to Claire, watching the light show around Trian gather into his hands.

She saw how the lightning burned his hands right before the massive amount of magical power was released and hit the creature right in its core. The last of the attack entered the creature as a bright yellowish shield formed around it, closing barely a meter above its head. A moment later Ilea tackled down Claire and formed as much ash to siheld them as possible. A blinding light followed and a dull explosion resounded as the core of the creature burst.

The rune shield gave out and a wave of heat and fire burned over the ash above Ilea and Claire. The fire managed to reach Ilea's veil but no further. An eerie quiet came over the area as slowly the sound of waves came back to Ilea's ears. She coughed and got up, moving away the ash with her creation skill. Claire got up as well and the two looked at the crater the guardian managed to form. Some mages were returning from the water or rock formations a little bit further away to put out the flames currently raging in their camp.

'ding' 'Your group has defeated [Stone Guardian of Karul – lvl 334]. For defeating an enemy one hundred and thirty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted.

'ding' 'Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 201 – 5 stat point are awarded.'

'ding' 'Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 3'

'ding' 'Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 12'

“Now that was a bomb.” Ilea said and thought back to the Centurions she had faced. Although this one's level was a bit higher, it was still a substantially stronger blast. At least that was Ilea's thought as she looked at the crater. “Wasn't that shield specifically against explosions?” Clarie just gulped as she checked the runed plates that looked completely destroyed. Trian landed nearby and both Kyrian and Eve joined as well.

“Well done.” Kyrian said as they all walked to the crater to check it out. There was nothing left behind by the creature. It was doubtful to have ever existed, looking at the remains. The fires were now more or less under control and only a couple small flames had to be extinguished by the mages who continued their work. Some of the others walked closer to the shadow squad before one of them shouted, a cry of joy and victory. Many others joined in, mainly warriors but none of the black armored mercenaries felt the need to rejoice.

Ilea felt chills going down her back at the emotions displayed by the adventurers. They might've saved some lives here. The thought of that slowly sunk in as a smile formed on her lips. 'Lilith's legend grows!' she thought and looked to Claire.

“I have the map and found a door. Probably why that thing appeared.” she said and Claire nodded, walking towards the camp's center. The adventurers parted to let the group through and many followed to hear what was to come. A lot of them had likely gained a level or ten considering the level disparity between the group, only held together by the common goal of the ruin exploration.

Ilea got the map out of her pack and put it onto the table. “Traps on the way should all be dismantled and I checked the main room here three times to make sure. There was strong poison here... I can't see beyond the door and can't teleport through either. All side tunnels were checked as well, traps marked and deactivated.” she finished her report that was more akin to a speech considering the amount of people listening in.

“We need rune mages and alchemists or any other people versed in poisons.” Claire said and looked around.

“If the cave is safe, we'll move the camp in there. The cold out here is very demanding...” the ranger from before said which was the first time Ilea saw some of the people around her shiver, coming straight out of the icy water they had fled to for safety.

[Warrior – lvl 102]

[Warrior – lvl 120]

[Mage – lvl 105]

[Warrior – lvl 87]

[Mage – lvl 93]

'I'm not sure if they're up for that. The Taleen dungeon had lower level enemies than that guardian and the people were all at least near one fifty...' Ilea thought and looked to Claire.

“You think it's safe for a camp?” Claire asked and Ilea nodded.

“As safe as it gets and you can have fires there as well if someone manages the air. As mentioned I have no idea what lurks behind those doors. I doubt it's any weaker than that stone guardian...” she said and looked at the reactions around her. It was clear that most of the adventurers weren't ready to face a monster like that, be it a simple lack of strength or resolve. Some looked downright defeated while others smiled behind their hoods and helmets. Ilea saw it all.

'Only five people left...' Ilea thought as she walked through the now rather dense crowd inside the chamber with the circular door. A group of four people were looking at the poison darts that had nearly killed her, discussing the substance still clinging to the needles. Claire was talking with three adventurers and what looked like two scholars near the round gate, not daring to touch any of the runes yet.

Ilea stood near an old pillar and leaned onto the stone, eating a sandwich she had summoned outside when nobody was looking. Fires were burning in the half hall half cave as mages monitored the flames and created fumes. Water and food was handed around as people talked. One bard went so far as to play a tune on his lute.

“Quite happy considering the deaths in the past weeks...” a man said as he walked up to Ilea. A warrior slightly above level one hundred, a massive ax strapped to his back. Only light leather armor covered him as he leaned on a pillar two meters away from Ilea. She looked at him and continued eating her sandwich.

“It's unusual to have one of you show your face. First time I've seen it happen.” he said as she chewed and took another bite. “You saved me today you know. That stone monster would've smashed me to bits.”

Ilea swallowed and didn't take another bite. “Why are you still here then? You think there's nothing just as dangerous down there?”

The warrior was quiet for a while before answering, the smell of freshly grilled meat reached Ilea's nose. “I gained four levels from that fight and I'm not the only one. We spent the last couple weeks trying to get further into this ruin while keeping it as secret as possible. Nobody's leaving when there's more to get... with you here that doesn't seem very implausible anymore.” he said and chuckled.

“You're pretty honest about your intentions. What if you slip up and nobody's there to save you?”

“Then I die. But today I live, thanks to you.” he said and she snorted.

“You're alright. Lilith's the name.” she said and chuckled, remembering her own misadventures with some rather high leveled companions compared to her own. This time the group of adventurers would serve the shadow squad as distractions at least. Maybe the healers could help as well or some of the scholars. More minds to solve problems. Maybe what they needed was more muscle but flight remained an option.

“Nice to meet you Lilith, an honor to have a Shadow's Hand member tell me their name.” Ilea smirked at that and continued to eat. He offered his own name and then excused himself, reading Ilea enough to know she wasn't up for a casual conversation.

“Lilith eh?” Eve appeared right next to her and tried to grab the sandwich, which made Ilea blink half a meter to the side and letting the hand miss.

“Don't touch my food if you know what's good for yourself...” Ilea said and continued eating.

“Scary scary. Made a friend?” Eve asked, taking up the leaning position Ilea had previously occupied. She didn't get an answer from the woman who got another sandwich from her pack.

“How much food do you have stored away...” Eve asked in a whisper but again was left without answer. She left a moment later, walking towards the music and obviously bored by her team mate.

Ilea finished the sandwich and breathed out. ‘A bit too crowded...’ she thought before exiting the cave system again, taking a breath of fresh air outside.

“So you cracked it?” Eve asked, looking at Claire with a likely annoyed expression behind her mask. The fires had died down and many of the adventurers were sleeping in the somewhat warm hall which had become the new encampment for the impromptu expedition.

“I think so, at least I’m pretty sure I can open it up. The problem is I’m pretty sure there are more traps in there. With all the people here now...” Ilea leaned her head back when Trian grunted.

“They know the risks. We’re not here to take care of them. We’re here to explore the ruin.” he summoned a small spark in his hand to illuminate his surroundings. “I won’t endanger myself for any of them, just as little as they would do the same.”

“You don’t have to. Just think of how it would reflect on our team’s reputation if nearly thirty guild members die in our fourth mission.” Trian snuffed out the spark after Claire’s comment and just shook his head.

“Why care about the reputation? We’re a team of the Hand and can’t be held responsible for these peoples’ actions.” Kyrian commented, a rather cold view Ilea thought but she didn’t completely disagree. The guild had hired them specifically because so many people had died already, she doubted they’d get paid if all of their members died.

“You guys wanted into the tournament and this is how we’re gonna get in.” Claire said with finality in her voice. Trian shut up and Kyrian nodded. They would have to put up with the lower leveled adventurers which Ilea didn’t see as much of a problem.

“Are you guys done? Can we go in then, Claire?” Eve walked closer to the door. Some of the adventurers looked towards the team as they approached the round entrance. Most of them had stayed as far away from it as possible, which wasn’t very far considering the size of the hall.

Nodding, Claire walked up to the door and started scratching into the stone with a small and thin knife. It took ten minutes of waiting as the shadow squad stood before the entrance, ready and poised for whatever might come. The rest of the expedition gathered a little further back, waking up the sleeping members in the process.

“Brace.” Claire said as mana was released from her hand, touching the middle of the door. A pulse of energy rippled through the stone out towards the runes scratched into it before a complicated symbol appeared, shining a dull white. A moment later and it was gone.

“Did it work?” Eve asked.

“Yes.” Ilea answered, now able to see through the stone, small cracks forming in the door before it started to crumble.

“Eve scout.” Claire said and two of the woman’s illusions appeared, running into the still crumbling door. “Ilea traps...” ash appeared around Ilea as she smiled below her helmet, walking into the room and following the illusions.

Chapter 110 Barriers

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, enjoy the chap. More probably next Thursday.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 110 Barriers

Nothing happened as Ilea walked into the corridor. The ruin looked a lot less like a cave and more like a place to live in at that point. Ilea kept walking, looking around to see magical lights placed on the stone corridor’s wall. The way led deeper into the ground before another door blocked the way. Eve’s illusions were standing in front of it and vanished as they saw Ilea approach. The squad followed after them while the rest of the adventurers waited in the hall, looking into the corridor and ready to join in should there be something reasonable to fight, something they could attack safely from a distance.

“I can’t see inside the room beyond...” Ilea said as she touched the stone door, blocking the way further in.

“Open up then.” Trian said and gestured for her to take action. Ilea obliged and punched through the door, only to find her fist stopped completely after breaking through the stone.

“Hmm, weird...” Ilea said and punched another couple times before she simply ripped the rest of the stone out from its place on the wall. A golden shimmering light appeared beyond, likely the thing blocking Ilea’s fist. She touched it and found her hand unhurt but stopped nonetheless.

“A barrier…” Clarie commented and walked next to Ilea, touching the barrier herself. “This is nothing ordinary...”

“Yea, it’s a golden barrier inside a ruin. Probably not that ordinary.” Ilea said. “Should I punch it?” she asked, expecting a groan but Claire just shrugged.

“Sure, go for it. This is not based on runes that much I can tell you. I’d try something similar as with the blood magic one yesterday but with the small surface area we can access, your attacks are probably a better bet. The heavy gauntlets are probably the best way, barriers tend to focus more on energy and magical attacks.” she finished and stepped aside.

“I’ll try first...” Trian said as magic gathered around him. Ilea blinked a couple meters away to join the others waiting and watched the man unleash an attack similar to the one used against the stone guardian. Contrary to his expectations, the lightning was reflected right back towards him upon impact and he teleported away to let the energy flow into the stone wall further back. The explosion rattled the walls as chunks of stone fell down, blocking the entrance to the hall they were in.

“Good job mate.” Ilea gave Trian a thumbs up and smiled. The man shrugged and motioned for her to continue.

“Knock yourself out dustgirl.” he said which made Ilea look at him confused.

‘Did he just give me a nickname. Dustgirl, I like it. Impressive, his growth is comparable to the hamster I never had.’ she thought and walked to the barrier. “Alright, let’s see if my arm gets ripped off from this. Step back folks if you don’t want a red shower.” she grinned below her helmet as the heavy obsidian gauntlets appeared around her hands. A pale blue and red glow illuminated the inside of her helmet and armor as her fist impacted with the comparable power of an iron junk thrown by a cave troll. The impact flowed through her body and made her clench her jaw as she looked at the slight flicker in the barrier.

Another three punches had the exact same result. ‘Maybe without...’ she thought and stored her gauntlets back inside of the bracelets made for them. The next punch was fueled with Destruction and Wave of Ember, her fists surrounded by ash which she tried to form into a spike. The kinetic impact and spike of ash didn’t seem to do much but something was different this time. The destructive mana flowed into the barrier and was visibly disturbing the golden glow from the inside. “Huh..” Ilea said and continued.

More and more of her mana was sizzling inside the barrier until a small hole was opened up. “Hey guys this is working. Should I blink inside?” she asked and continued her attacks.

“Don’t, we better go in there together. Whatever or whomever is causing this might not be taken down by you alone.” Claire said and Ilea saw Kyrian nod at the comment.

“Alright.” she said and punched again, only to find no resistance at all to her arm that moved through the now open doorway. No golden shimmer could be seen anymore as Ilea’s momentum took her further into the room, now past the door frame. Her mind sent the signal to blink backwards as Ilea came up on something blocking her way. A dull pain came from her legs below as she failed to land on her legs. Looking down and around, she found that both her legs had been cut off at the knee and blood started to flow. Behind her the golden barrier was back as if it had been there forever, blocking her attempted escape.

Her team jumped into motion, Kyrian shooting his metal spikes into the barrier and Eve using her enchanted daggers to cut through it. Ilea was falling down and caught herself with her hands, before healing mana circled through her body, immediately stopping the bleeding. She came up on the floor when a sudden golden light appeared mere centimeters away from her neck, only visible to her thanks to the Sphere that was now cut off at the door but could now also penetrate further into the structure.

More importantly at the moment though, Ilea appeared behind the golden line that had come to be next to her neck and focused on reforming the parts of her legs that were now lying behind the barrier, including the parts of elven armor below her knees. Her senses were working on overdrive, trying to prepare for the next and inevitable attack as the golden line from before shot through the air where she had been before. Her legs were reforming quickly as more and more golden lines appeared around her, never closer than five centimeters but always in positions that would normally be invisible to her and ready to cut a spot where her armor wasn’t covering her.

Her elven gear was pretty good at the coverage but it seemed whomever was attacking her had a similar skill to her Sphere at least. The golden lines went straight forward so far and with her blinks, Ilea managed to dodge them in time. After two blinks, the room filled with lines of golden shimmering light and she aligned her body in a way that her armor would block the hits she wasn’t able to dodge. The golden light hit her in several places at once, luckily only scratching her armor before she was flung around by the force of the magic. ‘It cuts through the Veil like it’s butter...’ she thought as the room continued to shine in magical golden light.

The others were still working on the barrier but found most of their attacks to be ineffective. Claire was calmly laying out plates in front of the barrier and scratching around the door frame to prepare her intrusion while Eve and Kyrian continued their assault. Trian stayed out of it to avoid hurting himself or anybody else with the likely reflection of his magic.

‘Can’t get out...’ Ilea thought as the shock of several impacts went through her body. Her armor was showing some rather worrisome cuts by now, something that hadn’t happened before. One of the golden lines managed to cut through an unarmored part near her elbow joint, drawing blood and nearly severing her arm. It healed quickly as Ilea continued to dodge, this time going further into the structure, towards the center of the barrier. Her perceptive Sphere was cut off in a way that made it easy for her to determine its center. Another room was behind the first one and just like before there was a door Ilea couldn’t see through. ‘Alright, here we go.’ she thought and appeared next to the door with a fully powered spin kick, driving the full momentum through the rock. Her leg hit another barrier but this time she had expected it as mana started flowing into it from all her destructive skills. Even the offensive capabilities of her ash creation, veil of ash and her wings came to bear onto the barrier.

More and more golden lights focused on the area around the door which made it hard for Ilea to approach it but then again there was no reason to attack the barrier where the door was. Ilea smashed through the walls around her, appearing and disappearing all over the place while ash surged around her from thin air, forming into spiked ghostly arms that shattered against the golden light. More and more of the walls were punched through and the golden barrier was now riddled with Ilea’s destructive mana sizzling inside of the golden light. Right before she managed to form a small hole again the enemy’s attacks stopped.

“Stop please, or we will all be buried by stone.” a male voice said from behind her, a hazy form in her sphere as she turned around to look at him. “I’m sure you would survive it and so will I but I’m not so sure about the others, especially the ones waiting further above.” Ilea stopped her attacks and started meditating, recovering parts of the mana and stamina she had lost during the ordeal.

[Mage – lvl ??]

“You’re the one controlling the barriers? And the light?” she asked, mostly to stall for time to have her team break through. She wasn’t so sure she wanted that, considering his offensive potential. Eve and Kyrian would likely be torn to shreds in mere moments. The barrier she had been attacking vanished as the man walked past her.

“Yes, that would be me. You’re with the shadow’s hand I presume, seeing that armor. It looks elvish in aesthetics so you’re not part of any random squad… never heard of someone with your abilities in the Hand though. Perhaps my records are lacking.” he said, completely without tension.

“It was only a matter of time until the guild would seek help. I’m glad it was the Hand after all. Luckily I’m mostly done here, only a couple books I’d like to keep.” he said, vanishing and appearing in the next room. Ilea blinked in front of him and quickly locked eyes with his nearly golden eyes. He looked to be around fifty but something told her the man was much older, if he was human at all.

“Who are you? Are you responsible for killing all those adventurers?” Ilea asked as he looked away and grabbed a book from a shelf next to him. It vanished as did another dozen or so in the span of two seconds.

“You may call me Albert. This place was not built by me so I take no responsibility in any of the killings, though I must say it is useful and I regret losing it.” he said and continued with his book eating through the room, the blue coat he was wearing slid on the stone floor as he continued his work. Ilea was pretty sure the man wasn’t a danger to her anymore, simply concerned for his possessions. She was wary as well, continuing her mana recovery and thinking of a way of attack should the need arise. The life of her team and the adventurers was more important than attacking the man at the moment and a fight would certainly cause at least a partial cave in.

“You will not fight for this place? Why attack me then?” she asked and started copying his actions, walking around the room parallel to him and touching books to make them vanish. He glanced at her quickly and furrowed his brows but didn’t react further.

“This place was discovered and should you fail to kill me, others will come. I cannot hold off the combined effort of all the guilds and mercenaries nor do I wish to do so. You pushed through my barrier more quickly than I had anticipated. Intruding mana, a rather rare ability, especially for someone at level two hundred. Thus my attack, I need to collect the essentials first. If you let me finish in peace, I will leave and you may do with this place as you wish.” he said and continued collecting books and papers.

“You may be careful who you show these to, most cults and religions will think you a heretic or demon. Same for some governments.” he said and finally dusted off his mantle.

“A shame, what a great place to work in and I’ll miss her.” the man turned around to Ilea and his golden eyes locked again with her own blue ones. “Do take care of her, she’s been through a lot.” he said as golden light started to form around him. Ilea was torn for a second between interfering with whatever he was doing and simply letting him but as the moment passed, he had vanished.

Nowhere in her Sphere could she see any trace of the man but other things had appeared, Trian being one of them right next to her, lighting sparkling around him. The rest followed quickly after and checked around the room.

“Are you alright?” Eve said as she appeared next to Ilea before the later was caught in a tight hug. The armor made it a little awkward for Eve to get a good grip but the small woman was stronger than she looked, which to be fair applied to most adventurers, especially members of the Shadow’s Hand. Ilea pat her back in response.

“I’m alright I’m alright. There was a man here who controlled the barriers and attacked me but he vanished. I think it’s at least mid range teleportation because I can’t sense him anymore.” she said and Claire nodded, immediately walking towards the exit.

“No more danger then?” she asked, looking back at the still entangled Ilea who shook her head lightly.

“Not that I know of. There are other things here but I don’t think dangerous.” she said.

“Other things? Well whatever. I’ll go and stop the others from coming in immediately, loot this place to its bones.” Claire said before she walked out, leaving not only Ilea a little perplexed.

“What, did she really just say that?” she asked and locked eyes with Trian.

“Well she is supposed to be the team leader isn’t she?” he asked and started to collect everything he could find with his ring. Ilea tapped Eve on her shoulder before she pushed her away a little.

“Thanks for caring so much.” she said and smiled to the woman in front of her whose mask smiled back.

“I like you guys, don’t die on me.” Eve said and looked around the room at an embarrassed Kyrian and an indifferent Trian. It sounded more like a command than anything else but Ilea did find it rather endearing.

‘Like a murder ninja ready to protect me, gets me all warm and fuzzy...’ she thought before she sighed. “Kyrian, collect everything in the middle of the room, I’ll swipe it up after if Trian doesn’t have enough space. Eve please come with me, your girl whispering skills are needed again.”

“Don’t tell me...” Eve answered and removed her mask slowly, revealing slightly red eyes.

“Yep, we found another kid in a place where they don’t belong.” Ilea answered and slowly walked further into the structure. ‘Interesting...’ she thought and knocked on the stone door. The child didn’t react, too entranced in their actions it seemed. After another knock, Ilea removed her helmet and opened the door before the two women walked inside.

“She’s drawing...” Ilea said. This time the girl reacted to the voice and looked towards the two before she smiled.

“Hello. Are you Albert’s friends?” she asked, her blue eyes concentrating on the intruders.

“I know him. Is he your dad?” Ilea asked as she slowly walked closer to the girl, unable to not stare at the complicated painting on the wall which held a beauty to it that she couldn’t quite attribute to a child’s abilities. It reminded her of runes but less bound by their systematic nature.

“No. Do you know where dad is?” the girl asked which brought Ilea back to face her. She knelt down a little and saw Eve approach not the girl but the painting.

“I’m afraid I don’t know, but maybe I can help you find him. How about that?” Ilea said and smiled brightly which seemed to make the girl a little less anxious.

“Yes! Albert said he couldn’t help me yet…” the girl said.

“Did you paint this?” Eve said with an astonished voice. “It’s beautiful… the emotion I feel within this image are overwhelming.” the girl looked downwards, obviously a little embarrassed.

“Yes.” she managed to say and Eve continued to look at the picture, not the same help she had been with the other girl they had found.

“My name is Ilea. What’s your name little artist? And where are you from?” Ilea asked, seeing in it the best chance to find any relatives the girl might have. Finding her inside of this place didn’t make her very hopeful but it was a start. Perhaps Albert had abducted her. Then again the way he talked about the girl didn’t seem to indicate that.

“Nice to meet you Ilea, my name is Cless and I’m from London.” Ilea’s mind blanked out for a full five seconds as her brain quickly rebooted and then went into overdrive.

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Patreon to read ahead and support me in conjunction

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Chapter 111 Useless Ruins

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. New chapter, hope you're doing alright. Take a moment to breathe in and close your eyes, then think of chocolate.

More over the weekend.

Chapter 111 Useless Ruins

“London?? In En….” Ilea started but stopped herself in the last moment, looking at Eve with a panicked expression on her face. The woman seemed completely lost in the painting, now even closer to the wall than before. “Eve...” Ilea said and waited but there was no reaction. She wasn’t sure if it was played but the woman didn’t know about the importance of the slip up which made Ilea question the possible reason for feigned ignorance.

‘She’ll confront me about it if she heard it which is fine. Not like me being from another planet or dimension practically changes anything…’ Ilea thought and calmed herself down, something only possible due to her meditation skill, high stats and skills that enhanced her body and mind.

“Where are you from?” Cless asked, bringing Ilea back into the moment. This was the first insight that could be gained to her appearance in Elos, all the random thoughts she had about it came back to her and with them the attached feelings.

‘No reason not to gain some info about it...’ she thought and continued her talk with the girl.

“I’m from far away, just like you. I’ve never heard about this London you speak of. How was it there?” Ilea’s question was more centered around the slight possibility of a shape shifting memory stealer but the added confirmation of the story would be helpful as well. Might just be a different London after all, who would put it past the British Empire to have their colonial interests even here.

“I like it. We have a house. Do you think I will have to go to school again? I’ve not been there for so long...” the girl said.

“Do you know how long?” the girl shook her head lightly at the question, with tears coming to her eyes.

“Do you know where mommy is?” Cless asked and Ilea just went for the hug, feeling a little bad about her own interests and the fact that there was a little girl in front of her that had lost their family and life. Of course she kept her buffs up just in case the girl decided to turn into a demon or something. She didn’t though and simply sat there, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“It’s gonna be ok Cless, alright? You can come with us and we’ll find a school for you.” Ilea said and released her hug, looking at the girl. “One with magic and mages. Did your mom read you things like that?”

Cless frowned at the question and crossed her arms in front of her “I can read myself!” she stated “And I am a wizard already!!” suddenly the top of her index finger started to glow as she drew a rune in front of her. A pulse of mana left the girl as a shimmering barrier appeared around her. A big smile was on her face, the home sickness completely forgotten. Sparkling eyes looked at Ilea who smiled back.

[Mage – lvl 6]

“Indeed you are, which house would you belong to then?” Ilea asked, guessing at the girl’s thoughts.

“That’s a secret!” Cless exclaimed as the shield was released.

“Girl where did you see that?” Eve suddenly interjected and looked at the girl while pointing at the painting next to her.

“Albert showed me, it was in the books. He has a loooooot of books.” she smiled.

“Albert? The guy you saw Ilea? Is he your dad?” Eve asked, finally looking at the girl. Ilea wasn’t sure what the painting was but Eve seemed more apprehensive than earlier with the other girl.

“No, Albert is not my father. He’s nice.” Cless answered, getting up from her chair. “Is he there? It’s nearly time for dinner.” she said as Ilea got up from her crouched position as well.

“I’m afraid he might have left, an important mission but that’s why he got us here. He told us to take care of you.” Ilea said as she took the girl’s hand and led her outside.

“Oh, he is busy like dad...” Cless said a little sadly.

“What did you dad do, do you know?” Ilea said, refraining from trying an Austrian accent.

“A doctor.” the short answer came quickly as the two walked out into the bigger main room where Trian and Kyrian were working on collecting everything. Both shot a quick glance at the two but didn’t stop what they were doing.

“I’m somewhat of a doctor too...” Ilea said and let some healing mana pulse over to Cless who giggled at the pleasant feeling.

“A wizard doctor!” the girl said and hugged Ilea’s side.

“Exactly. Hey Cless, we’ve been called by Albert but he didn’t tell us a lot about this place. Do you want to show us around?”

“It’s not very big… not here. There are tunnels below, I don’t want to go there...” Ilea immediately stroked her hair, hearing the frightened voice.

“Were you in there alone?” Ilea asked and felt the girl nod weakly. “Were there monsters?” another nod but this time Ilea hugged her again. “It’s alright now, we’ll make sure you don’t have to face any monsters again for a long time. Never if you don’t want to...” she said and the girl hugged her back then.

“Did you get here with Albert or did he find you here?” Ilea asked, still more inquisitive than she’d liked to be but she was more than just a little curious at how a girl from London got here.

“No he found me. And I could leave after so long. It was scary...”

“I’m sure it was and I’m glad the man found you. Do you remember how you got here in the first place?” Ilea finally asked.

“Hmm...” the girl concentrated for a while before she looked up to Ilea. “I was playing in the woods and then it was dark… like in a movie.”

‘Yea I don’t think there are movies in Elos… hopefully people won’t think her stories too weird. I’ll definitely keep an eye on her here and then…’

“As soon as we go up it’s not gonna be dark at all, there’s a whole continent there with magic, animals and people. Would you like to see it?” Ilea asked and the girl nodded, obviously excited. She ignored her team mates working around her as she walked up and towards Claire, with Cless in tow. The way out was still blocked as the team leader was standing in front of it, waiting for the adventurers to break through. It wasn’t a matter of difficulty but more a matter of bravery. They didn’t know what could’ve happened to the people inside after all.

“You’ve found another one… a mage, one of the youngest I’ve seen.” Claire said in a worried tone, looking at the girl and then Ilea. “She must’ve been down here for a while… what did you find out?”

“I’m not sure yet about her circumstances but she must’ve been stuck down here for a while. The others are finishing up but apparently there’s more further down. A dungeon perhaps. I’ll quickly bring her to the Hand before I come back.” Ilea said, hoping that Claire wouldn’t question her too much.

“We could wait here or let the adventurers take care of her. You seem adamant about this, just make sure you tell me why at a later time. We’ll start exploring. Get back quickly if you want a piece of the pie.” the woman said and smiled at her from below her hood.

“I will. Now Cless, did you ever fly before?” Ilea asked, starting to remove the massive stones from the hallway.

It took a couple hours for her to fly back to Ravenhall with Cless and while the flight was certainly exciting for the girl, Ilea grew more and more frustrated at the lack of knowledge she had about her circumstances. Not that she knew any more but hearing the girl was from Earth had sparked a hope in her, to at least find out something. All the girl yielded was the knowledge that there were others out there. Others who just like her, appeared in Elos without knowing anything about how or why it had happened.

For enough gold the Hand took Cless in with welcoming arms. William himself vouched for the girl’s future education and training. He mentioned again how rare it was that someone so young had gotten a class. Apparently a rare one at that as well. Ilea mentioned that she had been in contact with a strong mage above level two hundred, a researcher it seemed so most of her comments related to Earth would probably be attributed to that. Or fiction. She would check in on Cless from time to time, telling the girl that she just like Albert would have to go on missions. Ilea wasn’t very good with kids but the girl seemed brave and very adaptive to new situations, remembering back she probably would’ve cried for her mom or dad until she would’ve attracted some wolves that would’ve eaten her promptly.

Back in the ruin, she found that Eve was waiting for her return already. The adventurers were still waiting in the same hall they had been in before. “Back I see, come on then. We need a tank.” Eve said, motioning for the woman to follow. She explained more as they walked, getting glances from worried adventurers behind. “So I scouted in and most of the clones were destroyed before I could find anything. The first three floors or so only house insignificant critters but further below the ruin continues.

She started running as Ilea followed. “Rooms riddled with traps and golems. It’s a little difficult to navigate and attack without destroying the whole place. It’s a bit fragile and I’m sure it’s somewhat intentional...” the woman explained when they came up on a less natural looking entrance.

“Fucking finally, did you really have to take care of that girl for so long? Could’ve just left her there.” Trian complained as he got up from his lunging position. “In you go then, you hold it down and we blast it. Claire and Trian will make sure that the room doesn’t collapse.” Ilea followed him into the room, glad to be able to dodge any further questions about Cless with the help of Trian’s impatience.

“The golem there? I can see traps around… what do they do?”

“They spill acid into the room. No we can’t drain it, it just keeps coming. Feeling up for it?” he asked, sparks coming to life around him. The golem’s eyes started glowing a dark blue as its stone body came to life.

‘Aren’t they supposed to be clay?’ Ilea thought as she blinked in and immediately stood opposite the stone guardian.

[Stone Guardian – lvl ??]

“Let’s hope this one doesn’t explode. Claire you better prepare...” she said as the fist of the golem slammed into her defenses, making her skid backwards a couple meters. Her veil didn’t break, nor did the bones in her arms used for blocking. The name already suggested an inferior version of the Guardian they had faced above but she would continue to be careful. The way out of the room looked closed, covered by stone and more traps she saw with her Sphere.

Another fist rocked through her and this time she felt herself shake from the power. “You can start now you know?” she shouted backwards to her team, blinking around the next punch and landing one of her own. Her mana didn’t seem to do a lot here either so she quickly put on her gauntlets, continuing the somewhat slow dance around the golem. It was faster than the bigger one above, but still miles away from the speed of a Taleen Guardian.

Lightning hit the golem sporadically as Ilea’s heavy gauntlets chipped away at its health and body. She would get hit sometimes but it was manageable. The monster relied on its pure strength, something Ilea could match with technique and equipment. As the fight continued, the room slowly filled with an acidic broth, steaming as it exited from the dozens of holes in the wall. Why Kyrian didn’t just plug them with metal was beyond her but they must’ve tried at least some things before she had arrived. The others were flowing further back, Claire and Eve carried by metal plates controlled by Kyrian while all of them concentrated on their tasks.

Eve was the only one without a defined one but she would continue to scout ahead once they had navigated through this room. The acid didn’t even manage to get through her armored boots, the ones she had lost against Albert. It would likely help her level up her Corrosion Resistance in time but she didn’t plan to bathe in it. Not today at least.

Another boom resounded through the room as her fist connected with the side of the golem’s chest, its arm outstretched past Ilea, open for her attacks. Another two booms and a bolt of lightning landed on it before the light in its eyes went out.

‘ding’ Your group has defeated [Stone Guardian – lvl 231]. For defeating an enemy twenty levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 5’

The acid didn’t stop pouring and was already up to Ilea’s knees when they finally downed the tanky monster, its only redeeming quality. ‘Stall people with the golem while the acid wears them down...’ she thought as she walked through the not quite water and stood in front of the doorway covered in stone. Seeing behind it, the way continued only two meters further in. “At least this one didn’t explode...” she though and punched into the wall with her gauntlets. The structure shook and the rest of the team quickly made their way towards Ilea.

“Let me do that...” Claire said and motioned for Kyrian to float her closer to the doorway. Ten runes later and a shield summoned to support the room’s structure a controlled set of explosions dug deep into the doorway. Another summoned explosion, this one not conjured by runes broke through the rest of the way, the team ready to advance.

Magical light filled the halls beyond, much bigger than any room they were in before. ‘Another humongous ruin with magical guardians…’ Ilea thought, trying not to figuratively yawn. The slight tingle she felt in her back where the scythe had pierced through made her concentrate. Even with all the advancements she had made since then it wasn’t quite on her immediate to do list to face the Praetorians.

“What do you think this is?” she asked into the room.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Karul dungeon’

“Well that doesn’t answer anything...” she said and heard the nearly inaudible groan coming from a certain vampyr.

“We have incoming...” Eve said as the group got into formation. Four sets of glowing blue eyes could be seen in the dusty hall. The loud steps resounded as everybody prepared their spells.

“This one’s going to be a little more chaotic...” Ilea exclaimed, a smile spreading below her helmet.

The fight definitely was less controlled than the previous one but the room allowed for them all to use their flying abilities making the whole thing much more trivial than expected. The golems were the same thing as the one Ilea had stood against in the acid room, only a matter of time until the team dealt with them. The four of them netted Ilea a single level up in both of her classes. The points were distributed among all Stats except for Strength and Dexterity.

Out of all the skills she had used in the fight, only Ashen Wings leveled up by one. She was still checking through the messages when a loud rumble resounded through the hall, dust falling from every little crack in the room. “Guys check this out! I think we should leave...” Trian shouted from one end of the room as more and more rumbling made even walking an unstable thing.

Ilea flew towards his voice and saw the words engraved in a massive stone plate before them. Most of it was too worn down to be readable but some parts were still plain to make out.

….the last stand of the Karul… here we rest undisturbed… shall be buried with us…

“Alright, that’s our call...” Ilea said, made out Eve and Claire in the room before she blinked to the first one, grabbing her and jumping to the second. The two women in tow, her buffs flared and she shot towards the exit, rocks falling next to her, avoided with her speed and perception. Trian and Kyrian were close to follow her lead as the team punched through the stone getting in the way.

They were back in the room Albert had been standing in under a minute, the destruction following them upwards. Luckily the group of adventurers had been fleeing the moment the rumbling had begun and were waiting outside of the ruin’s first entrance. Ilea stumbled out of the cave and let go of the other two, fresh air filling her lungs as the dozens of people looked at her. Trian and Kyrian broke through behind her a moment later.

“We’re not getting level three for that one either...” Eve said and looked to the sky above.

“Don’t worry about it, we just did three level ones in a day, I’m sure they’re at least gonna acknowledge our abilities...” Kyrian said and pat her on the shoulder.

“I’m afraid this expedition just turned into an excavation.” Ilea said while Claire shook her head.

A note from Rhaegar

Another boring mission chapter. I swear I didn't realize at the time of writing. It starts to pick up again at 115 or so I think

ENDURE!!

Chapter 112 Another one of them missions

A note from Rhaegar

This is where I became self aware. Hope you're happy that friday has finally arrived

">

More tomorrow.

Chapter 112 Another one of them missions

“We got one?? Oh that makes me so happy!” Eve said, punching the air before her. Claire just blinked at the woman before she looked around the group.

“I took it but trust me this isn’t going to be as simple as the ones before...” Claire had reported the successful missions and their team was rewarded with a bigger choice for the next ones. One of them had been listed as level three.

The mission took them southwards, deep into the Isanna desert. Ilea had underestimated just how huge it would be. The team had covered easily twice the distance between Karth and Ravenhall in the time they had been flying. It being winter, the heat wasn’t too bad but it was most of all boring. No life seemed to be filling the dunes and they were supposed to find some sort of elusive critter in all of that.

...the Dragcal burrows deep into the desert ground, healing its wounds while its magic rages above. Its level is unknown…

The entries in any of her monster books had been more than useless. Not as useless as the skull and ore they had found on their missions. There were apparently possible uses for equipment for Eve and Kyrian but that would show in time. For now they were on the hunt, looking out for isolated mountains in the desert sand.

“That one maybe?” Claire asked, pointing towards another mountain. They had already checked four different ones in their journey and Ilea was beginning to wonder how big this desert really was.

“Let’s check then...” she said and landed the three of them, using her Sphere to check below the rock and sand. ‘Oh what is...’

“Hey does it look like a spearfish with scales?” she asked, pointing to a specific direction “I think it’s sleeping whatever it is.”

“No idea but let’s find out what it is...” Trian said and unleashed lightning on the designated position.

“Yea that’s not gonna work mate.” Ilea commented as Kyrian’s spheres of metal flew over the sand, forming into drill like spikes and going below.

“It’s probably gonna feel the vibrations. Let’s hope it’s not gonna run away for days on end...” Eve commented, already tired of the hunt. The woman had been kept somewhat happy thanks to the storage devices owned by Trian and Ilea. She was much more keen on using Ilea’s compared to the man’s which resulted in a select amount of food, clothes and drinks that were readily available for her at all times and without the annoyance of carrying them herself.

A sudden and massive shift in the sand where Kyrian’s spikes had entered made the team concentrate. “Here it comes...” Ilea said, seeing the thing come fully into her vision. “Wow it’s fucking huge!” she exclaimed and laughed as the massive spear fish burst out of the sand. Her smile vanished as the sand followed behind. A localized storm followed and pushed against their armor and defenses. Eve and Kyrian had joined Claire behind her shield while the others stood against the sand.

“I can’t see it!” Kyrian shouted, the metal spheres and spikes looking for a target.

“Oh shit.” a blink later Ilea stood before the runic barrier held up by Claire and stared into the eyes of the beast.

[Dragcal – lvl ??]

The nearly seven meter long sword part of its body moved towards Ilea at a rapid pace, its massive and heavy body carried by a wave of sand more akin to water as the storm continued around them. Ilea wasn’t quite sure how much power was coming onto her but she dodged the sword to the right and punched the quickly over a meter thick bone with all her strength. Slightly brought off course, the spear like part of the monster’s body crashed into Claire’s shield, breaking through after sparks formed from the impact.

Lightning roared above as red flashes of energy could be seen in the mist of sand around them. Kyrian’s blades and spikes tried to pierce the strong scales of the monster from all sides and Ilea helped by punching some of them into the creature’s side. Explosions rattled around its head to confuse and daze it as Eve jumped towards its eyes, her daggers dull metal blades in the darkened surroundings.

It roared out as a dozen wounds were caused in but a couple seconds, a massive wave of sand hitting all but Trian from the side. Only the base of the small mountain saved the group as they would’ve been completely without cover in the sea of sand around them. Both Trian and Ilea grabbed either Claire or Eve out of the sand and got them higher.

The sand storm raged on and compared to the breeze it was before, this time it was pushing against Ilea’s veil with more and more power. Another one of Claire’s shields formed, covering the group in the shimmering dome of energy. “How long will that hold?” Eve asked, brushing the sand from her armor.

“We’re fine against the storm but that thing is too big and heavy for me to block...” Claire said.

“Surprising speed as well, we’re in its territory. Ilea what’s it doing now?” Trian asked as he lifted his helmet to get rid of the sand inside.

“It’s waiting… healing probably. You got its eye Eve?” the rogue nodded and Ilea was sure then. “Well you didn’t anymore. Brace.” she said as the massive fish shot up from its recovering position to his the dome of magic. Right before impact the team scattered as another massive wave of sand hit them.

A series of attacks made the beast roar out and roll in the sand to shake of the attackers. Both Eve and Ilea managed to dodge the frantic movement but were pushed away dozens of meters. Again the beast went downwards to heal.

“How’s your curse doing?” Ilea shouted to a flying Kyrian, Claire holding onto his back.

“It’s spreading! Only a matter of time but it’s huuuge!” the man shouted back just when the Dragcal came out below Ilea, aiming to pierce or simply crush her. The veil broke as she was dragged next to the beast, deciding not to blink away and inflict some more damage instead. She held on between the scales as her destructive mana flowed into the monster, her ashen wings and veil trying to inflict more wounds. Explosions and lighting roared around her and nearly managed to damage her ears combined with the roaring storm of sand. ‘Oh shit let go...’ she thought as the beast landed back into the sand.

Ilea blinked upwards twice but still found herself caught in a wave of sand dragging her downwards. Suddenly she was covered, panicking for a second before she blinked out of her predicament thanks to her Spherical perception. ‘Fuck I don’t wanna be buried...’ the thought was interrupted when the Dragcal exited again, this time aiming for Eve who dodged to the side, caught by the wave of sand following the monster’s dive.

Trian was quicker and managed to grab the tumbling woman out of the torrent. The whole team was airborne now, except for Ilea. She stayed down, rather sure that the fish would just leave if there weren’t anymore targets. “Any success with the mind attacks!?” Claire shouted towards Eve who was now on Trian’s back, to the annoyance of both of them.

“It’s very simple but strong!! Going to take longer than that!” she shouted back and continued humming as soon as the beast was back out and aiming for Ilea. Contrary to its previous tries, this time there were two waves of sand, one on each side of Ilea. Too big to simply circumvent with blinks, she stared down the monster and met it with a last blink to dodge the bone and a kick to its massive skull. Combined with the curse, mind attacks, lightning and explosions the beast was rattled from all sides and it was slowing down despite its wounds slowly closing.

‘Slower than before...’ Ilea thought, seeing the scales regenerate around her. She managed to blink away again, this time prepared for the mass of sand that landed around her. Truly a terrifying force of nature. No wonder not more was known about the beast, likely sighted only when it tore through parties of travelers or from high above while attacking other monsters.

The curse and mind spells from Trian and Eve were the only reason the team even decided to come out here and face a monster like that. With its ability to regenerate and flee it was on par with having Ilea as an enemy, the annoyance and elusiveness that is. She wasn’t quite on the same level of ash control as the beast’s sand magic of course, let alone the sheer size of it.

Again she waited for the next attack but only the sandstorm continued. She saw below that the fish was slowing down, not going for her anymore, but away. “It’s fleeing I think. Kyrian can you track it?”

“Yea, there’s plenty of metal still in it. Follow me!” he shouted back and Ilea’s wings spread to keep up with the other’s pace, running on sand wasn’t quite as effective a movement. Three hours later the monster finally stopped, likely healed back to full health again but completely riddled with the curse. The reason why Kyrian’s ability was so strong and let him advance to the two hundreds as quickly as it had.

“It’s down here, right below us. I doubt there is much energy left in it, nor mana.” Kyrian said as he pointed to the sand below them which looked just like all the other space around them.

“Well how are we going to get down there?” Ilea looked around the group and didn’t quite find someone willing to shovel. Claire instead opened up her pack and dropped a bunch of runed stones down. As soon as they hit the sand, the explosions started.

“It’s not super effective but it’ll get the job done.” she commented over the sound below. Most of the stones survived three or four separate casts of the spell and Claire continued to make more as she held on to her team mate.

“We’re getting closer, only a couple meters now...” Ilea said, as she went lower to see the beast with her Sphere. It wasn’t moving at all and its eyes were closed. ‘Not dead yet though...’ she thought and saw the big thing’s heartbeat drum below the sand, working hard to get rid of the curse. Another series of explosions set its back free and hell followed with it. More cursed shards and spikes, lightning and explosions blasted into the monster’s back while Eve continued her humming, the spell seemingly unfazed by the loud sounds going on around them.

The Dragcal tried to move and did so slowly but it was too big to simply get away so easily. Its wounds weren’t closing anymore and no more spells were cast as it slowly dug into the sand. ‘Fuck we’re not gonna be able to get it out like this...’ Ilea thought and flew downwards into the explosions still raining down. She grabbed onto one of the monster’s fins and flew backwards with all her power while she released destructive mana into it. Her veil and created ash cut into the beast as her team’s spells damaged its now severely wounded back.

It was strong and large, Ilea fighting with all her power to keep her team from a sand excavation that might very well be impossible. Her wings were already touching sand when the pull from the beast got weaker and weaker until finally it stopped moving. Ilea didn’t let up and continued to try and get the massive body out of the sand that was slowly closing up behind them. Ten metal spikes rammed into the beast right then and the weight Ilea had to carry lessened considerably, the metal controlled by Kyrian helping to push the body out of the sand.

Wind runes from Claire, however weak, helped push away the sand that was trying hard to close in their tank from behind. Another hand soon followed as Trian grabbed the fin next to Ilea and pulled as well. The last missing thing was Eve cheering them on but the woman didn’t go that far, instead just waiting in the sand until the more strength oriented people managed the job.

“Now that is one hell of a fucking beast.” Kyrian chuckled at Ilea’s comment as he scratched his head, the helmet stored away in his enchantment. Ilea had done the same, as did Trian.

“Now how do we transport that thing?” Eve asked.

“We don’t, at least not like this. No Ilea, don’t look at me like that, we’re not dragging that thing back to Ravenhall. Might even attract attention we don’t want and I’m not talking about people.” Claire commented, rubbing her temples at Ilea’s stupid grin. “The mission states that they need whatever parts we can harvest of the beast so that’s what we’ll do, Eve how good are you at carving?”

“Very.” the woman said and spun one of her daggers around.

“Good, then get to work. Ilea and Trian will store everything.” Claire said, getting a mock salute from Eve before she started to carve into the beast while humming happily.

“Speaking of storage, how’s your ring looking?” Ilea asked after walking over to Trian. “I’d be interested in some of the books we found in that ruin and if you’re running out and don’t want them I still have space.”

Trian looked at her and then summoned one of the books. “Legends and theories, I hope you won’t get sucked into whatever that mage was hatching but sure, knock yourself out. None of it is of consequence to me. Why so interested?”

Ilea had prepared some excuses should she be asked anything regarding Cless or the mage, she even managed to rehearse them with Aki, very helpful that dagger and definitely a critic.

“There was something about that girl. Let’s say she made me curious, as did that mage Albert. Maybe I’ll ask Dagon about him.” she answered, telling the truth but far from answering the question, the only way Aki said she would sound convincing.

Trian snorted “Don’t ask for information too dangerous to handle, especially not from that sly bastard.”

“We’re a shadow squad, what could possibly be too dangerous? You don’t like the guy?” she asked, very interested in the first question at least.

“Yes, that we are. And I’m sure the Hand is one of if not the most powerful human organization when it comes to individuals but don’t for a moment believe that it’s the only one out there. Furthermore who will come for your aid when you need it, sure as hell not me. The Hand will have lost a member and that’s it, not like the same would apply to a brotherhood or whatever weird fuckery the nobles and powerful call their little circles.” he said.

“Maybe Circle.” Kyrian commented, playing with some metal spheres while carving sounds resounded behind them. Eve was currently getting out an eye.

“And no, I don’t like the guy. He’s an information broker, what’s to like about that? And his people have been pestering me since I arrived, in heat for a noble in the Hand. Fucking annoying that my parents...” he stopped himself and shut up, summoning an apple and biting into it.

“Ilea catch!” the eye was thrown and caught, splattering blood and a bit of gore onto Ilea’s face before it vanished into her necklace.

“Hahahaha” they could hear Eve laugh. Trian summoned a piece of cloth and threw it to Ilea, a surprising gesture, especially right after he said that he wouldn’t come to help her in case of emergency. Then again it’s a piece of cloth, not his life.

“Thanks.” Ilea said, using it to clean herself up. “Eve you better stop that shit, I’ll break every bone in your body and heal it again.” she said casually as she made the piece of cloth vanish.

“I don’t believe you, you’re way too nice for that Ilea.” came from somewhere inside the beast where Eve was cutting through merrily, likely covered in filth herself.

‘She’s probably right...’ Ilea thought and sighed before she too summoned a meal and started eating. Keyla’s cooking immediately upped her mood. ‘Maybe I should bring her some of the meat to make something...’ with the thought, she finished her meal and unsheathed Aki, blinking behind Eve.

“WHAT, damn you scared the shit out of me, don’t just appear like that.” Eve exclaimed, the look on her face bringing great joy to Ilea, even though she was wearing her mask.

“I’m here for meat.” she said, spinning the dagger around as well. Eve quickly showed her which parts she could cut out without damaging anything worthwhile. It took a while but Ilea got away with a sizable amount of Dragcal meat, ready to be processed.

“So that’s it then?” Claire asked, looking at the pile of body parts Eve had carved from the monster. Most of it was small enough to be stored in either Trian’s ring or Ilea’s necklace, some select parts weren’t. Luckily for them Kyrian’s metal shaping and control made it somewhat easy to carry the massive bones from the creature although the group had to pause much more frequently and the flying speed was reduced by a big chunk of speed.

Checking her messages, Ilea found a single level up waiting for her.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Dragcal – lvl 310]. For defeating an enemy one hundred levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 206 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 13’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 5

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 206

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 19

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 3

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 202

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 14

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 5

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 12

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 3

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 4

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 5

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 15

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 1

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 290

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 505

Wisdom 315

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 2746/2900

Mana: 2899/3150

Chapter 113 Advances

A note from Rhaegar

And another one

">. Hope you like it and thanks for reading!

Chapter 113 Advances

“So you were a prisoner?” Ilea asked in a bit of a slurred tone. The man opposite her looked worriedly at the woman, the dozens of mugs on their table both a sign of a waiter’s neglect and Ilea’s immunity to the poison.

“I don’t know. You know one would think I should right? I was never chained up or anything and I worked the mine… nobody else did now that I think about it...” Kyrian explained to a half listening Ilea. Eve had already passed out next to them and was put on the bench to sleep. They were far from the only patrons in the small inn they had found in Ravenhall. A little off the main roads as Eve had called it. Both Trian and Claire had left rather early, one because he was apparently disgusted by the establishment and the other to finish the necessary paperwork to join in the tournament that would start in around a week.

What nobody had told Ilea was that the whole thing was more of a celebration. The Hand was just a small part of it and by now nobody except for maybe Dagon remembered who had started the whole thing. Ravenhall would attract many adventurers and travelers willing to come so far for the city festival. Of course any spaces to attend the shadow’s hand tournament were reserved for actual members but the city itself held a tournament themselves, the winner of which would be evaluated by the Hand, no matter what their level was.

Ilea wagered that many scouts from other groups and kingdoms were here as well, just as she was sure they were there in Riverwatch when the tournament was happening. Probably a reason why the city hadn’t been completely demolished.

“It’s hard you know…. Not understanding some things about the world that… that others take for granted...” the man said, looking into his cup while swirling it a little.

“I know how you feel friend.” Ilea said, looking around the room to find a single waitress completely overwhelmed with the rude clientele. One of them even grabbing the woman’s ass. Ilea blinked over and stumbled into the woman, using her to stabilize.

“Better lay off fool, this piece of ass ain’t for you.” she exclaimed and the drunk man punched her immediately, a hot rage fueled by alcohol. Drunkenly Ilea caught the fist and motioned with the index finger of her other hand for the man to stop. “You’ve had… too… too much to drink.” she said and put some force onto the man’s fist she was holding. Not quite enough to break it but his face distorted in a less than pleasant expression. She walked the man to the door, opened it and pushed him out.

The door swung close again when Ilea appeared back in her seat, the wind from outside moving the flames in the oil lamps around the room. Some of the people in the inn were looking at her and the waitress had a thankful smile on her lips but chose to continue her work, likely used to the behavior of the guests.

“Oh yea you do, you only said you’re from far away. Like over the sea? I heard there might be people there...” Kyrian asked, making Ilea focus at least a little.

“I… am. I don’t know. Kyrian can we not talk about this?” she asked. The man shrugged and sat back, getting a sip from the water in his cup. A suddenly appearing mist of ash pushed away the cups on the table, some of them clattering to the ground with a loud noise. Ilea lent in closer to the man as the ash took form on the table. Houses, power lines, a public pool and cars parked on the streets. The whole thing was a little hazy and the ash moved around, influenced by Ilea’s intoxicated state. “Is that where you’re from?” Kyrian asked, looking at the ash model of Ilea’s home town. “It looks different, interesting.” suddenly Ilea focused, on the model before her as healing magic flowed through her and got out the poison of the alcohol.

The ash flattened and drifted away from the table in all directions as she sat back, her eyes in focus. ‘I underestimated this inn’s drinks...’ she thought.

“You’re not drunk anymore?” Kyrian’s question brought her back as the two locked eyes.

“I’m not.” the simple answer came quickly. The man looked at her with his gray eyes but soon looked past her again, finishing his cup.

“Then I apologize for overstepping. It’s a sensitive topic I’m sure. Just know that if you want to talk, I’m here.” he said, shocking her a little with the openness. Of course she had been used in Elos before. It was different here where everyone was apparently out to get you, your stuff or your information. On Earth you could at least be sure that people just wanted to sell something or at worst steal your money. She didn’t want to think of anything worse than that, not having experienced any of it in her life there.

“Don’t worry about it. And thanks.” she said. “I’ll take care of Eve.” appearing next to the sleeping woman, she lifted her up and walked behind the bar, taking one of the keys for the rooms upstairs before leaving a couple silver coins. The waitress didn’t even notice as Ilea carried Eve to her room, tucking her in and locking the door from outside, not wanting to overstep either.

“Wanna leave?” the man asked and she nodded, putting another silver coin on the table before she walked to the door, Kyrian following her quietly. Outside the winter air brushed against her cheeks when she noticed the man she had thrown out sleeping on the opposite side of the road.

[Warrior – lvl 68]

‘He’s gonna be fine...’ she thought, her leather boots crunching the snow below. The street was lit by a lantern standing nearby, giving her a nostalgic feeling after her ash creation from before.

“What are your plans?” Kyrian asked. It was in the middle of the night but Ilea had no intention of sleeping, at least not yet. The team had decided on a couple days off from both training and missions. The past days more of a toll on them than they realized in the moment. Seeing death and causing it wasn’t something one easily got used to though Ilea was sure she was neither the worst at handling it in the team, nor the best. If one could call handling something like that good at all.

‘In this world it is...’ she thought and remembered Eve cutting through the cult leader’s neck, a shiver running through her.

“Are you cold?” Kyrian asked, looking at her from the side. Ilea knew he was aware of her resistances, their whole team could probably walk around the poles for days without any clothes on before any problems would occur.

‘Maybe not the poles of Elos...hey maybe it’s flat!”

“I want to explore the edge of Elos.” she jokingly said. Kyrian chuckled.

“I’d like that too, go where nobody has gone before. See creatures and people from far away.”

“And curse them?” she asked as she started aimlessly walking. Snow was lightly falling now and people could be heard talking in the distance, the festivities were going to start in a couple days already after all.

“Perhaps, yes. I simply enjoy being free...” although the two were coming from completely different situations, Ilea felt like she understood. She nodded silently as the two walked through Ravenhall, the cold stone and snow interspersed by the first decorations put up, giving the city a more colorful feel.

“I’m gonna read probably.” she said after a while, answering one of his previous questions. “What about you? More training?”

“I don’t know. I don’t really feel like it now that everybody else is doing something different.” he answered. “Maybe I’ll try reading too...” he said as the two reached a square. A nearby inn was still lit up and cheers could be heard from within.

“Wanna see something cool?” Ilea asked, peaking his interest immediately. “You have to keep it a secret though.”

“Sure, who would I tell it to anyway?” he said and smiled.

‘Too real mate...’ she thought as her buffs activated “Keep up.” her words left her mouth as she switched into a sprint, the man behind her reacting nearly immediately, his spheres flowing out of his pack and around his hands, back and chest. Not his full armor but just enough to stabilize him in flight. The armor was left in Viscera after they had returned from the mission.

The two rushed through the city with an inhuman speed, past houses and squares until they came up on the eastern gate, Ilea’s wings spreading behind her as the two flew over it and out into the wild. Up and up she went until the city behind them was a mere speck of light in the distance. She switched directions a couple times to make it a little harder for possible followers to keep up. Kyrian did well but she did have to wait on him a couple times.

Half an hour later the two landed on the plateau where her house stood. “Is that...yours?” Kyrian asked as she started walking towards it.

“It is, had it built while we were training.”

“You have to tell me where you get that money from...” the man said and chuckled. He suddenly tensed up as his metal spheres turned into spikes.

“Relax, local resident. It’s a nice cat.” Ilea said, waving towards the tunnel where two slightly glowing eyes looked towards her. They left again as soon as the threat was recognized.

“That’s a dangerous animal Ilea. What if you come here wounded?”

“That would be stupid right?” Ilea asked and laughed. Considering the point of return for her Blink was inside the house it wouldn’t be an issue. As long as the cat didn’t know how to open doors. ‘It’s not a raptor so I should be fine...’

“An ironic death… at least the cat would probably gain some levels…” she said as she opened the door. “Welcome to my completely over the top house that no reasonable person would ever build.” he nodded and walked in, trying not to dirty anything.

“Oh and I stumbled upon a huge amount of gold in a dwarven ruin so don’t worry about it. Never told that to anybody I think. If you need money though just hit me up.” she said as she closed the door behind herself.

“You use the strangest expressions. And it’s your gold, I would feel bad about it.” he said, waiting near the door.

“Come on in, are you hungry?” she asked, summoning a couple meals onto the table. He followed slowly and took a seat.

“Are you sure, this looks expensive...”

“Didn’t you just listen to me. And why would you feel bad, it was the dwarves’ money. I found it and I can do with it whatever the fuck I want to right?”

“I mean sure but throwing it out like this might not be wise. What if you really need it in a year or two?” he asked, hesitantly getting a plate of food.

“Kyrian but then I would’ve not lived as I wanted to for a year or two. I understand basic economics but saving up until you die is not the way to go. And if you can help out your friends in the process as well then I think it’s a good thing. I could pay your debt at the Hand, how about that?” the man put his fork down.

“Ilea, I understand that you want to be generous but there’s a certain pride even I possess. I’ll manage just fine on my own but appreciate the offer. Thank you.” she shook her head at that and sat down opposite him, grabbing a plate as well.

“I don’t get it… people receive money for whatever. I’m sure there is a huge financial inequality present in Elos as well, what with all the nobles. Do you think they deserve more? I have it so why not accept it? Not gonna push you of course, it’s your decision after all.” she said, starting to eat.

“You talk like you’re not from here. I have to say I’m getting more interested in your past. I never got that impression in our trainings. And there is inequality, of course there is. I’m not saying they or I deserve it but I will manage.” he said, getting a shrug from Ilea.

“My past is not particularly interesting. One thing might be but even that I feel is less and less so as time goes on. Maybe I’ll tell you at some point. Do you like the food?” she said, changing the topic.

“This might be the best thing I’ve ever eaten actually… even better than the things we ate in that restaurant Eve wanted to go to.” he commented, already half done with his plate.

“That’s because it’s the same cook.” Ilea said, smirking at the man.

“You hired her? Can’t say the money is wasted there...”

“I did and yes, I’d sell everything but my armor to have her food. Maybe even the armor.” she said, getting a chuckle in response.

“Do you want a tour?” Ilea asked, already done with her second plate.

“A what? Tour?”

“Of the house.” she answered, smirking towards him.

“Oh, sure. What about the dishes?” he asked.

“You’re cute Kyrian.” Ilea said, touching the plates until nothing remained on the table. “I’ll take care of it.” she said, having gotten very close to him with the last touch on the plate he had used. The smile on her face grew a little at his obvious discomfort.

“Follow me then.” she said and brushed past him. The two walked downwards as she showed him first the kitchen space and then the showroom that looked more akin to an armory.

“I know it’s not very filled up yet but hopefully that’s gonna change in the future.” she said.

“I’m sure, with the missions we’ll do you’ll probably find some interesting things to fill it with. The black skull would fit in nicely.” he commented.

“That one might actually be useful to Eve… at least if we believe the enchanters Trian asked. I don’t plan to store things away that could save one of our lives.” Ilea said. A minute of walking around later, Ilea went up again. “Come, you said you wanted to read.” she was happy to find his face light up a little at that.

“This is my favorite room and mostly the reason I had this whole thing built. You’re the first human to see it.”

“It’s… beautiful… you can see the stars from here and…” he walked over to one of the shelfs “There’s so many, did you buy all of them?”

“Found most of them really. Wait let me look for something that might be a bit easier...” she said and blinked over to the man, touching his back while using her other arm to brush against the books. “This one might be possible.” Ilea said, grabbing the novel she thought to be aimed at a younger audience. Making the plates and books on the bed vanish, Ilea put the sheets back in a somewhat acceptable way before she jumped onto it. Patting the space next to her, she looked at the man intently.

“Don’t look at me like a frightened animal, we’re gonna read.” she said as he gulped and sat down next to her. “You try, same way as we did before.” she said, smiling at the man next to her who was definitely uncomfortable. ‘Maybe this wasn’t the best idea...’ she thought but decided to go with the flow. Whatever happened, happened.

“Ok...” he said, opening the book at the first page. “T...There once w...was a… vi...vi...”

“Village.” she helped, getting a little closer to him to see the book better.

The two read for a while, Ilea slipping into the role of a teacher as she corrected and helped where necessary. Kyrian was definitely not stupid and picked up reading rather quickly. He did however stay oblivious to her advances. It was hard to say if he was uncomfortable because of the reading or because of Ilea’s close proximity. He did want to stop after around an hour, getting a little frustrated over a particularly hard sentence.

“You can stay over if you like.” Ilea said, putting the book back.

“Do you think? It’s only half an hour back.” he said.

“What if you encounter something dangerous on the way?” she asked, turning around slowly.

“I should be able to get away, not like anything was reported here in a while.” he said, locking eyes with her.

“Did you ever sleep with someone Kyrian?” Ilea asked, putting her arms behind her back.

“Wha...what?”

“Would you like to try?” she said, biting her lip and focusing her blue eyes on him.

“W...with you? But we’re not together, a couple...” he stuttered, though still looking at her.

“It’s just sex Kyrian. It’s fun, with the right people. And you don’t have to be with someone in a more permanent way to do it. Though I wouldn’t be opposed to date you.”

“I’m… I don’t.” he said and looked away. Ilea looked up at the stars, shining into her room.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to. I know I was freaked out the first time I did it.” she said.

“It’s not that… I’m…”

“It’s a bit much. That’s alright. Do you wanna sleep over anyway? Ever did that? A sleepover?” she asked, not wanting to pressure the man any further. He was obviously in over his head and they had time.

A note from Rhaegar

How fucking awkward is this one. And if anybody cries cliffhanger again I swear...

I'm not trying to write it that way, trust me. They just happen but this really isn't one. Or is it? I'm honestly not sure at this point.

Chapter 114 Bedtalk

A note from Rhaegar

And part two of Kyrian's adventure. More on the weekend, thanks for reading. Pointers to plot holes, shitty writing and other things for me to improve on are welcome as always

.

Chapter 114 Bedtalk

“I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve never been asked that directly...” the man lying next to her said, watching the stars with her.

“Don’t worry about it Kyrian.” she said, turning over to the man. He was beautiful. Tall and muscular without it being too much. She touched his side, making him look at her. “Have you ever kissed someone?” she asked, getting a little closer to him.

“No...” he said, his heartbeat speeding up. Ilea slowly went closer until their lips met.

“Now you have...” she said and grinned, going in again. His arms slowly wrapped around her as she kissed him again, this time longer, more passionate.

“You tell me if you want to stop, it’s really alright.” she said, right over his face.

“Are you kidding me?” the man smiled at her, pulling her closer for another kiss. A couple minutes later Ilea moved up, now sitting on the man, making her leather armor disappear. The clothing below was still on her and she slowly removed her shirt, revealing herself to him.

“Oh my god...” he said, a bit overwhelmed by the sight before him. Ilea smirked and went down for another kiss.

“You’re allowed to touch me you know?” she said in between kissing. A shiver went through her as his hands brushed against her side and got to her chest. She started removing his leather armor, the two getting into a battle of clothes and kissing, stopping only at the underwear.

Ilea kissed his chest and slowly went further down until she removed the last piece of his clothing. Getting rid of her own, she slid up again and helped guide the man into her. A soft moan left her as she went to kiss him again, her body starting to move in a rhythm of pleasure. Kyrian’s face changed a minute later as his muscles tensed up.

“Sorry...” he said as Ilea slowly slid off the man.

“That was nice, don’t worry about it. Did you enjoy it?” she smiled at him from the side, summoning a fresh cloth to clean herself up.

“That was incredible...” Kyrian said, closing his eyes and falling back on the pillow. “Thank you.”

“Here.” she said and held another cloth to the man who took it and cleaned himself as well. The two laid there for a couple minutes, looking at the stars.

“Was that a one time thing or?” Kyrian asked after a while. Ilea looked over and then back up.

“I don’t know. Probably not.” she said and Kyrian laughed.

“Not that I expected anything else from you. Well you were right, it was fun. So whenever you feel like it again.” he said. “Can one get some fresh air in here?”

“I’m glad you understand and I have a better idea, follow me.” she said and walked downwards and towards the balcony overlooking the ocean.

“You’re beautiful.” Kyrian said after a while, the wind brushing against their naked skin.

“You’re not bad either. Do you feel like sleeping?” Ilea asked, looking into his eyes. He shrugged as an answer.

“Me neither… I never tried this naked...” she said and blinked out over the ocean, waving at the man as gravity took her. Ilea smirked at the look on his face as she started falling, wings of ash spreading behind her back, not slowing but increasing the speed at which the woman descended towards the water. Looking backwards she found a man surrounded by metal spheres following behind.

Her wings spread and slowed her fall a couple dozen meters before impact. It would likely not hurt her badly but going underwater wasn’t something she planned to do tonight, at least not straight into the deep part. Ilea continued onwards a couple meters over the waves while the moon shined on, behind her Kyrian followed with a bright smile on his face. A game of catch ensued and led the two out onto the ocean and then back towards the mountains, Ilea skidding on the rock to avoid capture.

She did let him catch her after a reasonable time as the two embraced in the air, his metal spheres drifting below them to create a surface to stand on. “Ever thought about doing this when you were in prison?” she asked, putting her arms around his neck and getting closer.

“Not in my wildest dreams...” he said and kissed her. The two slowly drifted back towards her house where round two of their personal tournament was held, confirming that it would not stay a one time thing after all.

“You know, I wasn’t exactly a prisoner… at least not officially.” Kyrian said as the two were lying in bed. Ilea turned towards him and brushed his chest with her hand.

“You never struck me as much of a criminal...” Ilea commented, summoning a bottle of mead. “Want any?”

“No. Thanks, I’m not very fond of it.”

“What mead?” she asked and looked at the bottle before smelling it, unsure of its vileness.

“Alcohol.” he stated.

“Ah, yes. I don’t remember you drinking. Bad memories?” she asked “Alright if I do though?”

He just nodded. “Yea, to both… I grew up in the prison, some of the people were… well a little too fond of it.”

“I can see that. It’s pretty much the same everywhere but I have to say the booze here is much better than on e… from my village. Maybe it’s magical brewing?” she said and swirled the bottle.

“I’m not gonna push you Ilea but I do wanna know, are you human?” Kyrian suddenly said, looking deep into her eyes. Ilea chuckled.

“I am, don’t worry about it.”

“Mhm… I believe you.” he said. “Gonna catch a bit of sleep though, been a long day.”

“Do that, I’ll join you in a while.” Ilea answered and smiled as the man started snoring mere seconds later. ‘It really must’ve been a long day for him...’ she smiled, thoroughly satisfied. Sitting back, she brushed through his hair and summoned one of Albert’s books before she opened it and started reading.

...The question cannot remain unasked as to the nature of the mathematical and magical law that governs our every life and abilities. I do not want to accept the answer of gods as I have conversed with beings thousands of years old and powerful enough to destroy entire cities with a single breath. Neither them nor anything they cared to share with my lowly being indicated the existence of higher beings…

The author certainly had interesting thoughts but Ilea wasn’t quite believing much of it. ‘Too much self praise...’ she thought as she continued to flip through the pages. None of the books she had already checked out were written by Albert himself but he certainly had an interesting collection, seemingly geared towards the game like system that had taken over as soon as she had appeared in Elos. Maybe there was a connection to her appearance in this magical land, a weird feeling spread in her stomach as she continued reading, remembering earth.

Ilea stopped a couple minutes later and sighed, looking at the man laying next to her. ‘Either this is a simulation and others are caught in it, trying to find out what exactly it is or this is real and somehow I was teleported here...’ she thought but stopped herself. Snow was falling again outside. ‘I literally know nothing...’ Ilea was aware that there were people theorizing on the universe being a simulation back on earth as well but it always seemed a little abstract to her, and not something one should think about too much.

Now though? Stranded in this place, she wasn’t so sure anymore. As much as she enjoyed herself in Elos, she was still curious. And with magic, flying people and lightning being summoned by only one’s mind, there might be a possibility to actually find out something. Summoning the Tungsten Key she had found in the Taleen dungeon, she stared at the pyramid like object and turned it around before she made it vanish again, catching her breath at the amount of mana she lost again from the action. ‘Ah, I forgot about that...’

“One of the dwarven keys?!” Aki exclaimed.

“Didn’t you not want to talk while others are here?”

“You could’ve warned me at least. I’m sure you made his day though, congratulations.” Aki continued. “If that is what I think it is then you should probably not show it to anybody my dear friend.”

“Why do you sound sarcastic?” Ilea asked, sighing and blinking downwards and onto the balcony not to wake up the sleeping Kyrian.

“I change according to the person wielding me. And you’re one sarcastic ass.” the dagger said.

“Maybe I am. What do you know of that thing?”

“It looks like the descriptions I’ve seen. I believe it was one of my previous owner’s goals to get it, or one of them. There were supposed to be more and they were immensely important to those dwarfs.” the dagger explained.

“Any idea why? What do they do?”

“No idea, sorry mate.”

“Unhelpful thousand year old blade pet.” she said.

“So I’m your pet now? Isn’t that one sleeping upstairs?”

“Ah don’t say that. He’s a good friend and who said friends can’t have fun?” Ilea smirked, twirling the dagger in her hand.

“You know I hate that.” he said.

“Oh I do.” she did it again as she blinked back to her bed, made the dagger vanish and cuddled up to Kyrian before sleep took her as well.

“We expect them to make another move soon enough. With our influence in the Hand growing it will be an easy thing to protect the important cities.” a nicely dressed man said into the room. The group of people shrouded in shadow showed different reactions.

“It’s been two years already, you’re aware that you and your master aren’t the only ones that will suffer should this investment be for nothing.” a female voice whispered. The man didn’t know who had spoken, the tension in the room a little much, even for him.

“The organization has been standing for over a thousand years, it’s not easy to...” he was interrupted.

“We know. We’ve been watching. The time is now and if you do not act quickly the window will close.” a man said with finality in his voice. “Now go back and we hope to hear from you soon.”

“What should we do about the boy? He managed to get out the void mage. I told you we should’ve killed...” the man overheard as he nodded and teleported out of the room. His smile vanished as his hands started to shake a little. It would be a long week.

The preparations were going well. Ilea was sitting on top of a house in Ravenhall, watching the people around her more busy than she had ever seen them. Building and decorating all over the place, turning the stony city into something more akin to Salia. Or at least what Salia had been before the accident. She finished her meal and looked up at the suns shining down on her, trying their best to melt the layer of snow covering the city and wilderness beyond.

A thud could be heard next to her as she lifted her head to look at Kyrian in his light leather armor. She bit into a fruit, checking the man out her eyes moving on to two people nearly fighting about a cart blocking the road.

“You left? Could’ve woken me up.” Kyrian said, his voice neutral.

“You looked like you needed the sleep and you were cute.” Ilea answered in the same neutral voice. The man just grunted.

“Watching the girl?”

“You noticed? Yea, she’s inside reading.” Ilea answered, seeing Cless with her Sphere in the building she was sitting on. The man next to her didn’t ask any further questions.

“I’ll go train in the forest. You can join if you want to.” he proposed but Ilea didn’t quite feel like that after so much of it in the past months.

“Probably not, enjoy yourself though.” she said genuinely and looked at him with a smile. He awkwardly smiled back and then looked away.

“I’ll be… yea alright.” he said, stumbling over his words before he jumped off the building, catching himself in the air as he wobbled towards the city walls. Ilea chuckled lightly, watching the two men in the street fist fight. She shook her head and jumped off, not to interfere but to move on. The excitement in the city was pallable as she walked through the streets, checking out the already finished stands and shops.

None of it came close to Keyla’s cooking but there was something about streetfood that made Ilea happy. The team would meet again a day before the tournament to discuss their tactics. Having a higher rank than their current one would take time to accomplish. A good result in the tournament would change that rather quickly. With a higher rank came better missions assigned to them and a better pay. Of course money wasn’t on the priority list for Ilea at the moment but better missions also meant stronger enemies to fight.

An excited smirk spread on her face as she heard some interesting music coming from a couple streets over.

His claws sunk deep into the mage before him. A tragic loss. Another high level human, dead at his hands. His resolve was unwavering as he ripped out the man’s throat, blood coloring the street a deep red. With a mere thought two slime like monsters came into existence, taking care of the body and blood. Adam’s hands turned back as he checked his surroundings with all his skills. ‘They’re getting closer...’ he thought ‘I’m sure this one wasn’t with the Hand. Not the only ones investigating then...’

The past months had been very successful. Dagon had believed him and the man’s work was spectacular. Wallace wouldn’t find much purchase in the Shadow’s Hand after their plan went through, even with Adam’s slight modifications. He scratched the last runes in this part of the city, linking the whole picture together, his heart closed to the inevitable result of his work. ‘Maybe I really am going mad…’ he thought, looking up at the heavens.

Three days had passed since Ilea’s night out with Kyrian and the man hadn’t shown himself even once after their talk on a rooftop in Ravenhall. She smiled and entered the familiar pub in Viscera, seeing a familiar face in her Sphere, or rather a lack thereof. As on most days there was a band playing music, giving the establishment a good reason for people to be there instead of in any other bar, at least up in the city proper.

Ilea walked to the group sitting on the table near a corner of the room. “Hello there.” she uttered “May I?” she smiled and turned around a free chair to join Sulivhaan and Rock.

“Ilea. Yes I’ve heard of you joining. I’m glad someone like you chose the Hand. How have you been faring?” the man seemed pragmatic as ever.

“Ah look at you! I expected you to be much higher in level already, what happened?” Rock said as he smiled at her.

“Got a bit bogged down by team trainings. Not that it was a bad idea.” she admitted, looking towards Sulivhaan, quite glad he had suggested this endeavor to her. There was a not so slight possibility that her corpse would be rotting in some long forgotten dungeon out there somewhere without the things she had learned here.

“I’m glad you have cooled down a little. Don’t get too settled though.” the masked man said.

“What do you know? This seems to be more ominous than just a random comment...” Ilea said and motioned to a waiter with three fingers up.

“I don’t drink.” Sulivhaan said “But those are all for you. I see.” he nodded. “Things are in motion that cannot be stopped. Perhaps a part of it will come down upon the Hand. Be prepared.” he said, looking around the room, his last sentence a mere whisper.

“Does he always talk like that? I haven’t been around him in a while...” Ilea asked in the same whispered conspiratory voice.

“You should’ve seen him in Dawntree...” Rock shook his head. Sulivhaan said nothing and just leaned back.

“It’s good to see you safe.” he said quietly, crossing his hands in front of him.

“Same, rest of the team?” a confirming nod left her with a bit of a better feeling. “Where’s Navalis, I wanted to ask her about archery related skills.” she suddenly said but the men looked at each other and shrugged.

“Your guess is as good as ours. So tell me, is your team joining in on the tournament?” Rock asked, his mood turning from bored to excited in the span of a mere moment.

“Yea, last team in the ranks but that should change rather quickly.”

“Oh I’m sure it will. If your team members are anywhere near as crazy as you are then most others won’t stand a chance.” he chuckled and drank one of Ilea’s mugs, the additional one she had ordered just for that reason.

“Only if they’re meatheads like you are.” she said, sipping on her own drink.

“A lot of them are.” Sulivhaan said, getting a hurt look from Rock.

“On another note, you mentioned Dawntree. Did they breach the city?” she asked but Rock just smiled at Sulivhaan.

“Oh if anybody breached anything then it was us. You should’ve seen the remains of those poor elves.” Rock said.

“Not something you hear everyday.” Ilea said, finishing her drink right after.

“You do here.” he said.

“Don’t joke about it too much. You still haven’t fought a true elf.” Sulivhaan said, again in his ominous voice.

“You’ve been talking about that for so long, at this point I truly believe it’s just your myths speaking.” Rock said, shaking his head.

“Just be prepared.” the masked man said. Ilea believed him. It was just reasonable to assume that there were stronger enemies out there. His mistake she thought, was that he apparently limited his view to elves.

Chapter 115 Tournament

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there fellas and felines. Thanks for checking out the story. Thanks for the comments in the last chapter regarding possible improvements.

Was definitely too ominous but I dunno how I could've put anything in there without suddenly changing POVs. Eh. Maybe I'll think of something one day. Or at least not a dark room with shrouded people in it. Sounds logical in hindsight.

Anyway enjoy, hopefully

">

Chapter 115 Tournament

“So I presume you’ve all read through the tactics sheets.” Claire asked into the group. Eve looked like she hadn’t slept for the past week, Trian looked like a whole group of stylists had worked on his perfect look and Kyrian was avoiding Ilea’s looks though more out of embarrassment than anything else. Ilea looked at the others and back to Claire, freezing as the woman stared into her eyes.

“Hey don’t look at me like that, I’m sure the others haven’t read it either… Claire it was fifty pages of boring formations…” not only Kyrian was avoiding her gaze at that point, abandoned by her friends as if she had never existed.

“Well that’s what I expected. As soon as there are no direct monsters or money involved you slack. Well that’s why we met so early. We’re gonna go through it all together. I hope you have your notebooks with you.” Claire said as Ilea sighed, looking up at the fake sun in Eregar’s Haven.

‘Save me Helios...’ her eyes teared up as she looked into the light.

The next nine hours were not the most fun Ilea had ever had but she did see the necessity and after so much lounging around it wasn’t hard to concentrate for a while either. Eve got more and more enthusiastic as the day went on, not a hard thing to do with her starting level of a literal zombie. Well not literal but close to. It made the whole thing a little more enjoyable and Ilea at least showed some initiative just for her team mates.

Kyrian became more comfortable again as the day went on as well. At one point after the session he even came up to her to apologize for not showing up and for his behavior. He needed some time to think about things and she didn’t fault him, likely a lot of things swirling around in his head, her things being two of them.

“The tournament starts tomorrow so you better sleep enough beforehand and be prepared. This is our ticket to better missions so it should be in everyone’s interest. Don’t disappoint me.” Claire had said at the end of her nine hour monologue, a truly impressive feat. Ilea was surprised she hadn’t gotten a Speech Resistance but when weren’t charisma based characters overpowered?

Kyrian visited her that night though only to share her bed to sleep. She was quite fine with it and enjoyed talking to the man, feeling closer to him than anybody else she had met so far in Elos. Roland was nice but he did have a family waiting for him. Kyrian just somehow felt as out of place as Ilea knew she was. She was pretty sure about her theory of him imprisoned in a mine for most of his life. The two slept rather late, a little excited about the coming days. They would come face to face with high level teams that had worked together for decades if not longer. Ilea wasn’t quite as convinced as Claire when it came to their success but they certainly wouldn’t fail for a lack of trying.

Ilea woke up an hour after she fell asleep, silently getting out of bed before she blinked down onto her balcony, summoning Aki and a cup of hot coffee. Her necklace really was a blessing. “Good morning.”

“Morning. How long did you sleep?” the dagger asked as she put the sheath onto her leather armor.

“Not longer than two hours I think.”

“That can’t be healthy.” Aki commented but both of them knew the woman didn’t need more. At least until she would fall into a coma for a decade. So far it had worked out and she didn’t feel tired.

“You mean like a thousand year meditation session mr blade?” Ilea asked, watching the sun rise as she sipped her coffee. It was tea really but at this point the taste was close enough to what she remembered from earth that it hardly made a difference.

“I like the house I must say...” the dagger said, likely enjoying the view as much as she did, if not more considering the past hundreds of years of his existence.

“You think we’re gonna get far in the tournament?”

“Not really. You all are impulsive, undisciplined. You and sparky are the only ones who can take more than just a little beating so it will likely be you two standing as the last ones and as much as you have grown, I doubt you can stand against five people at your level.”

Ilea was quiet for a while, enjoying the icy breeze flowing through her hair. “You watch me.” she said after a while.

Kyrian woke to a bountiful breakfast waiting for him in the dining room. Ilea had been eating and reading for the past two hours until he got up. Aki was lying next to her with an opened book next to him. He was helping with getting through the collection of books they had found with Albert, the barrier mage inexplicably obsessed with teleporting and the nature of existence. At least if you judged the man on his choice of literature.

‘Does that make me the same?’ Ilea though as she rubbed her eyes, looking up at Kyrian starting to eat opposite her.

“What do you think of levels and skills, the way we get stronger through killing and training?” she asked, sitting back and sipping another coffeetea.

He looked up and then down again, putting together a sandwich Ilea was less than intrigued by. “It is how it is. Questioning it will likely only lead to madness.”

“Yea, some of those people at least sound mad...” Ilea said, making the books on the table vanish.

“Is that an heirloom or something by the way?” Kyrian asked, nodding towards Aki.

“Yes, my great grandfather gifted it to my great grandmother. She thought it was so pathetic it’s become a bit of a gag to gift it to the least favorite child.”

He looked at her, then at the blade and then started eating the abomination he had created. “I’m not sure what to believe anymore from you Ilea...”

“So you’re learning, good.” she said and chuckled ‘Better than me at least...’ she thought. At least she was virtually indestructible at this point so any slip-ups caused by her trusting nature would be smoothed out by her recovery and resilience. As long as nobody else was drawn into it.

The two left another hour later, flying over the snowy mountains near Ravenhall. The sky was clear that day and they reached a city in celebration. ‘This might be a bit much...’ Ilea thought as she saw the masses of people packed in the streets. Compared to an ordinary busy day in a big city, this felt more like a tourist trap.

“Let’s get to Viscera as soon as possible...” she said to her companion flying next to her. The tournament would start on midday, which meant they had quite a bit of time left. Sadly Viscera was in a similar state as the city outside. Apparently they had let in more than the usual amount of peddlers. Additionally the people Ilea saw with a level over two hundred was higher than at any previous point in time.

The two made their way down to Eregar’s Haven where the tournament would be held and where they would meet up with the team. Even here there were more people than ever before. ‘Out of what holes have all these high level people crawled out of?...’ Ilea wondered as she saw the massive fields prepared for fights, ready with barriers and cover, elemental resources and stands for people to watch.

Of course only full members of the Hand were allowed down in the Haven but considering they were team 34 it was only logical to assume there to be at least close to two hundred people at their level. With the destruction someone like Trian could lay down, a considerably big arena was only to be expected. ‘It’s gonna be hard to close in on people with that much space...’ she thought as the elevator came to a stop at the base of the Haven.

“Quite busy...” Kyrian commented and stepped off the platform, starting to fly towards their destination.

“Yes it is...” Ilea said, her wings spreading before she followed him. If anything she hadn’t seen so many people fly in one place until today.

Eve was surprisingly not the last one to arrive. Considering how much she had anticipated the tournament it wasn’t much of a surprise. Still Ilea hadn’t expected it. Claire was already half an hour into her explanations, planning and going through profiles of people they might face. It really was a waste of time. There were too many unknowns and the match ups wouldn’t be announced until the first one started.

Ilea leveled her metaphorical speech resistance another two levels until finally they made their way towards the main stage of the tournament. A massive structure of stone and metal, certainly a showing of power from the Hand. Questionable since everyone here was already part of the organization but perhaps they wanted to retain the members.

Their group made their way to a couple seats on the side and back of the seating space as Ilea checked out the people around them. A lot of them were showing off some strange looking armor, trinkets and even auras and spells casually floating around them. She didn’t quite get the whole thing, the tournament seemingly a bigger thing to the members than she had expected.

‘Can’t wait to trash some of those snobby looking faces...’ she thought and smiled before she sat down. In the next couple minutes the crowd settled down and found their seats. There were five seats on the stage, two of them empty. One of them occupied the man who had evaluated Ilea when she had joined. Not William. The name didn’t come to her mind at the moment. The other two seats were occupied by a man and a woman, neither of which Ilea had seen before.

The woman got up as soon as the last of the members found their seats, walking to the lectern.

“Hello. Elder Strand will now speak to you.” she said and went back to her chair, sitting down to a rustling of whispers. Ilea made out more than just a single conversation around her. The woman was an elder as well. The name Quil fell a couple times, apparently it was quite a spectacle to see her.

‘Not one for words then...’ she thought and was a little confused as to why the woman had spoke at all. The man who had helped evaluate her got up and continued where the woman had left off.

“Thank you elder Quil. It is an honor to talk to all of you on this day. Many of you I have evaluated myself over the years. To see you form experienced teams ready for every challenge makes me proud to be a member of this Guild. Let’s not pretend that you are here for sentimental speeches and start this. First fight will be team six versus team nine. Good luck, to all of you.” the man finished and walked back to his seat.

The last man still sitting on his chair looked a little confused at elder Strand but focused quickly and got up as well.

“Welcome, members of the Hand. To this prestigious tournament...” this last elder definitely didn’t quite share the same antipathy for long speeches as the others. Ilea zoned out after the first couple sentences, unsure if anybody else was even listening anymore.

“He’s not like the others...” Kyrian commented from the side in a whisper. Other people were talking as well, obviously not listening to the man still talking twenty minutes later.

“Why make this political?” Kyrian continued, seemingly genuinely interested.

“Because that’s what he is. That man might be dangerous for this whole organization. The other elders don’t seem to care, two of them didn’t even bother to show up…” Trian commented.

“Why dangerous?” Kyrian asked but the elder finally came to an end, motioning to the first arena next to the assembly of people. Most of them got up and flew or teleported to the seats on the other side. Twelve people remained on the soon to be battlefield, the two teams mentioned by Strand. Ilea checked them all out but other than their levels being above two hundred, they didn’t look much different from any adventurers she had seen before.

None of them were wearing anything black so she had reason to believe they weren’t using their best gear at least. People weren’t supposed to die in this tournament after all. Some people were actually selling food out of their storage items, something Ilea didn’t quite thought possible. ‘Guess there are merchant opportunists even here… among the elite...’ she smiled and mused if they had more gold than even her. ‘They must have… if you even use this to sell things...’

A loud explosion and fireworks above the arena signaled the start of the fight. Immediately different elements were thrown at each other and people started vanishing and reappearing. The fight reminded Ilea of their training sessions, similar abilities and tactics being used in the fight. She did have to admit after five minutes that the teamwork was something else. Ilea’s team would need quite a while to reach that level of understanding with each other.

She sat back and enjoyed the show, even buying some food from the people selling, their eyes lighting up at another customer. ‘Yea I doubt we can beat them if it’s not about killing...’ she thought after a while, at least about the two teams currently engaged. A sudden feeling of wrongness spread through her body as she dropped the snacks in her hands, standing up and activating her buffs.

Many of the people around her had similar reactions as she felt the mana flare throughout many of them. “What is this..” Trian asked to nobody in particular, sparks forming around him.

“Something’s coming...” a mage said.

“Eve are you alright?” Ilea asked, using her healing to soothe the obvious headache plaguing her friend. The woman just looked up at her with fearful eyes.

“We have to...we have to get away...” she uttered when runes lit up all around the area and beyond.

“I knew those were a bad sign...” Claire said “Come we need to...” people were talking over each other until a voice of authority broke through. Ilea looked towards the female elder who had spoken but a few words at the start of the tournament.

“Everyone, destroy those runes!” she said in a calm voice, two black axes appearing in her hands before she vanished, appearing next to a circle of runes on the field, smashing the ground with both of them. An explosion rattled through the runes, making the gathered magic vanish. People picked up quickly but the circles were too numerous.

“What are those?!” Ilea asked as she too appeared next to a circle and smashed into the ground. People on the stands had started fighting each other as well which made her even more confused. She certainly wasn’t the only one looking around in confusion but one thing she knew, the runes had to be destroyed.

She appeared in front of the next circle, in it a creature had started forming, still only halfway to something recognizable. ‘They’re summoning something...’ she thought, destroying the runes below. The creature didn’t vanish but instead a tentacle like limb shot out at her, Ilea dodging to the right in the last moment. The arm moved around at her, making her dodge again, this time backwards.

‘What the hell...’ she thought, the sound of fighting and magics appearing all around her, joined by screams and growls. Blinking backwards to avoid another attack from the abomination before her that slowly shuffled forwards on its tentacle like limbs below the mass of flesh and eyes that formed its body.

[Demon – lvl 192]

‘That explains it… why here though...’ she thought, trying to find her team in the mess of fighting. An explosion ripped into the earth next to her, making her lift her arm to block. The juggernaut armor appeared around her as a veil of ash came into existence. A tentacle impacted her chest but Ilea stood her ground, grabbing the limb and pumping destructive mana into it.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Demonic Essence -25 hp/s -25 mana/s for the next five minutes’

‘Aw fuck.. of course it’s poisonous… or was it venomous?’ she thought and appeared next to the demon, truly a disgusting looking thing. A punch of her sent the creature skidding before it caught itself with its tentacles. Ilea jumped backwards, her wings spreading when another monster impacted the ground where she had stood, earth exploding outwards. This one was more shaped like a humanoid, other than its right arm with looked more like a massive bone mace. Flying up, Ilea noticed that there were more and more of the demons coming from magical circles around the Haven.

Explosions rattled through the area as she tried to find her team but there was too much going on for her to notice any of them. More than six shields similar to Claire’s could be seen as she quickly ascended. ‘Ah great...’ she thought as a flying demon came up to her from the side. Ilea dodged the teeth that basically formed the creature’s whole head and held onto its wings, flying back towards the ground with the monster held in front of her. It tried to get to her with its spiked limbs but only managed to scratch at her armor, its tries ended when all of Ilea’s speed and weight smashed its light body into the ground.

‘No time to rest...’ she thought as a two meter tall demon looking like a bull with fins and an exposed rib cage ran up to her.

Chapter 116 Horde

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, last chap for this week. ETA is a bit difficult because I'll be stuck in the military for a couple weeks. Expect the frequency of releases to drop. Hopefully I can still write as much though.

I'll update as soon as possible.

And hopefully enjoy

">

Chapter 116 Horde

The only reason she didn’t dodge away was the demon being at an identifiable level. She remembered too late that Walter had told her about how specialized those things can be as she was impacted by the whole weight of the beast, pushed backwards several meters until she decided to blink above it, kicking at its spine.

Two more flying beasts had appeared, making her disengage the monster on the ground, catching one of them with a punch to its teeth. None of them managed to get through her defenses as the veil closed again after the impact. Ilea ran over the ground, occasionally covering distances by flying when she tackled a monster barely held off by a female warrior pressed onto the ground, blood flowing from several cuts on her body.

Ilea punched the beast three times, something cracking in its chest until she spun around in the air, using both her momentum and strength to flight the thing as far away as she could. Blinking back to the woman, she healed her wounds, ignoring the words uttered by her. Seeing another two beasts approach through her sphere, she mentally apologized to the woman before the grabbed her and flew upwards, continuing to pump healing mana into her. Up and up they went, now already followed by three flying demons.

Ilea glanced over to see many of the demons going up towards Viscera. ‘That can’t be good.’ someone else apparently had a similar thought as a beam of red light impacted where the elevators would vanish upwards, sending rock and metal down onto the creatures. Ilea didn’t have time to see where the attack had come from as the woman currently held by her regained her senses.

“Good?” she received a thankful nod and turned around again, now flying downwards while avoiding the pursuers, two of them scratching at her veil.

“I can fly!” the woman said, Ilea nodding and letting go of her. Thin lines of black matter formed behind the warrior who flew downwards towards the dropped spear still lying where she had been. Ilea blinked away, dodging the thrown chunk of rock thrown towards her as she flew downwards, impacting a demon running towards a dome of light. Her knees impacted the creature and sent it into the ground before a series of punches rained onto it.

Three flying spikes impacted Ilea’s veil, one of them managing to get through and scratching against her armor. The beast below her used the distraction to punch at her, making her disengage again. Ilea ran towards the barrier, finding not Claire inside but three other people, one of them heavily injured. She found herself unable to blink inside so decided to dance around the barrier, smashing and throwing away the attackers.

Three demons ran at her at once when a black flame appeared around them, a mage flying by and winking at her. Ilea appeared next to him and caught the jumping demon trying to get to him. It clawed and bit at her while all her attacks were dwindling away its health, breaking bones and destroying organs with kinetic and magical force, each punch increasing in power thanks to her Ashen skills. The two landed, only one of them still alive. Ilea blinked back towards the still standing dome, now unchallenged by enemies and punched it to get the mage’s attention.

“I can heal!!” she shouted but the rune mage just shook his head with tears in his eyes before a series of spikes impacted Ilea again. ‘That fucker...’ she thought, looking towards the thing standing a hundred meters away, spikes growing from its back. She looked towards the mage next to her again but found the woman on the ground dead already. Her anger spiked as she ran towards the ranged beast, dodging the demon trying to tackle her.

She appeared next to the beast and punched deep into it, ripping out anything she got a good grip on until the thing fell lifeless to the ground. Looking back she found the dome not standing anymore, the demon with the mace like arm from before trying to get to the people inside. She flew back but before she could reach them a stream of red lightning impacted the creature’s chest, stopping its jump and pushing it into the ground. Ilea appeared behind it and punched it in its spine with an obsidian gauntlets, breaking it with the combined force of both attacks. The lighting stopped as she threw the lifeless body to the side, looking up to Trian.

The man was in his black armor, nodding to her in an exaggerated fashion. ‘Fucking idiot...’ she was happy to see him alive. He motioned in a specific direction and she followed, grabbing the two people who were still standing up, obviously injured. Her mana flowed into them as she flew behind Trian who she saw was aiming for a set of people having formed some sort of defense with walls of earth and metal, rune mages using their powers to enhance the defenses while ranged mages rained their spells onto the attackers, warriors and tanks defending the ground line. It was chaotic but they would have to work together to survive this.

Ilea landed in the middle and put the two people next to the other injured where two healers worked on them, nodding towards her. She would be more of a help fighting, that was for sure when she saw one of them creating a field of light healing ten people at once. Ilea flew upwards, checking her mana which was already down to around forty percent. There were people resting in the middle of the circle as two mages organized the gathered.

Ilea went for two attacking flying demons and caught them each in one hand before she flew downwards and smashed them into the ground right before a warrior with a massive ax. Nodding to the armored man, he lifted his weapon and smashed it into the ground, Ilea disappearing to engage a spindly monster with spikes as arms, running at the formation. The explosion of power behind her told of the demise of the two flying demons as she impacted the enemy, boned claws breaking through her defenses, scratching at her armor, Ilea using her higher weight to slam the monster to the ground, holding its back with her hands and head-butting it with her helmet while her wings and veil cut into the creature.

Using her legs to pin it down she started to deliver blows with her obsidian gauntlets, wrecking the enemy below her, its piercing weapons ineffective against her armor. She looked up to find another bull like creature charging at her but the elder who had reacted at first appeared above it, red flame around her axes as they impacted the monster, making it smash into the ground and skid towards Ilea. The elder looked at her and nodded before she vanished again, intercepting a flying demon two hundred meters away.

Ilea couldn’t help but smile as she blinked away as well, helping out a warrior defending against three heavy hitting monsters. Ice lances impacted their chests but were ineffective. Ilea appeared before one of the demons and kicked at its knees, breaking bone, blinking behind it and ripping away the bone plate covering its neck before another spike of ice dug into the creature and ending its life. She blinked backwards, avoiding another one’s blow as she repeated the same tactic, her teamwork with the mage somewhere above quite effective.

She stopped after that and walked to towards the enchanted and growing defensive line, using Meditation to regain as much resources as she could. The poison had worn off a while ago but she had to rest to avoid an early demise. Other warriors and mages had gathered around three people playing music and touching people. Ilea joined them and her mind focused more than ever as she heard the music, her will to fight and win strengthening immensely.

“You can heal on your own...” the woman in front of her said and walked to the next person, touching their chest and Ilea saw the small cuts on him heal slowly. She didn’t dare stay longer than a couple minutes, going back into the fight. Red lightning could be seen a couple hundred meters away as she saw Trian fly away from a group of pursuers. Abandoning the group, Ilea flew towards the man just when his magical energy ran out and he crashed into the ground, his lightning wings vanishing in the process.

A bone mace was about to hit him when Ilea jumped in to grab the man and fly away, the mace impacting only stone. She tried healing him but found it impossible. “What’s wrong sparky? Ran out of juice?” she asked as she flew back to the only recognizable defensible position in the near vicinity.

“Curses, and some of them block my drains… damn creatures.” the man said when a series of explosions resounded behind them, scattering the monsters as the two landed, Ilea ripping out the bone that was stuck in Trian.

“Didn’t you learn from Kyrian...” she scolded as she healed the slowly closing wounds caused by the enemy. “Where are the others?”

“I have no idea… thanks.” he said as he got up again, both of them meditating. The explosions didn’t stop, ripping through the demons who had pursued them, a mage flying above and then towards the exit of the Haven where more and more of the creatures made their way out.

“What the hell is happening?” Ilea asked, looking around at the carnage.

“I have no fucking clue… this isn’t the tournament I expected.” Trian answered.

“Ready?” she asked and the man nodded.

“Let’s find the others.” he said and flew off, Ilea following behind.

Claire held onto the power in her runes, blocking the horde of advancing creatures trying to get higher up and towards Viscera. “How long rune mage?” the man who had fetched and got her up here asked. A group of Hand members preparing their spells and auras behind her.

“Not long, a minute at most.” she said as the group readied themselves.

“What about the people down there?” someone asked “There’s hundreds of demons...” their voice was shaky.

“There are tens of thousands above as well...” another voice chimed in “I’m more worried about them, they’re not seasoned warriors.” suddenly a ranger appeared from behind as Claire looked at the wounded woman, collapsing as a healer ran towards her.

“Th...they are in the c… city...” she managed to say before she gasped, the healing power flowing through her.

“They’re breaking through!” a mage said as one of the demons used its magical power to infest Claire’s barrier with its energy.

“Your minute is up.” she said as warriors ran past her, spells fired towards the small corridor, her explosive runes placed in the corridor beyond ripping through the creatures.

“Three more over there!” Trian shouted as the two joined the three warriors fighting off a horde of demons, Ilea impacting five of them with all her speed as a stream of lightning impacted the other side of the enemies.

“How are your resources looking? Start meditating…” Ilea shouted, holding off a demon while punching another one below her. Trian flew around the group, his attacks drawing the monsters towards him as Ilea finished off one after the other. A minute later the warriors joined back in, their stamina recovered enough to help.

“There’s a group of survivors that way, go.” Trian shouted when all of them looked towards a specific location. A ripple formed in the air a couple hundred meters away as a complicated looking set of runes came to life, much bigger than anything from before. Reality itself ripped apart right before their eyes as a tear in space was forcefully opened up.

“We have to stop that...” Trian said and Ilea was flying at her top speed before he had even finished talking, overtaking the man in a moment. The tear was trembling but still getting wider and higher. Below it Ilea could make out a tall creature with clawed hands and spread arms, fin like extensions could be seen on its back before it flew into the tear in space.

“Focus on destroying the runes!” Trian shouted from behind, Ilea flying towards the crack when they saw something come out from the other side.

“I think we might be too late!” she shouted backwards, massive clawed limbs coming out of the tear, followed by an flood of water. The tear spread more, seemingly pushed open by the sheer strength of whatever was trying to get out. A head slowly moved out of the crack, similar looking like a crocodile but there were no eyes and it was about a hundred times bigger.

“What the hell is that?” Ilea shouted as more of the creature moved out, the flood of water reaching them at that point. The whole backside of the creature was just a set of wiggling tentacles as it flowed out of the crack completely, somehow levitating in the air. It opened its eyes to reveal not teeth but a black abyss when a pressure hit Ilea right before she wanted to slow down.

‘ding’ ‘You have felt the pulse of a mighty being. You are paralyzed for ten seconds.’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Veteran - lvl 1

You have experienced the shouts and spells of beings completely out of your range of imagination. You will not survive but at least you won’t be completely immobilized while you get eaten. Good luck warrior.

‘Can’t have fucking learned that with the last one...’ Ilea thought as she watched the abyss getting closer, unable to move her body or use her skills. ‘Fucking BULLSHIT!’ she shouted when a figure clad in flame smashed its two flaming axes into the monster’s head, the impact sending a shock wave outwards as the monster moved its arm towards the warrior, the female elder looking towards Ilea with a big grin on her face right before she was blown back by the wave of force coming from the creature’s mouth, apparently unable to teleport away as she was shot into the ground, skidding to a halt a hundred meters further back.

Ilea was still paralyzed as she continued to fly towards now not the creature but the crack in space. ‘Are you fucking kidding me...’ she thought as she entered the tear, water flowing into her mouth as she drifted deeper into the dark. ‘This isn’t good.’ she thought, using her Meditation, Mental and Fear Resistances to stop herself from panicking immediately. The sound of battle stopped immediately upon her arrival but the sound behind her made her nearly lose it, reminded of the last of the water leaving the tub after a finished bath.

‘Yea, bad.’ she thought as power flowed through her again, her Spherical perception spreading and preparing for impact but there was only one thing in the near vicinity. She held the remaining air within her lungs as she blinked towards Trian who had succumbed to the same fate. Looking backwards she found no tear and the flow of the water didn’t indicate any exit nearby. Nonetheless she swum with the still paralyzed man towards the supposed opening but found nothing. With her enhanced body she could search for a little longer but a feeling of fear and panic slowly settled in her stomach, only kept at bay by her skills.

The darkness around her didn’t respond and her air was slowly dwindling. ‘Focus Ilea...’ she thought and hoped to whatever deity was watching that they had come out the right way up, using all her power and even wings to swim upwards. A minute later the darkness was replaced by a dark blue, giving her at least a little bit of hope. Trian was coughing by now, the last of his air leaving him, Ilea covering his mouth with her own, pushing some of her own into him. The two worked together now to get up as quickly as they could, realizing their angle had been less than optimal.

Ilea used her healing power to heal both Trian and herself form the fast pressure release that managed to damage even their powerful bodies. Finally the two broke out of the water and coughed and breathed for a minute until their wings spread and got them higher above the water. Dark clouds were hanging above the still ocean with no end in sight in every direction. A set of three moons were shining down on them.

“Where the hell are we...” Ilea asked after a while, not quite expecting an answer out of the man.

Trian coughed again. “Wherever the demons are from I assume.”

“How do we get out?” Ilea asked. Trian just looked at her, neither were smiling anymore.

“Do you think there is land anywhere?”

“Probably… I might be able to use my third tier skill to get out but I can’t take you with me...” Trian had a complicated expression on his face but ultimately nodded.

“If you want to use it, then I suggest you do it as soon as possible.” he said.

“And leave you behind? No.” she said and looked around.

“Let’s go then, the less time we waste, the earlier we’re back. More and more I hate myself for not taking that underwater fighting course...” Ilea answered.

“If we can get back...” Trian said, following behind as the two flew higher and in a random direction.

“You saw the thing going into the crack… whatever, whoever that was found a way to get in. Means there must be a way to get out. Plus I have enough food with me to last us a while, we’ll figure something out. I hope… otherwise I’ll go out and try to get help.” Ilea said and chuckled. ‘Not the first time I was ripped out of a reality...’

Chapter 117 Salt

Chapter 117 Salt

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Arilla – Breaker lvl 196 – Demon]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Sakin – Bone Warrior lvl 203 – Demon]

Ilea skipped through the messages regarding the demons she had killed. Most of them were around level two hundred with three outliers, one of which being at two hundred and thirty.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 207 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 203 – 5 Stat points awarded’

Ilea put all her remaining points into Wisdom, bringing the stat up to 330.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘Not really helping me in this situation...’ Ilea thought as she kept flying at a high speed next to Trian, both of them quiet. The ocean was eerily still.

“What kind of third tier spells do you have?” she suddenly asked, trying to start a conversation.

“Lightning attack, I couldn’t yet chose any of my movement skills to get to the third level. Would probably make this situation a lot easier...” he sighed.

“Yea...” Ilea said as the two sped over the water. There were some waves now indicating that the ocean did change from time to time.

“Aki do you know anything about this place? I think at this point I’d rather know than hide you.” she suddenly said, Trian looking at her from the side. The two stopped and floated over the water, the moons bathing them in a pale light.

“Who’s Aki?” the man asked and Ilea unsheathed her dagger.

“This. And I swear you little shit if you act like you’re just a normal dagger to make me seem like an insane person I’ll put you back into the forge were you belong...” she held the dagger right before her face. Half a minute passed as Trian’s expression turned from confused to worried.

“Ilea I don’t think you….” he started but was interrupted by the dagger.

“Alright alright, I though it was funny. Hello Trian, nice to meet you.” he said and Ilea just sighed.

“You cheeky fuck...” the three continued flying onwards but at a slower pace. “Do you know anything about the demon realm?”

“I haven’t actually been here before. It’s fascinating. Thanks for being stupid enough to get into that portal. I’ve heard of a person going in before but that was a long long time ago. I’m not sure if they managed to get out again but apparently it was an accident. Now what I know is that you can’t just open portals on accident so this place might be a little different.” Aki explained.

“Nice to meet you too dagger. So you believe this realm is easier accessible? Demon summonings are rather known so maybe there is something...” Trian said.

“Exactly, you don’t hear about other beings being summoned. With a demon realm existing one would assume there are other realms as well. Why do we commonly only know about demon summonings?” Aki asked.

“There are other things one could summon. Animals and spirits would be among them but you have to catch them first or befriend them somehow. Perhaps we’ll find out something but if the demons can get out through summonings, maybe there’s a way out for us as well.” Trian added.

“Just make sure to not drop me down into the water. I’d rather not be trapped in that crap forever...” the dagger said.

“Where did you find him? He seems...” Trian asked.

“Familiar? Yea apparently he gets some influence from me so now you’ll be annoyed by two people at once. Found him in the Taleen dungeon I was in, truly a treasure trove though I compare this guy more to a cursed item you have to throw into mount doom.” Ilea said, sheathing Aki again.

“Again with the weird references...” Aki said. “Trian now that you know about me, fuck you for those lightning and draining attacks.”

“Noted.” the noble replied. The three continued onwards for another six hours before quickly stopping to eat and drink something in the air, not wanting to drink the salt water. Ilea was somewhat confident it wouldn’t be much of an issue for her body to make it work but they still had some resources stored away in their items.

“What’s that?” There to the right!” Ilea suddenly exclaimed.

“You’re dreaming Ilea...there’s nothing...” Trian said, flying onwards. It had been three days of nonstop flying and the man was getting a little delirious.

“She’s right, there’s something there...” Aki confirmed her observation.

“Come on, to the right!” Ilea said and took the man’s arm who followed without further complaint. In the distance the white speck Ilea had seen became bigger and bigger, behind it a set of another white specks came into view until the first one, a sizable chunk of rock protruding out of the water was clearly visible. The form of the rock didn’t look very natural to Ilea, too even and too many angles.

Finally reaching it, there was a platform they could land on on one side of the white rock. Trian immediately collapsed, sleeping in the span of ten seconds. “Weak.” Ilea commented in a joking manner. She bent down and licked her finger before touching it to the ground. Licking it again she spat on the rock. “Salt.”

“Of course you immediately lick the ground of the new place you’re in. Can’t level your poison resistance any other way...” Aki said.

“I regret revealing you Aki. This is all salt, rock salt to be exact...” Ilea commented as she sat down and summoned a meal. She made it vanish again a second later, thinking about their situation. They might need to ration at some point and they had eaten around ten hours ago already. She instead summoned her notebook and started sketching the surroundings, writing about their discoveries.

“What are you doing?” Aki asked, not seeing the page. She unsheathed him and put him on her lap.

“I’m documenting.” she simply stated.

“You surprise me time and time again Ilea. Is your brain going through random shrinking and growing processes occasionally?” the dagger asked but didn’t continue the banter upon not receiving an answer. He instead reminded her of some useful things she might want to note about the realm they had found themselves in.

“Does your hunting spell not pick up the thing you saw enter as well? Or anything else? I’d keep it running...” the dagger said. Ilea had already been doing that but found nothing so far except for water and salt.

“If I find something I’ll inform you.” she said and continued the drawing.

Trian woke up four hours later, obviously a little embarrassed for how long he slept, taking the next shift of guarding their little rock from anything that might appear. Ilea slept for around two hours before she got up again and saw Trian working on something quite similar to her own previous activity.

“Continue?” she asked in a tired voice, her buffs activating to rid her of the state, wings spreading behind her as Trian made his decorated leather book vanish. He nodded and followed. The last stretch of ocean was covered and the two landed on the bigger surface.

“I wonder if it’s just an island or something bigger...” Trian commented, looking out onto the rocky formations of salt, some of them going high enough to constitute as small mountains.

“I’m picking up things here… at least more than before...” Ilea said, using all her senses to try and locate something that wasn’t salt or water. There were some smells, dried blood at the edge of her Sphere and even a small bone left behind. “There were living things here and they’ve been here rather recently. I would assume this is where they live.” Ilea said, quite happy that they were standing on somewhat solid ground.

They decided to walk for a while, just enjoying the ground again until two hours later they started speeding over the difficult to navigate terrain again with their flying abilities, sometimes stopping so Ilea could check the surroundings. More of the same until finally another twenty minutes later they saw something move in the distance.

“That’s one of them alright...” Trian said, stopping in the air. Ilea looked at the thing running. It looked like one of the massive demons with an open ribcage. Suddenly the thing fell down and slowly got up again.

“Broken leg or what?” Trian asked.

“It’s hurt, yes. I don’t think it’s their own fault...” Ilea said, pointing to the left where another beast came into view. A massive ten meter long abomination with a worm like body and teeth all around and inside of the opening at the top of it. Ilea shivered just looking at it.

“Should we engage?” she asked, watching the scene before them.

“You should wait and see, fight the survivor.” Aki commented and the two others agreed, flying a little closer without alerting either of the monsters. The worm like creature tore into the other demon’s back, the latter stopping all resistance after half a minute.

“It’s eating isn’t it?” Ilea asked, the three now hovering above the creature.

[Demon – lvl 212]

“Yea, should we end it or follow it.” Trian asked, looking over to her.

“I can follow its trail now so we can finish it.” she said, her buffs flaring up before she blinked next to the creature’s perceived head. A kick made it stop eating and focusing on the newcomers. It cried out and was shut up by another kick, followed by lightning slamming into its body. Ilea dodged two of the beasts frantic movements before she lifted her hands in front of her, blocking the mass of teeth with her Veil of Ash as she pushed destructive mana into it.

The cries didn’t stop and while its attacks didn’t manage to get through her defenses, its own durability was rather impressive, outlasting both of their attacks for more than ten minutes until it decided flight was the better choice. Slithering away from them, the two mages didn’t relent until it stopped moving altogether.

‘ding’ Your group has defeated [Zar-Anil – Bone Warrior – lvl 212]’

“Not a single level up...” Ilea commented, seeing that not a single skill had leveled from the encounter.

“Only got a skill level… wanna find more of them then?” Trian asked as Ilea took in their surroundings, focusing on the trail left behind by the two creatures.

“I’m not sure we’ll find more of them that easily… at least we have a source of food should all else fail.” she commented, enjoying the look in his eyes. “Or is the though of eating demon flesh too disgusting for the noble...”

“Stop always calling me that. It’s not all I am and you know that.” Trian said, motioning for her to lead the way. Ilea just shrugged, running and occasionally stopping to take in the scents around her.

“I know it isn’t Trian.” she said after a while but didn’t elaborate on it.

“Is this the forbidden romance growing inside the demon realm?” Aki said right after her remark.

“Why again do you carry around that piece of metal?” Trian asked, the three coming up on a cliff side. There was no water on the other side but a flat plane of salt, single creatures visible in the distance.

“If I’m ever again stuck inside a temple I’ll at least have someone to talk to...” she said and twirled the dagger before sheathing it again. This time no remark came from Aki. “Wanna go hunt, maybe if we kill enough of the creatures we’ll lure out the boss of this place.”

“The boss? I’m not sure there is something akin to that Ilea.” Trian said but didn’t oppose to hunting. Fighting something after three days of flying over a nearly motionless body of water had certainly been quite boring.

“Hello, can you show us how we can get out of...” Ilea started and moved to the side, two of the shot bone shards scratching at her veil before they impacted the ground a couple dozen meters further back. “Well that’s rude my friend.” she said, staring into the massive mouth of the creature before her. Another set of bone shards slowly grew from the left behind holes.

“Though if I looked like that I’d be pissed as well most of the..” she couldn’t finish and blinked closer, both avoiding the attack and moving in to engage. Lightning crashed into the creature when her fists hit at the same time. The two didn’t relent as more and more blood and guts splattered on her before the creature burst completely.

“Eww, fucking tone it down man.” Ilea said, using her ash manipulation to push away the blood still sticking to her Veil.

“You’re shielded aren’t you. Just imagine if you didn’t have that skill.” Aki said.

“The smell is bad enough...” Ilea said, looking at the remains of the demon they had hunted down. The forth one already on the plane. And the forth one that didn’t respond to their questions with anything else but bones and a bad breath.

“I don’t see this going anywhere...” Ilea said, folding her hands before her. “It took what, three hours to hunt those and we’re not getting anywhere...”

“What else would you suggest? We can only follow their trails until we find something. Whatever that may be.” Trian said.

“Or we get you high enough for another third tier skill, just keep using that teleportation spell.”

“I don’t think that’s viable...” he shook his head.

“Better than nothing, at least I got a level from this so it’s not a complete waste.” Ilea said, putting the new stat points into Intelligence, her main class having reached two hundred and eight.

“Yea but we’re not… wait… what is that? Do you feel that?” Trian said slowly hovering towards a specific direction.

“Feel what? Not really. If you can sense anything then let’s go, whatever it is it’s better than following these bloody demons. Lead the way!” Ilea said and followed behind after he nodded, picking up the pace.

“It’s like it’s calling for me, a pulse of mana but it’s weak. Very weak and far away.” Trian tried to explain, five minutes later Ilea could feel it too. It was faint, so incredibly faint and she was impressed that he had managed to make it out. Might have to do with her lack of skill based mana sight.

“Look at that...” Ilea said a couple minutes later. “Seems like we’re not the only ones looking...” a winged gray blue creature with clawed tentacles for legs was moving in the same direction as them. “Should we take it down?”

Trian didn’t respond as a bolt of red energy left his fingers and impacted one of the creature’s wings, grounding it a second later. Ilea landed hard on it and smashed into it with both her fists until it wasn’t moving anymore, only a paste of blood and guts remaining before her. She got up again and followed Trian who hadn’t stopped to watch. The demon had been below level two hundred and no level up messages appeared after the kill.

“We’re getting closer.” he said when she caught up.

“Yea, I can feel it pretty well now too… look around you, that wasn’t the only one.” she said and watched as dozens of different creatures robbed, slithered and flew towards the intended destination. None of them seemed to care for each other or for the two humans in the mix and Ilea got a bad feeling about the whole thing.

“We should slow down, see where this is going.” she shouted towards the man who nodded, slowing down a little as the two continued to advance. Coming over a small hill they came to a halt, the scene before them a scene of chaos. Hundreds of demons were circling around one humanoid creature holding a crude looking staff of bone, its black eyes hollow as it pushed visible mana into the runes painted in blood all around the area.

“What the hell is that...” Ilea said right before the creatures all came to a halt and red energy was released from the runes below, leaving no track of the humanoid creature behind.

“It vanished… as did the pulse...” Trian said, the monsters around them slowing to a halt before some of them started screeching, looking around in a confused manner.

“Some of the monsters did as well...” Aki said, surprising the two of them. Chaos followed as the demons started attacking each other, having lost the binding of the mana pulse that had vanished with the staff wielder. Flesh and bone ripped as the battle commenced, Ilea looking over to her team mate with a grin below her black helmet.

“Feel like joining?” she asked, the man just sighing as red lightning crackled around his arms.

“Think they’ll gang up on us?” he asked, slowly hovering higher.

“I sure hope they will...” Ilea said, punching together her fists as her bladed Blue Steel gauntlets appeared, her chosen weapons for the occasion. “The one who gets less pays for dinner!” she shouted and ran in, appearing closer to the horde with a blink, the blades already cutting deep into an unfortunate demon standing a little too close to her.

“Fewer.” Trian murmured, lightning gathering around him before a massive explosion of red light ripped through a group of monsters.

Chapter 118 Mind Weaver

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, two chapters today. Won't be available for two weeks afterwards but chapters are scheduled for next Saturday as well

Hope you enjoy and let me know about errors, your favourite ice cream and possible improvements on the story/writing.

Cheers

Chapter 118 Mind Weaver

Ilea’s veil reformed when another set of claws was stopped by it, her bladed gauntlets cutting into the monster’s mouth and beyond as she pushed on, grabbing its jaw and ripping downwards. It screeched, Ilea ripping out the blade to blink towards her next target, her blades flashing, two tentacles and two bony legs removed from her enemy. The blob of meat fell to the ground when her bladed gauntlets turned black and she landed in an explosion of gore and blood, some of it splattering on her armor even through her veil.

She looked up to find a massive demon charging at her, her body moving skillfully towards the beast as she turned with the exact timing to merge her full bodyweight and enhanced power into a destructive and heavy punch that stopped the monster in its tracks. Ilea moved back barely a single meter as she heard the bones crack, blinking upwards to deliver another punch aided by the massive weight of her gauntlets. This time what she thought of as the spine was the target, her fist smashing the bone as if it were just a wooden twig. The creature fell down and Ilea jumped towards its head and finished it with a stomp of her armored boot.

Looking around, she found a blood red battlefield covered in corpses, a smell worse than what she had ever experienced and a flying mage delivering death upon a group of zealous demons. Some of them were still fighting each other, unaware of the intruders. Whenever they did notice they turned on the humans but Ilea quite welcomed the confusion, stomping again on the clean ground next to her to remove the guts that had splattered up her leg.

The obsidian gauntlets vanished again as her speed increased, landing with a bladed twirl of her other weapons in a group of entangled monsters, already injured by their previous battle. Tendons were cut and limbs removed as Ilea dodged and weaved through the seven creatures around her, ash spreading to distract and shroud as she cut and killed, ripping through them like a hurricane of blades.

A heavy impact on her back sent her flying, unable to blink or dodge the attack that likely wasn’t even meant for her but for the creature she still had her blades sunken into. Ilea skidded to a halt, coughing up blood into her helmet before her healing skill took over. The beast focused on her again and she danced backwards to avoid any further hits, appearing before its head after the third back step, her blades both sinking into its head. It grabbed at her, making her store her gauntlets and blink downwards, kicking into the back of the demon’s legs, making it stumble.

Her bladed weapons around her arms again, she removed the legs altogether with another set of attacks before a blink landed her on top of its chest, a set of heavy punches landing into it as the three meter tall muscled creature desperately tried to get away the under two meters woman destroying its bones and organs with her black gauntlets. Her veil protected her from the enemy’s claws until it finally stopped moving altogether, Ilea blinking away right before a set of bone spears entered her.

The armored woman ran through the splattered and broken corpses while avoiding any projectiles, looking for more fighting creatures ready to be surprised.

Trian used his ranged attacks to fry any clustered groups of demons engaged with each other or running after Ilea who managed to attract more attention than she thought she did. Compared to the demons that had attacked the tournament half a week ago these seemed to be more preoccupied with each other than the two humans but then again the situation was considerably more chaotic for the members of the hand, now the whole thing was reversed, at least the surprising party was.

The two continued moving through the thinning mass of demons, Trian noticing that many of them actually started running away from the area, either injured or visibly weaker than the remaining actors. Ilea dodged a set of bone spears and finally managed to make out the aggressor, a mass of flesh regrowing bone as it slithered around a mound of corpses, hiding away right after the attack. The woman came to a halt and blinked towards the enemy, keeping her buffs and sphere up as she activated Meditation, ready to move quicker again as soon as the situation required.

She wasn’t in any dire need of a pause yet but in a battle like this one had to pace oneself, otherwise the remaining enemies may be too much and this time Ilea didn’t think she could just run to the next room as she did with the Taleen robots. These demons looked like they’d hunt her down right up to the ocean and perhaps even beyond. “Come on out little one...” Ilea whispered, spotting a bit of movement next to the mound, spears of bone flying towards her before she blinked, her field of vision changing to the enemy standing in front of her, not quite ready for what was to come.

Shaking her shrouded fist of the guts and blood, Ilea looked around while Meditation helped her restore some of the spent energy. Trian was flying in the distance, followed by a couple flying demons and two rather slim ones running below, occasionally throwing a corpse or bone his way. Her buffs active, the blue and red light inside her helmet reassured her as her fist closed and reopened, a cold breath leaving her mouth. “Alright.” she said and started running, ignoring the smell of blood in the air and the terrifying noises of screaming monsters ready to tear out her limbs.

The two slim creatures were running and watching Trian in the air, avoiding the thrown projectiles and flying monsters behind him when the armored and buffed level two hundred First Hunter crashed into them, her weight and speed aiding the bladed weapons to cut through both of their necks with a precise motion, their bodies sliding onwards for several meters before they came to a stop. The Hunter had already left the position, jumping up with the help of her ashen wings she was following Trian’s pursuers and cut them down one by one, in the end nearly colliding with the man who finished the last of them.

More demons had noticed the two humans in the meantime, following them on foot mostly as Ilea nodded to Trian before she turned around, her heavy gauntlets equipped before she flew downwards and into the first of the creatures with her full weight, the demon’s claws cutting through her veil and scratching at her armor in its last living movement. A set of spears scratched at her chest armor, pushing her back when one of the projectiles fired from close range managed to pierce right below her shoulder, destroying her right lung right before Ilea saw a boned mace land on her chest from the left. She managed to blink twenty meters backwards and pulled out the bone with a scream as a burst of lightning stopped the running mass of demons closing in on her.

Hunter Recovery took over as the wound closed and the spear was tossed aside. Ilea let out a hiss and focused on the ranged demon slithering between the more aggressive monsters. She blinked inside as lightning wrecked through their adversaries, her fists smashing into the creature, leaving it close to death before she ducked, the bladed bone rushing over her head, her left hand landing on the ground before a kick sent the demon behind her flying. She blinked upwards, summoning her bow and shooting a lightning arrow into the injured ranged attacker, killing it instantly.

The bow vanished and was replaced by obsidian gauntlets that landed with a heavy punch into the massive creature blocking the way of even more monsters. Two more punches landed before the beast extended its ribcage outwards, piercing Ilea on several weak spots in her armor. She pushed herself off before blinking next to Trian, blocking several thrown spears with her arms. The man wasn’t completely fine either, pierced by more than a single projectile.

“We should go, that thing you just attacked is blocking like fifty more of them...” he said and she nodded, flying upwards while touching him, sending a healing pulse through the man.

“Get those spears out.” she said as the two flew upwards, avoiding more projectiles coming from below thanks to her Sphere and some intercepting lightning. Trian started ripping out the bladed weapons, leaving heavily bleeding wounds behind that Ilea immediately took care of, her own injuries stabilized already. Looking downwards she saw some flying enemies following but they wouldn’t be much of a problem.

“You alright for more?” Trian nodded, breathing out.

“Give me a minute...” he said. Ilea nodded as they continued upwards, already inside a low hanging cloud. The two stopped after exiting above and Ilea intercepted the flying monsters coming from below with a grin below her helmet. She blinked behind the first creature, cutting into its back with her bladed gauntlets and pushing her destructive mana into it through her legs that wrapped around it. Feeling a lack of struggle from the creature, she let it fall down and blinked to the next one, her wings letting her avoid its sharp claws coming for her. The other flying demons focused on her now as well, Trian still hanging a couple dozen meters higher up as Ilea smashed her fist into the next unfortunate demon.

“Fuck...” she gurgled, one of them having managed to get through her defenses with a clawed arm, cutting into her neck. She grabbed and threw it away before stopping the bleeding with her hand, her healing taking over right after. Lightning coursed through the enemy she had thrown as two more of them advanced, making her blink behind them. Ilea grabbed them by their necks and held them upwards when a massive bolt of lightning coursed through the three of them. They stopped struggling as Ilea’s veil started rebuilding through her team mate’s attack, her Resistances to his magic likely miles higher than the adversaries she let drop a moment later, their lifeless bodies entering the clouds below.

Silence followed after, Ilea getting her health up to the max as her meditation skill helped her regain the used mana. Summoning her weapons took a little less out of her than a combination of Wave of Ember and Destruction and for the demons it was preferable to attack with blunt or bladed weapons instead of her usual mana intrusion. Trian slowly made his way down to her.

“Couple minutes then I’m ready.” he said and got a nod in response.

“Me too, you think they’re fighting each other again down there?” she asked, looking down not seeing a thing through the dense clouds.

“Let’s hope so, otherwise we might have to move away from here at this altitude...” Trian answered.

“Let’s move a little while we meditate then, some are certainly waiting right below.” she said and the two slowly flew into a random direction.

Around seven minutes later the two slowly made their way downwards expecting either scattered enemies or a bloodbath between the creatures. The actual circumstance of the battlefield was rather different as the remaining fifty or so demons of various sizes were standing as if frozen, clustered in a group below where the two humans had flown upwards.

“What are they...” Ilea started when a heavy pressure suddenly pushed against her head, breaking her concentration and making her wobble in the air. Trian’s wings vanished as he started plummeting downwards, caught a couple meters later by Ilea, her veil up and consciousness fighting against the mind attack she was very familiar with. ‘Knocking out Trian in a single hit...’ she thought, shaking her head as she pushed healing mana into the man in her arms. The attack was strong certainly and had taken them off guard but it was brute force compared to Eve’s attacks she had trained with.

‘Where the hell is it...’ she thought, looking around, finding a single demon looking towards her from the middle of the clustered group, his head sporting the same black holes as the staff wielder had. The same look as the demon summoned into the necromancer home so many months ago. Compared to then it was easy to resist, the pain but a distant phantom gnawing at her brain as she locked her eyes with the lack of his, or hers.

“HuuuMan.” its voice echoed through her head, the sound of its voice more painful than the mind attack that was still hammering into her defenses.

“Yes, human. Nice to meet you demon. Would you be so kind and stop this so we can deck it out like the monsters we are?” she asked in a more than sarcastic tone.

“YoU ResIst? How?” its voice sounded more curious than anything else. Compared to the arrogant supremacist demon she had met before this one seemed rather pleasant. Maybe second date material even.

“I have fought your kind before.” Ilea answered, curious as well as to the nature of her enemy. The other demons seemed rather adamant on getting their teeth into her, Trian and each other for that matter. Getting information wasn’t her strong suit but even Ilea realized that perhaps this time talking came before her fists. The fifty demons likely under the adversary’s control didn’t help the fist argument either.

“YoU HavE, aNd SURviVED???!” the creature was now moving a little closer to them, actually hovering over the ground at around half a meter.

“I like that hovering, is that a skill?” Ilea burst out, actually interested as it did look rather cool to her.

“AaaH YeeS, IT iiiS sloW but AERiAL comBaT is POSsible. ThOSe ThiNGS wHAt arE thEY?” the other demons had turned towards them and were marching closer, pushing away the corpses of their fallen brethren as they mindlessly advanced. Ilea was a little confused as to the question but the motions the demon did with its hands made her understand.

“Ah yes, those are my wings. Ashen wings to be exact.” she answered, slowly moving backwards at the same pace as the creature advanced. Trian was still out and she was pretty sure she would lose against the combined forces of the enemy without his help. At least without flying away.

“WiNGs? AshEN? ThAT is IntERESTING!” the shout inside her brain made Ilea wince.

“Do you not have those… can you talk a little less loud, you’re hurting my brain.” she asked.

“LeSS LoUd… Do you mean this?” the voice was still uneven but much less loud. “I can do that but are you sure you can understand me?”

Ilea nodded “I can hear you just fine, before you were shouting.” Ilea said.

“AAAAHhhhh yes, your skills in mind magic are inadequate at best. For the sake of curiosity I will humor you. No, we do not have wings but they do look similar to some of the flying variations of spawn. The word itself was unfamiliar. Ash is new as well, what is it?” it asked, the whole group of beings slowly moving through the salt desert while the conversation went on. Ilea was certainly impressed with the creature’s ability to keep so many of the demons under control.

“I have answered some of your questions, now it’s your turn to answer some of mine.” she said, immediately a strong force of magic pushing against her mind. Ilea was ready and endured, her healing pulsing through her.

“HoW DaRE YoU DeMANd?! SpAWN!!” the demon was shouting again. Ilea’s negotiations were certainly not going well.

“I’m not spawn and if you don’t answer I’ll just fly away and you won’t get anything out of it. Are you not interested in trading information?” she asked.

“Trade… you do look quite unlike spawn. Are you not human then? Is that black shell… perhaps a new species?” the demon seemed to calm down again.

“I’m not sure what you mean by spawn actually. I’m human but I can obviously resist you so are you interested in new information. I can tell you about ash… about fire and lightning. Hmm?” Ilea said. “Or I can fly away and you will be left with nothing.”

The demon stopped as did the fifty creatures around it. “Intriguing. You are human but your logic is sound. I will have to add this to the collection. What is it you desire to know?” the demon asked, Ilea rejoicing in her mind.

“Finally. Alright...” she said, quite unsure of what question to ask first. “Aki you there?” she whispered. “What should I ask it?”

“I’m here, didn’t want to interrupt this miracle from happening. It’s like watching two imbeciles of different species figure out fire together.” the dagger commented, making the demon look at the piece of metal.

“Another artifact, with a bound soul. Interesting...” the demon said, not trying to hide the words.

“Will you help me or not? Not like the ten thousand year swimming lesson isn’t still up my friend.” Ilea chuckled.

“Alright alright. We need to know where we are and how we can get out. Focus on that and don’t get distracted by unnecessary things as you usually do.” the dagger said. Ilea nodded and focused.

“Alright demon you heard him. Where are we?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t understand. You are here human.” the demon answered.

“What, no. I mean how is this place called? Is it part of Elos or are we somewhere else?”

“This?” the demon motioned around him and to the ground below. “I do not know of Elos. The salt is referred to as the great emptiness by some.” it said.

“What about the ocean around it?” Ilea asked, receiving a confused gesture from the monster. “The water around the salt?” still nothing “The waves you know...” she moved Trian in a wavy motion.

“We do not speak of this.” the demon said.

“Aaaalright then. So the great emptiness… well that’s not helping. How do we get out? Any idea?”

“Out, yes. You want to leave as well then?” Ilea’s mood sunk a little at the realization that they might not be the only ones trying to get out of here.

‘This might take a while...’ she thought.

Chapter 119 Bone dog

A note from Rhaegar

Scheduled robot upload beep boop beep. HELLO THERE HUMAN. I'm fucking weird. Welcome to my story!

Chapter 119 Bone dog

“I might have some info on that but won’t give that to you just like that. We came here to find someone, they entered right before we did.” Ilea said.

“And they came here on their own? A realm traveler then… Perhaps they can bring us away from here then. It is decided, non spawn human. You will serve me on this purpose to find the realm traveler.” the demon said.

‘It’s interpreting quite a bit but nothing too far from the truth...’ Ilea thought, looking at Aki. “What do you think?”

“Well this way you’ll get help from the thing and whatever group its part of. Just make sure it doesn’t realize you have nothing to offer in regards of realm traveling as it calls it.” the dagger said and Ilea nodded.

“Sure, we can work together. I’m not gonna be following your orders but we’ll find the thing faster if we work together...” Ilea said, thinking about the thing that had entered the portal. If it went into another direction and this plane was as vast as Elos, they had very little chance of finding it.

“Do you have any idea where to start? Are there cities around here or places of power or something?” Ilea asked, not sure she would follow the being in there should it suggest such a thing. Right now she assumed it wanted out of this place as much as her considering the demon actually agreed to work with her. Of course it would betray Ilea and Trian the first chance it got but at the moment she felt reasonably safe. Should escape be needed, it would be trivial to flee from the slow moving mind mage.

“Beings wander the salt. There are some places I can think of but it would be dangerous to go there. I saw you fight so you distract whatever being there is and I check what’s inside.” the demon said.

“We switch up the distractions, then I’m fine with it. As you’ve attacked me before you will distract the first thing we find.” Ilea stated. “And you stop using your magic on my friend here, otherwise this partnership ends now and I kill all of you.” Ilea finished, smiling below her horned helmet.

“You threaten me? Aaaah...alright, I agree to your terms.” the being said after a while, the prospect of leaving this place likely more compelling than throwing away such an opportunity. Perhaps it was fear that drove it as well, seeing the woman unharmed by its magic.

Ilea checked through her messages when Trian finally woke up a couple minutes later, the two following the mind weaver through the flat environment, only clouds and nearly white ground visible in the distance.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ptulin – Breaker lvl 184 – demon]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated….’

She skipped through the names and levels of the demons, noting that some of them were more than twenty levels above her own, making her proud of the fight. Though she didn’t want to think of demons armed with armor and specialized weapons and magical gear. Perhaps the result would have been different in that case. Her armor and gauntlets certainly helped her stay efficient against the different enemies she had fought. Checking the more interesting notifications, she found quite a bit of level ups.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 209: 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 210: 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘ Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 204: 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘ Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 205: 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 7’

Ilea’s Mental Resistance didn’t level even after the strong assault which actually made her even more confident at working with the demon, at least if it was only one of them. The staff wielder they had seen before wasn’t anywhere to be found so she wasn’t quite certain the demons worked together. There was of course the possibility that the one that vanished couldn’t take another sentient demon with him or it did something completely different, like blowing itself up with a new spell it tried out.

Ilea chuckled at the idea and looked down to Trian, having finished checking her messages. “Awake sleeping princess?”

He rubbed his eyes as her healing mana continued to flow into his head specifically. ‘Can’t cure a retard but it’s worth a try.’ she thought when he answered.

“I’m not a princess, what happ….” his wings came to life as Ilea let go of the man and lightning formed around him.

“Chill out, we’re working with them!” Ilea shouted, blinking between the group of demons moving in front of them and Trian.

“What?” the man simply stated.

“She struck a deal with the thing, it wants to get out of here as well it seems. I theorize what we saw the staff wielder do was just that… getting out. And the other demons wanted a piece of that.” Aki explained quickly before Ilea started talking.

“Basically that, yea. Don’t worry I know it will tear us to pieces as soon as it gets the chance but right now we should try and work with it. It knows the place and its inhabitants.” Ilea supplied as well.

Trian just floated in the air and looked at them a little confused before he sighed. “What the hell have I gotten myself into...” he thought and looked around. “Well I agree it’s the best way for us to find a way out but honestly, this is bloody ridiculous.” he commented.

“Well you’re the one without a third tier teleportation spell...” Ilea mumbled as she watched the man fly closer to the group in front of them before she followed behind.

“You don’t know if your blink works from here you know?” Aki said and Ilea had to agree but something told her the skill would manage just fine. If a horny necromancer could summon a demon then her third tier suicide moss cult skill would do the trick.

“Demon!” Trian called out, making the being stop and with it the group of horrors around it, their bodies of flesh and bone slushing to a stop on the salt ground.

“What is it other human?” the voice resounded through the surroundings but Ilea had to wonder how the sound moved, it felt different than normal noise, magical in nature.

“I understand we are to work together to get back to our plane.” Trian said “I would like to understand some things about you and your kind first before we continue. Answer my questions and ask yours should you have any. If you don’t this arrangement ends.” he finished.

The demon looked towards them with its dark abyss like eyes before it started speaking a full minute later. “You are aware of our plight but do not think yourself superior or in control human. Should you overstep yourself I won’t hesitate to end you with all the power I can muster.”

Trian looked towards Ilea who just shrugged. “Ask your questions...” it said with a hiss.

“You are sentient. Your goal is to reach another plane, why?” Trian said. “We hear legends of demon summonings and appearances all over our continent with promised contracts and control assured.”

The demon made a noise Ilea couldn’t quite interpret. Perhaps an ethereal chuckle would be the closest thing. “Look around you human.” it said and gestured, the beings around it sloshing a little further away. “There is nothing but blood and salt in this place. The flesh we eat is of our own. There is nothing but pain and struggle here… that is reason enough to seek another realm, something all the sentients learn of early on. Some manage to leave but we do not know where to. It may be better or worse but having lived in this place for two hundred years I want nothing more than to see something different, to feel something else. The gift of sentience and mind magic is but a curse to bear… but also an opportunity. You are not meant to have this knowledge but I have lived to long to care. I want. To get. Away.” it finished, turning away and continuing to move towards their destination.

“That’s more than I expected...” Trian said in a quiet voice, Ilea flying next to him.

“Seems like a shit place to be in honestly. If we can all get out then that’s great.” she said to the man before they followed the mind mage.

“How should we call you?” Trian asked towards the being.

“Names hold power human, do you not know that?” it asked. “Demon is sufficient or if you like mind weaver, you know of my abilities already.”

“What does it mean?” Ilea asked.

“Alright, mind weaver it is.” Trian said. “I’m not sure regarding the name thing.” he looked towards Ilea and shrugged.

“Why don’t you ask it?” Aki suggested.

Trian nodded. “What do you mean by names hold power?” he asked.

“That is a question for which I will want an answer of my own.” the demon said. “You will tell me of fire and lightning as you have promised.”

Trian looked at Ilea and she smiled at him. “They apparently don’t have that here…” she said.

“Deal.” Trian accepted the proposal.

“Very well. I know of more than one skill that if at a high enough power it can reveal things about a being of which you know the true name. The extent of said knowledge I do not know about but be wary.” it said.

“Interesting… maybe that’s why?” Ilea murmured “The Hand doesn’t usually share their names with outsiders right?” Ilea said to Trian.

“Perhaps, yes. I’m sure the elders know more.” he said.

“Or Dagon will...” Ilea commented.

The group flew for quite a while, their tempo reduced considerably by the demon that was now carried by one of his minions. It didn’t seem like the beasts had any way of fighting back against the mind weaver’s hold. Trian had explained a lot about lightning and fire to the demon who listened carefully, asking questions from time to time.

“Do they not get resistant to your magic at some point?” Ilea asked, the mind weaver looking towards her.

“They know what will happen should they fight back. And they know that if they follow me their chances of getting away are considerably higher. Even their degenerated brains understand this.” it explained, Ilea nodding and looking at the monsters. She smiled at the though of none of them actually in control, more a symbiotic relationship. Somehow it made her feel a little more at ease. Maybe not all of them would try to slaughter them on command but instead flee. In the end it was better not to find out.

Five hours of traveling later the demon slowly came to a halt. They had exchanged knowledge but found the being either lacking or unwilling to tell them about some of the questions they had asked. Specifically about their kind, the beasts under its control and the ocean. Ilea feared the massive body of water enough as it was, this eldritch demon unwilling to talk about it didn’t quite help ease that feeling.

“We have arrived. Can you feel it?” the demon asked and both of the humans looked out onto the area before them. There were pits here, all around hundreds of meters before them. Ilea strained her senses and could feel a soft pulse but nothing substantial.

“I can. It’s of magical nature. Is it one of the beings inhabiting the place?” Trian asked.

“Perhaps, yet it is more likely a facility of the Old. A place to start our search.” the demon said.

“The Old? You haven’t mentioned those before. Who are they? Another race from here?” Ilea asked.

“It is possible. I only know of the facilities. It is said they come from the Old. I have not met a being declaring itself one of them in my life.” the demon supplied.

“The facilities aren’t guarded? Are they some kind of ruin?” Trian asked.

“Ruin? I’m not sure what you mean. They are not guarded but their power attracts many a being. The craters you see are likely from a fight between beings trying to claim it.”

“Have you ever been inside one of those places?” Ilea asked the demon.

“Yes.” it simply stated. “Do not try to comprehend the runes, should there be any. It is… unwise.” it said when one of the monsters under its control started running towards the craters.

“Trying to lure something out?” Ilea said more to herself. “That demon is below two hundred...” a loud noise resounded when a hound like demon emerged from one of the craters, smashing one of its four clawed legs onto the scout demon, smashing it completely.

“What the hell is that...” Trian asked, the monster looking like a greyhound on steroids with bones growing out to form spikes, its bloodshot eyes staring at them.

“Dunno but it looks hungry.” Ilea said.

“I will distract it while you explore as we have discussed.” the mind weaver said but Ilea had other plans.

“That seems manageable, do you wanna fight it sparky?” she said to her team mate, not wanting to use his name in front of a potential enemy anymore.

“Sure, not like the hours we save would help us much...” Trian answered as the two flew over the allied force of demons and towards the monster.

“Attack its mind and use your ranged fighters to weaken it. Don’t try anything stupid.” Trian said to the mind weaver before following Ilea.

“If the demon tries anything we fly up, doesn’t look like that one can fly...” he said, looking at the dog that sniffed the air in front of it. Getting closer, the demon started running towards them, its paws crashing into the ground below.

“That dog isn’t even cute...” she murmured before the monster opened its mouth, red energy filling it before a blast nearly engulfed them, both Ilea and Trian teleporting to their respective side and avoiding the attack. “Bad dog.” she said as she dodged away from the paw that moved towards her. The thing was only showing question marks but the usual two so she wasn’t too worried about fighting it.

A moment later the beast looked towards the group of demons in the distance and growled, the mind weaver’s attack not going as unnoticed as Eve’s attacks were to some monsters. It didn’t have long to be distracted before both Ilea’s and Trian’s attacks started hitting, much more physical and imminent. Ilea’s bladed gauntlets cut through the tough muscles on the monster’s legs while Trian focused mostly on its head, melting away the beast’s eyes before the counter attacks had him dodge again.

Ilea overextended a little with her slashing and was blown away by the sudden and unnatural movement of one of the beast’s legs, moving backwards and against its supposed joints. Blood burst out of her mouth as her veil was pushed into her chest, blowing her ribs backwards into her organs. Nothing broke but Ilea would be out of the fight for at least half a minute until her healing would take care of the worst damage.

She blinked backwards twice and found the beast advancing on her again, already at the first blink’s position. Ilea was injured still and this time moved upwards, carried by her wings and teleportation when more lightning hit the monster’s back. Set on its target the monster ignored both Trian and the demon and jumped, intending to intercept the flying warrior. Ilea’s sphere told her exactly when to move as she blinked downwards right below the beast’s maw, using her heavy gauntlets to deliver a punch to the soft flesh.

With the impact came an unexpected counterattack, a bone suddenly extending out of the dog’s neck and straight into Ilea’s defenses. It scratched past her veil and armor, sending the woman spiraling through the air, unbalanced by the force of the attack. ‘Fucking hell what is this thing...’ she thought, blinking away from a beam of energy it sent her way.

The monster wasn’t slowed down by the other mages’ attacks yet and continued to barrel towards her, its body opening up in some places to reveal even more teeth and spiked bone. “You ugly fuck.” Ilea said and engaged, this time without any gauntlets but with her traditional fighting style, unable to determine if cutting or blunt damage would even be effective against this monstrosity. Blinking on top of the beast, she released a kick with her destructive mana into the beast while her recovery finished taking care of her internal bleeding.

A set of tentacles rushed out of the beast nearby, making her dodge downwards and to the right, with every movement releasing punches and kicks into the beast. Both her own damage and the one sustained by the enemy would increase with time, aided by Wave of Ember and Form of Ash and Ember. Knowing the monster only looked like a solid dog instead of the blob of meat and bones it actually was. The dodging continued, Ilea dancing around the monster’s surface, delivering punches and kicks as she evaded bones and grabbing arms of flesh shot towards her. The flesh below her opened up more than once, leaving her no choice but to blink away. With her second stage of Azarinth Reversal, Ilea would be able to keep this up for quite some time, practically reducing her Destruction mana cost even more, each hit removing a little of the monster’s mana pool and adding to her own.

Chapter 120 Diamonds in the sky

A note from Rhaegar

And the second upload, hope you had an alright week. Look at this if you didn't: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc917wPX1x8

Chapter 120 Diamonds in the sky

The ranged attacks slowly showed their effect as the monster’s wounds closed slower, more and more burned flesh remaining as it was but the dog certainly wasn’t out of tricks. With a sudden and faster than expected movement, no doubt helped by magic or a skill, the beast turned around, doing a barrel roll with its whole mass. Ilea blinked away as far as she could but was still caught in the cascade of flesh and bone, the impact flinging her downwards and into the salt ground before the mass of the beast followed, its immediate impact preventing her from blinking away.

Teeth and tentacles tried to grind down her defenses as she screamed and punched back, the mana leaving her body before it burned into the monster’s flesh. Her defenses were breached and the impacts rocked through her, the juggernaut armor the only thing preventing her death. Summoning her bladed weapons, she cut through several tentacles and crouched down before she blinked out of her predicament, the skill working again after the beast’s assault was interrupted and she wasn’t in direct contact anymore.

‘Damn that was close...’ she thought, inspecting the blunt damage she had received from the attacks. Were it not for her armor, she wasn’t sure about her survival with that one. ‘That’s what it’s there for though...’ she grinned and punched her armored chest, the veil of ash appearing around her again, healing mana flowing through her. The monster slowly crept upwards and out of the crater it had created with its skill, moving towards Ilea with a frenzy. She didn’t blink away and instead answered with a hard punch of her own, their momentum adding together to shred both the beast’s flesh and Ilea’s arm and shoulder.

The damage healed quickly as the beast continued to push against the woman with its full weight, spikes of bone and sharpened limbs pushed against her defenses as she hit back with all she had. The tactic worked and would kill the beast in time as both the somewhat friendly demon and Trian were bombarding it from a distance, their full attention focused on dealing more damage to their foe.

Ilea’s heels pushed into the salt ground, pressured by the unrelenting attacks. She blinked away right before her veil was broken through again and calmed down, the beast slowing down its assault, not following her immediately but instead breathing hard as it locked eyes with the woman, still standing after all of its attacks. Ilea just smiled below her helmet, every second the monster gave her another second spent with meditation. Every second another strike she would deliver.

Their stare down didn’t last long, Ilea not even sure it counted considering their differing numbers of eyes. Lightning rained from above and into the monster’s exposed back, covered by less and less protective bone. Blood pooled on the ground below, creating a scent of death in the area as Ilea advanced again, tired of waiting. There was no way of telling if the beast had a regenerative ability as well and she didn’t want it to focus on Trian, his healing was substantially worse than her own. Plus it was fun.

Her hit landed right in the somewhat reformed leg of the creature, its body changing to the form of a dog again, although much of its flesh had molten, the transformation hard to watch. Worst of it was the sound as bones moved around inside of the massive monster, increasing Ilea’s wish for its timely demise. The punches continued as more and more of her mana pulsed into the beast, her power near the maximum as she attacked with the highest efficiency, recovering her mana whenever possible with meditation and azarinth reversal, weaving in and out of the monster’s reach and attacks, moving fast and slowing down whenever possible.

It was only a matter of time now until the weakened beast would fall, its attacks coming slower and weaker while Ilea’s increased in both power and quantity. More and more of its flesh was burning, neither of the Hand’s members stopping their attacks for longer than a couple seconds, each alternating in their pauses to stop their foe from resting. Another turning move was executed by the flesh dog, this time much slower and weaker, Ilea simply blinking backwards and in again after it had landed.

Several more minutes of attacking later the monster fell down, the light in its eyes vanishing and a reassuring message popping into Ilea’s mind. The fight was over, her death as close as ever.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Abomination of despair – lvl 330]. For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty levels or more above your, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 211 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 13’

No further messages appeared, leaving Ilea a little disappointed in the fight and hoping there would be two or three of the dogs next time. Progress was progress and she moved on, dragging the massive corpse of the beast away and checking for any loot that might’ve dropped. It was a scarce thing but with monsters as big as this one there was always hope. A crystal of sorts actually was actually lying next to the corpse and Ilea blinked closer to examine it.

[Mana crystal 50/50 – High Quality]

Storing the thin in her necklace left her at ninety out of her maximum two hundred and fifty carrying capacity. The weapons she still carried were the heaviest even after putting most of them into her new house. She quickly went over the items in her mind, noting the remaining 2350 gold, the Tungsten Key, a bunch of food and many other items. Even after building the house and buying a lot of Keyla’s food her finances were off the charts.

‘Perhaps I should invest in something...’ she thought before she checked through the dozens of other items in her necklace. Truly a marvelous item. ‘Still have those elven corpses...’

“What are you lost in thought for? The demon is slain, rejoice.” Trian said as he landed next to her.

“What are you a priest? Know what a mana crystal is?” she asked the man.

“Found one? They’re pretty rare. Usually rich individuals use them to power unnecessary enchantments. They break after they empty but fetch a nice price.” he finished when the demon horde approached, the mind weaver at the front of it.

“Would you… claim this prize?” the demon asked in their minds.

“The corpse? Do with it what you like.” Ilea said and shrugged towards Trian who nodded back.

“Not a necromancer so these bones are useless to me.” he said. A moment later the demons including the mind weaver fell over the corpse like a starved swarm of piranhas, cutting and slashing through the monstrosity with a fervor Ilea had seldom seen, it did remind her of the time at the shitty fast food place however.

“Aaah burgers.” she said, smiling at the bloodbath before her. ‘Guess it looks like that where they’re made.’ she thought, looking around the area. “We’ll go and check out what that thing was looking for or guarding. Join us when you’re done.” she said towards the demon, feeling an affirmative pulse of his mind magic a moment later. Trian followed as she flew upwards, checking around the area.

‘There’s nothing here...’ she thought, seeing the craters likely created by the monster’s defensive measures against invaders to its territory. Trian moved past her and towards the ground between some of the dents in the salt. “You found something?” she asked and followed, landing next to the man on the hard salt rock.

“There’s something below… see anything with your skill?” Trian said, his voice a little excited.

“What is it? This doesn’t seem like you...” Ilea asked.

“The magical pulse… it’s well… indescribable.” he answered, Ilea rolling her eyes.

‘Nerd...’ she thought, summoning her obsidian gauntlets and lifting them high. A loud boom echoed through the salt plains when her fists landed on the rock, creating cracks while sending big chunks outwards. Ilea continued to pound the ground for ten minutes, Trian standing to the side and ignoring the ridiculousness of the situation when Ilea finally exclaimed loudly with a cheer.

“I can see something!” Trian moved closer immediately, shielding himself from the flying rocks with his hands, some of it striking his helmet and making him flinch.

“What is it? Describe it to me...” he said, moving even closer to Ilea, digging like a madwoman.

“It’s like the start of a diamond, or some other geometrical form… I don’t remember. Can’t look past it sadly...” she finished. A couple minutes later the two stood inside a new crater and looked at the shiny gray metal before them. The exposed side of the structure below.

“This doesn’t look like salt.” Ilea said.

“Or anything those monsters could create… are they still eating?” Trian looked towards the direction of the other group while Ilea inched her hand closer to the metal before the man appeared next to her and grabbed it.

“Don’t touch it.”

“Why? Because YOU want to touch it?” Ilea asked.

“Precisely.” Trian said while removing one of his gauntlets before putting his hand on the metal. Mana flowed inside and his eyes opened wide a second later.

“It’s… responding… is it a creatu” the man was interrupted by a loud cracking noise from below, both Ilea and Trian teleporting upwards and flying even higher as the noise got louder and louder. Cracks upon cracks first only sounded out but soon were visible all around the ground below them. A rhythmic sound soon took over, loud bangs resounding every other second before the salt rock below them fell downwards and into the spinning metal shredder they had apparently unleashed.

“Yea sure, let’s touch it.” Ilea couldn’t help herself, because she would’ve done the exact same thing which in turn would annoy Trian even more. Disappointing her with his response, the man just watched the scene below them with wide eyes. A minute later the spinning stopped and the massive shiny rhombus shaped object floated inside the massive hole it had created. The thing was at least forty meters high and twenty broad.

“Well that was fucking cool.” Ilea said as she started floating towards it.

“Wait don’t go closer!” Trian shouted “Don’t offend it!”

“Offend a fucking geometrical object… what is this? Evangelion?” Ilea asked and got closer before she touched the object as well. Even after pushing some of her mana inside with reversal, the object didn’t move. “I think we’re safe here...” she said and floated downwards, seeing the opening in the metal.

Trian floated downwards a little more hesitant than her but joined the woman right next to the entrance in the shape of a triangle. “Whatever they are they like their shapes...” she said and got inside, landing on the metal floor as her wings dissipated into flakes of ash. She prepared for a response but nothing happened. There was a magical light of sorts casting the corridor before them in a dim orange red light.

Walking onwards, the corridor opened up to the right before going back towards the middle, the two intruders looking around with wide eyes when they reached the open core of the structure. The shell must have been five or more meters thick but most of its size was in the room they were standing in now, the walls purely metal and absolutely covered in runes neither of them had ever seen. Some of them lit up here and then, likely the reason the object didn’t simply fall down.

“What the hell is this...” Trian asked and Ilea didn’t have a good answer to it and she was running low on jokes.

“It’s beautiful...” she said after a while, floating into the open space with the help of her wings. Touching the runes did nothing. “If only Claire was here...” she commented. “Aki anything?”

“Nah, doesn’t ring a bell either.” the dagger responded.

“I’m not the worst at runes either, just don’t have the class for it. Maybe I can figure something out. I think we should stay here for a while and try to learn more about this thing. Otherwise who knows how long we’re stuck in that salt desert again...” Trian suggested and Ilea agreed wholeheartedly.

“Yea, that sounds great. You try to figure something out, I’ll go hunting and exploring a bit.” she said.

“Are you sure? That monster looked to be quite close to killing you...” the man commented, looking at a rune and sketching it down.

“Exactly that’s why I want to go.” Ilea answered and went back to the doorway, flying out and upwards to be greeted by the mind weaver.

“A marvelous find. If only my kind didn’t lack the skills to use it.” the demon said right into her mind.

“So you know how to use it?” Ilea asked. “Then come on down.” she smiled below her helmet, this place was getting dreadfully boring. Caves at least had vegetation and sometimes water in them.

“This rune here is speculated to be drawing energy. This one as well, while these four expel it in some way.” the mind weaver explained to Trian who was intently listening and writing down all he could get out of the demon. Ilea was sitting near the entrance, her armored legs dangling below. She was eating a celebratory meal from Keyla, their find completely warranting the waste of food.

‘I can still eat demons… doubt they’ll compare to even Drakes… ew.’ she thought as she looked at the beautifully crafted meal before her. A combination of sushi and desert. Both spicy and sweet but somehow the woman had made it work. ‘Maybe she just has the skills and whatever shit she dishes together will be delicious...’ the thought was interrupted by the crackling of lightning.

“There was a reaction, definitely.” Trian said, shaking his arm.

“There was but it’s not the right energy of course...” the demon said, its voice shaking in Ilea’s mind.

‘Is it excited or what?’ she thought, continuing her meal.

The two mages continued to try things out and Ilea had to heal Trian occasionally because whatever they did to the runes was apparently quite dangerous, enough perhaps to kill a weaker adventurer even. She absently noted that the mind weaver hadn’t brought its platoon of horrors down into the structure with it. ‘Now’s the time to kill it...’ she thought but only smirked, her helmet put away for easier eating. The demon didn’t seem like much of a threat to her anymore, perhaps it managed to knock out Trian with a surprise attack but even he should be able to resist if he was prepared.

Again she was glad to have leveled all those resistances. Her veil had become a nearly constant partner as well, always at the ready and even activated in unknown places. Hours passed but Ilea didn’t feel like going out just in case something did progress down here. The two mages had gotten continuously more nervous and excited, learning more about the runes with their testing.

“You think that will work?” Trian asked and the demon nearly shook before answering.

“Yes… YES I’m SuRE of IT… TrY!” it had gotten back into shouting a while ago but Trian didn’t seem to mind. Ilea just tanked through it, reading a book from Albert’s collection.

‘I hope the others are fine...’ she thought. ‘The demons would probably be stopped by the Hand but that massive thing in the end.’ She wasn’t sure about it. ‘Though the elder flying into it might’ve actually done it, who knows.’

“Ilea we need you here!” Trian shouted and she made her book vanish, getting up and flying towards the two crazed scholars, neither looking the part. “Hug on tight and heal me, can you shroud us in ash or something?” the man asked and Ilea went behind him, their armors touching as she wrapped her arms around the man’s chest in something akin to the Heimlich maneuver before her healing started. “You too demon, I don’t think this works if you’re far away or turned to dust.” Trian said, obviously closer to the creature now that they had worked together.

‘Sharing hobbies is a good way to make friends...’ Ilea thought as her wings came to life and wrapped around the two men before her. Right when she considered the demon to be Trian’s friend, it was a man in her book. The implications otherwise would not be nice to think about. Ash came to life around them, building crude walls that might protect them from whatever was to come.

“Are you ready?” Trian asked, healing mana flowing through all of them before lightning crackled and struck four distinctive points in the structure. The feedback was as quick as lightning, energy flowing through them at a constant pulse, only increasing in power as Trian upped his output. Ilea’s healing fought against the damage but if nothing happened soon she wasn’t so sure the demon would make it, the two humans were still mostly fine, herself not bothered by the damage in the least.

“Come on, MORE!” Trian shouted, a massive pulse of red lightning leaving him as the first demons burst into the room, breaking through the mind weaver’s control to be part of the event that might bring them somewhere else. Ilea saw the first of them enter the energy field and bursting into flame when light filled her eyes. Dozens of colors floated in front of her before they vanished, replaced by dull gray metal making her question the thing she had just seen.

Before her she found two damaged individuals, blinking between them and healing both. The demon that made it inside the field didn’t quite come out as well as the two she was healing, the torched and smoking corpse filling the room with its stench. Trian started coughing a minute later as Ilea took in the surroundings. One thing was for sure, they weren’t in the same place anymore.

Chapter 121 Chambers of the Lost

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, new chapter. Let me know what you think. More tomorrow probably.

Chapter 121 Chambers of the Lost

“Is he going to make it?” Trian asked Ilea who was still healing the demon, the pronoun used giving her more relief than she expected.

‘Maybe I’m more stuck up than I thought… dudes should be able to fuck demons, none of my business… but if I have to travel with that… aw man.’ Ilea thought “Trian am I racist?” she asked in a somewhat worried tone.

“What? Why would you ask that now? I mean you’re healing a demon so I doubt it.” he said when the demon started moving again. A pulse of mind magic flashed through them, images of blood, violence and pain quite prevalent.

“I think he’s fine now. Hey weavy, wake up.” Ilea said and lightly slapped the mind mage, considerate of her higher Strength.

“Have we made it? Made it beyond?” the demon asked, an elation in his voice quite unlike anything they had heard of him before.

“Dunno, we’re definitely in a different place but the metal looks quite similar...” Ilea said, looking to the opening in the room. Her sphere only told her that this structure was bigger than the rhombus they were in before.

“The runes in this room are similar as well...so whatever this is it’s for spacial travel?” he asked, carefully touching some of the runes. “If we could recreate this...”

“Well I hope you sketched down all the runes in the other place...” Ilea said and started walking towards the exit. Stopping, she sighed. “Don’t tell me you want all of these as well...” but of course the man would. If this could be recreated it would mean an advancement in magical travel unprecedented to human kind, at least not the general population. Ilea definitely suspected there to be organizations and countries in Elos hoarding their knowledge. The Taleen alone had something similar to this if her suspicions to what happened to Edwin were true.

‘You’d always have to travel with a tank and a healer...’ she thought. Another somewhat easy job she could make money in should she ever use up her reserves. “I’ll go check it out while you finish the drawing.” she said. The mages didn’t respond to her, completely taken up by the runes in the room, now even more obsessed as they knew what the magic could do. ‘What if it just moves you fifty meters away...’ Ilea thought but quickly dismissed the idea as she came out of the room and into a massive open space, clad in dark gray metal.

The tapping of her steps was the only noise in the complex, the woman looking up and around, lost in an alien facility. ‘Who the hell built this?’ she thought, admiring the architecture and beauty of the whole thing, quite similar to something a modern human from earth would build if all they had was metal. The angles were different as well, this builder preferring diamond and triangle shapes compared to the square ones humans usually built with for efficiency.

Ilea checked out different rooms and halls, finding all sorts of weird machinery and items she didn’t know what to do with. Her identify skill only spat out weird names that helped her just as much as simply looking at the items. She refrained from pushing mana into any of them before Trian and the demon had a look. If anything her expertise with the practice was destructive at best. Perhaps the structure that brought them here would’ve simply exploded if it were her to push in her mana.

‘Maybe healing mana...’ she thought but still didn’t do anything. It would’ve been different had the items looked interesting in the least but they were just more weird forms of metal covered in runes, surely to fulfill some great purpose like making the best smoothies in the galaxy. ‘Maybe...’ she thought and just put everything movable into her necklace, planning to give it to the others as soon as she would go back. “Less walking for everyone...” she murmured to herself while sketching down the layout of her path.

“This place is impressive.” Aki said, Ilea’s buffs coming to life as soon as the voice reached her ears.

“Don’t fucking do that you edgy shit.” she said, releasing the auras again.

“You’re jumpy today, everything alright?”

“Yea, stranded in yet another place I don’t know shit about and this time it’s demons and a weird metal obsessed civilization. I bet we’re underground as well… why wouldn’t we be?” she said, walking to the next room and continuing her pillaging.

“Another place. So it’s true then? You’re not from Elos. I had suspected it. How did you get there then? Are you a secret space mage?” Aki said, making Ilea freeze up.

“Aw I blurted it out. Oh well, I don’t think it matters much at this point. Yea I’m not from Elos.” she said as she spun around a rod of metal marked with runes. “Sadly I’m not some powerful traveler of the realms, just an unlucky student. Or perhaps this all isn’t real and you’re a simulation. Or maybe I’m dreaming, just really really deep.” Ilea commented.

“Or maybe you were supposed to be summoned somewhere else? Or perhaps a demon traded places with you, who knows.” the dagger said. “Do you want to go back?” he asked a while later, two rooms of searching later. They all looked similar, the orange red light coming from the magical lamps covering everything in its hue.

“I don’t know. Maybe? If I can keep my abilities there but I somehow doubt it.” she said.

“Why would you not keep them?”

“I don’t think magic is a thing where I’m from. I didn’t get a class until coming to Elos at least.”

“How does everything work then? Without magic I can’t imagine a functioning world...”

“I’ll tell you all about it someday… let’s go back, I hope they’re done by now.” Ilea said, checking her surroundings and finding nothing but old metal and herself. ‘No traps, no enemies… what is this place?’ she thought and returned the way she had come from.

The mages took another twenty minutes after her return to finish documenting all the runes. Ilea convinced them to inspect the items she had found while actually exploring the place they had found themselves in, instead of the suggested study session in the same room the demon had suggested. She did hold the items in her necklace so there was a certain leverage she had over the others.

“Come on just activate it.” Ilea said after the two mages had looked over a runed rod she had handed them. Trian seemed to be losing his patience as well, not as interested in studying the runes of a likely more mundane tool compared to the teleportation device. He grabbed the rod from the demon who was floating next to them and pushed his mana into the item. The top started glowing immediately and produced heat.

“What the hell is that?” he asked and handed it to the demon.

“Smithing tool maybe?” Aki suggested as the demon put the glowing end on his arm.

“AAAAaahH” the obvious result didn’t surprise Ilea as she just walked over, took the rod from the demon and made it vanish before she healed his wound without any words. The thing at least didn’t look embarrassed but she certainly hoped it felt that way.

The exploration continued as the mages tried out different items left behind by whomever had built or used the place. Most of it looked similar and without Ilea’s sketches she doubted finding the teleportation room again would be a simple task. Some of the halls were massive, the detail in the metalwork very impressive. All of it had the same flair and was built with the same kind of metal, no other materials could be find anywhere, except for the lamps brimming with a dark orange.

Ilea could see into the walls but found nothing but metal. There were small mechanical details inside the lamps but dismantling one revealed a mana crystal and apparently nothing substantial otherwise according to Trian. It was a lamp after all. There hadn’t been a notice regarding a dungeon when they had come here, scratching that possibility.

“Are you sure?” Trian asked and the demon affirmed via his mind magic They were standing in front of a round form, comparable to a big table. Runes were carved into it and the demon had apparently found the control panel for whatever it may be.

“Well activate it, we’ve been walking around for hours, I want something to happen. Even if it’s a trap.” Ilea said. The others had tried all the things they had found so far. While the items were impressive and possibly ground breaking for the respective branches of society they’d be used in, nothing helped them find out more about the place or how to get out. Ilea hoped they weren’t trapped in the facility forever.

Trian just walked next to the mind weaver and used his magic to activate the runes. He winced and Ilea blinked next to him and healed while he continued to push electric mana inside. The runes on the table lit up with the same orange red Ilea already hated before a holographic map formed over the table.

“Oh wow that’s cool, a hologram. Hold it Trian, let’s draw that down.” Ilea said, summoning her notebook and moving her leg closer to his to keep the connection for her healing spell.

“It… hurts...” the man said through grinding teeth.

“Perfect, you can level your Pain Tolerance. Now I’m jealous, this is actually useful to you.” Ilea said in a dry tone. “Trust me the second stage is worth it.” she finished and started drawing.

“You h… have the second s… stage?” Trian made big eyes, partially because of the pain flowing through him. Ilea didn’t respond and just kept merrily sketching, glad the man didn’t stop until she was done.

“Alright, I tried to make it as 2D as possible. Here’s the first floor, here’s the second and here’s the third.” Ilea said as Trian released his connection to the table. “I think we’re supposed to be here...” she pointed to a dot she had painted that had been blinking when the map was still holographic.

“2D? Holographic? Are you secretly interested in rune magic?” Trian asked, wringing his hands where the runes had injured him.

“It’s more light magic I think. I learned about some things from this crazy old teacher in our village.” she answered. ‘It’s nice that these guys weren’t that keen on security… seeing how some dumb fuck noble can just access the maps. Might be a fake map or lacking secrets but still…’ she thought. Seeing how the mind weaver couldn’t activate the map then perhaps the ones who built this didn’t see a threat of anybody ever seeing it. The demon could use the smaller tools as they just ran on mana and not elemental energy like Trian had used.

“Light magic… well that seems pretty advanced, never came across anything like it. Then again your own class isn’t standard either… where should we go then? There’s several bigger rooms but it’s hard to say how big the whole facility is.” the man finished.

“Well we haven’t come across anything so far so I doubt there are traps or enemies. Of course there could be some waiting but if I’m at the front I’ll be find from nearly all surprise attacks that would take me out immediately.” Ilea said. Trian understood and nodded, looking to the demon and then to Ilea.

“He can climb your back?” she asked, laughing as his expression turned sour.

“It’s safer, he’d die if I get engulfed in flame or something.” she argued and watched Trian nod in resignation.

“Hey demon, how fast can you run… or float?” Trian asked. The speed they had traveled together before was less than thrilling, at least to the two mercenaries.

“I’m fast humans.” he said.

“Show me black eyes...” Ilea said, gesturing for the demon to start. The mind weaver turned around and sped through the corridor they had come from, Ilea looking to Trian a couple seconds later.

The man avoided her gaze and just gulped. “Alright… alright I’ll hold him. Do you have some clothes at least, he’s covered in blood…” Ilea smiled at his answer and summed some dwarven clothes she still had left.

“You’re wearing armor, it’s not like he touches you. Not that even that should bother you.” Ilea said, basking in his discomfort.

“Well it does.” Trian said as he walked to the returning demon, throwing the clothes at him. “Get those on, ask her if you need help. I’ll carry you.” he finished and walked into the corridor, waiting for the two to finish. The demon looked to the man and then at the bundle of clothes in his clawed hands. Finally he looked up to Ilea.

“How can you look like a puppy with those terrifying features?” she said and smirked, walking towards the demon and taking the clothes, explaining the concept to him. It took a while to get them on without damaging them badly, too many claws and bones.

“There you go. You look much more sophisticated now but I think a cloak or something would be better. Maybe a big coat.” looking up at the demon’s face she furrowed her brow. “Maybe a full plate helmet as well.” she smiled brightly at the man and summoned her helmet again. She had some dwarven helmets left but didn’t want to give him anything yet, not like anybody here cared about the demon. She thought about the existence of racism in Elos and decided that should the demon get out with them, he would get a helmet from her. Otherwise it would be killed in mere days. If it decided to not attack them after they get out. In that case she would destroy the guy’s face.

Trian grudgingly got the demon on his back, both of them visibly uncomfortable. ‘Proud powerful men.’ Ilea thought and smiled brightly under her helmet. “Let’s go then.” she said and started running.

The first big hall was empty as the hallways and rooms had been before, the sheer scale of it an indicator of how big this whole facility truly was. Ilea slowed down as she looked up, feeling small in the presence of this old and truly awesome architecture, their steps the only sound in the vicinity. Ilea wasn’t sure anymore if she was prepared to meet whoever built this place, especially not if they were hostile.

“What the hell have we found here… demon, do you think we’re still in the same realm?” Trian asked his backpack, time having resolved the discomfort of their arrangement.

“I do not know human… the Lost… they surprise me again. In my years I haven’t seen something like this…” the demon commented, still sitting on Trian’s back. The clothes made the humanoid look less like the monster they’d found him as. The constant mind magic coming from him just for the sake of communication was getting more and more normal as well, just a buzz in the back of their minds by that point. Ilea glanced over to the demon, quite glad they had a mind mage with them in this unexplored place, an asset that could save their lives, or kill them in an opportune moment.

“The Lost… do you know anything about them? Why aren’t they here?” Trian asked as they continued to walk through the hall. The demon looked over and then back to the front.

“They were before… we have found artifacts of them all over the great emptiness but none could activate anything until now… until you.” the demon explained in an elated tone.

“I’m sure we’re not the only ones… have you never met one of them? Are they even something you could meet?” Ilea asked, thinking of perhaps something otherworldly that couldn’t be perceived with the human senses.

“It is told… there were meetings, sightings. Not for many hundreds of years but we are certain they are a people of some kind. You are the first ones to activate something that I know of. The chance of course exists that there were others… that there are others. You spoke of something that came here, perhaps that something can manipulate the artifacts as well.” the demon answered.

“Speaking of...” Trian said and pointed to one of the faraway walls where a massive alignment of metal shapes had started moving at a more and more rapid pace until finally a pulse of orange red energy formed from the wall behind them, shooting into the alignment and away into the dark void that opened up behind it. Ilea couldn’t imagine the energy required for a beam that big, she was pretty sure it wasn’t just light.

“Well either that is something that happens periodically or somehow in reaction to our intrusion or someone else is fucking with things...” Ilea commented.

“Let’s find out, can you tell where that beam went?” Trian asked and motioned for the demon to get on his back again. Ilea opened her notebook and looked through the sketches, finding the place that was most likely the destination of the light beam should it simply have continued onwards in a straight line.

“Yea, another big hall. Seems like it’s the middle of the middle floor. At least of what we saw in that map, might not have been a complete one.” she said and activated her buffs, her wings spreading.

“We have a goal then. Hold on demon and I swear if you try anything stupid you’re fried meat.” Ilea said and could see the demon gulp with her Sphere. At least he knew he was outclassed. Perhaps he had found some respect for them with the successful activation of the artifacts, or fear.

Chapter 122 Flashy Beams

A note from Rhaegar

Enjoy the chapter. More next week.

Chapter 122 Flashy Beams

The flight to the central chamber proved to be longer than expected, even with the previously high travel time. The Lost didn’t build for someone either so small or slow. Perhaps it was simply not an issue for them considering the teleportation devices they must’ve built. Ilea had the theory that they simply were loners and wanted to be as far away as possible from the others of their race without completely giving up the comfort of socialization and perhaps a market or something.

Ilea put her remaining twenty stat points into Wisdom to have a bigger mana reserve for whatever was to come. Checking her stats she felt rather confident of fighting or at least flight in the worst case scenario.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 211

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 5

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 205

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 12

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 6

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 14

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 4

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 10

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 6

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 7

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 15

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 2

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 290

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 510

Wisdom 350

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 2888/2900

Mana: 3432/3500

The whole way took over two hours to travel and the group more felt than saw more of the energy pulses flow towards the center, getting stronger as they went.

“Be prepared.” Trian said as he slowed down, letting go of the demon before they entered the next supposedly big hall. And big it was, even more so than the first one they had found. Additionally there was a rhombus formed metal object floating in the middle of the room, hundreds of meters in the air with other metal objects floating around it. A beam of blinding red light entered the object in that moment from six different openings in the faraway walls of the hall before the lighting dimmed down again, Ilea’s sight adjusting quickly.

With her sight recovering, Ilea saw a beast approaching through her sphere, reacting immediately as she dodged a swipe of massive claws before three punches hit the creature that looked a little like a beefed up mole, the power of her punches combined with the destructive mana rocking through its body, leaving a weak and dying enemy that was killed with the stomp that followed Ilea’s jump towards it.

Looking backwards Trian was already in the air, lightning charging around him as her wings spread, following the man to the middle of the room. “That wasn’t something we’ve seen before. Maybe one of those Lost?” he asked.

“I doubt it Trian…” Ilea said as they came closer. Around them there were animals and monsters of different kinds running towards the center as well, occasionally looking towards the flying warriors of the Hand. “Look at that, there’s a guy there and he doesn’t look a lot like a different species. Demon you don’t have a description of them?” she asked and realized that the mind weaver was falling behind already and didn’t even hear the question.

Getting closer Ilea’s eyes opened a little wider. The two landed before the man who was now surrounded by a plethora of monsters, all of which looking towards them. Ilea looked to Trian and then to the man before them who was obviously confused and surprised that someone had come to this place.

[Mage – lvl ??]

“Elder Strand.” Trian said. “So you were the one to open the rift and summon the demons?” he asked, Ilea remembering the name associated with the face of the elder that had supervised her evaluation at the Hand all these months ago.

“Ah yes, you are the noble of the house Alymie. And you?” Adam Strand asked, the monsters around him spreading to encircle the two warriors. The man looked to be around forty, his gray and black hair strengthening the piercing effect of his blue eyes. He walked to the side as well, likely to not damage the mechanisms governing the laser show the others had observed in the past hours. The man’s robe was armored and definitely magical but he wore no helmet.

“Perhaps one of the new ones… your eyes do seem familiar but not that armor. A beautiful set of elven craftsmanship.” he mused, the monsters circling further while Ilea and Trian stood their ground, both confident in their teleporting abilities, a strategical surrounding quite meaningless to them, perhaps even beneficial as the enemies were spread out.

“Why are you here? Why summon those demons to the Hand and Ravenhall?” Trian tried again, his first question completely ignored. The man did confirm he wasn’t an illusion or shape shifter, should such a thing exist, knowing about Trian and his family. At least a partial confirmation to Ilea but the thing she had seen enter the rift looked quite a bit different than the man they saw before them.

“I have my reasons noble. The demon invasion will be a test for the Hand, one sorely necessary. A test truly for all of humanity should they make it further out...” he trailed off, still walking. “The more interesting question is, why are You here and how?” the elder asked, slowing down and eventually stopping. The two were now completely surrounded, the mind weaver floating a couple dozen meters further back, as of now ignored by the elder.

“We followed behind. To find the reason for all that death an chaos...” Trian said, both him and Ilea realizing that there probably wasn’t a diplomatic way out of this.

“And to find a way back… because of that you're coming with us, willing or unwilling.” Ilea said, her body tensing up at the chance of a fight, ready for anything the man would throw at them. He just sighed and shook his head.

“Reckless and young. If only the majority of members consisted of people like you.” he smiled and looked up. “It is inevitable. Your will stands against mine. Come then, warriors and meet your end.” he said, their vicinity exploding in motion as several monsters launched ranged attacks on the two. Ash surged outwards as Ilea appeared next to one of the ranged beasts, more of them running towards her previous location. Trian appeared above, dodging more attacks when Ilea delivered a punch to one of the monsters, this one not reacting the same way the weak drake that the elder had summoned at her evaluation had, instead biting towards her with its beak. She dodged and delivered an uppercut before a kick to the beast’s unprotected stomach ended it, blood coming from its mouth as it collapsed.

Ilea flew upwards as well, not wanting to be surprised by the lurking elder, seeing the animals and monsters as a mere distraction. Her bow came into her hand as she aimed, moving her head a little to the side as a blob of acid flew past her. The heavy metal arrow was released and pierced through a cat like monster’s head, digging deep into its body and killing it.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Heavy Archery – lvl 1

You have proven to be capable with a heavy bow, hitting your targets with destructive precision. This skill will improve upon your capabilities, making the bow just a little easier to handle, its impact just a little higher.

Ilea smiled brightly as her perception of the weapon in her hand changed, the massive string coming back to her ear with unprecedented ease, the next arrow striking a moving bear in its chest, making it slow down and fall to its knees, the spear like arrow protruding out of its back. ‘Where are you?’ she thought as lightning struck a group of monsters that tried to protect three ranged attackers annoying Trian.

She perceived the elder below her with her sphere as he climbed through the air at an incredible speed, his movements as quick as her own ability to fly. She waited for the last moment and blinked away, her bow vanishing into its bracelet as she locked eyes with the man turned monster. His facial features were distorted, his blue eyes smaller and more piercing. The old body turned to muscle, his hands ending in shiny claws long enough to pierce through her neck.

The elder’s nose had vanished, his mouth now rows of teeth as he stood on shimmering air below his clawed and powerful feet, webbing showing between the toes.

“Alright sharkman, are your old bones really willing to go through with this?” Ilea said, smirking below her helmet before the elder approached, his expression staying the same through her taunting, his movements efficient and deadly as he walked through the air as if it was solid like the ground below.

He reached her and his clawed hands slashed out, three of his strikes were dodged, Ilea trying to find an opening, her own attacks dodged or blocked just as expertly by the summoner. The man had more levels and experience which showed after just half a minute of exchanging blows. Before she was pushed back, Ilea simply changed her style to one a little less focused on defense, willing to take a couple hits to land one of her own. The man’s claw cut into and through her veil, hitting hard on her armored shoulder. Ilea managed to get in a punch with her offensive spells but the elder didn’t even flinch, hitting another claw into her less protected elbow, his claw cutting through and drawing blood.

Ilea moved backwards, continuing to block as her wound healed again and she switched to the offensive again, blinking next to the man and hitting hard into his side, making him slide away in the air and turning back towards her. He held his side and looked at his hand.

“Quite deadly, and you’ve already healed as well. I do remember you now. Ilea was it? The healer tank. I see you’ve improved on your lacking offensive potential. Why are you here then, did you really come to bring justice to me?” the man asked, surely just stalling time while he himself healed or tried to figure out the damage Ilea had caused. A quick glance around told Ilea that both Trian and the mind weaver were working hard to decimate the hordes of monsters below, most of them unable to fly like they could.

“So you really did summon all those demons. Though the way you talk it doesn’t seem like you just wanted to cause damage. As hard as they’re trying to get out of this place it’s probably as hard to get in?” Ilea asked, trying to get as much information out of the elder as possible. She thought about it and really couldn’t find herself to care much about the demons being summoned to the Hand. If anything it would help a lot of people improve their skills and levels. He did however endanger her team members, herself and Train, worst of all the defenseless Cless still residing in Ravenhall. Additionally as much food as she had already horded, if Keyla somehow got killed there would be hell to pay.

The man didn’t respond, rushing at her again. Ilea met him, his fist clashing into her while a bladed gauntlet scratched across his chest, not quite managing to get through even though the hit was direct. ‘That’s not gonna work.’ she thought and avoided several of his strikes before a kick sent her spinning through the air, the woman blinking away from the ranged attacks that were thrown at her from below. Strand was nowhere to be found as she found her bearings, checking quickly for her team mates when she saw the elder run towards Trian.

“Trian!” Ilea shouted and blinked before she sped up and followed. The noble had heard his team mate and backed off from the horde below as best as possible, finding the elder just as he was upon him. Ilea smiled knowing how good he was at avoiding a close combat fighter. Seeing his reaction and the instant teleportation and counter attack she decided against a direct intervention and summoned her heavy gauntlets, flying downwards in an arc towards the group of monsters that had been engaged with the lightning mage a moment ago.

The armored and buffed woman impacted hard on the biggest of the summoned creatures, its blood and guts spraying outwards blinding some of the other crazed creatures before ash came into existence around her, the woman appearing and disappearing with her heavy weapons, breaking legs and skulls, each of her punches destroying one of them. The seventh creature was killed when she saw the elder approaching through her sphere, her knees tensed as her fist shot upwards inside a cloud of ash, her obsidian gauntlet intercepting the elder.

His hand cut through her defenses, stopped enough for her to angle her head to avoid most of the force while her fist collided with his abdomen, air and ash pushed to the side from the power of the impact as Ilea skidded backwards several meters. More beasts were upon her as she weaved through them, her gauntlets vanishing to increase her speed as she delivered more attacks to the monsters, trying to use them to dodge the elder’s attacks. She found his control incredibly efficient, the man weaving through the monsters and combining their attacks with his own as if they were extensions of his body.

With the last hit she flew upwards and away, only the elder following while some elemental spells were shot towards her, his icy eyes focusing on her own, not leaving the woman enough time to find out what had happened to Trian or the demon. Their fight continued with the elder more calculated and expecting her reckless attacks more and more, leaving the woman nothing else but to back up further and try to defend against his unending attacks. Somehow that got easier and easier with each of his attacks, it seemed while she was getting stronger the longer the fight was going, the opposite was happening with the elder.

Thunder could be heard, the elder looking backwards, an annoyed look in his eyes before he flew towards his summons. Ilea pursued immediately, seeing a bloodied Trian rain lightning on the elder’s mob of underlings. She couldn’t make out the mind weaver but hoped he hadn’t been killed somewhere along the line.

The elder landed in the middle of his summons, putting his hands together while some of the monsters formed a circle around him. Trian didn’t stop his assault, pulverizing some of the beasts below, Ilea making her way towards the obviously wounded man, a part of his armor cut through even. Something that hadn’t happened to her own elven one, still holding strong for all this time. Some chips and scratches were starting to get noticeable, from her encounter with both the elder, the monster hound and Albert, each managing to at least damage the armor slightly.

A pulse of mana and energy came from the elder before Ilea reached Trian, the man releasing a bolt of lightning into the circle of monsters. No impact resounded as Ilea looked left, seeing a being of pure lightning standing above the elder, its body pulsing with blue energy before it extended its hands towards Trian who was charging up another attack.

Ilea moved closer to the man and blinked in the last possible moment, the counter attack pushing into her Veil, breaking through after a second, her teeth clenching as her healing spell and resistances worked against the lightning that coursed through her, pushing her backwards in the air. Trian was behind her but didn’t catch the woman because of the lightning still in her body. Ilea slowly descended and landed on one knee, her burned body healing from the inside, organs rebuilding. She opened her eyelids, the freshly regenerated eyes looking at the enemy with newfound respect.

“That puts even you to shame Trian...” she said, locking eyes with the elder who was once again in his human form. The blue being floating above him in addition to the beasts forming a defensive circle around him quite the opposite of an invitation. Trian broke down to one knee next to her before she touched the man, healing mana flowing through him. The damage was far more extensive than she had expected.

Chapter 123 Horde Mode?

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there fellas. I've been sick but not really sick.

Mix ginger, lemon, honey and water to create... [Life Juice]

Hope you have a less annoying week than me. Cheers!

Chapter 123 Horde mode?

“Are you alright?” Ilea asked the man, her own health topped off again by her superior self healing spell. Her friend would take a while longer to recover but it didn’t seem like the elder was about to attack them again, focused on the controls he had been working on before the fight. The being of lightning would likely prevent Trian’s ranged attacks and Ilea wasn’t sure she could overwhelm even a weakened elder in the midst of his summons, his control of them simply too adept.

“I’m… fine.” Trian murmured, touching his armor that was cut through near his right shoulder and chest. The man stood up a minute later, Ilea restoring her mana through meditation.

“What should we do? Any idea what that blue thing is?” she asked the man.

“That, is a lightning elemental.” Aki responded. “And I suggest you two don’t go near it again. How the hell did a human get his hands on one of them?”

“The fact that its lightning directly counters Trian means there might be more elementals in his repertoire.” Ilea commented, Trian replacing his damaged chest piece with another one, red and white instead of the Shadow’s black.

“Possible, we’re not gonna be able to approach him like this.” Trian said. None of the enemy monsters had attacked them from a distance in this pause.

“Let me try something… maybe he’s too preoccupied.” she said and summoned her bow, the string coming back to her ear with an explosive arrow before she let go. The spear traveled at a high speed and right towards the center of the group before a blast of lightning cut its flight short, the explosion rocking the ground. “Well that was a waste...” she said and looked around.

“Check for the demon, maybe he can do something with his mind magic.” she said.

“You think he actually survived?” Trian asked when another set of massive beams of orange red light flowed into the middle of the room. The beams collided together and created a blinding flash, both Ilea and Trian holding their arms in front of their faces. Trian’s retinas were actually damaged, nothing a quick heal couldn’t solve.

“Well I think he finished whatever he wanted to do here.” Ilea commented as Trian rubbed his eyes.

“Why?” he asked but the answer was rather clear when he looked around, blinking back tears from the newly healed eyes. The elder was gone and with him all of his summoned monsters, leaving the room nearly as quiet as it had been before. Something bothered Ilea as she looked around.

“Do you hear that?” she asked, straining her ears and looking to the other side of the massive hall. Her wings came to life as she ascended to get a better view of the distance. “Oh man, here we go again...” she said, Trian floating towards her as he looked at the scene before them. Dozens of doorways were situated around the hallway, many of which now occupying running demons coming into the hall, many of which already fighting with each other.

Adam blinked a couple times before he went down on one knee, breathing hard. Looking around many of his summoned companions hadn’t made it through the teleportation, the stench of burned flesh filled the room and would last even after he dissipated them. A waste of resources to be sure. The man looked at the lightning elemental, the being not in the least bothered by the ordeal they had just went through, the process feeling like being burned alive for hours.

His transformation had lasted through all of it, giving him the resilience needed for the travel. The man silently cursed the builders of this place and continued onwards, the surviving beasts following behind. Adam had many more ready to be summoned but still the two survivors of the Hand had been more than just annoying. Luckily he could counter the noble’s magic quite proficiently.

“I’m getting old...” he said and looked up, wincing as he touched his side where the woman had punched him, the flesh already healed completely. A small smile still managed to get on his lips, partially glad the Hand wasn’t completely out of competent and reckless fighters and partially because he didn’t have to kill them in the end. He was too proud to admit that it would’ve been a difficult task even for him. The two would have a hard time surviving the coming waves of demons anyway, the opening of the portals all around these cursed lands would’ve attracted hundreds if not more of the creatures, all of them led into the hall he had been in moments ago.

Truly a marvelous magic, something quite unimaginable to him just weeks ago. The crude demons he had thought to be the perpetrators of his misery just another toy for the real enemy to play with. He shook his head, he knew nothing as of yet but it wouldn’t stay that way. He would find her and refused to accept any other thought.

Ilea and Trian were resting in one of the side rooms of the hall, both nearly spent on mana and stamina, the woman looking up at the metal ceiling when a thump resounded, the door denting a little. She was unconcerned, seeing through the wall with her Sphere, knowing that two demons on the verge of killing each other were the reason for the commotion.

“This is pretty good experience.” she commented to the mage who was lying on the floor next to her, scrolling through the skill and level notifications she had gotten from the four hours of fighting just now.

“Yea but we didn’t catch the elder and who knows what he’ll unleash on Elos...” he said.

“True, didn’t seem to me like his goal was the destruction of the Hand or humanity but that might’ve been an act...” Ilea said, her legs dangling from the metal crate she was sitting on.

“You will have to get to the central control panel he used.” Aki commented.

“Yea we do, no other reference point to work with really. Gonna take ages to clean out the hall...” Ilea answered, getting up seeing her mana was full.

“What if there’s more coming? Maybe he opened up something for them to come in?” Trian asked which made sense to Ilea.

“Let’s chose a corridor and clean it out. We’ll find the source at some point.” she said, finishing the last of her notifications and splitting up her stat points into Endurance and Wisdom.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Darkush – Bone Whirlwind – lvl 205]’

...

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Sanioth – Thrasher – lvl 189]’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 212 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 213 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 206 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 207 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 208 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the First Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 1

Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings to find clues about your prey’s whereabouts.

2nd stage: Through experience you can feel your prey’s general state of distress.

Category: Body Enhancement

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 3’

As much as Ilea was pissed the elder had gotten away, the trap he supposedly left behind was doing a good job of soothing her feelings. More levels to take him down as soon as he would be found and a way for her to vent and improve on her abilities. For now the two blinked out of the room and made their way to one of the doorways where demons were still occasionally joining the big hall. Most of them ignored the two and simply dashed to the middle, coming back to their senses and joining the massive brawl that was held nearby. Other weaker demons ran away but found themselves rather lost after just a quick run. They were in an unknown environment after all.

Ilea kept a lookout for their demon companion but was unable to find even a single of the sentient variations. The hall behind them was splattered with guts and pieces of burnt demon, a testament to their skill. “We’re not trapped in here with you...” Ilea said, smashing her fist into a demon’s skull, its brain painting the nearby metal wall. “...you’re trapped in here with us!” she shouted and blinked to the next running monstrosity coming their way, a ray of lightning entering the beast, its skin cracking before it quite literally exploded.

“That’s a cool line.” Trian said and smiled below his helmet.

“Yea, most people say the comic is better but I rather liked the film.” Ilea explained, following her team mate into the next room where a couple demons were already fighting.

“Now these references make more sense...” her dagger said but didn’t comment any further, immersed in the action and gore his bearer produced.

“That’s it?” Ilea asked the man next to her. “Wanna fuck with it?” her fist landed in a demon’s face that had just appeared.

“Seems like the only way to close it...” Trian said, lightning crackling and shooting into some specific runes in the room before them. Red light flashed before the energy subsided, the two standing amidst blood and gore in the now quiet room, the mana vanishing that had previously powered the runes.

“Aaaalright, next ones coming up.” Ilea said and smashed her fists together, her gauntlets creating a metallic sound.

“Yea, let’s go.” Trian added as lightning crackled around him, infected by her enthusiasm. The two ran out back through the carnage they had created and out again into the big hall. The group of demons hadn’t gotten smaller in the time they were away but they continued to ignore it, running towards the next door where demons still came out.

“That should be the last one right? They’re really not that scary when you get used to their mugs.” Ilea commented, throwing the last killed demon’s corpse into the deactivated teleportation room. “No mind mages weirdly.” she said, shaking her arms to get off a part of the blood covering her armor. She created some ash and tried to scrub it clean but found her control of the material a little lacking, setting her new goal with the material to be a self cleaning one.

“The one we found was very slow. Most of the other demons are faster.” Trian argued.

“Might be the case.” Ilea said, dropping the ash around her. “Let’s find out what that control panel can do then Sparky...” she commented and lightly punched his shoulder as she walked past the man, through the guts of the monsters trying to find a way out of these barren lands. At least they died knowing something else than salt, although Ilea wasn’t sure she’d prefer metal in the end.

Reaching the hall again, Ilea stopped Trian after approaching the group of fighting demons, feeling both a throb in her head and seeing something weird with her Hunter’s Sight. “I think we found the mind weavers… if there are more than the one we know. Up your defenses, I don’t want to carry you again.” she said and didn’t get a response, seeing his head slightly dip downwards in embarrassment.

From the closer proximity Ilea could make out that some of the demons were twitching, going back and forth while others were fighting each other and then suddenly turn and fall on another one, their minds likely divided either by mind weavers or some other influence. “There’s more than one of them, otherwise they’d just let the demons take care of each other until there was only a group large enough left to be controlled. What do you think?” Trian asked.

“Yea, let’s hunt the weavers then. If they attack us we kill them.” she said, knowing that there was a possibility to convince them to join but having more than one of them would put the balance of power into their favor, not something Ilea wanted to happen in a place like this. She could deal with one or two of them but a combined effort might even knock her out, meaning the death of both of them.

“Let’s get to it then, glad you’re reasonable.” Trian said, already questioning their team up with one of the demons in the first place. The two stayed close together and ran around the perimeter, the enemy too occupied with each other to notice the two, until it was too late. The first of the mind weavers was located by Ilea’s Sphere, the demon lightly camouflaged and lying on the ground between a metal beam protruding outwards. Ilea grabbed the demon and was immediately assaulted by mind magic. Slamming the demon into the ground stopped its attack immediately. No clothes and the different level compared to their demon made her sure it wasn’t him. Another slam and punch to the skull ended its life in a gory mess, the woman as deadly to them as a mind mage was to a regular adventurer.

They got four more before they reached the corpse of the first one again. “He’s not here. Clean up the horde?” Trian asked and Ilea nodded. The hall was high enough for them to simply fly up and hide somewhere in the metal architecture to protect themselves and rest should the fight exhaust them too much. Knowing the monsters better and better meant to Ilea and Trian the beasts were merely levels to their classes and skills, the two springing into action a moment later, smiling at the coming demise of the demons.

The horde was bigger than the one they had encountered in the wild where the mind weaver had shown up at first. Compared to the first encounter there were many injured ones here. The two mercenaries tried to attack the stragglers and groups at the edge of the fighting area to not immediately attract the whole horde to them which mostly worked well, Ilea’s fighting wasn’t flashy or loud in the first place and Trian simply focused on closer fighting and his draining abilities. He definitely got injured more often, twice even severely but with his healing abilities and Ilea nearby neither of the injuries were a close call.

Ilea herself was getting better and better at dealing with the different variations of demons, finding more and more similarities between some of them. Of course each one looked different, the bones and claws in different places but in the end they had similar classes which made their behavior and attacks somewhat predictable. A stomp landed and then four more until the demon’s skull cracked into gore, the woman looking around for her next victim, neither the smell nor guts an issue to her anymore, only registering it to warn her of the slippery ground, a smile reaching her face as she blamed the demons for not putting up Freshly Cleaned signs.

On the contrary Ilea reveled in her skills, her strength and the rush of adrenaline and power that flowed through her while she appeared and disappeared, her fists destroying tissue and bone while she dodged enemy attacks with the smallest possible movements of her body, the claws and teeth scratching on her Veil or armor before she delivered her destructive magical payload or used her gauntlets to cut and mangle.

She became an ashen horror in the midst of the eldritch creatures, spreading the material to blind and distract while she moved in it like a fish through water, showing the creatures that not all humans would react the same way to their horrifying grimaces and high level.

“You’re positively nuts.” Trian said, looking over at the woman who was breathing heavily and looking up at the faraway ceiling. Around them were splattered corpses of demons, some parts still moving. The stench was mostly of blood but in a day or two it would become something different altogether.

“I enjoyed this, you’re getting better Ilea.” Aki commented, the woman looking down again, her meditation helping her regain the spent resources.

“Trian don’t act like this is only my doing. You paused what, twice?” she asked and tried again to clean herself with the ash. It worked a little better but mostly just smeared the blood over the still clean parts of her armor, her veil the only reason there even were any clean spots.

“Yea, and you did once… in the middle of the field. You’re taking unnecessary risks.” the man commented but Ilea just shrugged.

“I trust you Trian and come on. It’s not like these guys are strategic geniuses attacking in formation when they see one of us slow down...” she said and tapped one of the corpses with her boot.

“Still.” the man said and looked away. “I don’t want to find your corpse in the midst of this mess.” he whispered but Ilea heard and blinked next to him, punching his arm lightly.

“I’ll be careful ok? I’m damn near indestructible at this point.” she tried to reassure him.

“No one is.” he simply said and walked away.

Chapter 124 Into the Light

A note from Rhaegar

Automated robot post. Sending some data packets directly into your brain.

Am I going crazy? Perhaps. Most definitely. Let's just hope my writing can benefit from that.

I'm behind as fuck so more chapters probably next Saturday or Sunday if I don't die or something.

Chapter 124 Into the Light

Ilea looked through the corpses to see if any items were dropped or if any of the demons wore anything valuable or interesting while Trian checked out the runed control panel in the middle of the hall which had made the elder vanish. She had gained another couple levels in both classes and some skills but nothing changed significantly.

Her new second stage of Hunter’s Sight revealed nothing about the demons she was fighting. Some of the mages they had killed at the beginning panicked right before they died but that was evident on their reduced but not completely absent facial expressions. Ilea activated her buffs when she saw something a little unexpected, a mind weaver hiding below a pile of demon corpses.

“I can see you demon, come out or die.” she said, Trian glancing towards her but continuing his tinkering right after. The demon moved immediately but was obviously stuck under the corpses, its strength not enough to move the massive pile of flesh even in the slightest.

“It’s Me!” it shouted into her mind, Ilea’s eye twitching at the sudden assault of mind magic.

“Why not just say that immediately you idiot.” she said and walked over, grabbing the first best corpse and flinging it away, the body landing with a thud on the metal ground, its innards and blood splattering the gray with red. Another ten seconds later the demon was lying before her, looking at her with his biologically big eyes, or lack thereof. Ilea just grabbed his leg and flung him away as well, the demon using his levitation magic to somewhat dampen the impact.

“Don’t use your mind magic like that, I’ve told you before. It’s like me just randomly punching you. I can start doing that if you like.” Ilea suggested but the demon got up quickly and held out his clawed hands to soothe her.

“No, no. I don’t think I’m as resilient as you are to my magic.” the monster said, floating a little above the corpses around him. Ilea could feel a little distress in the demon when he looked at her. A good thing she thought, lest he makes a bad decision that will cost his life. She continued her work while the demon joined Trian, the two immediately sharing their thoughts on the runes and their respective functions, nobody bothered by the blood soaked cloth the demon was dressed in.

Ilea had reduced her perception of smell inside her sphere to the minimum, the stench not overwhelming her anymore. ‘Another one...’ she thought as she pushed aside a massive demon corpse, taking the small mana crystal lying below. She had found eight in total, each only having a charge of three, whatever that meant. Compared to the fifty charges in the one she got from the dog it was obviously worse.

Looking up to the faraway ceiling that was tinted in orange red light, Ilea held up the crystal and looked through it and remembered the first time she ran out onto a battlefield with a smile on her face. Dale had been there, looking over the inexperienced healer. It all could’ve ended there, with her breaking down in the midst of that ambush. “But it didn’t.” Ilea said out loud and made the crystal vanish. Trian’s concerns meant more to her than he knew, her regards of him gaining favor again and again.

He was a good man and a good friend, putting on the noble asshat facade whenever he spoke to people but she knew there was more to him. Of course he didn’t know that she kept up her sphere while she rested in the middle of the field, her second stage of Azarinth Perception ensuring that no attack would outright kill her in one blow. In the midst of them she could see them, smell them and it was then that she felt most confident in her abilities. Ilea would get strong enough to fight the Taleen Praetorians, she would gather enough knowledge to find out what had happened to her, what had brought her here. And most important of all she’ll have fun doing it.

A flash of light and loud crackling noise brought her out of her thoughts, looking over to the others she found Trian’s body slightly smoking from the control panel’s feedback. Blinking over she checked but found him barely damaged, healing the rest with her spell. “It’s gonna take a while isn’t it?” she asked but he just ignored her. The demon looked away, Ilea sighing and walking away, removing her helmet and summoning a cloth to clean it.

“I’ll be nearby, call out when you’re further.” she said. Her helmet cleaned up, she summoned one of Albert’s books and started reading, sitting on a metal ledge far enough away from the carnage to not smell terrible.

“Ilea! You might want to see this!” Trian’s shout got her out of the concentration, the woman placing a small piece of paper into the book and snapping it closed. It vanished as her helmet came back over her head.

“Progress already? Been barely two hours.” she said, her tone a little on the sarcastic side. Trian didn’t answer but showed her as lightning flowed into specific runes, a holographic image coming to life above the control panel. The image flowed between sceneries, Ilea using her buffs to enhance her body to the fullest, trying to see the different environments. There were deserts, rock, water, fire, snow and many more. Ilea thought the snow was more prevalent but the images were moving quickly.

“Are those places we can go to?” she asked, seeing glimpses of different civilizations rarely in between. More so than the massive and terrifying creatures she saw as well, one of them looking right back at her.

“Space squids, what the fuck...” she said, taking a step back.

“Are you alright? I can’t make it slow down. This rune here is supposed to be responsible for targeting but I have no idea how to do that. At least we think it does that...” Trian explained, the last part not inciting confidence in Ilea.

“Dagger, got any ideas?” he asked.

“It’s Aki, and no. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I know a lot about demonic runes.” the dagger said.

“Not demonic, the Lost use… older runes. Different.” the demon beamed into their minds.

“Just think of something real hard? Like Viscera maybe?” Ilea asked and Trian shrugged, activating the runes again. This time there were more glimpses of cities and underground halls but nothing looked quite like the city they’ve grown to know.

“So thinking does have an influence. Can I try?” Ilea asked, having an idea.

“I don’t think you can activate the rune.” Trian said.

“Well you keep it activated and I’ll just touch it, I think I can at least let some mana seep into it.” she said and used reversed reconstruction to push her mana into the rune. This time cities appeared again, a glimpse of earth made her release her spell and take a step back. “That’s...” the possibility was there. Whatever this device was it had the power to bring her back home. Still the images had been moving incredibly quickly and Ilea hadn’t yet started trying her initial idea but still, there was a possibility.

“I need a moment.” she said and walked away, going back to the same place she had waited for the others. Trian just shrugged and continued to focus on something, even trying to talk to the runes.

“You’ve seen it, haven’t you?” Aki asked. Ilea nodded after a while.

“Well do you want to go back then? Or back to Elos?” the dagger asked, a question Ilea found hard to answer. Not because she didn’t know but because she felt guilty about her answer.

She wanted to find out what had brought her to Elos and why. She wanted to know if there was a way back. At least now the possibility of it all being a simulation was significantly smaller. She wanted to understand but in the end, she didn’t want to lose everything she had gained in this place filled by magic. Kick-boxing couldn’t come close to what she had here, the thrill of fighting for one’s life something she couldn’t have imagined beforehand. The reality of being gunned down no matter how good one was at martial arts blowing every wish to become a certain bat.

And she would have to start studying. With her powers here she had several sure job securities that brought both fun, freedom and money. Not something one would easily give up. Most of all in Ilea’s mind was the fact that she could fly. That fact alone, even before considering everything else was enough to make the decision an easy one. Still, she felt guilty. Her family was there and even with the relationship they had she knew that a mother and father would not be unaffected by the disappearance of their only child.

But just as they had been selfish, this time it was her turn. They would get over it, both of them already had a psychiatrist, one of them assigned by law. Suddenly Ilea was quite happy that she hadn’t found love in her time on earth, or friends she would die for. The choice between this nearly intoxicating freedom and love was not something she would want to face.

“No. No I don’t want to go back.” Ilea answered the overdue question and walked back to Trian who was still standing in front of moving images. She simply pushed her hand onto the rune while using reconstruction. Her mind focused on her home on the cliff side. “Hold on demon, this might be your way out.” the monster immediately grabbed her arm, Trian still using his lightning to push into the runes.

The pictures were moving quickly, images of houses and cliffs flying around when Ilea activated the third stage of blink. Her mana drained quickly as the magic took hold. Time passed as she focused all of her thoughts into the living room of her newly built palace. Half her mana was gone and the others waited for anything to take effect. Ilea wasn’t sure it would work but it felt like the best bet, the combination of her magic with a set destination and her thoughts maybe enough for the device before them to find their intended destination.

A big mana pulse came from the machine, the images moving with a slowing pace. Ilea stopped focusing on them and closed her eyes, only thinking of her home and the spell forming around her. Ten seconds before the half hour activation time came to a close, she spoke out. “Give it all you have Trian.” she said and vaguely noticed him nodding. A pulse of lightning as bright as the sun came out of his hand and flowed into the rune and nothingness took them.

Kyrian watched on as the little girl finished her latest masterwork, his thoughts on the possibilities should she reach higher and higher levels of her skills. There was something entrancing about her skill usage and even now she would rival the best nobles at her age with her output of power, her barrier able to stop a surprising amount of force.

“Cless, are you ready for dinner?” he asked, the girl looking up to him and smiling. She nodded and jumped off her small chair and walked towards the stairs, leaving the man who looked at the painting. One of many that now decorated the walls behind the dwarven weapons displayed in the cellar. “Where are you?” he asked into the silent room and shook his head, walking upstairs to join the girl.

She was sniffling at the cooking food as always, squealing at the smell. Something she had in common with their unknowing host. Ilea had left behind plenty of food, able to feed half a town. Plus they were far enough out from Ravenhall to ensure the girl’s safety and his own for that matter. Kyrian grabbed a chunk of meat and walked outside and closer to the cave nearby. Its resident at first ignored as a nod to Ilea but in the weeks that passed it turned out to be the right decision.

The chunk of meat was put down at the beginning of the cave and soon the swordmouth tiger appeared, looking first at Kyrian and then the meat. He tried to wait for the animal for a while but again it wouldn’t come closer, looking at the man with its blue eyes glowing. Sighing he left the cave and went to eat with Cless who told him about her hometown, something she had started talking about after the first week of living together in Ilea’s house.

“I’m happy I don’t have to go to school anymore. Mrs. Johnson doesn’t like me, I think there’s more you know?” the girl explained.

“I do, I do. Now eat or it’ll get cold Cless.” the man answered, his armor clinking when it touched the glass on the table. Cless looked at it and frowned.

“Don’t you have nice clothes?” she asked, for the tenth time already in the past weeks.

“You know I have to. I promise I’ll get something nice after this is over.” he smiled at her and continued eating. Twenty minutes later he got up.

“Do I have to hide again?” the girl said and pouted.

“You can paint more, no?” he asked but found the answer unsatisfying after giving it so many times. “Look Cless this isn’t forever ok, we’ll find a solution at some point. A safe place where you can stay. Or you can work on your skills and get stronger. Until you can match me it’s too dangerous out there right now.” he explained to the girl. She was smart and would understand. He knew she didn’t like it and was craving entertainment but sadly he wasn’t the best to teach her reading with the copious amounts of books upstairs.

“We’ll do something as soon as Ilea is back ok?” he said, having found that mentioning the name made the girl usually light up. She nodded and waved towards him, walking down into the cellar again right after.

The man stood there and sighed again. He had been doing that a lot lately. Kyrian’s helmet appeared and he walked outside, closing the door behind him as metal spheres started floating around him. It wasn’t easy without the team, he had gotten used to their support. Two spheres landed in his hands and two formed chunks around his legs before they started pulling him upwards, his face turning serious as he flew upwards at a high speed, a little faster every day.

Checking the surroundings of the house, especially the area above, Kyrian found it deserted as most days but he had to make sure. “Alright, let’s go.” he said, trying to emulate Ilea and Trian who never seemed to doubt themselves when rushing into battle. It did help a little in the end. The first screams could be heard in the distance, no human screams. Flying over the next snowy hill he found his first targets. A group of demons shy of reaching level two hundred eating a dead horse and a woman unfortunate enough to be around.

He concentrated on the demons as the metal spheres around him formed into small needles, some into bigger spikes. Mana flowed into them as the curse concentrated. Two small needles sneaked around the distracted group of monsters and started painting into the snow below. Twenty seconds later the storm was set loose, the demons looking up and screeching when the curse took hold around them, followed by needles and spikes of metal crashing into their bodies, shredding their slowed and feared bodies with the multitude of sharp flying objects.

A minute later the last of them fell without even knowing what had attacked it. Kyrian glanced at the destroyed body of the woman, went down and closed her eyes. Something Ilea had told him about. He felt like it was the right thing to do.

Continuing onwards, the man took care of all the smaller groups of demons he found, even some stragglers completely alone. The bigger ones were a bit more difficult but with his skill set it was only a matter of time before they fell. He had to hide several times when flying demons or groups too big for him to handle appeared. The mind mage in the most recent group had nearly detected him but Kyrian stayed calm, hiding behind a set of trees and breathing steadily.

They had hid well when the demons first appeared in Eregar’s Haven, not showing themselves even after it had been declared clear. Kyrian knew he could resist one of them at least but they were different beings still, some stronger than others. Eve and her magic was the reason he was still alive at this point, wherever she was. The group of demons passed, running towards the east and Kyrian got out from behind the trees, flying at a low altitude until he came up on the hills overlooking Ravenhall. The fires were still burning, it was quiet as he looked towards the broken gates and the mind mage standing on the walls, looking towards the outside world with its black holes for eyes.

“Not today…” the man said and ran westwards, every killed demon another dent in their forces, albeit a small one.

Chapter 125 Ripples

Chapter 125 Ripples

Kyrian soon came up on a battle still going on, a squad of the hand was resisting a large number of demons, pushed back meter by meter, all of them looked weary. A beam of golden light came from far above on the mountain side and struck a demon, its brain splattered to the ground, the gray corpse falling down, its blood coloring the snow below. Kyrian couldn’t see the ranger but his own magic preparation was finished right then, dozens of needles flying out and striking the demons who didn’t even notice the attacks with prey right in front of them.

Kyrian ground his teeth as he fueled the curses blooming inside the dozens of demons before him, seeing them slow down just as quickly as the mana left his body. He stayed for another minute and then left quietly through the forest he had come from, the metal losing its connection soon after. He would come back another day to get the needles back but for now helping out was enough. The man gulped when he remembered the last time he tried to interact with a group of survivors he had saved but he soon steeled himself, concentrating on the snow before him, soon finding the next enemies, these at a low level of eighty, some still wearing pieces of the celebratory clothing they had wore when coming to Ravenhall. Kyrian’s brows furrowed, anger blazing in his eyes as he cut them down.

“What do you think?” Maria asked, looking over the battlefield. Edwin didn’t respond, as he was prone to do, crouching down next to one of the dead demons and moving it around to see its face.

“If the Hand couldn’t stop them I’m not sure anyone can.” Maria commented. She had gained some weight again after being released, having forgotten how good meat and wine tasted.

“You know who could, not that they will.” Edwin said as he got up form his crouch. “They’re getting closer to more cities.” he stated.

“Are you sure about this, they’re gonna be on high alert in there.” she said as she walked behind him.

“Yes, for demons.” the man said, walking back to their hideout nearby, Aliana likely cooking already.

A set of runes was activated in the distance, blazing explosions cutting through the running demons. Not enough to stop them but certainly enough to damage them. “Miss, they’re circling around, we better go back.” the old adventurer next to her suggested.

“Stand where you are.” she commanded and turned around, seeing the creatures of horror moving through the trees. If she knew anything about them then that they wouldn’t ignore a direct target if no mind mage was nearby to control them. There had been no onslaught of magic so far so she was rather sure about her plan. No mind mage she had encountered so far had the ingenuity to not use their skills immediately. Only once, at Ravenhall where the monsters were initially summoned but she doubted more and more that it had been a decision by the mages. Something else was at play but now was not the time to think about that.

Claire focused as she ignored the shivering adventurers next to her, some because of the freezing cold, some out of fear. Their strength was inadequate at best to face what was lurking in the trees before them but their resolve was commendable, choosing to leave the walls of the town to come out with her. Claire’s magic wasn’t very suited to use inside the stone walls of Vihall but out here. Out here she was in control.

Screeches sounded from the trees before her as she took three steps towards them. “Stand fast and you shall prevail.” she said and held out her hand, focusing on the tree line. A moment later the monsters broke through. Gray flesh hanging from bones, beasts made of muscle and bone. Different yet similar to each other. One of the adventurers started screaming next to her but Claire ignored him, waiting for the last moment to activate her magic.

A wall of light formed before her as a big chunk of mana left her body, the woman never stopping to meditate through the whole encounter. The monsters crashed into the line of light, crashing together with their brethren before Claire closed her eyes, an explosion rocking through the ground before them. Five seconds later she opened her eyes and found the blood dripping down her barrier that she soon took down, the guts falling down to the ground.

Some of the demons were still moving, quickly taken care of by some of the adventurers who needed several attacks to finish the already dying monsters. Some glanced at her, different feelings and thoughts present towards the armored angel of death that had come to rescue their small town. The respect for the Shadow’s Hand had gotten her quite a bit of power and influence, having the town prepare for the demon attack much longer before any others nearby. Word would reach them soon that the Hand itself was responsible for the summoning but Claire wasn’t too worried about the peasants and low lords in the area.

Of course it wasn’t the fault of the Hand, they had destroyed thousands of the monsters but it hadn’t been enough, their forces splintered and retreating to save their own lives before saving a lost city in the mountains of Lys. But Claire knew humans, she knew that reason and fact wouldn’t prevail against emotion and anger. Still in a town like Vihal she had little to worry about, even if she thought in a paranoid way.

The way back was quiet, the others only starting to whisper when the walls came into view. It was a nice town and Claire smiled at the memories she had of the place. Winter painted the stone walls in an especially beautiful way, the thick forests around giving it a magical feel. The gates opened when they saw the approaching woman armored in black. She would have to work longer today, preparing more runed plates to use. Luckily the city council had offered to provide her with materials immediately. After seeing her use them there was even more support.

“My lady! You have returned safely. Was the hunt successful?” the captain of the small guard in the city greeted her, a frown immediately forming under her hood.

“Don’t address me in such a way Mack.” she said in a serious tone.

“A come Clairy, for old time’s sake.” he smiled but she ignored him and walked onwards. The man followed behind, a warrior at level eighty, one of the highest in the whole town.

“Lord Felt wanted to meet as soon as you’ve arrived.” he said and continued “The reinforcements you requested have been finished and the inventory of food has been completed. You already have the list of people living here. We’re also gathering water in the tanks you requested to be built. Are we awaiting a siege?” the man asked.

“We have to be prepared for everything. The demons will come, one way or the other. Men will see an opportunity as well, especially with the refugees from the west. Don’t let anybody in for now. Only adventurers are to leave and only for good reason.” she explained as they walked upwards towards the center of the town where the Lord had positioned his guard and all the logistics upon Claire’s request.

“What if they want to flee, I’ve already arrested two of them.” he said.

“They’re of no help to us. Let them go but do so discreetly, we don’t want morale to sink further than it already has.” Claire answered the man’s question, a smile getting to her face, the management task definitely more fun than the one of killing demons.

“Miss Russel. You have returned, how many this time?” Lord Felt asked, the man a mage at the early hundreds in level and early forties in age, at least looks wise. Claire looked at the fancy leather armor he wore with unnecessary embroideries. His eyes were focused and waiting for her answer.

“Forty six, all of the smaller variants but more will come. Let us hope the villages and towns nearby have heeded our warnings.” Claire answered, walking to the central table inside the repurposed inn where a massive map of the surrounding lands was displayed. People were hustling around the room but many glanced at her and stopped to hear the talk between their lord and the member of the Hand who had suddenly appeared a couple weeks ago, followed by the monstrosities now present in their lands.

“Some have come but far too few.” the lord said, finding himself on the opposite end of the table.

“Vihall isn’t the most fortified place around so there’s hope for more people surviving. The first step is surviving the winter, food is more important right now. Are the hunters still out?” she asked. The man nodded.

“They are, are you sure the beasts also kill animals?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ve seen it many times on my way here.” Claire answered before she received the promised inventory. “I will tend to my runes then my lord.” she excused herself, using his title as previously discussed with the man. He nodded and locked eyes with her. Claire had no desire to gain power over the town and the Lord’s fear of her doing just that helped immensely in convincing the man to listen to her advice. Claire was more or less in control, just not officially. Not a bad thing considering the superior education she had received on the relevant topics.

With her notes and the stacks of paper she had received, Claire made her way through the town receiving some nods and fearful looks from people around her. The word was spreading that she was here to defend the town which made the people less distant to her, quite a comparison to her initial arrival.

Reaching a small dilapidated house in a side street, Claire looked around and entered. She put the stacks of paper on the small table in the kitchen and walked around opening the windows to let some air inside. “I’m home!” she said into the rooms in a loud voice. Getting to the last room she knocked and entered.

A woman with gray hair was sitting in a chair next to the bed, her hands in her lap and her back bent forwards. Claire got a pillow from the bed and put it behind the woman’s back and got the second chair, sitting down in front of her.

“Hey mom. It’s me, Clairy. Today I went out with some adventurers to fight monsters and I got the inventory from Mack so I can start planning for the next couple months and the provisions for the families….” she continued to tell her mother about her day and then some. Despite the lack of reaction, Claire continued to do so every day. She had felt guilty for leaving the town to go to the Hand but already she had more power and money to protect and care for her mother than she ever had before. She sighed and got up before kissing the woman on her forehead. “I love you mother.” she said and walked down to get the papers. Today she would work in the bedroom.

Sighting she sunk into her chair, the food situation didn’t look good. Hopefully the hunters would be able to bring some more to at least feed the people at the moment. Grain and other goods that wouldn’t perish immediately would have to be carefully rationed. She trusted the Lord could do so with his employees. A letter was written up informing him about just that before she went to see the smith about her runed plates. The metal plates she had requested to be put around the city had been finished and put in place, all of them holding destructive payloads that could be activated by her and her alone. Only the threat of imminent death convinced the Lord and higher ups in the city to agree to that measure of defense but in the end it did.

Hard weeks and months would soon come but still Claire smiled. She was back, as promised. And now she was in charge.

“Hey look at this one!” one of the men shouted, Eve listening intently to their conversations.

“Oh yea, that one will be valued a little higher. Take her to the wagons, leave the rest.” the man said.

“Shouldn’t we burn them? The demons will take the bodies otherwise.” the first man asked, both wearing full plate armor, the only reason Eve hadn’t slit their throats as of yet.

“We’ll be long gone, let them sow some more chaos.” the second man said. Eve could see the other man didn’t agree, even scum like them showing contempt at creating more demons. Still his professionalism won over as he dragged the woman to the wagons. Eve followed in silence, ignoring the dying people, injured and freezing. The slavers had several wagons with them and finally they were in the same location.

“Do you hear that?” one of them asked, a hum filling the air around them before the first of the men hit the snowy ground, bleeding from his neck, the blade expertly placed between the man’s helmet and chest piece. Four more fell before one of them managed to get out of the trance of Eve’s spell. He shouted about them being under attack and tried to get some of the others out of her influence but five more of them died while he did so.

Three men remained, having at least some ability in defending against her magic. Not surprising considering the quality of their wagons and gear, let alone their training. Eve had stalked them for three days already and found it hard to approach. She had to wait for them to find people to get into range, their attention divided. With the elven attacks in the west and the demons now coming from the southeast, it would be a perfect season for their business. Luckily for her it was rare to find someone in her range of personal power to join a band like this one. If there were any they would be the ones in control of these people.

Eve simply showed herself, slowly approaching the three men who quickly focused on her and activated their skills and magic. Her hum turned more pressuring, not caring about subtlety anymore. They were already dazed and when she pushed even harder right before engaging them, Eve already had an opening on the first man, dodging his blade and sticking her dagger into his face. He was dead in an instant, falling down into the snow, the crunching sound menacing combined with her humming.

“Who are you? I’m sure we can negotiate!” one of them shouted but several of her clones walked out from her own being. She didn’t answer but simply approached the two men. One of them turned tail and ran. Eve threw one of her blades, the weapon piercing the man’s leg right at the knee. He would tried getting the blade out but black runes were already forming around the wound and he was dying moments later, gurgling in pain.

“What the fuck… come on girl I’m sure there’s something I can give you! What about the location of our base? Or money, I can give you money!” the man shouted, all of his dignity and professionalism gone now that he was standing in front of death’s door. Eve stopped approaching and just watched him. The man spilled everything he knew, of course it was doubtful that he was telling the truth but he would die nonetheless. Free possibly good information wasn’t something she would let go. A good thing that someone so inexperienced had still managed to defend against her mental attacks.

A shame that his potential wouldn’t be fulfilled, for humanity. His choices and actions have led to his current situation and Eve would not let him go. The man was still talking but soon stopped when he didn’t detect a change in her behavior. His face changed to become even more pale than before. “You’re not gonna...” he stammered out.

“No. No I’m not gonna.” Eve answered and walked closer, dodging the man’s last desperate strike with his sword, her fingers hitting hard into his windpipe before she spun into a crouch, kicking at his legs, the man already unbalanced fell down. All her strength focused on one point, Eve sunk down and pierced the man’s leather armor, right through to his heart. She ripped out the dagger and walked to the other dead man and getting the second one.

The group of people found and robbed by the slavers was still sitting in the same place, told that they would die should they move away. Some of them looked up to Eve as she approached, noting the black armor and smiling mask. “Do you want to live?” the woman asked them.

Sitting inside an overfilled inn, Eve looked at the man sitting opposite her. Neither of them touched their drinks standing on the dark wooden table. “I have two requests that would match what you’re looking for.” the man said after a while. Eve was wearing old leather armor and a hood to conceal her facial features.

“Though I wouldn’t recommend pursuing this any further, whoever you are.” he said and handed over a letter. Eve took the letter and placed a gold coin in his gloved hand before getting up and leaving the inn. She walked to the next best side street and jumped up to the roof of the building before nesting herself into the architecture. The letter was opened and its contents read. She smiled and burned the paper with a small magical lighter device. “Finally.” she whispered and got up.

Chapter 126 Return

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone, two chapters today. Next ones likely next week on Friday.

I hope you're all having a good weekend

. As always any criticism and corrections are appreciated.

Chapter 126 Return

“Your votes have been received.” the voice from the shadows said, Baltimore not reacting while he sat on his desk, the office lit in a dim light. The paper with names and comments in front of him crumbling to dust.

“Good, leave then.” he said and got up. Opening the door the servant wasn’t surprised that the master of the house had known about his coming.

“My lord you have a visitor. I must apologize to have found it impossible to gather a name.” the servant said but Baltimore didn’t react, the apology simply a formality as few of his acquaintances would mention their name.

“Main hall?” he asked and the servant confirmed. An annoyed look came to his face as he walked through the decorated and beautiful mansion. The main hall was located in the east wing and big enough to host a whole kingdom’s nobility for dinner, not that that ever happens. Baltimore opened the door and stepped inside, finding a face that justified building the hall in exactly this way.

“Ah there you are. Beautiful place you have, I always forget.” the man said, clad in casual clothing made from expensive silk.

“Don’t flatter me Michael. Why are you here?” Baltimore asked, different thoughts and possibilities swirling in his mind as he waited for the man’s response. Michael wasn’t the kind of person to play the games of schemers so he was somewhat sure a fight wasn’t on the table this day.

“I’m here to talk, didn’t my attire suggest such a thing. You seem annoyed, is it so busy?” the man asked, his demeanor betraying the plain look of his face. Brown eyes and hair, were it not for his clothes and the aura of power combined with the question marks above his head Baltimore might’ve mistaken him for a mere peasant.

“It is indeed busy. Aren’t you as well, what with all the refugees and demons roaming around, I’m surprised you have time for such a thing. Or have you learned a cloning or illusion spell?” Baltimore asked, walking to the buffet that still held some food. He hadn’t eaten anything in at least two days and this talk was perfectly useless for him to fill that need in the meantime.

Michael laughed, Baltimore continuing his movement to grab a piece of bread and sausage with a fluid and trained motion, betraying the tension that was building up inside of him. “Oh yes, it’s very exciting isn’t it?” Michael said, a big smile on his face when Baltimore turned to him and started eating.

“People and demons get lost in the chaos and while the situation is terrific there’s less mouths to feed, less demons to kill. Everyone profits in the end don’t they?” the man said, causally sitting down on one of the chairs.

“Yes they do, some more than others.” Baltimore said “Now get to the point. I dread casual conversation.”

Michael sighed at that and got up again. “You’re so dreadfully boring old man. I truly am busy as are you but one must have one’s fun.” he said, his demeanor changing form the playful one to one much more serious, the smile leaving his face. “Your protégé has appeared. Maria Acantha has vanished with at least thirty dead in the hidden prison. This has happened weeks ago but you may want to move it if you want to stop the possible chaos to ensue.” he finished.

Baltimore damn near choked on his food as he processed the information. His eyes focused on the ground before him before going back to Michael. “Why tell me?” he asked but the man just shrugged and walked to the door.

“It’s in your hands now, the hounds have been sent.” he said and exited, leaving Baltimore standing there alone. He lifted his hands and looked at the food before he stuffed his face with it.

“That idiot of a brat...” he said but the grin on his face betrayed his words, his headache intensifying by the minute.

Edwin looked through the documents stored in the hidden vault behind the now bloodied painting, a soft gasp sounded from the room beyond, followed by the sound of something hitting the floor. A shiver ran down his back as he made himself concentrate on the documents again.

“Found anything?” Maria asked as she stepped into the room, her clothes clean and her expression neutral. Edwin locked eyes with her for a moment.

“Yes, finally something useful. They’ve expanded into whoring now as well and it seems they’re financing the production of enchanted weapons for Baralia.” he explained, handing over some of the documents.

“Treason then? Can we make a case with the empress?” the woman asked.

“You’ve not learned a lot about politics in your time as a prisoner.” Edwin said, regretting his words immediately. Every other man who said that would’ve been dead the moment his words had left his mouth but Maria simply stood there, her lips quivering before she turned around and left the room.

Edwin continued his work. They had limited time, soon the pattern would be uncovered and hunters would find them. At least so far their capabilities were grossly underestimated but he didn’t doubt the competence of his enemies, the elves and demons merely a small help in his endeavors. People and locations, finally he had found a lord stupid enough to document every unnecessary detail. He would’ve died either way but at least one of them had helped them out.

He gathered the necessary documents and stored them in Aliana’s ring he was wearing. “Come now.” he spoke to Maria who was waiting outside before the two jumped out an open window and into the dark city of Virilya, shrouded by the night. The capital was loud and busy that night, just as it always was. Approaching demons and the elvish attacks from weeks ago not on the thoughts of people dancing and drinking through the night. Edwin welcomed it, the city and its protectors less vigilant than in the places they had visited in the weeks before. The goal that seemed so unreachable for years was now closer than ever. He allowed himself to smile a little as he dashed towards their hideout, his childhood friend quietly following behind.

“That’s why you have to work on your attack and defense skills as well, I’ve explained that to you four times now Cless. Please try to understand.” Kyrian said, his food getting cold in front of him.

“But why do I have to fight monsters?” Cless asked again, causing the man more stress than facing several mind weavers at once. A sudden distortion in the midst of the living room made Kyrian jump up, all his metal spheres floating from his quiver as his helmet appeared, the man standing in front of Cless.

The girl already had her shield activated around her, gaining a smile from Kyrian who concentrated on the space anomaly before him. He could see glimpses of a place clad in metal, corpses of demons were visible before the anomaly vanished again. He was relaxing again when suddenly a fissure in space appeared and three figures fell out of it, his spikes of metal stopping shy of their bodies as he realized who it was.

The fissure vanished again, taking a piece of both the floor and ceiling with it. Two of the figures were still laying on the ground, both of them coughing.

“Fuck, my floor!” Ilea exclaimed before she puked right into the gap of missing wood. Trian managed to keep it together and simply kept laying on the ground.

“Ilea you’re back!” Kyrian exclaimed as Cless ran past him, stopping shy of reaching Ilea because of the smell of both blood and puke. “That demon is alive you know...” he finished, spikes of metal floating around the abominable creature.

Ilea slowly got up and motioned for him to calm down. “He’s not to kill, at least not yet. Helped us out in the demon realm, what a place. Well now we don’t have to ration food anymore! Can’t believe that stunt worked.” Ilea said, walked past Kyrian and sat down on the table before six steaming meals appeared before her. Kyrian knew he wouldn’t get much more out of the woman for a while so decided to go help his more reasonable team mate, whilst keeping an eye on the demon who was laying on the ground still as well.

“Trian, you’re back. What happened?” he asked but the man motioned with one finger in the air for him to shut up. He retched and then swallowed again.

“Ahh, better now. Ilea I want some of that food as well. Do you have something alcoholic to drink?” he completely ignored Kyrian and walked to the table as well.

“Not even you...” Kyrian said as he tensed up, watching the demon sit up.

“This is… this is AnothER ReALM!!” the voice boomed in his head as he registered it as an attack and moved to respond accordingly but the demon just touched the wooden ground. While Kyrian thought of the voice in his head as an attack it didn’t feel anything but happy to him, nearly hysterical even.

“What are you doing? Stop that!” he shouted at the demon licking and biting the wood on the floor. “Everyone’s ignoring me...” he simply said and walked to the table, defeated.

“Welcome to reality pal.” a voice yet unknown to him exclaimed as he looked around confused.

“Down here, Ilea’s belt.” he looked to find the sheathed dagger Ilea always carried around. “Yea right here, you’re dreaming right now. Wake up.” it said to him. Kyrian felt himself lose balance as he sat down on a chair and smacked his face, forgetting that he was still wearing a helmet. Removing it he just grabbed one of the dozens of plates of food before Ilea and started eating as well, forgetting himself in the pleasure of whatever godly meals she had gotten her hands onto.

“The demon’s not getting up.” Trian said, holding his stomach as he looked over to the still eating Ilea. “I think he’s hurt… I think I’m hurt.” he said, looking down on himself.

Ilea finished her plate and looked at him. “I’ve been healing you guys through the whole thing, even when we arrived.” she thought both of them were fine for now. Touching the man she found a bit of burn damage left, healing it in the next minute. She got up and walked to the demon before she also touched him.

“I’m glad you like the wood but calm the fuck down, you’re freaking everyone out.” she grabbed him and walked to the table while carrying and healing the monster. Cless made big eyes as she hid behind Kyrian. “Do you eat human food? Well let’s find out, come you’re in my house so eat.” she slid a plate in front of the demon who hesitantly touched it. The following scene was certainly unexpected when the demon shoveled some of it into his mouth, chewed for two seconds, froze and passed out on the table. Ilea checked him and found nothing wrong with his body.

“It’s not poison. Guess he was exhausted or it was just REALLY good.” she said and continued eating herself.

“Am I really dreaming?” Kyrian asked himself next to her.

“You’re not, that’s my stupid dagger Aki. Aki you know Kyrian, Kyrian, Aki.” she unsheathed the blade and put it next to the man who just looked at it.

“Booh!” the dagger exclaimed, Kyrian just getting up and walking to the door.

“I need some fresh air.” he said and exited.

“Hahahaaaa” Aki laughed as Cless took Kyrian’s place and looked at the dagger, taking it and turning it around. “Hey girl don’t do that, Ilea this child is handling dangerous weapons.” Cless apologized and just held the dagger normally.

“The only danger you pose is to everyone’s nerves.” Ilea said, taking Aki back from Cless nonetheless and putting him back into his sheath.

“He reminds me of someone.” Trian said, drinking from a cup of tea and looking away.

“Don’t you dare sparky.” Ilea simply said, done with eating as she made herself a tea as well. The mind weaver was still passed out on the table, drooling on the wood. She would have to get a wood mage to fix the damage. Perhaps she would leave it as well, as a reminder of their safe return. A smile formed on her lips as she thought of the books in the room upstairs.

“So you just let the man responsible for Ravenhall’s destruction and hundreds of thousands of human deaths go?” Kyrian asked, both hands on his forehead while he sat opposite Ilea and Trian. The demon was awake again and sat next to him, to neither of their pleasure.

“Well if you phrase it like that it doesn’t sound very good.” Ilea stated.

“We had no way of knowing if there was another way back. Even this one was more guessing than anything else. The elder somewhat knew his way around it seemed so catching him would’ve been difficult.” Trian explained.

“Or killing him, he had a counter for Trian’s main abilities and inside of his monster horde I don’t know how I would’ve fared.” Ilea said, getting a sigh from Kyrian.

“Well you’re here now and I doubt there’s an easy way to go back there. Let’s just hope he doesn’t somehow unleash all of the demons on us or does something else that would destroy Elos as we know it… not that he already did.” Kyrian said.

“I thought he destroyed Ravenhall, not all of Elos… and honestly he didn’t sound like he wanted this result in particular. Why would he lie to us in a situation like that?” Ilea asked.

“Yea let’s hope you’re right, you’re too trusting though Ilea.” Trian said.

“The demons have a way of using corpses to replicate so there’s a few hundred thousand demons running around the empire now. More in the making.” Kyrian said.

“We’ve got ourselves a zombie apocalypse. Great, let’s get to work then.” Ilea said and moved to get up.

“Wait up paladin Recking.” Trian said and held her back.

“Who’s paladin Recking?” Ilea asked in a confused manner as she sat down again.

“Doesn’t matter now. Kyrian I’m sure the empire knows what’s going on so cities are being closed down and adventurers are hunting down the demons. What’s the average level of corpses turned to demons?” he asked.

“Depends on the corpse I guess, I’ve seen anything from thirty to two hundred but the latter is very rare.” he answered.

“What about the rest of the Hand. You’ve survived so there must be more.” Trian asked.

“Yes, but I don’t know anything about it. I took care of Cless and hid out here while hunting demons anytime I could.” Kyrian explained. “Some of the Hand are still nearby, fighting demons as well. They’ve spread out and it’s been weeks so I think much of the empire is affected as of now.”

“That’s good then. If they spread out we can take care of them. I doubt a couple hundred thousand of the monsters working together could be stopped. Mind weaver do you think your kind could work together to control such a force?” Trian asked, shocking the demon who was focused on touching the wood of the table.

“Oh, no no. The small bond we share with each other holds only until we make it to another realm. There will be no alliance. The strongest mind weavers I’ve seen control several hundred spawn at once.” he answered Trian’s questions. Kyrian gave the demon a look, not used to the mind communication yet.

“Good, then we’ll assume there’s some that can control a couple thousand but likely not more and they probably work alone. You said Ravenhall is being held by one of them?” Trian asked.

“Yes, not sure if it’s only one but I saw it standing on the walls whenever I got close to the city.” Kyrian explained.

“Good, Ilea how many you think were in those fights we’ve had?” Trian looked to the woman.

“Couple hundred I think. They’re easy to deal with if you fly up to regain your breath.” she said.

“Well we can all fly and now Kyrian is here as well so a couple hundred more should be easy.” the noble said.

“Don’t you want to go back to your family, protect the city or something?” Ilea asked.

“They’re near the capital, I doubt a single demon will make it past the walls. And there’s a lot of them running around here. We know how to fight them so we can advance our skills here.” he said.

“You’re too focused on strength. We should look for Claire and Eve as well. If they made it out.” Kyrian said, the last sentence in a quiet tone. Ilea appeared behind him and smacked his back.

“I’m sure they did. We’ll look for them, starting with the ruins of Ravenhall.” she exclaimed, thinking of her friends and acquaintances dead. An ice cold fury rising inside of her that she had only known once. When Roland’s family was killed. Now though it was graspable compared to the confusion she had felt before. “Let’s go.”

“Ilea calm down, we’ve barely began planning. Claire would flip out if she saw this...” Trian said, shaking his head slowly. “Do you have paper and a pen, a map of the surrounding area would be good as well.” Ilea provided most of what he asked, as well as snacks and drinks.

“Let’s start then.” the noble said, sketching on the small part of one of the maps Ilea had gotten in the devastated city of Salia.

Chapter 127 Air Support

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you enjoy and have a nice weekend

.

Chapter 127 Air Support

“That brings us to you demon. You’ve reached your goal and I’m debating on killing you right here, right now.” Trian said, the map already looking too complicated for Ilea to remember all of it.

“Why would you do that, he’s not attacked us since.” Ilea said.

“Because we’re right here. What if he leaves and hunts down humans?” he asked but the demon interjected.

“You speak true human, I have reached my goal. But now I desire to experience this new world. If I may be of use, do use me. If you should not kill me or even protect me in turn I would do anything to stay!” he was obviously in distress. Gaining all these new influences and now his life was up for discussion. Ilea was a bit disgusted at Trian’s suggestions but she had to accept that there was a demon sitting on their table. One of the demons that had massacred thousands of humans. Not him directly but one of their kind.

“Don’t be a racist.” she said quietly.

“Ilea. They eat humans.” Trian just stated. “Alright then we’ll use you for now. Just be aware that if you betray us we’ll kill you and if you flee and hide or attack humans they’ll fight back and kill you as well so I suggest you listen to us. It’s your best bet of continuous survival.” he explained, driving a hard bargain but a truthful one nonetheless. Of course the near level two hundred mind mage would wreak havoc among among any given human city but in the end he would be cut down, one way or the other. That was if he was alone.

“How many of the spawn can you control? And would you be willing to cut down your own kind?” Trian asked. The demon just looked at him for a while.

“I’m confused. Why would I not fight them? I’ve been doing so for two hundred years.” the demon said.

“That’s settled then. Well I want us to work together. We hunt down demons and some of the higher leveled ones we find you add to your troop.” Trian explained.

“That sounds agreeable. I can control around one hundred and fifty spawn, less if they’re above my level.” the demon said, his impressive level of 186 would help them a lot against most of the spawn at much lower levels.

“Good, then we all know our roles. Let’s move out.”

“Finally.” Ilea said, lifting her head from the table it had rested on.

Sulivhaan ate in silence as he usually did, his mask lifted just enough to be able to eat. He didn’t allow himself to smile as he looked around the campfire to find his team still standing strong. Some of the few that remained in close proximity to the deathtrap previously known as the city of Ravenhall. Rock’s stomach rumbled when he finished the meal but it would cost them days to get to the next town for re-provisioning. They had enough to work with but in these situations the squad leader was missing a storage device of some sort the most.

“I should be fine now, going to sleep for two hours.” Rock said as he put the plate down and started rubbing it with snow to somewhat clean it. At least water wouldn’t be an issue, even if it weren’t winter. Navalis nodded her very light nod, barely noticeable to anybody outside of their team. They all were still clad in black but more and more, red was joining in, their gear growing more rugged by the day.

Senia, their rogue was already sleeping, her skills not allowing her much in the sense of reduced rest. She was small and Rock would carry her in normal circumstances. Aided by Sulivhaan’s gravity magic it wouldn’t be much of an issue. The ranger and mage were left behind at the still warm site, now only ashes remaining from the camp fire. They had learned early on that demon encounters wouldn’t increase much when they lit a fire, a peculiarity the monsters didn’t have in common with most other predators in Elos.

Navalis got up quietly and left for her hourly scouting while Sulivhaan was working with his gravity magic to ease the rest of his companions. He put down his mask again as he meditated.

Sunrise came and a pat to his shoulder woke Sulivhaan out of his meditative state. Navalis was standing near a tree and Senia above it, already somewhat shrouded in shadow. Sulivhaan reduced gravity around him as he rose, prepared for another day of fighting.

“We’ll scout around the south of the city today, same as always.” he said as the group moved out, more and more familiar with the surroundings. Senia vanished into her surroundings, about as hard to make out as Navalis who reached nearly the same level of camouflage with experience and the help of some minor skills. Sulivhaan was glad that the young woman saw Navalis more as a role model and less as competition, otherwise he wasn’t sure the team would still be together.

Rock was their tank and would lure enemies towards him but even he managed to stay relatively quiet while he ran through the forest. Sulivhaan himself of course was floating, the exercise not a skill but a combination of his gravity magic spells that he worked on for years to perfect, now the fastest moving member of their team for long distances.

It didn’t take long for them to find the first group of demons. Whoever controlled them was sure to send out scouts and groups of them to check the surroundings of the city regularly, proving them to at least not be mere beasts. Of course Sulivhaan had his suspicions as to the reason of the demons’ appearance. He wouldn’t put it past some of the Hand’s members to use this for their own gain. His best bet was on a failed experiment by a random member dabbling in necromancy or summoning, not that it hadn’t happened before.

Of course the extend of this outbreak was different but they would quell it, one way or the other. The emergency protocol of the Hand would be put in place whenever Ravenhall would fall, something that has happened at least three times in the history of the order. They would meet in the current capital of the empire or kingdom the city currently belonged to. In these times that would be the empire of Lys with its capital, Virilya. He himself had seen many of the Hand flee, most of their casualties coming from the encounter in the Haven. Seeing Verena fight that monster was something he wouldn’t forget for quite some time. The heights of human power and still she would continue to grow. With people like her on their side it would take more than some simple demons to take them out.

The woman had vanished into a portal the beast had summoned, with a group of members that had helped her fight it but Sulivhaan was sure they were all alive, he was an optimist after all.

“RAAAAAHRRRRR” the battle shout of their tank made Sulivhaan focus as he prepared his magic, the group of demons a big one. Navalis would assess them from a distance and would call for a retreat if she thought the encounter not manageable but so far there was no signal, so they engaged.

A field of increased gravity spread out around Rock who swung his massive hammer around him, blood and guts spraying as he cleaved through some of the monsters, their bones crushed together before they impacted with the next body. The first lines of golden light came from the trees behind Sulivhaan, impacting the heads of several demons. Senia appeared in the midst of the group, slashing at their necks and heads with her daggers while using Rock as a shield to find shelter behind. She would appear and disappear, reaping the lives of their enemies while moving in tandem with Rock’s hammer swings she guided pursuing demons towards.

His preparations were finished and while Sulivhaan was not one to hold the spot of being their leader through sheer force, he had more than just a strategic mind and ability to lead. A big chunk of demons suddenly flailed in the air when a magical force took them upwards. The gravity field around Rock suddenly pulsed outwards as the tank smiled, his shoulders hanging less low, his stance less strained and his hammer light as a feather. The demons around him couldn’t move, pushed towards the ground as hammer swings and daggers took them apart.

The group hanging high in the air stopped before a pulse of magic left Sulivhaan, the demons flying towards the ground with around five times the speed they should’ve fell. The snow on the ground didn’t help much as their bodies were splashed on the ground, leaving none of them alive as he prepared his next spell, focusing on another group when a heavy presence in his mind made him focus on a specific part of the forest in front.

“Mind weaver!” he shouted as several golden streaks of light flew into the direction of the mage. A massive monster, bones growing from its back blocked the ranged attacks as two more groups of demons appeared on either side of it, each as numerous as the one they had just fought. The signal for retreat came immediately from Navalis, Sulivhaan preparing his last area spell to slow down the enemy as they retreated. The mind weavers learned to round themselves with demons, less arrogant than they had been in the first couple days after their appearance.

Another signal arrow came from their ranger, now from a different position. A signal to reengage. The man smiled as his delaying spell was reformed into an offensive one. A loud crackling could be heard from above when a massive bolt of lightning smashed into one of the groups of demons, their flesh burning, some even exploding from the sheer energy of the spell. Simultaneously spikes of metal smashed into the massive bone monster protecting the mind weaver when a winged silhouette in black armor landed hard in the group coming from the left, ash coming into existence around the warrior as demon corpses where thrown out of the cloud. Sulivhaan concentrated again as his spell took form, lifting up the bone monster and mind weaver behind it, the two rising as lightning and golden arrows smashed into them. Senia vanished into the black ash cloud while Rock engaged the remaining enemies in the right hand group.

The mind weaver was dead already from the continued ranged attacks, the pressure in his head leaving gradually as he put a chunk of his mana towards the fall of the still struggling bone demon, the subsequent impact sending a shock wave of snow and frozen dirt towards them, the cloud of ash clearing as two mages landed near it, the warrior in black standing next to Senia who teleported away and towards Sulivhaan.

They did engage the demons but Sulivhaan was prepared for everything, at least until the helmet on the black warrior vanished, revealing a face he hadn’t seen since the collapse of Ravenhall.

“HAHAHA Ilea you fuck!” Rock exclaimed, throwing his hammer to the ground as he walked towards the woman who followed his example, the two hugging briefly before they disengaged and smashed their fists together, creating a loud noise of metal against metal.

“Wow.” he said to himself as he approached the group, Navalis falling in next to him.

“You knew it was her?” he asked, knowing the answer even without a response.

“Another squad is still here, that’s good news then.” Trian said as he looked at the approaching figures. Ilea knew at least one of them, that was sure and they were fighting demons while wearing black. A good enough reason to join them.

“Yes, all the demons are dead… nothing left for our weaver.” Kyrian said, looking back to see the slowly approaching mind weaver with his band of sorry looking demons. They had fought all through the night and morning but had found few high leveled enemies, until this group.

The ranger of the other team was rather perceptive, raising her bow and aiming towards the slope where their group of demons was approaching, still hundreds of meters away. Trian appeared a couple meters in front of her with a disengaging stance. “They’re on our side.” he simply spoke, the ranger keeping her bow tense until the mage of the other group spoke.

“It’s alright. Very interesting, now I would like to know the reason for a friendly group of these monsters. My name is Sulivhaan, squad leader of team eight, Shadow’s Hand. And you are?” Trian smiled now, having heard of the team before.

“Trian, team thirty four. And yes, I’m sure we have a lot to discuss.” he said, shaking hands with the man.

“The day is still young...” Ilea said as she approached the group, lightly nodding to the ranger in the process. “And the sun is high. Our numbers just doubled and the enemy’s numbers in the hundreds of thousands, why are we still standing here?”

Sulivhaan had expected some people to have stayed behind but in the past weeks all they had found were individuals, all trying to get into the destroyed city for personal gain, both random adventurer and member of the Hand. At this point he hadn’t expected to find a full team had remained.

His inquiries were cut short by the team leader of the other group, Trian. They had apparently managed to talk one of the demons to their side, a story much too vague for him to believe at the moment but Sulivhaan was rarely one to be too hung up on the details. A job needed to be done, and he would get it done. Seeing the others reap through the enemy group of demons currently being slaughtered by them brought a big smile to his masked face, their powers working together incredibly well.

The large enemy groups allowed for full scale usage of all their abilities without inhibiting themselves, something seen only in bigger dungeons or wars. A group of seven level two hundred individuals going all out was not something most people or monsters alike would want to stand against.

The woman had grown, at a pace he had expected. More importantly she had made friends, team mates that would hopefully stand by her side whenever she needed them, whenever the barrier she tried to punch through was too much to overcome on her own. She would survive, and help the others do so as well.

His spell finished as he stopped thinking about his newfound companions, the enemy stopping in the air and flying to their deaths a moment later with a more than unhealthy velocity. Sulivhaan looked to the next group even before the previous one impacted the hard stone ground below. Hard winds pushed at his coat, making parts of it flutter as he saw streaks of red and gold destroy the confused enemy lines.

A storm was coming up, not uncommon in these altitudes. The snow would help them more than the enemy, concealing their forms and magic to their enraged and wild minds. The current group numbered in the sixties when they had found them and by now their melee fighters were hunting down the last remaining standing stragglers who managed to escape the large scale magical attacks by his gravity magic and Trian’s lightning.

“Good job.” Trian said, checking on some of the injured demons who were left alive on purpose.

“Are you sure we can trust that demon?” Sulivhaan asked the flying mage next to him. The armored man looked at him, his once black armor was chipped in places and showed red below the applied color by the Hand, something common to anyone returning to Ravenhall after months of travel and fighting. The man coughed and clapped his hand together, a spark forming and growing all around his body.

“Not at all, he’s a demon like them but we can use him. Trust me that monster is afraid of us more than of his brethren.” the man said.

“And once this is done?” Sulivhaan asked but the man just looked at him and then back to the field of snow and corpses below, floating downwards slowly.

“We have three at one sixty and another four at one twenty. Guess we’ll use em.” Rock stated, chucking the screaming demons on a pile, their arms and legs removed by the skilled rogue in their group, quite skilled at removing limbs and not something anybody below her strength would want to ask about.

“Best we could get, seems like the higher leveled ones died mostly in the initial summoning or they’re hiding inside the city.” Rock said, motioning towards the general direction of Ravenhall with his hammer.

“Some must’ve gone off to other cities or even the south.” Senia said, moving one of her daggers around her hand as if it were floating.

“Then let them dry to death in the desert.” Trian landed and looked around. “Where’s Ilea?”

“She’s fighting one of them still, low leveled. I think she’s trying something with her ash skills.” Rock said and pointed to a silhouette in the distance, the falling snow making it hard to make out details.

“Ilea!” Trian shouted and waited for the figure to turn around. The woman came closer soon, her hand firmly grasped around a struggling demon’s neck as ash circled around her, tendrils pushing and pointing at the corpses and the ground.

“Come and heal them, where is that damn demon again. Mind weaver!” Trian continued to shout, now floating upwards again.

“Could at least ask nicely.” Ilea said and threw the demon at Trian, its claws trying to dig into the floating man who responded with a high voltage charge that fried its brain.

“Fuck off!” he shouted down to her and continued to look for the friendly demon.

Ilea just shrugged and walked to the pile of moving demons, her face showing a disgusted grimace under her helmet. They were obviously in pain, enraged and powerless against the opponent they had found themselves against. They were rabid, monstrous killing machines akin to something she had seen in science fiction movies about aliens. Demon was a good name for them but still she preferred just fighting and killing them. Mutilating didn’t sit right, they were animals at least. Still she started healing the first one of them, the suffering of these monsters worth it a thousand times over if they could be used to fight the remaining masses left behind in the city she had grown to like. More importantly to avenge the humans they once were.

Chapter 128 Family Dinner

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, another chapter for Sunday. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 128 Family Dinner

“We can make camp in the woods later, it’s safe enough.” Sulivhaan suggested to the man who quickly went over to Ilea, talking in a whisper.

“Sure, Sulivhaan you guys can stay at my place as well. I have plenty of food and everything.” Ilea shouted towards the mage who was a little confused as to where that place would be. The woman of course had only been in the proximity of Ravenhall for a couple months, already she had made herself a home. He didn’t dare expect anything special, perhaps just a cave. Not that the woman didn’t have any class but he thought she’d definitely sleep in a cave should the circumstances require it.

He was not wrong of course but in this case Ilea’s offer brought a massive improvement. The three of his team mates unable to fly reacted quite differently to Ilea’s suggestion to carry them down. Navalis skidded down the cliff side, occasionally holding herself to reduce the speed of her descent. Senia grudgingly agreed to being carried by the woman and Rock was laughing, continuously joking about his weight and her inability to lift him. Obviously he was wrong. They all landed quite safely on the rock extending from the cliff side, the house built on it harder to make out from a distance than its owner thought.

“So you built this?” Rock asked, the skepticism quite obvious in his voice.

“Nah, had it built.” Ilea answered, reappearing in the cave nearby and coming out with a swordmouth tiger she then tightly hugged. The beast was wild and didn’t seem enthusiastic at the encounter but Sulivhaan just thought of small cats some people liked to keep in their homes and shrugged, thinking that they also didn’t seem to enjoy their predicament. With the woman being at over level two hundred, the comparison was less abstract than it seemed at first glance.

“Rich as well, you have a suitor yet?” the big man asked, Sulivhaan noticing the glance coming from the quiet metal mage traveling with them. He thought not mentioning anything was the best course of action and followed Ilea into the weird looking home.

“I don’t really have any beds other than my own… well you can stay downstairs I guess. We’ll find something tomorrow.” Ilea said, thinking on anything that might be usable as a pillow. The kittens had grown in the cavern but probably not enough for this and they would be scared of new people.

“That’s quite alright, we have our packs.” Rock said, stepping into the house with lightly cleaned boots. Ilea nodded to that as she saw Kyrian going downstairs and checking on Cless who was staying in the showroom slash armory. He would probably cook for the others, she had yet to thank him for saving and taking care of Cless. The story would be an interesting one but knowing the man his retelling of it would be as dry as the winds in the Mongolian tundra.

The mind weaver was staying high up above the location of the house, his horde of demons not something Ilea wanted in close proximity to the house. Considering his life in the salt hells, he agreed immediately to her proposal of staying up there, the trees and snow as exciting to him as they were to a one year old puppy.

Ilea quickly blinked upstairs to find her bed neatly made, her intention to quickly get a book interrupted by the sweet gesture. She smiled and got one of the books she had planned to read and blinked downstairs again, changing her juggernaut armor to a more comfortable one and sitting down on the table. Trian changed into clothes as well and sat down.

Ilea looked at the new group who had joined them, her eyes opening wide. ‘I forgot to build in a nice bath...’

“Fuck...” she said and opened her book.

“I think Kyrian’s cooking. I’m not sure about a bath but the ocean’s close?” Trian said.

“Thank you.” Sulivhaan said and bowed his head.

“I’ll go help.” Rock said while smiling, his helmet neatly tucked under his arm. Navalis nodded and walked to the door and back outside. Senia sat down on the table as well and started playing with her dagger.

“Don’t cut the wood, it’s expensive.” Ilea said, a stern look shot towards the rogue who glared back.

“How long of a rest does everyone need?” Trian asked the other team leader, the role of Claire automatically shifting to him with her absence.

“Two, four and six hours respectively. Our ranger even less but I’m not sure how much.” the other man answered, sitting down as well.

‘This just isn’t super cozy...’ Ilea suddenly thought. Seeing all the people sitting on the table looked more like an uncomfortable family meeting compared to the inn atmosphere she would’ve preferred. A thing she would change in the future, at some point.

“We have similar rest patterns, although I believe the highest is at four hours. Not sure if Ilea even Needs sleep.” Trian said, the woman ignoring him quite proficiently. She liked sleeping, nothing wrong with that.

“Then I suggest everyone with less rest needed and an ability to escape easily or fly should go out to hunt in the night as well. Who is the fastest among you all?” Sulivhaan asked, Trian looking at the woman already lost in her book and sitting in a relaxed manner on two chairs.

“A message or reinforcements?” Trian asked and the man nodded.

“It might be too early but as soon as we have a comprehensive scout report of the city and its surroundings. The number of enemies and possible weaknesses. I’m sure we can convince some if not all of the remaining members of the Hand and some adventurers or even the empire to help out.” Sulivhaan explained but Trian seemed skeptical.

“You’re an optimist. I’m sure they’re busy enough with all the demons that spilled into the lands. Where are they located?” Trian asked.

“Virilya.” the answer made Trian nod.

“Shouldn’t be more than a night to and back with her speed. Worth a shot at least.” the man nodded and then summoned a map, continuing to discuss specific approaches for their group with the other team leader. The smell of food coming from downstairs made more than just one stomach rumble. In the end Senia went downstairs as well, leaving only the team leaders and Ilea in the big living room.

“Alright, then I’ll ask the demon how much rest he needs. Otherwise we’ll work with the proposed teams.” Trian said to Sulivhaan, food being placed on the table around them. The map and notes were put into the noble’s storage ring a moment later before he vanished to go see after the demon. Ilea put her book away a moment later and everyone appeared from downstairs, Cless hiding behind Kyrian and looking towards the new mage.

Rock patted Sulivhaan on the back, motioning to the girl, everyone else sitting down in the meantime.

“Hello there, my name is Sulivhaan.” the mage said as he knelt down next to his chair to be on her eye level. “I like your shirt! Did you chose the colors?” he asked and the girl giggled, emerging from behind her protector.

“Let’s eat.” Ilea said and started, the others following suit a moment later.

“That was delicious Kyrian, I might hire you as a cook if we don’t find Keyla again.” Ilea said, giving him a thumbs up. The compliment made him smile awkwardly as he hid his face with the action of eating, the reaction quite obvious to the more perceptive members of their party.

“So I’ll leave with Navalis and Sulivhaan. You and Kyrian go out later, what about the others?” Ilea asked, looking at Trian who had explained the plans beforehand.

“They’ll join us at noon when we go out together.” Trian answered, Senia concentrated on the plate before her, perhaps a little embarrassed at the additional sleep she needed to function properly. Ilea nodded.

“Alright, maybe we can find some beds somewhere. We’ll check out the villages and towns to the west as well. Maybe Morhill is still standing.” Ilea suggested but the doubtful look coming from Trian dulled her enthusiasm a little. At least there would be demons to hunt down.

And demons there were. The night was a dark one, the moon clouded by heavy snowfall as Ilea floating effortlessly above the white layer below her, the gravity defying ability of hers to fly not something she even thought about anymore. Seeing Sulivhaan float behind her made her own skills seem even more reasonable. Navalis was nowhere to be found of course. Outside of Ilea’s sphere but close enough to lodge an arrow between enemy eyes whenever necessary, a comforting thought.

The small group had traveled through the mountain chains, hunting down any smaller groups of demons on the hunt for the more and more scarce populations of animals, monsters and humans in this terrain, their hunger insatiable. A group of dead demons lay in the snow right outside of the forest line Ilea had found herself in, proving that not all of the wildlife bowed to the new predators.

“Wanna investigate, hunt down whatever did that?” she asked Sulivhaan in a whisper, her breath forming a mist in front of her mouth, the mountains still clinging to the cold of winter while the lower altitudes slowly rid themselves of their white and freezing mantle. She only wore some comfortable clothes combined with her Juggernaut armor, her resistances and general vitality making the weather as comfortable as a summer breeze.

“It’s no concern to us if it kills demons. Not for now at least.” Sulivhaan answered. If it killed demons it could kill men but Ilea wasn’t in the mood to argue, their goal was definitive and any distractions would lead to less killed demons. Whatever did this had already helped them out.

The city of Morhill was located another two mountains further but while there was a little hope left, both Trian and Sulivhaan had talked her out of the likely misplaced optimism. It was one of the closest larger settlements to Ravenhall and would’ve been one of the first to be assaulted by the demon hordes initially leaving the city. Of course there was reason to believe some of the members of the Hand had reached them early and warned them of what was to come. Many likely would’ve refused to leave either way, their homes and security too much to give up on a strangers word, even if it was the Shadow’s Hand.

The group traveled over the remaining mountains, ignoring the common paths. Ilea had asked the mage before if Navalis didn’t want to be carried but he had only chuckled lightly as a response. Floating in the falling snow and strong winds, Ilea clenched her fists at the sight before her, the town in ruins just as Ravenhall had been. No fires or smoke could be seen from the distance, a bad sign for the human population once occupying the fortress city fitted with high walls.

“I’ll go in and check for survivors.” she stated and looked to her companion. “You better stay here, I don’t think you’re fast enough to flee should worst come to worst.” the man nodded, knowing of her durability and speed.

“Be careful, we’ll support you from a distance should you need it.” the man answered. It was a risk of course but while Ravenhall was teeming with demons and at least some mind weavers they had seen from far away, Morhill seemed relatively quiet in comparison.

The walls were reached in under a minute, the dark winged figure landing quietly on the stone as her sphere scanned the surroundings. There were figures stalking in the dark, just down from the wall. Two demons, looking for food. Lucky for them Ilea didn’t plan on engaging anything for a while, she wasn’t as proficient in sneak attacks as others in their group and the risk of alarming the remaining demons in the city wasn’t something she wanted to take right away.

Switching her heavy armor to a leather one that would produce less noise, the woman blinked quietly from the wall to the next rooftop, inside the house and then to the next one. There weren’t many of the monsters in the streets and even fewer in the homes but so too were the buildings lacking in human life. Compared to Salia where the streets were full of corpses, Ilea was downright creeped out by the lack of bodies, the city more a ghost town than anything else. She had found suitable beds and some other necessities for her new guests rather soon and stored them in her necklace, to be distributed later.

The search continued for the good part of an hour, until finally she perceived movement that didn’t come from a demon but from people. A closed up cellar at the bottom of a nondescript house held several individuals sitting below blankets, cold and quiet. Ilea made sure to check the surroundings but found no demons in the near vicinity, before she blinked in front of the closed up door, hidden below an entrance that was covered by a massive rug. A good hiding spot, its existence questionable in any other situation than this.

She knocked on the door, three times and then waited. The people inside stirred, one man starting to cry as a woman went and held him close, reassuring him that everything will be fine. One of the people came closer to the door and put his ear close.

“There’s no demons nearby. I’m going to come inside.” Ilea said and watched the people through her sphere. This was as much preparation as she was willing to give before she blinked inside. Her dinner nearly came up the moment she appeared, her sense of smell toned down to the minimum as she took in the rugged appearance of the people inside.

“Good thing the fuckers aren’t exactly dogs.” she said out loud.

“You’re human!” the man at the door walked to her. “We’re saved then, you’re with the Hand?” his look was pleading. “Is the city saved?” the bloodshot eyes stared at her and Ilea found herself a little annoyed that she even bothered coming down here. Saving people was a hassle but still she wouldn’t just let them die.

“No, the city is fucked. And I’m afraid you’ll have to stay down here for another while but we’ll get you as soon as the streets are cleared. Not sure how long that will take.” she said, walking over to the buckets filled with shit and piss. The remaining food was hidden in a blanket in the corner, not enough to last them the week. The buckets vanished into her necklace and a bunch of food materialized on top of the blanket. Enough for a month at least, maybe longer.

Before any of the people could react, Ilea blinked above and a couple houses over, dumping the content of the buckets before she went back, placing the emptied containers in their previous spot. The smell issue couldn’t be solved quickly, not with them staying here for another month so she didn’t bother trying to do so. She filled the water container up again and was about to leave when she turned around again, four sets of eyes focused on her, fear and confusion in their eyes but also gratitude and hope.

“Was this your house?” she asked and the woman nodded, tears forming in her eyes. Ilea blinked upstairs and checked the house for books and personal looking items, some empty pages and pens included she went back downstairs and put everything on the small table in the room. It was cold but they had a lot of blankets and now they had new things to keep their mind occupied and food to keep them alive.

“Thank y...” one of them started but Ilea was already gone, to the next house and looking for more survivors. It would take hours if not days to look through the whole city and she was sure there were many more, both here, in Ravenhall and in and other settlement nearby. The question was if it was more beneficial to help them survive or to destroy the demons who caused them to be hidden away.

Ilea concluded that both would be necessary and she would propose cleaning out Morhill and nearby settlements before tackling Ravenhall itself. With no mind weaver so far and the erratic movements and savagery she had seen in the demons here it was more likely for people to have survived here rather than in the Hand’s stronghold.

Ilea did go to the noble part of town, finding shelters in nearly every house but all of them empty, the people likely either fled or were strong enough to fight back. Still they either died or left in the end it seemed. The main hall of the local lord was impressive, the lack of people and light lent its splendor an eerie touch but Ilea wasn’t bothered by it, no rather she felt strong. To stand inside the ruins of an abandoned city, its highest governing members having given up on it yet here she was.

Time enough had passed and Ilea’s search would have to continue later that day, perhaps with a less subtle entry. She smiled at the roar behind her, one of the demons having found her inside the government building looking more akin to a palace.

“Did you think I’d leave without at least saying hello?” she asked before her leather armor was replaced by the dark full plate protection she had grown to trust. Still with her back to the demon she blinked right before its massive claws reached her, a multitude of skills activating at once as she appeared behind it, her hand reaching out around its throat, stopping the monster in its tracks. Her hand closed before a crack could be heard, its spine broken at the top, the monster dead in her hand.

The noise in her head notifying her about the low leveled monster she had killed was thoroughly ignored, most of the fought demons in the past day a mere trickle to her experience. Her skills would level but she was growing a little bored with these beasts, their predictable actions and fighting skills barely itching the more and more experienced warrior. The only exciting thing they had was numbers.

She tossed the demon corpse into the street below before she loudly started to sing. Snow was falling around her as more and more monsters were attracted to the noise coming from the stairwell leading to the main palace of government in Morhill. A once busy place, hosting diplomats, merchants, warriors and mages from all over the empire, now empty, a lone warrior sitting on its steps, missing her headphones and the sound of her favorite tracks.

Perhaps she would somehow get back to the demon realm and from there to earth, just to get a solar charger, her phone and some headphones before coming back to Elos. Standing up Ilea stretched, her bladed gauntlets replacing the juggernaut armor on her arms, ash forming and moving around the blades before the first demon appeared, screeching at the newfound source of food it may find hard to digest.

Like a beacon of light in a stormy ocean, more and more demons came and went, slashed through by the untiring warrior in black, her movements efficient, practiced and deadly. The mostly rather low leveled monsters were still dangerous but Ilea knew them by now, knew their tricks and movements, their hyper aggressive approach to fighting now used against them as the woman danced through the masses, each move both dodging an attack and delivering a kick or slash.

Four minutes into the fight she noticed streaks of gold flashing in the distance, punching through skulls of nearby demons. A smile formed on her lips as she went into a trance of fighting, becoming one with her body and her abilities. No ash was created around her to let the ranger see her enemies and to let the two members of her team see should she get into a desperate situation, not that such a thing was likely. Her veil was pierced a couple times but the demons were too vicious and aggressive to specifically target weak spots in her armor.

Her resources were running out a while later. Not sure how much time had passed, Ilea’s wings burst out from her back as she jumped upwards, kicking at a demon that tried to hold on. Projectiles rained against her veil, some piercing through to be stopped by her armor as she slowly rose up. Her bow appeared in her hand as she targeted specifically the ranged monsters, the massive arrows punching through their flesh and into the stone ground or ceilings below. Soon her stamina too reached a low as she blinked higher and flew towards where the golden streaks had come from, soon slowing down to meditate and get back her energy.

She landed next to Navalis who was still shooting her incorporeal arrows into the masses, sitting down next to her and watching the demons confused and screeching in the distance. There were hundreds still, if not thousands. Her skills weren’t suitable to deal with numbers like that efficiently but tomorrow would be different, tomorrow the demons would find themselves back in hell.

“I want to check on a village nearby. A friend of mine lives there.” Ilea said to Sulivhaan who appeared soon after. Her reserves were growing steadily, nearly full again she was glad her Meditation skill and general regeneration was percentage based and not simply number based. Otherwise it would take hours or days for her mana to grow back.

“Did you find any survivors and the supplies we needed?” the man asked her and she just nodded.

“I think we should clear out this city tomorrow. Then check surrounding villages and finally assault Ravenhall.” she said.

“Yes, that was the plan. Trian agrees as well although I think we should focus on Ravenhall first and foremost.” the mage answered, motioning for her to lead the way. Ilea nodded again and got up.

She looked to Navalis and spoke. “Let me know if we need to slow down.” she said and started flying towards Indur, the village where Balduur Birch had his little smithy.

Chapter 129 A Good Show

A note from Rhaegar

Heeey everybody. Christmas mood slowly creeping up on me. Now we only need some snow...

FYI: In the following ten or so chapters there's going to be some PoV (Point of view) changes. I've received a lot of feedback (people disliked it) on it already on Patreon but let me know what you think. The amount of text for non Ilea povs will be reduced going forward (back to how it was up to now). I just wrote and wrote and it just kind of happened that there were whole chapters about other characters. Just as a heads up. Have a nice day everyone and thanks for reading

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Chapter 129 A Good Show

“I expected as much. It’s weird that there were no demons in that village but that might be a good sign after all.” Trian said. The sun was rising, illuminating the living room of Ilea’s house with the morning light. Senia and Rock emerged from downstairs, their rest extended a little after Ilea had brought some comfortable beds, pillows and blankets from their little expedition to Morhill.

“Breakfast will be ready any moment now. Everyone feel prepared for the day?” Trian asked, getting some grunts in response. Ilea chuckled, his demeanor reminding her of a mother preparing her children for the day at school. The reactions were similar as well. The man looked at her with a frown but it didn’t reach his eyes. She assumed he was glad to be out of the demon realm. Her last stunt with the third stage of blink was admittedly risky but she believed he would’ve figured out a way to get back if it would’ve failed. It would’ve taken longer probably but he and that demon would’ve found a way.

Breakfast arrived swiftly, everyone’s mood improved by miles compared to the day before, some for different reasons than others. Ilea was somewhat falling into competition with Rock, at least that was what the man thought, continuing to eat way past his needed calories. The woman of course was unaware of this and just ate to her heart’s content until Trian clapped his hands together, his patience reaching its end. Morhill would be their main destination for the day.

The sun was rising over Morhill and Eleonora knew that something had changed. Something had happened in the night before but her subordinates were either drunk or blind to miss it. The demons were riled up, more than they usually were and they had gathered around the main government office in the city.

“Are you sure you haven’t noticed anything? Bloody fucking drunk...” she said, murmuring the last part, all of their team gathered near a rock formation overlooking the town below. Jeff of course didn’t even react, his position in the squad secure as ever. Nobles and their shitty influence. Of course they had to put their reject into her squad but there was little she could do about it and on a job like this she couldn’t let team issues distract her. At least everyone else was carrying their weight.

The others weren’t happy with the situation either but they had to involve the man, at least somewhat. Otherwise they’d be chewed out again by the higher ups. Eleonora had two more years of service to go until she would be allowed an adventurer post by the empire itself, a highly desired position and one she wouldn’t give up because a team member annoyed her.

Usually the jobs were simple as well, the scouting squad rarely asked to actually deal with problems, more often only asked to report them. She had hoped to god it would stay that way, especially because her branch was assigned to the area around Ravenhall and its mountain chain, now of course the opposite of the previously safe and secure spot it held in the empire. The Hand had dealt with most problems themselves, some of the reported monsters vanishing overnight without anybody paying for the mercenaries even.

There were many reasons the empire let them do as they pleased and that was one of them.

“So what should we do captain?” their healer asked, a man in his thirties with classes so contradicting she questioned his base intelligence. Of course having a healer in the team was more important than anything else so she didn’t deny his application, not that she had much of a choice. She chuckled at the thought of being a scout captain, a job highly praised when she was still in the academy in Virilya. Experience told her otherwise but she wouldn’t be found trash talking the job, lest the empire’s hounds ask her uncomfortable questions.

“Boss, someone just appeared near the south gate, look.” the blue haired ranger said, her tone of voice as boring as her character. Eleonora had thought rangers would mostly be interesting people. She wasn’t wrong of course but there had to be an exception to the rule. ‘Two more years...’ She thought, saying the three words like a mantra in her head. Of course she had noticed the mage flying above the south gate, mages at that, one of them flying at a much higher altitude.

She wasn’t concerned about being discovered, they had an illusion spell cast on their location, making them very hard to discern. A couple more flying people appeared soon after, one of them even carrying two people. All of them were clad in black.

“So the Hand hasn’t fallen completely… hahaha, and here I thought they had all given up.” the healer said from the side, his negative attitude towards the Shadow’s Hand common knowledge in their squad but Eleonora had given up on trying to change his mind. Let him insult one of them and see how he fares with his shitty camouflage spells and self healing.

“Yea, why not throw your life away in that horde of demons… seems like a great idea.” Jeff said, making Eleonora’s breathing speed up. She was so very close from ripping off his head.

‘Two more years. Two more years.’ The woman wasn’t annoyed for very long though, seeing the people above the city start their move. A full squad or even more Shadows moving together and fighting against a horde of high leveled monsters was not something you saw every day, the show would be good and they had premium seats. Food and drink was missing but that was a given, the Hand rarely appeared where there were such things to buy.

“What are they doing?” the healer continued, disbelief and confusion showing on his face. Eleonora agreed with him for once as she watched the dark warrior plummet downwards with their two teammates, one held on each hand. The mage let go in the last second, all three of them falling into the demon horde, the mage in the middle suddenly wearing bladed gauntlets. More likely a warrior, Eleonora thought as the three impacted hard into the horde, immediately engaged with more than five demons each.

Contrary to her thoughts, the warriors weren’t overwhelmed. On the contrary, they absolutely destroyed the masses of demons. The warrior using his hammer smashed five monsters at a time, completely uncaring for any claws that scratched at his armor. The small rogue appeared around the big warrior from time to time, cutting heads and limbs off the nearby monsters but the gauntlet using one was on a completely different world, their movements so fast they nearly blurred in Eleonora’s vision. Movements like a dance, leaving only sliced through corpses and flying limbs behind. It was almost comical how a foe so overwhelmingly terrifying was pushed through as if they were mere village bandits engaged by the imperial guard.

Nobody spoke another word when a loud crack resounded, a massive stream of lightning impacting the flooding masses of demons, the stream coming from another flying individual. Metal spikes flew out from another one, shredding through the demons, their bodies falling like flies before a big chunk of them suddenly started floating. Upwards they went and the full scout squad of the empire was locked on the floating monsters clawing at the air around them, utterly lost in their position before they crashed downwards at an unnatural speed, impacting on the houses, streets and their brethren below, the sound of squashed bodies interrupted by the loud lightning and golden flashes coming from somewhere on the other side of the valley.

Eleonora was white at that point, unable to comment on the massacre before them. The sun was shining down on the gruesome scene, calling in the coming of spring even in this snowy place. It was still cold, oh so cold. She hadn’t noticed how cold it was and put her coat closer to her mouth, breathing into the thick fabric as she watched the warriors and mages of the Hand dance and fly through the demons, monsters of terrifying children stories burned and smashed by the overwhelming power of these individuals.

Her whole perception of the Hand changed in these moments, from an entity the empire allowed to exist for their use to a terrifying organization allowing the empire of Lys to host them.

“Fuck the hell...” the previously quiet warrior next to her uttered, more or less mirroring the whole team’s thoughts on the matter. This was not something they would forget, not ever. What they did with this experience would vary from person to person. Eleonora at the very least felt weak, so terribly weak and cold. A fire was lit within her, one that hadn’t burned for many years as a quivering smile forced itself onto her face.

Ilea cut through three demons at once as her veil was pierced from behind, two golden streaks taking the lives of the monsters who dared to attack her a moment later. She appeared in a crouched position ten meters away right before a scorching beam of lightning burned away a group of demons next to her as she spun, taking the heads of four more monsters. A big smile on her face as she teleported again, further away to not disturb the others. A cloud of ash sprung into existence around her, confusing and blinding the demons frantically clawing at each other to get to the juicy prey that had suddenly appeared in the city.

It was almost too easy as she danced through the beasts, her knifes biting through bone without noticeable resistance, her strength and equipment simply too much for the enemy. A sudden push from the right sent her flying through two walls of a nearby house. Dusting herself off she looked for the offender and found one demon standing a little taller than the others, its level at over two hundred, rare for this encounter to say the least. Most of the monsters were below seventy, the main reason why their group was destroying them so easily. They simply lacked the strength and resistance to reasonably fight back, their big numbers in the open space a detriment and without coordination provided by a mind weaver, the ranged attackers were hitting more demons than humans.

Ilea’s wings spread as she screamed towards the demon, her bladed gauntlets replaced by her normal armor as she shot towards the monster with her full speed and weight, landing on its chest and sending the two of them through the house behind the demon, landing on the street beyond where an unfortunate beast was squashed by their combined mass. Ilea ignored the monster’s struggling and punched at its head, some of the blows missing, the stone street cracked and broken where her fists landed, creating booms on impact. Of course the demon’s head didn’t fare much better even with the higher level. Four blows were needed until it was paste, Ilea blinking upwards to avoid the claws of four more monsters when she summoned her heavy gauntlets and fell downwards, her fists smashing two of their heads, the blood and brains splashing against her Veil of Ash.

The woman blinked upwards to a balcony, summoned bow in hand and loosing explosive arrows into the masses. She ducked when a group of demons rained down from the sky, their bodies destroying more of the monsters and parts of the houses. A rain of golden rays came from above and hit more than thirty of the beasts as Ilea jumped back down into the fray, advancing through with her blades until she met up with Rock and Senia.

“Rock! Let’s play catch!” she shouted as she cut through the demons close to his back, Senia appearing in front of them an, her daggers entering two demons’ heads.

“What? Oh I get what you mean!” Rock shouted back, a heavy swing of his hammer landing on top of an unfortunate enemy before him, the blood splashing on his already red armor, wet from all the killed monsters. Ilea blinked away and shouted towards him again when the man turned his huge body with all his strength and speed around, his hammer swinging with all the force before it was let go, flying towards Ilea. Fifteen or so demons were completely obliterated on the path of the hammer when Ilea caught it and spun around again, sending the heavy object back where it came from.

The fight continued, each of them pausing from time to time, Ilea flying out Rock and Senia after they took more damage than they could sustain for the moment. She healed them up and let them rest as she went back into the horde of demons. The mages of their group fell into tandem as well, each of their mana regenerated in shifts as they continued to absolutely destroy the demons on the ground who were distracted by Ilea and soon again Rock and Senia.

The ranged monsters were much rarer and were taken care of with cold precision by Navalis who changed position on the mountain side from time to time, rarely ever stopping in her attacks, perfectly paced and efficient. There were no flying demons, likely because they already left these parts of the world, not held back by the confusing city layout or mind weavers taking control. As soon as the ranged enemies were dead it was only a matter of time and perseverance for the group to finish the thousands of demons on the ground. Nearly all of them were at a low level, making the whole ordeal much less dangerous than expected by both Trian and Sulivhaan. Still both Sulivhaan and all the melee fighters got minor to severe injuries in the process, all taken care of by Ilea.

She herself nearly lost one of her legs at one point, the lucky demon attacking exactly the weak spot in her armor Albert had previously used to nearly incapacitate her. Perhaps Balduur could help with that if he had survived but it wasn’t the time to worry about her equipment, it was serving her incredibly well after all. She flew upwards and used Meditation to get back some of her resources as she breathed in and out slowly, the sound of cracking lightning and screeching demons all that filled her ears. A couple moments of rest were all she allowed herself, the cold anger inside of her demanding she take out as many of the beasts as possible, for the people they once were.

Eleonora gulped, the whole group fixated on the scene before them still. It had been hours, hours of continuous fighting, the members of the Hand untiring, calculating and ruthless beyond compare. The destruction beyond anything she had ever seen in her life, one not quite young anymore.

“We have to… we have to report this...” Jeff said, backing up a slow step.

“Don’t you fucking move!” Eleonora said a little too loud. “The illusion spell is all that keeps us from being noticed… do you really want these people to see us?” she said. Although they were nearly one hundred percent on their side she didn’t want to risk it. If there was only the slightest chance of offending these people all of them would die, she was sure of it.

Of course her fears were misplaced but Eleonora’s experiences and history had shaped a person cautious and mistrusting. Her squad at least agreed with her reasoning and even Jeff didn’t talk back, getting back into a crouch and watching on as the mercenaries gradually cleaned out the once human population of Morhill.

“Absolutely amazing...” the woman whispered to herself. Mere hundreds of the demons remained and still the people fought on. She was sure that they wouldn’t stop until the last of them were killed.

“How the hell did Ravenhall fall if they had dozens if not hundreds of people like that?” the healer asked, even he was awed by the display of power.

“Less efficient abilities? Stronger enemies or perhaps the assault on Ravenhall was different in some ways. Many of the demons coming into the plains were reported to be around level two hundred, decimating even high leveled military bands. The ones down there are lower. We could take care of a couple dozen or even more ourselves.” the ranger explained in her monotone voice. Eleonora agreed but still it didn’t quite make the scene any less impressive.

‘I’ll get to that as well… I will. Fuck this squad, I’ll quit and find an adventuring team until I hit two hundred… and then… then I’ll join the Hand...’ Perhaps her thoughts were a little emotional at the time but she was quite convinced of her reasoning. If this level of power was obtainable for humans then she would reach it. Hell she was close already, just another fifty levels. She gulped at the necessary risks and fights she would have to get through but suddenly the quiet life of an empire sponsored adventurer didn’t seem as appealing anymore.

“Wait, isn’t that guy coming straight for us?” The healer suddenly said, pointing towards the masked individual floating towards them at a somewhat leisurely speed.

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Patreon if you want to read ahead and/or support me

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Chapter 130 Noble Halls

Chapter 130 Noble Halls

“Are we done?” Rock asked, the grin translating to his voice as he looked around the battlefield that spanned several streets and squares of the once proud city.

The lingering cold of winter helped with the smell and decaying issue somewhat but come spring, someone would have to clean up for more than just a couple hours to make this place hospitable again, the sheer mass of all the corpses would be a nightmare to any cleaner on earth but luckily for everyone involved, there was magic. Not that Ilea knew of any ability that would help them here. Perhaps there were beasts that could be let loose to simply eat everything up.

“A couple more in this side street!” Ilea shouted towards the man as ash formed around her, partially dragged with her as she blinked away from his line of sight. It was only a matter of time now until the last of the demons were hunt down.

“Rock, was it? Can you help me close and shut the gates? Maybe we can avoid stragglers finding their way in again.” Trian said from a slightly elevated position near the warrior. The man looked towards where Ilea went and then resigned, nodding towards Trian and following him. The mechanisms of the gates were likely broken when the demons pushed in but with sufficient strength and ingenuity that wouldn't be an issue.

“Welcome to Morhill. I'm afraid I'll have to ask who you are.” Sulivhaan had approached the hiding squad Navalis had immediately spotted on their arrival, their medium grade illusion magic an indicator for their levels. They hadn't interfered and Navalis had reported them to be wearing imperial gear.

One of the people stood up, the rest remained crouching. “Captain Eleonora, empire of Lys scouts division three. You must be a member of the Hand?” she said, very open about information and visibly nervous. A good sign to Sulivhaan. They likely weren't a reason to be concerned and if their acting skills were high enough to fool him in such a fashion, then he wondered what nobles were doing so far out of their city walls.

“We are indeed members of the Hand. If your mission is to surveil the city then I presume it is done. Do you have a camp or reinforcements nearby? There are survivors in the city and taking care of them would be a waste of our resources.” Sulivhaan said, stating fact more than being arrogant. Now that he was close enough to see their levels he binned the idea of having them join their team, a single level two hundred demon would trouble each one of them and there were still plenty of them around.

“Of course sir. Some of us will go back to report and send for reinforcements while the others gather the survivors and secure the city.” the woman replied, a slight grin on her lips. Sulivhaan didn't miss her addressing him as a higher ranking officer, quite uncommon with soldiers but this one might not stay one forever.

“Then that's discussed. We're gonna be here for at least an hour or two so let us know if you need anything. The woman in plate armor will let you know where the survivors are, check in with her.” he said, looking back to find Ilea still hunting down some stragglers. One of the soldiers gulped while looking at the same scene when Sulivhaan turned back.

The captain said her commands and two of the soldiers moved outwards and towards the plains. Hopefully they would bring reinforcements and the situation in the bigger cities wasn't quite as dire as in Morhill. Sulivhaan was optimistic but he had little faith in the military and nobles. The crysis would forge more capable warriors and mages, he told himself, hoping that the price would be worth the rewards. Looking over the devastated city he knew that wasn't the case.

Two people hesitantly moved downwards to the city while the captain remained, looking at him. “As soon as you reach level two hundred, come find me or the Hand. Wherever it may reside.” he simply told the woman whose smile grew a little before she too followed her companions.

Ilea looked upwards to see three people approaching from the mountain where the imperial squad had been watching. Ash came into existence around her as she tried again to clean herself of the blood and guts that managed to get through her Veil whenever it had been damaged. It worked a little, smearing everything much less than last time.

'ding' 'Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 11'

She blinked away the notification joining the already large list of skill and level ups from the fights the day before and now. Punching her breast plate, she walked over to the approaching people who quickly slowed down upon noticing her movements.

“H...hey, we were told you'd show us the sur... survivors.” The man managed to get out, intimidated after their display.

“Yea sure, we'll have to walk around all of the city. I only know of two groups so far. Come.” she simply stated and walked off, quickly deciding to sprout her wings to avoid walking on the corpses. Only one of the soldiers apparently had a flying ability, moving to the air a moment later.

A couple minutes later she had gouged the others' speed and checked below and inside all the houses they passed for any survivors. Sadly they didn't find any until they reached the place Ilea had visited the night before. Knocking on the door, the people weren't as startled this time around. Blinking inside she simply opened the massive steel door and led the soldiers inside.

“Two of you with me.” she said and walked out again, ignoring the people who started crying behind her. She did feel happy to be able to help but it was a bit much. Additionally a part of her mind made the connection that every single person who died inside Ravenhall and Morhill was as much a living and thinking being, snuffed out of existence by the summoning of that elder. Perhaps they shouldn't have left him there but it was too late to think about it now, there was enough to do here after all.

She moved on, followed by a woman and a man. They ran through the city for the next hours, Ilea occasionally moving into a house and finding survivors hidden away inside closets and cellars.

“How long have you been doing this?” the woman asked Ilea at some point, while the man was taking care of some kids they had found in a kitchen cupboard.

“Doing what?” Ilea asked as she watched the man talk to the kids. He was better at it than herself.

“Being with the Hand... having that... well power.” the woman finished, getting progressively more quiet as she talked, avoiding eye contact with Ilea. She looked at the woman and then back to the man.

“Not long, couple months at this point. We all have classes here so a certain strength is available to anybody.” she responded.

“But you're different. You and your group.” the woman said but Ilea disagreed.

“You can reach it too, so can these kids. I know that there are much stronger beings out there too. With classes and skills, you put in the work and you get a reward. The higher the risk, the higher the reward. That's how I see it.” she explained and walked outside again, breathing in the fresh air and asking herself how these kids had survived for weeks on end.

“Maybe the risk you're willing to take is the difference.” the woman said more to herself as she joined Ilea outside.

“Let's get going, we're barely done with a third of the city.” Ilea said and conjured her wings.

Another four hours later, Ilea and the soldiers joined the growing group of people in a central square devoid of corpses. Both Ilea and Trian had contributed a part of their food and water supplies to the people but at this point the rest of their group had found enough in the city stores for their personal contribution to become unnecessary.

Big fires were burning in the square with food all over, warm clothes and packs were gathered to prepare the survivors for their oncoming journey. Sulivhaan had decided the city in the mountains was too dangerous for them. They would move to the plains and to the closest intact settlements. With the supplies they would take with them, the nearly two hundred survivors would be taken in with joy. At least he had hoped that to be the case.

“Ilea, you're done then?” the man asked as he landed next to her.

“With the city? Yes. But I'll eat first before we can leave. I assume I'll be the one to escort the group?” Ilea asked. Considering their earlier talks of visiting the capital and checking in with the survivors of the Hand, it only seemed reasonable to her to also take this task.

“I did want to ask you, yes. Additionally you're the only healer around so you can take care of anybody that might get injured.” he explained. Ilea just nodded in response and summoned one of Keyla's meals. She rarely shared them with others so still had a high number of them stored away. Blinking upwards, she sat down on one of the rooftops and started eating.

Two of the remaining soldiers would come with her, the remaining one left behind to inform the possible reinforcements of the current situation. Securing the city was in the empire's interests, moving away the now refugees wouldn't change that.

“Wanna go check on the vaults?” Rock asked after he had jumped up to her. “I'm sure most of them won't miss a bunch of coins and treasures.”

Ilea gulped down the food and nodded. “Why not. Let's see what kind of fucked up shit the nobles here were up to.” she smiled.

“Fuck yea. Wanna ask the others?” he asked as he jumped down, Ilea landing next to him.

“If we see them.” she said and started flying, increasing her speed as the man kept up. The heavy hammer on his back didn't seem to slow him down much. She would've been terrified of facing him on the field a year ago but now. Now she would definitely have a bout against him but that would have to wait for a bit longer.

“Another empty one here...” Rock complained, kicking at a metal door and leaving behind a noticeable dent.

“Seems the nobles had more storage devices than I would've thought. Or maybe they simply had enough time to get out of here.” Kyrian said, walking out of one of the rooms that still smelled exotic metals, only dust left of whatever was once stored in there.

“Maybe they simply didn't own a lot.” Ilea said, lifting her head out of the empty box she had just checked. Not that her sphere didn't let her know of anything in there anyway but it wasn't easy to trust a new sense like that completely, even after such a long time.

“Couple more rooms down the hall but I doubt they left anything...” Rock complained, his easy treasure hunt turning into a disappointing journey into empty and boring cellars. At least the houses themselves were nice to look at, the wealth of the nobles clearly showing even in a smaller town of the empire.

Walking past the remaining rooms, Ilea already saw what was waiting in the last hall in the corridor, skipping past the empty ones altogether.

“Hey guys, I think you should....” she started but was interrupted by a weird feeling in her head. A feeling that reminded her of Eve most of all, her magic that was. Veil of Ash came up and the feeling was reduced to a slightly irritating pulsing in the back of her head.

“Now who of you guys is doing this?” she asked into the room full of cages, creatures of all kinds were kept in them, many of them dead. Left behind to starve while the gold and expensive gear was taken. Ilea was angry though she understood the nobles' actions. Some of the cages were empty, indicating that some of the creatures were taken, or the cages were empty to begin with.

“So it's you... now what exactly are you hmm?” Ilea stopped before one of the cages, a cat like creature was residing inside, blue eyes and sparks running across its soft looking fur. Ilea concentrated on its eyes, focusing on the pulsing in her head that had gotten more subtle the closer she got to the animal.

“Drop it, I know you're in my head.” she said and hit the cage with her hand. The impact made the cat move to the back of its cage, the pulsing interrupted for a quick moment. Ilea didn't miss the bright ball of lightning residing in the cage that quickly turned back into a cute looking cat. A cat that was in fact too cute. Ilea didn't even like cats that much, even now with the swordmouth tiger near her house.

Not that she liked dogs anymore. The dagger was quite fine as a pet. Speaking of, she unsheathed the knife and held it towards the weird mind magic creature.

“Any idea what this is? How does it look to you?” Ilea asked, remembering that Aki had never mentioned any mind magic to be able to influence him before.

“It's a ball of lightning. I think I have heard of it before. A rare creature from the Navali forest. At least that's where its usually found. What does your identify tell you?” the dagger asked, surprising Ilea that he finally did in fact know a thing about a creature she encountered.

[Silintis – lvl 103]

“A Silintis it says. At level one hundred and three.” Ilea recited and crouched down to look at the thing.

“Ah yes. It's mostly a ball of lightning. Why do you ask, are your eyes failing you?” Aki asked.

“Its mind magic is pretty good. It looks like a cute little cat to me. Didn't starve yet that one.” she said and got up again.

“Any idea if these eat meat or would attack me upon release?” Ilea asked her dagger, soon joined by Rock and Kyrian who helped evaluating the surviving beasts.

“Most of them are harmless but they're not supposed to be in this climate.” Rock said, opening the cage to a turtle like creature that slowly floated towards him right after.

“If we take them wish us people would eat or sell them. Kyrian can you and the others take them to my house and feed them. I'll think of something later.” Ilea asked of her friend.

“What about that cute creature here, I think I'll take care of it myself.” Rock said, stepping next to the cage where the Silintis was held.

“That's a Silintis, it's in your head.” Kyrian said, his resistances to mind magic considerable as well from their training with Eve.

“Oh boi, I'll get out of here then. Fuck that mind magic bullshit. You don't look like you'd kill it?” Rock asked but left before he got an answer, Ilea's look enough to dissuade him. The man shook his head and walked off. “I'll check the last houses, join me if you feel like it.”

“It's the cutest thing I've ever seen...” Kyrian said, opening the cage. Ilea didn't intervene, the man was old and strong enough to handle a critter at level one hundred.

“They don't eat meat so it should be fine...” Aki said from the side as the two watched the creature walk up on Kyrian's armor, resting around his neck.

“Is it gonna take over now?” Ilea asked.

“I doubt it can do something like that, otherwise we'd likely have a lot more of them around...” Kyrian said before he pet the creature on its head.

“I'll take care of the rest here. Don't worry about the creatures. Now stop with your magic.” he said as he snipped the creature with quite a bit of force. The animal screeched and ran off, soon resting on Ilea's head instead.

“He's right you know?” Ilea said and grabbed the animal from her head, looking at it while she squeezed a little. The creature released its magic, revealing its ball lightning form to the onlookers. Ilea summoned a piece of meat from her storage and held it towards the creature. After nothing happened for a couple seconds, she exchanged the meat with a head of salad. This time the creature extended some tentacle like arms and grabbed the meal, the whole head vanishing inside of it in the span of three seconds.

“Hungry eh?” she asked but the creature turned back into a feline and fell asleep, its spell still active in that state. She placed it into the cage again carefully and nodded to Kyrian.

“Yea, that one isn't very dangerous.” she said, looking over to a rabid racoon inside one of the cages, some runes keeping the fire magic released by the creature inside at bay. “Don't let them into my room, alright?” she said and left the man to his post, a little forlorn amongst the strange creatures.

“Nothing nothing nothing. Man this sucks, seems like they weren't quite as unprepared as the rest of the city.” Rock said as he came up from the cellar, joining Ilea in the big dinner hall that still had questionably fresh food on the massive table.

“Not completely...” she said, changing into a black dress while spinning around, her armor exchanged with the beautiful fabric that now adorned her.

“Whoa there...” Rock said, taking a step back at the warrior now dressed in a noble's dress.

“Looks nice right? Honestly the pain of getting one of these made, the price and the time it takes to just get it on is just not worth it... but like this?” she asked, switching the dress to a red one in the next moment. Ilea had checked a couple houses already, seeing that the vaults themselves held little of interest but up until this house, nobody had a similar size to her. These fit nearly perfectly though, enough for her to consider using them should the occasion arise.

A wedding perhaps, or maybe to blend into a ball or something. Ilea shrugged as she switched back to her armor, her helmet still left inside of her necklace as she tried some of the wine that still seemed good.

“You're gonna poison yourself... or catch a disease.” the man said, having caught himself after the display.

“Good thing I'm a healer.” Ilea said, appearing in the biggest chair at the end of the table, wine glass in hand as her legs landed on the expensive silk covering the table. Some glasses nearly fell at the weight of her boots.

“They wouldn't be happy about this...” Rock said, loosly motioning to the big flag placed on the wall behind her. He walked to the table and grabbed a bottle, sitting down opposite her, lifting it in toast.

“To killing demons?” she asked, lifting her glass in turn and the man nodded, downing the whole bottle in a single swig. Ilea took a single sip and put the glass down again. Wine wasn't exactly her preferred drink but it did taste rather rich. It was the last noble house in the city and Ilea was sure the survivors were soon ready to leave. Getting up, she waved to her friend who had finished five bottles and held another three in his arm, gentle enough not to crush them.

Chapter 131 Escort Missions

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone, two chapters for today. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy them

">.

Chapter 131 Escort Missions

“Just one of them will come with us?” One of the many overlapping voices whispered to the people next to them. The concern was evident and Ilea just waited on her spot on top of a house near the group of people that was being managed by the soldiers who would come with them.

Ilea just smiled, just one of them? The people didn't even consider the soldiers who were nearly at one hundred and fifty, certainly not incapable warriors. However it would be a shame if the survivors died on the way and Ilea did plan to do as much as she could.

It seemed the soldiers finally managed to explain the formation, where to go and most importantly the rules for the survivors. The woman who had previously talked to Ilea waved towards her and turned around, towards the gate that had been opened a couple meters wide by Rock.

“See you Ilea, don't take too long.” Trian said, having landed next to her. “Don't fuck around too much in the capital.” the man said and she just nodded.

“You really embraced that team leader thing you've started. I wondered one thing Trian.” she said, peaking his interest as he looked at her through the slit in his helmet. “Why are you still here? I thought you just joined the Hand because it's a family tradition or something, wouldn't now be the time to get out?” she finished, knocking off the gathered snow on her armored legs.

“What a surprise, you actually care about me? Well don't consider me too much, I have my reasons and you have yours.” he said but she just shook her head.

“I like to fight, and I like you guys. That's reason enough but hey, whatever goes on in your head...” she touched his shoulder. “I'm glad you're still hanging around.” she winked and summoned her helmet before following the rather big group of survivors and two soldiers leaving the gate. The close vicinity had been cleared by Navalis and Trian beforehand so at least for the next couple kilometers there wouldn't be imminent danger.

The survivors had been divided into three groups. Children and elderly unable to fight, adults below level fifty and the rest. Adding to Eleonora's bad mood the two first groups were much bigger than the last one. She looked over to find a mage at level seventy walking next to her. A sigh left her mouth, the air visible before her as she pushed her coat closer to her face.

The last of the group had left the gate of Morhill, the formation not quite what she had intended. It was a given though, the civilians unable to follow her instructions without any training as soldiers or adventurers.

“Where's... oh..” she whispered to herself as she looked around and then up to find their escort flying about a hundred meters above, the lightly falling snow making it hard to see her. Still the black wings could be made out.

“Man I wish I had wings...” she continued to murmur to herself, annoyed at the still cold weather. At least down in the plains the cold would be more forgiving. For now she hoped at least half the people made it to the next city, if that city was still standing of course.

Ilea landed on top one of the demons, crushing its head with a quick punch, destructive mana entering the demon while it screamed and flailed upwards, the sharp claws glancing off the hovering ash around its target. The other demon nearby ran at her but the woman simply appeared behind it, sending the creature to the ground with a hard kick. Another blink and stomp later and the area was clear.

Looking around, Ilea breathed out and looked towards the rising sun. They had encountered stragglers, both demons and other monsters using the opportunity to hunt or forced to relocate due to the new threat. They had come out of the mountains a couple hours ago, the refugees having slept for a couple hours earlier. The motivation to get behind walls was high and pushed the group further than Ilea thought possible, certainly further than most humans on earth would be capable of walking in ten hours. Not like an elderly man could even walk for ten hours straight.

The several dozen people with levels above fifty were the reason for their success, willing to carry people and more of the light equipment they had taken with them.

Ilea turned around and flew back into the nearby forest, finding the refugees huddled together and waiting for her report. The soldiers and capable people formed a protective circle around the rest. Ilea landed near the woman, Eleonora Siva apparently, captain of the scouts squad they had found near Morhill.

“All clear, we can move out into the plains. You lead, I'll stay above as before.” she said to the woman and flew upwards, checking the surroundings. The day was clear and down here the snow had already melted. The forest was thick and dark, more than a few of the survivors had injured themselves at the brisk pace. Other than Ilea there wasn't a single healer in the group. Luckily no demons or other monsters had managed to sneak by to heavily injure too many people for her alone to handle, the mostly just sprained ankles had swiftly been healed.

The country spread before her as Ilea checked for movements, the speed of the group below her picked up as they finally exited the forested hills. The lands were still mostly frozen, soon plants and flowers that didn't survive the winter would sprout again and color the area in a lush green but it would take another month at least.

The sun was high on the horizon, its warmth burning away the remnants of winter. Ilea could finally see a wall and lights in the distance. There was no massive smoke going up from the still rather far away town, which was a good sign. Only a few demons had approached the moving group in the past hours, each taken out by Ilea before most of them even realized there was something coming. A few feathered Drakes made themselves seen but quickly moved away after Ilea shot an arrow their way.

“It shouldn't be very far to Marwatch now.” Eleonora said to her companion, moving her pack a little on her back.

“I can see walls and fires in the distance. I assume that's the city we're going for?” Ilea landed next to the woman, motioning towards the general direction of the town.

“Probably, if I didn't get lost completely. I can't say until I see it myself though.” the woman said and Ilea nodded, grabbing her around the chest and flying upwards. Eleonora gasped as they got higher and higher but soon she was mesmerized by the quick ascent and newfound birdsview.

“Fuck that's so awesome...” she said, Ilea just smiling below her helmet as she nodded towards the town in the distance.

“That it?” she asked and the woman nodded quickly. “Wanna see something cool?” she asked and didn't wait for an answer before she simply let go of the captain, the scream making her smile as she flew after her, quickly overtaking the woman with a blink and catching her a moment later.

“You're mad...holy shit why did you do that?!” the woman was gasping for air but the punch directed at Ilea was either not meant seriously or her strength stat was under leveled at best.

Ilea just shrugged as an answer, quite happy the boring tour would finally be over.

Darkness filled the room, day in day out it had been the same. Eve opened her eyes from the meditative state to check if she didn’t miss anything. The hall was the same it had been a week prior. The bookshelves were still empty, the table and the adjacent chairs unoccupied. And so she waited, completely invisible to most eyes she waited in her chosen corner of the room.

Space enough for her to lean comfortably but not enough for someone to choose it as their own spot for lounging. All the leads had come together to this building. An old house, quite well built but then again most buildings in the capital were made to last. To her annoyance, there was nobody to stalk, nobody to get information from, just the dim light that occasionally made it inside from the windows.

The house held little to no comfort, this room obviously holding the only importance. The only reason Eve was still there after searching through the whole place was that there was no dust. The space was used, she was sure of it and with the information she had managed to obtain in the past weeks she was sure to have stumbled upon something big, something she had been looking for for many years.

And today would be a day for answers, she felt it. She literally did though as the vibrations of someone entering the house could be felt from below. The place wasn’t registered, didn’t show up in any public records of the city, even some middle level officials didn’t know anything more about it or simply let her know she should stay far away from it.

Of course her actions, as experienced as she was, would alert anybody that would occupy such a place if they had paid the right people, had influence in the right circles. If this was worth her time though, these people wouldn’t care or they would send someone to hunt for her. It had always been that way and at this point she knew it to be one of the most effective methods to get her targets to show themselves. Being a little too obvious, making intentional mistakes. It would help increase their biggest weakness, that so far at least nine out of ten people possessed. An otherworldly sense of superiority.

A smile bloomed on Eve’s face as she pushed her magic further to be even harder to detect. Even Ilea would have difficulties with her weird spherical vision Eve had trouble completely avoiding. The training had pushed her to be even more creative in using her powers. Smells merged around her and light fell naturally through her illusion spell as she slowed her breathing.

The door opened and a well dressed man in his fifties entered. Gray hair and beard with black eyes. His hair was well taken care of, looking like either a butler to a noble house or rich establishment or perhaps a noble himself, trying to blend in a little more. Eve doubted it, rarely would it be required and even more rare was the benefit of a noble dressing down.

She was excited, her waiting had paid off. The man checked the room with trained eyes before he walked to the door and operated a small switch that activated different magical lights built into the ceiling. Eve’s eyes adjusted quickly, ready for any move on the man’s part but all that happened was him walking to the windows and closing the heavy red curtains.

He meticulously checked the whole room and cleaned some parts, dusting off the non existent dust from some of the furniture. Eve changed the visual of her corner a little to make it nice enough for him to ignore. His cleaning ended an hour later, all done in silence before he set the table. A red tablecloth was brought in and placed on top of it, as was an expensive bottle of wine including a glass. Expensive enough for Eve to at least consider revealing herself to taste the beverage, one of her few pleasures in life.

She controlled herself, the possible gains too high and perhaps they had more stored away somewhere. Her thoughts came to a close as she concentrated on the room again. The butler had left but Eve was rather sure he hadn’t left the house at least, not feeling the heavy door downstairs move.

She blinked and on the chair next to the wine bottle a woman was sitting. Black hair and an open back was all Eve could make out in the first moment. The woman was beautiful, her hair long and healthy, white porcelain skin showed on her arms and back where exposed. She wore a dress, a black dress that allowed for quite a bit of movement. This woman was either a passionated dancer, escort or according to Eve’s identify, a quite dangerous warrior.

[Warrior – lvl 230]

An elite human, truly Eve had made the right decision to come. Even here in Virilya it wasn’t common to see people above level two hundred, the occasion reserved for travelers and adventurers from far away or nobles that didn’t show themselves in the streets.

The woman quietly opened the bottle of wine, putting a nail into the cork and simply pulling it out before the glass was filled with red liquid, the heavy aroma drifting as far as to reach Eve. The glass was swayed in the woman’s hand, an occasional whiff of the smell deeply taken in.

It took only five minutes for the door to open. This time it wasn’t the butler but two people coming in, a woman and a man. Both below level one fifty, each a mage.

“Master.” the two said at the same time, bowing low to show their respect for the woman sipping her wine.

“Report.” she said in turn, simple and direct, her voice clear and controlled. She wasn’t a simple upstart, Eve thought, her composure and grace one built on experience. Though it would likely come to a bloody end Eve held a certain amount of respect for the woman sitting in front of her.

“The boy has been sighted in Virilya. Four more dead nobles, all minor. For names and further details the report.” the woman said, handing over a letter to the woman on the table who motioned to the table itself, where the letter was finally placed.

“A woman was sighted with him, the sources are questionably reliable but we have two reports and one more where other people were mentioned.” the man added after a moment, their master not reacting to the letter or anything they had said so far. His unease was showing on his face.

“The sister?” the woman on the table asked, finishing her glass of wine and putting it down.

“It’s a possibility but the sources descriptions didn’t match with what we know. Perhaps it’s the escaped prisoner.” the other woman said.

“Hmm, yes. Any leads or is this all?”

“Nothing more. They’re experienced and leave little evidence behind.” the man said, getting a gesture of dismissal in response.

“You may leave then. Continue as you have.” the woman said, the two people in front of her bowing again and leaving the room quickly and quietly.

“Aaaah, incapable subordinates. A pain.” the woman sighed, pouring herself another glass of wine before she started swaying the glass again. “Wouldn’t you say?” she asked and looked backwards right at Eve.

Her eyes opened a little wider but she stayed quiet otherwise, her magic still activated. Certainly impressed but not convinced, Eve simply waited, calming herself for a possible incoming fight. It wouldn’t be easy. The woman was a warrior and nearly twenty levels higher and should a fight break out, there was no factor of surprise on her side.

“Did I get the wrong corner? Oh well, doesn’t hurt to check, does it?” the woman said and suddenly appeared before Eve, a thin slightly curved blade in hand, she cut through the wall, right past where Eve was standing, the movement fluid and strong, the blade shaving through the wall with no noticeable resistance.

“Not here huh.” the woman said and appeared in the next corner, cutting into the wall again. A sudden pain shot out from Eve’s left arm. Looking at it without moving her head, she could see a deep cut. Blood slowly made its way outwards, soaking the cloth below her armor as she stayed quiet, her mind fighting against the pain and her body’s demand to scream. An experience trained and known.

It was only a matter of time for the first drop to land. Her reveal inevitable, Eve waited for the woman to appear in the next corner before a clone appeared and ran towards the window. The woman appeared near the clone immediately, her blade cutting through the air when Eve’s dagger closed in on her neck. Suddenly a shiver ran through Eve, her whole body shifting to the left by a couple centimeters, the blade of her dagger scratching the woman’s skin on her neck before the blade was brought towards the attacker.

The second dagger intercepted the enemy blade but still a cold impact could be felt on her chest, a line of red formed, deep enough to draw blood. The woman moved her blade upwards when Eve whistled. A loud deafening whistle startling the woman, a burst of mind magic pushing against her as she lifted her blade in defense. Eve didn’t question the move, assuming the woman had some way of defending as she moved past the table quickly, grabbing the letter and jumping through the window.

She created four clones in the air and landed, seeing one of them cut down by the woman who had appeared next to her outside. Again the woman teleported and smiled as she cut through the clone with a letter in her hand. Unfortunately for her, Eve had let go of the letter in her fall, near invisible and barely a meter away from the woman she aimed her dagger at the center of her target’s mass.

Her body shifted again but still her blade struck true, cutting through the surprisingly tough dress and into her lung. The dagger was let go as she created more clones, the woman appearing behind her but unable to swing her blade. She screamed as she tried to grab the dagger in her back, the cursed blade rotting its way through her flesh before a second dagger struck her stomach.

Eve stabbed and stabbed again, the woman resisting at first but soon her lifeless eyes stared back at her, the blade clattering to the ground. She had done it now. Eve ripped off a piece of the woman’s dress, grabbed the letter and ran off, her injuries too serious to engage the others in the house, likely rushing towards the noise in that very moment.

Four streets later Eve wrapped up her wounds with the cloth and started moving through the alleys more strategically, her magic working to mix up the trail of smell she left behind. Eve ran for two hours straight, not once sensing anybody behind her. She concentrated fully until she finally arrived in one of her hideouts she had in the capital, stumbling into the cellar and shutting the door behind as she fell on the stone floor.

She winced as the wounds continued to bleed, slowly moving towards a corner of the room, grabbing the health potion she had in every hideout. Stolen wares and sadly nothing compared to Ilea or another capable healer but it would hopefully do the job of stabilizing her. She undressed in silence, taking stock of the wounds and any infections or curses, luckily finding nothing. A poison was running through her but what Eve hadn’t ever mentioned to her team mates was that her resistance to that kind of attack was likely on par if not higher than their tank’s.

Finally the wounds were bandaged and Eve moved to the bed, stopping her meditation and iron mind skill, falling unconscious nearly immediately. The blood loss and strain to her body given free reign over her consciousness, still her sleep was plagued with nightmares.

Chapter 132 Recovery

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you're having a good weekend. Had a stressful week at work but I hope I'll manage to write some this weekend

">. One more week to go until vacation. As mentioned, a lot of PoV changes in the next chapters. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 132 Recovery

Eve woke up with a start, the combination of clouded thoughts and bodily pain making her cough immediately, nearly retching up whatever little food was left in her stomach. She hated sleep, being rudely woken by the demons that sought her. Falling back down onto the hard bed, her eyes were focused on the ceiling. She wouldn’t be able to sleep again today, at least not sober.

The danger of being hunted was sadly too high to justify such an action. Checking her injuries, she found them nearly healed already, which meant she had slept for over ten hours. No light came into the cellar, completely closed off from the outside world.

She knew where everything was, the same layout as in any other hideout she had bought, stolen or simply taken in the past years. Both in the capital and any other place she’d been. Eve knew there was a certain risk of someone connecting the hideouts together but to her it was worth it. Otherwise she might’ve died the day before, unable to find the health potion for just a second too long.

A deep sigh left her. It was a little close the day before, too close. The woman had only been a couple levels higher and still managed to injure her so badly. The blade shifting skill the woman had threw her off, in the end a simple ruse had won her the fight, her opponent’s experience not quite as extensive as previously estimated.

These would leave scars, she thought as she brushed against the hastily applied bandage. No new bandage had to be applied, the woman quite proficient at doing them. Blood had nearly soaked them, so a change later in the day would be necessary.

Maybe she should’ve stayed at the Hand, should’ve looked for the others. She put the thoughts out of her head, focusing on the tasks at hand. It had been the single best opportunity to get out of the Hand’s deal with all the training she had received and no debt. For all they knew she was dead and a demon by now, or simply eaten.

“A healer would be nice though…,” she whispered to herself and held up her uninjured right arm. She refrained from moving too much, not to reopen one of the cuts she had sustained. It was however too hard to resist grabbing the bloodied letter sitting on the ground next to the bed. The woman groaned as the cut on her chest started bleeding again.

Letter in hand, she lay down again and breathed slowly. A little annoyed at herself for the lack of patience but even more so the lack of care she had fought in. Eve had learned a lot in her time at the Shadow’s Hand but a reliance on a nearby healer shouldn’t have been one of them.

She waited for an hour before moving again, this time only lifting her right arm with the letter, opening it with one hand. The paper was brown and thick, to not allow anybody to see through. On the page itself was simple ink. Names written down, dates and how the people died. The woman had apparently been looking for the murderer, in this letter only the name Red was mentioned, which could refer to anything.

Perhaps whoever this Red was, they could help her, could work together with her but then again it would likely be a waste of time. Another one trying to expose her, trying to use or control her. That time was over and she would find her own path. Alone. A slight pain in her stomach quite different than the one coming from the injuries made itself known.

A bitter smile formed on her lips as she carefully touched her belly. “I know. I miss them.” she said to herself but her mind steeled, the non physical pain soon leaving her. They were too soft, the lot of them. Though she didn’t doubt at least Ilea would be up for some of these hunts. The synergy of their skills was simply too unusable and the woman was a volatile, uncontrollable piece of fury. Eve liked her, something about her simple approach to life. It had crossed her mind that Ilea might truly be just as old as she looked. She had secrets, of that Eve was sure but as much as she fought and killed, she was no veteran in it. At least not yet.

Trian was completely useless to her, not one to hunt down his own people. The man would question every single decision she made. Him and Claire weren’t ones to follow, they were ones to lead. Not bad at what they did but ultimately useless to her. Kyrian was the one that got away. Had she encountered that boy before joining the Hand, she might’ve not gone at all. A powerful mage, yet so inexperienced in life, perfectly moldable.

The letter did mention a couple interesting things but nothing that would lead Eve to her next destination. It didn’t matter much, she had three people to look for anyway, people that likely knew enough to at least find more targets. The woman brushed through her newly colored and cut red hair. “I need to find a bloody healer...” she murmured before she closed her eyes, thinking on her next steps.

Loud pounding rocked through the heavy wooden door of her room, Claire waking up with bloodshot eyes. “Again, god fucking damn these fucking cunt ass demons…,” hissing to herself she got up, still fully armored as she made her way to the door, opening it with force.

“Again?” she asked and the captain nodded apologetically, his own face showing the strain of the past week as much as her own. The two started running, the captain letting her know about the direction of the attackers. The wall was manned, too thinly but still manned. Arrows and spells were shot out towards the yet unseen enemies as the two climbed the stairs.

The fresh morning air brought form to their breaths as they reached the top, looking over the walls to find a sizable group of demons running towards them. Two hundred of them at least but Claire calmed down, knowing that their rabid approach indicated the absence of a mind weaver, the true danger of these monsters. She simply hoped they would avoid her town and somehow all get cut down by the empire, the Hand and the adventurers signing up for such a ridiculous task.

She smiled, knowing that her team would take that job immediately. The idiots, coldly efficient and capable idiots at least. Her Hand was lifted and magic left her as explosions rocked through the enemy lines, the force pushing through their skin and bones as if they were mere paper. Blood and guts sprayed and burned to ash in moments as a big chunk of their numbers ceased to exist. Some lone creatures braved through the assault, an indication of their higher levels and resilience. Original demons most likely, summoned and not born from a human corpse.

The parasitic ability of the demons was the true bane to their existence. If it hadn’t been for most of Ravenhall’s population falling and turning to monsters, taking care of the summoned demons might’ve even been possible for just the Hand and their members. Doubtful but possible, especially with the demons hunting down the thousands of people in the city, distracted by all the targets. As it was, the city fell in mere hours, every fallen human taking ten more with them as soon as the demon curse made them rise again.

Claire was scared, truly scared for humanity in these past weeks. The elves had come and gone, ultimately uninterested in humanity’s complete destruction. Claire was sure that something kept them occupied or they simply enjoyed toying with humans. Like boys toying with insects, she thought as another set of explosions extended from the plates that covered the fields around the town. Barely any trees or greenery had survived the continued assaults.

Arrows were loosed around her, the morale of the defenders spiking with her arrival as it always did. A member of the Hand fighting alongside a city guard was a motivation rarely witnessed. The lower leveled demons were taken down by the ranged assault with time. Claire focused on the higher leveled targets, handing out her runed arrows to the archers and showing them where to hit. Each target impaled by an arrow exploded in a gory mess a moment later, the direct and internal attack too much for them to take, Claire’s skills and enhancements to them too much for their defenses.

Two hours it had taken, two hours of continued fighting until the last of the enemies fell. A single level for Claire but looking around she found that more than one of the defenders had grown considerably. The enemy waves didn’t relent but their expertise at fighting them increased daily. At least that was something positive. Their food reserves would hold for another couple weeks or even months, the hunters more successful than she had anticipated.

This was all only the case should no refugees arrive at all and Claire was a realistic as it got. There would likely be a whole city’s people arriving at some point, their walls having fallen and most of their population turned to the enemies they had been fighting.

“I’ll be back in bed.” she said to the captain who nodded, likely having the same thought before she jumped down the wall and walked the short distance to the barracks. Her house was a little more central, the minute or two of traveling too much to justify. The demons also attacked mostly from the south, though she feared the day a mind weaver would make the city of Vihal its target.

Claire drifted off into a meditative state as soon as she hit the bed, sleep taking her a moment later.

Ilea slowed down quickly and landed, taking a couple steps to stop her movement. The sun was high and warmer than it had been for the past months. “Fuck finally, I’m never escorting refugees again!” she shouted to the gods above, her wrath would find them in time, she was sure of it.

It had been an organizational disaster. The city was full already and even with the provisions the survivors brought they didn’t want to accept them inside at first. Luckily the soldier woman that came with them had a little more say than Ilea had assumed. Apparently the scouts were pretty high up in the empire’s hierarchy. Considering nearly all humans have at least heard of the Shadow’s Hand, Ilea did think a military unit comprised of level one fifty people was at least somewhat capable.

She summoned a meal and started eating. What really annoyed her were the demands and constant complaining of all the parties involved. She understood, both the survivors and the inhabitants of the city. It was a complicated thing to manage resources and a complete disaster to have a couple hundred more mouths to feed suddenly appear. Outside of an empire or kingdom, the people would’ve likely been shown the way off the lands or even attacked, their provisions taken.

The issue was that Ilea just couldn’t bring herself to care much. She had protected the people, they had cleared out Morhill and had looked for them, had given them food and warm clothes. That was as far as she would go. The politics involved afterwards were out of her hands, out of her abilities and out of her range of fucks to give. A blooming headache was quickly suppressed by Hunter Recovery as she nearly cried at how good the food was.

She would look for Keyla in the capital as well, pretty sure that the cook had some pan handling abilities to smack away some demons. Proud of her pun, she finished the meal and got up, summoning her notebook that at this point contained quite a treasure trove of information. At least for someone new to this world.

Ilea did briefly wonder if she should just go public with coming from Earth, perhaps more people like Cless would turn up. Then again that didn’t mean they knew anything about it and at this point she liked her friends and acquaintances here more than back on good ole Earth. Additionally she did have a somewhat unstable way of getting back, should she ever desire it. The demon realm. Both Arthur and Adam knew at least some amount about other realms so perhaps she would look for them at some point.

For now though, she blinked backwards and grabbed the approaching demon’s head before it was smashed into a tree, leaving only paste behind. “Fucker.” she said, throwing the limp corpse away. The things were part of the environment by now, the sheer numbers overtaking the local wildlife. Ilea wondered at what kind of impact this would have ecologically speaking but then again it couldn’t be as bad as cars or industrialization.

“Car dystopia or demon realm, not sure what’s worse.” she murmured to herself before wings sprouted on her back. The notebook summoned again, she checked for directions and sped off, a big smile blooming on her face at the sheer joy of flying. The woman spun around in the air, laughing as she made her way towards the central human settlement in the south east part of the plains, Virilya, capital of Lys.

Occasionally Ilea shot down and smashed through groups of demons, her gauntlets used in rotation to get a good feel for them. The ability of changing her weaponry at a whim was something she thought of as pretty important. More important than even that was her ash creation and manipulation skill. The higher the skill grew, the more she felt it to be immensely versatile and important. More and more she tried to attack with a tendril or spike of ash summoned in the midst of fighting.

The damage of course was negligible, even lower in impact than what her veil’s attacks produced, still she continued to improve her control and tried original ways of attacking and surprising her enemies. Ash had only been used as a distraction so far anyway, why not get better at that at least?

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 15’

“Finally...” she murmured, having used the skill through all the fights of the day. It had been a little forgotten, rarely useful but Ilea at least wanted to see what the second stage of it did before she inevitably discarded it for a better skill that might emerge from her class at some point.

She quickly checked her status and smiled. It wouldn’t be long for another set of 3rd tier skills and of course her Ashen skills were approaching the required levels as well. Considering the amounts of demons she had killed in the past weeks it was a bit of an impudence for her not to have reached higher results already. Another reason to find out about the existence of gods and their physical damage resistance. Hopefully nothing silly like an absolute immunity existed in this world.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 45

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 217

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 10

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 213

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 16

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 15

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 7

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 10

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 11

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 16

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 2

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 300

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 510

Wisdom 365

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 2756/2900

Mana: 3620/3650

Considering the somewhat easy time she had with the demons, the growth level was acceptable, even good. She had only come close to dying a couple times. Additionally several people had already told her that leveling after two hundred was more difficult. She was just a little bummed out because right now the demons were abundant. Ilea would try to hunt down as many as possible but at some point they would run out and she would have to find new things to fight. Hopefully some of her team mates would be alright with going to more dangerous places.

Chapter 133 Immigration Documents

A note from Rhaegar

Another one for the week. Next one on the next weekend. Have a nice Sunday everybody

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Chapter 133 Immigration Documents

“Is that it?” she asked herself, falling back into the habit of talking to herself as soon as she wasn’t around people anymore.

“Should be it.” Aki answered, the first words out of the dagger in more than a day, startling her a little but not as much as before.

“Ah, I live for this…,” the dagger said, pure joy radiating from the metal.

“You’re not technically alive you shit. Well you don’t shit but that’s the point.” Ilea said, flying higher to see the extent of the city.

Contrary to the way most cities worked on Earth, there was very little housing outside of the high walls, monster attacks likely too dangerous for anybody to even consider it. Some still did of course and there were even smaller walled off settlements a little outside of the city. A big forest spread to the west, somewhat uncommon for the plains, at least what Ilea had seen of them so far. A lake opened up into the forest as well, some ships stationed near the city.

East and northward, the city spread. Quite far, even with Ilea’s high aerial view. Flying further down and a little closer, Ilea marveled at the Gothic walls that were ridiculously high and delicately decorated. Must’ve cost them a literal fortune to build that. Her thoughts were interrupted by her seeing a couple figures approach from the walls at a high speed.

Five people, two of them winged and the rest simply floating came closer towards her, soon identified by their matching armor as a cosplaying group of some kind.

“State your… name and business in Virilya!” the man in the middle shouted, a little stressed out at her high level. Ilea wasn’t sure if he could identify it or not. The people were of varying levels, the highest being a mage at one ninety. Still, the highest city guards she had ever encountered. A given, the city in question being the capital of an empire and her approach being the flying one probably not being covered by most other guards on duty at the time.

“Lilith is the name. I’m here to look for the remainders of the Shadow’s Hand. I’m one of them myself.” she stated, most of it the truth. The silly fake name didn’t seem so silly to her anymore considering what the mind weaver had told them about names. A lot of people already knew her name but at least sometimes she wouldn’t shout it out for everyone to hear. Especially in new cities.

The man looked over to his colleagues but seemed much more relaxed after the mention of the Hand. “Yea, many have arrived in the past month. You’re pretty late. Come, we’ll check the formalities.” the man said and flew downwards, the other four spreading around Ilea as she followed him, not fully trusting of the stranger yet.

Ilea thought of what to spend her 45 remaining stat points on as they approached the beautiful walls. “These are honestly the nicest walls I’ve ever seen...” she said to nobody in particular.

One of the men chuckled. “First time in Virilya?”

“Yes actually, you’re for hire as a guide?” she asked in a joking manner. The man opened his mouth to respond but was swiftly shut up by a gesture of the man next to him. Professionalism seemed to be higher rated than comedy, a shame Ilea thought.

“We have a wave of demons approaching to the west captain.” a mage flying to the left of Ilea said. “Should we go for support, the west wing has had a rough time the past two weeks.” the man said.

“They’ll send out a signal if they need anyone.” the warrior to the right of Ilea retorted.

“I’ll go, where can I find you afterwards?” Ilea said, stopping in the air, her wings moving steadily as she watched the demons’ movements in the distance. The walls were much too high for them to climb or break through but what the beasts lacked in intelligence or planning, at least without mind weavers to control them, they made up with sheer ferocity and numbers.

And numbers they had. There were at least a couple hundred of the monsters moving in, the light of magical spells forming on the top of the wall as the sunlight reflected from the lake to the west. It looked beautiful, idyllic even. Ilea smiled at the view, even the noise of the demon horde below couldn’t reach them at their altitude.

“No, you’re coming to fill out the required forms. Afterwards we’ll see if we can get you a spot in the civilian support corps.” the captain explained, only looking back at her while shaking his head, apparently thinking it to be a silly notion.

Ilea’s smile turned into an outright laugh as the people around her stopped to look at her, confused at the sudden outburst. “Yea I don’t think so. The other guy here mentioned the western side of the wall to be understaffed and I’m a perfectly fine killing machine.” Ilea said, waving towards the man who had talked about the military resource situation.

“I don’t expect to be paid either, so don’t worry about your gold.” she said offhandedly before she dove downwards. Shouts could be heard behind her, quite efficiently ignored before some of the people followed, quickly left behind as her buffs came to life, the speed of the armored warrior-healer reaching her maximum capacity in mere moments.

“Civilian fighting corpse? What the hell is this bullshit.” Ilea murmured to herself, admiring the somewhat circular wall around the city, the closer she came the more impressive the sheer size of it was. Moving onwards she started concentrating on the upcoming fight, her muscles itching to move freely and at full power after the rather inhibiting escort duty she had to follow.

Sulivhaan would have to wait a little longer, she thought as the first long ranged fire, ice and lightning spells were launched from the top of the wall and into the horde below. Impressive but nothing compared to any long ranged artillery one Earth. Ilea thought of the possibilities of launching big chunks of rocks with explosion enchantments over long distances and laughed at the idea of climbing one to become additional payload.

Her landing was not quite the impact of a launched piece of rock the size of a house but certainly close enough. Obsidian gauntlets upfront, she dived straight into the ground, the impact completely flattening an unfortunate demon before she hit the ground, her body compressing as the ground gave in below, dirt and rock surrendering against her assault and flying outwards to blind or strike her enemies.

Demons hissed around her as a black mist appeared in the vicinity. Ash, the densely packed clusters of the element spreading out to encompass a rather large area. The first demons to approach the small crater left by the ballistic human missile found it rather empty, a moment later the first of them fell. A woman clad in black armor spun through their midst, shrouded by ash and hidden to their eyes she moved efficiently and deadly, the low leveled monsters showing little resistance to the blue steel blades weaved into her gauntlets, covered by the red of their blood.

“Yea I’m not going in there.” one of the aerial guards following behind Ilea said, after stopping in the air. The mage next to him deflected a bone spear shot from a rather large demonic monster below.

“Neither will I but we’ll have to keep an eye on her. We don’t want anymore unregistered refugees in the town...” the mage said, floating back upwards to the rest of their team coming closer in the distance, the two of them the fastest fliers in the group.

“Are you kidding me,” the first guard said, his sword deflecting a ranged attack before he started moving upwards again too. “Refugees don’t jump into demon hordes. Did you see that impact?” he asked, soon outside of the enemy’s range.

“Yea, for all we know she misjudged the height and is now paste on the ground.” the mage commented, getting a chuckle out of the other man.

“I mean she’s with the Hand so fair enough. Crazy fuckers.” he said right before the captain and the other two members of their squad reached them.

“Where is the woman, I saw her flying into that group. Why didn’t you stop her?” the man asked, quite stupidly in the other’s opinion. He was a capable fighter but sometimes his reasoning left a little to be desired.

“She’s faster than any of us captain. And as nice as those eyes looked I really don’t wanna try and touch her.” the first guard said.

“Where is she now?” the captain asked as they all tried to make sense of the battlefield below. By now parts of the forest were in flames, fireballs and ice lances racing down into the demons, destroying them as if they were mere toys. Some special ops squads jumped down the walls or were already waiting before the massive closed gate to the city to reduce the damage the demons could deal on the infrastructure.

Rock and ice walls formed near the wall, joined by several barriers in front and behind to form a front perimeter. A couple crazy ones jumped over the barricades or flew down into the masses from above, joining the new member of the Hand the team had encountered. Just a few, each one taking an unnecessary risk in most of the onlooker’s minds. The horde wasn’t controlled, a simple matter of time to be dealt with. Something as trivial as this might’ve scared a guard recruit in the first week of the demon attacks but by now it was a common sight. Terrifying still, but common.

Ilea weaved through the masses, avoiding exploding projectiles falling from the sky around her, both her Blink and Sphere abilities a massive boon to her maneuverability and continued survival. She reaped the lives of demons running right outside of a fireball’s blast radius, finishing off the monsters injured by arrows and ice spikes.

The sheer number of projectiles was impressive but considering the likely population of the city and its resources it was expected. Could’ve used that in Ravenhall, Ilea thought but then again the enemy had come from the inside. Ravenhall wasn’t that much of a pushover, the circumstances simply led to disaster. Three more blinks and seven enemy casualties later, a flash of light blasted through the three demons before her, the angle of the spell indicating a much closer combatant having dealt the blows.

She turned to the right as she continued running and saw a mage in black robes and mask channeling what she could only compare to the power of the sun. “Cool!” she exclaimed, jumping over an exploding crystal, some of the shards glancing off her Veil of Ash before she spun in the air, impacting a demon with her blades extended before she disappeared in the direction of the mage.

The light mage was slowly pushed back and upwards as he continued to send beams of light inside and through the monsters’ skulls. Four of them closed in and forced him to teleport away when Ilea appeared above them, taking two of them down with bladed arms and the other two with kicks enhanced with Destruction and Wave of Ember. All four of them were dead when she landed on their bodies, sliding for two meters before she jumped off, blinking towards the next set of enemies.

The mage descended behind her and channeled a longer spell before a beam four times the size of his previous attacks burned through the approaching beasts, vaporizing the body parts it came in contact with while Ilea cut through the demons behind him.

“With the Hand?” she asked as she ran past him.

“Yes, group them up for me and teleport out when the spell hits!” he shouted towards the fast moving woman, her heavy steps digging deep into the dirt below, her velocity and weight creating a deadly combination of force as she impacted the enemy line. Having heard the man, she shouted as loud as she could, not moving too far from her position as more and more demons piled on her. Seeing the slowly approaching spherical object behind her, she waited for the last second as the first claws finally punched through her veil before she pushed herself off, blinking backwards and behind the object.

Appearing, she saw a small globe of light floating into the mass of demons, her hands instinctively moving upwards right before an explosion of fire and light turned the grass and dirt below into ash. Her Veil took the hit in stride as she turned and nodded towards the mage, moving parallel to the wall, followed by her new ranged friend.

The two of them repeated the same tactic for another two chunks of demons, Ilea playing the target to pile the enraged creatures up and the mage to detonate a deadly payload in the midst of them, the combination more effective against the large numbers than the two of them fighting independently.

“May I join in?” a female voice sounded out behind them just after the latest blast took out at least thirty demons. It was of course a rhetorical question as a wave of lava seethed out of the woman’s hands and impacted the ground to the left of Ilea, forming a line forwards and to the left. Demons hissed as their way towards the wall was cut off, too far to jump or too much of a pain was the lava for them to simply cross it.

Ilea understood and so did the sunlight mage, moving behind her as she stepped a couple meters to the right before another wave of lava shot out, this time to the right.

Ilea grunted as she held out her arms, her Veil working overtime as a continued stream of ash blinded the creatures she tried to block in front of her, the beasts falling into and over each other in the confusion while they were being funneled into the death zone the three mages had created.

This time the explosion caused by the light mage was a little stronger, singeing a part of her Veil before it was reformed. The demons weren’t quite as lucky, only ash remaining of their corpses.

“Wanna move further, they can’t see us here.” the woman said but Ilea just moved her arms, the ash parting and flowing into the streams of lava, the demons beyond screaming towards the enemy they once again saw before them.

“That works as well I guess.” the woman said. “Charles, how many charges left?” she asked, speaking to the light mage floating behind Ilea.

“Six of the big ones, better make them count. Regroup at the wall after.” the man said as they continued their tactic. Ilea had noticed that no ranged attacks impacted their vicinity from the wall above, the defenders at least gracious enough to let them do their work.

The bloodied and burned mud was squashed by metal boots as Ilea made her way over to the two talking members of the Hand. Many of the soldiers, guards and adventurers by the looks of them had joined to clean up the battlefield, of the somewhat rare drops of items and of course fires and other elements. Ilea brushed at her helmet, her gauntlet coming away with a layer of mud, blood and ash mixture.

“There she is, not bad. You’re one of the new ones right? Full member already?” the man, Charles, asked her as he looked her way with his masked face. Ilea was intrigued at the making of his helmet, a mixture of metal and cloth that looked to her liking. She did like her horned helmet still, but one day she might find something better than even her Juggernaut armor. As long as it didn’t burn to ash after every fight she’d be fine with it.

“Yea, been for a month or so.” she answered before stopping in front of them.

“Right in the thick of it then. Well good thing there’s new people to fill in the sad sods that died in the last month. Don’t remember a hit to our numbers that bad.” the man said and shook his head lightly.

“How many are left actually? I come from near Ravenhall, looking to retake the city.” she said, putting together her fists.

“Yeahh!” the woman with lava magic exclaimed in a high pitched sound, some heads around them turning towards the group, most quickly looking away again upon seeing the dark armor and high levels.

“Told you we’d go back.” she said to the man next to her who kept looking towards Ilea.

“The mountains are overrun. Are you sure a small group could take care of it? The initial demons summoned were as high as two forty, at least what I’ve seen.” the man said, certainly seeming intrigued.

“We cleared Morhill out two days ago. Couple thousand and we’re seven people. The demons are uncoordinated and easy to handle if you take out the ranged ones first and have flying abilities. Ravenhall will be different, some Mind Weavers there for sure, the smart ones coordinating the other demons. I think we can take it though, just here to get interested people, otherwise we’ll do it ourselves.” she explained, looking towards the wall, the gate alone was around twenty meters high and around seven thick, Ilea feeling truly caught in a fantasy world in that moment. This wasn’t something that humans on Earth could reproduce, at least not without a shit ton of money and time.

Chapter 134 Virilya

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone, I hope you're all having a good weekend

. Enjoy the chapter and thanks for reading.

Chapter 134 Virilya

“Oh I like her. I’m Petra! Charles can we go please? I want a piece of those fuckers.” the woman said, first happy and smiling, turning furious at the last part of her sentence.

“We’ll think about it alright. I’m Charles as you already know, I assume you want to meet the people in charge?” the man said.

“Ilea, nice to meet you two. And yes, who would that be? Adam was the one summoning the demons by the way so he’s out.” she said.

“What? Adam? That’s gonna change things a little. Elder Urn was killed during the assault, Elder Quil has vanished with that massive beast and at least twenty of our own. She’d be the one in charge if she’s alive. The other two elders are nowhere to be found as always, probably in the north or looking for natural wonders for all we know. Dagon is actually the one organizing the members staying in the capital at the moment.” Charles explained.

“Hmm, the librarian? Sounds alright. Lead on then, I assume there’s no trouble with these guys?” Ilea asked, motioning behind her where the group of flying soldiers she had initially encountered were floating.

“Don’t worry about them. Petra would you take care of it and join us later darling?” Charles asked.

“Of course.” the woman said, her smile a little too enthusiastic but Ilea wasn’t going to stop whatever fun she would have with the soldiers.

“Well follow me then.” the man said, walking off towards the gate. “Time of essence?” he asked, looking sideways towards Ilea. The soldiers and workers around them glanced at the two completely black armored people every now and then, avoiding eye contact.

“Not really. I’ll go back whenever I’m done here. I have a letter from one of the squad leaders for Dagon. We’ll meet at Morhill in a week or two if it takes longer. Worst the demons will do is summon the literal devil to destroy all of Elos.” she answered.

“Alright, well it’s not gonna be less than a week anyway with everything going on. Maybe some of us will come with you immediately. Scouting the city and planning will take at least that much time. At least we know the terrain, secret entries and every building.” Charles said, walking through the humongous open gate. Ilea looked around, taking in the view.

“I’m not sure what that devil is you speak of but I assume you’re joking.” the man said, Ilea not reacting to what he said, stopping in her tracks right after entering the city. The smell had changed, a square opening up before her with beautiful trees, a massive fountain and colorful houses built with attention to intricate detail. It looked like a theme park’s interpretation of a medieval European city with the budget of Wall Street, sprinkled with magic.

“Didn’t grow up around here did you?” Charles asked and chuckled. The streets were bustling with activity, the people unconcerned about the massacre that had just happened a couple hundred meters outside their walls. The sun shined through the trees as merchants, bakers and smiths were shouting their wares and prices, restaurants and pubs serving food to their patrons as music played from their interiors.

“It’s beautiful…,” Ilea simply said and looked towards Charles. “No, never been here before.”

“Well then you’ll want a tour. It’s quite rich in character. I believe Viscera was inspired by Virilya, or the other way around. Both been here for a while. Considering the circumstances I suggest we wait with the tour though, objection?” he asked, surprising Ilea that he would even consider asking her. With the possible ramifications they didn’t know about Ilea was sure they should at least treat the retake and clearing of Ravenhall with utmost importance. She didn’t want to find out if there WAS a devil that could be summoned and knowing one mind weaver she knew they wouldn’t just sit idle on their newfound prize.

“No objections, lead the way. If it’s more than a couple minutes we can run or fly.” she said. The man nodded and started running, Ilea following behind a second later as they both sped up to find a comfortable pace for both of them, avoiding the people in the streets by jumping up to the buildings. Ilea nearly stumbled as she got a better view of the massive buildings, churches and literal wonders of architecture.

“Found myself in Rome eh?” she smiled and followed the man. “Why not fly?” she asked as they jumped over another building, both of them landing with such expertise that not a single brick moved out of place.

“They don’t like it. Not that it matters much but a happy host is a happy host. Running on the rooftops is already considered rude.” Charles replied in a loud voice as they sped through the city.

Ten minutes of high speed running later, Charles jumped off the building into a small square with a lot of trees and benches, devoid of people. The buildings adjacent were overgrown with ivy, their dark red color below reminded Ilea of something you’d see in the southern parts of central Europe.

In front of them however was a cathedral in gothic style, smaller than most of the others she had seen in the distance while running but not any less impressively built. Charles walked towards it, Ilea close behind.

Coming inside a massive man in black full plate armor nodded towards them upon entry. Next to him was the biggest sword Ilea had ever seen.

“Nice sword.” she said, looking at the thing, the man puffing out air as a response as they walked into the cathedral proper. The windows had a sand like tone to them, dimming the sunlight a little from outside. To Ilea it looked similar to one of the old churches she had visited, the only things missing were the rows of benches, an organ and pictures and sculptures of holy men and angels.

Instead she found tables and chairs, gear in piles and boxes, a bar near the wall with a man cleaning glasses. Warm magical lights gave the place a homely feeling. The place was near empty, only around six people sitting or walking around. Four of them were playing cards and drinking which didn’t leave many.

“Dagon, we have a visitor. With news from Ravenhall.” Charles said as the two walked to the man occupied by piles of letters in front of him. The man looked out over his glasses and took in the two people, a small smile forming as he spotted Ilea.

“Another survivor. I will note it. Welcome back to the Hand.” he said, getting up from his chair that nearly broke under the stress.

“Hey Dagon.” Ilea said and waved. The card playing people perked up and paused to see what she had to say.

“Letter for you.” she said as the item appeared in her Hand, giving it to the man who opened it immediately and started reading.

“So much for the worth of knowing you have a spacial storage item...” he murmured, looking at her for a split second before he continued reading. Ilea shrugged and waited.

“Hmm yes, yes yes. This is good. I’m happy he survived.” Dagon said. “A shame about Adam but I’m sure he had his reasons. Making himself an enemy of the Hand, I never thought he’d go that far.” he shook his head, his voice cracking with the last bit. Ilea noticed his hand was shaking a little.

“I suspected it….” he said and shook his head again, his hand brushing against his glasses as he steadied his breath.

“You lot, get together all the members you can find. We’re retaking Ravenhall.”

Ilea discussed the details she knew about with Dagon before she sat down at the bar, getting some mead as they waited for the Shadow’s Hand to gather. After finishing her drink she asked the barman if Dagon drank. The man didn’t know so she simply ordered a drink of his finest strong alcohol, walking over to Dagon with it.

“Do you drink?” she asked and stopped next to him, seeing that he had a blank page with a dried out feather next to it on the table.

“Here to buy information?” he asked after a moment.

“No, but I don’t want to be rude.” she said, placing the drink next to the paper. “I’m sorry about the elder. The way he talked he seemed sure of his decision but not happy with it.” she stated and walked back to the bar, not waiting for an answer.

“Do you have food as well?” she asked and the barman nodded, serving her a cold plate of snacks. “Any idea where I can get information on survivors from Ravenhall?” she asked and the barman looked at her like she was an idiot, nodding towards Dagon on his chair.

“I don’t want to bother him right now.” she said, getting an understanding nod from the barman.

“You don’t speak do you?” she asked, the mustached man just staring into her eyes with high intensity. He was at level two hundred as well, giving the stare quite a bit more weight.

“I’m looking for a cook. Keyla is her first name. Worked for this establishment… damn I forgot the name of it.” she said, starting to drink the fresh mead he had placed next to her.

The barman put down the glass he was cleaning, walking over to Dagon and taking one of the books on his table. Flipping through the pages he stopped at one and placed the book next to Ilea, a finger on the name Keyla Aranoth. Alive and in the capital it said next to the name.

“Glad to hear that. I’ll get in touch with her at some point then. Thanks.” she said, summoning a gold coin and placing it on the counter. He nodded and took the coin when he was behind the counter, picking up the glass again.

It took a mere three hours for the previously empty cathedral to be bristling with life. At least a hundred people were present, not a single one below level two hundred. Certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Dagon cleared his throat, the room going quiet a moment later as all eyes focused on him, most of the people seated or leaning onto something, previously occupied by their own conversation.

“Welcome. Shadow’s Hand.” he started, Ilea looking on from the bar that was now occupied by more than just her.

“Thank you all for coming. We have word from a survivor near Ravenhall. Morhill was cleared of the demon infestation, seven members having stayed behind to hunt down the beasts.” he said, some of the people starting to murmur.

“The most likely suspect for the summoning is nobody else than our own Elder Strand.” he said, the people reacting less enraged than Ilea expected, a couple even laughing at it. One of them got hit by a team mate, shushing him.

“Now I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to punch the man. First though we will have to retake Ravenhall and Viscera. A simple matter of principle. There is no pay involved here.” Dagon continued, the room quieting down again.

“I’m sure all of you have lost people and while some might be happy about that let’s just get this over with and fuck up the invaders to our halls.” Dagon said, getting up from his chair as some people smiled and chuckled, apparently a surprise to hear the man curse.

“I’m tired of this city’s pretentiousness and bureaucracy. Let’s go back to the mountains.” he said, getting a cheer from some people who lifted their hands. Ilea smiled, not quite the inspiring speech she had expected but then again the man was a librarian, not a warrior.

“We meet in Morhill. The woman at the bar leaves today and I’m going with her. Feel free to join.” Dagon finished as Ilea walked up to the table, noticing the glass was empty.

“Let’s gut some demons!” a man shouted from the corner of the cathedral.

“Shut the hell up.” a woman stated before the people broke out into their own conversations again, Ilea ignoring most of it.

“You alright?” Ilea asked Dagon as she reached him. The man extended his hand and shook hers.

“Thank you, for coming. And for caring. When are you leaving?” he asked.

“Don’t mention it Dagon. As much as this cathedral is nice, your library just has a certain charm to it. Whenever, now?” she asked and shrugged, having no reason do delay further.

“Now it is then.” he said and opened one of the heavy tomes on his table, slamming it together. The created shock wave and sound caused people to look towards them, some shrouding themselves in shadow or preparing spells to counter the attack.

“We leave now. Meet me at the central south gate in one hour.” Dagon said before walking out. Ilea smiled as a puff of air left her nose.

“An hour to check out the city.” Ilea said to herself as she looked around and found Charles. Walking up to him, she put a hand on his shoulder.

“So we have an hour for a quick tour.” she said, smiling at him.

“An hour? For Virilya? That’s not even enough for Viscera. You won’t see all of this city in a month.” he answered, shaking his head.

“I can show you some of the places around the most southern part if you like. I’m sure Petra will gladly play the guide though.” he said, the woman perking up and jumping towards them, leaving her previous conversation behind upon hearing her name.

“Did I hear the words Petra and guide? City tour?” she asked excitedly and locked eyes with Ilea as a big scary smile blossomed on her face.

“You’re intense.” Ilea said as she grabbed the woman’s shoulders. “Show me the city Petra!”

“You better keep up then, newbie.” Petra replied and ran off.

“We’ll meet you at the gate then.” she said to Charles who stood next to her, his eyes focused on Petra.

“How was it?” Charles asked as Ilea and Petra joined the man at the south gate. Everyone not in black armor or robes looked on at the scene, more people gathering by the minute to see the spectacle.

“More running than seeing. She does know a lot more about history than I would’ve expected.” Ilea answered, checking around her. The hour would be up in a couple minutes.

“She does.” the man said, his voice holding a little sadness but Ilea didn’t ask.

Dagon came out from the gate in that moment, the man covered in heavy armor from head to toe, a metal book the size of Ilea’s chest under his arm as he walked through the gathered people, reaching her a moment later.

“Let’s go then.” the librarian said, breaking out into a run, each step he took pushing deeper into the ground until he was past what any human on Earth could manage. Around her, Ilea watched as people took to the air, wings and magical extensions sprouting from people’s backs as animals and monsters were summoned, to carry people both on land and in the air.

“They all came.” Charles said next to her as he started floating upwards, pride in his voice as Ilea joined next to him.

“Carry?” Petra asked from below, lifting her arms towards Ilea with a smile.

“Carry.” Ilea said as she lowered herself down again, letting the woman grab her right arm.

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“Still think it would’ve been a good to stop her?” a guard of the seventh southern aerial squad asked his colleague as they watched from the top of the wall as over a hundred people in black left the capital. They didn’t know where but the guard himself felt a little lighter with all of them gone.

“Fucking spectacle isn’t it?” his friend said.

“Yea, whatever they’re heading for I don’t want to be there.” the first guard said as the people around them started to disperse again, the gate below would soon close again, lest another demon attack followed the earlier one from that day.

“Shift’s over in ten, wanna go to Tally’s?” the man asked his friend.

“Sure, you’re paying and stop trying to talk to that barmaid. I told you she’s not interested.” the guards argued as a faraway bell rang in the busy city, only a small number of people even hearing about the Shadow’s Hand coming and going. The name Lilith had reached a couple more people that day and more than one soldier had gulped at the distant warrior standing before the approaching demon tide, arms wide open.

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A bandaged woman woke to the bells ringing in the evening hours, a heavy cough shaking her body as blood reached her mouth. The room was dark again, Eve lying back down as she checked herself. The cuts had healed, enough for her to be ready again. She got up and walked to the other side of the room, grabbing some water to wash herself, the bloodied bandages were carefully removed and stacked to be burned at a later time. Blood magic was to be taken seriously after all.

Today she would go find some people to interview. A man, a woman and a butler, though she doubted the last one would yield anything important. Then again there were surprises waiting for you at every corner in life, especially when you were in Virilya. Her daggers were washed next, the blood already dry and sticking to the blades in an annoying way, one of her prime reasons not to get injured in fights too heavily. She could clean the blades right after.

A quiet hum filled the room with an eerie atmosphere as the near naked woman continued to scrub her blades, short red hair and cold eyes focused on the task at hand.

Chapter 135 Roguey Rogues Doing Rogue Stuff

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everybody, merry christmas or whatever you do. Maybe nothing, then merry monday. That's not a nice thing, merry monday. Well whatever, I hope you enjoy the chapters and have a nice week

. Thanks for reading, as always.

Chapter 135 Roguey Rogues Doing Rogue Stuff

“How does it look?” Sulivhaan asked, Navailis having arrived just a moment ago. One of the most central pubs in Morhill had been chosen by the squad leader to use as their base. The square in front had been prepared by Rock. Barricades blocked all the entrance streets to the square, the pub only easily accessible by air or by climbing over everything.

As soon as they had any earth mages around, the defenses would be extended. For now it wasn't feasible to defend the whole city against possible intruders but the empire would arrive at some point and perhaps Ilea would manage to convince a couple of the Hand's survivors, if there were still some in the capital.

Senia regularly scouted the city and gates, taking care of stray demons near the city's walls.

“At least three mind weavers visible. Ranged demons stationed on all walls and high buildings behind. High level scouting bands patrolling around the city and I saw at least five unidentified previously unknown demon variations.” Navalis reported, walking next to the big table in the middle of the pub. The rest of the tables and chairs had been moved away to make space. Oil lamps burned around the room, giving it a warm feeling. The hearth was currently cold, the remaining occupants of the city not in need for the warmth although the soldier who had stayed behind was sitting huddled in a corner, covered by several blankets.

Even at level one thirty the man didn't seem to have a cold-, frost- or ice resistance. Sulivhaan ignored the man, perhaps he would finally gain such a resistance in the coming weeks. It would take some convincing for the empire to assist them in retaking Ravenhall, at least in the time necessary, now that the demons were still establishing themselves. The army wasn't quite known for their timely reactions when it came to an external organization like the Hand. Retaking the city would cost quite a number of lives, combined with the resources that wouldn't be available elsewhere, where cities were still under control and the population alive.

“Good, it seems their movements haven't changed much but either they were hiding those creatures or creating or summoning new ones. We should focus first on destroying their scouting teams, I'll talk to Trian and Kyrian about this. They should be able to take care of that.” the man explained, marking the newfound information on the big map of Ravenhall and its surroundings. At least the demons didn't seem to be immediately expanding already.

Other than a few stragglers and small groups, no enemies had come close to Morhill.

“No word from Ilea yet?” he asked and didn't receive an answer. “It's been four days already. She shouldn't need longer than a day to travel to the capital. We'll have to send someone if she doesn't come back in the next two days.” he said, though having another one of their already small group depart would put a dent in their plans.

“No resources, no resources...” Sulivhaan grumbled under his mask when Rock bust into the room, a big grin on his face.

“You should come see this.” the warrior said into the room, motioning with his hand for them to follow him outside as he held open the massive wooden door with his free arm. The three occupants of the room left a moment later, Sulivhaan and Navalis looking at each other before following Rock.

The square looked the same but when Sulivhaan looked upwards to the sky, a content smile replaced the frown that had plagued him for the past month. In the distance a group of flying people, all in black broke through the heavy clouds above, a lot more than he had expected. More importantly it wasn't the empire, it was the Shadow's Hand.

“I always say you're too pessimistic, old man.” Rock said, looking towards their squad leader. Even Navalis sported a light upwards curve on her lips, a rare sight to say the least.

“There's a difference between realism and pessimism Rock.” the mage replied, their banter evidence for the immediate mood improvement as they walked towards the center of the square.

Ilea and Dagon were among the first people to land, the woman waving as she put down the man she had held with one arm. Quite an impressive feat, Sulivhaan thought. More importantly it seemed the librarian had taken the lead, which explained a few things. Among them the appearance of what likely amounted to nearly all surviving members of the Hand. It would make things considerably simpler. His posture less tense, Sulivhaan walked up to the big man with extended arms.

“We rushed here as early as we could. I'm glad you survived, old friend.” the librarian said, hugging the smaller mage, yet not managing to lift him up. Sulivhaan's gravity magic fought against the other man's strength, a tradition they had upheld for quite a long time, originally a bet.

“Come then, we have much to plan.” Sulivhaan said and nodded to Ilea who copied the gesture. The two men and several interested people followed and went into the pub while some others put up tents or claimed houses or floors for themselves. Others again spread out towards the walls of the city, to ensure a higher security or to go hunt. The Hand's members were mostly independent, working in small teams. This situation wouldn't change their approach, they simply had more teams and firepower available, not a problem with the big city they would have to cover.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Ilea watched the two men's backs as they walked towards the pub. “Good job, you were faster than I expected.” Rock stepped next to her, following her gaze. “I assume it wasn't exactly hard to convince him?”

“No, well I'm not sure what exactly the letter entailed but he was certainly eager to take back the city. Most of the others as well.” she said, looking around.

“Yea, it's weird isn't it. We're not exactly fighting for a cause but I think most of us saw at least Viscera as somewhat of a home, if perhaps only a temporary one.” Rock said after a while.

They stood in silence for a while, before Ilea stretched and yawned. “Been a while since I slept. I think I'll catch a couple hours. Let Trian and Kyrian know I'm here, will ya.” she said and punched the man's arm, walking away on her hunt for a nice bed.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Sulivhaan looked through the info in front of him, a list of all the people who had come to Morhill with general abilities and class information. A big chunk of them were here with their full squad, likely having survived the demon summoning together. Others were alone or with lacking members to their registered team. He wouldn't ask, simply glad they had come.

“I expected the empire to form the bigger chunk of the force but I think with this, we'll be able to work our way through a big part of the enemy until they even decide on sending reinforcements.” Sulivhaan said, sitting down on a chair next to the map.

“I talked to some officers before we left Varilya, so there's a chance we're gonna see imperial colors earlier than you'd expect.” Dagon said as he removed his helmet to sit down next to the central table, his small glasses still sitting on the bridge of his nose. The other people that had followed were entering by now, each taking either a chair or standing position around the map, each a veteran in one way or the other.

“Alright, let's start then.” Dagon said and pushed his glasses upwards a little.

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'Damn, too late...' Eve thought as she took in the scene before her, her body camouflaged against the red stained white walls. The corpses were nobles again, the first ones she had found before the authorities or the weird organization that was looking for the people she was now hunting as well. Not to kill them but perhaps they knew more about where she could continue the search. Additionally staying on their trail would mean staying on the organisation's trail.

'Edwin Redleaf...' she thought as she carefully walked around the carnage. 'A bit of an enthusiast when it came to killing it seemed.' a man to her own heart. She smiled as she enjoyed this hunt more than many others before. Instead of farmers and children, this time it was nobles riddled with illegal backgrounds and more than questionable morale who paved the road to her goal.

A noise could be heard from a couple rooms over and Eve enhanced her Illusion magic, quickly moving to the room with complete silence. 'There he is... I thought he'd be smaller.' she thought as she watched the man touch the ground where someone laid dead. Perhaps not the person she was looking for in the end but at least someone had made it to the scene of the crime before her, impressive.

“Already someone here?” the man suddenly asked, turning around as a dagger appeared in his hand. The black blade shimmered a little as he turned, not looking at Eve directly. She was still hidden. Perhaps he had sensed something about her, his surroundings or there might be someone else around that he noticed as well. She usually stayed silent in those moments, more often than not was the discovery of an intruder not quite as helpful as one would assume. If the intruder was hiding right next to you, all you get is a skill activation and perhaps an enhanced defense.

If Eve was good at anything though, it was at waiting. And right now she would learn quite a bit about both the person in front of her and the soon to follow investigators should the man choose to stay.

“Interesting skill... yet you haven't shown yourself. Who are you?” the man asked towards his surroundings, turning in place, his blade held at the ready. Eve stayed silent as well, now smiling a little as she heard people approaching through the front door. The man would probably want to move should he be Edwin Redleaf, or perhaps killing guards was not something he would frown upon. A minus point in Eve's book, the men and women employed by the city or empire to guard it and keep it safe had rarely much to do with political decisions.

She moved backwards, standing right beside the hallway wall opposite the room. A moment later four imperial soldiers marched through, scouts as she saw from their uniforms. Not green ones either, each looking around the place, skills activated and careful not to disturb any of the corpses.

The front man ran into the room with his mace drawn but quickly stopped, sheathing the weapon and saluting to the man in black still standing in the room, blade drawn.

“Sir? What are...” the man asked and quickly prepared his weapon again, moving his hand in a couple motions that Eve knew meant the perimeter wasn't safe and that they should create a defensive line. 'Good soldiers...' she thought and watched them quietly discuss what happened and what the next steps would be.

“If you're here for me, then find me. I wish to talk, if only for that hiding skill you're using.” the man said, sheathing his blade again.

“Are you sure sir?” the squad leader asked, his voice calm as he scanned his surroundings. The other soldiers did the same, one of them with a little shaky hands.

“If whomever is hiding wanted you dead then I believe you wouldn't have reached the entrance of this house. And I believe they are not directly involved with the murders. Continue your work.” the man said, suddenly vanishing out of sight. Eve concentrated to fend off an attack, thinking his inability to find her a possible move to manipulate her or gain further information about her before he would strike.

Two minutes later that didn't seem to be the case, the soldiers' tension lessening by the minute. A good opportunity to strike but she had learned what she could from this. The man was involved somehow, or perhaps he was investigating as well. Meeting him would be her next step, now that all her other sources had either vanished or were silenced.

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'An intriguing skill...' Baltimore thought as he blended into the city's shadows thrown by the low hanging suns. Virilya was as busy as ever and while he welcomed the noise and people as a good way to make his own movements less noticeable, he had been too late. Too late to find Edwin before another one of his murders. Already he had the attention of an enemy he wasn't prepared to handle and while he was still of little consequence to them that would change with time and amount of people killed.

Still he smiled a little, knowing that was exactly what Edwin wanted, the little Redleaf tornado. He wondered how much the boy had progressed. At least so far he didn't make any mistakes, remembering his lessons from so long ago. Baltimore moved slowly, not using his teleporation ability as excessively as he would normally, still feeling the presence somewhere close, not close enough to endanger him but whomever it was, they were following. 'Another possible lead...' he thought as he jumped to the next house over, his view of the city blocked by bigger buildings around him.

_________________________________________________________________________________

He was leading her on, Eve was sure of it. The man had moved leisurely, at least for what she assumed to be his skill. As much as she was looking for another clue, perhaps so was he.

[Warrior – lvl 220]

She identified the man to make sure. Any warrior at that level with a goal in mind would be moving more quickly through the city, even on his first day here. Thinking of Ilea, she stopped that kind of thinking as she continued to follow. Then again the man hadn't seemed like an impulsive fighter nut, otherwise the house probably wouldn't be standing anymore.

For the next hour, she followed the man as he went deeper and deeper into the city, below bridges and through sewers and rotten away cellars and underground tunnels until finally he stopped, deep down inside a place that was so mundane Eve just couldn't think of it as a trap. Seeing the man hadn't attacked or looked for her in the noble's house, he probably wanted to at least talk first. Something she could agree with.

A clone of her materialized a meter to her left, the man shifting his eyes to look at the clone.

“A projection? Interesting again. That's already two things about you that I like. I nearly can't tell the difference between that and a real person...” the man said as he slowly clapped.

“To follow me was a risk, what if this was simply a trap? A runed destination specialized in uncovering you?” he asked.

“You had four members of the scouts with you, I believe a strike would've been most reasonable then, why wait? You don't seem like a fool to me.” she answered.

“True, your analysis is sound. What if I simply wanted to capture you, murder you or torture you? For my own joy?” he asked, a black dagger moving around his hand in a fluid motion as he delivered the questions in a completely monotone voice.

Eve's clone started to grin, a little too wide to still look beautiful. “Then all the more reason to come here.” she answered his question. Apparently she had taken the man by surprise as he chuckled a little.

“Oh I see. Well aren't you motivated. Plenty of targets for you then in Virilya. Now tell me, do you know anything about the man you're hunting? Or were you the one to kill those nobles?” he asked.

“There are, there are. I don't assume you're one of them then. Perhaps a trade of information might be beneficial for the both of us?”

“What do you want to know?” the man answered, Eve quite happy at his direct approach.

“The name of the organization that is hunting this... Edwin Redleaf. And perhaps a location or person that would be able to tell me more... yet I do believe I might've found such a person already.” she said, smiling at the man. Depending on his next words she would take her chances at engaging him. No external influences would be around to save him and her close call with the huntress three days prior still sat sour with her.

“So you're hunting the hunters. An efficient way to look for them, that certainly is true but if you have any thoughts of engaging the Golden Lily, you're not even gonna wake up again to realize your mistake. Edwin seems to be trying himself, a little stupid for someone taught by me.” the man said, Eve preparing to fight. Nobody would reveal so much without the intention to silence anybody close by.

“The Golden Lily hmm? How come I've never heard of them?” she asked, unsheathing her daggers, still cloaked and standing a meter away from her clone.

“Oh they're quite good at silencing people who shouldn't know. A passion for some of them I wager.” and with that, he vanished. A black mist appearing in front of her clone, expanding quickly.

Eve moved backwards and through the tunnel as the black cloud advanced for another twenty meters, touching her back a little in the last moment. 'Black magic...' she winced at the phantom pain, knowing a little about how that particular magic worked. Quite effective and without her iron mind skill she might've already been knocked out by the contact.

Dropping her camouflage in the next room, four of her clones appeared as she turned around and skidded to a halt. Out of the smoked tunnel the man stepped, a black mask completing the light armor set he had been wearing. The time for talking was over.

Chapter 136 Vihal - Town Defense Simulator

A note from Rhaegar

And the second one

"> Enjoy hopefully. This is one of the mentioned other PoVs that's a bit too long. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 136 Vihal – Town Defense Simulator

'Good thing I fought against Ilea so much...' Eve thought as she blocked another blade aimed at her back, dodging slightly to the side as soon as the man had appeared behind her, her dagger turning in her hand to deflect his attack before he vanished again.

The shadowy tendrils attacking her were dodged as well, much slower than Trian's or Kyrian's attacks. Comparatively they stayed behind, ready to catch her whenever she touched too closely to the shadows still lingering. The pain wouldn't finish her but a lapse in concentration was just as much of a problem.

Eve had yet to use her mind magic, the man moving too quickly for her to find a good way to surprise him. She was absolutely sure that her magic alone wouldn't be enough to take care of him so she waited, strike upon strike she defended and was slowly driven to the stone wall behind her.

He didn't leave her a choice as she started to hum at a high tone, the man appearing a couple meters away, hands clutching his head as shadowy tendrils shot towards her, the woman dodging and moving in on him quickly. Her dagger moved but was stopped in the last moment by his hand, the curse entering him through the wound.

Her adversary hissed at the pain and feeling that slowly crept up his arm before he vanished. Eve stood there, bloody dagger in hand as the manifestations of shadow around her started to cruble and disappear, a good source for further information lost with it all. Eve frowned as she walked back the way they came, her daggers and magic at the ready should the man chose to ambush her again, though she doubted it. Other than Ilea and maybe Trian there were few people she knew that could resist a curse once it's entered the body.

Her hood up again, Eve entered the city from the tunnel entrance below a big bridge, water rushing past below and towards the lake as she breathed in deeply. Spring sent its first emissaries as Eve spotted the growing leaves on the trees above, to the side of the bridge. Soon the city would be covered in color again, the way she liked it most.

'Golden Lily...' she thought, remembering the name the man had mentioned. He had seemed keen on finishing her off and in the end it was more a warning than a confession. He had been capable, very much so. Had it not been for her surprise and effect on him with mind magic, she would've been dead. The man was very dangerous in close quarters, that was for sure.

Maybe too dangerous for her at the moment. Then again if she thought like that, his warning would seem like something to take seriously. She sighed and left. The first step would be information gathering. Perhaps finding this Edwin and working together with him would be the best bet, hunting down the guy she'd fought was a possibility as well. Or simply asking around for the Golden Lily but that one seemed like the worst option.

As much as she liked the approach of having the enemy try and find you, if a man who nearly killed her warns of their danger, then maybe she should find out more things about them before she painted a target on her back. First things first, she needed a drink. A strong one at that.

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“They're breaking through!” the lone shout of a town guard was lost in the screams and shouts of both monster and man, the moon lightly illuminating the massacre below in this cloudless night. Explosions rung through the area as a cluster of demons was shredded through, their lifeless bodies flung into their brethren, breaking bones and tearing muscles. Some of them howled in pain before well placed arrows silenced their screams.

“Stand your ground!” a woman shouted, looking to her right and extending her arm. An explosion sent the demon flying, spraying blood over her long armor skirt. Claire's mana was running somewhat low, her meditation skill running at full capacity as she sent destructive waves of explosions into the demon horde below. Their approach had been tactical, coming in the night right when their guard was at its lowest.

The two smaller attacks in the day must've been planned as well, to drain them and scout out abilities and key personnel. This time the demons didn't just mindlessly charge the walls but headed straight for the gate, slowly breaking through the thick wood with sheer ferocity. Claire's explosive runes had been placed a little further out, especially near the gate to not accidentally damage it.

The enemy must have known as much or simply assumed the gate to be the best way to approach Vihal. Claire looked around as more and more of their soldiers ran to the gates, woken by the ringing bell or comrades running through the barracks. The gate wouldn't hold for long, even with the earth mages below reinforcing it constantly.

'Thin the numbers...' she thought as she threw another runed stone down into the screaming crowd, their numbers impossible to determine in the dark of night. The following flash tearing into the enemy wasn't very reassuring. A projectile glanced her helmet, an addition the guard captain had insisted on. “Ranged enemies at forty degrees!” she shouted as some of the archers took aim, their arrows sent off loosely into the stated direction.

It wouldn't matter much, the enemy seemed too numerous for lacking accuracy to become a problem. Some of the archers were pretty good actually, hunters or rangers but fighting against demons in a life and death situation wasn't exactly on their daily menu before a couple weeks ago. Not something one gets used to quickly.

An orange shield was conjured right after Claire saw the light of the moon reflect on a mass of projectiles, the bone smashing into the barrier while the demons below continued their assault on the door. Claire had previously instructed the earth mages to construct further barricades behind the gate and the close combat soldiers to take cover behind them should the time of a breach come. Now was that time and she nodded after checking the defenses with a glance, many people already standing at the ready with their weapons drawn, support spells being applied from behind.

Vihal had been mostly self sustaining, which meant they had priests and healers, mages of all kind and an assortment of warriors and hunters at least capable of defending the city against your average monster in the surrounding forest. Not something most smaller towns in the empire could boast, having the opportunity to get imperial guards and healers instead and work with adventurers for the rest. It had given the city some leeway when it came to laws and taxes, perks all of them enjoyed. The lord had apparently realized that such a constellation was only possible with everyone at least somewhat benefiting.

Claire jumped down and placed the last of her runed plates around the barricade, looking into the fearful faces of her companions. The swords were held loosely, the defender's body language not showing confidence. Claire frowned under her helmet. She wasn't confident either, the enemy numbers being unknown. Should there be more than a single mind weaver, she didn't think they even had a remote chance.

“Stand now, this is where we stop them. Otherwise all you hold dear will be slaughtered and turned into one of them. Turn your fear into fury.” she spoke, walking to the front line, the people moving away to let her pass. The earth mages ran back as the first claws cut through their improvised defenses, the demons chipping through more and more of the quickly moved rock. Arrows shot into and around the holes, injuring or killing the demons beyond but more of the monsters replaced the dead as more and more of the barricade was eaten up.

“Prepare, as discussed. Wait until the barrier is down to strike!” Claire shouted, right before the gate fell. Instead of squeezing through the small holes they had already created, the demons waited for a sizable entrance to form so they could enter in greater numbers. Not something they would do without a mind weaver to coordinate them. Ten of the monsters ran towards them at once, another wave following right behind.

Claire extended her hands and waited as mana built up inside of her, a big chunk having regenerated in the down time they just had. The captain of the guard was standing next to her with battle ax in hand as the demons reached them. An orange barrier shot up from the plates below, the demons crashing into the physical barrier, three rows of them clashing together, the monsters unable to stop their momentum in time.

“Attack!” Claire shouted as the barrier came down, with it the slashes and strikes of swords and maces, helped by the ranged attacks of arrows and magic. The confused demons still in the process of standing up were slain by the attacks, as more of the monsters tried to get through from behind, pushing at the demons in front, opening them up even further for attack. This went on for two minutes straight, the towns people gaining confidence and ferocity in their own attacks.

Claire carefully watched the battle before she held up one arm. “Move back, four meters, move now!” she shouted, the people around her reacting slowly but within her calculations. The initial waves of demons had been slain, Claire activating the prepared explosion runes now sitting under the enemies in front as she activated the next line's barricade. The explosions ripped through the town's streets and a part of its gate, making it harder for more of the monsters to join the fray.

The barrier came down again as they formed the next line of defense. This one was physically strengthened by spikes and a small wall that would stop the initial speed of the demons, Claire expecting the same barricade trick not to work again, at least not against controlled demons.

“Ring the bells.” she said to the captain next to her who nodded and shouted her command. A moment later the screams of their enemies and sounds of magic were interrupted by the ringing of bells, the noise soon spreading across all of the town.

A sudden pressure hit Claire's mind, her last effort put into the prepared runes before her, a white barrier coming up immediately. Her mind cleared as she checked around herself, glad to find nobody else affected. The mind weaver had targeted her, as expected. Though the sheer force of its attack was quite different to Eve's use of the magic. It would be dangerous to let her guard down for more than two seconds.

“It's here, all ranged attackers take down the mind weaver!” she shouted, spotting the demon mage floating a little above the destroyed gate, demons rushing past him and towards their group. Its face wasn't visible from the distance as arrows and magic were thrown its way. Demons jumped in front of the mage to take the brunt of the force as it slowly retreated.

“No you're not... captain hold the line, I'm going after it. Follow the plans!” Claire shouted as she ran and jumped to the wall on their left, continuing to run towards the gate where the mind weaver wasn't visible anymore. She knew he was there as she blindly ran close to the gate and jumped off.

The pale moon illuminated the flying woman and the horde below, her black armor reflecting the light as she tried to make out her target. She couldn't but it didn't quite change her approach as she channeled mana into her arms and hands, landing on a spot of grass between the monsters as a big wave of fire and kinetic force spread outwards around her, burning and shredding most of the close by beasts.

Turning around, she saw the mind weaver, floating a little higher than its peers as it locked eyes with her, the black abyss like forms staring deep into her as she lifted her left arm, a rune on her bracelet starting to shine and a small white shield forming in front of her. The money gained on the missions wasn't wasted, instead invested in a long term plan to make even more at a later time. Of course all her plans were on ice for the moment but depending on how this situation turned out, maybe it would all be for the better.

The enemy's magic tugged on her mind but it was dull and weak compared to the near shock like state she had been before. Her shield was raised before her as she quickened her step, running past the horde around her. A big number of them blocked her way, Claire using her other bracelet as she channeled mana into her arm and extended her hand, an explosion extending outwards and into the group, shearing a path through them.

She jumped through and threw out four runed stones as she watched the mind weaver slowly retreat, more demons approaching from all around. Suddenly their voices were cut off, Claire standing up as she confidently held up her right arm, the white shield shimmering with power. The runed stones wouldn't last long as they suppied the dome like orange shield around the two of them. Claire wouldn't need a lot of time.

Three quick and powerful steps brought her in front of the enemy who tried desperately to claw at her. A futile atempt as she simply dodged the attack, her right hand grabbing the demon's face before a small localized explosion tore into it. Another set of explosions followed as she slowly pushed the less and less struggling monster downwards and into the dirt. She didn't stop her attacks until the notification of her enemy's death came to her mind.

Claire allowed herself a small smile as the attacks to her dome first stopped and then continued. She waited for the last second where the barrier would collapse and ran off towards the town, jumping past the monsters around her, using explosions to get around bigger groups. Jumping back onto the wall, she was quite happy to find the demons inside breaking into doors and spreading out in complete chaos.

Wincing, she held her side as she looked down. Blood was pooling on her hand, something to be taken care of immediately. Only she didn't have either the time nor resources to do so. So she continued to run, this time trying to avoid the demons that were focused on their imminent surroundings, their controlled destructive power turning into a fizzle of its former glory. Now only wild beasts, trying to find their next meal.

Claire crashed into a wall, the wound on her side worse than she had previously realized. It wasn't far and she made herself move, her legs taking one step at a time as she closed in on the armory in the center of the town. The gates were open, a large group of demons trying to get to the people inside as swords and magic slowly worked through the enemy, the beasts too feral to realize their tactical disadvantage as they slowly funneled into the gates in single or double file, easily taken care of by the people inside who rotated to ensure prepared and fresh warriors were at the front while mages continued to rain fire and ice from the flat top of the building.

Claire smiled as she watched the scene unfold, quite happy everything was going according to plan, one of six plans in place at least. Slowly she sunk to one knee, her eyesight growing more hazy by the second. A chuckle left her, she had taken down the enemy commander and ensured the town's survival and yet she would die, alone and from an attack she hadn't even noticed.

'How unnoble of me...' she thought, chuckling again, this time she coughed, blood coloring the wall before her. Then her vision went black.

Waking with a start, Claire held her hand in front of her face, blinded by the light around her as she winced at the pain in her side.

“Lay down again! The wound has reopened, come help me Anne!” a woman spoke loudly right next to her as she listened and lay down, the warm feeling of healing magic entering her as the pain lessened.

It took a while but a couple minutes later, she was stable.

“How's the situation?” she asked “Where am I?”

“The demons have surrounded this place but it seems they can't get through.” the woman replied with a shaky voice. “Come, let's get you well again so you can help out. And don't go collapsing in a side street again.” the woman said but it was quite obvious she was glad to see Claire alive. Another wave of healing magic flowed through her. In most other situations she would be fine with this already but considering the defenders had the situation at least somewhat under control, it didn't hurt to get more than just an acceptable level of health.

The room had been hastily remodeled to allow a higher amount of people and beds to be placed inside, the usual weapons and armor given to the townspeople to help them defend the city. It was an emergency situation after all. Claire lay down again and closed her eyes as the young healer next to her, a girl of barely eighteen used her magic, beads of sweat forming on her forehead and arms.

She hoped the casualties of this night weren't as high as she feared. Then again she was generally not an optimist and her expectations had already been surpassed with only one enemy mind weaver and the townspeople actually making it into the impromptu shelter.

“I... need. I need to meditate.” the girl next to her said, breathing hard at the mana exhaustion that had already started to set in.

Claire opened her eyes and checked her status. “That's enough. Recover and care for the others. Thank you.” she said, touching the girl's shoulder and getting up a moment later. Her vision went black for a second after getting up but she simply waited it out.

“Alright, let's go finish this one.” she said and walked to the door.

Chapter 137 The Storm after the Storm

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, another different PoV chapter, it's gonna be Ilea again soon

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I hope you enjoy these cold winter days with some hot chocolate and cold chocolate.

Chapter 137 The Storm after the Storm

The sun rose slowly over the town of Vihal, illuminating the carnage left behind by a night's worth of gruesome warfare. Corpses littered the ground, both human and demon. Eyes open in fear, anger and sheer ferocity, lifeless and in parts already infested by the first fleas, infesting the newfound source of food. The sun wouldn't do the smell any good, people with lower Vitality would have to stay inside to evade an infection and possible sicknesses.

Claire stood upon the armory, looking around to find any last surviving demons, her eyes scanning through the burnt and frozen corpses, bits and pieces left behind by the mages taking the vantage position on top of the armory, the demons having been unable or too stupid to get up to the flat top of the building. The smell was already bad but it would get worse as time went on. A good thing they had some surviving earth and fire mages. Burning pits would do the trick but first they had to take stock of how many they lost, how many they still had.

“The rangers report no more surviving demons, the last groups were led here and taken care of.” the guard captain said, walking up next to her with a notebook in his hand. He was injured, a bloodied gash in his armored shoulder showed as much, as did the lessened stability in his gait.

“Here the report on all survivors. The evacuation was completed in time, none of the people there were injured. Regarding the fighting personnel it doens't look quite as good.” the man finished, handing her the notebook. Claire took it and nodded to the man.

“Go see one of the healers, at least they're getting some experience out of this.” she said, the man chuckling in response.

“Not the only one there, I got ten levels from this one. Still, dying isn't worth it.” he said and Claire had to agree to that. Although she herself had to ignore that kind of thinking from time to time to get to level two hundred. A certain risk was always involved, it was just a simple calculation to determine the worth of a dungeon expedition or monster hunt. Claire had other reasons for coming to Vihal, her calculations were forgotten quickly, the pages in her own notebook would soon be burned, her less than ideal outlook for the city and survival rates would only lower morale and her standing should anybody come across them.

'Let's get to organizing...' she thought as she flipped through the pages, seeing all the marked people who were either heavily injured or died. A good amount had survived, mostly the people she had seen die in the initial break through the gate were included in the victims. Sadly some of them had been capable warriors or mages but she had to work with whatever she could. Around her people were discussing, some laughed and cheered, the victory still fresh on their minds. The information on the losses would spread soon and then the work required to refortify the city and prepare for another attack.

It would be good to start soon. “Everyone, downstairs. We'll discuss the next steps.” she said rather loudly so that everyone still standing outside would hear her. She made sure the people looking for survivors in the field of corpses heard her as well.

She closed her eyes as the sun shone onto the town, battered but not broken, Claire allowed herself a quick smile before she put on her business mask again. She was still wearing her helmet of course and sighed, tucking the notebook under her arm before she walked down the stairs to the big room below. The governing body was present, as were all the warriors and mages who had taken part in the fights. The rest of the people, children, elderly, unsuitable classes or simply too low leveled people were further down in the armory's cellar where enough food and water was stored to give them at least two weeks. Preparations that now seemed a little excessive but Claire's plans proved to bring them victory, her influence had grown and it showed.

Compared to the previously uncertain, fearful or downright hostile looks she had gotten from some of the warriors, this time they all looked towards her with respect, nods came from a lot of them as she entered from above. Claire stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking around and making sure that the whole room would be able to hear her while not taking a central position that would threaten the governor's authority. If there was one thing she didn't need, it was more enemies. She breathed in a deep berath, clearing her mind and focusing on the tasks at hand.

The torches in the room were flickering from the winds coming in through the open gates, the fighting force of Vihal was gathered and focused on the black clad mage standing before them. A stranger to most and yet they looked upon her for guidance. Most of the people were aware that they wouldn't be standing here today had it not been for her.

“Alright people.” she started, smiling under her helmet. “We won!” she shouted, a thing she didn't do very often, at least not outside an active fight. Lifting her arm she waited for a moment before the first other voice joined in.

“We won!” a man shouted, followed by another.

“Vihal stands!” someone else joined in until at least most of the people got their voices in, the joy of survival against a terrifying enemy like the demon horde spreading like a forest fire through all the people present. Claire let them go on for half a minute before she lifted her arm again. The people calmed down rather quickly, intent on listening to the Shadow's Hand mercenary before them.

“I am proud of all of you. We managed to defend Vihal and we will continue to do so. The next few days will be hard, perhaps harder than even the fight last night.” she said and let that sit for a moment.

“We have a lot to do but all of you have at least some more levels and stats from the fights so we'll put that to good use.” she said, getting out the notebook still tucked under her arm.

“The injured will be taken care of by the healers. All rangers, scouts and rogue like classes spread out and look for surviving demons and humans. Take care of both. Afterwards meet at the front gate, send one to inform me and the rest spread out on the walls. Report any demon or monster activity immediately. The armory will be the central governing space for the moment. Any objections?” she asked, looking towards Lord Felt, the governor of the town.

“No objections.” he simply stated.

“Good, then move out. We'll inform you about further steps as we go, including food and rest.” she said, several people in the room nodding and moving the the exits.

“Earth mages, close up the main gate and any other weaknesses in the walls. Fire and water mages take care of any burning buildings. Afterwards report back, we'll have to make pits to burn the corpses. Move out.” she said, another group leaving the room.

“The rest, prepare food and help out where you can. Afterwards move the demon corpses into piles. Smiths, enchanters and rune mages to me, we'll have to rebuild the defenses for further attacks.” she said, everyone spreading out into groups, some of the mages moving towards her. Claire just hoped the next attack would take at least two days. As long as the people didn't have rest, they were not ready to fight. For another couple hours she needed all the man power she could get, after that they would organize shifts. Another headache started to bloom in her mind, a wonder she didn't have a Headache Resistance already. Claire chuckled at the thought as she motioned the mages to follow her, to prepare a workspace for them.

Damian shivered at the morning breeze, rubbing his hands together to create at least a little bit of heat. If he continued to progress as quickly as in the past month, he wouldn't have to worry about cold weather soon enough. A rustle behind him made him draw his bow, turning around to see a familiar face.

“Relax, it's just me.” the man clad in leather armor said. Brown hair and a scar covering near all his face, the beginnings of a beard showing on his chin. He smelled and Damian kept his bow drawn for just that reason. Accidents could happen and then they would be rid of the freeloader but he remembered Geoff, he didn't take kindly to anybody harming their own.

The tension in his bow string was slowly reduced and the arrow put back into the simple quiver on his back.

“Any news? Some of the demons came to the camp and the boss wants to know the situation.” the man in front of him asked. More a boy in Damian's eyes but still, he would grow in their group, still there was food plenty and with the demon invasion it was rather simple to get more.

“Rangers and scouts are manning the walls again, they actually managed to destroy the demon horde. I think tonight would be the perfect moment to engage, they're probably all exhausted and I'm sure their numbers were reduced by at least half considering the demons' numbers.” he told the man who grunted in response before spitting on the ground.

“Aight, guess you can come back too then or do you wanna do more scouting?” he asked, Damian shaking his head. Scouting was dangerous, he wanted to stay with the main group for as much as possible.

“Good, good. Let's go back then.” the man said, taking a look towards the town, smoke rising above it as the sun rose slowly on the horizon.

No attack came during the day. The gates closed off for now with earth and rock, spikes had been formed around the town and what little numbers of runed plates they could manufacture in the day were distributed around the main entrances to the town. At least two thirds of the fighters and mages were resting, some of them had the privilege to have slept already. Claire was sitting on a small stool inside a stone watchtower that overlooked a big part of the town.

The pits were still burning, hundreds of demons placed into them and reduced to ash. The smell was horrible but as the day progressed she got used to it more. A couple more days at most and it would be gone. Water mages were still walking through the streets, cleaning up the blood and guts still littering the place. The barracks were filled again. Claire had the fighters distributed around the town again to be able to respond more quickly than with a centralized group at the armory. Any organized enemy would be better fought at using the walls and not a single building. Luckily the demons didn't have any explosion or earth mages among them, otherwise last night's battle would've turned into a massacre.

She had allowed herself two hours of rest earlier in the day, when all the necessary jobs had been distributed, some of them already complete. One good thing about losing people was that the food would last longer. She didn't want to go as far as to cure or store any of the demon meat, at least not yet. The sun was already setting as she continued to scribble in her notebook. She had visited her mother earlier as well, the woman had gotten a separate place in the armory's cellar, with furniture and items from their home. A couple nice women agreed to take care of her. When she checked on her she wasn't stressed, her empty gaze as it had always been. She wouldn't want her to come out while people were still fighting, on the other hand she felt bad about having her stay in an unknown environment.

It was crucial to keep her safe, Claire told herself. And there was no safer place than the armory, at least for now. Reinforcements to the building itself were underway as well, luckily two of their earth mages were architects, both having served in the imperial army at some point in their lives. A sudden somewhat quiet whistling sound made Claire perk up, magic flaring up around her.

Damian smiled as he looked around the dark town, the sun nearly set as him and their whole group were wrathed in shadow. The guards had been reduced over the day as predicted. While the defenses had been build up again it seemed to be mostly focused on future demon attacks and not a team of rogues. Climbing the walls and killing off the two guards nearby had been trivial.

The boss determined the highest people in the city to be around seventy. Their strategic knowledge was certainly impressive, surviving such a massive demon attack but then again the beasts were stupid and uncoordinated. With the last night's battle they would be easy pickings.

Damian looked around and saw the only person able to spot them to be a guard at the top of a somewhat central watchtower. He would quickly take care of her before they would kill the sleeping people and tired guards. Most would be dead before they knew something was amiss at all.

He aimed his bow and activated three of his skills, the string extending just a little more, the arrow glinting in the moonlight, it's head sharpened by the magic of wind. It would kill or seriously injure and he was aiming for the guard's throat, right below the helmet. Damian never missed.

The arrow was loosed as he turned to the others with a smirk, motioning for them to continue onwards but the man next to him just lifted his arm and pointed towards the guard tower, a confused expression on his face. Damian turned to see the guard looking towards them, his arrow nowhere to be found.

“He deflected it with some kind of shield...” a mage in their group said. “Guess we fucked up the stealthy route...” another one said as Damian watched the guard jump down from the watchtower, landing on the streets around fifty meters away. No alarm was sounded, the guard simply approaching them with casual and slow steps.

“Wow that guy's an idiot...” he said as he got another arrow from his quiver. “Let him approach for a bit more and then take him out. Conceal yourself and surround him.” Damian said, a little vary at the unconcerned guard. The black armor reinforced a little of that feeling but the chance of an actual Hand member to be in this backwater village was close to zero. Likely some small town hero fancying themselves more than they are.

The group spread around him, weapons and magic at the ready when the guard stopped around ten meters in front of them. He gulped as his Identify spell was unable to determine his level but still the possible reward was worth the risk, looking over to the boss the man nodded and he hadn't led them astray so far. Twenty six people, all above level one hundred, some as high as one fifty against a single person.

“There is nothing here for the likes of you but death.” the guard said, the voice distinctively female. Damian noted the lack of concern she showed and again nervously looked towards the boss but it didn't seem like they would change the approach. As soon as battle was inevitable, they would attack without relent.

“Give up the town and we'll let you all leave, with some food and warm clothing even.” the boss said as he stepped a couple meters towards the woman, arms wide open in a gesture of peace. He had a calm and reassuring voice, a born leader. The evening wind blew through his short brown hair as they all held their breaths for the woman's response.

“You don't seem to be lying.” the woman said, scratching her helmet with an armored hand. “But if that's all you have, you're not bringing a lot to this negotiation.” she waited for a while before she continued.

“Now if you wish to trade information or goods, we might find an arrangement. Though if you continue with the hostilities, then my answer stands. There is only death here for you.”

Damian was full on panicking. He was good with people and her body language and voice made him rather sure she wasn't joking. The problem here was that he also knew their boss and if he knew anything about him, then that a statement like hers was a show of weakness to him. The confirmation he had sought. The next moments passed as if in slow motion, Damian opening his mouth to interrupt right when the boss gave them the signal to attack, clapping his hands together as he smiled.

The woman quickly moved her hands, throwing stones around her as she whirled in her long battle skirt. The rogues of their group stepped in, some appearing out of the shadows in the streets, others teleporting right next to the enemy, their weapons drawn and their eyes looking for death.

A shield materialized suddenly, all but one of the rogues caught within before fire erupted inside of it. “Noo!” Damian go out, his hand outstretched towards the dome. Now or never he thought and jumped through the window next to him, moving further along the wall as the street exploded in noise. Spells and arrows were shot towards the barrier, the rest of their group unsheathing their weapons. Luckily nobody went after Damian, focused on the enemy or thinking him to find an advantageous position. Which was exactly what he was doing. A position away from the others.

Looking out the window, he saw the group spreading out, their heavy steps leaving deep tracks in the dirt and mud, a light rain started to fall, dripping off their leather and metal armor while the last light of the sun left.

Chapter 138 Upgrade - Cave to Sewers

A note from Rhaegar

Hello, this is an automated message by me. I wish you all a happy new year beep boop.

Chapter 138 Upgrade – Cave to Sewers

“Bunch of idiots...” Claire whispered to herself, very glad that the outlaws had decided to attack her on the tower. Hopefully not too many of the guards had been killed before. Having all their rogues spread in the city with the sleeping and tired defenders would have been the end of Vihal. She didn't know if this was the whole group but the leader inspired that belief in her. She had of course immediately activated the warning light runes placed in the armory and all the bigger barracks. They wouldn't get sleep again for a couple hours but at least they wouldn't lose many more.

Not something she could say for the enemy. Claire held the arm of her attacker, a rogue who had teleported into her inner sphere right before it came up. He was struggling to get the blade closer to her as she held on, her magic finalizing as she lifted her other arm towards his face, a barrage of wind blades coming to life, cutting into the fearful eyes before her. It was a shame, so many capable humans cut down because of their greed and stupidity. Blood sprayed onto the inner sphere and parts of her armor as the corpse in front of her fell down, the remaining pieces of the man's head falling to the ground the splatter of blood and mud.

Fifteen seconds later the explosions had come to a stop and she lowered the outer shield, the dust settling while the smoke dispersed. Seven scorched people remained inside, two of them still alive and whimpering. Two wind blades swiftly ended their suffering, Claire scolding herself at the unnecessary caused pain and her mana management. Another set of explosions would've done it.

“Y... you monster!” the man who had previously talked shouted, a battle ax that had previously been on his back now brandished in his thin yet muscular arms. “You will pay for killing our people!” he screamed at her while a red mist came to life around him, tears in his eyes as the mages around him sent another barrage of spells towards her.

It had been their choice and it was too late for compromise. The spells harmlessly bounced off her shield before she lowered it, with a swift movement throwing a set of newly created runed stones into the group of men. They scattered, but not fast enough before a barrage of wind blades extended outwards from the stones, cutting through legs and bodies as if they were made from paper. Only the more heavily armored survived the first assault, now joining their leader who had already stepped up to Claire, his ax brought towards her in a horizontal slash, enough power behind it to cleave right through the trunk of a tree.

Her shield came up again as the ax crashed against it, rebounding from the resistance before the barrier vanished again, Claire using the opening to move into the man's melee range, the runes on her bracers lighting up before an explosion of fire and force sent the man flying, a chunk of his torso missing as he flew into the advancing armored opponents. Activating more of the thrown stones, the mud below their feet turned more liquid as their heavy gear made them sink rapidly. Confused and angry shouts reverberated through the street when the first defenders arrived, watching the scene from the nearby rooftops.

Each of the remaining seven enemies were killed by a wind blade to their throat or eyes, passing below their low end armor or through the slits in their helmets. One after the other they were executed by Claire, instilling fear and terror into the next target. Right until only their leader remained, his leather armor torn and battered, a bleeding hole in his chest he looked up to her with disgust and hate in his eyes. She lifted her hand and used a little more of her mana to finish him with a single blade of wind, cutting deep into his throat before he slumped down, the last spark of life quickly leaving as his blood mixed with the fresh rain. Light flashed in the distance, illuminating the scene to all the bystanders, the light quickly fading as only the brought torches remained. The noise of thunder rolled over Vihal a moment later as the citizens and guards approached closer.

“She killed them all...” one of them whispered, Claire closing her eyes as she stopped the light shaking of her hands. The rain poured now, thunder rolling over the city again as Claire opened her eyes again.

“Get them out of the mud, strip them for their equipment and throw them into the burning pits. Scout the walls and look for survivors. And double the guard, as best as possible, only through the night.” she said and the people followed her command.

“We found this one trying to sneak away.” two adventurers said as they held the man between them, his face was bloodied by presumably a bunch of punches.

“P..leashe mish...” he stammered out and she just waved them away.

“Any more of your pals out there?” she quickly asked, grabbing the man's face to look him in the eyes.

“No... I shwear, you klled everyon...p.. pleashe...,”

“Bind him to the guard tower I'm in. I'll question him later if there's no further attack in the next three hours.” she said and the two men nodded, dragging away the beaten survivor. Claire took a lost look at the lifeless silhouettes around her before she quickly left the scene and climbed up the long ladder on the inside of the stone tower. Reaching the top, she sat down on the small wooden stool, moving back the battle skirt to have enough space. Her armor scratched against the low wall behind her as she sighed, lifting her arm up to see a trembling hand. It was necessary, she knew but few minds worked purely rational. The pouring rain and thunder masked the quiet sobs coming from the top of the watchtower as night fell and the moon broke through the clouds to illuminate parts of the town and landscape beyond.

Four hours had passed and Claire had cleared her mind. The last week had taken a massive toll on her mental well being and as soon as the imminent danger was back to normal she'd sleep for a full day at least. The rain had stopped and the clouds had opened to reveal an early full moon, white light pooled in the sky and looking down on the flat landscape dotted with trees and small bodies of water in the distance. Claire preferred the mountains around Ravenhall, more easily defensible. The thought brought a smile to her face as she leaned out of the watchtower, getting up to stretch and to fight off the approaching sleep.

If only the demons had attacked Ravenhall form outside the walls. It would've been possible to stop that mess from ever becoming this big. At this point Claire was rather sure that even cities and villages outside of the empire had to deal with invading demons, the only positive thing was that the higher leveled ones were thinning out as time went on. As long as the mind weavers were removed. She just hoped none of the demons had the glorious idea to hide and snatch away small numbers of people and amass an army of demons.

Then again, worrying about possibilities without any external information wasn't a sane thing to do. Claire put on her helmet again and jumped down into the muddy street. The man resting on the side of the wall jerked up, startled by the sudden landing, trying to move even further back into the stone wall behind him as his dirty boots dug into the mud. It smelled faintly of piss, reasonable considering the time he had been there. Claire was over her sentimental phase, the stress and murders having gotten a bit too close to her.

“What's your name?” she asked, walking closer to the man and crouching down.

“D... Damian...” he said, fear in his eyes as he couldn't look away from her. At least he had stopped the frantic movements, now frozen like a deer looking at an approaching fireball.

“Damian then.” Claire said, looking down at the mud. “You and your crew made my otherwise shitty evening into something much worse. Tell me why I shouldn't kill you here and now.” she asked the man as she stood up again.

He thought for a moment, looking at her boots and then back up at her face. “I... I have information... on other cities and villages around here... and our camp! There's supplies, gold and food, clothes and horses... you'll want those, I can guide you. I can help fight as well... defend the city...” he spoke quickly and Claire was glad to find he valued his own life and well being more than whatever doctrine their leader had instilled on them. She doubted him to be able to fool her, he looked, talked and smelled the part. Plus he had been the only one trying to flee earlier.

“That all sounds useful. Start talking then, I'll let you know if you manage to convince me afterwards. Don't invent anything, just give me what you have.” she said. Hopefully she could at least spare one of them, they didn't seem quite as bad as the demons. At least they were human.

____________________________________________________________________________

Ilea raised her fist, took a step forward and rotated her whole torso a couple degrees to get the most power out of her attack, her fist impacting the heavy iron gate with a dull sound. “Not bad.” she said.

“Six out of ten punch.” Trian joked “Now come on, we want as much time as we can get.”

“Eh, the others start in seven hours, we'll have cleared the city before they even arrive.” she said but nonetheless activated her buffs, a dull blue hue formed on her skin below her armor and clothes, nearly overpowering the thin lines of red from her second class.

She breathed in deeply, the cold air reaching her lungs before it was once again released into the cool air around them. There was snow still but it was less than last month. The twilight broke through the trees and shone onto the warded metal door before them.

“Stand back you two, don't want to have you die to the defensive measures.” she said and got a grunt and a frown in response respectively, still her teammates stepped back. “You too Weavy.” she said, using a new nickname she thought of for the demon.

“Weavy?...,” the demon just looked at his hands and slowly floated backwards and away from the doorway, slightly disturbing the snow on the ground with his clothes, the Taleen clothes not exactly perfect fitting.

Ilea looked back to the door and this time punched with all her power. Her fist landed on the metal plate, immediately denting it as a wave of force pushed outwards from the impact, a sizzling sound was heard as her destructive mana flowed into it. The door started glowing a little before a single metal spike shot out towards her torso, Ilea moving to the side just enough for it to only scratch the armor protecting her chest. The force made her spin around but she landed on her feet, taking a step forward before the next punch hit the door.

This time a series of wind attacks were summoned, Ilea lifting her arms to protect her face. Part of one attack made it through both her defensive Veil and into the slit of her helmet, cutting into her eye and about five centimeters into her skull.

“Ah fuck.” she said as she took a step back, Hunter Recovery taking over as she waited through the dull pain. With her Resistance it felt more like stubbing a toe, definitely not like a fatal head injury. “Always the damn doors... why can't we just dig through further down...” she said as she made her helmet vanish and summoned a piece of cloth to clean up the blood on her face.

“Because then the tunnel collapses.” Trian simply stated.

“Well and it doesn't if the door is broken in?” she asked in return.

“No, the headquarters will be informed with some runed lights flashing but nothing else. They'd rather know from where an enemy strong enough to break into this door is coming.” he answered, taking distance again.

The next punch unhinged the door and a blue fire burst from around the entrance, engulfing Ilea who simply stood there, her healing taking care of the little damage the fire did. Nothing compared to the green fire that had nearly killed her in the Taleen dungeon. 'Fire categories by color... this world is so stupid.' she thought and laughed, shaking her head. To her teammates of course the scene of her standing in the midst of fire and laughing sent a bit of a different picture.

“How far can these runes go? Could be used for long distance communication.” she said.

“The alarm one you mean? Yea it's been tried. Depends on the magical power used but it's more difficult the further you go and the runes have to be undisturbed.” Trian said as the others walked up to her.

“Yea, earth magic and do it underground. Seems like an easy way to build a communication network.” she said and entered the darkness waiting for her beyond the doorway. Steps led downwards into the earth, connected with the sewage system of Ravenhall.

“I'm sure in some cities that's already set up but trust me it takes more than just a bit of energy to activate a light one kilometer away.” the man said and Ilea just shrugged, taking the next step downwards. She wasn't there to revolutionize anything. The people weren't stupid and without detailed knowledge she'd likely not be a big help, especially with electricity apparently not being a thing. Not that she was one hundred percent sure but with lightning mages around, they'd probably have found a way to power things with it.

Using her Sphere to see, Ilea walked downstairs with sure steps while the others either floated behind her or touched the walls for orientation. It took a little longer than expected to reach the deepest part of the spiral staircase, another door this one not warded opened up to Ilea's push, old and rusty metal croaking as she pushed the massive door outwards.

A dark tunnel lay beyond, the sound of flowing water clearly noticeable in the distance, giving their quite obviously artificial surroundings a more natural feel. Looking around, Ilea thought the place was definitely built for either a practical and fast escape or simply part of the infrastructure. They were still a while away from the actual city which spoke more for the first theory.

“How are the animals doing?” she asked as they walked through the corridor, Trian and Kyrian using their limited perception of the space around them, still training their eyes to perhaps receive a similar skill to their female teammate at some point. Behind the demon followed a crowd of all the monsters they had helped bring under his control in the time since coming back to Elos, the creatures shuffling in the dark, occasionally twitching and scratching a wall or the ground before them.

“They're doing fine. I talked to a summoner from the Hand and she said she'd take most of them, for a reasonable price of course. She didn't want the Silintis and suggested killing the monster. We set up a little cage in the armory. Cless likes to feed it and play with it but she's not allowed to let it roam around. They're mostly harmless apparently, if you don't hurt them. They love whoever feeds them so we're fine.” the man explained, their heavy steps echoing through the dark as they listened for enemies.

“Why did she suggest killing the beast then?” Ilea asked as she drove her hand past the wall next to her, the outermost layer crumbling and falling to the ground.

“Because its mind magic is useless for both fighting and performances. At least according to the expert. We checked it for a day and its harmless enough.” he said, Ilea grunting in response.

“Cold as fuck that summoner...” she murmured to herself as she opened another door. They had walked quite a distance already and were it not for her sphere, she'd probably have been surprised at the demon rushing towards her immediately upon opening the door. She simply jabbed it in the face, disorienting the beast before another two punches to its torso broke the bones and organs within, leaving it to slump down, dead in mere moments.

“Low levels down here...” she said. Likely the mind weavers pooled the stronger demons around themselves to ensure their safety and a tight grip on their minds.

“That's nasty...” Trian said as he entered the room, stepping over the demon corpse and holding his nose. The flow of water was closer now, and with it came the stench of a sewage system nobody had taken care of in more than a couple weeks.

“Welcome to paradise...” Ilea said absentmindedly as she heard the first screams of monsters. The stealthy approach was not going to happen. “Might as well start with the cleanup.” she said and put her fists together, behind her a series of metal spheres split into bullet sized and sharp projectiles as lightning sparkled around Trian.

“Calm down Thor, we don't want the ceiling to come down on us. Keep an eye on the shifty demon behind us instead.” she said and walked towards the noises steadily coming closer. Trian had a bit of a frown on his face but accepted, he wasn't unreasonable after all. The first demons were spilling out into the passage before them, nearly running each other over as they screamed towards the group of humans, teeth bared and spittle hanging low from their mouths.

Chapter 139 Flying in the Dark

A note from Rhaegar

Beep Beep

Chapter 139 Flying in the Dark

Ilea appeared before them and crushed a head, the bone and flesh exploding like a watermelon shot by a ballista, her arms covered by the black obsidian gauntlets as she breathed out and turned. A sea of claws was before her, Ilea blinking upwards as ten demons struggled against each other in the small space to get to the human, shredded through a moment later by a multitude of metal spikes, organs and brains destroyed before Ilea landed, her fists reaching the demons still standing.

In her Sphere, she saw that the whole way up to the end of her range was full of the beasts. So far not a single one of them had been over level eighty, their bodies completely destroyed by the more and more seasoned warrior. Dodging the savage claw attacks and answering open maws with a fist let the warrior wade through her opponents like a tornado, leaving none of them intact while Kyrian advanced from behind, cleaning up the still living monsters and sending spikes towards both Ilea and into the mass of flesh trying to find the intruders to their newfound hunting grounds, the projectiles flying past her as she moved slightly in the last moments, even deflecting some of his spikes into the enemy line.

In the end the ones advancing weren't the demons themselves but Ilea and Kyrian as they massacred the opposition, leaving behind a tunnel filled with bleeding and destroyed corpses, the walls partially covered in red, only visible by the slight blue and red shine leaving Ilea's helmet when she turned.

“That's all of them for now. No mind weaver.” she said, walking back.

“No mind weaver, I agree.” Kyrian said as the bodies around them started moving slightly, the noise of metal piercing flesh resounded before pieces of metal flew back towards the metal mage, forming back into the spheres that continued to circle him afterwards.

“Ilea, about that night...” he started but she appeared before him and laid a finger on his helmet.

“We'll talk about it after Ravenhall, alright.” she said with a smile and he nodded meekly.

“We can move on!” Ilea shouted towards the others. “Trian will like this...” she said and smiled, seeing the carnage around her with her Sphere of perception.

'ding' 'Your group has defeated [Demon – lvl 74]'

'ding' 'Your group has defeated [Demon – lvl 62]'

…

The list went on and on, each demon listed as Ilea skipped through the messages. Not a single level up to any of her skills or classes. Considering the ease of the fight it would take a couple more of those to gain more experience in her skills. At least it didn't seem like a complete waste, she would level eventually, even from enemies at such a lower level compared to herself. They would still manage to hurt her if they got lucky, the fight in Morhill had proven that. A part of her wanted to rush back up again and just invade the city with her teammates but considering Sulivhaan had planned it all through she would follow his lead, apparently it was too dangerous even for them to just move in and let their firepower speak for itself.

Guerrilla tactics, chaos from within and all that. At least she would be able to fight the beasts in the city itself soon enough, as soon as the actual assault started. A small group like them would likely be ignored for the bigger threat coming from outside, even if they were discovered earlier. That was the hope at least. Otherwise they would at least take some of the enemy's resources off of the walls. With Ilea and Kyrian at the front, their own mind weaver would stay secluded and demon versus demon was the most cost effective way for them to go about the city retaking.

She would have to talk to Kyrian, maybe she'd go on a couple dates with him if that was even a concept here. Definitely no marriage, Ilea wasn't going to bind herself and settle down after getting wings.

“Oh my fuck, what is this...” Trian exclaimed, taking to the air as he floated half a meter in the corridor to avoid all the corpses. “Why again am I here with you?”

“I recommended you.” Ilea lied. “Come now, I'll let you know when I see more of them. Weavy! Follow behind and don't eat any of them, we don't have the time!” she shouted and heard the monsters advance from behind. It was certainly a risk to take the mind weaver with them but Ilea trusted him more than most of the members of the Hand she had met so far. Demons seemed a bit more straightforward, less time for politics and less castles to reign in their salt world. With time that would likely change but right now she was at ease. He also knew that they would target him immediately should any of his demons turn against them.

They walked or floated onwards through the dark corridors of Ravenhall's sewers, the dark and murky water streaming next to them reflecting the little light they produced from their skills. Ilea wondered how her self from two years ago would handle being in a monster infested sewage system without light. Adding to the sewage probably, she smiled and checked her status, the power that enabled her to be the hunter in this environment. Forty five stat points remained from the many fights she had had in the past weeks and soon she would reach level 220 of her main class and subsequently unlock another third tier point for her skills.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 217

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 10

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 213

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 16

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 10

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 15

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 7

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 13

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 10

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 11

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 16

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 2

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 320

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 515

Wisdom 385

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 2899/3200

Mana: 3592/3850

Twenty each were spent on Wisdom and Endurance to increase the time she would be able to fight. Five went into Intelligence, giving her skills just a bit more throughput. A new noise in the distance made her close the list in her mind as she meditated to fill up the newfound pool of mana. It was time to take back a city, a place she had come close to call home.

__________________________________________________________________

“The surveillance is complete master Sulivhaan.” a man in dark leather armor bowed to the mage after having placed a report on the man's table, Sulivhaan standing up and nodding to acknowledge the respect the scout had shown. The assault on the city was planned to take place in seven hours, the teams already preparing for the assault, sleeping or cooking while others sharpened their blades and prepared potions or bombs.

Moving fast was of utmost importance, more reports of previously unseen beasts filled his table. The demons had a way to summon more and already their numbers were exorbitantly high. Every minute, every hour their numbers would grow. The only light on the horizon was that for the most part, the demons remained in the city. At least the ones that hadn't left in the past month, that one was a completely different beast but Sulivhaan had to concentrate on the task at hand.

“We have the groups, the combination of skills, a couple healers in every group and enough firepower to wipe out an imperial army. I think we'll be fine.” Dagon said as he removed his glasses and cleaned them with a towel that had appeared in his hand.

“There are too many variables we don't know.” Sulivhaan said as he leafed through the latest report. They knew the terrain, the city and at this point most of the enemy troops. Removing the ranged units from a distance will open complete air control for their mages, allowing a continued bombardment while funneling the demons below through the gates where their most resilient warriors and barrier mages will be stationed.

Experience was their main advantage against this savage enemy. While the mind weavers were smart and likely had some innate talent to lead their troops in organized maneuvers, they lacked the ingenuity and diversity of magic the Shadow's Hand had at their disposal. Without the initial chaos and surprise factor of the summoning, the wars and dungeon explorations nearly each member of the human force had been a part of was unreachable for the enemy.

“There is much we don't know but my trust is with the Hand. We're not soldiers Sulivhaan, all this planning isn't necessary. Each and every one of our members could take out hundreds of those demons on their own. With the backing of the whole organization, we'll be unstoppable.” he smiled and put a hand on Sulivhaan's shoulder.

“And they will have to kill hundreds. Thousands even.”

“And they will. Now come, I haven't seen you even eat since we came.” Dagon said and Sulivhaan agreed. The librarian wasn't known to be optimistic but it seemed this whole mobilization had given him a bit of his youth back, his step a little lighter. Perhaps he had simply been too occupied with books and the trade of knowledge that he forgot the thrill of the hunt.

It was early morning as the two stepped out of the inn, the previously deserted square returning to near the same activity it had when Morhill still stood strong as a city of the empire. Though the scene reminded more of an adventurer camp before the exploration of a dungeon would begin, new lands to be discovered. Cooking stations and fires were burning as people trained their skills, talked and worked together with people and teams they hadn't been in contact with for years or never at all.

The air was fresh still, the sun not yet reaching the horizon as the fires provided most of the light, the snow in the square was walked into the earth by the many people occupying it, turning the ground to mud. The smells of different exotic and regional food filled their noses as they advanced to one of the tables set up outside of the inn. A bard was working on his lute, toning the different strings before he started playing, the thick mana streaming from his magical weapon penetrating the surroundings.

No wild beast or demon had come close to the walls of Morhill in the past day, many of the members having gone out to hunt and clear the surrounding villages or further away small towns, finding many of them occupied by demons but no mind weavers. A select few had even managed to withstand the assault, quite impressive so far outside the empire's main military bases and so close to the demon summoning in Ravenhall. Sulivhaan was already planning resupply missions for the members who were available for work and didn't have to prepare longer for the assault. They would wait with clearing the smaller towns and villages of demons to his annoyance.

Should a mind weaver escape, they could easily find another group of monsters to command but right now he had to focus on the main target. Dagon came back with two plates of steaming food, placing it down on the table. The stew was comparable to what an experienced cook in Viscera would produce, perhaps someone had brought one with them.

“How do you feel about Strand?” Sulivhaan asked, influencing the space around them a little to make it harder for sound to travel. Dagon looked at him and then back to his plate, poking around in his food for a moment before he answered.

“I knew he'd vanish at some point. There were clues even years ago. I didn't think it would come to something like this. Hoped he had more left in his stubborn heart for us, you know?” the librarian answered. Sulivhaan stayed quiet, the man would talk if he wanted to, there was no reason to push. It was no secret that the librarian and the elder had known each other for more years than others even lived.

“We did manage to bring the Hand back on track. That's why I didn't lose all my respect for him.” Dagon added.

“What do you mean?” Sulivhaan moved in a little closer, the magic around him thickening. Dagon sensed it and looked around.

“Wallace Urn was taken care of in the confusion of the summoning.” he said.

“So that's why you didn't grow suspicious of Strand's behavior...why Urn?” Sulivhaan asked. He knew that the elder wasn't exactly similar to the other leaders of the Hand but at least he was in Ravenhall sometimes. Two didn't even show up when the city got destroyed.

“No, Adam Strand was always scheming, planning and being a suspicious character. That's why I didn't think this one was different. All his experimenting with animals, monsters and demons. It's led to this. Urn wanted to change the Shadow's Hand, wanted to change who we are. I have reliable sources and evidence pointing to a cooperation with Baralia.” the man said, sharing information for free, not something he was known to do regularly. Sulivhaan just shook his head. Just like the empire, the kingdom of Baralia had their hands and eyes in everything. At least they tried but to think they had come so close as to plant an elder into the Shadow's Hand was definitely concerning.

“There will be a vote you know?” Dagon said. Sulivhaan knew what he was talking about and he had already considered it.

“Maybe a couple years off the field would be good. My age is a bad influence on the team.” he said and smiled as he continued eating.

“Verena isn't exactly good with people.” Dagon said “It'll be good to have you.”

Sulivhaan finished his food, a single thought on his mind as he looked at the friend sitting opposite him. There were two elders dead or missing, not just one.

______________________________________________________________

“Fuck... fuck, this is bad.” Eve's hand was steady as she read through the content of the letter before her again. She sighed and placed the documents into her pouch. 'Should've stolen that necklace...' she thought but then again Ilea probably needed it more with her food obsession and heavy armor.

The woman expertly walked over the cold corpses around her, doing her best not to leave any tracks or disturbances behind. Even more important knowing that she wasn't the one responsible for their death. Her target had again struck before she had managed to find him but this time she at least was here before the man she had fought. The golden lily was in reach, she had a name and possible sources. The problem was that one of them had nearly killed her and the other didn't seem any less capable.

For once she wasn't happy for the bad news that would reach Trian. Knowing her own family it might not come as a complete negative but she doubted they had that in common. Leaving the building through the roof, she breathed in the morning air. She wouldn't waste too much time on this but she owed the man at least some Lightning Resistance, already worth sending a letter.

One of her information brokers was in his usual spot, Eve jumping up to the bar built on top of a big building's roof. The woman had exceptional magic to prevent eavesdroppers but one could never be too sure. She checked around for familiar faces but found the place rather empty.

“It's you.” the woman said, not looking at Eve as she sipped a little of her drink that looked more like a drowned salad than anything else. The nicely carved wood around them brought a charming feel to the locale, intertwined with the ivy and plants growing from the roof and specific containers placed all around. Scents of dozens of herbs and plants permeated the place, their unnatural growth rate at the end of winter leading Eve to believe the owner's magic was quite involved. A good defense for sure.

Chapter 140 Infected City

A note from Rhaegar

Beep, last chapter for this year. I thank you all for bearing with my slowly improving writing, the cliffhangers and the plot holes. Thanks for reading, commenting and rating. Thanks for the detailed criticism and the messages of encouragement. You are all great and I hope to bring you more of this fiction and possibly others in the future to come as I evolve my amateur writer class into a beginner one.

Happy new year to you all

">.

Chapter 140 Infected City

Eve knew the woman and trusted her. The owner that was, not the informant in front of her. Trusting an informant was not something one did. You simply entrusted them with only the information that you were sure wouldn't cost you dearly. And some risks had to be taken. In dungeons as much as here.

“It's me, yes. Empty today, is there a tournament or is everyone shitting their pants about the demon invasion.” Eve answered, sitting down opposite the woman in a casual way. She didn't plan to drink anything.

“You shouldn't talk too loud about demons, shadow. I heard some interesting tales regarding your involvement. Perhaps the imperial capital won't be just as safe for you in the coming years.” the woman replied, looking around and increasing the magical barrier around them.

“If someone has a problem then let them come and talk. You probably know more about what the hell happened back in Ravenhall than me at this point.” Eve answered.

“They left you know. There was a big demon horde taken care of yesterday and all the members of your order left after that. Perhaps that's why there are fewer people here today. Rather I think it's the increased shifts for everyone, there's war, and where there is war, there's gold to be made. Why waste your time on drinking?”

Eve didn't say anything about her lack of association with the Hand, that information the broker would have to get from somewhere else. So the Hand left, all of them? Perhaps to retake their fallen capital, there was little else she could think of. At least she knew now where to send her letter, not that many a courier would bring it into the south east mountain chains.

Eve casually opened her pouch and removed some of the documents she had found before, handing some of them to the broker who read through them and stashed them quickly. The woman took a deep breath. “That's quite valuable.” she simply said, leaving other interpretations open. Eve knew that she'd paint a target on her back for having those documents, perhaps some people would assume she was involved with the killings which considering her past years wasn't too far of an assumption to make.

“There are some people I'd like to know something about. Tell me if you have anything significant.” Eve started and proceeded to ask about the man she had fought, Edwin and the people she had taken out a week ago. The informant only had something about the woman who had managed to injure her. Not much but probably enough for Eve to continue her search. Running after Edwin didn't seem reasonable after the killings she had heard about. He was moving too quickly, so the next logical step for her was to continue her search with more stationary individuals.

Individuals that were a little less alert than the man she had fought.

_______________________________________________________________________

“Are we lost?” Ilea asked, punching through another wall and stepping into the dark. “I think we're lost.” demons screamed as they ran towards her but she simply turned around again. “Trian!” she shouted as the demons in the next room over clawed at the stone walls, trying to get to the noise they had heard.

“Yes yes, calm down. We have another two hours until the attack starts.” the man said as he floated into the room. “Stop destroying walls, it's gonna be even more confusing.”

“Sure. Let me just go up, I'll let you know where we are in a few moments.” she asked, for the third time in the past hour. The man had previously insisted on using his map to navigate the tunnels but it was getting more and more clear that they had lost their way. Either the map wasn't up to date anymore or he wasn't the best navigator. Fighting hordes of demons and listening to Ilea's room descriptions were certainly a part of the issue as well.

“Alright, just make sure not to break into the city itself.” finally the man resigned, Ilea smiling and thanking him as her wings spread before she blinked upwards a couple times. The underground network of Ravenhall was certainly bigger than she had ever expected but then again with earth mages it was likely much easier to build something like this compared to what something like a big metro on Earth would've cost.

She thought about why more cities she had previously visited didn't have something like that but it might simply be too dangerous, having children with explosion or earth magic around. Plus most of the rooms didn't look to have been used recently. 'For storage or dungeons perhaps...' she thought as she finally saw something different through her Sphere. No further ceiling was beyond the next layer of stone, she was standing right below the city streets.

'That's a little concerning...' she thought, looking at the scene as she blinked around in the infrastructure below the city, looking for the right way to go without loosing herself as well. Two minutes later she was back with the others and pointed in a specific direction.

“We're four floors deep and Viscera is that way. By the way the streets are full of demons, half of them consisting of beasts I've never seen. Thousands, the streets are packed. The mind weavers certainly didn't just enjoy their newfound castle.” she reported and started running, the others followed.

“Sulivhaan was right then, good thing we're already here.” Trian said as he followed behind her. “Demon. The mind weavers seem to be working together, or do you know of someone able to control thousands of other demons?” he looked back to the monster floating behind them, his group of demons following him.

“I do not know...” the demon answered, a little out of breath at the speed Ilea set. “Some circles exist but this level of cooperation, I have never seen.” Ilea started simply crashing through walls head on, her Veil protecting her face from any damage. There were simply too many levels of the complex for some simple walls to cause a cave in.

“What if we just have the whole city collapse from below?” she asked, smashing through another wall, feeling like a certain red liquid man in a big jar.

“Would take too long, even if we used more firepower than just us. Plus how do you suppose we protect ourselves from the cave in?” Trian asked as he lazily floated through the hole she had produced. Ilea wanted to ask if he had ever heard of controlled demolition but then again she didn't know enough about it either to make much of a difference. Claire might've been able to help, with her remote explosion runes.

Then again they likely had the skies, and artillery against infantry was more than just a little effective, especially if they don't have trenches.

The levels ended in unchanged rock from the mountain and the group had to go upwards more and more until Ilea stopped the others. “We're right below the entrance. You guys are ready?” Trian and Kyrian nodded and the mind weaver was actually smiling, at least the closest thing he could produce with his hideous excuse for a face.

“Weavy, you sure you don't want to join the demons? This is your last chance I bet but I hope you know you'd die in the process.” Ilea said, reminding the monster one more time of his position. He had only his life to lose.

“Your concerns aren't unfounded but my kind has not informed me of this alleged alliance. I have spent over two hundred years in the salt lands and you have so far shown great hospitality to me, something your kind normally considers something to be destroyed on sight. I have not sat idle since coming here, Ilea. And I don't plan to find an early death like the others of my kind. Make sure to give them a painless death if you can.” the demon had talked more than he usually did, into their minds and completely without the pressure he had usesd in their first encounter.

“I like you more and more, sure you don't want a real name? And sure, I don't really kill anything not fast, if I can.” Ilea said. “We'll follow the plan then.” she said to the others.

“Weavy is a suitable name as any.” the demon said, only to her. She smiled under her helmet but didn't respond.

“Will do, good luck Ilea. Don't die.” Trian said.

“We'll wait for you inside.” Kyrian added, nodding towards her.

“I'm the healer so it's you who shouldn't die.” she added and shook her head, silly mages and their arrogance. She walked to Trian and put a hand on his shoulder before she slapped his helmet with quite a bit of force. “Your reflexes are shit mate.” she said and stepped to Kyrian before she hugged the man. Ilea wasn't quite sure if anything came of their hookup but she liked him well enough, as a friend and possibly more.

Ilea left them behind and motioned for the demon to follow her. He hadn't been informed about anything. Even the attack on the city was only communicated after they had started their travel from Morhill to the outskirts of Ravenhall while mind magic savvy members of the Hand had kept an eye on the demon during their stay.

“Alright then Weavy.” Ilea started after having ran for a couple minutes. “Your goal is to send up your demons and cause as much havoc as possible from the inside as soon as the attack has started. Take over demons as you lose them if possible. I suggest keeping a group of your highest leveled ones with you to avoid any retaliation. If you're in trouble just send out a pulse and I'll come for you, just don't move away too far so I know where you are. Oh and use the gullies and other sewage exits to enter the city, I don't think you can easily destroy the ceiling.” Ilea explained.

“Understood Ilea.” he simply said as his demons spread out. She walked up to him and used the same gesture as she had for Trian, without the head smacking.

“I like you, so don't go fucking it up right now alright? I'd hate to have to kill you. Thinking off, afterwards the humans will probably hunt down the rest of the demons for a couple months or longer, I think I know of a place that would welcome you with more than open arms.”

“More than open arms? I have thought about the after, where is this place?” the demon asked.

“Open bones even! And I'll tell you after we survived this battle, alright?” she asked and the demon nodded, imitating the gesture he had learned from the humans.

“Where will you be?” he asked.

“Around, I have my own part in this. Now just do what you can and don't die, I'm sure you'll get some levels out of it as well. Put that into Vitality and Strength, you really need it.” she said in a serious tone, worried about her newfound alien friend that had been on a meat only diet coupled with mind powers for two hundred years.

She left him there, more or less right under the center of the city. The mind weavers hadn't detected them yet or simply ignored the few pests hiding right under their noses which made Ilea worry a little. Either they simply didn't have the detection skills or didn't care. More likely they were arrogant or preoccupied enough to not at least send some of their own controlled demons down into the sewers. There were demons down there after all so they must know about its existence.

'They've probably never seen a city before... maybe the demons hunted down humans who fled into the sewers and the mind weavers don't even know about it?' she asked herself as she rushed through the broken walls they had left behind, quickly finding her way back to the entrance outside of Ravenhall. With her full speed it took barely five minutes, her Sphere making the darkness around her more into a friend than an enemy.

The sun blinded her for a moment as she rushed out into the snow covered surroundings, immediately alerting the group of people standing around, different skills and magic flaring to life as they prepared for the enemy who had suddenly approached. Ilea dodged an arrow that scratched against her helmet, having pushed through her veil with ease. An invisible barrage of blades pushed towards her from one of the mages, only visible in her sphere as she blinked upwards to avoid the attack.

Some of the people were shouting already for the others to stop attacking while Ilea twirled around in the air. “Yea guys, friendly here.” she said, motioning to her own black armor.

The two who had attacked seemed a little embarrassed. “Sorry, usually more safe to attack and ask questions later.” the bow wielding rogue said. “I owe you one.” The mage in the meantime was being scolded by one of her teammates, seeing her level at 202, Ilea thought she must've joined the Hand even more recently than herself. Might have gotten a lucky class to level easily and not actually seen much action.

“Don't sweat it guys.” she said as she landed, her wings crumbling and fading away in the wind.

“You're with the rogue group? With that approach I doubt you even know the word subtlety.” a man in light black leather armor answered, two curved blades on his back as he commented from a crouched position.

“Well I might've not been placed here if any of you had any healing magic Slavic Deadpool. Plus my glorious approach will hide you even more. I don't mind the demon attention.” she said, the man just shaking his head.

“Now come, we have barely an hour to scout out the city from below and find all the mind weavers.”

_______________________________________________________________________

“Everyone's in position. The demon scouts have been taken out, they know something's coming but their troops aren't moving.” the warrior said to Sulivhaan who just scratched his mask.

“Well any surprises they have left we'll find out soon enough. Everyone has the time so we'll proceed as planned. Keep scouting around the city to see if anything changes. The man teleported away and left Sulivhaan to himself.

The man sighed and took out the amulet around his neck, looking at the picture inside. A small smile spread on his lips as he prepared himself.

___________________________________________________________________________

“I'm pretty sure that is one of them.” Ilea said but the man next ot her disagreed.

“Doesn't look like it. The mana signature feels wrong.” he shook his head. Their group had different spells to detect and find the mind weavers in the massive city but it seemed they disguised themselves better than expected, either it was a normal practice for them or because they knew an attack was coming.

The mind weavers they could find were all surrounded by strong looking demons and there were many more than anybody had expected. Weavy hadn't even known about just two or three mind weavers working together so closely.

“Well fuck it then, you go and find one. I'll stay, the hour is nearly up. Once the chaos starts we can continue the search. Good luck.” she said. The man nodded and vanished.

Ilea prepared herself. The hosue above her was packed with demons, as were the streets around it. She couldn't identify through walls but was pretty sure they weren't the low leveled monsters she had fought in Morhill and outside of Varilya. This wouldn't be an easy fought battle. She waited for a minute, then two, humming the theme song of her favorite red haired spy's TV show. The demon in the house above was undoubtedly a mind weaver, his scrawny figure a nearly mirror image of Weavy and the monsters surrounding him were twitching with the urge to tear into fresh meat. She didn’t quite understand the last scout’s detection skill but to her own Sphere her target was clear.

Three minutes passed, only her humming heard as she created some ash that twirled around her, forming tendrils to touch the walls and the ground before they surrounded her armor and vanished again, an exercise she was slowly getting better in. She suddenly felt a light tremor through her feet, her Sphere confirming that the earth had been shaken from an impact quite a distance away.

“We’re starting...” she said but waited for another minute as more and more tremors formed, the demons above her moving towards the northern gate where a big chunk of the Hand’s forces would be stationed. Quickly tapping on her feet, Ilea prepared herself as she cracked the bones in her hands and neck.

“Shit one-liner...” she said and vanished, appearing in the second floor of the building above her, bladed gauntlets lightly reflecting the magical light illuminating the monsters who had taken residence inside of the house built from stone. They were quick to react, on guard after the impacts from magical missiles in the distance but Ilea was quicker, her blade already past the mind weaver’s neck as she turned to kick one of the surrounding demons.

A claw cut through her Veil of Ash, crashing into her side and making her unable to blink away. Truly these weren’t the average demons she had come to know in the past week, these monsters had survived the great salt plains. Though as she landed hard on the ground and felt more claws cut through her defenses, blocked by her black armor, she promised them that they wouldn’t survive Ravenhall.

A note from Rhaegar

Another cliffhanger eh. This is just me by now I suppose hehe. It's a coincidence, believe me.

Chapter 141 Green, the not so stupid demon

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, new year new chapter. I hope you started well

">

Thank you for reading as always.

Chapter 141 Green, the not so stupid demon

A surge of ash spread around her as the demons tried to get through her armor, scratching at the metal with their savage claws. Ilea used each impact to send a destructive Wave of Ember through the attackers combined with Destruction and reversed Reconstruction. The damage was enough to give her a minuscule time frame where none of them touched her, letting her blink away. The mind weaver was dead and her task was to focus on more of them.

The reason this city wouldn’t be taken by their small group of seven with Sulivhaan at the lead was because the enemy had leaders too. ‘One down…,’ she thought as she stood on top of the house, moving to the side to dodge a bone projectile flashing past her. The sky was burning with fire and ice, magical explosions destroying walls and parts of houses as they impacted into the demon masses and their stolen defenses.

Another four projectiles made her concentrate on her surroundings, blinking to the next house as she looked for mind weavers in her Sphere. Finding nothing, she spread her wings and flew to the next building, continuing to ignore the growing number of both ranged attacks towards her and demons chasing her as they tried to climb the buildings or rushed after her on the crowded streets.

Someone in the distance must’ve taken notice as a massive rock flew her way. Ilea smiled on top of the building and stopped her search, waiting for the demons to flock towards her before she blinked away right before the projectile landed. The piece of rock clipped the side of the building, taking a big chunk of it down with it as it smashed the demons below into a bloody paste before it rolled further, taking out even more of them.

The streets so far back weren’t as crowded anymore as the northern part of the city, where the demons tried to attack the enemy but Ilea didn’t have to try hard to have a large demon following. The long ranged mages in the distance took notice as they shot projectiles her way to avoid trying to hit the front lines of demons protected by the city walls.

“Another one…,” Ilea said as she appeared inside a house built a little higher than the ones around it, bladed gauntlets slashing through the thin mage’s body as ash entered the space around her. She pushed through the demons in front of her and right through the wall of the house to avoid a similar outcome as her previous target. Cutting off the arm of a demon hanging onto her leg, she blinked upwards when a fireball landed in the crowd below, the fiery explosion heating her back as she continued running over the rooftops.

She could see another warrior mimicking her behavior a couple hundred meters to her left, the two working as beacons for the artillery to attract demons around them. Killing the controlling mind mages brought chaos to the monsters around them and Ilea started to see some of them attacking each other as time went on. An effort by Weavy to be sure but soon enough the monsters would do so on their own volition with all the spells flying around and no clear target in sight.

A third mind mage was found when Ilea saw the warrior from before fly through the window of the house in front of her. Certainly an unorthodox approach, she thought. Especially head on but she wasn't one to judge. Seeing the demons in the house cut into the man left her with more than just a bit of doubt towards his approach. She appeared inside the stone house, her bladed gauntlets cutting through the monsters occupied with the warrior's body. She could see his eyes staring at her from behind his horned helmet. The monsters hadn't managed to rip open his chest piece but the cuts were getting deeper and deeper while his arms and legs were bleeding profoundly from wounds near his elbows and knees. Ilea created ash around them as she grabbed the man, and ran through the house's wall, seeing the screaming demons below her as wings spread and carried the two through one of the neighboring building's windows. She landed on her feet and felt his vitals with her healing skill, pushing some mana into the man. He was stable but it would take another couple minutes to get him up to fighting strength again.

“Go for the demon...” he said, blood spurting from his mouth as his wounds slowly closed. She nodded and blinked into the other house again where the monsters were scrambling towards the opened wall to get to them, jumping out and into the masses below while screaming. The mind weaver had four high leveled demons right beside it, knowing the imminent danger of the human warriors. Ilea dodged the claws of the first one and let two others cut through her Veil as she delivered a blade into the mind weaver's head and continuing forward with the force, the demon beind the mage falling down as she got the blade out, blinking out of the building and back to the wounded man.

“He's dead.” she simply said and pushed healing magic into him while the demons on the ground floor finally managed to break through the building's door and started scrambling up the stairs. She knew she had around seven more seconds to heal the man and would take every moment she could get while he was still stable on the ground. Moving him while injured was bad and it was reasonable to avoid it for as long as possible.

“Not the mage...” the man said as he coughed again. Ilea saw that above the building a demon had landed but it didn't look different than the ones coming up the stairs. Perhaps a little more muscle but its actions spoke more than its looks as it looked around, walked to the edge of the building and looked over to the other house before it looked down. Ilea saw its hideous mouth curl up a little into the resemblance of a grin. She grabbed the warrior below her and used her full strength to jump out of the building.

The two flew out as her wings spread from her back and the demon previously standing on top of the building was now standing on the ground floor, two huge holes above it, one of them right where Ilea and the warrior had been. She flew upwards, holding the man under his shoulders as she pushed more healing mana into him. Ranged demons shot their projectiles towards them as she flew through the city, low enough to stay below most of the building's roofs.

Three streets later she saw movement in her sphere behind her, the demon from before running on the ground and catching up quickly before it jumped, a clawed arm aiming for her back. She managed to move to the side quickly enough to change the direct hit to a glancing strike. The force was still overwhelming and sent her spiraling into a nearby stone house, her armored body breaking through the wall before she rolled on the ground, dust whirling around her as she stopped on her knees, turning around to find claws heading straight for her face. Ilea blinked a mere step backwards before she answered the now open demon with a hard punch to its stomach.

The impact felt more like she was hitting a punching bag in the gym and less like her overpowering strength that usually straight up demolished the enemy monsters. She barely managed to stop the monster's approach as it swung at her again with its free hand. Ilea moved her torso backwards, aided by the backlash from her previous punch and the strike missed but it was followed by a kick of the monster too fast for her to anticipate. The foot landed on her chest and she flew backwards and through another wall, several ribs broken and her spine at least injured.

Landing hard on the wall behind the building she had just been in, Ilea started to circle healing mana through her body as she slowly staggered away from the wall, expecting the next move of the enemy to follow right after. Luckily the demon had stopped its attack for a moment as she didn't see anything in her Sphere, looking towards the hole in the wall where the monster was slowly walking towards her, in its right hand the warrior she had tried to save before, his neck broken and bleeding as his corpse was dragged on the ground with the sound of screeching metal.

A quick motion from the demon sent the heavy corpse flying towards her, the body spinning twice before it impacted the wall behind Ilea who simply stood there, mending her broken bones and the internal bleeding.

“Throwing not good.” the demon snarled in a barely comprehensible voice, already an impressive feat considering the zombie like state of most of its bretheren. Not even the mind weavers had the ability to actually talk using vocals.

“Throwing not good.” Ilea mimicked, remembering her own attempts at the form of attack, though she deemed herself at least better than the demon before her who was now standing in the hole of the wall.

[Demon – lvl ??]

At least it wasn't more than two question marks but still, it had taken out the warrior who was at least healed enough to react and it had broken her hardened bones with a simple kick. She was wary to say the least, her initial plan to find and kill more mind weavers left her mind as she thought of more possibilities. If there were hundreds of demons capable of what the monster in front of her displayed, they might be in trouble.

More likely was that the enemy was an anomaly, and who better to distract this monstrosity from slashing through their long ranged artillery than herself, she was durable at least. Seeing the man behind her slid off the wall, his armor the only thing keeping his corpse in a presentable state Ilea prepared herself, clearing her mind.

“I healed the man you know?” she said, the edges of her mouth tugging upwards as her eyes turned to ice.

“Heal?” the demon asked, its head cocked to the side before its muscles tensed, the claws on its feet cutting into the stone below before it rushed her with explosive acceleration. More used to the monster's speed, Ilea changed into a more defensive style of fighting as she dodged backwards, avoiding the three quick strikes from its claws. Ash spread around her as stopped five meters further back, waiting for the demon's next move.

“Hmm....” it gurgled out, its claws wading through the floating ash created by her before it sniffed at the substance. It reminded Ilea of a puppy confused at its first experienced snow fall. Her body was healed and ready by that point as she tensed her muscles and felt the power of her skills flow through her, a dim blue and red hue lightly illuminating the inside of her armor.

A deep breath left her and the moment had passed, the demon focusing on its prey again, Ilea blinking upwards, wings spreading on her back as she summoned her bow. The monster looked upwards and turned its head when her arrow was loosed, the beast simply catching the spear like object out of the air, looking at it before the arrowhead exploded in its face.

A snarl was heard from inside the cloud of smoke without any indication of injury. An instant later the demon shot out from the ground, leathery wings of flesh had appeared on its back. The monster looked towards Ilea and closed half the distance between them with surprising speed before it suddenly turned and rushed into the buildings below, smashing sideways through at least six walls before it came to a stop outside the last house, even smashing a couple normal demons in the process.

“What are you doing?” Ilea simply waited in the air, her bow stowed again after the underwhelming impact it had on the enemy. The demon stood up slowly, dust and stone falling from its body as the leathery wings spread again. Quickly finding its target, it shot out towards her, big spells of fire, stone and ice falling around as they slowly approached the northern wall.

As much as Ilea wanted to keep the demon away from the bulk of their forces, she wasn’t exactly in the controlling position. The monster was fast and after that initial blow she didn’t quite plan to get hit again as she used her higher experience in aerial combat to outmaneuver the demon as it desperately tried to get to her. It had the advantage in speed and impact, that was for sure as Ilea felt herself dragged towards the beast a little as it shot past her.

Turning towards the northern gate, Ilea shot out as the demon repositioned himself a couple dozen meters behind her, the woman moving towards the masses of demons behind the high walls of Ravenhall that somewhat protected the monsters from the artillery coming from the snowy fields outside. The mages didn’t dare come much closer as the ranged attacks from the demons were nothing shy of a rain of bones.

Ilea blinked backwards in the last moment as she approached the ground, some of the monsters already shooting projectiles towards the black object advancing on them. Her timing adjusted to the enemy’s speed, she found herself right behind the monster as it rushed towards the screaming demons below. The impact was lost in all the noise and elemental explosions of all the other spells in the surroundings as Ilea watched the demon smash into and killing at least a dozen of its brethren.

In the meantime Ilea dodged some of the ranged attacks and moved into the chaos to take out as many ranged demons as possible, not aiming to kill as a single blow was usually not enough. She simply grabbed onto the monsters and threw them into the mass of demons below, the raging sea barely controlled by the hidden mind weavers she had yet to find. Occasional bone projectiles scratched on her Veil or broke through and failed to penetrate her armor as she continued her approach to destabilize the enemy ranged forces.

The flying demon was nowhere to be found anymore as she spotted a group of rogues coming from further in the city and mimicking her approach, systematically slaughtering the demons positioned on the roofs and high floors of buildings. The enemy mages responded rather quickly as groups of demons from the streets below rushed upwards through the buildings or across roofs to try and protect the ranged demons.

The experience of the Hand showed quickly as their mages and rangers started concentrating fire on said groups of demons, both eliminating the ranged opponents and clusters of melee variants. With the chaos planted inside the enemy lines, less and less of the monsters were focusing on the distant group of mages, allowing them to fly closer to deliver their destructive spells nearly on top of the masses behind the wall.

A sudden strong magical field was felt by Ilea as she finally found one of the mind weavers, resisting his mental magic as she blinked closer, her blades sinking deep into the frail body of her enemy. The demons around her screamed but didn’t attack as everyone including Ilea looked outside, the latter quickly blinking up onto the roof of the building as a big rip in space formed right above them.

“Again?” she simply said as she tried to find the runes responsible for the summoning. She couldn’t find anything immediately when something broke through the roof of a nearby building. The flying demon floated above it and laughed, its hands held up towards the fissure when a massive whale like creature broke through, its heavy nose smashing into and through the city wall. The loud noise and rumble rushed through Ilea’s bones as she braced herself, a wave of wind, stone and snow followed.

“Green brought friends!!” a sudden shout was heard from next to her before she blinked a couple meters back, the demon’s claw smashing into the roof she had been standing on a moment earlier. In the corner of her vision, she could see another massive beast slowly wiggle through the fissure, this time it reminded her more of a squid.

‘If this goes on...’ she thought but concentrated on the demon before her. With it focused on her, she wasn’t going to move anywhere. All she could do was trust her companions. The demon rushed her again, Ilea blinking backwards four times quickly, the demon closer after each blink before it finally managed to close the distance. Its claws were blocked by Ilea’s arms, the monster’s hands reaching around and pressing down hard. She could feel her bones slowly giving in before a kick from the beast send her torso backwards while it still grasped her arms.

Blood and air rushed out of her mouth as she felt her organs smash together and the tendons on her shoulders rip. ‘Not again...’ she thought as ash spread around her, shrouding both the demon and herself as it still held onto her. Her wings pushed her forwards as strongly as they could before she delivered a buffed up headbutt right onto the deformed nose of her enemy. The impact made the monster release her for an instant, Ilea immediately blinking upwards as her wings carried her further away from the disoriented demon, her healing taking care of the imminent danger to her life.

The squid like monster was now out of the fissure with most of its body as it screeched, the wave of sound pushing Ilea backwards in the air.

‘You have heard the Alizoss’ Scream. You are paralyzed for five seconds.’

‘Veteran reaches level 2’

‘Finally, some competition.’ she thought, a smile coming to her face as she spit blood out of her mouth and onto her helmet. The demon hadn’t come from below yet which either meant her hit had done a little damage or it too was paralyzed. Perhaps it didn’t have the Veteran skill yet.

Chapter 142 It's just a Fleshwound

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there. Thanks for reading everybody

.

Chapter 142 It's just a Fleshwound

The five seconds passed as if in slow motion, Ilea’s organs and tendons healing at a fast pace, the injuries less severe than she had previously though. The world was frozen, all the beings who heard the monster’s scream stood unmoving as with the complete lack of sound the fissure in the air vanished. The massive squid like monster was parted as its noises turned from anger to pain, tentacle like extensions flailing around wildly as they tried to find the missing part of its body.

Ilea’s smile widened as she watched the monster slowly die as it fell downwards with almost magical slowness. She didn’t know if the Hand could’ve taken that one but now they didn’t have to worry about it anymore. The wale like monster was starting to move again though so they weren’t quite out of trouble. Of course she didn’t forget about the monstrous demon below her and the army of a couple hundred thousand standing inside the city of Ravenhall. It could be worse, she thought.

“One step at a time.” she said to herself as the five seconds came to an end, Ilea blinking downwards immediately, finding the demon falling slowly, its face and body still frozen. Another blink brought her behind the beast, quick punches delivered to the spine and neck, she tried to inflict as much damage as possible.

Sped up by the attacks’ impact, the monster flew downwards and landed hard on the cobbled street, stone crumbled below the two as more flew outwards and into the frozen demons. Ilea’s black obsidian gauntlets formed around her arms before she started her assault again, each punch pushing the demon further into the ground. A satisfying crack could be heard with the last punch before a kick from the beast made her blink backwards, her gauntlets vanishing again as she prepared for its assault.

Ash formed around her already, spreading into the surrounding immobilized masses of demons. The monster she had assaulted slowly got up before it walked sideways into the building next to them. The whole street was covered in ash by that point, Ilea using the moment to blink next to the monster, kicking at its leg before she jumped away again. The fight had been going on for quite some time, each time they touched she had pushed destructive mana into the beast and each minute let her become stronger thanks to Form of Ash and Ember.

The monster turned, sluggishly this time, the broken bone in its back giving it at least some trouble. It still stood and Ilea used every second to gain back some of her mana through Meditation. It had at least some difficulty locating her in the mist of ash as she appeared next to it occasionally to deliver single blows, the second stage of Wave of Ember slowly stacking as she started to hear a sizzling inside the demon.

Several big impact spells landed on the demons just a couple streets over as some of the Hand’s members likely had the Veteran skill as well. Slowly the world began moving again as the demons twitched and started screaming. Ilea weighed her options before the demon in the mist of ash spoke.

“Boring fight, coward. Green is tired.” the monster said and jumped up one of the buildings before its wings spread and it flew towards the south. Ilea blinked up and out of the ash, the masses of demons behind her starting to flow towards the northern gate as she looked at the already distant demon, its wings carrying it upwards towards the high mountain top overlooking Ravenhall.

‘It just left… Green was it?’ she thought and shook her head. First that asshat of an elder and now some shit demon. Both had overwhelmed her in power somehow. She had managed to stand against them but this wasn’t exactly a testament to her own power. Ilea was annoyed to have been overpowered again. With cunning and her skills, combined with the luck of having a beast like that squid use its paralyzing ability she had managed to gain at least even ground with the demon but she had to get stronger. Putting those thoughts on hold, she focused on the present again, especially the massive whale now floating above the city.

“Time to get some experience...” Ilea said as she turned around, bladed gauntlets materializing around her hands, her grip tightening as she focused on the whale. Shaking her head, she flew towards the next building as she continued her search for mind weavers hidden in the enemy forces. It would be easier to slaughter the demons and then focus on the massive magical whale if at least they weren’t coordinated.

Appearing in one of the houses, her blades cut through two demons’ throats before she ducked, claws flying past her head as she cut through the legs of her enemies, blinking behind the mind weaver before she slashed through its head. This time she didn’t vanish but faced the demons scrambling to their feet as her Meditation skill brought back the mana she had just used. Ilea stood still before she dodged the first attack, a small kick sending the demon stumbling before she caught the next enemy’s arm, a fist to its chin sent it backwards.

Two minutes later, Ilea was standing in the room surrounded by twelve demon corpses, all of them having been above level two hundred. A bonus of going after the mind weavers. Both something suited to her set of skills and the most efficient for leveling. They would take this city back. Her eyes were cold as she blinked outside again, looking for her next prey.

________________________________________________________________________________

The enemy forces were destabilizing more and more, Sulivhaan ordering their mages further and further towards the city walls to deliver spells right into the clusters of demons huddled behind the protective stone barrier.

“Preparations ready boss.” a team leader said next to him as he turned towards the man.

“It doesn’t seem interested in us, are you sure we should engage it?” the woman next to him asked but Sulivhaan wasn’t going to change their plans.

“That monster was born here in Ravenhall, and this is where it will end.” he simply said as he took to the sky, his eyes fixed on the flying whale, its blood red eyes looking towards the Hand’s forces as it slowly floated towards them.

________________________________________________________________________________

‘And another one...’ Ilea thought as she made her gauntlets vanish, looking around the room of dead demons. Looking outside, she saw that the demons in the streets were already fighting each other, confused at the magic coming from above and the chaos around them.

“Guess we’ve managed to break through...” she said as she got closer to the window, looking up to see the whale covered in explosions of differing elements. “Time to join in the fun...” she uttered before looking through the messages she had received since coming to Ravenhall. Her Meditation skill ran at top performance. Ilea wouldn’t want to engage that flying monster without a full stock of health and mana.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Striker - Demon – lvl 58]

…

…

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Claw Master - Demon – lvl 207]

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 218 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 219 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the First Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 214 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 215 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘ Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘ Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘ Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘ Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘ Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 12’

The twenty stat points were quickly spent on more Wisdom, Ilea’s new mana capacity now at 4050. With the low cost of her spells and her ability to regain some mana with each punch of reversed Destruction, she would be hard pressed to find herself completely empty. At least in a normal fighting situation. Finding herself in a battle with a couple hundred thousand demons and a giant beast of a whale, perhaps then even she might find herself relying on her Meditation skill as much as some of the long ranged and flashy mages.

Ten minutes later she was as prepared as she was going to get to face a monster capable of breaking through a city wall with its sheer weight. “Let’s see what kind of magic you can do...” she said, lifting her helmet to brush out some of the already dried blood. Luckily her Healing magic had the side effect of creating new blood and tissue, otherwise she’d be fucked by this point. Or half cyborg. Thinking on the possibility of Alchemy and science in this magical land, Ilea blinked outside and flew towards the demon in the sky, the beast feeling much more approachable than Green who had been a little much in terms of speed and strength.

Next time they met, it would be a great fight. Ilea promised herself as she rushed towards her target. Fire rushed towards the whale as spikes of ice flew downwards from above, enhanced by gravity magic it seemed because Ilea had never seen ice magic move that quickly. Could also simply be a higher leveled ice mage, not like she had seen many of the Hand’s members in action. She regretted a little at not becoming a long ranged mage, must be fun to throw around flashy spells that explode in the enemy’s face.

‘A bow is nice as well...’ she thought as she rushed closer. It crossed her mind to talk to Sulivhaan about her implementation in the strategy, seeing him floating in the distance with other people distributed around the sky let her know it was likely him coordinating the attack. Then again he knew her and probably had her eventual joining planned in. So she smiled and rushed towards the ever growing whale. Not literally, no but getting closer and closer let her realize just how big that thing actually was.

Considering it was straight out of another dimension or whatever the fuck on the other end of that portal was, Ilea was a little more cautious at her approach. There was a high chance of random teeth and bone spikes appearing all over that monster.

[?? - ???]

“Well that’s bloody informative isn’t it? Why even have this skill...” Ilea said out loud as she smashed sideways into the beast, all her offensive skills activating as she ripped into the beast’s flesh. A big opening was the result but there was no blood coming out, either her attack was too shallow or the monster’s body was built differently than more normal biological entities.

‘Maybe go for the eyes or just dig in...’ she thought and rushed towards the monster’s front, big spells landing around her, making her dodge under and over them. A massive wave of magic came from the whale’s head before it opened its mouth. Ilea kept going closer when a wave of sound ripped through her body, she braced against it and pushed with all her power as healing magic started repairing the building damage from the attack.

Seeing the landscape in front of the whale made her realize that the attack was mostly focused on a line before it. The snow had parted, simply pushed away towards the mountain nearly a kilometer away. Trees were snapped like twigs and the unfortunate members of the Hand who were caught in the wave were pushed away with it, most of them likely dead seeing their uncontrolled flailing bodies.

Ilea grit her teeth and pushed forward until she came up on one of the monster’s eyes. It moved and looked at her as its attack came to an end, the mouth closing slowly before Ilea used her bladed gauntlets to slash into its eye. That definitely got a reaction as its mouth opened again in a wail. The monster’s eyelid closed shut, pushing Ilea’s blades downwards, an enormous weight hitting her arms as the blades came to a stop at the bottom of the eye. Her arms held as she ripped out the blades, the beast still in pain from the precise attack.

‘Might as well...’ she thought and rushed towards the mouth. The mages had done some damage but it would take quite a while to whittle down the monster’s health against the though hide. And what was a tough hide against a downright suicidal bladed warrior with a high defense?

Ilea blinked inside the mouth before it closed, hopefully no magical sound attack would be unleashed in the next ten seconds. She rushed further in, seeing through her Sphere while looking for any weak spots or organs. The good thing was that she found what she was looking for. The bad news on the other hand was that there were simply too many things that could constitute as a weak spot.

‘To work then...’ she thought as she decided on her blades to do the job. Causing internal bleeding was likely better with such a big monster compared to the blunt trauma she could inflict with her heavy gauntlets or the magical damage with her fists and spells. Blades on hands, Ilea started to slash away at the whale’s flesh inside of its mouth. Being a butcher wasn’t on Ilea’s list of things to do in life to begin with but her current predicament pushed the profession even further down on it.

The wall of flesh was tough, even with her high strength and high quality blades. She had to cut into it bit by bit to get to the organ placed further in. Luckily there was an opening running behind the two meters of flesh she was working on that would lead right to her target as soon as she managed to break through.

And break through she did, blood rushing out at such a high speed and with such heat that her defensive Veil of Ash nearly broke down. Her sense of smell reduced to its utmost minimum she hoped that Aki would stay as mentally absent from this ordeal as he had been all day. ‘The fucker probably likes this...’ she thought and smiled before she pushed into the torrent of near boiling blood, her blades cutting into the flesh to stabilize herself as she pushed onward.

At least air wasn’t much of a problem as the blood only reached to her knees after a couple seconds. The boiling was more of a problem as her Veil slowly broke down. Good thing she had her old friend, a lack of pain perception.

The organ was massive, at least two meters high and wide. Then again she had heard a blue whale’s heart was as big as a car. That internet fact didn’t really help her in the moment as she slashed into the piece of important looking biological infrastructure to cause as much damage as possible. After twenty slashes, the thing exploded in a shower of blood and yellow mucus, causing Ilea to puke into her helmet. An experience generally reserved for soldiers and apparently adventurers.

Ilea stumbled backwards and out of the opening again as she made her helmet vanish to puke again, this time not back into her mouth and nose. “God FUCK!” she shouted when a magical surge ran through the whale as it opened its mouth, the light of the sun illuminating just how disgusting her current environment was.

Helmet back on, to her displeasure, Ilea rammed her blades into the ground of flesh before another sound wave came from deep within the being’s body, ripping through her as Hunter’s Recovery worked overtime to keep her brain and organs alive. Her health was down fifty percent after that attack. Standing in the middle of it might actually kill her immediately.

At least there weren’t smaller mouths and bones trying to kill her inside this massive scrotum. Ilea healed herself as she continued further in. This time she made sure to brace herself for the next organ’s explosion which incidentally didn’t come. At least waiting for the next sound attack was worth it as she could hide in the crevice where the organ had been, not sustaining much damage from the attack.

‘Doesn’t seem like this is doing much...’ she thought and considering there had been three attacks from the whale already she didn’t know how the Hand’s forces were looking out on the field. Hopefully they had distributed enough to cause only few casualties. She steadied herself as the whale moved around in the air before continuing, this time ignoring the organs she saw through her Sphere and simply going further in.

At least she could try to find and destroy whatever enabled the monster to use those sound waves. ‘Wait, can I...’ she thought and used her healing skill to check on the monster. As expected she could determine a little about the beast’s condition, being in direct contact with it. The damage inflicted by her was potent but with the size of the animal still minor. The mages outside were apparently working overtime as the hide was pierced in several dozen places and the monster was bleeding profoundly, its eyes both already blinded, one of them by her.

Chapter 143 Bloody Entrails

A note from Rhaegar

Hello all. I hope you had a good week. Thanks for reading

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Let me know what you think, liked and disliked in the comments.

Chapter 143 Bloody Entrails

Perhaps it wasn’t quite an impossibility to beat it and maybe not a lot more people had to die to accomplish it. Ilea pushed on deeper and deeper into the beast before she felt mana gather again, this time much closer than before. She quickly found the best cover she could found and cut into the flesh to keep herself more steady. The sound shattered her freshly healed eardrums immediately, as her whole body shook from the vibrations running through it.

Ilea felt her bones slowly crack at the sheer intensity of the attack. She gulped, thinking that perhaps it was a little too brave and stupid to simply rush into the monster’s mouth. One thing she had realized though was that the beast could only use its sound attack every minute, or simply chose to only do it that often. Looking back she also saw through the closing mouth that the target this time had been a big part of Ravenhall itself. They had managed to turn the whale around and used its attack against the demons now splattered in the rubble of the once proud human city. A big chunk would be destroyed and it likely wasn’t the last of its attacks.

Ilea was back at nearly full health as she pushed further, too far to turn back now. At least she could use Meditation whenever the monster attacked so her mana was looking fine still. She could take another one or two attacks before it became too much to recover. At least as long as one of them didn’t outright kill her.

Another attack later she had found it, the source of the vibrations and the monster’s attacks. It was a massive red organ with hundreds of holes, held in place by dozens of tendons. So Ilea got to cutting. The minute was barely over when the organ started vibrating, Ilea having cut through around half of the tendons connected to it. Sadly she needed around ten strikes to get through just one of the thick connections.

Being in the same place as the organ allowed her to blink behind it where the force of the spell was considerably lessened. She breathed out, having though that being this close might’ve been enough to kill her. Her recklessness prevailed, perhaps it had been inflated by her inability to win against the demon and the elder. The sound attack wasn’t enough to kill her outright from further away and with her safely cutting through more connections behind the organ, it was now irrelevant if it would’ve had killed her had she stood right in front of it.

The attack ended and Ilea finished removing the last three connections at the top of the massive ball like object which fell down with a loud squelchy noise. “Absolutely fucking disgusting.” she said.

“Indeed. Good job on not dying.” Aki commented, finally saying something.

“You alright? Didn’t know you slept in the day.” Ilea asked.

“Oh I was awake but you get easily distracted. And I believe you did a good job there. This last one might’ve been a little risky but hey, it paid off. There’s a reason for your fast growth after all.” the dagger said and Ilea found herself agreeing. Though others might deem it stupid or too risky, the feeling of pure adrenaline, sheer power and bliss of overcoming something this gigantic and overwhelming was worth every bit of risk involved in it.

“Now let’s finish this beast.” she said and worked her way back, this time taking care of every single organ she could find. It was a hard and long job to do and the whale moved around much more by now, reduced to using its body to smash the opponents. Its speed was surprising for the size but likely not enough to catch any of the flying adventurers off guard. Ilea didn’t feel a heavy impact at all, so the beast probably wasn’t intelligent enough to smash the people on the ground who couldn’t fly.

A whopping twenty minutes later, Ilea got a message in her head and the whale started sinking down towards the ground. A big grin spread across her face before it vanished just as quickly as it had come. “Probably need to leave.” she said to herself as she rushed towards the mouth of the beast. Ilea nearly made it before a heavy impact went through the whale and Ilea found herself on the monster’s throat as the full weight of its upper body pushed downwards.

The only saving grace was that this wasn’t a cave coming down on her but a body of flesh and blood. Considering the monster’s size, a lack of air wouldn’t become a problem either for quite some time. Ilea got up again after the corpse had settled and started making her way outwards.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Rel Kazuuk – Bane of the deep – lvl 823] For defeating an enemy six hundred levels above your own, you receive bonus experience.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 220 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached level 221 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘You have gained one 3rd tier skill point in [Azarinth First Hunter].’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached level 216 – Five Stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘Hmm, something good after all...’ she thought after reading through her messages. Choosing the next third tier skill to advance would probably be difficult but she had a favorite already. For now she wanted to check on the situation outside. There was still a demon horde waiting to be destroyed and possibly survivors of the Hand to be healed. Ilea sang a song in her head as she pushed through the flesh and blood of her fallen enemy with closed eyes, using her Sphere to navigate as she tried to not burn the slimy experience into her brain.

“Aaaaaah, air.” Ilea exclaimed as she came out of the whale’s mouth, covered nearly completely in blood and pieces of flesh.

“God you stink.” a man said who was standing at least four meters away from her. “Larina, can you spare one of your spells?” he asked and looked over to a woman dressed in shiny blue armor that sparkled where the sun hit it with its light.

“We have more important things to consider than smell.” she said as magic gathered in front of her hands. “Oh goddess of water and rebirth, send thy power through me.” she exclaimed before a torrent of water shot out with the speed of a flying arrow. Ilea watched as a charging group of demons was pushed back, their bodies smashed as if hit by the weight of a metal hammer. Ilea was pretty sure the prayer like line wasn’t really needed.

“She survived, we can go back now.” the woman said which got a nod from the man who unsheathed a curved sword before he vanished, appearing near the stragglers of demons still approaching. Ilea watched as the demons suddenly fell apart, their limbs removed by slashes nearly too fast for her to recognize. She summoned some ash to try and clean herself, surprised that this time it actually worked. Well it did somewhat, removing a big part of the mess, leaving her presentable enough for a battlefield with thousands of demons and seasoned adventurers.

“All forces unattended should find a team leader or the commander.” the woman said towards Ilea who nodded.

“I’ll find him. Thanks for checking on me.” she said, receiving a nod from the woman who started floating upwards as small spear like objects of water formed in front of her before they were loosed in a high arch towards the city. What remained of the city at least. Ilea was standing on a small hill outside Ravenhall, still mostly covered in snow and with the corpse of the whale to her left. Wings spread behind her as she slowly ascended, Meditation flowing through her and helping her recover her mana more quickly.

Ravenhall was demolished. A big chunk of the city had been completely mowed down by the sound attacks from the whale. Sulivhaan had likely considered its destructive capabilities sufficient to attack both the city and the demons while placing a smaller priority on the infrastructure. They could rebuild it, of that Ilea was certain. Where the town had been hit, a massive breach opened the walls and demons were pouring out in the thousands, loosened by the death of likely most of their commanders and not caged anymore by the city’s high buildings.

A second breach where the whale had initially landed showed the same scene, thousands of monsters pouring out and running into the destructive spells of dozens of high leveled mages. Ilea ascended higher and found a big part of the city burning. The Hand had moved closer together and with the enemy command crumbling, they could show their true capabilities. A fire storm was unleashed, its light bright enough to blind Ilea for the fraction of a second as it incinerated hundreds of demons in the blink of an eye. Above the seconds breach a mage unleashed a storm of wind, cutting apart several dozen running demons who fell down, bleeding from hundreds of cuts each.

The demons already had difficulties funneling through the two massive breaches, so high were their numbers. The building corpses on the ground combined with all the blood, ice and other elements still lingering from spells made the run even harder. However few demons made it through to the defensive line of warriors, rogues and rangers were completely demolished by an assortment of teleporting monsters of men, blades flashing as everyone displayed their skills honed with years of experience.

There were fewer members than had initially gathered in Morhil, that was for sure but Ilea was glad the casualties hadn’t reached higher numbers. She flew over and quickly found Sulivhaan flying somewhat behind the defensive line while occasionally using a spell to slow down parts of the enemy hordes.

“Guess I’ll join the defensive line?” Ilea asked, really wanting to join in on the fun.

“Ilea, you survived. Of course you did. No, our healers are doing all they can, I want you to help.” he pointed towards a small group a little behind the line of melee fighters and Ilea nodded.

“What about Trian and Kyrian?” she asked as she flew backwards towards the few healers they had.

“I sent two teams in already, a scout should return in the next hour. We got most of the mind weavers, good job out there.” he said and nodded before turning back to the field of death were an endless number of demons rushed through monstrous magic before they came into a grinder of blades.

Ilea looked away and increased her speed, her mana was at around sixty percent as she landed near the supposed healers who looked tired to say the least. Around them were around twenty injured people, some screaming, their bodies showing wounds that no human was supposed to survive.

Ilea joined in without a word, checking on the six people immediately around her as she stabilized them one by one. It took a while with her somewhat secondary healing spell that worked best on herself but she managed. With the slow movements she could at least use Meditation while she conducted her work. “Any more critical?!” she shouted as her group stopped slowly dying, each stabilized.

“I’m done here.” a man in robes said, sweat, blood and dirt covering his face. He removed his hand from the inside of a woman’s chest as the wound quickly closed. Ilea watched on as a magical pulse left his hand, his eyes focusing for a moment before the woman gasped. “You’re fine.” he said, holding a hand out towards her.

“Thanks, put it on my tab.” the woman said, ignored his hand as she jumped up. She spit out some blood before two blades appeared in her hands before she started running towards the defensive line again. Ilea smiled at the scene as she looked around. For now at least the situation seemed in control as the robed man joined another healer who was clad in armor, not a primary healer either it seemed. They were only six people, three of them likely pure healers.

“We’re fine for now. You can fly right? Some were thrown towards the mountains from the first couple whale attacks.” a woman in a perfectly clean white dress said towards Ilea while pointing towards the mountain top to the north. Ilea nodded and flew off.

The country side was devastated. The whale must’ve hit that part at least twice, two lines cutting into the ground for at least five meters as all trees had been cut down. “Aki help me spot.” she said and unsheathed the dagger as she flew towards the several hundred meters long devastation covered in broken trees, rubble, snow and earth.

Five minutes she searched until she recognized a human form through her Sphere. The heart was still beating and Ilea sheathed Aki and started moving away the tree trunks and rocks covering the woman, likely a mage who seemed to be unconscious. Twenty seconds later she got to the woman, a touch revealing that she was close to death but not quite there yet. Mana was still flowing through her and quickly it was joined by Ilea’s helping hand.

It took nearly four minutes for her to fully heal the woman. When her body seemed fine, Ilea slapped her lightly. “Come on, wake up.” she said and the woman opened her eyes, a deep brown staring back at Ilea in disbelief.

“Whale is dead, you got hit. More people might be buried here, can you help me look?” Ilea quickly said as she helped the mage up who shook her head to gather her senses.

“Y...yes, give me a minute.” she said and Ilea nodded, flying off again and over the rubble to spot any more people.

Two she found were already dead, one of them with all of his bones broken. Not everybody invested the same amount of skills and stats in defensive measures it seemed.

“Over here!!” the mage she had rescued shouted which made Ilea blink towards her, flying at her top speed before she landed softly next to the woman who was using her magic to fling away tree trunks as if they were mere sticks. Ilea found the injured man lying below them and blinked towards him before she started pumping healing mana into him.

“God…,” the man said and coughed up blood. “Finally… I’m fine, I’m fine.” he said, stopping Ilea and getting up. He wasn’t quite fine but certainly better than most of the injured people Ilea had treated previously. “I couldn’t lift up those trees. Next twenty stats are going into Strength, I swear to the Mother herself.” he said as he looked away, obviously a little embarrassed.

“Got any spotting skills? There might be more people here.” Ilea asked but he declined.

“I’m more help at clearing those demons, there are still some left are there? The whale is dead?” he asked as golden light came to his eyes.

“The whale is dead. And there’s plenty. Leave some for me.” Ilea said and watched him get up.

“Good, good. Just do your work healer.” he said before teleporting at least fifty meters high into the air. The light in his eyes intensified before a small sun formed in front of his face, a beam of light shooting out a moment later towards the city. Ilea didn’t know how much damage it would do but she felt the heat from down on the ground.

“Another cannon back in action.” she said and nodded to the woman who had found the man before continuing her search.

The next twenty minutes were spent on scouring through the mess of a landscape the whale had left behind before Ilea was pretty sure they wouldn’t find anybody else. In total they had found four additional corpses and three more survivors, two of them apparently just too weak to lift up the rubble on top of them. A trend with mages it seemed.

“That should do it, we’ll send some rangers back here when the city is clear or if we can spare them.” the woman said to her before holding out a hand. “Can you take me, you’re faster than me.” she said and Ilea nodded, grabbing the woman around her chest from behind, flying off a moment later.

The situation surprisingly hadn’t changed much in the time they were away. There were less injured people near the healers and there was a group of resting people nearby, some even preparing food while the demons still spilled out of the big city streets and houses towards the opened parts. Spells continued to rain down onto the masses, each of the Hand’s mages must’ve racked up thousands of kills by that point.

The defensive line was fighting just as they had before, their numbers thinned a little with some of them resting to gain back their resources. On the field outside the city, between the stand of the mercenaries and the enemy hordes massive walls of ice and stone had sprung up, funneling the enemy into concentrated spells from specialized high level mages who took turns burning through their mana before switching with another of their kind. It was not a battle anymore, it was an extermination.

Chapter 144 Lakes and Crystals

A note from Rhaegar

Number two, sending good vibes towards your Saturday

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Chapter 144 Lakes and Crystals

“Any more help needed?” Ilea asked after she landed near the healers. Only six had remained.

“We’re fine, seems like people have become comfortable with fighting the monsters. Leave the rest to us.” one of them said as the woman Ilea had rescued flew over towards the group of resting fighters. She too followed and took a couple minutes to gain back her full mana. She watched as the woman talked to some of the people around them, three of them leaving right after towards the rubble Ilea had searched for the past half hour. They probably had some way to detect people in that mess, better than her Sphere which already was doing a wonderful job.

Sulivhaan was still floating in the same position as before, still using his spells as people occasionally joined him before they nodded, having received further commands. It seemed everyone accepted him as the strategic leader of this operation, at least enough for them to have a working structure.

Ilea moved back to the healers and past them where around eight corpses were laying on the floor, covered by white cloth. She continued the line with the dead they had found in the rubble, placing them as well before she closed their eyes, saying a small prayer to whatever gods cared before summoning a bed sheet she had and ripping it apart to cover the people. Each of them was geared with expensive and high quality looking armor or clothes, each one a human strong enough to face a hundred high leveled demons on their own. Each one dead.

She flew towards Sulivhaan and waited as two others received further orders from him, flying off afterwards.

“Healers are fine, rangers are looking for more survivors but we’re probably done searching. Five survivors and six dead.” she reported.

“Thank you. You can join the defensive line then.” the mage said without looking at her.

“I’ll go find the others if that doesn’t fuck into your plans.” Ilea answered.

“Do as you will.” Sulivhaan answered, not further concerned with her as Ilea flew off towards the city at top speed. What was left of the city at least. The damage on the surface was somewhat in control, only about thirty percent completely destroyed but the attack from the whale had come from above and it had cut deep.

Most of the sewers and several levels of the underground probably had to be rebuilt completely. Fires raged in the more in tact parts as well, caused mostly by the Hand’s mages who had initially fired into the city itself to score some lucky hits into the demon masses. Initially with all the mind weavers still alive it had been much more difficult to hit as the monsters had used the abundance of cover quite effectively.

Some solitary ranged attacks were fired at her, making her use her bow to kill the mostly lower leveled demons. A trickle of damage in the enemy forces but the ranged monsters were somewhat rare by now and the only thing that would stop the Hand’s mages advancing on the city and unleashing death upon the melee variants.

“Now to find a lone demon...” she said to herself as she dived downwards. ‘Let’s hope he was as smart as I think he is.’ Ilea thought as she blinked through a mostly intact part of the underground infrastructure before a minute later she appeared in a room she had been in before with a smile on her face and a startled demon surrounded by other demons.

“Weavy, you did it! Glad you survived. Now come with me, we have to find the others. And you better stay close to me or the other mercenaries will cut you down.” she said.

“Ah miss Ilea. I am also most grateful to the red death for your survival. What about the spawn?” he asked and gestured around him.

“Whatever you want, I’d kill them now so they don’t become a problem. If you want to look for them later you can but it’s gonna be hard getting them all out of here.” Ilea explained and watched into the deep black holes of Weavy’s eyes as the monsters in the room methodically cut their own throats before falling down in nearly a single splat.

“You’re fucked up mate.” she said and held out her hand. He stared at it confused before she just went and grabbed his arm before flying upwards, smashing through any floors in their way.

Ilea reached her next target two minutes later, landing before the entrance to the Hand’s headquarters. Demons screamed around her and started running towards the human and mind weaver as she ignored them and continued towards the entrance. The demons who reached her were cut down, none of them above level eighty, the ones further away simply stood frozen by Weavy’s influence. The main hall was collapsed in parts, rubble covering most of the ground. Hundreds of corpses were lying on the floor, some even stuck to walls and the ceiling. Ilea found a single mage and dozens of dead demons stuck inside a massive crystal in one of the corridors.

The woman was alive but had her eyes closed. Ilea took the minute to cut off big chunks of the crystal until she reached the woman. Touching her, she found her to be in perfect health. Reaching her hands inside the small enclosed space, Ilea pulled with her full strength and heard the crystal crack. A moment later the prison was forced into two, both sides smashing into the partially damaged furniture around the room as Ilea caught the unconscious woman, pushing some healing mana into her.

She continued on towards Viscera with the woman held in her arms, finding a similar scene as in the main hall. Demon corpses covered the ground even more densely here which made her fly over them with her ashen wings. No human corpses could be spotted but any dead Hand members, merchants or trainees had probably turned into demons themselves by now.

The crystal mage stirred and slowly opened her eyes. “Hah!” she exclaimed as a crystal shot out from her hand right towards Ilea’s had. It was stopped by her ashen veil before it dropped down into the woman’s hand again. She was out of breath already and Ilea doubted the level 205 wouldn’t be able to pierce her veil at full power. Ilea stopped Weavy from doing anything stupid as he closed in.

“Calm down, I’m not the enemy. And neither is he.” she said and continued onwards, mentioning the gist of what was happening outside the city. The woman had apparently been caught in her crystal prison for the past months, her skill attacking any demons who stepped into the room. Mind weavers either couldn’t attack her inside or they simply didn’t find her. A miracle she had survived really. She shot glances at the demon a couple times but seemed to trust Ilea for now.

“I actually survived…” the mage said as she closed her eyes and relaxed in her savior’s arms.

“You have two more minutes, then I’ll drop you.” Ilea simply stated in a quiet voice. The woman gulped but didn’t answer, her face reddening a little as she realized the situation she was in. She stayed for the full two minutes though, her joy at surviving stronger than the embarrassment.

There were no surviving demons inside Viscera, at least not as far as Ilea could sense. The woman decided to follow as well, probably feeling a little bad at having done exactly nothing in the past months.

“This is horrible… I never imagined the attack to be on this scale...” the mage said.

“You should see outside, the mages are dead but thousands of demons remain. The Hand is cleaning up rather efficiently though.” Ilea explained as she looked down into the hole where the main elevator leading to the Haven had been. It wasn’t there so she decided to jump down. A surprised noise left the mage before she followed, Ilea already reaching the bottom of the elevator shaft. Her buffs surged as she landed, bending as the force of gravity went through her body. She smiled as the fall of over a hundred meters felt more like jumping down a small flight of stairs. Weavy followed behind as quickly as he could, at least faster than the other mage.

The rubble of a destroyed elevator platform was spread around the bottom and dust filled the room. It reeked of blood and rot. Here too, corpses were piled up but they had been moved to the corners of the room. She continued onwards to the elevator that would lead to the Haven. It was still in working order she found so she activated it, looking at the demon next to her. The female mage managed to jump onto it right before it started moving. Ilea didn’t look at her but saw through her Sphere that her legs were shaking.

“We’re not the first ones down here, don’t worry.” Ilea said as she gripped the hilt of her dagger tightly. The elevator shaft opened up as the environment of Eregar’s Haven spread before them, Ilea immediately grinning and loosening her grip as she saw the spark of well known lightning in the distance. She jumped off and flew into the direction of the magic.

A bizarre scene showed itself as she got closer, the mage following a little behind with slower speed. A lake had formed where there was none before. It wasn’t big, not quite big enough to call it a lake really but bigger than a pond. On a nearby hill eight people resided, some sitting, others standing. Trian was one of them. The man lazily lifted his hand before lightning flashed and struck into the lake.

The group tensed before they looked towards the approaching woman but relaxed quickly after realizing it was one of their own. Ilea closed in as Trian got up and waved towards her. Kyrian turned his head and she saw his posture relax a little.

“Hey all, guess my help isn’t needed here. Don’t mind the demon coming, he’s with us.” she said as she landed. Most of the others ignored her while looking for the mentioned demon but soon faced the lake again. “The Hand is exterminating vermin and you just enjoy the new seasonal addition to the Haven?” she asked and grinned as the men of her team joined her.

“How’s it going outside? I heard some pretty huge monsters were summoned.” Kyrian asked.

“Yea, we took down most of the mind weavers, two huge fuckers were summoned, one dying by the closing of the portal. The second one we took down and now it’s more or less just killing a flood of demons. What about you guys?” she asked, looking to the lake with interest.

“I’m glad it went so well. There were demons down here, rather high leveled compared to the ones in Viscera. We cleaned up but it seems like more are coming out of the lake.” Trian explained and motioned towards the water.

“Aaah, a dimensional spawning pool. Impressive.” Weavy beamed into their minds, still it felt like he was talking to himself.

“You know about it?” Kyrian asked. His helmet was off and he glanced towards Ilea a couple times.

“Yes, I read about this ritual but you need an incredible energy source in the surroundings to create it. Afterwards it can sustain itself for years if not longer.” the demon communicated and continued. “It’s a direct connection to another plane and it attracts spawn to it. The ones coming out are the ones that found it on the other side.”

“Can we use it to go there?” Ilea asked, now more than eager to find that elder again after she saw the damage he had caused.

“No. Only spawn and only one way.” the demon dashed her small hope. Ilea sighed but ultimately didn’t care much. People have died, yes but none of the few she actually cared about. The man was a mass murderer at this point but it wasn’t like she went after dictators back on earth. With his power he wouldn’t be easy to fight either. Ilea thought that perhaps she should focus on her own power first before she undertook operations like that.

‘Speaking of...’ she thought and brought up the relevant information in her head.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:’

- Hunter Recovery

- State of Azarinth

- Azarinth Fighting

Apparently neither Destruction nor Hunter Sphere had fulfilled the requirements to become a third tier skill. Ilea thought about her choice while the others were talking to Weavy about the ritual and the lake. Her healing spell was the first choice immediately, considering the losses and near deaths she had experienced in the past months it seemed vital to get some sort of edge in her healing.

‘Then again I’m not getting stronger through that, simply less killable. Whatever that third tier might give me it probably wouldn’t help much again that demon, Green was his name, or against the elder Adam...’ she would reach level 240 at some point where she could still choose her Recovery spell but for now Ilea decided against it.

That left State of Azarinth and Azarinth Fighting. Both of them had been used by Ilea near constantly since getting them so long ago but somehow the decision was easy for her. The flashy glow was a better sell than a simple improvement to her fighting skills.

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth advances to 3rd tier’

‘Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 1:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed and strength by 55% [Effect after bonuses 220%].

2nd stage: Your sight, hearing and sense of smell is also affected by State of Azarinth

3rd stage: You are one with State of Azarinth. The skill’s upkeep has been removed. Instead you may overcharge it with your life’s energy. The amount depends on both skill level and health used.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement’

Ilea hoped she didn’t make the wrong choice as she read through the new information. The upkeep removal was nice and with her long fights it would ease down on her mana consumption considerably. The overcharge thing was ambiguous at best. A life for skill effect. Ilea though that she could only use the overcharge ability while her Healing spell was taking care of her at the same time.

She shrugged and used the new ability. Her mind raced as she instinctively decided on a number, one hundred. The murky question in her head asked for a level of power and Ilea chose at random again. A split second had passed as Ilea activated the skill before a wrong feeling coupled by a weird pain shot through her body. One hundred points of health were ripped from her being before a light red glow shone from the inside of her armor.

Ilea looked at her hands as she removed her gauntlets. The runes were still there, slightly changed in form but recognizable to her still. The difference was that these runes shone red. Much more subdued than her previous blue shine but she attributed that to the low level of the skill, at least in its third stage. She felt more powerful, not comparable to herself with all her buffs active but certainly stronger than with just State of Azarinth before.

As quickly as the moment had come, it vanished again and so did the shine. Both her teammates had stopped talking to Weavy and were instead looking at her, specifically her arms. State of Azarinth was still active, Ilea found but there was no glow anymore. Apparently the You are one with State of Azarinth meant more than just the removal of its mana cost.

It made her a little sad that the shine was gone, it was after all the edge it had on Azarinth Fighting when she chose it over the other skill. At least it would be less obvious that she was using a skill now and she could have it active at all times without any cost. She wondered if it worked while sleeping as well but considering she didn’t have to consciously hold it active, it was possible.

“Whatcha got?” Trian asked as he nodded towards her.

“I’ll tell you later.” she answered. “What are we going to do about the lake?” she asked, not interested to share her newfound power with the people not part of her group.

“Well as far as the demon says, theres little we can do to stop the spell now. It’s self sustaining, all we can do is kill the demons that come out of it.” the lightning mage answered.

Ilea nodded. “Use it for training then? Like a dungeon or something.” she said.

“A level two hundred dungeon.” Kyrian supplied as Trian nodded.

“Perfect for the Hand then but also a responsibility. If one of these gets out a whole city could fall.” Kyrian added.

“Ah, let’s not overdramatize it. At least now the human cities now how to handle them.” Ilea said. “Now this is getting boring, we have three mages and one fucked up demon here to thin the enemy numbers and get some more experience out of this mess. The rest can handle the situation here I assume?” Ilea asked them and Trian nodded.

“Fine with me. Hey, we’re gonna get some fresh air.” he said, the last part directed at the others standing on the ledge. Complaints were ignored as the four flew back towards the exit of Eregar’s Haven. Demons would be an interesting addition to this place, now truly only an environment for level two hundred people.

Chapter 145 Horde mode is exhausting

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, new chapter

">. Thanks for reading.

A quick info regarding Patreon for those who care. I changed the tiers a little, mostly related to how much they cost. The new all chapters ahead tier (currently 16 chapters) is now 5$ (previously 7$). I've been thinking about it for a while and it seems more in line with what other authors on Royalroad are offering. More changes and new stuff likely this summer. Until then, enjoy reading

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Chapter 145 Horde mode is exhausting

The crystal mage was a little confused when her savior and the others suddenly left but her indecisiveness cost her the opportunity to continue with the group as she moved back and forth until they were too far away.

Ilea had Weavy on her back as the three rushed towards the elevator too fast for the demon to keep up otherwise. “Are you getting more bulky Weavy?” Ilea asked, feeling his arms as she held him on her back. The demon shifted a little and didn’t initially respond which got a chuckle out of her.

“You know it’s not a shame to invest in Strength, I did it too...” she said, Trian looking at her a little perplexed. Speaking of, Ilea thought and invested her remaining fifteen stat points into Endurance, brining it to 335 and a respective 3350 points of Stamina. ‘That’s enough to masturbate for three days straight...’ she thought and smiled, maybe a bit of a vacation was in order soon. Then again why should she rest when so many meaty sacks of skill and class levels were waiting outside?

The three reached the top of Viscera and the exit of the Hand’s Stronghold a minute later, Trian already frying demons as soon as they stepped outside. “Save your spells and follow me.” Ilea said and flew off towards the defensive line of the Hand.

The demon hordes were flowing just as they did before. Looking into the overfilled northern part of the city where demons were already fighting each other, she realized the flow would continue for more than just a couple hours. At least the Hand was already taking turns in fighting to keep it going. Worst case they could retreat but that would create a whole lot of new problems when the demons dispersed, at least until now they had been held back by the mind weavers in the city.

One lost demon at level eighty could perhaps take out a whole human settlement. Ilea was certainly not in the business of saving everyone but if she could protect kids and elderly just wanting to live out their lives on a farm while she could rake in experience for herself, then that was a win win situation to her. She remembered the old man who gave her a lift to Riverwatch. Maybe he was still alive after all the elves and demons, though she doubted any demons had made it that far through the human kingdoms.

“Now Weavy I want you to hold tight and stay calm, we’ll let everybody know you’re not part of the enemy. I’m sure your control over the demons will win over some hearts rather quickly. Hopefully nobody cares enough to kill you instantly.” Ilea said to the demon on her back as they approached the front lines, streams of running demons below them, screaming at the enemy in the sky as they were scattered and destroyed by the many spells and obstacles on their way.

The three reached Sulivhaan a couple minutes later, none of the long ranged mages had attacked them on the way.

“You found them and the demon. Good. I informed everyone beforehand just in case he’d show up again on the front lines. You two are long ranged mages right?” the commander asked as a couple people around them gave Weavy and their group weird looks, one of them was smiling at least.

“Yea, well Kyrian, Trian go have some fun and take care of the demon. I’ll be down in the slaughter. Cheers.” Ilea said and let go of Weavy before she waved to Sulivhaan and let herself fall downwards.

The snow had melted around them, too many hot spells had taken the life out of the element. Ilea landed in the mud and looked around, in front of her a group of around forty people were fighting against the oncoming horde, each person occupying a rather large space for themselves while some people grouped up with two to four others to more effectively use their skills.

She was certainly interested in seeing them all fight but seeing the sheer overwhelming enemy numbers she’d probably get enough time to do so. It was good training for all of them and somewhat easy and safe experience from the many kills. Although most of the remaining monsters would likely be below level one hundred, only a trickle to their levels.

‘Good way to test my new skill...’ Ilea thought as she breathed out, her breath not visible as fires burned in close proximity. The power of State of Azarinth flowed through her as it did for the past fifteen minutes, no glow was visible and no mana was removed from her store. Form of Ember joined the skill as small lines of red formed on her body, only visible where no armor covered her. A moment later she equipped her gloves as well, the dim color of fire only shining lightly through the holes in front of her eyes.

The horns on her helmet reflected the different colors of spells unleashed in front of her as she slowly walked to the front line. There was plenty of space in between the different warriors, the demons attracted to the humans like moths to light. A Veil of Ash shrouded her quickly as she prepared for battle, breathing in and out steadily as ash started to form around her, the world perceived through a Sphere of around twenty four meters around her.

The warriors on her left and right ignored her as the blade and axes flashed, the sound of metal cutting flesh a constant grind in her ears. A band to play some metal would be a welcome addition but then again the thrill of fighting for your life was more than enough to keep the blood pumping. Ilea moved the ash in front of her to the side, alarming a couple running demons of her presence in the middle of it all.

She continued to move the ash around in more and more intricate forms and motions to boost the skill as much as she could while she prepared all the others. The first demon arrived, a level ninety monster of claws and teeth, pure muscle covering its legs and arms as it screamed towards the human prey in front of it.

Ilea stepped up, dodging the clawed hand by a couple centimeters before her fist landed in the demon’s abdomen, her skills sending mana through the beast combined with the kinetic force of her heavy and enhanced body and bones. The monster was stopped in its run immediately, the woman standing like a rock against the sea as the enemy’s limbs moved around her before they fell onto her Veil and dropped down a moment later, the corpse of the demon following a second later.

Ilea breathed in and closed her eyes, concentrating on the Sphere of perception and the ash around her as it twirled and moved, allowing the enemy to see her as she prepared the next strike. Perfectly timed, her kick came to a close on the demon’s head, cracking the skull in a satisfying crunch before it was sent to the side, Ilea recovering from the motion almost immediately before the next demon was upon her.

‘Ten.’ Ilea thought as a flash of pain and wrongness went through her, her health reduced by the though of amount as a light red light joined the fiery color on her skin, runes and lines of molten fire branching into each other as newfound power flowed through her. The next monster was hit in its chest, its ribs breaking as its thorax was pushed inwards and back out of its back, its spine broken just the same.

Ilea breathed out again as she stopped the motion, ripping her hand out of the beast’s corpse again as the power of her 3rd tier State of Azarinth left her again. ‘Only three seconds...’ she thought, analyzing the time the spell had held. The power chosen was neither the lowest nor the highest she could go at the moment. A middle ground.

For the next enemy she chose one hundred health again. Hissing in pain, she felt the power rush through her as her healing skill exchanged her mana for health again. The spell didn’t hold for thirty seconds as assumed previously. Ilea’s fists destroyed four demons with two expertly placed attacks each before the power vanished again.

‘Diminishing returns...’ she thought, looking at her hand as she sacrificed two hundred health. The pain was stronger this time, so much as to distract her from her surroundings. A claw hit her Veil, not managing to break through before she grabbed the hand and kicked the body, ripping off the clawed limb in the process. She chucked it away as she counted the seconds, realizing when the skill lost its power that the time was even lower compared to the three second usage.

It wasn’t much that seemed lost but there didn’t seem to be a reason for her not to just invest ten health in quick succession for the whole duration of the fight. Not until she noticed something else.

The power she could chose was directly influenced by how much health she sacrificed. She invested more and more until she sacrificed five hundred points of her health for a ten second boost, each punch literally ripping apart a demon as her fist traveled through their bodies like a blade through flesh. It was intoxicating but the pain was nearly unbearable at five hundred, her complete resistance not working on it either. It wasn’t pain exactly, it was something in her mind alone, no nerves were affected. The wrongness of the spell flowed through her again as she used it, the strength she gained demanded a sacrifice and not in life alone.

Ilea’s tests went on for hours as she lost herself in the process of controlling and moving ash around her and finding the new limits of her skill and the most efficient ways of using it. She knew that as it grew the numbers would change but some internal understanding of the magic let her know that the ratios would stay the same.

And so the corpses around her piled up as she moved further and further away from the line of defenders, more and more demons flowing towards her, only the ash in her vicinity allowing her not to be overwhelmed by numbers, still enough space for her to fight. Soon spells were hitting around her into the demons as she reached the position where the mages unleashed their destructive elements. It added another difficulty to her fight, avoiding the deadly spells and using them to kill clusters of enemies she grouped up beforehand.

Some of the mages started working with her as time went on and the enemy lines started to thin somewhat, the big clusters from hours earlier not present anymore without external influence, their big area spells less and less effective against the sometimes even lone targets running towards them.

The horizon was on fire as smoke and ash moved around Ilea, all her senses focused on her imminent surroundings as she used every second of quiet between encounters to let Meditation flow through her as she controlled and moved the ash and prepared her next usage of what she by now though of as blood magic. She was sacrificing her health after all, and the wrongness of it might be a clue as well. Though for magic itself to judge right from wrong, she wasn’t sure. The thought came up in the back of her mind as she splattered another demon’s head, dodging downwards and kneeing another one in its crotch, breaking the pelvis before a third enemy was simply grabbed and with the help of some health sacrifice, the limbs were torn out with a quick tug.

She had lost the perception of time as the smell of blood and fire filled her senses. Her body moved through the enemies with the grace of a veteran dancer and the efficiency of a car manufacturing machine as blood sprayed on her Veil and armor until finally her breath became heavy, each hit slowed down as she came back to herself and checked her resources. Her mana was down to one hundred but her Stamina was at ten, climbing each second and falling down again with each hit. Around her were the corpses of dozens of monsters, more coming from the unending numbers of enemies.

Ilea sighed as her wings spread and she blinked upwards to avoid the three monsters that were about to run into her. With a much slower speed than usual, she flew back to the defensive line which at that point was several hundred meters away from her current position. She saw some of the people nodding towards her and realized that a couple of them had tried the same, some more successful than others as they cut paths into the demonic lines and grouped up monsters for the mages to destroy.

It was a good approach tactically speaking and would save a lot of mana and energy in the long run but it wasn’t without risks as she watched two warriors dragging out an injured woman from the claws of a dozen monsters. She was alive and would be fine but the risk was visible to all. Ilea wasn’t worried though, her skillset allowed her just this kind of approach and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Flying back, she landed near where the members of the Hand were resting, getting two nods, and some stares. One guy was even clapping when she sat down and thought about summoning a meal. She didn’t, seeing her nearly emptied state right now and the still high value of a storage item. Looking around she found a couple people cooking, a man near the pot nodding towards her as he filled a bowl with near boiling stew.

Ilea blinked over and grabbed the bowl with her bare hands, her skin too resistant at this point to be affected by it as she thanked the man and walked back to the tree trunk she had been sitting on.

“Your endurance is impressive.” the female mage she had initially rescued had landed next to her and joined Ilea on the fallen tree. Someone must’ve brought it there to sit, Ilea thought. An impossibility on earth or at least an incredible effort just for a temporary sitting solution but here it was just the appliance of a bit of magic.

“Thanks, the only problem seems to be my lack of impact. You guys can just fry fifty of them with a single spell.” Ilea said before blowing on the meal, an unnecessary gesture but still it felt right to her. It was good and she closed her eyes to appreciate the taste of the meal and the energy it brought back to her body, more than she felt any food she had ever consumed brought back. One of the best meals she’d ever enjoyed.

“Well I paused like ten times while you were out there so in the end the numbers are similar.” the mage replied but Ilea knew that not to be true. She saw the devastation of the mage’s spells. Trian alone burned through dozens of demons in mere seconds while she needed just as long to kill one.

“The ash control you have is impressive though, maybe you could do something there?” the woman asked.

“Yea, that’s the only thing I’m working on right now. I can’t really kill anything with it though.” Ilea answered. She didn’t want to look at any of her skill advancements yet as she ignored the messages in her head. The actual class levels wouldn’t be many as the demons were of a much lower levels bare some few. Ilea just hoped her skills would grow with this, especially from her second class.

“Not yet. Let me get some of that food as well.” the woman said, smiled and got up before she walked to the cooks as well. They were members of the Hand too it seemed, their levels all above two hundred as they fed the order before going back to fighting.

Meditation at its fullest brought back Ilea’s reserves in a mere ten to fifteen minutes. Her body was still sore from the expenditure and in the long run this wouldn’t be healthy, she knew and felt it to be that way. Still as it stood, she would invest as much as she could right now to advance her strength while there were still demons to kill.

“This food is amazing...” the woman next to her said as Ilea got up again. Around fifteen minutes had passed in the meantime. “Back already? You should give your body some more time even though your resources are full...” the woman said, a little worry in her voice.

“I’ll be fine.” Ilea said as she got up and walked to the bard nearby who had calmed her mind with his music.

“Thank you.” she simply said and flung a gold coin towards the man which he snapped out of the air before he bowed his head lightly.

“To hear praise from a warrior such as thee is prize enough. I’ll make sure to spend it wisely.” the bard replied before starting to play again. Ilea felt as her muscles relaxed and her mind focused, that music wasn’t just sound. Each member of the Hand it seemed, had more than just one trick up their sleeves. All of it was needed as this day would be a long one.

Chapter 146 Night Shift

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there. I hope you're having a good weekend

. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 146 Night Shift

The night was bright, the moon shining down onto Vilirya as Eve ran across dirty rooftops towards her destination. She had made some progress in her search for the so called Golden Lily. The organization she thought to be behind a lot of smaller gangs and corrupt government in at least the empire and maybe even beyond.

To destroy the problem at the root was what she believed in. If she could find and kill a single high ranking member of that organization, she could destabilize it immensely. Some of the people she had met and worked with in the years would discourage her, another one would fill the spot. Eve knew though that people who held a high position had years of experience and organizational skills. If it took a month or a year for the replacement to become just as efficient as the one before, then hundreds if not thousands would be spared pain and suffering.

There were holes in her argumentation and Eve had learned enough to know it wasn’t the right approach at all times but for the kind of work she did, it was necessary to steel herself. In the Hand she had finally gained the strength to face the people responsible and to become the executioner where no judge was allowed jurisdiction.

The sky was cloudless as she ran, only the sound of her featherlight steps on the stone and brick roofs resounding in the vicinity. Eve calmed her breathing and focused, thoughts would be distracting. She soon approached a small patch of land in one of the noble districts of Virilya. Flowers of all kinds proudly looked to the moon, alive and eager to grow even as winter came to an end. Magic no doubt.

A small house compared to the big noble mansions usually built in the city stood to the side of the piece of land. Eve ran through the field of flowers, the rustling of leafs filling her ears as she prepared to kill.

“What do you mean, I’m not going to cooperate with these people.” Claire said to the man in front of her, the lord of Vihal. She had practically taken over the defense and lead of the city while the demons attacked and now again she felt as if her power was ripped straight from her.

“You saved this city, I know this and so do you. The people will remember you but I cannot risk it. Their influence is too great I’m afraid and you of all people should understand the politics involved.” the man explained. Claire understood. Her rational mind understood but still she rejected it. It was unfair. A betrayal right after she thought to have finally reached the status she needed.

“They ask for a dear friend of mine and I’m not going to cooperate. Those are my principles and I will not budge.” she said, her voice calm as she locked eyes with the lord. The two were inside his office, enchantments kept listening ears out. He looked down and sighed.

“I thought it would come to this. Claire I’m sorry.” he said and she already prepared to defend herself but his next moves surprised her. The man got up from his chair and moved to a bookshelf, removing one book in particular which he opened. Inside was a letter that he handed to her.

“I’m a simple lord in a small town but still my word should hold some meaning to those who would listen. You’ve already joined the Shadow’s Hand and I’m sure you will be able to advance quickly with your talents. This might help pave the way. I know Ravenhall is occupied but my sources have brought information of the Hand gathering outside Virilya and moving out to take back the city. When you get there they will either be dead or back in power, likely more powerful than ever.” he started explaining with a quiet and fast voice.

Claire calmed herself again, he wasn’t going to betray her, at least not yet. To think a noble house in fuck all Dawntree had so much influence in the faraway town of Vihal to control the local Lord’s actions.

“It’s the safest place I can think of for you two. If you cannot be convinced to talk about your friend then Vihal will not be safe. WE will not be safe here because of you. You have three hours until we will agree to cooperate with them, your house will be empty and you will be declared an enemy to this town. We will look for you but we will find nothing, you’re a Shadow after all.” the man said and showed her a rare smile.

She had only seen him smile twice in the past weeks, once when they had rebuilt the city after the attack and it was safe enough again for people to resume their daily business. That was four days ago. Two days ago the adventurers hired by a noble family in Dawntree had arrived, asking for Claire and someone called Lilith. A name Ilea had mentioned from time to time.

“I need more time to prepare provisions…,” Clarie started, thinking things through, what to take and what to leave and how to transport her mother through the dangerous and still cold environment. The Lord stopped her with a move of his hand before he put it into his pocket.

“It’s something I prepared. This town is old Claire and you know that. When you came here you were Claire Russel, part of a forsaken noble house from far away. Now you have to leave again, branded as a public enemy but you will be remembered by the people. This is the parting gift and something that will let you remember. An apology if you will and my family’s biggest treasure.” he explained before he took out a small black ring from his pocket.

Handing it to Claire, she identified it and was prompted with the question to claim it as her own. Looking up to the man with a confused face, he just nodded. “Go ahead.” he said and so she did.

Tears nearly came to Claire’s eyes as she allowed herself to smile. “Good damn I hate politics. I thank you Lord Felt. Rule this town well.”

“Call me Damien.” the man said and bowed, deeply and with meaning. Claire was out of the room a moment later, rushing through the dark streets with purpose and anger in her eyes. She would burn down the whole city of Dawntree. Not now, not soon but in time. She had worked for years to get to this position, to ensure her own and her mother’s safety and she would work for decades to bring fire upon those that dared interfere.

________________________________________________________________________________

Ilea looked up and spread her wings, tired eyes glimpsed upon the moon while fires burned around her. The smell of blood lay thick in the air as she ascended, clawed hands grasping at her legs before she blinked away, nearly fainting as she wobbled through the air. Meditation took over as she slowly recovered but her mind was burnt through. The concentration required to keep up the style of fighting she had pursued was immense but so too was her growth, even with lower leveled enemies.

“God I’m tired...” she said as she flew back to the meal and rest station. Some of the people were already sleeping, others looked to the ground with cold eyes. Mages still unleashed their magic but as soon as this was done, more than one of them would drop unconscious for more than a couple days. A whole day and night had passed since their initial assault on the city and the mercenaries were tired.

Many were used to it, to fight for so long without much rest, to be stuck inside a dungeon or dangerous terrain for weeks or even months but the constant killing weighed on them, the seemingly endless stream of demons coming out of the city. At least their numbers were thinning, less and less clusters were seen in the distance but the work simply shifted from the long ranged mages to the warriors on the ground as they had to take care of each demon individually.

Ilea grabbed a bowl of food and flew away, to a secluded spot near where the whale had destroyed the terrain with its sound attack. Sitting down, she crossed her legs and started meditating as she ate and concentrated on the food. The skill helped her brain relax after hours of constant fighting and killing. She would have to go back soon enough but this time she gave herself half an hour. Ilea thought of Earth, of mornings in her bed with food and shows.

After this was over she would take a week off, just relax in her bed, eat and read before she would get back out to get stronger again. Hopefully her team would still be with her then. They could just do jobs until she felt powerful enough to look for the demon she had fought. Maybe find Edwin first. She chuckled at the thought, maybe she should wait. Find him when she was much stronger to simply slap him around like a kid. The thought brought joy to her and a warmth spread from near her heart.

“This is unhealthy thinking...” she said quietly and sighed, the smile was still on her face though. “This newfound freedom hasn’t been exactly free these past months...” she added and remembered a certain spider’s uncle and his talks of responsibility. Well soon enough the demons would be destroyed and all she had to worry about were more of them being summoned, elves attacking the humans of this world, eldritch beings getting interested in this realm, dwarven machines coming to life in hidden chambers deep underground. She stopped herself and slapped her cheeks.

She was free and she could do whatever the fuck she pleased. Maybe any of those things would happen and maybe she would join the fights but she would do it for herself, not some misplaced sense of duty or responsibility. The demons had destroyed Viscera and Ravenhall, places she thought of close to home. The elves had attacked Riverwatch and Salia, she wouldn’t forgive them anytime soon. And the Taleen machines, well the fuckers are creepy and nearly killed her. Thinking of the curse and the Praetorians made her angry. She would find them again and she would dismantle them piece by piece. “And it will be fun.” she said and continued eating, Meditation working overtime to keep her calm.

“You’re freaking me out a bit there woman.” Aki commented.

“Oh yes, I forgot about my fucking talking dagger.” Ilea said quietly. “Don’t worry about me. Just been a long day.” she added.

“I know, just trying to help.” the dagger said and kept quiet after that as she sat and finished her meal while watching the faraway stars. Before she started thinking of aliens she got up and walked back, renewed vigor in her tummy and mind. A smile on her face, her wings spread and soon enough she was back in the thick of it, her sphere allowing her to operate just as effectively in the night as many of the others huddled around magical lights created by the mages.

An hour later four mages were following Ilea around in the dark, destroying the groups of demons she managed to bring together. Her loud movements, shouting and fighting attracted them quickly as she ran through the destroyed environment around Ravenhall. The city itself still likely held tens of thousands of demons, in buildings and cellars. It would be safest to get as many of them out but Sulivhaan had decided to first clear the city’s surroundings.

More people had been sent to Viscera and the lake in Eregar’s Haven to both investigate and take care of the monsters that came out. Weavy insisted that only spawn would make it through and no bigger monsters like the ones summoned by the mind weavers the day before would even be attracted to the connection of planes but Sulivhaan was cautious at best. A dimensional connection like that had to at least be monitored by a sufficient amount of capable mages and warriors.

Ilea didn’t mind either way, less people fighting around the city meant more demons for her to kill. Her newfound power in State of Azarinth was now already a part of her, used in quick succession and more and more efficiently right before a blow. The power was overkill against the comparably weak demons but she had to learn how to use it, learn to control it. She was getting used to the pain, more and more with each use.

‘Maybe my pain tolerance will even level… I wonder if General Skills can reach the third tier...’ she thought as her fist smashed through a demon’s skull, the blood bone splashing onto her Veil before it fell down. A moving sea of ash followed her as she moved through the burning environment, four silent shadows following her in the air, waiting to unleash death and carnage.

A group of demons screamed as she approached the northern gate of the city, at least the place where it had stood before. Ilea focused her mind as she came to a stop, the four mages behind her powering up their spells as she moved the ash around her forward with the highest speed she could. The ash formed into sharp tendrils, condensed as much as possible at their tips before they reached the horde of demons. The impact was underwhelming but Ilea smiled as some of the demons’ skin was lightly scratched.

Deafening sound and flashes of light followed as the mages unleashed their spells. Ilea watched as the monsters were torn apart and burned to ash as blood and guts splattered onto the Veil before her. “Alright, to work then...” she said to no one in particular as she blinked into the lingering flames and started picking off the surviving and approaching demons.

“Hey, look who we have here...” the voice of Rock reached Ilea before the man landed, flattening a demon with his hammer before he grabbed another one with his bare hand, smashing its body on the ground. Ilea heard bone cracking before he got up again.

“Surroundings clear then?” Ilea asked as she brushed away the sweat on her forehead, Meditation working as she looked around to find the gap in the wall devoid of any demons, at least living ones. Hours had passed and the mages had left one after the other to regain their resources. Right now there was only one remaining who was refilling his mana while sitting on the broken off wall. The man’s shiny coat reflected the moonlight from above. It was a cloudless night, good for the Hand as not everyone of them could see very well in complete darkness.

“More or less, yes. I can’t believe how easy it became to kill them after the mages left, could’ve done this all alone.” Rock said and smiled. The man had apparently rested long enough, Ilea thought as she smiled a little at his carelessness.

“Well while you slept I’ve been clearing out the city, though I haven’t gotten very far.” she said, looking around the rubble of the once big square. They were standing barely twenty meters away from the wall.

“You should rest as well Ilea.” the man said, his face turning serious as more members of the Hand entered into the city.

“We’re supposed to form teams and start clearing out the buildings and streets one by one.” Rock said as Ilea spotted Navalis landing on the wall.

“I’ll be fine, go on then. You’re wasting time hammerman.” Ilea said as she walked to a piece of rock and sat down, removing her helmet, a tired smile on her face.

“Gods you’re beautiful, you know that?” Rock said as he shook his head and motioned for Navalis and presumably the hidden rogue of their team who was hiding somewhere to follow.

“Thanks.” was all Ilea could answer, she really appreciated the honest compliment though she had little interest in the man, not anymore. She sat there for a couple minutes, twirling around the dagger in her hand as more and more teams of mercenaries entered the city. A long night following a long day. She put on her helmet again and looked at her hands before they were balled into fists.

The Shadow’s Hand worked for three days and four nights straight to clear out every cellar, every house and the whole underground of Ravenhall. Demon corpses littered the streets and occupied nearly every house, it reeked of rot and blood. Curses, the undead, spirits and other monsters would appear soon enough. Ilea didn’t mind as she strolled through the city streets, more monsters would mean more experience, more strength and at least a small piece of revenge.

The Hand had repurposed some of the most central government buildings of the city to establish their command. People worked in shifts, some cooking, some sleeping and others scouring the beaten down city for any surviving demons. Ilea reached the gap in the wall where earth mages were already working on rebuilding it to ensure any surviving demons would be trapped inside.

Her wings spread behind her in silence before she took to the air, landing on the wall a moment later. The suns were coming up slowly, the horizon bathed in red and pink. Ash was created around her and clung to her battered armor, Ilea’s growing control of the element allowing her to clean it from the blood and grime that managed to get through her Veil. The sunlight illuminated a part of the field in front of the once proud city. Fires were still burning all around as mages created holes in the ground to burn the corpses as others moved said corpses into the holes.

The work would take longer than even the fight had been but still the mercenaries worked tirelessly. Ilea would join them soon but first she would find something to eat.

Chapter 147 Chaos is a laddah

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys and gals, enjoye the chapter. Thanks for reading and have a nice day

">!

Chapter 147 Chaos is a laddah

Checking around the wall, she found that nobody was looking towards her as she crouched down and summoned one of Keyla’s meals. She still had a bunch of them in store but she’d have to go back to Virilya to get more at some point. A horn sounded in the distance, not from within the city. Ilea put a fork of food into her mouth as she looked towards the sound, seeing a rider climb over a hill. Following behind were a whole dozen more. Soon the whole hill was filled with armored riders, flags of the empire fluttering in the wind.

Spring had come, Ilea thought as she enjoyed the food and watched the riders frozen atop their hill, watching the scene before them. The field of battle and thousands of corpses, the destroyed and smoking city, the corpse of a massive whale and half of a squid.

“A bit late, aren’t they?” Kyrian said as he landed next to her.

“They can help clean up. How many came?” she asked as she glanced towards the man, neither wearing a helmet. The battle was over.

“Looked like a couple hundred from higher up.” he said and Ilea shook her head.

“They would’ve been slaughtered...” she said and continued eating.

“I think those are scouts, should’ve been fine against the lower leveled demons but yes, it’s good we came.” the man said. “About...” he started and stopped again, looking away.

Ilea looked at him with inquisitive eyes. “I’m gonna take a vacation in my house after the cleanup is done, you’re welcome to join me.” she said and enjoyed the smile she saw on his face through her Sphere.

“Thanks, I like you… you know?” he said.

Sometimes Ilea thought the man acted a bit like a kid, or at least a teen. Well it was endearing in a way, compared to the politicians and strong willed schemers she had met so far, Kyrian was refreshing in a way.

“I like you too, mate.” she said and enjoyed the struggle on his face when she added the mate. ‘Ahh, the joys of playing with the hearts of men.’ Ilea smiled before she punched his shoulder.

“We can fuck again.” she whispered in his ear before she moved away and put on her helmet. “First we clean up though, let’s see who this company of late heroes are and if they can help."

“You cruel woman.” Aki commented in a quiet tone. The dagger was quite glad her sexual attention had moved away from him and to the metal mage. He knew she was joking but deep down Aki feared her, her mad capabilities.

“Fu… ah… yes, let’s.” the man stuttered, quite differently than his initial stutter that seemed mostly gone at this point. His helmet appeared, faster than ever Ilea thought as she grinned under hers.

“Oh look, Sulivhaan’s already moving out.” she said, seeing the man fly up from the middle of the city followed by at least a dozen people behind him. She followed the scene as she put her empty bowl back into her storage necklace, her wings spreading behind her as Kyrian’s spheres hovered into his hands.

The Hand’s members from within the city and outside converged around their newfound leaders, Dagon and Sulivhaan walking at the front to greet the imperial officers. Ilea and Kyrian joined Trian who was among the people who flew out with Sulivhaan initially.

“The city is cleared out then?” the officer in charge said, still on his horse.

“It is, though we would appreciate your help with the cleanup.” Sulivhaan answered.

“The Scout order cannot spare anybody for such a mundane task. Where is the current leading elder of your order, I’d like to discuss the reestablishment of the city’s governing body.” the officer went on. Ilea was already losing interest, political games already starting after hundreds of thousands had died, humans always found a way to disappoint her, time and time again.

“Why I didn’t want to study history...” she murmured to herself as she felt the tension around her rise.

“Will you truly not honor the contract between the Shadow’s Hand and the Empire of Lys?” Dagon started talking, taking a step towards the officer on his horse. “In the Third agreement the terms of cooperation in case of an attack on Ravenhall are clearly written down. Your so called mundane task is not beyond any one of your soldiers, it is in fact your duty.” Dagon said.

“I’m Dagon Keywire, the current representative of the Hand together with my dear friend.” he said and motioned towards Sulivhaan who stood next to him in a relaxed manner. “We may discuss the cleanup, rebuild and following reestablishment of government in the city center, if you and the other representatives may join us. I’m sure the long ride has tired you.” he finished. The officer was about to answer when a second one put a hand on his shoulder.

“We will gladly join you lord librarian.” the woman said, getting a smile and nod from Dagon. The mercenaries dispersed again, continuing their respective work as the Scouts entered the city on their horses. Ilea watched them go when one of the soldiers waved at her and rode closer.

“Hey, we managed to get some backup! Sorry for being too late.” the woman said and scratched the back of her helmet.

“Ah, you’re that scout from Morhil… thanks, the cleanup will take a while.” Ilea said and smiled at her before the woman nodded and followed her company.

“I’ll join the cleanup, let me know when you want to leave.” Kyrian said to her and received a nod in response.

Ilea looked at the company of riders as they formed a thin line and rode towards the city. Some things would change with the Hand, that was for sure. She sat down on the muddy ground and finally scrolled through the notifications in her mind. The past six days were long and she had killed more living beings than she had in her whole time in Elos combined beforehand. Most of them were much weaker than her, at least when it came to the numbers.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Bone Warrior lvl 74 – Demon]’

…

The kill notifications were countless and Ilea simply skipped them and got to the juicy notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 222 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 223 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 224 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘Just three levels for the main class… guess I’ll have to find some higher leveled drakes soon… or dragons at this point.’ Ilea thought as she shook her head and continued.

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 217 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 218 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 219 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 220 – Five stat points have been awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have gained one 3rd tier skill point in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash].’

‘Well at least four levels here and another 3rd tier point, just shit that I apparently have zero Inheritor skills to level up...’ Ilea thought and sighed but she felt good, she was progressing again. At a somewhat fast pace but she planned to find higher leveled enemies again, killing hordes of demons was tiring, especially when you got a single level for a thousand killed. And boring, she didn’t feel particularly in danger except when fighting the whale and Green, your lovable neighborhood demon.

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the First Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 15’

A bunch of Azarinth skills had reached level twenty in their second tier, all Ilea needed now was to do whatever was required to unlock their third tier capabilities and then level up her class enough to get them all to third tier. The next one would likely be at level 240 and she already decided to take Hunter Recovery after her earlier choice of State of Azarinth. Hitting the level twenty mark was nice but it was a double edged sword as she was now unable to increase those skills, at least until she hit a much higher level.

‘I do have enough to work on in my other class though...’ she thought as she looked through the notifications there.

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘Well that one was effective...’ she thought and looked at the number again to make sure. Ash creation was nearly at level twenty as well, though she did use it through nearly all of the past six days while surrounded by admittedly rather weak enemies. Perhaps it was because the skill didn’t rely on fighting, so using it while fighting with another nearly twenty skills active and in a stressful environment made the leveling process more effective.

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches lvl 20’

That one was a gamble. Ilea had simply activated the skill whenever her mana wasn’t low. She didn’t manage to damage any enemies with the heat itself but it might’ve helped in attracting more monsters towards her. Maybe reaching the second stage would make the skill more useful than it was at the moment. Anything it would manage to damage even a little bit would die by a couple of her punches anyway and against anything stronger it would simply be useless.

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Again Ilea was happy she invested so much of her mana and concentration on the swirling pool of ash around her. The demons weren’t dangerous enough to be defensive but still provided her with enough skill boost to level those skills up rather quickly. Against anything stronger she’d probably focus without using the manipulation and creation abilities a lot, other than blinding the enemy or hiding herself.

She held up her hand where a small swirl of ash came into existence and formed into a ball of ash, she concentrated and the ball condensed further and further until it was barely a tenth of its original size. Slowly she lowered the ball and closed her hand around it. It was solid and she had to use quite a bit more effort than expected to pulverize it with her hand. ‘At least I can throw these to attract enemies...’ she thought and smiled before she moved on to the rest of the skills.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 15’

Ilea’s second class was catching up with her first one and the skills finally closed the gap as well. She was happy. Checking for third tier skills to advance, she found that there was apparently none to use her skill points on. Veil of Ash at least was level twenty in its second stage but she must be missing something still.

Focusing on the positive, Ilea told herself that she’d get there eventually. The progress was fantastic and all she had to do was fight demons for six days straight. The Hand must’ve profited from this endeavor quite a bit when it came to personal strength. Their numbers were reduced by a tenth or more but in the end they likely were stronger.

Ilea saw that her Meditation skill had reached level seventeen in its second stage as well, pretty much the skill that let her fight for so long in the past week. She would consider its capabilities rather ridiculous if it weren’t for the fact that literally everyone had it. The skill just made her healing ability even more insanely good as she just needed ten to twenty minutes and she could go from literally broken and near death to perfectly fine again, at least physically.

Her newfound 35 stat points were put into Endurance, Intelligence and Wisdom. She checked her new status and was quite happy with the result.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 2

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 224

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 7

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 15

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 220

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 18

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 20

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 15

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 17

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 2

- Water Resistance – lvl 6

- Wind Resistance – lvl 7

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 16

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 2

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 525

Wisdom 415

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 3421/3500

Mana: 4128/4150

‘I’m pretty damn awesome...’ she thought and grinned. The tiredness from the past days slowly caught onto her when she heard an explosion in the distance. Looking into the direction she saw a forested patch near a faraway mountain where a fiery ball slowly dispersed a couple dozen meters above ground. ‘A signal?’ she thought and narrowed her eyes. The slowly rising suns didn’t reach the specific part yet and Ilea doubted she’d have even seen the fire in complete daylight.

‘Ah what the hell, why not…’ she thought and spread her wings. A good excuse not to shovel corpses around and it was certainly more interesting than the discussions between imperial officials and the librarian.

It took Ilea a couple minutes at full speed to close the distance enough for her to make out more. Though the caster of the spell was still hidden inside the thick forest, she could make out the familiar light of a barrier. A lone barrier mage must’ve either wandered off or was it someone coming towards them?

Eyes stared back at her as another spell hit her barrier. Claire summoned a heavy blanket and put it on the hard ground before she moved her mother onto it. The woman was quiet as always, her eyes absent just the same as if she were sitting in her room in Vihal. The last days were rough but they had made it so far, her goal so close. The smoke in the distance had made her cautious but having seen the imperial scouts ride by made her hopeful.

She smiled at her mother as she summoned another blanket from her new ring. The woman was clad in a warm cloak already and she wasn’t known to get sick easily but Claire didn’t want to take chances. Traveling this far in such a short time had to have an impact on her. The horses had been left behind, both of them too tired to continue after a two day’s travel. There was no time to clear the trail and even an adequate tracker could’ve followed.

Chapter 148 Bearded Follower

A note from Rhaegar

And another one.

Let me know what you think and what I can improve. I know I don't answer to a lot of comments but they're here and as soon as I have more time I'll get to them

">.

Chapter 148 Bearded Follower

Claire just didn’t expect the noble’s hunters to actually follow and confront her. They must either be desperate, under some kind of spell or extremely well paid. None of them were above her level, the closest one being at one eighty. Still with the six of them standing around the shield and her mother within, it would be a difficult fight. The explosion she had sent upwards was meant for the imperials but none of them had even looked in her direction, preoccupied by whatever lay before them.

“Are you sure you want to die here, mage?” one of her enemies said, an older man, his ax laying lazily in his hands. The man didn’t smile, his question not a mocking one but one filled with confusion.

“Protecting a friend shouldn’t stand above your own and your mother’s life. We’re even instructed to pay you, though I doubt that will be an option after this unnecessary pursuit.” the man said as he dragged his ax across her shield, small sparks falling towards the snow before they vanished in the air.

“And really? Trying to alarm the army? Didn’t you realize already that you’re the one against the law?” the man asked and shook his head while another laughed. A sharp glance from their apparent leader shut the man up immediately.

“We’ll wait her out, the trees are covering us but if we make a ruckus...” the leader said when Claire felt something and looked up. A smile tugged on her lips as she saw a silhouette against the sun. A moment later a figure in black landed near their group and stood up. Dark wings of ash started floating away and vanishing behind the warrior, their armor black as the night, scratched and battered, one of the helmet’s horns chipped. Blue eyes locked with Claire’s before the warrior took in the scene with a curious glance.

Claire sighed and felt a weight leave her shoulders as she crouched down to her mother and brushed her hair. “Is she alright?” Ilea asked and Claire just nodded before she looked at her friend with a smile.

Claire stood behind one of her shields, surrounded by six people. The old woman below the blankets was apparently fine, so Ilea put her attention towards the others. A man with an ax walked a couple steps towards her and nodded.

“Greetings, warrior of the Hand. I assume Ravenhall has been retaken then?” he asked and put the butt of his ax on the ground.

“Greetings, warrior of? The city was retaken, yes.” she said as she watched their movements through her Sphere. Claire seemed more relaxed now with her coming as she brushed the woman’s hair. The shield however stayed up.

“You may call me Horrus, we’re here with orders from Dawntree. This woman, a mage of the Hand has information on a dangerous fugitive.” he explained as the others moved a little around Claire’s barrier.

“Horrus then. From Dawntree? That is quite a long way to come for information on a fugitive. And why is it that she is protected behind a barrier?” Ilea asked with interest.

“It is a long way. The woman refused to cooperate, perhaps the persuasion of someone in her own order might help. We will reward you handsomely of course. We’re just here for the information, neither of them will be harmed, that is my promise to you.” the man said. The five others were now all in attacking range, either they didn’t share their leader’s diplomatic approach or he was deceiving her. The annoyed glances he shot towards the people behind her made it seem like the former.

“What are you looking for anyway, depending on the situation I might want more to help.” Ilea said, thoroughly interested in what Claire might know to cause hunters like them to come from Dawntree.

The man sighed and nodded before touching his bushy beard. “We’re looking for a female healer with the name of Lilith. We know this woman has ties to her.” the man said as Ilea tried very hard not to laugh. A big grin came to her face as she stayed calm.

“Lilith… I have heard of her as well. I think she tried to join the Hand a while ago.” she said to them after a while.

“Impossible, she was nowhere near level two hundred.” one of the mages said.

“She said the bitch tried to join, not that she did...” a warrior said, apparently he wanted to be the first one to be killed by her.

“So you know of her, then I will extend the rewards to you. Ten gold coins for information that will lead directly to her, descriptions, information on skills and classes will increase the rewards.” the leader said.

“Hmm...” Ilea said as she scratched her illusionary beard. Not an actual magical illusion.

“I know all of those things, in fact I know where she is right now...” she said and saw the man’s eyes light up. A long search it had been, that was sure. “I want to know something in return though, you may subtract the value of said information from the reward.” she said and looked towards the man.

“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you if we can’t give you the information.” he said, accepting to negotiate.

“Well it’s simple. I just want to know why you’re looking for her, when I met that girl she seemed to be on the run but didn’t want to tell me why...” Ilea said. The man seemed a little reluctant but looking at his men he shook his head a moment later.

“A girl ran away, a girl by the name of Alice. We believe she might be with the woman called Lilith.” he explained, sharing just enough to explain the situation without mentioning any family names or what exactly had happened. Ilea could think of the rest. Finally, the girl made one right choice. Running away from home to find her own way in the world, maybe it wasn’t such a bad decision to be nice to her. Only if she didn’t die of course. Ilea smiled under her helmet, knowing that the noble girl would have to survive in the wild. Perhaps next time they met, the noble wouldn’t be such a fucking twat.

“That’s awful. Well you convinced me. You know, the woman’s name isn’t actually Lilith. Neither is she a healer, at least not anymore.” Ilea started as she cracked her neck. “She did in fact join the hand, and in full capacity.” she said and looked towards the man who had called her a bitch.

“Her skills include mostly body enhancements. She fights with her fists and legs.” she said, as she lifted one fist. “I heard she can crush a man’s skull with her bare hands.” her smile got bigger as she felt the tension around her rise. “She’s clad in black, as most members of the Hand. To top it off though, she has ashen wings that carry her through the skies.”

“You….” the leader said as he lifted his ax.

“Me? Yes, welcome to Ravenhall Mr. Holmes. And now everyone, you’ll tell me what you did to Claire.” Ilea said, her eyes turning cold.

“Who cares about her now, we found you. Where’s Alice? The reward is still up for you to get, depending on what you tell us.” the man said, his ax angled more offensively now.

“Who cares about her? I do. And I swear if you don’t answer me now I will kill all of you. I don’t give a rat’s ass about Alice, she’s ran off from her shitty family, good for her. I hope she’s far away from here now and gets strong enough to fight for herself. And to develop some bloody common sense...” she said as she locked eyes with the leader.

A moment later he relented, looking towards the ground. “So it was you? You got her to leave?” the man said before he looked at her again. “We simply asked her about you, nothing more.” he added, looking towards Claire.

“They threatened my hometown, made me a fugitive and forced us out before they hunted us down and attacked us, several times until now. I would’ve killed them all if it wasn’t for my mother.” Claire said, not looking at them, her voice clear as it rang through her shield.

“Interesting. For you, I didn’t make Alice leave, that was her own decision. As was it your decision to seek out Claire and treat her the way you did.” Ilea said, a chunk of health leaving her as a red glow appeared to mix with her eyes’ blue.

“She’s...” one of them said when Ilea appeared in their midst, grabbing her first target by the throat and lifting him up. He would learn not to insult her, though that knowledge wouldn’t impact his remaining life by much. Blood sprayed onto the snow below, the mage’s throat ripped out as Ilea turned around, facing the incoming ax as a Veil of Ash stopped it in its movement.

“You fool...” the man said as the ax started burning and pushed through her defenses. She blinked and appeared next to a mage who moved further away, surely to attack her from a distance. Aki was unsheathed and stabbed into his heart. She felt his health drain as she grabbed onto his arm with her free hand, using reversed Hunter Recovery to speed up the process, destructive mana flowing into him.

The man was dropped to the ground a moment later, his eyes cold as blood slowly flowed from the wound in his chest. The rest charged, four warriors, their weapons drawn. Ilea sacrificed another two hundred health and advanced, the snow and dirt pushed downwards below her feet as she met the men. A sword was dodged before her knee hit a stomach, a wave of ember and destruction pushing into the man, destroying organs as the sheer force of her attack broke bones.

A dagger scratched at her veil as she grabbed the arm, breaking it with a quick movement before she grabbed the weapon and smashed it in the warrior’s skull. The ax swing of their leader was blocked by her bracers as she stood, moving not an inch backwards to the man’s surprise. Grabbing the blade of his weapons, she ripped it out of his hands and threw it into the forest. Metal clung against wood as the last warrior attacked her with a flurry of blade swings, forcing her backwards a couple meters. She danced and dodged around the weapon before she twirled into one of his attacks, coming face to face with him before a headbutt sent him staggering backwards with more than a broken nose. A hard punch to his chest dented his armor inwards, breaking a bunch of ribs. Blood shot out of his mouth before he fell down, coughing as tears came to his eyes.

A calm came over the surroundings as the leader walked towards his ax and Ilea waited, the warrior she had just fought quieted down slowly, more blood coming to his mouth with each cough before finally, he stopped.

“You will regret going against the Forkspears.” the man said, grabbing his ax from the ground as mana flowed around him, his muscles tensing.

Ilea just shrugged. “You will regret going against a friend.”

The man chuckled, the ax gripped even more firmly as he prepared his strike. “Yes I do.” he said before he rushed towards her, the blade coming sideways as Ilea blinked behind it. A sudden force changed the direction of his ax almost immediately, Ilea jumping upwards to avoid the strike. The momentum of his swing left him open to the kick she delivered out of her jump, sending him tumbling backwards.

His weapon flung towards Claire’s shield and scratched against it before it landed in the snow with a thud. Slowly he got up, breathing heavy as he held his shoulder. His helmet had been flung off as well and he grinned at her. Ilea had considered letting him live, fuck the consequences. She liked the guy. Seeing him now though, she wouldn’t insult him any further.

“I’m Ilea Spears, it was an honor fighting you. Sad to see you as my enemy.”

“As it was for me. Horrus Daemon.” he said, putting his arm towards his chest as Ilea blinked towards his weapon, flinging the heavy thing towards him as if it were a mere toy.

“Good thing I never had kids.” he said and rushed towards her. Ilea equipped her bladed gauntlets and let his strike rush past her veil. When it changed directions, she blinked next to him and slashed through his neck with all her strength, her overcharged State of Azarinth flowing through her.

Her gauntlets vanished again into her necklace as she turned around to see the man falling, his head coming off in the last second, blood coloring the ground. Ilea breathed out and closed her eyes. “Alright.” she said, five seconds later and walked towards Claire who hadn’t even been watching.

The shield cracked and turned to small lights that vanished a moment later, Ilea appearing next to the two. “May I?” she asked and crouched down after not receiving an answer, touching the old woman lightly. She was a little cold but healthy. Her demeanor reminded Ilea of war movies and documentaries she had seen, an unresponsive state it seemed. Something had happened to Claire’s mother but Ilea wouldn’t ever ask about it.

“She’s fine.” Ilea said and got up again. “Ravenhall’s clear but we’re just starting to burn the demon corpses. There’s a bunch.”

“Tell me about it, we just finished burning them a couple days ago.” Claire said. “Thanks.” she added.

“No reason to thank me, we’re friends after all.” Ilea said and extended a helping hand.

“Go burn your demons, I’ll join you soon. Are the others there?” Claire asked.

“I came here to avoid doing exactly that. Trian and Kyrian, yes. And a new friend we made. He’s… well let’s say he’s different.” Ilea answered.

“A demon? Of course...” Claire murmured to herself as she put away the blankets again, helping her mother stand. “We’ll have to burn these corpses as well, can you line them up for me, a concentrated explosion will do the trick.” Claire said.

“Sure, not the beard guy though, I’ll bury him.” Ilea said.

“Are you sure? They might find us that way.”

“They know who you are already and they know their team never came back. I’ll give him the respect he deserves.” Ilea said and she wouldn’t change her mind. “I’ll bury him a while away at least.” she said, throwing together the corpses. Her wings sprouted from her back as she grabbed the remaining head, the rest of Horrus’ corpse and made his ax vanish into her necklace.

“I saw you also got a storage ring, congratulations.” Ilea said.

“It’s not all happy… I guess this is better than what I expected though. I see you got a bunch of levels.” Claire said as she shouldered her mother, throwing a handful of runed stones towards the corpses.

“Yea, not gonna stop anytime soon. See you in the city?” Ilea asked as she flew upwards.

“Will do, after I took care of her.” Claire answered.

A row of five explosions could be heard ringing through the thick forest as Ilea flew high and far, holding onto the two pieces of a man she had killed mere minutes ago. A strange life she had come to live, she thought as she lifted the head up and looked at it. Not a bit of regret or fear on her mind, only respect for the warrior he once was and anger at the noble family that caused him to come here.

At some point she’d visit Dawntree again and she already knew of at least one person who would likely join her. Well two if Alice actually survived and reached a suitable level of strength for an undertaking such as she thought of.

Ilea flew for a couple minutes through the snowy mountains until she reached a small clearing inside of a patch of forest. The snow crunched as she landed and took a couple steps to the middle of the clearing. Holding out her hand, ash came into existence. Ilea thought of it more like mana transforming into the element, almost like alchemy. She let the ash flow for a minute and then concentrated.

First she formed two big walls of ash and solidified them. The thin walls flowed downwards and cut into the snow before they pushed outwards, revealing the frozen ground below. ‘Earth...’ she thought and changed the ash into four separate tendrils ending in spikes. Hovering them over the ground, she used as much force as she could and stabbed downwards. The compressed ash smashed into the ground, breaking in the process.

Ilea lifted the ash up and compressed it again, fixing the broken parts. She saw through her Sphere that the spikes did have an impact. So she repeated it, over and over. After twenty times, the ground was splintering. After a hundred, she cut half a meter into the ground. Soon the patch she focused on was filled with cold but loose earth. Putting the corpse aside, she bent down and took a handful of the earth, moving it around in her hand.

Her ash manipulation skill was marvelous. She smiled at the success and continued attacking the ground with ashen spikes and other forms she deemed good. The spikes had the most success though and she soon found herself in front of a grave sized patch with easy to move earth.

Sneaking a thin layer of ash under the earth, she solidified it and lifted up the earth. At least she tried, finding it rather difficult because of the weight. Ilea’s mana was dwindling fast as she concentrated on the hard magical labor. It took another fourteen tries and three sessions of meditation to move out the earth in one go.

She took the time to continue her training to keep the ash in the air next to her as she moved the corpse inside the hole. Putting the head close to the neck, she closed her eyes and stepped back. The earth moved over the grave and was slowly let down, covering the body of the deceased man.

Ilea stepped away a moment later, her wings forming on her back. Looking down she frowned at the state of her armor. ‘Balduur better be able to repair this...’ she thought. The set of armor really grew on her, even though she already liked it a lot upon finding it. “Aight, back to corpsefield...” Ilea said and sighed. Maybe something else interesting would happen to save her from the work.

Chapter 149 Reminiscing and Planning

A note from Rhaegar

Beep Boop. Automated posting. Thanks for reading

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Chapter 149 Reminiscing and Planning

Sadly nothing big had seemed to have happened to the city or the field. Ilea returned and joined the working people outside Ravenhall. Several holes with burning corpses were spread around the country side and the imperial company had joined the cleanup. Ilea overheard someone grumbling about priests and blessing the city and the field.

She tried to continue her ash training but found the process of moving corpses incredibly slow compared to just chucking them into the holes. So she combined it and moved around the battlefield, falling into a sort of trance as she moved corpse after corpse. Still a mass of ash whirled around her at all times, at least pushing and tumbling the corpses towards the nearest hole as she grabbed and threw them into the pits of fire. Her Embered Body Heat worked overtime as well, now that she didn’t have to keep all the fighting skills active and with State of Azarinth losing its usual cost, she could work on it with a little more focus.

The stink was bad, even with her reduced senses and a cloth bound over her nose. At least the monsters didn’t have a lot of hair usually. That might’ve been a completely different beast to bear.

It took the good part of an afternoon to clean up just a part of the field. Ilea decided to pause for a while and flew to the city to eat. Smoke was still rising in some places and rubble covered many streets. The path of destruction left behind by the whale was a big reminder of what had happened here. More imperial soldiers were strewn around in the city itself, moving corpses and rubble away just like the ones outside the walls.

Ilea received nods from both soldiers and mercenaries as she made her way to the central square, where both the officers of the Scout company and the Shadow’s Hand remained. Fires were burning in the square and several groups of people were eating, talking or sparring. Ilea passed tables with card games going on and bets were placed on two warriors fighting with their firsts, perhaps something to join later.

“The architecture was marvelous, vast. Not something you’d see even in the capital. What did you say you called them? Old ones right?” Trian explained with an interested voice.

“Ah there she is, I’d probably still be there if it weren’t for this reckless fucker. Not sure if I should thank or curse you for that.” the man said and waved towards her.

“You’d be dead and a demon by now Sparkly.” Ilea said as she sat down on the table with Claire, Kyrian and Weavy.

“Ilea, you have returned. We heard you have saved Claire.” Weavy said as he awkwardly lifted his mug of ale.

“Why was I the only one still cleaning up outside?” she asked and shook her head.

“You actually get paid for that you know, I think that’s why so many of the Hand are still out there.” Trian said.

“Really? I just thought I’d help out.” Ilea said and took the meal Trian graciously summoned from his storage ring and handed to her. The man used his ring like a status symbol. The steaming soup was exactly what Ilea needed right now as she removed the cloth from around her mouth.

“Vihal was attacked as well, the reports are still unclear but it seems like a lot of towns and cities have been attacked by demons, not few of them falling.” Claire said as she played with a runed stone, scratching into it with a small knife.

“Creating more demons in the process. I just hope this can be cleaned up without completely destroying Lys...” Trian commented, summoning a notebook.

“Not just Lys, they’ve gone further as well. The impact will be less severe but we probably have the strongest military here, I don’t think the response in Kroll or Baralia came close to what the imperial army managed to do. And with the refugees coming from the west...” Claire stopped talking when Trian showed her the contents of his notebook.

“Are those?…,” she asked and took the book. Ilea recognized the design of the runes.

“From the demon realm?” Ilea asked and looked at Trian who nodded.

“Yea, we sketched most of them down as well as we could. Maybe you can find out something, especially with everything left behind in Eregar’s Haven.” Trian said.

“No, these are different. Intricate, yet simple. I’ll study them, what do you want for this book?” Claire asked as she looked at Trian.

“Take it, it has little use to me.” he simply said as she stared at him, opening her mouth before she shrugged.

“Thanks, it means a lot.” the rune mage said and made the book vanish, getting a raised eyebrow from Trian and a chuckle from Ilea.

“We’re advancing, soon we’ll all be noble families Trian...” Ilea said with a mocking tone and touched his hand.

“Oh god no.” the man said and leaned back. “Speaking of, I’ll go back to my family now that Ravenhall has been retaken. The Hand thing was a nice experience but it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter. You’re all welcome to visit me, even Eve…” the man said.

“Yea, where is she anyway?” Ilea asked and shook her head. “You don’t think she died?”

“That one? No.” Trian said and chuckled.

“I don’t think so, she probably vanished to avoid paying back the Hand.” Claire said in a quiet voice.

“Yea, that sounds like her. Well I guess she’s gone then one way or the other. Guess I’ll visit her at some point.” Ilea said and finished her soup with a slurp, the look on Trian’s face bringing her the crystallized version of joy in its purest form.

“What are you guys going to do now?” Kyrian asked, speaking his first words in the past minutes.

Claire sighed and leaned back a little on the bench. “I’ll stay with the Hand, permanently if possible. Do you guys know the mage and librarian who seem to have taken the lead?”

“I do, both of them. Don’t worry about it.” Ilea said, ready to put in a good word for her companion. The woman was capable after all, if she desired a position in the Hand’s administration or even leadership, that definitely wasn’t outside of her capabilities.

“Me and Kyrian will be at my house for a while and then who knows? Run more jobs for the Hand for a while and maybe go somewhere new. Anywhere dangerous with high level monsters you know of?” Ilea asked.

“Typical. Well if you stay with the Hand I’ll gladly manage your missions.” Claire said. “Randomly dangerous? The north is good, north of the Navali forest and over the Naraza mountain chain. Expeditions try to break through now and then, maybe you can join one. You’re sure to find danger there.” Claire explained.

“I hear none of the ships going east have ever returned.” Kyrian said, a small smile forming on his lips.

“Wait, you and Kyrian? Are you a thing?” Trian asked and chuckled. Ilea just looked at him before the man punched Kyrian. “Good job, if she remains unchained for much longer the nobles will soon appoint their daughters for succession.” he joked.

‘We’ll see who will be in chains...’ Ilea thought and looked at Kyrian who just gulped.

“You know women are in charge already in some provinces of the empire and the northern kingdoms have a long standing history of matriarchy.” Claire pointed out as Trian groaned.

“He was joking Claire, the guy isn’t a tenth the noble asshole he pretends to be.” Ilea said, not getting a response from the man.

“So that’s it then, the team breaks up already…,” Ilea said, leaning back. “I must say it was fun.”

“Well we’ll all be around.” Claire said. “It’s just safer for me and my mother to stay here. As soon as… maybe I’ll think about adventuring again.”

“I think you fit in perfectly here, don’t forget to hone your skills though, you’re falling behind.” Ilea joked and roughly grabbed the woman’s shoulder. Ilea suddenly froze.

“Oh shit, speaking of staying here. Kyrian I really didn’t plan on taking care of a kid.” Ilea suddenly said.

“You’re already pregnant? That was fast.” Trian said, summoning a mug of ale. “Congratulations.”

“Congratula...” Claire was stopped by a gesture of Ilea.

“I’m talking about Cless, the girl we found in that ruin.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll find a place for her if you find a place for me, deal?” Claire asked with a sly smile.

“That sounds perfect, make sure she gets strong enough to rip apart the best of men.” Ilea replied and shook hands with the woman.

“What about the animals?” Kyrian asked and Ilea just kept shaking Claire’s hand whose smile slowly waned.

“What have I agreed on...” the woman asked herself.

“It’s fine, worst comes to worst you have a couple nice meals.” Ilea joked and released the woman’s hand. The suns marked the passing of the afternoon as they moved on the horizon, smoke rising high from outside and inside the city where the pits were still burning.

“What about the demon?” Claire asked.

“I have a place for him, we can go there tomorrow I guess. I’m sure you’ll make marvelous new friends.” she said and smiled at Weavy who was apprehensive at best.

“The elves aren’t your friends you know… speaking of, that’s another dangerous place you could go.” Trian said.

“Nah, I’m not talking about them. And yea, at some point I’ll go there alright...” she said, her eyes turning cold.

“Hey, don’t look at me. Human right?” Trian said, touching his ears.

“You’re not the first who wants to face them, nor are you the last. Just be aware that only few have returned from the western woods. The theory going around that the elves attacking us are mostly just their young seems plausible with the stories from the survivors. I even think they’re let go on purpose to discourage our foraging into their territory.” Claire said as she summoned a portion of cheese and bread, distributing it on the table, hesitating at Weavy but ultimately giving him a piece too that he started studying immediately.

“Yea, so everywhere outside the human plains is dangerous, got it. How come we’re not destroyed already, it seems like humans are bloody weak.” Ilea asked as she looked at her hand, nearly saying here at the end of the sentence.

“That is a good question, though I believe we’re rare in a sense that if powerful enough we’d take over all we could and multiply until barely anything else was left. That’s my theory at least. It doesn’t seem like any of the other species we know of care too much about expanding their territory. Neither do we see a surge in many species of monsters if left unchecked. Some do of course and seeing the demons, some even more aggressively than us.” Claire said, trying to explain the continued existence of their species.

“There are more powerful humans out there than you know. The Hand might be at the pinnacle but individual strength won’t be bound by set rules. For example the guy who was in the same ruin as Cless. Or the Hand’s elders. What I saw of them, some elves or other strong species would likely find it difficult at least to compete with them.” Trian extended as he drank from his mug.

Ilea thought of Earth and how a lot of animal species were pushed to the brink of extinction, kept alive in zoos as humanity worked hard to destroy their own environment for nicer things to have in the short term. Maybe here it would be different where higher leveled humans had a higher lifespan as well. Probably not though. She was cynical already on earth and that didn’t change with her experiences made in this place. In a way she loved it. This place didn’t just lie down against human technology and exploitation, it fought back.

The human nature in her welcomed the challenge. And her individual wouldn’t be enough to destroy the environment, or at least it would be left to her choice to do so. Her decision to chose Elos proved the right one, day in and day out. She smiled and ate a piece of cheese, smiling at Weavy who was putting back the dairy product with wild ferocity.

“What is this made of??” he asked as soon as there was none on the table anymore. It took a while to explain to him that humans made the chunks of godly taste with the mother milk of other animals. A foreign and disgusting concept to him, yet he didn’t reject more cheese.

‘Perhaps our species is even more corrupting than his…,’ Ilea thought as she too continued eating. She hadn’t put on weight at all, on the contrary, she was fitter than ever. ‘I like this new magical ass.’ she thought, smiling as she enjoyed the last meal with all these people on one table for likely quite a while.

“It’s time. If I want to be there tomorrow I have to leave now. Claire I suggest not getting too involved in the politics, not while you have someone like her to care for.” Trian said and got up, the others following a moment later.

“Goodbye Ilea, you will always have a place in my personal royal guard.” the man said.

“You mean your harem? Thanks, same offer goes for you.” she said and shook his hand. Nothing else had to be said. The others said their goodbyes as well before the man took to the skies, lightning flashing around him as he accelerated.

“Well we better get going then Claire, perhaps one or the other is a little drunk now. The best time to go visit and talk about newly appointed leadership. Some of them must’ve died after all.” she said.

“Kyrian, can you bring weavy to the house. We’ll bring Cless and the animals here tomorrow if everything works out.” Ilea said.

“Will do, don’t be too stupid in there.” the man said, his statement entirely serious.

“I’ll try not to.” Ilea answered before the two of them flew off.

Laughter could be heard from a distant room as Eve made her way through the dark mansion. Flowers covered the ground even in here but compared to outside, the species she recognized were poisonous. Adding the high reaching roots with sacks hanging from them, the atmosphere in here was quite different than the quiet yet eerie feeling she got form the place outside.

‘It’s coming from below…,’ she thought as she jumped up to one of the roots, a dagger flashing before one of the cocoons opened up, a slimy substance coming out coupled with a half digested human corpse. Eve knew she had found the right place and moved down again, careful not to make too much noise. Cutting open the cocoon might’ve been too much already but she had to be sure.

Now she had reason enough to take out whoever owned this place already, any further information or an actual member of the Golden Lily would be a prize on top. Eve soon found a staircase and with what she found below, the realization that the whole property was much deeper than expected.

A cave like room opened up before her, the whole place covered in a field of flowers, magical lights coming from crystals above and on the walls. Trees blossomed as it it were spring. Colors from red to blue to green filled the place as Eve stood, invisible to most eyes and ears at the entrance of it all.

The laughter came from deeper within and so she followed. It seemed as if the plants below her grabbed at her feet, brushing towards the unseen invader to their sacred haven.

Moving further, Eve found a clearing at a lower stage of the cave, flowers of all kinds surrounding a small altar with a bleeding corpse on it. Small cuts had completely drained the body of all blood as roots pushed into the openings. A woman stood next to it, laughing. Now that Eve was this close she realized the woman had tears on her face, the laughter was joyous as the flowers around her seemed to move with similar enthusiasm.

The woman was naked, a thin but beautiful frame with a kind looking face. Her smile and the joy of her laughter reminded Eve of a mother giving birth to her child. If only the corpse in front of her wouldn’t be there, the whole scene would change. Eve quietly made her way downwards, trying hard to not be noticed even by the very air around her.

“A visitor, and at such a late hour.” the woman suddenly said, her voice light and clear as she turned around with a spin, the flowers around her mimicking the movement. Her line of sight indicated that she didn’t know exactly where Eve was, just that there was someone there.

“Your hiding skills rival the best. Were you outside my domain, I doubt I would’ve even noticed!” the woman said, her voice indicating both surprise and pride. Eve didn’t know if the pride was meant for her own skills or the woman’s.

“Did you come to play? To kill or to talk?” the woman asked and waited. A minute passed as the flowers around them moved quietly in the wind. Eve nearly forgot that they were underground, it seemed just like outside, even the light from above resembling the moonlight.

“It is not to talk then? So to kill or to play. What will it be visitor?” the woman asked as roots started to come out of the ground, Eve calmly moving closer to her target, her illusion spells removing the impact her steps had on the flowers from the woman’s mind.

Four more steps and Eve found herself in front of the woman. A flash of steel later and her cursed dagger had pushed hard into the woman’s skin and through her heart. The impact felt wrong to Eve and she quickly moved backwards, letting go of the blade.

Tears started forming on the woman’s eyes. “To kill… it is always to kill…” she said, her voice breaking in the end, a sob flowing through her as she tried to rip out the dagger with her hands.

“You disturbed my routine. For that, you will take part in it as well.” she said, her tone changing from sadness to anger, roots exiting the ground in a more furious manner as Eve determined the safest place for her to stand. ‘It’ll start in a moment…’ she thought and prepared herself.

Chapter 150 Politics, meh.

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there. I hope you're having an alright weekend! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 150 Politics, meh.

“The cleanup of Viscera will fall onto our tasks.” Sulivhaan said as he wrote down the terms on the paper before him.

“Agreed. The requested purchases in the city should be fine, though we will have to request permission to accept.” one of the officers said.

“That is all for now?” another officer asked before yawning. The negotiations had taken hours already and they were barely through with the immediate necessities. The Shadow’s Hand would gain a lot of new power in Ravenhall, the contract accepted thanks to their independent retaking of the city and the empire’s interest in keeping in good relations with them. Considering the demon problem they could either blame the Hand or try to work together to resolve it.

The majority of the present officers luckily thought more of cooperation. They knew exactly what the capabilities of their army were and what the Shadow’s Hand could bring to the table. Of course the empire acted though through the negotiations but the ultimately finished contracts painted quite a different picture about the balance of power.

The Hand had neither the resources, nor the desire to take over a kingdom or empire but they might have the power to weaken or even destroy one. All the present figures knew such and while the elders were preoccupied with other things, Sulivhaan and Dagon had plans for their order. Working together with the empire was in the interest of both parties.

“That is all for today. We can offer mercenaries to deliver the necessary documents by tomorrow if you wish.” Dagon suggested but the officer in front of him waved the man off.

“We appreciate the notion. Two squads of our fastest will build a constant communication network between the empire and Ravenhall for as long as necessary.”

Ilea quietly closed the door behind her as she and Claire walked towards the main table. Two imperial scouts stepped in front of them.

“The negotiations are ongoing, please wait outside for now.” one of them said, annoying Ilea already.

‘Don’t kill him, he’s just doing his job...’ she thought and felt like Claire was projecting the same thing into her mind with the stare she gave her.

“Sulivhaan, I need to talk, gonna wait outside.” she said to the man sitting at the table a couple meters further back. He looked at her and nodded. The wait wasn’t long as the meeting had just concluded for the day. The officers and imperial soldiers walked out, some of them giving Ilea and Claire looks. Most of them seemed respectful at least.

Sulivhaan opened the door a moment later and ushered them in. “Come inside.”

Sitting down on the table, Dagon was pouring himself a drink behind the bar. “For you guys?” he asked but they declined.

“What can I do for you Ilea.” Sulivhaan asked as Dagon came back and sat down, starting to read through the documents.

“Oh I’m just here to endorse my friend here. I’m sure she can speak for herself.” Ilea said, nodding towards Claire before she summoned a meal.

“Ilea please, can you at least move to another table?” Dagon asked, protecting the papers in front of him from the food. Ilea rolled her eyes and leaned back on her chair, before hitting a supporting beam of wood. Dagon nodded thankfully as their attention moved to Claire.

“My name is Claire Russel, I’m in the same team as Ilea here.” she got out a letter from a pocket in her armor and handed it to the men. After they had read it she talked for a while about her home town and measures taken by her to ensure its survival. She went on to describe the current situation in Ravenhall and measures she would implement if she had the necessary influence.

“So you want a job?” Dagon asked.

“You got it.” Sulivhaan said. “Though I don’t think you can be an elder for now. We have no idea how that will go anyway. Verena still hasn’t returned but I’m sure she’ll have some plans in place. Maybe you’ll be able to work with her as well. I found it… difficult.” Sulivhaan explained.

“It would be my pleasure to try.” Claire said and smiled, as did Dagon.

“Great, the politicians have found each other. If you need anything else I’ll be at home. Oh Dagon, now that I’ve gotten you a capable helper, care to share some info on ash creation, element creation skills in general and their use?” Ilea asked, leaning back forwards as her empty plate vanished.

“You wanna know if you can fight with it? Sure, I mean most mages focused on one element or property have skills enhancing the power of it, not sure if you have that as a melee fighter.” he started explaining, quite open with information. Perhaps he really felt like he owed her something for bringing Claire to them.

“Your class is focused on ash though so there must be a way at some point. I have little information on ash related magic and skills though as I’ve previously told you. You should find more in the Foundation of Glass.” he finished.

“Ah, maybe I’ll go check it out finally, people have been talking about that one forever. Or I’ll just try and see where I can go with it.” Ilea said as she thought about the possibilities. One way or the other she had to increase her levels and skills to get more usability out of them or perhaps something that would increase her ash’s power.

“I think that’s the better way for you to go. I find it hard to categorize either of your classes. With little external influence you might be able to go where nobody has gone before.” Dagon said, looking at her with the creepy eyes of a scientist looking at a rare species of bird.

“Well you’re the last one who will find out.” Ilea told him and grinned at his disappointment.

“Suit yourself woman.” he said but then smiled again. “Thanks for coming to find us in Virilya. Any more days of waiting and I don’t know how this battle would’ve turned out.”

“Elder Strand really fucked us eh?” Ilea asked and the two men looked at each other.

“He did, but perhaps for the Hand itself, it might not be so bad.” Sulivhaan said and looked at the papers in front of Dagon. “You better have a look Claire, may I call you Claire?” the woman nodded in response and received the contracts.

“No shit this is good for the Hand. I suggest a change in paragraph six, both the third and fourth street house some very important stores that could easily be rebuilt and restaffed. Their reputation goes further than even the empire itself…,” Claire started and Ilea found them lost a moment later, excusing herself to finally find her bed. It had been a long week, she wouldn’t clean up anymore of the mess she made but she’d return to get paid for the already done work at least.

Stepping out into the open, she found that the sunlight had already left the city. The air smelled of smoke and death, something that wouldn’t change for at least another week. Too much blood was in the streets, too many corpses.

Two near black wings formed on her back before she started ascending. The city’s houses below her became smaller and smaller as she watched the mercenaries and soldiers work outside and inside Ravenhall to clean up the demons. Perhaps it would be better to send those people out to defend and help other towns in the empire but she didn’t know the situation and she was sure the people in charge would at least think of distributing their resources.

It wasn’t her problem though. At least she’d check out Riverwatch after she dropped off Weavy but the possibility of any demons reaching that far north and west was small. She flew off towards the sea, her wings flapping merrily as she enjoyed the wind on her body and face. Her armor was replaced again by the more comfortable leather kind. A little wariness remained as she checked around to see if a flying demon by the name of Green was anywhere to be found but he didn’t seem like the biggest planner. Ilea deemed it likely that the mind weavers put him up to keeping Ravenhall and summoning those beasts.

At least there wasn’t anything she or the Hand could do now that he had vanished. She just hoped he was as simple minded as he seemed to her. The fucker was strong though and if she wanted to best him next time, more than just a bunch of stats in Strength were necessary. She doubted her newfound levels and the change to State of Azarinth were quite enough to overpower that demon, not with what he did to her in just a couple of attacks. Plus next time there probably won’t be another lucky paralyzing scream from a nearby abomination.

Ilea landed quietly near her home. The cat was nowhere to be seen as she advanced on her house, a faint light coming from within. Opening the door, she stepped inside. No cleanup was necessary as all the filth from the past weeks was on her elven armor. A shower would be nice to be sure. Sighing, Ilea stretched and walked to the table.

“I’m back!” she greeted and heard scrambling feet coming from downstairs.

“Welcome back Ilea!” Cless greeted, an electric cat in her arms.

“I’m not sure if that’s the best idea.” Ilea said. The cat cuddled up closer to the girl when it recognized Ilea’s voice.

“They’re fine. I found a record in one of your beast encyclopedias. They make other creatures feed them, long term exposure is fine as well. Some people keep them as pets far in the south.” Kyrian stepped out from the stairwell leading to the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel.

“You look good.” Ilea said, trying to catch the man off guard. He did in fact look good though.

“And you stink. I didn’t see a bath in here but I wouldn’t believe you if you said there isn’t one.” Kyrian replied.

“Ah, you’re getting better at this. There is one. And yes, I’ll be there for a while. Did you prepare dinner?” she asked and walked past him, patting Cless on the head in the process.

“Currently working on it. Can I see the bath too at some point?” Kyrian asked. “I’ve been jumping into the ocean before.”

“If you behave, maybe.” Ilea played and blinked downwards into the big library. Several rooms hat been placed and sealed off from the rooms accessible upstairs. Runes placed in the armory would open paths but it was easier for her to just blink into them.

One such room was the bath and Ilea removed her clothing with her necklace before stepping into the room and activating a couple runes on the wall. Steaming water started flowing into the big space before her as she smiled at her investment. “Aaaah, luxury that comes with wealth...” she commented and stepped into the already half full bath. Magic really was even more convenient in some places than the technology she had enjoyed on Earth.

Ilea relaxed into the bath and scrubbed herself clean of the dried blood from both herself and her opponents. She nearly fell asleep as she enjoyed the scathing hot bath that she doubted she’d even step into without her Resistances and the general defense she’d acquired in Elos.

Cleaning up twenty minutes later, she put on the black dress she had found in Morhill. Looking into the mirror in the bath, she was quite pleased with herself. A bit too much muscle to be the graceful noble that this dress would usually accompany but she did look good. Better than she ever had.

Blinking upstairs again, she was happy to find a marvelous smell going as far as the armory. Kyrian had even finished the cleanup already, the pots simmering on low heat.

“Sh...” he started as she stepped into the living room but stopped and just stared at her.

“Do you like the dress? Thank you.” Ilea said and sat down on the set table.

“Ilea is like a princess!” Cless exclaimed as she joined her at the table, the cat following her a moment later.

“Yes I am, a battle princess dear.” she said, mimicking an English accent as best as she could.

Kyrian had left to get the food and a minute later full plates were set before all of them, even the cat, which was sitting casually on its chair, eating the food with its paws. The illusion was broken a little and Ilea imagined the lightning tentacles sucking up all the food.

“Cless, tomorrow we’ll leave for Ravenhall. You’ll be staying with aunt Clarie for a while.” Ilea said and watched confusion come to Cless’ face. She didn’t know why she added the aunt part but it just felt right.

“You know I’ve barely ever been here and I won’t be able to stay in one place. I’ll come visit though. Aunt Claire will be able to train you and teach you about the world. We’re not in England anymore but I think you’re smart enough to have figured that out already.”

“So it’s true? I thought so… nobody knew anything about the royal baby. I just don’t understand.” the girl shook her head, apparently more disoriented by the lack of news about the baby than the existence of magic and literal knights.

“You will understand soon enough. Staying with Claire will be the best bet for you. Just promise me to keep drawing and work on your spells ok?” Ilea said and smiled as the girl lit up.

“I will!” she mimicked a salute, likely seen in a movie back on Earth.

“Are you from England as well hmm?” Kyrian asked as he continued eating.

“No, not England.” Ilea said and didn’t comment on it further. She was happy that he didn’t pry. Kyrian knew she wasn’t from around here, he must’ve realized she really wasn’t from around the whole realm even. Though it didn’t seem like he cared much.

“So what are the plans? You go to Ravenhall with her tomorrow?” Kyrian asked, having finished his meal. He got up and started cleaning up, Ilea joining a moment later.

“Yea, and I’ll bring Weavy away. The imperial soldiers already looked at him like he’s a monster.” Ilea said as they started to clean the dishes. A magical dish washer would be nice to have as well, she thought.

“I understand their sentiment. He’s up above, dunno but he seems to have an obsession with snow.” Kyrian said.

“I mean didn’t you? In your first winter?” Ilea joked.

They brought Cless to bed in the armory where she had built a nice little nest next to all the animals they had found in Morhill. Claire would think of something to do with them that didn’t involve living in a cage anymore. Ilea didn’t get her supplies of food just for a bunch of random animals they had found.

Both Kyrian and Ilea fell asleep on her bed pretty much as soon as they fell down on it. At least the man wasn’t wearing his armor anymore.

Eve grit her teeth and breathed hard as she ripped out the thorns in her arm, each one fitted with barbs that tore out a piece of skin as they went out, cutting deeper into her. She hissed and concentrated to keep her illusion spells going. Shakily, she opened her pouch and downed her third health potion, the last one she had. ‘Fuck that woman…,’ she thought and allowed herself to sigh as the wounds on her back and arm slowly closed.

The poison was strong, her foe wasn’t playing around anymore. Even for her, with a second stage resistance the substances used were potent and weakened her considerably. Her natural health regeneration was nullified at least but luckily it didn’t go further than that for now.

She was laying on rock, no flower or tree nearby as she waited. Eve wasn’t the only one injured but she had to move quickly, the woman had already regenerated a half removed head, three stab wounds to the heart, belly and neck as well as the curse that was still growing inside of her. Without it Eve didn’t think she’d still have a fighting chance.

“Where are you, damn cunt!!” the woman screamed as the ground was rolled through by roots and thorns, the beautifully placed flowers ripped apart in the process as the enraged mage unleashed her spells. It quieted down again as the woman started coughing hard, something wet hit the ground and Eve knew a chance presented itself again. She waited though, a full minute, even after the coughing had stopped.

And then she moved. Her body shot up as the pain of her foe’s poisonous mixtures flowed through her body and the half healed wounds ripped open again in some parts. Eve advanced at a terrifying speed, her remaining dagger flashing in the crystal light from above as the roots thorns around her started moving, responding to the attacking rogue.

A high pitched hum filled the whole cave like cellar and the roots aiming towards her shot into the ground around her target, some even injuring the caster herself. Only a moment, but a moment was enough for Eve as she dashed the remaining distance to sink her blade into her opponent’s skull, using her other hand to rip out the second dagger that was still stuck inside of her. The curse would spread one way or the other and she needed a weapon to continue the fight.

Jumping backwards, she avoided the onslaught of roots forming a cocoon around her enemy, an attack that had nearly cost her life ten minutes earlier. This time she was prepared. She heard the scream even through the defense and allowed herself to kneel down. Soon it would be over.

Chapter 151 I did this before but #traveling

A note from Rhaegar

Last one for the week, hope you enjoy

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Chapter 151 I did this before but #traveling

Eve suppressed her cough, focusing her eyes on the mage before her as the cocoon of thorns and roots opened up. The scene of a terrified girl, her hands clutched on the dagger’s handle stuck in her head, opened before her. A moment later a cloud of pink mist exploded outwards and Eve ran. She ran for her life with all the energy she had left until she reached the very wall of the cave, crouching down and covering her face with her arms.

The mist still reached her, landing on her armor as a sizzling sound came to her ears. She had to wait still, the attack lasted for seven seconds before. Her armor was burnt through in some places and the mist landed on her skin. Eve screamed, she screamed to herself and to her enemy as she endured the melding of her flesh. The first time the woman had used her mist attack, she had taken it frontal and with full force. Her armor had been weakened but now it was getting dangerous.

The seven seconds passed and Eve turned around, shedding herself from the corroding armor pieces that were left as she used her dagger to cut out the parts of her flesh still covered in mist. Her tears and blood mixed as she grit her teeth. A cold fury burnt inside of her and all that remained of Eve in that moment was a deep desire to win, to kill her enemy.

Her clothes and armor in tatters, she advanced through the cave, the flowers and lush trees were dead or dying, their colors faltering under the mist of death and poison. Eve’s feet were light as she moved through the dirt, her boots still held, her footing solid. Her foe was sitting on the ground, crying and still clutching the dagger in her head. She was beautiful, a lone figure previously surrounded by flowers but now she was no more.

Eve walked up to the woman while she hummed, putting pressure on her mind before her dagger was stabbed in the woman’s neck. A gulp could be heard as Eve ripped out the weapon again and stabbed a different spot. Again and again until she ripped the woman’s head off her shoulders, throwing it to the side as both of their bodies collapsed. Her breathing was harsh, her lungs must’ve been punctured at one point or the other.

At least she was the one still breathing. A small smile came to her as she ignored the notifications about her level rising. She had to move. If she stayed here without medical help, she’d die. The bleeding didn’t stop, not a single one of them, the woman’s poisons and weapons had ensured as much. Eve focused, all the remaining skills she could afford to keep active were burning through her as she forced herself up. Blood was coughed up but she continued.

Half a minute later, she was standing. Each step hurt her as she looked forwards through murky eyes. She would have to get back to a hideout. To get a potion. Her mind focused only on that, she ignored her desire to lie down, to sleep, to die. The pain was in the background now as she advanced slowly and with unsteady steps through the now empty manor. She won.

“It’s warm today.” Ilea said as she stepped out from her house. Cless followed behind, as did Kyrian back in his spiked armor. Behind them followed a bunch of cages floating on top of metal plates, the edges hooked to give them more stability.

“It’s warmer, yes.” Kyrian commented as Ilea held out her hand to Cless who smiled in response.

“Happy to fly again?” Ilea asked and smiled. She was clad in leather armor today, her Juggernaut one not clean yet from the past week’s battle. The girl nodded and grabbed her hand before Ilea heaved her up, ashen wings spreading on her back. Kyrian started floating as well, spheres of metal flying into his hands and forming around his boots to allow him more speed and control. He reminded Ilea more and more of a certain Metal man she had seen in movies back on earth. Though this one was still struggling to read.

‘I’m staring…,’ she thought and looked up before they ascended the cliff side. A lone figure was waiting on top, clad in a black robe and a hood. Not quite lone, as Ilea realized, seeing five more demons hiding in the tree line. He had managed to salvage some high leveled ones in the past days. Not enough for an army but enough to protect himself and possibly level himself up a little.

“Good morning Weavy. Did you sleep well?” Ilea asked as she landed near the demon shrouded in his hood, an additional piece of cloth covering most of his face. The spawn stepping out from behind the trees were clad in leather armor and metal helmets though it was quite noticeable by their stance that they weren’t quite human.

“I rarely sleep Ilea.” he said and bowed his head. It seemed Cless was quite comfortable with the demon too at this point as she waved at him. Weavy in turn didn’t wave back, contrary to his name.

“Well I do too at this point, not that I like it.” she responded. “Do you want to come to Ravenhall as well? We can leave afterwards.” she asked.

“I will, though my spawn will wait outside the city. Those… imperial soldiers? They are not fond of us.” he said.

“Yea, don’t take it personally. Just that your kind has recently murdered a couple hundred thousand of our kind. Most people will be holding a grudge, also why we have to get you somewhere safe. Not that you need much protection but I’d rather avoid a bloodbath caused by you.” Ilea said.

“Your warriors are too much for me to handle anyway, I don’t see how I might cause a bloodbath.” Weavy said, starting to float as well as they continued towards Ravenhall. The demons below followed by running.

“You’ll find most humans aren’t quite that strong. Still don’t start murdering them unconditionally. You’ll rouse the attention of stronger ones. That’s kind of how we work.”

“Understood, I’ll hunt for other species then.” the demon said.

“Close enough…,” Ilea said as they crossed the snowy mountain valleys, the demonic spawn hunting down and shredding the occasional wildlife or monster. Ilea wasn’t the one to be teaching the demon what to do and what not to, she did however consider him a friend at this point and to send a friend into a razor’s edge wasn’t quite what she considered decent.

“I’ll find a place for her, don’t worry about it, as will we for the animals. If we have anything in this city right now it’s space. We have plans in place that will allow people to populate both Morhill and Ravenhall again in around two months already.” Claire said to Ilea, turning towards Cless and kneeling down a little. “Until then you’ll stay with me. You can be my assistant, how does that sound Miss?”

“At your service!” the girl yelled and saluted. Ilea smiled at the scene. She was glad that Claire was not only unbothered by the child but seemed to actively enjoy her presence. The woman never seemed like the adventuring type, perhaps it’ll help having a kid to care for in the midst of all the serious politics. Plus Cless was smart, she’d grow into someone rather scary in no time, of that Ilea was sure.

“You’ll be off then?” Claire asked as she casually dropped a bunch of documents and books into Cless’ arms. The girl wobbled a little but caught herself a moment later.

“Yea, bringing Weavy here to a safer location. Wouldn’t want to have him here for any longer.” Ilea said.

“As much as interrogating would help us, we’ve got enough new information to process for now and rebuilding the city will take a while as well. I trust you Ilea.” Claire said, nodding towards Weavy. “Would you be willing to share information with the Hand at some point in the future?” Claire asked the demon.

“I don’t see why not. In exchange for, goods and services. That is how you work here is it not?” the demon said directly into their minds.

“Of course, you’ll receive fair compensation. Though I must ask, is there any greater danger at the moment coming from your realm? Like the two monsters that came out and do you know about the demon Ilea fought, Green?” Claire asked, irking Ilea a little bit but she didn’t stop her for now.

“No, the summoning ritual is unknown to me. Likely another mind weaver had discovered or created it. Creatures like the ones summoned are no friend to us, too strong to be controlled. My theory is that Green made the mind weavers summon them. I believe he had an ability to resist our control as well.” Weavy explained.

“And you think he used that ability to gather the mind weavers together to work for him?” Claire speculated.

“Yes, otherwise I doubt a possibility of such cooperation to exist among us. It is not our nature.” the demon said.

“What about you then? You’re cooperating with us aren’t you?” Claire asked, the tone in her voice changing.

“He is and if you have more questions I suggest you’ll wait with them for the future, alright?” Ilea interrupted, stepping a little closer to her friend who shook her head.

“Of course, I’m sorry Ilea. Just, don’t be too trusting.” the rune mage said.

“Ah, I don’t care anymore at this point. At least he’s not human, to me that’s a plus. He know’s I’d take him down with me at least if he goes against me.” Ilea said and winked towards the demon.

“He’ll kill humans you know.” Claire said as a last try to convince Ilea to be more careful.

“Nothing other humans don’t do. We’ll teach him to kill the shit ones alright?” Ilea answered and watched the woman sight and then chuckle.

“You are, one of a kind. Well do come back in at most a month, I’ll have missions for you. There’s enough to do in the city right now but I doubt you’d be the one to join the cleanup.” Claire said.

“Hey! I already did, where’s my pay for that anyway?” Ilea asked and watched as Claire looked through some documents she had summoned after her comment.

“Wow you’re right, as I said. One of a kind. Here, fourteen silver. It includes the services as a healer and your part in the fight.” Claire said and summoned the coins before handing them to Ilea.

‘Guess I really won’t be joining any cleanup jobs anymore…,’ Ilea thought, taking the silver and handing it to Weavy.

“Thanks, Weavy take this, it’s your starter kit. You can exchange it for goods and services.” she said and enjoyed the somewhat confused look on Claire’s face.

“I’ll make sure to visit again.” she said.

“Oooh, so this is the gold people have been talking about.” the demon marveled at the coins and Ilea just looked at him. Not her job.

“Well then I’ll be off, see you around Claire. And you Cless.” she said and shook their hands.

“Thanks again, for coming to help us.” Claire said and locked eyes with Ilea “Whenever you need anything just write me or come to Ravenhall. I’ll make sure to be influential enough to crush a country for you.” she said with a grin.

“Ah don’t worry about it Claire, I’ll make sure to become strong enough to fight a country by myself.” Ilea joked and smiled before the two parted. Kyrian said his goodbyes to Claire as well before he joined Ilea outside the Hand’s headquarters.

“Where to now?” the man asked as he put on his helmet. It looked like he had already cleaned his armor thoroughly. A task Ilea was still dreading. She spread her wings and motioned towards Weavy who walked up to her before grabbing her arm. They ascended together with Kyrian following close behind.

“Riverwatch, and some friends nearby. I’m sure they’ll like Weavy just fine.” Ilea said as they joined Weavy’s Spawn outside the city. Kyrian created little carriers with his metal that the beasts could hold onto.

“How’s your speed with all that weight?” Ilea asked the man.

“Slower? No idea honestly, we’ll see.” he said and Ilea shrugged at that. They weren’t exactly in a hurry so she didn’t mind. The flight would take a while as the city was at least three times as far away as the capital of Lys. Hopefully no elves would find themselves still hiding in the beginnings of the forest.

“Alright, let’s go then and see if Walter is still alive.” Ilea said as she increased her speed, the cold mountain air flowing through her exposed hair as a smile blossomed on her face. Flying would never get old.

They reached the outskirts of Morhill a couple hours later, Kyrian’s reduced speed really put a hamper on Ilea’s travel time. Contrary to her expectations, it didn’t hamper her mood at all. The past months were packed with training, elven and demon invasions and a lot of talking. Flying over the mountains was beautiful, the feeling of freedom was nearly graspable to her and with her somewhat silent companions she felt joyous in her solitude.

Ilea noticed that the snow weighed less on the trees anymore. Winter truly had ended and soon spring would come. She knew it wouldn’t affect the picture around Ravenhall and Morhil much, they were after all places high in the mountains. Though thinking of Riverwatch and the forest near the Azarinth temple, she couldn’t help but smile and think back on her arrival to this place, her journey so far and the things still to come.

Ilea felt ready as she grasped the air before her with a tight fist, happy to find none of her companions commenting on it, not even Aki. The group found Morhil not completely deserted. Some members of the Hand were present, as were Imperial soldiers that didn’t look like they were part of the same regiment stationed in Ravenhall. At least there were no demons around the city.

“Do you want to stop?” Kyrian asked, breaking the two hour long silence.

“No, not if you two can go on?” Ilea asked and got a nod from him in reply. Weavy sent a confirming feeling into her mind, something she’d probably not get used to. Then again she likely didn’t have to.

“Then let’s continue.” she said, moving her wings to pick up the pace again.

Two hours later the group finally emerged out of the mountain chain in the south of Lys, flying out and towards the plains that stretched as far as the eye could see. There were patches of forests, especially to the West. The ocean was too far away to see already. The suns were still high, indicating that it was at least midday.

The three of them accompanied by Ilea’s talking dagger and a group of demons hanging onto their floating metal frames flew over the plains where the first green was already showing itself in some places. More and more as they traveled away from the mountains. They flew lower than before and crossed the occasional road. Travelers were few and far in between though they did come across a caravan a couple hours into their travels.

The group looked to have more wagons than even people, some of the horses and oxes directly bound to the wagon before them.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked nobody in particular.

“They probably survived a demon attack. Not many it seems. Makes sense doesn’t it? Demons don’t seem to care much about anything else but killing and eating.” Kyrian said.

“How did they get all those animals then?” Aki asked and Ilea shrugged. The man didn’t have an answer and the group went on. The farther they would move away from Ravenhall, the more careful they had to be about the demons they had in tow, especially Weavy. Come to think of it, Ilea remembered the whole debacle with the summoned demon inside the necromancer den.

Perhaps they wouldn’t be most happy about one of their kind asking to live with them but if anybody was tolerant enough to accept Weavy, then it was them.

“Weavy, right?” Aki asked, the wind flowing through them as they reached the beginning of the western forests. Ilea wasn’t sure if this was still territory of the empire or if they were already in another kingdom.

“Yes. Enchantment.” Weavy replied.

“I’m Aki. Did Ilea even ask you what you would like to do?” the dagger asked. Ilea stayed quiet, continuing towards Karth.

“Aki, it is a pleasure to learn your name. I am unfamiliar with this realm. Ilea has not yet killed me and now she is traveling a long way to bring me to a place I might be able to stay. I cannot form an opinion on what to do yet in this newfound realm, not with my current knowledge.” the demon said. Ilea smiled, knowing that he was just a bit different than his kin.

“Eh, you sound way too nice. You’re gonna be abused if you stay like that. Don’t you demons just want to kill and conquer?” Aki asked.

“I indeed want to kill and conquer but how would I do that if I get killed immediately?” Weavy replied.

“I’m beginning to think this was a bad idea.” Ilea said though she still wore her trademark grin.

“Well no shit, he’s a demon you literal tree stump.” Aki said.

“You’re being racist.” Ilea said.

“Yea, because they’re a literal race of monsters.” Aki replied before Kyrian’s laugh shut them both up.

“What is it?” the dagger asked but Kyrian kept quiet. Ilea smiled as well and looked towards the man who kept his gaze onto the horizon.

“Exactly.” she said as her smile widened. “We should pause soon, maybe find a warm place somewhere to stay the night.”

“We should.” Kyrian confirmed though he didn’t sound tired. The Meditation pauses they did earlier were simply held in the air. Moving slower while airborne allowed for the skill to replenish their mana easily enough.

“A bed would be nice.” Ilea said and looked for roads and villages as they continued.

Chapter 152 An Inn and a Boy

Chapter 152 An Inn and a Boy

It took another half hour to find a road in the forest, a small one that didn’t look to be in the best shape. Winter had recently passed which made it understandable but as little as Ilea understood of wagons, none would pass this road without a lot of difficulty. They followed the road for a while and came across a village soon after.

Ilea landed and summoned a hood. Looking towards the others, Weavy put up his black hood and covered most of his face again. The other demons would be hiding in the nearby forest.

“What happens when you fall asleep or unconscious?” Ilea asked, motioning to the demons clad in armor.

“The chance of that happening is very low…,” the mind weaver said but continued right after “The spell will hold for some time after I lose direct control. Some hours with these as I’ve become more familiar with them. In a couple weeks it will be a full night.”

Ilea nodded. “Then tell them to hide. You can come if you want to but if you’d rather stay out here that’s fine as well.” the demons spread out into the forest with incredible speed as soon as she had stopped talking. Weavy didn’t leave and so the three of them walked the last stretch towards the village.

An old withered sign read Fenhold. At least the village was big enough to put up a sign. The air was still a little cold, now that the suns were already setting. It wasn’t an unreasonable time for a traveler to arrive in a village or town. Smoke was rising from several of the buildings and Ilea heard her stomach grumble at the thought of hearty food. Perhaps a potato stew or a barley soup.

They walked through the muddy road until they came up on a small stone bridge leading over a nearly empty creek flowing through the forest. A man clad in leather armor not much unlike the one Ilea was wearing lazily sat on one side of the bridge, spear in hand and short sword sheathed. He noticed them entirely too late but sprang up when he did.

“Who goes there!” he shouted, his arms shaking a little as he pointed the spear towards them. Ilea casually walked up to him and stopped two meters before the man. It seemed he was much younger than she initially thought. She smiled though, realizing that he probably wasn’t much younger than herself.

“You should be careful towards whom you point your weapon.” Ilea said, having identified him as a level thirty warrior. Not much of a perceived threat but she herself had killed monsters and men much higher in level than her so she wouldn’t get careless. His eyes opened wide as he moved back the spear, nearly losing his grip on it in the process.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that. The monsters…,” he started but Ilea just held up a hand.

“It’s alright, we know. We’re looking for a warm meal and a bed. Ready to pay of course. Anything of that to have in your village?” she asked, waiting for his answer. Her voice seemed to have calmed him down considerably as he occasionally glanced towards the heavily armored Kyrian and the cloaked Weavy.

“I’m Harsh. We have that, yes. The pricas are high at da moment, winta been rough.” he said, now completely relaxed around the new people. Certainly trusts easily, Ilea thought and smiled. Maybe he too would find a hidden temple and lost class within someday.

“Thank you.” she said and motioned towards her companions.

“No worries madam. Always wantad to meet a noble.” he said and blushed but Ilea completely ignored the comment. A noble? The boy really hadn’t been around a lot it seemed. The three passed the bridge and entered the village. A bunch of houses built with stone and wood. A chicken ran across the street with a little girl following close behind, cursing like the best of them.

Ilea walked to the biggest building near the center of the village and as it usually was, there was a sign outside indicating it to be an inn of some sort. She moved to open the heavy door and stepped inside, holding it open for her companions who followed quickly. The cold harsh wind outside was immediately cut off and replaced by the hearty chatter of people and the warmth of a nearby fire. The smell of food was in the air and Ilea smiled as she closed her eyes, enjoying the haven as a shiver went through her.

‘I need a hearth in my place…,’ she thought and opened her eyes again. Some of the people looked at the newcomers but generally their entrance didn’t have much of an impact to the overall mood. There were around fifteen patrons, most of them armed. Three of them looked like soldiers, sporting the same crest on their gear. Ilea walked up to the counter, the wood creaking below as she saw through her Sphere that there were some rats working their way into a supply chest in the cellar, as did she see two people upstairs in the middle of some quite rough sex.

“Welcome travelers. More refugees coming from westwards?” the woman, apparently the inn keeper, asked them before she shouted behind her to hurry up with the food. Her stern look blossoming into a big smile immediately as she turned towards the new guests again. “I do hope you have silver.” she asked.

Ilea nodded and removed a couple coins from her pouch which held only silver. “Any free rooms still? Some food and ale as well, ale for two.” Ilea said as she put the money on the counter.

“There’s just one room left, the far right one.” the woman said as she took the coins and left a key on the counter.

Key in her pocket, Ilea walked to a free table and was quickly joined by her companions. She had chosen a table close to the fire and enjoyed watching the dancing flames.

Food and drink arrived soon after, nothing special but filling and hot. Thinking of, Ilea smiled at the two men walking down the stairs and seating themselves on a table to get some food as well, one of them with a little more difficulty.

“So who are the people we’re meeting?” Kyrian asked, breaking the silence. Weavy perched up, obviously interested in the place he’d likely be staying at.

“Bunch of renegades. Their magic is, well frowned upon by most I’d assume.” she said. “But you’ll see soon enough. I don’t think we’re more than a day or two of traveling away if we continue at the same speed.” Kyrian nodded at that and got up.

“I’ll sleep for two or three hours. We can leave again afterwards.” he said. Ilea nodded his way and lifted her mug. She’d join him in an hour or two.

“You plan on sleeping?” she asked the demon next to her. Luckily his robes, boots and hood were placed well enough to make it hard to see any specific features.

“No.” came the short reply.

“Don’t murder anything here.” Ilea said and pointed a finger towards him.

“What do you think of me?” the demon asked in a completely fake shocked tone. Touching the wood with his bandaged hands, he sent a curious emotion towards her.

“You don’t have any wood there do you?” Ilea asked after a while but he chose not to reply.

“The fuck are you talking to yourself for?” a drunk man said towards Ilea, three of his friends laughing. “Fucking freak!” The man didn’t bring out another word as he suddenly hit the table.

The whole room quieted down quickly as the man slowly slid off the table and fell down. Ilea took another sip of her ale. “Did you kill him?” she asked the demon who was still just touching the table.

“No.”

“He’s alive guys, calm down.” Ilea said and lifted her mug. “Round on me.”

Someone cheered for the round but the guy’s friends didn’t seem too pleased with the situation. Ilea’s gaze turned cold as she looked at their stares as they dragged the man out.

A little while later a young man came up to them, obviously nervous as he constantly brushed away the hair on his face. “Ehm… Miss…,” he stammered out. “That… that was mind, mind magic?” he asked her.

“Ask him about that, not me.” Ilea said and motioned to her companion. “I’ll be in bed as well, just be somewhere around when we leave.” Ilea said and got up, walking past the nervous boy who looked towards her and then to the cloaked demon sitting on the table. “Good luck.” she said in passing.

Kyrian was fast asleep already, of course still wearing most of his armor. ‘I could just stab you in the face mate…’ she thought and shook her head. With his level and defenses it’d probably be hard to get a knife through that skull of his but still. Why sleep in armor if your head is exposed like that?

She herself switched her clothes into a night gown and slipped under the covers. The bed was surprisingly big enough for her not to be bothered by his armor and the spikes coming out of it. At least the man had moved some of the spikes to not damage the bed, considerate as he was. A couple minutes later, Ilea too was asleep.

A light tapping on her shoulder made her wake up. Ilea sleepily turned around and saw a man clad in heavy and spiked armor carefully look at her. His gray eyes locked with hers as he smiled. “I didn’t want to wake you up but you said a couple hours was fine.”

“It is fine.” she said as she slowly sat up on the side of the bed. A moment later her nightgown was replaced by nothing. The man stared for a couple seconds before suddenly jerking away. Ilea chuckled and walked up to him, touching his armor before she pushed him backwards and to the wall. “Maybe a little longer?” she asked with the cutest voice she could conjure up. Kyrian now looked at her and nodded a little. The intimidated man turned into something entirely different in the following half hour, as Ilea was smashed into the bed with a previously unexperienced vigor.

“That was fun.” Kyrian said, lying next to her on the bed. Ilea could only produce a little sigh. It really had been fun. She quickly used her Hunter Recovery to check for any developments in her nether region but found nothing wrong with it. She did need to clean up though.

“I’ll be right back, wait outside, I’ll get Weavy as well.” she said and blinked outside, still naked. The creek was only a minute away so she walked. The water was cold on her but she didn’t mind as she watched the moon reflect off the surface.

Stepping out of the water, she summoned her leather armor and stretched her arms a little. She smiled, remembering Kyrian’s stupid grin from before. ‘Now, to find out little mind mage.’ she thought and walked back to the inn. He wasn’t inside but she picked up his scent easily enough. It lead her towards a simple house at the edge of the village. Behind she found them.

Weavy and the boy from before, with the boy holding his hands towards Weavy, a rune glowing on his forehead.

“Hey you two.” Ilea said from the side and the boy immediately jerked towards her. She felt a small tug on her mind and then a push but it was nothing compared to Eve or Weavy. “Ah, found your teacher have you.” Ilea stated.

“He is weak.” Weavy said to her and with the boy’s reaction, to him as well.

“Yea of course he is, never had a teacher it seems. You want to take him in?” she asked. “I’m sure having a human boy and disciple will be a good first impression on your new friends.”

The demon looked towards her and then towards the boy. “He does not know what I am.” he said.

“Well then show him.” Ilea said. “Boy. What’s your name?”

“Ein m… miss.” the boy said. He knew he had attacked her and it seemed he was in a bit of a turmoil about how exactly he felt about that.

“Ein, eh heard worse. Boy you are. Do you want to go with your teacher. He’s not a human and you’ll have to leave behind your life here in the village. Possibly forever.” Ilea said.

“I don’t have anything here. I don’t care what my teacher is.” the boy said, not a single stammer in his voice.

“Good, then remove the hood.” Ilea said and Weavy did just so. The boy’s expression turned from determined to scared, to unsure and right back to determined before he bowed in front of his new master.

“Good, you sold your soul now and your first three children.” Ilea joked but the boy looked at her frightened and then back to his master.

“Your soul is yours but the children are mine.” Weavy said in a completely serious tone. “They taste nice when they’re fresh.” Weavy said, looking towards Ilea who just put up her hands in defense.

“Hey, that one’s between you two.” she just said. “Now come, we’re leaving. Got anything you wanna take with you?” she asked and the boy shook his head, apparently done with this place.

“Come then.” she said, holding out her hand as her wings spread behind her, reflecting the light of the moon. The boy hesitantly got closer and grabbed her hand. Weavy grabbed her other arm before they flew upwards. Kyrian saw them a moment later and joined, not even asking about the new companion they had made. The black haired scrawny boy named Ein.

The flight was mostly uneventful after that. The suns rose high and the weather was much warmer than anything Ilea had experienced in the past four months. They rushed over forests and lakes, over hills and marshes before they finally saw the mountain. “Karth.” Ilea said as they came closer. Of course she knew they weren’t anywhere near close to it but they had found their orientation. She chose to go directly to the necromancers and visit Riverwatch afterwards. There was no massive smoke coming from the general direction so she didn’t deem it a higher priority.

“We’re getting far into the west.” Kyrian commented.

“First time for you?” Ilea asked and he answered with an affirming grunt.

“I’m excited to see it all.” he said after a while. Both Ein and Weavy were training according to Ilea’s growing headache. A quick appliance of her healing magic helped out immediately.

“Me too.” she said and smiled. She had barely even started exploring in these lands. A lot of time had passed and she’d grown a lot stronger but still Elos just seemed so incredibly vast to her. Perhaps it was because of the absence of planes and the internet. Even though she didn’t travel much in her time on Earth, she still felt like the world had little adventure to offer. Of course there were many places that held adventures and a lot of unexplored nature left but nothing compared to the dangers and excitement of these magical lands.

Plus she was probably faster than a plane now, not that she knew how to exactly measure that. And she had a suspicion that at least the Taleen had some way of communicating over very long distances, even with Trian’s explanation of how difficult that was.

“We better move the last couple hours on foot, not to arouse any suspicion.” Ilea said, thinking more of her friends than herself. Suspicion was usually connected to something dangerous. Nine times out of ten that was a good thing for her though.

It took them the better part of the day to run through the thick forest surrounding Karth. Monsters and animals were ignored, most of them fleeing long before the group even got close enough. They stopped near the Calys mine, the suns setting already as they neared the entrance.

It didn’t look like the city was very interested in the dungeon yet. They’d act as soon as monsters spilled out but Ilea had killed the Alpha and thus the boss of the dungeon. It would probably take a while for it to recover and the undead wouldn’t spill out as they’re simply a guard to the order hiding behind.

“Why were there no monsters in the forest? The elders always said not to go into the forests because of all the monsters.” Ein said.

“It’s because we are the monsters.” Ilea said and felt incredibly proud of her delivery. Kyrian just shook his head quietly as she basked in the boy’s admiration. ‘God damn I’m cool.’ she thought and winked towards Kyrian who just chuckled.

“You damn idiot.” he muttered and followed her into the dungeon. There were even fewer hounds around this time, fleeing just as they had before Ilea had gone to the Hand. The undead looked at her but didn’t attack. They had a certain fixation for Weavy though but his magic turned them away.

“What a peculiar presence…,” the demon said as he looked after a wandering undead. “Are these the friends you spoke of?” he asked.

“On one level with you you mean?” Ilea replied as they entered the Alpha’s cave. “No, they’re further down.

The group leapt down, Ilea’s wings softening the fall. “Now you guys just let me talk alright.”

Chapter 153 Friends

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, two chapters for today. Thanks for reading the story

!

Have a good Sunday.

Chapter 153 Friends

Ilea walked two steps before Walter showed up, black eyes staring into them as magic pulsed around him. Metal swirled around Kyrian as magic gathered around Weavy as well. Ilea stepped closer to Walter and held up her hands as she smiled.

“Walter man, it’s me.” she said.

“Demon.” the man grumbled and looked between Weavy and Ilea.

“Ah yes him, he’s alright don’t worry. Quite unlike the fucker we took out together.” Ilea said and clapped her hands together. The man seemed to finally calm down as the black in his eyes turned back to white. Kyrian and Weavy calmed down as well and Ein stepped back out from behind his master too.

“God what did you do this time.” Walter said after a while and then just shook his head. “Don’t tell me you brought this demon catastrophe upon us.” he asked, a tired look on his face.

“Ah no, I know the guy who did it though but he’s still in the demon realm. Most of it is cleaned up though.” Ilea said and went and hugged the man who was just standing there stunned. Indra and Harthome showed up a moment later, followed by Celene and Lucia.

Ilea let go of the man and walked a couple steps back before she motioned to her team. “You guys know me, I’m a member of the Hand now by the way. That’s Kyrian, he’s in my team. That’s Weavy, he’s a mind weaver slash demon we found in the demon realm. That kid there is a mind mage we found in a village a while away, he’s Weavy’s apprentice.” she blabbered out before Kyrian stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.

“You guys know Ilea. We’re all friends so don’t worry about your magic or hideout. We come with a request. One that might interest you as much as us.” the man said and walked closer to Walter. “I’m Kyrian, metal and curse mage.” he held out his hand and watched the other man who just shook his head.

“Next time she’s here she’s gonna bring a bloody friendly Basilisk with her...” Walter said and shook his head as he shook Kyrian’s hand. A gesture both of them knew thanks to Ilea. It was more common in Lys but neither of them were from there.

“That would be cool wouldn’t it.” Ilea said, stepping up before she greeted everybody else.

“You seem to know a whole lot about this demon infestation, why don’t we discuss everything over a pint of ale.” Walter suggested and Ilea smiled a broad smile.

“That does sound like a good idea.” she said and walked towards the common room. The Vultures were a little apprehensive of the demon and the boy but both Kyrian and Ilea insisted it was alright.

“You want him to stay here?” Walter asked.

“Why not? You could learn a lot from each other.” Ilea said, drinking a sip of her ale. Harthome and Celene were engaged in a conversation with Weavy, the woman was surprisingly alright talking to a demon considering the experience she had summoning one of them.

“That we could but Ilea. That thing is nearly at level two hundred, it’d be dangerous to keep him around here.”

“He’s called Weavy and maybe you should talk to him first before you dismiss him like that. As far as I thought the Vultures Brotherhood wasn’t discriminating in magic and heritage, or was I wrong?” she asked.

The man grumbled and got up before he went and grabbed some food. “This is going to be a long night.” he said and sighed. “I’m too old for all this excitement and change.” he said but couldn’t help and smile.

“Demon.” Walter said as he put the food down. “Come, I have to talk to you.” Weavy looked at him and nodded before he got up and excused himself from the conversation. Celene gave Walter an annoyed look as she bit her lip, looking towards the demon. Ilea shook her head. Well at least Weavy didn’t seem like the worst guy. If he was a guy at all.

“Do you not hate the guy, with what has happened?” Lucia asked Celene but the woman just looked back confused.

“Do you hate all men because one of them did something bad to you?” she asked.

“Some people do.” Ilea said as she started eating. “And men don’t all look the same.”

“He doesn’t look the same as the one I summoned. That one was more blue. And his eyes were less kind.” she said. Ilea decided not to comment on the kindness of Weavy’s black holes.

‘Do what makes you oh so happy.’ she thought and shrugged.

“You’re with the Hand now, you did it! Tell us all about it.” Celene moved a table over to join Ilea and Kyrian. She gave the man a sideways glance and whispered to Ilea. “You two a thing?”

Ilea smiled and so did Celene. “Haha, good on you. He seems strong enough to take you.”

“We’ll see about that.” Ilea said. Kyrian remained quiet but his eyes didn’t betray the fact that he was listening.

“Yea tell us. What mighty beasts have you fought.” Harthome joined them as did the rest of the Vultures. Indra had started talking to the village boy at some point and Mr. Bones wasn’t anywhere to be found as was most often the case it seemed. The initiates had joined an hour later as well, preparing more food for everyone as Walter and Weavy were still talking somewhere else.

“That Sand fish was really hard to catch.” Ilea said and nodded, thinking back on it.

“Carrying it was harder.” Kyrian supplied as a couple metal spheres floated around, forming a miniature version of the support beams he had used to carry it. Ilea joined in as the monster came into existence in ashen form, floating into the support beams.

“You’re a creator?!” Lucia exclaimed before she took Ilea’s hands. “That is amazing, stay on that path my friend, you have to!” she said.

“I don’t plan to ditch the skills, don’t worry about it.” Ilea said and smiled, a little overwhelmed by the excitement around her.

“We hunted down a Queen Harpy as well. That all wasn’t much compared to the demon invasion though.” Kyrian took over as he pushed a little more food towards Ilea who gladly accepted the excuse to stop talking for a while.

“I’d love to see that whale or squid.” Harthome said. “As would most everyone in this cave.”

“I doubt it’s still around. The empire and the Hand would’ve been very interested in their corpses.” Kyrian said, dashing the man’s hopes.

“I was in one of them.” Ilea said with her mouth full.

“Eww, you’re fucking gross.” Celene said.

“Says the chick who’s into demons.” Ilea retorted and got a piece of meat thrown in her face. Harthome stopped the two before it got more out of hand. Neither seemed actually angry.

“Now where the hell are those two?” Lucia said after a while, getting up and going to look for them.

They returned ten minutes later with Weavy and Walter deep in conversation, literally dragged back into the common room by Lucia.

“Well I guess that’s a good sign.” Ilea said to Kyrian who just watched on in silence.

“It is indeed.” Harthome said. Walter stopped talking to Weavy a moment later and looked at all the others.

“Yea he’s gonna stay if everyone’s fine with it. As is the boy.” he said and got a couple cheers. None of the others were against the demon, some even very much for his addition to the Vultures.

“Can’t say I’m very surprised.” Walter said as he joined Ilea who was still eating.

“At the level of my food consumption?” she asked and swallowed.

“That as well of course, very impressive. No I mean the demon of course.” he said and sighed. “His magical knowledge surpasses mine in many fields. His approach is incredible, dare I say revolutionary. Incredibly archaic in other things, it’s refreshing to say the least. Indra will be pleased as well, as will Neeto Bones.” he relaxed in his chair and took a sip from his drink.

“I don’t think you’ll be staying long are you?” he asked after a moment of silence.

“No, me and Kyrian are gonna leave again tomorrow. Riverwatch and then back to Ravenhall.” she answered. “If you need anything let me know, gold, weapons, books.”

“We’re quite fine. Your new demonic addition will add more than enough for now. The same offer is there for you of course.” the man said.

“I can’t think of anything. Were the elven corpses useful?” she asked.

“Very, their physiology is incredible. Though they have expired by now sadly.” he said before Ilea dumped the rest of her elven corpses. She had been carrying them for a long time now and hadn’t found a use for them so far.

“How? Where?” Walter asked as he got up quickly and shouted for Indra who rushed towards them immediately. “Stop just dumping them in here.” Walter said as they moved the corpses away.

“You had them with you all this time?” Kyrian asked. “Why give them out now?”

“Decluttering, it’s the new me.” Ilea said as she got up and walked to the bar. “And now we have access to the bar.” she said, knowing full well that Walter was still in earshot. She could practically feel his teeth grind as she went and stored some of his self made ale in her necklace. It was probably a low price considering the elven corpses but she did love his ale.

She grabbed something else as well and went back to Kyrian, putting the bottle on the table. “Here try this.” she said as he sceptically opened the cork and smelled it.

“This seems nice.” he said as Ilea opened another one of the bottles and smelled it. Trying it she was sure there was no alcohol in it.

“Yea you’re fine, it’s like a lemonade but with honey.” she said and took a sip. It felt like energy flowed right down into her stomach. There was definitely more than just honey and lemons in this beverage.

“Come on, how are you still mad.” Ilea asked.

“You drank all my stamina potions. Ilea it’s… ah fuck it. I still owe you even after all this.” Walter said as he shook his head. “Next time maybe announce yourself though.” he said.

“How, you don’t have E-Mail.” she said.

“What the hell is E-Mail?” the man asked. “Another one of your weird comments from your home land? Are you sure you’re not a demon as well?”

“She might well be.” Kyrian said as he looked at her from the side. The three of them were alone in the common room at this time as the others had already left to either talk to the boy or Weavy and show them around their new home.

“Ah, so you truly are not from here. Interesting.” Walter said as he cleaned one of his glasses.

“No I’m not. But I was neither special nor powerful where I’m from. Became a god damn miracle here though.” she said as she sat down on a stool.

“You sure did.” Walter said as he chuckled and locked understanding eyes with Kyrian.

“Don’t look at him Kyrian, I can feel your rebellion rise.” she said. The man chuckled and joined her as Walter shook his head again.

“You two are truly lost. Remember though that you’ll always have a place here Ilea. As in extension do you Kyrian.”

“Thank you Walter. I do appreciate it.” Ilea said as she got up.

“Are you staying the night?” he asked.

“I think we’d rather check out Riverwatch at this point. Their beds are nicer, no offense.” she said and looked towards Kyrian with a questioning gaze.

“I’m alright with Riverwatch, here is fine too.” the man said.

“None taken. The luxuries aren’t abundant here but I still love the place.” Walter said.

“Thank you for taking in Weavy as well. I don’t know what would’ve happened to him if he had stayed alone.” Ilea said as she shook the man’s hand.

“Nonsense, your decision to bring him here was sound. He fits perfectly, even if I didn’t realize as much at the start. I just hope he can control those demons now running around our corridors.

“Build cages then.” Ilea said and smiled.

“Maybe we will. Perhaps your metal mage friend could help us out on this?” Walter asked as he looked towards Kyrian.

“I can’t bend metal not bonded with myself.” the man said but Ilea held up her hand.

“I can.” she grinned and watched Walter close his eyes. “Told you I’m a miracle.”

Walter relaxed a little when he realized Ilea just literally bent the metal with her strength alone. The demons would find it quite a little harder to get out than she would. The cages were rudimentary at best but it would do the job of keeping in the demon spawn for a couple hours in an emergency should the situation require it.

“Listen to them and don’t do anything stupid. If I come back here and everyone’s dead or gone I’ll make you solely responsible. Understood?” Ilea asked the demon who just stood there and took in her lecture. “And don’t get manipulated into doing things you don’t want to. You’re a strong independent demon who needs no demon lord alright?” she went on and then touched Weavy’s shoulder.

“I understand Ilea. Thank you for working together with me and for bringing me here.” the demon said before she hugged him.

“I’ll come visit alright?” she said and let go. “Look at you, two hundred years old and you’re growing up so fast.”

The two of them said their goodbyes to everybody and were soon back in the caves of the Calys Mines where so long ago Ilea had fled, together with some adventurers from Riverwatch, from the clutches of an elf.

“Lots of talking today.” Aki said after a while of walking.

“Sorry about that.” Ilea replied and they continued on in silence.

It was raining outside as they stepped out of the cave, Ilea putting up her hood to shield herself against the water. Her wings spread as she watched metal spheres land in Kyrian’s hands. The two of them were airborne a moment later and bound for Riverwatch. The first city Ilea had found in this world.

The flight took a little over an hour and they landed a couple hundred meters away from the city, still hidden by the tree line. Walking out from the forest, they found only some few travelers walking towards the western gate, all of them looked like hunters or adventurers.

“Occupation and reason to be here?” the guard asked, completely unimpressed with their higher level and gear.

“Mercenaries. I’m here to buy stuff and visit a friend.” Ilea said.

“The fee to enter is ten copper if you don’t have a permit already.” the guard said and took the money before he let them inside.

Good thing she could ignore the fee the first time she had come here. Otherwise she would’ve already been stuck. Perhaps she could’ve just blinked inside, she did already have that skill back then.

“Hey guard, do you know Dale? He was a captain here around half a year ago.” she asked.

“I know four Dales, one of them is in fact a captain. How much is that information worth to you?”

“Ah fuck off.” Ilea said and walked off. She’d start at his guard station, perhaps he was still at the same one.

“He’s out hunting with some of the recruits. I can let you know where exactly. Ilea was it?” the man asked, remembering her. Ilea had to admit that she had no recollection of ever meeting the man but he did help them out which was nice. The flew eastwards, towards the supposed goblin infestation in a small settlement that had stood abandoned for several decades.

The rain was pouring but Ilea could make out the smell of a burning fire. Sure enough they came upon a dilapidated house near the settlement with a fire burning inside. Ilea stepped in without warning and blocked the sword coming her way with her hand. The spear one of the people threw towards her was stopped by her Veil without doing any damage. Dale looked towards her and prepared to fight before she took down her hood.

“Damn weather. Fucking wet I swear.” Ilea said and saw the expression on Dale’s face turn to relief.

“Ilea can you still heal? One of my men is dying.” Dale said and she nodded immediately.

“Where.”

Dale pointed down some stairs and Ilea rushed in, blinking twice and seeing the men in the deep cellar a moment later with her Sphere.

“I’m a healer!” she shouted and rushed into the room, finding the man in question right after. He was weak, had lost a lot of blood from several small wounds inflicted by small weapons. Worst of all he was poisoned. Whatever the goblins had used, if it was the goblins, it stopped him from recovering.

The two men standing nearby were a little overwhelmed with the situation and just watched on as Ilea used her healing skill to care for the man.

Dale and some of his men rushed in a moment later, joining her side as they watched her work. Kyrian stepped up as well.

“Poison.” he said as a small sphere of metal floated over the man, splintering into dozens of needles that floated down towards his skin. Some of the recruits wanted to interfere but Dale stopped them. The needles dug into the man’s skin and Ilea watched as the poison was expertly removed from the wounds. No, it wasn’t removed. It was destroyed.

“Are you cursing the poison? What the hell…,” Ilea said to him but continued to heal.

“I am.” Kyrian said and they continued for three more minutes until the man was perfectly healthy again. Likely exhausted as he was still asleep but he looked much better.

“Thank god you came. Damn goblins. Why do I always underestimate the little buggers?”

Chapter 154 How much we grow

Chapter 154 How much we grow

“I’ve never fought them really.” Ilea said as she got up again from her crouched position.

“They’re nasty, evil and breed like nothing else I’ve seen. Good thing the usual monsters around here tear them to shreds. As do we.” Dale said and sighed before he leaned on the wall of the underground cellar. Looking around, Ilea realized it must’ve once been a crypt.

“I guess they are, caught you unawares it seems?” she asked.

“They did, some of them are higher leveled than expected. It’s mostly the bad weather though, spotting traps is harder like this and they’re small.” Dale said and then looked at her. “I didn’t even greet you yet. It’s been a while Ilea. You’ve well changed as expected.” he said and sent a meaningful look towards Kyrian.

Most of the soldiers were in the crypt now, somewhat apprehensive of the newcomers but seeing that their captain knew at least one of them made them ease up a little bit.

“A lot has happened, joined the Hand and fought some demons. What about you? I can see you’ve been taking the training seriously.” Ilea asked after she had identified him to be at level 121, considerably higher than last time they had met.

“And every week brings more reason to do so. First the elves and now the demons. I heard rumors about the Hand being involved in all of it, I do hope you’re still on our side.” he said but didn’t seem to put a lot of faith in such rumors considering the casual way he talked about it.

“The Hand was involved but we cleaned it up again, at least in Ravenhall, at the core. I’m sure it’s gonna take a while to kill all the remaining demons but in time it’ll clear up.” Ilea said and looked upwards, hearing shouts from the room above.

“Goblins?” Kyrian asked and Ilea shrugged.

“Let’s go check. Or do you want to let the recruits deal with it?” Ilea asked as she looked around, finding the eyes of young soldiers staring back at her.

“Today is not the day for that, I’m not going to lose anybody here. Let’s finish them.” Dale said and unsheathed his sword, an aura of power forming around him. Ilea nodded and blinked upwards twice to find herself in the room with four soldiers. There were a couple small green creatures, most of them naked and armed with crude weapons running around and attacking the taller soldiers who used their weapons to keep the monsters at bay.

Ilea kicked one of the creatures and blinked to one of the soldiers who was getting cornered by two of the goblins. She grabbed their heads and smashed them together, creating a sickening crunch of bone as blood splattered on her veil and the soldier before her. Another blink and a kick killed another goblin before the remaining ones scrambled to flee.

“Any of you hurt?” Ilea asked as she looked at the fleeing goblins. The creatures were between level five and twenty. Weak to be sure but she had seen the tactics they employed. They weren’t stupid, not something as easily dealt with as a Drake or demon spawn. Daled rushed out into the room at that moment, sword in hand and looking around to find a couple dead goblins and Ilea looking out into the rain.

“You killed them already?” he asked and sheathed his sword. “Still like to put up a show don’t you?” he asked and shook his head.

Ilea didn’t reply. It was less about the show and more about simply using her abilities but Dale wasn’t like her in that regards. The man had something to protect and a lot to lose. A more careful approach was reasonable for him, plus not everybody loved fighting as much as she did.

“Someone’s coming.” Ilea said as she watched a man approach through her Sphere. Kyrian had joined them as well by that point. They all looked towards the entrance when a warrior clad in full plate armor entered and looked around, mostly ignoring the people and focusing on the goblins. He walked up to one of the corpses and stabbed his sword into its chest.

“They’re quite dead mister.” Ilea said but the man simply continued to do the same thing to each goblin before he looked up.

“Where did they go?” he asked and Ilea pointed the way.

“I see.” the man said and left back into the rain, towards the indicated direction.

“Hunting goblins I guess.” Ilea said and shrugged.

“Yea, seen him around. He’s capable enough but there won’t be any more goblins here for us to train the recruits anymore.” Dale said.

“Back to Riverwatch then?” Ilea asked.

“We’re going to venture further north tomorrow. For now we’ll stay here. For some of them it’s the first time out in the wild.” the man explained and sat down next to the fire. “You and you,” he pointed to two guards who stood at attention immediately. “Clean out the corpses and the blood.”

The men confirmed their orders and went about their business as Ilea joined Dale at the fire. Kyrian leaned on one of the walls and looked towards the rain. The other guards in training warmed themselves on the fire or stayed down below.

“Expedition tour for the new trainees. Isn’t the experience somewhat bad if you’re with them?” Ilea asked as she summoned a meal. She didn’t deem the people around her dangerous enough to do anything stupid with the information on her necklace. The stares were getting a little annoying though, as if she was some rare breed animal. Then again if the guard was anywhere close to the military on earth these guys probably haven’t seen a woman up close in weeks.

“Levels aren’t everything Ilea. I forget that you’re pretty new to all this yourself. At least your growth is ridiculous. Surviving in the wild, knowing what beast to approach and what not to. Learning to track and finding abilities you’re talented in. This is a good way to start. You can always go out and kill monsters, being as prepared as possible is key.” the man explained and she had to agree. If she didn’t have her healing and blink abilities, she’d be dead fifty times over. Good thing she got lucky with her class.

“Agreed.” she simply said before she started eating in silence. The recruits were looking at her still and Dale seemed to be mulling over something.

“Guys, I get that I’m really really nice to look at but stop staring or your heads will be the next thing to be scraped off those walls.” Ilea said with a mouth full of food. They all looked away rather quickly, some of them changing their focus to Kyrian instead.

“You’ve fought demons then? Only a few have reached this far west but I wasn’t involved in any of the encounters. They sounded terrible.” Dale said. “We lost ten guards two weeks ago. Took a group of adventurers and guards four hours to hunt and kill the responsible monster. Above level two hundred. And we had to burn the corpses.”

Ilea swallowed. “I’m sorry.” she simply said and waited for a while before continuing to eat.

“We lost many as well.” Kyrian said from the side. Dale looked downwards a little before he chuckled.

“Crazy world isn’t it?” he asked. “Elves and demons, the past year has been rather turbulent around here. I wish we could just stick to wolves and goblins.”

Ilea didn’t say anything. She didn’t agree with the man of course but seeing how much they lost she understood. Having lived the past year in this exciting and dangerous world made her unable to return to the boring and safe place she grew up in. Would she have realized that something like a professional kick-boxing career was what she truly wanted? Probably not. She lacked the talent as well and the means to focus on the sport enough.

One unlucky fight could’ve ended her aspirations as well. Here she could heal even a lost head when she took her skill descriptions seriously.

“You came here just to see me?” Dale asked after a while.

“We had something to do nearby. Thought I’d check in.” Ilea said and finished her meal, making the plate vanish into her inventory again. Dale nodded and got a ration from a nearby pack.

“I hope you get a break for a while, with the elves and demons I mean.” Ilea said.

“Me too. The refugees are still coming from the west and soon they'll come from the east as well. The cases of murder and theft have gone up and we barely have enough cells to keep all the people we catch. It's not going well, I tell you.” the man said.

“Didn't a lot of people leave after the elven attack. There must be plenty of space in the city.” Ilea said.

“Space? Yes, there's plenty of space for people to hide. For people to form gangs and try to take over the bloody city.” the last words were spoken in a hiss.

“And there's nothing you guys can do about that?” Ilea asked seriously.

“We tried. Looking for the leaders but every time we got close, we simply lost more people. There's some high levelled assassin or rogue class involved I'm sure. We simply don't have the resources to deal with something like that. We train to fight monsters and keep the peace with citizens and normal adventurers, not trained murderers.” Dale spat. Power flowed around him.

“You must have some adventurers who can deal with that? What about all the strong people I saw when the elves were around? You managed to defend against them, I doubt a human as strong as that would target Riverwatch.” Ilea said.

“We're an independent city Ilea. It's the exact place someone like that would target. Though I agree, he or she is likely weaker but the people you saw weren't from here. You remember the Hand was around as well when the elves were here.” he explained and smiled at her.

Ilea sighed. “Yea alright, I can weed them out and bring them to you. Or outright murder them if that seems like the best option.” she said. “Alright with you?” she asked towards her companion who shrugged.

“Why not. I assume we get paid?” he asked.

“I didn't intend to ask for payment. I'll invite you to a nice dinner if you join me.” Ilea said and smiled. Kyrian nodded two seconds later.

“Are you sure you're up for something like that?” Dale asked. He had been there after all, when Ilea had her first experience of a battle involving humans as the enemy. “And we could certainly pay you.”

“Don't worry about either. What info do you have on them? We can leave right now.” Ilea said.

“We don't have a name and most that likely got close enough were taken out by something that burned their insides, others simply had their throat cut. Likely they're stationed in the northern part of the city, where the rebuilding from the elven attacks hasn't been finished yet. They're organized enough and some of the guards already avoid that territory. It's not gonna be long before half of us are paid by them.” he said and shook his head.

“Alright, northern part it is. I'll do it my way Dale and I don't want to hear shit from you afterwards. If someone attacks me not clad in your guard outfit, I won't guarantee their safety.” Ilea said.

“Don't worry about it. There's no empire here. I have enough influence to keep this quiet.” he said and looked towards the recruits. “If any of you go missing suddenly I'll personally hunt you down.” he said offhandedly.

“Aight, we'll be leaving then.” Ilea said and put up her hood. Kyrian pushed off the wall as metal spheres floated out from behind him. “I'll find you in the wild.” Ilea said as her wings spread to raised eyebrows from Dale and a smile.

Blinking outside, she flew upwards into the rain, followed by her companion. It seemed the rogue in Riverwatch was a little unlucky that she had made friends with Dale of the Guards and not the local representative of the thief's guild, if such a thing even existed. 'Who am I kidding, of course it does.' Ilea thought and smiled as they rushed towards the city with terrifying speed.

Dale breathed out as he noticed the ration he had put on the fire was burning. Getting it out quickly, he looked at it and sighed. This wasn't like him at all. Wasting food was not a good thing to teach his recruits. Seeing Ilea was a little much for him to take after the goblin disaster. She had bloody wings. And her companion looked positively murderous. He smiled, thinking that perhaps his sleepless nights would finally have an end, at least for a little while.

“Why are the goblins not cleaned up yet? I think I remember giving orders.” he said a moment later, calming himself down. He couldn't quite wipe the smile off his face. Helping people all the time had paid off again, he thought as he remembered the weak healer he had found in the forest near a rogue adventurer convoy. The archers next to him had asked to take her out but he wanted to make sure. A healer so far away from the main group didn't make sense.

He got up and brushed off his armor. “Now get some sleep, three guards at the top, four hours per group.” he said and walked down into the crypt, his hand steady and his breathing even.

Night had fallen as Ilea and Kyrian entered Riverwatch from the air. Rain was falling and the clouds were dark, barely any light making it through the thick veil of black. Two iron clad warriors landed, their black armor reflecting the lantern light coming from the street below.

“Now what exactly are we looking for...,” Ilea said out loud, looking around.

“Want to lure them out?” Kyrian suggested.

“And how would you do that?” she asked, sitting down on the ledge.

“Perhaps a fair maiden such as yourself could pose as a virgin alone and scared in the city streets?” Aki suggested which got a snort from Ilea.

“You know they can use identify. Maybe if I still had the healer tag but an unidentifiable warrior posing as a target is a bit hard to pull off.” she said.

“I think it’s the easiest way though. They avoid working in the open according to your guard friend and I don’t know if you want to start an investigation from scratch.” Kyrian said and Ilea had to agree.

“Hire someone then?” she suggested to which Kyrian shrugged.

“Maybe. If you’re willing to lose money on this mission.” the man said though he didn’t seem to judge one way or the other.

“I don’t mind really, I have more gold than I could spend in a decade.” Ilea said and summoned a gold coin which she moved around between her fingers, not a simple maneuver considering the gauntlets of her Juggernaut armor.

“Life is sometimes longer than ten years Ilea.” Kyrian said.

“I’ll get a savings account, alright? And it’s not like I’ll suddenly become jobless. I’m a healer, fighter, adventurer, scout and possibly aerial carriage. Plus I have a house, that has to count as an investment?” she asked seriously.

“Ilea I don’t know much about finance. I agree that with even just my set of skills it’s simple to make a living.” the man explained.

“You’re drifting off.” Aki casually interrupted.

“Do you have history in banking Aki?” Ilea asked, baiting the dagger but he didn’t bite to her disappointment.

“There’s a bunch of people in the house below us, maybe we can ask them. One of them is a good looking woman, at least it looks like that through my Sphere.” Ilea said.

“Wanna go knock?” the man asked and jumped down from the roof. Ilea followed a moment later and watched as he knocked. Kyrian had gotten considerably more social in the past months. She couldn’t have imagined him to walk up to a stranger’s door and initiate a conversation when she remembered the man she had met in the training room of the Shadow’s Hand.

The knock had a reaction inside immediately. Ilea smiled as she watched on from outside, explaining everything to Kyrian and Aki.

“The woman and her husband perhaps… well they woke up immediately and took charge. He is hiding the kids in the basement and the woman is helping an elderly man down. Dale wasn’t exaggerating it seems, if this is how someone reacts to a knock on their door.” she said.

“It is the middle of the night, not a time you expect visitors.” Kyrian said.

“They’re arguing now about what to do it seems. He wants her to hide as well it seems. The rain makes it hard to hear anything.” she said before Kyrian knocked on the door again, with the same intensity as before.

“I don’t think it’ll be an issue but they armed themselves. She’s hiding a dagger in her sleeve and the guy put on chain mail, probably a mage that one.” Ilea said right before the door opened. Kyrian had stepped back far enough not to seem threatening, their armor didn’t help much of course.

“Good evening. I apologize for the late visit and the disturbance to your home.” Kyrian said and waited for a moment. The man opened the door a little more, revealing the woman behind him. She really was quite beautiful, her hair a deep black and her eyes a shade of green. The man looked good as well Ilea thought, perhaps they should take him as the bait. They both looked somewhat thin, not malnourished but it was noticeable.

Identifying them she found the woman to be a warrior at level 39 and the man a mage at 68. ‘Perfect’ Ilea thought and smiled under her helmet.

“It is no issue. What do we owe the visit.” the man said yet neither let them inside nor opened the door any further.

“Well we are in a bit of a pinch you see. We were asked by the authorities of Riverwatch to look into a certain group in the north of the city.” Kyrian started and Ilea focused on every little change in the people’s faces she could notice. The man seemed to relax a little immediately, as did the woman. The latter less noticeably.

“And how can we be of assistance. We’re not involved in any way.” the man said, glancing at Ilea who was standing a step further back.

“We don’t believe that you are. Are the streets already dangerous enough for you to walk outside?” Kyrian asked. The man looked at him confused but the woman raised her eyebrows.

“I’m not su…,” he started but the woman interjected, pushing past him.

“No, neither of us will be coming with you to lure them out.” she said, her shaking voice betraying her resolve.

“I see.” Kyrian said and looked towards Ilea who had looked through the house with her Sphere in the meantime.

She looked at the woman and summoned a gold coin that she moved through her fingers again, plain for them to see. “Your stocks seem to be rather low, even with the hidden sack of potatoes behind the third cupboard in the kitchen. Additionally I doubt the coins below the floorboard upstairs are golden.” she said and watched both of them widen their eyes. “Six mouths are not easy to feed and I doubt the situation in the city will improve much in the coming months.” Ilea said, flipping the coin up into the air. Two sets of eyes followed the shiny coin. She had them already, money really was a powerful tool.

“Can we discuss quickly.” the woman asked and Ilea shrugged before they closed the door. It took barely ten seconds before it opened again and the man waved them inside.

Chapter 155 A Night of Investigations

Chapter 155 A Night of Investigations

“You want her to get kidnapped basically?” the man asked, nearly with a hiss.

“Dear it’s alright, we don’t really have a choice.” the woman said but Ilea interjected.

“I will leave a bit of food with you one way or the other. You do have a choice but we don’t have all the time in the world. She’ll go out, get kidnapped hopefully and we’ll see where we go from there. Her safety is guaranteed of course.” Ilea said.

“If they don’t kill her immediately… I’ve heard what they did to people who oppose them… what if you lose her?” he was obviously worried.

“You’re not opposing them, are you? I won’t lose her.” she said with somewhat faked confidence. If Eve could get away from her then the people here could have a way as well. It was unlikely but certainty wasn’t something she could guarantee.

“What if she gets hurt then?” the man insisted.

Ilea sighed and unsheathed Aki, making them tense up before she grabbed the man’s arm and cut him.

“What the h… aaah!” he exclaimed but she didn’t let go and look into his eyes as she healed the wound again in mere seconds. “aaa… wh.. what.” he said as the woman tried to get Ilea away as well, shouting for her to stop.

“You healed… “ he exclaimed as she let him go while he looked at his hand.

“Yes, I healed. And I will heal her, at least if they don’t take her head in a swing. Even then I might be able to prevent the attack. We’ll wait outside for two minutes, if you don’t come the deal is off. Dress in something cheap, look desperate.” she said and summoned enough food to last the family a couple days. “That’s yours one way or the other.” Ilea got up and walked outside, Kyrian followed right after.

“What do you think?” he asked her when they stood outside again.

Ilea looked at him with a smile. “I don’t have to think, I can see her getting ready.” she said as she held Aki into the rain to clean off the blood a little.

It had been a long day, another one after many. No sleep had found Michael for a week already, his magic fueling him to stay awake and aware of both his work and his surroundings. The small stack of documents and letters in front of him was nearly dealt with, the final thing before he’d get at least some rest.

‘Another three towns have fallen to the demons…’ he thought, marking them on the massive map of Lys behind him with floating pins of gold. His office was richly decorated, as decadent as his very image. Not many knew of his magic and the fact that the supposed decadency was what brought him the advantage on his territory, at least in his personal quarters.

A knock on the door made him perk up. It was his butler who entered a moment later. “Sir, you’ve been working for fifteen hours without eating or drinking. Would you like some refreshments?” he asked. Michael smiled and sat back.

“No, I’ll get some rest soon. You should too. Be back again tomorrow morning.” he said and the butler bowed and left the room again.

The remaining documents were worked through in the span of forty minutes and Michael finally sighed and stood up. He teleported next to his bed in the room over and switched his beautiful red and gold suit to a night suit, still partially woven with gold.

A small plate with egg, bacon, cheese and bread stood next to his bed on a table. Michael smiled as he walked closer. Taking the plate, he smelled the simple yet beautifully prepared food. “That old man, just c…,” he stopped in his tracks as he looked at the shelf above the table.

The plate shattered on the ground, food spilling onto the expensive carpet as Michael stepped over the shards, crushing them below his bare feet as he extended his hand towards a particular glass container on the shelf. The man carefully touched it.

Inside was a wilted flower, only a hint of the beautiful purple remaining that had so strongly sang with life just the day before. His breathing picked up as mana gathered around him, the air in the room feeling more dense as the walls started to crack, the interwoven gold pushing at the foundation of the room itself. It lasted only a moment.

When the butler rushed into the room, magic flowing around the man as well, Michael’s breathing was steady again. “Have the room repaired Teris. I will be gone for a while.” he said and walked to the door, his night suit replaced by intricately designed golden armor, the helmet resembling a stag. “Prepare a funeral ceremony. Prim has died.” he said and the butler bowed before he went to clean up the food.

“That was easier than expected.” Ilea whispered to the man next to her.

“Are you sure it’s them though?” Kyrian asked “Could be anybody for all we know.”

“There’s fifteen armed people in there and the place doesn’t exactly look official.” she said. “If it’s another group then we’ll find out more about them as well. Plus they seemed too professional to me to be just a bunch of thugs. They’re organized at least. One of them is writing letters as we speak.” she said and the man nodded at that.

“Then how do you want to approach this? Just go and knock again?” he asked.

“They haven’t hurt the woman, they’re just talking to her. Even got her a blanked. I think I’ll go in there and talk to the guy who’s interviewing her. He’s probably the one who knows the most in there.”

“I’ll wait here until a fight breaks out or you get me.” Kyrian said.

“Alright. Wish me luck then.” Ilea said and smiled below her helmet. A moment later she appeared inside the room twenty five meters away, where a small table and two chair stood, occupied by the woman they had used as bait and a man in light metal armor. Ilea immediately grabbed his throat and pushed him to one of the walls. He was only at level one hundred and the identification informed her that he had a rogue like main class.

He was powerless to oppose the sudden appearance and the strength of her arm. The woman in the room managed to at least not scream, knowing that something like this was about to happen.

“If you don’t want to die in the next seconds, I suggest you don’t do anything stupid. Alright?” Ilea asked, looking deep into the man’s eyes whose adrenaline was likely pulsing at a high. He hadn’t used any skills or attacks on her immediately which meant he either simply wasn’t fast enough or he was smart enough to know when he was beaten.

“Now I’m here to talk and if we can find an arrangement suitable to all parties involved, we can all leave happily without anybody dying. How does that sound?” she asked, lessening the pressure on his throat a little.

“Go.. ood” he squeaked out.

“Good.” she said and smiled, though he didn’t see that through the metal of her helmet.

“Now I’ve learned that a certain group of outlaws has taken it upon themselves to try and take over Riverwatch. I am told that there is a certain individual orchestrating the whole thing and I’d like to meet said individual. Now please don’t try to bullshit me here because I have developed a somewhat small tolerance for that in the past year. Are you a part of said group?” she asked.

“Ye.. s.” the man supplied, either willing to cooperate or more interested in his own life.

“Good, then is your leader around?” she asked and lessened the pressure even further.

“I’m afraid not, no. She’s out of town at the moment and I doubt I could get you an audience.” the man said.

“That’s a bummer. I specifically forced this bitch to bait and find you and now you’re telling me my target isn’t here?” Ilea said, looking at the woman who nervously moved on her chair.

“Why don’t we turn this around then.” Ilea said. “How much time do we have?”

“Nobody will bother us for at least an hour.” the man said as Ilea let him go. He coughed a couple times and held his throat before he looked at her and gulped.

“For the H… Hand to get involved… I never… “ he said before Ilea grabbed him and pushed him onto a seat. She walked over to the woman, grabbed her and roughly shoved her to the ground, hopefully not injuring her too badly. She’d heal her afterwards, it was part of the deal and the only way they could at least somewhat protect the family against a possible retaliation by the group in question.

Ilea sat down on the now free chair. “Now I’m glad you’re not quite as stupid as I expected a random member of a gang of outlaws to be. First tell me about yourself and your group, who is your leader and what does she want with this city.”

The man looked up for a moment and started speaking right before Ilea wanted to push again. “I’m Trevor. Born and raised in Riverwatch. I was…,” he stopped and sighed, lost in thought and then locking eyes with Ilea who patiently gave him his time. “I was the leader of the Riversong.” he said and waited.

The moment stretched on before Ilea finally reacted. “I’m sorry I have no idea who you are, is that a band?” she asked. The man smiled and held a hand to his face before he chuckled into his fist.

“Do I have to remind you of the position you’re in?” Ilea asked, though she found the whole thing somewhat amusing as well. This reminded her of a movie where a guy gets killed because he laughed at the wrong moment. She liked the guy already and hoped that she could somehow not kill everyone in this building.

“No, I’m aware that you’re perfectly capable of killing everybody in this building.” he said as he worked hard to turn serious again. It took him a moment but he was back to his calm self from before again. The scar near his eye and the beard gave him a viking like look but coupled with the laughter from before it was difficult for Ilea to take the man as a threat.

“It’s just that you’re ridiculously uninformed for teleporting straight into our stronghold and expecting me to just talk about everything. Now before you interject I’m quite happy without any torture so I’ll spare us both the trouble. You don’t seem like the kind but I can tell you’re ready to kill. I’ll make it quick then.” he sighed. “A drink would be nice.” he said and continued talking, interrupted again at the sudden appearance of two mugs and a bottle of ale in front of Ilea.

“Today might be the lucky one.” he murmured and poured himself a drink after Ilea nodded at his questioning look.

“The Riversong is an organization founded several hundred years ago. An honorable organization of mercenaries…,”

“You’re criminals. Murderers, thieves, rapists?” Ilea interrupted and took a sip.

He sighed again and smiled. “Thieves, yes. Criminals, yes. There’s little money in raping and slavery will bring too much attention on us. Aye, I have murdered people but your shining order isn’t exactly the brotherhood of paladins either.” he said to which Ilea didn’t visibly react.

“Focus.” she said and poured herself another drink.

“Yes. We were perfectly interwoven with this town until the elven attack nearly a year ago. It was a feast right after but many smaller groups popped up and many questionable people from outside came here. The refugees haven’t stopped coming and every day it gets harder to keep people from murdering each other. There’s a balance you see, a balance that has to be kept up, otherwise we become just another bandit camp which will be eradicated by someone like you, or by themselves as is more often the case.” the man explained.

“Well the new leader of all the organized crime, both old and new, doesn’t quite share my outlook on this topic. Melian is her name and she’s from some backwater shit town in the west. I heard it got wrecked by the elves and I hate the fuckers for leaving her alive.” he said and spat on the ground. “I can tell you where she is, you take care of her and we can all be on our merry way. How does that sound?” the man asked.

“Tempting and easy.” Ilea said. “How can I trust you?” she asked.

“I’ll come with you. I have no doubt that even should an elaborate trap get you, you’d manage to get my head in the process. I want to see the bitch die, she’s killed many of my best.” he said and drank his ale, pouring himself another one. “I’m not a good man you see. But I don’t torture people for the fuck of it, I don’t enslave people and break them as a sport. She’s twisted, the worst kind of psychopath and she’s powerful. She’ll take what she wants and Riverwatch will be just one of many destroyed places before she finally fucks with someone too powerful for her to take. The Hand…,” he gestured towards Ilea “… might be just that someone.” he said.

She moved back in her chair. “Sounds like a cunt to me but I’ll make my own picture when I meet her. Any idea to her level and skills?” she asked.

“Her lightning magic is displayed openly for all to see, as an example mostly but also just because she loves to use it. No idea about her second class. She could be two hundred or five hundred for all I know.” he said.

“Lightning, well I’ll meet her one way or the other. We’ll see then if I can take her or not. You’d probably die though if I have to flee.” Ilea said.

“Worth the shot, trust me I tried to undermine her. The only reason she hasn’t taken over the whole city already is because of the coordination of me and two other bosses, one of them dead by now or still being fried by her.” he said and spat again. It really irritated Ilea for some reason.

“Stop spitting, that’s the first thing. I could find her anyway, without you it’d just take longer. I prefer quick. I know a captain of the guard, you’ll meet with him as soon as this is over. You and those bosses. You’ll find some sort of agreement that will allow you to coexist with the city at least somewhat.” Ilea said.

“We already have something like that. It’s not written down but the guard isn’t the only party defending this town. We live off it too and when the elves attacked we lost our people as well. I will meet your man and at least I am willing to reduce our influence if the city is still standing in a month’s time and that bitch is dead.” he said. That was good enough for Ilea. Criminals wouldn’t stop to exist, especially in a world where people could literally damn near turn invisible. Perhaps someone like this man would at least adhere to a certain codex.

Of course he could still just be fooling her but Ilea has developed at least a certain feel for people in the past year. Alice had fooled her but she had been a trained noble and what she considered a friend, this man certainly wasn’t either of those things.

“Then let’s not lose anymore time.” Ilea said and got up.

“There are spies from her in here as well. Can you follow me if I leave later?” Trevor asked her.

“Sure, when are you leaving?” Ilea asked.

“Half an hour.” he said.

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Ilea said and vanished. She doubted he had made up the whole story from scratch, he was too emotionally invested in all of it. If he didn’t betray them, it would mean a rather swift lead to the person responsible. The man was rather open about his personal interests as well but in this case it would have a positive result for all parties involved.

“We’re waiting for the boss of a local gang to come out and then lead us to the supposed mastermind of this fuckery.” Ilea explained to Kyrian who nodded.

“You’re watching him?” he asked.

“Yes I am. He’s currently talking to the woman we employed, helping her up and checking her injuries. Criminal but he doesn’t seem like the worst.” she said.

“Many of them aren’t.” Kyrian said absentmindedly. She looked at him for a moment and then focused on her target again.

Michael stored his helmet as he came up on the corpse. She was beautiful as always, a beauty like few others, so young and pure. He knew of course that Prim was neither of those things but he remembered her from back then. She was a strong human, twisted and burdened with a terrible childhood. He didn’t want to know about her desires but had kept a tab on her. She killed peasants and nobles alike, for her own enjoyment and, other things. Never in excess and never in increasing quantity. The beautiful garden that surrounded both her mansion and the caves below outweighed the deaths with its artistry alone.

Closing her eyes, he cleaned up the wounds on her body. Curse marks ran through most of her skin, originating at the wounds. Daggers most likely. Her foe had been efficient, all the cuts in critical positions. Having sparred with Prim before, he knew it wasn’t easy to get an opening on her. The dead and corroded ground covering most of the cave told him that she had been pushed to the limit. It wasn’t an assassination, it was a hard fought battle and Prim had lost.

Michael wouldn’t underestimate whoever had done this. He activated his blood magic and looked around, checking both the corpse of the deceased Prim and the surrounding ground. It didn’t take long for him to find what he had been looking for. He sighed and shook his head. Two capable humans would die tonight. Truly, it was a shame.

Chapter 156 Electric boogaloo

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, sorry for the late releases. I moved into a new place and most of it was done in the past couple days.

Hope you had and have a great weekend

">. Let me know what you think about the chapters.

Thanks for reading as always and have a very nice morning, afternoon, evening or night.

Cheers.

Chapter 156 Electric boogaloo

Trevor had done exactly as he promised. He had left the building nearly exactly half an hour after their talk had ended and walked towards the northern gate of Riverwatch. Ilea and Kyrian followed above the roofs and soon enough found that they weren’t the only ones. Two people followed Trevor as well but they were following on the ground and in the shadows. Ilea had spotted them through her Sphere and pointed them out for Kyrian.

Following Travor for another ten minutes, the man soon stepped into a house, his followers waiting outside.

“You take the one on the roof, you see him? Over there and behind the chimney.” Ilea explained to Kyrian who nodded and flew upwards in complete silence. Ilea herself focused on the figure leisurely leaning on a wall in a small side street, the house in view.

She appeared in front of the man when she saw Kyrian descend upon his target and quickly jabbed his throat. It was a woman after all, she realized and watched her start to cough and lift her weapons. Ilea quickly grabbed both of the woman’s arms and kicked her knee, hard. The bone broke and ripped through the woman’s trousers, blood smearing on the wall behind her as she started screaming.

The weapons were ripped out of her hands and thrown away by Ilea before she held the woman’s mouth to stop the screaming. “Shut it or you die.” she said and felt the woman punch her side.

“Do that again and I’ll punch you too.” Ilea said and felt the woman go limp as she whimpered at the pain of her broken leg. She grabbed the woman by the neck and rushed to the house. She was followed by Kyrian who had bound both hands and legs of the man he had captured, a metal gag placed right in his mouth as he tried to produce noise.

Trevor was standing upstairs, blade ready as he relaxed at them coming into the room. “Who are those two?” he asked, glancing at the woman’s leg.

“They were following you since you left.” Ilea said and turned around the woman to look at her. “Who are you working for?” she asked before the woman spit on her helmet.

“Why do people do that?” she asked and let the woman drop down. She landed on her leg and started screaming again when a sphere of metal entered her mouth, a metal strap closing behind her head, muffling the noise. She moved on the ground, only intensifying the pain.

Trevor watched the whole thing in silence when Kyrian made the man float before him. “Are you more cooperative than this one?” he asked and waited for the man to look down at the woman who was writhing in pain. He nodded a moment later.

“Good. Who are you working for.” Kyrian asked and removed the sphere from his mouth.

“Melian, she’s told us to follow Trevor and report any weird movements directly to her. Please don’t kill us, we were recrui…,” he was muffled as the metal sphere went into his mouth again.

“Well that was a given. Good thing you didn’t try to meet me more openly. I’ve seen those two before. From the West I think.” Trevor said.

“We’ll leave them here then, let them live if you can.” Ilea said and turned the woman around on the ground to look at her. Lifting her helmet up a little, she spat in her face. “You need the power to back it up.” Ilea said and smiled. The woman scoffed but calmed down a little, looking at the man lying next to her.

“Anybody got some rope?” Ilea asked.

“Here we are. At least that’s where it should be…,” Trevor said as they looked out from the woods towards a lonesome farm east of Riverwatch. Barely an hour’s flight from the city. A big campfire was burning in the middle of the land. At least thirty people could be spotted from their position, most of them dancing, fighting or drinking. Only a few single ones looked like they were actually guarding the place.

“There’s no cover around here.” Ilea said.

“I agree, it’s gonna be difficult to approach.” Kyrian said. “From above maybe.” he added and Trevor looked at them sceptically.

“Yea, that’s the best bet. The fire is a little annoying. I’ll get in and check it out. Join me when it looks like there’s no other way. Trevor, you stay here.” Ilea said and the man nodded, rather happy that he wouldn’t have to walk into that camp.

Ilea moved back into the forest, deeply enough to be sure nobody without incredibly keen eyes would spot her flying upwards. She rushed into the clouds above, the dark night helping her tremendously in this endeavor. Flying right above the farm, she looked for all the guards. She could tell with her enhanced senses that not a single one of them was looking upwards. Neither did any of the people fighting or dancing. A moment later she dropped down and increased her speed to the maximum.

Next to the main building there were two barns, one of them open and with people coming and going. The other one was her target as she blinked right before entering, both stopping her momentum as much as possible and appearing inside the barn with as little noise as she could produce.

She activated the third tier of State of Azarinth to enhance her cognitive abilities just a little more and took in everything the twenty four meter radius of her Azarinth Hunter Sphere let her perceive. Nearly all her senses were enhanced and the first thing she noticed was, as was rather often the case, the smell.

This barn was used to keep the prisoners it seemed, more likely the slaves these people had captured. Ilea checked to make sure and blinked downwards, sacrificing fifty health to give her a little push as she punched into a man’s back, closing her hand and ripping out his still beating heart before she threw it away. Moving on to his body, she grabbed his neck and pulled him backwards, away from the bound and crying woman in front of him.

He looked at her with a confused look on his face as she jabbed his throat, destroying the organ before she kneed his genitals. He chocked and teared up as he bled out and died on the ground a few moments later. Some people in the barn looked at her. He wasn’t the only corpse inside.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul of the Ax lvl 83 – Berserker lvl 79]’

She checked the woman in front of her and healed what she could before she ripped away the rope that bound her. “I’m sorry.” she said and carried the woman towards a group of people huddling together in a corner of the barn, all bound in various ways, looking towards her with differing expressions. “Stay fucking quiet.” Ilea said as she brought the woman to them. Two of them nodded towards Ilea and took the still crying woman. They didn’t have blankets or anything else to cover her. Filth, shit and piss were on the ground around them. Ilea quietly walked through all of it and checked each and every one of them quickly, especially the people lying on the ground. She had to stabilize three of them though it was food and water they were lacking the most.

She summoned crates of it on the other end of the barn before she removed all the ropes in silence. Many of them had burns, scars and other fresh wounds, some more serious than others.

“Tha…,” a young boy started before a man put his hand over his mouth and looked at Ilea apologetically.

“Thank me later, if you survive this. Now go get some food and stay fucking quiet.” she said as she walked to the front of the barn, followed by a bunch of uncertain people of differing ages, levels and genders.

“Was this all that lightning mage, Melian?” she asked two of the older people who seemed to be somewhat alright. Both nodded in response, fury in their eyes.

“Be careful…,” the man said in a somewhat fearful tone.

“Where is she now?” Ilea asked.

“We don’t know…,’ he answered and Ilea nodded before she summoned a bunch of the remaining Taleen weapons she had kept with her, throwing them onto the hay on the ground. “Arm yourselves, the ones capable at least. Don’t come out if you don’t have to.” she said and changed her armor to the leather kind. She checked the man she had killed and found no indication of a faction, hopefully the drunk people wouldn’t realize she wasn’t one of them. Her armor looked similar enough. The standard leather kind. Luckily hers wasn’t exactly in the newest state either.

Ilea checked the surroundings of the barn, summoned a bottle of mead she opened and poured on the ground before she moved the barn gate a little to slip out. It was dark outside, despite the massive fire. She pretended to take a sip of her mead a couple times as she casually walked towards the main building, taking in the scenes around her, the positions of all the people and the weaponry and levels of everyone present.

She hoped nobody would identify her and get confused at the question marks. Perhaps they would mistake her for a newcomer. Nobody rang an alarm in the time of her walk to the main building. The second barn held a couple tables, bedrolls, more people and chests. Outside were wagons filled with stuff, animals bound to posts, some of them dead already. Whatever this camp was, it was not sustainable. Ilea watched as two men fought each other while everyone else cheered on.

She watched until one of them was beaten to death. Right at the cheers, she blinked into the main building, the farmer’s house. The attic was devoid of people and she stood quietly, checking in her Sphere and with her ears to see if anybody reacted to her sudden disappearance. Nobody did. One good thing about this situation was that the time of their attack was ideal.

Ilea switched her attention to the ground floor of the house she was in. A fire was burning in the fireplace, the stairs leading to the attic were closed off behind a door. A lot of the furniture had been destroyed, singed it seemed. In the middle of the living room was a massive bed. There were no people present on the ground floor. There were however people in the basement.

A woman specifically, presumably her target. She was dressed rather flamboyant and she was quite obviously in the process of skinning an old man. Behind her stood a mage, likely the reason the screams didn’t reach outside the cellar.

Ilea focused inwards when she realized that she knew the man. Breathing out calmly, she opened her eyes. Her skills came to life as she sacrificed two hundred points of health. Ice in her eyes and ember in her body, she blinked next to the woman and punched her head with all the power she had. Her fist reached the target, a beautiful young woman with brown hair and a twisted smile on her face. The impact released a shock wave of lightning that sent the mage backwards a meter and stunned Ilea for a split second.

The woman smashed into the wall from Ilea’s punch but vanished right after. Ilea looked to the mage who was confused before she reached him and slammed her fist into his face, knocking him out or killing him, she wasn’t quite sure as she blinked to the man who had endured the shock wave as well. He was close to death and she poured healing mana into him. She had forgotten his name but it was the same old man that had let her use his carriage so long ago when she came to Riverwatch for the second time.

She healed him until he was stable and then some before she ripped off the chains that bound him. Carefully she moved him to the ground and touched his head. Maybe he would survive. It did not matter. What mattered was that She died.

Ilea blinked upwards and into the middle of the yard. People stared at her and the lightning woman in a confused manner, some prepared to fight while others were still dancing or drinking. The punch definitely left a mark as the woman’s chin didn’t look quite alright.

[Mage – lvl 210]

Ilea smiled as she switched her armor to the rugged black Juggernaut one.

“Who are you?” the woman asked as more and more people focused on the two of them, confused to see their boss in the middle of the yard. “Tell me and ma…,” she didn’t get any further when Ilea appeared in front of her, ready to deliver another punch but the woman vanished. Ilea looked around, concentrating as she remembered the bouts against Trian. This one wasn’t any different and she could beat him too.

The woman appeared and Ilea followed, a punch finding only air as they appeared and disappeared around the field. The shouts and confusion increased in the meantime, people preparing their weapons and spells but none of them could follow the two teleporting mages.

Melian the lightning mage appeared next to one of her subordinates and used the man as a shield against the appearing Ilea, her punch destroying the man’s unprotected chest as the bones broke and shot inwards, piercing his organs and killing him nearly instantly.

“You will die.” Melian said as she unleashed lightning towards Ilea. She didn’t dodge but advanced through the element, her Veil blocking the first blasts before she reached the woman who promptly disappeared again, hiding behind her men. “Attack her! She’s an enemy to our cause!”

Ilea watched as the people around Melian looked on confused and frightened towards the bloodied warrior before them.

“Everyone who attacks me dies.” Ilea said as she advanced, dodging a lightning blast directed at her with a sidestep. An arrow was fired at her which she caught before she appeared in front of the ranger, catching his arm before she broke it with a swift movement, breaking his neck right after. She flung the corpse into the fire and locked eyes with Melian.

Most of the people in the yard were below level one hundred, seeing their likely terrifying boss hide against the warrior who just easily killed one of theirs was more than a little intimidating.

“Kill her!” the mage shouted and sent another stream of lightning Ilea’s way. This time Ilea used the people around the mage to her advantage as she appeared in the crowd, getting closer to the mage with every blast of lightning that shredded through one of her own.

“Kill her!” Melian kept shouting as Ilea got closer and closer with each blink. Finally after five consecutive teleports, she managed to grab on and clenched her teeth at the current of lightning flowing through her. Ilea answered in kind as her reversed healing flowed into the woman. She pressed down on the mage’s arm and broke through the magical shield of lightning, releasing another nova that in turn broke through her Veil of Ash, unleashing the full power of the lightning current flowing through her.

Melian slipped away and teleported as Ilea healed herself and built up her Veil again, following the mage a moment later. She held her broken and mangled arm, the bones had not just been broken, Ilea had crushed them.

“You will die for…,” Melian screamed and vanished when Ilea reached her again.

She ground her teeth when she saw where the mage was going. She had a higher reach with her teleportation than Ilea’s blink and reached the barn a moment earlier. When Ilea appeared inside, Melian was holding a naked woman by the neck.

“I’ll kill her! Leave!” Melian shouted, tears streaming down her pain stricken face as her arm twitched occasionally, blood dripping down where the pieces of bone had pushed through her skin. A little bit of lightning flowed around her again, the defensive shield incredibly efficient.

Ilea nodded and held up her arms. She was standing in the barn and all the naked people distanced themselves as far as they could from Melian who was still holding onto the woman. The woman had fury in her eyes and Ilea saw that she had dropped a dwarven weapon she had been holding previously.

She locked eyes with the woman and they both understood. Turning around, Ilea prepared to leave when Melian moved her broken arm to send lightning towards Ilea who disappeared and appeared right behind Melian. She felt lightning discharge into the woman held by the mage and steeled herself as she grabbed her around the chest from behind. Her wings spread as she pushed herself and the mage backwards out of the barn.

The two tumbled on the ground as lightning flowed into Ilea. Her Veil was broken as she sacrificed health to activate the third tier of State of Azarinth. All her skills worked overtime as she pressed her arms together with all the strength she had. Sparks of Lightning burned the field around the two, Ilea’s armor lighting up when she broke through the magical barrier. More health was sacrificed as she felt the woman’s armor give in. More and more she pushed as her own healing mana repaired the constant damage of the electrical current.

The woman struggled until all the air had left her chest. She started hyperventilating and punched at Ilea’s hands and her body with her arms, still releasing lightning strikes directly into her adversary. But Ilea’s grip was relentless, her strength overwhelming. The woman’s throws became weaker and weaker until even her lightning strikes didn’t hit the target right behind her anymore. Her armor was pushed inwards, her ribs breaking one after the other, piercing and grinding through her organs.

Ilea kept on pressing long after the electric current had stopped, long after the woman had stopped moving altogether. Blood came out of her mouth and was soon joined by the smell of shit and piss. Not a pretty death to be sure. Ilea let go a minute later, making sure she had gotten the relevant notifications. Her healing had already gotten her up to eighty percent of her health again. She had never dipped below sixty. The result of this fight was clear from the first lightning bolt that hit her.

Melian wasn’t a vampyr like Trian. In a battle of attrition Ilea doubted even Trian would win against her, let alone this psycho mage. She let go of the corpse and stood up, making her helmet vanish before she spit blood on the ground. Ilea looked at the woman before she stomped onto her head. Three times until the bone broke and the head caved in. She lifted her armored boot from the bloody mess before she looked up.

Kyrian was floating above the group of thieves, murderers and rapists. She could hear him talk and grabbed a leg of Melian, dragging the corpse towards the group as some of them watched on, horror in their eyes.

Chapter 157 Judge and Executioner

Chapter 157 Judge and Executioner

“If you move you will die.” Kyrian said, loud enough for all of them to hear but not shouting. Some of them were still confused. The whole fight between Ilea and Melian had only taken a couple minutes after all. Most of them were drunk in addition. They looked towards either Ilea or Kyrian, the armored man floating with metal spikes next to him. The black armor was known in Riverwatch as well and they could make their assumptions.

Ilea put on her helmet again before she reached the group, dragging the destroyed corpse next to her as they stared at her in silence. She walked to the bonfire and flung the corpse into it. Watching the fire for a moment, Ilea sighed and turned towards the barn where the prisoners had been held.

Blinking towards it, she reached the people inside mere seconds later and checked on the woman as they all parted to let her through. She was dead and Ilea closed her eyes with her hand.

“I’m sorry.” she said, to the dead woman and not the people around her. One man was crying, his hand held in front of his face as he looked at the corpse. Ilea looked at him. “Carry her.” she said. “It’s safe now.”

Walking outside, she saw the man nod and clean his face of the tears before he carefully grabbed the corpse. The others were watching on and most of them followed.

“Bury or burn?” Ilea asked without looking at him. He was quiet, a man in his late twenties, his hair disheveled and his body covered in filth. He smiled as he looked at the woman’s face.

“She was so brave.” he said. “E… everyday, she was so brave.” he said again as more tears streamed down his face. “I’d like to burn her. But not here.”

“Do you need help?” Ilea asked but he shook his head.

“Don’t move too far away for now, I don’t know if some of them might’ve escaped.” she said. “Who feels capable to move clothes, food and water to the rest of the group?” Ilea asked. Five people stepped up and she nodded. “The rest, stay here. We’ll be back soon.” she said and walked towards Kyrian who was still floating. There were two corpses lying near the big group that hadn’t been there before.

Ilea spread her wings and joined Kyrian. “They raped and killed a lot of them. Most were tied up and living in their own filth. This is scum.” she said to the man.

Ilea floated for a while and looked into the fire. “I need some time. Do what you want but I’m not in a state to judge them.” she said, feeling the rage inside of her. It was cold and deep. She wanted to simply rip off each and every one of their heads.

“We have time. Help the survivors, it will help.” Kyrian said calmly before he carefully moved his hand towards her helmet. He hesitated but then touched it gently.

“Thanks.” she said and floated down, joining the people who were ready to help.

“All of you undress. Everyone who isn’t naked in the next two minutes I will kill.” Kyrian said to the outlaws in front of him but Ilea focused on the survivors.

They looked through the wagons and the used barn, finding different sets of clothing first for the people that helped and then for everyone else. There were twelve survivors in total, all of them soon clothed and fed. They had moved the survivors into the barn and gave them all food. Ilea watched a girl not older than sixteen unable to stop her shaking hand before an older man helped her eat. Not a word was spoken and Ilea was glad she had her helmet on, tears dripping down onto the metal from within.

She checked on the man in the basement. His condition was stable but he was still knocked out. She moved him upstairs into a small bed still standing in one of the side rooms. The mage who had helped Melina was taken outside as well, gagged and bound just as all the rest. All of them were naked and kneeling on the ground. Some shivered from the cold, some from fear.

‘Is this what I have to do now?’ Ilea asked herself as she dropped the mage next to the others, grabbing his head and slapping him awake. ‘Fighting and killing, that is one thing...’ the mage woke up and gasped through his gag, looking at her with wide eyes and then his surroundings. ‘Passing judgment on men and women like these.’ the man in front of her closed his eyes before Ilea felt mind magic try to enter her head.

She slowly walked behind him and grabbed his chin, her buffs activated and she ripped his head off. Kyrian walked up to her. “Mind mage? I felt it too.”

Ilea nodded and threw the corpse into the fire. She smelled some of the people around her pee themselves. This work was dirty, there was nothing good about it. The survivors were traumatized, never able to completely return to their own lives. She would fight on and perhaps at some point lose her humanity as well. But she would do it. Get stronger to protect her friends and their families. Dale, Kyrian, Trian, Eve, Claire and all the people she had met, the people she had fought with.

She would inspire both them and the survivors from this fucked up side quest to get stronger, to fight for themselves and she would strike fear and terror in those that opposed her, those that would torture and kill the people she cared about. She was no shining paladin, no bastion of good morals. She was a monster, to all the monsters out there, human or not.

“Tomorrow we will find out who of you will live.” she said in a calm voice. “I need a god damn shower. Can you watch over them?” she asked Kyrian who just nodded.

“I’ll keep watch. Can you get Trevor, he’s still hiding.” he said and she nodded before flying off towards the forest.

Trevor was in the same spot. “Did you get her?” he asked.

“I did. Come, you can help as well. There are survivors.” she said and flew back without waiting for the man.

There was sadly no shower to be found on the farm but there were some water runes and a tub she found in the farm house. She filled it and removed her clothes, sliding into the cold water before she started scrubbing.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Lightning Valkyrie lvl 210 – Sorceress of Storms lvl 203]’

There were no level ups from the kill and Ilea thought the information away a moment later. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. Drying herself up, she stepped outside again, in leather armor and a hood. Just to make sure her face wouldn’t spread too much among random people and criminals. She had calmed down considerably. While the bath hadn’t been warm, it had been relaxing and her thoughts had drifted away from the filth and death surrounding this bloody farm.

Kyrian was sitting on a stool someone had brought him and moved around a sphere of metal. Over twenty people were kneeling in front of him, gagged and bound still. Most of the survivors had found a bed and at least tried to sleep at this point. Ilea saw through the closed barn gate that many of them couldn’t quite sleep yet.

“How are you doing?” the man asked her.

“Better.” she said and sat down on the ground next to him. He nodded at her reply and formed a metallic flower that be moved into her lap. It bloomed as she held it up and smiled.

The barn gate slowly closed behind them and Trevor walked up to the two, an expensive looking bottle in hand. “God damn that woman was worse than I thought. I mean I saw some of it first hand but this place is horrible.” he said and held the open bottle towards Ilea. She took it and sniffed on it. A wine but she felt more like juice right now. Handing it back to the man, she shook her head when he looked towards Kyrian.

“Where’s her corpse?” he asked.

“Burned.” Ilea said.

“Damn, I’m sure we could’ve sold her equipment.” he murmured.

“If anything survives the fire, we will. The rest of that monster should turn to ash.” Ilea said as a bit of the element formed in front of her, twirling in the air and carrying the metal flower towards Kyrian.

“I… I don’t know if you want to hear this but I know some of these people.” Trevor started.

“We will decide when the sun rises. At least I will gladly listen to what you have to say. Kyrian will decide for himself.” Ilea said. She felt drained but looking at the naked and scared people in front of her she felt not a shred of pity.

“Trevor, come.” Ilea said and whispered to Kyrian “I’ll be back in a couple hours.” the metal mage nodded and moved the flower into a strap of her leather armor.

“He should be around here somewhere…,” Ilea said as she flew over the dark landscape. Trevor held onto her harder than anybody else who had flown Azarinth Air previously. Fear of heights she supposed.

“There it is…,” she said a couple minutes later as she dove down to the little village where she had met Dale around six hours earlier. The sun was rising already and when they landed, the fire was out and there were no guards to be found. The trail was fresh though and with her Hunter’s Sight, it was easy to start following the trail.

Twenty minutes later, they found the guards moving through the forest in formation. Ilea allowed herself a little joke and smiled, moving silently through the forest, appearing behind one of the recruits and whispering into his ear. “You’re already dead…,” she said and brushed the side of his face.

The scream was surprisingly feminine and Ilea laughed as he swung his sword in her direction. She dodged it and jumped backwards, not to embarrass the man any further. This was exactly what she needed after last night.

“Hey don’t worry, it’s your local healer.” she said and put up her hands in defeat. Most of the others had noticed the commotion and rushed towards the scream, most of them smiling at the result and deducted events that had occurred.

“Thanks for not picking me.” Dale said as he joined the group as well. “We’re gonna pause for a while, secure the perimeter, I want a report on wildlife, trees, tracks and possible points of interest and tactical advantages and disadvantages of the surrounding hundred meters in half an hour. Get on it.” the captain said, the recruits spreading out immediately.

“Come out!” Ilea shouted towards Trevor’s position, where he came out from behind a tree and waved towards them.

“Riversong…,” Dale was immediately on alert but looked at Ilea with a confused expression.

It took them a while to explain the whole situation but in the end Dale and Trevor begrudgingly respected each other. They were already talking about how to cooperate in secrecy without having to alert the higher authorities or other criminal organizations. One thing was sure, Trevor wouldn’t sell out anybody and neither would Dale let anybody go from imprisonment. Other avenues could be explored though, like the regulation of certain drugs or a network of healers and doctors independent of each group.

“You’re getting along then?” Ilea asked after a while, interrupting the talk between them.

“I wouldn’t say getting along.” Dale said, grinding his teeth.

“Better than murdering each other.” Trevor said and winked towards the guard captain.

“Good, we’ll be off then. Let me know whenever you need help with anything else Dale.” Ilea said.

“Ah yes, the prisoners…,” Trevor murmured as he prepared to leave, scared of flying as he was.

“I will let you know. Ilea, thank you. Truly.” Dale said and bowed.

“Hey, thanks for giving me a chance back then. And give your family my greetings.” Ilea said.

“Appreciate it but they will remain as ignorant of your existence as ever. Otherwise I’ll have children running off to become adventurers…,” the captain said and shook his head. Ilea didn’t comment further and just waved as she ascended. She heard Dale shout for the recruits right after. Half an hour hadn’t passed so she hoped he’d go easy on them.

The way back to the farm was faster than before and Ilea landed close to the still sitting Kyrian who had a dozen or so small spheres of metal floating around him in an intricate manner. ‘Maybe we should train together…,’ she thought, looking at the metal flower still placed on her leather armor.

“Welcome back.” the mage said as Trevor let go of Ilea.

“Hey, I’d rather get this over quickly. Trevor wait here.” Ilea said and walked towards the barn. The survivors were all up already, quietly talking or sitting on the table. Opening the gate, some of them flinched at the sudden entrance.

“Who is the leader here?” Ilea asked and waited for a couple seconds as the survivors looked at each other, in the end focusing on a man who looked to be in his forties. He was around that level as well and walked up to Ilea with an uncertain look on his face.

“Come outside quickly.” she said and walked out. The man joined her a moment later and following Ilea’s line of sight, he looked at the still bound people in front of Kyrian.

“We will judge them. Each and every one of them.” Ilea said. “They all looked on, they all didn’t do anything so they’re all criminals. I believe not all of them deserver death though. Do you disagree?” she asked the man.

“I know some would disagree but…,” the man started “not all of them were as bad. Some even came to apologize, saying they’d be killed if they helped. So no, I agree with you.” the man answered. Ilea kept looking at their prisoners.

“Can you get everyone who can stomach seeing them into the main house. I’d like to bring every single one of them inside. I want to know what they did, the good and the bad.” she said. The man looked at her from the side and slowly nodded.

Ilea waited for a couple minutes as around half the survivors walked out of the barn, led by the man. He nodded towards her and walked to the main house.

The campfire was reduced to embers and ash. Ilea waited for the survivors to enter the house and then walked over to Trevor and Kyrian. “You go inside as well, perhaps you can speak for some of them.” Ilea said. Trevor gulped and nodded, leaving to go into the house.

“How about you?” Ilea asked, after a minute of silence.

“What do you mean?” Kyrian asked, looking up towards her.

“What do you think we should do with them?” she asked him, looking into his eyes behind the metal helmet. The suns warmed the yard slowly, the smell of burning flesh still in the air.

Chapter 158 Loose Ends

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, sorry for the late posts this week

. I moved, have a propper room now and all. Hope you all started well into the new week and have a good day or night.

Thanks for reading

.

Chapter 158 Loose Ends

“I’m with you on this one. Perhaps some of them can redeem themselves, or they already have.” Kyrian said to her and she thought about it.

It would be much easier to just kill all of them now. She sighed and walked up to the first person. A young man, early twenties it seemed and he looked at her with fear in his eyes.

“Can you remove the gag?” she asked and promptly the behind the man’s head opened up and the sphere moved out of his mouth. He coughed a couple times before he looked up to Ilea again. She was surprised that he didn’t chose to talk immediately.

“Why should you live?” she asked the man. He looked at her for a moment and then turned his attention to the ground before him.

“I… I shouldn’t…,” he said and opened his mouth again but nothing came out. Ilea grabbed the man and moved him towards the farm house. Entering, she watched the survivors and Trevor turn towards her as she dumped the man in front of her.

“All of you, tell me what you know of him. What did he do, what did he not do.” she said and leaned on the wall behind the man. Getting closer to his ear, she whispered. “If you talk without me allowing it, you’re dead.”

“I don’t know him.” Trevor said. Some of the survivors shook their heads. One of the women looked to the ground.

“You, can you speak? You don’t have to.” Ilea said, pointing at the woman who looked up, tears forming in her eyes.

“He… can he say a few words?” she said in a quiet voice.

“Go on.” Ilea said, kicking the man lightly. He looked at the woman as tears formed on his eyes as well.

“I am so sorry. They made me…,” he said but stopped again, looking at the ground.

“It’s him.” the woman said as she looked at Ilea. “He… he violated me.” the woman said and Ilea went to grab the man again but stopped when the woman continued. “He came back in the same night… to clean me up and bring me food. He apologized. He was scared…,” she said and Ilea lifted him up with one hand.

“He did what he did. You always have a choice.” Ilea said. “Do you wish for him to live?” Ilea asked, locking eyes with the woman. “Decide in the next minute.” she said and walked outside, throwing the man on the ground before the house.

When she returned, the woman had tears in her eyes. “What… what will happen to him if he lives?” she asked.

“We will bring them to Riverwatch, where the guard takes over. After that, I don’t know.” Ilea said.

“Let him live then.” the woman said, looking into Ilea’s eyes. She nodded and walked out again, grabbing the man and throwing him next to Kyrian. “Can you prepare a wagon or something? We’ll have to move all these people and I doubt you can do that much with your magic.”

“It would be too much, yes.” Kyrian said as he got up and went to the wagons. “I’ll keep an eye on them, go on.” he said, looking back at her.

The next prisoner was taken and his gag removed by Kyrian. He started smiling as he looked at Ilea.

“You fucking bitch… we could’ve had the whole city if it weren’t for you...” Ilea crouched down in front of him and sighed. She unsheathed Aki and swiftly moved the blade across his throat. The cut was so deep she nearly took his head. He gurgled and died as she looked into his eyes. The man sacked down a moment later and Ilea moved on to the next one.

It took them two hours to go through all of them, Kyrian took over after ten people and Ilea did the last three of them. They killed eighteen out of the twenty two that were there, most of them because of their actions against the prisoners. Three didn’t do anything and even smuggled in food and water from time to time. Two of them tried to save the people even, going as far as planning escape routes and preparing supplies. They thanked Ilea for intervening and killing Melian. They’d still go to the guard with the evidence and the witness reports that Trevor begrudgingly wrote down.

“Any fire mages among you?” Ilea asked the survivors and one of them lifted their arm. A young woman with a scar running across her face. “Good, we need to burn the corpses.” she said and walked outside, the woman following.

“Kyrian, can you dig a big hole?” she asked the man who had finished preparing three wagons, no horses had been prepared but he probably didn’t know how to do that. Neither did Ilea. “I’ll go ask them if anybody knows how to saddle and strap horses onto the wagons…,” she said as he started to form metal plates to cut into the ground in the nearby field.

“How recent is that scar?” Ilea asked as she passed the waiting woman.

“Two months… I think.” she said.

“Let me try…,” Ilea said and carefully touched the woman, using her healing mana to work on the scar. The color around the scar turned a little more healthy but she couldn’t remove it completely. “A little better at least.” she said and smiled to the woman.

“Any of you know how to prepare horses?” Ilea asked the survivors who came out of the farm house. Two nodded and walked over to the animals.

“The old man woke up.” one of them said to her as he passed.

“Thanks.” Ilea said and walked to the house, entering and going to the room where the old man sat in the bed, a woman sitting next to him and talking about a knight saving them. Ilea smiled as she entered, a knight out of all things?

“You woke up. How are you feeling?” Ilea asked.

“Did you kill that monster?” the man asked as he looked at her.

“I did. Remember me? I think I know you.” Ilea said and watched him thinking. She motioned for the woman to leave and removed her hood afterwards. Recognition dawned in his eyes as he started laughing.

“Fate has brought you here.” he said after a while. “I am forever in your debt young woman. I feel like last time I could see your level though.” he said with a grin that missed more than one tooth.

“You could. You seem oddly happy, I remember you being tortured…,” she said and his grin vanished.

“I am happy it’s over. Experienced worse, though old wounds have reopened. I don’t think I can stay on this farm anymore.” he said and she nodded.

“I can see that. Well you were nice to me back then so why don’t I buy you a house in Riverwatch, how does that sound?” she said and he started laughing again immediately.

“I died didn’t I?” he asked, touching his face.

“Maybe we’re both dead.” Ilea said in a quiet voice, leaning on the wall next to her.

“I forgot your name I’m afraid.” she said and he smiled.

“Old Greg didn’t leave enough of an impression it seemed. I must admit the same, knight.” he said and laughed.

“Greg, it’s nice to see you alive. I’m Ilea.” she said and smiled, putting her hood back up and covering her face.

“To know the name of a Shadow. Now I do not want to be rude but I feel like I haven’t pissed and eaten in a week.” he said.

“Need help?” she asked as she pushed herself off the wall.

“Ah don’t mock me woman. I look older than I am.” he said and hopped out of bed. She nodded warily and quickly touched the man who walked past her to check him for damage. He spoke the truth though it seemed.

“Wagons are prepared.” Kyrian walked up to her when she exited the house. A fire was burning in the field, a thick black smoke rising and the smell of something akin to pig spreading in the vicinity.

Ilea nodded. “Let’s get out of here then.” she said and sat on the wagon with the survivors. She’d find Dale in a couple hours to rendezvous in Riverwatch, both to report back and give over the survivors and criminals.

It took them half a day to finish everything up, most of the time spent on getting the house for Greg. The prices were rather low apparently because of all the people leaving the city. The refugees still didn’t have enough money to buy houses but for Ilea it was a good time to do so. Twenty five gold, she spent and the man got a rather nice and spacious place. That left her at 2369 gold coins left, nearly all of it from the Taleen dungeon still. She had spent quite a bit of it but not enough to really make a dent into her retirement savings.

Perhaps she should invest though. In Riverwatch and Ravenhall maybe. Not like she really had a reason to keep all of it but she didn’t really want to bother with administrating all of that either. Owning some restaurants would be cool though. Maybe she could ask Claire to do that for her. She doubted Dale wanted to do something like that and she didn’t trust Trevor enough for such an endeavor.

She had informed the criminal to let the woman they hired go. She at least trusted him that much, though she did mention that his head would be the one to roll should anything happen to her.

“Thank you so much again. You won’t get the recognition for what you did but I know that the survivors will at least tell the tale.” Dale told her as he shook her hand.

“Gladly, just find me if you need something else but don’t advertise it too much, especially my name. I have enemies in the west and maybe here too.” she said and he nodded.

“I assumed as much. You’re not the quiet and complacent type.” he said and chuckled. “But hey, you managed to save a city.” he said with a smile.

“Stop it, I helped out a friend.” she said and turned around. Kyrian waited near the gate already.

“Goodbye Ilea.” Dale said and waved.

“Bye Dale. See you around.” she said and smiled before she put up her hood and flew upwards and towards the eastern gate.

The two of them ascended over the city of Riverwatch, the weak light sources from below soon fading into the rainy clouds. “Wanna speed up the way back a little?” Ilea asked the man.

“If I can keep up.” Kyrian said and Ilea nodded, her wings flapping in the wind before she accelerated upwards and to the east. The wind smashed into her face immediately as she sped up from a floating position to her top speed in a matter of less than ten seconds. Her body didn’t give in though, the wind and needle like rain barely a distraction to her now natural defenses. Activating her Veil of Ash, she found her speed barely decreasing while the experience turned from a windy flight to cruising in a luxury airliner.

Looking back, Ilea found her teammate slowly falling behind. She turned around and flew backwards, doing twirls as she formed a vortex of ash around her, trying hard to keep its speed up with her own. It didn’t quite work but she did manage to form little balls, spears and tendrils of ash she shot Kyrian’s way who in turn dodged or blocked all of it with quickly forming metal shields.

The man responded in kind as Ilea saw metal needles fly towards her through her Sphere as she slowed down a little to match his speed. The two twirled around each other in the air, shooting projectiles towards each other. Ilea found her quickly created ash to disperse after a couple dozen meters already but with the speed they were traveling at, she couldn’t condense it any more in the air around her.

Stopping her attacks while still flying, Ilea formed a ball of ash in her hand and kept it there to avoid it falling behind in the air around her. The ball condensed further and further until she couldn’t get it any denser. She felt that she could go further but her understanding of the related skill simply wasn’t great enough yet. The ball looked more black than any of the previously created projectiles and Ilea released it towards Kyrian, not with her manipulation skill that allowed a somewhat fast propel, instead she used her arm to throw the ball.

Kyrian barely dodged and answered with five metal spears, two of which Ilea caught while the rest were dodged with a small turn of her body. The ashen sphere flew farther than Ilea imagined, vanishing into the clouds behind the metal mage.

The two of them continued their bout as they progressed further towards the east, high up in the air as they attacked each other, Ilea getting more and more quick with the sphere creation. She still had to use her hands to stop the ash from simply flowing away but she felt that should she be standing still, she could do the same in the air around her.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 18’

The sudden message had her tumble in the air and barely dodge the most recent metal spears sent her way. Kyrian caught up quickly, metal spheres floating around him, easily keeping up with him.

“You alright?” he asked.

Ilea nodded “How do you get the spheres to match your speed?” she asked as they continued on.

“They are what carry me. My speed is directly related so all the other metal is the same. Even faster really because it doesn’t have to carry me.” the man explained.

“Interesting… what about the needles you shoot towards me, they’re faster than you are.” she said.

“They’re smaller as well, lighter and I allow my control over them to lessen when they shoot towards the target, otherwise they’d rather easily be dodged.” Kyrian said.

Ilea twirled around herself, their bout continuing. “But…,” she said, dodging three projectiles “… you can still turn them around again…,” she finished as she concentrated on the needles through her Sphere.

“I lessen my control, I don’t remove it completely. They slow down a lot as they turn.” he said and she could see exactly what he meant as the needles changed their course and rushed towards her again, speeding up as soon as they pointed towards her body.

‘Interesting…,’ Ilea thought as she formed another sphere of ash. She didn’t really have the need to even keep the ash with her like the metal mage who couldn’t simply create new metal.

Testing it, Ilea used her manipulation to shoot the sphere towards Kyrian but pushed it away with as much speed as she could, feeling her control over the element lessen and then completely slip as it sped up. It was much faster than before, not quite as fast as her simply throwing it but more accurate by miles. Kyrian lifted a metal plate to deflect the attack and followed her.

The two travelers paused a couple hours later to meditate and restore their strength. Ilea offered the man some food as she sat down on the ground and let the rain fall on her armor. It was already late in the afternoon but the suns didn’t quite manage to push through the dark clouds above. Still it wasn’t very cold, winter having passed at least in the plains.

“Why don’t you give up control over the spheres that carry you? You’d be faster…,” Ilea said as she turned to look at Kyrian who had removed his helmet to eat.

He looked at her and swallowed. “I’d be a much easier target. And it’s not as easy for me to fly as it is for you. Maybe you noticed my lacking maneuvers compared to you. You’re moving like you’re on the ground…,” he said and continued eating.

“Yea my wings are pretty cool. Then again at least you can fly and you’re pretty quick.” she said and ate as well. He grunted at that as they sat in silence, the rain dripping off their armors.

Ilea remembered the caravan travel to Salia from song long ago. It really was a difference now. Even running was back then but now she could literally fly. An improvement to her life she didn’t really expect when she landed in this world in the first place. Kyrian soon got up again and started floating. She looked at him and blinked upwards, her wings spreading right after as they continued on their way towards Ravenhall.

It took them a couple more hours to reach the mountain chain and the city within. There was still some snow but at least the weather was much clearer up near Ravenhall.

“Wanna go back already or stay home for a while?” Ilea asked. The man shrugged in response, looking at her.

“You wanna stay home don’t you?” he asked.

“I do.” she said and smiled at him, changing into her leather armor. Kyrian just nodded and started flying again, this time towards her house. She’d finally get around to read at least a little bit again.

Edwin’s sword slashed through the neck of the kneeling man before him. Blood started exiting the wound before the body fell down, the head rolling a little further, its dead eyes staring into his. A moment passed before he looked up again and around the room. His old training hall. The man sighed as he repressed the memories that floated up in the back of his mind, concentrating on the task at hand and the danger they were currently in.

Another scream filled the richly decorated hall, now joined by the corpses of trainers and nobles alike. ‘Slavers…,’ Edwin thought as he walked towards his companion. Maria looked into the woman’s face as her magic slowly removed more and more parts of her body, her hate filled eyes focused on the trainer’s face.

“You’re going to alert the whole city if you continue this.” Edwin said. A sudden burst of magic later, Maria threw the now heartless corpse to the side, a tear rolling down her face. She brushed it away and looked around the hall.

“What should we do with them?” she asked after a moment, motioning to a group of young children, not even in their teens yet. Their expressions were mostly dominated by terror as they pushed against the wall behind them, stumbling over each other. It had only been a couple minutes since the two had infiltrated the training grounds of the Redleaf family.

“Leave them, they know who we are anyway.” Edwin said. “We’re not here for them.” Maria nodded and suddenly jerked her head towards the stairs.

“Someone’s coming.” she said, magic flowing around her.

Chapter 159 The Hunted

Chapter 159 The Hunted

“Good thing they took so long.” Edwin said as he turned towards the stairs as well.

Two people were walking downstairs and entered the hall, looking around. A man looking to be in his late twenties, brown hair and a black coat. He looked at the corpses and then focused on Edwin, a grin forming on his face. His companion, a woman looking to be not a day older than twenty, wearing beautiful silver armor with a perfect face and black hair, ignored both the corpses and the two people standing in the middle of the hall.

“Brother, welcome back! It’s been too long.” the man said and opened his arms, magic flowing into the room. The corpses slowly started to move as the blood around them started swirling, their bones breaking with a sickening crunch as they rose up.

Edwin ignored the man and prepared his swords. He didn’t need to tell Maria how dangerous the two individuals were. They had discussed a possible encounter with enemies they wouldn’t be able to stand against. Considering their specializations it’d be hard to get away unscathed. A smirk came to his face as he prepared to fight. He worried too much.

“Hello Tiana.” Maria said as her magic condensed. The black haired woman bowed a little in response but didn’t say anything.

“Let us dance!” the man in the black coat said as the unnaturally standing corpses suddenly lurched towards the two intruders. Edwin chuckled to himself, which got him a look from Maria right before his skills activated. This wasn’t only his enemy’s domain.

He had grown up here. The first reanimated corpse with no head reached him as Edwin’s swords moved, his body one with his classes, his skills and his instinct. The blades slashed through the corpse with ease, cutting through its torso and legs before he twirled around the still moving flesh, only the momentum remaining as his enemy’s control was ripped away by his own magic. An eyebrow rose on the necromancer as Edwin’s blood magic settled in his bones and muscles, his step sure and heavy on the stone floor as he advanced, blades flashing as they reflected the candle light in the room.

Both the necromancer and Tiana vanished as the air around them rushed inwards where Maria’s magic had activated. Edwin didn’t see her anymore but he concentrated on his enemies as his blades slashed, his body dancing as blood sprayed through the room, each cut ending the movements of a corpse trying to get to him. The air froze before he teleported away, appearing again and slashing at the spikes of ice coming from his previous position.

Some of them came through and clashed against his defensive layer of blood magic. He knew Tiana’s magic wasn’t as simple as that, dropping the layer and teleporting away to see the explosive expansion of her ice magic as it cut into a corpse and the ground below, freezing flesh, bone and the very stone beneath.

It would be unwise to keep their fight in the training hall, there simply wasn’t enough space to have an ongoing battle with the ice mage. He rushed forwards and watched the woman hold up her hand, a rose forming between them. Edwin could see more roses around the woman but he rushed on as the rose before him suddenly vanished, in addition to another one to Tiana’s side. He reached her and his blades moved to the undefended spot on her right.

The impact of his blades was too early. Ripping out the blades he moved backwards as red projectiles smashed into the stone where he had just stood. On Tiana’s side was a flowing mass of silvery liquid, two cuts slowly repaired themselves as he watched on, dodging more blood projectiles coming from the other man.

Maria had finished the rest of the zombies in the meantime, removing their arms and legs while Edwin had tested Tiana’s defenses. The ice and apparently silver mage looked at his blades with interest as the silver remaining on them dripped to the ground below, sizzling into the stone. Metal mages of all kinds were rather rare and certainly dangerous but he had fought enough of them to be prepared for the most obvious tricks.

Good thing he was trained to be a blood enhancer in these very halls, Edwin thought as he whipped his blade to the side, removing the remaining silver from them. He noticed the smile on his face as four spears of blood closed in on him, making him dodge to the left. Expecting the spears to follow his movements, he teleported upwards to avoid the likely counter of Tiana that would wait behind the blood spears.

The air below him cooled, confirming his decision as he at his enemies. Maria was out already, he knew it because of the lacking void attacks in the last three seconds. The corpses were dealt with and she too understood the disadvantage they were in in the enclosed space. Tiana wasn’t the real danger here and should Kyle stop fooling around, it would be a massacre down here. He locked eyes with the man, both of them with a smile on their faces, both for their own reasons.

They only had to get away and today would be a great loss for the house of Redleaf. Perhaps they should’ve killed the children as well but then again, what would be the difference between himself and his father? The moment passed as Edwin reached the highest point of his teleport, the momentum stopping as projectiles of ice and blood reached him. His teleportation skill activated once more and brought him not closer to his enemies but upstairs, signaling their intention of retreat.

The real fight would start now. Edwin started running, confused servants around him looking at the sudden commotion as a monster like scream came from below, making the hairs on his neck and his arms stand up.

The night had nearly passed outside as he rushed into the beautiful garden surrounding the Redleaf training mansion in the outskirts of Virilya. It had taken days to find its location. Luckily one of the nobles they had hunted down had been responsible for delivering promising children to the estate. The forests and hills around the terrain had come back to him immediately as soon as they had reached it but the children were never allowed further out.

He stopped his run, feeling the heavy mana in the air around him and the feel it had. Running wasn’t an option. No, they had to injure their hunters. Enrage them and then injure them. Edwin smiled at the thought of having his self proclaimed brother fail and his father rage. He calmed the shaking in his arms, his breathing steadying as he felt the power within himself and his surroundings. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath, feeling the air flowing through his hair.

Another monstrous scream resounded and he opened his eyes, the corpse of a servant flying out of the door, rolling on the floor a couple times before it came to a stop. Her stomach had been ripped open and her blood was staining the dirt road leading to the mansion. A moment later the hinges of the big entrance ripped apart, the wood splintering outwards, revealing the form of the transformed Kyle, his father’s best hunter. ‘Now let’s see if we’re truly ready for this.’ Edwin thought as he locked eyes with the beast, the grip around his swords growing lighter, the weapons becoming one with his body.

Kyle advanced, his clawed hands digging deep into the dirt road and the field beyond as his three meters high form, now moving on all fours rushed towards its prey. Truly, a monster. Edwin stood his ground and watched the half wolf, half elk like beast close the distance in mere seconds by the sheer strength of its body. His own limbs started moving as he dashed towards the beast, watching as its clawed prank slashed at him with lightning speed.

Only a part of the arm suddenly vanished, sucked in by a small space in the middle of it. The half removed arm flopped forward, allowing Edwin to cut deeply into the side of his adversary. He moved backwards immediately, holding out his blades to block the second strike, the monster injuring itself on the blades as Edwin was blown backwards, his arms barely holding against the savage strike.

Landing, he watched Tiana fly upwards from behind the monster, a shower of ice spreading into the field, covering at least half of the huge space. Edwin moved backwards, dodging the spears and subsequent explosions of shards coming from the growing flowers. Kyle roared as some of the shards slashed into its flesh. The closest roses vanished into nothingness as Edwin ran through the field, away from the now frozen terrain. They wouldn’t grow overconfident and while Tiana was almost unbeatable in a one on one fight in a tournament or a small space, avoiding her magic outside and getting away from her was possible.

A good thing that the two had either not worked together a lot or simply hadn’t faced an enemy strong enough for them to learn to fight together efficiently. More shards of ice hurt Kyle as he ran after Edwin, making the sword dancer’s smile grow.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Ilea sprawled in her bed, yawning after a deserved two hours of sleep. She would’ve like to sleep more but her mind was set on improving her magic. The flight back with Kyrian had made her realize what potential power she was sitting on. Considering the reactions she had gotten from the people who knew about her Ash Creation skill, there really was no reason to ignore it any longer. It was nearly at 2nd lvl 20 as well after all. She didn’t quite know what she had to do to actually use her 3rd tier skill points in her second class but getting more skills to the current maximum level certainly wouldn’t hurt.

‘What should I do after I reach the max level on all skills… Azarinth is nearly there already…,’ she thought and looked through her skills. Not being able to level her skills anymore would be frustrating but there really wasn’t anything else she could do but to find stronger monsters or people to fight and kill to advance her levels. At least if she did want to improve.

Ilea looked at the books around her and sighed. There was nothing on the Azarinth class or her Inheritor class. Humans really should start sharing their knowledge more. The thought was interrupted by Kyrian walking upstairs and waving at her. He wasn’t wearing his armor today, finally comfortable enough to put it down for a while.

“Good morning.” he said, looking outside and smiling. Probably because it wasn’t morning. “You look beautiful.” the man added and stared at her.

“Are you perhaps here to inform me about a prepared meal?” Ilea asked, sitting up on the side of the bed and stretching.

“There is food, yes. I also wanted to ask if you wish to train together.” he asked.

“Perfect and yes. Manipulation skills?” Ilea asked and received a nod before she blinked downwards, sitting on the table to eat. There were plates with cheese, cold meat, fruits, nuts and even tomatoes.

“Thanks.” she said with a full mouth as he walked down to join her.

“It’s your food.” he said and shrugged, metal starting to float around him.

“You prepared it.” she said, ash coming into existence around her. She started forming a table behind herself, the same size and form as the one she was sitting at. Afterwards she formed bowls and all the food that was on the real table.

“What you need is stability, not detail.” Kyrian said, a metal sphere rushing into the table of ash, pushing through and creating a path as it moved around to destroy the whole picture, stopping in front of Ilea’s face as she continued eating.

“I know.” she said. “Any tips on making it more dense? You don’t really have that problem with metal…,”

“True, I don’t. I’m sure we can find some tips in Ravenhall. Fire or Wind mages are probably your best bet but I’d go for the latter, they actually have to make their magic more dense for it to work.” Kyrian explained.

“Wind magic… what if it’s just, feel the magic, feel the wind. I’m really not good with that stuff.” Ilea said and shook her head.

“Maybe it is. That’s how my magic started to manifest. I could feel the metal around me you know? Did you always have an ash related class?” he asked and Ilea shook her head, putting her legs up on the chair as she pushed her knees to her chest.

“I didn’t, no. I started with Fire.” she said, remembering her conversations with that fire mage in the Calys mine. She chuckled, remembering the name of the mine but not the name of the mage. She thought about the people she had met there for a moment.

“Daydreaming?” he asked, smiling at her as he ate a piece of cheese.

“Yes. The guy did tell me to feel the fire. I walked around burning myself with a torch for the remainder of that day…,” she said, smiling at the memory.

“That’s one way to go about it. Fits you I suppose. High pain resistance?” the man asked.

“I do, took me a while. That wasn’t pleasant…,” Ilea said and shivered. Burning alive was not something she’d rate high in a review of life experiences.

“Well then I think you should repeat that. Class evolution changed the Fire to Ash?” he asked.

“It did, yes. So just get ash around me and feel it? I don’t know. Fire at least did something.” she said.

“Real ash does as well. I mean yours is real as well but the way you create it is magical. Not the way one normally gets ash.” Kyrian explained, drinking from his mug.

“Since when are you a magic scholar.” Ilea asked.

“I’m getting better at reading.” he said after a moment of silence.

“You do? I haven’t taught you anymore…,”

“Cless. She’s… she’s good at explaining. And I don’t feel like an idiot with her.” he said.

“That’s great. I mean I hope I didn’t make you feel like an idiot.” Ilea responded.

“No you didn’t but you’ve been rather busy, in the demon realm and all. All I did was take care of Cless and killing demons here whenever I could.” Kyrian said.

“Now you can read without help?” she asked, eating a tomato. The man nodded which got a smile from her. “I’m proud of you.” she said.

Kyrian just looked into her eyes for over ten seconds before he smiled a little. “I don’t know how to react to that.” he said.

“You could say thanks.” she said and got up. “Now where did I put my lighter…,”

“Thanks then. There is one in the kitchen.” Kyrian said as he also got up. “I’ll get some wood up in the forest.”

“Thanks, I’ll join you outside in a moment.” Ilea said.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Blood dripped down from his shoulder as he slowly closed the wound with blood magic. He wouldn’t be able to hide for long. Explosions of ice rang through the forest as he again checked his shoulder. A good thing he had more than enough finesse in infections and poisons to counteract Kyle’s downright disgusting claws. The necromantic curses didn’t help. Edwin sighed as he meditated, regaining some of his strength.

The sun was already hanging rather high and the four of them had moved further out into the wildlands of the east, their game of cat and mouse leaving behind a path of frozen death and blood. Edwin rolled forward as massive claws ripped away the tree he was hiding behind, the man standing and turning around in a single motion as he regarded the massive monster of bone, flesh, fur and claws.

“I can smell you…,” Kyle said in a low and grumbling inhuman tone. His breathing was heavy. Edwin was impressed the man had kept this form throughout the past hours but he didn’t have this reputation for no reason.

He could smell the monster too, he could smell the festering blood of its hastily healed wounds inflicted from his blades, could smell the spittle falling down to the ground, its acidic odor as it burned through the first green of spring.

“I will tear you apart…,” Kyle said again as Edwin rushed closer, his blades parried away by a massive arm. The small wounds had added up and Kyle had become more and more defensive as the hours moved on, Edwin not slipping up a single time and he didn’t plan to start now.

‘She’s here…,’ he thought and dashed backwards, a lance of ice shattering into a thousand shards as it impacted the ground, the pieces spiraling and rushing towards him as he moved behind a tree, hearing the ice impact and cut through the old wood. He teleported further as the tree broke. As soon as Kyle had to give up his transformation, they’d make their escape. He had grown and he was glad that Maria had kept up. They had luckily had enough time to get used to fighting together after he had finally managed to break into the prison.

A roar resounded through the forest as he looked past the tree, seeing the bleeding monster lash out around it, tendrils of blood destroying the trees and the ground around it as a rain of ice came from above. He moved, dashing through the trees with his full speed, blood magic enhancing his movements as he focused on every noise and movement in his peripheral vision.

“He’s transforming back. Let’s move.” Maria appeared next to him and said. “I need a break.” she said and fell where she stood, her consciousness leaving as Edwin caught her and started running. His eyes narrowed as he started moving through the forest, not on the ground but on the trees, his steps improved by his blade dancer skills, leaving behind only the faintest traces of a touch, easily mistaken for a wild animal. It would take them a while to follow though he doubted either Kyle or Tiana had the required skills. Both were likely excellent trackers but neither blood magic, nor silver magic would work on them.

They’d have to use more conventional means to find them an Edwin doubted a skilled tracker in the Redleaf’s employ was an hour or less away. He had succeeded. He winced as his magic failed against the festering curse in his upper arm. It had to be removed, or there was a chance for them to track it.

Chapter 160 Ashen Afternoon

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you had a nice weekend

. Here two chapters. Just realized the PoV seperations didn't get copied so I'll add them afterwards.

Let me know what you think and thanks for reading as always!

Chapter 160 Ashen Afternoon

Edwin stopped on a big stone and moved the unconscious Maria onto his left shoulder, pushing some mana into her to wake her up. He had no other choice.

“What… Edwin…,” the woman said as he unsheathed one of his swords. Moving his right arm towards his mouth, he bit down hard and slashed his blade upwards. Wincing at the pain, at least his bite didn’t cause any more of it as he used his blood magic to close the wound on his partially removed shoulder.

Dropping the arm on the ground, he looked to Maria who was barely awake, stroking his cheek as tears streamed down her face. She looked to the ground and activated her magic, the arm vanishing with a chunk of the ground and all the blood that had dripped down.

“Now s… sleep.” Edwin said and sheathed his sword, holding her with one arm as he continued his dash.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Ilea felt the embers tearing at her skin, the heat merely a slight distraction as she held her eyes closed and concentrated on the feeling on her body. The ash was warm and comfortable, her Heat and Pain resistances making the torturous experience much simpler compared to the acquisition of her Fire Mage class.

Kyrian had looked for a cave with a metal vein inside to train his magic after they had cut down enough wood to burn ten or more bonfires for Ilea. She was lying naked and covered in the burning ash as she breathed in and out calmly, trying to feel the magic in the elements around her. It had taken her hours to even prepare the fire and now she was in the ash for at least as long. They had decided to build the bonfire in the forest half an hour away from her house to not arouse a monster’s or person’s suspicions. A big pile of wood was stacked ten meters away from the fire, neatly cut and placed by Kyrian whose metal magic really made the process as simple as one could wish for.

Ilea wasn’t exactly spiritual but in this world, magic truly existed. That fact made it easier to justify her current position and not think of herself as some crazy cult member sacrificing themselves to the gods of fire and pain. Her resistances made it easier for her to concentrate on the magic, on the feeling on her skin and the itching she felt that wanted her to use her Manipulation skill to connect to the ash. She didn’t allow it, wanting to understand the connection and the element beforehand.

It felt like the opposite and yet the same as her training with fire. More difficult as her body and mind wanted to simply touch the ash and move it around her, becoming the master of the element. And yet she wanted to understand it, just as she had forced herself to understand fire. Not its chemical or scientific composition, no, its magical nature. Something she was sure by now existed on earth as well, just to a much lower degree.

The way she had stared into the fire in a hearth, or the way the ocean made her feel, the waves moving up and down as they crashed into the earth and sand of the beach. The way they clashed against the boat in a fury and. She stopped her thoughts, concentrating again on the now as she tried to catch that feeling again, the feeling that made her mana and spirit connect to the very elements around her.

It felt stronger. The feeling of fear and overwhelming power she felt when she looked out into the ocean was real, graspable and true. The feeling of a roaring flame, consuming houses and living beings alike, the feeling of lightning, coursing through her.

The feeling of embers, the last sparks of life burning away, glowing in a sea of gray and black flakes. The last remaining life before it returns to nature itself. Flakes of black and gray as it floats upwards, carried by the wind.

Ilea opened her eyes, her hand moving upwards into the air, the ash on her body trembling at the sudden magic released by her. Not the usage of her skills but raw magic that exited from her body as she accepted the elements around her. Its magical nature and unlimited potential. She smiled as the particles of ash danced a little on her body.

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 20’

She stood up and lifted her arms, feeling the ash around her as it moved upwards, her connection to the element established as she allowed her magic to take over, to become one with the ash. She studied it with her Sphere, with the feeling in her magic as she held her eyes closed and the vortex of ash around her intensified, speeding up and cutting her body where it grazed her.

It had been a long journey to level her Manipulation skill and she truly felt like she had made a breakthrough now. She was at the highest point the skill would allow her to get, for now at least. Still she felt small, she felt that while her understanding had made a big jump, she was still just grasping at a sea of knowledge, a sea of power. Ilea understood then and there that in the long run, this would be her most powerful weapon and her most solid defense. The possibilities of her manipulation and creation skills combined meant the control of an element. Not the use of it, like her fire magic had been, it meant true control.

Time passed and Ilea felt her magic drain as she refused to activate her Meditation skill, allowing her body and mind to fully focus on the ash around her, as it cut into her body, the ground below and now even the trees further back. The stack of wood was covered in flakes, as were the trees and the snow still clinging to life in these high altitudes. An unknown time later, Ilea collapsed.

She coughed and started meditating, having lost the connection she had felt until but a moment ago. The ash that had been swirling around her fell, covering herself and the ground in a sea of gray and black. There was too much of it, way too much to come from the amount of wood she had burned. The answer lay in her mind as she checked the notification.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘Nearly there as well…,’ she thought and smiled before a shiver went through her. Not because of the cold. The connection to the raw magic and the element of ash was an experience incomparable to anything else Ilea had ever went through. Perhaps a spiritual awakening as she had seen portrayed in movies or books was the closest she could think of. She didn’t feel spiritual, nor did she feel enlightened, no Ilea felt powerful. She smiled as she held out her hands and made the ash rise once more, her control having increased a non proportional amount to the few levels she had gained.

There were things in this world not represented by numbers alone. Or perhaps numbers unseen? She asked herself but was happy non the less. Dale had taught her to trust in her skills more, to let them guide her. Perhaps this was similar. Still she had refused to use her skill while she was lying in the ash so her interpretation might be wrong. The ash still swirled and as Ilea lifted more and more of the element, she realized just how much there was around her.

The trees bent downwards by the sheer weight of it and the snow was gray instead of white for farther than her Sphere portrayed. In the midst of the gray vortex was Ilea, standing steadily as she ignored the small bleeding cuts on her body. In her hand was a sphere, a small black swirling sphere of ash. More and more of the surrounding element joined the small sphere as it got darker and darker, its form solidifying more and more.

She didn’t force it to become more dense, more solid, it felt to her as if she simply asked it to do so. The approach of her manipulation chanced from a forceful one, one that required her understanding, to a more passionate and trusting one. A weird feeling, especially now that she had come to accept the mathematical system in this world governed by skills, levels and stats. Again, she thought about the possibility of displaying emotions and feelings in numbers but ultimately gave up on it. She was neither an AI, nor was she a philosopher.

What she was, was a friend of ash. The thought was a little embarrassing, even to Ilea. Something near childlike but it was the closest she could describe the feeling as. The sphere in her hand was solid by now, easily mistaken for a black pearl or ammunition for a rifle. It was still around five centimeters in diameter, quite a big rifle that would be. She let the sphere become as small as possible before she opened a tunnel in the vortex around her, letting the little ball flash forwards.

She watched on with full attention and interest as the ball smashed into a tree with a thud. The vortex continued as the still naked Ilea walked through, moving the vortex to ignore her frame. The sphere was stuck in the tree, at least ten centimeters deep and to her surprise, still solid. This would easily be enough to kill a small animal or a human on Earth. And it was a ranged attack that used nothing but mana. Her bow, Ilea had learned, was a little inefficient to use in the midst of a fast paced battle. She needed time to summon it, to draw it and to shoot it. Of course with her necklace it wasn’t as big of an issue but something like the spheres of ash would be preferable against an enemy as quick as that demon or Trian.

Now it was simply a learning process to become able to use them in the midst of fighting a battle. She’d fight Kyrian whenever they had the time. For now Ilea felt like she could advance her control or rather cooperation with the element quite a bit more, even though the skill wouldn’t level again, at least until she could advance it to the third stage. Checking for third tier options left her with the expected result. None were ready to be advanced.

Maybe Dagon could help her with that. She decided to check out Ravenhall later and meet up with Claire as well. Maybe she already had some jobs prepared. For now she’d enjoy her little vacation but it wouldn’t hurt to snatch the good missions when they were available.

Looking at the sphere of ash in the tree, Ilea pushed at it a little harder, starting to spin the sphere where it had gotten stuck in the tree. A minute later she found her sphere actually getting further, the scent of burnt wood spreading into the vicinity. It was a slow process but Ilea did manage to break through the tree ten minutes later, the sphere of ash coming out on the other end and floating back towards her. The possibilities were certainly unexplored, she thought and slowly reformed the sphere into a small spike.

It was harder to reform the object as it was already rather solid. She felt that this would change as her understanding grew, regardless of her actual skill level. While the potential of her manipulation was capped for the moment, she knew for a fact that she hadn’t yet reached that cap in her practical appliance.

The range was another issue and Ilea decided to test it immediately, shooting the reformed spike forward with the highest speed she could muster right now. Her buffs at full power and her wings spread, she followed the projectile and found herself easily able to do so. A disappointment to the usage of her ashen magic yet a testament to her own power and speed. The spike slowed down after a while, Ilea having given up her control over it right after sending it out.

Still it moved for an impressive forty meters before noticeably dropping down and finally hitting the snow below. Ilea hovered it upwards again and spun it around with the power of her magic. One thing that was rather cool to her was the fact that she didn’t have to move her hands to use her control. Neither did she have to shout out any ridiculous sounding skill names to make it work. ‘It could be somewhat intimidating but Ash and Ember Manipulation doesn’t have the right ring to it…,’ she thought about possible new names for her attack as she created ash around her, forming new spikes and comparing the process to the original one formed from a mix of magically and normally created ash.

It was the same, at least as far as she could tell. The feeling both her five senses and the Sphere of perception gave her, indicated no differences between the now five spikes. She did have to create a substantial amount of ash to form the rather dense spikes but it took her less than ten seconds to form one. Plus she could form all of them at the same time. Ilea tested a little and found that she couldn’t form more than four of the same sized spikes in ten seconds, her Ash Creation skill limiting the process. Only forming one didn’t reduce the time either as it seemed her Manipulation skill was the bottle neck.

It was not possible for her to push more ash into the single spike in the same time frame. Again, Ilea felt like this wasn’t yet the limit and simple training and exercise could make her reach the actual cap of her skill.

Sitting down in the snow, Ilea sighed and lied down on her back. Arms moving to create a snow angel, she thought about all the growths she had managed to achieve in the past months. How many of her skills had yet to reach their actual cap. Putting her hands to her face, she put on some leather armor through her necklace. It wasn’t the newest anymore. Looking down on it, she decided to get a new set soon enough. Maybe there were traders in Ravenhall as well. Ilea was glad that at least Kyrian had stayed with her. He’d be great to train with and gain some experience with all her skills, especially the ash related ones.

“I’m back and still alive.” Aki commented, ignored as per the usual by the former healer.

Kyrian would be back again at her house when the sun would set. Flying upwards, Ilea looked back and found that she hadn’t caused a forest fire yet, deciding that she’d bath in ash again tomorrow. Maybe later if Kyrian didn’t show up, she after all had no idea how he could tell the sunset from the inside of a cave.

“Some breakthroughs with your ashen magic? Didn’t think you’d EVER focus on that one.” Aki said.

“Why the hell can’t you be useful before I discover something…,” Ilea mumbled but smiled, knowing the answer before it came.

“That would be terribly boring dear, wouldn’t it?” the dagger said as the two continued their way towards Ravenhall. The rest of the way in silence.

She did decide to keep the five spikes of condensed ash with her. They didn’t dissolve when she removed her control but after a while of travel Ilea found that they were crumbling a little. Storing them inside her necklace wasn’t possible either, likely because they were a magically touched element. Maybe if she put them into a box first, something to try in the city as well. If it was too much of a hassle, she’d simply create them on the go. Ten seconds wasn’t much, even in a dangerous fight. Summoning and opening a box was faster for sure but Ilea didn’t know for how long that would stay true.

She reached Ravenhall soon after, landing in the city directly. Repair works were in progress as mercenaries and soldiers of different specializations worked their literal magic to lift rubble, burn corpses and move stone. A squad of soldiers reached her just after landing, the leader with her hand on the sheath of her sword.

Ilea had her hood up and looked at the woman with a bit of a crooked head. ‘Ah yes. Where did I have it…,’

“You just landed right? State your name and business here.” the woman asked with a tense voice.

‘Didn’t we get a badge or something… all I have is this silver adventurer thing. I guess the armor is the usual tell of a Hand member…,’ Ilea thought as she looked through her necklace in her mind. She’d have to ask Claire about that as well. Being a member of a prestigious order and not able to identify as one is kind of useless. At least the soldiers were somewhat respectful at her high level. None of them could likely identify her, seeing their levels below one fifty.

“She’s with us.” a voice rang out from the top of a nearby building. A mage in black robes looked down on the group and continued his work right after.

“You’re… with the Hand then?” the woman asked, her hand still on the blade.

“Yea. Glad you didn’t attack.” Ilea answered, showing her smile below the hood. The woman gulped and let go of the blade, the others in the squad not looking much more relaxed than their leader.

“Cheers then.” Ilea said and walked off towards the center of the city, rather close from where she had landed.

“This job is killing me… one wrong word and we’re all dead…,” she heard the woman complain in a grumbled and quiet voice behind her.

“I heard a whole squad just vanished from the third company just yesterday…,” a man in the squad said. “… we’re bloody scouts for fuck’s sake…,” he finished and shook his head. Ilea wondered who they might’ve offended but having seen the power of the Shadow’s Hand and their warriors and mages when they faced the demon hordes, she could rather easily see some of them being offended enough to wipe out a squad of soldiers. Pricks were everywhere. At least not the whole order was full of them, she herself the shining example, the squad behind her alive and healthy.

Chapter 161 #Economics

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there dear readers. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think

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Have a great weekend everybody.

Chapter 161 #Economics

Ravenhall looked a little better already. It had been a couple days but Ilea was still surprised at the progress. The Hand or the empire must’ve put up some rather good pay to entice all the workers that busied the streets. Not just soldiers and mercenaries, she noticed. Many of them of a level much lower than usual for the Scouts or the Shadow’s Hand and their gear specialized for construction, not for adventuring or war.

Ilea reached the central government building a couple minutes later. It was busy. Much more than it had been the week before. The square was bustling with people going their way. A destroyed city with a mostly dead population combined with the funds to rebuild left a lot of economical opportunities. Ravenhall would stand again and the first people to realize that and invest would be the ones to profit the most.

Walking into the building, Ilea was glad to find that the Hand’s leadership was still there. Thanks to her Sphere she didn’t even have to ask anybody and simply blinked into Claire’s office, putting Aki into her necklace an instant later. A nicely furbished room greeted her, with a big wooden table, shelfs and a red and gold carpet, an intricately woven design woven into it. An oil lamp was burning on the table, unnecessary with the light outside but then again Ilea didn’t know how good Claire’s eyes were.

“Oh hello Ilea. Back already?” Claire asked, looking up from the document in front of her. One of many that cluttered her table. With her spherical perception, Ilea could tell there was an order to all the paper. Much more than one would assume looking onto the scene from the middle of the room.

“Yea, put our demonic friend in good care and even wiped the floor with a sparky bitch. The worst kind.” she said, getting a stare back from Claire.

“Well, you do you Ilea. What can I do for you, you can probably see that I’m rather busy. Anybody else I’d have already blown out of the room.” Claire said with a smile. The scorch marks on the floor, hidden below the carpet, and the neatly repaired window were proof enough of the woman’s words.

“Ah yes, well there are a couple things and I won’t be busying you for long. Any idea where I can find Dagon? I can’t see him in this place. Are there merchants in town who sell leather armor or maybe there’s a store open already? Ah and are there good jobs in already, me and Kyrian would love to get some good ones while they’re fresh. And can I have a badge or something? I don’t want to wear my black armor all the time. It’s kinda busted anyway.” Ilea monologued while walking around a little, picking up random documents and books before placing them back neatly into the exact same spot where she took them.

Claire listened intently and answered as soon as Ilea stopped speaking. “Dagon is either here or in his library, he got rather angry when he found out some of the Mind Weavers tried to get in there. There are merchants though no shops have opened yet, let me get to that after I answer you. Out on the square or near the northern gate you should find what you need.” she paused, signing the paper in front of her and putting it into a pile.

“We have an all time low for jobs at the moment. Everybody’s busy with the demons and people have just received news that the Hand still exists. Most places I assume think Ravenhall is destroyed and the Shadow’s Hand gone with it. Come back in a couple weeks and I should be able to get you some good things. Many of our members are helping with the rebuild and trust me, the pay isn’t worth their ability. Better for the city though. And for your last question. You should have a badge. We all got one. Did you lose it? It’s a black metal with, you guessed it. A hand on it.” Claire finished, looking at Ilea as she leaned back in her chair and sighed.

Ilea just shrugged in response. She had no idea where hers had gone, not remembering receiving one in the first place.

Claire stood up and got something out of a pocket in her pants. “Here, take mine. I’ll get a new one.” she said and handed Ilea a black piece of metal. “Touch it while it’s on top of my hand and accept. Otherwise you’ll get burned.” Claire said and showed her hand. Ilea did as was asked and got a noise in her mind in response.

‘ding’ ‘Would you like to claim [Shadow Badge – High Quality]?’

‘Yes I would, thank you oh dark one.’ Ilea thought, hoping that if there was an entity in control of this world and its magic, it understood sarcasm. If not, it would have to rip it away from Ilea’s cold corpse.

‘ding’ ‘You have claimed [Shadow Badge – High Quality]’

“Thanks Claire, I owe you. How much does one cost?” Ilea asked the woman who slowly walked to the window. A sudden feeling of spreading magic made Ilea alert, looking around the room and beyond as her buffs heightened.

“Don’t worry, it’s me.” Clarie said, looking out the window before she turned around, a sly smile on her face. “The necklace you can have for one question of mine.” Claire said, holding up a finger.

“Sure, you can ask whatever, I can’t promise an answer to everything though.” Ilea said, intrigued by the weird behavior of her friend. She walked behind the desk and sat down on the comfortable leather chair. ‘I have to get one of them too…,’ Ilea thought and smiled at the small twitch she could see on Claire’s mouth.

“How much gold do you have?” Claire asked, making Ilea turn with her chair towards the woman.

“How much gold? Why?” she asked in return.

“I’ll tell you if you tell me. The room is sealed, even you wouldn’t be able to hear through this.” Claire said.

“Well if there’s anybody I trust with information on my money it’s you. Lemme check… I have 44 gold, 29 silver and a whole two copper coins…,” she said, watching the smile on Claire’s face flatten a little and the spark in her eyes vanish.

“… not counting the 2325 gold coins I found in a dwarven mine. Don’t worry, they didn’t below to anybody anymore.” Ilea added with a dumb smile. She could see Claire actually getting close to throwing a runed stone towards her. The woman managed to stop herself though, likely because of the documents on the table.

“You… fuck.” Claire uttered but the tone implied a different feeling. “Ilea, this is just between me and you. You saw all the people outside. This city is a gold mine but it won’t be for long. The power, especially economic is a complete void. Most of the Hand’s members are too occupied with finding new jobs or their funds too far away to make deals right now and the imperial soldiers are simply not allowed to. Most of the rich merchants are yet to come here and the empire itself is too slow in its bureaucracy to allow fast acquisitions of their own. I’m sitting at the source and would be able to push through a ton of deals but I don’t have any gold Ilea. Damn I came here to get gold and influence, now I just lack the former.” Claire explained in a rush, nearly running over her own words. She was excited to say the least.

“I won’t let you get out of this room without at least lending me a couple hundred gold coins. Do you have them in your house or somewhere hidden? I can’t squander this opportunity so I ask you to help me. I’d get you favorable jobs and anything you need from the Hand as is within my power. Personal advice or work is included as well of course, as is anything else where I can be of service. Anything.” she stressed the last word, looking deeply into Ilea’s eyes. This was a woman ready to do business, at all cost.

“Claire, as much as I’d like to see you naked in my bed, me and Kyrian are becoming a sort of, well thing.” she said, Claire just looking at her confused before her eyebrows rose.

“I didn’t mean that…,” she started but Ilea stopped her with a gesture, walking to one of the shelfs. Next to it was a box with clothes. She took them out and placed them on the floor before she summoned exactly 2325 gold coins into the box, nearly filling it to the brim. Claire walked a step closer but stopped herself, her eyes fixated on the gold before Ilea closed it.

“I want you to take over as much of the city as you can. Understand me?” Ilea said, the woman looking at her dumbfounded. “Prioritize restaurants and any establishments that have to do with food, obviously. Then go for smithing, clothing, bed stores and anything else you deem useful or economical.” Ilea started, walking a couple steps in the room.

“Anything you can buy or build up. I trust you with this gold. I want Cless to have a school again where she can learn about the world. I want the guard and adventurers from around here to be equipped well and I want the whores to be treated right. Invest in political influence as well if you can. Unions for workers, is that even a thing here?” Ilea asked looking at the woman sideways who just nodded.

“Good. Stay economical though but you can invest long term. You know all that stuff better than me anyway, don’t do anything stupid and I want personal reports from you whenever I come back here. Make sure that the bosses and staff know of Lilith.” Ilea said and smiled. She really liked the idea of being this unknown owner of damn near a whole city. Claire seemed to like the idea just as much as her grin started to mirror Ilea’s.

“Everything to be co owned by me and you, contracts signed by both of us. Twenty percent you, eighty me?” Ilea asked.

“God you’re terrible at this. Good thing you have me. Ten for me, let this be the only horrible decision made with this gold.” Claire said, shaking her head as she started writing on a fresh piece of paper. “Come back in two hours.” she said, focused on the paper as Ilea shrugged “Even less sleep then…,” Claire grumbled before Ilea blinked out again.

She moved the new badge in her hand and looked at it. ‘Second necklace?’ she asked herself but then simply made it vanish into her existing one. There likely wasn’t frequent use for it anyway. Aki was summoned again but didn’t complain this time around. Jumping down the building, she bought some food nearby and walked around. ‘Was twenty percent that much?’ she asked herself as she checked the armors placed on a wooden table. The merchant was talking with another man while Ilea looked at the goods.

There was no set of leather armor that would fit her well so she continued her search. Ilea didn’t find what she was looking for in half an hour of browsing but she did purchase a small wooden box, perfectly sized to store around twenty of her ashen spikes. Putting the five she still had with her inside, she successfully stored the box in her necklace.

Removing it again, Ilea found the spikes completely crumbled already. “Fuck. Well this isn’t gonna work…,” Ilea grumbled to herself and made the box vanish again. At least she had a nice box now.

Viscera looked spotless compared to the rest of the city and it seemed many of the Hand’s members had prioritized its cleanup. Most of the previously damaged architecture had been repaired and the only visible signs of a battle were small scratches and scorch marks on a couple of walls. The elevators had been repaired as well and Ilea found herself in Dagon’s domain soon after.

The man was nowhere to be found and even with her Sphere, she couldn’t see him. Hunter’s Sight activated and Ilea looked around again. This time she noticed a couple of things. One, that her senses were a little off in this room. She could feel the faint presence of magic. Her Sight and Sphere combining, Ilea could make out several traps in the room, all of them not active it seemed. She didn’t know why and walked to an inconspicuous part of the room where she touched the wall, both her Sphere and Sight telling her that something was wrong with it.

Runes lit up on the wall, a complex magical construct activating before a beam of light shot out from the middle of the wall, burning through Ilea’s chest and the wall behind her. She blinked out of the still active beam of scorching light immediately, her leather armor destroyed and a bleeding hole in her chest. The beam had nearly immediately burned through, activating too fast for her to react.

The second stage of pain tolerance was activated and Ilea used her Hunter Recovery to start healing the massive wound. The spell had taken around thirty percent of her health. Not as dangerous as the poison trap but then again her Heat Resistance and ability to blink out probably helped quite a bit. She was surprised that she could still stand and function as several of her vital organs had been completely destroyed. Additionally she had only lost thirty percent of her health. Losing one’s heart should probably count for more but she assumed it would, if the wounds stayed uncared for. The bleeding alone would kill everyone not able to heal immediately.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

The wall opened up and an armored Dagon with his metal tome stepped out, magic flared around him as he prepared to strike. The sight before him stunned the man as the book was lowered. “Ilea! By the dragons what have you done!” he uttered, putting the book onto the table and walking up to her but the woman stopped him.

“I’m fine, just give me a minute.” Ilea said and summoned the remaining taleen clothing she usually wore under her juggernaut armor. It was pretty beaten up as well but at least covered her chest. Dagon didn’t get to see much other than burnt skin and well, the absence of a chest. The wounds slowly healed, slower than usual Ilea noticed. The beam seemed to have something that acted similar to Kyrian’s curse magic. Additionally all the veins had been scorched and rebuilding a complete heart wasn’t the simplest thing, even for her recovery.

Still just over a minute later Ilea rolled her shoulders before she summoned the destroyed leather armor. “Care to replace this?” she asked, smiling at the man.

“Care to re… you ignorant fool… do you know how much that spell… how did you sur…,” she had caught him at a lack of words, uncommon to say the least for the head librarian of the Shadow’s Hand. The man sighed heavily and walked behind his desk, sitting down on the massive chair as he removed his helmet.

“How did you even find the wall? How did you survive? Your recovery is incredible… even for a high end blood mage or dedicated healer that would be difficult to do. The pain alone should’ve rendered you immobile, in a complete state of shock. The spell has mana draining and recovery stopping properties as well. A masterpiece of runic magic. And a high quality mana crystal destroyed. Any idea how rare those are?” Dagon asked in quick succession as he opened one of the drawers in his desk, getting out a bottles and two glasses.

“About as rare as that one I suppose?” Ilea asked, motioning to the bottle and getting a chuckle from the man. “Or this?” she asked again and summoned the high quality mana crystal she had gotten in the demon realm.

“You cursed demon.” Dagon said and closed his eyes.

“I thought the spell should put me in a state of shock, not you.” she said. “Care to help me with a couple things? Take the crystal as repayment for fucking with your runes. I was just looking for you.” she said.

“Looking for me. You’re not the first who found that wall but you’re the first one stupid enough to fuck with a runic formation this complex. Why would you do such a thing? No, don’t answer that one please. My headache was strong enough already.” Dagon said, uttering the last bit to himself.

“Do you have more of those crystals? Most of mine have been drained because of the mind weavers trying to get in here.” Dagon said, having calmed down a little.

“I only have medium quality ones. Wanna trade?” Ilea asked as she looked at him.

“Sure, information or whatever else you need.” the man said as he returned to his normal self, pouring two glasses of the whiskey, going by the smell and color.

Ilea took her glass and leaned on his table sideways, a little annoyed that there wasn’t another chair. Perhaps she should keep one in her necklace as well. “I won’t answer the previous questions. Trade secrets and all. Now that you destroyed my leather armor I need more. The Hand has a stock in the training halls? I’ll just take a bunch if that’s alright.” Ilea said and took a sip. It was good, very strong though, surprising even her. The taste was likely lost on her but she wouldn’t slap away the gesture of him pouring her the drink.

“Sure, take however many you need.” Dagon said. “That’s still for the high quality crystal. I’m sorry you got hurt, I can be a little paranoid at times.” the man said but Ilea shrugged it off.

“It’s alright, I got some resistance levels out of it.” she said and got a nod from him before he took a sip of his drink.

“Is that all you needed?” he asked.

“No, some other things.” Ilea said and summoned a mana crystal of medium quality.

Chapter 162 Contracts, a Guide to Bland Titles

Chapter 162 Contracts, a Guide to Bland Titles

“Alright, first thing. I have a third tier skill point in my second class, can’t use it though. Why?” Ilea asked as he took the crystal.

“Normally you need five skills in the class to be the maximum level before you can unlock a third tier. As soon as you do that you’ll have to have five again for the next one.” Dagon said and Ilea nodded. She had two so far at the maximum level but many more were very close. So it wouldn’t take long.

“Why normally?” she asked after looking through her skills.

“Well there are outliers from time to time. I’ve heard many different things over the years. Level twenty skills that would simply advance to the third tier, skipping the second entirely. Classes giving two third tier skill points at level two hundred and one specific case where no third tier points were rewarded even though five of the class skills were at second level twenty. It’s incredibly rare, so much so that I’ve only ever read about them but the sources seem trustworthy. Just know that I believe some abnormalities might exist. Specific classes perhaps or hidden requirements.” the man explained.

“Interesting. Well I’ll find out one way or the other I suppose. Ever heard of the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class? I’m paying for the answer and anything related with the name of it should it be unfamiliar to you.” Ilea continued.

“No, I haven’t. An Ash Wielder evolution then?” the man asked and Ilea nodded. “Care to share the requirements?” he asked and Ilea shrugged. Knowing about the requirements didn’t really change how difficult it was to obtain.

“Can I somehow find that information again because I don’t remember all of it.” she said.

“You should be able to focus on the class for the additional information you received when it evolved.” the man said, poised to start writing, his tome open. Ilea nodded and recited the information from her mind.

“You have three resistance skills in the second stage? I would be very interested to find out more about them if you’re willing to share.” Dagon said, his hand quivering a little as he finished writing down Ilea’s information.

“First answer the question, I’ll think about it.” she said.

“Let me check then. There are a couple mentions of classes with the name of Inheritor in them but the records are not conclusive. The sources are stories and songs, nothing from someone I or a predecessor actually met. All sources speak of a specific element and its destructive capabilities wielded by a single man or woman. Two of them mention the creation and control of said element specifically, one talking about a man imprisoned in the highest mountains, covered in ice. Yet still he manages to spark a flame strong enough to burn his way out through the runed chains and walls. It ends with him facing a dragon in battle, matching the legendary creature’s flame.” Dagon paused for a moment before he turned the page on his tome.

Ilea was quite sure none of that had been written on that page but she wasn’t about to question the librarian’s magic. “I’m sorry, it seems to be a rather rare thing but I don’t doubt some high leveled elemental mages have obtained similar classes. At that level it’s simply quite rare for them to share it with anybody else but their pupils, family or their order.” the man said, shaking his head.

“Well that brings me to the next thing. I’ve reached the second stage and level twenty in many skills already but I am pretty sure that I’m not using them to their fullest potential. Am I just dreaming?” Ilea asked.

“No, even I still discover new depths to the skills I’ve long since maxed out. The level simply sets a hard cap on your skills but this is actually studied and known rather well. At least in the Shadow’s Hand. Most people don’t reach the maximum efficiency long after reaching the maximum level. There are specific records of mages with the exact same skills testing them against each other, objects and other… well subjects.” Dagon said. “The mages with more experience, not the leveling kind, usually had better results. Sometimes clever ways to use the spells enhanced them as well. The same applies to melee combat but it’s harder to measure there.”

“If two master swordsmen face each other, both at the maximum of their skill level. One will still come out on top, wouldn’t they? If you would assume that the maximum skill level meant a specific ability, then it would be a tie always. The same applies to magical abilities, elemental spells for example. There is more than raw power and potential. My theory is that much of this is also governed by numbers though we cannot access them.” Dagon explained rather thoroughly. Ilea nodded as he pretty much confirmed her assumptions.

Her skill levels would stagnate for a while it seemed, at least the ones already maxed but using them wouldn’t be stagnation after all. The world wasn’t quite as simple as some of the games she had seen back on Earth, at least when it came to the details.

“I’ll tell you about the second stage of Lightning Resistance then.” Ilea said and smiled.

“There are records on it but it would be nice to get another confirmation.” Dagon said and she obliged.

“… that’s all that I can reasonably explain about the creation and manipulation of elements. I don’t think much of it applies to ash but maybe it helps a little.” Dagon finished the lengthy explanation, having cost Ilea five mana crystals.

It seemed the manipulation of different elements, be it light, shadow, sunlight, fire, water or earth, they all held their intricacies. All records were different, different mages talking about completely different approaches, feelings and strategies. Dagon had concluded that the advanced stages of element manipulation were intrinsically individualistic, reflecting the mage’s personal connection, experiences and the flow of their mana.

“So basically, find your own way?” Ilea asked, a little annoyed that that was all that came out of the over an hour long discussion.

“Yes and no.” Dagon said. “Test the examples I’ve given you, perhaps some might fit you, perhaps you will as you say, find your own way. I’m interested in your approach though so come back if you advance more. The way you learned to be a fire mage has never been confirmed but I trust you as a source.” he added and wrote down something in his tome. Ilea caught a glimpse of the words vanishing after being written.

“Oh I did do it by burning myself. Having a healer nearby is elementary to be sure.” she said and smiled. Talking to Dagon had helped her in some way. She knew that at least she wasn’t likely to be wasting her time working on her ashen skills even though they’d soon hit the max level currently possible. Additionally there wasn’t some way to do it the proper way.

Well there probably was but the interned didn’t exist here and if someone died testing their methods, well there was no respawn. At least she was pretty sure there wasn’t.

“Hey Dagon, are there resurrection spells or skills?” she asked suddenly, summoning another mana crystal.

“Hmm, that’s a tricky one. There are stories of healers who could recreate near completely destroyed bodies. There are somewhat reliable sources telling of recoveries a couple hours after heads were removed, bodies nearly completely burnt or drowned. We don’t know of any specific classes or spells that could achieve such a thing but what at least all sources have in common, including the more unreliable ones, is that the recovered person looses a lot of their personal power.” the man finished.

“You mean levels, skill levels or whole classes and skills?” she asked and the man shook his head.

“No records, sorry.” he said. The man didn’t know as much as Ilea had hoped he would.

“Alright. Well my time is up, at least you know your rune is working.” she winked at the man and got up.

“Not well enough apparently.” he said, lifting his glass to her and finishing the drink.

Ilea strolled through Viscera and summoned Aki after storing him for the duration of the visit. She wanted to keep at least some of her personal information away from the dagger as she still didn’t know anything about his origins. He didn’t talk much either, their relationship having stagnated in the past months due to their ironically unspoken agreement of silence.

“Hey Aki, how are you doing?” she asked as she exited the Shadow’s Hand headquarters and entered the city.

“In an emotional mood are we?” the dagger asked and she just shrugged.

“Mate we don’t know each other very well for the fact that we’ve been traveling together for half a year.” Ilea said and nodded to a group of three Hand members who greeted her. The dagger waited until they had passed and answered.

“I don’t exactly feel trusted if you put me away every time you talk about anything deeper than your bloody porridge.” Aki said and Ilea stopped, unsheathing the dagger and looking at him.

“It’s been pretty busy in the past six months. Plus I haven’t exactly made the best experience with trusting people for no good reason.” she said.

“You trust your team mates. And I’m not people, I’m metal.” the dagger argued. “I do enjoy the ride though so this is fine for me, better by bloody miles compared to sitting next to a dusty skeleton for a thousand years.” a chuckle came from the dagger.

“I’ve fought with them you know, trained with them. Makes it a little easier. Maybe it’s hard to trust you Because you are metal. Then again there’s little reason to mistrust you either. Except you’re something like the one ring, corrupting all.” Ilea joked and continued her walk.

“I’m no one ring, whatever that may be. Maybe there is some manipulative purpose imbued in me but I don’t see how that would be a problem for you.” the dagger said.

“Fuck, I forgot the leather armor.” Ilea said and turned around. She didn’t quite know how to handle the dagger. Sure, he would enjoy the ride and she didn’t think he had any evil intentions with her but it felt more like a colleague than anything else. She didn’t mind him and neither did he mind her.

Ilea reached the training halls soon after and went to get a couple sets of leather armor from a storage room. Nobody was guarding anything, there was even another member casually looking at some of the swords. There was nothing special down here for anybody at their level, nothing they couldn’t buy with a somewhat small investment. Ilea got three sets of fitting armor, which would probably cost around one to two gold coins in a shop.

Thinking on it, she would have to be a little more frugal now. With her near infinite wealth invested, her actual cash was reduced to 44 gold. Still plenty to go around and she had a house and enough food to probably last her a year or two. And she could hunt. Ilea shrugged at the thought, actually glad that her money will be able to help build up the city again. Plus she made a friend very happy, Claire would be busy enough with her responsibilities at the Shadow’s Hand but now she had a hobby as well.

“What if I can become useful in some way.” Aki said suddenly as the newly clad Ilea walked out of the headquarters again.

“I mean you’re my pocket knife.” Ilea said and made her way towards the government building.

“Yea but you don’t exactly fight with daggers or knifes. With your ashen shit you probably won’t be needing your bow for much longer either.” Aki said.

“Well what do you have in mind? Any skills you didn’t mention? You managed to burn my hand a little when I first met you but that won’t add a whole lot to my arsenal.” Ilea asked as they reached the building, getting some glances from people who overheard. “Let’s talk later.” she said. “Gonna store you again.” she added as she blinked into Claire’s office and made Aki vanish.

“Oh finally. Welcome back, here’s the contract. Let me get you through it so you can sign. I’ve already prepared seventy four purchase contracts that I need you to sign with your mana and signature.” Claire started talking immediately, sorting the papers in front of her.

“Isn’t that a little much. I mean it’s a bunch of gold but seventy four shops? I assume it’s shops.” Ilea asked.

“Shops, houses, inns, streets, land, also in other cities nearby and further away. I don’t plan to sit on this but you’ll have to give me time. Plus not all of these will come through, this is simply because you’ll be gone to who knows where soon enough and I won’t be able to reach you anymore. Now come, sit down.” Claire said.

Surprisingly it only took forty five minutes for her to go through the main contract and explain the gist and setup of all the purchases. Ilea waved her off on the third one already, telling her that she should do as she thought best before she read and signed all the purchase documents. It was impressive that Claire could create so many documents in the little time.

“I’m so excited to start Ilea. Thank you so so so so much for giving me this opportunity.” Claire was brimming with joy while having a scary look in her eyes. Ilea wasn’t sure if she’d invested in a super villain. The thought of her own lair like house near the ocean made her relax though, she already was one.

“Thank the Taleen for their contribution.” Ilea said with a smirk.

“Yea but I mean you went there and got it out. Do you think I would’ve managed that?” Claire asked and Ilea thought back on the Centurions and the green fire, then there was the acid coming up in the dark hall. Maybe not. She wiggled her hand in an uncertain gesture.

“Exactly. Next time though you offer at most 15 percent for the manager. I made it 30 because I’m your friend.” Claire said proudly, lecturing Ilea.

“How does that make sense?” Ilea asked but smiled.

“You can’t be trusted with too much gold.” the woman said. The contract included that as soon as 250 gold coins was reached in winnings, all additional money earned could be reinvested in new projects. Ilea was to return sometimes to sign new projects but should the contracts and the purchases be similar enough to a previously signed purchase, Claire was allowed to do everything on her own. She basically had full control other than going completely against Ilea’s wishes and having the buffer of the 250 gold coins.

“Well then I hope you have fun with this, I’ll be back training. Don’t forget to do that either, if you find any time. I might visit again soon. When do you think the jobs will come in?” Ilea asked.

“Come back in a week and I’ll have some ready for you. Two weeks might be more reasonable for better paying missions but I doubt you do it for the money. I’ll look for dangerous targets in hard to reach places.” Claire said and sighed, glad she put in the death clause wherein Ilea’s half would be split between Kyrian and Claire. It would be a bureaucratic nightmare to explain a suddenly dead partner.

“See you then.” Ilea said and blinked out of the room, glad that was finally done. Claire would’ve done well on Earth. She did well even here. Shaking her head, she walked out into the square and stretched, the hood of her leather armor up, making her a rather unimpressive figure other than her identification that outed her as a level 224 warrior.

“That’s her I think, new armor but yea. I’m pretty sure that’s her.” A soldier nearby said while pointing at Ilea. He looked away and gulped as soon as she looked his way, surprised that she could hear him from the distance and with all the noise going on in the square.

The suns were setting, their last rays breaking through the cloudy horizon as a figure in light armor and a dark hood nodded to the soldier before walking over towards Ilea.

She looked at the figure with interest, noting the simple short sword on his waist and the casual confidence he held himself with. A rogue at level one twenty. At least he wasn’t likely to be here for a fight.

“I have a delivery to make for a black haired and blue eyed member of the Shadow’s Hand.” the man said.

“That’s oddly fitting isn’t it? I know of at least three people fitting that description.” Ilea said, knowing of none.

The man chuckled in response and put his hands together. “Well I have two additional descriptions that should set you apart, at least if that soldier is to be believed. That is black wings of ash.” he said and smiled.

“Well I’m not gonna show you anything here.” she said and he nodded respectfully.

“Reasonable of you. Then the second piece of information I received. It stated that you would be able to find me.” he said and walked off, his figure suddenly shrouded in a mist of shadow. Ten more meters and he vanished. Ilea knew that he had teleported away as he was still in her Sphere’s range.

‘A game of tag then. Or a trap. Well either way I’m intrigued.’ she thought and followed the man as quietly as she could. He had moved below the city and into the vast system of underground hallways and sewers.

Chapter 163 Bad News

A note from Rhaegar

Hello all, another two for the weekend. I hope you're doing well

. Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!

Chapter 163 Bad News

Ilea followed as quietly as she could for the next five minutes. The man tried not to touch anything and teleported several times while masking his scent and presence in some way. He was good, certainly but Ilea found it hard to even compare him to Eve. The woman had taught her to look for even the slightest disturbances in her enhanced perception and Ilea’s Sphere was nothing to scoff at.

When the man finally stopped and leaned on a wall, Ilea appeared right next to him. His relaxed composure was broken immediately as his short sword flashed her way. Ilea’s arm moved and the blade was deflected a split second later by the leather bracer, the angle not allowing the blade to cut into it. She moved her torso and head to the right, the blade passing harmlessly past her shoulder before she moved her left arm upwards again, catching his hand and gripping tightly.

“Wait! Wait…,” he said, gulping hard as the tension in his arm lessened. He hadn’t meant to strike at her, of that Ilea was sure. A grin was on her face because the situation meant he hadn’t at all expected this to happen.

“You don’t deliver to a lot of Hand members, do you?” Ilea asked, letting go of his hand. She could sense nobody else in the vicinity, so it seemed the man was really just a delivery guy.

“I do from time to time…,” he said, wincing as he sheathed the sword again with his injured arm. Ilea would heal him again depending on how this exchange would go. She did think his reaction was the right one, as her approach had been incredibly aggressive. Still he had attacked her.

“None have found me this quickly so far. Not that many had to try at all. It’s easier to identify a red eyed man as big as a bear with four swords on his back than somebody like you.” the man explained. “I’ll still have to see those wings.” he said and looked at her.

“Really? Seems a bit risky to ask for something like that so far away from people. What if I decide to just take whatever you have?” Ilea asked with a joking tone.

“I don’t have it on me. The reputation of a high class delivery service wouldn’t quite be the same if I let myself be intimidated.” the man said, Ilea feeling the tension in his body. His heart rate was accelerating and with the second stage of her Hunter’s Sight skill she could feel he wasn’t at ease at all.

“Good acting.” she said with a smile and activated her ashen wings, levitating a little over the ground while they flapped lazily behind her. The man gulped and nodded.

“Alright, follow me then.” he said and vanished, deeper underground. Two floors further down and a hundred meters away, the man activated a hidden rune under some rubble. Magic activated and a letter appeared on the ground.

“It’s for you. The seal makes the letter dissolve after thirty minutes once you open it. If you don’t trust me you can have it examined by a rune mage around here. I’d pay the cost for such an endeavor should you choose that.” the man said, still a little uneasy. His voice and face of course gave nothing away.

“I won’t kill you man, stop worrying.” Ilea said and got the letter. “Do I need to pay you?”

The man opened his mouth but quickly closed it again, probably not wanting to take the risk of trying something stupid. “H… How could you tell?” he asked, not the thing Ilea assumed at first.

“Heartbeat and a certain skill I have. I’m not sure if you could ever fool that one.” Ilea said and the man nodded.

“Thank you and no, I’ve already been paid. I’ll leave now if you’ll allow it.” he said and Ilea nodded, the man vanishing immediately after the gesture concluded. She felt a bit bad. Ilea only wanted to fuck with him a little, not scare the shit out of him.

‘Comes with the power I suppose…,’ she thought and blinked upwards, back to Claire’s office immediately.

“Back already?” the woman asked. “Second thoughts?” she asked.

“No, here for a small favor. Can you tell me what the rune on this does?” Ilea asked, handing Claire the letter. The woman looked at it for barely two seconds and handed it back.

“High end delivery hmm? It destroys the letter within thirty minutes of opening it. Of course you could write it down after reading it but then there’s nothing to deliver. Most of these have a mana signature from the sender so you’d be able to tell if it was forged.” Clarie explained.

There was quite a bit more thought put into something like this than Ilea had assumed. So the man could’ve simply fooled her and forged the letter. Good thing she asked Claire. “How do I tell from whom the signature is?” Ilea asked.

“If you’ve ever felt their mana it’s usually simple. But you do have to know from whom it is, otherwise it’s hard to tell.” the woman said and Ilea nodded.

“Alright, thanks. Sorry for bothering you.” Ilea said and bowed a little.

“You’re going to make me rich, come whenever you need anything.” Claire said and smiled, copying Ilea’s gesture. They said their goodbyes again before Ilea blinked upwards. She had everything from Ravenhall for now and decided to go train some more with her ash.

First things first though, she got the letter and opened it as soon as she was far enough out of town for nobody to bother her. A bunch of wild direwolves ran away at her approach. She hadn’t seen any so close to the city but the demons must’ve fucked with the food chain and territories around here.

The enchantment activated immediately as she opened it and got the paper out. There was an identical enchantment on the paper itself that was activated as well.

Dear Friend

I do hope you don’t think me dead, a bunch of demons couldn’t manage such a thing. Keep your mouth shut though or I’ll murder you in your sleep, if such a thing is even possible.

I wouldn’t contact you if it wasn’t somewhat urgent. As I’ve been looking for an organization called the Golden Lily, I’ve stumbled on some rather worrying information regarding a “friend’s” precious family. Sparky you call him I believe. They have all been killed though I do not know for sure who was behind it and why. Be Very careful should the previously mentioned organization be involved.

This business is neither for you, nor for the others but I did owe it to all of you to at least inform you.

E.

Ilea’s emotions changed drastically while reading the letter. Immediately knowing it was Eve who wrote the letter, she smiled but the information coming after had quite the opposite effect. She needed to find Kyrian and go find Trian, immediately. Her buffs activated to the max as soon as she came to the last part of the letter, feeling a little bit of mana within. It felt like Eve and she knew for sure now that it was her.

Rushing over the forests, the air clashed against her face as her eyes steeled. Her vacation would sadly have to be cut short. Trian talked little about his family but she knew one thing for sure, it was the most important thing to him. Whoever did this would pay. Eve, of all people, mentioning that Ilea be careful was especially worrying. She just hoped Trian hadn’t gotten in over his head already. Ilea didn’t know his family but she did know him.

Coming up on her house, Ilea blinked inside and checked. Kyrian was nowhere to be found but she did pick up his scent. Hunter’s Sight activated, she rushed outside and followed the trail. She was much slower but it would be stupid to rush into this alone.

The trail led her up the closest mountain, her Sight allowing her to follow the small traces of the man. It was a good thing he had left just earlier that day, otherwise not even Ilea could’ve found him, he was airborne after all.

Finally, Ilea found a cave entrance, showing more visible signs of someone entering. Her target to be sure. Rushing inside, she discovered an artificially created hole going deep into the stone, at the end of it Kyrian. The man was sitting in a meditative pose, metal flowing and changing around his body.

“Kyrian!” she shouted into the hole. He shot up, hitting himself on the stone above. He looked towards Ilea while shaking his head and started running towards her.

“You didn’t laugh, what is it?” he said as he reached her.

“Read this, Trian’s family was killed. We need to go find him.” Ilea said, her words rambling out in a barely comprehensible jumble. She found her hand shaking a little as she handed the letter to him but she barely gave it any though.

“This is bad. Let’s go then. The Alymie family have their seat somewhere in or around Virilya. We’ll start there.” Kyrian said, his voice steady as he handed back the letter. The paper started dissolving a moment later as they rushed outside. Ilea was glad the man didn’t even ask another question but she knew he’d stand behind them. She considered asking Claire as well but something told her that that would be the wrong decision.

Perhaps Ilea knew what would eventually have to be done or perhaps she wanted to protect a friend. What was important was that she now had backup. Because while monsters were usually predictable, leaving at least a way to escape, this one was different. They were likely dealing with people, the worst kind of enemy.

“Do you know where they live specifically?” Ilea asked as they rushed over the snowy forests and mountains.

“No, but the guard will know. The Alymies are not without influence as far as I know.” Kyrian said. Ilea wanted to speed up, seeing the man was a little slower than her.

“Sorry Kyrian.” Ilea said as she got behind him, grabbing him around the chest as she sacrificed health to overcharge her State of Azarinth. He didn’t complain as their speed increased noticeably, Ilea wincing a little every time she sacrificed more health to keep it up. Her healing was working to restore the lost health and Ilea kept a sharp eye on her resources to not suddenly burn out half the way to Virilya.

It was a long way but if anything, the woman had stamina. They reached the plains soon after and rushed over the barren flatland, the first signs of spring making their appearance.

Animals and monsters looked up as the black dot rushed past them with incredibly speed, the two of them completely disregarding stealth as they kept their altitude somewhat low. Ilea was still pushing Kyrian who helped increase their speed with his metal magic, shooting the harness he created around them forward again and again, giving up the control and trusting Ilea to maneuver them accordingly.

It wasn’t the most stable flight but it was fast.

Night was falling over Virilya as Xaver looked out over the plains before the city. Fields of newly planted grain and small walled off farms lay in the distance as the wind pushed at him. It was colder on top of the high wall but he liked the calm and security the post brought with it. Aerial monsters were rare, at least in these parts and patrolling the city wasn’t exactly safe either.

He watched a group of wild dogs stalk the road before the city, their figures illuminated by the last light of the sun. They would be left alone, engaging them too dangerous and expensive for the guard. The night was not meant for humans, not even so close to the empire’s capital.

The guard sighed as he looked around the wall, the torch next to him flickering in the wind as he slowly opened a big pouch on his belt, taking out the book stored within. Another good thing about the wall was that on normal nights, few officers would come to control them, busy with their own stuff. At least the current officer for this section was incredibly lax.

Lightning Blade – The complete Saga

Xaver opened the book where he left off and started reading. Perhaps the next chapter would hold some more insight than the legendary babble so far. He had invested nearly half of last week’s wage to get this one after all. At least it wasn’t as poorly written as the last one.

A sudden thump noise behind him made the man whirl around, his book dropping to the ground as he focused his magic, a spark gathering around his left hand as he grabbed his sword with the right.

The book clattered on the ground as Xaver took in the sight of two people armored in black full plate. “H… Hand?” he asked dumbfounded, unsure how to proceed.

“You’re lucky we’re not elves.” a woman said, stepping a little closer to him. “Where is the Alymie estate?” she asked, flashing a silver coin that suddenly appeared in her hand.

The guard didn’t react for five seconds as Ilea held the silver coin in her hand. She would’ve used gold just a week ago but silver was enough for something so basic. He finally grabbed it and started talking. A guard so lax about his job, reading on the post, would likely be a good target to get information quickly. Ilea’s suspicion had proven correct.

“Their estate isn’t in the city. It’s eastwards, two hours on a horse, just follow the main street. After coming out of the first forest you’ll encounter, you’ll see it. I’ve never been there but it’s on the map.” the man said, bowing down to grab the book.

Ilea and Kyrian were already gone as he got up again, rushing eastwards right below the outer wall, most guards not even noticing the flying duo.

The forest came into view a couple minutes later and they passed over it, the suns slowly setting. Ilea hoped it wasn’t too late. She didn’t know for what exactly.

The road through the forest was visible from above and the last light of the suns had set long before the two of them had reached the estate.

The mansion came into view a while later, Ilea letting go of Kyrian as they slowed down a little. Only faint light could be seen coming from the inside of the house. Behind it, Ilea could see a big pile of what she simply knew was ash. No smoke was rising from it. No torches around the estate were lit nor were any guards or other people visible.

Ilea landed on the gravel courtyard and rushed to the door. It was closed so she blinked inside and opened a window nearby for Kyrian to enter. Concentrating, she could hear voices coming from the floor above. The ground floor was dark but she could easily navigate with both her Sphere and enhanced sight.

The two made their way upstairs, following the wooden staircase. The many rooms following the long hallway upstairs were all open, light coming only from three of them. The voices were more clear now and Ilea felt a big weight fall from her shoulders as she recognized one of them.

“The traces are too old for me to work with…, I’m really sorry. You’ll get the money back of course.” an unknown man said as Ilea burst into the room, seeing Trian and a woman clad in red light armor. Both looked at her immediately but she didn’t stop, rushing Trian and hugging them man.

“I’m so sorry.” she said and waited a bit, Kyrian coming into the room as well. Ilea let go of him and locked eyes with the man. “We came as soon as we heard. How can we help.” she said.

Trian was confused at first but soon he just shook his head, sitting down on a chair in the room. “Leave us.” he said to the woman in red who nodded and walked out quickly. Trian didn’t say anything as Ilea and Kyrian looked around the room.

“Is she gone?” Trian asked after a minute.

“She’s below us, not moving currently. It’s hard for me to make her out.” Ilea said, seeing the woman react downstairs, staying where she was though. “Who is she?”

“Hired adventurer, make her leave. I doubt she has anything to do with it.” Trian said and sighed. Ilea nodded and blinked right next to the somewhat shrouded woman, grabbing her neck with a quick move and pushing her up the wall.

“He told you to leave. If you’re not gone in two minutes I’ll kill you.” Ilea said simply and threw her a couple meters away. The woman tumbled on the floor before she got up, a little off balance, fear in her eyes as she rushed to the front door, jumping through the window Ilea had opened.

“They all can’t find anything…,” Trian murmured, getting up again as Ilea appeared back in the room.

“I got a letter from Eve, is it true?” Ilea asked. Thinking on the pile of ash outside, she knew but she wanted to be sure.

Trian gulped and nodded for a couple seconds, holding a closed fist to his mouth. He pointed to the two of them, his arm shaking a little. “I’ll pay you, I’ll give you e… everything I have left. Help me find them.” he said, fire in his eyes as sparks scorched the wood and floor close to him.

“Trian you don’t need to pay us anything, right Kyrian?” Ilea said, looking at the other man who simply nodded once. She walked up to Trian again, ignoring the lightning that shot off of him, damaging her armor further as she hugged him again. She didn’t know what else to do for now. The man was in pain, that was for sure. He was angry, that she shared.

Ilea looked outside the window into the bright night as Trian calmed down a little. A sob left him a moment later before he pushed her away, his eyes teary. He looked tired, exhausted and angry, all of it more so than she had ever seen him.

“You need rest. What information can you give me, eat this.” she said and summoned a meal and something to drink, putting it on the table next to him.

“I don’t need shit Ilea, I need to find whoever did this.” he said, shoving the food from the table, all of it clattering on the carpet, joining the blood that covered it.

A loud clap resounded in the room, Trian stumbling backwards and falling into the chair he had previously sat in. Ilea moved her hand downwards again and summoned another meal.

“You’re out of it, do you think you can fight anyone if I manage to slap you so easily?” she asked, finding the man more focused than before. He took the meal and started eating quietly, blood dripping down from his cheek as Ilea healed the broken jaw, the bone cracking as he continued chewing.

“My… my family. They’re all dead. Someone had come here and they murdered everybody. I only found corpses, ripped apart by magic, swords, arrows and beasts. This was nothing small.” he said with a stuffed mouth, Ilea handing him another plate as soon as he was done.

“And I have no fucking idea who did it…,” he said, throwing the next empty plate on the ground, looking at Ilea, tears joining the blood on his face.

“Then let’s find out who did.” she said, her skills activating.

Chapter 164 Estate Investigation

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there. Thanks for checking out the chapter

. More coming on the weekend. Let me know what you think and have a good day everybody!

Chapter 164 Estate Investigation

“Kyrian will be right there, now go to fucking sleep or I’ll have to knock you unconscious.” Ilea said, pushing the worryingly weak man into a bed. One of the few that wasn’t soiled by blood.

He had burnt all the corpses, which left only the house itself as an reference for their investigation. “We’ll find them, trust me.” Ilea said, standing right over the man before she walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

“You don’t have any investigation skills or anything right?” she asked Kyrian who shook his head.

“Well then I’ll have to be enough.” she said, smiling a little as she noticed Trian’s breathing steady in the room behind her. “Then stay inside, it’s possible that whoever is behind this wants him dead as well. It’d be easy for someone at our level to kill him while he’s like that.” she finished, looking at the hallway.

‘Now let’s see if my class can live up to its name…,’ she thought and looked through the room they had talked in, her Sphere, Hunter’s Sight and her enhanced senses working together to find anything that could lead to something.

She could tell that a battle between two or three warriors had happened in the room itself. There was blood on the carpet and some of the windows. Likely someone had worked in here and was surprised by the attackers, trying to fight back but losing in the end, seeing the amount of dried blood on the floor.

She wasn’t sure but the fight had probably happened more than two weeks ago. According to the small experience she had with rotting corpses and old blood. Trian had been too late and it didn’t seem the city guard or anybody else cared much. The house was empty after all.

Any trace of smells in the air were already gone or distorted and mixed too much for Ilea to make out something specific. The blood itself was overwhelming and overpowered anything else she could’ve found right after the attack had happened. This room wouldn’t give her any answers.

Moving on to the next one, she found just the same. Her skills let her see and recreate some of the things that had happened but it was simply useless. Whoever had done this was not an amateur, that was for sure. A team of specialized assassins perhaps or they simply had a cover up team that came in after them. Wiping out a noble family and not creating an uproar wasn’t something a random gang of thugs could do.

‘What the hell did they do to warrant such a massacre?’ she thought as she finished looking through the last room upstairs. Walking past Trian’s room, Kyrian was inside, metal whirling around him. The man was training in nearly every waking moment possible. Ilea was surprised she could even keep up with the guy.

The stairwell didn’t show anything special as well, neither did the rooms on the ground floor. Most of the fighting seemed to have happened upstairs, likely because the attack must’ve happened at night. It was a little creepy, walking around in the dark and quiet mansion. Ilea knew she could trust her skills and power but the eerie feeling wouldn’t simply leave. A noble house with its whole family murdered, corpses burnt leaving behind the husk of an estate, soon to either be bought or neglected.

The low walls around the estate were a testament to this family’s power, building near a forest likely filled with at least somewhat dangerous wildlife. Ilea made her way downstairs, opening the wooden door in the big kitchen that led to the cellar. She wasn’t sure if it was the only cellar yet but it was simply the first she had found though her sphere.

Ilea decided not to try and find anything to light up the place, instead trusting her Sphere and the minuscule light that allowed her enhanced sight to at least make out the shapes around her in the nearly completely dark room. There were many crates down here, housing different foods and other goods. Some of them were already rotting but she at least couldn’t make out any living creatures trying to get in. Runes or something else must still be keeping them away.

A weird feeling suddenly made Ilea focus on one of the walls in particular. Nothing suggested to her that it was special in any way, nor did her Sphere show anything suspicious behind it. Still she trusted her skills, specifically her Sphere that likely told her of either a trap or a hidden path ahead.

Blinking blindly into the wall, Ilea found herself not in the same cellar anymore. She hadn’t triggered any traps it seemed but couldn’t look back into the old cellar. A spell, rune or something else was keeping her perception inside the newfound territory. A new room, just as dark or even darker than the one from before. A door at the end of it and a stairwell leading downwards.

Ilea was starting to doubt that this would lead to anything, perhaps only uncovering a dark secret she really didn’t want to know about Trian’s family. The man was a vampyr after all and she had found him sucking out the life energy of what he told her to be employees. She trusted the man but that didn’t mean everyone in his family was as morally acceptable a person as he.

Her steps resounded through the silent tunnel, her metal boots taking one step after the other until finally she came out into a new room. A bigger room than any previous cellars. She couldn’t see the other side through her sphere so she simply continued forward.

Four steps later, Ilea noticed a very faint tapping sound. It was quick and it was closing in on her. Buffs activated to the max, Ilea saw a rather massive spider enter her Sphere’s perception. A spider, of course, with scythes for legs. Her surprise at the silent approach considering the metal was short lived, as the beast quickly found her and attacked.

Two blades flashed horizontally at Ilea who answered with a simply crouch, both weapons passing above her head. She answered with a fully powered punch to the spider’s now unprotected face. A crunch could both be heard and felt as the monster was thrown backwards several meters.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Toothnick paralyzer, -10 Stamina per second for two minutes, movements are slowed by 10%.’

‘A Toothnick?’ Ilea thought, not remembering the name from any of her monster classes. The beast seemed a little disoriented by the punch but started to circle Ilea again, considerably more careful now.

[Toothnick Spider – lvl 153]

Looking down at her hand, Ilea found a tooth sticking shallowly in her finger. The reason for the poisoning for sure. She took it out and threw the tooth away, looking at the animal that approached her again, this time rearing up and using four blades to attack her. The only problem was that Ilea had fought Taleen machines with just as many weapons, both faster and with a higher level. ‘And there were dozens of them at the same time…,’ she thought and stared at the almost laughable try of the monster to injure its target.

Ilea simply blinked behind the spider and kicked its back. Again the spider skidded forward on the ground, turning around again, visibly slowed down and injured. Blood dripped down to the ground from its maw, identified by the smell. Ilea didn’t move immediately, thinking on what this animal down here might mean.

A possible answer presented itself to her when a sudden source of light entered the far end of the room. Two children, one holding up a torch and the other wielding a beautifully crafted curved sword. Ilea realized when the two came closer that the bigger one wasn’t a child at all, just a very small woman.

“Toothie back!” the older of the two yelled and Ilea watched in amazement as the spider quickly made its way back to the humans. She didn’t move to intercept the animal as there weren’t many options as to who those kids were.

“Who are you!?” the older of the two yelled again as Ilea walked a little closer. The girl held the blade with trained skill, Ilea could tell as much already, having faced more than a couple of sword users. She could feel the small boy gather mana in his hand as well as he stretched it towards Ilea.

She stopped around ten meters in front of them and asked back. “And who are you two?” she said, identifying them to be at level 131 and 42 respectively, both very impressive for their ages she assumed. Then again the nobles had more resources to train them early and with a certain amount of safety.

“I asked you first! You’re intruding on our cellar!” the girl said, apparently not noticing that the boy had created a spear of what looked like blood.

“Your cellar? So you’re part of the family this place belongs to?” Ilea asked and let the projectile that the boy probably lost control over pass harmlessly next to her, showing that his aim definitely needed some more work.

“Samuel what are…,” the girl said, looking nervously at the kid and then back to Ilea with fear in her eyes. She didn’t back down and her stance indicated that she prepared for a fight.

“I’m here with Trian if you know him, he is part of this family as well. If you tell me your names I’ll tell you mine, ok?” Ilea said and smiled behind her helmet.

“Trian? He’s here… then.” the girl said and took down her sword, lifting it up again a second later. “You’re lying.” she said, her eyes getting teary. “Everyone died, I don’t trust you.” she said but Ilea simply appeared right in front of her, grabbing the sword by the blade and ripping it out of the girl’s hands. She was strong but not nearly as much so as Ilea. The sudden move was too much of a surprise for the girl to react in any meaningful way.

Ilea blinked backwards again and looked at the sword. “Would I have let you live just now if I was lying?” she asked, throwing the sword upwards and catching it again. “Your pet is injured, I can heal it if you let me. How does that sound?” Ilea asked, throwing the blade again as she slowly walked closer, catching it at the blade. She stopped two meters in front of them and held out the blade handle first.

The girl defiantly looked into her eyes but then she nodded her head. “Ok.” she simply said and walked towards Ilea, grabbing the sword in an uncertain manner. “Toothie come.” the girl said and the spider approached. “Sit.” the spider crouched down immediately, its fifteen eyes focused on Ilea.

Holding out her hand, she took small steps towards the animal until she touched it. Other than a low hiss, there was no reaction. Right until she started healing. Ilea never wanted to hear a spider imitate a purr ever again. She shuddered as she finished treating the injuries she had caused and a couple smaller ones that weren’t on her.

“She’s fine again.” Ilea said and stepped back.

“Can you heal people too?” the small boy asked and Ilea nodded.

“I can, do you have someone injured?” she asked, looking between the boy and girl. She was at least sixteen, Ilea guessed, maybe even older.

“Is Trian alright? Where is he?” the girl asked.

“He is and he is upstairs but I don’t know how safe it is there for you. Your names.” Ilea stated and locked eyes with the girl again.

“I’m Aurelia Alymie and that is Samuel. We have someone injured but I don’t know if you can heal him.” Aurelia said and sheathed her sword.

“Ok, Trian is sleeping at the moment so I can come and see if I can help. I’m Ilea, a friend of his.” Ilea said and motioned for the kids to lead the way. Aurelia still didn’t seem completely sure but she did walk towards the other exit of the dark room, their torch still the only light.

“Did you hide down here during the attack?” Ilea asked a couple minutes of silence later. Without her Sphere she would’ve long lost her orientation in the complicated layout of the cellar. It was akin to a labyrinth but the kids navigated it with sure steps.

“We… we hid here often.” Aureila said but didn’t go into it further as they reached a worn down wooden door, behind it Ilea could see a bed with a man lying in it. The girl slowly opened the door and stepped inside.

“Orthan? Are you awake?” she asked and stepped closer to the bed, grabbing a towel from the small bucket on the ground. The water was dirty, even visible in the faint torch light. Samuel stayed near the door with the torch, likely to not irritate the man.

“Can I have a look?” Ilea asked, stepping a little closer to the bed. The smell of blood and sweat permeated the room, not the best sign for the man’s condition.

“He’s not awake…,” Aurelia said. Ilea stepped up and touched the man’s brow. A strong fever, that much she could’ve guessed back on Earth already. Activating her healing magic, she searched his body, finding a nasty cut near his stomach. Pus had formed on it but it looked like the girl had tried to clean it somewhat. It probably saved the man’s life.

There were other injuries and what looked like an infection or curse. Ilea mostly just pumped healing mana into herself or someone she treated but she remembered Dagon’s words. Perhaps she could learn something about her Azarinth skills as well, despite them being at the current maximum level. The infection looked dormant at least, burnt skin surrounded it.

She lifted the man’s shirt, making Aurelia look away for a second. The smell of the injury was bad but Ilea had seen much worse, on her own body none the less. Touching the injury directly, she started using her skill, grabbing the towel from the girl with her other hand. She cleaned and healed the wound slowly, focusing on getting it right. She hadn’t noticed any scars on her own body after healing but then again her Hunter Recovery seemed best suited for herself as well.

It didn’t take long and the man’s stomach looked good as new. Ilea felt like she did a good job but she wasn’t sure if simply pushing mana into him would’ve had the same result. Testing it out on any living creature seemed cruel to say the least. Perhaps on her own, should she train her Resistances again in the future.

The man stirred a little and Ilea started focusing on the infection. Opening up his worn shirt, she laid his shoulder bare and looked at it. His flesh was burnt in a circle and in the middle was something black. It moved slightly, and not in the same beat as his heart.

“Any idea what that is?” Ilea asked, pointing at the injury.

“Poison or a curse, cutting it out would be best but I wouldn’t be able to stop the bleeding afterwards.” Aurelia said.

“Are you sure?” Ilea asked, trying to affect the area with her healing magic but it didn’t seem to have an effect. It would be quite a problem should she herself get hit by something like that. Kyrian’s curse had a similar effect but not nearly as strong.

“I’m sure, I’ve seen something similar before.” the girl said and Ilea nodded. Ilea failed to wake the man, even with rather rough slapping.

“Well then let’s go. Do you want to wait outside? I don’t think this will be pleasant for him.” she asked but the girl didn’t respond.

‘Oh well, guess they’ve been through enough.’ she thought and unsheathed Aki. “Are you ok with that?” she asked the dagger, getting a confused look from Aurelia.

“I cut things, at least I can be somewhat useful for once.” the blade said, getting even bigger eyes from the girl.

“Alright.” Ilea said and carefully cut into the man’s flesh, holding his chest down with her other hand. She could see exactly how deep the curse was through her Healing spell but after a while he started thrashing. At least his legs did as Ilea easily pushed his chest down. “Hold his head.” she said to Aurelia who reacted two seconds later as Ilea continued to cut.

The man moaned in pain as she finally cut out the piece of infected flesh, putting Aki away and throwing the skin to the ground before she healed him. It was quite a rough operation, not something he likely would’ve survived without her being a healer. Still it was a success in her book as she brought the man to his maximum health again.

Nearly there, he suddenly gasped, pushing against Ilea’s hold as his eyes shot open. “Aaaah…,” he exclaimed, magic activating inside of him as his arm shot out towards Ilea, a bladed weapon of some sort at the end of it. She blinked backwards, seeing that Aurelia too stepped back.

“Orthan, Orthan! Stop it!” the girl yelled, the voice calming down the older man immediately. He looked around with a confused look, his hand shooting towards his previously cursed shoulder.

“How...h…,” he got out before a cough got to him.

“Someone came to help us…,” Aurelia said, walking up to him and grabbing the man in a hug. Ilea watched on as she started crying and Orthan calming down as he put his arms around her as well. The bladed weapon looked like bone and she watched on in fascination as it moved back into his arm. Quite gross but certainly effective storage.

Chapter 165 Silver Lining

A note from Rhaegar

Beep boop, automatic release - intercontinental deployment successful. Enjoy.

Chapter 165 Silver Lining

“And you are said help?” he asked, looking at Ilea with suspicion in his eyes. “The Shadow’s Hand. I must say I’ve had it with mercenaries. Who paid for this job?” he asked.

“If this isn’t the rudest welcome I’ve gotten in quite some time. First a spider attacks me and now I get interrogated by the man I just saved.” Ilea said and shook her head.

Orthan sighed, as he let go of Aurelia. “Look girlie, I don’t care who you came to save. I certainly didn’t pay for it and I want you gone off this property.” he said, looking at her.

Ilea cocked her head to the side and smiled under her helmet before her buffs activated. She was right in front of him barely a blink later, her hand on his neck as she pushed him back and over the table, smashing the man into the stone wall. A gasp left him as she kept the pressure on. The bone blade coming out of his arm was slapped away by her free arm as she looked at him.

“Don’t talk to me like that old man. And calm the fuck down, I’m here with Trian.” she said and let go, the man falling down on his knees, coughing as Aurelia ran up to him, prepping him up.

“This one has bite…,” he said after catching himself again, coughing a couple times as he let Aurelia help him up.

‘And now he respects me? Why can’t people just not be assholes?’ Ilea shout as she sat on the table.

“You’re with Trian then? His team yes, I did hope he somehow slipped out of this whole mess. The demons weren’t a good sign…,” the man said, mumbling the last part of the sentence.

“You owe me an apology.” Ilea said, looking him in his eye, her buffs still active and a light mist of ash coming into existence around her.

“Tsk, ok ok calm down. I apologize.” he said, the ash vanishing again immediately as Ilea got up.

“Then let’s go to Trian, I’m sure he’s gonna be happier to see you than I am.” she said with a smile under her helmet. “You’re alright.” she said, pointing to Aurelia who showed a weak smile.

The way back would be quite slow, considering the man’s recovering body. The curse must’ve weighed on him quite a bit more than it seemed to.

“What was that curse?” Ilea asked as they rounded another corner, the boy Samuel having taken the lead with the torch. She was a little unnerved at the spider literally following above.

“One of their mages, I managed to take his head but the curse stayed. Damn near killed me the fucker. Got four level in Pain Resistance at least.” the man grumbled.

“Who’s their? Who attacked?” she asked but he shook his head.

“No fucking idea lassie. Capable people, that’s all I can say. Barely one below level two hundred. They were quick, had several areas of the house covered in curses, blinding spells and traps before most of us were even awake. We might’ve been able to win, no I’m actually sure we could’ve but with their preparation…,” he said and sighed. “They knew about everything, countered both heads of the house and their strongest abilities. I can only think of another noble house, either Carter or Birmingale. We underestimated their resources. Still I’m not sure. For now we must protect what has remained.” he finished, Ilea just listening to the names and theories.

She had no clue who the families were that he spoke of but she once again was glad not to be of noble birth. What she knew of history and any country’s nobles, their intrigues and murderous schemes, she now had one example of how that would play out in a world like this one.

“I agree. We will have to investigate but you surviving changes things a little.” she said, knocking on the closed of wall that was hidden in the cellar.

“The man inside his room is with us.” she said. “Can you open this?” she asked and the man nodded, walking over to the wall and activating a hidden rune. Suddenly the brick shifted and a small opening presented itself to the group, Ilea walking out first, knowing through her Sphere that there was nothing unexpected waiting for them on the other side.

They walked silently through the cellar and up into the mansion, before they stopped in front of Trian’s room.

“That’s not his room.” the man said.

“What are you their bloody butler?” Ilea asked. “The other beds were soiled in blood.” she said, regretting the comment a little as she saw Aurelia and Samuel looking down a little. Knocking on the door, she stepped inside.

A metal needle rushing towards her stopped right in front of her face. “It’s you.” Kyrian said, still sitting in a meditative pose on the ground. Were it not for the rather dark circumstances of their being here, Ilea would’ve commented on his impressive introduction.

“Yes, it’s us. How’s he doing?” she asked. “I found some survivors of the attack. His sister, a boy and some old fuck.” she said, stepping next to Trian. The others entered the room carefully but Aurelia rushed to her brother immediately, as soon as she saw his face.

“Trian, Trian!” she exclaimed, hugging his sleeping form that slowly stirred.

“What a cruel dream…,” he said, turning around before he suddenly jerked back to her, grabbing the girl in a hug. “You’re real… you’re real aren’t you!?” he said, tears forming on his eyes as Ilea leaned back on the wall next to the bed. The man seemed rested enough, even after just over an hour of sleeping.

“You should all eat and drink something.” she said a minute later. Samuel was still standing near the door and Orthan only moved a little closer to the bed.

“Orthan, you damn old hag. You actually survived.” Trian said, looking at him as he kept embracing his sister.

“And here I thought you might be some illusion. Master Trian, I’m truly sorry.” he said and knelt down in front of the bed. “I have failed in my duty.”

“You haven’t failed anything, stand up, I can’t bear to see you this way.” Trian said and slowly moved his legs off the side of the bed, moving his sister a little for him to be able to stand up.

“We have to discuss a lot.” he said, looking at the man with cold eyes.

“We do.” Orthan said and nodded.

“Yes, first though you eat.” Ilea said. “And I suggest we get the hell out of here. I doubt there are any leads to be found here, of course if any of you are master investigators or trackers?” she asked the three survivors, none of them responding.

“I agree, it might not be safe here.” Orthan said. “Where to?”

“There is a safe house twenty minutes from here.” Trian said. “It should be fine enough for us to plan the next steps at least.”

“We don’t have horses and you’re the only one with a flying skill. I’m afraid I still haven’t discovered one even now.” Orthan said and Trian just looked at Ilea. She shrugged.

“I can carry you, Kyrian can take one as well.” she said and opened the window, a cool night breeze flowing into the room. “Come on.” she said, holding out her hands to the kids. Both of them grabbed one arm as her Ashen Wings spread behind her.

“You know where to go?” she asked, looking at Trian who nodded.

“Kyrian can you carry me as well? My skill is a little too noticeable for this.” he said and grabbed the metal pole that formed from one of Kyrian’s spheres. Orthan did the same, looking at each of them before he nodded.

The flight was low and short as the group tried to stay as hidden as possible, even deciding to fly through the last stretch of woods instead of above it. Tracks left by running would’ve been too dangerous to leave behind. The safe house was nothing more than a hidden cave from outside. Upon opening it, a rather spacious and nicely furbished room revealed itself to Ilea as she stepped inside.

There were supplies, weapons and two beds. As well as a big map of the empire on one of the walls, their current location near Virilya marked with a pin.

Orthan, Aurelia and Samuel spent the next hour explaining what had happened in the mansion, forming a somewhat understandable picture of the situation. As mentioned to Ilea several times before, it seemed someone had caught the family completely by surprise. Poison, paralyzing spells, curses and an incredibly fast and efficient attack that took out more than half their forces before most were even awake.

They had fighters and mages with specialized classes ready to counter the strongest of the house’s warriors while capitalizing on the chaos and the will of most of the elders of the house to protect the younger generation. Orthan had succeeded and it wasn’t completely out of the question that some of the others did as well.

“The corpses and… pieces… that I found amount to most of the house, as far as I know. The festivities on the previous night made most members attend as well. I only know of three distant relatives that weren’t here for sure but two of them I don’t think we’ve heard of in years.” Trian explained. “Nobody of the core family either.” he added, shaking his head.

“Father tried so hard to keep the relations peaceful.” he said. “Why now of all times?”

“Exactly for that reason. With the elves half a year ago in the west and now the demon attack. Baralia is scheming as always but I tell you Trian, the empire will be at war again soon enough. This is just one of many. We should’ve moved immediately when the stream of refugees from the west started coming. I don’t doubt many were involved with nearby countries.” Orthan said. “Now it is too late.”

“It is. We don’t have the power to build up again. Not for now. The safe houses aren’t going to be a solution and I want neither you, nor Aurelia or the boy out here.” Trian said. “Do we still have gold somewhere?” he asked.

“I didn’t check the vault but I doubt there to be anything left. Perhaps some of the Guilds and banks in Virilya would still listen to you?” Orthan asked.

“Might be too risky. They’d know I’m alive.” Trian said.

“That’s how we could get them out.” Ilea said. “Or we could go look for Eve.”

“She warned you with a letter? I thought she had died in the demon attack somehow.” Trian said.

“She did, so she knows at least something. And if anybody is a help at finding someone it’s Eve. I’m sure her… background and her skills would come in handy. If she’s willing to help of course.” Ilea explained.

“She’s with the team isn’t she?” Kyrian asked, hovering a sphere of metal in his hand.

“I don’t think the team still exists Kyrian. Especially her. Claire is staying in Ravenhall. I think it might be good if Aurelia and the others go there. She can get you a house.” Ilea said. “Maybe even a shop or something.”

“I doubt she has the money nor the influence.” Trian doubted her idea. “I’ll visit the Guilds first.”

“I have the money and Claire is managing it. Trust me. Can you help me write a mana signed letter for her and the three of them can be on their way by tomorrow.” Ilea explained. Her newfound property would need staff and at least the older two didn’t seem incapable in the least.

“That would be great. Are you sure Ilea? I don’t know if I can pay you back.” the man asked.

“We probably need more staff anyway and I’m doing it for you, not for them.” she said and looked at Trian.

“Thank you.” he simply said and opened a drawer in a nearby cabinet, getting out paper and a pen, as well as some weird looking devices. Ilea would’ve thought him rather calm but the light shaking of his hand when he began writing made her doubt his strong demeanor. There was only one reason she could think of for him to behave that way.

“I’ll make sure to pay you back if ever possible.” Trian said as he finished the first part of the letter, handing Ilea the pen. She added a couple lines, confirming the request and used one of the devices to push mana into her writing. Claire wouldn’t move to Virilya for Trian but perhaps she could pull some strings for them as well. Ilea felt a little bad for busying the woman so much. All she ever did was punch stuff with the occasional healing. Much more exciting.

The three survivors went to sleep soon after, having discussed the plan with Trian shortly and agreeing on the next steps. The remaining members of team 34 were either standing in the room or sitting in the big leather chairs.

“You guys don’t have to do that you know?” Trian said. “I doubt we can take whatever wiped out damn near my whole family.” he added. “My parents were strong. Perhaps not much stronger than I am now but their experience….,” he stopped, his hand starting to shake again.

“You don’t have to talk about it now.” Ilea said, leaning forward in her chair and putting a hand on his knee.

“You would find and face them one way or the other, would you not?” Kyrian asked after a while of silence. Ilea noticed in her sphere that Aurelia’s breathing wasn’t as steady as the other two’s but she chose not to say anything.

Trian sighed. “I would. Even if I die trying.” the girl stirred a little but stayed quiet.

“What about Aurelia? I know the old asshat wouldn’t mind much but she’s your sister.” Ilea asked. The man looked at her thoughtfully and shook his head.

“She is strong. More talented than I ever was. Orthan is a good teacher and he knows the family, the two of them must survive. Me? Yes, I’m her brother and I’ll try my damn best not to die but I can’t leave this as it is. They killed my p… my parents.” he spoke the last word very softly. “Would you stand by and do the reasonable thing Ilea? Kyrian?” he asked them.

The candle light flickered as it moved in the wind, illuminating the three of them only barely in the dark safe room.

“Probably not.” Ilea said after a while. Kyrian stayed quiet.

“I don’t ask you to come with me, this is ridiculous and I know it. The danger is incomparable to any of the missions we’ve done before.” Trian spoke. “And I don’t have anything to pay you with.”

“Mate, we were in the demon realm. How much more dangerous can it get. We’re probably talking about shit old humans. That doesn’t sound scary, does it?” Ilea said, balling one of her fists.

“No, it really doesn’t.” Kyrian added and smiled a little as he looked at Trian. The vampyr mage stayed quiet, sitting in his chair as he looked at the two.

“You damn imbeciles. How did I ever end up with you.” he said finally and Ilea chuckled lightly.

“You were too much of an arrogant noble ass fucker to take anyone, don’t you remember?” she said and summoned something to eat.

“Ah yes, yes I was. I’m sorry for that.” Trian said, looking down on the carpet.

“Don’t get sentimental now, you’re still a fucking idiot.” Ilea said with a mouth full of food.

“You should sleep some more.” Kyrian said to the man who nodded in response.

“We’ll start the search tomorrow.” Trian said. “Thank you.”

Ilea just continued eating and Kyrian started leaning on one of the walls.

It only took a couple minutes for the man to sleep as well, he wasn’t entirely rested after all. The joy of seeing some of his family survive must’ve brought back some of the life in him.

“You should sleep as well little one.” Ilea said, feeling the heartbeat of Aurelia quicken. She too soon calmed down and slept, leaving only the two members of the Hand awake.

“What do you think?” she asked the man, playing with Aki in her hand.

“I think he is right, we might die on this one.” Kyrian said and sat down on the chair opposite her.

“Eh, I could’ve died the first day I came to this place. I didn’t. Could’ve died in the Taleen dungeon and I didn’t.” Ilea said, twirling around the dagger.

“Did you have a class already?” Aki asked and she stopped the twirling.

“No, level zero baby but I could still kick around some wolves.” Ilea said, not mentioning the fear she had felt, encountering her first Drake. Not that any of that wasn’t reasonable.

“Still, these aren’t thoughtless monsters.” Kyrian said.

“Neither were the demons, or some of the Taleen machines I’ve faced. Nor are the elves. I know it’s dangerous but all of us are rather resilient and quick to escape. If we get away the others, we’ll be free to move.” Ilea said in a whisper, motioning to the sleeping figures. Kyrian nodded and thought about it.

“We don’t have Claire and we have no idea where Eve is. Other than that Golden Lily thing she was writing about, we don’t have anything.” Kyrian said.

“So we find her, or someone else who can help us. Claire isn’t the only one capable of tactics. I don’t think we’re too bad as a team anymore.” Ilea said, stretching in her chair.

“We’re not and I’ll be with you guys no matter what.” the man said.

“Maybe you should get some sleep as well.” Ilea said as she started twirling Aki again. Kyrian nodded and soon tried to get comfortable in the chair. There wasn’t enough space in the beds for him, nor would he have likely wanted to join any of the others.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked in whisper after Kyrian had fallen asleep.

“Hmm, well you’re unpredictable at least. If anything they won’t see you coming.” the dagger spoke.

“It’s weird you know? Never thought to ever be in a position where my friend’s family gets murdered.” Ilea said, looking at the piece of metal. “Didn’t think I’d be the one to join his mad grasp at revenge.”

“We sometimes don’t end up where we expect it. I thought I’d be stuck inside that dungeon forever.” Aki said.

“I mean you basically were there forever.” Ilea joked.

“More or less. Thanks for not hiding me away during all this. Was that what you did in Ravenhall? Give all your money to Claire?” the dagger asked.

“I didn’t really think about it and yes, more or less.” Ilea said, not in the mood to hide anything from the dagger right now. Her day had been quite enough already.

“Well I’ll make sure to sell that information to an influential family. Perhaps I’ll manage to be placed into a beautiful armory.” the dagger said, and Ilea could tell he was joking.

“You can be rather dry.” she said.

“You never use me to stab anything so yes. And I don’t think I hold any water.” Aki said and Ilea continued to thoughtfully twirl the dagger around. He didn’t complain as they fell into silence, Ilea’s blue eyes staring at the entryway to their saferoom. They had chosen the wrong family to attack.

Chapter 166 The Next Steps

A note from Rhaegar

Last one for the week. I hope you enjoy

"> Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

Chapter 166 The Next Steps

Ilea woke from her meditative state as a fox suddenly ran into her Sphere of perception, the animal rushing through the underbrush on its search for food, unaware of the hidden place among the bushes and rocks.

She could hear the faint sound of birds chirping outside as the suns were likely rising already. The others were still sleeping, no surprise considering what they had been through in the past days or even weeks.

Standing up, she put up the hood of her leather armor. She had switched to it at some point in the night, simply enjoying the more comfortable armor compared to her battered Juggernaut set. Balduur was somewhere in Virilya, perhaps a visit would be the right decision before they started their search.

Tapping Kyrian lightly on his shoulder, he opened his eyes immediately, magic flowing around him before he realized it was just her. “Could’ve killed you.” she whispered in his ear.

“That’s why I usually sleep with my armor on.” he said, his helmet summoned onto his head a moment later.

“You should get a storage item, one where you can put your whole armor inside.” she said and moved on to the others, touching them softly on their shoulders. “Time to get up.”

‘Now where is that damn spider?’ she thought and looked around the room, checking outside through her Sphere as well. It seemed the animal was out still, hopefully not creating too many tracks that would indicate their presence. The group was already getting up, getting on their boots and checking their weapons and armor. All of them looked terrible, their gear dirty and worn. At least their faces didn’t look just as exhausted as they had the day before.

“We’ll bring you a part of the way there, I think that would be best.” Ilea said, looking at Trian.

“I think so too. South west for an hour or two, the rest of the way they can go on their own. What do you think Orthan?” he asked the man.

“I think we can take it from here but if you insist on carrying us a part of the way I won’t say no. The Hand better make me grow wings as well.” he said, looking at Ilea with a crooked smile.

“I don’t like you.” she said and smiled under her hood, plainly for him to see.

“I know.” he said, mirroring the gesture as he cracked his bones. Literally cracking them apart. According to his frown, he didn’t quite get the reaction out of her that he had been looking for.

The others weren’t up for jokes, understandable considering the circumstances.

“We better get going.” Trian said and opened the pathway outside. Aurelia whistled and out of the thick forest a big spider suddenly appeared, moving with a creepy stillness over the terrain.

“Are they supposed to be this silent?” Ilea asked, feeling a shudder go down her back.

“That was my idea and training.” the girl said proudly, before her demeanor turned serious again.

The group flew upwards but stayed rather low, not to attract attention from too far away as they made their way first south and then west, rushing over the wild terrain as the winds pushed against them. Clouds had darkened the sky overnight and the light rain was clashing against them with their heightened speed and lack of windshields.

Ilea tried to shield her passengers with formations of ash in front of her, more for her to use the skill than to actually protect anybody from the water. Even Samuel was somewhat well trained compared to an average young adult one might meet in a village or small town.

The group luckily didn’t encounter any other people on their way, avoiding any of the scarce roads that linked the cities in Lys together. The rare monsters that didn’t immediately flee at their approach were ignored and left behind. Ilea pushed her speed a little when a rather massive snake started following them. The beast was too high of a level for her to identify but still only showed two question marks. Yet it wasn’t an encounter they planned on having with the two children around.

A couple hours of traveling later, the group landed on Trian’s signal, continuing through a small patch of forest until they could see a crossroads from within the thicket.

“This is as far as we go for now. I want to be back in the city as quickly as possible. We have no idea if Eve will still be there.” Trian said to them as he rolled his shoulder. Hanging onto a flying bar of metal wasn’t as easy as it looked.

“Well then we must thank you all for getting us this far, the rest of the way we will be able to protect ourselves.” Orthan said and clapped Trian on his shoulder.

“You know? Your father would’ve been proud of you.” he said with a grin. “And your ma would warn you not to take too many risks. Be careful out there Trian.” he finished.

Aurelia hugged her brother, whispering some words to him. “Be safe, we’ll be waiting for you in Ravenhall.” the girl didn’t say anything else, nor did she ask for a promise or tried to stop him. Ilea thought it might have to do with the girl being awake the night before.

“Don’t worry too much, even if we get into a bad situation, we’re all masters of escape.” Ilea said, tapping her wings with both hands as they moved forwards a little. It was true, when it came to speed and maneuverability, all three of them were likely in the top, Kyrian a little behind the other two, lacking an actual teleportation skill.

Aurelia checked Samuel’s pack and made sure her own was safely secured before she joined the waiting Orthan. Other than the sword on her hip, the group looked like ordinary travelers. One identification would tell otherwise to any passerby of course but the way to Ravenhall wasn’t long from here.

“Come.” Orthan said, crouching down as Samuel got on his back. “We’re going to make good time. The weather will keep away both critters and people.” he turned around and looked at Kyrian once more. “Good luck kid.” he nodded and started running. Aurelia looked back as well, hesitated and then followed Orthan.

The remaining three stood partially hidden in the forest as the rain dropped from their armors. A minute later, Trian leaned on a tree before he sunk down, the metal of his armor scratching into the tree as he landed on his ass with a heavy thud. He stretched his legs in front of him and sighed.

“Are you alright?” Ilea asked and looked at him. The wind was pushing the rain sideways, making it especially annoying.

“Am I alright?” Trian asked and chuckled. “My family… my family was murdered.” he said, empathizing the last word. They sounded hollow, the man chuckling again a moment later. “Unbelievable… and I wasn’t even there.” he said and shook his head. “Couldn’t even see them. You know…,” he started but didn’t continue.

“There will be time to grief.” Kyrian said as he walked up to the man, crouching down a little and stretching out his hand. “Come.”

The simple word made the man move a moment later as he grabbed his friend’s arm and let himself get lifted.

“We need a rough plan.” Ilea said. “When Claire wasn’t here you were the planny guy weren’t you. So plan.” she said, pushing the task into his hands.

“Right.” Trian said as he tried to wipe his helmet with his arm, confused when he suddenly hit metal. “A plan.” he continued.

“Maybe we can look at the armory? Then maybe the contacts you have at those Guilds you mentioned?” Ilea asked as he continued to calm down somewhat.

“The armory, yes. And the Guilds. We also have to look for Eve, she’s one of the only real leads we have. Invading some random nobles will do us little good, as much as I’d like to just burn down the whole capital right now.” Trian said. Ilea looked at Kyrian who nodded towards her.

“Maybe we can visit Balduur if we find him, the smith who made Kyrian’s armor. I need something new or get mine repaired. Maybe you guys can get something too. I’m sitting at 44 gold right now but we should be fine.” Ilea added, getting a look from Trian.

“Yes, equipment is good. I can check if any deposits are still available. Let’s go to the mansion first then and move back into the city this evening. We need cloaks as well.” Trian said as Kyrian’s metal spheres moved out, forming a small frame for Trian to hold onto.

“Back to the mansion first then.” Ilea said as her black wings spread, the rain landing on the solid ash as she started moving them to ascend.

The way back was faster and in silence, three dark figures rushing over the countryside, turning heads of both monsters and animals. Most hiding away in whatever hole they lived in to not attract their attention.

The building was as they had left it. Beyond the pile of ash sitting in the back, it looked taken care of, yet not as lively as it would’ve normally been. Trian led them inside and walked straight to the main hall, opening a secret door behind one of the bigger paintings. Ilea’s Sphere suddenly revealed another room but she could already tell that it would be fruitless. At least if there weren’t any more hidden passages.

It was surprising that her Sphere hadn’t alarmed her to the passage. Perhaps learning about runes would be a distant study for her as well. Or perhaps feeling mana? She thought about the skill she had exchanged a long time ago, mana sense. Still she felt what she had now was much more practical. If only she could get it as a general skill.

The passageway led downwards but the stairs already were bloody. Finally reaching the vault revealed an absolute mess. Surprisingly a lot of things were still there. No gold of course and any documents had been taken or burnt. Lower quality weapons, clothing and even some pieces of armor were still lying around.

“Some cloaks.” Kyrian suggested, holding up a bunch of clothes.

“That’ll do.” Ilea said, switching to her battered Juggernaut armor and draping the black cloak over it casually. A small metal link attached to the cloth was used to fasten the cloak together around her neck.

“I’ve checked before. But they really took everything.” Trian said, shaking his head.

“Then we’ll take it back, and more.” Ilea said casually, looking at herself in a big cracked mirror, dried blood present on both herself and the glass.

“Are you sure there aren’t any more hiding spots around here?” Ilea asked as she turned around. The man shook his head.

“Even if there were. I don’t want to destroy this place. You don’t feel anything?” he asked but Ilea’s Sphere gave her nothing other than the simple yet large room they were standing in. She shook her head.

“Let’s not waste more time then.” Trian said and walked upstairs. The others followed, heavy armor clinking on the stone steps.

“We’ll move on foot, circle around and go in through the northern gate.” the vampyr said as they came out of the mansion. The sky had darkened even more and while the rain had stopped, the winds were strong. Neither Ilea nor Kyrian had an objection to that and moved out.

The run including the detour took them around twenty minutes, making them faster than even horses. As soon as they came up to the main street leading to the capital, the group slowed down. Even here, travelers going in and out of the city weren’t filling the street. There were adventurers here and there, some merchants coming in late for the day and of course soldiers patrolling. In a couple hours all travel would cease, the night left to whatever may be out there.

“Sure we should wear our armor?” Ilea asked the others as they came up on the gate.

“It wouldn’t make much of a difference. The Hand is a better disguise for us than anything else I could come up with.” Trian said and waved to the guards who tensed up a little, seeing the black armored mages and warrior close in.

“Thought they’d be gone by now…,” one of them said to another guard, looking at Ilea who cocked her head a little, indicating that she had heard the man.

“Shadow’s Hand business?” the other guard asked as they reached the massive gate. It looked the exact same as the southern one did and still managed to impress Ilea. They weren’t exactly there for sightseeing.

“Yes. Ravenhall has been retaken. They’re still reorganizing. Figured we could get something good at the main guild.” Trian said and got three large copper coins from his pouch. The fee to enter the city.

“They’re swamped, the army might be a better paying alternative. Demons are harder to deal with than the usual monsters around here.” the soldier offered and took the money, waving them inside. Noticing the forms stored in a small guard house nearby, Ilea was pretty sure the entrance was usually a little more difficult. Trian had been right about declaring they were here with the Hand.

[Warrior – lvl 81]

She identified the guards, finding them a little lower than what she had seen in the capital so far. Perhaps they were short on personnel as well. Patrols might be a little lower then, she thought as they entered the city. Lanterns and magical lights illuminated the streets in a somewhat dim light. The sound of music and the smell of food pushed through the wet cobbled streets. Just another night it seemed.

The three of them walked through the city for a while until Trian nodded towards a tavern built into the cellar of a big stone and wood house. The entrance was a little hidden and the door a little low. Moss covered most of the building’s side and a singing voice could be heard from within.

Stepping inside, a swath of warm air full with the smell of beer smashed into her as she took in the scene with her eyes. There weren’t many patrons inside and the barkeeper just nodded towards them and to one of the room’s corners. Either he knew Trian or he had at least dealt with people from their order before.

They all sat down and Trian lifted a hand with three fingers outstretched. “We’re being followed.” he said and leaned back.

“They’re standing outside. One hanging around the side street we came from, one went up on a building, can’t see him anymore. The third one is coming in riiiight now.” Ilea said and the door opened right after, a warrior in expensive looking armor entered and walked right to the bar.

“We each check the guilds and return here in, let’s say around two hours?” Trian asked and the others nodded. They had discussed such a possibility and each had been assigned different tasks to look after. Trian being the supposed last survivor of the Alymies would check any remaining connection, bank or guild to see if he could get anything out of it still. Any deposits, favors or information anybody was willing to share.

It wasn’t much to go with and seeing how effectively his family had been eradicated, there was little doubt they had at least tried to dry those sources up or take them over completely. At least if it had been a political move. Kyrian would stay with Trian, knowing that his mobility was much lower to the others. Plus Trian running into a trap wasn’t entirely implausible. Having another man shooting around curses could be rather helpful.

Ilea was tasked to find anything about Eve or Balduur. For now those were their only goals. They set three different inns as meeting points, depending on the time of day. This one wasn’t one of them. Ilea took a sip of the drink that had been placed in front of her and then downed the whole cup, blinking into the opposite house’s cellar and further away from there, her Healing spell having already removed the little amount of alcohol that managed to get through her Poison Resistance.

She smiled as already nobody seemed to be following her. Blinking seven more times, Ilea remained in the latest cellar, motionless and silent, simply feeling everything around her and looking for a hunter. She could only make out one of them, a rat hidden away under a wooden bucked in one of the room’s corners. Like herself it remained motionless, doubtlessly leveling up its sneak skill as it waited for the dangerous predator in its cellar to leave.

Splitting up would allow them to save time, each of them focusing on their strengths. None of them expected a big fight to break out in the capital. The empire had at least enough resources and people to shut the three of them and just as many attackers down. Of that Trian was sure. Ilea not as much, having seen some of the cities strongest defenders in Dawntree and Riverwatch. A fight between her and Trian alone could demolish a shit ton of houses before any reasonable reaction could even be formed. At least she thought as much but she wouldn’t question the noble’s word. He had lived nearby most of his life after all.

Five minutes later, Ilea switched into leather armor, put up her hood and blinked up onto the street. A cat nearby hissed and jumped away. It looked like she had landed in a less lively part of the city, barely a soul walking on the street. ‘Now where the hell do I start…,’ she thought and sighed, looking up at the sky, a black veil of clouds covering the stars beyond.

Deciding to at least walk, Ilea followed the closest noise and soon saw a square in the distance, a fire burning in its midst and stalls still tended to so late in the evening. Eve wouldn’t be easy to find. If she could assume anything about her, that wasn’t even her real name. Neither was the way she looked likely any indication to her current appearance. Like black widow with mind powers. The thought was rather sobering in her current situation. She really could’ve lived her life without a friend’s family being murdered.

‘Come then First Hunter, let me see…,’ she thought and focused on her Hunter’s Sight, thinking of Balduur and Eve. Nothing registered. Still she had a couple hours to walk around. Asking questions about Balduur seemed safer and would create a good alibi should anybody question who she was looking for. A top tier mercenary looking for a top tier smith wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary.

Chapter 167 Reunited

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, sorry for the late post. I blame Sekiro. Let me know what you think

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Chapter 167 Reunited

The fire she had seen from afar illuminated the whole square and she even saw a couple fire mages showing off their powers. One young boy could form little near perfect spheres and shot them up to create a swirling dance of flame. The stalls sold the usual, food mostly, still trying to get whatever was mostly fresh off the table before they would close for the night.

Ilea walked to one of the stalls and got out a copper coin. “Where’s the closest smith?” she asked and put the coin on the stall.

“Ahh, evening there warrior. Smithies are aplenty here. Big ones are west but you’ll find a small one if you follow the street for another fifteen minutes. You’ll see the hammer sign.” the middle aged man replied and smiled at her. “Care for some fish?” he asked, motioning to his wares but Ilea just shook her head and walked off.

The smithy was easy to find, a big hammer hanging over the heavy wooden door as the man had mentioned. There were three people inside, what Ilea assumed to be the smith and two men in armor. Stepping inside, the three of them looked towards her and continued their conversation in a whispered tone. The words came out tense and Ilea’s skills allowed her to listen in as clearly as if she would’ve stood next to them as she started looking at the weapons.

“I’m telling you it’s not safe here anymore. I’ve heard talk of even guards vanishing, soon it’s gonna be on the streets…,” one of them said before the smith looked up and shouted towards Ilea.

“We’re closed, please come again tomorrow!” he looked down again and continued his talk.

“I can’t just leave Matt, selling the shop now will be just as suspicious. I’ll be hanging come morning…,” the smith said as Ilea casually walked up to them, a sword in her hand. Neither of them looked to be part of the army or the guard, adventurers then most likely.

“I’m looking for a smith called Balduur. Have you an idea where he is.” she asked, interrupting them.

[Smith – lvl 32]

[Warrior – lvl 70]

[Warrior – lvl 62]

“I said we’re closed miss.” the smith said. “Or should I get the guard?”

It seemed personal power wasn’t exactly as intimidating if the government provided some sort of protection. While they likely wouldn’t be able to identify her, the gear on Ilea didn’t exactly make her out to be some prime warrior. Still she could tell the warriors next to the smith weren’t happy about the confrontation.

“Ok, then you tell me where Balduur the smith is and I won’t tell the guard that you plan on running.” Ilea said and smiled brightly.

“You damn…,” the smith said but one of the warriors calmed him down.

“Alright, look we don’t want any trouble. You should get out of this city as soon as you can too. War is coming I tell ya. I don’t know no Balduur but if you want information on a smith just go to the guild like everybody else.” the warrior said and Ilea could tell he didn’t try to trick her, he was tense and her presence was unnerving to him, of that much she was sure.

“Sure you don’t know anything?” she asked, looking at the smith.

“The one from the south, I think he works for the city exclusively now. Came here a couple months ago, right with the demons.” the smith said and looked towards the warrior who nodded, an intense look in his eyes.

“Alright, you’ll find him around an hour from the west gate, it’s one street over from the main street. If you have a map I can show you.” the smith said but Ilea shook her head.

“That’s alright, I’ll find it. Thank you.” she said and put the sword back, leaving the store silently.

Matt looked at the door for a whole minute until he was sure the woman was gone. The hairs on his neck were still standing.

“What the hell was that, we should’ve gotten the guard.” John said, the smith as usual the least perceptive of his friends.

“That one was trouble, right?” Steve asked and he nodded.

“She had bloody shit leather armor on, I can make better than that.” John spat and shook his head. “Information ain’t free you know. Could’ve at least gotten a bunch of coin from her. Seemed like she had never heard of the Smithing Guild before… no wonder her gear is that bad.”

“So she’s not from here. Just because the nobles and rich mercenaries like to show off doesn’t mean everybody does. Trust me, I had a bad feeling.” Matt said. “But back to the actual matter and Steve, close the door, I doubt any more customers will be coming tonight.” he said and the smith grumbled his acceptance as the other warrior went to close the door.

“I’ve heard Ravenhall is being built back up, that would be a great place for us to go, an opportunity perhaps.” Matt suggested. He had thought about the possibility for the past days, as soon as the news came.

“It said the whole population is dead.” Steve said as he walked back from the door, grabbing a nearby chair to sit.

“Are you mad, you will die up there. The average level of random beasts is at eighty!” the smith said. “And the Shadow’s Hand is not to be trusted.” he added.

“Not that again. Who cares who they work for. It’s safer than here.” Matt said again. It would be a long discussion but he would stand by his opinion. Either the two would come or he would go alone.

Ilea rushed through the city, choosing to run on the roofs to not attract as much attention. She could see some flying people patrolling but decided the risk was worth it, simply stopping and hiding whenever any of them flew in her direction. To actually have airborne guards made the process of getting around a city a little more annoying, at least if one wanted to avoid human contact.

A good thing that the capital was absolutely massive. Not comparable to a modern metropolis back on earth but certainly bigger than anything she thought possible in medieval times. The main street leading to the western gate was easy enough to find, having the span of a hundred meters. Street performers, bouts of magic and even a small pond were passed as she ran on the rooftops a street away from the main one.

Ilea could hear drunken laughter, the sound of metal clashing against metal and shouts for her to get down from the rooftops. The guards that noticed here were much too slow to catch up to her, most not even reacting much. Her boots landed on the brick with barely any stress before she propelled herself further until finally she came to a stop near where the smith had described. The run had taken her over twenty minutes. About as long as they needed to cover the distance between the remote mansion of Trian’s family and the city itself.

It was likely a lucky shot that the smith knew about Balduur or the man was simply famous enough to warrant being common knowledge. Jumping down onto the street, Ilea landed and continued walking, stopping the next best person. A man trying not to look at her directly, walking the opposite way.

“Hey, know where Balduur’s shop is?” she asked, startling the young man who looked at her and to the ground again. He was a mage at level ninety. Either coming from a drug run or just socially not the most capable.

“I… I… I don’t know Balduur… maybe the big smithy five minutes this way? You can see the smoke…,” he said and Ilea nodded, walking onwards.

“Thanks.” she said, seeing through her Sphere how he grasped towards her leaving form.

“B… beautiful…,” he said, making her smile. “Damn Harris, just take your balls and ask her…,” she heard him say to himself and would’ve been inclined to at least talk to him for a while, maybe wing him a nice wild waitress now that she was somewhat involved with Kyrian. On another day perhaps, a better one.

“Well he didn’t lie about it being big…,” Ilea said to herself as she looked up. “Imperial Smiths” she read the big lettering and noticed a sound in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Elos Standard Language reaches lvl 6’

‘Now? Are you kidding me?’ she thought but ignored it. It wasn’t like this was the first time she had read any words in this magical ass place. Trying to go inside, a man stopped her. He was wearing imperial armor, a warrior at level one fifty.

“I’m sorry, the smithy isn’t accessible today for non soldiers.” he said. “I suggest you look for an alternative establishment.” he was polite and Ilea wasn’t in the mood for haggling.

“Thanks.” she said again and walked away, turning right two streets further away before she blinked into the closest cellar. Two more blinks and she was standing in one of the smithy’s bathrooms. Her sphere allowed her to check a radius of a little over twenty meters. The building itself was much bigger than that and it took a while for her to find Balduur.

He was hammering away at a sword as was to be expected. What she didn’t expect were the three other smiths in the room with him. They really had a lot of smiths in the building. Piles of weapons lay to the side and a bunch of kids brought metals, water and food to the workers. Ilea simply blinked next to his furnace and looked around. Nobody had notice her so far, other than one of the kids who looked at her with big eyes. She summoned a copper coin and flipped it towards the girl who caught it and winked at her.

‘Hey, I’m the winker here, I’m the one who winks…,’ she thought but let it go. Forming a small ball of ash, she shot it at Balduur’s head with a little force. It impacted with a thud and made the man look up, continuing his hammering nonetheless.

“Wait.” he said, ignoring her for the next three minutes as he shaped the blade. A moment later he looked at it and threw it in a big bucket of water, producing a sizzling noise and steam in the process.

“Been a while? I didn’t realize they let in civilians, or did you sign with the empire now?” the man asked and cleaned his hands with a towel.

“It has. And they don’t, didn’t realize You’d be signing with them.” Ilea said and walked up to him, shaking the man’s hand. This time she didn’t even need all her buffs to protect her hand.

“You’ve gotten stronger as well. Good for you. Well after your order so graciously invited those damn monsters into our mountains we couldn’t stop them and the whole village left. I’m a contractor. For some reason they’re currently paying better than if I sold through the guild or privately.” the man explained. It didn’t seem to bother any of the other smiths that a woman had suddenly appeared to talk to Balduur.

“I’m glad you all survived. One of our elders went nuts, sorry about that.” Ilea said. “Since when do you need money?”

“Since apparently smiths who don’t work are considered outlaws. Trust me the empire can be rather convincing when it wants to be. Plus they leave me enough freedoms, more than the bloody guild at least. I’ll wait for a while for this all to blow over. Maybe I can sneak out in a couple weeks.” the man said.

“The others are looking for a way already then?” Ilea asked and he nodded.

“Yea, we have to secure the village first. Having Ravenhall back is nice and good but all the smaller places around likely didn’t get the Hand’s destructive treatment.” he said, shaking his head.

“Send one of yours to Ravenhall and let the rune mage Claire of the Hand know, I’m sure she can help you secure your village if you mention my name, should that not have been taken care of already.” Ilea said.

“I will let them know. Why are you here then? Just to chat, a new bow perhaps?” he asked, chuckling. “You broke it didn’t you?”

“I didn’t break it. My armor is pretty much at its end though. I need something new or have it repaired.” Ilea said, summoning the pieces onto the table. The other smiths looked over in the next moments, continuing their work right after.

“That does look bad…,” Balduur said but didn’t continue when the guard from the entrance suddenly appeared next to them, a blue flame in his palm and aiming towards Ilea.

“I told you, no civilians.” he said, sighing.

“Cameron, she’s a personal friend. Cut out the magic if you don’t want to die.” Balduur said and continued looking over Ilea’s armor.

“The Hand?” Cameron asked as he looked at the armor. “Wait are you threatening me Balduur?” he asked, a little in disbelief.

“I’m not threatening you but if you don’t take down your hand soon, I’m not sure what she will do. Unpredictable that one… I mean look at this…,” he said and lifted the dented and scratched chest plate of her armor.

“One of the demons was pretty rough.” Ilea commented, completely ignoring the guard.

“Demon?” Cameron asked and his magic vanished. “Still, I have to ask you to leave.” he said.

“Cameron for the last time. We’re meeting twice our quota and you of all people know the quality coming from this part of the smithy. If I don’t do something interesting every once in a while I’ll go mad here.” Balduur said and tapped the man’s bracer. Ilea noticed in that moment that the bracer looked to be of much higher quality than anything else the guard wore.

“Alright, alright do whatever you want but I want you gone should anybody inspect this place.” the guard said and pointed to Ilea who appeared behind him, pushing some air into his ear. It took some of his essential life energy to ignore that as he vanished again to take his spot at the entrance.

“How’d he spot us?” Ilea asked.

“Maybe like you spot people? I think he can sense mana very well too. Ask him if you care.” Balduur talked as he looked over the pieces of armor. One of the other smiths had finished a spear and joined the two of them.

“Interesting looking… dwarven black?” she asked and looked towards Ilea questioningly. Ilea shrugged and the woman took one of the pieces.

“No, this is something else.” she said confused.

“Elven.” Ilea supplied which made the last smith in the room join them as well. He just grumbled and grabbed a piece too, grunting in approval.

“Can you repair it in reasonable time?” Ilea asked. “I won’t be able to pay you yet, maybe twenty gold or so but not more.” she said.

“Expecting me to work for free. Repairing something isn’t exactly expensive but no. I can’t repair this. Maybe I can make something new but I’m not sure we can even melt this stuff.” Balduur shook his head as he put the armor back down.

“We can overheat it, two or three pieces in each furnace. Get your daughter to help me with the runes and we might be able to do it. Haven’t found anything I couldn’t melt so far.” the woman said and Balduur chuckled.

“You’ve not seen a lot lassy. This is elven steel, old elven steel.” Balduur said.

“I’ll start right away.” the other man said in a high pitched voice, completely taking Ilea out of the conversation.

“Don’t worry about paying, we’ll do it for free. Working with this is worth it already.” the woman said and Balduur shook his head.

“No sense for business with the next generation.” he said but didn’t reject the proposal. “You can pay me back later, I did want to work with that metal before. Full plate and mana allowed through at your fists and legs right?” the man asked and Ilea confirmed.

“Yea we’ll see how the enchanting works on those pieces but if the bloody elves can do it, we can as well.” he said, grumbling.

“Good, then I’ll leave it here. How long do you need?” Ilea asked, looking at the man.

“Someone’s in a hurry. Did someone step on your shoes?” he asked and chuckled.

“Sort of, a friend’s entire family got slaughtered.” she said and heard one of the smiths drop a bunch of tools. Balduur turned serious immediately and looked at her.

“Are you alright?” he asked, grabbing her shoulders.

“I’m alright. I do need that armor though.” Ilea said and effortlessly pushed his massive arms away.

“I get it, I get it. Been there.” the man said and started his work. She didn’t ask anything else and watched them work. None of the smiths knew about someone who looked like Eve but she did get some tips in which parts of the city she could start her search. The local smiths were rather knowledgeable, being the makers of weapons it was to be expected. Bringing the elven treated metal to them had been more than just an ice breaker it seemed. They treated her even more friendly than Balduur himself.

Chapter 168 Tools and Information

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the chapter

. Let me know what you think.

I wish everybody a great weekend!

Chapter 168 Tools and Information

“Maybe Cameron can help you as well.” Balduur said at some point. “As long as you’re not doing anything against the empire.”

“Worth a shot.” Ilea said and blinked downwards. The street had gotten less busy in the past one and a half hour and she was standing close to alone with the man. Summoning one of Keyla’s meals, she handed it to him with a smile.

“Are you poisoning me?” the man asked with a raised eyebrow. He looked to be fifty with partially gray hair and more than one scar showing on his face. Black eyes stared at her, the man ready to strike at any moment.

“Relax, it’s a peace offering.” Ilea said, summoning a spoon and eating a little of the stew. ‘God her cooking is good…, she’s here isn’t she?’ Ilea thought and concentrated on the moment again.

“Yea alright, been a while since I ate.” the man said and took the bowl.

“That sounds like you’ve not eaten in decades.” Ilea said and got a chuckle from him.

“Might as well be the case.” he said and took a bite. “Wow this is good. By the necromancer.” he said and looked at her with a suddenly worried look.

“What, yea it’s good.” she said and leaned on the wall. He kept looking at her and then shook his head, continuing to eat.

“So you know Balduur?” he asked after a while.

“Yea, met him a couple months ago near Ravenhall.” Ilea said.

“What do you want then? From me that is.” Cameron said, not looking at her.

“Can’t I just want to be your friend.” she asked and chuckled. This time he stared at her.

“I’m looking for someone. Someone so incredibly sneaky I’m not even sure about their gender.” Ilea said.

“And how the hell would I be able to help there?” the man asked. “Better hire some trackers then.”

“Where is the most dangerous neighborhood. With the most unexplained disappearances, where somehow the guard is never allowed to investigate?” Ilea casually asked.

“Now would you want to take care of such a problem or would you somehow cause even more?” the guard replied, checking the surroundings for any listening ears.

“I believe the person I’m looking for likes to take care of such problems. And I need their help. That’s all you’ll get.” Ilea said and watched his reaction.

“Hmm, well that does sound intriguing. I doubt anybody involved in something like that would care about me. Still I’ll have to have someone vouch for you.” the guard said. “I don’t feel like ending up dead in a river somewhere.”

“I can empathize.” Ilea said. “How about Balduur himself?”

“I barely know the man. Got any other important connections.” he asked.

“How about Trian Alymie?” Ilea asked, saying the name with a whisper. This time his eyebrows rose.

“That Alymie family? So you’re looking for the people responsible?” he asked and shook his head. “No matter the reasons, slaughtering children and servants alike. I’d point out whoever did it, if I knew.”

“You seem like a good man.” Ilea said.

“I do have some principles. Killing children is not one of them. I can give you some places to start but also a warning. You’re not the first one to come and try to rip out the corruption. This is not like your backwater village where the elder dabbles in blood magic. This is the place where the elder got his blood magic tome from.” Cameron explained, somewhat confirming what Ilea had read in Eve’s letter. She wouldn’t mention the name she had read there either. Cameron already had a lot of information but after this talk, she was sure she could trust him with that much. Running into a trap set by him or by someone else, it wouldn’t make a difference.

“Nobody even mentioned the killings?” Ilea asked after a while and the man shook his head.

“Everybody knows but with the demons and Baralia, well it’s not exactly on everyone’s mind. You can feel the tension as well can’t you? This place would usually be guarded by a whole ten people.” he said.

“I thought the capital wasn’t hit that hard by the demons?” Ilea asked.

“It wasn’t but a big chunk of the imperial army residing here was sent out to clean out the mess your bloody order caused.” Cameron said, his voice composed.

“I’d be lying if I told you I care much.” Ilea said and shrugged.

“Tens of thousands have already died, likely even more. All of them citizens of the empire.” the man said and Ilea chose not to further engage. She didn’t know any of those people. A mere statistic. It wasn’t that she couldn’t see the tragedy but it didn’t exactly impact her directly. She remembered the reports on slavery and civil war just a couple hours of flying away from her back on Earth. Perhaps she had been a little more idealistic back then, even just a year ago but her experiences she made in Elos definitely left their marks.

The man sighed and calmed down a little. “At least you’re only striving for personal power and not political. As much as I want to condemn the Shadow’s Hand, I can’t deny the kingdoms and the empire have done just as bad if not worse.” he said. “I’ll join you upstairs in an hour when the next shift starts, if that even comes to be.” the man finished and Ilea nodded. She decided not to stay any longer, his information at least a start in her search.

“I’ll be back in an hour.” she said to Balduur and blinked outside, not waiting for an answer as she spread her wings and flew upwards with her full speed, coming to a stop only when she went beyond the clouds.

The stars were breathtaking as always but she was a little in a hurry. The other two would be waiting for half an hour already, or even longer. Having memorized the direction to the current inn they would meet at, Ilea accelerated and dove back into the clouds and out below. She could already see a squad of flying humans rushing towards her as she moved downwards. Perhaps going further out of the city first would’ve been the more reasonable decision.

‘Oh well.’ she thought and moved towards the group with reasonable speed.

“Hold, State your name and your business in Virilya!” one of the guards said. They were all between level one twenty and one forty. A good thing as they still couldn’t identify her. Ilea hoped they wouldn’t delay her too much, head trauma wasn’t something she wished on anybody.

“I’m Lilith, of the Shadow’s Hand. I’m looking for jobs at the guild. The Hand is a little short on paid work at the moment.” she said immediately, summoning her badge into her pocket and getting it out to show them.

“Let me see.” the woman next to the previously talking guard said and moved a little closer. Ilea tossed the badge her way and waited for a moment as the woman’s eyes started glowing yellow.

“Yea, that’s a real one.” she said and handed the badge back to Ilea.

“A safe stay to you then.” the man said and Ilea nodded, rushing downwards immediately, putting her badge back into her necklace. She didn’t expect it to go that smoothly but the badge certainly helped. Thinking about it, the thing didn’t really identify you as an actual member. The shortage Cameron talked about must make it a little easier to get in.

“They were afraid of you…,” Aki said as Ilea landed on a rooftop near the inn, checking her surroundings before she blinked down into the house’s cellar.

“What do you mean?” she asked the dagger.

“Well you were wondering why they let you in so easily weren’t you? One of them seemed to be trying to run at least three times…,” Aki explained himself.

“Well that’s not a good sign then.” Ilea said after thinking about it for a moment.

“Can I ask you for something?” Aki asked, stopping Ilea from blinking towards the inn.

“Sure, what is it?” she asked, looking over to the spider crawling across the wall.

“Can you leave me with that smith and his daughter for a while? As much as I’ve been enjoying this, my personality I feel has become closer to yours… and with that I’m kind of sick of being a dagger hanging from your armor. I want to move, explore and after seeing you… fight.” the dagger said and paused.

“Yea sure, the girl seemed interested enough in you. I’ll ask them when I go back later. Would you still be bound to me in some way if I leave you behind?” she asked, not sure how their connection worked.

“Perhaps, maybe I’ll bind in some way with Iana but with all these runes I’m not quite sure of anything anymore…,” the dagger provided.

“Well as a dagger you’re not exactly useful to me.” Ilea said and chuckled. “Maybe I can pay for the armor like this.” she murmured and nodded. “Yea why the hell not.”

“I thought of it more like a gesture for a work colleague or something.” the dagger said. “But whatever.”

“That as well, not like I wouldn’t have agreed either way. We’ve traveled together for quite some time now, haven’t we?” Ilea said and sheathed the dagger again. “If you want to join me again after whatever they make out of you, do let me know.” she said and blinked into the next house, continuing until she was close enough to the inn.

Leaving through the back entrance of the current house, Ilea looked up to find the moon staring back at her. The clouds had cleared a little in the past hour and she made her way over to the inn, opening the heavy door as she checked the surroundings through her Sphere. Kyrian and Trian were sitting near a corner of the room, untouched beverages in front of them as Ilea joined the two and sat down.

“You’re late.” Trian said immediately, annoyance in his voice. “Any luck?”

Ilea just took the first mug and drank from it, casually relaxing in her chair. “I found the smith, they’re repairing my armor. What do you guys need?” Ilea asked. Trian looked at Kyrian and then back to her.

“They?” he asked, waving away the waitress who had come to their table.

“Yea, some other smiths that work with him. And I might get a lead on good neighborhoods to look for Eve. The guard who protects the smithy agreed to share some information. He knows your name and would like to see the people responsible removed.” Ilea explained as she finished the mug, removing the alcohol from her blood immediately.

“You told him my name…,” Trian said, starting a little too loud but calming himself down immediately, leaning back again. “What did I expect really…,” he mumbled.

“Relax, it’s not like it’s a secret that you are with the Hand. And seeing the circumstances it’s not too far fetched that you’d want revenge. Plus he seems like a good man.” Ilea explained.

“Seems like a good man. You are far too trusting Ilea.” Trian said but his annoyance was already fading.

“We’ll see.” Ilea said. “Any luck on your side?” she asked.

“Some. Back to the smiths first though. My armor is fine but some of the enchantments have been broken, is there someone there who could fix that?” Trian asked and she just nodded. “Good, Kyrian’s armor probably needs maintenance as well.” he said and the other man grunted.

“Some haven’t forgotten my family.” Trian continued in a whisper, knowing that Ilea could hear him well enough. “I managed to get around sixty gold, enough to finance this whole thing at least. To pay you some as well.” he said, looking at the others. “The only property that still remains is the estate itself, everything else was sold immediately after the attack, at ludicrously low prices. Seems like I was never mentioned in any contracts so they had the right to sell everything. More names on my list…,” he explained and sighed.

Ilea had no understanding on how much gold a noble family near Virilya would have but even she could guess that sixty gold wasn’t the norm for their treasuries. Trian had been prepaid at the Hand and that alone was a hundred gold.

“And I’ve received information, most of all. Many of the sellers seem to have been forced, obvious with the relationships my family had with them. The picture of who was responsible isn’t exactly formed yet but we have some pieces. Pieces we can follow.” Trian said. “Let’s visit that smith first.” he said and got up, leaving a bunch of copper coins on the table.

“How far is it?” Kyrian asked as he got up as well.

“All the way at the other end of town. If we fly, the guard will stop us.” Ilea said and followed the others outside.

“I don’t care.” Trian said and grabbed the metal frame that formed next to him. “Let’s just go lower than I did…,” Ilea said as she joined the others in the air, ascending just a little higher than the surrounding buildings. The two people out in the street so late at night watched them with drunken interest before they rushed off, Ilea taking the lead as they shot right above the houses, moving around the bigger buildings that stood in the way.

Not only was it more fun to move through the city like this but also a better way to stay hidden from the guards watching the skies. There were some shouts coming from below but the people or guards either didn’t have the ability or desire to follow the three.

“Stop.” Ilea said and landed on a rooftop, crouching down as her wings disintegrated behind her. The other two landed behind her, the frame Trian had held onto flowed back into the form of a smooth sphere before it vanished into Kyrian’s quiver like contraption on his back.

“We’re close, let’s move the rest on foot.” Ilea said, looking left to see the big main street around a hundred meters further back. Trian and Kyrian followed in silence as she started running across the rooftops, jumping and landing with graceful dexterity and silence. Neither of the two mages had as much control over their bodies it seemed, producing quite a bit more sound than her.

In the windy night it didn’t matter much and being a little further away from the still active main street, the trio avoided any more guard encounters. Coming up on the smithy, Ilea blinked inside and quietly opened a window for Kyrian to come in. Trian had used his teleportation ability as well.

“You’re back.” Cameron said, watching the smiths work.

“Why is a guard here?” Trian asked.

“Those colors, you’re the survivor then?” Cameron asked and locked eyes with Trian.

“I am debating if I should let you live right now.” Trian said as a little lightning formed on the tips of his fingers. Ilea shoved him hard from the side.

“Relax man, he’s here and he’s alone. Doesn’t that speak for his sincerity?” she asked and looked at Trian.

“It could still be a trap, or he sells information.” Kyrian commented.

“I could yes, I could also be an imperial soldier tired of the corruption in this city and empire.” Cameron said as he stood up and walked towards Trian. Stopping a meter before him, the guard went down on one knee with his head bowed. “I am truly sorry my lord. The empire has failed you. If there is anything I can do.”

“Stand up. You can give her the information we need.” Trian said, not prepared to deal with a situation like this after all that had happened.

The door to the room opened and a tired looking Iana walked inside, rubbing her eyes. “Are you the reason I have to work in the middle of the night?” she asked with a resigned voice as she looked at the group. “Oh it’s you. Well that changes things a little.” she said and walked towards Ilea, waving at her.

Ilea just waved back and unsheathed Aki. “Well then maybe see you later friend.” she said and twirled the blade around.

“Hopefully, yes. It’s been a pleasure.” the dagger said, surprising Cameron who seemed already conflicted with another civilian entering the building without his permission.

“Nice to see you, we’re a bit in a hurry, otherwise I wouldn’t dare disturb anybody’s sleep.” Ilea said as she walked up to the smith’s daughter. Trian focused on Cameron in the meantime, starting to talk about anything the guard knew about his family’s demise and possible responsible parties.

Kyrian went to talk to Balduur about his armor. They would finish Ilea’s first, having already managed to melt a little over half of the armor pieces.

“It’s fine, really. What’s with Aki?” Iana asked as Ilea handed over the dagger.

“He decided to stay with you for a while. I’ll check in at some point, I’m sure it’s beneficial for both of you. And maybe having him will cover for the armor.” Ilea said, winking to the girl as she ceremoniously received the dagger.

“I… it would be an honor. Welcome back Aki.” she said, not able to keep the big smile from her face.

“I’m glad to be back. Less exciting but probably more useful to myself. We can get started as soon as the three are done with what they need. You’re also here to check over their enchantments.” Aki said and Iana nodded quickly.

“I understand and sure Ilea, with this ancient artifact I’ll be able to convince Baldy to give you the armor for free. You didn’t seem to have much trouble on the money front last time we met.” the girl said and put Aki into her bag.

Ilea casually removed the dagger’s sheath from her armor and handed it to Iana, including the belt. “He likes to watch.” she said and winked. “I invested most of it.” Ilea added.

“Alright, so let’s get to work. In the middle of the night. Don’t tell me I’m turning into my father. Don’t.” Iana said and walked over to the others, everybody occupied with work or in conversation.

Chapter 169 Shopping

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think

">.

Chapter 169 Shopping

Everybody quickly explained what they needed and Iana started her work. Ilea’s armor wouldn’t be done for another hour at least, that is to say just the melting of the metal. She couldn’t fathom a finished set would be ready within that time but then again she didn’t understand much about smithing or how any skills would come in to assist. Maybe it was like in a video game where you hammer onto the piece of metal and it just forms straight into a helmet or sword.

Having seen Balduur hammer at the sword previously spoke against that notion. Perhaps he was just conserving mana? She listened to Cameron and Trian talk for a while, eating a meal in the meantime. They both knew a lot about the inner politics of the city and all the noble families and other factions.

Ilea didn’t care too much about the intricacies, neither did she understand most of it without context. She did gather that Trian’s suspicions laid on the houses Carter or Birmingale, two similarly influential families as his own had been. Both would have profited quite a bit from the Alymie’s removal. Less competition and a small void in several economic and political branches that they could fill if they moved quickly enough.

True, either of the families and many others would have acted this way even if they weren’t involved at all. Power meant power, the question simply remained who had been willing to massacre a whole noble family for it. The answer was likely any noble house in the empire but who would actually plan and go through with it.

Ilea learned that this wasn’t by far a single case. In the past hundred years many a family, group or guild had come to quick power while others mysteriously vanished, were taken out or even engaged in open war. The open battles were simply held outside of the city itself but the empire apparently didn’t care too much when some of the lesser influential parties squabbled with each other. With how important personal power in this world was, it was somewhat understandable.

Still, the most powerful parties rarely got involved and the last time one of the most powerful ten noble houses or guilds got involved in open conflict was over thirty years ago. Old history it seemed, for an empire quickly changing.

“The metal is done. Girlie come.” Balduur said, getting everybody’s attention for a second before they returned to their own conversations and work. The three smiths came together as Ilea joined them.

“We have to take your measurements. The runes of course were broken but Iana suspected them to be made for the elf and his skills anyway. The incredibly high physical resistance is still there.” Balduur explained as he got some measuring tape.

“I have an idea.” Ilea said. “Not sure if it’s practical though but bear with me.” she started and looked at the materials spread on several of the work benches. The room was dimply lit in the glow of the forges and the air was heavy with likely very unhealthy fumes. A normal human below level fifty likely would have trouble simply being in the room.

“What if you made the armor with a mold?” she asked and not just Balduur immediately scoffed at the idea.

“I trust my hands more and to get an accurate mold of your body it’d take at least another day.” he said.

“Yes but we have a metal mage here.” she said with a grin. “Hey Kyrian, do you have a moment?” she called to the man who looked up and nodded, excusing himself from his conversation with Iana.

“Do you have enough metal to cover me?” she asked.

“A mold? Interesting idea. I can easily cover you, sure.” the mage said and Ilea smiled at Balduur.

“Then let’s get started, do you have a mirror in here, I want it to look fancy and not have nipples.” Ilea said.

One of the smiths went to get a big mirror as Ilea and Kyrian discussed the procedure with Balduur.

“You’ll have to hold the metal exactly as it is on her body. Can you reform it once she’s out of it again?” the smith asked.

“That will be unnecessary, I should be able to just blink out of it.” Ilea said and Kyrian nodded.

“Should be possible, the metal is controlled by me so I’m not sure if you can.” he said as an assortment of metal spheres flowed out of his quiver, melting in the air and moving towards Ilea like a weird nano robot army on its march to devour her. “Test?” he asked and she just nodded, turning around and storing all but her underwear in her necklace.

The soothing cool metal started covering her a moment later. Ilea’s face turned a little hot as she imagined the possibilities with Kyrian’s magic. It was neither the time nor the place for that though so she simply concentrated on not moving as he created the mold around her.

“This is harder than I thought…,” Kyrian said as he moved a little closer. “Your body is moving. Well this was just for the blink test. Can you try?” he asked and Ilea appeared next to the now ghostly form of metal floating in the air.

“It works!” she exclaimed, lifting her arms and remembering that she was nearly naked, blinking back into the metal.

“Ah, that’s what blinking means.” Balduur murmured as he looked at her.

“I’ll work in space for you to breathe, no nipples.” Kyrian said as he stepped in front of her and moved the metal around a little. The other smith arrived with the mirror a moment later and placed it on the wall in front of Ilea, joining Balduur and the remaining smith by his side.

“Metal mages are all too rare… young man would you be willing to work with me sometime?” the woman asked, looking at Kyrian.

“Sure.” he simply replied, continuing to form the armor around Ilea.

“It’s too tight around the neck. And down below.” Ilea said and winked at the man, the metal quickly moving to her wishes.

“Alright, can you hold it like this, then we’ll add what we need as well. And she can try to move in it.” Balduur said and watched on in fascination as the metal hardened, a glinting red sheen reflecting the light of the forges.

The smiths went on to explain to Kyrian where he would have to add separators between the later separate pieces to allow both the highest protection and range of movement, with a focus on movement. Ilea insisted on the priority.

It only took twenty minutes for them to form the armor into a prototype and Ilea started moving right after, testing different moves and stances, going into the basic Azarinth Fighting ones she had learned in the temple ruins so long ago. She moved on to what she had learned from her Ashen Warrior skill and at last she flowed the movements together into complex maneuvers challenging her flexibility and dexterity.

Her speed picked up as she moved faster and faster, her skills activating one after the other as her punches pushed away the very air residing around her fists. The smiths instinctively moved a couple steps further away as they watched the warrior dance before them. Ilea sacrificed a couple hundred points of her Health to get to near her maximum power and continued her testing for another couple minutes. Red runic tattoos glowing on her face interconnected with the fiery lines of her Form of Ash and Ember as she fell into a trance of movements.

“It’s not bad. I need a little more range on the shoulders. Knees are fine now. Loosen up the neck some more. Can’t move my head easily enough.” Ilea explained. They had been through the process two times already but she felt great. Were it not for the reason of their stay in Virilya, she’d be ecstatic. Kyrian’s prototype felt close to the freedom she remembered when fighting in her pajamas.

“Do you have some high quality metals stored up? I’m thinking of having one made as well.” Trian said. Him and Cameron had joined them too a couple minutes ago.

“Nothing as good as yours.” Balduur said as he looked sideways at Trian.

“We’re done then?” the smith asked after another testing session and Ilea nodded, blinking out of the metal and summoning her leather armor before turning around to the group of people.

“You can make the armor, Kyrian we can start with the helmet now.” she said with a grin.

Trian was sleeping in a corner of the room, covered by a blanked Ilea had summoned from her storage. Her armor had been cooled and Iana was finishing up the enchantments they had decided on.

“Do you like it?” Kyrian asked. He was dressed only in his clothes that he wore under his armor, his metal currently being molten as well. The man had decided to move a bigger part of his magically controlled metal into his armor to allow for easier flying, attacks and maneuverability on the fly. When he had it made, his control had been nowhere near where it was at now, both in quantity or quality.

“Yea, it looks awesome. I’m glad there was enough metal to not make it look like a leather suit.” Ilea said and chuckled, looking at the finished creation. The armor looked light but considering the Juggernaut armor had been the heavy kind, this one was a little deceiving. To most people this armor was completely unusable. To Ilea it was like a second skin.

While the plating was as thick as it had been before, the whole thing was reduced in size considerably, molded near perfectly to her body on the inside while giving her the complete range of motion she’d have if she were naked. The craftsmanship was more akin to something Ilea thought of as science fiction, an alien fighter suit but built from metal and enchanted with magic.

While she debated to have it look a little more futuristic, she decided on a more traditional look to not be quite as prominent as her personality usually was. The armor was full plate and protected her in nearly all places, the helmet closed off except for her eyes. There were as with most armors weak spots and incredibly small openings at all joints and the neck. Still the armor would be an amazing addition to her defensive arsenal, similar to what the Juggernaut armor had been but less bulky and much easier to move in.

The elven armor had been rather ideal as well but it had still been armor, forged for another. The color of the metal was a dull black that reflected little of the light in the room and wouldn’t stand out in most places. None of its features were exaggerated or bulky, the finished product being a mostly practical armor. Ilea allowed parts of the helmet to be a little more extravagant. In the spirit of the previous armor, she had two forward facing spiked horns added, made of the same metal as the armor itself. Smaller than the ones that had adorned the Juggernaut armor but still immediately noticeable.

It added a lot to the whole piece she thought. Perhaps she’d add a symbol or two if she had any deep connection to one but for now she liked the Shadow’s Hand black.

“Ok done! Come and try.” Iana said with an excited voice, all tiredness from before had left while working on both Trian’s and Kyrian’s armors and their enchantments. Ilea nodded and walked towards the armor pieces scattered on several workbenches. Enchantment possibilities were limited but Iana was good at it, very good.

They had decided on the main enchantment being a lightening one. The metal was incredibly durable and it had taken three heavily enchanted magical forges hours to just melt the single pieces, worked by high level smiths nonetheless. Balduur had explained that a smith’s treatment of the metal was different compared to Ilea stepping into lava or a fire magic spell. Their skills and understanding of the metal allowed them to melt it and he doubted any creature he had ever heard about was capable of burning through the armor.

Ilea could definitely think of one that should do the trick but people didn’t react well if one spoke of those creatures. She was pretty sure they did exist in Elos though.

Iana enchanted all pieces to make them considerably lighter and even added a minor strengthening enchantment to make them more durable as well. That was all that was possible. While the metal was of incredibly high durability, its magical properties weren’t exactly staggering. It was still good to be sure but nothing extraordinary. Holding two enchantments of this quality was already quite impressive after all.

Having tried out her Destruction and Wave of Ember skills with the finished product, Ilea had found that her mana traveled uninterrupted through any part of the armor already. No further enchantment had been necessary. On the contrary, had her fighting style not depended on it, both Iana and Balduur would’ve suggested enchanting first and foremost against mana intrusion. This allowed Iana to focus on the lightening instead.

While many metals were already somewhat good against mana intrusion, the enchantment against it remained one of the most popular, at least as far as Iana was informed. The other smiths agreed on her assessment.

Walking up to the armor, Ilea grinned despite the circumstances and identified it before she stored it in her necklace.

[Ashen Hunter Armor Helm – Rare Quality]

[Ashen Hunter Armor Chest Piece – Rare Quality]

[Ashen Hunter Armor Bracers – Rare Quality]

[Ashen Hunter Armor Gauntlets – Rare Quality]

[Ashen Hunter Armor Legs – Rare Quality]

[Ashen Hunter Armor Boots – Rare Quality]

She had already worn the armor enough to be comfortable about switching to it through her necklace. Replacing her leather armor with the new Ashen Hunter armor, she held up her armored hand and looked at it through the sockets that were close enough to her eyes and angled in a way as to not impede on her vision at all. It had kept its rare quality, likely thanks to the metal used. The name was interesting to her, obviously connected to her classes. There was a reason it had been called Dark Elf Juggernaut Armor before as well though. This time, it was simply made for her.

It felt lighter even than the armor Kyrian’s metal had formed around her. Much lighter than the Juggernaut armor had been. More importantly though it was more comfortable. Ilea felt as flexible as if she wore her training shorts and tank top back in the kick boxing gym. Forming fists with her hands, she smiled as the individual pieces on her fingers moved smoothly into each other before she shadow boxed into the air before her.

She could still replace the gauntlets with her bladed and heavy gauntlets should she have need for them. Her armor gauntlets were measured to be exactly the same length after all. And should her armor come to the same state as her last one, she had a mold now that she could bring to Balduur to forge either her destroyed armor anew or something completely fresh. At least if she didn’t suddenly gain or lose more than a couple kilograms. No powerlifting for her. Considering her diet and its lack of an impact on her form, it didn’t quite bother her.

“It’s fantastic.” she said, turning to the group of people.

“It is. One of my best so far. Now let’s finish the metal man’s.” Balduur said and got back to work, as did the other smiths. The process of finishing Kyrian’s armor was a lot simpler compared to Ilea’s. While they had made a near perfect mold for her, Kyrian could bend the metal quite strongly to help the smiths in the process, each hammer swing having the impact of twenty with the help of the mage.

“If only all metal bent this easily.” one of them said as they watched the helmet move into the cooling tank seemingly autonomously. Trian didn’t have a new armor made because of the lack of metal and his own still being in good shape. Redoing any enchantments wouldn’t be worth it for the rather slight improvement.

“Thanks again for the great work and the help.” Ilea said, shaking Balduur’s hand before she went and hugged Iana, careful not to injure her with the horns on her helmet. Trian said his goodbyes to Cameron who had stayed with them through the whole process. It seemed his previous suspicions had been lifted after the long talk the two of them had.

“Nothing to worry about, I’m glad I can finally go back to bed.” Iana said, yawning, before she checked Aki in his sheath with a big smile on her face.

“Take care of him. I’ll see you around little dagger.” Ilea said as she stepped back.

“Oh I will and I’ll crack every little secret hidden in those enchantments.” Iana added.

Chapter 170 Ambush

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for reading everybody

">. Looking for third tier ideas for skills and/or monsters for the future. If you have anything you'd like to see post it below.

Have a nice day!

Chapter 170 Ambush

All three members of the Hand and Cameron suddenly looked towards one of the windows, the latter walking up to it a moment later.

“Did you hear that?” the soldier asked as he opened it and looked outside. Ilea blinked upwards and on top of the big smithy to see a fire in the distance. Quite far away but also quite big. She could make out movements in the distance and flashes of light. Blinking back down, everybody had gathered around the windows.

“There’s a fire and spells being thrown around. A gang bust or something?” she asked but Cameron shook his head.

“Unlikely but let’s hope it’s nothing serious. I’ll go check it out. Open spells creating so much noise at this time of night aren’t exactly planned.” he said and vanished, appearing on the rooftop of the building opposite the smithy before her ran off.

“He didn’t even ask for help.” Trian said and turned to the others. “What should we do?”

“Armor is done, let’s go the the neighborhoods he mentioned. Or do you want to check out what’s going on?” Ilea asked. “Might involve us in some way though.”

“I agree, I think we should keep to the plan.” Kyrian said and looked to Trian. He had the last say in this, they were here for him after all. The mage nodded and looked to the craftsmen before an explosion far too close rocked the building a little.

“I think you should seek shelter.” Ilea said to Balduur and the others when several people entered her Sphere of Perception, rushing towards the guard below. The man had barely removed the sword from its sheath when a blade of wind went straight through his neck, entering the door behind it. He collapsed in silence as the three attackers silently entered the building.

“The imperial guard was just killed. Balduur I think your plan to leave the city might just have to be rushed ahead a little. One of them is coming up.” Ilea said and stepped forward when the door suddenly burst open and a woman slipped inside, dressed in black leather armor, a hood and her face covered. Her eyes scanned the room and got a little bigger as her quick approach slowed down, like a deer caught in a headlight.

“Good evening.” Ilea said as she took a step towards the woman. “Are you perhaps looking for trouble?”

The woman didn’t reply and Ilea could feel her distress through her Sight. She hadn’t expected to run into members of the Hand in the imperial smithy it seemed. “Do you care for any of the other smiths?” Ilea asked, casually turning towards Balduur and the others. “Because one of them is about to be killed.”

“I don’t know them well but they’re colleagues of the craft.” Balduur said but he didn’t seem terribly upset about the situation. The man would’ve likely been able to take care of the intruders himself, if his handshake gave any indication about his fighting capabilities. The wind blade from before, Ilea wasn’t so sure about that. The intruder still standing before them was at level one twenty, not to be underestimated of course but Ilea was pretty confident, especially seeing the woman’s distress.

“I know you don’t know me well but I’ll work for free for you all if you protect them.” the smith with the high pitched voice said, the sound not quite having the same comedic effect as before.

“As you wish.” Ilea said. “A small detour allowed?” she asked and looked at Trian. In that moment the woman before them moved, trying to rush backwards but Ilea had been paying attention through her sphere. She appeared right in the doorway, jabbing her right hand into the woman’s unprotected throat. Something broke and the attacker stumbled backwards, chocking and gurgling as Ilea took a step forward, punching her head with a quick hit. The force was enough to knock her out, sending her down to the ground as Ilea crouched down next to her, healing the damaged wind pipe to avoid her dying.

“Trian the room right below, there’s a guy sneaking up on one of the smiths.” she said and motioned towards Kyrian. “Bindings please.” she said and a metal sphere quickly floated towards her, reforming to create bonds around the woman’s arms and legs, a gag placed in her mouth.

“Go.” Kyrian said and she blinked, right behind the third attacker who was about to intrude on the sleeping quarters that some of the smiths and most of the helpers occupied. She simply grabbed the man’s neck with her arm and started choking. His arm shot up and a magical blade of wind smashed into her helmet, disorienting her for a moment and making her flare up her buffs. She heard a crack and frowned as she moved her head back down.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Zenar – Prophecy of the Wind – lvl 102 / Silent Assassin – lvl 92]

“Fuck! Yea great, how about investing some points into Vitality next time you dipshit.” Ilea murmured as she held onto the corpse and moved back up, this time taking the stairs. She hadn’t heard anything coming from the middle floor but saw Trian crouched over a spasming man. ‘And that one should’ve had some Lightning Resistance training.’ she thought. Hopefully she hadn’t just killed an innocent man just looking to free his enslaved friend working for the empire. Bad luck on his side either way.

“God you killed him!” one of the smiths exclaimed as Ilea put down the corpse next to the knocked out woman.

“That’s kind of on him.” she said and looked back to see Trian enter with the last man, that one still breathing.

“Let go of me you fuck, you have nothing to do with this!” the man exclaimed before a shock of lightning went through him. He looked rather young, Ilea thought he’d be around her age. Early twenties that is. His level was around a hundred as well, nothing low but also not incredibly impressive for the capital. The mage she had taken care of had managed to kill the guard below with a single clean strike however, indicating that these weren’t any random thugs.

“I will let go of you when you have told me what I need to know. And now please only speak when I ask it of you.” Trian said and let the man fall to the ground. Before he could even get up, metal bindings were around his ankles and both arms, moving them together against his will and pushing him upright into a kneeling position. His eyes weren’t quite as defiant as his words had been as he looked around the room, the demeanor quickly changing into fear instead of anger.

He was at least smart enough to listen to Trian’s words and didn’t start talking again immediately.

“Who are you people and what are you supposed to do here.” Trian asked. The man looked over to Ilea who was crouching over the knocked out woman again, checking on her vitals. He scanned over the corpse as well, gulping hard and looked back to Trian.

“We’re just mercenaries man, like you guys…,” He said and chuckled awkwardly. “We were supposed to hit specific empire buildings in the city and kill whoever we could inside.” he said, looking around and meeting Ilea’s eyes who had turned towards him. “I’m sorry if we offended somehow.” the man quickly added.

“I assume this is part of a bigger thing right?” Trian asked and the man nodded in response. “Baralia is moving earlier than expected. Seems like our little demon mistake has set the pieces into motion.” Trian said and watched the man gulp again.

“Good thing we got our gear before this started then.” Kyrian said as he stepped up to them.

“Where are your people, I’ll get you there safely and out of the city.” Ilea said, walking up to Balduur and the others.

“Nearby. Let me get my things. You’re welcome to join us.” He said to the other two smiths who watched the scene with wide open eyes.

“I doubt that there is an army nearby and the empire doesn’t know about it.” Trian said. “We should be safe helping them out of the city.” he said. More explosions could be heard, this time further away again.

“That enough payment for the gear?” Ilea asked the smith as she crouched down and closed the mage’s eyes.

“You’re getting better at this.” the smith grumbled as he made hammers and swords vanish into whatever storage item he had.

“Where are we going?” the male smith asked.

“South.” Ilea answered, blinking on top of the building again to assess the situation. There were several fires in the distance now, one rather close as well. Shouts rang through the night and a moment later bells rang through the city. If anybody hadn’t been awake already, now was the time. Spreading her wings, Ilea flew upwards with as much speed as she could.

The night sky had cleared somewhat, allowing her to see quite far. As Trian had suspected, there was no sea of torches anywhere close to the city. Perhaps an army was still waiting somewhere in the dark but she assumed organizing such a large number of people in the pitch black dark of the barren plains must’ve required at least some light.

Moving back down, she blinked back into the building.

“… don’t know anything else, please I beg you, we’re just mercenaries on a job.” the man finished and looked around the room. Trian looked at Kyrian and then at Ilea, the latter just shrugging.

“Your call.” she said, Kyrian not offering anything else either. A massive spasm went through the assassin as lightning burned his insides. Iana looked away in disgust, as did two of the smiths. Balduur just rummaged loudly through a mountain of tools nearby until he pulled out a shiny silver tool.

“There you are.” he said before it vanished. A metal spike formed from one of Kyrian’s spheres before it shot into the remaining assassin’s head with a thud, killing her instantly. Ilea received a little experience for that one as well, having been involved in the fight herself.

“Safer that way.” Trian said as Ilea closed the woman’s eyes as well before moving on to the man Trian had killed. She ignored the thoughts trying to pop into her mind. This wasn’t a game and she had no space for doubts, not now anyways.

“We need to move. Balduur do you have your bloody things together?” Ilea asked and received a nod in response.

“South? Well I’ll come if you’ll allow it. If I’m nearly getting murdered in an imperial smithy then it’s time to get the hell away.” the female smith said.

“As will I.” the one with the high pitched voice added.

“Good, then move.” Trian said as they all exited the room.

“No big sea of torches in the distance.” Ilea said as they descended the stairs and exited the building, stepping over the guard’s corpse and decapitated head.

“Then there shouldn’t be an army. We’ll have to be ready for ambushes though. Try to avoid imperials as well.” he said as they followed Iana and Balduur through the streets. Shouts and a continued ringing of bells livened up the city as the group made their way to their destination.

They were left undisturbed until a burly man clad in heavy armor jumped out from a side street, two handed sword in hand and advancing on them quickly. Ilea prepared herself to intercept before he called out in a hushed voice.

“Balduur, finally. We were worried they'd come for you. What are we to do?” he said and lowered his sword, giving long glances to Ilea and the other companions. The man himself was level one sixty three but Ilea had a feeling the numbers weren't quite telling with that one. “There are attacks all over the place, even some beasts have been seen I hear.” the man added when he grasped the smith's hand.

“We are leaving, back home. It's time.” Balduur said and the man locked eyes with him, a big smile forming behind his beard.

“Come then, we'll bring the news to the others. I'm sure they'll be happy to leave finally.” the man said and turned around, waving for them to follow. He didn't question anybody's presence, either thinking them to be too much of a threat to do so or simply trusting the smith enough. Ilea had a feeling that it was the latter. They walked through several side streets until entering a big closed up square through a high archway.

Shouts and explosions could still be heard from further away and Ilea immediately moved to the front when she perceived movement coming from one of the windows overlooking the square. Her Veil moved in place and blocked the projectile, slowing it enough for her to simply pick it out of the floating defense.

An uneasy feeling spread in her stomach as she looked at the thing in her hand. “Get your people out of here Balduur. They set out demons.” she said and rushed towards the monster whom's eyes she caught through the open window. Blinking up twice, she stood right in front of it.

[Demon – lvl 82]

There was no mistake anymore. Whoever was attacking was prepared to have this city fall. She wouldn't believe any stray mind weaver was capable enough to have entered the city with demons hidden away. Not with the human attackers present at the same time. Her muscles strained as she stepped closer, moving her torso sideways as another bone projectile whistled past her. Ilea stood in front of the demon and her fist crashed against its skull, sending a shockwave of kinetic energy through the bone.

The wall behind the beast was coated in red a second later, the demon's lifeless body sacking to the ground as its blood soaked the rug. The dude won't be happy, Ilea though and checked through the appartment, not finding either corpses or more of the monsters before she blinked outside again, letting herself fall and landing in a crouch on the ground.

The group had advanced through the square, all of them prepared for battle. “Where are your people?” Ilea asked as she joined the running group.

“The entrance with the torch, there!” the armored warrior said and pointed before Ilea sprinted off, blinking occasionally to increase the distance covered. Entering, she descended the stairs following right after. Following the corridor, she came up on two guards standing next to another door, behind which there were beds, goods and a bunch of people. Nothing had advanced this far it seemed. Neither were they a target she assumed.

Coming to a stop in front of the guards, she saw them activate their skills, one of them looking at her with a puzzled expression while the other one slashed his halberd towards her torso. Ilea stepped forward and extended her hand, blocking the weapon on its pole, right before the blade. The man tried to rip the weapon back but her grasp was unyielding.

“Hahaha, you'll have a hard time with that one.” the other guard said, Ilea looking at him. “You are not our enemy are ya?” he asked, still prepared to fight.

“No.” Ilea said, looking at both of them before she let go of the weapon. Trian appeared in the room a moment later, looking around as his lightning calmed down.

“Clear?” he asked and Ilea nodded.

“There are demons nearby. How will we get them out?” she asked and looked at the man.

“Get them close to the wall and fly them over. Nowhere near any of the gates. Any guards we'll have to take care of. At least we don't have to waste gold to pay for our gear.” he said, getting a smile from Ilea under her helmet.

“If there are demons they definitely don't want to stay inside. We'll have to move fast, I don't want to squander this opportunity.” Trian said and Ilea nodded.

“I'll help them out at least but you can leave already.” she suggested but Trian shook his head.

“Don't get overconfident. We have to stay together as much as we can. This won't cost us a lot of time.” he said when the others came into the small space before the shelter's entrance.

“Balduur!” one of the guards shouted and started laughing. “I knew it. Are we leaving?” he asked and the smith nodded, walking past and entering the room before he started shouting for everybody to wake up and get ready.

“Something's coming.” the guard who had attacked Ilea said as he looked towards the corridor with intense eyes. Ilea blinked into the small space and saw a demon approaching. Another low leveled one, leaving more credibility to her theory. The thing was stopped dead in its tracks as Ilea's armored boot landed in its chest, pushing out all the remaining air and piercing its organs with its own ribs as they shattered inwards, killing the beast instantly.

“D... Demons.” one of the guards said, his hands shaking a little. The other one smiled and prepared his ax.

“Again? Were the fuckers following us this far?” he asked, a grin on his face.

“I doubt they're so selective.” Trian said as the villagers prepared to leave, some armored men and women already exiting into the corridor.

“Let's secure the square. Any other entrances?” Ilea asked, waiting until one of the men shook his head before she ran back outside. Tonight would be less sneaky than she had expected. A good change in her book.

Chapter 171 Silent Escape

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, new chapter. Let me know what you think

">.

Chapter 171 Silent Escape

The square was empty and Ilea ran around it, checking the side streets through her Sphere, finding a couple guards and other people running around, all armed. No demons were in sight and she hid herself next to the big archway leading outside.

Trian and Kyrian followed quickly after and ten minutes later the villagers came out of their temporary home. Not the only refugees in the city that would try and get out tonight or in the coming days. It would become significantly harder as soon as the initial chaos was taken care of or the demons had taken over.

Ilea heavily doubted that the same fate as Ravenhall was waiting for Virilya. That demon she had fought back there would've had to gather another army of mind weavers and thousands of high level demons to accomplish such a task. No, this wasn't going to bring down the capital of this empire.

“North east is the best bet. The forest is the closest there, at least from this part of the city.” Trian said. “Ilea, warn us from any groups, we'll move through the streets.” he added.

“How will we get over the walls? Only two of us can fly and that'll take a while to move everybody.” the armored man they had met first said.

“Our metal mage can surely assist there.” Ilea said and saw Kyrian smile under his helmet. They ran through the streets, the three members of the Hand and around sixty people from the village. She noticed that only three children were in the group but they kept up all the same.

Ilea lifted her hand in a signal for the group to stop, the people shuffling to come to a halt behind her, the closest ones trying to look out from the side street they were standing in. Iana held up a small trinket and her eyes glowed a light blue as Ilea felt her perception through her Sphere dampen.

The group of soldiers she had spotted ran by with a sense of urgency. She noticed that one of them was holding his side, a nasty wound spilling blood onto the cobbled street. The man grit his teeth and moved on, his perseverance the only thing Ilea would remember about him before she moved on, following Trian through the mace of streets the man seemed to know by heart.

The rather large group avoided the bigger explosions and fires in the distance, not encountering any demons or other groups trying to get in their way. Ilea thought that this night was probably the dream come true for any criminal in the city. Guards leaving their posts to help out with an invading force or even demonic enemies. The wall had been visible in the distance for a while but when they finally reached it, Ilea was glad she could fly.

Standing right below the massive structure made her again realize how impressive it was. Any army would have trouble breaching such a thing. Kyrian was already forming a platform with his metal and a moment later the first people started stepping onto it. Ilea was a little surprised at how much confidence they showed towards a magically constructed elevator a man they didn’t even know had conjured right before them. Then again he was a member of the Shadow’s Hand and Balduur seemed to trust him, making the decision likely a little easier.

“Come on, I can take three or so as well.” Ilea said, looking at the group of people that sceptically looked towards her before wings of black ash spread behind her. Looking up into the sky, more clouds had gathered, making the night quite a bit darker than it had been before. Only a couple hours were left until the suns would rise again. Time they better use to look through some bad neighborhoods, especially on a night light this, where anybody that could get in their way was likely occupied themselves. Three people disengaged from the group and walked towards Ilea who welcomed them with open arms.

“Hold on tight.” she said and felt their grip harden before she ascended with high speed, checking their states through her healing spell, its diagnostic monitoring quite helpful at determining her passengers’ well doing. She was moving much faster than Kyrian’s platform of course and came out on the top a couple seconds later, finding only a single guard closer than a hundred meters, her sight locked onto the city below, an easy pick for any attacker that would come from outside.

‘Good for us then…,’ Ilea thought as she crossed over the wall, descending quickly downwards. Noticing that one of the people she was carrying was about to pass out, she slowed down little by little until she stepped onto the freshly growing grass on the other side of the wall.

“W… We made it.” the woman on her right said as she let go of her arm, her hands pale from the tight grip she had held around Ilea’s armor.

“Not really, the forest is quite a while away, best cover here and wait for the whole group before we move off. We’ll deal with anybody noticing us should that occur. Hug the wall.” Ilea said and flew up again as she watched the people move closer to the wall below her, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Coming up on top, Kyrian’s platform was just crossing over the wall and she waved at the group before she descended again quickly. Blinking through the wall would’ve saved her some time but she could check out the guards on top and any group possibly closing in on them from below. The aerial view gave her a definite advantage.

She did actually spot some people in the streets but found one of them to be a drunk according to his walking pattern and the other one to be a burglar, considering the shattering of a window that followed right before she moved past the buildings, obscuring her view. Landing, she took the next group of people and repeated her previous flight until there was nobody left to get.

It took less than seven minutes to move the whole group. Standing close to the wall, the village people of Indur waited for Trian’s signal. Ilea watched them from above, hanging on the wall with one arm whilst checking the guards closest to them. The one she had spot before was still focused on the town itself but another guard standing a little further away was focused on the outside, taking his job a little more seriously it seemed.

She watched as the group of people below started running across the field. It was quite a long way until the safety of the nearby forest would cover their movements and at least half of the field wasn’t cast in darkness, the moon breaking through the gathering clouds at around halfway towards their target.

Ilea moved closer to the guard, identifying the man to be at level one twenty. A moment later he too identified something. Rushing to the nearby bell, he grabbed the string to ring it when he found his arm unmoving, an armored hand clasped around his wrist and moving downwards steadily.

“They’re not enemies. Neither am I.” Ilea said as he turned his head towards the woman, his heart pounding faster every second as they stood in silence, Ilea looking at the other guards in the distance, none of them as attentive as the man before her.

Seeing her group safely making it to the forest, she released the man who stood there unsure to his next actions. “You did your job well, make sure that the others do their as well.” Ilea said and pointed to the guards on each side of him. “Oh and if I hear that bell ringing, I’ll come for you.” she said, pretty sure the man wouldn’t exactly risk his life to reveal their group. Especially not after one of them revealed themselves and didn’t kill him already. A calculated risk. Plus she doubted he could arrange a group to follow them quick enough to change anything.

Rushing towards the forest with her full speed, Ilea came down and landed heavily in the dirt, finding tracks and the smell of the villagers passing through just minutes earlier. Following with her Hunter’s Sight, she soon caught up to the running group and joined Trian and Balduur at the front.

“How long until we go back?” Ilea asked.

“Soon, after we crossed the forest. I doubt anybody will be following. At least not until late tomorrow. They’re capable of moving fast and for a long time.” he said, Balduur nodding towards Ilea, the run not bothering the huge man nearly as much as she would’ve expected. They did survive in the mountain village without any impressive walls or help.

They reached the other side of the forest fifteen minutes of running later and the villagers immediately spread out to check the surroundings for any dangers. Ilea had been a little apprehensive about leaving them to their own devices in the wild but that worry had been shattered in their run. She wanted to get back to their search as soon as possible.

“… and then I suggest moving further south until you reach Clamfell, the road west should be safe enough for your group if you’re not unlucky.” Trian explained, looking over the map with Balduur and a group of other villagers, one of them holding up a magical flame for them to see.

“The rest of the way plenty of us have gone before. We will be fine. Exiting the city was the difficult part. Thank you, all of you.” Balduur said and looked around to find Ilea and Kyrian.

Trian nodded and locked eyes with first Ilea and then Kyrian. “We’ll be off then.” he said and grabbed the metal handle forming from a floating sphere before him. His flashy way of flying really had been a detriment to tonight’s operations. A good thing they had the metal mage with them.

Ilea shook Balduur’s hand. “Good luck, the help means free service for life right?” she said and watched them an grin.

“5% off for the next three years.” he said but the tone indicated a joke more than anything.

“Don’t die.” she said and moved on to Iana whose hand she squeezed in a much gentler way.

“Good luck on your mission.” the girl said. Ilea stepped back and joined her group, the enchantress unsheathing Aki and waving at them with dagger in hand. Ilea’s wings spread as she waved back, her expression turning serious again below her helmet as she turned around and started flying, Kyrian and Trian following close behind. It would be interesting to see how the city changed from this attack. For now, they had a couple hours of darkness still to work.

The flight back to the city and subsequent entry was laughably easy. Nobody came to stop them and nobody rang any bells either. A stark contrast to what Ilea had experienced even earlier in the night when a flying squad of guards had stopped her high above the city. Fires were burning in many parts of the capital, some barely noticeable in the far distance. The operation of whoever was attacking them had been extensive to say the least. What their exact goal was would likely stay a mystery to Ilea but considering the ensuing chaos, many an opportunist would seek to fulfill their plans tonight.

“Let’s go, we’ll check them systematically. Closest one first.” Trian said as he let go of the metal, landing on a building not far below. The others followed and continued on foot, a little slower than flying but Trian’s maneuverability wasn’t in control of Kyrian. He was the man who knew the city after all.

“This is it.” Trian said and stopped on a rooftop, overlooking a part of the city that didn’t exactly look any different than anything Ilea had seen before. Jumping down from the building, she noticed the details. No color on any houses, a smell that spoke of a definite lack of hygiene, rot even. Eyes in the dark that shied away from the hooded individuals much too important looking to be visiting their downtrodden district.

Ilea spread her senses, enhanced through her skills as she took in the smells and surroundings, their group starting to walk. Trian occasionally knocked on doors but an answer failed to appear. Ilea knew there were people behind some of the doors but neither of her companions would force their way into somebody’s home to get information. Trading for that good would be much better, and a willing merchant would likely open their doors to such an opportunity.

Ilea found indications for murders, thievery and a downright criminal lack of bathing as they continued on through the district that more and more seemed like a slum to her. While its outwards appearance with the high quality houses might fool an onlooker, what was laying inside painted quite the opposite picture.

“The shadow’s hand, visiting on such a dangerous night.” the first to willingly open their door said, a shiver running through them as they finished the sentence. The man was frail and looked to be in his twenties, his eyes holding a dangerous spark that Ilea would avoid at all cost back on Earth. She locked eyes with him until he looked back to Trian.

“We’re looking for a woman. Around level two hundred, last time we saw her she had blond hair. A rogue and a killer.” Trian said and flung a piece of copper into the man’s direction. He caught it with surprising dexterity, grinning at the coin that he put away with shaking hands.

“That’s a broad description sir shadow. Rogues at that level are rarely even seen, let alone known to give much worth to their outer appearance. Might as well look for a dwarven man at this point.” he said. “Still, I can tell you about where to find people that might know more, more than me that is.”

Trian flung another copper coin his way and the man told them about some places that sold information, people whose sole business was the very trade of it. Ilea smiled as she realized she had overpaid all those guards and people she had paid for information so far. Another way to save some money now that she had less to spend.

They moved on with reasonable speed. Slow enough that Ilea could still check her surroundings for a stray clue on her friend’s whereabouts. They had to go through another district to find the first information seller. Unluckily for both them and the seller, they found the window to the woman’s flat broken in and a corpse inside. Likely hers, considering the bloody letters on the wall that spelled Lyer. The spelling made Ilea a little sad. An information seller killed by a barely literate. The reality of the world. Still she didn’t know if the woman had actually been a liar.

The next stop was a little more successful. A rooftop bar with a copious assortment of plants and herbs. The man had simply told that this was a prime place one could go to learn things. The lack of tenants didn’t tell them much as Trian walked up to one of the barkeepers. A question and piece of silver later, they were directed to a woman sitting alone on a small round table, smoking a fancy looking cigarette.

“The Shadow’s Hand. Oh it has been a while. This night truly is exciting.” she said as Trian and Ilea sat down, the latter ripping out a piece of an herb growing next to the table in a big box of wood.

“An exciting night indeed. We’re not here because of that.” Trian said and they watched the woman rise her eyebrow. A sudden flare of magic made Ilea tense up for a moment before she noticed the similar feel it had to Claire’s spell that helped keep out any listeners.

Trian looked around and settled back on the woman. “I believe we have found a rather capable seller.” he said and she smiled.

“Go on, I can see you’re in a hurry.” the woman said, her smile shifting to a more business like expression.

“What do you know of the Alymie massacre?” Trian asked and watched her silently put out her cigarette.

“You might be getting into something you don’t want to stir, boy.” she said and locked eyes with the man. Ilea was irking to throw the woman off the high building but this was Trian’s matter and not her own.

“Perhaps stirring is exactly my intention?” he asked and this time the woman chuckled.

“Ah to be young again and reckless. And stupid. Well the Shadow’s Hand was never famous for their intellect, at least not its baser members. You have suspicions already and I’m afraid I can’t give you any definite proof of anything. Whoever did it made sure to pay the right people and cover their tracks. I can’t give you anything concrete and any less would betray the quality of my service.” she finished, surprising Ilea with the statement. It was of course possible that she too had been paid, or she simply didn’t feel like sharing with a member of the Hand.

Trian leaned back and sighed. “Is that all?” the woman asked getting a grunt from the man opposite her.

Chapter 172 Crash

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think

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Chapter 172 Crash

“We’re looking for a rogue above level two hundred, blond hair when we last saw her. She’s hard to track and even harder to see. She should’ve been in the capital these past months.” he said. The woman lifted her eyebrow and chuckled.

“That is terribly unspecific. Any idea as to her weapons, gear, clothes or skills?” the woman asked.

“Two daggers, light gear of course, possibly a mask. Illusion and mind magic.” Trian said. The woman slowly opened a little box on the table and took out another fancy cigarette, lighting it with the plain looking lighter that lay next to the box. Taking a puff, she exhaled towards the group of people before she spoke.

“There aren’t many that fit a description even close to that. I know of three that get reasonably close but my information on their skills is limited at best. I’m pretty sure one of them has not been in the capital for a while. Of the two others I know for sure that one of them has been here. She visited me actually, asking many questions. Some regarding the demons… I would wager she has something to do with the Hand now that you suddenly show up here. And I believe she is your woman.” she said. “I want five gold pieces for further information on her.”

She had shared quite a bit without even expecting them to pay anything. Now she definitely had them on the hook. Impressive to see a professional at work, Ilea thought as Trian stacked five gold coins on the table before he invited the woman to take them.

The coins vanished somewhere below the table. A hidden pouch, Ilea saw through her Sphere. A pouch with a hidden pouch within. A little extreme, she thought.

“She was wearing plain leather armor, cheap and worn. Short red hair. There was a weird pressure I felt back when she was here around two weeks ago. I believed it to be simply her presence and high level but it might’ve been mind magic now that you mentioned it. I saw only one dagger but she might’ve hidden another. She asked dangerous questions, questions that I won’t be willing to share with you. The woman left this way but she vanished right after jumping off the building.” she said, less than Ilea had expected and little to go on.

Hunter’s Sight was working overtime to catch anything in the surroundings. If the woman was right then Eve had been here two weeks ago. Much too long for any reasonable trace to still be here, especially with how hard Eve was to detect already.

“Any idea where she went or who her target was?” Trian asked and the woman raised a hand with five fingers.

“Another five gold. I might have an idea. Didn’t before our talk and that is why you’ll get this one for less.”

Ilea summoned five gold coins and placed them on the table. “Go on.” she said, continuing to look around the place.

“I’ve heard a woman has died. A dangerous woman with a rather unpleasant hobby. It would be foolish to get close to her and any acquaintances but somebody did and they managed to kill her. Stab wounds from a dagger, cursed as I’ve heard, veins of black running through the corpse. I don’t know the name of the woman but I know where she resided. The place was burnt down last week and with it the secrets held within. People talked as soon as she had died, their voices silenced quickly but not quickly enough to not reach me and doubtlessly many others. Do you have a map?” the woman asked and Trian produced one from his pack.

“Here.” she said and placed the not burning part of her cigarette onto the paper.

“Be wary of both that woman and anybody who might be watching. I would not normally say this to members of the Hand.” she said and put away her money, continuing to smoke.

Trian got up and jumped off the building, the others following behind.

“We’ll check it out.” he said and started running towards what Ilea assumed to be the place pointed out on the map.

What Ilea assumed to be a mansion was actually a massive piece of land in the middle of the city. Where previously there must’ve been luscious gardens, there was only ash remaining. The fire had been controlled, burning only to the very edges of the estate. What remained of the house was burnt out as well, collapsed and destroyed.

Ilea connected with the remaining ash out of habit and started moving it a little as the three of them sneaked into the wasteland. The explosions and bells had lessened in the past half hour, a sign that the city was either getting completely overrun or they slowly got the situation under control.

“We should check the surroundings first.” Kyrian said, the other two looking at him.

“They burned everything inside. Perhaps there are clues where the fire didn’t reach.” he added and Ilea agreed. Walking back, the three of them checked the streets and houses surrounding the estate.

One the last side street, Trian looked up and suddenly walked into the street. The others followed and watched him stop and touch a wall.

“What’d you find?” Ilea asked and checked the surroundings as well. She had the answer before he spoke it.

“Blood. It’s a week old at least. It seems. Familiar. I’m not the best at bloodtracking but I feel like I know this one.” he explained.

“Should we go back and check out the house or follow this one.” Ilea asked.

“We don’t know if the chaos lured away anybody who would be guarding the place. And if she was injured a week ago, there is no urgency for us to find her. She’s either fine or…,” he didn’t finish the sentence as he looked at Ilea. “We’ll find her.” he said, touching her shoulder.

They searched the burnt estate and the house itself. Ilea was sure there had been people burnt inside, the ash felt different to her. Little remained but a ruin. The underground cave they found didn’t help them much either, most of it collapsed and burnt as well. Evidence of something, to be sure.

The effort led them back to the side street where Trian had found dried blood. Him and Ilea worked together to find the next spot. It wasn’t far and not difficult. Easily determined to be from around the same time as the one from before.

It had been cleaned and partially removed but to Trian’s bloodmagic and Ilea’s sphere it was still noticeable.

The track led them to another district nearby but it suddenly stopped. Completely. Ilea knew it. She was here, somewhere here. It reminded her of the weird absence she had used to discover Eve in their early training bouts. Enough to fool most but not enough to fool her the Hunter Sphere.

“Her hideout is somewhere here…,” Ilea said, walking up to the wall of a house, touching it carefully. Her Sphere couldn’t penetrate to look inside. Surely this was the place.

“It’s in here.” she said, stepping away from the wall. Trian looked around and charged a spell, his electricity flowing into the wall and spreading on it like a disturbed nest of ants. The magic revealed a simple wooden door.

“… no.” Ilea said and rushed towards the entrance, a sinking feeling in her stomach as she pushed into the small room, the inside revealed now that the enchantments were broken. The smell of rot and blood filled her nose as she blinked to the bed and flung away the cloth placed on the body. Kneeling down she threw away her helmet and ripped off her gauntlets before she carefully touched Eve’s head.

The woman was dead. Ilea knew it the moment she laid eyes on the pale corpse, her healing spell pushing into the body nonetheless as her shaking hands ran through her friend’s hair. They were red after all. She had looked better with longer hair, Ilea thought as tears started to silently dripp onto her armor. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…,” she said and kept on trying to heal her friend. Her dead friend. Her murdered friend. The knot in her stomach gripped at her tightly as a coldness filled her chest.

A sudden hand on her shoulder made her veer back into reality. She was crying, the hand on her shoulder lending little warmth to the cold inside of her. Pushing the hand away, she kept stroking Eve’s hair. Ilea didn’t know what to do.

‘Get a grip.’ a small voice in her head told her. ‘Would she be breaking down in a mess like that?’ the voice asked.

“No…,” Ilea replied a moment later, lifting her hands free of armor to brush away the tears. “She wouldn’t.” she said and laughed, the sound mixing with the occasional sob that broke through. Standing up, Ilea walked to the other side of the room and punched the wall. She was sad, angry and frustrated. Without any skills active, her fist shattered the stone, forming cracks on it as again and again it landed.

Why didn’t she ask for help? Why did she go at it alone? Why hadn’t she been there? Questions ran through her head as she kept on hammering her frustrations into the wall, blood joining the pulverized stone soon as her fist worked its way further. ‘Get a fucking grip.’ again the voice in her head said. Ilea realized it was her own voice, a part of her just as frustrated and angry as she was. A part of her that was cold. It was her. Not the Ilea who was annoyed at her fastfood job. Not the Ilea who somehow landed in a weird and distant world, terrified of dragon like creatures. Not the Ilea who was used by who she considered to be a friend. No, it was her.

She had faced down Elves, creatures destroying human cities for fun and killing hundreds in their bloodthirst. She had faced dwarven machines thousands of years old, fine tuned for killing. She had traveled to the demon realm and killed thousands of the monsters that threatened to bring down even the strongest human empire. And she had killed them all. She had prevailed. Ilea found herself standing in the room, staring at the ceiling as ash swirled around her, slowly and gently, all her skills running at the max, her health declining as a red glow illuminated parts of the surroundings.

Someone had killed her friend. For one reason or the other, someone had killed her friend. Eve had been a murderer, an assassin, a thief and probably a liar. Ilea was sure of all that. The woman likely had enough enemies already and this time she had done something that had cost her her life. Ilea didn’t care. She would find whoever did this.

The ash slowly came to a stop before it sunk to the floor, Ilea noticing Trian and Kyrian for the first time since she entered the room. The latter was kneeling near Eve, checking her wounds. Trian was looking through the many documents he had found in the nearby dresser.

“Do you have anything?” Ilea asked in a cold tone.

“A lot actually. I expected her to be a spy or assassin but this goes beyond anything I’d have given her credit for.” Trian said as he carefully distributed the papers and letters into piles.

“These are letters and documents from high nobles of Virilya.” he said. “Whatever she was playing, it was as high stakes as it gets.”

“And she paid dearly for that.” Ilea said, walking up to Eve.

“She has a lot of wounds on her body but nothing fatal as far as I can tell. The rashes on her neck and the state of her hands and nails tell me she might’ve been killed here. Strangled.”

Ilea agreed. She had accumulated some knowledge in the past year, mostly because of injuries on her own body. Eve must’ve been injured heavily. For her to leave such easily traceable blood. It needed a good tracker but Eve wasn’t known to be found, not by anyone.

“Someone found her here after the fight and killed her.” Ilea said. “Perhaps she lost?”

“The information seller told us that a woman died. If that was the intended target then she didn’t lose. Not initially at least.” Kyrian said.

“This is all evidence of corruption, rape, murder, treason…,” Trian said as he continued looking through the documents. “That name, the Golden Lily. It hasn’t come up so far.”

“Something tells me it won’t.” Ilea said as she sat on the bed next to Eve.

Leaving behind Virilya, the airborne group made their way eastwards. Ilea carried Eve in her arms, gently landing near the cliff side as the suns started to rise. The waves crashed into the stone below as Kyrian went to cut down two nearby trees with metal magic, moving the pieces of wood into a pile and creating a deathbed for their lost teammember. A spark went up from Trian, striking into the wood and starting a fire.

Ilea waited and watched the endless ocean before her as the wind rushed through her hair. The fire behind her took over the pile of wood, crackling and consuming as the other two stood by. A deep breath filled her lungs and she turned around, stepping into the flames and gently placing her friend into the flames.

She ignored the pain as the flames dug into her skin, touching Eve’s face one last time. A last moment and soon it passed. She stepped back out of the flames, her skin healing as she watched the fire slowly consume Eve Aillan, the mysterious rogue who had joined the Shadow’s Hand with Ilea. She wouldn’t learn about the woman’s past, she didn’t even know if the name was her true one. To her, Eve was her name and she had been a companion for a part of her journey.

Lightning crackled and lashed out towards the ocean, soon fading into nothing. Three strikes were unleashed by the lightning mage as Ilea sent the ash from the pyre upwards and out towards the sea.

They stood there until nothing was left, each in their own thoughts. Ilea sighed deeply and cracked her neck, her helmet and gauntlets appearing with the movement.

“Well she left us enough behind to work through. If she fucked with the highest, we’ll find whoever murdered your family as well.” Ilea said.

“Back to the city.” Trian said, his lightning wings extending behind him as they ascended, rushing back towards Virilya, with their most dangerous mission so far on hand.

Ilea didn’t know how she felt. The food she ate that night didn’t taste like anything. She had experienced loss, most people have, some less some more. To have a friend actually murdered? That was not something she or any of her peers back on earth had to deal with, at least she hoped none of them did.

“It sucks…,” she said to nobody in particular as she read through another one of the letters they had recovered from Eve’s hideout. Whoever had killed Eve had apparently not cared enough to destroy the assortment of evidence. Nowhere did they find the name Golden Lily. The fact that Eve had mentioned the name in her letter spoke volumes and all three of them thought it to be particularly suspicious. Not even in her personal notes did she ever mention the name.

Trian was asleep and Kyrian was in meditation, metal circling around him, sometimes scratching the wooden inn walls and floor. The day had come and passed but Ilea had refused to sleep or do anything else but read through all the documents. Kyrian had insisted she at least eat something.

A knock on the door took her out of it. Three men in armor were standing outside, she saw through her Sphere. Still in her full armor, Ilea got up and blinked outside.

“My friend is sleeping, what do you want?” she asked, folding her arms before her.

“Madam Shadow!” the man spoke and bowed his head slightly. “There are still demons lose in the city, we’re looking for mercenaries and adventurers willing to deal with them. One district was completely run over.” he explained his plea, the man’s armor indicating him to be part of the guard.

“Why would I care? You three are capable enough to deal with some demons aren’t you?” she asked and blinked back into her room. They were all above level one hundred, none of the demons she saw were above that. She had better things to do.

Looking down, she saw the mess of papers she had created and the half eaten food. Ilea held her head and looked up. ‘I can’t do this right now.’ she thought and shook her head. Her body felt numb, her mind was the same. This wasn’t exactly the reaction she expected out of herself from losing one of her few friends she had in this new world, her world. The reaction yesterday, though blurry she did remember. That was more like it. “The anger and… the cold.” she mumbled to herself.

“Kyrian, I’ll be out for a while.” she said and blinked into the common room below, not waiting for her teammate to respond.

“I’ll do it, show the way.” she said to the three men who were already leaving the inn.

“Thank the empress. We can discuss the pay…,” Ilea interrupted the man and walked past them.

“I said show the way.” she said, locking eyes with the one who had spoken through her helmet. He was afraid of her, she felt it. No, she could even see it in his eyes but the thought gave nothing to her. Her rational mind told her that it should have some impact, to be feared. A part of her wanted to apologize but she didn’t. She stepped outside and looked at the sinking sun.

“Fuck this…,” Ilea said and waited for the painfully slow guards to exit. “If you don’t speed the fuck up I will murder all of you.” she said in a monotone voice. She was oh so tired.

Chapter 173 Void

A note from Rhaegar

Didn't want to leave it with that chapter for today. Next ones in a week though. Let me know if you liked it

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Chapter 173 Void

“What’s their level?” she asked as she followed the three guards through the streets. The fires had been put out already but smoke was still rising from the city. An all too common picture in her life, she thought. Perhaps just staying in her house forever would be the better choice.

“Between fifty and one hundred and thirty, at least the ones we saw.” one of the guards replied, nearly stumbling as he looked back at her.

“Why are you looking for help then?” Ilea asked. Still it felt right to her. To move and to hunt.

“There have been casualties… They’re highly infectious and frankly terrifying to fight.” the man said. “We were ordered to keep injuries at a low. The healers have their hands full as it is. We have the money to pay and heard about Shadow’s Hand staying nearby.” another one of them explained.

Ilea thought back when she first fought a demon. They didn’t seem terrifying to her. There was another feeling she associated with them but right now she couldn’t recall what exactly that was. These men weren’t adventurers and they sure as hell weren’t hunters. Still, to defend one’s home, one’s family? Shouldn’t they step up?

She didn’t know. She knew that the numbness in her body left a little, just enough for her to feel it. The pain in her stomach. Like a curse, just ten times worse.

“This is it. We have barricaded the next three streets.” one of the guards said as they approached a stone wall going higher than the houses. Guards and what looked like adventurers stood near and above it, bows at the ready and sometimes flinging magic downwards. They could’ve just waited the demons out and killed them at range. She didn’t know why they had been looking for help. She didn’t care.

“… the pay is good but do you honestly expect us to just jump in there? We’ll need to get a proper layout of the houses first, plans and…,” one of the adventurers was talking as she walked by, blinking inside the apparently demonized territory. Just a couple of houses. They should’ve seen Eregar’s Haven at the summoning. A familiar scream resounded a couple meters to her right and Ilea turned.

A two legged spawn, a turned human it seemed. Level sixty, similar to the ones she had killed in Morhill. By the hundreds they had killed them. She remembered but the pain in her stomach didn’t leave. The beast moved quickly, mutated to the point of a perfect hunter. Sharp claws adorned its elongated arms and legs, its hole body thin to allow for faster movement and less surface for attack. Reddish eyes stared at her as its maw opened, sharp teeth ready to tear out limbs and bone alike.

A moment later it was standing before her and Ilea’s arm lashed out, enhanced by her skills she shattered the monster’s throat before she grabbed it. The thing tried screaming but she squeezed as it lashed out with arms and legs, the hits deflected by her Veil of Ash alone that formed around her as quickly as the beast had attacked. “They’re scared… of You?” she stated more than asked before she threw the monster into a house’s wall.

It slowly rose, obviously injured and angry, screaming at the attacker. And this time, Ilea screamed back. A loud clearing scream, full of pain and agony. They clashed, Ilea ignoring the beast’s irrelevant attack as her fist smashed its chest, breaking through the tough skin, breaking the bone beneath and squishing the organs before she opened her hand, grabbing its spine and ripping a part of it out with a quick movement. It was dead.

She didn’t even hear the sound in her mind, barely seeing what was happening before her as her eyes became blurry. ‘My helmet…,’ she thought and switched out her armor with casual clothing she’d wear at her house. The demon fell down and so did she. Falling to her knees and her vision still blurry, Ilea saw the monsters approach through her sphere.

They screamed and rushed at their attacker. The first beast to reach her slashed its claw right across her face, the attack was stopped even before it reached the bone. Ilea’s skin was already too tough. Blood streamed down her face, joining the tears as the beast ripped out its claw to attack again. One of her eyes came with it but the pain felt dull to her. Another attack landed on her back, cutting through the clothing and into her flesh before Ilea stood up.

A sudden blackness formed around them, a whirlpool of ash that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Cuts quickly formed on the beasts still trying to attack her. One managed to mangle her leg quite badly but Ilea just stood there, a smile on her face as she sacrificed a thousand health to activate her State’s third tier. Red tattoos started glowing on her, joining the fiery red from her Form of Ash and Ember. She turned and caught a clawed hand with her hand, fingers intertwining as the claws bit into her flesh.

Ilea just looked at the beast and pushed, the claws bending backwards as they struggled to cut deeper into her flesh before suddenly, several cracks resounded and the beast’s fingers broke backwards. “Why didn’t you come for me?” Ilea asked in a loud voice as the beast attacked her with its other arm, uncaring for its injury. Ilea simply punched, with all her strength. The demon’s chest was cracked inwards and its lifeless corpse sent flying, flinging into its kind as they struggled with the storm of ash around them.

“You wouldn’t be fucking dead now!” she shouted and stomped on the demon corpse next to her, her foot breaking through the skull and brain like through an overripe watermelon. Bone and blood flung upward, sullying both her and her ripped clothing. Ilea felt it then. The pain, not in her stomach but her face. She was injured. Her back hurt too. “What the hell am I doing?” she asked in a sad tone as she looked around, the whirling ash cutting into the weak demons, blood dripping down from her face, back and leg.

Looking down, the leg was a mess. Her flesh had been cut deeply and any normal person would’ve already bled out by now. “You will die too you know? If you continue like this.” she said and started laughing. Her healing spell activated and the arteries closed. The rest was irrelevant. The poison was irrelevant, as were the wounds themselves.

Breathing a deep breath, she quickly condensed the ash around her, five small spheres forming and condensing even further by the second. The demons looked at her and screamed. They did scream a lot, she thought before her ashen spheres rushed out, spinning in the air as she let go of them. One for each remaining demon.

The spheres weren’t enough. The hit demons were slammed to the ground or to the side at the impacts but they got up again. Enough to destroy a tree but not one of these fuckers? Ilea asked herself. She felt it now, over the pain on her body. Grief. For a woman she had barely known. They had fought next to each other, had saved each other’s lives. It was not a nice feeling, Ilea decided. But it was a feeling.

Her wounds closed and back in her armor, Ilea blinked into another house and clapped, several demons rushing at her immediately. Their impact was truly terrifying in a densely populated place like this. Moving quickly, she ducked under the first one’s attack and side stepped to get behind another. A kick to its knee broke the bone as she jumped backwards, evading the wild flailing of her closest adversary before she killed it with two quick punches to the throat and head, sending her offensive magic through the beast as the room slowly filled with ash.

They weren’t the best when they couldn’t see and while they somehow worked well in the night, ash wasn’t exactly the absence of light. She moved quickly through the room and finished the six remaining disoriented monsters with one hard punch to their heads, none of them above level forty. It felt good to kill them, cleansing in a way. ‘That’s the last of them.’ she thought and breathed in, ignoring the fact that the ash going into her lungs didn’t bother her at all.

“See? This is what you could’ve had to help you along the way… dumbass.” Ilea said and kicked at one of the corpses. “At least I will avenge you.” she said and walked to the door, opening the battered piece of wood and stepping outside. The area was clear.

Walking back to the wall where she entered, she blinked up to a rooftop where the guards and some of the adventurers had been watching. “It’s clear.” she said and started walking away.

“Wait!” one of the guards said and held up a pouch. “Your pay!” he said. Ilea turned around and grabbed it. She counted the money through her sphere and nodded. Fifty silver coins. She remembered getting a fraction of that from her first job as a healer in Riverwatch. Her wings spread before she rushed away.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Demon – Slasher – lvl 52]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Demon – Slasher – lvl 34]

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 16’

She couldn’t give less of a crap about her skills right now. If it helped her find and kill the people responsible for Eve’s death though? She wouldn’t say no.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“Are you sure we can just leave her like that? She’s heavily injured!” Silvan said, shaking his head.

“Her eye was back.” Thomas answered, looking at his fellow guard.

“He’s right you know? That scream… I know the Shadows seem crazy sometimes but that wasn’t a battle cry…,” the leader of the adventurer group another guard had managed to hire said.

“She healed that injury? You mean she’s a healer?” Silvan asked and the adventurer shrugged.

“Well she got us out of a job, got any more areas like this one?” he asked.

“I heard about her I think? Lilith or something, the demon killer. Apparently she charged into a horde of those monsters outside the city, fights them with her fists alone.” another adventurer said and Thomas was already getting tired of it.

“Yes, you saw that monster. We do have more areas with demons so come along.” he said and shook his head, these fools had never seen a Shadow fight. Though he had to admit, that show was unorthodox. ‘Perhaps getting injured had some kind of effect for her, maybe a Berserker?’ The man thought. The scream seemed weird, he had to agree there and he could’ve sword he saw tears, not that he would ever tell anybody of that.

_______________________________________________________________________

As Ilea rushed back, she saw a group of people break into a store, a fire raging in the building next to it. ‘Send in a couple demons and assassins and apparently you can damage even the capital of this empire…,’ she thought and continued on her way. The suns were going to set soon and she simply sat down on a rooftop near the inn they were staying at.

She wasn’t ready to face more of the disgusting documents yet. There was no video evidence like back on earth and Ilea had already seen a fair share of horrible shit in her time in Elos. Still, right now she just wanted to sit and look at the sky and the city that felt even more alive than it had before the attack. There were groups of guards moving around, some in the air. People were shouting and water and fire mages were trying to put out the flames that kept on appearing.

The scale of the operation attacking the city must’ve been rather big. Then again Trian speculated the kingdom of Baralia to be involved. An attack coordinated and funded by a big kingdom was understandably not something one could simply shrug off. She didn’t care much though.

Lying back, Ilea looked at the darkening sky. It was clearer than the day before. Some birds were flying by, nothing like she had ever seen but she hadn’t exactly been a bird watcher on earth either. Summoning some of Walter’s ale, she filled a cup she had taken from one inn or the other and took off her helmet, the old fashioned way.

Her black hair flowed a little in the wind, covering the blood and filth on her face a little. After taking a sip, she looked at the hair, moving it in her armored hand. It looked healthy, not something she ever really thought about but the lack of conditioner and shampoo really didn’t matter much. ‘Or is it the levels?’ she thought, taking another sip. She needed a bath and some sleep.

The decision made, Ilea got up and made her way back to the inn. Trian of course, was still asleep. Kyrian had taken over her position in reading through the evidence. He looked at her and smiled a weak smile. “You look terrible.”

Ilea didn’t answer, just shrugging.

“Let me know if you need anything.” the man said before he went back to reading. To think he could barely spell his own name just half a year ago.

“I will.” she said and blinked down into the common room, helmet back on as she approached the inn keeper. A burly man in his forties, both in age and level. He didn’t seem to care much about their presence, still she noticed his heartbeat increase a little at her approach. Respect, not fear.

“I need a bath, the biggest one you have. And another room.” she said. He responded with a nod and shouted a woman’s name. A couple instructions later, the jittery woman ran upstairs, nearly stumbling on the steps. The reaction people had on her grew to become annoying. At least a little. Changing the armor would mostly remove the impact but even then they knew she was a higher level and a warrior at that.

“This is good…,” Ilea whispered as she sunk into the steaming hot water. She had told the woman to heat it as much as she could. The tub was in another room, a more expensive one probably. The inn keeper hadn’t even asked for money beforehand.

Ilea just lay there, her head resting on the tub as she thought about the past days and weeks. Ten minutes later, she was asleep. Her dreams weren’t exactly the most comforting but not bad enough for her to wake up suddenly.

A knock to the door woke her up. Ilea was a little surprised at still being in the tub. The water was cool now. She noted while moving up her hands that they hadn’t been affected by soaking for so long. Another change her high level brought with it it seemed. The door opened a little and Kyrian peered inside. “Are you awake?” he asked.

“I’m awake.” she replied.

“Good. Come on, she doesn’t bite.” Kyrian said to someone else as he opened the door and stepped inside, walking to the bed and sitting down as he looked at the naked Ilea in the tub. The young woman from the day before entered with a serving cart filled with breakfast foods and drinks.

“It’s morning?” she asked, looking out the window but finding a wall blocking the view right behind the glass.

“It is.” Kyrian replied. “How are you doing?”

Looking down on the water, she found the murky color a little concerning. Blood most of all. The woman in the room was preparing everything on a nearby table, setting out all the plates and cups with careful movements, avoiding looking in either of the other occupant’s directions.

Blinking out of the water, Ilea grabbed a towel and dried herself before she summoned leather armor from her necklace. Walking to the table, she sat down and locked eyes with the woman.

“Thank you.” she said and looked at the food.

“Don’t tell me I have to feed you as well.” Kyrian said as he got up and joined her.

“Careful now boy, or we’ll have to pay more than just the rent.” Ilea replied and put some buns on her plate. “Can you get me another tub of clean water?” she asked, looking at the woman who seemed much more at ease now. She nodded and rushed out, closing the door behind her.

“Bathing more?” Kyrian asked as he started eating as well.

“For my armor.” Ilea replied and spread some butter and honey on one of the buns. The man nodded.

“We worked through the documents. Got some interesting leads. Nothing directly to either Trian or Eve but it’s a start.” he said. The woman entered again, this time with a teenage boy in tow as they carried buckets of water into the room. The boy then spread his arms and the water from the tub moved out, replaced by the water in the buckets. Putting the buckets outside again, the woman closed the door and used her fire magic to heat the fresh water.

“That’s good to know. I’ll be ready after I cleaned my armor. How’s Trian doing?” she asked and continued eating.

“As well as one does in this situation.” Kyrian answered after a while. The two continued to eat in silence but Ilea’s appetite wasn’t at its usual hight. As soon as the woman excused herself, Ilea went to dump her armor into the steaming water, scrubbing at the blood that luckily hadn’t been in there for a long time. The helmet was annoying to clean but it was nice focusing on working with her hands. ‘Going for another demon hunt might be a good idea.’ The thought crossed her mind but they had more important things to do, she knew that.

The cost of the stay including baths, food and both rooms had come to eight silver and forty copper. Considering she had just made fifty silver in about twenty minutes of work, the cost seemed incredibly low. Even with most of her money invested in Claire’s endeavors, leaving around 44 Gold coins, Ilea was still considered rich by most standards, albeit not lavishly so.

Chapter 174 Following the Trail

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, sorry for the late post

.

I wanted to say some stuff regarding the recent developments and the story overall, tldr at the bottom. I'm aware that the tone of the story has been much darker compared to the first couple arcs and that the focus on traveling/exploring and leveling has shifted towards shitty politics, war and death.

Now I know that some people like this, some dislike it. I just wanted to reassure you that I know. I know I started writing this to have a fun, action packed adventure with a protagonist that wouldn't be the savior of the world. And I want to continue delivering on exactly that premise.

The now included politics and higher focus on side characters and their relationships with each other and Ilea are what I feel is necessary to grow the story and world. To have character growth and payoff, the characters need to see and go through some shit. For power increases to have meaning beyond mere numbers, there needs to be a certain threat, a goal or bigger picture.

I'm an amateur at writing. Some of the feedback regarding Azarinth Healer has been brutal but I really do appreciate it. I mean I wrote in mixed present and past tense at the beginning. Bloody brilliant. I'm also not a planner, I write as I go and scenes happen as I write them. Which means the character of Ilea started out with very little planning. With the things happening right now, the things I'm throwing at her, I want to grow her into more of an actual character. A badass motherfucker that has a reason to murder the local group of drakes. A reason beyond just survival.

I'm aware that the leveling has been pushed back a lot, as has fighitng, abilities, exploring, adventuring, dungeons and many other things. I do hope some of you like the additions of cities, politics, conflict and some drama.

I'm rambling. With me releasing chapters instead of whole books, you're stuck with some chapters that lack what you initially liked about this story. I know that and I'm sorry. What I'm trying to say is just that I know and that I feel like adding this likely less fun stuff because I think it will make for a better experience in the long run

.

TLDR: I'm aware of the tonal and thematic shifts but feel they are necessary to have a better experience in the long run. I have previously stopped reading fun adventure stories when they delved into politics, harems or relationships too much. Keep the feedback coming. And thanks for reading

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Chapter 174 Following the Trail

“There are many names coming up in the documents. Most of them don’t seem to be relevant or wouldn’t talk without torture or a lot of bribe money. The question is if they have anything relevant on our cases even when they would eventually share it.” Trian said, the three of them sitting on a rather high building’s roof, looking over the vast capital.

“Other than the Golden Lily, which she only mentioned in the letter you got, there are a couple people she seemed to be looking for. One rogue who used the dark element apparently. Eve didn’t have a lot on him according to the documents we recovered but she did know a lot about his fighting style and magic. I think she fought him.” Trian continued explaining. Ilea had read a mention of that man as well when she skimmed through some of the papers.

“Brings us to the one the man seemed to be connected to. Man called Edwin. He was… do you know him?” Trian asked, stopping his monologue after Ilea had lifted her eyebrows.

“Maybe, but the name might be more common. Go on.” she replied and he nodded.

“Well apparently he’s been cleaning up in the capital. Killing dozens of less and more influential nobles. Eve wrote down that several investigators and hunters from the government were looking for him, as well as. Other parties.” he said. “Considering how many people the man killed in the past month, it’s only reasonable.”

“Why was Eve looking for him then? With all the rest we found I think she was here to do pretty much the same thing as that Edwin.” Ilea said.

“I think the same thing. Perhaps because she assumed the man knew something about her targets, or about this Golden Lily. And perhaps, with having a similar goal, she assumed he would cooperate with her, at least information wise.” Trian summarized.

“You think he’s a good bet then?” Kyrian asked.

“I’m not sure. I think this man she describes, the one she fought, to be a good bet as well. Most of the others are criminals in their own rights. Or at least as far as Eve considered it. My family would’ve held a couple of targets for her as well.” Trian said. “Well, no more.” he added.

“So we look for that Edwin?” Kyrian asked.

“We do. Got some locations of his last murders, though all are older than a week already. Maybe we’ll find something.” Trian said.

“Where investigators failed? I’m not so sure.” Ilea said but she still got up and switched to her armor. “Where to?”

“Somebody cleaned up rather well.” Ilea said as the three let themselves into the first noble mansion. “Speaking of, there are people downstairs. Maids according to the outfits.” she added, checking the rooms with her Sphere and Hunter’s Sight. There were some leftovers but it mostly showed because certain parts of some rooms were cleaned more thoroughly than others. If she didn’t know about the fate of the inhabitants, she wouldn’t have guessed anything to be amiss.

“I’ll talk to them.” Trian said and walked downstairs. They had entered through one of the windows which the man had opened after teleporting inside. Perhaps the guy they were looking for entered the same way.

“Don’t people put up any defenses around here? Seems like an assassin could just enter.” Ilea asked while walking around.

“Costs a lot of money to put up runes and enchantments. Or skill. Money that could be spent on other things. I guess the people here were taking a risk?” Kyrian said and shrugged. “Not like I understand the ins and outs.” he added, touching an expensive looking candlestick.

“Guess they wanted candlesticks more than defenses.” Ilea said as she touched the wall where she got a weird feeling from her Sphere. Moving the attached picture frame sideways opened up a hidden room.

“That’s more like it. Smells like death in here.” she said and walked in. The room had been cleaned as well but less thoroughly. Likely because it was hidden anyway. She could see Trian talking to the personnel downstairs as she took in the room. “Hmm…,” she sniffed and walked around. People had been killed in here, recently. Of that she was sure. There were some smells still lingering but she couldn’t really place any of them and they didn’t lead anywhere. Simply confined in the tight space. Trying to put them to memory, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

One of them reminded her of Eve. ‘Perhaps she had been here as well?’ she thought and felt her stomach tighten. Touching her armor above her belly, she smiled a little. It hurt again. “How did it go? There’s always another drake…,” she whispered to herself and left the room again. “Perhaps this is similar…,” she added.

“What’s similar?” Trian asked, having come up again. Ilea shook her head lightly.

“Found a hidden room? Anything in there?” the man asked and she shrugged.

“Can’t find anything other than smells. Nothing that leads anywhere.” Ilea said.

“Did you find out anything from the people?” Kyrian asked as he entered the room.

“One of them was rather talkative. Apparently liked the noble who was murdered quite a bit… or the man’s wife. Both had been killed. She said the government doesn’t care. They stopped the investigation after only an hour and sent in a cleaning team to cover everything up. The noble’s brohter has inherited the mansion and that seems to be that.” Trian explained.

“A dud then. Well we have a couple more places to go.” Ilea said.

“I doubt we’ll find anything useful there either. What we need is a fresher lead. I’ve got some names, investigators. Perhaps they’ll be of use.” Trian said.

“Another report came in sir.” the soldier said as he handed over the letter. This case really was going to be the end of his career.

“You can go.” Roose said as he looked through the contents before the paper shredded itself into thousands of small pieces and flew into the bin next to his desk.

“Yes Captain!” the soldier said and left his office, closing the door behind him.

Getting paid for all the cover ups was certainly good and had earned him enough to finally buy the estate he had wanted for the past five years. The scope of that murderer’s operation was getting out of hand though. A couple more complaints against his investigation and questions would be asked. Questions that would put him in a dangerous situation.

‘Why can’t they finally take him out?’ he continued to ask himself. Whoever was paying him was certainly rich and influential. More so than anybody he had worked with beforehand. Still somehow the murders didn’t stop. Just two days ago an estate of the Redleaf family had been the target. To think the man would go against families of that caliber was making him nervous. He might just be in a game too dangerous for him to play.

Calming himself, the man opened his drawer and got out the scotch and a glass he had stored in there. Pouring himself a glass, he fell back into his chair and relaxed. Another hour and he’d go for lunch. Perhaps a visit to the missus? Perhaps. The thought excited him and his worries were soon forgotten.

“Welcome back Sir Roose.” the maid bowed deeply, as she should. All of his servants knew well not to step out of line.

“Prepare a meal, stuffed duck with a white wine sauce. A regular side dish in addition. I’ll be up in an hour.” captain Roose said as he deactivated the trap rune to the cellar. No mana was used.

“What the?” he asked and activated his spells. Had somebody broken in? Or was it one of his servants again? Odan that old geezer, he really ought to finally take care of the man.

Walking downstairs he activated the magical lights and shouted into the cellar. “Is anybody there?!”

The trap runes had failed four times already in the past two years, not out of the ordinary. He didn’t remember when he had charged it last. Still it was the least to be cautious. Coming to the bottom of the stairs, Roose looked to the right and found the chains opened, his dear wife sobbing in the hands of a dark haired woman.

“You dare touch her!” he shouted. “Filthy bitch!” he added but stopped, unsure of the encounter after identifying the intruder.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

That hadn’t happened in a while. He could identify people and creatures fifty levels above himself. Getting help wasn’t an option, not with what was down here. He had to bet it all on his skills.

Sharpened paper flew out of his pockets and from under his clothes, creating a swarm of projectiles that rushed at the woman touching his beloved with all the speed and strength he could muster.

Roose frowned as he felt his paper impact something hard and his eyes widened as the woman got up, now clad in dull black armor. Light and efficient, her head turning to reveal two icy blue eyes behind the sockets in her helmet. Two horns pointed forward, directly at him. A moment later her eyes were but centimeters in front of his. The air left his lungs, tears filling his eyes before he puked up the rich breakfast he had earlier that day.

He felt himself get dragged through the room, seeing two more people clad in black armor. Had they come for him? But why? Suddenly he was thrown, his back cracked as he impacted the stone cellar.

“Go close the door.” he heard the woman say in a monotone voice. “Are you sure you want to stay?” she asked but not him.

Ilea grabbed the man who looked like a thirty year old in his prime. Luckily she had avoided the puke, knowing that it had been the likely reaction from a mage at level one fifty. A good thing Trian had suggested waiting for the man to go home. ‘Truly, a good thing.’

Metal flew towards the man and pinned him to the wall before a gag forced itself into his mouth.

“I… w… I would like to… to stay.” the woman said, defiant eyes looking at Ilea.

“Alright.” Trian said. “Investigator Roose. It has come to our attention that you are taking bribes.” he said, stepping towards the man. His eyes opened wide at the accusation as he gurgled something through his gag.

“We’re looking for the man you’re apparently supposed to find. Edwin.” Trian said. “Do you perhaps know who we’re talking about?”

The man shook his head as quickly as he could. Ilea walked over to the woman again and prepped her up. All the cuts had been healed already and somehow it made Ilea happy to see the defiant stare she gave her husband. “He’s lying.” Ilea said, having felt his heart rate speed up upon the mention of Edwin’s name.

“You’re lying.” Trian said and sighed. “Look. We’re not here to torture you, we’re not here to expose you to the government, we’re here to find the man you’re supposed to be after. Do you understand?” he asked and watched the man calm down. They locked eyes before the man slowly nodded.

“Good, now tell me what you know.” he said and the gag slowly moved out of the man’s mouth.

“I’ll tell you everything, just let me live.” he said and quickly continued. “The man, Edwin. He has hunted down a staggering number of people in the past weeks. The body count has reached over thirty already. The last news I have came from an estate outside Virilya. To the north, around a day’s travel by carriage. The estate belongs to the Redleaf family.” he said. “I can point it out to you on a map.”

The name Redleaf was quite familiar to Ilea. A coincidence perhaps but more and more it seemed plausible. She didn’t know if it was a good thing or not. It didn’t matter If the man could help her find the killers of Eve and Trian’s family. She sat on the ground next to the wife of the investigator.

“Do you want him dead?” she asked in a whisper, not listening to Trian who continued asking questions. The woman turned her head and looked into her eyes, before she looked down.

“You know… I loved him. He was so sweet at first. The work changed him, awakened something in him. He tortured people there… for the city. It was heart braking… to see him… change.” she said and looked back at the man. He hadn’t heard her and kept talking, sharing information about the case and possible targets of Edwin, as well as all the people he had hunted down so far.

“I think… I think Charles has been dead for many years.” the woman said and touched Ilea’s gauntlet. “I c… I can’t do it myself.” she said and looked deep into Ilea’s eyes.

Ilea looked back to the man and didn’t say anything else.

“We’ve got a location. The attack was two days ago.” Trian said and turned back to the investigator. “Do you know who the people are that are looking for him?”

“They pay me but I don’t have a name, not even a face. It was all done through enchanted letters and money. I didn’t question it. It would’ve been foolish to try and find out.” the man said.

“True. Well you have been helpful.” Trian said and looked at Ilea.

“Do we need anything else here?” she asked and Trian shook his head. Kyrian removed the bindings as Ilea approached the man who seemed relieved. Right until she grabbed him around the neck with one hand and lifted him up, squeezing his throat shut as she locked eyes with him. He struggled, even trying to activate his magic but it seemed being strangled wasn’t the best help to his concentration.

It took a while but he stopped moving soon. Ilea kept on holding him for a couple of seconds, verifying his death by the message she received in her mind. She placed him down slowly and closed his eyes before she walked out. The woman rushed to her husband and cried over his body, quickly switching to screaming and punching. Kyrian stayed behind for a moment and approached her right as Ilea walked far away enough for her Sphere not to reach them anymore.

Some of the servants looked at the leaving figures but nobody shouted, one of them simply moving down into the cellar.

“We have a location then. Do we need anything before we leave?” Trian asked.

“Maybe we shouldn’t be identified as members of the Hand all the time. A bunch of cloaks at least? We can all make at least our helmets disappear.” Ilea suggested and he nodded. They stood there for a couple minutes, waiting in the street as people went by, most of them ignoring the two as best as they could.

They would possibly be deemed criminals now that they had killed an investigator of the city but neither of the two cared about that at the moment. They had enough evidence to prove his treason anyway but the paperwork would be bothersome.

Kyrian stepped out and joined them. “They’re gonna be alright. The servants thank you for killing the man.” he said, not getting a response from the others.

“We need cloaks.” Trian said eventually and walked off.

Three travelers flew northwards through the sky. It was a sunny afternoon around Virilya, their armor not reflecting much light as they sped over the plains and small forests, the wild lands of Lys. The group reached their destination a couple hours later, all of them landing at Trian’s signal, their boots digging into the muddy meadow a couple hundred meters before the estate looming in the distance.

The house looked old. Well taken care of but there was something about it that made the hairs on Ilea’s back stand up. “Enchantments?” she asked and Kyrian nodded.

“Fear, usually used to keep monsters away but it seems more targeted against humans. They didn’t want anybody intruding.” he suggested.

“They didn’t want anybody escaping.” Trian said with conviction as he walked a little closer. “Ilea can you scout it out before we go in?”

The woman moved before he finished his question, rushing over the terrain and blinking from cover to cover as she checked for any signs of life. Other than the insects under her boots and the birds flying by, she couldn’t find anything in the estate’s gardens. The birds being part of someone’s personal entourage was of course always a possibility but so far she hasn’t been met with resistance.

Ten seconds later she reached the wall. A rough stone wall with windows starting two meters further up. Metal bars prevented people from going either inside or outside. Combined with the enchantments, the place seemed more like some kind of mental health institution. One of the creepy ones you see in horror movies. Ilea had to chuckle at the thought. A weird reaction, she thought shaking her head as she checked inside the building.

There were definitely people inside. Butlers and maids as it looked like. Cleaning and preparing food. She couldn’t see anybody else with her limited Sphere of perception.

Blinking up, she checked a part of the first floor. Here she found some people asleep and others again cleaning. Blinking into an empty room, Ilea continued to look around. With the size of the estate it would take some time to look through it all.

Chapter 175 Hunting in the Woods

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. Thank you so much for all the great feedback

. I won't bore you with more today. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Chapter 175 Hunting in the Woods

There were many targets she could’ve grabbed and interrogated but the two people in the room below her were the most interesting ones she had found. A plain looking man and a beautiful woman. Of course Ilea had been interested immediately because they weren’t dressed in the uniform everybody else in the estate was wearing but the fact that the man was strapped to a bed with metal chains while the woman was sitting in a nearby chair, both her arms bandaged and soaked with likely blood, added to her interest.

Ilea couldn’t tell through her Sphere if it was blood on her bandages but she could certainly tell that the man had been riddled with cuts. He was bleeding from several of them, enough to kill any normal person in mere minutes. Buckets had been placed below the bed and she could hear the blood dripping inside the already half full containers. Her instinct combined with the picture she saw below told her that these weren’t people she would want to engage unprepared.

The man’s constant moaning didn’t help in that regard. The wounds must be painful, either cursed or something else. She could see them rip open again and again after they had healed a little bit at first.

“They won’t heal if you move that much.” she heard the clear voice of the woman through the floor, her ear pressed closer to understand every word. Only thanks to her buffs could she even hear anything.

“He has...lear...aaaaah...ned a thing or two. The blood is strong Tiana.” the man said “I will be ready tomorrow. Any more reports?” he asked right before another wound reopened.

“We know the general location. Still around Fort Keenshill. That bitch is killing all the hunters and trackers, we should stop wasting resources and get back to it as soon as you are up.” Tiana suggested.

“Don’t talk nonsense. That’s all they’re good for. Send all we have, keep them busy.”

“I’d rather send for more healers, your arrogance has caused this delay Kyle.” she said and Ilea watched as his hand flicked her way, a small projectile flashing towards the woman who casually sat there. The projectile was stopped right before her face by a thin surface. Ilea couldn’t tell what it was.

“Stop playing around and focus on healing your wounds.” Tiana said before she looked up, right at Ilea. Her face tilted a little to the side as Ilea blinked into another room, still having the two in her Sphere’s influence.

“What is it?” the man asked.

“Nothing.” Tiana replied. Ilea had heard enough for now. The two of them would likely come for Edwin and his group the day after. Rushing back to the others, she explained what she had seen.

“Should we take them out now? They’re obviously injured and will be a problem down the road.” Kyrian suggested.

“No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Trian answered. “Maybe I’m wrong but I’d rather not attack two complete unknowns in an enclosed space. What do you think Ilea?”

Ilea shrugged. “Whatever you think. I do believe we could take them despite the bad feeling I got but the other people in the mansion were all at least level one hundred. Some even noticed me and went checking into the rooms I had been in. Weirdly nobody informed the two injured people.”

“We don’t know enough to act. Finding Edwin should be the first goal. If he and whoever he’s with managed to injure the two here so badly, then with our help it should tip the balance, no matter with whom we side.” Trian said and stood up.

“Then let’s find them. Fort Keenshill you said? Let’s hope the woman didn’t notice you and we’re walking headfirst into a trap.” Trian added and Ilea shrugged again. If there was a fight, there was a fight.

Flying north, they soon came up on a small walled off village, the people there rather keen on directing them far away from themselves as they explained where exactly Fort Keenshill was. Trian paid them to stay quiet about their visit as well. Another two hours later, the ruined fort could be seen in the distance, surrounded by tall trees.

It was an impressive structure, standing alone and defiant in the wilds of the northern plains. While abandoned and partially destroyed, some enchantments in the walls seemed to still be working, ever so slightly slowing the retake by nature.

The group landed nearby, Ilea activating her Sight and Sphere to check for any tracks, any signs of human life. She did find tracks, but not human. “There are tracks, look like wolf but bigger and bipedal. Some sort of werewolf perhaps.” she suggested.

“Well let’s hope we don’t wake it up.” Trian said, looking a little more worried than before. The three had put on their helmets again, the cloaks stored in Ilea’s necklace as they walked through the forest. The trees were high and thick, older than the fort itself it seemed.

“There’s a corpse.” Ilea suddenly said, the group stopping and preparing for a fight as she walked closer to the half eaten ripped apart body.

“Looks like a monster got him.” Kyrian suggested but Ilea was pretty sure the man was wrong.

“This is a woman. And her heart is missing. It’s like someone ripped out a sphere from inside her chest. I’d say the monster got to her afterwards. An easy meal.” she said and looked up. “There are tracks over there. Human ones.” she added and got up, walking in the direction of the tracks.

“I don’t know a monster that can rip out someone’s heart from within.” Trian commented absentmindedly. The suns were high, indicating noon or something close enough as the group followed the tracks Ilea had found. At some point they stopped but Ilea’s Sight showed her a path where the tracks had been removed. The ground looked ever so slightly more disturbed, enough for her skill to pick it up.

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 8’

Willing the notification away, Ilea continued following the path. It led them a little away from the fort and towards a fenced off part of the estate. A small hut could be seen behind a couple of trees. Movement could be seen within. “Someone’s in there.” Ilea said when she suddenly felt a weird sensation in her chest. Moving to the right instinctively, a sudden surge of magic could be felt within her arm as a part of her bone and flesh simply vanished.

“We’re under attack, keep moving, they can rip out parts of your body.” Ilea said to the others as she vanished, appearing ten meters ahead. Her skills were running overtime as they tried to make out where the attack had come from. Hunter Recovery already worked on regrowing the missing parts of bone and flesh as Ilea decided to move closer to the hut, likely holding whatever the attacker wanted to defend. Another weird feeling spread on her back right before she blinked away.

Ilea heard the suction of air from where she had just stood. She’d find the attacker and she’d rip out their throat. Continuing her walk towards the hut, a woman suddenly appeared a couple meters to the left of the wooden structure. Light leather armor, gray hair and purple eyes. Ilea noticed the features but kept staring at the eyes.

“You’re not attacking?” the woman asked in a tired voice. “Why is the Hand here? Perhaps we can find an arrangement.” she added as Trian and Kyrian joined Ilea’s side.

“If you attack again I will kill you.” Ilea said. Her eyes locked with the woman’s and there was a moment of consideration. A small part of her hoped that she would attack.

[Mage – lvl 231]

A formidable opponent, at least level wise. Her magic was too slow to touch Ilea, at least without the factor of surprise. She was sure the woman had more up her sleeve than just ripping out body parts from within.

“We’re not here to hunt you.” Trian said, trying to defuse the situation somewhat. Ilea’s arm was healed by then and she moved her fingers as she stared at the woman.

“Neither are we here on the Hand’s orders. We’re looking for information. Perhaps we Can find an arrangement.” Trian added.

“I’m not looking to trade and I can’t trust…,” the woman was interrupted when the door to the hut opened and someone quite familiar to Ilea stepped out. The woman looked at the three before she started smiling, waving towards them.

“Hello Ilea! Wow you’ve become strong, I knew you would!” the wave was replaced by a thumbs up before the woman turned to the confused mage next to her. “I’m going to get fresh water, is that ok? Aliana is exhausted.”

“Hey Felicia. Is Edwin alright?” Ilea asked, waving back.

“No, he’s nearly dead. Hey weren’t you a healer? Well you’re not anymore… can you help us? Some dangerous people are after us.” Felicia said.

“I can have a look if you convince your friend there to trust us.” Ilea said, winking at the purple eyed mage.

“Are you using an illusion spell on her? Mind mage?” the woman asked as she prepared to fight again.

“No no, Maria calm down.” Felicia said and sighed. “We know her. Ilea the battle healer. She was in the Taleen dungeon we used to get to you. She defused all the traps for us, hahaha. Remember that one!” Felicia exclaimed but the rings under her eyes painted the excited picture with a dark shade.

“Yes, I remember.” Ilea said as she removed her helmet. “I’m glad you’re alive Felicia. You’re brother still owes me an explanation.” and his face to punch but to her surprise Ilea was simply happy to see the woman had survived thus far. Felicia seemed a little childlike but there was more to her than seen at first glance.

“You look horrible Ilea. Where’s that smile you always sported?” Felicia asked as she walked towards her, stopped a moment later by Maria.

“I can heal and the guy in the spiky armor can heal poisons and likely curses as well. Edwin might have some answers that we’re looking for.” Ilea explained. “Oh and Aliana can back up the story. She’s a water and fire mage, likes to boil stuff and eat meat all the time. Edwin is a manipulative asshole, two swords and blood magic as far as I remember. Felicia there is a wind mage. And you, you seem pretty vulnerable with your obvious defensive objective. I’d just teleport in there and rip Edwin’s head of if I wanted to. Think about it.” Ilea finished. She really was about to just attack the woman, tired of having to justify herself. Beating the information out of Edwin sounded annoying but she’d do it if needed.

“I agree it seems unlikely you know all of this without knowing the people. I doubt you’re a mind mage either.” Maria said, Ilea looking down at the mention of mind magic. She watched on through her sphere as Felicia dropped the bucked she had been holding and walked up to Ilea, her arms folding around her in a hug.

“It’s ok.” Felicia said. “It’s ok.” Ilea’s arms hung uselessly at her side as the woman hugged her. She didn’t quite know how to feel but she was sure that this helped. Felicia had been the only one of the three she had considered something like a friend. The only reason for her to go look for the group other than smashing Edwin’s head into some medieval cobbled road. Eve was dead. She’d have to come to terms with that. Soon. And then she’d get her revenge, no matter how long and hard it’d be.

“I know it’s selfish but my brother is dying. I know he used you and I know you are angry but we will help you however we can.” Felicia whispered to her and Ilea nodded. Noticing the wet spot on Felicia’s shoulder.

“Alright, let’s have a look then. Kyrian come.” Ilea said as Felicia jumped up in joy before she ran towards the hut, Ilea’s arm pulled behind her.

Maria didn’t move to interrupt them, instead following into the hut as well. It reeked of blood and death inside. The small space was occupied by a stone table with a man on top of it. His shoulder looked eaten from inside out. Like an infection blood red lines spread on his whole body as he convulsed from time to time.

Aliana was sleeping in a corner of the room as they stepped inside, Ilea looking at the man she had sworn to punch when she saw him. In a state like this, both Edwin’s and her own, that notion seemed childish to her now. A bout would happen eventually but there were more important things to think about right now.

It was an infection. Blood magic originating from the small and big cuts on his body. It looked vaguely similar to the wounds she had seen on the man in the mansion earlier that day. More savage though and spreading more quickly it seemed. The man had been sure he’d survive and be ready to attack the next day. Edwin on the other hand looked to be ready to die. Her healing mana was countered by the infection, not completely but it would take days if not longer to heal the man.

“It would take days but we don’t have that.” Ilea said. “Can you do something?” she asked Kyrian whose needles floated above Edwin’s flesh.

“It’s not a curse, and neither poison. I could try to attack the infection but it’s wild, ever changing.” he said.

Ilea nodded and touched Edwin’s shoulder. Moving him would worsen his condition, which left only one way to go. Her reversed healing rushed into his shoulder, destroying everything in its path as she observed the reaction. The man coughed up blood while Ilea tried to localize her attack, watching the infection get removed along with the man’s health. Stopping before she actually killed him, she started healing the area again. Both the infection and her healing worked to reclaim territory on the man marked for death.

Contrary to the infection though, her resources would regenerate. “It’ll take an hour or two.” Ilea said as she continued to destroy and heal his body. The blood magic had spread nearly all over and she couldn’t weaken him too much as that would worsen the spread as well.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 16’

Ilea was pretty sure she had gained some insight into her healing spell as well although that one was already at its current maximum level.

“He’s fine now.” she said to the room of waiting individuals. Slapping him with enough force to send someone else flying, Ilea held Edwin with her other hand. Maria moved closer but stopped as the man started groaning and then coughing.

“What the hell…,” he said, coughing again. His eyes opened as he looked around the room, locking eyes with Ilea for a second before his head fell back on the table. “How the hell did you surpass me.”

Ilea had noticed him to be level two twenty two earlier. “I disable the traps myself and don’t use people’s lives as decoys.” Ilea said and stepped out of the room to get some fresh air. Felicia immediately went to hug her brother and Maria seemed quite happy as well. Trian remained in the room as Kyrian stepped out to join Ilea.

“Are you alright? Any history I should know about?” the man asked as he leaned on the hut. Sunlight was broken by the trees above, illuminating parts of his armor.

“Nothing major. Nothing that matters right now.” Ilea said after a while, putting her helmet back on.

A couple minutes later the others stepped out as well, Edwin being supported by Maria.

“So the little Ilea has managed to come this far… and with the Hand as…,” she stopped him with a gesture and a hard stare.

“We need to move. The man who I assume did this to you is recovering and him with that beautiful woman will come for you tomorrow. I’m not sure if you want to be here when that happens.” Ilea said, surprising him.

“How do you know this?” Maria asked.

“I heard them talk. In the Redleaf mansion. Now for healing you we require some information. And you still owe me from back in the Taleen dungeon. The exchange wasn’t exactly fair.” Ilea added.

Edwin looked at her for a while before he sighed. “I do. But I have an alternative suggestion.” he said and looked first at Maria and then back towards Ilea. “I will give you the information you need for saving my life. If I have it of course. But if you help me kill those two and help me hunt down one more target, I will personally assist you in whatever goal you have.” he said.

“First the information then. We will consider anything else afterwards.” Trian interjected and looked at Ilea.

“Fine with me.” she said and the man nodded.

“My name is Trian Alymie and my family has been murdered. I’d like to know by whom.”

Chapter 176 Tracks

A note from Rhaegar

Hey again. Enjoy and thanks for getting this far in the story

">. Have a nice Saturday!

Chapter 176 Tracks

“The Alymies. Yes, I’ve heard of that. Would’ve assumed that they pinned that one on me. I have recovered a lot of paperwork and believe your family has been mentioned in some of them. Feel free to look through it. Aliana has them.” Edwin said.

“She’s still asleep, I’ll go wake her.” Felicia said, her mood having improved drastically.

“Any why should I believe that it wasn’t you? You have been going around murdering nobles in Virilya, haven’t you?” Trian asked. Maria stepped a little closer to Edwin, keeping eye contact with Trian.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you.” Edwin said. “As far as I can tell the Alymies never came up in any connection to our own family. Have you seen the bodies? Know anything about the attackers or how many there were?”

“A group, likely more than ten people. Different causes for death.” Trian answered.

“It was always just me and Maria. I know you just have my word but I’m sure you’ll find out more in the evidence I’ve so far… recovered.”

“That is not all.” Ilea said. “A friend of ours was murdered as well. She was investigating an organization or individual called the Golden Lily. We think they are responsible.”

Edwin’s mouth opened a little before it closed again. He looked at Maria and then shook his head. “You should forget about that. At least as you are right now. They are… we’re hunting one of them as well. Arthur Redleaf, my father. I’ve only ever heard the name of that organization twice. I’m sure my father is part of it and I’m sure many other influential nobles are as well. Ilea. I’ve been planning for five years to free Maria and to kill that man. To try and hunt the whole order… I don’t even know where to begin.” he said and shook his head.

“That’s easy. We’ll begin with your father. If he knows nothing, we’ll move on to the next. Until I find and kill the ones responsible.” Ilea said.

“I’m not sure you know what exactly you’re getting into.” Edwin said and sighed again. “But. I will tell you everything I know and will talk to all my sources. And if you help me kill my father, I’ll do whatever is in my power to help you find your target. And kill it.” he said.

“Edwin are you sure, it is already damn near suicide to go against Arthur. To go for the order behind him…,” Maria said but the man waved her off.

“Ilea was barely level one hundred when we met her on the road to Dawntree. That was around half a year ago, if she needs to get stronger, she will. And so will I. We won’t be going in recklessly. And if I know her at all, she’ll be the one going for the kill.” Edwin said and smiled. Ilea didn’t but she’d just come a step closer to finding out something about Eve’s killers.

“Why are you hunting your father?” she asked a moment later. She had Kyrian and Trian to work with, a little unsure if she even needed Edwin and his group anymore. His resources and connections would help, certainly but she didn’t want to waste time on a cause that meant nothing to her.

Checking behind himself, Edwin walked closer to Ilea and whispered in her ear. “There are many reasons, for which you won’t care. However, if I know anything about you at all then you care at least a little about Felicia. She was sold to be married as a mere child to some noble he meant to do business with. It was among other things a reason for my departure, with my sister and Aliana. Ask her about it and perhaps you’ll be convinced to work with us.” he finished and looked at her.

“When did you say the hunters would come?” Maria asked as she looked into the trees behind Ilea’s group.

“Oh that’s not them.” sniffing the air, Ilea turned around and found a presence near the fenced off property. Not in her Sphere yet but her instincts were on high alert. “I think we might’ve alerted whatever left those tracks.”

“What tracks?” Maria asked before they all heard a growl coming from the trees.

“Looked like a big wolf, bipedal though.” Kyrian supplied as they all prepared for a fight. Ilea’s eyes shot up as she spotted a fast moving furry creature going up the trees before it rushed down right at Trian.

Ilea stepped a small step to the side, intercepting the creature as all her skills were activated and a Veil of Ash formed around her. The impact sent her flying, Trian managing to teleport away right after the beast had smashed her aside. The smell of pine needles and dirt filled Ilea’s nose as the spinning world came to an abrupt stop, her armored body rolling on the ground after smashing through several thin trees.

Getting up quickly, she found lightning and metal in the air, the smell of singed hair joining the more natural scents around her. It really was a bipedal wolf, something like a werewolf, she thought as she rushed back towards the hut. The monster was a little over two meters tall on its hind legs, lean and muscular. Its claws slashed through the air, creating a sound with the sheer speed of the attacks before they were deflected by Edwin’s twin swords.

Despite the clear advantage of skill and range, the man didn’t manage to do anything else but defend. The beast’s sheer raw power was too much.

[Beastwolf of Krak Duun – lvl ???]

‘Three, which means this thing could be as strong as the bloody demon whale attacking Ravenhall, but condensed into a much smaller, faster form.’ It reminded her a little of her first encounter with a Taleen Centurion. She couldn’t see Maria anymore but all the other mages were spread around them, flying high in the trees while sending projectiles towards the monster. None of it seemed to impact the beast more than the waves clashing against a rocky beach.

‘Another drake then…,’ Ilea thought as she rushed towards the monster’s back. Her fist landed and a bit of mana left her as both Destruction and Wave of Ember rushed into the black fur of the beastwolf.

‘Weren’t they supposed to only turn at night?’ she thought when the monster’s arm moved backwards, making her blink away a couple steps before she advanced again. Using her ash to distract the monster didn’t seem like the best idea as it would obstruct the mages around her as well as Edwin. She had a feeling that perhaps it wouldn’t be a detriment to the lupin creature either.

Again her fist hit but Edwin was shot backwards, blood spurting out of his mouth from the powerful kick of the creature. A lightning bolt rushed towards its maw as it turned towards Ilea, the monster crouching down slightly to dodge the attack before its claws rushed towards Ilea. They dug into her Veil, leaving her to step backwards to dodge as closely as possible, trying to get hits in between the flurry of claws. Her eyes focused only on the enemy’s movements as she stepped one step backwards after the other, magic attacks raining into the creature from behind, sometimes dodged and sometimes simply ignored as its bloodshot eyes focused on its pray.

Her fist hit the monster’s chest right before one clawed paw managed to nearly hit her. Blinking left as the creature followed up its attack with a kick, she managed to get in one more hit before the beastwolf’s elbow smashed into her chest. All the air in her lungs was pushed out as she slid backwards for two meters, the beastwolf advancing and not giving her time to adjust, leaving her no other option but to blink upwards and away.

The wolf turned and looked at her as her ashen wings spread behind her. Back to full health after a couple seconds of healing, Ilea watched as the beast moved rapidly towards her, jumping up and using the trees as stepping stones to get to her. Even with all the mages’ attacks and her own accumulating damage, she doubted that they could take the thing down before the two hunters of Edwin’s group arrived, if they even managed to do that.

“Kyrian, get Edwin and the others up in the air. It’s best if we get out of here!” Ilea shouted and watched her friend nod and fly off towards the hut. The beastwolf didn’t seem to be much the wiser as it continued rushing towards Ilea who lazily blinked backwards time and time again, leading the beast on as lightning magic singed its fur. After five blinks, the beast stopped as it clung to a tree, its claws gripping into the wood as it creaked and splintered.

The beastwolf looked up to the sun above, snarling at it. And then it howled.

‘You have heard a mighty beast’s howl. You are paralyzed for two seconds.’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 3’

Two seconds was just enough for the monster to jump off and slash Ilea with one clawed paw before she was able to move again.

‘Fucking bullshit ability…,’ she thought as blood spurted out of her mouth and onto the inside of her helmet, spinning in the air as she flowed healing magic through her own body. Her ribs had been cracked by the hit and Ilea considered herself lucky that the beast hadn’t decided to just grab her and rip off her head. Then again the lack of intellect in a beast like that might just be the only thing a group of humans had going against it.

Wings spread again before she blinked upwards, the beastwolf rushing past her below, clashing through several trees as Ilea flew upwards and out of the forest. Seeing all the others in the air as well, Edwin’s group grabbing onto the metal rods created by Kyrian, she continued upwards and towards them.

“You’re bleeding.” Trian said to Edwin as Ilea arrived.

Ilea wasn’t in the mood for stupid comments and just touched the man’s shoulder before she tended to his injury. Edwin’s gear wasn’t close to as good as her own it seemed. Her armor had been scratched a little by the beastwolf’s attack but Edwin had a gash that went deep into his chest as well. He would’ve recovered, surely but perhaps not in time with both the beastwolf and the hunters behind him.

“You still can’t fly?” Ilea asked, looking over to the floating Felicia and Maria. Mages seemed to have a higher chance of getting a flying skill it seemed.

“Sadly not, maybe at two fifty if I ever reach it.” Edwin answered, looking down at the howling creature.

“How long were you paralyzed for?” Ilea asked, looking at Kyrian and Trian.

“Ten seconds.” Kyrian said and Trian answered with fifteen. Nodding in return, she was glad the beast had focused on her, otherwise someone else might’ve been dead already.

“Aren’t we in the human plains, surrounded by cities and adventurers running around? How is a high level beast like that just strolling around here?” Ilea asked, genuine confusion in her voice.

“The wilderness is dangerous everywhere and for everybody. Something as dangerous as that is rare in these parts, sure. Not unheard of though. Adventurers, even at higher levels like us vanish all the time. Something must be out there to get them. Not everybody goes to the north or to hunt elves.” Trian said, looking at her before he continued. “Where should we go? I have some more save places but perhaps you have something better?” he asked Edwin.

“I’d say your hideouts are the better bet.” Edwin answered and left it at that.

“Alright, then follow me.” Trian said and rushed off, everybody else following behind.

Ilea looked back, not able to make out where the beastwolf was in the forest. Perhaps it would follow them but if it had any resemblance with actual wolves then it likely had a territory.

“We should move further up.” Felicia said as she also looked back, the wind carrying and rushing around her. The group followed the suggestion without comment as they rushed through the clouds above. Whoever had tried to follow them would likely not succeed anymore now.

Ilea looked over to Aliana holding onto the piece of metal before her and nodded. “Ah it’s you isn’t it!” the woman said and smiled widely.

“How have you been?” she asked and Ilea just shook her head, ignoring the question. They had found Edwin and his group and with that likely some answers and some more questions. The proposition of helping him find and kill his own father was likely to be the best bet of finding out more about the Golden Lily. Ilea certainly didn’t trust the man, Maria even less so. She had already worked with him to fulfill mutual goals. This time, she just had to make sure it was in her favor instead.

At least now they had fought together and compared to Edwin she had held her own rather splendidly. Looking at all of them in turn, she found Edwin to be at level two twenty two, just two levels lower than herself. He must’ve gotten stronger in the past months as well but apparently not as much as she did. The woman Maria was at level two thirty one, one of the highest people Ilea had ever managed to identify. Felicia had managed to reach the two hundreds as well, being at two hundred and three. Aliana on the other hand was still quite a bit below that threshold.

They flew in silence for a while until Trian moved downwards again. “Kyrian.” he said as his lightning wings vanished, a rod of metal forming from a sphere flying next to him. “Down, we can walk the rest.” he said.

“Did you find anything?” Ilea asked, summoning a meal on the table next to Trian and Kyrian who were looking through even more paperwork, this time assembled not by Eve but by Edwin and his group.

“Not much so far but a couple hints are pointing towards Birmingale. Not enough to be considered evidence yet but we have some more things to look into.” Trian explained and put the documents down before he looked at her.

“Ilea look. I know you cared a lot about Eve. I didn’t… well I didn’t hate her either but…,” Ilea interrupted him with a flick to his forehead.

“Trian it’s alright. You don’t have to join me on a wild goose chase through the whole empire to avenge her. I know you guys didn’t like each other.” she said and sat down, summoning a meal for herself. Trian looked surprised at the plate, just now realizing that it had been for him.

“Eve, well considering what we’ve learned about her and her targets. She wasn’t exactly a saint. And I’m sure whatever got her killed justified her death at least in the minds of her enemies. I’ve never…,” Ilea started but stopped, taking a bite of her food as she looked up at a beautiful shelf filled with expensive looking books. The hideout really needed a new ventilation system. Perhaps Felicia could do something about that later.

She leaned back and sighed. “I’ve never lost anybody this close to me. I know we weren’t exactly the best of friends but…,” Trian just casually touched her shoulder and looked into her eyes.

“I know how you feel. Trust me, I do. And if. If you ask me to help you then I will. As you know Claire and Kyrian will as well.” Ilea felt her chest tighten at his words.

“I won’t ask you to die for my revenge Trian.” she said at last.

“And I won’t ask the same of you. If it really was the Birmingales then it should be a manageable target, at least with you two helping me along. If it turns out to be bigger than that I’ll make sure to pay you better or make you leave.” the man said as he leaned back.

“I won’t leave you to fight a whole noble house alone Trian. I’m not an asshole like you.” Ilea said and continued eating.

The man snorted. “Was that a joke?”

“Why is that weird?” Ilea asked.

“Well you’ve been kind of down the past days.” he said and smiled.

Ilea just snorted. “How have you been holding up?” she asked.

“It’s pretty bad.” he said, looking at her. Ilea felt the same but she didn’t want to go down this conversation any further.

“I’ll go talk to Edwin.” Ilea said and got up, leaving the two men to their work.

The hideout was similar to the one Trian had led them to after they had investigated the Alymie estate. Walking into the corridor, Ilea picked up the conversation between Maria and Edwin in the next room over. They were of course talking in a whisper but Ilea’s hearing was rather impressive with her constantly active Sphere and State of Azarinth.

“You’ve been working on this for damn near your whole life Ed and now you want to involve a wildcard like her? We’re a team, we know each other and you told me how fucking naive she was in that dungeon. How the hell would I be able to trust her?” Maria said as Ilea stopped her approach, listening in the hallway instead.

Chapter 177 Negotiations

A note from Rhaegar

Enjoy and thank you for reading!

Chapter 177 Negotiations

“You saw her fight that beastwolf. If she agrees to help us take down Arthur I’ll give her whatever information she requires.” Edwin said. “I hate to admit it but she’s caught up to me… in half a year.”

“You know everybody rising that fast is taking risks, she’ll die just as quickly. They all do.” Maria said.

“Then she’ll die for us.” Edwin said, which was the point when Ilea appeared in the room, casually sitting on the desk next to where Felicia and Aliana were sleeping.

“I see you haven’t changed Edwin.” she said. Maria took a defensive position as soon as she had appeared.

“And she’s listening in on us. How trustworthy.” she said, raising one of her eyebrows. Ilea pointed towards the woman.

“Nice trick with the one eyebrow, one of your skills?” she asked. “Look, Edwin used me to get to that Taleen teleportation thing. I profited by being able to get some rather nice loot and an insane power jump from that dungeon. Plus, I learned a valuable lesson.” Ilea jumped off the table and walked a couple steps closer to the two.

“Your stealth won’t protect you in here and I’m pretty sure I could take you two out without losing more than a couple limbs.” she started and activated all her skills. “Plus I have two guys a hallway over that have some rather nasty spells ready. The only reason I’m not smashing in your skulls for again trying to set me up to be your tool is sleeping right there in the corner.” She could tell they had activated some skills as well, Maria looking damn near invisible. ‘Not as good as Eve’ she thought.

“Now for starters, grow a fucking spine Edwin. If you’re looking to avenge what they’ve done to your sister you should at least be strong enough to face the man alone. Not that that would be a reasonable decision but just in case.” Ilea said and deactivated her active abilities again, walking back to the desk.

“I don’t trust you. You’re manipulative assholes only thinking of their own goals but right now? Right now I’m quite similar.” Ilea said and watched as Maria became more visible again and Edwin’s body relaxed a little.

Ilea clapped her hands together. “So we’re in luck. Somehow nobody has started fighting yet and we seem to have intertwining goals. I don’t want your help actually fighting the Golden fucking Lily. You’re here for your father, that I believe you. And as he is the only connection I have to reaching MY goal, I’ll be assisting at least to an extent. I’ve saved your ass Edwin, more than once at this point. It’s disappointing. We might’ve made a good team, us and you guys. On our way to kill some rare flowers.”

“I’m starting to think you might not be an asset.” Maria said and Ilea just shrugged in response. “Why would we want your help when you could disappear any moment?”

“You’re not exactly in a position to bargain lady. You know where Arthur is and I want to meet said Arthur. So I’m staying, if you want it or not.” Ilea said.

Maria just sighed and looked at the ground. “Alright, have it your way. You’re as bloody stubborn as this dolt. At least she has guts.” she said. Ilea saw Edwin gulp at that through her Sphere.

“We’ll make this very simple. As we are a group of mercenaries, you’ll be paying us. In gold and information. Additionally we’ll be free to loot, destroy, employ or kill anybody wherever we’ll find that man you so desperately want to murder.” Ilea said.

“We’ll get a say in the killings.” Edwin said and Ilea shrugged. “How much gold?” Maria asked.

“All of it.” Ilea said without a beat. “You would’ve died today or tomorrow, either by that wolf fucker or your two pursuers. Now if those flowers are as strong and dangerous as you suggested, I’ll think you’d need all the help you can get.” Ilea added.

Maria wanted to say something but Edwin stopped her. “Fine, you’ll get it. All the fucking gold we have and everything I’ll pry off my family. I’ll even make you bloody head of the house if you want it, as long as that man dies.” he said, a determined look on his face.

Ilea nodded. “Good. Then at least I know your goal is true. Perhaps this is the first time I feel like you’re not lying to me. Maybe I’m wrong too, well we will see. I don’t want to become a noble, most of the ones I’ve met so far were absolute cunts.” Ilea said, her magic activating as she blinked in front of Edwin, delivering a quick punch to his gut while Maria raised her hand, magic ripping at Ilea’s flesh as she moved backwards just a step, part of her lung vanishing instead of her heart.

The woman had nearly vanished already but she wasn’t invisible to Ilea’s sphere who took three quick steps and lashed out her hand, grabbing her neck. “Careful what you do now.” she said, her lung regenerating in the meantime. Seeing that Edwin was alright, Maria remained unmoving.

“You deserved it, and more.” Ilea said as she let go of Maria.

Edwin nodded as if nothing had happened. “We have a deal then.”

“We do.” Ilea said and smiled.

“Did I not get you?” Maria asked, surprisingly a little worry in her voice. For her own magical talent or her target’s well being, Ilea didn’t know.

“You should’ve gone for the head.” Ilea quoted and blinked away, her joyous mood settling quickly as she shook her head, remembering their task. “Eve liked my shit jokes.” she murmured to herself as she walked back to her team, at least what remained of it.

“It’s them. Can you read through the marked passages and confirm? I’d appreciate your input.” Trian said as he gestured towards the table with the spread out papers and letters. Edwin nodded and got to work.

“I meant you as well.” Trian said to Maria but she just chuckled.

“I doubt my input will be of any value.” she answered and left it at that. Though Ilea noticed that the woman kept a sly grin afterwards.

“The Birmingales then. Wouldn’t have expected such an act out of them but considering the past year they must’ve become desperate.” Trian said. “I’m not completely sure but were I in your position I’d grab one of them and interrogate. Could be that they’re being framed but considering the diversity of sources I’d say they’re your target.” Edwin said and leaned back.

“Good, I thought the same. I know some of them personally. They’re definitely capable of that. Fuck.” Trian said and shook his head while nibbling at his nails. “This is it then?” he asked himself before he looked at Ilea and Kyrian respectively.

“How are you looking with targets?” Ilea asked Edwin and Maria.

“It would be nice to surprise the two that were hunting for us.” Maria said.

“We have a couple more people on our list. Sadly the location of Arthur is still unknown to me. There’s plenty of possible places but the man is paranoid, always was. Damn well should be, I’m far from the only enemy willing to track him down.” Edwin explained. “Not the only one worth killing either.” he added.

“If we’re taking out a whole noble family anyway you might want to join us, they’re bound to have valuable information.” Ilea said, surprising Edwin who lifted his eyebrow.

“I don’t want you running off again.” Ilea added.

“Ah. Well you have my word Ilea.” he said and now she was chuckling.

“Would you like to join then? You two do love your killing.” Ilea said, locking eyes with Maria who started grinning.

“Only the ones deserving.” Edwin said.

“You really are a comedian Edwin, why didn’t I ever notice that trait about you.” Ilea said but didn’t expand on it. While Elos was somewhat advanced in some things and with the external threat of monsters and other races showed a somewhat bigger unity among humans, they certainly were not in the twenty first century with their morals. Ilea knew she was a murderer at this point, weirdly it didn’t affect her that much. She felt her actions had been justified, especially in a world as brutal as this one.

Perhaps she’d have long lasting psychological damage but that train of thought wasn’t a priority for her. Not now and maybe not ever. Edwin didn’t react to her remark but nodded a while later.

“We can help. Maria can check out their estate and look for evidence while we grab someone from higher up to interrogate. Up for that?” He asked the woman next to him who just shrugged.

“Good to not feel chased anymore.” she said.

“Who were those people anyway?” Kyrian asked. “They paid off the officials to hunt you on their own. Most would welcome the help.”

“Likely directly employed by my father. They’re dangerous. Kyle and Tiana. Kyle is a necromancer and can turn into a beast. Poison, blood magic. The usual. Tiana is a bit more tricky. She’s an ice mage but combines her first class with being a silver mage as well. Very rare that one and the combination can be unpredictable. They work together somewhat competently but as with Kyle’s nature, he can get a little out of control.” Edwin explained. “Just in case we encounter them again.”

“Silver mage. Interesting.” Trian said. “Creation?” he asked but Edwin shook his head.

“She’d be far more influential in that case. And she would likely not be working for my father.” he answered. “But it could be, who knows. If she has the skill, she didn’t use it in our fight.”

“She could make silver out of thin air?” Ilea asked and Trian nodded.

“It’s possible. Kyrian’s class is rare, having specific metal control is even rarer. While possibly not as useful in a fight, if you manage to advance your control to be able to create it you can basically trade mana into money. I don’t know of any proven gold or silver creator but considering some wealthy family’s quick rising in history, well I’d say it’s possible.” he answered.

An interesting ability to be sure. ‘Perhaps I can sell my ash then…,’ Ilea thought and smiled. Crashing the economy with created gold didn’t seem sustainable to her but then again she was no economist, especially not one for a magical medieval place like this. They might not even know about inflation.

Considering that gold still has worth though likely meant that the skills were incredibly rare, hard to use or the people in question know about the dangers of overusing it.

“We’ll move out as soon as the two wake.” Ilea said, motioning to the sleeping Felicia and Aliana.

“They’re not coming with us.” Edwin said and Ilea just looked at him before she nodded lightly.

“Then we leave now. Or does anybody need sleep or healing?” she asked. “Good. Then let’s go.”

The suns were setting when they started making their way back towards Virilya. Flying low, they passed over the wilderness, having left behind only their limited possessions not put into a storage item. Ilea knew Edwin had at least one ring but the man didn’t know about their own yet and she wanted to keep it that way.

The estate of the Birmingales was inside Virilya itself which made the whole operation both harder and easier in some respects. They couldn’t simply march in and fight openly as that would attract other parties rather quickly but it was also easier to stalk around the property and perhaps sneak in without arising too much suspicion.

Virilya was a vast city and considering how it looked like from Ilea’s previously used bird’s view, she was pretty sure Elos lacked competent city planners. The lack of cars meant that this wasn’t much of an issue, lending many of the streets, alleys and architecture a nice and unique touch. Horrible to navigate if you didn’t know where you were going though.

Entering the city without being noticed was somewhat tricky. The guards on the walls and even some flying squads had a pretty good view of the plains around the city. It also seemed like the chaos from the previous day had been mostly cleared up. Kyrian went in alone and through normal means as he was the only one in the group lacking a teleportation skill. The others had to wait a little longer but right before night truly came, a caravan of adventurers returning from a hunt or expedition arrived through one of the patches of forests near them.

After identifying some of them and seeing their rather downtrodden disposition, Ilea blinked right into one of the carriages where she found some wounded and dead. Without a word, she started checking and healing, surprising the woman sitting near one of the wounded with the young man’s head on her lap.

“Whho who are you?” she asked, wiping at her eyes.

“Passerby healer.” Ilea replied, surprised the woman hadn’t screamed. “I’m going to heal everybody here and me and some friends are allowed to ride in this carriage. Sounds fair?” she asked as she continued.

“You’re hardly a passerby healer… if you take care of them then I don’t mind. Just make sure to vanish before anybody checks in here.” the woman said, smiling at the man who woke up because of the noise. Ilea walked up to the two and checked him, healing the wounds in his legs. Arrows, and nasty ones at that it seemed.

“You’re right, I’m not but I will take care of them.” Ilea said as the man looked to his legs in a confused manner.

“You’re alright.”

“H… hand…,” he stammered as he looked at her.

“I’m not gonna marry you.” Ilea commented and blinked away again, appearing ten seconds later accompanied by Trian, Edwin and Maria. “We will teleport in as soon as we reach the gate, don’t worry.” she said to the two people in the carriage.

“Shut it in there, we’re nearly here.” the driver commented, a ranger according to the bow on his back.

“Should we leave the city quickly?” the woman asked Ilea as she looked at the armored crew the healer had brought.

“No, but the city was attacked yesterday. We’re here for different reasons.” Ilea supplied which seemed to calm the woman down somewhat.

“Attacked by whom?” she then asked but Ilea held up a finger to her mouth.

“We’re here. Security is tight and one of them is already staring at us. See you in ten.” Ilea said and vanished, appearing as far away as she could which was just a couple meters behind the walls. ‘They should really invest in enchantments against teleportation skills.’ the thought had barely processed when a guard appeared next to her, a blade flashing towards her head.

Ilea ducked slightly and felt the metal glide through the air barely an inch above her helmet. She grabbed the guard’s arms and squeezed until he let go of the blade. Ilea casually caught the weapon with her free hand and threw it a couple meters away.

“I’m no enemy to the city.” she said and let go of the man, blinking away further inside. Blink after blink, she crossed through houses, cellars and alleys until she was somewhat confident nobody was still after her. After a while of running, she made her way towards their target. An inn closest to the Birmingale property and their area of influence.

Kyrian had gone into the city hours earlier and was waiting in one of the rooms inside. Ilea appeared and was greeted by a flurry of metal needles rushing towards her, stopping inches before her face.

“You’re the first.” the man said and turned around. “I might’ve already aroused some suspicion. We won’t have long.”

“We won’t need long.” Ilea said. A minute later Trian appeared, then Maria and lastly Edwin.

“Ready then?” Trian asked, getting nods and grunts in response. While they hadn’t worked together, everybody present was a veteran of their own right and the respective tasks were given respectively.

Ilea looked at Edwin and vanished, appearing just as he too teleported onto the street below. Some bypassers stumbled at the sudden appearance but lowered their heads quickly not to arouse and interest from the warriors before them.

“You know I’ve really wanted to do this for a long time.” Ilea said as they made their way towards the gated and walled off estate of the noble family called Birmingale. A name that didn’t mean anything to Ilea just a couple weeks ago. The name won’t mean much to her in the future either but perhaps her own name will etch itself into the family’s history.

“The circumstances just aren’t right.” Ilea said, looking up at the moon. A clear night it was. She took a deep breath and let out a sigh.

“I am sorry for your loss.” Edwin said after walking for a minute. Ilea scoffed and chuckled.

“Appreciate it.” she said before her fist rushed towards his face. The man dodged the attack as his blades flashed out of their sheaths and towards her throat. Blinking behind him, she grabbed around him and pushed forwards, crashing his head and torso right through the high wall of the Birmingale estate.

As expected, the stone broke and the two tumbled through the ruble and ensuing dust. She rushed at Edwin who prepared to defend, slashing through the air to deter her as they purposefully made their way towards the mansion standing a couple dozen meters further away. The first guards were already shouting as they made their way towards the noise.

Only Eve had used blades in their group but Ilea was thankful for that practice as she moved into Edwin’s defenses, letting his blades rush past her dexterous form before she elbowed him into his chest, grabbing onto his arm and twisting her body before she threw the man towards the house.

The loud crash indicated that they hadn’t put enchantments on the windows at least. Ilea looked up once more before she followed the man into the house, engaging him seriously and with the full power she had, except for her ashen skills. Those she wanted to keep a secret for now, just in case she needed an edge on the man at one point or the other. Their eyes locked and she made it clear that this wasn’t just a mock battle.

Chapter 178 The Price of Information

A note from Rhaegar

Hello again. Dunno what to write here. Have a happy day and take a moment to appreciate what you have. Fucking internet. It's great.

Chapter 178 The Price of Information

Edwin’s swords slashed through the wall as he tried to attack Ilea who had blinked away, dodging his blood magic coating the blades.

“What the hell is going on!?” they could hear more and more shouts from inside and outside the mansion. Both Ilea and Edwin had focused more on speed than anything else but considering the man had already taken several of her punches directly, he was at least more tough than she had expected.

“Your armor is good. Care to share the smith’s name?” Edwin asked before he teleported into a new room, surprising a couple in the process of intercourse.

“I think not.” Ilea said as she rushed at him, dodging the flurry of attacks, some of the blood magic getting through her defenses, even managing to singe her flesh beneath her armor. Nothing a little bit of healing couldn’t easily take care of. She found the small injuries much harder to heal than more severe wounds in the past. ‘Blood magic…,’ she thought and smiled. Her arms rushed out, hitting the man’s hands and pushing away the swords before she delivered a headbutt to his chest.

The hit landed and Edwin was rammed through the room’s wall before he vanished again. Ilea quickly followed him through the use of her Sphere and Blink skills, not giving him pause as she continued to push further and further, activating more of her skills as they went on. At first she hadn’t used her Destruction and Wave of Ember but now she delivered them with each blow.

Ilea didn’t plan to kill the man but she did want to know if she could. Perhaps he felt the same, his attacks getting stronger and faster to match her. Of course their goal was simple, to cause a distraction in the estate for the others to carry out their parts. So far, they were doing rather well.

Ilea delivered three punches in quick succession, hearing a slight crack from the third one as Edwin stumbled backwards. Waiting for a moment for him to react, two people, a man and a woman appeared in the room, armored and with spells ready to go.

“Who are you!? Leave this place, take your squabble somewhere else.” the woman shouted. Edwin spat out blood before red flames gathered around him and Ilea saw as his chest moved a little, indicating that the broken bone had been mended.

His blades appeared before her, too fast for her to dodge as she blinked behind him, moving her hand just in time to hit his sword upwards as it threatened to smash into her helmet. Her hand was on fire immediately, her flesh burning below her armor with a pain distracting even to her. Turning off the perception of it, she simply used her healing spell against the red flames enveloping her hand. The fire didn’t expand, stopped by her Hunter Recovery but neither could she remove it.

Blinking upwards right when the next blade rushed towards her, Ilea ripped off her gauntlet, summoned one of her remaining Taleen swords and hoped that the blade was strong enough to do the trick. With all her strength, she slashed at her wrist. The bone was severed halfway but a second hit did the trick. Healing again, Ilea found the wound now completely normal and she put on her gauntlet again when Edwin appeared in the room, looking at her as she regrew her bone and flesh below her armor.

“Nice flames.” she said, honestly impressed at the destructive potential.

“Let me know if you’re close to death.” the man said with a very slight grin.

“The same goes to you.” Ilea said and activated State of Azarinth’s third stage before she ran towards him, now focusing on his limbs instead of the blades. Not able to touch the metal made the fight more even. She found that while the flames around his body did injure her, they were much less dangerous than the ones enveloping his curved short swords.

Dodging backwards, Ilea moved her body left and right, appearing and disappearing, trying to get into range for her fists while the man tried hard to keep her at his blades’ distance. His weapon rushed past her right side as she delivered a punch to his gut, the full force of Destruction and Wave of Ember entering him before she appeared behind him. The man teleported away but she followed but a moment later.

They stared at each other, Ilea waiting to give him time should the attack have been a little much. Edwin was panting, sweat on his brow reflecting the candle light in the small hallway as maids stumbled and ran away to avoid the two maniacs who intruded their workplace.

The man raised his blades again and Ilea nodded, appearing before him. His right blade flickered as Ilea turned her body to push her back against his chest as she grabbed both of his arms, pumping destructive mana into his body as he struggled to get away. A sudden heat could be felt in her right shoulder before it literally exploded, making her stumble. Thanks to Azarinth Reversal’s second stage she could continue to attack the man while she mended the nasty wound on her shoulder.

“Stop.” he suddenly said. “I’m getting dangerously low…,” he added with a whisper as Ilea disengaged, feeling her shoulder reconstruct under her armor. The way he just ignored the metal made her understand Iana’s lecture about how many people wanted enchantments that protected against mana intrusion. Well she didn’t really have a choice.

Stepping towards the man, she started healing him as the flames left his form, his blades held limply in both hands as he panted and leaned against a wall. Ilea was quite aware that he could’ve targeted her heart or head with that attack, which could’ve lead to a different result entirely. She could certainly recover but not having tested actually losing her head, she didn’t know how exactly that would pan out.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the general skill Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

‘The arts of blood manipulation can be deceptive and dangerous to both ally and foe. You have stood against the old magic and lived. Next time your chance of survival will be even higher.’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘That will come in handy.’ she thought and continued healing as she heard people move towards them.

“You think that was enough time?” she asked the man who answered by teleporting away. Ilea followed when the first people came into the hallway. Edwin was still not at full strength when she reached him outside.

“Barely but we can’t stay longer, the city guard will join shortly.” he said while looking upwards.

“Let’s get out of here then.” she said and watched him vanish. She followed suit and blinked away as well. Again the escape was somewhat easy, mostly because of her blink spell, still one of the main reasons she hadn’t died yet. In a battle of attrition she was sure to have beaten Edwin. The surprise attack was a risk on her part. Perhaps she should only use her reverse healing when she knew the enemy couldn’t pull something like that. Or perhaps there was a magic intrusion resistance as well. She’d ask him to test it with her later on. For now, they had to meet up again with the others. This time in a hideout Edwin still had in the city.

She followed the man through cellars and houses, Ilea questioning the city guard’s ability to hunt down criminals with abilities like Ilea’s. It wasn’t uncommon to be able to teleport short distances after all. Then again she didn’t know how common crime actually was in Virilya.

Reaching their destination down in the sewers, Edwin vanished through a wall behind which Ilea’s Sphere didn’t let her see. Blinking inside, she found her team mates there. There must have been a rune placed somewhere to open the door as Kyrian was inside as well. They found themselves in a rather large room with stone walls, dilapidated and moist. In the middle of it there was a man, strung up by metal cuffs and with a sack over his head.

Maria appeared a little later, holding her arm where she had been cut. Ilea blinked to her side and started healing without any questions. The woman was injured worse than it looked. According to the mana Ilea used, the injury wasn’t just a clean cut. She couldn’t tell if it was poison or something else.

“What the hell were you doing?” Maria asked as she walked towards Edwin, slapping him. “You were supposed to distract them, not just fight each other like a bunch of fucking beasts!”

“Calm down, it served the same purpose didn’t it?” Edwin asked, looking towards Ilea who just shrugged.

“We got a little carried away.” she said. “Did they manage to follow you?” Ilea asked but Maria shook her head.

“Once we’re done here we’re going to go back out and you two can fight until you’re damn near dead. Just don’t do that while we’re working. Fucking idiots.” she said, dropped a bunch of paper into Trian’s hands and left the room again.

“Well she’s not wrong.” Kyrian said. “That’s rather unlike you, even with your love for fighting.” he added, looking at Ilea.

“Just felt right in the moment.” Ilea said and looked towards Trian. “Won’t happen again.”

“We got what we wanted and nobody’s dead. Let’s worry about the sentimentalities later.” Trian said as he approached the man in the middle of the room.

“Now, you’re here to answer some questions.” he said as lightning crackled around him.

Ilea left half a minute later, blinking out of the room and puking on the ground. Seeing torture wasn’t exactly on her list of things to experience in a magical land far from home. “Fuck this.” she said and left, the screams not audible anymore through the thick stone wall. They had agreed on meeting back in Trian’s hideout outside of the city. She didn’t want to know what they did to that man, nor did she want to know who he was.

If this was required to get revenge then perhaps she’d have to find another way. A more direct one perhaps.

Going back into the streets, she found some guards running around the area but they were easily avoided as she sneaked through the houses until she reached the city wall. It was night and Ilea wore completely black armor. She crouched down and blinked outside and into the grass. The color of the metal didn’t reflect much light, allowing her to simply crawl the distance to the tree line a hundred or two meters away.

Blinking turned out to be the even simpler way as she simply used the spell a couple times in a row to reach the trees. Looking behind, she saw an arrow cast in flames near where she had been lying three blinks earlier. There were some capable guards up there after all, she thought and started running through the forest.

Soon after she felt far enough away to spread her wings and rushed upwards into the clouds.

Ilea appeared in the hideout, just to be met with a wind blade to her chest. The impact resounded through the room with a bang and she stumbled back a step as she looked towards Felicia whose expression was already changing to a combination of apology and shock.

“Ilea I’m so sorry! I realized too late it was you, are you alright?” she asked as she rushed towards her, checking her armor.

“Of course you are. Damn indestructible barbarian.” she said and punched Ilea’s helmet. “Aliana has prepared food, come. I remember you loved to eat, didn’t you.” she added and walked into the room Edwin’s group had resided in.

The smell of sizzling meat was in the air and Ilea heard her stomach rumble as she entered. “Smells good.” she said and Felicia went to grab a couple pieces and handed them to Ilea on a plate, sitting down next to her on the big table.

“Thanks.”

“It’s wolf I hunted earlier.” Felicia said.

“You went outside?” Ilea asked, starting to eat after taking off her helmet.

“Of course, as much as Ed wants to protect us I’m above level two hundred and if we’re just staying behind all the time we won’t exactly get stronger either, will we?” she asked, poking Ilea’s shoulder and smiling. Seeing her so happy made Ilea smile too as she continued to eat.

“You went through some bad things huh?” Felicia asked suddenly, the chewing of meat the only sound remaining after the question. Aliana wasn’t around which made Ilea more inclined to actually answer.

“I did. Fought a lot and saw a lot of death. Now Trian’s family was murdered and Eve too.” she said, continuing to eat. Aliana really knew how to prepare meat.

“Yea. You remind me more of my brother now. Just don’t forget to smile, I liked you a lot when we found you in that dungeon. A bit naive perhaps…,” she said and laughed. “… I think Ed didn’t kill you because of that actually. You cheered him up for a little while afterwards you know?”

“Thank you for that.” Felicia said. “And sorry for just leaving you there. He can be very cold.” Felicia added. The woman was rather talkative when she was alone.

“Don’t worry, my humor’s still there. Just even darker now. And right now it just sucks.” Ilea said and smiled.

“There’s a smile.” Felicia said and pinched her cheek. A gesture Ilea would not allow to be left unpunished if done by anybody else.

They sat there for a while, Ilea finishing her plate in silence when Felicia talked again.

“It’s scary.” she started. “To know that your loved ones could die, at any moment. Ed is out there right now, fighting to get his revenge.”

“His? What about you?” Ilea asked and looked at the woman. Felicia just stared at the wall.

“Me? I survived, he saved me, saved us…,” she said, taking a deep breath. “… I wish we could just leave, go somewhere quiet, built a farm or take an abandoned castle and just. Live, you know?”

“Why not suggest that, maybe for you he’ll forget his revenge.” Ilea said, quite aware of the similarities to her own wish for vengeance.

“He would. I know he would but I can’t take that away from him. It’s what he fought for, his whole life. I’ll be there if he succeeds, or if he fails or gives up. But this is his path. And it’s not mine to take away.” Felicia said and looked at Ilea again, a smile and tears on her face. Getting up, Ilea grabbed the woman’s arm and lifted her up before she embraced her in a hug.

“I’ll try to protect him ok?” Ilea said after a while, letting go of the woman who nodded weakly.

“You don’t have to do anything. He’s not a good man and you have all the right to refuse to help. I don’t know how many times you’ve already saved his life. That dungeon was one of the most dangerous parts of our journey.” Felicia said but Ilea just stroked her hair lightly.

“I’m not doing that for him you know. I consider you a friend.” Ilea said.

“Really? After all we’ve done to you?” Felicia asked and then laughed. “I’m glad you’re still so naive Ilea. Ok, let’s be friends!” she said and held up her hand, making a weird sign with her fingers.

“What’s that supposed to be?” Ilea asked but Felicia just laughed.

“It’s something we used to do as kids. It means love and respect.” she said and smiled.

“God you’re fucking cheesy. How old are you again?” Ilea asked and mimicked the gesture, their hands touching a moment later.

“I’m not exactly the weird one here. Plus, we’re both above level two hundred, we have to be weird.” she said and smiled. “How the hell did you reach it that fast anyway? Tell me about it.” Felicia said.

Ilea summoned a piece of paper and wrote down that the two of them would be nearby. “Come, it’s depressing inside this stuffy chamber. I feel like seeing the stars.” Ilea said and got up. Felicia followed without complaint as they left the hideout and flew a couple hundred meters to find a clearing in the forest.

The first spring flowers were already blooming and Ilea jumped, switching to a more comfortable leather set in the air before she landed in the grass. Felicia sat down next to her as Ilea summoned some more food and mead.

“You’re an insatiable beast.” Felicia said. “You and Aliana should have a competition at some point. Now tell me. And you got a storage item? Does Ed know?”

“He doesn’t, at least I think so.” Ilea said, gesturing to the necklace that lightly reflected the moon’s light.

“Uuuuh, a necklace? That’s beautiful! Rings are so last decade.” Felicia said and reached out. “Can I?”

“Sure, don’t remove it though, I’ve grown rather attached.” Ilea said and smiled.

Felicia carefully touched the necklace and looked at it.

“I got it in the same Taleen dungeon. Belonged to a dwarven corpse I found. They had a treasure hall and everything.” she said.

“It’s pretty nice.” Felicia said and let go, sitting back again. “Ed said the traps probably wouldn’t be worth it. How’d you fare?”

“Nearly burned to a crisp.” Ilea said and smiled, remembering the green flames enveloping her. “I lost my favorite cloak there. Got the necklace in turn though so it’s alright.”

She continued to tell Felicia about the encounter with the Taleen Praetorians and her escape from the dungeon, her way to Salia and encounter with the elves.

“Never heard of Praetorians, you’re planning to go back there?” Felicia asked with a smirk. “Maybe we can come and help.”

“Not anytime soon, they were ridiculously strong. I feel like even the Basilisk or the demons I’ve faced don’t have a chance against them. Even with a likely lower level.” Ilea said and got a nod in response.

Chapter 179 Moonlit Talk

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, I hope you are all doing well

. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 179 Moonlit Talk

“I can imagine that. The Centurions were already pretty scary. But to know that you faced even stronger ones… and elves as well. We encountered one a long time ago but fled after Ed managed to injure him.” Felicia said.

“They’re incredibly aggressive. Arrogant and kind of stupid.” Ilea said and chuckled, remembering the literal temper tantrums they would have.

“The ones that come here, yes. Ed talked about it once, saying that it’s dangerous to go further west. There was another Taleen dungeon in the forest, we knew where it was but people don’t usually come back from there. He said that the elves there are stronger.” Felicia said with a concerned voice.

“Might be something else as well. Like a ton of beastwolves.” Ilea answered.

Felicia punched her jokingly. “Don’t joke about that, that thing nearly ripped us apart.”

“I know. We humans are really weak aren’t we? To think that me and Edwin are already at near the top.” Ilea said and shook her head. “And still there are things out there we probably can’t even comprehend.”

“It’s exciting isn’t it?” Felicia said. “To think that we have only seen such a small part of the world.”

“I thought you wanted to live on a farm or something?” Ilea asked confused and sat up.

“Well it can still be exciting, no? I don’t have to do all that myself. I’ve seen enough exotic creatures.” Felicia said and laughed. “I’ll have time to read again if we get a farm.” she said with a nostalgic voice.

“Ever seen a dragon?” Ilea asked out of the blue when Felicia covered her mouth and looked up with a scared look on her face.

“Are you mad!?” she asked and let go of Ilea again. “You can’t just blurt out that name, nothing good comes of it.”

“Alright, alright. Always wondered why people here never mention them. They exist though, right? They have to. It’s a bloody fantasy world.” she said and chuckled.

“Maybe. I only know some stories. Of cities vanishing and whole kingdoms burning. It’s forbidden to talk of them and common knowledge that one doesn’t utter the name, lest one appears and swallows you whole.” Felicia said in a dramatic voice.

“Well now it sounds like a faery tail.” Ilea said.

“Why do you keep tempting fate? First that and now this?” Felicia asked, a disturbed look on her face. Ilea actually felt sorry now. She hadn’t really asked about those creatures before, understanding that it was kind of a taboo. With Felicia she didn’t feel so restricted.

“Apologies my lady. I’ll stop my blasphemous talk.” she said. “I’ve actually met one of the latter ones.” she added, peaking Felicia’s interest.

“You did? Well no, let’s not talk about that. One of the boys in court talked about them once and he vanished that same day.” Felicia said in a whisper.

“Interesting. I wonder where to.” Ilea said and looked to the stars. Fae and dragons, two of the most magical creatures she could think of. And yet all she truly saw so far was death.

‘No, that’s not true.’ she thought as ash started forming in her hand, a swirling ball formed quickly as it spun around. She smiled and looked at the magic before her.

“Is that ash? You’re a creator? Wow.” Felicia said and seemed genuinely impressed. “You’re not mainly a mage though.”

“I’m not. It’s my second class.” Ilea said.

“Didn’t you have something with fire? Well I guess it makes sense that it evolved. You should really focus on that. The legends always say creators were grand mages.” Felicia pondered as she looked at the sphere, reaching out to touch the swirling ash.

Ilea moved it towards the woman’s hand and let go of it after it had reached enough density to sustain itself. “I know. There are other things on my mind right now though. Other things than my skills and classes.”

“It’s good to think about things. Maybe you should take some time to train and think you know? Your revenge won’t run away. Ed… well I think he forgot to live and enjoy things as he did before he… found out about our family.” Felicia said.

Ilea looked at the woman briefly as a night breeze flowed over the clearing, rustling her hair. “What if I die on the way, what if my target dies?”

“Then so be it. Don’t forget who you are because of revenge. He was so sweet and nice before.” Felicia said, quieting down at the end and lost in thought. She laughed a moment later, filling the clearing with the noise. “And you’re strong, your best asset is your healing. You were a healer before weren’t you?”

“I was and yea, I’m pretty tough. But there are monsters out there that can beat me in mere seconds.” Ilea said.

“Then escape before that. And come back once you can face them. You’re a hunter aren’t you?” Felicia asked, catching Ilea by surprise.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked in turn.

“You hunt, you’re not the one being hunted. You’re a predator and I’m sure that if you set your mind to it you can achieve whatever you want.” Felicia said.

“Or I’ll die trying.” Ilea said before she chuckled.

“With a smile on your face.” Felicia said. “My second class is Arcane Berserker, trust me I know the feeling.” she said with a grin. “Even though I’m not normally like that. When the power rushes through me I’m one with the fight.”

“Arcane Berserker… do you lose control?” Ilea asked and the woman shook her head.

“No, not completely. Even if I’m close to death. Level two hundred helped me there.” The reply made Ilea grin.

“Wanna show me? My Wind Resistance could be higher you know.” she said and got up, her armor replaced by her Ashen Hunter Armor.

“You’re only allowed to use ash, that’s the deal.” Felicia said with a smile and Ilea blinked upwards and landed in the grass.

“Agreed.” she said with a smile, ashen spheres forming around her, a Veil of it protecting her body.

Felicia’s eyes started glowing a light green as she got up, the grass pushed aside by magical pressure alone before the air around the woman turned chaotic, cutting into the ground and the nearby trees as Ilea moved back a little further to avoid being attacked already.

Green lines formed around Felicia’s eyes before she opened them with a grin. “Ready?” she asked in a voice almost ethereal.

Ilea nodded and saw a blade of air moving towards her. It was so dense that her eyes alone let her know about it but her sphere gave her a bit more of an insight, telling her that there were dozens of smaller blades coming her way as well, covering different paths of her possible escape. A blink towards Felicia was the most reasonable thing to do and so she advanced.

Appearing behind the blades of wind, Ilea watched Felicia advance with frightening speed, her arms reaching out before cones of air were released from them. Ilea dodged both attacks with a jump, assisted by her wings before another wind blade smashed into her armor, making her tumble through the air before she landed on her feet, skidding on the ground for a couple meters.

“You’re really something. Half a year ago that would’ve halved you.” Felicia said as she slowly approached. Ilea’s ash moved then, spinning black spheres rushed towards Felicia who moved protected by a tornado around her. The spheres were torn apart but Ilea was already forming spikes, making them spin before she shot them out.

This time Felicia dodged the projectiles, her tornado moving her body as if it was controlled by a puppeteer. A cloud of ash formed around Ilea but was quickly blown away by a stream of wind.

“You’re not gonna obscure my vision.” Felicia said, sending more air blades towards Ilea. This time she dodged more defensively, not getting too close to the mage as she formed new projectiles, this time aiming for a much bigger area.

Even dodging, one of the black spikes cut through the tornado and hit Felicia on her shoulder. It didn’t pierce but the speed and weight still stunned the woman slightly.

“Creation really is something else.” Felicia murmured. “I could simply trap and crush you with air if I had such a skill.”

“Can’t you do that with your air manipulation?” Ilea asked, dodging backwards and into the woods as air blades rushed through the trees, some of them slowly sliding down do the ground, cleanly cut through.

“No, the extent of manipulating existing elements is limited. While helpful it takes time to infuse it with mana and use it more freely. Your metal mage friend does it that way. You seem to be completely in control of your ash immediately upon creation.” Felicia wondered.

“I can barely pierce your defenses though.” Ilea said with a frown.

“Hmm, I let that one pass to see how it would fare against my armor. You don’t have any skills that enhance your ash do you? Mine are basically all about making my air blades more damaging.”

“Hence they cut through trees like butter.” Ilea said.

“Exactly.” Felicia said and smiled, more blades cutting through the forest.

“Something’s nearby. Let’s stop for now.” Ilea said, turning around to look where she had sensed something. Trees were still creaking and falling when Felicia landed next to Ilea, her eyes still with a green line around them but the tornado was absent.

“You think the beastwolf followed us?” Felicia asked but Ilea shook her head.

“It felt different. There it is.” she said, pointing to a bush but all that happened was a bunny hopping out from behind.

Ilea identified the creatures just to be sure.

[Bunny – lvl 3]

“You never know.” she murmured and started walking back towards the clearing. At least fifteen trees had been cut down in their little mock battle. Ilea thought about the power of certain beasts and species when this was considered weak in comparison.

“We should head back soon.” Felicia said. “Lest we attract unwanted attention.”

Ilea nodded and the two made their way back, casually flying over the trees as they took in the night sky and moonlit lands around them.

“You’re back. Good. If I understood your friend correctly, he needs some time to plan the attack. We’ll be gone tomorrow for a couple days. Felicia and Aliana will stay here.” Edwin said upon their return. He didn’t mention Felicia’s absence and Ilea saw that the note she had left on the table was missing.

“Alright, just don’t disappear on us.” she said and walked to their room. Entering, she found the two men discussing over a big piece of paper, a map or ground plan.

“Welcome back.” Trian said as he turned his head. Kyrian looked at her as well and smiled.

“You look better.” he said and nodded before he focused on the plan again.

‘Do I?’ Ilea asked herself and took a seat. Talking to Felicia was nice. Worst case, she would tell Edwin about the necklace and her Ashen abilities but she wanted to give the woman the benefit of the doubt. They wouldn’t sleep without two people awake and Ilea was confident in their group’s ability to escape. Even if Edwin somehow got other people involved.

She doubted it would be worth the resources needed but just in case. “Is it alright if we don’t stay here during the others’ absence? I don’t trust them that far.” Ilea said and Trian just nodded.

“We can leave in the morning, go somewhere nearby and build a shelter.” Kyrian said. Ilea nodded and watched as Trian continued drawing on the plan.

“It was them then?” she asked and Trian nodded. Ilea sighed, she didn’t want to ask about the details and simply watched as the two talked and planned. Trian excused himself to sleep for a while after an hour, leaving the other two to protect him.

Kyrian moved closer to her and sat down. They remained in silence for a long while, both in their thoughts.

“You talked to your friend?” Kyrian asked, waking Ilea from her thoughtful state.

“Hmm? Yea, caught up a little.” she said and smiled.

“Good, you seem like you’re doing a little better.” he said and sighed.

“I’ve been on edge lately. Sorry if I’ve been a bit of a bitch to you.” Ilea said, thinking about the past days and weeks. They didn’t have a longer downtime for a while and now they were planning to attack a noblehouse in the capital of the empire.

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind too much, it’s kind of sexy actually.” he said.

“I’m not in the mood for this Kyrian.” Ilea said and he chuckled in response.

“I didn’t mean it that way. Just an observation. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” he added and took her hand. “I’m glad you could talk to her.”

Ilea nodded and held his hand for a while.

“Did you watch when the man was tortured?” Ilea asked.

“I was there, yes.” Kyrian said. “I’ve seen similar things and worse when I was younger.”

“Does it get easier?” Ilea said as she looked at a candle and the moving flame on top.

“A little, I think. It helps to know they at least somewhat deserve it.” Ilea grunted at that and created a couple ash spheres around her, swirling them around to work on the skill.

Kyrian joined her a moment later, still holding her hand while metal and ash fought a fierce battle around them.

The next days were spent planning and preparing. Edwin and Maria were gone for two days, returning on the third while Ilea and her group stayed a couple kilometers further away from the hideout.

Black spheres rushed into a tree, their spin coming to a stop a couple centimeters into the wood as Ilea concentrated to create more and more of them. Sweat was dripping down her brow as the suns shined down from above. Her control had improved. While the skills didn’t rise in level, Ilea was now able to create the spheres without the massive mist of ash to be condensed afterwards. Instead the formed a small bubble of ash and started forming the sphere in the middle of it.

The same technique was applied to creating many other forms. A drill like spike turned out to be the most destructive for now, at least as far as projectiles went. Ilea thought it possible to use tendrils of ash connected to her for attack as well. It was easier for her to imagine the tendrils attacking if they were connected to her body and magic was a lot about your imagination. Her high skills helped of course.

Ilea also tried to use swords, spears and axes from the Taleen dungeon to attack, the gear held up and moved by her ash. It sadly turned out to be even less effective than simply attacking with the ash itself, even without any buffs to its damage.

Kyrian had improved as well after Ilea discussed possible projectile designs with him. Her ash simply lacked the power output to really get something out of the designs but Kyrian had successfully created something akin to a frag grenade. While Ilea’s design managed to dig into trees, Kyrian’s managed to fell them.

Cursed frag grenades was something she didn’t really want to encounter. Traps and mines followed after but Kyrian had to be somewhat close to be able to still control everything. Still it was an asset and would definitely help to defend a camp or prepare an ambush.

Creating another dozen spheres, Ilea formed them into spikes quickly before they rushed out into the trees.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 2nd lvl 20’

She had reached her goal for now. The skill was close to twenty already for a while now.

“You’re improving.” Kyrian said before he focused himself on the creation before him again.

Ilea lay on her back and turned towards him as she panted, damn near out of mana, even with her meditation skill constantly active. ‘When is that one gonna level again?’ she asked herself but got distracted by the ball of metal in front of Kyrian.

“What are you building? A mini nuke?” she asked.

“I don’t know what that is Ilea.” the man said and put in the last piece of metal.

“This is all the metal I have and I’ve pumped in three times my total mana. Let’s see what it can do.” he said as the thing started moving, hovering higher until it was on eye level with the man.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to test it on your face.” Ilea said and got a chuckle from him in response before the ball flew into the forest.

The two of them got into cover before a loud crash resounded. Less like an explosion and more like two cars crashing together. Shrapnel flew over them, shredding through trees and the ground. One of the trees fell on Ilea who caught it and rolled it away from her. ‘I just caught a tree.’ she thought and noted the ridiculousness of her strength as she got up.

“Damn, not bad.” she exclaimed as she looked at the weirdly destroyed area. Seemed less like a bomb had exploded and more like a tornado of sharks had appeared before it vanished again.

“You wanna use that when we go for it? The area might cover a couple rooms.” Ilea said, thinking about the damage it would to to people. All the pieces would inflict a curse as well, not to be underestimated.

“I’ll think about it. For now I’ll have to work on the details some more. You continue your training.” he said as metal started ripping out of the ground and trees, forming spheres again as it got closer to the mage.

“Yes sir.” Ilea said in a tired voice, recharging her mana with meditation.

Chapter 180 The Path of Revenge

A note from Rhaegar

Hello.

Chapter 180 The Path of Revenge

“Could you go a little further away.” Trian appeared, ripping out a piece of metal from his shoulder plate.

“Ah, apologies.” Kyrian said as the piece floated towards him. “I’ve been testing a new thing.”

“I gathered that.” Trian said and shook his head before he vanished again. Now that they knew where and who the target was, the whole mood became a little better. The uncertainty had left Trian in a worse state than the focus he was in now.

Ilea talked to Felicia nearly daily between her training sessions and she found that she really liked the woman. Weirdly childish with character traits she’d normally associate with a mother. Felicia seemed naive but was incredibly smart and her insight into magic theory helped Ilea improve immensely.

Aliana wasn’t around much, usually out hunting for more meat but she was tolerable when she was around. Ilea found it much harder to keep a conversation going with her than with Felicia though.

“Leaving already?” Kyrian asked as he watched Ilea grab her pack. She had taken it with her most of the time to let the others think she didn’t have a storage item. As much as she liked Felicia, she wasn’t sure the woman would withhold information from her brother. Perhaps if she thought it irrelevant to him and Ilea didn’t see a reason why Edwin would need another storage item.

She’d see at some point. “Yea, are you guys coming too? You can continue to tinker in the hideout.” Ilea said. Trian, a little further away made his things vanish into his ring and walked towards them.

“I’m nearly done.” he said as he reached Ilea.

“I’ll finish gathering my metal. Give me a moment.” Kyrian said and the others nodded.

“Are you sure you don’t want to share anything other than the targets yet?” Ilea asked the lightning mage who just shook his head.

“I’ve been changing things up somewhat. Doesn’t make sense if I have to explain it four times. Plus we have to be somewhat flexible anyway. We don’t have any scouts and while Maria’s information is certainly helpful, we can’t trust it completely.” Trian explained as Ilea leaned on a tree. She agreed but thought the operation to have too many unknowns.

What they knew now, thanks to the man who was so helpful during his interview, was that a lot of mercenaries had been involved in the Alymie massacre. Which meant that the targets were spread out and not a concentrated unit, which would’ve made it much harder to strike back. Especially with their limited manpower.

Trian knew that they only had a handful of level two hundred people in the Alymie houshold, his parents being two of them. Their abilities were somewhat well known due to tournaments, warfare and other internal conflicts. Gathering specialized tools and people to counter their abilities at least somewhat was a difficult undertaking but with enough time and money rather risk free.

It has also become apparent that the Birmingales were struggling to keep up. They had taken loans and their talent was leaving the family, which meant they had to risk something to keep afloat. It just so happened that the Alymies were direct competitors in several fields they operated in and they had coffers with enough money to pay back their loans and then some.

Trian had a lot of insider knowledge regarding his own family which helped immensely at placing the evidence. The whole thing was an operation that wasn’t unheard of within noble politics, especially in uncertain times but to eradicate a competing family so mercilessly was definitely a fringe case.

Being openly part of noble politics and trying to gain power bore certain risks with it, risks that for example an adventurer didn’t have to think about. Having a publicly known residence was one of them. Having members compete in more or less friendly tournaments and knowing the people behind the houses were more of them. All reasons why the Alymies had succumbed to the attack. And all reasons why it was possible for Trian’s own operation to work as well. At least against the actual family who ordered everything.

Most of the mercenaries would either be gone or would remain unknown and while Trian wouldn’t give up, the chance of finding them would remain rather slim.

“We’re going to strike in six days. Earlier if Baralia makes another move on the capital.” Trian said as Kyrian joined them.

“What about the increased security. And with the attack last week I’d assume the city is crawling with soldiers by now.” Kyrian asked as he shouldered his makeshift quiver.

“Irrelevant for a small group like us. We can even enter the city legally. As long as we don’t wear our armor from the get go. People might’ve spotted us. They definitely know your look Ilea.” Trian said as they started moving towards the hideout.

“You want to train your resistance to blood magic?” Edwin asked.

“And whatever she’s using.” Ilea said, gesturing to the sitting Maria who was in the process of reading through new letters they had recovered from one of their excursions. “You owe me Edwin, getting to use your skills against an opponent as strong as you isn’t exactly hard work.”

“I mean sure but it’ll hurt.” he said.

“Remember, second stage.” Ilea said and winked at Maria who looked up from her book at that statement.

“And she can even heal herself… well if that isn’t a convenient way to get resistances.” the woman said as she got up. “Care to help us out as well?”

“For the right price.” Ilea said and shrugged. Maria gave her a sly grin at that and gathered her mana. Ilea blinked backwards to avoid the attack.

“Not here, outside. I want the others to watch out.” she said.

“It’s too risky to be out all the time.” Maria said with a frown. “You all are already out in the open too much.”

“Who would come here. We’ve flown here. If anybody stumbles upon us randomly we’ll take care of it. And if it’s too much we’ll just flee again.” Ilea replied.

“It’d be easier to flee out in the open. I agree with her. While a hideout is good it might end up being a trap as well. At least if we’re throwing around magic anyway, let’s do that outside.” Edwin surprisingly agreed with Ilea and Maria sighed as she gestured for the others to leave.

An explosion of flesh and blood splattered red onto both Ilea and Edwin. “Damn, that’s nasty.” Maria said from the side as Ilea’s destroyed arm started reforming. “Good thing you have Pain Immunity.” she added.

“It’s less effective.” Ilea said to Edwin. “Does it bother you?”

“I’ll be honest. It does a little.” he replied.

“Still rips off my arm quite easily.” she said.

“No, there’s threads still hanging. Here and here.” he said, pointing to specific pieces of flesh. Ilea found him to be right. Soon he won’t even be able to rip off her whole arm anymore.

“And you didn’t want to be there when they tortured a guy?” Maria asked before she started laughing out loud. “Silly girl.” she added before her void magic manifested inside Ilea’s other arm. Maria was better at reducing the area which meant Ilea didn’t have to regrow her right arm all the time, just heal the insides.

“It’s different. I’m not screaming.” Ilea said. “Can you two just do that inside my head? You’d be able to kill anybody with a single strike…,” she said which made them look at each other.

“Sadly not. Using my void abilities is harder against more vital spots. I think because of the mana density. It’s a form of mana intrusion so that always made sense to me. Easier to rip out two legs anyway than a heart. People can tell and with higher levels they can tell even earlier.” she explained.

Edwin didn’t comment on it which made Ilea doubt both of them. If he wanted he could destroy her brain, she was pretty sure about that. Then again maybe he remained quiet because he knew the limitations of his ability. In that case it meant she had won the latest bout between them.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill Void Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

‘The mystical magic usually used to enchant high level items applied as a form of combat magic. It’s as deadly as it is silent. How exactly you survived is unclear, perhaps the caster willed it so. Next time it might work against a true enemy as well.’

Ilea felt immediately how the attack was earlier predictable. The damage as well was noticeably lessened. If the Golden Lily really was as dangerous as Edwin proposed, she’d have to get as many of these skills as she could beforehand. A visit to the Shadow’s Hand would likely provide most.

Perhaps some exotic animals and monsters would provide even more. Her initial rage had subdued and Ilea realized that there was nothing she could do for Eve anymore. She was dead. Her friend was dead. To find out who did it and to bring them down she needed more than what she had now. She needed levels and skills, she needed resistances and influence.

Claire, Edwin and Trian were great sources for information. If Claire was as competent as Ilea believed, then her investment would lead to quite a lot of influence through gold alone. For her personal strength though, she needed more. Before she got lost in thoughts, her arm was ripped off again.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

She needed to focus on the now. Trian had his plan ready and she would help him pay back the people who wronged him. Their motives and execution more than justified Trian’s plans. The parts she knew of already at least.

With a somewhat clearer mind, Ilea realized that she didn’t know what exactly Eve had done to enrage the Golden Lily, if it really was them being responsible. She didn’t know what Eve’s goals were in the first place, other than hunting down individuals with evidence to their corruption and criminality. Perhaps she was working for someone as well, perhaps the evidence was placed to lead her or others in a wrong direction.

All she really had was the letter she had gotten from Eve. And Ilea knew that before she wanted to hunt down anybody, she’d want to find out more about the person she had considered a friend. Perhaps that would lead her to the killers as well.

Another void attack ripped out a junk of her arm that started regenerating immediately. With her meditation active, it was a simple act of healing the wounds and reconstructing her left arm. Ilea found that she got better with it in time as well, forgetting that her skill was already at the current max, she focused on how exactly she rebuilt the arm and how the finished product was supposed to look like.

Compared to most healers, she had the advantage that she could heal the same body again and again, getting to know the intricacies better with each cycle. In addition her skill healed herself much quicker than others, even faster than what she assumed a dedicated healer could heal another person.

Trian continued planning while the others were helping out Ilea while Kyrian worked on his metal magic. The two of them were only there to intervene should Edwin and Maria try to do something unplanned for.

She had informed them that should her head suddenly explode, to just leave her body there and engage the others. And to avoid having them damage her more. Ilea trusted her healing skill and losing her head or heart would not be the end of her. ‘Sucks that Eve didn’t have a skill like that.’ she thought and squished the small hope that tried to squeeze out of her subconscious. ‘Eve is dead.’

Hours later they stopped their session, Edwin mentioning that they had to prepare for the next day as well. Ilea felt that Maria somehow liked her a little more at this point, perhaps because she could destroy her arm for a couple hours or perhaps because Ilea had her Pain Tolerance in the second stage. If she interpreted correctly, then Maria was the friend Edwin talked about when he asked her about the second stage. Which meant that the woman had gone through quite an extensive assortment of pain. Having done the same, Ilea couldn’t help but harbor a certain level of respect for her as well.

The time wasn’t wasted either. She had advanced her Blood Magic Resistance to level 6 and her Void Magic Resistance to level 5. It seemed so easy to her. She just needed a couple of willing attackers and they could literally rip off her limbs for a couple hours. The inflicted damage was absurd but with her healing ability and pain immunity it felt like cheating the system.

‘There must be others out there who do the same…,’ she thought but so far everything spoke against that. Even Maria who had pain immunity didn’t seem to have gone through all this. Hiring a healer couldn’t be that hard. ‘Maybe didn’t have the time yet?’ Ilea asked herself. She hadn’t exactly banked on the idea that much either. Not as much as she probably should have. There were other things more pressing and more lucrative to both her personal power and priorities at the time.

Sighing, she looked towards her two companions, both occupied with their own work. Time really was the only factor that really seemed to be an issue. Becoming a time mage seemed like a better idea all in all. She walked up to the others as she looked around, seeing the suns set on the horizon. Birds were chirping nearby, making Ilea take a deep breath. “Can we move back out, I want to continue training.”

“Sure.” Trian said, his papers vanishing again after he checked for the two distant figures of Edwin and Maria.

The last days of their preparations passed somewhat uneventful. Nobody attacked them out in the woods, nor did they even see anybody pass by. Even so close to the capital Ilea felt like she was stranded nowhere near any civilization. She compared it to the early ages of humanity on earth, when perhaps their species wasn’t at the top of the foodchain.

As the suns rose, Ilea sat on the top branches of a tall tree to see the light envelop the distant lands. Lands she could travel to with her wings in mere hours. She smiled and created a small sphere of ash. Today would be quite a bit more chaotic than the past week had been. Ilea had managed to raise her void and blood magic resistances even further, also working on Lightning, wind, water, curse, health drain, mana drain and heat. The latter was not as the name suggested a resistance to both cold and warm temperatures but fire only. The naming didn’t make much sense she thought but boiling water wasn’t exactly fire so she gladly accepted the additional usefulness.

Checking her stats, she wasn’t exactly sure what to think.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 2

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 224

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 16

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 220

- Active: Veil of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 18

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Embered Body Heat – lvl 20

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 12

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 16

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 17

- Poison Resistance – lvl 17

- Heat Resistance – lvl 19

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 2

- Water Resistance – lvl 7

- Wind Resistance – lvl 8

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 17

- Blast Resistance – lvl 12

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Veteran – lvl 3

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 251

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 525

Wisdom 415

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 3492/3500

Mana: 4138/4150

Her levels, skills and stats were impressive of course. Especially knowing that many people worked for years to achieve something even closely similar to what she had managed in a little over a year. Recklessness, high risks, the luck of her healing and warrior hybrid class and some fortunate help she had received marked the rather short way of the rise in her power.

Still, she had been stagnating. While it was true that Ilea had learned a lot in the past six months, from her lessons in the Shadow’s Hand to working together with her team, it had become much harder to both find and kill enemies that rose her levels and skills. Perhaps there wasn’t much of a need either, she thought. Initially the reasons for her fast improvements were mostly tied to her own survival.

The Taleen dungeon had been a huge step in power and that one didn’t come completely without help. Ilea was pretty sure she would’ve managed either way but it would’ve taken longer and the expedition would have likely thinned out her possible targets while removing any possible treasures she had walked away with. It had been a fun and exciting ride but now she had more than just her love for fighting and exploring to think about. She had to get stronger to face her enemies, to find out more about Eve and to face the people who had killed her.

Chapter 181 Plan and Execution

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for reading as always

">. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 181 Plan and Execution

Until she had exhausted the reasonable limits of resistance training with the Hand and had at least spent her ash class’ third tier skill points she wouldn’t even start to think about going after the Golden Lily. Finding another dungeon that would help her gain some class and skill levels wouldn’t hurt either.

Edwin had spent over five years plotting and didn’t seem sure he was ready to face his father yet, Ilea wouldn’t be running into her own doom unprepared. From beasts and dungeons she could flee, her skills allowed as much, reducing her risks by quite a bit. From people hunting for her though? She wasn’t sure she could hide forever. People who managed to hunt and kill Eve nonetheless.

She sighed, leaning her back on the sturdy tree trunk behind her. Separating her tasks into smaller, at least somewhat manageable bits was the first thing she could think of after going through the work she had cut out for herself.

First she would help Trian, then Edwin and then she would start her preparations. At least if everything went at least somewhat well. Even if any of their goals failed, Ilea was somewhat confident to her own survival. Her team was good at running away. She wasn’t so sure about Edwin and Maria but they were of little concern to her.

“Brooding in the treetops.” Kyrian said as he floated up next to her. “Doesn’t suit you.” he added.

“Are we going then?” Ilea asked, ignoring the comment.

“Trian is ready to explain the details. We’re just waiting for you.” Kyrian said and flew down again, Ilea following behind with a blink, her wings spreading right after to stop her fall as she rushed behind her friend.

They reached the hideout soon after and joined the waiting group, Ilea sitting down on one of the chairs, looking at the ground plan of the Birmingale estate.

“We can start then. First, we’ll strike tonight. The tension in the city hasn’t lessened as far as Maria could tell in her various visits throughout the week. The estate is guarded the same as it had been before, either they bought that your brawl was just an accident or it’s a trap.” Trian said.

“They could just not have the resources.” Maria added.

“Of course, I was generally planning with the worst case in mind.” Trian answered. “We’re going in and out quick. There should be guards at all the entrances, inside the gardens and the mansion itself.” he said, marking spots on the map. “Maria will leave earlier to check on their movements but as we know they shouldn’t be above level one fifty. Likely not much of a threat with their low numbers. Still, it’s paramount that we stay silent and get to the targets before they can group up. They used chaos against my family and we shall do the same.” Trian explained.

“Edwin and Maria will take out the guards at the northern gate. I’ll store the corpses in my ring before we move into the mansion.” he said, showing the item. Edwin and Maria looked at each other but didn’t react further. It was a necessary part of the plan to get the corpses away before a squad of guards or soldiers stumbled upon them.

“As soon as we get closer, I’ll use my lightning magic to disable any defensive or alarming runes. We’ll have a minute or two at best for this and should I fail, all the people who can teleport will go inside regardless and spread out in the mansion. From the entrance, Edwin and Maria to the left, me, Ilea and Kyrian right. Move and kill together to make sure the target is dead before you move on to the next one. If their resistance is overwhelming, we flee but otherwise I want to deal as much damage before we get out again. It will be difficult to find and attack any surviving members afterwards.” Trian explained before he pinned sketched paintings to the wall.

“These are the main targets. Ronan Birmingale. He’s supposed to have surpassed the mid two hundreds and is likely one of the most dangerous targets. The current head of the family and trust me, he has enough blood on his hands that everyone here has a good reason to take him out of the picture.” He said, pointing to the first picture he hung up. It looked like a man in his fifties with long black hair. “We don’t know anything about his abilities other than him being a warrior. Anybody who challenged him directly in the past ten years has vanished without a trace, both in the family or outside.”

“This is Bale Birmingale, Ronan’s wife and possible matriarch of the family. The sources differ but she definitely holds a lot of influence and she’s the first I would blame for my family’s murder. She was a high ranking officer in the imperial army with a lot of pull. Make sure to take her out or we’ll have specialized military units hunting for us before the night is over. She’s a mage, a fire one at that. Prisoners of war isn’t her thing and back in her military days she was known as the melting demon. If Ilea’s perception ability works, she will point out those two targets so we can focus on them first. I would count the operation a success if we get them.” Ilea looked at the picture of the smiling woman, a middle aged motherly type, not someone she’d associate with a melting demon. Then again, appearances can be deceptive.

“The rest are more notable members, just read through the notes on their abilities. Depending on how many of them are present tonight, we might or might not have an easy time fighting and escaping. Take your time, I want everybody to be prepared.”

Ilea looked at the pictures and the notes underneath. She was a little reminded of the wanted pictures she’d seen in movies and comics back in the day. Billy the kid, gunslinger class. Focusing on the task at hand, Ilea started reading through the papers. Different people of differing ages and abilities. There was a lack of information about many of them, including even their possible levels.

If the assumption that the Birmingales had hired a lot of high level and specialized mercenaries turned out to be wrong, then they might have quite a problem on their hands. While their group of five was certainly strong, Ilea doubted they could stand against Trian’s family at full power. The goal was to take out the two leaders and as many of the others as possible, which at least seemed somewhat possible. The consequences for both success and failure were difficult to grasp but success seemed the safer bet.

Other nobles would take over the diminished influence of the Birmingales, just like it had happened to the Alymies. Though the latter was nearly completely wiped out and Ilea doubted they’d be that successful, neither did she sign up for killing babies and kids.

Trian continued explaining the plan after they all had checked out the roster of notable nobles in the family. Possible escape routes, plans of regrouping in several different places both in and out of the city. He had really though through a lot of scenarios and with Ilea’s experience in combat she assumed the end result would look different still. Preparing as best as possible was paramount for a situation like this but she definitely liked hunting for monsters more. Perhaps some of the people in the Birmingale family could be considered as such after reading through the notes but they were of the human species still. Smart, adapting and unpredictable. Some of the things Ilea thought to be the reason for their race’s survival in Elos thus far.

To Ilea’s surprise, that wasn’t it. Not at all. Listening to Trian’s continued explanations made her realize that he didn’t just want the Birmingales to pay with blood. He wanted to remove them from the picture entirely.

Night came and the weather was in their favor, huge clouds hanging over the city of Virilya and the surrounding area. Flying in from above while avoiding the individual flying squads patrolling around and over the city was made much easier. Ilea was surprised none of the guards had spotted them but perhaps they simply didn’t want anything to do with a squad of Shadows.

The tension in the city was tangible as the five landed. Rain was falling lightly and the streets were deserted compared to just a couple days ago. An attack from Baralia was expected and feared, as much was clear to Ilea but she didn’t know the specifics. Edwin’s operations combined with their own tonight wouldn’t help anybody feel any more safe.

They rushed silently through the streets, vanishing into houses or side streets whenever they saw light approach. Some of the patrolling groups were soldiers but few of them were higher than level one twenty. ‘No scouts or whatever other special units they had…,’ Ilea thought. Their target lay quite a distance away from the governmental center of the city, which was the actual center of the city as well. A place Ilea hadn’t yet visited.

They waited in their hideouts until the group of guards slowly passed.

“Fuck night patrols.” one of them said and spat on the ground, adding little to the already wet cobble.

“And the rain and fuck the soldiers too, with their bloody arrogance. Who’d they think ey are?” the man said, giving Ilea the impression that he was at least a little drunk with the sound of his voice.

“Shut the fuck up you dumb idiot.” another of the four replied.

“Call me an idiot one more time, I dare ye.” the first one said and turned around, pointing his finger towards the man who had spoken up.

“Guys we’ll be in trouble if you fight. Do that after the shift.” a third one said which didn’t help much with defusing the situation.

“You dumb fucking idio…,” the second guards said when he was punched in the face hard. He stumbled back when a fifth man landed near them.

“Stop this at once.” the man said as he approached, the two uninvolved guards taking a couple steps back as they watched him.

“You attacked another guard while on duty, what do you have to say for yourself.” the man asked, likely part of the military but Ilea couldn’t tell through her Sphere only. She was waiting in the cellar of a nearby house.

“Called me an idiot that one.” the man replied.

“That is all?” he was asked and replied with a confirming grunt.

“Alright. You come with me. Continue your patrol and report back.” the man said and grabbed the guard’s neck before he flew off.

“Told him to shut up.” the injured guard grumbled as he brushed away the blood on his chin.

“Are you alright?” one of them asked but he just shrugged.

“Let’s continue, I wanna go sleep.” he replied and that was that.

Were it not for Kyrian, the group could’ve continued on their way but they’d lose a fifth of their power and neither Ilea nor Trian would leave him behind to possibly face guards or soldiers. He was at least good at hiding, molding onto houses or the street with his dark metal.

They moved on, having another two encounters with patrols. Security had certainly been increased and as they approached the respective noble district, they found even stationary guard posts on bridges and vantage points. Trian led them through parts of the sewer system and through narrow streets to avoid the guard posts, having prepared rather extensively after they knew where exactly they would strike.

Ilea was getting a little worried about the quick intervention by the flying military officer or soldier. If they reacted that quick to the attack, then their group would have a problem. Especially with the matriarch being strongly connected to the military. Still, they’d likely have a little while and the chaos would help.

Ilea quietly opened the door to an empty apartment close to the estate’s western entrance, letting Kyrian inside who was hiding near the door. Maria had spotted the place a couple days ago, giving them a close start to their operation.

It was hard to defend against an attack while having a stronghold in the midst of a city. It helped that in Virilya, most of the nobles didn’t seem to build massive forts but lavishly expensive looking mansions. Ilea had seen some more defensible architecture but the Birmingales hadn’t invested in that. For one reason or the other.

The guards were patrolling as Maria had previously reported and two of them were standing near the entrance, a closed gate of metal placed in the two meter high stone wall surrounding the property. Torches to each side of the gate lit up the otherwise dark street, rain lapping onto their heavy armors as they waited with spear and two handed sword in hand respectively.

“On three then.” Trian whispered to the people next to him when the patrolling two guards had walked on, leaving only the two at the gate. They were too far away to identify but Maria assured them they were below one forty and warriors each. It shouldn’t be too much of a threat if their skills weren’t absurdly high or they had stronger than usual classes. The difficulty came in their need to kill the two quickly and silently.

Ilea steeled herself, to fight and kill. The evidence was definite, she could think about her actions later.

“… two… three.” Trian finished and Ilea vanished, appearing behind the guard with the sword and grabbing his helmet, pulling backwards as Edwin slashed his two blades across the man’s neck. Ilea removed the helmed far enough to get to the man’s mouth, holding it shut as she pumped destructive mana into him. It was unnecessary she found, seeing the notification come up in her mind about the dead guard.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Blade of Power – lvl 121 / Sword of Light – lvl 108]’

Ilea saw the other guard meeting a similar fate as lightning cursed through him while Maria’s void magic ripped something vital out of his body.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Spear of the Wind – lvl 144 / Nimble Spearman lvl 130]’

Kyrian rushed towards them as Trian made the corpses vanish. Checking the Gate, he didn’t find any defensive runes.

“Don’t go over the walls.” Maria said and he nodded, looking at Kyrian whose metal sphere flowed into the gate’s lock. A click resounded and the group rushed into the open gate, Kyrian closing it again when everyone was inside.

Lights from the mansion illuminated the luscious garden, a testament to the noble’s wealth in this early spring climate. No guards were imminently visible and they rushed towards the entrance.

“Someone’s coming out, maid.” Ilea whispered when the door opened and a woman stepped out with a bag in her hand. Her eyes widened for a split second as Trian stopped Edwin’s arm and grabbed the woman’s throat, her body falling down limply a second later.

“Top floor third room to the back. Both of them, kissing.” Ilea said.

“Go.” Trian said as Ilea saw through her sphere that at least one person in the house had noticed them, getting up from their chair and walking to the door. She vanished and appeared next to the kissing couple, her group lacking Kyrian appeared around them, Edwin’s blood and fire blade bit into the sides of their necks as Ilea felt void and lightning magic curse through them.

The two were separated by the magic and Ilea quickly grabbed the woman’s two arms at the wrists as fire magic enveloped her. Ilea’s chest moved back before her head collided with her enemy’s. She heard a slight crack as more and more fire rushed past her, burning her flesh below her armor as healing magic flowed through her. Another headbutt and the magic lessened. The deep cut by Edwin was bleeding profoundly and the woman’s skull was fractured by Ilea’s attacks, continuously weakened by the reversed healing streaming into her.

Ilea knew that she was taking a risk again by grabbing onto the enemy but against fire, she had both more experience and resistance. Having the woman expand her magic in the room would endanger her companions, so she held on and continued her assault. Until with a last attack, the woman’s head nearly came off. Ilea made sure she was dead by ripping off the head and throwing it a short distance away. She’d have an eye on the corpse to make sure she didn’t have an ability like her own.

The message in her mind confirmed the kill though and she moved over to her group who wasn’t quite as successful as herself. The man, Ronan had two bloody axes in his hands and whirled around wildly, bleeding from at least seven deep wounds as he gargled, unable to scream as his throat was cut. Ilea moved in and kicked at his legs, to bring him to the ground. The lack of balance allowed Edwin to cut his blades into the man’s neck once again, cutting deeper once more.

His chest suddenly sunk inwards, Maria’s magic taking effect as another bolt of lightning flashed through him. Ilea ripped away his axes and started smashing her armored fists into his face, each punch cracking his bones as the others continued their attacks. A whole ten punches and just as many attacks from each of the others finally managed to take him down but the noise they had produced was enough to even wake up the neighbors.

Chapter 182 Murder

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for reading and have a nice day!

Chapter 182 Murder

Three people appeared in the room while another two burst through the door, Ilea immediately jumping one of the mages who was charging up a spell. The two of them burst through the wall and into the hallway where more people ran around, most of them servants. Ilea’s fist landed on his face but was blocked in the last moment by a yellow shield that cracked under her assault.

A surge of wind blasted her upwards and through the roof, all the air leaving her chest as Ilea’s wings spread above the mansion, looking down on the mage who was already preparing his next attack.

Blinking away to doge the blast of wind rushing towards her, Ilea flew around the house, before she equipped her heavy gauntlets, pushing downwards and towards one of the mages in the previous room. The man was channeling a spell which was contested by Trian’s lightning, only interrupted by Ilea who smashed through the roof and into the man from above. Her speed combined with the weight and power of her attack broke his back and skull as he was pushed downwards, dead in but a moment.

Ilea felt like there was another resistance when she had landed the attack but she didn’t have time to contemplate as she broke into the room below the leader’s den. She saw in her sphere that the others were spreading out as well, Kyrian fighting the approaching guards on the ground floor as the others spread out to deal as much damage as possible to both case chaos and property damage.

Ilea dodged an arrow as she saw a young girl with a bow standing on her bed, anger in her eyes. She blinked close and grabbed her throat, squeezing it shut until she was sure the girl was unconscious, putting her down again on the bed when a man burst into the room.

He screamed as he saw the two and wood formed out of thin air before him, tendrils with spiked ends filled the room and rushed towards Ilea who blinked away again to the ground floor, intercepting an attack towards Kyrian’s back, punching the guard in his throat, the hit bending his armor. A kick sent him flying when she vanished again, this time appearing next to Edwin who was getting overwhelmed by three men, each warriors.

Trian appeared as well, chaos breaking out as Ilea healed Edwin’s wounds with each touch she could get in between punches and dodging. Seeing Trian charge his attack, she appeared in front of him, halting a blade with her armored hands, the enemy magic flowing into her as she counter healed. Ducking in the last moment, Trian’s lightning blast sent the man flying, out through the wall and into a nearby house where he slid off the side of it.

Edwin removed his blades from another man’s chest, the corpse dropping down as the last man in the room prepared his sword. Ilea rushed towards him when a new opponent appeared before her, his fists barely dodged as she moved backwards again, Edwin appearing next to the initial foe. Fist after fist followed as he stepped closer to her with each punch. Finally finding an opening, she countered but found him just as proficient in dodging than she was herself.

He wasn’t very quick but two or three blocked punches let her know that he had quite a bit more power in his attacks than herself. Still, each connection sent destructive mana through him and Ilea was quicker. She was engrossed in her fight, concentrating only on her opponent as they dodged and weaved through the narrow room. Finding himself on the wall, the man vanished and Ilea followed.

Before she could engage the man again, a shard of ice rushed her way, Ilea blinking towards the mage, punching the woman’s throat. Her second punch was again intercepted by a yellow shield. The man behind her had approached again, making her blink away into the room where they had started their attack.

“You killed them both…,” he uttered as he looked at the corpses. The man was in his fifties, blood flowing down his mouth, the accumulated damage showing when a sudden green shimmer flowed towards him from the door, his wounds closing before Ilea’s eyes. She used the moment to meditate and get some mana back as she too healer her wounds and assessed the situation.

Kyrian was in the cellar now, most of the guards on the ground floor dead or close to it. Edwin and Trian had finished the man from before and had cleaned up some of the mages in the corridors. The latter was currently engaged with the wood mage Ilea had previously encountered. Two women stepped into the room, one of them tears in her eyes as she healed the man Ilea had fought. The other one locked eyes with Ilea, a yellow shield floating before her.

‘Can’t fight all three.’ she thought and blinked, finding herself in the same room as before.

“You won’t escape, murderer…,” the woman with the shield said. A slight shimmer had formed on all walls, ceiling and floor included.

‘Enclosed room.’ Ilea thought and rushed the trio, ash spreading out around her, slowly filling the room as she continued her fight against the man. She knew that all the damage she managed to deal would be healed quickly and that the barrier mage would protect the healer. But before the room was dark, she wouldn’t do anything risky. It didn’t take long, Ilea vanishing into her ash as she formed her currently most effective projectiles, the screw like spikes rushed towards the healer when they were all blocked by small shields.

‘She can see…,’ Ilea thought and appeared next to the man, this time getting him on the defensive as he struggled to see her move in the darkened room, the ash starting to move around them, more and more volatile. A lot of the healer’s magic would be used up by the small cuts her ash would create.

Appearing next to the barrier mage, Ilea sacrificed three hundred health to activate her third tier stage, punching the woman’s shields until they started cracking. She blinked away when the man attacked her through the mist, Ilea managing to kick the healer after the reappeared. The woman was flung towards the wall behind her as Ilea continued hitting the barrier mage’s shields. Her destructive mana flowed into the yellow layer keeping her away from her enemy.

She watched the woman’s eyes widen as she pumped more and more destructive mana into the defenses until she could reach through, grabbing the back stepping woman’s throat and gripping hard. She didn’t manage to get through her skin but managed to create three more ash spheres inside the mage’s defenses, each burrowing into her body before the man reached her again. More spheres formed and rushed towards the healer who was getting up again, the damage taken care of when Ilea’s projectiles punched into her belly and chest, much more damaging than against the barrier mage.

“Stop!” the man yelled as Ilea jumped back, his flurry of attacks rushing past her previous position.

Ilea hid in the ash, panting heavily and recovering her stamina and mana slowly as she watched the healer struggle to stop the bleeding on her own body, whimpering at the pain of the nasty wounds. The barrier mage was grabbing at her throat, injured as well.

“Whatever we did to you please. I swear to you these two had nothing to do with it.” the man said when Ilea felt a presence behind her. The air had changed and her ash was pushed aside. She blinked to the side, looking to her right and seeing nothing. Her sphere told her otherwise. The room wasn’t cut off anymore and an invisible blade rushed towards her neck, making her dodge downwards before she punched the invisible woman. Her fist reached the enemy and she heard a yelp before she punched again.

This time her enemy fell down to the ground but right before she could finish it, the man appeared again, his fist moving towards her. ‘Fuck it.’ Ilea though and finished her stomp to her attacker’s head, hearing a crack before his fist impacted on her side, sending her flying through the wall and outside the mansion.

She watched the man grab the injured and moving her towards the healer as Ilea’s wings spread and she stopped her momentum, healing the sustained damage and broken arm. Arrows were fired at her from below when a weird noise of metal hitting metal resounded through the vicinity. She smiled as she watched the shrapnel shred through anybody too close to the ground and first floor. Military and guards were approaching from the distance as she rushed back in, blinking twice to appear next to Kyrian who had was ducking behind a metal plate impaled by shrapnel that quickly moved together again.

“We don’t have much ti…,” Ilea started as she looked at one of the walls. Kyrian’s bomb had destroyed what looked like a bunch of runes and a wall, leading to what she saw through her sphere to be the treasury.

Tapping him on the shoulder, she blinked inside and stored anything she touched in her necklace. She rushed through the spacious room, stealing gold, artifacts and documents. Anything that would damage the house.

“Go up and help the others.” she shouted back to the metal mage who quickly rushed upwards. The room was clean of anything valuable in the span of half a minute but they had to get out soon. Ilea watched as Trian was flung out into the gardens, bleeding from several wounds, Edwin landing next to him. She blinked up and started healing both of them.

“Who are you? To attack our house so openly, murder and destroy!” the wood mage shouted as he jumped out of the house, into the garden and facing them. He didn’t look quite as well as his voice made him seem, bleeding and burnt in many places. His wounds were recovering though but with Ilea’s help, the same was true for her companions.

She watched a black shadow fly out of the property and nodded. The time has come to make their escape.

“I will kill every last one of you. As you have done to mine.” Trian said, red lightning crackling around him.”

“Stick to the plan.” Edwin said and got a glare from the man.

“More are coming.” Ilea said as she looked up, seeing flying squads in the distance. The mansion was on fire.

The older man Ilea had fought appeared next to the wood mage, a much younger looking man in his twenties.

“Everyone who survived is safe. Don’t engage.” he said and prepared himself.

“Leave.” the man said, to Ilea directly and with a pleading look in his eyes.

“Come on.” Ilea said and grabbed Trian who followed with a grunt, the three of them vanishing and rushing through the city’s cellars and houses.

For thirty minutes they fled, seeing and hearing the commotion spread throughout the district but soon enough they felt safe. Ilea appeared next to Trian in a nearby cellar, the three of them having diverged somewhat to lead any hunters astray.

The man was bleeding still, below his armor. His flesh had been burnt somewhat and he was coughing, poisoned most likely. Ilea started healing him without a word. She had killed and destroyed, for revenge. It felt cold to her, neither good nor bad. Ilea sat down next to the man and continued healing him as the poison’s effects slowly diminished. Still, she felt what they had done was right. An example perhaps to other noble houses and their choices. And they weren’t done yet.

“Come. We need to meet up with the others. Change your clothes.” Ilea said and watched him switch out, doing the same herself before they walked out of the house, checking the street and walking towards the inn they had agreed on. Nobody gave them much of a look, likely assuming they were adventurers or mercenaries hired to defend the city. Ilea let go of the breath she was holding when she entered and found all the others inside, nobody dead.

All of them had at least hidden beneath cloaks before entering the inn but the scent of blood was thick around them. Luckily they were far from the only ones in the room with such a smell.

“Welcome back.” Edwin said with a smirk and held up a mug of ale. Ilea didn’t quite feel like drinking and smiling as she sat down.

“We should move to a room.” Ilea said and checked each of them with a quick touch, healing Kyrian’s minor wounds and Edwin’s more severe ones. Maria was casually sitting next to him so Ilea checked her last, finding a life threatening wound in her stomach.

“You should mention that next time.” she whispered to her as she moved closer. “Got a change of clothes?” she asked.

“Shut it.” Maria said with a hiss.

“I’ll lend you some of mine.” Ilea said and finished healing her, which took the better part of two minutes. Someone had managed to cut deep.

“Did you get them?” Ilea asked after a while. A band had started playing and more patrons filled the common room deep in the night. It seemed some people cared neither for war nor demons. The inn keeper did look quite suspiciously at all the new people but tried hard to avoid looking at their group. He didn’t want any trouble and new they were exactly that.

“I did.” Maria answered and took a sip of her drink. “Thank you.” she added with a whisper.

“We’ll go up then. Second on the left side.” Kyrian said and got up, followed by Trian.

Ilea sat there with Edwin and Maria for a while, the man drinking one pint after the other.

“Thanks for your help.” Ilea said and got up as well. “Come up if you want the clothes.” Ilea said to Maria, getting a look from Edwin.

The stairs creaked as she made her way up, checking every face in the common room through her sphere to make sure nobody was looking at her. There were two but they way they looked made her think her ass was the target and not her person.

Going into the room, she closed the door behind her. Trian and Kyrian were talking in a whisper over the prepared map. Ilea made sure nobody was listening in but found most of the other rooms unoccupied. The few people around were sleeping. She was sure of that after a minute or two, their breathing too regular. At least if they weren’t trained assassins.

“Definitely successful. We’ll continue in four hours when the search squads moved out or gave up. Let’s hope they’ll hide in their mansion or some safe house.” Trian said as Ilea joined them, leaning on the wall next to their table.

“They will, if that guy wasn’t the best actor I’ve seen in a while.” Ilea said.

“The wood mage? Seemed more like he wanted to hunt us down. Must be Graham, the oldest son. Never imagined him to be a wood creator.” Trian said and shook his head.

“No, the older guy. Fist fighter and a strong one at that.” Ilea said, remembering the hit that shook her whole skeleton before she was smashed through the wall.

“Wallace Birmingale. Perhaps it was good that he is alive. He definitely seemed afraid. Perhaps our plans will work then.” Trian said as he took off his helmet with shaking hands. His face had streaks of blood on it, the man soaked in sweat. Ilea casually summoned a clean cloth and soaked it with the water rune in the room, handing it to the man.

“Thanks.” he said and cleaned his face. Neither Ilea nor Kyrian looked much better but she felt like he needed it the most. She summoned two more pieces of cloth and handed one to Kyrian before she looked through her notifications while cleaning up.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Eternal Pyromancer – lvl 230 / Catalyst of Fire – lvl 222]

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Unyielding Berserker – lvl 248 / Fire Wielder – lvl 241]

‘Good thing we took them out early on and together…,’ Ilea thought, reminded of her own classes by reading the descriptions. Had they any healing skills like herself, the operation might not have turned out the way it did.

There were some more kill notifications but none of them came close to the two initial ones. There were three more above level two hundred however, which surprised her. Other than the people she had personally fought, there wasn’t anybody she felt showed much of a resistance. Either they just weren’t very strong or the others had fought and killed them while she was busy herself.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 225 – 5 Stat Points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 226 – 5 Stat Points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 221 – 5 Stat Points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 17’

She was getting close now. Four skills in her ashen class were already at the second tier and level twenty. Checking for possible third tier advancements, Ilea found none available as expected. She would have to think about which skills she advanced, and soon.

Walking back to the others, she added her fifteen stat points into Strength, bringing it to 266. A lot of her skills, while magical, did use her Strength as a baseline. At first investing big into Intelligence was definitely the way to go but now that her buffs could stay active more or less indefinitely, a bit more of a base punch would likely help her more.

Chapter 183 Demolition Crew

A note from Rhaegar

Hello.

Chapter 183 Demolition Crew

She might even manage to advance the rest of her ashen skills near Ravenhall without seeking out specifically dangerous situations. ‘They do level slowly though…,’ she thought but shook her head. Hopefully she could at least level from fighting monsters instead of people, however monstrous they may be.

“How long until we move out again?” Ilea asked as she pushed the cold cloth below her shirt.

“Couple hours. Two teams as discussed. I feel like we did enough damage. Let’s hope they don’t have enough gold to immediately hire an army of mercenaries.” Trian said.

“Well for one thing, I’d assume with the situation in the city those might be hard to come by. And for another.” she said and summoned a couple documents and some gold coins. “Kyrian found their treasury.” smiling weakly, she pushed the things towards him, watching the man lean back.

“Hmm, haha. Hahahahaha…,” he laughed before he covered his face with both hands. “You two are amazing.” he added, turning serious again as he looked at the papers. “Got any more of those?” he asked, looking at Ilea. The man looked tired and exhausted. She didn’t fault him for that, unwilling to check out a mirror at the moment.

“Loads.” she said and distributed the certificates, books, letters and paintings on the bed, the floor and the table.

“This is…,” Trian said, getting up. Grabbing one of the paintings, he turned it around and cursed under his breath.

“Half of this stuff is ours. Heirlooms…,” he made the painting vanish. “… I thought they had burned them all. Ilea… I will. I’ll buy them all from you. I’ll pay you back in the future, how does that sound?” Trian asked, obviously not knowing Ilea quite as well as she thought. Or perhaps his noble upbringing was the reason for that question.

“They’re yours anyway mate. Take all that belongs to your family.” Ilea said, getting a nervous nod from him in response.

“Alright, alright. Thank you.” he murmured and touched a couple of the paintings, making them vanish before he stared at one of them for a while longer. A couple in their forties, likely his parents Ilea thought. A lack of photography meant that something like that was priceless, especially to him in this situation. She was glad they had accidentally found the treasury. Ilea touched Kyrian’s shoulder and smiled at him.

“Well done.” she said.

“Speaking of, I get at least half of that stuff, right?” Kyrian asked and she nodded.

“Of course, we’ll look through it after this is over. Don’t want to entice the others. Trian they’re coming up, can you store your stuff?” Ilea asked. “Sorry.” she added as she approached him. He first didn’t react but nodded a moment later.

“It’s.” he said, brushing away at his eyes. “Alright.” he added and quickly stored all the paintings and books, leaving behind the letters and certificates. Perhaps they would give them some more knowledge, ways to fight and hurt their wealth. Edwin and Maria would likely understand that they had found a stash of some sort but Ilea doubted the two would outright ask for loot. Edwin didn’t seem like he was in need or want of anything but blood. And blood he got plenty. Summoning a set of Taleen clothes and a set of Hand leather armor, Ilea placed them on the bed.

The knock came and Ilea went to open the door, both Maria and Edwin joining the group.

“Ah, so you did find the treasury. Hopefully there were some things recovered.” Edwin said.

“There were.” Trian said and left it at that.

“There you go.” Ilea said and motioned Maria towards the bed.

“You’re lovely Ilea. Thank you.” Maria said honestly and grabbed the things, teleporting behind the dressing screen.

“I suggest we don’t wait less than two hours but not longer than three.” Edwin said as he sat down, reading through some of the papers.

“That was the plan. Maybe we can find some other locations through this.” Trian said as he hunched over the table.

Ilea sat down on the bed and looked through her skills again. “We’d be more efficient if we move alone and not in groups.” Edwin said but Trian shook his head.

“I thought about it too Edwin but the chance of someone dying isn’t worth it. Not for any of you.” he said and summoned a map of the city, circling a specific place while checking another document.

Ilea took a deep breath and looked at the wooden ceiling before she closed her eyes.

The night had gotten dark as they ran over the rooftops. Three dark figures clad in bloody armor, unarmed it seemed but to any trained eye a danger best left alone. They blended in with the environment, hiding whenever a patrol walked or flew by close to them.

“Night shifts suck…,” Johann mumbled to himself as he continued cleaning the massive ax he could barely hold. Fifteen other boys were doing various tasks in the same hall, the air heavy and the temperature high. The smiths worked just a room over, giving the boys a good brunt of the heat and gases.

“Come on lads, you can do it faster than this. Or do you want to have your pay reduced.” The adult mage said as he walked around inspecting their work one by one, sometimes giving quiet instructions or even encouragement when someone’s work was good. That was the only good part about night shift, Johann thought. The man was nicer than the ones he had worked under during the day.

Still he had heard stories before, stories that he hoped weren’t true and hopefully he would never found out.

The work was suddenly interrupted by a yelp from the mage, making Johann turn around with the big ax. Three figures clad in black full plate armor stood next to the man as he stumbled backwards. Johann couldn’t hold onto the ax anymore and panicked as it slowly slipped his grasp, only to find it had stopped falling suddenly.

One of the Shadows had appeared next to him and held onto the ax. “Leave this place.” the woman said, casually placing the ax on the ground. “All of you.” her voice didn’t leave any room for argument and Johann ran off towards the door.

“Hey you brats, come back here!” the mage shouted but Johann was already out the door, sweating as he ran through the streets, avoiding the usual patrols that would come near here. Turning around, he climbed a ladder that led onto a nearby building, breathing hard as he reached the top.

Checking if anybody was following, he ran over the rooftop, jumping onto the close next building until he reached the usual vantage point to check who would be in charge that day in the smithy. Some people you best avoid, that was what his sister had taught him.

Just when he could see over the rooftop, the night shift boss was pushed out of the door. “You can’t do this! The Birmingales will hear about this!” he shouted before the door itself suddenly smashed into the man, the two of them in the air for a couple meters before they came crashing down. Johann yelped and hid again before he waited a minute. ‘Who are those people?’ he thought, feeling both excitement and anxiety. He had heard of the Shadow’s Hand of course but Johann was more interested in the individuals.

The woman had talked to him, he thought giddily as he looked back up. The five smiths he had rarely seen walked out, some of them protesting. One of the Shadows was following them.

“If I see you working for the Birmingales again, you’re dead men.” he said and walked back into the place.

Johann hid again, his heart beating fast as he smiled to himself.

“Can I start finally. I don’t think most of the stuff here is work taking. The Taleen weapons seem like a much higher quality. What do you think Kyrian?” Ilea asked as she played with a sword.

“They’re mass produced. Of course the quality doesn’t hold up. Why not kill the smiths?” Kyrian asked.

“They’d get new smiths. Like this the news will spread that someone threatened anybody working for the Birmingales. They’ll be hard pressed to find any labor for a while. Ilea yes, please start. We’ve got a lot of places to visit tonight.” Trian said teleported out of the building.

Kyrian followed after nodding to Ilea.

All buffs activated, Ilea was a little disappointed she didn’t have headphones and her workout playlist. Well it would be alright. Running towards the wall, Ilea didn’t stop and smashed her head into the stone with full force. Stone and dust was sent into the street as she broke through, turning around and activating her wings.

Her acceleration really was something, as she combined her wings and legs to burst her speed as high as possible before she jumped towards the ceiling, crashing through before she continued running, destroying parts of the walls and supporting beams of the buildings. Only three minutes later she heard the first groaning of metal and stone as the weight became too much for the damaged base to carry.

Continuing her work, Ilea smashed walls and support beams until the ceiling came crashing down on her. Blinking out in the last moment, she watched the building collapse. A smile covered her lips, despite the circumstances. Letting her pent up emotions, her anger and grief out on a building for once calmed her down somewhat. Not killing people for once.

“That’s one down. Kyrian can you not help with your metal?” Trian asked as Ilea joined the two of them.

“Oh, I didn’t think of that. Next one I suppose.” the man answered, touching the back of his helmet. Trian shook his head and started flying.

“Thought you needed it.” Kyrian said to Ilea before he followed, leaving her with a somewhat surprised look. He definitely became more perceptive in the time they had known each other.

Ilea looked back at the boy hiding on a nearby building. She chuckled, hoping that she hadn’t just destroyed his only way of making a living. The look on his face when her Sphere was still in range had however told her the opposite.

What followed was a destructive sight seeing tour through the city of Virilya. Ilea combined with Kyrian shredded through buildings like a bulldozer on crack, giving both authorities and members from the noble family in question little time to respond. They were on their eight target already.

A seamstress it seemed. The woman was sleeping on the first floor of the building while their group entered the house. Beautifully crafted gowns were laid out in the working space, Ilea grabbing some of the dresses and inspecting them.

Trian rang the bell placed on the counter a couple times until they heard rustling above.

“Who’s there!?” a female voice resounded. “I don’t have no money so leave, the shop is closed until the morrow.” she said as she came closer to the stairs.

“We’re not here for money, nor are we here for your services. Or you for the matter.” Trian said calmly as he inspected the bell.

“You’re…,” the woman said as she came down the stairs. Young and beautiful, her hair hanging down nearly to her waist.

“You are working for the Birmingales.” Trian said. “I can’t have that. Leave the store and never cooperate with them again. I’m sure your skills will let you find other work.”

“I… you’re from the Hand, why would I be a target of you… the Birmingales… I can’t. You don’t understand, they promised to return it if I worked for them for a year.” the woman said, her words coming out quickly as the sleep left her immediately upon seeing the group of people.

“This stuff is beautiful.” Ilea said as she stepped into the room. “Would be a waste to make it for those nobles.” she added.

“Return what?” Trian asked.

“A painting my father made. It’s the last thing left of the damn fool and they took it.” the woman said, anger flashing in her eyes before she calmed down again.

“One of these?” Trian asked as he summoned some of the paintings Ilea had given to him. The woman’s eyes opened wide before she walked straight towards one of them. A painting of a woman, not the woman standing before them but there was a resemblance.

“Take it and leave. Do you have a place to stay?” Trian asked and she nodded.

“I do. Let me…,” she said, rushing to the counter and taking the silver out of the till, looking around nervously.

“I’ll take the clothes. Got anything hidden away? We’ll be demolishing this house shortly.” Ilea informed.

“Demoli… yes…,” again, she looked at Trian nervously.

“We don’t want anything other than your promise not to work with them again. And the destruction of this property. It’s not yours, is it?” he said to her.

“It isn’t. I just need to get some things. Two minutes.” she said, rushing upstairs with the painting in hand. Ilea watched her wrap it in some protective layers of cloth before she opened the closet, grabbing some leather armor and a short sword she sheathed on her belt. The woman clothed herself about as quickly as Ilea did back when she didn’t have her necklace. Trained movements to be sure.

The woman grabbed a hidden pouch of gold from under her bed and hid it inside her armor before she rushed down again, picture in hand and a little red on her cheeks from the rush.

“Got everything? Then promise me and know that should you work with them again, I’ll come for you.” Trian said.

“I do, I’ll leave the city tomorrow. This is all I wanted. Never liked them anyway. Thank you, for saving me nearly a year’s worth of time.” the woman said and bowed slightly.

“Can…,” she looked back as she reached the door. “Can I have your name?” she asked, blushing.

“Trian Alymie.” the man said, a smile coming to her face as she left the store, walking away briskly.

“That one was very beautiful.” Kyrian said.

“Well she has her eyes on this guy.” Ilea said, tapping Trian’s shoulder. “Let me grab the rest of the clothes before we wreck this place.”

Ilea wasn’t sure if sharing your name with a pretty lady who previously worked for the enemy was a wise thing to do but she had done things more idiotic than that aplenty. Plus they already knew how he looked, likely able to find out his identity at this point anyway. Hers and Kyrian’s as well. “Oh well, another noble house on the hunt for me…,” she murmured to herself as she stored away the dresses and clothes she found.

She came out with eight not too over the top dresses that she could casually wear and five pairs of shirts and trousers. The days of Taleen clothes as replacements were over, a good thing too as she only had one set left.

Kyrian had prepared one of his metal bombs in the meantime. “Should be enough for the house.” he said as they stepped outside, turning around on the street. A loud noise came out of the house, windows shattering and walls pierced by shrapnel. Mana surged in the man to Ilea’s right before the metal in the walls started moving, forming into blades that whirled around in the house, cutting through stone and wood alike. The building collapsed after a couple minutes of the assault, crashing down slowly. Ilea waved to a young girl looking out of a nearby window, most of the people in the street woken from the loud noise. She waved back before she was snatched away by a concerned mother.

“Guards on the way.” Trian said as they ascended and rushed towards their next target. A brewery where Ilea intended to leave with a stock of fresh mead.

“The suns are rising.” Kyrian said as he looked towards the horizon. The three sat together on a roof again, looking over a city that didn’t seem changed by any of the abuse they had put it under the past night. Buildings would be rebuilt and guards would be hunting for them but hopefully they had dealt a blow to the Birmingales’ reputation and economic power. They would do another round in two days, while remaining in the city.

“Let’s change clothes.” Ilea said and switched to a summer dress she had gotten from the seamstress. It looked stupid with the leather boots she had on but she didn’t really care right now. The cool air brushed against her skin as she looked at the sky above, her body undisturbed by the cold.

Trian switched to formal atire and Kyrian removed his helmet. “Here.” Trian said and handed some clothes to the man. “We have a similar enough build.” he added.

“Thank you.” Kyrian said and started undressing on the roof.

“You should really get a storage ring or something.” Ilea said while smiling.

“They are so easy to find aren’t they?” Kyrian said sarcastically.

“Were there none in the Birmingale treasury?” he asked and Ilea shrugged.

“Didn’t look at everything yet. Wanna do that after he’s done? I’m hungry too. Maybe we can find a nice restaurant. Distract ourselves a little from all the blood.” she said, her face turning serious as she locked eyes with Trian. He clenched his fists but relaxed again a moment later, sad eyes looking back at her.

“That sounds good.” he said. “And we’ll get you some damn shoes.” he added, making her laugh. Kyrian chuckled as well, struggling to put on the shirt that was a little too tight for him.

Chapter 184 Shoes?

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there. Don't forget mother's day tomorrow.

Chapter 184 Shoes?

The bell rung as they entered the room, early sunlight illuminating parts of the store. “I’ll be right there!” a young female voice resounded from somewhere in the back. Ilea saw the woman through her sphere, identifying her as soon as she came out to the front.

[Shoemaker – lvl 59]

“Welcome to Laria’s Shoepalace. What are you looking for?” she smiled at them and waited. A refreshing reaction to Ilea who was getting used to the respect and fear people who knew about her level or membership with the Hand usually portrayed.

“I’m looking to replace these.” Ilea said, stepping to the left of the counter and pointing to her boots.

“Oh my, that doesn’t fit with your clothes at all darling. Of course, come let me see if we can find something that works with the red dress.” the woman said, acting as if what she saw was a crime.

“Do your companions need something as well?” the woman asked, her eyes lingering on Kyrian a little longer.

“We’re just looking.” Trian said. “And accompanying the lady.” he added.

“I’m no lady.” Ilea said as she looked through the shelves of shoes, finding some simple ones that she liked. The quality seemed incredible compared to what she was used to from earth. Leather boots, she kind of expected to be high quality but casual wear like this? Then again everything was handmade by a trained craftsman or in this case woman.

“I’ll have these and these.” Ilea said after just four minutes, trying on the first pair immediately.

“They fit much better.” the woman said and smiled.

“How much are they both?” Ilea asked after having tried both of them on. They were a well enough fit.

“Fifteen silver together.” the woman said and Ilea moved her hands behind her back, summoning the silver before she put it on the counter.

“Come back if you need anything else. I’m willing to repair them for free in the first month!” the woman said but the way she looked at Kyrian, Ilea assumed that offer wasn’t just for her.

The shoes were still rather high but Ilea liked something a little more substantial anyway. Plus she felt confident to fight like this. They wouldn’t fly off immediately.

“Know any good restaurants Trian?” Ilea asked as they stepped into the street, the early people already going about their business.

“I do but I’d rather not visit them right now.” he said, Ilea nodding in response. She felt a little weird walking around with her dress ending right above her knees while some of the people around them wore warm jackets. She did get some stares but couldn’t tell if they were out of interest or because they were weirded out.

“We’ll find something.” Ilea said and started walking in a random direction. For the first time in Virilya, she had some time to actually look at the city. Using all her skills, she took everything in, specifically focusing on anything that would lead her to another one of Eve’s hideouts. She was sure there were more in a city as big as this one.

Would her illusions still be in place? Many hidden places would likely be from other people or organizations as well. Her hopes of finding something weren’t high but it felt good to at least look around. She’d take her time finding out more about her, what she did and who had killed her. Then she would face that person, regardless of anything else. She’d ask them why and perhaps she would try and kill them.

Right now though, the goal was to find a restaurant and Ilea made herself focus on that task to not lose herself on the way. One step after another, she told herself and after walking for ten minutes, they came upon an open square with some inns and restaurants, some even serving food already.

They sat down at one of them that seemed nice and had a nice scent coming from inside. “Don’t people know how you look?” Ilea asked Trian who sat opposite her.

“The chance is rather slim. Even so, how would anybody connect the dots. I don’t think anybody who saw us is walking around here.” he said, the last part in a whisper.

Ilea nodded and leaned back on the bench, realizing that her armor was much more comfortable to sit with than a dress. Still, the fresh air was a welcome change.

“Hello, what can I bring you?” a waitress came and asked.

“Got any warm food?” Ilea asked and the waitress nodded.

“Yea, stew from yesterday or bacon and egg for breakfast. You’re so early the bread is still warm.” she said and smiled.

“Bring both then.” Ilea said.

“Enough for six people.” Kyrian said and the waitress just nodded again. Perhaps regularly having adventurers around made a request like that more acceptable.

The group ate, mostly in silence but the food helped change their moods somewhat. Having a full belly helped, even if it wasn’t needed as much anymore. The restaurant had rooms to rent in the house and the group moved inside after their brunch.

“Alright, let’s see what we got.” Ilea said as she sat on the bed, Kyrian lying next to her while Trian stood before the bed. The first thing she summoned was a sword. Ilea could’ve checked out all the items in her necklace but decided after their operation that she’d look through them with her group instead. They would meet Edwin and Maria again in six days, as the two had said they’d return to the hideout after the initial attacks on the first three days.

[Sword of the Morning – High Quality]

“Think we should sell this.” Ilea said and Kyrian nodded. She continued with weapons, going through eight more swords of similar quality, three axes, two bows and two whole sets of armor. Nothing was higher than high quality, except for a single two handed ax.

[Ax of Carnage – Rare Quality]

“What do you want to do with all this?” Ilea said, handing the ax to Trian who just shrugged.

“More gold would be fine but take whatever you want.” he said, handing the ax back.

“You want it?” Ilea asked Kyrian who shook his head.

“Take it, maybe you’ll find some use for it someday.” he said and Ilea stored the ax again.

The next thing were several smaller chests. Opening the first one, there was gold inside. An assortment of coins. Putting it back into her necklace, she knew it to be two hundred gold coins. One more chest had the same amount in it and the others were filled with metals, jewelery and perfume.

“Four hundred gold.” she said, placing everything back.

“How much can I have?” Trian asked and Ilea just shrugged.

“I have enough gold for now, take it, maybe it will help you right some wrongs.” she said and looked at Kyrian.

“I’ll take a hundred to pay off the Hand if that’s possible.” he said and Trian nodded.

“Of course. Ilea are you sure? You two are the ones who found and got this stuff after all.” Trian said but she shook her head.

“It’s alright, leave it.” she said. “I think Kyrian should take the metals, maybe you can find out something about them. Go visit Balduur as well and let him know I was involved as well.” Ilea said, handing the thing to Kyrian.

“I won’t carry this around with me, you take it for now.” he said, handing the chest back but Ilea shook her head with a smile.

“Not so fast. There were a bunch of rings as well. Maybe…,” she said and summoned the seven rings that had been lying in the treasury.

[Ring of Illusions – Rare Quality]

[Well of Winter – Rare Quality] – Would you like to claim the Well of Winter?

‘No.’ Ilea thought and handed the ring to Kyrian. “Take it, and let me know what it is.”

“Oh I claimed it.” Kyrian said, looking at the two of them nervously. “It says, storage capacity at 0/30” he said and took the chest with the metal, before it suddenly vanished. “Oh wow… now it’s at 1/30. That means I can put a looot of stuff in here.” he said, curious about the newfound toy.

“Take it out again…,” Ilea said, having a hunch. The chest appeared and she touched it. “As I thought.” she said to a confused Kyrian. He touched it as well and nodded.

“Well of Winter indeed. It’s cold. Well I hope it doesn’t freeze everything completely.” he said, a little worry in his voice.

“I doubt that. I heard of similar enchantments before. It’s intentional.” Trian said. “What about the other rings?” he asked.

“No more storage ones I don’t think. At least none of them ask me to claim them. Some have enchantments though but nothing extraordinary. At least I think so.” Ilea said, handing the rings to Trian.

“The crest on this one…,” Trian said, holding up one of the rings. “That’s another noble family who had significant losses half a year ago. We might’ve not been the only ones targeted.” he said.

“Knowing you, this one might be beneficial to you.” he said and handed one of the rings to Ilea. “Kyrian, this one for you it says it lessens wind resistance a little when flying.”

[Drowning Bear Ring] – [You drown but less quickly]

“What the hell does that mean?” Ilea asked but shrugged and stored the ring. Remembering her lookout on water, she decided to visit an underwater fighting class in Ravenhall if that was still possible.

“Sell the rest, they’re useless to us.” Ilea said and Kyrian gave his ok after looking through them.

“The paintings and documents we’ve looked through already. Leaves only these books.” Ilea said and summoned the last pieces looted from the Birmingale treasury.

“They’re class books. Anything that interests you two?” Trian asked.

[Introductions on Wood Magic]

[The dominance of Fire]

[Blood Rituals Volume VII]

[Blood Rituals Volume VIII]

[Alchemy for the uninspired]

“Not really.” Ilea said and Kyrian put them back as well.

“I’ll read the Blood magic ones. Selling the rest.” Trian said and made everything vanish.

“What the… I’ll be right back.” Ilea said and blinked downstairs, appearing in the middle of the common room in her dress. A man was crouched close to the door, clutching his stomach as blood flowed onto the ground. The waitress from before was rushing back towards the kitchen, shouting for help.

Ilea walked to the man who seemed to be dying and touched him, her healing magic flowing into him as she focused her spell on the stab wound on his stomach. He was poisoned as well, the effect nearly canceling out her healing. Stronger than most poisons she had come into contact with.

The waitress and two more people rushed out from the kitchen with towels, hot water and bandages but stopped as they watched Ilea sit the man down next to the door, touching his brow with one hand as he confusedly touched his stomach. The wound slowly closed as the poison’s effect lessened with time.

‘Very recent…,’ she thought, as the man would’ve died a minute or two later with the poison’s destructive influence. Checking through her sphere, Ilea recognized a weird spot on top of the opposite building’s roof. There was nothing there. Nothing at all. A mistake that Eve had made early on in their training.

“Any reason someone would want to kill you?” Ilea asked the man sitting before her, the confusion in his look apparent.

“No lady, I dunno wha happend… nobody there who would go as far as killin ol Jonas.” he said as the waitress got closer to Ilea.

“What happened to him?” the woman asked as she held a wet towel to his brow.

“Poison and a stab wound. You know him?” Ilea asked and the woman grunted.

“Yea, he’s a regular. Not sure why anybody would do something like that to him. Perhaps a demon possessed somebody. Damn scum of that Shadow’s Hand.” she said, the last part more to herself but Ilea saw the man behind her nodding.

She wasn’t sure if demons could actually possess anybody. They seemed more bent on eating people than using their bodies. Looking at the man and his impressive level twenty three, she was somewhat sure he wasn’t a prime target for anybody. Ilea nodded and disappeared, appearing again a couple meters behind the blank spot in her Sphere on the opposite building’s roof.

“Hey there.” she said. She could see a haze before her, barely visible but combined with her Sphere she was sure there was someone standing right there. No reaction came back.

“Trying out new poisons I suppose?” Ilea added and still didn’t get a reaction. She had difficulties identifying the thing before her but her instincts weren’t going haywire and Ilea had learned to trust them somewhat. In fact she knew she should trust them more but her life on earth had trained her otherwise.

“If you don’t start talking now I’ll try some skills on you as well and you don’t seem like you specialize in defense.” Ilea said, starting to walk towards the haze a moment later.

“Stop please.” a voice spoke, a young man it seemed. The haze lessened a little and she could see a figure standing on the roof now.

“I’ll have you warned. If you interfere with my operation you’ll have to answer the imperial jury.” the man spoke and Ilea chuckled in response.

“I doubt they’ll connect your deformed corpse with this cute young lady.” she said, smiling with her mouth only. “You’re imperial then? So why not tell me why ol Jonas deserved to die of poisoning?” she asked.

The man seemed unsure, the haze flickering a little before it vanished completely, a man in white robes appearing, red and black weaved into the cloth, some kind of armor showing below. A hood covered most of his facial features. He was holding up his hands in a placatory gesture.

[Rogue – lvl 171]

“You don’t care about the empire. Why then care about that man?” he asked, seeming genuinely interested.

Ilea shrugged. “I don’t want to see death today I think. Call it a mood.” she said.

The man scratched his head and nodded. “I don’t understand. Have it your way then. I’ll find a different target further away. Is that acceptable for you?” he asked respectfully.

“Target for what?” Ilea asked, having a good guess at the answer.

“Some new poisons I developed.” the man said, showing her some vials that appeared in his hands.

“How would you test them on random people. You don’t know how high their resistance is and how much health they have and lose.” Ilea said, walking past him and sitting down on the edge of the roof.

“I take an educated guess. Time until death combined with the damage of the stab wound.” the man answered.

“That’s terribly inefficient. Want to test them on me and you’ll owe me a couple favors in return?” Ilea asked. An imperial rogue would likely open a lot of doors, literally and figuratively.

The man thought about it for a moment. “I don’t think killing random citizens is exactly allowed either.” Ilea added.

“You are right. I can blame Baralia or the Shadow’s Hand at the moment.” he said nonchalantly.

“Your offer seems generous, why would you trust me?” the man asked.

“Oh I don’t trust you. I just doubt you have something that could kill me.” Ilea answered with a smile. “And I want some variety today. Some more Poison Resistance and talking to an imperial seems to fulfill exactly that need.” she said. “Plus I will only allow it if my friends are close by.” she added.

“A challenge then? I accept. Are you staying in that establishment?” the man asked and Ilea answered by blinking onto the street, some nearby people veering out of the way. The man followed, shrouded again in a barely visible mist.

“You’re back. And you brought someone?” Kyrian asked as she entered the room. Trian was reading the first of his blood magic volumes, a welcome distraction it seemed.

“Yea, he’s an imperial rogue… kind of a contradiction isn’t it?” Ilea said as she sat down on the bed. “He wants to test some poisons and we get favors or information in return. Could you keep an eye on me and murder him if I die or he tries anything stupid.” she asked, leaning on the wall behind her.

Kyrian shrugged. “Sure.” he said, sitting down next to her as his metal started floating around, flowing from one shape to another. The rogue became visible again and looked around the room.

“Are you mercenaries? Or spies sent from another land?” he asked, staring at the book Trian was reading.

“Does it matter to you?” Ilea asked. The man answered by handing her a vial filled with a clear liquid. Ilea chugged it immediately.

“It’s too bitter. I would add some sugar and maybe a bit of lime.” she said dryly.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Tincture of Seething Flame -50 HP/s for one minute. Disturbed Vision for twenty minutes.’

Ilea’s healing magic kicked in and counteracted the poison, negating the health drain completely. She hadn’t tested her Hunter Recovery like this but now she knew that it was at least fifty health per second. Kind of ridiculous really, seeing how her health was at six thousand. She could go from zero to full health in just two minutes or even less. Then again she knew that certain problems like a missing arm would take quite a bit longer to heal, depending on her expertise on the specific injury.

Chapter 185 A Bright Night

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, new chapter. Thanks for reading as always

">! Royalroad is an RPG now!

Chapter 185 A Bright Night

“Tincture of Seething Flame. Fifty health per second at level seventeen poison resistance. And my vision is supposed to be disturbed for twenty minutes but I don’t see a change.” Ilea said.

“Marvelous… marvelous.” the man said as he got a small notebook and started writing everything down. “No change? Do you have any perception related skills?” he asked.

“I do. Cancel it out don’t they?” she asked and the man continued writing.

“You’re crazy for trying this. How long until you’ve recovered?” he asked. “Are you perhaps a Shadow of the Hand? I doubt a lot of people with your power would agree to something like this. Plus you seem rather young.” the man asked but Ilea just shrugged.

“I’m recovered already. Let’s just wait until the health drain stops.” she answered.

“Self healing ability as well? Exciting.” he said and she was sure she saw his eyes sparkling. The man had just found a perfect target for his experimentation and Ilea had found a source for likely a bit chunk of the empire’s information. An assassin was supposed to know quite a bit, she assumed. If his story of being part of the empire was actually true. She would gain some Poison resistance at least, if he was lying.

The man could barely stay still, his hands rushing all over his pouches to find the next poison to try.

“What’s your name and how do I find you after you leave.” Ilea asked.

“Sadin’s the name. First Assassin’s division. We don’t exist but you can ask Major Falken for my whereabouts. I’ll inform him about you. Take this badge.” he said, handing her a small token with an eagle like bird on it. “He’s near the palace usually, in one of the military bases.” he added, handing her another poison.

“This one should make you very dizzy. No health drainage. If your healing can cure it, I’d prefer you don’t use it and tell me about its effects.” the man said.

Ilea downed the poison and waited for the notification to pop up. It really wasn’t an effective assassination method if it just informed you about being poisoned. Then again it seemed like most of them took effect immediately and had enough punch to kill at least lower health targets. The man likely had other ways to kill up his sleeve as well.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by The Glutton’s Curse. All perception reduced by 90%. A sluggishness drowns out your senses for five minutes.’

Ilea didn’t use any of her active skills but her passive ones had to have an effect as she felt only slightly slowed down. She related her experience to the man and the effects she read in the message as he wrote everything down with trained motions of his pen.

“Not a perfect test subject for these kinds then. Oh well, there are many others or myself.” Sadin said, shrugging and giving Ilea the next substance.

Testing of the assassin’s arsenal went on for another two hours but Ilea insisted after ten minutes to relocate to the roof of the building to at least get some sun in the process. Kyrian accompanied them as she kept on drinking or eating poisonous substances before healing herself.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches lvl 20’

The fruit of her labor, easily accomplished by digesting incredibly expensive poisons and using her very own healing spell to counter them.

“That is all I have with me at the moment but I’d like to continue this at some point.” the man said as he closed all his pouches again, putting away the empty vials. “Sadly I will be occupied for a while starting tonight. Find me again in a couple weeks if you would like to continue working together. And for me to repay you of course.” Sadin said.

“I assume then that you would like information on the Birmingales?” he asked, surprising both Ilea and Kyrian whose metal stopped floating, instead forming into spikes.

“Oh do not worry. I don’t care. It is just, this revenge of yours. One of you is a survivor then, an Alymie or a Recot?” Sadin said. “Alymie is more likely, they were more open and spread out among the empire. I will look into it and bring you some names, mercenaries and associates to look for the next time you meet me.”

“I have another target.” Ilea said and watched the man closely. The Golden Lily was on her tongue but she wasn’t sure about their influence. “Eve Aillan. Joined the Shadow’s Hand over half a year ago. A high level mind mage and illusionist.”

“I will open my eyes to such an individual. Illusionists are hard to track and mind mages are difficult to face.” Sadin said.

“Oh, she is already dead.” Ilea said, going into the details of what she already knew of Eve and where she had found her. She didn’t mention that the woman was a friend but instead formed a narrative of revenge against her and her associates, should there be any. This way, should the Golden Lily ever come up, they would in the worst case ignore her and in the best case contact her or even wish to work together.

“Be well then. I suggest you leave the city within the week. Military units are being relocated and an attack from Baralia is imminent. Even with your power you could be in danger and the leading generals won’t tolerate attacks on nobles. They are already on the hunt for you.” Sadin said before he vanished into his mist like state.

“Nice talking to you as well.” Ilea said towards the leaving mist.

“We should relocate. Just in case he’s informing the wrong people.” Ilea said as she got up, Kyrian following behind.

“I didn’t plan to stay for more than a couple more days anyway. Enough to destabilize them near completely.” Trian said.

The group left the inn and moved through the city undisturbed for around an hour, renting another room for the evening. “We leave again in the night, get some rest now if you need it.” Trian said but neither of the others had any need. He continued reading his Blood Magic book and Ilea flipped through her monster encyclopedia to focus on something different. Kyrian worked on his metal magic and Ilea helped by creating ash and moving it around the room while reading, making the rest of the evening go by rather quickly.

‘A welcome change of pace.’ Ilea thought as she prepared herself for the night to come. Looking into the mirror, she smiled a little at the nice dress she was wearing. She had never owned anything as well made as this back on earth but the woman looking back at her wasn’t who she had become. The smile left her face and her arms dropped to her sides. A mere blink later her dress was replaced by black armor, covering her whole body and face.

Blue eyes looked back at her from within a horned black helmet. The same blue eyes that had stared back at her for now over twenty years. “You really went to shit didn’t you?” she asked herself in a whisper. Surprisingly her eyes held the same spark as they always had. She had become a survivor, hunted by fantastical beasts she knew for a fact didn’t exist. Here they did. And here they had become her prey. She had fought and killed humans, in self defense at first but now she was hunting and killing them to avenge her friend’s murdered family.

A bizarre place she had found herself in. ‘Magic and monsters.’ she thought as a sphere of ash formed above her outstretched and armored hand. It felt right and it felt true. She felt alive. And she would overcome whatever life threw at her. Breathing out slowly, Ilea blinked upwards and onto the roof of the building. A pale moon shone above, barely illuminating the three warriors clad in black.

“Ready?” Trian asked and she nodded. To the man who had been introduced as a part of her mercenary team over half a year ago. A snotty and arrogant noble who used blood magic to strengthen himself. A lesson to her that morality wasn’t as black and white in this world as she would’ve believed. It was just as gray and complicated as earth had been but here everybody had the opportunity to become strong enough to fight, to defend oneself and to punch above their given fate, stomp on it and become even more powerful through that.

Ilea nodded not just to his question, she nodded her affirmation to kill, to hunt and hurt other people, people with just as much of a will to live as her own. People with flaws, fears and dreams. People who had made wrong decisions, yet still people. And she would be the one to right some of those wrongs. She didn’t have any illusions as to the result of revenge. More people would die and that would be that. Nothing new would arise and nothing lost would be regained. Yet still, to her, it felt like the right thing to do. The only thing she could do.

Trian jumped off, the powerful mage vanishing before her eyes and appearing on a building twenty meters in front of them, Kyrian shooting forward quickly, drawn by the metal controlled in his hands. She didn’t like it. To be in a city, to hunt and fight people. Sighing, her magic activated and her legs tensed before she shot forward, with speed no human on earth would’ve ever reached, no body strong enough to endure it.

She yearned the days of monster hunting. Non human monsters that was. Her mind focused on the task again as she put her conflicting thoughts to the back, the memories of her day of comforts forgotten as the wind rushed past her, her body leaping from roof to roof as the tiles dared not creak under her balanced weight and trained movements. Twelve more factories were destroyed in the next six hours.

“This one is much better fortified.” Kyrian said the obvious as the three stared at the lone fortress overlooking a small estate within the city. Guards and adventurers with torches patrolled the gardens in groups, their watchful eyes looking for intruders to their employer’s property.

“Do you think the survivors are in there?” Ilea asked without looking at the man next to her. It was obvious that this building was important to the Birmingales, either the building or the people residing within. None of the factories, stores or inns they had attacked before had this amount of guards. It seemed they had focused all their resources here, the remaining ones that is.

“At least something important is here…,” Trian said and got lost in thought.

“Do you want to inform Edwin and Maria. We could work together.” Ilea suggested but the man waved her off.

“If they’re really here then I’d rather do this alone. I trust you two. And this is not their battle, this is mine.” he answered.

“I’m with you Trian.” Ilea said and touched his armored shoulder.

“As am I.” Kyrian added, making the man relax a little and sigh.

“This is gonna be a difficult one.” he said. “Ilea can you check around if there is a way to get in under it?” Trian asked, looking at her.

Nodding, she vanished and appeared on the ground, using her Sphere to check for any sewers that led towards the small fortress. After searching for a couple minutes, she did indeed find a path leading straight to their intended target. Only one in the complicated sewage system and she was reasonably sure that there were guards placed at the end of it or where it would lead into the building.

Still, it was likely a better idea than to run into the heavily guarded gardens. Going back to her team, Ilea relayed the information and they both agreed with her. “I’ll go in first if it’s a trap or something.” Ilea said as she looked at the metal bars before them. At least so far there were no guards around.

“Any enchantments?” Kyrian asked “I don’t see anything.” he added as metal spheres split next to him.

“Nothing I can detect.” Trian said and watched as the metal formed into small blades positioned on each bar before they snapped through. The bars came loose as one grid, falling towards them as Ilea stepped forward, her buffs activating before she caught the heavy mesh of metal. Lifting the whole thing up, she placed it as silently as possible on a nearby wall before she turned around and led the way through the small tunnel.

There was barely enough space to go through crouched and the pipe got smaller as they continued onwards. A couple minutes later, it was too small to go on and Ilea saw that a couple meters further down there was barely enough space for a mouse to get through.

“They closed it off. And it’s too far to blink inside from here.” she whispered to the others behind her. A sudden noise made her concentrate.

“There are tremors going through the ground.” Kyrian whispered.

“Magic spells.” Trian added.

“A trap then? But there’s nobody here.” she said, checking through her sphere that reached as far as to the entrance of the pipe.

“Well something is happening. Perhaps Edwin and Maria followed us?” Kyrian asked but Trian shook his head.

“They don’t have the skills to make such a ruckus. At least we wouldn’t know of those.” he said and Ilea had to agree. The tremors were too numerous for it to be them, even if they had hidden skills that could shake the ground around them.

“Whatever it may be. It’s giving us a good opportunity.” Ilea said and started punching the stone in their way. Kyrian started helping immediately.

The tremors didn’t stop, some of them much stronger than others. Ilea was remembering what had happened in Ravenhall but Virilya would be on a completely different scale. Surely they had enough manpower to fend off whatever demon attack was coming. Even elves for that matter.

“We’re through.” she whispered as she walked into the dark cellar. “There’s nobody here.” she added, looking around the room.

“That’s weird. Why have so many guards outside and leave this entrance empty?” Trian asked himself.

“There were people here recently. The torches are missing but there’s ash on the ground.” Kyrian said, pointing to the metal holders on the walls. Using her magic to influence the ash, Ilea touched the floating bits with her fingers and sure enough, they were warm still.

“Yep, something’s happening outside that made these guards rush upwards. The tremors must be something rather serious then.” she added. “Go with the plan?” Ilea asked towards Trian.

“Yes, whatever it is it’s a distraction. If it’s nothing justifying an immediate escape from the city we’re going in.” he said.

“And what would that be?” Ilea asked seriously.

“An elven invasion is the only thing that comes to mind. It would be hard to flee without chaos.” he said and walked up the stairs. Ilea followed and checked as far as she could see with her sphere but found nobody close by.

Opening the door, the group rushed upwards and Ilea soon saw several people on the walls and towers of the fortress, looking upwards, sending spells and arrows towards the sky.

“Something’s definitely attacking the fortress. I can see the wood mage and the women I fought, as well as the old man. The Birmingales seem to have barricaded themselves in here. I don’t recognize any of the others.” Ilea finished.

“We should strike now, cause even more chaos.” Trian said but Kyrian stopped him.

“We have to see what’s going on first. Your revenge doesn’t mean anything if you die in the process.” he said, glaring at Trian. It took him a moment to accept it but Trian backed down.

“Alright, Ilea any balconies or something where we could see?” he asked.

“The south east tower is unoccupied.” she answered and led the two towards the staircase. Again there were no guards, all the residents focused on sending spells upwards.

Coming up on the windows, Ilea saw fire. The sky was burning but as her eyes adjusted to the light, she could see a staggering variation of spells raining down on Virilya. Defenders sent spells upwards but fires were already raging in a dozen nearby buildings.

“Are they elves?” Kyrian asked, standing next to her.

“In that number? That has never happened before… and why attack the capital?” he asked but Ilea knew they weren’t elves.

“The spells are too weak. Elves rip out streets and houses with their fire and ice. I think we’re looking at war, a war between humans.” she said, a little baffled by the scene before her. The only reasonable comparison she could draw were war movies about the second world war and the storming of the Normandy.

“The city seems to be losing…,” Trian said “The response is too weak. But how? It should be unbeatable…,” he said, confusion apparent in his voice. Neither Ilea nor Kyrian were versed in the city’s military power but if what he said was true then Ilea had a simple suggestion.

“The empire’s in on it then? Or at least a part of it. Am I wrong?” she asked and Trian nodded.

“That is the simple explanation, yes. I just never thought it possible. With the recent developments… it could be viable. Difficult and you’d have to have a lot of connections already. People loyal and on the inside.” he suddenly started laughing, realizing something but he didn’t elaborate further.

“This is our opportunity then. The Birmingales are responding with attacks which means they’re not in on it. Let’s wait here until the attackers focus on this small defensive beacon. We’ll strike then.” he said and calmed down. The rain of spells continued from above and Ilea could see stones and small dots of fire in uncountable numbers coming over the distant walls. Again, she had stumbled upon a city invasion. For the first time, the enemy was human.

Chapter 186 Night Attack

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, beep boop automatic release incoming. Deploy chapter.

Chapter 186 Night Attack

They didn’t have to wait long for some of the attackers to focus their spells on the small fortress standing alone surrounded by gardens. Shields flared up from time to time to block incomings spells and Ilea knew exactly where they were coming from.

“I think it’s time.” she said as the first enemy mages and warriors actually landed on the roof, engaging the Birmingales in close combat.

“It is.” Trian said right before an armored warrior broke through their tower’s roof and swung his two handed sword at them.

[Warrior – lvl 130]

Ilea quickly identified the man as she ducked under the slow and powerful swing, quickly advancing and kneeing him hard in his armored crotch. The metal didn’t help much against Ilea’s powerful attack that dented his defense inwards. The man howled in pain as she grabbed his helmet and ripped it off to reveal a middle aged man with a patchy beard.

“Who are you people?” she asked simply but he was too occupied with the lack of children in his future to answer, making her let go of him.

“It’s Baralia. They’re not even hiding it anymore.” Trian said, tapping the crest on the man’s shoulder. A spike of metal smashed into the soldier’s head, blood spraying on Ilea’s armor as she looked away from the gruesome sight.

“Fucking warn me before you do that.” she said to Kyrian who shrugged in response.

“We don’t have time, sorry.” he said and looking outside, Ilea knew that to be true. More and more soldiers were coming towards the fortress. Both from the sky and land. They must’ve already breached the closest gate.

“Focus on the targets.” Trian said as he vanished. Ilea quickly checked and found the wood mage, blinking next to him as he was engaged with three soldiers. A hard punch sent him flying into the fortress wall but Ilea didn’t see any blood. He had managed to block her.

Creating ash around herself, she spread it outwards to create additional chaos and confusion. Her companions could just attack from further away.

A sudden stab sent pain through her, her right leg buckling downwards. She grabbed at the blade but it was gone already, a weird presence visible in her Sphere. Not only the enemy had gotten distracted by all the people and spells around them it seemed.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Nocturnal Bite -35 HP/s for two minutes. A curse of Fatigue has been placed on you for ten minutes.’

‘Poison, again…,’ Ilea thought as she focused on the weird blur in her sphere as her Healing took over. Her severed leg was nearly back together when the blur advanced again and forced her to blink away, into an empty room downstairs. She heard people advancing up the nearby stairwell and the fighting on the roof but focused on getting her leg fixed which didn’t take long.

Spreading ash in the room, a moment later the blur appeared again, a near invisible blade slashing towards her. Ilea jabbed the blade upwards and moved to the right to avoid it hitting her helmet. Her enemy vanished before she could land a blow but Ilea knew the person was still in the room.

“You’re the one from two days ago aren’t you… the invisible girl.” Ilea said, a small grin spreading on her lips.

“Don’t call me girl. You’re not old either.” a female voice replied.

Ilea advanced on her, dodging the blade as she watched the woman dodge and weave through her attacks.

“You seem to be having difficulties in the ash.” Ilea stated as she created seven spiked projectiles, sending them towards her at the same time. One of them hit but apparently didn’t deal much damage.

Blinking next to the woman, Ilea got a little more aggressive, leaving herself a little more open to deliver her attacks. Her assumption was right and she landed two quick blows on the woman’s armor, sending destructive mana into her. It could’ve been a facade but from the way she had previously attacked Ilea and from what she had said, she didn’t think her enemy was the deceptive kind. One never knew though. She really did have difficulties in the ash.

The woman vanishing again, Ilea followed her upwards into another empty and dark room. To her surprise, she could see the woman now. Clad in black armor but much lighter than her own. Her blade was curved and reminded Ilea of a Japanese sword. ‘A Hanzo? I should be careful…,’ she thought.

[Rogue – lvl 241]

“Why do you attack our family?” the woman asked, her blade still pointed towards Ilea who was still counter healing the poison.

“The empire is under attack, are you paid by the enemy?” she accused Ilea.

“No, your family killed my friend’s family. That’s why I’m here.” Ilea explained. The blade wavered a little and the woman’s eyes opened a bit more.

“Which family? And who planned this? I wasn’t involved and I always talked out against such tactics.” the woman said.

“A family. Your parents and brother if you’re a Birmingale yourself. Being an assassin I doubt you weren’t involved.” Ilea said before she rushed at her, the blade flickering as she tried to get closer, driving away the blade with her armor as it scratched past her, making the woman dodge again and separate from Ilea.

“I kill and fight but for my own reasons. If what you say is true then your cause is just but I won’t stand by while my family gets slaughtered. You killed my parents and for that you must die. No ash and no illusions. Just you and me.” the woman said and Ilea nodded. If it got close, she would escape but Ilea was quite sure her adversary would do the same.

“It’s your choice. If you stand in our way then so be it. And if you want revenge then I understand.” Ilea said and breathed in, focusing on all her skills before she rushed forward. The woman’s blade flickered and Ilea blocked with her armor, deflecting the blade in the last moments and ensuring no injuries.

There was some destructive mana flowing into her from where the blade touched but nothing substantial and she continued her assault, pushing the woman back in the small room. Teleporting around, her enemy managed to avoid any damage from her first assault but in a prolonged fight, Ilea was sure of her own capabilities.

Rushing forward, Ilea suddenly found her muscles tensing up and locking down as the woman’s blade rushed towards her head, the blade stopped by her helmet right after it pierced through her eye with its pointy end. The pain was negligible and her vision wasn’t the only way with which Ilea saw the world. The blade rushed at her other eye immediately but her healing magic rushed through her body, making her muscles move again.

At the last moment, Ilea moved her head to the right, the blade scraping against the metal unable to inflict serious damage before Ilea attacked, her eye healing whilst her punches were blocked by defensive swings. The move had surprised the woman, likely expecting more of a reaction from her injured prey as Ilea anticipated and followed the next teleport and grabbed her enemy by the wrist of her sword hand, pressing down hard while her other arm moved to punch her stomach.

The light looking armor didn’t relent immediately but was bent more and more while destructive mana flowed into her enemy, her punch pushing out all the air from the woman’s lungs. Holding out her hand, the woman held a small ball that suddenly exploded towards Ilea, sending hundreds of small projectiles her way, some of them smashing into her healing and good eye as she stumbled backwards from the force, letting go just a little of the woman’s arm who used the opportunity to struggle free of her opponent’s grasp.

Ilea’s eyes were ruined and she had metal pieces inside them, continuously poisoning her but her foe wasn’t done, sending another two of the blasts her way, Ilea covering her eyes with her arms as she aligned her body in a way that the armor would take most of the shrapnel. Blood flowed down her eyes as she watched her enemy switch her sword to the other hand, her right one clearly injured, the armor dented inwards. Blood flowed down her neck as well, Ilea saw as she watched the woman advance.

Cautiously, she aligned her sword to stab Ilea’s shoulder right between the connecting pieces of armor and Ilea helped her a little by not defending against it. The blade flashed and stabbed into her shoulder cleanly, spreading a numbing feeling into Ilea’s flesh but not before she grabbed the blade with one hand and her enemy’s arm with the other. With a blade stuck in her shoulder, Ilea swung the woman up through the air and into the nearby stone wall, breaking through the rock with all her strength as she screamed.

Holding on to the injured woman, against she squeezed as hard as she could, ripping out the blade with her other hand and throwing it towards the window. It clattered on the ground as Ilea placed her leg on the woman’s chest, pulling on her arm with both hands as she activated the third stage of her State of Azarinth, sacrificing a couple hundred health to give her a short push in power. Blood sprayed on her armor and the ground as the woman screamed, her arm separated from her shoulder as Ilea prepared to stomp down, finding herself paralyzed once again for a moment, watching the woman crawl away towards the dropped sword.

Whimpers of pain could be heard as Ilea flowed her healing spell through her, focusing first on her own shoulder and ignoring her eyes for now. Her Sphere was enough and if the woman didn’t have a way to disturb it, it was quite adequate at seeing in a fight. The paralyzing effect lessened and Ilea found herself able to move again, appearing right when the woman had reached the blade and grasped it with her broken right arm.

Stepping on the hand, she broke some fingers too, kicking away the blade again and grabbing the woman from the ground, wrapping her arms around her neck from behind. Ilea squeezed hard and didn’t stop through her enemy’s struggling until she heard a crack, the woman’s body going limp. Still she didn’t stop and continued sending mana into her to make sure she was dead. Even through the message in her mind she continued for at least another minute.

“I’m sorry.” she said at last, a part of her disgusted at her own actions, another part indifferent. This is what revenge was and as much as she believed the woman to be uninvolved in Trian’s trauma she had to die, it was either her or Ilea and she was not going to die today. Again her healing had been the deciding factor, that and her ability to see without eyes, to feel no pain from injuries that would incapacitate most others and to have armor capable of stopping blades. Closing the woman’s eyes after laying her down, Ilea grabbed the blade and stored it in her necklace, summoning a taleen sword instead.

Her healing combined with some hard poking removed the metal fragments from her eye sockets and beyond. Breathing out, Ilea sat down next to the corpse, leaning on the wall as she let her healing flow through her, eyes recovering as her Meditation skill helped keep the mana cost low. She had lost quite a bit of health in the fight, despite her best efforts to heal herself continuously. Letting herself get stabbed might not be advisable for the future, seeing that the paralyzing effects could’ve just as well been something like Edwin’s blood magic ruptures. Those would’ve been a little more problematic.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Blade of Whispers lvl 241 / Claw of Rot lvl 221]. For killing an enemy fifteen or more levels above your own you receive bonus experience.’

Ilea chuckled in the room as she looked at the corpse’s face. “Funny world eh? I murder you and even get bonus experience.” she said in a bitter tone as she got up again. Ilea had a lifetime to think about her actions tonight but only right now to do something. To help her friends not to die and to help them succeed in their mission. Blinking upwards, she found the scene on top of the building pure chaos. Spells rushed through the air and blades flashed through the air before they severed heads or pierced bodies.

She quickly found her opponent, the older man she had fought before. Trian and Kyrian were nowhere to be seen, neither was the wood mage. Ilea did spot both the healer and barrier girl, the latter deflecting five soldiers’ attacks while the healer lay dead to her side. A tragic scene and the human in Ilea screamed at her to go help but the screams were silenced as she focused on her target, blinking upwards to face him.

A scream left the man as he slammed both his fists into the held up arms of a pinned down soldier, breaking through both the arms, the man’s helmet and his skull, blood slowly leaking onto the stone floor.

“Birmingale.” Ilea said and watched him snap up, anger in his eyes as he looked at her. A moment later he stood before her, his fist smashing into her held up arm as her buffs surged, barely holding back the strong arm that pushed against her. His second arm rushed forward, making her dodge back to avoid his attack. Blades were one thing but his arms were more akin to clubs, deflecting them was difficult.

Their fists met again as he closed the distance, their fighting styles clashing in a flurry of blows as his raw strength shook through her with each landed punch and her destructive mana flowed into him with each of her own successful hits. Ilea positioned herself and deflected in a way to allow his hits to connect but never in full force or close to anything vital. The damage was healed in the subsequent dodging as she took several steps back.

Looking upwards, the two separated as a meteor of fire smashed through the roof, breaking apart into small burning rocks that set ablaze everything they touched. The two of them rushed at each other, him jumping and Ilea’s wings carrying her towards him before they clashed, grappling in the air before they fell down together, blocking and punching as they could before they impacted the burning ground below. Ilea rolled as his fist smashed into the stone next to her, kicking at his side with all the power she could muster.

He was pushed aside but got up just as she did. Ilea breathed heavily as her Meditation and Hunter Recovery surged through her, prepared for his next moves as the fire around them grew. The man was bleeding and sported several injuries, broken bones and missing teeth. Several cuts lined his legs and arms from his previous battles but he still stood, sighing as he looked upwards.

“At least those Baralia cunts won’t get me.” he said and laughed aloud. “Girl.” he added, looking at her seriously. “I’ve done horrible things in my life and this is the last of many times where I should’ve died. Maybe today is finally the day when I do. If any of the girls are still alive, know that they had nothing to do with the Alymies. If you find it in you, let them go.” he said.

Ilea just looked at him and gave him a slight nod. To acknowledge his desires, the wishes of a man soon dead. Her blood was boiling and she was focused on the fight to come. What would happen to the girl still fighting above them was not on her mind right now.

“Come then.” she said, her muscles tensing, ash spreading around her.

The man grabbed at her arm, squeezing but finding her bones and armor unrelenting as the flesh between was bruised, Ilea’s free hand repeatedly smashing into his face, her mana flowing into him from where he grabbed her. His other hand finally came down on her helmet, the shock going through her head, blinding Ilea for a second in both her eyes and sphere before another punch to her stomach send her flying, several organs injured from the heavy hit.

She lay there and watched the man sink to his knees, blood flowing from his mouth as he stabilized himself with one arm, using the other to brush away the blood. Meditation and healing slowly repaired her own sustained damages.

“You’re a tough one lassie.” he said before coughing, more blood painting the floor red. Parts of their surroundings were still burning and a beam of wood finally broke loose, threatening to fall on Ilea who blinked away in the last moment, continuing her healing nearly uninterrupted. Moving her body would’ve been a bad idea but she gave herself some more time seeing the man near his end as well.

“You lack a healer.” she said, getting up slowly and cracking her neck. ‘Good as new.’ she thought and finished reconstructing her organs, having stopped the internal bleeding. “But you do pack a hard fucking punch.”

“You’re the first one to survive it. Wallace is the name. Kill some of those damn Baralia fuckers for me will you.” he said, Ilea appearing behind him, a hard punch landing on his head before he sluggishly turned around, Ilea’s kick connecting with his head just as he was about to retaliate, his body slammed to the side.

“Ilea is mine.” she said, approaching and kicking at him again while he blocked. The man was certainly hard to kill but at least she didn’t feel like she was murdering puppies.

Chapter 187 Bath before the Storm

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy it

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Chapter 187 Bath before the Storm

A loud crack was heard, Ilea’s last punch breaking the man’s back, his body falling down limply.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Beastblood warrior 210 / Pure Enhancer 203].’

Ilea again closed the man’s eyes and looked upwards. The girl was on her final straws, more and more spells nearly getting through her defenses. Ilea blinked upwards and looked around. A pile of corpses littered the roof, both Baralia soldiers, mercenaries and Birmingale guards and family. The stench of blood, piss and the same in burnt and poisoned variations filled the air, nearly making her gag now that she focused on it.

The city was on fire as far as she could see. The first signs of dawn could be seen in the distance but the damage done to the city was as of yet unclear. Less spells rained from above by now but she could hear fighting from every direction, shouts and screams filled with anger and fear. The soldiers hadn’t noticed her yet, six of them continuously attacking the last remaining defender of the fort.

Ilea looked over the side of the building and found Trian and Kyrian standing over the dead wood mage’s corpse. Around them was a similar scene as on the roof. She jumped down and blinked three times, appearing close to them and holding up her arms to alert them.

“You’re alive.” Kyrian said and nodded. “We’re both somewhat injured.” he said, taking a step towards her but losing his balance before she caught the man.

“He saved my life.” Trian said as he looked at her, Ilea’s healing flowing through Kyrian as she inspected his injuries. There were burns and internal bleedings but worst of all were a series of wooden stakes having pierced his armor right above his waist. Placing the man down, she slowly healed the injuries as she slid out the stakes one by one. It took a while but no more soldiers from Baralia were focused on their location anymore, their black armor likely lost in the sea of corpses and fires.

As soon as Kyrian was stable, Ilea moved on to Trian without a word and checked him as well. The man had broken damn near all his ribs, a wonder that none of them had pierced his lungs. Then again he had some way to steal other people’s health. Perhaps that’s what saved him. The rest of his injuries were minor at best and Ilea moved back to Kyrian.

“Anyone still alive?” Trian asked.

“One of the girls, the shield ones. The old guy asked me to let her go. Wallace was his name. Said they didn’t have anything to do with it.” Ilea said, continuing her healing. Trian grunted at that, sending a lightning bolt next to the dead wood mage’s corpse, burning the earth and adding another small fire to the field.

“Are you going for her?” she asked the man, moving on to Kyrian’s minor injuries as she watched him.

“We got the people behind it. I don’t… care anymore. The Birmingales are no more.” he said and sat down, wincing at the pain of his broken bones.

“Just use your drain on me.” Ilea said but he grunted again. Regardless, Ilea found her health draining a little a moment later, making her move some of her healing capabilities to herself. Hunter Recovery was much more efficient on her own body, making the distraction minor at best.

“He’s done.” she said, moving on to Trian who had mended about a third of his injuries before she started working on the rest.

“Thank you.” he said quietly after a while.

“I don’t want you guys to die.” Ilea said but he shook his head.

“No, thank you for this.” he said and gestured around. “I know it’s not easy for you. Blame me if it helps.” he added but she waved him off.

“What I did, I did myself. And I will deal with that myself Trian.” she said and left it at that.

“Ah I passed out didn’t I.” Kyrian murmured from the side as he slowly got up. “I need to get me some healing spells as well.” he said and got up, wincing and touching his stomach. “Those were close.” he said, checking the holes in his armor.

“We should get out and hide. Or do you want to leave the city immediately?” Trian asked.

“It would be safer to hide for a while. There are probably a lot of troops surrounding the city.” Kyrian said.

“We’d break through easily.” Ilea said. “I’d like to check with the informant we found earlier though. Before he dies.” Ilea added.

“Back to the inn then, if it’s still standing.” Trian said. Ilea turned towards the fort and looked up.

“I’ll be right there.” she said and spread her wings, the ashen limbs pushing away the air and fire around them, making her ascend. Ilea rushed towards the roof of the fort and landed silently, watching the soldiers beat the last remaining survivor, one of them ripping away her clothes.

‘I don’t have to kill her.’ she thought and silently made her way to the group, a mist of ash coming to life around her and floating menacingly with her. “But she deserves a better death.” she whispered, smiling as her ash enveloped the group of soldiers and the girl, her form shrouded in it as her arms reached around the first man’s neck, a strong and quick jerk broke his neck and ended his life. Shouts resounded around her in the mass of confused people, her arms lashing out at the perfectly visible targets, breaking bones and destroying joints and ligaments alike.

Half a minute later none of them were alive anymore, a crying woman holding up a shield above what was likely her dead sister. Blood dripping from several injuries and barely any cloth left to cover her. Ilea summoned the blade she had taken and slammed it into the roof, the ash dispersing around her, the woman locking eyes with her as she sobbed.

“You should leave and hide. They are dead and neither would want the same fate for you.” she said and blinked away, not giving the woman an opportunity to strike at her. Her survival was her own now.

Neither Trian nor Kyrian said a word as she rejoined them and the three rushed towards the inn they had stayed at earlier.

The attack was massive and the three of them found troops of both sides rushing through the streets, adventurers and civilians running to safety as doors were smashed in and spells set buildings ablaze. The three of them avoided confrontation and it seemed most of the soldiers didn’t want to engage with a random squad of Shadow’s Hand mercenaries either, not seeing them or simply ignoring their presence as they made their way through the city.

Smoke darkened the dawn as they arrived at the inn, finding the entrance shut and two soldiers banging on the door.

“I told you we’re closed!” the innkeeper shouted from within, not quite managing to hide the fear in his voice. The building itself and most of the surrounding ones were spared from the long range attacks, likely because they were further away from where the brunt of the attacks had come from.

“We’re just here for your gold. Open the doors and hand it over.” one of the soldiers said as Ilea identified them to be around level one hundred.

“I have the gold here, take it and leave.” the innkeeper said before a small window opened and a sack of coin was thrown onto the street, silver spilling out.

The soldier looked at it and shook his head. “I said gold, not silver. Ian?” he gestured to the other soldier who summoned a sphere of fire into his hand. “Burn it down.” the first man said when Ilea appeared behind them and grabbed the mage’s arm.

“Aren’t you imperials?” she asked as they turned around, startled at her sudden appearance.

“Yes mam, keeping the peace.” the other soldier said.

“By burning down an inn.” Ilea said.

“They’re traitors, in cahoots with Baralia!” the man said, Ilea’s fist lashing out and smashing his face. His jaw was broken and he fell down on his ass with a pained whimper.

“There’s plenty of real enemies coming. I suggest you leave.” Ilea said and let go of the mage who ran to save his life. The soldier on the ground scrambled up and ran after his buddy.

“They’ll find another target.” Kyrian said as he approached, picking up the sack of silver.

“Maybe.” she answered and left it at that.

“I heard you were closed. We’d like to rent our room again though.” Kyrian said, handing the sack of silver to Ilea. She vanished and appeared in the midst of the inn’s common room. Around a dozen people, some mothers with children, some old people and even one or two adventurers looked at her in her bloodied black armor and she could see the fear in their eyes, the terror.

“We just want food, a room and a bath.” she said, dropping the bag of coins. “I’ll take care of shit soldiers like those.” she added and opened the window, Kyrian jumping through it and Trian appearing next to her.

The innkeeper looked at them and then at the other occupants and nodded. “Of… of course.. esteemed guests please follow…,” Ilea waved him off and walked towards the stairs.

“Piss off with that, just serve some food and send someone to get a bath going.” she said, waiting in the biggest room with a bath for merely half a minute before a young boy entered, scared but determined as he rushed to the bath and activated the runes, heating the appearing water with his magic.

Trian and Kyrian sat in the armchairs placed in the room and Ilea sat on the bed, the wood nearly giving under her own weight combined with her armor.

“Anything else mam?” the boy asked.

“No, thank you. Leave and close the door.” Ilea said and he promptly followed her orders.

She stored her armor and blinked into the bath, instantly enveloped by the hot water.

“We got them.” Kyrian quietly said to Trian. The man just looked at him without a word.

Ilea closed her eyes and leaned her head on the tub’s rim as she enjoyed the cleansing ritual. Looking through her notifications, Ilea focused on what she had gained tonight.

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 18’

No class level ups and none of her Ashen skills had reached 2nd lvl 20. Forgetting about that again, Ilea remembered the night, from the first fight with the Baralia soldier to her slaughter of seven of them. A lot of people would die tonight, in this city. She knew that but she felt numb to it. A statistic more than anything. Virilya might be taken or they might manage to defend themselves but in the end the number of deaths would just be recorded somewhere and forgotten.

“I didn’t sign up for fucking wars.” she said to herself.

“Then let’s leave.” Trian said. “I’m sick of this city. Sick of all this. I’m going back to the family I have left. Build something new in Ravenhall.” he said and got up.

“Then do that. I’ll stay and find out about Eve and the Golden Lily. I think working with Edwin might be a good idea as well. Kyrian what will you do?” she asked.

“I need to advance my skills. I think I could gain a lot by cursing some soldiers tonight. If you want to work with Edwin then you need someone to have your back, don’t you?” the man asked, his head cocked a little.

‘Damn idiot.’ she thought and couldn’t help but smile. “The next bunch of cunts is coming towards the inn. Maybe they’re your first targets?” she asked, brushing at her skin to get away the rest of the blood and grime, likely not the last to dirty it in the near future.

“Perhaps they might be.” the man said and got up, the holes in his armor closed by now, his moving metal having adjusted to the damages.

“Another inn, why aren’t we going for smithies Jack.” one of his stupidest followers asked. Perhaps he’d let him storm in and die to the hands of some peasant.

“They have good money and where do you think the imperials send their troops first?” another asked to point out the stupidity of the question.

“Shut it, just go and get the gold. Kill anyone inside.” Jack said. The elves in the west, the demons running rampart and now Baralia attacking. If he got out of this fucking city alive, he’d do so as rich as he possibly could. Move somewhere northeast to one of the port cities. Safer than this lot. To think the capital would get sacked. He shook his head at the thought when his men started to hack at the closed door.

A window to the right opened, an armored figure exiting and standing up, spheres of dull metal floated around him when a wrong feeling suddenly took Jack. He buckled down and retched up the last meal he’d eaten, the feeling getting worse by the second. Looking up, he removed the cork of the healing potion he had stolen earlier just to find that the feeling didn’t get any better.

Small thin needles shot past him on the ground, forming and intricate design around their group before a moment later magic flowed through it, pain shooting down his spine before he fell down, spasming on the ground. “Why aren’t we going for smithies Jack?” he heard in his mind over and over again as the pain worsened and he felt his body grow weaker and weaker.

The commotion in the common room came to a close when Kyrian entered again through the window, grabbing three plates of food and walking upstairs as Ilea watched on through her Sphere.

The door opened with a creak and the man closed it again behind him, a metal plate floating before him, the food placed on top of it. He handed one to Ilea and another to Trian before he sat down on his armchair again.

“Do you guys want to take a bath as well?” she asked.

“There are going to be more fights soon. I don’t see the point.” Kyrian said.

“Me neither.” Trian said and started eating. “Thanks.” he added a couple bites later, putting the plate back down on the small table next to him. “For your help avenging my family.” he said.

“We’re a team. Call for me whenever something comes up again.” Ilea said and left the tub, appreciating the lack of looks she got before putting on her leather armor, dumping her metal one in the water to scrub off at least some of the blood on it. Especially inside.

“Same for me.” Kyrian said, getting up and touching Trian’s shoulder. Ilea worried a little about him, perhaps the realization of loss fully hit him now that his immediate goal was fulfilled.

“You should leave for Ravenhall tomorrow. Being together with your sister will be good I think.” Ilea said and got a grunt in return.

“I will. Don’t get too caught up in the politics. I don’t want you two dead.” Trian said after a while. She smiled at that, at least he cared still.

“We won’t. At least I won’t. Ilea promise me you won’t single handedly fight a war.” Kyrian said as he went to the door.

“I won’t promise anything Kyrian. Going out alone?” she asked the man.

“I doubt anybody will care enough to catch and kill me. And you two have been holding me back long enough.” the man said, the tone suggesting a smile on his face before he left.

Ilea dried her armor and switched to it after she had finished cleaning. “You’re going as well?” Trian asked, tapping the armchair with his fingers.

“I will.” Ilea answered.

“You care, don’t you? It’s dangerous you know?” the man said.

Ilea turned around to face him. “The problem is that I don’t care Trian. But I can at least do something. Get out there and look for clues while keeping people from getting raped and murdered.”

“Just don’t get killed for some random kid.” the man said but Ilea didn’t want to continue the conversation.

“Can you stay and protect the inn at least?” Ilea asked and was glad to see him nod slightly in response.

Blinking upwards, Ilea found herself on the roof of the inn looking over a burning city. The sun would rise in around an hour but the fighting wouldn’t stop anytime soon. Virilya was simply too large to be taken quickly, not by any force Ilea had seen in this world or her previous one.

Gaining levels and information was the plan for now. She would meet with Edwin and Maria in a couple weeks but seeing this large scale attack, perhaps those plans changed as well. One thing was clear, she had to get stronger. Her classes, skills, stats and resistances had to be higher to face what was to come. She had to gain experience to face people in the business of killing for dozens if not more years. And she had to get evidence and information that might be getting destroyed in the fires of war in that very moment.

“A bunch of big tasks.” she said to herself and spread her wings. “Better get started.”

Chapter 188 War

A note from Rhaegar

Hello. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

Patch notes 1.01

Thoughts previously: ‘I am thinking’

Thoughts new: I am thinking in italics to add edge

System previously: ‘ding’ ‘Fancy italics’

System new: ‘ding’ ‘Bold and fancy italics’

This change will be implemented as of now. Let me know if you spot mistakes or if you think this is a stupid change. I’ll retroactively change it to existing chapters as soon as we have two suns as well.

Chapter 188 War

Some rare spells were still impacting the city from above but as far as Ilea could tell from a distance, most of the fighting had come to the streets instead. The inn they were staying at was quite a bit away from where they had attacked the Birmingale fort. It seemed like the attack was coming from the north. The brunt of it at least Ilea thought and looked to her right where she heard fighting coming from the streets.

She landed on a nearby house and observed the three warriors below, two of them in imperial armor armed with swords fighting a single spear wielding Baralia soldier. The latter held his own rather well and Ilea moved on, not about to take sides in a conflict she understood nothing about. Although there were things she would interrupt. Her hearing improved by her skills was rather impressive and amidst all the explosions, spells, fighting and screaming, she could hear out specifics.

Here we go. She thought and blinked into a partially burning house, the smoke not yet having reached the ground floor where several corpses littered the floor and a soldier was currently engaged with a rather unwilling woman. Ilea grabbed one of the swords of the dead and rammed it through the man’s chest, twisting the blade before she grabbed his collar and flung him towards a nearby wall.

The woman retreated to the far wall, her eyes focused on the armored intruder to her home. “Go hide in the cellar of the house opposite yours. There’s people in it already.” Ilea said before she blinked away again.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Swordmaster lvl 108 / Fire Blade lvl 82]’

One of many tonight. Ilea thought as she continued her flight, uninterrupted in the chaos of the invasion. Of war, seeing how large scale the operation looked like. This wasn’t any small city like Riverwatch, this was the capital of an empire. And someone came and invaded it. Ilea thought of Berlin in the second world war as an adequate comparison.

Her involvement would be minor in any case but if she could save some normal people just living their lives then perhaps it was worth it. She did make her way towards the center of the city where someone could tell her the whereabouts of her newfound friend Sadin. Now was the time to get specialized and secret information for helping out in the war efforts. And if she didn’t find him then perhaps someone else could be of use.

Interrupted in her flight, Ilea dodged a thrown spear coming from her right. The metal rushed past her while she identified the attacker, one soldier in a five man squad walking down a street. Imperial as far as she could tell. Ilea sped towards them and landed non threateningly a couple meters in front of them, her eyes focused on the thrower who looked positively terrified.

“We’re sorry s… sir, Rudy over there didn’t mean to a… attack you. We thought you were a Baralia soldier sir.” the apparent squad leader informed her with quick and stuttered words.

“Haven’t seen a black armored Baralia man yet.” she said and blinked before the man in question who promptly stumbled backwards and fell down.

“Making grown man piss themselves…,” she muttered to herself and shook her head. “What am I doing?” she asked and ascended again. Could’ve asked them about Major what was his name? Falken? She thought but there would be enough imperials around for her to ask. Big swaths of smoke were rising in the northern parts of the city and Ilea quickly remembered the guard she had met at the smithy.

Thousands had died and you don’t care. The man had said. Herself from a year ago would be terrified, Ilea knew that. Still she couldn’t change who she had become. At least now she could do something good to get information.

Activating her Embered Body Heat, she made herself cold enough that anybody with Heat Vision wouldn’t be able to spot her. The skill had been underused but she had simply not wanted to waste mana on its limited usability. In this scenario there was some use at least and perhaps its second stage would be worth it. Otherwise she’d have to replace it with another skill, if she ever got another one, her classes weren’t exactly overwhelming her with choice.

Again blinking downwards, Ilea stopped a man’s sword by grabbing his hand. “Are you the shopkeeper?” she asked the target of the interrupted attack while the soldier struggled to get free.

“Y… Yes, he came in and demanded money.” the man stuttered out.

“Go hide, the city’s under attack if you haven’t noticed yet.” she said before she broke the soldier’s arm, the sword dropping on the ground next to her. Her hand around his throat, she used her Embered Body Heat to increase the temperature in her body to the max. More than a light singe, there wasn’t any damage. Might be good for leveling the skill.

The soldier was barely level sixty, seeing the invasion as an opportunity to rob a store. “Great morals really.” Ilea said as she ascended again, keeping her hand around the man’s throat as she continued on her way towards the central district.

“You don’t do shit like that again. I’ll come for you if you do. Either fight off the invaders or hide.” she said to the man who could obviously not get a word out. Slowing down, she let him fall from a couple meters, making sure he only broke a couple more bones.

Another night for my future psychiatrist. She thought as a squad of flying imperials intercepted her, making her slow down and raise her hands.

“Shadow’s Hand? Why are you here?” one of them asked.

Ilea summoned her badge and flung it his way before she answered. “Looking to make a deal, maybe help out with the defense? Looking for Major Falken.”

“Falken.” The man said as he inspected the badge and threw it back towards her. “Well if you’re looking for that division then I won’t stand in your way. Could use a shadow in this mess. Head straight towards the military complex, ask for him there.” the man said and gestured to the others before they flew off. One of them nodded to Ilea. Lovely group.

Continuing on her way, Ilea glimpsed a flashing light coming from a rooftop of a high building. She wasn’t sure what it meant but saw the archers and mages standing near the building. Perhaps a warning or they’re asking me to approach? The building was on her way anyway so she made her way towards the man using the light spell, slowing down as she went on and with raised hands. No attacks came and she flew until reaching five meters before the group on the main building.

“Looking for Major Falken. Shadow’s Hand.” she said, showing her badge before throwing it. The woman quickly nodded after checking the badge and pointed to the big structures in the distance. Central military buildings to be sure, more impressive than anything she had seen back on earth. She had to remind herself that magic was more effective than machines. Except for computers but she had a feeling the Taleen had that covered. A shiver went through her remembering the Praetorians. That’s what happens when you put smartphone A.Is into murder machines.

She nodded to the woman before catching her badge and flew towards the central military construct of the capital. The palace was nearby and just as impressive. More guards were around and she was stopped another two times before one group actually escorted her to the last destination. Scouts, she later remembered according to their badges. Around level one fifty all of them. Ilea was surprised how easily she had gotten into the brain of the imperial military but considering how the people around here looked combined with their level, she’d have difficulties dealing a lot of damage or at least getting away with it.

She wouldn’t underestimate people just because they had fifty fewer levels than her. Ten years of additional experience, teamwork and defensive structures would do her in in no time. An itch somewhere in her mind asked her to try it out but there would come enough situations in her future without having to kill people with families just to test her strength.

“Here you go.” one of the men said before they all flew off again. Ilea looked at the building before her and two guards approached immediately, not scouts those but assassins the way they looked and moved. Graceful bunch. She thought approaching them herself.

“Looking for Falken and employment.” she said with a smile. The two looked at each other and nodded.

“You are very welcome here Shadow.” one of them said and bowed respectfully.

“Please follow me.” the other one said and went inside. The building opened up as soon as they had entered, dozens of people rushing around talking, preparing and some even meditating. Ilea wasn’t quite sure where she had landed when a thin man in his forties with an androgynous look approached her.

“Shadow, welcome to Virilya. I’m sure you have noticed the commotion. Are you already employed? To kill me perhaps?” he asked with a thin smile on his lips. His eyes had a spark that told her he hoped she answered with a yes. Ilea’s instincts were on alert even though he was at level 205, something she thought she could handle. Still her instincts were something she tried to trust more in her new world and levels weren’t everything, she had learned that early on.

“You must be Major Falken. I wish to be employed. A man named Sadin has suggested I come looking for him here but I doubt he is available at the moment.” Ilea explained quickly.

“Ah, a good thing he found you then. Are you looking for gold?”

“Information.” Ilea answered.

“Information. Well we do have plenty of that, may I ask what kind in beforehand?”

“No.” Ilea simply stated.

“And what kind of work may you provide?” the man asked in a disappointed tone.

“Killing pillagers, rapists, stopping torture and protecting citizens. Perhaps delaying enemy troops. No assassinations or simply killing Baralia troops I’m afraid.” Ilea said and watched his excited face change to an outright disgusted grimace.

“Ah you bore me. Such a powerful being and yet you chose an idealist moral code. Why?” he asked, surprising her a little.

“I don’t give a shit about your war but I do care about the terror it causes.” She said with a smile under her helmet. To be lectured on her ideals by a literal assassin master, comedy gold to be sure. Her upbringing in a country where killing each other wasn’t the norm made her have at least some set of morals. More and more they were changed here but while she was fine with two soldiers fighting and killing each other, she wouldn’t blink at murdering a soldier who tortured a child or killed a defenseless family.

Ilea was quite aware that she was just a vigilante without evidence, a judge or existing law. While she wouldn’t seek out war crimes and slave traders, if her goals aligned with it, she could see a certain joy in delivering some justice. Invigorating power…, she thought. Perhaps she shouldn’t overdo it, or she might turn out like that nutter from the tournament in Riverwatch. Or she might turn up dead because she fucked with the wrong people. Oh well, that’s gonna happen now anyway. Eve you dolt. She thought, sighing. Perhaps that was her plan all along.

“Well so be it. It is a service to the empire and you will be rewarded in return. Bring me the ears and badges of the soldiers you kill. Don’t think to cheat me.” the man said, already talking to the next person that approached him.

The last sentence should’ve been intimidating but Ilea just chuckled. If she wanted to steal from them she would be down in the floors below, blinking through to find the treasury or the archives. If the city fell that was exactly where she would be.

She walked to a nearby lower level accountant looking woman. “Hear that, can I have that on paper should he bite the dust?” she asked and watched her frown and take a fresh piece of paper, moving her hand in a ridiculously fast fashion over it before she stamped and signed it.

“There you go. If you have anything else please ask any of the others, I’m insanely busy. Sorry!” the woman said and continued her work.

How did you know what we were talking about if you were so busy. Ilea asked herself and looked through the paper before blinking on top of the house, making the paper vanish right after. North would be the best bet to start but she had already killed on guy and that was barely ten minutes from the eastern inn they had stayed at.

Her wings spread and she accelerated to her top speed with all buffs activated, rushing past buildings, fires and soldiers alike until she reached the area where the fighting was the most intense. Or one of them at least. She couldn’t exactly grasp where the defensive line was in this mess. The corpses piled high where she was and that seemed good enough for her.

Spells and arrows shot her way from somewhere along the northern territory but she simply dodged behind the stone wall next to her, parts of it immediately destroyed by the attacks.She definitely was in the right area. It had been over an hour since the attack started but a lot of people still hadn’t evacuated it seemed. Thinking it to be similar to the attack a week ago, perhaps that was the plan? To test the defenses and give a sense of insecurity to allow a large scale invasion without the mobilized forces answering where the biggest part of the attack came from.

While the spells in the air had thinned, trebuchets or whatever they were using were still destroying parts of the city with their payload coming from beyond the city walls. Either they didn’t have a defensive shield system like Dawntree or they simply didn’t use it. Ilea’s suspicion was that the city was simply too large. The palace and central military structures were sure to be defended in a similar or even more sophisticated manner as Dawntree. The layout of the city inside the mountain lent a geographical advantage unlike anything she had seen so far.

“Please don’t take them!” a scream heard through the noise of all the chaos around her alerted Ilea of her first possible intervention. Rushing through houses and over roofs, she landed softly on the ground near a house inside which a group of soldiers was taking two young teens from their mother.

“They’ll fetch a good price. Maybe we can use them once or twice beforehand.” one of the soldiers said as the mother screamed next to him.

“Oh shut it bitch.” he said and punched her hard enough to knock her out.

“Krom are you sure about this? We’re supposed to wait until after the city is taken.” another soldier said but was immediately pushed by a third.

“Fuck off Brandon. For that you’re not getting a cut. And no go at the girl.” another said. Ilea watched on through her sphere as Brandon apologetically looked towards the two young soon to be slaves.

Ilea looked to her left and caught an arrow fired at her, forming a rotating spike of ash that was shot back at the archer on the nearby roof. The projectile injured the man but he wasn’t killed, rolling off the other side of the building and to safety. Poor target choice mate. She thought and smiled at the comically evil soldiers inside the house. Considering their upbringing and the apparent normality of slavery, one might not be able to fault them completely for their missteps but they were about to take away the children of a mother to sell them into slavery.

Definitely an easier choice than fighting the Birmingale daughter. Ilea thought before blinking into the midst of the group, spreading ash around her and guiding parts of it towards their mouths and noses. Swords flashed and spells flared up as some of them started coughing and Ilea started to move, equipping her bladed gauntlets and smashing them through two of their necks, the standard Baralia armor leaving a lot to be desired.

Another four slashes in the mist and the ash settled, leaving behind a burnt staircase, two swords stuck in walls and six corpses. Taking a dagger from one of the dead soldiers, she started cutting off one ear each.

“Who are…,” the girl said while the boy checked on their mother.

“I’ll heal her after. You should head east and try to get out of the city or into the center.” Ilea said as she continued cutting off ears.

“And you, Brandon?” Ilea asked as she moved to the third soldier.

“Y… yes…,” the man stuttered out.

“Tell your people that a hunter in black will come for them if they rape or kill the people of this city. Slavery is a nono as well. Get it?” She asked.

“But… we’re at war?” The man asked, more confused than scared at this point. He knew that had she wanted to kill him, he would already be dead.

“Yes you are.” Ilea said and looked at the bloody ears, checking on the mother and healing the wound on her head. “So go and fight the soldiers, take over the city and steal money and power. But leave these people alone.” she finished as the mother was waking up.

“Leave now.” she said to the three civilians as they scrambled up.

“Thank you!” the boy said as they left.

Brandon got up next to her and scratched his head. “Were a bunch of assholes anyway.” he said, kicked the guy who had shoved him and walked out, otherwise seeming unfazed by the experience.

Ilea stored her ears and moved onwards, continuously using her Embered Body Heat. Plenty of prey to hunt.

Chapter 189 First Huntress

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, I hope you're having a good weekend

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Chapter 189 First Huntress

Another one…, Ilea thought as she blinked into an apartment, her hand slamming into the windpipe of a laughing soldier. Her next hit was a knee to his groin with forward movement, sending herself and the man tumbling into the second soldier in the room whose magic activated in a shower of ice that glanced against her ashen veil, not quite managing to break through as Ilea’s fist repeatedly smashed into the first soldier’s head before it finally cracked.

“Who are you, why are you fi…,” the mage couldn’t finish his sentence before Ilea reached him, her fist breaking his jaw with the first hit before her fist hit his chest, again and again her destructive mana surged into the man until she received a notification in her mind, the soldier falling down a moment later.

“I’m a bit late. You should flee.” she told the only survivor of the family who had been slaughtered, a small boy of around twelve years old with nasty wounds on his legs. She grabbed him and healed the injuries. The kid started crying a moment later and Ilea crouched down next to him. “Come on, up and grab on.” she said. “If you want to survive this is it.”

The kid brushed away the tears with anger and fear in his eyes before he carefully moved onto her back. Ilea cut off ears number twenty seven and twenty eight before she grabbed the corpses and walked out of the house, her wings spreading before she ascended. She quickly found what she had been looking for, a group of Baralia soldiers resting after a battle in a square. Imperial and Baralia soldiers laid dying or dead on the ground.

Ilea walked up to the group who got alerted immediately and sprung up, apprehensive of the new arrival. “Shadow… what do you seek?” The one with the most fancy armor asked as his fists started glowing a shade of blue.

“These two have killed an innocent family. For no reason I assume.” she said and effortlessly threw the corpses towards the group. “Don’t do that. And don’t rape people. I’ll come for you if you do. Just fight your war and be done with it.” she said and turned around before she flew off again. Perhaps the fear of someone specifically looking for rapists and killers would change some people’s minds. Even with slavery being a thing, what Ilea had seen of the Baralia soldiers so far didn’t imply complete savagery. They were people like the people of the empire or the independent cities in the west.

She sped up while shielding the boy on her back from most of the wind before she landed much closer to the center, near a defensive line of imperials. Again she was met with apprehension but not outright hostility. Her status as a Shadow’s Hand mercenary certainly helped, as most wouldn’t want to engage her at all and listened first instead of shooting first.

“Boy, you go towards the center ok?” she asked, putting the kid down. “His family was killed, show him where to go to reach the center.” Ilea said to the soldiers, one of them nodding quickly and going for the boy.

“Thank you.” the man said with honest respect in his eyes.

“There’s a lot more coming, if your officer doesn’t demand otherwise I suggest you go too. The defensive line in the center will be where they’re stopped.” Ilea said while flying off. If they’re stopped at all.

Again she rushed towards the attackers, seeing a line of citizens running towards the center of the city as bells rang through it all. It seemed finally clear that the attack wasn’t coming from within but from without. People leaving behind all they own to get to safety. Ilea checked her notifications and found none of the soldiers she had killed to be above level one twenty. Compared to the force the Shadow’s Hand had sent to retake Ravenhall, this was quantity over quality. Still, she kept on the lookout for stronger soldiers, they had to be there after all.

Perhaps the enemy sent in their paid foot soldiers or even slaves to attack first, keeping the specialized powerhouses behind. Or more likely the higher leveled people were the ones in charge anyway. Having commanders rush into battle was definitely heroic and inspiring but risky for both the attacking army and the people themselves.

Well let’s hope there’s not a level two hundred assassin squad looking for me. She thought as she landed with a hard kick to a man’s chest, sending him flying and stumbling. He wasn’t dead yet and a healer rushed towards him to cure the wounds. Ilea turned around immediately and blinked towards a mage attacking fleeing civilians. His neck was broken with a swift movement and she blinked again, grabbing an archer’s foot standing on a roof and firing down before she turned and flung her downwards with full force, the woman’s head splitting open on the cobbled street.

Using a looted dagger, she cut off two of their ears and grabbed their bodies again. The healer was nearly done taking care of the injured soldier when Ilea suddenly stood next to her, dumping the two bodies. “You’re attacking citizens. Please tell them to focus on soldiers, these people just want to live.” Ilea said, moved closer and pushed away the healer before she stabbed her dagger down into the man’s throat.

Flying up again, she watched the healer run to the dead soldier, trying to change the man’s fate. Perhaps they were lovers and Ilea had just created a tragedy in the healer’s life. Focus. Ilea told herself. Hovering above a group of running soldiers, she watched them apprehensively as they ignored the fleeing people and instead secured their position. She nodded and continued on her way.

A sudden beam of lightning appeared in her Sphere’s vision, making her blink upwards as the energy flashed by in an arc, coming down with a crash on a roof a hundred meters further in. Ilea looked towards the origin of the spell and found a soldier flying a couple hundred meters away, drawing a massive bow before another lightning arch flew her way. The projectiles were fast but at that distance it was easy to dodge them with her sphere and blink abilities, the speed comparable to a Taleen Guardian’s guns.

She ignored the attacker and continued westward, no further attacks coming from the archer. Perhaps an officer or a mercenary. Or simply a weak and flashy spell. She wasn’t sure but she didn’t care much either, landing behind a mass of fleeing people pursued by a couple Baralia soldiers.

“Let them go or you die!” Ilea shouted as the soldiers skidded to a halt, looking at each other after a moment.

“The hunter…,” one of them said as he held his spear towards her.

“Yes, the hunting huntress.” Ilea said. “So what will it be?”

A spear like object suddenly appeared ten meters in front of her, too fast to dodge as she blinked to the side, the speed and power of the projectile pulling her a little towards the impact where the metal spear dug into the ground until it vanished completely from her sight, leaving behind a trail in the cobbled road before it came to a stop somewhere below the ground.

Magic suddenly surged from where the spear lay, an explosion nearly taking out her hearing resounded before a flash of light and fire covered her sight, stone and earth alike flung off her armor as she stood her ground, lifting her left arm against the wave. One of the soldiers had stood too close, his body falling down, charred from the fire.

Looking up, Ilea could see three floating dots in the distant sky, one of them likely responsible for the attack just now. Either they had started looking for her or it was a random move. Seeing three dots and the power of the attack meant that likely each of them was around or higher than level two hundred. Or they simply invested all their stat points in a way to allow such a powerful attack. Mages tended to be killed rather easily, Ilea found.

“Fuck off.” She said to the two remaining soldiers. They ran away immediately as Ilea looked up again. The dots were moving but no further attack came her way, perhaps because the first one hadn’t taken her out. A specialized assassin squad then, find and eliminate targets from that kind of distance… The thought made sense. So at least they weren’t specifically targeting her, just opponents worth taking out. If her theory was correct at least. She hoped Kyrian wouldn’t get hit suddenly. Then again he probably felt the metal coming long before she even noticed.

She quickly took off again, seeing that the civilians weren’t in sight anymore. The massive main road leading from the northern gate towards the center of the city had been turned into a battlefield, mages fighting for life and death where they had previously performed their spectacles. Ilea landed on the outskirts of it but found that the civilians had mostly avoided this place, or they were all dead already. Heavy artillery was being moved further inwards, flinging fiery stones towards the houses from time to time as groups of people pulled the heavy machinery.

Ilea couldn’t help but admire the weaponry. Some of them looked like medieval rail guns, runes engraved on the insides as mages charged up the machine and a metal sphere shot out, crashing through four houses before it finally came to a halt. Others were catapults or trebuchets but clad in metal armor and equipped with runes to increase what Ilea assumed to be their power. Bricks and pieces of destroyed buildings were moved by earth and stone mages or by warriors strong enough to lift them before they were flung towards the houses again.

Her sphere suddenly spotted another metal spear rushing towards her back as she blinked away again, the weapon digging deep into the big street before her, coming to a stop around twenty meters further in before the explosion ripped friend and foe alike apart in a fiery chaos. A small crater was left behind as she looked back to find the dots again. Hopefully they would leave her alone now, seeing how she dodged both a frontal and a sneak attack. Either that or they would come closer. In that case she could maybe harass them a little or flee immediately.

Here on one of the main streets, the empire responded in kind, big groups of troops clashing with the enemy as spells ripped apart bodies, machines and stone alike. A terrifying picture, yet awe inspiring nonetheless. I’ve wasted enough time.

Ilea jumped down and crossed the several hundred meter long battlefield to the other side, through smoke and fighting warriors, deflecting or dodging spells and arrows as she pushed through. Her sphere picked up someone following her, making her jump up a building and turn around. An armored man with a halberd greeted her with a slash that she dodged backwards.

“Shadow, what side are you on?!” He demanded as he landed on the house she had just stood on.

[Warrior – lvl 221]

“My task is to protect civilians.” she answered with a smile on her face, his attitude changing immediately as he lowered his weapon a little.

“What…,” he looked around but found nobody close by. “You’re not paid by the empire? A generous noble then. A shame, it would’ve been a joy to face you.” the man said and Ilea agreed.

“Perhaps another time.” Ilea said as she turned around and ran off, hearing him shout after her.

“Veran Dagoth, come look for me Shadow!” he shouted and laughed, the sound growing more and more distant as Ilea veered right, towards the faraway wall of the city. Other than on the main road, Ilea saw few imperial soldiers the further she got away from the center. Either their numbers were much lower or they focused themselves on a defensible center with the strongest military forced grouped up there. Another reason for Ilea to be out here taking care of the undisciplined enemies moving away from their task.

She hoped that once the city was taken there wasn’t a massive murderfest but she couldn’t be sure about that. More people to kill then. The thought made her feel more like at the beginning of a long shift at the fastfood place compared to anything else. Once the fighting had settled it would become far more difficult for her to move freely. Her curiosity taking over, Ilea landed near a group of somewhat lower leveled Baralia soldiers carefully moving through the streets, looking for ambushes and enemy soldiers.

“Shadow!” one of them exclaimed and clutched his blade, unleashing magic to lend his attack speed and power. Yet Ilea sidestepped casually and felt the wind rush past, her hand gently holding down the man’s arm and with her other she grabbed his neck.

“Don’t move or this guy is dead.” she said. “Just a bunch of questions.” she added. The group seemed unsure but seeing their enemy it looked like they at least considered.

“My task is to protect civilians. I’m not here to kill you.” Ilea gambled and let go of the man who quickly jumped backwards, his sword held in a defensive stance.

“We are not here for the civilians.” one of them said.

“That’s good. I just want to know what your orders say in regards to my task.” Ilea said, hoping that the Hand’s reputation would prevail once again. She was a mercenary and not a soldier after all. Combined with the fear of facing her in battle it seemed her gamble paid off.

“We are to advance through the city, secure sector after sector as we take out enemy forces. There are not orders in regards to civilians. No restrictions either I’m afraid. Getting distracted by looting or killing is disobeying orders.” the man explained and Ilea nodded. She couldn’t be sure he was telling the truth but the man seemed like a real soldier to her, not one to scheme or lie in the face of danger.

“What about after the city is taken?” Ilea asked and watched him getting a little more nervous.

“There are no orders. In the face of war I’m sure you know what will happen.” he said, making her sigh.

“Well humanity really is the same everywhere isn’t it?” Ilea said more to herself, looking up towards the sky. She really did long for nature again, to get away from this mess. But she wouldn’t forget about Eve and this was a good way to get information, now while the city was in chaos and her power was desperately needed, even for a task such as protecting civilians. If she showed the ears of all the soldiers she had killed, she was sure it was worth something.

“Monsters without fur.” one of the soldiers said, making two of the others look at him with anger.

“We really are, aren’t we?” Ilea asked, looking at the man who gulped, regretting that he opened his mouth. “Well let everyone you see know that I will kill anybody murdering, raping or torturing civilians.” Ilea said before she blinked away, her vanishing form likely leaving a more threatening impression behind. She specifically didn’t mention slavery as these people likely didn’t see it as anything bad or wrong, just a part of life. Still people could rape and kill their slaves or give them work and a home. Not that she supported it but in a society with established rules, she didn’t have illusions about changing a fundamental thought like that.

The fighting went on for hours and hours, the sun moving along the horizon as more and more smoke covered the city in its looming doom. Forces on both sides suffered casualties and Ilea couldn’t tell if either side gained the upper hand in specific battles but what she could tell was that Baralia was moving in further and further, the resistance moving towards the center more and more.

She had killed over a hundred people already, just a drop in the numbers of participating soldiers. Some of them were even empire soldiers, showing that neither side had a perfect control over their troops. At least several hundred soldiers knew about her and her task by now and hopefully it had a small impact at least.

The evening would soon come and she wanted to check with the major to see if she could already get something. Her efforts would be in vain should there be a takeover in the central powers of Virilya. Ilea ate while flying, covering the distance from near the wall to the center in the span of about forty five minutes. The Baralia siege engines hadn’t reached so far yet, the fighting still raging in many parts of the city further out as Ilea reached the palace and military structures looming over the surrounding buildings.

As expected, there was a massive shield slightly visible in the air over the area. Certain areas on the ground were left open, troops moving through with already established checkpoints. Wounded and reinforcements moved in and out as Ilea landed, a group of alerts soldiers approaching immediately.

“In the employ of Major Falken.” Ilea stated, showing the previously summoned contract and her badge of the Hand.

“May I see that miss?” An officer asked as he approached carefully, looking her over. She handed over the document and badge, waiting for only a couple seconds before he handed it back.

“You may move through. She’s with Major Falken!” he shouted as he resumed his position and waved her through. Ilea saw some begging civilians asking to be let in but denied by their own soldiers. She could see the issue with feeding and protecting everybody inside and to her own surprise didn’t care further. These people had to flee, one way or the other. There was not even enough room alone to shelter all of the city’s population in its central district, let alone food and water.

Spreading her wings as soon as she was through, Ilea made her way to Falken’s command and entered, this time let through upon showing her contract.

Chapter 190 The Walls of Virilya

A note from Rhaegar

Enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments

">!

Chapter 190 The Walls of Virilya

“The Shadow returns. Now how many people have you saved?” Falken asked in a mocking tone as he looked at her sideways. His attitude reminded her of her time in Kindergarden. She was long past caring about provocations of that manner. Who hurt you spoiled noble boy? She asked herself but assumed his every word part of a deliberate game, a master assassin poking at her for a reaction to find her weak spots and possible ways to manipulate her. Ilea didn’t know which interpretation was the right one but she knew that she preferred facing monsters of non human nature compared to an environment like this.

“I’ve killed one hundred and forty two soldiers having murdered or raped civilians. Should I pile the ears on your desk?” she asked in a naive tone.

“An impressive number. How many of those were imperial?” the man asked in turn, a sly smile on his face that Ilea mimicked under her helmet.

“None of course master Falken.” she said.

The man stared at her before he laughed. “Perhaps I don’t dislike you as much as I thought. You’re a Shadow after all. You’ve got a storage item I assume? Pile them in there.” he said and motioned to a metal bin next to the massive desk showing a map of the city.

“I don’t, I hid them outside. Let me get them.” Ilea said in a completely serious tone.

The man just grunted and continued his word while she took the bin and walked outside again, dumping the ears when she thought to be far enough away from the guards.

“What a gory fucking mess.” Ilea murmured to herself and looked at the bin. The ears looked freshly cut off, basically telling anybody with an ounce of knowledge on the subject that she had a storage item. Ah who cares. They should come and get it if they want. She thought and walked back, thinking that most influential people probably had one anyway. There were easier ways for someone capable of stealing from her or killing her to get to money or such an item.

Looking at the ears made her look through her notifications quickly. The fact that hardly any of the soldiers even noticed her, let alone put up a reasonable defense meant her level gains were rather unimpressive. Still, they were all human and fitted with two classes. At least better than hunting level one hundred birds.

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 1’

And the last one at second stage. Took me long enough. She thought, checking out the added description.

Active: Embered Body Heat - 2nd lvl 1

Regulate the heat in your body to protect yourself against harsh climates or even blend in with your environment.

2nd stage: The Embers run deep. Your blood boils and the ash around you singes, should you will it.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

So I can heat the ash and my blood is hot? She thought but decided to simply test it later. Intervening in this war was certainly not gonna help her advance much in personal power. That much was sure and Ilea wasn’t going to try and seek out the higher leveled enemies on her own. They were people, cunning bastards likely with good ways to flee and recover as well and most of them teamed up too. The thought of even facing herself in combat was pretty terrifying. Exciting, yes but incredibly dangerous too. And as much as she liked to believe herself to be a special snowflake, there must be people or creatures out there similar enough in their classes and skills.

Well let’s see if this was worth it. Ilea had of course saved more than a bunch of people but neither did she care much about their lives, nor did she believe she did much more than postpone their ends for a couple hours, maybe a day or two. At least some were spared immediate pain and tragedy.

“That’s one ugly bin.” One of the guards said when she entered again, winking at the man before she ascended the stairs to reach Falken.

“Here you go.” She said and waited. The man just put his hand into the basket and Ilea watched as the ears quickly vanished.

“A hundred and forty two. At least not a liar then. Well what do you want for your services?” The man asked, seeming a bit annoyed at the interruption to his work.

“I’d like to discuss that somewhere a little more, private.” Ilea answered.

“Oh I’m not going to service you Shadow. I’m asking if you are looking for information on a country, an organization, a person, a beast, an item or something of the like. I don’t have a library of knowledge in my head but there IS a library where I can send you.” The man told her.

“A person.” Ilea said and Falken quickly snapped his fingers, an armored rogue appearing next to him immediately.

“Take this Shadow to the Library of Souls.” Major Falken said and the man nodded. “Your contract.” he demanded of Ilea before he wrote the number eight on it and pushed some mana into the paper, at least that was what Ilea thought happened. Perhaps he had activated a spell of some sort as well.

“Follow me Shadow.” The rogue said before he vanished and reappeared on the roof, Ilea appearing next to him nearly instantly.

“Good.” He said and sped off, Ilea following behind. The man was far below her level but his graceful movement and speed were similar to hers, perhaps even higher if her really tried. Then again, she doubted he could take a bunch of her punches without flinching. The two of them ran through the central district, Ilea getting her first view at the architecture around here. While a lot of the places she had seen in the capital were filled with houses meant to be inhabited, the central district was a collection of more and more impressive government buildings reaching higher and higher, their intricate detail and near reckless architecture probably wouldn’t be possible on earth. Not with magic and runes, stabilizing everything. The streets and stairways were broader here, a massive wall surrounding the district itself, not rivaling the outer wall in size but definitely as impressive, its stone nearly humming with the powerful enchantments laying within.

Ilea checked out the different structures and when she focused found every single one of them having military machinery, patrolling mages and archers in near unreachable positions with great vantage points. She understood why the empire wasn’t too eager on defending the whole city against an attack and instead would focus on this central district. Still a large area, rivaling at least the size of Dawntree itself. She even glanced another wall further in the center, surrounding likely the core military buildings and the palace.

So Falken isn’t quite as important as I thought…, she thought but maybe that was part of his game as well. Or he feared a massive strike at the central most buildings, avoiding the same fate all the other occupants would be exposed to. The rogue stopped in front of a massive building, somewhat high level guards standing in front of it.

“The Library of Souls.” He stated and vanished again. Ilea saw him appearing in a blind spot through her Sphere. The man apparently liked to be mysterious. She had no issue with that, after all, vanishing is a pretty cool skill to have.

“Shadow? May I see your badge if my assumption is correct?” One of the guards asked. Ilea handed him her badge before he opened the massive gates and let her in. Ilea’s Sphere couldn’t reach past a certain point in the building, neither downwards nor upwards. Entering, she found herself inside a hall, two guards sitting in a corner talking about the progression of the Baralia attack, ignoring Ilea other than a quick glance.

At the end of the somewhat small hall was a massive steel wall, only one small window like opening at the end of it. The air seemed distorted and Ilea couldn’t see through it with her Sphere either. Her eyes told her that there was in fact a person sitting on the other end of the window. A woman looking to be in her forties with a kind face, brown hair to her shoulders and wearing white horn glasses.

“Greetings.” Ilea said, waking the woman from her concentrated stare at what Ilea could only assume was a book. This was a library after all.

“Oh hello dear. Wait are you with the Hand?” The woman asked.

“I am. Looking for a person, I have this.” Ilea said and showed the woman the contract from Falken.

“Working for Falken heh? Well that fits. Hand me that will you?” The woman said.

“Eight, that doesn’t exactly give you a lot. Been in the capital for long? Any news from Ravenhall? The retaking was a success but numbers on casualties and specifics of the fighting haven’t reached us sadly and none of the scouts were there before the battle.” The woman said, Ilea’s brow rising.

“There should’ve been at least one scout, maybe I remember it wrong. I was there. Is that information going to get me anything in return?” Ilea asked making the woman smile.

“Of course it is. More than what that freaky old fuck gave you for what I assume was a damn shitload of work.” The woman said with the same smile on her face.

“Good, let me get a chair then.” Ilea said and walked to the guards where two free chairs remained.

“Is she just allowed to take a chair?” One of them asked the other quietly, Ilea walking back to the woman.

“Look at her, if she wants a chair, she can have a chair.” The second guard helpfully supplied and Ilea couldn’t agree more. If she wanted a chair she’ll bloody well take it.

“Now tell me child, what happened in Ravenhall.” The woman said and Ilea could tell there was something more than just a thirst for knowledge there. Something personal. A good thing she was there.

“You won’t tell me but I can only think of a couple people who could’ve done that. Specifically Adam Strand. Ever since…,” The woman said but stopped, looking up at Ilea.

“You know a damn lot about the Shadow’s Hand. What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“Elise. My name is Elise. Now you must be that Lilith girl, black full plate armor and you’re not a mage. I doubt that’s your real name. Care to share it with me?” The woman asked. Ilea thought about it, looking back at the guards. She couldn’t identify the woman behind the magic field, another enchantment. One that she’d have to look into at some point.

“I’m Ilea. Team thirty four.” She said and took off her helmet.

“Ilea, you have beautiful hair. You should really let that out more, the armor is intimidating. It suits you but…,” She didn’t continue on that but paused instead. “Thank you, for telling me about Ravenhall I do appreciate it. Why were you in the city then?” Elise asked, leaning back in her chair as she locked eyes with Ilea.

“You’re asking a lot without anything in return.” Ilea said, smirking at the woman who looked away for a second. Something about her made Ilea feel at ease. Illusion perhaps? She asked herself but didn’t feel any intrusion. Her Veil came up to enhance her Resistance but nothing changed.

“You don’t have to be on alert. It’s just. There’s…,” She started. “I needed to know about the Hand. But now we have Baralia to take care of. I owe you Ilea, big time. And while what you have told me has great personal value, it also adds to our archives. Forgive me for being rude, it’s been a long day. What would you like to know?” Elise asked.

Someone in the Hand she cares about? A child perhaps? Ilea thought but focused. “I came to find a friend. Her name was Eve Aillan, or at least that’s the name she told us.” Ilea started.

“Was? So you seek to find out who is responsible for her death.” Elise stated.

“Later, perhaps. If whoever did it killed Eve then they’re capable of killing me as well. No, I would like to know who Eve was. Learn why she was here and why she was killed. Afterwards I will seek out the person or people who did it.” Ilea said.

“You are not completely lost then. A friend to you but not an honest one? I will do my best to find who you are looking for. Who your friend was. Tell me all you know.” Elise said and smiled at Ilea. The look on her face nearly made her tear up. Nearly.

“Why do you care?” Ilea asked. Or was it just a lie, an actress hiding behind her enchantments?

“You are not the only one who has lost people. I like you. I like what you did today. While it is likely fruitless you have shown an effort to protect those who can’t protect themselves.” Elise said.

“They will die most likely or be enslaved.” Ilea said as a matter of fact.

“Yes. Everyone has a choice, everyone has a life to live and everybody has the chance to seek power. To destroy and conquer, to build and protect. Your choices both in Ravenhall and here today have shown me who you are. Or at least a part of you. Perhaps you could even…,” She broke it off and shook her head.

“I will look for this Eve, master of Illusions. Come back tomorrow and I will have something for you.” Elise said and Ilea nodded. “Oh, before you go.” she added. “Just out of curiosity… the individual Trian Alymie… he is part of your team is he not?” She asked and Ilea winked at her, a smile spreading on Elise’s lips. “A choice was made and consequences followed.” The librarian said to herself as Ilea put her helmet back on, the first impacts of artillery resounding outside.

“Could’ve at least brought the chair back…,” The guard grumbled as he got up.

“Sorry.” Ilea said and looked at him, the man freezing up immediately.

“I didn’t mean no offense miss Shadow.” He said respectfully.

“None taken.” She said and walked out. Something told her she was lucky to have met Elise today. Looking up at the transparent yellow shield, she smiled to herself. I’ll get your real name Eve. Hope you’re watching. She thought, in a good mood suddenly. Ilea didn’t believe in god but in this magical as fuck world, who knew?

Where to now…, she thought, looking at the impacts of magic and stone on the shield. It would take a while for Baralia to take over the rest of the city. With their quick advance, Ilea didn’t really question their takeover anymore. The center will be the issue, she thought as she identified an officer running by.

[Warrior – lvl 183]

Better. She would visit Trian for now and see if he still intended to leave. He didn’t look to be his best self earlier but perhaps some brooding helped. She doubted it.

The checkpoints were still open, although fewer of them. More civilians and even soldiers were asking to be let in, soon they would have a hard time stopping the masses but the fact that people could also flee the city didn’t escape their minds. A better option than to turtle behind the central shield, perhaps a deathtrap after all. Ilea spread her wings and flew off, to the southeast where their inn was located. The streets were filled with people trying to get southwards, pure chaos it looked like. The sheer mass off residents in the capital astounded her and having such a number of people panic and flee was something she had never seen before. Terrifying really. A good thing she could fly.

Curiosity got the better of her as she ascended further and further to see over the southern part of the wall, overlooking the plains beyond. Streams of people were moving southwards, nothing standing in their way. Either Baralia didn’t plan for that or they wanted those people gone anyway. The logistics of feeding and organizing such a mass would likely daunt even them. And without a simple way to arm those people and turn them against the enemy in a manner of days, they had little to fear and no reason to slaughter them.

No militaristic reason at least but what Ilea had seen of them so far this war seemed primarily territorial, not about race or a long growing hatred. Perhaps this wouldn’t end in a travesty similar to Ravenhall’s population. The refugees would further destabilize the remaining empire. They could go to Ravenhall. Ilea thought and flew downwards, hovering over the fleeing masses.

“If you manage, Ravenhall has a city to fill with people. Craftsmen and women, guards and adventurers. Go south and survive.” She said loudly, most people stopping for a second to listen to the flying Shadow. She saw fear and hostility but also hope and determination. Perhaps some of them would make it into the mountains. Claire sure as hell had a lot of work on her table already. The thought made her smile as she turned and sped up, going for the inn. News of Ravenhall would spread, many citizens likely had the goal in mind anyway.

The independent western cities had been scratched from the map by the elves, at least most of them. Baralia to the north was the enemy and the empire was flooded with refugees. There were more kingdoms to the west of course but had Ilea been one of the fleeing people, she would’ve sought the mountain city as her goal.

Chapter 191 Black Death

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend

!

Chapter 191 Black Death

“So you’re definitely leaving.” Ilea said, sitting comfortably on the bed while eating one of Keyla’s meals. Maybe she should ask about her as well, the woman was supposed to be in the capital after all. And now she was all but safe. If anything she owed it to her for the great food she sold her.

“I am. And soon. The inn is empty, its owners gave up on it when news of the invasion’s scale spread.” Trian said.

“Then we meet again in Ravenhall.” Ilea said and put her hand on his shoulder. “Take your time to grief them. My people were quite a bit ahead in psychology… so take me seriously here and talk to someone.” Ilea said and looked him in the eye.

Trian nodded and got up. “Thank you again Ilea. I would’ve failed without you two.” Trian said and hugged her. A surprising gesture to be sure but she hugged him back after a second.

“Take care. And greet Aurelia and Claire for me. I’ll visit as soon as I can.” Ilea said, releasing the hug.

“I will. You’re going to look for Eve’s killers?” He asked, sounding a little guilty.

“No. Not yet. If the time comes and you’re willing to help, perhaps I’ll come and ask.” She answered and smiled at him.

“I won’t promise anything but I definitely owe you, more than a life.” He said, putting on his cloak and helmet. “Kyrian is waiting for you in the clock tower down the road. Had something he wanted to show you.” Trian said before he vanished.

Ilea appeared on the roof of the inn and looked after him, red lightning spreading around the man before he sped off. Still too slow. She thought, smiling. Turning around she saw the half destroyed clock tower and jumped down on the road. It was deserted, the people in this area having fled hours ago already. Pieces of clothing, goods and tracks remained, the smell of fire and ash lying thick in the air.

She reached the tower and blinked upwards, once, twice, appearing in the top. A good view, overlooking the eastern part of the city, the wall to the north too distant to see.

“Welcome back, Huntress. I heard they called you black death.” Kyrian said as he looked northwards, Ilea stepping next to him.

“An undeserved name.” She said and chuckled.

“Why? I think it fits.” The man said.

“There’s a history to that name where I come from. One a little more terrifying than little old Ilea.” She said and leaned on the railing. “The city’s going down.”

“It is. The center will stand strong. I hear it’s not the first time an invading force has come this far. Too large an area to effectively defend. The people will return once the war is over, no matter who wins or loses.” Kyrian said.

“Even if it means slavery?” Ilea asked and he looked at her.

“Better than dying of starvation. Or being in the wild. Many will die to beasts and monsters in the coming weeks.” He said.

“You wanted to show me something?” Ilea asked and saw him smile. She could only see his eyes but knew him well enough.

“I’ve had a breakthrough. Yours and Trian’s abilities have always fascinated me. You’re a healer or at least you once were one. And Trian could take other people’s life for himself. Well focusing on that I’ve developed a new curse. One quite effective at taking life.” He said and flung a needle her way, the piece of metal stabbing her between two pieces of armor before she felt a drain of her health.

“It’s not very effective on someone like you of course, having trained with Trian and myself. Curse and Health Drain is part of your defensive arsenal but trust me this has changed how I can fight. How long I can fight. No longer do I have to worry about any small injuries.” He said and smiled.

“Congratulations.” Ilea said and ripped out the needle, flinging it back. “Why didn’t you do it earlier? Seems like an obvious choice to get a skill for self healing.” She asked.

“Not any random class can do it. And my teacher in curses never mentioned the possibility. Trian’s magic always felt peculiar to me but seeing that wood mage fight made something click. He had ways to heal himself as well. Life magic, something quite opposite to my curses but it helped tremendously to see it in action.” He explained quite happily.

Ilea didn’t reply but looked over the city again. She was glad the man had found another thing to protect him from death. Her own abilities had grown as well and soon she would likely have the possibility to advance one of her Ashen skills to the third tier.

“What are you going to do now? Trian left a moment ago. For Ravenhall.” Ilea said.

“I’m not sure. The team…,” he started and paused. “Well you’ve been the first group I worked with. And I’ve learned a lot from you all, you specifically Ilea.” He said, turning his head away a little.

“I think I’ll try to work with you for now. If you’ll have me.” He said which put a smile on her face. Working alone felt right to Ilea but having capable backup made a huge difference. As much as she hated to admit it. Plus the man wasn’t half bad.

“Of course I’ll have you Kyrian.” Ilea said and looked at him. “It would be my pleasure in fact. For now I’ll observe the developments here. Tomorrow I’ll meet the librarian again who I asked to look for records on Eve. We’ll see what comes of it.” She said, tapping her helmet with a finger.

“What about Edwin and Maria? You wanted to help them find his father didn’t you?” Kyrian asked.

“Yes. We might just do that. I doubt he has the strength to pull it off, if his father really is as powerful as he said. I don’t get why he doesn’t go and train first.” She said.

“I think he trained for years to get to where he is now. One’s patience isn’t endless and if he feels himself ready then that is the time to move. You don’t feel ready to face his father?” He asked.

“If we’re together then I think we’ll find a way. Or at least escape if everything goes wrong. There’s an opportunity to learn about the Golden Lily as well and I don’t want to miss that. But no, were I alone then I wouldn’t want to face him, knowing that Edwin fears the man. Other than just for a fun fight but to death? No.” Ilea said when a bright light made them look towards the center of the city.

A beam of bright red energy shot out northwards from the central military construct, explosions resounding far enough away to be barely audible.

“So it’s started then.” Kyrian said.

“What has?” Ilea asked.

“The stage is set. Now begins the battle for Virilya.” He said.

“The death of thousands.” Ilea said as another beam came from the center.

“Glorious isn’t it. To be witness to such an event.” He said, excitement in his voice that surprised her. “Some of the books in your room, they talk of events like this. Did you not want to see for yourself?”

“Reading about it and witnessing it is different. You don’t see people split in half and burned alive in a book.” Ilea said.

“But you can’t change anything about it either, in a book that is.” He said and smiled. “Or do you wish to simply observe. Huntress?”

She laughed and smiled. “You like that nickname don’t you.”

“I do. And I have a feeling you do as well.” Kyrian answered.

“Well I am the Azarinth First Hunter.” Ilea said.

“Azarinth First Hunter. I like that. Better than Witch of Nari.” He said and chuckled.

“You’re a witch? What about your metal class?” Ilea asked.

“Not a chance I’ll tell you.” He said. “So, First Huntress. We have a city in flames, two countries at war and ample opportunity to profit. What would you like to hunt?”

Cameron held his breath as he hid inside the closet, his sword clutched tightly in his hands and ready to strike at any moment. He could hear the crying coming from the apartment above but he didn’t dare move. Baralia soldiers were around and in the house, he could feel them clearly.

Why the hell didn’t I go back with the others? The thought was too late, his squad dead by now. Slaughtered in an ambush, himself the only one with a teleportation ability to escape. Well Gloria had one too but she was the first to be hit. A sudden noise in the room, he felt a couple of people enter.

“I tell you it’s not a good idea.” A male voice said.

“I don’t give a fuck, they insulted us and I’ll kill them.” Another voice said before Cameron felt a magic surge, the presence of the third person suddenly vanishing.

“Fuck, come on let’s at least leave quickly.” The first person said.

“Why are you so damn scared.” The second man said, laughing right after, their voices leaving the room and growing more distant every moment.

Cameron waited another two minutes before he left his hiding spot, checking the room to find a dead man. One of the citizens he was supposed to protect yet he hid to save himself.

He would’ve died one way or the other. He didn’t believe his own thought but right now, survival came first. It wouldn’t help anybody for him to die in some random house behind enemy lines. Cameron winced as he moved through the room, the wound on his thigh bleeding into his clothes. He wouldn’t die from this but any more injuries and he might as well surrender to the Baralia troops.

Heroic Cameron. He thought and smiled to himself, bitter about the course of events. The empire was still busy with the roaming demons and now the very capital was at war. Opening the door to the street, he checked the surroundings, finding not a single living soul. A few of the buildings were on fire and he could tell from scorch marks on the ground that a fight had happened in the street. The soldiers previously in the house were nowhere to be seen or felt.

He had to make it back to the center. If a reasonable defense was put up, then it was there. The man had helped people escape right until his whole squad was wiped out, himself left wounded and fleeing from the elite squad they had faced. The Blood Vipers apparently. He had never heard of them before but their apparent tendency to babble about themselves left him time enough to route his escape and actually survive. Perhaps they had let him go but considering his level was comparable to theirs, it wouldn’t serve them in any conceivable way. At least none that he could think of.

The man made his way through the northern parts of the city using mostly his teleportation ability to cross streets and hide again in empty houses. Any looter would have a good time in the current capital. A sudden set of explosions rang through his ears as he shielded them quickly and jumped on the ground. Far enough away. He thought as he scrambled back up, careful not to worsen his wound any further.

The center was ready it seemed and the city, or at least the northern part was evacuated enough for them to engage the enemy with full force. Virilya was huge and they had the resources and people to rebuild. So long as the central district held. He knew that and Baralia knew that as well. Still, even if they couldn’t take it, the economic damage would be substantial. As is sending an army. He thought as he rounded a corner, watching enemy troops casually walk through a rather large street, checking in stores and houses for survivors or anything easily looted. Most of the people would’ve taken their gold and most prized possessions with them but some likely weren’t fast enough to leave.

A beam of red light suddenly enveloped the street, making Cameron duck back, his cheek singed from the heat. Explosions followed as he braced against the shock wave. It came and went, as did many of the soldiers he had seen walking their streets just a moment ago.

He would’ve avoided the open streets anyway but now he had another reason. The problem was that the enemy would do so too from now on.

Appearing beyond the street, he walked towards where the beam had come from. As an officer in the guard, they would let him into the central district, even heal him.

“Hold right there.” A voice resounded behind him, a presence he just now noticed, too distracted by the fire and mana in the air. Cameron turned around to find a Baralia soldier standing there, missing an arm and holding out the other with lightning crackling at his fist.

“You are dying. Go see a healer and I will do the same.” Cameron said. He was in the worse situation. Should the soldier call for help, he was likely done for. He didn’t know if he could take him out in time and lightning had the annoying side effect of being a rather good defense. At least against enemies up close.

The soldier chuckled before leaning on the wall to his right. “You’re not getting away scum…,” he said smiling before a bolt was sent Cameron’s way.

His sword flashing with blue fire, the man appeared next to the soldier and slashed towards his neck with full force. A shock went through him right when his sword made contact but the defense wasn’t as formidable as he had dreaded, the metal cutting through to the bone, killing the soldier in a single strike.

The message in his mind informed him about the man’s classes and levels. Just twenty below his main one. And now his health was even slower, his regeneration canceled out due to the wound on his thigh. Keep moving. He told himself. It was a long way still, especially with his injury. But he would spend his last ounce of mana and health to get back and to take as many of those fuckers with him as he could.

“Black death, fucking ridiculous.” The soldier said as he sheathed his sword again, the joy of killing coming over him as he looked at the bloodbath before him. They had tried to hide but his nose was a good one. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he turned around, only to find ash spreading towards him. The only escape route was through one of the windows but he would just blast whatever feeble mage did this to bits. His senses were good, especially in dark places.

The ash suddenly advanced much more quickly, enveloping him and the room. “Fuck… what the fuck.” He grunted as his body started burning, his health draining as his armor heated up, burning ash shot down his throat and into his eyes and nose as he tried to brush it away.

Ilea appeared behind him and cracked his neck. She didn’t bother taking an ear as she checked the massacre for any survivors. There were none.

“Too late.” She said as the man dropped to the ground, a notification popping up in her mind. An almost comical noise to her in this gruesome situation.

“I doubt there are many survivors by now.” Kyrian said but Ilea wasn’t so sure about it.

“At least we can find these kind of guys. Weed them out and murder them.” She said, grabbing the man by his chest piece and lifting him up. Looking at his face, she had to remind herself not to do this for too long, otherwise maybe she would become like him at some point. Perhaps I already am.

Walking out, she found a group of around fifteen Baralia soldiers stopping in their tracks as she exited the house. None of them was above level one fifty even. Likely a group they could take.

“The black death…,” One of them exclaimed in a hush, readying his weapon.

Ilea just threw the body towards them. “Don’t kill bystanders and citizens.” She stated before her wings spread and she flew off, avoiding any high level people that might’ve come to hunt them down.

Don’t linger. Kyrian had told her earlier. Especially now that the resistance from the empire was mostly focused on the central district. Soldiers had either fled there or outside the city, if they were alive that was. According to the corpses she saw, both sides had lost an absurd amount of people by now. She didn’t quite know what the purpose of those deaths was. She knew rationally speaking but seeing the corpses didn’t quite make sense to her. For power and territory? Both countries were fine before, why have a war.

Greed was of course the answer, as were many more complicated motives but to Ilea human nature itself was at fault here. Seeing all this horror made her lose most of the remaining belief she had in her species. Demon spawn at least were single minded killing machines, driven by their instinct and hunger. Mere beasts to be fought and taken down but all of this here? That was deliberate, the people in charge knowing exactly how many people would die, how many houses destroyed and how much resources lost. They knew and still they decided to engage.

“I’ve decided Kyrian.” She said, turning to the man leaning on the wall of the side street they were stopping in to eat and drink something.

“Hmm?” He asked, finishing up, his helmet appearing on his head.

“Tomorrow we’ll meet the librarian and after that I’m going to try and get as much info on Eve and the Golden Lily as I can. Then I leave this dump.” She said and he nodded.

“If that’s what you’ve decided. You’ll have to do the stealth though.” He said, pointing at her.

Chapter 192 The Librarian

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there.

Chapter 192 The Librarian

“I’m aware of that.” Ilea said, smiling. “Looking to get a teleportation ability as well?” She asked, the man answering with a grunt.

“Doubt my classes can spew that up.” He said as they ascended again, just barely over the rooftops.

“Back to the center then? Or out into the wild?” The man asked.

Ilea watched the burning city, the center a shining beacon as spells rained down on it, retaliation coming from within just a moment later. If there still were any survivors in these parts, it would be hard to find them if none of the enemy soldiers did that. By now Ilea thought she had at least instilled a conscious into some of the murderous rapists being part of both armies. That was as much as she could do. She wasn’t about to pick sides in a war she didn’t understand, nor care about.

“I’m not sure how easy it would be to get in again. Both the city and especially the center.” Ilea said.

“What if we can’t get out anymore either?” Kyrian asked.

“Do you really thing the elite, royalty and generals of the Empire don’t have a way to save their own skin?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“We just might get stuck there for a while.” He answered.

“I’ll leave tomorrow. Maybe it’s best if you stay in the clocktower? I’m sure I’ll find a way out. Did so before out of a shielded city. You though?” She said, thinking mostly of her Sphere and Blink abilities, both great at getting into and out of places.

“I suppose you’re right.” The man said after a while. “Don’t die on me, ok?” He added.

“You neither. If I’m not there in a couple days, I suggest you leave for Ravenhall. It’s going to be more and more dangerous the longer we stay here.” Ilea said and Kyrian nodded.

“I will. Good luck on your search.” He said and flew off. Ilea did the same but compared to him, rushing directly towards the shining center of the capital. An area at least as big as the whole city of Riverwatch, with much higher buildings as well.

The second stage of her Embered Body Heat was certainly effective at distraction, if nothing else. Perhaps at higher stages the heat would actually manage to seriously injure someone. At least she now had an effective area attack against really weak enemies.

Landing near the central shield, Ilea rushed through the streets, avoiding soldiers of both sides as she looked for a checkpoint to get into the center. Should I? She thought and instead blinked into a house close to the shield dome. Seeing through the dome with her Sphere worked she found. Blinking through it didn’t. If she couldn’t get in, she couldn’t get out either. At least that was the likely scenario.

Checking around, she found that the shield didn’t extend underground but as soon as an explosion or spell ripped a part of the street away, it would fill in the gap near immediately. There have to be sewers or something around… The thought led her to check any possible entryways below the ground. Sure enough there were some. Not as many as the sewage system right outside the central district but there were some entryways.

Blinking downwards around twenty meters, Ilea entered one of them and walked towards the center with hands held high. She was sure there were people defending this place as well and sure enough as soon as she had reached a certain spot, scorch marks around the metal tube she was in, fire came rushing towards her.

Her Veil of Ash combined with her healing power and Heat Resistance made the attack seem more like a warm summer breeze. She walked on, shouting into the tunnel. “I’m not the enemy!”

Another attack came, this time water. Ilea blinked into it again and again until the powerful stream ended. Either they didn’t hear her or they didn’t care. Perhaps the attacks were traps or runes, not even initiated by a sentient being at the other end.

Blinking further, she rounded a corner and finally came up on the defensive force. A shield shimmered in the dark and she could see at least ten people standing behind it, one of them preparing another spell. This time she could identify them through the shield as she walked onwards. None above two hundred she found. A risky test but one she felt necessary should she want to leave the center again.

The barrier flickered when the mage behind it released his spell. A greenish mist entered the tunnel and flowed towards her, the shield closing again right after. Intrigued by the spell, Ilea let it come closer, touching and breathing in just the edge to make sure she could still blink away if it was more dangerous than she suspected.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by the Mist of Lys -50 HP/s for five minutes.’

A rather strong poison but other than reducing her healing ability a little while she countered it, nothing special. Empire of Lys… Maybe it’s a spell they discovered here. Of course they had biological weapons at their disposal. Without an insanely high defense to poisons or a healing skill, a lot of people would succumb to this attack but who in their right mind would come through this tunnel to engage in such an easily defensible spot. Especially with shield mages in place.

Walking closer and through the mist, she was surprised to find the people behind the shield stayed calm and collected. Perhaps they expected her to fall down any moment now. The poison did take a while to drain all life after all. Ilea didn’t stop though and instead kept walking, trying to blink through the barrier but again finding it impossible. Even blinking into the corners of the room wasn’t possible, runes likely put up to prevent such a thing.

“I’m not your enemy.” She said as she stood right in front of the barrier, the people behind it looking at each other with confusion.

“You cannot enter here and the poison will kill you soon. Leave.” One of the mages said after a moment.

Perhaps I cannot enter. Ilea thought. But I can certainly leave.

Turning around, she left again, not about to engage that group of people, unsure if she could even break through the shield. Although her Destruction spell was surprisingly good at well, destroying them. Even that high level guy Albert who had found Cless couldn’t stop her.

Blinking up again, Ilea moved through the streets, finding a check point a couple minutes later. The opening in the shield had gotten much smaller, mostly only allowing the defenders to shoot spells towards the street before them. Nobody else was entering at the moment but one of the soldiers waved her in immediately upon seeing her.

“The Shadow is back. It’ll be good to have you.” He said as she entered.

“Are you going out again?” He added, making her stop in her tracks.

“Perhaps later. I need to restock and prepare a new route. Baralia has taken over a big part of the city. It’s getting dangerous to move around. When are you closing the barrier for good?” She asked, hoping that her bullshit would convince the man.

“Tonight likely. No official command yet but the way things are going I’d say tonight. Most of the soldiers are already back and the rest are either dead or fleeing.” He said.

“Any other way to come and go?” Ilea asked but he shook his head.

“I’m afraid not. At least not to my knowledge. I’m sure the assassins have a way. Perhaps you should speak to Major Falken.” He said and she nodded.

Most definitely not. She thought, walking through the big plaza full of soldiers, mages, war machines and supplies. Defensive structures were built before her eyes, earth and stone mages forming the very ground to their wills. It’s gonna be pretty difficult to penetrate that one. She thought, looking up to see the massive shining dome. Meteor like attacks coming from siege weapons exploded on impact, fire and stone rolling off the barrier like raindrops on an umbrella.

Mages working together. Ilea thought about perhaps an attacking group of mages creating a massive offensive spell like the big red light she had seen coming from the center earlier. She couldn’t quite figure out where it had come from but there were a lot of machines and buildings around hershe didn’t know the purpose of.

The poison was gone from her body now, earlier than the message had implied. Either her Healing spell or her resistance had done more than she had expected. Not quite knowing where to go, Ilea went to the library again. If anything the woman could tell her where to find something interesting in the central district.

Upon entering, she found that the person behind the counter was someone else. Something about the way the man looked at her made her a little uncomfortable. There was only one guard sitting in the corner this time.

“What do you want?” The man asked, obviously occupied with whatever he was reading.

“I’m looking for the woman I talked to yesterday. Brown hair and white glasses?” She asked and saw him smile a little. Not the good kind of smile.

“Oh yes, I recall her. She’s in the dungeons now, a traitor. The final proof found, I believe thanks to you.” The man said.

“Interesting story. I was looking for someone, perhaps you can take over the work she left.” Ilea said, pretending not to care. The man was gloating about his victory and obviously disliked her as well. Perhaps she could get some more information out of him before she ripped open the metal wall and smashed his skull against it.

“The work… she. No, no I’m afraid we can’t help you anymore. What again is your connection to Virilya anyway? Ilea was it?” He asked. So they knew who she was, which meant there was a chance they got it out of Elise.

“I’m here on a mission to look for the person I told Elise about. Now if you’re going to waste my time I’ll have to look somewhere else.” Ilea said, acting impatient.

“The dungeon is the only place you’ll find help.” He said and chuckled while Ilea walked towards the door, exiting with a heavy sigh.

The Golden Lily intervened? Or was it someone else. Something unrelated to her and Eve perhaps? Now where to find the dungeons. The man had given her enough information to work on. Ilea walked down the street and stopped near a group of soldiers.

“Where are the dungeons? I’m looking for a traitor. They owe me a service.” Ilea said, the group stopping their conversation to look at her.

“Dungeons are that way. Traitors and others alike. Should be quick about it, they don’t last long in times of war.” The man said seriously, Ilea rushing off in a sprint. The directions were simple but they served their purpose, Ilea finding a big sign only a couple streets further, indicating exactly the way the soldier had implied.

Another couple minutes of running and she came up on a stairwell leading downwards, the word dungeons barely readable written on an aging sign. Rushing down, Ilea ignored the guards and people around, blinking first into a cell, surprising the resident before she vanished again, going further down into the structure as she looked for Elise in her Sphere. There were no shouts coming from above, the guards on duty either not having seen her or simply not caring about a break in.

Unsurprisingly the dungeons were rather vast, leading down for over a dozen floors, hundreds of cells on each floor with differing amounts of residents. There were very few guards, some floors even completely empty other than the dying criminals. Hygiene was certainly not a highly prioritized concern, mold and piss damn near everywhere, only getting worse the further she went.

Finally on the fourteenth floor, in a closed up room she found who she had been looking for. Blinking inside, Ilea gently smashed the torturer’s head and started healing the woman strapped on the table in the center of the room.

There were cuts and bruises but nothing life threatening. Ilea made a double take when she identified the woman and looked at the torturer again, concerned her instincts had failed her. Stopping in her motions for a second, she scratched her helmet and shook her head, checking around Elise. There you are. She thought, seeing the runes below the table. The woman was a mage at level 211, not something the torturer at level eighty should really be able to restrain. Touching one of the runes, Ilea felt her magic drain. Instead she just unshackled the healed woman and moved her to a chair also standing in the room.

“Y… you.” Elise stammered but Ilea just put a finger on her mouth.

“Just tell me if it’s a trap, otherwise you need to recover. Meditate.” Ilea said and Elise nodded weakly, closing her eyes. She couldn’t find any increased commotion both visual or audible. Perhaps this really was it. Nobody cared about the woman as soon as she had been strapped to that table. To think that a runed device like that could take out an above level two hundred mage that easily. Investing some of her stat points into Strength wasn’t the worst idea then.

But to only have one guy at level eighty in the room with her? It was war after all and all resources not desperately needed were reallocated towards the enemy. It seemed the empire really trusted their enchantments.

The torturer groaned and slowly got up. “I wouldn’t m…,” Ilea didn’t get her sentence out before a red beam of energy damn near pulverized the man’s head, blood and bits of brain and flesh landing on her quickly expanding Veil.

“Could’ve fucking warned me.” She said to the woman whose extended arm slowly sunk down.

“He just did his job. Sadly it got personal.” Elise said and tried to get up.

“We have time, don’t worry. The center is under siege anyway, we’re not going to escape easily. You’ll have to be at full strength.” Ilea said. “And while we’re here, where nobody cares about us, I’d like to have a little talk.” She said, sitting down on the table.

“You know your mana is draining right?” Elise asked with one eye open, cracking her neck.

“Easy way to build resistances. I’m sure you would’ve escaped eventually.” Ilea answered. She already had a rather high level of Mana Drain Resistance at 18, making the device somewhat ineffective. Still it canceled out her recovery without Meditation. Add a mage or two and they could even leave her powerless down here, at least when it came to Mana related spells.

“I forgot for a second that you’re from the Shadow’s Hand. Plus you’re young, I don’t want to know what the hell you’ve been through.” Elise said.

“Haven’t been tortured yet.” Ilea said with a smile, removing her helmet and holding it in her hands.

The woman grunted. “Not very pleasant I tell you. Not the worst I’ve had though.” She said and smiled back. “Now where the hell are my glasses.”

“On the table in the next room. Should I get them for you?” Ilea asked but the woman shook her head.

“It’s fine. I just really like them. Now Ilea, why did you come to these lengths to save me?” Elise asked, smirking towards her.

“Well for one thing, you wanted to help me find out more about Eve. For another, the guy at the library was the most insufferable little shit. It’s worth it just to spite him really.” Ilea said, Elise starting to laugh. “And last but not least I like you. Seem like a decent witch.”

“Witch? I prefer Arcanist but when do I ever get anything I want.” Elise said sighing.

“A good friend is a witch, take it as a compliment. So did you find out anything about Eve?” Ilea asked, constantly checking if anybody was around. She didn’t know when the torturer’s shift ended or if anybody even started to miss him at some point.

“I did, albeit not much. There are different records we have that fit well enough with the woman you described. She was a high level illusionist and mind mage but she hasn’t always been. Assassinations or rather murders from six and more years ago associated with some of the records make her out to be a somewhat sloppy killer. Apparently she learned. Was never caught, even in her early years and the records dry up around four years ago. I don’t have to tell you that there are plenty of dead around where it’s impossible to find the killer, let alone anybody that cares to find out.” Elise explained. “Do you have something to drink?” She asked, her voice drying up.

Ilea summoned some water but decided otherwise, filling a cup with ale and handing it to the woman.

“Wow, that is some good ale. Where did you get it?” Elise asked after finishing the cup.

Ilea chuckled and refilled it. “Friendly Dark Sorcerer and dare I say professional brewer.”

“Definitely, this is some of the best I’ve ever had.” Elise said, drinking a little from the second cup.

“Well I’d assume after being released from torture even piss tastes good.” Ilea said making the woman chuckle.

“I’m not going to try.” She said. “Anyway, the fact that she’s so young leads me to believe she’s one of seven possible people, all of them commoners, all of them having a reason to go after nobles. That’s what they all did, mostly. Criminals and human traffickers, slave traders and just generally horrible people protected by the law or paid by influential officials. They took it into their own hands to deliver what they thought to be justice. Some ore successful than others. Your friend, if she really managed to join the Shadows, was one of the more successful ones.” Elise explained.

“The records are in the library if you want to find out where they were from and additional possible leads. Sadly there’s nothing about recent times, not for a lack of dead nobles, that’s for sure. No idea who would’ve killed her at last but all of the people I researched for this certainly had enough enemies.” Elise finished.

“The Golden Lily.” Ilea said, watching Elise’s face turn even more serious.

Chapter 193 Prison Break

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for reading as always

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Chapter 193 Prison Break

“Be very careful where you mention that name Ilea.” Elise said. “Why do you think it was them?”

“Got a letter from Eve. Wrote it before she died. She mentioned she was looking for them.” Ilea said.

“That’s definitely an ambitious target. Not impossible for someone like her to be sure but still. If anything Ilea, I highly respect your deceased friend.” She said, shaking her head.

“What do you know of them?” Ilea asked.

“You know. Even with you saving me from here, I don’t think it’s a good idea to share this knowledge.” She said and looked towards the corpse in the room. “Ah fuck it. I don’t know much anyway.”

“It’s an order comprised of powerful individuals. Now take all of this with a grain of salt, even I don’t know any of this for sure. They likely have their eyes on the Library of Souls too, making it somewhat hard to find any records. I read the name in a couple letters we recovered over the years but since then the evidence has vanished. Not that difficult a task to be sure but to find their name nowhere in the whole library?” Elise shook her head. “While we didn’t have records about the order itself, the people mentioned in the letter we did know. One of them one of the wealthiest nobles in the Kingdom of Kroll, the other a commoner owning nearly a tenth of the capital’s businesses in one way or the other. Both known to be at least above level two hundred.” Elise explained.

“Now the letter implied cooperation between them, on a personal level. Going through records in regards to them and their businesses, I’ve found them cooperating with many others and in a grand scale. That’s why I believe they don’t care much about borders and countries, instead looking only to strengthen their individual stand. I have no idea if it’s just a trade organization or puppeteers involved in even the empress’ business,”

“We know about dozens, even hundreds of underground organizations, some even cooperating with the empire, some dangerous enough for us to ignore them. I think the Golden Lily is one of them, if not even more powerful than that. I stopped looking into the people when the High Librarian asked me personally to drop it, no reason stated.” Elise said. “Some knowledge is not meant for us.” He said. “So if you’re looking for more concrete information you can ask the man. I doubt you could force him to share anything though.”

“Stronger than you?” Ilea asked.

“Oh yes, more than just a little. Older too and he looks younger than me. Hasn’t shared that secret with me either.” Elise said. “Well since I’ve reached the two hundreds I’ve barely aged either. Should’ve worked harder when I was younger.”

“I think you look great Elise. Be more confident.” Ilea said with a smile, blinking into the other room and getting her glasses. “And these, they’re fantastic on you. Trust me.”

“Oh I know, still I appreciate it Ilea. Thank you for getting me out of this. I’d give you the records but I’m not exactly allowed back into the library.” She said as she cleaned her glasses and put them back on.

“Your clothes are back there too. I’ll wait for you to change.” Ilea said.

“You have what you wanted, don’t you?” Elise asked.

“Well now you can tell me why you’re a traitor.” Ilea said, Elise walking to the other room in her bloodied undershirt and thin pants.

“And so I wrote a letter, finally. Would’ve asked you to deliver it were it not for that bastard Rickson.” Elise said.

“The guy I met?” Ilea asked.

“That guy. You see, communication with any outside forces or governments is prohibited if you work in the library. Punishable by death actually. We know that when we go in and I was ready forty years ago. Year after year it got harder. I felt more and more isolated and seeing you come in at the brink of war, well I couldn’t quite help that tiny romantic voice inside of me anymore.” Elise said with a thin smile on her lips.

“I met him when I was still adventuring. A brilliant man. We wrote with each other for years after that until I joined the library upon my parents’ request. Honor and pride meant a lot more to me then than they do now.” She said. “I should’ve just joined the Hand.” She shook her head before looking into Ilea’s eyes.

“Well it’s worth to be on his good side, perhaps he knows about the Lily as well. Still, I like him anyways and if you want I can get you out of here. Planned to go to Ravenhall anyway as soon as I had the information I needed.” Ilea said.

“Y… you.” Elise said, brushing away tears from below her glasses. “Ilea. I knew trusting you was a good idea.” She said and smiled.

“You got tortured and nearly killed.” Ilea retorted.

“Life goes on. Getting tortured builds character.” Elise said, waving her off as she put on her second boot.

“And trauma.” Ilea said.

“That too.” Elise answered. “Now if I know you at all, you’re not going to leave those records lying on my desk behind.” She said, brushing off her clothes. Elise didn’t look like a woman who had just escaped torture.

“I mean it’s war now. The library might not stand anymore tomorrow.” Ilea said.

“You’re right. Now you have a storage device?” Elise asked, waiting for Ilea to nod. “Good. I worked for them for decades. Time to finally take something back.” She said.

“Anybody else you want to get out?” Ilea asked.

“No contact, remember? Anybody I liked at the library will be fine. Oh by the way, if we get in a fight we better run. The Library of Souls has never been taken. Not ever.” Elise warned.

“Well I’m sure you know a couple secrets that would allow us to get in without a fight.” Ilea said with a smirk.

“I do. Don’t steal too much though. If their library is empty they’ll have no other choice but to come look for you personally. As much as I think you’re strong, that would be akin to hunting down something like the Golden Lily.” Elise said.

“We get everything you have on Eve and the people she might’ve been. Anything you need or suggest we get?” Ilea asked, taking the warning seriously. If the woman alone was a mage at level two hundred, she didn’t want to face the whole staff. Not the way she was right now. Something told her that this wouldn’t be the last time she entered that particular library.

“Oh yes. Any records about me.” Elise said smiling. “I know where they are. Spent quite enough time to plan such an opportunity.”

“And you get caught immediately when you finally have it.” Ilea said.

“Ah shut it. The reason I didn’t leave before speaks for its difficulty.” Elise said. “Plus I didn’t expect Rickson of all people to have those kind of guts.”

“How will we get out again if it’s so hard to do?” Ilea asked.

“Getting out of the library was never the issue. Getting out of the city though…,” Elise said. “They insert an enchanted piece of metal into each and every member. Now you don’t want to be hunt down by the members of the library, the royal guard or an assassin squad specifically put together to rip you to shreds.” Elise said, sitting on the table.

“It’s a difficult operation and normally I’d have asked or paid you to get a healer. Now we don’t need that, do we?” She asked.

“You have one here.” Ilea said. “Where’s the piece?”

Elise tapped her chest. “It’s fixed to the back of the sternum.”

“So you have been tortured before.” Ilea murmured as she tapped on the woman’s chest.

“I guess I have.” Elise said, unbuttoning her shirt again.

“Should I try to knock you out first?” Ilea asked.

“Don’t waste your mana and the time. One quick cut here and you rip it out, bone and all. I assume you can heal missing bone?” Elise asked.

“I can. I’ll try to be as quick as possible. Want something to bite on?” Ilea asked, summoning a dagger from her necklace, heating her body up and coting the blade in heated ash to kill of any bacteria that might’ve still remained on it.

“The muffled screams might give us away.” Elise said and closed her eyes. Ilea didn’t wait any longer. Making sure there wasn’t anybody close to the cell, she put Elise to the wall behind her and stabbed her with the dagger, punching through the protective bone before she stored the blade and moved her hand inside the wound. Ilea’s hand closed around the woman’s sternum before she crushed it, a scream resounding through the room.

Pulling out the broken bone, Ilea found the metal connected to it while she healed Elise with her other hand, focusing on recreating the bone and then the flesh. The woman’s screams calmed down soon after until her chest looked the same as it had been a minute ago. Healthy and closed.

“You alright?” Ilea asked, looking at the woman. She just shook her head.

“Need a moment.” She said and sacked down.

“Here.” Ilea said, holding out a cup of ale that she gladly took and drank in one go.

“So things like this exist.” Ilea said and held up the piece of enchanted metal. “Is it kept running through your own mana?”

“It is.” Elise said after a while, buttoning her shirt again.

“What else can you do with these enchantments? Cause pain or obedience?” Ilea asked.

“You mean for slaves? No.” Elise answered.

“Why not?” Ilea asked again, seeing that the woman looked alright enough to talk again.

“They’re always active and a high level mind magic or illusion spell, would need more mana to activate than anybody too weak to go against it could produce. Pain disrupts your mana flow and concentration, the first one is needed to activate the enchantment.” Elise explained as she got up.

“Good to know.” Ilea said as she opened the door to the cell. “Can you teleport?” She asked.

“Yes. One of the reasons I wanted to get the Arcanist class. It has a high chance to grant such a skill.” Elise said, appearing behind Ilea and outside the cell. Ilea place the enchanted metal piece on the table nearby.

“They’ll be looking for the dead Elise.” She said.

“Depends on what their orders were.” Elise said.

“You lead.” Ilea said, gesturing for the woman to go on. She vanished before Ilea’s eyes right after, appearing two floors above them.

“Do you have a perception skill that lets you see though walls?” Ilea asked right after appearing next to her.

“No, I can sense mana to an extent and there was nobody nearby. The perception type skill you talk about is mostly found in warrior type classes like your own I assume.” Elise said.

“Good speculation.” Ilea basically confirmed, making the woman laugh.

The two made their way through the dungeons without alerting anybody to their presence, appearing in an alley near the entrance just a minute after escaping the cell. Someone from the library would likely check on the corpse but they had a bit of time. Hopefully enough to get what they needed.

Ilea provided Elise with a hooded cloak and put one on herself as well, her armor below obscured at least a little. They made their way to the Library, unhindered by anybody walking by, even getting some relieved looks at two rather powerful individuals on their side of the barrier. The day had progressed, the suns at their highest point, hidden behind the rising smoke and ash from the continuing battle for the capital. The sound of magic hitting the barrier and areas around the center, intertwined with shouting from the people within helped with the concealment of the two women.

Elise didn’t lead Ilea to the library but to a building quite a bit of a distance away from it, blinking inside and below after checking around them to make sure nobody saw them vanishing. They made their way to the lowest point of the cellars, about four floors down before Elise stopped and turned to Ilea.

“Now this is the closest to the inside of the actual library that we can get without making a mess. Too far for my teleportation ability to get me there and likely most others too. Not that you could teleport inside even if you wanted to.” Elise explained and tapped the stone wall with her fist.

“Dig?” Ilea asked, cracking her knuckles before she made her cloak vanish.

“My arcane magic lacks the punch against earth. Try not to create too much vibration.” Elise said and stepped back.

Ash formed around Ilea, specifically her hands as she created small and sharp tips on her armored hands, pushing her control to the limit to increase their density and strength. She could scratch stone back when she had just acquired her Azarinth Healer class. Digging through the ground with her current power would prove to be quite simple. Doing so quietly was just an additional difficulty.

Her skills activated and her hand lashed out, digging into the cracking stone wall as if it was mere earth. Again and again her arms rushed out, cutting rock and stone with minimal noise. The ash around her moved to push back the fragments and pieces of stone behind her and into the cellar as she moved downwards and towards the library.

Half an hour later Ilea stopped, blinking back to the starting cellar and Elise. “I can’t see further. I think we might’ve reached the library.” She said.

“Yes. Let’s see what I can do then.” Elise said as she entered the small tunnel Ilea had created, the two of them teleporting to the other end of it.

“I haven’t studied these enchantments for nothing.” Elise said, her mana flowing into the stone before her, red lines of light forming on both her hands and the wall itself before smoke rose from both. Elise winced and retracted her hand but the smile on her face let Ilea know that the operation was a success.

“Wait a second. Can we get some info on Arthur Redleaf? An associate likes to know where he is.” Ilea said. Perhaps the Library had something on the man that Edwin didn’t know about.

“Simple enough, he’s a rather prominent noble. Now we probably only have a couple minutes. Follow me closely.” Elise said before she vanished, Ilea following behind, her Perception no longer ending on the wall of her tunnel but opening up into the inner architecture of the Library of Souls.

Elise moved quickly, avoiding any living soul residing in the library as she first teleported three times, coming to a stop in what Ilea presumed was her office.

“Lazy fucks.” She said and pointed to a pile of papers on a table nearby. “That’s what you need.” She said and Ilea stored all of it in her necklace. “Now come, we should be out of here in a minute’s time.” Elise added and vanished again, Ilea appearing next to her as she already opened up a book before ripping out four pages. Ilea stored them while Elise closed the book again and put it back.

Again she vanished, Ilea following behind and storing the documents, files and books Elise gave her. She checked on them quickly when they had been summoned, finding them to be records of library members, arcanists and lastly a list of traitors to the empire. Elise smiled when she put back the last book and teleported, handing Ilea a bunch of pages regarding a certain noble.

Back in the self made tunnel, the woman waved her arms, red lines appearing again on her hands and the wall before smoke rose again and then settled. Ilea’s view of the library vanished immediately, the enchantments back in place.

“Can you fill up the tunnel again?” Elise asked when they were back in the cellar, leaving Ilea to move the rocks and crumbled stone back into the opening. The entrance was still clearly visible upon completion, Ilea storing all the rubble that didn’t fit anymore in her necklace.

“Do you have gold?” Elise asked suddenly.

“A couple, yes.” Ilea answered.

“Great, I’ll pay you back tenfold. Will just need a couple months or years to earn it first. Let’s find a stone mage.” She said and vanished.

The two of them walked through the streets of the central district as they looked for their target. It was certainly easy to find mages, even stone mages but all of them so far were imperial soldiers. Not likely that they’d betray an imperial institution for money.

“That was nearly too easy.” Ilea said after a while of walking, enjoying the impressive architecture with the golden shine from above, spells still continuously raining upon the defensive globe.

“What do you mean? Another minute and we would’ve been confronted.” Elise said.

“You mean they spotted us?” Ilea asked and Elise turned towards her and smiled.

“Did you honestly think we’re the only two people in that building having a perception skill to see living beings? Most of them are mages.” Elise said. “The good thing was that they knew me and I doubt my betrayal made the rounds yet. I’m not terribly liked but still, with the flimsy reason of sending a letter at least some people would’ve made a bit of a ruckus. Especially regarding the contents of the letter. Easier to just kill me and then present the charges. Not much anybody would do then.” Elise explained.

“Still, with you there as well some of them must’ve asked themselves who exactly I was with.” She added. “And now the next generation won’t even know who I was. Hopefully.”

“You mean the pages you ripped out. Can’t they just add them again? I mean the people there knew you.” Ilea suggested.

“Few would care to do so. Knowing that I escaped will seal their lips and I doubt Rickson would go look for my records. Even if, he’d be glad any mention of me was stripped.” Elise said.

They walked into a square, finding a loud group of adventurers drinking on the terrace of a pub. “You’re terribly optimistic.” Ilea said, a little more quietly which made Elise stop and look at her.

“Ilea I know them, all of them. They’re too smart for their own good and pride can be as blinding as a high level light spell. As long as I’m not discovered by an imperial on my way out I think I’m fine” Elise said.

“Don’t jinx it.” Ilea added as they approached the adventurers.

“What’s a jinx?” Elise asked, intrigue in her question.

“Any of you lads a stone mage?” Ilea asked, her armor switched for the usual leather one.

“Who’s askin?” One of them answered.

“This fella.” Ilea said, twirling a golden coin through her fingers. The man answered with a smile.

“How long will this take? I’ve got places to be.” He said.

“Fifteen minutes at most.” Ilea said and smiled her best smile.

Chapter 194 Dangerous Flight

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone.

I hope you've had a good day

. Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend later.

Chapter 194 Dangerous Flight

“There you go. Good as new.” The man said with a bit of a slur in his speech. Ilea couldn’t deny his craftsmanship, leaving the stone wall behind as if it had never been touched.

“Good. And this is for your silence.” She said, flinging another gold coin towards the man.

“Two reasons why this wasn’t a bad idea.” The man said and shook his head. “I’ll leave now, lest I remember you two.” He said and touched the wall, melding with the stone before he was completely absorbed.

“What a weird way to teleport.” Ilea said and shook her head, not seeing the man anymore through her sphere.

“You mean opposed to ripping through the fabric of reality and appearing at your destination? From thin air?” Elise commented and chuckled.

“I suppose you’re right.” Ilea said and blinked to the side street above.

“Arthur Redleaf hmm? So you’re involved in the recent attacks against nobles all over the city?” Elise asked.

“One or two of them, yes.” Ilea said as they walked towards one of the possible exits from the city.

“It’s the lost son isn’t it, Edwin Redleaf.” Elise commented as they watched the checkpoint from afar. The dome was closed already, the soldiers clearing away the remaining tables, traps and supplies.

“Checkpoints are closed then. Come, let’s see if it’s all of them.” Ilea said, turning around. “What do you know of the man?”

“Little, I read his file around five years ago. Noble son but the Redleafs don’t favor their own children. Same rigorous training or well, torture more like as the child soldiers and assassins they usually groom. It’s not really an unusual story if you look at him as one of them. Still, he hasn’t been killed yet so that’s unusual enough. The ones that normally disobey do so earlier and get taken care of by the families or an imperial assassin. He took his time to strike. Smart that one.” Elise explained.

“You knew that from something you read five years ago?” Ilea asked doubtfully.

“I’m a librarian.” Elise said as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “We’ve got skills for that.” She added.

There it is. Ilea thought, accepting it now. Perhaps they had their own library in their mind with all the information they had ever consumed.

“I don’t think the man escaped because of the torture.” Ilea said more to herself as they reached the next checkpoint. Just that there wasn’t one in the first place.

“The sewage then.” Ilea sighed and walked off.

“Now just focus on me and follow. No spells other than teleportation.” Ilea whispered to Elise while filling the whole tunnel with ash, condensing it again and again. The librarian watched the ash in fascination and nodded.

When she had gathered enough, Ilea walked towards the exit. A large group of imperial mages and soldiers occupied the room before the tunnel Ilea had previously visited from the other side. Some of them looked at the newcomers but it was already too late, Ilea’s ash expanding and distributing in the room with a flash before she blinked to the shield mages, ramming one of them into the close wall before blinking to the other one, hitting him in the stomach without any spells, the force sending him flying for a couple meters.

The defensive shield flickered and Ilea was through, Elise close behind before it stabilized again, a flood of fire following the two of them as they vanished and appeared in an unoccupied apartment outside the central district.

“Come on, you can celebrate when we’re further away.” Ilea said, blinking again. Some Baralia soldiers noticed them, some even trying to follow for a while but the two of them were simply too fast, escaping towards the clock tower where Kyrian was probably still waiting for Ilea.

“Where are we going?” Elise asked after a while.

“Still have a friend in the city.” Ilea answered, blinking again.

“Edwin?” Elise asked with a smirk.

“Edwin is more like an abusive ex friend you sadly still sometimes have to see.” Ilea said in a monotone voice.

“Did he rape you?” Elise asked in confusion.

“That’s not what I… no, he didn’t rape me.” Ilea said. “You should really look into psychology.”

“I’m not about to break any slaves.” Elise said with disgust.

“Forget about it.” Ilea said, not about to explain the misunderstanding from her standpoint coming from Earth. At least they knew what psychology was, just that it was likely used in a purely military way. It’s a different world and by now I’m not really one to talk about morals. She thought to herself as they reached the street with the clock tower.

Kyrian was meditating on the top floor, metal spinning around him as they appeared nearby.

“You’re back early.” He said as he got up.

“We have to leave immediately. This is Elise, librarian and a friend.” Ilea said as he approached them.

“It’s nice to meet you Elise. You really make friends everywhere you go.” He said looking at her.

“And enemies.” Ilea said but he waved her off.

“That I know how to do too.” Kyrian said.

“You must be Edwin then.” Elise said. “I didn’t know you were a metal mage, quite a rare class.” She added with respect. “To think a noble like you has hid in the Shadow’s Hand.”

“My name is Kyrian. I can see where your priorities lie though.” He said, the second part towards Ilea.

“Kyrian I’m sorr…,” She started but he just put his hands up.

“I’m joking. Now come, I assume her knowing about Edwin means we’ll visit him first?” Kyrian asked.

“I hadn’t planned on it but why not. I have something on his father and who knows how long we’d need to find them again if we don’t visit the hideout now.” Ilea said, thinking about it.

“Can you fly?” She asked Elise.

“Most useless skill I’ve ever gotten.” She replied but Ilea just smiled.

“Oh you’ll like it. Trust me. Reason enough to get out of that bloody library.” Ilea said.

“I doubt it, excitement about something like that really diminishes after a couple decades you know.” Elise said, the others activating her flying skills.

“We’ll see.”

Ilea reduced her speed and turned around, checking on the laughing Elise as she moved up and down in the air, twirling and nearly losing control from time to time. Flying was as expected not an experience diminished by years of waiting to finally do it. Ilea still enjoyed it and she’s been doing it for over half a year now. She doubted even a pilot’s experience would come close to what she could do. Perhaps skydiving but the speeds were on a completely different level.

Plus she wasn’t just falling, she could go wherever she wanted. Elise suddenly veered downwards before she crashed into a set of trees, branches snapping before she came to an abrupt stop, rolling on the ground with at least some broken bones.

“Kyrian wait!” Ilea shouted to the man ahead of them and landed next to the injured Elise, shooing away the bear like creature that had approached carefully. The monster roared at her but Ilea simply knelt down next to the nearly unconscious woman and checked her for injuries. Several ribs had been broken, as was one of her arms.

“I flew…,” Elise stammered out. “It hurts.”

“Flying doesn’t hurt.” Ilea said as she focused healing the most pressing injuries. “You should invest in Vitality. Some tree branches shouldn’t injure you that much.”

“If you’re in a… ah, fuck… if you’re in a library, other stats seem much more vital.” The woman said.

“Well you’re not anymore.” Ilea said when the bearwolf roared again, Elise lifting her hand before a beam of red energy disintegrated the creature, not even leaving bones behind.

“I can see how focusing your stats can be beneficial.” Ilea said but she was still rather happy about her own spread out stats. She would’ve been dead ten times over without it. Elise would soon be too if she didn’t change her approach.

“Still, you need to survive. And you won’t have a healer around every time you fly into trees.” Ilea said, helping Elise get up.

“Thank you. I’m quite aware of my shortcomings Ilea. I’ll get it to two hundred first thing I do.” She said.

“Make that five hundred and I won’t bother you about it anymore.” Ilea murmured before her wings spread again. She didn’t listen to the woman’s response, joining Kyrian a moment later.

“Is she alright?” The man asked.

“She is.” Ilea answered and continued onwards to the hideout they had used the week before.

“Anybody home?” Ilea said while opening the camouflaged entrance to the Alymie hideout. Considering all the nobles in and around Virilya there must’ve been a lot of these places around these plains and forests.

“Ilea?” Felicia asked, checking the hallway from their room. “It’s you! I’m glad you’re still alive. Come, Aliana just finished cooking.”

When isn’t she? Ilea thought but nonetheless joined Felicia on the big table. “Where’s Edwin and Maria?” She asked, looking around but finding nobody other than the two through both eyes and sphere.

“They’ve been out since early morning. But Edwin said it’s a small task only today. The war messed up their plans I think.” Felicia explained before starting to eat. “You brought someone new? Did the war get in the way as well?”

“Not exactly. We finished what we came here for.” Ilea said, sitting down. “I guess we can wait for them to return. Elise what’s that magic you’re using? Arcane?”

“Yes, why?” The woman replied, a little uncertain about the new people around. Still, she sat down and got a plate of food. Aliana seemed all the more happy to feed more people. Their residence in the hideout would leave behind the smell of cooked and grilled meat for a year at least. Longer if Felicia wouldn’t use her magic to create some sort of ventilation system.

“My resistance to that element is only at level six. I could use some training.” Ilea said between chewing.

“You want me to attack you?” Elise said and then nodded. “I guess I can do that but don’t underestimate it, my magic packs quite a bit of power. And it’s going to hurt.”

“I doubt the second part.” Ilea said with a grin. “And I hope the first part is right.”

“Is it alright if I join you in that?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea looked at the man sideways. “Ah yes, your healing curse. You can use that on me and we’ll get the system down. Doubly effective for both of us.” She said and gave him a thumbs up.

“Wanna start after the meal?” Kyrian asked and Ilea nodded.

“Thanks by the way Aliana. Your cooking is marvelous.” The man said and smiled at the woman who blushed quite a bit but didn’t reply.

Ilea just looked at him with a sly grin before finishing her food.

“Why aren’t you wearing your armor?” Elise asked, all of them standing or sitting around the clearing a couple hundred meters away from the hideout, having left behind a note in case the others come back.

“I don’t want to have it repaired again. Plus the damage will be higher like this.” Ilea said. Kyrian nodded in thought and switched to more casual clothes as well, shivering right after.

“Not a fan of the cooling system.” He said, referring to his new storage ring.

“Just wait until it’s summer.” Ilea commented. “Where did you get those clothes anyway?”

“You think I just sat in the tower and waited for you?” Kyrian said and chuckled. “The whole district was empty, except for a bunch of soldiers.”

“Are you two done?” Elise asked, red energy flowing around her form. Felicia giggled from the side, apparently enjoying the sight.

“Me first, start as low as possible.” Ilea said right before a beam of red energy hit her in the left arm. The attack barely burnt into her flesh. The clothes would be ruined, that was for sure. Kyrian had been right though, perhaps she would visit the capital once more after all. Just to fill up her wardrobe with some spares.

“More, until you my arm is ripped off.” Ilea said, the wound healing quickly.

Elise shook her head with a smile, looking at Felicia and then Kyrian. “She’s joking right?”

“I’m afraid not.” The man replied. “She can take it, trust me.”

“The Shadow’s Hand. Seems like the jokes and rumors weren’t exaggerated at all…,” Elise murmured to herself before a stronger attack hit Ilea’s arm.

Again and again they tested until finally her flesh was ripped off, the bone below refusing to go.

“Anything stronger and I won’t be able to specifically aim the attack at your arm.” Elise said. “Are you sure you’re alright?” She asked.

“Yes, quite fine. And this is good. You can aim this at my torso as well, the damage will be more extensive that way. I’m pretty much immune to pain by the way.” Ilea said. “Kyrian you can use your drain now, it won’t be a problem.” She added, looking at her teammate. The first notifications had already appeared in her mind. It made sense, as losing an arm to a specific magic attack would certainly constitute some amount of skill gain. She was a little annoyed that not even flinching at it didn’t give her an additional thing. Her face is pretty good at least. She thought, looking at Elise.

The drain set in and every fifth spell was aimed at Kyrian from now on, albeit at a much lower intensity. Having the flesh stripped off your arm wasn’t a nice experience even without any pain. Plus his resilience wasn’t exactly comparable to Ilea’s, even though his defense was excellent for a mage. The same attack Elise used on Ilea would likely disintegrate his bones as well.

After twenty minutes of this, Kyrian set out to get a breather, the constant pain a little much for him. Elise moved on to target Ilea’s stomach and chest, ripping through her unprotected flesh again and again. With time, the attacks dealt less and less damage. Not noticeable to the eye and barely different in Ilea’s health meter but to her healing skill, the difference was like night and day.

Ilea ignored the notifications in her mind as she had started to do a while ago. It distracted from the training and while she could do little else but stand there and take it, she could increase her knowledge about her healing skill, learning more about her body and which parts needed to be healed first in different scenarios. Bloody scenarios for sure. The ground around her was littered with guts and blood but she stood there like nothing happened. Well her clothes were ripped up of course but other than that, her mana recreated her flesh perfectly through Hunter Recovery.

When the suns were setting, her eyes moved up to the trees behind Elise where her Sphere had picked something up. A fleeting feeling at best but having trained extensively with Eve, Ilea was an expert at spotting hard to find people.

“Welcome back.” She said. “Guess our little session is over.”

Maria appeared on the tree and jumped down, looking around. Elise was on guard but seeing Ilea’s casual behavior and Kyrian’s continued meditation let her know that the newcomer wasn’t an enemy.

“I need to take care of something.” Elise said, walking to a nearby bush before she puked her guts out.

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Maria asked with a smile. “How’d it go with you? The war certainly brought a lot of chaos into this whole operation.”

“And opportunities.” Ilea said. “We were successful. Trian has already left. I possibly have something for you two.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” Maria said in a monotone voice. “Found a new friend as well I see.” She added in a very obviously annoyed tone.

“Ah shut it girl. I couldn’t give two shits about you and the Redleaf boy. Very effective murdering in the past months though. You must be one of the survivors then?” Elise said while cleaning her mouth. Ilea threw her a flask with water.

“You told her our names?” Maria asked and stared at Ilea.

“And here I thought we started to have a thing here.” Ilea said smiling.

“You really are a liability. I thought so from the start but…,” Maria started but just sighed. “Who is she anyway?”

“I’m right here you know. Elise, ex librarian of the Library of Souls. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.” The woman said with a smile, Maria’s expression turning to stone.

“The library of S…,” She started and looked at Ilea. “You didn’t…,”

“I have no idea where your thoughts are. I have the latest gossip on Arthur if that helps.” Ilea said.

“You glorious idiot.” Maria said, leaving Ilea with the question if she should take that as a compliment or an insult.

“Call me idiot again and I’ll smash your tits right off your chest.” Ilea said.

“Apologies.” Maria said, actually bowing to her. “For doubting you. As free spirited and impulsive as you are, your ways are efficient. To think a member of the library would defect the empire…,”

“Is that just who you are? Constantly insulting people?” Ilea asked but smiled. The woman reminded her of a bully she had put in her place back in primary school.

“What? I didn’t insult you?” Maria said confused.

“As free spirited and impulsive as you are. Those were your words. Do you not see the possibly offensive content?” Elise asked as she joined Ilea and handed back the water.

“Oh I see. I’m sorry. I’ve spent the last couple years being tortured and raped. My social etiquette lacks its previous splendor.” Maria said.

“See, I knew I started to like you.” Ilea said, both of them grinning.

“You scare me.” Kyrian said as he got up. “Both of you. I don’t envy your enemies.”

“You’re not exactly harmless either. You can stop cursing me now by the way. It’s unpleasant.” Ilea said and the feeling left immediately, as did the constant health drain.

“Thanks, got four levels today.” Kyrian said with a smile, his armor appearing on his body an instant later.

“Opportunities hmm?” Maria asked as she looked at the man. “Well we’ve not been idle either. Edwin is at the hideout, planning the next move now that Virilya is under siege. A lot of buildings and room has been freed up and a lot of important people have fled and are isolated. Perhaps what you found may help as well.” Maria said to the group.

Chapter 195 Detour

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. Thanks for reading. Hope you have a nice Saturday

.

Chapter 195 Detour

“Perfect. This is the missing piece.” Edwin said as he read through the letter again. “I owe you my life and now you’re even giving me this piece of the hunt.” The man added, looking at Ilea.

“Stop flattering me. You’ll be able to repay me one day or the other. I’m sure you won’t sit idle after your father has been taken care of.” Ilea said, sitting casually in her chair.

“Oh I won’t and I’ll be there when you call on me, no matter who or what the target is. That is my word.” Edwin said and Ilea just snorted which made Maria laugh in turn.

“Why exactly is she helping them? I though he abused her?” Elise asked Kyrian, the two of them sitting next to each other while Aliana sat next to Kyrian, closer than he seemed to like.

“Abused her? As far as I heard he just took advantage of her to clear out some dungeon at some point. Ilea was a lot weaker a couple years ago, or so I’ve heard.” The man answered. “Arthur Redleaf is part of the Golden Lily.” He added.

“Ah, now that makes sense. The man is very influential though, I doubt the group of you together will be able to take down the Redleafs, no offense.” Elise said.

“I appreciate your concern librarian. It is not my family that I want to take down, it is merely my father. And that I feel quite capable of doing. At least together with Maria and some other help if they’re willing.” Edwin said, looking at all three of them in turn.

“We’re gone as soon as it smells too dangerous, you know that.” Ilea said. “I won’t risk my life for you, not again.”

“You’ll be happy to face a dangerous opponent.” Maria commented, drinking a cup of tea.

“I am, yes. Still I’d rather face something less intelligent than a human. Easier to predict and flee from.” Ilea said.

“She’s not wrong. Although the opportunity of facing my father makes my blood boil.” Edwin said with a rare smile on his face.

Hey I can actually do that now. Ilea thought, looking at her arm. She had changed into more comfortable leather armor after they had returned, throwing away the ripped shirt she had used to train.

“So you have the location?” Kyrian asked. “I’ll join as well but my own life and Ilea’s have a higher priority than the mission.”

“That is understood. And I appreciate the manpower, I promise to pay you according to a Shadow’s worth. Additional to any favors you’ll need in the future.” Edwin said.

“Should you survive.” Maria commented again.

“Should we survive. Yes. You should be on my side you know?” He added but she just smirked and shrugged. “And yes, I have the location. At least I think I do. An island off the coast near the Naraza mountain chain. The letter mentions the Isle of Garath. The locals might know where exactly that is.”

“We’re going to escort Elise to Ravenhall first.” Ilea said. “Should we join you here again or in a town near the isle?”

“Here, I’m sure the whole city will know why you’re there after ten minutes. No offense.” Maria said.

“I can help sooth the pain of your lost child if you want, no reason to be such a bitch.” Ilea answered with a smile.

“Ah, don’t worry. They destroyed that part when I was a kid. Not good to have distractions as a future assassin.” Maria said completely seriously.

Ilea didn’t retort but nodded to the woman.

“Thought so.” Maria said and finished her cup of whatever brew she was drinking.

“I can find my own way to Ravenhall.” Elise said but Ilea shook her head.

“I’m sure you could but I know people that can get you set up and hidden away.” Ilea said. “Plus I want to see it when you finally meet him.” She added with a smile. Maria snorted and left the table.

“I agree, as much as you’ve helped you’re not the most discreet of people.” Edwin said. “We’ll wait here. How long do you need to Ravenhall and back?”

“A week, maybe longer.” Ilea answered.

“I don’t think I can fly that fast. The skill is barely at level four.” Elise joked.

“I’ll carry you, don’t worry. Wanna join too Kyrian?” Ilea asked and he shrugged.

“Why not, I’d like to see how Ravenhall is doing. Perhaps the imperial influence has lessened now that war broke out.” He said.

“Perhaps.” Ilea said and got up. “See you in a week then.” She said to Edwin who nodded. “Maybe go loot some better armor in Virilya.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The man asked, looking down on himself but Ilea didn’t elaborate, leaving the hideout and breathing in some fresh air.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

Neither her Curse nor Health Drain resistances had increased but considering their already high level it was a given. She’d get them higher soon. Perhaps Trian was looking to stay occupied in Ravenhall. She thought about asking both him and Claire to help with Arthur but it didn’t feel right. Going alone seemed like the right thing to do but she wouldn’t stop Kyrian if he wanted to join. He wanted to find out more about Eve’s killers just as much as her. Neither would she stop any of the others if they wanted to join.

The impact that this mission would have on the lives of everybody who was involved would be quite extensive. At least if the powers that be found out who exactly they were. Ilea at least didn’t plan to visit any big human city anymore until she was ready to face the worst of them, except for maybe Ravenhall. The thought made her sigh and take a deep breath of air. Perhaps it was an excuse to get away? It’s good enough. She thought. To go explore again. Maybe with Kyrian as a teammate? Or another team? No, either alone or with Kyrian.

“Ready?” The man asked when he joined her outside, clad in his black armor.

Ilea nodded and looked to Elise. “Hop on.” She said and motioned towards her back.

“I’ll make sure that the next time we meet, this won’t be necessary.” Elise said as she held on to Ilea whose ashen wings spread in the dark forest.

“Do that, try to train somewhere without trees though.” Ilea said before they took off, quickly reaching their top speed on their way to the southern mountain chain housing Ravenhall and Morhill, most of the population in the area completely wiped out by the demon summoning. There were surely still straggler demons around, likely still decimating or completely destroying cities and villages around the empire and beyond.

Their path of travel didn’t bring them close to the fleeing citizens of Virilya but Ilea didn’t doubt they would meet the first ones in Ravenhall soon. Some might’ve fled even before the actual attacks had happened.

The night stretched over the plains of the empire, some clouds visible while the moon bathed their way in a pale light. They didn’t rest, nor did they slow down. Kyrian at some point used a curse on Ilea to keep himself going, reaching the end of his resources a little earlier than her. Metal manipulation was apparently more draining than an actual flying skill like Ilea had. Plus she didn’t need any mana to keep it going. Still, they paused a couple hours later to quickly recover through Meditation additional to some food and drink.

Another one and a half days of travel finally brought them into the southern mountain chain. Snow still clung to the higher parts of the rocky terrain, not ready to leave even with the spring suns shining down on them. Cold winds from the ocean would secure the white veil throughout the year. A cat and her growing kittens played near a snow covered house quite a while away from the city of Ravenhall, their first experiences in hunting small critters carefully observed by their mother.

Three individuals neared the walled mountain city of Ravenhall and slowed down, descending towards the peaks overlooking the city.

“They’ve certainly been busy.” Kyrian said, the noise coming from the city combined with the winds pushing on their small forms nearly drowned out his voice.

“The walls are higher.” Ilea said, noticing that there were more than one wall now. Like Virilya, Ravenhall was now sectioned into more than a single part. Three thick walls now towered over all but the most central area. Hundreds of people, carts, mercenaries and soldiers could be seen on the road leading to the city, craters and fires still visible in the massive field of battle that had decided the fate of the town. Possibly forgotten, a fortress of demons in the now cursed southern mountains of the human plains. Retaken and made into a fortress of human power. While part of the empire, a statement to the mercenaries of the Shadow’s Hand. Ilea couldn’t help but smile when she saw the black flags fluttering in the wind above the city gates.

Of course it was the Hand that brought ruin to not only Ravenhall in the first place. Or at least it was one of theirs who did it. The people coming to the city didn’t seem to care, Ilea and her companions joining the refugees, adventurers and merchants coming from all over and watching their relief of finishing a perilous and long journey.

They got some looks when they landed near the gate but considering Ravenhall was the home town of the Shadows, it was excitement and relief instead of apprehension and fear that they saw in the spectators’ eyes. The guards on the gate greeted them and waved them inside.

“No toll for the Hand.” One of them said and nodded with respect. The influence had certainly increased, that much was sure. The town itself, while many traveled towards it seemed nearly deserted. Compared to the bustling streets and shops, Ilea found many a storefront still destroyed and empty. Merchants put up their stalls in the streets themselves while architects, builders and mages of all sorts walked around, discussing improvements and repairs.

It didn’t look like many an imperial was inside, only the odd soldier showing and they were all running around. News of the capital must’ve reached Ravenhall already but most of the people would remain unconcerned until the city was actually taken. Something that with what Ilea saw in the central district, might take more than a couple days or weeks.

The center most wall held the tallest government and guard buildings, including the main buildings of all the big guilds and to Ilea’s surprise, a massive stronghold of the Shadow’s Hand. As far as she knew, they didn’t have any other buildings in the city other than Virilya. Surely that was still their headquarters but now they were part of the city’s leadership it seemed, compared to the mercenary guild it was known for in the first place.

A guard clad in black armor nodded towards Ilea. The man was at level one eighty, not quite enough to join the order but more buildings and influence definitely required more personnel as well.

“Your badge.” He said before they entered and Ilea summoned the thing and handed it over.

“Thank you. Go on.” The guard said, not asking anything of Kyrian and Elise. They seemed to trust their members enough to let them in with company.

Ilea smiled as soon as she was inside, having checked through the rooms her Sphere could reach, she quickly made out a big office on the top floor, one woman sitting on her neatly organized desk while a girl painted near one of the windows.

“Found her. Follow me please.” Ilea said to the others, switching to more comfortable leather armor as they made their way up the beautiful wooden stairs.

They really made sure to leave a good impression. Or rich I suppose. The thought was confirmed again when they actually exited the stairwell to reach Claire’s office. The furnishing and even the magical lights on the top of the hallway looked expensive. The woman looked up even before Ilea reached the door, smiling and motioning for them to enter. All this completely unknown to Kyrian and Elise. At least Ilea thought Elise couldn’t see moves like that through closed doors.

She entered when Claire got up and went to hug Ilea immediately. “Back so soon.” She said. “I heard about Trian. And Eve. I’m so sorry dear.” She said and let go of her.

“You could’ve come and asked me for help as well Ilea. You know that.” Claire said as she went on to greet Kyrian and Elise before the door closed behind them automatically. She really had made her office her own. The different magic fields Ilea felt around her, even without magic perception, told her that this was likely Claire’s permanent office.

“I hope you’re not mad Claire. I know you have your obligations here.” Ilea said, waving to Cless who just now noticed the newcomers. The girl smiled and rushed towards her, stopping abruptly with a big hug.

“I was mad. Damn near came and looked for you. Trian talked me out of it.” Claire replied. “I assume she is trustworthy?” She added, motioning towards Elise.

“I sure hope so.” Ilea said and chuckled. “You’ll have time to make sure of that. Or Dagon has. She’s a librarian from the Library of Souls, here to meet with him.”

“Very brave. Last I heard the only people possibly allowed to leave the library were men. You’ve left then? A fugitive of the empire.” Claire stated as she approached the woman and shook her hand.

“Well…,” Elise started but Claire just waved her off.

“We’ll find a place for you, new name and all. Your hair will have to be colored and new glasses. Plus some training to raise your levels a little. Destroyed your records?” Claire asked and Elise nodded. “Good. That’ll give us a week or two. With Virilya at war perhaps we won’t have to deal with assassins or hunters for a while. Please. Make yourselves comfortable.” She said, gesturing to the sofa and collection of drinks on the table nearby.

“Thank you.” Ilea said, letting go of Cless.

“Don’t mention it. I’ll have to talk to you alone later. How long will you stay?” Claire asked.

“Just a couple days, maybe even less.” Ilea answered. “Elise will be staying though. Main reason we’re here really.”

“Good, good. Elise… you know Dagon?” Claire asked.

“I.. yes, it’s been. About forty years. I’m not sure he’ll remember me.” Elise said, looking towards Ilea.

“We’ll visit him right after I’m done. Just give me a couple minutes. I’m serious though, sit down and drink something. Kyrian, there’s non alcoholic things as well.” She said, the man nodding his thanks as he went to look at the bottles.

“You’ve gotten better.” Ilea said, looking at the half done painting near the window. It depicted a demon fighting against a warrior in black, ice and fire raining from the sky above them.

“I’m already level thirty! Claire said that’s great for my age.” The girl said with a big smile.

“That’s great. Keep training and in no time you’ll reach even me.” Ilea said.

“I think I’m already stronger than you. But you should train more too, the question marks above your head haven’t changed since last time.” Cless said in a very British accent.

Little shit. Ilea thought but smiled at the girl before walking back to the others.

“Are you alright?” Claire asked between looking through papers, quickly glancing at her.

Ilea sat down on the desk and sighed. “No. It’s been difficult,” she started. “But I’m sure I’ll get there. Don’t worry, I won’t jump into the lion’s den and get myself killed.” She said. “At least not yet.”

Claire just wordlessly put her papers down and walked to the other side of the table, hugging Ilea again. This time she didn’t let go for a while.

“Thanks.” Ilea said, hugging the woman back. “Sorry for not contacting you earlier.”

“I won’t forget that one but don’t worry about it too much. I think we all knew she had this coming for her at one point or the other. I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Let’s take care of Elise for now, afterwards we can discuss Eve.” Claire said before walking over to Kyrian and hugging him as well.

“I appreciate it.” Kyrian said. “What do you think about all this?”

“I’ve started looking into her as soon as I’ve gained access to more records. To find out if she survived the demon summoning at all. I’ve found out that she did when I heard from Trian.” Claire explained. “We were never… close.” She added and let that stand.

“Come with me then. Dagon is back in Viscera.”

“Can I take this with me?” Kyrian asked, motioning to his cup.

“Of course, of course.” Claire answered as the door opened again.

“New walls?” Ilea asked when they exited the building together, all of them wearing hoods to at least keep their general appearances hidden.

“Yes, my idea and I managed to push it through in the end. Like this we can brace against attacks from both outside and inside. Takes more guards to man of course but considering the recent events, the push back was minimal at best. Even without guards. Against the tragedy of the demon summoning by our beloved elder, it would’ve saved thousands if not the whole city.” Claire explained.

“Merchants have been coming from day one and with Virilya I believe the city will be just as populated if not more by the end of this year.” Claire said.

“And is it prepared for that?” Kyrian asked, sceptically looking at the fortifications and guards.

“A broken city on the rise harbors a lot of opportunities. For many. It could go either way but with the name of the Hand and many of its members residing or at least regularly traveling here, I hope the worst are kept out.” Claire said as they exited the central walled off part.

“Well let’s hope your predictions come true then.” The man said.

“At the very least the empire won’t care much anymore if we take things into our own hands a little more. I’d say they’ll be happy for that too. The imperials responsible have been easy enough to deal with so far. There will be push of course for the Hand to assist in defending the capital but the impact on Ravenhall itself will likely be minimal other than a lot of well paying jobs for our members.” Claire added.

They talked about some more of the changes going on in the city, new numbers of surviving members and citizens who somehow escaped the fate of most of the city during the demon attack. Many of them had returned, as did survivors from Morhill and other cities and villages from the mountain chain. The general public didn’t know that an elder of the Shadow’s Hand had caused the demon attack, simply knowing that it had come from Ravenhall. Most of the people doubting or blaming the order had changed their minds when they heard about the retaking of the city and the following systematic extermination of demons going as far as the nearest western kingdoms.

Chapter 196 Rebuilding

A note from Rhaegar

Elo

Chapter 196 Rebuilding

Viscera itself was walled off as well now, the entrance to the main quarters opening only after a guard had confirmed the identity of Claire, activating a nearby enchantment to open the heavy metal gate.

“To keep in and out.” Claire said, nodding to the guard who was also clad in black armor.

“Requirements lowered?” Ilea asked, seeing that the guard again wasn’t close to level two hundred.

“No, not for the actual members. They’re the Shadowguard. I know the name isn’t the best, we’re still working on it. A guard added to the city guard, employed, trained and selected by the Shadow’s Hand. Benefits and possible jobs and later membership are enough incentive for many to join. I imagine the war with Baralia will sway more than one mind to join us instead of the empire.” Claire explained, leading them through the halls. No demon corpses remained and Viscera itself was cleaner than Ilea had ever seen it. It was impressive in the first place, all of Ravenhall but knowing how it had looked like just about a month ago made it damn near unbelievable.

Magic really showed its power in production and if enough powerful people pulled on the same string, impossible results could be accomplished. Most of that power was usually focused on destruction, killing and warring. Here too the growth will come to an end at some point, at least the explosive growth the city currently experienced.

“He had the window repaired.” Ilea commented, looking up at the library.

“Any other kids survive?” She asked Claire when they were a little ahead of the others, Cless riding on Kyrian’s shoulders.

“Few. Most of them traumatized I’m afraid. A couple members volunteered to take care of them for now.” Claire said. The deaths and individual tragedies caused by Adam Strand were unimaginable. Mere numbers to Ilea’s mind. The waves it had already sent over the empire and beyond would only be observable through future history.

“Any news on Strand or any of the other elders?” She asked but Claire shook her head.

“Nothing. Dagon and Sulivhaan are doing a decent enough job. Verena is the only one who cared about managing in the first place. I’ve not worked under her so I don’t know if we’re a good replacement or not.” Claire explained as they made their way through the headquarters, coming up to the elevators.

“We? So you’re an elder already? Thought you’d need another couple months or years.” Ilea said jokingly.

“Oh I’ll get there. Though I’ll need ways to increase my level too. The demon pool in the Haven might come in handy for that. Personnel has to be there at all times to take care of them but the positions are surprisingly always taken. Even in the Hand it seems like people won’t turn down an easy way to gain experience.” Claire explained as they entered the elevator.

“It’s not real experience.” Ilea said. “Even if they’re getting stronger, they won’t get used to the power if they don’t use it.”

“Many have climbed high by using an advantage over others or a certain kind of monster. Many of them are with the Hand and trust me, most of them could still beat down a whole squad of imperial scouts. Even with that lacking experience. That’s what sparring is for.” Claire said and Ilea didn’t have an argument against that. She wondered how they kept the demons under control when they came out, otherwise it wouldn’t be an easy fight.

They’re pretty stupid, a wall around it and mages on top would already do it. She thought but didn’t ask. If it was such a desired spot then it wouldn’t do her much. Plus she would have to gain more than a couple of levels to get where she wanted to be. More training and experience than sitting in a safe place training with friends would give her.

The elevator ride commenced in silence other than Cless’ humming. A popular song that Ilea remembered but couldn’t place at the moment. Something with dinosaurs perhaps? The question remained unanswered when they exited and made their way to Dagon’s office.

The man was sitting on his desk just like Ilea had found him the first time she had visited. He looked tired, more tired than usual but she found the look good on him. Gave him a more serious flair. His massive form and the frown on his face were certainly not inviting. The brooding librarian. Ilea titled the picture as she waved at him. Elise had stopped at the entrance she noticed, staring at the man behind his desk who completely ignored the visitors.

“Leave me alone, tomorrow is a better time.” He grumbled before taking a sip of tea.

“We’ve brought some reinforcements for you.” Ilea said, making him look up at her, either because of the voice or the content of what she had said. His eyes flickered from her to the group and lastly to the person looking back at him at the entrance to the library of Viscera. A middle aged woman with a weary smile.

“Elise.” Dagon said and got up, moving around the table quickly, a pile of papers nearly falling down before Ilea blinked closer and stopped them. The librarian ignored it and quickly walked to the woman before he stopped around half a meter before her.

“Elise, what are you doing here? The Library of Souls…,” He started, obviously dumbfounded at seeing her here.

“I didn’t know if you’d remember.” Elise said in a whisper. He just smiled and went to hug her.

“We have the same skills dummy. How could I forget?” Dagon asked, the two embracing each other happily.

“So she actually came back for me. Virilya will be under siege for a while, enough perhaps for me to be efficiently hidden away.” Elise finished retelling the events since she met Ilea.

“You’re already safe. With your records removed I doubt many will care for you, nor invest heavily to bring you back. Still, you’ll be staying in Viscera for now, get used to things. I’ll have a place ready for you by tonight.” Dagon said, his step a little lighter as he went back to his desk.

“I thought I could stay with you. Would save you the trouble of organizing. I don’t need much.” Elise said nonchalantly which made him stop and put down the papers.

“We haven’t seen each other in forty years Elise… I think that’s a bit quick no?” Dagon asked, a little unsure of the situation and obviously uncomfortable with all the other people in the room.

“What better way to get to know each other again then? If you want I’ll stay in a separate place of course.” Elise said but he waved her off.

“Let’s discuss that later, alright?” He asked. The woman didn’t seem opposed to that.

“Ilea, you have first hand reports from the city? Is it really as bad as the scout reports?” Dagon asked, now finally sitting down again. His eyes still lingered on Elise as he asked the question.

“Not sure what the scouts are saying. Baralia is attacking, hard. The empire is already in the center but I doubt it’ll be a short battle for either side. Most of the city’s population is fleeing, the rest I’d assume enslaved or killed already or in the span of the next weeks. Many will probably be coming here.” Ilea said.

“So much work. Cless can you be a dear and get Sully? He’s down in the Haven I think.” Dagon asked and smiled at the girl.

“Yes sir.” Cless said and saluted the man before she jumped off Kyrian’s shoulders and vanished in a mist of blue.

“Can everybody except for me do that now?” Kyrian asked and shook his head.

“Can’t do that either. Well not exactly, working on a rune.” Claire said, looking away from the man after she said that. “Speaking of, Ilea can you show me your teleport again later?”

“Of course. Guess I’ll be staying for today at least.” Ilea said.

“If what you’re saying is true then Ravenhall will soon be flooded with people again. How is the work going Claire, are we ready?” Dagon asked as he looked at the woman.

“As ready as we can be. The reconstruction of the Haven is going well, the soil and ambient mana is impressive. I don’t know why we never used more of it to grow crops. Compared to manually growing through magic it’s much more efficient.” Claire said.

“Because the guilds didn’t want us to flood the market, neither did the empire. Plus I doubt the elders wanted to use Eregar’s Haven for something mundane like that.” Dagon explained but shook his head in the process.

“Not sure what exactly they wanted to do in the first place.” Claire said but didn’t elaborate.

“Ask Verena when she’s back. I hope she doesn’t throw us out immediately.” The librarian said but didn’t seem too serious about it. “Seeing the results she might agree to leave some of the work and decisions to others.” He added.

“We’ll need her power.” Claire said. “I don’t think we have anything to fear from any of the members, not with the retaking of the city. Still, other interested parties might try to gain influence.”

“We’re not going to make it easy for them. While we have lost many in the summoning, the Hand has never been more powerful.” Dagon said.

“Good. Now Dagon, Eve has been killed. I’m sure you’ve heard already.” Ilea started. “We suspect it was the organization called the Golden Lily. Let me know if you have anything on them, for now add Arthur Redleaf to that list. He should be part of the organization.”

The man nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I’ve heard and I’m terribly sorry for your loss Ilea. For our loss really. Although I doubt she would’ve stayed with the Hand for much longer. We’ll look for records on the order and Arthur right away.” He said as he got up.

“Thank you Ilea. For what you did for Elise.” The man said and touched her shoulder. “Now come, I’ll show you around.” He said, looking at the other librarian. Ilea didn’t reply to anything he said but she would return in a couple hours to see if they found anything. She doubted it, considering even the empire’s own library had little to no records. Perhaps they didn’t have much influence in Ravenhall, or at least not with Dagon. She trusted him enough to at least tell her she shouldn’t ask questions about it were he a part of it.

“Dagon, the glasses, dress and hair. It’ll have to change and soon.” Claire reminded the man but he was already lost in conversation, leaving Claire to shake her head.

“Guess you’ll have to check in on them again.” Kyrian said as he sat down in the nearby armchair.

“Of course I have to.” The woman replied. “So you’re going to hunt Arthur Redleaf. I doubt you could take down a family like that on your own, are you sure you’re not running into the lion’s den like you promised?” Claire asked.

“We’re working together with Edwin, the man’s son. Him and some of his friends will hunt Arthur down, hopefully taking him down. He’s the only link we have to the Golden Lily right now and while I won’t face him alone, Edwin won’t wait for me to get stronger. And I won’t ignore the opportunity.” Ilea explained.

“We? You, Kyrian and Trian I assume?” Claire asked as she leaned on Dagon’s desk.

“Just me.” Kyrian said.

“Trian needs some time I think. After what happened to his family.” Ilea said. Claire nodded absentmindedly.

“I can’t leave my post for this. Not now. We’re in a very delicate situation and we have to steer the city and the Hand into the right direction. I’m truly sorry.” Claire said and by the tone of her voice, Ilea believed her.

“I didn’t intend to ask you in the first place. You have obligations now. Your mother is here too I heard?” Ilea asked, distracting the woman from the topic of Eve. She didn’t want her to change her opinion on it, lest there be another person she could lose in the mission. The thought quickly passed through her mind, glancing at Kyrian right after.

“She is and I think something finally changed.” Claire said happily. “She sometimes visibly reacts to Cless, especially when the girl shows her the new paintings. And somehow she likes the Haven. You know, she was a nature mage before… I think maybe using the Haven to grow all kinds of foods might help her too. You two could meet her later, how much time do you have?” Claire asked.

“Today, we could do longer but only if absolutely necessary.” Ilea said.

“I’d be up for meeting her. What’s her name anyway?” Kyrian asked.

“Leia. And thank you, for understanding. I hope you don’t hold it against me either Kyrian.” Claire said when Cless returned with Sulivhaan.

“Of course not. I’m glad you’re safe here. You’re not mobile enough for this mission.” Kyrian commented with a smile, getting an eye roll from Claire.

“Welcome back. Come here.” Sulivhaan said and walked to Ilea before he hugged her lightly. “I’m so sorry to hear. I remember the first time I lost a teammate. A horrible experience.” He said in an understanding tone. His mask even looked somewhat sympathetic.

“Thanks. I’ll keep myself busy.” Ilea said to which he nodded.

“Let me know if you need anything. It was me who tried to have you join the order in the first place.” Sulivhaan said.

“Were you working in the Haven?” Claire asked.

“I was.” Sulivhaan replied.

“Then perhaps we can combine things. Let’s walk.” Claire said and went to the door. “Sorry for getting you up here. Now Kyrian and Ilea confirm the attack on Virilya and it might be an actual threat to the empire. This war is happening and I doubt other big cities will be exempt.”

“That is concerning news. Until the empire falls we will likely not be a significant target. Not if we don’t interfere.” Sulivhaan said as they made their way down to the Haven.

“Each side will pay mercenaries to fight for them.” Claire said.

“And we won’t stop them. Humans fighting humans is of no concern to the Shadow’s Hand. Or do you disagree?” Sulivhaan asked.

“In this case I don’t. In other situations I might.” The woman replied.

“Then you are free to convince them to join your cause or pay them yourself.” Sulivhaan said. “The Empire is just as corrupt as Baralia. The only difference worth mentioning is the slave trade. A difficult thing to implement in the empire’s cities for sure. I doubt they would risk it even if they took all of them, lest a civil war will possibly result. Baralia still wants profit and they have their own enemies in the west.”

“You talk as if they’ve already won.” Claire said, the group now descending in the last elevator, Eregar’s Haven opening up before them. Fields now dotted the landscape closest to the elevator but far fewer than Ilea had thought.

“How will we feed the whole city with such a small amount of fields?” She asked to the confusion of the others.

“I’m not sure how you do it where you’re from Ilea but a field like that manned by a nature mage can feed thousands.” Kyrian said, obviously understanding that there was some difference between her homeland and how it worked in Elos.

Magical farming. Ilea thought. Hunger wouldn’t be a problem. And much easier to control for the leading class.

“We’re planning to expand to five times what we currently have but it takes time to nurture the ground to the right conditions. As soon as the fields are ready our nature, earth and plant mages will be able to sustain it indefinitely. Especially with the rich ambient mana in the Haven. If need be we’ll be able to expand even further. I just don’t want it to get close enough to the spawning pool.” Sulivhaan explained.

There was a high wall built around the farming area with a couple of guards on it. The rule that only full members were allowed down here apparently didn’t apply anymore either.

“We will be ready to take on refugees from the war in no time. Many stores are standing without personnel, their runes and machines unused and their shelves remaining empty. There is housing already furnished and hundreds of positions to fill in both the Hand and the local government. Even the Guilds will likely recruit refugees.” Sulivhaan continued.

“The contracts are ready as well, anybody choosing to own a shop, apartment or house will have to work to pay it off. It’s in our favor enough to be mostly fair.” Claire added.

“Mostly?” Kyrian asked, a smile showing on the woman’s face.

“Well it would be foolish not to use their refugee status to our advantage at least a little. Not enough for them to resent the city or the Hand but enough to bind them a little tighter and for a little longer.” She explained.

“I can see why you’re not bothered by the slavery part.” Ilea said absentmindedly.

“I won’t justify myself to a mercenary.” Claire jabbed back.

“Just don’t overdo it.” Ilea said.

“I won’t. You can look at the contracts too if you want to. Change things up as well. Many of your own properties will be housing refugees.” Claire said.

“Just make sure they’re not unhappy. That decreases productivity. Who would want to go to a glum feeling inn?” Ilea asked.

“At least you understand some things. As I said, I’m not planning for the short term. I want these people to stay and thrive.” Claire said. “Don’t worry.”

“I’ll return to work if that’s all you wanted to tell me.” Sulivhaan said.

“We need to discuss some of the plans regarding housing and the logistics of arming new guards. I’ll be back later today for that. Will you be here?” Claire asked.

“I will be, or in my study.” Sulivhaan said as he turned to Ilea.

“You’ve grown so much in this short time I’ve known you. Do remember to be careful and don’t let revenge consume you. Take your time to train, to plan your enemy’s demise and execute it ruthlessly. That is how you will survive.” Sulivhaan said to Ilea as he took her hand.

“I’ll take it to heart. Thank you Sulivhaan. Don’t overwork yourself.” Ilea replied, holding his hand tight.

Chapter 197 Preparations

A note from Rhaegar

Hello again.

Chapter 197 Preparations

The man left again to continue his work and the rest of them visited Leia. She was a frail woman looking to be in her seventies, her eyes without focus nor any reaction to their approach. Ilea didn’t know anything about her condition but it was doubtlessly connected to some traumatic even in her past. Seeing Claire care for her and talk to her lovingly made her remember her own parents. Not a lot of pleasant memories but it made her feel a little nostalgic still.

“Cless, can you look after her for a while. You know she loves your paintings.” Claire said after a while, smiling at the girl who seemed to beam at the suggestion. She nodded quickly and ran to a nearby shed, getting a canvas. Ilea didn’t see any colors or brushes but she figured the girl had her own ways.

“Will you two be leaving again?” Cless asked after she had prepared everything.

“We will.” Kyrian said and lifted her up again, one of his spheres forming a round plate below her feet. He let her fall a moment later, making her shriek before she landed just two centimeters further down.

“I hate this!” She shouted while laughing and hit the man on his chest, making him chuckle as well.

“We’ll be back in no time.” He said and hugged the girl.

He’s gotten close to her. Ilea thought, enjoying the scene. Hopefully it’s not the wrong decision. For both of them.

“Bye Ilea. Next time you should be stronger.” Cless said, waving at her.

“I’ll try my very best M.” She said, saluting to the girl with a little less enthusiasm than Cless had shown earlier. They both high fived the girl before they made their way back.

“Let me know if you need gold, there’s already a substantial amount coming in each day.” Claire said to Ilea as they walked towards the elevators.

“I’m fine for the moment.” Ilea replied. “Reinvest a big part of it.”

“Of course.” Claire said, likely already thinking about how specifically to spend the gold.

“Where’s Trian, I’d like to meet him before we go.” Ilea said to her when they exited into Viscera. Again there were gates put into place to trap something in the Haven, or to protect someone against whatever came into Viscera. A good addition. Ilea thought. A lot of demons had been summoned into the city itself when Adam Strand had executed whatever plans he had. Still, sections could be blocked off and cleared out easier like this.

“He’s here actually. Deeper inside, staying with his friends.” Claire said, looking at Ilea when she said the word friends. “I’ll take you to them.” She added, leading them to another lift that led downwards, to the training halls.

Unknown to her, there were hidden passages leading further down into the mountain, passages that not even her sphere picked up. “Were those here before?” Ilea asked as the stone wall melded back into place behind them, leaving no trace and cutting off her sphere.

“No. Most of them are new additions. A combination of rune magic and enchantments. Can they block out your skill?” Claire asked and smiled when Ilea confirmed. “Good. Seems like the efforts weren’t in vain. I doubt many have something more potent than yours. Elise will get something similar in the library above. Just in case.”

“So you’re going for him.” Trian said, still looking at the same spot on the wall he had been staring at for the whole duration of their conversation. Ilea didn’t really want to call it that either, the man only barely reacting to what she said.

“We are. Just wanted you to know that I guess. It was nice seeing you.” She said and got up, not receiving a further response from the man.

“He’s not quite himself, is he?” Kyrian asked when she joined him in the hallway.

“No. He needs time. Come on, let’s see if Dagon and Elise found out anything or if they rather busied themselves with other things.” Ilea said, walking to Claire when Aurelia came running from the room.

“Ilea. Thank you for visiting.” She said, closing the door behind herself. “I’ll get him back to his old self in no time. He’s always been too hard on himself.” Aureila said and punched Ilea on her shoulder.

“I’ll get stronger, for him and you.” She added.

“Perhaps next time I won’t have to hold back as much then.” Ilea said, grinning at the girl who just shook her head.

“You’ll see.” She answered with a perfect smile before she went back to the others. Perhaps they were the first refugees in Ravenhall after all.

As expected no new information on either Arthur or the Golden Lily was unearthed by the two librarians. A lack of influential nobles in the Hand was likely the reason, as well as the privacy of the rare noble that actually joined. Dagon’s knowledge and research was more focused on skills, classes, stats and most importantly monsters. Enemies to humanity itself, other intelligent races, their possible goals, philosophies, culture, weaknesses and preferences. They were an order of mercenaries, not bound to one country or another. However they were bound to humanity, to protect their species against anyone that would come to destroy them. Elves were the main focus of course, especially since the destruction of the western independent cities. Still there were other races, some of them trading with humans or even living in their cities. No major war had happened in the last several hundred years. The dwarves resided in the Naraza mountain chain or wherever they decided to dig themselves into the stone.

They had no interest in the human plains and had stated so on several occasions. The elves were a mystery still, their intentions differing with every attack it seemed and the results varying just as much. Dagon was convinced they could end humanity as a whole if they decided to put all their energy towards that goal but so far nothing spoke for such an effort.

The Shadow’s Hand was one thing that would stand in their way should they decide to execute such a plan. There were dangerous monsters in the north, several expeditions not coming back at all, others defeated and decimated. No expedition east and into the ocean had succeeded so far, everyone vanishing without a trace. Monsters of the deep would attack port cities from time to time but at least for a couple kilometers off the coast, the sea was considered safe. At least as safe as the wild in the human plains.

Cities and walls would protect against the normal kind of monsters, either too weak to get over or through the walls, taken down by a group effort of the defenders or hunters or simply disliking the high number of people inside. Most predators liked to isolate targets instead of invading the middle of the herd after all.

“You said before that I need five skills at second tier level twenty for third tier becoming available?” Ilea asked after Dagon had told her about the lack of information regarding the Golden Lily and Arthur Redleaf.

“It’s usually the case, yes. For most people, at least the ones who shared this information with me, they have at least one or two available skills to advance. There are likely some conditions that one needs to fulfill for the third tier becoming available. Either that or it’s random. The fact that some people have the option to advance any one of their ten skills, none at all or anything in between makes me think it’s the former.” Dagon explained. “Your second class getting close then? Why not stay and train for a while, I’m sure you could reach it soon. Couple weeks or months maybe.” He suggested but Ilea shook her head.

“I’m gonna get there when I do and I already have a couple favorites should the time be inconvenient. I already have plenty of options to flee and survive, I hope it’s enough.” She said and sighed.

“You really have that many skills at the end of the second tier already?” Kyrian asked. “Took me most of our missions and training to just get a third to that level.”

“I focused more on skills than leveling for quite a while.” Ilea said. “Didn’t the training do a lot for you as well?” She asked.

“I mean yes, it definitely did. To get to two hundred I generally didn’t use more than five of all my skills though so most of them were lagging behind quite a bit.” The man explained. “The training definitely helped but I’ll need a while longer to use either of my third tier points. Got nothing available either.”

“Good to know we’re in a similar boat then. Are you sure you’re up for this then? You lack a teleportation ability.” Ilea said and looked at him.

“I thought we discussed this before. Of course I am. You don’t need a teleportation ability when you can bust through walls with metal. Plus being trapped in a room with me isn’t good for anybody. You remember when you didn’t have your curse resistance and tried to walk into my runes?” He asked. “It’s not a common ability.”

“Yea but we’re not fighting common people.” Ilea said. “I trust you though. And your abilities. Let’s just hope they didn’t already heavily train against curse and metal magic.”

“It’s painful to do that. I doubt many nobles have experienced such or would like to do so when they can get more powerful by killing people and monsters delivered to them.” Kyrian suggested. “Plus we’re together, we’ve got each others’ backs”

“Alright. Sorry about this, it’s just that…,” Ilea started but he just punched her shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it. Plus it’s just this mission. Afterwards we’ll train. To get strong enough to face them we’ll have to face death many times. This is just the first.” Kyrian said.

“Arthur Redleaf took over from his father. He’s not self made which makes me doubt he has suffered the pain of curses quite as much as you have as a hobby.” Dagon added.

“It’s not exactly a hobby.” Ilea said but smiled. “Fucking idiots.”

“We’ll look through the records and see if we can find anything related to Eve, the Golden Lily or Arthur Redleaf. Perhaps something pops up. Just make sure to come back again at some point. May you prevail.” Dagon said as he got up, walking around the table and hugging Ilea tightly. Her rib cage groaned under the strength of his arms.

“I don’t have to tell you not to die, it’s probably easier to destroy this city again than it is to kill you.” Dagon said when he let go and turned to Kyrian. “You, you don’t die kid.” He said. “Now leave my office, I have to catch up on forty lost years.

“Of intercourse?” Ilea asked.

“Imbecile. Forty years of romance and conversation.” Dagon said but the light shade of red on his face wasn’t lost to her.

Ilea’s instinct would’ve liked to add another comment to the situation, especially considering his body size in relation to hers but she simply didn’t feel like it. Not after all that has happened. Maybe I’m becoming less of an insufferable twat. The thought made her chuckle to herself to the confusion of the others.

“Of course, then I will let you get to it. Thank you for the help and for taking care of her and Trian.” She said, to both Dagon and Claire.

“You brought the news from Ravenhall. I doubt we’d be standing here without you. You rescued Elise from the dungeons and you helped avenge Trian’s family. If anybody should be receiving thanks, it’s you.” Dagon said.

“Don’t encourage her, she was finally becoming a little more humble.” Kyrian said and laughed as he touched Ilea’s shoulder.

“You’re living a dangerous life Kyrian.” Claire said. “We’re here for you two and anybody you consider a friend. To you or to the order. And you will have a place here always.”

“Thank you. I have to admit that I kind of fell in love with danger.” He said, winking at Ilea at the last part.

She groaned and pushed his arm away. “I’m not ready for a committed relationship Kyrian. Even without all the shit that has happened.”

“I said danger, not you.” The man said and smiled.

“Alright, we’re leaving. Thanks again and don’t let demons destroy the city again. Remember, there was one incredibly tough one and it’s still around somewhere.” Ilea warned as she walked to the door.

“We have scouts around and in the city. Plus we took down those giants, I think we can handle a single demon.” Claire said. Ilea didn’t doubt her, not with all the changes she and the others had brought to Ravenhall. Still, that demon was dangerous. Similar as with the Praetorians, the normal size of them and their speed made for a much more dangerous enemy than a massive, high leveled and powerful monster.

They could be taken down with teamwork, distraction and tactics. For human sized or slightly larger enemies, that was much more difficult. Especially if they could think and that demon spoke. They still gave her more of an uneasy feeling than the monster whale or the Basilisk she had faced so long ago. And I was weak then compared to now. Still it hadn’t killed her. Had it been a Praetorian, she doubted anybody in that cave would’ve come out alive.

With their business concluded in Ravenhall, the two of them finished their preparations for the journey and the eventual destination. Food and drink was bought, as well as necessities like bandages, cloth, weak health potions in case their mana ran dry or healing spells were interrupted. Cloaks to hide and some spare clothes. Ilea had initially planned to get some things in Virilya but decided on getting them here instead. It was quicker and wouldn’t result in possible fights. Plus putting some money into the local economy would benefit her too in the end.

“Ready to go?” She asked the man when they met up again near the northern gate.

“Yep, although all my stuff is going to be cold. Sure you don’t want to trade your necklace against my ring?” He asked jokingly.

Ilea just grinned under her hood. “I doubt you’d look as smashing in it.”

“You’re covered in bloody armor all the time. Nobody ever sees it.” Kyrian said as they exited the city, seeing more than a couple people on the road leading towards the city. An unusual sight considering the dangers involved in traveling. They had grouped up but looked to be far from the same making, some clad in armor, others freezing in the cold weather as they clutched to the thin shirts they had, showing no further possessions.

“You’ve seen it.” Ilea said absentmindedly as she watched the newcomers. Hope and exhaustion on their faces as they gazed upon the high walls of Ravenhall a city that might soon rival Virilya in defensive capabilities. They need some more shield mages for that I think.

“Which is why I wish you’d show it off more.” Kyrian said. “The first refugees are already here. Hey, where are you from?” He asked when they reached the closest group. The man who was spoken to looked around and shied back a little but managed to stammer out the name Harptown.

“Where’s that?” Ilea asked.

“Right next to the mountain chain. Not far from Morhill actually. Well it’s far if you’re moving like these guys are. Thanks.” He said, nodding to the man who seemed happy that the conversation had ended.

“If people from that town are already coming here…,” Ilea started, the two of them walking away from the road and towards the forest lying north of Ravenhall.

“Well Claire might have to get some more fields ready.” Kyrian completed her sentence.

“Maybe all that space below the city might be used finally.” Ilea said and he grunted.

“Half of it was destroyed. I doubt they rebuilt it all. But yea, there’s certainly enough space.” Kyrian said when they entered the forest, his body starting to levitate from the ground as his magic activated. Ilea’s wings spread in turn and she started flying too.

“Let’s stay low until we’ve crossed the mountains.” She said and he didn’t reply, just starting off towards their destination.

“Are you sure about this?” Walter asked after looking over the combination of runes. “I can barely read them and they give me a massive headache. We’ve summoned a demon before by accident.”

“I can take over most demons, should one show up.” Weavy said, his mind racing through the runes again and again. He had planned for this the entire week.

“Master I trust in you.” The boy said into his mind. An annoying trick he had learned. Perhaps I shouldn’t have taught him at all. Now he can annoy me through walls. Weavy though and sighed, a gesture he liked more and more. He still didn’t quite know what exactly it meant but the humans did it to show frustration.

“Master Skorn. Please trust in my abilities. One more try.” He telepathically said to the human next to him. Walter frowned and looked at the big black sockets in Weavy’s head.

“Last time we had to clean the room six times to get the smell of blood out.” He grumbled as he left the room, closing the door behind himself.

“That is a yes then. Ein, step aside and watch carefully how I circulate my mana through these runes. More and more I gain understanding of the Old ones.” Weavy said before he went to the door and listened. Walter’s footsteps decreased in volume, meaning that he would have some time for himself. Good. He thought, his facial muscles deforming his mouth into a scary smile.

The boy stepped aside as he started activating the runes, their light humming fueling his excitement. They will understand soon. He thought as his teeth started to show.

Chapter 198 Demonic Fishes

A note from Rhaegar

Hello everybody.

This is going to be a bit of a longer update so there's going to be a TLDR at the bottom. I generally don't want to bring up any personal stuff but this one is pretty related to writing.

For various reasons all but one unrelated to this hobby, I have quit my job. The success I've had with Azarinth Healer on Royalroad and later Patreon has made me seriously consider the possibility of becoming a full time writer.

So yea, I'm gonna give it a shot. Have been for the past week already and it went well so far. I'm going to give it a couple months to see if I can keep up the productivity, to see if its financially viable and to see if I don't burn out.

To get the practical side out of the way before I go into more personal stuff, following the current plans and changes.

- No more ETAs (on Patreon). I plan to post chapters a couple times a week but don't want to specify and promise things that I then might have to take back. The weekly goals so far have been manageable so I doubt there will be big problems with that.

- I'm going to increase advance chapters on Patreon to 10 for 2$ and 20 for 5$. The reason is very simple. It's easier for me to count to 10/20 than it is to 8 and 16. You may question my intelligence.

- There's gonna be a public chapter on Patreon every other week or so. I feel like some people might be willing to spend a fiver if they're already on the site compared to the additional step it would require otherwise.

- I'll add stuff to the 10$ tier like side stories / Q&As and possibly other things if anything comes to mind. Suggestions are welcome as always.

- I might start working on other projects than Azarinth Healer to clear my mind and see if I can actually produce something people like outside of this one lucky shot. I will be mainly focusing on Azarinth Healer of course, until it's ended properly. There's plenty more I want to do with that world and Ilea though so don't take this the wrong way.

I think that's it regarding the actual changes. Most of it won't affect you as a reader and hopefully the only visible change will be more chapters to check out.

What I finally managed to do the past week was change the present tense issues on the first 36 chapters. With the help of RoyalRoad user lomie0 I could update the formatting on those early chapters as well as correct a ton of mistakes and awkward phrases. I wanted to specifically thank him here for the time invested into this work. Go give him some reputation if you find a comment of his. I hate editing but those early chapters were so riddled with my inexperience and grammar mistakes that they direly needed it.

Now comes the personal part where I thank you and ramble on about how I feel about this endeavor.

I remember writing a similar paragraph a while ago when I passed Don't Fear the Reaper on the ratings list and my feelings really haven't changed much since then. I still don't think Azarinth Healer is up to the standard many other novels on RoyalRoad or published fiction hold up to but I do believe I've improved considerably since starting this as a hobby. Now I guess through the magic of Patreon I can call myself a paid writer, still a long way from professional I think but it's something.

I started writing because I loved the feeling of reading, forgetting about this boring and often disappointing reality's worries and falling into something new and exciting. Without actually having to leave my bed and comforts. I think a lot of people like what I write because I feel like this while writing, like I'm exploring a new exciting world through the eyes of a character I created. Since starting I have come to worry about plot lines, characterization, world building as well as style.

I learn more and more how much I failed and still fail at many of those things but what reading some horribly structured fiction, riddled with mistakes and weebed characters has taught me is that much of that doesn't matter a whole lot when the magic is there. I've read thousands of pages barely passing as English and I've loved it. I hope I can continue to improve on many aspects to bring an overall more enjoyable story to you guys and girls (as well as attack helicopters) out there.

I'm here and I read your comments, willing to listen and learn. The nature of writing a web novel has been such an amazing help with getting better I wouldn't miss any of the criticism and hate I sometimes get. Most of the feedback is positive though, which of course is a part of the reason I continue to do this. To correct that a little, most of you simply read. I was a lurker myself for years before even making an account. Coincidentally it was to write a PM to the author of Don't Fear the Reaper, to thank them for the amazing world they had shared with me.

Now I'm on the other side, getting reviews and comments on what I write. It's a humbling and positively weird experience but I definitely want to encourage you to share your thoughts with me, to tell me what you disliked or what you would've done differently. I'm a single mind and as I think not a massively spectacular one at that. I have learned in life that everyone starts at some point and while some are priviledged, more talented or in my case lucky, you can achieve... let's say reasonable goals if you're open and ready to learn.

My goal is to become an adequate writer. To create and share worlds and characters that are fun and exciting to get to know. So watch and help me grow.

I thank every single one of you for this opportunity. You don't know me but you are a part of the reason I am here, making this ridiculous hobby into an actual job. Thank you for the financial support, commenting, sharing and for criticizing but most of all thank you, for reading.

TLDR: Quit job to become one of those authors you see in the first arc of a movie before they find a magic pill to make them smart or something. I'll try not to become an alcoholic. Thanks for reading my shit.

Chapter 198 Demonic Fishes

A loud noise and an incredible magical discharge rushed through his whole body just moments after he left the demon to his rune magic. That damn monster. He thought and rushed back to the room, his dark magic flowing through and around him, turning his eyes black and his muscles to steel. The lock cracked when his spell hit the door, sending the whole thing flying and into the opposite wall.

Walter entered the room and prepared another spell. The bizarre scene before him made him freeze in his step. An illusion? He asked himself, probing his mind for any intrusion, the magic flowing through his body for any inconsistencies. Nothing came up.

“Ah hahahahaha!” The sound of laughter rang through his head. The demon spoke to him through his telepathic ability.

“What’s so funny. Boy what are you doing?! That’s raw!” Walter shouted and walked to the boy but the demon stopped him.

“It is as it should be. Now join us, Walter of Skorn. It is the tastiest flesh of the great salt. The only thing I have missed from that barren world.” The demon said, not taking his massive maw from the big fish’s corpse even for a second, the sound of flesh being ripped through the only noise in the room. Chewing and gulping following right after.

“The… that’s a massive fish.” Walter said. “How the hell did you get this massive fish into this room?” He asked but the runes he had even inspected beforehand were of course the answer. “Why did you summon a fish?”

“QUIET!” The demon said and ripped out a piece of the fish’s body, turning around to face the dark sorcerer with blood dripping down his maw, blackness staring back at Walter.

“Taste and all will be understood.” The demon said in a telepathic whisper. The demon was a little lower in level than him but just the look of the thing terrified him. He took the fish and bit into it. Chewing and finally swallowing.

“Wow…,” He said, unsheathing the knife he had on his belt and kneeling down next to the boy. A piece of flesh was cut off and eaten, the kid, man and demon sharing the moment of pure bliss.

“I summoned it, I claim the eyes and bones.” Weavy said after a while.

“Whatever demon. What even is this creature?” Walter asked with a full mouth. It was the best meal he had in years.

“The famed Blackfish. Well famed among us demons, not much to compare it to in the Salt. After eating your world’s creatures, I have found that swimming creatures have not reached its deep flavor and satisfying texture.” The demon explained and continued his meal, the crunching of bones adding to the musical of consumption.

Neeto joined them a moment later, ignoring the bizarre scene before him. “Walter. We have found a group of mercenaries in the dungeon. They have been looking for Ilea it seems.”

The leader of the Vultures stopped his meal and got up. “Weavy, you summon more of those fish if you can. Let’s look at the runes together later. Do invest some time to work with Indra as well, he really wants to learn from your expertise.”

“Human. He irritates me. I do not understand his obsession with the long eared ones. Their teeth are nothing special compared to mine.” Weavy replied, continuing his meal as he slurped up the seven eyes of the fish individually.

“Oh that’s disgusting.” Walter said. “Just try ok, he would appreciate it and you’re part of our group now, try to play nice. Ok?”

“Alright, I will try Skorn. Communication is key in relationships after all.” Weavy said.

His adaption to humanity is still weird to see… that fish though. Walter thought and looked at the monsters. “Where are they? Still in the dungeon or apprehended?” He turned and looked at Neeto.

“Three were killed by the hounds, the other two apprehended by the undead. They are injured but nothing life threatening. I claimed their bones already, should they perish.” Neeto said, his empty eye sockets sometimes nearly as unsettling as the demon’s. Still, Walter had gotten used to them and he will get used to Weavy.

You wanted an open minded society removed from humanity’s restrictions and rules. He thought, sighing as they made their way to the guest rooms.

“It’s going to be ok Walter. The demon has a good heart. Figuratively speaking of course. Haha.” Neeto said. “That fish’s bones looked interesting.”

“He has already claimed those bones. Perhaps you may trade them?” Walter asked which made the skeleton stop and consider.

“I will do so.” He said and left the man on his own. Walter didn’t try to convince the skeleton otherwise, he knew better than that.

Last time he nearly took my arm. Damn strong magic for a level 140. Bone magic is special after all. The thought went through his head when he opened the door to the guest room, finding Lucia already there, talking to the two guests that were chained up and in their underwear, bleeding from several wounds.

“Stop screaming you dumb fuck. Shouldn’t have come here in the first place, the dogs are hungry all the time.” Lucia said as she cleaned a nasty bite wound.

[Warrior – lvl 101]

[Mage – lvl 89]

Should be manageable. Walter thought but it of course depended on their reason to be here.

“Take your hands off me witch!” The warrior shouted and spit at Lucia’s face.

She carefully cleaned it off with the cloth she had used to clean his wounds and looked at Walter, a smile on her face.

“No manners in the god damned fucking human kingdoms is it?” She asked. “I’ll take this one for enchantments. Any problem with that?”

“Do as you please Lucia. I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to leave this place.” Walter said in a resigning tone. She had taken this role since the beginning and he had to quiet the small voice inside of him that wanted to let the man go with a pat on his back. Remember the last time you did that.

“What do you mean? You can’t do this! The Forkspears will never forgive this!” The warrior shouted, damn near frothing at his mouth.

“So we know about the people paying you. Why are you here then?” Walter asked as he closed the distance to the two guests.

“We’re supposed to look for Alice Forkspear, she’s one of the daughters of the noble house. Fled when the elves attacked it seemed. I’ve got no idea why she’d do something like that.” The mage said, in a very calm way. The man didn’t seem to be afraid at all.

“Come on.” Lucia said, her arm starting to glow a little before her fist slammed the warrior’s head back and into the wall, knocking him out cold. The chains unlocked and the man fell down with a hard thud. “Ah fuck, always forget to catch them.” Lucia said and dragged him out of the room as the other two watched the scene, more curses and dragging the only noise between them. She briefly got stuck on the door frame but another head trauma for the warrior solved that problem.

“She’s quite the powerhouse ain’t she.” The mage said and smiled.

“You have no idea.” Walter remarked. “You were looking for Alice? I don’t know her, never heard the name really.”

“You haven’t. Well I believe you. To be honest, finding you lot here I think this mission is beyond what we’re being paid for. Forkspears have a reputation for being cheapskates but this is just ridiculous. The only lead we got was a girl called Lilith, a healer warrior or something that went on a mission for the noble girl damn near a year ago. You know her?” The mage asked.

“I have a suspicion, yes. I’m not sure, I know she went into a Taleen dungeon once in Dawntree. That the one?” Walter asked as he sat down on the nearby bed.

“Yea, that’ll be her.” The mage said.

“And you were sent? No offense but…,” Walter said and smiled.

“What? She’s supposed to be a healer near level one hundred. I think we should be able to handle that.” The mage said.

“What’s your name?” Walter asked as he sat back.

“Theo usually. People call me different things.” The man said.

“Well Theo. If it’s really the person you’re looking for then she’s not a healer anymore, she’s a warrior with the Shadow’s Hand.” He said.

“A Shadow? Of course she is. Just my luck with missions.” Theo said and laughed out loud. “Oh well, to find my death in this crypt is not the worst way to go. May I have a little time before you kill me?” He asked.

“Theo, we’re not that uncivilized here. You seem like a decent man. All we want is to make sure you don’t go around and tell people about our location. Your friend here already showed us that he likely wouldn’t be agreeable to that idea.” Walter said. “Now if you behave yourself we’ll see where that leads you.” He said and got up to unshackle the man.

“Really?” Theo asked and laughed again. “Well that is a surprise. I thought it would be poetic to find my end at the hands of death worshipers.

“We’re more a community of the unlife. We don’t discriminate against people that are alive. I’m alive too.” Walter explained. “I’ll have to find your clothes. Lucia always throws them out somewhere. Come with me, so I can have an eye on you.” Walter said.

“As long as my harmonica is still around somewhere.” Theo joked.

“You play? I’m a bard, guitar and the lute mostly. Perhaps your time here won’t be as unbearable as you thought.” Walter said, his step already a little lighter. The appreciation of music was something he had always tried to change in the Vulture Brotherhood. As long as people had their passions, he wouldn’t be pushy but sometimes he did feel a little lonely being the only musical person around.

“Wonderful, I’ve dabbled in both of them too but my talent just isn’t there.” Theo said.

“Ah by the way, we reported to the Riverwatch guard where we’d be, should we not come back after a week or two. If you want to stay hidden I might have to report back with a story.” Theo said.

“We’ll see about that when the time comes. Do you hold no grudge because your team died?” Walter asked.

“You should’ve seen their lack of coordination. A young rowdy pack of meatheads. I’m glad no more of those stalker hounds have died. They are beautiful creatures aren’t they?” Theo asked, lost in thought as he nearly walked into the wall.

I don’t think this one will be a problem. Walter thought and smiled to himself. Lucia, I swear if you burnt those clothes again…,

Ilea and Kyrian needed two days of traveling to return to the outskirts of Virilya. Smoke was still rising from the distant city, alarming everybody about the state of the city. They didn’t get close enough to see anything but Ilea was sure that Maria had news about the current developments ready when they arrived. The two of them traveled the last part of their journey at a very low altitude, using every bit of cover they could find.

It wasn’t necessary as it turned out, the two of them not spotting a single scout or soldier to the east of Virilya. A couple of wild cats the size of bears trailed them for a while but Ilea thought it was more out of curiosity than anything. They never came close enough to strike and couldn’t keep up with their speed whenever they moved on open land.

“Silver cats eh?” Kyrian asked when they slowed down near the hideout.

“Yep. Beautiful creatures aren’t they?” She asked. “Though I still prefer Swordmouth Tigers.”

“Can’t think of a reason why.” Kyrian said dryly when they landed.

“Are you there?” Ilea asked towards the hideout, the door opening to reveal Felicia with a big smile on her face.

“Welcome back!” She shouted and walked towards them.

“Felicia.” Ilea heard Edwin’s voice coming from behind the woman and watched her stop and sigh. She didn’t seem any less enthusiastic to see them though.

“I know brother.” She said towards her back. “Come on in, they’ve been preparing for days. What’s your wind magic resistance at by the way?” Felicia asked as she hugged Ilea.

“Level eight currently why? Do you want to train some?” Ilea asked, letting go of the woman and staring into her near yellow eyes.

“I mean sure, I’d love to see you dodge my attacks again. It’s been so long since I seriously tried to kill you.” She said with a perfect smile. “Father is a wind mage.” She added in a much more subdued tone.

“Ah he is.” Ilea said, Kyrian closing the door behind them before the illusion enchantment snapped back into place, hiding them from unknowing eyes.

“And a terrifying one at that. I think he’s also a blood mage but what noble isn’t.” Felicia added as they joined the others.

“You’re earlier than expected. Good.” Edwin said when she sat down. Kyrian went over to Aliana who was of course cooking. She looked at him and then back to her food a little too quickly.

Perhaps he’ll find his relationship sooner than he thought. Ilea mused. Her interest in the man had vaned somewhat. At least from a sexual standpoint. He had become a dear friend and she wouldn’t hurt a friend like that. Not when she knew they were looking for something different entirely.

“We’re leaving in an hour. The journey will take us several days to the north. We’ll stay close to the sea and will avoid any cities and villages we come by.” Edwin explained.

“You mean several days for us, while we’re carrying you.” Ilea said. She watched the weird thing in her Sphere turn into Maria behind her before her hands landed on her shoulders. The smile to frown transformation on her face amused her greatly. She thought I didn’t see her.

“You are SO provocative aren’t you.” Maria said before she let go of her.

“Not with everybody. This guy has worked hard to earn my most annoying self.” Ilea said.

“Thanks for coming.” Maria said in a quieter voice before she sat down next to Edwin.

“I’m surprised you didn’t leave alone already.” Ilea said.

“Flight will save us more time in the end.” Maria said. “Simple as that.” The grin on her face was like a reflection of herself.

“You have beautiful purple eyes Maria.” Ilea said, watching the woman’s brain gears start to turn. She tried hard not to smile herself. Maria was smart, smarter than her probably. A random remark like that without any other purpose than to compliment her was like cryptonite she imagined.

“She’s fucking with you.” Edwin said and sighed. “One hour.” He added and got up.

“Will Felicia and Aliana join us this time? You could use some more firepower. I doubt the man will be alone, not that that wouldn’t be dangerous enough.” Ilea said, turning in her chair.

“They won’t be.” Edwin stated.

“Why not? Felicia is at two hundred and Aliana is close enough.” Ilea said, looking at Felicia who smiled at her.

“I said they won’t be joining us.” Edwin said and left the room after a hard stare at her.

Ilea just rolled her eyes and relaxed in her chair, taking off her helmet. Manually to not show off her necklace unnecessarily. Felicia moved closer and put a hand on her leg.

“I’m glad you’re going with him.” She said in a quiet voice.

“You’re strong too, why not come as well?” Ilea asked.

“What did he mean you’re fucking with me? What’s with my purple eyes?” Maria asked, standing up and staring at her with ice cold eyes.

“Maria sit down, you DO have beautiful eyes, as do you Ilea. Calm down and accept a simple compliment.” Felicia said, staring back at her. Surprisingly the woman did sit down but seemed to still think about it. “Ilea, don’t think too bad of him ok? He just wants to protect us.”

“Does he now?” Ilea asked, smiling again.

“Yes. And while he’s willing to trample and murder everyone in his way, he does care about the people here. Sans you and the metal curse mage who has taken our cook’s heart.” Felicia explained before she got up. “Excuse me.” She said and walked over to the two cooks who were talking about different combinations of sauces and meat.

“I’ll kill you if you hurt her.” Maria said, appearing next to Ilea and sitting down.

“What?” Ilea asked, seriously confused. “You’re aware that the only reason I’m even working with you guys is her don’t you?” She asked.

“You are?” Maria said. “You’re seriously confusing me today.”

“You’re not the most perceptive social analyst are you. And no, you don’t have to mention your years of torture. I’m aware, not the best teacher of things like that.” She said.

“Don’t take away my dark humor. All that’s left otherwise is void magic and you don’t want to have that in your face.” Maria said with a smile. “Sorry for reacting like this. We’ve all been… well on edge. Years of planning went into this and I’ve imagined ripping out that horrible fucker’s throat for so long…,”

“Don’t worry about it. Takes more than that to offend me. We can have a bout to clear our heads a little if you feel like it.” Ilea suggested but she waved her off.

“No. We shouldn’t compromise our hideout any more than we already have.” Maria said.

Chapter 199 The Island

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. Thank you so much for the amazing response to the update on Sunday. I've had some really exciting days

.

Here's the next chapter. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 199 The Island

“How’s Virilya doing?” Ilea asked after a while of silence, her watching the other three talk about food while Felicia tried to subtly squeeze herself between Aliana and Kyrian.

Maria didn’t reply and just stared at the room’s wall for a while. “You there?” Ilea asked, waving her hand before her face. A sudden move of Maria’s hands grabbed her arm and turned it in a motion that would usually break it. Ilea resisted it, her bones and muscles too strong for the move to work, at least by someone like Maria.

“Oh… what. Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” The woman said but Ilea just looked at her with interest.

“No worries. You need a little more strength to use that on me.” She said, their faces rather close at this point.

“What was the question?”

“How is Virilya doing.” Ilea repeated while they both let go of each other.

“They’re holding. Completely surrounded now but they’re holding. Doesn’t seem like Baralia is backing down though. They’re gonna try everything their mages and alchemists can cook up to get inside that barrier.” She explained.

“Interesting. Do you think they will succeed?” Ilea asked. Felicia had finally managed to pry off Kyrian from Aliana, the two of them going outside for what Ilea imagined a dangerous talk for the man.

“Don’t know. They can destroy each other to the last man for all I care.” Maria said.

“Ravenhall will be affected for sure, as well as any city in the empire. They have slaves in Baralia you know.” Ilea said but Maria didn’t react to that. She noticed that Aliana seemed suspiciously quiet, having stopped her cooking.

“Then they should fight harder.” Maria said simply. Ilea didn’t reply. She didn’t really know how she felt about it herself. On the one hand it was similar to people refusing to fight and hiding behind city walls against the monsters outside. The slavers were simply monsters themselves, at least in a certain sense. Still, if Ilea saw someone enslaving people, she’d probably smash their head in just for good measure. Her power allowed for such actions now, at least if the slaver wasn’t at level two hundred as well. She’d probably still do it anyway.

It was different than wild beasts though. People doing this to other people. Really makes you proud to be human. She thought and smiled, somehow happy that she cared enough to think about it at all. A couple weeks ago she would’ve just ignored it all.

Ilea wanted to reply but heard metal falling to the ground, Aliana staring at them with anger in her eyes, tears running down her cheeks.

“Not all of them can fight.” She said and advanced on the two of them.

“No, not all of them can.” Ilea said, remembering the people and kids she had saved in Virilya. The soldiers a hundred levels higher, trained in killing and fighting coming into the homes of civilians who knew nothing but the safety of their city walls.

Maria rolled her eyes when Aliana left the room. She was a slave wasn’t she? Ilea asked herself. A bad topic to bring up with her in the room. Still, she couldn’t shake off Maria’s opinion completely. Her of all people, to hold the opinion that one needs to stand up and fight. In this world, where you could become stronger with discipline and training. Where guns and money weren’t the one and all standing over the weak. People were still people of course and it takes courage and some recklessness to go against the powerful.

Eve flashed through her mind for a moment. A bit too reckless perhaps. She thought, hoping that she would learn from her friend’s mistakes. Ilea blew out air from her nose as she got up. Of the two of them, Eve died because she offended the wrong people? I’m on my way to offend exactly the same people. She thought. At least I know how strong Eve was and if I can’t beat her in my sleep, then I won’t try to go at them on my own.

“What’s so funny?” Maria asked.

“The fact that I’m an idiot?” Ilea asked and went after Aliana.

“That IS funny.” Maria said, leaning back. “Don’t encourage her.” She added but Ilea didn’t listen to her anymore.

A bitter warrior, scarred by her experiences. Same as me. She thought and found Aliana in the hallway, having regained her composure again. Ilea leaned on the wall next to her. But I won’t let them take me down. I won’t.

“Doing better?” Ilea asked, not getting a reaction for a while. “She’s a bit of a cunt isn’t she?”

That made her laugh, a good start. “She is.” Aliana said and turned around. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you two.” She added.

“You didn’t. Speak up when you disagree. Perhaps you’ll convince even her at some point.” Ilea said, debating if such a thing was possible at all.

“You think so?” Aliana asked, rubbing away the tears from her eyes.

“Not really.” Ilea replied.

Felicia and Kyrian returned by then. Back from fucking? Ilea thought but didn’t voice the line for the sake of Aliana. Their reactions would certainly be funny. Perhaps next time.

“Aliana, are you alright?” Felicia immediately rushed to her and hugged the woman.

“Maria?” Kyrian asked, getting a nod from Ilea.

“I figured. She’s like a broodier and meaner you. Less beautiful of course.” Kyrian said.

“I think she’s quite beautiful.” Ilea replied. “I don’t think we’re much alike at all.” She added.

“Did you get permission to ask her out?” Ilea asked after a short pause.

“To what her now?” Kyrian asked.

“To ask the maiden’s hand.” Ilea clarified but the man seemed just as lost.

“Are you not interested in Aliana or have my intuitions become completely incapable?” Ilea asked plainly but in a whisper to not alert the other two. She knew that Felicia could probably hear her but didn’t remember Aliana to be particularly perceptive.

Kyrian actually got a little bit red as he stammered to find a response. “I… I don’t. Ilea it’s…,”

“I don’t mind. She seems to like you as well.” She said and punched his shoulder.

“I… alright. I like her. I do. What about you though, we…,” Kyrian started but she stopped him.

“We had some fun. Quite a while ago actually. And you’ve grown to be a good friend. I trust you and I know you have my back Kyrian.” Ilea said, looking into his eyes as understanding dawned on him.

“Interesting. It still hurts you know.” He said, chuckling.

“If it doesn’t crush you then you know there was nothing serious.” Ilea said and smiled at him. “I’ve got your back too. I’m just not ready for what I think you’re looking for.”

The man chuckled at that and smiled. “I’m not sure what I’m looking for myself. We have a mission to do first anyway.” He said and looked at her. “I appreciate you being blunt though. One of the things I like about you.”

“I might not get in trouble that much if I weren’t.” Ilea said. “But where’s the fun in that?”

“Seems like you’re doing a little better.” Kyrian said and touched her shoulder.

They left after saying their goodbyes to Felicia and Aliana, the two remaining in the hideout until they would return. Ilea was sure Edwin had plans in place should he not make it but the man didn’t share anything with her. Why would he. She thought, watching the man hold on to the flying metal Kyrian so kindly provided.

All parties involved had clearly outlined their priorities in this endeavor. Her own was information on the Golden Lily. The fact that Arthur Redleaf was a horrible parent to Felicia was another reason for her to be there but she didn’t know either of them well enough to warrant putting her life on the line. Kyrian had even less reason to be there.

Edwin was quite aware of that, putting them on the sideline in his plan that mostly put recon on Maria and then hopefully a lot of murder on their part without causing too much of a commotion. Ilea and Kyrian would be the support, healing the group and distracting the enemy wherever they could and if willing, helping them defeat Arthur himself. It was simple enough but without any further information it was all the man could come up with at the moment.

It was at least clear the man understood their positions, utilizing the two Shadows to the fullest without putting their life on the line. At least not initially. Both Ilea and Kyrian knew that they would certainly come close to dying. If they fucked up or ran into a trap, they could die. Just like Eve did.

Ilea reminded herself not to be overconfident, to prioritize her own life above those around her. Looking over at Kyrian made it hard. She knew she would blink to his defense should he be overwhelmed. Still, she trusted him. And knowing that he had recently gained a self healing skill, at least at the expense of others’ life made her feel a little more at ease. The man’s power would come in handy in any fight and him having her back gave her more confidence in their survival at least.

He drifted over towards her a couple hours into the silent journey to point out the lands below. “I think that’s the kingdom of Asila.” He said.

“Doesn’t ring a bell. And doesn’t look any different than any of the plains so far. Your home?” She asked in turn, her wings moving in the wind as they crossed over small patches of forest and sprouting green heralding the might of Spring.

“It is.” He said simply but didn’t elaborate. She didn’t pry any further and neither did he ask to stop or go to any of the cities. Ilea knew some of his past. Child labor or close enough to slavery as far as he told, abusive parents or foster parents. Considering the little bits and pieces she knew about the friends she had made in the Hand, most of them had a much harsher childhood than she herself had experienced.

Hard lives make hard people. She thought. Or at least strong ones. Trian understandably didn’t seem to be handling the recent developments incredibly well. Ilea put him out of her mind again quickly. She had her own demons to deal with, both real ones and figurative ones. And if she lost focus, she would endanger herself. And how would that help with anything?

The group traveled for another six hours before finally, Edwin motioned for them to land, the last stretch to be traveled on foot. It was nighttime when they landed, the weather clear. It would be simple for even an average guard to spot them in the skies. The four of them moved quietly and quickly over the field and towards the ocean in the east.

A group of boulders stood near the cliffs overlooking the body of endless water, illuminated by the moons above and the only cover for hundreds of meters for the group of would be assassins.

Ilea appeared near one of the rocks and sat down in front of it, stretching her arms before she rested her back on the stone. Kyrian sat down near her and Edwin walked towards the edge of the cliff, his eyes focused on the distant islands barely visible to them. One of the small dots would be their target or at least hey hoped it was.

“There’s more than one.” Maria said as she stepped up to the man.

“And that’s very good for us.” He answered. “You and Ilea will fly out to see if there is a good base for us there, perhaps check for villages, towns or castles nearby as well.”

Maria nodded and looked towards Ilea. “Coming?”

“If you ask nicely.” Ilea replied, looking at Kyrian as she said it.

“Don’t act difficult. We’re here for a reason, your petty issues don’t matter.” Maria said in a hiss while Ilea got up.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Ilea said and looked towards Edwin, her wings spreading. He looked at her and nodded.

“They matter to her. And I’m sure that when the situation needs it, this won’t be an issue.” Edwin said. “So please, could you take Maria and scout the islands?” The man added, surprising her a little.

Either he was less stubborn than she thought or more reasonably thinking, he simply cared less about his pride than his ultimate goal of killing his father.

Ilea grabbed Maria and jumped off the cliff, neither of them making a sound before her wings spread in the last moment, the two of them speeding up tremendously as they silently glided over the waves.

The flight wasn’t long, the two of them landing on a rocky beach a couple minutes later and quickly finding cover. “That rules out an army defending the whole group of islands.” Ilea said as they stopped running, hidden behind the rocky terrain.

“Or they leading us into a trap.” Maria said in a quiet voice.

“Or that, sure.” Ilea said, the two of them walking over the barren landscape and scanning their surroundings for movements or any sign of life.

“You don’t seem convinced. Arthur isn’t a fool and I doubt he’d be here alone.” Maria said as they climbed one of the higher hills around them.

“Costs money to hire people. If he’s not paranoid then I don’t think they’d watch the whole bloody island. What are they doing here anyway?” Ilea asked and Maria shrugged.

“I don’t know him well, never really spared much time for his little soldiers and assassins. Edwin doesn’t talk much about him either. What little I know the man’s obsessed with the Taleen dwarves and their technology.” Maria explained.

“That why Edwin was going into the dungeon when I met him?” Ilea asked. Maria was silent for a while when they reached the top of the hill. There were lights in the distance, a different island though but it looked like a port village.

“I don’t think that’s our target.” Ilea said as she stepped up next to Maria.

“No, but they might know where it is. I want you to stay here and wait for me to get back. Is that agreeable?” Maria asked, looking Ilea in the eyes.

“Sure you don’t want someone to have your back?” Ilea asked but Maria shook her head.

“I need a quick lift if someone discovers or attacks me. I know you dislike Edwin and as far as I know you have good reasons for that. So can I trust you to be here when I come back?” Maria asked.

“I told you before I’m not here for him. How long do you need?” Ilea asked.

“An hour. If I’m not back by then report to Edwin.” She said. Ilea nodded and sat down on a nearby rock, watching Maria disappear before her sight. She was not quite as good as Eve had been.

Maurice spat on the ground as he stepped out of the tavern to take a piss. Looking around he saw only a couple people still awake in the shit fisher village he had found himself in. The pay was good of course, second to none he had worked for so far. At least considering the low risks usually involved.

With Zoy in their team he didn’t even have to worry about seeing a single Taleen machine approach him. The damn things terrified him. “But that doesn’t matter to you guys does it?” He asked the raven sitting on the stone next to him, raising his eyebrow. “Nah, didn’t think so.” He said, pulling up his pants again as he looked into the distance.

“Fucking shit village.” He said and turned around, looking to get more of the mead. He wasn’t on duty tonight which allowed him to roam freely around the group of islands. “Come on.” He said towards the raven which happily hopped after him before it fluttered to his shoulder.

“Maurice. Come back for more?” The woman said with a sly smile as she tapped the very silver he had paid her before on the wooden table.

“More ale.” He said simply, going to the bar. Quite decent whores for a backwater place like this. He thought. The ale on the other hand wasn’t anything special, neither were the fighters. He could probably wipe out half the damn village on his own before anybody even noticed.

“The Shadow is back I see.” One of the resident drunkards said, pounding his mug on the table. “Mysterious as always I see, no words for the common folk hah!”

“I’m not one of those damn Shadows. And I swear if you say that to me one more time I’ll have this bird rip out your balls and eyes before I shove all of it down your bloody throat.” He said to the man.

“I meant no offense crow man…,” The man said.

Wearing black makes you a shadow now. Maurice thought as he downed his mug of ale. He hoped the Redleaf would be done with this ruin before the month was through. Now that spring had come it would bring back some life into the nearby cities. And a lot of work for a mercenary like him. Work that paid less but was more fun than guarding a worn down castle.

“Heard the empire of Lys is at war again.” Someone said, his ears picking up the line in the myriad of conversations.

“Ah fuck off, news like that reach us every other month. Nobody can take the Empire, not Kroll, not Baralia and not the damn elves, if they even exist.” Another man said, bringing a stop to the interesting rumor.

War was always a great opportunity to make money. To purchase a castle or two for rather low prices. Lys had some nice parts after all.

“Elves are real, saw one myself…,” Another voice proclaimed but Maurice had lost interest already. Had the man seen an elf, he wouldn’t be here to tell the tale. Even Maurice wasn’t about to face one of those monsters himself. Most of the reason he was working so far east. Time to get the boy. He thought as he finished his second mug. The responsibility had fallen on him, as it usually did. Still, he had his fun for today and it would do the guy some good to be amongst normal people.

Chapter 200 The Baker

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope your week is going alright

. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 200 The Baker

“Popi, are you done yet?” Maurice shouted as he leaned on the door to the small wooden cabin near the outskirts of the village. He heard giggling in response before the door finally opened and three young women walked out, saying their goodbyes to Popi.

“Strange man. He didn’t even look at my chest.” One of them said when they were a little further away. Not exactly whores but they were willing to spend an evening with Popi for a couple copper coins.

“If only they were…,” He said as he looked after them.

“You are being indecent Maurice Cindercoat.” Popi said as he stepped out of the cabin with a big smile on his chubby little face.

“Seems like you had a good evening.” He said and watched the man nod before he smacked his belly.

“I did. They liked the new cakes.” The man said, looking nostalgically to the village houses in the distance.

“Cakes. Popi if you spend all your money on baking for free you might as well stop…,” Maurice started when he spun around and looked towards the pathway leading to the village.

“Did you find a new birdie?” Popi asked.

“Maybe.” Maurice said and cracked his neck before he whispered something into Popi’s ear.

“Sure, can do!” The man said as his shirt and pants were replaced with heavy red armor adorned with tubes.

Maria stood completely still, all her cloaking skills working at their fullest as she watched the two men before her talk. She had followed the one whose name apparently was Maurice from the tavern in the village to this small hut. Level two hundred and ten and the fat boy named Popi was at one ninety. It might be possible for her to handle them alone but she had no clue about their abilities.

The two of them were so out of place in this village that there was a good chance they were either connected to Arthur or at least knew about his machinations on these isles. The young man suddenly summoned heavy full plate armor with metal tubes connected to his arms and back.

Storage ring. Maria instantly thought and stood her ground, waiting for something to happen. The man in light armor and a raven on his shoulder looked in her direction but not directly at her. Keen senses. She thought before the temperature around her suddenly rose. Magic surged from the armored man as hot air exited from the tubes on his arms, the surroundings heating up to a scorching degree near instantly. Sweat started forming but evaporated instantly as her skin began to melt to her armor.

The damage was manageable so far and she wasn’t about to expose herself. The mission could be compromised and with her second stage of Pain Resistance, Maria could endure this for quite a while, her vitality and heat resistance relatively high as well.

Popi continued his spell for another minute before he stopped and looked at Maurice next to him.

“Are you sure there’s something there? It’s all burnt now.” The mage said. Maria watched as Maurice scratched his unkempt beard, his near black eyes staring at a point very close to her.

“Guess not.” He said, Maria breathing out when two blades suddenly exited from his light armor, starting at his hands and ending near his shoulders. He rushed towards her and spun in the air, leaving Maria no choice but to teleport away. Landing on the stone ground made a noise that made Maurice look at her and smile.

“A little hunter in the wild. Now what are we looking at here.” He said before a swarm of ravens were summoned from thin air, the birds advancing on her position as she turned tail and rushed towards Ilea as fast as she could. She had been found in the first hour of their scouting. A failure they would pay for dearly.

Ilea finished her meal while she watched the tranquil village on the other isle, sitting on her stone and finally enjoying better cooking. At least it’s kind of thanks to Edwin and the others that I have my beautiful necklace. She thought when she heard a noise. The first thing she did was put her bowl back into her necklace. Her helmet on her head, she checked the surroundings with her sphere and sure enough someone entered it just a moment later.

According to the shape, lack of visual and the fact that she knew where Ilea was let her think of nobody else but Maria.

The two people following let her know that something had gone terribly wrong. “You alright?” She asked Maria whose skills deactivated one after the other, her face a complete mess. “Flee, fight or talk?” Ilea asked but didn’t get an answer while she started to heal. A bunch of ravens advanced on the two of them and started attacking, Ilea waving at them with one arm while healing Maria. Either her face was too messed up to talk or she just didn’t want to. The damage wasn’t serious but it certainly looked that way.

“Hey raven guy, stop for a minute will you!” Ilea shouted as she grabbed one of the birds out of the air, looking at it closely. Fucking rabid ravens or what? She thought, the mage stopping after he heard her talk. The second man was still quite a distance away.

“Don’t touch my fucking birds.” He said. “Or I’ll cut the invisible one apart and shove her up your ass.”

“Piece by piece?” Ilea asked, the man’s remark resonating with her somewhat. It wasn’t said with as much hostility as the meaning implied.

“Yes. Piece by fucking piece. Let go of my bird, will ya.” He said and she shrugged.

“If you promise not to be such an aggressive little shit.” Ilea said and let go of the bird. She thought it was the right move.

“Good. I don’t promise anything. Now who the hell are you and why was that one spying on us?” The man asked, pointing at her when the second man arrived in very heavy looking armor. He stopped and breathed heavily, his arms going to his knees as he recovered from his run.

“Here on a job, Shadow’s Hand. Who are you?” Ilea asked, identifying them each.

[Mage – lvl 210]

[Baker – lvl 190]

She didn’t give the man time to respond. “What’s a baker doing out here? Are you like a high level delivery service?” She asked.

“No we’re…,” The man started but Ilea interrupted him and instead addressed the baker.

“Can I buy some bread or a cake from you? Food’s been rather boring.” Ilea said and watched his helmet vanish suddenly. The man had grayish hair and green eyes. Certainly looks like a baker. Ilea thought. Considering he seemed to enjoy his own creations made her even more interested. His face lit up at her request and he summoned both bread and a piece of cake.

“I do I do. You can try for free even. I like to share.” He said in a voice that suggested he wasn’t exactly a high librarian.

“That’s very nice of you but you’ll never earn money like that. I can pay you. That cake looks very delicious.” Ilea said as she finished healing Maria who had activated her cloaking skills again but was still standing next to her, nearly still.

The mage scratched his head and sighed. “Look, can we first clear up why your friend spied on us? After that you can buy all the cake you like.”

“Ah yes. One, that’s not my friend. And two, she’s just very shy. And curious. She likes to follow interesting men around. Why are you on this island anyway and you didn’t answer my previous question, who are you two?” Ilea continued as she advanced on the baker as non threateningly as possible, reaching him and accepting the piece of cake he was holding towards her.

She smiled and bowed her head. “Thank you very much. I don’t have money with me right now but I promise to come and pay you.”

“We’re here to guard the castle.” The baker said and smiled. “You should come visit us sometime. My name is Popi.”

“Nice to meet you Popi. My name is Lilith and I’d love to come visit you.” Ilea replied and started eating the cake, a small part of her expecting to get poisoned. Her judgment of character seemed to have improved though. The cake was delicious and neither poisonous nor paralyzing.

“Popi I told you not to talk to strangers so openly, what if they’re coming to attack us?” The mage asked.

“I’m sorry for burning your friend. He told me to do it.” Popi said and looked down.

“It’s alright. She’s going to be alright. Look, we meant no offense ok.” Ilea said and smiled.

“For fuck’s sake.” The mage said and scratched the back of his head. “I’m Maurice. We’re guards from nearby. You should tell her not to spy on people.” He said. “Come Popi, we’re supposed to be back in two hours. Arthur will get mad at you if we’re out for so long.” He added, Ilea trying hard not to show any change on her face at the mention of the name.

“Let’s incapacitate them.” Maria said to her in a whisper, Ilea noticing immediately how Maurice tensed up, signaling something to the other man.

“Calm down there. Just because they burned your face doesn’t mean we should attack them.” Ilea said out loud and waved to Maurice in a calming way. “You’re crazy sometimes.” She said and laughed.

“Look, I’m sorry we attacked you. Just make sure not to come too close to the Isle of Garath, our employer doesn’t take kindly to uninvited visitors. So whatever job you have just steer clear.” Maurice said and scratched his beard.

“Ah don’t mention it. More importantly Popi, do you have more of that cake? That was fantastic.” Ilea said and went to the man again. “I’m willing to pay you twenty coppers for each cake, or how much do the ingredients cost? I don’t want to rob you.”

“Lilith, forget about the fucking cake.” Maria said in a hissing tone.

“Already healed I see. You’re full of surprises.” Maurice said.

“Fuck off, he’s got great cake.” Ilea said. “I have to go, mission and stuff. Visit me in Ravenhall if you’re ever there.” She said as her wings spread before she grabbed the near invisible Maria and ascended, waving to the two mercenaries she’ll likely have to face in battle in the following days. I do hope I won’t have to kill them. She thought as she sped up, not to her full speed to not reveal anything. Neither did she fly towards Edwin and Kyrian, instead taking a massive detour to throw Maurice off. Perhaps Popi was just playing the fool. She wasn’t sure about it. A part of her wanted to believe he was as innocent as he acted but this world had changed her impressions of people.

“Why the fuck didn’t you attack them!?” Maria said loudly as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Honestly?” Ilea asked. “That cake was dope, I won’t kill a bloody baker if it’s not absolutely necessary.”

“And now they know we’re coming.” Maria complained.

“You’re not exactly the brightest flame for someone calling me stupid.” Ilea said and left it at that. The fact that Maria shut up right after let her know that maybe she thought about what she had said.

“We could’ve forced a search or held them hostage.” Maria said as they walked back to Kyrian’s and Edwin’s location.

“The two of Them? Did we meet different people. They’re expendable mercenaries. If Arthur Redleaf is anything like you say then he wouldn’t care about them. If we had killed them, they would know we’re coming. All they know now is that the Shadow’s Hand is on the isle. If he’s so obsessed with the Taleen, then perhaps we’re here because of that. Maybe we can use it somehow.” Ilea said. While her reasoning was sound to her, she really just didn’t feel like fighting the two of them. Especially Popi.

They soon reached the others and explained what had happened. To her surprise, Edwin didn’t care much about the mercenary encounter.

“He really is here…,” He said after they had finished, withdrawing into his own thoughts as he got a notebook from his pack, starting to write.

“So he has one mercenary team at least. I think it might’ve been for the best not to attack them. Ilea you’ll distract them when we attack, as it seems you already somehow made friends, they might be less inclined to fight you.” Edwin started explaining after a while. “I would assume the team is four to six people, let’s hope for fewer.”

“We’ll easily find the location of the Isle of Garath in the village. Then Maria will scout again, this time alone and from further away. Don’t risk getting spotted this time. We know they have ways to find you now.” He said, pointing at her.

“Ilea, do you think you could take the two of them in a straight up fight?” Edwin asked and she shrugged.

“No idea. I think talking to them might be more effective. How much gold do you have? If they’re mercenaries then maybe we can convince them that way.” Ilea suggested.

“I doubt my father would hire easily bought people. Still, it’s always a possibility. You may offer up to five gold coins per person to abandon their duty.” Edwin said.

“Edwin… are you sure?” Maria asked but he just waved her off.

“We have to use whatever means we can.” He said and nodded to Ilea, his openness surprising her.

Whatever means. She thought, smiling.

“When do we move?” She asked the man.

“As soon as the suns are up. We’ll be able to better scout the isle.”

Ravens spread out to scout the surroundings as they crossed the last hill before the Isle of Garath. “Here we are. Piss poor boring shit island.” Maurice said as he took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for his team, not even after an easy going night out.

The suns wouldn’t be up for another couple hours but the torches could be seen from afar. Their isle was small and technically more a half isle. While not connected by land, there was a narrow stone pathway leading to it from the closest other isle. Guess that makes it one bigger isle doesn’t it? He asked himself and looked back to find Popi a dozen meters further back, looking at something under an entirely too heavy rock.

“Found something?” He asked and walked up to the man.

“Spring.” Popi said and smiled, picking the little flower from near the rock before he let go of the massive thing.

“Spring.” Maurice said before he laughed and shook his head.

“Spring is when we’re done with this job.” He said and walked towards the island. The broken down castle ruin in the center gave the place an eerie feeling, just like most things that led to a Taleen dungeon. A good thing this one had been empty and small. Rare for the fucking dwarves.

“I like Zoy.” Popi said in a happy tone.

“I know I know. You like the pretty girls you big fat fuck.” Maurice said in response as they crossed the pathway to the rocky terrain. Certainly not the worst foundation for a defensible position. Looking down though, the ocean looked back, making him shiver. Why out here.

“You are being mean Maurice. She’s nice.” Popi argued.

“Nice and creepy. Just don’t get too close, she won’t come with us after this is over.” Maurice replied when they came onto the platform on the other side of the path. Welk was playing his harmonica as most nights but knowing the man a little better by now made the hairs on his neck stand up.

“Welcome back. How were the whores.” Welk asked, stopping to play for the remark. He did continue right after, not listening to Maurice’s lack of a response. The fire was still burning, giving off some heat in the cold night. Though it was spring, as Popi apparently found out, so close to the ocean it was still rather cool in the night. Not that anybody at their levels would be bothered much by that.

The fire kept off creatures and some of the inhabitants of the isles, human and not.

“Anything to report?” Welk asked and Maurice looked at him.

“Met some people. Shadow’s Hand.” He said as he sat down, glancing at Zoy who was sitting in silence, her white eyes staring at nothing.

“Shadow’s Hand?” Welk stopped playing. “Why are they here?”

“On a mission.” Maurice said and opened his pack, getting out some bread and dried meat.

“Yea I could figure that one out myself smartass. What mission? Anything to do with Mr. Redleaf or the Taleen dungeon?” Welk asked but Maurice just shrugged.

“Couldn’t tell ya. If they come here we’ll ask. Seemed the girl was more eager to try Popi’s baking.” He said, thinking about that weird encounter. He had definitely met a bunch of eccentric high level people but most Shadows so far had been less than talkative and mostly professional. Why he never thought about joining the fuckers. That and them imitating his style.

She did have some pretty rad looking armor. If they supply that at this point maybe I’ll join. A hundred gold though…,

“Popi’s baking. You should’ve found out more, interrogated them. What if they’re our enemy?” Welk asked as he got up and walked in a circle.

“And how exactly should I have done that? One of them was a rogue, damn near invisible and Popi burnt her… bad. She didn’t seem to care about that and was healed a couple minutes later. Both were above my level and the one who talked was so casual she just walked up to him and ate some cake. I’m here to do my job and my job is to guard this castle and help Arthur explore his bloody dungeon.” Maurice explained.

Chapter 201 Engage

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope your week is going alright

">. Let me know what you think about the chapter.

Chapter 201 Engage

“Still… you should’ve found out more.” Welk complained and walked to the castle, likely to tell his lord about it.

Maybe we’ll lose this job earlier than expected. Maurice thought, smiling at the idea.

“Any news from inside?” He asked the silent woman.

There was no response or reaction at all. “Nothing then. Well I’m sure they’ll get you when they find any of those killer machines.”

“How do they not scare you?” He asked in a joking manner, finishing his meal when a couple guards walked by, armored in red and gray. Colors of house Redleaf. What a stupid fucking name. He thought and smiled.

“They are just machines.” Zoy said, gracing them with her voice. Popi perched up and summoned a cupcake.

“I made a new one. You said you didn’t hate lemon.” The man said and shyly walked over to where Zoy was sitting. The woman didn’t look at him but didn’t stop him setting the cupcake down next to her on the stone.

“Thank you Popi.” She said before she placed her hand near the cupcake, moving it a little before she finally found it.

Don’t have to fool us lady. Maurice thought but he had that talk with her several times already. Maybe he would’ve believed it before he saw her fight.

“I’m gonna catch some sleep. Wake me when something interesting happens.” He said and lied down on his mat.

“Will do Maurice. Sweet dreams.” Popi said which made him smile.

“At least fifteen guards looking over the castle. And they’re just hanging out in front of it?” Ilea asked as they looked over their target isle.

“They have Redleaf colors. Likely not as high level as the others. That’s why we go in and check it out.” Kyrian said.

“Yea.” Ilea said and glided down to the tiny stone connection that bridged the two islands. Kyrian followed and landed behind her.

“Are you with me if I improvise a little?” Ilea asked the man a moment later.

“Like completely ignoring Edwin’s plan to fight him yourself?” Kyrian asked but she waved him off.

“I just don’t know if I’ll get an opportunity to talk to the man otherwise.” Ilea explained.

“Of course I’m with you. I’m here for Eve. And for you.” He said. Ilea felt the burden lessen a little. Hopefully she wasn’t dragging them both to death.

Well, Edwin will intervene at one point or the other anyway. Just depends who’s quicker. She thought and smiled as they made their way over the pathway.

There were three people near the fire, two of them she knew already. Two guards on the top of the stairs leading to the castle pointed at them but didn’t do anything yet. The third person sitting near the fire was a woman with somewhat short blond hair. None of them reacted before she shouted towards them.

“Hey Popi!” She waved and smiled when he turned towards her, taking off her helmet in the process.

“Lilith!” Popi answered and smiled as well, kicking at the third person who had been soundly asleep. Maurice grumbled and sat up with a skeptical look on his face.

“The Shadowgirl.” He said. “She’s pretty.”

“Thanks old man.” Ilea said. “This is Joe.” She said, pointing at Kyrian behind her.

“Old man. Ah well you’re right. The invisible angry one here too?” He asked, a little apprehension clear in his voice. The woman sitting in her white metal armor hadn’t moved at all so far, her eyes white as she stared into the distance.

“She didn’t feel like seeing your faces. Is she blind?” Ilea asked.

“You’re being rude.” Kyrian said and nodded to the woman. “It’s nice to meet you all. I apologize for her behavior.”

“No I think it’s cool actually.” Ilea said and tensed her body slightly, turning it a little towards the woman. Her Sphere told her enough. There was a slight twitch in the woman’s fingers and her breathing slowed down a bit.

“Hahaha. I knew it.” Ilea said and relaxed her body. “Popi how are you doing? I’m here to pay you and to buy more if you have anything else.” Ilea said and smiled at the man as she sat down next to him, opening her pack and getting her pouch.

“Your spending habits haven’t changed at all.” Kyrian said and sighed.

“Where did you get that armor?” The woman in white asked suddenly.

“Her or me?” Kyrian asked as he sat down as well. The two guards from the stairs had walked towards them in the meantime.

“What’s the meaning of this? Who are those people?” One of the guards asked.

[Warrior – lvl 141]

[Warrior – lvl 148]

Guards at a lower level. Ilea thought and smiled at them.

“Fuck off, they’re just here to buy cake.” Maurice said.

“What do you mean they’re just…,” The guard was interrupted when the woman in white held up her hand.

“Her armor.” She stated in a tense voice.

“Smith friend made it for me, why?” Ilea said as she bit into the cupcake Popi had handed to her.

“The metal.” The woman said.

Interesting. Not even Balduur knew what it was and this chick points it out immediately.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

Which means she’s higher than two fifty at least. Ilea thought and debated on how to handle this interaction. The truth seemed as good as anything.

“Found it in a Taleen dungeon about a year ago. Belonged to an elf I think. Wore it until it was too messed up and had it reforged. This is the result. Do you like it?” She asked and studied the woman’s reaction.

“Where is the dungeon?” The woman asked.

“Maybe I’ll tell you if you tell me your name?” Ilea asked and smiled. The guards looked at each other and shook their heads before they went back to their posts, entirely out of their comfort zone it seemed.

Shit guards. Ilea thought as she watched them leave, taking another bite of the cupcake. “That’s fucking delicious.” She said.

“Zoy.” The woman said after a while.

“Zoy… like in soy sauce? Interesting name. The dungeon is inside the massive mountain Karth. I wouldn’t recommend going in though, there’s two Praetorians waiting.” Ilea said and finished the cupcake, not missing the sudden tension in Zoy’s body, moving her head for the first time as she looked up to the sky.

“You. Fought them?” She asked after a while, looking at the same nothing again before her.

“You really are something.” Maurice said as he sat up and put something that looked like coffee into one of the pans, filling it with water from a flask. “Never seen the mute talk that much.”

“Means she’s not a mute.” Kyrian interjected and smiled when Maurice looked at him.

“Got bloody mauled by them. Centurions are one thing but Praetorians…,” Ilea started. “They seemed… intelligent. Dangerous.” Ilea said.

“Do you fear them?” Zoy asked, holding her breath.

“Fear them? I did, yes. For a while.” Ilea said and thought back on the two machines decimating the expedition. There was nothing she could do back then. And she doubted she could do anything now. Not yet.

“You do not fear them anymore?” Zoy asked.

“No. As soon as I’m ready, I’ll go there and take them apart, piece by piece. Until nothing remains.” Ilea said and looked at the woman.

“Good. Then I leave them to you. Huntress named Lilith.” Zoy said and nodded.

“Wow and she used your name. You’re an ice whisperer or something?” Maurice asked as he stirred his brew.

“Smells nice, can I have some?” Ilea asked.

“If you pay me. One silver for a cup.” Maurice answered with a grin on his face.

“You’re overcharging me. Five copper.” Ilea said.

“Eighty.”

“Ten”

“Seventy five.”

“Twenty” Ilea said. “Not more. His cakes are better.”

“Twenty it is for the lady huntress.” Maurice said and gave her a cup of the brew.

It smelled and tasted close to coffee. Not that she missed it specifically but it made her think of earth, of hanging out in a cafe with a friend, enjoying a peaceful summer day while the birds chirped in the background. Pink glasses. She thought and turned serious.

“A friend of mine. She got murdered.” She started, Kyrian glancing over to her with a stone faced expression. Maurice picked up on the tension immediately but neither Popi nor Zoy seemed to care much.

“Your employer I assume. Arthur Redleaf. He might know who did it.” Ilea said and watched their reactions. Maurice looked at her and then towards Zoy and then the castle.

“Are you here to kill him?” He asked after a moment. “Cause we can’t have you do that.”

“Not primarily.” Ilea said. “I want to talk to him.”

“I’m afraid he hates visitors and I do like to get paid for a job.” Maurice said as he got up, magic gathering around him. Nobody else made a move yet.

“How much is he paying you?” Ilea asked and smiled at him. “And don’t lie to me.”

“Three gold coins for three weeks of guard duty.” He said but didn’t stop his skills.

“A partner is paying five. Would you reconsider your allegiance, I would not like to fight you just to talk to the old man.” Ilea said, watching him as he considered her offer.

“I fucking hate this island and I hate that old fucker and that cunt Welk.” Maurice said and sighed.

“I won’t help you fight her.” Maurice said, pointing at Zoy. “And I won’t fight him or the rest of them. And you make that ten gold for both me and Popi.”

“Deal.” Ilea said. “Who else is here apart from the guards and Arthur?” She asked.

“One guy from our team, Arthur has his own protector as well. Creepy girl that one, even more than her.” Maurice said and looked at Zoy.

“You don’t seem bothered by our talk.” Ilea said, looking at the woman. “Will you stop me if I go up those stairs?”

“Yes.” She answered simply.

“Why?” Ilea asked.

“The Taleen network.” Zoy said.

“You mean the teleportation gates? There’s one here?” Ilea asked and interpreted her lack of response as a yes.

“There’s no problem then as long as I just talk to him, is there?” Ilea asked.

“There is not.” Zoy answered which made her grin.

“Great, can you bring us to him then? Joe, come on.” Ilea said when the castle’s wall suddenly exploded outwards, sending bricks into the ocean below.

“Great.” She said when Zoy vanished. “We’ve waited too long.” She said and spread ash around their group. “You two should leave, here’s your gold.” Ilea said and handed Maurice twenty pieces of gold, ten from Edwin and ten from her own pockets, leaving her at thirty one gold pieces. “If you’re looking for a new place, Ravenhall has great ones for sale.” She said as she ran towards the opening in the wall. The guards did the same, as did Kyrian behind her.

Ilea’s wings spread and she flew outwards and around the castle, looking into the big hall where Edwin stood, his blades interlocked with the greatsword of a heavily armored woman. Landing in the hall behind him, her ash spread out around her as her skills activated all at once. Kyrian’s metal spheres moved out as well while she glanced around.

A middle aged man with a bald spot, a viking looking guy with no hair at all, the angry chick with the greatsword and a bunch of Redleaf guards appearing and coming into the hall. Surprise attack officially failed.

Her ash was blown away by a strong wind originating from the middle aged man himself who lifted his hand to stop the approaching guards.

“Son! You disappoint me.” He said and glanced at both Kyrian and Ilea in turn. “The Shadow’s Hand? Not even revenge you could manage on your own.”

The hypocrisy of his words weren’t lost to Ilea as she watched the guards take positions around the man, aiming their bows, swords and spells at Edwin and herself.

“Doesn’t look good.” Kyrian whispered to her.

“Easy way to escape though. Let’s see what he does.” Ilea whispered back.

Zoy stood to the side of the enemy group, two short curved blades in her hands.

“You’re right, I’m not alone.” Edwin said as he pushed away the blade and slashed one of his blades across the woman’s armor. She started screaming and Ilea remembered his ability to inflict damage with his blood magic, even through armor.

“Take him down.” Arthur said when the chest of a guard next to him suddenly exploded, splattering blood and guts over him and the floor.

There she is. Ilea thought as she vanished, feeling the curse on her immediately when she appeared among the mages of the guards. The effect seemed much worse on them than on her as she punched the first one, sending him into the wall behind him like a rag doll, breaking several bones with her attack. Ash spread again, this time not immediately washed away as she blinked to the next mage, frantically sending beams of light outwards before her fist smacked into his chest, his energy shield breaking with the first punch before her second one broke his chest.

The third punch didn’t land when a blade came dangerously close. A blade shimmering white in the dark ash around her. Two blades to be exact. “Are you sure about this Zoy?” Ilea asked but her answer were two quick slashes that she dodged backwards. She was unwilling yet to engage her, using the guards around them as cover and targets at the same time.

Maria used her magic from somewhere hidden, one after the other dropping dead or screaming with missing limbs as Ilea blinked between them, seeing the red blades of Edwin flash through her ash as she continued to spread it wherever she appeared. Kyrian’s curses were affecting her and the enemy wherever she stood, his metal spikes and needles filling the hall. A blast of wind sent a part of her ash, several guards and herself flying.

Wings spread before she blinked away, avoiding the white blades of the mercenary when she spotted Arthur sending a massive blast of wind her way. Blinking away, she looked back at the ceiling that wasn’t there anymore, pieces of still visible in the air some hundred meters higher up. Her ears popped and a sharp pain went through her head when a wave of magic went over her, originating at the bald man next to Arthur.

Sound. She thought as she watched him play his harmonica with a smile, her second stage of pain tolerance activated as she blinked closer to the two of them, coming to a stop only to be engaged with Zoy again. The woman in heavy armor and her greatsword screamed and rushed at Kyrian who flew out of the castle to avoid her.

The blades rushed at her and Ilea dodged right, jabbing at Zoy’s left hand with her own to send the blade past herself. Her left fist landed on the woman and the punch destabilized her and sent her destructive man into the woman. Something blocked most of it, Ilea felt as she spread her ash around and heated it up as much as she could, a flurry of attacks following by Zoy and leaving her defending and dodging the short blades with little opportunity to strike back.

Her wings moved forward and held back Zoy’s arms in a moment of surprise, letting her get a kick in that sent the woman stumbling backwards. Another wave of sound came over her before all the air around them was pushed backwards in an instant, sending Ilea crashing through the wall behind her and out towards the ocean. Zoy and an unfortunate guard had been hit as well, the latter screaming as he was flung into the water.

She stabilized quickly and healed the damage to both her ears and the rest of her body, internal bleedings in several places and even a cracked rib from the wind alone. Impressive magic old man.

Ilea watched Zoy teleport back to the castle in intervals, using her ability in a similar fashion to her own blink as Ilea rushed back, her wings and blink combined getting her there much quicker than her adversary before she crashed her whole weight into the bald mage who was focused on Edwin who was engaged with the armored woman. He turned a little in the last moment to avoid critical damage but she still punched herself and the man through the wall behind him and into another room.

A noise so loud her ears went deaf again immediately and blood came from all openings in her head as she felt her brain squeeze together was released from the man she held beneath her. He was bloodied and one of his arms was mangled when she smashed his face with both fists, the impact sending a shock wave back that nearly sent her flying but her wings pushed against it and her fists landed again, cracking through whatever barrier he had put up before his face was caved inwards. A third hit with both fists sent the remainder of his skull and brains to the nearby walls.

Several messages popped up in her mind as she healed the damage to her body, nearly falling down again after she had stood up, her head spinning as she blinked her eyes. A sword hit her in the shoulder, the force sending her to one knee as she focused on her Sphere to see the enemy. The sword was lifted and came down again when Ilea vanished, appearing behind the guard, her fist impacting hard on his leather armor and breaking his neck.

Right when she stepped out of the room and back into the hall, a blast of wind send her right back inside, bracing herself against the impact. Her wings combined with a blink were enough to prevent that as she slid to a stop and blinked out into the hall.

Some of the guards were moaning in pain, parts of the room covered in ash, some of it still floating. Edwin had one of his swords stuck through the woman’s neck and pulled it out slowly, letting the corpse drop to the ground.

Arthur and Zoy were nowhere to be seen when Kyrian landed next to them.

“Where’s Maria?” Ilea asked.

“On the hunt.” Edwin said before he ran to the stairs leading down.

Chapter 202 Old Friend

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, hope you like the chapter

">. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 202 Old Friend

The stairs led down for quite a while, parts of them covered in blood and one or two corpses of Redleaf guards lying in the way. Finally, the exit opened up into a big white room, Arthur standing at the end of it.

“You really are a disappointment. Years of research ruined because of your petty revenge. Grow up!” Arthur said in a harsh tone.

This room isn’t good for us. Ilea thought when his magic was released, a cone of wind pushing against them as she dug her hand into the ground, her Veil unable to keep the damage off completely as she was pushed backwards even with her hands in the stone. Edwin had been pushed away completely but Kyrian stood next to her, his metal forming a barrier before him that split the wind, his armor digging into the stone as he looked at her.

“Well we’ll see if any of them survive.” Arthur said when Zoy appeared in front of Ilea, her back towards her.

No The thought went through her head as she activated her blink but it was too late. Instant. Even her heightened reactions weren’t quick enough as a white light enveloped her before there was darkness.

Darkness only to her eyes, her Sphere recognizing the ground below her, her feet standing as securely as before as she crouched down and kept as still as possible. Something in her vision moved and Ilea blinked to the side, again and again she blinked until she found rock, cover.

She stayed as quiet as she could, her sphere not delivering any more information but the fact that she was standing on an even floor, next to her natural rock and a space to hide. Her healing took care of the injuries the wind blast had caused. Kyrian and Zoy. The thought went through her when she heard a clicking. Metal on stone. She looked towards where the noise came from and her whole body went still. Her eyes widened and she knew what stood before her before Identify kicked off.

[Taleen Praetorian - ???]

The thing looked at her in that moment as well, lifting its scythe as its glowing green eyes locked with her own blue ones.

“Intruder.” It said.

Ilea instinctively took a step back but stopped herself. Get a grip. She thought as her eyes steeled.

No Kyrian, no Zoy. No Arthur or Edwin. “Being teleported against my will seems to be a common theme at this point hmm?” She asked the machine, the hairs on her neck standing up as it slowly advanced. Slowly at first and then quick, like the wind.

All her skills were pushed to the max, her third tier State of Azarinth activating as she sacrificed a chunk of health. The blade rushed over her as she slid under it, ash spreading around her to distract the machine. She blinked and found the blade waiting for her, crossing her arms as it impacted her and sent her flying. Her gauntlets were scratched and a little dented as she slid to a stop, the Praetorian advancing even faster than she was flying backwards from its previous attack.

Again the blade came at her but this time she blinked towards its head in the last moment, her fist landing on the green metal with a loud clang. Nearly none of her destructive mana made it inside she noticed, either a barrier or an enchantment placed on the machine. The scythe moved again when she landed on the ground, bracing for the blade. Her hand moved upwards as she ducked slightly, impacting the blade and sending it over her as she moved closer, a kick delivered to one of the machine’s legs, its counter avoided with a swift twirl to the right.

The Praetorian moved backwards to be able to use its weapon again but Ilea didn’t let it get away, delivering attack after attack against the same leg, her whole being one with her skills, all her conscious focused on destroying the enemy. A sudden burst of magic sending a shock wave of arcane energy out in a sphere around the machine made her stop. She wasn’t pushed back but her Veil was destroyed, quickly rebuilding as she continued onwards. She didn’t deal a lot of damage, she knew that much but as the ash spread around her, Ilea knew that she would win. She would fight this damned thing for however long it took.

At least that was the plan but when a second scythe suddenly appeared in her Sphere, spinning and getting dangerously close to splitting her in two, Ilea blinked away and watched not one but four of the damned fuckers approaching her from a distance, only their bright green eyes visible in the darkness.

A feeling of despair spread in her body and mind but she soothed it with her Healing and Meditation skills. Just a bunch of drakes. She told herself and retreated, dodging the blades whenever necessary. The things were fast, definitely but with her Sphere and knowing them a little better by now, she felt confident to show her back as she ran off, her wings spreading and taking her upwards and away from the monsters lurking in the dark.

Further and further she went, flying scythes being dodged even a hundred meters in the air. Metal spheres shot from turrets and machines invisible to her joined in as she rushed and blinked through the dark space. There you are. She thought and rushed to the wall, her fist smashing through one of the turrets before she continued her way up.

I have to get back to the others. She thought, her head clearing up a little after her encounter below. Ilea reached the top of the wall and glided over it, the bullets behind her impacting the stone she now knew to be white.

Stunned and in silence, Ilea was kept in the air by her wings that slowly flapped up and down on her back. Her small form was lost in the vast space of green and gold she had found herself in. A golden sphere shined in the distance, levitating over an endless space of darkness below. Around her a city spread, more massive than anything she had ever seen. Definitely Taleen in nature but nothing like the ruins she had visited so far.

The golden sphere seemed so far away she had no idea how big it actually was. The walls of the cave weren’t visible but she saw roads and houses, buildings as big as mountains and thousands of Guardians standing motionless on top of it all. Fields filled only with machines, many of them even Praetorian or even bigger in size. Most of the light came from the golden sphere itself but little lights in the sky and on the ground gave the scene a busy look.

Some of the flying lights seemed to move towards her as well. Move. The thought didn’t seem to do anything as she gasped. Move.

This time she heard it and her body followed. I just fucking hope Kyrian wasn’t teleported as well.

Noise came from the walls behind her and as she turned, she saw at least ten Praetorians climb over, on the hunt for her. I need to get out of here. She thought and sped up, going to the first set of houses she found that didn’t swarm with Guardians.

One of them was inside, its eyes starting to glow green when her fist smashed its torso, denting the metal inwards when its green lights vanished again.

A single hit now…, She thought. If anybody knows where the fuck I am and how the fuck I got here, it’s Arthur.

Ilea looked outside and saw a sea of green light in the distance. Flying machines with mechanical arms and flood lights searched the surroundings, Guardians and worse hanging on their bellies, ready to drop at any sight of her.

What the hell is this place. She thought and walked around the room. It’s too big and probably too dangerous to search for a single person. If he really was teleported then I have to get back to Arthur, back to whatever he used to teleport me. Find out where Kyrian went and go there. The plan was a gamble of course but she didn’t expect to be sent to this magical fucking city in the first place.

I have to go back.

She sat down and activated the third tier of her Blink ability. Let’s see if this works. The skill charged up and her mana flowed into it. More and more of it as she started to become anxious. It takes around twenty to thirty minutes to activate and if she interrupted it, she had to start from scratch. Ten minutes passed as she saw lights float by from time to time.

Twenty minutes passed when she heard a machine move right beside the house she was in. It crawled on the walls outside for a minute before it reached her floor.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl 150]

The machine turned its torso towards her, its green soulless eyes staring at her, the opening on its chest letting her know that it was one of the ranged machines. Her wings, ash and Veil formed before her as she continued to funnel mana into her teleportation skill.

The first slug was fired, crashing through her hastily built wall of ash before it was stopped by her Veil, the piece of metal falling down before a second one hit. More noises came from outside and soon the tapping of metal against stone was all she heard. The room was flooded in greenish light a moment later, her eyes nearly blinded by the flying machine hovering right outside the house. A sharp noise drowned out the metal tapping as energy gathered in its core.

The world went white again and Ilea let herself fall on her back, touching the wooden floor of her home as her breathing slowly calmed down. Her helmet vanished into her necklace as she stared at the ceiling.

“What the actual fuck was that?” The question remained in the room as she let her Meditation take care of her adrenaline filled body. A minute later, she stumbled up and went to the table, summoning some of Walter’s ale and pouring herself a cup and then another one.

“Found the fucking motherload didn’t I. First demons then taleen, what the fuck is next?” She asked and poured herself another. Meditation was still working, mostly to get half the mana back that she lost in the use of her Blink ability.

“You need to get to that island again.” She said to herself and hoped that Arthur wasn’t dead already. She needed to know what the fuck had just happened. Although she could guess some things.

Her wings spread as she appeared outside. At least she could simply follow the coast and would find the isles at some point. And this time she didn’t have to hold back her speed.

A hundred health left her and were near instantly replaced by her healing skill, red runes visible on her face as her wings spread. She blinked northwards, reaching her top speed quickly as she continued to use her teleportation to cover over thirty meters every other second. More and more health was sacrificed to keep her speed at the maximum. She would have to stop at some point to recharge but seeing how little mana she had to use to keep both her blink and healing active made her smile. A good thing she opted for more balanced stats than explosive but short lived power.

Still, she would need several hours to reach the Isle of Garath. Enough time to decide on her first third tier ashen skill.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Harmony Mage – lvl 225 / Blood Enhancer – lvl 218]’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Barricade Berserker – lvl 205 / Blood Berserker – lvl 183]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Taleen Guardian – lvl 150]’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 227 – Five stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 222 – Five stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘You have entered Iz dungeon’

She immediately thought about the third tier of her second class. A big grin spread on her face despite the circumstances.

3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:

3rd tier skill points available [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 2

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]:

- Veil of Ash

- Ash Creation

Only two of them. For now the choice is easy. Ilea thought and selected Veil of Ash, one of the few defensive skills she had available and the skill that next to Blink had saved her life just a couple minutes ago in the newly discovered Taleen dungeon. Well I do have no bloody idea where it is. Though considering what she had seen, it was currently at the very bottom of her list of places to go.

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash advances to 3rd tier’

‘Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

A thin mist of ash forms around you to both protect you and attack nearby enemies. You are in full control. The veil greatly increases your resilience.

2nd stage: The strength of your Resistance skills also benefit from the Veil of Ash.

3rd stage: The density of your Veil of Ash increases, now affected by your Ash and Ember Manipulation. Increases the defensive capabilities of all ash and ember you control.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic’

So the walls of ash I create might actually do something other than look cool. Ilea asked herself, quite happy about the change. She quickly activated her Veil in flight, just in case anything changed so drastically that it would surprise her as soon as she was back in the fight. The ash formed around her a little more quickly than it did before, not hovering barely visible in front of her armor but a little closer to it and more visible while being darker than before. She couldn’t see herself but looking at her arms, the ash as before didn’t cover it completely, instead twirling around it and moving to give the impression of a living element.

Checking her third tier advancements again, Ilea found the expected result.

3rd tier skill points available [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]:

She had advanced one skill which meant that now she only had four skills in her second class at the highest level of the second tier. She would have to advance another skill to level twenty before she could chose her second skill. Seems like Ash Creation is the only one available for now anyway.

Ilea kept up her speed as she looked through her stats.

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 266

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 525

Wisdom 415

She had enough Vitality to tank nearly everything she had been confronted with so far. Of course at some point she’d invest into it again but for now it was her highest leveled skill. For good reason of course and she’d keep it that way. Thinking about earlier, she remembered the mage she had killed with just three attacks. Not something she wanted to happen to herself when someone of a similar level attacked her.

Although Arthur’s Wind magic fucked me up pretty badly as well. Even the Sound mage’s attacks were pretty bad. Without her healing she would’ve had issues continuing the fight at the same efficiency. It made sense why a lot of mages seemed to put all their stats towards attack power. But I’m the one still alive and that magical music guy isn’t.

Still, she didn’t quite understand why someone at this level of strength would disregard Vitality to such an extent. You only had one life after all, at least she was pretty sure about that.

Endurance and Wisdom kind of went hand in hand and so far she had rarely experienced stamina exhaustion before her mana ran out. Meditation was good for both so she saw little reason to increase the former for now. Strength and Dexterity let her move quickly and punch hard. Things that didn’t as much contribute to her damage as Intelligence did but still paramount parts to her power.

They were both at a good base, where even if the enemy had near complete mana intrusion defense, her hits would cause a reaction. Her speed combined with all the skills that enhanced it allowed for effective dodging and movement. Leaving the stat she chose for the newly gained ten points to distribute, Intelligence. Now at 535, it was closing in on Vitality and would enhance most of her skills. She found that a combination of Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence were necessary to allow for efficient fighting, at least with the necessity of moving around and getting in close compared to shooting a laserbeam from your forehead while standing still.

Combined with Meditation long ranged magic seems like such an overpowered skillset. She thought and smiled. It made sense why so many people were mages compared to warriors. And also why it seemed to easy to deal with those exact long ranged mages. They rarely fought people capable of avoiding their attacks or circumvent them entirely, at least lower level ones.

Chapter 203 Hunters and Prey

A note from Rhaegar

Hey! Thanks for reading, let me know what you think

!

Chapter 203 Hunters and Prey

Ilea thought about her skills and the short lived but very intense fights she had just been in. Zoy seemed to have a very similar skillset to her own and it definitely showed. Between the two of them there was nothing other than their fighting skills going against each other. Her ash didn’t make a difference and neither did her ability to teleport. It would’ve likely come down to one of them making a severe mistake or simply a battle of attrition.

Perhaps her healing ability would give her the edge but who knew if the woman didn’t have such a skill as well. Maybe shoving ash down her throat would be an idea…, Ilea thought, generally choosing a more direct approach. Her control over both ash and ember would be cut off immediately upon entering an enemy’s body but it would certainly be an annoying distraction. She doubted that with her current ash control, someone at the power of Zoy would be inconvenienced at all but it would be worth a shot in the next encounter.

Her wings and Veil would also be skills she should utilize more to attack but again, they were somewhat bound to what her ashen skills could do. Perhaps getting Ash Creation to the third tier will change that. Ilea questioned but right now she was at least confident in facing enemies unable to deal with her speed and maneuverability combined with her high defense and stamina.

The plains and ocean below rushed by in the afternoon light, the rare animal or monster looking up at the low flying passerby close to the coast. None of them chose to pursue the fast potential prey. Most would’ve likely found it not to be worth the trouble.

Several hours passed with Ilea flying at her highest possible speed, having to slow down from time to time to recover her mana and health a little. Finally seeing the island group in the distance, she slowed down to a complete stop and observed, her Meditation skill working quick to recover her lost mana and in turn health as her Hunter Recovery took care of the sacrificed life force. No big fire or spells could be seen in the distance as she slowly moved closer, her health and mana reaching acceptable levels to join a fight again.

The busted wall of the castle showed the big hall they had initially fought in, a couple people standing near one of the walls. People she knew.

Ilea sped up again and landed casually next to the seemingly injured Edwin, the man leaning on the wall behind him, a rather large pool of his own blood converging under the man as he enthusiastically bit into a pastry.

“Maurice, didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.” Ilea said to the man in his black feathery armor. “Hey Popi.” She added to the baker who handed more pastries to Edwin. Maria was around as well she noticed, breathing hard but nearly invisible standing close to Edwin.

“Ilea…,” Edwin said, gulping down his food as he focused on her, trying to get up but wincing as a wound on his stomach opened again.

“So that’s your name.” Maurice said and chuckled. “He’s probably trying to say that the windy chick that followed Arthur out is in danger. Went that way.” He added and pointed towards the mainland.

“Windy chick. Felicia?” Ilea asked and blinked out, not waiting for a response as she sacrificed health again to speed up. The girl hadn’t listened to her brother after all. She was proud and worried at the same time. The woman wasn’t on the same level as Edwin and Maria. She reached the mainland less than a minute of flying later, looking around only to find much of the vegetation destroyed and dead.

Following the destruction and upturned earth, she finally saw them and landed close to the two.

“Felicia.” She said simply, taking a couple steps towards the two women. The burnt corpse lying on the ground before them told enough of the story for her to grasp the situation.

“You did it.” Ilea added, coming up next to them when Felicia turned to her, brushing away tears on her face before she nodded. Ilea hugged her immediately, patting her back as the woman sobbed into her shoulder. Aliana nodded to her before she sat down on the ground.

“Are you injured?” Ilea asked, healing the bruises and broken shoulder Felicia had suffered in their fight.

“Nothing serious.” Aliana said as she looked at the corpse of Arthur Redleaf, his remains much less imposing than he had been when he was still alive.

“Is Kyrian still here?” Ilea asked, knowing that the man was likely trapped in whatever Taleen dungeon he had wound up in. Hopefully the man hadn’t been transported to Iz as well.

“I don’t know. We didn’t see him when we arrived.” Aliana answered her when Felicia let go of her, brushing away the last tears as she breathed in harshly.

With Arthur dead, she didn’t know if anybody could give her the necessary answers to Kyrian’s location or the teleportation gate used but perhaps there was still something left in the castle. She was glad at least that Felicia and Aliana were alright and that they had gotten their revenge after all. “Come on, let’s get you to the others and heal up everybody.” Ilea said, checking on Aliana when Felicia spoke, pointing towards a spot in the distance.

“Someone is coming, quickly.” She said and Ilea checked out the approaching people.

“Two of them, what is that?” She asked and grabbed both Aliana and Felicia in the meantime. “Let’s regroup, if they’re hostile we’ll have a better chance if the others help as well.” She added before flying off, letting go of Felicia a moment later as the woman flew on her own, carried by the winds around her.

They reached the others and Ilea immediately went to Maria, checking her injuries and healing them as quickly as she could, focusing on the most severe ones and completely ignoring the small stuff. “We’ve got incoming. One flying woman and a massive beast with teeth as long as my arms.” Ilea said. “Know anything about them?” She asked, finishing up with Maria who was breathing much lighter and moved on the Edwin.

Surprising her, the man stood up on his own, his wounds mostly mended as she touched him and finished healing the cracked bones in his chest. “You two got fucked up pretty badly.”

“Where’s Arthur… Felicia, I told you to…,” Edwin said and walked towards the woman when she pushed him back with a gust of wind.

“He is gone. Dead. You started it and we finished it.” Felicia said and looked him in the eye, shocking the man to a standstill.

“The two you mentioned, Kyle and Tiana. Hunters in the employ of Arthur. They won’t like it when they find his corpse.” Maria said, cracking her neck as she turned visible.

“She’s a pretty one too eh?” Maurice asked and pointed towards Maria who stared at the man with focused hatred. “Maybe give her some time to warm up. Popi see, told you we should work with them instead.” He added and smiled at his friend.

“Yes, and they all like my baking.” Popi said and summoned a piece of cake, handing it to Ilea who started eating it immediately.

“Mediate your mana and health. Would be good if we killed those two before they can inform anybody.” Ilea suggested with a mouth full of delicious cake.

“We could also leave.” Maurice suggested but she shook her head.

“I need whatever I can find in this castle, maybe there’s some gold for you left as well. If you help I’m sure Edwin here will pay you handsomely.” She said, punching the man’s shoulder who apparently woke up again just then.

“You killed him?” He asked and then smiled brightly before he hugged Felicia. “I’m proud of you.” He whispered when Maria clapped.

“Edwin, we’ve got visitors and they’re here in a minute or two.” She said.

“I know, I know. My mana is recovering as we speak. Maurice, was it? I’ll pay you each another two gold coins if you help us kill those two pests.” He said and turned around, unsheathing his blades and twirling them in his hands.

“We should get out of this room, the monster is a necromancer and he can, well turn into a monster. Be careful of the flying woman, she’s an ice mage of some kind, more dangerous than any I’ve fought before. Plus I think she might be a silver mage. She won’t go down easily. Me, Maria and Aliana will take care of the monster, the rest try to go for the woman. I hear you’re good at heating up areas?” He asked and looked towards Popi.

The man nodded and smiled, his armor appearing on his body right after. “I’ll melt the ice.” He said.

“Good, Ilea, where’s the metal mage?” Edwin asked as he looked around.

“Teleported away, just like I was. I assume the woman in white armor was as well, or you managed to kill her?” Ilea asked, Maurice snorting at that.

“Yea, good luck with that.” He said.

“Up.” Edwin said as he rushed to the stairwell. “He’s always been obsessed with these dwarven teleportation devices. I’m sure you’ll find your friend. We can look for clues as soon as we took care of the intruders.” Edwin said as they came out in the open, the castle ruin towering around them on the terrace of the big structure.

“Start heating up the area.” Edwin said and Popi spread his arms, the temperature rising drastically.

“I claim her silver things if what you say is true.” Maurice said with a smile as he shrouded himself in a dark mist, ravens, eagles and monster like birds of prey appeared out of nowhere around him as he talked, Ilea summoning her ash in turn, condensing as much of it as she could in small spheres to be expanded or used at a later time.

Maria was already out of sight, Edwin’s blades burning with a red flame as he walked to the front of the group. Felicia hovered in the air behind them and Aliana positioned herself behind some broken down walls that would give her a little cover.

“Don’t let them escape.” Edwin said when the creature of blood and claws appeared on the ramparts, growling deeply at the group before it when the woman Ilea had seen in the distance flew up behind the beast, a little of the surrounding heat flowing away immediately. Her eyes opened wide as she looked at the group.

“Go.” Ilea said and rushed out, teleporting as close as she could, speeding up with her wings as a sphere of ash spread out before her, covering both herself and Tiana in a cloud. Ilea smirked as the woman vanished. Of course. She thought when a freezing cold spread through her, making her blink away as well and orienting herself to find the enemy.

Tiana was floating a little bit away, raining a shower of ice spikes onto the terrace below, most of them stopped by the winds Felicia had summoned. Edwin and Aliana were engaged with the beast already, none of Ilea’s concern for now as she rushed at the mage again.

A group of birds rushed at her as well, blades of wind and flashes of heat appearing around the mage as she retreated more and more, the group now engaged in their hunt above the ocean. Popi couldn’t fly it seemed, focusing his attention on the monster instead.

Ilea found it hard to catch the woman without risking being damaged by one of her ice spells. She left behind a growing rose of the element whenever she vanished, spreading freezing cold where she left and appeared. After half a minute of engagement, the enemy mage was fully on the defense, trying to catch any of her pursuers in one of her traps as she cooled down the air around her.

It would only be a matter of time until she ran out of mana. The thought kept Ilea at a distance, summoning her bow instead as she continuously formed ashen projectiles that shot towards the woman, not letting her use her meditation skill. One of her arrows actually hit and was blocked by a growing plate of silver, the exploding projectile sending the woman off balance before two windblades cut into her chest.

She turned in the air, trying to gain control again when a swarm of crows smashed into her, forcing the woman to use her magic. A sphere of ice suddenly formed around her, trapping herself and the birds within before it fell down towards the water. The three hunters followed, hovering around the sphere that stuck itself in the water as more and more of it froze, keeping the sphere at the surface but the woman inside unable to move away.

“She can recover her mana this way.” Felicia said, sending a couple blades of wind into the icy sphere. Cuts formed but froze up again quickly.

“Let’s see. Pull me out if I get stuck.” Ilea said as she landed next to the sphere. Her ash spread out around herself and the sphere of ice, Embered Body Heat activating and heating up both her blood and the ash around her before her fist crashed into the ice, destructive mana flowing into the sphere, combating the mana that in turn tried to get to her.

Ilea’s healing and Resistance pushed against the icicles forming on her arm with every punch, the ash around her helping against the biting cold that threatened to freeze her in place with every moment she continued to stand there. Cracks formed with every hit, reforming but unable to completely alleviate the damage, mana wrestling against each other until finally, Ilea reached her opponent’s body, her fist hitting the silver that spread around her target.

The element hissed and burnt her hand, even below her armor but she kept on attacking, Destruction and Wave of Ember continuing to damage the silver mage’s defenses as birds picked away on the ice, many of them freezing in place, blades of wind slashing into the sphere around them.

Finally, the ice cracked, Ilea’s fist hitting the silver armor when it got swallowed up by the metal, her whole arm stuck when a burning pain shot through her, her arm freezing up while her flesh melted from the acidic attack coming likely from the silver. She pushed her recovery to the max while pumping destructive mana into her enemy who was additionally occupied with Felicia’s and Maurice’s attacks now only blocked by fields of silver that formed and retracted around her.

Ilea focused on the ash around her, pushing it towards the woman’s eyes and throat while she used her legs to kick at her armored shins. Finally, she got a good kick in on the coughing woman, destabilizing her enough to let Ilea get her free left arm around the silver. Grabbing around the woman’s arm, she crushed it with all her enhanced strength, standing firm on the ice and pulling the mage around, smashing her on the very ground she had created.

The silver around her right arm dropped off and her healing continued to fight the ice crystals forming inside of her body, the enemy magic somewhat slowed by the near boiling blood. Ilea’s ash continued to assault the woman who was on the ground with a broken shoulder.

The assault from the other two mages flying around them continued and the silver mage barely managed to block the hits with her magic. Ilea’s left arm was still firmly holding her enemy hostage, likely disabling her ability to simply teleport away. The position didn’t allow Ilea to get in a kick or even knee the woman but her head was close enough. Her brow smashed against the silver expanding out of the woman’s hair ornament, again and again, Destruction and Wave of Ember withering down her defenses as her healing fought the spreading cold in her body and the acidic deconstruction of her cells.

The woman’s eyes turned from determined to fearful as Ilea didn’t relent, not after half a minute and not after two. It was obviously becoming hard for the mage to keep up her defenses when Maurice appeared in a smoke of feathers, blades flashing in the sunlight as silver expanded to deflect the attack. The second blade was stuck in the metal as it expanded to trap his arm as well.

As soon as it reached his flesh, he winced, the cold spreading fast, reaching his shoulder in but a moment. He clenched his teeth as Ilea continued to bash her bleeding head against the defenses, the flesh having come off long ago. A massive gust of wind crashed into them, sending the three flying and destabilizing Tiana’s silver magic. Maurice was sent to the side, gasping for air as he struggled to fly away from the woman, his right side frozen solid. He landed in the water a moment later, Ilea still holding on to Tiana, the woman’s right arm destroyed and Ilea’s reversed healing spreading through her foe’s body continuously.

Both of them were likely using their meditation to recover mana that they immediately channeled to attack the other. Still, the state of Tiana, both there for everybody to see but specifically for Ilea and her healing magic, didn’t look great. While Ilea had to concentrate on keeping several skills active while trying to counteract the ice crystals forming, she’d be good for quite a while.

Chapter 204 Ice, Silver and Blood

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you're having a good weekend

. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 204 Ice, Silver and Blood

Then they hit the water. Ice spread immediately, encasing the both of them in a prison of frozen water, Ilea now being attacked from all sides. Still, she held on, still she channeled her mana into the woman who more and more lacked the capability to counteract it.

In a moment of despair, silver formed in the tight space between the ice and her body before it cut through her arm right below her shoulder, separating Ilea’s direct connection to her body and allowing her to finally take a breather. Contrary to Ilea, she didn’t need a physical link for her magic to work, Ilea now exposed to her magic.

Still, with her Veil, Ice Resistance, healing and the ash spreading in the minuscule space between her body and the freezing cold, Ilea persevered. The spikes of ice that formed and stabbed at her were mostly stopped by her veil already and the ones that didn’t were stopped by her armor. It seemed her enemy was panicked enough not to focus on her weak spots, being her eyes and the small spaces connecting her armor pieces.

We’re sinking…, The thought reached Ilea’s mind as her sphere was unable to perceive anything else but water anymore. She had to get out. She let go of the separated arm and started moving, punching at the ice around her, moving her body as much as she could, her ash heating up and trying to counteract the ice magic. To no avail.

Summoning an explosive arrow into her hand, she activated it right before the thing was frozen solid. The explosion ripped through her and the ice, not as strong as she expected and barely damaging herself. Sadly the effect on the ice was similar. Still, there was an effect. Especially compressed to such a small space, the arrows punched harder than they would against a high level ice mage’s creation. Ilea grinned and summoned all the arrows she had left, fire, explosive and lightning. And then she activated all of them at the same time, her mana reaching the enchantments and lighting up the small sphere of ice below the surface of the ocean.

She was free, for but a moment and the ice formed again just a second later. Enough time for her to blink out. Out and upwards, again and again before she spread her wings above the water, continuing to heal the damage she had sustained from both the enemy and her own attempts to free herself.

“Are you alright!” Felicia shouted from a distance, looking down at the water before a rain of ice lashed out from below, the spikes deflected by a whirlwind of air around the mage, Ilea simply holding up her arms to block the attack. No ice spread after the impact, leading her to believe that Tiana was injured rather badly.

“Don’t worry about me! She’s lost an arm. Don’t let her get away.” Ilea said and looked around, blinking twice and grabbing Maurice out of the water, the cold having spread nearly through his whole right side before her mana started healing the damage, counteracting the terrifying power devouring the man.

“Would’ve thought you’re less stupid.” She said, her wings flapping as they got higher, watching Felicia in the distance when Tiana came out from below, the water around her freezing, her arm replaced by a silver one, mixed with blood. Her eyes were unfocused and bloodied, a scream leaving her lungs before ice spikes rushed out towards them.

Ilea moved her body in front of Maurice, continuing to heal him as the magical attack glanced off the Veil behind her, some even stuck at the ash she had formed between them and the enemy.

Tiana of course didn’t stop, focusing on Felicia who deflected as well as she could. Maurice stopped Ilea with a gesture, his birds appearing from above, rushing to get at the ice and silver mage. “I’m fine.” He said, Ilea nodding and letting go of him before she vanished and rushed at Tiana again. She wouldn’t get trapped below the water again this time. The silver mage was running on fumes, the pain of her lost arm visibly getting to her and her health at a point where her concentration would likely be inhibited as well.

Felicia had actually managed to get the upper hand in their ranged battle, Tiana’s ice attacks rather useless when they could be deflected without touching them physically. Ilea appeared next to her, swinging her fist at her, moving slightly to avoid the silver arm that was raised to block the attack, instead ducking and using her left hand to attack. The hit wasn’t deflected and Ilea felt bones crack when her fist impacted the woman’s ribcage, air and blood spit out before the silver arm grabbed at her. Ilea had already blinked away, a flurry of wind blades slashing at the beat down woman, blood spurting from new wounds that formed when her armor was pierced.

And then she vanished, appearing closer to the mainland before she vanished again. The three pursuers followed, some of Maurice’s birds actually keeping up with both Ilea and Tiana who were traveling at a similar speed. Ilea didn’t want to go in recklessly, knowing that the silver mage was at her last strength. Maurice didn’t have to worry about that, an eagle like creature crashing into the woman right after she had used her teleportation ability, the bird picking and clawing at her in a battle to the death.

It slowly froze along the blood and bits of flesh and cloth that were ripped out before the two of them spiraled to the ground, the impact sending the silver mage tumbling as the bird of prey shattered to pieces of black and red. Ilea watched as the woman struggled to get up when a group of crows started picking at her, meeting a similar fate as the eagle had just moments before. Maurice’s onslaught didn’t stop before a blast of wind sent the birdsspiraling through the air and the silver mage on her knees, struggling against the attack. A second blast pushed her arms aside, the woman unable to respond to the wind magic that right after cut through her neck.

The ding resounding in Ilea’s mind let her know the fight had ended, Tiana’s head unceremoniously falling to the ground. “One down.” Ilea said and blinked to Maurice, who collapsed to his knees and coughed up blood. He shivered and sighed when she started healing him.

“Damn cunt nearly got me.” The man said, looking over at the corpse.

“Recover your mana, we’re going back to help the others.” Felicia said as she walked over.

Ilea nodded and finished up healing Maurice which took longer than expected. The damage to his organs and tissue had been extensive. If anybody else had gotten caught in that ice ball. The thought lingered only for a moment. It had to be her. Checking through her messages, she found her Ice Resistance had increased again but decided to check on all that after the fight had ended.

I need something other than a bunch of arrows to counter a situation like that. Like a death switch but with a massive explosion to get me out. I can heal, most others can’t. The thought was something she’d have to bring up with Balduur, Iana or perhaps Claire. She wasn’t sure if enchantments could be activated by other people. At least explosive ones like the woman used. Then again, water stones in her bath, the explosive arrows, certain gates she had opened, they were all enchantments that she could activate with her mana.

“You’re good, come on.” Ilea said as she walked over to the corpse of Tiana, grabbing the head and body before she ascended, the three of them rushing towards the island of Garath.

The bestial screams could be heard from several hundred meters away. The terrace was in ruins, even more than it had before. The beast was still alive, though barely it seemed. Burnt to the bone in some parts, missing one of its arms and eyes. Their own group didn’t look much better though. Popi was eating a pastry with a massive cut in his chest that bled through his armor, the man leaning on the ramparts to the side.

Edwin had lost an arm in turn but the wound looked nastier than what the beast had been granted. Maria looked to drop any second, blood streaming from her nose as her void magic blocked the beast from advancing on them, Aliana standing before her and Edwin, small but high pressured streams of water forming and lashing into the beast, burning its defensive mantle of flesh and muscle.

Ilea landed next to Popi, as did Maurice. “You alright there big guy?” She asked, touching him on his shoulder as she examined him, healing mana flooding into the man while she activated her meditation skill.

“Popi… is tired.” He said after a moment and closed his eyes.

“Popi, don’t give up. We’ve been through too much shit for you to die here!” Maurice said as he clutched the man’s hand, Ilea just looking at him with interest.

“He’s fine. I think he literally just is tired.” She said, the man looking at her with a shocked expression before the hand slipped from his own.

“I knew that.” He said and got up, dusting himself off.

“Go help the others.” Ilea said and smiled at him. Nobody had died though Edwin looked close enough. It made sense. They knew the enemy and it was four on one. Three on one for Ilea’s group and two of them were nearly goners. You really have to be careful facing enemies at our level. She thought, looking at the corpse of Tiana she had dumped on the ramparts. She’d ask Aliana to take care of it later. No reason in leaving evidence behind.

The beast looked terrifying. At least to her former self it would’ve. Now she was more impressed with its speed and endurance. It was a man no doubt, a man who had turned himself into that. And despite the heavy injuries and magic from three dangerous attackers raining in on him, he stood. He stood and still kept them at a distance, slashing with his one arm at his foes as he circled them, using stone and walls as defensive measures while wind, water and void magic rushed his way.

And he didn’t even try to get away. Commendable but stupid. Ilea would’ve been out of there as soon as she would’ve spotted more than two enemies her level. Tiana tried and failed. She thought. Then again Tiana wasn’t exactly as quick as she was. Neither was she as enduring. Bad luck on her part to find Felicia and herself here. Two people that could keep up with her. Ilea even with the incredible damage she dealt. With all the monsters out there you’d think more people would go the defensive route. She thought and shook her head, the wounds on Popi closed as the man breathed steadily.

Now, let’s finish that beast. Ilea thought and appeared next to the monster, punching at its already heavily injured side without an arm, her offensive skills pushing mana into it as it roared in pain, wind cutting into it while a murder of crows finally latched onto it, starting their picking and clawing into the burnt wounds and exposed skin.

The beast howled in pain and anger, flinging its body at Ilea with all its strength, the woman disappearing right outside its range before she punched again.The monster turned and rushed towards the standing group of mages, Ilea right behind it when Edwin’s remaining sword flared up in red flame. The remaining clawed arm rushed at him when the warrior vanished and appeared just a meter ahead, his blade swinging upwards and cleaving through the remaining arm of the beast before its massive form slammed into him.

The man was pushed down, his sword clanging onto the stone floor. Maria touched the injured beast and closed her eyes, a surge of mana leaving her body before she collapsed to one knee.

A ding resounded in Ilea’s mind, the monster’s head sinking in to an unnatural degree right after. She grinned and looked at Maria who was now sitting down, breathing hard. I wonder if she can rip out my brain that easily. Then again, she doubted the beast had void resistance and a Veil of Ash to increase that resistance even more.

Ilea moved to the beast’s front and checked on Edwin. He looked close to death, his eyes focusing on her as she walked up. “You look utter shit.” She said and lifted the monster up with one arm.

“I don’t need your…,” The man said and coughed. “… help.” He finished.

“Oh, okay.” Ilea said and let go of the monster again, Edwin wincing as the weight came down on him again.

Felicia rushed to him and shot her an angry glance before air gathered around her, pushing the massive creature back and away from her brother.

Ilea wordlessly checked on Aliana, healing the minor injuries she had sustained in the fight before she moved on to Maria, doing the same for her.

“Ilea.” Felicia said, looking up at her. “Please.” She added, tears in her eyes. Ilea rolled her eyes a little but appeared next to the two, starting to heal Edwin who was of course the closest to death out of all of them. His pride would’ve been his undoing today were it not for his dear sister. Ilea was sure she had saved him more than once already. Even today, she shouldn’t have been here at all. The fights against Tiana and the big bastard could’ve gone quite a lot worse without Aliana and Felicia there to help, let alone Popi and Maurice.

Then again, we planned for Kyrian to be here. Ilea said, her grin wiped off her face at the thought. He’s fine. She thought. The man had a storage item, an ability to heal himself as long as there were enemies to fight and he had enough experience to survive on his own. Even in a place like Iz. At least Ilea hoped so.

“Do we know anything about the teleportation gate that was used on me, Kyrian and that white armored woman?” Ilea asked, taking her absence as proof that she was teleported as well. Neither of them being in Iz with her, at least at that particular exit point gave her some hope that they weren’t in that place at all.

“No.” Maria said as she stepped up. “There are still people in the castle, perhaps they’ll be of use to answer that question. Is Arthur dead?”

“Arthur is dead. Felicia finished the job.” Ilea said, making the woman turn to the wind mage, her eyebrows rising in surprise. They locked eyes for a moment before Maria turned away.

“I’ll talk to them then. He should be fine in a minute or two. You recover your mana.” Ilea said to Maria, Edwin’s missing arm regrowing before them. A sight to see apparently, all of them except Popi watching the process with emotions ranging from disgust to fascination.

“Edwin and me will take care of them.” Maria retorted.

“No, you will not. Arthur Redleaf is dead. Your goal is fulfilled. Kyrian vanished and I know nothing more about the god damned Golden Lily. Whatever remains in this castle is mine.” Ilea said calmly, without looking at the woman.

“I will go with you.” Felicia said.

“As will I. If we can f… find him.” Aliana said. “We should try.” She added.

“Fuck it, I’ll come too. I know the place, can show you around. Perhaps there will be stuff you won’t want. Won’t say no to some gold.” Maurice chimed in and chuckled.

“Don’t but in mercenary.” Maria said but didn’t say anything else as she stood there and watched Edwin get healed.

“He seems to be exhausted. Perhaps you should take care of him for a while.” Ilea said. “We also have to get Arthur’s corpse and get rid of it. I think you two would like to see him before you do that.” Ilea said and stood up, Edwin looking somewhat well again, despite his armor being in tatters.

Told him his gear sucks. Ilea thought and pointed towards the plains. “You’ll find the battlefield near the coastline.”

Maria looked at her angrily but shook her head. “Thank you. For the help.” She said, looking at Ilea, Felicia and Aliana in turn before she knelt down next to Edwin, taking his hand in hers.

“What about us. Popi damn near died for you.” Maurice murmured and shook his head. “Damn ungrateful wenches.”

“Wenches, as in plural?” Ilea asked, standing up and walking to the castle entrance, the man, Felicia and Aliana following behind.

“Wench doesn’t necessarily mean female.” Maurice said.

“I think it does.” Felicia said.

The man ignored the remark and looked towards Popi “Will he be alright? He burnt her remember.”

“I won’t harm your friend and neither will he.” Maria said, having heard their conversation.

“And when has believing a wench ever been a good idea?” Maurice asked.

“She can be difficult but Maria is not a liar.” Felicia said.

“I sometimes wish she were.” Aliana whispered and walked to the door.

“Coming, castle guide? I booked at tour.” Ilea said to the man who was still glancing over to Popi.

“That’s two silvers by the way. Tour guide isn’t an easy job.” Maurice said as he turned towards her.

“So, this bloody fucking castle was build two thousand years ago by the gods of castles themselves. The stone is actually their dried shit. If you smell carefully, you’ll notice the resemblance with your own crap.” He continued as Ilea handed him two silver coins, surprising the man and halting his speech.

“Do go on.” She said and yawned. “I want to hear all about the castle gods.” Ilea said. She was new to the world after all. “I’m interested in the indigenous religions of this land.”

The man closed his eyes and smiled before he shook his head. “From an obsessed plant enthusiast to a sarcastic indestructible smartass.” He murmured. “The gods chose this place because it was close to the sea, the smell easily spread through the winds of the ocean. It offended the men nearby, simple fishers unknowing of magic and the wide world…,”

Chapter 205 Discovery Channel

A note from Rhaegar

Hello! Thanks for reading

.

Chapter 205 Discovery Channel

“Who are you guys anyway? You said Shadow’s Hand before but your name wasn’t Lilith either.” Maurice said as they walked through the dark and dilapidated hallways that led into the island’s very foundations.

“I’m Ilea. I am with the Hand actually but not here on related business. They were just here to kill Arthur.” She said.

The man snorted and kicked open the door before them. “That was his workspace. Why kill the man? Seemed like more or less a decent fellow.”

“He tortured and abused me and my brother. Imprisoned Maria for years, had her raped and tortured.” Felicia explained as they entered the simply decorated room. Ilea noticed the Taleen furniture immediately. This wasn’t a castle built or made for humans.

“Ah, nobles. Lucky I grew up in the slums of shit Virilya.” Maurice said as he took an expensive looking letter opener.

“I didn’t know the dwarves built outside of mountains.” Ilea said, walking around the table to look at the letters and notes.

“They do. Never heard of the city of gold?” Maurice asked.

“I haven’t, no.” Ilea said and picked out a booklet from the table. The writing style made her think it was a diary.

“Supposed to be at the top of a mountain. The sun reflecting off its splendor.” Maurice told in a mocking voice as he opened the drawers on the table.

‘The motivations behind the Taleen’s actions are yet to make sense to me. What they created was incredible but again, this island is devoid of the creators and only teeming with their machines. Piles of dust that my botanists say were bones at one point but who knows if it really was them? Did they vanish, living in a place far away or a completely different realm altogether? Perhaps this gate will lead us to new answers. I fear more questions is all that I will find…,’

One of the entries in the diary from a couple weeks back according to the date. Ilea skimmed through the pages after that date, learning about their conquest of the Taleen dungeon spread below the island, going deeper than Arthur had anticipated.

‘Another three of my strongest guards were vanquished today. The mercenary named Zoy has proven vital to this operation again. It is a miracle that I found such a willing soldier for this mission. Were it not for our aligning goals I wouldn’t even dare talk to her. The magic she wields is dangerous to any mage. To any man. To see her heal from fatal wounds on her own in mere hours, even regrowing lost limbs without a healer. The lack of her sight just a distraction from her all seeing powers, ready to appear behind her enemies and slash through their necks.’

He did seem to hold Zoy in high regards. To find that he apparently more than just respected her was news to Ilea.

“Did you and Zoy work together long Maurice?” She asked, leaning back in the chair.

“Zoy? No, first time I’ve seen the woman. She’s a creepy one that. Couldn’t identify her either but she opened up to Popi a little. Hates the Taleen machines I think. Probably something that happened to her at one point or another.” He explained.

“The Taleen machines don’t come out of their dungeons though.” Felicia said as she too read through some of the documents on the table.

“Beats me. Maybe her family fell into one and got butchered.” Maurice added. “Can we move on? There’s nothing else here.”

Ilea nodded and put all the documents into her necklace. Seeing Edwin and Maria fight let her know that even if they wanted the necklace, it wouldn’t be worth fighting her over it. Perhaps she had been too paranoid after all.

“Ilea, I will want to look through all that as well.” Felicia said.

“As will your brother. You can have it all as soon as I’m done with it. I doubt much will be of interest. The man seemed to be obsessed with his work.” Ilea said and continued reading while Maurice led them further through the castle.

‘The teleportation unit in this dungeon is in tact. To find I’ve wasted all of those mercenaries and guards when it was at the very top of it all. A costly error. It looks different than the ones we’ve uncovered so far, not as noticeable but the runes are in place nonetheless. Though similar it’s different, more nuanced. Testing will begin in the morrow.’

That part was from four days ago. Ilea sighed. It seemed the man didn’t know much about the teleportation either. Let’s see how productive you were in those days.

There was nothing written for the two days after that.

‘The gate can be activated but it looks like the destination cannot be chosen, not anymore. A defensive mechanism activated by my most trusted rune mage. He paid with his life and it nearly took two others with him. The gate after all is more advanced than the previous ones we’ve found. Connected to more than a single destination. To think we were this close and to fail nonetheless. Another expedition north has failed, only two survivors telling of unsightly beasts, the freezing cold and burning suns. Incapable all of them. Another dungeon in the plains is unlikely, too much of it uncovered. Dawntree refused to comply and the mercenaries sent despite the city’s cooperation haven’t returned either. The Shadow’s Hand may be my last resort, despite the order’s complaints. I’m sure they will understand if it’s for the good of mankind. What we’ve found here, it has to be enough.’

Ilea stopped walking and read through the part again. A defensive measure and the destination cannot be chosen anymore. Did that mean it chose one at random? What was his goal in all this? Why the expeditions north, to find more of the Taleen dungeons? He knows about the dungeon in Dawntree but with the Praetorians likely still lurking below it would be impossible for anybody but perhaps the whole remaining Shadow’s Hand to storm in there and destroy them. Ilea somehow doubted even that was enough. A chilling cold ran down her back when she thought about it. Despite them winning against the demon horde, even taking out that massive whale, at a likely higher level than the Praetorians. Still, in an enclosed space with their speed, destructive capabilities and highly advanced defenses, she didn’t know how they’d fare. With enough preparation it might be possible. Were the machines alone, there were hundreds if not more normal Guardians around though.

The order Arthur mentioned, was it the Golden Lily? It was likely, or perhaps something that could still give Ilea some answers. They didn’t like the Shadow’s Hand it seemed. For the good of mankind? Isn’t the Hand exactly for that? Ilea’s thoughts were interrupted when Maurice slowly opened another wooden door, this one leading into a somewhat large hall. Ilea saw people moving inside, moving into a formation as soon as they heard the door opening.

“They’re scared.” She said, feeling their distress through Hunter’s Sight.

“Yea, they’re the caretakers of the plants. I’d be shitting my pants by now as well.” Maurice said and opened the door with a grin on his face.

“Fellas!” He bellowed out, some of the people showing relief on their faces before the rest of the group walked into the room, despair spreading immediately. One of their group, a nervous woman moved her hand, a barbed root moving out of her robes towards them.

Ilea stepped forward and caught the root, using her free hand to do a calming gesture. “We’re not here to kill you. Arthur Redleaf is dead. Choose wisely how you act now.” She said, looking towards the woman with her icy eyes, ignoring the root that tried to claw into her armor, entirely ineffective.

“I’m Felicia Redleaf. If you served my father then I ask you to do the same for me.” She said, the root letting go of Ilea a moment later.

“I’m s…,” The woman who had attacked said when Ilea appeared next to her, grabbed her neck and simply threw her backwards into the nearest wall. The woman hit her head and landed on the stone floor with an unhealthy sound, unconscious from the blow. She was below level one hundred but should survive the blow.

“Go take care of your friend, I think she fell.” Ilea said to the others, two of them nodding quickly and running to the woman.

“What are all those plants?” Aliana asked as she paced around the room.

“Father was obsessed with them always. That’s why he was still keeping an entourage of vegetation mages around. Mages that could be used to feed thousands, instead kept for his own hobby. He always talked about bettering humanity but it seems he himself was above that.” Felicia said as she touched one of the plants. Two of the mages instantly winced, another one moving his hand towards her.

“You mustn’t!” He exclaimed.

“He is dead. You no longer have to worry.” Felicia said and removed her hand from the plant.

“Why would they worry?” Ilea asked, turning away from the woman bleeding on the floor. They looked like they had some healing ability. She was worried there for a second that she had killed the poor frightened girl.

“He beat them, tortured them. And killed them if any of his plants died.” Maurice explained. “Weirdly he was less inclined to punish failure in the real mission.” He shrugged. “At least that’s what I’ve heard.” He added.

“It’s true.” Felicia said. “He treated them as harshly as us children.” She added and walked to the closest of the mages, touching their face.

“Ravenhall could use them.” Ilea said off handedly before she looked at the group. “Do you know about the portal?” She asked but none replied. “He said there was more than a single rune mage.”

“Ser… I… I am a rune mage under Lord Redleaf.” One of them said and stepped forward. “Please spare my life and those of the others.” The man knelt before her making her a little uncomfortable.

She grabbed him by his robe and lifted him up. “I won’t be killing any of you without good reason.” She said. “Come with me.” Ilea said and walked back to the hallway they had come from, closing the door as Felicia started talking to some of the other mages.

The man before her seemed terrified, his eyes averting her own, his whole body language basically submitting to her. “Were you tortured as well?” Ilea asked.

“I was… beaten. Rarely… not as often as the others.” He replied.

“Look. I’m not going to hurt you ok? And if you want something out of this situation then maybe I can help you with it. If you help me first.” Ilea said and let him think about it for a moment.

“The gate you found here. It was activated and sent me and a friend away.” She said, the statement making him look up for the first time in their talk.

“You were sent away? When? How did you get back? Did you find another dungeon?” He asked the questions before he started talking to himself.

“You sent people away too didn’t you?” Ilea asked.

“None of them returned. The runes… I was sure the destinations were random, the gate perhaps even completely shut down.” He explained.

“I was sent to another Taleen dungeon. A place called Iz. My friend wasn’t there. Is it possible he was sent to the same dungeon?” Ilea asked.

“Iz… Iz. Are you sure that was the name? That’s unprecedented… one syllable…,” The man asked.

“My friend.” Ilea stated which got him back.

“Yes… I mean no. The chances of him appearing in the same dungeon… with what we assume is hundreds if not more of them in Elos, no, I don’t think statistically speaking he was in the same dungeon. But are you sure it was Iz?”

“I am sure, yes. Why is it relevant?” Ilea asked. “And can you help me find him?”

“It is relevant, very relevant. The dungeon below us is called Iztacalis. There are references we’ve found related to a major city, a stronghold with the name Iztaca. You speaking of Iz, if our theories are right then you might have found the core… the very center…,” He spoke quickly now and Ilea calmed him down again.

“Perhaps that’s true. I’ll tell you everything I know about it as soon as you tell me about my friend.” Ilea said.

“Yes, well he was sent somewhere else. To another Taleen teleportation gate somewhere. It is possible that the gate isn’t able to send him back. Not all of them are meant for more than a single destination. The one we found here was but it is useless to us now.” The man said.

“Are you sure about that?” Ilea asked.

“Certain, all of us were. More study of the runes is necessary but my knowledge is limited and my ability inhibited by my lacking levels. The master rune mage died when he activated the gate.” The man said. “I won’t be able to determine where your friend went but perhaps with more understanding, we might be able to achieve Arthur Redleaf’s goal after all.”

“And what was that exactly?” Ilea asked, a little skeptical of his optimism.

“A copy of the Taleen teleportation technology. A network between human cities to further trade and diplomatic relations. I believe Lord Redleaf had his own plans regarding the diplomatic parts but can you imagine the economic and military advantages of whoever holds a technology like that? It’s unprecedented. Elven attacks, we could…,” The man explained.

“We could summon a force to fight them in an instant. The land masses between the cities wouldn’t matter. I can see the appeal. Now mister?”

“My name is Christopher Volaris.” He said and bowed deeply.

“My name is Ilea, have you ever been to Ravenhall?” She asked with a smile, her helmet vanishing.

“The city of the Shadow, holding Eregar’s Haven…, no. Sadly I have not been there before.” He said.

“I happen to know a rune mage above the two hundreds, perhaps she will be of use. Do you need to be here, near the gate to continue your research?” Ilea asked.

“No, no. The inscriptions, mana pathways, everything is documented to the last bit. While we theorized earlier that the material is relevant, that was dismissed at a later time. I cannot be definitive but we are somewhat sure the material used is irrelevant.” The man explained.

“Good. Then would you like to work under my employ? To continue your research and find a way to replicate the teleportation gates used by the Taleen dwarves?” She asked and watched his face light up.

“And here I thought you to be a monster… incapable of thought and merely trapped by her lust for blood and destruction.” He said and she smiled, storing her helmet in her necklace.

“What a lovely assumption. We’ll talk about the details in Ravenhall. Don’t say a word of this to anybody here. Where are your notes on the runes?” Ilea asked.

“Welcome back, I see you’ve found a new guide.” Maurice said and looked at Christopher who looked to be very interested in the stone floor.

“There doesn’t seem to be anybody else in the castle as far as they know.” Felicia said, walking towards Ilea.

“You mentioned Ravenhall being in need of vegetation mages?” She asked.

“I mean Ravenhall is basically empty right now so they’re in need of most mages.” Ilea answered, looking at Christopher.

“Three of them dislike the idea of serving the Redleafs still. We can’t use people unwilling to work with us.” Felicia said simply. “If you are willing to take them, you can.”

What is this? Slave auction after the conquest has ended? Ilea asked herself and looked towards Aliana. The woman didn’t seem to be bothered in any way by the proceedings. Considering Edwin would’ve likely just slaughtered everyone there, perhaps they were lucky after all. Ilea sighed and looked at the three people standing a little separated from the group.

“Sure, I’ll take them with me.” Ilea said. She watched them visibly wince when they heard her speak. Her helmet was back on and her Veil looked much more threatening now that it was at its third stage, still, literally causing fear wasn’t her goal. I’m gonna be happy when I can finally switch to leather armor again. Although this armor is so fucking comfortable.

Thinking of third tier, maybe? She finally checked the numerous messages still lingering in the back of her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Inheritor of the Storm – lvl 250 / Child of Blood – lvl 241] – For killing an enemy twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

So Felicia killing Arthur still gave her experience? At least one good thing remained about his untimely demise. Then again, getting answers out of him would’ve likely proved difficult.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Rose of Everlasting Winter – lvl 224 / Champion of Silver – lvl 220]

‘ding’ ‘Your group has killed [Necromantic Enhancer – lvl 248 / Blood Monster - lvl 240] – For killing an enemy twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

Two of them near two fifty and still they had each lost against their group of barely two twenties. The fights didn’t even seem close, at least with the blood monster it didn’t. Note to self, don’t get mobbed.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 228 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 229 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 223 – Five stat points awarded’

The fifteen stat points were put into Intelligence immediately before Ilea continued through the notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 19’

So damn close. She thought and bit her lip under her helmet. Another Ashen Warrior level and she’d be able to advance another skill to the third tier. At least it was a likely assumption. There were still more messages remaining.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A rare magic to be sure and just as deadly. Not quite corrosion or poison, silver magic can be devious, its effects complex. You have survived and are one of few who have been exposed and lived.’

Another one for the defensive arsenal. Ilea thought and smiled before she got back to work. There was still plenty of castle to be searched through, plenty of documents to be read. It would be a long day. Likely without any more battles, sadly.

Chapter 206 Pancakes? Pancakes.

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you're doing well

. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading.

Chapter 206 Pancakes? Pancakes.

Ilea sat back in her chair, her feet on the table as she dropped the letter back on the pile. Aliana was sleeping wrapped in a blanked in the corner of the room. Why did she get the comfortable arm chair?

Ilea scratched her hair when Edwin knocked on the door. Felicia went to open it, rubbing her eyes in the process.

“We found more supplies if you need any food or drink. Not sure how long that will last with those two mercenaries down there. And well, Maria.” He said, looking at the documents on the table.

“Are you sure you want to go through all that Felicia?” He asked, touching her back.

“We talked about this enough Ed. You already read half of it too, why shouldn’t I?” The woman asked.

“I’m the male heir. I’m supposed to…,” Felicia stopped him right there.

“Heir to a forsaken house. And who gives a damn, you never wanted to lead it. I don’t think you planned beyond killing father. You know my plans, think about it and give me an answer. Don’t act so uncertain, it’s very unlike you brother.” She said in an annoyed tone and went back to her chair, grabbing the next letter.

“I’ll come check on… those supplies.” Ilea said while rubbing her eyes, grabbing the helmet she had put next to her chair. Standing up, she grabbed Edwin’s arm and dragged him out. “You come too.”

“Ilea I really don’t need berating from anyone, let alone you.” The man said as soon as she closed the door.

“Edwin. Frankly, I don’t give a flying fuck about where you’re going from here or what you’ll do. What I know is that Felicia was annoyed and she’s busy. You think about your things while you leave her alone for a bit, ok?” Ilea asked and looked around.

The man didn’t respond but closed his eyes for a moment. “Why are you still dressed in tatters? And where’s the supply room. Come on, maybe we’ll find some armor for you.” She added.

He actually seemed kind of lost now that she thought about it. The always confident and mysterious Edwin Redleaf, reduced to a wandering unsure shell of his former self now that his likely lifelong goal was fulfilled. Did he really not plan for anything that happened after? Ilea asked herself. She was quite sure he did but perhaps actually succeeding was never in the cards, not really.

The man likely just needed some time to process everything. He led her downstairs and through another big hall, noises already coming from the open room at the end of it. The group of mages they had found were sitting in the hall awkwardly, looking around with anxious glances.

“A maaaan for only he could satisfy my neeeeeds!” The singing voice belonged to nobody else but Maria, the woman sitting on a table inside the spacious storage room, bottles of wine and ale opened, some already shattered and on the ground.

“Ohhh Lady Ilea, what a pleassur…,” Maurice said, bowing down lightly before he nearly fell, staggering until he met the wall of the room.

Popi had claimed his own table, carefully mixing ingredients together in a metal bowl.

“Does literally everyone have a storage item at this point?” Edwin asked when they entered the room, Popi summoning flour and eggs out of thin air. Ilea just looked at him with a smirk.

“This looks fun. A break from work.” She said and took off her helmet, throwing it into one of the shelves, grabbing a bottle of ale before she sat on the table with Maria.

“Cheers.” She said and opened the bottle, Maria smiling at her and downing the rest of her wine.

“Aaaah, what a sight.” Maurice said as he stumbled towards them.

To be young and lacking a high level Poison Resistance. Ilea thought and smiled at the man barely able to stand. Still, the amount of bottles already empty were impressive. Enough to kill most normal people to be sure.

“I think you’ve had enough Maria.” Edwin said as he grabbed her shoulders.

“Ed… you’re so mean. Always so mean.” She said and closed her eyes while she fell onto his chest, hugging him close. “So nice.” She murmured as he walked out of the room with her.

“There goesch half the party…,” Maurice said and took Maria’s place next to Ilea. “Hi there ssschugar.” He said and looked at her with a drunken smile.

Ilea sighed and watched Popi work while she enjoyed the good ale, thinking of Eve and Kyrian andremembering the rare times they had in the bars of Viscera and Ravenhall. Most of the people there were dead now. She quickly broke Maurice’s hand that fumbled on her armor. The man whined but then laughed.

“Ah you’re a cold one eh…,” He said, Popi turning around at the noise.

“Please don’t kill him, he means no harm.” The man said and smiled, handing Maurice a cupcake that the mercenary gladly took and ate.

“Don’t worry Popi.” Ilea said and got up, grabbing a crate full of ale and walking out of the room, putting it onto the long table in front of the mages.

“Want a drink? Would be a waste if we left it here.” She said, knowing that they could easily take it all back to wherever they went. Storage items gave them that luxury. Nonetheless, Ilea went back and grabbed each crate before putting them on the table, Christopher the first of the mages to join her, grabbing a bottle of ale and lifting it high and towards her.

“To Ilea, to Felicia, the ones to kill Lord Redleaf.” He said and smiled. Ilea mirrored the gesture and went back to the storage room, getting a chair and sitting near the door.

Maurice soon joined the mages, telling stories of adventures and grandeur. Far away kingdoms, exotic beasts and women. One of the mages looked at him a little too interested, Ilea noticed as she grabbed another bottle of ale from the crate next to her chair. Smashed her head a bit too hard didn’t I? She thought, smiling when the woman looked at her and quickly away again.

To team thirty four. She thought and lifted her bottle up high.

“These all have mentions of the order, none state a specific name but I would assume it’s the one you’re looking for. Sadly none mention any names, cities or anything else really. Just materials transferred, slaves and money exchanged. Information about decisions either accepted or refused, all in a code. I’m afraid you’ll find it difficult getting to them through any of this.” Felicia explained when Ilea joined her again a couple hours later. Most of the mages were passed out or sleeping by now. Maurice had retired with the woman Ilea had nearly killed and Popi had provided a beautiful chocolate cake for everybody.

“I’ll take them if you don’t mind.” Ilea said, putting them all into her necklace.

“They have no use to us.” Felicia said. “I’d like the diary though if you don’t need it.”

“I don’t.” Ilea said, having read through the whole thing. Lord Redleaf had certainly been a capable man, strict and harsh but if his own words were to be believed, he was successful. She was doubtful if Felicia and Edwin could fill the role of their house again, if that was at all what they intended to do.

She handed the diary to Felicia who took it thankfully. “Whatever you do, you and Aliana will always have a place in Ravenhall. Just go to the Hand and ask for Claire. Let her know about us and she’ll do what she can.” Ilea said.

“You are very kind Ilea. After we treated you this way.” Felicia said.

“You didn’t, neither did Aliana.” Ilea said.

“Neither did we stop it.” Felicia said but Ilea waved her off.

“What happened, happened. Anyway, I doubt that offer will ever come to fruition. Lady Redleaf.” She said and smiled.

Felicia giggled and looked away a little embarrassed. “It will be difficult to convince the nobles. This order, the Golden Lily, they’re a wildcard as well. I believe in us though, me and my brother. Aliana and Maria. Come visit us in Virilya when you come by the place again.”

“Virilya… did you forget the city is under siege?” Ilea asked, leaning back in her chair but Felicia just smiled.

“As it has been many times before. This war will not be decided in mere weeks or months Ilea. And war brings a lot of opportunities for the children of a noble house, its lord suddenly gone.” She said.

“Perhaps you’re right.” Ilea said and got up. “I’ll catch some sleep as well, you should do the same.” She added. Felicia didn’t reply, opening her deceased father’s diary when Ilea closed the door and blinked upwards. Looking through her sphere and teleporting through the castle, she soon found a suitable room furnished with a bed and dresser. They were still technically on enemy territory, Edwin and his crew not being the most trustworthy people around to add to that. Both reasons she kept on her armor as she covered herself with a blanket in the dark room, sleep taking her a couple minutes later.

I want some pancakes… The thought was the first thing going through her mind when rays of sunshine slowly invaded her space the next morning. The room looked utterly medieval and barren. “Where’s the shitbucket…,” She murmured and flowed healing magic through her body, activating meditation at the same time. The two had been more than a blessing with both getting up in the morning, alcohol consumption and last but not least her monthly red invasion.

Granted, with her Pain resistance none of it mattered much anymore but as her body got more powerful, so did the cramps. Enough to cripple a lesser woman, kill her even. But what woman didn’t think that of herself? All of them are probably right too.

I need to wash my armor again. She thought, blinking twice to get outside. Her helmet vanished, the rough ocean air brushing against her skin as her wings spread. She flew downwards, looking for a shoreline where she could stand. Just in case a massive sea monster would try to nibble on her. Popi might be able to make pancakes…

Her feet planted firmly on the rock, she summoned her helmet and held it into the ocean water, filling and duping it out a couple times before she shook it off. Ash came into existence around her before it moved into her helmet, clinging to the sides and swiftly cleaning out the salt and other filth out. A move that got easier the more she used it. Putting the helmet on afterwards, Ilea started doing the same with her chest armor, then her gauntlets and bracers and finally the metal covering her thighs, shins and her boots.

The process didn’t take long but she sat down for a moment afterwards, enjoying the view of the morning suns hanging low on the horizon, shining onto the endless ocean that spread before her. The vikings, Columbus and many others must’ve asked themselves what lay beyond the endless depths. Looking out on it, she for the first time thought she could empathize with those people. There was no world map available, no satellites giving a clear picture of the land masses in Elos.

At least none she knew about. With all that had happened, including her realm traveling, even seeing Earth when they had used that teleportation device in the demon realm, Ilea still wasn’t sure what this all was. Perhaps just a different dimension or maybe she was still in the same universe, just on a planet far away. That wouldn’t really explain the magic and the status and skills she had acquired on the way. Not the way it appeared in her mind as if it was part of her very biology.

She had asked those questions when she had first appeared here but with time, only new questions arose. Already she had the opportunity to go back but had chosen to stay. Still, she would look for answers nonetheless. That was human nature after all and Ilea was a curious one at that. Maybe Christopher will be able to shine some light on long range teleportation at least. She thought, hoping that by experimenting with it they wouldn’t accidentally repeat something like what that Elder did to Ravenhall, Adam Strand.

With all the new defenses and preparation going into the city as of late, perhaps it was the best place to experiment. Wouldn’t want to summon an eldritch army into an empty desert. Who knows what they would do.

No major new insights had been found regarding the golden lily, despite actively hunting down one of their members. Kyrian had vanished as a result, as had she. Operation Eve was on ice, for now at least. That much was necessary. Ilea didn’t think too much on Kyrian. She trusted in him and his strength. He would find back sooner or later, getting stronger on the way. As much as she wanted to feel guilty, she didn’t let herself. He had made his choice and knew the risks and it would be an insult to him, for her to place responsibility on herself.

Ilea stood up and looked at the suns, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck. “Let’s get those pancakes.” She said, her wings spreading before she flew upwards near the rocky cliff side, towards the castle standing atop.

“Milk, egg, flour, molten butter… that should be mostly it. The dough should be thick but liquidy. Don’t heat it up for too long, you want it fluffy.” Ilea explained as well as she could remember. There was neither syrup nor fruits available but the man had sugar at least.

“Ok, I’ll try.” Popi said with a smile and got to mixing the batter.

“Breakfast?” Maurice asked, entering the big hall with one hand on his head. There was no throne but it could just as well have been a throne room. The remnants of one at least. Most of the windows were broken in or had at least lost most of their once magnificent color. Green probably, as it was either built by the Taleen or inspired by them.

“Breakfast, yes.” Popi answered and smiled at the man who sat next to him.

“Her recipe.” He added.

“Her recipe hmm… missy, got a recipe for a headache too?” Maurice asked.

“Of course, I have healing magic. You’ll have to come over to me though.” Ilea answered with a smile. She was wearing her armor, her helmet placed on the big table as she lounged in her fancy chair.

“Fucking bitch ass pissy… I know you can teleport you know…,” The man murmured as he got up and walked all the way around the table.

“And I know you can fly.” Ilea said, rolling her eyes at his complaints.

“Height differences hurt.” He said, flinging a silver coin her way. She touched his armored belly and poured healing magic towards his head. “Oh my god…,” He said and sat down on the chair next to her. “You did that in ten seconds?” He asked, his spirits lifted considerably according to his facial expression.

“I did. You’re welcome.” Ilea said and watched Popi heat up the first pancake on the little heating plate he had, his magic pulsing below the metal.

“Thanks Ilea. You’re really useful, want to join our little crew?” Maurice said, theatrically smelling the browning pancake.

“You’re not the first one to ask me that.” Ilea said, her stomach rumbling as she remembered the advances from other adventurers whenever she showed up at the guilds. A big fat healer tag identifying her as the most useful asset to anybody’s party. Those days were over. Now it was her black armor and the question marks that would create such situations.

“Popi is certainly a damn good reason to consider it.” She said and then looked at Maurice. “You on the other hand, that’s more than a couple minus points.”

“We could travel around the lands, get easy jobs, kill a bunch of people and get rich. Easy with the war going on.” The man said, leaning back in his chair.

“What lands?” Ilea asked.

“The empire, Baralia, Kroll, the Nipha empire, wherever you want to go. Even the northern plains, you’d like them I’m sure.” Maurice said.

“The northern plains? Where are they? And don’t say north.”

“Pretty close from here actually. I think these lands are part of Baralia or Asila, north of that.” He said.

Ilea thought about it for a moment and then looked at him. “I want to go north, the real north. Beyond the mountain chain overlooking the Navali forest. I want to go west, through the forest of the elves and south, into the desert and to the Foundation of Glass. I want to raid dungeons and fight monsters only legends talk about. I want to go east, cross the ocean that no expedition has before. I’m done with killing humans, for a while at least.” Ilea said when Popi slid a plate with the first pancake her way. She smiled and thanked him before she started eating.

“That’s certainly something. You’re not the first to think that way I’m sure. Known some of those idiots myself.” Maurice said and looked at her food with envy. “You will die, as all of them have before. At one point or another.”

“I might.” Ilea said, doubting that the man was omnipresent to support such a statement. Adam Strand traveled to the demon realm and for all she knew he was still alive. The man Albert, who rescued Cless, he had some sort of longer range teleportation and she was sure he had been to places no other humans dared go. And then there was Verena, another elder of the Shadow’s Hand, charging at that massive demon with her fire axes. She’s probably seen more than the human plains. Ilea was certain they all had, and many more.

“We humans should stay where we belong.” Maurice said when he too received a pancake. He thanked Popi and smiled as he started eating. “This is good.”

“Squabbling amongst ourselves.” Ilea said with a sigh.

“Exactly.” Maurice said with a full mouth and pointed his fork at her. She couldn’t help but chuckle. She’d be squabbling with them sooner or later too but those revenge tours definitely taken a toll on her.

“I think I’ll travel alone for a while.” Ilea said.

“Uuuuh, the lone wolf. The silent hunter, alone and dangerous.” Maurice mocked and laughed.

“At least I don’t freeze to death when someone touches me once.” Ilea retorted with a smile.

“Touche. That bitch was a tough one I tell ya.” Maurice said.

“Where are the others by the way?” Ilea asked. Popi was the one to answer.

“Asleep still. Felicia told me they’d hold a small ceremony later. She asked me to burn the bodies.” He said.

“What little is left of them.” Maurice said and laughed. Ilea didn’t.

Chapter 207 Farewells

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for reading

!

Chapter 207 Farewells

“There’s a Taleen dungeon below this castle right?” Ilea asked after a while. They had eaten their fill and Popi had put away his kitchen aids and the rest of the batter.

“Was.” Maurice said, holding his belly. “That Zoy girl took care of that. Although there weren’t that many machines I suppose.”

“Were you even down there.” Ilea asked.

“The damn fuckers scare me.” He said, not answering the question.

“They can be pretty scary.” Ilea said and got up.

“You’re going down there?” Maurice asked and she nodded. “Well don’t die to a trap.”

That made her laugh. A fitting end I suppose. She thought, smiling before she blinked downwards. Again and again before she appeared in the very room she had been teleported away from. Without her Sphere, the teleportation gate looked just like a hallway. The runes and machinery below the white stone was more intricate but she doubted even with more attention in the moment that she’d have realized what it was. She understood why Arthur hadn’t known immediately what it was either, despite the control panel somewhat prominent a little further down the hallway.

It looked similar to the one she had seen in her first Taleen dungeon. Where Edwin had activated it to get away. To save Maria. Perhaps she wouldn’t have disliked him so much if he had just explained himself. That was too late now of course. Beating the man down while they demolished the Birmingale’s home had helped with that sentiment somewhat.

A chasm opened up behind the platform with the control panel, leading downwards into a black void. Ilea walked off, her wings spreading a moment later and stabilizing her in the air. On the other side of the chasm there was a lit up entrance but she ignored that for now, instead delving deeper, looking into the walls with her Sphere as she went.

A couple minutes of searching later she had found nothing. Except for the bottom of the chasm that was lined with pointy rocks. A couple skeletons and some rusty gear told a sad story, though none of it useful in any way.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered Iztacalis dungeon.’

The message sprung up in her mind as soon as she entered the lit door. Green light of course. The dwarves just fucking loved their green. It was a nearly nostalgic feeling, stepping into the hall beyond the entrance.

She had of course visited a dungeon the day before but that was more rushed and certainly more dangerous than this endeavor. Already destroyed and cut through parts of Taleen Guardians littered the white marble floor. Green and in some parts golden pipes and gears looked out from the walls.

This wasn’t a city, this was something else. Ilea walked on, through empty corridors and barely lit halls. Vegetation had started taking over in some parts, leaks in the cracking walls letting in water from the ocean around and above. The atmosphere was certainly eerie but that was nothing new to her Taleen dungeon experience. She was just waiting for green eyes lighting up in the dark corners of the room. This time though, she wasn’t scared. She was prepared, all her skills active.

Nothing happened. Not a single guardian assaulted her, the few she found lay dismantled on the floor, burnt, frozen, corroded or cut apart. They certainly had been thorough. More halls, storage rooms, what looked like a factory, worn down and rusty before finally she reached a dead end. Well not exactly a dead end.

In one corner of the room, she found something with her Sphere. A vague idea of something. Her mind wandered off and her eyes looked away whenever she wanted to look directly at the corner. An enchantment to be sure, one still working and one to keep her away from something hidden. She was surprised Arthur and his crew had apparently not found this but perhaps it had to do with them realizing they had found the teleportation gate all along. According to his diary it was the only reason for them to even explore the Taleen dungeons.

Ilea had some more ideas to use their amazing technology, robotics and trap design but Arthur Redleaf didn’t seem to share her opinions. Or he thought it impossible to replicate the machines themselves. Why would he though? The question remained as Ilea pushed her mana into the wall. Nothing happened, so she used her next reasonable way to get inside. Her fist landed on the stone, a passive crack forming and a chunk of rock pulverized on impact.

Again and again she punched, congratulating the dwarves on the incredibly durable construction and material. Compared to the factories she had destroyed in Virilya, this was like what metal was to drywall. Still, she destroyed the wall in a couple more punches, creating a big enough hole to look through. It seemed like another empty hallway, so she blinked inside, her sphere able to look through the wall now.

An empty room. It ended a couple dozen meters further back and this time her Sphere didn’t report anything special. There were skeletons on the ground, more than one. Six to be exact and in her Sphere it looked like they were dwarves. One of the room’s walls looked a little different to her Sphere but she couldn’t quite make out what it was.

Ilea summoned the golden lighter she had gotten in Salia and lit it. The flame wasn’t very bright but enough to answer her questions. The wall had a painting on it, crude and faded. It looked like a man, armed with an ax, fighting against a spider like creature with six blades. The limbs too straight to be a spider. A guardian. She thought, tapping the top of her helmet. “You know anything about that?” She asked the skeleton closest to her.

They were all dressed in Taleen clothing, some even in armor but nothing as fancy as the Legate’s armor she had found so long ago. The writing was partially faded as well but summoning the diary she still had, it was definitely the Taleen language. Ilea placed the lighter on the ground and summoned her notebook, writing down the runes as well as she could before she sketched down the painting on the wall.

The skeleton didn’t answer her sadly and soon she closed her notebook and made one last round in the room. Before she left, she quickly stored the corpses in her necklace. Rotting in a forgotten and closed off tomb like this was dwarf like to be sure but she felt they deserved better. They would have a farewell ceremony anyway, why not add a couple more corpses to the flames.

All the remaining people on the Isle of Garath were gathered on the terrace they had started their battle with the monster and the ice lady. A pyre had been build from wood donated by Aliana, all the corpses they had produced were on it, with the addition of some dwarven skeletons. The winds were strong and it looked like a storm would soon be upon them. As much as she had talked about going east, Ilea would postpone her voyage across the ocean to the very last. The wild waves breaking on the cliffs below were just the cloak masking whatever lurked deep down.

The heat of the rising flames distracted her from the thought, Popi’s magic setting the pyre ablaze from all sides before the whole thing turned into a raging inferno.

The wind and waves were the only sound around them.

“He was a horrible father.” Felicia said as the fires burned.

“Ice lady was a tough one.” Maurice whispered to Ilea.

“She was.” Ilea answered. “Didn’t help her in the end.” She added and stared into the flames.

“May they find their rest.” Popi said, increasing the heat until only ash remained.

“Did you find anything in the dungeon?” Felicia asked after Ilea had sent the ash towards the ocean.

“Only bones and broken machines.” She answered, the woman nodding in response.

“A shame. You will find him.” Felicia said and touched her shoulder.

“Or he will find me.” Ilea said and smiled at her friend.

“I wish you good fortune on your journey Ilea. May our paths cross again.” Felicia said and hugged her.

Ilea hugged her back. “To you too. I’m sure they will. Just don’t get killed.”

“I think the chances of that happening are significantly lower than you dying.” Felicia answered and giggled.

“Well then let’s hope I don’t die.” Ilea said, letting go of the woman.

Felicia laughed at that. “I’d like to see the beast that manages that feat.”

I’ve seen plenty capable enough. Ilea thought but didn’t want to bring it up. Felicia’s optimism was a nice change of pace, something she needed now.

Christopher and the vegetation mages that wanted to come to Ravenhall had gathered together, ready to leave with their bags and equipment. Everybody else prepared to leave as well, the longer they stayed near the castle, the more dangerous it would become.

Ilea went to Maurice and Popi, shaking the former man’s hand and hugging Popi right after. “Don’t be too stupid out there. If you ever want to open a store, I’m sure we can arrange something in Ravenhall.” She said and let go.

“It was nice meeting you Ilea.” Popi said and smiled. “I made this for you.” He added and summoned a cheesecake. “It’s my secret recipe.”

Ilea damn near choked up at seeing the gift but kept herself together. “Thank you Popi.” She said and took the cake, making it vanish into her necklace.

“Damn shame that you’re going out there alone. We could use you.” Maurice said and grinned.

“I’m sure a level two hundred adventurer will be fine without me.” Ilea said and waved him off.

“Yea but we’d be finer with you.” Maurice answered.

Aliana came up to her and bowed her head lightly. “Thank you for the help on this mission.” She said.

“Of course. I’ll find him Aliana, don’t worry too much.” She said to the woman who looked up, her eyes locking with Ilea’s.

“You won’t be the only one looking.” Aliana said. “Plus he can handle himself.”

“I know he can.” Ilea said, glad she wasn’t the only one who cared about Kyrian. “Are you sure you want to stay with them?”

“I go where Felicia goes.” Aliana said and that was that.

Edwin and Maria were standing a little to the side, Ilea waving to Christopher and the mages coming with them as she walked to the blood mage.

“Ilea.” He said and bowed lightly. “I’ll be forever in your debt. If you want to look for the order or hunt down a target, I’ll come with you as promised.”

“True to your word? Interesting. Perhaps I will call on you at some point. I hope you’ll remember your word then still.” She said and nodded towards Felicia. “In the meantime, keep her safe.”

“I fear that my help isn’t necessary with that anymore. Still, I will do what is necessary.” Edwin said and smirked.

“Good luck Maria.” Ilea said, the woman’s eyes opening wide at that but she didn’t respond.

“Give me that.” Ilea said to the mages when she walked towards them, putting all their baggage into her necklace.

“Son of a bitch.” Edwin murmured to her amusement.

“Grab onto me.” Ilea said to the group, each grabbing her arms or legs without a lack of awkward glances and uncertainty. “Safe journeys to you all.” Ilea said, specifically smiling at Felicia, Aliana and Popi before her wings spread out and she ascended, slightly weighed down by the people hanging off her body. Kyrian you dumb fuck, leaving me to do this myself.

They flew higher and higher, some of the group below waving towards them before Ilea sped up towards the south. Towards Ravenhall.

The flight back took significantly longer than Ilea’s rushed arrival. She didn’t particularly mind it, pausing after the first six hours of traveling in a small forest’s clearing near the cliffs. The trees were small and scrawny but still provided some shelter against the ocean winds and possible creatures on the hunt for prey. Ilea would keep watch of course but unnecessary danger was something she would reserve for herself.

Her wings crumbled away, the ash vanishing as she stepped on the ground, the four people hanging off her limbs letting go, stumbling on the ground and breathing hard. One of them, a big bellied man in his thirties fell on his back, his chest heaving up and down as he struggled to keep his lungs working.

The red haired woman next to Ilea recovered the quickest, rubbing her arms before she cracked her knuckles and neck. “You used healing magic didn’t you?” She asked, Ilea focusing on her as she spoke.

“I did. I don’t think you’d have lasted six hours otherwise.” She said and looked around, checking the area through her sphere and hunter’s sight. It seemed safe enough. Monsters had a good instinct, the one screaming at them not to approach her.

“Any of you know fire magic?” Ilea asked as she walked towards one of the trees, looking up to the top of it before she stabilized the trunk with both hands. One powerful kick and the groaning of wood later, the only thing holding up the small tree were her very arms.

“Gods.” The red haired woman said, staring at the scene. Christopher and the last mage they had taken with them, a young boy in his teens looked on in shock as well. Ilea was a little confused but concentrated on turning the trunk sideways, chucking it on the ground before she summoned one of her remaining Taleen greatswords. The blade was massive, reflecting the afternoon suns in its greenish metal. The nearly one and a half meter long blade came crashing down on the wood, sending splinters to the side, Ilea’s enhanced strength cleaving the frail tree in two with three strikes.

“Instead of staring at me you could gather some stones and small sticks to start a fire.” Ilea said, glancing back at the group who quickly sprung into action. She continued her work wordlessly for another ten minutes, some of the strikes missing and digging into the ground or glancing off her armored leg. Even with her high dexterity, she wasn’t good with swords. As soon as it came to making actual logs, she stored the greatsword again and used her hands instead, ripping the chunks of wood apart to get sizable pieces.

A scream rang through the clearing, making Ilea blink towards the sound immediately. A second blink and she saw the scene in her sphere. The big man had alerted something that looked like a mutated boar. Mutated in the sense that it was bigger than what Ilea imagine a boar to be. Then again, she hadn’t ever seen one on Earth.

The thing was easily one meter fifty high and over two meters long and it looked pissed. Ilea appeared before the bald man and casually looked at the beast.

[Fanged Boar – lvl 59]

“Shouldn’t you be able to handle that?” She asked, looking at the man who was at level one hundred and nine, blood streaming down from an injured thigh. Ilea quickly crouched down and checked on him, stopping the bleeding for now with her healing magic. The boar stood defiantly, a bit of blood dripping from one of its fangs.

“Why are you not running away?” Ilea asked as she got up again and turned around. She didn’t see any young nearby and identified the beast to be quite obviously male.

“Th…. They don’t leave…,” The man behind her said through gritted teeth, the pain from the wound quite obviously discomforting. “… once they draw blood.” He added, looking down on his leg.

“Well there’s our meal then.” Ilea said, appearing next to the boar and smashing in its head with a single precise strike, crushing its skull and brain as its body twitched and was sent to the ground.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Fanged Boar – lvl 59]’

Ilea stored the beast in her necklace and walked back to the man who was just staring at her in a combination of awe and terror. “Come on.” She said, healing his injury in the next minute, helping him up as he carefully tried stepping on his previously mangled leg.

“You’re a healer too…,” He said and shook his head. “I’m so… sorry.” He added, looking for anything else to say.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m human too though, might as well treat me that way.” Ilea said as she walked back to her pile of wood.

“Any of you know how to treat a boar corpse, could be lunch.” She said and dumped the corpse near the stone circle the others were building.

“I do. Got a knife?” The red haired woman asked, Ilea noticing the scar on her cheek for the first time. She looked at the woman for a moment before she nodded and summoned a Taleen dagger and sword respectively, handing both of them to the woman hilts forward.

“Cheers.” She said and placed the sword on the ground carefully, starting to cut into the thick boar hide with the dagger. The smell of blood joined the scent of the trees and ocean soon after, the woman sometimes glancing at the boar’s crushed head, looking towards Ilea in turn. She didn’t know Ilea saw all this through her Sphere but decided not to react.

The way their squad was looked at and greeted on their missions was indication enough as to how Shadows were treated by normal people. Hell, she had experienced it herself in Riverwatch when they had encountered the squad hunting for elves. What happened to them I wonder…, She thought but put the thought away for now. All she remembered were a bunch of people in black. It could’ve been anybody.

Chapter 208 The Journey South

A note from Rhaegar

Have a nice weekend

.

Chapter 208 The Journey South

The fire started to take over the bigger logs, the group gathered around the fire, sitting on big stones Ilea had gotten from the cliffs below. Two Taleen greatswords had been rammed into the earth next to the fire to balance a Taleen spear atop them. The gutted and skinned boar would be placed on it as soon as the flames had been reduced to hot embers.

I could save that time if I had Ash and Ember Creation instead of just ash. Ilea thought. Perhaps staying a fire enhancer would’ve been the better choice for utility skills but she didn’t regret it of course. Perhaps a suitable skill to heat things up or a usable flamethrower would pop up in the future. For now she had her necklace to store a high amount of food anyway.

Not that she needed much in the first place. Do I even have to eat? The thought made her smile under her helmet.

“Why isn’t anybody talking?” She asked after a while. Not that she disliked silence but having a group of people sitting quietly around a fire wasn’t exactly fun. More appropriate for the last meal before a mission or war, not for being saved and returning to a city full of opportunities.

“What will be the conditions for our new… employ?” The woman asked, her eyes intently staring at Ilea’s who looked into the fire.

“No idea. Claire will handle that. I’m sure you will be adequately paid. Ravenhall’s population was slaughtered upon the demon summoning and with the war in the empire there will be tons of people coming to the city. Your skills will be in high demand.” Ilea explained. “Perhaps you’ll be working in Eregar’s Haven to produce crops for the population.”

Christopher snorted at that but looked down again quickly, averting his eyes from Ilea who looked at him. “What’s so funny?” She asked.

“Please forgive me my lady. I didn’t mean no offense.” He actively trembled, Ilea looking at him in disbelief.

“Wow.” She said. “Arthur really was a cunt wasn’t he.” She added and took off her helmet. “Look, I’m not that man and I won’t hurt you just because you say something I don’t like. Not badly anyway. I just didn’t get why you snorted, is it weird for the Hand to grow crops in the Haven?”

The man looked at her and then on the ground again. “It’s a sacred place… with an important purpose to be sure. I… I heard of it only from others and from history books. It’s said to be magnificent. To think it would be used to grow crops…,” Christopher said and now it was Ilea who chuckled.

“Well tournaments and training sessions for members of the Hand were held in there. I think growing crops is an upgrade for its purpose.” She said and smiled. The bald man started laughing then and even Christopher smiled a little at that.

“Thanks for getting us out of there.” The middle aged woman said and looked at Ilea with a smirk.

“Thank Edwin. I wouldn’t even have known about the man otherwise.” Ilea said.

“Still, you came and you fought. For your own reasons to be sure but now a dozen or so people will have a better life thanks in part to you.” The woman said.

“And even more lost theirs in our assault.” Ilea added, looking at her. The red haired mage looked to the ground at that. “I think the embers are good, what do you say?” Ilea asked and the bald man nodded.

She got up and took the spear with her armored hand, the metal sizzling lightly at the touch, having been heated by the fire. Walking over to the boar that had been hanged up on a tree, blood still dripping down, she aimed and smashed the spear through the animal. The spear was placed on the greatswords’ handles carefully as it started to roast, some of the flames still licking on the flesh.

“If you want to go to a city between here and Ravenhall I’m happy to drop you off too. I just think you’ll have the best opportunity with us.” Ilea said, turning the spear offhandedly.

“Just think of it… Eregar’s Haven…,” Christopher said. “I hear it’s massive, it’s supposed to have its own dungeons, whole herds of animals and even its own artificial sun.” He said, nearly glowing with excitement.

“It’s pretty impressive.” Ilea said, remembering the first time she entered the big cave.

“Can you imagine how they built it? How they power the sun… the mana density is probably enormous.” Christopher went on.

“Probably slaves.” The bald man said and shrugged. “Most impressive things were built with slaves.”

“Or machines.” Ilea added, making the group look at her.

“Mana crystals in insane numbers would be required. Or mages fueling them. Slaves are less expensive, easier to get.” Christopher said.

“How do you explain the Taleen machines then? I’ve fought hundreds of them and they didn’t seem to run out of battery power.” Ilea suggested.

“What’s a battery? I agree, the Taleen are a mystery. Not even the dwarves from today have reached their technological levels. Yet they do have machines but mostly to enhance their own bodies and amplify their strength.” Christopher explained.

“Batteries are machines that store energy. Like mana crystals but instead of mana, they store lightning.” Ilea tried to explain.

“Lightning is volatile and dangerous. Not as stable a source of energy as mana crystals. Are you suggesting then that the Taleen have found a way to store mana or another form of energy inside machines? It’s certainly possible… as you say, their Guardians are active still and we have records dating the Taleen back for hundreds if not thousands of years…,” Christopher said.

“Another thing for you to figure out. Can you imagine the impact if mana sources could be produced that work independently of mages operating them?” Ilea asked.

“It would certainly change a lot. Still, I doubt the extent would be too drastic.” Christopher said but Ilea doubted that. If it was only about weapons, it was the equivalent of handing a rifle to a peasant compared to only long and hard trained veterans being able to fire a bow efficiently.

Then again, a peasant wouldn’t have the skills required to enhance the damage. Perhaps it would be enough to kill a boar like they were about to eat but certainly not enough to stop someone like the ice mage Ilea had fought the day before. Or herself for that matter.

“For city defenses maybe. Or to power transportation machines.” Ilea suggested.

“True. Neither of which we’ll need if a teleportation gate can be developed.” Christopher said with a smile.

“Perhaps.” Ilea said.

“What if the machines themselves could be replicated. Having Taleen Guardians produced by humans?” The boy said, his voice trembling.

“That would be cool.” Ilea said and smiled. “Let’s just not develop Skynet.” She added and laughed at her own joke. None of the others understood it of course but they were intimidated enough not to ask.

“They are extraordinarily complicated.” Christopher said. “The power source alone is still unknown to us and restraining and examining a working machine is impossible.”

“Why?” Ilea asked.

“They shut down, just cease to work if sufficiently restricted. We tried, Arthur tried.” Christopher said.

“Well I’m sure you’ll figure something out that he didn’t.” Ilea said. “Claire might be able to help as well. She’s a two hundred rune mage after all.” His eyes lit up at that and he smiled again.

“Incredible… how did she reach such heights I wonder…,”

“Lots of explosions ripping apart monsters instead of tinkering in a safe place I suspect.” Ilea suggested and watched him lose some of his enthusiasm.

“The laws of this world are sometimes infuriating…,” He murmured to himself and Ilea couldn’t agree more. Her lifestyle she had started to follow here in Elos, the constant fighting, exploring, live threatening situations. The laws of this world made her powerful through all of that but someone like Christopher, who could’ve been an esteemed genius working for a big corporation was limited by the fighting he did to enhance his classes. Fighting he likely didn’t like to do.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to work together.” Ilea reassured him and left it at that.

They continued to talk and eat, Ilea storing the remains of the meat in her necklace. It would even stay warm. Another four hours of flying passes afterwards, the weather taking a turn to the worse as it started raining quite heavily. Her healing supported the group throughout the flight and would likely prevent them of catching a cold. Another quick break came and went before they continued, this time flying for seven hours straight and coming out at the top of the mountain with a view of Ravenhall in the distant valley stretching before them.

It was night still but dawn would soon come. One of Elos’ moons was visible between the clouds, shining onto the lake stretching a couple hundred meters before Ravenhall, its light reflecting off the water. The forest following the shoreline on their side of the lake was still partially destroyed by the demon whale’s attacks and it didn’t look like a restoration was in the works. To the east of the city lay the lake and forest, beyond another mountain and even further that way lay Ilea’s house and the ocean. To the west was the big valley, stretching far and down along the mountians towering above it, still covered in snow. They would likely remain that way throughout the year but Ilea hadn’t seen a summer in Ravenhall yet. The city itself was barely visible for the group except for Ilea. Its walls were higher than before and she could even spot the second and third sets of walls furhter inwards.

The buildings and fortifications looked like a proper medieval fortress to her, pumped up to eleven by builders using magic to elevate the size and form. Just like with Virilya, Ilea wasn’t sure humans on Earth could actually build something like that. Knowing how it looked after they had dealt with the demons, Ilea coudln’t help but feel a bit of pride. She had a role in retaking the city and investing a bunch of gold into it. It was out of her hands now mostly but she’d be hardpressed to believe even a group of elves could take it down.

Well they couldn’t even conquer Dawntree… how would they get through this? The thought made her smile but she pushed it away not to jinx it, otherwise some oversized demonelf would be summoned to destroy it in a single spell. They certainly did what they could though. Ilea also liked the darker looking tone of it all, as if the Hand had given the city its own personal edgy touch.

The defensive capabilities would come down to the people manning the walls of course, the people fueling the runes and barriers but if the Shadow’s Hand proved anything in the retaking of the city, then that their personnel was second to none. None Ilea knew about at least but Virilya certainly came close. The damn near laser weapons they had used to attack the Baralia troops had looked nasty.

Perhaps Claire is already planning on building such weapons herself. Maybe Christopher can be handy there as well. Ilea thought as she looked at the group, most of them exhausted from the traveling. They were faring better than on their first stop and now it was a matter of fifteen minutes to get to the city.

“We’re nearly there. Come on guys, you’ll be in a bed in an hour’s time.” Ilea said and clapped her hands together. The groaning from each individual member made her sigh. I hope they’re getting some skills out of this suffering at least.

She wasn’t going to slow down completely for the group but she couldn’t deny the worth they’d bring to the city. After the Hand being somewhat responsible for the demon summoning it was the laest she could do. The consequences to the elder’s actions were terrifiying but she didn’t think about it too much. She had murdered people herself and would do so again in the future. Burdening herself with guilt over another’s deliberate actions wasn’t going to be in her plans for the future.

“Two minutes then we’re leaving. If you want to stay here then you’re welcome to do so.” She added and sat down in the snow, storing her helmet and rubbing her face with some of the cristalized water.

The whole group stood ready to leave when she got up again, her helmet back on before her wings spread. They held onto her and her wings flapped, taking them upwards and then towards the dark city in the distance.

The group landed near the center of the city, coming from straight above after Ilea had skipped over the first two sets of walls. They were quickly greeted by a group of flying guards and even a squad running on the roofs towards them.

“Let me talk.” Ilea said and summoned her Shadow’s Hand badge, waiting for the guards to arrive.

The flying squad landed, surrounding the group quickly and readying their skills. “Identify yourself.” One of them said but another looked over and talked.

“Captain, I know her. She was with the Hand when the city was retaken.” The woman said and nodded towards Ilea. They were wearing black, just like the Shadow’s Hand.

“Shadowguard. Good to see the city’s reaction to a night landing is finally existent. Here’s the badge.” Ilea said and threw the thing towards the supposed captain who caught it casually.

“Alright. You’re good. The imperial guard will want to get their silver.” He said and pointed towards the guards still running on the rooftops.

“And you don’t?” Ilea asked, catching the badge again.

“No miss, we’re paid directly by the Hand. Some mercenary work is available as well if you need it. That would cost you though.” The man said and bowed lightly. It seemed being a full member demanded some respect from the guards.

“Interesting. Well if I need something I’ll be sure to hire you.” Ilea said and smiled under her helmet. All of them were above level one twenty at least, quite a capable force for the simple task of guarding a city. She didn’t quite know how Sulivhaan and Dagon managed to fund something like this but it seemed to work for now.

“Halt, for entering the city through forbidden means you’re under arrest.” A new arrival said, the man in light steel armor, some red paint on his breastplate as he unsheathed his blade.

Ilea just looked at him while the rest of the guard squad surrounded the already surrounded group, the mages with her and Christopher taking a step back.

“I wasn’t aware there were forbidden means. Must be a new law.” Ilea said, locking eyes with the man.

“Indeed. Security has been increased, the empire is in a state of war.” He said.

“Interesting, well then pardon my intrusion, I’ll be glad to walk my group back to the gate and enter from there.” Ilea said.

“You will come with me Shadow. One way or the other.” The man said, pointing his sword at her.

Ilea looked around the roof, cocking her head to the side when she met the Shadowguard captain. “Is he for real?” She asked but the man just shrugged.

“Mate, I’ve fought in Virilya and fought in retaking the city you’re trying to protect.” Ilea said and took a casual step towards the man. Their levels ranged from sixty to eighty and their demeanor didn’t suggest them to be veterans, one of them already taking a step back at her approach.

“Think carefully what you’re going to do now Shadow.” The captain said when another person landed, with the same silver armor. There were more symbols on his arms and legs.

“Officer.” The captain said, not looking away from Ilea.

“Captain. Please explain to me what is going on.” The newcomer said, taking a step between the captain and Ilea, his gait casual and his posture relaxed.

Good move. Ilea thought and relaxed her posture as well.

“Sir, this Shadow has entered the city through flight, an action forbidden by martial law.” He stated.

“Yet the Shadow is not acting hostile. It seems she did not know about said law being enforced.” The man said. “Is that true?” He added, looking at Ilea directly. She nodded in response.

“May I see your badge?” The officer asked and she threw it towards him. “It’s genuine. I’ll deal with this captain. Do return to your posts.”

“Yes sir.” The captain said and turned around, jumping to the ground and his squad following.

The officer waited for a while before he turned towards Ilea. “Please excuse the hostile behavior.” He said and walked towards her. “Officer Tarken.”

“Lilith. Nice to meet you officer. Martial law hmm?” She asked, curious about this newfound information.

“Indeed, the capital of Lys is under attack.” He said but she waved him off.

“Baralia, yes. Seen them and fought them. It’s gonna take them a while to break through the defenses though, if they even manage it. The central district looked rather formidable.” Ilea said and watched his eyes go wide.

He shook his head and looked up at the one visible moon. “Not everybody shares my views on the Hand and Ravenhall. It would be easier on everybody if you tried to follow the martial law as long as you’re here and not in Viscera. I’d, well I’d appreciate it.” The man said and chuckled before he awkwardly clapped his hands together.

“A good night to you all.” He said and turned around but stopped again right after. “Ah, I nearly forgot. It’s ten coppers each to enter the city.”

Ilea flung a silver coin his way. “Keep the rest officer. And have a good night too.” The man jumped off the roof and left the group to their own devices.

Chapter 209 Technological Possibilities

A note from Rhaegar

Hello. I hope you're having a good weekend

.

Chapter 210 will be available on Patreon a day early for free. A link will be posted below the chapter. Again, this is gonna be a by weekly or even monthly thing.

Also, there's a map now

. The +18 warning on Patreon is there because I'm not sure how they'd rate the rare sexual content and the abdundance of violence. Just as a disclaimer. Check it out here.

Chapter 209 Technological Possibilities

“You’re not the first one they’ve bothered. That officer barely catches any sleep as far as I can tell. Trying to stop the bloodshed.” The captain of the Shadowguard said.

“Bloodshed?” Ilea asked.

“Don’t tell me you weren’t about to kill those fools.” One of the other guards said and smirked but Ilea ignored him.

“A couple guards have been injured, some vanished completely. It’s likely that members are responsible.” The captain said.

“Ah, yea I can see that if they behave like that.” Ilea said. She would’ve scared them a little but the comment by the shadowguard made her a little uneasy. Seemed like the situation in Ravenhall wasn’t exactly the most relaxed either. She sighed and closed her eyes.

“Come on guys, the suns are coming up soon and the woman responsible is likely the least busy this time of day.” Ilea said and grabbed two of the mages before she jumped down, getting the other two right after.

Magical lights had been placed around the streets where no lanterns illuminated the surroundings, giving the city a more advanced technological feel than it had before the demon attack. The suns not being up, the whole town was clad in darkness but it looked like some of the storefronts were decidedly more colorful than previously. Perhaps an influence by refugees from closer to Virilya. A welcome change for Ilea, who despite the rare painted houses in Ravenhall preferred the looks of Virilya’s streets. Maybe it’s the lack of trees…

The thought and other possible changes to the looks of the city occupied her mind before they entered the main building of the Shadow’s Hand outside Viscera, near the center of the rebuilt city of Ravenhall. Most of the buildings residing inside the innermost walls were guild or government related, so far leaving little room for interesting architectural designs. A more practical approach seemed prevalent but with time and money, that too could change.

The guard just waved them in, seeing Ilea in her black armor. Considering all actual members had to be at level two hundred, security on this building by anybody below that wouldn’t be terribly effective. The guard was at one forty, enough to keep out and check on most people that would desire to enter the building.

“Not sure if she’s still here. We’ll go check Viscera if not.” Ilea said as they went up the stairs. She couldn’t check some of the rooms through her Sphere, the vision either murky or completely blocked off. It could be enchantments put in place or someone actively using a skill. Knocking on Claire’s previously used office, she received an answer.

“Come in Ilea.” Claire said. “The door is unlocked.”

“Welcome to Ravenhall my friends.” Ilea said to the others with a smile and entered the room, gesturing for them to follow. Two more shelves had been placed to store books and documents, the corner for refreshments no longer part of the design. Claire’s desk was as full as always but the woman looked more energetic than ever. Her black hair was bound in a ponytail as usual and her expression was as serious as ever. Ilea could see the very slight smirk in her expression when she greeted her.

“Don’t tell me Kyrian is dead, I might just blow you out of the window.” The woman said, putting away her work and looking at Ilea. She believed the threat, not that such an action would do her much harm.

“He’s not. We both got teleported away and I have no fucking idea where he is.” Ilea said, introducing the four people in tow.

“It’s a long story and I’ll have to talk about most of it with you if you’ve got time but this takes precedence. I don’t want to share all the information with them so we can take care of it now.” Ilea said, for the latter part bending closer to Claire and whispering it. The woman nodded and gestured for her to continue.

“They’re vegetation mages, three of them are. Previously worked under Arthur Redleaf but they chose to come with me to Viscera. Any use for their talents?” Ilea asked, watching all three of the mages tense up, some more obviously than others. Their fate was in the air, a stable employment or hard work. With their talents they really didn’t have to worry but considering their past with Arthur and his abuse, Ilea somewhat understood their behavior.

“Of course, that’s great news. The Haven has a lot of space and the current team will surely love the newcomers. It’s going well but if our predictions for refugees is even close to reasonable, we’ll be swamped in less than half a year. We have to work on a sustainable food source and few are as capable at that than vegetation mages.” Claire said and got up. She was wearing an outfit close to her armor but while similar in design, this one was made with cloth instead of metal.

The color was mostly focused on black of course but there was some blue interspersed. Compared to the hidden portions and spacious room for runed stones and metal, with this outfit it was part of the design. Darkened plates of runed metal adorned many a part of her outfit making her prepared for a fight whenever but looking non threatening.

“I’m glad you’ve chosen to work with us. I’ll be joining you in the course of the morning to discuss your employment. In the meantime would you mind waiting in an adjacent room until I’ve finished my business with our friend here?” Claire asked and the three mages just looked at each other, not used to the respectful manner in which they’ve been talked to.

“Let me lead you there then. You may help yourselves to any refreshments or food.” She said and smiled, quickly bringing them to the other room. Ilea took some of the papers off her table and looked through them. Suggestions on new legislation, approval for funds for a public training area for the Hand in the city itself, plans for city expansion into the mountain below and the restoration of the destroyed underground.

“That is not for your eyes young lady.” Claire said after she returned, closing the door behind herself. She glanced at Christopher with interest but didn’t say anything, the man very concerned with a specific spot on the blue carpet.

“I like your outfit. Where did you get it?” Ilea asked, putting the papers down.

“New tailor in the city, he survived in the forests around Morhil if you can believe that. I employed him in one of the shops bought… how far do you trust that man?” Claire stopped herself and pointed towards Christopher.

“Ah, share away. He’s going to be working under you soon enough anyway.” Ilea said. She’d give the man a choice of course but with the chance of seeing Eregar’s Haven she knew his answer already.

“Alright. If you’re sure about it.” Claire said.

“His name is Christopher by the way.” Ilea said, the man looking up at the mention of his name.

“I’m Claire, it’s nice to meet you Christopher.” Claire said, looking at him.

“S… Same ma’am.” He replied.

“We’ll get to him later, now the tailor?” Ilea asked and smirked.

“Employed in a shop bought through your money. So you basically own the establishment. As many others. My pull in the Hand and our incredibly high influence in the first weeks after the fall have gotten me some ridiculous deals. It’s almost like you fabricated the whole thing to get wealth quick and easy.”

“And have hundreds of thousands die.” Ilea said with a serious expression.

“Sometimes I don’t know when to joke with you and when not to.” Claire said, shaking her head. A gesture made more difficult by the hand holding up her head on the table.

“It’s not been an easy time lately. Don’t worry though, I’m not smart enough to pull such a move.” Ilea said and smiled.

“That’s what you have me for.” Claire said.

“Don’t scare me. I hope the war isn’t something you three cooked up.” Ilea replied.

“I try to stay local with political scheming. No reason to make the empire or any other power even more focused on this little town in the mountains. Economic though… well let’s just say you don’t just own property in Ravenhall.” Claire added. “Now tell me what happened to Kyrian.”

Ilea sighed and summoned a bottle of mead. “Edwin Redleaf, well we found his father, the one he wanted to kill. The one who might’ve known something about Eve. Well it doesn’t matter now. He’s dead.” Ilea started. “During the fight, he activated a Taleen teleportation gate in the dungeon below the island he was staying at, sending me to a place called Iz. A massive likely underground city or whatever it was, thousands of Taleen Guardians and more dangerous machines down there, ready to rip me apart. Well a good thing I have the third tier in my teleportation ability.” Ilea said, Claire making big eyes at that.

“All terrifying but you have a long range teleportation ability?” She asked, her head now supported only by her neck, hands on the table.

“I do. It’s very limited in usability though but it got me out of damn nasty situation.” Ilea said. Claire sat back in her chair.

“So Kyrian’s been teleported away too. To another Taleen Dungeon. You didn’t see him I assume?” She asked. Ilea shook her head. Claire sighed at that.

“Well he is capable, just as much as you are. He can’t heal himself though. I just hope he isn’t being worn down and killed by monsters or machines. He doesn’t even have a teleportation skill.” Claire said.

“He can heal himself, learned it a couple weeks ago actually.” Ilea said with a smile. “I’m sure he’ll make it. If he dies I’ll have him reanimated and kill him again.”

“That’s not… well at least I’m less worried knowing he can heal himself. Any idea where he is?” Claire asked.

“None sadly. But, and this is where Christopher over here comes in, we might have a way to create a working gate to these dungeons. Arthur was obsessed with it, with replicating the Taleen teleportation technology, with creating long ranged teleportation between human cities. He’s been working on it for a long time and this man here was in the midst of it.” Ilea said, Christopher instinctively taking a step back.

“That would be… in the hands of Viscera…,” Claire said, already thinking about a dozen possibilities.

“It… it’s far… it’s far from realized… mere theories and for a working gate we first have to create on that links into the Taleen network. To understand how it works, we have to use it and reverse engineer it so that we can reproduce it. The resources, knowledge and time…,” He started but Claire stopped him.

“I will move everything aside for this. We’ll talk in depth about how far you are and about the theories. Is it rune based or something completely different?” Claire asked.

“Runes and enchantments. Both of my classes are related to that.”

Claire smiled wide at that, even a little too wide. “Well I have a high level in rune magic so I’ll be able to support you whenever your theories need a little more practical punch.” She said.

“I know a good enchantress too. Iana Birch in the village of Indur, near Morhil.” Ilea added.

“I’ll get in touch with her too then. Anything else you have Ilea, I kind of want to talk to him now.” Claire said, still smiling.

“You power hungry explosion fanatic.” Ilea said and shook her head. “I have a couple things but first, how would you even use a teleportation gate? Let me tell you that if a Taleen Pratetorian comes out of that gate the city is fucked.”

“If we get it working we connect major cities together or the outskirts at least. Guilds in the empire at first I would assume and then gradually more and more. Adventurers could theoretically appear near a dungeon or the area near their job without having to travel weeks or months beforehand. Especially for the Shadow’s Hand and our members it would be incredible. A guard nearby could get help or healers instead of another expedition completely vanishing.” Claire said, mentioning some of the possibilities.

“The power required is too high. Even for a group of mages it would be difficult to activate. The gates could only be build in places of high mana density. I believe the Taleen dungeons as we know them are mostly dungeons because they build only where the mana density was incredibly high. Otherwise we’d just find the ruins of their city instead of developed dungeons.” Christopher explained, having gained a little more confidence in the talk.

“You’re right. Well that complicates things somewhat. A good thing that Eregar’s Haven is one of the highest mana dense places we know. A start at least. I’m very aware of the dangers as well Ilea. A lot of the rebuilding considerations came up simply to prevent another demon situation. I would think a teleportation gate to an unknown Taleen dungeon would be a similar situation.” Claire said.

“It is unlikely that a machine would be transported to a working gate if activated.” Christopher reassured.

“Unlikely but not impossible?” Ilea asked.

“Highly unlikely but the possibility remains. As does our lack of knowledge about the dwarven race known only as the Taleen.” Christopher said.

“Or other races or things that might come out of that hole in space.” Ilea said, thinking of the demon realm and the possibility of other such places. Can’t get viruses if you’re not connected to the network.

Then again, whatever built the teleportation system in the demon realm could go to whatever random place, even different realms it seemed. Of course most of that was what Ilea had felt when she used the machine but somehow she was sure of it.

“We will build in one of the dungeons then. Build and test deep enough to be able to collapse the whole thing. I’ll rig it with enough explosive runes to take out whatever comes through.” Claire said, a disaster already in Ilea’s mind. She sighed and nodded.

“Just promise to be safe. I don’t want to be responsible for the next calamity befalling this city.” Ilea said.

“Our actions are our own. You simply brought me here. Does my mother share responsibility should such calamity befall us?” Christopher asked.

“Calm down. This is all only relevant anyway if he succeeds. None have before, at least to my knowledge. I’m sure some have tried at least.” Claire said.

“Fewer than would be expected. Funds for these kind of expeditions and research have been scarce. Arthur complained about it often. That he is the only one caring about this incredible technology. Local politics and war proceed research such as this.” The man explained.

“We are human after all.” Ilea said and smirked.

“That we are.” Claire confirmed and looked at her. “I might even be able to convince Sulivhaan and Dagon to evacuate the city before we actually do test runs. Just in case. I agree that while the chance is low, the risk is enormous.”

“Good. Now I have some other things as well. You can start planning as soon as I’m done.” Ilea said. “I need to train my resistances, is there a way for me to hire Hand members for them to use their magic on me?”

“That sounds more like one of your requests.” Claire said and thought about it for a minute. “Why not have them pay? Or wait, another idea. You could be the one testing new joiners’ abilities. Remember when you tested?”

“I do, I think the very same Adam Strand who destroyed the city used his summons to test my destructive power.” Ilea answered.

“Exactly and what better way to test than actually facing the magic and swords yourself? Talk to Sulivhaan about this, he’s in Viscera. I’m sure you could figure out a way to get paid for getting attacked as well. It’s skill growth after all and sparring with dangerous magic gets more and more risky the stronger people get. Tanks and healers at your level are somewhat rare and certainly not willing to work with people outside their team.” Claire explained.

“Why not? It would benefit them as well.” Ilea wondered.

“Different reasons I assume. I regularly check the list of jobs and requests at the Hand and for the Hand. I can only say it’s rare. Getting blasted in the face repeatedly with deadly magic doesn’t sound very fun either.” Claire said.

“What? No that sounds like a perfectly enjoyable experience.” Ilea refuted.

“And that is exactly why people might even pay you to do this.” Claire added, smiling.

“I’ll talk to Sulivhaan then. On another note, is the underwater training session available or are classes not running again?”

“Some are, you’ll have to check in Viscera. I’m not up to date on the schedule. William Hendricks should know about this, he took over some responsibilities in that matter.” Claire said.

“I think I’ve heard that name before.” Ilea said and thought about it but nothing came to mind. Perhaps when she saw the man.

“Anything else?” Claire asked.

“I need some local jobs. Anything for someone like me?” She asked.

“It’s mostly for elemental mages. If you want to carry some stones around then sure but it’s not that well paid. Protecting the refugees on the way here is a way to make some money. Those jobs are offered by the empire though, not by us. Check with the guard or the adventurer guild for those. I think Resistance training might be your best bet anyway.” Claire explained.

“Good. Thanks for all that. Keep me updated on the research.” Ilea said to Claire. “It’s good to have you here. Sorry for losing Kyrian.”

“You didn’t lose him. You both were stupid enough to get teleported away.” Claire said in a matter of fact way. “And you brought a possibility to find him.”

“We’d have to raze down every Taleen dungeon to find the man. If he even is in one.” Ilea said, shaking her head.

“Then you better start training.” Claire said and smiled.

“Will do.” Ilea said and turned to Christopher. “You’re in good hands. Good luck, rune mage.” She said and touched his shoulder.

“Thank you Ilea, for everything.” The man said, making her smile right before she vanished out of the room. Her helmet appeared and she blinked again, out onto the square near the center of the city. The suns were coming up on the horizon and already there were people going about their business.

A note from Rhaegar

Continue reading - Chapter 210

Chapter 210 Evaluation from the other Side

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. 210 now also on Royalroad

. For those who haven't read it yet, I hope you like it.

Cheers and have a good day.

Chapter 210 Evaluation from the other Side

The city soon came to life as the sounds of construction magic intertwined with merchants shouting about their low priced goods. Ilea slowly made her way towards Viscera, thinking about the possible second doom she had brought to the city. Christopher had been right though, their actions weren’t hers and the advantages of a working teleportation system between human cities would certainly increase the power of the whole species ten fold.

Ilea just wasn’t sure if that was good. We will see what the future brings. She thought, stopping near a line of people waiting for the food sold by a somewhat young looking cook. The girl couldn’t have been older than fifteen but she handled the wok like she was born with the ability. The smell was nice and Ilea’s stomach would’ve grumbled were it not for her enhanced body barely needing any sustenance anymore.

Still, eating was nice either way so she waited until she was first in line.

“It’s noodles with meat sir.” The cook said, a little uneasy having a member of the Hand standing before her.

“I’ll have a portion please.” Ilea said as nicely as she could, smiling under her helmet. The girl filled a wooden bowl to the brim and handed it to her.

“Next.” The cook said.

“I didn’t pay.” Ilea said, summoning a silver piece and handing it to the girl.

“Shadows don’t pay.” The girl said.

“I insist.” Ilea refused and put the coin on the table, walking away with the food. I keep on throwing out money like that. Ilea thought but smiled, blinking into an alley and switching into a more comfortable set of leather armor. Mostly to be able to eat the food as she strolled through the city.

Compared to Salia it was certainly a cold town, less artistry in the architecture and less color. The streets were mostly cobbled with gray stone, the houses and buildings put up closely due to the constricting space of the city walls. It was similar in Salia of course but Ravenhall was likely an older city, more time to fill it than Salia had. Both had been emptied by either elves or demons.

Ilea wondered how Salia was doing by now. Was it just a ruin, maybe even cursed with undead? Or did someone retake it? Perhaps someday she will go back and see what happened to it all. The meal consisted of cooked noodles with different vegetables and chicken. The sauce reminded Ilea more of something western than asian but the rest of the meal certainly didn’t. With Ravenhall now getting repopulated by refugees, she imagined a lot of the foods to be from different places all over the empire and beyond.

With magic being a thing, growing what would need a completely different climate likely wasn’t much of a problem here. The variety in the meals Keyla cooked certainly spoke for that. Loud noises could be heard when a man angrily pushed open a door, someone else shouting behind him as he drunkenly walked out into the street. The man shouting run out and tackled the drunk guy, both of them falling to the floor hard.

A guard from a nearby street rushed out, sword flashing as he yelled at the two men.

“Stop it at once! In the name of the empire.” He reached them when one of the men sent a wind blade his way, the guard dodging to the side before his sword came down on the attacker. Ilea stood by and watched the ensuing battle with interest, eating her noodles as more and more people stopped to watch. A stray wind blade was sent towards a group of civilians, Ilea appearing before them before it smashed into her Veil of Ash, the food safely held to the side.

She continued eating, the people behind her a little shocked at both the wind blade and her sudden appearance. A second guard appeared after a while, the mage overwhelmed as he was pushed back, taking to the air finally while the guards followed on the rooftops below.

“Thanks!” A kid said behind her, handing her a copper coin.

“Keep the money.” Ilea said and walked on. Life had returned to the city of Ravenhall. Humanity wouldn’t fall so easily after all, as long as they had some walls to hide behind.

Yet walls wouldn’t keep them safe and neither will they make them stronger. The guard before Viscera nodded at her approach, checking the badge quickly that she handed to him. “A good day to you ma’am.” The woman said, handing back the badge.

“Same to you.” Ilea replied, patting the guard on her shoulder before she entered Viscera. The entrance hall didn’t look much different than when she had first seen it. A bunch of massive metal gears had been added, likely to put the even bigger steel wall in front of the entrance should the need arise. Something that would’ve delayed some of the demons but ultimately the fate of the city would’ve likely remained the same. Even with such devices in place.

With everyone fighting and better coordination… The thought somewhat justified the new additions to Ilea. If whatever enemy or monster attacked, the new walls would help. At least for the Hand and the guards to group up and prepare a defense.

“May I help you ma’am?” The trainee with receptionist duties asked, the young man respectfully bowing when she approached.

“Looking for Sulivhaan.” She said.

“He should be at his office this time of day.” The man replied.

“And where is that exactly?” Ilea asked again.

“Near the library. Take the same elevator.” He said, Ilea nodding and going towards the actual Viscera. Again, there were bunker like gates in place just in case they were needed. The town itself was less busy than she was used to. More people in black armor and gear walked around than when she had first come here, people still prepared for a fight it seemed. She made her way towards the elevator, glancing quickly at the apartment she had initially gotten. Ilea held little interest in it now.

Having had her house built, the feeling of having a safe place to go back to was satisfied. Sleeping outside and traveling to unknown places was likely going to be a big part of her life but it was nice knowing that she could go back. The board mentioning different classes wasn’t set up but perhaps Sulivhaan or William had more answers regarding that.

“She came with a friend. One is a healer and tank, the other an arcane mage.” William told her, handing her the two files. The man had informed her that most classes weren't available yet but he had another suggestion.

Ilea looked over them briefly and nodded. “She looks like a noble.” Ilea was to help him evaluate some potential new members.

“Paid in advance but we don’t know about her family status. She says she’s from the north.”

“The northern plains?” Ilea asked, remembering Maurice talking about them.

“Perhaps. Many strong tribes there fight and change territories. Information on them is scarce and not worth a lot considering the quick shifts in power.” William explained.

“Interesting. Maybe I should go there at some point.” Ilea mused and handed back the papers.

“Would you like to continue your lessons until they’re here?” The man asked, making Ilea gulp.

“After.” She said. Her arrogance had been paid with terror. She’d get the better of it but five hours in the morning had been quite enough to justify a small break.

Luckily the two possible new joiners entered the training hall a moment later, dashing any argument the strict and sadistic teacher could bring up. He stroked his gray mustache as he looked at them with his cold, unfeeling, evil, terrible, sadistic eyes. At least it looked like that to Ilea. She shifted her attention to the newcomers, cracking her neck in preparation for what was to come.

“What do we have here. So you two are supposed to test our strength?” The woman asked, her long black hair flowing beautifully behind her. She had rugged looking light steel armor on and walked with visible confidence. The man next to her didn’t say anything, full plate steel armor covering his whole body, his eyes focused on William.

“She is mostly. Gan and Bataar of the north. Welcome to the Shadow’s Hand.” William spoke.

“She is? When do we start.” The woman asked.

“Right now.” Ilea said and stepped to the middle of the hall. “One at a time, first you attack me.”

The woman followed Ilea and spoke when she stood a couple meters in front of her. “I am Gan, warrior of the Hand, face me.”

“Ilea, nice to meet you.” She answered and activated her Veil while creating some ash around her.

“Your name does not matter, don’t stand in my way or you will be destroyed.” Gan said, making Ilea roll her eyes.

“Ok ok. Whatever you say. Just attack me, start with the lowest power and ramp it up with each strike, leave five or so seconds in between.” Ilea instructed, knowing full well that some of the people wouldn’t listen to her.

Gan’s hand went up, her black eyes flashing quickly with a little bit of red before a beam of the same color shot at Ilea, impacting a fraction of a second later. Her Veil stopped the blast of pure energy. Her Arcane Magic Resistance was at level eight and the mage that gave her that resistance was at a considerably lower level than the woman standing before her. His magic had looked quite a bit more impressive.

The next blast was like a confirmation, the beam of energy much wider and more destructive, burning through part of her Veil. Gan lifted one of her eyebrows, apparently already impressed with Ilea’s defenses. Spreading out ash before her, Ilea formed three walls and condensed them into smaller plates.

The next blast shredded through all three plates and part of her Veil, likely enough to pass her Veil had it been alone. The woman’s eyes glowed red for a second after the blast this time.

“Your defenses are adequate Ilea of the Hand.” Gan spoke before red runes formed on her body, visible wherever her skin was exposed. Her eyes turned dark red before she lifted her hands in front of her, mana surging through the surroundings and Ilea waiting for the blast behind her repaired shields of ash.

The surge of raw mana smashed through her defenses, hammering into her black armor and pushing her backwards for a meter before she stopped. Her healing skill activated and took care of the slight burns her body had sustained. Compared to Arthur’s wind blows that managed to break her bones even with her armor and all defenses ready, this was child’s play.

“Come on, that’s not all you’ve got.” Ilea said as she remade the ashen shields. This time Gan grinned, crouching a little as her eyes stayed red. A big surge of mana left her before a ball of red light condensed between her hands, the woman continuing her grin as she channeled more and more mana into the attack. Ilea debated if she should blink away as more and more time passed but this day was already filled with defeat.

I hate drowning. She thought and braced herself, crouching to receive the energy blast that followed a second later. The light bit through the ash and her Veil like through paper, smashing into her and sending her skidding backwards as her insides were cooked and burnt by the unstable energy that sizzled off into the air and ground around her. Not as bad as expected. She thought, her healing taking care of the wounds immediately, her Pain Resistance removing the terrible reaction she would normally have felt from most of her skin melting.

“Not bad.” Ilea said, looking at the bent over woman who was breathing hard. She had invested a lot of her mana for that strike it seemed, not something she would do in a normal fight.

“Invest in some more Wisdom.” Ilea said. “A seven in attack power.” She said to William who noted it down.

“A bit of a low score no?” He asked, walking a little closer.

“You agreed didn’t you.” Ilea asked, having rated some of the current members while comparing their scores to the initial ones given out. Hers were usually lower, by quite a bit. “If we have a bunch of eights and nines and no fours then what do the ratings even mean?” Ilea asked rhetorically.

“Now let’s see about speed. Move around and attack me, I’ll do the same but won’t attack.” Ilea explained, the woman looking at her with an unreadable expression. And then she vanished, appearing at an angle behind Ilea while floating in the air. Arcane magic shot out in a beam before Ilea dodged it. She wouldn’t use her blink or flight skills if it wasn’t necessary. It was part of the grading process.

She did however run. More and more arcane beams smashed into the ground, leaving behind burnt and even glassy stone as the woman appeared and vanished, flew through the air in great speeds while Ilea tried to catch up, nearly getting close enough for a punch a couple times. After twenty minutes of the cat and mouse game, Gan seemed to slow down but she didn’t asks for the test to stop, instead using her teleportation skill more to evade Ilea who jumped through the air to get to her. Another five minutes and she was done, Ilea finally getting a grip on the woman’s armor with her right hand. The left followed around the neck, the two of them stabilizing in the air as her ashen wings spread behind her.

“Good.” She said and let go of her, floating to the ground as the woman landed, wobbling on her legs a little.

“Maneuverability six, speed five.” Ilea said, William writing it all down.

“You’re not filling a tank role I suspect. Would you still like to do the defense test?” Ilea asked as she turned around to Gan who was up again, ready to fight. There’s a reason people get to two hundred, isn’t there.

“I would like to. May I recharge my mana? It will take five minutes.” Gan asked and Ilea nodded, waving the man over. He was about her height but quite a bit broader. Not overly so but under that armor was quite a bit of muscle.

“I am Bataar.” He said and bowed to her lightly.

“Ilea.” She said and copied the gesture. “Hit me with what you have.” She said.

The man nodded and walked up to her, one hand holding the massive shield that looked heavier than a car and the other one holding a somewhat short nasty looking barbed mace. There was still blood on it.

“That’s unsanitary.” She said, pointing at the mace as he stopped a meter in front of her. He looked down and grunted.

“Yes, more effective like this.” Bataar said.

“Guess that makes sense.” Ilea said, her Veil ready to take the hit.

The man screamed and brought the mace down, the spikes pushing through her Veil but the overall hit blocked, the metal screeching against her armored shoulder. A pulse of mana was felt before a second strike hit her Veil, this time breaking through. Her shoulder was injured lightly but the blunt force wasn’t something that could threaten her life, not even without armor or the veil.

She waited for a while but he simply stepped back a little to signal that he was done. “Two in attack.” Ilea said.

“Now move and attack me.” Ilea said. The man was quicker than she ever though possible but still a long way behind the woman or herself. For his armor’s weight though it was impressive.

“Three in speed and maneuverability.” Ilea said. “Who wants to go first in defense?”

“Me, you’ll just waste your mana on him.” Gan said from the side. Ilea looked at the man with interest, willing to test that with all she had.

“I will simply stand here.” Gan said as Ilea approached.

“Good.” She answered, her fist rushing at the woman before a shield intercepted the attack, the energy even partially burning her Veil. “Interesting.” She said and attacked again, this time with her buffs active but without Destruction or Wave of Ember. A dull sound could be heard on impact. Ilea felt the shield waver a little and punched again. Five punches later, it was overwhelmed and Gan vanished.

“Defense, three.” Ilea said. “You would do well to increase that skill a bit more. And invest in Vitality, personal suggestion.” Ilea said to the woman who had appeared a couple steps next to her.

“Your advice is not needed.” Gan said in a respectful tone.

“Alright.” Ilea said and turned to Bataar. “You’re gonna be a tough nut to crack I imagine.” She said but he just grunted before he held his huge shield in front of himself. Ilea blinked in front of him and smashed her fist into it. Gan’s eyebrows rose a little at the sudden use of teleportation.

The shield however didn’t move much. Ilea repeated the five punches before she activated Wave of Ember and Destruction on impact. Some of it was deflected, she felt it. The shield had a mana intrusion enchantment but with time it would fall. Using her third tier State of Azarinth, she sacrificed a hundred points of health to deliver one punch. The impact pushed the man back a little. Just a step but it was something.

Her relentless assault continued for another minute before she deemed it worthless. “May I use all means?” Ilea asked.

“Go ahead Shadow.” The man said with respect. Ash started spreading around him before Ilea appeared on his side, her fully powered punch landing on his side. The man’s mace lashed out but she had already vanished, kicking at his left leg from behind before she ducked below the shield bash that followed, delivering an uppercut to his chin with the next punch, sending him flying into the air. He came down two meters further back, shaking his head but getting back up quickly.

He wasn’t done and neither was she. Ilea continued to bash into the man for a whole three minutes, his lacking speed and one sided defense near his shield made it trivial for her to deliver her attacks but he didn’t seem to react much. Whenever she got him to the ground, he would get up and continue. Ilea blinked in once more, this time carefully checking the angle as she held his arm with one hand and jabbed with the other. A cracking sound could be heard, his bone giving in.

Bataar winced but lashed out at her regardless, Ilea jumping back to observe him. His shield dropped to the ground and he used his left hand to correct the broken right one. He locked eyes with her, a golden light quickly shining in them before he started moving his right hand again.

“A healer? Or a paladin?” Ilea asked. With his reactions the man could probably tank Arthur’s Wind magic without being moved as long as he was behind his shield. Any damage to his body he could heal, at least that’s what it looked like.

“Healer and tank.” He said. “You are an impressive warrior and a healer as well. I commend you.” Bataar said and bowed. “I would die were this not a mock fight.”

“Defense seven, nine with his shield up.” Ilea said to William who noted it all down.

“Good, then we’re done here.” He said with a grin. “Back to training.”

Chapter 211 Drowning for Fun

A note from Rhaegar

Hey! New chapter up. Thanks for the feedback on 210 will go back at some point and maybe add another paragraph or two to make it less confusing.

Another thing, I rewrote chapter one of the story. If you're interested go and Check it out!. Do let me know what you think either in the comments there or here

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Thanks for reading!

Chapter 211 Drowning for Fun

The two new members of the Shadow’s Hand left and would receive their team information and further instructions form William or someone else. Ilea looked at her fist and frowned.

“What is it? Dreading the underwater lesson so much?” William asked but she was preoccupied with the lack of her fist’s impact. The man of course had been a level two hundred tank and healer, focused completely on defense while she was more of a mix, both incredibly resilient but also having a strong punch.

If I want to fight a Praetorian, if I want to find and fight Eve’s killers I’ll need to shatter his shield with a single punch. The thought was refreshing. Scary in a way but she felt good. Her power had crept up on her a little. While many of her enemies could fight her or even win against her, this experience here, rating the other’s defense and attack, it made her realize how long of a way she still had to go.

“Alright water bender, drown me.” Ilea said, impressed again by William’s perfect straight face when he gathered water from the air around him. She summoned her [Drowning Bear Ring] which apparently made her drown less quickly and stood there as the water enveloped her.

The two had talked about this method quite a bit and while William would’ve preferred her to use a more conventional means to gain skills related to underwater survival and combat, this was definitely the fastest and most dangerous one. Perhaps she could gain other levels as well. After the first twenty minutes in the morning, Ilea had asked the man to attack her with ice and water magic while she was drowning and he had obliged.

The water flowed around her before she switched out her Ashen Hunter armor with a simple shirt and pants. It would allow for his attacks to actually inflict damage.

As soon as the water closed before her, Ilea calmed herself down. Meditation and her Healing magic flowed through her body, her eyes focused on the mage before her as he summoned small spikes of ice that shot into the water and slammed into her unprotected skin. Ilea’s Ice Resistance was at level seven, not quite as high as some of her other resistances but certainly nothing to scoff at. She wondered if it would protect her again natural ice buildup as well considering it wasn’t called Ice Magic Resistance.

The oxygen she had left slowly rose through the water around her that started mixing with blood as bigger and more dense ice spikes started slamming into her, some managing to pierce her already armor like skin. She didn’t use her Veil, instead allowing for the full attack to get through, knowing that it would be beneficial for her resistance leveling.

“Five minutes.” She heard the muffled noise through the water. Still, she had some breath left. An impressive result already for Ilea personally but she had realized her body was capable of much more already. In the morning she managed to keep her breath for a whopping thirty minutes which was likely already more than any human had any right to stay underwater.

The ring helped but didn’t change the result more than a minute or two. Time continued to pass, more and more injuries covering her body as William focused his aim on her stomach area to avoid any awkward situations, not that Ilea would’ve cared. Still, she appreciated the intent.

This time she could keep her lungs water free for thirty two minutes straight. A cough sent out the last of the air as her body gasped for more, finding bloody water instead. Ilea continued coughing but her skills kept her focused, the growing pain and discomfort something she focused on just like she had focused on the pain of burning herself to gain the Fire Mage class so long ago. Drowning wasn’t fun for sure and Ilea didn’t feel like picking a favorite between it and burning alive.

A minute passed and then another. Her body became less and less responsive while her health dwindled. Hunter Recovery fought against the drain but it became harder and harder, her mind growing heavier with every passing second.

“Thirty Five minutes.” She barely heard the sound coming from the mage as her consciousness slipped from her, right before she blinked out.

The following coughing fit didn’t subside for a whole two minutes or until all the water was gone from her airways. Her head still felt heavy and her body shivered as air finally came back to it. She could tell that her body was damaged, her healing spell the only reason she would walk away from this unscathed. Well at least physically.

“Still nothing…,” She said, getting up slowly and stumbling a little as the mage came up to her.

“It takes months if not longer to gain a skill related to underwater fighting. While I have never trained anybody with this method, it will likely still take a week at least.

“A fucking week of this. Give me back my torch.” Ilea said, confusing the man a little. He didn’t ask and went back to his pack, getting out more papers to work on.

“Are you sure you have time for this?” Ilea asked a couple minutes later, recovered enough to continue.

“Of course. With all this newfound paperwork I have barely any time to train my skills. Neither are there many subjects near my level that can take as much abuse and do so willingly. I actually believe I owe you something for this whole process.” He said and looked up before he scratched his beard. “It’s somehow quite meditative as well.” He added and laughed.

“Interesting. Maybe I should try to drown you for some meditation too.” Ilea said a little annoyed. Not at him of course, this was one hundred percent her choice. That sadly didn’t make it any easier to go through.

“You would find that rather difficult.” William said and lifted the water back up, the blood cleared out of it as Ilea rolled her eyes and let it flow around her.

Three more hours… The thought wasn’t very comforting. As shitty as the experience was, mostly it was boring. This time Ilea summoned ash outside of the sphere of water and started moving it around with her Manipulation. Sadly she wasn’t an oxygen creator or wind mage but she was sure that the training was worth it at least. William confirmed it to her, mentioning the existence of several skills that could be beneficial.

One thing was for sure, Ilea didn’t want to die drowning as some eldritch horror dragged her to the bottom of the demon realm’s endless ocean.

“Not a lot of useful shit on the board this week.” A man in black armor complained next to Ilea while she read through the requests posted in the adventurer’s guild. Most of the jobs for mercenaries like her were posted here, in the central inn owned by the guild. Several people were sitting around, having a chat or a drink as they waited for their group members or someone to hire.

Perhaps better jobs as well. Ilea thought, finishing with the third construction job request already. Monster slaying didn’t seem to be on the menu. There were of course jobs directly from the Shadow’s Hand but most of them weren’t local and would require weeks if not months of commitment. Travel times alone would be extensive and Ilea didn’t really plan on leaving Ravenhall for a little while. At least not the mountain range containing it.

Not with the possibility of the Birmingales, the Golden Lily and the Forkspears looking for her. Here at least she was protected by the anonymity provided by other people around her level. In most towns she would stand out like a tiger in a chicken coop.

The man next to her grunted and took one of the papers before he walked to one of the counters. Ilea didn’t find anything reasonable for her abilities but she wasn’t exactly here for that either. People avoided looking at her as she made her way to one of the clerks. Even while in Ravenhall, Shadow’s certainly demanded respect. Perhaps here even more so than in other places, most people in the know regarding their abilities and what it meant to be part of the mercenary guild.

“Welcome to the adventurer’s guild Sir Shadow. What can I do for you today?” The woman asked with a smile. Ilea could tell her heart rate had gotten a little higher upon talking to her. Considering the previous employees were likely made demons and wiped out by the Hand, the workforce of Ravenhall likely consisted of newcomers, opportunists and trainees. This one seemed like a trainee to her.

“Sir Shadow?” Ilea asked and chuckled, the woman smiling as her discomfort grew. “Ah don’t worry, Shadow is fine though. I need to post a request or well, an offer.” Ilea said and watched the woman relax a little.

“Of course. Posting on the main board costs ten silver coins, one of the smaller ones one silver. Five percent of the reward goes to the guild, we’ll deduct that in the description.” The woman explained.

“There is no reward.” Ilea said and handed over the page she had taken out of her notebook to describe her request.

“Hmm…,” The woman said as she read through the page, her eyes opening wide before she looked at Ilea again. “Yes well… it’s another three silvers then as a fee to the guild.”

“How long will it stay up?” Ilea asked.

“Twelve hours normally but you may extend the duration for ten coppers her hour.” The woman explained and she nodded, handing over the thirteen silver coins from her pouch.

Viper sighed as he entered the adventurer’s guild. His black eyes took in the inn and its occupants in a moment, registering a couple interesting individuals, a couple dangerous ones as well. A fiery flash went through his eyes as he felt a magical pulse from one of the people. Realizing it was only someone working on a weapon’s enchantment, he continued and walked to the board listing the most prominent jobs.

The four people standing near the board made space after they noticed his approach, none of them Shadows like him. Of course there were people wearing black that weren’t part of the Shadow’s Hand but when you were in Ravenhall you better assumed everyone in black was part of the order. Offending one of theirs wasn’t a smart move, never was. With the demons and now the war between the Empire and Baralia, such a move was becoming more stupid by the day.

Perhaps today. He thought, glancing over the jobs he had already gone through. More construction and guarding jobs. There was of course the arena but people on his level usually didn’t participate. He wasn’t sure if it was beneficial for Philipp anyway. The man wasn’t the same anymore after the demon summoning. War and refugees aren’t helping.

Viper was about to leave again when his eyes fixated on a new posting. One without a reward, the reason he hadn’t immediately looked at it.

Train your magic against a Shadow. Healer and Tank ready. One silver coin per hour per person.

There was a location as well. One of the training halls below the small arena in the second ring of the city. The man smiled a little before he closed his fist. Maybe we can finally improve a little there. Without scaring the poor guy. He thought and left the guild. There was no time frame on the paper but it was worth a shot to be sure. If the tank and healer were there he’d ask Philipp if he wanted to join as well.

The guard standing next to the central wall’s gate nodded to him as he exited into the second circle. The city was getting busier again. Every day it felt like the population recovered by another ten percent. The war certainly was doing wonders to the recovery of Ravenhall. He had believed the city would be retaken and turned into a ghost town, a city standing empty except for the Shadows in Viscera.

He was wrong as it turned out. Soon Ravenhall would be back to its former glory and likely beyond even. Fresh hopeful people scarred by war and angry at the Empire or Baralia would bring a boom in economic power. With the experienced and strong administrators of the Hand that had pretty much taken over the city by now, it was bound to flourish. He and Philipp were there when the demons had been summoned. They had been there when a hundred thousand people were slaughtered by their own mutated neighbors and family members.

Something Viper knew the new leadership would invest highly to prevent. The new walls were just a part of it. The Shadowguard and the gates separating Viscera, Eregar’s Haven and the city itself were another part. He didn’t know what else they had come up with but was certain there was more. Not a single elder remained but perhaps that was exactly what the Shadow’s Hand had needed. A fresh start.

Thoughts of the demon summoning being a conspiracy by the elders to bring about exactly said new start flowed through his mind as he entered the underground arenas, an establishment build and rented out to various guilds and rich people. It had been partially destroyed in the demon attack but had been rebuilt to be even more extensive, now reaching seven floors below ground.

Viper paid the fee to enter arena 8B, the one mentioned on the job description. The lady took the five coppers and grunted, motioning towards the entrance.

The now nearly thirty people watching cheered as a stone the size of Ilea’s head smashed into her leather armor’s chest, the light damage nearly immediately healed as she brushed off the remaining pebbles. She hadn’t visited the arenas in Ravenhall often, her team and the Haven sufficient for training but now that most members of the Hand were out and about while new adventurers came to the city, it was the perfect location for her little training.

The circular arena was surrounded by a stone wall with several cracks in it, seating provided for any spectators further above. The whole place had actually been repaired but this training session wasn’t exactly friendly to the construction work around it.

“That’s shit!” One of the drunk adventurers watching shouted to the stone mage who just stared angrily at Ilea.

“You’re shit!” He shouted back and focused on her again, magic condensing as a piece of stone cracked out of the ground before it twirled and was sent her way. This time he aimed for her knee but she simply braced for the impact and let it happen. With all her skills and the light protection her leather armor provided, this wasn’t nearly enough to bring her out of balance.

The mage before her was dressed in leather armor as well, his face red and puffy, sweat dripping down his brow as a vein popped on his forehead. The man was a little above level one hundred but his damage output wasn’t exactly anything to worry about. Ilea remembered how a bunch of demons on the same level could rip through her flesh with ease back in Virilya. Both a testament to their strength, even at lower levels but also to this man’s lack thereof.

Then again, this was blunt damage, much harder to damage her with that with her enhanced bones. “Are you done?” She asked the man and smiled, her blue eyes sparkling as she watched him finally snap. Nearly all of them did and would at some point use whatever attack they thought too dangerous to throw against another human in a sparring match or in this case, a training session to improve their skills.

Ilea noticed a new face in the crowd and smiled, seeing the black robe the man was wearing as he looked at the scene in the arena. Her feet prepared for the impact as they pushed against the sand and stone below. The mage had switched his approach to spears. A worthy change indeed but with what little impact he showed thus far, Ilea doubted this would bring much of a change.

She focused and watched the stone spears crack as they became smaller and started to spin, reminding her of her own ashen projectiles. And then they came, shooting towards her as quickly as the Taleen machines sent out their projectiles. Not enough to prevent her from dodging but in this case it didn’t matter. She was here to improve her resistances and nothing else.

The spears punched through her leather armor and dug into her flesh before they shattered against her rib cage. She was pushed a step backwards by the impact, a small cloud of dust and pulverized stone floating before her as she ripped out the pieces still inside of her chest. The wounds closed as the flesh rebuilt, pushing out the fragments and pieces of bones she hadn’t gotten with her hands. Blood dripped on the ground but soon stopped again. Another couple drops on the slowly reddening sand and stone below.

“Nice try.” Ilea said and watched the man’s eyes go wide. Relief filled his eyes when he realized she was fine.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…,” He said and swallowed.

“That was the first attack worth your silver. Calm down and come back. I’m here until midnight. Again tomorrow evening. One silver per hour.” Ilea said and smiled at the man. He was a little overwhelmed by the situation it seemed and nodded quickly before he walked to the stairs leading to the seating.

“You fucking useless shit stick, I bet four silvers you could at least pierce through her body! What about that story of you defeating a troll with that spell?!” One of the adventurers shouted as he punched the mage before two others stopped him. It seemed in good fun though as they all started laughing right after.

Ilea watched them all, having endured nearly all of their magical attacks already. Some even in groups of five. When it became overwhelming she had used her Veil but that had only happened twice so far today.

Chapter 212 Resistance Roulette

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, new chapter. Let me know what you think

.

Chapter 212 Resistance Roulette

In that moment the Shadow in black robes appeared next to the bucket standing a little to the side. He let a silver coin fall into it, adding to her earnings for the day before he walked several steps to face her.

“Oy lads, give that one a look!” The attention of the crowd was taken immediately by the appearance of another Shadow.

“Welcome.” Ilea said and smiled. Identifying the man, she found him to be at two twenty. Very near her own level. “Please start with weak attacks and go from there. I’m not wearing my good armor.” Ilea said for the first time since coming to the arena.

“Do I know you?” The man asked, his eyes flashing fiery below his hood.

“Perhaps you do. Were you here when we retook the city?” Ilea asked. He didn’t react for a moment.

“I was. But no, I do not know you from then. The healer and the tank, it’s all you then?” He asked before he thought again for a while. “Ah, I remember. Blue eyes and an attitude I wouldn’t forget immediately.” He said as the air around both him and her grew hotter. Ilea wasn’t sure from where he knew her but decided to activate her Veil of Ash just in case she was facing someone with a grudge.

The man chuckled as the air grew cool again. “Don’t be alarmed. I merely want to see how far you’ve gotten.” He said before a flaming beam of light hit her stomach, burning through her armor in seconds before her healing kicked in, counteracting the disintegration of her flesh and bones as her skill fought against his.

The fire surrounding the beam of light grew more intense and chaotic but focused on a smaller spot as she continued to counterheal the damage dealt. Her eyes could barely focus as her retinas burnt out, forcing her to use her Sphere to see. The man didn’t move, simply keeping his spell active and intensifying the beam every minute or so while she stood there, her clothes and skin on fire as she resisted.

With time, the damage became more manageable, not only because of the notifications Ilea heard about likely Resistances rising but also because of her learning more about how she could deal with her burnt tissue and how she could recreate and treat it through her healing magic. Ten minutes passed before the beam subsided, Ilea quickly rebuilding her stomach while the man forced a large amount of mana between his hands, adding more and more to it for a solid minute.

A beam of white light surrounded by white flame burnt through her body in an instant, burning the very air on its way and burning into the stone wall behind her, further than her sphere could see. Her spine lay exposed, smoking and slightly damaged before she began healing herself. Most of the onlookers had missed the spectacle thanks to the mage’s bright magic but when they looked at Ilea now, they could see a still burning woman regrowing her missing stomach and parts of her back.

“Truly, worthy of the name Shadow.” The mage said and bowed his head before he lifted it again with a smile. “I’ve only known a handful of people that could stop what you just endured with their bodies alone. Two of them elves.”

Ilea patted out the flames clinging to her armor and hair before the mage lifted his hand, killing the fire near instantly. “Was that the strongest you had?” She asked, her belly nearly back to normal by now.

“Your recovery is impressive too. Not a surprise knowing you were a healer once.” The man said and smiled again.

“You’re making me more and more interested. Who are you?” Ilea asked.

“My name is Viper. We’ve met near the city of Riverwatch. An elven attack had occurred and the city had hired a Shadow squad to look into it and to hunt the enemy.” Viper said.

Ilea thought back and remembered the suddenly appearing squad in the forest on their way back from the Calys mine.

“Makes sense how someone as reckless as you survived until today.” Viper said.

“Why reckless? My healing is just part of it.” Ilea said.

“I’m sure. You were below level one hundred if I remember correctly. An impressive growth. One usually stopped abruptly. Yet yours didn’t and now you are even past my own power.” The man said.

“Levels are not everything to someone’s strength.” Ilea replied.

“And you’ve gained some wisdom on the way as well.” The mage said. “You said you’re here until midnight?” He asked. Ilea nodded in response.

“Good. A friend of mine might be of service to you, while you might be of service to him.” He said and vanished.

Attracted the right kind of people. She thought and smiled, looking through her gains so far. This ordeal had really proven itself to be a very good idea.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 9’

Gains from her training with William. While she wasn’t in a dark flooded cave, being drowned was pretty scary on its own.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

A good evening already and there were several more hours to go. She just wished the adventurers had more diverse abilities to actually give her new resistances as well. Or was she already prepared for most classes that were out there? Ilea heavily doubted that but more common elements like fire and ice were useful to her nonetheless. Still, an obscure resistance might just be the difference between living or dying against something she had never encountered before.

Her Mental Resistance or Silver Magic Resistance were examples for that. An additional problem was her rather high general resistance to damage anyway. Her Vitality, strong skin and bones were hard to damage for pretty much anybody, which in turn made it harder for her to train her resistances against mages below a certain level of strength. The stone mage was one of the first who managed to so easily pierce her skin but it didn’t look like he could use that attack often and in succession.

Ilea checked through her stats while she waited for the next group to get ready. The problem at this point wasn’t that there weren’t enough people there to train with her but that they had started focusing more on the betting amongst themselves. Which meant they would actually try to kill her but needed time to prepare first. In the end, Ilea supposed it was a good thing. The closer she got to death the better.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 229

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 18

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 223

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2 rd lvl 1

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 19

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 17

- Poison Resistance – lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – lvl 20

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Water Resistance – lvl 7

- Wind Resistance – lvl 9

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 9

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 7

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 8

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 17

- Blast Resistance – lvl 13

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 3

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 266

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 550

Wisdom 415

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 3500/3500

Mana: 3810/4150

Her resistances amassed a rather long list already but Ilea focused more on the nearly fully leveled Ashen Warrior. She assumed that as soon as five skills were maxed again, she could use her remaining third tier skill point for her ashen class.

A group had finally formed and moved to face her. Eight adventurers in total, the highest leveled one being at a little above one hundred. Most of them had faced her before so she knew the extent of their abilities. Ilea just hoped that Viper would return with the promised friend. His magic alone could push her Heat and Light resistances quicker than any of these people. They all threw a silver coin each into the bucket before they started.

Fire quickly enveloped her as spikes of stone and crystal punched into her belly. Nothing managed to pierce her skin so far, an explosion pushing her a couple steps back and heating up her face. She simply walked back under the magical assault and continued to take their abuse. Well it wasn’t much of an abuse. As Ilea continued to watch the mages, she felt that her nonchalance was more damaging to their psyche than any of their magic was to her body.

Perhaps some of them will try to improve and expose themselves to a little more danger than attacking a willing suspect like herself. Or they might just visit her again and again to improve their magic. Maybe she could hire an instructor that could give the adventurers some pointers while they paid for that service as well.

The group gave up after twenty minutes, exhausted and defeated. “You can meditate and try again you know?” Ilea said as she brushed off the dust from her burnt leather armor. It wouldn’t last much longer but she still had another one in her necklace. Plus she was sure the Hand wouldn’t mind much if she touch a couple of their armors. She had paid them handsomely after all.

Viper was already back she noticed while cleaning up. And he had brought someone else. He wore black leather armor with a hood but she could see the greasy brown hair hanging out of it. His shoulders hung low as he was pushed by Viper to go towards the bottom of the arena.

The second man didn’t have any weapons but Ilea quickly noticed the bracelets. As soon as they were standing before her, she identified the man.

[Hunter – lvl 214]

A hunter. Ilea thought back but couldn’t remember anybody that had that description when she identified them.

“Welcome back Viper and friend.” Ilea said. “I’m glad you returned. My Heat Resistance is at a breaking point and you might just make the difference.”

The mage smiled under his hood. “It’s good to let loose against someone again. Been a while.” He gently touched his friend’s shoulder and motioned to Ilea.

“She wants to train with us. Gain resistances against different sorts of magic. I immediately thought of you. What do you think?” Viper asked. The second man looked up to the mage and then towards Ilea. He had green eyes and looked to be in his late twenties. It seemed like he looked right through her.

“This is Philipp, my teammate.” Viper said and smiled as he pulled back his own hood.

“Nice to meet you Philipp.” Ilea said and smiled. “You may start whenever.” She added. The man nodded as his expression turned serious.

“Now I’ll show you what she can do.” He said before a beam of burning light formed in an instant, Ilea immediately healing herself, flesh stripped off and reforming again and again. A process that would be excruciatingly painful were it not for her second stage in that particular resistance. Then again it was a bit of a detriment as well, were it not for her healing skill, she would have no idea how damaged exactly she was. Of course everybody could see how much Health they had left but the numbers didn’t exactly convey two missing legs and several liters of one’s own blood pouring on the ground very accurately. Her Hunter Recovery on the other hand did just that.

As quickly as it had formed, the beam subsided. It hadn’t reached the same intensity as it had previously but this time it wasn’t about testing her defenses. Philipp looked at her as the flesh on her stomach reformed, quickly coming back to the natural skin color it had previously. He then looked at her face, his eyes focused compared to before. Ilea looked at him and then at Viper, the mage having a slight grin on his face, his hand still resting on his friend’s shoulder.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to hurt her.” Viper said in a whisper. “I couldn’t with the white flame, not really.” He added. Philipp looked up to him at that, the man quite a bit smaller than the mage next to him. Smaller even than Ilea. His body language didn’t help either.

“I’m not sure Viper…,” Philipp said.

“It will be good to hold your bow again.” Viper replied and patted his back. “Nobody’s getting hurt either.”

Not permanently at least. Ilea thought. Something had happened to Philipp, that was clear. She wasn’t about to squander a chance of perhaps regularly training with Shadows and simply waited.

“My attacks have curses, acid and bleeding enhancing properties.” The hunter said, unsure how to proceed.

“And I have resistances against all that.” Ilea lied. She didn’t have anything against bleeding but would be happy to gain that one too. The man smiled a little at that and looked at Viper again, the latter stepping back and motioning for Philipp to take the stage.

Still a little unsure, the man extended his hand and a bow appeared. A wooden bow with metal lines intertwined, runes decorating its whole surface and a string that looked to be absorbing the light around it. In his right hand the man summoned an arrow, the metal head just as intricately decorated as the bow.

“Give me your best shot.” Ilea said and smiled. The corners of his mouth twitched a little but he didn’t smile, the arrow placed on his bow before he pulled back with a practiced motion. Ilea could tell that magic was pushed into the weapon and the arrow itself before it was loosed.

It flew straight and true, cutting into her stomach and stopped by her spine after it pierced through several of her organs. She left it in for a moment and felt the curse creep through her. With her resistance in the second stage, the duration would be halved and the effects in general would be greatly diminished by all the levels already. She saw through her healing magic that her insides were being corroded, eaten alive by a substance expelled by the arrow itself or an enchantment placed on it.

There was another effect she noticed, her blood became thinner. Something that wouldn’t be an issue until she would rip out the nasty forked arrow. Her healing was a little influenced as well, the curse doing its work on her even with all the resistance she had against it. Seemed like she wasn’t done training that one either. Still, her magic wasn’t disturbed enough to greatly diminish its effects as she reformed the corroded parts of her interior and mended the damaged organs she would rip apart again as soon as she got the arrow out.

“Is it not working?” Philipp asked with a mixture of emotions showing on his face.

“It’s eroding my body and the curse is disturbing my healing a little. It’s gonna be a fountain of blood as soon as I rip it out.” Ilea said and smiled.

“You are crazy.” Philipp said and laughed, Viper looking at him immediately when he heard the noise. “Then leave it in for another ten seconds. Let’s see if that is still nothing to you.” He said and grinned.

“It’s gonna explode isn’t it?” Ilea asked and three seconds later her prediction proved to be accurate, an explosion ripping through her body as splinters of metal pierced through her heart. The ones going as far as her head were stopped by her skull, her bones too much for the shrapnel to pierce or damage but her stomach was a complete mess, guts spilling out onto the ground and her blood running out as if it had the consistency of water.

That’s a lot of blood. She thought and sank to one knee, holding the guts back in as her healing took over completely, flesh and blood being restored as her mind became a little cloudy. Meditation kicked in as well and she refocused. Her body was a mess. The combination of corrosion, curses and her blood running out in a mere moment was a combination as nasty as any she had ever seen. A smile came to her face.

Chapter 213 Blood Clotting

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there. New chapter up

. Don't forget to drink a lot, it's hot.

Chapter 213 Blood Clotting

Viper watched the scene with mixed feelings. Philipp had laughed for the first time in months but it looked like he hadn’t held back at all, using his most deadly combination of skills and getting piercing her core out of all places. The explosion would be devastating and it certainly had been.

Anybody else, himself included would’ve collapsed from that one very much dead but he refused to believe this one would go so easily, not after his white flame had done little more than reduce her waistline to an impossible standard for a little while. Still, Philipp’s combination of curse, bleed and corrosion enchantments were certainly nasty. Something that got their team the upper hand in many an encounter.

Sadly against hordes of demons it hadn’t exactly been very useful. The woman sank to one knee, her eyes going a little cloudy for a second before they refocused on the hunter. She held her guts in while blood continued to pour of of her like from a shattered bottle of wine. Does she even have any blood left? The question didn’t really matter. Viper knew that with a healer, the actual amount of blood wouldn’t matter much. It mattered for staying conscious usually but that didn’t seem to bother the woman much.

Her shattered core reformed bit by bit, pieces of shrapnel falling to the ground as her wounds closed. A minute passed in silence, the people watching from their seats fascinated by the scene just as much as the two Shadows standing in the arena itself. More surprising than her quick recovery from such an attack was the sudden appearance of two rogues, brandishing their daggers after they had teleported from their seats in the stands.

Viper hadn’t categorized them to be a danger to him or Philipp but with the woman in such a state he wasn’t so sure about her. His magic surged as he aimed at the two only to find them slashing at air alone.

“Don’t.” The woman said, standing ten meters to the right, blood still dripping to the ground as her body slowly recovered. “Sorry about your arrow.” She said and spit out a piece of shrapnel. The rogues looked at her in disbelief before she appeared in front of one of them, her arm lashing out and punching one of them in his throat. The other one vanished and appeared in the stands, the woman appearing next to him and grabbing his arm. The crack of a broken bone couldn’t be misheard before she tossed the man down into the arena, walking down the stairs slowly as her wounds continued to heal.

Viper stopped channeling his mana and watched the scene unfold. They had tried to kill her in her most vulnerable moment and had failed spectacularly. To think another Shadow wouldn’t intervene when they tried to kill one of theirs was idiocy but he supposed attacking her in the first place was just the same. The woman could recover from his and Philipp’s most powerful attacks, how exactly had they thought this was possible?

“Are you alright?” He asked as he walked towards the woman.

“Yes. Thanks for the help.” The woman said and winked at him.

She saw me. Another form of perception? He asked himself. A formidable warrior indeed. He was starting to doubt if he would win a fight against her or if he could even get away. She wouldn’t let an arrow hit her were they going at it for real.

“We don’t let Shadow’s die without a fight.” He said as the woman stepped on the injured rogue’s leg, the man crying out in pain as his shin was shattered.

Viper watched the woman check on the first rogue, finding him unconscious.

“Why would they attack me?” She asked confused.

“I’m sure you’ve made enemies along the way?” Viper asked before he checked on Philipp. The man was looking away but he hadn’t left the arena entirely. Not the best start to his recovery… well he had laughed for fuck’s sake.

“Oh yes, certainly. It’s just weird for them to send assassins this weak.” She replied. “Wait, could it be them again?”

“Them who?” Viper asked, the woman mostly talking to herself.

“Ah forget about it. Hey, who are you working for?” She asked the crying rogue with two broken bones.

“I might not kill you if you talk.” She said again, holding the man up by his neck and looking into his eyes. Viper noted that her body was back to normal, nothing other than her ripped clothing and ruined leather armor indicated that she had been injured at all.s

“Baralia…,” The man said and Viper watched her face change to confusion.

“What?” She asked and looked at Viper.

“The kingdom of Baralia, the ones starting the war with the Empire.” He said and she looked back at the rogue.

“I know who they are, I fought them in Virilya. But why? Why me?” Ilea asked.

“You were in…,” He moaned in pain. “…injured… they pay for dead Shadows and imperials.”

“Talkative fellow. None of my enemies then.” The woman said and let go of the man. “Stupid to assume I was injured.” She said and shook her head.

“You lost more than half of your blood and your body was blown apart.” Viper said dryly.

“True. Still stupid.” She said and he agreed. “What should we do with them?” She asked.

“Bring them to the guards I suppose. I don’t think any members of the Hand are seriously threatened by something like this but I’m a little worried about the imperial part. If any cutthroat looking for quick coin is going to kill guards and officers we’re gonna have a problem.” Viper explained and took one of them.

“Can you bring that one to the Shadowguard?” He asked the woman pointing to the unconscious guard.

“I don’t think he’ll wake up for a while. Plus I’ve just found a new training partner.” She said making him sigh.

“Alright, I’ll do the bloody work.” Viper said and grabbed the crying man. “Come on. You’re alive at least.”

Ilea watched Viper leave with the heavily injured man in toe. “I’m ready for the next hit.” Ilea said to Philipp. “Maybe we can later change to a normal sparring session?” Ilea said. Viper stopped and looked at Philipp but left anyway. Ilea moved the unconscious rogue to the side of the arena. “Hey anybody got some rope with them?”

Someone walked down from the seats and quickly bound the rogue, nodding to her with a bit of a scared smile. At least nobody else will try this shit today. Ilea thought. It was of course a dangerous move to expose herself like this, to have her body destroyed while others could take advantage and attack her. On the other hand it would keep her on her toes. She’d need to be on alert even if half of her body was missing and that was exactly the kind of training she needed. If she wanted to travel through places few or none had been before, she needed to be as ready as she could get.

Yet still, at least she could gain something out of it. “Anybody who’s watching it costs a silver per hour as well. Leave if you don’t like it.” She said which created a chatter immediately. The overarching sentiment seemed to be that it was simply too expensive. Ilea was sure some were willing to pay were she to fight another Shadow but as it stood most of the people watching didn’t feel like staying anymore.

The ones who did walked down into the arena and let her know they’d be training their magic as well. “Just take turns with that guy.” Ilea said, motioning to Philipp.

“Thanks.” He said in a whisper, audible to her only because of the skills he didn’t know she possessed. Ilea didn’t reply. Perhaps that statement was meant for him more so than it was meant for her.

“Alright hunter, use your next arrow. Might as well not make them explode if you want to reuse them. I’d appreciate it if you still do of course.” Ilea said and smiled while he summoned an arrow, aiming at her and loosing it.

This time he shot another one which made the process of healing herself quite a bit more difficult already. It wouldn’t be enough to take her out but his destructive capabilities were certainly nothing to scoff at. Ten seconds later two successive explosions rocked through her, ripping through flesh and muscle as her organs were turned to mush and her blood sprayed around her.

Ilea focused on all her skills to keep herself conscious and focused on the man who was preparing another arrow. Fucker The thought was sluggish in her brain, everything slowed down due to the heavy blood loss. She activated Veil of Ash and created the element around her, a wall of it forming before her to intercept the arrow.

“Not nearly as helpless as you look.” The man said as he put down his bow with a grin. “If only…,” He started, in a whisper again but didn’t continue.

Ilea healed herself and concentrated on keeping herself conscious, Meditation flowing through her mind and body as she slowly recovered, focusing on rebuilding the important parts first. It seemed that her bones at least were significantly harder to destroy than anything else. The second stage of Body of the First Hunter was the main reason for that.

She could still recover even if her bones were destroyed but it made it easier to build the flesh around the existing skeleton compared to regrowing a new leg for example. I wonder how my blink ability works with half a body… She thought and decided to use it with most of her core missing. The result was as expected, Ilea flopping to the ground half a meter to her left before she continued healing herself. Blink still worked, just as it had against the two rogues who had tried to kill the easy prey earlier.

The ash settled a couple minutes later, Ilea standing up with a fresh set of leather armor. “Maybe leave out the explosions for now.” She said and smiled at the man. One of the mages had puked after seeing the spectacle up close. Another one had been splattered by blood and looked white as snow. There were only five of them left. Ilea clapped, trying to get them to focus on her.

She accidentally woke up the rogue to the side of the arena instead. He vanished and reappeared ten meters to his left but still bound, his head smashing on the ground when Ilea appeared above him. “Don’t do that again or I’ll kill you. Alright?” She asked and threw him back to his previous position.

“Two arrows enough? I can do three for a couple minutes before my mana runs out. Ten to fifteen if I meditate.” Philipp said, summoning an arrow.

“Two is difficult already.” Ilea said but nodded. “The rest just attack me with whatever you have. I’ll start defending if I am about to die. If you blow me up without warning I’ll rip off your head Philipp.” She added and pointed at him.

“Yes ma’am.” He said, his eyes now focused and a bit of a grin on his lips. The action seemed to help with whatever he had been dealing with.

Three of the mages started attacking, first hesitantly but then more and more vigorous as they noticed the lack of an impact their attacks were having. It was a good way for them to train their skills just as much as it was a good way for Ilea to train hers. Resistances wouldn’t have the same impact as her class skills but they could make the difference between life and death in a tricky situation.

An arrow was sticking out of each of her arms, trying hard to curse and corrode her from within while each piercing strike from another attack by the mages made her lose a significant amount of blood. The rogue had a shocked expression on his face through the whole training session as he sat completely still and reconsidered his choices in life.

“You’re an element creator?” Philipp asked after a while, his arrows having lost their destructive effect while he regenerated his mana. Ilea nodded, a blast of fire smashing into her face without much of a reaction. The mage that threw it was long past doubting his own abilities as she continued to fire blast after blast. Two of the others had left already, having paid their fees in the silver bucket. A lucrative way to train as much as it was effective.

“I knew a creator once. Old teammate of ours.” He said but left it at that, firing two new arrows her way. The old ones didn’t seem to be working anymore so Ilea ripped them out with junks of flesh, throwing them his way afterwards.

“Do you not feel pain?” He asked, the new arrows taking effect.

“My Pain Tolerance is very high. The healing magic helps, as does Meditation.” Ilea replied without mentioning the second tier and her literal ability to nullify pain should she wish it. At the moment she did. While she thought about leveling her Pain Tolerance even higher, the prospect of feeling that if she didn’t have to wasn’t a pleasant idea. Knowing how little sense it made, made her very curious about a possible third tier of her Pain Tolerance though, if such a thing even existed.

“Know anything about third tier general skills?” She asked after a while, two of the mages sitting on the ground to recover their stamina and mana.

“I heard you have to be level two hundred to get those.” One of the mages said, looking a little anxious after having talked.

“You’ve been attacking me for an hour, I think you shouldn’t feel bad about talking.” Ilea said and smiled at the man.

“You’re right…,” He said and scratched his head before he laughed.

“I haven’t heard of anybody with one so far. My highest general skill is at the second tier and level ten.” Philipp said.

“Which one?” Ilea asked immediately.

“Meditation of course. What else even is there other than resistance skills?” He replied.

“Identify for example.” Ilea said. “I even have an archery skill.”

The man laughed at that. “Archery? You don’t have a class for that though do you? Why invest all that time then?”

“Seemed fun to me.” Ilea said and summoned her heavy bow.

“Ah yes, that makes sense I suppose.” The man said and shook his head.

“Speaking of, I need more arrows. Used them all up.” Ilea said and looked at her bow before she stored it again in her necklace. She only had alloy arrows and ice arrows remaining.

“I’m an enchanter if you want help.” Philipp said and summoned some arrows.

“Really? That would be terrific. Explosion ones would be good but if you can give them all the things yours have…,” Ilea said but he shook his head already.

“Everything is linked to my own abilities. Even the explosion will be less powerful than the one my arrows create. Perks of my enchanter class.” He said. “Plus I don’t have arrows for a bow that big.”

Ilea summoned twenty of her arrows and threw them his way. “Use those.” She said and smiled. “Between attacking me. Might be good to level other skills as well.”

He smiled and grabbed some of the arrows before he sat down and started carving into them with a small sparkly knife. “That would take a while.” He said.

“I’ll be here again tomorrow.” Ilea said which seemed to satisfy the man.

“Good, I think I might visit again. I’ve already gained a level for my corrosion enchantment.” He said.

Viper came back after a while to get the second rogue, checking in on Philipp and her before he was on his way again. His mood seemed very gloomy. Likely because of the implication these two had exposed. Ilea didn’t think she was the first and only one to be targeted. If Baralia used money to destabilize the empire like this, with all the refugees and opportunists, it would give them good results, that was sure. Right now though she didn’t want to care too much. As long as they didn’t pay well enough to persuade Shadows to attack their own or citizens of the empire it wouldn’t affect her or the people she cared about much.

Ilea was here to train, she wasn’t about to get involved in another revenge adventure or murder spree. At least for now. Midnight soon came and she stopped the people attacking, summoning her Veil of Ash making the mages’ attacks wholly ineffective before she ripped out the arrows and healed the wounds, handing the enchanted weapons back to the hunter. Viper didn’t return anymore after leaving with the rogue but she didn’t assume anything bad had happened.

“You going to be alright?” She asked Philipp and he nodded.

“Don’t you worry about me, we don’t even know each other.” He said and smiled.

“My name is Ilea, it’s nice to make your acquaintance then, Philipp.” She said and offered her hand. He looked at it a little confused but then grabbed it. The gesture wasn’t a complicated one, even people who had never seen or used it grasped the concept quickly.

Making Elos into an unsanitary place one person at a time. Ilea joked to herself. “Feel free to join again tomorrow.” She said and went to get her bucket. “Thanks for coming everyone.” She added a little louder to the other mages who prepared to leave as well. Two had remained until midnight.

She counted the money and put put it into her necklace. Fifty six silvers. According to what Dale had told her a healer got less than a couple silvers for a day’s work. Then again Riverwatch was somewhat small and she was below level fifty then. With that she was sitting at 32 gold coins, 14 silver and 62 copper. Not quite the spending power she had before investing into Claire and the city but it would pay out in time, she was sure. It certainly was enough to buy whatever she needed. And what she needed right now was a drink and some food.

Chapter 214 A Winter Night

A note from Rhaegar

Hey! Thanks for reading. Obligatory don't forget to drink. And air the room, you're getting a headache.

Chapter 214 A Winter Night

The night was rather bright, the moons illuminating the still busy city when Ilea walked out of the arena complex in the second circle of Ravenhall. The construction noises weren’t audible anymore but there were shouts here and there, most of them coming from more than a little intoxicated individuals. Checking the gains for the evening, Ilea was rather happy.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 1’

‘A rare gift similar to poisons having an effect with dangerous results. Your blood was tampered with through magic but you have survived, making it harder for the next attempt by your enemy.’

It was a sign for what was to come in the next weeks. Without a sudden invasion of demons or Baralia marching this far south to take the city, she might actually enjoy her stay for once. Ilea could’ve easily trained through the night but she wanted to do some other things than getting blasted with magic as well. Maybe work on her ashen manipulation or simple getting some air while flying over the mountains.

Could also go home and read for a while. She thought, being so close to her house again. In the end she decided against it, walking through the streets of Ravenhall instead. Her remaining leather armor was pretty fucked up and she’d have to get new ones the next day. Other than a bunch of holes near her stomach area, it at least still covered her up.

Maybe Philipp can help me with an explosion enchantment. Ilea thought as she turned a corner, going through the gate leading to the outermost circle of the city. Claire would likely be the better bet but considering how busy the woman was Ilea considered to at least ask the man first. He had taken the arrows with him and if he came back the next day she might just ask him about a last ditch grenade.

Ilea followed the noises and soon came up on a big open square close to the city walls. A fire was lit in the middle of it, refugees residing near it in the cool spring night. Some of them were talking or cooking while most simply slept. Guards from the city and the Shadow’s Hand were distributing blankets and even food. It looked like a collecting point for the people arriving even now. The magical lights distributed among the square illuminated the newly built or reopened stores at the sides of it. Their light was less warm than the fire burning at the center.

Laughter and yelling could be heard from the two or three inns in the square, people drinking and celebrating while others arrived, fleeing from the horrors of war. The overarching air wasn’t gloomy at all Ilea found, the people awake talking excitedly about new opportunities while they encouraged the ones in a more downtrodden mood. Perhaps they would find their optimism repaid. With what Ilea had seen in this world, the chances of that sadly looked slim.

When a monster could breach city walls or another kingdom could attack at any moment, a helpless civilian wouldn’t be much more than collateral damage. Claire and the others would work their asses off to prevent something like that but in the end, Ilea knew that to protect them, each and every one of them would have to grow in strength. To protect themselves and their families, or to become strong enough to escape a catastrophe like the elder’s demon summoning.

Many of them likely knew that and as she listened in on the conversations between the guards and newcomers, many of them talked about becoming adventurers, guards, soldiers or even aspired to join the Shadow’s Hand. It was a good thing Ilea supposed, for humanity as a whole. The leisure and comfort she had experienced on Earth was mostly due to them being the highest on the food chain. Even then, many of her comforts were resting on the suffering of less fortunate humans far away. A reality that she often ignored.

Here, every soul sitting on this cold square in a city they’ve likely never been before, each one had the power and opportunity to rise above their predestined fate. And many of them will. The thought was encouraging to her. Something positive to think about in all the chaos and loss she had experienced in the past months. All the death she had caused. It certainly had changed her but perhaps there was still a small part of her idealism left deep within. As unrealistic it may be, she herself had proven that it was possible.

Albeit with enough luck to gain such a powerful class, her knowledge of fighting and her love for it. Still, if one wanted to join the guard or become an adventurer, training would likely be provided. With a basic education and a sword or magic in hand, a lot was possible. Ilea reached the wall and listened to the commotion near the gate. A group of refugees had stumbled inside, fear in their eyes as the guards tried to stop them.

“What’s going on, talk!” An imperial guard said while holding a man in his mid twenties.

“The road… spirits… they kill everyone is frozen…,” The man stammered out and the guard nodded.

“Spirits of Winter.” He confirmed and Ilea thought back on her monster education classes. They were beasts appearing around the start of spring, bringing back the cold wherever they resided. More often they would appear near mountains, sometimes keeping a village or a lake frozen and covered in snow for months into spring and even summer before they vanished again. A seasonal anomaly and one quite deadly. They usually ranged from levels at around 150 to unknown heights.

It’s advised to leave them alone until they go but it seems one or more of them had chosen the road to Ravenhall as their place of residence.

“We will request a strike team to go out and destroy it. Send out a scout around the area and advise the refugees to take a detour. Where exactly is the spirit?” The guard asked, shouting orders to some of the men and women around him before he focused on the survivor again.

“I ran for two hours to get here… we were two days off from Morhill. It suddenly got awfully cold, we thought it was just the mountain at first but then the first babe stopped crying and soon some of our group stopped moving, frozen in their tracks.” The man stammered out as Ilea approached.

“I’ll have a look.” She said, getting their attention. The guard looked confused but when he saw the black leather armor he nodded.

“There is no reward we can offer Shadow.” He said to her but Ilea had already vanished, appearing outside of the city before her wings spread, taking her along the road to Morhill. Her armor was replaced a moment later by her Ashen Hunter set, already too far away for any of the guards to see.

The hunt is its own reward. She thought, smiling at how cheesy the line sounded. A little disappointed she hadn’t come up with it when the guard was still there to hear it. Her skills all activated, she reached the first frozen corpses in a matter of minutes. Some were still moving, albeit barely.

Ilea appeared next to one of them, checking on their body with her healing ability before she worked on recovering their health. The sound of metal hitting something made her jerk around. She couldn’t see anything in the snowstorm that suddenly surrounded her. The cold was barely noticeable to her but the visible breath before her mouth told her enough. She used Embered Body Heat to cool her body down as much as she could. A spirit of winter would likely see heat in some way.

The person before her stirred but as soon as she stopped healing, their health started to drop again slowly. I have to get rid of the source. The thought pushed her forward and she ignored the dying people around her for now, following the sound of fighting.

The cold started to become stronger, the surface of her armor starting to freeze over, ice cracking with each step she took but Ilea kept her body cold. Soon she could make something out through her sphere. The whirling snow and ice around her made it impossible for her to see further than a couple meters with her eyes alone but she recognized the man immediately. It was the tank she had evaluated earlier that day. Bat something, Bataar? She asked herself when she realized that he was crouching over the woman he had arrived with. Her eyes were cold and her body was frozen over. Metal again resounded when he was pushed back several meters, a thin gash showing on his shield where something had impacted it.

The man rushed back to the woman and crouched above her again, his healing skill doubtlessly trying to keep her alive. This thing took her out and has enough force to damage his shield…, Those facts made her apprehensive but so far nothing had attacked her. Ilea moved around the man, trying to find something through her sphere when she started to create ash around her, forming it into a person of ash. Using her manipulation skill, she made the ash move in a realistic manner, away from her for another five meters until her control started to lessen. Trying to heat the ash with her Embered Body Heat proved difficult but upon forming a thin ashen connection with the projection, she found it much easier.

It heated up immediately and was disturbed just as quickly when a wave of cold air pushed it aside, Ilea reforming the thing again right after. Again a wave of cold destroyed her ashen creation but she didn’t relent. This time swords of ice rushed through the ash, leaving it mostly intact before she finally saw it in her sphere. A misty form looking similar to a man but over two meters tall, its limbs unnaturally long ending in spiked hands. It moved through the storm of ice nearly as fast as her highest flying speed. And then the control over her ash vanished, only frozen particles of it remaining where the creature stood.

[Spirit of Winter – lvl ??]

It was above her level then but not yet three question marks. At least I’m not hopelessly outclassed. Let’s be honest, I’d engage it one way or the other. A smile crept up on her lips as she stood unmoving in the cold, the storm raging around her, her body close to the same temperature. The creature turned and looked towards the other Shadow but didn’t seem to see her at all.

It moved quickly again, closing in on the defending man before it reached out to him. He stood and held up his shield as the ice spread into it. The man screamed in defiance while Ilea used her blink to get right behind the creature, spreading ash around herself and the monster. Right before the cold broke through Bataar’s shield, she enveloped the spirit with ash and smashed her fists into its back, finding little purchase but some cracking ice. A moment later her reversed healing spread into the creature and the ash heated up as much as she could make it, her Veil protecting her against the ice while more and more ash appeared around the monster, replacing the frozen particles still sticking to it, giving it a more visible form to the eye.

Finding a grip with her left hand, Ilea started punching with her right one, each hit spreading the fire of her Wave of Ember through the creature while her left one continued sending destructive mana into it. The damage she herself sustained was continuously healed through her recovery. The spirit tried to turn around, lashing out behind it with its massive clawed arms but its attacks glanced off her Veil, the ones managing to pierce sprang off her armor, leaving behind spreading ice that was soon melting from her heated body and boiling blood within, her Veil just as hot as the ash that slowly ate into the icy monster.

Its struggles became more and more desperate and wild, one of its arms slamming backwards and getting a clean hit in on the Veil around her head. Ilea was slammed to the side but held on to her grip to its bone or whatever she had managed to grab onto. Another hit sent her flying before she could stabilize in the cold. She quickly created heated ash all around her while cooling her body down again, blinking out of the way of the incoming tide of cold air, swords and spikes of ice slashing through the ash.

A loud howl resounded when the beast started slashing all around itself, hitting the warrior’s shield who had managed to get the woman behind him again while he had retreated a couple steps. Ilea formed ash around her and slowly moved it closer to the beast before she blinked behind it, trying to grab the same spot as before while the ash enveloped it. This time she held onto it with both hands and simply focused on not losing her grip anymore while she pumped mana into it.

Her healing spell told her that her attack was having an effect, albeit a somewhat small one. If she could keep it up for a while, she could kill the thing. The storm of ice started to condense around the two of them, splinters and swords of magically frozen water slammed into her Veil and armor but it was a chaotic attack, one of a beast in panic while she focused purely on keeping her Veil functioning while more and more destructive mana damaged and broke down the monster’s body.

Ilea tried to focus on the core she felt in the beast but her mana struggled to get where it needed to be, her healing much more refined than the reversed alternative, the enemy body and its flow of mana fighting hard at repulsing its invasive counterpart. Ilea continued forming fake bodies of heated ash around the monster to get its attention away from her and found the tactic worked wonders, the storm of swords and ice focusing on the apparitions instead of the real Ilea clinging to its back.

She was right assuming its perception was tied to heat somehow. Information she’d gladly share with Dagon to add to any monster encyclopedia should she survive the encounter. The smile on her face didn’t leave. She hadn’t even come close to dying yet, this was a fight as easy as they came.

Ten minutes turned into twenty and soon Ilea’s mana was getting lower and lower. Ilea could leave and recover but she had invested too much into this fight to leave her prey a chance at escape or recovery. Everyone else around her would likely die as well. Her own health would come first but she had some time left before she would get into any danger and the feeling she got from her healing spell was that the monster was close to death, or whatever it was that was going to happen to it.

As its struggles became weaker, Ilea started to use one of her arms again to deliver wave of ember into the creature, its slowing movements allowing her to use Meditation in turn, saving her from the choice of leaving and returning to finish the job or find no monster anymore to begin with. It had lost and she had prevailed. Her high Mana and recovery had proven a barrier too high for the spirit to overcome.

Another minute passed before the beast turned, having stopped its attacks it moved through the mist of ice and upwards to the closest mountain. Ilea was dragged with it and held on, continuing her assault as its speed slowed more and more. Bataar had the freedom and ability to take care of the other Shadow including all the refugees that still lived. Ilea would join him as soon as she was done but risking the monster’s recovery and return was the worse choice in the long run. Plus Ilea couldn’t deny that she wanted the kill.

The spirit dragged her upwards on the mountain side, stone scratching on her veil as her body was smashed against the cliff side again and again while the magical beast climbed upwards to the colder altitudes with all it had left. A deathly struggle it would lose. She knew it and the beast would too, soon enough. Five minutes later they came out high above the valley, the snow lying high, undisturbed by travelers, the winds smashing into them with unrelenting force. Something Ilea noted but something that didn’t impact her strengthened body in the least. Her Ice Resistance coupled with her Veil, her high Vitality and all her body enhancement skills made the spirit of winter coupled with the storm of ice around her into a cool autumn breeze.

And then the beast died, Ilea’s hands gripping nothing as the clamped her fingers together and released them again, the winds taking away the frozen particles around her as it suddenly grew warmer, the ice on her armor cracking as she moved her body.

Chapter 215 Of Ash and Ember

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there. Hope you like it

. Cheers!

Chapter 215 Of Ash and Ember

Healing the minor damages she had sustained from the ascent, she looked around as her smile vanished. Three creatures of the same form as the one that had just vanished exited from an opening in the cold stone, their unfeeling forms looking around as they tried to find their fallen kin.

Ilea’s ash spread around her, her body cooling as ice reformed on her armor and the very stone she stood on, the air growing still as their magic took hold of the environment around them. Silently, she checked the messages in her mind and thought about how to proceed.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Winter – lvl 312] – For killing an enemy eighty levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 2nd lvl 20’

There it is… The thought made her focus on her ashen class’ third tier advancements and her grin returned as she looked at the possibilities.

3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:

3rd tier skill points available [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]:

- Ash Creation

- Ash and Ember Manipulation

She had to make a quick decision. Either didn’t seem that amazing and while she was annoyed that none of her more directly damaging skills had the third tier available, she was at least somewhat content that Ash and Ember Manipulation had popped up, a skill she had previously not been able to advance to the third tier. Either could give her a damage increase but it was a gamble as no further information was available. So Ilea gambled.

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation advances to the 3rd tier’

Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 1:

Your control over Ash and Ember increases dramatically. Bend it to your wishes and shroud the path before you.

2nd stage: Ash and Ember have become your ally. Your control increases greatly.

3rd stage: You have proven to be a master of ash and ember. The elements themselves become an extension of your body, an extension of your will, for as long as they stay in physical contact with you.

Category: Ashen magic

Ilea barely read through the skill when the still air turned into a whirlwind of ice. Her eyes opened wide when the first blades of ice shattered against the ash around her. Not the Veil of Ash that clung to her body but the loose ash that hung around her while the apparitions further away were shredded and frozen by the assault.

She was pushed back a step when the spirits howled, the ice on the surface of the cliff cracking, the splinters floating in the air as if moved by telekinesis before they joined the maelstrom of frozen swords and stones around her. Trust your skills. Ilea remembered Dale’s words and closed her eyes, her sight utterly useless in the growing storm as her Sphere told her exactly where she was and where the spirits were.

She was too close to the edge of the cliff. While she could fly, she preferred hard ground and blinked into the very midst of the magical creatures that threatened her and the people on their way to Ravenhall. Her smile widened when she found the ash around her had come with her, moved by the teleportation skill as if it was her very own self. Adding more ash to her own whirlwind of elements that fought against the icy storm around her, she found the ash easier to move while it felt more substantial to her mind. She didn’t know what exactly that meant before three tendrils of ash broke through the icy around her, punching into the creatures like swords, releasing Wave of Ember before her reversed healing spell sent destructive mana into them through the connections.

They howled in pain as her ash heated up, her mana recovering constantly due to her stationary position and her Meditation skill while she pushed as much of it into the creatures as she could. The spirits moved their element to attack the ash connected to them but found it troublesome to sever the connections, their blades glancing off the ash as if it was solid, the cuts that formed recovering through Ilea’s healing in turn, helped by ash creation to rebuild it right before more of the enemy spells hit.

Two of the spirits destroyed the ash and started focusing on her but while the ash she used to attack them was heated, she herself was not. Many of the magical ice beams and bigger swords failed to hit their target but what they lacked in perception and tactics, they packed doubly in attack power. A shard of ice as big as Ilea herself smashed into the ash around her, digging through the element as it slowed down until it was stopped completely by the veil clinging close to her, expanding to block the ice before it reached her armor.

The properties of her ash had changed without a doubt but while Ilea’s instincts taught her about the new possibilities with her skills, she had three elemental creatures of ice trying to get the best of her. Another ice shard nearly made it to her armor while she tried extending ashen tendrils to the two spirits that had managed to sever the connections. Her ash fought its way through the storm, rebuilding again and again while the magic shredded off layer after layer. Ilea activated her second stage Pain Tolerance, finding the feeling more than a little unpleasant.

To her relief, the feeling subsided letting her focus on the task at hand, or as she thought. The task at ash. She giggled, a beam of ice and magic digging into her defenses before it sent her stumbling backwards. A second one followed while she focused the ash before her into a shield like form, pushed back again by the raw power of her foes.

The first tendril was still connected and ilea decided to focus on that one spirit when her other tendrils were cut short time and time again by the magic around her. The lack of movement allowed her to meditate while she pumped the recovered mana straight back into the creature, rebuilding the ash around her in turn. Her cooled down body made for a hard target, Ilea sending off parts of the created ash towards the beasts, keeping a thin connection to herself before she heated up the part and watched them throw all their might at the apparition until there was nothing left of it.

While her ash froze to its last atoms when she had faced the first and single spirit of winter, this time it took them considerably longer to destroy her decoys, the time allowing her to whittle down one of them. Their approach didn’t seam to change as time went on, their rage only increasing as they wailed and howled in pain and fury. The sheer magical prowess of them pushed her around, some of the blades and shards cutting through all her defenses before they shattered against her armor, her body squashed below by the tremendous power and weight before she could heal it again.

Embered Body Heat allowed her to stand still, all the hits coming her way random strays in the destructive environment the three elemental creatures had created. She made out a shout from a new voice before a beam of red cut through the cold, arcane magic pulsing before it burnt into one of the creatures, its body pushed backwards as the ice and stone cracked below. Ilea could make out a floating red dot in the distance before another three beams hit the wailing creature, its corporeal body standing in defiance against the newcomer clearly visible to it before it channeled its mana into an icy beam towards the flying enemy.

All three of them focused on the mage immediately, Ilea not squandering the opportunity as she blinked to the one she had been working on, enveloping it entirely in ash before she heated all of it up, small tendrils hitting the beast as each of them released Wave of Ember, building up the second stage of internal fire with frightening speed, the spirit glowing quickly from within while Ilea punched it to add Destruction. Her connected tendril of ash never stopped releasing reversed healing into it and now that their attention wasn’t on her, she could fully focus on attacking.

The beast quickly noticed her of course, now that the heat around it was obvious but that didn’t change its fate as Ilea released a third of her mana faster than she ever had, consecutive executions of Wave of Ember coupled with all her other skills burnt down its health in a quick manner, the heat around it and building from within its barely graspable body reduced the effect of any magic coming its way while its brethren were focused on the arcane mage using up at least as much mana as Ilea in their unstoppable assault. She had a good idea who it was and understood the rage completely.

The spirit before her dissolved into nothing, making one of the others turn her way but Ilea was faster, blinking behind it and continuing with the next one in the same manner. A sudden beam of magic freezing the ash around her and sending both her and the spirit through the snowy cliff made her spin in the air before she smashed into stone, her veil taking the brunt of the force as the stone broke and splintered from the force of the impact. The second remaining spirit had apparently looked her way as well.

Ilea coughed up blood as she healed the internal injuries. She checked her surroundings before she ripped herself out of the stone prison around her, ash forming immediately as she cooled down her body again. The spirit she had fought was getting up as well, the creature of course barely impacted by its kin’s attack as it looked around to find its enemy. A ball of fire exploded near the monster making it howl and turn to find the source. Ilea looked as well and found a group of barely visible people sending all sorts of magic their way. Ilea’s ash split into several tendrils before they rushed towards the creature, each ending with an impact and Wave of Ember before she added reversed healing and all the heat she could summon into the element.

Ice swords were sent towards the flying attackers but the spirit quickly turned to face Ilea again as she stopped cooling down her body. The magical power of the fireball had been considerably lower than the arcane beams distracting the spirits at first, letting her know enough about the people coming to help them. A shard of ice flew her way and she stepped to the right, twirling as it rushed past her, cutting into the mountainside with a loud noise.

The tendrils of ash rushed out, two of them destroyed on the way before they impacted the spirit and sent another set of spells into it while Ilea slowly advanced, her meditation recovering a big part of what she had just spent on the attack. More spells came flying from above, impacting the raging beast as its health lowered under the assault. It sent out a group of flying swords of ice to all attackers before it stopped its focus and started moving towards the mountain.

Contrary to Ilea, the spirit didn’t have any teleportation skills nor quick flight or movements making it an easy target for the first hunter who blinked next to it and enveloped it in ash, grabbing into the beast and using all her strength and ash to stop its movements while her destructive spells quickly brought it to its end. The ranged supporters didn’t continue their attacks in fear of hitting her instead but when the ash lifted and the tendrils moved around her in the air, there was nothing left of the spirit of winter.

Ilea’s wings spread before she jumped off, blinking towards the last remaining enemy as her speed increased, the cold winds pushing against her ash and armor. All she found was burnt and glassy ground, the arcane mage flying over where she assumed the spirit had found its end.

The woman turned her head and her red eyes met Ilea’s before she nodded approvingly. “You did not show that kind of power in our sparring.” She said with a frown.

“I just learned it.” Ilea said, feeling the ash around her and smiling at the newfound power. She had gambled between two skills and it had paid off. Perhaps she could’ve waited until she unlocked something like Form of Ash and Ember for a third tier advancement but at this point she doubted it would’ve had an effect even close to what she got.

Sometimes the impulsive approach is still the most rewarding. She thought. In the end she knew that planning was the better way to go but little accidents happen and sometimes, they weren’t all that bad. Thank you kind afro painter man. She thought and looked up, nodding towards the sky.

“So you did not mock us? And you would have me believe that?” Gan said as she landed.

“I don’t care mate.” Ilea said and jumped off the cliff, flying straight towards the area where the initial attack had happened. There where at least four people moving, one of them being the tank healer that had protected the Gan. He was kneeling over a young girl’s body when Ilea landed.

“Anybody still alive, I can heal.” She said and he immediately pointed at two frozen people, Ilea blinking to the latter of the two and checking them with her magic. His heart was barely active but a focused channel of healing mana helped the man out as his body immediately strengthened. She spread her ash in the surroundings and heated it up a little to heighten the still near freezing temperatures to help the survivors recover quicker.

One healer from the city guard was there as well, the woman looking at the spreading ash in awe while she channeled her magic into four people simultaneously. Ilea touched two more people with tendrils of ash and send her healing mana their way but found it hard to focus it on specific parts of their bodies. Still, it would likely save their lives as her healing still helped stabilize them while she focused primarily on the man before her. It would take practice and experience to use her ash efficiently in such a manner but Ilea was sure she’d find a way.

The healer was done a minute later, moving over towards Ilea and focusing her magic on the people the hunter was already working on. She was at level one twenty but Ilea felt how the people around her recovered, their frozen flesh and stopped organs finding their life again when the mage’sspells touched them. The woman breathed heavily as the sweat on her brow joined the frozen water in her eyebrows. The people they healed started coughing, one of them sinking to his knees when their health reached a reasonable height.

“There are more, come.” The healer said to Ilea and walked past her. Ilea blinked further down the valley and checked the ice and snow for corpses and possible survivors as she continued heating up the surroundings with the bed of ash that covered an over ten meter radius around her. Her sphere let her see the people and her blink let her reach them before her healing skill checked on any vital signs. Many of them were dead but she called out to the healer whenever she found someone still alive, trusting in the woman’s ability to get them back to life as she continued looking for more, outclassing the healer in that skill.

They found twelve more people still alive, twice that dead. “What’s your name?” Ilea asked the woman when they finished healing the last of the victims but didn’t get a response. The healer’s eyes were glassy and she poured her mana into the little boy before she fell forwards. Ilea caught her and divided her healing to both of them. The woman wasn’t injured but Ilea knew her spell had a pleasant effect anyway. She looked at the woman with a serious expression before she helped up the young boy, patting away the snow on his head as he looked around, starting to cry right after.

“It’s alright. Come, you’re safe now.” Ilea said, grabbing his arm and moving him away from the frozen corpses she could only hope weren’t related to him. Bataar joined them and looked around.

“All of them?” He asked and she nodded in response, the man looking at the boy before turning his gaze to the bulges in the snow around them. “Back to the city.” He added, his expression unreadable under his helmet.

The squad of flying guards joined them a minute later, as did Gan. Their armor told Ilea they were likely the strike team the imperial guard had called for when the spirit was reported about an hour earlier. They all nodded towards them respectfully, helping the survivors move towards Ravenhall, some of them still digging in the snow and ice as they cried out or cried in silence. Ilea focused on her meditation skill. There was nothing she could no, not anymore.

“She lied to us Bataar. The bitch could have defeated you easily.” Gan said when she joined them, smiling towards Ilea.

“This woman saved my life, as did she save yours.” The man said after a couple seconds of consideration, making her frown and roll her eyes. She did however not insult her any further. Ilea didn’t feel like acknowledging the remarks and simply carried the healer while holding the crying boy’s arm. She wouldn’t forget it either.

Chapter 216 Ashen Considerations

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you aren't too warm. I am.

Chapter 216 Ashen Considerations

“Two of them? That’s insane… there is a dungeon in the vicinity but to think spirits of winter came out of there. We’ll have to check with the Guild and the Hand, their records might clear it up.” The guard captain said upon their return, hearing the short report from one of the flying mages who had supported Ilea previously.

“There were four spirits actually.” Ilea said, still carrying the healer and holding on to the boy.

“F… four of them… do you know their levels and were they destroyed?” The captain asked, moving over to her immediately.

“Oran! Where did you c…,” A woman shouted as she walked briskly towards Ilea and the guards, stopping in her tracks when she noticed the woman in her black armor. “I didn’t…,” She started but Ilea touched the boy’s back and moved him a little closer to her.

“Do you know him?” She asked as the woman tried to avoid looking at her.

“I traveled with his father and older brother… they?” The woman asked and looked up as she wrung her hands together. Ilea just looked at her without saying anything. “I… understand.”

“Can you take care of him?” Ilea asked and watched her reaction. Tears came close to the woman’s eyes but she nodded quickly.

“Of course. My sisters and I will take care of him. Oran come, say goodbye to the nice lady.” The woman said and approached the boy, taking his hand before he waved towards Ilea, his eyes still puffy as he sobbed once. He would understand in time, Ilea was sure. She had no knowledge in psychology but an event like this, with the boy being maybe seven, eight years old? She didn’t let it get to her, instead focusing on the fact that she had saved several people’s lives today. Lives that were now full of opportunities. She just hoped that some of them would welcome that fate.

The guard waited patiently for her to finish with her business but Ilea wasn’t quite done. Checking her messages, she quickly found out what the guard had wanted to know.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Winter – lvl 341] – For killing an enemy one hundred and ten levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Spirit of Winter – lvl 330] – For killing an enemy one hundred levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Spirit of Winter – lvl 327] – For killing an enemy ninety levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 230 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 224 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 10’

“Between three twelve and three forty one. All destroyed. You mentioned a dungeon?” Ilea asked after she had answered the man.

“I’m glad you were there then…,” The man said and scratched the back of his head, moving his hand back down after hitting his helmet.

“We will conquer the dungeon.” Gan said after she and Bataar had entered the city walls as well. “After this lazy one recovered.” She said and laughed, hitting Bataar who didn’t react in the slightest.

“Have to prepare, buy tools and hire a team.” He said, the man’s voice a murmur.

“Good luck with that, just don’t get as close as you did the first time.” Ilea said.

“I can handle myself.” Gan said, raising her eyebrows and staring at her.

Ilea just looked at her for a while before she smiled “This is not a challenge mage, you were about to die were it not for Bataar and me.”

The mage’s eyes turned into daggers but Bataar interrupted her before she started talking, holding out his hand before her.

“Gan, leave. You are embarrassing our tribe.” He said. The woman stared at him with an open mouth but then bowed lightly and left, Ilea lifting her eyebrow at the behavior.

“I apologize for her. She is young, battle hungry and inexperienced. One to be nurtured and taught. She will learn in time. May I ask for you to leave the dungeon to us? It would be good for her to struggle against an enemy, learn about necessary preparations and to regret her behavior towards you. I will pay you for the loss of the opportunity.” He said.

“Her actions are hers alone. I won’t kill her if that’s what you’re worried about, not if she’s just an idiot. I won’t promise anything but this is a start. Finish your preparations quickly, perhaps that will make it a little more dangerous.” Ilea said, taking the pouch of coins he handed to her with her free hand. She respected the man for how he had treated the survivors and her in the whole situation, enough to at least consider his offer.

“I thank you for the consideration. You have my respect Ilea of the Hand and we are in your debt.” He said and bowed deeply before he left without another word.

Ilea watched his back for a little while before she turned to the guard again “This one yours?” She asked, looking at the healer she still held, the woman was alright but still knocked out. The pouch of thirty silver coins was put into her necklace behind her back.

“Indeed. Marvelous healer that one. You saved her too?” The captain asked.

“Nothing of the like. She saved several people herself. What’s her name?” Ilea asked.

“Dany, joined the guard a week ago actually.” He explained.

“Dany… Thanks for letting me know. Take care of her, she’s a good one.” Ilea said and handed her to the man.

“We know that already, saved several of our own in this week alone. Healers are always welcome.” He said and nodded towards her. “Thank you again for your help Shadow.”

Ilea nodded and turned away, thinking about testing her newfound third tier ability in Viscera. Looking up at the bright and visible stars, she changed her mind and walked back out of the city. The guards nodded towards her, having heard about what she did earlier.

Looking around the area, her wings spread and made her ascend a little before she flew towards the lake and the surrounding forest. The part where she had found Kyrian training his curse magic and where she had played hide and seek with the team was near completely destroyed still. Snow covered parts of it but it still looked like a storm had gone through. Trees that had been snapped, half of them remaining with a thin layer of snow. They would start to rot soon, when the temperatures would further rise.

Ilea stopped near the field of destruction. One demonic monster had been responsible for all this, one attack had destroyed a big part of the forest, another a part of the city. If something like that can just randomly pop up, I wonder why not more cities just up and vanish from such an attack. Even something like the werewolf they had encountered would deal considerable damage in a human settlement. The beast just likely had no interest in doing so, lacking either the intelligence or the instincts to go after a brightly lit city with thousands of people in it.

The elves did it, Ilea knew. They had destroyed many of the western independent cities just a couple months ago. And then they went silent again, as if it had just been a warning. She wasn’t particularly interested in the political and environmental reasons the monsters had but there was the question why they had suddenly stopped. The way they talked whenever she encountered one of their race sounded like they thought less of humans than insects. If she thought about it pragmatically then she knew that some insects or critters were important for the ecosystem but if they expanded too much and too fast, they could destroy the living space of other beings.

Still, she had the more conventional idea of the elven protector of the forest and all living beings in her mind. The fact that they slaughtered whole cities undermined that thought considerably. She just didn’t want to believe it was without reason. Ilea herself would kill and decimate whole monster populations just to enhance her strength and levels but the beings she hunted didn’t speak in her tongue, didn’t show intelligence beyond hunt or be hunted. Perhaps I’ll find out in time. She thought, not going further into the depths of her own morality.

She lifted her hand and watched as a small orb of ash formed in it, created from her own mana as the energy was converted into an element some system, god or the very nature of magic allowed her to control. It was dense and she concentrated on making it even more so while she went through her list of skills. In the fight against the spirits it had been instinct but now she wanted to know how exactly her ash had changed from the convenient distraction to her enemies it had been before.

Her healing and the reversal of said skill already proved to work, effectively allowing her to now heal and attack from a distance. As well as increasing her targets to more than a single one. It would need some testing to see how far exactly her tendrils of ash could reach. She knew already that the ash had to be connected to her for it all to work, the skill description was clear on that. Still, she would certainly test the limits. Having more than a single target would of course drain her mana quicker as well. So far even with using all her skills, she had found few that could outlast her in battle but if she used several of her magical abilities against several opponents, she might have to invest into Wisdom and Endurance again soon enough.

Thinking of that, I still have ten stat points I can invest. She thought and smiled. Following her own advice, she put them into Wisdom, bringing the stat to 425 and an equal of 4250 mana to be at her disposal. Meditation of course was the main reason she could fight for so long, the skill allowing her to recover quickly if only she had a quiet minute or two. A skill that was available to any mage but her added healing skill converted that insane mana recovery into health recovery at the same level. Few she had met so far could match that.

I should start a school for battle mages, seems like humanity would benefit from a higher popularity of this combination. Perhaps she had already inspired some but she knew that flashy attack magic would still be the preference, young nobles and talented kids thinking themselves invincible before they were struck down by a monster just like the one responsible for her current surroundings. Ilea sighed. It wasn’t her problem. Not really. She had people she cared about now and most of them resided in Ravenhall, the soon to be best defended city of the human empire, likely coming close to what Virilya could spew out.

Don’t jinx it Ilea. She thought and chuckled before her dense ashen sphere extended around her, the loose ash forming into four, then six and then eight shadowy tendrils that moved around. It felt a little weird to be in control of them. Even with her high skill in manipulation it lacked a natural feel now that she had to have it be connected to her body. Perhaps… She remembered a movie she had watched where a guy tried to harness the power of the sun or something. Ilea just hoped her own tentacles didn’t try to take over her mind and manipulate her into nearly destroying a city.

Then again, her Mental Resistance was leveled higher than most. Moving the ashen arms to start at her spine and extend over her arms, shoulders and hips made it feel a little more natural. As if she was a spider or something, just with ashen arms instead of real ones. She wouldn’t use them to move either but simply to attack and defend. “Hold up a minute.” She said before the ashen limbs moved down to the ground, her mind making them push down as she tried to lift up her body.

To her surprise it actually worked. Not terribly well but she could lift herself up. With her wings and strong body there was little this would add to her mobility but she could already think of some applications. To change directions rapidly in a forest for example or to allow movement when all her real limbs had been cut off, not that such a scenario was desirable. Let’s be honest, it’ll happen soon enough, I should train to move with this.

Ilea removed some of the ash from one of the arms and used her healing skill to fix the missing part. She had used this in the fight before but was a little surprised to find it actually worked. With it being a part of her body, her Hunter Recovery recognized it as such and actually managed to heal it. The mana expenditure for healing or creating the ash anew with her Ash Creation was similar, healing actually being a little more exhaustive. Still, the way she had used it against the ice spirits was a combination of both to allow for faster rebuilding all in all.

The pain she had felt through her ash was something others would certainly see as a major weakness but to her it was an asset. To feel through the ash allowed her to see should her sphere fail somehow, it allowed her to assess an enemy’s resilience depending on the impact she felt. Should the pain be too much she could simply disable her perception of it. Healing the flying ash she had removed from the arm didn’t do anything, her skill neither sending her any information about the floating ash nor healing it in any way.

Touching the ash, she could immediately feel the mana flow into it, letting her know about its properties and how the element could be healed. Weird concept, healing ash that I myself created from mana alone. It reminded Ilea of fantasies of alchemy, creating something out of something else. Something close certainly existed on earth with chemistry but it was either combining or splitting elements to gain something new. Mana in this world proved to be a building kit for literally everything. Like the cheat element and everybody possessed it.

Ilea still didn’t know if she was merely trapped in a simulation or if this was real after all. Her instincts told her it was real but then again, she had read some theories on the internet about Earth being in a simulation, the chances of it being rather high actually. Neither back then nor now did she give much credibility to it in her mind. It didn’t matter. To her it was reality, both if her mind consisted only of a block of memory in an enormous and incomprehensible computer or if it was an independent biological entity.

She had used mana time and time again and she trusted her abilities to the fullest. Still, the question remained if it was based on a scientific element that could be used, changed and exploited or if it was something spiritual, something in its nature pure and unchangeable, impossible for the mind to understand. The impacts would differ greatly but only time would tell, time and people more capable and intelligent than her. Ilea would explore magic’s limits in her own ways. Perhaps she would acquire the heart of some magical beast nobody else could slay and sell it to the scientists that would build this world’s first nuclear weaponry.

If she knew humans at all they would likely use it to bomb some other kingdom’s capital. She couldn’t help but snort at that, the thought funny to her in a morbid way. Ilea sighed and looked up again, thanking whoever brought her to this world that she now had the freedom to chose, to do and say whatever the fuck she wanted without any social constraints or the thought of money. If she had no food, she could just hunt for it, if she lacked the strength to fight someone she could simply acquire it. If she chose to live underwater, she could probably just grow gills. Damn I wish I had gills. She thought, remembering the training she had vowed herself to continue. Her drowning escapades with William.

She had tried to use her ashen arms to move herself around the snowy ground while considering her questions, finding it easier and easier with every minute. She had formed entire models of cities with her ash before, moving them in a spider like manner wasn’t exactly the hardest task to do. At least if she concentrated on it. Contemplating the reason for this ability, she couldn’t find another answer but her State of Azarinth and Form of Ash and Ember. Both skills were body enhancement spells that increased several of her attributes like strength and resilience.

She didn’t know if her ash benefited from her stats or if the described strength in her skills was less directly influencing her stat. Either way the ash connected to her definitely felt more powerful, easier to move and as proven by the fight earlier, more resilient by a metaphysical fuck ton. It was a welcome change of course. Considering her Veil benefited from her Ash and Ember manipulation directly, the effect to her defenses was doubled. She would have to consider the placement of her ash more. Perhaps the eight arms out of her back would be sufficient and could be expanded whenever necessary but shields formed around her real arms could be better in the end.

Chapter 217 Preparation

A note from Rhaegar

Hello everybody. Hope you're doing alright

.

Chapter 217 Preparation

Or just a ton of ash floating around me at all times. She chuckled, thinking about the reaction form the people in towns, thinking her to be some kind of ash elemental. Am I not that already? In some fucked up way… Time would tell how her ash would most efficiently be deployed but for now the eight arms on her back felt the most natural to her. A number she could still manage. Perhaps she would increase it with time and her increasing skill in the element. Third tier Ash Creation here I come. The thought made her smile and with the changes this had already brought it would definitely be the first one she’d advance next time she got a skill point.

Azarinth Fighting and Ashen Warrior increased the damage dealt with her body. One of her ashen arms lashed out at a nearby tree trunk, smashing into the wood with ease before it retracted back to her. She hadn’t tried a similar move before but her projectiles definitely had a little more difficulty destroying a tree. Is the increased damage dealt only towards other living being’s health? Or to objects not categorized with a health bar as well? Ilea wasn’t sure but the effect against the spirits had been clear, her ash hit hard. Do trees have health bars?

She identified the trunk but found nothing else than a simple [Tree]. No level or health bar. I bet there’s some kind of sorcery to animate them. There has to be. She smiled at the thought. Like a tree necromancer or something. She had tried but couldn’t use Destruction on the spirits through her ash as the skill defined a punch or kick to be used. Perhaps if she formed her ash into a fist it might work. Instead of pondering, she did exactly that and formed a small fist at the end of one of her ashen limb and again assaulted the tree. The skill didn’t activate sadly. Leaves me with a reason to still engage with my own two hands though. Ilea thought. It would’ve been annoying to change her whole approach because she had gotten a new skill. Then again, the range of her ashen limbs was somewhat limited anyway.

Using Wave of Ember with the same limb she had just tried her Destruction spell with, the mana left her and a fiery spark entered the tree trunk, igniting it before the snow and cool air around it slowly smothered the flame. The application of the skill was good but what really made a difference against the spirits was the speed at which she could apply it through different ashen limbs. Before, she was limited to how quickly she could punch and while she was still much faster with her own body, she now had eight more arms to send out Wave of Ember, at least doubling if not tripling her damage output with the skill.

Plus, human opponents usually couldn’t exactly block ten arms at the same time. One or two, maybe but the reach she now had allowed her to get behind an opponent’s shield or get then in a blind spot. Combined with her ability to just explode the ash into their face or spread it around them she’d be even nastier to fight against. She grinned at that but then thought about how she’d measure up to someone like Green, the demon that had nearly killed her. Perhaps she’d be able to take two or three of his punches now before her bones were shattered but it wasn’t enough. Not even close. She sighed but was still content with the changes. Fucking glad I chose this one and didn’t have any of the more obvious choices available.

The third tier of Veil of Ash was a joke compared to Ash and Ember Manipulation but she couldn’t have known. Thinking about it, perhaps the same was true about her Azarinth First Hunter skills. The third tier of Blink had already saved her life once and would doubtlessly do so again in the future. It had little impact on her fighting capabilities but the skill alone was criminally good for how early she had gotten it in her leveling. If every level twenty or thirty person had teleportation at their disposal, the world would be a different place. More runes and enchantments to stop them to be sure.

State of Azarinth was good, a staple to her fighting and her survival so far. The third tier had made it permanent and even gave her a little boost should she need it but even that had a much smaller impact compared to her manipulation. Ilea wondered what her Sphere or even her Azarinth Reversal had in store at the third stage. She took in the snow around her and took a deep breath, reminding herself that in time she’d have all her skills in the third tier. Perhaps a class evolution would change them so much that they’d be unrecognizable compared to now. Only time and excessive training and fighting would tell.

Fighting far off from human wars. She thought, watching the distant dots closing in on the city. Survivors, refugees, spies and saboteurs mixed in for sure. All looking to join the repopulating mountain refuge and fortress of Ravenhall. Ilea thought about leaving then and there, the winds asking her to join them, to go east or north, south or west, far away from any human populated town to explore the mysteries of the undiscovered and the forgotten. Her wings were already spreading, the ashen arms tucked behind her back before she stopped herself.

Fists at her side, she gnashed her teeth before she relaxed again. She wouldn’t die without preparation, that much she owed to Eve, to Kyrian and to Trian. She would gain as many resistances and knowledge in Ravenhall as she could before she would venture out into the unknown. As much as it annoyed her to be stuck inside of a city for even another day. She just hoped no elves, demons or another human kingdom would attack as long as she was there. Ilea didn’t feel like getting involved in another conflict completely out of her control.

The ash behind her dissolved as she made her way back to the city. She had a purpose here and she would fulfill that as well as she could before she moved on. Ilea couldn’t ignore the vast resources she had here, the network of people willing to help and prepare her for things others doubtlessly had tried before. She would be the one to succeed where others had failed before her.

“Four more adventurers attacked city guards. One even another Shadow.” A man in black armor said quietly, arms folded behind his back.

Viper sighed and shook his head. “If this continues people will be scared to leave their homes. Any of them still on the loose?” He looked over at Philipp who was scratching something into one of the massive arrows the woman had given him. She seemed to have made an impression judging by the pile of already enchanted arrows on the table.

“None but we believe an associate is still on the run. The city guard didn’t recognize any of the attackers, meaning they got past the security at the gates.” The guard replied.

“That’s not exactly difficult.” Viper said and took one of the enchanted arrows, looking over the beautifully etched runes.

“For a Shadow like yourself perhaps. I would have difficulties staying undiscovered. The Head Administrator and her runes make sure of that.” The shadowguard replied.

Ah the head administrator. Sounds more like someone took charge of the Shadow’s Hand after the demon fiasco. I might have to meet them after all. The new self imposed elders. I’m not sure if Verena would’ve approved of this. His opinion on the matter wasn’t important of course. Viper and Philipp had returned with the others when Dagon had called for aid. To destroy the demons that had taken the lives of Katelyn and Robert.

He wasn’t sure how far the conspiracy reached, perhaps all of them were involved. He had known about some disagreements among the elders but to bring them so far to get the whole city wiped out? Unthinkable. He sighed, for the tenth time today already. They had come home, destroyed the demons and he had watched as people he barely knew took over the order that had taken him in, had given him a purpose.

“You’re thinking too much.” Philipp said, Viper looking down at him before he put the arrow back.

“It’s gonna be alright.” The man said to him and Viper nodded.

Is it though? You were the one to cry and scream in your sleep Philipp. You were the reason I didn’t invest any of my time in investigating this whole ordeal. You were… He stopped himself. Maybe he was thinking too much after all. Blaming anybody wasn’t going to help, neither him nor his last remaining friend. You are being dramatic. He told himself and dismissed the shadowguard, a man he had gotten into the newly found order with a good word, an additional informant he had added to his network. One that shrunk by the day it seemed.

“Maybe you can ask Ilea. She might know something.” Philipp suggested.

“Ask who?” Viper replied, closing the window behind the shadowguard that just left. Not even a teleportation ability. Perhaps I hired the wrong person.

“The woman who trained with me yesterday. She said she’d be at the arena again later.” His friend said, finishing another arrow before he took a sip of his drink.

“Ah, that’s her name then. She doesn’t seem to care much for politics.” Viper said and sat down opposite the hunter.

“You judge people too quickly. And what would it hurt? You think she’s somehow involved in it too?” Philipp asked.

“No but she might talk to the wrong people. And we wouldn’t want members of the Hand hunting us down, not with just the two of us.” Viper said but Philipp just laughed.

“I think you’re too paranoid. Still, you’ve never led us astray. It’s your decision. I’m just suggesting it. If she turns out to be against us we’ll notice soon enough.” The hunter said. It was certainly tempting, to ask an isolated member like her before going to this administrator or Dagon, to try and gamble out some information. The librarian already knew most everything useful Viper had to share. Back then information on classes and monsters seemed so worthwhile.

“I’ll think about it. Thanks Philipp.” He answered after a while, getting up to take a walk. At least he owed the woman that Philipp finally used his bow again. They’ve been through much together but losing the two changed him. He won’t be the same anymore. The thought reminded him of himself but he made himself stop. I need a woman.

“You are drowning quite well today Ilea.” William said after two hours of continuous training. Ilea coughed up water and blood as healing mana flowed through her body, her near blue face turning more lively by the second.

“Is this sexual to you?” She asked after having recovered enough to talk. He looked at her and then shook his head before he continued working. That’s not an answer. She thought. “Again.”

Water formed around her while she took a deep breath before she was submerged. Spikes of ice soon smashed into her skin while she healed herself. Ilea let all the air in her lungs out and simply accepted the suffering that would lead to improvement. Right now, she was sure that drowning was worse than being burnt alive. Although some part of her mind told her that it’s more about perspective. With every minute of choking and coughing, her whole body retracting and fighting the creeping death coming closer and closer, she focused, focused on all the ways she had to improve.

If a fire mage was her enemy, she would be resistant to his magic. If a water mage trapped her in a flooded cave, she would be resistant to drowning. If an assassin poisoned her, she would prevail. And she would move on, punching them down one piece of their life at a time until they were defeated. The thought kept her sane as she continuously drowned, her hardened and enhanced body living through the suffering like no normal human could, the call of unconsciousness ignored with an iron will. The training would last another three hours.

“Ilea! What a nice face to see. How did your mission go with the Redleaf boy?” Elise asked and put down the ten books she was carrying. She looked younger than Ilea remembered her, rejuvenated even.

“You look great. Finally out of your prison really is becoming on you.” Ilea said and smiled, sitting down on a nearby arm chair. She had found the woman in a section of the library usually reserved for Dagon and his crew. Most of them had died in the demon attack and the runes keeping people like her out of it had been tampered with as well. By her in part. Five minutes ago. What a shame.

“Oh dear you have no idea how amazing I feel. For as much as he knows, he’s surprisingly good with his body too.” Elise said and took off her glasses.

“Now that’s a piece of information I’ll be able to trade with him for quite a fortune isn’t it. I’m glad you’re doing well.” Ilea said and smiled. She was happy for both of them, to find someone they clicked with, in this case rediscovering a long lost love.

“Ah he’s not young enough to be embarrassed like that.” Elise said as she cleaned her glasses.

“New hairstyle?” Ilea asked, seeing that the glasses too weren’t the same white horned ones she had worn before.

“Yes, never liked bangs but I suppose it serves the required purpose.” The librarian replied. “Let me know which enchantments you broke to get in here by the way. And how, they seem terribly ineffective.”

“Just a bunch of minor ones. The big one leading down I didn’t touch.” Ilea said and shrugged.

“Good. I’ll have to talk to Claire again if she finds the time.” Elise said. “Now, as much as I appreciate the visit, I don’t take you to be one to socialize for fun.” She looked at Ilea.

“Right on all accounts Elise. You’re good at reading people even while being stuck in a library for most of your life.” Ilea said. Perhaps she was just easy to read but she didn’t mind too much about being open with her motives, moods and intentions. Too many people were secretive and scheming in this world. Just because she couldn’t trust any random deceitful stranger anymore didn’t mean she had to become one herself.

“I don’t really know where to start Elise.” Ilea said and sighed, summoning a mug of ale and taking a sip.

“Is it about your revenge perhaps? About a man? Trust me, finding out about their every move and ability won’t win you their heart.” The librarian said.

“If you want their literal heart, then it might actually.” Ilea retorted and took another sip. “I’m working on training resistances and need a list of possible dangers I’ll encounter in undiscovered ruins, dungeons and dangerous environments.”

“I can get you some books on that. Also about love, I think you direly need it dear. If you want to explore dungeons then I can give you a list of known locations in the plains and even some around here. The mana density has them recover somewhat quickly after they’ve been cleared and with the absence of any humans around here, some of them are sure to be filled with dangerous monsters.” Elise said.

“I’ll go north probably. North beyond the mountain chain.” She said and took another sip. Perhaps visiting Walter to get some more ale as well.

“To be young and adventurous again…,” Elise said and smiled. “You will die. Like most everybody else has before you. One way or the other, something will get you. The geographical location of the plains is the only reason humanity is still around.”

“Well you’re a bummer. What’s so different about the north then or any of the other frontiers? What makes you think you won’t find humans after traveling for a couple months or years?” Ilea asked. “And what makes you think the monsters in the north wouldn’t come ever come here?”

“Some have and they decimated whole cities. The elves are the frontier to the west and I think the cities destroyed in the last year were in big part just a warning for us not to expand further. Ilea. I don’t want to make you stop whatever you’re doing but there have been countless expeditions. Few ever returned and fewer have brought news of habitable land, valuable resources or amiable races.” Elise explained.

“Why are you doing this Elise? I will go there one way or the other.” Ilea asked, knowing that while the information certainly seemed plausible, the woman likely had a reason to talk her down from her idea.

Elise looked at her for a while without saying anything and then just shook her head. “Ilea, you’re a promising young woman. Stronger than I am even after all those years of study and training. I’ve seen many like you, all of them are dead now. I just… I don’t want to see you die. You could live happily here in Ravenhall, do jobs around here, work for the city or the Hand but you will bring nothing to humanity if you die somewhere in the north, eaten by a beast not even categorized in any encyclopedia.”

Ilea thought about it for a while but she couldn’t disagree more. “I appreciate the sentiment Elise, I really do. Ever since I’ve come… ever since I was born here in Elos… I’ve felt free. Free to explore, to fight and to discover the unknown. It’s not a romantic whim either. I’ve been to the demon realm, the place they call the Great Salt. I’ve befriended one of them. I’ve fought and killed elves, have seen Taleen machines dangerous enough to wipe out cities. And yet here I am. I’ve survived them and I’ll survive much worse. And should one of those monsters come south, I might be one of the humans that destroys it. Just like I have been one of the people destroying the demons that were summoned here.” Ilea finished.

Chapter 218 A new addition to the schedule

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, new chapter. Let me know what you think

! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 218 A new addition to the schedule

Elise was quiet for quite a while before she nodded. “Alright.” She said. “You’ve convinced me that you’re not just a young brat gaining a lot of levels form some kind of quirky skill. Then I’m looking forward to the entries you’ll add to known dungeons, monsters and ancient items and technology. I still believe you’re unnecessarily risking your life but it is not my decision.” Elise said.

“You’re right. It’s not. I live to fight the very fear that keeps you here.” Ilea said and finished her mug of ale.

“You damn idiot.” Elise said and smiled before she started laughing. “Well if it weren’t for your recklessness I’d be rotting in the capital’s dungeons.” She said. “I’ll look for what you need. Lists of skills, monsters and anything else that might be out there to kill you. Are you joining an expedition?”

“I will be going alone.” Ilea said. “And if you doubt my capabilities then I invite you to come to arena 8B in a couple hours.”

“I might. And I’ll let you know that being a good fighter won’t save you against a poisonous cloud suddenly rising in the cave around you.” Elise retorted.

“No, that’s what I have a level twenty poison resistance for.” Ilea said and smiled while getting up. She wasn’t about to argue with the overprotective librarian anymore, not when the woman had stayed behind safe walls only to be endangered by other humans in the end. “Maybe you should try flying again sometime.” She said her goodbyes and left the woman with her work. Dagon didn’t seem to be around but Ilea could get information from Elise for free while the man likely still held true to his principles, wanting to sell information for other information.

Ilea blinked out of the library, her wings spreading right before she would’ve hit the pavement. She quickly went over to the board showing different classes but found the information outdated. Looks like they’re still not back to the daily operations. It was a shame, she could’ve likely added some of the classes to her list of daily tasks but William’s underwater training was at least covering her personally most important skill set.

Viper and Philipp paid the entry fee and walked into the arena. Ilea the Shadow had apparently rented out the whole thing for a week. Not a cheap investment but with the silver he had seen in the bucket, she was already making a profit. Not a small one at that. The notice was still hanging on the Guild’s board and word of mouth would spread while she continued to do this.

The skill growth of attacking a tank’s shield or actually burning off their face wasn’t that different but paying a defender of sufficient level and power to take the abuse was impossible for most people below a certain level of pay grade. One silver coin for an hour was as cheap as it got but Viper surmised the woman was doing this for her own skills and not for the money. With what she could take, she could easily join any Shadow’s team if they needed a tank, let alone most adventurer teams. They’d kill each other to have her and the pay of doing jobs or joining an expedition or even a war was certainly better than the silver she amassed through this endeavor.

Maybe the lack of availability will actually make it somewhat profitable? The thought was somewhat verified when they walked into the arena, finding as many people as the day before. This time though, they all paid for watching, all of them waiting in the arena itself while around ten people flung their magic at the woman.

Fire singed her skin before it rapidly recovered, lances projectiles of various elements and magics glanced off her skin or managed to penetrate before they were slowly pushed out by what he assumed was her healing skill, the wounds closing in a frightening speed. You’d have to finish her in a single blow, taking her head would be the best bet. He thought and remembered that she had survived and easily recovered from one of his strongest spells. Viper had some cards up his sleeve that he hadn’t shown her yet and while the White Flame took a chunk of his mana to use, he could cast it a couple times in a row.

“Are you thinking about how to take her out?” Philipp asked next to him while they joined the waiting group of mages, warriors and rangers down in the pit. Many of them were openly debating the same so either Ilea’s hearing wasn’t exactly excellent or she simply didn’t care. Probably welcomes it. We all had our ways to get to level 200. She’s too young to reach it with experience and safe mercenary work.

“I am. Thought about the head.” Viper said, scratching his chin as he looked at her brushing off the magic from the group of mages, their highest leveled member an arcane mage at level one thirty.

“The head? Yea, seems like a good bet but you’d have to ground her first. She’s an ashen mage, creator even I think. From the little I’ve seen yesterday.” Philipp said.

“Creator? Interesting. Never seen an ash creator. Maybe we can ask her to spar for real? See what she can do?” Viper asked, hoping that Philipp would at least be somewhat interested. Shooting his bow was the first step but getting him to actually fight against someone would be the way to recovery, even without the intent to kill.

“Can’t say I don’t want to see what she can do…,” Philipp said and bit his lip under his hood. They stood a little off from the waiting groups and watched when they switched, the initial mages having completely spent their mana. Their reactions differed greatly, some lost in thought, likely looking at the gains in their skill levels while others seemed to be contemplating their life choices with how little they could do against the woman.

Viper didn’t say anything on the matter. He and Philipp could slaughter all of them in the span of a couple minutes, as could most Shadows. The change level two hundred classes brought to one’s power were significant, let alone the third tier skills that would come into play. It really was no wonder a couple of elves could destroy whole cities in the west, most of them having less than a handful of people at their level.

“You still need to pay, even if you’re waiting.” The woman said and Viper raised his eyebrows when he noticed her looking at the two of them. Philipp chuckled and went to the bucket, flinging two silver coins into it. The time between him throwing them and the impact suggested a significant amount of silver already present in the bucket.

Their turn came twenty minutes later, two groups having spent their mana before the Shadows stepped up. “You should train together while recovering your magic, spar and learn from each other.” Viper said to the meditating mages when he walked by.

“Fancy yourself a teacher?” The woman asked when they reached the spot of the attackers, sweat and even blood in the sand around them. Not to be confused with the woman’s little pond of blood and guts. He was still fascinated with a healer’s ability to recover lost blood and tissue. Creating fire and light was one thing but creating living matter was something on a completely different scale, at least in his mind.

“I think I can spare to share a little of my experience.” Viper replied.

“A commendable sentiment. Care to share some with me?” The woman asked. He didn’t know what to answer to that for a second, his mouth opening and closing before he caught himself and smiled a thin smile.

“How old are you exactly?” He asked. With her reckless behavior he of course assumed she had found a way to get to two hundred quickly, perhaps just risking her life all the time and fighting higher leveled monsters, alone even. Most people he met that were like that either stopped doing that or were dead. The quick rise to power usually came with a quick rise in arrogance.

“You don’t ask a woman’s age. Perhaps you lack the experience you pretend to have.” She replied.

“I have experience in fighting monsters, not in courting women.” Viper said honestly. He wanted information from her and being upfront seemed like the way to go with this particular Shadow. Uncommon but not unheard of.

“That’s a good answer. Philipp you can start. So, Viper was it? Why did you come today?” She asked as his friend summoned his bow and an arrow.

“I wanted to talk to you. And maybe spar a little. Been a while since I’ve gone all out.” Viper said and watched her look at him with interest, her stomach exploding in a mess of blood and guts a moment later. Viper looked away from the gore as he held up his hand against the blood splashing their way.

“Sounds… like an interesting… proposal.” The woman said as her body regrew the missing parts, spitting out a glob of blood between each word. “I’m not joining any teams.” She added, most of her lower body restored.

“Are you wearing Hand leather armor?” He asked, noticing the similarities between her damn near destroyed set from last time and this half destroyed one. She looked away not saying anything but he knew the face of a thief when he saw one.

“What did you want to talk about?” She asked as soon as her body had recovered. “No more explosions Philipp. First group can attack again!” Ilea added and waved for the waiting mages.

“I’d prefer to talk somewhere more private.” Viper said. “And I would be willing to pay you of course.”

“I’m not doing any jobs at the moment.” Ilea answered as the first spells started to hit. The noise made it hard for their conversation to continue.

“I’m here until twelve, come back if you still want to talk.” She said. Viper nodded and took a couple steps back to give more space to the adventurers.

Sparring with them… It was something to think about. Both had interesting skill sets and it would certainly be a challenge. Less effective than leveling her resistances of course considering most of her class skills were close to the max already. With only sparring, leveling them even once would take weeks if not months. And only if she focused on it completely. The man so easily sharing some advice with the mages around him made her interested though. He seemed experienced and not in the way most Shadows she had met so far were. Eve and Kyrian got to their level because of their unique classes, Trian because he was trained and taught from early on and because of his class as well. Claire didn’t strike her as the person to take any risks and while she was knowledgeable about tactics, she hadn’t traveled the world and fought things that nearly killed her time and time again.

Of course she didn’t know about the specific history of all her teammates but talking to them and training with them for months had given her somewhat reliable impressions. Many members of the Hand she had met probably had similar backgrounds or were to proud and secretive to share any of their expertise. Or they’re simply away on another hunt. Viper seemed different. He wanted something from her but maybe they could trade and maybe sparring with them would benefit her beyond just stats and skills.

The session continued, her skills rising slowly but surely as a group of mages paid her to do so. She couldn’t stop smiling at the whole situation. It was of course a win win situation for all parties involved but Ilea still felt like she was benefiting the most. Some of the mages had left early, gagging at the carnage they took part in but with her Pain Tolerance and healing it was just another vacation day in Ravenhall. A big chunk of her levels were brought by Philipp and Viper’s attacks, the latter joining in as well after a while.Perhaps he thought to win her goodwill through the action. Ilea couldn’t deny that if that was his intention, it certainly worked.

People came and went, attacking her and recovering their mana before at last, the session ended. Ilea shouted for them to stop and said her farewells, reminding them that she’d be here again the next day. The bucket of silver was already half full, enough to buy food for several years or perhaps one piece of good armor. The discrepancies between cost of living and something like Balduur’s gear really bothered her. She reminded herself that a hand crafted chair or table back on Earth was ridiculously expensive too compared to daily necessities. I wonder what some really high quality armor would cost. From one of those gluetube blacksmiths. Could it take a single punch from me?

Her thoughts were interrupted when the two Shadows walked up to her. “I don’t think I introduced myself to you yet. Ilea, nice to meet you again Viper.” She said, shaking his hand.

“The same to you. You went from below one hundred to this in what? A year? Two?” Viper asked.

“I had some help. Fought Taleen machines for a long time.” Ilea replied.

“Good teachers those. Especially for close combat classes.” Viper said and nodded. “And here I thought you had found some kind of trick. You just risked your life one too many times it seems.”

“I have classes that allow for such luxuries.” She said.

The man looked on the bloodied ground and nodded. “So it seems.”

“Is this private enough now?” Ilea asked, seeing how everybody else was gone already.

“I suppose it is.” Viper replied as he too looked around quickly. Philipp collected the arrows lying near her in the meantime. “I’m looking for information, mostly on the demon incident that happened here. Were you present when it happened?”

“I was, even went after the one responsible.” Ilea replied and smiled. “Thought I wasn’t in Ravenhall for quite a while after that.”

Viper blinked a couple times when he heard that but continued talking. “You went after the one responsible? So who did it? Why? Where did you go if not Ravenhall? What happened to them?”

“That’s an awful lot of questions. I don’t see why I wouldn’t share any of it with you but you have to agree to training sessions every day for two weeks. Through the night for eight hours in Viscera, Philipp too. Plus I want to know about monsters and magic you’ve encountered.” Ilea said.

“And how do I know you’re not lying?” Viper asked, Ilea now the one blinking.

“Do I strike you as a liar?” She asked. The man looked at her and then Philipp who looked up a little embarrassed as he got the last arrow.

“What?” The hunter asked and Viper started laughing.

“Ah why not. Some sparring will be good either way. I’ll gladly prepare you for your expedition. Where to? The north? Hunting elves in the forest? I’d dissuade you from that one. Don’t know a single one that returned from that. Or are you going east to find new lands?” Viper asked with a smile.

“Why not south?” Ilea asked, interested in the fact that he hadn’t mentioned that direction.

“People return from there. With tales of sand but they do return.” The man replied. “Now to my questions.”

“Alright. So the tournament starts and runes start to glow around a big area in Eregar’s Haven. Adam Strand, one of the previous elders summoned all those demons and opened a gateway or something to the demon realm. Big fucking creature comes out of that gateway and he goes in, me and a fellow Shadow follow through and find ourselves in a big ass ocean. Got out of that and flew for days until we found land. Well… salt really. We fight through hordes of demons, the creatures attacking each other as much as us until we encounter a talkative mind weaver, the more intelligent kind.” Ilea started retelling her adventures in the great salt, going through their encounter with Weavy, the discovery of the teleportation runes and their findings in the facilities they had been transported to.

She explained most of the adventure but left out that they got Weavy back with them. Many of the Shadows knew about him but Viper would have to find out about that himself.

“Adam Strand.” He spoke the name with a broken up voice.

“He is in that place, the great salt? Do you have any idea why?” Viper asked but Ilea just shrugged.

“He was there for a purpose, that I’m rather sure about. He didn’t seem to have done it just to cripple or destroy Ravenhall or humanity. At least that was my impression. Doesn’t make it any better of course.” She said.

“No… no it doesn’t.” Viper said and shook his head. “That’s a lot to take in. I had considered him one of the best in the order. To think he would betray us like that. Can anybody confirm your story?”

“I think plenty of members saw him go through the portal in the Haven. If Verena were here, she tried to get him too I think. Still missing though. Dagon might know some more.” Ilea suggested.

“I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll talk to him. Do you know anything about the new Head Administrator?” He asked.

“Head what?” Ilea replied a little confused.

“She’s a member that rose to a lot of power in the order, virtually unknown and now she controls big parts of the city according to my sources.” He explained.

Ilea thought about it for a while but didn’t come up with anything. “Any idea what classes she has?”

“She’s a rune mage, parts of the new walls bear her craft.” Viper explained and her eyebrows rose immediately.

“You mean Claire?” Ilea asked.

Chapter 219 A City on the Rise

A note from Rhaegar

Heeelo. Happy 4th to those who celebrate it. Thanks for reading and have a good day

!

Chapter 219 A City on the Rise

Ilea led the men to the central circle of the city, where Claire likely resided at the moment. Either that or she’s with Christopher. She thought but didn’t exactly want to share that knowledge with Viper. The man had a stake in the Shadow’s Hand and certainly in what had happened to Ravenhall during the demon summoning. She checked the gains from her training earlier as they passed the guards at the gate to the central circle.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1

Ignoring the warnings of your parents and friends, you refuse to not stand in fire. This skill will help lessen the damage and pain a little.

2nd stage: You’ve been burnt and melted again and again. Through extreme exposure, your skin, muscles and bones become much harder to burn and melt.’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

The variety in the adventurer’s magic was a little disappointing still. Perhaps Elise’s and Viper’s promised information would bring some light into what kind of magic was out there. Then it was just about finding someone willing to use it on her to gain another resistance. Worst case she’d just have to endure it from a wild monster. The second stage of Heat Resistance was welcome, just a straight up upgrade but seeing how easily Viper had burnt through her skin, Ilea was glad to have it.

The shadowguard at the entrance didn’t even check them and just nodded them inside. Ilea motioned for the two to wait outside while she went to talk to Claire. The door wasn’t shut and she glanced inside after knocking.

“Come in.” The woman sounded stressed, not that that was anything out of the ordinary.

“Hey, it’s me. Your favorite person.” Ilea said as she closed the thick wooden door behind her, feeling the magical enchantments click into place again when they connected with the frame. Her Sphere was cut off again and she smiled.

“Ilea, nice to meet you. Heard you’re the one training all the new adventurers coming to the city?” Claire asked, not looking up from the letter she was reading. Ilea didn’t answer and looked through the books on the walls.

“Got anything on existing classes and magic?” She asked, each book title she glanced over more boring than the one before.

“Not really. I’m more busy negotiating with a war torn empire while managing all your assets and the ones from the Hand.” Claire said and finally looked up.

“Got your attention. That’s nice.” Ilea smiled at her and closed in on the desk. “How are you doing?”

Claire rubbed her eyes and then stretched, making a noise Ilea had never heard out of her. Refocusing, the woman smiled back and answered “Constantly tired, stressed and overworked. I love it Ilea.”

“I’m not sure if you’re sarcastic. You need to convey that in a way.” Ilea said but Claire just waved her off.

“I don’t know myself, that’s the problem. You’ll be better off asking Dagon or Elise about the books you’re looking for. Who are the two waiting outside?” Claire asked.

“I already asked Elise. Just thought while I’m here… how’s Christopher doing?” Ilea asked, ignoring the question for now.

“He’s unconventional… smart. Progress is well… I’m gonna continue helping him but I doubt we’ll have a functioning link to the teleportation network of the Taleen anytime soon. Sorry.” Claire said.

Ilea sat on the big table and sighed. “Don’t worry. If we don’t find him, he’ll find his way back alone.” She said. “The two are Shadows looking for the Head Administrator. Couldn’t think of anybody else that fit that description.”

“Sounds like a horrible job.” Claire said. “What do they want?”

“Answers. Regarding the demon incident. I told them what I knew but I don’t know if you guys are looking into it. A way to find the elder and bring him to justice. I think that might be their intention.” Ilea explained.

“Sure. There’s plenty who want revenge. Are they any good other than being able to blow stuff up and kill high level things?”

“One of them maybe. You’ll see. Thanks for seeing them.” Ilea said and jumped up form the table.

“Sure, just bring them in.” Claire said when Ilea waved towards her and blinked out to the others, her teleportation not stopped by the runes to her surprise.

“She’s in there and you can go talk to her. We’ll start the training tomorrow night in Eregar’s Haven. Philipp, make sure to join me again in the pit.” Ilea said and winked to the man before she blinked out of the building not waiting for their replies. They’d be there or they won’t be. For now she stayed close to the building, just in case they were trouble for Claire. While the chance was low she’d have some backup.

‘Gold magic is one of the rarest forms of metal magic, specializing in body enhancements the users show similar feats to other enhancers. Specifics about high level usage are unknown but theories suggest that gold creators, for evident reasons, hold high positions in kingdoms and empires.’

“Add another one to the list…,” Ilea murmured and scribbled into her notebook before taking a sip of her tea. The suns were rising behind the distant mountains overlooking Ravenhall, Ilea squinting her eyes at the bright light. The city itself at least wasn’t covered in snow anymore. Spring had come to Ravenhall at last.

“A lovely view isn’t it?” A familiar voice asked, the librarian coming from the staircase leading to the terrace of a lovely restaurant that was mostly owned by Ilea. Not that anybody except for her and Claire were aware of that.

“It is.” Ilea replied, closing the book on known magics she had gotten from Elise.

“You will bring those back to the library I hope?” Dagon asked as he gestured to the chair opposite her. She made a welcoming motion and took another sip of her tea.

“Of course. I wouldn’t want the whole Shadow’s Hand hunting me down.” She said.

He touched his spectacles and smiled a thin smile. “I don’t hold that kind of authority. Nobody does.”

“And yet everyone came here to destroy the demons.” Ilea suggested, taking a bite of her croissant, something she had seen in Salia before but not Ravenhall.

“That is an exceptional situation. We are simply a mercenary order.” Dagon said and motioned to the waiter who checked on the only customers on the terrace.

“Of course we are. Why are you here? As highly as I think of myself I doubt you’d be delighted by this conversation. Or were you just here to tell me about my late fees?” She asked while he ordered a glass of whiskey.

“I hear you can heal the negative effects of alcohol?” He asked when she raised her eyebrows at his order.

“I’m not going to use my skills to support your alcoholism. You’re old enough to hire a healer.” Ilea replied. He was joking of course, their daily routine not in the slightest comparable to a citizen at a lower level. High Vitality and different skills allowed them to stay up for days without the need for sleep or food, although Ilea didn’t know much about his capabilities in the area.

“Elise asked me to dissuade you from going north. Before you retort or vanish, I know you for a little longer than her. I’m aware that you will go either way. My real reason is something a little more personal.” The man explained and looked around to make sure nobody was listening in.

“I was looking for some… advice.”

“Advice on what? The great librarian of the Shadow’s Hand, the mystical order of powerful mercenaries coming to me for advice?” Ilea joked. It’s about love isn’t it.

The man looked down at the table but finally spoke. “Are you pure?”

Close enough. “You mean did I ever have sex? Or are you talking about some kind of religious term, in which case I’m not sure in what world I’d be the person to talk to.”

“Sexually… I mean. Yes.” He said.

“I’ve had sex before, yes. Been a while though but I guess killing monsters and getting to the brink of death is a suitable outlet for my frustrations.” Ilea explained before she finished the croissant. They really need to add twice the amount of butter.

“I’m unsure. Well I’m not sure how to put it… I don’t know why I thought to ask you…,” The man started and shook his head. “She seems to like it but sometimes…,”

“You feel unsure about your performance?” Ilea asked bluntly and he nodded after a while.

“If you put it that way…,”

“Don’t worry about it. I think it’s normal. For men and women. Now I’m not selling any pills but have you talked to her about this at all?” Ilea asked the man and he looked at her as if she was a mystical being of lore.

“You haven’t.” She stated.

“I haven’t. I don’t want her to think I’m incapable.” He explained.

“I think Elise loves you. The you that can be insecure. To be able to share an insecurity I believe is a show of your character’s strength. Plus communication is the most important thing in a relationship. If you can’t talk about something this small, real issues will be even worse. Trust me. Just bring it up and talk about it. You’ll be fine.” Ilea said, finishing her tea.

“Thank you. I guess I’ll talk to her later.” He said and sighed. “To have learned, worked and fought for decades and this women is what makes me seek help.”

“Relationships take time. Treat is as a learning experience together with her. I have a feeling her damn near imprisonment brought her to a similar level of knowledge in the matter.” Ilea said. His Whiskey arrived and he downed it in a single gulp.

“Got anything to share regarding possible resistances I could acquire?” Ilea asked. “While you’re here.”

The man nearly sunk into his chair as he looked up at the sky. “You’ve been keeping up the arena training for weeks already. I doubt anything I tell you will make a difference.”

“I’ve not learned a single new skill in two weeks. Everybody is using fire, ice, earth and wind. Some have variations and rarer things but nothing I haven’t seen yet.” Ilea complained. At least the training with Philipp and Viper had gone well, though Philipp wasn’t much help, his skills more suited to hunting and less to an upfront confrontation.

“You could join the war for a while.” Dagon suggested.

“That’s terrible advice. It’s the whole reason I’m going out of this shithole of an empire.” Ilea retorted.

“To fight monsters? Is fighting humans so different?” He asked.

“It is to me.” Ilea didn’t want to go into explaining why. Her morals seen as foreign to most of the people growing up in this war torn and conflict ridden land. Humans at least were a monster they understood.

“You could just travel through a part of the country on the way north. Maybe you find some people with interesting or rare abilities capable of helping your insatiable need to have your body broken down.” Dagon said, putting a couple copper coins on the table.

“It’s on the house.” Ilea said, suppressing the grin that nearly broke through to her face. I always wanted to say that.

“You own this establishment?” Dagon asked. “Wait you’re one of the investors for Claire’s manic takeover of half the city? No, don’t answer that. I don’t want to get into arguments with her again.” Dagon said and got up. “Thank you for the advice. I have matters to attend to.”

“Enjoy fucking.” Ilea said and raised her empty cup to the waiter that tried very hard not to listen to the Shadows discussing private matters. People got killed for less on a daily basis. Dagon grumbled something as he walked down the stairs. Ilea had chosen not to share the praise Elise had given him behind his back. Perhaps he wasn’t ready to know that women talked about their men’s sexual habits more so than the other way around.

“I’m Lilith by the way. You know what that means?” Ilea asked the waiter when he came to take the empty cup and Dagon’s glass.

He looked her over for a second and then nodded. “The description fits Lady Lilith. Of course there will be no charge.” He said and bowed deeply.

“Where are you from?” She asked the man. “Don’t keep bowing, I’m the owner not your queen.”

He looked up but didn’t meet her eyes. “From a small village near the southern mountains.”

“How did you survive?” Ilea asked.

“We hid in the forests and traveled from town to town until we were found months later by imperial scouts. They told us they were on the way to Ravenhall, that the Shadow’s Hand had returned to fight the demons. Me and my sister thought that’d be the best bet for us and followed.” The man explained briefly.

“And you’re paid fairly? Treated well?” Ilea asked. The man nodded quickly.

“Of course. Someone collects complaints every other week. At first people were afraid it was something to weed out people who didn’t want to work but when the head cook complained about the kitchen situation, it was taken care of the next week.” He explained. Ilea was impressed by Claire’s management. Good word would spread but the interaction was still kept professional and somewhat impersonal. She left the details to Claire though, the woman was much more knowledgeable about that stuff.

“Good to hear. Thanks.” Ilea said and got up, stretching her arms before she jumped off to the adjacent building. It was nice that her money could get parts of the city running again. Better than just letting it rot in a dwarven dungeon or inside of her necklace.

She made her way towards Viscera, her training with William would soon start. It was still one of the most horrific things she’d ever done. Still, she hadn’t gotten a skill in their nearly three weeks of training, his estimate already passed. The suns were still rising but the city streets were bustling with life. She had seen the influx of people with her own eyes, her hopes that among them some rare magical talents would join her training sessions had been dashed but at least there were new street food stands.

Rice balls, fried fish and hearty soup. People from all over the empire and beyond now contributed to the diversity in Ravenhall. She knew that many other cities, at least in the western and southern part of the empire would experience a similar situation. Hopefully they handled thieves as efficiently as they did here. Guards clad in black, others in the imperial colors patrolled the alleys. While the guards had a lot of power at their disposal, the fact that there were two factions of them brought another level of scrutiny between them.

She was more worried about the guards fighting each other than someone abusing their powers. Of course she had seen both in those three weeks. A newly rebuilt city filled with refugees of war wasn’t safe and perfectly civilized, it wouldn’t be for a long time. Her black armor at least made people part and make way for her even on the busy streets. In Ravenhall seeing a shadow didn’t incite the fear and respect it did in farther away places but they knew what a Shadow could do. Most had seen one or a few in action.

Ilea liked the personal space she got through that, making her just a little less inclined to immediately flee the city whenever her training sessions ended. The colors and new additions to the otherwise somewhat bland and medieval buildings brought by the refugees of various cities were a treat nearly as joyous as the various new foods she got to try. Soon it might look like Salia but with proper walls. Ilea couldn’t help but shake her head at the thought. A whole city of sentient humans wiped out by a bunch of angry Elves.

Better than demons looking to eat something tasty in a hundred years for a change I suppose. Ilea thought, looking at all the merry people going about their daily business. Feeling safe behind the walls of a city that had literally gotten wiped out by the actions of a single determined old man. I don’t actually know how old he is. Ilea thought. She reached Viscera soon enough and the line of people waiting to be interviewed to join the Shadowguard.

Of course not everybody felt safe and those that had seen what happened to their villages and cities due to the war or the demonic invasion at least understood the need for capable fighters. Joining the empire during the war was understandably less popular than joining the city guard or the shadowguard that brought additional benefits with it. A possible membership in the Hand being on of them.

She bypassed the group of waiting people, some of their conversations dying out when they looked at her, tugging each other when she walked by. Living that rock star life. Ilea thought. She was surprised how few of the people seemed to be angry at the Shadow’s Hand for basically causing the demon invasion. Either they didn’t know it was them or were too afraid to speak up. Or they acknowledged that the Hand had cleaned up after themselves. She knew that some squads were still out there, cleaning out demons from forests far away from Ravenhall, crushing every last one of the monsters roaming the empire and the lands beyond.

A couple minutes later she found herself in the usual training hall, William waiting for her with a stack of his workload he had brought with him. Ilea still didn’t exactly know what he was doing other than evaluation. Perhaps the line above was there because she in fact occupied his time. Oh well. They can wait. I’m here to drown after all.

Chapter 220 Cooking Dragons

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you have a good start to your weekend

.

Chapter 220 Cooking Dragons

Pushing out all the air from her lungs, Ilea stopped healing the wounds piercing her chest, instead ripping out the ice spears to allow the flow of water to occur more quickly. It did put a smile on her face that William had to use stronger attacks to even pierce her skin at this point, making him at least put in some effort. She told him to stop and recover when he ran out of mana but he was at least somewhat proud of his abilities it seemed, the man sweating when the nearly unconscious Ilea dropped to the ground, heaving before she started coughing, water and blood running out of the wounds on her body.

She was wearing shorts and a now ruined bra that reminded her more of a sports bra. Sadly they didn’t have any similar fabric here but simple cloth did the trick. She wasn’t exactly the bustiest woman around after all. A good thing as it wasn’t conductive to close combat fighting at all.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

You have been submerged in liquid for longer than you should’ve survived. You crave to become a creature of the deep and have proven that you will go any lengths to achieve that. While your biology doesn’t strictly allow for gills, magic has its ways. You can stay submerged in liquid for much longer.’

“Fucking…,” Ilea said and continued coughing, healing the pierced flesh before she tried to get up, slipping on water and her own blood. “… finally.” She finished, lying on her back as her lungs reformed, the muscles around them closing up to allow for breathing again.

“You got something? About damn time woman.” William said and got up, gathering his documents. “Which skill did you acquire?”

“Harmony of the Drowned.” Ilea said as he raised his eyebrows.

“Interesting. So you really do have no talent for the element of water.” He said. “Luckily it’s still one of the better skills to help you survive. There was no chance of you switching to another element anyway.”

“What do you mean switching?” Ilea asked as she got up, drying herself with one of the prepared towels that was still clean and dry.

“Changing your class from the dreadful ashen magic to something more civilized.” William said and looked at her with a haughty expression.

“Are you trying to start a fight with me William dear?” Ilea asked and saw the minuscule grin that came to his face before it was smashed away by his insurmountable professionalism.

“I have faced enough beasts for a while Miss Spears.” He said and made his way to the exit.

“Nothing else related to underwater survival you can teach me?” She asked, drying her face.

“You are a practical learner. I believe you now have the tools. Already you would challenge the toughest creatures I’ve ever hunted underwater. I daresay I can’t teach you more, not without a related class.” He explained. “Your tenacity at least, is commendable.” The man added and left.

“That’s the praise I get after what I went through for three weeks? Man I pity whatever poor soul would be his apprentice.” Ilea said to herself and finished up, stealing a couple more leather armors form the storage room each training hall had. She was glad they restocked them time and time again.

I did pay a hundred gold coins to join after all. And it wasn’t exactly expected that someone would go through several dozen of them per week. Knowing the cost of a good set of leather armor Ilea definitely preferred to get the free ones as long as she still could.

________________________________________________________________________

“You’re aware that it costs a silver per hour, even if you’re just watching?” The man asked his teammate who had read the same notice Keyla had just went through. One of the two eyed her but didn’t say anything, he only stared at her scaly feet. She tried to retract her claws as far as possible.

“Excuse me.” She spoke up and turned to the man, her reptile like eyes blinking. The man looked at her but didn’t seem repulsed. He’s waiting for a question you idiot. She thought.

“Have you been there before? Is it worth it? To level skills I mean.” The cook asked.

“Of course it is. It’s a Shadow and she can heal herself almost immediately. I even thought about dropping my second class and restarting as a healer myself.” The man explained, getting a smack on the head by his friend.

“You won’t do that idiot, we need you at your highest level otherwise we won’t be able to explore near the cliffs anymore. You have no knack for magic anyway.”

“You don’t know that.” The first one retorted before they started going into arguments about their team’s healer. Keyla ignored them and looked through the notice again. There was nothing mentioned regarding requirements, only the cost of a single silver per hour. She still had some money left, nearly sixty silver but while the investment was steep, maybe it would allow her to get a little more preparation before she went hunting again.

Leaving the adventurer’s guild, she made her way to the designated location. The new walls were a little irritating as she got side glances from nearly all the guards. They would know her in time but it had taken quite a while to get the trust of the previous guard. Going through the gate, one of them stopped her. Here we go.

“Show me your face please. Are you a lizardman?” The man asked, one of his hands on the handle of his sword. The other guard previously uninterested in the conversation, leaning on his spear butted in.

“Leave it alone man. We’re not in the western shit lands where you’re a dick to non humans.” He said.

“I’m just doing my job. Can I see your face?” The man asked again, Keyla pulling back her hood to reveal the scales and two small horns growing from the sides of her head.

“What in the fuck are you?” The guard asked, unsheathing a part of his sword when the spear man intervened.

“She’s a Breed. I’ve seen some of them before, don’t wet your pants. Where are you from?” He asked.

“I’m from Ravenhall.” Keyla replied, not trying to sound confrontational.

“You’re a fucking liar is what you are. We’ll have to ask you some more questions.” The man said but the spear man looked nearly as irritated now as Keyla was. Of course she had handled countless situations like this before but she had thought she was beyond that now.

Apparently not. She thought. With the imperial law she’d be questioned and let go after a couple hours, maybe two days at most. Not the worst but it was time she couldn’t use to work or hunt. With how filled the streets were with streetfood vendors already she’d be hard pressed to find a spot. People didn’t want to buy from a Breed, not if they knew one of them was cooking their food.

“Why would you want an explosive rune that can’t be thrown or set off from a distance?” A voice behind her asked, the two guards moving their attention to whoever was talking.

“Experience.” The reply came and Keyla’s world seemed to freeze.

Is that?

_________________________________________________________________________

“Trust me, sometimes you just have to explode to get out of a situation.” Ilea said to the hunter and enchanter next to her, the man frowning at the thought.

“I’d just use something like corrosion instead but if you can’t control it I guess an explosion is better. Very unsafe of course.” Philipp said and shook his head. “I guess I can make you something like that if you really want to. An explosion or fire mage would be better though if you know one that can enchant as well.”

“You think so? I actually know one.” Ilea said when they came up on the gate, some lizardman blocking the way as the two guards looked at them in awe. Hey wait a second. Ilea thought, looking at the lizardman through her Sphere.

“Are those horns? Hey do I know you?” Ilea asked, walking around the lizardman who seemed frozen in place.

“We wanted to take it in for questioning.” One of the guards said as Ilea crouched to look up the lizard’s hood.

“Ok help me out here, I’m bad at lizard faces.” She said and got a smack from the lizardman.

“We’re called Breed you damn idiot.” The Breed said. “And yes, I know you.”

“It’s you! Oh my god I’m glad you survived!” Ilea said and hugged Keyla, the woman’s claws digging into her leather armor. “Or is it? You don’t have to slice me.”

“Personal space…,” Keyla said as Ilea let go of her. “It’s me yes, Keyla, the cook. Can you help me find work please? Nobody wants to hire me.”

“What? Why? You’re level one sixty two and a bloody cook.” Ilea said, confusion evident on her face.

“She’s a Breed, people are racist.” Philipp said. “Nice to meet you.” He added.

“Same. And he’s right you know. The guard wanted to question me.” Keyla said, looking at the two of them.

“Really?” Ilea asked. “Why though? You’re like half dragon, that’s pretty cool isn’t it?” She asked which made Philipp laugh out loud.

“Wow. Damned woman.” He said and kept smiling.

“Ilea, it’s not good to look like to the cursed beings you just mentioned.” The woman said and sighed.

“She’s alright, move along.” Ilea said to the guards and focused on her again. “You said you needed work? Maybe I can help you.” She said and smiled. The guards looked a little lost but ultimately resumed their posts near the gate, not about to stop two shadows because of a Breed.

“That would be fabulous. Maybe I can start in Viscera again but few Shadows know me, only you actually and Eve. Is she around?” Keyla asked, Ilea’s smile quickly vanishing.

“She’s… no. Eve died. I’m sorry.” Ilea said in a subdued way.

“What? How… she…,” Keyla stammered out and looked at her as if it was a joke but Ilea shook her head slowly.

“Did she die in the demon summoning as well?” Keyla asked.

“No. She was murdered in Virilya.” Ilea replied.

“What?” Keyla asked loudly, fire erupting around her as she looked at Ilea with anger. “What are we doing here then?!” Ilea stood in the flames, ignoring the heat before she simply grabbed Keyla in a hug, waiting until the flames subsided.

“I’m sorry. It’s a bit more complicated than that sadly.” Ilea explained. “We can talk about it later. In a more private location.” She added, looking around to see if anybody was focused on them but the guards were the only ones close by, actively ignoring the conversation. Philipp was listening of course but as far as Ilea knew Eve wasn’t exactly well known. As long as she didn’t mention the Golden Lily it would likely not become a problem.

“What do you mean more complicated?” Keyla asked, not shouting anymore.

“More complicated as in we’d likely be minced meat by the end of the week. Come, maybe it’ll help you to blow off some steam.” Ilea said and grabbed the woman’s arm, dragging her through the gate and towards the arenas.

“I was going to train with someone anyway, you don’t have to babysit me Ilea.” Keyla said and pulled away her hand.

“Got a team? I didn’t think you’d be the fighting kind?” Ilea asked with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s a notice in the Guild… to train magic against a tank.” Keyla explained.

“Ah, I understand. I was going there myself. They’re capable enough.” She said with a serious expression. “We can talk after we’re done ok? Don’t shout it out, I don’t want you to get killed for no reason.”

“No reason?!” Keyla started, pointing a claw at her. “You call avenging her meaningless?” She added, her voice lowered again as she looked around at the people walking by, most of them certainly interested but more afraid to offend the Shadows walking next to the Breed.

“I will find them Keyla. And I will find out what happened before I think about what to do with them. Killing them however, won’t bring her back. She’s dead.” She said and continued walking, watching the woman’s mouth open and close behind her, her expression everything but understanding. Ilea had time to grieve and to process what had happened. She didn’t know how close they were but it seemed Eve was one of the few other people having known the cook.

They walked in silence, Philipp occasionally trying to start a conversation but failing with both Ilea and Keyla. They made their way down to the arena Ilea had rented, the people waiting already waved towards them. Ilea greeted them quickly and went inside.

“Where do we pay?” Keyla asked Philipp but he shrugged.

“I don’t think you’ll have to pay.” He said and walked in behind Ilea. She quickly jumped down into the sandy pit and clapped, getting the empty bucked from the side of the arena and placing it a little more to the center.

“Welcome back. For everybody new to this, it’s a silver per hour. I decide on teams to attack and might add or remove certain people as we go. You attack in waves and train with each other in between, or you simply recover your mana if you lack the Wisdom.” Ilea said and looked into their faces. Some new ones today. Perhaps there are one or two interesting classes among them.

Keyla looked at her and then towards Philipp, the man smiling at her. “She’s the tank?” She asked but shook her head. “Well that’s convenient then. Can I start?” The cook asked, fire forming above her hands as she approached.

“You may. Aim for my stomach.” Ilea said, the first fireball hitting her a couple seconds later, the cook smoothly throwing them her way before she summoned new ones immediately. The explosion surrounded Ilea with fire, singing her leather armor, the ninth one already if her count was still right. Looking at the angry woman’s reptile eyes she knew the armor at least wouldn’t survive this session.

________________________________________________________________________

Keyla packed as much mana as she could into her fireballs, the basic skill something she had continued to level during her teens when she was still adventuring. While working in Ravenhall she had little opportunity to get the skill higher but it was close to the level twenty in the second stage anyway. Perhaps now she had found that opportunity finally.

Her magic hit the coward of a woman before her, flames engulfing her in a maelstrom of heat and destruction, the fire gleaming in her reptile eyes as all her hate consumed the pretentious Shadow standing in front of her. The old witch was right, keeping a couple basic skills like fireball and flame and leveling them up to the highest degrees was more than just worth it. Their mana cost was laughable compared to more complicated magics and the effect was the same. She twirled and sent another fireball towards Ilea, her now free hand summoning the next one as she came around.

The flames cleared as she stood there, poised to continue her assault. I’m not going to kill her. But maybe burning her a little will teach her a lesson. The thought hadn’t processed completely when the flames cleared, the woman standing there as if nothing had happened at all. Her leather armor was burnt in places but she seemed completely unharmed. “What?”

“You may continue. Eight people below level one hundred may join. Jacque was it? You can join in as well. Philly, you too.” Ilea said, waving some of the bystanders in as her fire magic blazed in her hands, illuminating her face below the big hood.

She’s treating this as a joke? Keyla asked herself when a hand landed on her shoulder, making her turn to find the hooded shadow from before. Philipp?

“You can go all out. It helps for a while.” The man said with a smirk on his lips.

You understand nothing…, She thought but didn’t believe her own lie. At least she hadn’t spoken it and embarrassed herself any further. Maybe he’s right. Magic surged around her as spells of different schools and elements were sent towards the Shadow that suddenly didn’t seem just as cowardly as Keyla had painted her inside her head. Lances of ice shattered against her skin as if it was iron, fire and acid licked on her skin, its effects vanishing without a trace before the next attack came. Rocks the size of her own head struck Ilea on her legs, stomach and shoulders but she stood, barely buckling under the focused destruction.

The two people Ilea had called out by name joined in, their levels closer to Keyla’s. An ice lance formed next to her, making her look over just like many of the other mages, all distracted by the cold gathering before the massive lance cracked and groaned, shrinking to the size of a short sword before the woman whispered to herself. “…and pierce even the giants… spear of valir.” The chant ended and the weapon vanished before Keyla’s eyes, a dull impact making her head turn to see the thing stuck inside of Ilea’s belly before a deafening crack resounded, splinters of ice exploding in all directions, ripping through the Shadow.

Most of the ice going towards the group of mages was stopped by the woman but one of them buckled, clutching his leg as he breathed heavily, moaning in pain. Keyla kept her eyes on Ilea, her stomach bleeding from the attack but the wounds were closing before her eyes.

“Didn’t even take her down…,” The ice mage murmured with a smile on her face.

“Well done. That was the highest damage you’ve dealt so far.” Ilea said and vanished, appearing next to the injured man before she unceremoniously ripped out the splinter of ice, touching his leg right as he started hyperventilating. The small wound closed in the span of thirty seconds before Ilea walked back to her previous position. “Try not to injure your teammates.” She added. “There isn’t a healer around at all times.” She said seriously.

Chapter 221 Wood and Drakes

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, new chapter up

. Tomorrow's chapter will be available early on Patreon. I'll post a link below.

Let me know what you think and as always, thanks for reading!

Chapter 221 Wood and Drakes

Ilea watched the mages when she prepared herself for more attacks. Keyla hadn’t thrown a single attack after her initial two. Quite destructive fire magic and apparently highly leveled skills compared to the ice shard that had just hit her. It was of course an advanced spell the woman hadn’t used before in their sessions, one that might actually injure her as it grew in level.

Her Ice Resistance however was reaching the end of the first tier, currently sitting at eighteen. It would become more and more difficult to injure her with those skills. Keyla had an even worse prospect against her second tier Heat Resistance. Her skin could take the abuse easily combined with quick healing.

The woman’s anger seemed to have calmed down a little as well, her attitude changing to a more baffled one when the other mages had started their attacks. “You can continue.” She said, smiling a little towards the ice mage who had gotten such a wonderful skill. She hadn’t used chanting before which meant the skill required quite a bit of concentration to use, in turn meaning it was at a rather low level still. This training would be highly beneficial for the ice mage. And for me. Ilea thought.

Her resistances had grown rapidly in the past weeks but she found that in the second stage, she needed harder hitting foes than level one hundred to one fifty humans. Even her Lightning Resistance was only at level five in the second stage and she had trained with Trian for quite a long time and rather intensively. I used my defensive skills then too though. She thought but back then his lightning still did a lot of damage even with her Veil and other buffs.

The attacks started again but Ilea was lost in thought, only occasionally healing the minor injuries from the attacks, all of the first group lacking anything new that she didn’t have a resistance against. Maybe I should check on him again… this might help the man too. She thought. Dagon had been against letting the Alymies out of their hideout but perhaps a little training didn’t hurt. She doubted any remaining Birmingales or sympathetic factions would be influential enough to pay Shadows to do their dirty work.

I’ve been wrong before. Ilea thought, another spike of ice exploding in her stomach, damaging some of her organs before she quickly healed the damage. The attack still didn’t come close to what William had thrown at her in their casual drowning sessions but she wouldn’t tell that to the aspiring ice mage. Her future was hopefully less sadistic and cynical as William’s. Perhaps it should be. Ilea thought, smirking as she locked eyes with the mage, Philly’s expression turning a little uncertain, fearful even. As it should.

Checking through her skills, Ilea considered how long she would have to remain in Ravenhall.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 230

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 18

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 224

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2 rd lvl 4

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 17

- Poison Resistance – lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Water Resistance – lvl 16

- Wind Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ice Resistance – lvl 18

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Earth Magic Resistance – lvl 19

- Arcane Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Corrosion Resistance – lvl 18

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Mana Drain Resistance – lvl 18

- Health Drain Resistance – lvl 17

- Blast Resistance – lvl 17

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 3

- Veteran – lvl 3

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 266

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 550

Wisdom 425

Health: 5810/6000

Stamina: 3480/3500

Mana: 3620/4250

Considering how many resistances were about to hit the second tear it might be worth staying another week or two to get those done but the training was getting seriously boring. Plus except for Philipp and Viper, the attacks lacked in impact. Her training was slow if she wasn’t brought to near death or at least lost a couple of limbs with each attack. Meat sales suffer as well like this. She thought when the groups switched, some new faces in the next one.

“The new people please attack first and in turn.” She said, the change bringing her back to the present. Six of them. The first one was a fire mage, by far the most popular choice with adventurers it seemed. Ice was a close second even though it was rather difficult to learn she had read. Elise’s information was sobering when it came to the lacking magic diversity of her training partners. Recorded classes were insane in sheer numbers. There was magic for nearly everything one could think of but as it turned out many of those classes were deemed useless or not powerful enough to even be considered.

Ilea was pretty sure that they simply lacked initial impact compared to more conventional choices. Weather mages for example could only summon weak wind tornadoes at first but having watched some movies back on Earth, she knew the possibilities would be quite extensive. Having seen her own ashen magic develop and grow, Ilea was certain her assumptions were correct. At least the attacks would still be wind magic, which she had a resistance to.

Her thoughts stopped when the girl before her, barely older than fifteen lifted her hands, a small splinter of wood growing in the very air before her. Ilea’s smile widened as the splinter grew into a small spike before it was loosed towards her. It harmlessly bounced off of her skin, making her mood dampen a little but maybe she could still get a new skill out of this. People around the girl murmured about wood creation but most didn’t seem very impressed with her magic. In time, that would change, Ilea knew. She remembered the Birmingale noble and the power he wielded. Against Kyrian and Trian it wasn’t enough in the end but most people she had met would struggle against both of them together.

The girl looked a little distraught, her face getting red after someone had chuckled behind her. “You laugh one more time and I’ll kick your face in understand?” Ilea said and smiled at the girl. “You have a rare class it seems, you should be proud of yourself. Train as much as you want here, you don’t have to pay. Next.” Ilea said and was happy to see some confidence return to the girl. She was thinking about answering but ended up just nodding and taking a step back.

The next mage had a lightning class, a big bolt of it impacting Ilea without even the slightest result. His cocky smile was wiped away just as quickly. His class was definitely nice and his skill in magic rather high but it would take decades to reach Trian’s levels. Or a couple months alone against much higher leveled monsters. The fact that the man was here and not fighting something out in the wild made her think about decades more so than mere months.

The last newcomer was a young man in his early twenties. He looked at Ilea before something gray formed before him, a gray whirl materializing and quickly moving towards her. The whirl surrounded her, Ilea trying to figure out what exactly the magic was with her Sphere as she activated her body enhancement skills to see enhance her senses. Minuscule cuts formed on her skin, quickly healing as the whirl intensified. A minute later it subsided, the man breathing heavily with an extended arm towards her, looking at her with a blank stare.

“Was that ash?” Someone asked.

“Dark magic maybe?” Another mage commented.

“He wouldn’t show that off here would he?” Someone said, engaging in the conversation but Ilea knew it was neither of the two suggested.

“What was that?” She asked the man.

“You’ll see when you gain a resistance to it.” He replied. “Isn’t that why we’re all here?”

“Fair enough. You also don’t have to pay.” Ilea said. He didn’t react but stepped back to the group again as they continued speculating on his magic.

“You may attack freely, I’ll let you know when to stop.” Ilea said but knew already that none of them would get her that far. Philipp was in the next group and might be the first one to actually rip out a good chunk of her health. Although her resistances to his magic had grown immensely, making it a little more difficult for his skills to damage her. It was a good indicator to her, how far resistances alone could take her. His magic would rip through her in a similar fashion but the lessened damage meant her healing had an easier time to deal with it, the initial impact was reduced in the first place and with her Veil that increased the potency of her Resistances, it would pay out exponentially.

The session continued without any major surprises, Ilea growing more bored by the minute. Only Philipp’s destructive arrows bringing some joy and challenge into the whole ordeal from time to time but she didn’t know if she could endure another two or three weeks of this. You have to.

The sentiment was strengthened when she locked eyes with Keyla, the woman giving her best to burn her skin but in the end it only added to the destruction of her leather armor. Someone at the order had to wonder about the missing armors. The normal instructions and training sessions at the Hand would start up again soon, the city rebuilt mostly and the surrounding dungeons and wildlife culled down to their previous state again by the many Shadows that had remained in and around the city. Some of the refugees and traveling adventurers were close enough to two hundred, meaning some might join the ranks of the esteemed mercenary guild.

“That’s it for today.” Ilea said, motioning for the mages to stop as a last rock hit her head, the mage looking around in fear before his eyes met hers. “Careful there tough guy.” She said, the man looking down immediately. “Come again tomorrow if you want to continue the training. Have a good night.” She added and walked towards the group, some of them splitting off into groups while others left alone.

“Wood mage and you with the gray magic.” Ilea spoke out, the two young mages in the process of leaving turned towards her, some of the others looking at them with interest. “Stay for a couple minutes if you will. I have an offer that might interest you.” Ilea said, turning to Keyla whose arms hung a little defeated.

“Did that help any?” Ilea asked when she looked at her.

“I don’t know. You… you’re so strong. Why don’t you…,” Keyla started but stopped and looked at the leaving group of mages and the two remaining ones.

“You’ve seen what Philipp did to me.” Ilea said, the man smirking at that.

“Compared to the first time it’s gotten quite a lot less gruesome.” He said and smiled, biting into an apple he had procured out of nowhere. The man was sitting on the railing that separated the theoretical audience from the pit. Few had watched today’s session as Ilea asked them to pay the same price as joining in.

“I’ve fought a wind mage that broke my bones with his attacks. Inheritor of Storm I believe was his class. Someone I know can curse people and drain out their health while another can rip out your heart without you even seeing her. You knew her Keyla. Did you know what she could do?” Ilea asked, watching the woman consider.

“She was nigh invisible, her mind magic capable of freezing people in their tracks. And yet…,” Ilea said and didn’t continue.

Keyla nodded once after a while, looking to the ground, her claws digging into her own flesh until blood dripped to the sand below.

“We’ll talk about her. But first let me help you out.” Ilea suggested and put a hand on the cook’s shoulder. “If anybody gets your services it’s me after all.” She smiled before hugging her.

“We’ll visit a friend and get you a restaurant.” Ilea said, patting her back.

“A restaurant?” Keyla asked in disbelief.

“Exactly that. Maybe start selling things and get people hooked, build a name and then reveal that you’re a Breed. That would be funny, wouldn’t it.” Ilea said and grinned before letting go of her and turning to the two mages who were still waiting. The man looked like he was considering to leave. Still got him hooked though.

“You two, I’m gonna train with this guy here and I want you to join. Get your skills higher and maybe try to get you to actually damage me. Resistances against your magic would come in quite handy.” Ilea said. “Do you want to join?”

“Y… yes!” The wood mage said and smiled before looking down.

The man looked at her for a while. “I want to get paid.” He said which made her laugh out loud.

“You’re a god damned comedian aren’t you? How much do you think your services should cost?” Ilea asked, quite interested now.

“Ten silver per training session.” He stated immediately.

“And how do you come to that number?” Ilea asked. He had answered immediately so he must’ve thought about it for a while. He didn’t seem like someone to randomly blurt out a number. Not like her.

“That’s a secret.” The man said which made Philipp laugh from the side.

“Are you sure? He seems rather calculative? Knowing all your abilities might be bad for the future you.” Philipp said with a smile and looked at her sideways. “He probably realized you haven’t even checked the bucket over there, full of silver.”

“I mean yea, the price is only there to show it’s a real offer and not some desperate fuck looking for training partners.” Ilea said. The additional funds were of course nice but she could just ask Claire for money if she really needed it. The new mage raised his eyebrows and shook his head ever so slightly.

“You’ll get fifteen silver for each session but they’re six hours at least. Both of you of course.” Ilea said and smiled to the girl. The man looked even more irritated but still didn’t say anything.

“They won’t be allowed into Eregar’s Haven.” Philipp said.

“With us it’s fine. Plenty of workers down there as well.” Ilea said to which he nodded. “Can you take them already? I need to talk to a friend about Keyla here.”

“Of course. Come on then lads.” Philipp said, the two mages following him apprehensively, the girl looking back to Ilea with a smile.

“There’s plenty of restaurants yes.” Claire said after Ilea had asked about possible employment for Keyla.

“What about the one you worked at before?” Ilea asked.

“The Golden Drake. I doubt the elder who owns it would sell it.” Keyla shook her head. “I checked it out before and it looked abandoned anyway.”

“Wait, that name rings a bell.” Claire said and summoned a book, looking through it for a while. “Ah yes. It was owned by elder Wallace Urn. The man died in the demon summoning. There were some… peculiarities but…,” She went on before checking another book. “It went to the empire but I’ll see what I can do. Considering it’s still abandoned I should get a fair price for it. Would that be alright Ilea?” She asked.

“Depends on you Keyla? Any restaurant you’d get would be a success. Want the Golden Drake?”

“Are you insane? Just the property cost alone.” Keyla said but Claire waved her off.

“Even with a higher price than expected it wouldn’t be a problem. You were the cook before? It’s supposed to be one of the most highly esteemed places in Ravenhall. The South of the empire even if this book is to be believed.” Claire explained.

“Yea she’s a fucking amazing cook. Get it and make her the boss. Or do you want a manager and stuff? I’d be fine with you getting the staff you need and managing the place.” Ilea said, Keyla’s mouth opening and closing as her brain overheated.

“I’ll get it done. Give me a couple days. I’ll give you a list of different restaurants for potential staff or you may go out there and find them yourself. Plenty of street food vendors around but I think there’s already enough wealthy folk around to support a couple higher class establishments. To have a name already and the same cook would be beneficial. Can you stay here, we’ll draft up the details.” Claire said and Ilea got up.

“Great that’s settled then. Make sure she’s paid well.” Ilea said and turned to Keyla, “Let her know if you don’t want the Golden Drake. I’ll visit as soon as it’s running. You’ll cook only for me the first two weeks. I need to stock up on your food.” Ilea said and checked her necklace, finding only three meals remaining that were originally prepared by the cook.

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the next chapter on Patreon: Chapter 222

Chapter 222 Wrong Time, Wrong City

A note from Rhaegar

Helo. Last one for the week

. Let me know what you think and have a good day.

Chapter 222 Wrong Time, Wrong City

Ilea nodded to Claire and left before the cook could change her mind. She would work at one of her restaurants, the Golden Drake or something else. The shock on her face told Ilea enough, the only interpretation not in her favor was that she somehow had a traumatic connection to that place but the way she had met her when she was working there gave that theory very little credibility.

Now to get some wood and gray whatever resistance. Ilea thought. She had some theories to the man’s magic but wasn’t sure yet. Making her way towards Viscera, she suddenly smelled a faint but familiar scent. A small detour perhaps.

_____________________________________________________________________

Freddie kept his magic active, delivering pain directly into the brains of the guards still standing. He looked around the barracks and frowned. The walls, beds and even ceilings were covered in blood. Bodies littered the ground, some of the imperials still breathing but he had them frozen in place. He heard the berserker rip through limbs, laughing to himself as he gave his mind to the class. Tugging on him with his mind magic, Freddie led the man back to the main sleeping hall.

“Come on berserker, take these one out and cut off their heads.” He said, knowing that the man didn’t hear anything he said. It helped him manifest the intent in his mind when he spoke it out loud. Disgusting. He thought, looking at the bald and shirtless man clutching his butcher knifes in both hands. Drool and blood dripped from his mouth as the wounds he had sustained in the fight healed before Freddie’s eyes.

Fifteen imperial guards. The thought made him excited. It was mostly the money Baralia would pay but the levels he had just gotten through this were the cherry on top. Ravenhall had stacked up security but to think they’d let him join the guard so easily. Putting a little bit of herbal help into the food without actually poisoning them got them all to bed at a reasonable time. A little bit of mind magic and a wild beast were all that was needed to get the biggest haul to date.

They expect to be safe here just because it’s far from the capital. The thought made him smile a little. Most of the people had been below level one hundred, refugees or soldiers that decided to become guards.

He looked away when Takino raised his butcher knife to the terrified guard who could see but was unable to move.

“I’d think about that move again lad.” A voice made him turn and open his eyes wide. A woman had appeared in the room, standing a couple meters away from the berserker. His mind magic extended immediately. Freeze… He thought as he looked into the woman’s blue eyes. The room was dark and so was her leather armor. It looked rugged, burnt and barely holding together but something about her made the hair on his back stand up.

She cocked her head and smiled at him, her blue eyes looking into his when the headache started, the sudden pain making him stagger backwards and stumbling into the wall. Something clattered behind him but he tried to keep his eyes focused on the intruder.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

Shadow… He thought and sent a pulse towards Takino, his heart pounding in his chest as he again focused on his mind magic, condensing mana when the berserker took quick steps towards her and slashed at her head with his right knife. Freddie stabilized himself and got up, smiling when he saw Takino’s arm stuck near her head. His smile faded when the woman moved her arm a little to the side, her hand firmly gripping the berserker’s wrist and pushing it aside while the cracking of his bones resounded in the dark room.

The man didn’t make a noise and used his other knife to attack. Freddie released his magic in that moment, sending an uncoordinated pulse to the woman’s head before he reeled back in pain, a blinding shock made his vision blur. He heard a cut and looked up again to find his mate had managed to cut into her unprotected side, blood dripping down from the wound. She let go of his hand and watched with fascination as his wrist recovered, gripping the blade again and slashing at her right after.

Freddie winced at the pain in his head, unsheathing the daggers from his belt as he watched his partner rip through the woman’s stomach and entrails, digging deeper with every wild slash. Not a shadow then. He thought with relief. Or a very incompetent one at that. Focusing on his own mind, he concentrated on the pain, grabbing a small health potion from one of the pouches on his belt with a shaking hand before removing the cork with his mouth. He downed the potion and breathed out with blades in hand and eyes focused on the room and anybody that moved.

“I see.” He heard and looked at the berserker, something gray slowly enveloping the wild man who continued to cleave his blades into the newcomer. He ordered the man to return to his side but Takino’s movements suddenly stopped. A sudden dull noise suddenly came from the man before a second and then a third noise could be heard. With the third hit, Freddie could see the heavy man lift off from the ground but the gray mist around him kept him close to the woman. A sickening noise he had heard many a time before made him take a step back, the butcher knifes ripping out of her flesh before they were punched through the berserker’s neck, Freddie only seeing this through through the nearly black mist that got more and more dense.

Blood spurted out and painted the ground red behind the berserker before he was enveloped completely. Run. The thought was more an instinct as he turned around and nearly stumbled, his teleportation magic taking him out of the building and out onto the streets of Ravenhall. It was night but the many new streetlights and lanterns kept the city in a perpetual state of warm illumination. Stepping on the cobble stone, he ran as fast as he could, any buff to mask his presence activating as he teleported again and again, as quickly as the skill allowed it.

Hearing noises around the corner, he stopped and melded with the wall and the shadows as well as he could. “Quiet night.” He heard a man say before the patrolling guards rounded the corner, not taking notice of him it seemed, the second guard grunting in affirmation to the first one’s statement. Again he teleported, this time down into the sewers before he started running again, looking behind himself whenever he could.

Around ten minutes later, he slowed down and focused on being silent, making his way through the sewers as he slowed his heart beat until he came up on an entrance to the underground of the city. It would be busy with trade, refugees and whores to be sure but here he could slip into the crowd. Something about that woman had made his instincts go haywire but he had calmed down a little during his flight.

Fuck… fucking fuck. He scolded himself for losing all those corpses. Maybe she was looking to get guards as well. The money and status Baralia offered was nothing he had ever heard of before. One could become a bloody noble in a conquered city if enough people had been killed. A woman lightly dressed nodded towards him and revealed her chest to entice him. Freddie looked her way but continued walking, as naturally as possible through the barely lit tunnels of the underground.

He had been here before and even with what the hell he heard happened with this city, it was still the same. New faces but that only meant he’d be even less likely to be recognized. Going down some stairs after checking behind him, he reached a long corridor that led to the central trading hub of the underground. At least it had been exactly that when he had been in Ravenhall last.

Something in his mind cried out when he was close to the door and made him turn around. Blue eyes stared back at him. Blood dripped down from the woman’s hands and her uncovered stomach. The gray mist around her separated into eight distinct limbs before she appeared right in front of him. Ash He thought as he was enveloped, feeling the familiar texture as he tried and failed to activate his teleportation skill. A hand gripped his throat and pressed it together as he struggled against the monster standing before him, his daggers stabbing at her face and chest with all the strength he could muster. His mind magic lashed out but the blue eyes stayed unwavering, focused and determined while his vision blurred more and more before it went dark.

_____________________________________________________________________

Ilea strengthened her grip, pressing down on his wind pipe before she felt his body going limp. Holding him for another minute, she heard the ding in her mind, letting the man drop to the ground. Crouching down, she checked his pouches and any pockets he had but didn’t find anything useful. The wounds on her face and chest were healing rapidly, his last struggles uncoordinated and fruitless.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mindcracker – lvl 158 / Stalker of Iri – lvl 149]’

None of her skills or classes leveled, as expected from an enemy that weak. What a bloody massacre. She thought and took the body into her necklace, blinking upwards twice, her wings spreading when she stood back on the streets of Ravenhall, a street lamp bathing her ash in a dull but warm light. Blood still dripped from her hands and belly.

Seeing how the berseker had only been at level one thirty, she wanted to check if he had any magic that could benefit her as a resistance. It turned out that he was a blood mage, something she had faced a couple times before already. Flying back to the place she had smelled the blood from, she entered the building, summoning the corpse in the process before she unceremoniously dropped him next to the bald berseker. The man had seemed completely lost in his blood lust. It had reminded her of Roland but luckily this was a different man.

“That’s the mind mage.” She said to the guards that were sitting or standing around the dead. One of them was crying, held by another guard that patted their back.

“They cut off the heads of the dead.” A man with a gruff looking beard and a scar on his cheek said before standing up and kicking the new body she had brought. “Cowards.” He spat.

“Probably trying to get in on the Baralia war bounty. I doubt they’d slaughter a whole group of guards otherwise.” Ilea said. “I didn’t find anything on him though.”

“We found the notice on the beefy one. That’s evidence enough. Fuck.” The man said again. “Did you see anybody else?”

“He was killing people and the mind mage froze them in place. I don’t smell anybody else, other than the dead and those that are still here.” Ilea said, checking the room again with her Hunter’s Sight, the skill that had allowed her to follow and find the mind mage. His smell of ale and more importantly blood was unmistakable.

“Thank you Shadow. Can you stay until an officer arrives?” The man asked. She locked eyes with him and blinked her eyes.

“No. You’re lucky I was around. Everyone’s healed. Ask for Lilith if you need anything. And get them the hell out of this room.” She said, motioning to the two young guys sitting on the bloodied bed. The man nodded when she blinked out, continuing on her way to Viscera, this time through the air and with a higher speed. Unpleasant delay. She thought, again annoyed that she was still in a shit city. Fucking humans.

Entering the Haven, she looked out at the sun shining in the distance. A deep breath filled her lungs before she sighed at the lands before her. It was all artificial though, or at least that was the story behind it. Even if it was, it certainly was enough to tug on her. Why would they do something that stupid in the city of the Hand? She questioned the planning of the two murderers, their abilities and power enough to wipe out whole city guards in smaller towns but they had chosen Ravenhall.

Seeing how this happened even here, it must’ve been worse in smaller cities with fewer guards, fewer high level people that aren’t out for money and power. It’s gonna be a bloody massacre. She thought, shaking her head. The empire wouldn’t come out of this war the same as when it had entered it. The ground came closer and she quickly spotted both Viper and Philipp waiting with the two young mages near the elevator platform.

“Took your sweet time lassie.” Philipp said when he saw her, a smile on his face. He had certainly become more of a joker in the past weeks.

“Why the newcomers? You’re aware that they’d die with a single hit in our training?” Viper asked, looking at her with a serious expression. The boy stared at him while the girl looked to the ground.

“They have rare magic. Perhaps the Hand will profit from it if we take them in early, show them the ropes before they go out and level quickly through their special powers. Might save their lives and we have another two capable fighters.” Ilea explained.

“You mean more competition for the others.” Viper said and sighed.

“With the war, the elves, demons and whatever the fuck this continent will spew up next I think we can use a little more competition. Don’t you think Viper?” Ilea suggested to which he didn’t reply.

“Philipp feels ready to do jobs again.” Viper said, looking at the man. The hunter smiled a little awkwardly and looked at her, shrugging a little.

“So you’re leaving. Well I’ve learned a lot, you’ve certainly done your job. Tonight the last one?”

Viper nodded.

Wish I could leave too. Ilea thought. At least some more second tier resistances. Then I’m out.

“Got new members for your team already?” She asked.

“Yes. Team of three, we know each other from back in the day. They… lost people too.” Viper explained and she nodded.

“You can join too if you want to. I’d be good to have your power.” Philipp said, the other mage staring at him and shaking his head. “Hey, you’re not the one to decide alone anymore.”

Ilea smiled at Philipp and shook her head. “Don’t worry Viper, I don’t intent to join. Thanks for the offer of course, it… means a lot to me.” She said, not going into further reasons.

“Then I guess we only have a couple hours to teach them. What do you suggest light mage?” Ilea asked.

They moved out a little further, Ilea carrying the two mages with protests from the man. They landed near an open field, Ilea remembering coming here to train with her team from time to time. Viper landed a little further off, motioning Philipp towards him. “We start with a bout. It’ll be good for them to see what can be possible. Philipp, go and protect them.” Viper said, the hunter nodding and walking over to a small hill a little off the field.

A stray magic blast could end their lives in an instant but Ilea trusted both of them to be coordinated enough not to let something like that happen. Still, even an experienced chemist wore safety goggles. She looked at the girl first and smiled. “I’m Ilea. What’s your name?”

“Raphia… Miss Ilea.” She replied and bowed deeply, her brown braided hair nearly falling over her head at the gesture. Ilea saw her burned back from the angle, the girl being a little smaller than herself.

“Nice to meet you Raphia.” Ilea said and watched the girl straighten herself, looking into her eyes and then to the ground again. She had dark skin and blue eyes, a beautiful combination Ilea thought. She would look striking with a couple more years and something more flattering than the cheap brown shirt and pants.

“Are you willing to share your name at least?” She asked the thin man dressed in clothes just as cheap as the girl’s.

“Cornelius.” He replied and bowed slightly as well, surprising her. His previous attitude had reminded her more of a rebellious teenager. Now that she looked a little more closely, she guessed his age a little lower than previously.

Might not be in his twenties yet.

“Good. Now I just brought you here to gain the resistances to your respective magic. You know that Cornelius and you know that now too Raphia. Still, you’re working with a Shadow now and as far as I know there’s plenty of opportunities the Hand can provide to train you. If you’re helpful to me, I might do the same for you. At the very least you’ll get your fifteen silvers.”

“Now I want you to watch and realize that there are people out there who can do this and more.” She said and motioned to Philipp. The two nodded and walked over to the hunter with a brisk pace.

“Stand a little behind me. I’ll shield you should anything come this way.” The man said with a serious expression, both Raphia and Cornelius taking a couple steps back.

“So this is the last one?” Ilea asked as she focused on Viper.

“Perhaps but as fate has it we’ll probably meet again sooner or later. Hopefully not as enemies.” The man replied, magic surging around him, the wild plants growing on the field catching on fire and withering away.

“I hope so too.” Ilea said For your sake.

“Good, then let’s see if what I tried to teach you has born any fruit.” He said, an arrow entering her Sphere, cutting through the air with a hiss.

Chapter 223 Pointers

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, early post today. Hope you like it

. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 223 Pointers

Cornelius held his breath, prepared to use his magic whenever necessary. Had he made it? To think an actual Shadow would take interest in him. Keep your guard up. The thought never left his mind. Not when the woman had first talked to him during the supposed magic training session and not for a moment after. He had checked out the arena after people in the adventurer guild had talked about it, a real Shadow, not some kind of misleading job offer as so many others seemed to be.

It turned out there were two more and they would actually train together in Eregar’s Haven, the legendary underground base of the Shadow’s Hand. He was still suspicious of course, ready to flee at any moment. The woman had offered to train with them, something one at his level could only dream of. If it’s too good to be true… The words echoed in his mind but he had learned that sometimes taking stupid risks would pay off. The wood mage girl next to him didn’t seem to be concerned by any of his worries, a stupid smile on her face as she watched the two Shadows prepare on the field.

She was there to train resistances and that was true. Why wouldn’t she want us here? Why would she kill us? Questions flowed through his mind as he considered possibilities. None of her reactions had been predictable. He had tried to gauge her with asking for money, something no Shadow would agree to but Ilea had, if that was really her name. A powerful surge of magic made him focus, head radiating from the robed mage even as far as they were standing. The plants around him were set aflame but Cornelius couldn’t make out a skill being used. Is it burning from his mana alone?

“Now don’t make a noise.” The Shadow standing before them said, a bow suddenly appearing in his hand, an arrow in the other. Both looked more expensive than all the wealth Cornelius or his parents had ever possessed. The man drew his bow and aimed at the Shadow who was supposed to face the mage before her. He looked over to Raphia who looked to be in conflict with herself, switching her gaze from the hunter to the warrior.

“You saw her before, she will survive.” Cornelius said, mostly to stop her from doing anything stupid. She could ruin their chances, whatever that meant. Perhaps the Shadows wanted to kill Ilea, perhaps it was a test of some sort. He didn’t know. Her behavior compared to the two made him think she was an apprentice, someone inexperienced compared to the mage or the hunter but these were Shadows he was talking about. Anything was possible. At least he knew she could take quite a bit of magical damage before being damaged but in an actual fight, how much would that mean?

The arrow was loosed, the projectile flying with a speed he could hardly process, enhanced by either the bow or its user no doubt. It should be louder. He thought and watched as the arrow hit. Ilea hadn’t moved, at least that was what he thought at first. The woman’s hand was lifted, holding the arrow in it as gray mist formed around her. Is that? Cornelius thought but the consistency looked different. Ash? So she’s a creator as well. He smiled, perhaps she could teach him something after all. If she survived.

Ilea didn’t look their way and he watched as the arrow exploded, the force of the blast pushing them back a little but the hunter didn’t seemed to be bothered by it at all. He caught himself and walked up the incline again to see the fighters, Ilea’s ash lowering to reveal a completely uninjured face. Her arm didn’t look any worse either from the distance. And then she vanished. Cornelius looked around to find the mage also missing, a sudden beam of light appearing in the air above before Ilea and her ash was flung to the ground, crashing into it with a loud boom. He watched as she skidded to a halt and vanished again. I can barely see them. He thought, his nails digging into his palms as he activated his magic. The hunter looked his way and nodded.

It was a little easier to follow them now but mostly because the light mage didn’t move at all, instead remaining in the air, occasionally shooting blasts of fire and light at the appearing warrior. Half of the field was on fire already, his eyes growing teary and his throat itching from the smoke. A blast fired into the air but Ilea didn’t follow, the mage vanishing and ash following behind as the blasts became more frantic, quicker between pauses until he somehow couldn’t vanish anymore. Tendrils of ash was all that Cornelius could make out in the tumble that hit the ground with immense speed.

“And it’s over. He did better this time.” The hunter before them said, Cornelius raising his eyebrows.

“What do you mean? She was blasted ten times.” He said and squinted his eyes, trying to make out the area where the two had impacted. The man could’ve easily been the one coming out on top from that encounter.

“I’m afraid it needs a little more to take her down. Hard enough to hit her at all.” The hunter said and made his way to the fighters, unconcerned about the possible danger. “Is he conscious?!”

Cornelius looked at the fire but couldn’t stop himself, following the hunter. Raphia looked at him and walked down as well, sweat on her face when he quickly glanced her way.

“Give it another minute.” He heard Ilea’s voice come out of the fires.

“Damn flames. You guys can’t control fire?” The hunter asked, Cornelius trusting his intuition as he concentrated on his magic. Dust began to form in his hands before it spread out, more and more added to it as his mana dwindled. He made it lay on top of the flames, smothering them out to form a path towards the voice they had heard before.

“Nice one.” The hunter commented but he barely heard it, sweat on his brow as he painfully stopped his spell before his last ounce of mana would be used up. Falling unconscious in front of the Shadows would be the opposite of what he intended.

“Are you ok?” Raphia asked from his side, touching his arm. He slapped her hand aside and continued walking, the girl staring at him with fear in her eyes.

“There you go. Could you put out the flames?” Ilea said, straightening herself over the mage who coughed up what looked like ash.

“You… why… always in my mouth?” He asked, spitting on the ground before he lifted his hand, the fires subsiding immediately, their life taken as if he was the god of flame. Cornelius looked at him with big eyes and then realized that the woman had taken him down. He saw the grin on her face when the mage stood up, ash dancing around her body before it slowly dissolved. He could feel goose bumps on his body as he gulped hard.

“A dust mage?” Viper asked as he continued coughing. Ilea loved pushing some ash into his throat, just as he loved burning through her skin and organs with his magic. Even with her second stage in heat resistance, he could damage her. With her Veil and ash around her it would take a couple direct and prolonged hits though, nothing he could consistently manage during a bout.

She had underestimated him at first, thinking that he’d be just another mage with a strong attack but his movements and speed were on par with Trian if not better. He would use his magic to burn through any connections she established to his body with her ash or hands, staying focused even after several hard hits. He definitely had more Vitality than most mages she had fought before plus some impressive defensive skills. A reasonable approach. She thought but most people didn’t seem to agree with her, instead rather investing everything into destructive power to quickly whittle down anybody’s defenses and health.

The problem occurred only when the enemy stood up again. “I liked you more when you weren’t that ruthless.” Viper said as he stood up.

“Yea I mean it was fun to have my head turned to ash before our bouts even started.” Ilea commented with a smile.

“That was one time, don’t hold that against me. You said I should go all out.” Viper hissed.

“It’s so easy to irritate you. Maybe I should join that team.” Ilea joked, sent tumbling by the sudden white flame that impacted her head. Her Veil hadn’t been up, both eyes and most of her skin melted in an instant before she caught herself, her hand digging into the ground and bringing her to a stop as her healing started, ash forming around her and her defenses activating.

“Outstanding move.” Philipp said and held up two thumbs when a flying ball of ash and fury impacted the injured mage, the two of them rushing over the field before she pushed him down into the dirt, her fist landing on his head, a shield of light flaring up before her ashen limbs dug into it, sending Wave of Ember into it, her left hand adding reversed healing while her right one kept punching. Three hits and it was broken, his white flame just now passing through her Veil before she grabbed his hand, crushed it to break several bones and pushing it away, the spell burning into the ground.

Another punch to his head and his nose was broken, another one and his right eye was squashed. He held up his broken hand as fire enveloped her, burning into her ash and health. Again, she took his arm and this time bent it to the side, breaking it as he winced and screamed, his other arm held by her left one. Ilea held up her fist, the man just looking at her with broken teeth and a crooked smile before she kneed him right in the junk. Again he howled in pain. She wanted to say something but remembered her face hadn’t been healed, her throat burnt and her mouth partially missing.

Breathing heavily, she rolled to the side, her face rebuilding slowly while the man cried in pain, holding his crotch with his one good arm. Ilea’s eyes opened, good as new before she touched him, checking on his health to find him not closer to death than she had gotten him before. Tough fucker.

“Was that really worth it?” She asked, spitting out some blood that had remained in her mouth.

“Always…,” The man groaned before she started healing him.

“Do you have a healer in the new team?”

“We do, second class but he’s good enough. About your quality I suppose.” He replied, wincing as he moved his destroyed arm. She took care of his internal bleedings and his broken face first before she healed his arm.

“Your defenses are pretty good though, for a mage.”

“The only reason you win is because you’re the only one I’ve met able to take my attacks for longer than a couple seconds.” Viper replied, his face back to his usual grumpy look.

“Don’t flatter yourself, I’m obviously just better.” Ilea joked, standing up and helping him in turn.

“You are.” He said in a serious tone, making her look at him but the man didn’t say anything else, Philipp and the others joining them while the hunter clapped.

“Nearly died because he just couldn’t accept defeat.” The man said and stopped clapping. “At least you managed to traumatize these two, good job.”

Ilea watched the young mages but if anything she found admiration in their eyes. Envy perhaps but if anything she felt like this was a good thing for them to see. “He said dust mage before, is that true Cornelius?”

The man nodded with a smile, at least he didn’t look as cocky as he had before. “Alright then, both of you attack me with everything you have.” Ilea said and appeared a little closer to the center of the field. Big parts of it were still charred, smoke in the air and the smell of burnt flesh and hair interwoven. Raphia gagged a little but was the first to face her, wood forming before her. Cornelius looked at her and then stepped to her side, his hands held together, dust appearing between them.

“You are both element creators.” Viper said, having put up his nigh indestructible hood again. “That means you have an advantage against other mages. You can fuel your spells from your mana alone, no need for the air and nature around you.” He winked at Ilea and continued the lesson.

“While many classes evolve to allow creation, wood and dust are not normally found, meaning you have the privilege to grow through your powers quickly. Now attack her.”

Wood and dust shot her way but Ilea simply moved to the side quickly, her boots digging deep into the earth as she dashed to the side, coming to a stop as their magic hit nothing.

“You know her defensive capabilities. Neither of your attacks would’ve done any damage and yet she moved away. Why?” Viper asked.

“Because she does whatever she feels like?” Philipp interrupted and smiled.

“She is standing closer to us now. And if we didn’t know her, we might think her defenses are low, allowing her to surprise us with a frontal attack later in the fight.” Cornelius said, Viper looking at him with raised eyebrows.

“Good. Yes. Although in her case I agree more with Philipp. Still, Ilea knows to trust her skills and instincts, her movements quicker than her brain could likely process… although I have a feeling she has skills that increase that.” He said and looked at her. “You both are mages, your attacks currently focused in the ranged variety. Just like mine.”

“You’ll have to learn to fight in close quarters, to keep your concentration and spells up even when an enemy is slashing their sword through your flesh. Keep a healer nearby or even better, learn skills that heal yourself if your class allows it. Even little recovery can decide between living and dying so chose wisely between offensive and defensive power.” Viper explained.

Ilea appeared behind the two mages standing entirely too close together and grabbed their arms before she flung them forward, the kids hitting the ground and tumbling. “Keep vigilant, don’t get distracted when you are in a fight.” Viper said while the two got up slowly, defiance in their eyes. “Found some promising ones didn’t you?” He whispered towards her.

That’s what war does to children. Ilea thought.

“Good. Keep a lookout at your health and signal your healer if you’re injured or crippled. Raphia, you have a sprained ankle. Try to endure the pain and don’t shot it to the enemy, especially not smart enemies. They will favor your weak side and use it against you.” Ilea jogged towards the girl’s left, moving in when she tried to face her but moaned out in pain when she put weight on her foot.

Standing before her, the girl looked up at her with tears in her eyes but Ilea just grabbed her and healed the foot. “You’re a healer…,” Raphia exclaimed, Cornelius snorting behind her.

“What do you think she did to the mage, kiss him?” He said and the girl looked away.

“Don’t let him frighten you.” Ilea whispered to her when she got close and jumped away again.

“You have rare classes, the both of you. Still, either at level one hundred, one fifty or two hundred you will likely get the chance to evolve them. Until then you should level your skills as high as possible. Train and fight, try to find a healer to incorporate into your team or get the necessary skills yourself. I didn’t have the foresight when I rushed through the levels and still I regret not having gotten everything to the second stage at least before getting my current classes.” Viper explained. Ilea doubted his apparent lack of foresight but didn’t comment on it.

“That’s what I’ll offer you. Perhaps Ilea will teach you some more.” Viper said and nodded to Ilea.

“Thanks.” Ilea simply said and looked to the two.

“Thank you!” Raphia shouted and Cornelius bowed to him.

“I’ll be in the arena again tomorrow. Make sure to say bye.” Ilea said and waved to the two Shadows who were about to leave.

“Of course.” Philipp said and smiled at her, bowing lightly as he said it. Viper nodded before they made their way out of the Haven.

The three looked after the mages before Ilea clapped. “Alright. Now you’ll have a little more time to try out your skills and to level them on me. Just go nuts. Both of you have meditation already?” She asked, Raphia nodding but Cornelius looking around a little confused.

“Really?” Ilea asked. That was unexpected. “Raphia can show you how to do it, I’m sure you’ll figure it out in no time.”

Now it was his turn to look a little flustered. They soon started to attack her, Ilea deactivating her spells and looking towards the elevator in the distance. A smile came to her lips before she focused on the two mages again, their attacks already impacting her uncovered belly. “Move while you attack, at your level you might be able to get some stat points for free.”

Chapter 224 The Daily Grind

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, thanks for reading.

Chapter 224 The Daily Grind

Ilea started her daily resistance training class in the arena a couple hours earlier that day. William taught her what was necessary to survive underwater meaning she had around half a day to herself now. She would still occasionally test possible new members but those were few and far in between. Only four had joined the Hand after she had tested Gan and Bataar. Wonder if they are dead already.

The arena was closed off, the clerk sleeping on his desk when she arrived. She quickly checked the wooden table and the boxes below, finding the key inside one of them. The lock on the chain clicked and was removed, opening the double door to the underground arena she had rented for the third consecutive week.

Maybe I’ll get stuck here and become a training instructor. She mused, not hating the idea as much as she would’ve thought. New people seeking adventure would come in and from time to time they might return, showing off their new gear or skills to the instructor that initially believed in them. Dale is more shocked whenever he sees me. Ilea snorted, summoning the battered metal bucked from her necklace.

She had earned around 1830 silver coins in the past weeks, 18 gold and 30 silvers. Exchanging them in the adventurer guild had cost three silvers which brought her new total to 50 gold, 71 silver and 62 copper coins. And half the bloody city if I know Claire at all.

“How the fuck can’t shadows pay off their debt of a hundred gold in a couple months?” She asked herself and shook her head. The empty bucket fell onto the sandy ground next to her. She had informed the guild to change the time on her notice. Seeing how popular the job was, they offered to keep it on the notice board for free.

The first people started coming already and it was barely one in the afternoon. She had decided to sleep a couple hours longer in the morning, enjoying her bed at home. Might want to bring that one. She thought as she waved to the group of adventurers. A new team formed in Ravenhall, levels around a hundred but they wanted to work on their skills and teamwork before going out.

“Welcome back. Did you decide on a name yet?” Ilea asked and walked away from the bucket. Sadly it didn’t have a recovery skill like herself.

“Not yet. Is that really necessary Shadow?” One of them asked.

“No idea. I think when you’re out there you’ll have more pressing matters than your group’s name.” She replied with a smile.

“Miss Ilea. We erm… we thought as long as it’s just us, maybe we could do a real bout against you. We’d be willing to pay more of course.” The apparent leader of the team asked. Their group had come nearly every day in the past week, paying huge amounts of silver just to train with her. Their gear was already good and their knowledge and experience even better.

“Sure, but only for a short while. I’m here to train resistances and if you can’t hit me it kind of defeats the purpose.” Ilea said as ash started forming around her. “You don’t have to pay more either.”

“Move out!” The warrior said and Ilea smiled as his team immediately moved into a crude formation, mages in the back, healer in the middle and the warriors up front, standing in a way that allowed the mages to send their projectiles her way.

“Good formation.” Ilea said and blinked to the healer, grabbing the woman by the neck and lifting her up. “If you move I’ll kill her.”

The team froze up and spun around to face her, unsure how to proceed. The mages had their spells at the ready but hadn’t fired them immediately. “Too bad. She’s already dead.” Ilea said, letting go of the woman who started coughing immediately. Blinking to one of the mages, she kicked at their leg, dodging the fire that she blasted towards her face.

The bone cracked and pierced the mage’s skin, the woman screaming before she fell down. “Aim at the center of mass, it’s your best bet to deal some damage at least.” Ilea said and rushed at the other mage, dashing left and right to avoid the lightning bolts rushing past her before a warrior intercepted her, his offhand shield smashing into her.

“Good job.” She said, holding onto the shield while they skidded to a halt. Turning the shield, she twisted until he was on the ground. Putting a foot behind his back, she was about to break the arm when a lightning bolt made her dodge again. “You should be able to let go of your weapons should the need arise. Find a good balance, you don’t want to lose them without good reason.”

Rushing at the mage again, she found he had relocated and stood near the remaining warrior now, the two protecting the healer who was taking care of the crying and injured mage. Ilea nodded at that and stopped. “What went wrong?”

She didn’t intervene in the healing, instead letting them do their own thing. “We didn’t immediately flee.” The warrior behind her said, his arm injured by her twist as he unslung his shield, the heavy iron piece falling to the ground with a clatter.

“Perhaps. You’ve seen how quick I am, that I can teleport around. I would’ve picked you off one by one.” Ilea said. “Grouping up again might be the best option, like you did in the end. The formation was good against anybody with less mobility and I assume you’ll be fighting monsters?” The warrior before her nodded, his sword still held high with the one good arm.

“They’re easier predictable but not always. Inform yourself well as soon as you’ve made contact with whatever beast occupies the dungeon or land you work in. If it’s an unknown, learn as you go.” Ilea explained, the mage’s bone cracking back into place as she winced. “Use whatever time the enemy gives you to the fullest… but you’re already doing that.” The warrior had circled her to join the group while the lightning mage was preparing a more complicated spell she had seen him use in their training before.

“Props to the healer for not panicking. You’ve all at least seen some action.” Ilea said. “Would you like me to continue?”

Viper and Philipp later showed up as promised, clad in their usual black gear but wearing packs on their backs additionally. “No storage rings for you?” Ilea joked, spells raining down on her as she gestured the mage group to stop.

“Perhaps we’ll find some on the journey.” Philipp replied and hugged her.

“Where to?” She hugged the man back.

“West. The destroyed independent cities have become breeding grounds for beasts, cull the herd a little and investigate.” Viper supplied.

“And loot whatever isn’t looted yet?” Ilea asked, the man snorting at that.

“It’s no man’s land now.” He simply stated.

“Well then I wish you good fortune. Hopefully no elves.”

“I hope for the opposite.” Viper said and grinned.

“You’re still bound to go north?” Philipp asked as he let go of her, a nod his reply. “Well then it’s not us who need the wishes.” He smiled. “Let’s meet up again here and have dinner, all of us.”

Ilea was surprised no dragon suddenly razed the city to the ground at that statement. “Don’t deathflag me Philipp, it’s not a nice thing to do.”

“What does deathflaggin mean?” The man asked to which Ilea quickly explained.

“Ah, I understand. Then let’s not meet up. I hope we both die.” He said, smiling.

You don’t understand Philipp. Ilea thought and shook her head laughing.

“Seriously though, good luck.” The man said and punched her chest.

“Good luck Ilea. Let us know if you need support at some point.” Viper added.

“To you as well.” She said, thinking about the lack of any cool one liners related to the Shadow’s Hand. Maybe we don’t need that.

She watched them leave with a smile before turning to her trainees again and gestured for them to continue.

“Philly, come quickly.” Ilea said after the training ended, her two trainees waiting a little to the side.

“You two can continue your training together, I’ll be right there.” Ilea said when the ice mage came up to her.

“What can I do for you Shadow?” Philly asked.

[Mage – lvl 140]

“I might be able to get you an ice mage instructor of the hand. Interested?” Ilea asked, watching her face light up at the question.

“Definitely, what would I have to do for that? My goal is to eventually join the Hand anyway.” She replied immediately.

“I haven’t asked the guy yet but I feel like he likes torturing an apprentice. It’s gonna fuck you up but he’s good.” Ilea said, the smile on Philly leaving slowly.

“I’d still do it.” She said, determined.

“Good, I’ll ask him then. Maybe those two will join as well. The old fucker might not accept his luck at first.” Ilea said more to herself as she waved the others over. “I’ll talk to you again tomorrow if you’re here.”

“Of course lady Shadow.” She said and bowed.

“Ilea is fine you know. Come on, ready to get thrown around again?” She asked the two, Cornelius snorting and Raphia giggling nervously.

“And why did you want me to watch you train those two?” William asked, standing next to her while they watched Raphia and Cornelius meditate, creating as much of their element as possible.

“To get to know them. Both creators and as you can see with rare classes. I want them to be nurtured and I wanted you to be their trainer.” Ilea explained, the man frowning next to her.

“Did the drowning get to your mind?”

“No. But I’ve seen how much you enjoyed it. You’re aware I can see with my sphere. I traced your movements and know you wrote down the times I could stay underwater. Your statistics were a little extensive I think. I don’t think your other work suffered much. Ever considered becoming a team manager?” Ilea asked, thinking back on Joseph who had been theirs for a little while. She wondered if he had survived. Not enough to actually check with Claire.

“That’s just for full members.” William said.

“Eh, one of the elders is a traitor, one is dead and the others are fuck know’s where. The Shadowguard is a thing now and you evaluate some of them as well don’t you? Why not train them too, in addition to some young and talented fighters like these?”

The man was quiet for a while. “Why?”

“Why not, the job seems to fit you. I also have two more people that would fit well into the team. An ice mage at level one forty and a healer working for the imperial guard at the moment. I think they’d make a wonderful mercenary team together.” Ilea suggested.

“I mean why think about me even? All I did was riddle you with ice and drown you.”

Ilea thought about it for a while and then smiled. “I have this unhealthy notion that makes me care about people who hurt me.” She said. “Maybe it’s stockholm syndrome.”

“I read about something like that, the name was different I think.”

“It’s a fine line between caring and wanting to rip off their heads.” Ilea said seriously, the man turning towards her before he started laughing.

“You truly are one of a kind. Warn me before you go for my head but you certainly deserve it more than others. I’ll take the team and I’ll… think about training some guards. I heard a group of imperials were wiped out by a mind mage just yesterday. Embarrassing I tell you.”

Ilea grunted in response. “So you’re leaving then? Done with your resistances and drowning?”

“Not quite. Hopefully soon. Maybe you can help with ice and water. They’re both sitting close to the second stage. Maybe while these two try to give me their respective resistances too.” Ilea suggested.

“We might as well start then. You two.” He said and walked over. “Ilea asked me to train you. Objections?”

“Anybody’s better than her.” Cornelius said with a grin while Raphia looked at the ice mage and then Ilea.

“What about you girl?” William asked in a harsh tone.

“I… if she thinks it’s a good id… idea.” Raphia said and looked at Ilea, the woman nodding once.

Better than me? You will learn pain my boy. Ilea thought and grinned.

“That’s settled then. We will start now, get up and run laps. Dodge my attacks in the process.” He said, Ilea watching the two confusedly stare at him.

Bad move. She thought when the first spikes of ice hit them, digging into their flesh just enough to hurt. Raphia was the first to react, getting up quickly and starting to run in a random direction. Cornelius opened his mouth but was hit with a chunk of ice in his teeth. Gotta hurt. And then he ran as well.

“Slow learners those. No wonder after you trained them.” William said and turned to her.

“I’m immune to your banter William, come on. Let’s get me those resistances.” Ilea said and pointed at her belly while the air around them cooled, a lance of ice forming before the mage. She could tell he was happy.

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches lvl 20’

The two final notifications of the night made Ilea smile. Getting her body destroyed by attacks was much simpler than drowning. His sadism or in his words rigorous methods had been directed at the two new students after he realized Ilea wasn’t much bothered by whatever attack he produced.

Cornelius lay knocked out on the ground, bleeding form his head and dozens of small cuts on his body that William assured her were nothing to be taken seriously. She had checked of course but found his words to be right. Raphia was crying quietly as she hugged her knees.

“Are you up for this girl?” Ilea asked when she sat down next to her.

“Up for this… yes. Yes. I gained a point in Dexterity and two in Endurance. Ice Resistance as well. It’s… good.” Raphia said. “I’ll miss you.”

“You can stop at any moment but I think he’s good at what he does, albeit a little extreme. You’ll look back on it with hate and despair, those emotions fueling whatever destructive spells you will bring down on your enemies.” Ilea said and patted her head, a sob leaving the girl. “If that is what you want.”

“I want to… bring destruction down on my enemies.” The girl said, sobbing between words with snot coming out of her nose and tears in her eyes.

“That’s my girl.” Ilea said.

“Don’t worry. I won’t torture them like this everyday. Just wanted to see what they’re made of.” William said as they walked out of Viscera, the two trainees sleeping in the apartment Ilea still had in the town of the Hand.

“What do you think?”

“I’ll work with them.”

“That’s the highest praise anybody will ever get from you, damn perfectionist.” Ilea said and chuckled. “Hungry?”

“The world is filled with untapped potential. If you didn’t sit around in restaurants all the time maybe you’d actually get somewhere.”

“Careful old man, we don’t want to produce property damage with your limp body. You’d have to pay me more than you own.” Ilea replied. “I wanted to check out a new place.”

“If it’s an invitation.” The man said.

“Not making enough at the Hand? Could talk to Claire about that.” She suggested as they walked through the city, the suns rising but still hidden behind the mountain chain separating the city from the plains.

“Don’t talk to her about me. I make enough.” The man said abruptly, even lifting his hand to metaphorically stop her.

“You like her? Or are you scared of her?” Ilea asked with a smile when they passed some nature mages growing trees on a patch of earth between the cobble stone. One could see the sapling grow. Magic being awesome.

“I don’t know Ilea.” William answered when they rounded a corner to the next street.

“Bit of both maybe.” She suggested and saw the building she was looking for in the distance.

“Maybe.” He said as they came up on the Golden Drake, the sign broken in places and many of the windows destroyed, one wall outright missing.

“Golden Drake is it?” He asked. “Looks like it’s owned by the empire.”

“It was.” Ilea said and entered, the door wide open but her nose didn’t lie. She led him into the kitchen where she saw a group of people watching a lone Breed work.

“We’re closed.” Keyla shouted when Ilea opened the door.

“I knew you couldn’t resist.” Ilea said and smiled as she walked towards the pot. “What’s that.”

“Ah it’s… that’s Lilith. She’s the owner and he is?” Keyla asked, the cooks standing around the room nodding or bowing respectfully.

“William. We’d like breakfast. How about that?”

“It’s a northern seafood dish, very savory and not my suggestion for breakfast.” Keyla explained while Ilea took a spoon to taste.

“We’ll have it. How’s the top floor?”

“Most of the tables and chairs smashed to pieces and parts of the walls are missing.”

“Towards the suns?” Ilea asked, getting two plates and handing one to William.

“Where are the suns?” Keyla asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Northwest.” One of the cooks supplied.

“Yes, probably.”

“Good.” Ilea said and smiled, filling her plate before William did the same, bowing to the cook after he was done. The stairs were broken but Ilea simply blinked up, her plate still in hand. The man behind her concentrated before ice started forming before him, effectively rebuilding the stairwell.

“That’s gonna be water damage William.” Ilea sighed and grabbed one of the tables, dragging it towards the opening in the wall. The man got two chairs and handed one to her. “What a gentleman.” She said and smiled.

“You’re the owner, what other choice do I have.”

Chapter 225 The Shadow’s Hand

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you like it

">. The formatting was super off on RRL for this one. Might be a bit wonky in places. Not sure what's happening. I think I fixed it now.

Chapter 225 The Shadow’s Hand

“It’s the most powerful one I could make in that size.” Claire said, handing the metal piece to Ilea.

“Don’t activate it now please, trust me it works. I suggest only using it in emergencies, although I know how much you can take.”

“Thank you. I’ll need three at least.” Ilea said, Claire rolling her eyes.

“I’ll get it done until next week. You’re here for that long?”

“Probably. Hey do you have any time free in your schedule for some blast resistance training?” The woman didn’t seem too pleased to hear the request.

“I will make time for you but I don’t really have any.” Claire replied, getting out a bottle from a drawer and pouring herself a drink.

“You’re drinking now?” Ilea asked.

“It’s a potion, energizes me.”

“Maybe you need some explosion training. You’re overworking, it’s not healthy, even for a monster like yourself.” Ilea said, sitting on the desk and taking away the drink. “I’m sure you have a network of great people working for you already. Delegate more.”

“And eat this.” She added, summoning a plate of the meal Keyla had served to her and William earlier. They’re the same when it comes to work at least.

Claire rubbed her eyes but started eating nonetheless, quickly getting lost in it before the plate was empty. “This is excellent, did you find a new street cook?”

“That’s from Keyla, I don’t think the Golden Drake will be a wasted investment.” Ilea said and took the plate, storing it inside her necklace.

“Alright. I’ll do it. Train a little with you, it’s been entirely too long since I’ve used my skills and been in real danger. If this continues I’ll be assassinated by some shit Barilia hunter.” She said and got up. “Do you have time now?”

“I do but weren’t you working on something?”

“It can wait a couple hours… days even if I’m honest. The workload has actually slowed down now that more and more staff has been hired. You’re right. I should definitely delegate more and maybe spend some time with my mother.”

“While we’re talking about enchantments and explosions, Philipp told me to inform you about your arrows. He asked me to have a look and I’ve made some improvements.”

Ilea looked at her with a raised eyebrow and smiled. “Isn’t he the arrow guy?”

“He is, but I’m the authority when it comes to explosions.” Claire replied and summoned a box, opening the expensive looking wooden contraption. Inside was an assortment of heavy arrows. “Twenty of the best heavy explosion arrows you’ll find in the market.” She said and closed the box again, showing it towards Ilea.

“Thanks Claire.” She smiled and opened the box, putting the arrows into her necklace to be able to use them immediately.

“Of course. Where do you want to train? Should be Eregar’s or outside the city.”

“The Haven is fine.” Ilea said before they left together, Claire breathing in deeply when they walked out of the building. “Been a while since you were out?”

“Sadly, yes.” The woman replied, already looking a little less grumpy than before.

“Let’s blow off some steam then.” Ilea smirked and started running, activating her buffs in the process as she turned around, looking at a confused Claire before she jumped up the nearest wall, rebounding and landing on the nearby roof. “Come on, you’re falling behind!”

“Was that really necessary?” Claire asked when she met up with the waiting Ilea near the entrance of Viscera, two guards who had informed her about roof running walking away and nodding towards Claire.

“You’re slow woman.”

“Didn’t want to set the city on fire, I’ll show you how fast I can be down in the Haven.”

“You better, I hope you didn’t just sit back and work on papers until now. You’re still a Shadow Claire.” Ilea said, smirking at her.

They quickly rushed through Viscera, Ilea checking on the two youngsters with her sphere, only vaguely noting that the guy was only a year or two younger than her.

“How’s the farming going?” She asked Claire when they descended with the elevator, Ilea sitting down on the side, her legs dangling off the platform.

“The nature mages you’ve brought are a big help. Apparently pointed out some things that could’ve hampered the fields in the long term. It’s going well. We certainly needed it too. The city is nearly filled halfway already.”

“What about all the refugees? I’m pretty sure they can’t pay for food and apartments?” Ilea asked, ashen wings spreading before she jumped off the platform, descending next to it.

“Most of them can’t but we’re talking about people who previously lived in other cities. They had jobs and skills that we can use here just as much as in Virilya. I think in the long term it’s even going to benefit the city to have a fresh start.”

Ilea snorted. “Don’t say that to the people who lost everyone.”

“I’m speaking pragmatically Ilea, you know that. The Hand has lost enough.”

“Seems like you care a lot about the order. Remember when we joined it together?”

The elevator came to a halt, sounds of people talking with some interspersed shouts in between could be heard. “It’s my chance Ilea. To do something that matters.”

“I guess the demons weren’t entirely unwelcome to you either.” She smirked as Claire looked at her with an irritated gaze.

“I profited, certainly. It was neither of our faults that it happened and what else can we do but move on?” She asked, walking with Ilea for a while before metal gauntlets, a battle skirt interwoven with metal plates and armored boots replaced her professional clothing from before.

“Why are you asking those questions? Do you think nobody cares about the thousands that died?”

“Nice getup, runes on everything I suppose? It’s not about the ones that died Claire. I knew few of them and had my closure with wiping out the demon hordes.” Ilea explained as fire started exiting from Claire’s hands and feet, elevating her slowly as she struggled to control her ascent.

Ilea watched her adjust and stabilize. “I just don’t want you to get too involved with an order we don’t know the goals of.”

“What do you mean? The Shadow’s Hand is a mercenary guild first and foremost. I’ve looked into it myself Ilea, deeply. Into Adam Strand’s work and the other elders. Two of them that are still out there somewhere or dead became more influential as time went on simply because they were the strongest. They love battling and I could imagine they’ve actually been here since the demons and decided to just let us manage the order from now on.”

“Wallace had some shady business going on but he’s dead now. Adam is gone as well, an enemy to both humanity and the Hand. The only thing I could find were records from previous elders talking about us being specifically one of humanity’s greatest weapons. Since their records enough events have proven that the Shadow’s Hand is willing to even work for free when elves are involved or some otherworldly monster or demon destroys whole cities.”

“Humanity’s weapon of mass destruction.” Ilea mused while accelerating into the Haven, Claire following close behind, occasional explosions sending her through the air as her runed armor pushed her onward.

“Without a head it would be hard to mobilize. The retaking of Ravenhall is a rare exception, a personal matter, as would be the massacre of thousands of people by another race or monster.”

Claire’s reasoning wasn’t new to Ilea. Dagon had talked about it enough as had Sulivhaan. “What’s the Haven then?”

“A personal project of the one called Eregar?” Claire asked. “Something commissioned by the empire or kingdom that ruled over this land thousands of years ago?”

“We don’t know.” Ilea said as she landed near some rocky hills.

“We don’t.” Claire said, nearly stumbling when she landed.

“You should train with that. Good speed but your balance could kill you.”

“I know. Don’t worry too much Ilea. Trust me, the Hand has considerably less annoying politics and powerhungry idiots in its ranks than pretty much anything else I’ve seen or heard about. Most of us just want jobs to go out and hunt while being paid according to the danger. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I think the lack of complicated backstabbing, questionable information and outright lies has brought many to us. We have a reputation and our network of mercenaries is good for humanity as a whole.”

“I agree. Guess I just feel like there’s more to it. Or maybe there was more to it back in the day. Can’t imagine something this big not having a political agenda.” Ilea commented.

“What about the adventurer’s guild? Or the smith’s guild? You’re overthinking it, come now, let’s train.” Claire said and jumped a dozen meters with the help of a small explosion below her feet. “And Ilea. Don’t worry about me. You know Dagon and Sulivhaan. If anything we’re the ones in control now.” She smirked and pointed her hand towards Ilea.

Mana built around her before an explosion sent her tumbling, much of her armor ripped apart, blood flowing down from her chest and belly. That hurts… She thought, enduring the pain as she got up and started healing herself.

“I trust in your ability to survive Ilea. But please, give me some credit as well.”

The next explosion followed quickly, ripping through her leg as if it was paper. Her bone was uninjured, the same as with Viper. Sadly her Light Magic Resistance hadn’t leveled to the second tier but there were some practitioners in her training group from time to time. Ilea felt a little better about Claire being so involved. Maybe it was a good thing after all. She just hoped the order didn’t somehow get involved in a large scale war.

Ilea continued her training for days before the next skill finally leveled to the second stage. It was thanks to William, his magic finally tipping her ice resistance towards the higher level.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1

You have endured the biting cold of ice and lived to tell the tale. One of the deadliest climates and magics will now be less dangerous to you with this skill.’2nd stage: Freezing temperatures no longer affect your body. It is not advised to jump in front of flying ice lances or to anger the spirits.

The newfound stage two in no way negated the magic but the wounds were now similar to what a metal weapon would create. Her flesh wasn’t freezing anymore, the cold not spreading and even magical buildup of ice had a much harder time clinging to her. Even absolute zero wouldn’t affect her body, at least she thought that to be the case.

The next skill to level was Earth Magic Resistance, an overzealous mage having thrown a literal truck load of rock at her, burying the damn near unkillable warriorhealer.

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1

The earth trembles as arcane beings bend its nature to their will. You have found stone and earth to be a worthwhile opponent yet stood unmoving in its destructive path. This skill will help you negate more of its damage.

2nd stage: Your skin and bones harden, adapting more and more to the element that threatened your life again and again.’

This skill simply made her tougher, one of the better second stages so far because it didn’t just have an impact on her defense against Earth magic alone.

Lacking Philipp in her training, Ilea thought about possibilities and came to the corrosive arrows she had gotten shot with by the elves near Riverwatch so long ago. Carefully pushing them into her skin, she found them still working and with the help from the occasional acid mage, she brought her corrosion resistance to the second tier. She did however had a queasy feeling in her stomach for a whole day, not even her healing skill could take it away. Feels like I’ve eaten five whole cheesecakes.

‘ding’ ‘Your Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1

Many substances can be corrosive. Even the strongest stone will be cut through by the right combination of chemicals. You have been exposed to more corrosion than many others and with this skill your resistance to many substances will be heightened.

2nd stage: Your insatiable need to melt and dissolve your body has changed its structure significantly. Your very cells have become more resistant to change and imbalance.’

Ilea didn’t quite know yet how this affected her but at least the arrows didn’t damage her nearly as much as before. She kept them in her necklace, just in case. It could’ve also been the case that the arrows simply didn’t work as well anymore, no further acid mages joined her training in the days after to shed any light on the question. William continued to train both Raphia and Cornelius while he focused on his water magic against Ilea. The skill finally leveled a day after corrosion resistance got to the second stage.

‘ding’ Your Water Resistance reaches – 2nd lvl 1

In your days you have learned many things. One of them is that water pressure is not a joke. This Resistance helps a little with reducing the damage.

2nd stage: You’ve taken so much damage from water based attacks it might be good to check if you’re not actually on fire. Getting more used to it your body and armor magically redirects the pressure to lessen the burden on you.’

Ilea felt like an infomercial when the next water attack from William hit her, the flow shooting off to the side as if she was the polar opposite of a magnet. She had questions like what would happen if someone like Aliana used their strongest spell against her but at least against William’s more small scale focused attacks it worked wonders. Swimming in a bubble of his magically collected water and later the demon lake in Eregar’s Haven showed her how it affected swimming too.

Her speed underwater had increased considerably, the somewhat sluggish feeling the resistance of water would normally give a person was near completely absent, allowing her to glide through it as if she was a bird in the sky. Or well, a fish in water. It was not wonder that her Wind Resistance has similar effects.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches – 2nd lvl 1

The ever elusive magic of Wind can cut from any side. You have learned that it might’ve been a good idea to become a Void mage. This skill helps you resist the power of wind a little more.

2nd stage: The mana flow inside of you has acclimated itself to the air around you, making you more aerodynamic.’

Her flight speed but also her running speed increased through this change and while her water resistance actively pushed the magical attacks out of the way, she couldn’t exactly ignore a wind blade to her face. Instead dodging became easier, a glancing blow allowing her to gain momentum and use it to attack. It was a little bizarre. Ilea had gotten so used to her skills, to creating ash that magical surprises like her body changing its reaction to an air attack through some numbers going up came as a difficult thing to accept. She would get used to it.

Ilea’s resistance to crystal magic sadly didn’t manage to get to the second stage in the time she had planned for it. The two mages with related classes had left the city on hunts or expeditions, leaving her skill at level fifteen. On the other hand Ilea manged to convince Elise to use her Arcane magic on her again. It wasn’t a difficult task to get her on Ilea’s side considering the skill would be an asset in her adventuring. Adventuring Elise tried to talk her out of whenever Ilea healed herself from the librarian’s attacks.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches – 2nd lvl 1

Wielding the true arcane is a rare and powerful talent only accessible to few. The raw energies tear at not just flesh and bone but at the magical structure and minds of whomever faces them. Its red glow turns purple the more refined it is. This skill shall help you counter masters of the arcane.

2nd stage: Your flow of mana has been ruptured many times by the raw form of magic, making it substantially more resistant to both adept mages and natural occurrences of the true arcane.’

A simple upgrade to what the skill already was. The only difference seemed to be the addition of resistance to natural arcane magic. Claire’s training on the other hand looked much more promising with what the second stage to her explosion magic brought.

Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Explosions can be an unpredictable and chaotic thing. You have survived quite an impressive one to get this skill. It will help you negate the damage ever so slightly for the next time you chose to stand in one.

2nd stage: Despite common sense, you just keep on doing it. Either you should start reading safety manuals or embrace that you are a true explosion elemental. Your organs, bones, muscles and your skin become partially shock absorbent. Please stop.

More important to Ilea was of course the shift in Claire’s priorities, wanting to add bouts to their training and investing more and more time as she got used to the modifications she had added to her armor, trying out new things by the day. Her level of stress was reduced greatly, at least considering her facial expressions.

In the end Ilea had only two resistances remaining that were close to the second tier, both of which achievable in less than a week. Getting the respective person to help would prove to be the most difficult task.

“He’s not been eating for a week.” The young woman said, scratching her neck. “I’m gonna force feed him if he keeps it up for another.”

Ilea frowned and leaned on the close by gray wall “Does he talk to you at least?”

Aurelia nodded weakly. “Though… what he says. It’s not entirely pleasant.”

Chapter 226 Meditation

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for reading

.

Chapter 226 Meditation

Ilea straightened and smiled weakly, “I’ll see him then.”

The girl shook her head, her eyes closed during the motion while she clenched her fists. “He’s refused to see anyone.”

Ilea just grinned, running a hand through her black hair before she vanished. “He knows me better than that.” She said into the dark room, quite aware of the pungent smell. He was lying in a tumble of blankets in the corner of the room.

“Trian. How are you doing pal?” She walked over and stood above the man, his uneven breathing enough indication to his very aware state. “Grief and depression. Looks like you need to see some sunlight and let magic flow through you.”

Not even a grunt. Ilea knew the man and if anything managed to get through to him then it was her annoying little self. “I’ll bring him back in an hour!” The shout was directed both at the lightning vampyr and his sister, watching with sharp eyes from behind the door frame.

“Ilea fuck off…,” The man murmured but he didn’t exactly have a choice, Ilea simply grabbing him and slinging the full sized human across her shoulders like a kid unwilling to go out and play.

She looked at the head bobbing next to her shoulder before looking ahead. “I won’t. You’ve been vegetating long enough.” He didn’t react to the flow of her healing magic going through his mana stream.

The two of them went straight down into the Haven. Not real sunlight but it was close enough.

“I won’t fight you Ilea.” He stared at the ground between them, his eyes bloodshot, his beard scruffy and unkempt. Ilea sat down opposite him and summoned ash, moving it around in the air with her mind before she formed his likeness in it. Not exactly an easy task but trusting her skills, she’d get close enough with a little more time.

“I’m not asking you to fight me.” The offhanded comment was added with a smile when a little more ash was created to add the beard to the Trian that stared back at him. “I said you need some sun. Feel like sitting down? Meditating for a while maybe?” The questions remained in the air as he looked at her and then turned to the glowing orb in the fake sky.

No further word left her as she simply observed, moving his ashen head further up as she straightened his beard, added a body and straightened his posture from the limp and sloping one he showed to the Trian that had been annoyed with the incapable team he had been assigned to. She added armor and even some gray lightning flowing around his statue when he turned and looked at himself.

“You think highly of me.” The man said and sat down, his eyes closing as he relaxed. Ilea smiled and looked at him.

Closing her eyes to match him, Ilea started meditating, feeling the mana flow through her body as she thought about her team, “I know who you are.” She said and smiled softly, time accelerating as she vaguely noted the changes of the earth, air and sun around them, her sphere watching the movements of the insects below and around her as she relaxed and focused on her breathing, the ashen Trian long gone with the wind.

“An hour has passed.” The noise made her blink her eyes, the man standing with his back towards her.

She stretched and jumped up, feeling relaxed and prepared for whatever was to come, “So it has.”

“Do you need me to carry you back?” Ilea joked as she walked to his side, the man glancing at her.

He started walking towards the nearby elevator as she fell in next to him, bringing the man back to the hiding place of the remaining Alymies near Dagon’s library. The two stepped into his dark room, the man sniffing the air before he went back to bed.

Ilea watched his back and turned to the sister who was waiting outside. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

When she came back the next day, the man was sitting on his bed in the dark, half the blankets missing and the smell considerably less poignant than before. He silently got up and followed her out and into the Haven where they went to the same spot again and meditated. Ilea didn’t speak a word and neither did Trian, both of them falling into a trance before an hour again had passed.

“Don’t shave it all off, it looks good on you.” Ilea said before she left again.

Ilea stayed at her home that night, relaxing in her bed as she looked at the stars before she grabbed one of the many books she had from back in Salia and started reading. It was relaxing, coming back to it and enjoying the sound of the ocean below. Hardly an hour had passed in the last weeks where she wasn’t training, where magic wasn’t cutting into her time and time again.

Putting her book down after a while, she breathed in deeply and let the air out through her mouth. Her clothes stored in her necklace, she appeared on the balcony outside and looked over the endless ocean. She shivered as she thought about what might be hiding in the deep but it was not a shiver of fear. Sitting down, Ilea activated her meditation as she took in the light from the stars, the crashing of the waves and the wind gently brushing over her skin.

She woke from her state when the suns broke through the skies to pierce the water, rays of light shining on the lone figure sitting in her solitude. Blinking into the living room, she summoned some pants and a shirt onto the table, deciding to dress manually for once. Getting a piece of meat from her magical freezer downstairs, she frowned. Checking the enchantments, she pushed mana into them and relaxed when the sides of the box cooled down again.

I shouldn’t leave it here. She thought and put all the remaining food into her necklace where it would stay in the same state far longer than the enchantments would hold without a charge or a magical crystal that was entirely too expensive to add. At least if she had her necklace anyway.

There was enough meat, various vegetables, spices noodles and rice to make a couple hundred meals at least. Perhaps not for someone like Ilea whose hunger had evolved into a past time compared to the need it was previously. If there’s a third class at some point maybe I should become a cook. She mused, summoning a piece of meat and heating up the blood in her hand to boiling temperatures. Adding some ash to it, she completely entwined the piece and watched through her Sphere how the inside of it changed. It was not living anymore but had some mana remaining, making it harder to pierce with her Sphere. It was enough to see the progression of its cooking.

Or maybe a baker. She thought and cooled down the ash and her blood, looking at the steaming piece of medium rare feathered drake. Ilea had no idea if medium rare was unhealthy with this kind of meat but she had worse poison flowing through her body. Adding some salt alone, she ate the piece while the juices flowed down her hand. Blinking up and outside her house, she decided the taste wasn’t exactly up to par with Keyla’s cooking.

She whistled an ominous tune while walking into the nearby cave, growling soon heard from the dark space before her. They grow up so fast. She thought and threw the meat while her ash enveloped her arm, cleaning it off any remains. The cat hissed as Ilea turned to leave. “Don’t trash my house while I’m gone.”

Wings of ash materialized behind her, each feather like protrusion forming out of thin air before she flapped them once, the magic lifting her from the cool rock while she looked over her otherworldly house. Maybe I should’ve gone a little less swanky.

Flying up, Ilea breathed in the fresh snowy air, the old trees clinging to the stone and rocky earth with deep running roots as the human flew above them, twirling in the air. Ilea smiled as the wind brushed against her skin, a fresh set of Shadow leather armor replacing her clothes that flattered in the wind, already close to tearing at the speed.

Activating all her buffs, the wind pressure of her passing freed the close by trees off the snow adorning the tops of their branches. Ilea left behind a trail before she ascended steeply, following the side of a mountain that stretched into the clouds above. The air cooled as she was swallowed by white, her sphere continuing to report on the close surface that rushed past her before she came up to meet the two faraway suns shining down on her and the high mountain reaching for their light.

Continuing her ascent as if an arrow shot towards the sky, Ilea soon landed on the peak. The natural barrier separating the Isanna desert from the empire of Lys and the human plains spread before her, mountains reaching higher still than the peak she was standing on. She could see a shadow quickly moving over the white snow but was unable to spot its origins, instead the woman jumped down and spread her wings, laughing as she sped up and rushed through the valleys, stray wolves, trolls and unknown species howled or fled at her approach.

An hour of detours and petting unwilling animals later, Ilea flew into the valley where the city of Ravenhall resided, the mountain lake spreading before her as she approached, its brilliance reflecting the suns before she promptly pierced the icy surface, breaking through the meter thick ice without much resistance before she swam through the water, barely slowed down by the element, her skin ignoring the freezing cold around her as her sphere warned her of any possible approaching threat in the dark.

Breaking out of the ice a couple minutes later, Ilea twirled and shook off the snow and frozen pieces still sticking to her armor before she blinked to the shore, rinsing her wet hair as she formed ash around it, heating the element enough to quickly dry it.

She could see people walking on the distant road to the city gates, some wagons pulled by oxen or horses in between. It’s not slowing down. Ilea thought, walking towards the city gates, the guards loudly organizing all the refugees. She nodded towards one of the guards and was waved inside before the waiting people.

He nodded to her and spoke, “Welcome back Shadow.” Ilea blinked inside instead of waiting for the people to part, waving at the guard who tried to find her again. The square behind the gate was even fuller than the last time she had been there, young children and babies crying while merchants shouted about their goods, adventurers, guards and soldiers waiting like hawks to find strong or useful individuals to hire as well as a bunch of unsavory individuals hiding in the shadows or among the bigger groups of people.

She sighed and walked towards Viscera, “It’s getting full.” Many of the stores on the way that had remained closed, abandoned and half destroyed for weeks after the demons had been vanquished were now open and bustling with life. Bakeries, clothes shops, armor and weapon vendors as well as a bunch of pawn shops had opened up. Serious looking mages and warriors stood in front of the doors, checking the interested for required funds, levels and a willingness to actually purchase something.

As Ilea passed the streets, she found beggars and thieves among the people, looking for the next meal while street cooks made their bellies growl from a couple meters away. People around her seemed interested but whispers of Shadow and respectful guards and adventurers had them stay at a distance, not sure if she really was part of the order but too afraid to risk anything. They had a reputation, here even more so than in other cities.

“Thank you.” Ilea said, handing over four copper coins to the old man who handed her some fried balls of dough filled with fish and drenched in a brown and aromatic smelling sauce. Eating her meal, she quickly approached the second ring of walls, the guards leaning on the walls as people went in and out. A beggar was stopped and shooed away, not welcome in the second ring it seemed. Ilea was nodded through and calmed down at the considerably less dense mass of people here.

Shops had opened too, as well as inns and restaurants, the beautiful weather bringing life to the differing colors and architectural styles that had sprung up in the previously drab and gray medieval city. Looks like a bloody amusement park. She thought and smiled, stuffing the last of the fried balls into her mouth before she closed her eyes and savored the taste.

Music played from a nearby cafe, reminding her a little of rock n’ roll. It really was a bizarre place. The shops here looked higher class, no doormen standing outside, nice looking attire, weapons and even books displayed in the various store windows. People were smoking and talking on the balconies, some of them motioning to her as she walked past below, quite aware of the stares thanks to her Sphere. A passing shadowguard nodded to her, Ilea mirroring the gesture as she followed along the third wall’s side to get back out of the second ring.

The entrance to Viscera was in the third and outermost ring but close to the mountain, meaning it was quicker to walk through the second ring to get there. She could see the line of potential shadowguards waiting, as well as already appointed guards standing watch around the square before the entrance. She quickly blinked twice, appearing before the door before she was waved in by the guard whose only reaction was a tighter grip around the handle of his sheathed sword.

Ilea quickly made her way through Viscera before she flew up towards the library and blinked into the hallway in front of it. Checking around her, she teleported a couple more times before she came into the hidden space where the Alymies resided.

Trian was not in his room but Aurelia was training with Samuel and Orthan in a hall further back. The girl noticed her quickly and shook her head. “He’s not here.” The girl didn’t know where the man had went upon further questioning but Ilea had a good idea where she could check.

She found him near their previous meditation spot in Eregar’s Haven but the man had apparently decided to sit next to a tree overlooking a field of grass and flowers. Ilea stepped up to him and sat down, enjoying the warm breeze that flowed through her hair.

“Why do you think we’re here?” The man spoke after a while, Ilea glancing over to the man before she smiled.

Thinking on his question, she fell backwards into the grass. “I don’t know. Maybe there’s a reason for everybody, maybe there’s a mastermind pulling all the strings and we’re just playthings to quench its boredom.” Plucking a flower from the ground, she continued talking as she twirled it in her fingers, “An answer might not present itself, in which case I chose to make my own reason.”

The man chuckled, ever so slightly. “Let me guess? Fighting and eating?”

“Sounds good, doesn’t it?” Ilea opened one eye and found him looking back at her.

“What did you want when you came to me?”

“Your health and mana drain abilities.” Ilea replied honestly. “And to help a friend.”

The man looked out over the field and smiled lightly. “You have.” Magic surged in him before she felt her mana and life slowly tick down.

“What is your reason then?” Ilea asked, relaxing again as her healing and meditation activated to more than outweigh his magic.

“For now?” He asked and closed his eyes again, “I like to sit here and think about that very question.”

Ilea smirked, reminded of some philosophers of old, sitting below trees and thinking about life. With his reduced hunger and need for sleep as well as improved body, the mage could literally sit there and think for days, perhaps even weeks. At least he’s out of his bed.

He used his drain spells whenever she was nearby, slowly but surely leveling them between her training sessions with William and the now four apprentices he had. Philly was stoked at first but had a similar reaction when their training actually began. At least she’d have pain resistance soon enough.

Later that day, Ilea went to the adventurer’s guild and took down the notice regarding her spell training, informing the clerk that she’d be discontinuing the sessions and to thank anybody who would ask about it.

Five days of extensive lying next to a tree brought her the two missing second stage advancements.

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches – 2nd lvl 1

Rare foes will have the ability to drain your mana. Either for their own use or simply to weaken you. Having encountered one such being, you have learned of its destructive effect. This skill will help you reduce the effect any mana draining abilities will have on you.

2nd stage: Your mana is bound to you, making it harder for anybody to drain it from you. In addition the mana removed from you damages the enemy, should they desire to use it for themselves. This effect increases with every point of mana lost.’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches – 2nd lvl 1

Some creatures have the ability to drain your health. You have been subjected to such a spell and have endured. This skill will help you endure more easily and turn the tables on your enemies.

2nd stage: Your health is yours, with each point lost it will become more difficult to steal from you what is yours alone.’

Both skills would be useful against someone with either ability but Ilea simply mentioned to Trian that he could stop using his skills, continuing to lie there and enjoy the serene atmosphere.

The man stopped and sapped her with some lightning instead, the woman just grunting at him in response. “It was nice having you here.” He said and continued his meditation, occasionally writing something into a small notebook he had brought the day before.

Ilea didn’t intrude on his notes and yawned. “Wake me in four hours.” She still had two skills missing and hoped William’s training had born enough fruit for her to have some breakfast.

Chapter 227 Hope

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo. Early today. Hope you're having a good weekend

. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 227 Hope

Ilea landed near the field William usually used for his training, already seeing from far away that a fifth person had joined the team. A smile blossomed on her face when she saw the new member to be Dany, the healer she had worked with during the winter spirit incident. “Nice getup.” She motioned to the nicely crafted leather armor, bow and short sword the healer was wearing. “Changing classes?”

“I was always a hunter Shadow. Healing was simply more required in the past months.” The woman replied with a smile, the artificial sunlight reflecting off her red hair.

I’d like to hunt You. Ilea thought and smirked at her, the woman staring back at her. A spear of ice smashed into the healer’s shoulder, sending her tumbling through the dirt before she looked up, groaning at the broken bone.

William stepped towards the woman as the mages around her prepared their spells. “Your attention is with the enemy.” Raphia jumped to the healer while Philly created a barrier of ice in front of the two, all three retreating while a mist of cool air slowly threatened to envelop them.

Ilea slowly stepped to his side and watched Cornelius send a mist of dust to intercept his growing blizzard, the gray magic quickly quenched by the ice William commanded. “At least their teamwork has improved. Impressive in just a couple days.”

“It is to be expected. Don’t praise them without reason, it will go to their heads. Until they beat me individually I won’t think of them as more than wild rabble.” The man certainly set his bar of approval high.

Ilea smirked and watched Dany’s shoulder crack back into place before she shot an arrow at William, the projectile harmlessly caught in a slim arm of water before it dropped to the ground, “What am I to you then oh great teacher?”

He grunted in response and send a shower of ice spikes towards his pupils, their efforts joined together to stop his low effort attack that nonetheless proved to be highly dangerous to them. “Why are you here Ilea?”

“To get the last remaining resistances I’ve been looking for. You don’t know a poison master by chance?”

“I do not. I will finish this section of the training, they may attack you afterwards. Perhaps their skills have grown enough to at least shave of a couple points of health from your unnaturally tough skin.” The man suggested. He didn’t know her skin had become even tougher in the meantime.

“It will be good training for them.”

“Hitting an unmoving target with their barely passable aim?”

Ilea smiled and watched his magic obliterate the group as their shields cracked, their magic freezing in the air before they could even launch a counter measure against the Shadow standing against them while he had a casual conversation with a friend. Raphia was holding her leg, blood flowing down from the wound while Philly shielded her, one of her arms broken from a chunk of ice that had impacted her earlier.

Cornelius still tried to stop the oncoming mist of frost but was soon caught as his foot froze to the ground, more and more of his leg cooling down and freezing as he screamed, ordering it to move. Dany crawled towards Raphia, dodging the ice and water attacks as best as she could, their foe separating them with his ranged attacks to stop the healer from reaching the others.

“No, seeing that their attacks are futile even if they aren’t blocked.” Ilea replied, watching him stop his assault.

William nodded. “Good addition. I could do the same except for the ice mage, she is quite capable already and arrows can at least make me bleed without my shielding. May the other two attack you as well?”

Ilea nodded and waited for Dany to heal the others, Philly unfreezing the dust mage’s leg before she and the healer took care of it, not a second wasted. Right as they were done William clapped, all of them running towards him as they built a formation, coming to a stop a couple meters away, sweat and blood on their faces.

“For the next couple of hours you will be attacking her, I think all of you know her. Your goal will be to injure her, make her bleed or even incapacitate her. I will review your efforts. This is not target practice for your magic, I want you to treat her as wild monster that your team was tasked to take out. Work together and stay on the move. I will personally take you out if you stand still.” His explanation ended and a mist of icy air formed around him and Ilea, the team jumping backwards and forming up before the split into teams of two, Raphia with Dany and Philly with Cornelius.

They really treat it seriously… Ilea thought, smiling at the first attacks hitting her. Philly definitely had the ability to make her bleed, even with her second stage of ice resistance. What she didn’t expect was William interfering and blocking her attacks with ice magic of his own. “You have that one in the second stage already?” He asked, the mist around her growing colder, her body thoroughly ignoring it.

“I do.” A wooden spike impacted her belly, nearly leaving a scratch on her skin. Close. Ilea thought but the impact would likely not be enough to grant her the resistance, not if the girl could at least draw blood. A whirl of dust formed around her, slowing down with each second as its particles were frozen but the impact on her body was already visible, small scratches on her skin forming. Deciding not to use her healing was a necessity if this training should do anything for her, even her natural regeneration, enhanced of course, took care of the little damage they dealt to her.

An arrow cut into her flesh but was stopped before drawing blood, the frustration clear on Dany’s face when she surveyed the results but kept moving around her nonetheless.

It took the group three hours of continued fighting to finally injure her. They had to take turns to meditate, Philly usually protecting the meditating party against William’s attacks before they could continue. A combined effort of her ice magic, removing the thin mist around Ilea before the other three sent out their magic did the trick. Cornelius dust formed a drill like mist and cut into her unprotected stomach, followed by roots that slammed into her and ultimately an enhanced arrow carrying a frozen tip that would explode on impact.

They drew blood but it took their whole coordination as a team to achieve it and William quickly increased his involvement, his attacks growing more numerous to make it more and more difficult for the attacking group. They’re going to be quite something if they can keep this kind of training up for a couple months or even years. She smiled as they switched up their tactics, ice arrows exploding around her before wooden spears pushed by swirling dust cut into her, much deeper than the ice arrow had managed before. Perfect.

All of them but Dany had seen her training in the arena before, unmoved by the lack of pain or injury she showed even when their attack proved more and more dangerous. They knew it was nothing to her, Dany looking around a little concerned from time to time, reassured by her teammates that it would take more than this to take her out.

“You are a long way from dealing any real damage to the monster.” William stated from his hovering position above her, standing on floating ice. “It’s been five hours and you’ve kept your assault going.” Clapping again, he pointed towards the distance. “The monster has noticed you and will hunt you up to the two trees on top of the hill. Touch one of them and you’re safe. You have a ten second head start.”

Ilea watched the confusion in their eyes before Philly started into a sprint, the others quickly following. “I’m the monster?” Ilea asked. “Maybe you should run as well?”

The man lifted an eyebrow but remained calm as he looked at the running team before him. “I have faced enough of them. For a while at least.” He whispered, knowing she would hear the man.

Ilea spread her wings and appeared next to the man. “But you must be prepared to face them.” She looked him in the eyes and he stared back. His magic pulsed around him and she knew that he was prepared, should she make a move. “Ten seconds have passed.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Dany was running as fast as she could, two of her hunter skills luckily increasing her speed, allowing her to stay close behind Philly who somehow managed to be quicker still. A gray mist suddenly flashed by and impacted the ice mage, the woman screaming before she went silent, the mist stopping as Dany veered to avoid it. A tendril of it shot out, making her jump over it before she dodged right upon landing, the ashen limb following her as she continued to avoid it.

She saw a figure in the mist, smashing her fist at a small barrier of ice before she hard it cracking and then the ash vanished. Blue eyes appeared in a mist of gray a couple meters in front of her, stopping her sprint towards the tree as limbs of ash cut off an escape route around her. She didn’t stop, feeling her heart rate accelerate, she turned and rushed back to the two mages following her.

Suddenly she felt someone grab her shoulder, gently but unmoving as her body came to an abrupt stop, her limbs moving forward as her shoulder nearly broke again. A wooden spear surrounded by dust rushed past her and impacted something behind her, the tug on her shoulder lessening enough for her to wiggle free and jump to the side, the two trees becoming the only thing she saw and focused on with all her mind.

Looking back, she saw ash enveloping Cornelius as he tried fighting back against the element with his dust, black wings smashing into his chest before he was flung to the side, unconscious and bleeding. Nearly stumbling at the sight, Dany focused against, her legs impacting the ground as she trusted her skills to take her to the destination.

A scream coming from Raphia resounded behind her before she too went quiet, the now fifty meters distance to the trees feeling like an insurmountable obstacle as her breathing became the only noise she could hear, frantically looking sideways to see the unavoidable gray mist. But instead, there was a blue one, forming before her when William landed, dozens of ice lances forming behind a complicated array of shields, water forced out of the ground.

“Go on Healer, you have almost made it.” His words lifted her up, power surging inside of her as her skills again pushed to the very highest they could manage. She ran past the floating ice, glancing at their teacher for a split second and seeing him grin, the lances starting to move around her as she passed the man, the trees now only forty meters away. Another ten steps later when she heard the lances impacting something before ice broke, again and again she heard the noise, like a hammer shattering against a storefront window.

Twenty meters. Dany thought before a loud noise resounded behind her, followed ten steps later by a single cough. Then silence. She counted down the steps and took a plunge towards the tree in front of her, feeling something brush at the back of her hair right before her chest impacted the wood, all the air in her lungs pushed out as she winced. Her chest was injured, she knew and quickly started her healing spell, her legs touching the tree as she lay on her back, looking up and breathing hard. Quiet steps came from behind her before a woman clad in ash stood above her, grinning down at her. I’m dead. The thought was of course irrational but she felt goose bumps on her whole body before Ilea reached down to her. “Congratulations.”

_____________________________________________________________________

“You might want to heal the others now.” Ilea said and looked into the shaken woman’s eyes. She nodded and ran off with a big smile. William was already standing again, wiping the blood form his cheek and waving off the girl that tried to heal his injury. She had used just enough force to take him out of the equation for a split second.

The man made his way towards her as he glanced after the running healer, taking care of her teammates. “You let her win.”

Ilea didn’t reply, looking at him and then up into the trees.

“Giving them hope isn’t wise. They should know what’s out there.” The man said, leaning on the other tree.

She looked at him and smiled, “Knowing what’s out there, hope is all we have William.” The wind rustled the leaves above them, sending a couple of them twirling down towards the earth. The two Shadows watched the young mages shout and congratulate the healer for her win before she took care of their light injuries, running towards their coach right after.

“Perhaps I should find someone to spar as well.” The man said as he pushed off the tree, having accepted her healing touch that took care of the broken jaw.

“I’ll go ask Claire, she’ll miss our bouts when I’m gone. Plus you have a healer now.” Ilea smirked at his flustered reaction, clapping as she approached the group. He caught himself quickly and ordered them to continue the previous training with trying to injure Ilea.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A connection made from a mage to nature allowed for this talent to take root. Facing the force of nature you grow more accustomed to its effects, your body more resilient to the magic of the forest.

Ilea smiled but continued the training after the message had popped up in her mind. It took hours of them injuring her but William increased the training time for as long as the group could stand, excusing himself to take care of his other duties. Ilea heard the stomach of Raphia rumble before another root smacked against her leg. They were certainly moving less than before, tired and hungry looks on their faces as they struggled on. It wouldn’t take long for one of them to collapse and Ilea knew that would probably be the end of today’s session.

Thinking for a minute and taking a surprisingly weak ice lance to her chest, Ilea clapped once, “Stop it. That’s it for today. I’ll invite you to dinner.” She said, knowing that Keyla was probably still working. It was deep in the night after all. “Good job everyone.”

Cornelius smirked. “Got your resistances?”

“Not yours.” Ilea replied and started walking towards the elevator.

“Not bad Keyla.” Ilea said as she looked at the building, no more shattered windows or missing walls visible on the facade. It still looked closed but that was to be expected. She found the woman alone in the kitchen, looking through notes on what looked like people, “Struggling with the cooks?”

“Oh, Ilea. Nice to see you. Yes. We’re pretty much ready to open but some of the chefs… I’m not sure if they have what it takes. Came to eat?”

“I did, with four starving little beasts.” She added with a smile, relaxing on one of the counters. Keyla threw a pot at her which she caught with one hand.

“You’re beast enough. No lounging in my kitchen, come on. Go sit upstairs, I’ll serve the food in ten minutes.” Keyla said, Ilea putting down the pan on her way out.

“Food will be served in ten, come on everyone.” She said into the stairwell and went up into the newly furnished hall. “Fancy.” She said and sat down on a table big enough to seat them all.

“Are we supposed to be here? I don’t think it’s open yet?” Raphia said and looked around, trying to dust off her cloak before she carefully sat down on the expensive looking chair.

Ilea just waved her off and sat down. “I know the owner.” She said as the group looked at each other a little awkwardly.

“Thanks for training with us today miss Ilea.” Philly said with a smile.

“She was there because of mine and Raphia’s magic, you know that.” Cornelius commented but didn’t look at Ilea.

Raphia slapped his shoulder and shook her head. “There was no reason for her to stay that long, even if she wanted the skills. Don’t complain all the time, people can be nice as well.”

The man didn’t seem convinced but neither commented further on the topic. “Are you going to stay in Ravenhall?” Philly asked and looked at Ilea. “It would be great to have you around for some pointers and bouts if you ever felt like it.”

“No. I will be leaving as soon as I have finished my preparations, one part of that being a Dust magic resistance.” Ilea said, looking at Cornelius. “I’m happy to bout with you guys as soon as I’m back again. Hopefully you’ll prove to be better by then. I at least expect you to beat William as a team.”

“You can’t even beat him.” Cornelius blurted out and laughed. “How are we supposed to.”

Dany smiled and looked at Ilea but didn’t say anything. “The menu isn’t quite ready yet and this shit town’s market isn’t selling the fish that swims in the ocean just hours from here so you’ll have to be happy with this one.” Keyla came into the room, carrying five plates that she smoothly placed before all the guests. “Beef in a spicy sauce with mint and a side of egg noodles. Enjoy.”

Chapter 228 Farewells

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, new chapter

">. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 228 Farewells

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Dangerous and elusive magic answering to few who seek its complexity, understand its beauty. You have faced a mage of dust and lived, preparing you for the next confrontation, should it come to pass.’

There you go. She thought and floated up to William. “I have my skills.”

“Good. Then we will resume the training. Form up apprentices!” He shouted and watched them scramble together.

Ilea watched from the sidelines for a while until William let them pause and relax after a couple more hours, most of them injured. “You know what I expect of you.” They turned towards her when she spoke and stood up. “I wish you good luck.”

Cornelius rolled his eyes and murmured to himself but Ilea didn’t care to listen. He still nodded to her a moment later, as if acknowledging that she had gotten him this gig in the first place. Maybe he just didn’t accept that someone would help him out with such a minor motive as gaining a resistance. Ilea wasn’t sure but she didn’t care much.

Raphia ran up and embraced her, thanking her and promising to reach the goal she had set for them. “I don’t doubt you. Remember that there are monsters out there stronger than me, be prepared and be quick.” Ilea said to them when she let go of the girl. Philly bowed and smiled while William nodded to her with a business like look on his face.

That man is not one for emotional goodbyes. She mused and waved at them one last time before she flew towards Trian’s meditation tree. The man was there as if she had left him just a minute ago, looking into the distance as he tapped the pen on his notebook. “Stuck?”

He looked up at her and smiled weakly. “No, I’m just looking for the right words.”

Ilea sat down next to him and leaned her back on the tree. “You’re leaving.” He spoke as he opened his notebook, writing a line into it.

“I am.”

“Will you return?”

“I hope I will.”

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me alone with Claire.”

Ilea laughed, the man joining her a moment later. “I think you’ll be just fine. Try moving around a little before you grow into the tree. William is training a girl that could help you gain a wood magic resistance, might help in the long term.”

“Very funny Ilea. I think I’ll be fine. I have all this time… to figure out how.”

Ilea patted him on his shoulder and stood up, meanwhile summoning the golden lighter she had gotten in Salia. Trian looked up to her, the woman waving the magic lighter in her hand, the small flame moving in the wind. “Something to remind you. I found this right before I joined the Hand. Maybe it’ll help in some way.” She said and let it fall, the mage catching it casually before he flicked it on, staring into the flame.

“Thanks. I expect you back with stories to tell.” He said and looked into her eyes.

Ilea switched into her ashen hunter armor, breathing out as she looked at the sun. “Leave some empty pages for me will you?”

He nodded slightly and smiled at her as she turned, ashen wings sprouting from her back before she took off.

“It’s time then? Took you longer than expected. I though you’d be gone after a couple days.” Claire mused. “I’ll miss the training.”

Ilea grunted as she looked at the metal spheres Claire had placed on the table. Taking one, she felt that the devices were receptive to her mana. It would be unwise to activate one here. “Can I throw them?”

“No. I could but not you. Except if you can throw them as quickly as the explosion expands. I don’t doubt you’ll reach that kind of power at some point though you’ll likely not need them again by then.” Claire joked, a relaxed smile on her face as she got up and walked to the big double window overlooking the central square of the city.

“Train with William, a healer is in their team as well. Trian might join in from time to time as well if you ask nicely, he’s sitting near a tree. Make sure he doesn’t start to grow into it.”

Claire turned and nodded. “I’ll think about it. Thanks.”

The three explosive devices vanished into her necklace. “I’ve prepared some reading for you.” Claire said as she walked back, the empty space on the wooden table filled with a notebook, two hardcover books and a stack of loose papers. “These two are monster encyclopedias, they’re rather questionable, unconfirmed and while Dagon disregards them as fiction I doubt it’s all made up. If you’re going north you might as well check them out just in case.”

She motioned to the notebook and the stack, “I’ve collected all the information on expeditions north in the last ten years, missing people notices, planned routes and team compositions. This is confidential information from both the Hand and the adventurer guild so treat them as such.”

Ilea looked it over before all of it too vanished into her necklace. “Thank you, I’ll look it over. And don’t worry too much.”

Claire laughed and shook her head. “I worry about whatever stands in your way.”

“I wish I could be as confident as you think I am.” Ilea joked.

“You are when life is at stake, I’ve seen it plenty. Now go, I’ll make sure your investment won’t be wasted. And that you won’t be thoroughly disappointed in me when we have a bout again.” Claire said and smirked. She looked better, less overworked, Ilea thought.

“Keep it up then and don’t worry about the old man’s attitude, I’m pretty sure he likes you at least somewhat.” Ilea said and walked to the door, Claire coming in for a hug.

“Don’t you dare dying on us.” She whispered before letting go. Ilea smiled and left, making her way down the stairs and out towards the Golden Drake.

I wouldn’t want to invoke your fury Claire. Not even as a ghost or undead.

“So it’s time. Good, come up. We’ve cooked everything at least fifty times. Good training for the cooks.” Keyla said and led Ilea to the kitchen, the room now occupying a whole floor compared to the single room it had before. A terrace had been added to the front of the building, allowing for more seating and the prices seemed quite a bit more reasonable.

“You’re ready to open then?” Ilea asked. The cook scoffed at her. A knife twirled in her clawed hand.

“We’ve been ready to open for a whole week but you ordered. I kept the less than perfect meals as well, do let me know if I should give them out to the refugees.”

“I ordered… I mean where did you keep it all?”

Keyla didn’t answer but instead opened a compartment in the wall, steam rising as the glowing of blue runes subsided slowly. Dozens of steaming meals in what looked like cardboard boxes. “It’s something I’ve wanted to try for a long time but the previous owners thought it cheap and lacking… class.” The last word added with a hiss and a showing of sharp teeth.

“It’s a cool idea for adventurers I think.” Ilea said and grabbed one of the boxes, starting to eat with a fork she took from a nearby table.

“The non perfect meals?”

“I’ll take it all, will be a while until I come back to restock I think.” Ilea said. “How much do I owe you?”

“I owe you my life, a restaurant and more than I will ever be able to repay you, you mind fucked idiot.” Keyla said and pointed the knife at her.

Ilea smiled and brushed her hand through the rows of prepared meals. “I like the idea of giving out meals to the poor, maybe stuff you weren’t able to sell.”

“With these enchantments we’ll be able to keep them for weeks before they go bad. I had some other ideas towards that direction. Cheaper meals and maybe trade or jobs getting ingredients instead of money to pay for food.”

Ilea nodded and opened another compartment, looking at Keyla who just gestured to towards the whole kitchen. “It’s all for you, we’ll open tomorrow. Not that anybody knows about that yet.”

“Well I hope you’ll have fun. Talk to the Hand should anybody bother you because of your race.” Ilea said.

“Will do. Thanks again, I won’t disappoint you Ilea.” Keyla said and showed her teeth again.

“I know you wont.” Ilea replied with a smile. “It would be a damn shame for you not to own your own restaurant. Don’t overwork yourself.”

Keyla snorted and then laughed. “While you’re out there killing yourself? I will do what I love my dear. I will cook and people will eat.”

It took Ilea the good part of fifteen minutes to put all the meals into her necklace, Keyla quickly explaining what they contained, how she got the ideas and how it was prepared. There was some cursing involved and partially offensive stories but if anything it made her want to try the meals even more. There were four hundred and sixty eight prepared boxes, enough to last her maybe a couple months if they were all she would eat. Maybe a couple weeks if all she did was eat.

“Thanks, here I don’t want you to go bankrupt before you’ve even opened.” Ilea said and stacked ten gold coins on one of the counters.

“I’ll put that down on the list of what I owe you.” Keyla said. “Enjoy yourself Ilea.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Leaving the place with Keyla, Ilea hugged her before going back to Viscera, quickly saying her goodbyes to Elise and Dagon. The librarians had been pretty helpful in her resistance training endeavors. At least she knew about all the skills she still lacked thanks to them. Dagon grunted while Elise teared up and hugged her. Ilea had to pry open her arms to be able to go.

She was thoroughly spent on her social energy when she finally left the city, her wings carrying her out and over the walls before she made her way towards the ocean and her house. Thinking of Claire, Trian and everybody else she had met in this world and what they’d been through together made it a little difficult to journey out alone again. The further away from civilization she got the more that feeling lessened, Ilea instead thinking about Kyrian who was either dead or fighting somewhere out there and of Eve.

The armored flying warrior cut through the air as she passed over snow covered trees and mountains, glimpses of the ocean visible in the distance as she closed in on the cliffs occupied by wild animals and a lonely house hanging on a plateau, digging deep into the mountain side.

Blinking into her bedroom from above, Ilea stored a chunk of her books in her necklace before looking at the very thing that had made her come here. I hope you’ll survive at least a part of my journey. She thought and put the beautiful big and comfortable bed into the dwarven necklace that had made her life a whole lot easier. “Now you’re ready.” The woman said, stepping out onto her balcony, black armor clinging to her body, blue eyes looking over the endless ocean while ash danced around her.

___________________________________________________________________

A woman clad in black appeared close to the running mage, daggers flashing in the dim hallway illuminated by a single torch. The man cried out in pain as he sunk to his knees, his arms lifting to send a spell at the attacker before he was crushed by an invisible force, his nose breaking on the stone floor, blood pooling more quickly than it should.

“Don’t move if you want to live.” Senia said quietly, twirling the daggers in her hands before she appeared next to his face, letting go of one weapon, the blade flashing down and digging into the ground still influenced by Sulivhaan’s gravity magic.

Rock frowned under his helmet, ripping his hammer out of the wall and with it pieces of bloody bone and skin. “This one’s dead, sorry boss.”

Sulivhaan surveyed the hallway, four corpses lying behind them but at least they had a single survivor. The evidence was clear, Navalis didn’t make mistakes. “Here you go.” Senia said, taking out the paper notice addressed to all citizens of the empire of Lys and beyond, a request to hunt and kill guards, soldiers and even members of the Hand.

A mistake that would cost Baralia dearly. Or a calculated move knowing the results. Sulivhaan thought. He didn’t quite know how it benefited the kingdom to help them uncover traitors and easily bought mercenaries and adventurers. The rumors that the Hand had orchestrated the demon summoning and even planned to use the war against the empire had been dashed by the written proof coming from Baralia. Not a single member of the Hand had died so far and Sulivhaan planned to keep it that way.

“Ravenhall should soon be clean. I’ve heard even fresh arrivals talking about the bounty and how everyone who tried something had vanished or been ripped apart by a Shadow or guard.” The officer said, four Shadow squad leaders and ten imperial officers and guard captains of both Ravenhall and the Shadowguards were present at the meeting. Sulivhaan had started organizing the cooperation as soon as the first Baralia hunters had come as far as the mountain city. The notice had showed up quickly after, making it even easier to convince the empire.

“The empire will pay improved rates for any Shadow that finds and destroys paid hunters and notices informing citizens of the enemy’s… intent. In and outside of Ravenhall.”

The squad leaders looked at Sulivhaan who thought about it for a moment. So far they had worked together to find and kill anyone in the city who worked for the enemy to keep Ravenhall stable and its citizens safe but this was an offer to get the Hand involved throughout the empire. Many people would die but knowing that the Shadow’s Hand was hunting for them would dissuade a lot of those thinking about the offer.

“We are not an official party in this war and that will stay this way due to the nature of this very organization. However the fact that the offer proven to be from the Kingdom of Baralia calls for the death of our organization’s members calls for action. I will review this with the deciding parties and come back to you with an answer. Today.” Sulivhaan said, the officer nodding before they left.

One of the squad leaders sat down on the table as soon as the empire representatives had left. “Are we sure this isn’t coming from the empire?”

“As I said, it’s proven. By parties I personally trust.” Sulivhaan replied. “I’m sure you’ve come to similar findings?” He looked at the others, both confirming.

“It’s simply baffling. They knew we would get involved, why not focus on the empire?”

“Perhaps the retaking of Ravenhall and subsequent rebuilding was a thorn in their eyes. Maybe their information is outdated and they think we’re severely weakened.” One of the Shadows offered.

Sulivhaan shook his head. “We are weakened. More members will die. Perhaps they thought the empire would distrust us more, would declare our involvement a machination against them.”

“Maybe they will.”

“Maybe. Fact is that there is an offer out there asking for Shadows to be murdered. No matter who or why it came to be we cannot sit idle. Payment was offered for a mission without complete involvement of our order in a human war.” One of the leaders said and looked at Sulivhaan.

He had his doubts about the involvement but knew that only few Shadows would heed the call, still it would bring substantial resources towards the empire’s war efforts as well as more resources to members of the Hand. As long as the whole order wasn’t involved he had to agree. “I’ll discuss it with other heads and we’ll post the mission later today if all are in agreement?”

They confirmed, each leaving the room quickly thereafter, the mage remaining for a little while longer. First the demons and now this. He sighed when Senia appeared next to him.

“How’d it go boss?” She asked with a grin on her face. She and many others would love the opportunity to hunt easy prey for very good money. As well as whatever else they could acquire in the chaos of war.

This is just as much part of the Hand Sulivhaan. He told himself and slowly floated up from his chair, his magic surging around him. “A mission request from the empire of lys, to hunt and kill those that seek to destroy us.” He could only look at her with disdain as her smile grew. “Out team will remain here in Ravenhall, you are of course free to join the hunt should you wish.”

The woman stopped smiling, instead shaking her head. “I promised you Sulivhaan. Forgive my lack of discipline.” She bowed deeply before vanishing.

How long until you leave? The man asked himself as he stood there, shaking his head and leading his thoughts towards a more optimistic direction. The girl had many opportunities but had remained at his side as she had promised so long ago. Turbulent times would come but which wars had been any different? This time he was in a position of power and he would not let the Hand fall into depravity.

Chapter 229 Journey through the Night

A note from Rhaegar

New chapter

. Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading.

Chapter 229 Journey through the Night

The suns were going down as Ilea sped through the mountain chain in the southern part of the empire, soon passing the last peaks before the terrain would grow more even. What was supposed to be human controlled country didn’t show any sign of their presence or control. Ilea couldn’t spot a single town as far as she could see nor any light or travelers. The wild lands although mapped were avoided at night except by adventurers and the truly desperate.

Her wings moved in the winds, her destination northwest. Passing through the plains, she could make out dark patches of forest in the distance, stormy clouds passing above. Lowering her altitude, she flew below and close above the forest when she heard a roar that made her veer a little, interested in what kind of beast it was. Another cry resounded as she zeroed in on the direction, hovering over a clearing where the massive form of what looked like a grizzly bear tried to fight off the creatures clawing into its back and side.

Ilea blinked downwards and rushed next to the creature, three of her ashen limbs punching into the demons that threatened to kill the beast. She grabbed the fourth one by its throat, the claws of the rabid monster fruitlessly digging into the ash around her as she stared into its soulless eyes. Her fist smashed into its face, a second and third time before the demon’s skull cracked, a ding resounding in her mind as she threw away the lifeless body, twirling in the air above the injured bear, the monsters recovered from her Wave of Ember, all rushing at the newfound prey.

[Grenoth – lvl 122]

“Not a bear then?” Ilea asked as the several meters long and high beast roared at her and the demons, her blue eyes staring at it before her ash lashed out again, wave of ember sent into the beasts. Appearing above one of them, she grappled it and landed in the earth and mud, the two skidding to a halt as she sent her destructive mana into its body, claws lashing out at her before she silenced it with four ashen limbs and a fist to its chest. Two down. She thought and blinked again, three quick steps later she tackled the disoriented demon into and through a tree behind it, feeling several bones break. Her hand lashed out and ripped out its throat, blood spurting out and onto her ash.

A hard kick to its center of mass sent the half dead monster flying into another tree, its body bending unnaturally before a noise resounded in her head. One to go.

The Grenoth was slashing at the remaining demon with its paw, only able to keep it at a distance as it tried to move with its injured legs, bleeding from several spots on its back, only visible to Ilea thanks to her sphere, the wounds lost in the brown fur of the massive beast. To think something like that can be taken down by a mere four demons.

The demon was just about to slash into the Grenoth’s snout when it was ripped backwards, Ilea grabbing it by the neck and throwing it ten meters into the dirt. The bear like creature moved its clawed paw towards her but Ilea simply took a step towards the demon, avoiding the strike of the injured and scared animal behind her.

“Spawn.” She said and identified the demon to be at level eighty four. Not from the Great Salt then it seemed. Ilea felt personally responsible to shred through any demonic remains she came across prowling the lands of Elos. The monster was screeching towards her and started running again, unrelenting in its wish for blood and death. The monster lacking any coordination, pure instinct and blood lust whipping it towards her was met by a fully powered and perfectly aimed punch that splattered its brain out into the clearing so fast that its legs continued moving for another three steps before its already dead body fell down onto the grass.

The Grenoth roared behind her, Ilea appearing next to it before she carefully touched it. A clawed paw smashed into her defenses with enough force to cut through a tree trunk, her feet digging into the ground as the kinetic force went through her body. Healing mana started circling through the animal as she focused on the worst injuries first. The demons were vicious creatures but she doubted the bear would have difficulties against a couple of them. There were likely more.

Ilea looked into the distance, the bear roaring into her ear. “Calm down teddy.” Ilea said, her ash blocking another wild attack that nearly teared out one of the animal’s claws. It healed quickly as her mana flowed through it, the Grenoth calming down a little as its pains lessened. “See, all better.”

She took care of the worst and then patted the monster on its head, dodging two wild hits as she danced backwards and laughed. “You’re welcome.” She sped off running into the direction where the demons had likely come from, her Hunter’s Sight helping her focus on the trail the fighting monsters had left in their wake. Could’ve found this without any skills even. Ilea thought but doubted she’d try to follow the destructive path and massive paw prints on the wet ground if she didn’t have her classes.

She had been right. Three demon corpses were found, one still breathing but so deformed it could hardly move. A stomp took it out of its misery as she looked around for a while to see if she could find any more of them. There were none.

Might as well move through the terrain and see if more of them are around. The thought resulted in her quickly running through the forest, vaguely west and northwards as she carefully looked at any trails she could find. It had rained earlier, making it rather easy to spot all the indicators of animals and monsters living, hunting or fleeing in the forest.

Ten minutes later, she came out onto a patch of open space, wild flowers and grass growing on the field. Her ashen wings formed behind her before she rushed over it, noting the hares that ran for safety at her approach. Another patch of forest followed, the huntress back on her feet and on the lookout for demons and other dangers that might lurk in the shadows.

Hours passed as she hunted, finding a pack of wolves that had killed a deer like creature. The animals ran for their lives when she came rushing in, the smell of blood in her nose before she took in the scene. Her search continued fruitlessly when she decided to continue through the air, unable to spot any demons in the vicinity. The familiar smell of burnt wood stopped her, Ilea following the trail until she saw the light in the distance.

A small camp fire it seemed. Cooked meat and the scent of blood mixed in as she got closer. She noticed the woman in her sphere long before she spoke but still advanced on the fire.

“Who goes in the dark?!” A male voice shouted out, his face visible from the near burnt out fire, sweat gleaming on his brow as magic formed in his hand.

Looks like arcane magic. Ilea thought as she tried to identify the man. The woman was now behind her, a bow in hand and ready to strike. She’d be the first one Ilea would target should the situation demand it, their eyes and ears it seemed.

However she wasn’t in the business of killing random travelers. “A lone Shadow.” Her voice echoed through the trees, the man’s eyes focusing on her as his magic swirled in his hand.

“You are welcome at our fire Shadow.” He spoke, looking towards her as she slowly made her way towards the fire, hands at her side. Ilea was armored and without a pack, definitely suspicious but identifying herself as a Shadow would eliminate a lot of questions.

[Mage – lvl 75]

She saw another two people, one a young woman staring at her with wide open eyes as she clutched a staff with shaking hands and a man clad in several blankets, sweating and shivering with closed eyes. “Is he alright?” She asked, nodding towards the man.

“He is… injured. A monster attacked us on the road, about half an hour north.” The man stopped channeling mana into his spell and answered her. The rogue behind her didn’t reveal herself yet, a smart move Ilea thought.

She walked over to the injured man and touched his brow, checking his body with her recovery magic. “What kind of monster?” The man was about to stop her from touching his friend but the question made him pause.

Claws. Ilea thought, the deep wounds on his chest and belly would bring the man’s death if he was moved. Her mana flowed through him, his breathing calming down immediately.

“Demons.” The man spoke. “I heard what had happened in the empire but to think they’ve come as far as Kroll…,”

So I’m already in the kingdom of Kroll. “Where were they?”

“Half an hour north Shadow. We took down the two that attacked us but…,” He glanced at the forest behind her for a split second, “… I think there are more.”

Ilea stood up and looked at the man. “He is going to survive. You should travel with a healer if you can. Now tell me what you know.” She turned and looked directly at the woman hiding in the darkness. “You too if you have anything to add.”

The rogue tensed up immediately before the man next to her sighed. “Come out. We didn’t mean no offense Shadow. You are alone and we don’t know your intentions.” He said and she could see his muscles tense up.

“Just tell me where they are and I’ll leave you alone.” Ilea suggested, the woman stepping out of the dark, half her face hidden in cloth, a cloak hiding the rest.

“I will lead you.” The woman said, a sharp glance of the man making her shoulders droop. “It’s ok.”

Ilea looked at her and nodded. “I’ll get her out if it gets messy.”

Coughing came from the previously injured man who croaked out a plea for water, the rogue nodding to Ilea before she started moving into the forest, jumping on a tree and Ilea following on the ground below.

______________________________________________________________________

Hog you damn idiot. Ilyna thought as she led the Shadow towards the demons they had encountered on the road westwards. Travis was as good as dead and he nearly fucked it up with that monster. All the hairs on her back were standing, her instincts tugging on her mind as the woman silently followed on the ground behind her. Making a lot of damn noise woman.

They had no other choice but to rest and start a fire, hoping that none of the demons or anything else would show up to slaughter them in the dark. To think that smuggling out escaped slaves from Baralia would be interrupted by demons out of all possibilities. And now they had the luck to have a lone Shadow walk in on them. She didn’t know what the woman had done to Travis but his skin had already looked better when they had left.

Maybe he could move now. Maybe she could be a distraction while they fled. Ilyna thought as she led the woman to her doom. Or mine.

“What did you do to the injured man?” She couldn’t help but ask in a whisper.

Expecting no answer or a lie, she continued silently through the night. “I healed his wounds. I told the mage you should get a healer.”

But she’s a warrior? Ilyna was starting to doubt her decisions. Maybe it was a battle healer that lost her team somewhere in the wild or she wasn’t a Shadow at all. Thinking of blowing it off and hope that Travis could walk or even run again, she turned to the woman and stopped. “I th…,”

The Shadow held up a hand and sniffed the air. “Found you…,” A whisper into the dark night before she started walking.

What is she…, She followed and soon heard the noises of ripping flesh coming from the road ahead. Ilyna’s eyes widened when she saw the horrific creatures in the distance, a wagon had rolled to the side of the road.

“I think it’s time for you to leave huntress.” The woman spoke from below, a gray mist forming around her.

And then she vanished, Ilyna’s eyes frantically darting in the dark before she found her again, much closer to the road and the monsters. Again she vanished, Ilyna instinctively following from her elevated position in the trees until she could see the road illuminated by the moonlight.

The Shadow was among them, grabbing them with her bare hands before she smashed her fists into them, appearing around the circle of confused and raging monsters, the gray mist cutting into the creatures. She couldn’t move, couldn’t rip her eyes from the horrific slaughter, limbs ripped and thrown away, the sound of breaking bones and crushed flesh interspersed with screeches before everything was silent.

The woman was standing among a pile of corpses. Get a fucking grip. Ilyna quickly approached the shadow, the smell and sight nauseating but not the worst she had seen. “How often are they still sighted? I thought the empire took care of most of them.”

Ilyna froze again, nearly falling from the tree she was on when the woman spoke to her. “I… I don’t. Sometimes, the empire doesn’t care as soon as they cross the borders.”

“Any cities destroyed?”

“Not that I know of. This is one of the biggest groups I’ve heard about.” She replied as quickly as she could.

“Good. Well be careful out there. They turn people they kill into demons.”

I know. The thought went through her head as she jumped down from the tree, checking the wagon for any survivors.

“They’re dead. There’s some food in there. Good luck.” The Shadow said and vanished. Ilyna looked around but couldn’t find her again, dead eyes staring through her from the ground, a rustling behind her nearly making her jump. It was just an owl.

Get the fuck out of here, move. She told herself and jumped up again, her hiding skills activating as she sped back to her group.

_______________________________________________________________________

Ilea followed the long trail of the demons, most of them leading along the country road she had come across. The clouds above her hid the moonlight, turning the road pitch black. Why were they traveling at this bloody time? She questioned but decided that it wasn’t her problem. The girl had looked scared but not of the others around the campfire and the man had definitely been injured by a demon. Ilea decided on the benefit of the doubt for that group, mostly because she didn’t have a bad feeling when she had talked to them.

None of the demons had been above level one hundred. Stragglers escaping from the empire. If any originally summoned beasts had made it this far the situation would certainly be different. Even some random adventurers could deal with one or two of them at this level. With great difficulty.

A glint of light was reflected in the distance as she was running. Deciding to see what it was, Ilea quickly reached a group of soldiers in armor and colors she hadn’t seen before. They veered out at her approach and shouted for her to stop. Ilea followed their orders and lifted her hands as she identified them. Barely one above a hundred.

“What is your business in the kingdom of Kroll? I assume you are a Shadow?” One of them asked, his armor looking a little higher in quality compared to the others.

Ilea looked them over and answered, “Passing through officer. If you’re looking for the demons they’re ten minutes down the road.” Some of the soldiers looked at each other at that, Ilea noticing two of them grip their weapons more tightly. “They’re already dead.”

The officer locked eyes with her, “And why would a Shadow care to kill demons on the road?”

“That, officer. Is my own business. Let me know if you have the location of any other groups of them. I’ll be happy to clean up the mess.” She suggested with a smile, the man gulping as he heard it.

He waved for the group to continue, “That won’t be necessary Shadow, good luck on your hunt.”

“And on yours.” Ilea replied and watched them leave, following the thinning trail for another twenty minutes, finding the burnt remains of at least three demons in the forest a couple minutes off the road. She definitely liked the lack of scrutiny even soldiers showed her now that she was wearing black and simply stated she was a Shadow. Who would travel in the wild alone at night, claiming to have killed demons and in complete confidence standing against a group of ten soldiers aiming their magic at them. Who but a Shadow. Or someone just as dangerous.

Giving up on her search, she decided to follow the road until she knew again where she was. The visibility was too bad for her to see anything further than a couple dozen meters. Several hours passed without her encountering anybody as she sped over the road leading westwards through the night, only a single pause necessary to gain back her stamina and mana that started to reach less than a fifth of her total.

Ilea stopped another hour later near a worn down stone bridge with questionable maintenance. Wooden signs with fading writing confirmed she was going towards the west. Most of the listed towns were indecipherable but she could make out the word Karth in the midst of them, the mountain apparently dominant enough to deserve a mention on the fuck off nowhere signs.

Chapter 230 Back to the Roots

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, hope you are doing well. Enjoy the chapter and thanks for reading

.

Chapter 230 Back to the Roots

Ilea quickly checked through the remaining notifications in her mind but found none of her skills or classes had leveled from her encounters with the demons. The lone traveler soon came upon a city, its gates closed, guards patrolling on the walls. The sounds and smells that she perceived even from the hundred meter distance made her slow down and walk off the road onto the field of grass. She could see a single mage flying above the wall, following her along the defenses as she ran and circled the city.

Lucky for you I’m no elf. Passing the town walls, she continued on the same road, jumping over a river and ignoring a road leading north. Having looked over her map she had decided to go north from Riverwatch to avoid getting caught up in the war raging through the empire or the constant conflicts in the northern plains she had heard about. Ilea was pretty sure Kroll was smaller than the empire but she had no idea where it started or ended. The suns would rise soon and she hoped to see Karth at that point. Maybe I should learn where some of the stars are to orient myself.

It was an idea she previously had but never actually cared to learn about. A class in the Shadow’s Hand might’ve been the right decision but Ilea didn’t want to end up hidden away in a library like Dagon. The man had of course fought on the fields of Ravenhall to retake the city so she had to give credit where it was due.

The road soon diverged again, several paths leading in different directions. Ilea chose to follow the road to Karth. Running along the neglected road, she soon saw light on the horizon. Her buffs raised to the max when she realized it wasn’t sunlight but fire instead. The scent of smoke soon filled the air, Ilea ignoring the dangerous environment and rushing towards the origin of the fires.

A town? She thought when she passed destroyed walls, looking at the husks of destroyed houses built with wood and stone. All of it looked simple. Her lungs were filled with smoke but she resisted the slight urge to cough, finding it an easy thing. Perhaps her training with William hadn’t just been beneficial for underwater scenarios, although her skill only mentioned liquids.

A big square opened up, Ilea walking out into the open as a massive beam of wood came loose from a nearby building, shattering on the ground as it sent fiery sparks onto the dirt. Corpses. She thought and walked towards the wooden platform, finding several people dead, wounds from both weapons and claws it seemed but the headless corpse bound to a stake confused her a little, an ax biting into the wood above where the neck ended.

An execution? Some of the corpses looked like guards, at least very badly equipped ones. She found the head of the judged lying a couple meters away, eyes open and a look of anguish staring back at her. She chucked it away and continued looking around the burning village. Flying up, she found that the place was much smaller than she first thought, the raging fires hid the village’s ordinary nature, clothing it in a last spectacle.

Sounds of battle made her focus and glance at a patch of forest to the west. Quickly rushing over, she followed a trail of blood, corpses of soldiers, guards and what looked like civilians left behind before she came out into a small clearing, four armored warriors staring down a young woman, black lightning zapping the leaves and trees around her as she clutched the bleeding wound on her belly.

“Let her bleed out…,” One of the soldiers said, his spear pointed at her before he went to one knee, wincing in pain. Lightning cracked and sent the man backwards, smoke coming from his head as he landed close to Ilea. She was about to intervene and at least find out who they were when the woman cried out in pain.

Lightning crackled, scorching the ground around her before she coughed up blood. “You fucking dogs… I will kill all of you.”

The mentensed up. “Careful, don’t let your guard down.”

Ilea checked the soldier lying in front of her but found him dead and gone, instead walking towards the thoroughly distracted group before she spoke, “Who are you?”

Two of them turned right away, the woman coughing again and stumbling against the tree behind her as she smiled towards Ilea. A resigned look, her eyes closing with a pain stricken face. “A Shadow! Good, this one practices dark magics, you’ve seen it yourself. We were sent to take care of them.”

“Them? The dead man on the square?” Ilea asked and listened to the whispers coming from the woman.

“Charles, I will soon join you.”

“Yes, the whole village was corrupted, death magic.” The soldier who had spoken before answered her.

“So you came and killed them all, burnt down the village to cleanse it?” Ilea asked, trying to get a reaction out of him that might explain some of it.

“Exactly. She’s the last one of the wretches.” He said and twirled his blade.

Ilea really didn’t want to be in this situation but she wasn’t as cold as to just vanish without at least seeing it through. “What kind of rituals did they do?”

The soldier looked confused, the other two approaching the woman who seemed to have given up completely. “Didn’t you listen, she practices dark magic.”

Know a guy or two who do that too. Ilea thought and watched them start beating her. “Just kill her and be done with it.”

The man shook his head. “No. She must suffer. An example to those who would chose to serve these kinds of gods.” Quiet moans of pain filled her ears as she watched them throw the woman in the mud, kicking at her side with heavy boots, bones breaking with each hit.

“I said kill her and be done with it.” Ilea said but the man just smiled at her, turning his attention to the others. “Alright, your stupid decision not to listen to me.” Ilea added and appeared between the two men, her fists hitting each of their faces, breaking a jaw and a nose. “Now fuck off.”

The man behind her raised his sword and pointed it at her. “Why would you interfere, are you on a mission Shadow? These are the king’s laws and you stand between them. Would you really go against a whole kingdom?”

Ash surged out, gripping around the struggling soldiers next to her as her mana pushed into them, their feeble resistance cracking before another two tendrils sent wave of ember into them, both of them dying while she walked up to the man, his sword lashing out as he screamed. The blade stopped at her armored shoulder before she gripped his hand. “Why would they care about some shit soldiers like you?”

A kick sent the man stumbling, his hip bone broken. He crawled on the ground in pain before she appeared above him, her armored boot crushing his skull with a clean blow. The woman on the ground was barely conscious when healing mana started flowing through her and took care of her heavy injuries.

“I can take you out of the kingdom, to the west.” Ilea said, the healed woman remaining on the ground as she cried.

Ilea looked away and added, “I’m not going to wait here with you.”

A hoarse voice answered her, “The corpse… on the square. The one they executed first. He had a necklace.Can I ask you to burn them and bring that to me…,”

Ilea leaned on the tree next to her. “Do I look like a charity? I offered to help you come west. It’s that or I leave. Your problems aren’t mine dark mage.”

“I don’t need your help Shadow.”

Ilea nodded once and walked off. Another three men added to her list of humans she had planned not to encounter for a while. Her arm lashed out and punched through a thick tree, the wood groaning as its weight shifted and ripped the whole structure down towards the ground. Flying up above the treeline, Ilea quickly sped up as finally the light of day greeted her, the form of the massive mountain of Karth barely visible in the far distance.

Several hours of flying at her top speed finally brought her close enough to see the town of Riverwatch, her wings disintegrating after she landed on the road leading towards the city. “A shit night finally ends.”

Ilea started walking, greeting a group of adventurers that were gleefully talking in the back of a horse pulled wagon, a massive dead beast Ilea couldn’t quite place lying between them. Frog mutant or something? She thought, their enthusiastic mood taking a big downfall upon seeing the Shadow. Apprehension clearly visible on their faces Ilea decided against trying to join them for the ride and instead kept walking until they were barely visible to her on the dusty road. She came up on the bridge she had crossed many a time before when coming to Riverwatch and stopped, looking towards the faraway walls of the city before she smiled, instead crossing the river and starting to run into the familiar part of the Navali forest.

Seems like the Drakes have repopulated. The thought went through her head when one of them stopped and quickly rushed away when it spotted her. “That’s right bitch!” She laughed and continued her run, her armored boots hitting the creeks and leaving deep marks in the soft earth wherever she passed.

The temple looked the exact same as it had before, rundown and fucking old. My first home in this shit hole. Nah, actually this forest isn’t as shit as the empire. Ilea thought and walked through the stone halls, quickly opening a door and looking at the skeleton still inside. “Hey buddy, been a while.” She waved and closed the door again, not to further disturb the permanent resident.

“Lucky I found this instead of the city first. I might’ve become another ice or fire mage thinking it to be bloody cool.” Her hands brushed against the stone as she saw through the ground with her sphere, blinking into the small hall she had found after her arrival. Touching the wall, there was still no Bluemoon grass but she felt the power within. It would grow again, in time. She felt a little bad about eating probably dozens if not hundreds of years worth of the elexir in just a couple months and alone at that. Nobody else used it anymore and the rate of death was too high for her to spread it with good faith. The guild didn’t linger for long.

“Oh hey, look it’s drake scales.” She smiled and took one of the remaining pieces. What a shit material. Looked badass at least. To think she had lugged tons of the stuff around after painfully cutting it off from the monsters she had killed. Maybe I’ll do that with dragon scales soon enough.

Walking into the library, she smelled the old books and dried shit and piss. Courtesy of your one and only. Her hands grazed the cracks and missing stone on the wall where she had trained Destruction. Walking back, she checked the fountain.

[Fountain of Clarity]

She smirked, “Still as stupid as it was back then.” Drinking a little of the water, she felt its power flow through her. Summoning a cup, she found the effects vanished as soon as it left the beautifully crafted spring. Ilea checked the stone and found several enchantments on its side and within. Runes carved into the well and still active. She couldn’t tell on what exactly it ran but there must’ve been some connection to a man crystal somewhere. Putting her hand into the fountain and directly storing the water in her necklace proved unsuccessful as well.

Again, as soon as she drank it from her necklace the power had disappeared. “What is this? Some kind of system abuse patch they implemented?”

It felt natural for Ilea to talk to herself now that she was alone again, back in these familiar halls that were now clad in complete darkness, her sphere now as natural for her to see as her eyes were. Considering the enchantments and runes she had seen before, the Azarinth Order or whoever had built this place certainly weren’t novices. A healing fountain could be a great asset to a city, an army or really any adventurer. Ilea didn’t know anything about the limitations of building one, of having it powered. Perhaps it required a spell or sacrifice to initially activate. Maybe it was linked to the bluemoon grass or the source of the plant.

She wasn’t about to jot down every single rune on the well but maybe a journey to the temple with Clarie, Christopher and perhaps even Weavy would shed some light on the magical fountain of health. Alchemists would probably kill to see this thing. She smiled, not intending to share it with the world as of yet. Her blink at a much higher level allowed her to blink down into the big hall where she had fought against some kind of guardian golem before. Parts of the thing still remained on the dusty floor, magical lights still illuminating the eerie room.

Ilea walked towards the treasure room where she had found the black cloak she had loved so much. A shame it burnt to crisps in the Taleen dungeon. The thought was interrupted when she felt something weird in her Sphere. Really. Another hidden passage? Ilea smiled and followed the wall, the perfectly ordinary looking stone bricks damn near screamed at her in her Sphere. Blinking brought her nowhere new. Either an enchantment had been placed to prevent overeager initiates to find it or there really was nothing.

Her fists and ash started digging into the stone, Ilea’s weapons damaging the hard surface as if it was drywall, ripping out big chunks with each hit. She waved at the dust, her ash moving away the shattered stone. Right before she started feeling silly for going berserk against a cellar wall, her fist broke through. Ripping at it, a huge crack formed letting her see through. Her Sphere was still unable to see but her eyes told her there was something.

It lacked any light and Ilea continued clearing out stone until she could fit through the opening. Her sphere immediately expanded when she passed the invisible threshold. No dungeon notification popped up as she had hoped but she found a rune on a nearby wall connected to a magical light. That much she understood, her mana pushing into the rune before a dim blue light illuminated the perfectly intact stairwell.

She could make out a single room below, steadily going down as she checked for traps. More lights were activated when the touched the rune at the bottom of the stairs, the big room coming to life before her eyes. A round table with a big map in the middle as well as several chairs, dust and cobwebs clinging to everything they could. The dust made the air heavy, a smell of leather permeating her nose and sphere. Hidden meeting room?

Nobody had used it in their last days it seemed, neither skeleton nor undead prowling the room as she stepped around the table. The map looked much like her own with a lot more cities, empires and kingdoms. Getting out her notebook, she compared the names and found most of them differing from what she had in her hand. Riverwatch and all the cities west of it were not even on the map. The empire of Lys was there but much smaller and further to the east. Ravenhall was on it too, the lone city in the mountain retaining its name through the centuries.

Ilea felt a little pride rushing through her at that but shook her head at the absurdity of the fact. They were no glorious order making the world a better place. They were mercenaries. Oldest bloody mercenaries though and the baddest of ass.

“Wish I had my cellphone to take a picture.” She complained and sat down on one of the chairs, finding it somewhat comfortable despite the cobwebs and the cloud of dust that clung to her armor immediately. Taking one of the chess pieces from the map, she twirled it in her fingers before her eyes fell on the symbol painted on the pawn’s chest. One of her gauntlets vanished before she sacrificed a couple hundred health to activate her third tier State of Azarinth.

One of the runes, the one on the back of her hand looked eerily similar to the one painted in blue on the little figure. Standing up again, she studied the placement of the figures but couldn’t figure out what it meant. Some were grouped up near Karth, some built formations in the forest. Single pieces stood alone near the northern mountain chain or placed in the forest, their dark color quite a contrast to the brown ones all the other figures sported.

Ilea didn’t recognize any of the other symbols, even her State of Azarinth rune wasn’t exactly the same but she couldn’t help but be convinced. Checking them for similarities, she put nine figures into her necklace. Perhaps one of the librarians she had met would know about their significance. The dark figures neither had any discernible shape nor symbols but she couldn’t help but take one and look at it deeply. “Can thou see me dark lord?” A shiver went down her spine, hoping she hadn’t just summoned Morgoth himself to the world of Elos.

“I swear one of these days it’s gonna happen. I’m just gonna doom all of life because of some stupid joke.” Ilea mused to herself, placing the black figure back exactly where she had taken it from. Summoning her notebook, she quickly sketched down another map and took her time to write each name she could actually read into it. Nothing west or north of the now human plains had any writing on it, telling her that even back whenever this was, the forest and northern mountains weren’t charted. At least not by the owners of this hall.

Chapter 231 Compass Rose

A note from Rhaegar

Hey, new chapter up

. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 231 Compass Rose

The room had little else that held her interest. She added the position of all the figures in her notebook as well just in case it would be relevant. If this had been some kind of strategy meeting then it was possible someone had rearranged them to make sure it wouldn’t give away anything should a spy or someone like her enter the room at one point or the other.

As cocky as the Azarinth Order seemed to have been according to all the books I doubt they’d bother. Ilea looked through the room once more but there weren’t even any books. She was happy the map had survived considering the state the library in her training hall had been in. Going back up the stairs, she was back in the hall with the guardian and blinked back up. Another blink and she was on top of the temple.

The trees around the temple had grown close, taking back what was theirs in the past. Leaves rustled when the wind blew through them. Ilea looked around, a Drake’s call audible in the distance before she looked down on the stone roof. “Still here hmm?” The question answered itself when she crouched down a little and cleaned away the leaves and dirt that had covered her compass rose and the small mountain to the southwest. She smiled and straightened herself again, not adding anything to the map today. Ilea closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, enjoying the quiet, the nature. She had been mere prey when she arrived in Elos but as some comical god, fate or RNG had it, she was still alive and had turned into a huntress herself.

Her eyes opened and her body turned, northwards. To the mountain chain she could barely make out in the cloudy distance. Quickly glancing towards the lone mountain in the south, she winked at it and let her wings spread. The ashen protrusions moved in the wind before her legs left the roof, ascending towards the sky. Ilea sped towards the north, her mind focused and brimming with excitement.

She kept flying low, only a couple meters above the treeline, avoiding some of the higher ones sticking out of the forest like overgrown buildings. Regularly checking the western sky for any signs of movement other than the leaves and small birds, she advanced on her destination. Ilea had her sphere and some other skills active at all times now, making her prepared for an ambush. Combined with her healing and high speed, she hoped it was enough to at least survive alone in the north.

If not she’d find a dungeon somewhere and train until she was strong enough to do so. The mountains grew closer but visibility was good today, meaning she was likely still a while away from her destination. It took her an hour to get close to the mountain chain, close enough to see them reach up into the clouds and beyond. Accelerating, she flew in an upwards curve to pass the mountain tops, ignoring any of the routes the expeditions had planned to use. Perhaps that was why they had failed in the first place.

Maybe they didn’t fail and simply found a nice place to stay and decided to become independent. The thought vanished from her mind when she crossed over the lowest mountain before her. The country stretching behind it was littered with massive cracks and crevices running deep into the stone, mountains and valleys forming and breaking off in at points extreme angles. The terrain continued as far as she could see, dark storms visible far away and snow covering the higher parts of some mountains.

She slowed down and hovered in the air, gulping while trying to think about where to go. Looking east, she couldn’t see the ocean, the mountainous environment continuing further than she though possible. Except for the south, she could not find an end to it, purple lightning flashing in one of the dark storms making her head turn. It’s harder to breathe. Ilea found but it wasn’t an issue. She knew about higher altitudes having lower levels of oxygen but to her it felt like the air was thicker, heavier in a sense.

Shaking her head, she woke herself out of her reverie and flew downwards to a relatively nearby valley, deep cracks showing at the bottom of it. Her eyes opened wide when one of the high mountains overlooking her destination seemed to turn black, enveloped by dark clouds that moved towards her. She slowed down and watched as the mountain got enveloped, her instincts telling her to run but her mind unable to pry herself off the view, the massive clouds moving through the air like a beast prowling the skies. Move.

Ilea heard herself think and started rushing downwards. Her whole body screamed at her that something about that storm was dangerous. Trusting her instincts, she quickly reached the ground, looking for somewhere to take shelter. There were small cracks in the rock but other than protrusions sticking out and providing shade against the sun, there was nothing she felt safe enough to actually hide behind. The crevice. Enhancing her speed with the third tier of her aura, adding blinks in to cover even more distance, she rushed towards her new target.

Ilea blinked past big rocks and rushed by near mountains, seeing not a single living being on the surface as the sky darkened and a purple flash cut through stone a couple hundred meters to her left. The shock wave pushed her to the east, all her power and body fighting against the natural force. Her healing spell told her something was wrong with her left side but she couldn’t figure out what, simply pushing mana towards it and feeling the damage subside, albeit slowly. Let’s not get hit.

The storm was now right above her, the light of the suns a forgotten memory, unable to pierce whatever it was that formed the massive storm front. No rain fell from the dark giants looming over her, Ilea’s breathing and heart beat accelerating as she enhanced her body to the fullest. The only sound she could hear were her own wings, her frantic breathing and her heartbeat, even the strong winds that had accompanied her previously scared or pushed away by whatever was happening. A distant purple impact sent a wave of air to her back, the woman happy to find her speed picking up with the help.

The valley wasn’t visible anymore, hidden behind high hills and sharp stones sticking out of the ground all around her. Another bolt of lightning hit the stone, this time only a hundred meters to her right, the explosion of rock sending shrapnel as big as some of the massive protrusions around her flying, her body tumbling in the wave of pure power as she tried to stabilize herself, pieces of rock impacting against her Veil and the ashen mist she started forming around herself. She blinked out of the way of another flying rock as big as a car, finding herself stable enough to fly again.

What the hell is this bullshit… She continued forward, using the terrain around her to ignore the flying truck sized chunks still impacting slowly around her, one of them forcing another blink as it rushed down at her from a steep angle. The sound of impacting mass, sending debris and air to the side made her reduce her hearing capabilities not to take damage there as well. Crossing over another large hill, the crevice at the bottom of the valley was visible again, still several kilometers away. Her eyes focused on what she assumed to be shelter, her awareness suddenly peaked, the terrain that had rushed by her a moment earlier slowed down to a crawl, the flying debris pushing through the air like stone through water.

And then she saw it, above her the sky turned purple, tendrils of energy zapping at the clouds before they moved down towards the ground, trying to find a way to go as it snaked through the air with moderate speed. Ilea blinked backwards, knowing she had two seconds to prepare herself as the ash around her moved forward, forming several walls as her arms shielded her body, her legs moving up to her stomach and her wings cutting forward through the air to cocoon her small form. Five hundred points of health were sacrificed to increase her State of Azarinth for a moment, her healing already kicking in to recover the health while she formed more ash to protect her.

Ilea felt herself fall towards the ground, the purple lightning moved through the air like cracks in the sky, invisible to her a moment later as it passed the ashen defenses before her. Ilea prepared to blink again when the lightning impacted around forty meters in front of her. The shock wave came a moment later, her ash vanishing like sand washed away by the tides, her Veil resisting for a moment before the force pushed through. Ilea’s muscles and bones pushed backwards, her vision nearly going dark when her skull cracked behind her armor, the force nearly shatteringher bones, some of them snapping and cutting out of her skin as they slashed through her organs and tissue from within, onlystopped by the armor on her back as she was flung through the air like a rag doll.

Fighting with all her will to stay conscious, her healing skill took over. Trying to stop the internal bleedings, Ilea focused on her heart and brain secondarily. Her body flying at high speed impacted a rock, the bones still sticking out of her skin cutting through even more of her body as she was flung sideways, finally landing on the ground where her body tumbled for twenty more meters before coming to a stop. Blood seeped out of the thin openings in her armor, her head looking towards the sky. One of her eyes had miraculously survived, the bloodied thing barely registering the dark clouds above while she tried with all her power to stabilize her dying body.

A purple tendril of energy slashed through the sky above when she saw a winged shadow amidst the clouds, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared, the lightning impacting somewhere far off, the wind nearly moving her body, Ilea willing her hands to dig into the stone with whatever strength they had left. One of them still responded, a swift jab brought her some stability at the cost of even more of her body rupturing. Her visionwent dark for a moment before she came back, breathing hard. Flying debris rained down on the ground next to her, small pebbles impacting her surprisingly intact armor. The bleeding was under control now but half of her organs were still mush, her heart and brain damaged and at the brink of failure as well.

Ilea’s instincts took over as her hand held on to the ground, a massive rock impacting a couple dozen meters next to her, her body lifting up from the force. She landed again with a groan, blinking her prone body away when a stone the size and weight of a tank crashed into the ground, the impact making her stumble again. Some of her organs had recovered but got injured again, not as badly as with the initial impact at least. Her brain and heart recovered and bones snapped back into place, Ilea using the existing bone instead of building new one to save time but also because nothing had been completely pulverized. Nothing she needed to move.

As soon as the bleedings were taken care of and most of her organs were functioning at least somewhat, she spread her wings, one good eye focused on the crevice that looked to be so close. Lightning hit making her turn her head, wincing at the damage the movement did to a part of her spine. Luckily unable to feel the pain, she found the lightning hat impacted several hundred meters away and behind a big hill. Focusing forward again, Ilea continued to heal her body, the recovery getting quicker now that she wasn’t leaking blood anymore and no more of her bones were trying to damage her. She was back.

Energy hit behind her, increasing her speed as she rushed past the desolate landscape, veering left before she entered the crevice. Ilea’s speed was too high, her body too injured for her to navigate properly through the quickly thinning tear in the land. She impacted the wall before stabilizing, grazing the other side of the crevice before landing hard on the ground a hundred meters further down. Her body came to a halt. A line of stone had been scratched and cracked from her landing.

Breathing out, the woman started laughing, wincing at the pain when she reactivated its perception. Half her body was still mush but it was quickly recovering now, stable and soon back at peak condition. It was good to feel it. To know she had survived. She couldn’t feel her legs but that was a minor concern.

A hiss made her tense up, her one eye frantically looking for the source of the noise as her second one started rebuilding. A moment later she stared back at the huge eagle that clung to the side of the crevice, a snake as broad as herself and longer than she thought possible struggled against the eagle’s claw that dug deeply into its body as it hissed and tried biting at the unmoving bird.

It’s looking at me. She focused on healing up, not moving a single muscle as the light of her second eye returned. The eagle was several meters in height, its talons longer than most swords a human would wield. Is it hiding or hunting? The storm was still above them, the valley a dark and quiet place, noise coming from the lightning impacts from above and the occasional stone that fell. Ilea blinked closer to the stone wall, building ash again just in case lightning managed to somehow find its way down the narrow crack.

The eagle still watched her but it already had a meal in its talons. If it was a wild animal she’d likely be safe. Maybe its apprehensive of me as well? The idea didn’t fit with the majestic monster that casually held onto the side of the crevice, its wings retracted and sometimes moving to stabilize its massive body. They waited together for another fifteen minutes until light fell in from above, Ilea noticing the grass and plants growing at the bottom of the crack for the first time now that the danger of the storm had moved past.

She watched the eagle lift its head and look back down at her before it jumped off, the wingspan too broad to fly straight in the crack as it ascended quickly, both using its wings but also digging into the stone with its one free clawed foot. And it was gone, alongside the snake that had beenless lucky than Ilea had been.

Ilea breathed a sigh of relief, finding the air easier to breath again down here and outside of the silent storm. What was the thing I saw? She thought and tried to remember, the memory like a haze of her barely conscious self. There were wings, she was sure of it. Big wings and a tail. Moving out of the hiding spot under some protruding stone above, she grinned to herself. Was that the first dragon I’ve seen? And I didn’t even fight it. Excitement flowed through her, the adrenaline from her tense arrival in the north slowly faded as she activated her meditation skill and focused to control her quickening heartbeat.

She hadn’t seen the levels of the beasts but her instincts at least had sounded an alarm. Both the snake and the eagle would likely be formidable opponents should she stand in their way. Hunters of prey themselves and they survived here where lightning was strong enough to kill her. Maybe I’ll follow the crevice. Ilea thought, reminded that the expeditions planned to use tunnels and similar cracks in the land to go into the northern territory. With the lack of animals she had seen above, it seemed like the more sensible bet. Especially with how quickly that storm had moved around her.

Deciding to simply move further north and see what she’d find, Ilea carefully walked alongside the crack, the occasional flower growing out of the dry stone greeting the new visitor. Life finds a way hmm?

The crevice opened up when she came out of the previous section. Not by much but enough to have allowed stones to fall into it more easily, some stacking several dozen meters high, their structural integrity questionable at best. A small clear stream of water flowed lazily through the crack, ending in a small cave near where Ilea stood. More plants were growing here, their green splendor reflecting the sunlight from above alongside the sparkling creek. Movement caught her eye, a fox like creature with scales instead of fur peeked out of a hole before it moved to the creek, its red brown form hidden among the stone before it started sipping the water.

Ilea moved through with as little noise as she could produce but the fox rushed away when she came closer. Not as stealthy as the little guy. Looking around, she blinked to a group of massive stones, the suns residing nearly right above her not reaching this part of the creek because of the steep angle. She jumped up, her wings spreading before she rushed to the top of the crevice, looking out over the terrain. Hills and big chunks of rock inhibited her view but she could see the dark clouds in the distance, purple flashes continuously impacting the ground. Even from so far away she could feel the tiny tremors. Seeing a group of birds flying by, she jumped down again, grabbing the edge of the cliff to hide her body from the predators. The hairs on her back were standing when she watched the leathery wings of the vicious looking birds flap in the winds. Welcome to the fabled north. It’s been 0 days since the last near death experience.

Chapter 232 The Northern Night

A note from Rhaegar

Shaw!

Chapter 232 The Northern Night

Traveling through the cracks in the land proved rather simple for Ilea, gifted with flight, high durability and endurance. The creek she had found previously was the only source of water she had seen so far and the shadows were already stretching far to the west, almost no light finding the bottom of the crevice she was currently moving through. The howling wind could be heard rushing by above, the cover of the glen protecting the creatures seeking shelter within. She could hear them before passing over the small hill, her Sphere informing her about the size and form of what creatures lay beyond. One of them looked up, its scaled head turning her way before it hissed, the other two bipedal bird like animals turned her way as well.

[Burrow Dragoon – lvl 205]

The closest one read as the three fanned out to surround their prey. “So you want to play?” Two of them quickly advanced, their height a little lower than Ilea’s but the claws on their feet nearly as long as her hand. Yellow eyes focused on her as the last one of them jumped up and twirled before it crashed and dug into the earth, Ilea’s brows rising as she jumped backwards, seeing the Dragoon advance through the ground with her Sphere. It reached her before the running ones did, its jaw snapping at the air before it landed again, digging into the ground.

They had neither arms nor wings, most of their weight probably distributed between claws and teeth. At least that’s what Ilea thought when she blinked next to one of the murder chickens, the monster just jumping up to burrow like its pal had done before it. Ilea’s fist alongside five limbs of ash crashed into its side, six loads of wave of ember with a side of Destruction rushed into the beast, the impact sending it skidding for several meters before it cried out in pain, hissing at her. Heavier than I thought.

Stepping to her left, Ilea avoided the emerging Dragoon, its leg rushing out to dig into her ash. Crouching downwards to avoid its attack, Ilea grabbed on to one of its legs and twirled around, throwing it at the hissing monster. The third beast emerged, its maw closing around her foot before she had let go of the second one, preventing her blink from activating. Its teeth ground through her Veil and fought hard against her armor before eight tendrils of ash smashed into the beast, Ilea pulling it up and out of the ground with her legs before she smashed her fist into its hard skull. Again and again until one of its eyes closed, a crack reverberating.

Ilea saw the other two approaching below and spread her wings, ascending with all the power she had, dragging the one Dragoon out of the stone while she continued her assault. Her armor groaned under the stress but the beast didn’t manage to get through. Its limbs stopped moving another three punches later, Ilea putting her hands inside its maw and pulling it apart. Sweat dropped from her brow as she groaned, finally breaking open the beast’s jaws and dropping its lifeless body towards the hissing monsters below.

Blinking behind one of them, the grabbed its tail and whirled it around, impacting the second one while her ash and touch delivered Wave of Ember as well as reversed Hunter Recovery. Breathing out hard, she watched the monster get up and burrow, Ilea still holding on to the other beast that desperately tried to get away. Jumping up, her wings helping in the process, she twirled and smashed the emerging beast with its specimen, smiling when it bit down into the other monster’s back. Jaw locked in place, Ilea let go of them before landing on top of the now intertwined beasts, one groaning in pain as teeth, fists and destructive mana rained into its scaled head.

It died a moment later, Ilea quickly taking care of the last one that remained locked in place, the only danger remaining its frantically moving legs that tried to claw at her. The bloodied yellow golden scales glittered a little in the sunshine that would soon leave the crevice behind until the night came and went.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Burrow Dragoon – lvl 205]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Burrow Dragoon – lvl 217]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Burrow Dragoon – lvl 222]

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 17’

And here I thought the north was going to be good to raise my classes again. Ilea smashed her fists together and breathed out. There were scratches on her armor but no further damage. Compared to the lightning bolt from before, where the force was distributed amongst her whole armor, the Dragoon had attacked a specific part, its teeth and jaw strength apparently enough to damage it. Let’s not end up with our head inside of that jaw.

Leaving the corpses behind, she moved on as the land became more and more dark. The glen became thinner and thinner until she could barely move through it at its lowest point, instead jumping up to fit through. Moving from an jutting stone to another, she found her visibility lowering. Coming out on the other side, she found herself looking into a deep crevice, mist looked to be falling into it from the top. She could hardly make out the ground and jumped down. A small creek flowed slowly towards her direction, growing vegetation pushed out of the slits and cracks on the ground.

As the night progressed, Ilea could see sparkling stars shining down from above, their light reflected in the water of the creek as a thin mist rolled into the glen. Like a cascade of water, the mist flowed down from the dangerous terrain above. Where is it coming from?

The question remained unanswered when the area around her turned eerily calm. She couldn’t make out the sound of the flowing water just a couple meters over, her breathing quickening as she prepared, for something. She knew not what. Seeing the mist pour in from all directions around her Ilea thought it best to fly up and observe the area but her body froze when she heard a noise.

A humming switching between high and low notes in an eerily unnatural rhythm. Her body screamed at her to get the hell out of there but she couldn’t move an inch.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for three seconds.’

The time passed slowly as she watched something twist in the mist, four limbs moving towards her with frightening speed, a ghostly floating form dancing as if pushed by an unearthly wind before six white eyes opened and stared at her, black feline pupils staring into her two. Unblinking and unwavering the barely visible creature moved towards her in twirling motions, its eyes focused on her at all times before she could finally move again.

[Miststalker – lvl ??]

Ilea’s wings spread while she felt her mana and health drain, the familiar sensation not surprising her. The four limbs ending in what looked like blades reached out to her while she ascended, the soundless weapons slashing through the mist. The humming continued but left her unaffected, Ilea debating if she should engage the creepy monster when her body locked up again, her form falling down towards the mists.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for three seconds.’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 4’

The seconds passed before she blinked up, her wings forming just before she dropped again.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for two seconds.’

As she fell, her heart sunk. Dozens of the creatures moved through the mists, their songs intertwining into a terrifying concert of death. All of them moved towards her. Her health and mana started draining faster as more of the creatures advanced on her. Her body moved again for a second before another one of them froze her in place. She had blinked up and away but not far enough to get out of the deathly crevice.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for two seconds.’

One of the monsters slashed its bladed scythe like arm at her, Ilea’s mind flashing back to her first encounter with a Taleen Guardian. It dissipated at her armor but she felt the magic flow into her, a cold feeling spreading where it had hit her. Curse.

Another drain to her health and mana and if she didn’t get out of there soon, she’d be left dry and dead before the night had ended. Blinking up, she rammed her hands and ashen limbs into the stone before the next message resounded in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for two seconds.’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 5’

Her plan had worked and she hung limply at the side of the cliff, the ghostly monsters unable to fly up to her as they grouped up, sucking out her health and mana even from the distance of nearly thirty meters.

Let’s see if this works. She thought and used the split second of available movement to dig herself even deeper into the wall. Carefully looking over her health and mana, she frowned and decided it was a shit idea to try and level here, already reaching below half of her mana.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for one second.’

Already down to a single second? Ilea blinked up again, digging into stone before another message came up.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for one second.’

This time her skill didn’t level but with a single second in between, she could blink up again. The mana and health drain started to vane by then, the distance too high for the monsters’ magic to affect her. Mist continued to pour down when she reached the top of the crevice.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the song of a mighty creature – Your body is paralyzed for one second.’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 6’

Looking down she found dozens of white eyes staring at her, unblinking before soon they started moving away, twirling in the mist as the visibility down in the crack became less and less. All her hair was standing up as she fell down backwards, sitting there as the mist continued pouring into the hole. It came from the air it seemed, like the wind carrying a white sheet before it poured down over the country. Ilea found some distant moving sets of six eyes even up here but none of them had noticed her so far and it looked like the mists congregated in deeper areas like the crevices. The humming continued from below, the fact that it didn’t sound like there were dozens of them there made it even creepier to her. She moved a couple steps back, still sitting and breathed out.

A couple fewer levels in Veteran at the start and that could’ve been it. Days since the last near death experience… still zero. She shivered and stood up, letting healing mana flow through her, meditation quickly returning her lost mana. “Terrifying little buggers.” Ilea looked out towards a pair of them twirling in their own sea of mist but decided to observe more before she landed in another fight. Who knew if they could multiply or something.

Looking over the cliff side, she found it had turned completely white. She couldn’t make out a single one of the creatures. The flow of the mist had nearly stopped as well. I should find another place to hide. The storms are too dangerous to… Ilea’s thought process was interrupted when she looked out over the lands. Dark mountains loomed all around her, cracks and crevices visible even far away, some reflecting the starlight on a white sheet of mist. Not a single purple light was visible. Not a single black cloud either.

Ilea spread her wings and flew up a couple dozen meters to get a better view. Other than seeing a little further, it was the exact same result. She saw a couple clouds but they looked either gray or white, not that that was an indicator of their safety. Still, there was no purple lightning. It was quiet. Seas of mist had congregated in various areas where the land seemed to form into valleys. Ilea assumed most if not all crevices were filled with the stuff and likely the creatures that followed.

Miststalkers was it? She couldn’t identify a single one of them. Flying closer to a small mountain, she landed on its peak, standing on black stone. A thin sheet of ice glimmered in the moonlight, crunching and splintering when she stepped over to the other side. Lakes of mist and cloudy mountain tops showed wherever she turned.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

“Erm, what?” She blinked her eyes, watching black furry creatures run in the dark before they vanished again. “Hello. Yes what please?” Looking up towards the sky there was neither a god nor demon replying to her questioning.

...and natural occurrences of the true arcane. Does that mean there’s magic in the air here?

Figuring she’d learn about what the hell just happened in time, she tried spotting the running creatures again. Four legs and a tail. They were only visible because of the absence of light where they ran, at least it felt that way to Ilea. Spreading her wings, she jumped off the mountain and glided over the lake of mist where she could see at least a dozen of the mist creatures, too far below her to affect her with their magic. Landing on a hill overlooking the lake, some of the creatures nearby quickly advanced on her, their eerie melody sung but not affecting her anymore.

“What are you going to do now mist bitches?” The answer was of course to drain her health and mana. They stood far inside the mist, too far for her to try and engage, just in case they were just luring her in there. Training her resistances against the spells was certainly a possibility but she didn’t feel safe enough to run around with half of her mana and health missing.

Turning away instead, she continued her observation rounds from the sky. Not too high up as she saw things moving through the clouds. More of the leathery birds that moved in big murders. That doesn’t look safe. She wanted to fight one of them alone before rushing into a while group of the creatures. At least it seemed they either didn’t see her or didn’t care about her presence. Landing on an elevated position devoid of mist, she spotted a big skeleton. A lizard like head and four limbs. The tail was missing but checking a couple dozen meters behind the creature, she found its skeleton lying on the stone. The bone wasn’t completely dry, a little blood and tissue still sticking to it indicating a more recent death than she had assumed at first.

Identifying the bone gave her the name of the creature.

[Kalamon Bone – High Quality]

Ilea grabbed one of the ribs and pulled hard. It cracked after a while, the woman stumbling back a little. Putting it below her foot, she stomped down and found it cracking with the first hit, breaking on the second. Not better than my stuff.

Moving on through the dark, Ilea glimpsed more of the mist creatures and deadly looking birds but other than that there was nothing moving in the night. Nothing visible to her at least. She spent the night rushing from mountain top to mountain top, hiding from swarms of birds from time to time. A loud hissing sound made her jump into a crack, tremors of something moving by could be felt but looking over the edge, she couldn’t see anything. Neither had there been a paralyzing effect but Ilea didn’t really know what that meant. It was possible her Veteran level was high enough to counter the effects or certain strong monsters simply had the ability, like a skill of her own and could use it at will.

Ilea couldn’t tell the mountains from each other, constantly moving between their high peaks and the valleys beyond, the cracks in the earth leading down even deeper. With the mists it seemed unwise to travel them by night but there were certainly enough hunters around above ground as well. Birds and flying drake like creatures occasionally dived down but she could never see what exactly they hunted or killed. It made her more vary of the skies, making sure to stay as invisible as possible to them. Her black armor barely reflecting light and mostly her small form compared to the beasts she had encountered so far helped her in that regard. Or it was pure luck that none of the animals had dived to kill her. Ilea didn’t know. What she knew was that by the time the suns were rising on the horizon, the cracked and mountainous terrain now expanded further than her eyes let her see in all directions. A smile formed on her face as she stretched and summoned a meal, sitting down on a stone atop a mountain peak. Her legs dangled, bumping the stone from time to time as she enjoyed Keyla’s cooking in silence. I’m lost as fuck.

Chapter 233 Chicken Nuggets

A note from Rhaegar

Double feature today thanks to a Patreon goal being met recently

. I hope you enjoy.

Adeena!

Chapter 233 Chicken Nuggets

With the emergence of the suns, Ilea watched closely what happened to the lakes of mist when the light reached their borders. Eating the last of her meal, she quickly scanned the surroundings to find the closest crack in the land. Putting away the box, she jumped off the mountain and glided down the steep side of it with her wings out. The sunlight was hidden behind the mountain but coming up on the crevice, Ilea saw how the mist was already dissipating. Miststalkers danced around before they too vanished, particles of mist floating up in the air, the last of their existence shimmering in the light that finally rose over the mountain.

And as quickly as the mist had vanished, black clouds formed and purple lightning started impacting faraway hills and mountains. Ilea watched a cloud form only a couple hundred meters away, deciding it was safe to traverse the chasms again. Jumping down, she felt the air rush by from the first lightning impact of the newly formed death cloud. Are the mist creatures in there? Just turning into lightning stalkers by day?

A little apprehensive, Ilea scanned her surroundings as she stepped down into the thin crevice. No mist could be seen, not even in its nooks and crannies. Which meant traveling was somewhat safe outside during the night and in the cracks by day. If one considered the dangerous beasts manageable.

Ilea saw the first animals and small insects move out of their hiding spaces among the rocks and cracks, eager to find food and water now that the mists were gone. Not exactly an abundance of resources around here. She watched the animals and started walking northwards. So far she had found the Dragoons that she could definitely kill but they were below her level, meaning it wasn’t exactly profitable leveling wise. They were interesting opponents but without an ability to seriously hurt her combined with the low level, she wasn’t particularly interested in hunting them.

Neither did they seem to be around in high numbers. A rustling resounded behind her but she couldn’t see anything when she turned, neither did her Sphere. Checking for anything in hiding as if she was looking for a rogue, she found nothing. Smiling a little, she imagined Eve trying to sneak up on her here in the north. Shaking her head, she walked on and continued her considerations. The Miststalkers were interesting but as long as they came in such high numbers she wasn’t sure if she should approach them. Her resistances were high of course and she could gain levels in her mist magic resistance at least but it wasn’t like they’d go anywhere.

That was if they appeared again the next night. Ilea had only seen one day and night in the north so far and while the purple lightning had returned she didn’t know if the mist did. The gray birds freaked her out but without having fought against them she might just find them the way to level up here. Coming into another section of the crevice, Ilea sniffed the air and activated all her buffs, blinking behind a rock she could see through her Sphere. Looking around, listening and waiting for a minute, she couldn’t make out anything but the smell of a recent fire was unmistakable.

Rushing through the glen, she found it. A crudely prepped fireplace, cold ash remaining. Bones of an animal lay to its side, free of any meat. Checking her surroundings again, Ilea instead activated her Hunter’s Sight, looking for any clues regarding the maker of this fire. There was of course the question if she really wanted to look for whomever had prepared it but the potential benefits of getting to know someone who knew their way around the north were obvious. Might even be worth the risk. She found half faded tracks in the sand.

Boots… She surmised, meaning that it wasn’t just some half intelligent ape creature able to make a fire. Well it could still be but the ape wore boots at least. Following the trail proved difficult, either because it was older or because the mists and stalkers had danced over it for a whole night or three. The trail continued into a small cave opening, darkness staring back at her when she entered. The Sphere taking over, Ilea walked through the narrow corridor before she heard a stream flowing, seeing it a couple meters later.

The water flowed down into the unknown, further than her sphere could see. The space wasn’t big enough for her to glide down with her wings, Ilea instead climbing down through the small gap between the water and rock. After a couple meters she could already see the bottom further down. Coming out as quietly as she could, she found the following cave to be a little brighter. She couldn’t make out the light source as of yet. Trying to stay quiet, she walked through the opening cave, finding a large fissure in the stone at the other end of it. The water flowed down a small creek that had formed over the years. Just another crevice?

There was grass growing outside the fissure, soft light breaking in from cracks above. It definitely looked like something Ilea wouldn’t have found if she had simply continued down the previous glen. The way led further down, actually opening up below while the top looked more narrow and even closed off, only opening in certain parts to allow sunlight inside. Wonder if the mists come down here too…

The answer would have to wait, Ilea walking deeper into the unknown, the small stream of water flowing down next to her, occasionally reflecting the sun when she passed a crack above her. The terrain led further down before opening up into a big cave, vegetation abundant, the water ending in a small pond hidden behind ferns. The trail was still there, actually growing more pronounced and easy to follow.

Ilea heard chirping sound before a blinding headache nearly brought her to her knees, the pain spreading through her before she shut it off, healing against the damage done to her mind and body. She had never experienced such a pure force of mind magic before, the attack feeling like a combination of Weavy’s and Eve’s abilities. Fine control shattering her mind with the force of a sledgehammer. Carefully surveying the damage done, Ilea simply healed against it, focusing on her mind as she started meditating.

Her second stage deflected a part of the attack back at whoever was doing this and she hoped it would provoke some sort of response. Her healing was stable and she combined with her recovery of both mana and health, she could simply sit there and take it for several hours. And so she did. The attack didn’t subside, first ten minutes, then twenty.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

Might as well stay until it’s at level twenty. With such a ridiculously powerful attack that’s gonna take less than a day. The plan didn’t work out though, the mind magic subsiding another five minutes later. She could still heard the chirping and decided to find out what it was. In the grass nearby right outside her Sphere’s previous radius, she found a small yellow chick, chirping happily as it wiggled a worm out of the ground.

Slurping it down, the cute animal looked at her and chirped again, flapping its small arms. “You’re fucking cute.”

Carefully moving her hand forward, she pet the tiny chicken and identified it.

[Mind Flayer – lvl ??]

Ilea continued smiling and lifted the animal up on her hand. “Sorry little guy, I don’t have any bread with me.” Looking into the bird’s eyes, it chirped again before lying down in her hand. The thing was asleep in a couple seconds. “Aren’t you the cutest murder mage. Mind Flayer… are you kidding me.”

She considered an illusion spell like the electric mind magic cat had used to change its appearance but she didn’t feel any magic coming from the chick anymore. Maybe her identify skill was wrong or influenced by something that had actually attacked her but then again why wouldn’t a tiny chicken have an affinity for mind magic?

If there were hundreds of them maybe she’d at least consider making chicken nuggets, simply for the levels but just one of them was just too cute to harm. I’d get fried if there were even five of them attacking me at the same time. Reminded of the miststalkers, she wondered if there were more of these here. She couldn’t find any with her sphere at least. There were some more worms and insects, all of them dead in the area she could see. Using nukes to kill worms.

A mystery, how an animal so small and cute only in need of some worms and water to live had acquired such an insane ability with mind magic. She placed it down on the grass again and let it sleep, the bird likely exhausted from the magic it had exerted before. Next thing is a worm using earth magic to encase and eat me.

The thought wasn’t too far off but with all the beasts she had seen so far the bird was the most surprising, simply because of its small size. With the lacking Mental Resistance most people had, it wasn’t too far off to think a single one of those chicks could’ve wiped out an entire expedition. Or a single blast of that lightning. Not sure if it’s lightning or arcane but my resistances are in the second tier for both.

The open area continued for a while, the vegetation slowly waning as the water source was left behind. With a final twist, the cave led into a wide open space. Ilea’s eyes opened wide when she looked out over the cave walls, light breaking in from a big opening at the top, flowing down like a golden cascade that illuminated parts of the massive structures. Temples, high towers and aqueducts visible before they vanished into the darkness below where no light reached. Cracks, broken off pieces and rubble told her a little about this place’s history.

There was no notification so it wasn’t a dungeon. A city? Under the mountain? Have I finally found some dwarves? Something felt off about the place though. A dark and sinister feeling that made her apprehensive. This place was dead, long gone and rotting. Ashen wings spread before she floated down about a hundred meters to reach the highest tower. Looking down made her shiver, an unending void staring back at her. She had no idea what lurked beyond that abyss. Green eyes suddenly flashed in her mind, making her reel back and calm down using meditation and her healing.

Come on recovery, I thought you could heal mental damage too. Opening her eyes again, calm and collected she walked on the rooftops, their red color fading. Moving past one of the merlons she saw a square below her, not quite angled right but solid enough to still stand. A big gate lay at the end of it, leading into the massive cathedral she had found herself on. The intricate design of the architecture reminded her a little of Salia, towers with pointed tops and several distinct sections reaching up towards the sunlight above. Railings, some damaged and bent held onto the edges of the square, metal weaving in shapes of roses to create a mesh preventing a fall.

Walking to the edge of the square, she found thorns had been placed on the outside of the railings. Flaunting their wealth. Didn’t work out in the end, now did it? She was quite aware of her own pompous house but at least she hadn’t added roses to her balcony railings. Maybe I should.

The door leading inside was hanging off a single hinge, its heavy wooden frame a shade of its assumed formed self. The color it once had was long gone and the wood was rotting from within. The interwoven metal lines the only indication of its ancient splendor. Ilea moved past and found herself on the balcony overlooking the massive cathedral hall. Windows now missing all glass, only the metal framing going through their midst let the weak sunlight fall into the building, its brilliance reflecting on the silver being part of the construction.

Ilea walked along the wooden railing, taking in the incredible architectural wonder now forgotten and rotting away. Tables as well as chairs and benches lined the floor of the hall, metal cutlery and plates remaining on it still. What happened to this place?

There were no skeletons, no signs of a fight nor zombies or demons walking around. Did they just abandon it? Her reverie turned into apprehension when she reached the end of the balcony, now seeing the massive double doors leading out of the cathedral. The doors were cast in metal, silver lined within showing a beautiful rose. Not the door had peaked the feeling but what sat before it. A tall person in a wooden chair, one of their legs propped on the other and a book in had. Their back was towards her and a hood prevented her from seeing any of their features.

Ilea had tried to be quiet but she didn’t have any stealth skills, surprising her that the man or woman hadn’t seen her yet. Or chose not to react. Wait, is this guy still alive? Her options were sneaking up and attacking, identifying them from closer up and going from there or speaking up from a higher distance. The last option seemed the sanest one and would allow for the highest chance to get away should it become necessary. Identifying them would serve nothing as her approach likely wouldn’t change. She wouldn’t attack them without knowing more.

Her wings spread and took her over the wooden railing, down towards the stone floor where she landed with almost no noise. Checking for openings in the walls and orienting herself to know where the cave led outwards, she stepped forward, “Greetings traveler.”

Head moving back a little, she at least knew they weren’t dead, “How unexpected. A tracker of some sort I surmise?” A deep voice spoke, Ilea stopping in her tracks. The man touched the book and turned the page.

Ilea wanted to get closer but something told her the man was dangerous, instead keeping her distance, “Found a fire, followed the trail. Beautiful place, is it yours?”

A hearty chuckle reverberated through the hall, “No. I do not claim possession of this ruin.”

“What are you here for then?” Ilea asked, seeing a strand of red hair when he turned a little towards her.

The man got up and dusted his insanely intricate robe off and patted the book, “Just the attendance list…,” He murmured and shook his head. “I’m a historian.” He said and turned, dark gray eyes looking at her as she took an instinctive step back. A tongue brushed over his pointed sharp teeth, the book held by hands ending in delicate clawed fingers, carefully resting on the side of the leather. A pale and fair face with red hair falling to its side.

Not a man at all. She thought about how to proceed but as long as he didn’t attack she would see to what it lead.

“You are afraid? Naturally. I am as surprised to find a human here as you are finding an elf.” He said, the book vanishing in his hand. “Perhaps… perhaps we may find an arrangement that would benefit the both of us, before you run off or uselessly die in your misguided attempt at vengeance.”

Ilea relaxed a little. The elf was odd, that at least she was sure of. He looked older than the ones she had fought which either meant they were aggressive and arrogant because of puberty or this one was simply different. Either way she lacked information but she did want to explore this city, at best without an elf lurking inside of it. “Been a while since I met one of your kind. None of them were particularly pleasant.”

The elf smiled, his mouth opening partially to show his teeth. Ilea wasn’t sure if he was trying to intimidate her with the creepy look or if his jaw simply didn’t allow otherwise. Ash formed behind her back, condensing into small pearls to allow for a quick fight should it come to pass. “Your race tends to spread. Too much. too quickly. It is good for the young to experience warfare in a safe environment.”

Ilea just looked at him, “Not so safe when we killed them.” A challenge perhaps but his insult wasn’t lost on her. The elf’s expression didn’t change however, simply waving off her comment.

“Then you are a warrior. One capable of slaying elves. Where is your group? Don’t humans normally move in bigger numbers?” The elf asked as he turned and looked at the massive gate.

She didn’t reply for a while, thinking about the situation, “It’s a dungeon isn’t it? An elf claiming to be a historian, standing before the closed gates that would lead to an ancient city, full of libraries. Knowledge long lost in time.” Ilea smiled and stepped closer, interested in his class and level, “I am a warrior and as fate has it I’ve come to explore dungeons.”

He turned to her again and smiled, his tongue licking over his teeth, “Indeed. I thought you foolish for a human but there seems to be something up in that skull at least. Bring me what is hidden in this dungeon and I will reward you. A task as your guilds and kingdoms assign.”

“What kind of reward can you offer long ears?” Ilea asked, her head turning to the side.

He summoned a piece of gold. Not a coin but a literal unrefined piece of gold. “This is what you use as currency, is it not? To trade amongst each other.” Moving it from side to side, Ilea’s eyes stayed focused on his.

Am I supposed to dance, monkey master?

Chapter 234 Roses

A note from Rhaegar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfTLvQ9TZhg

Buy Hollow Knight - It is fantastic.

Chapter 234 Roses

“What do you use for trading? Amongst each other I mean.” Ilea asked, folding her hands before her.

The elf raised an eyebrow, “Do you suggest elves trade shiny metals as a base of our economy?” Ilea shrugged, making him continue, “We trade knowledge, favors and…,” He stopped, his smile waning.

Ilea smiled and clapped her hands together, “Good, let’s do that then. Plus I get all the shiny rocks and gear in there. Not really interesting for a historian.”

The elf contemplated and answered, “As long as you show it to me. Enchantments and metals can say a lot about a culture. You seek knowledge then? Or favors.”

Ilea was seeking strength, monsters to slay and preferably dungeons. Getting anything in addition from an actual real life elf would only add to her gains. Plus Dagon, Elise and pretty much anyone seeking knowledge would rip her a new one if they knew she had botched this opportunity. She was curious herself if she was honest. The elves had been an enigma. An angry enigma killing thousands. She was however not about to judge a whole race by the actions of a few warriors.

“Sure, I’ll show you the stuff. Does the dungeon start right beyond that door?” She asked, pointing at the rose.

He nodded. “Indeed. However I would prefer not to waste my time on this. Even if you claim to have slain an elf I won’t be waiting here for a long dead human looking to fight through a dungeon above her capabilities.”

Thought you’d never ask. Ashen limbs expanding from the pellets she had created, her buffs coming to the max as she breathed out, a grin plastered on her face as she moved into an aggressive stance.

“The other humans in hiding may join as well. I’m well aware of the strategic benefits.” The elf said, moving back his hood to reveal lightly curled red hair falling to his shoulders. Magic thrummed around him as he prepared.

“It’s all me.” Ilea said and rushed at him in the span of two seconds. Her fist reached toward him before it impacted an invisible barrier. The force was distributed among it, a part of it shocking through her arm before she moved back, her ashen limbs smashing into the barrier and pushing a total of eight spells of Wave of Ember into it.

The elf rose his eyebrows but didn’t react in any other way, the barrier standing strong.

[Elf – Mage – lvl ??]

Could be anything between me and a literal god. Continuing the assault, she grew more bold and simply stacked her attacks again and again, her destructive mana slowly eating into the barrier before cracks formed and it shattered in glittering shards, the elf vanishing and appearing in the middle of the hall. Ilea blinked after him in an instant, her fist rushing at his face with all her speed. The Elf’s eyes opened wide before an unseen force stopped her arm. Another moment passed and a thin barrier formed near her elbow and sliced into her flesh between the connecting pieces of armor.

He held her and formed a second cutting edge when she formed ash within his barrier, her arm stuck and her ash now reaching out to him. Vanishing again, she watched him appear while healing her wound. The cuts were deep, ripping through tissue easily but not quite getting through her enhanced bones.

The elf watched her,gray mist seemingly swirling in his eyes before she closed her fist again. A dome suddenly cut off all the sound, runes starting to glow in a dark light below her. A cold feeling immediately spread and nearly made her vomit before she realized what it was. Curses? Her healing magic spread through her. She had to give it to the elf, his magic was quite a bit more impressive than Kyrian’s. Her health started draining but not at an alarming rate. If her health drain resistance worked it would become even more manageable as time went on.

Trying to blink out of the dome didn’t work and she could tell through her Sphere that digging under it wouldn’t be an option either. Instead her ash spread out, heating up as much as she could. Adding more and more to it, she covered the whole dome. Concentrating on her manipulation skill, she focused all eight of her ashen arms on a specific point. With an explosion of mana, she hit the barrier with all of them, Wave of Ember ripping out a chunk of her resources. The barrier cracked and allowed her to teleport out, Ilea appearing before the elf in the blink of an eye as her fist again hit a barrier.

He smiled, showing his teeth and lifted one of his hands, “That is enough human. I will await your return. Books and relics as well as biological remains, should there be any.”

Ilea activated her meditation, the damage from his curse was fading quickly with her high level healing and resistance to his spell. “I want answers first.”

He snarled and hissed at her, making her blink her eyes in a confused manner. “That is not part of our trade agreement!”

Ilea chuckled and sat down on a nearby wooden chair, “Calm down man. No reason to get all pissy. I won’t go in there with you behind me. I know you lot don’t like dungeons but I need to know why.”

The elf looked at her and sat down slowly, claws digging into his chair before he replied in a calm voice, “It is forbidden.”

Ilea sat forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “Really? Look if that’s the kind of information you’ll give me then I won’t bother getting a single bloody book out of there.”

He hissed and opened his mouth wide before he calmed down again, looking up at the ceiling and sighing, “Why would I bother. To play this game with a creature like you…,”

“Traps in there, maybe your abilities are badly suited for the monsters inside. Maybe it’s a sacrifice thing and the first one in dies. Or you’re just bored, this is actually your dungeon and you’re a dragon trying to have fun with my little old human self.” Ilea suggested and sat back, the elf staring at her in silence.

A bit of air was pushed out of his nose, “Amusing.” He spoke and tapped one of his claws on the armrest of his chair. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. It is forbidden. To enter dungeons. By those we serve. To add to that our biology is… sensitive to the mana density found within most dungeons. Just sniffing that door makes me want to puke.”

Ilea nodded, “Interesting story. So if I were to pull you inside you’d puke? Why not do that then.”

He stood up and threw his chair, “I cannot! Under no circumstances am I to enter a dungeon. Human it took me decadeswandering these desolated lands to find…,” He sighed and calmed down again. “… I am tired. Of this, of your presence. You have my offer and I will remain in this hall for seven cycles of the light. Do as you will.” He stood up and walked to the other end of the cathedral, taking a chair and summoning his book again.

The air around the elf had calmed down again.Ilea stood before the door and turned her attention to the silver rose, the metal showing spots of rust. If the lightning didn’t kill me, this won’t either. Her hand reached the handle and she pulled. Only a little, checking if the elf moved but he had remained in his chair. The metal made a creaking sound, her strength enough to pull open the huge double doors with relative ease. She only opened one of them, peering through. Stairs led downwards but what greeted her was a small field of green grass, silver roses reflecting the light of the sun.

The door opened even wider. Ilea checked on the elf again but he had not moved. There was still the possibility of him suddenly appearing behind her but the fact that she had seen another elf refuse to enter a dungeon made her somewhat confident. It was a common thing after all and the only reason he hadn’t fought her to the death she supposed. I wonder who would win?

Stepping through the doors, she took a deep breath but couldn’t feel anything different than right outside. He had talked about mana density but why did it affect elves and not humans? Ilea closed the door behind herself and walked on, a sound reverberating through her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Tremor dungeon’

The space was open and could’ve been reached with flying as well but it felt right to her to use the big doors. As if entering the next area of a game. She smiled when she spotted the armored knight standing with his back turned to her a couple dozen meters further down the meadow.

Another talkative fellow perhaps? The question would be answered soon, Ilea plucking one of the silver roses and smelling it. Metal was the only thing she could make out.

[Silver Rose]

Yea no shit. Storing it in her necklace she wondered how much something like that was worth down in the human kingdoms. Somehow she felt like her lacking affinity for plants would kill them quite quickly if she tried to grow them. Again checking if anything near the elf had changed, she stepped forward.

“Greetings.” She spoke but the knight did not respond. His armor looked similar to the roses in color but covered in even more rust than the decoration on the heavy doors. The sword in his right hand looked most intact, its handle beautifully crafted with a guard that looked like pellets. Its blade was long, more suited as a two handed weapon but the weight didn’t seem to matter. A shield hung from his right arm, much more withered from age than the sword. Full plate armor finished the picture of a deadly knight.

He looked more impressive to Ilea than most of the adventurers she’d seen trying to emulate such a look. The knight turned when she took another step, metal lightly creaking as it moved. A closed off helmet with two thorn like protrusions reaching towards the sky hid any facial features the man, elf or dwarf would’ve had. The only visible thing were white eyes staring back at her from the thin slits within.

“Hello, nice to meet you Mr. Knight. Can you speak?” Her head cocked to the side when she asked the question, ashen limbs floating behind her. “I suppose not.” The knight didn’t say a word. Taking another step seemed to be just too offensive for the being as he started walking towards her, shield rising and sword pointed towards her. “I guess your intentions are clear then.”

Waiting for the knight to reach her, Ilea identified it.

[Knight of the Rose – lvl ??]

The sword lashed out towards her with a quick move. Not enough to surprise her, Ilea dodging backwards to make space. Her ash moved out, three of the limbs impacting the shield the knight rose in response. He stepped sideways quickly and jumped to avoid the rest of her ashen attack.

Ilea’s eyebrow rose before moving in, getting closer while her ash lashed out. The knight stepped backwards while swinging, avoiding the ash with quick movements before he dashed first sideways and then towards her, sword upfront with a piercing motion. Ilea had to blink to avoid the strike, finding the knight had already turned towards her. Maybe don’t blink into him…

Roses were crushed in his following run, his speed increasing with each step before his swing rushed at her, Ilea dodging down under the sword as her ash hit into his side, destructive mana rushing into him. She felt some of her magic dissipate. Intrusion enchantment? She didn’t have time to contemplate it, his shield rushing down at her. Ilea was forced to blink again.

Looking at the knight, she patted the side of her helmet. “You’re a quick one aren’t you.” Her words had barely left her mouth before the thing was upon her again, a flurry of four fluidly executed strikes that she dodged with back steps, most of her tendrils cut apart or blocked by his shield. Dodging his last blow, the sword swinging high above her, Ilea stepped forward, her fist impacting the shield he held out towards her as the force of her whole might crashed into it. Both held true, a small wave of air pushed outwards, moving the grass and roses next to the two warriors.

The brief moment passed before he stepped backwards, sword coming down to again get back the distance. His weapon was held close to his shield, the knight silent and careful, as if contemplating her every move. Ilea held out her hand before she formed ash, a big cloud of it. The knight didn’t move as she draped it all over him. Rushing into the cloud from the side, she could see him respond the exact same way, as if the ash didn’t exist at all. His sword lashed out, Ilea dodging before she punched in his side, his elbow jerking back to hit her.

The impact sent her stumbling back, followed by a sword strike that cut through the stunned hunter’s defenses, slowed down by her ash before it stopped dead on her armor. Blinking back, Ilea felt her shoulder had been injured by the strike. A small dent showed on her armor that had survived what she thought was worse. Maybe she had been wrong. White eyes looked at her before the knight rushed out again, his blade moving quickly and surely, leaving her few openings even with all her experience and high fighting skills. Her ash hanging on to him, she used reversed healing but again found a lot of the mana simply dissipating.

A slash of his sword cut through the ash before he resumed his unrelenting attacks. Letting the sword glide through her Veil, she felt as it scratched past her helmet before her fist again met his shield. This time he pushed back, Ilea’s arm glanced off before she blinked behind him. Using the rotation, she kicked into his knee with little effect, the knight turning as he swung his sword. A step into the dirt sent her tumbling and avoiding the blade, gaining enough time to blink away from him as the sword rushed at her again.

Ilea’s wings spread before she flew up, watching the knight below that just stared at her. Creating a small projectile of ash, she was about to fire when she saw him draw a bow, the arrow rushing at her before she dodged sideways. Of course.

Back on the ground, she decided that the only way she could beat this damn thing was a frontal clash. It was a masterful swordsman, better than anything Ilea had ever fought. It didn’t mean much but coupled with the insane power every strike held the knight definitely lived up to his name at least.

Trusting in her skills, Ilea faced the knight. Ashen limbs moved in from the side to hit it wherever possible while she simply stayed in his reach, dodging and weaving through the strikes. Some she could only let glance and scrape against her defenses while others had to be dodged using blink. He wasn’t the quickest she’d ever fought, nor the flashiest. Still, she had a hard time getting damage in. Whenever she moved into one of his openings, the shield would bash towards her, even with heavy gauntlets equipped the knight took her beating easily.

Moving under the shield or to the side of it was followed by a hit with the sword’s pommel or the knight’s armored knee. Ilea was used to sword wielders to struggle as soon as she had moved past their preferred reach. Not this one. Strike followed strike, the once beautiful garden turning to trampled roses and uneven ground as the two powerful warriors traded blows of ash and steel.

Sweat rolled down her brow, sticking to the inside of her helmet. Several dents in her armor marked every mistake, every step she had miscalculated and every time she had misjudged his range. The knight stood, like a devil with two horns, shield raised and sword pointing towards her. A formidable opponent to be sure. His slow reaction whenever she blinked further away allowed her to use meditation frequently between exchanging blows.

Sword slashing towards her, she knew exactly how far it would come. Stepping backwards, she felt the air rush by before her helmet, the sword passing when she stepped forwards and to the left. Her right arm moved upwards, punching the arm that held his sword, mana dissipating from her skills. Some into his body and some into the air. He stepped to her right and used his shield to slash at her. Ilea ducked and twirled to her left, her leg impacting his before the knight jumped back.

Jumping up, she watched the sword dig into the ground where she had just been, her right leg kicking out before she impacted the shield that rushed towards her. Landing several meters further back, Ilea crouched and panted, meditation flowing through her for two seconds while the knight rushed towards her, faster with every step.

The moment passed and his sword rushed towards her with a piercing motion, Ilea’s body turning sideways as the blade rushed by. Grabbing onto his arm, she pushed mana into him while her limbs of ash hit towards his shoulder, three managing to swing around his shield before impacting his back. Hearing the sizzle of her embers made her smile but she wouldn’t lose her concentration. The increasing effect of Form of Ash and Ember helped her get in more hits by the minute but the effect had been maxed out for a while now. I’ll take you down and if it takes a week to do so.

Chapter 235 Tunnel Vision

A note from Rhaegar

Double the trouble. Hope you enjoy.

Patch notes 1.0.4: General skills now ordered alphabetically.

Chapter 235 Tunnel Vision

Ilea had lost track of time and space, all her focus on the knight before her. The knight that had ignored her ash, flying into his eyes and helmet, had taken hits with her heavy gauntlets to his knees, whose shield blocked all of her attacks with ease. His sword cut through her ashen limbs and left deep cuts and dents in her armor. A set she was proud of and hated to see this damaged but at some point there had to come an enemy where it wouldn’t hold.

The dull light of the suns had long passed, the two warriors facing each other in complete darkness, neither inhibited by the circumstances nor the passing of time. Their only purpose the destruction of the other as they danced through the once glorious field of roses, now turned to muddled earth. Glints of silver shined briefly when Ilea’s enhanced fist smashed into the knight’s side, the impact of ash and metal against his heavy armor creating sparks that withered quickly in the air.

A spectacle of balance and endurance, the two skilled warriors battering each other continuously without either knowing the limits of the other. Ilea refused to believe the enemy was a sentient being at this point. Either cursed, controlled, undead or just a monster. No grunts nor signs of exhaustion showed after all this time. Ilea was nearly spent, her brief respite in meditation not quite enough to keep her completely stacked. Again, she moved through one of his openings, sacrificing a hundred points of health to enhance her strike that she moved past his shield and into his shoulder. A blink followed to avoid his retaliation.

She was one with the knight, his movements, his sword and shield mere extensions of his limbs were now familiar to her. Like long lost friends she had found them again as they slashed and danced around her in their endless desire to take her life. Her mistakes had lessened and her footwork got better with every hour they fought. Every mistake punished with a strike that bruised her body and armor or a shield bash blinding her from the sheer force of it.

Ilea wondered how a warrior with all his stats in Vitality, Endurance and Strength would hold up and she more and more believed he at least somewhat represented an answer. No magical power, no sudden teleportation, trick weapons or anything else. Just a man with a sword and shield. Ilea doubted she’d be able to have a chance without her ashen limbs, his reach and control of the space around him coupled with near perfect and consistent footwork made the difference between a sword and fist clear.

Still. With time, she was learning how to exploit every weakness, how to move her body to bring his slightly taller frame into awkward positions. Long enough to get a hit in, never more than one. Most of the time she was forced to blink away right after to avoid his swift response but if she had learned anything in this world then that she should use every trick and ability she could to exploit an enemy’s weakness.

This knight had few but Ilea wasn’t one who needed to fall back on tricks to win her fights. Ashen limbs allowed her to get consistent damage into the knight while all the rest of her skills kept her alive, close and ready to exploit every opening. She had tried enveloping him with ash and simply using her reversed healing but she needed to be able to blink quickly which made that tactic more bothersome than anything else, her connection to him making her unable to use the teleportation skill.

A heavy step dug into the dirt, the knight closing the distance between them. His sword moved, its point aimed at her chest. A small step forward made his attack even quicker, just a bit more deadly while his shield was already poised to take any ability she would use against him. She side stepped the blade as she had many times before, waiting for the very last moment to avoid a faint that had nearly cost her an arm earlier. Neither his leg nor shield moved which still left four possible movement open as far as she remembered but she kept focusing, her sphere informing her about every little movement her foe made.

His elbow moved, a split second after his sword had come to a stop. Ilea had found that dodging to the left of his right handed sword strikes would leave her at an advantage compared to his shield side which both made it hard to get around it but also left her open for an attack. Pushing her right foot into the ground, she moved her body to the left, feeling his arm pass over her. A fist rushing up moved his arm a little, destructive mana forcefully pushed into it before she blinked away, waiting for his knee to strike her back.

Appearing thirty meters down the meadow, her meditation kicked in, Ilea’s breathing heavy and coarse. Waiting for the next attack, she instinctively tensed up, her skills deactivating as all her buffs pushed to the max. Weirdly, no attack came. Breathing out, she needed a moment to adjust. Listening while poised for another strike, all she could hear was the winds moving through the last remaining blades of grass. She stood and waited for a whole minute, refusing to check the notifications in her mind. One blink of an eye could be enough for him to get a deadly strike in. My armor has suffered enough.

The thought was clear enough but if he was recovering somehow she had to get in and stop it too. Taking a step forward and then another, she carefully closed in on the previous position before finally seeing the knight in her sphere. He was not standing anymore. The man had fallen, his sword and shield lying to his side, unmoving. Ilea checked her latest messages and smiled before she too found herself falling. That was fun.

Her consciousness fading, meditation and her healing activated, the pleasant feeling rushing through her as her mind focused. Buffs rushed through her blood again as she opened her eyes, only darkness staring back at her. I can’t. She thought and forced her body to move. The rush from the fight was fading but her rational mind told her to check for dangers, not to sleep so close to enemy territory. What about the elf?

Spreading her wings, she willed them to move her closer to the cathedral entrance, right on top of the steps. Neither there nor behind the doors could she see the elf. He had either left or was still sitting in his chair. She felt a weight fall from her back. Maybe this time she hadn’t been betrayed. And of course it was an elf…,

Ilea woke up when the first sunlight reached down into the deep caverns, bringing with it the comprehension of her battle. Shooting up, she checked behind her again, healing and meditation flowing through her body as well as all her enhancing abilities. She had fallen asleep, her stamina and mana dangerously close to zero when she had finally beaten her opponent. The knight…, He was still there, lifeless and eerie. His rusty armor, now even more damaged than before fit well into the scene Ilea surveyed before her.

A city spread, well at least it started spreading. Downwards into the dark on the steep side of a mountain. Splendid architecture flowing into the abyss before it vanished, the sunlight reaching no further than a couple hundred meters past the field of silver roses. Field of silver shreds. Some were still standing near the edges of the meadow, unbent and uncaring of the events that had transpired. The elf had not entered the dungeon or at least hadn’t murdered her in her sleep. Ilea couldn’t help but start laughing. The clear sound rushed down the mountain and into the city below but she didn’t care if anybody listened. This one was for her alone.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 289] – For defeating an enemy fifty levels or more above your own, additional experience is granted.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 231 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 225 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 5’

Calming down a little as she read through the messages, a smile blossomed on her face. The first step. She thought back on the first drake she had killed, the first levels she had gained from killing alone. The rush of adrenaline and her joy for battle. It had been so easy, blinking around the Drake as she delivered strike upon strike, unaware of its movement before her bones were shattered. Good times.

And now she had taken her first step towards what she would become. Her body tingled with excitement. Not primarily for more levels, eventual class evolutions, third tier skills or better gear but for the next knight she would face. For the next battle that would take everything from her, from her skills, mind and body. The next time she would dance on the tip of an unseen blade with an opponent worth fighting. She had missed the feeling. Missed the rush, the danger of being alone in the unknown. To be truly and utterly free.

Savoring the excitement, she let the moment pass, remembering all the people she had met and the places she had learned to love. A small grin remained, her mind imagining an invisible Eve looking on with an annoyed frown. Kyrian giving her a thumbs up and smiling, likely stuck in a similar situation as she was in currently. Trian who would shake his head at the recklessness and of course Claire who would lecture her on either the tactics employed or the lack of teamwork. Not that there was a team to work with.

They were the ones that understood, at least somewhat. What it meant to be an adventurer. To go beyond and fight things as unimaginable as a dude in armor. Can’t wait to freak out Dale and Walter when I eventually return. She hoped the human kingdoms would still be standing when the time came, if only for the few individuals she cared about. Experience showed that the worst enemy to humanity, in Elos as on Earth were they themselves. Nothing much she could do when all her friends chose to surround themselves with their mortal foe.

Who’s the reckless fool now? Standing up, she walked to the downed knight and checked on him. He was indeed dead. The helmet came off with a little more force than she expected, the thing flying off into the distant void after she had finally pulled it free. There goes a cool looking helmet. It was rusty anyway but would’ve perhaps fetched a good price still. Now that she had her necklace there was no reason not to store everything she could sell within. Claire will get herself some more work buying up the whole empire when I’m back. Just need a couple more lost civilizations adding to the Ilea townbuilding fund.

The face below the helmet looked dead. Deader than it should’ve looked. She had seen her fair share of corpses and this one was old. Some of his skin was coming off in places, yellow and cracked teeth showing through one of his cheeks. “Undead fellow hmm?” There was no response. I know terribly little about the undead despite having necromancer friends. Maybe I should lend myself to some more exposition.

She sighed and put her ten stat points into Intelligence as she checked her sheet.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 231

- Active: Destruction – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 9

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 19

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 225

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – lvl 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 5

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 19

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Identify - lvl 7

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Meditation – lvl 2nd 17

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 11

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – lvl 20

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 350

Strength 266

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 560

Wisdom 425

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 3498/3500

Mana: 4243/4250

Maybe six hundred Int first? More of a punch would certainly help but Ilea doubted the impact forty more points in intelligence would have. Vitality, Endurance or Wisdom seemed better alternatives but in the end all four helped her win that fight. Strenght and Dexterity had fallen a little off her priority list but again, she doubted winning against that knight would’ve been possible with lacking flexibility or the strength to move efficiently with her heavy armor.

Sighing, she could only imagine the battle if her Strength and Vitality had matched the knight’s. Someday perhaps. At least he didn’t seem to have any regeneration capabilities. Grabbing him by the rim of his chest plate, she dragged the heavy corpse towards the double doors and pushed them open. She grinned when she saw the elf sitting on his chair. “Hey elfling, not a book but maybe interesting still.”

He didn’t react. Is he asleep. Do elves sleep? Dragging the corpse towards the other side of the cathedral, she chucked him right next to the sitting elf, metal clanking as it hit the stone floor. His eyes opened before he looked towards the corpse and then her.

The elf sighed theatrically, “Do I need to explain to you what a book looks like?”

“This isn’t one?” Ilea asked, trying to look as confused as she could. He just shook his head and summoned the one he had been reading when she had found him the day before.

“Leather usually but it can be other materials. Inside are pages made of paper, usually letters or sketches, even paintings stored within.” He explained seriously, opening the book to show her. “Do you know those words. This is a letter here.”

Ilea stared at the book and blinked, “Aaaah, a book. But you can’t eat that. You can eat that thing.” She pointed to the corpse.

One of the elf’s eyebrows rose before he hissed, his tongue visible for a split second, “Sarcasm. Of course it is. You are most bothersome. Right you are with this corpse at least but the meat of an undead… a thousand years… maybe even older. It won’t be very tasty. Human warriors usually aren’t.” He looked at the corpse and then at her. “That was sarcasm as well. I forget that you don’t eat your kind. A peculiar thing but not the weirdest I’ve seen.”

“Took me a while to kill that one, you know its age? The gear is enchanted I’m pretty sure.” Ilea commented, sliding a nearby chair behind herself and sitting down.

He stared at her and put away his book again, crouching down near the corpse before he touched it, “Your armor is damaged. I surmise this exploration will take some time.” He murmured the second part. “It is old but the rust makes that much obvious. Similar to modern enchantments I’ve seen. It does however look suspiciously dwarven. Mana intrusion defense as most warriors would use. It is finely connected but the helmet is missing.”

“It just flew off, no idea how that happened.” Ilea commented while shaking her head. He looked at her and went back to touch the knight’s armor.

“This is something at least. As per our agreement I will answer a single question of yours.” He said. Ilea had kinda forgotten about that part, simply proud to have slain this foe.

The closest question she had ready left her mouth, “Do you eat each other as well? Like other elves I mean.”

That’s a stupid question Ilea. She thought but her mood hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

He walked towards the altar near the end of the cathedral, the undead knight lifted and moved through the air by a shimmering barrier below, “Of course we do. Hunting and not eating the kill is a waste.” His mouth remained open for a split second but he didn’t continue. “Does that answer your question human?”

Ilea nodded, “I guess.” Her arms were pushed into her sides. Gonna have to think of some more interesting things for later, I could’ve guessed that one myself.

“Oh well.” She murmured and left him to his devices. Back through the double doors, she closed them behind herself. As much as he hadn’t betrayed her yet, the thing was an elf still. Their reputation towards humans was questionable at best. Now where is my next fight…

Chapter 236 A City of Dust

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, last chapter for the week

. I hope you like it as always.

Thanks for reading, seek seek lest.

Some minor plot changes in earlier chapters I did:

- Chapter 6: Removed mentions of a third class. Its existence is unknown.

- Chapter 8/9: Changed dialogue and added some lines to the thugs that had kidnapped Alice. Mostly because they were cringe as fuck and just the worst kind of characters. I didn’t know better back when I wrote it but it’s bad enough for me to go and fix it. They lacked any motive and were only there for Ilea to kill. Now at least there’s something more to it, a hint at a job, a reason to kidnap the noble girl or even kill her and a little foreshadowing line in regards to a nation’s preparation for war. Alice has all reason not to talk to Ilea about her nobility as she’s a wild healer she met in the forest and Ilea tries to be considerate, not asking too many questions. I think it’s somewhat acceptable like this. Let me know if you disagree.

- Chapter 10: Removed Alice’s mention of mages that can teleport others. That is neither a common ability nor known by the general populace. Even if the possibility of such an ability exists, we haven’t seen it so far.

Chapter 236 A City of Dust

Passing the meadow, she soon stepped on the stone road that lead downwards into the darkness. Nothing moved in the distance and no immediate knight could be spotted, Ilea carefully surveying the area. The first line of massive houses or rather mansions towered before her after a couple dozen meters already, the city and abyss beyond hidden by the warmly colored stone. If any paint had ever graced the structures, it wasn’t visible anymore.

Everything looked abandoned, forsaken and old. It was obvious that the buildings were crumbling but there was no indication that a fight had happened here. Like the people were wiped off. The knight was indication enough that at least unlife was still around. Ilea couldn’t help but compare this place to the Taleen dungeon or rather city she had been in before. The green lights, machines hiding behind every corner and the utilitarian architecture had made it feel eerie, like an outpost of some alien race abandoned to the machines when the air ran out.

This here felt more serene. Like a place where once an important mine provided jobs and a flourishing market and now it was abandoned, the mine dry. Blinking into the mansion before her, she found herself in a dust covered room. Metal frames remained on the wall, anything that had ever been inside a mystery. The wood groaned when she took a step, nearly breaking under her heavy weight. Furniture remained, all of it barely holding together, Ilea scared it would fall apart upon her touch. It didn’t, not quite yet.

It didn’t look like the room was fully furnished. Here and there it looked like the symmetry was amiss. Perhaps a different style these people had chosen to adapt or what fit more into her theories was that the people who left took what was important with them. Checking through drawers, cabinets, under beds and in every chest, there was nothing of note remaining. Rusty knifes, a sword whose handle broke when she lifted it, the once likely beautiful blade clattering back into the chest she had found it in. Staying quiet for a while, Ilea listened for any noise. Any movement that would indicate she had attracted not quite unwanted attention.

It was quiet. Wind came in between the metal frames where once windows adorned the big apartment. The second and ground floor brought similar results, old and broken down items most places Ilea had visited in Elos stocked their houses with. The height of the doorways, size of objects and the similar culture made her think of humans. The undead she had killed was of course human as well but there was no reason to doubt he had been an original inhabitant. It was possible he was a guard placed by someone powerful exploring the dungeon as well, in which case she had all reason to be apprehensive.

The chance was low. Nobody had yet shown up and the knight hadn’t adapted his approach during their fight, neither had he fled when his death was near. Walking down into the cellar, she found a closed off section, metal grids loosely holding onto the ground and ceiling, rust coloring the dark steel in a coarse orange brown. Stepping up to the lock, Ilea grabbed it and closed her palm. A crunch resounded as the lock was reduced to metal dust. She lifted it towards her face, her helmet vanishing as she blew the particles away.

Helmet on again, she opened the door with a creaky sound. One of the rods came loose, Ilea’s second hand catching the thing before more started sliding out of the frame. Her ashen limbs rushed out and secured all of it, slowly sliding the pieces down to the stone floor. A prison? The house hadn’t looked like a dedicated facility for that. Neither did the structure induce a very secure feeling considering criminals would have classes and insane abilities as well.

Four skeletons were resting in the room, huddled together in one of the corners. The wall behind them showed more defined cracks than the rest of the cell. The size and proportions definitely looked human to her. Quietly touching the skeletons, they vanished into her necklace.

The other two houses closest to the rose garden showed similar interiors, just as broken down and useless as the first one but at least there were no dungeons in the cellars. “Dungeon in a dungeon.” Ilea pushed air out of her nose as she sketched down a small cathedral in her notebook, the garden and three big squares. A small skull was added to the square on the left.

Each of the houses had big empty space around them, indicating gardens or training grounds. Metal poles reaching a couple meters off the ground left her thinking on the possible uses they might’ve served at some point. The three mansions were simply the first one immediately after the garden but the city spread out to either side, more and more until the suns didn’t reach it anymore.

Enough to explore still. Guess I’ll be focusing on the lit part for now. Another mansion was searched before she blinked to the roof, looking over the area. Wings spreading, she jumped from house to house before she found a rather large square, several hundred meters long. What looked like a fountain was placed in its midst, the water that had once added to its splendor was long gone. Ilea squinted her eyes and saw a lone figure enter the space from one of the side streets. His armor didn’t glint, not anymore. Still it was unmistakably a knight. The man looked like a mirror image of the one she had fought the day before.

Jumping down from the house, she checked if any more of them were around but found it as deserted as the part of the city she had explored so far. Guess we’ll be fighting for a couple hours again. A smile formed on her face as she casually strolled towards the knight in the distance. Glad for my helmet, I must seem fucking nuts to anybody that sees me smile at doom all the time.

Walking into and through the fountain pond, the knight finally spotted her. His shield and sword rose the same exact way the previous foe had used his before he started jogging, then full out running. Heavy steps stomped on the old cobbled stone, holding on to the warm color from long untreated exposure to sunlight. Ilea’s consciousness focused, her skills circulating power through every muscle of the warrior healer.

The sword rushed at her. Chipped and bruised, rust eating into the treated steel as it rushed past the dodging form of Ilea. The weapon a ghost of its former self but in the hands of its wielder remaining just as deadly. Her dance began once more. This time she knew the steps.

Punching into the knight’s side, she blinked away as she had many times before. Though it was a similar knight, his slight difference in height changed it enough for her to adjust. Just like before, every step was important, every movement calculated. They danced around, the knight slashing into the stone with ease, his blade whooshing as the heavy piece of steel pushed more than cut through the air. Ilea appeared and disappeared, every opening used to deliver just a little more damage into the undead warrior, its final rest simply a matter of time. Such was her confidence.

Hours passed, Ilea trying different things, overextending from time to time and paying the price with more cuts to her armor, bruised tissue that healed and cost her time and mana. She was used to the weight of his weapon, the speed of his movements and the perfect near machine like accuracy of his counters, thrusts and slashes. Still, she was in control. A single misstep could cost her life, she was aware of it but the fact made her calm. This was something she knew, every muscle burning, ash covering the ground, her arms and armor.

A series of quick attacks from the knight made her dodge backwards and closer to the temple like building that overlooked the big square, the enemy sword smashing into the stairs and getting stuck. Ilea jumped and kicked at his head, his shield taking most of the force while her ashen limbs rushed around his defense to deliver their spells. His sword swished by right in front of her when an arrow entering her sphere made her blink up. Wings spread, she looked towards the source and found two more knights rushing towards her.

“Fuck. You damn fucking asshats. I nearly had him down!” Her shout provoked another arrow, all three now aiming at her flying form. Deciding on the ground instead, she spread her ash and sent it out in a loose cloud before she blinked into the temple. Landing on her feet, she crouched down and listened. It was quiet but she saw one of the knights approaching the temple, turning his head before it came to a stop near her position behind the wall. You have to be shitting me.

The knight was not shitting her, his sword thrusting into the stone as she jumped forward, rushing off into the dark unknown, her sphere showing her the way. Can they see through walls as well? An unfortunate ability if proven to be true, at least to her hiding capabilities. She was definitely much faster than the knights when it came to running or flying so in the end it would simply require more time to get away. That too of course depended on how far and how persistently they would follow. If she had fifty knights running after her at the end of the day it might not be worth the trouble to stay here.

Running through the open space in the center of the temple, she spotted targets that had survived the test of time. Looking back, she only found the high reaching temple walls. A single tree with no leafs, arid and scrawny still stood near the closed double doors that led into the inner courtyard.

Even the mist stalkers sounded like an easier time than two or three of these knights. Blinking through and out of the temple on the other side, her wings carrying her over yet another square, she vanished into the next house. Three more blinks later she was in a spacious attic, appearing in between dusty furniture. Taking a couple steps, she sat down and breathed out, counting the seconds and calculating how long the knights would need to get to her if they were moving at maximum speed and knew exactly where she was.

The math wasn’t accurate but at least she knew they wouldn’t need longer than a minute or two. That time passed as she waited, ready to blink again. Then five minutes passed and then another five. So I can lose them. Good news. She was annoyed that the two new ones had interfered with her fight. Not even a single level up. Valuable information was gained nonetheless. Summoning her notebook, she opened it to the page that read ‘Tremor Dungeon’. She added the fact that there were more Knights of the Rose than the single one.

That they could tell where she was at short distances, a small question mark added to that. They reacted to noise as well as sight it seemed. It was possible that they were patrolling and she had simply spent too long fighting the night at the same location. The first one had walked onto the square on its own as far as she could tell. Should’ve figured that one out and led him back to the rose field.

The two knights varied in size but minimally so. The most interesting as well as dangerous thing she had learned had come from a short glimpse at the second of the three knights that was rushing towards her. Right before she had vanished into the temple. Ilea was sure that one wasn’t carrying a shield. The angle hadn’t allowed for a better look but his sword had looked smaller too. ‘Different weapons?’ She added but was glad that at least no magic had flown her way. The sound of an explosive fireball would be a massive disadvantage for the lone hunter.

Ilea moved the page but had nothing to add to the crude starts of a map. She had moved too far too quickly to even sketch the individual houses and streets. She was back in the unknown. I like it. Ilea stood up and looked out the small window. I like it quite a bit.

A courtyard spread before her, starting after the neighboring row of houses and spreading for several hundred meters. Old dry trees lined a road leading towards a massive building, enough towers and detail to be a city of its own. She counted eight massive towers sprouting from different sections, each not as high as the center most part of the massive structure. Her view broadened when she appeared on the neighboring house’s roof. “Of course.” She murmured and stared at the four cathedrals in the distance that towered out of the city like beacons of interest.

The eight towered building was still the highest and most prominent of the lot. What should I say? Ilea asked herself, blinking down to the dry earth, she rushed towards the line of trees. You’ve caught my eye. The elf could have his lousy fifty meter high masterwork of ancient architecture, she however would have the biggest fucking monument to magical construction she had ever seen. Remembering Iz, she retracted that statement. She did however like the Gothic architecture quite a bit more than the metal tubes and spheres of the Taleen.

Let’s be honest here… that thing will be teeming with knights. Slowing down, she quickly considered if perhaps a boss was inside. Gulping at the thought of the Taleen Praetorians, she nonetheless pressed on. A glimpse would be reasonable considering the chances of treasure. This time she didn’t have an expedition to worry about at least. Nobody to distract whatever’s in there either.

Ilea peeked out from behind a tree, the towers looking down at her, spaced around the complicated central construction, each towering over their own addition to the core, as if fungus growing outwards. It still managed to look linear, symmetric and certainly impressive. A shame that it lay lost and forgotten somewhere underground in the north. The structure was simply too vast to be a single big boss room, at least she was somewhat sure about that. The sections with the towers likely each had their own significance.

Ilea watched over the courtyard and started walking along the trees. The lack of life gave the imposing structure a near divine feel. If anything had survived in this ancient graveyard, it was in there. Nothing intercepted her as she sneaked up on the building. The side entrance was closed, the big metal double doors worn, the silver symbols hanging loosely out of the dark steel. Her sphere could see the hallway behind the door and a blink confirmed there were no enchantments preventing her from entering. Just to be sure, Ilea blinked out again and nodded. If runes didn’t suddenly come to life again, she should be fine.

The halls were dark, only glimmers of sunlight making it through the windows. The floor looked like marble to her but its shine long gone. Checking the doors leading towards the closest part of the facility with a big tower, Ilea found them closed. Again her blink brought her inside. A big dome like room in complete darkness, its shape only apparent thanks to her perception sphere. Standing quietly in the dark for half a minute, she made sure nothing else was in her with her.

Sending a projectile of ash into one of the walls without a reaction confirmed it for her, the woman walking around the room and inspecting everything. No skeletons, no weapons, no paintings it turned out to be mostly just an empty room. There was a counter near the end of it but other than dust there was nothing behind it. Blinking back into the hall, she held her breath when she appeared. Two knights had just walked by, their heads focused forward. Their armor looked less worn than the ones she had seen outside.

One of them was carrying two short swords in his hands, each straight with a broad and sharp blade. A guard protected his hands, the steel nearly untouched by time. Sunlight gleamed off weapon and handle when they moved past a window. The second knight carried a halberd cast entirely in steel. His weapon didn’t look as clean and unused as the other knight’s but still not as worn as the ones she had met so far. Ilea had goose bumps as she stood there, frozen and watching.

[Kingsguard - ???]

Well that explains it. Not just the level but the way they walked and moved their weapons as well. Not something she would want to fight the way she was right now and most certainly not two at the same time. Would love to see a Pratrotian vs Kingsguard melee. The knights passed and she blinked to the next spot, deciding to only teleport for now as it was the most silent movement she could muster. Especially with her battered steel armor that was creaking with every step.

Chapter 237 Palace Guards

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys, some family stuff came up and I can't give an ETA for the next post atm. I apologize for the possible delay. Have a good week.

Chapter 237 Palace Guards

Kingsguard. Meaning I’m in the palace? Ilea blinked again, not moving too far to see any potential enemies before they noticed her. She’d explore a little more until one of them actually saw her. I’ve gotten away from Praetorians, I’ll get away from these guys. They were much smaller to boot, only reaching close to two meters in height. Shorter and fewer legs meant a likely slower running speed. The three question marks worried her a little of course. It was the next barrier and could mean anything between level five or six hundred and a thousand, if not more.

A couple minutes later, she came up on a big opening towards the center. White stairs showing cracks led upwards and she blinked throught, avoiding another set of knights coming closer around the corner. Waiting between two pillars, she watched them move past before they continued on in the circle like hallway around the center. Blinking closer to the entrance around thirty meters further in, there were two knights standing guard. Both equipped with sword and shield.

There were no further pillars between her and the knights, the distance enough to blink into the room behind them but not enough for her to see what was there. The doors looked massive, dwarfing the two undead in front of it, dark steel with silver engravings just like the side entrance she had used to get in. The ceiling above her was solid and she couldn’t see anything below her either. Probably the throne room. Ilea smiled and blinked inside, appearing in a crouch as she saw the two knights behind her still guarding the gate she had just passed. They didn’t move.

It was the throne room. Empty and glorious. Two big chairs stood on a platform in the distance, withered flags hanging from either side of the room, some having fallen after all those years. Other than the few shimmering lines of silver, they had lost their color. One of the thrones looked a little more pompous, both of course made or at least coated in silver. A big flag of a rose was hanging on the wall behind them. Massive pillars stood in rows on either side of the hall, Ilea immediately blinking behind one of them.

If this doesn’t scream boss room. She was in a dungeon and this was the palace of the city. Still, so far she had the option to flee from any encounter with what she considered bosses. The Praetorians, the Basilisk as well as the Alpha Stalkerhound. Of the few games she had seen with bosses, it was usually a closed off encounter but even with dungeons and levels this world departed greatly from those games. Real pain was one of those things.

Blinking closer and closer to the thrones, there was nothing suddenly screaming or rushing at her. Right until she stood before the bigger one of the two, sitting down as gracefully as she could. “Welcome citizens. Your queen will now declare the newest laws.” She whispered with a smirk on her face, resting her head on one of her arms as shelazily lounged on the throne. Sadly the thing was fixed to the ground, otherwise she would’ve considered taking it with her. The noise of removing it would likely alarm the knights outside.

Or the one walking in from behind. She thought and blinked behind the throne, crouching just out of sight from the knight walking into the hall, thanking her armor for not making a noise. Close one. Blinking again, she appeared a couple meters behind the knight. A doorway led further back, the man not turning after she had appeared. It was another Kingsguard, carrying a single long sword. Identify showed three question marks. Ilea fought down the need to engage him, knowing that the noise of their fight would at the very least alert the knights standing guard just a hundred meters further down the hall and outside the doors.

Instead blinking back through the doorway leading behind the throne room, she quickly scanned it but other than stairs leading down there was nothing. I’m probably gonna trap myself down there. Of course she still went, blinking down the spiral staircase that led deep under the city. Finally coming out after three blinks, she wondered if the kingsguard patrolled all the way down here or if he had just been inside the small room for such a long time. She’d notice when he came back down at least. The walls, floor and ceiling were still marble down here. Definitely too spacious to just be a storage room or the royal cleaning chamber.

What kind of fucked up experiments will I find here I wonder. Following the hallway, she came into another spacious hall. There was furniture here, benches, many doors leading somewhere to the side as well as two knights in the distance, guarding a single corridor going further in. Ilea quickly blinked and crouched behind a marble pot that had some kind of red plant growing out of it. Checking the knights, they hadn’t reacted. Either she was too far away or they wouldn’t move too far from their position.

The hall was about fifty meters wide and three times as long. With her current level Blink she’d need around four casts to reach the other side. The first sets of doors to the side were reachable but only the one to the right would give her cover from the guards. Ilea quickly checked the immediate area around her for anything valuable but other than another two pots, a bunch of marble benches fixed to the ground and a fountain, there was nothing. Hold up a minute.

Looking up, she studied the red plant, perfectly fine and growing even though not a single bit of sunlight reached down here. Magic lamps on the ceiling shined down and illuminated nearly the whole hall, some of them broken. Listening carefully, she could hear the water fall inside the fountain further down the hall. There’s still power here. Of course the Taleen dungeon had working lights too, as well as traps and robot like enemies. It was more of a contrast here. The rest of the city looked dead, at least the little bits and pieces she had seen so far.

The rest of the palace too but this hall was powered, lit up and had plants growing. Either it was part of the dungeon and the higher mana density somehow powered it all or they had a massive power source hidden away somewhere. A mana crystal that worked for a couple thousand years or something. Ilea checked the two closest doors and blinked to the one on the right, a counter close by giving her a bit of cover.

Sitting somewhat close to the door, she let a tendril of ash flow out towards it. The ash reached the beautifully crafted handle and pushed down. It was locked. Feeling her way towards the keyhole, she formed her ash to unlock it. Whenever she met the least resistance, she just let her ash lose form and flow further in until it was filled. Solidifying her ash, she turned it. The door remained locked. An enchantment maybe? Her sphere didn’t see into the room and when she tried to blink inside, she just ended up closer to the wall.

Getting her ash back out, she reformed it into a serrated blade and solidified it. The door was a dark piece of steel set into the wall, leaving little to no space between stone and metal. Ilea started sawing into the marble before a small pulse of mana sent her ash away from the wall. Checking the knights again, she saw them still standing there. Her ash had done no damage at all. Ilea blinked back into the middle of the hall, hiding behind a bench as she made her body as small as possible. The closest door on the left didn’t have any cover and while it wasn’t much closer to the knights as the entrance, she didn’t want to risk it. At least not yet.

Two doors on the left side were tried unsuccessfully before she finally found an open one on the right. Opening it carefully and very slowly with her ash, she just moved it enough to allow her sphere to see inside. The enchantments had to be connected to work, as much she had learned from Claire’s room in Ravenhall. A good thing that she checked as a knight stood motionless a couple meters behind the door, shield and sword in hand. Ilea summoned some of the Dracgal meat she still had from a mission and ripped off a little piece. Moving it with her ash, she put it between the door and its frame. Testing the stability, she pushed at the door with her ash but found it unable to close. None of the guards had been alarmed.

A long hallway followed behind the knight, Ilea appearing without moving before she blinked again.

[Kingsguard – lvl ???]

How many of those are down here? The hallway had several doors but only two were open, both having a bed and some furniture inside. Checking through all of it as quietly as she could, Ilea found a book bound in leather and a small notebook. Both were in the same table drawer. The wardrobes in both rooms were empty. The few items either saying something about the culture or they were soldier’s quarters. Perhaps occupied by the very kingsguard standing only twenty meters away, now part of the dungeon.

Checking the rest of the doors, she blinked back out into the hall with the treasure she had found. The books were in perfect condition, as was the furniture and the beds. Something was definitely keeping this place of the dungeon fresh. The knight she had checked out from behind wore analthough dusty still perfectly fine set of armor. And a sword as deadly as when it was made.

Blinking behind the counter, she found some bottles of alcohol as well as a bunch of kitchen utensils, ice in a metal crate and a runed metal plate next to a sink likely there for water. She took the bottles with her and blinked into the middle again. There were five more doors she hadn’t checked but they were too close to the knights and offered nothing to hide her. They looked like kingsguard too. Could almost be statues as still as they’re standing.

Blinking as close as she could without being seen, she was finally able to make out the knights through her Sphere. Which means…, Ilea thought and appeared in the corridor behind them with a grin below her helmet. Checking out the corridor, her perception ended in a small room where she blinked into as soon as she could. The knights hadn’t heard her.

Again, a closed door albeit a bigger one at that. It too was closed and runed off to prevent her from damaging it or entering. Ilea doubted it would hold up to her full on assault but that would most definitely alert the two guys protecting this place. Ilea considered if she could use their power to break down the door but where would she go afterwards? She had no idea how one of them might be in combat. For now it was more reasonable to look for another way in. A key maybe or someone that could crack the enchantment inside the lock.

This sucks. Her exploration of the palace so far had wielded exactly two books. Not a single level gained nor buckets of gold found. At least I’ll get to fight these guys eventually. The thought made her smile as she blinked towards them again and out into the hall, hiding behind cover. Fighting two of them at the same time was unreasonable and with active enchantments she didn’t know if there could be something to trap her down here. Guess I’ll go see what they can do and then talk to Elfie.

Blinking back through the hallway, she came to a stop near the last bench, sitting on the ground to hide from the guards. Her sphere barely reached the stairwell but she nonetheless blinked inside. Her question if the knight would patrol all the way down here was answered when she saw him a couple meters further up through her sphere. Blinking past and up again, she was back in the throne room, humming the theme to a famous spy movie franchise.

Ilea realized that she found the thrill of hiding less exciting than that of death during battle. “The day is still young.” She said to herself and watched the gates to the throne room open, blinking behind a pillar. The two knights rushed in and scanned the room, Ilea blinking past and out of the doors. They hear better than me, damn. Moving around the extensions of the palace, she found the enchantments from underground didn’t affect anything here. All of it was rotten, unusable or just empty.

Moving around the palace, she found a single guard at the main frontal entry that was situated towards the darkness. The light was already fading when Ilea looked down from one of the towers closest to the main gate. The guard had a single long sword, bigger and heavier looking than the one wielded by the shield bearers she had fought. Jumping down, she landed on the courtyard before the palace, waving at the knight that slowly pointed his sword at her, lifting the thing as if it was a mere toothpick.

“Come on, let’s see what you can do.” Ilea said as her ash spread out, the Kingsguard knight slowly stepping towards her. He stopped ten meters shy of her and lifted his blade, slashing sideways. Ilea noticed a thin line moving through the air thanks to her Sphere and crouched under it. Neither her ears nor eyes would’ve known anything had happened but she trusted her Sphere, probably more than her other senses. Another hit, this time a slash from above confirmed it, a thin cut forming on the stone when his weapon came down.

Ilea blinked closer and was met with a thrust towards her heart, dodging sideways she was hit by the knight’s fist crashing into her chest. Her armor held but she was bruised, her rib cage damaged but holding. At least he didn’t break every single one of my bones with that attack. With all her bonuses to defense it was impressive to actually damage her in the first place but such was the power of the knights of Tremor apparently.

“I’m gonna kill every single last one of you.” Ilea said when the knight slashed twice, making her blink right into a third attack he had started when she activated her spell. The invisible blade cut into her armor at the thigh, going through her ash, her Veil and the metal. Ilea jumped backwards but found herself losing balance. Probably because of the leg that was falling downwards as the knight swung his sword again. Blinking back, she spread her wings and flew upwards. Seeing the air move through her sphere, she twirled as one of her wings was cut trough.

Falling towards the ground, she focused on stopping the bleeding. Her perception of pain was off as another blade cut through the air. Ilea blinked again, trying to get around the palace to hide behind the building. She was still falling as her second wing reformed, stabilizing before she sped up, blood dripping down on the massive structure from the wound on her leg. Guess that proves their ability. She smirked at the idea of a long range blade knight. Can they all do that? She thought about the different weapons. A dual wielding knight would demolish her with these kind of attacks.

Flying over the palace, she continued on before blinking into one of the nearby buildings. Teleporting four more times, she rested in an abandoned apartment. Her leg had stopped bleeding. God damn fucker took my leg. It was likely still on the ground but Ilea was more annoyed about her armor. The very armor that had protected her against most things she had encountered so far. It was cut through cleanly as if an industrial laser was taken to it. “Was that wind magic or what?”

Neither her armor, leg nor bone had offered much resistance it seemed. Still, her other leg had a cut going about halfway into her armor. So I did stop it. The situation might have ended differently had she lost both of her legs. Not that this was very favorable. Ilea hit the ground with her fist, her bone and tissue slowly rebuilding. She had been outclassed by the normal knights already but to be so utterly demolished by a single bloody kingsguard variant was frustrating. You’ll get there. It’s just the next Drake you have to face. She told herself and smiled, summoning a set of leather armor and taking the left boot. It would take another couple minutes for her leg to regrow and a ton of mana but at least she didn’t have to run away barefoot.

The sunlight had vanished when she could move her toes again. Putting on the boot, she stood up and checked her surroundings. Being in the dark already made her curious. Ilea blinked out and soon found a wall separating this part of the city from another one. Parts of it were broken down and she was now definitely in the area where no sunlight reached during the day. Her sphere was the only sight she had, piercing through the wall.

She tensed up when she heard scraping. Metal against stone, uneven and close by. It got louder and louder until she saw a hunched over knight missing an arm and half his head stumble into her sphere. His breathing was heavy, the chipped and dented big sword scratching into the stone before he looked up as if sniffing the air. He turned away and growled right before rushing off with uneven movements, sword smashing into walls and other obstacles along the way. Ilea turned and made her way up again. Lost enough legs for a day.

Chapter 238 Questions

Chapter 238 Questions

The way back was quiet, Ilea avoiding any knights she saw moving through her sphere, few even noticing her blink by. At least they didn’t pursue far, otherwise she would’ve probably been losing more limbs from the kingsguard she had engaged. Soon she found herself on the rose field again, exiting the dungeon into the cathedral at the very top of it.

The elf was cutting into the corpse, all the armor was lying carefully distributed on the ground. To think this is the safe haven instead of the boss encounter. Ilea thought as she watched the cloaked elven curse mage experiment with a human corpse in a desolated and massive Gothic cathedral. “Hey, I’m back. Found some things that might interest you.” She said, sitting down on one of the benches near him.

The elf held up a finger, continuing to cut before he stuffed his hand into the corpse. Three seconds later he ripped something out and showed her a shriveled heart, smiling with blood on his face.

Ilea smiled back from under her helmet, “Congratulations on dinner.”

The elf threw the heart her way and sneered, “Dinner. Look at it, corrupted. It’s not human anymore.”

“What does that mean?” Ilea asked, looking the heart over in her hand. It looked just like what she imagined a several hundred or thousand year old heart from a resurrected corpse would look like.

He shook his head, “It means that they are corrupted and no longer human. What is there not to understand human?”

Ilea gave up and summoned the two books. “Found these although I can’t read them.” His eyes opened wide, the blade he had used dropped onto the ground without care as he held out his hands, moving closer to her. “Mate, you’ve got blood on your fingers.”

He blinked, as if woken from a trance, “Oh yes. I was just…,” He said, summoning a piece of cloth that he used to clean himself. “How is it in there?”

“Old, most of it is dust, rotting or just missing. I’ve found some skeletons but not the amount a destroyed city should contain. There’s knights in there called Knights of the Rose and the dungeon itself is called Tremor.” Ilea started but he interrupted her, summoning a small book and starting to write into it.

“Slow down.”

Ilea told him about all she had found so far, which wasn’t a lot but he seemed more than happy about it. His tongue constantly licked over his teeth as he wrote everything down with a creepy smile. “Why are you constantly licking your lips? Your smile looks creepy too, can you not relax a little?”

The elf just looked at her and closed his book, “Human, you are asking a wolf to stop hunting. Was that all you have found so far?”

Ilea nodded, “Pretty much.”

“For the price of a leg I suppose?” He asked, accepting the two books and starting to look them over.

Ilea eyed him but didn’t comment on the leg, “Can you read the language?”

He opened the books and nodded, “This city was a part of the Rhyvor kingdom. There’s plenty of relics and dungeons in the area but I believe this was the capital. I’ve spent years in the past learning this language.”

“Why?”

“Why? I believe it is the capital because well, it’s the most vast of those I’ve found so far. And you speak of a palace like cathedral. As to why I’ve spent years learning this language, well it’s rare to have books survive this long. A good thing humans tend to store things with runes against decay in place. A peculiar notion.” He answered, murmuring the last sentence.

Ilea raised an eyebrows, “How so? Is it not understandable that one stores things in a safe place?”

The elf closed the book before he carefully put both of them on the table, “Peculiar because your very race expires so easily and quickly.” He said with a smile.

“You motherfucker.” She said but couldn’t help appreciate his bluntness.

He didn’t seem to care about the insult, instead sitting down with one of the books. “You have honored the trade.”

“Good, then why do you attack and kill humans. I heard there was a war a decade or two ago and half a year ago you slaughtered thousands by invading cities in the west.” Ilea asked, taking out her notebook and pen, opening it at the page with a big ‘Elves’ written at the top.

He thought about it for a moment before he answered, “I do not know of a war. We tend to send out our young to train, into different terrains and areas but fighting humans is rarely profitable for their strength. Perhaps they had encroached into the forest but I cannot say for sure.”

“What do you mean encroached into the forest? These cities have been standing there for years if not decades or longer. Why now?” Ilea asked, writing down what he said.

“I do not know. It is not for me to decide on matters such as these. As much as I understand you have lost many, why are you concerned about elves? Are you not constantly at war with your own, where many more die and suffer?” The elf asked, moving a little forward on his chair.

Ilea thought about it and couldn’t deny that of course humans were the main danger to themselves, “It’s not about numbers. We know humans, know why and how they fight. Elves? No idea, other than that each of you is as capable as some of the most powerful humans.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Ilea thought but shrugged it off.

“The unknown. I understand.” He wrote something down and looked at her, “I cannot tell you why your cities were eradicated, only that I, perhaps, would have chosen differently. As I said, it is not for me to know nor to decide.”

“For whom is it then? Who do you serve? Another race? Some god or just a more powerful elf? What kind of government do you have?” He looked at her and closed his notebook.

“I might answer more of your questions depending on the contents of those books. For now I consider my duty, fulfilled.” The elf said.

“Are you not afraid this knowledge might help humanity fight you?” Ilea asked as a way of provoking him.

He looked at her and blinked his eyes, “I applaud your power but as you have stated, you are one in many. Should you manage to set your differences aside to face a common enemy, I will be surprised at the very least. Although I reckon the respect I would foster for humanity would quickly shatter upon your slaughter in the forests of old.”

She had gotten more than she expected. So he would respect us for actually trying? If there’s only a couple thousand elves and I think there’s more then I doubt we’d have much success so he’s got me there. He went back to reading and Ilea didn’t further pry. His answer had been final, his views clear. Arrogant he may be but so were humans and Ilea had a feeling his sense of superiority wasn’t exactly an illusion.

In a world where people had a number over their heads it was simple to quantify military power, “What’s the book about?”

“I have merely started with the first paragraph. Would you like a translation to Standard?” The elf asked, not looking up from the book.

Ilea shrugged, “I mean if you’re a historian I would assume you want to share the knowledge. As far as I know you’re the last person alive to read their language so it might be helpful.”

He looked at her then, blinking once before he continued reading. He had some work to do then but Ilea was thinking about how to tackle the dungeon. She could fight a single sword and shield knight but not a kingsguard. Problem was that she couldn’t just fight them where they stood because more would patrol or hear the noise.

Find singles then. Lure them out. She was already walking back towards the entrance. The night had just started but it wasn’t a detriment for her. She knew that the rose field would be safe, at least most of the time and if the knights didn’t change up their patrolling patters. And if whatever that hunched over thing stayed behind the wall.

Before doing anything else, Ilea found a secluded space at the end of the field and used her ash to shovel away a bunch of dirt. Placing the skeletons she had found within, she closed it off carefully. She had not known these people but they deserved better than to rot in a closed off cellar. Quickly moving through the houses, she appeared on the roof overlooking the first big square.

Ilea’s enhanced sight pierced the darkness but found it hard to see the whole square. It was one thing to see when the moons were hidden behind clouds but a completely different one to see in a dark cave. One that seemed to swallow light. Movement caught her eye, a single knight as far as she could tell. Forming an ashen projectile, she aimed and sent it off. Hearing it impact something, she blinked down into the house below. She heard his footsteps a second later, the knight running over the square towards her before he jumped on top of the house.

Casually jumps ten meters high. Checking him, she found it wasn’t the same knight she had fought before. This one held two blades. Still, he was alone. Blinking to the opposite house’s roof, she took a step. The noise immediately made the knight turn towards her, Ilea jumping backwards to the next house and the knight followed. In hot pursuit, the quick warrior made Ilea blink a couple times to get away, ultimately landing in the rose meadow. Her own little dirt patch she had claimed for her murdering.

Is it murder? She asked herself. I see it more as freeing them. They were undead after all. Killing humans was sometimes a necessity but it didn’t make it easier, knowing one had snuffed out an individual’s life. Rarely were they purely evil. She remembered the Birmingales and the family members they had murdered for something they likely didn’t even know about nor could have changed if they did.

Now this here, this was much simpler. At least at first glance. Ilea hoped she wasn’t somehow cursing these knights’ souls to an eternal curse or something. Patrolling an ancient city for hundreds of years without an enemy to fight seems curse enough. His swords rushed at her, this one much more aggressive in his movements and attacks than the shield wielding knights. Dodging and weaving through his blades, her ashen limbs hit into his armor, some cut through by his swords, others dodged by quick sidesteps and twirls but two of her attacks hit.

His abilities and weapons weren’t meant to defend, they were meant to overwhelm and kill. At the end of the day he wasn’t much faster than the other knight had been, the only real difference being the lighter weapons and absence of a shield. A difference Ilea adjusted to in the first couple seconds of the fight. This time she simply was much more defensive, not going for openings and instead letting her ash do the job while she concentrated fully on deflecting and moving away from the dangerous blades.

Two short broad swords. While their speed and maneuverability was higher, they paid in their reach. After a couple minutes of fighting, Ilea even tried exploiting the rare openings he gave her. Dodging to the left, she avoided a slash of his right hand blade. She twirled, his second blade cutting through her Veil and scratching on the back of her armor before her left fist hit with full force and all her offensive potential into his back. He turned, blade slashing at her before his second blade moved in, making her blink back as far as she could.

Meditation and healing flowing through her, she simply stood there, waiting for him to engage again. A battle of attrition but she could recharge her batteries, he couldn’t. How am I ever going to defeat a kingsguard without Meditation. The knight was upon her again, all of her concentration focused on his blades and legs which he sometimes used to attack as well. Wielding two blades was incredibly difficult, as much was clear to her but this knight knew what the hell he was doing.

His flurry of attacks would continue for ten to fifteen slashes without giving her even the slightest potential for an opening. Were it not for her ashen limbs that had more reach than her arms, this fight would take days if not longer. The slashes he wasted on destroying her ash instead of attacking hercertainly helped with dodging.

Ilea’s movements were getting more refined by the hour and while the shield bearer had inflicted several damaging cuts on her, this one was much easier to handle. His blades still cut through her ash and Veil but had a harder time getting into her armor. The main difference was the simple fact that she was fighting defensively, getting more and more damage in with her ashen limbs while he at most managed to dent her armor and bruise her.

The fight ended abruptly after a couple of hours, just as anticlimactically as the first one had. The knight fell, his rusted swords falling to the ground, followed by his body. Ilea fell to her knees, her helmet vanishing before sweat started dripping on the ground. “That wasn’t as hard huh?” She asked into the void with heavy breathing.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 294] – For defeating an enemy sixty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

After a couple seconds Ilea frowned. “Where are the levels?” There were none and her questioning didn’t change that. I’d have gotten two back in the Taleen dungeon for killing something sixty levels above my own.

Of course she had made a step towards the next level at least but it was a little frustrating not knowing how far along she was to the next one. Her status didn’t offer the exact numbers needed. He was an even higher level than the last one. Ilea walked to the knight and started removing his armor, his weapons stored in her necklace. Piece by piece she removed it and stored all of it in her necklace. The man himself remained. Scratching her head, she thought about what to do. If she burned him the smoke and smell might alert more of them but she didn’t feel like burying an undead. What if he rose again? He ash alone while enough to burn flesh wouldn’t be enough and she wasn’t about to form a mini furnace to melt the corpse.

Stepping out of the dungeon, she dropped the corpse on the ground in the cathedral. “Hey can they leave the dungeon?”

The elf stood up and appeared close to the corpse, “You have killed another one. Impressive. Monsters can leave their dungeons but I’ve tried luring some out before. These knights here, they refuse to do so.” He explained as he went to touch the body.

“I think you’ve experimented with that one enough. I’d like to burn them.”

He looked at her with questioning eyes, his tongue licking his lips, “A farewell of sorts? A waste but I understand the sentimentality. Why give the courtesy to your enemy? I am curious.”

Ilea looked at the man, half his face rotten off as he lay there unmoving. “They are long dead. Once they were renowned warriors protecting this place. At least I’d like to think so. Maybe they were fascists torturing and murdering the population but they’ve long since served whatever purpose they had. It’s the least to burn them. Maybe that way they can’t get used again.”

“Interesting. You are compassionate. A rare trait for someone at your level of strength, be it human or other.” The elf said. Ilea didn’t think herself very compassionate, having killed people for being part of the wrong family.

The elf looked at her before speaking once more, “Fascist. I have not heard that word before, what does it mean?”

“A form of an authoritarian nationalist government where anybody opposing it is usually tortured and killed. Often very racist as well.” Ilea tried explaining.

He frowned, “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Which nations use such a form of government?”

Ilea hadn’t really mentioned her origins on Earth anymore, having accepted her life here in Elos. “None that I know of.” She answered honestly.

The elf looked at her for a while, “Elaborate if you please.”

Ilea smiled and sat down on a bench, “You help me burn these corpses and then we trade information. How does that sound?”

“Reasonable to my disdain.” The elf answered with a smile of his own.

“Ah don’t be like that. You already said that humans don’t have a chance against whatever forest coven you’re a part of. Not that I think anybody would be willing to wage such a war anyway.”

He nodded at that, “Your nature is very different, I believe you are right.”

“Can you burn them? I don’t really have wood with me but there’s plenty in the city.” Ilea said, looking over her shoulder towards the double doors.

The elf got up and walked to the elevated platform where the first dead knight lay. “That won’t be necessary.” He summoned wooden sticks before the knights were both levitated with barriers, carefully placed on the wood before he summoned a small metal cube. It started glowing before a small stream of fire formed in front of him. The wood was set alight in moments, Ilea stepping closer as smoke started rising, the smell of burnt flesh reaching her nose.

He stepped next to her and remained silent as the fire engulfed the two corpses. “How much wood do you have? I think there’s going to be plenty more.”

“You wish to burn every single undead in there? How many are there?”

“No idea. But yes, I do. Guess I’ll be collecting wood from now on.” Ilea said.

He licked his lips and answered, “I believe that will be necessary.”

Chapter 239 Of the World

AN: Lots of half knowledge on my part. Ilea doesn’t know more and knows that but tries explaining nonetheless. Please inform me if anything is so completely and utterly wrong that you can’t bear to read it. I’ll look it up and change it if it’s horrid

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Chapter 239 Of the World

“It sounds like a workable form, yet you say it failed?” The elf was intrigued, writing down notes as quickly as she talked.

Ilea looked up at the stars shining in through the small opening in the cave ceiling. “Because while in theory fair there is always a party that takes over, their interests and personal desires leading to corruption and in the end more suffering for the people.”

“Are you perhaps a scholar?” The elf asked, finishing his notes. “Humans must be quite rich in ideas, a wonder none of them have been applied. Or perhaps…,”

“I am not from this realm.” Ilea stated bluntly, “Neither am I a scholar. This is common knowledge where I’m from, the history of our world and people.”

He just stared, for a whole thirty seconds, “Not from… what do you mean?” He was as close to the edge of his seat as he could possibly sustain. With his barrier magic the elf could probably go further though.

“First you. You said your people are split into different domains. Is it a political decision or something else? Is each just a family?”

His claws dug into the chair he was sitting on as he hissed, “It is more complicated. Politics and families matter, yes. In some domains more than in others. Most importantly it comes down to magic.”

She wrote it down and sighed, “Magic, explain.”

“You first.”

Ilea locked eyes with him and tapped her pen on her notebook. She wasn’t about to go into specific names or descriptions, lest they find some way to invade Earth. “I’m not from Elos. I woke up one day in this realm suddenly and without warning. I didn’t have a class nor any weapons.”

“With all that you have told me I am inclined to believe your words. Yet still, it is… not easy. Realm travel is exceptionally difficult. Many of the oldest of my domain have tried and yet I do not know of one to succeed. Summoning is a different thing but the demon realm is not the same.”

“What do you mean not the same? I’ve been there before actually.” Ilea said.

He noted some things down, “You’ve been there? How?”

“A powerful human summoned a bunch of them and managed to open a fissure to their lands. The Great Salt.” She explained.

“A name I have heard spoken by one of the mind weavers… you speak truth. A human. How have you found back? Where you summoned again?”

“There was technology there… far more advanced than anything I’ve ever seen. It reminded me of fiction created where I was originally from. It… I won’t share how exactly I got back. Not with what you have told me so far.”

He frowned and hissed but the smile remained, getting less creepy now that she was engrossed in the conversation, “The demon realm is special. Somehow realms can be breached more easily, at least with summoning magic. The existence of others have been theorized but elves rarely invest time in such research.” He hissed again, “Fight and kill, that’s all they do, all they strive for. And yet…,” He stopped himself and calmed down a little. Splinters of wood had fallen to the ground. Nothing was left of the two corpses that had been placed on the pyre.

Ash formed in her palm before she focused on recreating a city with streets, cars, planes flying by and skyscrapers reaching towards the clouds. She added trees and people walking around, power lines as well as rivers and lakes. Her ash manipulation skill was high enough for the detailed model although she couldn’t add a lot of density. Most of it looked like a murky view of a city, fading with every breath of the wind. “That’s what a city would look like where I’m from.”

He walked around the model floating in the air before her and pointed at some of the details, “Birds of some kind?”

“Planes we called them. I have no knowledge of their construction but the physics of our realm allowed for them to reach the skies, burning fuel to generate energy.”

“Mechanical… the wings would allow them to glide. Wind runes coupled with mana crystals or capable mages could accomplish such a thing perhaps but it is wholly inefficient.” The elf said as he continued looking at the model.

Ilea smiled, “There was no magic. At least to my knowledge. No status, skills, classes. We had fictional worlds and technology that would tell stories similar to what is reality in Elos. I’m still not sure this isn’t just a simulation of sorts, my mind simply trapped in some form of experiment.”

The elf opened his eyes wide and stopped his walking as he considered, his fingers moving through an ashen skyscraper, “That would mean I am an illusion as well, fabricated from your mind or the simulation too. I am here and I think, as much as a theory like that is plausible I have to believe this is real. Even if it isn’t, what difference would it make…,” He said before continuing, “No mana… no skills and classes. How did you accomplish all this then?” He gestured widely at the whole model.

“The plane flies with physics and burning fuel. Mostly fuel generates heat in some form like when you burn wood.” She gestured towards the ash left from the pyre, “That heat is used to make something move which in turn generates velocity. These things are called cars, they have wheels like wagons here but aren’t drawn. Instead small controlled explosions caused by burning fuel make the wheels turn. There are batteries that store electricity, another form of power. Like mana crystals here they can make lights turn on for example.” She explained, “Buildings are built with manual labor and the help of machines.”

The elf stared at her but didn’t write anything down as she continued, “It wasn’t always like this of course. This world here, the governments, kingdoms and empires. As well as the walls, architecture, the way people move around with wagons drawn by horses or oxen. It has similarities to my world, just a couple hundred years earlier.”

“Ingenious. To think technology alone would create all this. No a single ounce of mana. Are you sure it didn’t exist? Perhaps inside this fuel or electricity you had? The elf asked.

Ilea shook her head, “I don’t know. As I said I’m not a scholar. I am young, even for a human and haven’t learned a whole lot. Because we die early people have to specialize and learn for decades to be able to build planes for example.”

The elf sat down, still looking at the model, “The possibilities, endless. And yet we the immortal… protect the natural way of the world…,” He said and looked at her, his expression horrified before he looked up as if to check if someone heard him.

Not supposed to ask questions? She thought, “It wasn’t all good of course. Fuel isn’t endless. I’m not sure if mana is. We deforested large areas of the world, dug deep to get more fuel. Humans had no predators in the age where I was born and many other species had to move and die because we continued to expand. Our world was dying.” She paused and added, “Well to be frank, the world wasn’t dying. We were on the way there, we as a species. Slowly at first but at some point the ecosystem would simply crash and we would be wiped out, maybe some would survive, maybe not.”

“Your race does have the tendency to grow in large numbers and I can see the lack of foresight or care due to your low lifespan.” Then he surprised her and laughed, a weird sound coming from the predator.

“What’s so funny?”

He looked at her but didn’t reply for a while, “Humans are not the strongest species here, not by far. Perhaps we play an important role to keep them from doing what your species did to your world.”

Ilea shrugged, “Perhaps. As do all the monsters in the wild. Magic is still a power source and I think technology will advance nonetheless. The structures and machines I saw both in the Great Salt and Taleen dungeons speak for themselves although I don’t know if they were built by humans.”

“Dwarves. At least the Taleen, may they be cursed evermore. Even those still alive today have marvelous talent in creating machines to amplify their powers.” The elf spoke.

Ilea led the ash fade, “You mean the Taleen are still around? I thought they’re gone.”

He looked up and spoke, his voice soft, “Their machines remain. I do not know if they are dead. Dwarves not counting themselves to the race of old are still here. Have you not met them? Even in the north some venture for their never ending searchof metals, ruins and old technology.” He spat the last part as if mocking the very motivation.

How very stereotypical, maybe our fiction was somehow influenced by this world, connected dreams or something. Or I really am just inside of a simulation. “I’ve not met them.”

He grunted and then looked at her again, “The domains are separated into magic. Water, Wind, Fire, Ice, Light and Dark. It has been this way for time everlasting.”

“Which are you a part of. Barrier and curses, the latter seems like dark magic.” Ilea guessed.

He smiled, “It is not that simple, you are right in your assumption but it is merely a coincidence. An elf serving the domain of fire may wield water instead.”

“What separates you then? Who controls the domains?”

“I cannot say, thus I would betray all that I serve, all that I come form.” He replied.

Ilea nodded and sat back, writing down what she had learned, “Do you fight amongst each other?”

His smile waned, no teeth showing anymore as he looked away. He was silent for a minute before he spoke, “Elves… we. Yes, we fight not for political gain or power as you do. Merely as a sport, sometimes revenge or because of law. Mostly… because they want to.”

Ilea looked at him, “They… you don’t? Want to fight other elves I mean?”

He didn’t reply, staring into her eyes. “Why do you think they want to?” Ilea asked after a while.

The elf looked away, “Because, it is our nature.”

Ilea stood up and smiled, his attention shifting back to the book he had been working on, “I’d be hiding behind a wall somewhere far away if human nature was so one dimensional. But here we are, an elf calling himself historian and a human exploring dungeons that could easily take her life.”

He didn’t reply and continued reading, Ilea cracking her neck, ready to go back in and fight. Somehow it felt freeing to talk about Earth so openly, to someone that wasn’t part of her race altogether. Kyrian would try as well and she had shared some things with him but he didn’t understand, not truly. Perhaps a being as old as this one, having traveled further than most humans would dare had taken her stories as the truth. Had considered them in a way most humans here couldn’t.

“What’s it about?” She asked, nodding to the book.

He looked at her and smiled again, “The Wines of Ryvor, a guide to the vineyards of the future.”

Ilea shook her head and started laughing, turning around and going towards the double doors. “Speaking of which.” She said and placed the bottles of alcohol she had found on a nearby bench. “Maybe you’ll be able to sort them by quality.”

It was still night but the previously clouded moonlight brought enough sight that Ilea could spot the two knights patrolling in the distance. She had no wish to engage two at the same time. Nor would her abilities allow it. The question is…,” She thought and blinked down. At least their visibility seemed a little reduced as well, considering they had not engaged her yet.

Blinking again twice, she formed a tendril of ash behind the knights before touching one of them. He turned and looked her way, the knight next to him looking at the noise the first one had made. Using the ash again to touch his armor, he walked her way. The second knight just looked after the first one but didn’t follow. Ilea blinked again, getting a little further away but staying hidden. Again and again she moved her ash as far as she could and touched him without making any additional noise.

She let out a breath when the second knight continued patrolling, walking away from the first one who she tried to lure towards her. He had a sword and shield much like the fist one she had faced. Judging the first knight far enough away, she stood up and hit her traget with a projectile of ash. The enemy immediately charged into a sprint, rushing towards her before she smiled and giggled a little while she ran towards the meadow that had little grass remaining. I can separate them. She smiled brightly, blinking to avoid the blade that would’ve cut into her back.

Finally having the knight where she wanted him, she grinned and gestured him to come. Excitement clear on her face, her skills rushed to the max as she dodged his blade in a simple motion, chipped metal scratching against ash.

Ilea spent the next few days luring single knights back towards the meadow. Their range and skills were ingrained in her very mind after fighting with them for hours upon hours. Most of the ones close to the entrance were wielding sword and shield, some rare ones were dual wielding. So far she hadn’t found one with a halberd or large sword and no shield as she had seen in the palace. It was night and she was rather exhausted. None of the fights had taken as much of a toll on her as the first one, a combination of meditation and healing had kept her going.

Stripping the last knight of his armor and putting it into her necklace, she allowed herself to calm down. You need some sleep. The clattering of the armor set, sword and shield included made her focus and look around, her skills burning at the little mana she had left after the fight. “What?”

She looked at the armor on the ground and raised her eyebrows under her dented helmet. Shield bashes weren’t good for her armor. She had no idea how the knights gathered that much strength into their hits. Perhaps they had some skill to damage enemy armor itself. A possibility for sure. There you go…

Ilea found the problem and scratched her head after taking off her helmet, unable to store it in her necklace.

[Legate Guardian Necklace – Ancient Quality] - [Storage capacity at 250/250]

Well that sucks. I’m full. At least all the corpses had been stored, otherwise the smell would be annoying in the meadow she had claimed as her own. Sixty four storage units for eight armor sets? That’s insane. Of course it wasn’t necessary to keep them all but even with all her attacks it was hard to even damage them slightly. Very light dents and sometimes a ripped connecting piece but otherwise the knights fell dead because her intrusive mana had killed them.

Well it is how it is. Maybe the elf has an idea what to do with them. She thought and lied down near the stairs. Ilea was sweaty and bloody, not a condition in which she would sleep in her bed. Neither did she want to separate from her armor for now, even with the damage it had sustained.

Checking all the messages as she let herself calm down made her smile.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 263] – For defeating an enemy thirty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 291] – For defeating an enemy sixty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

There were eight of them in total and this time she did level up.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 232 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 233 – 5 Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 225 – 5 Stat points awarded’

Twice in Azarinth. She thought about where to put the stats and decided on five in each Endurance, Intelligence and Wisdom.

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 2nd lvl 20’

With the level ups only Hunter’s Sight remained below the maximum current level in the second stage. I’ll have to focus on stalking them for a while. She doubted it would be quick as the actual fights didn’t incorporate the skill’s usage at all.

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Body of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Considerable level ups, finally after such a long time chasing other goals. Ilea smiled at the results and fell asleep quickly, dreaming of dodging a knight’s attacks as he threatened to reap her life.

Chapter 240 Mapping out

Chapter 240 Mapping out

It was still night when she woke up, rested and prepared for fighting. The skills that had flared up were deactivated again, her battles having continued in her dreams. “God, fuck.” She said, rubbing her eyes after taking off her helmet. The rose knight set was still lying on the ground next to her as she scratched her head. Looking at her own helmet she had to give it to the knight. Dents all over and her head piece was the one part in the best condition.

A yawn left her as she stretched. “What shall we do today?” She looked at the rose knight helmet next to her, the thing staring back with about as much life as when the man had still resided inside. Summoning a meal, some sort of chicken soup with vegetables and a fresh lime like taste, she sat back and ate. The suns started shining into the dark cave when she was nearly done, illuminating the houses in the distance.

She could make out the palace if she squinted, at least the towers reaching above the lines of buildings. Ilea stood up when she was done, putting away the box into her necklace. Neither the amount her food nor the boxes occupied changed at all. How can four and a half hundred meals equal five storage points and a single set of armor is eight? She knew it had to do with volume and individual pieces. There was some way to stack things but either it didn’t apply to armor or the pieces were simply not similar enough.

They did however look the same to her. Then again her ashen hunter armor took up considerable space too whenever she stored it. Connecting the armor pieces together with the related hooks and strings, she dragged it out towards the exit. Elfie was reading still, writing notes or a translation into a second book he had conjured out of nowhere. Does he have space issues too sometimes? Maybe he doesn’t lug around entire sets of armor.

Ilea left the armor in a corner of the room and went towards the remaining ash on top of the platform at the end of the cathedral. Setting up some of the wood she had gotten from inside the dungeon, she carefully put the corpses from each slain knight onto the pyre. “Fire?”

The elf absentmindedly summoned the cube and threw it towards her, Ilea catching the thing and looking it over. It was smooth all around, just a small cube around eight centimeters on each side. She pushed some mana into it and was met by fire rushing towards her face, into the openings of her helmet. The elf put down his book and looked at her in disbelief but she simply continued and turned it around, the flame not even singing her skin with her high resistance. It was enough to set flame to wood but compared to a high level fire mage’s spells it wasn’t worth a mention.

Jumping down, she threw the cube back to the elf. He inspected it before it vanished, “I see your success is accelerating. Eight this time. Congratulations on the two levels.” He said and continued working. Ilea walked closer and looked at his second book.

Wines of Rhyvor, he is translating it. “What about the second book, is it of more use than a history on wines?”

He grunted and wrote another line, “Perhaps. It is encoded however and I’ve yet to crack it. Translating this one helps me calm down… it’s irritating. Why make it harder for knowledge to be accessed.”

“For spies maybe?” Ilea suggested but he just hissed, a gesture she was used to by now. She wasn’t sure yet if it was like a sigh or a groan. Then again he used those gestures too.

“I am aware of its uses, simply annoyed at their existence human.”

Ilea nodded, walking over to the armor and dragging it towards the elf. The first set he had studied was neatly stacked on a bench. “Can you forge something out of this? Mine is breaking apart.”

He scratched into the page with his pen and looked her, “Do I look like a smith to you?”

Ilea smiled under her helmet, “You elves are just so amazing I thought I’d ask. Any idea where I might find one? Need to sell some of the knight sets too.” She considered if it would bother him. Old armor was history too after all.

“Elves have two classes as well. You should know that if you’ve killed any of us. We’re in the north. There are people weaseling about, however few I’m sure a smith or two is among them.” He explained, the sarcasm lost on him.

Ilea stored the armor in her necklace, bringing it back to capacity. All the corpses she had stored amounted to the same units a single set of armor needed. Should just leave them on the bodies… or a box maybe? Remembering how she had stored all the things in Salia and how little space it occupied made this a reasonable idea. There was of course plenty of things still in her necklace that she could sort out but throwing away five perfectly good cakes or two kilos of dragcal meat just wasn’t in the cards for her.

The fire burned through the knights and their old bones, everything quickly turning to ash. It had taken all her strength to bring them down and now a simple fire took care of everything. Damn necromancers. Ilea spoke to the elf without looking at him, “No locations of a city where people live?”

“There is no city in the north, not anymore as far as I know. I have locations of other dungeons and am willing to give them to you on the same conditions we have agreed upon here. Some are far away. Do you have ways of traveling quickly?” He asked, carefully turning the page of the old book.

Ilea nodded, “Depends on what you’d consider quickly. I can fly at least.”

“Flying? Foolish human…,” He sighed and stopped working. “The Famine Crows will shred you apart if they catch you flying in their territory. There’s worse up there as well.”

Ilea squinted at him, “Well I’ve flown by night, I know the storms are happening by day. Nearly killed me before. Are those the ones with leathery wings? I never came close enough to identify them.”

He summoned a notebook and flipped through the pages before showing her a sketch of the leathery birds she had seen before, “Famine Crows. I have seen them travel in groups of up to forty. Their levels I would guess at above three hundred fifty but not above five hundred.”

Meaning he’s able to identify up to three fifty but they don’t have three question marks? Ilea speculated. “I have also seen them rip apart anything else they touch. The only thing they don’t attack is the mist.”

“You mean the Miststalkers.”

He turned in his notebook again and showed her one of the six eyed monsters, “They are a part of the mist. I have my theories about them but as I have said, not even the crows attack them.”

Ilea smiled, “Well there’s little meat on them isn’t there.”

“I suggest you travel by day and only through the crevices and cracks lining the terrain. Yet. You have faced these knights, in a dungeon and alone, I doubt you will wish to travel safely.”

“Finally you understand something. Got a map I can copy?” Ilea asked. She was debating if she should stay until her armor was completely done for. The thing definitely had a couple more fights in it but maybe it would be better to survey the area and maybe find some better armor. Going back to Ravenhall was an option as well but she doubted she’d find this dungeon again.

He hissed in response, looking at her with an annoyed look, “That is information I have collected over decades. What will you pay in return?”

Ilea rolled her eyes and spread her wings, “Never mind. I guess I’ll just find them myself. Will take me longer to find any more books for you sadly.”

Glancing at him, she smiled, “Tragedy really. All that forgotten knowledge. Old runes, forms of governments…,”

“Alright, stop. Yet how do I know you will not simply vanish with this knowledge?” The elf asked.

Ilea shrugged, “You don’t. I don’t mind lugging a bunch of books with me though, especially if you can translate them. I’m mostly looking for dungeons and monsters to fight. Learning a thing or two about them in the process might be beneficial too.”

She rolled her eyes, “Look I’m working together with an elf, you’re supposed to be the enemy of my race. Isn’t that sign enough that I will honor the deal?”

He considered her words and ultimately nodded, putting away his notebook and summoning a big tube. Inside of it was the map, rolled out and flattenedby his magic as she stepped next to him. It nearly covered the whole table he was working on. Ilea’s eyes opened wide when she took it all in. This wasn’t a simple map with some dungeon locations. Every crack and narrow corridor he had found was carefully painted onto it. Considerations, mentions of monsters and their locations as well as where the mist pooled was noted.

Hiding spots for the night and deeper layers, caves as well as water sources were listed. High peaks and dangerous zones as well as what she was looking for mostly, dungeons. There was a whole bunch of them. Each named. Had he really not stepped inside?

“Where are we now?”

He pointed at one of the northernmost dungeons named ‘Rhyvor Capital – Tremor’ The name she had given him.

Ilea nodded, “I think the ones closest are enough for now. Not that I don’t have enough with this one already. Did you find any adventurers near one of them? Maybe some have lower leveled monsters, are half empty or close to the surface?”

He looked over the map before putting his finger on one specific one. ‘Root Vault’

“Anything you can tell me about it?” The dungeon was located west from their current location but Ilea had no idea how far exactly. There was no reference point she had on the map, however there were many landmarks described both outside and in the crevices that would lead her to the right destination. As well as it would let her find back. She was already sketching into her own notebook, only focusing on the part around Tremor and up to the Root Vault.

“I could not enter but there were signs of intelligent life, fireplaces and hidden sleeping pockets in the stone walls leading up to the dungeon. It is possible the very denizens of the dungeon itself are responsible but it is rare for monsters to show this kind of intellect. Especially in dungeons.” He explained and continued, “The entrance does not lie deep underground but there are strong roots growing even beyond the point where I felt the mana grow more dense. Perhaps you will find a trail there.”

She nodded and wrote some of the notes next to the dungeon mark. Two other places were mentioned, even closer than the Root Vault. ‘City – Rhyvor?’ and a place he had simply named ‘Cliffs’, “Anything you can tell me about those two?” She asked, finishing her crude copy as she added the crevices, water sources, big mountains and other notable additions he had chosen to include.

“Other than that they are dungeons, no. I would suggest you don’t go to the one I named Cliffs yet. There were winged creatures that paralyzed me even before I could walk out of the entrance.” He said.

Ilea closed her notebook after a while, “What’s your Veteran level at?”

The elf looked at her, “The Veteran skill… mine is above level fifteen. I won’t tell you the specific level.” He stated. It surprised Ilea that he even shared anything related to the skill level. She didn’t exactly know how the skill worked yet, only that really powerful creatures could produce sounds or according to the skill description spells as well to paralyze her completely.

She considered his answer and asked, “How long were you stunned?”

“Ten seconds. Enough to possibly have died were I closer to the edge.”

That’s why you level bone density and healing my friend. “Any other tips when I go out? I’ve not been in the north for very long.”

He looked at her as he rolled up the map again, not touching the thing at all. “Come on, you wouldn’t want your only cooperative and capable dungeon diver to die to an invisible volcano or something.” She joked. The elf sighed again and shook his head.

“There are wolf like creatures appearing at night.” He turned to the page where a simple but completely black wolf was drawn, “I haven’t managed to identify them but I saw them disappear and appear at random.” The elf paused and closed his book again, “I’ve seen many species here but a lot of them you’ll find similar to the beast found at lower altitudes, simply stronger and faster. Do I have to tell you to avoid the ones as big as mountains?”

Ilea waved her hand in response, “I’ll try not to enter their mouths.”

“That might actually be the best option, if you can avoid the teeth. Other than the arcane storms you have mentioned, there are occasionally blizzards appearing near the mountain tops as well as strong winds if you fly too high. Both of them are at least as dangerous as the arcane lightning.” The elf explained, Ilea taking some notes in the process.

Natural winds as strong as Arthur’s magic? She asked herself, remembering her cracked bones. Her resistance was higher now but if it was anything close to the lightning she’d try to stay low. “Thanks. I’ll be back in a couple days or longer depending on what I find. If I don’t, I’ll leave a message here in the cathedral should you not be here anymore.”

He nodded at that and put away his map, summoning the book on wines again as he continued his translation. She definitely wanted to learn more about his people. It also felt good to talk to someone other than herself every other day or week. Her wings taking her higher, she decided to fly to the opening where the sun shined inside instead of the small crevice she had entered from. Looking outside, she found herselfat the side of a mountain, between rocks covering up most of the area. Climbing out, she squeezed through a small crack, not choosing the exit up top to avoid lightning that might hit her there. She saw a steep decline leading downwards when she finally managed to get through, her armor scratching on the rock. Arcane storms raged in the distance as she searched for the closest crack in the landsbelow.

Checking her notes, the Tremor dungeon was painted under a mountain, where she was right now. Another long range of mountains was painted to the east, the one she saw from her elevated position. And another big one there, with a massive and visible valley and a fissure at the bottom. Ilea found it a minute of searching later. According to the map there were several smaller cracks leading to the valley she saw from here.

Quietly listening for storms, she activated all her buffs in preparation. A destination in sight, she pushed off and accelerated in a steep dive with all power. The clouds moved quickly and unpredictably, sometimes turning as if they were beasts themselves. Ilea made it. Lightning cracked a couple hundred meters behind her when she blinked the last stretch into the thin crack, smashing into the wall before she could stabilize herself.

Pieces of rock fell downwards as she moved off the wall, jumping down and landing on the somewhat flat terrain. A thin line of water flowed through and ended somewhere between a bunch of boulders. Checking her map again, she would have to follow the trail until she entered the valley, then westwards in a curve until she reached the Root Vault. I wonder what it’s actually called. She asked herself why he had called it a vault of all things.

Maybe he did know something about the place but had chosen not to share it with her. Not that he had any reason to give her any information. For all she knew he was lying about everything. She could at least write it all down, maybe she’d meet another elf to talk to at some point to compare things. Plus if the locations of the other dungeons were true then she had already gotten more than enough out of it.

Ilea flew low and at moderate speed to be able to react to anything that jumped her, thinking about the Tremor dungeon and her talks with the Elf. His reaction wasn’t much when she mentioned her being from another realm, seemingly more focused on the lack of research than her experience. For what it was worth, he actually seemed kind of nice, a little weird at times but not unpleasant.

A loud roar resounded but it was too far away to be meant for her. And the way that sounded too big to be meant for such small prey. The sound had come from ahead, Ilea picking up some speed more interested in seeing what it was than her self preservation.

Coming around a corner, she saw the end of a massive scaled tail slither through towards the next section of the valley, sunlight glistening on parts of its green skin. The crevice started to open up more and more. At the end of this one she could see two ways, one west and one northwards. With the tail going west and her destination lying in the same direction, her next step was cut out for her. A smile blossomed on her face as she watched the dark clouds move by above, quickly finding cover as the arcane smashed into the overhanging walls of stone.

Chapter 241 Contact

Chapter 241 Contact

Coming out into the valley, Ilea ducked back behind a big boulder. An arcane storm was passing by above and the valley was simply too vast to provide ample cover. The tail she saw belonged to a snake, glistening green as the lightning hit it. The hiss that followed was enough to freeze her in place.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard a mighty beast’s roar. You are paralyzed for 15 seconds.’

What the hell is at that Cliffs dungeon when that humongous snake only paralyzes me for fifteen seconds. She didn’t know if the size and strength of an animal would influence the paralyze duration, maybe it had to do with the sound they could produce alone. Or it was a separate skill they used for hunting. Maybe I should’ve just stayed and leveled until my armor broke. She considered if no armor wasn’t just as fine but losing an arm or getting cut deeply would have her spend more mana on healing.

A dangerous hit could end her life so she wasn’t about to continue unprepared. At least not if there were other options she could exploit first. Taking a glance again, the snake had moved on as well as whatever beast she had heard roaring earlier. The valley looked like not a living thing had passed through in a hundred years, the sky above as calm as on a sunny afternoon near a desert. It just took that lightning…

Checking for storms, she kept on the side of the valley and rushed through as quickly as possible, right until the crack in the middle could be seen. Ilea quickly blinked towards in and flew down, landing on her feet a moment later. The area around here seemed deserted as well, likely because the huge snake had just passed through. Flying onward, she kept her Hunter’s Sight activated to find any trail she might miss otherwise.

The map he had given her helped tremendously with navigating the terrain. Dead ends were visible and knowing where more cover was, she became more bold with traveling the surface. Storms could appear and move quickly but when her next destination lied just fifteen seconds of flying away, she’d risk it. Plus her armor might take another hit without her dying in it. After that she would stop being so reckless. At least against nature. That would be a lame death. Killed by lightning.

She had no plans of stopping until she could punch the lightning to death herself. For two hours she traveled through the cracks, only finding small critters that fled immediately when they heard or saw her. The Root Vault couldn’t have been far anymore, Ilea coming into the crevice that according to her map led right up to the dungeon. Slowing down and focusing on her Hunter’s Sight, she took in every little pebble in her sphere and through the hunting skill.

Jumping over a small hill, she saw the first roots. The area darkened, leading further down as the crack in the land turned into a cave. More and more roots as big as herself showed, breaking through the stone as they grew. Wood magic, let’s see if that girl can show me something like this when I come back…

The cave where she thought the dungeon started led downwards in a steep angle, thorns big enough to impale a human broke out of the roots, illuminated by glowing plants further down. Ilea wasn’t fooled. This wasn’t some oasis in the wasteland that was the north, this was a deathtrap. Only powerful magic could create what lay before her. Focusing back around her, she was successful even before finding the hidden pockets the elf had mentioned.

Fresh blood. She crouched down and touched the red stain on the rock. Someone or something was injured. And it was recent. Her sense of smell coupled with her Sphere quickly led her towards a small cave entrance to the side of the glen, helped by Hunter’s Sight. It was dark when she blinked into the tunnel, water dripping from the ceiling somewhere but she could still smell the blood. After several jumps further down, nearly no light found its way into the dark cave anymore. Her eyes could still make out silhouettes but Ilea was mostly trusting her sphere at that point.

She could hear voices and saw light flicker on the walls five minutes later, her quick pace quickly finding whatever was bleeding. A gruff and deep voice talked quietly, Ilea slowing down as she got closer. “It’s gonna be alright warlock.”

“Something is coming.” A second voice said, ethereal as if wisps had followed the sound to Ilea’s ears. She stepped closer and saw the group in her sphere. A lizardman holding a nasty cut in his belly, a hooded and masked figure looking her way. The last one was something that looked like a robot, legs and hands connected to a big torso and core with straight connecting pieces as well as tubes that continued before they plugged into its back. Tubes came out of its shoulders ending in valves. The robot was holding its hand onto the wound when the lizardman coughed.

The hooded figure suddenly appeared before her, a sword clad in black lightning advancing on her. Ilea instinctively moved to the right, hitting his hand with her left wrist before she punched at the figure’s side with her fist. A quick move and the man hit the wall of the cave hard, something breaking in the process.

[Rogue – lvl 172]

Ilea walked on towards the other two after checking his vitals with a tendril of ash, “Stay down.” The robot turned to her when she approached, saws extending out of his arms. Yellow eyes stared at her in the dark, “I’m a healer.” She said and continued towards the lizardman, the robot not moving as he watched her. She put her back towards him and checked up on the lizard, “What happened to him? His health is draining quickly.”

Poison or a curse, She thought as her healing mana pushed into the creature. He groaned in pain making the robot tense up a little behind her, two spear like objects slowly extending out of its chest.

“Stop… Stonebreaker…,” The ethereal voice said as the man moved closer, holding his shoulder before he winced. “She is… healing him.” He finished and sacked down, the robot rushing at his side.

“What did you do?” His deep voice asked, still remaining as quiet as it had been before.

Ilea stabilized the lizardman, his eyes closing as the poison or curse racked through his body. “His shoulder is damaged, nothing more. He has several cuts on his legs that worry me more but those didn’t come from me.”

“Damn fool.” The robot said and tried ripping away the mantle covering the man’s legs but was stopped.

“I will be fine. No poison.” The ethereal voice said and Ilea could see wisps of smoke coming out from behind the black mask under the hood, its smooth surface turning her way.

Ilea continued healing, “I’ll take care of him afterwards.”

The robot nodded and answered her initial question, “One of the monstersin the nearby dungeon. He was poisoned.”

Shequietly continued. Whatever poison it was, it was strong. “Did you not know the dungeon would have venomous animals in it?” She asked and looked at the robot.

He walked over to her and crouched down next to the lizardman, “Of course we did.” He didn’t elaborate further as he held one of the lizard’s hands.

His voice isn’t coming from the head, Ilea noticed. Were her own body poisoned she’d be healed already but the different biology of the lizardman made it even harder than healing another human. She trusted her skill fully, not helping guide the mana or focusing overly on specific parts of his body. “No antidote? Do you have whatever caused the poison? Maybe it helps.”

The robot nodded, checking one of the packs lying next to the lizard before he took a small box out, “No antidote yet. The alchemist has given up on it,their poison varying in properties and even changing from time to time.” He took out a monster’s claw that looked more like a thorn, gray and ending in a sharp slightly glistening tip, about as big as her hand. “Careful lassie.”

She just looked at him and grabbed the thing. Rolling down the pant leg where her armor had been taken, she turned the thorn and pushed it into her leg. The thing penetrated to her blood with a little bit more force, the robot standing as if frozen before he rushed at her, “Don’t move so rapidly.” Ilea said, her ashen limbs lashing out to make him stop, “You’ll poison yourself too.”

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Drop Saurian venom, -25 Health per second for five minutes.

Enough to kill me and that’s from a single scratch of this thing. She looked at the lizardman and frowned. He was over it already luckily. Good thing I found them, perhaps they wouldn’t be up for trading if their friend just died. The lizardman was at level one forty and the robot man at one eighty, both identifying as mages.

“Why would you poison yourself?” The robot asked, obviously confused when the lizardman woke and gasped for air. Ilea let go of him and simply let healing mana flow through herself, the pain a dull tugging in her leg as she walked over to the other mage. He tensed up when she touched him but relaxed when she took care of first his shoulder and then the cuts on his leg. Something about his anatomy was fascinating.

Ilea continued looking at him through her healing skill even after his cuts had been healed, “What are you?” She asked in fascination, looking at his mask. He pushed her away a little and got up, Ilea not resisting. “No wonder you can’t get poisoned.” She said, turning to the others. The rogue didn’t reply and neither did she press. It was likely offensive already to whatever race he was a part of. Not that she cared much, he had attacked her after all.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1

You are a target of assassins or not very good at distinguishing berries. Surviving either of those you have developed a general resistance to poisons.

2nd stage: Either you need better guards or you need to stop eating everything you see. Experience has granted you an ability to sense poison. Additionally its spread throughout your body is slower, reducing its effects.’

That’s why I poison myself. Ilea thought with a smile.

The rogue walked to the othersas Ilea watched them help up the lizardman who was still weakened from the exertion and near death experience, “We have to go, a trail of blood was left behind.” The robot said and turned to Ilea. “What do you seek as payment warrior?”

“I need a place to sell my things, more importantly a smith. Know anyone around that fits that description?”

He nodded and started walking into the dark, “Aye, not a pleasant one that one but perhaps you’ll survive it. If the poison doesn’t drop you after all.” He said and chuckled, a click resounding from his right eye, an enchantmentflushing the dark cave with light. “We should be quiet, not to attract more attention.” He added before they climbed down through a tight opening.

Ten minutes of silent climbing later, they came into a tunnel that seemed unnatural, its walls straight. She noticed for the first time how tall the robot was now that he stood upright. Easily two hand a half meters, even taller than the lizardman. The smoky rogue was the only one similar to her in size. “Where are we going?” She asked after a couple minutes of walking down the corridor.

The light of his headlight waved over to her before it moved forward again, “Hallowfort, our home.”

Ilea looked at the others but they ignored her, lost in their own thoughts. “That doesn’t really tell me anything robot man.”

He laughed at that, deep and loud before he checked behind them, “We should be safe now. You’ll see lassie. Seeing your worn out armor and those horns on your head I think you’ll fit right in.”

“I will show you to the smith with a good word as soon as we’re there. I doubt that is fixable sadly.” He added, “A shame, looks like Niameer steel.” A test perhaps but she had no idea what the name meant.

“Found it on a corpse a while ago, had it reforged.” She said, the robot holding up a thumb.

“We’re here.” Pushing aside a big stone plate, he leaned on its side and gestured them all to go in. Following inside, he pushed back the massive stone gate with the handle that was attached on the other side. Moving through the waiting people, he touched a runed plate that was on the other end of the small tunnel, a section on the ground opening immediately. Fresh air immediately flowed in, “Careful, it’s a bit of a drop.”

Ilea waited until they were all through before she looked down, jumping and landing two seconds later, looking at the waiting group of people. They stood at the edge of a massive cliff, crystals growing on the stone behind and around them, stretching for kilometers into the underground cave, illuminating everything in a pale light. Ilea stepped towards the edge and looked down, several hundred meters of air until it ended in what looked like a massive lake. Natural stone pillars grew from the lake up towards the ceiling, everything covered by crystals in patches of white.

A bridge a hundred meters to her right led over a chasm and towards warm torch light interspersed with magical lamps. Houses of all sizes and styles riddled the plateau, built on top of the massive statue depicting a humanoid figure, its head missing. The stone monument reached down and into the natural rock below before it all ended in the distant lake. “I’m impressed.” Ilea said, smiling as she took in the view and looked over at the robot. The metal on him was rusted in parts, dark gray and black as well as patches of red showing.

“No monsters here?” She asked as he joined her side and chuckled.

His eyes twirled before he spoke, “Rarely. They reside down in the lake or the dungeon. We’re safe here from the storms as well as most wild beasts. Come now, a warrior able to heal will be a most welcome addition.”

Ilea nodded and followed him when the lizardman knelt on one knee before her, “I owe you my life warrior.”

Ilea grinned and flicked his lizard like head, “You owe me a drink.” The lizard looked confused when the robot started roaring with laughter.

“You heard the lassie, come before you get yourself into more dept than you can carry.” He said and helped him up.

A three meter tall guard with dark armor and a hammer as big as Ilea grunted when they came over the bridge and entered Hallowfort. It wasn’t big, nothing compared to any of the cities in the human plains. Perhaps a village or even just a bigger camp but what it lacked in numbers and size, it won back in diversity. To Ilea it felt just as alive as any bigger city she’d been to. Half the races running around, trading and shouting she had never seen. Is that a dwarf? The man was as tall as a kid but with sturdy arms and legs, no hair on his head as well as a scar on his scalp. He looked about as heavy as she would be were it not for her dense bones and muscles.

The scents of unknown foods mixed with body odor entirely alien to her as they walked through the village before they came up on a small house. “I’ll see you later, let me know how it goes.” The robot said to the rogue. The man didn’t reply, nodding lightly towards Ilea before he vanished. The lizard bowed deeply before he too said his goodbyes, at least for now. It seemed clear that responsibility for her would fall on the robot.

“Come on in.” He said and opened the door, stopping in a contraption near the wall before his chest opened, steam exiting from both the pipes on his back as well as the chamber itself before a man about one meter forty in height jumped out. A black bushy beard, one mechanical eye and black greasy hair looked at her with an outstretched hand, “Terok Stonebreaker, very happy to make your acquaintance.”

Ilea smiled and shook his hand, “Ilea Spears. The same. You were moving that machine?”

“Never seen a dwarf and his rig!” He laughed and walked over to it, “It’s smaller than most but trust me this thing can take a punch. The runes and gears allow for the finest movements coupled with my metal magic. Not the most beautiful thing but it does the job. Don’t ever insult it or I’ll pummel you.” He said, laughing again before punching the exoskeleton.

“Fascinating. You think I could get one of them too?”

He frowned, “Well you might as well try, it’s hard without metal magic. The fine control I mean. You need specific metal too, that elven stuff you have on your armor might be a start but you’ll need much more.”

Ilea nodded and smiled, happy to have found this little place. Still, she didn’t come to the north to join another village and get involved with their problems and wars, “Can you show me to the smith? I don’t plan to stay long.”

The dwarf smiled and nodded, “I understand, not one to dwell. I shall stay true to my word. If you ever need anything just come back.” He said and opened the door, beckoning her to follow. “He was good as dead, glad you appeared. I just hope he will go out again.” Terok said as he led her through the village.

Ilea spotted smoke coming out of a big building, hearing the sounds of a hammer hitting metal, “What about that one?” She asked as he led her further down, away from the forge.

“She’s not bad but won’t be able to handle your level of steel. There’s only one here that could but he’s… well. He doesn’t want to work with everyone. Not me either but perhaps I can convince him to take down the runes, you’ve saved one of us after all.”

Chapter 242 Floating Wisdom

Chapter 242 Floating Wisdom

Terok led her down a stairwell into the stone, many side halls leading to living quarters or rooms with other purposes. Some of the beings looked at her when she passed but nobody seemed to care extensively. A refreshing reception compared to most humans that immediately started whispering after her. The dwarf suddenly stopped and motioned down a hallway. The red glow of fire came from within but nothing could be heard.

“Hey, master!” Terok shouted down the hall, “This lassie here has saved a friend, thought you could offer her your services in return.” They waited but no response came, Ilea looking at the dwarf who seemed a little unsure by now.

“Why can’t we just go?”

He gestured at the ground and walls, “There are runes in place to prevent entry, curses and dark magic. He normally only works with those that can cross it unharmed.”

Ilea nodded and started walking, “Why didn’t you say that. Well I’ll see you then Terok, thanks for showing me the way.” He watched in disbelief when she simply started walking. A light feeling of nausea started spreading in her belly but it was nothing major. Neither was the health drain that started a couple meters further in. Her healing easily canceled it out. With time it would grow less effective anyway, thanks to her second stage resistance to health drain magic.

She heard Terok laugh and looked back, the dwarf shaking his head. “Well good luck then. You can use the exit we came from, if you can survive this you can definitely activate the rune.”

Ilea gave him a thumbs up as she moved further into the smithy. A couple more steps and her hearing was cut off, the sound of a hammer hitting metal resounded a couple meters further in. The room opened up, stairs leading down into the big space where a being made of dark mist hovered near an anvil. It had two arms that looked solid, the rest was more ethereal. Like the winter spirits she had faced before.

[Smith – lvl 212]

Not even Balduur has that kind of level. She thought and decided to wait until he was done with whatever he was working on. There was a plethora of machines in the room, tools and metal structures she had never seen nor any idea what purpose they served. Sitting down on a workbench a little to the side, she continued healing herself, neither curse nor health drain lessening when she had entered. The thing he, she or it was working on looked awfully small in her sphere, shaped like just the handle of a weapon. Isn’t the blade done and then the handle added?

Summoning her notebook, she wrote down the name of the poison and the monster that occupied the Root Vault. Another thing she could hunt and kill, likely in similar or higher levels as the rose knights. Overwhelming choice…, It wasn’t really. Here she would meet other hunters coming from Hallowfort, at least she assumed as much. Saving lives wasn’t the worst and she could make friends like that easily. Ilea had no idea how long it would have taken to find this smith here, likely choosing one of the lesser talented had she not met Terok. Still, she was lucky this time. It could’ve also been her finding three dead or dying adventurers, unable to save them.

And this was her adventure, not another tragedy. Hers alone with nightmares spewed out of hell’s mouth, there for her to fight and kill, dancing on the edge of death. Her thinking was interrupted when a whisper resounded in the whole room, “A new traveler, seeking the work of Goliath.” The voice echoed, the smith turning around, two golden eyes looking out of the dark mist as it held up the finished product.

“A door handle? I mean maybe I could replace some of mine… I’m Ilea by the way,” She said as he put it away.

“Work for one of my dear friends. Payment for a joke well told.” He explained and hovered a little closer, “You, no you are here for that armor are you not? Or have you lost your weapons too?” He asked, the whisper coming from several directions at once, confusing Ilea quite a bit.

“Just the armor, I don’t fight with steel.” She said and stood up, walking around the room to discern how he did the thing with his voice.

The smith hovered after her, “Niameer steel. Rare to see it these days. The elven lands of old used to favor it did they not? Before the light was no more.”

Ilea cocked her head to the side and turned around, “Why do I hear you like a surround sound system?”

A weird noise came from the smith, its eyes squinting a little and bobbing up and down, a laugh perhaps, “It is what I am, the magics of dark not one favorable for those of the living flesh. You must have felt it when you entered? The curse, my unending hunger for life and its source.”

“You meant that’s you? You didn’t put up runes to make people not come here?”

“It can get lonely, sadly most cannot stomach being close to me. Your kind… what are you then? An elf? A dwarf? No… you would not like the mana here and you are too tall for a dwarf. A dark one then but one of life?” He asked inquisitively.

“I’m human.”

Its eyes moved up a little before it spoke, “Human, what a rare visitor then. Those of weak blood find it hard to travel here, to even stand where you do is an achievement not gained without strife. I salute you.” He said and bowed a little, “The dark ones often find conversation tiring yet it leaves my forge silent, abandoned. Were it not for my work one might question why I even rose to consciousness.”

Lots of interesting things this guy says. The smith was either old and wise, a being of great power or perhaps a crazy loner spinning lies to confuse her. The elves don’t like the mana here? Dark ones? “It’s nice to meet you then, I salute your dedication to the forge. You are the first smith of such a level I have met.”

The weird sound again, “Amusing. A human so far north, a long time it has been. Truly. For this alone I shall grant your request.”

Nice, She thought and summoned the mold she had taken from Balduur. “That’s the mold, it fits me perfectly. The monsters here are a little much for Niameer steel.”

The smith hovered around the mold, lifting its eyes from time to time, “A suitable mold. It is good to know the art is not lost entirely. Niameer however is not meant to be abused so roughly. It is meant to hide sound and light. A shadow’s metal. Are you a shadow?”

Ilea thought about it and shook her head, “I fight directly, you can see that by how it looks.” Switching to a set of leather armor, she placed the pieces of her ashen hunter set on a free workbench. Not meant to be abused so roughly? And it was never damaged by any of the attacks coming from other people or their weapons? She felt a little embarrassed in front of this old being and showed it apparently.

“Do not feel offended human. It is a good metal, even moreso rare. A precious ore and it can certainly hold up to others but with time its shape will dent, its glimmer fade.” The smith explained as he lifted some of the pieces up, looking them over carefully.

Ilea summoned one of the rose knight sets, using her ash to clean off one of the tables before she dumped it there. “What about these then? The ones who fought me used that.” Adding a sword to it, just in case it was a different metal, the smith turned towards her. Grabbing the chest plate, it contemplated, turning it over and over again.

“I am uncertain. What do you intend to do with it?” It asked finally.

“Depends on how good it is. Got plenty more so do with this one what you like.” Ilea said with a grin.

Its eyes lifted and almost looked happy, “Good, I cannot determine its properties without working it. Hold on.” It said and took the breast plate, putting it on the anvil and starting to hammer. Harder with each hit before it chucked it into the biggest forge, some of the runes lighting up before the heat in the room went up by at least fifty degrees.

No wonder no humans come in here. Ilea thought, noticing the flare but her heat resistance and general condition completely ignoring the difference. It didn’t stop getting hotter, soon the straps of her leather armor started to catch on fire, the room not cooling down for a whole twenty minutes. Ilea covered herself in ash and stored her leather armor, switching back to it when it cooled down. She looked at the goop of golden liquid that remained of the chest plate.

“Stonehammer steel… it was incredibly old, brittle but as expected it held up, for a long time. For rust to form on such a sturdy material. A dungeon perhaps? I would be interested in more of this metal if you would.” The smith said in his ethereal whisper.

“Of course, half for you half for me alright? Make me as many full sets of armor with the mold as you can, how does that sound?” She grinned and watched the eyes light up when she dumped all the armors and weapons she had gotten from her escapades so far. Nine sets and an assortment of weapons equaling probably another set.

“Marvelous. To think such quantities have found themselves into my forge. You see it is a metal found only deep underground. Further than most are willing to dig.

Ilea smiled and clapped her hands, “Cool. Can you make it black?”

The smith immediately started working, talking about coating the set with anotherlesser metal that wouldn’t weaken the structure but change its silver color to a darker and matteblack, not quite as dark as the previous steelbut Ilea didn’t mind. As long as she wasn’t a shining beacon of light walking around she’d be fine. A lot of the work involved waiting for the forge to melt the metal, leaving ample time for conversation.

“You think this will be sturdier than the Niameer armor?” Ilea asked, looking over her old battered set.

The smith turned towards her, putting another piece into the forge with his bare stone hand, “Yes. Considerably. It will wear with time, especially if weapons of the same quality will impact it but less quickly than the Niameer. A wise choice to hold on to it.” It explained.

She nodded and sat back again, meditating to recover the mana she was constantly using to keep her healing up, “You spoke of being a dark one… what does that mean?”

Goliath looked at her and spoke, “Humans…your world so small yet your pride reaching for the moons.” He said but she didn’t feel insulted, it was more a statement, one of wonder and not one of dismissing the human race, “The dark ones are those not born from consciousness, not of the womb of a mother but of mana itself. Gifted sight and understanding by time, long past. By the nurturing touch of life and death itself.”

It speaks in riddles, Ilea smiled. She was taking a liking to this smith. “Were you once monsters? Roaming the wild on instinct alone?”

“Precisely. Though it is a theory I believe it to be true. I have felt it.. have… memories from before.” It said, “Powerful one must be to attain choice. We gather in places dense in the energy of the world. Magic itself.”

Ilea slid a little further back on the bench and rested her back on the wall, “Does that mean I’ll have to check every monster I fight to see if they’re not actually a nice old woman looking for her lost child somewhere… or a professor late for his class…,”

“It is not so simple. Only beings attuned with mana may become what generations have decided to call a dark one. You shall learn, with time, the differences between wild beast and scholar. A riddle of morality you shall decipher on your own, young one.”

“How old exactly are you?” She asked, genuinely interested.

It looked at her, its eyes sparkling with golden light, “I do not know the answer you seek.” The whisper replied.

Ilea nodded as he floated over to the forge, taking the container now filled to the brim with fluid metal. Carefully moving it over, she could feel the heat on her again but it quickly vanished when Goliath poured the metal into the mold. Waiting for a couple minute without moving, it placed several big tools looking like metal versions of vacuum cleaners around the mold. “Three minutes.” It spoke and activated the devices, an icy cold enveloping the mold and all within, cooling it down in such a drastic manner that the whole room filled with mist.

Separating the pieces of the mold again, it carefully took out the still steaming pieces before dumping them in a container containing fluid, “Done, let it cool off completely before you touch the metal. With half of what you have given me I will create four more complete sets of armor if that is what you request. The coating I will do as the last step.”

Ilea nodded and smiled, “That’s perfect. How much gold will it cost by the way?”

“Gold? No you misunderstand human. Gold has little use for me. Bring me worthwhile work and materials. That is sufficient as a trade.”

Ilea turned her head sideways but shrugged and stood up, “Well if you say so. You could probably buy interesting metals with gold as well though, just saying.”

“A human desperate to separate with her wealth. Truly, as rare as one so far in the north. Well it is no wonder, us hiding deep underground.” It said and produced another weird guttural sound. “Gold I have found is a fickle mistress, one not as convincing as true skill. I may miss working on the most prized ore simply because the owner was incapable of paying for my services.” It explained. Ilea still thought it would be beneficial but then again who was she to question the business model of a thousand year old floating smith spirit.

“Fair enough. Mind if I stay here while you work?”

It simply continued putting armor pieces into the furnace, the heat rising again, “Not at all. It is rare enough to have a guest. If my cursed presence is not upsetting your stomach.”

Ilea chuckled, “I’ve met some people with better curses than yours.”

“Better… that is an amusing perspective.”

“You mentioned elves not liking this area before, why do you think that?” Ilea asked, remembering their earlier conversation.

The smith turned towards her and grabbed one of the swords she had placed on the workbench, “Few I have met. They are secretive and according to the rare travelers seeking my work, their race resides in a big forest to the south. That way it has been for thousands of years legend has it. It is said that places brimming with energy such as this, such as the north after it has… changed, such are not places the elven race seeks to reside in. Though I did not pry, merely am I retelling rumors of old.”

“What change are you talking about? And why do you believe they came north then, if they disliked it so much?” Ilea asked, sitting up.

Goliath looked at her for a while before answering, “Long ago a change befell this area of the world. This place… it became, so terribly more pleasant. I do not know why, yet the energies of the world, condensing and twisting as if bringing out the color and vibrancy of life and death itself. Fewer travelers have visited since then. You are the first human in a long time. The town they have built above my forge has been a blessing, truly. As to why an elf would visit this place I lack the answers you seek, why perhaps you might ask, would a human come this far?”

Ilea summoned her notebook and wrote some of the info down. It seemed interesting, maybe whatever had happened was the reason Tremor was now forgotten and taken over by mindless undead. Opposed to being a city bustling with… wine merchants.

“Oh… human might I ask of you a favor?”

“What is it?” Ilea asked and jumped up, cracking her neck.

It walked over to the devices that looked like vacuum cleaners to her and checked something on them, “The water is being used up, the air too dry and the force too hot. It is rare I need to cool with ice, yet your metal requires it. Would you be so kind and get me some in the lake below?”

She looked at the massive container, twice as big as herself and easily as broad as she was tall, “You mean the lake below?”

“Might this undertaking be impossible for you? Perhaps I might be able to contact my helper but I believe she is on guard duty for another week.”

Week long guard duty, sound horrible. The fellow near the bridge? Ilea asked herself and shook her head, “No need, I will get you some water. Any other way out than the door? That thing won’t fit through that corridor and I doubt my storage item allows such a massive thing inside.” It was close, worth a try now that she had ninety units of storage free again.

Chapter 243 Metal Gear

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. New chapter up. I'll be on vacation next week until the 14th or so of August. I'll schedule posts on RoyalRoad but they might be a little less frequent.

Chapter 243 Metal Gear

“There is.” Goliath said in the usual whisper and moved over to the water tank. Its hand raised up and aimed at the stone wall next to it before energy gathered in a dark orb, shooting out a second later. The blast completely obliterated the wall. A rune glowed near the wall and the fresh air was cut off immediately, likely because the airflow was not to be disturbed.

Ilea nodded and spread her wings, looking down into the abyss. They were situated somewhere near the waist of the massive stone statue on whose shoulders and decapitated neck the town of Hallowfort had been built. It was still a couple hundred meters down to the water. Two of her ashen limbs moved over to the container and unhooked it from the metal piece it hung from. Goliath’s golden eyes were focused on her during the whole process, Ilea just looking back and winking at the smith before she flew out, the container dragged by the ash’s strength alone.

Letting herself fall, she took in the crystal light that illuminated the world below the wasteland. Stone and water mostly, little vegetation likely because the suns didn’t reach down here at all. The water reached further than her eyes could see, more an underground sea than just a lake. The crystals reflected on the water surface when she reached it, glistening in their unending brilliance. Holding onto the massive bucket with all her ashen limbs, she flew it sideways and dunked it into the water, slowly lowering it afterwards.

It filled up quickly, Ilea noticing some dark shapes in the water deep below. Fishies coming to play? But the bucket was full and she didn’t want to damage Goliath’s tools just because of her curiosity. Later, much later if I’m honest. My water trauma is too recent. Using all the strength in her ash and wings, she pulled the container up. The statue reached high towards the ceiling of the cave, a person with two arms and legs, hands held together as if praying or meditating.

Heaving the huge bucket back inside, she carefully hung it back where she had taken it from, noticing the change in temperature immediately upon entering. Some of the water already started to steam. “It’s already going, shouldn’t I hang it outside where it’s cooler?” She asked when the smith turned, again focused on her.

It didn’t speak for a whole thirty seconds, “I must ask young human. Are you a child of ash?”

She was a little confused, especially because more of the water was already evaporating, “I’m an ash creator if that is what you mean. Your water?”

“Do not mind the water. I thank thee for bringing it. Truly, one touched by ash. I was not sure when I saw but now. It is an honor.” It said and bowed a little.

Ilea nodded and looked at the water tank again. “The runes do not use liquid water alone, simply the element around it. Be it in the air or in the tank. Once there are insufficient resources available the ice machines will stop working.” The smith explained and she nodded. “You would not be able to summon ash at all without first burning wood or something else. An enigma, to write runes with the capability to create. A mystery for another life perhaps, another time.”

“Why do you think it’s that special, ash creation I mean. I would assume many elves as well as humans can create elements through magic, ash as well.” Ilea suggested.

The smith moved to pour her second set of armor, activating the ice runes exactly three minutes later to rapidly cool it down again. “Ash…,” It started, separating the mold and putting each piece into new containers with the liquid from before. Not water but something that looked more sluggish. “… it is connected with death. Unattainable for those not close to it. Those who have experienced the dreads of magic, suffered and prevailed. It is said that they are the ones chosen by ash. Or the ones understanding the natural element, depending on philosophy and theory applied. You will find that many like myself will come to acknowledge your mana and its ability to create.”

Its explanation made sense, Ilea remembering some of the requirements that had let her class evolve into Ash Wielder initially. Come to think of it there must be religions based around certain elements or schools of magic as well. The healing orders are one thing but maybe the magic domains Elfie mentioned? Maybe there’s an ash thing too with dark ones like Goliath.

Fishing out the pieces that had been finished first, the smith put them on a work bench and dried them off the strange liquid with a towel. Taking a massive two handed hammer, the smith swung down, magic dancing around the hammer head before it impacted hard on the chest plate. A ring resounded and the hammer was rebounded a little, the force traveling through the smith as it held the more weapon than tool steady in its two massive arms. “Test it if you like but purely physically it holds up.”

Ilea nodded before she took the breast plate and put it on the ground. “Damaging the floor ok?” She asked, looking up at the smith.

“Please do.” It replied, eyes dancing in the darkness.

Ilea smiled and crouched down with a punch, her skills flaring up and five hundred health vanishing to activate her state’s third tier. Her fist hit, a small shock wave sending the air around her away as the steel armor cracked into the stone below. Neither her arm nor the armor showed any damage, the stone floor losing out as the weakest link. “Seems usable, wonderful work.” Ilea said, grabbing the piece and ripping it out of the ground, cracks visible where it had entered. She quickly identified the pieces.

[Rose Hunter Armor Helm – Rare Quality]

[Rose Hunter Armor Chest Piece – Rare Quality]

[Rose Hunter Armor Bracers – Rare Quality]

[Rose Hunter Armor Gauntlets – Rare Quality]

[Rose Hunter Armor Legs – Rare Quality]

[Rose Hunter Armor Boots – Rare Quality]

“Very nice. Any idea about enchantments? My previous stuff had lightening and durability on it.”

Checking one of the pieces the smith made a noise, “Rare, perhaps with better metal and your mold I might be able to forge you a set of ancient quality. There is no enchanter here worthy of mention. That dwarf who brought you here might be able to help but I suggest you look for someone more dedicated to the craft.”

Ilea nodded, “I doubt these sets will hold up very long so maybe quick and dirty is enough right now. Do you know if he is a bad enchanter or why would you not recommend his work?”

The smith put the third set into the forge, “I do not know if he has any talent at all. They like to use their war machines, enchanting is always necessary. Yet those actually using their machines are rarely the ones best at enchanting itself.”

She nodded and thought about it, “I’ll go ask him then. Maybe he can recommend someone as well.”

“Do that young one. I will be done in three hours, the coating will take another two.” It said before continuing its work.

Ilea nodded, “I’ll be back then.” Taking back her Ashen Hunter armor, she switched to it and blinked out of the room, back into the corridor. Walking up, a feline looking humanoid with a tail nearly ran into her, vanishing before her eyes. Did he steal anything? Wait, that’s racist. Nothing was amiss and she walked back up to find Terok’s house again.

Finding the dwarf inside, tinkering on his machine Ilea knocked on the door and waited. “Who is it?”

“Your new friend.” Ilea said and smiled behind her helmet when he opened the door.

The dwarf motioned her to sit on a worn chair in what looked like his kitchen. She had to duck a little to have space. Only the entryway was big enough for what was essentially his mech suit. “I’ll be with ya in a minute.” He grumbled, putting on a goggle on his non mechanical eye before sparks shot outwards. “Fucking shit. Dreaded cursed limp son of a bitch.” He grumbled before chucking his tool at the opposite wall.

Ilea folded her legs and took of her battered helmet, smiling at the dwarf, “Anything amiss?”

“Oh not particularly.” He said and walked over to a box, taking out a bottle of something. She could tell there was a cooling rune on the crate. “Want one too? I don’t have anything more fancy than the ale from down the street. Not the worst I’ve had.”

“Gladly.” Ilea replied. He laughed and threw her a bottle.

“Didn’t strike me as no lady. Back so soon, did the old mystery blob work with ye?”

The question made her smile as she looked at the label on her bottle, the thing nearly coming off already. ‘Bleaker’s ale’ She removed the cork and took a sip. “He did, or she? Whatever. My armor’s pretty battered so I was thinking of getting it reforged. Problem is, the old smith isn’t exactly an enchanter. Heard you lot do that with your machines. Any experience in the trade?”

The dwarf nodded and sat down, taking a swig from his bottle of ale too. “Some, I would suggest someone better but there hardly is anybody here. Enchanters aren’t usually the best fighters and you need to be good or sneaky to survive here.” He pointed at her, “The smith is an exception. Fucker’s been here for longer than the very statue you’re standing on I wager.”

“Can you do lightening and durability enchantments or something similar?” She asked.

Setting down his bottle, he looked at her, “Aye. Neither above level two but it’s better than nothing.”

Ilea nodded, smiling at his answer, “Do you take gold for your work?”

“I do. Would rather have some good metal if you have any to spare. Maybe you can get some from the smith. My suit is breathing its last breaths.” He sighed.

Ilea thought about it for a moment and then tapped on her helmet, “How does Niameer steel sound?” Goliath had suggested it would be better suited for sneaking than taking damage, not something she excelled at anyway.

The dwarf nearly choked and then laughed, “I would enchant whatever you like for a lifetime at a chance of Niameer.”

“Is it really that good? God pretty fucked up from the monsters I’ve fought.”

The dwarf nodded with a smile, “It’s exceptionally durable for the flexibility it provides. You’ve seen my rig, it’s not a simple breast plate. There’s a lot of moving parts, small enchantments and runes placed in small intervals. Niameer is great for that. Elven gold I’ve heard it called. Don’t think they use it much anymore, not flashy enough I suppose.”

Ilea thought about it for a while. Terok seemed honest, not downplaying how much the metal was worth but he had offered her a drink and she liked the guy. Her Rose Hunter sets would be even better against direct damage and she had little use for the intricate designs he was in need of. Perhaps at some point in the future but the armor used up a ton of space in her necklace. Maybe not molten down.

“How much would you need for your machine?” Ilea asked, looking over at the thing.

The dwarf considered and then held up a finger, going over to his rig. His hands were nearly shaking when he took some measurements with a tool, his mechanical eye sounding like a lens zooming in before he jotted down some numbers on a notepad that was hanging from the wall right next to the rig. “Your whole set isn’t enough to replace everything with it. Two legs worth might cover all the smaller parts, gears and the important enchantments I would have to put on. Even if it would be better than my current rig I won’t waste Niameer on plating… no offense.”

“None taken.” Ilea chuckled and smiled, “I didn’t even know it was such a special metal. Just that it took more abuse than anything else I had before.”

The dwarf visibly winced at that and shook his head, “Humans. You lot.” It sounded like he was trying to bite down some of the curses coming to his lips but she wouldn’t have minded.

“Two legs worth, if you give me the plans I can ask the smith to finish them for you too. Lifelong enchantments from you, any information you can provide, connections here and beyond if necessary and you show me the thing when it’s done. Deal?” He shook her hand faster than she could blink, a big smile on his face.

“You are… a blessing. First you save the rookie and now this.” He laughed loudly before finishing his ale. “I’ll get the plans, wait a moment.” He added and walked to one of the back rooms, murmuring to himself. “… must use all this luck as long as it lasts… Niameer…,”

Smith, check. Enchanter, half check. Dwarf, elf, dark one?, check. Cat person - ???, Ilea mentally noted down before he came back, his beard and hair looking even more disheveled than before, a big grin on his face as he put a stack of papers down.

“Those I need. Measurements and proportions are noted as well as everything else needed. If the smith doesn’t want to make it I’ll take the steel like that. Maybe someone else will be able to melt it down at least.” Terok said, “Oh and if you need a machine designed or something I can help with that too of course. I’m more an engineer than an enchanter but I’ve picked some things up in my years.”

Ilea took the papers and made them vanish, surprising him. “I’ll see what I can do.” She said and got up, “Thanks for the ale. It was… alright.”

Walter would be appalled, She thought but didn’t mention that. It was impressive that they had a brewery down in this cave at all. With time whoever produced it might get better at it too.

“Thank you Ilea. Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.” The dwarf said and grabbed her hand with both of his when she left, a big smile on his face.

She just nodded, a little overwhelmed with the treatment. She was just giving him a little of her old armor. Being able to help people out that she liked was certainly a good feeling but she didn’t like being in the spotlight. Quickly making her way back to the smith, she found that he had finished another set and was working on the fourth one. She switched back to leather armor and placed the old battered set on the work bench.

“Ah, you have returned human. Have you found an enchanter.”

Ilea nodded, checking the pieces of her old armor, “I have. The dwarf, he also confirmed there are few better at it here but I don’t need the best at the moment. Best I can get is enough. He agreed to do as many enchantments as I need forever if I give him some of the Niameer steel.”

“Oho… a deal in his favor to be sure. Yet I suppose he does not know the number of armors you will want to enchant.” Its eyes danced with joy. Ilea replied with a grin.

“I wanted to ask you if you could forge the two leg pieces into the things he needs.” Ilea said and summoned the plans, handing them to the smith. It floated a little away from the forge not to set the paper on fire accidentally.

Looking through them he answered, “The Stonehammer steel deal I consider repaid with the forging and coating of your armors. I am willing to melt down your Niameer to ingots but… this…,” Goliath stopped talking, switching to the next page before he held two of them up against the light of the forge. Ilea saw some bits overlapping but didn’t understand the designs. “He was a dwarf was he not?”

Ilea didn’t understand what he meant, “I mean, short stature, big beard, uses a big machine suit to fight. Looks like the other dwarves I’ve seen around here.”

“This might look like what a dwarf would make but the detail is… astounding. In my age only those calling themselves Taleen have reached such boldness. Such… ingenuity. Marvelous. I will forge his pieces.”

Ilea smiled at that, “Make the rest into ingots, I’ll hold on to them for now. You knew Taleen? They were dwarves too right?”

The smith carefully pinned the papers on a wall and activated a rune, a thin shimmer coming to life before them. Protection of some sort. “Once, they chose to find and destroy me. Perhaps jealous of my work or simply annoyed at the competition. Even though I did not charge gold for my work and chose to serve every and all kinds of creatures.”

“That’s exactly why someone would want you dead.” Ilea said and couldn’t help but chuckle.

The smith looked at her, confusion somehow apparent in those two golden eyes. “Is that so. Even after all those years it is saddening to see the strife between beings born of life and death, of fire and blood. Is it not our mortal duty to create?”

The smith was not looking for an answer, merely stating how he thought. “Not all life is your equal Goliath, smith of the north. I would call myself on the side of destruction. As much as I would like to share your philosophy.”

“It is the nature of the world. These are merely musings of an old spirit. Even in the forge, to create you must strike, bend and destroy. For steel to be reborn. The same is true for all beings, all creation. A fact I cannot change. Now come. Let us finish your armors.”

Chapter 244 Real Steel

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys and gals :). New chapter up.

I'll be on vacation starting tomorrow and will be back on the 13th or 14th. I might not be able to answer comments / messages during that time frame. I will of course be scheduling chapter releases so you have something to read.

I wanted to give a quick thank you to you all for reading my content, giving ratings and commenting. The volume is a bit much for me to reply to these days but I still try to read at least most of them :). I've been doing this full time for two months now and it's been pretty fucking great. To think writing and sharing a story on RoyalRoad would lead to what it is today. Well I won't annoy you longer (I will with chapters, if you like it or not - do tell me if you don't and why).

Last thing, shout out to Hello Future Me. If you want to learn how to write or are interested in the subject. Here's for example a video on power escalation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlwBjNkHC50. When I started doing this I knew jack shit, still know very litlte but I'm improving hopefully. He's a good source for detailed information instead of more general and broad tips and tricks.

Chapter 244 Real Steel

Ilea smiled brightly at the finished product. The armor had the exact same form but was a little less dark. Still black but Niameer had a midnight like property to it that the coating to her Rose Hunter sets just couldn’t replicate. A good thing she had taken the mold with her, the armor as if she was wearing a body suit. It was heavier, certainly but her power had increased continuously since the group of smiths had made her first set back in Virilya. Plus I’m getting enchantments done as well.

Goliath’s eyes danced happily as it watched her move around in the armor. “I love it.”

“It was a mold, not one made by me but still. I am happy to be of service, Ashen Hunter.”

“Why hunter?” Ilea asked, curious at the name. She did identify as a warrior as far as she knew.

The smith started melting down an ingot of Niameer, ten of them put in a crate and stored in her necklace. Four had been reserved for the dwarf. “The armor was made for you. It has chosen the name Rose Hunter. You look more like a hunter to me. I do not know what the word rose means.”

Ilea laughed at that and smiled, “You’re how many thousand years old and don’t know what a rose is?” Instantly regretting it she instead continued, “It’s a flower. No offense, I was just caught off guard. Here, they’re usually other colors than silver and not made of metal.” She said and summoned the silver rose she had gotten from the Tremor dungeon.

The smith made joyous eyes and carefully took the rose, “Marvelous. You see, my curse withers most plants, especially delicate things like flowers. They are of life after all.” Handing it back to her, she held up her hand.

“Keep it. I can get more of them.”

“A gift I shall treasure, Ilea, huntress of ash.” It whispered and bowed.

She tested out moving in the armor for a while, her other four sets cooling in their buckets after the coating had been applied. It felt good, she hadn’t even noticed how dented and bent her ash hunter set really was. Adjusting wasn’t difficult of course but it probably impacted her performance, at least a little. “You said the Taleen came for you, their machines or the dwarves themselves?”

Goliath didn’t reply, carefully forming a small piece of glowing Niameer with two pliers before finally putting it into liquid, a sizzling sound coming from the bucket. “They came with their guardian machines. Neither of the two dwarves that died that day were fighters of any capability. Creators they were, their machines putting up a formidable resistance.”

I mean it is a floating level two hundred creature with a hammer head as big as my chest. I wonder how it’d do against a Praetorian, knowing so much about metal. “And their machines were so different than other ones you’ve seen?”

“Oh yes. Quite astounding. An internal mana source, capable of harnessing a part of the ambient mana around them. Truly groundbreaking. I was unable to replicate it.”

“And you think Terok is making something like that?” Ilea asked.

The smith poured another form before he answered, “Not at all. Whoever is responsible for a mana source like the ones found in a Taleen machine is far beyond even my capabilities. A true master. Most exoskeletons I have seen were brutes, massive and specialized in destruction alone. No such machine would require such precise and small pieces of Niameer. The Taleen Guardians I believe they were called, they had no such steel but a more common metal found in the south. To think they formed it into what became such quick and agile opponents… it is, impressive.”

Ilea summoned a Taleen sword and showed it to the smith, “That the metal?”

“Indeed.” It took the blade and inspected it, “It’s perfect. As much as one can make out of that steel.”

Ilea summoned a second one and then decided to just dump all of her remaining Taleen weapons bar one dagger and one sword. The weapons appeared on a workbench, spears, maces, warhammers and swords. She was left with 152/250 storage capacity in her necklace. Hopefully enough to carry all the armors that were cooling down still. “You can have all that, not sure if it will be any use.”

The smith inspected the weapons, dismissing most of them quickly before it held two of the swords and looked at them. Goliath turned the blades and moved them around, “Impressive.”

“What is it?” Ilea asked. They already knew the Taleen crafted their blades perfectly.

The smith turned towards her and showed her the blades, “They are identical to my eye.”

Ilea nodded, “Well the Guardians look the same as well, must be some kind of mechanical production.” She said. Did the dwarves have their own little industrial revolution?

“Blades forged by machines… of this quality? I will study them more. If you find a production facility, machine, runes or enchantments please do show them to me.” Goliath added before motioning to her armor sets. “They are done.”

Ilea smiled brightly and stored all of it in her necklace. Four full sets of Rose Hunter armor plus another one she was wearing. Each set weighed ten units in her necklace, bringing her capacity to one ninety two at the moment. “Thanks Goliath, you really saved my ass here.”

“Do not speak of it. You have brought me ample compensation. This is the last piece for you dwarf as well. Let him know I will want to see the finished product.” The smith said with excited eyes. Ilea was getting better at gauging the emotions in them, the intricate small movements and changes in the golden light or their form.

She smiled under her new helmet, the two horns sharp again as they protruded out and forwards. Twirling once, she came to a stop in a stance. Nearly done then.

“Will you remain here? I might come again in a couple weeks… for reforging and with new metal.” Ilea said and moved back into a casual position.

“Of course. Perhaps I will be able to improve your armor while I learn more about Stonehammer steel.” Goliath said as she stored her armor mold and nodded.

Holding out her hand, she smiled when the smith shook it, “I’m looking forward to that. Have fun.”

“Good luck on your hunt, ashen warrior.”

“Five whole sets? Wow… you know I… ah fuck it. Yea lay them out. Did the smith agree to form ingots at least?” Terok asked, checking the first piece of the empty armor, nodding at its quality.

Ilea just summoned one of the pieces he had ordered and twirled it around her fingers, smiling at the dwarf. His brows lifted while his eyes opened when he finally looked at her, “You damned miracle. Sure I won’t be cursed or murdered for accepting your help?” He laughed.

Ilea stored the piece again and motioned to the armors, “Only if you don’t finish the job. I’d like to leave today if possible.”

The dwarf nodded, a big smile on his face as he started working, “Unreasonable requests are my specialty.” He said and cracked his knuckles.

Ilea decided to stay and play around with her ash a little while he worked. She had felt out the limits of her ash manipulation and had come to the conclusion that eight semi sturdy limbs were the ideal number. Semi sturdy because it allowed for them to still be easily movable. Highly dexterous with steel like tips dense and sharp enough to penetrate weak opponents easily. She was of course preferring their use with Wave of Ember, against enemies like the rose knights who she couldn’t hurt with the ash’s pure physical properties.

More than eight limbs couldn’t use the skill, otherwise she would simply create a fifty of them and spend a big chunk of mana with each blow. Switching between different levels of density in different parts of the limbs let her optimize a little while the dwarf finished her last set, until finally he exclaimed happily. “It’s done!”

Blinking next to him, the dwarf nearly jumped into the wall face first. “Don’t do that again.” He said when he had calmed down, Ilea looking at her armor.

[Rose Hunter Armor Helm – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

[Rose Hunter Armor Chest Piece – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

[Rose Hunter Armor Bracers – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

[Rose Hunter Armor Gauntlets – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

[Rose Hunter Armor Legs – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

[Rose Hunter Armor Boots – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Lightening 2 / Durability 2]

Not quite as good as Iana’s but that was to be expected. It certainly made a difference however, the lightening enchantments would bring some more speed to her movements. “Perfect, here you go.” Ilea said and dumped all the pieces, screws and springs on the work table he had used, the dwarf frantically looking through all of it.

He nodded after a while and smiled brightly, “All there… this is going to be a long week.”

“Well have fun. I might return at some point for more enchantments. Don’t die on me.”

The dwarf chuckled, “Same to you, same to you.” He was already lost as he started distributing the pieces into separate piles, taking another set of plans he had and started working. He didn’t even ask her where his plans were.

“Smith wants to see the end result it said. I think it can hear you if you go down and shout.” Ilea added before she quietly left, leaving the dwarf to his passion. She had remained here long enough, not a single point of experience gained as she waited for her gear to be finished. Now I have a smith and an adequate enchanter. Maybe I’ll find a better one at some point too.

Spreading her wings outside, she flew directly towards the exit in the stone. Testing it out, she found herself even able to blink through. Whatever enchantment was on the door neither prevented her sphere not her blink to work. Finding the way back out was simple enough, through dark tunnels and caves until she finally breathed fresh air again.

It was dark outside but the shattering impacts coming from above told her the lightning wasn’t over, neither was there a mist laying at the bottom of the valleys. At least not as far as she could see. The roots to the dungeon lay exposed, the entrance like the gaping mouth of a carnivorous plant. A big fucking plant. She knew the knights in her dungeon were capable foes, ones she could use to level both her skills and levels but perhaps the beasts in here could somehow be killed easier.

It was worth a shot to her, unlike whatever lay below Hallowfort. There had been mentions of another dungeon but the underground sea didn’t particularly entice her. Not until all other close by resources had been used up. Stepping into the big opening, she jumped down onto one of the roots that led further in.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered Penumra dungeon’

Penumra…, Writing the name down in her notebook quickly, she took in her surroundings. Stone with roots growing through it. She just hoped they didn’t come alive suddenly, the size of the things enough to crush her alone. Jumping down another couple of roots, the space below her opened up. Like a network of webs spun by tree spiders, illuminated by reddish moss growing on the walls as well as what seemed like fireflies, their golden light contrasting the red.

Jumping to the side of the massive cave, she touched the moss and grabbed a little.

[Penumra Moss – Poisonous]

Is that the second tier effect of Poison Resistance? Ilea asked herself when she heard movement a little below her. Looking down, she glimpsed something blue before it vanished under the roots. Her sphere wasn’t quite close enough to give her a view of what her eyes had missed. Grabbing more of the moss and putting it in her sphere, she focused her senses around her. The fact that the moss was poisonous wasn’t a good sign, enough to level her resistance perhaps but it likely wasn’t anything special like the Bluemoon Grass had been.

Considering it nearly killed me, maybe it was in a way poisonous as well… or cursed. Ilea glanced behind her, turning just when a claw slashed at her. It broke through her veil and scratched against her armor, not quite managing to dig into it significantly. Her fist answered, hitting the head of the beast that looked like a starving dragon, two long arms and legs. The thing didn’t react, its head lacking any discernible eyes as it clawed at her again, this time in a frenzy.

Ilea blinked behind it but found the beast turning quickly, continuing its assault as her ashen limbs smashed into it, not managing to break through the hide.

[Drop Saurian - ??]

At least it wasn’t at three question marks but Ilea had to blink again, flying upwards this time to avoid its relentless attacks. It moved frantically, too quickly for her to reasonably dodge, using its teeth as well as all four legs to attack when it got close enough. Ilea looked at the shallow scratches in her armor, the silver metal shining through the dark coating as she frowned. The beast jumped around the roots quickly, landing upside down above her before it shot towards her. Ilea blinked again but found three more of the beasts crawling up the sides of the cave. She wasn’t deep, maybe fifty meters but somehow they had come for her.

If I can’t fight a single one of them I might as well give up… She thought but tried nonetheless, forming big swaths of ash around her as she tested blinding them in some way, heating up the ash as well. The beasts moved quickly, jumping towards the root she was on before they attacked, their aim still focused on her body as she again blinked upwards to avoid them, two of the Saurians clashing into each other before they again jumped up. The third one was nowhere to be seen until it shot downwards from above, Ilea only able to blink because her Sphere notified her early enough.

At least the roots haven’t grabbed me yet…, Four thorn like claws suddenly shot towards her, stopped by her Veil as she looked at the origins. Another two of them were crawling on the cave wall, weird growths swelling on their backs. Some sort of mushroom? Ilea questioned as she watched thorns grow out of them before they shot towards her. Blinking up twice more, she was back at the entrance. The beasts didn’t follow, already out of sight. She didn’t hear them either, the Drop Saurians more stealthy than she would’ve expected with such a size.

They had been around one meter fifty in height. Teeth and claws long enough to penetrate through her skull and then some as well as a thin tail. Neither flying, ash nor heat could deter them from finding her, even with no visible eyes. Magic perception perhaps, Ilea questioned but the fact that more of them had shown up made this a difficult dungeon to approach. She would have to be able to kill them quickly and efficiently, or at least be able to drop them further down into it to be able to stay focused on a single one. The ranged ones made for another annoyance as well.

Ilea sighed and cracked her neck, looking downwards. Knights it is. She thought and rushed back through the valley where she had initially come from. No storms looked to be close by, letting her push her speed as she ignored the small critters that sometimes showed up. She dared thinking her eyes and ears would warn her early enough should a massive monster like that snake she had seen earlier show up. Her blink as well as second stage of Azarinth Perception allowed for a safety net should she need it.

Maybe I can hunt something out here as well… the birds Elfie mentioned don’t seem viable but maybe I can try some things with the Miststalkers again. Checking her second stage of Mana Drain Resistance again, she considered trying it. If she could somehow outlast one of the stalkers she could easily gain experience. The problem was that more and more would come from the connected lakes of mist. One was perhaps possible but two or three at the same time? She didn’t know.

Ilea quickly reached the area again where she had first entered the crack in the land, the mountain with its entrance to the Tremor dungeon visible in the distance as she carefully checked for storms. Waiting for a couple minutes, a dark cloud started moving over the very mountain, ominously moving through before purple lightning shattered the stone, the shock wave making Ilea duck down into the crevice again until the storm had passed two minutes later.

Checking around her again, she rushed back, her wings pushing her to the highest speed they could before she blinked, finding herself in the small cavern that led into the dungeon. Breathing out, she blinked downwards and hovered in the air, overlooking parts of Tremor dungeonand the cathedral at its top. Making her way down, she entered through the missing windows and landed quietly. The elf was still working on the book, looking up to meet her eyes, “Returned in one piece. Found your smith?”

Ilea released her Veil and smiled under her helmet, “Indeed. Learned something about wine?”

He snorted and continued, “Let me know if you learned anything interesting. Smith someone that could tell me some stories?”

“Not really.” Ilea lied, thinking of when or if at all she should tell him about Goliath. For now it would remain her secret. There was enough in the city below to get answers out of him without endangering her smith.

Chapter 245 The slowing Grind

A note from Rhaegar

Beep

Chapter 245 The slowing Grind

Ilea looked for and quickly found a knight to fight. He was patrolling the streets when she sent an ashen projectile towards his head, quickly running away as he followed. It took the two around two minutes to reach the small field where Ilea had killed all the previous dungeon inhabitants. She looked at the knight that arrived without a word, his weapons pointing towards her as he landed and continued in a sprint.

Ash clashed against steel, Ilea avoiding the two blades slashing towards her as she delivered her Wave of Ember with eight simultaneous strikes. Her hands moved as she dodged, deflecting one of the blades before her fist hit his side, the shock wave traveling through the two and into the dirt before she blinked away, meditation flowing through her as she prepared for the next hit, a big grin on her face. She was ready.

The fight took around five hours, the dual wielding knights easier targets thanks to their lack of a shield. Many scratches on her armor showed the more shiny metal below as she dragged the dead woman out towards the cathedral. Opening the door, she carefully removed the armor and dumped it in the corner of the hall. There was plenty of space both here and in her storage item but she wasn’t about to visit the smith again in a couple days simply because she didn’t have anymore capacity in her necklace.

“You can work with the armors if you want to but I need the metal. Let me know if you want any of it permanently.” She said as she walked back to the dungeon entrance, the corpse stored in her necklace as it only needed one unit. Plus she didn’t feel like having a corpse mountain in her base of operations.

Back inside, she summoned the Penumra moss and ate a bit of it. Her healing skill was active and checking for any changes that might happen.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Curse of Penumra -40 Health per second -40 Mana per second for one minute.’

Just a poison then. Nothing to worry about either. She thought, waiting out the minute as she meditated and canceled out the health drain. She didn’t know how much her resistance had reduced the effects but checking her health drain with no healing confirmed that the message had already been adjusted to her defenses.

No level in poison resistance but the knight kill hadn’t gotten her any levels or skill levels either. There were plenty more though, both of the moss and off the knights, the latter would be the main focus for now. Ilea went out later that night, when the dungeon was cast in darkness and the mists had settled outside.

Squeezing through the rock, she looked over the terrain, a sea of mist visible near the valley below. Some smaller specks were visible as well but nothing with less than at least a couple of the stalkers inside. At least try…, She thought, flying down as she checked for dangers both in the air as well as on the ground, landing near the smallest pool of mist she had seen as the first stalker noticed her. Her health and mana started draining immediately, her meditation and healing kicking in as well. Her second stage resistance against health drain mentioned it getting harder to drain from her while her mana drain resistance actually damaged the enemy if they used the mana they drained. Both effects would grow with time, meaning she should be able to damage the monsters at some point but she didn’t exactly know how much damage it dealt. Ilea waited for a while until the miststalker was at the border of the thin fog. It twirled a couple times but couldn’t actually exit. Its blade like arms ending in a scythe like bend slashed through the air but couldn’t reach her, barely. The things had a longer range than she had thought.

As soon as the thing realized it couldn’t leave, it started twirling in place, the drain effects increasing drastically. Enough that her health was now gradually declining, even with her healing active. Yea that’s not gonna work. A second and third miststalker started noticing her and soon joined in but Ilea doubted the first one would’ve died faster than herself anyway. Even adding a tendril of ash that loosely grabbed onto it didn’t help. Though she could deliver destructive mana, the thing somehow benefited from the direct connection as well.

A numbing feeling spread inside her before her health dipped under fifty percent, making her blink backwards twice to get out of their range. She meditated and healed herself back up. It might’ve been a waste but if she could at some point kill the miststalkers, it would benefit her greatly. The fight would be a simple thing too, simply sitting there and perhaps sending out her ashen limbs to deal more damage. Although to effectively strike the thing with Wave of Ember, she would have to get close enough for its rather long ranged scythe arms to hit her.

Maybe it was good. To have a change of pace after focusing so much on taking down a knight. Her resistances would grow and in time she might be able to take them down. Getting back up after ten minutes, she walked back to the edge, the beings of mist having lost interest already. “Hey, ghosties!” She shouted to the closest one, the thing turning at the sound, six eyes looking at her before it slowly twirled towards her. It would be a long night but Ilea was smiling, she had Meditation after all.

Twoweeks passed, days spent luring and fighting single knights in the Tremor dungeon and nights spent on resistance training against the miststalkers. Occasionally she had to run and hide, other beasts or birds hunting for her near the small pool of mist she had chosen as her training ground. It was good, to be kept on guard and to not forget where she was. The only reason the mist beings didn’t kill her was the borders of their prison. One of her armors was a little dented by now but still wearable, the silver metal definitely more durable than the Niameer steel had been.

Ilea walked out of the dungeon, dropping the latest set of armor on the pile. Number fifteen…, She thought, checking her messages again.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 310]. For defeating an enemy seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 278]. For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Checking through all fifteen of them, she found that only two of them had been above level three hundred. Weirdly she hadn’t noticed much of a difference, just realizing after the fact that they had been of a higher level. She assumed class evolutions might happen at that level but monsters were different after all. Perhaps they didn’t evolve at all or it didn’t make a big difference. They were thoughtless undead after all. Looking at the empty armors, she frowned. Maybe they were trapped souls as well, screaming for her not to kill them but their bodies wouldn’t allow it, an old spell keeping them in place, keeping them fighting as she slowly killed them. One after the other.

She stopped that train of thought and shook her head. Simple undead. Defending their old city from any intruder that might attack. Perhaps she was going a little crazy from all the fighting. At least neither her fighting with the knights nor her training with the miststalkers had been fruitless.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 233 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 234 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 235 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 236 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 227 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 228 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 229 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 3

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

It was getting slow considering she had been fighting for her life for two weeks but she had expected as much. The leveling had slowed down even further as she got along the two hundreds. She remembered the first couple levels being quicker. At least she had somewhat predictable enemies here that could give her good experience. As soon as she was able to face the miststalkers she’d have even more outside. Enough to never run out really. Not that she had found an end to the knights in the dungeon so far. At least the first couple streets and the big square she had initially fought on were empty by now, none of the knights further in taking up the patrolling duties of the fallen.

Ilea had thirty five stat points and invested them just like before into Endurance, Intelligence and Wisdom, putting fifteen into Intelligence. She wanted at least as much Intelligence and Wisdom as she had Vitality. The amount of mana she had was directly correlated to how long and effectively she could fight and survive. Intelligence would add to her destructive potential, something she lacked terribly looking at how long it took to kill a single knight only forty levels above her own.

Of course she knew that if she lacked her ridiculous defense, mobility and self healing, she would need a balanced party to even remotely effectively hunt these kinds of enemies. In turn the experience would be split and she would probably need longer in the end. At least that had been the case early on, when she was still below level one hundred. It would be interesting to know how fast a group of four or five above two hundred people leveled when fighting enemies like the knights or even the Drop Saurians. So much could instantly go wrong though. Even with how predictable the knights here were that was only the case because she was alone. Ilea had no idea how they would act and fight if there were more than a single enemy.

What she knew was that she was improving again. Slow but steady. Sighing, she prepared to go back in when the elf cleared his throat. She had kind of forgotten about him in the past weeks because neither of them had any reason to talk. Ilea hadn’t found anything new in the dungeon, focusing instead on the enemies to fight. To improve her own power. Is he going to leave because I didn’t bring anything?

He beckoned her towards himself and smiled, “I did it.” A booklet was before him, the smaller of the two she had brought him and the elf had written the contents on a fresh notebook to the side.

“Cracked the code?” Ilea asked as she stepped next to him, ignoring the danger it could pose. The second notebook had writing she could at least recognize, it was the same one as in the book on wines.

He nodded and pointed at the first paragraph, “Service record, guard captain Reyker. Sixth day of sol, 358. The king has ordered more festivities to take place next week, despite the rumors and tensions regarding the southern border. Queen Invalar has approved of the suggested scouting troops to be sent out, as well as the reinforcements sent to the border.” He traced the lines until he hit the last bit of what he had deciphered so far. Looking at her, she didn’t really know what to do so just smiled at him.

Realizing she was wearing a helmet, she instead gave him a thumbs up, “Good job. So you know how to decipher it now, just a matter of writing it down now?”

The elf sighed and sat back, “It’s rather difficult. Although yes, I’ve cracked it, it’s a brilliant code… not allowing for quick translation sadly. I needed a full two days and nights for just that part. Though to think it is a service record… already we know the name of the guard captain, political tensions perhaps? As well as the name of the queen.”

We? Well I guess he is doing this not just for himself if he’s a historian. Ilea thought and stepped back, “A good find then, more useful that a book on wines.”

“You should read it, there is plenty of history in that one alone. Some of the brands weren’t made with nature magic, instead simply letting the grapes grow with… well nature alone. They believed the taste would be an improvement.” He explained, not quite managing to convince Ilea to pick up the book.

She stepped back towards the dungeon, another couple hours left until night would fall, “Well enjoy translating the rest then.”

“I did not tell you for the contents. I told you to confirm the worth of what you have brought me.” The elf said, making her stop and turn back towards him.

“Meaning you’re willing to share more information with me?” She asked, sitting down on a chair while looking at him.

The elf nodded, licking over his lips with his tongue, the sharp teeth showing behind. “Alright, let me see…,” She said and opened her notebook. “Any idea on third classes? How many tiers are there for skills? Are there ways to gain levels faster?”

“That is more than one question… You have gained several levels in a single month, that is as fast as possible. You are fighting strong opponents I suppose and do so alone. This is the reason most of my kind hunt alone. It is dangerous, certainly but the rewards are much higher. Perhaps more humans would reach our level of power if they followed this simple advice.”

Our as in me and you or as in elves? Ilea thought but nodded, “Well the risks aren’t worth it for most I suppose.”

He nodded and crossed his arms in front of his robe, some of the symbols reflecting the sunlight when he moved, “Humans prefer to be behind walls, prefer security for both their possessions as well as their lives.” He said but didn’t elaborate. Ilea assumed he meant that elves did not crave security in such a sense or simply that it was one of the reasons he considered humans weak or incapable of reaching certain heights. Ilea had considered similar thoughts previously so couldn’t fault him for that. She however completely understood why someone wouldn’t choose a lifestyle as her own. The differences between Earth and Elos certainly made it exciting to gain Strength here but without a healing ability or pain resistance at a high degree, she didn’t know if she would fight the same way.

Her thoughts were interrupted when he continued talking, “As to third classes, I suppose there might be a way. Neither me nor those openly sharing information with me have anything confirmed. There are… stories, told among the young of our domain. Usually revolving around legendary warriors said to have more skills and classes than normally possible. Elves tend to boast.” He explained and smiled, “I would not give too much credence to such grand tales. The same is true in regards to higher tier skills.”

Ilea sighed, “So you don’t know shit is what you’re telling me?”

The elf hissed, “I’m not a bloody oracle…,” He blurted out, his eyes going wide before he focused again, mumbling incoherent words to himself. “I am old for a humanbut I have not spent my life hunting and fighting as most of our kind do. Neither have I pursued the strength and power you so desperately seek… for what purpose dare I ask?”

Ilea shrugged in her chair, mentally noting down the line in regards to the bloody oracle. Perhaps she had overestimated this particular elf. The ones she had fought so far were in the mid two hundreds, maybe he wasn’t much higher than that after all. Did I get close to hurting him when we had our little bout? Locking eyes with him, she answered, “I seek adventure, fights worthy of songs, views that take away my breath and the freedom to do how I please. To sit and talk with an elf without covering in fear or to feel obligated to destroy him as a service to my empire or species.”

The elf looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time. A gray mist swirled in his eyes, “I will answer one more question human.”

“Hey you didn’t even sneer when you said human this time?” Ilea said and laughed, “Ah there it is again. What else? Well I always wondered about Dragons. They are a mystical being where I’m from, one only existing in legend but usually an insanely powerful being of some kind. Dragonriders being the deciding forces in many fictional world.”

The elf looked at her, his eyes going wide before he started laughing. He nearly choked as he tried to stop himself, “What? People kind of avoid naming the beasts so I thought it’d be a valid question.” She said, sulking a little in her chair.

It took him another minute to calm down, summoning some kind of blue drink and taking a sip before he said anything, “Dragonriders… ridiculous. Ludicrous. Thoroughly laughable. I have not heard of anybody avoiding to say the name but with what I learned about human superstition, I suppose they wish to avoid bringing the terror down on themselves. None of those proudly proclaiming they would hunt the legendary beast have returned. Not even the legends themselves proclaim such an absurd victory. My only advice is to run… run and hide if you should ever come across such a monster. The only records, only tales possibly holding a kernel of truth speak of despair.”

Chapter 246 Knights Knights Knights

A note from Rhaegar

Beep Beep

Chapter 246 Knights Knights Knights

‘Despair’ Ilea wrote down in her notebook, taking his words seriously. First Dragonrider Ilea – The legendary warrior healer returns from her journeys. She could already hear the proclamations of the newspaper boys. If newspapers have become a thing by the time she reached the apparently ludicrous goal. To be fair, they are usually supposed to be game changers for whole empires. “I get it. Don’t fuck with dragons.”

“Your little human body will combust even getting close to one of those creatures. The forces are something completely beyond your imagination.”

“I said I. Get. It.” Ilea said again, not letting the elf destroy her dream so easily. If her levels weren’t somehow capped at some point or her body vaporized, she didn’t see how it would be written off as unachievable. I guess it kind of rules out that the elves are serving dragons… they wouldn’t go look to fight them if that were the case. She considered.

She got up from her chair and made her way back into the dungeon, “You’re not the source of unlimited information I thought you’d be elf.” He only grumbled something in return, continuing his work. Would a truly strong elf really hang around here, in front of a dungeon he could instead explore himself? I doubt whatever pain, fear or religious beliefs keep him from entering would stop someone with a mission.

At least she could take her time to clear out the whole place on her own without an annoying second person stealing her experience. Another knight would fall before she left the cave to train with the stalkers of the mist.

‘Tenth day of Nul, 358

The Soul Rippers have proven to be most dangerous, even to experienced veterans in the ranks of mercenaries as well as adventurers. Queen Invalar has ordered the dungeon entrance to be shut, to avoid further incursions from the beasts at night time.’

Ilea read through the translated log book by the guard captain. Kingsguard captain likely… can’t imagine how powerful that one was…, Around half of the log book was already translated, Elfie really doing a good job. Just over a month after he had cracked the code, the elf had already transcribed so much of the book. He was still frantically deciphering, telling her about the new discoveries he had made.

A looming war with an unknown nation, a previously rather unproblematic dungeon suddenly taken over by a beast described as Soul Ripper as well as the daily business of the guards. Assassins and spies apprehended, questioned and likely tortured. All overseen by the man called Reyker. He didn’t seem to be quite a fan of the king but never missed an opportunity to praise a decision by the queen. Invalar was the name of the two and Ilea had a feeling there was more than just loyalty keeping the man in his position of guard captain.

She left the book and checked her armor again. The fourth one already and it was time to switch again. Dents and cuts lined both her arms as well as her torso, the knights usually not trying to hit her legs or head. Ilea changed to a fresh set and chucked the barely usable one to the collection of armors growing in the corner of the cathedral.

The elf hissed at the noise, “The metal. It bothers me. Are you even trying to find anything new in there?”

Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned her notebook, flipping to the page where her map of the dungeon was growing by the day, “Look… all the buildings with nothing in it are marked. The kingsguard is too strong for me so I’m not bothering with the palace yet.”

She closed the book after he had taken a look, calming down a little. She knew he was just struggling with deciphering the book still. Apparently the captain had changed the algorithms every month, giving Elfie a new riddle every fifty pages or so. That was at least how many days the months in Rhyvor had. Be happy it isn’t thirty. Even if he hissed at her sometimes, the elf hadn’t attacked her a single time. He did leave from time to time but then again Ilea sometimes stayed in the dungeon for over a week at a time, only going out to get rid of the armors.

She had killed another twenty four knights but the only reason she knew the number was because of the corpses stored in her necklace. Ilea tried not to think about it too much. Getting to the last usable set of armor, she was inclined to visit Goliath again. Fighting through the Tremor dungeon proved to be a long term project, the knights making it harder and harder for her to separate them and while she was getting more used to them, she was a long way to fighting two or even more at the same time. Still, she had gotten a couple levels and perhaps a new step to further power with the last month’s worth of fighting.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 237 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 238 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 239 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 240 – Five stat points awarded, 3rd tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 230 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 231 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 232 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 233 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

While her levels were steadily rising, the knights still providing good experience, her resistances against the Miststalkers were taking a long time to grow. Considering how long she had trained with Trian, Eve and Kyrian, she was certainly prepared for the time consuming resistance training. Still, some of the nights Meditation was all that prevented her from just going back into the dungeon and fighting more knights instead of sitting near the sea of mist. She kept telling herself that in the long term it would be worth it.

Ilea was at level 240 already and in another thirty to fifty, she would get little experience from the normal knights. Either she had to face whatever lay deeper in the dungeon or she could simply kill a couple hundred Miststalkers. The latter would probably be easier considering the hard time she had with the knights. Her forty remaining stat points she distributed into Endurance, Intelligence and Wisdom. Twenty into her main damage stat and ten each into her resources. She was now at six hundred for both Vitality and Intelligence, the two skills she considered most important next to Wisdom.

Her skills enhanced a variety of things like Resilience which likely had something to do with how much damage an attack actually did to her or with Vitality directly. Her speed wasn’t listed anywhere but a variety of skills enhanced it as well. Strength and Dexterity were a little weird. Even the base stat improving from an initial five to now 266 didn’t make sense to her, especially coupled with the fact that several skills improved both properties additionally. Her corresponding strength wasn’t exactly what one would expect. At first her strength and the physical impact of her fists had done the majority of the damage, later replaced by the mana intrusion damage of both Wave of Ember and Destruction.

If this were a game, there was no reason for her not to simply invest into Intelligence and Wisdom alone. With her ashen limbs and Wave of Ember it would likely result in the highest and longest available damage. The problem was that perhaps a monster would arise with a weakness to physical damage and near complete immunity to mana intrusion. The knights she was fighting were resistant against physical damage, at least the blunt type Ilea was dishing out. Their bodies were already dead and even if she managed to break a bone or rupture muscle, the magic keeping them animated would simply ignore it. Having seen the bodies afterwards she was sure of this.

They required all her Dexterity, making her able to dodge and weave through attacks, her Strength allowing her to deflect their attacks, to stand against their kicks and to deliver punches that would damage them if they were alive. Her resource stats kept her going, Wisdom being the most important one of them. Vitality was usually left somewhat untouched, quickly healed back to the max but considering the ludicrous damage all of the monsters here dealt, she had to have enough for a couple hard and direct hits at least.

Perhaps increasing her Strength and Dexterity would be beneficial again in the future but for now she focused on her magical damage as well as how long she could fight. Next to the stats and more importantly, she had received another skill point to advance one of her Azarinth First Hunter skills to the third tier. With how big of a change the third tier of Ash and Ember Manipulation had brought, she hoped for something good.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:’

- Destruction

- Hunter Recovery

- Azarinth Perception

- Azarinth Fighting

I said I’d take Recovery first…, Ilea remembered, sitting down on a chair and thinking about it. She had enough knights in there to last her a while at least. Enough probably to reach two sixty at a reasonable pace, maybe a couple months. Increasing her healing capabilities didn’t seem to help that goal for now. Perhaps with the miststalkers but her mana drained as well while fighting against them. Fuck it… Fighting or Destruction.

Summoning a coin, she flipped it in the air. Heads for Fighting. Tails Destruction. She caught it and opened her palm. Destruction it is. Anything that would increase her damage somewhat would bring a big improvement to how quickly she could reach the next third tier skill. Depending on how many knights were left she might even chose Azarinth Fighting the next time instead of her healing skill.

‘ding’ ‘Destruction advances to 3rd tier’

Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 1:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every punch or kick. Your Intelligence stat enhances the damage potential.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 20 mana per strike.

3rd stage: Due to the healing nature of Destruction it partially ignores protection against Mana intrusion.

Category: Healing

Ilea read through the newly added third tier before a big grin spread on her face. Fucking worth it. Well she didn’t know exactly how much this would change her damage output but against the knights she was sure it would be significant. A big chunk of the magic from both Wave of Ember and Destruction simply rebounded against the knights of the rose, their armor either enchanted or something else preventing her skills from being fully effective.

Before she wanted to continue, she had thirty nine sets of rose knight armor to deliver to Goliath. As well as plenty of armors to be repaired or completely remade. Still, it was hard for her not to go back in immediately and test out how long she’d need for a single knight. Even a ten percent improvement would shave off over thirty minutes per fight at least.

The elf was looking at her, “What?” She asked and he just hissed again.

“Perhaps you could check one of the other dungeons on your map. Find some new things there. The book on wines is translated and it is… difficult to keep working on deciphering this one.”

A plea? Really? “You’re bored.”

“If you want to call it that.”

Ilea smiled under her helmet and walked to the damaged armors, “I’ll see what I can do.”

It would take her a couple trips to get all the armors to Goliath but it was soon nightand she’d be able to travel through the terrain quickly, ignoring the valleys and rushing down towards Hallowfort. Stepping towards the platform at the end of the cathedral, she spoke, “Your fire cube thing?”

The elf simply summoned the item and threw it her way, Ilea looking it over before pushing some mana into the ten centimeter cube. A swath of flame burned into her helmet, singing her eyebrows within. The elf just looked at her and shook his head when she summoned a bunch of wood, spacing it out enough to allow for all the dead knights. It took her a while but ultimately, she had a pyre going with all of the corpses she had collected over the past month. She waited until the fire had consumed them all.

The first trip went without problems, Ilea rushing over the dark landscape, keeping her orientation through the valleys she saw in the distance, the cracks in the earth already filled with mist. Whatever creatures had occupied them now pushed aside by the Miststalkers. She had to travel a short distance through their territory but near the Penumra dungeon the mist already dissipated, allowing her to quickly make her way towards the small town.

Coming out into the cave after navigating through the darkness, she spread her wings and jumped down towards the sea, finding it the quicker way to the blacksmith than walking through the streets and down the stairs. Ilea hung in the air, stopping her momentum as she looked over the endless mass of water below. The crystals shining into the underground cave illuminated not water but mist, like a blanket covering what lay beneath. Pillars of stone covered in crystals rising interspersed as they gave the abyss a newfound eerie feeling.

Knowing there was water below the mist didn’t make it much better. Ilea wasn’t sure how the mist had gotten down here but it certainly was a sight to behold. Advancing in speed again, she quickly reached the side of the massive statue, finding the spot where Goliath had destroyed the wall and blinking inside. No enchantment stopped her from entering and the smith didn’t react, hammering on something on one of the anvils. “Hey. I’ll be dumping some things here. Couple trips for everything.”

The smith didn’t interrupt his swings and replied, “Welcome back young human. Do as you please.”

Ilea dumped ninearmors and blinked out again. There were thirty nine from the knights she had killed and four damaged ones from herself. Nine per trip meant five total trips. The next hours were spend flying. On six of the trips she had to hide from a swarm of leathery birds, the Famine Crows circled the territory but were gone again when she sped towards Penumra for the last time tonight.

“There you go.” She said, another five armors appearing on the growing stack that by now filled nearly half the forge. Goliath had sparkling eyes, having finished the helmet it was working on.

It moved towards the armor and touched one of the pieces, “How many do you wish to have this time?”

Ilea summoned the armor mold and placed it in the middle of the room, “Nine sets, the rest you can keep.”

“I am in your debt then, huntress.” It said as the armors vanished. It really did seem like once people hit the two hundreds, storage items became more common. Either that or Ilea just happened to run into those kinds of people all the time.

She looked at the smith and nodded, “Well if you have anything more sturdy than the Stonehammer steel I’d love to trade it. Another question, you’ve been around for a while right? I was wondering if I could bring an elf here, he calls himself a historian and I thought he might be interested in this little town.”

The smith looked at her for a while and then spoke, “I do not have what you desire, not at the moment. You may bring me any armor or ingots and I may reforge it for you. In regards to the elf, I of course welcome the opportunity to share stories with one so rare to find here. I doubt many in the town above would be against such a visitor. I however suggest you discuss it with the dwarf at least.”

Ilea nodded and walked towards the exit, “I’ll do that. How long do you need?”

“Six hours. May I multiply the mold? Then I might be done earlier.”

She smiled and clapped her hands, the idea hadn’t come to her earlier. Without the mold it would likely take a smith days if not longer to finish a single set for her. Perhaps in the future Goliath could make her ten sets in the span of a couple hours, “Sure, however many you think makes sense. I doubt I will need more than ten sets made simultaneously though. I’ll look for other metal as well, maybe something comes up.”

Waving at the happy smith who quickly got to work, she made her way up the stairs, to Terok’s house with quite a lot of work for him as well as some questions. She had to optimize this as well, maybe ordering armors beforehand. Still, she’d simply go back and fight more knights while the dwarf enchanted everything. Her set was fresh and would hold at least a couple days if she didn’t do a stupid mistake.

Chapter 247 Wingwoman

A note from Rhaegar

Bop bop

Chapter 247 Wingwoman

Knocking on the door instead of appearing inside, Ilea watched the dwarf slowly get up from his bed. He winced as he limped to the door and opened it. A smile spread on his face when he saw her, gesturing for her to enter, “Welcome back warrior… already new things to enchant?”

“Yes, let me have a look at that.” Ilea replied and touched his shoulder, healing mana flowing into him and taking care of the damage. Terok didn’t stop her as soon as he realized what was happening, the broken ribs and the cut on his leg healing up quickly. “Anything to do with that?” She asked, looking at the war machine that had a plethora of new attachments, both in the arms as well as the legs. She saw that some of the pieces were Niameer steel but couldn’t discern their uses.

The dwarf touched his chest with a big grin, “Already forgot you were a healer as well.” He said and carefully sat down on a chair in the small kitchen, “Yea. The pieces were great but I need to train a little longer to get used to it. Mobility and speed have increased quite a bit though.”

“What about the dents?” She asked, referring to the metal plating that was supposed to protect him inside of it.

He grabbed two bottles of ale and handed one to her, “Direct hits. Not much I can do there and I can’t afford most of the smiths. Not while I don’t do jobs.”

“Goliath owes me something still and I just got back a bunch of armor sets. Maybe he can make you the plating out of stonehammer steel. Holds up somewhat well. I wouldn’t suggest direct hits though. Went through four sets in a month.” Ilea said, chuckling at the ridiculous use of armors.

The dwarf took a sip of his ale and looked at her, “What did I do to deserve this? First you heal me for free and now you suggest something as expensive as stonehammer steel…,”

Ilea shrugged and leaned back, her helmet vanishing before she took a sip, “You were in the right place at the right time. And you weren’t an absolute dick.”

The dwarf laughed at that and shook his head, “Well I guess sometimes things are allowed to go right in life.” He said and laughed, lifting his bottle before drinking.

“You can go down and show him the changes you did, he wanted to see it anyway. He should be done with the first armor in an hour or two.” Ilea suggested but he frowned at that.

“Look, I’d love to meet the smith but as I said I can’t enter.”

“It’s just a slight curse and health drain. I’ll heal you through it and soon you’ll get a resistance to it. Hopefully enough to not puke and die immediately.” She laughed and he nodded determined.

“What’s your story? You come here, a human I think? To the north where I’ve seen what… two or three of your kind in my entire life? You travel alone, heal random strangers and walk into a smith’s forge infamous for being deadly.” Terok asked and Ilea told him about some of her journey. There was time enough to spare and she was waiting for new armor anyway.

Six empty bottles were on the table as the dwarf laughed, “You didn’t even know about the storms? Gods… and you survived this far. No wonder you’re so casual about sharing your healing as well as valuables. And I thought I was taking risks coming here…,”

Ilea smiled. She could heal herself, could feel no pain if she wanted to and had a higher resistance to damage than most people she had met so far. If anything she should be taking even higher risks. “I was seeking a challenge and an adventure… without annoying politics and wars. Somewhere far off. This seemed like a good place to start.”

Terok looked at her and shook his head, “There are politics here too, just at a smaller scale. At least here in Hallowfort. Still I agree… compared to the big cities in the south it is nothing. We all know what it means to survive, what it means to live in this ruthless environment. My relatives would have never even thought about coming here.”

Ilea finished her ale, “And yet you are here. Why?”

He chuckled and went to grab another two bottles, “It’s not a story quite as exciting as yours. Perhaps, in some twisted way… we are here for similar reasons. I grew up in a big dwarven city… in the Naraza mountain chain not too far from the human plains. My machines never made the cut, too small they said, too intricate. I didn’t get the financial support needed or an apprenticeship with one of the big guilds.”

“So you went north to get stronger?” Ilea asked and opened the bottle.

Terok smiled, “Not quite. War machines need metal, rare and expensive ones at that. I hoped that in the unclaimed lands in the north more veins would lay untouched. I was right of course but it didn’t come without dangers. The rig I have now has exactly zero parts remaining from what I initially started with. I think from the expedition I joined only two dwarves survived the first month, both returning after we had been saved by a group of scavengers.”

“Scavengers that I asked to join, the dark one you’ve met one of them. Since then I explore the north but for every discovery I make I nearly die five times and my rig gets damaged every single time.” He sighed and then laughed, “I don’t have to tell you that. Four sets of armor? And you’re already back for more. To think you actually fight and kill the things here.”

“You’re close to two hundred as well… I think there might be some things you could fight as well. Especially with a capable group.”

He waved her off, “Few of the beasts here roam alone, most dungeons teeming with them. Even the rare ones below level two hundred can rip you to shreds in a mere moment of lapsing concentration. It’s a death trap, were it not for the ruins and dungeons cluttering it all. Even the city under this very town holds enough riches to make you a noble in any dwarven city to the south.”

“So you’re looking for the big checkpot and then you’re back south?” Ilea asked.

Terok waved his bottle and looked at her for a while with a thoughtful expression, “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m looking for Ilea. I can’t deny that I like the untouched land here… the ferocity of it all. To walk tunnels and halls no living being has explored in hundreds or thousands of years. The chance at riches only adds to it. Maybe if my rig improves I’ll be able to fight some of the things lurking below again. Going back though? I’m not sure.”

“I understand. Well maybe the steel I’ll gift you will help with that.” She said and smiled, “The dungeon below? What can you tell me about it?”

He smiled brightly, either at the question or the fact that she had just gifted him valuable steel, “I’m sure it will. Getting to two hundred has proven difficult with scavenging alone. The dungeon… it’s called the Descent. Plenty of routes lead down, each more treacherous than the next but compared to a lot of other dungeons in the area, like Penumra the one with the roots you must have passed, the Descent has been traversed before. It is a city, built around a dungeon that leads further down into the earth than anything I’ve seen before and trust me, dwarves like to dig deep.”

Ilea grunted at the stereotype, “The city is part of the dungeon?”

“It is… perhaps one day long past it wasn’t but monsters prowl the streets and tunnels. A lot of it is submerged, the underground sea leaking into the lower levels. Groups of scavengers regularly secure some of the better routes but they often get destroyed or taken over by a wild beast. The walls are brittle, a single crack can lead to whole sections flooded in a matter of days.”

“The city is just the way there though. Most of it has been picked clean by the residents of this town or the ones coming before. The true treasure lays beyond. Some of the murals, statues and rare surviving documents written in Standard apparently talk of the Descent as the endless dungeon leading deep into an endless darkness, littered with valuable metal, machines and beasts outside your wildest imaginations. Some few care a lot about the history of the place but just like the more adventurous as well as stronger members of the town, they reside in the dungeon most of the time. Some don’t come back out for years.” He explained, Ilea growing more and more intrigued by the concept.

“Have you been down there?” She asked.

He nodded, “Some of the higher levels. There are trees there… green and lush, as well as wild animals completely docile. A lot of the meat you can get here comes from there. I don’t think we’d be able to sustain such a town if we didn’t have that dungeon. I only explored parts of the first three layers, each held a distinct climate and monsters I had never seen before. They’re strong too, too much for me or any of the teams I’ve had to handle.”

Ilea nodded, “Sounds like something I’d like to check out. It also seems like a better place to build a town than up here…,”

The dwarf laughed at that, “Agreed. It’s much safer here though. There are camps down there but the mechanical gateways, doors and magical barriers the city had put in place between the layers are broken. Beasts capable of slaughtering this whole town can roam up as far as even the city itself. The ones remaining down there are either more capable or just a little more crazy than me.”

“Why don’t the monsters come up here too? If they roam as far as the city below then why not up to Hallowfort?”

The dwarf looked at her a little confused, “They dislike the mana of course. It’s much more dense down there, more so the further you go. You’re human right? Didn’t you notice anything different when coming north? You should technically have difficulties breathing.”

Ilea shook her head, “I noticed it once when standing atop a mountain outside. Neither in the dungeons nor here though.”

“Interesting. Well you are above two hundred. Plus you probably have a resistance of some sort. Monsters born in dungeons rarely roam outside. Well it depends entirely on the beast but usually the like it inside or dislike it outside. Never wondered why the beasts here in the north never came to destroy your plains? Or our cities in the mountains?” The dwarf asked.

Ilea took a sip of ale, “I just thought it was too far away. Animals don’t like it in certain parts of the world. They need food and a climate according to their preferences…,”

“As well as mana.” She added, understanding it now. Perhaps that was also why elves didn’t like to enter dungeons. The higher density was something they disliked. Monsters were just the opposite she supposed, disliking the less dense mana.

Terok nodded, “Exactly. Plus right now I don’t have the coin to pay for a safe route down. Not worth it for me either. Maybe as soon as I get used to my advanced rig now but we’ll see where it will take me. There’s plenty to gain at the surface as well.”

“Well I’ll check it out sooner or later. First want to finish my current location.”

“Any chance of sharing that one with me?” Terok asked with a smile.

Ilea grinned, “Nah… maybe once I’ve stripped it of anything useful for me. For now you’ll stay content with my gift of steel.”

“Fair enough.”

They remained quiet for a while before Ilea spoke up again, “Any idea how people react to elves here?”

Terok raised his eyebrows and grunted, “Don’t think many have a grudge like you humans. Rarely travel north and they care little about the dwarves in the mountains. Why do you ask?”

Ilea smiled and finished her ale, “No reason in particular.” She lied, seeing no necessity to share the elf’s existence with him. She had no idea if she would tell him about Hallowfort and the city below at all but maybe once she’d explored a part of the dungeon. She owed nothing to either but until she could trust the elf completely she wouldn’t let him come close to the smith and dwarf. Their work being the main reason she could continue her adventuring with worthy gear.

Getting up, she summoned her helmet again, her blue eyes looking at the dwarf, “Come now. We’ll talk to Goliath and you can start your enchanting.”

He nodded and went into his machine, the thing closing with a hiss before its eyes started glowing lightly. It started moving a moment later with much more grace than before. “The metal really made that much of a difference?”

Terok laughed, his voice coming from the middle of the machine, “You have no idea. It’s like day and night.” She grunted and opened the door, the dwarf following before they walked down to Goliath’s forge.

Checking if she could heal the dwarf through his machine, she found it possible while a little subdued. “Do you have mana intrusion enchantments?”

“Yes but healing should get through mostly unhindered.” The answer came.

Would you listen to that? Might want to test Destruction on my dwarven friend…, She smiled and started healing him, of course not abusing him as a testing dummy. She had plenty of undead for that after all. He was a little apprehensive as she led him further in, the curse and health drain taking effect before the exoskeleton opened up, Terok puking on the ground while she healed him. “Come on, you’ll get used to it.”

He looked sick and pale but Ilea could tell he was fine through her healing magic. His health wasn’t falling thanks to her healing and the curse would soon get better as well. Getting a resistance skill wasn’t that difficult with a healer after all. “You’ll feel better in half an hour or so.”

“Half an hour… oh fucking hell.” He cursed but didn’t object, either because he would get a skill out of it or because he really did want to meet the smith.

“Truly… impressive work. I will finish the plating as the Ash hunter has requested. It would be a shame to leave such ingenuity trapped in an unsafe casing.” Goliath said, Ilea still holding on to Terok as she healed the damage done to him. Without a health drain resistance and apparently less health than what six hundred Vitality provided, she definitely needed to be there.

The dwarf had demonstrated some of the smaller tools, weapons and intricate movements he could now accomplish with the righe was wearing but she didn’t really understand the difference between what a conventional exoskeleton could do and his. The smith didn’t even ask for payment regarding the plating, her provision of the metal alone was enough coupled with Terok showing off the machine. Ilea had already stored the four armors already done, ready to be enchanted.

“Great, then we’re settled here.” She said as the dwarf thanked Goliath.

He smiled at her and nodded, “Sure. I’ll get right to enchanting. How will I get the remaining armors?”

The smith focused on him and spoke, “I will have someone bring them to you.”

Terok agreed and went back to his house with Ilea, the latter dropping the four finished armors near his work bench before she walked to the door, “I’ll get everything tomorrow. Think you’re done by then?”

He laughed and cracked open another bottle of ale, “For you, I’ll be done in the morning. Thank you again… truly!” Lifting his bottle towards her.

Ilea smiled under her helmet and nodded once, blinking out before she rushed off the side of the massive statue, her wings spreading to avoid walking through half the town. She had a new third tier ability to test and hopefully it would increase her kill speed on the knights a little. The dungeon below Hallowfort sounded very interesting but as long as she could still reasonably grow in Tremor, she would focus on that. At least for a while. The knights were around level two sixty to three twenty, most of them below three hundred.

Rushing back through the night, she checked for flying monsters when she glimpsed a dark vanishing presence in her sphere. Flying low enough to nearly touch the ground, she stopped as fast as she could but whatever it had been, the being had vanished already. At least I wasn’t torn to shreds… She thought and continued, a little more apprehensive of her surroundings. Her eyes hadn’t told her a thing about the monster her sphere had picked up. Maybe the Sphere would be a good skill too for a third tier… so much to learn.

The rest of the way was fine, a couple crows rushing towards her in the last stretch but they were far enough away to provide no danger. Somehow the beasts didn’t like going down into caves or even crevices, as much she had learned already. The miststalkers’ humming didn’t paralyze her anymore, allowing Ilea to use the upper parts of the cracks as hiding spots whenever she traveled through the night or trained with the beings in the first place.

Chapter 248 Ilea Spears

A note from Rhaegar

Skynet taking over

Chapter 248 Ilea Spears

Black wings slowly disintegrated as Ilea landed in the cathedral. “Hey, guess who’s favorite human is back?”

The elf looked at her for a whole three seconds before focusing back on his book. “Your favorite human.” She added and walked to the dungeon entrance, summoning her notebook as her ashen limbs pushed open the heavy double doors.

The gate closed behind her, a notification popping up in her mind regarding the Tremor dungeon as she flipped to the map she had started. Plenty of buildings were on it already, few holding anything more interesting than dust and old furniture. Plenty of rotting and dusty items indicated the people had fled the city, somewhat orderly at least as it wasn’t littered by skeletons. Still, she had hoped to find a little more things, especially since she theorized the top part of the city had been the wealthier one. Seeing how the log book spoke of a king and queen she assumed the dilapidated mansions had been owned by the aristocracy.

Several sections of the district were already marked as cleared. From time to time she did encounter a knight patrolling into what she had considered safe territory but it was rare. Soon she would be at the height of the palace, the buildings spreading over the broad slope on each side, the massive monument to power remaining in its middle. Today she would take care of the last knight she had marked near one of the bigger cathedrals. She had made it a habit to search areas only once no enemies remained, able to fully focus her skills on searching instead of expecting an ambush of sorts.

The density of undead patrols were unclear to her, some areas holding groups of up to four, others lacking even single knights. Her tactics didn’t change. Lure a single knight with ashen projectiles or tendrils until she would fight them on the big square in the noble district. There was ample space, nothing to annoy them and the sunlight would remain there far longer than further in. Rushing through the buildings, she soon reached a roof from which she could see the cathedral in question. Definitely the building that stood out the most in the area.

Looking left, she saw the palace in the distance. A place she planned to avoid for now. Checking her map one last time, she closed the notebook and stored it. Ilea jumped down from the roof and walked towards the big building, knowing a single knight remained inside, the two previously patrolling around the building had already been taken care of.

The door creaked open, Ilea waving at the knight who noticed her immediately. Her casual demeanor didn’t seem to either imitate nor irritate the warrior as he brandished his sword, shield at the ready. She waited at the door as he started to run, quickly choosing a side street before she rushed off. The knight was on her tail, his steel boots resounding on the dry and cobbled stone. Fifteen minutes the two would run through the dead city, Ilea avoiding certain areas she knew to be unsafe still, not cleared out because the cathedral seemed more enticing at the moment.

Looking back, the knight was on her tail. Speed unwavering, a killing machine ready for an endless hunt. It didn’t scare her anymore. They were predictable and with her skills she could easily escape. Ilea could however imagine how most more conventional adventurers would treat such an enemy. Now everybody was as fast or mobile in a party as she was, perhaps the rogue and one of the mages but otherwise they would have to face the thing down. Even her, with all the defenses, all her skills, healing and Vitality rather avoided blinking away when it did attack. If it had any ability in discerning a healer in a group and didn’t blindly focus on a tank class with a big shield, she could see it being quite a difficult undertaking. Even fighting a single one of them.

Finally reaching the square, she checked if not a stray knight somehow made it there but it was empty. The early sunlight seeped through the small opening high above as Ilea turned and skidded to a stop, met a single second later with a sword rushing past her dodging form. The air howled as it was pushed apart by the strong and true strike, Ilea taking a step past the knight’s arm and shield before her left fist hit. Destruction activated and her mana seeped into the undead, no visible mana being deflected.

A big smile on her face, Ilea blinked away and prepared for the next attack, meditation already active. Her perception of mana was incredibly limited considering her lack of a related skill but she had previously felt how their armor blocked her intrusion. Now, it had felt like she was hitting a plain old Drake. The new third tier didn’t say it ignored mana intrusion measures completely so she assumed at least a part of the attack was deflected but it definitely made a difference. Now it was simply a matter of following the steps of a dance she had damn near perfected weeks ago.

A battle of attrition, the skill of the warriors matching in their respective fields as they focused solely on destroying one another. Sword scratching against steel, fist hitting armor, the two entranced as each movement flowed into the next, the warrior in black appearing thirty meters away quickly followed by the running swordsman, sunlight reflected off his silver shell. A hunt that continued for hours, ending in neither spectacle nor grand finale.

Sweat dropped from her brow, rolling past her eyes and down her cheek. She prepared for the next attack that didn’t come, recovering her lost resources as the knight broke down, as if its strings were cut. Steel shattered on the stone floor, sword and shield falling to his side, each clattering a couple times before silence returned to the square. Ilea sunk to one knee, her veil vanishing from around her armor, helmet stored in her necklace. Silver steel reflected the light on the new scratches and cuts she had sustained, most used simply to deflect his blade or shield, to allow an angle just favorable for an attack to land.

Three of the cuts were a little deeper, feints she had failed to predict.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 318] – For defeating an enemy seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

Three eighteen…, Just a little bit faster than most of them were, just a little more cunning. Even with them being undead, unfeeling and brain dead, still they had retained some individuality. It was what kept her on her toes, in addition to the fact that a single true strike could seriously injure her. The fight had taken shy of three hours, a massive improvement. More than she had dreamed for an enemy at that level.

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 234 – 5 stat points awarded’

A fitting reward. The last two knights had not given her a level but she hadn’t expected another one from this one. Because he was over three hundred. She assumed, cracking her neck before she started unhooking his armor, storing each piece in her necklace before the corpse itself lay before her. Wearing an old and rotting garb, any symbols, stitching or colors long gone with time. He had been strong once, muscles now cold but prominent as they pushed through his clothing. A scar showed on his neck, beheaded by a beast or perhaps executed for one reason or the other. To become a knight of this kingdom, now falling to an invader so long after his true death.

His eyes were black, as was his hair. She crouched down and closed his eyelids before storing the corpse in her necklace, the corpse to be burned at a later time. Perhaps Indra would like the corpse but it felt wrong to her. Both to carry around so many bodies but also to hold on to them or gift them to another necromancer. Whatever worth it held, she would make sure nobody would use their body again. Even if they didn’t care anymore.

To her they each held potential to grow, to level up and to get more experienced with her skills. Each a challenge to overcome, a worthy opponent to face and defeat. Worthy of at least being burnt after their death. The cathedral held nothing but dust, a whole library of books once holding more knowledge than a human could learn in a lifetime. None of the enchantments had held through the ages, empty mana crystals found in compartments of the likely once expensive shelves.

The day continued, Ilea facing two more knights before night fell. Her training continued out in the wild lands of the north, again looking for the smallest pool of mist where the stalkers twirling in its midst quickly focused on her and started draining both her life and mana. Ilea meditated with eyes open, taking in the movements in the sky, on the land far away. The rare hunters in this barren place, interspersed by the dancing forms of an uncountable army of miststalkers.

A quick meeting with Terok the next morning supplied her with a new set of nine finished armors, the dwarf stumbling towards his bed once he had handed over the finished products. Five of the armor sets she placed in the cathedral, in another corner of the hall than the one with old sets taken off the dead knights. The elf didn’t deign to give her any attention, Ilea stepping back into the dungeon. After a night of careful meditation, health drain and recovery, she was itching for another battle. She didn’t check her status, excited simply to meet the next foe in battle. The next barrier as she honed her skills, incorporating whatever new abilities she gained on the road.

Ilea slept every third day, for a couple hours at most. She had chosen one of the houses overlooking her fighting square as her new home, placing her bed inside as well as a shelf from the cathedral that still looked somewhat in shape. It was made of stone, having allowed for it to mostly weather through the ages. Books she had from back in Salia and the selection she had taken from her home adorned it. The lack of windows didn’t bother her, the climate cold and mostly dry. Nothing that disturbed her resistant body, even the cold winds near Ravenhall irrelevant to her.

The roof was used to eat a meal every other day, Keyla’s cooking a highlight whenever it caressed her very soul, whenever the suns started rising and bathed at least a part of the sprawling city in light. Before she would go out again to fight, an enemy long forgotten, occupying a city the intelligent races of this world did not know existed. For the sole goal of her enjoyment, with the added benefit of increasing her personal power. Ever so slightly.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. A life Ilea had never thought possible, sustainable or even enjoyable. Yet here she was, living a solitary life of battle and meditation. Each passing week made her more calm, more sure of every step she took. Partially because she gained more and more stat points, levels in her classes promising better skills and eventual evolutions but mostly because she felt truly free, her whole being dedicated to every strike, every blink and dodge. The only deadline she had were her armors, every strike scratching into it, every messed up dodge or unseen feint creating another dent she could not repair on her own.

She could of course fight in clothes only, or even simply shrouded in ash. There was nobody to see after all, not that it would matter in a battle for life or death. Her skin was strong, her bones durable but not quite enough to shrug off the knights’ blades. Ilea would survive a fight, likely even win but the mana she would have to invest into healing as well as fleeing when her injuries inhibited her too much would stack up, would slow her down so much compared to the benefit of armor. Perhaps one day, when she had reached suitable strength, the added weight and metal shell of crafted gear became unnecessary but it proved such a benefit she questioned the reality of such a dream. A dream not to fight nakedly but to be able to block a sword with her skin alone, her natural defenses outclassing what her enemies could produce to harm her or those she cared about.

She had no desire to hear any snarky comments from the elf about the armors she ripped off each knight she defeated, the process lengthy but to her like a gesture of gratitude. For the fight they had given her, the experience she had taken. For the duty they had served long after it had ceased to be a necessity. As if to free their souls from the shell that kept them trapped in this cursed dungeon, deep within the northern lands and their treacherous mountains. Whenever ten or twenty of the knights had been killed, Ilea would build a pyre, turning them into ash that would find its way into the earth. The elf had been so gracious as to lend his fire cube to her indefinitely, mentioning that he will be exploring on his own for a while, still working on deciphering the log book but too bored to remain in the cathedral at all times.

While many questions remained unanswered or unasked, Ilea felt no rush to please the elf or squeeze every last bit of information out of him. She was here for her own sake after all. He would be back, knowing she would progress. If he survived that is. Ilea had a feeling he wasn’t quite as powerful as she would’ve expected from an older elf. When she had reached her last set of suitable armor, three months had passed, give or take a week or two. The only indication to the time she spent there were the number of knights she killed, writing everything down in her notebook.

Sitting atop her roof, she looked over the city that has become as close to home as any place she had lived in through her life. These months more intense and vivid than any period of time she had experienced so far, barring perhaps her adventures in the first Taleen dungeon or the initial stage of discovery and survival in the forest around the Azarinth temple. A place that still meant a lot to her, having equipped her with the tools to survive in this ruthless land. It might have been drab to someone else, to stay in a medieval looking city all this time but lacking any residents other than the silent undead, the place felt more serene to her.

As if the stones making up the once occupied buildings, each and every one having a purpose in a bustling society were now reduced to something more natural, as if the city itself was as much part of the environment as the mists and storms above and the black abyss lurking below. Urban perhaps but wild, retaken bit by bit by time. The only place she knew held life was the palace still piercing high into the distant horizon. Secrets buried underneath, hidden behind locked doors and guarded by insurmountable warriors that even after all this time would shred her like a Drake would shred a wild deer running in the woods near Karth.

Her map had grown, the area around the palace still empty but in some areas she had gone deeper still, most of the city lying higher than the palace cleaned out and marked as safe. She smiled as her notebook was lifted by ash, the element swirling around the book while keeping it steady and freeing her hand. A thought, not even that. It was as if alive, not even a thought, her explicit will needed to make it appear. The black mist not created or controlled by her but a steady companion, by her side, thoughts and emotions enough for it to respond.

Ilea had reached level 240 in her second class, the third tier skill point spent on Ash Creation. Her efficiency in fighting the knights had remained similar, Wave of Ember still unable to send most of its destructive mana into the protected enemies. Yet the skill had changed. She had become more confident, the limbs of ash moving around shields and avoiding strikes of swords as if sand swirling around fingers running running through. More of her attacks hit and less of the enemy strikes landed, deflected by an emerging part of her Veil or quickly forming ash dense enough to soften the glancing blows just enough to protect her armor from heavier damage.

The skill was the main reason she had been able to stay for so long. Eight of her nine armors damaged beyond usability in the weeks before she had gotten its third tier. Checking through the notifications before preparing to leave, she quickly double checked the defeated undead knights.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 264]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 281]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 259]’

145, she wrote in her notebook. Each and every single one of them a fight worthy of mention, the memories blurring together like a sea of blades and punches.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 241 – 5 stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 255 – 5 stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 235 – 5 stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 248 – 5 stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Wave of Ember reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 1’

‘Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 1

Create ash in a certain radius around you. It can be used as a surge to blind or as a shroud to hide.

2nd stage: You can control the density of the ash to an extent.

3rd stage: You have proven your dedication. Ash swirls to aid and destroy at your whims.

Category: Ashen Magic’

Chapter 249 The Need for Steel

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there.

Chapter 249 The Need for Steel

Training with the miststalkers had progressed as well but not to the extent Ilea had hoped for. It would remain a strict resistance and meditation training for now, though the latter skill didn’t manage to level even once since the last time.

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

It wasn’t that the training wasn’t effective, her skills were rising after all but Ilea still couldn’t engage them in direct combat. Even with her new third tier Ash Creation. Of course she could damage the spirit like beings with Wave of Ember and Reversed Reconstruction from a distance but in the end she still lost out in damage, even when there were only two or three of them. Directly fighting inside the mist was even worse, the added dodging and possible hits from their corporeal blades reduced her resources even more and while Destruction added damage, it wasn’t enough to turn the tides.

Ilea gained a hundred and forty five stat points from her leveling, five additional still remaining from a previous advancement. Seeing how her miststalker endeavor was going, she decided to invest twenty five points into Endurance and the rest into Wisdom. Soon she might start with Vitality and Intelligence again, as well as perhaps pushing her lowest two stats a little to keep her physical power at a somewhat even level. Checking her stat sheet, she was definitely content with her idea to come north. More so because of the interesting fights she had but the improvements cemented her decision.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 255

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 6

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 248

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 13

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 18

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 11

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – lvl 2nd lvl 1

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 600

Endurance: 400

Strength 266

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 600

Wisdom 575

Health: 6000/6000

Stamina: 3982/4000

Mana: 5698/5750

One forty five… one stat point for each. She remembered a time when a single challenging enemy brought several levels. With all her skills now, every single stat point would bring a big improvement on its own at least. She was a little disappointed her main class hadn’t gotten an evolution at two fifty and by now she wasn’t expecting anything in her second class either. It didn’t bother her majorly, she was glad to be alone in this dungeon, to be able to experience it all. The leveling reason enough to justify such a solitary and dangerous lifestyle.

Perhaps it would be difficult to explain to someone that she didn’t do it mainly for the sake of getting stronger. Ilea knew of course that with her personal power at this stage, she hardly needed to justify anything. To anyone. The only reason she was disappointed in the lack of fast advancement was the fact that she really wanted to explore the palace more, its working enchantments more and more becoming an enigma, a lure drawing her in. The only thing alive in this whole place and there had to be a reason for it. Still, without a major power up, there was no way for her to face even a single kingsguard. It might be akin to facing a Praetorian and she definitely wasn’t ready for that yet.

It would be interesting to try of course, now with her third tier in Destruction, perhaps she could damage them a little more efficiently compared to the impregnable shield they had sported the two times she had faced them. At this level, she couldn’t be as careless anymore. Monsters like them didn’t forgive mistakes and would finish her quicker than she could flee. Even her encounter with the kingsguard had nearly cost her her life. Blink and her wings barely enough to get her to safety and the fact that the knight didn’t pursue was her main saving grace. A human or elf at that power, set to hunt her down would be a real problem. Steadily growing stronger was in part a necessity because of such a possibility. She sadly had made enough enemies in her time here, even if it might be paranoid to think they were at the power of a kingsguard or praetorian.

With how everyone talked about the north, how the elf had talked about dragons and how few of civilization really spread through the areas she had visited so far, Ilea believed that the wild, monsters and animals incapable of more complicated thoughts and speech were the ones most dangerous when it came to pure physical or magical force. If there even was a significant percentage of ridiculously powerful people, a lot of dungeons wouldn’t exist at all and the most dangerous wild beasts would simply be finished. Outliers had to be around, she considered herself one of them, as were the members of the hand but even their numbers were insignificant to the sheer size of the world. The human plains alone really.

She sighed and put away Keyla’s food box. There were still over four hundred meals remaining in her necklace but she already dreaded the day when they ran out. It would come, of that she was sure. Perhaps that was when she sneakily returned to Ravenhall just to restock. Time would tell.

Blinking into her room, she switched into comfortable clothes and grabbed the book she had been reading in the few hours every day that weren’t dedicated to training. Earth had definitely been more thrilling when it came to literary works, people honing their entertainment skills rather than their fighting or magic ones. The thing that made reading in Elos just a tad more exciting though, was the fact that a lot of the mentioned legends, monsters, magic and people might have actually existed. Or still did. They lived forever after was a line that might actually apply here.

Of course a lot of the stories weren’t written by the strongest adventurers or explorers but if someone like Elfie, self proclaimed historian, decided to write a couple books Ilea would definitely consider checking them out. Dagon or Elise might be good candidates as well. Or Claire, but she would probably rather write a book on economic theories and city management. Something these guys here might have needed. She thought and looked at the wooden ceiling. Scared of it suddenly falling down not because of herself but her bed mostly.

If she were totally honest, Ilea simply wanted to continue. To fight and clear out the dungeon but she had only a single set of armor left, her nine others unusable, a liability that she was not allowed to indulge in. Not anymore. She owed that much to her teammates, to Eve. Of course full responsibility wasn’t on the table but then she wouldn’t be adventuring in the first place. Putting in a bookmark, Ilea stretched on the bed and sighed. Ash flowed around her and swiped her off the bed. Having ash respond to the slightest thought definitely helped with getting up in the morning. Her muscles didn’t have to move at all and activating the magic wasn’t much of a conscious effort anymore either.

Blinking out of the house upwards, she twirled in the air as ashen wings materialized and took her towards the exit. The plain black pants and white shirt were replaced by black armor, heavy but framed close to her body. Full plate and horns adorning the head, she looked positively intimidating and like a super soldier with magical wings and abilities. At least according to her sphere, with which she checked herself out. Ilea could leave the dungeon by simply flying upwards but it just felt right to use the cathedral’s double doors that waited for her after the small patch of dirt.

She smiled at the fact that some grass was growing again, the only spot covered in earth with enough sunlight to actually produce something. If the silver roses would start growing was another question she asked herself but other than the flowers still remaining at the edges, no fresh ones had sprouted. Perhaps they had simply been placed there. Being made of metal was likely a detrimental factor in growth through soil, water and the sun. Then again, in this magical ass place it might just be possible.

Slamming open the double doors, she found the cathedral utterly abandoned. The chair and table of the elf had remained, as did some of his work but he wasn’t there. The lack of his smell indicated him being absent for quite some time. Ilea didn’t particularly mind, instead flying up to the opening in the cave’s ceiling. Checking for arcane storms or any blizzards that might drift over the mountain top, she rushed off.

Hallowfort was the same as when she had last visited several months prior. Illuminated by the crystals as well as magical lights and torches spaced around the little town built on top of the monumental statue once belonging to a big sprawling city. Shimmering crystal light reflected off the water below as Ilea dived past the city, directly towards Goliath’s forge before she appeared inside.

The smith looked like it was napping, sitting on top of the anvil with no light sparkling inside the black mist of a head. “Hi.”

Golden eyes opened slowly and focused on her, “Human. Welcome back. I was meditation, to pass the time and here you come to provide entertainment. How have you been?”

Ilea smiled and dumped nine sets of damaged rose knight armor. “Splendid, months spent on mostly just fighting… it was, marvelous.”

The smith made a bubbling noise, its eyes dancing around happily, “A treasure truly, to find joy in such a gruesome and instinctive past time.” She felt his words to be sincere, happy for her ability to fill her time with fighting.

She laughed and motioned to the armors, “It really is. And now you can forge again. Maybe we’re not so different, me and you.”

“Perhaps not. Yet the thrill of smith’s work is not quite as exotic as that of exploring, of fighting and being close to death. You wish for new armors? I assume more metal is coming?”

Ilea nodded, “Plenty. Just make another nine sets again. I assume you have plenty of Stonehammer steel left in case I need more? I don’t know how long I’ll be able to provide metal.”

“Of course. I forge and reforge. Most of the metal you have brought is here still.”

“Good to know. What are you making anyway? Care to show me some of your work?” She smiled, the smith’s eyes sparkling with joy.

Ilea was a little dazed, leaving the forge a couple hours later after the demonstration, explanations and monologues of an old smith. Artist of abstract shapes more like. She had no idea, nor did she believe even now that a crude forge and big hammers could shape the intricate designs it had shown her. Even having seen it all and hearing it talk about it. Goliath’s philosophy implied, as far as Ilea understood, that metal was living and breathing. Form always changing and the work of art, the enjoyment he got out of his skill not bound to the result, a usable tool or weapon but to the change it could bring to the metal.

It had talked half an hour about the intricacies of shaping a perfect sphere and how thirty two different kinds of metals reacted to the treatment, how the result changed. Ilea didn’t have the heart to stop the smith when it went on to talk about alloys in accordance to the sphere. Not because she was being nice but because the smith showed genuine enthusiasm, passion and love for the work it did. For the skills it had acquired over the years, decades and centuries. Plus it was a good talker. Still, it wasn’t exactly her topic but she bet Balduur and Goliath could talk for days on end.

Neither seemed to have much joy left in forging weapons and tools of war, both of them not in much need for gold anyway. Still, Balduur had been more enthusiastic when making her gauntlets than the newfound master had in making her armor. She had asked Goliath to forge her a set of armor in the smith’s own design, to perhaps provide some interesting work after all. Ilea had no idea what kind of impractical sphere shaped Christmas tree of an armor she would get but it certainly would be worth seeing.

Terok wasn’t home but she had plenty of runs to do until she got all the metal back to Goliath. Over a hundred sets of armor remained. The smith had reassured her that there was enough space. Most of the steel would be melted down into ingots, to be tested, used in later works or simply stored by the smith. Ilea thought that next to forging, the smith might have a bit of an addiction to collecting and storing different kinds of metals. There was no other reason to have use for that much steel. Other than maybe building a Mecha.

Maybe Terok could be the one moving it. Drills, drills, drills. She smiled and made her way back, rushing through the valleys, the only signs of life small critters rushing away as soon as she approached. A massive eagle flew high above at some point but either she was too quick or too small of a target to get its attention. If it was anything close to the last one she’d seen, Ilea would hardly constitute of a tiny snack. Not enough to fly down if the hunger wasn’t biting.

After her fifth trip, Terok was actually home. Checking his rig that showed some minor scratching. Ilea knocked and blinked inside, the dwarf not even reacting to her invasion of privacy. “You’re alive. Good on ya.” He simply stated as he frowned and screwed away a rather small piece of plating. Beneath was a sea of metal pieces and gears, interlocking in ways Ilea couldn’t understand. It reminded her of the inside of small clock. Just extended to the two and a half meter robot. A single blow capable of bending it must deal tremendous damage to the thing.

“Same to you. New armors need to be enchanted. Do you have time today and tomorrow?” She asked, taking a chair from the kitchen and sitting down next to the battle machine.

The dwarf nodded, “Just came back from a small expedition. Didn’t go particularly well but this thing is better than I imagined. Thanks to your generous donation and Goliath’s outstanding work.” He grinned broadly, “Of course I have time. For you always.”

Ilea smiled and nodded, “Great. I’ll leave you to it then and I’ll let Goliath know to deliver the armors to you. I’ll be back in two days, need to get some more of the metal.” She said and shook his hand before she left him to the further inspection of his rig. Ilea saw him look at the ceiling after she had blinked out. She jumped off the cliff and spread her wings, more deliveries to be made. Perhaps she should have asked what about his expedition didn’t go particularly well. Ilea hoped none of his friends had died or gotten lost but he didn’t seem to be that down.

She’d ask him when she got the armors in two days. Just her further deliveries would take another half a day if not longer. Mostly due to moving through the day, limited to the valleys and cracks in the land to avoid the arcane storms. Blinking out of the cave, she rushed off towards Tremor.

Chapter 250 Undead Rose

A note from Rhaegar

Reminder that Hollow Knight is a great game.

To quote a certain dunkey: "A masterpiece, for yo wallet."

Chapter 250 Undead Rose

Delivery and armor manufacturing was prepared and underway a day later, Ilea getting her first couple sets from Terok who seemed a little off that day. Maybe he’s been working too much.

“Everything alright? You’re strangely serious.” She asked, putting the four finished sets into her necklace. As much as she would carry with her on a normal day. The other five she would put into her apartment, to be switched out as soon as they were needed.

The dwarf sat down and shrugged, “Lost three people on the expedition.” He ultimately said.

“I’m sorry.” Ilea said but he waved her off.

“Keep your pity. They were young, overconfident and frankly incapable. It was only a matter of time.” He said and sighed.

Ilea didn’t reply for a moment. She had never been good with situations like that and she didn’t know the dwarf well enough to gauge what might help him. Shutting up seemed like the best bet for now. “Told them it was stupid but of course the fucking wall breaks right when we make our way through.” He didn’t elaborate any further, downing a bottle of ale before he threw the empty container to the corner of the room.

Why did you go when you thought it was stupid? Ilea didn’t ask of course. He was either blaming himself or annoyed that whatever they had tried hadn’t worked out.

“What do you do all the time anyway?” He asked suddenly, cracking open another cold one.

Ilea shrugged, “Exploring a dungeon.”

“And you just find all that armor laying around?”

She locked eyes with him and sighed, “I kill them.”

The dwarf nodded and looked at his bottle, “Need a hand with that?” He asked, not looking at her, a hand scratching his black beard.

“I’m fine. You’ve got plenty of places here to explore. Safer than what I’m doing.” She said, not seeing how it would benefit either of them.

He snorted and opened his mouth but closed it again, “I see. Well good luck then. I’ll be finished with your armors by the morrow.” The dwarf said and got up, walking out of his own home and leaving her there.

Did I say something wrong? Ilea questioned but chalked it up to his failed expedition and the losses that came with it. Sighing, she prepared to go and blinked out. She was ready again. Fully stocked and soon with five additional backup sets of armor. Making her way back, she quickly dropped through the mountain hole and entered the dungeon. There was still no sign of the elf but he would return eventually.

And I don’t have anything new for him. She still had a lot to learn about elves and their culture. A lot that might help her friends in the south have an easier time with their race. Especially Dale in Riverwatch. She didn’t expect him to be gone for long but seeing the empty chair and the abandoned cathedral made her think he might actually leave for good if she stayed empty handed. Could still tell him about Goliath… The smith was ok with it but she still didn’t feel comfortable with bringing the elf to Hallowfort. Just because he might make a mess. You’re being racist…

Still, it was worth a try to get something else first. To find out more about his nature, his people and his motivations before she brought him to the only source of new armor and enchantments she had so far in the north. Entering the dungeon, she spread her wings and hovered downwards, over the first line of buildings. Her notebook opened, she looked at the areas marked as safe. There was plenty to go before the thick black line was met where she had found the broken down wall.

The sunlight didn’t reach there, even a couple dozen meters before the wall in most places. There had been plenty of knights to fight in the areas before the darkness but she had found nothing of worth, nothing other than the palace guarded by kingsguard. Tapping on the map, she chose the safest spot to retreat from quickly and put it back into her necklace. Today she would go a little further. Her stats and the third tier of both Destruction and Ash Creation gave her a little more confidence but she couldn’t help but be a little apprehensive.

Not because she was scared of an unexplored section of dungeon or because a dangerous beast might lurk within. Simply because she had trained for so long in the city of Tremor, the wall to the dark area constantly being a line she didn’t cross. A mental barrier of sorts, reinforced by her behavior in the past months. And today she would cross it.

Reaching the wall wasn’t a problem, a big section before already cleared out of enemies and the last stretch devoid of patrols, Ilea slipping through the houses in silence. Several clumps of ash had formed around her, culminating near her back and getting more and more dense by the minute. Veil of Ash was moving around parts of her armored body, her blue eyes piercing the darkness before she vanished. Her blink bringing her beyond the wall.

Immediately she noticed the smell, the higher humidity as well as the more rotten state of all the buildings around her. A lack of any sun for hundreds of years hadn’t improved the charm of this part of the city by a long shot. If anything, this part of the dungeon actually looked the part. Dangerous, abandoned and smelling a little weird. The further she went downwards, the more houses lay collapsed. Her hopes of finding any useful information revealed themselves as mere delusions. At least it was intriguing, the thrill of a new discovery taking over as she slowly stepped through the dark, her sphere the only thing that let her see.

Pitch fucking black…, The thought was interrupted when she heard the sound of metal scraping against stone. A sound she had heard before in Tremor. Quite a while ago when she too had been close to the wall that separated what she assume to be the noble district from the rest of town. The creature appeared in her sphere a moment later, both of them walking closer towards the other. Glimpsing around the corner, she saw it.

[Undead Rose Knight – lvl ???]

Oh boy. The thought not only in regards to the three question marks but the dents and missing parts on his armor and body. A chunk of the knight’s head was missing and his left arm was completely gone. The sword, the same size as a normal knight would use was dragged behind him, the one remaining hand holding onto it in a lazy manner. She had a feeling that wouldn’t be much of an advantage in a fight. Cracking her neck and spreading more ash around herself, she stepped out from her hiding spot.

The undead looked at her immediately, tensing up and screaming with a voice that sent shivers down her spine. No paralyze effect…, The thought barely processed, the knight had jumped off and smashed his sword into the ground where Ilea had stood the blink of an eye earlier. Screaming again, it didn’t relent. She stepped backwards once more, the knight not hitting the ground this time but simply landing and following. His sword slashed sideways, Ilea dodging downwards but not quite quick enough to get away.

A blink saved her but the monster was on her again, moving with force unlike anything she had encountered in Tremor so far. When the Kingsguard had beendeliberate and deadly, the knights controlled, efficient and precise, this undead was more wild and savage. Ilea read as much in the three or four movements it had showed her already. Another strike was dodged, this time without the use of blink, the sword crashing through the wall of the house next to them.

The blade hadn’t been angled perfectly well but the sheer force of it still broke through the stone, the knight following the sword as if his body was dragged through the wall with it. The wall next to her exploded outwards, Ilea already away thanks to her Sphere and Blink abilities. The knight followed.

She tried to analyze his movements, the turns and twists he did but found it bizarre, unpredictable. Some of the strikes missed her completely, striking houses, the floor or even just air, the knight spinning with the heavy blade as he completely overextended. Other strikes were deliberate, feints or clever thrusts that anticipated her movements and dodges, as if some of his former experience remained and shined through between the craze in his mind.

A quick step brought the knight towards her, his sword creating sparks as it dragged on the ground behind him before it swung at her. Ilea stepped to the right, her ash instinctively expanding on her left before his sword swiped past, shaving off some of the black floating mass before it crashed into the ground behind him. The loud crash and strong swipe dug the sword deep into the stone, Ilea stepped forward, her fist hitting the knight’s back with all her skillswhen he let go of his sword in a split second and slapped at her with the one hand he had.

Her ash moved inand blocked some of the force, her Veil taking the rest before she was thrown backwards a little. She heard the knight’s steps before he was upon her, his sword thrusting at her chest before she blinked behind him. Appearing, Ilea’s eyes opened wide, ash forming a thick layer before her when the thrown sword impacted it all, cutting through sideways and punching into her chest.

The world spun as she was flung away, the sword punching through a stone wall on the way before she crashed through two walls and into another street entirely. Her armor was dented, and her chest bruised and bleeding from within. Nothing that would stop her. She blinked to the side when the undead landed next to her, his swordscraping through stone where she had just sat. A hundred health were sacrificed as she watched his movements, her chest healing up when she let his thrust scrape past. Her fist hit into his body, his forward momentum barely interrupted as her destructive mana flowed into him, eight limbs of ash slashing around his body to find gaps in his armor to deliver Wave of Ember.

The highly damaged armor he was wearing made it simple, especially with her ashen limbs that moved as well as her own two arms. The lack of joints added to their versatility, Ilea just waiting for an opening before she could attack. His movements grew more wild and ferocious with every attack she managed to deliver and the two of them crashed and brawled through an increasing number of houses when he managed to get through again, a wild slash after which he let go of his sword to deliver a kick. Ilea’s ashen limbs were still touching him, not allowing her to blink before his kick landed, a piece of his armor getting caught in a connecting part of her chest and leg piece. Ash culminated above her when the force of the hit traveled through her, dragging the knight a little forward before his fists landed on her defenses.

Two hits landed, Ilea’s ash trying to disconnect the interlocking pieces of armor preventing her to blink. The third punch broke through, Ilea’s skulltaking the brunt, her helmetdenting before finally she managed to dislodge his leg armor and blinked away. The hit disoriented her for a second but she was back again when she saw the sword flying at her, the woman jumping over it with ease. His sheer strength was too much for her to simply grapple on and deliver her own attacks while he attacked her.

While his sword skills were wild and in a way brilliant, his hand to hand was lacking. An arm to be specific. She stepped into the way of the running knight who looked to nearly stumble. Ilea moved to the left with a spin and kicked low at his shin. A loud sound of crying metal resounded before the heavy knight lost his balance and smashed into a house, the whole thing tumbling down as Ilea healed the bruise on her shin as well as the lightly cracked bone beneath. Her resistance training certainly showed its worth here. She doubted her bone would have held without the second tier of Earth Magic Resistance.

Bricks were sent flying when the knight jumped out of the pile, sword in hand again before he screamed. Ilea jerked her head to the left when a second knight came flying, this one without a head but both arms intact. She knew two were too much but the grin on her face wouldn’t suggest fear or struggle. Her dented pieces were replaced by fresh armor, Ilea identifying the second knightas she dodged his blade.

[Undead Rose Knight - ??]

Let’s see how long I can go before it gets impossible…, Ilea couldn’t help it, the two knights rushing at her without abandon. They weren’t outright attacking each other but every uncontrolled strike hitting the other gave Ilea an opening to get in and deliver a couple hard hits. She was already angling herself so that her controlled retreat would go towards the upper city and not further down. Ilea was quite aware that killing the two of them would not be possible, not while they fought against her together.

She dealt more damage than against the knights, that was sure but each movement, each graze of their blades was unexpected. When one of the knights caught the thrown blade of the other and slashed at her with both at the same time, she laughed out loud. Moving backwards over the pitch black rooftops, now three knights were following her. One of them jumped towards her when a sword caught him in the side of his head but it simply shifted his momentum a little, the flying blade deflecting and making Ilea blink.

The third knight was already next to her and his blade crashed into her side, crushing her arm and digging into her chest piece. Pain deactivated, Ilea landed in the second floor of a building, the walls giving in before she tumbled onto the street beyond. Her armor had been pierced, blood streaming down as she closed the wound. Several ribs had been broken but the damage wasn’t as bad as she had expected. Before she could stand up, she turned her head towards the movement she heard from her right. Oh no…,

Two yellow lights flashed at her from a familiar robot’s eyes, headlights bathing the whole broken down street in light. “Ilea are you alright!?” Terok’s voice came to her as if in slow motion, her healing taking care of the wound as she blinked up, her damaged armor replaced by a fresh one. He rushed next to her when she grabbed his arm and jumped up, the first of the knights landing in a loud boom where they had just stood.

“Shut up and run!” She shouted, dragging him as her wings spread while she ran through the street.

Terok looked back and vanished upwards when a knight’s blade slashed through the air, Ilea ascending quickly to dodge the blade. She saw the knight crash into the flying dwarf a moment later, the two tumbling down before they crashed to the ground. Blinking, she accelerated to her highest speed as she watched the knight lift his fist and smash down at the dwarf. Her heavy gauntlets replaced her armor before she smashed into the undead and pushed him aside, tumbling with the knight before she blinked back to the dwarf.

His head was smashed in, as flat as the sword coming her way. Sliding the dwarf away, she dodged the blade of the second knight. Getting him away from Terok, she dodged another two strikes and blinked away when the third knight landed. Ilea’s wings spread and a thousand health were sacrificed when she grabbed the dwarf and flew off. She swerved in the air as a blade whistled past, the second one deflected by the accumulating ash that formed behind her, cutting into her wing that quickly recovered.

The flying warrior wobbled in the air before stabilizing right above the ground, her orientation bringing the two back towards the wall before they passed it, light returning to her eyes as they got higher up. She checked the dwarf’s status and found him breathing. Injured but alive. The undead didn’t look to be following but she didn’t let up with her speed just in case. Holding the dwarf close, she passed over the houses, soon reaching areas she knew the be secure. “You fucking idiot…,”

Ilea didn’t stop until they were out of the dungeon, landing in the cathedral as she started to heal his injuries. “Good thing that wasn’t actually your fucking head.” She said, the dwarf groaning when he came to. The robot moved backwards but Ilea held on, “Get the fuck out of this thing.”

He calmed down when he heard her but the mechanism to open didn’t react, “It’s damaged.” He said in an angry tone, Ilea simply grabbing the two pieces and ripping them open. She stared at the dwarf within.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” She asked, trying to stay as calm as possible.

He stepped out of the machine and stumbled to a nearby chair, sitting down as he checked his brow. He spit on the ground when his hand came back covered in blood. “What the fuck are You doing here?”

Ilea was baffled, staring at him with wide eyes. Her helmet vanished before she pointed at him, “Your fucking head was smashed, I saved your fucking life you ungrateful shit! Now why are you here? You followed me?”

“Of course I did you dunce. Bringing all that armor back you must have somehow found a gold mine. Never thought you’d actually be fighting something like that!” He shouted and gestured in the general direction of the dungeon.

Ilea balled her fists before she grabbed his armor and flung it at the wall, the thing crashing before it tumbled to the ground. He seemed to have calmed down a little, holding up both hands in resignation as he looked at her, fear now in his eyes. “I’m sorry! Alright. I’m sorry! Don’t kill me! I beg you, I had…,”

“Shut it.“ Ash swirled around her, eight distinct limbs swaying through the mist with frantic movements before she turned away from him. “Stay here. We talk later.” An unlucky knight would be the target of her anger at the bloody idiot. Following me to this god forsaken city. MY god forsaken city.

Chapter 251 Compromise?

A note from Rhaegar

Hopefully back in a couple days. Depending on internet there might be a day or two more with no chapter. Read Delve, Arcane Emperor or The New World instead.

Chapter 251 Compromise?

Her adrenaline shot up again when she finally found a knight. The ash spread, flowing around the two as her limbs smashed into him, his fist sword dodged before her fist smashed his helmet with all the force she could muster. The metal dented a little, the unfeeling knight slashing his second sword at her but Ilea turned her body a little, the blade scratching through her Veil and past her armor before a second hit smashed straight into his chest.

Crouching low to avoid his first blade moving back to slash her, she grabbed his leg and twirled, screaming as she flung him into a nearby wall. The knight got up when she crashed into him, ignoring the swords that left deep cuts in her Veil and armor, breaking through the wall as she pushed them inwards. Her ashen limbs smashed into him, some deflecting the blades enough to prevent high damage on her as her fists smashed into his stomach again and again. They broke through another wall, falling down as he let go of one blade.

The knight’s fist rushed at her only to be stopped by her own hand, destructive mana flowing into him as they struggled. His pure strength against her magically enhanced body, anger fueling her as their hands shook. Finally freeing his left hand, the knight slashed at her with the short sword, cleaving into her helmet. Blood ran down her cheek as she grabbed his arm and pushed it away. Ashen arms went under his helmet and ripped the thing off his head before they cut into his flesh, tearing deeper and deeper before the unfeeling, dead thing was ripped off.

Ilea jumped back and healed herself, ash filling the whole room while the headless knight stood up and rushed at her. Moving with experience and ease, she dodged the blades and kicked at his leg, the knight getting off balance before she grabbed his arm, again turning and sending him flying. This time she had gotten enough momentum to break through the wall. Ilea stepped towards the dust, ripping away her helmet and throwing it to the side, a smile on her face as well as a deep cut that quickly faded. “Stand up you fuck!”

The knight followed her orders wordlessly, no mouth to respond or brain to form the thought yet still, he got up. And he rushed at her. They clashed again and again, more of Ilea’s armor denting as she delivered heavy blows, ignoring safety and conservation of her gear for the sheer thrill. A hissing flash of pain ripped through her shoulder when his blade cut into it, her fists smashing into his side to dent his armor and break the bones underneath. He didn’t care, unwilling to feel or respond in any other way than to fight.

His second blade was stopped by her hand, the weapon struggling to cut into her ash, the Veil and her armored hand before a kick sent the knight stumbling back. Her ashen limbs focused on a single spot and finally, after over a hundred strikes, the shoulder guard was shattered open, his arm ripped off a moment later. One blade remaining, she dodged and weaved around him, her limbs and fists punching into him before finally he went down. Ilea grabbed the corpse and flung him into the nearest wall before she screamed.

Sweat and blood covered her face. Her armor was pretty much done for, deep cuts and dents in many parts. The guard on her left arm was barely hanging on a thread and her helmet lay destroyed in a corner of the room. “Fucking waste.” She said and went to grab the knight, putting him in her necklace as well as the damaged pieces of armor laying around. It was the fastest kill she had managed so far, that was for sure. Ilea didn’t exactly know how long she had fought but it was less than two hours. Perhaps less than one. And for a below 300 creature at that.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 291] – For defeating an enemy thirty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Sighing, she walked back to the exit. She needed a shower, a meal and meditation but first she had to talk to a certain dwarf. Terok had nearly killed them. He rushed in to help you. The thought didn’t make it less annoying. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. If she had misjudged the undead they could both still be down there, ripped to pieces by the savage beasts.

Pulling open the double doors, she stepped through and found the dwarf standing near one of the missing windows. His armored rig was still where she had thrown it when he turned to her, one of the bottles she had found in the palace opened and in his hand, “I don’t suppose you have glasses?” He asked with a smirk. She didn’t miss the slight crack in his voice when he had looked at her.

Ilea hadn’t bothered with cleaning up, summoning two glasses as she sat down on a chair, throwing one to the dwarf. His hand shook while he filled it, chugging it down in a single swig before he filled it again. He walked to her and filled hers as well, Ilea taking a sip and breathing out. “You’re aware of how close we just got to death? You specifically.” Ilea spoke, spitting out some blood that remained in her mouth before taking another sip.

It was something like scotch. She didn’t like it. Nor would the alcohol do anything, her poison resistance taking care of that. Downing the rest, she put it back in her necklace as she watched the dwarf. He nodded and finished his drink, pouring another one immediately, “I noticed.” He said and glanced at his rig for a moment. “I’m sorry for coming here. For following you. I thought… maybe I could benefit too, could sell something I found or join your group or something.”

“There is no group.” Ilea said, shrouding herself in ash before she removed her armor, the ash swirling around her to take care of any blood, sweat and grime that still stuck to her. Casual clothes appeared before the ash flowed into limbs, lazily swaying behind her back.

Terok watched it all in fascination, taking a little longer to reply. “I noticed. Didn’t believe you when you talked about your story, the way you fought alone. Having seen it I still don’t. You’re a lunatic. Your side was open, bleeding, you should be dead.”

Ilea smiled at him, “Well I’m not. Now you better fuck off, I’ll get my enchantments somewhere else. This dungeon is mine to clear and I don’t want some greedy idiot sneaking around.”

Terok didn’t step back, he just looked at her before he took a swig from the bottle itself. “My rig is fucked. I’m in debt and I’m sure as hell not making it back to Hallowfort alive.” He set down the glass and sat down on a chair, sighing as he stared at the floor. “You’re tough… I’ve seen that. I don’t think I’ve seen a warrior as fierce as you… but those things were winning. You were hurt and you had to flee.”

Ilea summoned a meal and started eating, energy flowing back into her as she mediated. She didn’t react to his talking. He had fucked up, nearly gotten himself killed and now he was apparently stuck. His machine was definitely unusable. After a single hit…, Ilea knew she would’ve survived. Having taken several direct blows from the undead knights, she knew she had been fine.

He tapped on his knee before he spoke up again, “You didn’t have to save me. No reason to do that, not with that injury. Probably wasn’t as bad as it looked now that I think about it but still.”

Ilea was getting tired of his speech but she had sat down and wouldn’t leave until she was done with her meal.

“Why did you save me?” The dwarf looked at her as she ate.

“It’s common courtesy. You were out of your league in there.”

“You’re a lousy liar. And I won’t believe it for a second if you tell me you were handling those monsters. You came to help us in a convenient time before but this here was different.”

Ilea stopped eating and thought about his words. “Alright, maybe I didn’t want your blood on my hands. Maybe I didn’t want someone else I know dying in a shit hole when I could prevent it.”

She continued eating, the dwarf looking at her as he nodded. “Doesn’t change anything.” She added.

“Of course it does. I’ll work with you to repay this debt. And whatever I owe you for the metal and help you’ve provided so far.” Terok said, Ilea just staring at him with a spoon in her mouth.

Taking it out, she placed it in the box, “Look, I appreciate the offer but you’re a level one eighty mage, your machine is fucked and you’ve proven you’re incapable of fighting anything in there. Plus didn’t you listen? That’s my dungeon.”

The dwarf stood up and walked to his machine, checking the arms and punching the open chest plates, “Aye, I’m proper fucked. But I’m not a fighter Ilea. Never was. I told you I’m a scavenger. An explorer. I don’t waltz intodungeons in the northern wastelands to fight the beasts within. No one bloody does. I go in there to pick ancient locks, to clean out graves of long dead kings, to snatch artifacts worthy of a mansion back in ass creek Eranur.”

“Now I know you just want to go back in there to fight until you either come out stronger than whatever resides in that hell of a city or until you lie dead and cut apart within but tell me that place doesn’t hold any secrets. Anything you can’t crack open with those fists of yours. You’re not one to invest in such skills, to learn about enchantments that could even stop those three monsters we saw in there if enough mana crystals were put in place.”

“I spent sixty years living here. If hunting monsters is all you’re here to do then fine. I’ll try to leave but if there’s anything else you’re after. If any of my skills that I honed for half a century can help you then I’ll make sure to make it worth your while.”

Ilea was impressed by his tenacity, the dwarf certainly knew how to make a convincing speech. “I can also show you around the Descent and a couple other dungeons and places you might be interested in. With your abilities you’ll find easier monsters to kill than undead knights. Coupled with my knowledge and skills we’ll be able to get rich, powerful and whatever else you fucking want.”

Terok was desperate, Ilea knew as much. He knew as much. Still, she had liked him before and just because he had fucked up here didn’t immediately change that. She was mad at him, yes but it was a ballsy move. One she might have done as well if she had been desperate and a powerful possible ally had shown up so suddenly. “I’ll think about it.” She said with a mouth full of food. “How long until you have that thing back up and running?”

Ilea pointed at the damaged metal armor sitting like a dead or dying robot at the wall of the cathedral. Terok’s eyes opened wide, “I don’t have my tools… some of the plating is completely gone…,”

Ilea stopped him and turned towards the rig. Its head was smashed in, only cracked glass remaining of the two yellow eyes. There was no indentation, the thing was pretty much flat. Whatever intricate designs had been hidden within were completely unusable. The torso looked alright, the plating he had colored black and red showed silver on several damaged spots. The metal she had given him. Arms and legs were connected with slightly bent but still intact rods, around five for each limb formed the grid to hold the tools openly visible within as well as the hands and feet at the end of each.

Openings in each limb would allow whatever surprises he had stored inside to be used. “You were hit once. In a dungeon. How can you call yourself an explorer if that is what stops you. You want to prove your worth? Get it running again while I kill another knight.”

Terok scratched his unkempt beard and furrowed his brows. The age didn’t show on his face, his one remaining healthy eye looking at the machine and then her. The mechanical one stayed focused on the rig before his big hands clapped together and a big grin showed from within the beard. Perfectly white teeth, Ilea noted. “Alright.” was all he said as he walked past her, Ilea still finishing the meal.

The dwarf, clad in a dark green one piece suit that reminded Ilea a little of a onesie started inspecting the different parts of the machine. Some of it floated away as it came apart, what she now knew to be metal magic acted on the mech suit. Probably how he powers it too. She couldn’t imagine another power source but his mana and metal magic would allow quite a bit of control. Kyrian had some movable and removable pieces in his armor he would sometimes use but his control was not at the extend of controlling the armor itself.

Perhaps the dwarf hadn’t lied about his experience at least. And if he could actually be of use, she wouldn’t deny him. Locations and specific information about more dungeons as well as a way perhaps into the palace would be welcome. Stepping into the dungeon as she finished her meal, Ilea looked up at the sunlight shining down on the town. A part of her wanted to go straight back to fighting the undead knights, their unpredictable attacks and ferocity something fresh after all the methodical knights she had bested in the past months.

The problem was noise. They screamed, shattered walls and their sheer power forced her to move around a lot. It was only a matter of time until a second or even more of them showed up, as proven by her earlier encounter. Ilea could take one down perhaps, after a long time. Still, she had been hit but with time perhaps she would understand their movements better. The chaos she had gleamed in the way they wielded their blades and bodies.

However she obviously lacked the firepower an offensive mage or warrior would have at her level. While their defensive capabilities would leave them dead and broken after a minute against the knight, the could likely dish out just as much damage in a couple attacks as she managed in an hour. Viper’s white fire beam had proven as much, burning even through her resilient body with ease. At least before I got the second stage of Heat Resistance.

Ilea was pretty sure she could hold her own against people her level when it came to damage simply because their defenses were just fucking lousy. The sound mage working with Arthur had died with a couple hits to his head. Here she was fighting monsters nearly twice her level. It was fun of course but she couldn’t help but wish for a little more punching power. I’d just find even stronger opponents and the fights would drag on again. Ilea smiled at the thought as she walked through the city on the lookout for a knight. Maybe Terok was right, maybe she should find enemies that suited her more. In the end she needed monsters with higher levels than herself to increase her power, their defensive capabilities mattered little. It was so much fun to fight them though and now that she had found the undead, a part of her itched to go back.

The mind flayer was a good example for a more suitable enemy. The thing could likely be squished by her very hand while its magic could probably knock out and kill a whole expedition not prepared for mind attacks. With her resistance to its magic, it was an easy thing for Ilea to kill. First Terok has to prove himself, then I’ll ask him if he knows about better enemies. Rounding a corner, she spotted a knight in the distance. A single one patrolling the streets. Would it be fun though? To be done with them in mere minutes? Her buffs activated as she started sprinting towards her next foe, fresh armor on her body as she slipped into a trance like state. Of course it would be, A part of her thought, ash moving around her, ready to hit into the knight.

Standing over the dead knight, this time Ilea didn’t have a scratch. Her ash moving in to help deflect the blows before her Veil took the brunt of the attacks helped tremendously. Plus the knight had been a shield variant, already lacking in offensive potential compared to the dual wielding sort. Storing the corpse and armor, she rushed back to the cathedral. The fight had taken around two hours, the knight finally falling after she had whittled away at its health with Destruction and Wave of Ember.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 281] – For defeating an enemy twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Another knight down, Ilea wondered how many of them even remained. She could still level for a while but another dungeon would become necessary at some point. While the Undead knights were interesting, she doubted she could fight them efficiently. Not yet. Same with Penumra, the beasts grouping up just like the Miststalkers outside at night. If he managed to get his machine back up and running, I’ll be happy to listen to his suggestions. Perhaps the Descent is the next reasonable goal.

Chapter 252 Questioning a Robot

A note from Rhaegar

Beep beep

Chapter 252 Questioning a Robot

Coming back into the cathedral, Ilea was happy to find the dwarf back in his rig. It looked dented still, his metal magic apparently not enough to fix it completely. The head was missing entirely, instead two small holes had been drilled into the chest plate to allow him to see through, “Can you see in the dark without the light?” The first thing she asked. Ilea wouldn’t make it easy for him. And if he was a liability after all, she’d leave him behind. Perhaps I’ll bring him back to Hallowfort at least.

The robot moved, testing its legs as the dwarf answered, “We can see in the dark. Not perfectly well but we can see. The flood lights are not just for me to see. They’re to blind and to detect enchantments as well as magical connections and spells.”

“Your machine can do all that? I had a skill once called Magic Perception but you just have tech for that? Can I have that too?” Ilea was curious. If she had glasses or something that could give her all those abilities it would certainly be helpful.

The metal arms crossed before his chest, “I’m a metal mage and an engineer. Those abilities come from the second class. It’s not as straight forward as you warrior kinds but if you’re good enough and have the resources, your gear will make quite a difference. Sadly the enhancements like my magic perception don’t work for others.”

“What else can you do? And what did you see in there? Anything that might be useful for me?”

The dwarf might have nodded, had he not lost his robot head. The two tubes exiting behind his back sent off some steam, “I have tools to drill, cut and force myself into wherever you want to go to. I can see runes, enchantments and know my way around them. I’ve deactivated traps whole expeditions couldn’t figure out.”

“Sure. I’ll have to see that in action before I believe it.” Ilea interrupted but gestured for him to continue.

“I’m willing to demonstrate. The same as for enchantments goes for magical barriers. As long as I have time to figure it out. Also how I noticed that the knights patrolling parts of the city have a magical connection to somewhere. The undead knights didn’t have that, not sure what that is about. Normally undead are the ones having a connection to their summoner. Naturally occurring ones are a little different.” He explained, Ilea lifting an eyebrow as she took off her helmet.

“You mean the knights are controlled from somewhere, while the crazy undead ones that nearly killed you weren’t?” Ilea asked. The robot shrugged.

“I didn’t have time to examine the connection. Perhaps it’s more than just mere control. You said you’ve killed some?”

Ilea nodded, “What did you do with the bodies?” He asked, his voice a little uneven.

Is he afraid?, “I burned them.” She replied simply.

“Good. Good. Usually one of the best ways to sever the connection. We can examine it if you’re willing to let me watch. Although I’d need to repair my head first.”

Ilea thought about it, “So they could’ve stood back up… even after I had killed them?”

“As I said, it’s hard to say. Even if I see the connection it might be impossible to tell. Depending on how good the necromancer is. Undead are pretty rare in dungeons as well as naturally so I can’t say if this is special behavior for sure. I simply haven’t ever seen anything like it.” The dwarf explained.

“Well I’ll have you fight one of them anyway, you’ll be able to think about it then. Can you repair the head here or not?”

Terok was quiet for a while but spoke eventually, “Fight one of them?” He took a step back, “W…why?”

Ilea cocked her head, a little confused at his question, “What do you mean why? Why not? You’re level one eighty five. They’re between two fifty and three hundred usually. And they just attack with their swords or bows. You’ll have to be able to at least flee from them if you’re ever going to work with me.”

She heard him breathe out, “Fleeing is different than fighting.” He grumbled and went on, “I can repair it but I need a little more time. The enchantments were literally smashed. Takes me a while to get everything running again.” He pointed towards where his head would be. “What level are you by the way? Just so I know what I’m getting myself into.”

Ilea didn’t see a reason to hide it from him, “Two fifty five right now.”

“And you fight them alone? They’re two fifty to three hundred?” He asked but continued right away, “How old are you?”

“Why does it matter?” Ilea asked, strolling around the hall.

“Never mind. Well you have survived so far but fighting higher leveled enemies, alone. I’m not going to lecture you. You’re the one who saved me after all.” He said and chuckled, “So how can I prove that I’m useful to you?”

Ash slowly flowed out of nowhere, swirling around Ilea as the limbs on her back focused on the dwarf. Her hands crossed before her, a set of five ashen walls formed and grew as dense as she could force them. “Attack me. First as fast as you can, then as hard as you can and finally you simply try to break through with as much time as you need.” She walked towards the double doors and entered the dungeon, “Not here though.”

Terok followed her, the dwarfacting as fidgety as an exoskeleton possibly could. “Don’t stress over it. I thought your long time experience speaks for itself… I will only defend so don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.” He snapped, “I’m not supposed to hold back am I?”

Ilea smiled, her helmet appearing on her head, “I would hold it against you if you did. If you manage to deal significant damage to me I’d be impressed and not just a little.”

“Then here goes nothing.” He sighed and vanished, Ilea immediately grinning. Teleportation was already quite useful. She saw him appear to her right, a drill arm quickly slashing towards her side when all her ash shifted his way, intercepting the attack that drilled into it. Terok jumped back, his mech pulling hard to the side before it quickly closed the distance again, Ilea’s ash swaying to intercept him when he appeared behind her.

Instead of using his drill arm, this time a small barrel had extended and sent a thick needle like object around thirty centimeters in length and two thick straight at her back. The ash didn’t intercept, Ilea instead curious what it would do. Her armor of course stopped the projectile but it didn’t rebound, instead floating where it had hit. The needle scratched against the armor and moved upwards before it found the gap between her shoulder piece and chest plate. Ever so slightly it pushed inside, Terok in the meantime moving to the air and floating around as he shot another two of the projectiles at her. These she let her ash intercept, the element pushing back against his magic that willed them forward.

The projectile near her shoulder had started to spin and slowly dug into her flesh. It apparently wasn’t easy to penetrate so the projectile instead exploded into tiny shards that dug a little deeper. He did manage to draw blood, the shards themselves slowly pushed out by her healing as she recovered. Terok didn’t let it stop him and instead continued circling around, appearing closer before hitting into her quickly moving ash. This really has become a second protective shield…, Even before her Veil had to step up to take damage, her ash alone was intercepting.

She let the dwarf attack for fifteen minutes straight until she held up her hand. He had not let up, his speed kept at the same level and his metal needles, quite reminiscent of Kyrian’s attacks had kept coming. Compared to her friend, the dwarf chose fewer but more intricate projectiles. The fact that he could recover them spoke for this approach. I’ll inform him if I ever meet him again.

Terok was breathing hard, under his machine but the exoskeleton didn’t let on that anything was amiss. “Good. You’re quick and I think with your teleportation as well as flying you have a good chance to escape most situations. You see in the dark… any abilities that let you see around you?”

He breathed out heavily before he answered, “No. The magic perception however lets me feel spells coming from behind for example. Most of the time ranged attacks are magical. Arrows usually carry some as well so it’s rarely been a problem.”

“I see. Well next is pure force. Come on.” She said, several layers of ash forming in front of her as she casually stood behind them. “Hit me.”

The dwarf’s right arm reformed, pieces moving in place like a well oiled machine. Even with the dents she could see through her sphere, his robot suit held up and worked well. The right arm had formed a heavy plate at its front, pipes and rectangular extensions coming out of the metal grid behind it. “Here I come.” Terok whispered, a quiet motivational speech for himself before he started running. His speed picked up quickly, metal magic pushing his otherwise slow limbs to heights reserved for people above two hundred.

Mana built up on the squares extending from his arm before in the last moment everything was released, all the pressure forcing his arm forward as it smashed into her defenses. The ashen layers were first penetrated, then pushed aside before finally her Veil was punched onto her armor. Ilea had to take a step back to stabilize. Air was pushed out of her lungs before she breathed in again, “No bad.”

The dwarf stepped back, “Not bad? Are ya fucking kidding me Ilea?” He grumbled something, “That is enough to take down enchanted and reinforced doors. You have the defenses of a tank… your ash is insane. You’re a body enhancer aren’t you?”

“Stop the flattering. I have dual body enhancement classes, can heal myself quickly and my attacks are based on mana intrusion and physical force.”

“It’s not flattery. I don’t mean to insult you but you obviously don’t have a lot of experience with all this. No wonder you can fight these knights. Although both mana intrusion and physical force will help you precious little against undead on that level. Especially if they’re still being fueled from somewhere.” He mused.

The ash in front of her parted, revealing Terok in his machine. His right arm had reformed to the normal variant, the pieces she had seen in action now residing between the grid of metal rods again. “I mean I know it’s a bad match up. I can kill them in a couple hours though so it’s fine.”

He didn’t say anything at that for half a minute, his eyes both mechanical and dwarven staring at her from behind the two small holes in his robot’s chest plate, “You fight them for hours at a time?” This time he laughed, “I’m curious. How can you keep that up? I mean you don’t take all their hits do you? And you need to keep all your buffs active. Body Enhancers can usually fight longer but concentration lapses, especially when you’re in a dangerous situation.”

Ilea walked to the destroyed fountain and sat on a piece of rubble, her helmet disappearing. “I mean it’s just not that interesting if it’s not dangerous. Plus I usually blink away to meditate and heal whenever I got in a good hit.”

“You’re living for this don’t you?” Terok asked in a sad voice as he turned away from her.

“Don’t pity me. I enjoy it. This is exactly why I wanted to be alone here…,” Ilea murmured the last part.

The dwarf turned to her again and quickly spoke, “I’m not pitying you. It’s just a fact that people like you find early graves, no matter their talents, their luck or preparation.”

He remained silent for a while, the both of them basking in the sunlight that illuminated parts of the dungeon city, “Well at least you’re more durable than most and you can heal yourself. Still, a couple hours for an enemy fifty levels above yourself? How is your offensive potential looking?”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “This was about testing Your abilities Terok, not mine.”

“And one of those abilities is decades of experience in the north. I doubt you sport that lassie, no matter how capable of a fighter you are.” He said and she knew he was smiling under his hood.

“Should I test it on you?” Ilea joked and walked to the side of the square, the dwarf following. Activating her buffs, her ashen limbs smashed into the wall of a house, cutting and breaking through with ease before her fists followed suit.

“That would be a bit much for me. Have you fought enemies at that level before? Two fifty I mean?”

Ilea remembered plenty of encounters and nodded, the dwarf thinking it over for a moment, “Well that is more power than I can put out and I’ve killed some rare beasts in that range as well. You shouldn’t need that much time to kill one if you hit that hard. Especially coupled with mana intrusion. I mean some beasts have higher durability, sure. Their armor is good too but it seems weird to me. We both use the steel as well and as good as it is, it dents. It’s breakable.”

“I mean I welcome them being so durable.” Ilea smirked. Fighting the knights was one if not the most enjoyment she’s gotten so far, mostly because of the complexity her many abilities brought into the duels. They were both durable and challenging. Hit like trucks but were calculated and masterfully competent with their weapons.

“Oh I know that much. You’ve probably been fighting them for all this time when you were away right?”

Ilea nodded, still smiling as she thought back on all the fights.

“I’d like to see you fight one later. Maybe we can figure it out. I know it’s fun and you’re still gaining power but if you’re looking to improve your levels then I have plenty of possible alternatives for you. Depending on your resistances and healing power.” Terok suggested.

Gaining levels and power…, Ilea wondered if that really was the goal anymore. Of course she had justified her solo expedition north with that but in the end a part of her knew it was just about finding interesting enemies to fight, about being in dangerous situations and unknown places. She shoved those thoughts away. “Sure, we can do that. I have plenty of resistances so if it’s not something super rare I should be able to deal with it.”

“Good. We can talk about that later. Being able to heal, to flee and to resist strong attacks is what everyone usually lacks… offensive power is rarely the issue. I think we’ll find you something better than this creepy place. Still, you first wanted to see if I can break through your defenses with time?”

Terok got to the point and Ilea nodded, focusing on the task at hand as ash spread around her. This time she stored her armor and instead just wore a shirt she wouldn’t miss if it was damaged. Her Veil stayed up as well as a thick wall of ash that formed in front of her torso. “I’ll let you know when to stop.”

The dwarf gave her a thumbs up with one of his robotic arms before he appeared next to her, Ilea’s ash swirling a little but she willed it to stay put. His left arm transformed before group of mirrors aligned inside of it, each having enchantments cut into them with perfect precision. At the end of it a small barrel looked out, aimed at her ash and chest behind. Mana was released before light traveled through the thing, hitting each mirror before gathering at the barrel. A white beam of light exited and burnt into her defenses right after, getting through her ash with ease.

It hit her Veil and struggled harder to get through. Ilea didn’t rebuild the ash where it had already pierced, instead waiting for it to get through her last layer of defense. It took a while but the dwarf didn’t let up, instead intensifying the power of what was essentially a laser. Ilea felt the ash heat up and slowly burn through but the Veil wasn’t so easily shoved aside, rebuilding nearly as fast as he damaged it. After two minutes, he finally did it. The scorching heat burned a small dot through her shirt and started biting into her skin.

“Go on.” She simply said, feeling the laser subside and then pick up in power again. This time it had to get through her skin and she wasn’t sure if it was an attack considered light magic, arcane magic or fire magic. Against all she had resistances and coupled with her tough skin, it definitely showed. Her healing rebuilt the tissue faster than he could burn it so she stopped healing herself after a while. Slowly the laser made its way into her skin before it stopped on her rib cage. With her recovery magic she could tell the bone wasn’t getting damaged which prompted her to lift her hand. “That’s enough.”

Chapter 253 Resourceful Dwarf

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys and gals, back from vacation. Thanks for reading as always :).

Chapter 253 Resourceful Dwarf

“How did I do?” The dwarf asked, all the fighting tests through. Ilea healed up the wound and switched to her armor again. The helmet stayed off as she sat down on the fountain rubble.

He could teleport, could see magic and could definitely crack into some places. She was sure his pure physical force didn’t topple her own but he could focus it better than she could. Perhaps if her ash improved more she’d rival him but for now it might be an asset. Ilea was definitely more interested in what information he had to share so far. Elfie had precious little to say about the undead and the dungeon as well as other monsters in the area.

“You did alright. Now try not to get hit.” Ilea said and punched at him, happy to find only air where her fist landed. The dwarf was in the air, flying towards the exit of the dungeon. He’s actually running. Smart move. Wings materialized behind her, ashen limbs moving to her side to create a more aerodynamic form before she blinked up and sped up. The dwarf was teleporting as well but Ilea’s speed was on a completely different level. Appearing behind him, she grabbed on and pushed down, the two of them tumbling in the air before they crashed into one of the houses close to the top of the city.

Ilea held on, her hands bending the metal away a little as she tried to pry open his chest. His laser formed but ash moved into his arm to prevent an attack. His drill she simply ignored, the blade cutting into a wall of ash that grew and grew, more of it pushing into all the openings in his exoskeleton. Finally overwhelming the mechanism, the two plates moved aside and a bleeding Terok was revealed, looking at her with big eyes. Three metal spikes rushed out towards her but Ilea caught two of them, the third one deflected by an ashen limb. “Give up?” She asked, three more limbs ending in hardened spikes hovering close to his face.

“You win.” Terok said, holding up his hands as the kinetic power in the metal projectiles subsided. “Couldn’t even get to the entrance.” He spat some blood, Ilea pushing healing magic through his armor with her ash. Standing up, the ash moved out of his suit and spread around her, a lot of it disintegrating.

Ilea leaned on an intact wall, looking at him as the machine closed again, even bent and damaged it worked. “How does it close at this point?”

“You mean my rig? Metal magic. Otherwise I’d have to dump it after every little bit of damage. Broken enchantments are more of a problem usually.” He explained, standing again.

“Good thing the knights aren’t exactly as quick as I am. And they can’t fly. Ready to face one?” She grinned.

“You really meant that… can’t be worse than you if you manage to kill them.” He grumbled, smashing two fists together.

Ilea wasn’t so sure about that, “They won’t hold back. And they go for the kill. Whatever they were before, they’re the best swordsmen and women I’ve ever faced.”

“Doesn’t mean much with your age.” He said and chuckled but definitely not as casually as he behaved back in his house.

“You be the judge of that.” Ilea said and jumped out of the now damaged ancient house, landing with a thud on the cobbled stone floor. Terok followed quickly, landing with grace. She observed through her sphere and was sure now that his control over metal was miles ahead of Kyrian. “What’s your metal control at?”

“Two twenty. Third stage as soon as I reach two hundred but I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon.” The dwarf replied.

Ilea grunted and summoned her notebook, starting towards an area she still considered unsafe. “You don’t look as old as you say. I thought people wanted to hit two hundred before they’re past their prime.”

“Don’t know a lot of dwarves do you. Our lifespan is quite a bit longer than a human’s. No wonder you lot rush leveling like that.” He said and laughed. “You can’t be under fifty.”

She raised her eyebrows, “Fifty? Someone else might’ve interpreted that as an insult.”

Terok held up his hands in defense, “Not a lot of humans around here. And those that are have reached high levels already. I never learned about age differences in your race.”

“I’m closing in on my mid twenties.” Ilea said, “I guess I look that age as well but having reached two hundred I’m not sure how I’ll go from here.”

“You can heal yourself. I don’t think your face will change any time soon. Higher chance of having it smashed in by some unreasonable monster you challenge.”

Ilea nodded. It was nice not having to worry about that but it had never really been a concern of hers anyway. Perhaps she’d learn to appreciate it more when she had hit her fifties. “You said humans rush leveling?”

“Sure you do. I doubt you had all skills at the end of the second tier before you passed the threshold.”

“I don’t think I did but it was close enough.” She said. Most of her Azarinth skills had been in the second tier before hitting level hundred already.

“Well you should try to max them before you get to three hundred. Bonuses from more specialized and rare classes are usually worth much more than the stats you get for pure levels.” Terok explained.

Ilea stopped walking and turned towards him, “Three hundred is always a class evolution?”

“Mostly. Before two hundred it can happen pretty much randomly. Had one guy tell me he could evolve at one eleven. Weirdest one I heard of. Two fifty can happen as well but it’s rare. Three hundred is always one as far as I know.”

Ilea was skeptical, “You seem to know a damn lot about high level shenanigans. Being at one eighty. How’d you get that knowledge? And how do you know it’s true?”

Terok just shrugged, a gesture that looked rather impressive with his massive metal suit on, “Living in the north for this long I got around. Travelers, explorers and dark ones visiting Hallowfort have made similar experiences. We’re survivors Ilea and information like that benefits everyone. I know you humans don’t think like that and trust me back in Eranur, the city I grew up in people were the same.”

“As to if it’s true at all… well I don’t know. I don’t think everybody is a liar and the stories I’ve heard came from direct sources. Comparing them gives me somewhat of a picture. Though it’s rare enough to meet someone above three hundred after all.”

Ilea listened to him. Compared to the elf, he was ready to share whatever information he could with her. Perhaps he was making some of it up but it sounded plausible enough so far, “Anything else you would suggest me do before hitting three hundred. Not that these knights are enough for that.”

Terok laughed, “I’m sure you’ll get there eventually. Quicker than me, that’s for sure. If I had a self healing spell to add to my abilities…,” He was silent for a moment but then answered her question, “You only get third level skill points every twenty levels. At least that’s what some people have told me. Your choice with them might influence the evolutions your classes might take so keep that in mind. Also general skills might help. Resistances and such.”

Ilea smiled at that. She didn’t think her third tier choices were bad in relation to a class evolution. She just hoped her ashen class choices would remain somewhat focused on Body Enhancement considering her choices there. The bonuses from both her classes related to body enhancement were the highest multipliers she had, splitting too far from that would be a problem. “I have plenty of resistances, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I don’t feel like waiting until all of them hit the maximum in the second tier to level higher.” She had invested quite a bit of time already and it might take years to get them to the required levels, “I mean I can do that eventually, leveling doesn’t stop after three hundred, does it?”

Terok shrugged again, “Not as far as I know. It slows down at two hundred and then again with every ten to twenty levels. At three hundred I’m told it gets even slower. So much so that you’re basically forced to fight alone and similar or higher level beings to advance further. Not that that would be a new thing for you.”

“Might want to think about it though because if it gets even slower you definitely want to get the best classes you can get.” He added.

Ilea nodded. I might think about another resistance session. After three hundred though. I have enough now and if I doubt it constantly I’ll just be stuck for years or decades before I finally decide to advance. “Speaking of general skills, any idea how to get them to the third tier?” Meditation was getting somewhat close, although it had taken ages to get the last couple levels in the skills.

The dwarf crossed his metallic arms in front of him and sighed, “On this I’ve heard different stories. Most of the people I talked to supposedly at or above level three hundred had nothing to share on the topic. It’s a mystery apparently, same with third classes. Seems like something that should be possible at some point. A dark one I’ve met twenty or so years ago claimed to have three classes but he had no way to prove it. He did however say that it wasn’t equal to his main two classes, not close to it even. Claimed to have faced and injured a Basilisk to get it. Mad lad that one.”

Ilea smirked at the mention of the Basilisk. She knew where to start looking for one to maybe get her third as well, if what the dark one said was really true. If what Terok is saying is really true.

“So he got it not because of some level but because he did something remarkable?”

Another shrug, “I suppose. He died a couple years later. Got trapped in a poison swamp of some sort I heard. One of his teammates survived, the healer. Otherwise nobody would know about it at all.He was below two hundred which made it even more remarkable, claimed to have a high poison resistance but some believed he somehow killed the team.”

“What do you think?”

“I knew him, good kid. Blamed himself for their deaths and I believe him. The mage I talked about was always cocky. Had insanely high damage output and more Wisdom than anybody should be allowed to have but still he needed a healer in his team. That tells me enough about his survivability.”

Ilea chuckled at that, “You think everyone who needs a healer won’t survive?”

“Doing what he did nobody would survive indefinitely. You should keep that in mind but I’m likely not the first one to tell you. Getting resistances, healing, good armor, a high Vitality and ways to escape is the best way to stay alive. Getting high damage is the best way to get strong quickly. If you face stronger monsters alone, you better go the defensive route.” He explained and Ilea had to agree.

There had been dozens of situations where she would’ve died had she not had one or the other resistance, her blink skill or self healing. And a lot of luck. Now that she was at this ridiculous level, she couldn’t rely on the latter anymore. Not that she ever did. Her resistance training was a part of that, the armors forged by Goliath another. She could probably face the knights without armor but it was risky. A single bad slash and a leg or two could be unusable. She doubted they could separate her bone but she wasn’t about to put it to the test.

Hunter’s Sight, Embered Body Heat and Ashen Wings were the only skills that hadn’t reached the maximum of tier two yet. Definitely something she would want to get done before hitting three hundred. Maybe getting one or the other new resistance on the way would be good too. Some of the Hallowfort residents would surely help her get them or level them to the second tier for some good old cash. Scrolling through her skills in her mind, she stopped at Veteran. “Any idea if getting Veteran to the second tier would be beneficial?”

“Anything in the second tier or even higher will be I’m sure. You’ve had class evolutions… you know how random and specific some of the requirements are. I would assume there might be some that require it. Never had anybody share what the second stage does.” He said and laughed, “Though mine is at level twelve and it helps not get splatted by random walking forces of nature. Especially around here. I don’t encourage specifically trying to level it up but I guess that won’t deter you.”

It wouldn’t of course but in the end Ilea set her goals simply to reach the end of the second tier for all her class skills. She had a ton of high level resistances already but maybe some people would be willing to give her a rare one or two additional ones. Waiting too long just for that wouldn’t be worth it as she had no idea what the possible class evolutions required anyway. Focusing on her fighting and leveling would be reasonable enough. Getting to three hundred would be hard enough already. “Alright, let’s find you one of those knights to fight then.” She said with a smile, closing her notebook with some new plans written within before putting it into her necklace.

Ilea watched Terok as he teleported away from another sword strike, the knight quickly taking out his bow to shoot at the now flying dwarf. It was a reasonable approach, sending out his spikes of metal to try and penetrate the undead’s armor while circling it and avoiding any attacks that might come his way. The dwarf definitely struggled hard in close combat range, the rose knights simply too fast and powerful for him. Ilea didn’t know if it was a simple difference in stats or if his skills just didn’t stack up well enough. Probably both, she thought, blinking between the two when Terok was slowing down noticeably.

“I’ll take over. See if you can figure out anything.” She said, not getting a response but seeing him fly a bit further off before he went on one knee. The knight’s blade slashed at her ash that moved around her, more and more added to it by the second. Wave of Ember crashed into the knight, Ilea adding Destruction whenever an opening presented itself. She played it safe, stepping away and blinking whenever necessary. Even if the blows would likely just scrape against her ash or armor. Some of the feints were simply too difficult to spot, even with all her skills and enhanced reaction speed.

After about half an hour of fighting, she stepped back and spoke, “Feel like taking over again?” The sword of her foe slashed at her sideways, dodged by a single step back before she moved in, a wall of ash forming to push the incoming shield bash aside. The maneuver allowed her to deliver a single punch with a full load of Destruction and Wave of Ember before she had to blink to avoid the blade again.

“I’m alright. I know I won’t impress you with my fighting capabilities. We’ll see again at two hundred but I doubt I’d ever be able to take one of those.” Terok denied the request but she had already assumed as much. While his information and possibly his scavenging skills would be helpful, he wouldn’t be a big help in battles. Not that she had planned to team up with him in such a way, putting him against a knight was simply to gauge how he would handle himself under stress. Terok had done well, had fought and tried his best while staying as safe as possible. A little too safe perhaps in her opinion but he had stressed about not having a healing ability and she certainly knew about the importance of that.

Ilea wondered why not everybody simply started with a healing and fighting class. Evolutions would surely help along the way to become something similar to her. More people must’ve thought about the possibility. Still, while some people in the Shadow’s Hand had abilities to self heal, nearly none of the people coming to her resistance training had been healers of any kind. Dany had used a bow and sword so at least there were some.

The fight continued while Terok watched, blow after blow, Ilea falling into her fighting trance before finally the knight fell.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 289] – For defeating an enemy thirty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

None of her skills had leveled but Ilea itched to fight more of them. To continue where she had left off. One knight had fallen and another would take his place. Until she would face the undead knights with their unpredictable styles again. Terok’s voice shook her out of her tunnel thinking, “Ridiculous…,”

“What is?” Ilea asked, kneeling down as she started to unhook the knight’s armor piece by piece. Goliath somehow still had use for Stonehammer steel even after she had brought him so much of it. He reforges it all again and again. Why does he need so much?

Terok walked up to the undead and looked at it before he touched the armor, “There is still a connection. Weak but it’s there. You should’ve seen the amount of mana that flowed through while you were fighting. No wonder you took nearly three hours to beat it. They’re powered up by a necromancer and not just a little. The mana bursts didn’t change their fighting behavior as far as I could tell so I assume it simply recovered some of their health or stamina.”

“You mean to tell me undead have stamina? I thought they were simply unstoppable killing machines.” Ilea chuckled, taking off the man’s helmet. White eyes looked at her, the woman closing them with a smooth motion.

Chapter 254 Questionable Cooperation

Chapter 254 Questionable Cooperation

“You thought they just fought like that for three hours without rest?”

Ilea remembered Taleen machines fighting for much longer than that. Miststalkers didn’t let up with draining either. “Plenty of monsters can do that.”

Terok grunted, “Aye, emphasis on monsters. Well I can tell you that these are definitely great if you want to train your skills and learn to fight against swordmasters. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve not seen a better one than those either.”

Ilea didn’t feel like being a smart ass and just nodded, “So they’re like me in a sense. Durable and self healing? I never felt anything through my skill though and it allows me to understand the state of someone’s body.”

Terok shrugged in his exoskeleton, “I suppose that could be said. Though I think they’d do more damage to you.”

“I feel personally attacked.” Ilea said but she knew from experience that it was true. Her fists weren’t blades and had no way of cutting or heavily denting their armor. Neither of her gauntlets had that ability either, her heavy ones too slow to get a clean hit anyway.

“You shouldn’t. You’re not an undead. They’re unfeeling, single purposed in fights and equipped with high quality gear.”

Ilea was all that as well when it came to fighting but she wasn’t about to get into that. “Something’s fueling them then. Is that normal in a dungeon?”

Another shrug, “Guess we’ll find out. Necromancer might be part of the dungeon, any idea where they might be?”

“The palace. It’s in the lit up part of the city but the knights there are much more nasty than anything else I’ve fought here. I don’t feel safe with engaging them.” She explained.

Terok thought about her words, “Maybe I can sneak in?”

“Getting in isn’t much of a problem. Teleporting gets you there but if we alert even one of them it might be over and I’m not dragging your corpse out of there.” Ilea said, “I’ll explain the layout and everything I know. You think about places for us to visit where I can fight non regenerating enemies.”

“Does ash blind them?” She asked, tapping on the notebook with her pen. Terok was working on his rig a couple meters away, both staying in the cathedral at the highest point of Tremor. The dwarf’s metallic eye swirled and zoomed in on the steel plate he was scratching into, part of the previously destroyed head. Night had fallen and the two were sitting in warm magical light provided by the engineer. Ilea had spent most of her nights outside with the Miststalkers, the lack of light in the dungeon never becoming an issue.

Terok had put up the two repaired lamps on the railing of the first floor, overlooking the big hall on ground level. “We tried smoke before, freezing, fire, dark magic. They seem to rush into whatever magic they can find. You’ve seen how big they are haven’t you? Once they notice anything intruding the dungeon, they group up, more and more appearing. Your high poison resistance might be enough to battle them but combined with the ranged monsters I doubt you’d be very effective. At least I don’t believe they can heal themselves.” The dwarf explained. Ilea put a question mark next to the hastily sketched Drop Saurian inhabiting the Penumra dungeon.

It would’ve been the closest to Hallowfort, next to the Descent of course. “Levels unknown?” Ilea asked and saw him nod through her sphere, a small white spark visible in the corner of her eye when he finished fixing another enchantment. “I could try again but it might not be the best start. If they catch me and prevent me from blinking I’d be toast… probably.” Their damage potential was hard to gauge but it likely wasn’t below the knights of Tremor.

“The city leading to the Descent. You said it was dangerous?” The page in her notebook was flipped, the name of the dungeon in question written at the top of the page.

“Ye. People aren’t as nice as they are in town so you have to look out for any random person, dark one or otherwise down there. It’s all very old, different monsters from further down sometimes make their way up and walls break, flooding entire sections. Some tunnels leading along the sea bring the most dangerous creatures inside, other than the miststalkers sometimes wandering in at night.”

“Blue Reapers they’re called. Mind magic supposedly and lightning. They’re pretty small but anybody encountering them drops dead damn near immediately. Fuming at the mouth and paralyzed. Even groups can’t take them down, the monsters just switching to area attacks just as powerful. The only saving grace is that they don’t seem to be interested in the place, likely they wander in from a further away dungeon. Neither do they attack if not provoked.”

“Might be a stupid idea to do so then.” Ilea said, “Mind magic and lightning are some of my highest resistances though so depending on just how hard they hit they might be perfect for leveling.”

Terok laughed at that, waving her off, “Of course the most dangerous magic is what you’re best against. And you struggle with mindless undead swinging swords. Don’t worry though, most everyone in Hallowfort would love to see the little fuckers taken care of. We don’t have guilds here but there are prices for their tiny heads. An easy way to make money as well if you’re looking for that.”

Ilea tapped the notebook and wrote down Blue Reaper below The Descent. “What about further down? You said there were layers to the dungeon, different entirely.”

Terok walked over and gestured for the pen, Ilea handing it to the dwarf who quickly added a couple sections on the page. “The first layer is mostly harmless, to a human it might even be nicer than Hallowfort. Why some of the more nature inclined races rather reside there. The second layer is a big cave with traps and earth magic insects of varying levels. After that comes a big layer filled with water. I never ventured there but came close several times. Further below lies Heroes’ Descent, probably a place built by the city above and those who made the statue Hallowfort sits on. People don’t share information on it but those who can venture there or further either come out rich or die trying.”

He added some information on each of the layers, not many Ilea admitted. If there was a town at the fourth layer called Heroes’ Descent then it probably meant that was the starting point for the initial citizens. “You think it goes much further down?”

“The language of the city is Standard and they liked their statues, murals and inscriptions. It is said that Heroes’ Descent is where the strongest are tested, where they are trained and sent to recover artifacts, magic and technology of the deep. That dungeon was like a religion to them. There is information on more layers there but it’s apparently neither accurate nor plentiful.” He explained, moving a hand through his black greasy hair. “Guess you’ll find out when you go there.”

“Unrelated… did you see the same necromancer connection for the undead knights that nearly killed you?” Ilea asked, switching back to the page about Tremor.

“Now that you mention it… no. You really mean to face them again? One had a triple mark. I doubt you can reasonably fight monsters at level five hundred and higher. Not when they’re so small and specialized.” He said.

Ilea considered it but having fought them she had to agree with him. Even if they didn’t have an ability to recover, the noise and required space to fight had already brought three of them upon her. Maybe I can lure one out… A test for later.

“Why would you even fight them? Just go for something you can kill much easier until you’ve safely increased your powers.” Terok suggested.

Ilea couldn’t deny the logic but it hadn’t brought her to where she was today, what she was. “Doesn’t sound very fun, now does it?” He laughed instead of lecturing her, a trait she definitely appreciated after the treatment most humans had given her.

“I think you should try the Descent then. Maybe… but only maaaybe try to fight a Blue Reaper. Only if your resistances are in the second tier and you have some way to heal damage to your mind. Otherwise I strongly suggest not doing it. The monsters in the descent range from level two hundred to triple marks in the third layer already, depending on how unlucky your are. Or lucky as someone like you might see it.” He said with a smile.

She nodded, “Sounds reasonable. What about the monsters in the lake below Hallowfort? I saw some shapes but decided not to engage back when I was there.”

Terok shook his head, “Nothing that would be worth the trouble. Most creatures are below two hundred even, except the whales. Black creatures lined with bone if the stories are to be believed. Some say they feast on Miststalkers at night. I suggest you wait with finding out until you can survive and kill whole groups of stalkers.”

Ilea grunted but if there was a reason not to fight underwater, she definitely welcomed it. “Any other places or monsters? Not underground maybe?”

Terok scratched his beard but looked skeptical, “None of the beasts are any easier to deal with than what is down here. The few you might be able to kill without getting overwhelmed are either below your level or too elusive to catch, even for specialized trackers. You could go look for dark ones farther north or hunt Feynor but you don’t strike me as a murderer.”

At least I don’t look it. She considered coldly, her mouth a thin line as she remembered all the people she had killed. The faces blurred together. His assumption was right of course, she wouldn’t hunt intelligent life, conscious feeling creatures for her own power alone. Revenge, self defense or at least a highly irritating character would be reason enough but purely for her own gains? That was a line she didn’t want to cross. The human in her, the one born and raised on Earth with modern morals and ideas couldn’t simply shed it all. Perhaps, she thought, if there were a reason standing above life itself. For the greater good or to stop some overwhelming force threatening all she holds dear. Even then it would be a hard choice, one she hoped she’d never have to face.

“Never heard of Feynor. Another kind of awakened beast?”

Terok grunted as another plate of metal floated his way, the dwarf starting to cut into it with a thin black knife, “No. They reside as close to the highest mountains in the north as they can. Sentient and apparently related to Dragons themselves. The look apparently is closer to Lizardmen but I’ve never met any. Everyone who has though reports they attack on sight. A tough people but as long as they stay far away from here I don’t care what they do.”

“Well I don’t care about sentients as long as they don’t stand in my way.”

The dwarf finished another enchantment as he talked, “You mentioned you’ve fought Taleen? There’s a dungeon a couple hours flight northwest but I’ll be honest, that one would be more personal interest. Guardians would hardly make a dent in your experience and any of the higher class machines are few and far between.”

Ilea looked at him, “Fought Centurions before. I think I could trash them easily now. They were around three hundred so if there was a dungeon with more of them…,”

“Doubt it. What I heard was a bunch of Guardians and enough traps to kill a whole expedition of veterans. Then again that’s the usual when it comes to Taleen. Paranoid fuckers.” He murmured the last part.

“Sounds similar to what I’ve seen. I think I’ll go with something else. Definitely plan to face another Praetorian if I hit another power spike.” Ilea said offhandedly, the dwarf just shaking his head.

He continued his work, “Well let me know, their tech is amazing and I’d love to see the inner parts of their production facilities.”

“You think you could replicate anything?” Ilea asked, remembering the teleportation gate Claire and Christopher were working on.

Terok laughed, his voice reverberating in the big hall. “You don’t think anybody has tried? No, I go my own way about it. The best dwarven engineers have cursed the designs as impossible, I’m not going to pretend I’m better than them. Inspiration is what I seek. I’m a metal mage and engineer, not a machine designer. They can try to figure out the autonomous designs of the Taleen for as long as they want to. I doubt they’d have made it easy enough to simply replicate. Not with how many traps and defensive measures their towns are lined with.”

Maybe a teleportation gate might not be in the books then. Christopher would continue to try of course and both Ilea and Claire would likely fund him anyway. Just for the chance of bringing such a technology to humans and the Shadow’s Hand. Travel time and supply lines could be cut significantly if something like a working teleportation network existed and was in their hands. “I’ll think about it. Maybe if all the other options don’t work out.” Ilea said but she saw the chances of that as rather low.

The Descent already seemed much more promising, even the Miststalkers did. If at some point she could overwhelm them with her own magic. “Tell me about the Kingsguard. I won’t be much help in the Descent but I can scout out this palace you talked about and maybe find out how to get in.”

Ilea sighed, “Didn’t we talk about this? I don’t want you to die Terok.”

The dwarf clasped his hands together and smiled, “I think you want to fight by yourself. You don’t want to look after someone and you don’t want to be responsible for people’s deaths. I know how you feel. Trust me, I do. With that said you’re not going to change the way I think, I live. I’m not going to let an opportunity like this go and the people waiting for my debt are not going to wait forever. I’d like to still have a house when I get back. Either you give me ten pieces of gold or you tell me all you know about this palace and I’ll find my own way around and into it. My choice and my fault if I end up as a bloody smudge in this city.”

Ilea grinned, “Are you blackmailing me with your own life?”

“Why not? You obviously care. I’d expect you to do the same. Maybe you should start trusting in my abilities as much as I trust in yours.” Terok said.

Ilea stared at him. He was calm and cocky. A grin was on his face as he waited for her response. There was a reason she liked him, the feeling hadn’t been wrong after all. Despite his abilities he had a drive and he was willing to take risks. Risks that would cost his life if he fucked up. “Yea alright I’ll tell you what I know. Not much by the way. Whatever you find I get first pick. Take any history related things, books and such as well. The elf likes that stuff.”

One of his eyebrows was raised at that but Ilea kept talking, “If I find anything I can easily kill we can at some point go together so you get to two hundred finally. You’re working with me now understand? No secrets. Try not to be useless.”

“I won’t be. I’ll repay the debt I owe you doubly. We can work out the relationship as we go.”

Ilea snorted, “You’ll be dead before that ever happens. The elf I mentioned, he should come back here at some point. Just mention that you work with me and that you help me look for artifacts. I doubt he’d kill you but I’d definitely give it a chance.”

He waved her off, “At least I can work with him if you never return. Only reason he probably talked to you is because he doesn’t want to go in there.”

“Then you know how to bargain with him at least. I don’t think he’s particularly dangerous anyway. Maybe he can train you to resist curses if you find something to trade with him. Then you could visit Goliath without me babysitting you.” Ilea suggested with a smirk before flipping her notebook to the Tremor map. “Come have a look.”

Terok put down the metal plate he was working on and checked out the map she had already worked on. “You’re a lousy cartographer.” washis first comment, Ilea flipping the side of his head before she moved to the next page, a rough sketch of the palace and the different rooms.

“Copy that and go from there. The doors are closed and in this section everything is still powered.” She motioned to some of the rooms and hallways. I think it looks nice. “This would probably be the best place to try and get in. There’s a single guard and he didn’t patrol as far as I could tell. The door is open. I suggest putting something between to allow teleportation to work.”

“This door here has two guards, why I think it’s the most interesting but they’re somewhat close and you might have difficulties getting there depending on how far you can teleport. I’ve only fought one of them, the variant with a single big sword and no shield. They have wind magic or something of the like that could cut through my Niameer armor from fifty meters away. Faster than I could move with my wings so I suggest you don’t alert them.” Ilea explained what she knew so far.

“The elf is still translating the log book of the captain of the guard but he got bored and went to explore other places. Maybe you’ll find something in there that helps.”

Terok nodded, “Not a lot to work with but I’ll check it out. I assume that coloring means you’ve cleared the area?”

Ilea confirmed with a grunt, “You can check the rest out as well but I didn’t find anything other than undead, dust and really… really old furniture.”

Chapter 255 Alien Town

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you have a good day :).

Chapter 255 Alien Town

“I’ll try not to alert them at all.” Terok said, “Can you leave the notebook here for a while before you go?”

Ilea looked at him, “No.” There was plenty in there she didn’t want the dwarf to know, information that might be worth something to him as well or could be used against her. “Hurry up and copy it now.”

He frowned, “I don’t have paper.”

“Lousy cartographer my ass.” Looking through her necklace, she summoned a book she remembered was a collection of poems, many pages empty or only containing single paragraphs, “Use that.” She said, adding a piece of coal.

Terok looked at her with a smile before he spoke, “You’re shitting me right? You don’t have a second pen?”

“You didn’t have a second ass when I saved yours back in there.” Ilea simply said in a dry tone. “To reach the city below Hallowfort I just go down?”

Terok took the coal and started cutting into it with his small knife. He either didn’t have a pack or lost it somewhere in the dungeon. Ilea left food, water and other necessities up to him. If he was to work with her, that was the least of his concerns. “There’s an old elevator. Ask the guards or Goliath. They’ll let you know where. Doubt you’ll miss it.” He grumbled, having cut a perfectly lined piece of coal that he quickly sharpened and clad in a casing of metal to create a professional looking pencil.

Ilea looked impressed, “At least I can use you for my pencil needs.”

Terok chuckled and started copying her map of the palace and Tremor itself onto an empty page of the book she had lent him. Summoning her helmet, she sat next to him while he worked, making sure he didn’t check any other pages of her notebook. They didn’t talk anymore, the dwarf expertly sketching what she had created in the past months of exploration. He was done twenty minutes later, closing both books and handing hers back. “I’ll start as soon as all enchantments are back up and running. Are you going to wait out the night?”

Ilea stretched as she got up, the notebook vanishing into the necklace under her armor. “No, I’m leaving. Guess I’ll be back in a week or so depending on how it goes. Leave a message if you’re not here. Mention me being away as well in case Elfie gets back.”

Terok nodded, metal floating back to him as he continued his repairs, “Will do. Good luck Ilea. You won’t regret saving me.”

I don’t think I will. She thought and spread her wings, flying to the top of the massive cave and the opening she knew would be there in the darkness. Looking back, she found the two floodlights illuminating the cathedral hall and the two meter headless robot standing within. A smile was on her face, the new information as well as new possibilities floating in her mind as she exited the mountain.

Mists covered the land, crows flying in the distance, moonlight reflecting off their leathery wings as ash shrouded her in darkness. Quickly, she moved over the desolate terrain, ignoring any moving creatures as she sped up and made her way towards the Penumra crack. The place that would lead to Hallowfort and the Descent. She had to find enemies in a similar or higher level range as the knights, preferably less durable against her attacks.

Perhaps able to advance some of my resistances as well. Diving into the crevice in the mountainous terrain, she quickly found herself in front of the gaping cave leading down into the Penumra dungeon. Terok had confirmed her instincts with what he had told her about the Drop Saurians. An enemy she might want to face at a later time. So many she had already added to that list. Ignoring the dungeon, she made her way down the caves and towards Hallowfort.

Quickly moving through the darkness, Ilea finally blinked out into the open. Light shining off the crystals reflected off her ash and armor, the woman landing as her wings disintegrated. The dark one standing on the other side of the bridge looked at her but didn’t move as she walked over. The ropes strained to hold her weight, the wood groaning below her. Stepping onto the massive statue on the other side, she looked up at the three meters tall warrior. The dark one was clad in heavy black full plate armor, two big horns jutting upwards from his helmet.

[Warrior – lvl 228]

Ornaments of varying detail and design decorated each piece. The helmet was closed off entirely, neither eyes nor face visible, if such were even part of the being standing before her. “Greetings.” Ilea said and bowed her head slightly towards the warrior in black, “I am told the elevator leading to the Descent is located in town.”

The massive form bowed, an ethereal voice speaking to her a moment later, “Greetings friend of ash. You speak truth. Find the stairwell leading down from within the establishment called the Abyss. I would lead you there yet I am not to leave my post.”

Ilea smiled below her helmet, her smaller form as well as forward curving horns making her look a little like his younger sister. “I’ll find it. Thank you, dark plated warrior.” She said, a little unsure of the title in the end but it felt right to her. Goliath had used random descriptions of her in their conversations and she liked the aesthetics it added.

“You honor me ashen one.” He said and bowed again. For a simple guard, this one was definitely both the strongest, most stylish and friendliest Ilea had ever met.

The Abyss…, She checked the signs and descriptions of the various different looking shops and houses as she walked through town. Now that she wasn’t just passing through, she noticed more of the architecture. Most of the houses were built from stone or metal, with varying degrees of craftsmanship. Either they had very different ideas about how and what to build or it was somehow normal to build your own house, however basic it looked in the end. Ilea stopped in front of what looked like a big bird’s nest, closed off at the top where a latch had been placed between the dense mesh of steel thread.

Perhaps some kind of metal magic bird? Other buildings looked like what a more advanced bug would build. Mud and stone somehow hardened and formed into the sad dome shaped houses that looked to be melting. Many of them she couldn’t penetrate with her Sphere. Priorities were different here, warding and enchantments cheaper than capable builders it seemed. The places she could look into were empty for the most part, some even gave her the impression of being completely abandoned. There were people on the street but it was definitely not busy.

Nobody acknowledged her, Ilea identifying them all. Dwarves, dark ones, cat and lizard beings as well as some more exotic creatures floating or crawling about. Most were below two hundred but definitely close enough, just like Terok. A certain strength was required to survive in the North but apparently it was less than she had expected initially. Surviving was of course different to thriving. She doubted many of them had seen a level up message in months, years or even decades.

They were veterans, every single one of them. While she wanted to fight the monsters lurking in the north, the people living here had to survive around them. Had to somehow make a living, collect things to sell or grow food themselves. Hallowfort was a safe haven, a place to rest and prepare. For creatures of all kinds. Ilea wondered how many of them were actually born here, how many knew no different life but the one surrounded by vicious beasts and dungeons. Nature that wanted to kill you just as much as the monsters looking for food. How many of them cared? Terok seemed content enough about his scavenging life, about going into dangerous places to make a bunch of money or find some rare metal he could use for his rig.

Goliath was probably hundreds or thousands of years old but he was content with forging and staying in his domain. A human would go mad after all that time…, Then again there was no human on Earth who could get to that age, at least not to Ilea’s knowledge. How one of her kind would react and change after all that time was unknown, especially with existing skills like Meditation, Hunter Recovery or Mental Resistance. Goliath didn’t seem to strive for power or domination, only focused on creation and metal. She could definitely see someone like Balduur following a similar path. Ilea had survived alone for months as well and she was pretty sure there was no major damage to her psyche, mostly because of the Meditation skill.

To think she could now fight for hours at a time without even getting a headache was definitely scary, thinking about the possible heights a human or any other species could get to when the system governing skills and classes was involved. The reliance on killing to level up wasn’t lost on her, the saving grace for the world’s morality was that wild beasts were still worse and more powerful than any sentient she had met, be it elf, dark one or human. Taking a random stairwell leading downwards and into the statue, she soon found a sign that read ‘Abyss’. Most of Hallowfort seemed to be located within the statue and not atop it, many of the races living here likely not reliant on light, perhaps even averse to it.

The living quarters were much more chaotic here, Ilea only really understanding the holes, doors and windows through her sphere. Even then some of the openings looked too small, the furniture too alien for her to grasp its purpose. It was there however and in a way she was happy to find herself in a place so distant from a human settlement. She was the stranger here, in connections and race as well as culture. Nobody looked at her black armor twice other than perhaps thinking about stealing it. Her cold stare at whatever feline or reptile eyes looked at her in a shady way quickly put those thoughts out of their minds. They would regret it if it didn’t.

A single magical lamp placed in what looked like a worn steel lantern lit up the underground street lined with closed doors of stone, wood or steel. It flickered from time to time as she made her way towards the torchlight illuminating white lettering spelling out the word Abyss. Warm golden light fought hard to penetrate the murky glass windows of the building cast into the stone wall, simply cut into the the inside of the once impressive monument to whatever civilization had resided here. The name definitely fit with the surroundings, the slightly damp street leading up to it, holes and loose rock as well as mushrooms decorating the tunnel.

Ilea wondered if her poison resistance prevented an early death a normal non fighting human would experience in these parts. The smell definitely wouldn’t be a tourist attraction but she was used to much worse. The control over her senses inside her sphere additionallyallowed her toreduce the intensity of the stench at least somewhat. Nobody checked patrons at entry, so she simply walked in. The heavy wooden door was painted in black but the smell suggested an alternative color source. At least compared to what humans used normally.

The room opened up, an immediate stairwell leading down into the big hall. Magic lights lined the walls, most of them warm but some going towards a reddish or even blue tone. Wave lengths some creatures might prefer. Ilea noted that parts of the pub were completely dark as well, as if the light was sucked from there. The whole left side was a bar with bottles, trinkets and apparatuses lining the shelves and wall. Their colors and shapes reminded her more of a medieval alchemist’s shop or how she’d envision one. Still haven’t been to a really high end one…,

Perhaps this was what she was looking for. With self healing there was rarely a moment she could use a health potion and if she really did, Ilea doubted her body would be capable of summoning and opening a bottle, let alone drink it. Other tinctures might be interesting though. Maybe there was something like a spell potency or strength potion. Considering how expensive low level health potions already were it might not be worth it.

She walked down the stairs, some of the people looking at her as she made her way towards the bar. A jingle played in the background but she didn’t notice until she was standing at the bar that there was a group of floating creatures moving and summoning some sort of black swirls to create the sounds. Magic band. The whooshing sounds and high pitched noises in between reminded her more of an alternative meditation session rather than background music in a pub. She was the stranger here, that was for sure.

“What can I get ya?” The cat person behind the bar asked, black fur and yellow piercing eyes as well as ears at the top of his head finished the look. The male voice almost a purr made her smile. If cats became more humanoid, this one definitely kept the smoothness she associated with the animal.

Do they keep cats as pets as well? “Ale if you have any.” She replied, looking at his casual pants and lack of a shirt. The black shorts seemed to be there more for the pockets and belt lined with tools, daggers and cleaning rags rather than fashion. The cat person purred and looked into her eyes for a moment before stepping aside smoothly. She noted that no noise came from the movement.

[Mage – Lvl 211]

He could compete with Walter. Ilea doubted however that he ale was anywhere close as good, especially with what Terok had given her previously. Perhaps she had to get the old barkeeper to visit and teach some of the brewers.

An open bottle was placed before her a moment later, “Five copper.” He said, Ilea summoning the amount and putting in on the counter.

“Looking for the elevator leading to the Descent.” She said, the cat cleaning a glass with one of the rags.

He pointed towards the opposite corner of the room, an opening in the wall revealing steps leading downwards, “I suggest waiting. A Blue Reaper was sighted yesterday. Sorry lad who went down made it out half dead only thanks to the healer close by.”

“Any money to be made if I kill it?” She asked, noticing a nearby lizardman looking her way with interest.

The cat shrugged, “The usual price. Ninety silvers for the corpse. Maybe one gold coin.”

“Where do I bring it?” She asked in return.

“Big building up top, has a Dragoon skull hanging outside.” The barkeeper supplied, Ilea tipping a piece of silver for the information. The cat’s eyes narrowed but he nodded and took the money.

A creatureclad in a long black coat, white mask resembling a vicious predator adorning its face approached her. It looked like black mist was all residing inside the closed coat and behind the mask, “Warrior in flesh. Human. I greet thee. Though no dark one I beseech thee to heed the call of the Dark Protector. The one to unite all and bring peace…,”

Ilea grabbed the bottle and took a sip before she stood up, completely ignoring the rambling priest. Yep, definitely need Walter here. Or bring some apprentices to him. Business idea maybe. Walking towards the corner with her bottle, she noted that the closer she got the more people looked her way, some speaking in weird gibberish to each other before what she assumed was laughter came from wherever their voices were produced. Insect like beings, possibly dark ones.

“Meet me here, the Revered one Sato if you will fight in the great war. Treasures and fame wait for thy human soul…,” the ethereal voice somehow carried to her ears but Ilea had no interest in another war. Human or not.

The band kept on playing as she passed through the opening in the wall, making her way down the stairs and coming out in a big stone cellar.

A warrior at level two hundred stood guard, looking similar to the one near the bridge but smaller. Smaller even than her but the sword on his back looked vicious nonetheless. “Blue Reaper down there somewhere. Here to kill it?”

Ilea didn’t reply as ash formed around her, swirling lazily as some of it condensed in spheres behind her back, limbs forming at the same time. Her buffs went to their heights before she walked off into the open elevator shaft, chains leading downwards on each side but no platform visible. Wings spread behind her, not quite enough space to expand fully but still slowing her down. The descent was longer than she had expected, Ilea floating for a minute at least before she hit the ground.

No light was around her, more and more ash coming to life as she took in the surroundings. A tunnel, built by something sentient. Somehow the way the bricks were laid in the stone walls, the way the ground was cobbled and lined up, she thought it more familiar than the town up above. It had been a city at some point Terok had said, a city that revered the Descent, the dungeon above which it had been built. Or in which it had been built.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered The Descent dungeon’

Nothing more, nothing less. She couldn’t detect any movement, any noise coming from around her. Already she could chose three directions, hallways leading into the dark. Activating her Hunter’s Sight, she focused on what she knew about the Blue Reapers. Mind magic and electricity, as well as more than two legs. The ground was worn, many travelers, scavengers and adventurers having walked here before.

Chapter 256 The Blue Reaper

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all. Have a good weekend :).

Chapter 256 The Blue Reaper

Not finding any sign of life, Ilea walked into one of the adjacent tunnels at random. A couple minutes of walking later, she noted there was blood on the floor. Somewhat dry but her sphere picked it up in the pitch black darkness. No corpse either but that could mean anything. There was however no trail leading anywhere so she kept walking onward. A clicking noise soon started resounding as she walked farther.

Stopping near the opening at the end of the hallway, she was pretty sure whatever was causing the clicking resided inside the room or hall beyond. Alright Jalapeno monster…, Her wings taking her upwards, she floated in when a hard push of mind magic smashed against her mental defenses. A blinding headache made her stumble before her healing repaired the damage. Another wave washed over her, bringing her to one knee as she breathed hard, blood flowing from her nose when she heard a shrieking noise coming from ahead.

Taking a stumbling step, her healing mana flowed through her brain. The next step was more steady and now the creature was in range of her sphere. Six legs ending in sharp bone, two legs held up and a sparkling ball forming between them. Its head looked a little like a mantis, two antennas growing upwards. The blue lightning illuminated the creature like an ominous predator in the dark, its bony carapace interspersed by blue color before a flash of lightning zapped towards her. Ilea dodged to the side, quick enough to avoid the scorching beam.

Her mind heated up again as she saw the creature recoil, screeching in pain as it scuttled backwards. Another ball of lightning formed and it would have certainly made for a dangerous look were it not for the fact that the monster was barely as big as a dachshund.

[Blue Reaper - ??]

Lightning zapped her way, ash forming a wall before her. It barely managed to penetrate the wall of ash and her Veil behind. Muscles tensing up, Ilea felt the energy course through her, some of it converted to mana and stamina, the rest burning through her skin and organs. Healing the wounds, she decided to dodge the blasts again. It wasn’t enough to incapacitate her but a series of attacks would be dangerous. That small little fucker is more powerful than Trian…,

The concept was somehow hard to grasp but it was the reality of things. Ilea decided not to take anymore attacks, the testing phase over and she had learned what she had wanted to know. Can she take the attacks and stay alive. The mental note was ticked off while she blinked next to the creature. Landing on it, she spread ash around, her limbs crashing into it with Wave of Ember as she held it down with her hands and body. Lightning coursed through her from the panicking beast as her mind was rattled by the powerful magic.

Her fist landed on the monster’s head, damaging one of the antennas as it screeched, trying to get out of her grasp. It had a surprising amount of mana stored in that small body, Ilea’s healing barely keeping up with the ridiculous damage it put out every second. The second hit of her fist onto one of its legs broke both the bone and the stone floor below. The mental attack subsided somewhat but the lightning continued. Ilea repeated the attack on another of its legs, the creature still trying to get away from her, clawing at the ash with its sharp arms.

Another crack resounded and then another, the monster screeching as a massive mental attack blinded Ilea’s senses for a moment. Her body locked up, the creature crawling out from her grasp in the short time. Three of its eight legs broken, it still moved rather quickly but Ilea still heard it, saw it in her sphere as soon as she had control over her senses back. She saw one of its eyes had blown out, likely from the feedback of the mental attack it had just used. A blink brought her right back next to the beast, her ashen limbs smashing into it, Ilea stomping down as hard as she could.

Lightning flashed in the dark, the smell of burnt skin in her nose as she stomped again. The exoskeleton was tough but nothing compared to the knights in Tremor. A third kick broke another leg, Ilea now kneeling down and wailing on the creature as it spend the rest of its mana to send out waves of lightning and mind magic. All taken in by Ilea, resisted and healed. A final crack resounded, the back of the creature breaking and killing it instantly.

Ilea coughed and rolled to the side, breathing hard as she noticed the pain in her throat and eyes. Blood had ran down her face and several of her organs had been damaged by the lightning. Resistance my ass…, It was no wonder scavengers feared them as much as they did.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 363] – For defeating an enemy ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 256 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea coughed as she lay there, pain turned off now that her adrenaline wore off, eyes reconstructing in the bloody sockets left behind after the energy had popped them. She felt alive. Another level had been gained. Probably five to ten of them for a level… maybe less. What they lacked in defense, they certainly held in magic power. For Ilea the difference was that these enemies she could kill in a couple minutes while knights even at her own level took hours to take down.

Problems would occur when there were groups of them. She was fairly sure two she could handle. The mind magic at least but the lightning only started when she had touched it. It was surprising that their defense was as tough as it was considering the powerful magical ability. Has to stand against the monsters too, probably more often than any human or other sentient explorer. Calming down from the short but intense battle, she checked her health and found it topped off again, her mana recovering quickly thanks to Meditation. No pain remained and her resistances coupled with defensive skills and healing had prevailed.

Blue Reapers were on the menu. Grinning at her success, Ilea stood up and lifted the small corpse. Trying to smash its head proved difficult, the skull while tiny had insane resistance. So much so that the stone below cracked before the bone did. The joints in the legs were the weak spots and Ilea carefully checked where they were and in which way they could bend. Simply smashing them might be less effective than just bending them backwards with enough force.

After a couple minutes of testing, she found that holding them at a certain angle and then punching down was the easiest way to crack them. As soon as the creature couldn’t move as quickly, it would be a sitting duck. If it overwhelmed her, she could simply leave and heal up before coming back to finish the job. She considered even several of them could be manageable using such tactics. It had a way to see her, both in the ash as well as the dark hallway but as much was expected. Ilea assumed most higher level beings had some way to sense mana or living beings other than purely their eyes.

Otherwise more people would’ve used such a loophole to hunt blinded foes. Some probably did…, It would be the absolute jackpot to find an animal easily blinded by ash and unable to respond to her ashen limbs. Blue Reapers weren’t that but they were high level and quickly killed monsters. “Now to find your nest little bugs…,”

Storing the broken and bleeding corpse in her necklace, she walked on. Another positive of the reaper was that her armor hadn’t been damaged. The coating had heated up a little, small lightning forms showing where the magic had surged the strongest but otherwise the Rose Hunter set was perfectly fine. Ilea hoped she wasn’t murdering a perfectly sentient tribe of insect people or dark ones that simply couldn’t communicate with her. Maybe the clicking had been a warning. Not enough to justify attacking me with a killing blow to anybody with less resistances and defense.

More cave openings and tunnels as well as cracks leading to lower floors showed themselves to her as she walked onward. Trying to busy herself, Ilea used her wings to navigate through the small tunnel, keeping them a little tucked in at all times whilst heating up her body and ash with Embered Body Heat. Hunter’s Sight worked overtime as well, Ilea looking for any trace of Blue Reapers or anything else she could hunt. The goal was of course to get all her remaining skills to at least the second stage and level twenty. Resistances would get to whatever she could manage but considering that monster had managed to blind her with mind magic alone and she hadn’t even gained a level there, she wasn’t about to have her brain fried. Not if it was a wild beast doing the magic.

Half an hour passed before she heard another clicking, the grin on her face returning as she prepared for battle. This time she slowly floated towards the noise, her magic adding more and more ash to the swirling and writhing mass that surrounded her. A pulse of magic punched into her mind, her wings wavering as she lost control, catching herself a split second later as her ash surrounded the reaper. Limbs of ash extended and smashed into it, Wave of Ember coursing through the monster while its destructive power flowed through her mind. Ilea found that with meditation and her healing, the damage was controllable.

The lightning attacks it sent out where blocked by her ash and Veil, the damage that got through was healed as well, Ilea building up more ash than she could reasonably control but it made it harder for the enemy magic to get to her. Focusing on the eight limbs, she kept on attacking, dodging the lightning strikes whenever possible. Jumping closer right after it had missed an attack, she grabbed one of its legs and broke it just the way she had done with the corpse’s. Other than the lightning nearly locking up her muscles in the process and frying a good portion of her right side, there were no problems with the move. The leg cracked at the joint and Ilea moved back again, healing and meditating as the beast screeched in pain and anger.

Its magic continued to blast into her but she simply out healed whatever got through her defenses, a thick mist of ash clouding the whole area up to the ceiling. The mantis like head kept its eyes on her, broken limb uselessly dragged at its side as it continuously sent its destructive waves of magic power towards her mind and body. Again, Ilea blinked next to it and broke another leg at the expense of her own health. With two of its legs broken and more damage coming in from her ashen limbs continuously, it finally decided to try and flee.

Checking her health, Ilea found it well above half and simply appeared next to the running creature, grabbing on before she started smashing her fist into the carapace around its small frame. The dull sounds of bone hitting against rock resounded through the dark halls, only the thrumming of lightning occasionally adding to the noise. Ten hits later, something cracked and silence returned to the halls of the old city, leading farther down into the Descent.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 329] – For defeating an enemy seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 249 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea smiled, much less damaged from this encounter than the last. Not overextending at first certainly helped. Blinking before the lightning hit her was preferable but having the whole area full of ash made it hard to get it all away from the moving critter. If the ash touched her and the enemy, she couldn’t blink. Next time I’ll do better. Still, it was much simpler than facing the knights. She was a little annoyed at how much experience these simple insects gave her just because of the high level and powerful magic. They were less of a challenge that was sure. Terok would be fried immediately though… as would many others. He could fight the knight and survive.

Of course she could see some logic in it all but already she was craving to fight two or three at a time to make it more of a challenge. I really am a nutty masochistic fighting crack…, She knew it already but thoughts like that still sometimes surprised her. She had reached level two hundred, had a house and thousands of gold pieces invested in a growing city. Ilea had the option to lie back, enjoy all the food in the world and maybe bring skiing to Ravenhall and Elos. A life of comfort and pleasantries, with friends and maybe even family at some point. Behind the walls of Ravenhall. One of the strongest humans and a power to fear.

Yet she was here, in the Descent, a pitch black tunnel somewhere in the north with blood dripping down her chin from the lightning blasts that had again nearly fucked up her eyes. And she loved it. Loved the thrill, the next challenge, the next monster to kill in a fight for survival. Considering the damage they each dealt to the other it wasn’t just a hunt, not a predator and prey, just two magic beings brawling until one was dead. Ilea refused the notion that she was simply doing this for power. It felt more like monsters acting on instinct. If she wanted to, she could already be an influence in human territory. She didn’t do this to become the empress of Lys, nor the head of the Shadow’s Hand. She did it because it was fun.

Storing the corpse, she continued onward. Next to experience she’d be gaining silver from the Blue Reapers as well. Not the reason she was there but it was a welcome addition. She noted that the hallway ended, a big chunk in the wall missing to reveal a cave like tunnel beyond. The marks and cuts on the walls as well as the size of the opening indicated that the reapers had carved it out. How long did that take to do?

It was likely the place or one of many they used to come into the Descent. Ilea crouched and moved into it, finding the opening just high enough to crawl. Were this a tunnel of Rhyvor, filled with Rose Knights crawling around she’d turn back and seal it with whatever she could find. Though a hyper aggressive behavior on her part coupled with the small space for reapers to escape, it might work. Ilea followed the tunnel, crawling through as she listened for the clicking noise.

Ten minutes later, she heard it. The tunnel wasn’t completely straight, allowing her to blink to safety, at least against lightning blasts coming her way. Either the reapers hadn’t anticipated a foe to do something like this or this was literally the stupidest way to engage them for anybody but her. She found the critter behind a bend, her mind immediately blasted with magic as soon as it heard her. The thing didn’t even need a line of sight. Just like me.

Listening carefully while she healed her mind, Ilea was pretty sure there was only one of them. Blinking behind the reaper, she wrestled it and resisted the lightning that immediately spread through her body. A crack resounded and then another before she let go and blinked back to her safe spot, at least lightning wise. The smell of burnt skin came to her nose as her tissue reformed and healed. Watching the beast writhe in pain at its broken bones made her focus on recovery for a minute before she blinked in again, all her offensive skills working in tandem. Another two of its limbs were broken, its central shell showing a crack before Ilea blinked back again. The tunnel was an even better way to fight them than the hallways from before.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

Smiling at the news, she appeared above the creature and smashed her fists onto the carapace as well as the little space allowed. With her high Dexterity as well as perception it was less of a detriment than she initially anticipated. Another four hits and several sections of her body burnt and damaged, the reaper fell.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 341] – For defeating an enemy eighty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Storing the corpse, she crawled on to find more. Meditation and Hunter Recovery worked hard to restore her to full health in the process. Her crawling speed wasn’t exactly spectacular, allowing her to meditate during her search.

Ilea grew a little frustrated after crawling for two hours and not finding a single enemy. The tunnels weaved into the stone, more and more ways to explore or get lost in. She tried to sketch it out in her notebook but made sure to cut into the stone as well. Little crosses to mark where she had been before with arrows to show where she had come from. The markings were perfectly visible to her sphere in the dark tunnels. Ilea had expected the claustrophobic and dark space to be at least somewhat of an issue but she felt like a crazed miner sure to find a new vein in the gold rush.

The only problem she saw was if the reapers repaired the tunnels, perhaps removed her markings but she had no idea to know. At least the critters weren’t that fast, her blink likely able to outpace them easily before she could heal and meditate. For a while at least.

Chapter 257 Wormholes

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, new chapter up :). Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 257 Wormholes

Ilea stopped still in her tracks, already in the dark tunnels for hours without finding a single Reaper. Straining her ears, she heard the clicking. Quicker, alert and still quite a distance away. There were at least two of them. A challenge she wasn’t sure she was ready for. Still, she wanted to test it. After such a long search she wouldn’t just turn around and crawl back. Ilea trusted her defenses and her recovery. Blinking away was always an option. If you manage to stay conscious…,

It was the biggest danger of course, the beasts simply overwhelming her with mind magic. Ilea had no idea how two of them together would enhance the attack. Was it just twice as strong? Guess we’ll find out in a second. Crawling around the bend, the clicking intensified, two Reapers quickly crawling towards her before the magic wailed on her mind. Ilea stayed awake. Counting the seconds as she watched the monsters form balls of lightning, she blinked back around the bend and saw the bolts flash into the walls. Her health was draining and a pounding was inside her head that hadn’t been there before.

A headache so strong she had to turn off her perception of pain, most of her focus going towards it. She heard the sound of dripping, realizing it was her own blood coming out of her nose and ears. The damage was still manageable, her healing working hard against the enemy attacks that kept on coming. In waves at least and not as a constant stream. She filled the tunnel with ash and heated it up, seeing the critters move through and towards her.

When one of them was around the bend, she blinked behind the one in the back. Grabbing on to its hind leg, she cracked it while the lightning coursed through her. The mantis like head of the Reaper ahead turned, lightning flashing towards her. Ilea held up the monster she was still holding onto, the magic running through it, through her and then into the ground. The dazed state and movements of the beast before her made her grin, despite her draining health and heavily injured body. To her dismay the current on her touch didn’t stop. Ilea instead broke another leg and then blinked away.

Four seconds…, She thought, the mind magic having gotten weaker. The injured Reaper not quite as proficient anymore with two broken legs and a burnt up body. At least the lightning could injure them as well. She coughed, several spots in her throat bleeding and burnt. Ilea focused on her organs, bringing them back to working order before she blinked again, making more distance between the healthy reaper and herself. It was dangerous as she was moving into unknown territory but so far she hadn’t heard more clicking.

Another bout of healing and she noticed that the injured bug was falling behind. Coughing again as she tried to smile, she blinked next to the healthy one and then again to the already injured one. Grabbing on, she broke another leg before she started wailing on its central shell. Each hit sent sparks into the dark tunnel, bouts of lightning surging around them before cutting into the stone and scorching both the woman and the wall. Finally a crack resounded and the beast died, Ilea blinking away immediately right before a flash of magic burned into the ground.

Again and again she blinked, trying to make as much distance as possible between her and the healthy Blue Reaper, the marks on the walls visible in her sphere like a lifeline guiding her to safety. Stopping when the mind magic didn’t reach her anymore, she started healing. Her body was in a rough shape but she had been through worse. Perhaps not much worse but definitely worse. The dangerous part was that one of the monsters was still alive and looking for her.

Ignoring the message about the first Reaper for now, she simply focused on healing as much as she could. When she felt comfortable to face the remaining foe, she blinked towards it. Twice and she was next to it. Ash spread out and heated up, limbs smashing into it with Wave of Ember before she grabbed and broke one of its limbs, blinking back right after as the lightning still wreathed through her body, destroying what it could before it burnt into the stone. Taking a moment to heal, she continued her now tried and proven tactic against the Blue Reapers. Five minutes later, the beast was dead.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 380] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 333] – For defeating an enemy seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 257 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 250 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘New Skills available in Inheritor of Eternal Ash’

Ilea was lying on her back, coughing and healing. Her sense of pain was entirely shut off but her recovery skill certainly painted a bleak picture of her body’s state. Soon it would be fine again but fighting two at the same time was definitely a stretch. She would survive it if she didn’t make a bad mistake or a third one would show up but their damage potential was ridiculous. And I worried about a knight cutting off my leg…, The kingsguard and undead knights didn’t seem quite as dangerous to her anymore. Problem with them of course was the lack of damage she could deal and the apparent healing they received from wherever the fuck the necromancer was hiding.

Could also be a machine powering them, an ancient artifact or something…, Ilea now had twenty stat points but wasn’t sure yet where to invest them. Vitality seemed like a good idea as she laid there, blood leaking through every opening in her armor, her body writhing as its tissue reformed, the woman thanking whatever cruel system or magic governing this world that she could shut off her pain. A blanket of warm ash had formed around her at some point, trying to comfort or protect her. A sigh went through her a couple minutes later, her body fully recovered.

Three of them is a no go right now. In an emergency she would try but if she could avoid it, she would. Ilea kept lying in the tunnel, no noise or light anywhere close as she checked the apparently new skills available for her ashen class.

‘Active – Ash Coffin

Wrap your foe in ash to squash and suffocate them. Ash Manipulation increases the strength of this skill.

Category: Ashen Magic’

‘Would you like to learn this skill?’

‘Passive – Ashen Perception

Ash has become your ally. See through ash connected to you and no further than ten meters away from you.

Category: Ashen Magic’

‘Would you like to learn this skill?’

Two new ashen magic spells. Perhaps she would’ve been interested when she first got the class but right now neither seemed useful. Ash coffin might be but if she had to stay connected to the ash that surrounded the target then she’d rather use Wave of Ember with her ashen limbs. Plus she would have to level it back up to the second tier and level twenty by the time she reached three hundred. From her active skills in her ashen class, Embered Body Heat was the obvious outlier that might need to be replaced at some point but it was already at level fourteen in the second stage.

Without a perfectly good reason to replace it right now, she’d at least wait until after three hundred to get the best class bonus out of it. Maybe other and better skills might present themselves anyway. The passive skill was great, if she didn’t already have her Azarinth Sphere. Plus ash needed to be around her at all times. Now that her body was connected to it she couldn’t both see an enemy and blink away if she chose to use it. Her passive skills were all exceptionally useful already anyway. No way am I going to replace any of that…,

Somehow she felt averse to replace a Body Enhancement skill with an Ashen Magic one. Just because it might influence her class evolution. Speaking off, no evolution at two fifty either. Guess they’re both just pretty amazing classes already. The class bonuses themselves gave her a four hundred percent increase in Body Enhancement skills. Splitting that with Ashen Magic would be problematic.

May as well end up weaker at three hundred than I am now if I get shit selections. She doubted that possibility. Whatever had happened in this world so far, Ilea hadn’t been betrayed by the leveling system so far. It somehow knew where she was going, what she desired. While the skill descriptions didn’t offer much in regards to the actual bonuses, her two classes synergized incredibly well together. Having seen other people fight, she was pretty sure the same was true for everyone. Even someone like Aliana who had a fire and water class used it in an interesting yet powerful combination.

Ilea spent her twenty stat points, fifteen on Wisdom to top it off at 600, four on Strength to bring it to 270, simply because the round number was calling her. The last point was spent on Vitality, giving her ten more health that might or might not make the difference some day. Considering her healing skill could recover her even if her body was smashed to a pulp and her Vitality had reached zero, she would probably reach a better result by investing more into Wisdom but one didn’t know what could happen after the body was destroyed. Something like a Miststalker might even continue to consume her mana once her body was destroyed, effectively draining her until she was truly dead. Ilea didn’t know any of this for sure of course but she wasn’t about to test it either. The Blue Reapers came close enough, her health hovering below one thousand from time to time.

No wonder they’re so feared. Facing two at the same time was not something most people in her level range could do. At least not close up while facing their retaliation. While the small tunnels gave her a bit of an edge with dodging the lightning, it would pretty much prevent any other mage or warrior from sneaking up on them or getting a long ranged highly damaging spell off. A team would have difficulties coordinating in the tiny space as well, leaving it as a big advantage for the Blue Reapers.

Maybe someone able to flood the tunnels with poison could deal a lot of damage but the Reapers’ durability wasn’t to be ignored either. Smelling the blood on her, Ilea decided to go wash her armor in Hallowfort as soon as she got back. Collecting the corpses, she continued her search. Ash heating up around her while her Hunter’s Sight worked to find any clues towards more of the enemy monsters.

Days passed, Ilea finding five more of the critters that she took care off with continued ease. Knowing the weak spots and what exactly they were capable of made the one on one fights a simple bug extermination. Finding her concentration lapsing, she looked for the markings on the walls and made her way back. She needed some sleep but wasn’t about to pass out in the enemy den. A last Reaper confronted her when she was just about out of the tunnels, Ilea taking care of it and storing the corpse to top off at eleven dead critters.

While fewer in number, they were much higher in level compared to the knights. At least most of them. Checking her messages and her skills, she was quite content with the decision to face them.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 352] – For defeating an enemy ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 361] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 258 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 251 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 15’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 258

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 6

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 16

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 251

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 15

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 18

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 611

Endurance: 400

Strength 270

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 600

Wisdom 600

Health: 6110/6110

Stamina: 3128/4000

Mana: 4201/6000

The ten points were spent on Vitality, bringing just a little more survivability to the table. Coming back out in the corridors of the Descent, she noticed the message informing her that she had entered the dungeon. Ilea felt like the small tunnels were quite a bit more dangerous than whatever this underground city could throw at her. At least at the high levels starting above the actual Descent. Finally stretching her body and moving her arms and legs in the free space, she sighed in relief. Form of Ash and Ember had been the only light coupled with the lightning and usage of her third tier State of Azarinth.

Her thoughts were focused on getting a bottle of ale in the Abyss and maybe renting a room suitable for humans. She trusted the citizens even less than the monsters lurking below but at least she felt more capable in dealing with them in a surprise attack. Not a single one she had seen so far had been above her level and she would sleep in armor after all, clad in ash, her Veil and other skills active as well. Ilea’s Meditation allowed to keep them all going even while sleeping.

“You sure it’s this way?” A squeaky voice resounded through the corridors as Ilea floated with her wings and heated ash towards the exit.

She saw the group of adventurers a moment later in her Sphere, completely oblivious to her approach still hidden behind a corner, “Wait, something’s there.” Another voice spoke, making them all stop. Torchlight illuminated a part of the hallway as Ilea’s wings disintegrated, the ash around her cooling down and forming limbs and small spheres behind her. Landing on her feet, she rounded the corner to the apprehensive group of warriors and mages.

Five of them in total, each armed, armored and ready for whatever was to come. One was definitely a dwarf, two were hidden in full plate armor, tall but impossible for Ilea to determine their species. The last two were mages if she went with clothing stereotypes. Armored robes, metal reflecting the torchlight. Quickly identifying everyone, she found all except for one below two hundred. Scavengers then…,

A likely assumption. Or the first layers of the Descent could be traveled by the likes of these as well. She didn’t know. “Greetings.” She said to the tense group, ash shrouding around her as they tried to look at her. Torches were held closer towards her but it didn’t reveal much other than a warrior clad in black, shrouded partially in black mist. The light reflected from the burnt out parts of her armor’s coating, where the lightning had struck hardest. An intricate design had formed and it might have looked deliberate.

“Warrior… greetings. Is this the way down?” One of the big armored men asked.

Ilea cocked her head before replying, “There were some stairs and holes leading down but I didn’t go there.”

“What did you do then?” The squeaky voice asked, one of the mages. Two of the others looked at him, one even hissing. They weren’t sure what to make of her, that much was clear. Ilea wasn’t out for conflict at least, she wanted to go sleep.

Summoning one of the Blue Reaper corpses, she held it up and dumped it between her and the group, the closest warrior taking an instinctive step back. Light flashed from one of the mages but he put away the spell as soon as he understood what had happened. “I was hunting these. I would suggest not going that way, there’s a tunnel system they use ending in one of the hallways. Good luck on your hunt.” She said and took the corpse, walking between the group who parted at her approach, blue blood dripping down from the dead reaper.

Chapter 258 Cake

A note from Rhaegar

Caaake

Chapter 258 Cake

Odin looked at the female depart towards Hallowfort. Was she the one who killed the Blue Reaper…, It had to be, she had presented a corpse after all. Bowing as much as his bulky body allowed, he turned back to his group. “We will not be using this path.”

“Why not? Who says she spoke the truth?” The friend of shadows said. Odin smiled under his helmet, the stone cracking on his face.

To doubt and deceive was in his nature, “She is a wielder of ash. A powerful warrior to be sure, one I could not identify. We should listen to her words and seek an alternative path.”

“I agree with Odin. We should listen to anybody capable of killing Reapers.” The moth mage said.

“A reaper, single. Maybe she found it dead. We could take her together, the storage item she has would sell for dozens of gold.” The Shadow mage insisted.

Odin smiled again, speaking in a calm voice, “And who would buy such a thing from the likes of us? It would be stolen or taken by force. Come now, we should find a way to descend. The longer we dwell the more energy we waste.” He walked on, ready to smash the shadow mage to pieces should he try to betray him. Alliances forged by need are not to rely on. Odin remembered his brother’s words. Perhaps in the second layer they would forge the bonds necessary to survive. It would be a difficult journey.

______________________________________________________________________

Ilea had seen the look in the mage’s black eyes. Was it her storage necklace, her armor or the corpse of the Reaper perhaps? Still, they had let her go without any further questions. Her level was high enough to justify as much, at least compared to theirs. Some must have debated if it was worth fighting her. Might be better if I try to avoid any random groups down here. If there was a group of five level two hundreds with varying abilities countering her own, she might be in trouble. Probably not as she could still try to flee but if they followed her and attacked when she was injured.

Shaking the thought, annoyed that her hunting and fighting was again being influenced by people. Greed doesn’t seem to be a human exclusive. At least only one of them had looked at her that way. The big warrior had even bowed to her when she was walking away. Likely a gesture towards her ash. She was pretty sure he had been a dark one of sorts. Most of them so far had reacted in some respectful way to her magic. On the way to being powerful enough not to fuck with. She grinned at the thought but knew it was a mere dream. Even if she were, people devious enough would find a way to challenge her. If not through fighting, then through lies, blackmail or hostages.

Ilea reminded herself that the world wasn’t out to get her. The enemy in Elos was nature and the monsters living around her. It was however hard to shake off the distrust she had learned through Edwin, Alice, the nobles in Virilya as well as the Golden Lily. Focusing on the task at hand, she spread her wings and flew up through the corridor that led to the Abyss.

Coming out on the top, her wings disintegrated, the guard nodding as he let go of the sword on his back. It was still the same warrior she had met when going down. Music played from within the bar, this time less alien than what she had heard the last time. The instruments looked like more intricate guitars and the sounds reminded her of old samurai movies she had watched. A serene kind of atmosphere. The masked priest person was still around, talking to two patrons on a table, trying to convince them to join the great war, whatever that was.

Ilea reached the counter and nodded to the cat waiter. He sniffed at her and frowned, “Exactly. Room and a bath?” She asked and he put a silver key down.

“Thank you for taking care of the Reaper. The room is on the house. For three days. Water runes for a bath are inside. Last one on the first floor.” He explained, Ilea taking the key and twirling it on a finger.

She was curious how he knew it was her to kill the Blue Reaper. Either he smelled it somehow or the markings on her armor outed her. “Thanks.” She said and put down five copper, the cat person sliding a bottle of ale her way.

The key slid into the lock and a click resounded when she turned it. Entering, she locked it again and pushed mana into the runes near the door, knowing them to be intrusion barriers against sound and teleportation. Blinking out and back in revealed them to be of somewhat low quality but hey, it was something. More than she had expected from a place like this. The furniture was dark blue and black, leather mostly. A blueish light shined from the middle of the room, an intricate metal sphere with rings and floating pieces surrounded the magical bulb, forming a mesmerizing pattern on the stone walls around her.

There was a bathroom with a tub, big enough to accommodate most creatures she had seen in the bar below. Runes would gather the water in the air and ground before filling the carved stone bath. Ilea questioned how the runes gathered enough to fill the whole thing but she had seen similar feats in human inns. Even Earl had a bath with runes like that. Touching the intricate patterns on the metal plates, water soon started flowing. Ilea put her armor into her inventory before dumping it on the ground next to the tub. Moving a couple of her ashen limbs into it, she quickly heated it up to a boiling temperature before stepping in herself.

A sigh left her, continuously heating up the water, steam filling the bathroom as the runes gathered and brought the water back into the tub. Ilea took her time to rub off all the dried blood as well as pieces of remaining muck. Sighing, she went under, the boiling water bubbling around her. A bubble bath for cheap yet resilient people. Certainly enjoyable.

Her armor pieces came in half an hour later, the boiling water taking care of whatever was left on them. She noted that the lightning cracks on the coating remained, burned deeply into the metal from a heat quite different than boiling water. Ilea found she liked the look of it now that she saw it with her own eyes. Putting the set into her inventory, she put it onto her body before heating herself up to dry it off. Steam rose from within the thin slits connecting the pieces.

The main room had several sleeping options, different forms and sizes. Ilea turned her head a little when she looked at the cocoon like blankets hanging from the ceiling in one of the corners of the room. Definitely peculiar but considering the varying patrons and their species it was only to be expected. She wouldn’t be happy to find only that in her room either.

The bed creaked a little when she sat down, the thing not quite as soft and comfortable as she liked. Standing up again, she summoned her own. There was enough space for it, just barely. Lying down, Ilea planned to sleep for an hour or two, thinking of magical lightning sizzling in the dark. Meditation helped her fall asleep as quickly as if she were completely exhausted.

Putting the key on the counter, Ilea waited for the cat person to approach her. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

He nodded and took the key, his ears twitching once. “I’m Ilea, thanks for the room.” She added.

“Haiden. Fortune on your hunt.” He bowed his head a little as he said it, eyes closed.

Ilea didn’t plan to go down right away, instead wanting to sell all the dead Blue Reapers she had acquired from her exploration. I really have to clean out my necklace…, perhaps she could sell some other things she had with her. Leaving the Abyss, she made her way up to the top of Hallowfort. A group of cloaked warriors and mages walked past, one of them glancing at her with what looked like human eyes. The first one she had seen in the north. Neither of them initiated conversation. If the woman was anything like her, she was glad there were so few of their species around. They were all below level two hundred, scavengers most likely.

Maybe a survivor from one or the other expedition. She thought, walking up the stairs to the highest floor of the small town. The small square after coming up was in the center of the statue. Ilea spotted the building likely to be the store she was looking for immediately. A big stone house with a long edged roof. Moss grew front the top, reaching down on the walls in some parts. Ivy as well as dozens of pots with varying herbs and plants finished the mostly green picture. It was situated close enough to the edge to overlook the crystal sea below. The door was wooden, a dark brown that nearly vanished in the gray of the stone around it.

Hunter’s Den, Ilea read the sign hanging a little crookedly from the roof right next to the door, a small lantern right next to it, its light brightening the black letters. Few people were around but it was definitely one of the busier places in Hallowfort. Her sphere only detected a single occupant inside the shop, Ilea quickly entering, curious about the shape of the person.

A jingle resounded when she entered, the door connected with a string to a small assortment of blue crystals that hung next to it. There were even more pots with plants here, small glass cages with what looked like full ecosystems trapped inside. In the back of the store big shelves filled with monster parts, books, trinkets of all sorts as well as weapons covered the walls. Much of it was laying around in boxes all over the floor with no discernible system or structure. A counter was placed somewhere in the middle of the whole cluster of things, a small bell the only thing placed on it.

Behind it there was a big table, more a work bench really with how wide and sturdy it was. Pale wood and covered by mortars, bowls, glass jars and tubes as well as knifes, cutting boards and an assortment of plants, herbs and meat. Ilea wasn’t quite sure if it was a meal that was being prepared or some alchemical tincture. The fox dozing in the middle of it all didn’t seem to know either, head resting on its front paws as it calmly dreamed.

Walking up to the counter, Ilea tapped the bell once, a clear ring resounding. Her sphere revealed no other being than the fox but it had been deceived before. Eve wouldn’t be the last, of that she was sure. The fox opened its eyes slowly, a yawn escaping its maw as it stretched its paws forward, reminding Ilea more of a cat. “Yesh…yes yes. Welcome.” The fox spoke, its voice distinctively light and female. The lack of a penis was what tipped her off though.

Ilea held up her hand and smiled, her helmet vanishing into her necklace. Orange red eyes opened wide as the fox sat up, “A human… and at such a high level. Remarkable. I wouldn’t flaunt that thing so openly, the wrong people will get interested. Especially knowing your weak species.”

Ilea was pretty sure she was talking about her storage necklace. She had hoped with going north things like that finally ended but she had obviously been wrong, “I’ll bear the consequences.”

A light giggle resounded, not a noise she would’ve expected from a fox. “I’m sure you do. I’m Catelyn, owner of this store and it is my joy to meet you, bearer of ash.” She bowed her small head a little towards her.

Wisps of the element were dancing around her armor. It was a conscious effort now to keep the ash hidden and away from her with the third tier of ash creation, not needed here where being an ash creator opened doors. Not that she would care if it were otherwise. “Greetings Catelyn, one blessed by fire. I’m Ilea. I was told one can sell monster corpses here.”

Another giggle, the fox standing up on all four legs. It wasn’t taller than a normal fox from Earth but her presence was nearly graspable, a glint of fire dancing around the small vulpine eyes.

[Mage - ??]

Above her in level too but Ilea had no idea just how much. “You flatter me. To think a human honors the customs of the reborn. Rare to see one of your kind here, rarer that. You may sell and buy, with gold and silver as well as other… interesting valuables.”

Ilea summoned one of the Blue Reapers and held it up, “A Reaper… so you were the one to silence it. Bring it here, before it grows entirely cold. I assume your storage device keeps them fresh. Wait with the others if you have more.” Ilea nodded and walked around the counter, avoiding any rogue boxes and containers on the ground before she put the thing down. Catelyn had made space with her two tails, expertly moving everything out of the way as if they were arms.

Ilea could’ve sworn there was only a single tail before. “Don’t mind it. I can grow more than just two. Without thumbs on must find other ways to handle a knife.”

Carefully opening the broken shell, the fox filled an empty vial with the blood of the creature before putting a cork on it. A knife was lifted up a moment later, cutting through some of the creature’s throat before the mantis head was ripped off. Ilea raised an eyebrow at the strength and quality of blade that must have required. Don’t fuck with the fox. The mental note was made was Catelyn cupped the head in her paws before slurping out the dead eyes.

A long sigh left her after, Ilea just standing there and waiting while the fox consumed the second eye as well. “Excuse me. They’re just so fucking delicious. One gold coin per corpse, just pile them up Ilea.”

Aren’t foxes supposed to be kid’s friendly? Putting the other ten dead reapers down, Catelyn opened one of the table’s drawers and rummaged around before handing over eleven pieces of gold, one of the coins tumbling down before Ilea’s ash extended to catch it. All of it vanished into her necklace a moment later.

“Mmmhm, I’ll have a feast with all these later.” Catelyn purred before the corpses vanished. “Anything else you are willing to part with?”

“You’re an alchemist?” Ilea asked as she went through her necklace, mentally scrolling through her possessions.

“Among other things yes. Are you interested in trying some of my tinctures. I have always wanted to test them on humans. Few agree.” Catelyn said, resting her furry head on her front paws as she lied down on the table. “Isn’t it weird for you to see a talking fox?”

Ilea was caught a little off guard by the question, summoning some green moss she had gathered back in the Taleen dungeon, “I’ve seen weirder things, like mind magic electric bugs burning my eyes out.” Ilea replied and held up the moss with a questioning look.

“Isn’t that the stuff growing in Taleen dungeons?” Sniffing on it for a moment, one of her tails grabbed the moss before it vanished as well. “I’ve yet to have any survive in another location… maybe it’s the metal in the air, or something about the green lamps they used.” The fox mused. “It’s not rare but I’ll give you one silver coin for it.”

“I don’t suppose you’re interested in moss from the Penumra dungeon?” Ilea asked, the ensuing groan from the fox answer enough.

“I still have some cakes… for whatever reason they take up a lot of space.”

“What are cakes?” Catelyn asked, sitting up and cocking her head to the side.

Ilea summoned one, the plate appearing on the table with the heavy strawberry and cream goodness on top. The five cakes she had used up as much space in her necklace as her four hundred meals from Keyla did. Ilea tried not to question the logic of it all and was simply glad she could carry so much food. “It’s food, take a bite. Decide what you want to pay for it after.” She said with a grin, hoping that sugar was as addictive to the dark one as it was to humans. She had never even heard of cakes.

Catelyn was a little suspicious but still lifted up the knife. A quick blazing flame enveloped the metal and vanished again before she cut out a piece. Ilea’s ash had gathered a little around her but condensed again when the flame was gone, “You first.” The fox said after bringing the piece towards her mouth. Ilea shrugged and used an ashen limb to cut off a piece for herself, lifting it up before separating a smaller piece and eating it. It had been a while since she had eaten desert and Ilea couldn’t help but smile at the taste.

Fresh as if it was made today…, Really one of the best features of her necklace.

“They probably take up more space because you store them individually. Put them all in a big box and it will take up less…,” Catelyn said while taking a bite, her eyes opening wide before red flame surrounded her, heavy mana pushing against Ilea as her Veil wrapped itself around her, ash flowing to defend against the powerful magic. Catelyn’s eyes glowed a deep red, her teeth more vicious and longer as they smashed into the piece of cake, following up with the rest until not a single crumb was left.

The fire calmed down again quickly, an embarrassed looking fox avoiding Ilea as she licked the side of her snout. Some of the herbs on the table were singed or completely burnt but she noted that the table itself was unharmed. “What kind of wood is that?” Ilea couldn’t help but ask.

“That’s a secret. Maybe I’ll tell you for another cake.” The orange eyes met her blue ones.

For a moment they were both silent, “I’ll take the money.” Ilea finally said and put the other four cakes down. Catelyn put them in whatever space magic item she had and put down ten gold coins, Ilea putting them away. It was understood that this wasn’t to be mentioned and that an urgent request for more cakes was put out unofficially.

Chapter 259 Exterminator

Chapter 259 Exterminator

Summoning the last of her Dragcal meat she still had, Ilea freed another two space units in her necklace. Cutting out a piece, sizzling it and eating the thing, Catelyn put a big coin on the table, worth ten silvers. Popi could make a killing here…,

“The rest is mostly weapons, armor and clothing. I doubt you’d be interested.” She said after going through her belongings. The fox didn’t seem to disagree.

“You mentioned something about potions? What do you have? I’d be willing to try things out as well.” Ilea was pretty confident in her healing as well as poison resistance.

A vial of glass, filled with yellow liquid suddenly materialized before the fox. Her orange fluffy tail caught it and motioned it towards her. “It’s supposed to make you heavier but I’ve experienced… side effects.” Ilea stared at her inquisitively, “Mostly throwing up and diarrhea.”

Ilea took the vial, removed the cork and smelled it. Her poison resistance didn’t inform her about anything so she downed it. The potion took effect after half a minute, Ilea’s healing monitoring the whole thing as a surprised and quick fox moved everything away from near Ilea’s head and ass. “I am a little more heavy, interesting feeling. Nothing more than what a minor lightening enchantment would bring to a set of armor. Opposite effect of course.”

And then it started, her stomach suddenly contracting before her healing calmed the muscles down. It was gone again quickly, “Something happened to my stomach about fifty seconds in. Can’t say what exactly went wrong but you definitely have to work on that.”

Catelyn grumbled and handed her another potion, “I hoped it worked on red blooded individuals at least… this one is a health potion. Paralyzation as a side effect. As well as… vomiting again.”

Ilea took it and twirled it around before opening the vial, “Am I getting something for this testing as well?” This time her poison resistance warned her about a low level poison.

“Of course… of course. I’ll pay you with shiny coins.” The fox said. Ilea grunted and sacrificed five hundred health, red runes lighting up below her armor. Catelyn looked on with interest as Ilea drank the liquid.

Fifty points of health were recovered almost instantly.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Red Beetle juice – You resist the poison’

Interesting… complete resistance? Ilea put the vial down and had to stop her stomach from convulsing again. “Poisoned but I resisted the effects. The stomach thing again. Catelyn are you sure you’re an alchemist?”

The fox turned around herself on the table, avoiding her eyes again, “Of course I am. The best in town.”

“Do you burn and eat the others?” Ilea grinned.

“Now don’t challenge me young huntress. I’ll show you why I’m in the council if you do.” Catelyn replied.

Ilea didn’t care about whatever council it was, probably some form of governing force in Hallowfort. She wouldn’t gain anything useful from Catelyn other than gold and perhaps information she was actually interested in. “Calm down fire fox. I was wondering if you knew more about the Blue Reapers. I discovered a cave system that looked to be dug by them. Is there a dungeon somewhere with the beasts inside?”

The fox seemed to have calmed down a little again, “They dig wherever they go. The ones you faced are hunters and explorers looking for food sources for their nest. I would assume there is a dungeon somewhere but even I don’t face them. Your resistances and healing must be impressive if you survived them.”

“I hear there have been bigger ones sighted as well so be careful where you go.” The fox added.

Ilea nodded, “I’ll be back with more corpses. You buy everything from the Descent?”

“Pretty much. Though I don’t have infinite gold so don’t think about bringing hundreds of dead Reapers to me.” Catelyn said, resting her head again.

“I don’t plan to, don’t worry.” Ilea said and walked towards the exit, waving her hand, “I’ll stop by when I have more interesting things for you.” Maybe she would browse all the trinkets and tools at some point but for now she was glad to have a place where she could sell the stuff she would find, especially corpses. Wouldn’t want undead blue reapers, if that’s a thing. Maybe next time I’ll ask if I can pet her.

Grabbing a bottle of ale from Haiden, she made her way back down into the Descent. Twenty gold coins, enough to get equipment made by Balduur. Not that she necessarily needed something from him now that she had Goliath. My cakes made just as much money as several days worth of fighting…, a bizarre thought but it made sense. They didn’t have any animals here to get eggs and milk, sugar would have to be brought in as well as strawberries and any other ingredients necessary. Traveling merchant with high survivability skills would definitely be a good way to get rich in Elos.

Finding the right buyers was key of course but she had the notion that smiths all over the human plains would pay quite handsomely for Stonehammer steel, the way Balduur and the others in Virilya had fawned over her elven Niameer armor. Going back the same way she had taken days prior, she quickly found the tunnel entrance to the Blue Reaper cave system. Ash was constantly moving around her, ready to intercept an enemy attack in the darkness of the underground maze.

It took her hours to find any sign of life this time around. A lot of dead ends, as well as flooded sections leading out into the sea. Ilea avoided those areas or passed through as quickly as she could. The tunnels led along the cliff side and away from Hallowfort but still remaining near the underground sea. When she finally heard a clicking in the distance, she stopped immediately and quietly walked backwards. There were dozens of them if not more beyond the tunnels she was currently in.

Taking another route a couple hundred meters further back, she found a single one of the Blue Reapers coming her way. It attacked immediately upon seeing the intruder, Ilea making sure there were no more of them lurking. Jumping in, she risked a little more to make it a quick kill. Too much noise or perhaps a screech for help from the beast and more would surely join, perhaps even hunt her down. A couple minutes of breaking bones, burning organs and cracking bone later, she stashed away the body and healed herself. She remained silent and listened for any other crawling critters as the destroyed tissue in her body reformed through mana.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 331] - For defeating an enemy seventy levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Walking on through the same tunnel, she quickly found another two reapers. Ilea managed to take them out one at a time thanks to the distance between them. Healing up again, the summoned the rest of her ale and finished it. Ilea still had several barrels from Walter but wanted to keep them for a special occasion. She wasn’t quite sure what that would be but certainly not killing a mind and lightning magical insect somewhere in butt fuck nowhere.

An hour later she again found a group of the buggers, this time one of them noticed the noise she was making. Her sphere picked up five of them before she blinked away. Again and again until she was at the last diversion. Only two or three had managed to get their magic off before she reacted but the headache was still quite overwhelming. How are you supposed to defend against that? If she wanted to invade their living space, she’d have to have quite a bit more mental defense. Perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be, that someone would be stupid enough to rouse monsters like that in their home.

The Miststalkers were similar, as were the Famine Crows. Dangerous because they appeared or moved in groups. Ilea doubted she could take out a single Miststalker but she’d definitely try if the opportunity ever presented itself. Waiting for ten minutes, none of the monsters came to look for her. Ilea quickly checked if maybe a straggler was left behind but found them waiting in the same area of the tunnels again. This time she made sure to be a little more sneaky.

Two more ways led to similar results before finally she found two of them alone again. Using the same approach as with the first double she had faced, she took them out in under ten minutes. Her health pool was resting at above two thousand this time but that was mostly due to her taking the time to heal in between killing them. Getting out of range of their mind magic was pretty easy, especially with her teleporting ability. They didn’t pursue far either, at least not when they didn’t see her anymore. The tunnels quickly broke off line of sight, allowing her to have a breather. Ilea briefly considered a similar approach to kill the others or perhaps collapsing parts of the tunnel to separate them but in the end it felt too dangerous.

She remembered when her Shadow team had nearly been taken out entirely by a group of mind magic beasts. If she were to be overwhelmed even for a couple seconds, it would be over. No Eve to bail her out this time. She knew her capabilities, her newfound power since that time in the south. Ilea also knew how powerful the little critters were that she was facing down right now. Getting one gold coin for a corpse alone was prove enough for that. Tapping the side of her helmet, she walked back to the last divergent path while checking her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 372] - For defeating an enemy one hundred and ten levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 312] - For defeating an enemy fifty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 259 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 252 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

She was progressing much quicker again. Though with the added time to find isolated monsters, she’d get more out of fighting the knights. At least personal experience wise. Knowing how to deal with feints from a swordsman seemed more beneficial than knowing how quickly her heart and brain could be burnt up by ridiculously powerful lightning. In the end, Ilea believed that both leveling experience as well as just plain old know how was necessary. Dale for example was at a pretty low level compared to most people Ilea had to deal with in the past year but she still considered him one of the more experienced swordsmen. She put the ten points she had gotten into Wisdom and continued her search.

Plop, plep, plup…, Ilea shoved another mouthful of warm food into her mouth as she imitated the dripping water around her. She was close to the sea, that much was sure. After hours and hours of searching, Ilea had mapped out a big chunk of the area and was somewhat certain about the Blue Reaper nest. Or at least the beginnings of one. Groups of dozens occupied bigger chambers further in, Ilea only escaping thanks to her blink.

Around her in the dark were a bunch of old bandages, a fucked up mace, a Taleen sword and dagger as well as six dwarven helmets. The remaining shield she kept for now as it might actually come in handy in a special situation. After hours in the dark, each more frustrating than the last, Ilea had finally found something to do. The complete opposite of what she came here for. Going through her necklace. Most of the work was just piling lose books, maps and small trinkets into the big crate she still had from Salia. It was only half full of books and now what previously used up at least ten spaces only used one.

Yey me! Ilea rejoiced, very sarcastically. She had food from the restaurants in Ravenhall remaining, from before the demon attack. Ghost cooks. She couldn’t help but snort at the thought. At least someone remembered the poor souls slaughtered by the whims of Adam Strand. Had to have a damn good reason to do that… maybe his dog was killed by the big demon lord or something.

Being in the darkness with little to show for her last day of hunting, she didn’t feel like eating Keyla’s godly meals. The restaurant food wasn’t bad by any means but it wasn’t quite the same after all. Her necklace was down to 158/250 storage units, even with four full sets of Rose Hunter armor. She decided to give it another day or two before going back to check in with Terok. She had said she’d be back in a week or two. Exploring the actual Descent would definitely take longer than that. Or she would at least plan for longer.

Ash cleaned off her gauntlets as she got up, ready to continue her search for single or double features of the more and more elusive Blue Reaper. Maybe they learned that going out alone is stupid…, Thinking about the possibility made her hope they didn’t send a kill squad after her. She’d probably still escape. The things weren’t terribly bright and other than the massive blast cannons of magic they had, they didn’t have a lot going for them.

“You can piss off you fuck shits!!” The shout went down the tunnel before she blinked again, making more distance between her and the group of Reapers further down the cave. Her self imposed deadline was coming up and she had only managed to kill another five critters. I’m so close to 260…,

Giving herself another couple hours, she came up on clicking after two more hours of searching.

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 17’

The more and more frustrating search was at least not for nothing. Her wings took her the last couple meters towards the clicking, her flying form much more quiet than the steps of her steel boots. Ilea’s eyes opened wide as she perceived the enemies in her Hunter Sphere. Three…, Previously she had avoided more than two but her battles had improved and she knew at least that even five of them at the same time couldn’t easily knock her out. A little bit more Vitality and Wisdom would make a small difference as well as the skill levels she had gained along the hunt.

Pumping out as much ash as she could, she tried moving a projectile around the bend in the dark stone tunnel. The three Reapers were clawing at the wall, the ashen spike hitting the one closest to Ilea. Its mantis like head was knocked forward, all three of them turning towards her, their six legs crawling as magic gathered around them. Ilea frowned but simply moved back to the last bend, her healing already fighting the mind magic flung her way. Trying to create walls between two of the critters and the third proved ineffective, lightning flaring up as soon as they touched the barriers, burning through in an instant.

The longer she waited, the lower her health would go. Blindly charging in without any recovery time in between would prove fatal as well. After having fought a bunch of them, Ilea already felt that the three of them were not all above three fifty, otherwise she’d be forced to flee already. It was difficult to gauge the exact levels but she assumed two of them were below that threshold. Blinking to the one furthest back, she wrestled it down and grabbed onto one of its hind legs before a snap resounded, Ilea quickly blinking away four times. Blood was streaming down her face, healing magic flowing through her as she breathed heavily. Eyes closed, she trusted in her Sphere, knowing the conventional seeing organ had failed her already.

Mind magic, at least cast by the Blue Reaper had an effective range of around forty meters, a little more depending on the level range of the critter. With their walking speed, she had just brought herself a couple seconds to heal. The hind legs she found, had the highest impact on their speed. The injured bug would fall behind. Moving too far away would make them flee if too injured or would even make their numbers increase. They had some sort of defensive system in place which didn’t allow her to simply blink in, break a leg and blink out, recover fully and go back at it.

A pain really but Ilea was kind of glad it wasn’t possible. Otherwise she’d just be stuck in these tunnels for months breaking one leg at a time. Neither a challenge nor exactly entertaining. She’d still do it to get more powerful of course, to face the kingsguard and undead knights as well as other interesting foes she currently had no means to even touch. Taking care of the worst injuries and getting back a bunch of mana as well, she prepared herself and sacrificed a hundred points of health.

Chapter 260 Survival

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you like it :). Thanks for reading and have a good weekend!

Chapter 260 Survival

A blink brought her close to the two critters, smashing the head of the one closer to her, crouching low to use its small frame as a shield against the second one charging lightning further back. The Reaper tried to get away but wasn’t quick enough to escape her grasp. Several walls of ash formed to intercept the lightning bolt that nonetheless broke through, damaging both the beast Ilea held on to as well as spreading over her Veil, some of the blast burning through her skin and muscles beneath. Another leg broke before she let go of the charged monster, blinking this time to the critter lagging behind. Its second leg broke, Ilea continuously healing herself, this time hanging on to the creature until its carapace cracked. One lightning bolt was evaded by her simply moving with the Reaper held by its broken limb.

The creature screeched as it was smashed into the wall, another two hits finally breaking through and killing it. Ilea had no time to rest, two of the monsters still enough to challenge her defenses and now that it was already severely weakened, her health below half and her healing fighting hard against the continuous assault, she was forced to take a step back again.

Checking quickly, she found no level up from the kill. Her recovery brought back health about as quickly as one of the critters could take with their mind magic alone. Both numbers completely ridiculous to her. How such a powerful critter hadn’t taken over this whole area was a mystery to her. They hadn’t shown a high level of intelligence, likely no desire to colonize the world with their monstrous offensive power. Good for us humans and other species.

Feeling somewhat confident that she’d at least not die, she blinked back and faced the injured monster lagging a little behind. The only reason the speed difference of a broken leg made a difference was the fact that the bends in the tunnels let her avoid the lightning strikes of the ones a little ahead. If they had been intelligent, the beast would’ve stuck together at all times. Perhaps even hugging each other so that their defensive lightning could stack against her. A second leg broke and then a third before the healthy enemy had finally reached her again. Not stopping, Ilea smashed downwards, once, twice and finally cracking the shell.

Ignoring the damage her body had sustained from the continuous lightning, she grit her teeth and blinked to the last bug, grabbing it by one leg and smashing it into the wall. Her fists lashed out and delivered whatever she could into the small monster insect. Ashen limbs moved behind her, all eight bashing into the armored carapace as her health slowly drained, her body burnt up by lightning. Meditation and her healing were the only things keeping her conscious, standing and attacking. At some point Ilea realized she was kneeling on the ground, her arms limp to her side. She felt neither of them, a big part of her brain fried up. Her healing was still active, reporting the disastrous condition her human body was in.

All her senses didn’t report much anymore, her Sphere the only thing that gave her a picture of her surroundings. Ashen limbs still moved out from her back, smashing into the creature that still struggled against her attacks. She knew she could blink away, away to safety, some part of her mind wanted to get away, wanted to get out to find sunlight, to rest. To sleep. Ilea didn’t stop, her attacks not letting up. She couldn’t move her limbs but the ash followed her simple command, to destroy, to maim and to kill. With a final crunch, her ash broke through and the Reaper stopped struggling. Several notifications popped up in her mind but Ilea remained kneeling, ash whirling around her as it formed a protective cocoon.

Her brain wasn’t working properly anymore, the organ too damaged to form complex thoughts. Her healing skill didn’t stop, mending her mind and brain, now unimpeded by enemy magic. Her ash lazily floated around her, Ilea’s last wish fulfilled and now without an enemy to destroy it instead sought to protect. A minute passed and then two, clarity coming back to her as her healing moved on from her mind to her organs and then the rest of her body. Soon her health started to rise, the bleeding and burns not preventing so any further.

A cackling resounded in the dark tunnel, followed by wild coughing and the wet sound of blood hitting the floor. The dull light of Ilea’s Form of Ash and Ember lit up her immediate surroundings, her helmet taken off and cast aside. Perhaps it wasn’t wise to start laughing so close to the Reaper’s nest but Ilea didn’t care. In the situation to either flee and survive or destroy, she had chosen the latter, trusting in her healing to keep her alive and in her ash to kill her enemy. Ilea knew the decision had been unnecessarily risky but she had taken it nonetheless. If she failed against something minor like this, how would she ever face a Praetorian, a kingsguard or even an undead knight. To gain power she had to take risks, had to push herself, more and more. Because she knew her body could take it, knew her mind could take it.

Ilea knew she would prevail. Because she knew she had prevailed against the Drake. Against all odds she had survived, had eaten the Bluemoon Grass and had survived. Had seed the elves and had escaped, had faced the Praetorians and had survived. Maybe she had not fought and won but she had survived. And she would continue to do so. Even if her mind had cracked, her ash had failed. Until her last ounce of mana was depleted and her body shredded to its last cell, she knew she would survive. That was who she was, what she had become. She would seek stronger enemies to fight, seek to advance. For herself. To face and destroy the horrors of this world. To protect those she held dear and to experience true freedom. Neither restricted by the wild and unpredictable nature of Elos, nor by the organizations and machinations of its denizens.

Her laughter ended in a scream, ash spreading out and cutting into the stone walls. Clicking sounds soon could be heard and Ilea grabbed her helmet before getting up. Her black hair flowed over her shoulders, blue eyes staring into the dark as lines of cinder shined on. She put her helmet on and stored the three corpses, blinking away a moment later. Ilea was silent during the short journey back, only allowing herself to breathe when she ascended through the small corridor.

Coming out on top, she was greeted by the dark one who had guarded this entrance the last times she had traveled through. Landing on her feet, she stepped back and slid off the wall. A deep sigh left her as she closed her eyes, legs sprawling before her. The guard didn’t speak, stoically remaining in the middle of his dedicated wall, sword at the ready and head focused on the entrance. Ilea wasn’t quite ready yet to walk through the bar. Instead, she checked if indeed she had reached her short term goal.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 321] – For defeating an enemy sixty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 392] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and thirty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blue Reaper – lvl 330] – For defeating an enemy ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 260 – Five stat points awarded. One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 253 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Checking out the third tier menu, Ilea didn’t have to think very long to make a decision.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:’

- Hunter Recovery

- Azarinth Hunter Sphere

- Azarinth Fighting

- Azarinth Perception

- Azarinth Reversal

At least a bunch of her skills were now available to be upgraded but one had again just saved her life. More offensive potential was definitely a good thing and she didn’t doubt the third tier of Destruction had played a vital role in both her fights with the knights as well as the Blue Reapers. Still, seeing her body ripped through and burnt, her brain barely functioning, she selected her only recovery spell. The reason she had come so far, the reason she could survive even when she had been beaten to a literal pulp.

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery advances to the 3rd tier’

Active: Hunter Recovery – 3rd lvl 1:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled. The effects on your own body are vastly improved.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remain, your Hunter Recovery will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself!

3rd stage: You have healed your body time and time again, knowing every cell and where it belongs. Sacrifice a large amount of mana to rush your healing to unprecedented speeds. Lack of knowledge about your body may result in heavy damage.

Category: Healing

Reading through the notification, Ilea sighed and closed it again. She’d have to test it later but it sounded good enough. Right what she would have needed against the enemies in her last battle. Her mana had never dipped far, the fights short and nasty. Against the knights it wouldn’t help much but there she had never really taken much damage anyway. Other than the leg against the Kingsguard.

Two sixty reached, Ilea quickly stopped by the Hunter’s Den to sell the eight reaper corpses she had from her hunt. Catelyn mentioned the the price would go down the next time she would try to sell any, saying her needs for the materials were met. The eyes, she said, Ilea could bring whenever she felt like it.

Her journey back to the Tremor dungeon went without any trouble. It was day and Ilea was quite glad to see the sun after a week, maybe two down in the tunnels. The ten stat points she had gained from the recent level ups were spent on Wisdom, the new third tier of her healing spell having brought additional use to a higher mana pool.

Ilea waited out several arcane storms before she rushed up, slipping in through the small entrance between rocks on top of the mountain. Flying down to the cathedral overlooking the big city below, she soon picked up two familiar voices, a grin weaseling its way onto her face as she landed softly in the middle of the hall.

“And I tell you it’s not going to work. The enchantments are directly powered, if you overcharge them they’ll simply snap back into place. We’re not talking about some old shit ruin back in the Navali forest. You lot don’t even explore dungeons, don’t try to teach me about my craft elf.” Terok spoke, obviously irritated as he looked up from the design plans of something that looked like a key.

The elf Ilea had met in the Tremor dungeon was hissing next to the dwarf, one of the chairs cut in two by his barrier magic before he grunted, “Watch your tone dwarf!”

Terok just laughed, patting the elf on his back hard enough to get a yelp out of him, “We’ve been through this. If you kill me you’re stuck with her and she’d not likely to get in there for another hundred years.” He said and smiled at Ilea, winking after he had finished. “Speak of the demon spawn.”

Ilea joined them on the other side of the table and looked at the plan, “The gentlemen have met each other I see? You’re underestimating me if you think I’ll need a hundred years.” Ilea said with a smile, her helmet vanishing.

“Gods what did you do to your face!?” Terok exclaimed, taking a step back.

I forgot to clean myself didn’t I? Ilea thought and shrouded herself in ash before she stored her armor and scratched off all the grime remaining. Mostly her own splattered skin, blood and occasional organs. A fresh set of armor back on, the ash parted and revealed her now clean smile, brushed by ash.

“You have grown in power again. As much as I’d like to agree with the dwarf, you’ll be destroying those barriers in less than a decade.” He snorted, “Or you’ll end up as paste somewhere along the way.”

Ilea took a chair and sat down, “Paste isn’t quite enough to kill me.” She commented offhandedly before summoning three restaurant meals from Ravenhall, two of them moved to the table by ashen limbs.

Terok smiled and took the plate, grabbing a spoon out of his robot suit that stood a couple meters away, “Cheers lassie, you really are a saint.”

Ilea just rolled her eyes, she knew she was too nice to the dwarf but somehow she couldn’t help it. It will be my downfall. The elf looked at the steaming food but didn’t touch it, “Too high and mighty to accept a gift of food? Or do you only eat human flesh?”

“You won’t get information for this.” He simply stated, his gray eyes looking at her, a stark contrast to his flaming red hair. Ilea smiled at the comical look, the elf reminding her of a cosplayer’s rendition of Dracula, especially with his long black coat and the sharp teeth. His height compared to the dwarf happily eating his food on the small stool made her crack a smile. “What’s funny human?” He hissed, claws moving out from his hands a little.

“It’s a gift, you should listen. Not that I think your information is worth a lot at this point. I expected more out of a legendary elf.” She said, her smile not waning as she ate from her plate.

He sat down as well, the plate floating towards him before he sniffed on it. A beautifully crafted silver fork appeared in his hand before he pierced the fish, eating a piece of it. “Nobody said I was a legendary elf.” He stated, Ilea almost disappointed at the lack of bite in his voice, “More of our kind should pick up cooking.”

Still didn’t thank me, Ilea noted. “So you explored the palace?” She asked, looking at the dwarf.

He smiled, “Aye, managed to not alert the Kingsguard. As dangerous as they are, they’re not the brightest. Enchantments on the doors are something else. Barely ever seen anything as intricate.”

“You can’t get in?” Ilea asked but he just waved her off.

Taking another bite, he spoke with a full mouth, “It wouldn’t be an issue. A week, two maybe but they’re directly powered by the same source that controls the knights. At least the ones sane enough to patrol and walk around.”

“Why is that a problem?” She asked, the elf already putting down the plate, a white cloth summoned to clean his mouth. He really IS Dracula.

Terok looked at the elf too, chuckling a little at the sight. Ilea was surprised with how little regard he had talked to the ancient being. Perhaps dwarves had a different opinion on the species than most humans she had met. “That’s what I’ve been trying to explain to him for the past hour. With a direct source as powerful as whatever is hidden within the central door of the palace cellars, we can’t just blow through and overcharge it. I’ll have to actually crack the lock which takes time. Normally I don’t have that but in this scenario I can just go in and work on it for however long I want to. The knights don’t hear me anyway but they don’t react to me putting up noise canceling enchantments either.”

Ilea listened and nodded, “Can’t we blow through by force if you can cancel out the noise?”

“Worth a shot, surely. I’d like to try the conventional and safer way first. With how intricate everything is set up down there I doubt there are no traps and counter measures in place should we go that route. It’s your call of course, you’re the boss.” Terok explained.

Ilea shrugged, “Take your time. I’ve got enough stuff to do. Maybe we don’t want to find out what’s in there either. If it’s some undead necromancer ready to smite us…,”

“Then we run.” Terok said and laughed, “With whatever we can hold under our arms.”

Ilea laughed as well, “True that. Just wait with going in until I’m here. If I return to find empty storerooms I’ll hunt you down and rip your sweet robot to shreds.”

“I’ll wait. But only because your storage item can hold more than my hands.” He grumbled.

Ilea just shook her head and finished her meal. Not sending the dwarf away had been the right decision after all. “He didn’t try to kill you immediately?”

Terok chuckled and looked at the elf, “He certainly made big eyes when I strolled out of there. Got your name out before he could squash me.”

“He didn’t know my name.” Ilea said, the dwarf’s eyebrows rising, an apology already coming up when she stopped him, “It’s fine. Elfie, my name is Ilea.”

“I don’t feel the need to share my name.” He said. Before she could react he summoned a book and held it out towards her, “I will however share this with you. The deciphered and translated recordings of guard captain Reyker, servant of king Invalar of Tremor, capital city of Rhyvor.”

Chapter 261 History

Chapter 261 History

“Should I read it to you or do you think your dull mind will be able to handle the letters. There are many.” He grinned and licked his lips, sharp teeth showing.

Ilea matched his expression, “Good job.” Grabbing the book out of his hands, she flipped it open, “I’ll have you know that my mind can withstand a Blue Reaper’s magic assault. I doubt some letters come close to that.” She grumbled, happy with the expression on Terok’s face when he heard the name drop.

“I have not heard of that creature.” The elf stated, looking to Terok when Ilea didn’t react.

“Blue Reapers? Above three hundred at least, strong mind magic and lightning. Wait Ilea did you really fight them? Are you crazy? Wait no I know you are. Why am I surprised.” He said and sat back before awkwardly standing up again and shaking his head, “I need to get back to work.” He said absentmindedly and collected his plans while grumbling about healing magic and thick skulls.

‘… Tremor is not the only place affected. Cities all over the kingdom report changes in their dungeons, more powerful monsters with unprecedented abilities and levels. If the spy reports are correct we aren’t the only ones dealing with this. The queen has ordered to treat the news delicately, a panic highly possible depending on the nature of beasts…’

Ilea read through the reports, most of them simply daily activities, reports from one kingdom or the other, places she had never heard of. Comparing the names with her notes from back in the Azarinth temple, she found no matches either. Different times? The order didn’t have the north charted so maybe they just didn’t reach so far?

‘… The king insists on elven perpetrators but I have my doubts. He listened to me at least, agreeing not to start another war on mere whims. I have to find evidence but the dungeons are impenetrable. My own power is not enough to break through, the Soul Rippers too many, too powerful. Even with the whole kingsguard I wonder if it would be possible. They don’t wander out of the dark but if we want answers, we have to seek them in the depths.’

They had been at war, with another human kingdom. Their cities more and more destabilized by the high level monsters suddenly appearing in the dungeons that had initially brought so much people, wealth and power to their kingdom. Adventurers drifted off to other places, safer and more prosperous, mercenaries fought for better paying employees and the army was thinning out more and more, protecting the citizens and walls.

‘… Tremor is all that is left. The flames of war have taken all but the capital. The king has lost his mind, the news of his son’s passing summoning a wrath I have never seen in him. His majesty has barricaded himself in his laboratory and the queen is nowhere to be found. I will bring an end to this. We will scourge the beasts that brought this terror upon our lands, human and monster. Should the chroniclers find and decipher this then they shall know the name of Rhyvor. In glory we fight.’

The pages were blank after that. Ilea sat back and tapped the closed book. It had been hours since she started the read, most of it not very exciting. Knowing that the events had actually happened in the place she now knew to be a ghost town definitely added to the mostly dry reports. “So the king is alive and a necromancer.” She exclaimed, putting the book aside.

“Don’t be ridiculous. He must have found a source to power everything. The taleen machines work and there is nobody controlling them.” The elf hissed from the side, looking over what Terok was working on.

The dwarf added another line on the paper before looking up, “I think they use some kind of ambient mana gathering technology. Otherwise it makes no sense how they’re still standing. Maybe this king found something similar.”

Interesting approach to renewable energy. If we had mana on Earth…, Terok’s assumption was only a theory of course. Ilea could see it though. The machines had to have some way of staying operational. Batteries only lasted so long. Undead could work without a source but the ones found here were connected in some way to the palace and the enchantments were still active as well.

“Enchantments can stay active for hundreds of years with a single charge.” The elf said but Terok snorted.

“Of the intricacy we’ve seen here? Even the most efficient ones would dry out without a source. Maybe a hundred years with enough mana crystals but after that. You said this place was thousands of years old.” The dwarf said.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Doesn’t matter. It’s running still so just continue to try and crack it. Do you know of the Soul Rippers? They’re mentioned several times.”

The elf looked at her but shook his head, “The beast is unknown to me. The dwarf does not know either.”

“Just seems like something we should be on the lookout for. Supposedly stronger than whatever else was in the dungeons around the city before and enough to make the captain think the whole kingsguard can’t handle it…,” Ilea shook her head, “They’re above level five hundred, each of them.”

Terok shook his head, “Not necessarily. Well they are now but who’s to say the actual kingsguard was that high back when they weren’t part of the dungeon.”

“Perhaps they are not part of it still.” The elf suggested.

“Fair enough. We’ll find out at one point or the other.” Terok replied.

Ilea put away the book and stood up, “Terok I’m going to try and lure one of the undead knights out of the dark zone. Make sure not to be close by while I do that.”

The dwarf looked at her with eyebrows raised, his metal eye zooming in on her, “And what makes you think that’s a good idea. They demolished you. And don’t bring up my failure. I’m well aware they’re worlds beyond me.”

“You said they don’t have the connection to the palace. Maybe I can whittle them down more quickly. Plus I’ve killed the Blue Reapers reasonably fast. Since when do you care anyway?”

Terok was silent at that but grinned, “Well let’s just say that working with a crazy human and an outcast elf has brought back some life into these old bones. Be a shame if you died prematurely.”

Ilea snorted, “Why outcast?”

“Well he isn’t eating either of us. I’ve not met any elves but the stories are pretty unanimously the same.” He chuckled and looked at the elf who seemed to be actively ignoring the two.

Ilea shrugged, “Are you an outcast Elfie? Maybe you’d like to come into the dungeon then and help.” Terok’s eyes opened wide at that but the elf just sighed.

“Human. Don’t test me.”

“Oh but I love to test you.”

He grumbled something in what Ilea thought was elvish before turning away and summoning barriers around himself. “Now you made him hide in his box.” Terok said before they both laughed.

Until he thanked her for free food and told her his name, Ilea wouldn’t consider her teasing bullying. Terok was definitely right, any other elf she had met so far would rather rip out her throat at those comments than hide behind defenses and ignore her. Definitely more of a mature reaction but she started to doubt he was simply an old wise elf. Maybe he’s the teenager and everyone else are the adults. Like a phase of historical and exploration interest instead of eating anything that moved.

“Be careful out there.” Terok said and continued on his papers, tapping the metal pencil he had made on his bearded cheek.

Ilea nodded before she went in. Killing something high above my own level would definitely weigh in on possible evolutions. Next to high level skills, a lot of resistances and possibly unknown dangerous situations, her solo kills of higher beings had certainly helped with previous class changes. If she could lure one of the undead knights out and fight him alone, she thought it a possible match. They didn’t have the power to end her in a single strike and left enough openings for her to deliver damage. All she really needed.

How they were of such high levels was a mystery to her considering the danger levels of the Blue Reapers and the Kingsguard. Maybe they had more up their sleeves as well. Did I fight the triple mark one for longer? She wasn’t sure anymore. Fighting any of them might be beneficial for her levels though as without the connection to the palace, they might not be able to recover.

In a mere ten minutes, Ilea landed on a rooftop in what she had marked as the dark zone in her map. Terok probably had a more detailed one of the dungeon already but her own served her purposes just fine. Hovering down to the street, the warrior was shrouded in ash. When she had come here previously, it didn’t take long to find one of the undead knights but their ensuing fight brought them through dozens of streets and a second one had only showed up afterwards. The rose knights above had definitely populated the sunlit part of the city more densely.

It took her twenty minutes of silently walking through the dark city to find something. Finally…, She saw the leg in her sphere but it wasn’t that of an undead knight. Carefully moving a little farther without making any noise, she saw the creature hanging off the side of a building’s wall. Two legs and arms, both long and thin with five fingered hands that ended in claws as long as her forearm. It was at least four meters long, its torso thin and elongated just like the arms and legs. A shiver went down her spine. There was something alien about the creature that Ilea couldn’t place. Something wrong. Its head looked a little like a blooming flower, tentacle like extensions writhing within.

Other than the opened head, the creature lay entirely motionless and silent. Waiting, preparing. Something deep within her told Ilea to run, to hide and to never come back to this place. A terror she had not felt in quite some time. Not something logical, either born from the beast’s magic or something instinctual within her. Curious…, She thought and ignored the feeling. Instead she created a projectile of ash and sent it to the wall opposite of the beast, interested in how it would react. The angle didn’t allow her to identify it but she was prepared to blink away at any time should it attack her directly.

The ashen spike shot out and slammed against the stone wall. Ilea barely noticed the motion as the beast jumped off and landed, its hands grabbing at the space where the projectile had landed. It was now standing on the ground, its slender form slowly standing up on the thin legs as its hands again grasped at nothing, her ash already disintegrated. A moment later it went back on all fours, returning to the waiting position it had been in before.

[Sould Ripper – lvl ???]

Sounds about right…, She thought, unable to take her attention off its elongated body, the smooth leathery skin that covered it. Nope…, The single word in her mind, Ilea blinked back towards the higher sections of the city. She knew exactly what captain Reyker had meant when he had talked about them. Ilea would definitely face them but she needed a moment to process it. After big insects, knights and talking foxes, its sheer presence, the way it moved, silent and deadly. It unnerved her, more so than anything she had seen before. The demons in their realm seemed like puppies in comparison. Maybe it was the added triple mark it had. The simple display of power was not easily ignored.

First, undead knight. She calmed herself down, a little upset at how easily the thing’s mere presence had made her freak out. You need to get a grip. That’s hardly the worst you’ll face…, She told herself. At least she knew the knights weren’t the only things in the dungeon. It also told her that the captain had likely failed his last quest.

The Soul Ripper didn’t have an ability to sense her at least, meaning she got away rather easily. Focusing on her search, Ilea found what she had been looking for a couple minutes later. The roaming form of an undead knight. This one had only two question marks but that fact made it an even better target to test on. It had both its head and both arms, dragging the rusty sword on the stone floor. Positioning herself towards the higher areas of the dungeon, Ilea shot an ashen projectile at the creature. The knight hunched down and screeched towards her before its surprisingly powerful legs propelled it off the ground.

A series of dodges and quick movements, jumps and flying sections followed where Ilea tried to avoid her pursuer’s attacks without using blink. She knew they could easily sense her and sometimes threw their weapons to intercept her appearing form. Blinking against them was to dodge when all else failed, not to reposition or run away. At least not when there was no cover between her destination and the monsters.

Many a house was destroyed on the way, the knight ignoring the walls, fences as well as heaps of rubble between its quickly moving form and the target. Despite stumbling, sometimes falling down completely, it kept up rather well. Ilea would be able to get away if she moved at her full speed but the undead was quicker on his rotten feet clad in rusty armor than its brethren unliving in the noble district. Crashing through solid stone walls as well as smashing face first into the ground didn’t seem to dissuade nor damage the creature in the slightest which did give Ilea a little bit of pause.

At least a second knight didn’t appear, despite the noise her hunter continuously produced. Ilea had chosen the same route she had taken to come down into the dark district, hoping that none of the knights would stroll into her escape and luring path on the way back. Reaching the wall, she rushed through and turned in the air before she skid to a halt, waiting for the enemy to come charging towards her. A couple seconds later she knew the knight had given up. Running back in, she found him walking off to the lower parts of the dungeon, Ilea hitting him with a projectile of ash.

Again he screamed at her and engaged. This time she dodged closer, taking steps and jumps back towards the wall as the undead pursued. As soon as she reached the wall, most of the section mere rubble, the knight turned and rushed off again. This time he ran at a full sprint. Ilea reached his side a couple seconds later and tackled the heavy form, sending him into the nearby building as the impact ran through her bones. “Alright, your turf then.”

A flying sword was her answer, the massive dull piece of metal rushing over her as she crouched, the knight’s form following behind, its fist deflected as she used his movement to smash the heavy undead into the ground. The impact dragged her a couple meters towards where he had landed, Ilea letting go of him before he could grab her. Stepping back, she watched in amazement as his sword flung from the wall it was stuck in back to the knight’s hand. Something akin to respect showed in his body language as he took a couple steps to circle her. His armor was dented in various parts, a piece of his side missing entirely, ribs and rotting flesh showing below.

Its eyes were white just like the other knights, one of them looking at her through the cracked helmet. Its armor was more rusty than the knights still connected to the palace, its sword dull and really more of a mace or club. Four quick steps suddenly brought the twometer figure right in front of her, Ilea bracing for a quick attack but he simply studied her, waiting for a reaction before his hand reached out. Ilea stepped out of his reach before the sword slashed at her. Three quick attacks, two of which she deflected and one entirely out of reach as she had continuously walked back.

Her Veil reformed where she had deflected, the ash around her gathering again to form a mist around her. Another screech and this time it was answered. A second knight stood on top of a nearby building before it jumped down, landing with an eerie grace, sword at its side, held by the one arm it still had. Ilea decided the test was a failure then and there. Maybe she would try some more if she had any ranged attacks that could deal reasonable damage to the creatures but as it stood, she had to rip off limbs or incapacitate them quickly enough before their kin arrived, something they seemed to know as well. As much as the knights above seemed more trained and knowing, the ones here had somehow retained more of a tactical knowledge and perhaps less of the honor one would associate with a knight of old.

Ilea gave it up and rushed back to the wall, both knights leaving her alone as soon as she had reached it, their figures returning to the dark. Sighing, she sat down on a nearby roof, legs dangling down as she summoned one of Keyla’s meals. A proven alchemical formula against frustration and failure. Temporary failure…, She reminded herself. Facing one of the Soul Rippers was put on her list but while undead knights resided in the dark as well, it didn’t feel reasonable to try.

Chapter 262 Discovery

Chapter 262 Discovery

“Impressive.” The voice of Terok resounded behind her, Ilea smirking as he appeared in her Sphere.

He already knows the range of my perception magic…, It spoke for him more than anything else, Ilea continuing her meal as he landed next to her, his machine back in order and with a head to boot.

“And why are you here? Are you making it a habit to follow me around?”

“Kept a safe distance and I didn’t go into the darkness so keep your boots on lassie. They don’t follow you out of there?”

Ilea nodded at his assumption, “Don’t fight one on one for long either. I think killing them will be quite a difficult task. Oh and I met a Soul Ripper… I suggest you don’t venture too deep.”

Terok sat down next to her in his robotic exoskeleton, “You didn’t engage?” He laughed when she shook her head, “Perhaps there is some brain matter in that skull of yours remaining still.”

Something shot out of his suit, Ilea looking at it before he let it fall into her hand, “A key? To the closed off chambers?”

She could practically smell the grin between his beard, “Maybe. It’s a working theory but someone has to try. I thought you should have the honor. Before you ask, yes it might fail and cause whatever traps are down there to spring to life. Maybe the knights will come for you. Why I think you’re the best for the task.”

“Didn’t you say it’d take weeks to do this?” Ilea asked, looking at the small shiny key.

Terok looked her way and chuckled, “Well the chances of it not working are rather high. It should in theory disconnect the enchantments imbued in the lock from the source of mana that keep them running. To continue working I need to know what happens when you put the key in.”

“You need to be there?” Ilea asked but he shook his head.

“Seeing it from a distance is enough. I can hide behind the plants to observe.”

Ilea frowned before the key vanished into her necklace, “What if the trap encompasses the whole area and not just the door and a couple meters in front of it? What if the knights from upstairs come down?”

“Then we’ll deal with that. I’m willing to take that risk.” He said in an excited voice.

Ilea thought about it, “Why don’t we test first with some of the plants or literally any other enchantments than the main door?”

Terok gave her a metallic thumbs up, “Good thinking. That’s what I did to come to this solution. I didn’t expect to be done so quickly but the elf and his barrier magic helped to forge the key a lot quicker than I’d have been able to. Plus something was off with the central door. Almost like the enchantments weren’t in place correctly. I might be wrong and trust me I’ve been wrong before but with all my experience I say that it’s the only one that can be cracked like this.”

He was silent for a moment before he continued, “Perhaps it’s an elaborate way to deceive anybody trying what we’re attempting but honestly… the other doors that remain closed, I doubt I could get in there in months even. Why set up a trap like that?”

“There could be reasons. We don’t know who set it all up.” Ilea said and sighed.

“I know. Still, there’s a chance it’s just a coincidence. Or maybe it was damaged at some point, perhaps deactivated and not reactivated correctly. I’ve seen it happen with plenty of old ruins or people reusing enchanted artifacts they found down under.” Terok explained.

Ilea smiled at the mention of down under. “Maybe. Meaning somebody else could’ve been in there before us?”

The dwarf shrugged, “Only one way to find out.”

“Well we can try. I should be able to escape should it go awry. Just make sure to keep as much distance as you can.” Ilea said.

The dwarf nodded, “Will do ma’am.”

Shecontinued eating in silence, the dwarf standing up and waiting for her, arms crossed. “Give me a couple minutes.” Ilea said with a full mouth.

Terok didn’t seem happy about it, though he nodded and started pacing behind her. “Do that somewhere else, you’re stressing me out.” He stopped before teleporting away. Like a dog waiting for his walk.

Ilea wanted to know what was in the closed off chambers but her mind was still lingering on the Soul Ripper and the undead knights. While the dwarf was here for riches and perhaps better metal and materials for his suit, Ilea wanted to fight stronger beings. To think she already had several of them to chose from but lacked the ability to engage was more than a little irritating. Terok considered her crazy to even think about it, as did most humans considering the way they thought about the North. Ilea just didn’t see a reason why not, even while they were too dangerous now, with the system in place, it was only a matter of time until she smashed them apart like she would an ordinary Drake by now.

She just hoped it wasn’t the decades or hundreds of years that her current cooperators suggested. I’m at two sixty already, just have to find more solo Blue Reapers or something else reasonable in the Descent. Putting off the thought for now, she finished her meal, savoring every bite. Terok waited a couple buildings over, still pacing and impatient for her to join him. Ilea sighed and blinked over, her wings spreading and taking her the rest of the distance, landing next to him. “Let’s see if you’re just an extraordinary salesdwarf or if your products actually live up to expectations.”

Terok started hovering, moving in his suit as naturally as he would standing on the ground, “Trust me, I’m as interested as you are to find that out.”

“Got an opinion on the subject?” Ilea asked as she started flying towards the distant form of the palace.

Terok caught up with her, the two flying a couple meters above the buildings below them, “A mixture of both I guess. Though I assume you have enough experience at least to know that even a high skill can result in failure from time to time.”

“Depending on what’s standing against you.” Ilea suggested, landing a couple hundred meters away from the palace. She jumped down to the street and started walking.

Terok followed her down but kept floating next to her, likely to avoid making any noise. Ilea wasn’t overly concerned yet, her sphere alarming her before the knights would hear her steps on the stone. They walked the last part in silence but she could hear his heart beat. The dwarf was scared, excited or nervous. Maybe all three. She grinned under her helmet. Perhaps she would feel similar once the door had been opened. Worst that could happen is them being trapped with a level one thousand necromancer and his ten most loyal guards, each triple marks rushing to dissect the two of them.

Ilea had survived the Praetorians, she had survived the Basilisk and the elves. If she was the kind of person to stop at a what if scenario then she wouldn’t have come north. Perhaps she would have rotten away down in the Azarinth temple so long ago. “If we get stuck, you distract them and I find a way out.” Terok said when they reached the courtyard, not a single knight in sight.

Ilea nodded, the plan simple but with how little information they had it was as good as it got. Holding a finger to her mouth, Ilea checked the inside of the palace. Stepping inside, she made sure to stay hidden in the long hallway. Knowing where the throne room was and where the knights patrolled made it simple to reach the main hall of the palace. The two waited next to the thrones for the patrolling knight that would soon come up the stairs.

She looked at Terok, tapping her armored leg while waiting for the Kingsguard. Finally the knight showed up, walking through the throne room in his beautifully crafted armor, his sword sharp and deadly. Ilea itched to engage but she knew it would end in disaster. Very likely. There was a chance. A tug on her arm took her out of the thought, Terok motioning towards the stairwell leading further down into the structure. Blinking down, the two of them found themselves in the underground hall a couple seconds later. It looked virtually unchanged from the last time she had been there.

Blinking thrice, Ilea appeared behind the two knights guarding the central path that led to a massive closed door. Silver in color and of course a rose embedded in the massive thing. Looking back, she could barely see a glimpse of Terok hiding behind the plant she had just stood by. Giving him a thumbs up, she summoned the key and checked the door. A single opening was visible, energy visible as it washed over the sheet of metal. The entrance was seamlessly set into the white marble. Ilea wondered what it had cost to build such a place. The key looked simple in comparison, made of some of Terok’s spare metal to be sure.

The mold created by Elfie’s barrier magic that held the molten metal Terok had heated up. An interesting way to use his abilities. Ilea wondered who of the two had the idea. Ash formed around her, several walls of it both towards the two knights and the hallway as well as towards the door in front of her. Buffs already active surged to their highest power. Ilea sacrificed five hundred of her health to activate her third tier State of Azarinth as she slid in the key through the small opening in her ash.

A dull humming noise resounded when the key reached the end of the opening, fitting perfectly. Metal magic must be a nightmare for locksmiths…, Checking the knights, Ilea found them unmoving as they had been before. Whatever protection their armor granted, it was not the best for their hearing ability. Ilea grinned and turned the key. A dull click could be heard before the key was pushed outwards. A handle slowly extended from the smooth metal sheet. Ilea grabbed it and opened the door.

Checking the inside for movements with her Sphere and waiting for a moment to see if any misshapen experiment lunged at her, she turned back to Terok and let her ash float aside. Bowing a little, she gestured for him to enter. The dwarf appeared next to her a couple seconds later, floating to avoid making any noise. Ilea put the key back into her necklace while Terok set up some enchanted plates of metal in the hallway leading to the two knights standing guard. A sizzling and the magic was in place.

Terok landed on his metal feet, “There you go. Sound canceling activated. Vision should be blurry enough for the one patrolling down not to see us. He doesn’t walk far in to the hall.”

Ilea nodded as he opened the door more widely, checking the inside of it, “Key should work from the other side as well.”

Ilea summoned one of her heavy gauntlets and set it down behind the door, “Let’s just keep it open. Your enchantments will stay active for a while I assume?”

“Couple hours at least. I’ll check on them periodically.” The dwarf reassured, his flood lights streaming into the dark room, illuminating a variety of machines Ilea had no idea where to place. It was a long hall with several doors leading into small rooms.

“Safe to enter from your side?” Ilea asked, the dwarf giving her a thumbs up before she stepped inside. He followed behind closely, his light giving color to the things Ilea saw through her Sphere. The ground and walls were marble, the same as in the hall outside. Metal boxes, bags, books, notes and many other things littered the many work benches, interspersed with machinery that looked like something out of an eighties science fiction work.

Several glass tubes lined the opposite wall. As soon as she was in range, Ilea lifted her eyebrows and motioned for Terok to stop, “There’s a person in one of those tubes. I think she’s alive.”

“Wanna check it out?” He asked. The dwarf didn’t seem too enthused about finding anything alive down here.

Ilea continued walking. A quiet humming could be made out when they walked further down the hall, at its end a dome like machine with several big cords extending into the walls. A glass casing protected something inside but Ilea couldn’t see through it with her Sphere. “One of the cords on the walls is missing.” Terok spoke, his light illuminating the empty socket. The thing was around twenty centimeter in diameter. His light followed the thick cables growing out of the metal half sphere before he found one connecting to the machine incorporating the glass tubes. “Found the culprit.” He said and laughed.

Clothes were laid out on a beautiful chair next to the machine. Terok’s light flashed into the tube and revealed a female human looking to be in her fifties. Gray long hair, eyes closed and a body marred by three scars that looked nasty enough to have killed her. She was thin, malnourished. Ilea knew her heart was beating. “Should we wake her up?”

“Are you nuts?” Terok quickly said, “Identify her at least… let’s first find out what we can and explore the whole place before we tinker with anything.”

[Mage – lvl 262]

“She’s level two sixty two. A mage.” Ilea shared, tapping the glass. The woman didn’t respond in any way, sleeping or frozen. Something swirled in the tube but Ilea was sure it wasn’t water.

Terok chuckled, “Found our energy source. Guess you were right with your necromancer theory.”

Ilea turned to him, the dwarf looking into the glass cover of the dome like machine. Appearing beside him, she looked inside and found a man in his thirties, broad shoulders, long silver beard and hair. His eyes were closed as well, arms folded over his naked chest. Scars marked his body too but he seemed in a much healthier condition than the woman in the glass tube. “His mana is flowing away, somehow the machine gathers it all up and distributes it among the tubes leaving it…,” Terok explained what he was seeing.

Ilea suddenly turned back to the glass tubes, “Something happened. Prepare to fight.” Her perception was diluted near the tubes, something tried to go unnoticed. Terok’s light flashed into the hall, the only thing they found was a thick mist.

“Quite perceptive girl.” A female voice rung out. “Before you attack, I would like to suggest a bargain.”

Ilea looked through the mist and found a portion where it seemed ever so slightly different. Something she would never have noticed without her training with Eve. Looking right at the spot, she replied, “Take down your mist and we’ll talk.” Her own ash started to spread in the room, limbs forming behind her back. Terok took a step away from her, towards the dome like machine.

“Are you enemies of Rhyvor?” The voice ignored Ilea’s request.

Ilea stepped forward, ignoring the burning mist that made its way into her armor. Her healing and resistance took care of it. Someone to level my Mist Resistance…, Grinning at the find, she stepped right in front of the differently swirling mist, “Rhyvor is long dead. You and the guy over there might be the only survivor. Now take it down or I’ll make you.”

The mist washed to the side of the room, evaporating slowly. The woman who had resided in the glass tank stood before her, silver eyes staring at her intensely. Her naked body was veiled in mist. “I feared as much…,” The woman said, “… though I cannot believe you without proof.”

“You want proof? Look around the city, the knights are covered in rust and all of it is buried inside a mountain.” Terok said, shaking his head at the ridiculousness.

“She can’t leave.” Ilea said, “She has no way of getting away from the Kingsguard…,”

How long was she trapped down here?, Ilea thought, the woman still staring into her eyes, unwavering.

“Well then we’re at an advantage. Who are you?” Terok asked.

The woman looked at him with disdain, a grimace forming on her face before she spoke, “I am Elana Invalar, queen and regent of this revered kingdom and you will show me respect dwarf.”

He laughed, “Queen of nothing but undead and ruins.”

The woman’s arm shot out, mist swirling around her arm before Ilea’s hand rushed out to catch it. Mist buried into the marble, leaving behind a deep gash. “He’s here with me. Don’t be stupid. I know the news must be terrible to hear but dying because his idiotic…,” Ilea paused and turned to the dwarf, “… insensitive ass offended you won’t help in the slightest.” She finished and turned back to her. “Alright?” Ilea asked, looking into her eyes.

Closing her eyes for a moment, the woman sighed, “Excuse me. It has been a trying and… frustrating time.” Ilea let go of her arm.

“She nearly killed me! Why would you let her go?” Terok asked, appearing behind Ilea to avoid any further attacks.

“Completely justified. Now shut it. You spoke of a bargain? What do you want? And what do you have to offer?” Ilea asked, ignoring Terok rambling about her being a specist, human loving cunt. He really had a mouth about him.

The supposed queen looked at her, “Do you really need to degrade yourself with such company? We can talk about how I will reward you…,”

Ilea interrupted her with a finger to her mouth, “Bap bap bap. I said he’s with me alright. Now stop weaving your aristocratic bullshit and tell us what you want. Maybe we’ll help, maybe not. That’s exactly why I like His company…,” Ilea sighed the last sentence and shook her head.

Chapter 263 The Keys

Chapter 263 The Keys

The woman looked at her for a while and then started laughing, “By the gods.”

“Alright… then I will humor you. The necromancer you see in that machine, he’s powering all of this. All the knights attacking you outside. I need a healer to wake him up safely and I need an army to destroy the knights still binding him to this place. And then we need to cleanse this city of its enemies.”

“Typical old queen of a ruined kingdom.” Terok complained, “Do you have the keys to the treasury and armory?”

Ilea held up a hand to him, “It’s the king isn’t it? The necromancer… he locked himself in his chamber after his son…,” Emotion flashed over the woman’s face as Ilea retold what she had read. “You went in as well. What was the goal with the knights?”

The queen was silent for a while, “To protect Tremor from its enemies… I wanted to be with him. When I heard about our son. Perhaps it was a mistake. The runes and enchantments placed on this chamber were the most intricate, most expensive he could get. They had to be locked for his cursed machine to work. And he needed someone here to look over him.”

Ilea was pretty sure he didn’t but her thoughts weren’t voiced. A hard look at Terok shut him up before he could start. “Why didn’t you leave? Get help?”

“Nobody came. For half a year I stayed down here, waiting, anxious. Nothing ever happened. I rerouted some of his machine’s energy to one of the life support units and developed mist to keep me inside. When I woke up, however many years later, nothing had changed. I tried getting out but the idiot is the only one who can control the enchantments directly. I had to pry my way out. Took me nearly a decade. At least he had thought about food and water.” She explained, looking at the machine.

“When I finally did get out, the Kingsguard attacked me. They couldn’t pass into the chamber but somehow the city had turned into a dungeon. Either we were abandoned or whatever had happened to the dungeons in Rhyvor had caused this too.”

Terok sat down on a chair, “Do you have the keys though?”

Ilea sighed, “We can’t kill the kingsguard. There are other things lurking in Tremor that I can’t kill either. Nor do we have an army, not that I think it would help against anything. What I can offer though, is a healer.”

Her eyes lit up at the mention, the silver glinting with hope, “Bring him here then.”

“Don’t worry about that. The dwarf has a point though, do you have the keys?”

The queen looked at her and then at the dwarf, channeling her fury. Ilea snapped her fingers in front of the woman’s face before she could lash out again, “No. I don’t have the keys, I wouldn’t have spent ten fucking shit years trying to get out only to be attacked by those who swore to protect us. If you wake him up he might know where they are, maybe he can open the doors for you immediately.”

“I don’t trust her.” Terok said.

Ilea agreed, she was obviously holding something back. She believed the general story though, the queen didn’t seem like someone who would act this stupidly without the necessary emotional weight she had endured, “Look. Elana? I’m Ilea by the way and I can heal so maybe we can wake him up. We’re not here to torment you but we’re not here to save you either. Your kingdom is lost, it has been for thousands of years probably. Now I’d gladly help if we get anything out of it. Being honest would be a good start.”

The queen shook her head and murmured to herself, “I need… where are my clothes…,” She said to herself, walking to the chair and putting on the dress, silver roses depicted on the white silk. Its tight cut emphasized the malnourished state of her body. Ilea let her walk to the machine where she put a hand on the glass, “Maro darling, we have visitors. Can you not deal with them I’m so terribly tired.” A sob left her, Ilea looking at Terok who twirled a finger near his head.

Who wouldn’t go crazy being trapped in here. The story matched up with what she had read in the captain’s log. “Terok check the machine, if we can safely wake him up without Kingsguard rushing in here to slaughter us, we might as well talk to him. Maybe he does know something about the keys.”

The dwarf saluted and went to work, avoiding the sobbing woman hammering her hand on the glass. Ilea carefully walked up to her and took her hand in hers. Sending healing mana through her body, she noted that even from the hard hammering the woman had sustained no injury. Level two sixty after all.

“Come, you’ve probably not eaten anything real for a while.” She said and summoned one of her restaurant meals. The queen looked up and smelled at the food. Her eyes remained teary before she shoveled it into her mouth with the provided fork. Ilea put away the plate and led the woman to one of the smaller rooms where a beautiful wooden table and several silver chairs adorned the white marble floor. A painting of a pair of humans clad in royal attire hung on the wall. “Do you have lights in here?”

She had calmed down, wordlessly touching the wall where a small metal plate lit up. Warm magical light flooded the room, Ilea immediately recognizing her as the woman in the painting. Older, without the smile or the beautiful blond hair that reached far below her shoulders. A sparkling queen with a charming king. His silver hair was shorter, clean shaven with a hard jawline. He was taller than her in the painting, his green eyes almost piercing out of the canvas. “He hated it.”

Ilea turned to the woman who looked at the painting as well, “Hated the formal clothing, the speeches and appearances. Rhyvor would have fallen decades earlier if it weren’t for me.”

“Does it matter now?” Ilea asked.

Elana looked at her and then back to the picture, “I suppose it doesn’t. Thank you for the meal Ilea.”

“Tell me about yourself, about the king and this kingdom.” Ilea wanted to make sure she wouldn’t wake up a necromantic death god of old. Getting some more backstory might help her with a decision.

The king was called Maro Invalar and he was apparently the most charming man Elana had ever met. The stupidest as well apparently. Them with their group of adventurers had ventured into the unknown, only to find several undiscovered dungeons. Building a camp between them, on a mountain that reached high above the surrounding lands was the beginning of their long journey. A journey that led to the foundation of Tremor and the kingdom of Rhyvor. The wealth and power from the dungeons as well as resources found in the area made them influential quickly. Elana and some of her teammates quickly showed they were good at other things than fighting and adventuring, becoming the ministers of trade, housing as well as owners of the local adventurer’s guild and inns.

Everybody loved king Maro, people from far away flocking to the newly formed kingdom and swearing fealty on his name alone. The initial assassination attempts, power struggles with the nearest human and dwarven kingdoms as well as internal conflicts flared up in a fire of politics. The two of them decided to marry, to set an illusion. The king apparently had little interest in ruling and the inherent responsibility but Elana was born for it, born for the cutthroats, the schemers. He was the benevolent king, the one who loved his people, many of them quite literally.

Elana on the other hand lived a life of duality. Acting as the disinterested queen who could be easily influenced by external powers on the one hand and being the iron ruler on the other. It was of course a tale she told and Ilea had no way of getting proof for most of it. There were some things she could verify however. The soul rippers being one of the beasts in the dungeons nearby, the name and nature of the captain of the guard as well as many events Elfie had translated in the log book. Elana even knew about the wines and their history mentioned in the second book Ilea had found initially.

“It’s impressive. I’m inclined to believe your story, queen regent of Rhyvor. However you could’ve written those books yourself and planted them for us to find.” There were of course some things like the Soul Ripper’s actual existence that she couldn’t have made up.

Elana groaned and held her face with both hands, “Ilea please. Why would I do something like that? I told you I can’t go out, the kingsguard attack me just like they attack you and I lack and ability to travel through space. I can travel through earth but Maro the idiot that he is wanted everything in bloody marble.”

“What’s their armor made of?” Ilea asked, thinking about things not mentioned in the log book.

Elana looked at her, “Stonehammer steel if I remember correctly. It was mined not too far from here. The best metal we could source ourselves.” The queen explained.

Ilea tapped her leg. She was putting the woman through quite a lot more scrutiny than she had either Elfie or Terok. Neither of them however asked to wake a necromancer in control of creatures that could wipe her out. That fact somewhat justified the behavior to herself. “You said you need an army to destroy the knights that bind him to this place. What did you mean? Can’t he simply let them fall or make them kill themselves?”

Elana shook her head, brushing away a tear. Ilae didn’t know if it was a fake one or not, “They’re of a higher level than he could have ever raised. I think the dungeon took over, somehow. An unprecedented event but he’d probably be able to understand. Somehow. As stupid as he was in certain aspects, the country was built on his personal strength and that of our guild. He was the best necromancer we’ve ever seen.”

“The machine is still using his mana and life to fuel them. If you kill enough of them we’d be able to wake him up at least. Perhaps once there are only kingsguard left he’d be able to assert some control. I don’t know. Why would I ask of you to kill the very bodies that would be his army just to wake him up?”

Ilea didn’t see a reason but she wasn’t a necromancer either. It just somehow screamed death to wake up what lay slumbering for so long. Then again most of the people she’d met so far would scream, knowing she was cooperating with an elf. Plus didn’t she have necromancer friends already? And they weren’t so bad. Even after all this time. I’m still more inclined to help than not to. Ilea sighed and then smiled. It surprised her. Perhaps she just didn’t care about consequences and wanted to give people a chance? There was little reason not to believe the woman’s story. The only thing was not knowing if the king would somehow be evil and kill her, Terok and the elf. The problem was that he was too high a level for her to identify him.

She tapped her finger on the table. It wouldn’t cost her anything, to use her healing mana to somehow wake him up. She could check on him before to see how the machine actually influenced him. “Any state secrets you want to share? Nasty cult offerings of virgins and blood sacrifices?” Ilea had her elbows on the table, cupping her helmet and head within.

Elana blinked but kept looking into her eyes, “When we were younger… just adventurers on a journey to explore the west, it never occurred to me that I would have to kill humans, my countrymen and women. That I would have to order traitors to be executed, on evidence that sometimes wasn’t quite as convincing or turned out to be planted. I remember them all, even after all this time. We tried to be fair, tried to have laws that would benefit most but once you rule, you know how hard it is to keep everyone satisfied, to keep control and power. Sometimes I had to ignore crimes, had to look away when people vanished. Because we were not in a position to go against the perpetrators, either financially or because of their possible influence.”

Every word was spoken with deliberation, pauses between each sentence and a hard gulp in the end, “I do not know your sense for morals. There were certainly diverse views in and around our kingdom, in the very council to me even.”

“Was there slavery?” Ilea asked, the queen lifting an eyebrow at the question.

“No. There was no need. Our country was formed by adventurers, warriors and mages of high renown. To even come here was a dangerous journey, going through dwarven and sometimes elven lands even. We had all the labor and wealth needed for an economy without slavery. I will be honest that if it were needed, I would have implemented it. Instead we slaughtered our enemies, killed whole armies in wars over ridiculous claims or envy. Tell me what is better?” The question wasn’t rhetorical, the queen looked at Ilea as her lip quivered a little. Spending all this time thinking about what could’ve been done differently, what was right and what wasn’t. If she really had been the ruler of a kingdom she definitely had her own hell here in the chambers of the king. If she really cared and this wasn’t just an elaborate act.

Ilea sighed, “Personally? The decision sucks but killing them might be the better thing. If you don’t want them to turn against you again. Bringing them far away and just setting them free might be the nicest option but it doesn’t make sense financially. Idiots might question the strength of a kingdom that does that. Maybe incorporating them into your own armies? You’d need the trust to do so or the iron rule to execute it.” Ilea thought about ancient civilizations on earth. The problem here was controlling groups of mages and warriors capable of superhuman abilities. Even with hostages, money, harsh punishment, it was a higher risk than mere humans. And it would be slavery still.

The queen smiled, “There’s more in your head than I initially expected.” Her tone was cold, a smirk on her face as she studied Ilea, “It’s nice.” She said, “To talk… with someone after all this time. I had nearly forgotten. Ilea, I’ve decided to trust you. If you decide not to wake him for another year or even ten, I understand. Just please… free us from this… prison.” Her hand formed into a fist. “Thoughts like the way you explained plagued my mind day and night. In the end I prioritized our own people and murdered our enemies.”

Ilea sat back and smiled, “Do you regret it? Being the queen of this land?”

Elana smirked and then laughed, “I would have had you flogged for that question back in the day.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Ilea said and leaned forward, cupping her head again.

“You are not quite as untested as I thought. You are young aren’t you? Peculiar… your set of thought, morals. Perhaps the times have really changed. Not as I had predicted. Perhaps you are not from here at all.” She smiled inquisitively. Ilea might have been intimidated if the woman wasn’t so frail looking. “I do not regret anything. I question my decisions, I question and revise, only to be better the next time. Now perhaps, there simply is no next time.”

Ilea definitely enjoyed talking to her. She believed her story. If it really was all made up to manipulate her then Ilea would be impressed. The emotion, body language, the stories and the way she told them. Royalty with decades of experience…, She reminded herself and smirked, “I’m not from this world.” Ilea said. Nobody knew her in the north and at this point even an elf hadn’t reacted in any particularly weird way to hearing it.

Elana nodded once, “Rare. I might have thought as much if your level was higher. Realm travelers are the rarest breed. Perhaps you had not intended to come here?”

“You know of its possibilities? What do you know about people not intending to travel through realms?” Ilea seemed too eager, she knew it.

“I could sell you this information for your help but I think gaining your trust is better. I apologize if this offends you Ilea… it is a way of thinking I have cultivated for so many many years. I think we could have been friends perhaps, long ago. When I wasn’t shouldering the responsibility of a kingdom and its people.” Elana said as she sat back.

“You’re not anymore.” Ilea simply stated and smiled.

“This city remains… my husband remains. And the creatures still bound to this place. Perhaps after all is taken care of, I might be free.” She paused, looking at the painting for a while before she answered Ilea’s questions, “Scipio, a mage from our original party had always been interested in the phenomenon of realm travel. He even aspired to learn it someday.” She shook her head and chuckled, “The man invaded a dwarven city just to talk to a captive of theirs who claimed to be from a different world.”

“Was he?” Ilea asked.

“Perhaps. He was a dwarf still. Scipio returned with economic ideas unheard of as well as agricultural suggestions that led to Rhyvor’s fame for wine. Perhaps the dwarf had simply been extraordinarily smart, a pioneer of his time. Or perhaps he really was from another world. Scipio had collected records on similar people in the past but they were few and rare, most discredited as madmen and women. He wanted to explore the elven lands to the south, claiming they would be the ones to have realm travelers amidst them. Of course he only assumed as much because of their secrecy and their ability to appear and vanish as they pleased.”

Ilea was certainly interested, “What happened to him? Did he find what he looked for?”

“Who is to know? Scipio never returned from his journey. We met someone who claimed to be from another realm around twenty years later, or was it thirty… sadly they came from a desert planet of survivors, not much to be gained for a kingdom the likes of Rhyvor.”

“Did you believe him?”

Elana shrugged, “A level three hundred sand creator is not something easily dismissed.”

Ilea laughed, “And he couldn’t have helped you out with your city’s problems?”

“The man had long been gone. He talked about finding a desert and founding a library of sorts. I don’t know if he ever succeeded. Didn’t hear about it in my lifetime at least.” The queen replied.

“You’re not quite dead yet.” Ilea smirked.

Chapter 264 The Queen of Rhyvor

Chapter 264 The Queen of Rhyvor

“That I am not.” Elana said and smiled. Terok knocked on the door frame at that moment, his two meter robot shining light into the room.

“Could’ve said you had lights. I’ve looked at the machine. It’s draining the man inside of both life and mana. Just doesn’t seem like he really has a choice in it.”

Ilea sat back, “What do you mean?”

Terok tapped a finger on the marble door frame, “It’s a trick to allow for better energy efficiency. The enchantments or in this case the undead take from him what they need, otherwise he would distribute mana among them. At least if what I know about enchantments can be applied to necromancy. No idea why he would do such a thing. With mana crystals, sure but as a person?”

“To get more soldiers. Can he still control them?” Ilea asked.

“I mean necromancers can send commands out but he doesn’t exactly see what’s happening out there. At least I don’t think so, never heard of a skill like that. It would have to be a basic command to keep them going on their own. Undead still retain some of their experience, their knowledge and capabilities.” Terok explained.

Elana spoke up, “Guard Tremor against its enemies.” She looked at Ilea, “That was the command given. Apparently it was too general to keep me out of it. Or the Kingsguard simply forgot about me.”

Terok chuckled, “Lassie they’re dungeon monsters. Powered by your late husband or not they’re not going to give you a pass.”

Elana stared at him, a little mist whirling around her, “Dwarf, when you speak of dungoen monsters… are you simply insulting me or is there actual reason in your wording?” Ilea was prepared to intervene should it become necessary.

“Ever heard of Taleen dungeons?” Terok asked, leaning in on the woman. Not getting a reaction he continued, “They’re a dwarven lot… made a lot of machines that initially had a purpose… now their cities remain as dungeons, the dwarves long gone or fucked into other races. Maybe an ancestor or two of mine were part of them too, who knows. Point is, the machines are still there… running and they attack whatever comes into their ruins, dwarf or not.”

“You’re suggesting they’re not under his control anymore at all?” Elana asked in turn.

Terok shrugged, “As I said, necromancy isn’t my field. Who knows, maybe he just doesn’t like you.” Ilea’s senses heightened before she intercepted Elana’s hand, the mist again cutting into the wall.

Sitting back, she stared at the two of them, Terok having teleported to the side to avoid the blow, “Okay look you two. Elana as much as I enjoy talking to you, if you kill him I will return the favor. Terok, this is the last time I protect you for a retarded comment on your part.”

The dwarf laughed, “Never asked for your protection lassie. I stand by what I say. I don’t trust her. I trust that the necromancer won’t be a major pain in our asses but I don’t trust her, as a woman, queen or whatever she calls herself.” His stare was focused on Elana who returned the favor.

Ilea stood up and walked out of the room, “Why the fuck did I even come north if it’s just gonna be the same bullshit over and over and over. Elana or whatever your name might be come and show me how to wake him up. Let’s just get this over with so I can go back to fighting and the dwarf has someone else to talk to.”

Terok shook his head but didn’t interfere, Elana quickly got up and followed Ilea out, grinning at the dwarf. “If he’s evil I suggest you leave Terok.” Ilea warned but he just shrugged and followed them out.

“Not everyday you see something like a thousand year old dude waking up. Plus I said I don’t trust her, haven’t made up my mind about him yet.” He grumbled, folding his arms. “If he can open the other rooms it’ll be worth it anyway. Not like I can go back empty handed.”

Ilea didn’t react, watching the woman as she moved some levers and unplugged one of the tubes. “I think he just needs to be at higher health, then a push of mana will do the trick. At least that’s my theory, you’re the healer, you’ll be able to tell probably.” Elana explained as the glass cover opened up, steam rising as it moved downwards. The thing stopped after it opened half way, Elana grabbing it and pulling. Terok chuckled from the side before Ilea lent a hand, careful not to break the glass.

A bit of wiggling and it went down the rest of the way, the liquid inside seeping into containers below. The necromancer was lifted up slowly, his arms and legs connected with tubes to the dome like machine. No curse or anything had been released yet. Ilea sighed and extended a limb of ash, checking his vitals through her Hunter Recovery, arms poised and ash at the ready for any surprises. She kept an ear towards the exit.

The man was fine, no injury that she could notice. He had several scars and his health was low. It neither went up nor down, “Why is is health so low? It’s not draining.”

Elana touched the man’s chest. Ilea focused on the area where she touched but couldn’t find her do anything. She suspected Terok would tell her if his magic sight detected anything. “It is draining, just incredibly slowly. I think he added it in case his knights would all fall and his mana ran dry.”

“Giving his life for the kingdom.” Ilea stated. Terok snorted and Elana shook her head.

“He’s always had a dramatic flair.” The queen said a little subdued, taking her hand back.

Ilea healed the man, supposed king of Rhyvor. It took her a couple minutes to get him back to a reasonable level of health. After reaching half of his maximum, she started pushing healing mana towards his mind in intervals of ten seconds. At first he didn’t react but after another minute he jerked his head to the side. Elana gasped from the side and Terok took a step back. The next pulse made his eyes shoot open.

Ilea was sure Elana had told the truth by now, his eyes green and as intense as they were depicted on the painting in the room they had talked in. The man coughed before he looked around, “Hahahaha, you’ve freed me! Now you are doomed!” Terok teleported back but Ilea just looked at Elana who rolled her eyes.

“I mean it is a little funny.” Ilea said but the queen just shook her head. She still had a smile on her face but the tears rolling down her cheeks suggested it wasn’t because of his joke. Ilea was about ninety percent sure it had been a joke. He looked at Elana with a grin before he turned to Ilea.

“Finally, a strong woman with a sense of humor.” He tried getting out of the machine but found himself unable to move up. His muscles didn’t seem to have degraded as a normal human’s would have but the man was above level two fifty at least, Ilea had no idea how such a body would react to thousands of years of not moving.

He grunted, “I don’t suppose we won the war.” He said in a tired voice, glancing down towards the gray beard. Emotion flashed in his eyes as he looked at Elana, “My dear… how long have you been looking over me?”

She just shook her head again, “It doesn’t matter. You’re back now.”

“Be honest, the beard doesn’t suit me, does it?” The question was directed at Ilea.

She made a wave motion with her hand, Terok walking back to the group, “Maybe if you trim it a little. Definitely have the necromancer dread look you were going for.”

“I suppose I’ll have to destroy the world then for the sake of the joke.”

“You’re stuck.” Ilea said, “But sure, if you feel like trying?” Ashen limbs moved up, forming sharp and dense edges as they hovered towards him.

His grin turned into a smile before he laughed, “Where did you find her Elana? Ash creator and a different route than Kahn took. You’re a melee fighter aren’t you?” Ilea didn’t reply, “Willing to help my beloved wife. You’re young and reckless, I like that. To think she could get an adventurer to help her out.”

A piece of rock slammed into his face, “Dear, you’re embarrassing me.”

Blood slowly rolled down his cheek, Elana with a perfect smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes, “Tremor is a dungeon then… I have lost control. The knights are above my level.”

Good to know, if he’s not lying. Ilea thought.

Terok was the one to speak, “You built this machine not knowing this could happen?”

The necromancer looked at him and checked out the machine, “Interesting design. I’d like to see you fight in that, is that… Steelhammer…wait you’re wearing that too. Nevermind that, no I knew this could happen. It was a small chance, one in a thousand or even less according to my ass, where I pulled those numbers from. Dying was much higher, or succeeding, or all the knights destroyed.”

Another rock slammed into his face, “Bloody fucking idiot. You could have at least gotten a healer in here.”

“Don’t look at me like that, you were never supposed to be in here.” He said, much quieter.

Elana’s hand shook a little as she spoke, “And leave you to die? How dare you ask that of me.”

He looked away, not answering before she continued, “It was the one thing Maro… the one thing I wouldn’t… couldn’t do.”

Terok chose the most opportune moment to speak up. Ilea couldn’t help but smirk at the fabulous timing, “Mr. King, we came here to wake you but your wife didn’t have anything to offer. Do you perhaps have any valuables that could pay for this job?”

“She would’ve had you quartered and burned for that dwarf. Seems like Rhyvor has really fallen. Any survivors?” King Invalar asked.

“We don’t know… I couldn’t leave Maro, the kingsguard attacked me. I told you not to use marble in the bloody groundwork.”

“Only way I felt safe from you my dear.” He replied, “Treasury and armory still have some stuff in them, I doubt Reyker ran off with anything. I could open them for you but not from here. There were keys though… I think Gadrian had at least one of them.”

Terok sighed, “How do we get you out of there then?”

Maro laughed, “You’d have to kill all the knights… every single one of them.”

“Planned to do that anyway…,” Ilea shrugged, “… though it’ll take a while, the kingsguard are triple marks.”

“Triple marks? You mean they’re above level five hundred… what the fuck happened here?” He shook his head, “Well I suppose we’ll find out at some point.”

“Where do you think this Gadrian could be? Or his corpse?” Terok asked, getting a hard stare from Elana.

Maro looked at him and then though about it for a moment, “Probably Lisburg, it’s a city east from here, no idea how much of it remains or if he stayed there. He had his house there, mansion really. If the war ever reached him I’d assume he waited for them with a glass of wine in hand, a rose in his hair.” He laughed after answering. “How much time has passed, do you know?” He added, looking at Ilea.

She shook her head and shrugged, “Thousand years, two or three maybe? I have no idea.” The man winced, avoiding to look at his wife.

“I told her not to come…,” He said to Ilea in a whisper.

“I can hear you Maro.” Elana said, “And I don’t regret my decision. I was asleep most of the time anyway. Good that you at least left the pods.”

“Not as good as this one. You look just as beautiful, a little bony perhaps for that dress.” He said.

“Most charming, really?” Ilea asked, raising an eyebrow at the woman.

She rolled her eyes, “He’s not the best under political stress. It’s been a couple hours since he thought his kingdom was going to be destroyed, his people slaughtered. Our son died a week ago in his mind.”

“How do you know I didn’t experience all this time?” Maro asked with a grin.

Elana chuckled and smiled at him, “If only I didn’t know you Maro.” There was more said in the looks they gave each other, more than Ilea could understand.

“There you go then. He’s awake. I’ll go back to the Descent later today. Terok can you work on cracking the other doors?” Ilea said, cracking her neck.

The dwarf looked at her and shook his head, “I’d rather we find that key. Lady can you show us on a map where this Lisburg was?”

“It’s queen, not lady. I’d be happy to show you. Though I don’t know how you wouldn’t know it, it’s only a couple hours travel by horse from here. Vineyards as far as the eye can see, even if Rhyvor isn’t anymore I doubt anybody would have burnt it down.” She explained with a smile.

Terok looked at Ilea and shrugged, “Lady queen, I’m not sure how long you’ve been down here or what exactly you’re talking about but we’re in the north. There are arcane storms raging outside that could tear that one a new hole.” He pointed at Ilea. The two looked at him with questioning glances, “She’s ridiculously tough.”

Ilea smiled, “I don’t think that’s what they’re confused about. This is considered no man’s land. Human expeditions shatter trying to get here. I nearly died a couple times already and he’s right, I’m pretty hard to kill. At least I’d like to think that. He’s part of a scavenger town hidden in the cracks of these lands, living off the ruins of old. If there ever was a vineyard here it was very long ago.”

“That’s impossible. Tremor is the only remarkable mountain for miles, there are no cracks in the land.” The queen spoke.

Maro didn’t seem as unbelieving, “Perhaps the changes in the dungeons were more widespread than expected. A monumental environmental shift. Perhaps a magical catastrophe or something very powerful meddling with nature.”

“Dragons.” Ilea suggested which made Maro laugh.

“Here? You’re crazy. Well maybe if the changes were that drastic. Even then, why would any one of them do such a thing? They didn’t care for our kingdoms for thousands of years.”

“It’s certainly a possibility. Perhaps they wanted to create more living space for themselves?” Elana said but the king shook his head.

“Why not do that earlier if they were capable of such magic. We don’t have anything. Even if there were evidence it’s probably gone for a thousand years.” Maro said, “Girl if you free me from this place I’ll reward you handsomely.” He winked at Ilea who just laughed.

He knew what he was doing, grinning like an idiot, “Charming. Guess I’ll throw myself at the kingsguard then.” Terok chuckled.

Elana walked away, going into one of the rooms while the king looked after her, “I’m sorry.” He said quietly, not directed at the two standing near him. “Dwarf! You seem like a mighty explorer. Would you be willing to get me some food and feed me, like a babe. You could also tell me more about the environment, the north as you call it and what the hell is going on in Elos.”

Terok stepped up, “King Maro, I’ll be glad to serve as your mercenary and caretaker.” Implying the king would need to pay.

He just smiled. “I will be rewarding you handsomely, as soon as I can move again.”

Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned a plate of food, handing it to Terok, “I don’t see why you trust him more than her. The doors can be opened just the same, he has nothing to offer you.” Ilea said, looking at the king who just grinned and then winked at her again, his gray beard and long hair making him look more than a little creepy. The only saving grace were his muscly body and the beautiful emerald eyes. Maybe he swooned Terok with a spell. His mistake.

Ilea rolled her eyes as the dwarf started feeding the king, “You figure out whatever this is. I’ll leave in a couple hours. Maro, enjoy the food.” She said and walked away.

“Open wide your highness.” She heard Terok say. Checking on Elana with her sphere revealed her sobbing quietly bundled up in a corner of the room. The expression on her face made Ilea smile. Finally after such a long time, she had her husband back. Whatever their relationship might be, it was all she had focused on for all those years. Ilea couldn’t imagine how she felt, leaving her be as she stepped through the noise canceling enchantments Terok had put up. Blinking a couple times brought her out of the palace without alerting any of the undead.

At least she hadn’t woken something old and dangerous, ready to rip them apart. A big part of her was disappointed there had been no fight but there was plenty here in the north willing to jump at her throat after all. Vineyards… fucking really?

Chapter 265 Underground Paradise

Chapter 265 Underground Paradise

Elfie glanced her way when she walked into the cathedral, the double doors closed by ash floating behind her. “Hey there historian.” She said, the elf rolling his eyes before he looked back to the book he was reading.

“Did the dwarf die?” He asked a moment later, Ilea checking her armor for damage. The undead knights had barely scratched her, courtesy of her ash creation’s third tier. If she could somehow make it more durable the stuff could replace her armor permanently.

Never worry about steel anymore. Plus I could fight in shorts and a shirt. Ilea wasn’t convinced of the idea, not without a sports bra. Maybe they had a suitable corset here, Elana’s dress seemed suitably well crafted. “Nah he’s fine, might wind up dead if he keeps being… well himself.”

The elf sat up and looked at her, “Did they key work?”

“Question for question. Why was there an elven armor in a Taleen dungeon? I though you lot don’t go down there?” Ilea sat down, arm resting on the chair’s side, her head cocked to the side.

The elf stared at her with his gray eyes, a color she now deemed rather common among her acquaintances. Elana’s weren’t exactly gray, more a silver really. “Either someone brought it there or a cursed one died in the dungeon.”

“Cursed one?” Ilea asked, “So there are elves who enter dungeons?”

When he didn’t answer, she smiled, “The key worked.”

“That’s all?” He asked with a grin on his face, his tongue licking over his bottom lip.

Ilea shrugged, “Questions and answers Elfie, you’re being a dick, I am a dick. Isn’t that the bargain you had suggested?”

His claws dug into the chair but his smile remained, a spark of joy or madness reaching his eyes, Ilea couldn’t quite tell. Maybe it was just light reflecting in a weird way. “There are those who seek to destroy the Taleen creations. They enter dungeons and are deemed the cursed ones. I believe they call themselves the Cerithil hunters, named after one of the first and most famous among them.”

Ilea listened, writing some of it down in her notebook, “We found two survivors of Rhyvor. King Maro Invalar and his wife, Elana Invalar. He activated a spell, machine or whatever that is considered to defend the city against its attackers. That was long ago though and it seems the attackers never came or they simply left the capital alone. I woke him up but to get him out of there we’ll have to kill all the knights still connected to him.”

The elf stood up and started pacing, “Alive… after all this time… to speak to the rulers… and you believe them? You think them the true royals?”

Ilea shrugged, “Probably. Might be a fake story but the undead he controls are called kingsguard. Might be a prisoner too but it doesn’t make sense. The captain of the kingsguard… all of that would have been fake otherwise. And why leave them in control of the knights if they weren’t who they say they are. I don’t know Elfie. I don’t dislike them personally, don’t really care if they’re king and queen of this forgotten kingdom.”

A curse spread around him, Ilea’s veil cladding her in ash, “I do care. Can you bring them out?”

Ilea shrugged, “He’s stuck I said. Can’t leave without the knights dead. Maybe you can come in and help take care of them if you really want it? Now that I know there are elves going into dungeons it can’t be that bad. Cursed ones… you’re already using curses, would be a fitting name for you.”

He hissed, a powerful barrier rushed at her, Ilea simply blinking through and ignoring the growing curse around her. “You’re right though, with that weak ass magic you’re as good as useless. What’s your level anyway?”

The elf calmed down again, his magic subsiding before he sat down, “You can’t tell yet? Your identify skill is lacking. Did you get to this realm without it?”

Ilea didn’t say anything until he spoke, “I’m level two hundred and eighty. Meaning your identify skill is below level eight. Impressive… like a child given such power.”

She smiled and actually believed him, “I thought you were super old. Did you just fuck with me?”

“I did not lie to you human. I am simply not as inclined to throw my life away in some unknown cave or against an unreasonably strong animal. What you consider a past time. There’s a reason I’ve grown old.” He stated.

“Why do they want to destroy the Taleen machines?” She asked instead, not reacting to his provocation.

The elf tapped his chair with a nail, “Because, human, the dwarves, all dead and gone by now left behind more than ruins to explore for you and your squabbling little species. I still don’t know why they would ignore the human cities, the masses of your people, spreading like an infection as they scout through the vast forests to find and kill every elven child, every warrior that stands in their way. Like a curse placed on us by a dead people.”

Ilea looked at him, really looked at him for the first time. This was certainly something new, something nobody had ever talked about. “They send out machines to hunt down elves?”

“They do. Or they did. Tens of thousands of them. My people welcome them as a challenge, welcome them as the test to reach maturity.” He spat on the ground, his expression turning to horror immediately after. Ilea watched in amazement as he went on his knees and cleaned up the spit with frantic movements. “The cursed ones go into their homes, destroy what they can find but it doesn’t change anything. The machines still come, unstoppable, in greater numbers every year.”

Ilea leaned forward as he sat down again, his face not revealing any sentiment in regards to what had just happened, “How long has this been going on?”

The elf didn’t answer her, “Can you get the queen out then, if the king is stuck?”

“Perhaps, I’m not sure if she wants to go out. Terok will be back at some point, maybe talk to him about it. I’d have difficulties getting her out, she lacks a teleportation ability to get past the kingsguard apparently.” She explained to which he nodded. “Is that why you’re a historian? You’re trying to figure out why the Taleen are coming after you?”

The elf looked at her, “I am over six hundred years old human and even I was only deemed mature after facing down the sea of Guardians, killing my first Taleen Centurion.”

Ilea chuckled, “Guess I’d be mature too then.”

His eyebrows rose at that but he didn’t mention it, “Why not join the hunters then? Bring an end to their invasions?” Ilea asked.

He hissed, “Betrayal. I cannot. Now begone human, leave.I am tired of your presence.”

Ilea just grabbed one of the bottles they had found in the king’s chambers and poured herself a glass. Looking at the elf as she put down the bottle, she took a sip. “No, I don’t think I will.”

His curse flared up again, her very blood poisoned but she just sat there, ash twirling around her as she stared into his eyes and took another sip. Healing mana flowed through her, taking care of the damage as it was caused. His attack was nuanced, dangerous and lethal but compared to the Blue Reapers he lacked the punch to finish the job. He really might be at two eighty.

The elf calmed down after a minute, simply turning away from her as he continued reading. Ilea was at least not annoying him anymore with further questions. So the Taleen army I’ve seen wasn’t made just to defend whatever Iz was. They build robots to hunt down elves. But why? She didn’t know. At least they didn’t target humans, otherwise more people would know about this, or they would all be dead and unable to tell the tale. Perhaps this had something to do with the weird intervals the elves attacked in.

Taking care of their own borders, their own homes would certainly be a higher priority than to fuck with humans, even if they were supposed easy pickings. The comically evil and arrogant elves she had met didn’t really give her a picture of sophisticated decision makers. Is that why most of them use ranged magic? Because Centurions are much harder to destroy up close? The same was true for plain old Guardians but Ilea could’ve hardly seen all of the Taleen’s creations. Cerithil hunters…, She tapped the notebook with her pen.

Terok returned half an hour later, him and the elf quickly forming some sort of agreement. The dwarf’s part was to get the queen out and to the cathedral. Information as well as training was what he would get for it. “I’ll be out again for a while. If we’re ever to clear out this dungeon you two better work on your levels as well.” Ilea said after getting up, “Though I’d be happy to do it myself.”

Terok gave her a thumbs up, “I hope to reach two hundred before you do so, might be able to distract some of them at least.” She didn’t mention the elf’s inability or unwillingness to enter the dungeon at all.

The suns were setting when she made her way back to Hallowfort. Signs of mist started to appear when she reached the entrance to the Penumra dungeon. She knew there had to be another way or even several to reach the scavenger town but she liked to see the dungeon from time to time, to see another goal, another possible frontier to explore. A place to test and strengthen herself once she was ready to battle the beasts within.

Making her way through the dark tunnels, she quickly reached the town. Ilea went for the Abyss immediately, walking through the bar that seemed to look the same both day and night. The guard was someone else this time but the burly warrior ignored her all the same. Finding herself in the dark hallways of the old city below Hallowfort, Ilea this time didn’t hunt for Blue Reapers. Perhaps the Descent had something in store for her that was both as easy to kill as well as a little less ridiculously dangerous.

Terok had talked a little about the different layers but when Ilea finally found a crack leading farther down, she was still surprised to hear the chirping of birds coming from below. A blink brought her into the open space, her eyes adjusting to the crystal light glowing from the pillars reaching down. Ashen wings spread to stop her free fall as she looked around. A lush forest of dark green pine treesspread a couple hundred meters below her. Rivers ran through like veins, ending in a lake that reflected the pale light from the crystal growing down into the space. Looking around her, she realized the rivers weren’t ending but flowed away from the lake before pouring in wild waterfalls further down into the darkness. The lake itself was formed by streams flowing down the distance cliff like walls that looked like mountain chains stretching high before connecting with the ceiling.Ilea refused to call it a cave.

An underground territory but the light, flora and the lake painted a picture she could only compare to the Haven under Ravenhall. The entirely too even ceiling she was now hovering under reinforced the unnatural feeling she got from the place. A shiver ran down her spine. This thing has layers…, She remembered and had to focus not to forget she was in a dungeon, in the north of all places. There was no village near the lake, no houses entirely too expensive for her to consider and no boats enjoying the crystal light or out for fishing.

Ilea spotted what she had been looking for after an hour of flying, taking in the sights and enjoying the serene atmosphere. Compared to the endless lake above, stretching below the statue holding Hallowfort, this place was somehow removed, the dangers of the north almost forgotten when she landed and looked around the dense and wild forest. Taking in her surroundings, listening and smelling for anything that might be a threat, Ilea jumped up and held herself near the top of a pine tree. A couple hundred meters towards the wall, wooden buildings sprouted from the cliffs like mold clinging to an abandoned house’s each and every room.

Terok had mentioned there to be a camp of sorts, for those that sought to venture deeper into the dungeon. Even the highest level held danger enough to force such difficult construction. As far as the dwarf was concerned, the city hallways above held more danger than this place but Ilea would judge it on her own. Visiting the little culmination of houses would likely be beneficial. Maybe they sold maps of the areas already explored or at the very least information in regards to the creatures living here and further down.

Someone appeared in her sphere, making Ilea prepare for a fight as her buffs surged. “Lone hunter. What do you seek in the Descent?” A male voice asked, the creature wreathed in shadow that twisted and turned around him. Four arms by his side, two of them crossed. She noted the four short swords, two sheathed on his back and two on his sides. His face was hidden behind a black metal mask with no eyes, two small horns sprouting from his cheeks, a single line of red pain in between. A black hood covered his head, a coat and black somewhat wide clothes covered the form below.

Ilea jumped down from her tree, noting the slight increase in tension in the figure. “I seek to hunt monsters.”

[Warrior – lvl 252]

He looked her way for a while. Ilea wasn’t quite sure what to make of it but at least he seemed to be alone. “And what is your purpose here, warrior of shadow?”

Relaxing a little, he spoke, “I am the protector of the scavenger camp you see hanging from the cliffs. You are not one I wish to fight but know that should you murder and destroy without reason I will be forced to do so. Tell me know if you seek the death of one among us and we might find a way to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.”

Ilea smirked, “Relax shadow guardian. I’m really just here to kill monsters. If I injure or kill anybody then it’s with good reason. Though I’m not on the hunt for anybody as of yet.” She added and crossed her arms.

“Good fortune to you then, warrior of ash.” He said and gave her a nod.

Ilea watched him turn away before she spoke up again, “Wait a second.”

The guardian turned his head, “Do you wield shadow magic?” Ilea asked.

He turned to her fully now and cocked his head to the side, “You seek to learn? Or simply to test your strength?”

Ilea smiled under her helmet. He hadn’t dismissed her immediately, “I seek to test Your strength. On my body.”

Two of his arms were held up, “I have no desire nor the physical ability to engage in sexual activities with your kind.”

Ilea shook her head, “Not sexual mate, fighting. I want a resistance against shadow magic. Might benefit you too to face someone close to your level once in a while.”

The guardian considered, “No. I have my duties warrior of ash. I will await the tales of your exploits.” With that he vanished in shadow, darkness remaining before Ilea was alone again.

Wings spread before Ilea soared up, quickly covering the distance between the ground and the camp on the side of the cliffs. Sturdy old wood had been used in the construction of the foundations, placed deep into the stone. Either there were no dangerous birds on the first level, or the residents simply didn’t care about the lack of defense. Square and circle platforms interwoven with wooden stairs as well as small elevators operated with chains that reached through the platforms. She noted that one of the biggest elevators had chains long enough to reach the ground floor. Likely the way anybody without a flying ability traversed the camp.

Other than the guardian who had already introduced himself, nobody seemed to care much for her. She got some looks and a couple merchants were already beckoning her towards them, their wares held in boxes around them or distributed on cloth. Any houses built in the camp reminded her more of tree houses built on Earth. They had a magical touch added to them of course, some hovering with dangerously little to hold them up. Not enough to keep up with Earth’s gravity but runes and enchantments likely tipped the balance in the structure’s favor.

Ilea didn’t spot more than twenty buildings but some tunnels leading into the cave suggested more space to be in there. Ilea walked up to the next best vendor, a dwarf with gray hair, leather goggles and a hat that would make Robin Hood proud. His skin was wrinkled and some of his teeth were missing when he smiled at the new customer. “Welcome. Now what will ye be lookin for? Me gots trinkets, potions, poisons, maps, camp gear…,”

Ilea grabbed one of the maps on the ground, it read ‘Descent - 1st layer’

“Maps it be. More detail and perfect scaling than anybody else’s!” He helpfully supplied.

Ilea sighed, “Is there anything on this layer above level two hundred?” She asked the vendor, he himself being below.

The dwarf looked at her and shook his head, “Only the odd scavenger… further down you’ll have to go. The map shows the points of descent, ladders and elevators to lead you down into the second. I’ll make you a deal, layer one and two maps both for ten gold only!”

Ilea just walked away. Ten gold for two maps of a place likely traveled to death? She’d get a better deal.

Chapter 266 Scouting the Unknown

Chapter 266 Scouting the Unknown

“Alright! Six gold.” The merchant said behind her, trying to get out behind his wares but Ilea wasn’t in the mood to haggle with anybody.

Why isn’t everyone like Earl. Just sell me the stuff with your margin and we don’t have a problem. Ilea thought about just stealing the maps but she’d rather trade with someone she could somewhat trust. If he valued his products so lowly to try and swindle her into buying it for nearly twice as much, she’d think of them the same. The next merchant she talked to was a little more accommodating. The claws on his long hands as well as the teeth growing even out of his mouth made the reptile like vendor stand out from the others.

Ilea had no idea what species he was but she assumed a dark one of sorts. A dirty cloth covered his eyes. “Greetings traveler. May I interest you in any of my wares?”

Ilea looked at the wooden boxes, some of them remained closed, the merchant himself sitting on one of them. “At what layer are there monsters above level two hundred?”

The merchant moved his reptile like head to face her, “Ah, a newcomer then. For ten silvers I’ll tell you what I know about the monsters and their levels, though I must warn you. Even after all this time, new things keep creeping up. You might get this information in the tavern from listening alone.”

Ilea summoned the money into her fist and opened it above his palm. The merchant caught the money and continued talking, “On this layer, you will find few even reaching the lower two hundreds. Food and water there is plenty however.”

Ilea frowned, “Why build up here then?”

The merchant cocked his head to the side, apparently confused, “Most of us here are no fighters, nowhere near strong enough nor willing to deal with the beasts that stalk the forest and lake. You may find them mere annoyances but we are forced to be up here. Human, are you not?”

Ilea didn’t reply, “You build your towns surrounded by stone walls do you not? Against what? Wolves, bears?” He chuckled.

Ilea saw the point. “You’ve lived in human lands?”

“That is not information I am willing to sell. In the second layer, mostly treacherous tunnels, filled with traps and nasty insects, you will find most monsters near the two hundred mark. Other than what their corpses might bring you, there is little of value there. The third layer filled with water. You will find valuables there if you can swim and hold your breath for long enough. The beasts are as I hear less hostile but similarly dangerous as the ones in the second layer.”

“The fourth one is the one most want to get to. The Heroes’ Descent, the ruins of a city believed to be build by the same people who built the one above this layer. Dangerous, to be sure and if you are looking for beasts to kill, there is plenty there at levels most avoid.”

Ilea waited for him to continue but it seemed the merchant was done, “What about the deeper layers?”

He shook his head, “Few dare travel there and none would share their findings with the likes of me. Rumors about a silent and dark forest in the fifth and strong winds in the sixth are all I can share but it is not reliable.”

How long have you guys been down here and that’s all you know? Ilea was nearly regretting her decision to come to the camp at all. She was now in territory few humans ever traveled, ever could travel according to all the people she had met so far. Just because other races were around didn’t mean they could stroll into level two hundred and higher dungeons with ease. It was a surprise to find camps here with scavengers and people but Ilea somehow expected them to at least be able to fight whatever was around here. Can humans? Ilea knew the answer to the question. Of course they couldn’t. Most couldn’t even fight and kill the odd wolf or drake living in the forests near Riverwatch.

“Do I really need a map going down or can I just orient myself… well downwards?”

The merchant chuckled, “That will work eventually, yes. I suggest any new delver to stock up on food and water, rope, healing potions as well as an actual healer in the team. Antidotes to common poisons as well as maps providing guidance to the established and most safe routes. You however, you don’t strike me as a new delver, even though you might not have visited this very dungeon.”

Ilea nodded, all of that completely unnecessary for her. “Thanks.” She said and flung another big piece of silver into his hand, giving his wares a last look. Nothing struck her fancy, Ilea instead just letting herself fall off the side of the platform. She could hear a yelp come from someone who saw the maneuver, a blink close to the bottom bringing her safely into the woods and onto stable ground.

So it’s just a matter of going down. She thought, spreading her wings and ash around her, intending to work on the last couple skills yet to have reached the pinnacle of the second tier. Quickly finding one of the rivers, Ilea followed it until she got to it’s end. A waterfall leading down into darkness. Stepping into the water, Ilea’s Sphere already perceived the cracks below, one of them big enough for her to get through.

Jumping down, she blinked through and found herself in a small cave. A part of the water flowing down from the river above pooled in a small basin before it ran down along the tunnel ground, slowly eating itself into the rock. Ilea wasn’t sure if this was already the second layer or if it was merely a cave belonging to the first one.

Reaching the end of the tunnel, she found her answer. The smooth surface of the next level could be distinguished even in the dim light still coming in from above, its colora lighter shade than the one of the cave itself. Ilea saw the water seep into a thin crack, likely formed over centuries. Below was the layer of stone and then what Ilea assumed to be earth. Worms made their way through, unaware of the warrior appearing below them in the damp tunnel below.

Ilea immediately reduced her sensitivity to smell. Bloody dump. She hoped the information regarding the monsters here was true and they held little value for her. Looking down, she found her boots sinking into the moisture that had collected, brown water dripping down from above. Choosing a direction at random, she started walking.

It didn’t take her long to find the first trap. Loose earth with sharpened wooden sticks hidden beneath. Nasty…, Ilea reached an ashen limb down into the earth and ripped out one of the sticks. The thing was flimsy but sharp enough to penetrate through cloth, maybe thin leather. Her poison resistance informed her that there was something amiss with the substance on the tip. A low danger level apparently. Storing the armored pieces of her left leg, Ilea smashed the stick into it. The thing broke on impact, only managing to scratch her a little.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by dung broth -10 hp/s for one minute’

“Wow, really?” She exclaimed before getting another one of the spikes, until the trap was effectively dismantled. Ilea had a bunch of scratches on her leg now, her health continuing to drain. The poisons didn’t stack when it came to damage but the time went up with each additional wound. She assumed it was because more of the delicious broth made its way into her blood stream. This would be enough to kill any human on Earth.

Deciding to test out her third tier healing for the first time, Ilea waited until her health reached three thousand. Activating the skill with the intent to heal to her full health, she gasped as a huge chunk of mana was suddenly transformed into healing power rupturing through her whole being. It took a couple seconds but when she checked again, her health sat at six thousand one hundred. Fucking damn…, Her mana on the other hand had gone down by nearly one and a half thousand. It was a better conversion than she had expected. Of course her normal healing magic gradually drained her mana at a much much slower pace while healing rather rapidly but this could be a game changer.

She was rather sure that facing three Blue Reapers at the same time wouldn’t be as much of an issue now. Four or five, she still doubted. The high cost would make it incredibly risky. Wait a minute. A grin spread on her face as she sacrificed a thousand points of health to activate her third tier State of Azarinth. Red runes glowed as she invested a chunk of mana to heal it back immediately. A couple seconds later her third tier faded but with this she could get a pretty good increase in power without the drawbacks of her third tier State. At least as long as she had mana. Another reason to invest in Wisdom.

She sighed and started meditating, down over two thousand points of mana. The fact that her mana recovery was a percentage instead of a fixed number made the whole thing feasible. If only I could get Meditation to the third tier… maybe I could use it while fighting. A hopeful thought, one she put to the back of her mind again immediately. With this, Ilea could sacrifice more health without much worry. In a battle of attrition it wasn’t worth using but against something like the Blue Reaper, it would certainly be effective.

Leaving the now useless trap and the broken pieces of wood behind, Ilea walked on through the completely dark tunnel. Thinking about the reapers, Ilea decided against trying for now. Most of the groups she had avoided had been of much higher numbers than four or five, making her third tier healing simply another buffer before she would burn up. Let alone the mind magic that would likely knock her unconscious long before her mana was used up. Burst healing her brain wouldn’t help either when the damage came in near instantly.

Stepping on the pressure plate after checking out the enchantments, Ilea’s chest plate vanished as the barbed arrow penetrated one of her breasts. She winced when she looked down but felt little of the pain, even without activating the second tier ability. The arrow had penetrated about five centimeters and the poison started taking effect. “Dung broth… who the fuck is laying those?” She asked, wincing when she ripped out the arrow, blood spraying on the ground before the wound closed quickly and her chest plate appeared again. Maybe I should check the next arrow before I just let it penetrate my chest. This is how I’m going to die one day, right after defeating some insane monster. Boob arrow fatality.

The following traps, Ilea first dismantled them and checked before poisoning herself. Half an hour later, she was pretty sure she was lost. Digging down wasn’t really an option with her ash alone but she hadn’t even encountered a single monster yet. Perhaps not buying those maps was a bad decision after all. She rolled her eyes at her own stubbornness and continued onward.

[Mud Goblin – lvl 152]

The little creature had ran away right after it saw her, Ilea blinking to intercept it. The thing screeched before clawing at her with its hands. Are they the ones building the traps? She wondered. Checking around the tunnel with her sphere, she found a half dug hole in the middle of it. “You are aren’t you…,”

The thing continued attacking before a spiked ashen limb smashed into its eye and right through to the brain, killing it instantly. Ilea ignored the notification popping up, the thing too weak to make a dent in her experience anyway. Its blood seeped into the ground while Ilea continued her exploration. Rather blind stroll in a poison and dung cave. A couple minutes later, she came upon another creature, this one looking like a literal monster roach.

[Monster Roach – lvl 192]

“Really?” She asked, looking up towards where the sky would be, somewhere beyond the hundreds of meters of ground. The monster roach rushed at her, its mouth clicking as it opened and closed, dozens of sharp teeth showing below. Ilea closed her eyes and held up her arms before she sacrificed five hundred points of health, her right foot coming down in a stomp that splattered the half a meter long creature on the tunnel walls. “God fuck that’s disgusting…,” Ilea was hyper aware of any traps after that, hoping she wouldn’t somehow fall into their den. No amount of levels would be worth swimming in a couple hundreds of the black bugs.

Ash had cleaned off all the muck on her armor before she continued. The same tunnel continued on for hundreds of meters but at least it was declining somewhat, the third level getting ever so slightly closer with each step she took.

She blinked her eyes at the distant light she could see. End of the tunnel? The thought proved wrong when the light source came closer, identifying itself as a rapidly moving torch held by a running person. Running for their life…, Ilea realized, seeing the frantic movements. The screams coming from the two people behind the man were more of an indication. As was the clicking noise of hundreds of roaches crawling on all sides of the tunnel, like a riptide of teeth and ruin. Ilea sighed and started forming ash around her.

“Run for your life!” The male voice shouted before rushing past her, completely ignoring the possible danger in his flight. His brown coat rushed past, flapping as he held his cowboy hat. His face was distinctly human. Ilea was pretty sure he blinked at her before he was past. A dwarven rig limped past her right after, the only noise she heard was hard breathing coming from within. The last member of the group was a cat person in leather armor and a coat, stumbling when she saw Ilea standing in the tunnel. Ilea watched her hit the ground, the harmonica she had held to her mouth now crashing against her teeth.

Wincing at the impact, Ilea slowly walked towards her, more and more ash forming around her as it filled the whole tunnel. A wall of it solidified right in front of her, the rest of the ash loosely floating further down the tunnel. As soon as the first roaches reached it, Ilea pushed reversed healing into their bodies. She kept on adding ash to her wall as the beasts bit and struggled through the solid black barrier she had put up. The dwarf was resting against the tunnel wall, Ilea slowly walking back towards him as the ash was broken through.

The first roaches started dying, notifications popping up as she pushed more and more mana into her reversed recovery, Meditation working hard to regain her resources. Trying something she hadn’t thought about before, Ilea attempted to shove a higher amount of mana into one of the roaches. Her third tier recovery. Sadly nothing happened, her mana staying with her and the roach dying half a minute later against her normal form of attack. So reversed burst healing is a no.

Reaching the downed cat person, Ilea lifted her up with one of her ashen limbs. Checking on her, she found her knocked out but otherwise fine. The girl was flung a couple meters further back towards the dwarf who was now looking at her, unmoving. “Get her further back. I don’t see an end to the roaches yet.” Ilea simply said. The dwarf sprang to action at that, lifting the cat and matching Ilea’s steps as he retreated.

“You’re a lifesaver. I knew we shouldn’t have trusted that idiot.” He said in a weird accent Ilea couldn’t place. “He’ll run right into the next trap if he keeps going…,”

Ilea looked back and saw the flickering light of a torch still moving away in the distance. A chuckle left her, “Well worry not, your deus ex machina has arrived.”

[Healer – lvl 181]

Ilea identified the cat. At least they have a healer with them.

[Warrior – lvl 203]

The dwarf was surprisingly not a mage. His suit looked savage in comparison to Terok’s. A literal mass of steel, dented and scratched. She was surprised the three meter tall thing could even move, let alone as quickly as it did. It had a thick head without a neck, a single big floodlight burning from its center, the glass cracked on the surface. “There’s hundreds… should I start running or are you as confident as you look?” He asked, the healer held in one hand like a mere kitten.

Ilea was casually walking a little behind him, her back towards the roaches, ash floating and connected to her as if growing from her spine. “I’m fine for another half an hour at least. I’ll let you know when we start to run.” She replied with a smile on her face. “Scavengers?”

The dwarf grunted, “I guess we are. On the way to the fourth layer. Mr. know it all has a treasure map of sorts.”

“And you tell that to the person currently keeping you alive.” Ilea said, shaking her head.

The dwarf didn’t seem to care much, his voice calm and steady, “I’m not one to ignore my debts, not like a certain human. Telling you about it is the least I can do for a stranger saving my life.”

Ilea grinned, “You sound like a dark one. Are you not a dwarf?”

He laughed at that, “Sometimes I feel like one too. I am however born and raised in the mountains of the south. Proud to call myself dwarf.”

Ilea nodded, not quite knowing how to react to that. The clicking noises behind her didn’t stop.

Chapter 267 Treasure Hunters

A note from Rhaegar

A good weekend to you all.

Chapter 267 Treasure Hunters

Shaking the healer a little, she suddenly gasped and opened her eyes. “Baron…,” Her voice spoke weakly. “The crawlers… I fell… what happened?”

“The stranger intervened. We’d be dead if not for her.” He said, turning to flash his light at Ilea.

Ilea smiled as she looked into the yellow feline pair of eyes, full of wonder. How young is that one? She wondered, the roaches now thinning out behind her, heated up and killed by Embered Body Heat and her reversed recovery. The latter of course dealing the majority of the damage. She had at least another ten minutes worth of this in her before she would want to get some distance between them. Ilea wasn’t about to run out of mana with a bunch of strangers standing next to her. The dwarf seemed sincere enough to her but one never knew.

“My harmonica…,” The cat said, Ilea summoning the thing and throwing it toward her. She had picked it up after she had thrown the healer.

She caught it with a swift movement, starting to play a melody immediately. Ilea felt her body relax a little, her mana recovering just a bit more quickly. A bard? She cocked her head sideways and looked at the cat who held her stare. Bard and healer. They continued through the tunnel, casually walking while the roaches died behind them. With the melody ringing through the caves one could almost wonder if it wasn’t the bard luring the insects into an ashen death.

Five minutes later, Ilea stopped walking. She recovered some more of her mana while the last dozen roaches worked their way through the wall of ash. “Want to get some of the action too? The experience might actually be worth it for you guys.”

The dwarf lowered his arm, the healer hopping off to let him through. Smashing his massive two metal fists together, he changed into a more aggressive stance. “It would be. My joy.” His massive form stepped past Ilea, the head nearly reaching the ceiling of the large tunnel. Walking to the healer, her form was swiftly wreathed in ash, expecting more than a little gore to come their way.

The wall crumbled when Ilea severed the thin connection she had remained, around ten roaches, more or less injured rushed towards them. Most of them focused on the massive form of the metal machine, the heavy plating groaning against their teeth. One heavy arm came down, the roach splashing against the walls while the others crawled onto the armor, looking for weak spots or ways to enter. The dwarf fell backwards while trying to get one of them, squashing two others in the process.

Three of the beasts suddenly turned and came at Ilea and the healer, the cat immediately moving behind her. Ashen limbs shot out, piercing all three of the beasts. Two of them had lunged at her, now hanging in the air. Blood dripped down, the ashen limbs moving up as the corpses slid away, landing with a wet sound. The healer stumbled a step further back, Ilea noticing the light in the distance had stopped moving.

“Are you alright?” She asked, the dwarf screaming and shouting as his huge mech suit turned in the mud, blood and guts. He slipped but still managed to hit one of the roaches, injuring its jaw in the process. Two of them were still alive but another frantic movement squashed them against the wall. The last injured one was stomped to death by the massive steel foot.

He stomped again and again, blood and intestines covering a big part of his armored suit. He turned towards them, the floodlight turning warmer, “What?!”

Ilea couldn’t help but laugh. Her sphere let her see the grin on the healer behind her. When the dwarf took a step and slipped, barely managing to keep standing, both of them couldn’t hold it. “You dumb fucks! I swear if I get to you!” The dwarf shouted but his chuckled were indication enough that he wasn’t serious.

The charge that followed made the healer stumble back before she fell on her ass. Ilea just stood there, the massive form of the war machine stopping a meter before her. “Didn’t think so.” She said with a grin, a little disappointed that he hadn’t at least tried to slam her away.

The dwarf laughed, “No offense stranger.”

Ilea moved her ash to clean away the guts that had landed on her from his charge, “A little offended in your lack of trust in my stability.” She said and covered him in ash before cleaning off the blood and guts. He didn’t move throughout, either trying not to anger her or understanding what she was doing. “Your friend stopped or dropped his torch.”

“Not friend, more… dreadful company.” He said after she was done, “Thanks for the cleanup. Not necessary.”

Ilea snorted, “It stinks. Do you guys know how to get to the fourth layer? Might as well help me out after I saved your sorry asses.”

“Aye… we know. At least if his map is to be believed. So far it’s led us into that.” The dwarf said and pointed to the gore filled tunnel, some parts still twitching. “Friends call me Baron. I’d be glad to help you to the fourth layer. If his map is junk I know some other more conventional ways but I’d think you want some of the treasure as well.”

Ilea watched the cat look at him and then her, her eyes squinting just a little. Not enough to be noticed without her sphere and heightened senses, “Nice to meet you Baron. I’m Ilea. Depends on the treasure really but I’d be happy to join you for a while.

The healer bowed, “Seath. Thank you for saving our lives.” She said. Ilea wasn’t sure if her fur was brown or if she really needed a shower. Seath was a little smaller than her and definitely thinner. The coat was ripped in parts but still holding up. Ilea checked her notifications while they slowly walked towards the torch. It seemed like nobody was particularly concerned about the man who soon started shouting for help.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Monster Roach – lvl 184]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Monster Roach – lvl 194]’

The messages turned to team notifications soon after. Ilea assumed it was considered a team effort as soon as Seath had started her music. She thought about it for a while but came to the conclusion that it was only fair. To decide on becoming a bard and healer without much combat potential was already a dangerous decision. Having an easy time in battles, just standing behind one’s group and playing some tunes certainly sounded nice but when you couldn’t defend yourself against even a single enemy, it didn’t sound just as enticing.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Monster Roach – lvl 178]’

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Monster Roach – lvl 183]’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 17’

Ilea grinned at the level ups. Of course the bugs had been much too weak to give her classes a substantial boost but for Embered Body Heat it had been perfect to shine. Some of the kills might have even come from the burning hot ash. “Oh thank god you survived.” The man said, stuck in one of the small trenches, his left shin pierced by one of the poop sticks.

“You left us to die.” Baron said.

The man smiled, “Nah, I knew the stranger could handle it. Hello by the way, Austin the name, best ranger in town. Your armor looks fierce, Shadow’s Hand perhaps or a dark one?” Ilea was at least impressed by how little the man seemed to care about his injury, blood continuously seeping into the pit.

Two of her ashen limbs moved under his shoulders and gave him a lift, “Wait wait, don’t move me so suddenly the…,” He yelped and cursed when his leg came loose, the wound opening wider in the process. Ilea set him down next to Seath who quickly gathered mana in her hand before his wound started closing. Opening her eyes again, Seath sighed.

Austin leaned back, his head resting on the ground, “Aw man. Thanks Seath. Glad I brought you along.” The woman tensed up a little at the mention, not noticeable to the eye alone. “And you, fierce warrior.” He said and jumped to his feet, dusting off his brown coat and getting back his very inappropriate hat. “Thank you for helping out. We will move along now, back to camp to recover.”

He was obviously lying. Even Ilea knew it. “I’m not exactly a fashion guru but why the hat?”

The man just grinned and walked past her, trying to tap her shoulder. An ashen limb intercepted his move, a second time when he tried again. “I’m coming with you. You’ll lead me to the fourth layer.”

Austin groaned, holding his hands up into the air, “Baron you fucking idiot. Oh well. One more then. Yea alright. Alright. On the condition that you help us fight.”

Ilea shrugged, not having a problem with that. Identifying the man, she was surprised to find him the highest of the group.

[Ranger – lvl 210]

“You’re human.” Ilea stated after they had walked in silence for a while, the three of them staring at the dozens of roach corpses on the ground. The sound of Baron stepping on them was so unpleasant, Ilea had started to walk ahead, moving them out of the way with an ashen wedge hovering in front of her.

Austin looked her way, checking something on his crossbow. The weapon he had picked up from further down the tunnel, before Ilea had even shown up. “Yea, red blood and a single heart pumping in my chest. You’re one as well? Did an expedition actually manage to get this far north?”

Ilea shook her head, “Came here alone. You’re the survivor of one?”

He nodded, “Got slaughtered a week in. Feynor. Probably on an expedition to explore the south. We killed a ton of them but they had the numbers. The blood attracted one of those massive snakes and that was that. I loosed a couple shots and then advanced through the north until I came here.”

Baron snorted but didn’t comment on it. Ilea had an idea about what might have actually happened but she had no desire to get him on the defensive. “Where are you from?”

“Virilya, born and raised.” He said and grinned, “Lovely, the empire.”

Ilea laughed, not quite believing anything coming out of his mouth. His green eyes were sparkling, similar to the king she had met earlier. His jawline was smooth and his grin not unattractive. Still, there was something sleazy about him. The way he spoke, looked at the others. “It can be.” She simply said, the group advancing through the dark tunnel, a torch and Baron's floodlight illuminating the way. “So what's that treasure you have on your map?”

The man nearly stumbled upon the mention, flashing a glare at the dwarf and then the healer, “Alternative way into the warded section of the fourth layer. Nobody has been able to crack it from the outside so now we're going in from the other side.” Austin said with a grin.

Ilea was pretty sure the dungeon had been there for at least a couple decades. To think there was a known section closed off and not yet broken into. “Are you sure nobody's been in there before?”

This time it was the dwarf who spoke, “Of course there might be but the red church was crazy, they enchanted nearly every room and hallway. To even get past a single section you'd have to work for years and whatever was found hadn't really been worth it so most people have stopped. The traps and monsters don't really help with this.”

Ilea wondered if Terok had been there, tried to get in. Maybe working with her allowed him to dedicate himself to the work. “Red church?”

“You're new here. They're the only name we have of whoever ran this city and the Heroes' Descent. Obsessed with the relics found within the deeper levels. You'll find enough writing and left over books and records if you're interested. Most scavengers don't care.” Ilea would at least have a bunch of history to trade with the elf.

Austin held up a hand, “Trap ahead.” Ilea couldn't see it yet through her sphere but she smiply kept going, the other three looking at her a little confused, “Hey, I'm a ranger, I can take care of it in a minute.”

Finding the enchanted plate, Ilea checked for the connection and found a spear waiting to be shot out of a dug out section in the wall. She activated the trap, catching the spear that soared towards her a moment later. The others just looked at her, Baron chuckling while Seath just shook her head in disbelief. The thing wasn't even coated in poison, a simple wooden shaft tipped with a sharpened stone. “Were the goblins always here?”

“Yea, bloody plague. No money to be gained in hunting them down either. Especially with how extensively they booby trap their dens.” Austin explained.

Ilea just nodded. She wasn't interested either if the one she had met was an indication of their overall strength. May the roaches and goblins kill each other in this world of dirt. Reaching the end of the tunnel, Baron looked at Austin. A dead end. Ilea knew there was something waiting behind the wall but she waited with saying anything.

“Now wait a minute before you smash me to a pulp Baron, I told you I'd pay you back. Show some trust.” Austin said with a grin, taking the bow from his back before he selected one of the arrows out of his quiver. “Should do the trick...,” he said to nobody in particular. Drawing it back, he loosed it, a whirlwind of air smashing into the earth and mud, digging deep and taking quite a bit of mass with it. The passage was revealed and he bowed. Seath actually clapped at that but Ilea wasn't sure if sarcastically or not.

“And the map says to go down there?” Baron asked, looking up to Austin who didn't seem quite as confident anymore. Ilea stared down the stone shaft, the thing long enough for neither her eyes nor Sphere to reveal anything about the bottom.

“Well I didn’t draw the bloody thing. Just didn’t seem as big of a deal on paper…,” The ranger said.

The thing was barely big enough to fit the dwarf in his massive armor. Ilea looked at Seath, “You and me go down first.” The cat person looked around but it seemed neither Baron nor Austin were about to offer help. “You can heal, come on, don’t be a wuss. Third layer down there?”

Austin got out the map form his pack, “Yea… well not really. It’s supposed to pass through the third layer entirely. Only way to get where we need to go.”

Ilea nodded, appearing next to him and grabbing the map, “I’ll be taking this with me as collateral should this be a trap in some way.” Ripping it out of his hands, she rolled it and handed it to one of her ashen limbs.

“Hey what the fuck?! Give that back lady, you wouldn’t want to anger us, right Baron?”

The dwarf looked at him and then back to Ilea, “I’d rather deal with you Austin, no offense.”

Ilea appeared next to Seath and grabbed her with three ashen limbs around the waist and back, “Just follow a minute or two later.” She said and spread her wings, jumping down before they could delay any further. She wanted to get to the fourth layer, likely the place where monsters in her needed range resided. Whatever treasure it was they were looking for, she couldn’t imagine a lot of things being particularly useful to her. At least here in the north. Gold was always welcome of course. Free falling into the hole, Ilea was surprised Seath didn’t so much as yelp at the dangerous maneuver.

Her sphere would inform her about anything long before it would be too late to react. She could of course not blink due to hanging on to the healer but it seemed like a sure way to know if it was a trap or not. The map was really just to irritate Austin. They fell for quite a while, longer than she had expected. Should’ve thrown down a pebble. The thought passed through her mind when the ground suddenly appeared at a very high speed below her. Ilea’s wings spread out, magic surging as they came to an abrupt stop, hovering a meter or two over the stone floor that had carvings etched into it.

Seath groaned, Ilea sending some healing mana through her. The sudden stop had bruised some of her muscles and she was about to puke before a combination of her and Ilea’s healing calmed her down. “Know anything about those?”

“What do you mean?” Seath groaned, still held up by Ilea’s ashen limbs.

“The etchings on the ground. Might be enchantments of some sort.”

Seath looked at her, “I can’t see well in the dark. Austin will have to have a look.”

I thought cats didn’t have that issue…, They waited for a while, Ilea trying to make sense of the etchings. A couple minutes later the others joined them, the sound of Baron grinding down the chute unmistakable. Austin was simply sitting on one of the dwarf’s massive shoulders with an annoyed look on his face. “Stop guys!” Seath spoke, grinding growing louder before they came to a stop right above them. “Don’t want to get squashed…,” She said, looking at Ilea with an accusing look.

Ilea was somewhat confident she could’ve stopped them with a hand but this worked as well. “We’ve got etchings in the ground. Your passage is closed.”

Chapter 268 Bloody Mess

A note from Rhaegar

7000 Followers, thanks guys! Really humbling and a bit overwhelming to see but there's not much else to do but write more :P. Also hit 3000 pages with this chapter which is pretty cool. Tick off that achievement

Thanks for reading :)!

Chapter 268 Bloody Mess

The barrier it turned out, was just a layer of stone without any enchantments or further tricks or traps. Just a separation between the apparent third layer they had crossed and the fourth laying beyond. Whoever had built this had just felt the need to decorate the entryway in the dark tunnel. “To think they had an escape route straight to the second layer.” Austin commented while Baron prepared the drill head for one of his arms.

Compared to Terok he needed quite a while to switch it out. At least he had a storage item of sorts to keep the massive thing. The ranger had looked at him a little too long when he had summoned the jagged extension. “Why did you help us?” Seath suddenly asked Ilea, the two of them leaning on the wall to give the dwarf space.

Ilea looked her way and back to the dwarf who seemed to have difficulties screwing on the bit, cursing about roaches and incapable smiths. She shrugged, smiling when the dwarf started to smash the wall, trying to just force it on. “I guess I didn’t want to see people eaten by roaches.”

“We’re more dangerous to you alive…,” Seath added.

Finally getting the extension on, Baron laughed as it whirled to life. Ilea couldn’t help but notice the thing wasn’t exactly fitted evenly but with the size and quickly increasing torque it would hardly be an issue, “I survived worse, even if you suddenly decide to jump me.” Ilea simply said, thinking it a little bizarre that the woman told her as much. “Are you a danger to me?”

A sly grin, “I doubt it. It’s just rare you know… to find someone willing to help without anything promised in return.”

Lack of sleepless nights over your screaming as you’re eaten alive by huge insects is return enough. Ilea thought, not voicing it as the sound of the drill hitting stone started to reverberate around them. Her hearing was reduced to the lowest she could go. She wondered how long her search for a way down would have taken without the help of these three. Probably not much longer but the third layer was supposedly full of water and she’d be thankful for skipping that one any day.

Stone cracked, pieces of debris flying off to the side. One chunk of rock was caught by Ilea before it could smash into the healer next to her. Forming a wall of ash, she heard Austin complain before he jumped on top of the dwarf’s machine, blood dripping down from his forehead where a pebble had hit it. A loud rumble after a couple minutes of boring made Ilea spread her wings, ashen limbs holding on to the healer before the ground collapsed entirely, the dwarf laughing loudly before he smashed his arms into the walls. Austin grinned, holding onto the mech’s head.

“Down we go.” Ilea said, falling past the dwarf before stopping a couple dozen meters farther down. Dim lights illuminated the hallways around them, her wings fading away a moment later before the two stepped a couple meters to the side. Baron landed on the stone, cracks forming where his heavy weight pushed into the floor. Austin hopped off and looked around expectantly. Ilea threw him the map, the thing hitting his shoulder and dropping to the ground. The man whirled around and fumbled for his bow, Ilea squinting at him while Baron literally snickered.

Ilea just shook her head with a smile as the man took the map, looking at Baron with a bit of embarrassment showing on his face. “This is the fourth layer, we should keep as quiet as possible.” Seath said.

“Probably traps all around too.” Baron said, cracking his metal knuckles. There was no crack of course.

Maybe with another ten thousand points in Strength. Ilea thought as she took in the surroundings. Compared to the natural look the first layer had, the hallway looked similar to the city below Hallowfort. Of course that was technically the first layer of the Descent, it simply wasn’t considered that. Ilea wondered, “Hey, do you guys think the city above the first layer was always a dungeon?”

It was Austin who replied, “Who cares, city, dungeon. Treasure’s around and monsters as well.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Why build a city in a dungeon? Probably turned into one after it was abandoned or its peoplekilled.” Baron suggested.

Just seems kind of similar to Tremor. City turned dungeon. Maybe I’ll find another live king and queen here. She grinned. The light illuminating parts of the hallways was magical, cold and flickering in places. The walls and floor were simple stone, nothing extraordinary like the marble in the palace of Tremor or the white stone Taleen dungeons usually seemed to have. A worn carpet in a dark red color lay in the middle of one of the hallways. Ilea’s senses in her sphere were sharpened now instead of reduced. A familiar scent was immediately picked up. “Blood.” She said simply.

Austin nodded absentmindedly as he studied the parchment, “Of course there’s blood.” He murmured, “Fucking rookies, coming to the fourth layer and complaining about blood.” The man went on before he walked off.

Baron shrugged, the movement rather spacious with his massive suit but he followed Austin, his flashlight checking through the corridors. Seath checked as well, closing her eyes as she likely tried to hear if anything was nearby. Ilea walked next to her, all senses checking their surroundings, “What’s in the fourth layer then?”

“A bunch of nasty things.” Seath replied, talking in a whisper, “Pure Blooded, disgusting creatures that look like deformed humans. They’re pretty fast and venomous, usually around…,” Her voice froze as she stared forward.

Ilea followed her gaze and found Austin with a drawn bow, waiting. Baron’s light shined on a creature around fifty meters further down their way. About as tall as Seath but hunched over, a face that looked like it had melted and two arms propping it up, both ending in nasty spiked bone. Ilea appeared a little behind Austin to not get into his line of fire. The beast seemed uninterested so far. Being a little closer up, Ilea could see that its skin was torn, only bits and pieces remaining of what it had to have been at some point. A human, or at least a creature with an anatomy close enough. Blood dripped from its body, primarily comprised of muscle and bone.

Kinda looks like demon spawn. Ilea thought. She wondered if it was a coincidence or if someone summoned them here, maybe an experiment with demon magic or the runes Weavy liked to use. Her thought process was interrupted when the beast suddenly opened whatever was left of its mouth, a gurgling noise coming out before it tensed up and rushed towards the four of them. Before the beast could even take two steps, Austin’s arrow smashed into its waist, blue light flashing up before the thing smashed down into the ground.

It tried getting up but another pulse of lightning went through it, limbs spasming before a simple steel arrow smashed into its shoulder, cutting deep into its body. Austin held up three fingers, counting down. When his last finger came down, a dull noise resounded, some shrapnel digging into the stone floor. The man winced when one of the pieces cut into his leather coat. Ilea looked at him sideways and raised her eyebrows. Not bad. A bit like Philipp’s arrows. Maybe he’s an enchanter as well. The man’s arrows had even gutted her pretty badly. She wondered if Austin could live up to that. Level wise he was a little behind but not by much.

The man sighed, notching another arrow before that one entered near the other shoulder. Another dull sound. Austin gave a thumbs up after that and continued onward. “What was it’s level?” Ilea asked.

He had another arrow ready to be fired, “Two eighty. They’re powerful but fucking stupid.” He added.

“Why don’t you farm them then until you reach that level?” Ilea asked. She was also wondering why Austin was the one walking in front and not Baron who was quite literally the closest to an actual tank she had seen so far in Elos.

Austin smiled, “Because one, I’m not fucking retarded. Two, I just said they’re powerful. Do you want to see what they can do once they reach you? Well I don’t.”

I kinda do. Ilea thought, interested how their attacks differed from the demons. Spawn usually had clawed hands and these seemed to just have a single bladed arm. “Maybe we’ll find out soon what they can do.” Ilea said, hearing the noise coming from further down the hallway. Austin seemed to notice a moment later and lost a bit of the color on his face.

“What the hell are they doing? They shouldn’t react to any of that.” He grumbled, turning around and pointing to the back, “We’re leaving. Back to the shaft, wait them out.”

Ilea wasn’t about to leave without at least testing herself against them. If their level was around two eighty she’d at least try. “Ranged variants? Can they see without eyes? Level range?” She asked briefly, ash forming around her as the three others quickly ran towards the hall they had come from. Ilea blinked next to the running form of Austin.

“Gods lady. Usually no ranged, barely, they can smell well but mostly rely on sight, range between two fifty and fuck knows. I suggest you come with us.” He said and jumped up, bow on his back as he jumped from one side of the shaft to the other. Ilea watched in amazement as Baron bent his knees before jumping off, his heavy arms smashing into both walls before he dragged himself upwards.

Fucker is strong, or his suit is. She glanced at Seath who looked at her, frantic eyes darting to the hallway before jumping up into the exit with the most graceful movement out of the three. Blinking back towards the corpse, Ilea moved it a little with her ash, checking for possible weaknesses. The tips of its bone blades were poisoned, her resistance informed her about as much. It looked strong, fast and certainly dangerous but somehow Ilea didn’t feel very intimidated. Let’s see how you fare.

The noises from ahead definitely came from more of the creatures but after waiting for a minute, they seemed to have passed. Are you kidding me? Ilea thought and blinked towards them, her Hunter’s Sight immediately picking up the droplets of blood that marked their way. More corridors opened up as she followed, the noises growing again before a blink brought them into her Sphere. Six of them, running as if whips lashed behind them. Their movements were certainly not refined, feral almost. Ilea blinked next to the one closest to her. Identifying all of the creatures, none had a triple mark, some even identifiable. A fist sending destructive mana and physical force into the creature smashed it into the opposite wall, an explosion of ash dimming out the light coming from the magical lamps above. She would have to move away the ash around her whenever she blinked but if it blinded them somewhat, Ilea would still be at an advantage.

The monsters screeched, at least smart enough to quickly notice the intruder among them. Ilea blinked to the opposite side of the group, ignoring the one she had already damaged. Ashen limbs and a fist smashed into the Pure Blooded. It whirled around faster than she had expected, grazing at her Veil as she stepped back. Panicked. She thought, appearing again on the other side, continuously adding ash to the cloud blinding their vision. A quick grab and twirl sent one of the creatures crashing into the wall, its weight quite high but manageable for Ilea’s enhanced body. A series of screeches as the beasts slashed at an invisible foe, Ilea simply blinking to the wall, ignoring their attacks.

Observing the two she had struck, she found them back on their legs, not looking particularly damaged. Appearing next to one of them, she kicked instead at one of its legs, her ashen limbs attacking the other. Both attacks got through, the joint giving out against the brutal force. One downed. Grinning at the result, Ilea decided it was the easiest way to deal with them. The next five minutes were spent on braking legs, the creatures entirely overwhelmed by the ash around them, whatever hearing they had drowned by the cries of their brethren. Ilea didn’t even blink anymore, simply letting her ashen limbs cut into the downed monsters, delivering wave upon wave of her destructive mana.

Being in contact with the ash around her allowed her additionally to pump reversed recovery into her enemies. If only I could use the third tier here, one quick flesh explosion. She grinned when the first one of them fell to her assault, her magic entirely castrating whatever danger they posed.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pure Blooded – lvl 269]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pure Blooded – lvl 311] – For defeating an enemy fifty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

The last one had been the only one above three hundred. Ilea knew exactly which one it had been too. It took her considerably longer to finish it but in the end it died all the same, its senses overwhelmed just like the others. It hadn’t been enough to level up but if she could hunt these creatures for a while, she’d be golden. Damage output that can’t reach me, fucking blinded by ash and a trillion times faster to kill than Rose Knights. The thought was interrupted when a sloshing sound came from behind her.

Another one of the creatures came into view, Ilea’s ash floating back up right after she identified it.

[Blood Carrier – lvl ??]

“Came for them?” She asked, taking in the creature through her sphere. It was bigger than the others, its mass at least five to six times as much. Instead of sharpened bones acting as arms, this one had thick tree trunk like limbs, ending in big chunks of bone. A massive amount of mana suddenly formed around it, Ilea moving the ash a little, preparing to blink. The move was definitely smart as the creature’s speed increased, propelling it forward and making her teleport.

Appearing behind where the creature hat been, Ilea watched it come to a stop and turn around. I have a feeling that getting hit by that wouldn’t…, Her thought interrupted, she blinked again. The thing was slow to start but definitely one of the quickest beings she had ever encountered. With all that mass…, The concept was ridiculous but she was seeing it with her own eyes, or her sphere at least. Quickly thinking how to damage the thing, Ilea appeared behind it before it had turned towards her again, the woman smashing the sharp ends of her ashen limbs into its massive back.

The cuts were shallow but enough to keep her there as she punched it with all her related buffs and offensive spells. A dull crack resounded, Ilea having focused on the spine that jutted out. She doubted the tree trunk like legs would snap quite as easily as those of the weaker variants. A surge of mana and the thing proved her method of attack questionable, instead moving backwards before it smacked into her. Being connected with her limbs prevented her from blinking, the impact pushing out the air in her lungs.

Her bones held, groaning as the force went through her body. The impact sent her flying towards the wall but Ilea still found herself unable to blink, problem being the monster still moving as quickly as she was flying, faster even. Ash spread behind her as she braced for the impact. This time her bones gave, shattering and squashing her whole chest and stomach. The wall behind her was crushed, her form stuck within, armor bent inward. It had taken a part of the force but the hit had been direct, the wall too close for her to do anything about it.

The beast moved away a single meter, mana surging again when Ilea blinked as far away as she could. Storing her broken armor, she sacrificed a thousand points of mana for her third tier recovery. A yelp left her as her bones moved back into the right position, her organs reformed from the mush that was left, the muscles around her lungs healing before air reached them again. Spitting on the ground, she added to the sea of blood that was forming in the small hallway, a fresh set of armor appearing on her.

Now it’s personal. Sending away all the ash around them, she waited for the beast to move. The mana buildup was noticeable, even without a perception skill. Blinking was the only move she had that was quick enough to avoid it but this time Ilea waited for the last possible moment, blinking just far enough to hit it once. She messed up the first two tries, too far away to reach it with her fists. The third try however, her fist landed with grueling force, the spine further damaged while ashen limbs delivered their payload, further cutting into the already mangled back.

Blinking right after to avoid another hydraulic press experience, she made some distance between the two. The beast wasn’t stupid and quickly caught on, starting to delay the charges as well as charging closer or farther away. In the end though, Ilea blinked with reaction and it didn’t catch her off guard, its charge up for the attack too slow and noticeable for her to be fooled with any variation. A single mess up could cost her another thousand or more mana or even her life if she was unlucky but now that she knew what the beast could do, it had become prey.

It took the better part of twenty minutes to finally crack its spine, her attacks landing few and far between because of its changing behavior towards the second part of their fight. After that, the thing got slower, weaker, almost sluggish. It was a wonder the monster still stood and moved at all but Ilea could say the same about herself after being squashed against the wall like a bloody fly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blood Carrier – lvl 382] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 261 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 254 – Five stat points awarded’

She sank to her knees, panting hard as her helmet came off. Laughing reverberated through the hallway, interrupted when the woman spit another mouthful of blood onto the ground. Ten stat points were immediately put into Wisdom as her meditation picked up.

Chapter 269 The Inner Circle

Chapter 269 The Inner Circle

Making her way back, Ilea still didn’t know why the creatures had moved where they did. Perhaps they were trying to get away from the Carrier, or they were hunting something. Maybe just patrolling. Who knows what the fuck is behind these creatures. Battle of necromancers… Descent versus Tremor. “Come buy tickets now.” Ilea spoke aloud as she backtracked through the hallways, quickly finding the exit again and looking up.

The three people were still there, hanging a little higher up but apparently still waiting. “It’s safe for now!” Ilea shouted, “None of the fuckers around.” She hadn’t encountered any more noises or movements other than her own and the flickering lights. Austin was the first one to land next to her.

“They didn’t come this way?” He asked, Seath landing next to him before they all moved a couple steps away to allow Baron to jump down.

Ilea looked at his massive form, wondering how he’d take a charge from the Carrier. “Not exactly.” She said but didn’t elaborate. Nobody asked either, the other human back to looking at his map as they walked over the first corpse he had left behind. Ilea had to give him props for telling her about the monsters and their weaknesses even while fleeing. She might have not had the confidence to go after them so quickly otherwise. Any delay could have brought the Carrier upon her during her battle with the Pure Blooded. A good thing that it hadn’t.

Seath gave her a look but didn’t mention anything. They had seen her clean off Baron’s armor with ash before, her now clean get up not an indicator for a lack of battle. “Where are we headed anyway?” Ilea asked, the group walking through the dimly lit corridors, taking a right where Ilea had taken a left earlier. They wouldn’t find what she had left behind. Either way was fine for her.

Austin looked up and pointed forward, “This…this is the inner circle.”

Ilea had no idea what that meant but Baron was apparently taken aback by the mention, “What? Austin are you fucking crazy? We shouldn’t be here, nobody is supposed to be here.” The dwarf kept his voice down, taking a step towards the human.

Austin just put his hands up in a placating gesture, “Look, you really thought this came without risks? I told you it’d be dangerous.”

“This is suicide! There’s not just Pure Blooded here, you know that. If any of them find us we’re history, even with her here.” Baron said, pointing at Ilea.

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on it. Are they talking about the Blood Carrier I literally just killed. “What are you talking about? I’ve never been here.”

Seath informed her while the others tensely stared at each other, “The fourth layer, the Heroes’ Descent is a city… well it was at some point, now creatures like the one Austin killed earlier run around here and make it a nightmare to safely navigate it. Compared to the higher layers, you’ll find a lot of useful things here though. Problem is, there’s a lot of closed off sections, enchantments and traps still in place against anybody that might open it.”

“We know the layout of the city, there were plenty of maps and the previous residents had been somewhat open about their beliefs and what they were doing here.”

Ilea knew some of this already, “They were still alive?”

“No, well if you don’t count whatever these creatures are as alive. Plenty of statues, notice boards and even books all written in standard remained. Still do. The inner circle is where nobody manage to get into yet, even after all this time. It’s the heart of the red church, at least that is believed.”

Ilea nodded, though the impact of the information on her was much more subdued than how Baron had reacted. If the Carrier was one of the most dangerous creatures here, then it wasn’t quite comparable to Tremor, where Kingdguard and Soul Rippers roamed the place. She wasn’t about to share any of that. “Well we’re here now, where’s the treasure. What is it even?” Ilea asked.

Austin continued down one of the corridors, ignoring her question. He doesn’t know, does he. They passed a lot of hallways, Austin occasionally choosing one of them but Ilea was already lost in the maze. The place was pretty big. She’d find her way out eventually but fining this group at least saved her some time.

“That’s not supposed to be here…,” Austin murmured, the group standing before a closed off gate. Ilea could tell there were enchantments in place, feeling the thrum of mana coming from the door. Metal set in stone, the color the same light gray as the rest of the complex.

“Can you crack it?” Baron asked.

“Probably but I need a while.” The ranger replied.

“Why are we walking so far away?” Baron asked. An hour had passed since they had reached the closed off gate.

Ilea saw Seath smirking, Austin taking out an arrow and aiming at the distant door. “Blast radius.” He said and loosed the projectile. Ilea snorted before an explosion racked through the surroundings, screeches of monsters barely audible from farther away. “We’ll wait for an hour or two until they left again.”

Ilea was already walking towards the metal door, now left in shambles. Fires were blazing all around, some of the carpets lit up entirely. She simply walked through the flames, her Heat Resistance and Veil making the exposure trivial. She ignored the confused noises coming from behind her. None of them actually shouted, likely scared of the monsters that might hear them. The hall beyond the door had dozens of benches lined up and a centered altar at the end of it. On it was a grotesque monster that looked a little like a praying dog. The head however was pretty much unrecognizable, a combination of features Ilea couldn’t quite place.

The room was high, at least ten meters, no windows but paintings on the walls depicting different scenes, mostly centered around fighting or killing. The benches were wooden and in a rather good state, likely neither touched or seen in quite a long time if the others was to be believed. No magical lights illuminated the room, fiery bits and pieces on the floor had instead started setting some of the benches aflame as well as some of the paintings on the walls. Ilea made no move to quench the fire.

Hearing noises coming from behind her, her ashen spheres spread out around her and her buffs activated as she cracked her neck. “Welcome.” Ilea simply stated and observed the creatures rushing through the flames, briefly shrieking as the fire flickered over their bleeding bodies. She identified them as Pure Blooded only, engaging the first one as soon as it had entered the hall. Her ash enveloped them, the fire an additional factor to disorient them.

Taking care of them much the same as the last group, she found it even easier because the hall gave her much more room to navigate. For monsters above level two fifty, they were certainly the easiest for her to kill so far. Might want to stay here for a while.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pure Blooded – lvl 261]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pure Blooded – lvl 302] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

There had been seven of them but her ash did the same job as before and the beasts weren’t smart enough to get distance or even flee when gravely injured. Their bladed arms had cut through the ash but not a single one of them had landed a blow on her. Ilea had fought within a sea of Taleen Guardians. While they had been considerably slower and less powerful, she had been as well. Plus they had six blades each and ranged variants as well. Without a trick up their sleeves, the Pure Blooded would not pose a threat to her.

No level up as most of them had been considerably below three hundred. Ilea condensed her ash again, moving it into spheres behind her back, along the eight limbs that were constantly hovering there. One of the limbs lashed out, the dense and sharpened tip cutting repeatedly into one of the corpses before she finally managed to get through the shoulder joint, severing one of the bladed arms. Taking it, she looked at the bone, blood still dripping off of it before she noticed the glistening and sharp end of the weapon.

[Pure Blooded Venom – Danger Medium]

Ilea didn’t know what exactly medium entailed but it couldn’t be too bad and she was pretty sure the group wouldn’t immediately rush towards her, the smoldering flames probably enough to prevent that. Stashing away a part of her armor, Ilea smashed the blade into her thigh. It penetrated easily, her strength combined with the apparent quality of the bone enough to get through her thick skin.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Pure Blooded Venom -50 HP/s for thirty seconds’

Reasonable…, Ilea thought and started healing. The effect would wear off quickly. She made her way around the room, the wound in her leg already healed and covered again by armor. Cutting off a bunch of the creature’s arms, she collected all fourteen and stored them in her necklace. For later poison resistance training. All of them combined only took up two storage units, even though they were separate things. Her necklace must have determined them similar enough to somehow stack them.

Should go back and get the others as well…, Ilea thought, remembering the Pure Blooded she had killed already. Then again the bones could likely be used several times and this group was hardly the last one she would face. Flicking the statue of the dog like creature, she grinned and looked around. There were some doors leading further in and she chose the one that didn’t lead downwards. Austin had the map but she didn’t really care about it. The thing had been somewhat vague, neither mentioning monsters or enchantments like the one this hall had, simply stating which corridors to take.

One of the rooms had stairs leading further down in a spiraling manner, further than Ilea’s sphere reached. The other was just a small room. The door was metal as well and locked. Kicking at the door, the thing was unhinged and smashed into the opposite wall, coming to a stop in a crash. Weak fucking locks. Ilea noted as she walked in, happy to find the door hadn’t damaged anything. Not that there was much other than the altar in the middle of the room, a metal square with cuffs to hold a person or whatever the fuck these people put here.

The floor was clean but worn. Ilea had her theories, the most likely one involving a lot of scrubbing of blood. “Fucking nutters.” She murmured to herself, checking out some of the saws, blades and drill like tools on the opposite wall. Austin entered the room when she was playing with one of them.She looked him in the eyes and turned it, making the drill bit twirl, “This was used on the male genitals.”

The man gulped, looking at her as composed as he could before checking out the room, “I’m joking. No idea what the fuck this is.” Ilea added and threw the thing at him, “There’s stairs leading down.”

He was left standing in what she assumed to be either a torture chamber or an experimentation room. Fun dungeon for the very extreme masochists with healing abilities. She wasn’t one to judge but somehow it felt more likely that the people here weren’t quite that modern and enlightened. Ilea had the necessary abilities but pain didn’t summon a sexual response in her, more a violent one. All the creatures she had ripped apart spoke for themselves.

Baron and Seath looked at her in a new light it seemed, seeing the torn apart Pure Blooded scattered around the room, the fire died down and leaving behind scorched benches and ruined paintings. Ilea had her ideas about them when she saw them running from the roaches but even being level two hundred, they were made from a different material than members of the Hand. She remembered them fighting in the outskirts of Ravenhall, each and everyone of them battling for hours, hardened and unwavering. The group here wasn’t that. While at the level, except for Seath, they were scavengers, treasure hunters and looters. Not primarily fighters.

Austin returned from the room and motioned for them to follow, “It’s the other way then.” The others followed in silence, the mood a little subdued having seen the corpses. The mention of the inner circle must have had more of an impact than Ilea initially thought. Or seeing the number of enemies. At least they knew it would be hard to continue without her there. The stairwell was long, winding down into the depths of the fourth layer. Ilea couldn’t sense any hallways beyond after a while, the group now already walking for twenty minutes.

When they finally came out, it was onto a viewing platform overlooking a pit around forty meters down. In the middle of it, prowling, was a Pure Blooded. Bigger than any Ilea had seen so far. It didn’t seem to spot them up there or there was magic in place that prevented it to see. “Displaying their creation…,” Baron commented, Ilea giving him a side glance. The hall was around twenty meters wide and there was an exit at the other end of it, around a hundred meters back. All of it the same light gray stone as the rest of the hallways. Corpses littered the place, both obviously Pure Blooded as well as skeletons that looked human.

“Here lies the path to salvation. The will necessary to break into the depths beyond.” Baron said, reading from the plaque added to the big balcony. Ilea rolled her eyes.

“So we fight that thing and go on?” She asked, all three of them staring at her.

“No, we turn around and leave. That’s an Old Blooded. It’s not even comparable to the Pure Blooded, not that they don’t pose any danger. Austin’s map might have brought us to an interesting place but it’s simply too dangerous for us to continue.” Baron said, his huge metal arms crossed.

Austin held up his hands, “Hey, let’s wait a minute here. Ilea was it? They shouldn’t be above level four hundred. Maybe if we give you support from up here you can fight it?”

Seath was about to interfere when Ilea shrugged, “I can check it out at least. With her music and your arrows it might be fine, depending on what the thing can do.”

Looking at the beast, it had the same two bladed arms and two legs but stood much higher at around four meters.No joins were discernible from the distance. Its head was just a mass of flesh, eyes looking out from in between. Someone fucked with shit they didn’t understand. Ilea sighed, “Alright. I hope you know that if you try to kill me off here that I will ignore that thing and rip you three apart.” She said seriously, giving each of them a quick glance.

Seath gulped and Austin didn’t have his smirk on either. “We could also try to bypass it. Do you guys have teleportation magic?”

Austin shook his head, both Seath and Baron answered in the negative as well. Ilea blinked her eyes twice. Really? She couldn’t fault them of course, skills showed up pretty much at random after all but perhaps they should leave the exploration business to people that could circumvent obstacles like these. Trian and Eve would be in and out of this place without as much as alerting the thing. Terok and Elfie were likely the same. The dwarf really must have been unlucky if his abilities led him into debt while these guys seem alright.

“Intervene only when I say so. The thing doesn’t seem to see you here. Seath can you heal and buff at that distance?” Ilea asked.

The cat nodded, “I… I can’t… only at twenty meters.”

Ilea thought about asking her to come down with her but if she had to worry about anybody else it could be a problem, “Then just Austin’s arrows. Again, only when I ask for it and don’t try to join in when it looks like the beast is about to die. If it rips me apart completely I’d appreciate you distracting it. Twenty gold for each if you do that instead of running. Again, only if it completely splatters me and I’m not moving anymore.”

Before any questions could arise, Ilea jumped down. Wings spread as she slowly advanced on the creature. As soon as she was around thirty meters away, it jerked up and jumped off the ground. It was faster than the Pure Blooded but not quite as quick as the Carrier. Twirling in the air and flying towards the ground, Ilea avoided its bone blades and landed on the stone floor. A bone cracked under her armored boot as she prepared to engage.

[Old Blooded – lvl ??]

Smiling at the lack of three question marks, Ilea’s ash fanned out right when the creature entered her Sphere again. Her wings taking her silently to the side, she noted the monster kept its focus on her. Ash falling to the ground, Ilea dodged the bladed arm that came at her much faster than Rose knight’s blade. The beast was wild, cutting into the ground when she dodged sideways, the second blade too quick for her to avoid as she blinked away. Meditation spread through her, Ilea anticipating this to be a longer fight.

Chapter 270 Two Monsters

Chapter 270 Two Monsters

The feint coming too quickly, Ilea was blown backwards. The bone had dented her armor but didn’t manage to break through, slowed sufficiently by her Veil and the ash that had fanned out before her. Healing spread through her, the damaged tissue healing quickly as she rolled away from the bone biting down into the stone. A kick sent her flying again, Ilea twirling in the air before she landed on her feet, avoiding the next attack, her fist punching hard into the beast’s abdomen. Her ashen limbs targeted its left shoulder, cutting into it without abandon, delivering Wave of Ember whenever making contact.

Its second arm hacked at her from above, Ilea taking a casual step to the right, the blade scratching on her Veil as she delivered another two punches to its chest. She blinked behind it when the creature tried to knee her. A hard punch to its spine was all she managed before it twirled around, Ilea back flipping to avoid the horizontal attack. It was upon her before she even landed, her wings forming and taking her a couple meters further back to avoid another slash before she moved in again, a smile on her face.

_________________________________________________________________________

Austin looked on as the woman battled the nightmarish creature, his face blanching while he barely held on to the arrow notched on his bow. She had helped them out, saved them even, without asking for anything in return but them to lead her further down into the Descent. Now he knew she didn’t need anything they could even offer. Scavengers were usually the only ones occupying Hallowfort and the Descent, ready to explore and make money but the fighters were few and far in between.

He had heard of them of course, had even seen some of them spar but he wasn’t exactly incapable either. Fighting against another man or dark one in a mock battle was one thing though, battling the monstrous creatures lurking down below was something else entirely. He hadn’t lied to her, had not dared to. The thing wasn’t above level four hundred as far as he knew but even the Pure Blooded were too dangerous to face in groups. She hadn’t mentioned taking whatever treasure was at the end for herself and the fact that she helped them out made him think she wouldn’t just murder them.

Still, he was afraid. More than he had been in quite a while. Perhaps as much as when the expedition had been slaughtered by Feynor, his ass rescued by a group of dark ones that hunted the dragon worshipers. The north was scary for sure, especially when you knew jack shit about it but with a bit of ingenuity and proper preparation, one could delve to the fourth level of the Descent without much problems. This one had been rushed, he knew as much but there were few options that remained for him after all.

Baron the idiot had of course not been able to resist when he saw the map and Seath was a loyal teammate for a while now. His hand shook a little when Ilea was thrown at the wall, the blow somehow not penetrating her armor. Austin was sure he would be cut through cleanly if a single attack from the beast landed. Baron could withstand for a while but even as a group the thing would most certainly overwhelm them. He breathed out when Ilea disappeared from the cracked wall and punched at the monster’s back. It was learning too, not as stupid as the smaller variants that would walk into the same traps over and over again.

Austin knew a couple of people who got quite a bunch of levels just hunting them down. Some died when encountering the thing he was looking at in this very moment. It was becoming more cautious, respecting Ilea as an enemy to be taken seriously. He couldn’t read her level but she couldn’t be above three hundred. Austin firmly believed that was a threshold humans couldn’t cross. While the beast was becoming more and more defensive, Ilea went on the offensive instead, the black limbs coming out of her back slashing at the thing. He was pretty sure they weren’t penetrating at all or not very deeply but she still continued.

Perhaps it was a spell or just as a distraction to get in her punches more quickly. Baron and Seath looked on from either side of him, neither making a noise, scared they could alert the thing of their presence. Austin wasn’t quite sure if the thing was the Old Blooded or the human warrior appearing and disappearing, matching the monster’s step as if she was one herself. He couldn’t help but smirk a little. Shadow. The single word in his mind. The black armor something that had faded from his memories in his years in the North but he remembered avoiding the mercenaries whenever possible, always fearing they had been hired to apprehend or kill him.

The warriors humanity had to offer, not quite made from the same material as everybody else. Austin had reached the necessary level to join while being in the north but that was not his path. Not when there was so much to be found and gained here. His way of fighting and thinking wasn’t quite fitting either. The pay is shit too. He watched in awe as Ilea avoided the flurry of attacks with sure steps, neither tripping or inconvenienced by the corpses, bones and rubble in the hall nor by the dim light that shined on from above.

He had no idea how long they had been fighting already but it was definitely too long for anyone to reasonably hold concentration. Austin was pretty sure Ilea hadn’t messed up a single time, each hit she took unavoidable and a result of the beast’s sheer prowess and high level. They both learned in the fight, each step and attack calculated and executed with near perfection. The only way he could follow were his perception skills that enhanced his eyesight. His arrow was ready in case she needed it. At this point it wasn’t a question of betraying her or not, more one of not angering her. If she managed to bring them to the treasure mentioned in the map and the records he had stolen from Krentin, she was truly a blessing brought in the most desperate of times.

___________________________________________________________________________

Ilea finally got through, her ashen limbs cutting enough tissue to damage the integrity of the monster’s right arm. Now it was only a matter of time. The thing had grown more apprehensive, more responsive than initiating as the fight had gone on. Now its right arm was sluggish, Ilea immediately focusing on that side while the monster tried to keep her at its center. It was still moving a little faster than her but avoiding the slowed attacks was much easier for her. With each hit the arm took, the beast would slow down.

It didn’t seem to feel pain or cared much for its own survival. Ilea’s ash cut through and the arm came loose, the joint where the bones had been connected cut through before the thing flew off and joined the graveyard around the two fighters. Ilea breathed out, taking a couple steps back as the beast screeched, anger and irritation showing in some of the eyes on its head, others remained unmoved, some uncaring since the start of their battle.

Blood dripped to the ground, the monster mostly comprised of muscle moved. Bones crushed below its massive deformed feet, now a single bladed arm attacking Ilea. Stepping back and avoiding the slash, Ilea focused her ashen limbs on the open wound on its shoulder, delivering more and more of her mana into the thing. Blinking away from a kick that came just a little too quickly, she breathed out and let meditation flow through her. Cocking her head to the side, she watched the beast slowly turn and fall down. Blood continued to seep onto the floor from the massive wound. She waited for a minute and then two, mana continuously recovering before finally she heard the notification in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Old Blooded – lvl 362] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 262 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 255 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

Ilea put her points into Wisdom again, bringing it to six forty. The group of treasure hunters jumped down then, Ilea walking to the arm she had cut off from the beast. The thing hadn’t managed to get through to her skin even once, mostly just bludgeoning with its massive bone blades.

[Old Blooded Venom – High Danger]

She put it into her necklace and went back to the corpse. Ashen limbs started to cut into it while she checked her armor. There were dents to be sure but she didn’t feel like replacing it already. Ilea was down to four usable sets of rose hunter armor and this one still had a helmet that was fine so she stuck with it for now. “That was very impressive.” Baron said as he stepped up and summoned a bladed extension to one of his arms, adding it to the massive thing, “May I?”

Ilea stepped away from the corpse and nodded, the huge thing coming down and cutting into the arm. She grinned when he didn’t manage to get through with a single hit, not a second and third either. “You were ridiculous, do you need healing?” Seath asked but Ilea waved her off.

“I’m alright. Thanks.” She said, Baron cursing as he continued to smash his bladed arm into the corpse, blood spraying around as Ilea lifted an ashen barrier to stop it. Austin rolled his map and started checking through the hall, looking at the bones and corpses.

“There’s like fifty of them here…,” He commented, kicking one of the Pure Blooded.

Ilea turned to him when Baron finally managed to cut through, “Do they fight each other?”

“Who else would’ve taken all of these out… I always ran when I encountered any of the bigger ones. Some people say they fight each other, others say they don’t. Never seen it myself.” Austin answered her question.

Ilea nodded to Baron and made the arm vanish into her necklace. It had the same ‘High Danger’ warning as the other one and she wasn’t about to test the effects while the group was close by.

“Want the rest of the corpse too?” Baron asked. Ilea thought about it for a moment, maybe for the necromancers or Elfie. Looking at the assortment of eyes, she decided against it.

“I’d rather burn it all. Can you do that Austin?”

The man snorted, “Nah, I can splatter them more if you like.”

Ilea didn’t have Elfie’s fire cube, otherwise she would’ve built a pyre quickly. As it stood, they would leave the hall full of corpses. “Can we move on, the smell is fucking disgusting.” Seath commented.

Austin shrugged and motioned to the exit on the other side of the hall, a metal double door set in stone. Ilea let Baron take care of it, the dwarf smashing the thing open with a punch when he had found it was locked. His floodlight flickered on and illuminated the dark corridor beyond. “Wait.” Austin said and threw in a piece of stone.

The thing rolled before it was set aflame. The group watched the fire die out a moment later, Seath looking sideways at Ilea, “Can we not burn the corpses? The scent is already killing me.”

Ilea looked over and smiled, taking a step into the hallway. “We can deactivate them one after the other.”

Ilea just shrugged, knowing that if anything managed to kill her outright her perception would slow down. Poisons would likely not manage to finish the job either with her healing and high resistance. Checking the mechanisms and plates connected to the walls, Ilea found all of them the same fire breathing ones they had set off with the stone. There were darts and smooth spears set in the last couple meters of the hallway, beyond another set of doors. Stepping in, fire enveloped her, her Heat Resistance, armor, Veil and healing easily powering through the flames that didn’t even come close to the green ones she had encountered in her first Taleen Dungeon.

“Are you alright!?” Baron shouted down the hallway.

Ilea turned slightly and gave a thumbs up. “She’s alright.” Austin said, likely having seen it through the flames.

Why always fire? Ilea wondered as she walked through, her mana rising thanks to meditation, even while walking through the traps. The last set of spears and darts she avoided, smashing the walls with a couple punches and taking out the projectiles before checking them with her Poison Resistance.

[Blood Poison – High Danger]

Blood blood blood blood, what is it with this place. The spears were simple steel without any poison on them. The mechanisms to fire them were somewhat complicated though, likely creating enough force to punch through quite a formidable defense. Ilea didn’t test it out, instead just smashing the walls. Some of the spears fired anyway, the things constructed in a way to loose them in case of damage or tremors. The things rushed past, one down the hallway but the angle would prevent it from hitting anybody. Ilea couldn’t see through the doors at the end with her sphere so instead walked back again, smashing all the fire creating traps in the process. Most of them were just steel tubes set in the walls with small mana crystals at the end, powering the enchantment placed on a metal plate. The lack of a powerful mana source would make these traps work maybe five to ten times, depending on how long they fired. Ilea remembered the Taleen traps never had a source of mana crystals. The crafty fuckers.

Destroying the last trap, she walked out and found the spear that had shot down the hallway stuck on the side of it, just a meter away from the waiting Austin. “Was that on purpose?” He asked, smirking at her.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Doors have enchantments on them.” She simply said and led the group down the corridor. Seath looked at the destroyed walls, cracks and whole sections broken in. The cat lady gulped as she looked at Ilea’s back who observed it all through her sphere.

Austin checked for a while before sighing, “Seems like a hardening, perception barrier and some triggers for something. No idea what.”

“Can you disable single ones? I can check behind if you disable the perception barrier.” Ilea suggested.

He held up a finger and smiled, “Awesome. Sure I can try. That will take a while though.”

“How long?” Ilea asked and he held up five fingers. “Five hours?”

“Minutes.” He said and smiled.

Ilea looked at Baron who was filling nearly the whole corridor. They were lucky the dwarf hadn’t gotten stuck so far. “And why exactly is this place so unreachable if he can crack an enchantment in five minutes?”

“You did battle that monster right? And walked through the traps as if you didn’t even notice them.” Baron replied, “Not all enchantments are made the same. No idea why he can crack these so easily.”

“Because they’re old as fuck. The ones outside of the inner circle are powered by bigger assortments of mana crystals. Maybe they didn’t expect anybody to reach this far.” Austin commented, cursing right after while fiddling with with the runes scratched into the door.

“There you go.” He said when Ilea felt something in the mana shift. Her sphere suddenly revealed what was in the room behind.

Nice work mate. She thought, seeing the packets below the door, “Something is placed below the door. I’d assume it’s explosive. Or filled with chemicals or something.”

Austin nodded at her suggestion, “Any way we can go around? I don’t think I can disable the triggers without setting them off.”

“The room is pretty wide. I can see cages with skeletons inside, some violently broken open so we might have company inside. We should be able to drill into the wall here.” She said and pointed to the left wall of the hallway. “My punches didn’t set off the triggers so I doubt some drilling will.”

“They’re likely triggered as well if we enter the proximity of the room.” Austin said, “Let’s drill as far as we can then. You tell the big man when to stop.”

Baron was already screwing on the drill bit, “On it, let get that treasure.”

Ilea grinned, “If there is anything else but more monsters trying to kill us.” She waited while Baron prepared. One good necromancer means there’s a bad one in here. Equivalent exchange, yin and yang and all that jazz. She didn’t interfere with the dwarf when he started to drill, the three of them waiting a little to the side. Ilea summoned a meal and made her helmet vanish. They had already seen her use her necklace but also knew what she could do. She doubted the group would try to kill and rob her.

Seath looked at her with big eyes. Ilea sighed and summoned another meal, both of them not prepared by Keyla. “Care to share another one?” Austin asked as he sat down and grinned at her.

Ilea stared at him but didn’t move, the man sighing and getting something out of his small pack. He too started eating. “What’s your story? Joined an expedition as well?” He asked.

She chewed and swallowed, the dish noddles with meatballs and a dark creamy sauce with a note of wine, “I am the expedition.”

Chapter 271 Poison

A note from Rhaegar

Hey guys, hope you have a good day :).

Chapter 271 Poison

Austin laughed, “I can see that. You’re a Shadow though aren’t you? Or is the black coating there for another reason?”

Parts of her armor had been damaged in the fight, revealing that her Rose Hunter set was coated in a layer of black steel. “I am a Shadow. Was I guess. Not on a mission currently.”

He nodded, their voices barely carrying over the drilling. Baron was progressing well, already a meter into the wall. He would have to remove quite a bit of the stone because of his massive form. “Ever been to Virilya? City still exist?”

Ilea stuffed a meatball into her mouth and started chewing, swallowing a moment later, “Yea. Baralia is at war with the empire currently. City was under siege a couple months ago when I left.”

The man made a hissing sound with his mouth, drawing in air, “It’s been years but that doesn’t sound like a smart move for Baralia.”

“Why not?” Ilea asked. The capital at least had been pushed to the central district already. She had no idea about their general forces, defenses and funding.

He just shrugged, taking another bite from his jerky, “The empire is old, one of the oldest places among the human territories. I just don’t think it’ll fall. Call it a feeling.”

Ilea shrugged, “I don’t really care. If it means Ravenhall will continue to do well and slavery stays out of that territory then I call that a win.” She didn’t mention the thousands upon thousands that would suffer and die in the war.

“True Shadow then.” He said and laughed, “You think they’d let me join?”

Ilea took another bite, the drilling stopping for a moment as Baron retracted his arm to continue on another section, “Of course, you’re above two hundred. It’s a hundred gold but maybe the payment has changed after the demon fiasco.”

“Now that’s a story I’d like to hear.” Austin sat up a little, a big smile on his face as he looked at her with anticipation figuratively written on his face.

Ilea waved him off with her fork, “Not that big of a deal. One of the elders summoned a couple thousand into the city and vanished into the demon realm. Wiped out the population of Ravenhall and many surrounding cities. The Hand lost a bunch of people but we managed to clean up in the end, as well as we possibly could.”

“You’re not one for storytelling are you? Makes sense that Baralia attacks then, the empire dealing with runaway demons and the Hand occupied with their own fuck up. Oh well, not that it matters here.” He concluded.

Ilea was alright with the topic ending there. She didn’t feel responsible for either the demons or the war but thinking about the chaos and all the dying people, the absolute slaughter the demons caused and the ensuing war. The murders of the Birmingales and Redleafs she had been a part of. “Doesn’t matter here.” She mirrored.

Seath listened to them but didn’t comment, their topics of discussion of places and people far away. “How far in do I have to go?” Baron asked then, a couple meters deep already.

“You have around another three meters big man.” Ilea said, her sphere perceiving the end of the room beyond the closed off door.

“Big dwarf little lady.” He grumbled and continued his work.

I thought political correctness wasn’t a thing yet in medieval times. She sighed at his comment and finished her meal, helmet appearing a moment later.

“You have gorgeous eyes.” Austin commented suddenly, grinning at her.

“Thanks.” Ilea said, “Yours are pretty unique as well. Now if only you had an interesting character.”

Seath snickered at that while Austin laughed out loud, “You on the other hand are pretty interesting. I must admit though, I wouldn’t want to get too close to that. Lest you smash my dick off.”

Ilea grinned under her helmet, “I can heal so you’d survive. Very painful though, I suggest getting a high resistance first.”

“There’s no resistance to getting crushed.” Seath suggested with a purr.

“I think I’m done guys. What did I miss?” Baron asked, his metal head looking out from the new section of hallway he had dug out.

“He might be able to handle you.” Seath suggested, Ilea answering with a wave of her hand.

Ilea and Austin went to check the wall again. They could break through now quite a bit farther away from the packets below the doors. “You still have no idea what they are?”

“No, could be anything from poison to fire.” The man admitted, Ilea nodding.

She knocked her knuckles against the stone wall, “They will activate no matter what? How long to deactivate the enchantments?”

Austin frowned, “Not sure I could even do that. Honestly I’d just put down a couple arrows and let them explode in here.”

“Then let’s do that.” Ilea confirmed, eager to continue into whatever hellhole this inner circle was.

The group was standing outside the hallway, in the room Ilea had fought the Old blooded previously. “Three, two, one.” Austin called out before a dull rumbling sound reverberated through the room. A hissing sound followed before a red gas filled the hallway and rushed towards them.

“Ah fuck, retreat guys.” Austin said, the three of them rushing back and working their way up the walls to reach the balcony above.

Ilea wasn’t reacting immediately, waiting instead as her ash spread to block out the gas and redirect it to the side. She let some of it through on purpose and identified it with her Poison Resistance.

[Blood Vapor – Medium Danger]

Medium. Taking a step towards the gas, she breathed it in.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Blood Vapor -30 HP/s for two minutes. Paralysis resisted’

Meaning there’s an additional paralysis added to the poison? Ilea walked into the poison, the only thing changing was the notification refreshing. The damage wasn’t stacking, the duration likely just going back to two minutes every time she breathed in. Moving around her ash, she created a sphere around her before heating it up to the highest she could. Waiting for a couple minutes, she breathed in again and found the poison not reactivating.

She continued to walk around and burn the gas with her ash, or at least heat it up enough to damage the molecules enough for it to become ineffective.

“Are you alright in there?!” Baron shouted.

Ilea formed a thumbs up with ash that she sent hovering a little over the red gas before it disintegrated. Just to be cool.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

Her cleanup continued for another five minutes, taking care of each section before moving into the hallway. The poison apparently had spread towards them and little of it had spread into the room beyond the still closed door. She noted that the section Baron had freed now contained an entrance at least. The plan had worked and the poison was thoroughly ineffective against her.

Mentioning to the others that the poison was dealt with, Baron jumped down pretty much immediately. Either he trusted her more or had some confidence in his own survivability. “Good job. You must have a high poison resistance. That was Blood Vapor right?”

Ilea nodded. Makes sense that they’d know about it. The place is supposedly trapped all over. “Yea… been wondering. Does it reduce the effects of the poison or does it just make lower ones ineffective?”

“You have the skill and never cared to test that?” The dwarf asked, more surprised than judging, “Well the effects are reduced. Though Blood Vapor is insanely powerful even with a high level of resistance. If you don’t have a healer nearby most are proper fucked.”

Seath jumped down and Baron motioned her to come, “Take care of her.”

The cat woman just smiled, waving him off, “She can heal well enough.” Ilea winked at her after the comment.

“I just heated it all up, the poison seems dealt with. Just don’t stray too far from the center of the room.” She said and started making her way towards the hallway, Austin now deciding to join them as well, ever cautious. They walked through the entryway created by the explosion, Ilea noting the cages scattered in the room. The steel was rusty in places, some holding skeletons of monsters she couldn’t place. Others held what looked like people of various species.

“Stumbled upon a happy place here.” She grumbled, swinging one of the cage doors around, the hinges creaking from old age and wear. The room continued further in, creating a rather large hall filled with cages separated by several meters in each direction. Ilea listened but couldn’t hear anything moving. The residents of the open cages must have either died or had found some way to escape. Some skeletons were lying around freely too.

Austin checked some of them and looked around, “Something’s still alive here. Be careful.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows. Magic lights built into the ceiling around five meters above them lit up most of the place, some having their circular glass casings broken in. She wondered if someone deliberately tried to destroy them. “Any idea what it could be?” She asked, glancing at the ranger.

He checked the ground several times, blood stains as well as discolorations on the stone. Lifting a small piece of bone he shook his head, “No idea. I’m just sure something’s been walking around here, disturbing the place in the past week.”

They walked through the hall, the three staying close together while Ilea moved a little ahead. Movement suddenly showed in her sphere, Ilea catching a thin leg going by at the corner of the room, moving behind them. “We’ve got company.” She said and blinked towards where she had seen the movement. Her sphere picked up something that looked like a spider. The thing definitely looked similar to the monsters they had encountered in the inner circle so far, something dripping down from its body, the legs mere bones and its body disfigured. The chunk of congregated muscle forming the center, eyes peeking out from random places and eight bony legs jutting out.

The thing was around a meter tall and long, more if the legs were outstretched. Ilea rushed towards it, the thing now turning to her.

[Blood Tainted – lvl 128]

The low level was a little confusing but it jumped at her a moment later, Ilea’s ashen limbs intercepting it. The pointed tips pierced through the center and kept the thing floating in the air, more and more blood seeping to the ground. “Careful, explosion!” Someone shouted but Ilea just watched as the core expanded in a flash of red, blood and guts smashing against her Veil before a now familiar poison entered her system.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Blood Vapor -30 HP/s for two minutes. Paralysis resisted’

She started heating up the localized cloud. Her defenses had held, none of the blast getting through. “And she saved us again.” Baron commented, “Does your map say anything about how long it is from here to whatever treasure there is? Otherwise I’m out. That thing could’ve ended us three immediately.”

Ilea moved the thing a little closer before cutting herself with one of its legs. It wasn’t venomous. Dropping it, she joined the group again, “Well Seath could heal everyone. I doubt the blast would’ve taken out any of you so they’re alright. If there aren’t hundreds of them waiting behind that door.” Ilea said, pointing to the metal gate at the end of the hall.

Crossing the distance, Austin checked it. “No enchantments on this one.” He moved the handle, “Locked.”

Ilea motioned him aside and kicked against the door. The metal bent inwards but it didn’t open. A second kick broke the lock entirely, Ilea reaching in a hand before she pulled it open. “Get the fuck out of here.” She said, seeing the spiders move into her sphere from the distance. Ash spread out as she closed the door again. The sound of dozens of them moving in filled the air, Austin the first to react as he rushed back, quickly followed by the other two.

Ilea formed thick walls of ash behind the metal door, waiting for them to get away. Some of her ash seeped in and started delivering her destructive mana into the monsters that started to pile up. I’ve become a quite effective exterminator…, The same tactic as applied against the roaches and these were even of a much lower level. The things died like flies, the poison blocked by her ash, slowly filling the room beyond. There had been no light coming from within but Ilea knew it was just filled with machines, tubes and crates. They’ll be sad to find this at the end of their treasure map.

The last of the spiders died, Ilea ignoring the notifications about dozens of them dying. The low level did little for her experience. Stepping inside, the poison was reactivated. Spreading out ash, she waited with burning it all and checked out the room instead. A big chair was situated in the center, cuffs attached for feet and hands as well as a bunch of detachable additions that would allow for less humanoid or perhaps winged creatures to be fastened to it.

Most of the vials were broken, the ones that weren’t contained a red substance. Ilea assumed it was blood. Checking the crates, she found mostly trash or instruments she had no idea what do do with. There was a book she quickly stashed into her necklace before she continued on. Her ashen limbs moved the spider corpses into the least cluttered corner and she started to clean out the poison gas, figuring there wasn’t anything of real value down here.

“Hey is it safe in there?!” She heard Austin’s voice, the need for looting audible in his voice.

She removed her helmet to get some light from her Form of Ash and Ember, turning around the golden key she had found near a skeleton, the only non spider one in the room. Looks important. Even has a ruby or something in it. She thought, putting it into her necklace as well, “Taking care of the poison now. Couple minutes.” She commented offhandedly.

Turning a vial in her hand, she identified it.

[Vial of blood]

Useful. The key had identified as just that, a key. Maybe her identify skill just wasn’t high enough or it simply wasn’t that kind of skill.

Not finding anything else that might be of interest to her after looking through all the crates with her sphere, she started fucking with the chair in the middle. Tubes connected it to the big glass containers on the walls, most of them shattered and broken.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Baron’s floodlight broke into the room at that point, most of the gas burnt up by her ash. “Should be safe enough now.” She said, clicking one of the cuffs shut and trying to open it again with strength alone.

Austin looked around as he entered, frowning as he put up a portable magic light. Ilea glanced his way and then to the light source, “Why not use that instead of the torch?”

He didn’t reply, instead looking around and focusing on the glass containers on the walls. “Because monsters sometimes fear fire.” Baron supplied, coming into the room crouched and sideways.

Austin unhooked some of the tubes and started unscrewing the containers from the walls, “That’s the treasure?” Ilea asked, looking at him and then Baron.

“This is blood they used in their experiments. The right buyer will pay quite a bit for it.” The ranger explained.

“So you’re dooming all of life to become Pure Blooded?”

Baron intervened, “I don’t think you understand. This substance was and is still apparently found on lower levels. The red church simply brought it here and experimented with it. Drinking it on its own is a high quality health potion but it’s a versatile substance, allegedly.”

“You’ve never seen it… none of you have?” Ilea asked.

Austin carefully took down the tank and looked at her, “Who cares, it sells and you get your share.”

Ilea smiled, “And it was used to create the Pure Blooded and the other variants?”

He looked at her and then at Baron, “That’s a theory.” The dwarf supplied.

She tapped the armor on her thigh, “I get the thing then and you get a share of how much it would sell for. As far as I’m concerned the only thing you supplied was the map.”

“You what?” Austin asked. She felt his heart rate accelerate.

“How much would all of it in this room sell for?” She asked when someone shouted from outside of the room.

“Austin you sleazy fucking dimwit!” Ilea noted that Seath was nowhere to be seen.

Austin’s eyes darted towards the voice. “Fuck.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “You stole the map, didn’t you. Give me the stuff, I’ll store it safely at least.” He hesitated but ultimately handed it over. Grabbing onto the two tanks still hanging on the walls, Ilea simply ripped them off and stored them as well. “What are you looking at me for, this is your problem.”

Austin’s trademark smirk was back on his face before he dusted off his cloak, “Baron move out of the way would you.”

The dwarf obliged, stepping out of the room before the others followed. Ilea looked at the group moving closer, now in range of her sphere. The one in the middle looked humanoid other than the bug like head on his shoulders. A lizard person was standing at his side, massive sword dragging behind it on the ground as its tail twitched from time to time. Both were around two meters tall. The next one was a human, a woman Ilea thought she recognized. A black mist floated next to her, only recognizable as a person due to the two arms holding onto the long halberd.

The last one in their group was a serious looking Seath, the healer bard standing with arms crossed to the bug person’s side. “You owe me a map and whatever you already found.” The bug person said, likely the leader of their group. Ilea looked over them, meeting the eyes of the lizard warrior who grinned and slithered her snake like tongue towards her.

Chapter 272 Overconfidence is a quick and direct Killer

A note from Rhaegar

A good weekend to you all :).

Chapter 272 Overconfidence is a quick and direct Killer

Austin stepped forward, “Krentin… what a joy to find you here. You played me Seath, impressive. I’m sure we’ll find an arrangement. You can have the map back and whatever is in there. We didn’t find anything useful since getting in which wasn’t long ago. We did however clear out all the monsters on the way here.” He smiled and gestured for them to go look in the small room.

“He didn’t clear out anything. The human in black armor did all of the work.” Seath said, “And she has a storage item so if there was anything in there I assume it’s already gone.”

Krentin made a clicking noise, making a fist with his armored hand before he removed the silver chain holding his hood. “I don’t want this to end bloody. Young lady, are you working for that man?”

Ilea carefully identified all of them, Krentin himself being the highest at two twenty eight and a mage, the mana coming from him felt powerful and the dark wisps licking at the air reminded her of Walter. The lizard person she identified as a female warrior was at two twenty one, wearing heavy plated armor. Her sword was curved and nearly as long as Ilea was tall, a red sheen visible near the blade. Her eyes were reptile like and nearly red, staring at her with high intensity. Ilea noted that she was breathing hard, either because of some injury or because of incredibly excitement.

“I work for myself.” She simply stated, looking at the rest of his group.

The woman was at two ten and a healer but the way she held herself and was geared, Ilea knew there was more to it. A thin set of steel armor with a brown hooded cloak. A scarf prevented her from seeing anything but her blue eyes. The black shadow like being that reminded her of Goliath was a mage at one eighty five, either using the halberd for show or in combination with spells, Ilea wasn’t sure.

Krentin scratched his head, “You’re complicating things considerably.”

Ilea didn’t disagree. Evaluating the group, she was pretty sure the lizardperson and perhaps the healer were the only real fighters of the group. Just based on how aware the were, how tense and prepared their bodies were. They reminded her of Shadows. Austin seemed glad the attention had shifted to her instead of him. “She’s dangerous Krentin.” Seath said, the bug person looking at her and considering.

Ilea thought about just sending out some ash and getting out of there but she kind of wanted to fight the lizard woman. See what she could do with that sword. Let’s wait a couple more minutes.

“Dangerous… I invested too much to stop here. Are you willing to part with what you found in there, I’ll pay you five gold as well. Just leave it here and vanish, no repercussions.” The mage explained.

Ilea grinned at that. No repercussions… how very generous. “I don’t have business with anybody here. I cleared out the way and I’ll keep what I found, how does that sound mister important?”

Krentin sighed, “Knock them out.”

Ilea stood there when she felt magic surge from the black wisp person. A moment later a blast of mind magic went through her mind, both Baron and Austin tumbling before they fell to the floor. She looked at the mage who wobbled a little in the air, one arm touching its head.

“That’s your last chance. Do you really want to do this?” Ilea asked, her eyes locked with the lizard whose sword was already poised and ready to fight.

“Boss… she’s a tough one.” The wisp said in an ethereal voice, respect evident.

“Are you fucking kidding me. We’re five against one. Move!” He said, dark magic forming between his hands. An explosion of movement happened in the group, each fanning out and readying their attacks.

Ilea didn’t give them time. They did have the number advantage but they were in a somewhat small hall and knew only limited things about her abilities. The difference between us, Ilea thought as she appeared in their midst, an explosion of ash darkening the room before projectiles shot out from within the cloud, destroying the five magic lights still working. The healer had already rushed past her and the lizard had teleported to her old position, now looking around as the room fell into darkness. Ilea blinked next to Seath who was playing her music, avoiding the dark magic burning into the stone floor and the cages where she had just stood.

Is that you feel pain. She thought, grabbing Seath’s arm and breaking it in a swift motion. A kick to the struggling cat woman’s leg snapped the bone, her defenses laughable against her empowered body. A scream left her as she collapsed, Ilea appearing instead next to the other healer who was disoriented in the dark but had closed her eyes. Ilea’s fist was blocked by an armored arm but the ashen limbs behind her cut into her shoulders and back, making her wince as blood splattered on the ground. Not an armor, Ilea noted but solid stone covering her arms. A hard kick against the blockade sent the woman flying, landing hard against one of the secured steel cages, bending the metal with her impact.

Crouching, Ilea felt the air as a huge blade rushed over her head. A kick followed that she avoided with a short roll, getting up to see the red eyes staring at her in the dark. A red mist was visible around the lizard, the warrior advancing on her with high speed, her sword smashing the cages and the ground while Ilea dodged black lightning coming from their boss. Deflecting one of the slashes, she hit the lizard’s arm, denting the armor slightly. Destructive mana rushed into her but Ilea didn’t stop, stomping on the stumbling warrior’s tail before her foe vanished.

Ash formed around her when black lightning crashed against it, burning through layer after layer before reaching her Veil. Ilea blinked next to the mage who was floating at the other end of the room, the lightning burning into the ground where she had just stood. Seath was still crying out from the pain and it seemed the mind mage didn’t attack her anymore because of the feedback he got from her resistance. The human healer didn’t make a sound, likely taking care of her wounds before attacking her again.

Krentin turned towards her in the air, letting her get close. Ashen limbs crashed into his armor, sliding off the sleek metal, two finding purchase as they cut into his shoulder and a part of his face. Her fist landed, Ilea knowing quite well he wanted her to touch him. She however had confidence in outlasting a mage of his level. I survived the Blue Reaper…, She thought, dark magic in the form of black lightning coursing through her as she hit and hit again, his armor denting and Destruction continuously burning down his health in conjunction with her reversed healing.

He started blasting her with dark magic orbs that she couldn’t dodge at the close distance, simply delivering more damage as he started to retreat through the air. When he reached the wall and her hits pushed him onto and then into the stone, all he could do was block with his arms as well as he could. A barrier came up but she blasted through it with a combination of her fists and her ashen limbs. The lizard appearing next to her made Ilea blink away again. Checking her resources, she found her health sitting below four thousand, her mana still at over five. Sacrificing nearly a thousand mana, she was back at full health. Mana and stamina were recovering as she stood there, meditation flowing through her.

She heard a cough, coming from the wall where she had just attacked Krentin, “Wait…you can have what you found… just leave.”

Ilea looked his way and cocked her head to the side, “That would be convenient, now wouldn’t it.” The lizard appeared a couple meters in front of her, sword poised, her maw showing a wicked grin. Blood stained the floor from where Ilea had injured her tail. The healer stepped up behind her, eyes still closed, stone now covering her whole body. Seath wasn’t playing music but she was standing to the side. The black wisp looked around but didn’t make a move. At least it wasn’t just a cheap way to distract her.

They’re obviously much weaker. “How much gold do you have on you? Don’t lie.” She asked, her question directed at Krentin.

“A little above a hundred.” Came the short reply.

“How much does one of the blood canisters go for usually?” She asked, her mana recovering quickly. She knew the others were preparing as well but their abilities were horribly mismatched against her, their magic lacking impact on her defenses.

“Ten, twenty gold. Depends how far you’re willing to travel.” Krentin croaked, holding his side as he got out of the wall and hovered down to sit down and rest on one of the cages.

“I’m not in the north to kill people and you’re hardly worth the trouble. Just leave thirty gold and get the fuck out of here. Consider it a fee for your lives. Lizard girl, you stay.” Ilea stated, crossing her arms. Krentin nodded in the dark, getting a pouch out of a steel compartment on his belt. Counting out the coins with shaking hands, he placed them on the floor before bowing to her.

“We won’t come after you, I swear it on my name. You won’t regret this decision noble warrior.” Taking a step back, he limped towards the exit. Seath hissed at the pain from her mangled leg, her healing ability not working quite as quickly as Ilea’s third tier.

She looked at the cat woman. Austin or Baron would make her life a nightmare if they survived, “You’re free to try, I welcome a challenge.”

She saw Krentin’s smile fighting through the pained expression, blood still dripping down from his wounds. The dark wisp looked her way, stopping for a moment before it joined Krentin’s side. It would surely reevaluate its class and focus on mind magic after this encounter. The human healer circled around Ilea and made her way to the exit, “Human. What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

She stopped and turned slightly, “Jonna.”

Ilea smiled, “Jonna. That’s a good combination of classes.” The woman nodded and left, the wounds on her back and shoulders healed completely.

Ilea walked to Baron and checked him through his massive armor. Breathing. Sending a pulse of healing mana into his mind, he was startled awake. She did the same with Austin who wasn’t dead either. Ilea barely knew them but seeing how Krentin hadn’t ordered them killed immediately made her think she had made the right decision. The bug person didn’t come off as a complete asshole at least. A little overconfident perhaps. Having their corpses splattered here just because Austin had stole a map and they wanted to get their stuff back wasn’t really, desirable.

Of course they had attacked her but she saw it more as a challenge. Had they attacked any of her friends however, there would be nobody standing.

“That look in your eyes. I am glad we did not invoke your wrath.” The lizard woman said, “Only a little.” She added and snickered. “Why keep me here?”

Ilea relaxed and looked her way, Austin hitting invisible enemies with his fists, “I want to see if I can take hits from your sword. I want to face you, no teleporting and no ash…,”

The lizard woman looked at her with excitement, “I am Hana, it is an honor to face you, warrior of ash.” She said and bowed a little.

Ilea mirrored the gesture. “Hana, let us move to the lighted hall further out. I am Ilea.”

“What the fuck happened?! My head hurts… Ilea what did you do? Where are the lights?” Austin grumbled but she just ignored him. Baron was looking around, his flashlight activating before he started following Ilea.

“Did you give them what they wanted?” He asked.

Ilea grabbed the thirty gold from the ground and counted them in her hand, “Nah, I broke some bones and we renegotiated.”

“You won… why didn’t you kill them, you have no idea what angering Krentin will do for you. He won’t stop until he has your head!” Austin yelled.

Ilea turned to him, “Dangerous enough for you to steal from him?”

He snorted, “He attacked you too didn’t he. You could’ve taken all they had.”

“And kill another five powerful sentient people. For what? Gold? Another storage item or some armor?” She paused, finding the money to equal forty gold coins. He gave more than I asked. “There’s enough monsters around to hunt and kill, I try not to become one too often.” Not for something petty like gold.

“You save us after all, strangers. I commend your admittedly strange thinking.” Baron said when he reached her.

Ilea handed him ten of the gold coins she had gotten from Krentin, “You’re alright. Krentin’s gold and I think plenty for the risks you took to come here.”

“Are you sure Ilea? There really is no need.” Baron said, surprising her a little.

Guess not all dwarfs are made of the same metal, “Just take it.” She opened his massive hand and put the gold within, storing the other thirty in her necklace. 99 gold and 60 silver. Nearly enough to pay another Shadow’s Hand badge.

“Thank you.” Baron said and bowed.

“What about me?” Austin asked from the side.

“You?” Ilea asked, leaving the hall and joining Hana outside who was already moving the corpses to a corner of the hall. She smirked, “You should be glad to be alive. Typical human.”

“You’re human too.” He said and smirked. The man knew exactly how well he came out of this situation. His stupidity not paid with death, at least not yet. If Krentin really was the way Austin had described, it would be a dangerous couple months and years to come for the man.

“You still owe me four gold and twenty silver Austin.” Baron said, “And I can’t see a treasure map anymore.”

The man winced before quickly crushing one of his arrowheads, creating a big cloud of smoke. Ilea watched him jump up the walls and run out of the hall, shaking her head in the process. “I don’t think you’re getting your money back.” Ilea commented.

Baron shrugged, “You know, after traveling with him for a couple days I didn’t really consider it.” He hesitated, looking at Ilea and Hana, “I don’t suppose you’re looking for someone in your team?”

“Not really. I’ll visit the camp or Hallowfort if I need anything though. See you around Baron.” Ilea said, winking to the dwarf.

“I thought as much. Good luck on your reckless adventure. I’m in your debt.” Bowing to her again and nodding to Hana, he too slowly made his way up the wall, massive fists crashing into the stone before a powerful pull got him onto the balcony.

Finally, some goddamned peace and quiet. Ilea sighed and changed into comfortable clothes. She cracked her neck and nodded at Hana.

The woman prepared her sword, checking her armor before a thin red mist formed around her, “I might not be able to stop…,”

“Don’t worry, I’ve fought a berserker before.” Ilea replied with a smile, ashen limbs at the ready. This time she didn’t avoid the strike, a quick overhead slash after a dash Hana made towards her. The blade cut into her Veil, the force of the strike traveling through her, damaging parts of her forearms that she quickly healed. Hana shouted as more of the red mist formed, the sword pushing down harder and harder, Ilea forced to push it aside, the thing digging into the floor with ease. Fists lashed out, one hard punch landing on her side before Hana let go of her sword and jumped away.

Ilea smirked, the other woman ignoring the injury as she held out her hands in a battle stance. Ilea grabbed the sword and ripped it out of the stone, feeling a sudden pull on it that dragged the thing towards Hana. “Interesting. An enchantment?” She asked, ashen limbs crashing into the ground behind her to prevent further sliding. The weapon suddenly jerked upwards, out of her grip and then curved towards the lizard who just smirked, showing sharp teeth and a reptile tongue. Her red eyes glowed as she caught the heavy weapon with ease, moving it to the side and going into a crouch.

“An enchantment. I like to throw it.” She said as Ilea rushed at her. This time the blade moved much more quickly, with less force to allow for more strikes and better maneuverability. Ilea dodged most of the blows, deflecting a last one with three of her ashen limbs before she stepped into melee range. Hana kicked at her but Ilea simply caught her massive leg and held onto it, twirling before she smashed the woman into the floor. A loud crash resounded, cracks in the stone floor forming. Hana kicked off the ground and twirled in the air, landing before she spit out some blood.

“You are quite strong for a mage.”

“Am I not a warrior?” Ilea asked, smirking at the lizard, slowly taking steps towards her.

Hana prepared her blade, “Of course that’s what it says but I saw what you did with your ash and those arms coming out of your back… that’s no way to fight for a warrior.”

Ilea shrugged and rushed at her again.

Chapter 273 Regeneration

Chapter 273 Regeneration

For the first time Ilea shared one of Keyla’s meals. She had thoroughly enjoyed the hours of battle against Hana, the lizard warrior working for Krentin. Carefully opening one of the two barrels of ale she still had from Walter, she poured two cups and handed one to the lizard. “So you met him a couple years ago?”

The lizard took the cup with her good arm, the other one broken and bleeding. She had refused healing from Ilea, her berserker skills keeping her injuries in check right until she ran out of mana. They had paused a couple times to meditate. Often they did not rush at each other immediately again and again, leaving ample time for recovery even during their bout. Ilea had only used her strength and physical attacks, neither Wave of Ember nor Destruction delivered through her blows.

“Six… seven years ago. Something like that. He asked for me to show him my power. So I attacked him and we fought.” Hana explained, “We were below two hundred then, the both of us.”

“I can’t see him winning it.”

“Well I didn’t have a healing skill then and trust me, he’s stronger outside and at long distances. You caught him at an advantage.” Hana said.

Ilea grinned and put away her helmet, taking a sip of Walter’s ale. She savored the taste for a moment before speaking, “You think I couldn’t have won without?”

Hana took a sip as well and looked first at the cup and then at Ilea, “This is fantastic… not from Hallowfort, that’s for sure.” She took another sip, “It’d be a fight to see but with your healing and defenses… no I think you would win nine out of ten.”

“That’s not good enough.” Ilea grumbled. Of course Hana didn’t know about all her abilities but neither did Ilea know about all of Krentin’s abilities. She knew that at least the lizard warrior was outmatched by her, mostly due to her versatile ash. Without her added limbs and mana intrusion abilities, it would be more even. She had forty levels on the lizard but that meant little if she couldn’t get in any hits.

Hana chuckled, the sound having an added hiss that Ilea just attributed to her biology, “You will stay here then? Train against the blood monsters?”

Ilea thought about it. She had plenty of poison now to work with and some people to train resistances, “While I’m here. I don’t think I’ll stay for a long time at least. Do you think Krentin will stay true to his word?”

Hana thought, finishing her food and ale before she spoke, “He is crafty. Smart and he can be deceptive. All reasons I decided to work for him. The way he looked at you. I believe he has taken a liking. Perhaps you will find him trying to woo you instead of sending assassins or coming to kill you himself.” She laughed, Ilea smiling in response before she put on her helmet again.

“Well, the dungeon is dangerous enough. No need for fighting among the conscious. At least not with the intent to kill.”

Hana grabbed her massive curved sword, the blade reflecting some of the light coming from the magic lamps above on its cool steel. “I have been fighting with the intent to kill.” She said with a smirk.

“Oh I know.” Ilea answered with a smirk, closing the barrel and storing it in her necklace.

Hana twirled her sword and went into a stance, “Perhaps I should explore on my own too, otherwise I’ll never be able to smack that smirk off your face.”

“How did you know I was smirking?” Ilea asked, activating her buffs and preparing to fight.

Hana just shook her head, “And you can heal yourself too. Lucky find, your class.”

Ilea shrugged in response, “I suppose it was.”

________________________________________________________________________

Walking through the corridors as quietly as possible, Hana listened carefully for any monsters that might creep up on her. The exit was rather distant and she was glad the thing led back to the second layer directly. She winced at the pain, rubbing on the dent in her armored arm. A smile was on her face, her scales shimmering a dark green in the light of the magic devices built into the ceiling throughout the Heroes’ Descent. I will have to have it repaired again. Her scales would normally not show as much, the dents and splinters the warrior had caused making them visible. It would cost at least two gold coins, the smiths in Hallowfort charging ridiculous prices for mundane work.

In her tribe this would be done free of charge, to protect a life of their own. Ilea had offered to heal her wounds, the pain of her failed battles weighing heavy on her shoulders. Hana reminded herself that the woman was human, their sense of pride and honor not quite like her own. The healer Krentin had gotten a year ago constantly offered to heal her too, sometimes doing so without asking. The only reason she didn’t crush her so far was Krentin asking her to accept it. She knew it was logical, to be ready to fight always and to not die in battle for no reason.

Wincing again as her broken leg came down in a bad angle, she listened around the corner. Her mana was full again but she didn’t think it safe enough to meditate her and take care of her wounds. Getting back to the first layer would be the safest bet, meeting back up with Krentin and the others. What a glorious warrior. The pain was bad but not a new feeling for her.

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches lvl 17’

Krentin had offered to torture her to get the second stage but Hana had little interest in deactivating her sense of pain. It was necessary, to learn, to grow. To ignore one’s own failures was to lie and stagnate. Finding the path clear, she limped towards the exit. It was another three or four corridors, she was sure of it. Pretending to be healthy cost her but she wanted to fight until she couldn’t anymore, wanted to test that woman with all her power. I couldn’t even scratch her…, Damaging her armor didn’t count, at least that’s how Hana thought.

The ashen defenses were strong, as powerful as some of the monsters found in the Descent. Together with Ilea’s mobility, quick teleport and ashen limbs, Hana considered her at least as dangerous as an Old Blooded. Maybe more so because of her healing. She knew the woman had held back some offensive skills, the first clash when Krentin had ordered her knocked out or dead had proven as much. It had felt like fire invading her every cell, as well as something else, something she had never experienced. As if corruption spread through her body, changing what was normal. Ilea was strong but not stronger than her. When the red glow showed from the cracks of her armor it was close.

Hearing the familiar noise of a Pure Blooded, Hana stopped in her tracks and waited. The thing didn’t come her way. A couple minutes later, it left. Sighing at her inability to fight, she swore to train harder. Maybe using the healer to train more efficiently as Krentin had suggested would be necessary. Ilea can heal herself… maybe I should take advantage. She questioned it immediately. Sometimes Hana wished she had been born in a different place. Training her health steal ability would be the way to go. Through your own power you shall prevail. It was a stretch already to work in a group. Maybe I should listen to my practical side a little more. Even Hogath says so and he’s just a rookie. The mind mage had joined them a couple months ago.

Hana smiled at the thought, nearly cackling when she reached the corridor leading up. Seeing his mind magic fail so spectacularly against the warrior had shut him up finally. The woman must have had someone to train a resistance as well. Strong enough to damage him even. At least Krentin confirmed his theories about the second stage. He was close enough as well, working on it often. A simple task with a healer and his second stage pain tolerance.

Putting her sword on her back, she jumped up and grabbed onto one of the cracks created by what she assumed to be the massive dwarf. This way to the inner circle would probably be widely known soon, now that the human ranger got away. Not that we would have faced the Old Blooded guarding the treasure. She thought, annoyed at Krentin’s cautiousness. They would’ve been back with the price weeks ago if it weren’t for his preparations and overthinking. In, bash heads and out. It seemed easy to her. Laughter brought some sound into the corridor as she ascended, knowing exactly why she wasn’t the leader of their group.

______________________________________________________________________

Ilea relaxed for a while, waiting until Hana was likely quite a while away. She had shown obvious signs of injury, her movements slowing down as she more and more favored her left leg. Ilea didn’t get why she refused her healing. Misplaced pride probably. She was glad none of her teammates in the Hand had acted like that. Even the noble Trian. Is he still noble now? She supposed losing most of his family’s influence, the name alone meant little.

If the empire really fell it would mean even less. She sighed and summoned one of the bones she had gotten from the Old Blooded. Checking it again, she slammed it into her leg.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Blood Poison -50 HP/s for five minutes. Light paralysis’

Fuck that’s potent. She quickly crunched the numbers. Three thousand health in a minute. Fifteen thousand until it’s done. Storing the blade again, she activated her healing, her recovery canceling out the damage but not by much. Reconstruction alone wasn’t that potent, she knew as much. Her testing with either skill had been minimal but Hunter Recovery had nearly doubled her own healing speed, now sitting at more or less sixty health per second. Her health would be back to full after around a hundred seconds of healing. Of course it wasn’t that simple, some injuries requiring more time and mana. With her quick recovery from the third tier it was even weirder.

Healing others behaved differently too of course, her Hunter Recovery quite a lot better with her own body. She hadn’t asked anybody to test and just checking them with her skill only gave a general impression on their health, not an actual number.

The five minutes passed before Ilea again stabbed herself, her mana recovery boosted by Meditation easily keeping up with what she used. Her combat skills weren’t draining her after all. Except for her Sphere that was always on as well as her main buffs, State of Azarinth and Form of Ash and Ember, the former free of charge since reaching the third tier. Thirty minutes later and four additional uses of the one venomous arm, the venom was gone. In her body and taken care of by her healing.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

Two levels for a single one. She smiled and got the other arm, continuing her solitary training. Half an hour passed and she sighed, getting up from boredom.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Need to heal a ridiculous ton of damage just to get that up. Thinking on it for a second, she thought of training by sacrificing her health and then healing it quickly with her third tier recovery. Hey wait, that’s illegal! A small voice of her conscience shouted but it was worth a try. If she had ways to damage herself and heal again, why not? If it doesn’t work I can just cut off my legs or something. Perhaps thinking of those things inside the inner circle, a place that had proved to be able to kill her wasn’t the best of ideas but Ilea wasn’t overly concerned, sacrificing two thousand health to activate her third tier State of Azarinth. Now to look for that hidden secret in the treasure room nobody seemed to notice.

Her healing recovered the lost health without use of the third tier, preserving some of the mana as she meditated and walked back to the room filled with cages. It was dark now, the lights previously protected by a layer of glass shattered by her ash. Krentin and his group were gone as was Austin and Baron. She glanced back towards the corridor, the two doors still remaining. Nobody stayed behind to see if there was more? The answer was apparently a simple no. At least according to all her senses.

Back in the room, she continued to search through the left behind boxes but there was nothing else of value. At least she was somewhat sure. Many of the metal tools looked cruel, more than anything else. Torture devices surely. Ilea continued to look through everything, taking her time as her health ticked back up. As soon as she hit her full health, she sacrificed another two thousand. With around sixty health per second recovered, she was back to full in a little over thirty seconds. Ilea repeated the process for a couple minutes. Adding her buffs together with the healing, her mana was slowly dwindling, even with meditation active.

She didn’t get a level up for either of the skills but both were in the third tier, likely just needing a shit ton more experience than previously. Good way to work on both though. She wasn’t quite sure how much being in danger would add to the equation but it probably was a lot. Waiting a couple minutes for her mana to recover again, she turned to the wall from which she had gotten a weird feeling. Either it was another trap or just a hidden wall.

She could still sense the stone behind it but something was off. Ilea searched for a hidden switch for a couple minutes but couldn’t find anything, instead she ripped off the machines clinging to the wall and started working her way into the stone. She wasn’t quite as quick and efficient as Baron but her fists were getting the job done nonetheless.

Ripping out a chunk of stone, her next punch hit something that caused a reaction. An explosion ripped through the room, most of it smashing into Ilea’s Veil and sending her to the opposite wall, machines denting and glass shattering when the armored woman impacted it. The trap had burnt through her Veil, her skin a little smoky below her armor but she only lost around a hundred health. Two seconds of healing was enough to be back. Her skin would need a moment to cool off but she quickly walked back to the opening. Her sphere could now see the hallway beyond, Ilea blinking into it immediately.

It was dark, no magic lights on the ceiling. Carefully stepping on the stone floor, Ilea surveyed everything. There were a couple more cages in here, smaller than the ones in the previous hall. There were notes sitting on a wooden table, a candle at half capacity sitting next to it. Grabbing what looked like an enchanted stick, she willed magic into it and found a small flame coming out of the top. Magic match. Lighting the candle, she stored the match in her necklace and held up the small bowl in which the candle was sitting.

Movement in one of the small cages made her look up. Her sphere hadn’t been able to penetrate the shimmering enchantment that moved through the thin mesh of metal. Getting closer with her candlelight, Ilea found a familiar creature staring back at her with white eyes. Smiling at it, she waved with a hand and crouched down. “Well look at you, how long have you been stuck down here?”

[Fae – lvl 71]

“I can get you out you know.” Ilea said in a calm voice, remembering how defensive the fae was she had met previously. Back then she healed it after it let down its defenses, allowing her mana to pass. Feeling a prodding in her head, she just smiled. “I can’t communicate with you that way.” she said and let healing mana flow towards the cage, not sure if the magic around it came from the fae or something else.

The creature looked similar to the one she had met before. Its whole body was black, as if swallowing the light coming from the candle, white eyes sparkling with curiosity the only thing setting it apart as a conscious being. It could also just be that the fae were peaceful animals but the way it looked at her with the elongated and curved white eyes, Ilea felt like there was more. The head of this one was shaped more dragon like, two black horns jutting from its skull. She couldn’t discern if anything was actually solid matter or just some kind of floating shadow.

Ilea sat down and checked out the lock on the cage. It wasn’t big, enchanted for sure but she doubted it was there to keep someone from opening it. Taking it into her armored hand, she squeezed. A crack resounded, the magic around the cage vanishing before she opened her hand to find the broken and crumbled lock lying within. The fae twirled around, its wings not moving enough to keep it in the air on its own. Ilea spread her ashen wings, sitting on the ground and smiled at the creature, feeling more comfortable with a living thing than she had in a while. The fact that it didn’t talk much to taint this feeling was certainly helpful, after all it could be a warmongering noble.

Chapter 274 Blood and Bones

A note from Rhaegar

Inconceivable

Chapter 274 Blood and Bones

Big white eyes looked at her as she flapped her wings slowly. A tendril of ash went out towards the fae before it stopped, blocked by a barrier in the air. Sending healing mana through the ash, Ilea rested her head on one of her knees, sitting as she watched the little creature about the size of her hand. It had little legs but no arms or feet, the black mist just ending. Turning its head to the side, it deactivated the barrier, allowing Ilea’s ash to pass.

Raising her eyebrows, Ilea was again startled at the physiology she found. As if its mana flowed out into the air, its physical body ended but its magical one did not. Humans had their mana inside their bodies, flowing similar to how blood flowed through it. Ilea’s ash for example expanded the flow because it was considered a part of her body. Is it an Air Creator or something? The creature at least wasn’t hurt but Ilea still sent some of her mana into it. She knew if felt pleasant to humans at least. Again, the fae twirled in the air, Ilea stopping a moment later as she smiled.

“You can go now if you like.” She said and stood up, checking the rest of the room. One of the cells held a skeleton of something that looked a little like a snake. Could a necromancer raise that again? She wasn’t sure but stored it in her necklace anyway. The blood monsters she wouldn’t take, raising them again seemed like a bad idea all around. The fae was hovering behind her while she looked through the rest, not finding anything else of interest.

Turning around, Ilea faced the curious creature. I’m glad it’s not another Aki. While she considered the dagger a friend, he wasn’t exactly the nicest when she first met him. “You don’t want to go?” It just looked at her, floating closer before it bumped into the ash of her Veil, recoiling a little before it flapped its wings once. The white eyes didn’t blink, likely couldn’t. Extending one of her ashen limbs towards the creature, she watched as it circled around it. Finally it landed, standing on the ash while looking down at it, the two black horns facing straight up.

Ilea chuckled when it carefully stepped on her ash, looking up again. “You want to stay with me then?” She asked, the little thing not giving her the slightest hint of understanding. She didn’t mind either way. It wasn’t her task to take care of it but neither would she refuse its company. “You’re free to join.” Standing up, she checked the room once more before walking out through the opening she and the trap had created.

When she reached the first hall again where Hana had fought her, she sat down on the ground and looked through the notes she had found, the fae still floating behind her, sometimes bumping into her ashen limbs. Ilea was happy to find the text was written in Standard.

‘Experiment 428

The goal was to combine the blood or how later defined life essence of the being designated by the unknown as ‘Fae’ and the pure blood. Properties such as high affinities for mind and space magic were hoped to be found in resulting specimen.

Mixture was applied with the layer four Tuner to human and dwarven specimens. Lizardman and Feynor specimen requests have been rejected.

Results include deformation, mutation and spontaneous vanishing. All specimens have perished or teleported to unknown location within the span of two months.

Due to results not meeting expectations, funding has ceased. Specimen ‘Fae’ will be kept in hidden containment room, enchanted cage infused with space magic blockade III. Permission to connect cage to layer four Tuner has been granted. Potential buyers for specimen ‘Fae’ to be contacted.’

The page was somewhat conclusive. Didn’t find a buyer then. Or they just forgot about the Fae being in there. Ilea put the page into her necklace, reading the next one.

‘Experiment 452

General goal: Combination of specimen ‘Life Serpent’ with various successful previous mixtures and pure blood. Healing and regeneration properties expected to show in specimens.

Mixture was applied with fourth layer Tuner. Specimens subjected to substance include human, dwarven and Feynor heritage. Permission for rare specimens granted should results meet expectation.

Results were mixed, some rare specimens showing enhanced regeneration as well as added healing abilities. No extraordinary classes or traits discovered. Mixture will be applied to specimen V.’

Ilea put the page into her necklace and studied the last one she had found on the table. The red church or whoever had conducted the experiments certainly held little regard for morality, injecting humans and other sentient lifeforms with their certainly creative blood cocktails. Whatever results the pages showed weren’t impressive either and if Ilea’s theory about the Pure Blooded was true, the end result wasn’t pretty either. Contrary to the first two pages, the last one held very little information, most of it scratched through. By a knife, not more ink.

‘Experiment 632

The goal was to combine with including pure blood mixed with Specimen VI .

Mixture was applied with fourth level Tuner, permission for lower level Tuner granted regardless of success. Due to , further testing is necessary.’

The last part with the possible results had been removed completely, leaving Ilea at least a little intrigued what the fuck they were doing down here. The cages, lots of mentions of blood and the monsters she had fought didn’t paint a good picture. A bloody one certainly. “What do you think little fae? You must’ve heard and seen a bunch of what was going on in these cursed halls…,” The little creature looked at her with big white eyes, giving her little answer to her questions. “To be honest, as long as there’s stuff to kill I don’t really care much. Seems like whatever shit they did, they’re gone now.”

Just like Rhyvor. Maybe Maro knows something about this church or the city that once was here. Ilea got up and put the last page away as well, continuing her recovery training. Jumping up to the balcony overlooking the hall, Ilea found the fae suddenly appearing next to her. “Teleporter hmm?” She asked and looked at the fae. “I’ll be exploring a little more. If there are any monsters you should stay back and let me handle it.” Ilea wasn’t sure the fae understood but if the thing had any of the intelligence that shined in its eyes, it would react accordingly in a dangerous situation.

Ilea spent the next twenty minutes trying to fine tune her recovery training, sacrificing around three hundred health and healing it back in five seconds. Moving too fast for her meditation, she needed around thirty seconds to get the used mana back, mostly because her Veil and other buffs were active at all times. The corridors were rather sprawling, Ilea already mapping down the area in her notebook. “This place is bloody massive, eh little fae?”

There was no answer but the little guy floated around her head, flapping its wings twice. Ilea held up her hand, looking towards one of the dark corridors, more lights broken now that she was further in. The fae moved away from the noise, Ilea spreading her ash behind her as she carefully listened and prepared.

Around the corner ahead came a single Pure Blooded. Ilea waited and looked around, none of her senses noticing anything else but the single enemy. “Hey there.” she said, waving at the monster that immediately screeched at her, a throaty gurgling noise coming from somewhere below its deformed head. Blood dripped down as it rushed at her, one of its legs looked injured, making it a little slower than the beasts she had faced before.

Appearing behind it, she kicked at the injured leg, something snapping in the process. Ilea spread ash around the monster, blinding it as it slashed its bladed arms at her. A step back let her avoid the slash. The beast attacked quickly, that much she had to admit. The ash blinded it but she didn’t want to risk going into the meat grinder the thing was creating in front of it, instead blinking to its side and punching it a couple times. Teleporting again when it turned, she continued her assault until another bone cracked. A minute later, the thing was dead, slumping down as Ilea shook the blood off her armored hands.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pure Blooded – lvl 305] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

No levels this time. The fae joined her again, flying around a corner before it hovered over the dead Pure Blooded. Landing on it, the thing stomped down a couple times before moving its head closer. Ilea wasn’t sure it it was sniffing or just trying to see better. It hovered upwards again a moment later, Ilea shrugging and ripping off the two bladed arms before she stored them in her necklace. More poison training time.

Moving on, the two of them didn’t encounter any of the monsters for a good hour of walking through the corridors. Ilea decided to slow the pace a little because of her ever growing map and the possibility to focus a little more on her recovery and poison training, using the Pure Blooded arms instead of her State’s third tier to get her health down. It drained her faster but with the slower pace, Meditation added to her mana recovery, which somewhat balanced it out again.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 3’

The lack of enemies wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Chucking away the last of the bones she had, Ilea started to sacrifice health again. Most of the rooms and halls she explored held little but skeletons, destroyed furniture and machines as well as rusty tools and deformed armor. It really was a city, even the inner circle as the others had called it having all the necessities for an albeit small society to work. Most of it seemed minimalist but Ilea didn’t know if it was merely the age that stripped the rooms of valuables, colors and light or if it was intended by design. The only place with ornaments and what looked like more expensive handiwork was still where she had found the so called Tuner. The chair connected to the containers she now held in her necklace, mentioned in each of the experiment notes found within the hidden room.

“Closed door.” Ilea said, hitting the metal gate a couple times to no avail. The shine of magic reflected some of the light from the device built into the ceiling a couple meters away. With each hit, she heard a fizzle, her hand burnt by a bright flame she didn’t particularly care about. The fae twirled around, either excited or concerned but didn’t do anything about her antics. Might be worth a try…, Ilea thought, summoning the golden key she had found. There was after all a keyhole she could try.

A click resounded, the ruby shining slightly before the shimmer on the door ceased to be. Hey, a problem solved by not hitting something really really hard. I am an intelligent woman of culture after all. Ilea told herself and put the key away, the door pushed to the side. It screeched, parts of it rusty and not sitting quite as smoothly in the frame anymore. Maybe should’ve put an anti rust enchantment on it as well.

The two of them stood at the start of a dark hallway, noises coming from skittering movements made Ilea perk up. “Woke up something in there didn’t we?” Stepping inside, she started spreading her ash around her. Sections of the room were walled off, all formed with the same boring gray stone. Ilea’s sphere didn’t pick anything special, just more of the same broken machinery, the odd ripped apart skeleton as well as ruined furniture and moldy tapestry and rugs. The fae followed her in, Ilea listening carefully for the noise she had heard previously. “Hello? Anybody home? Friendly cleaning lady inbound.”

The noise returned and a moment later a monster the size of the old blooded moved into her sphere. Not quickly but carefully, its two arms dripping with venom. Contrary to most of the other beasts, this one had the deformed head of a lion. “What were you made of?” Ilea asked when it started retching up something from its massive throat. A glob of liquid splattered against the ash moving to intercept the unknown. Ash started sizzling, the acid burning through quickly as Ilea took a couple steps back.

[Old Blooded - ??]

Blinking next to it, Ilea’s limbs and her fist smashed into its side, finding it just as vulnerable as the other Old Blooded she had fought. Twenty minutes… let’s hope nothing else is waiting down here to join us. Jumping away from the retaliation, Ilea already knew it had some way to see through her ash, the dark element slashed through as it focused on her shrouded form hidden within a black mist. Blinking and attacking was the way to go, so she continued, focusing on the bones on the creature’s legs as well as its spine.

Time passed and Ilea grew more and more bold, finding the thing’s acid puke as well as fast slashes simple to evade. It lacked the veracity of the Carrier as well as the other Old Blooded she had faced, usually not pursuing when she stepped back and instead using its ranged attack that was powerful but easy to avoid. Another hit but this time Ilea added another two, hearing a muted crack before she smiled and was smashed into the wall by the bladed arm. Her bones held up, armor denting a little on her chest which would make the set a little uncomfortable to wear but not unusable yet.

Blood splattered into her helmet, the wall behind her cracking from her weight and the force of the impact, Ilea blinking away to avoid the follow up strike. Taking a moment to recover some health, she noted that the bone she assumed to be the creature’s spine moved. When she reached full health, the bone snapped into place and the small gash in its skin closed. The lion head snarled at her as it turned and spat some acid at her.

“Are you healing yourself?” Ilea asked, jumping back to avoid the ranged attack. No wonder it’s not going into a frenzy… I’m not hurting it in the slightest. If the beast could heal itself then maybe the red church did manage to succeed with the life serpent’s blood. So it’s a race of resources. Assuming monsters had similar mana and endurance numbers to a human at the same level, she was at a disadvantage, not that it was a reasonable assumption at all. Have I ever faced some monster that ran out of steam?

Concentrating on the fight, Ilea tuned out everything else and started to use her tried and trusted method of wearing an enemy down. Picturing the Old Blooded as a knight, she weaved and danced around its attacks, using every moment of quiet to meditate and regain some mana. Her attacks focused on dealing damage to its limbs, to cut skin and break bones. More mana would likely be necessary to heal those wounds compared to a simple recovery of health. Ilea wasn’t sure how her mana intrusion skills stacked up, how hard it was for the beast to recover from the cellular destruction her Wave of Ember and Destruction skills brought upon it.

Maybe ask a healer about that. She noted, a little annoyed she had never investigated further. At least there were several healers around in Hallowfort. Barely dodging a bladed arm slashing over her head, she delivered a hard punch to the monster’s gut before blinking away, meditating and preparing for another strike. At some point she noted the fae was still floating near the entrance, watching the whole fight between her and the old blooded. The thing had started to move a little slower, a little more jagged, its attacks more lunging than precise and controlled movements. It didn’t exactly make it easier for her to dodge but she at least knew something changed. Another half an hour later, one of the injuries she inflicted didn’t heal immediately but only over a long period of time. She had worn it down and was herself still at around two thirds of her mana, the lack of aggression coming from the monster giving her ample time to use her meditation.

After that point each injury stacked, with every broken bone the beast moved slower and Ilea more confidently, more vicious. A hard stomp broke the second leg, grounding it before she moved on to its head, grappling onto the exposed muscle and smashing it repeatedly with her right fist. The monster tried to get up, pushing its boned claws into the ground but finding them slipping on the bloody floor. Ilea had her Veil of Ash combined with her control to clean off the worst of it, preventing herself from falling. The creature didn’t have the luxury, allowing Ilea to get in another eight hits before a loud crack opened its skull and killed the beast.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Old Blooded – lvl 371] – For defeating an enemy one hundred levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 263 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 256 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Chapter 275 Search and Exploration

Chapter 275 Search and Exploration

Ilea sighed and stretched, ash whirling around her as it plucked away the dirt and blood clinging to her armor. Removing her helmet with her hands, she moved ash inside to clean out the blood, spitting on the ground to add to the red soup seeping out of the downed enemy. The simple addition of a regeneration ability had turned the fight that would’ve likely not lasted longer than ten to twenty minutes into a nearly two hour ordeal. Makes me a major pain in the ass to fight too. She noted, smirking at the broken deformed lion head.

Keeping the ten stats for now, she planned to talk to the necromancer king first, maybe he was already over three hundred and was willing to share some things. They had been awake for a couple days now and would likely have calmed down by now. Either that or Terok and Elfie were dead with a new plague ready to take over this land. Ilea doubted the two, even with all the kingsguard at their disposal would be capable of much. Not in the north. In the human plains, maybe. Then again a single miststalker would probably take out half of Riverwatch before it would be taken down.

Demon spawn seemed positively non threatening to her now that she was facing these abominations. Ashen limbs started cutting into the beast’s shoulders while the fae moved closer again, coming to a stop near Ilea. Putting on her helmet again, the fae sat down on her shoulder when the first arm of the beast came loose with a loud tear, Ilea storing it in her necklace. More poison resistance training. “Ready to move on little one?”

The fae looked towards her head and then forward again. Ilea cracked her neck and her knuckles, meditation increasing her recovery as she waited for her mana to reach acceptable levels again. No magical lights were working anymore in this section of the inner circle but Ilea soon realized the door she had opened didn’t lead to another labyrinth of corridors, instead to this room, a single hallway and another room. Smiling, she started opening the various wooden chests standing in the dark room.

“Let me know if you want any of this.” She said and opened some of the pouches, finding gold coins. Not ridiculous amounts like with the Taleen stash she had found but certainly enough that the people previously traveling with her through this forgotten part of the Descent would be more than just a little pissed. Putting them into her necklace, she found the assortment to equal around sixty gold and twenty silver coins. Taking one of the coins, she handed it to the fae who just looked at it and turned its head sideways. A shadowy tendril extended before it wrapped around the coin. Ilea watched in fascination as it moved the coin towards its head and then inside, as if it wasn’t solid at all.

A metallic noise resounded before it took out the coin again, what looked like a small bite missing out of it. The coin was tossed back into the chest below them, “Gold isn’t tasty eh?” Ilea asked with a chuckle, addint the coin back into her necklace. Some of the chests held old rusty gear, Ilea storing it just in case it was made from some rare metal. They had a golden copper sheen to it, at least near the parts that weren’t completely ruined. Opening another chest, Ilea blinked as the fae moved forward immediately, stopping before it looked towards Ilea, flapping its wings excitedly.

“Go ahead, I have little use for them.” Ilea said with a smile, looking at the fae who started eating or storing the mana crystals filling up the chest. They were refined and small, not quite as chunky as the ones she had gotten in the Demon Realm.

[Mana Crystal 5/5 – Medium Quality]

They were all the same. While Ilea could sell them, she had just found sixty gold coins and watching the fae eat the little crystals was fascinating enough to pay whatever they were worth to see the spectacle. Ilea noted white veins of what she assumed to be mana flowing through the fae’s little body, solidifying it a little more as time went on. “I’ll leave you to it.” Ilea said a couple minutes later, checking out the last two chests in the room.

One held daggers and short swords made from a gleaming black metal, still holding up after however many years they had been down there.

[Blade of the Moon – Rare Quality]

The names were varied slightly but the theme definitely revolved around night and celestial bodies. The last chest held another tank of the red substance, still what Ilea believed to be the pure blood.

[Red liquid]

Her identify skill wasn’t helpful with that one but if anything, Ilea was content with herself having the substance rather than Krentin, the Shadow’s Hand or someone like the Golden Lily. Worst thing would be to drink it and gain some weird resistance I guess. Eyeing the tank, she instead stored it in her necklace. Another day perhaps. Crunching noises still resounded from the old wooden chest in which the fae was having its lunch break. Or was it dinner? Ilea had no idea what time of day it was down here. Stepping over to the fae, she found it lying on its back, wings stretched out and white eyes closed. Somehow. It didn’t have any eyelids Ilea could see but the glow was gone, a smooth black surface remaining. “Did you eat yourself to death?”

The question was answered when its white eyes opened again, watching her as she looked down. “Ready to move? Kind of want to explore some more before all the idiots gain back some confidence and come down here again.”

It floated up slowly and landed on her shoulder again, resting against her head. Ilea moved, slowly at first but then back to the pace she could manage with meditation active. The fae didn’t fall, wrapping its wings around her shoulder and helmet to stay stable. Sacrificing three hundred health, Ilea continued her training, adding the newfound poisoned glands after a couple minutes of walking.

Two hours or more later, the two of them had discovered a high number of rooms, hallways, broken and working magical lights, worn down as well as surprisingly intact red rugs. No more enchanted doors or monsters tried to stop their exploration. Adding flying maneuvers as well as heated ash control in the small corridors made the search more interesting at least, the fae surprisingly sticking to her armor like an extension of the metal. Adding Hunter’s Sight to the list of skills on her search for monsters to fight and kill, she made it a challenge to try and shake off the little creature on her shoulder.

Ilea managed it a couple times, the fae simply appearing next to her head again as if nothing had happened. The thing had incredibly precise teleportation magic, something Ilea only managed because of her added spherical perception. Any target outside of the sphere was usually a little less precise. She wondered what kind of skills the little creature had, its level even below one hundred. Still, it had survived for however many hundred or thousands of years down here without sustenance, hadn’t been frightened when she had faced down the Pure Blooded or even the Old Blooded.

Jotting down the pathways and corridors, Ilea grinned at all the ways left to go. She wondered if what the people form Hallowfort called the inner circle was just another big part of the city, like what the lighted part of Tremor was compared to the abyss below. Checking her notifications, she was happy to find her training was showing at least some results.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Only two skills remaining. Ilea thought, checking her stats quickly.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 10

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 263

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 4

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 17

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 256

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 6

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 19

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Curse Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Mist Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 611

Endurance: 400

Strength 270

Dexterity 350

Intelligence 600

Wisdom 640

Health: 6110/6110

Stamina: 3710/4000

Mana: 5382/6400

Bloody novel at this point. She thought, reminiscing about the simple days of pure terror and survival when her skills leveled from battles against mere level twenty Drakes. Of course the novel was a testament to her growth and she was still progressing, fighting challenging enemies and exploring the unknown. Strength and Dexterity were falling behind, that much was true but Ilea had found that Mana intrusion was a good way to damage beasts, most of them rather resistant against physical damage alone. The knights didn’t even wince at her fully powered fist, even though both of her main auras increased her strength by an insane amount. She sighed and tapped her thigh. Maybe I should ask the king about this as well. At least concerning the likely evolution of classes at level three hundred.

Finally, after another three hours of traveling and training through the depths of the inner circle, Ilea and the fae came up on another enchanted door, again opened by the golden key she had found. The thing was likely a general one handed out to people with a certain degree in power. The skeleton she had found it on must have been someone rather influential.

Contrary to the previous doors, this one didn’t lead to another hall or dark room, instead a rather small one holding a single thing. An elevator. Ilea saw through her sphere that the thing only went up, closing the door behind herself and locking it again. She was ready for a change after exploring so many of the same looking halls without any fights. Maybe going a layer down might be another good option. She thought about the different dungeons she could go to but first she’d visit Goliath and ask it about the fae as well as the metal she had found.

Activating the rune in the elevator, the two of them shot up, the thing screeching as it slid through the metal cage it was placed in, the stone holding, even after the long time it likely hadn’t been used. Ilea looked at the fae on her shoulder, the being unconcerned with the velocity they traveled at and the height they covered. Ilea wasn’t quite sure how far they had come but stepping out and opening the enchanted gate, the two of them found themselves in a dark corridor again. Above the first layer? She was pretty sure, or a hidden part of the dungeon and city perhaps. Stepping out, she closed the door again and flipped her notebook to the page for the city directly under Hallowfort. Marking a random spot, she started moving through the darkness the same way she had previously through the fourth layer.

An hour later she found herself in a familiar location, the hole in the wall too similar to the one she had found upon going after the Blue Reapers to be anything else. With my third tier recovery? She wondered how she’d fare but at most she expected to be able to face four or maybe five of them at the same time. The danger of being knocked out immediately was still there of course, making it one of the most dangerous options she had at the moment. Moving on, she sketched down the areas she had traveled through in her notebook before walking into the corridor leading to the Abyss.

“There’s gonna be other people up there, I wouldn’t trust them too far little fae.” Ilea said, spreading her wings of ash and ascending through the darkness until she came out in the lit guard room. She wasn’t sure if the fully plated dark one with wisps of darkness coming out of the cracks in his armor was one she had seen before but she simply nodded lightly.

Contrary to her previous encounters, this one went to one knee and bowed his head, “I greet you, spirit of old.” The greeting was directed almost certainly at the fae and not herself, the dark one only lifting his head when she was ascending the stairs leading to the pub. He went back to his post a moment later, nothing indicating what had just happened.

Ilea waled through the pub, getting more than a couple looks, directed mostly at the fae clinging to her shoulder. The creature didn’t stray from her, looking around but nothing apparently striking its fancy. Haiden the barkeeper stopped cleaning his glass and just stared at her, a smirk on his feline face. Stepping out, Ilea turned her head sideways and smiled, “You’re quite the attention grabber, aren’t you?”

Walking through Hallowfort, she soon stepped down the stairs leading to the smith. Maybe he knew more about the creature, with the apparent old age of the forge master. “There’s going to be a curse here, I’m not sure if it affects you. I’ll heal you if necessary.” Ilea said when they reached the corridor, her shoulder feeding healing mana into the creature as she continued walking, the nausea and health drain starting a couple steps later.

She lifted her eyebrows when her mana influx was cut off, a shimmering barrier of translucent white light forming around the fae that seemed unconcerned. Shrugging it off mentally, Ilea walked on until they passed the sound barrier, loud snoring echoing through the room. The sound stopped immediately when she walked down the stairs, the smith’s golden eyes appearing on the black mist laying on top of a workbench. “Thought you couldn’t sleep old man.”

“Child of… what is? A spirit of old… you are truly. Full of surprises, human, inheritor, no. Friend of ash perhaps.” The smith inclined his form a little to show respect, to either her or the creature. Maybe both.

“What is it with this little guy? Found it in a cage in the fourth layer.” Ilea said, “You didn’t answer my earlier question.”

The smith clasped his black stone or metal hands together, creating a rough coarse noise, “I cannot sleep biologically though the thought of it. It has been a romance of mine human, for many hundreds of years. Coupled with Meditation it is… pleasing, to lie down my body. Neither necessary nor logical but… perhaps a feeling, fleeting yet satisfying.”

Goliath had a way of explaining things that resonated with her. Perhaps it was just the topic of sleep appreciation that enticed her, she wasn’t quite sure. “As to the spirit of old there sitting on your shoulder, I thank you. For saving it and bringing it to light again. Farther and farther they stray, many of them stuck or worse in places not suitable for them yet it would be against the will of magic to deny their nature.”

“Can it understand me? Why the reverie? Some kind of religion for you dark ones?” Ilea asked, summoning a meal as she hopped onto a workbench.

The smith walked up to her, a hammer appearing in one of its hands before it smashed it into her chest, finding her Veil of Ash impenetrable, “Religion? Hmm… perhaps similarities yet I lack the study in the human ways to say for sure. It is a deep respect, gratitude and perhaps even love. Remove thy ash, the damage on your chest piece is substantial.”

Ilea shrugged and did as it asked, the hammer striking true, heating up the metal immediately and forcing it into shape again. The smith needed all this preparation and heat treatment to make it and now it’s repaired by a couple hammer strikes? She wondered what exactly the dark one’s skills did. Perhaps repairing something it created was simpler than making something anew.

Chapter 276 Dark Ones

Chapter 276 Dark Ones

“Gratitude and love? Seems like an interesting story. Any chance you’re willing to tell it to a human?” Ilea asked with a smile, storing her helmet and starting to eat. She offered some to the fae but it just looked at the food curiously, not willing to touch any of it. Ilea made it a game to try and force feed it with several tendrils of ash holding small pieces of rice or vegetables. The fae dodged and teleported around her body to avoid it, the pieces that got through hitting the barrier and lighting up in white flame. Ilea ate them before they disintegrated, the fire not an issue against her Heat Resistance. It reminded her of Viper’s attacks but she had no way to communicate with the fae.

The smith crossed its arms, done with her chest piece that left bruises on her she healed away quickly. “To a human, no. It is not a story lightly shared. You on the other hand, have proven a friend to me, to us. To the darkness, the depths of magic and the arcane itself.”

Taking another bite, she waited for Goliath to get to the point. “Few is recorded, for lack of fingers, tools and ingenuity. Stories told with feelings, emotions transferred through thought, paintings or sound and magic itself. Know that much is lost as I translate into words, spoken in sound. In the time before, before me and most of those alive or dead in this age, many creatures, races, machines and forces too abstract to put into words fought for superiority, for power. It is said that the birth of the dark ones was one accompanied by fear and confusion by many of the knowing creatures.”

“Hunting, killing, destruction. It was only logical to respond to the unknown with fear and aggression. For many so it was. Fae, spirits of old, though some likely not older than you, they were some of the first dark ones, some of the most powerful. Never did they intervene actively, yet shelter they provided to the injured, the broken and the newly born of our kind, be it shadow, wisp, beings of any shape and kind born to conscience through the arcane. The fathers and mothers, protectors to many a kind that would otherwise have been rid off this world.”

Ilea flicked the magical shield of the fae now sitting on her shoulder again, eyes fixated on the smith before it looked at her, “Nice job little one.” Goliath had a confusing look in his eyes at the gesture, “Weren’t dark ones born all the time though? As far as I understand you were once monsters that found conscience. Was there some catalyst that suddenly had you appear or form? And why can’t they talk or communicate if they’re dark ones too?”

Goliath thought about her words for a long moment, “Perhaps there was an event. A question many have sought and I believe many will seek until time is no more. A more appropriate explanation is that the races of blood expanded and dug far enough to find and challenge the dark ones living peacefully. I must admit many of them are not, peaceful that is. Hunters, deceivers, evil beings seeking goals not quite differing from those of many a human, elf or dwarf. History is fickle, even written it is a subjective telling of the past. Young human, you must understand how difficult it becomes when it is mere emotions, a fleeting feeling or a song without words that depict events passed a thousand years ago.”

Ilea nodded, at least sharing some sort of respect now for the little fae. “It’s below level one hundred, do they have abilities that would allow sheltering against hunters of the elves for example?” She asked, thinking of the most powerful race she could.

“They are peculiar. Ashen warrior, I have not the answer you seek though songs of old speak of them in the same reverie as the beasts of the north and the high mountains beyond.”

Ilea blinked, “Beasts of the north? Aren’t we in the north? What are the high mountains you speak of?”

Goliath closed its eyes before looking at her intently, “Perhaps we are. Though you are in the lower regions as far as I am told. I have not traveled the above in… a long time. The farther you travel north the higher and more hostile the mountains grow. Creatures far beyond anything you have likely ever faced occupy those parts of the world. Perhaps they have all died out and some other race has taken over yet it is for you to discover such.”

“You don’t seem to doubt my abilities…,” Ilea commented. She couldn’t wipe out the monsters in this area already, how was she supposed to fight even stronger ones higher up.

Goliath made a guttural noise she was pretty sure to be laughter at this point, “You have rescued a spirit of old, have searched the dungeons and fought the beasts within. It is your ambition I do not doubt Ilea, human blessed by ash. Your capabilities? We will see. If I have learned anything of value about your race, it is that your potential for growth is just as limitless as for anybody else. To start as weak as you do, with no advantages, affinities and with malice among your own people… I believe it forges you into something special.”

Ilea snorted, “We don’t have it harder than anybody else. Most people just don’t want to fight and kill monsters to get to a higher level.”

Goliath shook its head, “To ascend to your strength, struggle and danger are always necessary. The same is not true for a dark one or even perhaps other races. I might be content with my power but what I see in your eyes tells me you will never be. Do return with stories of your exploits, it is all I ask.”

Ilea couldn’t deny it completely. Any member of the Hand had at least a certain amount of combat experience. Of course someone like Austin had reached level two hundred. Others managed to somehow get to the level as well with surprising lack of combat experience or skill levels but at least no human randomly and without killing and fighting got to that point. Were elves born at other levels? Dark ones apparently were… they struggled as well, just before they became conscious. That was at least her understanding. The thing she was sure about, having trained for the past months was that reaching level three hundred was not something anybody could do without sufficient experience and combat.

“When do you think I could face a Dragon?” She asked, smirking at the smith. The fae turned its head to her and cocked its head sideways, the most expressive reaction she had noted from the little fellow since finding it.

Goliath didn’t reply with a laugh like Elfie did, “The Feynor are a more likely source for the answer you seek. I believe they revere those terrifying forces of nature in some way. Yet they are secretive and not kind to outsiders. Yet I believe you are not ready.”

Ilea nodded. That much was clear. “I think I saw one in one of the arcane storms. Huge wings but I couldn’t identify it or see more of the thing.”

“Perhaps. A monster like that is bound to seek the most powerful magic it can find.”

Ilea tapped the armor on her leg, “They’re dark ones too then? You guys like dense magic don’t you?”

“Perhaps. I have not met a dragon, only heard songs and stories, neither quite as favorable as those about the spirit sitting on your shoulder.” Goliath explained.

Another set of steps suddenly appeared inside the sound proof area, Ilea’s sphere picking up the familiar man. The white dragon like mask didn’t give up anything about his face, the black coat and darkness within pointing towards a dark one. “Word travels quickly. Warrior blessed by ash, savior of the spirit.” He greeted and bowed, being quite a bit more respectful than before.

“Great smith, I will be departing in the span of a cycle. Have thee deliberated the offer.” The dark one said, his recruitment apparently not only focused on the Abyss.

Goliath made a noise Ilea interpreted as a sigh, “Mage of Void. I have no desire to join your efforts of war or to meet the Protector you speak of.”

“So be it.” Ilea was surprised at the respectful acceptance of Goliath’s decline. Looking at her, he seemed to be thinking of his words, “The offer stands for thee, warrior of ash. I will be talking of your exploits. The Dark Protector will be sure to repay you in kind for what you have done.”

Ilea rolled her eyes at the name, “Where can I find this dark protector?”

“Northwards. In the City of Dawn. Find a guide. Any cost to hire them will be compensated by me personally.” The dark one answered, bowing to her again. “I will not be intruding in thy business any further. Prevail and ascend.”

Goliath made an angry noise when the mage left again. “Why the dislike?” Ilea asked, summoning the gear she had found in the fourth layer. Rusty armor and the daggers as well as swords that were still in good shape.

The smith immediately hovered over to her and took some of the pieces into his big hands, “Prevail and ascend. I believed once that the dark ones are beyond such primitive philosophies.”

Ilea huffed out some air, smiling to herself, “There’s good and bad. In any species.”

“Perhaps.” Goliath said, moving one of the pieces in his hands, trying to bend it.

“Haven’t met all of them but so far it’s true. Humans, dwarfs, elves, dark ones. I doubt any being capable of thought is purely evil or good.” Ilea suggested, “What is it?”

“Red gold… and… something more rare. May I forge it?” Ilea just nodded, “There are those more strange, not as individualistic or quite as intelligent. I have heard of many a strange being living in this world. May your judgment and understanding grow with time human.”

“Prevail and ascend.” She said, grinning.

“Understand and grow.” The smith replied, having understood her sarcasm. “The red gold will be of little use to you, at least as armor. I have made some progress with the armor you have asked of me, if you would still like me to continue. I will implement it if you would allow it.”

“Sure, whatever makes you happy. Maybe Terok would like some of it too.” She said. If the dwarf is still alive. She was curious what the smith would come up with for her armor. Goliath thought her stonehammer steel sets as mundane but she doubted it understood practicality, at least not after the dark one had shown her some of its creations.

“I appreciate your addition to my tasks.” Goliath said seriously, starting to fire up the forge.

“What should I do about the little guy? Will it stay with me now, forever?” Ilea asked, looking at the fae who was hovering near the forge now.

Goliath put in one of the daggers and turned towards her, “It must have gotten lost, their kind one prone to travel and explore. It will wish to return to where they dwell.”

“And I have to bring it there?”

“No. If you wish to help, you may bring it to the surface. Once in the light of the sun or stars, it will find its way.” Goliath explained, Ilea nodding. The one she had found in the cave with her team had stayed with her until they exited as well. Was that the same? The thing had flown off and vanished right after.

Taking out the glowing dagger, Goliath hammered on it a couple times before inspecting it. “As I assumed. Dark Silver. A rare metal yet again. May I use it in your armor too?”

Ilea nodded, a tendril of ash intercepting the floating fae coming back to her. “Sure. Hey, is there gear to protect against mind magic? The blue reaper nest is full of them.”

“Perhaps enchantments might lend what you look for. Metals with bad mana pass through combined with mana intrusion will be your best bet, warrior.” Goliath explained.

Ilea sighed, “Enough to ignore five of them attacking at the same time?”

“No.” The answer simple and spoken with confidence, “Not even a single one. They are feared for a reason.”

“Any ideas about the Penumra dungeon then? Or the Mist stalkers? The fourth layer of the Descent is pretty empty and I need something to fight.”

“Prevail and ascend after all.” The smith mocked, “Even the best blade needs to be wielded. Against the savage beasts of these lands I can only lend you a layer of protection, a weapon that may cut through their skin.”

Ilea smiled, “What about the dwarf? He’s wearing a full suit that makes him faster, stronger.”

“And he has the necessary classes for it. Ask him if you seek something of the like but I can tell you already it is not worth your time.” The smith told her.

She frowned, getting up from her sitting position, “Can you add an assortment of interesting weapons as well, maybe I’d like to pick one up at some point.”

“You lack the skills and classes. To kill the monsters you hunt it is paramount that you focus on your strengths.”

“I don’t mean to hunt with them. More use them as a hobby maybe, for fun. I have a general skill for archery.” Ilea said, the smith looking at her with confused eyes.

“Humans… you are truly peculiar. So little time to your life and yet you stray from your given path for… fun? You have reached strength far surpassing mine, as well as likely most of your own kind. Perhaps your peculiarities would benefit them after all. I will prepare some weapons I have seen, the use of each however, I will not be able to teach.” The smith explained.

Ilea motioned for the fae who latched on to her shoulder again, “Thanks. I’ll be on my way then for now. Anything else you need? Apart from rare metals and stories of my ludicrous adventures?”

Goliath lifted a hand and then looked around, “I have. Heard from a friend. An interesting thing really. They have asked me not to mention it but if you were willing to share a cake with me…,” The smith looked away, a little embarrassed about the question.

“You’re friends with Catelyn?” Ilea asked, walking towards the exit, “Sure. I don’t have any here but when I return to the human plains I’ll bring some for you. Whenever that will be.”

The stars were bright that night, lakes of mist in the distance when she emerged from the caves, passing the Penumra entrance and flying up through the cracks in the stone. Landing on the ground, Ilea looked at the Miststalkers dancing a couple dozen meters away from her, “You’re out. Do you want to return to your home now?” Ilea asked the little fae on her shoulder.

She smiled at it when it released her, floating ahead and twirling in the air. A moment later the creature appeared before her face and bumped her helmet a little. The wind brushed against them when Ilea found herself alone in the desolate land. “Return safely.” She murmured, happy to have shared some time with the silent companion. An uncomplicated being. Ilea hoped she’d meet it again someday, perhaps changed enough to communicate with it. And find out they’re racist supremacists… who knows.

Spreading her wings, she sighed and started rushing towards Tremor. She had some questions for the king and she needed some advice on where to go. The Descent hadn’t proven to be the gold mine of levels she had expected. There were of course more layers to explore but maybe Terok or Elfie had some better suggestions. Some Mist magic resistance could make the difference in facing the Miststalkers as well. Not having entered their melee range, Ilea had only gotten Health and Mana Drain resistances when facing the creatures but if she wanted to kill them, the queen might be of service. With the golden key she had found, Ilea could at least skip to the fourth layer of the Descent whenever she felt like it.

The way back was interrupted by a group of Famine Crows intercepting her, forcing Ilea to move down into one of the crevices in the stone to hide and avoid the dangerous creatures. The things had suddenly crossed a lot of distance, teleporting in short bursts before they had reached her. Ilea had responded with her own blink, getting to safety. She noted her stamina was draining more quickly, the feeling of a curse coursing through her body. The birds at least didn’t follow her down into the crack, some smashing into the ground and the walls before they vanished again, the swarm flying away as silently as it had appeared. Hiding from some bloody birds…, Ilea sighed and continued through the cracks, making her way towards the dungeon she was familiar with.

In all corners of these lands there were creatures just above her ability to hunt. Something familiar might be nice at this point. There was always the option to just blink back to her house near Ravenhall but Ilea refused to go back without having managed a significant increase in power. There was no doubt she’d get involved in the city again, the war, a friend asking for her help or the inevitable search for the Golden Lily. Ilea wanted to make sure she was prepared.

Chapter 277 Mist and Ash

Chapter 277 Mist and Ash

She reached the entrance to the Tremor dungeon and refocused on the tasks at hand. Either way, returning to the human plains or staying here in the north, she would want to get strong enough to face her enemies or anything that might pop up. She wanted to be able to face the kingsguard and not have to hide from some leathery shit birds. Having to flee from a bunch of mind magic bugs didn’t sit well with her but with time and focus, she’d get there. That was the beauty of this world.

Maybe I’ll find some time to have a bout with Elfie. To get some of that frustration out. Ilea knew of course that another challenge would always show up but there was a difference between an imposing monster like a Taleen Praetorian and some small birds or weird mist beings, neither particularly intelligent nor dangerous looking. It felt like she was a bug hiding from spiders, not an enhanced powerful human hiding from monsters born from magic itself. Her wings dissolved when she landed in the cathedral, having shot through one of the open windows before she came to a stop, crouching. Standing up, she looked around and found Elfie tapping his table, looking at her with an impatient look.

“Good mood mister Elf?” She asked, staring back at him. The elf didn’t reply, just continuing to scratch into the wood with his long claw like nails. “I’ll check out what they’re doing and update you.” She said, walking towards the dungeon entrance. He was likely fuming, to be so close to talking to ancient royalty and yet so far away. “I could check your health when you go in, heal you if it really is dangerous for your body.” Ilea commented offhandedly, noticing his scratching stopped but he didn’t call out so she went in.

Several pathways to the palace were cleared of knights, the only dangerous part being the actual building itself and the underground structure still occupied by the Kingsguard. Ilea blinked through the wall and into the throne room, waiting for the patrolling knight before she appeared behind him, down into the underground right after. Terok’s noise canceling and visual disturbance enchantments were still in place, enough apparently to not alert any of the undead knights to the new activity in their vicinity.

Appearing inside, the sound of drilling immediately came to her ears, Ilea finding Terok working while Elana waited next to a sizable hole in the wall. “Welcome back.” The queen said, giving her a quick look.

“Hey. Drilling out under the palace to get out?” Ilea asked, looking inside the hole to find Terok at the end, the drill stopping as he cursed at the marble.

“He has to repair his drill every other minute. It’s going to take a month or longer and Maro says the enchantment reaches around too. The dwarf will hit it soon and then it’s back to deactivating it.” Elana explained.

Ilea looked back to the door and frowned, “It’s open though, is the enchantment still in place?”

Elana shook her head and took a couple steps away from the opening in the wall, “The door itself is special. Neither me nor Terok managed to deactivate the whole enchantment, just make an opening to slip in and out. The door allows it because there is supposed to be an entry.”

Ilea frowned, “We can probably find an easier way.” She thought about it but Elana waved her off.

“Don’t mind. As long as Maro can’t leave there isn’t any big reason to get out anyway. I do want to see what has happened to my kingdom, to the capital. And I’m interested to meet the elf he has talked about. They’re rarely willing to talk to humans, I’m not letting that chance slip by.”

Ilea chuckled, “You’re already thinking about political advantages the information could bring you.”

Elana had an unreadable expression on her face, “Maybe I am.” She said after a moment.

Looking at Terok bending back the metal on his drill extension, Ilea crossed her arms, “Why did you never try that?”

“I tried. Lack the punch sadly. This isn’t normal marble, of course it isn’t.” She said and glanced back to where the king resided in his machine, “He wanted it to be noise canceling for his festivities as well as durable enough to stand against high level explosion and light mages. Just in case.”

“So he didn’t just think about himself after all.” Ilea said but Elana just rolled her eyes. “You’re a mist mage right?”

Elana looked at her, a whirl of mist forming around her. “Care to train it a little against me?”

Raising an eyebrow, Elana gave her a sly grin, “You’re working on your resistances? I assume your pain tolerance is rather high. Maro was never willing to tell me what the second stage does but I’m sure he got it at some point.” She looked at Ilea with her silver eyes but she tried to give nothing away in her blue eyes, her black helmet still covering her face. “Good thinking.” Elana said eventually, “If you can heal it will be quite efficient training for the both of us, though I have my mist skills at their highest already. Might be good to train these old bones again however. Let’s use one of the side rooms. Just in case anything goes sideways.”

Ilea waved at Terok who gave her a thumbs up before continuing. Following Elana into the room, she stored away her armor and got on clothes, the shirt’s middle section already destroyed from previous training. “Focus on the stomach.”

“It’s mist, no need to target anything in particular.” The queen replied, the element forming around her before it spread in the room. Ilea felt it damage her immediately upon touch, as if an acid burning into her skin. It didn’t leave a trace but her health was going down. She watched blades form around the woman before they floated at her and passed through. It felt like a part of her soul was cut out and taken, Ilea gasping at the feeling. Of course only her health had been taken but the sensation was highly unpleasant.

Elana looked at her, silver eyes visible in the mist that swirled around her slightly distorted form, “Not even a scream… have you experienced an attack like that before?”

Ilea didn’t reply, simply healing back her health, “It’s just health or is it damaging something else?”

“Some have speculated the soul itself is reaped but I’ve found that to be sadly just superstition.” She said, her smirk visible through the thin mist.

Ilea nodded slowly. “You’ve certainly got your intimidation down. I don’t want to imagine all the experimentation you did on the subject.” She replied, watching the mist whirl around her arm, like invisible needles plucking away the life in her body.

“You don’t.” The reply short and final.

Ilea left it at that, “Ever heard of the Azarinth Order?” She carefully watched the queen’s body and her face through her sphere, finding no major reaction at the name.

“A healing order? I think I recall the name.” She thought on it for a moment before she continued speaking, “The far south… I think we had one of theirs try and recruit in Tremor. I don’t think they were particularly successful. Something about a high risk initiation but a bunch of orders and organizations had that. Probably linked to blood manipulation or some form of elixir.”

Been a while since I heard about that, so the order was around whenever Rhyvor was a thing. “What about the Red church and the Descent dungeon? It’s not too far away from here.” Ilea changed the conversation towards her more recent discoveries. This time there was a visible change on her face.

“The red church? No, though I can see it being a fitting name linked with that dungeon. One of the only established cities in the wilderness near Tremor was the independent city of Eravor. We tried to incorporate it into the Rhyvor empire many times and were it not for the war I’m sure it would’ve taken only another ten to twenty years. Many of their leaders were interested and trade as well as contracts basically made them a part of us already.” Elana explained.

“Why the reaction?” Ilea asked.

She looked at her and smirked, “Dungeons can bring a lot of resources, both materials as well as stronger people living in a city. The Descent was different, a dungeon that led further and further down, never ceasing in discoveries and powerful monsters. An adventurer’s dream. I remember it having dozens of layers, some speculated it went on to the core of the world.”

Ilea tapped her leg, continuously healing the damage she inflicted with her magic. “There are level two hundred monsters in the second layer. Do the layers not increase in powerful monsters?” She quickly checked the message popping up in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

This time it was Elana who was surprised, “Two hundred? No, the second layer was level twenty at best… that was why it was such a lucrative place to own. Adventurers could train to their hundreds or even two hundreds in that dungeon alone. Maro would know more about it, he went there a couple times to test himself and his group.”

“You weren’t part of his group?” Ilea asked in response, thinking about the implications. Of course Tremor had changed as well. The city above the Descent was now part of the dungeon and Goliath had spoken of a great change befalling the north. Maybe it’s all connected?

Elana shook her head, “Not then, not anymore. I had a country to govern. Most of our original party had gone their own ways by that point.” She explained and was silent for a while, lost in thought.

“What could’ve made the monsters so much stronger then? Same with this one, if you say the kingsguard were nowhere near this level when Maro raised them.” Ilea asked, getting a hard stare from the woman.

“King Maro… his majesty…,” Ilea just stared at her and let the blades of mist flow through her, the sensation now ignored that she knew it to be harmless. The queen apparently calmed down again, “I don’t know… higher mana density usually leads to higher leveled monsters… either deeper down underground, higher up in the mountains… other possible extremes like an especially cold or hot climate, experimentation by powerful mages. Perhaps it has something to do with the cities having been big population centers… long ago.” The last two words were barely audible.

Ilea nodded, “Maybe. Doesn’t explain the change in geography.”

“I’ll be the judge of that once I’m getting out of here.” Elana said, sending another set of mist blades her way. Ilea checked with both her sphere and healing skill to see what exactly happened. The mist didn’t pass through but neither did it bounce off and go around.

Maybe something like a pocket dimension? Like my necklace? But then it could damage something we don’t know about. Ilea was pretty sure it wouldn’t suddenly kill her, not after mind magic, curses and more conventional elements and attacks hadn’t managed to. The main reason she wasn’t concerned was the fact that not all mages were casting mist magic. “You don’t want to stay with your king?”

“I will be able to travel through freely. We… we’ve been married for decades young warrior, this is nothing.”

Ilea didn’t believe her, didn’t believe that her time alone down here hadn’t damaged her in one way or the other. Neither was it her concern. Perhaps if she ever became her friend but she wasn’t looking for more people to care about right now. Hearing the queen call her a young warrior made it quite clear the woman wasn’t exactly open either. “What are you going to do once you can leave?”

Elana looked at her and sent out another set of attacks, not answering her question. Ilea had some ideas. Maybe she doesn’t believe us and thinks we’re some sort of spies or enemies of her country. The woman had been holding out for so long, it was possible she just wanted to drink some of the famous wine her country was known for. “You can hit harder, I barely have to heal.” Ilea added.

“You have good healing, coupled with the offensive power. The Azarinth order… I believe they were warrior healers of sorts. Are you part of the order then?” Elana asked.

Ilea let her healing mana flow through her as the mist magic intensified, burning away at her health, “No. Stumbled upon a ruin where I managed to learn their class. Not that I had a choice.” She said with a smile. It was definitely lucky. Wolves or a random Drake would’ve likely killed her without a class. There was a chance she would’ve gotten something more generic but likely not something with a healing aspect.

Elana looked skeptical. Not something Ilea could fault her for. If she had been the queen of a country, she’d question everything people told her, thrice. “They weren’t anything special, otherwise I would’ve known about them. Must have been a small chance for you to stumble into it.”

Ilea smiled, “I appeared nearby when I came to this realm. With what I found I’m not quite sure the Azarinth order was always small and irrelevant but any librarian I’ve met hasn’t heard of it. Some rare people do, you included.”

“You seek someone to train you?”

Ilea shrugged, “Might be worth hearing from a more experienced warrior but honestly, I think I’m beyond the point where many could guide me.”

Elana looked her up and down, “Truly. You passed me in level as well since the last time we met.” A smirk on her face, the queen seemed to be considering something but she didn’t add anything. “If you level your skills as high as you can and gain a lot of resistances I’m sure you’ll be just fine once the class evolution takes place. Humans at three hundred are rare as it is. Even Maro only reached it a couple years before the war.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows. So the king is at three hundred.

“You will be able to learn some things from him I’m sure. He is definitely closer to your spirit than myself.” Elana said with a smile, mist continuing to whirl around her. “If you ever want to govern a city or country, I’m willing to counsel you.”

Ilea smirked, “If it ever comes up I’ll make sure to seek you out. Or perhaps the wiser thing would be to avoid you entirely, have you assassinated perhaps.”

The queen laughed, her smile turning vicious, “To quote an ash creator I have met not long ago, I would like to see you try.”

Ilea winked at her, thinking that perhaps Claire would benefit from Elana’s experience but as it stood the woman would try to take over and if she was anywhere near as capable as she sold herself as, the empire would be under her control in a matter of years or few decades. I don’t know the current empress though. “Don’t cause a war.” Ilea said, leaving out her thought process. Elana looked at her, a flash of understanding in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” The woman said after a minute, for what exactly Ilea didn’t know. The wars she had caused, the war Ilea had seen and fought in or perhaps the wars she would inevitably cause if she got out of Tremor and seized power somewhere else. The words weren’t meaningless, spoken with intent.

Ilea didn’t reply, thinking about what was happening in the empire right now, likely in more countries she didn’t even know about. It had been easy to ignore back on Earth, where she would just be another human in a complicated conflict. Here she could already make a difference, at least force people to not murder random citizens. The conflicts of course were still complicated. Until she could walk into the palace and slap the leaders to sanity, there was nothing major she could do to stop the wars at least. Human nature wouldn’t budge either way and she couldn’t be everywhere at once.

The worst part was that Ilea barely cared. Her human self was aware of the responsibility that came with her growing power. She could hunt down murderers and slavers, influence the very law towards a more modern and educated baseline learned on Earth. Already she had saved dozens if not more people from certain death or at least slavery. Still, it meant little to her, the only emotion she could find when she thought back to Virilya, to the demon hordes in Ravenhall was anger. Distant anger as wherever it had been back then, only a dull numbness was left.

The new side of herself she had discovered in Elos told her to look out for herself, to find stronger and more exciting things to fight, places desolate of people to explore. They should be damned and left alone with their wars and politics, forever circling around their struggles for power and dominance. Elana standing before her seemed like a personification of it all. Perhaps she had tried but what did it lead to? Her country was still ravaged by war, still destroyed and forgotten by time. Lost in ruins somewhere in the north. Ilea sighed, only now noticing the ash around her, swirling and protecting her, her limbs stretched out and cutting into the marble and the wooden table. Elana had stepped back, out of the range of the black whirlwind pushing away the mist in the room.

Looking at her hand, Ilea found the red glow of her Azarinth runes, the fiery lines of her embers. Calming herself down, the ash slowed, her limbs resting near her back. The black mist dissolved, Ilea walking out of the room and past a silent Elana. “We will resume the training later.” Ilea said, offhandedly.

Chapter 278 Royal Advice

A note from Rhaegar

Have a good weekend all :). Thanks for reading.

Chapter 278 Royal Advice

Looking to her left, there was Terok, working his way into the marble as he cursed. To her right was the machine holding Maro, king of Rhyvor. Ilea sighed, finding herself calm despite the rather embarrassing outburst she just had. It should be embarrassing…, She thought, caring little about the queen’s opinion on the matter. Her emotions had been in a turmoil. Pragmatically, Ilea knew she had been through a lot of extreme situations in the past years. A lot of situations that could’ve caused trauma or resulted in some other form of damage or stress on her mind. She was feeling alright, her healing or meditation taking care of the worst.

She had nightmares, although rarely. She was in control of herself, didn’t shake or had outbursts. At least other than the one that had happened just now. Sighing, she clenched her fists. “Trying to keep it together?” She heard a voice to her right, looking at the king, his bushy gray beard and hair unkempt. Ilea couldn’t help but laugh at the look and her ridiculous situation.

Could be worse. She thought, walking towards the king. “A year, two? I was living a peaceful life in a realm devoid of magic and monsters. Now I’m more powerful than most humans. I could influence wars you know?”

He didn’t laugh, didn’t comment with a joke. Maro looked at her and nodded lightly, “I was made king. Of a country that grew around me, built by capable friends and the queen. Running away always seemed like a lovely option.”

Ilea grabbed a chair and sat down next to him, “Why didn’t you?”

“I did. Several times. Until Elana took over. I was out on my expeditions, in unknown dungeons or fighting monsters previously unthinkable. The deal was that I had to be in Tremor for a week every two months. That was all.” Maro explained. “Though I still wish I hadn’t been king… or as involved as I was. In the end I was here for a month, then I didn’t leave anymore at all. Too many people I knew, too many lives I dared not lose.”

Ilea smiled, “Could’ve been just a warrior… head of the expedition force or something.”

“I don’t know if you noticed Miss Ilea but I’m terribly good looking. How could I refuse the position of king. The humble, charming and strong king Maro.” He said it all with a mocking tone, winking at her in the end. “Don’t make the mistakes I did. Learn about who you are and don’t entangle yourself in a life that shackles and binds you.”

Ilea looked at the machine clinging to his body, “Fitting metaphor.” The man laughed, nodding in the end.

“Can you trim my beard and shorten my hair a little?” He asked, Ilea’s brows rising.

Ilea checked through her necklace but found her cleanup had left her without any knifes, “I’m neither a hairdresser nor do I have the necessary tools.”

The king shook his head lightly, “You’re an ash creator… I think that is sufficient to cut through hair, if your skill is at the necessary level for your two hundred and sixty. Plus you’re a healer and I have a high pain tolerance.”

Ilea nodded, forming something like a blade of ash in her hand, making the element as dense as possible, “You have the second tier?”

“Perhaps.” The man replied.

She chuckled and stood up, taking a couple steps towards him, “Why not tell her what it does?”

The man looked a little hurt before he grinned, “There is enough pain in the world isn’t there Miss Ilea.” Not really an answer but Ilea understood well enough.

Taking the knife to his hair, she started cutting. The blade of ash wasn’t exactly the sharpest tool she had ever used but it did the job with a bit of applied force, “What necessary skill level did you mean?”

His head was bobbing up and down from the forceful hair care, “At least second stage, anybody not human would expect second tier level twenty. Third tier helps, that at the maximum level as well of course.”

“Did you do all that? Heard you’re at three hundred already. Any pointers? Third class?” Ilea asked, checking the symmetry of her work with her sphere. Definitely not a hidden talent in cutting hair.

“I am, finally broke through a couple years ago. Getting all second tier skills up to twenty was definitely worth it for the evolutions. I doubt it’s possible with the third tier skills, assuming you don’t want to train for a few hundred years alone and hidden away. The skills need high level enemies to get higher, same as class levels after three hundred.”

“What are you at now?” Ilea asked, accidentally cutting into his flesh and drawing blood. The wound was healed again immediately.

He didn’t even react, “Three ten. Oh, might be interesting, third tier skill points are rewarded at three hundred and three ten. I think it’s every ten levels after three hundred. Haven’t gotten a third class so far but several sources… all unreliable mentioned having gotten one after three hundred. Through one reckless idiocy or another.”

Ilea knew Terok had mentioned something similar. “I can add another unreliable source to that. What did you try already?” She was already feeling better about not training up her third tier skills to the maximum before advancing to three hundred.

“Not much. There wasn’t enough time and the war had started already. Facing down a Soul Ripper hadn’t done it. Neither had slaughtering a whole company of mercenaries.” Maro talked about it as if neither was worth a mention.

Ilea nodded and cleaned away the loose hair with some ash that formed around his head. “You’ll find something I’m sure.”

Maro laughed, “You’ll be able to tell me about it. I don’t think you’ll be able to clear out the Kingsguard before reaching three hundred. Maybe that will give you another class? I heard they give minor bonuses though. I’m more interested what your evolutions hold. A healer and ash creator. I always though ash was suited more for medium or close range rather than long range. Is it an extension of your body already?”

Ilea felt no need to keep something like that from him, “It is. The only downside is my inability to teleport if it touches the enemy.”

He nodded, “Once your control gets to the point of perfection that will hardly matter. Trust me.”

Ilea smiled, “I’ve been a little unsure how to spend my stats. All of them seem important.” The man had something about him that made her trust him. There’s a reason he was made king. A reason Terok trusted him so easily compared to Elana. “Is it a spell?”

Maro laughed again, his green eyes sparkling. His hair looked much better now. Not well cut but at least not as wild and unkempt as it had been before, “It isn’t if you can believe it. You can trust me however, if that makes it any easier. I believe people have a better intuition than they think. I have no interest in misleading or manipulating you Miss Ilea. You are after all an interesting warrior, one that could free me from this self inflicted predicament.”

Ilea stared at him, trying to discern anything in the mana around her. Without a sight for it it was impossible of course. At least if it was something more subtle. Perhaps it was his smell. Charm or charisma…, A hard to define trait but with this man it was almost graspable. Ilea was annoyed, remembering descriptions in romance novels she had tried to read. She wasn’t attracted to him but she trusted him, for no reason at all. “Are you sure there isn’t anything magical about it? Are you human at all?”

The man smiled again, “Some mages talked about how my mana flows weirdly but I believe its a combination of all my great traits. Handsome looks, peak humor, perfect physique…,”

Ilea interrupted him as she started trimming, “Magnificent beard.”

“Exactly. What about your stats? Vitality and Wisdom are likely most important. Especially facing monsters of greater level and alone. No matter how much Intelligence or Strength you have, you won’t be able to avoid damage or prolonged battles.”

Ilea had done as much, the two her highest leveled stats. “Intelligence boosts all my magic, my auras, creation and manipulation as well as Mana Intrusion spells. Still, Strength is specifically boosted by my auras. Would I get more damage out of my stats if I invested in Strength rather than Intelligence?”

Maro thought for a while, “It’s a balancing act. How many of your skills are of magical nature? How many of purely physical? If your auras… body enhancement I assume, boost Strength, I suggest not leaving it behind completely. Fighting close combat you shouldn’t completely ignore Dexterity either.”

“What about you? You’re a necromancer. A mage. How is your distribution?” Ilea asked.

“Asking the king of a powerful nation about his stat distribution. You remind me of myself Miss Ilea.”

“Just Ilea is fine, Maro?”

He nodded lightly, “I’m at seven hundred Vitality, seven hundred Intelligence, nine hundred Wisdom, four hundred Endurance, three hundred Strength and a little over two hundred Dexterity. I’ve got skills boosting my Intelligence as well as Endurance. Make of it what you will.”

Ilea listened. He was definitely more specialized but not as much as she would’ve expected. Why a necromancer had more than fifty Dexterity was confusing. “Why the Strength and Dexterity then? Wouldn’t fifty or even less be enough?”

“That’s what I did early on. Dodging projectiles when my mana was near empty, shields down and only my body to defend myself against a warrior and his weapons. Let’s just say I found reasons enough to invest in physical stats. Fighting against higher leveled beings, even with the multipliers from my skills, I would never trade one of the few points in Strength that I have for one in Intelligence. The latter is what allows me to kill them in the first place but the rest enables me to survive until then. I do believe my Dexterity is a little higher than necessary but I’ve always been more on the impulsive side.” He laughed, having explained in detail.

“Same here. I found most monsters more susceptible to mana intrusion than pure physical damage. Why I focused on Intelligence more lately. Plus most of my skills are magical in nature.”

Maro laughed again, “You must have had a bad time against my knights then. Stonehammer coupled with the constant healing must’ve made them formidable opponents.”

She just stared at him, “Definitely.” She said, grinning. Ilea wondered how the fights would’ve gone with six hundred Strength instead of Intelligence. With her Auras that value would’ve skyrocketed to over three thousand. Nearly all her other skills as well as Destruction and Wave of Ember would’ve been significantly less powerful. Plus her auras themselves were magical in nature. Wisdom would bring her more mana and mana recovery, more healing and more sustain.

“You’re not entirely wrong by the way. There’s a reason people try to defend against mana intrusion. Same as mind magic or blood magic. I’ve found destructive healing magic part of that list as well.” He sighed, “You make me want to get out there again and I’ve only been stuck for a couple weeks here.”

Ilea nodded, “Soon enough. I’ll be happy to have a bout against you.”

The man smiled brightly, “Something to look forward to, other than the fact that Rhyvor is no more.”

“She doesn’t seem to be convinced completely.” Ilea whispered.

Maro smiled and looked past her, “Elana always confirmed, wanted to see for herself and make sure there was no stone left unturned. Don’t fault her for it, she has shouldered the fate of hundreds of thousands.”

Ilea was aware, cutting off the last part of his beard she was working on. There was still some left, some sections worse than others but again, it certainly looked better than what it had been before. Dissolving her ashen knife, she sat down again, “You mentioned an ash creator you knew?”

Maro nodded, “Thanks for the shave. Not being able to scratch myself has been driving me mad. A member of my late party, Khan. He was working towards the three hundreds but hadn’t reached it yet when this all started.” He said, gesturing around himself with his head, “He used ranged attacks, spears and clouds of ash mostly. Blood enhancer as his second class. Nasty attacks, that’s for sure. He was always complaining that he couldn’t get his ash creation and manipulation to the third tier. I think he refrained from spending his third tier points because of that.”

“You think that was the right decision?” Ilea asked, not mentioning that she had both in her third tier already. She wondered how a ranged attacker would benefit from the third tier manipulation. Might be a different third tier for him?

The king thought about it and then shook his head, “I don’t think it was. Know that this is only one way to look at things but I always thought the reason third tier skills needed certain unknown requirements was necessary to enhance once’s strengths, focus on what you’ve proven to have mastered. Perhaps his talents never lay with manipulation and creation, maybe he didn’t understand the element very well after all. His eyes however were second to none, his ability to spot and utilize enemies’ weaknesses. The man just didn’t want to waste a point in such a skill he deemed so natural and second nature. The fact that he treated it that way would’ve been reason enough for me to chose it before all others.”

Eyes of Ash, Ilea thought. A passive skill she rarely thought about, the second tier usually ignored. To think the man had been so good at it Maro called his eyes second to none. “I always just chose what felt right.”

“Exactly how I did it. And look at me, still alive after likely thousands of years.” He laughed, “I’m pretty sure Khan died in one dungeon or the other. Maybe he’s still trying to get his ash creation to the third tier.” He didn’t laugh, the realization that his friend had likely died a long time ago likely surreal.

“You’ve been to the Descent haven’t you?” Ilea asked, trying to change the subject to something a little less heavy.

“That one still around?” He laughed, “Was harder to sneak into the city than fighting down into the dungeon. The first twenty levels were trivial but then the first level two hundred creatures showed up. The increase after that was ten or more levels fore each level. Wore us down and after three days we left again. I would’ve liked to try again but Elana screamed at me for a full four hours because of the diplomatic problems this brought to the kingdom.”

Ilea snorted, “They found you?”

“Of course. Not too many people at the twentieth layer, let alone the twenty fifth. Some even recognized me, old friends and rivals.” He smiled at the memory.

“There are level two hundred monsters at layer two now. Level three fifty at layer four.” She said.

He looked at her, intrigued rather than shocked, “Interesting. A truly dangerous place then. Terok has told me about the north… the arcane storms and the mists at night. I would love to study either. Get on with it Ilea and get more powerful. When will you try again anyway?”

Ilea thought about it, “Three hundred I guess. Not sure if I’ll win. Depends on the evolution I guess. How much power I gain.”

“I got a pretty solid increase but I don’t want my only hope to die because of my impatience.” The king said.

“You’re aware that your wife has been down here, conscious for at least a couple decades.” Ilea teased and he just shook his head.

“She’s made from a different material. Patience and intrigue. Place us both in front of a wild beast and you’ll see who will face it.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “I don’t think she’d run. Only if it’s too strong for her.”

“Exactly.” He brimmed with joy.

This time she laughed, “Yea, you really are an idiot. Once I get you out we’ll go hunt monsters together. You need some creatures to raise after I destroyed all your knights.”

He nodded, his smile waning, “Can I ask you for something Ilea?” She gestured for him to continue, “The kingsguard… once you are able to face them. Please keep their corpses. I would like to… see them off myself. You have a storage item do you not? Otherwise I’m sure there’s one or two left in the treasury. We’ll get it open before you reach the necessary strength.”

Ilea nodded. “I have one and I won’t burn them before you’re free. Even if you just want to raise them and use them against me.”

He laughed, “My evil necromantic plan, exposed! Bring me my scheming wife, she must learn of your incredible foresight.”

Ilea didn’t react, instead summoning the dead life serpent she had found, “Any use for this? Supposed to have been a life serpent.”

“A good find.” He commented, looking at the skeleton in her hand, “The machine doesn’t allow me to add more than the designated corpses but I’d love to experiment with it once I’m free.

Ilea put it on one of the counters next to his machine. “The Descent holds a bunch of monsters inside that I believe were changed by something called a Tuner. Ever heard of anything like that?”

Maro nodded, “I heard of it. Security was too tight in the dungeon back then but it was a closely guarded secret in Eravor. Blood manipulation… I tried to get to one but their enchantments were annoying to say the least. Plus any relations Elana had built would’ve been reduced to ashes.”

Chapter 279 Survivor?

Chapter 279 Survivor?

“Blood manipulation? Something the city made?” Ilea asked but he shook his head immediately.

“No. Something unique to the Descent, just as unique as the dungeon itself. I have my theories but nothing founded. Not until I get my hands on one of those machines.”

Ilea chuckled, “I know where one is. Also have the so called pure blood… or at least whatever liquid they used in their experiments.”

The king groaned for ten seconds straight, “Why… Ilea please. Don’t tell me things like that while I’m stuck in here… next thing you tell me you know a living demon…,”

It was hard for her to keep a straight face but she apparently managed, either her acting having improved or the fact too hard for him to believe. “So the monsters increased in level the deeper you went?”

Maro nodded, “It would be reasonable for you to explore and train in it further. Though after level two hundred monsters grow increasingly unpredictable. Perhaps destroying the knights here first would be a better option.”

“You’d hope for that. If I kill off all the normal knights, do you think you’ll get some control back to help me with the kingsguard? They’re still technically connected to you and your magic.”

Maro didn’t seem convinced, “I don’t know honestly. This machine is something I cooked up in the last months of the war, in cooperation with some of my most trusted mages. Normally I’d say yes but with how they actually took over, how they’re ignoring my control completely. I don’t know. Only way to find out is to try. Take your time. As said, better freed in a couple decades than never at all.”

Ilea scoffed, “Decades? You don’t think I can manage it earlier?”

“Maybe. I don’t doubt you’ll reach level three hundred in a reasonable time but it’s questionable if the boost is enough to take out triple mark monsters. Especially ones as dangerous as the knights. They retain some of their knowledge you know? Some of their magic too if they were proficient enough. The ones chosen by me were the best warriors my kingdom had to offer. I bought or seized the corpse of every one of them, just in case they were needed.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow, “Seized corpses? What the hell did I get myself into.” She sighed as the king laughed.

“How did someone at your power retain such a moral code. Religious perhaps? Or does it have something to do with where your from? Scipio would have been ecstatic to meet you.” He smiled.

“I know I know. Know anything about the Azarinth order? Healer warriors from long ago, your wife mentioned she remembered the name.” Ilea changed the subject.

Maro squinted his eyes at her, “Yea. Yea I think I fought and killed one of them. Decided to side with the enemy I believe. First Hunter or something was the class name.”

She tried not to reveal anything, “You killed them?”

“Him. And no, a good friend of mine did. I just kept him trapped while they battled, aiding occasionally with a magic blast or two. Took us nearly two days to bring him down.”

Ilea nodded, “Self healing and quick teleportation. Hard to deal with.”

Maro smiled, “So, first huntress… would you like to learn from his mistake?”

“Gladly.” She said with a grin, clapping her hands together.

“He was a blood enhancer in his second class, magic my necromantic spells could easily counter, some of his body enhancements subdued. The effects it would’ve had on my friend I could reduce to nearly nothing. A good thing too that the friend was a pure warrior, his armor and enchantments tremendous against the mana intrusion both of the assassin’s classes favored. How close was my guess with your class?” He asked finally.

Ilea considered, asking a question instead, “He’s one of the kingsguard isn’t he? The friend who protected you.”

“Yes. Man died after taking out a damn near floor of soldiers storming a nearby city. Getting his body out of there was one of the stupider excursions I took part in.” Maro said and laughed.

“Why didn’t you tell her about the assassin?” Or did she withhold information from me?

Maro sighed, “Elana had enough on her table, all the assassins, secret missions and hunts. We kind of had a silent agreement you know… I do my things and she does hers. Sometimes information about traitors or dangerous beasts in our territories would magically make it into one of my friends’ hands. I always knew it was her. That’s just how we did things… back then.” He added. “Though I couldn’t tell you more about the man. He didn’t seem to have a motive other than killing the king of Rhyvor and upon contacting the order they assured me he was working independently, only carrying their name through training early in his life.”

She nodded, “Found one of their temples and got the class. Now I’m a First Hunter too. Guess this is it, king of Rhyvor.” Ilea said and spread her ash, activating her buffs and staring at him as coldly as she could.

“Go for it. Best chance you’ll ever have. Though if you free me first, I promise to make it a good fight.” He said with a smile but Ilea knew he wasn’t quite as sure as he pretended. A good actor but Hunter’s Sight wasn’t as easily fooled.

Deactivating her skills again, she smiled at the mist slowly rolling into the hallway behind her. Do I really come off as unstable as that? Maybe I should find this world’s equivalent of a psychiatrist. “I found a map too. Figures standing in what seemed like random alignments. Maybe you know some of them.”

Summoning one, she held it out to the man. He looked at it for a second and spoke, “That’s the banner of the Azarinth order. At least according to the letter I got a couple years ago, as a response to my inquiry.”

“To the near assassination?”

“No, to find out if we’re at war.” He replied. “Only reason I didn’t go and slaughter them all myself was an abundance of enemies close by already.”

Ilea wasn’t sure how much of that was bravado only. It didn’t sound like the first hunter had been taken down easily, even together with a warrior countering most of the hunter’s offensive capabilities. Putting it away, she summoned another one and held it out. He shook his head, “Never seen it. The style points towards a human group, at least that’s my uneducated guess.”

King of a country… uneducated. Taking out a third figure, he nodded.

“Taleen dwarves. Can’t forget the symbol of their brutality.” He said.

Ilea nodded and put it away, “You knew them? Guess they’ve beenaround for a while then. The actual dwarves or just their machines?”

He nodded, “So their creations outlived them… or am I misinterpreting the question?”

Ilea shrugged, “Likely. Whatever is left of them are dungeons now, feared to be some of the most dangerous. If you ask me, the north is worse. Of the dwarves themselves, little is left. Terok might have more to say. Any idea how they stand to elves?”

“Don’t you have an elven historian up there?” Maro asked, chuckling at the look she gave him, “Well I do have to congratulate you on actually talking to an elf. Most of them just attack humans. I learned they just want a good fight. The problem is they always fight to the death. Wasteful creatures them. You mean Taleen and elves? There were wars I’m sure but I know little about the intricacies. Most of the long ears stayed south of the dwarven mountains too, few traveling these lands but then again the same was true for all other races.”

Ilea smiled, “The frontier then? Rhyvor was founded around a bunch of dungeons found here wasn’t it? Was it simply undiscovered land?” Ilea wondered when the last bits of land on Earth had been discovered.

“There are frontiers everywhere. I’d wager we still have them today. The mountains were treacherous and we had to fight off as well as integrate several local tribes of lizardmen and Feynor. I do not assume city walls have lost their value?”

Ilea shook her head, “City walls as well as guards and enchantments where possible. If you’re asking if humans stood up and rose to the heights of the food chain then the answer is no. On this world at least.”

He looked almost disappointed, “It would have been foolish to assume anything else. It has been the same for millennia and it will stay the same for another. The few outliers like us won’t be able to change that.”

Not if we keep having wars instead of developing infrastructure and clear out the wilderness. Ilea pondered but she was quite happy the world here wasn’t overrun and in the clutches of humans. For the best perhaps. So far she hadn’t found any other races doing a much better job either. Perhaps if everyone was like Goliath or the little fae.

Maro blinked and looked at her, “Your world was different?”

“No monsters. There were of course wild animals but after thousands of years the ingenuity of humans won out. If everything is level ten and no magical abilities exist, spears and swords win out. Plus we didn’t have any other intelligent races.”

He breathed out quickly, “Sounds horribly boring.”

Ilea shrugged. She neither agreed nor disagreed. There was plenty to do, plenty to learn and fill one’s life with on Earth. A fulfilling and safe life or one filled with adventure and danger. Not many got to choose what they really wanted but at least you didn’t get eaten alive by some magical beast in every little patch of forest. Ilea was glad she landed in Elos.

“Would you go back if you could? You are not a world traveler by choice I assume.”

Another shrug, “Maybe. To see how it’s going. To find out how I landed here, not by choice no. Would certainly be confusing if I suddenly appear again.” She also wasn’t sure if she could keep her abilities or if they were somehow tied to this magical realm. There had been no magic she’d known of on Earth, no status or classes. Would it be fair? After they had mourned me? What if they’re still looking? She didn’t want to think about it. There was a chance her parents hadn’t even noticed, neither had been especially caring when she had moved out. It was all speculation of course, impossible to tell how people had reacted.

Ilea knew in her gut that at least her parents would have cared. If time moved the same way here as it did on Earth, nearly two years had passed since her disappearance. “It would be. Though what’s to say you were the only one?”

She looked up at Maro, “I met a girl from my realm already. Though she was just walking in a forest when suddenly she appeared in this realm. A wonder she even survived.”

“It is. I assume neither of you had a class.” She shook her head, “Scipio had his theories. If only he’d still be alive, I’m sure he’d love to talk to you. Maybe he is… bastard certainly knew how to avoid conflict.” He laughed.

Ilea smiled, “Was he trying to achieve realm travel magic?”

Maro nodded, “Amongst other things. Scipio was a barrier and space mage. Catching him was near impossible, nor was fighting him. The man could cut people apart with his barriers.” He smirked, “Thought some inherently evil creatures were responsible for all the suffering in the world. A naive idealist, competent at least. Very dangerous if you got on his bad side.”

“Fought a man like that once… when we found the girl from my world actually. Maybe he formed a cult or something?” Ilea chuckled.

Maro stared at her, “How did he look like? Levels? Abilities? Anything you can tell me?”

She had to think for a while. The man had fought her for a little while in the ruins they had found near the shoreline. “In his fifties, black hair, some gray showing. Barrier magic was golden and cut through my legs like they were nothing. Called himself Albert.”

The king stared at her before he laughed, a clean and loud sound. When he calmed down again, Elana was out of the room, staring at the two of them. “What’s so funny?” The queen asked.

Maro looked first at Ilea and then the queen, “Scipio is alive. Ilea here met him.”

“What?!” Elana stepped towards the king, “Are you sure? The chances of him surviving, let alone meet this random woman is almost impossibly low.”

“Or somehow not a coincidence…,” Maro suggested.

“Oh come on? Just because she’s from another realm? He would’ve not let her go if he knew. If it’s true I’m more interested in why he didn’t come and get us out of this situation.” Elana was talking faster with every word.

Ilea thought about it, “He didn’t hold on to the other girl there either and she was from another realm too. Seemed pretty coincidental to me. I’m pretty sure he would’ve continued fighting too were it not for the collapsing cave.”

Maro shook his head, “Well one way or the other he somehow survived or someone that knew him very well and learned from him. I’d like to find out. He’d have all the answers to our questions and likely some of yours as well my dear finder of very old and forgotten people.” He laughed again but Elana just walked away, cursing about the man who didn’t come for them.

“I have some of his books but for those I’d want something in return as well. Once we open the other rooms we’ll talk. Not like you’re going anywhere anyway.” She said to the king who nodded.

“Fair enough. I don’t think we’d be able to find him anyway. Not without an extensive search. If I somehow got my name out there he would certainly find me. Although he might not want to talk.”

Ilea sat down on the chair again, “Why not?” She asked, summoning another one of the figures.

“I suggest you ask your elven friend about that one.” The king said and nodded towards the little piece, “To why we might not be on the best of terms… I won’t tell you. Maybe if you get me out of here but even then it would depend on my mood.”

“They’re elvish then.” Summoning her notebook, she showed him the map and the positioning of the figures she had quickly sketched down, “Any idea what it could be?”

Maro nodded, “Strategic placement of troops. That is Karth I assume, the only remarkable dungeon to put on a map of the human lands south of the mountains. Interesting are the placements…,”

Ilea frowned, “Karth is a massive mountain, not a dungeon. Well there might be dungeons inside but even the Descent isn’t close to as big as that would be.”

“Then perhaps that dungeon has changed as well… only one way to find out. You have troop constellations of elven, Taleen and Azarinth order units there. Either they all got lost in the woods or they are working together against those black figures.”

Ilea nodded and summoned the black piece, showing it to him. His reaction came a little too late for her to take seriously. “Aaaaah, the forces of the evil god Nesca. Now all of it makes sense, no other great force could unite species such as elves and humans.”

“You have no idea what this is.” Ilea said, wiggling the thing in front of his face before it vanished.

“No clue.” The king said, “Must have been quite the fight to warrant such an alliance. Never heard of anything like it. At least not in such a grand scale.”

“I mean we don’t know how big the units actually were. Might’ve been five guys working together.” Ilea suggested with a smile.

Maro nodded, “True. I’m certainly interested in who it was they were fighting and who won in the end.”

She shrugged and sat back down, thinking on the things she had learned. Most relevant for now were his opinions on stats as well as the fact that a first hunter had fought and lost against his warrior friend. Of course she was an ash creator and not a blood enhancer but still. To have the ability to trap her even with her blink ability? Maybe strength to five or six hundred as well? She considered it. There were still around eighty level ups necessary to reach level three hundred, around four hundred stat points all in all.

Focusing on Intelligence for now as well as Wisdom and Vitality had been a good decision. It let her deal with the knights more quickly and now she could heal herself back up almost immediately. Breaking the Reapers’ carapace as well as their legs was already possible. More Strength would make it easier but she’d still get hit by their magic. If I want class and skill evolutions not only focused on mana intrusion I should keep my physical stats somewhat up to date.

Putting her ten remaining points into Strength, she got it to two eighty. Two hundred Strength and maybe another fifty or more into Wisdom. We’ll see about the rest. Ilea mused, still sitting in front of the necromancer king.

“You’re being terribly unproductive.” He commented, Ilea sacrificing two thousand of her health and slowly healing it back right after.

Getting up slowly, she stretched, “Got a couple decades to get you out old man. If you keep talking like that I might just leave a single kingsguard alive, how about that?”

Chapter 280 Green Memories

Chapter 280 Green Memories

“Lassie you done with the king?” Terok asked, stepping up to her. Ilea noted the drilling had stopped a while ago, the tunnel looking to be improving ever so slightly.

Looking at Maro, she shrugged, “For now. I hope you’re not unproductive either Maro.”

He snorted, “Don’t worry Ilea, I’m working on world domination plans as we speak. My unrelenting power and necromantic will shall tower over all. Elana reads to me sometimes.”

She nodded and walked off, Terok falling in next to her, “Good enough. What is it? I hope you’re not asking for help with your drilling. Neither my fists nor ash are particularly good at the job.”

“No. I was thinking to explore the Taleen dungeon to the north. Been talking to the elf and he knows some interesting things. Might be able to improve my armor if I go and explore a little there. You being here I assume the Descent isn’t exactly going as well as it could.”

Ilea smiled at him, “It’s going. Not particularly quick to level up there but Taleen machines are probably not the best either.” Centurions might be reasonable. Would be interesting to see how I handle them now. Maybe face a Praetorian… if there’s a single one there.

Terok nodded, “Well I can’t make you. Thought I’d ask at least. You there to destroy the machines and walk through traps would certainly make it quite a lot simpler.”

Ilea thought about it. Maybe another possible place to find Kyrian, another working teleportation gate for Claire and Christopher. The dungeon being in the north might’ve added some levels to the machines too. If she could fight hordes of guardians at level three hundred instead of two hundred, she’d advance in no time. “I’ll check it out.” She simply stated, Terok nodding before he fist pumped the air.

“Yesss. I knew you’d come.”

Ilea shrugged, “Maybe we can get you to two hundred too, I’ll leave some guardians alive.”

The dwarf nearly stumbled, “Sure… sure. If you’re around to heal me. Getting those evolutions has been a long time coming anyway.”

Nobody said anything about healing… ah who am I kidding. At least he’ll be more useful to me then. “Wanna leave now?”

Terok nodded, “I’ll inform the queen and Maro. Might be they have something interesting to note as well. Though I doubt it, their knowledge of the area is a couple thousand years outdated.”

Ilea exited through the cathedral doors, joining the elf while Terok was left behind to talk to the royals. “Going to explore the Taleen dungeon nearby. Feel like coming?”

He looked at her at the mention of the Taleen, “And why would I want that?I won’t be going into the dungeon itself.”

Ilea shrugged, “To get some air? Destroy escaping machines I missed maybe? Provide a safe retreat should we be overwhelmed? Provide translations as we go further in? You do know the language I assume.” If he spent decades learning the Rhyvor language then she had no doubt in her mind the elf spoke Taleen. She still had the little notebook from the dwarven skeleton she had found. As well as the Tungsten key, neither things she wanted to reveal as of yet.

Tapping his pen on the open book, the elf finally decided and closed it. “Alright human. I will humor you. When do you intend to leave?”

“As soon as Terok shows up. What’s that book anyway?” She asked, the dwarf flying in through one of the destroyed windows before landing smoothly, black and red armor suit at the ready.

Elfie stood up, straightening his black mantle, “Questions for the king and queen of Rhyvor. If we cannot talk face to face there are other methods.”

“In their language I suppose?” Ilea asked.

She received a nod in response, the elf having the book vanish from his hands, “A good way to build trust. We have made every effort to alienate other races in the past.”

Terok snorted, “And present, if you mean slaughter and hunt down as alienate.” The elf hissed but didn’t deny the dwarf’s accusations either.

“Alright. Ready to find some hobbits then.” Ilea joked, the two looking at her with a bit of confusion.

“A variant of Taleen machines?” Terok asked, “Thought I’d know most of them by now.”

Ilea went with it and spread her wings, “You haven’t been inside one of the dungeons, have you?”

The dwarf chuckled, “Fair enough. To the hobbits then.” Ilea laughed and ascended.

It was nighttime, the moons shining down on the lakes of mist below them as they scanned the sky for any dangers flying towards them. A human, a dwarf and an elf, on their mission to find and explore a dungeon filled with machines built by the Taleen. Hours passed, the three flying in silence.

Terok slowed down after a while, landing on a spot devoid of mist and situated a little higher than the lower regions around them. Ilea slowed down too, the Elf turning with an annoyed look on his face. She didn’t comment on it and simply landed near Terok. “I’ll be off training, shout for me when you’re ready to go again.”

With Meditation the dwarf shouldn’t need too long but it was time she could use. Elfie looked at her as she drifted down towards the mists, landing nearby. Close enough to grab the attention of some of the miststalkers but not in the mist itself to avoid their bladed arms. Same magic as the queen. Ilea wondered if there was a connection at all. Probably not, seeing how the queen was at a lower level than even her. The miststalkers were still unknowns, not triple marks but certainly more dangerous than Elana. At least from a purely magical perspective. Politically, she doubted the stalkers had much to counter the queen.

Sighing, Ilea felt her health and mana begin to drop. With time the mana would start to damage the creatures and her health would become harder to drain. She found it more beneficial to not heal herself at all, the initial drop in health slowing down later on while she needed every bit of mana recovered from her meditation. Choosing a barren space, Ilea sat down, her armor shifting as it adjusted to the new position. She watched the miststalkers twirl, around and around as more of them slowly joined to sap her life and magic from her. To what goal she didn’t know. It was likely the beasts just ate it, sustained themselves somehow through the night before they vanished again when the suns were out.

It felt weird, the dull pain of her life leaving her, slowly but surely as more of them connected their magic to her. “Ilea we can continue.” The moment passed, Terok’s voice resounding over the barren land as she got up and walked out of the range of the monsters, almost a little sad that she couldn’t feed them anymore. Her resistances would level again soon, it had been a while since last time. “Are you sure you’re alright? There were eight of them draining you at the same time…,”

Ilea waved him off without an answer, her wings spreading again as her meditation worked to recover her lost mana, her healing taking care of the health in the meantime. She was at a little over four thousand mana after the ten to fifteen minute break. “Did you go in and fight them at some point?”

Ilea shrugged, “I’d rather level my resistances a little more before. Maybe try to whittle them down from further away.”

Terok nodded, “They’re terribly durable and tend to vanish once damaged enough.”

Ilea hadn’t even reached that point. Might be different if I’m actually close enough for them to drain me. Animals don’t act rationally when they’re getting food. She would of course had a similar situation going on as with the knights in Tremor, trying to out damage their health drain ability.

She nodded and followed them, intending to take up the training again the next night. Depending on how the dungeon goes. Maybe back to the Descent again afterwards. She would grow steadily until reaching the three hundreds. Higher resistances would certainly help but with what she already had it wasn’t much of a priority right now. Elfie slowed down when they reached an incline leading to a mountain towering over the surrounding hills and crevices. No mist was visible nearby, the three of them descending before landing in a rather large crack that led upwards.

“Should be near the mountain.” Terok said. “It’s not a popular one this one.”

Ilea was a little surprised to hear that, “Why not? Guardians are between one fifty and two hundred aren’t they? Should be right in the range of most scavengers I’ve seen in Hallowfort. Or are they higher leveled here in the north?”

“It’s pretty far away from Hallowfort and not everybody can fly. You’ll find out inside why it’s unpopular.” Terok said, his floodlight shining the way, rocks and a thin creek making its way down towards the lower altitudes. A strong wind brushed past her armor, Ilea noticing how Terok and Elfie had to fight against it more than she did.

Her second stage Wind Resistance was the likely culprit. Or she was simply liked by the wind, “You have no idea what’s in there do you?”

The dwarf didn’t reply which was answer enough. He laughed a minute later when they nonetheless made their way up the mountain, Elfie now moving a couple meters behind the other two. Ilea assumed he didn’t want to accidentally step into a dungeon.

It took them another twenty minutes to climb through the crevice, the last patch in darkness as the stone grew over them. A noticeable entrance crafted not by nature but something else showed in the distance, the angular opening carved into the stone wall. “There it is.” Terok exclaimed. “No mist in here either, nor arcane storms during the day.” The statements directed at Elfie who wouldn’t be joining them in their exploration.

“Build a fire or something.” Ilea said to the elf who stared towards the entrance. “Come on.” She added, directed at the dwarf this time as she walked to the entrance. Skills flaring up, she noted that it wasn’t exactly a forgotten and unused path, some of the rocks and sand suggesting travelers coming through in the past weeks at least. “We might not be alone in there.”

Terok shrugged with his huge two meter metal mech, “Didn’t expect anything else. More corpses to loot for us.”

She didn’t comment on it. More corpses to loot for me if you’re not being useful. She thought, walking through the small opening. No dungeon notification popped up immediately, meaning it was either further in or not here at all.

Terok commented on it too, “Further in. This has been dug out by someone. I doubt the Taleen would’ve used such an ugly entrance.”

Ilea hadn’t found the dwarven architecture to be particularly extravagant or beautiful but she agreed that this at least didn’t seem like them. Mere stone, carved to the barest minimum. When they reached the actual dungeon a couple minutes of climbing down later, the contrast was even more clear.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered Izna dungeon’

“There it is.” Terok commented with a chuckle, the two of them finding themselves in a dimly lit hallway, the familiar green light bringing up memories for Ilea both good and bad.

Taking a couple steps, she summoned her notebook, “Izna. Meaning it’s a fucking huge one. You boasted about your map making skills, want to take over that task?”

The dwarf shrugged, “Already working on it.” The metal head looked at her when she didn’t reply, “Inside the armor. I just need a couple seconds to react in case something shows up. Plus you’re right, it’s usually bigger the shorter the name is but it’s not a given. Good for us if it’s really the case.” He said.

“Which way experienced scavenger?” Ilea asked.

Terok looked around, “The ivy is growing a little thicker that way so I assume that’s where the mana is thicker. Doesn’t mean much in Taleen dungeons but anywhere else you’d find higher leveled monsters there. Your call.”

Ilea noted the familiar green ivy growing all over the walls, snaking along the stone just like it had in the other Taleen dungeons she had visited, “Why the ivy? I think we should go towards the less dense area first.” She added, starting to walk leftwards.

“Something to do with the metal they use in their machines. I don’t know if it’s a byproduct of some kind, has a purpose or if it just showed up after the dungeons had been left alone for hundreds of years.” Terok said, following her as he checked the walls and floors, his floodlight shining with much subdued intensity. “You were right, something moved through here. Not a machine as far as I can tell.”

They soon came out into an open room, not exactly a hall but definitely bigger than anything she had in her house. Several stone tables were placed in the midst of it, torn tapestries adorning the walls. Ilea noted the skeletons as well as half decayed bodies of various beings splattered against tables, laying on the ground or sitting near the walls. She knew exactly what had happened to them, the two green eyes she was staring at turning towards her.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl ??]

It looked the same as all the ones she had faced before. Six spindly metal legs that would carry it towards her as quickly as she could comprehend its movements. Two hands, all made of the same greenish metal. It let go of the piece it held onto, its spear appearing in the other hand. The spear that would cut through her defenses and skin as if it was mere paper. The staff end of it braking her bones as if they were cardboard. The core that would explode once damaged enough. She knew about her enemy, about the cold eyes that wouldn’t stop until she had ripped its body apart, had burnt every circuit or enchantment that somehow forced the thing to live on, to fight and hunt.

Ilea didn’t remember at what level she had been the last time a Centurion stood in her way. Ash spread around her, eight limbs forming on her back, each swaying in a nonexistent wind, poised to attack at any moment. “This is my fight Terok. Wait in the hallway further back. Don’t come until after you hear the explosion.”

“Explosion?” He asked, gulping as he watched the Centurion stand up from its previously crouched position, its legs moving over the table like a well oiled imitation of an insect, the head predatory, sleek and at its center two vicious green eyes. Ilea didn’t wait for the dwarf as her buffs flared up to their highest potential, three hundred health sacrificed for what she knew was to come. A moment later the Centurion moved, its spear thrown in a motion she was familiar oh so familiar with.

Her senses enhanced, Ilea tensed her muscles, her eyes following the spear as it advanced on her. A quick move of her hand and it impacted with her Veil, glancing off from her armor below as she sent it to the side, the metal cutting into the stone floor before it came to a stop several meters away. She shook her hand, having felt the heavy impact. Not quite as planned. She thought, grinning as she healed back the sacrificed mana. The green eyes kept looking at her, focusing on the threat before she was gone, appearing right in front of the machine, her fist lashing out as eight limbs of ash smashed into the metal, Wave of Ember releasing as her fist clashed against the summoned spear, already held in a defensive position.

The Centurion skidded back a couple centimeters, Ilea’s ash continuously smashing into its metal, bending its head sideways and nearly cutting into its torso. Its sudden retreating movement was easily predicted, Ilea following as she continued her assault, deflecting the spear attacks with her arms, the metal ringing against her armor, her Veil alone not quite enough to block the powerful blows. She knew it had no way to repair itself, her mana intrusion getting through without much of a problem, its attacks not even dodged but outright deflected. Times have changed.

A particularly obvious move masking its retreat let her try something much more ballsy, Ilea raising her hand, Veil moving out of the way before she clasped the spear, the thing moving through and cutting into her Veil near the chest. Ilea grinned, holding on to the weapon before she twirled, using her whole body, all her buffs and her heavy bones and gear to move the rather light machine around. Before she could smash it into the nearby table, the Centurion let go and landed a couple meters off, its weapon still in the grasp of Ilea smashing into and through the stone table with a loud crash.

“You’re no fun.” Ilea commented as the weapon was ripped out of her hands, disappearing in the air before it appeared again in the machine’s hands. Ilea stepped over the destroyed table, just now seeing the destroyed Centurion lying a little to her side. That’s where he was standing at the start. The people coming before them weren’t completely useless she surmised. No explosion…, She wondered but focused on the task at hand for now, stopping as she watched the machine circle her cautiously. “Come then, let me rip you apart.” Ilea said, ash forming around her, a savage grin on her face.

Chapter 281 Helping out Strangers

Chapter 281 Helping out Strangers

The machine was completely on the defensive already, the fight only having lasted around a minute so far. Ilea was recovering her lost mana, cracking her neck before she blinked right into the Centurion’s range. The spear lashed out, Ilea moving to deflect. Feint. The thought formed and her body moving in response, her Veil and additional ash intercepting the blow as she turned, mitigating most of the force. The weapon glanced off, Ilea tumbling a little before they were both ready again to attack. Contrary to the Centurion, her ashen limbs had continuously smashed into its body, the thing wholly incapably of dodging all the quickly moving limbs in the small room.

“You’ll be toast soon enough.” She commented, another thrust deflected before her fist smashed into its core. Ilea continued her assault, dodging and deflecting the attacks but never overextending. Her limbs were dishing out damage anyway and she knew the thing could still damage her if it got in a clean hit. It was at a similar level as the knights and they could dent her armor pretty badly if they hit cleanly.

Spear dodged, Ilea stomped down on it, crashing the metal into the floor before the machine tried to punch her. She was a little embarrassed that those attacks had hit her previously. This time she simply sidestepped before delivering a hard punch to its center, another one following right after. Feeling the mana gather, she knew the Centurion was about to detonate, the thing trying to grab her with its arms a moment later. She blinked behind it and continued her assault, spreading and forming ash around the two of them as she built wall upon wall of the black element. Each hit she focused on the center, where white light started to form.

Blinking away at the last second, she closed the dome of ash she had formed and crossed her arms in front of her. The blast ripped through her ash and into her Veil, scorching the floor and ceiling, pieces of rock and metal flying past, some into her Veil before she relaxed her stance again. Not even burnt…, The last time she had been left closer to death than she had likely ever been before. Granted the explosion had happened a lot closer than this time. Moving her Veil, the metal splinters and pieces of stone fell to the ground. Ilea noted the shrapnel that dug into the ceiling and stone benches, one table nearly split by what looked like a part of the Centurion’s arm.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 310] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 257 – Five stat points awarded’

“Big boom.” Terok commented, appearing next to her in the room as he looked around. “Sounded intense. Taleen Centurion. Heard of them but aren’t they super uncommon?”

Ilea shrugged, “Bad luck maybe.” Her main class hadn’t leveled. Most of the fight was likely decided by her ashen limbs anyway, neither healing nor her sphere used much. Destruction played a part but the amount of hits she got in with her Wave of Ember was substantially higher. It would happen soon enough. Another three and I have my next third tier skill point.

She wondered if new skills would be available and which she’d want to chose. Most of her remaining second tier Azarinth First Hunter skills were Body Enhancement spells and she certainly wanted to focus on those for her future advancements. Same went for her Ashen class. Out of her three third tier skills there, two were ashen magic. Don’t want to end up without reasonable Body Enhancement skills.

It was impossible to actually lose skills one had as far as she knew but they could change to better suit the new class evolution. If her Body Enhancement skills changed to Ashen magic, she’d lose the multiplier from her first class. She was of course partially bound by what skills were available at all but she could chose not to advance one or more skills for the time being. Like the ash creator Maro once knew. Putting her five points into Strength, she checked the remains of the Centurions.

“Bad luck?” Terok asked as he stood next to her, “There’s two of them right here.”

“Yea but why didn’t this one explode?” She moved some of the pieces with her ash but couldn’t find what would have been the core of the machine.

Terok shrugged, “Plenty of magic could prevent such a reaction. I assume it’s tied to the machine’s health. Maybe if one managed to get it down quickly enough, the explosion wouldn’t happen?”

She grunted, standing up and looking around the room. “That one has the least ivy growth.” Terok said and pointed towards one of the three hallways leading away from the room.

“And how do you know that through closed doors?”

“Checked while you were contemplating life. Or basking in your insurmountable power.” He said in a mocking tone.

Ilea chuckled, faking a serious tone, “You’re living dangerously dwarf.”

This time he outright laughed, “Your elven voice needs some work lassie. I’ll shut it when there are more enemies nearby.”

The door was opened, the lock picked by Terok before Ilea walked through without another word. Some banter was welcome but Centurions were dangerous enough. Not that anybody would’ve missed the explosion for at least a couple hundred meters, depending on how many doors and enchantments were in the way. The two moved through the corridor, occasionally stumbling upon a skeleton in rotten gear, the dwarf commenting on how long he thought they had been down there and how little the things on them were worth.

Ilea would’ve likely just taken all of it with her but Terok knew his metals. Not as well as Goliath perhaps but she could save some of her necklace space for actual valuables. Another stash of gold would be nice. Can’t come back to Claire empty handed.

“We’re coming up to the surface…,” Terok commented after walking for a while, a big stairwell leading upwards with a smaller one on each side leading down. No torches, statues or anything else adorned the area, only the green light shining down from above. Ilea felt it too, smelled the fresh air coming in.

Taking a step upwards, Ilea blinked back, spears shooting out from the side walls before they impacted the opposite sides. She just rolled her eyes and continued walking, this time more aware of the mechanical parts beneath the stone. Most of the Taleen dungeon was lined with it, gears, pumps as well as traps. It had been a while since she had walked through one, the traps often disguised between the other machines she knew not the purpose they served. The next trap she saw but not wanting to destroy half the stairwell, Ilea simply activated it again.

The spears smashed together and she kept on walking. “These weren’t made for adventurers exploring a dungeon in the north…,” Terok commented, close behind her.

“You’re not the one activating them.” She said with a smirk.

He shrugged, “Hey, if I don’t have to risk scratches on my gear.”

Rolling her eyes, Ilea emerged at the top of the stairwell, the breath caught in her lungs as she looked at the expanding landscape before her. They were on the other side of the mountain, the dungeon cut off as if a bite had been taken out of the structure. The winds were howling past, Terok shielding himself from the force. A couple hundred meters below Ilea could make out what looked like a crater in the land, in it a serpent like animal with our arms, big enough to walk over the walls of Ravenhall. Salamander. She thought but the head didn’t fit, instead what looked like a chameleon crowned the creature’s neck.

“A Behemoth Kalamon…,” Terok commented, the tone in his voice not indicating any concern.

“That thing isn’t dangerous?” Ilea asked, pointing down at the creature.

Terok shrugged, “Well if it moves close enough to you you’re paste. I don’t think they eat living creatures at least. Live and let live. The fact that they don’t hide like their smaller kin makes me think there are few out there even capable of hunting them.”

It didn’t move, just lying there. Ilea doubted she could even scratch the beast. Somehow she was disappointed that it was apparently a peaceful animal. The imposing form and kind of goofy lock to its head made her feel like a small bug in a world of massive creatures. “How can something like that even sustain itself? If it’s not eating animals I mean.”

“Storms probably.” Terok shrugged, “If anything is abundant in the north, it’s mana.”

“You think I could hunt one?” Ilea couldn’t help but ask.

Terok laughed, “Not sure why you’d want that. It’s got a level and health like anything else. The size would make it awkward to fight and I hear they have illusion magic just like the normal versions. Practically, of course you could. I would suggest getting a couple more levels before you try though, there’s a reason this one doesn’t even try to hide. Once you can eliminate the sea of misstalkers as well as the famine crows you could try I guess. Not that you’ll listen to my advice anyway.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’ve been living here for decades, I at least consider your opinion.” Ilea retorted but the dwarf just laughed.

Giving her a short nod, he grunted, “I’d just like to see you try and kill that thing.”

She shook her head and looked out towards the distance, the ever sprawling terrain of rock and stone, mountains growing before they vanished into darkness so high her eyes couldn’t make out the tops even with the moonlight shining down on them. “Beautiful isn’t it.” Terok said as he sat down, his feet dangling from the broken off part of the dungeon.

Ilea didn’t comment, just looking at the endless sea of stars, the unknown spreading before her very eyes, filled with monsters to fight, abilities to learn and secrets to discover. She breathed out and closed her eyes, smiling as she let the wind wash over her. A dull explosion resounded, dulled and coming from inside the dungeon. Her eyes opened again, the moonlight reflecting in a pale blue. “Come, let’s find out who we’re sharing the dungeon with.”

Terok floated up and landed next to her. Blinking back into the stairwell, Ilea quickly moved down and took one of the two ways leading further down. Terok was falling behind when she came out on a balcony overlooking a big hall. Green lights shone on from above as she tried to make out what was going on. There were several Taleen machines, pieces of one burning in one part of the hall. There were massive machines, gears and tubes filling big chunks of the hall, a lot of it dented, destroyed or on fire. Steam was rushing out of several damaged tubes, Ilea spreading her wings before Terok grabbed her.

“What is it?” Ilea asked, watching what looked like three Centurions following three teleporting mages around.

“Those are elves.” Terok said, one of them screaming as a Centurion’s spear punched through his armor. The elf was thrown off, crashing against the nearby wall.

Ilea nodded, “Yea I can see that. Cursed ones or whatever. They’re getting fucked pretty badly.” Another one of them got hit hard but managed to keep upright, skidding back a couple meters.

“Exactly, so let them fight and we clean up the rest. Their gear must be pretty good too.” The dwarf suggested but Ilea just snorted. The third elf holding no weapon, clad in matte golden armor was doing rather well, reappearing around his Centurion time and time again, his claws cutting into the metal with screeching sounds. Problem was, the first machine was just now joining in as well, making it a two versus one. When a glancing blow made him stumble and retreat, Ilea decided.

She removed Terok’s hand from her arm, “Would be a shame for them to be slaughtered by mindless machines.”

“You’re talking about elves woman. They’ll jump you the moment you save them.” Terok argued but Ilea was already floating next to the balcony.

She smirked. Seeing how they were handling the Centurions or rather, being handled by them, she wasn’t worried much. “Let them try. See if they’re irredeemable idiots or just reckless hunters. Run away if you fear them.” Ilea jumped off and blinked towards the group.

Appearing next to the first elf she had seen, she extended an ashen limb to the groaning warrior who was barely conscious. She pushed some healing mana towards the wound. Without it the male would likely bleed out, at least if their biology was anywhere close to a human’s. “Who…,” She heard him whisper, blue eyes looking out from the face distorted by pain. Marred with blood, his armor was in shambles. Leather armor, not a very high quality one Ilea noted.

[Warrior – lvl 220]

She didn’t reply, instead watching the other two continue their fights. The golden one, his long white hair flowing behind him as he appeared and vanished time and time again, slowly pushed back by the Centurions that started working together. The last one was the only elf wearing a helmet, the black metal cracked and showing his red hair below. He was deflecting the spear attacks from the Centurion pushing him back towards the wall. He was either out of mana or gravely injured.

“Don’t move, you’ll bleed out.” She said and blinked, dodging the attack from one of the two Centurions in the center of the hall before she vanished again, hoping to have attracted its attention. The red haired elf failed to completely deflect a blow and was sent sprawling before hitting the wall with his back.

[Warrior – lvl 212]

First time meeting warrior elves. Ilea thought, appearing before him as he struggled to get up and prepare for the Centurion’s next attack. A spear throw, likely enough to cripple him further or even kill him. Ilea moved her hand, deflecting the spear into the wall before she sped up, her ashen limbs smashing into the Taleen machine before her fists followed. Dodging its blows, she continued on the offensive until it summoned back the spear. “Can you move?” Ilea asked, deflecting two thrusts before side stepping a third, ashen limbs continuing to clash into the machine. She smirked at the second machine that was now focusing on her instead of the golden elf. Now we’re talking.

The elf seemed a little surprised but relaxed on the wall behind him before he nodded, wincing at an injury. “Go help your friend, move him slowly or the wound opens again. If you can fly…,” She said and deflected another three quick attacks, the second machine now attacking as well. Ilea was impressed by the immediate teamwork the Taleen Centurions showed, their silent cooperation and deadly attacks paired with lifeless green eyes glowing in their insect shaped metal heads painting exactly the terrifying picture most people were so afraid of. Ilea noted that she wasn’t on the defensive yet, the two working together making it harder to get in attacks with her arms but her ash moved unhindered, the machines dividing their attention between her body and the ashen limbs.

A mistake she found. Perhaps it would’ve been an actual fight if they just focused on her body with abandon. “… to the balcony, otherwise just get as far away as you can.” The elf behind her moved to the other side of the hall, teleporting between blows before helping up his injured teammate. She noted fiery wisps whenever he disappeared. “Goldie! Move the Centurion towards me!” She shouted and deflected another three blows before she was forced to blink a couple meters back. The throws came right after but she was prepared, ducking a little as she let one spear pass her shoulder, the other glancing off her arm and slamming into the wall behind her.

The machines closed the distance, allowing her ash to continue dealing damage. Ilea was getting confident enough in deflecting their blows to keep up thin connections for her reversed Hunter Recovery. It would take a short moment for her to sever it to allow her to blink but she knew she could take a hit or two. Goldie wasn’t doing what she had asked, instead trying to fight the machine alone, continuing his teleporting in its range. They learn to counter that. She thought, glancing at him as she kept her attention mostly focused on the machines in her sphere. The ash she had spread didn’t seem to bother them in the slightest. A moment later the elf was hit by the Centurion’s elbow, the momentum of his movement combined with the attack knocking him to the ground hard.

She was about to blink, severing the connections when a couple hundred kilos of mechanized dwarf rammed into the Centurion with the force of a couple trucks. Not all bad that one. Ilea thought, the impact destabilizing the machine enough for it to miss the attack on the elf, Goldie now back up, obviously injured as blood colored some of his white hair a dark red. Terok got in a couple hard hits before he was thrown off, Ilea kiting the two Centurions towards the third one, intending to finish them together. “Take the elf and get out of here!” She shouted, Terok twirling in the air before he teleported to avoid the thrown spear, appearing near the confused elf.

“Come on lassie.” She heard him say, slapping away the clawed hand he held up in confused opposition before Terok grabbed him and flew off, over the machinery nearby. Ilea smirked and spread more ash around her, three sets of green eyes focusing on her, spears at the ready as they circled her.

Chapter 282 Decisive Battle

Chapter 282 Decisive Battle

Ilea crouched on all fours, spears rushing past her before her ashen limbs dashed out, each hit delivering Wave of Ember. Blinking, she appeared behind one of the Centurions, moving her head to the side as it tried to backhand her with a quick blow. She grabbed onto the arm before she kicked at its legs, getting in two clean hits before she had to jump away, her wings taking her over the spear thrown after her. A moment of silence as she hovered over the black mist of ash, a big part of the hall now covered in it, ready to move at her whim.

Blinking back inside, she closed in on the Centurion she deemed most heavily damaged. The ash around her formed walls to slow down the other two machines, her arm deflecting the sharp spear blade it thrust at her before she delivered another hard blow to its torso. She noted her mana had reached nearly half, the eight limbs each attacking taking a toll on her resources coupled with all her other buffs and attacks, no time or breathing room left to use Meditation. Knowing they likely had no way of regenerating, Ilea stopped using her ashen limbs and simply focused on Destruction, the added physical damage from her blows using up only Endurance, of which she still had plenty to spare.

While the three were learning to deal with her better and better, they became increasingly defensive, going so far as to give her time to recover some mana. Of course they were machines but to what extent they could think or make decisions, Ilea didn’t know. Were they prioritizing their own life or the destruction of the enemy? She knew that once they reached a certain level of health, they focused on attacks only. She just had to get one of them to that level and perhaps the blast from its exploding core would damage the others. A quick burst of attacks from her ashen limbs after she had appeared behind the most damaged one brought it sufficiently low. Ilea added a dented leg to its injuries with a hard kick when its core started to crack, white light escaping from within.

The Centurion was about to blow and she wanted to make it count. Stepping under its attempted grab, she twirled to dodge an incoming spear throw and grabbed one of its legs. Ashen limbs swirled around her arm and onto the metal to give her even more stability. The core was brighter now, Ilea turning before she cried out, the body thrown towards the two machines looking on with uncaring green light shining in their eyes. Ash rushed in front of her, the blast partially blinding and deafening her before her healing took care of both.

The explosion happened outside her range of perception, her Veil burnt through but her high Heat and Blast Resistances negating most of what had actually managed to get to her Stonehammer steel armor. The coating was burnt off in the front, showing the silver steel below. Ilea grinned ear to ear when she saw one of the Centurions bent and broken, trying to crawl towards her, one arm holding onto its spear, using it as a crutch to move. She turned her head towards the other machine, slowly starting to advance towards it as her Veil reformed, ashen limbs on her back coming back to life before her wings spread.

Half of the Centurion was scorched, the greenish metal black and smoking when Ilea sped up, her fist blocked by the machine’s spear. Its arms worked hard to keep her at bay, the spindly legs moving back when her ash delivered a set of her invasive mana. Ilea turned and caught the spear thrown by the damaged machine, blinking towards it and smashing the weapon down with all the power she could muster. The blade glanced off and dug into the stone, getting stuck before Ilea stomped down onto the machine’s head. Three blows she could manage before the other enemy appeared again, the broken one now trying to pull its head out of the floor. Ilea noted with a smile that its core was starting to crack, the part connecting its slim torso to the six legs lighting up the dim surroundings. The remaining foe circled her carefully, its spear held in the middle, ready to defend against her attacks. She noted it circled away from its damaged counterpart, the machine still trying to pry its head out of the ground, failing with only one arm and two barely working legs.

The explosion rocked through the hall, fire and shrapnel clashing against her walls of ash. Ilea used the moment to blink, advancing on the defensive Centurion that desperately tried to pierce her with its spear, neither speed nor power quite enough to break through her defenses, Ilea’s full focus on it alone. Ashen limbs delivered destructive payloads of mana, more and more of its body showing dents and scratches before it suddenly changed its behavior. Moving quickly, the Centurion gave her a lot of openings, attacking more quickly and with wider range. Ilea was anticipating it and dodged under the attacks, one thrust glancing past her side with minimal impact.

One. Her fist smashed into the core, all the weight and power of her body and buffs crashing against the metal. Her bones groaned before she blinked, dodging the counter attack coming as a response. Two. This time she used her left arm, hitting in an uppercut motion to maximize the strength she could put into it. A full does of Destruction and Wave of Ember crashing into the machine, four of her ashen limbs smashing into its torso in the meantime, the other four cut through by the Centurion. When it tried to grab her, Ilea simply blinked away, her wings flapping and bringing her high above the monster.

Its green eyes focused on her, the thing crouched and jumped, hands outstretched before a blinding light enveloped it. Ilea blinked backwards, ash forming in front of her as she crossed her arms, the blast sending her into the wall behind her. Her Veil held, her back a little injured from the impact, pieces of the wall falling down when she pried herself out of it a moment later. Meditation and Healing magic flowed through her, Terok appearing right next to her.

“Are you ok?” He asked a second time, Ilea’s hearing returning healing mana reached the unimportant organs.

She gave him a thumbs up and looked around the room. “Check if more are coming, warn me.” Blinking towards the elves watching from the balcony, she spread her wings and quickly closed the distance.

Ignoring Goldie’s hissing, she extended her ash to the injured brown haired elf with leather armor. Noting that the wound hadn’t reopened, she gave the red haired one a quick nod. One of her ashen limbs extended towards him as well, the warrior not stopping her. Raising her eyebrows, she gave him a quick look and pushed healing magic into him as well. “Impressive that you’re still conscious.” She murmured.

“We didn’t need your help.” Goldie said, stepping a little closer before a quick hit from Ilea’s flat hand sent him back and into the railing. He would’ve fallen were it not for his teleporting ability. Again he hissed, his claws growing in size and thrumming with magic.

Ilea didn’t react further, “I’m healing your friends.” She stated, “You should think very carefully about your next words hunter.” She was honestly surprised to see him actually listen to her, disappearing before he started clawing into the stone walls of the hall, screaming and cursing.

“We appreciate the help.” The red haired one said, sighing as he relaxed and closed his eyes. He still stood, only slightly leaning on the nearby wall. Ilea gave him another nod, quickly checking her messages as she meditated and pumped healing mana into them. Both were nearly dead, meaning it would take a while.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 312] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 315] – For defeating an enemy fifty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 264 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

Ilea smirked at the Blast Resistance level up when Terok landed on the balcony. “Clear. I checked a couple dozen meters into the next hallway but it’s quiet. Other than the angry one down in the hall we’re good.”

She nodded, “Thanks for checking.” The elf on the ground was slowly opening his eyes then, coughing a little. He groaned and sat up to see the group. The white haired one was still raging below, at least channeling his anger issues into something productive like tearing down the Taleen dungeon’s walls. The red haired one didn’t so much as move, eyes focused on her. “I’m not attacking you if you don’t do anything stupid.”

To her surprise it was the elf sitting on the ground who spoke, “Define stupid. Thank you for saving us human. Unnecessary but appreciated.”

His blue eyes stared into her own, his long brown hair braided and falling to his back. It was his voice only that outed him as a male, his features delicate and sleek. You’re staring. “Like attacking us instead of the dungeon walls.”

“I doubt even he would chose to act that impulsive.” The elf replied, laughing a little nervously.

He definitely would. Neither spoke of it. “You’re Cerithil hunters are you not?” Ilea asked, the blue eyes elf looking into her eyes again. God he’s dreamy. I feel like one of those romance novel protagonists.

He coughed and looked away, Ilea noticing that the red haired one was smirking, albeit damn near imperceptibly. “We are. None of us expected to find so many Centurions here. The dungeon was rumored to be dangerous, even in the northern territory.”

Goldie appeared again then, brushing off the dust from his thin metal armor, dented in several places. “Thanks for saving his life. Now leave, this dungeon is our burden.”

Ilea just shook her head and smiled, Terok laughing before she could hit the elf again. “You’re living dangerously elf. I’d shut up if I were you.” The dwarf said.

Ilea stepped closer to the elf, “Your burden… what if I claim it then. Let’s have a bout then elf. You against me. If you win I’ll leave you alone and you can go die against the next group of Taleen. I win and I get the dungeon, maybe I’ll let you help out if needed, maybe you’ll get one or two helpful pointers along the way.”

_________________________________________________________________________

Heranuur smirked at the suggestion, knowing full well that Seviir would die were he to accept the proposal. The smirk was of course in part because he also knew their leader wouldn’t hesitate to fight the human. The human who had saved them, healed them and took out three Taleen Centurions on her own, surviving not just their combined efforts to kill her but the explosive blasts the group had tried so hard to prevent from even happening. It had taken him all to stay awake but he didn’t want to miss the fight. Neiphato would want him to become the new leader, a bad decision but Heranuur wouldn’t deny the responsibility. They would be less efficient with only two hunters remaining. It was an honor to fight alongside you. He thought, nodding towards Seviir.

“I accept human. To death.” Their leader said. Wasteful of course but it couldn’t be anything else, not with him.

Heranuur watched the human, her facial features hidden beneath the silver armor. The black coating had been blasted away, revealing the sturdy steel beneath, at least her front half. An ash creator, the limbs swaying on her back, ready to strike at her whims. Perhaps a worthy class for myself.

His thoughts were interrupted when she spoke, “Not to death. Didn’t you listen to the terms? Do the others accept as well?” She asked, looking at Neiphato and Heranuur in turn.

He couldn’t help but laugh, “I accept. To death.”

“Oh fucking hell. Alright, to death then.” The human said, both Heranuur and the dwarf laughing at her irritation.

We will all die today. He thought, unable to stop himself. He had always known that his mouth would kill him one day or the other. Maybe with all three of them they had a chance. Her mana must be low after all that healing. Not as low as Seviir who probably forgot to use Meditation again. Fucking idiot.

“I don’t think this will be necessary human. We are grateful for your help. A simple battle to determine the winner will be sufficient.” Neiphato tried but Heranuur just put a hand on his head.

Both the human and Seviir were already down in the hall, waiting for the two of them to join. “Don’t hold back. She’s a tough one.” He said to his teammate, his fellow cursed one and hunter of Cerithil. To die against a human and not the Taleen, unexpected but exciting nonetheless. Few and far are they, of human blood and powerful enough to oppose us. He wished to write down his last thoughts but they had left their packs outside of the dungeon.

Jumping down, Heranuur grinned when Neiphato appeared next to him. The elf was stubborn and afraid but he was there when he was needed. Not something he could say about everybody. “Two minutes and we start.” The human said in Standard, the language learned early by every elf. Mostly just to insult their prey but Heranuur had found it to be quite a lot more expressive than their own crude tongue.

To think they had existed and cultivated their culture for millennia but nobody ever bothered to add nicer vocabulary. Sighing, he extended his claws, fire emerging from deep withing before he was clad in the element, the elf appearing where he had hit the wall previously, collecting the two daggers lying nearby. Good, the blasts didn’t destroy them. A lucky occurrence. At least he wouldn’t die without showing off his best. The buffs came to life, red lines forming on his skin, the color scheme fitting his hair perfectly. A fact he was proud of. Perhaps a reason he had chosen fire to be his ally from early on. “I am prepared.” He spoke. “Heranuur, cursed hunter of Cerithil. Thrilled to face thee in battle.” He brandished his blades and bowed a little, acknowledging her power.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

Seviir rolled his eyes, avoiding to look at him but Heranuur didn’t care. He would have his traditions, the young idiot be damned. “Ilea, warrior of ash. Thrilled to face you in battle too, Heranuur.” The human seemed intrigued, her blue eyes sparkling as ash formed around her, a shroud ready to devour them all. He couldn’t hold his excitement. The two minutes passed and he disappeared, his blades aimed at the ash when he reemerged. She was gone of course, his magic perception telling him she had chosen Seviir as her first target. Neiphato was moving too, two short swords at his side as they rushed at the human.

Even now, he’s not choosing his strongest weapon. A decision that might cost them all their lives but one Heranuur could at least respect. Seviir of course had tried to match her, not using his mobility to his advantage. His claws cut through air whilst the human’s fists smashed into his armor, denting the golden metal and cracking bones beneath. His magic flared up, his body turning as he saw blue eyes staring at him, ashen limbs moving towards him before he smirked, exploding in fire. The ash was blown away but the human moved on, ignoring his blades before her fists smashed into him.

The air was blown out of his lungs, his armor dented. She was smoking but the fire hadn’t done anything else. He grinned wide, another explosion blasting into her and another fist hitting him. His daggers scratched on her armor but didn’t manage to penetrate, her ash quickly reappearing and moving to block the weak points. This time she hit his head, his brain whirling as a part of his helmet dug into skin. Someone intervened, likely Seviir. The human was gone again, his sight turning as he got up again, blades in hand and looking for their foe.

He saw her grabbing onto Seviir’s leg before smashing him into the ground, ripping him out of the stone again, she threw him into the closest wall. The elf was out. So much for fighting injured and exhausted. He knew they were at a disadvantage but Seviir could do better. Perhaps this was the death he deserved for his arrogance. The human looked up to the ceiling and sighed, her form illuminated in the dull green light of the Taleen. Marvelous. He thought, To fight one such as her to the death.

Glancing at Neiphato, his eyes opened wide, feeling the magic built up in the hunter. Finally.

“We’re done here. Or do you wish to be knocked out as well?” The human suddenly spoke.

No! Why in this instant?! Heranuur sighed. It was of course the sensible decision. Neither would Neiphato’s change of mind would’ve changed anything.

“You have proven to be the stronger one.” Neiphato said, his magic calming down again. “We admit defeat and adhere to your terms.” The elf looked at him but Heranuur just shrugged.

“Fine with me. Can you tell me about your ashen class warrior? It seems powerful.” He commented, walking to the human while Neiphato went and checked on Seviir.

The woman looked at him and sighed, “Maybe later. You guys are teenagers right? How old are you?”

Heranuur hadn’t heard that term yet but he would add it to his dictionary after she explained the meaning. “I am fifty two years old warrior. A young one for my kind. Your must be very old, with your impressive power.”

The groan that followed from her was not something he could interpret. Humans usually died too quickly for him to learn about their mannerisms.

Chapter 283 Factory

Chapter 283 Factory

Ilea cupped her face in both hands, Terok appearing next to her. “You really didn’t want to kill them?” He asked as she groaned again, “Well I won’t blame you, their gear sucks. Well I’ll go collect whatever is left of the Centurions.” He patted her shoulder with a metal arm and walking off, leaving her with the decision on what to do with this group of teenage elves.

Fifty two year old teenage elves. Do they develop slower? The one called Heranuur was watching her intently, his black plate armor basically falling apart. His red wavy hair flowed out from the cracks in his helmet, black eyes looking at her. Maybe he’s from the same domain as Elfie, with his red hair.

“What should we do? The dungeon is yours now human.” He spoke, waking Ilea from her daydreaming.

“Yes yes. You can call me Ilea.” She said, ignoring the fact that human was likely a derogatory term anyway, “I’ll think about it. Maybe Elfie can help me out here. I don’t want to murder you idiots. Why did you even go after the Centurions? Neither of you seem capable of fighting one yourself.”

The elf looked a little confused, “To destroy the Taleen of course. Finding more than a single Centurion is great luck. Perhaps we would have won.”

“You were losing, that one was dying already.” Ilea said, pointing to the brown haired one who seemed to try and make himself smaller as he treated Goldie.

Heranuur huffed, “Perhaps. Though you showed up and we won.”

That was it, as if it perfectly explained their reasoning. “But that doesn’t explain why you…,” Ilea started but gave up on it. She looked at the two meter tall fierce warrior, the two jagged daggers back in their sheaths on his belt. Maybe all the muscle is using his brain power.

“You over there, brown haired. What’s your name?” Ilea demanded, pointing at the other elf. He had been the one to try and solve their issues diplomatically, immediately accepting when she had punched some of her frustration into the golden idiot.

The elf scrambled up and stuttered, “My name is Neiphato. What is it you want?”

Ilea mused, looking at the elf. She shook her head and focused, “Why fight the Centurions? You were losing.”

“A Cerithil hunter does not stop. Our cause is to destroy the Taleen.” He answered. At least he wasn’t as dense as the other one.

“But if you flee and come back stronger, you’ll succeed then. If you die… well, you die.” Ilea said, trying to make sense of their reasoning.

This time he seemed to understand, his blue eyes lighting up a little, “You must not know many elves then human. To flee would be... shameful. Of course by becoming cursed hunters we are tainted already. It is… complicated.”

Ilea sighed, “Of course it is. Well I’m going to bring you to an elven friend, decide what to do with you three. I’ll continue to explore the dungeon with Terok here.” She pointed at the dwarf who grunted and waved, still collecting shrapnel, “Taleen will be destroyed one way or the other. Sound alright?” She asked, trying to imagine them as children.

The elf nodded, Heranuur shrugging as he went to pick up Goldie who was still unconscious.

Ilea led the group back out, finding Elfie sitting on a rock reading. He looked up, his eyes growing wide when he spotted the three elves coming out of the dungeon next to her. “A little early.” He commented, putting away his book.

“Need some advice Elfie. So there’s a lot of Centurions in there and guess what we found?”

The elf got up and took a couple casual steps towards them, looking at each of the three, frowning at the one unconscious. Ilea noted that only Heranuur was meeting his eyes. Of course Goldie couldn’t meet anybody’s eyes at the moment. “I believe you have found three terribly inexperienced elven hunters. Would that be a correct assumption?”

Ilea raised her eyebrows, smiling under her helmet. She noted his lack of mockery nor his mention of cursed ones. “That would be close, certainly. Now I’m not too knowledgeable on elven customs but a human I had saved I might send off to the next town, if they’re being particularly nice I might bring them myself.”

Elfie nodded but stayed quiet for a while, closing his eyes before he sighed, “You won’t persuade them to stand down human.”

Ilea nodded towards Goldie, “Managed to convince that one.” She said, getting a laugh from both Terok and Heranuur. “Well I won the bout and can now decide who goes into the dungeon and who doesn’t, when and for how long.” Ilea explained, “Do you think they will honor the deal?”

She didn’t trust any of the people present, the only thing she knew was that each would follow their personal interests. If she could gauge Elfie at all, then she was somewhat sure he had a soft spot. Otherwise their first meeting would’ve gone differently. The way he had talked about the machines and their eternal war, she was pretty sure he cared about these younglings more than she did. “I don’t know them.” He simply said.

No honor bound agreement or sacred ritual binding them to their word? Ilea shrugged, “Then make sure they do. Don’t let them in, all would have died if it hadn’t been for me.”

“Hey I helped too.” Terok said, waving at the elf.

Elfie looked at her with confusion now, Ilea already turning to go back inside, “What am I supposed to do with them? Trap them until you’re done?”

“Whatever. Trap them, kill them, bring them away or teach them. Might be the most beneficial for your war efforts. As it stands they’re just a hindrance in there.” Ilea said and started making her way back to the entrance, Terok following a moment later. She had done them a favor, had saved them from near certain death. The bout had ended not in death but a new chance. Perhaps too trusting, too nice but she could mop the floor with the lot and Elfie combined, not that he would enter the dungeon anyway.

The responsibility was with Elfie now and their new chance was their own to waste. “You care too much Ilea.” Terok said a while later, the two of them returning to the hall now half destroyed by their battle. “You know… the packs they didn’t have with them? I saw them badly hidden a couple dozen meters from Elfie. Might be he doesn’t want us to see what’s inside.”

Ilea grinned, “Waste of capable warriors. You came to their rescue too didn’t you? And you mention their packs now? Quite unlike what I thought of the greedy dwarf at my side.”

“I owe you Ilea, big time. Just the sensible decision.” He said, his voice neutral.

Keep telling yourself that Terok. She thought, checking the hall but finding no new enemies to fight. If he really hid their packs then perhaps I was right about the old fucker.

“Want me to scout ahead?” Terok asked.

If it had been Eve then maybe but his two meter quite visible form wasn’t exactly stealthy. “We move together. Stay back if more machines show up. When I tell you to run, you go and don’t stop until you’re out of the bloody dungeon.” She could think of more than one thing that would cause such a reaction. “Now shut it.”

Terok shrugged, giving her a thumbs up, “I’ll be the map guy.”

Several hallways later, the dwarf stopped her and pointed at the walls. “Trap.” His description was rather broad but Ilea found it to be similar to those found in Iztacalum, the dungeon under Dawntree. Fire and spikes, the dwarves were traditional at least, or perhaps it was a budget question. Letting the flames wash over her, Ilea simply walked through the thinning hallway, the spikes bursting out of the walls, the mechanisms holding them weaker than her Veil and armor. Only a few even managed to break through the ash.

“You can move.” She said to the dwarf, walking into the next hall. Smoke was still rising from her form when he joined her side.

“Oh, more of the fuckers.” He commented, the words meant for the two Centurions standing motionless at the end of the long room, what looked like an elevator opening up behind them. “Teleport and activate the lift?”

The dwarf looked at her but probably knew the answer already, “I’ll fight them. Wait in the hallway farther back. Try not to intervene. We’ll go with your plan if I can’t beat them.”

Terok joined her again ten minutes later, two detonations having marked the demise of the Centurions. The smaller hall led to Ilea’s armor taking more than just a beating from the explosions. She switched it out with a fresh set of Rose Hunter armor, only three remaining in her necklace. There still were five sets back in Tremor but the flight would take a couple hours out of her fighting time again. “Do you even try to stop the explosions?”

“No idea how to.” Ilea said, cracking her neck as she read through the notifications.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 307] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

No level ups but at least she had the satisfaction of destroying Centurions like they were mere foot soldiers for the mechanized dwarven army. “Maybe could’ve asked the elves, they probably destroyed the first one we found.”

“I assume it’s just gonna be hit it enough before it detonates.” She suggested, the dwarf waving a hand. His lack of comment let her assume she was right in the assumption. He probably had a better understanding of what was actually happening due to his mana sight. “Thinking of… anything you can tell me about them? Are they connected to something like the knights in Tremor?”

Terok grabbed a metal piece and threw it behind himself, “Trash. No, they’re independent as far as I can tell. At least magically speaking. I do believe they somehow gather ambient mana at least. Why these two didn’t react immediately when we entered.” He gestured at the general vicinity, shrapnel and parts littering the whole broad hallway.

Ilea nodded. Like solar energy? The detonations definitely spoke more for a mini nuclear reactor but mana was mana and she was definitely no scientist of magic. At least she knew the technology was somewhat of a big deal. Otherwise all the runes used in inns or even in her house would be powered by ambient mana, not someone pumping the stuff into it. “The lamps work like that too?” She asked, pointing up at the dim green lights.

“Nope, mana crystals those.”

Ilea frowned, “And they held for a thousand years?”

Terok shrugged, “Maybe they change them. Perhaps you’ll catch one doing it.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. Then again, maintenance robots weren’t that far fetched, with combat ones existing. The latter was probably much harder to produce, program and maintain anyway. She simply hadn’t seen any of them yet. Or all of them are just maintenance robots. The real enemy is going to be the planet itself, powered by Nihilism itself. She groaned and walked towards the elevator. Terok appeared next to her and started checking out the small plate on the wall.

“Just one destination. I guess they at least liked their architecture simple.”

“Rooms and hallways yes, all the traps and machinery hidden behind it all? Fucking ridiculous. I don’t want to make a ruckus.” Ilea said and blinked under the elevator and into the shaft leading down. Terok appeared in the air next to her, hovering perfectly still as he looked around, his headlights shining down into the darkness.

“Long way down.” He commented.

She grunted, “Risky teleport there, or did you not tell me about some of your skills?”

Terok chuckled, “Part of the gig lassie. Not everyone has it as easy as miss healer, sphere perception.”

Ignoring the jabs, Ilea spread her wings and let herself fall, her speed accelerating before she reached the highest velocity gravity could provide, her wings trying to make herself somewhat immune to the air pressure. When the ground appeared in her sphere, she spread them and blinked upwards once before quietly gliding to the stone floor. There was a little space dug out below where the elevator would stop, likely to prevent problems with anything that could get stuck between.

She didn’t wait for Terok, instead stepping out of the opening and relaxing on the rusty metal railing that followed along the stone balcony overlooking the busy scenes below. Found where all those Centurions are coming from. Ilea thought, an abyss several hundred meters deep opening up before her, the whole thing shaped in a triangle with two sides coming together opposite her, at least two hundred meters away. Every twenty or thirty meters down another floor could be seen, the angles making it unclear how far each reached into the stone but each was open, either to easier deliver things or for ventilation purposes. She could see glowing light that reminded her of forges, steam rising in places as well as pieces of metal being assembled.

“Piss off.” Terok commented, finally appearing next to her as he too looked into the production hell the Taleen had left behind.

Ilea looked over and smiled, “A lot of work to do.”

“You’re not joking. This is huge… bigger than anything I’ve seen. How the fuck did they even do that?” He leaned over the railing, “Machines assembling more machines…,”

Ilea nodded, “That’s exactly how they did it. How it’s still running. Can’t see any dwarves around but my eyes aren’t exactly good enough to make out any specifics.”

Terok grunted, “You think they continued… after the Taleen stopped or were wiped out… ah and don’t worry about the eyes, I can see it all. At least what’s exposed.”

“What variants do you see? Of the machines I mean.” Ilea asked, squinting but only making out Centurions on the first couple floors. They didn’t seem to take any notice of the two watchers.

Terok scanned over the busy scene, “Centurions right? Six legs and a spear… yea most of them look like that… there’s hundreds of them Ilea. I don’t know if you can handle that. Oh wait, here’s another one. Eight layer… four arms that one. No weapon I can see but it looks black rather than green? Might be the lighting but I’m pretty sure… no wait, another one just walked by, definitely black metal. Tenth floor… six arms, each holding a weapon. Otherwise more Centurions… wait… yea the pieces look the part. I think they’re making them here.”

“Figured as much.” Ilea commented, “I would assume Guardians are the usual Taleen dungeon residents. Centurions aren’t exactly normal machines.”

He grunted his affirmation, “Level three hundred from a machine made by metal? Makes sense. Lucky for you then to stumble upon strong enemies to take out right?” He laughed, Ilea looking at him sharply because of the loud noise. “Don’t shit your pants girl.” He said, pointing to a rune he had placed on the railing. “If they have ears, they’re not hearing it.”

Sneaky, didn’t even notice it. She nodded, “Seems like a waste to destroy it all…,”

Terok looked at her and snorted, “Depends how you look at it.” The two remained quiet for a minute or two, the sounds of massive gears and machines the only thing audible. A massive factory making machines of war, if Elfie was to be believed to hunt down his race and possibly others.

Ilea sighed, “What do you think is their goal? Why continue if the Taleen are gone?”

“Maybe they’re not. Might be hiding somewhere, who knows? The machines here alone are probably enough to swamp most of the dwarven cities. If anything I’d sleep much sounder with all of it gone.”

What if I find the control system. Stop it all or make the machines clear out monsters, protect cities or just help me fight. A bunch of Centurions to fight alongside me would be cool as fuck at least. Ilea considered.

“You’re thinking to take over?” Terok asked with a smile. “I’m thinking the same. We could clear out whole dungeons with those things.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ilea asked a moment later, a grin on her face. “Let’s think about it when and more importantly if we find a way. Feel confident about scouting a little? Just make sure not to send them all after me if you find a way to hack into whatever magical system they’re using.”

Terok shook his head, “You still don’t trust me. Well at least you’re not as stupid as I initially though. No, don’t prove me wrong by throwing me off. You know me, I can’t resist the urge.”

Ilea grinned, “Plenty stupid as well my dwarf. Many would’ve killed you for that comment.”

“Worth it.” He said, snorting before they both laughed.

“I would feel more confident with class evolutions.” His voice was serious now, the dwarf looking towards her.

Ilea smiled, tapping her armor with one finger as she thought on a solution that didn’t involve her time and energy. Terok apparently didn’t like the look in her eyes as he took a couple steps back. “Let’s go back and talk to Elfie again. Might be we can smash four birds with one stone.”

Chapter 284 Legion of Centurions

Chapter 284 Legion of Centurions

It had been barely an hour when Ilea and Terok came out of the dungeon again. Goldie was awake now, the veins on his head already trying to rip out as he paced, his glare landing on Ilea as soon as she appeared. Of course he even has golden eyes. She smiled. “Sleep well?”

He screamed and rushed at her but a barrier cut him off, the elf sinking to his knees before he started puking, blood seeping out of his nose and mouth. The hate in his eyes was palpable. “Impressive. You didn’t even level up?” Ilea asked Elfie who was looking at the scene with a glint of annoyance.

“I did not expect you so early.” He said, the two other elves standing a little away from him, weapons in hand but relaxed.

Ilea nodded to Terok, “We found something. I assume you’re evaluating them?” She asked, the elf giving her a short nod. “Add him to your training, maybe find some critters to advance their levels. In two weeks they will face a Centurion together, the four of them. We’ll see how it goes and go from there.”

“Oh boy.” Terok commented but surprisingly didn’t complain.

Elfie considered before he shrugged, “What’s in there and why would I care to train the dwarf?”

Rolling her eyes, Ilea put a hand on Terok’s shoulder, “He’ll tell you all about it. If they can’t face at least one or two Centurions on their own, they’re useless in there.”

“Why… did… you… not… kill us?!” She heard the groaning voice coming from the fuming elf, his claws digging into the barrier. She wondered if he couldn’t teleport out or if he wasn’t willing to.

Ilea glanced at him, “Good energy. Maybe focus on being alive for now.”

She blinked into the entrance and this time chose the right side of the hallway, the way leading deeper in according to Terok’s ivy theory. Ten minutes of walking later, Ilea came into a small room with yet another elevator leading down. This one had neither Centurions nor anything else protecting it. Choosing the same way to go down, she let herself fall before spreading her wings to slow down. The elevator shaft was considerably shorter.

Coming out below, Ilea smiled broadly and crossed her arms, “Well. That’s something.” She whispered and sighed. Not a sigh of another long workday in front of her but one full of anticipation. She was standing on a square, a square carved out from within the mountain or perhaps carved from a naturally formed cave. Around her were buildings that would have once been stores, guilds, inns, shops with machinery still inside. If there had been any color at some point, it was long faded, only the dark stone remained, the ivy so prevalent in Taleen dungeons growing through it all. Some of the buildings were covered by it near completely, the green lights coming from not the ceiling but lampposts placed around the square, more of them bathing the connected streets and alleys in a dim green light.

A once scary atmosphere to Ilea, now full of possibilities. She knew there were Praetorians here, perhaps in this city or the factory but she knew they were there. After so many weird and powerful monsters she had met, it was interesting to think of challenging something that had previously filled her with dread. Something she could not overcome. Not a nest of mind magic animals or knights devoid of consciousness but machines hellbent on ripping her apart. If she grew strong enough here, if there were enough Centurions to get her to the levels needed, she knew she could fight them, knew she could win.

A shiver went down her back, the thought somehow freeing. Had the loss back then really been so important? Did they represent something in her subconscious? Ilea didn’t know. What she knew was that she wanted to face that fear, face that monster from her past. She would prepare, would raise her levels and use every advantage she could work out for herself. The ceiling wasn’t visible. It seemed like the whole mountain had been carved out and the city placed within. The streets all ended in more squares or near massive buildings, except one. Ilea couldn’t see the end of it, green lights like fireflies forming a path for her to follow.

You could literally land a plane in here. The thought made her chuckle. Thinking of the flying machines she had seen in the Iz dungeon made her scan the skies. Well not exactly the skies but the darkness hanging over the ancient city. There was nothing there, no blinking lights or any floodlights looking for her. There would be enemies here, machines ready to defend what was long forgotten. Activating Hunter’s Sight, she checked the area. Stepping through the square, she found several signs pointing towards recent movement. Earth was scattered in places, some of the ivy damaged and loose.

Looking up, she saw what looked like a Taleen Guardian walking towards the square, its head moving around as the green eyes scanned the overgrown houses and street. A single one of them only, its bladed six arms at the ready. Ilea wasn’t exactly concerned, continuing to look through the square. Something definitely moved through here and it wasn’t a Taleen machine I’ve seen before. When the Guardian entered the square, it spotted her immediately, fanning out its blades in challenge. “Really now?”

The answer was of course the machine rushing her, ready to strike. Ilea’s ashen limbs fanned out, the six blades stopping mid attack, each crashing into an ashen arm waiting for them. Ilea braced herself against the impact but found herself steady, the force coming from the machine light, trivial to handle even. It tried wrenching its arms free but Ilea’s ash extended, twirling around its metal blades and holding them in place. She stepped towards the helpless machine and looked at it, its glowing green eyes staring at her. Maybe Terok can take a look at one while I hold it like this.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl 205]

To think she could handle a level two hundred creature so easily. With all her buffs deactivated and her ashen Veil down, it was likely still capable of injuring her but against a fully powered Ilea, this one guardian was like a mere ant trying to stand against a human. Her fist lashed out, the sound of the impact reverberating in a dull clang, the machine trying to recoil but held in place by her limbs. Another hit smashed into it, Destruction and Wave of Ember flaring through it before the light in its eyes went out, its legs giving out and the whole thing clattering down as if its strings had been cut.

An idea was growing in her mind as she stepped over the machine, her wings spreading before she ascended. Flying over the nearby streets, she tried to spot the Taleen, finding a bunch of guardians patrolling as well as ranged variants sitting on roofs. Either they weren’t looking up or she was simply not visible enough in the darkness above but the machines didn’t spot her. Coming down behind one of the ranged guardians, she extended her limbs.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl 150]

Her ash closed around it, destructive mana pushed into it as it struggled to move in the hardening black mist. A couple seconds later it was over, the machine falling down and Ilea receiving yet another notification. Both of the kills irrelevant to her current level. Could hunt some of them for Embered Body Heat and Hunter’s Sight…,

Seeing that the surrounding streets and nearby squares only held Guardians, Ilea went back to the elevator. This wasn’t her place to clear out. Flying up through the shaft, she blinked out and crossed the length of the hallway, coming out on the railings overlooking the much busier production facility dug deep into the ground. How many places like this are there, hidden away in the North alone? Ilea wondered. There had to be places where all the machines Elfie talked about were coming from. This was certainly one of them.

Spreading her wings, Ilea jumped down and glided towards the first floor. At least not every one of them here held a different climate and different enemies. Just what seemed like an endless amount of Taleen Centurions as well as possibly more dangerous machines. The floor was metal, just like the support beams and thick cables holding everything together. Ilea wondered if she got credit for the kills were she to simply collapse the whole thing. Quick level three hundred for a metal mage like Terok. The ruckus would certainly gain a lot of attention. A Centurion might also just survive the collapse, stuck between the steel beams for eternity.

Cracking her knuckles, Ilea spread her ash and breathed in. The smell of fire and soot as well as iron filled her nose. Contrary to the city, this place was bathed in red light, not coming form any lamps but molten steel, forges as well as sparks flying off from the various tools in the vicinity. Smashing her ashen limbs into the floor produced little damage, mere scratches from her effort. The same was true for the cables going through to the next floor. Might consult Terok on that. Just have to make sure he doesn’t steal all my experience…,

It was warm, Ilea noted. Warm enough for her to sweat which meant something. Possibly too hot for someone below level two hundred to traverse. Her heat resistance was at level three of the second tier but she’d find a way to bath in some molten steel to raise it in the next weeks. The Queen with her Mist resistance is waiting as well. Now that she had so many enemies to fight and a reasonable way to level three hundred, she was starting to think on Terok’s words, to get as much out of her possible evolutions as possible. Strength and Dexterity as well as third tier points into Body Enhancement and close combat abilities to avoid purely mage evolutions.

Trying to cut into the wires apparently was enough for one of the Centurions to come and check, the machine throwing its spear immediately, uncaring of any possible damage to the environment. Or trusting enough to know it would be irrelevant. Ilea thought, dodging the spear before she blinked into range, ashen limbs immediately crashing into the warrior as she checked her surroundings for additional foes. Spreading ash around, she would make sure there was enough on the ground for a quick distraction in case she needed to escape. All the machines, forges and massive robotic arms as well as tanks and supplies would make hiding rather simple.

She was pretty sure the Centurions weren’t some kind of trackers, just warriors, made to be efficient killers for the materials used. It was a riddle to her how they could be created at a level above three hundred but she was pretty sure they were considered monsters by the system governing life in Elos. Of course with Demons she had already met somewhat of an exception. Maybe the Taleen had just been that amazing at magical robotics. Her blows accelerated, Ilea pushing hard to make sure the fight didn’t last a second longer than needed. The Centurion wasn’t comparable to the Guardian she had fought previously. While easier to manage, both her speed and utility massively outclassing it, she didn’t exactly want to get hit directly. Neither did she want to fight more of them as it would force her to navigate and fight in the unknown steel forest. The big open hall from earlier was a much preferred arena.

Getting in another two hits, she stepped to the left to avoid the spear thrusting at her head, three of her ashen limbs glancing off the steel armor. It managed to block two more attacks with its free hand, Ilea now behind it as she punched once again. The Centurion brought the spear around, Ilea blinking to keep the offense up. At least the packed and loud environment would make it harder for more of them to hear and come help. Right until it explodes. Ilea grinned, perhaps destroying this place wasn’t out of the question. All she had to use was the bombs provided by the Taleen themselves.

Worth testing if the explosions actually damage any of the support structures. A couple minutes later Ilea’s mana was down a thousand points, her offense taxing with all her ashen limbs and excessive blinks as well as health sacrifice. Healing back to full, she finally managed to crack the core, the Centurion throwing its spear before it skidded off, the light shining through the cracks growing brighter while Ilea stood there, ash settling around her as she stared at the running machine with confusion. Ah… makes sense. She thought, seeing it reach the opening leading out into the abyss before it jumped off.

The explosion overshadowed the surrounding noise of steam, metal hitting metal and gears turning but only for a second. Ilea was left standing between the machines, nothing other than ash indicating that anything had happened at all.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 310] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

At least I get the experience. So there is something programmed into them that prevents them from damaging the surroundings. Meaning the explosion could actually damage it. Ilea thought about it when she picked up the noise of metal legs on steel around her. Smiling, she let Meditation flow through her, breathing in deeply and closing her eyes.

When three Centurions entered her Hunter Sphere, her eyes opened, blue eyes in stark contrast to the fiery glow all around her. Ash spread out with as much force as she could manage, the Centurions expertly navigating around and even over some of the machinery as they engaged the threat they had been looking for.

The ensuing fight was considerably longer than her previous take down of a single Centurion. The machines definitely knew their way around and the crowded environment was more detriment to her than to them. It at least helped to have cover from their ranged attacks whenever needed. They were too quick for her to use her meditation frequently but at least more often than in an open hall.

Blinking past a thrown spear, Ilea landed the last needed fist on the core of a damaged warrior, the light of its soon to explode energy cell or implanted bomb had it turn around and seek the abyss. Two to go. A couple minutes later Ilea’s estimation proved to be false, two more Centurions having joined the fight. Either because she had encroached on their assigned territory during her battle or the one destroyed machine somehow made them come as well. Adding more of them didn’t really change the fight, because of their somewhat predictable attacks as well as the cover around her.

Her already limiting damage was now spread among four of them and it was hard to tell which one she had hit already, the five of them moving around so quickly it was difficult to discern. Ilea once again thanked her sphere, without which she would’ve been pinned down and slaughtered like the invading parasite she was in their sprawling underground facility. A smirk came to her face when another Centurion’s core started glowing. The three remaining one ignored the fact, pinning her down before one of them actually managed to land a hit. Ilea hadn’t blinked, misjudging the feint for what it was. The spear smashed through her Veil and crashed against her chest piece. Neither armor nor her bones gave in, Ilea stumbling back before she blinked away. Three times this time before she healed the bruises. The explosion from the damaged Centurion quickly came to her ears before her pursuers were upon her again. Checking her mana, she found to be below half.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 310] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

They eat it up like sponges…, She wondered if a warrior class would have similar problems. She could of course focus on pure physical damage and whittle them down but it was definitely more efficient to just retreat and recover her mana before going in again. Even if they had some sort of ability to repair themselves. Normally she’d doubt something like that but in a literal Taleen factory, perhaps it was possible. Why then throw yourself down the abyss when you can get repaired? If her experience on Earth was anything to go by then that it was probably easier to build a new Centurion than to repair a damaged one.

Spreading ash, she blinked and continued her work with a smile on her face. Each hit she landed powerful enough to create a tiny shock wave of air and heat upon impact, the force nearly enough to lift the machines off the ground, built for speed and dexterity more than anything else. While the Taleen metal wasn’t anything special according to the smiths she had met, she still didn’t manage to majorly dent it with each punch. Perhaps it was the way they forged it or something related to the machine itself. If her own body and ash was anything to go by then perhaps the metal was considered their body and only once their Vitality reached a certain threshold, it would get majorly damaged.

The specifics didn’t matter much while she dodged their attacks, the three remaining machines more and more working as a team, trying to bait her with their defensive behavior. Ilea welcomed the change, their learning ignoring the fact that their inaction allowed her to recover mana at a quicker rate with Meditation. Still, she had to agree that it was probably their best bet to get actual damage in on her. She too changed to a more defensive way of fighting, every second bringing back a couple points of mana she could use again in a burst of attacks. The movements of yet again more Centurions joining the ongoing battle made her breathe out. Perhaps the defensive approach wouldn’t be feasible after all.

Chapter 285 Training Considerations

A note from Rhaegar

Hello

Chapter 285 Training Considerations

Her mana reached five hundred before she could take out another one of the machines, Ilea blinking out into the open as her wings spread, another blink let her dodge the thrown spear before she was back up near the railings. Exiting the production facility, she turned around and meditated, waiting to see if any of them pursued her. A minute passed and then two. Nothing followed, either because the things had no way to fly or climb up or because they weren’t supposed to do anything but defend their lair.

Ilea sighed, breathing out as she cracked her neck. She had a bunch of high leveled enemies in there that didn’t completely rip her apart in groups as well as a spot up here to recover her mana and health if necessary. I gave them one week. Now let’s see how far I come in that time.

The answer was mixed. It surprised her that nobody actually bothered her in the full week, allowing her to focus fully on the task at hand. Ilea learned that the Centurions did in fact not have a way to repair themselves. This was counter acted by them not forgetting about her and the tactics they kept developing to fight her. After the first day they only moved in groups of six, after the second day they started to keep the damaged machines at the center of their formations and after the third day they actively prowled the first floor as soon as she destroyed her first Centurion. She couldn’t fight for more than a couple minutes before a second group showed up, making it a ten to twelve Centurions versus her solitary self.

The number itself wouldn’t have been an issue in the forest of metal and molten steel, were it not for their increasingly defensive tactics. As if they were a group of hunters trying to exhaust and corner a wild animal. Problem was that she wasn’t exactly a wild animal, her mobility simply overwhelming and the damage she put into them stacking up more and more. They couldn’t repair it and every day their numbers decreased. Ilea was pretty sure the machines on the floor below never actually joined the battle, either trusting the Centurions above to take care of it or designated to their areas.

Their similar levels let her see exactly how with each level gained, the requirements increased. She didn’t know if it was simply because they gave a flat amount of experience upon death and her higher level demanded more or if her knowledge of the enemy, her increasing confidence and traditional experience influenced it. Likely it was both and some other things she didn’t even consider. What was sure was that she was increasing in level. The latest two kills had finally brought her ashen class to another threshold. Just in time to go and check on Elfie, Terok and the three young hunters. She hoped all of them were at least still alive. Somehow she trusted Elfie with the task, the mage just like her probably able to take care of the four of them should they act out. She sat down on one of the few benches still intact and summoned one of Keyla’s meals, taking off her helmet to eat as she mentally scrolled through all the messages from the past week.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 310] – For defeating an enemy forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 265 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 266 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 258 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 259 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 260 – Five stat points awarded - Third tier skill point awarded’

Ilea had put all thirty points into Strenght to bring it up to three fifteen. Having tested her physical power against the hall’s walls, she found that the difference was definitely noticeable. Against the Centurions however it had brought little change. Most of her damage was still coming from her ashen limbs that had the simple advantage of getting through their defenses much more often. That was likely the main factor in her ashen class leveling once more than her Azarinth one. Ilea took a bite of her food and closed her eyes, savoring the fragrance. It was an oily meat and vegetable soup with thin noodles. The spiciness reminded her of some cheap ramen noodles she would’ve eaten back on Earth but elevated to another level with Keyla’s expertise and fresh ingredients. She really had to go and hug the woman again, making her adventurer lifestyle not just bearable but outright luxurious.

Ilea had little need for sleep. When she did she had her bed with her at all times. Keyla’s meals were there for food and with her ash, her cleaning needs were mostly taken care of. Water was really the only thing that could be added but a simple water collection rune to go could fix this easily. Why did I never get one of those. If she wanted to stay in this dungeon for longer she’d definitely want one. Especially with how hot it was in the production part. Taking another slurp of soup, she checked the possible advancements for the third tier skill point in her ashen class.

3rd tier skill points available [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]:

- Form of Ash and Ember

- Wave of Ember

- Body of Ash

- Ashen Warrior

Ilea was surprised to find such a choice. She previously had only her Veil and Ash Creation available for a third tier level up and afterwards her Ash and Ember Manipulation. Going through the skills, she decided against Wave of Ember immediately as it was categorized as ashen magic. Body of Ash was a secondary priority too, one because its bonuses were simply inferior to Form of Ash and Ember as well as Ashen Warrior. Plus it was both Body Enhancement and Ashen Magic. Ashen Warrior was purely categorized as Body Enhancement while Form had the added Aura description.

Ilea read through the two skills again, even though she knew them by heart at this point.

Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 2nd lvl 20:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, strength and dexterity by 55% [275%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight while in the Form of Ash and Ember, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% more power to the skill with a maximum of 150%.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

The bonuses were absolutely insane compared to many of her other skills. Especially with both her classes enhancing Body Enhancements by each two hundred percent. Of course that was why she wanted to prevent herself from getting a purely ashen magic class. Ilea wasn’t too worried to get at least one or two good choices but it couldn’t help to add a couple persuading reasons for the gods, the system or the simulation to give her what she wanted.

Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted with your own body and while shrouded in Ash is 70% [350%] higher.

2nd stage: Shroud your weapons in ash to produce various effects. Shrouded weapons deal additional damage. Affected by Ash and Ember Manipulation.

Category: Body Enhancement

The percentage bonus was higher for Ashen Warrior and it was basically a direct damage buff. Ilea knew it affected her mana intrusion abilities too which made it one of the best skills she had as well. She thought about possible third tier advancements that could be unlocked but finally decided on Form of Ash and Ember. Reason being that her auras were the staple of her power from early on. She would likely chose Ashen Warrior at two eighty, just to get another Body Enhancement ability up there but if she got something similar to State of Azarinth’s third tier, the two could stack. Ilea hesitated but then shook her head. Both skills were really good but she felt like the aura was a safer bet for a good third tier.

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 1:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, strength and dexterity by 55.5% [277.5%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight while in the Form of Ash and Ember, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% more power to the skill with a maximum of 150%.

3rd stage: Familiarity with the skill removes its upkeep. When reaching the maximum second tier bonus you may reset it by amplifying your next attack with ash and ember.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Ilea read through the new third tier and nodded, “Nod bad.” It really wasn’t, the skill’s upkeep being by far the most mana intensive skill she had up at all times. Now her recovery improved considerably, especially when not using Meditation. Of course her attack magic was what drained her during her battles but it would help. Even more sustain. She smiled at the thought. Longest fighting and most durable warrior of all time? She doubted it. The second part of the third tier ability was interesting. Giving up the 150% added bonuses for a single empowered attacks.

The second tier bonus wasn’t influenced by her class bonuses which would make it less of a dent during a battle to lose. If it were amplified by her classes, she’d never even consider using the new third tier. Either way, depends on how powerful the attack actually is. Activating her Form of Ash and Ember, Ilea immediately smiled at the lack of mana usage. Her Veil and Sphere were damn near free at this level too and her passive skills were always up without cost. She smiled at the fact that Embered Body Heat was now the most expensive always active skill she had, her only hope to get something better at her evolution. Otherwise she’d replace it after three hundred.

Can’t exactly test it without somebody to fight. She thought, finishing her soup before getting up. Spreading her wings, she ascended and made her way out of the room to reach the hallway leading out of the dungeon. Definitely not the official entrance but it was likely the best one, leading to both the production facility and the ancient dwarven city. Terok might argue an entrance directly to the treasury would be better but Ilea had her own priorities.

She heard the sounds of battle when she walked into the dug out entrance leading into the dwarven ruin. Steel against steel before an explosion paused the sound. Stepping out, Ilea saw that the previously rocky environment had been mostly flattened, stones either moved away or pulverized by magic or sheer strength. Goldie was either sleeping or knocked out, same with the brown haired elf called Neiphato. Their bodies were sprawled on the hard ground, cuts and bruises visible as well as dents and damage in whatever armor they were wearing.

Ilea appeared next to Elfie who had one hand on his chin, the elf staring at the two fighting contestants, his eyes focused on every move. “Refrained from killing Terok. Managed to keep the elves back and you’re actually training them? Color me surprised.” Ilea commented, watching Terok disappear to dodge the fiery explosion extending around Heranuur’s body, the tall and muscular elf laughing as his blades clad in flame deflected the metal spikes shot out from Terok’s armor, the thing looking bruised but not dented.

He didn’t look at her, “I don’t have any colors with me human. You leveled again. Is the facility really full of Centurions?” He asked, his voice disinterested.

Ilea was pretty sure the elf cared more than he let on, “Yep, tons of them. It’s going to take a long time to clear it out. I’ve found something else last week. You guys didn’t explore further?”

He scoffed, “The dwarf tried several times. He is lucky to be a metal mage.”

She nodded, impressed he had managed to stop the dwarf. Was he holding back against me? She wasn’t sure. Ilea knew at least that her mana intrusion spells were very effective against barriers, maybe that was it. Coupled with her Curse Resistance and recovery, his abilities were quite ineffective against her. “There’s a Taleen city in there as well, Guardians and all. Reminded me of the dungeon I’ve explored before. I though maybe they could explore and train a little in there, depending on how they do.”

Elfie looked at her then, the silver in his eyes swirling before he again looked at the two fighters who were breathing hard, looking at each other. Ilea felt Elfie use a skill, Terok and Heranuur groaning before they continued their battle, neither very enthusiastically. “Not a bad idea. They have been itching to kill for days now. I however doubt Guardians will be a sufficient challenge for them.”

Ilea shrugged, “There’s plenty of them in there. If it’s anything like the first Taleen dungeon I’ve explored then there will be Centurions as well as traps. It won’t be simple and they don’t have a healer.”

Elfie chuckled, “You want to have the Centurion facility for yourself don’t you human?”

She grinned, looking at the two fighting warriors, back to using more frantic and dangerous moves. “That doesn’t change what I told you. They would be slaughtered in there.”

He didn’t deny what she said, “I would still like to talk to the Tremor royals.”

“Tell them to bring out documents and relics from the dungeon.” She gestured to the group, “When Terok reaches level two hundred he might be able to get at least the queen out more quickly. Plus shouldn’t destroying this dungeon and the machines within have priority for you?”

Elfie was quiet for a while, “You said they have to fight a Centurion for evaluation. They each have destroyed one previously, it won’t be the challenge you think it will be.”

“I know they have, at least together. It’s a question of how, not if.” A quick teleport by Heranuur and followup explosion sent terok into the ground, the elf following before he hit an invisible barrier.

“That is enough. If you heal them we will be able to move on to your test today. Otherwise it will take longer.” Elfie said, Ilea nodding as her ashen limbs extended.

“They should really get a healer. Maybe we can find one for hire in Hallowfort. I don’t want to bother stopping my own exploration to take care of them.” Ilea commented, Elfie nodding at that.

He watched her as she healed up first Heranuur, then Terok and finally the other two elves. Each had what she considered severe injuries, making the fight she had watched quite impressive. “It will be good for them to learn and fight without a healer, at least for a while. If they can’t recover their own health that is. Do you agree?”

Ilea was surprised he would even ask her opinion but she nodded, “However long you think is good. For resistance training they’ll need someone though, that’s for sure.”

“I have heard of Cerithil hunters able to heal themselves. Perhaps something will reveal itself with time.” He said, Ilea finishing up. The two elves were waking up when she made her way back to the dungeon.

“Send them in to the room they had fought previously. I’ll drag out a Centurion for them to tackle.” Ilea said, “You’re free to join too of course. Might be good to see them fight it.” Elfie just hissed at her, Ilea blinking into the dungeon and rushing to the abyss. This time she did activate the elevator, finding it working as intended.

Now, how do I get one of the fuckers up here…, She considered and dismissed the top floor already. They were moving in groups already. Descending, she spotted a lone Centurion with its back to her on the third floor. It looked to be patrolling, each step taking it further away from the central abyss. Ilea blinked in and grabbed one of its legs, the thing immediately whirling around and trying to attack her. Slamming the spear away, Ilea flapped her wings and used all her strength to drag it out while her ashen limbs tried to destabilize the machine’s legs. A moment later, she was flying over the darkness below her with a Centurion hanging from her arm, the thing turning and twirling as it tried to attack her.

Ilea’s ash smashed down without Wave of Ember, trying to distract the machine as she ascended. When she finally got high enough, she twirled in the air before throwing the machine through the opening. That was pretty simple. It had nearly gotten her with its spear several times but perhaps just dropping them down the hole would be enough to kill them. She wondered if she had just figured out an easy mode for clearing out the production facility. A boring one to be sure but she’d take it anyway. The thrown spear rushed past her, Ilea having moved her head to the side. “Hey, I’m not the one you’ll fight.”

Rushing into the elevator, she punched the Centurion a couple times before activating the lift. What followed was definitely one of the busiest elevator rides she had ever been part of. The small room allowed for little room to dodge but she also wanted to stay close, just in case it decided to move back down. She was punched out of the thing when it stopped, her ash reforming in front of her chest as she healed the light damage from the punch. “Come on then.” She said and blinked back and into the doorway leading to the hall the test would take place in.

Chapter 286 A Test

Chapter 286 A Test

Ilea blinked to dodge the thrown spear, appearing with her back facing the doorway. She smiled when she saw the four warriors standing together, Terok although hidden inside his steel mech suit radiating anxiety. Facing a Centurion was quite a bit more ridiculous for his level than for the others but she expected less contribution from him as well. “Welcome. You’ve trained for a week and here’s your first challenge. A Taleen Centurion. Likely in the level range of three o five to three ten.” Ilea said, stepping to the side as she lifted her elbow a little, the spear glancing off before it smashed into the wall of the room.

“You will have to be able to handle them as easily as this before I allow you into the production facility.” She said, appearing next to the approaching machine that was now in the hall as well. Ilea didn’t attack, instead dodging as quickly as she could, the punches of the Centurion easily avoided. When its spear reappeared in its arms, the fight changed somewhat but she was still on top. She made it a game of deflecting as many of the blows as she could, only dodging when absolutely necessary. After a week of fighting them she was confident enough to face one of them with her blink reserved for emergencies only.

She started dodging again, moving around the machine to show its range of motion, speed and ability to adjust. “Compared to Guardians, these ones learn. They move in groups and go after your weaknesses. You will have to do the same if you ever hope to win. Use every advantage you can to prevail.” She finished and blinked up, wings spreading before she rushed behind them and landed. The Centurion stopped. Spear in hand it glanced at the newfound enemies that prepared their blades and magic.

Ilea watched the group quickly move into some sort of formation. Neiphato, the brown haired elf with his curved short swords at the front and left, Goldie and his bone claws at the front right with Heranuur right behind them. The were all close combat warriors. Ilea wondered if not a single tank with several mages flying to the side would be a more efficient constellation. At least they had Terok who could kind of do both. He immediately flew up and sent a metal spike at the centurion, the machine dodging but not anticipating the sudden movement of the projectile.

The fight that followed was as expected not the challenge it had been for the level one fifty Ilea facing a Taleen Centurion. Their tactics consisted of Neiphato and Goldie getting in strikes as well as distracting the machine before Heranuur moved in and used his fire explosion to damage the thing. Terok just sort of flew around and sent in his metal spikes. They did do damage and sometimes even garnered enough attention from the enemy to force a spear throw.

They had to play is somewhat safe, no healer a part of the group. Ilea was pretty sure every single one of them already had a good chance of taking out a Centurion on their own, if they used a similar strategy as she had back in the Iztacalum dungeon. Get in, dodge and deal damage before blinking away. What she was interested in would come in the next couple minutes. How they would deal with the explosion. The centurion was switching to its more aggressive stance, indicated by where it held the spear.

Ilea watched as nobody in the group seemed to change their approach, the elves rushing in just as they had before. Neiphato barely managed to dodge the spear thrust that opened up the machine to Goldie who seemed in a near complete frenzy at this point, slashing into the Centurion with confidence or recklessness. The slap that sent him stumbling to the side before a spear thrust to his chest nearly killed him made Ilea tend to think it recklessness. Terok had butted in, sending both himself and Goldie sprawling to the ground.

Heranuur picked up the machine’s attention by appearing next to it and exploding. Ilea saw the cracks form on its core and sighed, the elf having used his teleportation ability to get in not fast enough to avoid the quick grab by the Centurion. It held onto the grinning elf who continued to explode but Ilea knew it was too late already. Perhaps his damage was high enough to take out the enemy before it exploded but she wasn’t about to risk it. Blinking beside it, her ashen limbs smashed into the Centurion’s arms, Ilea pulling out the elf before throwing him to the side. Locking eyes with the machine, she shrouded herself in ash before the world went white.

Her sphere informed her about her surroundings and her own state as she sighed, thinking about the destroyed armor set. She had gone a whole week without major damage and now she was down to two just to send a message. Tremor as well as Goliath were just a couple hours away but the constant switching annoyed her. I want my pre two hundred fighting back with nothing capable of damaging Niameer steel. She knew she had likely just gotten lucky through it all and she should be grateful to have a capable smith so close by, willing to work for basically free.

The damage was not as substantial as she had expected, the blast being about as close as when she had killed one of them on her own for the first time. The armor was partially melted and cracked, some of it had cut into her body. Her own skin seemed to have withheld at lest the heat much better, only having sustained second to third degree burns. Last time she had been basically toast. Her pain shut off, she started peeling the steel out of her body, aware of the eyes on her throughout the process. Ilea’s health had only dropped by two thousand points, not even getting her to half health.

I wonder how much damage no armor would result in. She thought about it while ripping out another piece, blood dripping to the ground before the wound quickly healed. The burns were taken care of next, Ilea replacing her clothes and armor as soon as the old parts had been removed. Some of the worst damage had come from armor pieces cutting into her but the same could have happened with shrapnel coming from the centurion’s exploding body. Maybe I’ll try it later. She balled her fist, the last piece appearing to finish off the set.

“I think I could’ve taken that.” Heranuur commented. Upon her eyes reforming from the bloody mess behind her helmet and her questioning look staring at him, the elf seemed to reconsider. “Alright maybe not but we destroyed it either way.” He brushed away his wavy red hair.

Elven hair products…, Ilea ignored the message in her mind about the group effort, smiling as she saw Terok’s level grow by one. “What was the plan there? You knew it would explode.” Ilea said after a moment, the three elves and Terok trying to avoid looking at her. They really are just a bunch of teenagers. “Come on. I usually don’t have a plan either but compared to you I can take a lot more damage and I can heal.”

“Should have disengaged and just fucked off as soon as it was going to blow.” Terok suggested, shrugging as the others looked at him.

“Would work, yes. Well you know now that they get more aggressive after reaching critical health. Goldie, way too aggressive there. Any way you can stop yourself from getting so zealous?”

The elf hissed at her, “You wouldn’t understand human.”

Ilea nodded, “Yea that’s why I ask mate.” She shook her head, “You’re going to get killed with that either way. Might be enough to slaughter some level one hundred humans but you’re in trouble against anything stronger. Compared to your not cursed brethren, you sadly don’t have the luxury to pick easy targets.”

“Terok, not bad but I feel like your abilities lie more with close combat as well. Heranuur you did well, other than the last stunt. Be a bit more defensive, you can use your fireballs that way too.” The elf nodded at her.

“I’m aware human. The formation should use exactly that. Me at the back would prevent my immediate offensive involvement, letting the enemy get distracted. If Nephito would… well it doesn’t matter. Well the obvious problem is a lack of ranged attacks, leveling up should give us at least some options. The dwarf was a good help but you know, it was never supposed to be like this. Cerithil hunters fight alone against the Taleen. Team formations would slow down growth and with time, people inevitably die.” The elf explained.

Ilea got more than she expected, “Well you’re a better judge of this than me it seems. I don’t think I’ll be able to add much. Regarding the team formations at least… even if people die, you’ll be more efficient in the time you spend fighting together.”

Heranuur nodded, “Perhaps true but it is not our way. We agreed with the teacher because it was his and your requirement.”

“So you’ll be back to basically fighting in a group but alone as soon as you’re allowed into the dungeon?” Ilea asked, the elf shrugging in response.

Well that’s their problem. Ilea just wanted them out of the production facility, both to prevent them from dying for no reason and to get out of her way. Terok would benefit from the training as well and maybe they would allow themselves to see the added efficiency of working in a team. Of course she herself wasn’t one to talk. She knew exactly what Heranuur was talking about and she probably understood Goldie’s battle frenzy better than she let on. Alas, they lacked a healer and were simply not as powerful as they needed to be. Thankfully. Would’ve been a different first meeting that one.

She didn’t reply, instead shooing them towards the exit. Terok stepped next to her, “So what’d ya find?”

“City, not filled with Centurions but lower leveled Taleen machines.” She said, flying towards the exit with him next to her.

“And you let me fight these lunatics for a whole week? Ilea, the only time I spent sleeping was because I got knocked out. When do I start exploring?”

She snorted, “Might be good. Maybe you’ll get your healer ability if you get injured so often before the evolution. Soon probably. I’ll talk to Elfie…,”

“Teacher? Let me guess, you always wanted to become one but instead were banished, now looking to gather knowledge for the ages.” Ilea said after she had appeared next to the elf.

He scoffed, standing up as he looked the others over, “Did they pass your test?”

Ilea sat down on a big stone, watching the distant purple lightning, “Destroyed it. Heranuur would have died if I hadn’t interfered. Goldie would have died had Terok not saved him. Not quite as far as they need to be. Until the Cerithil hunters can destroy a centurion alone or accept that working in a team is beneficial, they are not allowed in the facility. The city however… I guess they can start exploring, destroying Guardians is what they apparently live for anyway.” She sighed.

“What?” Elfie asked her. Goldie and Heranuur started fighting after having an argument about the Centurion.

He looked at her, “What is it you are hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything Elfie. The city and the production facility are two completely different things. You know that, I know that and so do they. I don’t think clearing out the city will help with your race’s problem.”

He didn’t say anything for a while, watching the two warriors fight each other. They really didn’t hold back. “Why… do you care human?” Elfie didn’t look at her, eyes focused on the fight before them.

Why do I? She wasn’t sure. Thinking about the war likely still raging through the empire and Baralia, Ilea felt little responsibility. Little connection to the people living there. If they wanted to fight, they could. If they wanted to stand up, they could. She did have a nagging feeling about her power and what she could do with it but a conflict like that wasn’t simple. Perhaps that’s why. “Because they are machines.” She finally said, “Because by simply destroying this facility, fewer beings would suffer.” The Taleen were gone as far as she knew, left behind only the killing machines apparently hunting for elves.

They were the enemies of humans, as much everybody had told her. She had seen it herself, had seen the population of Salia, slaughtered. Roland’s family killed. Still, a part of her yearned to do something, to make sense of all the killing, the hunting and fighting. Her human heart trying to find reason in her self indulgent frenzy, her want for power and freedom. For it to be not just that. It might have been her upbringing, the society she had been a part of, the values and virtues she had learned to be good and right.

A bigger part of her rejected all that, saw little reason to care for anything but herself. She definitely saw the value in that and the past two years had mostly reflected it. To find what she wanted, what made her happy. Most virtues were romanticized, mentioned in stories where good and bad were always easy to discern. Black and white. It would be easy to see all elves as evil, to go out and slaughter them for what they did to the humans of Elos. The fact that there were four of them here made it hard to justify, at least one of them not simply present out of fear.

It would be easy to find and kill the Golden Lily, murder every single last one of them, burn their houses and eat their pets. Perhaps the last part would be a little much but Ilea wanted to know who exactly was responsible for Eve’s death, what she did to warrant the reaction and why she did it. She would find out why and then think about what to do. The elves responsible for Salia were already dead, at least those that had been still around. Other than Roland, Ilea held no connection to the city. Other than being human and that wasn’t exactly a moral high ground, knowing what her race did back on Earth, what they did here and what she did, had done.

“Because while I’m not a saint, I would release a doe stuck in a bear trap.” She added, more to herself than to the elf.

“Even though the doe would kill you… even though it would go and kill other doe or hunt for your loved ones?” Elfie asked, his eyes on her now.

She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of a murdering doe. Perhaps the elf didn’t know what animal she was talking about. Nevertheless, he understood. “If it tries to kill me I will respond in kind. If it goes and kills others that is its choice. If it hunts for my loved ones, it will face my wrath.”

“And you would blame yourself forever after. Or are you hoping to befriend the doe?”

Ilea shook her head, “Let’s leave the metaphors Elfie. I’m not responsible for your people, nor am I for mine. I care for my friends and I will fight for them. I would kill humans and elves to protect or avenge them.I believe so would you. Perhaps helping you out with the Taleen would make your slaughter of humans lessen… I doubt it, nor do I honestly care. Elves, humans, dwarves, dark ones. I don’t think anybody cares. We care about ourselves and what’s happening around us.”

She took a deep breath, “For whatever reason, probably a war that started because of land or specism, who cares, the Taleen left behind these machines. All they do according to you is invade your lands and kill your people. Perhaps I’m wrong, I certainly don’t have the whole picture and you could be misleading me but they are a source to increase my personal power. If I can tack fewer dead people onto it as an additional reason, I’ll take it. You’re at least here, explaining yourself.”

The elf looked at her and nodded, thinking about her words for a while. Terok and Neiphato were taking care of their damaged gear and wounds as well as they could. Ilea didn’t offer to heal them. “I’m not deceiving you human. For your species… I doubt it will be beneficial for the Taleen machines to end. At least like this… it is machines that get destroyed instead of humans.”

Ilea scoffed, “Might be better the other way. Not like we can’t slaughter each other. Plus you said there wasn’t a war or anything… why would your people even care? Do you want land? Power? Money?”

He chuckled, “A human betraying her own species? I believe more elven eyes would look towards human lands but I do not know what they would do. Most seek out a challenge and slaughtering humans, while perhaps entertaining or delicious, is not a challenge.”

“I’m not betraying anybody. Simply being born into the species I am a part of doesn’t give me an obligation. I can do whatever the fuck I want.” Ilea said, “I believe children shouldn’t be slaughtered, not human or anything else. I believe wars suck, hard. Human or other. People should be free to do whatever they please and wherever they please, as long as they don’t restrict others.”

“In this world I could attain that power, the power of choice. I can see how not every being wants or has the ability to bath in the blood of animals, monsters or other sentients to attain this choice. I might be able to help out some at least.” She said, her voice growing louder with each word.

Chapter 287 The Freedom of Choice

Chapter 287 The Freedom of Choice

“Then what will you do with that choice?” Elfie asked, his eyes locked with hers. Ilea felt like it was the first time he actually looked at her, really looked at her.

Perhaps it was the other way around, “I will fight and destroy Centurions, level my classes and skills here in the north. Be free and enjoy myself. In the process I might be able to provide this choice to others, or kill those trying to take it away. No matter the species.” She was calm again, looking at her hand as she formed a fist and opened it again.

“Choice.” Elfie said, more to himself this time, his red hair flowing in the northern wind. “I…,” He started but his mouth closed again.

Ilea didn’t press him. She would fight the Centurions one way or the other. If it resulted in elves starting actual wars against humans, she would fight them too. Not because she owed it to any human but because she would have been partially responsible in giving them the opportunity. I’ll be the challenge they seek. The last one.

She sighed, not satisfied with her reasoning but not completely unhappy either. Elfie had been silent for a couple minutes now, the two elves still fighting each other in the background. “As to why I care? I don’t know. Maybe I don’t want to be as miserable a cunt as I think I’ve been the past year. Why do you care Elfie?”

Ilea didn’t wait for an answer, waving to Terok as she got up, “I give you a month to map out the city Terok. You better be at two hundred as well. They should work together or at least advance their levels if they don’t.” She said the latter part to Elfie, punching his shoulder with an ashen limb when he didn’t react.

“Yes. I will try to convince them but don’t expect too much. Raising their skills rather than their levels for a while will be beneficial too, especially for Seviir and Heranuur.” He replied, the thoughtful look gone from his face.

“Why not for Neiphato? Seems like he’s the weakest of them by far. I’d bet on Terok in a one on one.” She said, cracking her shoulders, eager to leave.

“Perhaps he will be able to tell you himself.” The elf said mysteriously, his tongue licking over his teeth.

She shook her head, “Whatever. Thing you do with your tongue by the way. Weirds me out.” To her surprise he didn’t hiss, instead nodding lightly. “I’ll be back… might be a couple weeks but at latest a month to see Terok’s progress.”

Appearing back in the top floor of the production facility, Ilea breathed in deeply. “Ahh, steel.” She said dryly, her ash spreading out as she prepared for the first encounter. It would take a while to clear out the top floor on its own and she wasn’t sure the Centurions would be restocking in the meantime. The machines certainly had the tools to do so. At least in the past week there had been a major change to their numbers, only their approach to hunt her down changing.

She spent her day whittling down the groups of machines fighting her. They definitely didn’t have a way or will to repair themselves, making her somewhat cautious approach viable. After over eight hours, she made her way back out of the dungeon, her health constantly regenerating as she sacrificed chunks of it to keep both her healing and third tier aura going. Ilea didn’t have the opportunity to test her new third tier Form of Ash and Ember, fighting in the middle of a group of Centurions not a time to lose a noticeable multiplier.

Both Elfie as well as Terok and Cerithil hunters were gone from their camp, only the embers of a nearly burnt out campfire remaining. The suns had set but Ilea didn’t know exactly how far along the night already was. She didn’t plan to spend more than a couple hours outside either way. Spreading her wings, she flew upwards and out of the somewhat secluded and protected area. Finding some suitably small lakes of mist in the distance, she descended down the mountain slope and landed close by.

The Miststalkers were already twirling towards her, Ilea greeting them with a wave and twirl of her own. Her mana and health started dropping a moment later, the feeling familiar at this point, her regeneration never letting up as her meditation started flowing through her. “Good evening.” She said, stepping closer to the corporeal spirits dancing through the mists. This time she went close enough to get into melee range, watching the scythe like arms extend and strike at her.

As expected, the feeling was damn near the same as when Elana had used a mist attack on her. She breathed out at the considerably higher power, finding her health dropping by nearly eight hundred. That’s going to be a while until I can fight these guys. Ilea had at least decided to train against them again, the Centurions only able to bring her to three hundred. Compared to the kingsguard as well as any of the other monsters she could face in the North, the Miststalkers were at least slow and very easy to escape from. That was if one wasn’t caught within the mists. Even then, with her level in Veteran their eerie songs had no impact on her and her resistance levels would require at least a dozen or more of them to drain her at the same time for more than a couple seconds.

Enough time for her to make an escape using her blink ability. The two resistances could also be a reasonable testing ground for a third tier general skill, something she still had to ask the king about. Nothing had shown up so far and somehow she doubted there was anything obvious she was missing. Jumping back again, Ilea healed the damage back up and periodically got closer again to allow one of the miststalkers to hit her. She kept her health above four thousand, just in case she got hit by two or three of them at the same time. A real possibility with how close they tended to get to each other.

Two hours passed, Ilea’s Meditation skill making the time fly by, coupled with the excitement of constant danger. Eleven of the spirits had gathered close to her at that point, a little much for her to reasonably keep up with. Her nightly training near Tremor had taught her that the Miststalkers cared little to hunt down prey, mostly dancing around and grateful if something living showed up. Blinking a couple times, Ilea got close to another lake, her mana recovering quickly before the first monster even noticed her.

Day in and day out, Ilea trained, fighting and destroying the increasingly difficult to fight Centurions, her mana and health drain as well as mist resistances trained at night. She didn’t see Elfie or anybody else for the first five days. In the night of the sixth day, she was sitting near a lake of mist when she noticed movement in the distance, a couple hundred meters down the slope. A creature completely black, as big as a horse and in the form of a wolf. It moved quickly, occasionally disappearing in the shadows, coming back to life a couple dozen meters away. Ilea realized the movement she had noticed wasn’t from the wolf like creature but the birds chasing him, Famine Crows. A whole pack of them. The wolf creature looked to be injured, slowing down before it entered a lake of mist.

The beast slowed down as the Miststalkers gathered around it, the birds rushing down from above, uncaring about the new circumstances. She watched as the wolf entered the very ground, vanishing as a whole flock of famine crows crashed down into the stone surrounded by more and more Miststalkers. The birds started teleporting around immediately but contrary to what she expected, most of them crashed into the ground again or appeared near it, the mist scythes cutting into them as they were drained.

The first of them started to fall around ten seconds later, some escaping upwards but at least half of the flock had vanished in the mist, absorbed into the spirits that completely surrounded them. Smart wolf. She thought, blinking away from the lake she was currently sitting at. It was time to go back to the dungeon, see to the next group of the top layer Centurions.

Two weeks later she had thinned them enough to make it at least uncommon to find a second group of them while fighting a first one. Ilea had tested her theory about just throwing the Centurions down the massive abyss in the middle of the facility, twice and both times unsuccessfully. They were certainly durable but Ilea rather suspected there was a lake or something at the bottom that prevented their demise. Either that or it just didn’t count their destruction as her work. She didn’t want to think of possible long range Centurion launching as a possible invasion strategy after all.

Having checked out the second layer through one of the many broad stairwells leading down, she had found luring machines from there up and fighting them on the first layer not just possible but probably the best tactic to clear out more of the facility in the coming weeks Still, she focused on the first layer as the top priority. Once cleared she could think again about possibly just destroying the support beams and cables. Ilea had at least found that the ends of the layer were connected to the mountain itself, making the idea likely impossible. The result of getting a whole level destroyed and maybe more made it at least still something to think about.

Each night, Ilea spent a couple hours with the miststalkers of the north, her resistances growing slowly but steadily. When the sun rose that night, she came back to the entrance of the Taleen dungeon, finding the campsite not devoid as on most days. A smile was on her face when she landed, greeting Elfie with a wave. He looked up and nodded. He smelled of blood, she noted.

Summoning a restaurant meal, she placed it next to the papers he was reading through before her own appeared in her hands. Sitting down on a nearby rock, her helmet vanished into her necklace. “How was the hunt?”

The elf looked up and sighed, taking the meal and nodding again, “You have a constant need for conversation do you not?”

She chuckled, “Haven’t talked to anybody in what… three weeks? You consider that constant? How often do you elves talk to each other?”

“Human I was only saying that to indicate my lack of interest in a conversation, not show some difference in our species. My people are just as bloody annoying as yours.”

“Sadly you can’t just eat them, right?” She said, pointing towards the blood on his black coat. The color was flowing seamlessly into the red parts of the fabric.

He scoffed, “Few of your kind up here.” Avoiding her stare, he started eating, “… a wild animal.” He added after a while, Ilea nodding at that.

“If you need a fight, I’m around.” She said, “How’s the exploration going? I’d want a full map by the end of next week.”

Elfie laughed, “Then you will be disappointed. I have heard how big the dwarf thinks the production facility is. The city might be similarly expansive. Filled with not just Guardians but Dark Ones as well as more dangerous Taleen machines and traps.”

She smirked, “Good, then there’s plenty of work to do. What kind of dark ones?”

“Do not worry human. The won’t be ready to disturb your solitary time in the production facility for a while. Might be you don’t have to annoy me anymore if they do though. The dark ones call themselves Saurians and only agree to talk to the dwarf. At least that is what he says but I doubt any of the others would actually like to engage with them in anything but slaughter.” Elfie commented.

Ilea didn’t deny his assumption but also didn’t correct him about her annoying him. She would do that either way. His aggressive, unyielding yet informative way wasn’t exactly unpleasant. At least he seemed to have stopped weighing every bit of information he shared with her. “You want me to get one out to talk to you?”

The elf looked up from the paper and smiled, his teeth showing. “Not for you to eat.”

“I eat whatever I want human.”

Fair enough. “If you go in there and get one. If I bring one, you won’t eat.”

He shrugged in response, continuing to read. “What are you reading anyway?”

“A surviving stone inscription the dwarf copied.”

Ilea stood up, putting away her empty plate, checking out the paper. “You can read their language?”

The elf snorted, “Of course I can. I know you think my level low for my age but I invested in other things than just my classes power to destroy.”

“Impressive.” She said, “Maybe you can teach some of the hunters. Might be beneficial to find out more about the Taleen’s plans. If you’re too much of a wuss to go in there yourself. I doubt any of those idiots would ever think about deciphering and learning an ancient language.”

His face went through different emotions before he finally settled on an angry hiss. Ilea shrugged. He would think about the suggestion, maybe even start teaching them if they wanted. Neiphato and maybe Heranuur would be open to the idea. She was pretty sure Goldie wouldn’t care.

“Do you have another test planned for the end of the month?” He asked instead, keeping the apparently very annoying conversation going.

Ilea shrugged, “Two Centurions?” She laughed.

“Imaginative.” He commented with a sigh.

“I could fight them myself out here so you can judge as well. I think my skill set is closer to the Taleen machines than yours.” She said.

Ilea didn’t miss the small tugging on the edges of his mouth. It must be quite difficult to be so close to an ancient dungeon filled with the secrets of his enemies but unable to actually go in. She wouldn’t stop annoying him about it, that much was sure.

“Well I’ll be off again then. Let me know if you need anything.” She said and made her way back to the dungeon. Centurions were waiting for her.

The last planned week passed in a flash, Ilea continuously clearing out the first layer. She assumed another month or two would be enough, now somewhat sure they didn’t restock the missing machines. Perhaps something would actually happen once she destroyed the last one but she kind of doubted it. The machines kept on working, melting down metal and sending it down to the lower floors. She had decided not to destroy anything as of yet. Perhaps Terok could find a way to reroute it all and maybe use it. Goliath would have a field day if he came in here but Ilea wanted to make sure it was completely safe before she even asked the smith.

Not that she expected the dark one to move away from its home. Fighting the last Centurion for the day, she reached the ten minute mark and checked her surroundings. Finding no other enemy around, she dodged a thrust of its spear to the right and activated her third tier of Form of Ash and Ember, her arm and shoulder clad in flame and swirling ash before her fist landed with a loud crash on the metal core of the machine. A powerful surge of mana went through it before the Centurion was pushed a couple meters away, its thin steel legs skidding on the metal floor before its core started glowing. Ilea looked after it as it turned and rushed towards the center.

Before the explosion even reached her ears, she made her way back out of the facility and looked through her messages from the past month as shestarted eating a meal.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 310] – For defeating an enemy forty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 305] – For defeating an enemy thirty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 267 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 268 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 269 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 270 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 271 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 272 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 261 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 262 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 263 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 264 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 265 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 266 – Five stat points awarded’

Of the sixty stat points, forty went into Strength and ten each into Vitality and Wisdom.

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Her recovery had leveled three times, the dedicated training showing its marks. Hunter’s Sight was close to the current maximum as well.

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

Slow and steady. Ilea was growing and she had enough sources to fuel her increases in power. She finished her meal and got up, stretching before she made her way towards the exit. It was high time to explore something else than the construction of Centurions, for a while at least.

Chapter 288 Lunchtime

Chapter 288 Lunchtime

Cracking her neck, Ilea appeared outside of the dungeon. The others were already around, two of the elves sleeping on their bedrolls, the fabric looking more luxurious than any sleeping bags she had ever seen, even on earth. Each had chosen a dark color, either because of their status as Cerithil hunters or to be a little camouflaged. Ilea noted it wasn’t night, Terok and the brown haired elf called Neiphato adding ingredients to a black metal pot hanging over a small fire. It smelled, like food. Nothing particularly good but she doubted any of them had an assortment of spices with them.

“Thought you guys just eat human meat.” She said, walking towards the two. Elfie wasn’t around but she assumed he was somewhat close by. Perhaps he was still exhausted from their conversation a week ago.

Neiphato looked at her, realizing she was talking to him and not the dwarf. He gulped, “Some do like human flesh. Yes. Especially lower leveled ones with little muscle are considered a delicacy. We do eat other things as well. Some have even sworn off meat.”

“Any of them actually go through with that?” Ilea asked, crouching down over the pot and sniffing the broth.

The elf looked at her and nodded, “I believe so. The ones I knew countered their lust for meat with more hunting and killing. I do not think it makes sense.”

She chuckled, “How’s the map Terok?” The dwarf hadn’t talked yet but even in his armor she thought he looked tired and worn. He had risen to level one ninety three at least. Not yet at two hundred but close enough.

“Ilea… that city is bigger than you think. A month was not nearly enough time.”

His voice was soft, careful, “You can have another then or two.” She simply replied.

Terok stumbled backwards, nearly falling on his ass, “What? I thought our partnership ended if I didn’t manage… and you… you just tack on another month… or two? Do you have any idea how stressed I’ve been the past weeks… I tried buying a map of those Saurians but they hadn’t even started working on one, confused at the very concept.”

“And you didn’t think I was joking? I just thought to give you a bit of a push.” She said, honestly confused at his interpretation of her comment from a month ago.

Terok just shook his head and walked off, “I need a little time.”

She didn’t know if she should feel bad for stressing him out that much or if he was apparently too stupid to gauge her interest in the map and his work. Partnership. She chuckled, finding the elf looking at her, blue eyes reflecting some of the light coming from the fire. “Neiphato right? Elfie told me you might be stronger than you let on.”

He looked away, “I can see how he thinks so.”

“You’re not going to elaborate?” Ilea looked at him, no answer coming any time soon, “Hidden talent? Can turn into a hideous tentacle monster? You get stronger when you eat people… vampire maybe? Literal big dick energy?”

Looking at her with annoyance, he finally reacted, “How can you be so casual about all this? Haven’t you been fighting Centurions for weeks now? How often have you brushed death?”

Ilea smiled, “Against the Centurions? Not often… they barely get any hits in anymore. The Miststalkers are another story… I’m constantly close to death there.” She sighed, “Not what you wanted to hear I know. I like this, love it even. To fight and challenge myself. I don’t take it all that seriously, otherwise I’d be as dark and gloomy as Elfie.”

Neiphato seemed to have calmed down again, “Elfie? You do not wish to speak his name?”

“I don’t know his name. Why are you out here then? Cerithil hunter, cursed one… why cursed? Because you went into a dungeon? Forbidden by your government or religion?”

Neiphato sighed and checked to see if the two other elves were asleep, or out of earshot, “Cursed because that is the status bestowed upon those ignoring the oracles’ orders. One of their most ancient rules is to steer clear of dungeons. The overwhelming mana density and resulting damage helps painting a convincing picture.”

Ilea nodded, trying not to show her surprise at all the information he was willingly giving away. Perhaps she had found an elf not quite as secretive as Elfie, “Giving me this information… wouldn’t you think the oracles aren’t happy with it?”

Neiphato snorted, a grin revealing the sharp teeth in his mouth, “Human… trust me, they couldn’t care less about me, you or anything but magic itself. That is why I am here. You have saved our lives, spared us when they were yours to take and even found us a wise teacher. Something we sorely needed…,” He was quiet for a moment, “May I ask why? I believe our kind has not been benevolent towards yours, or any creature for that matter.”

“Magic itself. Are they like really high level mages? To answer your question, Elfie was around and I didn’t want to deal with you. As to why I saved you… your sorry asses were getting handled by monsters. I would have done as much for any sapient being.” She said.

Neiphato opened his eyes a little wider, Terok in the meantime joining them again, continuing his cooking in silence, “They are of magic itself. I know little of it and they are secretive. It is forbidden to even ask such questions, not that I haven’t tried. It is their inaction that led us to today after all.” He paused for a moment, looking at Terok, “To think you would save a being just for the sake of it. Is that what all humans do?”

Terok laughed at that, answering the question for her, “No. Most of them would sell you to a monster if they could. She’s different one that one. Soft and naive or perhaps thinking herself a saint.”

“I see you’re back Terok. I’m glad.” Ilea said, a vicious grin on her face.

The dwarf shook his head, “At this point I won’t believe you will murder me for anything less than betrayal. Know that dwarves are similarly greedy, it’s just metal we want compared to your gold.”

How terribly cliched.

“Is gold not a metal dwarf?” Neiphato asked with a smile.

He pointed at the elf with the wooden ladle he had gotten out of nowhere. Ilea wondered if he had carved it himself. “Exactly, it is. Not a very hard one at that. Other than gold mages it’s difficult to guide mana through it as well. Now how would you compete in the ring with such a machine?”

Maybe not that cliched. Ilea thought, “So you’re obsessed with forging because you’re all into wrestling?”

“Not wrestling human… such a mundane activity. A battle between two dwarves clad in steel armor, steam rising as the crowds cheer them on to destroy each other. A marvelous sight, one I could only dream of joining.”

Ilea’s eyebrows rose, “You wanted to become a boxer? I did kick-boxing once. Been a while though, now I’m something else I guess. Is the leader of the dwarves the champion of the biggest tournament or something?” She imagined a tiny Terry Crews.

“Don’t be ridiculous Ilea. Being a good warrior doesn’t make a good administrator or king. It helps, certainly but only to get rid of competition.” He said and chuckled. “I was more interested in tinkering with my machine than actually fighting in it. Not that I dislike it but I lack a certain… vigor about it. You know what I mean.” Getting out of his metal suit, he tasted the soup and coughed.

“I know exactly what you mean.” Ilea said with a smile, grabbing the ladle and trying a bit of the stew as well. Fatty and too much spices. Surprised my poison resistance isn’t reacting. She was pretty sure she would’ve lost health if her self from two years ago would have tasted it. “Also I’m neither naive nor soft. Power allows for a certain freedom.”

He snorted, “Aye, I would still not save an angry child from a dangerous monster.”

Yes you would. Ilea thought and just smiled at him. She would too. If the monster was weaker than her then why not give the child another chance at life. If the monster was stronger, that was reason enough to face it.

Terok looked at the brown haired elf and huffed, “Don’t look at me like that, you would probably kill the beast and eat both.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, especially how the elf didn’t really deny any of it. “Don’t eat kids.” She said after calming down, “Or I will murder you.”

“Noted.” Neiphato said, “It is interesting. To learn about humans and dwarves.” He commented.

“We’re not exactly showpieces.” Terok chuckled.

“Neither am I.” Neiphato said, his voice silent.

“That food is rank by the way.” Ilea commented after a while. “Are you trying to become a poison maker?”

Terok pointed at her, “Young lady… I will not have you talk to the cook that way.” He smiled but somehow the joke struck something else in Ilea. She nodded and looked to the ground with a smile on her face.

I am young am I not? She wondered, Feels like I’ve been here for a decade already.

“Why do you fight the Taleen machines?” Neiphato asked, steering the conversation back to the initial topic. “Your race has no stake in this battle… or is it the same reason why you saved me and the others?”

Ilea thought about it and then shook her head, “I intervene when something is happening in front of me. I don’t think I’ll go hunt down every single Taleen machine because they attack a bunch of elves far away. Elves that would attack me on sight.”

“She likes the levels she’s getting. Plus they’re a challenge. Her mind is simple like that.” Terok whispered to the elf, quite obviously audible to Ilea.

“Maybe try not to offend someone as simple as me dwarf. Especially not because I saved your ass too, and I gave you new steel and places to explore… and an opportunity to evolve to two hundred. Also possible treasure from the Taleen and Rhyvor. Hey is there anything you’ve done to repay me? How’s that map looking?”

The dwarf pointed the ladle her way, metal eye zooming in on her as he squinted his other eye. He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything, speaking a moment later, “Alright you basically own me and saved my life a couple times but at least you have my glorious company. Also you can’t be left alone… giving away expensive and rare steel for free… to someone you’ve barely known for a couple days. Ridiculous.”

Ilea chuckled and looked at Neiphato, the elf lost as he tried to make sense of their conversation, “Hey do I have to remind you that that someone is you? Plus I just can’t help it… being a saint and all.”

“I bet you’ve murdered people… and you’ve stolen things. The very armor you have you ripped from some poor undead just trying to do their jobs.” Terok said, again cutting deeper than he probably intended.

Ilea found herself not caring much either way. “I did murder people. Some arguably innocent too… or at least not more guilty than myself. I’ve raided some places yes and the undead… well I’m sure they’re happy to have a day off after thousands of years of working.” She smiled, locking eyes with the dwarf who didn’t seem quite prepared for the answer, “What can I say? Even a saint isn’t perfect.”

“It is true then? You fight the machines for personal growth?” Neiphato asked, “Aren’t there less dangerous enemies out there? Of the beasts I fought the Taleen are fast and efficient for their level. Few weaknesses and a formidable defense. Centurions can learn too, unlike most mindless beasts.” He commented but Ilea waved him off.

“Levels aren’t the only thing. They’re fun to fight… plus if I always try to find the easiest monster to level up, how will I face the strongest?”

Terok laughed out loud, spilling some of the stew before he calmed down, “See… simple minded.”

“Thank you.” Neiphato said and bowed to her, Ilea looking to Terok for help but the dwarf just smirked, “Your reasons do not matter to me. Every destroyed Centurion will help in the unending tide destroying our people. For every elf not acknowledging this I apologize and thank you instead.”

“It’s fine. Calm down mate. I didn’t actually mean the saint talk. You’ll be able to fight them yourself soon enough.” Ilea said, her ash moving to stop him from bowing. “Now why are you stronger than you seem? Come on… we shared plenty about ourselves.”

He looked around again and then sighed, his eyes closing before he spoke, “My domain… my clan. Some few are born with a gift.” He paused and than waved them off, “It does not matter. As soon as I reach the requirements I will change my class.”

“What? No what the fuck… what gift? Come on Neiph, show me. Whatever it might be I’ll survive it… I’m pretty sure.”

He was obviously uncomfortable but she didn’t let up. He would be fighting to the death after all, had been already and his choice to go against the so called oracles wouldn’t make for an easy life. “I am a wood creator.” He finally said, Ilea literally standing in front of him, her eyes leveled with his before she moved back and sat down again.

“That’s it?” She asked, confused why he would make it such a big deal, “I know a wood creator too. Young human. Fought one too at some point. Pretty powerful. Why not keep it and train the class? Your group could use a more ranged combatant.”

He looked at her, eyes going to Terok and then back to her, “What… my clan… did. With their powers but specifically wood magic. It is a cruel gift. Not one of life and creation, one of torture and death.”

The way he squirmed when he said those words made her think he didn’t just imagine or hear about it, he remembered it. She shrugged, “That is what they did with it. I’m an ash creator… do you think I just torture and kill with it?”

Terok weighed in, “You do kill a lot.”

“Fair enough. Well the point stands. You are you, not your clan or anybody else. Do what the fuck you want and if you have a good class you shouldn’t give a fuck about what they did with it. Shake off the control they still have over you, doesn’t seem like you had the healthiest of relationships to your family. Just my two cents.” Ilea ranted and noted Elfie landing a couple meters behind her.

Terok held up the ladle, “Look who’s back. You look fucked up, fell into a Shredder?”

She laughed at the frown coming from the elf as he walked towards them, “No Shredders so far north. Haven’t seen one at least.”

Ilea extended an ashen limb to check on him but the elf had a barrier around himself to prevent her intrusion. Suit yourself old man. Old elf… doesn’t have the same ring does it?

“What is this vile sludge you’re cooking up dwarf?” He asked, stepping next to the pot and taking a sip. Summoning different spices, he added more and more before finally taking out what looked like a dead rabbit, already skinned and gutted. Barriers appeared and it was sliced into small pieces, all of them lowered and joining the stew. The smell changed immediately, still spicy and strong but interesting now instead of just strong.

“Cooking one of your hobbies too?” Ilea asked.

“I have dabbled with it human. Though I dislike the time it takes…,” He took another sip and handed the ladle back to Terok.

And he never really commented on the food I gave him. Ilea thought and looked at Neiphato, the elf apparently not sure what to do with his hands as soon as he realized her stare on him. You’re not like that, beautiful wood mage, are you? Convinced and open. Curious and smart. Her arm shot up to block the barrier that suddenly appeared and moved towards her head.

“You’re here for the evaluation, are you not?” Elfie asked, looking at her. Terok appeared increasingly busy stirring the stew.

“A month has passed.” Ilea said, “As Terok says, the city is bigger than expected. Do you still want to do it?”

Elfie nodded, “It will be good to have someone evaluate their growth that hasn’t guided them all this time. The dwarf at least has levels showing his change but for them, the Guardians are not high enough to gain any experience worth to mention. Skill levels however…,”

“Well I’m happy to smash them into the dirt. Food first though and it seems the other two are noticing the change in fragrance.” She said, hearing them stir in their bedrolls. Elves… just thinking about food. My kind of people.

“After lunch.” Terok commented, taking a sip of the stew, nodding in approval at the taste. Handing the ladle to Neiphato, he tried as well. Stopping the elf from taking another sip, the dwarf took back the ladle. “Meat’s not through yet.”

“Doesn’t have to be… we talked about this Terok.” Neiphato sighed, “You already demand we drain the blood, at least don’t cook it through all the time.”

“You drink the blood so nothing is lost. Not like you care, the way you slurp it all up all the time.” Terok said.

Ilea looked at Elfie, the elf sighing before he stepped to the side, “After lunch.” He agreed and sat down, summoning a book Ilea hadn’t seen before.

Chapter 289 Rules

Chapter 289 Rules

Ilea stepped over the knocked out Terok, Heranuur bleeding and crawling towards her with two broken legs. The elf didn’t understand anything less and she was worried about knocking him out, the force necessary likely enough to crack his thick skull. Goldie was panting, his bone armor had grown out enough to cover nearly his full body now. She could still easily injure him with her ash, the sharp edges she could form small enough to bypass the loose armor.

Of course she chose not to after her first demonstration. The cut had closed at some point, showing that he did have some kind of self healing ability. Slower than hers, that much was sure but at least he wasn’t as hopeless anymore. Brushing away the blood from his mouth, the white haired elf prepared for her to come. His yellow eyes were focused on her, his face unreadable. The arrogance and superiority he had met her with wasn’t there anymore, at least not on the surface.

Neiph, the brown haired elf with a wood creation class he didn’t want to use stood behind the bone mage, short swords in hand. Ilea had learned during their now already hour long evaluation that what he really lacked was bite. Goldie higher leveled, yes. He was using both his classes actively and not just whatever passives Neiphato had from his second class but the real difference came from his tenacity.

He crouched and hissed, his stance suggesting that if she wouldn’t come to him, he would come to her. Good. Not giving me time to meditate should have been your priority from the start. Ilea had found her third tier of Form of Ash and Ember making this whole thing trivial. Not having to constantly use her attack magic in tandem with ash creation and manipulation let her stay relatively full of mana during the whole battle.

Hearnuur’s magic wasn’t enough to hurt her and her normal punches were dealing quite a bit of damage already, her improved Strength and his lack of quality armor to thank. Terok was still below two hundred, proving that he could somewhat keep up but ultimately lacking the powerful classes everyone else had. His metal armor and capped skill levels didn’t quite manage to close the gap. It didn’t help that he was their only ranged combatant, forcing Ilea to focus on him as a first priority.

Of course she had held back, had tested them extensively, had given time to recover and even healed some of their injuries. It was an evaluation after all, not a demonstration. Elfie was watching from the sidelines, standing on a barrier overlooking the space. The stew had been eaten and the pot put away creating ample space to smash a bunch of elves into the hard stone.

Durable. She had found. Not using her mana intrusion had again confirmed just how powerful it was. Until she reached five or six hundred stat points in Strenght and Dexterity, it was hard to tell how much of it came just from stats. Her physical force was enhanced by her auras though, meaning her fists should be hitting just as hard if not harder than her Destruction and Wave of Ember. Neither spells had a number assigned to them but she assumed their damage was multiplied in some way too. A lot of extensive testing could answer her questions but at this point she trusted her decision to invest some more into her physical stats, get Body Enhancement third tier skills and level more Resistances.

In the end her possible evolutions would be fine. Even if she could have the option to become some powerful ash wielding long ranged mage, she preferred it just the way it had been. Her body enhanced by magic. Her fists and legs delivering the damage, helped now by mid range ashen limbs but she kind of counted them as part of her body anyway. Considering everyone and their mom was using swords or spears, it was only fair to get at least some range.

Goldie appeared in front of her, his claws cutting into her ash before reaching her Veil, nearly stopping entirely before they scratched on her armor. Still too focused on attack. She noted, her hand already grabbing his. Too reserved. She noted, seeing Neiphato circling her, unsure when to attack. Turning her torso to the left, she jerked the elf up and over her, smashing his whole body into the hard stone.

Letting go of him, she stepped backwards quickly, her feet finding solid ground as her sphere guided her over the terrain, her hands moving quickly to deflect the two short swords trying to get to her. Neiph wasn’t bad with them but he simply didn’t have the speed to keep up with her and actually get some hits in. In fact he wasn’t even close to Edwin, even with a higher level. “Why not use your magic?” She asked, having caught both blades with her hands, the edges cutting through her Veil but not managing to get through her armor. He looked at the weapons but instead of anger at their uselessness, he seemed to be defeated.

Ilea sighed, pushing the blades aside before punching him straight in his chest. Neiphato had the worst armor out of them. Leather and of a quality she had used back at level fifty. How they had even survived thus far was a mystery, specifically Neiphato. The punch made him stumble back. Normally she would’ve closed the distance, used his lack of balance to get in another hit and then another, her ash to blind them all and her blink to appear where she pleased. Perception and speed, those coupled with her mana intrusion were her greatest assets. Her healing of course rounded up the whole thing but against these guys, she didn’t even need it.

Considering Goldie was at level two thirty, she wondered if her classes were just better than theirs. Experience certainly played in, as did skill levels and stats but they were older than her, much older. Their stats were less balanced than hers, at least she assumed as much. Heranuur should be blasting her away with his magic and Goldie should be stronger and faster but they simplyweren’t. Even Elfie would probably wipe the floor with the three. Then again the only reason she considered herself stronger than him was because of her ability to counter most of his magic.

Looking at him, she considered a bout. Her level was closing in on his. Two seventy two versus two eighty. Goldie used her distraction to appear behind her but both of them knew it wouldn’t work, hadn’t worked the last ten times they had tried. Stepping to the side, she avoided his claws and turned to meet him. A wicked smile was on her face. You have been evaluated enough. Ignoring his attacks, she simply responded in kind, smashing into his dull golden armor as he tried getting through her defenses. She didn’t let up, a punch to his head breaking his jaw and making him stumble back.

Ilea followed quickly, her knee smashing into his crotch and lifting him up a little, another punch sending him back down into the ground. Landing on him, she started smacking his head. One two three. Her healing skill gave her a general idea of his well being, the woman stopping when he didn’t move anymore, brain sufficiently shaken. While he was faster than Heranuur, his Vitality was noticeably lower. With her ability to heal and the durability of two hundred plus people, she knew there was no lasting damage she could leave behind. Not if she didn’t rip out a leg or two.

Heranuur was still groaning but he had specifically asked her to help raise his Pain Tolerance. This was her way to do it. Knowing he wouldn’t give up, she thought showing him the reliance on his legs would be helpful. Not that he could just sprout wings or more limbs but at some point he might have the choice to learn it. Ilea was certainly glad she had her ash to move around, even if all her limbs had been ripped off. Not that it was particularly relevant anymore with her third tier recovery but it could still be helpful. Especially when her mana was low.

Neiph had recovered enough to face her again but his blades lay on the ground, “Come on.” Ilea said, appearing next to Heranuur and throwing him a couple dozen meters away, behind a big rock. “Nobody’s watching anymore. Your teacher wants you to use it too, right Elfie?”

He didn’t reply but Neiph seemed unsure at least. In the end he didn’t use the magic, Ilea growing impatient after two minutes of waiting. Appearing before him, she smacked his face, teeth withstanding but blood started seeping down. He tried blocking but even if he did get his hands between her fists and his torso or face, she would leave bruised arms and cracked bones anyway. Grabbing his leg after an especially big stumble, she twirled and sent him flying towards Heranuur, frowning when she apparently didn’t manage to hit him. At least she heard the red haired elf laugh before he hissed at the pain again.

Sighing, she stood there and let meditation recover the lost mana. Not much, she noted. Elfie hovered down and landed a couple meters away from her, checking on Goldie as he crouched, “He’s fine.” Ilea said.

“I know. His defense is lacking… especially with how offensive he is. Had he your recovery and resilience I doubt you could shrug him off as easily.” He commented, standing up again.

She shook her head, “They’re lacking in everything. Don’t get me wrong, they’re strong. As strong as elite humans, perhaps stronger than I was a year ago but how old are they? Fifty? A hundred? Terok is nearly able to keep up and he’s not even had his two hundred evolutions.” She kept her voice down, doubting that either of the two conscious warriors heard her talk.

“Becoming a Cerithil Hunter… it is often coupled with changing one’s classes. Elves have different reasons for doing so. You knowing about Neiphato’s magic will give you an insight into his. Fighting Taleen or anything out in the open is one thing but invading dungeons is another. Long ranged massive explosions won’t help in a tight corridor. Ice magic might delay them but when surrounded it can only do so much.”

Ilea chuckled at his explanation, “That’s bullshit. I’ve known mages who could easily fight in dungeons and their defense wasn’t bad either. You’re telling me they change classes and lose their levels?”

“Not levels but skills… skills honed for decades, trained from youth. Not just skills but habits too. Focusing on magic and mid to long ranged battle and then suddenly having to face down a Centurion in hand to spear combat is not something easily done.” He explained.

“I still don’t get why they wouldn’t just keep their classes. Hire human or dark one mercenaries and fire from behind the lines. I agree that a lot of magic would be awkward in there and against a Centurion but to just switch completely?”

Elfie shrugged, “Ask them if you would like to know their reasons. Though I believe Heranuur was always a close combat fighter. Either he failed to chose the right skills or simply didn’t meet any rare requirements for his class evolutions. Who knows what the fuck he was thinking.”

At least he partially agreed and if they really changed their classes then it made sense why they were so lousy at it, at least compared to Ilea. She had just been in Elos for two years but having kick boxed for several years let her know she was at least somewhat talented at it. Even if Neiphato were to cap his skill levels, she doubted he would win against Goldie, even at his current strength. Not offensively at least. Maybe if he fought reserved and tried to tire him out. Forcing oneself into a class or fighting style that wasn’t suited for one’s personality and talents didn’t seem like the best choice.

“They’re better however. Than last time I mean.” She said.

“Still, I’m disappointed at how little they could do against you. To tell the truth, you have gotten stronger too. Both in level and experience. You seem a little less… erratic, if that makes any sense.” Elfie explained.

Ilea didn’t really know what he meant. Since coming north she didn’t really feel like having changed much, other than her levels and skills of course. “What about you? Where have you been all this time. I barely saw you when I came and went.”

“That is none of your business human. While we’re at it, stay away from them. I saw how you looked at Neiphato. Engaging in a relationship as you humans do will not go over well with elves.”

She was surprised and smirked, “What about just fucking? You have the necessary tools don’t you?” She teased, looking at his crotch.

The elf sighed, “My argument that elves would rip a human apart wouldn’t work with you. Know that it is forbidden to engage with another species in sexual activity.”

Ilea scoffed and chuckled, “As it is to enter dungeons. Your oracles seem pretty authoritarian Elfie. Let me tell you, where I’m from there’s plenty of governments and religions putting ridiculous rules on people. Everyone here can turn stone to dust with their strength alone, why not just taste a bit of freedom?” She noted how he gulped at her mention of the oracles. “Maybe it would be good for you too.”

“Who told you?”

She shrugged, “What does it matter? It is forbidden to tell of them. It is forbidden to enter dungeons, they all did. They’re cursed Elfie. Pick a side.” She said, “Enough, I don’t want to argue about this. I’ll join Terok for a while to see the city and the dark ones living there. I think they should continue to work together and improve their skills and teamwork, if the latter is even possible.” Leaving him there, she knew they hadn’t really talked about the evaluation but Elfie knew enough to have spotted improvements to be suggested. She had certainly spotted one about him.

Healing Goldie and the others, she refused to stop when Heranuur asked her to leave his legs unattended. “I don’t want that to become permanent.”

“It’s fine for a couple weeks.” He said when she noted his flushed expression.

Getting a little closer, she smiled, “Are you turned on?”

“Turned what?”

“Sexually aroused? By pain or by me inflicting it on you?” It wasn’t really her cup of tea, especially with his tall and muscly figure. The more lean and feminine look of Neiphato was more up her alley, not that she would deny the elf. Kyrian was muscular too, yet not quite as much as the red haired elf.

He didn’t respond as she mended his wounds. When she was done he spoke, “I believe I was.I never thought about it. An interesting thought. Perhaps I subconsciously didn’t dodge some attacks because of this?”

“It’s possible. Maybe jack off before you fight anything, might help with that.” She suggested.

He nodded, “Or I don’t… I will think on this Ilea. Thank you for the new idea.”

“What have I birthed?” She sighed, getting up and looking down on the elf, still lying where he had initially landed from her throw. Elfie isn’t going to be happy when I fuck all his students. It had been a while but while training and fighting didn’t scratch a sexual itch, it calmed her in other ways. It let her go out and exert herself, meaning her sexual needs weren’t as prevalent as they might be otherwise.

Celene will go mad with envy when I tell her about this. The woman probably reading and writing stories about just this event. She bloody summoned a demon…, Ilea shook her head. “Well let me know if you want to try things, I’m open to the idea.” She left Heranuur with that, the elf nodding, still lost in thought.

“I don’t think there’s much I could tell you. Against me it’s difficult to fight anyway. Compared to most other ranged mages I’ve killed you’ve done pretty well.” Ilea said to Terok, the two of them walking towards the elevator leading into the Taleen city. “Just wait for your evolutions and we’ll see how that goes. If they’re good… and after all this time and your maxed skills they should be, you might already be stronger than the others.”

“Stronger than an elf. Fucking nuts. Never thought I’d reach that level.” He commented. Elfie and the others had been left behind to talk, Terok had been the first the elf had chewed out. Ilea knew then that not sharing her thoughts with him wasn’t a loss at all. The elf had analyzed every movement of the four and had plenty to say about just Terok. Ilea was pretty sure the dwarf had done the best, for his level at least which meant they’d be busy talking for another couple hours at least.

“Yea I never thought I’d fly and fight magical beings either.”

“Why not?” He asked surprised.

Did I never tell him? She wasn’t sure, “I’m not from this world. Was teleported here for some reason two or so years ago.”

“Makes sense. Didn’t think someone as weird as you would be born and raised here.” He commented.

Ilea moved her arm to the side and smashed the dwarf into the wall, the steel suit cracking into the stoneas the dwarf groaned. “Says the sixty year old robot nerd scavenger.”

“Always getting physical. Maybe you should work on your impulses.” A smart thing to say, Ilea found, to bait her into hitting him again and proving him right. Then again she didn’t really care. Another hit bent the metal of his suit and made him stumble.

“Got it out of your system?” She asked, the dwarf sighing in response.

“Yep, let’s get going.” He said and she nodded.

Chapter 290 Routine

Chapter 290 Routine

“Found it just yesterday. The Saurians avoid the place.” Terok explained, the two of them standing in front of a massive bridge leading to a gate at least as big as one of Virilya’s. Below was an abyss the dwarves apparently liked to dig for some reason. It did give an imposing vibe but Ilea doubted the work was worth it. Especially because nobody would exactly come down here to see it.

Maybe they did back then…, It was possible the cities had been open to other races. Then it made more sense to have something like this. The bridge itself was made of white stone, compared to the gray one used in the parts of the city she had seen otherwise. “Probably the great hall. I’d assume there are more dangerous machines in there. Is it open?”

Terok shook his steel head, “No. The enchantments still hold as well. I miss the days when every door I found was just rotten away.”

“Like the whole literal city behind us?” She said dryly.

“Exactly.” He replied, pointing at her, “I’ll try to crack it but it’s a complex one Ilea. Might be better if we get Maro out first, he can probably help.”

“I’ll visit them soon. I’m not sure Elana can do much herself… and I’m not ready for the Kingsguard.”

“Let me get to two hundred and then we’ll see. I’ll start working on it when I find time in between fighting and mapping everything out.”

Ilea nodded, “We’ll see how much of a change level three hundred brings for me.Just keep on it. What are the dark ones doing in the city by the way? Could they be of any help?”

“I doubt it. They don’t even have maps. Few of them can even talk and they are more interested in the ivy as well as more space to nest than anything else. Don’t have anything worth trading either. Unlike their more aggressive brethren in the Penumra dungeon, these lack the level and numbers to be of much help.” The dwarf explained, Ilea nodding.

“Well then keep at it. I usually come and go a couple times every day. If you find anything worthwhile or if you crack the great hall door, let me know.” She cracked her neck and prepared to leave.

Terok gave her a thumbs up, “Will do Ilea. No more evaluations?”

“I think Elfie has it under control. When he tells me you’re ready for the Centurion part of the dungeon, he’ll let me know.”

The dwarf sighed and shook his head, “Probably easier to convince you.” He murmured which made her chuckle.

“Terok if there’s treasure anywhere in this place then it’s in there.” She said, pointing at the massive gate. “I doubt you see the act of fighting machines as treasure.”

“If the parts are worth selling.” He grumbled, “Not like the taleen built their bloody machines with gold.”

I’m pretty sure there’s some gold in there. Ilea mused, her wings spreading, “You’re ok here alone?” She asked and he waved her off.

“Things here are weaker than most dungeons in the area.” He said, “Good luck Ilea.”

I wonder why. “Same to you Terok.”

Ilea didn’t meet the elves on her way back to the manufacturing part of the dungeon. She made sure to use Hunter’s Sight and Embered Body Heat with the goal to get them to the maximum second tier level. Neither skill was far off and she assumed both would reach it by the end of the month. Back to work. A smile spread as she let the power of her auras rush through her, blinking past the elevator and down into the vast layers of protected heavy machinery.

Two weeks later Ilea had finally cleared out the top floor. No more Centurions appeared. At this point she could start to safely farm single ones she could pull from the lower floor. Many stairwells led down and though they must have heard her fighting or at the very least the explosions from the destroyed ones, none of them ever came up without actually seeing her. She was glad for the fact, allowing her more breathing room down in the facility and some new possibilities.

In the coming week Ilea formed more of a routine. Previously her training hours had been somewhat dictated by how many Centurions would engage her and if another hunting group came upon their fight, sometimes forcing her out or simply having her fight for hours at a time. The first thing every morning was a relaxing bath in some molten steel. While her perception of pain wasn’t present, she certainly had to get used to the feeling of being engulfed in the heat. Contrary to simple fire, the heat produced by the forges was much higher, the liquid metal allowing her to target a bigger area of her body.

Ilea’s healing was struggling against the damage done to her, the third tier allowing the hunter to stay a couple seconds in longer before her mana inevitably ran out and she had to blink away. Teleportation wasn’t restricted because the molten steel didn’t count as an enemy touching her, which too solved the issue of getting the liquid off her. It was an effective training for her healing, her Heat Resistance as well as some of her defensive skills. Ilea’s Veil multiplied the time she could stay in the liquid, allowing her to work on that skill as well.

With her incredibly quick mana recovery, she was pretty sure to be pushing the limits of Resistance and recovery training. She didn’t fail to keep up her Embered Body Heat and Hunter’s Sight either. Of course while doing all this, she wasn’t engaging an enemy, likely reducing the skill leveling speed by quite a bit but the consistency and constant availability wasn’t even matched by the miststalkers and her training with them.

The bath was usually followed by a big chunk of the day fighting against Centurions. Each and every one of them destroyed gave her a little bit of experience. While they were still a higher level, she noticed the closer she got to them that her leveling speed decreased. It was then that she tried something new. Terok had spotted them before and now she used her Hunter’s Sight to find and engage one of the special variants the dwarf had pointed out to her.

The one she found had four arms compared to the normal two and wasn’t carrying a spear. The only other difference she could spot was the color. It was black. Sending an ashen projectile its way, the thing whirled around and caught it, looking at her with green shining eyes.

[Centurion Juggernaut – lvl ??]

Not over five hundred then. She thought, the machine advancing on her quickly as she navigated through the forest of forges, supplies and machinery. One Centurion she rushed by nearly dropped the green steel ingots it was carrying. She noted the speed and awareness of the black centurion to be at a higher level already, losing the normal one that had noticed her pretty quickly but not able to shake the new one.

She found a spot on the second layer to test herself against it, not willing to bring it up to the cleaned out floor yet just in case it was too much for her. If it would stay up there, her whole new routine would be fucked.

Even when it finally engaged her, the thing didn’t use any weapons. Instead its form arms formed fists and punched her way. Testing the strength, Ilea held up her hands and took the attack straight on, a sudden explosion sending her back a couple meters as her Veil reformed, some smoke rising from the heat that had washed over her armor and body. The armor on her wrists was a tiny bit dented but nothing to be concerned about yet. With four arms the machine had more going for it than the normal variants.

Ilea learned quickly that what it lacked in range, it more than made up with speed and simple aggression. Using similar tactics as she did against her early Centurions, Ilea kept defensive, using her ashen limbs to get in damage as the two danced around the second layer. Feeling confident enough, she soon led the machine to the first layer to avoid a group of other machines interfering in their fight.

The constant aggression made her glad Form of Ash and Ember didn’t use any resources anymore, otherwise the fight would’ve taken much much longer. Most of her mana usage she concentrated on Wave of Ember, delivered through her ashen limbs. Dodging and avoiding the machine was somewhat simple with her Sphere, matching speed and blink ability. It couldn’t just get through all the forges and tools, not for a lack of trying.

Finally, its core got exposed. Surprisingly the thing continued to attack and didn’t just run off towards the central opening that would allow it to blow. Smiling at the fact, Ilea continued her defensive dance, the machine already having reached its maximum aggression. She noted that its whole body started to show veins of light, the fists landing on the steel machinery around her creating bigger explosions and getting damaged more heavily. Using the energy for offense. Still, the fact that it was too slow and lacked mobility in the steel jungle would ultimately lead to its demise. More powerful punches didn’t help there.

She was glad it hadn’t suddenly learned about teleportation of some other kind of magic that would make it more of a challenge again. Ten minutes later, the machine collapsed. Unceremoniously. The lack of explosion made Ilea wary to get too close but using her ashen limbs, she moved around the corpse and lifted it up. The light in the veins had died out and she could tell its interior was burnt out entirely.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Centurion Juggernaut – lvl 350] – For defeating an enemy seventy levels or more above your own, bonus experience is awarded’

Ilea started laughing, “Really? Three fifty?” The fight had been simple. Even a knight at level three hundred had put up a better fight than this one. The punch she had initially taken had dented her armor a little and burnt her skin but compared to the level she was definitely disappointed in its performance. Speaks for the undead knights I guess. She noted, recovering her mana and continuing with her day.

A big part of the nights were spent with the Miststalkers. Contrary to the molten steel baths, this activity trained her mana, health drain as well as mist magic resistances. Healing too of course. The constant relocation because of too many of them showing up as well as often quick drains made it a little less effective were it not for the fact that she was actually fighting enemies. Ilea didn’t know how much of a difference it made exactly but the levels after three weeks certainly spoke for the method.

Feeling bad for the king and queen of Rhyvor, Ilea decided to visit them a week later. It wasn’t just the fact that she was now on her last armor and needed to restock in Tremor. Terok hadn’t shown up to tell her about a new discovery or anything else in that month, meaning he was still busy trying to crack the gate and train with the elves. Elfie wasn’t around either most of the time, off on his own adventures, whatever they consisted of. Ilea assumed plenty of hunting.

At this point she was already at level 279, closing in on the next third tier point for her Azarinth class. She would think about the choice as soon as the actual options were visible to her. Flying back to Tremor was uneventful, the dangers of the northern night getting more and more mundane to her. Ilea would still avoid the arcane storms during the day and still hid as soon as famine crows showed up but they weren’t stealthy or fast enough to pose much trouble. Of course the whole picture would be different if they actually pursued into the cracks and crevices of the land.

The dark wolf she had seen showed her how to get rid of the crows in case she needed it. At this point her resistances and recovery were high enough to at least traverse the lakes of mist safely for a couple minutes. Until too many of the miststalkers had gathered.

Bypassing the cathedral entirely, Ilea made her way to the house she had chosen as her residence in the forgotten city. She dumped the damaged and broken armor and put the remaining sets into her necklace, probably enough for the time being.

“Oh look! We thought you guys were dead.” Maro exclaimed, Ilea smiling at the ridiculous suggestion. “Do we have to whisper?”

She shook her head, “Terok left the enchantments, I just activated them again.”

“Are you kidding me?” He asked and looked towards the room in which Elana was writing something, “She told me I had to be quiet because he didn’t…,”

“Yikes.”

“Well let us talk about something else than the state of my marriage. I’m bored Ilea. So bored. I have no idea what Elana is doing but knowing her, she’s probably planning to rebuild our kingdom somehow.” He shook his head, “She can find a new king for that. I’m done with that.”

Ilea laughed at that and sat down on the chair, “I’ve been fighting Taleen machines for the past month. What are your plans for when you get out?”

He looked at her, green eyes sparkling, “Didn’t I tell you? Undead necromancer king Maro… the one to destroy the world.”

“I doubt you have that power.”

“Well with you at my side my dear. You’ve grown again. I like your reckless approach. Then again if you had similar abilities to that assassin, I can see the possibilities. Especially coupled with your personality.” He surmised. “I have no idea what I’d do when I get out. Remember it’s only been a couple months for me. Find out what happened to my old friends. I survived… maybe some of the mad fuckers did too.”

Ilea smiled, wondering if it was true. Maro and Elana had basically been in a protected time capsule. Their entourage might not have had that luxury. “We’ll see. Otherwise I’m sure you’ll do fine. Not many level three hundred people around as far as I can tell. You could join the Shadow’s Hand, become a mercenary and explore the world. They don’t have many rules as far as I can tell.”

He chuckled, “Yes… after two hundred it’s hard to enforce anything anyway. Caused my dearest wife plenty of headaches. I’ll think about it. First I’d like to know how the world has changed, especially this area. If it really is as dangerous as you say then perhaps exploring the dungeons again might be fun. And to explore my newfound power.” He looked at her confused expression and continued, “I hadn’t been at three hundred for long before entering this machine.” Maro gestured widely around himself. “Didn’t have much time to see the evolutions’ effects.”

“Big changes?” Ilea asked.

“Definitely. Main reason I cooked up this whole thing. How it was even a possibility. Well hey, while you’re here. I was wondering if you had some more books, maybe a map from the area. Things like that. I’d appreciate as much. Not that I could offer anything in return.”

“Lonely and desperate.” Came the comment from Elana, the woman joining them with a stack of papers in her hands. “Ilea dear, how have you been?”

“Do you really care? Or do you want to add something for me to bring?”

Elana smirked at her, “The dwarf would be nice. To continue his work. I tried to make the list as comprehensive as possible.” She said and handed Ilea some documents.

Looking through them, she raised her eyebrows, “These are names and places.”

“As well as some descriptions, classes and magic they use. The teams Maro and I have been a part of, government officials, powerful adventurers. Friends and well… family, as close as it gets at least.” She paused and added, “I agree with him. We need maps and we need to learn about the world in its current stage. Getting out is a priority but we can work from here as well.”

Elana left again to continue her work, leaving Ilea confused with the list in her hand, “And what am I supposed to do with this?”

“Can you show it to me?” Maro asked.

“Sure.” She replied, holding out the paper, “Why doesn’t she talk to you more often anyway? I didn’t get the impression that you hate each other.”

“Brilliant… she added places and classes as well.” He said and smiled, “Don’t interpret too much into it. We’ve never spent too much of our time together. In the last years especially… she was engrossed in her work.”

Ilea was sure there was more but she just shot him a glance. “If you get me the map of this area I might be able to add in the places from that list. If you’re interested in finding more ruins you may explore them. Or I will as soon as you’re done with the Kingsguard. It’s possible some of these people could and would help with that but I doubt you would agree to that.”

“I’d like to fight them myself if possible.” Ilea said, the king nodding in understanding. “I’ll go to Hallowfort and see what I can get for the two of you.”

When she left again, Ilea saw a bunch of crumpled up papers littering the floor in what had become essentially Elana’s study. She wondered what the queen was mulling over. How to use the necromancer king to take over an empire.

Chapter 291 Inquisitive Fox

Chapter 291 Inquisitive Fox

Ilea found the quick visit to Tremor had lifted her spirits somewhat. Perhaps fighting everyday with absolutely no interaction was too much, even for a hardcore introvert like her. Maybe it was the task she had agreed to take on, finding books and maps about the lands surrounding Tremor. While Ilea quite enjoyed having her life drained repeatedly, taking molten metal baths and fighting unending numbers of Centurions, change was welcome after a certain amount of time.

Landing near Penumra, she made her way towards Hallowfort. The town looked the same as always except for the fact that there were two sentries standing at the end of the bridge instead of the usual one. Ilea waved as she walked up to the dark ones, both in heavy plate armor. One had a massive curved blade on his back and the other a hammer whose head looked to be too heavy to lift. Is there really anything like that in this world. “Greetings, strong one.” She said and bowed lightly, the guard turning towards her.

“Warrior of ash.” A voice responded, the big figure bowing a little in response. Her Veil wreathing around her body identifying her as an ash wielder at the very least.

“Hey, can I try to lift your hammer?” She asked, stepping a little closer.

The guard looked at her for solid ten seconds then turned its head towards the other guard who nodded. The hammer was handed over as if it was a mere plaything. Ilea had her auras active and some of the gained stats had already been invested into Strength. With all the buffs she had a nearly six hundred percent boost to her strength and it showed. “Impressive.” The dark one simply said as she held on to the thing, lifting it up above her head.

Fuck what is this thing made of. She was sweating when she handed it back. “What metal is this?”

“Pure obsidian. Several weight enchantments have been placed on it. Your level being higher I assume you have some investments in other status modifiers too.” The dark one said, sounding out a guttural chuckle.

[Warrior – lvl 223]

Ilea nodded, “Impressive hammer.” She said and smiled. While she might be able to swing it, the weight definitely made it too unwieldy for her. I’d like a hammer. Nodding to the two, she turned around again when the other guardian’s head sunk. “May I check out the sword as well?”

She grinned when his mood immediately improved, the big curved blade immediately handed over. Fuck, these guys could be disarmed with a simple request to hold their weapons. Then again their literal arms probably could dish out some damage too. The blade was lighter by far, well balanced at least as far as she could tell. A black sheen was on the blade and she tried swinging it at the air twice. Her dexterity likely allowed for the swings to look impressive, to an amateur swordsman but the dark one laughed when she handed it back.

“You should not use swords any time soon ash wielder.” It wasn’t an insult, she was pretty sure about that.

“I don’t plan to. It’s a well crafted weapon dark one.”

“You honor me.” It said and bowed, Ilea mirroring the gesture. She liked most of the dark ones she had met so far, at least the bulky steel obsessed ones like most of the guards and Goliath.

Maybe someday I’ll end up just like them. Guarding some village I chose to retire in. Not in many years at least. “Why are there more guards?”

“Feynor on the move.”

She nodded and bowed again, leaving towards the city. And two guards instead of one would deter them? She wondered. Neither of them looked terribly fast either, a simple fly or teleportation spell would allow anybody to bypass them entirely. Thinking of the only place she knew to hold books in Hallowfort, Ilea made her way to Catelyn’s shop. “The Hunter’s Den.” She murmured when she stood outside.

Opening the door, she rung the bell. A minute passed until the fox appeared out of nowhere, standing on her four feet on the big table situated in the center of the shop. “Welcome to… oh it’s you. Hey you leveled again! Still hunting knights?”

“Centurions this time.” Ilea replied, still unable to identify the fox.

“I don’t buy metal. Ask Goliath.”

“You told him about the cake?” Ilea asked, smiling as she put away her helmet.

“Maybe.”

“You did. Well it’s alright, I’ll try to find some for you once I go back. At this point it might take a long time.” She said.

Catelyn purred, “Worth waiting a thousand years for that.”

“You know you could just go south and get all the cake you want.” Ilea said and chuckled, “With all the gold you have.”

“Your kind does not do well with ours human. I’d be hunt down, as much is known.”

Ilea snorted. It wasn’t a real suggestion anyway. The fox seemed to be intertwined with this town too much anyway. She could certainly get her a place in Ravenhall or with the necromancers. Both them and Claire would probably agree to have the powerful dark one amongst them. “Wouldn’t take your power to convince them otherwise. Mine is probably enough already.”

“I believe your power will soon match my own. Do not underestimate the hate one species can hold for another, the hate one can hold for the unknown.”

Ilea nodded, “I get it. Hey I didn’t come for a philosophical discussion. Do you have maps of the north on sale, nothing too complicated. Maps as well as perhaps books, history related would be best I think. All about this territory.”

“Have you found a survivor perhaps? Of times long past?” Catelyn asked.

A shrug was her reply, “Perhaps I did. Why would you care?”

She purred again, “Why? Because I care about things awakening near this town.”

“Have you been following me?”

A purr again, “No. I have better things to do than follow you to places long forgotten little human. What I did however is see that you are wearing armor forged with Stonehammer steel.” She hopped off the table and walked towards Ilea, “Word of an ash wielder reaching Vineyard Cave has not reached me so I can only assume you have found another place to get that steel from. You don’t strike me as one to buy it. And the information you seek. It strikes me as odd that you would have waited so long. Helping someone out seems like a possibility.”

Walking around Ilea, Catelyn then appeared on the counter next to the bell, sitting up to be near Ilea’s face. “You are not a deceiver. If you have awoken someone from a time long past I would like to meet them.”

“To evaluate the danger?” Ilea asked in turn and the fox smirked.

“Yes. That as well. First and foremost to establish contact. If they are reasonable they could join our town as another powerful ally. Before they reestablished their long dead empire or join the Dark Protector and his forces.”

“Sounds like this has happened before.” Ilea smirked.

The orange fox sighed, “Words of a young human. Some of the people guarding this place have been kings or warlords before the great change. Others legendary adventurers or champions.”

Ilea crossed her arms, “What’s the great change? Goliath mentioned something similar before.”

“It is confusing… to think a people like yours, to keep records about all and everything. Would not teach their children of the light. Well… your kind does not live long. Thousands of years ago the mana in the north changed, the whole world I speculate. Some have confirmed it, coming from far away, others again denied it. Many theories exist to be sure. Us dark ones profited greatly, finding many new places to dwell, many more of us being born.”

Ilea nodded, “The mana density changed. That’s why the north is the way it is today. It was more like the human plains before this great change happened?”

“When light was no more. The stars aligning differently.” Catelyn added.

A lunar eclipse maybe? Or a meteor or something. Ilea theorized but it was an event from long ago. No librarian or scholar she had talked to ever mentioned it but to the dark ones it was apparently an important event.

“You were born before that?” She asked but the fox shook her head.

“No. Few remain who have been there. Goliath… yet he dwelled in his smithy then as he does now I am sure.” She chuckled, “What did you find then, Ilea of ash. Kalin? Rhyvor? The red church? Or perhaps even the Old ones?”

“What would that information be worth to you, one blessed by fire? To meet whom I found.”

Catelyn grinned but shook her head, “It is gold that you want?”

“Information seems worth more, coming from you.” Ilea suggested.

“Good. A trade then. What would you like to know?”

Ilea thought about it, “The names you mentioned, who are they? Kalin and the others.”

“Old powerful empires, kingdoms or organizations. Little is known about them, little matters now. Time has come and gone but secrets still remain, artifacts and perhaps even those powerful enough to survive.”

“What about the old ones? That seems a little too ambiguous to be an actual thing.” Ilea asked.

“Perhaps it is. One of your librarians might know more about them. I believe it is simply a way to describe those of great power that could not be assigned to one place or organization. Others believe them an actual group, a hidden alliance of sorts. Not that we don’t have enough real ones to go around.” Catelyn explained.

Ilea nodded, “Ever heard of the Golden Lily?” She thought it was worth a shot, even so far north.

The fox pondered for a while, “I have, yes. One of theirs has come to look for trade, two maybe three hundred years ago. I remember the name because it was a human. Rare for your kind to be that powerful, to come this far north.”

Ilea nodded, “I’ll tell you who and what I’ve found if you share what you know about them.”

“I have little to share. A female I remember. Above level three hundred… three twenty maybe? Mage… her armor was made of steel I have yet to identify. As if made from wood but I knew it to be steel.”

“What did she want?”

“She sought information on the territory, on dungeons, technology, ruins and monsters.”

Not so different from me then. “In what context did she mention the golden lily then? Do you know anything about the order itself?”

Catelyn blinked, “She used the name when introducing herself. A possibly powerful ally to the south I believe she said. Well they never returned. I assume she died somewhere out there. Humans tend to be arrogant, especially at that power. No offense meant to you ash wielder.”

“Oh no I definitely agree. Don’t think it’s a human exclusive though.” Ilea replied. A powerful ally to the south. So it’s at least big enough to be considered an ally to Hallowfort? Doesn’t really change anything. I myself could be a powerful ally to this town. Human arrogance. I get it.

“It is not.” Catelyn simply stated. “I will try to find more information but it is long ago and we have little knowledge of humans and their dealings. Too far away to get information.”

“Irrelevant as well.” Ilea commented, the fox shrugging. “I have found the king and queen of Rhyvor. Maro and Elana Invalar.”

Catelyn literally burst into flame for a second before calming down again, “Rhyvor. Good. Not the worst. They are alive… where are they? What are they doing?”

“Stuck in a dungeon until I clear out a bunch of triple mark undead.”

“Triple… I will not risk helping you. I hope you understand.” Catelyn said.

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “Well… I intend to kill them myself anyway.”

“Soon you will be able to meet such a challenge, I’m sure. Even I could try but without help. It would be dangerous. Impossible depending on the nature of those beings. How did you make contact?”

“I can get you in. As long as you have a teleportation ability but I think you just used it before.” Ilea replied.

“I did.”

“Good. I promised maps of the area as well as books. Can you get that before we go?”

The fox smirked, walking around her again, “Ilea child of ash. We rarely write things down. My mind is the best they could hope for. To learn about the north. When would you like to leave?”

“Soon, later today I guess. Thought to meet Goliath quickly. Anything else of note going on? Feynor are apparently on the move, whatever that means.” Ilea said.

The fox made an irritated noise, “Ignorant creatures. Without the Dark Protector they would have attacked long ago I’m sure.”

“What are they exactly and why would they attack Hallowfort?” Ilea asked. Other than Goliath she had little reason to care about the town. Most of the inhabitants were competent fighters, not comparable to a human city.

“Their physiology is similar to lizardmen with some important differences. The problem they pose is their almost fanatic belief of their own purity.”

Ilea sighed, “They attack and kill anybody that isn’t one of them?”

“Basically. Usually they stay further north, keep to their… rituals and worship. I don’t know what roused them but in the past thirty years they have been more and more active in these parts as well as further east and southwards.” The fox explained, “Well it should not be an issue. This town is well defended.”

“By you?” Ilea smirked, the fox doing the same.

“Precisely. Not just me human. Hallowfort is old, many of its inhabitants have lived here for hundreds if not more years. It is an oasis amidst the chaotic and dangerous lands of the north. The only reason they would strike is for misplaced notions of grandeur and pride. That is why I’m worried. Both sides would lose people. The dungeons take enough already.” She sighed and appeared on the table again, stretching and resting her head on her paws.

“Should you come across a war band, the town will pay you for information as well as your help in defending it, should anything come to pass. They will attack you one way or the other. Humans they hate most, next to dwarves and elves.”

Of course they do. Ilea was pretty sure their ancestors must have done something pretty vile to cause all of this. Or the creatures were just hateful and aggressive by nature or culture. “I’ll keep my eyes open.” She said, “So the Dark Protector, lord of edge, is forming an army to fight them?”

“That is an interesting title… they do own a lot of sharp swords… perhaps fitting.” She replied, “You are mistaken. The Dark Protector formed its army a hundred years ago. The war against the Feynor as well as clearance of dungeons to make living space for us dark ones has been going on for many decades.”

“Weird coincidence that the Feynor start looking south as soon as the dark army starts their war.” Ilea said.

“Perhaps. It is certainly part of the reason but not all. There are many groups involved, influential beings both dark ones and friends of the Feynor. Dwarves supplying steel and even humans I suspect. A war among other species… it is a profitable endeavor.”

Ilea nodded, “Any war is. Good to know I shouldn’t get involved. What’s your stake in all that?”

“My place is here. Hallowfort is one of the few places not torn apart by this conflict and I intend to keep it that way. Let them have their war. As soon as it ends there will be another. Perhaps the undead rise and fight the Taleen. Hallowfort will stand nonetheless.”

“You’re pretty confident in all this. The Taleen are focused on elven lands anyway, as far as I hear.” Ilea said, trying to get another angle on the story both Elfie and Neiphato had told.

The fox looked surprised, “It is true. A gruesome battle. Yet I fear what would happen should one side prevail.”

No further info but at least she agrees.

“To speak of more mundane things, an expedition is forming. Application can be done in the Abyss. I believe you have been there before. To delve into the Descent, to the fifth layer and beyond. Perhaps you might be interested.”

She smiled, “Thanks for the tip but I don’t have a good track record with expeditions. I think I’ll pass on this one.”

“Your decision. At least I hope more will return this time.”

“How come there are still people around if so many die up here all the time?” Ilea asked with interest. Hallowfort was by no means deserted but it was a rough environment.

The fox smirked, “That is precisely what makes this town so unique human of ash. A sanctuary if you will. For those sick of wars. Exiles, veterans or simply beings such as yourself. Adventurers I believe you call them. Explorers perhaps, pioneers.”

Ilea could feel the pride in her words. It reminded her of how Sulivhaan and Dagon talked about the Hand. They were the new elders now, at least until the lost ones showed up again. She didn’t dislike the sentiment, nor Hallowfort itself. Perhaps it was to the people of the north what Ravenhall was to the human plains. Sovereignty through power. The ultimate adventurer’s hub with just a little more freedoms and hopefully lack of prejudice than most other places. Ilea was sure Ravenhall wouldn’t fall, not against Baralia nor against the empire. Hallowfort though, she wasn’t so sure but looking into the near red eyes of the fox in front of her, she knew the battle for it would be vicious. Not a thing to miss. She thought, smirking.

Chapter 292 Forges and Armor

A note from Rhaegar

Hey my dudes. Hope you're doing alright, even though it's monday.

Chapter 292 Forges and Armor

Ilea juggled the two steel spheres she had bought from Catelyn in her hands as she walked into Goliath’s smithy. They were similar constructs as Elfie’s fire cube. One for water and one for fire. Neither could really create the element but they could siphon the necessary molecules to form them. The water rune sphere for example wouldn’t work in a desert while the fire rune likely wouldn’t underwater.

“The friend of ash returns. Welcome. Your power grows… I can feel it.” Goliath commented, its yellow eyes sparkling with joy at seeing the woman. “Oh please… do refrain from using those in my smithy. The balance is exquisite.” He actually sounded worried, as much as the ethereal whisper allowed.

“Don’t worry.” Ilea said, putting away the spheres. “Thought I’d pop in. How are you doing?”

The smith recoiled physically, its eyes focusing on her as it mulled over her question, “How am I doing? Do you have no purpose here… but to… care for me?”

Ilea smiled and wondered if hugging the smith would freak him into a coma, “I mean I have some things to talk about I guess but isn’t that what friends do sometimes?”

“I had not considered the possibility. Of being a… friend.”

“How do you like it?” Ilea asked, genuinely curious about his thinking. She decided to think of him as a man then and there, at least until proven otherwise.

The smith thought about it for a whole minute, Ilea in the meantime sitting down on a workbench and starting to eat a meal from Keyla. Apparently the heat it gave off didn’t irritate the oh so particular balance Goliath had talked about moments earlier. Or he simply didn’t care.

“I have not decided.” He said, a metal triangle appearing in his hand before a little bit of mist was released into the room.

“Sorry.” She said, looking at the food.

“Do not mind it human. I know those of flesh cannot live without their sustenance.”

Ilea smiled, “Still, I could have waited for later. Let me know if I should put it away. Another thing I just thought about. Are you male or female, or something else?”

“Peculiar. Humans do like to categorize do they not? Sex is what you are describing? It holds no relevance to me. Think of me as you will.”

Ilea swallowed a mouthful of food. A chili, or something close enough she thought. Some of the veggies were unknown to her but it tasted nice, hearty and with just the right amount of spiciness. “I found a Taleen manufacturing plant… they make Centurions there. Level three hundred, some even higher. The facility is massive… spans kilometers in each direction and I have no idea how many floors it has. Thought you might be interested.”

“Indeed. That does sound intriguing. The dungeon to the northwest I suspect. Izna I believe was the name. Too dangerous for me I suppose. One Centurion I might face but their numbers are higher there, are they not?”

Ilea nodded, “Yea… hundreds, thousands probably. Already killed so many I lost count. Well I cleared the first level and it doesn’t seem like they come up there so you could check it out. The way there is dangerous too of course. How fast can you fly? Any teleportation abilities?”

The smith chuckled, “That won’t be necessary. I trust you, wielder of ash.” He floated to the center of the room before a one meter high black obelisk appeared. “Perhaps this will finally have a use. Too long has it been.”

She walked closer and looked at it, “What is it?”

“It is a creation related to a skill of mine. A gateway, a focus perhaps. I may travel through it freely, to any other obelisk of my creation.”

“A long range teleportation network? You know people would kill to have this ability.”

“Little gain would it have for them. It is only usable by me. The range is limited too but if my geographical knowledge does not deceive me it should be possible. Should you wish for me to inspect this… facility, place this inside and I will find my way there.”

Ilea nodded and tried storing it in her necklace, failing at the task. “I am afraid you will have to carry it.”

Scratching her head, she nodded, “Once I go back. Just leave it here for now I guess. Gonna be a day or two alright?”

“Thank you. For such an opportunity. The taleen manufacturing sites are well guarded, well hidden. I would cherish the chance to see one, feel it.”

Well don’t get sexual here. I thought it wasn’t a thing for you. “I’ll let you know. Any way I can warn you before you use it?”

“No. I will wait for seven days. Should you fail to place it safely you may return and warn me or… well… I will have to deal with what is on the other side.”

“You can’t just teleport back?”

The smith shook his head, “Once only per day.”

Damn, that’s much better than my skill. And I can’t even place multiple anchors. Well I guess mine isn’t restricted by distance. Otherwise we might’ve been stuck in the demon realm for quite a bit longer. She nodded.

Goliath held up a hand, “Oh… I forgot. Your armor. You have asked me to craft something of my choice. With some of the metals you have provided. I have finished it.”

“Oh.” Ilea simply said, having forgotten about the suggestion she had made a couple months ago.

“Yes. Well I have thought about it. Functionality is important, speed and practicality. Your mold coupled with a strong metal is the best you can get. Especially with the light weight it provides. At least for now. So I thought… instead of trying to improve on your armor that you will inevitably destroy in a matter of months, I have decided to make armor so cumbersome and limiting that the sheer ability to wear it will be a challenge worth completing.”

Ilea wasn’t sure where he was going with this when a massive two and a half meter colossus of steel appeared. Black in color and simple in design, two legs and two arms all smooth and bulky. She couldn’t discern any of the partsconnecting to each other, instead it was one seamless piece of steel. No holes for eyes and no fingers on the hands. “Impressive… brick.” She said, walking up to it and touching the thing. “How exactly am I supposed to use this without any connecting pieces? I won’t be able to walk.” It towered over her as she stood there, higher than even the guardians protecting the bridge.

The smith’s eyes glowed and sparkled, “I will let you discover the secrets this creation holds. Enjoyment like this, well I haven’t felt it for simple armor in many many cycles.”

Calling this armor…, She nodded and smiled, trusting Goliath and his experience. Somehow she felt this armor was a more dangerous foe than the Centurions waiting for her back in the dungeon.

[Armaments of Trials – Ancient Quality]

“Holy shit it’s ancient?” She said and put it into her necklace, the thing taking up a solid ten points of storage.

“Many days of labor… a high amount of quality steel and my expertise went into it. I will be interested in your progress.” He said, his eyes dancing to convey joy. Or sadistic malice. She wasn’t sure.

“Thank you.” She said. “I’ll get he Obelisk later then.”

On the way out Ilea thought to check in on the expedition after she had brought Catelyn to Maro and Elana. It was possible she could gain some rare resistances from them. Walking up through the tight alleys of Hallowfort, she quickly checked on the levels she had gained in the past month.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 273 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 279 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 267 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 275 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter’s Sight reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Body Heat reaches 2nd lvl 20’

The difficulty in leveling up third tier skills really showed, after a full month of fighting Centurions. Granted they weren’t the most difficult enemies for her to kill anymore.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

‘Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Mist magic is a rare talent, found in students of the arcane adept in both wind and water magic. It is an elusive power, difficult to wield yet ultimately destructive and impossible to avoid. You have faced it and lived. This skill will help you do so again.

2nd stage: Through increasing exposure you have learned to stop the elusive mist from passing through you.’

Another resistance in the second tier. Of her seventy stat points, she had put forty five into Strength and the rest into Dexterity. Before reaching there hundred, she would have at least Strength at five hundred but while Dexterity was only boosted by Form of Ash and Ember, she felt like it shouldn’t be left behind too far. Ilea smiled at her status and entered Catelyn’s shop.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 279

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 6

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 3rd lvl 8

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 8

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 275

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 8

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 4

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 7

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 19

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 15

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 18

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 17

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 621

Endurance: 400

Strength: 400

Dexterity: 385

Intelligence: 600

Wisdom: 650

Health: 6210/6210

Stamina: 3899/4000

Mana: 6500/6500

“Ready to leave then?” The fox asked.

“Yea. I hope you know that you owe me for this.”

“That depends on who and what exactly you will show me.” Catelyn replied and appeared next to her.

“Can you fly or should I hold you?” Ilea suggested.

The fox looked up to her and started floating, “I dislike the sensation and my speed is greatly diminished. Would you like to hold me human?”

“I would.” Ilea said and grabbed her, putting away her armored gauntlets to feel the soft fur. Glad it’s not steel or something. She thought with a smile and walked out of the shop, spreading her wings before the two of them were on their way towards Tremor.

Elana stared at Catelyn with cold eyes. “What did you bring this time?” The question directed at Ilea.

She rolled her eyes, “Catelyn, council member of Hallowfort.” Gesturing to the queen, “Elana Invalar. Queen of Rhyvor. Have fun you two.” Walking to Maro, she greeted him with a wave.

“I would wave back but you know.” The king said.

“Funny.” She replied.

“Terribly. Hey you brought a dark one, never seen a fox… and at level three twenty eight. Not bad. Did he force you to bring him?”

“It’s a female. No, she was the one I asked for books and a map. Either she’s going to suddenly attack and slaughter you or she’ll actually provide good info. We’ll see.” Ilea replied.

Maro laughed, “Well I hope she doesn’t go crazy. Most dark ones I’ve met in my time were more reasonable than humans.”

“Hey I was wondering. Some of my general skills are getting close to the end of the second tier-”

He interrupted her, “No idea. The ones I had have been at second and twenty for years and years. If you find out anything, do let me know. It’s been driving me crazy. Not even now at three hundred…,’

“Ah, that sucks. I’ll let you know but if you’re not even there yet I’ll get you out before anyway.” Ilea said.

He raised an eyebrow, “You intend to fight the kingsguard… apparently now triple mark enemies… at three hundred? I like your guts but don’t overdo it ok? I’ve grown to like you and it would be a shame for you to die.”

“You mean it would be a shame if you had to stay down here any longer than necessary.” She suggested with a smirk.

“I mean yes, that too. But now I have a fox to talk to. Hello there.” He said, his gaze moving towards Catelyn who had walked up to him with Elana.

“Greetings, king of Rhyvor.” The fox bowed, “Long has it been since your kingdom ruled in these lands. I am Catelyn, a dark one as you surely know. I have long since been a part of the council of Hallowfort, a town founded long ago, for scavengers and exiles seeking power and adventure in the north. Lands I must add, have changed greatly since you have walked them.”

She looked at Elana and then Ilea before continuing, “I must ask. Have you been down here, conscious of time and waiting to escape?”

Maro chuckled, “Greetings Catelyn, one touched by fire. No, my wife was mostly but not me. Feels like a couple months have passed but not more. I must ask… does your fur feel as nice as it looks?”

Ilea gave him a thumbs up while Catelyn sighed, “It does.” The fox simply confirmed, “The lands you once governed are no more. If you want to build a new kingdom amongst humans I suggest you travel south. You are welcome to join Hallowfort but know that survival, even for one of your strength is not guaranteed anymore in what once was called Rhyvor, later Kalin and later once more part of the Red Church’s territory.”

Maro looked at Elana but the woman had her gaze locked on the fox, “I did what I could for this kingdom. I am done with being a king. Many questions remain as well as the circumstances I find myself in. Perhaps you might be of help in those regards. My wife will have her own questions. I will be in your debt should you help destroy the kingsguard and knights keeping me bound to this place.”

“I will not risk myself for you. I apologize for this. Though I believe you have found a capable warrior to help you along, charming one.” Catelyn replied.

Charming one, what the fuck. Ilea thought. So perhaps it really was something graspable, a skill or a hidden stat even. If such a thing existed.

“Certainly. Then I will wait for her to grow in strength.”

Elana spoke up then, “Perhaps with your magic, one with fire, you might be able to help me get out of here already. I will help where I can in Hallowfort should you cooperate with me.”

Me, not us? Ilea wasn’t sure what Elana’s goal was here. She wanted to learn about the current situation but with all that she had heard, confirmed by several random people, she couldn’t think to rebuild Rhyvor here?

“I might be able to help with that, one shrouded in mist. I must know however… will you challenge our sovereignty?”

Elana looked at her, “No. These lands are lost to me. I have been trapped in these halls for too long, let me learn what happened to our kingdom, our people. At least what still remains to be learned.”

The woman’s voice cracked a little at the mention of Rhyvor and its people, perhaps a glimpse at the real Elana hiding behind her mask. Or a calculated move. Ilea didn’t know but she was pretty sure Catelyn knew what she was doing.

“I will aid you, queen Invalar.” The fox replied promptly, to Ilea’s surprise.

Chapter 293 Resistance Dance

Chapter 293 Resistance Dance

“Why do you think she agreed so easily?” Ilea asked Maro. On the other side of the room a bright red glow could be seen in the hole Terok had started to dig. The white stone was melting quickly, a day or two maybe and a tunnel would be finished. Elana free to explore and do what she wanted here in the north. Maybe I did unleash something dangerous.

Maro looked at the glow, his wife standing next to the entrance, “I don’t think she was acting. You know as cold as she got in the end, she cared. She really did. For Rhyvor… for everyone. Perhaps it resonated with the dark one. She is part of a government too, came here to ensure we are no danger to her people. Though Elana would never admit as much, perhaps they’re quite similar… her and the fox.” He said and chuckled.

Ilea smiled, “Well I better get going. Can’t reach three hundred by talking to you.”

“Wait. Something has been bothering me. I know you wouldn’t want to run errands like this but I would have asked Terok on his return. We have talked about Gadrian before… that he was likely in Lisburg when the city came under attack. I just… you know I’ve been thinking about it and wanted to know… if anything was still remaining.” Maro said.

“You think he’s still alive?”

“I doubt it… and if he was he wouldn’t be there anymore. Just… you know it was a beautiful town… vineyards on hills as far as the eye could see. Charming buildings and the most intricate and beautiful fountain you could ever imagine. A river flowing through it all.” He continued with a more subdued voice, “You know… Tremor was bustling always, people came together here and the government, the nobles, the parties and everything. It was all here. When I sought some quiet I would go to Lisburg. I simply dared hope that maybe… a part of it remained.”

The man paused before he spoke again, “You could take Terok. If you find the key to either treasury or armory there he could repay the debts he owes in Hallowfort. And you, well I’m sure you would find something to your liking.”

“I’ll check it out Maro. Catelyn did mention a vineyard cave, perhaps that’s the same place.” Ilea said. It wasn’t easy, seeing the usually confident and charming king in such a state. He had lost everything, all the people and his kingdom. The last months, alone with Elana must have not been easy, thinking it all over. All the what ifs, all the possibilities, the unknowns. “I hope she has some answers for you two.” She finally said.

“I hope so too.”

Having gotten the location of Lisburg, at least where it had been for Maro back in his time, Ilea made her way back to Hallowfort. Catelyn didn’t join her for the time being, wanting to finish the tunnel as quickly as possible. Ilea didn’t know why the fox prioritized getting the queen out but she did. Perhaps the fox already wanted to make a good impression or simply didn’t want to get on their bad side. She was probably powerful enough to deal with them alone but a king and queen brought more to the table than just levels.

Back in Hallowfort, Ilea quickly checked the Abyss and found it more packed than the times she had visited before. At least one patron was sitting at every table, some drinking, others playing cards. Others again showing off their magic or weapons. There were dark ones, humans, dwarves, machines that she assumed had dwarves inside as well as some rare humans. One in particular opened her eyes wide when Ilea spotted her.

She couldn’t get a word out before Ilea appeared in front of their table, “Hey.” She said with a smile under her helmet.

Krentin stayed calm but Ilea could tell his muscles had tensed a little, his breathing a little quicker. “Warrior!” Loud laughter came from the direction of the bar, Hana the lizardwoman walking towards the table with four beverages. “You survived the fourth layer. No surprise.” She added and put the drinks down. “Can I get you something too? On me?”

Ilea smirked, “I think I’ve gotten enough gold out of you.” Krentin made a sound but didn’t move.

“Joining the expedition?” She asked.

“If you’re looking for a team, we’re not interested.” The mage said.

“Not exactly. I’m looking for people to train resistances with. How would you like to blast me with some of your magic?” She asked the team leader directly, his features distorting into something Ilea couldn’t even begin to guess at.

“Are you mocking us?” He asked.

Hana sat down and started drinking her ale, “I don’t think she is Krentin. I trained with her, remember?”

“Why would you trust us then? I could kill you any moment, take back what was ours.” The mage asked again. The healer and dark one on the table were silent.

Ilea shrugged, “I’m pretty sure I could escape if you tried anything. Plus you’d get magic training against a real foe. The whole team could join in, maybe this time you’ll do better.” A challenge but the mage just sighed.

“We have an expedition to plan human. Not interested.” He said.

Ilea nodded and sighed, “Well your loss, I’m sure I’ll find some people to train with. Good luck on your expedition.” She said and meant it, winking at Hana who smiled at her. Ilea noted that the healer girl looked at the lizard woman and then her with a frown on her face.

At the bar, Ilea waited for a moment until Haiden showed up, the cat person nodding to her as he put away some bottles. “Warrior of ash… you return. Stronger yet again I presume?”

“A little. When’s the expedition planned to leave?” She asked.

“Couple days… perhaps a week. It depends on the leaders. They would surely have you join if you are interested.”

Ilea shook her head, “I’m engaged elsewhere at the moment. What I was looking for were new Resistances.”

He nodded, “I see. Well I’m sure some would benefit from the opportunity. Let me inform them. I’m sure you’ll have a queue by the end of the hour.”

Haiden wasn’t kidding. The news spread quickly, Ilea finding herself down in the city with a bunch of unknown level two hundred or close enough people ready to blow her apart. It’s not what it sounds like. She thought to herself, looking at the shady, geared and armored people. “Just attack me, focus this area.” She said, her armor vanishing, replaced by casual clothes as she patted her belly.

Ilea spend the next three days training non stop with the expedition. More of them joined as time went on, in the end even Krentin showed up to send some spells her way. A good change to hunting Centurions yet not so different from her Miststalker training. In the very least it showed her that the beasts were ridiculously powerful, many of the adventurers and scavengers barely able to get past her Veil. Granted most weren’t much higher than level two ten, Krentin being one of them. The leaders of the expedition didn’t join sadly, both of them at least at two fifty.

It at least allowed for a smooth training experience, Ilea meditation and healing herself while her Veil dealt with a big chunk of the damage. The adventurers attacked in groups until they had found an optimal cycle for all of them. She noted that many didn’t sleep through the three days either, attacking nonstop just as she stood there, tanking the abuse. Contrary to humans, it seemed this method of training was albeit rare, not completely unheard of. Many healers had some kind of ability to reduce pain and she was sure some that were mentioned had their Pain Tolerance at the second tier.

On the third day, Ilea healed up and put on her Stonehammer steel armor again, some of the adventurers still remaining before they joined up with the rest of the expedition back in the Abyss. Ilea joined them and got herself a bottle of ale from Haiden. “Heard you’ve been at it for three days straight?”

She nodded, opening the bottle with her ash before taking a sip. “Did they not ask you to join?” The barkeep asked.

“No. I suppose my level intimidates them.” She said, taking another sip.

Haiden chuckled, “Higher than the expedition leads… well you certainly left an impression when you went and killed those Blue Reapers. Didn’t think you would advance so quickly. At this point the human ash wielder clad in black is just as much of a legend to this place as some of the better known people around here.”

“Any of them still alive?” Ilea asked with a chuckle.

“A few. That I know of.”

“Interesting. Hey they’re actually leaving. I hope some of them survive.” She said and lifted her bottle to cheer them along. Some of them actually looked her way and nodded or gestured back in some way.

Haiden smiled, “These are not similar to your human expeditions. They are well prepared, composed of veterans.”

“Well prepared for what they know. Just like those human expeditions you talk about. Well I’ve dwelt here long enough, see you around Haiden.”

“Good luck on your travels.” She heard him murmur, his attention lying with the departing expedition. He probably knew many of them, some better than others.

Making her way out of the Abyss and out of Hallowfort, she quickly checked the progress she had made in regards to her resistances. Three days was a drop in the bucket compared to her Miststalker and Heat Resistance training but skills below the second tier did level quicker after all.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Death Magic Resistance - lvl 1’

‘Common in the deepest and most depraved parts of the world, the magic of death itself seeks nothing but to destroy, to rot and kill. It is difficult to survive but to someone like you, what is death but another challenge?’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

Contrary to expectations the magic was very similar to the feeling she got from Health Drain spells. Just that in this case the health didn’t go anywhere and was simply destroyed. She noted it to be more potent, actively burning away her life force and body but at such a low level and against her healing, it was just another drop in the bucket. Even the system apparently had noticed her collection of defensive skills.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Time Magic Resistance - lvl 1’

‘The intricacies of time magic are difficult to grasp, its secrets hidden forever to most who attempt the plunge. A rare few have managed to bend the elusive force to their will, making it a dangerous tool both for themselves and for their enemies.’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

That one was definitely more interesting to her than Death Magic. At least at first. The effects it had on her were weird, hard to grasp but in the end despite the discomforting feeling, all it really did was make her perception worse. As if time moved faster around her. Talking to the mage revealed the limits to his magic, at least if he was being honest. Then again if the magic was as limitless as Ilea thought it could be, then every time mage would be an impossible opponent to defeat. The very existence of it made her want to train her resistance higher, just in case she ran into a dangerous one at some point, or perhaps a monster that could use it.

To suddenly be stuck in a time loop or completely lose her perception of it while some beast feasted on her wasn’t on her to do list. If death magic couldn’t just wipe her away instantly, she was pretty sure time magic wouldn’t be as ridiculous either. At least she had a resistance now and could work on it should she meet more friendly time mages.

Back in the factory, Ilea put down the black Obelisk she had towed here from Goliath’s forge. It would be another six days until he teleported but there was plenty to do anyway. Too many things to level, too many monsters to slay.

Sighing, Ilea sat down on one of the forges and started eating a meal, the first one she had in three days. Even after all that time she didn’t feel sleepy, her mind prepared and active. The constant healing might have helped with that, keeping the sluggishness out of her system. Or her level ups simply increased the time it took for her to actually need any sleep. Either way, it was welcome, as long as she could still sleep when she really wanted. The sweet release of unconsciousness was something she liked back on Earth, now she had a bunch of fun things to do and a meditation skill that could get her through months without human interaction. A skill that refused to level to the last of the second tier.

The next several hours were spent on destroying Centurions, finally after three hours she found a special variant on the second floor.

[Centurion Ripper – lvl ??]

This one looked the same as the usual Centurions, the only differences being its four arms and serrated swords it carried instead of the usual spear. This should be enough…, Ilea thought. Dodging its blows, she found this one to be quite a bit faster than the last special variant, more calculative too and not relying purely on aggression. The main difficulty was the fact that it managed to defend against all her ashen limbs with swift cuts from its blades.

It simply refused to engage her real body as long as her limbs were trying to target it. Ilea decided to lay caution aside and engaged. Dodging the blades proved difficult but not impossible, the Centurion still a machine, its movements calculated, the possibilities finite. She had learned against the Guardians that their attacks had patterns, their aggression having a certain style to it. The same was true for this one, although more and more it felt like a living breathing enemy. A particularly good feint made her blink away, avoiding the blade that would have skewered her otherwise.

Its defensive approach at least had the positive effect of her regeneration never slowing down. There were ample opportunities to use Meditation, effectively doubling her mana regeneration. After twenty minutes of her careful approach, not getting in a single hit, Ilea decided on her tried and proven strategy of trading damage.

Blinking close to the thing, she dodged the first two blades and let the third scratch into her Veil and past her armor. Her fist hit, a full dose of Destruction and Wave of Ember smashing into it, her arm wreathed in flame as her third tier Form of Ash and Ember enhanced the punch. The hit left a dent in the machine as it was pushed back, its last blade cut through her Veil and dug into her armor, leaving not just a dent but cuts that continued into her shoulder below.

The attack prevented her from blinking but Ilea continued her offensive momentum, punch after punch landing on the machine while its blades glanced off of her armor, two of them digging into it but stuck for a moment to allow her another attack. One particularly strong hit to her chest sent her stumbling, still unable to blink when two blades rushed at her neck. One of them was blocked by her arm, the weapon punching through her Veil and steel before the second blade but into her neck, ripping out a big chunk of it.

Ilea used her ash and hands to get the blades away before blinking, bringing her thirty meters away from the machine as she healed the damage. Blood dripped to the ground as a grin formed on her face, a part of her helmet missing. The Centurion was still on the defensive, meaning her damage had been sufficiently high. Otherwise it would have used the opportunity to close the distance and continue its attacks. Neck healed back, Ilea instead of switching out her armor, changed to pants and a shirt instead. The blades could of course still get stuck on her bones but having her blink disabled with each hit was the reason she had nearly just lost her head.

Moving back in, her Veil stopped at least a part of the enemy power before the blades ripped into her flesh, cutting through cleanly as she delivered her own blows. She angled her body in a way that would allow the enemy to hit but not get stuck on her, a maneuver impossible with her armor on. Two quick hits made the machine stumble again, her improved Strength showing before she targeted one of its legs. It dented a little before she was forced to blink away, all four blades rushing at her at the same time.

Several cuts showed on her body, her shoulder was a mess, her stomach bleeding as well as her leg nearly separated. The Centurion watched her with green eyes as her wounds closed, a savage grin on the woman’s face as she prepared to finish it off.

Chapter 294 Powerlevel

Chapter 294 Powerlevel

When she had again reached the maximum buff from her Form of Ash and Ember, Ilea blinked in, focusing on her target alone while she ignored the blades rushing at her. The machine was damaged already, its core not glowing but two of its legs were merely dragged along. Her mana was slowly dwindling but with it being so defensive, she was still at two thirds.

Screaming, Ilea focused on the previously dented part and delivered a fully powered punch, her arm clad in fire and ash as the machine was sent skidding back, falling down even. She only noticed a moment later that a blade was stuck in her skull and a second one had embedded itself into her neck. She stumbled back, using her arms to rip out the blades, blood quickly seeping out as her vision blurred. Ilea heard the steel hitting the floor when she sacrificed a thousand points of mana to boost her healing. Her mind barely understood just how damaged she was but a thousand felt like a good amount.

Immediately her vision sharpened again, her body moving to dodge the attacks from the damaged Centurion Ripper. One of its blades grazed her but she moved in and delivered yet another punch. This time she heard the cracking and saw the small tears forming near its core. She smiled and waited for it to progress. “Come on lad… time to dive.” She commented, waiting from an appropriate distance as the machine turned more and more aggressive, Ilea simply blinking and moving away before finally, the Centurion turned tail and rushed towards the abyss. Ilea heard the dull explosion in the distance.

Sighing, she sat down on some machine before her hand reached up to her head, feeling the hair and bone below. It was dented in… my brain was mush… She couldn’t really grasp it. Ilea tried to remember how it had felt but just shuddered at the thought. While pain wasn’t an issue, having ones very skull and brain smashed in wasn’t pleasant. At all. Would have ended me without my third tier healing. It was a wonder her senses hadn’t shut down immediately but she assumed it had to do with her Vitality somehow. She didn’t know how low her Health had dipped but it was nowhere near fatal, at least if one focused on the points only. Perhaps that kept her alive. What would happen if I lost my head? Would I somehow still perceive the world through my eyes if I still had health? Or would I be a beheaded body stumbling around with instincts only. Doesn’t make sense without a head, does it?

Ilea decided to wait with testing until an appropriate moment presented itself. For now the Centurion Ripper had proven to be dangerous, dangerous enough to kill her if she wasn’t careful. Still, she knew getting rid of the armor was the right decision. Getting stuck on its blades and having her head ripped off would have been a less preferable scenario than how it turned out. Been a while since my last near death experience. She smiled at the thought. For the first time in weeks she felt truly alive. A scary thought she found, one that would lead her to death one way or the other. Then again, without a ridiculous challenge, how was she expected to grow? The only thing she could do was prepare and train as well as she could. She couldn’t help that she liked it, even if her challenges would grow more and more dangerous the higher their levels grew.

Already the Centurions had few weaknesses, the Ripper immune to her ashen limbs. Yet Ilea had scores to settle with Praetorians, a ridiculously powerful demon, an ex elder of the Shadow’s Hand as well as a mysterious order she knew next to nothing about. Let alone the Basilisk hiding somewhere in Karth. If she ever hoped to even challenge one of them, she had to be able to take this kind of abuse and more. I can already see the headless training coming. She sighed and smiled, the messages in her mind confirming her thoughts.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Centurion Ripper – lvl 381] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 280 – Five stat points awarded. One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 276 – Five stat points awarded’

There you go. Both classes leveled as well as the two skills that provided the highest boon in her battle.

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 3rd lvl 3’

Ilea checked out the possible third tier advancements immediately.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Azarinth First Hunter]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Azarinth First Hunter]:’

- Azarinth Hunter Sphere

- Azarinth Fighting

- Azarinth Perception

- Azarinth Reversal

Hunter sphere was out immediately. While it could certainly provide an interesting third tier, the skill was listed as an Aura as well as a Perception Aura. Not what Ilea was going for with her skill advancements. Azarinth Fighting was purely Body Enhancement and provided her with one of the highest buffs she currently had. She couldn’t really think of a reasonable third tier but the simple fact that it was such a good skill to begin with made her prefer this one immediately.

Azarinth Perception enhanced, well her perception. It was purely a Body Enhancement skill too but didn’t provide an immediate damage bonus. Azarinth Reversal again was interesting but for now she decided on Azarinth Fighting.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 1:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Azarinth. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 95.5% [477.5%] higher.

2nd stage: Getting used to fighting in close quarters, your reaction time is increased to accommodate your increasing speed and control.

3rd stage: Azarinth Fighting consists of more than offense alone. A true Azarinth Healer knows when to stand and let an enemy strike. You gain knowledge about sustained injuries and damage from incoming attacks as they happen.

Category: Body Enhancement

Ilea read through it twice before she nodded. So basically what I’ve been doing anyway… now I just get confirmation somehow. And I guess I know which hits to avoid and which I can take. Well, let’s see how it works in practice.

Against the normal Centurions it wasn’t a huge difference, Ilea easily able to avoid their attacks anyway. She did gain a pretty concise idea of how much or how little damage would come in should she choose to take the hit, not that it was ever worth it against normal Centurions. Further interesting was the fact that the closer the weapons or arms came to hit, the clearer her picture got. As if an additional sense in the back of her mind, telling her just how exactly her nose would be fractured, how her denting armor would cut into her flesh.

When she found the next Centurion Ripper two days later, she again ditched her armor and led the thing to the first floor. Again, it was rather defensive, again Ilea had to attack to force it into a fight. This time however, everything was different.

Its swords moved in fluid motions, Ilea dodging two of them while completely ignoring the third and fourth blade, one passing by her as she stepped to the side and one cutting into her arm. She knew the blade wouldn’t get stuck, knew the injury would be minor at best while the first two blades could have ripped off her other arm by the shoulder. Her fists hit true, Destruction and Wave of Ember smashing into the creature as her ashen limbs tried to get past its wild swings.

A smirk was on her face as it targeted her directly again, Ilea neither blinking nor dodging widely, simply turning sideways and adjusting little by little as the swords cut through her clothing and into her flesh, blood drawn as they moved past. Another hit before she was forced to blink away, the blades hard to dodge and each likely resulting in a dangerous situation. She wasn’t quite sure how she processed all the information, especially as quickly as the enemy attacked. Too fast to dodge when the swings were good but still she knew, simply knew to let them through or not.

Perhaps the skill worked in tandem with her second tier Body of Ash, the latter sharpening her instincts to avoid damage to her vitals when she dodged. There were likely more of her abilities involved, everything leading to the previously dangerous and chaotic fight turning into a calculated endeavor. While she couldn’t match the creature’s speed and the patterns of all its blades, neither her body nor equipment able to deflect or take direct hits with ease, she now had a way to let it strike safely.

Of course she was still taking damage, cuts that made her bleed onto the floor, ripped and destroyed muscles and skin but with her healing she could quickly recover what she really needed, with her absent sense of pain she could ignore it entirely. Marvelous. She thought, delivering another blow before the blades cut into her legs, Ilea hitting the machine again before she moved her legs inwards, the serrated edges of the blades smoothly exiting the wounds before she blinked away, ready to heal the damage as she meditated. The creature was destroyed without further incident.

In the coming days, Ilea started to actually scout the second floor, going as far as exploring parts of the third. As long as the stairwells were close together, she thought it a manageable risk. Too many of either Centurions or special variants would become a problem quickly but it was worth the additional time. Ilea was on the hunt for Juggernauts and Rippers as well as any other specialists she could find.

When a week had passed, Ilea lazily looked over to the gathering energy near the black obelisk, dark smoke rising as she enjoyed a warm lava bath. One moment later, Goliath appeared next to the steel structure. He opened his eyes and looked around, the two golden things dancing with joy. “Human of ash… you did not lie. A marvelous place, an outstanding smell… the mana too is beautiful, deep and resonating.”

She looked at him and smiled, “Well knock yourself out. There are Centurions and worse below so make sure to stay on this layer. Stray at your own risk, I’ll try to have my fights reasonably far away from here.”

“A generous gesture.” He said and bowed, going on to touch one of the forges, “I will need time to study this… an incredible facility… truly, a wonder.” The smith completely ignored her afterwards, floating to one machine or the other, dipping his hands into molten steel as well as adding mana to random enchantments.

Ilea remembered she hadn’t tried out his armor yet, summoning the humongous thing promptly. Around her. The first thing she noticed was that she couldn’t exactly move. Not the arms of the armor but her own arms and legs. The whole thing was a tight fit. She was impressed the smith knew her proportions so well after simply using a mold to create her armors. The next thing she noticed was her lack of sight. Her eyes were obviously unable to penetrate the thick steel but her Sphere as well seemed to have difficulties getting through.

She did have a vague idea about her surroundings but it definitely felt muffled, subdued. Her auras didn’t help her in the slightest, even with her enhanced strength, she was unable to move any part of the thing even an inch. Sacrificing five hundred health, she tried again but found it still impossible. There was no space to create any ash. Blinking, she found herself outside the thing, not moving with it on her. As if the skill knows I can’t use it… or the fact that it’s just a massive piece of steel.

Giving up on it for now, she put the armor back into her necklace and decided to try again once she had gotten stronger, or anything else to try. Wait there is something…, Summoning the armor, she used her Embered Body Heat to make herself as hot as possible. This time something did happen. Tiny runes lit up within the armor, adding to the light coming from her Form of Ash and Ember. So heat can do something at least. Trying to add mana didn’t do anything, the enchantments either rejecting it or simply ignoring her intention. Sighting, she gave up again, still unable to move the thing or find out anything about the runes.

A little annoyed about the immovable chunk of steel, she continued with her daily business of destroying killer machines.

With Goliath around and her new ability to fight the Rippers, her time down in the Taleen dungeon flew by. The week turned into two, then four until finally two months had passed of Ilea following her routine. It was getting more and more difficult to find special variants in the second and third floor, to the point where she questioned if any of them still remained. While she could absolutely wreck normal Centurions now, a couple minutes of fighting at most, the experience they provided was minimal at best.

At this point they were only ten to twenty levels higher than her and apparently the system expected bigger leaps from her. Not that it wasn’t possible. In the last two weeks, Ilea felt like most of her leveling came from the Rippers she destroyed. The Miststalkers were still too dangerous but she was starting to think about an alternative.

Three weeks into the training, she had reached level two eighty in her ashen class, giving her another third tier point to spend. The options and final decision were similar to her last Azarinth third tier skill.

3rd tier skill points available [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]:

- Wave of Ember

- Body of Ash

- Ashen Warrior

- Embered Body Heat

The likely good perk for Wave of Ember was desirable but it was after all an ashen magic skill, making her focus on other avenues. Ashen Warrior was the equivalent of her Azarinth Fighting which made her ultimately decide to get it to the third tier.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Ashen Warrior – 3rd lvl 1:

You are familiar with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted with your own body and while shrouded in Ash is 70.5% [352.5%] higher.

2nd stage: Shroud your weapons in ash to produce various effects. Shrouded weapons deal additional damage. Affected by Ash and Ember Manipulation.

3rd stage: Your mastery of Ashen Warrior allows for more efficient movement. Reduces stamina consumption by a static 25%.

Category: Body Enhancement

The difference was noticeable but Ilea’s mana had always been the more important factor when it came to sustainability during battles. Neither did the perk provide for an actual change against any of the machines she was facing like Azarinth Fighting did. If only I could have gotten reduced mana consumption somewhere along the way.

Checking the messages again, Ilea thought about how to breach the last ten levels.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 281 – Five Stat Points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 290 – Five Stat Points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 277 – Five Stat Points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 288 – Five Stat Points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Hunter Recovery reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘State of Azarinth reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Health Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

Nothing had revealed itself upon reaching the current highest point in some of her General skills. Neither for Meditation nor for her Mana and Health drain resistances. The Miststalkers were out as potential enemies to bridge the remaining gap to three hundred, their numbers simply too high. Centurion variants would be enough with time but Ilea was aching for something else, especially because for each special Centurion, she had to wade through dozens if not hundreds of normal ones.

The Blue Reapers were an option, her newfound third tier abilities would help her survive and deal the necessary damage but she still considered it dangerous, her mind likely not able to tank the collective magic coming from five or ten of them. That left plenty of other options but Terok showing up in the facility looking for her brought an end to her pondering. They decided to move the group to Tremor to train with the knights instead, the low numbers would allow them to work together. Ilea didn’t mention that she could pull single Centurions from the lower layers and said she would come with them. Kingsguard, Undead Knights, Soul Ripper… well we will see what it will be. She smiled at the thought of facing any of them with her newfound power. Except for the Soul Ripper, that thing still haunted her dreams.

Chapter 295 Change of Plans

Chapter 295 Change of Plans

“The guardians don’t provide enough of a challenge. Plus I need some advice from Maro regarding the great hall’s gate.” Terok said as he looked around the facility, waving to Goliath who was immersed in examining one of the machines.

“He asked me to check out another Rhyvor city, maybe we can go there together after I killed some of the monsters in Tremor.” Ilea replied. “And don’t worry about him, he’s barely been talking for the past two months.” The smith and their rare conversations had been good for her mental health coupled with Meditation.

Looking at the dwarf, Ilea nodded, “I see you’ve come a long way too.”

[Mage – lvl 205]

His laugh resounded thought the forges, “You bet your ass on it lassie. I assume you’ve made leaps too. Three hundred yet?”

“Not quite but soon.” Ilea replied, “Any cool new shit you can do?”

“Still not? Damn you’re taking ages.”

“Not even a year has passed since I’ve come north Terok.” She said, rolling her eyes. It’s getting close though. She wondered if the war was still going on and if Ravenhall was still standing. Don’t think too much on it Ilea. You’ll be roped into ten new things if you show yourself there. Focus on the tasks at hand. On yourself.

The dwarf shrugged, “Well I’m sure you’ll get there. New cool shit you ask? Well you’ll have to find out. Maybe we can have a bout later. Did you get new abilities at least?”

“Some.” She simply said, checking her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 290

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 8

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 3rd lvl 12

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 288

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 4

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 3rd lvl 1

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 8

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 18

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 12

- Death Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 5

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 621

Endurance: 400

Strength: 500

Dexterity: 400

Intelligence: 600

Wisdom: 650

Health: 6210/6210

Stamina: 3938/4000

Mana: 6500/6500

The improved Strength and Dexterity had made the normal Centurions even more of a joke. Ilea wasn’t sure where to put the remaining points she would get to three hundred but Dexterity, Vitality and Wisdom would be her priorities. Strength at five hundred was good enough for now she supposed. The evolutions might change things up again anyway.

“Enough to fuck you up just the same.” She smirked and looked at the dwarf.

He snorted and shook his head, “We’ll see about that young lady.”

“We will.” Ilea said, pretty sure about the outcome, even with his evolution. “How are the elves doing? You said Guardians aren’t enough but weren’t they lower than them in the first place?”

Terok started walking towards the middle section and the exit above. Ilea looked to Goliath, “I’ll be out for a while. Stay safe old forged one.”

“I am not forged young human. Do not fret. This one has survived more dangerous environments.” The smith replied, continuing his work.

I’d like to see those very much. She thought, stepping up to Terok with a smile on her face.

He crossed his arms and started floating, Ilea in turn spreading her wings as they made their way towards the center of the facility, the abyss reaching down farther than the eye could see. “To answer your question, while certainly capable to take down Guardians, higher numbers make it difficult. They’re overconfident, arrogant, lack good healing abilities and gear. Of course they come out on top but if you struggle against enemies below your level as much as they do, you’ve got potential to work on before trying to level up.”

The two of them landed near the guardrails at the top of the facility, walking towards the elevator. “Well they have improved enough that the teacher suggested training against more difficult foes. I suggested Tremor and its knights.”

“You want to see if you can beat one?” Ilea asked, “Didn’t think you’d want a challenge like that.”

“Well for starters.” Terok said and activated the elevator, the thing lighting up in green, “I don’t have to face them in close quarters. Their archery isn’t exactly the best I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s an argument. How’s Elfie doing?”

Terok shrugged, “Not seen him very often. He mostly gives advice and apparently I’m more experienced than the group, even though they’re not much younger. Well I guess that comes from living in a forest all their lives.”

What’s that supposed to mean? Ilea was a little confused but didn’t ask, not in the mood to spark a conversation about dwarven racism.

Elfie nodded when they walked out of the dungeon, the three other elves already waiting. Their levels hadn’t changed by much in the past months, Ilea noted. “You will join us in Tremor?” The elf asked.

Ilea nodded, “It’s getting tedious… perhaps I can face some of the higher leveled monsters there.”

“No way to provide Centurions for them to train against?” He asked.

Ilea shrugged, “I don’t feel like baby sitting. They can help Maro out by defeating knights. Harder enemies to face anyway, it’ll be worth it.”

He shook his head and sighed, “A selfish creature. How very human of you. Very well then. To Tremor.”

“You’re free to go in and lure Centurions out for them.” Ilea countered, the elf ignoring her statement as he started floating. Didn’t think so. She thought, all of the elves starting to float, Heranuur sprouting fiery wings. The occasional meetups with the fire elf had been rather enjoyable. Nothing groundbreaking but a nice change of pace in the few times it had happened. Ilea thought of the upcoming battles, her wings flapping in the wind as they flew through the night, Tremor the target of the quickly moving group.

Four elves, from the feared and legendary race of ruthless killers, a dwarf in his mech suit, equally as mysterious to most humans she had met so far. And out of all of them she had the highest level. A bizarre thought. Not a situation she had expected to find herself in. They won’t be any help against the Kingsguard… not against the undead rose knights either, let alone the Soul Ripper. It was difficult to gauge what the best enemy would be to face. Ilea supposed the undead rose knights as they had no known way to regenerate like the kingsguard. Their defense against mana intrusion wasn’t comparable either.

“You plan to face a Soul Ripper?” Maro looked thoughtful. “The Kingsguard is still out of reach?”

Ilea smiled, “The elves as well as Terok will face the remaining knights. I’ll give it a shot too Maro but with their defenses and the recovery you so generously provide… I doubt I have the necessary damage output.”

“How very pragmatic… where’s the passion, the lust for battle?” He smirked as he asked the question and Ilea was sure he would have added a theatrical gesture with his arms had they not been trapped inside his little necromancy machine.

“I’m close Maro. And with all my skills and Resistances I’m sure my evolutions will do quite a bit. Plus I think the Soul Ripper is a more dangerous opponent. My gut tells me as much.” Ilea said, sitting down on the nearby chair.

“I never faced them you know.” The king said seriously, “Suddenly these monsters appeared in the closest dungeon to the capital. Right in front of our doors. At night some would come out, murder everyone they came in contact with… consume parts of their bodies. Next to all the other problems and enemies we were facing. It felt like the whole world was turning against us.”

He sighed, “I thought about leaving sometimes, justgetting my team back together and moving away from all the politics, the wars. Everything we had built.”

“Why didn’t you?” Ilea asked silently. Her smile was nowhere to be found.

The king laughed, “Well I’m the king.Couldn’t just let my people and friends succumb to chaos.” His green eyes sparkled.

Ilea looked at him then, “Would you have stayed had you not been king? You lived long enough to know one or the other crisis would come to the city and kingdom you were living in.”

“Perhaps. Who knows. In the years where I had been at three hundred? Probably. I don’t believe in any gods Ilea, not in a higher power or anything of the like. I don’t believe there is a greater purpose to us here. I believe we forge our own path, set our own goals and find our own meaning. If there is something out there then fuck them. I have fought… have fought and bled for decades. I have been a part of so much, so many people’s lives. I’m not terribly fond of humans as a species, or any other race for that matter. Yet I can’t deny what I am, who I am.”

“Through the power I bear I can change the world to my liking. More than anything else I have learned that in the year before activating all this.”

Ilea smirked, “That’s pretty cheesy.”

“Cheesy? You mean romantic perhaps? Disillusioned. Mad even. Yes, I have heard many of those things. From nobles in my own court, especially when I had them executed for treason, for holding slaves or murdering citizens they thought below themselves. I didn’t grow up among them, had learned of different values, had lived a different life. Perhaps that is precisely why it was good in the end. That I was king.”

She didn’t reply, instead just looking at the wall behind him. “I would chose different today. Being king is exhausting but perhaps I could find someone suitable to fit the post while I was doing more than sit in a throne and listen to my people.”

“Didn’t sound like you sat there very often.”

He rolled his eyes, “I didn’t say I was a particularly good king. Though in my time I have seen worse, much worse. That was the main reason I didn’t give up the post.”

“What do you plan to do then? Once you’re out? Will you overthrow governments and set up laws adhering to your own code of morals, oh great king?” Ilea asked.

Again the king laughed, his eyes focusing on her, “Is that your plan? Why are you here then warrior of ash? To gain the power to accomplish that? To change the world to your own liking?” She didn’t reply as he paused, “No. I intend to listen first, see and understand. I have seen revolutions, have seen kingdoms change rapidly because of few influential people. No first, I think I would like to see what has become of this world in my absence.”

Ilea nodded, “I’m here to gain strengthbut not to topple any governments. I simply wish to have the power to choose.”

“The power to choose. I see. Well I doubt either of us would be very successful taking on the empires and kingdoms of this world. Not yet at least. Not alone.” He paused and smiled, “Know that no matter how strong a person is, there is always a choice. I believe what you wish for is to be free. Yet the freedom you seek might destroy you, take away all that makes you human. I have seen them, people I had called friends. Their unending greed for more power. In the end they fled, scared to lose what they thought they had. Listen to this old king young warrior. Cherish your humanity, your frailty and the connections you have, the people and values you care about. If you give all that up, what different are you to the monsters roaming these lands?”

It took her a minute to think about what he had said but Ilea found she had no answer for him. She had no reason to participate in the empire’s war, had slaughtered people in blind revenge. People she had met along the way used her whenever they could, only her increasing power changing the situation. Would they really have cared had she not been an asset? That’s not true. She heard herself think. Dagon didn’t ask for your help yet Ravenhall has recovered, the demons destroyed. Thanks to you.

The time she had intervened in Virilya, prevented dozens of people from being raped or murdered. It had meant little in the grand scheme. She shook her head, “Tell me about the Soul Ripper.”

He looked almost disappointed, “Of course. We found they use Void magic, move quickly to pin down their opponents before they rip out parts of them.”

“Of Their soul?” Ilea interrupted.

“What? No, their heads usually. Chests or whatever they could. If a soul exists then perhaps that too but as a Necromancer I don’t believe such a thing exists. They were durable, level estimates were between seven and nine hundred, perhaps higher even.”

“Did your troops ever manage to kill one?” She asked.

He shook his head, “No. We closed the gates at night, avoided the territory altogether but in the past months they grew more aggressive, climbed the walls instead or ate through them. When they were injured, they would flee. None of our mages could hold them long enough.”

“You think someone was responsible?”

He snorted, “Of course. They appeared in that dungeon out of nowhere. As did other dungeons in the area change. Not all of them but a select few. As if testing the surrounding forces, kingdoms and guilds. Elana was hell bent on it being dwarves.”

“What do you think?” She moved a little forward on her chair.

“I don’t know. Nobody did really. We had enough to deal with as it was. The dungeons were just another thing, one that could easily be ignored. At least at first. Now you tell me they reside in the city. I don’t think you should engage them. Not before you reach three hundred… same perhaps with the kingsguard. As much as it annoys me.” He chuckled.

“I’ll try anyway… done similarly crazy stuff since coming here.” Ilea said.

He squinted at her, “I doubt it. I haven’t… well not quite. And I’ve done some… stupid shit in my lifetime Ilea.”

“Ever faced down a dragon?” She asked, making him laugh again.

“No… well I have never found one, otherwise perhaps I might have tried. Just to be sure, don’t do that. The few records we had on them were everything else but reassuring. I simply denied their existence.”

“Why? Because you would have wanted to fight them?”

He smiled, “No. Because if it really is as powerful of a creature as the legends tell, there was nothing humans as we were could do to stop it.”

“A lot of time has passed. I’m close to three hundred… after two and a half years, give or take a month. I’m sure there are humans or people of other species out there much more powerful than me.”

Maro smiled, “That is true. Who knows how many powerful necromancer kings are hidden below the surface, just waiting to be dug up. Well more than anything else it makes me excited to see it all. To fight you, see how strong you really are. My wars are over, my people dead and forgotten. Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I would face a dragon if I ever found one.”

She nodded, “First I have to get you out. Haven’t even checked out the city you asked me to find. We were busy.” Ilea said and looked away, “Sorry.”

“Don’t mention it Ilea. You don’t owe me, if anything I owe you. My life and whatever I can give. Elana is free thanks to you and Catelyn. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

Chapter 296 Azarinth First Hunter

Chapter 296 Azarinth First Hunter

“Oh right.” Ilea said, “Where is she anyway?”

“Comes and goes. Brings me food as well as books and news from time to time. I believe she is counseling Catelyn as well as trying to find anybody who survived. The Vineyard caves… the place is still there. She however refused to go there, telling me there’s too much to do in Hallowfort.” He laughed, “Can you believe it? One day she was out and already she’s busy with learning about the legislature and ties between the current governing forces. She’s truly great.”

Doesn’t sound too bad, “I can see it. Just hope it wasn’t a bad decision to help you guys out.”

He shook his head, “Ilea. I’ve known her for a long time. Elana loves to be in power, loves to rule but her heart was never corrupted. She would never admit it but the reason for her tenacity is her people.”

“You don’t have a people anymore.” Ilea simply said.

“There are always people. Those unable or unwilling to stand up, to fight and choose for themselves. Those who want a simple life, unburdened by responsibility.”

“I guess.” At least Catelyn probably knows what she’s doing. Ilea mused, frowning. Why do I even care? She shook her head in thought.

“I think it’s a good idea. Taking on the undead rose knights. Getting a level five hundred kill should be good for your evolution. I sadly never achieved such alone.” Maro said before he blinked, looking at the wall and then back to her. “I have wondered about something. Something Elana has told me. Maybe you can confirm it.”

Ilea clapped her hands together, “Shoot.”

“Two suns in the sky. That’s what she had said. Arcane storms ravaging the land. Blizzards cold enough to freeze stone itself. Is this really what Rhyvor has turned into?” He asked.

“Pretty much. Why the question though? Terok said as much and I’m sure Catelyn did too.”

He looked at her armor, “I…just. I wanted to hear it from you.Unprecedented… the changes could be… catastrophic.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will think about it. Focus on your hunting Azarinth warrior. I wish to see the sky with my own two eyes again. Could you do that for an old king?” His pleading eyes made her chuckle.

“Maro you look like you are in your thirties. I’ll destroy the kingsguard simply because they took my leg. No need to bring your issues into it.” Ilea stated.

“Don’t flatter me. I might find an interest in you after all.” He whispered with a smirk.

Ilea rolled her eyes and stood up, her gauntlet vanishing as she touched his muscular chest. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.” Taking her hand away, she turned as her helmet appeared. “Plus you’re married old man and I’m sure the mist witch loves you. And you love her.”

He laughed, “I do. It never stopped either of us. Maybe she will agree to let you join. Wouldn’t be the first time.” He murmured, lost in thought.

“See you later Maro.” Ilea said and blinked out of the chamber. Your relationship is complicated enough. I don’t want to get in there. She thought, blinking again to avoid the kingsguard noticing her. Fucking a cursed elf against the very rules of their all mighty oracles is exciting enough for me.

“Alright. Now let’s see how this goes.” Ilea said to herself as she stepped into the dark zone of the dungeon. Compared to last time she now had a way to gauge the damage they would deal, had a way to deal a strong blow enhanced by her third tier auras as well as simply more stats and resources to play with. The problem remained that she didn’t think it feasible to face two or three of the knights, though she’d give it a shot at least.

Summoning the little flask Terok had given her, she uncorked it and smelled on the yellow liquid inside. It was just color. Something to mark the enemies she would fight. If they couldn’t heal, she supposed damaging them sufficiently and fleeing was still a viable option, as long as she could find and fight the same enemy again. The dagger Heranuur had kindly lent her might come in handy as well, though she didn’t know how the undead would react to it.

The approach might have worked too back when she had first encountered the undead, she simply hadn’t tried. With her Azarinth Fighting in the third tier, the insane damage they dealt would hopefully be somewhat easier to deal with. As well as my third tier recovery. Even if she was literally cut in half, now that wasn’t much of a problem. As long as she had mana to heal.

The alleys smelled terrible, the stone of both streets and houses more susceptible to growing fungi as well as anything else that liked the temperature. She was pretty far in already, no enemies to fight as of yet. I wonder if they fight each other… undead knights and Soul Rippers. If it was true then they somehow were incredibly even or the monsters somehow came back, after such a long time there had to be an explanation. The missing parts on most undead she had encountered previously suggested they weren’t on good terms with… well something.

Perhaps they had their territories and somehow respected them but she doubted such, seeing how at least the undead knights were ravenous beasts. They don’t go into the higher parts of the city. Perhaps Maro had an explanation for that. Maybe they simply retained some of the commands they once had or they disliked the necromantic energy coming from the palace. Either way it was in her favor, leaving the once city now dungeon with monsters for her to kill.

One such monster appeared a couple minutes later, walking leisurely towards her in the open street. A part of its abdomen was missing, as if removed completely. An undead rose knight. Its armor was dented, bruised, rusted or outright missing in parts, its sword abused and dull as it was dragged along the ground, the noise the only thing audible in the vicinity as if announcing its presence. A challenge of sorts, to anyone that would stand in its way. Or perhaps a plea. Ilea thought, her auras going to the max, ash surrounding her as she stood and waited for the monster to notice her.

[Undead Rose Knight – lvl ???]

Smiling at the information, Ilea uncorked the little bottle and doused her hand in the yellow liquid. You are what I want. The screech coming from the creature rattled through her very bones. A challenge yet it didn’t paralyze her. Three heavy and quick steps brought the undead upon her, its sword clasped in both hands as its strike came downwards. Ilea felt the danger, felt that the hit would dent her helmet, would crash into her skull and incapacitate her, for a while at least.

She stepped aside, stone exploding next to her as the blade came to an abrupt stop. A kick followed, making her spin before her hand landed on the knight’s shoulder. Ilea smirked at the yellow paint that immediately left behind a colored hand, barely visible in her Sphere but it was enough. The sword rushed at her, Ilea blinking away, the attack too quick to dodge. When she appeared the knight had already jumped her way. A thrust, feint, grazing against her arm, the real strike following right after, dodged before she punched his stomach, where his armor was no more.

Her mana intrusion rushed into him, ashen limbs extending behind her as the knight moved to deflect the blows. It had given her enough time to dodge his next attack, avoiding the strike that would have ripped out her legs, armor and all. The knight was on her again, anticipating her dodge. His elbow smashed into her chest, Ilea knowing the damage would be manageable didn’t blink, saving the skill for an emergency. The attack left her breathless, her chest plate denting inwards as her bones groaned.

Flying backwards, she spread her wings to stop herself in the air, twirling to the side when the knight’s sword came flying towards her. He followed right after, landing next to her. Fists moved quickly, Ilea using her fighting skills and experience to deflect most of the blows but her gauntlets were dented with each strike, muscles below damaged and bones cracking as she healed against it. Seeing the sword come from behind made her blink, immediately healing the injuries.

She watched the knight catch the blade casually, walking towards her with near stumbling steps. You can do this. Strike after strike, Ilea weaved around the sword, taking hits where possible as her ashen limbs delivered more and more damage, herself using every opening to get damage in with her fists. Knowing which attacks were feints made the fight possible in the first place, the sheer speed and power of the thing still occasionally overwhelming her.

When the knight suddenly let go of his sword in the middle of a strike, his fist moved too fast for her to even blink, Ilea in the process of dodging the sword. A feint feeling of danger washed through her brain before her head rocked back, nose broken and teeth ripped out. Blinking into a nearby building, Ilea switched out her helmet and used a chunk of mana to heal herself immediately. The sword crashed through the wall a mere second later, Ilea rolling out of the way before the knight landed next to her, a kick sending her through the opposite wall.

She had managed to keep her arms in front of her, her arms breaking but otherwise not causing any major injuries. Healing it back slowly, she spread her wings while in the air and outside the house, looking at the knight that jumped on top of the building. Feeling the attack coming, she moved down, the blade rushing by like a projectile fired from a ballista. No wonder they don’t need bow and arrow. Ilea rushed down to engage when a second blade made her blink. Here we go. She used her momentum to land on the knight with a kick, pushing him backwards as she sent destructive mana through him.

His arms moved quickly, grabbing onto her leg before she could get away. Ilea braced herself as the knight smashed her into the stone roof, her body crashing through a part of it as her leg strained from the force. Another hit followed before a second knight landed on the roof. She saw the blades rushing back to them, frantically kicking with her free leg as ash spread around her. Ilea sacrificed a thousand health to enhance her, kicking twice before she could finally wriggle free.

She blinked, avoiding the swords before appearing thirty meters away. Her eyes opened wide as she noticed the sword coming her way. Her wings spread but before they could even materialize, the sword crashed into her horizontally. The blade cut through her armor and flesh, stopping halfway through her spine.

Ilea’s wings flapped, her limbs going numb as her blood and guts streamed out of the nasty wound. Her perception was still there, Ilea dodging the second blade coming her way as she sped towards the higher section. Can’t heal with the blade in…, She twirled in the air, letting the blade crash into a nearby building. Ilea had disabled her pain, not that it would have mattered with the damage to her spine but when the sword was ripped out of her from the impact, she couldn’t help but yelp.

Blood and innards spread out, her wings the only thing still carrying the limp body onward. Ilea’s vision was getting blurry but her sphere was crystal clear. Storing her destroyed armor, she used eight hundred mana to heal herself, feeling returning to her arms and legs immediately as her spine reformed, her organs coming back and the two parts of her body nearly separated came together again.

A fresh set of armor appeared right in time to deflect the thrust coming at her. Relentless bast…, She couldn’t finish the thought, the second knight crashing through the wall next to her before she blinked away, all the buildings giving her a second or two to breathe. Don’t get grabbed. She waited inside a house before the monsters came in, quick and silent. The room was in near complete darkness, Ilea’s fiery buff the only thing shining through the openings in her helmet and the thin lines connecting her armor.

Healing mana flowed through her as she sacrificed the same amount she recovered per second to her third tier State of Azarinth. Moving towards the wall, Ilea tried getting the knights in an awkward position, their huge statures as well as weapons working in her favor in the close quarters. Ashen limbs continued to deal damage but she didn’t know which one of them was marked, no time to check. Their swords cut through the walls and crashed into ceiling and floor, Ilea jumping and rolling through their attacks, ashen limbs delivering damage as she spread her ash and used reversed reconstruction to add to their suffering.

Thanks to her second tier in the skill, she could keep her own healing up. As long as the knights were using their swords, she was semi sure they wouldn’t try to grab her. Dodging one of their blades opened her up for the second enemy, its weapon crashing into her head before she could spread the ash to blink. The sword cut through her helmet and got stuck inside her head before the monster simply ripped it off from her very shoulders.

A weird sensation spread through her, her sphere and awareness splitting. She saw her body through her sphere, saw it both as her center and away from her. The one eye that hadn’t been crushed looked on as her body was kicked through the nearby wall. Eye closing, she focused on her body and sacrificed a thousand points of mana, her awareness returning to normal as she blinked upwards to avoid another strike. Her armor was there, no helmet. Fuck.

It was then that she decided to retreat, for now at least. Ilea made sure to avoid blinking as she flew towards the higher sections of the dungeon, dodging the thrown blades whenever they appeared behind her. She moved higher and higher to giver her more time as she murmured to herself, hands grasping her face.

The sun was shining through the crack in the cave, Ilea angrily eating her food, conscious of every movement of her jaw, every gulp. Her movements suddenly stopped, the feeling of her split awareness flashing through her mind. She shook her head, taking another bite and trying to focus on the taste. Ilea didn’t notice the tears dripping down from her chin, noting instead the salty taste from the food. You can do this. She reminded herself, Meditation flowing through her. They can take your head but they can’t kill you. Never. Don’t give in to fear.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 6’

Are you fucking kidding me? Ilea felt four different things at the same time. What came out was a soft chuckle. Maybe I’m going mad. The ridiculousness of it all was overwhelming. Healing back a lost arm was one thing but she had lost her head, her brain, her eyes, her nose. She stopped the train of thought. And then the system, gods or whatever the fuck it is mocks me with a fucking resistance skill…,

A shudder went through her, healing and meditation flowing through her body and calming her down. She was pretty sure that without them, even with all her experience, she would be sobbing in a corner somewhere. My perception skill didn’t activate… so I had enough health? A weird notion. Perhaps her ability to heal even fatal injuries made the skill less useful, only activating on high enough health loss alone. “Motherfuckers.”

“I will rip off your limbs and heads, stuff those rusty swords up your asses.” The words came out hollow but her gaze focused, the slight shaking in her hands calming down with each passing minute. There will always be a Drake. She said to herself, over and over. Finally, an unknown amount of time later, the suns having set and the city now clad in darkness, Ilea stood up. She stored the empty box of food in her necklace and put on a fresh helmet. Retreat when a second one appears. I get it. Don’t lose your head. She didn’t smile at her own joke, even though it was terrible.

Both her hands clasped her neck, her mouth opening before a scream ripped out of her, audible in a big part of the silent ruin. Wings spread before she jumped off the roof, her target the marked Undead Rose Knight. Her eyes were focused, cold, her body poised. Her mouth a thin line below her helmet.

Landing behind the wall, Ilea started her search. She had the scent and her Hunter’s Sight would lead her to the target. Not the undead himself but the yellow paint she had used. Noticing her perception focus on her own right hand time and time again, Ilea switched out the gauntlet before continuing her search. I will find you.

It took an hour to pick up the scent, a grin blooming on her face. I will kill you.

Chapter 297 Helpful Advice

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, I finally set up a Discord server if you feel like checking it out.

Be aware that there is a Patreon spoilers channel available. https://discord.gg/c4YK6Tj

Open for suggestions as well but I'd like to keep it somewhat simple.

Sorry for the double post. Apparently a bug with the Draft and schedule setting where if you post it earlier, it'll still post the draft.

Chapter 297 Helpful Advice

The blade cut through her Veil, scratching against her shoulder before it smashed into the floor, Ilea’s fist lashing out into the stomach of the undead. It replied in kind, Ilea sent back through the air as she healed her damaged rip cage. The color was still there. The dents and scratches on his armor were still there. When she touched him, even if he resisted, she knew through her healing that the damage had remained.

It wasn’t unwinnable. As long as she didn’t die and retreated once more of them joined. A matter of time. Still, she moved in, ignoring a more defensive approach as her body slid past the blade, the dull weapon cutting the air with a loud sound. Ilea screamed as her fist smashed into the beast, her third tier auras working together, five hundred health sacrificed. Her arm was wreathed in flame and ash, red runes and fiery lines glowing from the cracks and ripped out pieces of her armor. The strike landed with an ear shattering crash, the knight flying through the wall behind him and into the house. Ilea in the meantime healed the broken bones in her fingers and the light damage her arm sustained.

Breathing out, she took the next seconds to meditate, calm herself down before the battle would once again start. Barely two had passed when the undead came rushing out again from within the rubble. Ilea jumped to the side, rolling before she turned and dodged its quick slashes, slowing him down with her ash as well as she could. She tried to trip him, tried to send ash into his eyes, nose and mouth, tried to rip the blade out of his grasp but nothing worked. The undead was too powerful, like a force of dark magic itself it moved, untiring, unrelenting. And Ilea stood against it, cold eyes and a grin on her face as she deflected and dodged its attacks, getting in damage wherever she could, healing the wounds every strike of the monster caused.

Ilea fought on, her whole being focusing on the enemy. An opening showed and she sent five hundred health into her third tier aura, the punch sending the knight stumbling back. Eight ashen limbs smashed into his neck, finally smashing through the rotten and rusted steel. The knight screeched and Ilea screamed in turn. It lifted its sword, slashing from above with enough power in the blow to cut her in half. Ilea blinked, just half a meter to the left, the blade passing by as her azarinth aura once again came to life, her fist smashing into the knights head with eight ashen limbs cutting into its neck.

Ilea blinked away and watched the undead sink to his knees, his neck cut open and head sitting at an unhealthy angle. The knight fell to the ground with a clattering sound, movements ceasing as Ilea too sank to her knees. She was down to five hundred mana and a third of her health, both quickly recovering. “I said I would kill you.”

Hearing noises nearby, Ilea spread her wings and ascended, flying away from the knight coming into the square. The notification was bright in her mind, the smile on her face vicious, her eyes speaking of what was to come. She had won. Ilea could kill them.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 512] – For defeating an enemy two hundred twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 291 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 289 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 290 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea immediately spent the points on Vitality, her beheading fresh on her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Needing a little break, she flew high to try and find the elves, spotting one of Heranuur’s explosions in the distance a couple minutes later. There were plenty of normal knights remaining in the dungeon and each had to be defeated before Maro was ultimately freed.

Landing on a roof overlooking the small, already half destroyed square, Ilea watched the battle between two knights and the team of elves as well as Terok. He was still the only one using ranged magic. Goldie was engaging one knight with the dwarf’s support while the others were facing the second one. She watched them coordinate their attacks, Neiphato creating openings before moving away to allow Heranuur to use his explosions.

Even Goldie and Terok managed to push the knight onto the defensive, his shield trying to deflect the metal projectiles that flew past Goldie. The elf constantly forced the enemy to change positions while avoiding Terok’s attacks. All of them seemed exhausted, sweat on their faces wherever they weren’t covered by helmets. The knights had dents and scratches all over their armor, the one Terok was facing even had an entire shoulder piece missing. Not bad.

Ilea was more impressed two level three hundred creatures could stand against a team of four in their lower two hundreds. It would be different of course if the two had been conscious but the knights were mere undead. Maro really was a pretty scary guy to face, if this is what he could bring to the table. Even if his resurrected creatures weren’t over level three hundred, commandeered by him it would surely close the gap. She sat down and watched them fight for the next half hour, their eyes occasionally flicking towards her, either noting her there or perhaps expecting her to intervene.

Maybe I should join team knights. Ilea wondered, the battle terribly one sided even with the undeads’ tireless fighting and seemingly unlimited health pool. That gets constantly refilled. She wondered how much damage was necessary to overcome Maro’s healing. Or was the healing coming from his machine alone? Well I’ll see after he’s free. A battle between two level three hundred humans. We should sell tickets.

Considering she alone had overpowered them below even level two fifty, she was sure the group would manage. Especially with most of them having less defense and healing oriented classes. As much as Terok bragged, he didn’t seem to have changed much. Then again all he had to do in the fight was stay back and float around a little. The knights primarily focused their attacks on the melee fighters.

Maybe we should have the bout now. Before I get my evolutions. I don’t want to put him down even harder, as optimistic as he seemed earlier. Summoning some food, Ilea started eating in silence as she continued watching the battle unfold. Seeing the elves fight up close, against enemies she had initially struggled against showed that they weren’t exactly helpless. Finally staying more defensive compared to their reckless behavior definitely improved their sustainability. Without healing abilities. Even for Ilea it seemed ridiculous. She couldn’t help but admire them a little.

To think they went out to seek unknown dungeons, completely unprepared to face the Taleen machines within. Ilea just hoped not all Cerithil hunters were that brazen, for both the elves relying on the thinned numbers of machines as well as their very lives. Remembering the elves she had fought and at least helped kill, she doubted it. At least with what they considered young ones. Fucking racist idiots is what they were. Arrogant racist idiots. They probably lost as many of their population against ridiculously powerful monsters as they did against the Taleen robots.

A chuckle left her as she chewed on a piece of bread coming with the hearty stew Keyla had prepared. Maybe that’s why I’m willing to work with them. I’m a bloody elf myself. The fight below had changed, Terok and Goldie’s knight having fallen to their constant attacks. She really expected them to wait it out but both immediately helped the other two. At least Goldie she thought would mock and taunt them while they struggled against the foe.

The remaining undead was quickly finished by the four people, none of them sufferingmore than minor injuries. Heranuur looked up to her and waved, Ilea jumping down as she stored the empty box in her necklace, clapping after she landed. “Good job. It’s only going to take another two years for you to clean up the rest of the knights.”

Goldie hissed but didn’t utter a word, his helmet of much better quality than the last time she had met him. Who got that for him?

Heranuur grinned and licked his lips, “I like to take my time.”

Exhibit A why this elf will never be more than a fling. She snorted.

“Remember, we’ll get stronger as we fight them too. Gonna be a week and the time will be down by half, a month and we can each fight one alone.” Terok said, arms crossed.

Ilea doubted it. Not because what he said was inherently wrong but she had seen them fight. Most of the damage came from their partners creating openings, most of the enemy hits were avoided because of the partners’ interference. They were a good team, or well, teams. “Just make sure someone is around while you try.”

“Don’t worry lassie. I don’t suggest your approach. Can’t very well heal if I lost my head.” He laughed but Ilea didn’t respond, instead looking at him as she gulped, “You ok? Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid. Can’t speak for the carnivorous bunch.”

“You eat meat too dwarf.” Heranuur said, rolling his eyes under his half broken steel helmet, red hair flowing out.

“Yea from animals. I suggest you don’t try that one, bad on the stomach.” Terok said, pointing at the undead lying on the floor.

Ilea smiled at the exchange. She knew the mouth on her and the stupid jokes occasionally brought trouble but if Terok had made it to his age with that snout of his, she was golden. Heranuur just laughed at his comment, patting his mech suit’s shoulder, the elf quite a bit smaller than Terok in his gear.

“We did it.” Goldie said to nobody in particular, nearly whispering as he knelt down next to the undead.

Neiphato nodded and smiled, “Indeed. If we continue like this, we’ll be able to face the Taleen in less than a year.”

“Nonsense. We can already kill Centurions. What else would they throw at us.” Seviir replied, taking off his golden helmet, revealing the white hair below.

“Praetorians.” Ilea simply stated, all of them glancing at her. Goldie stared at her with his yellow eyes, an intensity within that she couldn’t quite place. “Centurion Rippers and Juggernauts are probably enough to take you out.” Ilea said, not trying to embarrass them, simply stating fact. Without considerable healing power or incredible burst damage like Viper or Philipp could produce, each of them would be ripped apart. Maybe if they had a tank like Bataar but none of them except for Teork had a way to deal ranged damage. It would still be difficult.

“How dare you… human.” Seviir said and hissed at her. Ilea was surprised when Heranuur hissed back at him, the two staring at each other. “You… of course you would defend her. I smell the human whore on you… to defile our ancestors like this.”

“Don’t.” Ilea said to Heranuur who was extending his claws already.

He looked at her, stopping for a momentbut she could tell he was ready to strike. Seviir started laughing, “And he even listens to her… if I weren’t cursed I would slice your throat right here.”

Ilea appeared in front of the elf, watching his eyes go wide. She released her defensive Veil and switched her armor to casual clothes. “I don’t need him to defend me. Now go on, strike me with all you have elf. Let’s see if you can back up that shit mouth with more than retarded gibberish.”

Goldie’s smirk vanished but he didn’t hesitate. At least he learned something in the past months. His hand lashed out at her neck, bones extending and sharpening as she felt the mana around him explode in power. A smirk came to her face right before the strike dug into her flesh and stopped at her spine, his lengthened claws unable to get through her own bone. The surprise was apparent on his face, Ilea using the moment to grab his arm. Blood flowed down her neck, several centimeters of it slashed through by Seviir. “The Taleen don’t care if you damage them.” Ilea said, pushing his hand away, her flesh ripping as more and more blood started to drip down.

“They will fight until they drop dead.” She said, the wounds closing in an instant. A mere one hundred mana sacrifice. “Whittling them down is a better option than trying to take their head.” She said and started crushing his arm with her hand, surprised at her inability to break it. The elf was grinding his teeth at the pain of his crushed muscles and tissue. Not bad. Not surprising from a bone mage. Still, red runes started to glow on her body before his bone snapped, the elf’s arm facing upwards in a ninety degree angle.

He cried out in pain as he looked at her with hate in his eyes. “They don’t care about your pain. They won’t stop until you’re dead. If they themselves feel pain then I haven’t ever seen it.” She let go of his arm as he stumbled back. “Heal it.” Her armor appeared again as well as her Veil. “One way or another you will get injured. Be prepared to flee and recover. A dead elf won’t help anybody.”

Ash started to form at her feet, flowing on the ground towards and around Seviir as the others watched on, Heranuur with a big grin on his face and Neiphato with an unreadable expression. Terok of course had his face hidden behind his suit.

“Heal it!” Ilea shouted, taking a step closer as her ash swirled upwards, a whirlwind flowing around the group. She locked eyes with the elven warrior calling himself a Cerithil hunter, his face twisted in pain as he grabbed the broken arm and snapped it downwards, back into place. Mana surged and she watched through her sphere as the bleeding slowly stopped, the tissue reforming. It wouldn’t be quick enough to heal a fatal wound in the midst of battle but it was better than most had. They kept staring at each other. She took a step closer, their eyes mere inches from each other as Ilea spoke with a calm voice, “Now if you ever call me a whore again. I will rip off your head with my bare hands and feed it to the nearest animal.”

“Did you get me?” Ilea insisted.

He broke eye contact and nodded lightly. “I asked if you understood what I said, Seviir.”

He gulped, “I understand human.”

“Good.” She said and smiled, “Now Terok I think you mentioned a bout?”

She heard him swallow, “I’m not so sure about that lassie. You seem a little. Aggravated.”

“Teeny tiny bit.” He added, gesturing with two fingers held close together.

“Come on, don’t be a wuss. Show me what you got.” She said, cracking her fists. “You three go back to hunting, plenty of knights to go. Get out some of that steam Goldie, before you slaughter some weak humans like your worthless southern peers.”

The elf hissed and vanished, appearing on a nearby roof before he went further. Neiphato looked at her with apologetic eyesand then towards Goldie, disappearing as well. “He cares too much.” Heranuur said, “Know that not all of us would kill humans for fun.”

“I’m well aware of that Hera. Now go, before he kills himself against ten of them.”

“Thank you. For letting him live… once again.” The elf said, touching her shoulder before he vanished too.

Terok looked unsure as he looked at the back of the elf, quickly moving over the roofs. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your experience. I doubt they’ll kill one in less than thirty minutes.”

He nodded, “Sure sure. He respects you you know. Seviir that is, the others I don’t know. Heranuur likes you and Neiph is scared shitless.”

“Calling me a whore and challenging me? As well as striking me immediately with intent to kill.” Ilea said, shaking her head while she took a couple steps away from him and towards the center of the square.

The dwarf caught on and positioned himself accordingly. Touching his suit’s neck, he spoke, “What’s with that? Did he actually manage to injure you?”

Ilea noticed then that her hand was resting on her helmet, near her throat. “It’s nothing.” She said, her hand moving down again.

“Of course.” He nodded, “Well he’s been calling everybody names. Whore is probably one of the nicer things he uttered. It’s a respectable profession Ilea. Thought you humans were at least that far as a society.” He chuckled when she rolled her eyes, “He tried to kill Elfie several times you know, was always beaten down but it didn’t stop him. Never even admitted he was wrong or apologized. Certainly was a joy to see this spectacle.” He opened his arms wide.

“Elfie let him do that?” She was surprised. He wasn’t as aggressive as Goldie but he didn’t strike her as a pushover either, certainly more irascible than herself.

The dwarf laughed, “Well let’s say Goldie was quite a bit closer to death than anytime during our dungeon runs or against the knights. Was pretty sure he was dead at least twice. Those curses are fucking nasty Ilea. You shouldn’t mess with those.”

“Seen worse.” She simply said. “Now show me something cool robot dwarf.”

Chapter 298 Fear and Void

A note from Rhaegar

Double post, sorry about that. It's a bug with the draft/scheduling feature. I edited the draft and posted it, then it got posted again. Well here you go, hope this helps :).

Chapter 298 Fear and Void

Laughter rolled over the square, “Well…for one thing.” Terok said, the steel in his arm reforming to create a razor sharp blade that started at his fist and ended near his shoulder. Appearing before her, he smashed the blade at Ilea’s torso, the blow cutting into her Veil and breaking through with a bit of a push before it scratched against her armor. He teleported back again, “Not good for piercing steel.”

Ilea gave him a minute, “Well let’s just say I could drain Health from you if I could pierce.”

“Good. Can you do it with projectiles too?”

He shook his head, “No…might be the second tier though. I replaced one of my skills to get this one.”

She nodded, “We can work on it later. Might be difficult to drain against my second tier resistance.”

“Thanks. Wait second tier resistance? Ah… that’s where you sneaked off to every night. And here I thought you had a gambling problem.”

She furrowed her brows, “Gambling problem? What?”

“Hey I ain’t judging. Just thought, you giving away stuff for free you must have plenty of gold lying around. One of my theories on how you got it.” He said and chuckled.

“Found most of it in a dungeon. Do you have anything else? I would hope you got more from your evolutions.”

“Well the transformation of my arm is one thing. Still working out the details but my armor has gotten more… well flexible might be the closest word I can use to describe it. Plus my mana sight has improved, I’m pretty sure I can enchant your stuff with a higher level too now. No teleporting now, just fists. You’ll see about the rest.”

She smiled and faced him, the dwarf rushing at her with quite impressive speed, his hands changing into fists as big as her head before they smashed into her Veil. The force was distributed well, making him unable to penetrate but she could tell he had gotten stronger by quite a bit, even with her own improved levels. On par with perhaps even Seviir, strength alone. If she assume he had used all he had against her neck earlier and she didn’t think highly enough of him to suspectthe elf had held back.

Again his arms changed, this time back into blades before he slashed into her, the steel clashing against her own, leaving scratches wherever they struck. “You’re too durable… damn woman. Attack me instead. Frontal.” He said and jumped back a couple meters. Ilea gave him a second before she advanced, her fist delivering a powerful blow towards his chest. Shields suddenly formed on his arms, the two melting into each other before her blow landed on the metal, a dull sound echoing as the energy flowed through both him and her.

“A tank now too?” She said, her arm moving back again. This time she used all she had. Her fist landed, Terok skidding back a meter. The dent in his shield evened out quickly.

He laughed and released the spell, “You pack one hell of a punch. I guess if I can block you then I might as well participate more as a melee fighter. Use the projectiles to get them from behind or when they’re stuck on my shield.” The dwarf mused.

“It’s an idea. Glad you got your evolutions Terok. You’ll be at least a little useful to have a around.” Ilea commented.

“Don’t you dare thinking about ditching me woman!” He said and chuckled, both of them aware that she hadn’t been a part of his team for the past months at all. It was nice to have someone in the north at least somewhat knowledgeable about enchantments and traps but she couldn’t think of teaming up with him full time.

“I prefer to work alone.” Ilea said simply.

“And yet here you are.” Terok replied. “Don’t hit me.” He held up a finger.

Ilea smiled, “Well it’s the place to be. I killed one of the undead earlier.”

“We did too.” Terok gestured to the corpses.

“The ones in the lower zones, not connected to Maro. Three question marks. Level five hundred.”

“Oh… well I’m sure you’ll show me your own evolutions soon then. Now go and get to it woman, I have some elves and their power to exploit.” She could practically feel his grin as he started floating, on his way towards where the others had left.

Ilea sighed, her wings spreading as she prepared to take on her next undead. This time perhaps without losing her head.

Four days had passed while Ilea focused on finding and fighting the undead rose knights scattered in the lower parts of the city. Marking them with colors turned out to be helpful but also showed how few of them were actually there. It made them even scarier, knowing the distance in which they noticed battle. Of course the extraordinary violence and collateral damage facing them caused didn’t make it that crazy but the normal knights rarely even showed up when a fight was happening a couple streets over.

Forcing herself to abide by the self imposed rule to face one and only one undead at a time, Ilea slowly whittled them down. The damage on their armor as well as lack of connection to Maro made the approach possible. Still, Terok had informed her that if she waited too long, they might recover health as well. Just like any monster or human would. Simply at a rather slow pace. She hadn’t asked the king about the specifics of undead health or unhealth regeneration but so far it worked.

Another one down. It was the fifth one so far. She smiled brightly, breathing hard as her wounds closed, bones resetting while she waited and listened to the surroundings. It had been a short battle. The undead was marked on her back, meaning she had faced the same one the day before. Twice even. Not much had been needed to finish the job. Still, it had brought her health down by a third and broke most of her rib cage with the handle of her sword. Fucking ridiculous.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 520] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Highest one so far. Ilea mused, her health closing in on her max again. She quickly checked through the messages from the past days, the new ones added at the bottom.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 292 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 293 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 294 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 291 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 292 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 293 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veil of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Warrior reaches 3rd lvl 3’

Back to levels getting more attention than skills again. Well I won’t complain. Both is helpful.

Fourteen stat points she had put into Vitality, bringing her health to 6500. The other sixteen went into Wisdom, giving a round number of 666. There was an argument to be made to keep it there but Ilea would push both of the stats higher before even hitting three hundred. She saw the difference her Strength brought, each hit crashing into her enemies with a devastating force. Dexterity changed her ability to dodge, use openings to her advantage and to simply have her body keep up with her perception. Intelligence boosted the damage from her spells, all three of these stats letting her win against her enemies in the first place.

Vitality and Wisdom on the other hand, they let her survive. Let her get decapitated without her health reaching zero, let her recover the lost head without taking her out of the fight. Arguments could be made for her investments but the experience was fresh on her mind. It felt right.

A sudden appearance in her sphere made her turn her head, eyes going wide as she breathed out slowly. Checking her resources, she found her health full, mana sitting at two thirds, stamina damn near full already. A drop of sweat rolled down her neck as she looked towards the other side of the street. Both the house she was in as well as the one she was looking at were mostly destroyed, piles of rubble as well as an unmoving knight the only things around.

[Soul Ripper - ???]

It didn’t move, simply looking her way. No eyes adorned its head, no mouth to talk or screech. The beast looked the same as the last one she had seen. Elongated legs and arms, it stood on all fours. The thin frontal two limbs had hands with elongated fingers and claws at the end, its body just as slim.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 7’

Way to go, didn’t realize I was shitting my pants. Ilea didn’t move a muscle and neither did the beast. The tentacles in its flower like head started writhing a moment later, barely visible in the dim light provided by her buffs. Ilea blinked her eyes. It moved.

Soundless the monster lunged, with a speed surpassing even the undead knights. Perhaps it might have caught her, had it not been for Ilea’s sphere. She blinked up and behind the monster, her fist and ashen limbs smashing into its spine. A chunk of mana left her, its destructive force coursing through the monster. It didn’t turn towards her when she landed, neither showed any injury or notice of her attack. Ilea watched as it lowered its head, right above the undead rose knight. A surge of mana nearly made her stumble, a force dragging her towards the beast for a mere split second.

The undead’s head was gone. With it a little of the floor. As well as the very air that had been near the monster’s magic. She had seen it before, Ilea realized. Void. The same as Maria, the mage traveling with Edwin. This was more raw, dimensions from the woman who had used the magic against Ilea’s body.

“What the hell are you?” She said in a quiet voice, the beast turning quickly towards the noise. Its hand lashed out, nearly grabbing her before she blinked away. The beast held its hand towards its head before it realized nothing was there. “Not the brightest are you?”

She had no way to tell if there was anything beyond instinct. It fed on the undead or removed its head for some reason. Maria never mentioned if the voids she created put the removed tissue and blood anywhere. Never thought about that. Something dragged me towards it though. Gravity? Or space filling up rapidly? Ilea knew as much as not to get into its claws. That much was simple to deduce and enough for her.

Ashen limbs lashed out, closing in on the creature as it rushed her again. Ilea only managed to blink away because her limbs hadn’t reached the beast yet, otherwise it would have gotten her. “I don’t really feel like finding out what happens if you get me. But I won’t fuck off without at least trying to kill you.” She said, defiantly. I refuse to be afraid of this thing.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 8’

Fucking damn it. A grin was on her face when the beast jumped at her again. This time she had waited patiently, blinking and delivering the same blow as before. Her third tier Azarinth Fighting didn’t offer her an insight towards the damage she would sustain, Ilea assuming the beast would simply grab her. The real attack would follow afterwards.

The monster’s bone was as hard as anything Ilea had met, most of the energy going right back through her arm as she disengaged, at least the physical force of it. I don’t think I’m doing anything here. She watched the beast turn and jump. Not at her but over the buildings behind her and off, out of her sphere. Left in the darkness, she didn’t hear it land, didn’t hear a or see a single thing with neither eyes nor sphere. Did I injure it? Maybe it just got bored… or frustrated. A shiver went down her back. Stop it body. Get a fucking grip Ilea.

At least her Fear Resistance didn’t level again. First time she was happy about a skill not getting higher. Not going to chase it. Her reasons were her own. I need a break. Again.

“The undead’s head just vanished.” Ilea said, shoveling half her portion of fried potatoes into her mouth.

“According to your description. How did I do?” Elfie asked, showing her the sketch he had drawn into a fancy book of his. “Any idea what kind of magic it uses?”

The resemblance was eerie, Ilea just holding up a thumb while she struggled not to suffocate. She coughed and struggled, swallowing twice before she spoke, “Void I think. No idea why it’s called Soul Ripper. Maybe there’s something else there I’m not seeing. Terok you might be helpful with your mana sight.”

Holding up both hands, the dwarf chuckled awkwardly, “Only if you drag me down there Ilea. I’d rather pass. Already nearly died against the crazy knights there, I don’t need more nightmares to keep me awake.”

Fair enough.

“I’d like to see it.” Heranuur said, fire dancing around his arms.

“No.” Ilea simply said. “I’ll go down again soon, shouldn’t be more than another ten or twenty of them until I get there.”

Elfie chuckled, “I had thought you needed years, decades even.” His eyes turned hard as he looked towards Heranuur and Neiphato, “Don’t even think about it. Not before you can heal as fast as she can.” Goldie was working on his bone magic at the other end of the cathedral but Ilea was sure he simply didn’t want to join dinner at their fire place.

“You could do the same. Just go in there and fight. Or use your magic against the miststalkers at night.” Ilea suggested.

Elfie shook his head, “My advice to them is true for myself. Curses can heal me, yes but compared to the health drain or danger posed by most of the creatures roaming these lands, the risks far outweigh the rewards.”

“I mean she gets shredded to near death daily.” Terok said, pointing at Ilea with his mug.

“How would you know?” She asked.

“Seeing far and flying high. Might want to think about getting binoculars lassie.”

She chuckled, “Well I might think about it next time I go to Hallowfort.” Looking at Elfie, she noted his silver eyes on her, “Speaking of which. Did you get your talk with the queen?”

His eyes closed and a small sigh left him before he spoke, “I did. As did I talk to the fox.”

“Found what you were looking for?” Ilea asked.

“A human and a dark one. Both showed extensive knowledge yet ultimately nothing of the like I had been hoping for.”

Ilea sighed, “Sucks. Well I’m sure you’ll find something in the next thousand years or two.” A smile, Terok laughed. To her surprise the elf grinned too.

“If that is what it takes.” He said. “Perhaps the king will have something else to offer too.”

“What exactly are you looking for anyway?” Terok asked but the elf shook his head. “You lot and your constant secrets. You’re in the north… nobody cares around here. Your people aren’t here, mine or hers are neither.” He added, pointing at himself and Ilea in turn. Still the elf didn’t speak.

“Aaaah you’re a boring old twat.” The dwarf added, Neiphato snickering at the comment.

Ilea took a sip of ale from her mug, “Thought you wanted to avoid his curses.”

“I can see them coming a mile away now lassie. Don’t have to be able to kill the elf to survive the battle.” He said and pointed to his own head.

You’re still constantly inside your machine. She noted. The only time she had glimpsed his real body was when he took the food inside earlier. Perhaps Elfie really was that harsh of a teacher, not even dinner being excluded from possible training. Noting her own sphere and auras constantly active, Ilea couldn’t fault them. In a world where monsters lured around every corner, especially the north.

“Still want to talk to the king?” She asked, finishing her meal.

“Of course. Most human kings would have me hunt down before I even set foot into their cities.”

Terok chuckled, “You overestimate their security.” Ilea raised her eyebrows but he just shrugged.

Would actually be interesting to see. If he could enter Ravenhall undetected. “I don’t know if he will be help where Elana couldn’t. She was the true ruler after all.” Ilea said.

“As much I have been told. Though I try not to judge someone by the opinion of another.” The elf replied.

Heranuur grinned, drinking from his mug, a red liquid sloshing inside. Blood of an animal or monster mixed with water or wine. Commonplace among elves Ilea had learned, “You really are a lunatic.” Elfie looked at the ground but didn’t say anything.

Great mood guys. “So. Any tips before I go in and level the last stretch?”

Chapter 299 Terrific Suggestions

Chapter 299 Terrific Suggestions

“You really think you’re that close?” Terok asked. “How many levels left?”

Elfie was the one to reply, “She’s at two ninety four.”

Terok shook his head, “That would take another year for some.” He paused, “I say you go out and face the arcane storms. Just fly into them, try to get into the clouds above. That will be something worth a note in your evolution I’m sure.”

“Already got hit by that. Don’t plan to do it again anytime soon.” Ilea said, remembering the power of the storms. Traveling during daytime was still restricted because of them. “Would have loved to face a dragon, you guys don’t know where any are?”

Heranuur laughed, “Told you she’s one of us.” He said to Neiphato, the brown haired elf nodding and looking at her shyly.

“Don’t give me that look.” Ilea said before he switched his attention towards the wall behind her. How the fuck are they all so awkward, being as old as they are. “Hera you don’t count years differently right?”

“No. Same as you humans.” He said, a little confused.

Elfie sighed but didn’t say anything.

“Did you swim to the bottom of the ocean? Might be something to consider as well. Or fly as high as you can.” Terok continued with his suggestions.

“Both will kill her.” Elfie said, “There are monsters you do not wish to provoke. Not as you are now.”

Ilea didn’t disagree. She felt like she had done plenty of crazy things in the past year, adding to the list would simply be a delay. “Most of my tier three skills aren’t even above level ten. I could have worked on them more.”

“Took me decades to get some of mine to reach even level five without combat.” Elfie commented, strangely reassuring. Perhaps he had slipped into his teacher role too much, not even realizing who he was talking to.

“You said you had faced a Praetorian before?” Neiphato suddenly asked. Ilea realized all three elves were looking at her, even Goldie slowing down with his training.

Ilea spent the next twenty minutes retelling her adventures in her first Taleen dungeon, leaving out one or the other detail that could identify or endanger someone should it ever be relevant. She didn’t talk about all the gold she had found or anything else about the treasury. Terok was suspiciously quiet in the end, perhaps realizing something.

“How could they use the gate?” Heranuur questioned.

“It was linked still, to another dungeon. You don’t need to manipulate anything if it is still linked.” Elfie explained.

Ilea smiled, “How would you know?”

He shrugged, “I don’t need to enter a dungeon to learn about the technology within. You should also know that not all teleportation gates of the Taleen are within dungeons. Some simply lead to the wilderness or a mine.”

Makes sense. Meaning there are plenty of linked gates still around. “Is there a way to manipulate them? Go to somewhere else instead? Change the destination?”

“Of course. Either through careful manipulation or with a key. Though this is simply as much as I have been told. I have not seen it myself, nor have I met someone who has. If a hunter spends hundreds of years inside their cities, studying them and uncovering their secrets… I believe something fundamental like the gates would have been understood long ago.” He added.

Ilea frowned, “Well if that’s the case why don’t they know about it?” She pointed to the two other elves sitting with them.

“You hardly know every secret of all humans. You didn’t even know Rhyvor existed before coming down here.”

That’s an argument. Cerithil Blog, how to hack the gates and fuck up Taleen, a ten step in depth guide. If only.

“It doesn’t help that cursed ones are hunted by many of our kind, especially their gatherings and strongholds.” He sighed.

Lots of sighing today. She knew why he didn’t hunt them, had heard some of his reasons, “So the oracles don’t support something like that?”

“Neither do they condone it. Elves kill elves all the time, why should this be different?” Heranuur asked.

“Because you’re fighting for your people and not yourself.” Ilea said, taking another sip. Elfie glanced towards her for a moment.

Heranuur looked at her and then nodded, “True. Nobody cares. As far as I hear you humans don’t care either if someone defeats monsters endangering your little settlements.”

“No, they pay those humans to kill the monsters.” Elfie supplied.

“Really? Sounds like a better thing to do than this.” Heranuur said. Neiphato shook his head.

“Neither gold, influence nor acknowledgment should be what you seek.”

Ilea smiled at the elf’s words but didn’t say anything.

“I got it. You catch a Famine Crow, ride it and steer it into the lake of miststalkers, then run off.” Terok helpfully supplied, making at least one of the elves laugh out loud.

Ilea finally dusted herself off and got up, “Well you’ve been terribly helpful. I’ll be out again then for a week, maybe two. Good luck in your battles.” She said, turning and walking to the open gates leading towards the city.

Terok appeared next to her, “Ilea. Something I wanted to talk to you about.” She turned and listened, “The Great Hall. Well I’ve worked down the enchantment enough that a strong mana surge should be enough to get in. Maro confirmed it to me earlier.”

“And you need me for that?”

He shook his head, “No, I can get in whenever. Just thought I’d let you know. We can go whenever you want.”

“A word human.” Goldie had stopped his training, taking the last steps to reach the two of them.

“I’ll let you know Terok. First I want to focus on this.” She said.

“Sure, good luck in there.” She nodded to the dwarf and looked at Seviir who was waiting a couple steps to the side.

He nodded to her when Terok was gone, “I apologize for my behavior human.” He paused and locked eyes with her, “I was out of line.”

She was silent for a moment, processing what he had said. “Seviir, just don’t be such a colossal dick all the time. Otherwise you’ll have your head smashed in by someone you offend.”

He nodded lightly, “Fortune to you, Ilea.” He gave her a thumbs up and actually smiled, although there were enough teeth showing to make her question the intent. At least had she not spend so much time around elves lately.

Weirdest conversation in a while. She thought, walking through the doors and spreading her wings. Maybe Terok was right and the elf respected her more than even Elfie. It probably meant quite something considering they literally eat humans. She didn’t care to ponder on it. Focus was needed for what was to come. Focus and mana.

Day in and day out Ilea searched for the undead, marking them as she had before, disengaging as soon as another one appeared due to the loud and destructive battling. The strategy of simply being loud herself did bring them to her but it usually brought more than one of them too. The more of them she killed, the longer she spent on finding them, going deeper and deeper into the dungeon. Avoiding Soul Rippers became normal too but seeing how they rarely pursued significant distances, it was easy to stay focused on the knights.

Her nights she spent in the dungeon too, simply continuing her search. Having to disengage after usually a couple minutes made her progress somewhat slow. At least every kill granted a high amount of experience towards her next levels. Terok and crew in the meantimecontinued to hunt the lower leveled knights, all still connected to Maro.

Ilea’s fist smashed into the chest of the latestundead she had found, sending him through the stone wall behind. The once man now monster was marked on his left leg, meaning it was the one Ilea had already fought four times in the past week. “We’re getting there.” Ilea commented as she read through the messages that had accumulated, checking her surroundings constantly. She was deeper in the dungeon than she had ever been before, more and more Soul Rippers having shown up in these parts.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 510] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 513] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 295 – Five Stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 299 – Five Stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 294 – Five Stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 299 – Five Stat points awarded’

The levels resulted in 55 stat points to be assigned. Ilea spent thirty four of those to get her Wisdom to 700, just in case that counted as some sort of achievement for her evolutions too. Doubt it, considering people could reach two thousand of a single stat if they wanted. Unlimited Strength. The rest of her stats went into Vitality.

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Form of Ash and Ember reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 7’

Fewer skill levels even though I killed what, three, four times the amount of knights? She was a little annoyed. Of course she became more familiar and confident when facing them but it didn’t cut down on the danger level by much. The still had the ability to cut her in half. And you have the ability to come back from that. The thought reassured her. She’d get there, that much was sure. Checking her stats, she smiled.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Azarinth First Hunter]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Inheritor of Eternal Ash]: 0

Class 1: Azarinth First Hunter – lvl 299

- Active: Destruction – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Hunter Recovery – 3rd lvl 12

- Active: State of Azarinth – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Azarinth Hunter Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the First Hunter – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Hunter’s Sight – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Inheritor of Eternal Ash – lvl 299

- Active: Veil of Ash – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Form of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Embered Body Heat – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Wave of Ember – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Manipulation – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ashen Warrior – 3rd lvl 3

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 8

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 18

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 12

- Death Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 8

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 671

Endurance: 400

Strength: 500

Dexterity: 400

Intelligence: 600

Wisdom: 700

Health: 5821/6710

Stamina: 3309/4000

Mana: 4827/7000

The culmination of her efforts in Elos. Let’s see how much it will actually change. She thought, looking around again before she blinked up. Wings spread as she carefully floated over the houses. Her sphere reached the ground and like this she could move without producing much noise. The Soul Rippers had a tendency to stick to walls and stay unmoving until she was in range. In the air, most of them wouldn’t even notice the woman.

It was pitch black, night had fallen and even towards the distant higher parts of the city Ilea could see nothing. At least she knew that her fear of the ocean wasn’t necessarily connected to darkness. Somehow this experience of flying over the ruins wasn’t very difficult.

Ripper, Ripper, Ripper, Ripper… Undead. There you go. Walking lonely through a square was a single undead rose knight, exactly what she was looking for. Ilea immediately engaged, not caring about the Soul Rippers somewhat close by. She would try to shoo them away or flee if necessary, as she had done a dozen times before.

Let’s try and keep it contained. Her wings vanished as she rammed into the knight with all the speed and power she could muster. The blow didn’t even make him stumble, her legs bending at the weight of the blow. His sword lashed out, Ilea twisting her body as she jumped off him, allowing the blade to hit ultimately. She knew the damage would be minimal, a slight dent and a barely cracked bone. Already healing while she twirled in the air, Ilea prepared for the attack of the now enraged undead.

She landed on her feet, the knight already upon her, his blade slashing past the dodging warrior, a blow from her fist flaking off some of the rust on his armor before she disengaged, taking several quick steps back while twisting her body minimally. The dull blade rushed by, Ilea counting the attacks, carefully evaluating when to move in. Another two strikes and she stepped forward instead, her knee smashing into his thigh, her ashen limbs cut through by the blade now behind her back. The blow landed nonetheless and she didn’t stop, ducking under his fist and to the left before another strike found his back.

When his sword came around again, Ilea was already too far away to be in danger. Come on. The thought came in a split second, Ilea grinning when the knight let go of his sword at the end of the slash, the blade flying towards her as she ran at it, blinking through before her fists smashed into the creature, his prowess in hand to hand combat miles behind. Hit after hit she delivered, avoiding his grabs with calculated dodges and blink.

The sword came back, Ilea held back at a distance again, the creature starting to apply more complicated maneuvers and feints. With her ability to gauge the incoming attacks, his tactics simply delayed the inevitable. She wouldn’t stumble, wouldn’t fail. Against an enemy working with the rotten remains of a once masterful swordsman, she would prevail. Now that she could negate its incredible strength, could foresee most of its feints.

Still, she was pushed back, the creature smashing through buildings which she jumped over or bypassed using her teleportation magic. Openings were rare and she was already running out of time. At least I should. There was no second knight showing up, the one before her crashing through another set of walls when Ilea blinked through a massive wall. No more around in this area? She wondered, feeling the earth below her steel boots, no longer the stone with which the city was built.

Not quite comparable to Virilya. She thought, hearing the knight smash its blade into the wall before he appeared in her sphere, jumping over the wall. He landed with his blade cutting into the earth where she had stood a moment before, her ashen limbs rushing at him but cut through by a powerful swing of his sword.

Ilea prepared as the undead screeched at her, I get it angry man. Dodging the blade several times, she went farther away from the wall, the stone monument soon vanishing from her sphere when she finally found an opening. Again and again, her fists smashed into the knight as he tried to hit or grab her with his free hand. Not happening. Blinking behind him, she kicked his back, using the momentum to avoid the slash coming at her right after.

Ilea’s head spun to the side but there was nothing. Her sphere showed nothing. I’m hearing things. The blade was thrown, Ilea dodging it this time before her ashen limbs crashed into the knight. Twice she hit before finally reaching him, her fist smashing into his stomach before she blinked behind him. Where’s his sword? Using the circumstances to her advantage, she instead continued her offense. Her limbs crashed into the steel, each blow staggering the undead more and more, one of his legs snapping a moment later and bringing him down.

She ignored his grab this time, knowing the end was near. The steel on her leg groaned as he crushed it, Ilea’s reversed healing as well as her ashen limbs and fist continued to smash his life away bit by bit. This time she was sure, there had been movement around her. Soul Rippers.

Not relenting, she felt the bone in her leg break when one of the creatures entered her sphere, jumping at them a moment later. Using her weight and ashen limbs, she pushed herself and the undead knight down, her destructive mana still flowing into him. He grabbed one of her arms now too, both hands now grasping her and trying to crush her. Letting go, he smashed her head. Again and again his fist dented her helmet, the metal cutting into her face.

A couple hits later, the hitting stopped and the knight slumped down, several dinging noises resounding in her mind. A portion of mana was sacrificed to heal her face when she blinked up, wings spreading. Her sphere was crawling with movement, spindly legs moving in and out. Fucking hell. She felt something on her leg, one of the Soul Rippers having jumped and grabbing onto her.

It’s dragging me down…, She felt the weight, its struggle as it tried to grab her with its other arm. Ilea cut into its thin arm with her ash but nothing happened, the skin hard as steel. I’ll go down if this continues. The wall was coming up and she ascended, dragging the beast up with her before she suddenly snapped to a stop. A yelp left her when the full force of her wings pulled on her leg. The creature had its hind legs dug deep in the wall and was pulling, both hands now wrapped around her shin.

“Hey, know what fuckface. If you really want it, you can have it.” The armor on her leg vanished before her ashen limbs cut through her skin and muscle, separating her leg at the knee, Ilea blinking upwards immediately, again and again as her wings flapped to take her away from the horrifying creatures.

Chapter 300

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, couldn't leave you with that bad of a cliffhanger now could I?

Might have not updated the file when correcting things on the Patreon so please do leave stuff in the comments that I might have gotten wrong :). Hope you enjoy it.

Also as an aside, just hit 1k Patrons so I wanted to give a thanks to you all too. I know not everyone has the means to support me financially or you don't want to, any reason is perfectly fine. Yet you're still here and you read what I write, sometimes annoyed or bored and sometimes enjoying it. I can write full time now thanks to all the support, followers, ratings and clicks.

It's humbling and amazing at the same time so just thank you, really. You lads are terrific, all of you.

To more Ilea in the future! Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 300

She didn’t let herself relax until she had reached the wall leading to the higher part of Tremor. Blood was flowing down her leg, the wound closing when she finally realized. Ilea continued towards her house and blinked through the wall, armor replaced by comfortable clothesbefore she landed on her bed. “Fuck that’s gonna leave a stain…,” She looked at her leg but found the bleeding had already stopped, the shin reforming slowly.

Her vision was blurry and she realized her hands were shaking. Meditation flowed through her immediately, Ilea sitting up and resting her back on the wall behind her. “Fucking hell.” She repeated the words three times before her hands had calmed down. The knight had done serious damage to her other leg and her arm, both mostly mush except for her bones. Another set of armor fucked. Checking her messages, the fist thing she saw made her squint her eyes before she started laughing. Damn long legged fuckers.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 9’

It took her a minute to calm down completely, meditation still helping her out with that. Close fucking call you damn idiot. Another part of her shrugged and thought it was worth it. In the end she had survived, as she did before. Maybe she would have survived anyway, even if she hadn’t been able to cut off her leg. The wide smile on her face said enough.

Lifting her back, she sat down on the bed cross legged and summoned one of Keyla’s meals, the smell of the warm and spicy dish immediately overshadowing the blood and sweat clinging to her body. Now, let’s fucking mutate.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 518] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth First Hunter has reached lvl 300 – Five Stat points awarded. One tier 3 skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Inheritor of Eternal Ash has reached lvl 300 – Five Stat points awarded. One tier 3 skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Manipulation reaches 3rd lvl 5’

And both classes at the same time, fucking perfect. Trying to spend the third tier skill points first didn’t seem to work, both showing no skills to advance. Requirements should be met. Maybe it’s tied to the evolutions in some way. On with it then.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Azarinth Elder. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

You have pushed yourself to the pinnacle of humanity and thus deserve to carry the name of Elder. Leveled at least five Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Carries the skill Meditation at the end of the second tier. Has an Azarinth class at level 300 or higher.

The Elders of the Azarinth Order pave the way to the future. Conquest and expansion are theirs to plan and execute. They have the power to rebuild what was lost. Known to be strategic minds, an elder leading a group of Azarinth Healers might very well be unstoppable.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Azarinth Elder]?’

How about absolutely fucking not? Conquest and expansion my ass.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Beast of Azarinth. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Your blood lust permeates all. Leveled at least eight Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Destruction and Azarinth Fighting in the third tier. Has killed at least 1000 higher leveled beings. Has sustained 1000 heavy injuries. Has an Azarinth class at level 300.

Far from the path of the once powerful healing order, they have chosen to seek their own power and the destruction of life itself. Fueled by hatred and blood the Beast of Azarinth marches on, unable to find or bring peace. Forbidden magic of Death corrupts the power once destined to heal and mend.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Beast of Azarinth]?’

“Come on guys… it’s not that bad is it? At least it’s not a thousand kids…,” She at least thought about it thanks to the death magic mention. Maybe an Azarinth and Death magic combination? If she had to chose between Elder and Beast, the choice was clear at least. Corrupts… does that mean no more healing at all? That would suck.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Azarinth Pioneer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Adventure is your second name. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has traveled where no human dares to go, has survived natural dangers capable of decimating armies. Founded a settlement or discovered a lost city. Has an Azarinth class at level 300.

The Pioneer has chosen their own path, discovering the forgotten and perfecting their skills and powers. Be it erupting volcanoes, the waves of the ocean or blizzards cold enough to freeze their very blood, nothing will stop their want for adventure. Powerful regeneration and constitution come with their mantle.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Azarinth Pioneer]?’

Ilea was starting to get a little annoyed at how shit these classes seemed, “Surviving natural dangers and not a mention of Resistances? Not even one needed?” I swear on my enjoyment of food if these aren’t getting better…,

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Azarinth Destroyer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

You have no equal in battle. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has Destruction, State of Azarinth and Azarinth Fighting in the third tier. Has killed an enemy above level 500. You have fought hordes of enemies above your own level and prevailed. Has the Azarinth First Hunter class at level 300.

The Destroyer is a rare sight to behold. A master of Azarinth Magic, each strike powerful and with intent. They move over the battlefield with grace, leaving nothing behind. The true power of the Azarinth Order or anybody they would choose to join. Their Strength is second to none, cracking even steel with their fists.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Azarinth Destroyer]?’

“That’s more like it baby. Fighting, level five hundred beast and a focus on fighting with ones fists.”

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes The Azarinth Wayfarer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The unfathomable. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has Blink and State of Azarinth in the third tier. Has killed an enemy above level 600. Has traveled to another realm and returned. Has the Veteran skill at level 5 or higher. Speaks two languages. Has the Azarinth First Hunter class at level 300.

The Azarinth Wayfarer has grasped the impossible nature of magic, has crossed the boundaries between realms. True understanding will follow those unwilling to accept the status quo. They are a master of their surroundings, of space itself.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Azarinth Wayfarer]?’

Space mage… seems pretty fucking far off what I’ve been doing all this time. How many have missed this possible evolution because they weren’t bilingual? She chuckled at the thought and continued her bloody reading homework.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Azarinth Regenerator. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

More monster than man. Leveled eight Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has Hunter Recovery and State of Azarinth in the third tier. Has killed ten enemies above level 500. Has ten Resistance skills at level 5 or higher. Has Pain Tolerance in the second tier. Has lost either head or all limbs in battle before recovering. Has the Azarinth First Hunter class at level 300.

The Azarinth Regenerator fears no enemy. Be it ice or fire, they stand against it unmoving. Bearers of the pain they have suffered, unwilling to accept defeat. Virtually unkillable they are prepared to face whatever may move into their path, their bodies mere weapons, tools to be used.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Azarinth Regenerator]?’

Ilea sighed, “Well at least it’s not called the Azarinth Masochist. Tools to be used… might as well be.” She had a smirk on her face before she moved to the next one.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes Avenger of Azarinth. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

A hunter unmatched. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has Destruction, Azarinth Fighting and State of Azarinth in the third tier. Has killed ten enemies at full power above level 400 while alone. Has five General skills in the second tier. Has participated in acts of revenge, found and killed those responsible. Has lost limbs in the midst of battle and continued the fight. Has the Azarinth First Hunter class at level 300.

An avenger stopping at nothing to bring justice to those deserving. Judge and executioner, powerful and deadly enough to hunt down any target they deem unworthy. Unstoppable and fueled by the magic of Azarinth, healing any injury that might delay them, their bodies mere arbiters of revenge.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [Avenger of Azarinth]?’

Flashes of the Birmingales went through her mind, Eve lying dead in her bed and the old man asking her to spare the girls. What was his name again? She shook her head, breathing in hard and focusing on the task at hand. Requirements are pretty high and finally a mention of killing something alone. Healing might be enhanced and there’s at least talk about one’s own body. She saw there was only one option remaining, the avenger probably her favorite for now.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Azarinth First Hunter becomes The Azarinth Sentinel. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Life and Death. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the second tier. Has Destruction, Hunter Recovery, Azarinth Fighting and State of Azarinth in the third tier. Has killed ten enemies at full power above level 500 while alone. On their own, has faced hordes of enemies above their own level and prevailed. Has fifteen or more Resistance skills in the second tier, two or more at the highest level. Has helped and healed strangers of various races, unasked for or even meeting hostility. Risked their life for others on multiple occasions. Has the Azarinth First Hunter class at level 300.

The Azarinth Sentinel has reached the pinnacle of Azarinth magic, mastering its style while not forgetting their roots. A healer at heart they seek to mend the wounds of those they deem close and strangers alike. True veterans of battle they have chosen a path most peculiar. Savior to one and Destroyer to another. Their bodies forged into weapons, their mana overpowering all. A force of their own, to decide on the fate of beings.

Would you like to evolve your class [Azarinth First Hunter] to [The Azarinth Sentinel]?’

Ilea shifted her attention back to her food, the smell of the spicy orange sauce with potatoes and vegetables making her stomach rumble. She looked at the bowl, the rice still steaming even after all that reading. Did I really heal so many strangers? Risked my life for others? None of her actions seemed out of the ordinary. This whole world of course was ridiculous. She had turned into a survivor here, a murderer, hunter. Savior? Fuck that. She was quite aware that the same line read Destroyer as well.

Besides the first couple possibilities, the rest seemed exceptional. Destroyer, Wayfarer, Regenerator, Avenger, Sentinel. Each with their own specialty, each with increasingly high demands. She asked herself whether there would have been another class if she had ten resistances at the end of the second tier or if the Sentinel description would have simply required ten at that point. Would there have been another class had she killed ten level six hundred beasts alone? Possibly.

Most of the classes required her to be at level 300, making it hardly reasonable to get anything new at this point. She had chosen to reach 300 now and these were her choices. Sentinel has the hardest achievements listed. Pinnacle of Azarinth magic, bodies forged into weapons…,

“What am I… a fucking paladin?” She chuckled and started eating, savoring every bite as she crushed it with her teeth, the taste and smell making her forget the choice for some blissful seconds. Regenerator doesn’t seem to grant a lot of offensive potential and I can’t see how more regeneration would change anything drastically at this point. Wayfarer is cool but with my focus on fighting instead of the study of magic and teleportation, I think I’ll pass. Destroyer seems to be a Sentinel Light with a focus on strength.

She pondered, And Avenger is pretty vague. How often have I actually needed to be a hunter. I feel like most monsters and people were found easily enough. It could help with the Lily…,

“This is annoying. Sentinel is the best choice if I look at the requirements.” She scribbled into her notebook, comparing the classes with bullet points, ignoring all the blabbering about justice, death and revenge. She had to admit that Sentinel was also the best one with its power descriptions. Other than ‘Healer at heart’, the rest was pretty straightforward. Well mana overpowers all is a little weird too. But there is a specific mention of one’s body. Maybe it’s talking about mana intrusion?

She felt a little queasy, putting away the food as she got up and walked to the hole in the wall, once a window. It was dark outside, the sound of a distant explosion barely audible. That fucking elf. She thought, a smile on her face. Did you level all those resistances for nothing? She asked herself and sighed. Somehow it just didn’t feel right. None of them did. Hunter unmatched, arbiter of revenge. That’s just as fucking stupid. Closing her eyes, Ilea tapped her lip with her finger. Life and Death. A force of their own, to decide on the fate of beings. “Ah fuck it, if that is what a bloody Sentinel does then I will decide on my own fate.” She said to herself and accepted the class evolution.

‘ding’ ‘Class change: Azarinth First Hunter becomes The Azarinth Sentinel

Vitality +30

Strength +15

Dexterity +15

Intelligence +30

Wisdom +20

Body enhancement magic is improved by 300%

All healing magic skills are improved by 200%

Natural health regeneration is increased by 1% per minute

Food, water and sleep needed to sustain yourself are reduced

Ilea felt the weight of the decision fall off her. This was the road she had taken and she would stand by that. Ignoring the fact that another evolution was yet to come, she instead smiled at the additional 100% improvement to her body enhancements as well as healing skills. The additional stats were welcome as well but a drop in the bucket compared to what she had gained through leveling alone. Seven levels worth if I’m right.

‘Skills changed by The Azarinth Sentinel:

[Destruction] becomes [Absolute Destruction]

Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 9:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every punch or kick. Your Intelligence stat enhances the damage potential.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 100 mana per strike. You may charge each strike whilst unmoving with 100 mana per second to a maximum of 3000 mana.

3rd stage: Due to the healing nature of Destruction it partially ignores protection against Mana intrusion.

Category: Healing

So if I’m reading this right the mana per strike was increased from 20 to 100 plus I can charge it. While unmoving but still. And the 100% increase for healing skills should apply here as well. Quite a power up, costs a bunch more mana too but with my regeneration…. She smiled, already itching to test it out on some unfortunate undead.

[Hunter Recovery] becomes [Sentinel Reconstruction]

Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 12:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remains, your Sentinel Reconstruction will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself! Health loss and critical blows are recalculated due to the nature of your healing.

3rd stage: You have healed your body time and time again, knowing every cell and where it belongs. Sacrifice a large amount of mana to rush your healing to unprecedented speeds. Lack of knowledge about your body may result in heavy damage.

Category: Healing

The mention of healing myself being vastly superior to healing others was removed. She noted, as well as the new line about health loss and critical blow calculation. I hope that doesn’t mean it’s worse on myself now. She would test it later but with her healing getting another 100% bonus from the class change, she assumed it would at least even out. How many changes did I get last time? This is ridiculous…, She thought as she scrolled a little further down in her mind, going back to her Sentinel Reconstruction. Well I’m not going to complain…,

[State of Azarinth] becomes [Azarinth Awakening]

Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 10:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed, Intelligence and Strength by 75% [450%].

2nd stage: Your sight, hearing and sense of smell is also affected by Azarinth Awakening

3rd stage: You are one with the Azarinth. The skill’s upkeep has been removed. Instead you may overcharge it with your life’s energy. The amount depends on both skill level and health used.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

“Holy fuck.” Ilea was nearly shedding tears, all the work form over a year’s ridiculous efforts had paid off tenfold. “It boosts Intelligence now?” A 450% increase meant her Intelligence should be at above three thousand. Coupled with Destruction’s increases…, Plus it seemed the base percentage had been increased again, from 35% to 50%, each level in the skill giving a 0.5% added boost. What else do you have for me, beloved Sentinel. Ilea was in a rush.

[Azarinth Hunter Sphere] becomes [Sentinel Sphere]

Active: Sentinel Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

2nd stage: The Sentinel Sphere opens your senses to the arcane, a paramount skill both on and off the battlefield.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

Well that’s the first one to remove some good stuff. No more senses dialing… and I loved just ignoring all the blood and guts around me. No more trap detection and hidden paths either. For a mana sense? She didn’t know how to feel about it at the moment. The sense for hidden things had helped her plenty so far, losing that suddenly wasn’t planned. Makes sense though, switching from the Hunter to something else. I’ll survive it I guess. Have so far, even without this paramount skill.

[Body of the First Hunter] becomes [Sentinel Core]

Passive: Sentinel Core – 2nd lvl 20:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced greatly. You body is 40% [320%] more durable. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural Health regeneration is improved by 120% [960%].

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 25% [200%] and your bones are three times as heavy and dense.

Category: Healing – Body Enhancement

“Well fuck me… what are those numbers??” Ilea started scribbling but it didn’t make sense until she realized that the category changed from just healing to healing and body enhancement, giving an additional 500% increase in power to the skill. 320% more durable… what does that even mean. And magic damage resistance above 100%? Is there like a hidden baseline that is now increased two fold instead of a simple 25% increase normally? It had been at 50% before but Ilea was pretty sure the damage she sustained wasn’t halved after getting the skill. Or was it? Well further testing is definitely required.

The ridiculous multiplier to her natural health recovery was just another bonus. She had to test it of course but it should at least equal to a couple free health points every second, instead of the ridiculously slow recovery normal people had.

[Hunter’s Sight] becomes [Sentinel Huntress]

Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 2nd lvl 20

Huntress turned Sentinel. Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings as well as the ambient mana to find clues about your target’s whereabouts.

2nd stage: You gain a sense for the distress in the people around you. Amplify this by sacrificing mana.

Category: Body Enhancement

Ambient mana added as a detection source? And that new second tier might actually do something compared to before. Is it like a sixth sense to gauge the mood in a room or something?

“Well, that’s a bunch of new stuff to play with…,” Ilea commented and continued scribbling into her notebook, deciding to wait with testing until all the changes were through. Already, she felt lighter, stronger, the mana around her body tangible, a blue hue in constant motion, “… now, what kind of classes does my ashen side have in store?”

A note from Rhaegar

Also double chapters twice in a row and I know it's kind of a cliffhanger too but the next one is due on Tuesday so I hope you can survive until then :).

Chapter 301 The Ashen side of Things

A note from Rhaegar

Part two :P

Thanks for all the lovely comments lads :)

Chapter 301 The Ashen side of Things

Ilea started on the messages concerning her ashen class, the Sentinel evolution so distracting, she needed a moment to focus. Her body itched, ready to unleash power she had never felt before. The boost to her Intelligence was perhaps responsible, or perhaps the improvements to all her body enhancement and healing spells, the new sensation and pure arcane flowing through her was incredible. Focus. She reminded herself, meditation surging again. The fat grin on her face was a constant by now. Guess I should set this date as Christmas or maybe my birthday.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Empress of Eternal Ash. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The ruler. Leveled at least five ashen magic skills to the end of the second tier. Has Ash Creation and Ash and Ember Manipulation in the third tier. Has trained with the ruler of a nation. Identifies as Female. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

The Empress rules over all, her ashen magic an iron fist controlled and used to her advantage. She will conquer and rule, all shall burn and kneel.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Empress of Eternal Ash]?’

Bold of you to assume my gender. Ilea smiled. The flavor text was concise and told her exactly what she needed to know to discard this possibility immediately. Same with the elder one… guess they at least present the shit options at the start.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Glutton of Cinders. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Consumption unending. Has ten skills in Inheritor of Eternal Ash at the end of the second tier. Has enough food with them to feed a small town. Owns a restaurant. Has risked breaking the law and considered cold blooded murder to protect a cook. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

A glutton of cinders grows in power equal to their weight. Fueled by the lust to eat they ignore injuries and pain. Their jaw strength has enough force to break through steel. With their supportive elemental magic, few may stand in their way. All will be eaten.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Glutton of Cinders]?’

“Fair enough. Guess it’s judging Ilea day.” The jaw strength is a boon for sure and I bet there’s something in there that allows me to digest literally anything. Still a better option than Empress.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Sharpshooter of Eternal Ash. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Unseen death. Has ten skills in Inheritor of Eternal Ash at the end of the second tier. Has the Heavy Archery skill as a general skill. Owns a storage item. Has killed ten enemies above their own level without being spotted and while alone. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

An unusual combination of magic and the bow. The Sharpshooter of Eternal Ash has extraordinary sight and firepower to unleash death upon groups of enemies without ever being seen. They stalk the night and work alone. Mercenaries or adventurers they seek their prey and slay it silently.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Sharpshooter of Eternal Ash]?’

So we’re getting at least somewhat serious now. Didn’t think my archery training would come up here but I guess I know now that there are possible evolutions gained from general skills should I ever wish to get something else. Of course it didn’t fit her in any way, neither personality wise nor form a skill perspective.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Master of Eternal Ash. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Fire consumed, nothing withstanding. Has ten skills in Inheritor of Eternal Ash at the end of the second tier. Has the Ash Creation and Ash and Ember Manipulation skills at the third tier. Has killed at least 500 beings of a higher level using ashen magic. Has killed members of their own species. Has been betrayed. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

True mastery comes with control, effort and time. The Master of Eternal Ash has grasped the true power of ash and ember, wielding them to the fullest of their destructive potential. Widespread and fast spells consume even the toughest enemies in everlasting flame, pierced by lances of ash. The battlefield bows to your power.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Master of Eternal Ash]?’

That’s more like what I’m looking for. No mention of Body Enhancement magic still but at least it seems like a powerful class with its specialties.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Berserker of Eternal Flame. No current stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Forever battling. Has ten skills in Inheritor of Eternal Ash at the end of the second tier. Has the Ashen Warrior skill in the third tier. Has battled and killed thousands of enemies at a higher level than themselves while alone. Has sustained critical wounds in battle and continued the fight. Has Heat Resistance in the second tier. Has at least twenty resistance skills. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

The Berserker of Eternal Flame is untiring, unkillable and unforgiving. Their bodies becoming one with the flame, they consume and tear through their enemies, their wounds mere stepping stones on their way to power. Their mind is consumed by fire, their bodies weapons of war.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Berserker of Eternal Flame]?’

Ilea tapped her cheek before she sighed. Mind consumed by fire. The line gave her pause. Otherwise the class sounded badass. More of a focus on fire obviously but she wouldn’t terribly mind. That’s how she had started out anyways, burning herself to get the Fire Mage class back in the Calys mine. Might need to consult some people in regards to Berserker classes. Roland did kind of lose it sometimes. Wonder if he’s doing alright. Probably not with all that happened. I hope he and the girl are at least alive. There was one more evolution she could choose. Before moving on Ilea also realized there was no mention of no current skills being lost in the previous one. Another issue with the choice.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Kin of Ash. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

One of Ash. Has ten skills in Inheritor of Eternal Ash at the end of the second tier. Has Veil of Ash, Form of Ash and Ember, Ash Creation, Ash and Ember Manipulation and Ashen Warrior in the third tier. Has Fear Resistance at level five or higher. Has fought beings beyond their comprehension while alone. Has fought and defeated ten or more enemies above level 500 while alone. When faced with certain death, has trusted their body and the ash around them to prevail. Has found beauty in ash beyond destruction. Has the Inheritor of Eternal Ash class at level 300.

Kin to Ash itself. Their body clad in armor, unyielding. Their body smoldering with embers, unforgiving.

Would you like to evolve your class [Inheritor of Eternal Ash] to [Kin of Ash]?’

Alright, I guess that has to be the one. There were no more options. The requirements are ridiculous. When did I face certain death and trusted in my ash and body? Several memories flashed in her mind but none fit. She remembered playing around with Kyrian, his metal and her ash. That was probably the part where she had found beauty in ash beyond its destructive capabilities. And my beloved friend Fear Resistance.

Ilea thought about consulting Maro or Elfie, even Catelyn perhaps but as she thought, she felt ash come to life around her, gently swirling around her. It was her own doing she realized. Clad in armor, unyielding. All her third tier skills had been mentioned in the last evolution. Compared to the other good classes it mentioned one’s body twice. The Berserker class seemed good too but it was too sketch for her. Her mind was her own and she would chose her own path, neither made for war or any other specific purpose.

The ash around her continued swaying in the air as if carried by a gentle breeze. Compared to her Azarinth evolution, this one just felt, right. Let’s see what you have in store for me.

‘ding’ ‘Class change: Inheritor of Eternal Ash becomes Kin of Ash

Vitality +30

Strength +20

Dexterity +20

Intelligence +20

Wisdom +15

Body enhancement magic is improved by 300%

All Ashen magic skills are improved by 100%

All fighting styles using hand to hand combat are more refined

Your will is ash and embers

Seems like I made the right choice. Another set of stats as well. Whatever the line about my will means. Another hundred percent… meaning a ton of my Sentinel skills just became what? Fifteen percent stronger? From six hundred percent total to seven hundred. The start was already promising as Ilea moved on to the more interesting stuff.

‘Skills changed by Kin of Ash:

[Veil of Ash] becomes [Armor of Ash]

Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 10

A shroud of condensed ash to shield you. Hard as steel and forming to your will. The Armor increases your resilience by 125% [1000%]. Halved effects if armor beyond light category is worn.

2nd stage: The strength of your Resistance skills also benefit from the Armor of Ash.

3rd stage: Increases the defensive capabilities of all ash and ember you control. Effects additionally apply to your body itself, halved if armor beyond light category is worn.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Just continuing with the ridiculous bonuses. What the hell constitutes as light armor? It bummed her out a little. Ilea liked her heavy metal gear. Half would still be good. Guess I’ll have to find out how good this armor actually is. Maybe I can have something good made that is also considered light armor. She had the mold and a smith to help her out. If the ashen armor could replace her current one completely, she wouldn’t have to constantly worry about a nearby smith to repair her other ones or make new sets.

One thousand percent. Guess that’s worth an achievement of sorts. Could ask someone to explain resilience to me. Ilea immediately discarded the idea, instead planning to just let different monsters attack her to find out more about her new armor. Plus my body itself gets the bonus? So it’s basically two thousand compared to the four hundred before? The description of the first tier changed significantly as well. Further testing needed. Again.

[Form of Ash and Ember] becomes [Aspect of Ash]

Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 5:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, Strength, Intelligence and Dexterity by 57.5% [402.5%].

2nd stage: The longer you fight in the Aspect of Ash, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% more power to the skill with a maximum of 150%.

3rd stage: Familiarity with the skill removes its upkeep. When reaching the maximum second tier bonus you may reset it by amplifying your next attack with ash and ember.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

There you go. Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Intelligence was now a part of the skill as well. The difference in power from the additional two hundred percent from Body Enhancement bonuses were good enough but with Intelligence affected, her mana intrusion spells would benefit immensely.

[Ash Creation] becomes [True Ash Creation]

Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 7

Create ash in a certain radius around you.

2nd stage: You can control the density of the ash to an extent.

3rd stage: You have proven your dedication. Ash swirls to aid and destroy at your whims.

Category: Ashen Magic

“Well what happened exactly?” Ilea noticed a line was missing now but otherwise everything stayed the same. Guess I have to find out what the true part means. Maybe it doesn’t vanish anymore after a while? Or the properties somehow change.

[Embered Body Heat] becomes [Heart of Cinder]

Active: Heart of Cinder – 2nd lvl 20

Increase the heat in your body and release it in a blast around you.

2nd stage: The embers run deep. The heat you may reach is only limited by your very life.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

“No more hiding then with this one… or I guess only from fire beasts.” Ilea was skeptical how much this one would help but with the boost to her body enhancement and ashen magic, the damage could be helpful if she was surrounded. Just burn a dozen demons to a crisp, doesn’t that sound lovely. At least she wouldn’t replace it with any other skills until she tried it.

[Wave of Ember] becomes [Storm of Cinders]

Active: Storm of Cinders – 2nd lvl 20

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers or release the attack in a burst of fire and cinders.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through or on them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect.

Category: Ashen magic

Added utility I guess. Why not. Compared to Destruction, the skill didn’t actually get a damage increase. At least it would be boosted a little by the ashen magic buff. I’m getting a damn lot of skill changes. Did I just fuck up my level two hundred evolution or is this normal?

[Ash and Ember Manipulation] becomes [Ash and Ember Unity]

Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 5:

You are one with Ash and Ember. Allies rushing to your aid.

2nd stage: Your understanding grows, allowing you to create greater change in ash and ember.

3rd stage: The elements themselves become an extension of your body, an extension of your will, for as long as they stay in physical contact with you. Ash not connected benefits from passive abilities enhancing your body.

Category: Ashen magic

“Well that’s just as ambiguous as it was before.” The new passive benefits are nice but active skills would have been a game changer. Damage increases though… maybe. Still not done…

[Body of Ash] becomes [Avatar of Ash]

Passive: Avatar of Ash – 2nd lvl 20:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 50% [400%]. Your ability to avoid damage to your vitals when dodging increases.

2nd stage: Your muscles grow more dense. For each Resistance skill your body becomes tougher. First tier Resistances equal a static 5% increase, second tier equal a static 10% increase.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Oh man. I guess resistance search and farm is on the menu again. For good reason. Damn with this I could become literally indestructible. Just have to find the rarest magic to fight against. Bummer that it doesn’t benefit from the multipliers.

[Ashen Warrior] becomes [Keeper of Ash]

Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 3:

You are one with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted is 71.5% [500.5%] higher.

2nd stage: Adds density to your bones, muscles and skin to increase strength, speed and damage. Base body weight is doubled.

3rd stage: Reduces stamina consumption by a static 35%.

Category: Body Enhancement

“So much for the three hundred evolution. I feel like I just underwent a supersoldier experiment, already being one in the first place.” Ilea said, forming a fist with her hand as she felt the strength flow through her. Blinking up and onto the house, she sprawled on her back, looking up into the darkness while holding up one hand. Breathing in, she tried to grasp the changes but was overwhelmed by it all. Of course with all her stats and the skills themselves somewhat helping her cope, she didn’t feel like she was in the wrong body and neither had difficulties moving herself but she definitely felt the differences, if only by squeezing her arm or by extending her sphere, seeing the wisps of mana around herself, coming from her auras.

Is this what I wanted to achieve? What I wanted to become? Did I do it then? Ilea felt a little lost, like having finished a good book, having reached a task that wasn’t necessarily about the completion but about the execution itself. But I do have a result. She checked her stats while thinking about what to do now.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 10

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 1

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 300

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 12

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 5

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 2nd lvl 20

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 300

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 5

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 3

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 4

- Identify - lvl 8

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Veteran – lvl 6

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 18

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 2

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 12

- Death Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 9

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 686

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 620

Wisdom: 705

Health: 6860/6860

Stamina: 3997/4000

Mana: 7050/7050

Nearly all of her class skills were carrying different names now, had changed and more powerful aspects. You can do it now, maybe survive the storms, fight the miststalkers, face the Praetorians. A part of her thought but Ilea just wanted to sleep for a while. A full night’s rest, solid twelve hours even though with this body, she’d barely need one.

A note from Rhaegar

Discord

Chapter 302 Testing

Chapter 302 Testing

Ilea was woken up by light shining through the missing window of her apartment in Tremor. Sadly no birds were chirping and no busy city life could be heard outside. No distractions. Her dreams had been filled with undead and soul rippers, horrible monsters straight out of a fantasy novel, game or film. Not beasts she would want to fight, monsters instead that she would avoid, run from. It took her a couple minutes to shake the feel, turning in her bed to face away from the sunlight as she grumbled.

They were monsters that existed, horrors she had faced, had fought, with her own body, her own fists and skills. She was in a dungeon now, sleeping in the bed she had brought with her storage necklace. And I evolved my classes yesterday. Her eyes opened a little wider as she looked at the hand before her. She hadn’t slept as long as she had intended, instead woken when the suns reached into the mountain, into the place she had claimed. A ruin once owned by a noble.

Sitting up, Ilea realized she wasn’t hungry. Of course she wasn’t. Most of her eating since reaching the two hundreds had been done because she liked it, not because her body needed it. Blinking outside, she relieved herself onto the royal gardens. At least that’s what she thought they were. No officers around to stop her, only the king still stuck in his palace. Maybe some new silver plants will grow at least. Pants appearing again, Ilea yawned and stretched, black hair flowing in the wind.

Maybe not using armor all the time isn’t so bad. She thought, feeling the sun on her skin for the first time in a while. A smile blossomed on her face before she realized the math assignment she had due. Not the worst place to do some work. She thought, spreading her black wings that took her onto the roof of her home in Tremor with two beats.

Sitting down on the edge of the flat roof, Ilea summoned her notebook and continued where she had left off, steel pen in hand. The first thing she noted was the additional 100% increase for Body Enhancements her second class provided after the fact. What she had looked at yesterday had been only the bonuses from The Azarinth Sentinel and the previous ashen class Inheritor of Eternal Ash. I wonder what it means now that it’s not eternal anymore but only ash. The bonuses spoke for themselves, the thought quickly shelved.

Sentinel:

Absolute Destruction possible mana used increased from 20 to 100. Healing skill, meaning an increase by 100%? Also chargeable.

Hunter Recovery to Sentinel Reconstruction, something with critical damage calculation and the 100% increase from the class.

State of Azarinth to Azarinth Awakening. All bonuses increased from around 300% to 525%. Intelligence boost added at 525%.

Hunter Sphere to Sentinel Sphere, removed bonuses to senses and secret discovery. Added mana sight.

Body of Azarinth to Sentinel Core, 350% resilience, magic resistance from 50% to 225%. Natural health regen from 140% to 1080%.

Azarinth Fighting, damage bonus of 487.5% increased to 682.5%.

Hunter’s Sight to Sentinel Huntress, gauge people’s distress. Usefulness?

Ash:

Veil to Armor, Resilience from 402.5% to 1000%. Body Resilience +1000%, same bonus? Doesn’t apply to Armor itself?

Form of ash and ember to Aspect of Ash, bonuses increased from 287.5% to 402%. Intelligence bonus added at 402% :).

Ash Creation to True Ash Creation, no clue. Possible demonic or religions thing? Don’t become ash demon.

Embered Body Heat to Heart of Cinders, area attack? Usefulness?

Wave of Ember to Storm of Cinders, ash magic bonus from 0% to 100%. External attack possibility? Compare to mana intrusion. Test subjects: Terok? Goldie? Maro?

Ash and Ember manipulation to Ash and Ember Unity, test density. Passive bonuses? Damage bonuses apply? Test projectiles.

Eyes of ash, bonus to perception without weapon from 250% to 400%.

Body of Ash to Avatar of Ash, reflexes and speed 250% to 400%. Toughness for Resistance skills. 1st tier 11, no 12. Equals 60%. 2nd tier 16 equals 160% - 220% toughness. Same as resilience?

Warrior of Ash to Keeper of Ash, damage increase from 350% to 500.5%. Weight and density times two to increase speed/strength? Wouldn’t I be slower? Test on. Terok.

Ilea sat the pen down for a while, reading through the bonuses again. A ton for sure but reading it a second time made it less overwhelming than she had felt yesterday. She culminated the bonuses that were more graspable on the next page.

Stat increases, Vit +15, Str +10, Dex +15, Int +20, Wis +5. 13 levels worth.

Healing, should be x2

Resilience bonuses, old – ca 1012.5% - new ca 3507%

Speed bonuses, old – ca 837.5% – new ca 1327.5%

Strength bonuses, old – ca 587.5 – new ca 927%

Int bonuses, old – zero – new ca 927%

Dex bonuses, old 287.5% - new 402%

Magic Resilience old 50%, new 225%

Damage bonuses, old ca 845 – new 1183%

Weight and density of body, x2.

“So three point five times more durable. Fifty percent faster and stronger, maybe faster due to the Dex bonus. Biggest one for sure is the intelligence bonus. Should be ten times the damage now for my magic attacks.” Ilea said out loud, “Plus all the utility changes coming with several skills.”

Standing up, she put her notebook away. Three hundred health were sacrificed to activate her third tier State, no Azarinth Awakening aura. First thing she noticed was that the runes starting to glow on her were blue again. Welcome back.

Testing her healing, she found her health was back at the maximum after two seconds only. So it did really double it. And now it’s the same if I heal others? She assumed as much, the mention of herself healing more quickly had been removed after all. Ilea watched it all through her sphere, noticing the blue wisps around her intensify as soon as her third tier had activated.

Her second aura, aspect of ash activated, the lines on her body a deeper red now. Less fiery and flamboyant but she could see them through her sphere, like bright lines of cinder cracking through her skin. Even though her body was supposedly twice as dense and heavy, she felt lighter on her toes. Shadow boxing on the roof made her chuckle, her fists reaching their intended destination far more quickly than before. At least it felt that way. Her perception had changed too after all.

The thing Ilea was most interested in was her Veil, now Armor of Ash. Activating the skill, she instantly felt it. Not like before where the ash moved on its own and layered itself onto her skin or worn armor. Now she felt as if she had a say in the form it took. Thinking of her armor mold, she tried recreating it and found the ash moving to her will. A solid dark gray, nearly black layer of ash resembling her Rose Hunter set formed on her quickly. The clothes she was wearing ignored, the shroud of ash was completed.

Ilea looked at her arms and grinned. Not a piece missing. Tendrils of ash writhed around the solid armor, giving it an ethereal touch. She could increase the effect if she wished, Ilea noticed. The grim fucking reaper. She thought, looking at herself through her sphere, ash moving around her slowly, the single piece armor looking solid as steel. Moving in it wasn’t an issue either, the joints simply adjusting. Likely less durable during movements. Still better than real armor with actual pieces.

Her eight limbs of ash came to life behind her, the tips sharpening before she carefully cut into the stone of the roof. Like fucking steel. Moving to her armor instead, she tried to pierce it with the limbs but found it hard to penetrate even a millimeter. Moment of truth. Deactivating her armor, she watched in fascination as it disintegrated quickly, similar to her wings. Putting on a Rose Hunter set, she again tried cutting into it. Feeling the in her arm a moment later, she realized it had already penetrated.

Through Stonehammer steel. She noted, activating her armor again. This time she couldn’t form it to her wishes, the ash simply layering over her steel armor instead. Again trying to cut into it, she found it harder. Still, after a couple seconds of applying pressure, she cut through the ash and immediately through the steel. So until I find something substantially better, I’ll stick with clothes or light armor. Speaking of which.

Ilea put on someHand leather armor, one of the two remaining sets she had. Again, she activated her ashen armor and found herself once again able to manipulate its looks freely. Alright so now it’s not about good steel but the best skins I can find. Got it.

The armor was kept up, not costing more to maintain than it had before. The good thing about her Veil already was that the higher its level, the less mana it cost to maintain. The same was true for her evolved skill, only slightly reducing her regeneration.

The ashen limbs behind her swayed slightly but otherwise Ilea didn’t feel anything massively different about them. Creating some ash in front of her, she formed a sphere, adding more and more as she squeezed it together with her magic. More and more mana was transformed into pure ash, the sphere already looking solid. She heard a crunch, then another as she still added ash. When she finally couldn’t make it any more dense, she let it float into her hand. A solid black orb. “Doesn’t look like ash to me.”

Swirling it around herself, she let if fall into her hand again. I have no idea how heavy this is. Ilea barely felt the weight but when she let it fall, it didn’t even bounce, a rather solid thump resounding. Jumping down from the building, she let the ball float next to her, the thing only around five centimeters in diameter. Using all the magical power she could put into it, she slammed the thing into the ground.

Rock flew past her and a cloud of dust formed in front of her, her sphere letting her know the thing had penetrated several meters into the stone floor. “Damn. Ok that’s pretty fucking cool.” This time she formed a lance, again adding as much ash towards it until she couldn’t make it any denser without making it too big. One meter fifty with around two centimeters diameter. Fly.

Fly it did, aimed at the house next to her own, the spear crashed through the wall, the wall opposite that and continued onward. Ilea spread her wings and flew up, just barely seeing the thing vanish into the void after penetrating three houses. Okay, viable ranged weapon. Acquired. Creating two more spears, Ilea wondered if throwing them would be better. Turns out, maybe. If she had a throwing skill that was. Her magic allowed for a straight shot while her throw managed to penetrate the first wall but crashed sideways into the next one.

Just let me throw things please. Ilea again added a throwing ability to her training list. “Wait… my body is twice as dense and heavy. The ash around me is my body? Gaining the bonuses from Passive skills.” She smiled, That’s why they’re so fucking destructive. Ilea looked at her arm as she walked to the already half destroyed house. Wave of Ember, Storm of Cinders. She hit the wall with her fist, using the evolved skill but not as it had been used before.

Embers, magic and fire shot out of her fist when she impacted the wall, breaking through the portion she had hit. Looks more like a wave of embers than it had before. She noted. Her sphere had made the hit look even more spectacular, a large amount of mana surging into the air creating an explosion of heat in the process.

“Heat.” She noted, blinking onto the house and activating her newfound Heart of Cinder. Her body immediately grew hotter, as if a fire was lit within her. More and more, she added, wisps of flame forming on her ashen armor, embers floating away. Ten seconds later, the floor was getting scorched, another ten seconds and she started to lose health, her body itself burning up from within. Ilea smirked and counter healed. Soon her health began sinking again, her sphere turned off as the brightness she was giving off nearly blinded her.

When her health was down a thousand points, Ilea released the stored up heat in a blast around her. Fire erupted and when she blinked her eyes, eighty percent of the house had vanished, turned to ash. Even the ground she was standing on had sunken down several meters. Granted it was normal stone but Ilea doubted anyone she had met so far could create something like this. Viper maybe. Claire with her explosions, possibly. I didn’t just blast it away though. Ilea noted, the very stone reduced to ash. The roof, now unsupported and partially removed collapsed, the parts still remaining at least.

Bricks fell down, some landing on Ilea, bouncing off her armor and landing on the ground. Yea I’m going to keep this one. She hadn’t gotten any options for new skills anyway but more might come up. Now she was interested in the third tier of this one in particular. Ilea tested again, creating heat for one second, then ten and then as much as she could until her health started going down. One second created a shock wave of heat around her, likely nothing major against a powerful enemy but possible enough to push away lower leveled creatures.

The ten second one was already a fiery sphere, expanding quickly and burning up everything in its path. Probably still more powerful than anything I could produce before the evolutions. The blast when going as far as losing health was substantial. Ilea had a hard time grasping the power of it all against stone alone. I should be able to level my heat resistance like this. Considering her constitution and healing, the blast was likely much stronger than most similar spells could produce. Others might have a way to simply push in more mana but for her it was a matter of resisting the heat, keeping the skill active for longer didn’t cost exponentially more mana. Just the same rate for longer.

“Better than heat camouflage… I’m going to die against a dragon because of this change, right?” Ilea was getting used to the changes now, feeling just as comfortable as before. Having no use for her armor anymore, she quickly blinked into her own house and left the remaining sets there, both damaged and whole. She hesitated for a moment. Should I keep one? Ilea wracked her brain but found no good reasons to keep it. Should her mana grow low enough for her ashen armor to disappear, she wouldn’t have the mana to summon the steel one either. Should her ash armor be pierced, the 1000% increase to her body’s durability was still stronger than what the steel could provide.

Going to talk to Goliath about light armor then. His creation certainly doesn’t count as that. The armor was left behind, to be found by whomever would discover and search through this dungeon. Blinking to her room, Ilea stored her bed, one of her most prized possessions. Looking out the window, she was happy to see her neighbors apparently planned to renovate. Blinking out, her wings spread before she made her way down towards the part of the upper city that hadn’t been cleared yet. She doubted the elves and Terok were already done.

It didn’t take her long to find a patrolling knight.

[Knight of the Rose – lvl 305]

“Hey what a coincidence.” She said, smiling under her ashen armor. There was actually space left out between the ash and her mouth, making it quite comfortable both to have it active but also to talk. Nearly as much as the armor her mold had produced, though she assumed the ashen one being less comfortable had to do with the leather armor she wore below the ash. Fighting naked would probable be the nicest. As careless as she was, Ilea wanted to at least have some clothes on should her corpse be found by some adventurer.

The knight, shield held to the side rushed at her and brought his sword down. The blows had been enough to dent her Stonehammer steel armor, as well as her Niameer one. Enough to cut into her, easily breaking through her Veil when she had been fifty levels lower. She simply watched as the weapon neared, trusting in her third tier Azarinth Fighting.

She smirked when the steel smashed into her armored shoulder with a dull sound. Nothing. Ilea noted, feeling the ash on her and how it pushed against the knight’s weapon. The attack damaged her about as much as her own ashen limbs had. That was, not at all. “Oh, Mr. knight. How the turn tables.” She grabbed the sword before he could react, dragging him towards her. Absolute Destruction. Ilea’s fist rushed out, smashing into the knight’s chest with a resounding bang as bits of blue smoke and wisps rushed out from the impact, steel caving in from the sheer force of it.

She had used the full 100 mana. Keeping her hand on the blade, Ilea watched in awe as the knight stumbled back. A moment later he slumped to the ground, all strings cut. Overdid it a bit hmm? As much of a boost her Destruction had gotten, Ilea didn’t expect to kill an undead knight with a single hit. Maybe he was damaged… no wait they regenerate. I guess having an Intelligence boost of nearly a thousand percent will do that, coupled with all of the other stuff. Looking at the sword in her hand, she dropped it. “I don’t need this.”

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of the Rose – lvl 305] – Bonus experience is granted’

For that? Well I won’t say no. Considering what Maro had talked about, she’d need quite a bit more to level at this stage. Undead knights perhaps, the real deal this time. Ilea thought and spread her wings. “Got a head to get back.”

Chapter 303 Missing Pieces

Chapter 303 Missing Pieces

Ilea found her own head where she had left it. “At least none of those void fuckers found the snack I left behind.” She said, stopping a couple steps off from what was undoubtedly her own head. Feeling her heart rate quicken, she started meditating, forcing herself to blink a moment later. The blood had dried, her eyes lifeless and mouth slightly open. She knelt down, reaching out with her hand but hesitating. The armor on her arm moved back when she touched her own face, closing the eyes a moment later.

Is it still me? Or did I die here and my healing created a clone? “That’s not a road to go down on Ilea.” She said to the empty room, sighing a moment later. When I lost my head, my awareness split. I chose the body. I didn’t die. Her chest was heating up as she held the head in her hands, looking at it as the ground got scorched, the hair on the head catching fire. Ilea shut down her sphere and closed her eyes, touching the forehead with her own. Half a minute passed before a rush of heat extended from her, the rush of heat and sound the only thing she noticed.

When she opened her eyes again, Ilea was happy to find the head gone. Only ash remaining that fell to the floor. She attributed the lack of resistance to the fact that it was simply cut off tissue and bone, not connected to her mana anymore. Glad that’s gone. She reached out with her ash and ember unity, feeling the remaining ash. Still warm. She noted and focused on it. Perhaps it was her unity or True Ash Creation but Ilea knew then that she could banish the ash, turn it back into mana itself. Not for herself to use but simply to give it back to nature.

Her eyes closed again and after a brief moment, there was nothing left of what she had lost here. The sound of steps resounded nearby, the familiar tapping of steel on stone. Ilea knew there had been a knight remaining nearby, had known it even the week before. Still she had avoided the area. Now that she reached her goal, had found new strength, Ilea was confident to return. Knew that she would not be deterred or chased away by the monsters lurking in the dark.

She watched in silence as the monster turned the corner, seeing her in the small black crater, nothing remaining of the rotten and ancient house that once stood where she stood now. Only a woman remained, clad in a writhing armor of ash. Eight limbs grew from her back, as if conjured from the air itself. She prepared herself, cold eyes focused on the white and dead ones of her enemy. The knight jumped. Waiting for the last moment, Ilea stepped a little to the side, letting the blade cut into her shoulder.

The weapon dug into her ash with a dull loud sound, as if it had hit brittle stone. She didn’t take her eyes off him, using her hand to push on the blade as it glided out of her armor. Perhaps if he had used a sharpened blade, the knight would have reached her skin. As it was, the armor reformed quickly as her own strength fought that of the knight. Ilea had to admit that the monster was stronger. Still, the blade slid out and her ashen limbs crashed into him. Storm of Cinders. Ilea watched as blazing heat rushed over the creature, embers lighting up the darkness, flames burning past. Its skin was singed, armor scratched, two limbs piercing even.

Her fist rushed out, ignoring the knight doing the same. Hers landed first, blue energy erupting from the impact as her mana sought his very core, shattering his insides. The counterattack crashed into her chest but her armor held, her body uninjured. Ilea still held onto the sword, the knight frantically ripping it free after several failed attempts. The blade flashed, Ilea lifting her arm to deflect it over herself, another strike sending both embers and destructive healing mana into the once proudknight of Rhyvor. Her ashen limbs switched to mana intrusion as well while her chest started heating up. Two more hits landed, the knight’s sword smashing into her side. This time she felt some damage but nothing serious, the injury already healed when he prepared for the next attack. The heat from within her was released, coupled with a strike from all eight limbs. The monster staggered and jumped back but Ilea simply appeared right in front of it. Her fist clad in hardened ash smashed into his armored chest, mana flowing into him as he was pushed back.

The blade moved but Ilea was too close, her left hand hitting his forearm to stop the blow before it even came. Her other hand rushed out, fingers grabbing onto his helmet by thesockets for his eyes. She held onto his sword hand, struggling to keep him from attacking as her ashen limbs cut into his neck. Again and again the knight punched her with his free arm, trying to release her hold but failing to do so. Finally he managed to rip away his right hand, slashing at her neck with his sword. Ash formed around her arm as she held it up, intercepting the blows time and time again.

With a wet sound, her ashen limbs cut through, piercing the steel mail and ripping through the chain links below. Ilea whipped her hand to the side, the blade stuck in her ash was flung to the ground, steel clattering on stone as she kicked the knight’s body away from under his head. She held on to the helmet, dead eyes below still staring at her. “That’s how it feels. Fuck you too.”

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 510] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Ilea breathed out slowly, feeling the power coursing through her body. The last punches had managed to deal some damage. Her arm had been injured by the sword but with every passing second her healing mended the tissue.

The head was tossed towards the body, Ilea turning around as her wings spread behind her. Now to get back that leg.

Her assumption that Terok had found and taken the leg as well as the valuable steel still wrapped around it had been wrong. It was lying there, untouched, a dozen meters away from the Kingsguard guarding the entrance to the palace. Ilea frowned, somehow more annoyed at that fact. The sun felt nice, she noted, taking a moment to appreciate how far she had come. The knight before her had been too much to engage, had cut through her armor with ease. Now she felt like she at least had a shot.

Still two third tier skill points. Both were kept for now, to gauge the skill changes and what would be worth to advance. If Maro was to be believed, she would gain another third tier point for every ten levels after three hundred, meaning if she continued to engage ridiculously higher leveled beings, she’d get there in reasonable time. At least if the experience necessary didn’t go up by just as ridiculous amounts. Few would be the humans to have reached these levels and Ilea assumed most of them did it over decades or even centuries, not in the span of two or three years.

Why bother if you’re already set for damn near eternal life at two hundred? There were various reasons of course but extending political power needed time and effort as well. Even an organization like the Golden Lily, shrouded in mystery, Ilea doubted to have more than a handful people at her level. Catelyn had confirmed at least that they do have people over three hundred. She could activate her third tier blink anytime, return to her house, to Ravenhall. She could join the war, help tip the balance for the side she preferred. She could go look for the Lily, find those responsible.

“The Azarinth Sentinel, returning from the ashes to deliver justice.” She said in a mocking tone, “Doesn’t that sound fucking stupid.” Ash formed around her, covering her body before it closed around her head, two black horns extending near her temples. No, there are still things to do here. Things to kill.

Ilea jumped down, walking casually towards the knight, his armor glistened in the sunlight, sword sharp and brandished. Let’s see how much damage you do this time. As soon as he spotted her, the blade flashed. A horizontal strike aimed at her chest. Ilea saw the invisible force moving in her sphere, a blade of magic itself. She saw the damage before it hit, a big grin on her face before the force crashed into her. Ilea was pushed back half a meter, the armor on her chest cut, blood showing for a split second before it closed again, the shallow wound healing in mere seconds.

“Not so easy this time.” She said, four lances of ash forming over her. Let’s see if it even does anything. Damage buffs apply, toughness and density buffs apply. I don’t see why they shouldn’t pack a punch even against this guy. The knight seemed to evaluate her as he stepped forward. His blade moved through the air, two quick motions. Ilea saw the attacks coming in her sphere. Very quickly but nothing she couldn’t handle anymore. She appeared several meters to her left, the lances reaching the optimal density and form where they had floated before.

Ilea let her intent be known, the ash following her wishes. Fourblack sharpened lances rushed towards the knight, coming from an elevated position not to alert more of the kingsguard in the palace itself. She was amazed to see the knight actually dodged three of them, deflecting the last one with his greatsword. Three cut into the stone ground, sending some rubble flying. The deflected one crashed sideways into an extension of the massive structure, getting stuck in the side of it.

“Okay, this is already getting boring. Let’s get close and personal.” Ilea sacrificed three hundred health, feeling the power of her auras rushing through her veins. Two steps and then she vanished, an invisible blade rushing past. She dashed to the side when the knight slashed at her from a couple meters away. Ash started forming around her, her limbs poised and ready to strike just as she was. Ilea started storing heat while continuing to sacrifice mana into her third tier Azarinth Awakening.

Dodging another blade by jumping and twisting her body mid air, Ilea reached the enemy. Her limbs rushed out, two small spikes of ash she had formed flying in from the side. To her surprise, the kingsguard jumped back, starting to run as she followed, his sword slashing her way time and time again as she avoided the blades of mana. Twice they grazed her, the ash quickly reforming, once an attack landed on her leg but her damage foresight told her what she needed to know.

Her armor was cut, a wound on her leg forming that quickly closed again, neither interrupting her pursuit nor stopping her from forming additional lances as well as smaller projectiles in the air around her, the ash moving with her as well as it could, not profiting from her auras’ speed boost but being dragged along by her unity and creation skills. The knight rushed through the streets of Tremor, jumping into houses and through walls to avoid the spears and spikes as well as the woman herself.

Ilea decided to blink, closing the distance immediately. To her surprise, the knight had turned, sword already rushing at her. Unavoidable. In the split second she had, her body twisted a little to the side, her limbs and her right arm lashing out to use the undead’s strike to her advantage. Activating her Heart of Cinder, the fire swept through the knight and the house, his blade slowed ever so slightly as the heat washed over his armor, singing and crashing through the stone around them before Ilea’s attacks hit too.

The sword had cut into her shoulder, had managed to penetrate to her skin before the knight let loose his ranged attack, blade still stuck in her. This time it cut halfway to her bone, Ilea’s own attack sending mana into the creature in turn. The remaining projectiles slammed into his face, turning his head to the side. His free hand lashed out at her own head but Ilea stayed unmoving, taking the force before healing her lightly bruised face.

The knight jumped back, sword ripping out of her shoulder as the armor closed, wound quickly thereafter. Blood dripped from his blade as Ilea continued her attack. The knight was a triple mark but neither speed nor skill separated him much from the undead she had faced earlier. It had magic and certainly more brains as well as a complete armor and healing support from Maro. The sharp weapon didn’t detract either, Ilea’s defenses definitely more durable against the dull blades of the crazy knights.

She could see it too now, the connection the knight had to the palace, to the king and his unholy necromanticmachine. It pulsed with power, mana flowing along the thin invisible strand. I wonder if one could cut it. With a suitable attack. Ilea slashed one of her ashen limbs through it but found it simply moving aside. After five minutes of the same pursuit and rare hits, she instead grabbed onto his blade once it had cut into her.

Ilea charged up her Absolute Destruction as well as pumping destructive mana into him, surprised to find the knight immediately letting go of his weapon and jumping back. “Really?” She asked, ripping the blade out of her side before her skin and ash closed quickly. Trying to store the blade in her necklace failed, not that she had suspected a different result. Feeling a strong pull on the weapon, she resisted, instead jumping at the knight blade in hand. Ilea had no intention of using the weapon but as long as it was in her hand, all he had were his fists.

When she reached him, her fist smashed into his chest, her ashen limbs delivering their Storm of Cinders into him. The blade was ripped from her hand, turning in mid air before he clasped it and attacked. This time she had time to dodge and continued her assault, health back to the max as she started again to sacrifice health towards her aura. When she noticed her health dropping from the heat within her, Ilea once again blinked, shifting her body ever so slightly to take the incoming blade into her arm. The blast was released in a dome of fire and cinders, the houses around them vaporized by the damage.

The silver armor on the knight was smoking, the front black in parts as the knight stumbled back with a raised arm to shield himself. His sword came free as Ilea blinked the two meter distance. Charging her Destruction for three full seconds, she released it coupled with the third tier of her Aspect of Ash. The arm covered in ashen armor suddenly exploded with fire, blue mana breakin free even before her fist landed. The impactshattered through her, the punch denting his helmet in before he was sent flying. Two times he hit the ground before skidding to a stop, Ilea landing on him with her knees next to his chest.

He raised his blade but she smashed his arm aside, her other fist crashing into the helmet time and time again, blue wisps and fiery cinders rushing out with each impact. Her limbs focused on his right arm, cutting into the armor and holding down his arm as more and more ash formed to keep him down. When he was secured, Ilea charged her Destruction for ten seconds before delivering one thousand mana directly into whatever was left of his brain. Her mana was down to three thousand at that point, all the attacks eating away at her resources faster than she liked.

The punch squashed his head, killing him and separating the connection to the center of the palace. Removing each piece of armor, she stored both the corpse and the gear in her necklace and stood up. Her mana was recovering quickly, the only reason she was so aggressive the fact that the Kingsguard had a way to heal themselves. Otherwise a slower approach would definitely be beneficial. I wonder if the others are so defensive too. Trying to run away from me while regenerating. Who does he thing he is, me?

The sword was in the best shape, not a chip showingand of rare quality. Seeing it only took up a single space in her necklace, she decided to keep it. Maybe try to put the armor in crates and see if the weight decreases. A viable option to store and carry the gear, not one to quickly getting it on.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 508] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

Ilea grumbled, walking over to her stinking leg and grabbing the thing. Removing the gear itself, she stored it. Heart of Cinders charged up before she blasted the surroundings turning the rotten flesh to ash. RIP leg. Your service shall not be forgotten.

Chapter 304 Approach to Power

Chapter 304 Approach to Power

“Three hundred and you already took one down? Not bad Ilea.” Maro nodded, “Especially for a healer.” His grin brightened his face, green eyes sparkling.

“Suspected as much. Well I guess I’m going to be underestimated again.” Ilea said, sitting down on the chair and putting away the Kingsguard blade again after showing him. “You’re not fucking with me are you?”

[Necromancer – lvl 310]

Maro laughed, shaking his head, “No, for once I’m not. You identify as a healer. Having told me about both classes leveling I assume your first class is the healer one. If your second one gets higher you’ll be a warrior or mage again, depending on what it is.”

“Well, speaking of underestimating I have to give credit where credit is due. I thought I’d be stuck in her for a decade at least. When you talked about the Descent as well as the Taleen dungeon. Seeing your constant growth, I hoped for a couple years. To think it took less than a couple months.” He shook his head.

“And here I though I was crazy.” The king laughed and Ilea smiled, sitting in her Hand leather armor, cuts showing on her shoulder and side. Nothing that would threaten the integrity of the outfit but she would have to change it eventually.

At least I have regenerating armor now. That fight would have used up like ten sets of my usual one. Might have even cut straight through my limbs again. Even with all those bonuses. She sighed.

His eyes were focused on her, “What? Not satisfied with your growth? Even though you’re one of the youngest people I’ve met reaching three hundred? With an assortment of abilities that would actually let you advance even further?”

“No I’m definitely happy. Just a bit tired is all.” Ilea replied. She could face and kill Kingsguard that were being healed, a feat she doubted a whole human expedition would manage. Fuckers were at level five hundred after all.

“You don’t really need much sleep anymore do you? Oh… tired of all the fighting. Well I can see that. I appreciate it you know.”

Ilea smirked and leaned her head back, looking at the white marble ceiling, “Didn’t do it for you Maro. You could however have given me some info about the magic abilities they have. The one I faced sent mana waves capable of cutting through steel my way.”

“Sure, you didn’t.” He smiled, looking incredibly handsome. “As to their abilities, when I created them they didn’t have such. Capable swordsmen and women, sure. You’ll have to figure it out by yourself.”

She only watched through her sphere, not giving him the satisfaction. Neither did she react in any way. He wasn’t much of a help regarding the abilities of the Kingsguard either.

“Well we can visit Lisburg when I’m out. Catelyn told me most of the city turned dungeon is now a place where Dark Ones dwell. Fine by me, as long as there’s something to eat and drink. Some of the vineyards still remain I’m told.” He added.

“Can’t imagine a more relaxing dungeon exploration than a team with you and Terok in it.”

He snorted, “Oh stop it, you love us. Even if you hate us.”

How does that even make sense. Ilea asked herself but realized she was smiling despite his nonsense.

Sitting up again, she spoke, “You’re not going to visit Elana in Hallowfort? I’m sure she already has plans to implement you in her takeover of the world.”

His lips formed a line, eyes losing some of their joy, “She does. Which is why she’s not here and why I won’t be visiting her. At least not immediately. I declined my help. We were a good team, built a kingdom and governed more or less successfully. Decades of work and dedication. I would fight and die for Rhyvor Ilea, even today. Nearly did in the end. But this is it.”

“And here I thought a necromancer at three hundred wouldn’t need sleep either.” She said, crossing her arms.

Maro snorted, “She blames me I think.” His voice was quiet again, “For being stuck with me all this time.”

“When you were king and queen?”

“No. In here.” He said.

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “Well as far as I recall it was her choice. Or was that a lie?”

“It was her choice.”

Ilea smiled, “Oh I get it. You think she blames you for falling in love with you. Pretty insensitive, she’s been down here for decades you know, conscious at least. Maybe you just fucked up an enchantment or something.”

He laughed in turn, “I can see why you would think that. I’m a king Ilea, there’s hardly a man in a position to think higher of himself than that. Still, you don’t know her. Not like I do.”

“True. Why do you care then? She hasn’t given you much attention sine you woke up.”

He smiled, shaking his head, “Now you’re the one being insensitive. Well I can see why you dislike her. She never liked Elana either.”

Ilea cocked her head, “She?”

“Adventurer friend of old. You reminded me of her before. Now you seem quite different but there are some things that fit. A dislike for Elana being one of them. For understandable reasons.”

“You think she’s still around? Might be fun if you think she’s similar.” Ilea commented.

“She was cut apart in an inn, by a bunch of mercenaries she offended. Half drunk I was told.” Maro said.

She pointed at him, “Doesn’t sound like me then. I’m uncuttable. Did you kill the mercenaries?”

“Doubt it. She was pretty tough too. Not expecting an attack can do a number on you. No. The girl had friends all over, someone else reached them before me. Nasty scene.” His voice had turned even more quiet.

“We found him by the way. Terok found him. The knight patrolling the throne room.” Maro said suddenly. Seeing her questioning gaze, he elaborated, “My… son. Well, his body at least.”

Ilea nodded. I’ll try not to smash his face in. She didn’t voice the thought, unsure why he had even shared it in the first place. She hadn’t forgotten his plea to keep their corpses. For a funeral or additional resurrection, she didn’t know. Either way, she didn’t fear him. Hadn’t before but now she was even confident in facing him. A bunch of undead wouldn’t stop her from crushing his skull, before they could tear through her defenses. The thought felt weird. Ilea knew him, considered him a friend even. Yet she couldn’t shake the suspicion, her rational mind sure he was too smart for such a stupid move.

Sighing again, she looked through her potential third tier advancements.

“You’re in a terrific mood today.” Maro said.

She stared at him, “Be happy someone came to visit grandpa.”

Confusion was apparent on his face before he started laughing, Ilea focusing back on her skills.

‘3rd tier skill points available [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Azarinth Sentinel]:’

- Sentinel Sphere

- Azarinth Perception

- Azarinth Reversal

3rd tier skill points available [Kin of Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Kin of Ash]:

- Storm of Cinders

- Avatar of Ash

- Heart of Cinder

Well… they’re all fucking amazing. Sphere and Perception would likely give some utility and Reversal might be offensive power. All are interesting. Maybe I’m wrong too. Never know what you’re going to get. Box of bloody chocolates.

For her second class Ilea too was favoring either Storm of Cinders or Heart of Cinder. Both could enhance her offensive capabilities. “Hey can you help me out? I still have my third tier points from hitting three hundred.”

“Oh? And you would honor this old king by asking his advice. Well bring it.” Maro spoke, smirking all the while.

“One is a sphere of perception around me. One increases my reflexes and perception passively and the last one lets me use my healing offensively as well as changing a mana intrusion attack I have, giving it a mana drain on hit.” She quickly explained what her three Azarinth skills did without going into their second stages.

Maro seemed to actually give it some thought. She had expected him to immediately shoot an answer, likely some kind of joke. She knew based on their previous talks that he was serious quite often but looking at his face and constant smirk, it was hard to believe those memories were real at all.

“I think all those skills sound good. You won’t know what the third tier does until you get it. Maybe you could wait a little longer? It’s not been long since you hit three hundred I assume. Get used to all the changes and then make a decision?” He suggested.

Ilea wasn’t a fan, “And then get used to even more changes? No. Look I don’t intend to stay at three hundred. Soon all of them will be in the third tier anyway. It’s just a matter of choosing best ones for now, this very moment.”

He looked at her and spoke, “Well then it just comes down to what you need. Survivability? Damage? Speed? Maneuverability? Detection? Can your reflexes keep up with all the other gains you have gotten? No? Take that one. Any reason your sphere isn’t up to the task anymore? Take that. Need a boost to your healing and the mana intrusion attack, take that one. If you’re not in need of anything specific, take the one you use the most.”

“I don’t think I’m in need of anything.” Ilea said, “I use my sphere constantly, as well as my healing and the mana intrusion.”

“Well you have eyes still, as well as your other senses. I don’t think reliance on anything like that should come first. There are spells and enchantments that can make perception skills like your a terrible experience. Trust me, happened to me once.” He said. “If the choice is between that and a boost to your healing and mana intrusion, I’d take the latter.”

Ilea nodded, “Reasonable points. Or a necromancer trying to deceive me right before he takes over the world.”

“Or that. True.” He said. “What about your second class?”

“Defensive skill boosting my body passively as well as speed and perception, mana intrusion skill… well not purely anymore and lastly an area attack that targets a sphere around me.”

Maro didn’t pause for as long this time, “In that case, can you use both mana intrusion spells at the same time?” a nod, “Then for me at least it would be clear. If you’re not in need of anything else then take the two skills possibly boosting your mana intrusion. You’ll get the combined boost of both.”

“Hey that actually makes sense. Why not. I’ll get two more again at three ten anyway.” Ilea said and used the points on the respective skills.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Azarinth Reversal – lvl 3rd lvl 1:

You have learned of Absolute Destruction and Sentinel Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Absolute Destruction will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Absolute Destruction’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Sentinel Reconstruction will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

2nd stage: You may have both the original and reversed aspects activated at the same time.

3rd stage: Healing, power, resilience and speed. An Azarinth Healer requires balance. Your respective Destruction and Reconstruction spells have their potency increased by a static 25% of your lowest stat. [100%]

Category: Body Enhancement

So I should invest in Endurance is what you’re telling me. Ilea looked at her ten stat points remaining and put them into Wisdom. Getting more mana she could use for anything would be the most beneficial at the moment. Especially now that she felt both her defense and offense were covered. For a while at least.

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 1

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers or release the attack in a burst of fire and cinders.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through or on them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect.

3rd stage: Storm of Cinders burns away all that stands against it, damaging mana intrusion capabilities of defensive enchantments, natural- as well as manufactured armor.

Category: Ashen magic

“Not bad.” She commented.

“What did you get?” Maro asked, having watched her throughout the whole process.

Ilea smiled, “I’m not telling. One was really good though.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Says the guy stuck in his bloody necromancer machine, forcing me to take care of his undead.” She said, cracking her neck.

“Nobody is forcing you Ilea. I would understand anybody unwilling to face creatures two hundred levels higher than themselves. I simply know you well enough by now to know that you welcome such a challenge.”

“Wouldn’t you?” She asked, the king giving her a somewhat complicated expression. “Oh don’t disappoint me now? With all the stories of your reckless adventures?”

“With a team of experts and friends. Prepared and knowledgeable about the foes. I don’t intend to lose limbs Ilea, even if I could recover in mere days. I know you’re powerful but don’t overestimate yourself just because you can avoid getting hit.”

Ilea walked a little closer and stared into his eyes, “Last week…,” she started but stopped. The part of her that was suspicious reminded her that sharing something like her loss of head wasn’t in her best interest. “… I can take care of myself, king.” She simply said and blinked out of the room.

Ilea decided to lure the knights out into the courtyard of the palace, as few of them as possible. Some patrolled or stood in twos, making it nearly impossible to face them one on one. The two kingsguard patrolling the halls upstairs were the first she targeted. One carrying two short broad swords, guards on his hands. The other one had a nasty halberd. Creating a tiny nail of ash, she sent it flying at the swordsman.

Right before it hit, the knight vanished, appearing instead a couple meters in front of her. She saw a pulse of mana in her sphere before his movements suddenly sped up, Ilea blinking back to avoid the attack. Something’s fucky. The other knight had of course turned as well, looking at her before the halberd was swung downwards. Ilea’s eyes widened at the storm of magic coming her way, noticeable by the destroyed tiles and ceiling even before it had reached her sphere’s range.

Blink used up, she braced herself as the full force of the attack hit her. Not just her but the swords knight too, both of them flung out through the newly created entrance. Her armor had held up, the damage quickly taken care of. Her actual body was fine, she noted. As was the knight’s apparently, the man getting up a couple meters next to her. Blinking next to him, she punched towards his head. He suddenly lit up in her sphere and rolled away, faster than he had moved before. Rushing after him, she punched again. This time she was met with a counterattack, blades moving towards her neck. Ilea ducked but the blades suddenly sped up, too quickly to blink as they crashed into her ashen helmet.

Two shallow wounds had formed on her cheeks as she jumped back. I see. This time he rushed at her and she simply focused on his torso, her chest heating up in the meantime. Ashen limbs rushed out to his sides when he reached her, Ilea’s fist going for his stomach. She ignored the blades moving in piercing motions towards her heart and belly. The knight was apparently confident enough to take the trade, Ilea moving her body slightly as the blades cut into her veil, more shallow wounds added. Her own fist landed, all her mana intrusion skills rushing into him before her ashen limbs closed around his back.

The knight removed his blades with movements far quicker than she could react, vanishing a split second later. She watched as another wave of force came her way, a cone of energy ripping open the ground. Ilea simply let it wash over her, bracing against it as she was pushed a couple meters back. Weaker the further away I am. Deal with the time mage first.

At least they didn’t work together especially well, the halberd user moving slowly and attacking from a range while the swordsman constantly pestered her. The fact that she could defend against his attacks, easily healing whatever damage he got in made the fight simple. Whenever the halberd user attacked, she actually had an opportunity to meditate. That was, if he wasn’t too close to her. She could tell the damage would be a hassle to deal with should she get hit from a couple meters away instead of the twenty so far.

Ashen limbs allowed her to force the time mage warrior to trade blows with her instead of dodging her attacks before he slashed her. When her Heart of Cinder created a heat capable of damaging her body from within, Ilea waited for the next Halberd attack. Seeing the time warrior teleport away, she found the disturbance in her sphere where he would appear and blinked. Ilea released her Heart of Cinder, the knight accelerating his movements but unable to escape the expanding sphere. The blast sent him tumbling, Ilea close behind before she grappled him.

The two crashed down as she started charging up her Absolute Destruction, unmoving as he hacked into her armor with one sword. Each strike was accelerated, hitting the same spot again and again. He was going for her heart, digging a centimeter deeper with each hit. A wave of force was on its way when Ilea’s fist smashed into his helmet, through it and through his rotten skull. A ding resounded in her mind before she blinked away, avoiding the blast.

Chapter 305 Power Cleaning Montage

Chapter 305 Power Cleaning Montage

The sword was still stuck in her chest, ash growing around the wound before she grabbed the handle and ripped it out, a spray of blood coloring the ground. Actually did manage to pierce my heart. Fascinating. What the knight didn’t know of course, was that such an injury was a nuisance at best for the healer. Her heart was rebuilt, as was the armor the knight had pierced before. Now about you.

Lances of ash formed around her, five of them in total as she walked slowly towards the halberd wielding member of the Kingsguard. The weapon held in his hands was steady as he too slowly advanced. Ilea shot her spears at him and he swung his weapon. Starting to run right before the two attacks collided, Ilea blinked to the side and kept her focus on the knight, watching her lances stopped in the air and flung aside.

She reached him, her fist crashing into his back. Another hit landed when the butt of his weapon hit the ground, releasing a spherical force attack. Ilea could blink but saved it up, knowing it wasn’t life threatening. She braced herself and was pushed back, her armor slowly stripped away millimeter by millimeter before her leather armor was ripped apart. And then it ended, a couple meters pushed back, she reformed her armor, a little annoyed at the destroyed leather one. Her skin hadn’t been pierced at least.

He swung his halberd, releasing another attack from point-blank range. This time she blinked, behind him before she started charging up her destruction. Ashen limbs delivered their Storm of Cinders, focused on his smaller back to strip away whatever mana intrusion defenses his armor held. Right before he repeated the spherical attack, Ilea’s fist crashed into him, sending around three hundred mana of her own through his system. Blinking right after let her avoid the sphere that expanded right after. The ground shook, cracking and splitting in parts.

Her own area attack had reached the safe limits again as she rushed back at him, “Let’s see how you brush it off.” Blinking past his attack directed at her, she released Heart of Cinder. Fire rushed over him, powerful enough to turn the very stone below her to ash. He was pushed forward and stumbled, Ilea closing the distance in an instant. Ashen limbs again focused on the spot on his back, Ilea surprised when they pierced, pushing the knight down into the ground. Before she could press on, a noise resounded in her mind, letting her know she had won.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 500] – For defeating an enemy two hundred levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 503] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 301 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 4’

“There you go.” Ilea whispered, storing the knights in her necklace. Don’t know why Maro thinks leveling up after three hundred is difficult. She meditated to recover her mana. Absolute Destruction was a ridiculous drain at 100 per strike. Even Storm of Cinders with eight limbs only used forty if all connected. At least her regeneration was great but with this newfound power she couldn’t fight at her strongest for unlimited time periods anymore. Seventy hits with Absolute Destruction at full power alone would nearly drain her.

Then again how many people have regeneration I have to overcome? How many monsters don’t feel pain and are uncaring about injuries? The undead were a near perfect counter to her abilities and still, she killed those two hundred levels higher. They didn’t have good ways to injure her, that much was true. A Blue Reaper at five hundred might still pose a threat. Or a Regenerator with a better healing skill. Her damage was high but she couldn’t overcome everything.

Ilea still wasn’t sure how monsters worked exactly. A level one hundred wolf should be about as strong as a level one hundred human, both classes at that level at least. Knowing that, there were still plenty of irregularities. Even just being able to match the strength of the knights was unthinkable. With her stats so evenly distributed. Of course she had her auras but monsters must have skills like that as well. Maybe my classes are just ridiculously good for my level. Should I ask Maro about specific numbers? She wasn’t sure. He would surely want to know about hers too and Ilea would rather have them both unknowing.

Could squeeze Terok. The dude owes me his life after all. I could compare Azarinth First Hunter to whatever he got at two hundred. There was of course so much more to a fight than levels and Ilea wouldn’t shy away from facing even a level one thousand creature as she was now. The chance of getting such an achievement would convince her to at least try, if nothing else. She had her perception boost if something was close to one hitting her plus her regular gauge of damage dealt to her. Little could truly surprise her. At least knowing how her evolution stacked up to others would be interesting.

Could just take Maro on in that bout. Maybe ask Catelyn if she’s up for something like that. Cracking her neck, she moved on. Two Kingsguard were down and a bunch more waited for her inside.

The second set of patrolling knights were easier to deal with, another halberd and time magic duo. Fighting especially the halberd one in an enclosed space would be a nightmare but being able to lure them out made it a simple encounter. Simple as in, she lost both her eyes to the time warrior as well as a bunch of fingers to be able to pin him down long enough to kill him. All injuries she could easily heal, the temporary loss of her sight not an issue with her sphere.

The halberd knight put up a better fight than the first one she had faced, only using his attacks to react, focusing on the area attack around himself after she had hit him a couple times. Ilea was forced to take a couple of his attacks point-blank but other than damaged skin and muscles below, her body held up pretty well. Level five hundred. She mused, knowing she could take quite a bit more damage until it would become really dangerous. Neither was she averse to a more defensive approach. A tactic that likely wouldn’t work against the regenerating knights, quick overwhelming damage necessary to take them down.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 505] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 510] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 301 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

The ten stat points Ilea distributed among Vitality, Wisdom and Intelligence. She had planned to focus on the first two but the new nearly ten fold boost she received for her Intelligence damn near forced her to level it alongside the rest. She put six into Int and two each into the others. While Strength had similar bonuses, she saw fewer reasons to focus on it at the moment.

Nearly at the throne room already. Ilea remembered her first venture into the palace, seeing the kingsguard as this at the time insurmountable barrier. “Come on lassie… just a couple more.” She said to herself as she entered through the destroyed wall the first halberd carrier had produced, emulating her inner Terok.

“Now let’s see what the shield guys can do.” She said as she turned the corner, immediately focusing on the two Kingsguard standing next to the throne room gates. She waved and walked closer but they didn’t show a reaction. Are they just statues? The question was answered when they turned their heads a little towards her. Still they didn’t do anything, just watching her movements. “Guard the throne room, that’s all you do?”

Ilea decided to initiate, forming an ashen projectile and sending it towards one of the two. Shield raised, the ash was stopped without leaving more than a scratch. Sword at the ready, it seemed the knights were finally ready to engage. Ilea saw the magic in her sphere when their shields started to emanate mana. The spells taking effect, Ilea felt herself being dragged towards them. Wind magic… no, gravity? Ashen limbs spread behind her but Ilea didn’t stop her movement. On the contrary, she welcomed this approach.

Getting in close, their swords slashed at her, Ilea blinking to avoid the two strikes before she unleashed her attacks on one of the two. Fist crashing into his back, her ashen limbs weakening his plate as they delivered Storm of Cinders. The knight turned with a shield bash that Ilea didn’t avoid, instead getting in more strikes with her ash. Unsurprisingly the bash was enhanced by magic, sending her into the opposite wall with enough force to crack the marble and get slightly stuck. The other knight helpfully provided some gravity magic to pry her out again, towards his blade.

She simply smashed the weapon away when she was close enough, the steel scratching past her armor before she landed on his shield with her feet forward. Ashen limbs attacked as they rushed around the defensive measures before she was pulled away again by the other foe. Trying to disorient me with all that spinning? Due to her sphere it had little impact on her, blinking again to deliver the same attacks as she had before. This time she avoided the shield bash with an upwards jump, her Heart of Cinders reaching noticeable power. I don’t want to have the one from the throne room coming in too. The thought flashed by before she blinked further out.

The two knights followed her this time, already engaged in battle it seemed their proximity rules didn’t apply. Ilea’s ashen limbs smashed into the ground to stop them from moving her with gravity magic, her body in the air other than the ash. Adding her wings to counter the force of both knights, she managed to stay still. Their battle moved out into the hallway and then into the courtyard.

More space would mean more maneuverability for her. With her limbs and wings able to counteract the gravity magic, Ilea had little to fear even without walls and other rooms to flee to. Blinking back towards the knight she had damaged more heavily, she was hit by the blade coming in horizontally. It cut into the armor on her arm, biting through and stopped by her skin. Blinking again when the weapon was removed, she appeared behind him and unleashed her area attack as well as a simultaneous punch and Storm of Cindersfrom all her ashen limbs.

The knight was staggered, moving a step forward as she followed up, unrelenting. Another three punches and a continuous assault through her ashen limbs, one connected to deliver her reversed healing smashed into him. The mana flowedin more freely now that her third tier Storm of cinders had weakened the metal and possible enchantments that had been placed on it. For that her new Sentinel Sphere was certainly nice to have. At least she wouldn’t waste too much mana anymore if the enemy could resist her mana intrusion too well.

Ilea was pulled away again but simply blinked back to the injured knight, using the pulling force to deliver a flying kick straight at his face. His head cracked to the side and she watched the body collapse behind her as she approached the second knight. Checking her mana, she was confident to be able to finish him without bigger time outs due to Meditation. Come on. His sword slashed at her but now that the second one was out, she simply stopped it with her armored arm. Ilea felt no pain, just like the undead.

She created ash around herself and simply pumped mana into him while her limbs tried to distract him, forcing the shield and sword to move anywhere but her actual body. The remaining slashes that actually came through, she dodged or deflected. Even those that were simply too fast, she simply let through. Whatever damage was done to her was healed quickly thereafter. Not so scary once you can tank them and realize they’re fucking stupid.

With this she could even Meditate in between, even though her ashen limbs were definitely moving too fast to allow for the second tier of the skill to apply. A couple minutes later, helped by some punches of Absolute Destruction and her new Heart of Cinder, the knight collapsed.

Ilea didn’t waste any time, moving on to the knight in the throne room. Apparently the body of Maro’s son. Using the same tactics she had applied from her previous fights, she took care of him, at least trying not to damage his head any further. The last three remaining Kingsguard were down below and taken care of in the next half hour. Most of the time had been spend by Ilea meditating back her used mana. Her theory that the two standing near Maro’s entrance would react similarly to the ones in front of the throne room was correct, meaning she could deal with the one in the side hall first before giving them her full attention.

The last hit sent the knight’s corpse straight through the small hallway and into Maro’s little vault.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 510] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

...

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Kingsguard – lvl 505] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 302 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Gravity Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A force of nature, bound and warped my magic itself. Perhaps not noticing the damage dealt to your body, you have developed a way to resist this magic.’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

Meditation started flowing through her, increasing her mana regeneration considerably as she made her way inside. Maro was staring at the body when she entered. “Last one of them.” She said, appearing next to the king.

“Good work.” He said and nodded, “Now it’s only a matter of time until Terok and the elves clear out the rest.”

“I’ll go help. Shouldn’t be many of them left.”

Ilea found the four quickly upon reaching the surface, Heranuur’s explosions audible from quite a distance. I wonder how they don’t attract dozens of them with all that noise. The answer was that they did. Not a dozen perhaps but when she landed near the street they were fighting in, Ilea spotted at least six knights. Either they want a challenge or they’re idiots. She thought, blinking down and catching a knight’s sword mid swing. A punch to his chest sent him flying, the noise in her mind informing her about the damage she had dealt. She shook off the steel stuck on her hand and moved on to the next one.

Neiphato was doing a good job at defending when Ilea appeared, a kick breaking the undead’s leg before her ashen limbs smashed into his neck. The body flopped to the ground, head rolling off before she winked at the elf.

Creating several ashen lances, Ilea sent them flying through the small alley, piercing three of the knights to create openings for the others as well as simply damaging them. Terok immediately finished his off and the others seemed in the process as well so she decided to move on instead, rushing through the streets with her sphere active to find any remaining undead. The crew had continued her work of cleaning out the knights but Ilea had already taken care of a big part of the city.

Blinking through a house, Ilea surprised two knights patrolling their designated area. She appeared between them, Heard of Cinder exploding to envelop them as well as the houses around her. Each was pierced by a couple ashen limbs to finish the job, the corpses still in the process of falling when she had already vanished, her legs taking her through the streets with increasing speed.

Heart of Cinder turned out to be a pretty good skill to clear out the knights in the coming hours, not needing a ton of mana to keep up but delivering a massive blow whenever she did find enemies. The stunning power it had, even against undead provided her with whatever opening she needed to finish the job. It saved a lot of time and by nightfall she they had progressed considerably, the others meticulously searching wherever she had rushed through to finish off one or the other knight Ilea had missed.

Neither Ilea nor the group of Terok and the elves stopped for the night. She assumed by daybreak, the last of the knights of the rose would be taken care of. The dungeon cleared out except for the Soul Rippers that Ilea was absolutely not in the mood to meet at the moment. Perhaps the undead knights would resurrect but at least they wouldn’t be powered by Maro and his magic device, the only thing really that kept her in Tremor. Until the Soul Rippers become the only thing to advance my levels. She grinned, quite happy that for quite a while that wouldn’t be necessary. There were plenty of less nightmare inducing monsters out there. She didn’t even feel like testing herself against one with her newfound power.

Chapter 306 King Invalar of Rhyvor

Chapter 306 King Invalar of Rhyvor

Ilea was sitting next to a downed knight, sunlight already filtering through from above. So that doesn’t work. She summoned the second attempt at storing her ash lances from her necklace but found it again as an assortment of loose ash. The form was right for a split second but she had to take over again immediately to reform and harden it again. At least it was possible now to store her created ash but if it lost its properties it wouldn’t be a big help. The mana she used to store and summon it was about the same as simply creating new ash.

The elves appeared nearby, Goldie landing next to her a moment later. “We believe the town is cleared human. The part the light touches.”

She nodded in turn, “Good. Collect the bodies and bring them to the field in front of the cathedral. I’m sure the king will want them there too.”

Seviir nodded and vanished, as did the other elves. Terok walked over, looking over his shoulder, “No argument or sass. I guess he was more impressed with your changes that I had assumed. Healer.” He joked but she could tell the dwarf wasn’t exactly at ease around her.

“Relax mate. I’m the same person.” Ilea said, forming an ashen sphere in her hand.

He shrugged, “From what I’ve seen, and those were only brief glimpses of carnage, no you’re not. I still feel good about my two hundred evolution but now I’m looking forward to the next one.” Terok laughed, “You want to check if Maro is out yet? Maybe we’re still missing a couple but I doubt it. Been pretty thorough.”

Ilea nodded, spreading her wings. Terok ascended next to her, speeding up in silence. The two covered the distance over the dead city towards the palace in the span of a couple minutes. Landing in the courtyard, Terok stopped for a second as he looked around. “That fire thing you have now. I’m not sure what Hera thinks but he looked at you with something I couldn’t interpret.”

Ilea snorted, “I can think of several things that probably went through his head.” Walking through the opened wall, the dwarf followed quickly after her.

“How was it? Fighting the Kingsguard?”

Ilea looked over, “Well they have magic abilities that make them different to fight than the normal variants. As long as you can take their blows, they’re manageable. Taking them on without getting hit though, I don’t think I could do that for a long while. One variant even had time magic.”

“Time magic? Fucking necromancers. Good thing we dissuaded Hera and Seviir.”

Ilea nodded, the elves had likely wanted to face off against the stronger knights. “You could have suggested the undead knights in the dark section too. They’re a little easier to deal with.” She said, smiling to herself at the thought of losing her head. Easier than the kingsguard at least. Maybe with four people to distract and fight them they could even take one of the undead down. Ilea doubted they could handle one of the Kingsguard however, with what little she had seen of them fighting in the alley.

They had improved, that much was true but compared to the boost she had gotten it was negligible. If her level of power was needed against the undead rose knights and the kingsguard, then perhaps they needed to work a little longer. “That was your territory. Neither wanted to offend you I suppose.” Terok said and chuckled when they reached the throne room.

She smirked when she saw the robed man sitting casually in the big throne. His attire looked heavy, different sections of silver steel interwoven with the dark red fabric as well as dozens of intricate designs depicting mostly roses. Steel boots as well as gauntlets, the latter with sections for each part of his fingers. The helmet didn’t show his eyes, two rounded silver steel pieces separated by a vertical line going through where his nose would be. The steel reached around, other than the two pieces placed where his face was hidden below the only thing distinct about it were the silver antlers reaching up from each side.

Coupled with the two pieces on his face, there were four protrusions going up and over the full plate helmet. All of it screamed wealth as well as countless hours invested by a capable craftsman or woman. Wholly unpractical. Ilea noted, not in the mood to justify her own horns. Enemy weapons get entangled. Plus it’s intimidating. She still did.

The man clasped his hands together and got up, not moving a muscle but floating. Ilea was impressed by the magical wings she saw in her sphere, none of it visible to her eyes. “Welcome. To Tremor, subjects. I, the Red Necromancer King of old will be the doom you unleashed on this world. Cower before me.” Maro was being an idiot, spreading his arms as well as some kind of intimidating aura in the hall. Terok actually took a step back but Ilea just rolled her eyes.

“Welcome back, king. I can see you already found some gear to pay us for all that work.” She said, her armor of ash forming around her before she walked towards him. “Or do you intend to pay with your body?” Ashen limbs as well as lances formed behind and above her as she started heating up from the inside.

Maro’s helmet vanished before he clapped, a big grin on his face, “I’m kidding dear friends. No need to beat up an old man.” Jumping down from the plateau where the thrones were located, he met Ilea and hugged her. “Thank you.” He said in a much more sincere tone before he moved on to Terok, hugging his huge steel machine. “Thank you.”

“Now as to the gear. I’ve had my storage ring on me when I activated the whole thing of course. Not that I could have activated anything with my mana constantly drawn. There are some things I can give you of course.”

Terok looked at Ilea, “Why not open the armory then as well as the treasury?”

Maro smiled apologetically, “About that. Well let’s just say that I might have focused a little too much on the unbreakable part of those enchantments.”

The dwarf sighed, throwing his arms to the sky, “You fucking idiot.”

“Hey at least it held.” Maro countered.

Ilea didn’t really get it, “You can’t open it? Even though you made the enchantments yourself?”

“Precisely. The keys can open it. Or we just spend a couple weeks down there trying to crack it. We do have an idea where one key might be at least.” He smiled brightly before Ilea just started laughing. Terok shook his head but joined in a moment later. “See… the real treasure are the friends…”

One of Ilea’s lances smashed into the ground next to him, burying itself in the marble with a loud crash, “Empty that fucking ring.” She said, still smiling, “Terok, we’re going on a trip after we’re done here.”

Maro nodded, things appearing in quick succession around him. Some swords, armor, three more of his robes and helmets, wine in bottles entirely too expensive to consider anything else but treasure. A bunch of creates with books and documents in them. Food as well as maps, weird looking magical devices as well as skulls, furs and ingots. Why even have a treasury when the guy has it all in his ring.

Ilea walked past all the invaluable objects and grabbed some of the plates with food on them. Her ash brought them towards her hands before her armor receded and she started eating. Terok in the meantime carefully looked through the things, mostly interested in the ingots of course. “No gold on you?” Ilea asked and Maro pointed at a pouch on his belt.

“Couple gold if you want it. Enough to survive a couple weeks or months wherever I might find myself, that is if the worth of it hasn’t changed too much in the past thousands of years. Never cared to carry too much of it. I’m glad you found the food to your liking at least.” He said with sincerity, bowing lightly. “To think my hospitality has declined so much that guests have to face hundreds of dangerous rogue undead just to meet me. These halls have fallen for sure.”

“Well you’re out now.” Ilea said, finishing her first plate and moving on to the next one. It looked like chicken or duck in some kind of honey sauce, definitely nice looking and prepared with care. Dude was a king, probably had an entire army of cooks. Ilea mused, looking through some of the books and documents. Most of it she found was related to Rhyvor, lists of adventurers and citizens, plans and laws as well as reforms and maps of the cities, farmland, dungeons and monsters. She wasn’t sure if he kept anything back. If he knew her at all, he had nothing to hide, except if he was some kind of sadist torturer and lied to her through it all. Unlikely at this point but Ilea still watched her back, around both of them.

“Exactly. Terok, take whatever you want and can carry. I can store it for you if you don’t have an item for that. There should be some rings and necklaces in the treasury but well… not until we open it up.”

“Why not give him your ring?” Ilea suggested with a mouth full of duck. Delicious.

“That’s a good idea actually. Here, push your mana inside and check if I’m keeping anything from you two. I ask to keep the ring itself as well as my armors for now. Terok will get his storage item in time and it considerably enhances my survivability.” Maro said, holding out his hand to Ilea who promptly pushed her mana inside and checked it.

The only thing he had kept there were some letters that she summoned and skimmed through, putting them back in as he watched her with a serious expression and hard eyes. She nodded and stored them again in his ring, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You have all the right to be suspicious. I might have hidden more things down below or anywhere really. Plenty of time. I hope you can believe me that this is all I own at the moment.” He opened his arms wide. Ilea noted that his beard was looking better than before, as well as his gray hair. The man definitely didn’t look a couple thousand years old. His face might have intimidated her a couple years ago but now he was just another man. The smile that spread a moment later took away all the hardness that was present before.

“Fine with me. She did most of the work anyway.” Terok said, pointing at Ilea. “Would you think it sad if I tried to pay you back with stuff I get from him?” He asked, looking at Ilea while pointing at Maro.

Ilea chuckled, nearly choking on her food, “It’s fine. Pay back your debts in Hallowfort first. I won’t send assassins after you. I’d love a couple more storage items though as well as some good light armor if there is anything.”

“Depends on how much was actually left behind. Can’t imagine anybody raiding the chambers but you never know with people.” Maro said and sighed. “Did you… collect the bodies?” He asked, a sad note in his voice.

“No assassins but you coming after me is quite a bit more scary…,” Terok grumbled to himself.

Ilea nodded to Maro, putting the rest of the dishes into her own necklace. In turn, she blinked to the center of the hall and laid out the corpses and their armor, lastly placing down the body of his son. Moment of truth.

Maro walked over, leaving his things behind as Terok continued looking through it all, “Thank you.” He said and knelt down next to the last knight in the line, touching the young man’s face carefully. Ilea stood close by with arms crossed in front of her.

“I’m sorry.” The words were quiet, not meant for her. One by one he looked at the corpses before they vanished into his ring.

Ilea cleared her throat when he was done and looked up at the murals on the ceiling Ilea noticed for the first time. “Are you going to reanimate them again?”

Maro turned, a smile on his face and none of the sadness present Ilea had seen through her sphere just moments prior, “No. I will collect wood and burn them. Before we leave if that is agreeable to you.”

“I have some left. Did the same with the knights I killed previously. The elves are collecting the remaining bodies and will bring them to the small field near the upper most cathedral.” Ilea explained.

“Ha!” Terok exclaimed, moving an ingot around in his hands, “Marvelous.”

Both Maro and Ilea looked at him before the king nodded towards her, “I am forever in your debt Ilea. I know you had your reasons and would like to keep it that way but know that you did this old king a service he shall never forget. I won’t speak of this again, other than to annoy you of course.” The king said before he actually went to one knee and bowed his head.

Ilea stepped towards him and grabbed his shoulder, hard enough to grab on and move him up, “You know the consequences of annoying me.” She was smiling of course and Maro started laughing as he was made to stand up.

“Pretty strong for a healer! Ah we will have that bout. As soon as I have some corpses again that don’t remind me of old friends that died thousands of years ago.” Maro said, clapping her back and nearly making her stumble.

Speaking of strength. Guess I’m not the only one with boosts. “Any plans for Tremor? The Soul Rippers still roam the lower regions.”

“Did you face them? Now that you were downgraded to a healer?”

Ilea didn’t react to the comment, “No. I don’t feel like it at the moment.”

“They still creep you out? Well I don’t blame you. Read enough reports on them.” Maro replied.

Ilea didn’t deny his statement. “I’m sure Elana has plans already. For now I honestly want to get the fuck out of here. Ah to be free to speak however the fuck I want to. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck the court, fuck the nobles, fuck the king.” Maro was outright bursting with joy it seemed.

The guy surely swings in mood quickly. Ilea noted but couldn’t help but be affected by him. Damn hidden charisma stat.

“I’d take most of the metals if you two don’t object. The rest I would sell but you decide on that.” Terok said as they came back.

“You can keep it in your ring Maro.” Ilea said. “I don’t really care for anything here. We can talk about whatever is remaining in the treasury later.”

The king nodded, “Thank you.” He bowed again and vanished when Ilea tried hitting him.

“So very aggressive. That could have killed a lesser man.” He said, dusting off his robe as he appeared in a twirl.

“I’m not gonna say it.” Ilea said and retracted her fist.

Ilea handed Maro the fire sphere she had gotten in Hallowfort before stepping back to join the three elves and Terok. Looking towards the cathedral, she saw Elfie leaning in one of the window frames, crossed arms and an unreadable expression on his face.

“Warriors of Rhyvor. You have served your duty, a hundred fold. May you all rest in peace.” Maro spoke, activating the rune to set the massive pyre on fire.

“Humans and their weird traditions.” Seviir commented, wincing when Ilea turned towards him with a stare.

Maro stepped back as the fire spread, looking up to the sunlight shining into the cave before he lifted his arm. Ilea immediately turned when she felt the mana coming from him. A beam of purple energy shot up and evaporated shortly after before hitting the ceiling. She actually saw Neiphato shiver next to her, the sight of the rather mundane looking spell enough to garner such a reaction. What was that about? Of course the spell had seemed powerful, a purity in her sphere she hadn’t seen before but it was a simple beam after all.

Heranuur just grinned. Terok lifted his hand too and shot out a metal spike that exploded in shrapnel when it reached a certain height. Ilea formed tendrils of ash she sent upwards before they dispersed in a thin mist sent over the city. These rituals are that old? Ilea smiled, seeing Maro stand a couple steps away from the pyre, the flames brushing over his robes and face. Men and their misplaced pride. Ilea shook her head, seeing the tears that formed and evaporated instantly thanks to the heat.

They stood there until only ash remained, surprisingly even the elves including Elfie in his window. Ilea stepped up to the king afterwards, “I can make the ash disappear too if you wish.”

He turned to her, tears still on his face as he nodded. Guess I was wrong about him. Lifting her arm to emphasize, the ash started rising, twirling upwards before she made it vanish. The king looked up, a smile tugging on his mouth. When it was all done, the elves moved past and walked to the cathedral. Maro sighed hard before his helmet reappeared. Ilea put a hand on his shoulder before walking towards the cathedral too.

Chapter 307 The Vineyard Caves

Chapter 307 The Vineyard Caves

“King Invalar. My condolences.” Elfie said when they exited, bowling lightly.

“Thank you. Elf, I have heard of you and am willing to answer any question you might have. But not now. I will return in a couple weeks and then we can talk.” Maro immediately shut down the elf but to Ilea’s surprise, Elfie simply nodded.

“Then we shall wait here and train until your return. There are still monsters remaining in this dungeon?”

Ilea waved her hand, “Too dangerous for you lot. I suggest fighting something outside.”

Elfie nodded, “Well there is plenty for them to learn still. I will do my best. Will you be joining us?” His question directed at Ilea and Terok.

“No, we will return with the king.” Ilea answered for both of them.

“Hey why can’t we go too? Aren’t you visiting another dungeon?” Heranuur asked but something smashed into him from above before he convulsed in pain.

“No.” Elfie simply said with a wicked smile. “Until you can remove yourselves from my grasp, there is nothing for you but training.”

Heranuur coughed before standing up slowly, “Terok can’t do it either, why is he allowed to go?”

Elfie sighed and looked at Ilea with pleading eyes before shifting his attention back to the other elf, “He is not behaving like a human child, for one thing. It was a request by the human to have him included in the training. She is the one to decide. For you three, not so much.”

Ilea didn’t disagree, just smiling at Hera as he stared at her. “No fun.” The elf said before vanishing and dusting himself off. “I’ll find other interesting things to do.”

“Don’t fuck the monsters.” Terok said and laughed.

“He already did that.” Seviir commented, vanishing immediately after he had said it.

Cheeky bastard. Ilea chuckled.

“I’ll take care of him.” Heranuur said and vanished too while Elfie just shook his head.

Neiphato bowed lightly to both Maro and Ilea, “Good fortune on your travels. I apologize for the young hunters.”

Ilea smiled at him before Elfie stepped in front of him, “One is enough.” She shrugged in response and spread her wings.

“I trust you know where the go?” She looked at Terok who started floating as well. Maro did the same.

“I do.” The dwarf replied.

Elfie looked their way as they ascended, locking eyes with Ilea before she turned. When they reached the top of the cave, Ilea grabbed onto Maro’s shoulder. “The arcane storms are dangerous. Let’s check first.”

She moved ahead and looked around, seeing some clouds in the distance but nothing immediately around them. “See that crack there?” She pointed, Maro looking up to the sky before she tapped his chest, “The crack.”

“Yes.” He said, focusing in on the distant crevice.

“Move as fast as you can.” Ilea said, her auras spreading through her before she shot off, blinking time and time again, crossing the distance over the barren land before appearing inside the opening. Maro appeared a couple seconds later and Terok later yet again. He moved downwards immediately, Ilea waiting with Maro at the top. “We should move down too. Trust me, you don’t want to get caught up in them. Nearly killed me with a single bolt of lightning hitting dozens of meters ahead, granted before I reached three hundred.”

“Yea! Ilea go, jump into the lightning!” Terok shouted from below, scouting the crevice.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Are you coming? You can look at the suns from below as well.”

Maro turned to her and nodded, appearing on the ground below. Ilea followed before he spoke, “There are two suns. It’s true then.”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Well. When I was still out and about, there were three suns.”

Ilea nearly tripped, staring at him. “You guys coming?!” Terok shouted from a distance.

“I know… I considered that Tremor was moved to another realm or something but it doesn’t make any sense.” He said.

“Neither does the disappearance of a sun. Well I guess there might be some astronomic explanation but…,”

He interrupted her, “It fits with the changes in the north, the event the dark ones talk about. Catelyn and Elana talked about it quite excessively when she was down in the palace.”

“And you didn’t mean to inform me?” Ilea asked.

“Well I did now. I wanted to see it with my own eyes. How would such a fact be relevant to you anyway?”

Ilea shrugged, “No idea. So your city was moved or a sun vanished? What if it was some kind of illusion before?”

“There are several possibilities. Come, Terok’s head is exploding.” He said and started walking, “Moving a whole city like that doesn’t make sense. Maybe something did happen to the sun.”

“But such an event would be talked about for hundreds of years and every scholar would write about it for another thousand years. I haven’t heard of it. Other than the dark ones talking about their event.”

“Catelyn mentioned some versions of the story involving the sun or light being no more. Many of the creatures would have dwelt in caves or underground anyway, not putting as much importance to the stars as we humans do.” Maro rationalized.

Ilea shook her head, “I mean I never really informed myself about religions or important events in the past but I feel like someone would have at least mentioned the disappearance of a sun. I know a bunch of librarians. I can ask about it once I go back south.”

Maro nodded, “That would be an idea. Will that be soon?”

“I still want to go deeper into the Taleen dungeon, see if I can find some old friends.” She grinned. The man seemed to understand as he nodded, “Then maybe? There’s plenty of stuff to do here and while I’m more powerful now, I still haven’t ridden a dragon.”

Terok gave her a thumbs up when he stepped over a small hill, “No to the lightning but yes to dragons? Well I suppose if anybody is allowed to overestimate their own power, it’s you. If we walk in this speed, we’ll arrive in two weeks.”

“I know you don’t care about the elf but I’ll be the one feeling his wrath when I join the training again.” He added and laughed.

“Terok, do you know anything about Elos having three suns at some point?” Ilea asked.

The dwarf stopped and looked at her, “Sounds like cult talk. No. I mean there are many claiming ridiculous things like that. Or that the stars were once butterflies, that the world flowed from the womb of creation, the elder dragon placing the suns themselves. No, truth is, all of that sheit is made up and you’d better not turn into a nut chasing myths like those.”

“Well I know for a fact that Elos had three suns when Rhyvor was not a kingdom of ruins.” Maro said, shutting the dwarf up.

At least for a moment, “What? Well fucking tits. Does that mean the Worldeater Margalon will return and devour us all? By the gods…,”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Now don’t you turn into a cult member immediately. All we know is that either Tremor was moved somehow or one sun really died out.”

“You mean the great change in the north could be related? The dark ones… well the connections are there. Many scholars theorize that the suns have an influence on how mana flows. Monster activity during the night is more frequent for one thing.” Terok explained.

Maro nodded, “That was the same back in my days. Well we lack information for now. Catelyn for one doesn’t even know how many years ago exactly this change happened. The human plains weren’t affected by it all either which raises quite a bunch of additional questions.”

Hadn’t even thought about that. Just the north? Ilea shook her head, “Well let’s go to Lisburg was it? If it’s the same town that would make the teleportation argument even less likely.”

Maro nodded, “Lead the way Terok.”

“Should be around here.” Terok said as he checked their surroundings. Ilea started looking with her Sphere and Sentinel Huntress but the dwarf found something before her, “Got it. Down here.” A small cave opening was revealed when he lifted a stone. Ilea didn’t see it through her sphere but when she concentrated, she noticed a faint glow of magic from the concealing enchantment.

Great, now I have to focus on things like that too. It felt the same as when Eve tried to hide from her but compared to shifts in the air, it was like a shift in the mana around her. They descended and immediately came upon a massive unnatural tunnel, hundreds of meters wide and at least fifty high. It simply led downwards, further than she could see.

A couple minutes of running later, they saw light in the distance. “We’ve got company.” Maro said when around ten warriors and mages in various gear and with various levels appeared around them.

Hidden and concealed spaces above and below. Ilea noted the cracks in the ceiling, the weird mana resonance felt again.

“Travelers, welcome to the Vineyard caves. What is your business here?” The being most certainly a dark one, clad in black full plate armor. A massive torso but thin insect like arms reaching out. It carried no weapons.

Ilea was about to speak when Maro took over, “Guardian of truth, we are friends of the Dark Ones, seeking shelter in the Vineyard Caves as well as an escape from these unrelenting lands.”

“You speak truth, ally of the dead. It is an honor to host you then.” The being turned to Ilea, “Healer of ash, it would be most benevolent of you to lend your powers to those in need. Many have fallen in the great war.”

“Of course, armored one.” Ilea said, not able to think of anything else. She didn’t want to repeat the ridiculous title Maro had given the being. It didn’t seem offended in the least, bowing lightly before they all vanished again except for one creature that looked like a floating orb of purple energy.

“Pleasssse folloooow.” It said into their minds, all of them familiar with the feeling it seemed.

The dozen guards near the massive gate relaxed the grips on their weapons when the three approached with the floating Dark One. Ilea noted the defensive structures and small wall that had been erected, as well as the fresh blood still clinging to various parts of it as well as the ground itself. At least an effort to clean it has been made.

“Do beasts wander down here?” Ilea asked the ball.

“If theeee consssider the curssed Feynooor to be beasssts.” The ball cackled, sending sparks of purple energy off to the side.

[Death Wisp – lvl 221]

“It still sounds ridiculous to me that those creatures found intelligence and now threaten an alliance of Dark Ones…,” Maro murmured.

The gates were opened, letting in the three travelers. “If you would be ssssssso kind, the injured are in the tentssss to the leffft.” The wisp said before returning out, the gates closed again by two massive creatures with oxen heads, arms as thick as Ilea’s whole form.

Her ashen armor slowly retracted as she took in the valley spreading before her. Purple, blue, yellow and golden stars scattered the sky, illuminating it all. Crystals or metals. She noted before walking towards the indicated injured. “Do you want to stay together?” She asked.

“We can meet back up here in around five hours.” Terok said and walked off. Maro shrugged.

“I’d prefer some company if you’re not averse to the idea.” The king said.

Ilea nodded, “Sure.” He followed in silence as she made her way to the indicated tents. Fabric of differing quality and colors clad the hastily built shelters, groaning noises from various unknown creatures could be heard the closer they got. A guard stepped up to them and immediately nodded at Ilea.

He looked like a literal squid on top of a human body, “Hek sai liup?” Ilea cocked her head to the side, “Standard… apologies. Are you hear to offer your healing?”

She nodded, “Do you not have any healers here?”

The squid looked relieved, “We do, various kinds. Some wounds need more than life energy to be mended. The mana I feel from you is different. Perhaps some might find your presence comforting. Can you heal the undead?” It looked over at Maro.

“She can do that too.” He simply pointed at her, “I can only heal them once they are under my binding.”

“Truly. Then feel free to walk the tents.” The squid said, “Those in grave danger from the attack two days ago have perished or have been stabilized. There is no rush. Until they attack again.” It produced a farting sound that Ilea couldn’t interpret. The flailing arms at least indicated annoyance.

Maro watched her as she took care of several dark ones, many of them with broken bones, cursed wounds or simply unresponsive. The unknown biology of most of them brought additional difficulty but her healing skill had been boosted so much due to her recent evolutions that most of the injuries were curable.

She watched in fascination as a small black wisp grew in size as she poured healing mana into it, Maro standing to the side with a smirk.

[Undead Terror Wisp – lvl 183]

“I feel… dead again!” The noise sizzled into her mind as the wisp turned around in the tent before flying off.

“I remember fighting one of them. Never seen a dark one come out of such a spiteful being.” Maro commented as he looked after the flying orb of dark magic.

It took her barely an hour to take care of the ones she could help. There were three beings with wounds her mana couldn’t heal. Curses and poisons still in effect she noted. They wouldn’t get worse if a healer pushed their health from time to time but what they needed was simple rest.

The squid came to thank them when they left the premises. “If there is anything you need, just come to me. I will make sure the dark ones will know of your generosity.” It said and bowed.

Maro didn’t follow Ilea immediately, “Where may we find the oldest Dark Ones in this marvelous town?”

“Hmm… I have not been here for a long time. Best ask around the arena, it is the main focus the Vineyard Caves have to offer. Other than shelter of course.” It said and laughed with a weird gargling noise. Maro got some directions before joining Ilea again who was already strolling off and checking the wares of several street vendors.

“Found anything interesting?” He walked next to her and looked over the wares, an undead with sunken in eyes and dried out face sat behind it.

“I have no idea what any of this is.” Ilea said and knelt down, checking the colorful marbles. Some kind of enchanted stones?

“Prrrr…. Presius stones!” The undead muttered, for the third time since she had stopped near him.

“I think it’s meant as jewelry.” Maro commented, “You know what that is?”

Ilea looked at him and back to the stones, “Of course. Just. I just thought it was more than just shiny marbles.” She said and walked to the next vendor. Poisons. The same lanky insect like being sold food which didn’t seem like a good combination. Ilea smiled when two four legged furry creatures resembling dogs rushed past, one of them apologizing for brushing her leg.

“This is fucking weird.” She said, scratching her head.

Maro stepped next to her, his helmet off before he made a disgusted noise. “Not worth the copper.”

Ilea laughed when she saw the plate of poisoned stew in his hands. “I don’t want to just throw it out now.”

Ilea just took it and handed it to a lich like being walking past, the thing bowing before it slurped up the stew. “They don’t give much of a fuck here.” She said.

“Dark One settlements are always a treat. Rare. I guess it’s nice they finally have a more permanent place now that this area is so hostile to most other sentient beings.” Maro said.

“I mean they had caves and mountains before too. Was there no dangerous terrain before?”

Maro smiled, “No there was but I guess not as much as now. You’re human too. What do you think most empires and kingdoms would do to such a place if they found it?”

She snorted, “Nobody expects a crusade. Or how did that one go? Hard to get a group of people together against a level two hundred settlement of Dark Ones.”

He waved her off, “Funds and armies are often used for a less than a grand purpose. Humans don’t have the right set of priorities most of the time.”

“And what would those be? Oh wise king?” Ilea asked, checking out a bunch of necklaces. This is jewelry. Holding up one of them over her own, she checked herself out with her sphere.

“Teeth and bones. Fits I guess.” Maro commented which made her smile. “I suppose there are no universal right priorities. Though I doubt hunting down people just trying to live their lives is one of them.”

“Nice way to evade my question. How about just letting each other live for once. I came north to get away from the wars and what do I find? Another fucking war. These people are the same as humans. I thought other races were actually different.” She ranted, Maro just nodding in turn.

“It’s sobering to think there isn’t someone better out there. Maybe there is and I just haven’t found them. Well I understand your reasoning but with a lack of funds, dangers lurking everywhere and others looking to take what you have, your idealistic approach of letting each other live isn’t as obtainable as one would hope.” He commented.

Ilea shook her head, “I know.” She put the necklace back and continued on the street, not in the mood for shopping anymore.

Chapter 308 Mansion of Bones

Chapter 308 Mansion of Bones

The two walked in silence for a while before Maro made a delighted noise, stepping over and into a store Ilea identified as a wine seller. The inside had walls lined with bottles but she could tell by the smells alone that this wasn’t exactly what the king had been looking for.

He stood near one of the displays, looking dejected as he held one of the bottles. “I thought with the name remaining that maybe some of the wine had too.”

Ilea chuckled, “Well there are some bottles left in Tremor, not sure how many Terok drank already.” She added the second part a little more quietly.

“It’s not really about the wine.” He said, more to himself as they stepped out again, ignoring the shopkeeper’s attempts to sell the dubious potions. The streets weren’t cobbled, instead dirt or wood covering the obviously worn sections connecting the buildings varying in design as much as those back in Hallowfort.

Coming out on a square, the two walked towards the railings and found a view overlooking nearly the whole of the cave. Much of the city had remained, ruins now or repurposed as well as integrated into the new homes and dwellings of the various dark ones living here. There were hills too, covered in green but the plants didn’t look like vines to her. Still, coupled with the serene beauty from the stones and crystals shining in their various hues, she could understand why the king had liked it so much here.

“You know. Even warped as it is, I hadn’t dreamed of it to retain any of its beauty.” Maro said after a while.

“Not overrun by fucked up creatures like Tremor? I can see that.” Ilea said as they sat. She summoned two meals, handing one to the king of Rhyvor.

When they were done eating, Ilea stood up and stretched, “So.” She said afterwards, “Where do you think that key would be? If it remained at all.”

He smiled, “Gadrian had a massive mansion. If the geography didn’t change it should be near the back end of the cave.”

“Then let’s see what remains.” Ilea said and smiled, lending him a hand to get up. He laughed and took it.

The two of them flew over the city, the only notable thing they spotted being an arena that according to Maro hadn’t been there before. “We could have our bout there.” He suggested when they landed near the open gravel road leading to the mansion on the distant hill.

“Yea if you want to destroy the whole thing.” Ilea replied with a smile.

He waved her off, “You think too little of the dark ones. Their buildings might not look conventional but they’re sturdy. More so than most cheaply made houses in most human cities.”

“I know. Most of them build their homes themselves. Doesn’t mean they’re more sturdy than what a professional builder or architect can make. Heart isn’t going to save a house from a flood.”

The king chuckled, “Well I suppose it would be true if builders actually cared about their work. Where you’re from, didn’t people and cities just decide on cheap solutions making the whole thing badly constructed?”

Ilea pointed at him while they walked, “Don’t bring my world into this. There’s magic here, it should be much simpler to build a sturdy home.”

“Well if all it has to hold against is rain and snow then I doubt there are any issues either. Wait.” He said and held up a hand, “I can sense an aura of death coming from this place.” Maro said.

She looked around, noticing only now that the whole area seemed deserted. Not just void of people but plants and insects. It was utterly and completely silent. “I guess you have a point. Doesn’t mean we didn’t have wars among ourselves. Plenty of destructive potential there. Natural disasters were a thing too. What are you sensing? Monsters nearby?”

He kept walking, “No. Just a feeling. With how long you’ve been here in Elos, I think you know too that magic doesn’t just solve everything. I would prefer a lack of monsters and magic to what we have here.”

Ilea stayed silent. She didn’t agree for various reasons that she kept to herself. Earth still had monsters, just ones disguised as other things or people themselves.

“You disagree?” Maro asked when they reached the courtyard. The silence persisted.

“I do.”

He walked up to the doors and knocked, “Why? Humans the only species, no monsters. I bet millions were living a wonderful life, filled with joy and riches most in Elos could only dream of. Not having to hide behind walls, not having to fight against beasts. Knowing that without levels people were the same. Of course wealth and influence remains but in the end I can’t see it being worse than here.”

Ilea shrugged. She didn’t know what to tell him and was happy that the doors opened a moment later, stopping their conversation. She felt the mana around her fluctuate but didn’t let herself react in any way. Enchantments? She wasn’t sure, her arcane sight through her sphere still new to her.

A man looking almost human bowed to them, dressed in a black suit that was torn in more than one place. His eyes moved weirdly from side to side, as if they were marbles placed in a doll’s head. Jewelry? Ilea asked herself when he spoke.

“Welcome, travelers, guests. Visitors are so very rare these… days. Why not come in and join the lord on his banquet. It is almost time for… dinner.” The words came out without his mouth moving. Ilea rolled her eyes and looked at Maro.

The king wasn’t wearing his helmet, instead smiling brightly as he bowed back, “We would be happy to accept such a generous invitation. Much have we heard of the lord’s prowess.” He didn’t even glance at Ilea before he stepped inside, herself close behind.

[Human – lvl 30]

She identified the butler and had to roll her eyes again. What the fuck is going on here. Ilea assumed Maro had an idea, which is why he had accepted the invitation. So it’s an illusion or something? I doubt anybody would be identified like that. That guy is dead. She looked at the creature walking in front of them, leading the two through the dark mansion and up a flight of beautiful stairs. Her sphere again flickered, Ilea nearly staggering as she saw the bones and rotten meat around her. The most irritating thing was that she didn’t smell any of it.

A fire was burning in the hearth of the big hall, a long beautiful table had been set with various foods displayed. A big glass chandelier hung above, candles bathing the room in a warm light as they approached. The human moved a chair and Maro sat down without a care in the world. Is he somehow influenced by a spell? I won’t believe it. Guess I’ll go with the flow for now.

Ilea too sat down. At the head of the table, a figure wreathed in darkness appeared.

[The Undying Lord – lvl ???]

She glanced at it and watched Maro lightly incline his head. “Necromancer… and a healer. How amusing.” The voice spoke directly into her head. “Have you come here to die?”

“We haven’t come to fight you. Spirit of Death.” Maro said. A hiss resounded from the dark figure, its features entirely hidden.

“It is not your choice to make, human. Those walking into my halls willingly or not, are mine to feed upon.” It said. Ilea was getting tired of listening when Maro grasped her hand and squeezed lightly.

“My Lord. Before we are to die, may I tell you about a man I once knew? He was the owner of this very mansion. The one who had it built even.”

The dark figure moved forward a little, hands of bone moving out of the shadows. “Is that why you have come? Yes… I remember him, vaguely. A long time has it been. I had been young then, powerless and wild. A land torn by war yet governed by humans such as yourself. Gadrian was his name was it not?” Ilea saw Maro gulp at the mention of the name. “A formidable mage, despite his injuries and the battles he had fought. His death was quick if you cared to know. His remains rot in the cellar to this day.”

The wood of the table and floor cracked when Maro’s teeth ground against each other, a burst of deathly mana washing over her.

Maro sighed, “He… he was a good friend. One of the few that had remained to the very end. Gadrian loved this town, loved the quiet. This mansion was built to capture the best view of the sunset, did you know that?”

A hollow chuckle came from the being, “A tragic story then, that such town would fall to monsters, would vanish into the earth, the very suns unable to reach it anymore.”

“Perhaps. I do believe Gadrian lived his life to the fullest. If either one of us was truly fulfilled, it was him.” Maro said and shook his head.

“Is it revenge then that you seek?” It asked, the tone casual.

Maro tapped onto the table with one finger, “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to see Lisburg again, find out what had happened to Gadrian. It has been so long in this world since I sealed myself away, one way or another he would have passed. To learn about his demise, to find the one who killed him even. It is more than I had expected to find here.” He sounded almost defeated Ilea noted, unsure about how he felt about all this.

“Know that it was not malice but simply my very nature that had me kill, makes me kill to this very day. You, one of death would surely understand.” The being said. “Are you here to die then?” It asked again.

Maro stopped his tapping and stood up, “No. I don’t know what I expected to find, stepping into the domain of a spirit of death. I’m sorry but we’re not here to die.”

The doors swung closed before the room turned from the nicely furnished and clean hall to one of death and blood. Bones littered the wooden floors, rot and blood coloring the walls. Ilea pushed the plate of meat a little further away when the spell was lifted. She moved her head over the chair’s side and puked up the food she had eaten just an hour ago. Maro’s helmet was back on his head as the being stood up, black mist lifted to reveal the skeleton protecting a black ethereal form within.

It was two meters in height, the bone grown out enough to form suitable armor, nearly creating something akin to a full plate suit. “This mansion. Has been one with death for millennia. Those seeking it come here. Rarely do I stray. Know that it is an honor to bring one as old as yourself to rest.” A beam of black energy slammed into a shield of the same color thrown up by Maro. Ilea summoned a flask of water and cleaned out the taste from her mouth, more used to the scene around her.

“Why do you resist? All the rare humans meeting my path have acted the same way. Clinging to life with all they have. Let go and rest. You already feel my power Necromancer. Though impressive, you cannot stand against me.” The beam turned purple, as did the shield. Maro seemed unimpressed as Ilea moved the chair back and stood up, cleaning off her legs and ass from the filth on the chair.

“You should really clean up a little better.” She said to the butler standing to the side unmoving.

“I have not come alone.” Maro said. “Ilea, I know you have done a lot for me. This I ask you for both myself and the thousands that have died to this creature. I’ll invite you to dinner once it’s over.”

She looked at him and frowned. “Just brought me here because of this?” He smiled, an apologetic look on his face as she sighed.

The beam stopped, “A healer will not stand against me. You have known this futile when you stepped into this mansion Necromancer.” It moved its hand towards Ilea before a beam of purple energy smashed into her.

She simply stood, her leather armor rotten through in a mere instant before her skin started to melt. Her armor of ash formed as she spread her arms, intercepting the beam to allow her chest to be covered by ash too. The wounds reformed quickly as the death magic burned into her ash, moving incredibly slow through the element. When it stopped, her armor simply reformed, her skin healed already. “Ash?” The being asked.

“Yes exactly that.” Ilea said, her chest heating up slowly as lances formed around her. She jumped onto the table as her ashen limbs formed behind her. “You have lost murder privileges death sprite.”

“So bold. Come then human. Perhaps you will be the second one in this month to escape with their life.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow and watched the bones around her move to form weirdly proportioned warriors, claws and weapons of bone as they quickly rushed at both her and Maro behind his shield. She appeared in front of the creature only to be engulfed by a massive beam of purple light. The energy shaved into her defenses but she simply pushed on against it, blinking again a moment later before her fist smashed into the lord’s leg. Her mana flashed into him as he screamed in pain, vanishing before he appeared once again floating in the middle of the hall.

The skeletons around her rushed in, stopped by the ash that formed around her. The lances, having reached peak density were fired at the dark mage, impacting its bones with a loud shattering noise. The bone won out. Ilea spread her wings before the creatures broke through her ash, flying up and towards the mage.

“Will this be the one?” It asked, excitement flowing into its voice as another beam enveloped hear, Ilea simply pushing through as the death magic intensified, slowly getting through her ash before she reached him again. His hands rushed out with lightning fast speed, making her blink away to avoid the grab. She appeared with a skull in front of her, his hands again grasping at her. This time they found purchase. Ilea smiled as it tried to squeeze her very bones, one of his hands around her arm and the other clawing into her chest.

Her healing mana flowed into him and her ashen limbs smashed into his head to deliver more damage. She held her fist close to herself as she charged up Absolute Destruction, counting the seconds. When she felt his attack coming through her third tier Azarinth Fighting ability, she simply continued. Her heart suddenly quivered, pulses of death mana directly flowing into it and exploding. The skeleton in front of her showed no emotions and after the fifth pulse, her heart exploded.

It paused but when her assault didn’t stop, the being moved on to her brain. It was then that Ilea sacrificed five hundred health and punched its chest with a ten second charge of her mana intrusion ability. Blue energy was visible as it flowed through the bone and into the black mist below. The death spirit screeched, writhing in pain as it tried to get away from Ilea who was now the one holding onto his hands. Her grin was wide as her heart reformed in an instant, another chunk of mana sacrificed.

I have more still than I expected. Another attack was already charging up as she stopped the assault from her ashen limbs.

“Marvelous… the Azarinth.” It said, the dark form within it writhing as blue lines burnt up more and more of it, her reversed Sentinel Reconstruction continuing to push mana into him. She noticed the being wasn’t floating on its own anymore, her strength and wings keeping it in the air as the skeletons on the floor looked up, some smashing into the shield of an unconcerned Maro.

“What do you know of the Azarinth?” She asked but the being simply exploded in purple light, a flash of magic burning a part of her armor before she too released her area attack to prevent it getting her health down. Fire erupted, cinders dancing over the skeleton, half of the black mist withing turned to ash. Feeling another attack coming, Ilea punched and released the charged up attack.

“I thank thee, for granting death.” The blue lines became bigger before the rest of the black mist evaporated, the skeleton sagging down to the ground immediately.

She held onto it, watching all the other skeletons collapse. The butler too fell down, head rolling away from his torso. Ilea hoped he was fine.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [The Undying Lord – lvl 540] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and thirty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 303 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 302 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

She slowly landed, placing the massive pile of bones onto the table. Basically a single piece of bone. Hey I leveled.

“You got the whole kill. Good.” Maro smiled as he stepped towards one of the fallen bone piles. “Thank you Ilea.”

Chapter 309 Pyre

Chapter 309 Pyre

“You didn’t interfere because of that?” Ilea asked, tapping the bone. “Damn, we should have asked him more questions.”

“Him? It sounded female to me. Interesting. Didn’t seem like a talkative fellow if it wasn’t about his beautiful villa.” Maro said as he cleaned up the bone piles with his ring.

“You can use them as minions?” She asked, looking at him work “Don’t tell me you planned all of this from the moment we got you out in Tremor.”

“I’m hurt that you would think so.” Maro said and laughed, “I’d like to think of myself as a good strategist but no. I didn’t know what was in here until we stepped onto the premises. Your abilities are such a good counter I thought I’d risk it.” He waved her off, “Don’t look at me like that, if he would have done significant damage I would have intervened.”

“You would have just healed him with your own death magic. And losing a heart isn’t significant damage?”

He shrugged, “That’s not how death magic works. And no, apparently losing a heart isn’t significant to you. I would have felt it if it was. Damn, you’re pretty indestructible then. No wonder you cleaned up the kingsguard so quickly. Battle healers… might be an idea worth pursuing in the future. Always though it was stupid to spread oneself so thin at early levels.”

“Guess I lucked out with my class then. I won against level fifty people while below and with only one class.”

Stepping into another pile, Maro made the skeleton vanish before he spoke, “Really? Is that the Azarinth he mentioned? The blue stuff. Never seen a mana intrusion spell that looked like that. Most work with blood or death magic. Yours looks more… well more like mana itself.”

“Healing orders and their experiments… guess something good had to come out of those lunatics at one point or another.” He grumbled, done with the cleanup.

“You want the big one too?” Ilea asked.

“I think you could use some of that to make armor. Just have to find someone capable of molding bone. If your fists can’t crack it I think it’s safe to say that the quality is good.” The king suggested and appeared, touching the chest of the thing, “Yea this is prime quality. I’ll take whatever’s left of it.” He added and laughed.

[Undying Skeleton – Timeless Quality]

“Hmm. What does timeless mean?” She asked.

“I’ve seen it only twice I think. It can regenerate if you push mana into it. Not as quickly as your ash armor but at least you don’t have to repair it constantly.” The king explained as he looked around the room.

I guess instead of skin it’s bone… full circle. She smiled at the thought. The drake scale armor had been one of her favorites. I hope Goliath can work with this at all. And I hope it can be made into light armor. It didn’t look light at all. She put it into her necklace and found it taking up four spaces on its own.

“I’ll go downstairs to find Gadrian, give him a proper burial.”

“What about all the other skeletons?” Ilea asked.

Maro shrugged as he walked down the steps, Ilea following after she placed the remains of the butler into her own storage item. “I didn’t know them. Nor did the monsters he created match up. No necromancer worth his money would waste such a large amount of bones.”

Ilea nodded when they came up on a closed double door. “Enchantments.” She said as he put a hand over them. A pulse of purple mana flowed up and the door opened.

Maro stepped through without a word, Ilea shrugging. The stairs led down and into another big open hall. No more monsters were present and compared to the piles of bones and rot upstairs, the glint of gold, silver as well as other colors shined through all the death. “It’s all yours as far as I’m concerned. Just leave the bones for now until I found the old fucker.”

Ilea smiled. That’s a lot of damn work. It turned out the work wasn’t as excruciating as she had expected. Her own efforts were sped up by her ashen magic, both her limbs as well as ash simply moving around the bones and separating gold and treasure into their own piles. Maro helped by supplying around forty skeletons that searched through the piles and piles of bones and treasures.

Ilea separated it all into piles. “It’s a small golden key by the way. Let me know if you find it.” Maro added after a couple minutes.

It took the two of them and their ashen as well asbony help two hours to sieve through most of it all. Much of it was rotten, old and useless.

428 gold coins

13821 Silver coins equaling 138 gold coins once exchanged.

Pile of gold treasures with varying worth, detail, age.

Pile of weapons and armor of various quality.

Ilea stored the gold and silver. “Hey can I have one of your crates?” She asked, Maro not quite done with his search as he separated bone piles. He appeared next to her and summoned a crate. “Thanks. Still haven’t found him?”

He shook his head and continued, Ilea dumping the pile of gear into the crate as well as most of the weapons. These all belong in a bloody museum. She requested another two crates and put in the treasures as well as the rest of the weapons and armor that wasn’t completely rusted away or rotten. Most of it was.

She stored the crates in her necklace and started moving through the room again. Probably gonna sell all that… wait no. She smiled at the thought. I mean at least I don’t have bones there too. She decided to keep all of it and put it into her own house’s little exhibition. The three crates took up a lousy three units which made her decision final. Maybe give some of the treasures to an actual museum if such a thing exists around here. Some of it probably is as old as time itself, coming from this fucker’s… oh hey look. She moved away a pile of bones and found a glint of gold. “Maro!”

The man appeared as she retrieved the key with a thin tendril of ash. “That it?”

He didn’t look at the key, instead kneeling down before he moved some bones away. What remained was the skeleton of a man. His hands shook as he carefully touched the skull. Ilea stored the key as he carefully touched each bone, stored safely in his ring. At last he held the skull again in his hands, his helmet vanishing to reveal his pained expression. The skull went into his ring before he looked at his empty hands.

Waves of black and purple energy shot out, the piles of bones around him rotting away more and more with each touch. Ilea’s armor formed quickly as she remained at his side. The waves intensified, his helmet appearing again. With a last wave rotting away a layer of her ash, Maro looked down and let out a single shout with all his breath. He was heaving when Ilea took a step towards him, putting her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s burn this fucker down.”

Ilea added the corpse of the butler to the small pyre they had built in front of the mansion. Her ashen limbs had ripped through half of the entrance to get enough wood. Her fire sphere summoned, she looked at Maro with a questioning gaze. “You do the honors.” He said, not wearing his helmet.

Ilea shrugged, stepping towards the pyre before she pushed mana into the sphere. The wood wasn’t wet but the pieces were rather big, leaving her with a couple minutes of burning before it finally caught. She refrained from using her Heart of Cinders in consideration of the event. When the fire started taking over, she moved back to Maro. “I’m sorry.” She said after a minute of standing there.

The man didn’t speak, simply watching the flames move. Ilea noticed that with time more and more dark ones gathered close to the estate, none actually stepping upon the dead land. “We’re attracting a crowd.” She said to the king.

“It seems so.” He simply said.

“Mind if I set the whole place ablaze?” Ilea asked when the pyre started to collapse. Maro shook his head lightly as she stepped towards the broken in entrance. Most of the mansion was built with wood. When she was inside, she did actually use her Heart of Cinder to dry out and slightly burn the stairs while using her sphere to actually set them aflame.

When the flames started spreading, she activated her ashen armor to avoid losing her last set of leather armor. Guess I still have a bunch of clothes. Just no light armor. She released Heart of Cinder in the dining hall and added her tiny flamethrower into the mix. Should be fine now if nobody stops it. A good part of the mansion was burning now, Ilea stepping down the collapsing stairs before exiting, her ashen armor receding as she joined Maro.

The crowd had grown and the previous silence had been replaced by cheers and loud conversation. When Ilea joined Maro again, she formed a spear of ash before releasing it towards the cave ceiling. He smiled and lifted his arm, adding a ball of darkness that exploded in a flash of wild mana when it reached a thirty meter height.

The man sighed deeply as he looked towards the crystals above them. Different elemental spells started shooting out from the crowd, first only a couple but soon a sea of spells added to the colors of the ceiling. “When I went under… I didn’t expect to come back.” He spoke, Ilea looking at the man. “To come back. And now I’m back to bury all the people I had known, the kingdom I founded. It’s not how it was supposed to go.”

Ilea looked up too then, “How was it supposed to go?”

He just smiled lightly, “Well I suppose it could be worse. At least Elana is still around.”

“As far as I’m concerned, we just defeated Death. I think you can cut yourself some slack.” She said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m not your grandfather that needs to be comforted Ilea.” He said but didn’t move her hand. “I’m the king of Rhyvor, feared necromancer and legendary womanizer.”

“Still human.” She said as the spells started to subside, the house now fully ablaze, chunks of wood and stone falling to the ground.

“So what are you going to do now, having killed Death itself?” He asked.

Ilea looked at him, finding him staring back at her, “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to ask?”

Maro laughed and shrugged, “Perhaps it is. It isn’t a question I can answer right now. Now being King sounds lovely though.” The first people started entering the dead land, walking towards the two still standing alone. The mansion actually burning down probably convinced them that the lord was dead. Ilea hadn’t really thought about the significance he had held in the dungeon. Seeing the dark ones not getting hostile, she was glad they weren’t in a death worship cult cave.

“What about you? You didn’t answer either.” He said in a teasing tone.

“I came here to get away and have fun. Getting stronger is a nice benefit too. I think I can stick with that.”

He shook his head, “I think you’ll get involved with time. No matter how much you want to deny it.”

“Humans of ash and death, have you killed the Undying Lord?” A being with antlers not unlike Maro’s head gear asked, bowing to them as it approached.

“Deny what?” Ilea asked, “Yea the fucker’s dead. Why is that relevant to you?” She wanted to at least know if a fight was coming.

“One of ash, the undying lord has demanded tribute in the form of captured monsters or sentient beings for hundreds of years. Of the few remaining dangers in the Vineyard Cave, the spirit of death remained its greatest. You have done us a service we cannot repay.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Don’t worry about it. Glad we could help you get rid of it.” She looked at Maro who had a wide smile on his face, his helmet appearing a moment later, “What?” Ilea demanded but he just started laughing.

“You fuck. Tell me your secrets.” She said, jumping at him but finding the king appear a couple steps away.

“Can we… do this later?” His plea seemed sincere, making her stop as more and more people gathered.

She started to ignore the questions. Most of them simply walked to the mansion itself, offering a variety of slurs, prayers, spit or even gifts. Wanting to leave due to the mass of people, she blinked away. Maro followed a moment later and they made their way back to the city. “Seriously though, what did you mean before?” She tried again when someone appeared a couple meters behind her.

Ilea turned because it was a human. The man bowed, smiling at her brightly. “You prevailed against that terrible creature. Thank you.”

[Mage – lvl 321]

Whoa, not bad old man. “Sure thing.” She gave him a thumbs up and turned around, Maro staring at her and then looking at the old man as he smiled. The old man looked unsure, lifting one hand as to continue the conversation. “Look I’m not in the mood to talk to random people all day. I didn’t reach this level to be held to social expectations. Plus I’m hungry.”

“Ah yea, you puked. Didn’t think you would react in that manner. The young and inexperienced.” Maro said and the old man chuckled, a joyous sound.

“Hmm, yes. Perhaps? Mocking others to avoid one’s own pain is quite common for those of a young age. You my dear friend should be above such. No offense meant.” The man said as he looked at Maro. Ilea turned again as she processed the man’s words, looking at Maro and back at the man.

“Do you know each other?” She asked.

Maro didn’t reveal anything below his helmet, “Not that I’m aware. Did you serve Rhyvor?”

“Rhyvor… the old kingdom. Ah yes… wasn’t this ruin a part of it too? I believe some of the records state such. No. You misunderstand. You have defeated one to sow death and pain amongst those seeking a peaceful life, it is enough to consider you friends. It’s been a while since I met a member of the Hand, how’s the old order holding up?” He said, smiling at Ilea with his disenchanting charm.

I really need to get Charisma Resistance. The man was older, only relative to Ilea though. In his seventies perhaps looks wise. He wore black pants and sturdy leather boots. A simple shirt covered by a brown poncho above. His face was wrinkled and near bronze in color and his gray hair thin, his whole frame was thin for that matter.

The man held a wooden staff that he leaned onto while they talked. The reason she assumed him to be old wasn’t necessarily his look, more the way he looked exhausted just standing there. If it weren’t for the fact that he appeared out of nowhere and had a level even higher than hers or Maro’s, she would be sure he was a retired craftsman who had worked hard in his field and now spent his days fishing on his boat in some southern country.

“You know the Hand?” Ilea said. He waved her off and started walking.

The man had a brisk pace and passed them shortly, stopping before he turned, “I think you wanted food? I’m hungry too. I’ve lived here for a couple years. You’ll want to avoid most restaurants, being human and all.” He laughed, “Come then young ones, my treat, for taking care of that spirit.” Ilea looked at Maro and shrugged, the king not reacting before she followed.

“The Hand, yes. Few know the order here.” He said and led them into the city. “We work with jobs and other than expeditions there is little incentive to come here. Plenty of dangerous dungeons and beasts down south, if that is what someone is looking for. Not many humans here to talk to, cities to enjoy. I doubt you’re here on a mission either. No, I don’t think so.” He pointed his staff at her.

Ilea smiled, “No, I’m not.”

“Thank the suns, almost thought you had been sent to fetch me. Hahaa, well I suppose the old man would be forgotten at one point or another. Is Verena still alive?” He asked.

“Well after the demon invasion she vanished, Ravenhall was destroyed mostly but with Dagon and Sulivhaan I think it’s in good hands. The defenses now look much better too.” She replied, the man stumbling before he fell face first into the dirt.

“Ah motherfucker.” He exclaimed and groaned, “Apologies…,” He got up again, dusting himself off before he smiled at the two, “Destroyed?! By demons?? Bloody…,” He shook his head, “Oh don’t tell me… that fool!” Ilea felt mana emanate from him, her sphere informing her that yes, his level wasn’t a joke or illusion. He calmed down again though, hands shaking as he summoned a pipe. Ilea’s sense of smell told her it wasn’t tobacco inside.

Lighting it with a small silver lighter, he took a deep pull and exhaled the smoke, “Mhm, yes. Adam Strand. It was him wasn’t it?” He asked, calm again. Ilea nodded. “Did you retake the city?” She nodded again. “Casualties must have been in the hundred thousands? But the empire? Is it still standing?” He looked at her with big eyes.

“Yes to both. Well Baralia started a war last year so I’m not sure if the empire is still there. At least the demons didn’t seem as much of a problem anymore. You’re part of the order then? One of the ever absent Elders I presume?” Ilea asked.

The man smiled again, “Oh you have to tell me all about that. It is however good to hear Dagon and Sulivhaan taking over the order. And yes, Lucas is my name, elder of the Shadow’s Hand, at least as far as I know. Pleased to meet you.”

Chapter 310 Opinions and food

Chapter 310 Opinions and food

“Figured as much. I’m Ilea, joined a couple years ago. Any reason you’re here in the North instead of you know… doing your duty as an elder?”

The man looked at her and laughed again, pulling on his pipe. “My dear. The duties of an elder aren’t very well defined. Perhaps it is changed now… well it is no concern of mine.”

Of course it is…, Ilea was confused, the man certainly not making the most competent impression. “Maybe helping out when another elder destroys the whole city?”

He nodded and sighed, “Maybe. Yes. I’m sorry. Being so far away, I didn’t even know.”

Maro touched her shoulder as she noticed the ash coming to live around her. She swatted his hand away, “I’m sorry? Hundreds of thousands of people died… turned into demons and nearly wiping out all of humanity!” She kept her voice leveled, more ash moving around her.

“Now now.” The man said in a calm voice, moving his hands as he nervously looked at the ash, “I am sure you handled it well my dear. I’m far removed…,”

“Would you have cared had you known?” She asked, sitting back again as her ash vanished. The answer didn’t matter of course, either way he hadn’t known, couldn’t have. Still, somehow she felt like blaming him. The other elders that weren’t there are at fault too. He knew immediately that it was Adam.

He murmured something to himself before he spoke, “You did well. I’m glad you were there. If I could give you my title, I would. Sadly it involved votes by current elders… well. I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore.”

It matters that you didn’t stop Adam. Ilea ground her teeth, thinking back on the carnage left behind by the demons, all the people that had been slaughtered. A statistic, hard to grasp. A numbing feeling she hadn’t thought about much. Perhaps now that someone who could have prevented it stood in front of her, it became more real, not an unavoidable tragedy but the massacre it had been.

The elder stopped and sighed, “We have arrived.” He said and pointed at the ruined house missing a roof and half of its front.

Ilea blinked up, finding a nice table with a good view before seating herself. Maro appeared a moment later and sat down too after looking around. “Certainly changed.” Ilea didn’t react to his comment, waiting for the old man slowly entering below.

“Ah, no no it is quite alright. Bring whatever you have. How is the family? Another three hundred babies… well I hope you can get some sleep.” They heard the elder talk below. He laughed at the answer Ilea didn’t understand, spoken in a language she had never heard, “Don’t worry about it. The plums should be ripe in two weeks. Beautiful, the taste is exquisite I tell you.”

Is that code? She wondered but if he spoke the language why use code in standard? He walked up the stairs a moment later, groaning at the movement. “Why don’t you teleport?” She asked in an annoyed tone, staring at the man while he avoided her eyes.

“Aaaah, no no. These old bones need some movement too. It took too long to reach the two hundreds and now?” He paused, “I pay for it.” He sat down with a loud sigh and rested his back, the staff vanishing from his hand.

Ilea leaned forward, resting her head on her hands, “You knew about Adam then? Why not prevent it?” She felt herself get agitated again at the sheer thought. It annoyed herbut she couldn’t ignore it, thousands had died because of that man.

“I know Adam.” He said and paused, “If… if what you say is true, then perhaps I hadn’t known him as well as I thought.” He puffed on his pipe and leaned back, “I’m aware of some things about him that others do not know. Yet I couldn’t have fathomed him going as far as summoning demons into Ravenhall. Unthinkable.” He shook his head.

“How did you know it was him when I mentioned the demons?” Ilea asked, impatient with his slow explanations.

Lucas looked at her then, “Hmm.” He removed the pipe and leaned forward, “He is the only summoner I know that is capable of such a feat. The only one who could hide something like that.” Seeing that Ilea wasn’t satisfied with his answer he continued, “You know… the man has been looking for a way to get there. To bring back something that was taken.”

“Bring back something from the demon realms?” Maro asked, the elder nodding in return. “What exactly? Are you suggesting demons can steal things from our realm? Steal people?”

The elder waved him off, “Hmm, yes. Well no. I do not know. Summoning as well as the demonic realm are no interests of mine, Adam is the one I learned from about these things but… well I forgot most of it.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ilea asked, “You could have prevented this, prevented the summoning and saved all those lives.” Her ash was back as he held up his hands in a placating gesture.

“Hey now dear. I have summoned nothing. You have the wrong elder.” He said in a shaky voice, smiling again as he put his pipe back into his mouth.

“He’s right you know. I get that you’re angry Ilea but trust me on this… some people’s actions can hardly be predicted.” Maro said, calming her down somewhat.

The elder relaxed, touching her arm despite the ash that twirled around her, “I am truly sorry my dear. It is past… let bygones be bygones.”

“So Adam is looking for something in the demon realm? Any idea how to get there?” Ilea asked, her ash casually moving away his hand from her arm. He shook his head slowly. “What is he looking for?”

“I… ehm… I forgot.” He said. “If you find him… tell him I am disappointed.”

Disappointed…, Ilea couldn’t help but laugh, sitting back as she calmed down. She looked at him with contempt. You did nothing. Hid here in the nor…, She stopped the thought and looked down, her ash receding. It’s different. She heard herself justify herself.

“You were the human that fought the spirit last.” Maro said suddenly, interrupting the awkward silence and changing the topic.

Lucas smiled, puffing on his pipe, “Hmm, perhaps. Maybe I have sought to discoursewith the undying lord. I am not keen on fighting anyone but I suppose that one has a way to make me show the worst of me. I’m thankful you took that burden from this town. One of the few things remaining to retain the feeling of a dungeon.”

Ilea sighed and sat back, her chair leaning on a wall of ash she had created. “Why are you here? Just to help out the community?”

“I am sorry I disappointed you my dear.” Lucas said, “I tend to have that impact on people.” He added with a quieter tone, “I meant that before you know, you becoming an elder. Or doing something similarly impacting. Surviving here is enough to get you a high position in any human order, kingdom or empire.” He pointed at her, “I am frankly tired of it all. The constant wars… battles. Dark Ones are much more relaxed.”

“I came here for the exact opposite reason.” Ilea retorted, his talk about the wars and battles resonating with her. The only thing she disagreed on was that the Dark Ones were any different. Some perhaps but she knew plenty of humans who just sought to live their lives in peace.

The elder nodded, “I’m here to study the north, the events that changed this environment two to four thousand years ago. More so I’m here to try and change it back. The trees and vegetation you see growing in this dungeon are the first step. With time I’m sure at least a part of the magical imbalance can be restrained. Not perhaps to the extent it had been before but better at least.”

“That event. We believe Elos had three suns before.” Maro interjected, the elder nodding and pointing his pipe at him.

“A theory. Well many exist but one can’t realistically replace a sun. Trees is the next best thing, water and a working ecosystem. Introducing animals and monsters back into the environment.” The elder replied but Maro shook his head.

“No, no. I was there. Before. I was trapped and unconscious for thousands of years. There were three suns before. These lands were normal, the beasts below level one hundred. At least outside of dungeons. Lisburg was the pride of Rhyvor, its wine unparalleled.” He explained, the elder nodding as he looked at the king.

“You must tell me about before… how it looked, where the lakes and rivers were.”

“Later.” Ilea interrupted, glaring at him, “Why not fix the war down south?” she asked with a smile.

The man pointed at her with his pipe, the pipe she was about to rip out of his hand and snap. She wasn’t quite sure why he irritated her so much, “Hmm, Baralia. They areincapable of winning such a war. At least not if anything major changed in the last decade.” He laughed and shrugged.

“Why don’t you go and stop it?” Maro asked Ilea instead, “You seem to care a great deal. I have fought Rhyvor’s enemies whenever necessary.”

Ilea was about to answer when the elder stood up, “Ah yes, the food is here.”He laughed as a tiny dark one with two leathery wings brought eight plates filled with food at the same time. More quickly followed.

“To answer your question Maro.” Ilea said, finishing another plate. “I’m not even from there. I don’t know the politics, background or anything else. Even if I know Baralia with its slavery sucks, what do you think happens if I run in there and kill a bunch of royals? A month after I left the whole country would be in flames. All the soldiers now leaderless might just scatter and burn down whatever settlements they can find.”

Lucas re lit his pipe and nodded, “Mhm, you’re probably right.You should listen to her.” He said to Maro.

Ilea burst out laughing, the elder smiling at her before she pointed at him with a bone she had cleaned off of meat, “You’re not excused. You’re obviously knowledgeable and could do something with both your influence and power.”

“I am the king of Rhyvor.” Maro said, “To get disrespected like this… refreshing.” He wasn’t wearing his helmet anymore either, a content expression on his face.

“Ah, the king of Rhyvor. My respects.” He bowed without really moving. “A necromancer. Well most of the surviving records and murals only talk about the queen.” Lucas said. “As I said young one, Ilea. I have not been down in the south for a decade. My intervention would be… problematic.”

Maro smiled, “Good to know that at least history will remember the true ruler.”

He lifted his mug and spoke, stopping Ilea’s retort, “To Rhyvor, Elana and to Gadrian.”

Lucas just puffed on his pipe, Ilea raising another dinosaur leg, “To the chef, bloody delicious. You get points for that at least, old man.” He really hadn’t offered much more. Still, Ilea had enough self awareness to know food was the way into her heart.

The elder laughed, “Hmm, points are always good, are they not. Maro my friend,I wondered if you could share some knowledge on death magic with me. It has become increasingly hard to find a capable necromancer willing to come so far north.” He puffed again and looked at Ilea, “Let us stop this talk of war, I would rather just plant trees to be honest.” He laughed and Ilea sighed before continuing to eat.

“Yes, yes. I have cast aside all violence from my life, all war and slaughter. I have tried convincing people, talked to many leaders that would listen but did it change anything? No.” He added sending smoke upwards.

“Didn’t you fight the spirit just recently?” Maro asked, “Or are you just an occasional pacifist?” He laughed, the elder waiting for him to calm down.

He puffed again, refilling his pipe before he lit it again. He leaned back and sighed, “My failures are many, some more recent than not. I try my best.” He winked at Ilea, “Maybe you should too, stop all the fighting and killing. Do something good for once, create something or help people out.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, hearing him preach after admitting his inaction, “They were pretty grateful hearing that the death spirit was dead.” She said, finishing the plate and taking the next one, “I don’t disagree with you by the way. The world would certainly be a better place without war but sometimes to stop violence, you need even more of the same.”

“No, I disagree I think. Endless killing. Well I do not fault you either, you are young and I am sure you have suffered terrible losses to become so cynical and jaded. Just remember my words.” He pointed at her, “Time, my dear, will heal.” Lucas said, Ilea looking away from his gaze.

Maro leaned forward, “What do you think of monsters then? Even in my time, after other people, the highest cause of death were monsters. Wild animals acting on instinct.”

Lucas raised his eyebrows before he spoke, “Walls…deterrents perhaps? There is little understanding. Of their nature, their thoughts. They are wild perhaps, yet exactly that may allow for us to find a way to deal with them. Without killing.”

Ilea couldn’t believe it, after what she had see the demons do. They weren’t even completely mindless. She could understand his logic, knowing the worst animals humans had to deal with on Earth were put into zoos to amuse visiting children. To suggest to a cave man any other way but violence was ridiculous.Peaceful ways were reserved for those with overwhelming power. The cold war didn’t turn hot because of nukes, not because people understood and talked to each other. It’s easier to ignore someone without weapons of mass destruction. Here she fought monsters capable of wiping out villages or even towns on a daily basis, humans weren’t at the top of the food chain, not by a long shot.

“They want food and they eat. We can relocate them or whatever, at least the lower leveled ones. Animals aren’t the only monsters though. What do you call someone who starts a war where thousands die, someone who murders others just for their own gains, someone who summons demons into a city full of civilians for whatever reason?” She asked.

“Mhm, it is certainly a difficult question. I believe people act for a reason, do horrible things because they think them justified. With sufficient time and convincing arguments I think even someone like Adam could be redeemed.” The elder suggested.

“I thought this was just going to be a nice dinner.” Ilea whined, “I get where you’re coming from Lucas. I really do. But for what you suggest we need proper education, rehabilitation of criminals, proper laws and people to enforce them. You guys don’t even have psychologists here.” She ran her hands through her hair, “You can talk it out with humans. Monsters sadly understand only two languages, mind magic and good old violence. I only have the latter at my disposal.”

Lucas smiled brightly as he took another puff, “Hmm, you are fascinating. Are you a realm traveler perhaps?” Ilea didn’t reply, “Very rare those I think… even rarer for them to reach such a level of power. To adapt so well to a new environment, yet the things you talk about… your world must have been so different. Maybe you could build a school, become a teacher or one of those psychos you mentioned. I am very interested in the things you suggested we need.”

“It was similar and different at the same time. I’m not a teacher, I just like to complain about everything.” Ilea said, drinking a mug of ale, “Neither am I here to teach you about my world.”

“Perhaps then, you might hunt monsters and help with the gold. The Hand should enable you that much at least. Maybe we could learn from the world you were born in. If you are not willing to tell me, I am sure others would listen. It is your choice of course, your life.” He said, leaning back as he patted his belly.

Ilea nodded, “Oh we weren’t born there. I’m artificial, made of nano robots.” The sarcasm wasn’t lost on them but Ilea wasn’t in the mood to talk about Earth anymore. Neither did she care what the elder could share about world travelers.

“Thank you.” Lucas suddenly said, “It has been a while since I talked to humans. The dark ones think differently, they rarely are very opinionated on topics like morals or nonviolent communication. Whenever you feel like telling me about your world, I am here.”

How many people have you talked to death to reach that power. We’re all monsters here. Ilea thought and leaned back with a smile, Have I always been this edgy? I think so. She breathed in deeply and sighed, Guess it’s all that power going to my head. Fighting unthinkable beasts, losing my head and pretty much becoming a spirit of ash. Now I have to invest in the establishment of psychology as well as therapy before I can even get help.

She was thinking on the possibility of a healer existing that had a skill like that, just let magic solve it. “I think what you talk about Lucas, it’s an interesting approach. I’ll definitely think about it.” Maro said when she focused on the conversation again.

Oh no, did I miss him using his skill to ensnare Maro. “Think about what?”

The king shrugged but Lucas answered for him, “Try to live a life less focused on power and violence, prioritizing creation and harmony over all.”

“Yea, I think your charm stat was overwhelmed by his.” She said to Maro, the man looking away a little embarrassed.

“What that’s it? You’re not going to make fun of me for considering it?” He asked when Ilea continued eating, his voice almost disappointed.

“Why?” She asked with a full mouth, “You’re free to do whatever the fuck you want Maro. As does he. I’m gonna question it maybe but in the end we all reached insane levels of strength. You can become a gardener for all I care. Who’s going to stop you?”

“A gardener… no, none of my skills would work. Maybe that’s exactly why I should try.” He said. Ilea hadn’t realized the king was so lost after waking up.

Guess it makes sense, he basically went through what I did when I was brought to Elos. Just that he’s already a powerhouse to begin with. “I don’t think you’d make a good gardener. Maybe you could become a counselor or trainer, or you could try yourself at brewing. I know a necromancer who’s pretty good at that.”

“Hmm, yes. I agree with her.” Lucas said, “Death magic and gardens are not a favorable combination. The plants would die if you just looked at them.” He laughed, “Ah, I could put in a good word for you at the Hand, some will still know me I am sure.”

“I can do that too. No need to move yourself from the north.” Ilea said.

“Good, good. She is your woman then.” He said. Ilea wasn’t even mad. She was more irritated with herself, trying to fault him for his choices.

Aren’t you the one advocating for freedom of choice? She asked herself and smiled at him. If you fault him you have to fault yourself too. Stop that, you know our circumstances are complicated. So are his. Why are we pretending to be multiple people? Eat more. Ilea listened to the last thought and continued her meal, the waiter continuously exchanging empty plates with full ones. She thought about his suggestions and would certainly consider some of it. The philosophy wasn’t unknown to her of course, Gandhi being a famous example from Earth. Yet there were plenty of historic examples where violence was the solution in the end, some people simply too ignorant, stubborn or convinced of their ways to even listen.

Maybe there were some waysto change some things for the better without giving up her freedoms or catching herself stuckon a side of a war she couldn’t stand behind completely. She smiled to herself, Time will heal? I wouldn’t even have considered his words last year when I came to the north.

She frowned when she saw the old man smiling at her, “Don’t look at me like that. Your charisma has no influence on me.”

Maro leaned over to him, “She thinks it’s a hidden stat.”

“Oh no. Does she know our secret?” The old man whispered.

“Being insanely attractive, eloquent, powerful, mysterious and filthy rich?” The king suggested.

“You’re not rich Maro. That treasury is probably being raided by Terok right now. And with those rags I doubt the old man has anything but debt.” Ilea said.

“Hey hey. It was a common style in the south.” The elder said with a chuckle.

“Did you give him the key already? I intend for you to have most of it. I don’t want to bring him into the moral dilemma of choosing between our friendship and gold. You know what he would choose.” Maro replied.

“Calm down, I have it. Speaking of Terok, we should meet up again soon.” She said, summoning a piece of gold and putting it on the table, “I like this place.”

“No, no. I said I would pay.” Lucas said, pushing the gold towards her.

“Do your finances really allow for that? I ate thirty four plates worth of food.” She said, patting her belly. There was nothing there to show. Makes me sad, all food babies destroyed and digested before they even see the light of day. Damn my insanely powerful body.

She stood up and yawned, “Come on old man. On your path of peace I doubt there’s a ton of money to be made.

“I think that’s way too much money for the food we had still.” Maro said but she waved him off.

“It’s a tip.” She said.

“You are being unreasonable with your money.” The king said, “You’re going to be poor by the end of the month if you continue this trend.”

“Just have to find a couple more thousand year old death spirits to kill then. One point for the path of violence.” She replied.

Chapter 311 Challenger

Chapter 311 Challenger

“Hmm, Violent yet generous. I knew you were not all bad.” Lucas said, “Did you come here just for that spirit?”

Ilea smiled at him, “He wanted a vacation after being freed from his thousand year sleep. Scouting the kingdoms he would take over once his evil power returned.” She pointed at Maro.

“Yes, a sense of humor as dark as his magic. You two make a good pair. I approve.” Lucas said.

“He’s married.” Ilea replied, “Now I’m sure you know all about the tourist attractions of the famous Vineyard Caves, care to show us around?”

“Ah, surprising. With all the talk about our morals and education you certainly hold conservative views on relationships.” Lucas said and got up, cracking his back in the process, “Ow ow ow. I can show you around, of course. I will need to go back to work in two or three hours, trees don’t plant themselves you know.”

Isn’t that kind of how it works? With fruit and seeds and all? Ilea didn’t want to start into that branch of conversation.

“Hmm, If you have time and if you are staying for a while you could use some death magic on the trees, I would like to make them more resistant to such influences before moving on to the high mana density in this whole region.”

Ilea walked down the stone stairs, “Ever been to the Penumra dungeon? Plants there seem to grow a little too well. Might help you out in your research.”

Lucas waved her off, “That monster eats and grows without giving anything back. I am trying to regulate the ecosystem, not suck it dry. If you want to do something good you could clear that dungeon out.”

“What? Can you not just talk to the plants there? I’m sure once they realized they’re not conductive to a harmonic landscape, they’ll dial down their needs.” Ilea suggested in a serious tone.

“Hmm yes, I tried. It has different views on the problem. It stated that if the whole world were covered nobody would suffer. Ridiculous.”

“I mean it’s probably not wrong. Without any sentient beings, there is no suffering either.” Ilea said as they stepped out into the street.

Maro stretched and smiled, “Ah, I missed this.”

“Stretching?” Ilea asked.

“No.” The man replied, “Listening to bickering idiots.”

Three ashen limbs smashed into his side, the man not moving an inch as a barrier shimmered in her sphere. “Hey not bad. Old man, that arena we saw before, what is it? I have weird pent up frustrations that need to be let out suddenly.” She said.

“Yes, of course you would be interested in that. Well I cannot fault you, it is one of the few buildings added by a dark one that could qualify as an attraction. I have tried to convince them for years to shut it down.” Lucas shook his head and started walking, “I gave up on it two months ago actually.”

“Why?” Maro asked.

“Trees started being set aflame by unknown individuals. It was not worth talking to someone if that is their reply.”

“Should we go find them?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head, “No, no. I confronted two of them in the act. I understand now that the arena is more than just barbarism. It has a long standing tradition and holds cultural value for many. Letting each other live seems like the better option.”

She didn’t comment on it further, suffice to say that she would have handled the situation differently. His choice.

“I would have killed them to send a message.” Maro said.

“What do they do in the arena? Fight each other?” Ilea asked to change the subject.

“Yes, yes. That too, fighting animals, monsters or simply testing each others powers.” The elder said.

“I need to exchange silver somewhere too.” She added.

“You may do that near the arena too. It is the center of the town.” Lucas reassured her.

138 gold and 21 silvers. Ilea added the money into her necklace, thanking what the collection of dark ones having gathered in the building. The amount had created a bit of a disturbance, the sellers contacting other shops to get all the coins together.

Ilea joined the others in the arena with a new total of 725 gold coins to her name. Maybe I really will have that school built. If Claire hasn’t purchased one already. Grabbing a drink from a floating orb near the entrance, she activated her Sentinel Huntress skill to quickly make out Maro and Lucas’ distinct smells. A little creepy that one. She was glad there had been no other option to replace the skill because she would have probably taken most anything. Except the shit that’s still available.

She wasn’t too surprised to find Terok standing next to the others, shouting wildly at the warrior currently battling three burrow Dragoons. “Hey guys.” She said, taking a free seat next to them.

“Welcome back. Got your gold?” Maro asked to which she nodded.

“I would not drink that.” Lucas said. “Brewing is not exactly their strong suit.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Ilea said and took a sip. Better than Hallowfort at least. “What’s his goal? If he should kill them he’s not doing a great job.” The three monsters circled the warrior who was panting and bleeding in several places.

“He needs to survive for another two minutes… clock’s ticking. COME ON YOU CAN DO IT!” Terok explained and shouted, pumping his fist into the air. Ilea couldn’t identify the dark one fighting down there but his movements and the amount of damage he had sustained made her assume he was in the low two hundreds, perhaps even below. If the dragoons were close to the level as the ones she had fought previously.

Two tense minutes passed, the dark one struggling against the three circling creatures, trying to keep them at bay with his spear. One of his legs was nearly severed by a bite he didn’t manage to avoid in the last ten seconds. When a gong resounded, a bunch of people jumped down and slaughtered the creatures, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.

“Disgusting.” Lucas hissed while Terok screamed with joy.

“Oh man that was a close one.” He said and looked to the three, “Did you see that? Fucking brilliant footwork. I knew Raiden had it in him but against three Burrow Dragoons, phew.”

“How much did you bet Terok?” Ilea asked as she stood up, looking around to see if anybody even attempted to take care of the bleeding dark one who had sunken down on the side of the arena, coughing up blood.

“Everything of course. No reason to doubt my man Raiden.” The dwarf replied, giving her a thumbs up with his steel arm.

“You sound like you know the contestants. Is this not your first time here?” Maro asked.

He waved the man off, “Ah, you lack heart Maro. Believing in someone is enough sometimes.”

Ilea understood why he was in debt now, blinking down to the dark one and extending an ashen tendril towards him. He looked at her with delirious blue eyes and thrust his spear at her. Ilea grabbed the weapon mid movement and held it to the side, “I’m a healer. You won. Relax now.” A slight sense of understanding washed over his eyes before he closed them and went unconscious.

She went on to heal his wounds, the leg had nearly been separated and he might have bled out. “You are not allowed to interfere healer.” Someone said behind her, a group of dark ones walking up. “The wounds are his to bear.”

“I do whatever I want.” Ilea said, not turning to the trio. The middle one wanted to say something when another stopped him with a hand to his shoulder.

“She is the ash wielder who healed our wounded.”

He hesitated, “The rules of the arena are their own, regardless of her merits.”

Ilea turned her head a little.

[Warrior – lvl 210]

“Listen. We two in the arena, I stand still and you get to injure me, cut into me and torture me as much as you like for five minutes. If I’m still standing afterwards I get to punch you once. How does that sound?”

He snickered, dark blue full plate armor and twice the size of her with a hammer massive enough to be used as a ram. “You have an impressive level but a healer, even one using ash could not stand against me.”

The two others looked at each other, not quite as sure of him as he was of himself. “Good. Hey let’s change that. I get to hit you with your own hammer if I win.” She smiled, the man in front of her relaxing, now completely topped with health. His armor was ruined but he had surely won something in the challenge he had survived.

“Rohin, do you accept the challenge?” One of the other warriors asked, his voice sounding excited.

“I do.”

Oh you bloody idiot. Ilea though, I love having that healer tag back. The sheer arrogance of people. The leather armor helps I guess.

The warriors jumped to the stands and the details of her challenge quickly spread. Apparently there wasn’t a set schedule or a pause was planned anyway. She left the unconscious warrior behind and walked to the center of the arena. Something I wanted to try anyway. She activated her Armor of Ash but focused on keeping the ash off of herself, instead just forming a tiny sphere behind her back. It would allow for the bonuses to her body without presenting the impressive looking armor itself.

I should also test the range of my limbs. Feel like they were more flexible against the undying lord.

“The challenge is set. The wielder of ash, defeater of the legendary Undying lord stands against the noble Rohin.” The voice was booming and cheers erupted as soon as the words spread through the arena.

Way to spoil it. Ilea thought, watching the warrior in front of her take a step back, looking around confused.

“If he cannot bring the human down, she will be allowed one strike with his own hammer, the sledge of justice.”

“You named your hammer sledge of justice?” Ilea asked, making a bit of a face.

“Do not mock me human… perhaps your abilities allowed for you to slay that spirit of death but I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes. A warrior is something quite different than a spirit.” He said and lifted the hammer from his back. A terrifying sight to most.

“Time’s ticking big guy.”

The warrior stepped towards her and stopped a meter away. “Kick her ass!!” Ilea heard Terok scream through the crowd.

What’s that supposed to mean? She turned her head before a fist as big as her head slammed into her stomach. The force lifted her upwards before she landed half a meter further back. Twenty health… aaaand it’s back. The crowd cheered, went silent and then cheered again.

“Kick his ass!!” She heard him again, rolling her eyes. So much for gambling.

The warrior laughed, “Great. You really are durable.” He lifted the hammer next to him and tested its weight, trying to intimidate her. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to kill you.”

“I’ll warn you if you get close.” Ilea said with a bright smile.

“Kick her ass!!” This time it was Maro who shouted over the crowd.

Maybe this is where we get our bout. I don’t think the arena will stand after that. The hammer swung through the air and impacted her shoulder. It seemed Rohin really was a little worried about killing her. He’s got time. The hammer impacted, the force going through the both of them before it slid to the ground. She noted that there wasn’t even a bruise below her light armor. Sixty health.

The warrior laughed, a blue flame starting to burn around him, “Marvelous.”

Maybe five minutes was too long. Her natural regeneration was taking care of the damage so far. The next hit was aimed at her leg, blue fire raging over the hammer before it impacted. Again, she wasn’t moved even an inch, the force pushing down and sideways. Ninety health, we’re getting there big guy.

As time went on, the warrior started to target her head and back, slamming the hammer down as quickly and powerful as he could, the crowd cheering less loudly with each strike. It was clear by the two minute mark that he wouldn’t be dealing significant damage. Ilea decided against healing, her natural health regeneration and toughness enough to tank the hits, mostly because they came very slowly.

The warrior was getting frantic, panting hard as he continued to use his skills, delivering hit after hit with the blue flame intensifying over time. Right before the five minutes ended, he lifted the hammer high, the fire around him intensifying. Ilea looked up as the hammer slammed straight down on her head, her boots stored safely in her necklace before she was smashed quite literally into the stone floor.

A trickle of blood flowed down her brow, the thin cut quickly healing up as she stepped out from the ground, boots appearing on her feet again. “I did it.” The dark one said, doing down on his knees as he panted. “How much health did that last one take?”

“Three hundred.” Ilea replied honestly, the warrior laughing.

“And what’s your level, warrior of ash?”

“That’s a secret. Now I believe you remember the deal.” She said, stepping over to him as her ashen armor expanded from her back, quickly at its full potential. Didn’t think it would be quite as one sided. She stood before him, wrapping her hand around the hammer before she lifted it up. The thing was heavy but manageable with all her buffs to Strength. The warrior must have had quite the buffs as well and a much higher base Strength with his level in the low two hundreds. Her resilience however wouldn’t be bested by him, not even with half her defensive power.

“Do it quickly. I shall die here for my foolishness. May it be a lesson for those watching.” The warrior said as she played around with the hammer, moving it from side to side as she got used to the balance.

“What? I’m not going to kill you. Relax.” She said and twirled the massive thing, letting the heavy head take over. The warrior didn’t quite grasp what she had said and neither realized she was moving the weapon from the bottom up and not the other way around. A loud boom echoed when the massive steel slammed into his crotch, a crack resounding as the crowd winced.

The warrior was lifted up a whole meter before crashing down, groaning in pain as his hands went to his crotch. “Hey I quite like this hammer.” She said and threw it upwards, catching it again with both hands. A bit unwieldy because it’s so long. Maybe Goliath can make me one. The balance was a little off she realized because she was simply not tall enough. The man groaned again, “Hey, your injuries to bear right?”

Ilea set down the hammer before checking on the warrior with a tendril of ash, just in case she had underestimated her power. Just his crotch. Good. While her Strength was absurdly high, the damage wasn’t buffed massively due to her neither using her offensive skills or her own body to attack. A pure warrior likely had plenty of Vitality too. Walking towards her group, she jumped up and sat back down as the people around them clapped and cheered.

“You just won me sixty silvers Ilea, cheers to that.” Terok exclaimed with a thumbs up.

“Thought you were betting against me.”

“Misdirection, I did as well but that was only five silvers. Many already knew you had defeated that lord, first time I had heard of it. Would have been much more profitable if you had been an unknown.” He complained.

Maro looked her way and shook his head, “Don’t look at me that way. You know we need more space and no living beings nearby. At least if you don’t want collateral damage.”

Sitting down, she noted that the warrior was crawling towards an exit. Nobody’s helping. She glanced at Lucas who had a big frown on his face. “Hey he’s alive.”

“That is not what I’m frowning about. Something’s about to attack the town. Feynor probably.” He got up and dusted off his clothes, “I’ll have to cut your tour short.”

“Feynor? What?” Ilea asked.

The man breathed in before shouting, “Breach!” Ilea watched in fascination as the people around them immediately sprung up and rushed to the exits, many sprouting wings or simply flying up as they readied their weapons. “It’s already the third time this month.” He shook his head and started floating too.

“You’re going to fight? How did you even spot them?” Ilea asked, looking around but neither hearing fighting, feeling or seeing anything indicating battle or intruders.

“I will try to reason with them while those unable to fight will seek shelter. They haven’t broken through so far but this feels different. All my saplings have been destroyed, at once. You have chosen a bad time to visit this town it seems.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “I have a gift for bad timing.”

“Feynor coming? Fuck that, what are we going to do? Is there another exit?” Terok asked.

“Perhaps. Yet I would like to see how the elder handles this.” Maro said, floating up next to him. “I doubt Feynor have the power to stand against dark ones… interesting for sure.”

Ilea spread her wings and joined them, “Come on Terok. You can run away if they really overwhelm the place.”

“Of course she would fight too.” He grumbled and floated up. “Just once I try to sit back and enjoy myself.”

“Didn’t say anything about fighting. It’s not my war but I can still heal people.” She said, quite aware that she would probably not keep it at that. Ilea was surprised to find herself neither annoyed nor angry. It really wasn’t her war but if herself and her friends were attacked for no good reason, she would play her part. What will you do? She asked, looking at Lucas and Maro’s back as they quickly rushed towards the entrance, hordes of dark ones rushing towards the same destination.

Chapter 312 Unreasonable Demands

Chapter 312 Unreasonable Demands

It was a weird atmosphere when they landed on top of a building near the massive gate. Ranks of dark ones stood in formation, mages behind as barricades were created. Weapons at the ready, they waited. The gates remained closed. Lucas had moved to the very front, none of the people stopping him. “You think he can do anything?” She asked Maro who was standing next to her.

“I doubt it. I like the way he thinks, I really do. Admirable. Depends on the enemy forces I suppose and what their goal here is. If they even break through the guardians positioned outside. I don’t know much about the political situation as well as the Feynor.”

“Will you fight them?” Terok asked, constantly switching his attention between the gate, the dark ones below and the two people next to him.

Maro didn’t reply, simply focusing on the gates. Ilea wasn’t sure either. The elves had left no survivors, going as far as eating dead humans. She didn’t know what would happen if Baralia took Virilya but some of the soldiers had killed civilians without restrain, others had ignored them. Let’s see what the Feynor are like. The only thing she knew was that once those gates opened, chaos would ensue.

“They will attack us regardless. Those dragon worshiping cunts are ruthless.” Terok commented.

“Have you fought them then?” Maro asked, the dwarf shaking his head, “Then let’s see where this leads.”

Ilea sat down a moment later, her legs hanging freely. Came here to have some time off from fighting and all I did so far was fighting. She smiled, at least it hadn’t been Taleen or undead knights. And she had some food, though the shopping was underwhelming.

“How the fuck are you guys so calm? We’re all going to die…,” Terok looked around, as if he was trying to find an escape route.

Maro glanced at Ilea but turned his head forward again. “At least I get a warning this time. With all the other attacks it came out of nowhere.” She was the one to answer. “Just stick with us, you’ll survive.”

“Probably.” Maro added.

Ilea smiled, “Probably.” She repeated. It was true of course. Terok would be safer as far away from the gates as possible but the dwarf was at level 223 already, higher than most of the dark ones standing below. It simply depended on how powerful and numerous the attackers were. The same was true for Ilea and Maro and while she didn’t know his reasons, she refused to ignore an event like this happening close by. Ilea would be standing there even if she was the only one inside the dungeon.

The pounding on the gates became louder, different spells and explosions audible in a muffled tone. “At least thirty of them. If we assume only attack mages are trying to get through we should expect at least eighty of them.” Maro commented.

They shouldn’t stand so close together. Ilea noted, looking at the dark ones gathered in the big area before the gates. The house they were on stood around two hundred meters further back, the sounds audible thanks to the silence of the defenders. Ilea could feel them through her sphere, at least those standing close enough. “They’re terrified.”

“Course they are, their home is about to be sacked.”

“Tell me dwarf, what happens to settlements the Feynor attack?” Maro asked.

“They usually don’t leave anything behind. An affront to their own culture. At least that’s what everyone says.”

The king nodded and walked to the back of the house, holding out his hand before bones started dropping down to the alley below.

“So you will fight?” Ilea asked.

“There might be no choice. As much as the old man believes there to be one.” He replied.

One last explosion bent the gates inwards, the torches and glinting reptile eyes reflecting the light indicated quite a bit more than the eighty attackers Maro had suggested. A single one walked inside, the collective holding their breath as he approached. A small figure compared to most of the people in Lisburg, not taller than Ilea herself. Squinting her eyes, she could make out some details. It reminded her of a lizardman, the tail much shorter and where they were greenish, these people were going towards yellow, gold or brown.

The head was completely different, more dragon like than anything else. Even the drakes had lacked some of the features the Feynor sported, the amount of horns the most prominent one. The reptile looked dangerous, powerful, its spear glinting in golden light. It wore light armor, open in several places to reveal scales it likely deemed appropriate in defensive capability.It was too far away for Ilea to identify of course but the sheer confidence it exuded after entering the dungeon had her guess its level pretty high.

“Welcome noble warrior, to the Vineyard Caves. May we…,” Lucas was interrupted by the Feynor.

“Your kind is not welcome here. Do not speak for those dreadful monsters.” It raised a hand and continued, addressing not the elder but the people of Lisburg, “Surrender now and you shall die without pain, I swear on the dragons of the high peaks. Be returned to where you came from, released from this world you do not understand.”

“Negotiations braking down.” Ilea commented, Maro snorting next to her. The people around them were getting more and more terrified with each word the Feynor spoke. The sheer arrogance and contempt was damn near graspable even from the distance.

“That’s how you keep the moral high ground after slaughtering a people.” Maro said, his magic spreading behind him, Ilea glancing back.

“Terok, if shit goes south, lead people to the arena and barricade yourself in with them.” Ilea said to the dwarf who obviously didn’t want to stay there. He nodded quickly, not even glancing at her as he stared at the torchlight quietly swaying in the dark tunnel beyond.

“These people are peaceful, unwilling to take part in your war. Neither do they encroach on your territory. Leave this place, you are unwanted here.” Lucas spoke loudly.

The Feynor nodded, “You shall die with them old man.” He shouted something in a hissing language before a storm broke loose. Dozens of the Feynor appeared beyond the gate, spells started flying in as defensive barriers and walls were erected by the Dark ones who quickly spread out, rushing into houses or behind cover as the first spells impacted. The speed and precision of both the attackers and defenders was a marvelous and terrifying thing to watch. Ilea glanced a wooden wall forming where Lucas had stood, now obscured by rising smoke, explosions and fire.

Ice rained down on them as Maro raised a shield above. Terok looked at Ilea and she just nodded, the dwarf vanishing right after. She watched as Maro lifted his hand, a beam of black opaque energy slamming into a flying ball of fire, the thing exploding in mid air. More and more of the creatures rushed in, hunting down the dark ones still remaining near the gate. Four or five to one, they broke through their defenses and cut into their armor, skin or ethereal bodies.

“What are they doing?” She asked as she stood up, her ashen armor forming as a series of dark orbs slammed into her. Maro stood behind his barrier as she felt his magic intensify, the noises of bone on stone audible behind. Many of the dark ones were already fleeing or repositioning at this point, not thirty seconds after the initial breakthrough.

“The gift for surrendering was a painless death. There is no rush when they hold the only entrance.” Maro suggested.

Ilea shook her head, a Feynor appearing in her sphere before he lunged at her, barbed spear in hand. Stepping to the side, she grabbed his neck and squeezed.

[Warrior – lvl 159]

He thrashed and clawed at her armor, spear continuously slammed away by a limb of ash before she slammed another one down his throat, exiting on his back after severing the spine. The creature went limp in her hand before she let go. A skeleton moved up next to her, grabbing the body before bringing it to Maro. “So you’re going all out?” She asked.

“They’re already burning down the city. If anything I owe it to Lisburg to stop these ridiculous creatures. What are you going to do?”

Ilea watched as six of them taunted a downed dark one, blood seeping out from his severed legs as they kicked at him. She noted that it was one of the two warriors that had stood behind the idiot in the arena. “Dunno, Improvise I guess. Oh man, this is going to be a mess.” She didn’t wait for Maro’s reply, blinking twice to reach the group of Feynor. Identifying them quickly, she noted the highest leveled one was just below two fifty.

“Healer…,” One of them spat when she stood above the dying dark one, a tendril of ash sending mana into him to stabilize his body.

“Yes. Why don’t you just finish him off. There’s no reason to torture him.”

“They are not of your kind? Why do you care human?” One of them spat.

When two others moved to attack, her limbs rushed out, piercing four of them while one managed to deflect it. Her ash extended further than she had moved the limbs before, a change from her evolutions she hadn’t tested so far. Pushing further, her limbs punched out of their heads before retracting again. The Feynor took a step back. “Look around you. Do you think beasts would build houses, sell trinkets? Why don’t you stop this and fuck off? No further killings necessary.” Ilea knew of course that they would ignore it, she had killed four of them right here.

“You will die and so will they, in pain, suffering, wishing you were…,’ Ilea appeared behind him and punched the back of his head, bones cracking as he shot forward and impacted hard on the ground. She followed up with an ashen limb cutting into the wound and smashing his brain.

She avoided the strike from the last survivor of the group, the one with the highest level. His weapon was clad in crystals. When the blade rushed at her, she just let it hit, her Azarinth Fighting informing her about the impact.

It bit into her ash before she grabbed his arm, her limbs cutting into his body with quite a bit more difficulty than the others. Still the end result was the same, his limbs ripped off before head was pierced. Ilea ripped out the blade that had cut surprisingly deep into her ash considering the kingsguard hadn’t managed as much with some of their strikes. Must have been confident. She noted the crystals growing in her ash but simply discarded that part before remaking her armor.

Locating the dark one’s missing legs in her sphere, she extended her limbs further than the ever had and grabbed them, bringing them back before she healed the warrior. Enough so he could at least run. How far could I reach before? Three or four meters, that was at least eight or nine just now. Sending a wave of mana into him, the warrior gasped and coughed. “Go to the arena, defend it.” Ilea simply said and walked towards the exit. She saw a group of skeletons rushing by, Maro hard at work.

Entering the combination of mist, fog, smoke and ash that had formed, she trusted into her ash. She watched a group of Feynor cut into the corpse of a dark one before another one came and hissed something, the five muttering but walking towards the city. This isn’t an invasion. Ilea noted, appearing between the walking ones before ten limbs of ash absolutely shredded through them. Bloody and limbs were sent flying as her arms of ash moved through a second time. They were all dead, below two hundred all of them.

“Hey, what did you tell them?” She asked, appearing close to the one she heard talking before. The smoke around them moved and light broke through, revealing the creature before her.

[Mage – lvl 251]

“A healer… human even, no, you are more than that. Why are you defending them? Do you not know what they are?”

Ilea’s teeth ground against each other, “Same offer to you. Leave this place and don’t return. Or die.”

The creature hissed before a curse crashed into her, her life draining as he moved backwards. She simply shook her head and kept walking towards him. The power of his spells were impressive, yet his curses were nothing compared to Elfie, his drain nothing compared to the Miststalkers. “Fool.” He said and vanished, appearing farther towards the exit.

Ilea followed, blinking once to reach the middle of the square. She found what looked like a cocoon of wood, cracked open with a bunch of dead Feynor laying to its side. Negotiations failed? She blinked once more.

“Kill her.” The same dragon like creature shouted as a dozen mages sent their spells at her. Ash moved, forming barriers in front of her, reforming and moving in parts to deflect and stop the projectiles. Many managed to get through, Ilea moving quickly to dodge, trying to not exert herself too much as the spells rushed past, some grazing or even impacting on her armor.

“Stop it.” She said, forming shrapnel from what remained of her ash before all of it smashed into the shields and defenses of the Feynor, the first line losing at least eight as her ash punched through scales, organs and bone alike. The ones with a higher level survived, some injured while others managed to stop her attack entirely. She noted the shouts as well as warriors moving in behind her. “Good. Now that you’re all here, I’ll repeat it.” The mages looked at the collapsing corpses and the lances of ash forming above her head, “Leave this place, or die.”

Roars came from all around her as they attacked in unison, the lances sent into the mass of Feynor still standing in and beyond the bent gate. Ilea vanished, twelve ashen limbs on her back now, they slashed through the confused mages and warriors, vanishing again as soon as she could to keep them on their toes. It was absolute chaos, her Sphere and high reflexes keeping her focused and in control as she slaughtered the beings. Her spells she only used against the higher leveled ones, absolute destruction and storm of cinders taking quick care of even level two twenty enemies, their defenses simply lacking against her form of attack.

Her limbs were defended against rather well by many of them but for every one deflecting her blows, there were three being cut apart. It was obvious that at least half had some form of spacial perception but it was her positioning against theirs. As long as there were dozens of weaker Feynor in the tunnel, she could simply use them as shields or cover against the spells and swords from those more powerful. Ilea had no time to meditate, conserving her mana and using her reversed Absolute Destruction whenever possible.

Finally reaching the end of their ranks, nearly sixty meters into the tunnel, she grabbed one of them and formed another shroud of shrapnel. This time she tried a star like shape, investing quite a lot more time in the mass and density before the attack rushed into half confused half pursuing enemies. She let go of the dead warrior, her reversed healing having killed him, “Flee and I won’t pursue.” She said and slammed a spear to the side before four of her limbs crashed into the warrior, denting his armor, one of her arms piercing. A kick sent him flying, impacting several more as they appeared around her, blades, spears, arrows and spells flashing.

As she thinned their ranks, Ilea moved back towards the city, more and more spells impacting her now that the chaos was reduced. The remaining warriors and mages became increasingly defensive as she slaughtered one after the other. She wasn’t seeking the city for help but for cover against their ranged attacks. While few had pierced her armor even half way, it would only get worse over time. When she reached the houses again where Maro and herself had stood on, she noted that there were no corpses around. It was nearly quiet, the enemies behind her moving in and as well as explosions resounding in the distance.

Blinking into an apartment, Ilea took the spear of the appearing Feynor right on. It dug into her ash two thirds of the way as her limbs cut into his neck. She moved two ashen arms around him to get him closer, a hard punch ripping off his head. Three more appeared while a group of mages sent spells in through the windows. She danced through, her ash ripping into them, now fourteen limbs that were still as easily controlled as her initial eight.

The heat in her chest started to increase as more and more warriors appeared, poking at her while they deflected her ash. Only elites had remained, all her resources being drained by the mages outside while a curse slowed her down and made her feel sick. Her mind was being punched by magic too but all of it was manageable thanks to her resistances and healing. The more simple offensive spells were simply dodged or ignored as they slammed into floating ash or her armor, burning away layer after layer while the warriors got in hit after hit.

She used the time to meditate, deflecting only the most dangerous attacks. The drain to her resources became more and more negligible as time went on, the heat in her chest reaching levels where her health started to drop. Ilea blinked, appearing near the biggest cluster of six mages as her ash rushed out to envelop them in a thin mist. My body, no teleportation.

The warriors appeared within her range and rushed at her before she sacrificed five hundred health, activated her third tier Aspect of Ash and released Heart of Cinder.

A sphere of fire and heat ripped through them, Ilea spreading her wings as she floated above the crater. Half of the house was missing and of the two dozen enemies only one remained, both arms missing as he had been aiming a spell right outside the range of her attack. His eyes were wide as she floated towards him, sixteen ashen limbs ripping through the defenseless mage before silence returned to the square.

Chapter 313 Cycle of War

Chapter 313 Cycle of War

Ilea sighed as she returned the ash to mana itself, her health returning to the max as her mana recovered. She slowly flew towards the arena, corpses littering the streets again soon after. When her mana was back to two thirds, she sped up, seeing purple beams in the distance. Dozens of spells rushed towards Maro who was floating above the arena, his shield simply tanking the hits as the mages were returned to dust by what looked like instant and unlimited in range beams he sent out.

She landed on the ground, a Feynor looking at her before he turned and rushed at his brethren. Undead. She noted, a group of skeletons jumping on the defending warriors as they were slowly overwhelmed. Ilea joined in, finding the biggest groups of Feynor as they tried tried getting into the arena, blocked by walls of stone, ice and water, spells raining down on them from the dark ones inside. She cut through four groups before blinking inside.

Terok appeared close to her, “The wounded are in the center. We’ll hold them back.” He vanished again, the impacts of dozens of spells reverberating constantly. Blinking to the dozens if not hundreds of groaning or dead dark ones, Ilea spread her limbs, finding the maximum controllable number reached at sixteen, the range around ten meters. And then she meditated, stabilizing the creatures as her mana quickly drained. There were at least a dozen other healers but half of them were out of mana and more injured were brought by the minute, some bleeding out, losing arms or burnt so badly their features were barely recognizable.

Ilea fought against the smells, the cries and screams of unimaginable pain. A minute passed but the injured still numerous, few of them ready to go back to the fight. Most were stable at this point, would survive if no more attacks would land on them. Ilea opened her eyes when a skeleton tapped her head, her armor gone to allow for a tiny bit more mana to be focused on her healing. She nearly puked when she saw the scene around her with her own eyes but focused on the skeleton. It pointed at her with one of three fingers on its hand and then up to the necromancer in the air.

She nodded and blinked up, wings spreading before she reached him. “Most are stable, we need you fighting. They are breaking through my undead there.” He pointed towards the chaotic fighting below, “Ilea, we’ll need to intercept the reinforcements from the tunnel, there were still several hundreds of them in there.”

“I took care of them.” She said, making him pause for a moment before he nodded.

“Good. I saw several units move towards the trees, Dark Ones are hiding in the forest. Once…,” Several projectiles impacted his shield, making him sway to the side. Ilea reached an ashen limb towards him but found the man uninjured. “Once you’re done here go there, we have this under control.” Two beams of purple smashed into the Feynor mage two hundred meters away, standing on a building before he was quite literally evaporated.

Ilea didn’t wait any longer, blinking down before she sped up and landed hard on the ground, sending rubble flying to the side before her limbs lashed out, cutting through the dozens of Feynor and undead alike. She had no way to tell them apart but if all were dead, her enemies will have fallen.

Spearing through the last three warriors standing against her, she trusted Maro and sped up, her wings moving in the air and bringing her towards the trees in the distance. I’m flying faster. She noted, a change likely brought by her evolution too. Both her ashen magic as well as her ash itself had improved. The wings were awkward to use for blocking and her limbs were more versatile for attacking. Maybe I should still try, it’s a body enhancement and ashen magic skill after all.

Speeding up even more, Ilea reached the tree area half a minute later, landing near the corpse of a Feynore before she ran in. She heard the sound of spells a couple seconds later, turning towards them before she came upon a group of Feynor. Her sphere let her know they were terrified. Feeling the attack coming, Ilea blinked up, watching dozens of roots pierce the warriors and mages before they were ripped apart, blood and guts spraying on the ground as her armor freed her mouth. She puked, retching up whatever remained from the glorious feast she had earlier.

It hadn’t been the worst she had seen today but it simply pushed her to the limit. The blood managed to spray as far as the twenty meters she was in the sky. Something moved in the trees and she quickly rushed towards it. A Dark One was teleporting before something impacted it, sending it crashing into a tree. Ilea landed before she turned, seeing none other than Elder Lucas. Only he was covered in bark and two meters tall, roots extending out of his body and into the ground. Blood and guts were all over him.

A spear of wood rushed at the dark one before Ilea intercepted it. The being looked up in fear, “Are there more Feynor here?”

It shook its head, “He...h...he killed all…,”

“Run.” She said, turning back as her wings formed a cocoon in front of her, the roots and lances glancing off. Hey this is better than the ashen walls at least. She was being pushed back by the impacts alone but none managed to pierce.

“Hey asshole! It’s me, stop this!” She shouted and appeared before him, slamming her fist against his protected head without her mana intrusion skills.

“AaaaAaah… you…,” He lifted his hand, wood forming before another punch sent him stumbling. “Ah… Ilea. I’m sorry… I…,” A previously invisible Feynor suddenly appeared a meter behind the elder, thrusting a spear towards his back. Ilea just watched as wood suddenly extended from Lucas, piercing the creature and lifting it up before a beam of light burst his head like an overripe melon. Again, she retched as her wings protected her against the blood.

The man fell to his knees, “I’m… sorry… I…,” She just stepped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, ignoring the roots that grew and tried to pierce her armor.

“It’s alright Lucas. You tried and they decided not to listen. It’s ok. Calm down for me alright?” She asked and pushed healing mana into him. She frowned when she saw a group of Feynor running towards them a hundred meters away. Three Dark Ones intercepted them a moment later, slaughtering the creatures as she sighed in relief. The wood around her slowly receded, even the elder’s armor going back.

“Come on, you can rest now.” Ilea said, grabbing the man when most of the roots had receded. She moved him towards a tree and set him down with his back resting on it.

“I didn’t mean to, they just didn’t listen…,” He kept talking to himself but Ilea just nodded.

“I’ll check on the others. Do me a favor and stay here alright? I’ll send a bunch of dark ones to look after you Lucas.” He seemed to understand but didn’t reply, Ilea quickly blinking and reaching the three that had killed the Feynor.

“The human wood mage is a hundred meter that way. Can you look over him?” She was pretty sure the man had made enough of a name for himself so that this would be enough of a description.

They looked at each other before one of them spoke, “We usually let him use up his mana before anybody approaches. It’s too dangerous.”

Ilea hesitated for a moment, “He has already calmed down, I talked to him. His armor is gone at least. Keep a distance if you think approaching is a bad idea.” Two of them nodded before her wings spread and she soared upwards. Flying back towards the arena, Ilea already spotted Maro flying in the distance. He wasn’t hovering above the circular structure anymore, instead going towards the gates leading out.

An army of skeletons and Feynor were running below her in unison, rushing through the houses and alleys to find any survivors of the enemy forces. “How are the injured?”

Maro turned his head and nodded, “Your healing isn’t needed, the arena and surroundings are clear. Terok as well as the elite dark ones are guarding the place. Most survivors have flocked to the location. Forest?”

“Lucas killed most of them, lost control… not like a berserker but… no idea, I could still talk to him but he did try to attack me. He… ripped them apart. I don’t think any Feynor survived there.”

The man snorted, “And here I thought so highly of him. Well I suppose it’s better than dying for his beliefs. It’s only a matter of time then. The Feynor will either look for easy targets, attack the arena or try to flee. I’ll move to towards the entrance, clear out whatever is left.”

Ilea nodded, “Send a beam upwards if you need help. I’ll check on the wounded.” She didn’t wait for his reply before flying off, landing in the arena less than a minute later. She noted that most of the injured were in fact already stable, the healers doing a great job as they moved around, some casting area of effect healing before nearly collapsing due to mana exhaustion.

Spreading her ashen limbs, she meditated and simply healed the worst injured. A couple minutes later, she moved on to the areas outside the arena, finding survivors under the rubble and corpses thanks to her sphere. The smell of blood and feces was nearly overwhelming, Ilea missing the ability to regulate her senses inside her sphere. The varying biology of the different beings didn’t help. Throwing a bunch of corpses to the side, she found a coughing warrior missing both arms, a gaping wound in his belly.

Immediately she went to her knees and started healing, focusing first on the wound and then on his arms, the immense blood loss making it a miracle that he had survived at all. She continued healing, making his arms regrow as he gasped and screamed, the sensation overwhelming. “You’re fine.” She said and slapped his cheek lightly before moving on, looking through the rubble. Many of the houses surrounding the arena had been destroyed or at least heavily damaged. There had been more Feynor than she realized, the chaos having been too great to make out individuals.

At least twice as many as in the tunnel. It was surprising the dark ones hadn’t been able to make a better stand. Most had broken rather quickly as soon as the Feynor entered the dungeon, even warriors and mages of level two hundred and above. If the elves had anywhere near the numbers and efficiency, no human city would stand a chance against them. Not even Virilya with its massive walls, completely ignored by the flying mages and warriors.

She heard screams coming from inside the arena but trusted the healers to take care of it, lifting a chunk of stone with her ashen limbs as well as hands. “You’re a lucky fucker.” She whispered, kneeling down to heal the furry dog like unconscious dark one. Most of its ribs had been crushed but it was still breathing. When the creature was stable, she moved on. A group of dark ones was looking as well, two of them coordinating the others as they pointed out trapped people.

Half an hour later she was reasonably sure no more survivors hid between the rubble. Not about to collect corpses, she made her way back into the arena, checking again on the injured. Few remained and the healers reassured her it was only because of their lacking mana. In general the dark ones in the area had thinned out again. Ilea watched a bunch of them drag a Feynor corpse out from a room before dumping him on a pile.

“Terrific smell eh?” Terok asked as he stepped next to her.

“They’ll need to be burned soon.” Ilea said, the dangers of infection and sicknesses likely small for the usually high leveled dark ones but still a reality.

Terok nodded, looking at the pile of corpses, “Another reason not to participate in any wars.” He said.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Torture. Already brought in fifteen of the fuckers. At least they close the doors.”

Ilea raised her brows, walking over to the closing door before putting her handbetween the wood and stone. “What is it?” Someone asked before she pushed it open, a warrior struggling against her before he realized who she was.

The room was small, its initial color barely recognizable under the amounts of blood covering the floor and walls. She noticed how her boots stuck to the ground as she walked to the Feynor bound to a metal chair, dark ones around her confused as they waited, knifes, pliers, needles and more tools Ilea ignored in their hands as well as distributed on the heavy wooden table placed next to a wall.

Looking around, she slammed an ashen limb into the Feynor’s throat, ending his life with a single strike. “What…” A voice resounded.

“What are you doing?” Another asked.

“He was a prisoner! Information that could save the city!” One of them said, stepping closer to her and wrapping his hand around the handle of his blade.

Ilea spread out ash in the room, her limbs moving on their own as four of them each hovered in front of the same amount of dark ones. The aggressive one had stopped, looking at the others with an unsure expression on his goat like face. “I played a big part in saving the city. No torture, not here. Out.”

She watched as they at first didn’t move but nodded after looking at each other, stepping out of the room slowly. “You, wait.” She said to the one that had reached for his blade. He gulped, looking at the others with a pleading glance, meeting only their backs. “Close the door. I’m not going to hurt or kill you, come on.”

“Now.” Ilea said, sitting on the table, blood still covering the floor, running down the walls. “Tell me what you found out so far.”

The perplexed look didn’t surprise her, “But… you killed it…,”

“Him, a male Feynor. The penis… easy to see, even after you cut it off.”

The dark one gulped and nodded, going into what they had found out so far. Formations, numbers of attackers, future plans, expansions, names and possible levels and classes of high ranking officers in their tribes as well as unified military. “The attack today wasn’t isolated either. Several dark one strongholds would be attacked, as well as independent settlements.”

“Hallowfort?” Ilea interrupted and the dark one nodded.

“It was mentioned, yes.”

“Thanks.” Ilea said, getting up and patting him on his shoulder before exiting. A group of dark ones had gathered, all above two hundred. Terok stood to their side, arms crossed.

“Ashen healer.” One of them said, Ilea already preparing to defend herself in case her interference had caused this. “We thank you for the help in defending the town as well as healing those injured in the attack. We ask you to refrain from killing captives, they are a source of information. I don’t believe you want the Feynor to win more ground. Your kind would suffer as well.”

“I’m well aware of the uses of torture but if I see someone doing it I’ll stop it. No matter what.” She said and nodded to Terok, “Hallowfort was likely attacked too. We should go see if it’s still standing.” The dwarf immediately stepped forward.

“Fuck, I’ll get Maro and Lucas.”

“Leave Lucas. Ask Maro if he’s willing to help.” She said and he looked at her for a second before nodding.

“As you wish.” He vanished.

“After you have dealt with the Feynor, we suggest seeking an audience with the Dark Protector. I am sure your deeds here shall result in high favor. The enemy has to be defeated and we could use your prowess, noble healer.” The dark one spoke again, Ilea nodding to him.

“I won’t. Good luck in your war.” She said and spread her wings, following Terok towards the exit.

Maro was found looking through the corpses in the tunnel with a bunch of dark ones. “There she is.” Terok said as Ilea walked up to them.

“Good work here. Not a single one escaped.” The king said.

“I’m beaming with pride. Mass murderer number one.” Ilea smiled a bitter smile, “We’ll have to cut our vacation short I fear.”

Maro nodded, “I have heard. Elana is in Hallowfort too, I offer my help of course.” He stepped towards her and punched her lightly, “I think you’re number two at best for today.” A wink before his helmet appeared, the undead and skeletons in the tunnel rushing towards him before they collapsed and vanished into his ring.

“We’re just feeding the army of an unstoppable necromancer…,” Terok commented, the king laughing his best evil laugh.

“Seriously, I can’t control more than a hundred, not if I want them capable.” He said, “We’re not getting the elder? He survived right?”

Ilea nodded, “Yes but I don’t want to babysit an unstable pacifist attacking friendlies. I’m happy to visit once the situation has calmed down.”

“Didn’t sound like it will anytime soon. Favor for the Dark Protector and his army has grown after this attack. I hear the elders have unanimously decided to support him with whatever resources and people they can.” Terok supplied, having picked up more near the arena. “You two don’t want to join as well, do you?”

Ilea looked at Maro, “Not more than I already have.”

The king shrugged, “I’m with you on that.”

Terok clapped his metal hands together, “Good, then let’s go. Maybe the smith I owe money to has tragically lost his life.”

Chapter 314 Worthy Opponents

Chapter 314 Worthy Opponents

Ilea checked the plethora of messages she had received during the battle in Lisburg. Most of them were kill notifications, the highest level being a 261 mage.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spearmaster – lvl 151 / Iron Defender – lvl 138]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul of Fire – lvl 189 / Sharpshooter – lvl 172]

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Stamina Drain Resistance’

‘Stamina Drain Resistance – lvl 1

The more rarely used drain magic focused on Stamina. Its effects are not as immediately noticeable as Health or Mana drain skills but the end result is just as devastating. You have leaned to resist such spells to an extent.’

For all the death and chaos, the yield was certainly lackluster. At least the new resistance boosted her resilience thanks to Avatar of Ash. Probably the biggest change. The three were quiet as they flew towards Hallowfort. Ilea had Terok hold onto her back to allow for a faster flight. It was luckily dark enough already, no arcane storms active anymore. Maro could nearly keep up with her, the added weight of Terok making little difference.

“What was that mist accruing all over the place?” Maro asked when they entered the caves above the town.

“Miststalkers. Can’t kill them yet… well actually. I should probably try again at some point, with all the changes. They drain mana and health, use mist magic when you’re closer so I suggest staying away.”

“Interesting. Yea without a healer even I don’t want to try drain monsters. The benefits usually come with a somewhat lacking defense so you should definitely face them again.” Maro explained. “If you’re looking to fight more monsters that is.”

Ilea didn’t reply, listening instead to the noises coming from the caves around. “Dead.” Maro said after they found the destroyed gate and went inside.

“Sounds like it’s already over.” Terok said, the trio appearing in the crystal lit caves where both the Descent as well as Hallowfort lay. Smoke was rising from the town. Various buildings covered in flames. The bridge had been cut, likely not stopping many of the attackers. They landed on the statue holding the settlement, bones piling up as Maro moved them from his ring to the ground, the wet sounds of corpses landing on stone as Ilea looked over annoyed.

There was blood everywhere, Maro simply adding to the massacre. Dark ones as well as Feynor. Ilea moved a big body to the side, the thick armor punctured in at least fifty places, head dented in. Fuckers. She grabbed the heavy hammer and stored it in her necklace. The thing now manageable compared to last time she had lifted it. May you find peace. She thought and moved on, the two behind her following slowly, more and more of the corpses standing up. “Maro don’t use the dark ones.”

She found an injured one holding a wound on his belly when she reached the square where the Hunter’s Den was located. Crouching down, she healed the wolf like creature, “The Feynor. Where are they? Where are the survivors? Injured?”

He winced, barely conscious as he coughed up blood, Ilea’s healing moving quickly to stitch up the cuts, regenerate the lost arm. “The Abyss… we… are to gather… there. Should an attack… happen… barricade it. Came from… below.” She nodded, standing up as soon as he was stable, his arm recovered. “Thank… you… Warrior of Ash…,” He smiled as she nodded, blinking down the stairs and running towards the inn, Terok and Maro as well as a part of his undead moving quickly.

The inn was warded, her sphere unable to pierce the walls and her blink unable to bring her inside. Instead, she simply kicked in the doors, three dark ones holding them closed were flung backwards as she stepped inside. Lightning smashed into her chest as she moved in, her steps slowed by dark magic wrapping around her legs before she heard Haiden’s voice from further back, “Hold! She is no enemy!”

The spells stopped, the mages looking at her and then Haiden, confused. “Do you have healers?” Ilea asked, blinking to the cat who was wearing light armor for once, head covered in dark steel. “Where are the Feynor?” Dozens of Dark Ones looked at the newcomers with fear and confusion, some with weapons unsheathed, hammers and spears in hand. Others tried to get closer to the walls.

“The injured are in a back room. The city is cleared, the attackers were more numerous coming from the Abyss. Catelyn went down there an hour ago.” He informed her quickly, moving to the room as Ilea followed.

“You two, go help the fox.”

Terok motioned to Maro and the two rushed down towards the Descent, dozens of dead Feynor and skeletons following the necromancer, some of the Dark Ones nearly attacking the former before others stopped them. Ilea blinked into the room as soon as it had reached her sphere’s influence. Since when am I so squeamish. She was appalled by the smell, the sounds, the overwhelming scent of iron, wetness of blood on the floor. A single healer was there as well, a dark one with reddened eyes, tears still rolling down their cheeks as it moved from person to person, sending whatever little mana they had to stabilize the dozens of heavily injured.

Ilea’s ashen limbs moved through the groups, checking on each as she determined the most important to treat. Worse than I thought. She started with those about to die, her mana quickly rushing into them, focusing only to treat the worst of wounds before moving on to the next. Their health would recover on its own, given enough time but broken bones, open cuts, infections as well as fevers and coughs would slow it down, even make it impossible to recover at all.

The battles had been recent, meaning she could take care of missing limbs, ears, eyes or other body parts as well. The lacking knowledge on most of their anatomy had her use the reconstruction skill without advanced methods like she could on herself. The rebuilding was slow, taking much more mana than her own body’s or another human’s would require. Still, together with the other healer, they quickly stabilized the group. The two worked without words, Haiden leaving again when he saw them start. The other healer was at level one twenty and after seeing her work, the being had sat down and started meditating, pulses of healing energy flowing through the room as Ilea saw the health of all recover slowly, infections taken care off and even the blood on the floor slowly evaporating.

She in turn focused on the individuals more, healing the missing limbs and taking care of the bad wounds that the pulses mostly ignored or could only start closing before they opened again. The likely sheer lack of mana and recovery the lower leveled dark one had would make this endeavor difficult anyway but she was glad she wasn’t alone. There were too many here and simply spreading out her ash and healing all of them would suck her dry damn near instantly, not that it worked at all. The control she needed for effective healing could only be delivered with her ashen limbs or by touching them with her real body.

Ten minutes later, the worst had been taken care of and Ilea started focusing on two or three people at once, regrowing limbs as they coughed and screamed. They worked in silence, the pulses vanishing after a couple minutes but starting again two or three minutes later. It likely used up more mana the more people there were. She was impressed by the number of near corpses that had been brought into the storage room.

“Good work.” She said, clasping the dark one’s shoulder as she stepped over, “Can I leave you alone for a while?”

The being looked back, eyes focused and hard before it nodded, another pulse of healing power washing through the room as if to confirm. She didn’t wait, blinking twice to reach the tunnel leading down into the city between Hallowfort and the Descent. There were dozens of warriors and mages near the entrance, poised and focused as they waited for enemies coming up. She jumped down, their eyes focused on her before she focused on the magic around her. Dead, undead, skeletons. Quickly, she sensed the trail and rushed through the darkness, seeing the dozens of Feynor corpses all around, only increasing in number the closer she got.

Some skeletons lay broken too. Soon she saw light flickering in the distance, increasing in speed and blinking before she appeared in a big hall, the heat burning down on her. Flames still clung to many of the bodies around her, others had half of their torsos rotten off. “There she is.” She heard Terok, the dwarf wincing as he lay unmoving with his back on the wall near the entrance of another tunnel.

Appearing before him, she pushed healing mana into him. “There’s still a bunch remaining. Catelyn must have run into a trap. Maro moved ahead.” Bringing him back to half health and taking care of the worst wounds, she nodded.

“Thought you could heal yourself now.” She commented.

The dwarf chuckled, “Low level skill still. Only reason I’m still alive. Now stop being sassy and go.” She nodded and rushed onward. Corpses littered the whole way and the next hall showed a similar picture. When she passed through the next hallway, she could hear fighting coming from ahead. Maro was deflecting a Feynor’s attacks, his body and arms clad in purple flame, beams shooting out that were in turn dodged by the drake like being, half his armor burnt away. Dozens of them were fighting the skeletons as well as their brethren, slain Feynor quickly standing up again to join their enemy.

The groups seemed more organized than those in Lisburg, healers as well as barrier mages present, the rest carefully moving the undead into corners, taking out Maro’s troops with efficient formations. Still he stood, pushing them back, slaying them with his own numbers rising. “Don’t interfere. Help the fox, she’s one hall ahead.” He said, no pause in his attacks and without fatigue in his voice, the Feynor he was facing hissed and appeared behind Ilea.

She simply blinked too, the glint of Maro’s beam coming at her the last thing she saw before she ran towards the Feynor guarding the entrance. Barriers were up, her ashen limbs crashing into them before she sped up and smashed her fists into them, the softened up invisible blockade shattering as her Destruction spread through it. She blinked right after, ignoring the enemies that remained. The heat increased again, Ilea starting to charge up her Heart of Cinder in addition, rushing into the flames.

Dozens of mages of warriors were positioned around a five meter tall and even longer fox clad in flame, teeth as long as her arms and roaring.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard a mighty beast’s roar. You are paralyzed for 0.5 seconds.’

She noticed the change in her body but fought against it, the moment passing before her ashen limbs spread out, shearing into the mages who already struggled against the constant fire flaring up around them. Ilea blinked through, the flames sticking to her armor of ash as she landed on one of them, the mage wrestled to the ground as her ashen limbs crashed into his shields and armor below, her fists crashing onto his helmet time and time again.

A sudden burst of ice froze her up but her legs remained wrapped around him, her ash cracking the ice in the next second before her assault continued, his shields broken through with loud cracks, helmet deformed with the first punch before a heavy projectile impacted her, sending her towards the wall. She saw someone appear next to the injured mage as she tried blinking. The spear clinging to her flared up, preventing her skill before it exploded in green shards that dug into her armor, digging in further and further as they started moving.

Ilea shed her armor, moving the shards away with her ash before a new one formed, two Feynor appearing next to her. Hear of Cinder was released, making their weapons slow down, a scythe and shining claws before she blinked again, her armor reformed. The ice mage was already standing again, Ilea reactivating her area skill as she blinked at the two. This time she ducked, avoiding another spear from the other mage, her limbs lashing out at them as they jumped away, the ice mage vanishing before she felt the air around her cool down, her ash freezing over before she blinked.

The fox released a wave of fire, clawing at the warriors that had attacked her, three more mages sending their magic into them, another two spreading their magic outwards around the group. Ilea saw it in her sphere but couldn’t see the effect before entering the area. Curses as well as a mana and stamina drain. She pushed on, the barriers stopping her ash as she formed lances, charging up Absolute Destruction while her limbs weakened the mana intrusion defense.

She heard the ice mage scream, ripping away the deformed helmet before his wounds slowly recovered, another Feynor touching him with a hand, hard eyes looking at Ilea. “Leave and live!” She shouted, her fist charging up as she stood unmoving behind the barrier, the mages focusing on the fox.

Ilea unleashed her punch, blue magic flowing through the barrier, a loud crash resounding before she blinked, spells rushing past behind her as she slammed into their healer, ashen limbs whirling around as they tried to pierce and slash into the mages that vanished or jumped away, raising their shields before her lances rushed at them. Two avoided the black missiles but one was pierced, having concentrated too much on the limbs coming for him. The lance was stopped by his bones but still sent him sprawling as Ilea pumped her destructive mana into the healer below her.

[Warrior – lvl 305]

Several thoughts flashed through her at once when she saw the scythe wielder appear behind her, fire burning over them all in the instant after. Ilea’s armor barely moved but the scythe wielding warrior had buckled over, screaming before his armor started melting. The Feynor she held down was burning too, his scales melting but reforming quickly before she smashed her fist down, health sacrificed before eight hundred mana spread into him. Her position now hidden by the continuous stream of fire from the fox allowed her limbs to cut into the one below her.

She focused on his neck, cutting in again and again before she saw his spine, her ash glancing off, unable to get through. Her punches sent more and more destructive mana into him while her reverse Reconstruction worked against his recovery. The Feynor was certainly on her level when it came to regenerating his own wounds but hadn’t shown an instant heal like she could manage with her third tier. Her Meditation was working hard to recover her mana but she was already using way too much. His resistance against the flames seemed high too, the scythe wielder having vanished out of the fire already, his back melted and his screams still resounding from somewhere to the side.

Sacrificing health again, her fist slammed down, Heart of Cinder releasing just as it started to damage her. The metal was now washed away, half of the warrior gone, his brain exposed as her ashen limbs cut into it. His bones were still undamaged but she didn’t stop, her damage overwhelming before the ding resounded in her mind. The flames around her turned and moved towards the screaming warrior, her body suddenly freezing up entirely, icicles forming on her ash before she blinked away, appearing next to the Feynor struggling to rip out her ashen lance.

Ilea’s mana was down to half, her mind pushing the lance further into his wound as he screamed, his magic identified as the cursing and drain kind. He added health drain to the mix when she moved closer, the ice on her ash cracking before she dodged a spear flying at her. The thing exploded when it passed, sending black and green shrapnel into her armor, digging into it as her limbs added shallow cuts into the curse mage, denting his armor as she pushed him back.

The fox roared behind her, the shrapnel reaching her skin before they exploded once again, ripping into her flesh as one of them appeared behind her, Ilea turning to face the warrior as his claws ripped into her flesh and ash alike.

[Warrior – lvl 310]

His helmet had been melted onto his face, blinding him entirely. The rest of his body was steaming, half molten and black but the attacks weren’t any less powerful. Still, her wounds were recovering quickly, her ash reforming as she focused on deflecting his claws and continuing her assault onto the curse mage behind her. Ilea’s movements were slow, allowing for meditation in between strikes. When she finally grabbed onto the warrior’s hands, she moved him towards the oncoming spear, seeing the projectile stop an instant later.

Fire rushed over the three of them as she heard the fox roar. The scythe wielder moved in and dug his weapon into the monster’s leg, the flames moving up and away from her enemies. She watched the claw warrior scream through his molten skin and steel as he moved apart her arms, kicking her in the stomach and sending her back, his arms free again. Two thousand mana left. She thought, her armor reforming before shards of ice crashed into both her and the fox. When another lance rushed at her, a purple beam intercepted it, sending it crashing into a nearby wall before skeletons rushed in, cut apart by scythes and claws. She stepped towards Maro and the fox too moved closer, the heat setting his shield and her armor aflame, neither inhibited as her limbs reached the two, quickly healing their injuries. “Their healer is down.” She said, grinning as her own ashen lance slammed into an incoming metal one sent by their highest level mage, his armor black and undamaged.

Chapter 315 Survivors

A note from Rhaegar

Beep

Chapter 315 Survivors

Ilea noted that Maro was uninjured still, his shield with a purple hue in her sphere and dozens of connections to the undead and skeletons that rushed at the enemy group. Catelyn stepped back, moving closer to them as she panted, blood dripping from various wounds and burning up immediately, slowly healing thanks to Ilea’s power. We need time to recover. How much fucking health do you have foxy?

Ilea watched the skeletons freeze over, the level two eighty ice mage having lost his helmet looked mostly uninjured, the two warriors burnt and steaming cut through the undead Feynor with scythe and claws, sharp enough to sever steel and bones as the connections to the necromancer were cut. One was at three ten and the other at three twenty one. The barrier mage at two seventy five was crawling on the floor, moaning in pain as he grasped his missing face, scales, armor and skin molten together. The curse and drain mage had stopped draining mana, likely because her resistance was causing more problems than it was worth it.

The lance still stuck in his side, he was bleeding from dozens of cuts, limping alongside the wall as he tried to get some distance between the groups. He was at level three hundred nine. The fire burning the ground, walls and ceiling had stopped near the Feynor and she saw in her sphere that one of their mages, at three hundred and two was influencing the flames. Lastly there was the mage in black armor, none of his features showing as he formed three lances of steel around him. The battle had gone on for a while, both parties starving for mana, some for health as well. It had cost her heavily in resources, Catelyn likely as well, to take down their healer but in the end it would be worth it.

The others likely had a way to recover too but it would be slower than a dedicated mage. Should we even fight? She wasn’t sure. The enemy had the numbers but the fight hadn’t been as one sided as one might expect. Ilea’s ability to pretty much ignore Catelyn’s ridiculous fires had cost them a man and Maro brought numbers to distract them, bones still piling up next to him as more and more of his creatures formed and stood up. One look at Catelyn was enough to tell her how this would end, the fox monster literally seething.

“Recover your mana. I’ll keep them occupied.” Maro said, stepping forward as a tide of his skeletons rushed at the Feynor, many of them quickly cut apart or frozen, a broad purple beam crashing into the fire mage, his own magic trying to cancel the death magic before weapons of bone slashed into him from the creatures rushing towards them. Minor cuts only but enough to distract him, a second beam slamming into the mage’s legs while Ilea deflected the steel lances flying at the necromancer.

Her own projectiles were sent at the injured mages, the barrier mage pierced before he slid away, not dead but certainly taken out of the fight for now. The curse mage managed to deflect her attacks but he stumbled and fell, his injury worsening. It didn’t take long but when Maro’s creatures were all cut down, Catelyn stepped forward, releasing a cone of fire that enveloped all but the warriors, ice and steel mage who teleported to the side of the limiting hall.

She heard the muffled screams from the barrier and curse mages as well as the fire mage who tried redirecting the attack but failing mostly. A beam of purple light slammed into him before an ashen lance pierced his head, sending his body tumbling back, dead and unmoving.

Three notifications, the mages reduced to molten steel and skin. Ilea had recovered a couple hundred mana but still waited as the remaining warriors approached quickly. Her heart of cinder was eating away at her health but she refused to let it go yet. Catelyn moved to the side as quickly as a small fox would move, dodging the scythe strikes as the warrior using claws slammed into Maro’s shield, ripping away at his defenses while his body started to burn with purple flames. Beams flared out but the warrior dodged them with incredible speed. Ilea realized that the metal mage was forming a massive array of needles, hundreds of them floating in the air around him.

She in turn formed walls of ash connected to herself, moving them when he released the attack, focused on Maro. The air around her froze when she blinked to intercept his projectiles, a chunk of her ash turning to ice before it shattered, hundreds of needles rushing through, stopped by her ash or armor. She felt them dig in but ignored it, instead blinking to the ice mage who vanished immediately, Ilea following as her wings spread. A beam of freezing mana slammed into her chest, her ash cooling down as crystals of ice formed on her. She didn’t blink, waiting until she had reached the Feynor.

His eyes wide open, he vanished. Ilea blinked to the disturbance she felt in her sphere, appearing while she sacrificed three hundred health before releasing Heart of Cinder, the attack charged up longer than she had ever tried before. The heat rushed out, slamming into the mage as her ashen limbs cut into him, her wings moving them both forward before he smashed into the wall, Ilea slamming into him right after.

Whatever shield he had put up had saved his life but his armor was gone now, as were his shields. Her fist slammed into him, time and time again, lances of steel slamming into the ashen armor on her back, coupled with dozens of needles, both exploding and digging deeper before once again ripping out chunks of armor, skin and muscle. It didn’t change the sound of bones cracking under her fist, the wet sound of brain matter being reduced to an unidentifiable sludge. Ilea knew he was dead before the ding in her mind even resounded. She deflected two more lances with her limbs, a third one navigating around them before it dug into her skin, finding a spot where her armor hadn’t recovered yet.

She stumbled to the side, the remains of the dead Feynor hanging inside the broken in wall as she felt the steel dig deeper and deeper, dull explosions resounding as she healed against the damage. New tissue formed over the needles that exploded moments later, ripping through what she had recovered. The mage was focused on her alone, only standing ten meters away as more and more needles of black steel formed around him.

A group of explosions ripped through her lungs, heart and other organs as she blinked away. A chunk of mana left her as her body returned to normal, armor of ash forming on top as she stared at the mage. A massive shock wave made them both turn towards the others, bones and corpses exploding in purple light as both Catelyn and the scythe warrior moved quickly through the debris to avoid the death magic.

The sounds stopped a moment later, purple and normal flames littering what remained of the hall, water dripping down from above. Ilea gulped as she saw the claw warrior standing before Maro, his stomach pierced by the shining talons. A sudden flare of purple fire pushed the Feynor back a little, bones forming around Maro as a roar resounded, the hairs on her back standing up before she ran to the side, dodging the steel needles rushing after her.

Ilea reached the mage before she felt the attack coming, her ash pierced by the spikes suddenly extending from his armor. Her back was pierced by the needles as her ashen limbs started smashing into his armor. You should have blinked. She thought with a savage grin, pumping destructive mana into him, his arms holding hers as they struggled against each other, ash against metal, both his armor and projectiles against her limbs and walls of ash forming to stop his needles to get in.

Neither relented, both meditating to recover mana. Whenever his steel was pierced, it reformed and closed up again just as her own ashen armor recovered time and time again. The only difference was that his actual wounds didn’t heal as quickly. They stayed entangled for half a minute, his spikes ripping into her defenses, digging into her ash before explosions ripped out more and more of it. Her back had opened up already, tissue ripped out and recovering time and time again.

When she finally slammed her ash through the steel covering his head, she cut into one of his eyes before releasing her Heart of Cinder, big parts of his steel burnt away and his face partially molten. He stumbled back, steel falling to the ground as it moved out of her body, Ilea’s wounds slowly recovering as she fell to her knees, nearly out of mana and focusing only on recovering the wounds. The Feynor made pained noises, Ilea grinning at the realization that he didn’t have his Pain Tolerance in the second tier.

While she recovered more mana, she didn’t let up with her ashen limbs, cutting into his face again and again as he struggled to recover his armor, her limbs moving on to his legs and stomach. He stumbled to the side to dodge the lances she sent his way, the third one hitting and breaking through. Ilea stood up, her ash connected to stop his teleportation magic before she grabbed him by the shoulder. Her armor had recovered entirely, his attempts to attack her slamming into her defenses as she charged up her Absolute Destruction. She only had enough mana for five seconds, her third tier Aspect of Ash wrapping her arm in fire, her sacrifice of three hundred health lighting up blue runes below her ash. Her fist landed on his face, his head bending backwards as her mana wrecked his brain. Her limbs followed, cutting into his neck before she finally ripped off his head, throwing it to the side, the ding resounding in her mind.

No head recovery at least.

The hall was filling up with water, parts already flooded as more and more flowed in from the cracks above. She found a crouching Maro covered in wounds and protected by bones, purple fire around him as he deflected the scythe time and time again. Slowly, she walked towards them, her mana recovering and her wounds healing. Catelyn was gone, not gone but small and unconscious, lying below Maro. The other warrior lay cut in half to the side and the scythe wielder didn’t look to be in much better shape than the necromancer himself. Both were panting, their attacks slow, the scythe digging into the man with each strike, the fire flaring up before each hit.

Ilea blinked behind the warrior, the Feynor turning before his blade cut into her, stopped by the ash as she grabbed onto his weapon. He jumped back, effortlessly ripping the pole out of her hands before he sunk down to one knee. His armor had been discarded, the Feynor only having his scales for defense. Looking around, they heard the ceiling crack, chunks of stone falling down as Ilea extended her limbs, stabilizing both Maro and Catelyn, the latter in much better shape than the necromancer. Her eyes opened wide as she saw his wounds, his body barely alive. That’s a death mage for you.

She grinned, looking at the Feynor who panted hard, coughing up blood as he stared at them with hate. Leave. Ilea thought, the ceiling cracking more before the warrior rushed at them. Her limbs moved out, the Feynor dodging them with quick movements before steel projectiles slammed into his chest, Ilea’s ashen ones piercing his stomach before a beam of purple light enveloped his head. He stumbled back, weapon flung to the side before he slid to a stop. Terok appeared above him, his arm slamming down on the Feynor’s head. The hit landed but the creature grabbed and moved away his steel arm, the metal groaning before Terok’s other arm shifted, a beam of white light cutting into the enemy’s head before his arm went limb. A ding resounded in Ilea’s mind as Terok stumbled backwards, holding his arm as the steel reformed.

“We have to get the fuck out of here.” He said, Ilea lacking the strength to speak as she pushed all her recovered mana into the two mages. She grabbed Catelyn with ashen limbs and supported Maro with her shoulder, his arm weakly wrapping around her as they stumbled out of the room, Terok holding up a shield to deflect the chunks of stone coming down on them. Water flowed out into the hallway, the sounds of collapsing stones audible behind.

Ilea never stopped healing, her mana recovery directly flowing into the other two. Catelyn was stable when they reached the next room but Maro’s condition didn’t change. She collapsed when they came out into the hall, the necromancer falling next to her as she meditated, forcing herself to stay awake as the corners of her vision became blurry. Terok stood next to the three, asking something that Ilea couldn’t hear.

Time passed, Ilea’s mana recovering as she healed away. Her vision was back to normal and while exhausted, she was ready should there be more enemies waiting. “Was that all of them?” Terok asked.

“I think so.” She said simply, spitting out blood that had accumulated in her mouth. “Why were they here?”

The dwarf shook his head, checking on Catelyn. Maro was on his knees, head towards his chest with eyes closed. Ilea felt him exude mana still, likely in a meditative state as well. Her healing was showing results by now, much slower than anybody she had healed previously. There was nothing inherently wrong with his body, at least not to her spell. The pulses of purple mana in her sphere were likely an indication.

When Catelyn’s insane health pool was topped, she started pushing mana into her more aggressively. On the third try, the fox woke up. Coughing lightly, she stumbled up and looked around, baring her teeth. Ilea chuckled, “You’re safe. Look almost cute without knowing about that fire form.”

The fox laid down and snorted, “You… you saved my life.”

“As did those two.” Ilea said, her ash still in contact with all three of them. “We should head back, in case the Abyss gets attacked.” She stood up and nearly stumbled, catching herself before Terok moved in to help. “Don’t.” She exclaimed, holding a hand out towards him.

“You should rest. Too much mana use. I trust Haiden and the power of that group… they weren’t here for the town.” Catelyn said, starting to pace around slowly, “We need those corpses. Anything left behind could help…,” She said, looking at the dwarf, “Terok. Can you get them out or are your injuries bad?”

He looked at Ilea and then shook his head, arm forming into a big sledgehammer, “I’m fine. Only joined the fun in the last moments. My rate is twenty silver per hour.”

Catelyn ignored his mention of pay, “Why would they target me? Or did we misjudge the Feynor’s power. The Dark Protector will run into trouble if some random attack squad has six people above three hundred.”

“The attacked the Vineyard Caves too. Didn’t see a single one above my level. Amongst hundreds.” Ilea supplied, looking at Maro who had stopped exuding mana. She quickly moved when he collapsed, catching him before he woke up.

“Ah… my dreams come true. A lovely knight in nothing but her shredded leathers.” He muttered, quietly. The strain on his body to deliver the joke must have been enormous.

Ilea switched her destroyed leather armor to a shirt and pants, “Thought you were a goner for sure.” She said, punching his head lightly.

“Death itself cannot be bested.” He coughed, blood spraying onto her shirt and face. “Sorry.”

She laughed, ash moving past to clean off the blood, “Then it was targeted. The vineyard caves have much closer ties to the army. Why me?”

“Looked like dragon worshipers. Seems like this age didn’t change much.” Maro said, sitting up as he reassured Ilea he was fine, “You know what they usually like?” He paused, “Fire. You damn near broke through my shield with your presence alone, what the fuck even are you?”

The fox chuckled, smiling wryly while Terok started to rip out chunks of rock from the collapsed in hall. “Well they just wasted incredibly strong people. Can’t say I dislike it. What do you want for you help?”

Ilea shrugged, “I can pet you whenever.”

Maro though about it and nodded, “Same. Though maybe you can help her with some leather armor.” He chuckled.

“I can ask Goliath, don’t worry.” Ilea replied. The fox just looked at them in turn before shaking her head.

“Elana was right.” She said, “You two are utterly useless when it comes to negotiation and management. I’ll open accounts in your names, my debt will be repaid, if you want it or not. The petting is fine, as long as you don’t sexualize me. I’m a fox.”

Maro snorted, “The big version capable of melting forged steel is a turn on, not going to lie.” A hard hit by Ilea made him shut up.

“Don’t jeopardize our privileges. What are you going to do about the Feynor?” She asked.

“This is a heavy loss. I doubt they will try something again soon. All I can do is make Hallowfort more attractive for powerful people and level up myself. Guess my days of dabbling in alchemy are over.” She said and sighed.

“Need someone to pinpoint their locations. I won’t dig out that whole bloody room.” Terok said, having paused his work.

“I’ll get someone to you. Come, let us return for now. If there were any Feynor still, they would have attacked already.” Catelyn said, moving towards the town, guided by three flames floating in the air.

Chapter 316 Cleanup

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there.

Oh, check out Vainqueur the Dragon, it's great.

Chapter 316 Cleanup

Ilea wrapped herself back into her ashen armor when the three of them returned, Catelyn announcing the group through the opening before they ascended.

The fox addressed one of the warriors when they arrived, “Galin, go help the dwarf. Follow the trail of blood.”

“Sure you’re alright?” Ilea asked Maro, the man just shrugging.

“Where’s Elana?” He asked the fox when they joined up with Haiden, the cat person grinning when he saw the three of them.

“She returned a couple minutes ago, interrogating those we captured from below.” Haiden explained.

Ilea didn’t see her in her sphere and simply blinked to where the barkeeper was pointing. Opening the door, the enchantments deactivated and she gulped at the scene. Five dead Feynor lay on the floor, eyes closed and no wounds showing on their bodies. Elana was standing in front of one, Mist swirling around the creature before Ilea heard a bone snap. “Here to stop me?” She asked, smiling at her.

Ilea stared at her and then the Feynor, looking uninjured other than his broken neck. The woman glanced at Maro and Catelyn joining, “Pain is not a reliable way to get information my dear. I assume you won then? How many escaped?”

“None.” Catelyn said as she stepped forward, “What did you find out?”

“A diversion. To draw out the one carrying the flame’s blessing. I assume that is you. They spoke of one of the most dangerous squads in the Feynor troops. The numbers were overblown I thought. More interesting was the fact that they all named one Obsidian creator as the leader of this assault. Did you encounter him? Black armor head to toe.”

“I killed him.” Ilea said. “None escaped.”

“Good. That makes this simple then. We have several options but if I know you Catelyn, you’d rather ignore it.” Elana said, the fox stepping up next to the Feynor.

“Some might see it as a notable challenge to attack us. There were other attacks, did you hear about them?”

“Some. Those I interviewed knew little of the bigger plans sadly.” The queen replied.

Catelyn nodded and sighed, “We will support the dark army, at least financially. Plenty of gear available from all the dead too. I doubt the Protector will leave such an array of assaults unanswered. The Feynor will be too busy to attack us. In the meantime we can work on our defenses. Word of the expedition?”

“Still nothing. One scout returned just before the attack, he told of creatures behaving frantic even in the first layer. We have to send more and prepare to defend, I don’t have a good feeling about it Catelyn. Will you three be sticking around?” Elana asked.

“There’s only two here.” Maro said.

“Terok must be close by. I’m sure you will already be suitable repaid for the help today. I know I’m cold Ilea but thank you. I do appreciate you two saving one of the few sane beings in these god forsaken lands. I’m sure the council can grant you some more privileges if you take on some assignments.” The woman spoke, Catelyn nodding.

“We need more information. Plenty of things to work through for now.” The fox said and turned, “I’ll coordinate with Haiden. Is Goliath still missing?”

“He’s in a Taleen dungeon to the north.” Ilea supplied.

“He gave you his obelisk?” Catelyn asked, chuckling, “Of course the old fool would trust you instead of me.”

“Can’t fault him there, she just saved your furry ass.” Elana said, “Good to know the smith is alive. I’ll organize the cleanup if that’s alright. You take care of the defenses.” Catelyn nodded to her.

“We’ll move back to Tremor for a couple days after this.” Ilea said, looking at Maro.

“It’s going to be a week at least to get a grasp. There will surely be interesting work for you afterwards. Check back if you feel like it. Oh and let me know if you leave anything in the armory behind.” Elana said, nodding to Ilea and Maro before she walked out.

Catelyn jumped up, floating right in front of Ilea’s face before she touched her face, “First you bring me cake and now you save my life. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.” She moved on to Maro, “No cake but also thank you. It’s a shame you got your out. At least your charms don’t work as well on Dark Ones.” She giggled and vanished, leaving Ilea there with the king.

So it is a skill. Or a stat. Ilea squinted her eyes at the man who hid behind his helmet. “I’ll check the injured again, back to help Terok and then off to Tremor?”

He shrugged, “No vacation then. Well I suppose it feels good to stretch my muscles again. Maybe moving some rocks would be fun too.”

“Sure you didn’t hit your head?” She walked out, making her way towards the room with the injured. Maro chuckled at her question but didn’t reply, simply following her in silence. Most of the Dark Ones looked at them when they passed through the main room, nods and approving gestures aplenty. Ilea was glad none actually talked to her.

The weakened healing pulse she feltcoming through the thick wooden door made her smile. The healer was still at it, granted she was only gone for an hour, less even. The creature looked up and inclined its head lightly. “Do you need help? Missing limbs or anything serious remaining?”

The creature nodded, getting up from their meditative position and quickly moving around the room, pointing out those with injuries they apparently couldn’t treat. Ilea moved her ashen limbs and recovered missing organs, limbs as well as simply treating wounds too extreme to quickly stabilize for the other healer. Maro sat down with the creature and joined them in meditation while they both worked.

Ilea mostly let her skill do its magic, knowing nothing about the alien biology of the creatures here. She checked through the notifications from the fights.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Genesis Regenerator – lvl 305 / Warlord Chieftain – lvl 290]

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Scythe Ruler – lvl 321 / Guardian of Ki – lvl 318] – For defeating an enemy ten levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 304 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 303 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A rare form of steel manipulation requiring a strong mind and an abundance of Obsidian. Like many obscure schools of magic, its powers are varied and flexible, molded by their masters. Your body has suffered heavy damage from such magic, making it a little more resistant.

‘ding’ ‘Obsidian Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Obsidian Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

Ilea finished healing the last of the injured as she invested her remaining 25 stat points, ten coming from the previous fight and subsequent level ups. Ten she put into Intelligence, ten into Wisdom and five into Vitality. “Hey Maro, are there multipliers for Wisdom and Vitality?”

The man opened his eyes, looking at her when she walked back. He nodded to the other healer and stood up, “Possibly. One of my class skills reduces the mana cost of active skills used, why I can keep going for so long. It actually increases in potency the lower my health goes.”

“That sounds amazing… although I’d just walk around half dead to get the benefits.” Ilea said with a smile. “Any idea what’s up with Catelyn’s health?”

They walked back towards the shaft leading down to the ruined city above the Descent, landing in the darkness before they continued towards Terok. “Maybe she just invested a lot into it. The two warriors we fought had ridiculous health too.”

“I guess.” She said, shaking her head.

He glanced her way, “What is it?” Neither were bothered by the darkness.

“Just… you know we just won against a bunch of three hundred plus enemies… actual people. Just surprises me.”

Maro laughed, “They didn’t fight just anybody. Plus didn’t you clear out Kingsguard just a couple days ago? They were five hundred. More predictable of course but still. My own brilliance ignored for now, Catelyn is probably older than those Feynor combined. Those flames… I understand why someone worshiping dragons would come look for her. They lacked the intelligence to simply ask for her knowledge to be shared but hey, everybody makes mistakes. Then there’s you. Recklessness and a deathwish getting you classes more powerful than most. Mana intrusion and healing adds a combination few prepare for, rare in both monsters and people.”

“Don’t look that lost in thought. I was down to my last three hundred health, that claw one nearly got me. Catelyn was literally knocked out, I don’t want to know how low her health was. If Terok hadn’t come I’m not sure if we two could have killed that warrior.”

So I nearly died… again.

“Now I don’t know what you just realized but a creepy grin shouldn’t be your go to move. They came in a prepared team and in most other circumstances they would have succeeded. I assume they tried to capture Catelyn. Capturing a three hundred plus creature. Fucking ridiculous. What they didn’t expect were two even more ridiculous people coming to help.”

“Three.” Ilea added, hearing the sound of Terok’s laugh. For as selfish as he gave himself, he had really pulled through every time so far.

“Yes. Well he’s a brilliant opportunist. Do you think he will ever realize that he doesn’t have to try to impress you anymore?” Maro mused and Ilea just chuckled.

“It’s good for him. His fear of being left behind coupled with immense greed bring out the best in him.” She said, nodding towards the dwarf who waved at them from a distance.

Maro looked at her but didn’t say anything, the two reaching the dwarf and dark one. “Need a hand?” Ilea asked, cracking her neck.

“About a hundred, yes. Just start smashing through the rock. You know where the corpses are.”

She nodded and got to work, the warrior stepping aside with grace. Ashen limbs cut into the stone with ease, the pressure alone softening them up before chunks were ripped out. Terok looked her way and shook his head, “You’re embarrassing me. Do I even have a use for you anymore?”

“I like you as a friend.” Ilea said after a while, the dwarf just looking down on his metal arms before continuing their work.

Bringing out the last corpse, Ilea lowered it onto the pile right outside the tunnel, guarded by Maro who really could have added some undead to the help. “That’s the last one.” She said, the warrior nodding next to her.

“Thank you. For defending this town and for defending the revered alchemist.”

Ilea wasn’t sure what to think of that title, Catelyn likely forcing it on them. “Hey, you know most guards here.” The dark one looked her way, “I talked to one a while back. Found him dead when we arrived. This was his hammer.” She said and summoned the massive obsidian battle sledge.

“Tal was their name. A noble warrior protecting Hallowfort for centuries. May they find their way to the next life, or rest in peace should they wish so.” The warrior said and looked up.

“What will happen to the hammer?” Ilea asked, twirling the heavy weapon in her arms.

“It will be stored and given or sold to somebody. Perhaps molten should nobody want it.”

“What about family?” She asked.

The warrior shook his head, “Tal was a solitary guardian, such as many that reside in these parts. Should you wish to have it, I am sure they would be honored, to have their weapon wielded by the Ashen Savior.”

“Ashen savior?” She asked, looking at the obsidian weapon, black as the night. It was a little shorter than the one she had wielded in Lisburg, acceptably balanced for her height.

“Does the name not please you? My apologies ashen healer. Yet without you and the king of death I doubt the outcome today would be so favorable.”

Maro chuckled from the side, Ilea rolling her eyes, “Don’t worry. I would like to have it. I’ll leave some gold with you too.”

The warrior immediately shook his head, lifting both hands to stop her, “I refuse. In the name of Hallowfort. It is the least we can do to repay you.”

Ilea was about to retort when Maro spoke up, “Take the bloody hammer you dunce. What is this? Bloody court? Nobles trying to up each other on their generosity?”

“Hey fuck off.” She said, looking at the hammer with a smile.

[Quiet – Rare]

An appropriate name she thought, given by a guard that died for no fucking reason. Thanks Tal.

“The answer of an uncultured warrior with no regard for nobility.” Maro said, shaking his head.

“Yes exactly, and the reason you’re sticking with me I assume.”

A snort came from Terok, the dwarf exiting the collapsed hall, “Just warn me when you start fucking. I don’t want to die because of a stray spell going off in your fated battle.”

“He’s married.”

“She hasn’t bathed in years.”

“A lie.”

“Why can I never shut up?” Terok asked and held up a finger to his metal head, “No… keep your witty shit to yourself. I nearly died today. So did you two as a matter of fact. Why can’t you shell shocked like any normal person, rethinking their life upon such an event.” Terok mumbled to himself as he walked past.

“Death holds no meaning to its king.” Maro commented dryly, helmet on and showing confusion through his body language.

Ilea nodded, “I’m just collecting near death experiences for my next evolution.”

Terok’s murmuring became incomprehensible, Ilea holding out a fist to Maro who didn’t react. “You’re supposed to hit it with your fist.”

“Why?”

“It’s like a celebratory gesture when a team does something they’re proud of.” She explained.

“So we’re a team now?” He asked, Ilea taking down her fist.

“Forget it necromancer.”

Terok looked back, “To Tremor? I saw at least two people I owe money to in the Abyss. Maybe your treasury holds something useful.”

“I could use the money I have here.” Maro suggested but he waved him off.

“They can wait another day, or week.”

“You don’t intend to pay them?” Ilea asked with a chuckle.

“Maybe after the story of a brave dwarf saving Catelyn and her helpers has spread far and wide.” He said and laughed, the others joining in, the tang of blood around them not bothering her anymore.

The organization of Hallowfort certainly wasn’t sleeping, the Abyss empty when they returned. The fires had been put out already, the cleanup under way. Several small pyres had been built, groups of dark ones and others standing near as the fires consumed the bodies of those fallen. She noted that the Feynor too had gotten a pyre. The three were recognized and greeted as they made their way through the town, the scenes reminding Ilea more of the days after a massive festival instead of an attack by an enemy force.

“They’re taking it well.” She noted when they reached the bridge. Tal wasn’t lying there anymore she noted, halting as she formed a single lance of ash. “Rest in peace friendly warrior.” She said and sent her ash lance flying, the projectile dismantling and fading away a couple dozen meters into its flight.

“Well it’s not the first time someone attacked Hallowfort. Mostly it’s monsters roaming out of a nearby dungeon or trying to find new nesting places. Three takeovers by extraordinarily stupid scavengers have been attempted since I came here. There’s a reason it’s supposedly one of the oldest settlements in the north.” Terok explained.

“They just need better fucking ale.” Ilea said, “You sure you’re not a brewer in disguise?” Her gaze was on Maro.

“No, I’m sorry I shattered your favorable image of the noble necromancers. Most of us just raise corpses and bring death.” The man replied, with an obvious lack of brewing knowledge and experience.

They made their way out, walking through the tunnels before reaching the surface. Ilea looked over to the entrance of the Penumra dungeon. “You think I can handle them now?”

“Maybe. Only problem I see is you getting paralyzed and falling in. Their numbers are higher the further down you go and they swarm no matter how many already focus on someone.” Terok commented.

Ilea looked him up and down, “How did you go in there then? Your group was laughably underleveled.”

“Normal people inform themselves about the monsters and dangers lurking in dungeons. Then they prepare, preferably with plants that give off a smell these particular beasts hate. You will probably survive quite a bit longer if you would put in even a minimal effort into such endeavors.” The dwarf added, Ilea rolling her eyes as she summoned her monster encyclopedia.

“Shame there’s nothing about half the beasts out here.”

Maro chuckled, “Then maybe you should write one yourself.”

“I’m not a writer, nor an artist. Ask the elf, he’s good at sketching beasts.”

“Ah yes… you reminded me. He will want to talk to me.” Maro said.

“Why are you bothered? Hate elves too?” Terok asked.

The king just shook his head lightly, “I just don’t feel like talking about Rhyvor. Not yet.”

“Talked about it plenty already.” The dwarf said with a chuckle.

“It’s different to being interrogated.”

Ilea shrugged, “I mean you don’t have to talk to him. What’s he going to do? Throw a tantrum?”

“He helped train Terok and the three elves that helped clear out the knights of Rhyvor. You can call me many things but ungrateful isn’t one of them.”

Chapter 317 The End of Patience

A note from Rhaegar

Happy Saturday, lads.

Chapter 317 The End of Patience

Ilea was still playing with the idea of trying the Penumra dungeon as they made their way back to Tremor. The suns were shining in the sky, black clouds visible as they moved over the landscape, purple lightning flashing from time to time. “Don’t do it Ilea. As tough as you are, it can’t be healthy.”

Terok had been the one to speak, Ilea following his gaze to a nearby cloud. She smiled, “Don’t worry. I’ll try that when I’m not with you two. Hey Maro, doesn’t that look like your death magic?”

“Not exactly.” He replied, “I can see why you didn’t become a mage, differentiating between intricate and ageless schools of spells by color.”

“Fist go smash, yes?” She asked in a mocking tone, both of them laughing.

“Seriously though, your what was it, Azarinth magic? It’s quite unique. How do you get a class associated with it? Can’t see how something like that can be forgotten.” He added. “Incoming.” He said suddenly, the three of them moving towards the wall, hiding in small crevices as the body of a massive snake like creature moved past them in a high speed.

[Earth Serpent – lvl ????]

“Don’t try it.” Terok said from behind her, Ilea just rolling her eyes.

“Hey I’m not as irresponsible as I was.”

“Four question marks.” Maro commented as they exited from their hideouts. “It definitely noticed us but I suppose we’re not worth the trouble.” The snake had nearly filled out the whole crevice, hundreds of meters long and at least fifteen wide. A near golden sheen on its scales.

“To answer your earlier question, you eat a moss. Elixir I suppose. Kills you if you’re unlucky. Then you get the class.”

“Healing orders…,” Terok commented, shaking his head. “Not worth the trouble.”

“Why do I feel like I could take it?” Ilea asked suddenly, looking at the snake that vanished around a corner nearly a kilometer away.

“It’s mostly the size that constitutes its power, not its magical expertise.” Maro commented.

Ilea scratched her head, “I fought a Basilisk back when I was below a hundred… the thing took damage I think. Now… with all my upgrades.”

Terok chuckled, “I’d love to see that.”

“Basilisks are rather peaceful creatures, mostly ignoring small creatures like us. I’m not sure how you even managed to get one to fight.” Maro said.

“It attacked us out of nowhere, dozens died to that peaceful creature. When we left it didn’t pursue.” She explained.

“I suppose it had its reasons. Young maybe or you simply walked into its territory.” Terok said.

“Everybody an expert on Basilisks now? Try to tank its wind magic.” She said and shook her head.

Maro held up a hand, the three of them flying into another crack after surfacing for a couple hundred meters. “They don’t use wind magic as far as I recall. Wasn’t it lightning?”

Terok nodded, “Aye… yellow lightning. Never seen it but my father talked about it once. The ground shook when it hit, the creature hundreds of meters up in the air. I imagine it close to what those storms do.”

“What the hell did it do then?”

“Ever had ants in your home?” Terok asked, “I doubt you’d burn them up with your most powerful spells.” He said and laughed.

Ilea didn’t, she was glad the thing had acted as it did. Otherwise she might have been toast back then. I’m sure it didn’t act. Now I’m interested. “It seemed weak.”

“Well I’d like to see you fight after pushing out a baby.” Maro said, Ilea rolling her eyes at the comment.

“I’d be fucking angry probably.” And exhausted, in pain, wanting to see my kid instead of some idiots camping in the hospital room. It was a possible explanation but she wasn’t completely content with it. I planned to face it anyway.

“Don’t go and fight it.” Terok said, “Worrying as a friend.”

“I do what I want.” Ilea replied.

“Yea I know, that’s why I warn you. No sane person would seek out a Basilisk.” He said, “I’ll take whatever you don’t need of its body. The scales are supposedly incredibly versatile.”

Not good at defending against ice magic. She thought.

They shared some more thoughts on the Basilisk as well as the healing order’s elixirs. The Azarinth order was apparently not the only one with painful or dangerous initiations. Neither knew why that was the case when she asked.

“There are healing classes you can get without eating the world’s hottest chili though?” Ilea asked when they entered the mountain below which Tremor lay.

“Yes but healing orders have always discouraged non members practicing the magic. Not uncommon. Lightning magic was nearly unanimously reserved for nobles, as was anything related to blood or the void. I would assume those still hold true.” Maro surmised.

“Probably.” Ilea said, only remembering that one healer back in the Taleen dungeon expedition. Didn’t they try to poison me? Or was that Alice’s family? Well I remember that healer to be an ass either way. Trian was a noble, as was Edwin and Maria, the three examples of lightning, blood and void magic she thought of. Another way humans are jeopardizing themselves. The adventurers in the guild looked at me like a fresh baked muffin when they saw my healer tag.

“Any idea why it is like that? Couldn’t any random person learn lightning or blood magic?” Terok asked.

Maro waved his hand, “Well yes and no. Without knowledge it’s definitely harder. Elixirs help too, especially to get a class initially. Most influential people wouldn’t want commoners practicing their choice of magic. I doubt any of those schools are any better or worse than anything else. Otherwise all the most powerful adventurers would be nobles.”

When they landed in the cathedral, Ilea immediately noticed the piece of paper stuck to the double doors with an expensive looking dagger. She walked over and read it quickly.

‘Ilea, I seek your assistance.

Deceived, running off to face the Great Hall.

They are not ready.’

The letters were rushed, Ilea spreading her wings as she focused. The handwriting was the same as the books he had translated, “The Taleen dungeon. Turns out the trio didn’t learn after all.” She said and ascended, blinking twice before she appeared in the rock formation above the entrance. Checking for storms, she shot off. Ilea ignored the crevices, instead moving in as straight a path as possible, her wings moving stronger and faster than before her evolution. Let’s see if these fuckers are enough to avoid the storms.

A cloud moved dangerously close a couple minutes later, forming out of seemingly nowhere. She flew to the side but the cloud was too vast, lightning flashing down a couple meters away from her. Ilea was moving high, near where the dark storm hovered. Her Azarinth Fighting picked up the lightning a split second before it struck. The impact smashed into the stone below, a shock wave visibly expanding over the land.

Her ashen armor reformed, seared by the pure arcane power that had flashed by a couple meters away from her. Ilea moved a little lower, giving her more time to react while far enough from the ground to ignore the shock wave of the impact.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

Another strike came from above, Ilea blinking to get distance between herself and the dangerous power. The armor on her back was burned through, her wings reforming as she fell for a second. And then she was out, blinking several times to get distance to the cloud that moved eastwards. Breathing out, she focused and moved on. Not training in there yet. But I can survive. She pushed on, her storm resilience testing moved ahead by reason of overconfident elves.

Ilea sped over the land, concentrating on the destination and slowing down as she blinked through another passing arcane storm. The lightning hit much further away this time, allowing her to speed through without interruption. The safe area in front of the dungeon entrance was visible now, only a couple hundred meters more to go.

When she landed, Ilea found Elfie pacing in front of the entrance with a grim expression on his face. When he noticed her, his mouth twisted in a way she didn’t understand. “How long have they been inside?” She asked, her wings disappearing as she looked around, trying to sense anything.

“I do not know. I couldn’t stop them… they moved when I was out. Ilea please…,” His voice was frantic, his claws out as he hissed.

“How do you know they’re even here? Maybe they went further down into Tremor. More importantly, why aren’t you looking yourself?” She stayed calm. As risky as their decision was, the three weren’t pushovers either. She would certainly help out, if only for Elfie’s sake but their stupid decision to go on with this was their own.

He hissed again, this time at her, “You know very well that I cannot do that human. I know, I sensed them. Do you believe I lack understanding of those I train?!”

Ilea stepped closer, her ashen limbs forming behind her, “I know that it’s a stupid rule by your fucky oracles. If you care so much about them then maybe you should rethink your bloody priorities. And don’t fucking hiss at me like I’m your fucking prey asshole. Be grateful I’m here to help.” She knew there were actual physiological reasons not to enter but the others had managed somehow so he could too.

His face twisted again as he gazed at her and then the entrance, his hand clawing on his own neck so hard blood started flowing. Ilea rolled her eyes and moved towards the dungeon, “Are you coming or not?”

Ilea didn’t say anything else, just shaking her head as she turned her eyes from him and rushed into the Taleen dungeon. Her Sentinel Huntress skill quickly picked up no the magical signs of the three. They certainly had grown in the past year. Enough to face the Centurions. Green eyes flashed in her mind, memories from long ago. The pain and terror making their way back before she willed them out. No. She refused, simply refused to be afraid, to let herself be beaten again by those mindless creatures. It wasn’t planned, she wanted to train more, get more powers but at the very least she would try. If anything she wouldn’t let them take any more of the people she knew.

“Really am a fucking Sentinel…,” She spread her wings when she reached the town, blinking and rushing through in her full speed. She noted the Taleen Guardians moving below her, all making their way towards the Great Hall. The fleeing expedition had rushed right into the blades of the oncoming Guardians, it seemed the elves had triggered a similar reaction. They’re really here then. She gulped, a smile coming to her face as she focused on the power rushing through her, “You’re not the same as back then.”

Ilea landed on the bridge, dozens of Guardians turning her way as she breathed out. Her ashen limbs rushed out, piercing through steel limbs and severing heads as if their defense was made of paper, she blinked twice, the crowded machines on the bridge reduced to scrap. The gates had been forced open. They needed time for that. She blinked in, finding fewer machines here, many more already destroyed. Small craters as well as burning pieces suggested destroyed Centurions, at least two. The hall was bigger than the one she had visited before, the same white stone but several hundred meters of it, chairs, tables and even smaller buildings were crowding the place in addition to the guardians of this forgotten town.

She focused her gaze on the closed green gates at the end of the hall. If she knew Goldie and Hera, that’s where they’d be. Neither cared about treasure, no, they just wanted to fight the toughest fucker in the room. It’s going to be a long lecture by Elfie. Didn’t sound like they beat him. Avoiding the strong to fight the stronger doesn’t seem advisable. Have they never heard about steady progression? Her thoughts came to a stop when she reached the gates. They were closed, a bunch of guardians pierced and ripped apart by ashen limbs when she landed.

Her sphere saw through the steel before she blinked, a massive mace slamming down onto her wings, the force rushing through them and her hands right behind, the ground cracking slightly under her strained legs before she looked up. Green light shined down from above, a white throne was centered in the back of the big hall, eight pillars connected the floor to the ceiling on each side.

“I had that…,” Heranuur said, coughing up blood as he struggled to stand, a big grin on his face, his sharp teeth showing.

Ilea pushed him back with two ashen limbs and started healing, “Oh yea? Four organs destroyed and most of your ribs broken. Let alone your back… how can you even move?” She looked around the hall and focused forward again.

Her damaged wings reformed as they opened up, Ilea staring down the two green eyes set into the tall creature’s head. She could swear they looked different than the normal machines. I knew they were different. Her muscles were tense, her breathing steady. “We meet again…,”

[Taleen Praetorian - ???]

She noted that Neiphato had finally decided to use his second class, wood continuously growing around a second Praetorian a couple dozen meters away, the elf standing before a crouching Seviir, the latter breathing hard, likely trying to recover mana. He’s actually holding it back. The scythes had difficulty gaining enough speed to cut through the wood, more and more roots replacing those already cut as he slowly stepped back. “How long can you hold?” Ilea asked in his general direction, never leaving her foe out of sight.

The mace again rushed at them, this time horizontal and aimed at her. The air whistled as the weapon neared, Ilea activating her blink before she saw magic emanate from the mace itself, her spell disrupted before the heavy weapon was upon her. One wing intercepted the blow from the side as she held up her arm, the blunt hit traveling through her as she was sent tumbling to the side, skidding to a halt. Bruised. Her whole side was bruised, internal bleeding even. Her healing started working.

Neiphato didn’t reply, sweat dripping from his face as he focused on his magic. Not long then. “You three should leave, if you couldn’t beat Elfie you’re not going to beat them.” She was back to full health as the Praetorian turned towards her, mace casually held in both hands. The difference in its green eyes really made it seem like an intelligent insect, studying its prey.

The elf looked her way and she knew it was futile, “Ilea… we worked months…,” He coughed, blood spraying onto the floor, “This is it. If we can’t beat them…,”

“You are so fucking stupid.” Ilea murmured with a grin, “Well, if you die. You die. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She shot off, the mace coming at her immediately. This time she ducked under the long handle as the main piece rushed past behind. Even the one using the fat weapon is fast as fuck. She needed a plan, quickly. Her limbs smashed into the Praetorian, slamming into a magical barrier as her mana flowed into it. She managed to hit twice before its mace came back.

She dodged sideways to avoid the blow. Feeling an attack coming, she blinked back as far as she could, a green expanding sphere of energy burning over the floor. No visual cue, no activation time either. She knew it would have corroded through her armor with the initial hit, part of her skin too. The floor sizzled, whatever that sphere produced was still burning into the white stone. The one back then never used that ability. Are these different ones?

Might want to avoid it. Dodging another three hits, she focused on one of its massive steel legs, hitting it with all sixteen limbs, the shield flaring up each time. There was no mention of Storm of Cinders damaging others’ skills but them being machines it was possible the shields came from enchantments or were even considered natural defenses. The fact that she could see her destructive mana still eat through the upper layers of the defenses at least supported her assumption.

The mace crashed down again, Ilea jumping back twice to avoid the hits, the Praetorian following with quick movements. Closing in, the creature used its area skill again, corrosion eating into the nearby pillars as Ilea blinked away once more. As long as she kept it away from the others, there was no danger to herself. At least Heranuur wasn’t trying to intervene for now, instead rushing to the others as his mana recovered, his remaining bruises and injuries healing very slowly. The hall was big enough for plenty of maneuvering, making her speed and teleportation quite effective against whatever the machine threw out so far.

Those Three aren’t enough against that scythe one. She thought, continuing to lead the machine as it tried to strike at her with a green mace as big as her chest. Another set of attacks followed, Ilea barely moving out of the way before her limbs smashed into the one leg again, the increased range making it a simple affair. She already saw the problem though, her mana eating into the defenses but with the amount she had already used it wouldn’t be enough. The damaged layers were already recovering. She needed her Destruction too.

Ilea looked to the side when she heard the groaning of wood, Neiphato’s staggering back as the scythes slowly pushed through. Oh fucking hell. She thought, moving towards the struggling elf in an attempt to lure the mace Praetorian towards the other machine. The creature was right behind her. Ashen walls formed in front of Neiphato, the elf staggering back as one of the two scythes pierced through, slowed as they slammed into the ash, cutting through before Ilea appeared in front of the elf. “Do something useful or fuck off.” She said.

The blade stopped halfway through her wings. The second machine had closed the distance, Ilea’s eyes widening as its area attack expanded.She activated her blink but the scythe was in her ash, pushing further and preventing her from moving away. She hastily formed as much ash as possible, two of the elves already having teleported away but Neiphato still stood there, his hands still held up and connected to the wood holding back the Praetorian.

A cracking noise resounded, a part of the attack stopped before the corrosion ran over her defenses, burning about halfway into her armor. The barriers shattered. Elfie had appeared in front of the closed gate, blood running from his mouth, nose and ears as he held up his hands, claws extended. A blow from the mace followed, the immediately forming barrier dented in as he shouted, “Neiphato, get out of there!” She felt the power emanate from him, healing up Neiphato behind her, damn near a third of his body gone.

Chapter 318 Engage

Chapter 318 Engage

Rushing to his side, Ilea grabbed Neiphato, six of her limbs carrying the injured elf as she healed him. Hera and Goldie were injured, barely on their feet as they joined Elfie behind his barriers, both having lost some of the fight in them. Neiphato was simply passed out, out of mana as his body slowly recovered. The scythe Praetorian broke out of the wood and rushed towards them, focusing on her before the blades slammed into a set of barriers brought to life by Elfie. “What are you… doing…,” Heranuur asked, Ilea picking up the two with a couple ashen limbs, making her way to the gates before her remaining limbs slammed into the steel gates. A thrown scythe got through, one of her wings moving up to deflect the weapon before it slammed into the entrance, cutting deep into the steel.

“You are no help here.” She said. The red haired elf looked at her, eyes going wide.

“No… we came this… far.” He was pleading now.

Ilea suddenly stopped her efforts to open the gates, looking at him. Elfie struggled to reform his barriers as the two Praetorians hammered into them. “You will die.” She said, her healing having recovered most of their injuries by now, Neiphato’s side having reformed as he slowly opened his eyes.

Heranuur landed on his feet as she let go, wiping the blood from his face as he ripped off a dented armor piece from his leg. He winced when a wound reopened, quickly closing thanks to her continued healing, “And what is the problem with that? There’s no meaning to my fighting if all I do is getting saved.” He said and stood up. “These machines… they are the reason we’re here, the reason we fight. I understand… that you humans think differently Ilea… but you. You face impossible odds all the time.” He cracked his neck, a grin forming as his sharp and bloodied teeth glinted red from below, “Thanks for the heal.” Seviir looked better, the elf’s eyes focusing as bones started forming some sort of armor around him. Heranuur collected his swords from the floor, “I will fight here, no matter the outcome. It was an honor to have met you.”

Neiphato sat back as he watched the scene unfold. Elfie was stepping back as a scythe moved past his face, only slightly deflected by his defenses, the other Praetorian slamming his mace into the annoying barriers. She watched as both Seviir and Hearnuur walked towards the other elf, their skills activating as they prepared to fight. Ilea’s healing stopped as they neared their full health. “Stubborn, inexperienced… I know what you think.” She heard Neiphato speak up next to her, “But please. Let us help here. Let us show them, what elves and humans can do.” He got up slowly, his face not looking quite as young anymore as he stared at the machines.

“Let us show them, that it is them that should fear us.” Ilea felt goosebumps rush down her arms, the elf touching her shoulder gently as she stared at the green eyes of the Praetorians. She closed her eyes and breathed in when two new figures appeared next to them.

“You are all idiots.” She said, skeletons rising slowly, metal spikes hovering towards the machines.

Terok laughed as he appeared next to the two elfs behind Elfie, “Quite a mess, and here I thought we were done fighting for a while.”

“Humans and Elves.” Maro mused as he slowly walked to her side, Neiphato glancing at the necromancer. “I’m not the only one with a hidden stat it seems.” Purple flames came to life around his heavy robes.

“The hammer one has a spherical corrosive area spell.” Ilea said as the three of them joined the others, Elfie coughing up blood as he kept the barriers up. She extended a limb to heal the elf, finding his whole body in turmoil.

“Don’t. He just needs time to adjust.” Neiphato said next to her. Ilea noticed his condition worsening as she used her healing mana, stopping immediately.

Roots formed around the elf next to her, his whole demeanor changed. Neiphato spoke with confidence, “Necromancer. I assume you are above three hundred?” Maro nodded, “Good. You and Ilea will be the best shot we have at actually defeating these monsters. The shields are hard to penetrate. Focus on damaging their legs as soon as you’re through. Take the one with the hammer.”

The wood creator stepped next to Elfie and touched his back, “The rest will hold back the second one. The disorientation will fade, Cerithil Hunter.” Ilea noted how Elfie gulped at the words, their roles very much reversed, “Move now! May we die in honor or destroy our enemies!” Neiphato shouted, the mana of dozens of skills pulsing in the air around them. The barriers broke and chaos returned, Ilea and Maro teleporting to the right side of the hall as the necromancer sent his undead at their assigned Praetorian. Ilea formed ashen lances while the others rushed to the other side, their two groups separating the enemies successfully.

“You think you can take that one alone?” Maro asked as they stood a couple meters apart, a beam of purple crashing into the shield followed by lances of ash that shattered upon impact. The Praetorian lifted its mace to block the continuous beam before a sphere of corrosion melted away the skeletons and undead Maro had created.

Ilea formed more lances as she started towards the machine, her wings vanishing, “I mean you lot already joined. Still a chance for you to fuck off?” Her sixteen ashen limbs writhed behind her, ready to strike. “I’ll try to weaken its shield with my mana intrusion. Can you tell anything about its strength?” As much as she itched to try herself, the damage to its shield from before had already recovered. Having both of them on her would spell trouble.

She rushed in, jumping over the mace as she twirled, her limbs smashing into the shield. Sixteen uses of Storm of Cinder burned quite a bit of mana. She watched the shield turn red in parts, the cinders sizzling through as she jumped up, her fist delivering Absolute Destruction, the skill at 100 mana per strike still using more than her sixteen limbs combined. Ilea saw the blue mana burn into the shield before she blinked away, the sphere of corrosion spreading.

“I mean you can see it too.” Maro said, floating between the pillars as he sent beam after beam of purple energy right at the spots Ilea had already damaged, “Focus on separate spots, I don’t think the enchantment is encompassing the whole thing.”

Ilea didn’t let up, rushing in again as soon as the wave had vanished, the ground sizzling and a weird scent coming to her nose, “Front two legs first then.” She said, her limbs smashing into the legs as the creature moved quickly to avoid her strikes, its mace rushing at her time and time again as she dodged and weaved through, the fourth hit unavoidable. Her blink was disrupted once again, her arms held up to block the metal coming from above.

The weapon impacted, her arms smashing into her face as she was partially pushed into the stone floor, stone cracking against her armor of ash and the power of the strike. A wave of air rushed out from the impact, Ilea already healing her bruised arms as her limbs once more delivered their payload into the right front leg of the machine, remaining for a moment to add her reversed healing. Maro’s beams didn’t let up either, precise and deadly as they burned through the shield, her own mana coupled with his digging through the defensive layers, stripping away more and more.

Four overhead slams she dodged, the fifth one coming from the side, sending her tumbling once again before she slowed down, skidding on the floor. The Praetorian followed, moving as quickly as she flew, Maro teleporting to be able to target its front legs as Ilea formed a set of ashen walls in front of her. The mace crashed into and through her ash, Ilea ducking under the slowed attack when her Storm of Cinders finally got through the shield. “Now, the front right!” A powerful purple beam cut into it as Ilea blinked closer, her fists crashing against the leg that stood as tall as her, Absolute Destruction and Storm of Cinders coupled with her sixteen limbs sucked her mana dry, some returned thanks to her second tier Reversal but the machine had a high defense against it. She felt the attack coming but didn’t let up, getting in another strike at the same time as a purple beam rushed past her shoulder, the leg ripped off right when the corrosive sphere burned over her.

Ilea blinked back, the ash on her discarded as new one formed, her face, chest and thighs burned through, her skin dissolving as she counter healed. The Praetorian pursued but nearly fell, the damaged leg snapping when it took a step, its integrity not enough anymore for the heavy and fast machine. The time it needed to adjust was enough for Ilea to recover, the corrosion continuing to burn into her skin behind the newly formed armor of ash. Heart of Cinder didn’t seem wort it considering the shields, focused attacks necessary. One leg down, five to go. She smirked, reminded of her first battles against the Taleen Guardians. Her mind focused, jumping back to avoid another strike as Maro started working on its second leg.

A glance towards the other group revealed that they weren’t doing just as well, Elfie having collapsed, defended by Terok while the others teleported and moved quickly to avoid the scythes. Fight or die. She watched the scythes slash through the air, three elves teleporting and moving in between as they tried cutting the shields whenever an opening presented itself. Even with an instant, she knew that both of them would be too much for her still. As expected. She smirked, a little annoyed about it but a test run with a team distracting the enemy wouldn’t hurt.

She noted with the next attacks that the Praetorian learned just as the Centurions did, already more on the defensive now that one of its legs was broken.

The second one snapped half a minute later, Ilea jumping back to join Maro as they recovered some of their mana. Four legs were still enough to move but not quite as fast and efficiently as before, not with the heavy torso on top, let alone the weapon. “You ok?” Maro asked, sweat on his brow as he created a beam of death magic that reflected on the drops, working on the next target already.

“I’m alright.” She replied, checking her resources as her mana recovered quickly but not as fast as she spent it. Even with all her resources recovered, she had fought the death spirit in Lisburg, had fought the Feynor there too as well as in Hallowfort and now she was here, perhaps a couple hours of sleep would have been advisable.

A dozen green mist like spheres suddenly formed above the Praetorian, the machine unmoving as it created the green shimmering projectiles. “I’ll take care of them, just keep focusing on the leg.” She said and started forming ash, sending streams of it at the quickly approaching acid that sizzled through. Ten were already dealt with when they reached the pair of fighters, Ilea’s wings quickly forming before the magic ate through most of them, leaving skeleton like protrusions coming from her back before she discarded them again.

Compared to her created ash, her wings benefited from their own bonuses just like her Armor did. Not nearly as powerful but enough to make them noticeably different than her freely created ash. The machine hadn’t moved while the attack was happening, Ilea advanced again as soon as the spheres were dealt with. The ten seconds of meditation had gotten her enough mana for a couple more doses of Storm of Cinders.

The Praetorian did what it could, going as far as feinting with its massive mace to get Ilea pinned down, the only way it could manage to kill her quickly. It targeted Maro too several times but the man was fast, his teleportation having a longer range than Ilea’s too. He was aware of his surroundings at all times and Ilea noted too that his beams never got in the way, not even with her frantic dodging and quick weaving around the enemy’s attacks. The most impressive part was that his beam rarely stopped burning into the machine’s shields.

“Ilea!” The sudden shout of Terok made her vanish, appearing where she heard the voice. Neiphato lay on the floor as Seviir held back a scythe with his arms, the former damn near cut in two by his waist. She blinked again, slamming away the Scythe to get an opening, the second weapon coming in before Heranuur deflected it with his blades, flying back ten meters from the blow. Her ashen limbs moved the open wound together as she focused on healing it, the Praetorian distracted once again by the two elves, Terok in close combat too after leaving Elfie behind.

By now they should have learned to go for the injured. She noted, watching Maro around fifty meters away as he continued blasting the leg, some skeletons having joined his ranks again to take over her role as a melee distraction. It would be enough for a while, the machine slowed down by the missing legs. Neiphato coughed, groaning in pain as the wound finally closed. “Your bones are fine, it missed most of your organs.”

The elf grit his teeth and slowly got up again, hands lifted as wood started to form again, “I’m fine. I’m sorry…,” He said, eyes looking towards the scythe Praetorian as Ilea blinked back towards Maro.

Only two skeletons remained but she noted the difficulty the machine had at dealing with them, resorting to its corrosion sphere to finally be rid of them. Moving in, her limbs delivered their payload, her fists smashing into the now unshielded leg several timesin the two seconds it took for the Praetorian to use its area attack again. She stepped to the side and punched one last time, its mace smashing the ground next to her as a beam of purple light finally cracked the metal and Ilea blinked away.

They didn’t let up and twenty seconds later the fourth leg was destroyed, Maro immediately summoning a bunch of skeletons from his ring as both of them teleported towards the second undamaged Praetorian, “I’ll keep it occupied.” He said, one out of the six skeletons he animated running at the machine, two legs and arms remaining as it dragged its massive body over the floor towards them, the grinding noise overshadowed by Heranuur’s explosions.

Neiphato screamed, wood forming before him with both scythes stuck within as the others hacked away at the shielded legs. It’s reforming too quickly for them. “Shout before it gets through!” She appeared next to the front left leg of the creature, the purple beam hitting before her ashen limbs crashed into it. The enemy immediately ripped out its scythes from the wood, Neiphato staggering forward as it slashed at Ilea, both weapons coming in horizontally. She jumped, straightening in the air as the blades rushed past her both above and below. Blinking immediately after, she continued her focus on its leg, the others moving in and out as her sphere perceived it all.

Seviir appeared near its head, slamming his bone claws into the shield to distract it. Terok was back with Elfie, metal shields held towards the crawling Praetorian. Maro didn’t let up, hovering close enough to intervene with everything, more skeletons forming and hacking away at the crawling monster. Her resources were getting low already and not even one of them was destroyed, So much for fighting them alone. She smirked.

Neiphato went as far as stopping his attacks as he teleported towards Terok, standing a couple meters away as he recovered some mana. She thought about going for the machine’s arms but they moved too frantically, much harder to target as well as more dangerous, even with the high range of her limbs. Attacking close and personal allowed her to blink if necessary, getting her limbs tangled up ten meters away would be problematic.

“Incoming!” Maro shouted, Ilea seeing the spheres of corrosion before Neiphato teleported again.

He shouted back as he held up his hands, roots forming as the spheres started moving towards him, “I got it!”

Jumping back, Ilea avoided the scythe rushing past, scratching the ground as she felt the air pressure. She was one with her skills and her body, her legs stepping back quickly, her torso turning before she ducked, followed by a somersault backwards. The metal scratched against her ashen armor, the Praetorian building more speed with each swing of its scythes, its torso turning quickly, the weapons scratching deeper and deeper before she was forced to teleport, appearing behind the machine and targeting one of its hind legs.

It stopped. She attacked as the Praetorian slashed at her again, its speed back to normal. It builds up speed with each attack. The two elves each came from another angle, the Praetorian still focused on Ilea when finally, a punch of hers fueled by most of her skills except her third tier Aspect of Ash ripped through the first leg, the metal piece flying off towards one of the walls. We’re running on fumes here. She thought while moving on to the next leg, using the moment of disorientation to land another hit immediately. Despite her mana dipping below a thousand, Ilea was thoroughly enjoying herself. The others were likely worse off except for Maro with his seemingly unlimited supply of beam energy.

They could get injured and required healing, sure but right now Ilea knew her own power wouldn’t quite be enough to face the two of them. Compared to the cluster fuck of an expedition force that was with her the last time she had fought Praetorians, this time she trusted each and every one of them to fight without errors, to ration their resources and keep at it, no matter the danger. It was more akin to her group in the Shadow’s Hand but this time they had an unanimous foe and no reason to bicker. While it was incredibly dangerous for the others to face the machines, she was happy they provided the opportunity to maybe even destroy them.

This wasn’t a job for money, fighting some monsters that were bothering a nearby settlement or taking care of some lunatic blood mage that got drunk on his power. This was a different league, the Praetorians a more personal enemy for both the elves and Ilea, their destruction not a simple mission requirement but a rebellion against an untouchable foe that had terrorized them in different ways. She breathed out, moving her torso back as the massive blade moved past. A blow that would have cut her in half the last time.

Another blade came at her, Ilea lifting her arm to deflect it ever so slightly, her limbs rushing out from her back to slam into the enemy shields. Her eyes shined blue in the dimly lit hall, ash wreathing around her, I’m not running today.

Chapter 319 Taleen Praetorian

Chapter 319 Taleen Praetorian

Seeing the others unable to respond, Ilea simply deflected the blades coming for her, the third hit cutting halfway through her armor and the fourth one penetrating. Her skin and muscles weren’t easily damaged either, blocking most of the force before the fifth hit was only stopped by her bone, her arm trying to regenerate around the blade as she tried holding on to the weapon. Maro finally separated the second leg of the scythe Praetorian, the two elves waiting to the side as they regenerated mana, Neiphato focusing solely on the crawling machine, wood corroded through as they both formed their elements of magic to fight one another.

The second scythe penetrated her stomach with the ever increasing speed and power, ripping through her armor, skin as well as organs. She smirked, blood dripping from her mouth and onto the ash covering her face. Her right arm gripped the blade and held it in with all the strength she had, her ashen limbs covering both blades as she held them back, Maro moving on to the third leg of the creature. You’re going to lose. She felt the cold of a curse spreading through her body but it was insignificant, her defenses and resistances too powerful for the effects to take hold in a meaningful way.

Six seconds she could hold onto the weapons before they were ripped out of her body, dealing just as much damage as they did when they had penetrated. Freeing up her armor near her mouth, she spat a mouthful of blood to the floor before blinking away, her injuries healing. Not as quickly as they should thanks to whatever curse was inside of her but it was manageable. “Are you ready again?! I need some time to recover mana!” She shouted, watching the creature turn before the two elves moved in again.

Meditation came on and her recovery increased, her mana down to two hundred and her health down by a couple thousand. Healing was a priority for now and she had used only her Storm of Cinders as a means of attack in the last three minutes. Still, with sixteen limbs it was quickly burning through her batteries. They wouldn’t have stood a chance. She thought, watching the elves move in. The shields were ridiculous, only Ilea and Maro combining their efforts doing enough damage to get through. And here I speculated on who would win between a Kingsguard or one of these. The elves successfully got its attention, mostly dodging as fast as they could with alternating attacks to give each other room to breathe.

“Watch out!” Terok shouted towards Neiphato, the elf focused on the corrosive mist spheres, unaware of the thrown mace flying right at him. The dwarf appeared, metal shields held forward before the weapon hit, taking both the dwarf and the elf behind him on a short flight through the throne room. They both teleported before they hit the wall, the flying weapon luckily not categorized as an enemy in contact with their bodies. Ilea kept regenerating, her wounds closing as the dwarf and elf resumed their posts, Terok’s metal and armor suit had dented inward but held up surprisingly well. Throwing a two handed mace while crawling is not the intended way of using it after all.

I’m surprised the thing even thought of doing that. Having recovered a couple hundred mana, she moved back in, focusing on distraction first and foremost, using Storm of Cinders when an opening allowed for it. Maro with his constant meditation didn’t have as much of a mana problem, both of them continuing their focused assault. Knowing that the machine built up speed if its attacks kept going, the three melee fighters teleported away whenever it started with its frenzy, quickly distracted and stopped by someone attacking from behind.

When they finally broke through the third and fourth leg of the scythe Praetorian, Ilea blinked towards Terok, the others following quickly while the Praetorian toppled over. Nobody spoke at first, Ilea breathing hard as she formed several walls of ash just in case the machines used their limited ranged capabilities. Neiphato and Maro joined them too, “I’m pretty much out. Is it safe enough to recover for a while?” Maro asked as Neiphato collapsed next to him. Slight burns from the acid but otherwise uninjured Ilea noted.

“We should fly up to make sure they can’t reach us.” Terok said, grabbing the still unconscious Elfie before hovering upwards. The rest followed suit, flying up before hovering slowly. Ilea held onto Neiphato, taking over his job of neutralizing the corrosive attacks with her creation skill. Her walls of ash moved up with her.

“Stay behind me. Take him.” She said, moving Neiphato into Heranuur’s hands with four of her ashen limbs. The scythe Praetorian threw his weapons as soon as it realized the group was unreachable with most of its legs broken and the fact that they were hovering above. Ilea’s wings spread as far as they could, the weapons cutting through her walls with ease before impacting her wings. The momentum was reduced enough to allow the others to dodge easily. The weapons rushed back to the machine before they slammed into its hands again.

“Did we win?” Terok asked, “Doesn’t look like they can do much at this point.” The machine put down one of its weapons, using both arms to throw the scythe at them.

Nicely jinxed. Ilea thought, her wings overlapping, the ash punched through before the blade slammed into her armor. The blade had a greenish glint of magic on it, cutting into her defenses and a couple centimeters into her chest. She ripped it out before it fell downwards, Ilea seeing the Praetorian spinning after having slammed the two legs into the floor for stability. The second blade was released, spinning quickly before it crashed through her reformed wings, her armor and her chest. She saw the damage it would do but nobody else could likely take the attack and live.

The blade pierced muscle and bones, finally stopped by the armor on her back, a cough filled with blood left her, the cool feeling of the curse flowing through her before she ripped out the weapon, holding it against the second blade that was coming. Most of its momentum was stopped before it slid past, crashing into the wall behind them.She sacrificed a couple hundred mana to recover instantly, “Maro it’d be helpful if you start burning down its health, I won’t be able to take this forever.”

Terok gave Elfie to Seviir and moved closer to her, a part of his armor separating and forming a shield that quickly hovered in front of her. “Might help a little.” He commented. Maro moved behind her too, his purple shield forming around the two as he continued firing his beam at the scythe wielder.

“Couldn’t you do that earlier?” She asked, ash forming to stop the corrosive mist.

Maro shrugged in the air, “You wanted to see what happened didn’t you?”The next blade hit, ripping through his barrier before penetrating Terok’s shield and slamming into her wings. The blade still got through her armor but this time it didn’t penetrate her bones. “I doubted it could throw that hard.” Maro added in a serious tone, their combined defenses not enough to prevent damage still.

What do I need to block these throws. Ilea wondered, watching the purple stream of energy flow down, the barrier and metal reformed to take the next blow, the wound healing as her mana continued to recover. She focused completely on defense now, all the ash she formed connected to her body and creating an ever growing wall. It left her somewhat immobile in the air and soon she had reached the limit of ash she could control, the scythes now barely punching through her armor after working through the thick layer coupled with Terok’s metal and Maro’s shield.

“Will they explode?” Seviir asked after a while, Neiphato awake again and adding another layer of defense to Ilea’s arsenal. She had started splitting off parts of the ash to send lances at the incoming blades as well as unshielded parts of the machine. The Praetorians tried circumventing their defenses but it simply led to the group moving together more tightly, trusting Ilea’s defensive capabilities boosted by the powerful additions.

“We’ll see.” Ilea said, the scythe throws now barely reaching her body anymore. Her focus moved to ashen lances now, a big chunk of her mana recovered as she sent the projectiles crashing into the unshielded torso of the machine. Finally, after around twenty lances, one of them penetrated. “I think we’re getting close.”

A sudden wave of mana flashed through her sphere, Ilea feeling herself being pushed back a little. The scythes had stopped, the machine now frantically moving closer to them on both legs and arms. Another wave of mana went over them. “Move away from it, steady.”

“Get behind me, as close together as you can, make whatever defenses you can.” Ilea said as they hovered through the hall, the Praetorian following. When a third massive pulse of mana reached them, the machine stopped moving and looked up. Ilea turned around, her wings spreading around the group of elves, human and dwarf. Most of Terok’s armor moved out, reforming in a dome like shield behind her back, Neiphato’s roots forming a sphere around them with Maro’s shield layered in between. Leaving the throne room was the safer bet but Elfie was still out.

A pulse of kinetic energy washed over them, cracking the pillar they floated behind, cracking the walls and the floor, the second Praetorian sent skidding as its corrosive projectiles dispersed. Ilea felt the heat behind her, saw the approaching wall of energy that burned through everything in its path. It moved slowly, almost in a crawl compared to a conventional explosion. The energy reached them, burning through the walls of ash, the wood, metal and death magic shield. Ilea smirked, looking at the half awake Elfie who held out a hand, purple veins pulsing all over his face and arms, blood seeping from every orifice on his body.

The barriers cracked and shattered, Ilea circulating healing mana through herself and all of them as the energy pushed into her. Her Ashen armor was burned through, her skin and muscles evaporating faster than the could recover it, using chunks of mana to instantly recreate what was lost. A second wave of energy came a couple seconds later, the hastily reforming defenses crashed instantly. When she was nearly out of mana, her normal healing took over. Their defenses were gone.Her bones were seared, the back half of her body pretty much gone, Ilea’s skills and classes taking over as she fell. Two soft dings resounded somewhere in her mind.

Someone caught her as her sight returned, her brain reformed before anything else, blood dripping down as her organs started recovering. The smell was overwhelming, everything had been burnt. She found herself not really caring, looking up at Maro’s face, the blood pooling below them. One of his arms was burnt to the bone, his teeth gritting against the pain. “Did… anybody… die?” Speaking was difficult she found, all the recovered mana instantly sent to reform her body.

“We’re fine. Thanks to you. Now stop speaking until you have recovered. You’re one hard nut to crack.” Maro said, purple flames going up and searing his wounds shut as he nearly buckled from the pain, still holding her.

“The gates broke!” Terok shouted, his armor mostly gone, a couple of metal lances hovering around him.

Ilea closed her eyes and focused on her healing, hearing Neiphato speak close by. “Come, it is our turn now to defend them.” Turning her head slightly, she wearily blinked open her eyes, seeing the three elves ready their weapons, burns showing all over. Taleen Guardians, some rare Centurions in their midst pooling in as a wooden barrier formed around them, Terok grunting as he dragged Elfie inside.

Maro put her down ten seconds later, the bleeding had stopped and her skin mostly reformed. Bones came from his ring as he animated the skeletons with his magic to help the others. “I’ll support you from here, mana is still rather low.” He said, Neiphato nodding as his roots continued to spread around them.

“Now let’s see who can get more.” Heranuur said, Ilea knowing that he had a stupid grin on his face. She heard the cracking of Seviir’s bones. A chilling sound, she found. Had she met the elf back in Riverwatch, him being one of the attackers.

I can see that. And yet they’re so normal. She breathed in, her chest reformed and her lungs back in working order, the partially cut rib cage as strong as before.

“You will lose.” Goldie said, the two of them running off before the dull sounds of fighting could be heard, steel and bone against metal, the impacts of projectiles on wood, ranged Guardians below level two hundred hardly a concern.

Ilea relaxed, closing her eyes again as she lied on the floor. Her body had recovered, barely a minute after half of it had been missing, no mana left and her health down to half. She smiled, Half of my body missing, half my health. Maybe that’s what the critical damage calculation bit meant. She sighed happily and checked the messages, trusting the elves as far as handling themselves against the horde of Guardians.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 600] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 600] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 305 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 304 – Five stat points awarded’

The ten points went into Wisdom immediately. Nearly three hundred levels higher and I got one level out of it. “This three hundred business sucks.”

“Sure, if you’re in a group.” Maro said, “Glad you’re back with the living. Almost worried there, when I held the remaining half of you.” He looked down at her, his arms crossed and helmet gone. A warm smile showed on his face, covered in blood and sweat.

Sitting up, Ilea’s ashen limbs came to life behind her, reaching out towards the three nearby people, her sphere back online too now that she didn’t immediately need all the mana for her healing anymore. Maro’s arm wasn’t just burnt but damn near gone completely, insides mangled and fucked up. Nearly half of all his bones in the right part of his body were broken, some damn near pulverized. “Do you perchance have a pain reduction?”

He grinned at her, “Partially. Most do at our level Ilea. Otherwise you wouldn’t remain standing for very long.” The man closed his eyes when she started healing the damage, his breathing and heart rate slowing. Neiphato was mostly fine, him Terok and Heranuur had been shielded by her the most. Seviir was at the side but she knew he had some sort of self healing. Not the best but at least something. Still, the wood mage had broken bones, severe inner bleeding and a couple crushed organs.

Tough fuckers. She started healing him too, the elf glancing back with a smile and striking blue eyes. This guy should represent elves around humans, not the idiots that just murder everyone. Terok only had minor bruising, the best in shape of the five. Elfie was out again but other than checking his body, she still left him alone with her mana. None of his injuries were a danger to his life either. Other than Maro and herself he was the toughest here. She continued healing them, her ash cutting through a part of Neiphato’s wood to allow a view on the shattered gates, blown out partially by the Praetorian detonations.

The two elves were flying through the chaotic horde of machines, bits and pieces flying around. In the actual throne room only two Centurions remained, the two elves mostly avoiding them and using the other Guardians as shields against the thrown spears.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

While the level ups to her classes weren’t spectacular, the skills certainly profited. So the blast was arcane in nature? Maybe a mana core or something powering them. Weird that I never got anything like that from the Centurions. Oh and Pain Tolerance leveled. I did activate the second tier only in the end. Guess the accumulated pain until now was enough to trigger it.

“Hey Maro, is there another cap at level twenty for third tier skills?” She kept her eyes focused on the fight happening before her, the elves focusing on the Centurions now, fighting one each.

The man leaned over the wooden barricade, already completely useless to protect anybody but Terok. Still, a nice gesture she felt. “No idea. Haven’t gotten that far yet. I’m very close though.”

“They’re actually doing it.” Terok said as he walked a little closer, standing near the barrier. “Hey Maro, can you drop me some of that metal you still have? I feel naked.”

Ilea smiled as Maro handed over some ingots, the dwarf’s metal eye focusing on her, his beard disheveled. “I think you look great.”

He rolled his one real eye and started funneling mana into the steel, “Thank you lassie. Saved my ass once again.”

She leaned back and looked at him, “No worries. It’s what I do.”

Chapter 320 Aftermath

Chapter 320 Aftermath

The throne room was in shambles, two big craters digging nearly fifteen meters into the white stone, revealing the ordinary rock starting further down. Not even rubble was left behind, most of it simply turned to dust. The gates had been bent and mangled, allowing the Guardians from outside to enter. It seemed though that after the initial wave, those waiting farther back in the great hall didn’t rush towards the throne room anymore.

Now that the Praetorians are dead. Maybe they’ll return to their normal positions. An explosion resounded, the shock wave traveling towards the group of waiting people, Ilea’s black hair moving back, settling again a moment later. Heranuur had downed his Centurion first, the blast sending him flying. He rolled a couple times before crashing into the wall with a wet thud. Still moving, Ilea noted. The laughter was indication enough, Seviir and his Centurion battling each other the only noise remaining in the hall now that most of the machines had been cleared out.

Some of Maro’s skeletons had rushed out of the hall to push them back even more. “Can your summons fight the Guardians?” She asked after a while. Ilea was in high spirits, both knowing she had successfully saved the lives of all present but mostly because she had helped in the killing of two Praetorians. Her contribution had been significant. It would have been interesting to know if herself or Maro had dealt more damage. Probably him… damn range.

Elfie gasped behind them, Terok looking over from his impromptu workbench provided by Neiphato. The elf had formed himself a chair of wood, sitting down with a sigh as he started meditating. Ilea nearly asked for one too before she remembered her own ability to make one out of ash. She was just about to make one when the elf woke, the purple veins showing on his pale white skin. He was already slim but the toll this experience and entering the dungeon had taken on him definitely showed. His cheeks looked a little sunken in and his eyes only opened halfway before he groaned in pain.

He scratched his head before shooting up into a sitting position, eyes wide open as he stuttered something to himself. “Is that normal Neiphato?” Ilea asked. The wood mage opened his eyes and smiled.

“Oh yes it is. Very painful. He’s going to feel that for the next couple weeks. I think it’s a good experience in the end, one to make us stronger in the long term. Freeing too. Finally rid of the horrors of our kind.” He spit on the floor, his blue eyes fierce.

“I… betrayed… everything. All of it.. gone.” Elfie said, holding a hand to his face. Ilea wasn’t sure if he would rip off his face or start to cry. What she certainly didn’t expect was the manic cackling that followed. Even Maro looked away from the fight happening near the gates, glancing at the elf.

“See? Freeing.” Neiphato added, self satisfied as he closed his eyes again and continued his meditation. Terok looked a little annoyed, forming armor pieces with the steel provided by Maro.

As quickly as his manic state had come, the elf calmed down again, his eyes focusing on Ilea. “You.”

Ilea pointed at herself and looked around in a questioning manner. “Hey, your choice mate.”

“Niivalyr Olanis. For many years… I believe, I have known the way. I had not expected a human as annoying as you, to finally bring me here.” His expression was sincere, his eyes showing more emotion than she had seen out of him so far. Other than his fear of the oracles and their laws he had sometimes shown.

“Hey I’m not that annoying!” She retorted, pointing a fork at him as she sat in her newly formed ashen chair, much more comfortable than she had expected. It moved to her will after all. Keyla’s cooking couldn’t be topped by anything right now. Maybe a shower but it was close.

Terok lifted his one eyebrow and shook his head, continuing his work. Niivalyr smiled softly, “Annoying, yes. Also reckless, naive and young. Yet brave and powerful, in spirit and heart. You are truly exceptional, Ilea.”

She lifted her fork and took a bite, noodles in an egg and cream sauce with pieces of bacon. Garlic and cheese were present too as well as some other flavors she couldn’t place. Definitely some sort of Carbonara. “Half of that was negative.” She commented after swallowing.

“Of course. I wouldn’t want you to think too highly of yourself, warrior. It is too easy to think oneself infallible, especially at such a young age.” He said and quickly glanced towards the fighting Seviir. “We all learn in time. Some faster than others.” His tone was bitter before he gulped, his eyes turning a little glassy as he seemed to look past her.

“You took the step Niivalyr… nice name by the way but I need a nickname. Too many elves around now for Elfie.” Ilea commented and thought about it, “Niivalyr… the Ni elf? The elf who says ni? Val? I don’t know.”

“I defied the oracles… broke the unbreakable law.” He looked at her again and shook his head, “This is no time to think on nicknames…,” The words spoken not to her but the general vicinity.

“Calm down, they broke the laws too. I broke a bunch of laws as well.” Terok said and laughed, molding a robotic head. “You’re old as fuck, high time for a teenage rebellion.” He added.

Neiphato opened his eyes and stood up, his face serious as he approached the sitting elf before him. “Master Olanis. You knew the truth, knew that the laws were restricting, shackles binding our people in suffering. Now you are free. Think on the possibilities, the power you have gained through this understanding.” Ilea stopped chewing as he stepped next to Niivalyr and held out a hand, “Now stand, noble warrior. For all the domains, those alive, those long dead and those yet to come.”

Niivalyr’s expression turned serious, a glint of fear remaining but he grasped the hand with a determined grip, standing up before he hissed at the other elf, a broad grin showing his sharp teeth. Neiphato followed suit, hissing too. Ilea looked at Terok, the two of them a little lost. Maro on the other hand was smiling ear to ear. “Are you crying?” Ilea asked him in a whisper.

He kept staring at them, “I think there’s onion in your food.” He said, “This is great. I wish I was an elf.”

That’s not how this works. Ilea thought but just shook her head, smiling at the two elves before a boom resounded behind them, the shock wave traveling past. Moans of pain followed, the clattering of metal falling to the stone floor audible throughout. “My cue.” She said and stood up, taking another bite as she blinked twice to reach the deformed body of Seviir, her healing mana immediately reaching him through her limbs. “That was one centurion.” She said in a low volume, taking another bite and chewing.

Ilea realized most of his injuries hadn’t come from the battle just now, especially his left side being mostly mangled. Heranuur cackled from the side as he stumbled towards them. “I win.” He said and collapsed, an ashen limb landing on him softly before the healing commenced.

Is this what it’s like to have children?

Their injuries were taken care of, the others except for Terok joining her at the front of the hall. Niivalyr spoke up, glancing at the two elves sitting up and finally the wood mage, “Neiphato, now that this is done with. Could you please explain to me why in the name of all domains… you chose to face Praetorians?”

The confidence on the wood mage’s face waned quickly, his gaze averted as he started stammering out a response, Seviir saving him the trouble, “It was a test. To see if we could conquer the dungeon. Once we were inside I suppose me and Hera got a little overexcited. You know how it is.” He hissed, Heranuur hissing his affirmation.

Ilea was surprised she could tell some differences by now, the hissing just a part of their language. “Yes. Well I will add Pain Tolerance training back into the routine for a while. Just in case you get halved like Ilea here. Soon enough we will be able to face Praetorians, don’t rush things. I am nearly seven hundred years old, there is plenty of time. Learn something from these humans. Steady progression will lead you to greater strength.”

Seviir hissed in annoyance, looking at Ilea and Maro, “They are outliers… humans do not…,”

He was interrupted by a barrier slamming his back, “Ilea overtook you, quickly. She knows how to calculate risks, knows when to retreat despite her pride as a warrior. Her healing gives her an advantage but you have two classes as well, it’s your own fault if you can’t keep up. Most humans live a more secure life, with values and goals hard to understand but we can learn from them, as we can learn from any race or people.”

Niivalyr bowed to the humans as he continued, “I haven’t heard of a Praetorian killing in a long time. Though news from the Cerithil hunters is scarce, what elves have failed to do reliably in centuries was accomplished by the people present here. Most of the work I assume was done by the two of you. I doubt someone below three hundred can reliably damage the shields. As you should know.” The last sentence he dedicated to his students. “Now that I can stay in mana dense places I will guide you more strictly, alongside Neiphato who has finally accepted his second class. Congratulations.”

He sighed and looked up to the heavily damaged ceiling. Neiphato stepped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, “You will find your way my friend. In time. For now, let us focus on this dungeon.”

They’re childish and mature at the same time. Ilea smirked, watching the ancient beings talk about finally being rid of the abusive relationship of all powerful oracles. The idiots rushing in wasn’t a completely stupid thing to do after all. She glanced at Neiphato, questioning if he had anything to do with it. Especially with how supportive he was acting now. The other two didn’t seem to care much, more annoyed about the Pain Tolerance training which was just a fancier word for torture.

“Emotional lot. Come on, I’m sure there’s treasure abound here.” Terok joined, a new machine suit on him that looked much less complex. He had still managed to get one done in less than half an hour, impressive work Ilea thought. The metal was dark gray and somewhat matte. He had added small forward facing horns to his helmet but Ilea refrained from calling him a copy cat. She had gotten that from the original Juggernaut armor in the first place.

“There should be treasure.” Ilea said, “I’ve been inside of a great hall before. Don’t underestimate the traps, nearly killed me back then.” When I was just a wee lass, unable to tank a Praetorian’s scythe.

“Good.” Terok said, pointing behind him towards the shattered throne, only bits and pieces remaining, “Then we can start with the hidden room behind this one.”

Maro laughed at that, “Had to get your armor done first?”

The dwarf chuckled and started walking towards the wall, “Of course, wouldn’t want to get left behind. Although you two deserve most of everything here. Anybody disagree?”

Neiphato waved him off, “Of course not. We would all be dead without them.”

“I do ask to see what we find at least, if it has great relevance to me I would like to offer a trade.” Niivalyr suggested, neither Ilea nor Maro replying in any way.

They’re taking this way too seriously. There’s plenty more dungeons with loot around. She looked at Maro who didn’t seem to care much either. They still had the treasury and armory in Tremor left to open, likely holding quite a bit of stuff as well.

They stopped in front of the wall, Ilea not sensing anything wrong with it. She didn’t know if her old Hunter’s Sphere would have let her sense anything. Considering her arcane sight didn’t reveal the secret either, she doubted it. “There’s enchantments here. Illusion, strong skill disruption, shielding and a bunch more, all defensive in nature. Maro what do you think?”

“I don’t see half the things you mentioned.” The man said, surprising the dwarf as he cocked his head to the side, shrugging a moment later.

Terok turned to the elves waiting behind the group, Heranuur and Seviir punching each other every couple seconds, giddy and apparently highly uninterested. “You two can go clear out more of the Taleen.” Niivalyr suggested, both of them grinning before Ilea interrupted.

“Don’t enter any of the side paths from the main hall. I don’t want to clean off your corpses from a bunch of spikes.” They nodded and vanished, bickering amongst themselves as they left the throne room. Ilea rolled her eyes, Maro watching her with a grin.

“You’re a good mother you know.” He said, crossing his arms as Ilea pondered about punching him. It would only add fuel to the fire so she refrained.

Still didn’t have our bout.

“As I was about to ask.” Terok said, “Do you have runic knowledge or experience with enchantments?”

Neiphato shook his head and Niivalyr spoke, “Only elven.Though I can read the Taleen language if that is any help.”

“Seven hundred years and he doesn’t know his runes.” The dwarf murmured, getting to work.

“Niivalyr. I have something for you that I’d like to have translated and transcribed.” Ilea said, looking at the elf who looked back with interest. She hadn’t trusted him enough but their actions today ranked at least him and Neiphato quite a lot higher than before. She summoned her big crate of stuff and rummaged through, her sphere allowing her to find what she was looking for quickly.

A little leather bound diary, worn by age, any color gone from it. Yet it had survived and now she had found someone that claimed to know the language. “It’s something I found on a dwarven skeleton, Taleen likely. The gearon him was named Legate Guardian Armor. Also where I got this.” She tapped the necklace with the Guardian like head.

Niivalyr smiled brightly, “And yet again I fall deeper into your debt, Ilea. I had been wondering about that necklace but deemed it inappropriate to pry. May I?” He held out a hand before she handed over the small book.

“Did you find that in a Taleen dungeon too?” Neiphato asked, looking at her necklace. She nodded, Niivalyr summoning a table and chair before he carefully opened the book. Carefully moving through it, he grumbled and hissed time and time again.

“Most of it is faded. It is a diary.” He said. Ilea felt like he was missing glasses to top off his look.

“Any of the most recent entries remaining?” Maro was the one to ask.

“Yes. Let’s see… 3rd cycle, the year eight hundred and sixteen… Some of the numbers are faded, it might not be exactly that. Still I am afraid. Questioning every day if it was the right decision to make, even if it had meant our doom. Surrendering control, long theorized yet hardly tested. I fear for my brothers and sisters, their children and those to come after. Still, we must fight, must prevail. My duty will soon be irrelevant, replaced by the Guardians assigned. Either that or the enemy will hunt us down, slaughter each and everyone of us.

May the One without form prevail. I will guard the Tungsten key with my life.”

He looked up, “That is one of the later ones. Some more entries talk about hunger, sleep and death. I suppose survival priorities had sneaked up on the dwarf. Yet still, he had remained at his post.” Niivalyr concluded. He looked at Ilea with sharp eyes, turning on his chair a little, “Did you find the Tungsten key?”

When she didn’t reply he continued, “Supposedly Cerithil hunters have found several such keys, each pertaining to a specific metal. The runework and complexity surpasses anything they had ever seen. Yet these stories are mere legends I suppose. The Cerithil hunters lack resources as well as mages to even start to study such a thing. Yet it was deemed important enough for this dwarf to guard with his very life.”

Ilea nodded, “Well let me know if you find out more about it.” She didn’t mention the key itself but everyone present could guess at the location. Especially her not denying the possession.

Niivalyr nodded, moving back to the book. “It is safer with you to be sure. If it is in fact in your possession. I will let you know once I have found their purpose.” He hesitated, tapping the wooden table with one sharp nail, “You don’t suppose we could see it?”

She sighed, “You said your understanding of runes is bad? Let’s go with this, once you all hit three hundred I’ll think about it. Sound interesting?”

He grinned, “Well I thought more about paying you your human currency. Or perhaps offering anything else you would be interested in. Yet once again you surprise me. Do come back here at some point, we will be sure to meet your requirement in a reasonable time. Likely not as fast as you have but we cannot take the same risks.” He looked over his shoulder towards the entrance, “They don’t count.”

“Of course they don’t.” Ilea said and chuckled, Terok cursing near the wall as a sizzling noise resounded. “You plan to stay then? Clean out the whole place?”

Niivalyr looked at Neiphato then her, “I don’t know yet. There is much to be learned in this place and the Centurions will be enough to let us advance to the next evolutions. You have laid the groundwork.”

Chapter 321 Relaxed Exploration

Chapter 321 Relaxed Exploration

“Just don’t fuck with the dark one smith in the facility. He’s a friend.” She said.

Neiphato nodded, “Our enemy are the Taleen. We will not hurt anybody else should they chose to offer the same courtesy to us. It is a shame, the marred reputation our race has gained over the countless millennia.” He looked at Niivalyr with a serious gaze, “Perhaps that is something to consider too. Being freed of the oracles lends us power not only to enter dungeons but to question their very rule.”

Niivalyr hissed at that, angry or afraid Ilea noted. Neiphato hissed too, the former averting his gaze as he focused on his diary again. “It is unavoidable.” He added when Terok rejoiced, something clicking open. Ilea immediately saw the trap with her sphere, blinking in front of the dwarf before a spear smashed into her ashen armor that formed quickly, her body not moving an inch as the weapon was stopped.

“I could have taken that.” Terok grumbled.

Ilea nodded, “That one, yes. I remember there were some much more dangerous traps around and this dungeon is bigger too. Green flames that nearly killed me, acid as well as fire traps that you lot might not be able to deal with as easily.”

“Sorry.” The dwarf said, “Just surprised.” He shook his head. Ilea supposed it wasn’t a nice feeling to be protected all the time.

“You were in the fight just the same, saved Neiphato and protected Niivalyr. Don’t sell yourself too short Terok.” She said, mostly guessing at his reaction, “Don’t oversell yourself either.” She added, remembering who she was talking to.

He didn’t reply, suggesting her assumption wasn’t too far off the mark. Maro punched the dwarf’s arm before he joined Ilea. “What’s that?” He pointed at the altar standing in the middle of the small room they had found. “Nobody move in, there are enchantments all over the floor. I think…,”

“Yea, big explosion if you walk in there.” Terok supplied in a serious tone, “Anything else in there but that?” They all looked at the diamond shaped white form about as big as a fist, thin green lines flowing on it as if they were veins.

Niivalyr stepped closer, pushing Maro to the side as he stuttered, “That… could it be? Neiphato have you seen one before?” He turned to look at the brown haired elf. Ilea was a little concerned about the excitement in his voice.

Neiphato shook his head, not understanding where he was getting at, “I don’t know what that is.”

“Can we disable the enchantments… if what I think is true then that could be a gate key… you know about the teleportation network between all the Taleen cities? This was described in the notes I found on a murdered Cerithil hunter… two hundred years ago. I can’t think of anything else.” He looked at Terok in anticipation but the dwarf shook his head.

Terok glanced at the elf and then Ilea, “These are highly sensitive runes… I managed to bypass an activation when I even opened up the room but this would take weeks. Even then I would suggest getting a better rune mage.”

“Or I just blink in and take it.” Ilea suggested.

“Or that.” Terok said, “I doubt there’s more power in them than a Praetorian core detonation.”

Niivalyr was pacing, “The risks are too high.. we can’t…,” Ilea appeared in the middle of the room, grabbing the thing and placing it into her necklace. An explosion of green fire flashed around her, wings spreading before they wrapped her in a cocoon of ash.

Didn’t even get through my wings… She was a little disappointed in the trap, remembering the green flames from back then. Perhaps she was overestimating the dwarfs. Stepping out of the blazing fire, she gave a thumbs up to the mortified Niivalyr, Maro laughing next to him before he slapped his shoulder.

“What the fuck did you expect?” The necromancer asked, Neiphato having a sly smile on his face and Terok just shaking his head.

The dwarf asked the question, “Did you get it?”

“Of course I did.” She said and summoned the little piece of tech.

[Taleen Gate Key – Ancient]

“It’s called Taleen Gate Key so I suppose that’s exactly what you described.”

The elf took a quick step towards her, trying to grab it but Ilea just made it vanish again. “You have enough work to do here. Plus we don’t even know if there’s a gate here.” She explained.

Niivalyr hissed but calmed down quickly, “Apologies human. I get overexcited. To think there is a key… perhaps we might be able to access the whole network… doubtful but the possibilities. You know the meaning this item has for us? Our race’s very survival depends on it.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Don’t over dramatize it, elves are still around after how many thousands of years of this conflict? You’ll be fine. Plus I have my own goals with this thing.”

“What could that possibly be? No, I still believe it would be safer with you. You are right, we have this whole facility to clear out.” He showed understanding but she could tell he wasn’t completely fine with her having the key.

“I intend to find a good friend of mine who went missing.” She offered her explanation.

Niivalyr nodded, “You are aware of how many Taleen dungeons there are? Of course I won’t deny you but simply offer the low chances of your success. Dungeons aren’t the only places with gates either.”

Ilea nodded, “As soon as I’m done with it, I will pass it on to you. Should you have cleared this whole town and facility of the Taleen.” Another challenge and it seemed he was determined again, hissing fiercely as he grinned, licking over his teeth. Some habits just can’t be suppressed.

I’ll see what Claire and Christopher think about this little thing. Doubt I could find Kyrian after all this time. His corpse maybe but if he’s anywhere close to as capable as I think him to be, he’s probably on the way back already.

She realized a moment later that she had turned into an npc quest giver. Oh also Niivalyr, collect 500 leafs of Taleen ivy.

“So that’s the treasure?” Terok asked in a disappointed tone, “No offense but we have enough dangerous dungeons around. A gate to even more doesn’t excite me.”

Niivalyr scoffed, “It’s not a gate, it’s merely the key.”

“Even worse then. Ilea any idea where the treasure room is?” The dwarf added.

She smirked, “I might. Or well, he might.” She pointed at Niivalyr, “There should be descriptions of all the side paths in the great hall. You’ll be the guide I suppose.” He looked at her and inclined his head lightly.

“It’s exciting isn’t it?” Maro asked, “Exploring the unknown.”

Niivalyr looked at him after a moment, realizing he was being addressed, “I suppose it is. There are however many secrets not hidden within the confines of dungeons, human.” The group was standing in front of the entrance with the treasury mention.

Maro replied, “True, but in dungeons you have a pretty good chance to find something.”

“Death usually.” Terok supplied, opening the door, the stone sliding down into the floor before they entered. Ilea noted that it was an enchantment that activated a mechanical device sliding the stone downwards. The Taleen really liked not to use magic exclusively.

“Death to our enemies.” Heranuur said casually and while Ilea cringed a little, she was aware that he had literally just destroyed dozens of ancient robot guardians of a lost civilization that could tear through whole villages without being stopped. With a bunch of daggers.

Interesting situations I find myself in. She noted, taking the lead as she checked for traps through her sphere. Terok walked right behind her, his added detection helping prevent a dangerous situation. When the stairs ended, they came out into an open room that was rather low. Ilea immediately recognized the gears and compilation of beams behind the walls. “Oh, I know this one. Stay back, the door will close as soon as I’m inside.” Terok nodded, the rest waiting on the stairs, having heard her.

She looked up and shook her head, entering the room before the way back was closed off, the walls starting to move towards her. “Bloody field trip with my class of deranged idiots.”

“I can hear you!” She heard Maro shout, her ashen limbs moving out and slamming into the approaching walls, stopping them dead in their tracks. The metal groaned, pushing against her ash.

“Deranged idiots with enhanced hearing, Maro.” She added, the steel bending, springs shooting out and steam released before the trap stopped working. “You can enter by the way.”

A boom resounded, Terok’s enlarged fist crashing through the stone a couple times before he stepped towards her. “Hey, this isn’t exactly dangerous.” He said, looking around as Ilea rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her shirt.

The next room was cube like, open and large, simply occupied by a bunch of Guardians, ranged and sword bearers. Dull green light shined on from above, dozens of pairs of green lights shined towards the intruders. “Ok class, we’re going to get some practical experience here. Make sure not to stumble.” She said and vanished, deciding not to use her ashen limbs but instead dodging the attacks, grabbing onto the guardians and throwing them at the others. Some she simply punched, denting in their cores and sending them flying.

Beams of black slashed through the machines, barriers slamming them together as the steel groaned and bent. Roots pierced through the guardians, leaving them mangled as a set of warriors rushed through, their blades, claws and fists flashing as they obliterated the foes. The guardians were left crushed or in pieces, at least fifty of them cut through in the span of thirty seconds. Ilea blinked and kneed the last guardian straight through the next gate, the green lights winking out as she stood up, rubble and dented steel below her, icy eyes focused forward.

She grinned, looking at the five Centurions protecting an elevator a hundred meters away. The rest of the group caught up with her, stepping into the hall as well. Broad stairs led down to the white floor, green ivy growing on the walls to each side, both around ten meters away. One of the lights was flickering. Ilea wondered if it was intentional, to give a sense of dread. Do you really want to face these ancient warriors? You don’t. Taking a step forward, Niivalyr stopped her, grasping her shoulder.

“May we? It has been a while since I faced a Centurion.” He asked, Neiphato, Heranuur and Seviir stepping forward as they readied their weapons, the latter two grinning forward as the wood mage checked the walls.

Ilea took a step down the stairs and sat down, summoning a meal before starting to eat, her armor receding to reveal the white shirt and brown pants, both comfortable and providing the same level of defense as an ornamental flower dress. I do have dresses actually. She thought about it but the fabric was simply more comfortable, the cut easier to fight in. And she deemed it a little too extra, her nightmarish horned ash armor filled that role perfectly fine.

Maro sat down next to her and looked at the meal, “Looks good. Benefits of storage items am I right?” She smiled with a full mouth as Terok grunted behind them.

“When are we going back to Tremor?” He asked, looking at the elves that rushed at the Centurions, weapons and spells at the ready before they clashed. Niivalyr and Neiphato joined in somewhat close combat too, probably at the latter’s suggestion. Not every place will be as wide as this hall.

“After this I guess. Elana mentioned some jobs in Hallowfort but I don’t know.” Ilea said, taking another bite. Meatballs in a dark sauce with mashed potatoes and an added vegetable mix of eggplant and tomatoes on an onion and garlic base. Very hearty. She moved the dish a little further away from Maro, his gaze fixated on it.

He locked eyes with her and grinned, moving his attention back to the elves. “Good cook. Smells nice.” He paused before asking, “Do you not want to stay in the north?”

“She really is. Keyla, works in Ravenhall. I hear the restaurant is great in general. Golden Drake.” She took another bite, not answering his question because she didn’t know herself. Getting more powerful was the initial goal, she did that. Fighting the Praetorians had been on her list for a long time and while they weren’t the same ones, they kind of were. That was halfway crossed now, as she had a group to help her out. Maybe she should keep training until being able to kill them herself, then again that would take quite a long time and after her failed vacation in Lisburg, maybe a place a little more safe would be nice for a change.

The monsters didn’t run away after all. Then again, others might clear them out. Miststalkers, Blue Reapers, The Descent, the cliffs Niivalyr has talked about. For training and fighting there were plenty of options. Finding Kyrian was an option too but the elf was right, there were a lot of Taleen dungoens and Kyrian would have likely not remained in the one he teleported to. A part of her didn’t want to look for him either, as if the act would have her admit his need for help, possible death. Shaking her head, she refused thinking something like that. The man could drain health and was exceptionally capable. He wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. Maybe he had shown up in Ravenhall already, there was no telling how far away whatever node he had appeared on.

The investigation into the Golden Lily was looming as well. She dreaded thinking about it, sighing as she watched the simple conflict of elf versus machine in front of her. Could at least hire some people to look into Eve. The Lily itself will show up once I go look for them. If they have a bunch of people in my level range it seems like an unnecessary risk to rush it at least. It has been well over a year since Eve had been murdered. Her stomach dropped a little when she thought of her, covered in blood in her bed. Still, the rage and anger she had felt back then didn’t surge up again.

The first Centurion exploded, the elves moving back to avoid the blast. The shock wave washed over the waiting trio as Ilea finished her meal, the fork cleaning out whatever leftovers remained. “What are you going to do?” She glanced at Maro, “Join Lucas in meditation?”

He chuckled, “Maybe…at some point perhaps. I’m more interested in what humans managed to build and do in the millennia I was absent. Maybe have some good ale and visit the Golden Drake.”

Ilea nodded softly, leaning back a little as she watched the fight commence. “Ilea.” Terok spoke up, the woman looking up towards him, “I’ve been thinking. There’s a ton of treasures here, good levels to be made and a bunch of elves that care little about gold and precious metals. Would it be alright if I stayed with them? I’m always here if you need me of course.”

She smiled, “Of course. You’re not my slave Terok. Do whatever you want.”

“But… I owe you everything…,” He shook his head, “Sorry. Hard to get used to someone with such lacking economic insight.”

She laughed and shook her head, “Maybe help out some people who need it too. I can take care of most of my problems but a level two twenty six mage can certainly be godsend for most people.”

The dwarf chuckled, “Are you saying I’m useless to you?”

Ilea rolled her eyes, tapping the steel shin of his suit, “You have a tendency to be quite negative Terok. Feel free to stick around if you want to, now that my detection senses for hidden rooms are lessened I’ll have to lug a rogue around me at all times.”

Maro deemed the topic worthy to add an exceptional suggestion, “Or, punch all the walls.”

“Easy for you to say Mr. Skeleton army.” She commented to which he smiled.

“Your ashen limbs will do the job.” He said, shrugging before his stomach rumbled.

Ilea summoned a meal and gave it to him without a comment, the king lowering his head before accepting the food graciously. The literal frenzy he went into right after too away some of the noble feel she had gotten before. “You can see mana now though right?” Terok asked to which she nodded weakly, looking at the elves again as another Centurion’s core exploded, leaving three of them. The hunters didn’t look particularly injured. “Well then you’ll have to learn to spot subtle differences in the magic around you. Enchantments, except really good ones usually give off some form of residue. With the quality of your classes I’d assume the skill would allow for such nuances.” The dwarf helpfully supplied.

“Adding enchantment spotting to my training list. Thanks.” She replied.

He chuckled, “I like how you always sound sarcastic. Half the time I wonder if you’re taking me seriously.”

“I take you very seriously Terok.”

“She did it again.” He said, shaking his head before he too tried sitting down on the stairs, finding his metal suit a little too bulky and stiff for the job.

“I think you’ll first have to build a new armor in Hallowfort.” She suggested but he waved her off.

“Don’t worry lassie, I have steel here and the Taleen left behind quite a mass of tools, not that I need much. Plus for the details I have Goliath, you said he was down in the facility?”

“Should be.” She replied, “Guess we can visit him before going back to Tremor.” The last three Centurions exploded in a flash, Maro scraping every last bit of the noodles into his face.

“Keyla?” He asked, pointing at the box with his fork. Ilea confirmed before he looked up to the sky, “And here I thought finding the way to faith was impossible for me. I must meet her.” His eyes sparkled green, serious and determined about his newfound goal in life. Ilea certainly approved.

Chapter 322 Traps and Treasure

Chapter 322 Traps and Treasure

The three watchers joined the elves again, Ilea watching in fascination as Neiphato’s wood wrapped around a bleeding cut on Seviir’s shoulder. Mana flowed into it, quickly taking care of the injury. He looked at her and seemed a little embarrassed, “I learned it after we destroyed the Praetorians… it wasn’t available before…,”

She nodded, somewhat enjoying the fear in his eyes before she smiled, “I’m fucking with you. Good to see you have a healer now.”

The elf looked confused, glancing at Heranuur, “I thought you were fucking with him.”

“You’re fucking elves? Bold move.” Maro said, chuckling.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “It’s a figure of speech Neiphato. Why bold Maro?”

The king didn’t back off, “Just the proclaimed enemy of all humans you know. Been like that even in my times. You know they eat human flesh?”

Neiphato and Niivalyr looked away as Seviir hissed, “They don’t look that bad to me. Plus I can regenerate myself. Unlimited food supply Maro. Saves a lot of money for the household in the long run.” Ilea explained slowly, making sure the king would understand such complicated economic decisions.

“I thought the number one enemy of humans is other humans.” Terok said from behind.

“What?” Maro asked, “No back in Rhyvor we lived in perfect harmony. We were actually overwhelmed by monsters in the end because nobody had any combat classes anymore. Very sad to see that perfect utopia gone.” He nodded seriously.

Ilea could tell making fun of Rhyvor and its people was reserved for him alone, not adding anything as she clasped Neiphato’s shoulder, “Make sure to level that skill. It’s going to be the game changer in this group.”

He nodded, looking into her eyes again as he smiled, “Thank you. I believe we all learned that from you.”

Ilea leaned over to Maro, keeping her hand on Neiphato’s shoulder, “See? Look how fucking cute this guy is. Enemies of humanity? I think not.” The elf turned a little red, Ilea letting go of him to advocate her stance against torture.

“They do look very pretty.” Maro confirmed, “How do their women look you think?”

This time not only Seviir hissed but Niivalyr too, Neiphato even putting a hand on his chest as his expression turned serious again in an instant, wood forming on his back as he apparently prepared to fight. “Our females are what you know as Oracles.” He pushed Niivalyr a little, staring into his eyes, “It is a great insult to suggest what you just did. To someone under their influence at least.” Niivalyr glanced at Maro and then at Neiphato, calming down again before stepping away, turning his back on the group.

“Now I want it even more.” Maro said before a barrier slammed him away, the necromancer sliding for a couple meters without any visible damage dealt to him. Ilea couldn’t help but laugh, joined by Maro and Heranuur quickly thereafter. Seviir hissed again but Ilea could tell he wasn’t too serious either. Niivalyr just shook his head as his claws retracted again. A sigh left him as Neiphato walked up to him and patted his back.

Ilea clapped and moved on, looking back at the others. Neiphato smiled at her, “Us two will stay back for a moment if that is alright.” She nodded in understanding before stepping into the elevator. The group followed.

“Any traps?” She asked, Terok simply activating the thing as he shook his head. The drive was rather long, Ilea whistling something akin to elevator music before Maro joined in, Terok even adding his voice after laughing. It all ended swiftly when the elevator stopped, a guardian staring at them from the hallway beyond. A bullet was fired, Ilea catching it in her palm, her skin resisting the impact before she dropped it to the floor, a black beam eroding the creature’s head before it sagged down. “No appreciation for impromptu musical interludes.” She moved the body to the side with an ashen limb, walking through the hallway before they came into a room that made her eyes go wide.

Gears, spears, runes, pipes, scythes, barrels, pits and pressure plates all over. Fifty meters long and twenty wide, so many traps even the Taleen apparently had difficulties hiding all of them in the floor and halls. Maro lifted his hand before she stopped him. “No no no. Don’t you dare destroy this masterpiece.” Ilea said, Terok already laughing as the two elves looked at each other with confusion.

Understanding dawned on the king’s face before he too laughed. When he calmed down again he in turn stopped her as she started towards the path leading through the massive art piece of death. “In that case, let me do the honors. With your defenses it would be boring, wouldn’t it?”

She grasped his arms and moved her face close to his, “I think I’m in love Maro.” She said with an over the top voice, the man literally taking her and throwing her away.

“Don’t play with my heart you hussy! I am the king!” He laughed, walking towards the same path she had started on before. Ilea blinked and appeared right next to Terok, the dwarf just shaking his head.

“What do you think the makers of all this would think if they saw you two?” He asked in a silent tone.

Ilea thought about it and replied seriously, “I think they’d be happy that someone actually chooses to walk through it all. Additionally I think it’s the only way to get to the treasure at all. If it doesn’t trigger some kind of destructive explosion, poison or fire as well.”

The dwarf nodded, “Yea… there’s too much here to even get a grasp. You really think they would think so highly of their traps to simply allow the person getting through uninjured to get to the treasure?”

“Terok, what kind of person do you have to be to even build something like this?” She wasn’t sure of course, the Taleen might have just thought differently but it seemed so ridiculously over the top it would be kind of fitting. “Of course once we’re in there’s going to be another trap to seal or kill us there.”

Niivalyr and Neiphato came out of the elevator ten minutes later, staring at the group consisting of two elves, a dwarf and a human, all cheering as gusts of fire lit up the hall, spears and spikes flying around as well as poisoned darts, fumes and bullets fired from moving contraptions. Maro was dancing through it all, not quite as dexterous and quick as any of the warriors or Ilea would manage but what he lacked in speed he countered with shields. Ilea noted he never used his teleportation, either as a challenge or because there were runes in place. She assumed the latter.

A couple minutes later, the king emerged on the other side, his armor singed and pierced in various places before his helmet vanished, a grin on his face as blood dripped from his mouth, the man bowing with grace. “Thank you! I would appreciate a healer in the next two minutes!” He shouted and brushed a hand through his near gray hair, the glint of sweat on his brow showing in the green light.

“That means I’m next.” Ilea said and started walking, her armor of ash forming around her as she casually and slowly made her way through the sea of traps, the spears smashing into her defenses, the fire washing over her and the bullets bouncing off without dealing any damage. She lifted her arms to the side when she reached Maro, “You call that a challenge?” She checked him and healed against the poison, already a third of his health gone.

“How can they make Praetorians and the traps here can’t even pierce my armor?” She shook her head, watching Terok move through, mostly relying on his shields to block the various attacks.

“Traps don’t have levels and stats to make them stronger.” Maro replied as he too watched the dwarf slowly move forward. Teleportation really was inhibited within the area.

“Why not? Shouldn’t a high level trapper be able to injure me?”

Maro nodded and glanced at her, “Of course. But do you think the dwarf who made all this is still alive?”

Ilea’s eyes went wide, “So you’re saying all this would have been even more dangerous if the makers were still around?”

“Likely.” He nodded.

Good thing they weren’t. She thought, “So the dungeon took over the machines but not the traps?”

Maro welcomed Terok whose armor reformed in parts, Ilea adding an ashen limb for him to take care of his health. “The traps are part of it too but again, no maker around anymore so they’re less powerful probably. The Guardians are autonomous with their own level and all. Makes traps incredibly dangerous though because a lot of people underestimate them and walk into one laid by a high level hunter.”

“Nasty shit.” Terok added to Maro’s explanation, “You can tell if you know how to look. The enchantments here are fueled by the dungeon itself. The difference is very slight.”

The elves followed, Niivalyr and Neiphato the least damaged, the former actually completely fine. Heranuur and Seviir made it a challenge to follow Ilea’s example, walking slowly as their bodies were mangled more and more, Neiphato actually extending a root towards both to heal them as they approached. The severity of the damage was obvious as neither denied the help. “You are a bad influence Ilea.” Neiphato said, actually hurting her a little.

She didn’t react. While he was right, both of the elves were older than her, adults in their own right. They should know better. At least they leveled some resistances. She helped him heal the two before they entered the room beyond, Ilea stopping everyone as she entered. “This looks the same as the dungeon I’ve already seen. From here on only Terok and Niivalyr.” She looked at them and was surprised to find nobody protesting. It was fun but the damage to the others and even Maro showed how dangerous the traps were, even in their ancient state and laid bare. “Don’t stay in this room. Last time I nearly died because of it.” She didn’t mention her level on purpose to not give them a sense of security, false or not.

“Ready?” Niivalyr hissed his affirmation and Terok nodded, the three jumping down the shaft before they came out in an open hall, a shining white light came from Niivalyr’s arm to reveal the sea of acid below. Ilea pointed at the opening in the wall, “As soon as we take whatever is left in there, the acid will rise. At least it did last time.” She looked at Terok, not sure if it was wise to bring him but if he could reveal something about the trigger it would be worth it. Then again, his metal armor had held up incredibly well against the traps.

They floated towards the opening when Terok stopped them. “There is something here. Wait.” He studied the wall, Ilea trying to focus on it with her sphere but finding nothing amiss with the magic. She had figured out Eve’s incredibly hiding skills so she would find a way for this too. “It recognizes shifts in the air… I think. It’s alreadytriggered but nothing is happening.”

“It only started once I was inside.” Ilea said.

“Hmm… well then let’s move on. I’ll keep a lookout. You two just loot what you can.” The dwarf said.

Moving closer, Ilea’s eyes opened wide as she saw the room. When they actually entered, the others stopped, “What happened here?” Terok asked. There were obvious signs of a fight, chunks of the wall missing in spherical shapes as well as the armored remains of a dwarf, again parts of him simply missing, as if cut out.

“Void magic.” Ilea and Niivalyr said at the same time, the two looking at each other. The dwarf had nothing valuable on him. Again there were twelve pedestals in the room. The chests sitting near the walls were open and empty, dust sitting inside of them. The air in the room was bad but either it had simply been shut off for hundreds of years or there was a ventilation system somewhere.

No key this time. Ilea looked over the pedestals, Niivalyr watching her closely. She couldn’t tell if there was a difference between them or the dust that had settled on them. Terok kicked an empty chest, making her look at him sharply.

“We’re too late.” Niivalyr said.

Terok shook his head and continued to look around, “A couple thousand years, yes. Something activated too.” Ilea looked around but he gestured her to calm down, “Nothing will happen until we actually step out of here.”

“How did whoever came before avoid the trap?” Ilea asked, seeing no damage to the walls outside or in here. If the trap was the acid rising again then it should at least show on the stone, the skeleton or the chests.

Niivalyr brushed his hand over one of the pedestals, “They had a way to vanish out of here.” He tapped the pedestal and looked at Ilea. “Do you know who did this?”

She touched her chin and shook her head, “No. For all we know this could have happened before the north collapsed into what it is today. Maybe Maro has an idea but other than them using void magic, we know nothing. Well they have a longer range teleport skill too but honestly, even those assumptions are just that. Assumptions.” She sighed, “The place could have been empty all along.”

“Doubt it.” Terok said, “Why activate the enchantments and traps then?”

“Misdirection?” Ilea asked but the dwarf shook his head.

He lifted the chests to check below, “No. I’m not a Taleen but if I know anything about dwarves, they don’t build all this for nothing. Do you have any idea what it costs to set up those traps above, the enchantments here? An acid creator probably had to stand there and fill the whole room up for weeks.”

Niivalyr nodded, “I believe there was something here too. The Praetorians remained and we found a gate key. If it is simply misdirection then I doubt we would have found something as valuable at all.”

“You’re probably right. Well we know fucking nothing then, other than that someone or something came and shattered the place.” Ilea said, “Well there’s more to be found, either here or in the production facility. Come on, let’s rush back up. There should be a trap activating as soon as we come back into the room above the shaft. Make sure to teleport directly to the others.

Following her advice, the three rushed back up, the acid beginning to rise as soon as they crossed halfway out of the treasure room. This time getting out was simple, the green flames avoided by simply teleporting a little farther. Ilea moved an ashen limb into the flames, finding the heat enough to partially burn it but it didn’t get through. Terok informed her that the trap was one time use only, meaning further testing or training wasn’t possible.

“The rest of the dungeon is likely not super interesting. If the layout is the same as the great hall I’ve seen before.” Ilea said and stepped back into the room leading down towards the treasure hall.

“You’re not coming then?” Terok asked.

Ilea shook her head, looking over the group. “I’m sure you can handle it. Plus I missed the opportunity to level my corrosion resistance the last time.” Seviir and Heranuur started trashing the traps, Maro smiling at her proposal.

Niivalyr nodded and looked to be lost in thought, “I believe this could be beneficial. Would it be agreeable for us to join you?”

The other elves looked at him, Seviir hissing and Neiphato shaking his head, “Pain Tolerance, Corrosion resistance, healing for Neiphato and self regeneration skills as well as Health drain for the others, if we could use it on you of course.”

Ilea shrugged, “Sure, there’s enough acid down there. Though I’m not sure how effective it’ll be without an actual enemy to fight.

“Not everybody has their resistances in the second tier already Ilea.” Terok said and laughed. “Though I’ll sit this one out, thank you very much.” He walked to Maro and asked him for some more metal to work on his suit.

Ilea broke through the now closed off shaft entrance with her ashen limbs, looking at the group with an awkward smile, the human jackhammer. Seviir gulped at the display, Niivalyr looking disinterested while Heranuur and Maro seemed to approve. They could of course all teleport in but having only an exit through blinking wasn’t the safest option.

Jumping down as soon as the work was done, she willed her ashen armor currently only a small dot on her neck into what was essentially a two piece swimsuit, storing her clothes in the process. Unnecessarily destroying them would be a waste, especially because she couldn’t exactly get more quickly. There was probably a tailor in Hallowfort but it would still take an afternoon to go there and find one.

The acid had flowed down again, not as far as it had been before but the small tunnel was empty, signs of corrosion visible on the walls at least. Dipping in a toe, she watched as the skin was slowly eaten through, very slowly. I’m not sure how effective this is going to be.

Lowering herself into the green bubbling liquid, she activated her healing and tried bearing the pain without deactivating her perception. She wasn’t sure if third tier general skills were even a thing but somehow she felt like actually experiencing some of the feedback her body gave her would ground her a little in regards to the abuse she constantly put it under. A little like the sphere not allowing her to decrease her senses anymore. She grit her teeth, the burning sensation covering her to her neck.

Chapter 323 The Beach Episode

Chapter 323 The Beach Episode

Ilea was breathing hard when the others hovered down, her skin constantly eaten through and regenerating. It had been quite a long time since she hadn’t used her second tier Pain Tolerance for something like this. The pain was dulled by her resistance alone but it still felt like hundreds of paper cuts treated with lime juice. At least that’s how she imagined it. The pain was distracting, near all encompassing in her mind but she could still talk, even if barely, “It’s… nice.” She got the words out through her grinding teeth. Despite her necklace having gone through worse than this without a scratch, she wrapped it in ash. Her armor was eaten into as well but the ash reformed too quickly to make it an issue.

“She’s swimming in acid.” Neiphato observed and gulped, “Are you sure master?” Despite their talks and the way he had acted around Niivalyr previously, he still addressed him as his clear superior.

The barrier mage nodded and hissed, his armor vanishing before a reflective barrier appeared around his privates. Heranuur looked confused, teleporting up before he came back, completely nude before he simply let himself fall into the acid, right next to Ilea. His smug smile vanished instantly as she tried grinning at him, the elf screaming in a high pitched voice before he vanished, appearing next to Neiphato, his skin mostly melted off, muscle showing and in places even bone. He couldn’t get out a word before Neiphato started healing him. “It’s going to be fine… just a moment.” The healer said, trying not to touch the dripping and screaming warrior.

And guys complain about water being cold. Have a look at that shriveled up shrimp. Ilea managed to piece together the thought in between the surges of pain whenever the acid got deeper. Niivalyr moved down slowly, dipping his feet in as a root coming from Neiphato wrapped around his arm. He hissed but went deeper slowly, the healing coupled with his resistances and vitality apparently enough. He was in to his stomach before he stopped, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

Seviir shook his head before he took off his beautiful golden boots, holding them in his arms as he lowered himself into the green liquid. He yelped when the acid started to burn through, Heranuur in the meantime mostly recovered, paled to a degree that made him almost unrecognizable coupled with the grim look on his face and thousand yard stare. Maro watched the scene in amusement before his boots vanished too, the king only grinding his teeth as he lowered himself downwards, more of his clothes vanishing before only his head remained above the liquid.

Ilea moved over an ashen limb to heal him as well as the others, should Neiphato fail or run out of mana. “You… too.” Niivalyr said, looking at him with a wicked smile.

“But… my healing… if… I won’t be able to concentrate!”

Niivalyr nodded towards Ilea, her mouth quivering and her eyes focused forward, “She’s… she’s… healer.” The words came with great difficulty. Ilea was surprised to find Maro holding up the best, at least according to everyone’s facial expressions.

“You have… Pain Tolerance, second tier?” She asked but the king shook his head.

“Elemental… resistance… and… pain red… uction.” He said through gritted teeth. Ilea was a little annoyed, her pain resistance higher, her corrosion resistance in the second tier as well as pain reduction from her Sentinel Core.

It’s his charisma… She forced herself to focus on her healing skill to see how he was doing, finding his teeth nearly breaking, his muscles tense and his heart pumping faster than her own. His face however revealed little of that. “Ch… eater.” She said, the man forcing a smile that came out more as if he was a wild beast baring his teeth at her.

Neiphato’s face distorted when he entered the acid, his boots taken off, the skin quickly healing again time and time again. “What… a… pleasant activity.” Ilea smiled, the fact that she was the craziest one among a necromancer king, a seven hundred year old elf and three exiled Cerithil hunters hitting her hard with both concern and pride.

“How… long?” Seviir asked, Niivalyr hissing at his question, the noise interrupted twice making it sound like a muffled giggle. Ilea laughed and even Maro smiled, immediately gulping as the pain took over again. The barrier mage looked at Heranuur but the latter shook his head, still pale. He glanced at Ilea and she knew that from that moment onward, he looked at her in a different light. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

At least the pain made nobody care about the naked elf hovering next to them, they had concerns going above and beyond the possible embarrassment caused by nudity. Heranuur had never really cared and Ilea wasn’t too bothered by it either though she didn’t know if it was a thing elves in general cared little about. Maro didn’t seem to mind either but she could have guessed as much. With meditation, she could theoretically stay in the acid infinitely long, the wounds while covering near her whole body were shallow and inconsequential in regards to her health.

Adding all the healing for the others would force her to get out at some point at least. Ilea hadn’t felt constant pain like this in over a year, since getting her Pain Tolerance skill to the second tier. She wondered if her decision to feel it right now was something to be proud of or something her therapists would be highly concerned about as soon as she established the science in Elos. At least she felt good about not being turned on by the whole ordeal.

After a while she realized that the worst of it wasn’t the pain itself or the smell of the acid coupled with their combined corroded skin and muscle, it was the sizzling sound the acid made as it wrapped around their bodies, burning into them. The constant sound coupled with the sobs from the elves as well as the grinding of their teeth. Heranuur’s pride forced him to get back into the acid too at some point, going a little deeper than Sevir before the latter copied the move. Before long they were both down to their noses, occasionally going even further as they proved that their competition and pride stood above all, even unimaginable pain.

Even Maro and Ilea looked on with concern, not for their quickly regenerating bodies but for their troubled minds. Ilea could tell their bodies were left only with pain, their resistances much lower than her own or even Maro’s. Niivalyr nodded in approval as Ilea thought about a hot tub with warm water and soap. At least the sweat and grime came off in the acid bath, her head going under for a moment as her hair and eyes were eaten through, regenerating quickly when she came up again. The pain she noted wasn’t any worse, just another area of her body added to the agony.

Checking her messages after ten minutes, she found the training was more effective than expected.

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

“What?!” Niivalyr exclaimed, “The second tier grants full immunity?” He looked speechless, his body suddenly relaxing. “This is amazing. Do you know about this humans?”

Maro and Ilea looked at each other, “Yea.” The man said, “Though... I’m not... quite... there.”

Ilea didn’t mention that she was in fact choosing to go through this. “Heard about it.” She said, Maro chuckling next to her but he didn’t make a comment, quickly overwhelmed again by the pain as his chuckles turned into sobs before he forced himself to quiet down again.

“Well that is spectacular. Also dangerous. Perhaps it wouldn’t be best for those two to have it. We’re stopping here.” Niivalyr said, quickly floating through the acid before he dragged the corroded bodies of the two heavily damaged elves out, their spirits and flesh broken, only driven by pride. Perhaps it was their very instinct to do so. Ilea and Neiphato healed them up, the elf looking with pleading eyes towards their trainer. “No, you stay.” Tears rolled down the elf’s face as he endured.

“Torture… bad?” Maro asked through gritted teeth.

“Training… isn’t… torture.” Ilea replied, feeling the pain dulling more and more as time went on. With three people gone, her mana situation had improved again, Neiphato mostly taking care of himself leaving only Maro and herself to heal.

Maro reached the second tier half an hour later, suddenly relaxing as he looked up and smiled, “You are crazy you know that? Pretty effective method to get the skill at least. Unthinkable without healers and high resistances as well as Vitality and durability. No wonder barely anybody has the skill in the second tier.” Ilea smiled, floating next to Neiphato while holding his hand in a tight grip.

“It’s… useful… but dangerous.” She said.

“There should be a smell resistance too, horrible really.” Maro commented, “Well as much as I enjoy bathing with you, I think I’ll pass on leveling this skill… for a long time. Maybe ever.”

She smiled as he floated up, his clothes and armor appearing again. “Should we start checking out other parts of the dungeon already?”

Ilea nodded, “Sure, not… too… dangerous… I think.”

The man gave her a thumbs up before vanishing, Neiphato resting his head on her neck as tears rolled down his face. “You can… stop… whenever. He’s… not...really your… master.”

The elf looked up, a fierceness in his eyes she had only seen when he fought the Praetorians, “This… is… nothing.” He said, squeezing her hand.

When his hand relaxed another hour later, she looked at him as he smiled, his face quickly turning red before he pushed himself away from her. “Sorry… I.”

Ilea deactivated her pain perception and smiled back, “Don’t worry. Happy to see you got it.”

“That was the most horrible experience in my entire life… why would you do something like this?” He looked scared and disturbed for a moment before he closed his eyes, “I’m sorry. I guess it’s things like this that made you stronger than us, than Niivalyr or that necromancer.” He paused, his face turning serious, “Thank you. We are often spiteful, angry and proud. What my clan did… to humans, animals, other elves. How we treat your people… yet you saved our lives, gave us a teacher and I believe… you saved him too in a way.”

He sighed, “We would have died, against the Praetorians. You showed us what is possible, deeply and with all that I am, I thank you. The others will not say this to you but I know they feel the same. Know this, should you need our strength, be it much less than your own, we will fight for you Ilea.” He thought for a moment, “Guardian of Cerith. It seems a fitting title.” He smiled brightly.

Ilea moved out, the remaining acid both burning into her skin and dripping off before she put on her clothes again, “What does Cerith mean?” She asked, looking at the elf that remained in the liquid.

“It means life, yet not exactly what it means in standard. It is all that we are, our very purpose and spirits.”

“Thank you.” Ilea said and she meant it. “I really just dislike killing rational people. The training is easy with a healing skill, every added resistance a big help so I spent a lot of time to get them.”

Neiphato closed his eyes and shook his head, “Do not dismiss yourself so easily. Your reasons, be they contrived or true do not really matter. You saved three lives, perhaps four and you set them on a path that will impact them as long as they live.”

She gulped at his words and didn’t say anything for a moment, “Are you not coming?” She asked as she flew a little higher.

“My clothes are up there. I’m not quite as brash and confident as the others.” He said and smiled.

Ilea nodded and grinned, watching him immediately avert his eyes, “You know I can see everything around me, even if you’re hidden in the liquid?” She said, watching him turn beet red, “Trust me Neiphato, you’re ridiculously handsome. Not being brash and overconfident like the others might be seen as a weakness in your culture but trust me, women would claw each other’s eyes out to get a chance at dating you.” She left it at that and moved her wings, flying up as he sunk a little deeper into the acid.

If he had the confidence he shows in fights or when it’s about going against the oracles, in other situations, he could be the bloody leader of their race. She smiled at the thought, coming out into the now trap free hall. There was a note pinned under a piece of shrapnel.

Ilea, we are moving on to the dungeons.

Do not bed Neiphato. It is a grave… forget it. He is free to do as he likes. Still, simply for my sake. I will pay you with your currency.

Niivalyr

She chuckled and set it on fire with her fire rune. Waiting for the elf didn’t take long, back in his armor he joined her, looking composed. “They went on to the dungeons. Let’s go.” She said, the elf nodding before they rushed off.

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

“Finally…,” Seviir said when the two late comers found the group, his left arm held in his right, severed by a Centurion likely. The wound was burnt shut. The grin on Heranuur’s face made it clear how he viewed the situation, brushing his hand through his red hair that flowed out behind the helmet covering his face. Goldie hissed before Neiphato healed the arm back on.

Niivalyr stared at Ilea with an intense glare but she just shook her head with a soft smile, the elf nodding after a moment. Maro was crouching over a skeleton nearby, Terok tapping a bunch of steel chunks that sat on a stone table. “Found something interesting?” She asked the two, stepping towards them as Seviir tried punching Heranuur, the two teleporting around before a bunch of barriers slammed them through a wall.

Maro looked her way before touching the skeleton, “I mean. Kind of. It’s in pristine condition. Whatever it was, not human, not an elf, not a dwarf.”

“Dark one perhaps?” She asked, the man just scratching his head. It looked humanoid to her, a tail and horns as well as claws.

“Maybe… or a demon. Well I’ll keep it if that’s alright, the structure is pretty good. Not as good as the Undying one but I should be able to have an actually useful puppet in this one.” He nodded and made it vanish.

Ilea tilted her head to the side, “You mean those skeletons weren’t useful?”

He stood up and brushed off his robe, “I mean yes. Just not very good. The bones weren’t assorted from once complete skeletons, just pieces thrown together. They were pretty damaged too and not necessarily powerful when they had been alive.”

She nodded, the group moving on to clear out the rest of the great hall. Most of the ways didn’t offer much other than low level traps and gear as well as the occasional battle against guardians, the machines mostly taken care of by the group of elves. Ilea yawned when they reached the end of the teleportation section, finding the gate broken and destroyed. Guess this won’t be the place to test the key. She hadn’t planned it anyway but perhaps just seeing if it worked at all would have been nice. Plenty of gates back in the south.

“I think we’re pretty much done here.” Maro commented as he checked the stone chunks left of the gate, standing up before looking at the group.

Terok clasped his hands together, “To Tremor then?” He had talked to Niivalyr previously, the elf accepting the dwarf in the elven group, to help with the facility cleanup.

“First want to see if Goliath is still around. Then sure.” She replied. Nobody complained and the elves wanted to move on to the facility anyway, their group quickly moving there. When they were about to leave the Taleen city, a saurian approached them. She could tell even without her sphere that the dark one was scared shitless.

“N… noble… w… warriors. We… would like to… thank.” The voice was grating and deep, its tongue straining to make the sounds. It revealed a red gem as big as her fist, holding it out to them with an expectant gaze. Terok stepped forward and took the gemstone, holding it up as he inspected it.

“Thanks.” He said and walked back, leaving the saurian in an awkward position, not knowing if to approach, stay or leave. Ilea at least waved at the creature when they stepped into the elevator.

Maro looked over at Terok who threw the gem up before catching it again, “Is it worth anything?”

Terok looked his way, “No. It’s a blood crystal. Might be rare here but there are some caves filled with the stuff. Holds little use other than for decoration. If you know a crystal make that can mold it.” He handed the crystal to Maro who looked at it before putting it into his ring, “Didn’t want to be an ass. We basically gave them the whole city compared to the small parts they roamed before, with great danger.”

Maro chuckled, “Maybe they’ll build a statue in our honor.” Looking at Terok, Ilea shook her head.

“Don’t give him ideas.” She said with a smile, the group stepping out of the elevator when it reached the top.

Chapter 324 The Path Ahead

Chapter 324 The Path Ahead

“Hmm.” The smith hovered around the big skeleton, unbothered by the temperature in the facility, the light orange and red from the machines and molten metals interspersed with green from above. “Ah, yes.” He tapped the bones with his knuckles before he turned to Ilea, golden eyes twinkling. “A rare find, ashen… healer? Truly, full of surprises yet it is expected.”

The elves were mapping out the first floor, Maro and Terok remaining with Goliath after they had found him hammering away near his obelisk. The dwarf remained steadfast against the curse and health drain coming from the smith, now that he had reached a higher level. He did extend his steel to Ilea and drained some health from her occasionally to balance it out. “You need light armor. Perhaps I might be of service. It has been centuries since last I worked bones. May I use your mold to establish the dimensions? It will not be as fitting, not without a bone mage.”

Ilea looked over her shoulder but didn’t find the elves anywhere nearby, “Isn’t Seviir a bone mage? Can you ask the white haired elf for help? Tell him I’ll break his legs if he doesn’t.”

Goliath made a dark giggling sound and bowed lightly, “Of course. Yet I do hope threats shall not be necessary.”

Oh you don’t know that one. She thought and crossed her arms, “And it will regenerate after being damaged?”

He hovered around the massive skeleton, looking intimidating still, even without a spirit residing within, “Timeless…it is possible, that the attribute is lost upon completion. Yet I believe success is most likely. We will have to modify the finished mold… to make it light, remove pieces. Protection will be lessened. Are you certain you do not wish a heavy variant?”

Ilea formed her ashen armor, the smith giving off a yelp that sounded more akin to a nightmarish growl, “Marvelous. My services… are hardly needed.”

“Just make sure the torso is a single piece and covers my chest, stomach and back. Also my neck.” Heading off to new adventures without some protection would be brainless after all.

“I shall do as I can.” The smith replied, not even asking for anything in return.

Terok spoke up then, stepping closer to the smith, “I will stick around with the elves, is it possible to help you out in some way? I’d like your help for some of my armor pieces.” He sounded nervous. Ilea remembered how he had acted back when he showed her the way to the smith. Even approaching had been impossible for him.

“Of course. I could use some help with cutting and enchanting as well as simply two more hands. Are you sure my curse is not a worry?” The smith replied but Terok waved him off.

“One of the elves can heal too and I can drain some machines if necessary. It’s much less of an issue than before.” They both sounded rather happy about the arrangement.

Maro leaned over to Ilea and whispered, “You really know the most peculiar people. What else do you have to surprise me?”

She knew it was a rhetorical question but replied nonetheless, keeping her face straight and looking at Goliath, “A demon, mind weaver. Good guy really. Oh, Aki… he’s a sentient dagger I found in the last Taleen dungeon. I guess the spider pet of Trian’s family would count as well. A skeleton necromancer by the name of Neeto Bones, he…,” Maro squeezed her shoulder and shook his head, his face a little pale.

“Please stop.” He sighed and calmed himself down, “Ok but seriously. You’re fucking with me right?”

Ilea gently touched his cheek and smiled, “Maro, I have a charm resistance now. Also, you’re married.”

His eyes rolled so hard she almost thought he had turned undead himself. Terok was talking to Goliath about some specifics and plans before Maro spoke up again, “You were kidding.”

She glanced over, “Who do you think I am? Ilea fucking Spears.”

“You were serious?” His voice was calm again, composed as he too had his eyes fixated on the two talking metalheads.

“You’re goddamn right.” She whispered.

“That is settled then. I will travel with you, for a while at least. If you’ll have me.” The king went to one knee, his eyes looking deep into hers. She dodged his perfect enhanced smile by tilting her head to the side, the steel ceiling behind her sure to blush.

She held a hand out towards him and helped him stand up after he grasped it, “I’m doing random shit all the time Maro. Do you not want to stay close to Elana?”

He smiled, this time in a more sincere way, “Catelyn is a perfectly fine bodyguard. I doubt the Feynor would risk such a costly attack once more, knowing how it had ended. Plus… well I don’t want to bother her too much. She has found something new to work on and this time… she let me get away without being a pawn in it all.”

So much for behind every powerful man is an even more powerful woman. “And now that you’re free to do whatever you want, you ask to travel with me?” She grinned and shook her head, “Maybe you should find something to do yourself. I don’t mind of course, you’re one of the least annoying people I know.”

He smiled warmly before his eyes narrowed, “Then I’m doing something wrong.” Looking back at the smith he continued, “I’ll need some time to figure things out. You remind me of my old companions, before I founded Tremor and became king. Be it exploring dungeons or seeing the cities and civilizations that have formed in the millennia I was gone, I think stayingwith you will be interesting.”

“I don’t mind having you around but I do what I feel like. Also when I fight things I want to go solo. Otherwise I’ll never reach my goals.” She said.

“Fair enough. What are your goals anyway?” He glanced her way and when she looked at him, she didn’t find any of his usual charm or mock there. A serious question then.

She thought about it. Being in the north, helping out the elves as well as Maro and Hallowfort had perhaps changed her views a little. She chuckled, thinking of the Saurian approaching the dangerous group trying to thank them for what they accidentally did with a precious gift to them that turned out to be mostly worthless. “We destroyed the Praetorians, yes. I don’t fear them anymore but I think I just need to fuck some up while alone. To really prove it you know?”

He didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue, “There are some people I’d like to find and question. A friend that was killed by a powerful organization. Kyrian who got teleported away, maybe the key will help there. Simply exploring new places.” She paused, “While I don’t want to get involved directly too much, maybe I can use my power to shake things up a little.”

The king waited again but she didn’t add anything, his gaze moving back to Goliath whose eyes were sparkling, a noise Ilea knew to be laughter echoing through the vicinity, “Quite the list.” He stretched, cracking his neck, “I’ll help out where I can, owe you as much.” He paused and looked at her, “Shaking things up… well I just hope you’re not too idealistic. Humans are still humans.”

She chuckled, replying in a soft tone, “Way ahead of you Maro. Plus, I have a couple ancient beings to get advice from. You don’t count by the way.”

The man laughed, “Well, I’ll offer my advice anyway, should you want it. As much as I disliked being king, you learn one or two things along the way.” He was serious again. If anything she knew the man needed time. Perhaps fighting alongside her for a while would help. She had been with herself for some time and Ilea didn’t think of herself as the worst company.

She wouldn’t push him either way, he would figure things out. “So what do you say? I think it’d be fun.” His green eyes sparkled as he looked at her.

“I already said it’s fine.” She replied before summoning her black obsidian hammer. The weight felt right in her arms, the balance too. The head had a cylinder like form, the bottom flat and the back narrowing into a spike. All of it looked to be formed of a single piece. While she knew obsidian was more akin to a glass like substance back on earth, this material, while she thought it looked similar, was way too heavy for that. It felt more like steel too but then again she had never felt obsidian.

Maro looked at the weapon with interest, Ilea stepping over to Goliath before showing him the war hammer. Terok and himself stopped their brooding over the plans as the smith looked at her, taking the weapon into both hands. “What do you think?”

“Truly… beautifully crafted. Simple in design, yet deadly. Some of my earlier work but it holds up. I rarely make weapons in this day and age. It has found its way to you, that at least is reassuring. Quiet was its name… was it not?” He asked and chuckled, handing the weapon back.

She had thought the smith might offer some improvements or critique but to think he had made the weapon himself. Well he was there before Hallowfort even existed if the stories were to be believed.

Storing the hammer, she looked at Terok, “Ready to leave for Tremor?”

The dwarf nodded, “Sure. Goliath, we’ll continue later. I think we’re onto something.”

Goliath nodded when Niivalyr joined them, hissing when he entered the smith’s domain. “Ilea. You are leaving I suppose?” His eyes glanced over the people present, resting on her.

“I am.” She said and stepped towards him, “Though I’ll be back for some armor again.”

He opened his mouth and closed it again quickly, glancing at the others before he summoned a small book, “This is the diary you have given me. Translated so you can read it.” Again he looked at the others, Ilea just grasping his shoulder. He went rigid at the touch but didn’t push her away.

“Make sure you guys don’t die to something stupid. There are dangerous machines down here and I didn’t save them twice for them to learn nothing.” She smiled, letting go of his shoulder.

He gulped and nodded, regaining some composure. “I will train them. They will learn with time. Seviir and Heranuur are young still, their temperament uncontrollable at times, it is in their nature… in our nature.” He paused, looking for words to say before he spoke, “Good luck Ilea.”

“The same to you my friend. Come look for me if you need help.”

He grinned, licking over his teeth once again, “I doubt we would find you. At least you know where we are, should you require our assistance. Assistance we are very willing to provide.” He paused and turned before glancing back, “Friend.” It sounded like he was tasting the word, shaking his head with a smirk before he vanished.

Ilea crossed her arms and smiled, Maro clapping her on the back as he joined her, “Proud of him are we?”

She ignored the mocking tone coupled with his grin and nodded, “Yes actually. I am. Come on, let’s crack open that treasury.” They said their goodbyes to Goliath who assured her a week was enough for him to get her armor done. Ilea was reminded by looking at him that she still hadn’t tested out the Armaments of Trials since getting to three hundred. Too much had happened too quickly for her to really bother with it. Now maybe, she could at least figure out what to do in it. After the treasure.

It was night, the mists flowing softly over the northern lands as the three finally returned to Tremor. It hadn’t been more than a couple days but Ilea felt exhausted, despite all her resources being full. Not getting involved in wars and politics hadn’t exactly worked out in the north. At least she made her stance clear and didn’t join any cults. Even here in these desolate lands, the monsters and people competed in violent manners for one reason or the other.

She felt protecting places like Hallowfort or Lisburg was worth it getting involved, at least as far as fighting off attackers. “Are other sentients born at higher levels than one?” She suddenly asked, thinking on the Feynor and all the level two hundred warriors they had mustered for their attacks.

Maro looked her way, flying next to her, “No. Not if they are born sentient. Monsters do form at higher levels depending on the mana density, race and other circumstances. They can turn into what is commonly known as Dark Ones, reaching sentience with a certain level of Intelligence. That’s the theory at least.”

“Hmm.” She replied and flew on, her wings moving behind her. They were flying slowly to allow Terok to keep up.

“Why do you ask?” The necromancer said, the three finally reaching the mountain under which Tremor was located.

“Was just wondering how many high level Feynor there are.”

They entered and flew to the cathedral, landing casually amidst the wooden benches and worktables Terok and Niivalyr had put up, “You’re worried about the towns around here?” Maro asked.

She nodded, “There are capable people defending them but Catelyn might have died without us there.”

“True.” Maro said and looked around, “But you can’t always be everywhere, prepare for everything. I’m sure they’ll make some arrangements after the attack. Didn’t you say Ravenburg was doing the same?”

“Ravenhall.” She corrected, glancing at him.

He shrugged, “Well you trusted your friends there to take care of it. Trust Catelyn to do the same. As much as I think highly of my wife, that fox certainly has brains for such a small head.”

She shrugged and thought about it, “Ravenhall’s enemies are human, just wanted to make sure the Feynor aren’t going to run in everything once we’re out.” It was only partially true. She had simply not cared when she had left, burnt out by the missions, losing Eve, seeing the horrors of the demon summoning as well as participating in Trian’s revenge. Her decisions were her own and she didn’t regret any of them, neither could she deny the impact it all had on her. A couple years ago she was thinking about what to study and now she had slaughtered hundreds of people, thousands of monsters. Some of it was hardly justified.

“Well if they could, they would have already done that in the last hundred years.” Terok commented, “This ain’t a fresh conflict lassie.” He glanced her way and shrugged, walking towards the cathedral exit.

Maro punched her shoulder, “It’s alright. This isn’t your war, neither is it mine. Didn’t you talk about not getting involved?” He laughed, “Slaying monsters is more fun anyway.”

She could certainly agree with that and smiled, “I didn’t say anything about getting involved in a war. Investing in defenses might already do the trick. Doesn’t hurt to learn about the local warring tribes and peoples.” She didn’t even know what the empress of Lys was called, who the king of Baralia was and why they attacked. More slaves and territory were likely argument enough but a conflict involving two massive countries was usually more nuanced.

“Elana will be sure to deal with that. If you want to throw your gold away, feel free to do so.” Maro added and waved her off, surprising her with his uncaring attitude. She wondered if it was simply because he didn’t want the same thing to happen again.

Well he did say he needed time. Just as I did. She knew it wasn’t really comparable but she had lost a friend, Maro had lost damn near everything. She didn’t count her awakening in Elos, knowing that if it wasn’t all an incredible simulation or dream, Earth was still around, the people on it probably fine. Guess I could visit at some point. Mark would certainly be impressed when I destroy the whole kick-boxing tournament in one punch.

“Well I’ll talk to them again next week at least. Maybe some of the things left in your treasury could be helpful as well.” She said to which he nodded and smiled.

“Let’s hope some of it is left. If not, you at least found me and Elana.” He laughed when Terok looked back and shook his head, quite obviously displeased with the negative attitude.

“Do not curse our fortune Maro!” He spoke and pointed at him, “We already had one empty treasury, another one might just be too much for my old heart to take!”

Ilea laughed too, “Terok, the real treasure are the friends we made along the way.” She tried hard to keep a straight face, Maro nodding seriously next to her before Terok simply vanished, appearing in her sphere outside the double doors. The groan was audible through the thick gate, even without sense enhancements.

“You think that was too much?” She asked, the necromancer waving his hand as he looked at her.

He sounded serious when he spoke, “Terok will have to deal with worse if he stays with the elves.”

“Maybe.” They left it at that, Ilea blinking out followed by Maro. The three wordlessly flying towards the palace.

“Why didn’t we just fly there directly? Instead of going through the cathedral?” Terok asked, him simply having followed them before.

Ilea was about to speak up when Maro answered, “Feels wrong. Tremor is a dungeon now, a good entrance is just part of it.”

The silver rose like decorations on his armor glinted purple in her magic perception, Terok’s floodlights illuminating the dark path ahead. He gets it. She thought and yawned.

Chapter 325 The Vault

Chapter 325 The Vault

It felt a little weird, to be down in the king’s cellars without any kingsguard around. The danger was gone, the tension of walking the white marble halls replaced by the atmosphere of a forgotten and empty ruin. Ilea decided that she liked the danger more. It’s eerie here, something’s fucky.

Looking around and seeing her surroundings in her sphere of course proved the opposite. The plants didn’t look as healthy anymore, the enchantments to keep them alive losing power already. Leafs had fallen to the floor. The lights above shined brightly but some day, they too would cease. A job done for millennia, now finally put to rest with her intervention. Somehow it felt weighty, just looking at the magical lamps. Terok tapped her side, making her jerk towards him.

He held up his hands in a placating gesture, “Hey there, maybe you should get some sleep soon.”

Ilea yawned, perfectly timed before pointing a finger at the laughing dwarf, “Hey! You’ve been awake just as long.”

“Not really.” He replied, “You were training nonstop before killing all the kingsguard. I had a couple hours every night. Plus I found a nice lounge in Lisburg, very comfortable couches there.” He stopped talking when she narrowed her eyes at him, instead focusing on the closed door before them, “Well… I guess you had to be there,” He gulped at her stare, “At last we’re here now. You have the key?”

She summoned the little golden thing and flung it over, the dwarf catching it with an open metal palm. “Damn…,” He murmured as he looked the thing over, “Yea that would have taken a while to crack.” He hummed and inserted it into the keyhole, a sizzling noise resounding as Ilea watched the magic flow through not just the metal door but the walls too, even the floor and ceiling. An impressive burst of energy.

She looked at Maro who was scratching the back of his head, “Only the best. We had the money.”

Terok laughed, “Hope some of that is left, king necromancer.” The gate moved away and a corridor opened up before them, the glint of shiny steel already visible in the room ten meters farther in. “Looks clear.” The dwarf added, taking the first steps without a response from possible defensive enchantments.

“There’s nothing there beyond the door. Having the place combust upon entry seemed like a stupid idea, despite Elana insisting on such measures. Even the best enchanters told me there was a tiny risk of it going haywire.” Maro explained and looked at Ilea, entering behind a giddy Terok, his feet only touching the ground with every second step.

Ilea crossed her arms when they were in the surprisingly large hall, Terok’s teleporting only interspersed with excited squeals. “Now that’s what I call Christmas.”

“Is that a word from your realm?” Maro looked over, “There’s more left than I thought.”

There was so much stuff Ilea could barely process it all, chests all over, opened with gold and silver glinting, full sets of armors, some carefully resting on prepared stands, others simply strewn around. Different colors of metals, ingots as well as ore piled up next to assortments of weapons of all kinds, some looking deadly and efficient, others ornamental in nature. There were steps a couple meters in front of them, leading a couple meters down as the room expanded, Terok picking up thing after thing as Ilea and Maro slowly made their way down.

The light from above was bright and cold, reminding Ilea of a famous scene. I need guns, lots of guns. In this case there were crossbows, swords and halberds instead. “It’s a holiday from my realm. Many associate it with presents. Kids would get incredibly giddy the closer the day came, most luckily couldn’t teleport while wearing a five hundred kilo steel suit.” She stopped and watched him look over the room. “Rhyvor was quite impressive wasn’t it?”

He didn’t react for a moment, jerking his head towards her when the sentence hit the spike of a question, “What… yes… well you could say that.” He glanced past her before walking towards a specific weapon rack.

Ilea smiled, following him before she stopped next to the man. He carefully reached out and grabbed a rather worn looking staff, the wood still holding up after all this time. There had to be an enchantment in the room helping to preserve things. “The Staff of Hemur, Doom of the East. It’s one of the most powerful and precious items in this whole dump.”

He smiled, holding the thing as his hands carefully brushed over the wood. “Yours isn’t it? Let me guess, your first weapon?” Ilea asked, the man grinning at her before he pointed it at her. A glow formed on its tip, red energy rushing out and hitting her in the face. Ilea’s Azarinth Fighting had informed her about what she was certain off already, the energy splashing onto her skin without a noticeable impact.

Maro twirled the staff and handed it to her, “You know me too well already. I need people more gullible than you lot.”

Taking the staff, she inspected it and smiled, “Maro. I think you might be the first person to call me anything but gullible.”

[Arcane Staff – Common Quality]

She twirled it and handed it back, “Feels good in my hand. So there are magic wands that can use spells you don’t have a skill for.”

He brushed over it once more and stored it in his ring, “Yes and no. You need a certain affinity to use it. It can be a good help to channel or focus spells but pure skills are always stronger, by a massive margin.” He thought about it for a moment before expanding, “Comparable to the fire rune tool you have I suppose. Not worth the cost of production usually.”

“HOLY FUCK!” They turned their heads at Terok’s exclamation before he walked over, a chunk of azure ore in his steel arms, a golden crown on his head as well as a massive fur coat barely hanging on to his shoulders as he walked over. Gold coins spilled from every opening in his metal suit, rolling away with every step he took.

“You know we have storage items.” Ilea said, grinning at the look. “You think he’ll just make a suit out of gold?”

Maro crossed his arms and sighed, “I’m surprised his magic hasn’t evolved into gold magic by now.”

“This.” Terok said as he reached Ilea, holding up the chunk of ore, nearly touching her face with it, “Can I have this?! Please.”

She pushed it away, “Goliath gets the metals. If we can use it in any of our gear then sure.”

Maro raised his brows, glancing over at her while Terok rejoiced, prancing away with his rock. “You want to give all the metals to Goliath?”

“He’s the best smith I know. In turn he will make gear for me, I don’t see the downside.” She replied and looked at him, “I trust him. More than most. If anything he’s obsessed with his craft.”

“Fair enough.” Maro said, “Do you think I should tell him where the storage items are?” He glanced at Terok in the distance.

Ilea grinned, “Let him roam a bit… look, he found another two rocks. You think he can juggle?”

She was impressed when the dwarf’s right metal arm split in two, picking up two massive chunks of ore, his movements getting more clunky with all the weight. At least the white marble floor wasn’t cracking under the dwarf’s steps. “Come on. Let’s see what we have.” Maro said, gesturing to her as he moved a chest to the side, taking a silver box from behind. The locks snapped open, two smooth clicks.

Inside were two rings and a bracelet. “They’re empty and unclaimed. This one…,” He paused before chuckling, taking out the bracelet, “Well let’s say I might have been a little overeager in having it made. A rejected gift.” He held it out towards her, “I’d be happy if you accepted it.”

It shimmered a little in the light, silver just like the rings. She smiled and accepted it, “Thanks Maro.” There was a small clasp that let her open it.

[Legacy of Rhyvor – Rare Quality] – [Storage capacity at 0/100]

Would you like to claim Legacy of Rhyvor?

She confirmed with a thought and closed the necklace around her right forearm, the base lying comfortably on her skin while the top was adorned with thorned silver stems winding around in a beautiful fashion, all congregating on the small silver rose sitting at the center, right above the top of her arm. She moved some mana into it and felt it tighten before sitting unmovable yet not discomforting on her arm. “It’s beautiful Maro, thank you.” She said with a smile.

The man remained quiet as he looked at her for a moment. Before long he cleared his throat and looked away, “You’re not the one to thank me. All this stuff would be worthless without you saving us.”

“May I ask…,” Ilea glanced at him, “For whom was this intended?”

He smirked, “Now that. That is a secret I will keep.” The man quickly changed the subject, “Do you want the rings too? I promised Terok my own.”

“Keep yours. I don’t want to luge around your shit. I’ll take one, sure. Would make a very nice gift.” She took them and identified each.

[Bottomless Ring of Fire – Rare Quality] – [Storage capacity at 0/50]

[Band of Infinity – Rare Quality] – [Storage capacity at 0/60]

“Guess the Fire one heats up stuff inside? Any quirks with the infinity one?” She asked.

“Yes, but the heat isn’t bad. At least if you have a basic resistance. The infinity one needs more mana to use, also takes longer to store things.” He explained, Ilea storing the latter in her new bracelet, twirling the ring of fire in her hand.

She smirked, “Storing storage items… seems to work fine.”

“They’re empty and unclaimed. It would be different otherwise.” Maro supplied, Ilea waving at Terok, the dwarf hunched over as he tried balancing the ores, metals and armors on his back, the metal having reformed to make him look like a treasure turtle of some kind.

“Seems like the fire one would be more useful for him then.” She said, “Terok, drop the crap. Maro has a ring for you. And calm down, otherwise you’ll have to wait outside for ten minutes.”

The dwarf looked at her and groaned, the sound turning into a full on scream as he straightened, the ores rolling off his back and falling to the floor before he approached in a calm and quiet manner. “How can you not be excited?” He asked in a defeated voice, damn near hissing.

“Don’t turn into an elf.” She said, quite excited about her new bracelet herself. Her ashen armor was likely better than anything here and weapons wouldn’t have much use for her. Gold she had plenty but more certainly wouldn’t hurt. His whole suit being all about rare metals as well as the fact that he was still in debt made this treasury magnitudes more significant for him. The recent evolutions had been her excitement, still not quite used to all the changes.

All I did was fight so far, other than a couple hours in Lisburg. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she felt her heart thrum in her chest, felt the spot of ash on her back, tiny yet its potential overwhelming. She clasped the ring as Terok approached, visible in her sphere, the magic helping him move his steel suit as its back reformed like flames wrapped around his very being, dozens of items in the room bright in her sphere, different hues as well as shapes wrapped around them, carrying not just magic but a part of what they were.

Opening her eyes, she flipped the ring at Terok, the dwarf catching it before his suit opened, his jolly figure jumping out and grabbing the item. “Lassie…I could kiss you right now!” He jumped up, ring in hand before he put it on, cackling like a madman.

Many spies have many eyes. She smiled. One reason at least to get back to Earth at some point. They had a new show too.

As soon as he had it on, the chunks of ore vanished at his touch, Terok even forgetting about his armor suit as he collected all his loot. “There should be some gold left, let me see.” Maro said as he walked through the room, Ilea seeing into the chests he approached. “Though we had to fund quite a bunch of mercenaries and adventurers in the last years.” He said, opening the containers before Ilea put her hand onto the gold coins.

“A thousand coins Maro. And there are three more chests…,” She shook her head, storing nearly all the gold, leaving behind a couple hundred for Maro and Terok. 3600 gold coins richer, Ilea now definitely wanted to check in with Claire. Ravenhall had likely recovered enough so that investments wouldn’t be as easy but the amount was insane. “Are you sure I can just take it? It’s your kingdom’s, collected over decades.”

Maro waved her off, “I trust your judgment more than my own, Ilea. As far as I’m concerned you cleared this dungeon, the treasure in turn goes to you.” He breathed in deeply, “Honestly, I feel like I have cheated fate by being alive. Makes me feel a little better for you to have all this.”

“What about Elana?” She asked, finding her new gold total at 4325.

He laughed, the reaction surprising her, “Oh you have no idea how stubborn she is. After what you’ve done for us, she wouldn’t accept a single coin of copper.”

“I took her for someone who wouldn’t care about that. Everything for her goals, her people.”

He shook his head, “Perhaps if she thought you incapable. Elana isn’t stupid Ilea, having you as a friend as well as knowing you would feel somewhat indebted… again, I don’t think that you should feel that way at all, she will see it as more beneficial. If anything, what makes Elana special is her ability to plan and think long term. No wonder both of us are still alive.” The man laughed again and shook his head. “She was well aware of the treasury but at this point she likely has a grasp on Hallowfort’s resources too. As far as dark ones go, the way they think and live as well as the town being as old as it is, I think they have a comparable vault, if not more.”

“Catelyn doesn’t strike me as someone who would care to invest heavily. She cares a lot but the way she talked about her shop as well as the way the town is managed, she lacks in knowledge about economics. Investing money in the right places doesn’t automatically take away the people’s freedoms, Elana knows as much.” He sighed, “Look at me, she really trained me up to be a boring official, didn’t she?”

She smiled, “Are you sure you don’t miss her?” The necromancer considered the question but ultimately shook his head.

“It would be easy.” He said ultimately, “I got comfortable, helping out where I could and following whatever suggestions she had for me. Still I sought to escape whenever I could. Of course I had a responsibility and if Rhyvor was still here, I would continue to serve as its king. Yet I can’t say I was fulfilled, happy.”

He considered, his mouth opening and closing. “You know. I would have loved to get a small mansion in Lisburg, live there in peace with Elana and seeing our son… grow up.”

And she knows it too. Knows that her ways make him feel like that. Ilea smiled, “Hey it’s fine. I’m sure I can introduce you to a bunch of cool people you’ll like. Never too late to find joys in life.” Ilea felt like a hypocrit, talking to him as if she had any more experience in her young age. Fuck it. Getting older doesn’t mean they solve their problems.

“Thanks.” He said, “You know… I didn’t expect you to care as much.”

Ilea shrugged and grabbed a halberd, twirling it around before it hit the floor with a loud banging noise, “I just think you should get the chance to choose.” She eyed the weapon, looking down the length of the pole.

“It’s too long for you.” He said and smiled, grabbing a couple swords before he handed them to her, “Is that what you want to shake up then? Give people the chance to choose?”

She grabbed the weapons, the halberd set down previously. They were curved but already she felt the blades lacked impact. Trying to cut into her skin proved difficult, only cutting once she disabled her ashen armor. “Everyone can get a class here, can fight if they want to. But yea, something like that I guess.” She let the blades fall down, Maro looking at them before he stared at her. “I haven’t really thought about it much so far.”

“Warriors don’t think very highly of you, do they?” He asked.

“They can bring it up with my fists.” If the weapons were damaged from falling to the stone floor, even in the slightest, they weren’t worth anyone’s attention. Not here, not with the monsters around.

He laughed, “Why even try them? Do you want to get a general skill? Or get a weapon based third class?”

“So you do know about them?” She said, appearing in his face but the king just chuckled, not moving an inch.

“At the rate that you’re going, I’m sure you’ll discover the truth behind those legends before me.” He smiled as she turned her head and moved on to grab a scythe.

Twirling it a couple times, her speed increased before it slipped out of her grasp, slamming blade first into the wall. “Good blade at least.” She commented, moving on, “I got my hammer, just thought I could at least try some other things. It’s not looking good though, Maro.” The spear she grabbed was immediately discarded.

Chapter 326 Cleaning out a Ruin

Chapter 326 Cleaning out a Ruin

“No, no, no. You’re not putting your weight into it!” Most of the hall was cleaned out, Ilea and Terok having filled up their storage items with the chests as well as the weapons and armors, the rest of Maro’s crates as well as some available in the treasury used to stash all of it without reaching the limits of their respective items.

Ilea had used her bracelet primarily, storing all the armors and weapons. Maro and Terok had little interest in any of that, the king only asking to keep a couple more sentimental treasures. One of them was a small cuddly toy dog, worn with age. He hadn’t shared if it was in fact his own but Ilea doubted the thing would have been in the treasury for any other reason.

She centered herself again and lifted the massive obsidian hammer up above herself before slamming it down, the floor cracking as the weight came down, her body easily taking the force flowing through her. Terok groaned next to her, “You’re literally just using your hands.” Maro nodded at the dwarf’s comment. “I mean it’s enough to kill most people lassie but if you want to get a skill out of it at some point, you better work on it. That’s coming from me. I know little about using hammers.”

“Your feedback isn’t incredibly helpful, Terok.” She replied and put away the hammer, Guess I’ll have to find someone who can show me how to use a bloody hammer. With all her Dexterity and Strength, as well as the seemingly simple weapon, she felt a little embarrassed.

“The problem is that you’re already so strong you don’t really need to use it the correct way.” Maro added, “Still, getting the hang of it should make it even more deadly. Right now, you’re basically a troll hitting things with a tree trunk.” He said it seriously, leaving her to question if it had been an insult or not.

Terok of course laughed but he stopped immediately when she turned his way and summoned the hammer again. “Hey now. We wouldn’t want to hurt good ol Terok, now would we?”

“Maybe… maybe I do Terok, just maybe.” Ilea said and eyed him, the dwarf vanishing into his metal suit before it closed, Ilea throwing the hammer his way with as much power as she could muster, the dwarf rolling away to avoid it. “Wish I could get it back… is there an enchantment for that?” She asked Maro, the dwarf laughing as he hovered through the room. “Don’t taunt me again!” She said with a smile.

Maro glanced at the weapon, the chunk of steel stuck in the white marble wall, “You mean like the Praetorians? Possibly, I’m not sure how it would work with such a heavy weapon. I can barely lift it as is…,”

“I’ll ask Iana.” She said, Terok trying to rip out the hammer in the meantime. When it finally came free, the weight immediately brought him to the floor, his metal head hitting the wall. Ilea chuckled, Maro smiling as he shook his head.

She went to pick up the weapon, “Who’s Iana?” The necromancer asked from behind her, Ilea helping up Terok before storing her hammer.

“She’s the daughter of a good smith I know, good with enchantments that one.” She supplied, “Yes Terok, better than you.”

The dwarf crossed his arms, “You’ll see Ilea, the next time we meet…,” He paused, thinking on his next words, “I’ll save your life ten times in a row, how does that sound?”

“Improbable.” She replied instantly.

“Impossible.” Maro added.

The dwarf took a step back, “No trust at all, well that is just another reason to prove you wrong. I will pay back my debts, Ilea. If you want me to or not.” He pointed at her.

“Make sure to stay alive for now and maybe you can help the elves be less stupid.” She said, continuing when he crossed his arms, “If that doesn’t satisfy you, I can evaluate what you owe me in gold, adding interest of course for every week you didn’t pay anything back.”

He laughed and clasped his hands together, “No need to let my bad influence get to you, Ilea.”

“There you go.” She said, “Are you leaving for the Taleen dungeon immediately?”

“There’s still the armory.” Terok said, “And no, I’ll go to Hallowfort first. The gold from here will more than pay back my debts. Can’t wait to work with Goliath.” He was beaming with joy, even with his voice only.

Ilea nodded, glancing at Maro, “Hey, what’s in the armory? There were tons of weapons here.”

The mage turned and started up the stairs, “Well, the things here are higher quality, often made for one person specifically and on request. The armory holds more standardized gear but with that I’m sure most of it is gone. Soldiers and guards need to be supplied after all.”

The ex king of Rhyvor was right in his assumption, most of the armory emptied out. The difference was that the small part remaining was still around five times as much gear as the treasury held in total. Mostly Stonehammer steel armor in different variants, the knight one being the most elaborate and highest quality one, only a couple of those sets remaining. “How big was Rhyvor exactly?” Ilea asked as they walked through the halls, Terok collecting all the gear in his ring. There hadn’t been as much ore as there had been weapons and armor in their previous find.

“Hmm, I don’t know what to compare it to. There were eleven cities nearly as big as Tremor, about forty smaller towns and even more villages. All of it was connected by roads, some better maintained and safer than others of course. The actual area wasn’t as big as many other kingdoms of its time but the resources here, dungeons, rivers as well as metals and especially the variety in monsters attracted a lot of adventurers trying to make a fortune.”

“That’s how it started and it only got bigger with time. Settlers, smiths and everyone else followed as soon as the first areas were mapped, the monsters known and the dungeons culled and controlled. But what you see here isn’t the only vault. Every city had to supply their own guards. The knights however were only trained here.”

Ilea nodded, not asking more as he seemed to lose himself a little, talking about it all. How many people were there. A million? Ten? She didn’t know, stepping next to him before she rested her hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t think about it. Rhyvor was probably long gone before the north changed.” Terok said, giving a thumbs up. Ilea rolled her eyes. Maro actually chuckled.

“You’re probably right. The past is the past. Take your time here, I’ll wait outside the palace.” He said, Ilea joining him.

“Hey Ilea, what do you want me to do with all this stuff?” The dwarf asked, “I guess you want me to clean the place out completely?”

The gear wasn’t damaged, neither by age or anything else. “You’ll go to Hallowfort anyway, give a third of all to Catelyn, fill the rest into crates. I’ll get it later from Goliath.”

He gave her a thumbs up, “Sure thing.”

Maro spoke when they walked up the stairs, “What do you plan to do with the rest?”

She shrugged, “I don’t think the Ravenhall guards or the Shadowguard has gear that good.”

“Shadowguard?”

“Yea, the Shadow’s Hand, mercenary order I’m a part of. They made their own guard when we cleared out the demon infested city.” She explained.

Maro snorted and smiled, Ilea looking at him with a raised eyebrow, “Well let’s just say that would worry me strongly, were I the emperor of… Lys, was it?”

“Yea. The order was pretty independent already as far as I know. With all the changes and the empire being busy with the war…,”

“Now I’m interested too. Might just be a civil war when we get there.” He laughed.

She sighed, “You’re not making me excited to visit.”

He smiled, the two stepping into the throne room, their steps echoing through the empty ruin, “Well, depending on your allegiances, the gold you found here alone will make a difference.”

Ilea was glad he didn’t mention what she could do with her personal power. “Still, kind of your gold.”

He waved her off, the two stepping onto the courtyard. It felt empty, even more so now that all the knights were gone. “Ilea I told you. It’s fine. Even if I choose to travel alone, gold is the least of my worries. Plus, you were kind enough to leave me some. Enough for anyone to live for decades. If prices didn’t change.” He paused and turned, Ilea forming two comfortable ashen chairs on the empty dry field, “How much does a set of common leather armor cost?”

She sat down and sighed, closing her eyes and enjoying the quiet, their voices the only sound in the vicinity, “Maro, I have no fucking clue. The last dozen sets I just stole from the Hand.”

Laughter made her open one eye, her own joining in a moment later. The necromancer sat down, Ilea adjusting the ash to his form.

“This courtyard… would be the perfect place to finally have our bout, if you’re still up for that.” She said, her eyes closed again as she leaned back.

“Sure, now?”

Her chair expanded and moved back, becoming more like a lounger. “No, I haven’t slept in a while.”

“You’re going to sleep here, in your ash?” He asked. “Can you make mine a little more relaxing too?”

She obliged, forming herself a blanket of ash. Ilea didn’t think on it too hard, being the Kin of Ash and all. “I’m going to go to my apartment as soon as Terok is back.”

“Ah yes, you claimed one of the noble houses.” He said, having his own lounger now.

“What is this?” Terok spoke up when he came out of the palace. “And here I thought you two are obsessed by training. Didn’t know you actually sleep.”

“Going to Hallowfort now and then back to Goliath. Plenty of work to do.”

Ilea turned to face him and opened her eyes, “I didn’t take you to be a workaholic. Did you get all of the gear?”

He nodded, “Yes. I take my opportunities seriously at least and you two gave me plenty of that to work on. Not sure if that is a blessing or a curse.”

Maro groaned, “You’re in a dungeon, according to the oracles, you’re cursed.”

“Do you want to go back to explore Penumra below level two hundred?” Ilea asked, “I’d actually pay to see that.”

Terok looked to the floor, “You know what. Yea I think I’m gonna go now. Thanks for all the help you two, I’ll make sure to not let it go to waste.”

Ilea got up, her lounger vanishing as well as Maro’s, the man teleporting right before he hit the floor, appearing with both feet on the ground, “Why would you do that?” His question wasn’t serious, the necromancer dusting off his armored robes.

“I’ll visit again in a week.” Ilea said, “Keep the idiots in check. Especially if they think of fighting another Praetorian.”

Terok opened up his suit and stepped out, shaking his head with a grin, “I don’t think I have that kind of power, Ilea.” Holding out his hand, she grasped it immediately. “Thank you. Really. You changed my life and I know how fucking stupid that sounds.” His one eye looked serious, Ilea glancing over to Maro for help.

The dwarf laughed and let her hand go, “You’ll have to learn how to deal with this.”

Maro touched his chin with one hand and stared intensely, “Or… hear me out… huge cloud of ash, vanish and fly up until nobody can possibly follow you. Problem solved.” He nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

She smiled, “Just a bit weird, you know. Helping other humans was one thing but now I have Dark Ones, dwarves and elves thanking me.”

“That’s a way to brag.” Maro said, laughing at her vicious face she made in response, “Relax, take it in stride. If you dislike the attention, just lie and say it was me all along.” His thumbs pointed at himself, he gave her a brilliant smile.

“Hey, maybe it was him.” Terok said and nodded, Ilea smiling before the dwarf chuckled. “Well, you take care now. Maro try not to die while traveling with her… you…,” He looked at her, “I don’t think you will die. Don’t try to fight something too dangerous. Work your way up and don’t get to the next evolution without maxing out your skills.”

“And when exactly is that?” She asked, crossing her arms as he shrugged.

“How the fuck should I know… you two already have information on that most would kill to know. Just… keep punching things. You’ll get there eventually.” He said with a laugh, the suit hovering towards him before it closed around his body, the eyes lighting up when he looked at them.

Pretty bad ass. Ilea thought and gave him a thumbs up, “That was the plan anyway.”

“Take all you can get and trust your instincts.” He said before ascending, glancing at each of them once more and flying off.

She noted his speed had improved, the dwarf really showing off the power of his evolutions and training with the elves. Ilea yawned and spread her wings, “How about here at sunrise?”

Maro nodded, “Sleep well.”

Ilea woke up and noted that it was still dark outside. Pulling her blanket at little closer, she turned in her bed and sighed, enjoying the warmth and feel of the fabric. She hadn’t dreamed, even with all the impressions in the last days. Feynor… Praetorians…, She turned to the other side and simply lay there, thinking about what had happened, her new abilities, the faces and monsters that had burned themselves into her memory.

She touched the bracelet, looking at the silver rose, I’m loaded again, Claire will have a field day. She can wait another couple weeks though. Ilea calmed down a little, the fiery lines of her Aspect of Ash lighting up the book she summoned. An adventure she had started a couple weeks ago, this was actually the second book in a series. The Late Knight it was called, a powerful protagonist that always appeared a moment or a day late to the quests he accepted.

In the second book he had accepted his weird curse of fate, using it to his advantage as he planned and prepared his approach with the knowledge that he would be late anyway. It wasn’t particularly deep and the side characters lacked personality but be it real or not, the monsters and towns as well as ruins were captivating. She even wrote down some of the names in her notebook, perhaps all fiction but there was a chance they were based on legends that held some truth. She was sleeping in a once noble owned apartment in the capital of a once great kingdom after all.

When the sun broke into the dungeon and reached her room, she sat up on her bed and summoned a meal. Only around eighty remaining from the batch Keyla had prepared. One thing was clear, she didn’t eat enough in her time in the north. At least once a day I should take the time. She was worried her priorities were shifting, most of her days spent training and fighting. She summoned the small book Niivalyr had translated, the Legate Guardian’s diary.

Not much remained… She noted, flipping through and only finding a couple pages with anything on it. The contents however were certainly interesting, Ilea trying hard not to spill any of the sauce onto the pages.

‘… Most of the humans are focused on themselves, those that do move their eyes our way are more than willing to take the gold we provide for their silence. Eregar’s mercenaries, the Azarinth order and even Lyrian’s newly formed empire, weakened, reduced to numbers easily ignored. It is suspected that the two small orders might not recover at all, not with the shaking of the world, the coming suspicion of the elven domains. The common enemy is gone and those moving first will be the ones to thrive… ‘

Ilea was surprised to find Eregar and the Azarinth order specifically mentioned. The Shadow’s Hand must have come from those mercenaries. Perhaps after he had died. She read the next page.

‘… The technology we uncovered, if the rumors are to be believed, enchanters and engineers will present solutions to previously impossible problems. Time is of essence, surely, but with unlimited energy, who is there to stand in our way? The Ascended are destroyed, the few survivors scattered to the realms they deem their own. Should they look at Elos once more, we will be prepared… ‘

The Ascended, most arrogant name award. And they attacked Elos? Ilea thought, moving on.

‘… It was inevitable, the elven mages too numerous, their elders and oracles too knowledgeable. There remains no other way, premature and untested. The Taleen will not yield to those wretched creatures, we will stand and fight, even if it takes each and every one of our lives.’

So they fought the Ascended, the human groups weakened by that? And then they did something that needed paying off humans? The elves somehow found out and attacked them? Technology and unlimited energy. Seems like they were still overwhelmed by the elves. She thought about it and finished her meal, putting her bed back into her necklace before spreading her wings.

Maro was waiting for her, sitting on a beautiful brown leather armchair in the courtyard of his palace. There were several crates nearby, some filled with books, others with stacks of paper. “What’s all this?” She asked, her wings disintegrating as she walked the last steps andtook one of the books.

He looked up and smiled, “Good morning.” He paused and showed her the front of his book, “Records mostly, taxes but also more interesting things. There’s more in there but I’ll need the key to open the other rooms.”

Ilea sat down on her own ashen chair and summoned the translated diary, “Why look through all that? This by the way… might be interesting.” She held it up to him as he pondered on her question.

“I’m not sure. Seeing all the names, the reports and all. I think it might help.” He explained, “Is that the diary Niivalyr translated?”

Chapter 327 Theories and Assumptions

Chapter 327 Theories and Assumptions

“But compare it with the last page… May the One without Form prevail. That is what they activated.” Maro said.

“You think the One without Form is responsible for all those machines and they’re hunting the elves because the Taleen are still at war with them?” Ilea surmised. Maro nodded, sitting forward with hands clasped.

“Hear me out…,” He said and moved a hand through his hair, “That unlimited energy thing isn’t a random mention… no…,”

Ilea pushed him, “What is it? Come on, can’t be more ridiculous than a talking dagger.”

He locked eyes with her, “It’s the sun. The sun suddenly vanished. Somehow the dwarfs, the elves or those Ascended found a way to pluck it from the sky. If it had been the latter, the species of Elos would have a reason to bound together and attack. Why else would humans, elves and dwarfs work together?”

“Many reasons, might just be they came and attacked everyone.” She said.

He shook his head and continued, “And after they won, the Taleen took that energy and used it.”

“What, the sun? You’re aware that a sun is so big… it’s absolutely ridiculous.” She said, sitting back.

Maro chewed on his fingernails, “Yes, I’m aware. Still… we know for a fact that this landscape changed drastically after some event the Dark Ones still remember. Some mentioned the disappearance of the sun and I can confirm that there were three here before. At least if this is really the same realm still.” He paused, “I’ve had powerful mages talk about the effect the suns have on different forms of magic, monsters and specifically mana density. The mists at night and the storms by day. It’s still happening today, just in a much more noticeable pattern.”

“Yea but how do you explain the rest of the world?” Ilea asked and he didn’t have an answer.

Shaking his head, the king continued, “We’re onto something big here.”

She sighed, “I don’t want to be onto something big, Maro. I just want to eat nice things and explore places.”

The necromancer laughed, “Well if you explore, you’ll find interesting things like that diary. Just because we’re onto something big doesn’t mean we have to do anything about it, not that we even can. Niivalyr knows about all that too and I’m sure he has his own theories.” He noticed she was still a little annoyed, looking over the translated booklet, “It was obvious that something was behind all those Taleen machines, we just have a theory on what that is now and how it generates the power to do it. There are still hordes of the fuckers in the way if we want to find out anything.”

“Plus, it might not be the wisest to free the elves of their troubles.” He added.

“Are you sure? I mean you were around before all this happened… if your theories are correct. Were the elves constantly attacking humans?” She asked.

He looked up and thought about it, “Not more than what you talked about. Them destroying whole cities was rare, though it happened. We didn’t think of them as the impossibly strong threat you seem to see them as.”

“I don’t see them that way. But yea, most people would shit their pants. The oracles have weird rules though. Not entering dungeons would weaken them in the long run. Elfie seemed fine after the initial damage to his body.”

Maro nodded, “Yea, to think they really put a curse on him…,”

She cocked her head to the side, “What?”

“What do you mean what? You saw him and they said elves entering dungeons are cursed.”

“I saw his body, through my healing. That was no curse, I’ve seen plenty of those in many varieties. It was his body adjusting. I assume to the high mana density inside the dungeon. He didn’t even really change afterwards.” She explained.

Maro nodded, “Interesting. Well the rule makes just as little sense.” He stretched, the crates of books vanishing into his ring, “I for one, would like to find out more about all this at some point. The Ascended, I always feared an enemy like that, appearing from another realm. With all the stories there must be races who figured out the magic to travel them.”

Ilea’s eyes went wide, “Wait a minute. The demons… the place I was at, the demon realm. There was a bunch of weird ass sci fi tech there. Runes that neither Weavy nor Trian had ever seen. And we could travel back to Elos after activating a massive device there.”

He thought about it, “Might be… could just be a coincidence. If there is one race, there can be two. The demons I’ve heard about didn’t strike me as such a threat. The fact that corpses turn into new demons is the real problem. And what do you mean by sei fei?”

“Well there is no description about the Ascended. I don’t think Weavy and his brethren built all those structures but they don’t really work together anyway, at least not according to him. Could be that some others advanced in a different direction.” She suggested. “It means science fiction, in my realm we had books, movies and games… more focused on space and other planets. Hard to explain why the place felt like that to me.”

“Interesting…,“ He said, “Weavy, we definitely want to ask him about it, you know where he is?” He asked and she nodded. “This is exciting.”

“You think so?” She asked, “I just want to be able to kill a Praetorian on my own. The prospect of finding the energy source or those Ascended doesn’t really sound safe with my current power.”

He waved her off, “You’re underestimating yourself, Ilea. Still… I get where you’re coming from. We hesitated in investigating the Soul Rippers too. Hey, maybe that’s related too… those monsters suddenly appearing in all those dungeons… one huge conspiracy.” He cackled evilly, Ilea staring at him with concern.

“Oh don’t take me so seriously. I just always hoped for more interesting things than nobles murdering each other, war declarations from kingdoms trying to expand or issues and conflicts growing with other races due to cultural differences.” He explained.

“Those don’t sound simple at all.” Ilea replied, rubbing her forehead.

“I didn’t say simple, I said boring.” Maro held up a finger, “Important difference. I’m certainly intrigued and with me being at three hundred now, I think we could at least poke this beast of a theory with some questions.”

Ilea agreed, “Maybe. Just dial it down a notch, we can work it out one step at a time. I also don’t want to fight Taleen machines for a decade just to find this One without Form. That sounds like the exact opposite of interesting.”

He calmed down somewhat, “You’re right. Damn…,” He balled his fist, actually annoyed.

“We can start with our bout, maybe give each other some pointers. Also train the resistances against each other’s magic.” She suggested, “Then we can maybe fight the Soul Rippers.” They still terrified her but after killing the Praetorians, she felt ready to try, felt like challenging that which she feared.

“That… sounds like you’re skipping some steps.” Maro said, his concern washed away with a blooming smile, “Guess that’s what I signed up for.” He nodded and got up, cracking his neck, “Until half health?”

She shrugged, “Sounds alright.” Her ashen armor came on immediately, her buffs at the max as his body erupted in purple flames, a barrier forming a couple meters away from him. The armchair and the rest of his belongings vanished into his ring as her ashen limbs fanned out behind her. His eyes turned purple, a grin on his face before the two vanished.

The silence in the dungeon was no more, energy exploding in the palace courtyard as the two powerful mages danced in flame and ash. Beams of purple energy cut into the stone, ashen limbs crashing into the barrier time and time again, fiery energy flowing through it as it was damaged more and more.

Ilea finally got through, appearing inside his defensive dome as a bright purple fire rushed over her, burning into her ash as her limbs slashed into his armor. The king dodged the first three limbs before he was cut. She didn’t stop, appearing closer. A punch fueled by Absolute Destruction slammed into his side, enhanced by her buffs and skills.

She was engulfed by death magic right before he was slammed to the side tumbling twice as she followed, her steps interrupted by a beam of magic she avoided with a blink forward. Maro was back on his feet when she appeared, flying away from her quickly with continued attacks as well as bones falling out of his ring, forming skeletons behind her that followed after the two. He kept her low to allow his minions to stay in the fight, Ilea using her ashen projectiles to fire back and destroy them.

Just as with Trian and Kyrian, the fight was all about Maro keeping her at bay. If he had enough power to break through her defenses, he could win at range but even with his fully powered death magic rays that simply wasn’t the case. Her ash was burnt into but it simply forced her to dodge, slowing her down but ultimately not getting any closer to killing her. With the added benefit of her ten meter range ashen limbs, Maro had to be careful too, his shield reforming often to get rid of the mana burning into it.

Whenever he deactivated the shield that prevented her from blinking closer, she did exactly that. Most often he managed to teleport too but after around thirty attempts, she managed to grab onto his arm. A big grin formed on her face. He aimed his free hand at her but she slammed it away, four of her ashen limbs winding around him as the rest cut into his face and chest, destructive healing magic flowing into him. Maro’s purple flames burned into her limbs and body but Ilea could heal both herself and the ash, making it difficult for him to get through.

Adding Absolute Destruction to the mix, she both damaged him and stole mana at the same time. Of course with all those active skills going on, she would hardly be able to keep it up for too long. “Stop!” He suddenly shouted, his face cut and bleeding, holding up much better than the rough attacks would have suggested. She let go, the king slowly floating to the ground, landing on his back before he turned and coughed, blood splattering onto the stone.

Ilea landed next to him with her arms crossed. “A little disappointed, not gonna lie.” She said and started healing the man, his wounds closing quickly. To think he had reached half health so fast. The fight had been less than three minutes long.

“You’re a nightmare for a mage… fuck.” He coughed once more before his health was back to two thirds, “The damage output once you grabbed me… there was more than just your limbs hitting, it felt like a curse of some kind.”

“Reverse healing.” She supplied.

“And I couldn’t get through even your ashen limbs. They reformed so quickly.”

“Also healing, combined with creation of course.” She said, the man just shaking his head.

“I know that wasn’t even your full arsenal. I’m not sure I could stop you, even going lower.” Maro said.

Ilea formed another chair and sat down, “What do you mean, going lower? Do you get stronger with less health?”

“Significantly, yes. Also you just shut down my minions, this is not my kind of fight.” He sighed, sitting up.

She had to agree there, a well prepared Maro with a dozen or more powerful undead or skeletons would make it a more difficult fight, him attacking from behind the monsters that would defend him. “Do you want to try again with preparations?” She asked, excited to try again as her mana recovered quickly.

He looked at her and sighed, “You know what, no. Not now. I’m rusty, I think I was lucky to survive against the Feynor. The Praetorians weren’t as quick as you are. The teleport and spacial perception you have make it harder too. And you just ignored my rays… that armor is definitely not a joke. I knew when I saw you tanking those explosions but it’s a little disheartening, seeing it against my magic.”

“Well my resistance is at level twelve as well. Care to train me in that too? Did you get any resistances from me by the way?” She asked, not pushing him on a rematch. The last thing he needed were more doubts about his abilities. Was this a bad idea? She wondered but he was already back in high spirits after half a minute of brooding.

“Ashen Magic Resistance, your mana intrusion didn’t trigger anything. What’s it categorized as?” He asked.

“Healing magic.” She replied, “Is there no general resistance against mana intrusion?”

He shook his head, “No, you should have gotten that too at some point, don’t you think? It’s surprising there isn’t a healing magic resistance but I suppose that is a good thing in the end, for everyone and you as well.”

“Suppose it is… oh, can I get a resistance against my own ashen magic?” She asked, never really having focused on it.

“No, only if someone else uses it on you. Still, having the class makes you more resilient to it than any resistance skill could ever achieve. I can train your death magic resistance of course.” He replied, “You can level my ashen resistance in the meantime. That second tier of Pain Tolerance is really useful for resistance training now that I think about it.” He squinted his eyes, “That’s what you’ve been doing, right?”

She smirked, lounging in her ashen chair, “Maybe. Hey there should be a reward for going through so much pain.”

“How did I never think of that…,” He shook his head, “Well it is a high price to pay. The pain would be overwhelming with a body below level one or two hundred.”

“No shit.” Ilea said and chuckled. The acid bath hurt, sure but it was nothing compared to what she went through before. Just getting bitten by a Drake was much worse than anything she had experienced in the past months. Well losing her head was at least terrifying in its own right but the pain itself, negligible.

“And you need a healer.” He added, standing up again, his face back to normal other than the blood still dripping from it.

“Sucks that they’re such a rare commodity.” She commented, Maro groaning.

“Tell me about it. The orders like to have the numbers low to keep their influence. Difficult to even get a class without them, most already have something else before learning enough about medicine and healing to be offered a class. Plus you’re sacrificing a bunch of power.” He said, summoning his armchair again as well as a crate, getting out a book.

Ilea formed a bunch of projectiles and sent them into his stomach, the king in turn firing his beam into hers, the two continuing their conversation as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring, “Still though… with the rarity, even if you sacrifice power you’re going to get more jobs and are sought after in every team, seems like a reasonable choice. Even if it takes longer to get a class.”

He flipped through his book, blood dripping from the side of his mouth, a purple flame washing over his face to clean it all off. “Yes, either you’re with the guard or a country then. Otherwise the orders ask unpleasant questions. Random adventurers are very very rarely healers. At least in my time… I don’t see a reason for why that would have changed, nor does what you say suggest it.”

“So the orders push healers to take jobs in the guard or military? Or make them join?” She asked, not quite aware that this had been an issue. Was that why that healer person was so difficult. Maybe it was them that tried to poison me then? Would they go that far?

Looking at herself, firing deadly ashen projectiles at the necromancer burning through her skin and muscle with death rays suggested that yes, someone would certainly go that far. “I don’t think they want people to join. It’s a purist thing too, just like with all the other magic schools. Do you really think a noble family known for dust magic would pick up a random lowborn with an affinity?”

“They’d just get rid of him.” He added, flipping the page as she healed the damage to his body. The projectiles were much much less effective than her mana intrusion had been in the fight.

“Is that why low level adventurers nearly all have generic fire or ice magic classes?” She asked.

“One of the reasons. Ease of access and simply power at early stages help too. Most warriors are body enhancers early on too, when a specific weapon mastery class would be much more powerful. Harder to train those skills and you need someone to teach you.” He said and made a surprised noise.

“Found something?” She asked, actually interested what he would have uncovered in his book on tax records.

“An off hand mention but yes. You found the diary of the guard captain, Reyker?” She nodded, Maro chuckling as he shook his head, “Guy hated me, still the most loyal and capable man ever working under Elana. Would have made a terrible king though.”

“Get to the point, oh great king Maro.” She said.

He smiled and pointed at her, a massive beam burning into her and her chair, “I never said I was great.”

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

“Well, someone reported him returning from the Soul Ripper dungeon, falling to the beasts only around an hour away from Tremor. The scout couldn’t advance because of the nearby monsters but the report made it back. Maybe he found out something?”

Chapter 328 Rescue Mission

Chapter 328 Rescue Mission

There was a location too, by flight it would only take a couple minutes to reach it. If the area hadn’t changed too drastically. “You want to find the corpse?” She asked as he closed the book.

“Why not.” He shrugged.

“The area outside the wall was full of the Soul Rippers, I thought you weren’t keen on fighting them. Not that we could, even together. They’re triple marks and I couldn’t damage them at all before my evolution.” She replied.

He waved her off, “Didn’t you talk about fighting them? Plus you changed quite a bit, didn’t you? Might be worth a shot, at least I could send him off properly, he doesn’t deserve to rot…,” He was serious about it and Ilea definitely respected the wish.

“Sure, I want to try out some other things first though. Also we should fight one first, in the lower regions but inside the walls. Just to see how we do.”

“Of course, I’ve got plenty to work through as well. And my ash magic resistance is only at level two so keep it up.” He gave her a thumbs up, Ilea getting up.

She summoned the golden key and threw it to him, stepping a couple meters away. “Thanks.” He said, having caught the thing.

Alright, let’s try this. She thought and jumped up, summoning the Armaments of Trials around herself, her senses cut off immediately. My sphere barely gets through. She noted the weird effect she usually associated with enchantments especially against her skill. Even with her added magic sense, she simply saw nothing. Her eyes brought little too, only the faint light of her buffs illuminating the tight space in front of her face.

Glad I’m not claustrophobic. Here goes nothing…, She started trying different skills, her destruction not even activating, her hands unable to even form fists. What she could do however was release healing magic into the steel, as well as the reversed ability. The same was true for her Storm of Cinders and Heart of Cinder abilities. The magic wasn’t reflected off the steel but instead flowed into it somehow.

Nothing happened at first but as she continued pushing both healing and reversed healing into the steel, after a couple minutes she saw a faint glow in her sphere, the blue light of her azarinth mana but subdued, dulled as if she was in a thick fog. She concentrated on her perception, trusting in the skill completely as she closed her eyes and tried to only think about the magic around her, her destructive reverse healing turned off and only her non reversed version remaining.

The pulse was noticeable, ever so slightly brighter with each minute of meditation and healing. The mist was clearing before she heard a dull knocking around her. Putting the armor into her necklace, she found Maro holding up his fist into the air, a confused expression on his face. “Oh, you’re alive. Thought I’d check. It’s been two hours since you summoned that, thing. Couldn’t see into it either.”

“Yea, been trying to figure it out. I can’t really move in it.” She said and summoned it next to her, “I can use my healing magic on it from within…,”

He touched it once more, “That Dark One smith made it?” She nodded, “Fascinating…the enchantments I can see, they’re incredibly basic. He could do something like this… with metals only?”

“What do you mean something like this?”

Maro looked at her, “It’s blocking my vision too. That’s usually done with enchantments but he somehow managed it with just a composition of metals and very basic obscuring runes.” He explained.

Think of the possibilities of him with his enchanter equivalent. Ilea chuckled. Her sphere was at the top of the second tier and yet she felt like she understood the skill a little better. “He made it specifically for me, not conventional armor… the name suggests it’s for training, or meant as a challenge to overcome.”

The man nodded, “Good luck with that. Hey I’m kind of bored going through all those records. More reading than I’ve done in months.”

“Second bout then?” She asked, putting away the armor again.

He cringed, “I was more thinking on the Soul Ripper and maybe Captain Reyker?”

Ilea cracked her neck and fists, “Sure. We can give it a shot. Do you have anything else you’d like to do in the week that we have to wait?”

The man shrugged, “Not particularly. I’m sure you have plenty of things on your list.”

“Mostly involving training, but yes.”

“That’s fine with me. I could use the levels too, another two or three third tier skills would make a huge difference. Especially for my shield. Having it crushed so easily by those Praetorians and you has been a little shocking. Ridiculous monsters here in the north.” He said, Ilea grinning at him as viciously as she could manage.

“Come then, let’s find one of those monsters.”

“Ugly fuckers.” She whispered to the man standing next to her on the roof of a rotting house, Ilea crouching as she watched the Soul Ripper through her sphere. They were twenty meters away but she was pretty sure the monster heard her, still not moving an inch from its position at the side of its chosen wall, fungi growing near the beast.

“I was more thinking of terrifying. Fits too I suppose. What’s the approach?” He asked.

“I grapple, you beam.” She said, the necromancer snorting before she turned his way, “Better suggestions.”

“No. Let’s go.” He replied, Ilea grinning in the dark before she spread her wings and jumped off the side of the building, speeding up.

There you go, She noticed a twitch in its elongated hands right before the beast jumped, flying at her with outstretched arms. Ilea blinked above it, her ashen limbs closing around the beast and pulling her towards its spine. The pull added speed to her movement before her fist slammed into it, Absolute Destruction spreading into it as her reversed mana added to its pains. Maro’s purple beam lit up a part of the surroundings, the skin of the monster a similar color she noted, simply much darker.

It landed and thrashed, spinning as it tried getting her off of it. Several houses were simply crashed through, Ilea easily ignoring the stone and steel slamming against her back. The monster stopped suddenly and turned its head backwards, a shiver going through her as she stared at the writhing tentacles, Maro’s death beam burning right into them. She felt the damage coming thanks to her Azarinth Fighting and let go, blinking awaybefore a chunk of air as well as Maro’s beamvanished from her previous position.

The pull of the vacuum moved her forward a little. She watched Maro sending another beam at the beast before it jumped away, barely interrupted by the houses. They followed through the air but lost it when it jumped again. “Any idea how much damage we did?” He asked, the two slowing down but unconsciously flying higher to make sure none of them jumped them from below.

“None… very little I would guess. The skin and bones felt just as hard as when I hit one before my evolution.” It had at least showed a new move by turning its head backwards.

“So we just damage them a little and they flee?” He asked, “Very unusual.”

“Not every monster is constantly bloodthirsty.” She suggested. With how they waited for prey on the side of the walls, she thought of them more of an ambush creature. Like the plants that ate insects, just waiting until something came close.

“Ones so powerful usually are.” He added, “Seems like you can at least handle them defensively.” He looked her way, more a question than a statement.

“We can look for him. Let’s just stay this high. Can you see to the ground?”

He nodded, “Not well at this distance and without light but I should be able to spot the area at least. If it still looks similar.”

They continued their flight, keeping up a high speed to make it harder for any monsters to attack them from below. “There’s…,” He started, hesitating as he slowed down, “Ilea, there are hundreds… beyond the wall.”

She looked down but didn’t see or hear a thing, goosebumps forming on her skin, “Want to move on?”

Maro didn’t reply, simply picking up the same speed as before. A couple minutes of silent flight later, the man spoke up once again, “He’s there.”

“What do you mean? Found the corpse?” She asked.

“No… no he’s there, walking around. He still has a sword. The creatures move out of his way.” He replied.

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “Interesting. He’s undead then… they avoid him?” Perhaps there was something about him they didn’t like.Or whatever they could take from him was long gone.

“Looks that way, maybe he’s bait…, they’re looking up at us Ilea.” His voice was steady but she could tell he was tense.

Thinking on it, she tapped her chin, the two hovering over the area. “Do you have a bunch of undead remaining?” She asked after a while, the king nodding in response, “Hand me one, revive it as I hold it up.” She said. A Feynor corpse appeared, Ilea taking it with two ashen limbs and holding it in place as his magic flowed into it, animating the body, its eyes opening and muscles tensing up.

“Show me where the knight is, I’ll hover above and drop it.” Maro moved a couple meters through the air before he nodded. She moved the undead closer to him and dropped it. The body fell for a couple seconds before she heard the noises, impacts on metal, then earth. Silence returned as she looked over at Maro.

“It’s bait.” He said simply.

“Did all of them jump?” She asked but he shook his head, dropping a bunch of bones down. This time no noises resounded.

“I suppose they’re only going for things that have mana.”

She looked over, “Can you reach them from here with your beam? Maybe we can scatter them?” She formed and fired off a bunch of ashen lances in turn.

“No, also they dodged your attacks.” He commented, Ilea instead just forming a mist of ash that immediately dropped down. “Are you trying to bury them? Certainly got the captain’s attention… if it’s even him.”

“Hmm, no. Not really. But the more ash that’s down there, the harder it will be for them to get to me.” She replied. “I’ll need as many distractions as you can make.”

Maro stared at her before he laughed, “You are crazy. Sure?”

She nodded, “If I can’t avoid them I’ll blink out. The chaos even with only a couple dropped undead should be enough. I just hope the knight isn’t higher than the others.”

“Can you kill him so quickly?”

“No. I’ll carry it out.”

“Worth a shot. I’ll try to give you as much time as possible.” Maro said, Ilea forming a small platform of ash for him to drop and form his skeletons on. She continued to create more ash, the soft flakes falling down like snow, her sphere showing them in a dark red color. The magic faded from them as she let go, yet the ash remained.

Half an hour later, the two were hovering over the hordes of Soul Rippers and the lone Undead looking up at them. May the gods have mercy and there isn’t a winged version of them somewhere out there. She thought, concentrating on the sixteen limbs of ash, each carrying a single skeleton. Additionally there were twenty small platforms of ash with a skeleton or undead on each. Maro held five of them too, two holding onto his legs and one on his back.

“Tell me when you’re ready.” He said.

Ilea activated Heart of Cinder, waiting for it to charge as she hovered right over the undead. “One of my more brain dead ideas.” She said with a grin. Maro laughed to her side, serious again a moment later.

“Drop them.” She said, Maro’s undead falling. A moment later she let go of the undead held up by her limbs. One more second passed and she stopped controlling the ashen platforms that held up the skeletons around her. She followed them down, flying straight as she sped up to her full speed. Maro followed a couple meters behind her, her sphere already picking up the Soul Rippers that flew by, catching the bait. She blinked to avoid one of them, closing the distance to the undead.

[Undead Rose Knight - ???]

The armored knight screeched at her, beams of death magic slamming into the Soul Rippers above. Heart of Cinder was released, staggering the knight and swirling up the mountains of ash around her, Ilea willing it all into a massive whirlwind as she wrapped her ashen limbs around the knight’s limbs and body. Her wings moved and made her ascend, the remaining limbs crashing into the jumping Soul Rippers, Ilea dodging and weaving through. She severed the connection to avoid two of them, appearing behind the knight and grappling him as her wings brought her higher once more.

One of the Soul Rippers flying at them was avoided with a twirl, a second and third one slowed by purple beams from above, their trajectory disturbed enough to allow her escape. The knight struggled but she was successful in keeping his blade away from her, another set of enemies were interrupted by death magic and her ashen limbs before she finally reached Maro. The necromancer appeared before her, his hand slamming into the undead’s chest.

“Quick, he’s paralyzed for a couple seconds!” He shouted, the noises from below calming down again. Ilea sped up, Maro falling behind as she shot for the sunlit part of the city. The knight started moving again, Ilea holding down his sword arm with ten of her limbs, struggling against his overwhelming strength.

The two tumbled through the air, Ilea letting go of him as soon as they reached the upper parts of the city. The undead crashed into a house, taking one of the walls with him before he stood up and rushed out, focused on Ilea who landed in the open square in front of the house. Sword swinging downwards, she folded her wings in front of her when a purple beam slammed into the undead’s chest, the creature blocking with its sword as it skidded back a couple meters.

“Take it out?” She asked, Maro landing next to her as the creature screeched once more.

Maro put a hand on her shoulder, eyes focused on the undead, “I’d like to fight this one alone. You did enough.” He added, taking a step towards the undead, his shield and purple flames activating, “Thank you.”

Ilea remained where she was, her wings vanishing as she crossed her arms. He lifted his hands and spoke, “Kohn Reyker… you can rest now.” She felt the power in his words, the magic that slammed into the creature decaying its Stonehammer steel armor as it struggled against him. Maro dodged to the side casually when the sword was thrown, the undead crashing into his shield, punching it before the sword came back. Again the necromancer stepped to the side, crouching as the weapon flew over him.

The beams continued for half a minute, the undead breaking through his shield several times, the king simply teleporting away whenever it happened and reengaging with his ranged attack. Ilea felt a little cheated, knowing she had to get close and personal, dodging all their strikes from melee range. Then again the undead rose knights were taken care of rather easily after her evolutions. Finally, the undead collapsed and Maro’s magic ceased.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Undead Rose Knight – lvl 509] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 8’

The danger of the whole ordeal must have played into those skill levels. She was sure. Just killing the knight wouldn’t have granted the levels, even if it was two hundred levels above her own. She walked over to the king, on his knees and looking defeated, the corpse lying before him, unmoving.

Ilea simply stood there and gave him time and space to deal with it. He spoke, his voice cracking with the second word, “He walkedthose plains… for thousands of years. Long dead.” He shook his head, “While I was right here. Unconscious, not doing anything.”

“You did everything you could. All your undead would not be enough to challenge those Soul Rippers, even with their levels raised by the dungeon.” Ilea said bluntly.

He looked at his handsand sighed, “Your consoling sucks.” Slowly, he got up, “Well… at least he’s free now. This idiot died for Rhyvor, to uncover something about those monsters.” Marowiped at his face before he walked over to the nearby house, collecting enough furniture to build a small pyre. She waited, knowing that he didn’t want her help with it.

When the fire was burning, the two watched the flames consume the rotten armor and corpse, the once powerful guard captain put to rest one final time. “I didn’t like him either.” Maro said after a while, “He loved Elana, I think. Still, he was loyal to Rhyvor. And so was I. That’s the only reason we never openly disputed.” He paused and shook his head, “Even he didn’t deserve this fate. Rest in peace.” He walked off then, the body not even consumed fully when Ilea spoke up.

“There’s a ring here. It’s unaffected by the flames.” She took a step forward and grabbed it, taking it off the finger as the flames licked on her arm.

Chapter 329 Monsters left untouched

Chapter 329 Monsters left untouched

“Can you access it?” Maro asked, the two walking back towards the palace. He suddenly stopped and sighed, “Hey, I didn’t really thank you. For helping me out, again. I wouldn’t have been able to get him out alone.”

She shrugged, identifying the ring, “Seemed like an interesting thing to do.” Didn’t even level my Fear Resistance. Even in her conscious mind, the creatures were just that by now, creatures. Ugly as fuck but nothing to be afraid of. They were too strong to take on but it was only a matter of time and training. For all I care they can rot down here forever.

[Ring of Holding – Rare Quality] – [Storage capacity at 12/30]

Would you like to claim [Ring of Holding]

She accepted, nodding to him, “There’s a bunch of stuff in here. Let’s check it out in the courtyard.” Maro agreed, still not looking his best as they reached the place. “Maybe we should also train a little outside, more sun there.”

Carefully, she summoned each item and put it onto the floor, Maro standing next to her to see everything. Sword, set of knight’s armor, drawn painting of…, She brushed over it, Elana… well. Maro chuckled lightly but didn’t comment any further. Food, water as well as other essentials like a fire rune and a notebook with a pen. The notebook was of course the most interesting of the bunch, Ilea handing it to Maro, assuming it was written in their language.

“Turning into archaeologists here.” Maro sighed, starting to flip through the pages.

“You had those?” Ilea asked. Then again isn’t every adventurer here basically Indy?

“Yes… I think something like the scavengers living in Hallowfort come close… although the archaeologists weren’t in it for money or survival. Historical and… they did it…,” He flipped the page, eyes going wide.

“He… the team he put together, they pushed into the dungeon, avoiding the monsters thanks to illusion and concealment spells. The place was full of Mothwing corpses, the original monster occupying that dungeon. In the deepest hall, they found runes and Soul Rippers digging into the stone, confused and scared he wrote. Nothing else was down there. They lost most people in the ascent, one of them bumping into a monster. Reyker survived but was heavily injured. The last words he wrote before hundreds of the beasts surrounded him in the plains outside the entrance.” Maro transcribed, turning the book to show the abrupt stop in writing as well as still somewhat fresh blood on the page from when the captain had been injured.

Ilea thought about it, shaking her head, “The runes brought them here? Then we should maybe go have a look. Neither of us is a rogue exactly…,” She started thinking on who could do the job when he interrupted her.

“No need. They copied the runes down, with great difficulty it seems.” He showed her yet another page in the notebook, the runes burning into her mind as she looked at them.

She ignored the mild defensive measure, comparable to Mind Weaver’s attack. “You don’t get fucked reading that?” She asked.

“Runes, at least reading them were a great joy of mine. Mind magic resistance is one of the first things I focused on defensively, too dangerous to leave a gap like that.”

Ilea checked out the rest of the runes but couldn’t make any sense of anything. She tried to remember those they had found in the demon realm but couldn’t remember, as if the memory was blurred. “Out of curiosity, what other gaps are there that would need to be filled?”

He smiled, “Death magic is one. If I can overwhelm someone’s defenses and they have no resistance, it’s very… well deadly.” She rolled her eyes, “Blood magic is another, as is lightning surprisingly. Void too but it’s hard to find something or someone who could train you. There are of course some rarer ones that could deal heavy damage but preparing against things like silver magic is inefficient at best.”

She nodded, having all the resistances he had talked about. She assumed there simply were too many hyper specialized magic schools out there to really get them all, just spending time on leveling or general defense was worth more in the end. “Trian and Weavy might know more about those runes, as well as some others. If we can pinpoint the origin, would that help in any way? Or are runes something universally known if you get certain classes?”

Maro drew something into the dirt, a simple symbol looking a little like an S, just drawn by a two year old. “Runes are the language of magic, capable to create things with mana. Once etched into an object by an enchanter, they can be used by anybody. Now, while the language of magic is universal, its understanding is not something easily taught, or learned.” He showed her the runes again, “Just reading this would kill most humans below level fifty, put a level hundred warrior to bed and might even give a headache to someone above two hundred. The reason being that they’re not versed in the language. While these symbols look simplistic, if taken as a normal written language, they contain knowledge and understanding I cannot comprehend. Not yet at least. It’s been a while since I last even felt such feedback.” He closed the book again.

“I can only assume that those runes somehow summoned the Soul Rippers or they ripped open a fissure between the dungeon and somewhere else.” He added.

“Another realm?” Ilea asked, a little concern in her voice. If those things get summoned to Earth, the planet is probably fucked. Would be cool to see what a fifty cal. Bullet would do to them. The answer was probably nothing. The next thought was of course, what such a bullet would do to her.

“Possibly, yet realm travel is something of legends. Those claiming to be from other realms, at least according to Scipio, never actually understood what had happened. They were successful by chance and without intention or something else willed it to happen. Are you concerned about your own realm?” He asked.

Ilea shrugged, “I don’t know honestly. This could still all be an illusion. I certainly didn’t intend to travel through magical realms. If there is a chance though, that someone might access my realm to summon creatures like these… well I don’t fancy the result.” She said. “Wait… can’t necromancers summon demons? Isn’t that another realm as well?”

“That is true. I know little about the summoning of demons but yes, somehow it is possible. Even for novices with the right runes.”

“Then other realms should be accessible too? Or are we just missing runes?” Ilea asked in turn.

“I don’t know. All I know is that demons can be summoned more easily. You said one of the Shadows’ elders succeeded even in traveling the realms. You did too in fact.” He said. “Perhaps he would be the one to ask about this.”

“Or Scipio, if it’s really the same guy that I met.” Ilea said, at least not knowing if he too was a mass murderer like Adam.

“Finding him will prove difficult.” Maro laughed, “Well the same is true for the elder. It is a shame that knowledge like this is so heavily guarded.”

“For good reason.” Ilea said, thinking of the demon summoning.

“Probably.” He sighed, “Well at least I know now that the dungeons were manipulated by someone. I’ll have to consult Elana but I believe the wars might have been prevented without that sudden spike in dangerous monsters.”

“You want to avenge your kingdom?” Ilea asked.

He laughed, glancing at her frown, “Bad experiences with revenge? Yea, me too.” He said, “Rhyvor would have fallen, there were simply too many powerful factions looking our way. The chance was high at least. I’m simply interested. To bring Soul Rippers and the like here, I just don’t understand why. If their goal was our destruction, they could have just summoned them into our cities.”

“Might not have been possible, mana density and they live in the dark.” She said.

“Possible. Well I just want to understand it. Rhyvor is gone and there is nothing I can do about it. The only solace is that most of the people will have escaped. I just hope many of them found shelter in the south, before the north changed into… this.” He gestured widely around himself. “If it turns out that this change was in fact manufactured, then you can be sure all the death and destruction will be repaid. One way or the other.”

She chuckled, “You think your power is enough for something capable of summoning Soul Rippers?”

He cracked his neck, “No. Not yet at least but, now that I’m not burdened by being a king anymore and I’ve found a capable healer, I’m sure I’ll reach previously unknown levels of power.” He smiled at her, “Yet I’ll probably get distracted along the way.” She was surprised at the sincerity of his words. The man really believed he would simply get distracted.

“So far you seem pretty focused.” She said.

He waved his hand sideways, “Not much going on around here other than fighting. Interesting monsters and people, yes but Hallowfort being the domain of my wife…,”

“I’ll show you Ravenhall as soon as my armor is done. Riverwatch too maybe, it’s the first town I found after waking up in Elos. Oh also, my abilities and the fact that I’m a realm travelers isn’t common knowledge in the south. I’d like to keep it that way.” She said.

“Sounds splendid. I hope gambling, drugs and sex workers are legal there.”

She was a little taken aback but just grinned, “I don’t know honestly. I’m more a food and fighting type. Do drugs even do anything to someone at your level?”

“Oh right… my evolution… ah fuck. Well there are other things.” He seemed optimistic. Ilea was always of the opinion that drugs could be regulated and legalized, the public educated to lower addiction rates. Alcohol was one of the worse ones anyway and everybody drank, same here in Elos.

Personally, she just didn’t have much of an interest. The few times she tried had neither been horrible nor eye opening. She knew opinions differed greatly. With her enhanced body as well as resistances, she doubted anything but a super lethal poison would even make her react in any way.

“I’m sure you’ll find either of that, legally or not.” She added, “Not like the guard could stop you.”

“Always thought the same… until you have damn near a whole army waiting outside your gambling den.” He shook his head, “What a night.” He glanced at her and laughed, “I’d tell you but honestly, most of it is rather foggy.”

What a night indeed. She thought. “Still escaped with your life.”

“That I did. Hey you talked about training outside? Should we wait for the night?”

Ilea looked up and nodded, “Sure. I’ll try my armor again.”

“Fine with me, other than the near death experiences I had, there was little opportunity to get the thousand year rust away.” He said, cracking his neck as he piled a bunch of bones and corpses. “You take the ring of holding.”

She nodded, putting the empty ring into her necklace. Probably a good idea, with all those gambling stories.

The armaments of trials appeared and Ilea resumed her training.

Hours passed, her sphere slowly inching along the enchanted steel darkness as her healing mana pushed into the metal. Single veins of her mana were recognizable now, snaking their way through the openings. All of it was deliberately forged, Ilea was sure of it. When for the first time, she had seen a single vein of her Sentinel Reconstruction, she knew how valuable Goliath’s gift was. This wasn’t a suit of armor to fight in, this was an instructor in the arcane.

When Maro knocked, she jumped and hit her head on the steel around her. Of course there was no damage to her, otherwise she might have perceived the attack coming. The massive thing vanished into her necklace, Ilea looking over at Maro, the two of them in the dark. “The moons are out, lady of the dark.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a vampire in secret.” She said, rolling her eyes.

“Vampire? Humor me, what exactly do you know of such creatures? I assume it’s from your own realm. Few here even know of their existence. I’m talking about Vampires, not Vampyrs, just to clarify.” Maro commented, walking towards the exit.

Ilea followed, spreading her wings to speed up, the man starting to float too. She noted that this time she saw the magic manifest in his body, purple lines flowing down his feet and back before he was propelled upwards. I was blind it seems…, She noted, answering his question, “Depends on who you ask. They were mythical creatures in our realm, often used in books and movies and generally seen as fictional. To my knowledge, magic wasn’t a thing and vampires weren’t real either.”

“They are cursed beings, hurt by the sun and prowling the night. They feed on the blood of humans and animals, bloodthirsty and powerful. Usually there was a sexual note connected to all of it but there the works differed greatly. Some full on romance and others going more into the beast like nature of them. What did they get right?” She was genuinely curious, having read some questionable stories herself, of both the gruesome kind as well as the romantic ones. She personally preferred those going both routes.

Maro opened the cathedral gates and moved through, “Well, the suns don’t hurt them. That much I can tell you. Also they’re powerful and while they use blood magic, I’ve never actually seen one of them feed on blood itself. Fresh and bloody meat, sure but drinking blood itself?” He explained, “Those that I faced weren’t Intelligent but I feared the day a Dark One would emerge. I suppose your romantic stories could apply then, even if it’d take a woman of your caliber. Same with elves really.”

“What do you mean a woman of my caliber?” She asked, feeling the tension rise in him thanks to her Sentinel Huntress skill.

He stared forward, the two emerging out of the mountain, to the sight of the moons and mists, “A… strong core. Hard skin and… mental resistance. Did I mention you look lovely today?”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “It’s weird how the fiction and myths in my realm were so close to the monsters and races common in Elos.”

“You believe it to be an illusion because of that?” He looked relieved at the change of topic.

“Wouldn’t you? There are none of those monsters on Earth.” She said, trusting him with the name too at this point. Maro had his quirks but he wasn’t a danger to her or anybody she knew, of that she was sure.

The two landed near a sea of mist, stretching out for hundreds of meters as it lightly reflected the star and moonlight. “I definitely would question it. Perhaps magic once existed? Then again, you came to this realm… who is to say a monster couldn’t accidentally fall into yours? A single one would be powerful enough to instill fear and create legends. Without a mate and without powerful beings to fight and level, it would die at some point. Either to injuries or old age.”

“Every legend? Well I suppose there has to be some explanation as to why the monsters here are so similar. Might also be that I’ve been brought here because I’m more familiar with it than say something like the Soul Rippers. Whatever fucked up swamp or eldritch realm they were birthed out of.” She theorized. Maro grunted in response.

“So do you want to level our resistances more?” He asked.

Ashen armor formed around her, starting on the small dot on her back. Her wings spread and her limbs extended, Speaking of Eldritch. She smiled and pointed at the mist, “You, will be leveling your drain resistances. I, will try to kill them.”

Maro looked at the dancing miststalkers, “They vanish after you damage them for a while. I tried.”

“When did you try that?” Ilea asked but he just shrugged.

“You slept all night yesterday.”

“True. Well I’ll try to hold on to them. Might be it prevents their escape.” She suggested.

He nodded, “Yea, I’m not getting that close to them.”

Ilea walked towards the dancing figures, “Just let them drain you and don’t steal my kills, I’ll murder you.”

“I don’t believe you.” Maro replied, “Just let me know if you need help.”

“Sure, thanks.” Ilea said and walked to the shore. Now what should I try? Grab one of them and get it out, fly off with one or just tank it? She decided flying up as she grabbed on with her ash was the safest bet. If she could even grab the half corporeal beings. She saw the magic in her sphere pulse when she got closer to the lake, the mists themselves forming tendrils of power.

The first dancing miststalkers noticed her a moment later, slowly meandering towards her as they spun their scythe like arms around and around. Ilea felt like there was some eerie music missing.

[Miststalker - ??]

Just two question marks. Should be manageable. When she had tried last, the numbers were already more the problem than their individual strength but now she had her evolutions. Levels aren’t everything. She reminded herself and wrapped her ashen limbs around the creature, finding purchase as she smiled and flew up. The monster was pulled up with her, Ilea feeling her health and mana slowly drain, the latter actually regenerating more quickly than the creature could steal it.

When the monster had left connection to the mists, it started evaporating immediately, as if it was cotton candy put into water. Ilea blinked her eyes and the creature was gone, as if it had never existed. Unexpectedly, she neither got a kill notification. Alright, this is going to be a little more interesting than fishing in shallow waters.

Chapter 330 Weather

Chapter 330 Weather

Just to be sure it wasn’t an altitude issue, Ilea found the same results when she dragged the Miststalkers out of the lake. Guess there’s only one way then. She hovered over the mists and found herself a single monster, dancing aimlessly through the white ethereal lake. Ilea spread her wings wide, her sixteen ashen limbs aiming forward, her buffs at the max, health sacrificed as her body started glowing blue and fiery red under her ashen armor.

Aight, let’s go. She rushed down, the miststalker barely turning her way before she impacted it, her limbs moving around its scythe like arms, its torso and head, the white eyes staring back at her. Destructive healing mana started flowing into it immediately. She found the monster peculiar, its body lit up in her sphere as if it was made of magic itself. Training with the armaments of trials really made a difference, hmm?

She felt the monster try to disperse, the wisps of mana flowing away but whipping back as if her ashen limbs were magnetic. She added Destruction and Storm of Cinders to the mix, heating up her core in the meantime. The damage stacked up, each hit sending more mana into the miststalker. A ding resounded in her mind when a group of monsters came into her sphere, the health and mana drain increasing drastically. Still, she wasn’t overwhelmed, getting up as she watched the mana disperse back into the mists.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 421] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

A blink brought her to the closest monster, repeating her attack pattern, finding its arms rather weak against her ashen limbs. The mist like protrusions tried to push through but her armor refused. Second tier mist resistance? It had to be. She felt the scythe like arms try to dig into her from the other miststalkers having closed in. A ding resounded and she flew up, blinking as soon as none of them touched her anymore.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 408] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Seems they’re at four hundred and higher. Much higher numbers of them than anything else in that range. The Blue Reapers were a little lower still in level and at this point much more dangerous with their mind and lightning magic. Penumra is an option too but fleeing from these fuckers is so fucking easy. After two kills there was no level up message. Either the kingsguard somehow were categorized as more difficult fights or the four to five hundred difference really meant something.

Her Heart of Cinder started to damage her, Ilea checking her health and mana as she watched the group of seven miststalkers dance below her, trying to reach the flying food with their scythes. Her mana was down by less than a thousand, most of it due to their drain magic. A smirk formed on her face before she blinked down, the sphere of cinders, heat and fire washing over the creatures, her ashen limbs moving in right after, wrapping themselves around the injured monsters.

Ilea pulled them closer, pushing her destructive manainto them as she punched the closest target and adding her mana intrusion abilities to the mix. One after the other, they fell. It looked like more miststalkers formed in the area around her, by now over thirty of them draining her health and mana. She could finish five of them before her Heart of Cinder exploded once more, Ilea blinking up and spreading her wings in the moonlight.

The creatures moved below her, fanning out as she hovered there, too high for them to take note, now that she wasn’t damaging them anymore.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 430] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 411] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

This is easy. She smiled, breathing in the cold winter air. Ilea was tired of the sick and vicious fights in the past days, this rather serene grinding method was perfect. She deemed it more efficient to fly around and target single or doubles of the creatures before going up again. The combined drain of ten or more stalkers was still bothersome, even if it only meant her need to go up and wait for her mana to regenerate. After another ten minutes of hunting, she flew back to Maro.

The necromancer was meditating around twenty meters away from the lake. Rocks crunched under her ashen boots when she landed, “I can actually kill them.”

One eye opened, glancing her way, “That drain is no joke, Ilea. I’ll level it but it’s so bloody uncomfortable.”

“Need a heal?” She asked but he waved her off.

“I would but I think it’d be better to let my natural regeneration do its job. I’ve been trying to get a self heal or health steal skill for ages but I think I just didn’t commit enough.” He sighed, “Patience is what I need. Now I finally have time for that.”

She nodded, “Sounds like a plan. Let’s go back inside once the suns come up. I’ll treat you to breakfast.” His spirits seemed to rise at that, a smile on his lips as he closed his eye again.

The hours passed, Ilea’s hunting speed increasing as she learned about the creatures, how much they could actually take, how they formed and moved. How long it too for them to notice her in different scenarios. She found that the creatures appeared continuously, no matter how many she killed. It was as if they were a part of the environment, sprouting out of the lake with their single want for life and mana. The songs they occasionally sang were serene and now that her Veteran skill was high enough, she actually enjoyed them. No Famine Crows interrupted her that night.

All her drain resistance training paid off now, making her capable of staying long enough to beat them. When she saw the suns rise over the horizon, she moved her wings, quickly flying over the dispersing mist and landing near Maro, the man now reading more of his records while his health regeneration worked.

“We should move back. The storms are coming.” She said, the man nodding as he stood up, storing his book before he yawned and stretched.

“You don’t want to train in them?” He asked.

She considered, tapping her armored cheek with a finger, “Might actually do that.”

Maro laughed, “Well it’s your time. I’ll be reading in the cathedral. Breakfast canceled then?”

“Oh, I already forgot about that. Sure.” She gave him a thumbs up, the two flying back quickly to avoid the forming clouds with their arcane lightning as well as the higher moving freezing winds. Ilea wondered why it didn’t snow in the normal altitudes, only some of the highest mountains around covered in white.

A couple of Keyla’s meals were shared and devoured, Maro rather tired after not sleeping the past nights. “Thought you’d have some undead quality about you.” Ilea chuckled, finishing the bowl of soup, creamy pumpkin with a bunch of herbs and a spicy note synergizing surprisingly well with the sweet aroma of the pumpkin.

“Ilea, I barely notice lack of sleep for a week, can stay functional for two. You’re telling me that isn’t insane?” He asked.

“Not bad. I think I’m similar but I haven’t really tested it. Sleep is one of my favorite past times.”

“Yea, it’s great. I plan to buy a nice bed once I’m in one of your cities.”

“None available in your palace?” She asked but he shook his head.

“None that I want to see again.” He smiled bitterly but she could tell it didn’t bother him much. “Thanks for the food. This cook… is the restaurant for sale?”

Ilea smirked and stood up, stretching as her ashen armor formed on top of her clothes, “It’s my most prized possession Maro, I wouldn’t sell if for one million gold.”

The man laughed but remained in his chair, “I think I can get behind your investment strategy. I hope Rhyvor’s riches go to similar endeavors.”

“Of course they will.” Ilea said, “I thought about vine yards too. Perhaps you can help me find a good city down south.”

“I would… but other than drinking the wines I know criminally little about the craft.” He replied, Ilea shrugging.

“We’ll find someone, I’m sure.” Ilea replied before she ascended towards the exit.

“Be careful, will you?” Maro said as he opened his book, yawning once more as he started to read.

It’s the weather… can’t be that bad.

It was that bad. And worse. Even with predicting the lightning and blinks, sometimes the strikes came quickly after one another, moving past close by and burning through her armor and skin below. Ten minutes, she survived in the storm when one blink brought her right below a forming thread of purple light. Time slowed down but it was too late, all she could do was will her wings to her front, her arms crossed to shield herself as well as a meager wall of ash that came to life instantly.

All of it was washed away when the pure arcane energy flowed through her, sending Ilea to the stone ground, burning up damn near everything that made up her body. The energy continued moving through her as she twitched, her blood evaporated and her organs destroyed. Her instincts kicked in and the remaining hundreds of health were replaced by a full health pool, a chunk of mana sacrificed to bring her back. Armor quickly reformed and wings spread, another bolt of lightning slamming down a dozen meters away, the shock wave washing over her a she skidded for a couple meters.

I’ll punch you to death, storm! She thought, raising her fist to the cloud above. The time her increased perception gave her to form her defenses had been crucial, making her tuck in her tail and rush back to Tremor to wait out the hour it took to be available again. I said I wouldn’t train in them yet… and here I am. She couldn’t help but smile nonetheless. Surviving a direct hit from the northern lightning storms was likely not something many could claim as an achievement. Didn’t expect them to hit that hard after the near hits only burned through a bit of skin.

It was a possibility too that the separate strikes of lightning or even the clouds varied in power. What was certain, was that it was efficient training. She checked the messages from last night as well as the storm training from the past half hour.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 418] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 402] – For defeating an enemy ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 306 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 307 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 305 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 306 – Five stat points awarded’

Bullshit, for how many of those fucker I’ve killed. She rolled her eyes but in the end, it was a viable way to level her classes past three hundred and there were unlimited enemies here to fight. All she had to do was invest the time. With the Feynor attack as well as all the gold and information she had, Ilea still felt like staying for much longer would be a horrible idea. At least a visit to bring herself as well as her friends up to date was in order.

Let alone Maro, the guy really needs some distance from his old capital.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

Three of the levels to her Arcane Resistance came from the last and direct hit. Maybe I should just let it hit me like ten times. She thought while activating her Heart of Cinder. Meditation, Health and Mana Drain Resistances… all at second level twenty, maybe if I get five or ten to that level something will happen? She still had no further information on third tier general skills but there had to be a way. She couldn’t believe it would still not be possible at level three hundred.

“Sure you don’t know anything about third tier general skills?” She asked Maro again, the necromancer glancing up from his book.

“You’re reaching critical heat levels… did you forget to turn off a skill?”

“It’s intentional. Damaging myself to level my Heat Resistance.”

“Interesting. Well if anybody is on the way to discover more about those skills, it’s you. I doubt many have put in just as much time and effort into leveling resistances. Other than that it’s difficult to even get together more than five general skills.” Maro said, “Need help with your Death Magic Resistance?”

She nodded, “Decay me Maro.”

“Don’t give me ideas.” The man said, casually sending a beam of purple energy into her as he flipped the page with his free hand.

When her health reached half, despite her counter healing the damage, she motioned him to stop and flew up. The blast rushed out into the air, setting the very air on fire. Can I stop it even? She activated Heart of Cinder again but found herself unable to cancel it. The heat that was stored was released. It extended out from her ashen armor but she found that forming ash not connected to herself right outside her armor, the impact was lessened a little. Of course it would do little to a more charged use of the spell but at least she knew as much now.

Maro was happy to support her in her training for a couple hours before he excused himself to catch some sleep. Ilea continued with her storm training after putting her twenty stat points into Vitality. Another activation of her second tier Azarinth Perception forced her to go back and train with her armaments of trials for the remaining two hours of the day.

The necromancer was back up again when night came and her miststalker grinding continued, the two falling into a routine quickly, occasionally stopping to have some food and talk.

“Well, that’s when I intervened. Sixteen dead in a tournament was just excessive, even with no restrictions to classes. It was a mess, trust me.” Maro surmised. A week had passed and he had opened up more and more, telling stories not just of his adventuring time before becoming king but also about Rhyvor itself, where he thought he failed and where he thought he didn’t.

The main thing she learned was that she definitely didn’t want to be king or queen of anything, the less important one was that Maro might have gone overboard a little, sometimes. He told her several times that he had mellowed out in the last decade of his life, due to more serious dangers popping up around Rhyvor as well as friends losing their lives in the process. The responsibility that had been ignored most of his reign came crashing down when Elana couldn’t handle all of it one her own anymore. Not that she would have ever admitted such a thing. It was Captain Reyker, Ilea learned, who sought out Maro and made him finally listen and see. That in part, had been why it was important to Maro to put the man to his final rest.

“You stopped having the tournament then? Seems like a bunch of people would have been mad at that.” She said, drinking from her mug of ale. The two had remodeled part of the cathedral, adding chairs and tables from inside the palace. Ilea also thought it funny to bring the thrones but neither of them really used them.

Maro chewed on the jerky that had been in the captain’s ring and pointed at her, “You’d think that, right?” He gulped, “Wrong. The next year it was the most popular tournament in the whole region. Penalties for killings were raised which reduced the number of dead to only five. Anything like that in the south?”

Ilea chuckled, “I know Riverwatch had a tournament but that was every ten years as far as I remember. Participants were comparatively low in level too so it’s not as interesting as what you talk about.” She thought on it, “The Hand has one too but last year it was interrupted by the demon summoning.”

He leaned forward and smiled, “Well, lower levels don’t necessarily make it less interesting. Nothing funnier than a tank blown into the barriers by a mage who focused only on attack power. Hard to even comprehend what’s happening in a two hundred plus fight for most people.” He explained, “Why the most popular tournaments are one fifty and below categories. The one in Tremor was special… the high level problem offset by the lack of rules.”

“I can see that.” Ilea said. It would certainly be interesting to watch something like that but perhaps the penalty for murder would have to be raised even more. She knew herself that to kill someone above two hundred, intent was needed. Well now with my evolutions, that might not be true anymore.

Chapter 331 A relaxing Vacation

A note from Rhaegar

I hope you had a good start into your week. Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 331 A relaxing Vacation

Maro had cleaned out the whole of the royal’s quarters, constantly whining about all the records he still had to go through. Ilea could see how Elana was the chosen ruler, the king mostly the face and fist of the kingdom. Some of his stories would have been hard to believe had he not been a level three hundred necromancer from a magical world. Her own even more ridiculous adventures certainly helped too. Adding whole groups of adventurers as well as armies and hordes of undead made it sound quite a bit more chaotic though.

“Do you want to go to Goliath soon? It’s been a week I think.” Maro commented that morning, the two sharing a meal while a small fire burned in the cathedral. Tax records that he had skimmed through, good bonfire material apparently.

“I suppose.” Ilea said, looking through all her gains from the past week.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 420] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Miststalker – lvl 428] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 308 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 309 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 310 – Five stat points awarded – Third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 311 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 307 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 308 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 309 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 310 – Five stat points awarded – Third tier skills point awarded’

The time she needed to reach 311 in Azarinth Sentinel was much longer than the one before, making her a little suspicious about the Miststalker grinding method. She would continue for a while of course but it didn’t seem like a viable option to push past their own levels. Not without a million years of fighting.

Still, compared to the Kingsguard, it was a cakewalk and only possible thanks to her insane defenses and recovery. Especially her health and mana drain resistances really did work. Maro had tried to kill some of them too after a couple days but he had to retreat every time.

The forty points were distributed into Vitality, Wisdom and Intelligence. Twenty into Wisdom and ten into each of the other stats. She looked through the other skill levels before deciding on new third tier abilities.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

...

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

Ilea knew the levels would slow down more and more as she got used to the Miststalkers, her own levels closing in ever so slightly. With the ease of hunting them it nevertheless felt a little like a vacation. Just focusing on training without much danger. The storm training was the most exciting part of her days but with her perception and instant recovery, even the dicey moments were manageable. There weren’t as many as she had expected, the first day remaining the most dangerous throughout the week.

Every point in Wisdom made her mana pool bigger, her recovery a tiny bit higher. Every point in Vitality made the lightning just a little less effective. Every point in Intelligence made her enemies fall just a tiny bit faster. The same was even more true for every skill level of both her class skills as well as her Resistances.

Now, let’s see if we get anything good. She mused, sitting on the beautiful table on her luxurious chair, neither fitting into the dilapidated cathedral of Tremor.

‘3rd tier skill points available [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Azarinth Sentinel]:’

- Sentinel Sphere

- Sentinel Core

- Azarinth Perception

3rd tier skill points available [Kin of Ash]: 1

Skills available for third tier advancement in [Kin of Ash]:

- Avatar of Ash

- Heart of Cinder

- Eyes of Ash

More available than last time. She leaned back, thinking about her Azarinth skills. Her Sphere and Perception were still more passive bonuses. While they were incredibly important to her survival, she just couldn’t see them adding anything major to her arsenal. Sentinel Core however, the change it got on its 300 evolution was massive. I think that one is clear for me. She selected Sentinel Core, the corners of her mouth moving out to a massive grin as she read through the notification.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 1:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced greatly. Your body is 40.5% [364.5%] more durable. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural Health regeneration is improved by 120.5% [1084.5%].

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 25% [225%] and your bones are three times as heavy and dense.

3rd stage: Your body was battered and forged by magic. You absorb mana from enemy spells that hit you. Efficiency is determined by enemy mana used and your resistance to the type of magic. Mana cost for all skills reduced by a static 25%.

Category: Healing – Body Enhancement

“Twenty five percent… oh god.” She murmured.

Maro looked up from his pile of documents, “What did you get? Oh you reached my level. Congratulations. Third tier skill?”

“Hit me with some magic.” She said, the purple beam slamming into her face as it slowly, ever so slightly decayed her skin. She counter healed the damage and watched her mana, forming ash around her as well as charging up her Absolute Destruction. That’s insane. She grinned and motioned for him to stop, her skin reforming immediately.

“I feel like my magic does less to you by the day. We’re at the same level, it shouldn’t be so different.” He commented.

Ilea grinned, “I’m just amazing, what can I say.” She huffed, “Helps that I have a ton of defensive skills and healing.”

“I have a ton of defensive skills too and I’m easily sixty years older than you, maybe even a hundred. The healing breaks it though and I think your damage has closed in on mine as well.” He murmured.

And you have twenty times my range and a horde of zombies that follow your every command. “Is the kid annoyed that he’s not the biggest and strongest on the playground anymore?” She made a crying motion with her hands, another beam of purple slamming into her face, this time at a much higher intensity.

She just counter healed, finding her mana not dropping at all. “Yes, good. Let the anger flow through you, Maro. Give me your mana.”

He stopped immediately, “No you didn’t… really? You got a mana absorption skill?”

“I did.” She replied, his spell ending immediately.

He murmured something about life being unfair and taking unreasonable risks, all of it sounding more uncertain than he probably would have liked. “You can join me in my storm training if you want to.” She suggested with faked coyness.

He laughed, “Fuck off. Here, take some more.” He smiled and sent more Death magic her way, Ilea thinking on her second third tier advancement as she counter healed.

Wait, with twenty five percent reduction… I can heal myself constantly now, without losing mana. As long as meditation is up at least. The reduction was nice. She tested her Absolute Destruction on an ashen clone of herself she quickly formed, finding that even if she willed one hundred mana into the skill, only seventy five were used. The power remained the same. Neat. While it was a big reduction, she was pretty sure the mana absorption part was much more game changing. If she trained against a monster long enough, she would inevitably get a resistance and level it in the process.

More mana meant more healing as well as more uses of her attacks before she had to retreat or slow down to regenerate. It all stacked too, the reduced cost, the mana she got back as well as her Reversed Destruction that gave back a chunk of mana too with each hit. The time she could fight at her full power just increased by much more than just a fourth. It depended on enemies too of course but she assumed against the Miststalkers, she could basically go non stop now. If she continued her approach of hunting singles or pairs.

Avatar, Eyes or Heart. Avatar has an amazing second tier… but the aoe. She couldn’t stop her curiosity, on the edge of choosing Heart of Cinder already. Ilea was interested in both of them, summoning a coin that immediately decayed and turned to ash by the beam of death magic. “Hey stop for a second.” She said, the necromancer cracking his wrist after he had stopped the attack.

Another coin was summoned and she spun it upwards. She watched it turn and turn, knowing the result before it even landed in her hand. Damn perception skills. The spin made her realize her curiosity had decided already anyway.

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 1

Increase the heat in your body and release it in a blast around you.

2nd stage: The embers run deep. The heat you may reach is only limited by your very life.

3rd stage: Focus on release to change the blast into a cone of destruction sent out of either arm.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

Ilea immediately started to store heat, holding her hand out towards Maro. He noticed, his documents vanishing before she focused and released. An uncontrolled beam of heat, fire and pure energy extended from her arm, burning through parts of the table before it slammed into the necromancer, unconcerned as the heat singed his hair and skin. The wall behind him exploded outwards, the integrity of the cathedral less given by the day.

“Not as impressive as mana absorption.” He commented, “Still, your second class is higher than mine then. You officially passed my levels.” He added with a smile and mock bowed in his chair, the tops of the steel rest melted and glowing.

“Maybe not, if this has decent range it might be my most powerful spell at a distance.” Ilea said and smiled. She concentrated and scratched her cheek before the man spoke up.

“No, please let’s not stay here for another month. I’m sick of these documents and my drain resistances couldn’t level any less quickly.” He pleaded with her and she laughed in turn.

Of course she agreed, for different reasons. There would be ample time again for leveling. She would suck the Miststalkers dry, until it’d take a month to gain a single level. Her grin sent him the wrong message it seemed, his charisma working hard to convince her. “We’ll leave, let me just get my stuff together. You’re ready to go?”

She stood up as he sighed in relief, “Oh gods, finally. Yea I’m ready.”

“What do you mean finally? You know you’re free to fuck off anytime.” She reminded him, eyebrows raised as she checked her items. Four storage items already. Who could I give one to? She eyed her Armaments of Trials in her necklace, the training in the armor progressing but less quickly as it did in the first couple hours. Her sphere could spot farther with every session, glimpses of the enchantments lining the inner workings of the training gear.

“And what? Look for places to go myself? I don’t have maps and without someone influential, do you really think a necromancer is let into any major city?” He asked seriously.

“Fair enough.” Ilea said, her armor of ash forming around her as she spread her wings. She rushed to her apartment and to the cellar, collecting all the destroyed armors that were still made of Stonehammer steel. Putting it all into a crate, she stored it in her bracelet, the thing not having gotten in the way during her hunts. Of course the chance of her losing her arm was higher than her head, that’s why she’d keep the things less dear to her in there.

The bed had already been stored and other than that there was nothing left in her noble mansion. Should be back within a couple weeks anyway. She thought but shook her head. Likely she’d get caught up in one thing or the other again. When she joined back with Maro, she nodded his way, “Ready to go.”

“Same.” He replied, starting to float before they left. The suns were shining down on them, arcane storms raging over the land and forcing them to stay and move withing the crevices. Ilea was confident to move through them by now but the necromancer obviously didn’t share those capabilities. She didn’t mind, the slower pace with the Miststalkers and now the traveling a nice change of pace. Sitting on a wagon while reading sounds even nicer. She mused, I wonder what Roland is up to, if he’s alive. Back when the western cities were standing and the war hadn’t broken out. She knew of course that the world hadn’t been a better place, that the areas she had been in simply hadn’t been swept up by the fuckery of elf and man. Not as much at least.

The two ignored the beasts on the way, most of them steering clear of the two powerful mages anyway. Two Burrow Dragoons followed them for a little while, not quite able to keep up. Ilea wondered what had driven them, their instincts surely informing them about the difference in power.

Entering the Taleen Dungeon, the two rushed to the production facility and jumped down, landing in the first and uppermost layer. Goliath was found quickly, in the same area as he had been last time. Steam was rising as he worked with Terok nearby, stacks of ingots, pieces of gear as well as enchantments lighting up the machines had been added to the scene. “You return.” The smith said, turning with golden sparkling eyes, “Stronger yet again.”

How did he know? She asked herself. Maybe his identify skill is so high thanks to being thousands of years old? She didn’t know and neither cared enough to ask, his answer likely to be convoluted anyway.

Terok waved but didn’t speak up, breathing hard under his armor as he lugged around massive chunks of machines. He did seem to have developed a substantial resistance to Goliath’s presence. Either that or he sought out Neiphato constantly. “Elves are out hunting.” He said, finally letting go of the massive piece of metal.

“You don’t join them?” Ilea asked, looking around before her eyes fell on something that stood out a lot. A smile bloomed on her face as she took in the set of bone armor sitting on a stand, each piece vigorous and sleek.

Terok followed her gaze and nodded, “Came out pretty well. Seviir put all he had into it,for you. Not that he would ever admit it.” He walked over, Goliath and the others joining, “I only hunt with them every other time, until my new armor is done at least.”

Still two more levels for him. She smiled. The dwarf hadn’t progressed much for decades and now he was already closing in on the mid two hundreds. Hunting in a team of course slowed the whole process down by a lot but it was safer too.

“The armor… has retained its bonus of timelessness. Truly, a marvelous set. The young elf has suggested some additions that I thought appropriate.” Goliath said as he gestured her closer. It looked similar to the armors made from her mold but the horns were a little longer, the eyes a little more vicious. A symbol had been carved into the right cheek, beautifully flowing as if someone had combined runework with calligraphy. “He insisted on the mark, yet has not offered an explanation as to what it means or does. The structural integrity of the helmet is not compromised, in the very least.” Goliath said apologetically.

Terok coughed, “I asked Neiphato earlier. He told me it means what he had called you earlier. Seemed proud of Seviir for putting in on, so I assume it’s flattering instead of the curse I had expected it to be.”

Ilea smiled, The little rascal. Like a teenager not capable to openly compliment someone. She couldn’t fault him really. With the oracles and their vicious culture there was no wonder they lacked social skills. The whole set was thinned down, not full plate anymore but thicker in the more important areas of her body. The helmet at least was closed completely.

“To hold the pieces in place, there are connections made of bone. The young elf and I agreed to form the set a little bit more loose to allow for clothing underneath. It was our understanding that humans do not prefer to expose a lot of their skin. There are buckles for added leather or metal straps should you wish for more stability.” Goliath explained.

Ilea thought it flattering that Goldie had thought of something like that, especially because he had been angry that she had slept with Hera. The addition was nice. While the exposed skin wasn’t ridiculous like in some fanart she had seen of popular fantasy characters online, she would certainly garner attention. Not that clothing below would diminish the literal specter of death look the armor would give her.

Chapter 332 The Uses of Gold

Chapter 332 The Uses of Gold

Ilea walked around the armor set made of the undying’s bones. It felt rough to the touch as she slid her hand over it. There were many more weak spots compared to her full plate gear but if it really was categorized as light, she had the full benefits of her ashen armor on top of whatever this could provide. Also some bad ass gear. She noted that the pieces on her thighs had rather big unarmored parts. Her knees were open as well as her armpits and the top of her elbows. There were shoulder parts but rather small.

Her neck was likely guarded better than before, the bone growing up from the closed chest and back piece to cover parts of her neck without impeding her head’s movement. It really looked like they tried as hard as they could to make the armor category light while still pretty much covering her whole body. “How do you know this is light?” She asked, identifying the set.

[Eternal Guardian Armor Helmet – Ancient Timeless Quality]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Torso – Ancient Timeless Quality]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Arms – Ancient Timeless Quality]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Legs – Ancient Timeless Quality]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Boots – Ancient Timeless Quality]

Wow… ancient as well?

“The parameters… should be met. Healer of Ash, I do suggest you test to confirm.” Goliath said.

He didn’t have to say that twice. Ilea stored the set and put it on over her brown pants and white shirt. It sat like a glove, the space they left enough to fit even a little more than her current outfit. Not quite fit for a pullover or thick pants but there was some wiggling room. The armor sat secured already, Ilea’s ashen limbs forming behind her new armor before each grabbed one of the brown leather straps, her whole concentration and skill needed to thread them through the buckles.

Her fist closed, hands not covered by the armor. The bracers stopped shy of her knuckles. “The quality of bone can interfere with mana intrusion.” Goliath supplied, “I thought it best to leave it open.”

“It should be best, yes.” Ilea said, “What does it even mean that it’s ancient? And how does the timeless part work?” She asked, striking her palm with a sharp ashen limb. Storing the armor, she repeated the attack and found the resistance of her skin the exact same, summoning the armor again immediately. It is considered light. She grinned at the result, her expression covered by the new helmet. It felt light too, though that was likely due to it simply being considerably thinner than her previous Rose Hunter or Ashen Hunter sets.

“The ancient attribute simply describes the quality. It is a combination of the material as well as the craftsmanship used in its creation. The timeless quality uses ambient mana to repair structural damages.”

Ilea held up her arm and slammed her ashen limbs into the bone. It took a couple hits before she managed to damage it, making it already stronger than her Stonehammer steel armor. She watched closely as the chip recovered, growing anew with surprising speed. Not even comparable to her ashen armor of course but it did recover. “Fascinating…,” She said and repeated her strikes, this time trying to add healing mana into the mix. Sadly, the armor didn’t regenerate any more quickly.

“The quality is outstanding it seems.” Goliath commented as he moved closer to see the speed of the armor rebuilding itself.

Ilea nodded, “Seems as much. What happens when it’s damaged more heavily?” She looked at the smith, his eyes sparkling.

“If any of it remains… it should regenerate. You will have to find new materials if it breaks.”

“I’ll try to avoid that.” She said, Terok snorting from the side. “Speaking of materials.” She added and gave him a look, dumping her broken and dented Rose Hunter armor to the floor. “Can you at some point just melt that down and make ingots?”

Goliath looked bored but he agreed nonetheless, “Of course, whatever you request.”

“I tried out your Armaments of Trials by the way. Currently working on the perception part but it’s certainly a good teacher.” She said, smiling at the smith.

“Oh? I suspected you would find such endeavors lacking in excitement. I do hope it will serve you well, my dear ashen huntress.” He bowed lightly.

“Thank you for the bone armor as well of course, we’ll see if it survives until I find a better material.” Ilea smiled, “I hope some of the metals Terok brought will be interesting to work with.”

“They are.” He said, turning to the dwarf, “I will use them liberally if that is agreeable for the two of you.”

She nodded and smiled, “Of course Goliath. I hope you have fun with them, as well as this facility. You’re at least busy it seems.” She looked around at the reforged machines, the ingots as well as a sighing Terok.

The smith grabbed a hammer and turned to one of the forges, “There is much yet to discover. Truly, you have brought joy to my work once more. To forge… here, in a new place after centuries. It makes me feel, younger.” He made an ethereal giggling noise, the sound coming from around them. Ilea noticed the magic in the air, a smile tugging on the corners of her mouth.

“I would like to ask, for you to bring peculiar materials to me. My services are yours in exchange. Anything that you may find out of the ordinary.” An offer, not like the deal he had suggested on their first meeting. This, Ilea felt, was much broader.

“Of course Goliath.” She agreed.

“Healer of Ash, I wish you good fortune on your journey. May you return uninjured.” He said and bowed to her, eyes sparkling in golden light.

“I’ll be injured many times, master of flame.” She replied, “Have fun you two. Greet the others for me Terok, a big thanks to Niivalyr for the translation.” She added, looking at them in turn. Maro crossed his arms and nodded to each as well, the two of them on their way again.

Ilea looked at her arms, the new armor visible before her ash spread on top of it. An additional layer that even regenerated. Maro sighed, shaking his head as they flew out of the facility. She gave him a questioning glance, “Now I have an even harder time injuring you.”

“Would you have liked something too?” She asked after chuckling.

“From the smith? No. My gear is pretty good and contrary to you, I don’t plan to get smacked around by ancient destructive monsters. If they reach me, I’m already doing something wrong.” He paused, the two landing and stepping into the elevator leading up. “I’d also like to not rely on your boundless generosity. If he works for me, it’s because I paid or convinced him to do so.”

“No shame in accepting help, or using a referral.” Ilea said.

“I was the king of Rhyvor, Ilea. I got what I wanted on the name alone. With time, it became hard to tell real friends from those seeking the king’s help, money, word or power. After all this time I’m nobody, free to do what I want.” He explained.

She disagreed somewhat, “You’re not nobody, Maro. You’re a level three hundred necromancer. Do you really think that’s not gonna change how people think about you?”

He laughed, “All they know is that I’m a necromancer with a level higher than theirs. Have you been a healer before? Because if not, you’re going to be surprised at how rudely you’ll be treated.”

“I’ve been a healer before, started out as one actually. Well, I guess we’ll see how we each do with the tags that we have. Even if this world seems to be in a perpetual state of stagnation, I’m sure some things have changed since you were around.” She replied and smirked. The Vultures were in hiding for a reason and she assumed it wasn’t just their wish for quiet. In part perhaps but at least Walter was at two hundred and definitely more experienced than the average.

“That is exactly what I’m interested in, Ilea. So we’re going south directly?” He asked.

“Hallowfort first, they mentioned a job as well. We’re going south, don’t worry. I also thought to invest some of the coin you so graciously provided.” She said, the man snorting in response.

“Stop it finally, it’s your gold. I’ll wait outside the town.” Maro replied.

“Sure, I’ll try to make it quick.”

The Hunter’s Den looked different this time. Weapons, armors, crates of supplies and working Dark Ones had replaced the previous assortment of junk. It was of course still there, Ilea saw as much with her sphere. The difference was efficient stacking and the simple addition of employees sorting through everything. Catelyn was nowhere to be found but Elana nodded to Ilea as soon as she saw her. She finished instructing one of the Dark Ones before joining her, nearly stumbling over a bloodied fish like corpse, “Fuck.” she murmured, “Ilea…,” She said and looked around, “He’s waiting outside. I see.” Her voice sounded sad but the smile on her face was understanding.

“The smart choice I suppose. You got your armor I see. It… fits, I think.” She smiled.

Ilea chuckled, “Elana, you don’t have to pretend to like my armor. Any more Feynor attacks?” She asked, looking around. Ilea noted that some of the Dark Ones wore weapons or even armor from the Tremor armory.

“None so far. We made an effort to trade information with the Dark Protector and his network. The attack really was just an elite group working on their own. They reported several incidents with them and thanked us for dealing with the group. I suppose that thanks is mostly for you and Maro.” Elana explained, “I appreciate the gear you supplied through Terok. Have you come to discuss your expectations for that gift?”

Ilea waved her off, crossing her arms, “It’s a gift. There are no expectations, other than you lot defending the town competently.” She said when a sudden fire formed on the big work table in the middle of the room.

“I knew I felt something.” Catelyn said as she turned to look at Ilea, her sharp teeth showing as she smiled. She lied down on her front paws with an annoyed look.

“Hi Catelyn.” Ilea said, “What’s with her?” She asked, the fox rolling her eyes.

“She’s not particularly enticed about some of the changes, especially in her den.” Elana said, “And you don’t have to worry about our defenses. The attack was a wake up call for everyone who didn’t realize yet that there is a war going on. Why have you come? If not to claim compensation. Did something happen to Maro?”

Ilea looked for a chair but found nothing, forming her own out of ash before she sat down and spoke, “He’s bored I think. That’s the only problem. No, I came because I thought to invest some gold into the town.”

“Rhyvor’s gold?” Elana asked but stopped her immediately, “I don’t mind. I was actually wondering what you would do with it. Where would you like to invest?”

“Whatever you think is best for the town’s development. Considering the war, I suppose training, gear and defensive facilities, enchantments and runes should be a priority.” Ilea said, “I’ll give you three percent of all profits for managing the investments.”

“That is rather generous. I shall see to it. The lack of new people in Hallowfort make it difficult for it to grow but there is still a lot some gold in the right place could change.” Elana said, “How much would you like to invest?”

Catelyn yawned, “You really want to give her your gold? I wouldn’t be so trusting.” The fox said.

Ilea looked at her, the fox already widening her eyes, “I’m investing it into the town and you two are responsible for it.”

“Of course I get involved as well.” Catelyn said and closed her eyes, “I will keep her in check.”

Elana rolled her eyes, “You know you can trust me. I wouldn’t be so stupid as to insult or antagonize such a valuable ally.”

“Valuable asset you mean?” Ilea asked, To think I’m considered a valuable ally, my person alone. Well I suppose that’s what being level three hundred does.

“I’m not that pragmatic, Ilea. Manipulative, yes but my usual methods don’t work with you, or anybody here for the matter. Dark Ones care little about fame and political power. Why waste my time when we can just be upfront about our desires?” A rhetorical question but Ilea was interested in her stance.

She glanced at the mist mage, “And what exactly are your desires? World conquest? The rebirth of Rhyvor? Revenge on those that toppled it? Should any of those still be alive.”

Elana smirked, “Would you believe me any of my answers?” She continued nonetheless, “Rhyvor is gone, the environment and its people, gone. Whatever I could rebuild would in no way replace what was lost. I thought I would die in those chambers, Ilea. Just as much as Maro did. We were prepared to die, for the kingdom and its people.” She paused and locked eyes with her, “Yet here we are. Working with Dark Ones in such a hostile land is certainly intriguing and a challenge I’d like to face. While you like to find stronger beings to smash your fists into, this is what I thrive in.”

“The fall of Rhyvor wasn’t orchestrated by a single group or mind, as much as such an answer would be satisfying in regards to potential revenge. Factors came together out of my control and our kingdom fell. If you find information on the people and what happened after we sealed ourselves into those chambers, I would be glad to hear it. I’m of course willing to offer you something in return.” Elana said.

So she would seek revenge but deems it unreasonable? “We found captain Reyker.” Ilea said, Elana’s brows lifting up, “He had become one of the undead. They went into the dungeon infested with Soul Rippers and found runes that suggest someone summoned them or ripped a hole through realms.”

“We burned the body.” She added.

Elana was silent for a moment, “Thank you.” She said ultimately, not going into anything else.

Ilea changed the subject back to the gold topic, feeling that Elana wasn’t exactly ready to talk about the man or the reveal about the Soul Rippers, “One thousand gold pieces.” Ilea replied to the earlier question. This seemed to get Elana out of her thoughtful state, the woman looking up and nodding.

“I’ll draft the contract immediately. Give me ten minutes.” She said and walked to the table, opening one of the drawers before she started writing quickly. “Three percent to the town, the council as replacing owners of the investments in case of death… is that alright?”

“I doubt anybody else would know what to do with them, here in Hallowfort. So sure.” Ilea said. She had considered Claire but being so far away and neither knowing the people nor the city would make it both impractical and unwise.

“We can rule as to how the money gets invested. I have to warn you though, Ilea. The returns won’t be good. Maybe money is lost even. I will add a line stating that you get political influence and a say in critical as well as mundane decisions due to the obvious lack of compelling returns. I know you’re not political but it should at least count for something. I’m not sure what else we could offer you.” Elana explained.

“That’s alright.” Ilea replied. Political influence wasn’t something she was currently interested in but it was worth something nonetheless. Elana finished drafting the contract and then went through every last line with Ilea and Catelyn, the fox approving it from the side of the council. It seemed simple, the intent clear with each line compared to the convoluted messes Ilea had to sign back on Earth, a team of lawyers necessary to understand what was going on.

She signed and put the gold into a chest Catelyn provided. One thousand coins exactly. “Great, giving us even more work…,” Catelyn complained.

“I didn’t take you to be that lazy.” Ilea commented but the fox just lied down again.

“I do what must be done but what I want to do doesn’t usually overlap with that.” She replied.

Ilea smiled, “Well at least you have some help now. I’ll be going south for a little while and was wondering… just preemptively, if you could consider an alliance, trade agreement or something of the like with a human organization. The Shadow’s Hand. They’re mercenaries and I believe both sides could profit heavily from cooperation.”

“You’re aware of the land between. Nothing stands against such an agreement except for the arcane storms and a plethora of monsters capable of challenging even me.” Catelyn said.

Ilea smiled and got up, “Good to know.”

Elana looked at her with piercing eyes before she spoke, “We have something of a situation in the Descent. I told you about work to be done last week.” Catelyn glanced at her but didn’t interfere, “The expedition is lost and something is changing in the dungeon. Currently it’s somewhat under control but I don’t think it will stay that way.”

The fox spoke up now, “Don’t over-dramatize it Elana, dungeons change sometimes. Just because some of the monsters crawl up to the first layer doesn’t mean it’s an emergency. The expedition however, I would at least like to investigate. Terok might be a better choice for such a job though.”

“Perhaps but I don’t want to ignore it either. I would just appreciate if you could check in again in a couple week’s time, Ilea. We will know more about it but the fact that the dungeon is right below the town I suppose you should at least know, now that your gold is here.” Elana added.

Ilea smiled, “I’ll check in when I’m done in the south. I have a stake here even without the gold, Elana.”

Chapter 333 The Way Back

Chapter 333 The Way Back

When she returned to the surface, Ilea found Maro near the Penumra dungeon entrance. His hand outstretched and shield gleaming in the sunlight, beams of purple energy fired into the dungeon time and time again. “Enjoying yourself?” She asked, walking up to him.

His gaze was focused on something down in the dungeon, another beam forming. “Very elusive creatures.” He surmised, a smirk on his face when he put away his helmet. “You’re done? Town still standing?”

“It is.” Ilea replied, her armor covering her face again before her wings spread, “I wanted to at least try and see.” She said and jumped down. When she reached a root around thirty meters into the dungeon, she started heating up her Heart of Cinder. The first Drop Saurians were already moving up the walls and nearby roots. The ranged monsters sent their thorns her way but this time they couldn’t even penetrate through her ashen armor.

When the first monster reached her, sixteen sharp ashen limbs greeted it, cutting deep into its flesh. Blood started leaking as it screeched at her, more of the beasts coming. Her limbs moved around her, cutting into the monsters. Their defenses were enough to at least prevent her from outright killing them with single blows but the wounds were severe. Many of them moved back again after their initial approach, Ilea’s Heart of Cinder flaring out as a group of seven were engulfed, their wounds coupled with the fire and heat too much to survive.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Drop Saurian – lvl 362] – For defeating an enemy fifty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Drop Saurian – lvl 391] – For defeating an enemy eighty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

Not quite as useful to hunt these than the Miststalkers. She noted, a little disappointed at their lack of resistance. When the blast had subsided, the nearby Drop Saurians seemed to avoid her even, some just staring at her from a distance while some injured ones outright fled. The ranged variants continued their fruitless assault, either lacking the sight or understanding of what had just happened. They just attack blindly. She caught one of the thorns and looked it over, her wings spreading again before she flew up, the nearby Saurians who hadn’t yet been injured were clawing at the air where she had just stood.

Maro looked at her after she appeared next to him, “What’s their level?” He asked.

“High three hundreds. Lower than the Miststalkers.” She replied. “Want to try leveling with them?”

He considered, “Maybe at another point in time. Do you plan to come back north again soon? I think I’d have you protect me before I go in there alone.”

“Catelyn and Elana talked about the Descent, something’s changing in the dungeon and the expedition that left before we got you out is missing, all contact lost. I’m open to check it out so yea, I think I’ll be back north again somewhat soon.” Ilea said.

“Bummer. Well at least these seem more manageable to me than those Miststalkers.” He said, “If I can fight them alone, I’m sure to gain more levels somewhat quickly.” He sounded a little unsure about it.

“I’ll be up here to heal you. There are miststalkers around here too so don’t worry. The Saurians have strong poison too by the way, just thought I’d mention it. They just can’t pierce my ashen armor.” She added.

“Great news.” Maro said, defeated. “Worth a try at least. So, southwards?”

Ilea nodded. “Seems like it.” Shegrinned, her helmet coming back on as well as the ashen armor on her head reforming, previously kept free to allow for proper communication. “Now, where’s south exactly?”

Maro looked at her for a whole three seconds before laughed, his helmet coming on too as he started to float, “You surprise me again, Ilea. Going to the frontier without even knowing about the suns and stars.”

She rolled her eyes, “Well, if it weren’t for you, I could just teleport back.”

“Third tier long range?” He asked, “Damn, maybe I should go for that too next time. Oh and apologies for the delay then, I’ll make sure to teach you about the stars at least! Just in case you need to know where you are at some point.” Maro seemed suddenly energized, the prospect of getting out of the desolate north to see the busy cities humans had built in his absence had quite the opposite effect on him than it had on Ilea.

She was happy to see her friends again and restock on food but in the end, she generally preferred the wild and undiscovered lands Elos had to offer. With Maro, Terok and the elves around, there had been no chance of her getting lonely either, the opposite really. At least the last week had been incredibly relaxing to her and she already looked forward to hunting more Miststalkers.

“Should we wait for nightfall?” Maro asked, looking at the storms.

“It’s quite a long journey, even with our speed.” She would have to slow down for him but didn’t mind much. “We can move along the crevices for now. It’s going to be a couple days.” She didn’t know how fast he was exactly but thought it was similar to her pre evolution flying, at least in long and straight lines. Somehow she was more agile than him in the air despite his lack of wings.

“Would you find back alone?” Maro asked, “To Hallowfort I mean.”

Ilea shrugged, “Eventually, yea. The landscape is pretty distinct, especially the area around the Taleen dungeon. Worst case, I go from there. Why do you ask? Planning to ditch me?” She tried to sound hurt.

He laughed, “You wish. I was just wondering, stars could help there too but you’ll figure it out once I’ve taught you.”

“It’s been on my list for a while.” She said.

“Not very complicated. There are only a couple important stars and alignments you’ll have to remember. With your stats in Intelligence, I think it will be a quick thing.”

“If only your charisma wasn’t so distracting.” She replied, the man smirking her way as they passed through open land before entering another crevice. “Intelligence helps me remember things?”

“Hard to say.” Maro replied, the two teleporting past a massive snake hissing their way. “Have you felt no change yourself?”

“Not particularly.” She replied. Then again she hadn’t exactly studied anything during her constant leveling.

The two flew through the day and then through the night. Maro explained the positions of the suns to her and what it meant, where they rose and set. At night he started with the stars, the sword and wheel as well as the light of the east, a star that was easily distinguishable. Ilea could already somewhat see where they were and the more constellations he pointed out, the more exact her estimations became. At least in her head. So far there was no reference point, neither in the south or north but as soon as she was somewhere she had been before, it would become clear.

All of it was written down into her notebook and when the suns rose again, she determined both started in the east and set in the west, just like it had been back on Earth. When second night of travel came to an end, the two could already see the distant Naraza mountain chain, rising higher than the nearby lands but Ilea was pretty sure they didn’t come close to even the altitudes of Hallowfort or Tremor. “Like a wall.” Maro said to her side, the two speeding towards the snowy mountains.

Looking back, Ilea found her assumption true, the mountainous territory growing higher and higher the way they had come from. Towards the south it sloped downward slightly before once again rising high with the Naraza chain. It took them another two hours of flight to reach the chain, the two landing at the very top as the suns started to rise. Behind them the mists started evaporating over the lands, the arcane storms of the north starting to form, the distant sound of cracking lightning faintly audible.

To the south, the Navali forest stretched as far as her eyes could see, to the west and south. The clear weather allowed her to even see the massive body of water she assumed to be the lake or ocean bordering on Karth. It had been visible from Dawntree but she didn’t inform herself on its nature. It was possible nobody really knew, considering the elven territory as well as big bodies of water and the monsters lurking below.

She felt a shiver move through her at the thought, Maro looking over as he built a small campfire with wood he had taken from his ring. “Scared of going back, or did you think of the Soul Rippers?” He chuckled, Ilea throwing him the fire rune sphere.

“No, I just thought about the monsters lurking under that lake, or ocean.” She pointed out, her bone armor replaced by casual clothes and her ashen armor receding to her back. The cold winter winds flowed through her hair, the woman turning as she moved two massive rocks with her ashen limbs, carefully putting them down near the fire. It was freezing up here, the very ground cracking as she walked over it in her bone boots, keeping that part of her armor on to not damage her shoes unnecessarily.

Snow covered most of the summit, the two having chosen one of the highest points around, a small plateau allowing for the fire and some rest. Two days of uninterrupted flying were quite a strain, at least it should have been. Ilea felt refreshed, taking a deep breath of the cold air. She sat down on the stone. Her hands stretched out towards the flames that started consuming the dry wood, the runed artifact truly marvelous. She chuckled, leaning forward to get closer to the heat. Neither of them were bothered by the cold. Ilea didn’t know about Maro exactly but she could walk through a blizzard unscathed, comfortably even. There had been plenty in the north after all. Even before her evolution it had been a non issue.

“What’s so funny?” Maro asked, the man standing towards the south, looking over the lands stretching before them. He turned and looked at her, his helmet gone too, a casual smile on his face.

Ilea watched the flames dance, persisting in the cool air and high altitude. She had no idea how high up they actually were, in meters that was. The air was thinner but it didn’t feel like it impacted her at all, either a side effect of her Vitality or perhaps some of her body enhancements. “I was just thinking back, collecting small sticks and building a tent, using newspapers to set the bits of wood aflame before bigger pieces could be added. And now I have a magic flamethrower ball.”

“Yea… that’s why you always have a fire mage with you, even early on. It’s not like they’re a rare breed.” Maro said and sat down too, crossing his arms as he breathed in deeply, his eyes closed.

“Not on Earth they are.” Ilea said, “Though I suppose there were easier ways to make a fire too.”

“It’s still quite hard to get my head around a world without magic. I suppose humans would find a way somehow, especially with a lack of monsters.” He glanced at her, “I told you I wouldn’t mention it, your secret is safe with me.”

“Honestly, at this point it hardly matters.” She replied, “Nobody seemed to really care about me being from another realm, I doubt anybody would show up now.”

“There will always be beings out of our imagination. If one is interested in realm travel, it could spell trouble. Being too guarded and paranoid is definitely the safer bet, just… so terribly boring.” He grinned.

“Exactly. Well if it doesn’t come up, it doesn’t come up.” She said, looking over the broad mountain top, the hills and rocks sloping down slightly on either side for hundreds of meters.

She summoned two meals and handed one to Maro, still around seventy of Keyla’s prepared meals remained. Most of them had been consumed in the last couple months, Ilea having focused mainly on her training in the first ten months or so in the north. The man took the bowl gratefully and thanked her. She pointed eastwards, the suns breaking over the horizon, their light shining onto the lower altitudes both north and southwards. Their spot on the summit was still untouched, as if the lands below were flooded by color, the waters not yet reaching this high.

“We will move along the mountains until we hit the ocean. The coastline will be easier to traverse than the plains.” She said, Less shit to get involved in. Maro seemed to understand too, the man looking past her as his smile waned.

“We’ve got company. An ice spirit of sorts.” He said, Ilea turning her head to look at the distant creature.

“Spirit of Winter.” She supplied, looking at the ethereal humanoid a hundred meters back. It was definitely watching them but she simply turned again and continued eating, unconcerned by the monster. “Last ones I killed were early three hundred.”

Maro continued eating too, still having an eye on the creature, “Good to know. I’ve never seen one actually but other spirits. Highly specialized… I wouldn’t be so casual about them but then again, you have a resistance against everything it seems.”

“Not yet.” She commented with a full mouth, the man laughing in turn.

“Do you need to sleep before we go?” He asked, the suns starting to reach over the mountain.

Ilea put the empty bowl into her necklace and stretched, “No. I slept four days ago or so. You?”

He shook his head and stood up, “I’m fine.”

“I’d like to stay a little longer, half an hour or so?” She asked. Maro nodded as he walked past her, helmet back on.

He casually closed in on the spirit, turning his head her way, “Gives me the creeps that one.”

She smiled, turning northwards while she enjoyed the warmth of the flames. A deep breath entered her lungs before she sighed.

The sound of battle died down a couple minutes later, Ilea enjoying her solitude until only embers remained. Standing up, her bone armor appeared on top of her clothes, ashen armor forming on top of that. Her wings spread and moved, a single long jump aided by them brought her to Maro. The man had frost all over him, standing over the remains of the winter spirit. The snow crunched as she walked toward him, a hand placed on his shoulder, “Oh no, Maro. You killed Christmas.”

“Gave me more trouble than the Feynor. Bloody ice.” He murmured, “If this is Christmas, I hate it.”

She started flying up and twirled around, “Come now, don’t be such a downer. I know you can’t wait to be around a million people again.”

His expression immediately lit up, helmet appearing before he flew up to her side, “Lead the way then, ashen warrior of the north.”

She chuckled and sped up, the two rushing over the mountain chain with incredibly speed. Any animal or monster turned their heads or whatever protrusion they used to see, hear or sense the humans flying over, none moved to intercept. It didn’t take long for them to reach the ocean, both slowing down as they descended to the shoreline. Ilea had a house overlooking the endless sea but it’s been nearly a year since she had last been there. With all her growth, all the power flowing through her, it still somehow managed to make her feel small.

With potential to grow. She thought. The feeling she had when looking out over the waves was one thing that was nearly identical to how it had felt on Earth. The monsters back then were likely much less terrifying but so was her own arsenal of deadly capabilities. Let’s be honest here, I would have just drowned. She steered the thoughts away and focused on the shoreline, her mind flashing back to her cruel trainer William. She had asked for it of course and other than his wish to train his ash magic resistance, there was little that would satisfy her. Even back then she could wipe the floor with the old man.

No, you’re not an advocate of beating the elderly, Ilea. She sped up along the land, Maro to her side, trying to keep up with her. As soon as the first settlements started to be visible, the two of them moved higher. Mages and archers would have a hard time at the distance, even someone like Navalis, the ranger in Sulivhaan’s team. Ilea wondered how she was doing, if she had passed her in levels or if the ranger had somehow managed to keep up. She doubted it but certainly wouldn’t be mad about a surprise.

Hours passed as they flew over the easternmost part of the human plains, Baralia, Asila, the empire of Lys. Ilea had a big grin on her face when they saw the southern mountains rising high over the empire’s lands. “Couple hours and we’re there.” She said to the man flying in silence next to her.

He simply nodded, the two mages picking up speed once again as they crossed the last stretch of their long journey. One she could have done within a single third tier blink, Maro the only reason she had traveled by flight. Now, as they landed on the mountain chain overlooking the clear and frozen lake near Ravenhall, she was happy to have used her wings. Her adventures in the north were far from over but it felt good, to see the distance, feel it. To understand how far she had come.

The suns shone onto the town, the three dark walls rising high, the streets busy in the distance. Wagons and groups of adventurers made their way to the north gate, “Ravenhall.”

Chapter 334 Priorities

Chapter 334 Priorities

The necromancer standing next to her had a mischievous look in his eyes and a big smile on his face. “Impressive defenses. Flying in without detection won’t be possible. Do you think we’ll have to teleport through the walls?”

Ilea looked at him with a frown, her armor of ash moving to her back. A cloak appeared on her, a dark green color. She handed a second one to Maro, covering her bone helmet partially with the hood. “I have a badge, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” Maro couldn’t get the cloak over his helmet, deciding to switch it out with another one that didn’t have antlers. The cloaks managed to obscure both their armors and helmets considerably.

The two walked down the mountain side, jumping parts that were too steep. The road seemed well walked, much of the snow trampled by the many merchants, adventurers and travelers making their way to and from Ravenhall. “Any idea how far winter is along?” She asked. He had taught her about astronomy, maybe he somehow knew a way to tell with the seasons as well. Ilea had lost track of the exact time she had spent in the north.

“How would I know. One of the suns is missing, I’d assume winters last much longer these days.” He said, his voice sounding excited as they neared the gate. A team of adventurers, bloodied and with dented armors and hung heads entered before them, the guards moving them through, one a Shadow Guard and the other an imperial one. The city gate was open, showing the square within. Ilea wasn’t quite sure what that meant in regards to the war.

“Fair enough.” She said to Maro, looking up at the new height of the walls. Extended again. Claire probably added a way to instantly close the gates anyway. The guards eyes them, glancing at each other with uncertainty on their faces. Ilea summoned her badge and held it up.

The shadow guard nodded but the imperial one looked at them for a while, “Can I see the badge?” He asked.

“Of course.” Ilea replied and threw the thing his way.

[Warrior – lvl 152]

[Warrior – lvl 81]

The imperial guard was considerably lower leveled. Still, they have a garrison in Ravenhall. Either that or the city guards were initially soldiers and just kept the gear and colors. “You’re fine. Is your necromancer friend also part of the Hand?”

Ilea was about to answer when Maro spoke up, bowing lightly, “I intend to join, Maro is the name.” He lifted his hood and made his helmet vanish. Ilea rolled her eyes at his smile and sparkling eyes. The urge to hit him was overcome with a burst of Meditation.

“S… sure.” The guard said and handed the badge back to Ilea, “You’re new in town then?” He asked Maro.

“Are necromancers even allowed in?” Ilea asked the shadow guard in a low voice, Maro laughing at something the guard had said before he started a story about some adventure that probably happened thousands of years ago.

“The empire mostly lets the cities decide. Half the nobles wouldn’t be allowed in most anywhere if they banned blood arts, death magic and such. Honest though… if he were below level eighty it would have been difficult.” The man chuckled.

“Are you coming?” She asked, interrupting the two. Maro had his arm around the man’s shoulder and was pointing somewhere to the horizon. She was sure the guard was already in love.

He turned his head and smiled her way, “You do your stuff. I’ll explore the city and have some fun, before joining the Hand. Do find me when you’re done.” He winked and continued his story.

Already lost him. She chuckled and shook her head, trusting him not to start a murder spree. Ilea entered the city, feeling the magic in the walls. Her sphere revealed plenty of enchantments, more clearly visible thanks to her Armaments training. The snow here was just sludge, smoke rising from many of the buildings. Children ran around as well as dogs and random animals she had never seen before. She stood there for a moment, a little overwhelmed by all the noises, crying babies or shouting merchants.

It seemed more busy than the Ravenhall she remembered from before the invasion. Maro appeared behind her, his hands coming down on her shoulders, “It’s beautiful.” He said, letting go as he stepped next to her, “Come on, can’t be that bad. You’ll be out and about again in no time.” He grinned and walked backwards into the crowd.

I’m going to reserve some restaurants just for me. Ilea mused, the thought calming her down. Smells of thirty different dishes, hundreds of people’s odors, blood, gear and magic mixed into an overwhelming cocktail that made her miss her previous Sphere and its ability to lessen her senses somewhat. Now it even added another layer. Fuck this. She blinked up before her wings spread, taking her over the city. Her bone armor went into her necklace before her wings vanished, Ilea diving down and landing with a slight bend in her knees in the street where the Golden Drake was located. The first and most important destination.

People steered clear of the maniac that had suddenly landed but there certainly wasn’t any novelty left, some even complaining about crazy mages as they went on with their daily business. She wasn’t identifiable as a member of the Hand in her brown pants and white shirt. A higher leveled healer that most people didn’t take too much notice of. Some higher leveled adventurers did a double take but nobody approached her as she strolled towards her most favorite establishment.

It was busy, people standing in line to get in, somecoming out again with dejected expressions. Business is going well it seems. She hadn’t expected anything different from Keyla. Ilea cut the line and was stopped inside, someone at the bar calling out to her.

“Ma’am, please wait in line to be seated.” The voice was firm but professional. An older gentleman, gray hair and a well kept mustache as well as finely made clothing that looked high class but not quite too much. A gray vest with a black shirt underneath. A golden Drake’s head was sewed onto the vest. He vanished and appeared two meters away from her.

[Mage – lvl 128]

Guess that’s needed to keep the raving masses in check. She smiled at the man, “That’s a nicely done Drake. The artist must have seen one in their lifetime.” She commented.

He raised his eyebrows before motioning to the exit, “Please ma’am, even if you have a reservation we have to insist that the queue be respected.”

She nodded with a smirk, “Didn’t know the English had invaded Elos already.” The man didn’t reply to the comment. Ilea wasn’t in a rush and walked back out, indulging for a little while in the British national sport. Some of the people gave her smug looks but most didn’t really care.

“Know your stand, healer.” A mage in fancy attire commented, his eyes full of disdain. The man next to him looked at her with an apologetic look before focusing forward again.

“Sir, excuse me.” Ilea said, the red haired man turning her way. A level one eighteen mage, quite rich going by the clothes alone as well as the way he held himself. Or he thinks he’s rich? In any case it couldn’t be a Ravenhall native, most of them were dead. “Excuse my ignorance, who exactly would you be?” Her smile was brilliant, eyes nearly closed.

He looked back and replied, “Villibald Grom, esteemed noble of the empire. You should know this is one of the best establishments in the city. With attirelike that, you won’t even be let in.” She could tell the man with him was getting distressed. Many of the other waiting people were at least slightly uncomfortable.

“And who might you be?” She asked, looking at the black haired man in similarly expensive clothes.

“That is Orias Herald, my esteemed friend. Now please leave us in peace, adventurer.” Villibald answered again, saying the last word as if it was something to be spit out.

Ilea ignored him and looked at the second man, his gaze facing downwards, “Orias then, do you also think that being a wealthy noble entitles you to be inconsiderate, disrespectful and an outright blight to human society?” She asked. Feeling the mana surge coming from the red haired man, she turned his way and spoke in a quiet tone, “If you raise your hand against me, I will rip off your arms.”

The smile on her face and casual nature and stance seemed to give him pause. Before he could reply, the other man reached out to him and made him stop, “Villibald. Come on, you don’t have to lower yourself to violence. She is taunting you.” He glanced at Ilea with a pleading look.

The red haired noble scuffed, ripping his arm free and turning around, “You’re lucky today.” He pointed at her.

“Same.” She replied, Orias calming down considerably. The whole ordeal brought them into the building, the two nobles speaking to the man handling the reservations. When they moved to the side, the red haired man stopped and watched Ilea with a smirk on his face. Orias sighed and apologized to the attendant that was about to seat them.

“Greetings, welcome to the Golden Drake. I apologize for my previous treatment ma’am, you must understand that rules apply to all.” He said, neither judging or belittling.

Ilea nodded, “Professional.” She said, “Are my clothes a problem? I was informed I wouldn’t be let in with what I’m wearing.”

The man chuckled, “Of course not, ma’am. As long as other guests aren’t disturbed by smell, monster remains or excessive nudity, there is no problem. Now, do you have a reservation or would you like to make one? I’m afraid we are booked out for the next two months.”

He had his pen hovering over the open book before him, “Can you check if there is anything under Lilith?” She asked, the man nearly ripping out the page he was holding. He looked up with wide eyes, “Keyla hired competent people it seems.”

He calmed down immediately and smiled, “There is indeed a reservation under the name. I was informed about certain characteristics. The only one I’m missing are ashen wings. Please excuse me, the owner is usually more well known.”

Two wings of ash formed behind her, crumbling again immediately after. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lilith. I apologize for the previous treatment. My name is Patrick Smith.” He said and bowed lightly. “Your reservation is for the whole restaurant, any time you would like. My position requires me to inform you that we do have guests here as well as active reservations. It would be beneficial for our reputation if they were to be seated. There is of course a table free for you.”

She smiled, the man appearing next to her and leading her towards the stairs. The two nobles had heard the conversation, their faces having lost color considerably. Ilea stopped next to the two, looking at Patrick, “May I ban someone from entering the establishment?”

He chuckled, “Of course ma’am. There is a growing blacklist, most issued by the cook.”

“I can see that. Well, add this gentleman, Villibald was it? To the list.”

Patrick nodded, “I’m afraid your reservation is no longer valid Mr. Grom. Please leave the restaurant.”

Orias took a step back when the red haired noble lifted his hand, heat forming at his palm and directed at Ilea. She had felt the attack coming, already in motion. Closing the distance, her wings formed and wrapped around the two, her hand grabbing his as his spell slammed into her face, the fire barely singing her eyebrows before the cracking of bones made him stop. Another, louder crack made him whimper. I was really going to rip off his arms but wow, seems like this guy has never experienced pain. He was crying and on the wooden floor, holding his broken arm when her wings moved back.

His screaming intensified, Ilea rolling her eyes as she grabbed on to him and dragged the man to the exit. “He attacked first, everyone saw that?” She asked, the people around her nodding before she tossed him out onto the street, the man tumbling a couple times. Moving back inside, Orias seemed conflicted as he glanced at her and outside, where the screaming fire mage could still be heard.

“Ehm… am I banned too?” He asked.

“No, though I do suggest finding better friends. Is he going to leave it at that or will I have to deal with his shit again?” Ilea asked. He scratched his neck awkwardly and she rolled her eyes, “Of course.”

Patrick spoke as the noble was led upstairs by another attendant, “Thank you for intervening, I usually take care of such matters myself.”

“No worries, do inform Keyla if these incidents increase. Work otherwise alright?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Of course, the Golden Drake is perhaps the most renown establishments in Ravenhall, up there with the Shadow’s Hand itself.” He said.

Ilea smiled, “Sounds good. Pay alright, working conditions, overtime?”

“All very well, Keyla takes good care of us all. A happy team is a productive team.” He smiled, glancing back at the waiting customers. Another attendant had taken over but she could tell he wasn’t perfectly fine with that.

“I’ll leave you to work then, mostly here to see Keyla anyway.” She said and he nodded.

“Thank you. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, lady Lilith.” He bowed. She smiled and vanished, appearing in the kitchen.

A knife immediately flew her way, Ilea catching it with a quick motion. “Teleporting thieves!” Keyla shouted, the other cooks in battle stances,pans and cleavers at the ready. She started laughing when she looked at Ilea, “It’s you! Continue cooking. Lilith.”

Ilea smiled, the fake name still stuck but with all the places she owned now, it might be beneficial. “Back from your travels?”

“I am, though probably not for long. Seems like you really made a name for yourself.” She said, Keyla handing her a dish and fork.

“Try this, new recipe.” She said, leading Ilea out and up the stairs, “It’s been wonderful. People stand in line now just to get a seat.”

“Are you sure the cooks are alright without you?” Ilea asked, Keyla leading her into a private room, a large table and an attendant ready. She motioned for Ilea to sit down.

“They should be. I’ve been too controlling to ever actually test it but I promised to myself that once you’re back I would do it.” Keyla replied, moving her tail through the small hole in the chair as she too sat down. “Kevin, right? I know it’s your fist day but this is lady Lilith, I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”

The young man opened his eyes wide and nodded, “She orders the whole menu. Make haste.” He immediately rushed out the room and closed the door behind himself quietly. Ilea felt the enchantments activate when the door closed.

“You know me so well, Keyla.” Ilea said and smiled, leaning back in her chair.

“So, how long have you been here? I assume you want to restock on food for your journey?” Keyla asked, her eyes gleaming with joy.

Ilea relaxed, closing her eyes and sighing. Finally, some space to breathe, “Just arrived actually, you’re the first person I meed. There’s no stress. I’m probably staying a week or so and I still have around seventy meals from you.” Seeing the expression on her face, Ilea quickly added, “They were all amazing, I just focused on training most of the time.”

“Good. We will work overtime to get as much done as we can. Don’t worry, I know what the team can take. They also get benefits and overtime pay as Claire had instructed. Unnecessary if you ask me but it’s your decision.” Keyla wrote down some things on a small notebook before she smiled at Ilea, “Thank you again, I’d be selling street food somewhere if it weren’t for you.”

“I doubt that, your cooking is amazing.” Ilea replied, the drinks arriving, a selection of wine, ale as well as non alcoholic beverages. Apparently staff had previously been informed to let Keyla handle her, the breed getting up and grabbing some of the bottles. “You’re not Feynor, are you?”

Keyla froze for a second before she brought over the bottles as well as two glasses, “You know of them?” She asked, sitting down, “No. Breed are humans, mutated and experimented on. Feynor are a completely different species but I remember hearing the name a couple times… in my… youth. They, tried to capture some for… well the research.”

“It’s alright, you don’t have to talk about it.” Ilea said, the woman relaxing in turn, “I just fought a bunch of Feynor in the north. Apparently worship dragons, they look rather dragon like too.”

The cook poured some beer rather cloudy in color and added some lemon slices, “Thank you. I’d rather just forget it all. It’s in the past. Well if they worship those monsters, I hope they stay far away from Ravenhall.”

“Not like there aren’t enough monsters here either. Is the war still going on?” Ilea asked.

The woman chuckled, “You really did come here first…, well I don’t fault your priorities. I think Claire or anybody in the Hand will be able to inform you better about what’s going on. I just know that the war is still going on. Baralia has stopped their attempts to destabilize Ravenhall at least, or someone is dealing with it so well we don’t hear about it anymore. Virilya is still under siege as far as I heard but again, my information isn’t what you’re looking for.”

“As long as I’m not in a Baralia owned city right now, all is good.” Ilea said and took her glass, “Cheers.”

Chapter 335 Catching up

Chapter 335 Catching up

The food was marvelous, truly. Ilea couldn’t finish it all but stored the rest in her necklace. “You’re a goddess, Keyla.” She said, cleaning her mouth with a napkin.

“They’re getting there.” Keyla said, having tried most of the dishes too, “Not quite perfection but I don’t manage it with every dish either.”

They had told each other about the major things happening in the past year, Ilea talking most of the time due to her vastly more dangerous lifestyle. Keyla had mostly just cooked, though the rebuilding of the city as well as the new festivities were a subject too. “Come on, tell me at least what class he is.” Ilea pried but the cook was stubborn.

“Of course you care about his class…,” Keyla rolled her eyes, the two having moved on to red wine. The cook was a little tipsy but Ilea didn’t feel anything, alcohol a poison that didn’t affect her anymore. She didn’t care much. The taste of the beverages was still nice. “He’s tall, strong and handsome. Yet when we’re alone he is sensitive and vulnerable, Ilea. He’s such a dear friend. I see the way he looks at me too but still he hasn’t asked me out. I’m beginning to wonder…,”

“Don’t wonder, you ask him. I’ll have a dress made for you, get some flowers or a sword, whatever he would like and just ask him. Life is too short to worry about it. Trust me, most men would love to be asked out.”

“How do you know? You’re not a man.” Keyla said, defensively.

“Oh?” Ilea raised her eyebrows, moving closer to the cook, “Are you afraid too then? I know because every time I asked a guy out, he either said yes or told me he had no interest. What’s the point in wondering when you could know?”

“You make a compelling argument.” Keyla said, Ilea appearing behind her as ash slowly formed around the two, her mouth moving to her ear.

She spoke in a whisper, “Just think of him… wrapping his arms around you, holding you, taking off your clothes, piece by piece. Kissing your neck…,” She was pushed away with a yelp, the dragon like being red in her face as her heart thrummed in her chest.

“Ok… alright, I’ll… think about it.” She said, Ilea sitting back in her chair, pouring herself another glass of beer.

“You should.” She said and raised her glass.

Keyla needed a minute to calm down, tapping the table, “I was thinking of opening more restaurants. They proved it today, at least three of them could be chefs.”

“Then do it. Talk to Claire about the money and locations.” Ilea said.

“Really?” Keyla asked, exceedingly happy. “That’s going to be a lot of work… then again, it’s been a little boring lately.”

“Talk to her in a couple days, she’ll have more funds than now.” Ilea said, the cook giving her a mischievous look.

“Now, if only I could take out that baker…,” The cook murmured to herself, Ilea enjoying her beer as she turned and looked out the window, the top floor of the Golden Drake having a view over most of the city. Many of the distant buildings seemed new to her but with the walls standing, the people had no way to build but up or down.

Could add another wall…, She wondered about the logistics and nearly got a headache. Leave that with the builder brains. Focus on punching and healing things. She smiled, finishing her beer. Noon had passed and she had a couple things on her list that she wanted to do that day. “It’s been wonderful Keyla, I’ll have to check in with Claire soon, otherwise she’ll have me hanged.”

“I won’t keep you. I’m very happy to see you alive and well, Ilea.” The cook said and got up, walking over to her and grabbing her in a hug. She rubbed her back harder and harder, Ilea raising an eyebrow at that, “Oh, sorry.” Keyla said embarrassed, “You just, your muscles are like steel. No kidding you improved your power in the north. Make sure not to get caught up again this time, let me know if someone pressures you, I’ll deal with them.” She said and let go, looking at Ilea with fierce reptile eyes.

“I’ll be back in a week or so for the food, don’t overwork yourself.” Ilea said, the cook just waving her off before Ilea vanished and appeared above the restaurant. The black flag with a golden drake head in its midst was flowing lazily in the cold winter wind, the suns shining down onto the city.

________________________________________________________________________

Claire was finally done with the new permits, an additional chunk of their Haven restructured for food growth. At least the population is finally stabilizing, took long enough. Refugees were still coming in but compared to the initial flood of the first four months, it was barely a trickle by now. Sulivhaan wanted to keep Eregar’s Haven Hand owned, imperial mages still not allowed inside. Which in turn meant the Hand had to hire nature mages or train them to take care of all the fields and growth.

Overseers had to be added to make sure they didn’t do anything stupid as well as water mages, earth mages, a couple fire mages as well as anything else that might be useful. The fact that they were allowed to sell to businesses directly made the whole ordeal more than profitable, the surrounding lands would require quite a bit more mana to make even remotely fertile and yielding. Some of course still tried, private organizations as well as some imperial operations. The latter struggled much more, needing their constant permits and licenses from the empire.

The offices had been absent for the first three months and since then they were simply overwhelmed. To think Sulivhaan’s clause in the initial contract to allow the Hand to offer permits and buy grounds on their own to help rebuild and revitalize the city had paid off ridiculously well. The officers involved in the negotiation luckily didn’t think much on the long term. Claire didn’t have the numbers, the war preventing the empire to even collect them but she had no doubt Ravenhall was already one of the economic strongholds in all of Lys.

With Virilya under siege, perhaps even in the top three. With the size and recent history it was more than she had hoped for. I should really train some more with Trian. She reminded herself, her personal power lagging behind due to all the work. Claire had hoped for it to slow down a little once things were running smoothly but opportunities just kept presenting themselves.

The same was true for the other leaders at least. She was glad for Trian’s help with the nobles, especially those coming in from the capital and nearby. As long as none of the remaining Birmingales show up. The Shadowguard didn’t just protect the city against monsters. Baralia agents still made it to Ravenhall from time to time. The bounty the kingdom had put out had been lowered a couple months after its inception, meaning their resources were running low. Raiding imperial treasuries isn’t going to hold up forever.

She knew that slave trade and labor was the main economic power of the kingdom and with the war they had a massive influx of people but they hadn’t managed to overrun the capital, hadn’t built enough lasting bases in the empire’s lands and many of the cities south of Virilya had barely been bothered. Same with Ravenhall. People had been murdered, yes. Some abducted as well as food vaults burned but nothing to damage them with any lasting impact.

By now the guard and people were so well educated and prepared, most agents or rogue adventurers avoided the city altogether, found and executed in the span of mere days. She knew some remained but the Shadow’s Hand wasn’t feared for nothing. Nearly all their members had been part of not only monster subjugation quests. If anybody made too much trouble, a squad of their own was sent out to deal with them. Meeting with Dagon too later, She looked over the calendar in her notebook as she ascended the stairs to her office.

The plan had been to relocate to Viscera at some point but she simply felt more in touch with the politics and economics of the city while being near its center. Flipping the page, her eyes went wide. The book was put away, her steps speeding up as her armor appeared around her. What is that power? Did Verena come back yet again? Cless was still in her office, painting. Her runes informed her that the girl was fine, for now at least. Could it be that remaining demon?

The door swung open, Claire stepping inside, ready to activate all the defensive enchantments in the building to protect the girl. She looked at the intruder with her mana sight and tensed up, feeling the pure arcane exuding from the woman.

“Relax Claire, it’s me.” The voice was familiar, her mana sight deactivated before she looked at the familiar smirk of Ilea. She wore brown simple pants and a white shirt with embroideries near the chest and shoulders, her hair hung loosely down her back, black as a raven. The blue eyes were piercing as always but somehow she felt calm, looking at them. Ilea was sitting on the floor, her legs crossed as she watched the girl paint.

Matured? Deadly…, Claire couldn’t quite place the look, relaxing when Ilea turned her attention back to the painting, Cless was working on. Turning her mana sight back on, she put her work onto the table, seeing the familiar glow around the paintbrush and canvas, the girl’s magic growing by the day. Ilea on the other hand was covered in runes, shining bright. A spot near her back shined in a dark red glow. “You’re back.” Was all she managed, unable to identify the woman.

[Healer - ??]

She evolved. Two fifty? Three hundred even? She gulped, feeling inadequate with her own growth, her higher level being at two twenty. Only thanks to the demons that were still birthed or summoned in the lake down in the Haven. She stepped closer, the painting showing a man in spiked armor, needles floating around him as he faced down a horrible winged creature with a hideous distorted face. Gargoyles… he’s still in that castle.

“Quite the talent our little painter has developed.” Ilea said, her gaze focused on the depicted mage, the girl smiling as she heard the praise. Still, she focused on her magic, wanting to add more details before her mana ran out.

“Scrying. It’s a powerful ability, rare and usually reserved for old wrinkled oracles.” Claire replied, standing next to the sitting woman.

Ilea grunted her affirmation, “Quite something you made out of the city.” she said, “Less people on the streets, nearly all the shops filled and bustling. The very opposite of what you expect from wartime. The war is still going on, isn’t it?”

She’s really been away completely, “It is. A stalemate for the last four months but it looks like Baralia is spreading itself too thin. The winter hasn’t been good on them.” Ilea huffed some air out of her nose, a smile tugging on her lips, its meaning lost on Claire.

“Sounds wonderful. How are you, Claire? How’s Ravenhall?” She turned her way now, looking up.

Why does it feel like I made a pact with a demon when I took that money? Back then it felt like robbing a noble girl of her father’s money. “I’m well, busy most of the time but well.” She made herself calm down a little. It’s Ilea. “What happened to you in the north?” She couldn’t help ask.

The healer smiled, “Trained mostly, killed a bunch of monsters. I’m at three hundred now, Claire.”

“I don’t know if I should be proud or scared.” She replied honestly, chuckling at the circumstance. “Are you going to share something or will you be the same as Verena, deeming the knowledge only for those worthy?”

“I’d appreciate proud.” Ilea replied, “Can Cless paint the future or past? And do you know if it’s true?” The woman asked, not replying to her question on knowledge.

“We tested it with some others she knows. It’s the present time, or close enough.” Claire said, summoning one of the paintings depicting Ilea, fighting a knight with two short swords. The armor looked terrifying and otherworldly, not too far from her previous gear but the ghostly feeling Cless had added made her question if it really was Ilea.

“The kingsguard. That’s me alright.” Ilea replied, “Oh speaking of king, there’s a necromancer in town near by level. He should be alright, just so you know he’s not a danger.”

“You don’t sound completely convinced.” Claire said and immediately started writing some notes, putting them into the steel tubes coming out of the wall behind her desk. Closing the lids, she activated the wind magic enchantments to send the messages to the relevant people in the guard, shadowguard and Hand.

“Is that a message delivery system? Neat.” Ilea said, patting Cless’ back when the girl had ran out of mana. “And yea, I’ll deal with him if he does anything too out there.” She laughed, “That’s a beautiful painting Cless. Kyrian would love it, I’m sure.”

The girl looked down, embarrassed at the praise. “Don’t overdo it, she knows how good she is. Cless you have school soon, ready in ten minutes?” The girl nodded, a bright smile on her face, mischievousness in her eyes. Children. Claire thought and smiled, turning away when she realized Ilea had been watching her.

“I’m glad you’re taking care of her, Claire.” Ilea said.

“I know you felt responsible but we found her together, you know? It’s nice to have someone around that doesn’t talk about laws and permits all the time.” She said and smiled.

Ilea seemed to accept the answer, hopefully not feeling bad about going on her own adventures. “I have a little more to share than just the three hundred evolution.” She said a minute later, Cless already ready to leave. “I’d rather inform everyone instead of talking to each of you separately.”

“Who is everyone?” Claire asked, straightening the dress Cless was wearing.

“I don’t know if they’re still around. Sulivhaan, Dagon, Elise and you.” Ilea replied.

“If it concerns them, I would suggest adding Trian to the list. He’s been dealing with the nobles coming to the city. While much of the gold and investments are with us, as in the Hand, new investors helped a great deal too.” Claire added, “Oh and you now own a large chunk of the city. The first months were crazy. New investors were scarce, even the merchants who instantly jumped on the idea didn’t go all in with their gold. I kept a sum back, if you want it but most of the gains I immediately reinvested. Your rules actually helped too, word spreading quickly that Lilith owned places paid well and had fair conditions. It snowballed and well, now you…,” Claire was just about to start when Ilea gestured her to stop.

“Thanks, we can talk about that stuff later, I have some questions and ideas too. For now, I’d like to get to the talk with the others, it could be detrimental in regards to the Hand’s future actions.” The healer said, surprising Claire.

“How so?” She asked, writing more notes before adjusting the pipes and putting them inside, the wind magic taking them to where they needed to go. Part of the system was that the writing was illegible until passing through the exit piece associated with the sending one. That part took her four months to develop after the initial idea was set up in a manner of days. Security wasn’t important at first but as soon as Baralia agents came into play and the city’s population grew again, it became a necessity.

“I have information on the Elves, Taleen, Feynor as well as the Dark Ones living in the north. Some of it directly or indirectly concerns humanity.” Ilea replied.

Claire had a blank stare as she looked at the woman who was braiding her hair into a single plait. “I’m ready!” Cless said, pulling on her armored skirt, Claire still in her fighting gear.

“Elves?” She blurted out after a couple seconds, “What did you find out?” She felt her heart rate accelerate. If they could learn about those creatures, their motives, weaknesses. Sulivhaan was obsessed with them, constantly allocating resources to scan through the western lands, trying to make sense of their movements and attacks. The past year was quiet, only a couple attempts to break into Dawntree reported.

“As I said, I’d like to not repeat myself five times. Do we meet here?” Ilea replied, making Claire feel a little frustrated.

Perhaps I’ve grown too accustomed to get what I want instantly since becoming the Head Administrator. Claire smiled a little, patting Cless’ head, “Alright. We meet in the library, I have to bring Cless to her class with William. The others are informed. I think everybody is in the city.”

“Good.” Ilea said and cracked her neck.

“Who is your necromancer friend?” Claire asked, the three of them walking towards Viscera. She didn’t assume that was part of the things she wanted to keep for the whole group. The sky was clear, the last weeks of Winter were upon them. What will Virilya do? She wondered.

Ilea was looking around like a tourist in a newly discovered marvel of a city, checking the different shops and restaurants that had sprung up, “There’s so much to see.” She said, “He’s the ancient king of a lost kingdom in the north. Excited to see the cities built in his absence.”

She says that as if it’s a normal thing. Claire decided to prioritize, trusting Ilea and her assessment of that king. If he was anywhere close to her in personality, she would look at damages and reparations of at least fifty gold. Not a problem. “You also own most of these. Restaurants and shops were first on the list. I was pretty liberal with your gold afterwards.”

“Wouldn’t want it any other way.” Ilea replied with a smirk, “Are there orphanages and schools as well?”

Claire glanced her way, “Some, yes. I do hope that question has nothing to do with the necromancer you brought.”

Chapter 336 Revelations

Chapter 336 Revelations

The reactions were different, Dagon giving her a knowing smirk when she entered his library. Elise rushed in for a hug, overjoyed that she had survived. “I thought you were lost for sure. Even Verena showed up before you.” The woman said.

“Level three hundred?” Dagon asked, Ilea nodding with a smirk of her own, the man making a fist as he rejoiced. “You have to share everything with me.” He said, “Finally, someone who doesn’t want to hoard everything they find has come to such power.”

Sulivhaan appeared a moment later, glancing at Ilea. He wore his black robe and mask as always, clasping his hands together in front of him, “And so she surpasses the masters. Marvelous.” He bowed lightly, Ilea copying the gesture as she walked over to Dagon’s chair and sat down. “The leadership of the Hand answers to you, it seems.” He added, looking over at Claire who just entered and closed the door behind her. The woman had brought Cless to her class beforehand.

“Enchantments are in place, the door is locked.” Claire said right after Trian had appeared near her. She summoned herself a comfortable arm chair before sitting down. A small table, bottle of wine and a glass appeared as well.

Ilea ignored it, looking at Trian instead, the lightning mage having cut down on his over designed clothing, wearing a black vest over a doublet of the same color. Embroideries in red had been weaved into parts of the doublet, a black leather belt holding up his pants. He was shaved, his brown hair styled and a little longer than he had worn it a year ago. All in all, a good look. “You look good.” She said, the man bowing lightly.

“Thank you. Fierce and powerful, more so than ever before.” He replied, Ilea pretty sure it was her he was talking about. He appeared in front of her and grabbed her hand before letting go and hugging her, patting her back, “I’m glad you’re alive. The paintings sometimes made it hard to tell.”

He let go and smiled, “Welcome back.”

Ilea insisted that nobody interrupt her, Dagon and Elise to write down what she shared. Her revelations about Niivalyr and the elven hunters as well as their war against the machines was the first topic, already too many interruptions for her to continue. She simply stopped talking, waiting for them to calm down, their discussions shelved until the continued, insisting that they should hear everything before coming to conclusions.

She went on to talk about the north itself, the storms, the Dark Ones as well as the Feynor and their war. The possible danger of them coming south and preying upon humans. Her leveling process and three hundred evolution was next. Not much that would help out others but Dagon was bombarding her with questions, gleeful at every little bit she shared. The last part she talked about was the supposed third sun and the implications that came with it.

When she finally stopped talking, she handed the transcribed notebook of the Legate Guardian to Dagon. With all the questions they had during her talk, a heavy silence fell upon the group when Ilea was finally open for questions.

Elise was the first to talk, “There was a woman working in the library of souls… she constantly looked for records on the stars, their alignment as well as folklore about their shifts. I remember she talked about a missing sun, how many old stories talked about it but nothing official, just obscure tales from villages, never written down or shared with outsiders until her employed agents specifically asked for them.”

“It’s impossible to hide something like that.” Dagon commented, shaking his head as he looked at the woman. “Such a massive event, to even transform the lands of whole kingdoms into the chaotic north.”

Sulivhaan spoke up, “It is hard to believe such an event would be lost throughout time, not without help.”

“You believe the records were destroyed on purpose?” Dagon asked.

“We all know Ilea is trustworthy, to a degree where I would believe her if she told me I was an undead dragon.” Sulivhaan said, Ilea a little confused as to how she inspired such trust, “Combined with the records, Elise’s friend in the library of souls, the north… we must assume someone wanted that knowledge to be gone. If they even managed to infiltrate the Hand’s records…,”

“I would still like to hear the necromancer king’s testimony.” Dagon said, “I trust you, Ilea but it has been a year. There is no telling if you have changed or if you’re influenced by something or someone.”

She nodded, “A valid assumption. We already have some theories but nothing reasonable. The problem we have with a natural occurrence is that the human plains were somehow unaffected by it all.”

“Who says it was? We don’t know about the event, perhaps records of how the lands here were before were changes or destroyed as well.” Trian said, “Do we have a clue when this happened?”

Ilea shook her head, “No, likely at least two thousand years ago but it could just as much be ten thousand or a million. I just deliver the information I have, you lot can think it over.”

Sulivhaan nodded, “If there was a force trying to remove the records, then we have to assume they are still around. This is sensitive information we’re dealing with here, even if all of it is a theory still.”

Dagon laughed and rubbed his hands, “Finally, something more interesting than this bloody war.”

“As to the revelations about the Elves.” Sulivhaan said and paced through the room, “They confirm some of our theories. It is good to hear there was no outright war, despite the numbers and their efforts. Until we know the goals of the oracles we cannot prepare accordingly but at least with them dealing with the Taleen, they will be too busy to look our way.”

“I don’t think the oracles consider the machines a threat at all.” Trian said, “If what this Niivalyr said is true then the whole splinter force of the Cerithil Hunters formed and operates precisely because the oracles are not doing anything about the problem.”

Elise nodded, “Either there is a bigger goal or threat around or they simply don’t consider the death of their population to be an issue at all.”

Ilea weighed in with her opinion, “It’s possible their goals aren’t based on any human interests. The way they talked about them, the oracles are quite different from the elven males. Even with every female being an oracle automatically, I’d have to meet one to find out more.”

Sulivhaan chuckled, “Truly, a mission worthy of the Shadow’s Hand.” He mused, “The plans to reclaim the western cities can likely be approved then. Probably the coordinated plans of an overzealous elven youth compared to the war efforts of their leadership we assumed it to be initially.”

“It could still have been a goal of the oracles.” Dagon said.

“Then Riverwatch and Dawntree would be destroyed by now too but their aggression stopped.” Elise suggested, the man nodding as he reconsidered.

“I suppose we should worry about the Feynor more than the elves, their claim of superiority and aggressive invasion and extermination will surely apply to humans as well.” Sulivhaan said.

“Or we lead them to attack the elves.” Claire suggested.

Ilea shook her head and looked at her, “One of them will win eventually if that happens. It makes more sense to side with one. If war truly is inevitable.”

“You suggest siding with elves?” Sulivhaan hissed, magical pressure felt from him. The rest of the people sat up, ready to defend themselves. The man was by far the highest leveled mage in the room, except for Ilea of course, who remained casual. “They slaughtered thousands!”

“How many humans have you slaughtered, Sulivhaan?” Ilea asked, Trian glancing at her and then the mage, “How many have I killed? How many humans have died in the war raging over the empire right now?” She stood up and walked towards him, ash forming around her, writhing as she felt the gravity increase around her, Ilea unbothered by the thrumming magic, “How many suffer and die because we enslave our own people?” She tapped his chest with a finger, her ash vanishing as she turned around and walked back, his magic pressure gone as well.

She could feel the tense atmosphere in the room, not only through her sphere, “I don’t know what the fuck the oracles are doing and the elves attacking humans are obviously our enemy. Yet there are those capable of thoughts beyond a murdering psychopath’s. The Dark Ones as well as the Cerithil hunters could be valuable allies, against our elven enemies but just as much against our human ones.”

The man ground his teeth behind his mask but didn’t reply. “I understand that you fought them for decades and that isn’t going to stop. If the oracles are the cause or some upstart male from the southern domains, perhaps helping the Cerithil Hunters gain influence would win the possibly coming war before it even starts. Instead of reacting only, watching them slaughter whole cities. The elves or the Taleen machines will prevail at one point or another and then they will look elsewhere. We can either wait for that to happen or try to join the game.” Ilea expanded.

“I can’t.” Sulivhaan said simply. “I won’t associate with them, never.”

“Then don’t. As far as I could tell, in their society fighting and killing each other is not only encouraged but glorified. While you slaughter each other, more reasonable people and elves could work on possible deals.” Ilea said.

“We are all your friends, Ilea. Indebted to you in different ways, sure but you are not the queen of Ravenhall, or the Hand.” Dagon said. “Even if you were, you overestimate the influence we have on the empire, let alone the kingdoms surrounding it or the independent cities of the west.”

She smiled, “I’m not, nor do I want to be, Dagon. I’m just a fast-food worker from Earth, I take orders and work the cash register.” Some of them raised their eyebrows at that, “I’m a realm traveler that found herself in this fucked up land. Yet here I could gain power, enough to bring together the leaders of the most feared order humanity has to offer. I don’t want to force anything on you Sulivhaan, Dagon. I guess I’m a little old fashioned but if I can use this power to make people’s lives less shit, I will.” She paused, hoping that everyone was on the same page by now, “Economic growth, more powerful adventurers, research and knowledge. Ravenhall is already miles ahead of others and I don’t think any of you will want to just stop there. While everyone else slaughters each other, holding on to whatever wealth they acquired, whatever views they fostered in the decades of their lives,” She paused, “Maybe we can try to learn from the ancient Dark Ones, Elves, Dwarfs and Demons. I already have some ideas from Earth that could be implemented and I’m sure there are people from other realms around that could offer insights as well.”

Claire started laughing, standing up before she clapped Sulivhaan’s back, “Dagon, maybe you shouldn’t underestimate the influence we already have on the empire. Sulivhaan, didn’t you push a favorable contract on them, making us mostly independent? Our members are valuable assets of humanity, we crushed the demons that took over the city, thousands of them. I think the least we can do is try. If we can make Ravenhall and the Hand more powerful, what’s the harm in considering other species as allies?”

Sulivhaan shook his head, “Even if we considered it, trying to establish contact is impossible. Ilea went to the north but even I wouldn’t consider it. The elves kill on sight, I’ve seen it too many times.”

Claire smiled, “We should focus on Ravenhall first, see where the war will go as we grow. Ilea knows an elf personally, as well as Dark Ones in the north. The distance is a problem and I have to inform you Ilea, that Christopher hasn’t had a breakthrough either.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow and smirked but didn’t say anything, Claire squinting her eyes but not saying anything either. “We knew the forces of the world wouldn’t play with us in consideration.” Sulivhaan said, “You brought us valuable information and for that I thank you. More than trying to make Ravenhall and the Hand more efficient and powerful, I can’t promise anything else.”

“I don’t want anything else.” Ilea said, “You’re all people I trust and you’re all capable in your own fields and abilities. I’ll provide what I can and you do what you can. All I ask is that you keep an open mind, the world is bigger than the human plains.”

“It certainly is.” Trian said and chuckled, “I’ll help where I can, to make people’s lives less shitty, as you so eloquently put.”

“You pretty much own me anyway.” Claire said and sat back down, summoning another bottle of wine, “I will defend Ravenhall with my life and the people within it too. Perhaps it really was time for the Shadow’s Hand to have a more active leadership.”

Elise smiled, “We are all already doing what we can. I guess some aspects will have to be reworked thanks to the new insights our healer has brought to the table. I will try to get in contact with Jasmine again should the capital breaks out finally.”

“It is reassuring to hear that Elder Lucas approves of us as well.” Sulivhaan said, his voice much warmer than before, “I suppose with Verena’s and his trust, we can continue work on the broader plans.”

“And what are those exactly?” Ilea asked.

Sulivhaan looked at Claire, the woman raising her glass. Dagon nodded as well when he looked his way, “We plan to take over Ravenhall completely, declare independence upon the war’s end. Contracts and deals are already drafted for each of the possible winners. Either had massive losses both in people and resources, it is likely they will agree to our terms.”

He looked at her, “We plan to expand over the southern mountains and use the geography as a deterrent to possible enemies. Access to the ocean, the southern desert and of course Eregar’s Haven will provide all we will ever need. Ravenhall itself is mostly owned by the Hand at this point, only one unknown private investor holding around forty percent of the city’s assets remains but we will buy whatever we can back from them as soon as Claire has found them.” He looked towards Claire who poured herself another glass.

“I’ve found them actually. She calls herself Lilith.” Claire said, the man taking a step closer.

“Finally. Did you initiate contact?” He asked.

Ilea shook her head and chuckled, Claire pointing at her, “I wanted to keep it a secret until the end of the war but I guess now is just as well. You can ask her if she’s willing to sell.”

Sulivhaan turned, Dagon getting up and nearly toppling his desk, “You…,” He said, the librarian laughing before Sulivhaan too at least chuckled.

“I suppose we could offer her a seat in the council.” Claire suggested. Trian gave a nod, as did Elise.

Dagon smiled, “Well, if I know her at all, she’s going to be gone most of the time anyway.”

“Know that we all have a veto on decisions. Elven cooperation included.” Sulivhaan warned.

Ilea shrugged, “I doubt anything will come up in the next decade. I will keep my investments privately and have no obligations.”

“Your obligation is to get powerful enough to be a deterrent to possible enemies.” Claire said, already drafting a contract on her lap, “Scout of Ravenhall? Sulivhaan is already responsible for foreign affairs.”

“Not for other species.” The gravity mage said. “I refuse to deal with elves.”

“How about Sentinel of Ravenhall?” Ilea asked with a smile, musing with the idea of becoming the nuclear bomb to bring peace.

“A bit much.” Trian said while chuckling.

Claire scribbled some more, “Sure, we all get to chose our titles I guess. Sentinel seems fitting too, with your newly found power. We will have to find a way to call for you if we need help. I’ll try to figure something out.”

Ilea took the paper Claire handed to her and read through it. She would become part of the council, the governing and pretty much all powerful leaders of Ravenhall. An autocracy basically. She would have to suggest some changes once they had independence. It certainly was a step in the right direction to separate from the empire. Not because they did anything inherently wrong but like this she had much more influence on decisions and knew as well as trusted the people in charge. She had no idea who led the empire. There were some general laws and goals listed, all more or less aligning with her own world view.

She signed it with her mana and a pen before handing it back to Claire, the woman making the paper vanish, “Is it too early to suggest some changes?” Ilea asked.

The others looked around, “There is a whole book full of laws that we worked out already. What’s the general gist of your ideas?” Claire asked, her pen ready on a new sheet of paper.

“Education for everyone, provided by the city. Basic gear for everyone who wants to become an adventurer. No slavery but I hope that’s in there already. Health care for everyone as well as a place to live for those unable to afford it.” She quickly listed the things coming to her mind.

Claire tapped her pen on the armchair, “Education is provided, as is lodging. I’m not sure what you mean by Health Care. No healing order is currently represented in Ravenhall, mostly due to the demon connection. Slavery is not allowed obviously. As for the gear… the guard as well as the shadow guard provides recruits but it would take quite a lot of gold and time to have the gear for what you ask.”

Ilea smiled, touching the bracelet on her arm, “I possibly have some solutions to offer.”

Chapter 337 Plans put in motion

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, hope you have a nice day :)

Chapter 337 Plans put in motion

The whole council followed Claire into one of the nearly empty storage halls of the Hand where Ilea emptied her bracelet of the armory gear remaining from Tremor. It was worthless to her personally but a new adventurer or even a guard would be overjoyed to have one of the well forged swords, a good helmet or armor.

“Take it as a donation to the city.” She said, “There are more ruins of Rhyvor that I might explore at some point, more armories to raid.”

“What do you want in return?” Sulivhaan asked, a tinge of worry in his voice.

Ilea glanced his way, “Sulivhaan, I’m with you and I am with Ravenhall. This is simply something I can provide. I’m not a leader, nor an administrator, a librarian or a negotiator. I fight things, explore dungeons and get loot and gold. I doubt this will be enough.” She looked at Claire with the last sentence.

“Hardly but it’s a start for what you have in mind. Many of the adventurers will have gear already anyway. We will attract a lot of people with this offer.” She said, “Of course we’ll focus on the people in Ravenhall first.”

“The terrain is dangerous around here, dungeons are rather high level.” Trian commented, “I’m not sure if this will benefit us at all.”

Claire was already writing into a notebook, “Another contract then, get the gear but it’s only for Ravenhall citizens. Also a part of their revenue goes to the city early on… I’m sure the guild will allow for that.”

“Dawntree has something similar.” Sulivhaan commented, “Not a good deal though so few take it.”

“Then we’ll make it better, the goal is to get more adventurers, not gold. I assume that’s your intention, Ilea?” Claire was right on the spot, Ilea giving her a thumbs up.

“I’ll see what I can do regarding more gear. Maybe Balduur is willing to work with the city too if we can somehow convince them. Not entirely sure if Indur would want to cooperate but with all the new smiths…,” Ilea mused, the others confused at the mention of the names.

“The village near Morhill?” Sulivhaan asked.

Ilea nodded, “Yea, there’s a very good smith there as well as a couple good ones.”

“If they want independence… perhaps they could be moved to Morhill. The empire’s skeleton garrison has left long ago but we can’t make a move before being independent.” Sulivhaan commented.

“I could find out what they want, going to visit soon anyway. Don’t worry, I won’t blurt out your treason.” She said, laughing at their stony faces, “Come on, don’t be so serious. I’ve seen horrors in the north that make the empire look like a bunch of kids.” Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say.

Dagon pointed at her, “I would still like the descriptions of the beasts and dungeons in the region you were.”

Oh boy. “Yea… I’ll put it on the list, Dagon.” She said, giving him a weak smile. Elise giggled, the man missing Ilea’s reaction completely.

“If that’s it, we better get to work. Dagon, I wanted to run some ideas by you. Do you have time?” Sulivhaan asked.

“With all that information from Ilea, barely. Can it wait a couple days?” The librarian asked as him and Elise walked towards the exit.

Sulivhaan replied, “It can wait.” Looking at Ilea, he added, “Anything else you wanted to talk about?”

She shrugged, “Not for now. Thanks for the time.”

“Of course.” He said, Dagon and Elise waving at them, “Oracles… Ascended…,” Sulivhaan murmured to himself as he too left the storage hall.

“I should get back to work as well.” Claire said, Trian shrugging as he looked at Ilea.

“You don’t?” Ilea asked him.

“There’s a ball tomorrow… managing the nobles’ requests isn’t actually that much work. Feel like having a bout? I’d be interested to see how far you’ve come.”

[Mage – lvl 227]

“Oh Trian. I don’t know if your self confidence could take it.” She said with a grin, glancing at Claire who packed up her things, “I need you for a moment longer, Claire. It’s going to be worth your while. You too Trian.”

“I’ve come a long way in the past year Ilea. I knew you could wreck me the moment I appeared in the library.” Trian said and laughed. His eyes sparkled with a joy she had never seen in him.

“You’re not the only one who changed.” Ilea said, smiling at him. “We should go somewhere safer. Your office?” She asked, Claire nodding in response. “Call for Christopher too, if he’s available.”

“For you? Always.” Claire said, the three making their way back to Viscera and then her home in the central circle of Ravenhall.

Snow had started to fall, coating the streets in a thin layer as the suns marked the end of the afternoon. The streets beyond the Hand’s official headquarters outside of Viscera were just as busy as they had been earlier, Ilea watching out of the window. “You’re still not drinking?” She heard Claire ask Trian, the man sitting on the couch.

“No, thanks.” He replied. Ilea decided she definitely liked his hair more now. Not shoulder length but not as short as before either. She looked at him closely through her sphere, realizing that it was neither his hair nor his clothes that changed his appearance much. It was the way he held himself, the way he looked relaxed instead of tense and serious all the time.

“Ilea?” Claire asked.

The healer turned, “Do you have ale?” Claire nodded and grabbed a bottle standing on an ice magic rune. The boons of being a rich head administrator. She thought and smiled.

“So, what else do you have to share with us?” Claire asked, her message for Christopher already sent out, the woman leaning back in her leather chair, her hair as always bound in a pony tail, not a single strand awry.

“I’ve been wondering.” Ilea said, opening her bottle, a glass appearing in her hand before she poured some of the ale into it, “What I could do. With my power, gold, all the stuff I own now here in the city.” She said and walked around. “Well, now with your council, there isn’t much need for anything else anymore.”

“Health care. Hmm, yes that might be an idea.” Claire said with a big grin on her face.

“A healing order?” Trian asked, “That’s a dangerous political move.”

“And what exactly is our declaration of independence?” Ilea asked, “I’m not sure about the details but my classes have secrets that we might be able to figure out. The Azarinth order is ancient but with the elixir requirements and the healing on touch alone, I don’t see it being of much use. My class by the way. I stumbled upon a temple of theirs when I appeared in Elos.”

Trian and Claire glanced at each other, “I still think a healer and fighter hybrid would be the best way to go. Healers wouldn’t have to fear being used or killed easily, the main reason there are so few healers around.”

“The main reason is healing orders monopolizing them but I agree. Few choose something in the middle. Paladins are rare as it is, true healers are mostly in employ of an army or supplied by the orders who take exorbitant sums for their services.” Trian said, “I definitely like the idea. If we could get backing from Ravenhall and the Shadow’s Hand, the pressure of the big orders could mostly be ignored.”

Claire took a sip of her wine, “It’s still dangerous. They will try to interfere.”

“Then I will persuade them to do otherwise.” Ilea said, “First we need facilities and we need to figure out how we can get a fighter and healer hybrid that isn’t quite as hard to learn as the Azarinth Healer class.”

“Do you plan to do all that yourself?” Claire asked, a smirk on her face. Ilea knew she already had the answer.

“No. But perhaps you know someone who could work on all that. William already trains a squad. Dany is a healer too, so we could start there.” Ilea replied.

Trian shook his head, “He is with the Hand.” He looked at Claire and smiled, glancing back at Ilea, “I’ve had quite some time lately and I did wonder about how to fill it. Setting up such an order and training newcomers does sound interesting. If you would have me of course.”

Ilea smiled at him, drinking from her glass before she thought about it. “Why?” She asked, “Did you give up being a member of the Hand?”

He crossed his arms, “I’m tired of fighting. I will, if it’s necessary. The last year has shown me that there’s more that I can do, more than seek revenge. You have set me on a path when you forced me out of my dark room, hiding from those seeking revenge yet again. I was trained from an early age, I know how nobles do it, how cruel and efficient they’ve become. We know what it does to people, Edwin and Maria just two examples in an endless cycle.”

He got up and took a couple steps towards her, “I think I would do a good job, selecting people, training them and preparing them for the real world.”

“You will need funds, I can stop reinvesting for a while as well as use what’s set aside to jump start the idea.” Claire said but Ilea stopped her, walking over to her desk.

“We need a class first.” Ilea said, summoning a chest onto the table. “Use what you have to and invest the rest as you did prior. Feel free to use gold for the city as well.” She said, checking her necklace. She had 3325 gold remaining. Coins started to drop into the chest until three thousand were in there. “Oh and Claire? For this your share on the profits is three percent, seven percent for the Hand and the rest for me.”

“Three thousand coins.” Claire said, checking the chest before it vanished, “You learned something about gold too it seems. I’ll have the contracts ready within the week. Thanks for your renewed contribution and your trust in me.” The woman added with a smile.

Trian was writing stuff into a notebook already, “I will look for facilities, knowledge and possible teachers.”

“Theoretical and practical medicine, first aid and resistance training within reason. I’m not sure if we should go for a defensive mage or warrior class.” Ilea said.

“We’ll figure it out. Though I believe being more open than what I know of the healing orders will benefit us.” Trian said, “Their rules and training is so strict, something like you could never grow out of their students. I aim for the opposite.”

Ilea nodded, “Sounds good. I’ll check in on you too. Maybe something in the inner circle?” She looked at Claire.

“I assume we can use things you already own?” The woman asked, Ilea nodding in return, “Then sure. Your gold will have less of an impact, now that most of the Ravenhall pie has been distributed already but I’ll keep some on the side in case our independence plan works out.”

“Do what you think best. Your share as well as the Hand’s share will thank you.” Ilea replied, happy that she had someone to take care of everything.

“I love this idea.” Trian commented, a big grin on his face as he continued to write things down. “We’ll have to discuss some more about this of course. What’s the goal in the end? To provide healers for the city?”

Ilea beamed at him, “No. I want to supply every adventurer team with an indestructible healer.”

“Every team?” He asked, “That’s quite a goal.”

“What do you think?” She said in return.

“I think it’s a worthy goal for team thirty four.” He said with a big grin. “Got a name already? Azarinth Order?”

“With what little I know, I’d rather not use the name.” Ilea replied, “Healers without Borders maybe.”

“Peculiar idea.” Claire commented.

“It’s a name from my realm. I’m open for suggestions. Not the most important thing either right now.” Ilea said, “Speaking of our team. Do you have more of Cless’ picture with Kyrian in them?”

“I do.” Claire said, when a knock came from the door. “Christopher.” She added, looking at Ilea.

“Trian, I’d be happy to have you as a leader in the healing order… kind of dislike the name, let’s not go with healing order. What about the healing mercs?” She looked at the man who closed his notebook and made it vanish.

He smiled at her and clapped his hands together, “We will think on some names. I’ll get started as soon as we’re done here. I think the idea is brilliant, Ilea.”

Another job delegated to someone capable. She smiled and nodded towards Claire, the door opening a moment later. In came Christopher, about as tall as Ilea but considerably thinner, his blue eyes scanning the room before they halted on Ilea. He stepped inside but kept his gaze down towards the floor.

“Welcome, been a while since I saw you. How do you like your new workplace?” Ilea asked the man.

“I… I’m sorry… I’ve failed you, Ilea. I couldn’t develop a working gate… to much information is missing, the…,” She held up a hand to stop him. The man actually trembled.

“I’ve told him it’s alright.” Claire said, “Not easy to work through those experiences.”

Ilea could feel the mana in Trian surge, “It’s alright Christopher. You do your best. I don’t expect unreasonable results. Now how far along are we exactly?”

He looked around before finally glancing at her, Ilea smiling back and casually leaning on the windowsill. “I…we figured out most of the enchantments and runes used. The notes as well as Claire’s help have brought us closer but the Taleen had security measures built in. Not just to prevent someone from using their gates without a key but also from understanding the magic involved.”

At least he seemed less scared by now. She hoped he hadn’t been constantly stressed for a whole year. The lack of meat on him spoke against that assumption. “Christopher. First of all, know that I don’t want to push you beyond what is reasonable. You should take care of yourself, eat well and do something else but work all the time. I’m not Arthur and neither is Claire. If you need anything, help or even if you don’t want to work on the project, it’s alright. Just tell me. I don’t want to be known as a shit employer and most of all not someone comparable to Arthur Redleaf.”

He nodded.

“I mean it. Do you understand? I apologize for the stress I’ve caused you.” Ilea said.

“It’s not a problem.” He said immediately, “I… I love my work, Ilea. The opportunity, the haven… all of it. It’s incredible, really… just, the gate. I’ve been stuck on the same problems for the past three months. It’s frustrating. I wish I could give you results. I can work freely, no… threats or beatings. There’s plenty of food too.”

Ilea looked at him, glancing at the other two in turn, “Well. That should be the minimum. I hope the two of you understand as much. Fair pay for the work done as well as humane hours are the absolute basics.” She walked closer to the man and smiled, “As to your research, I found something that might help you.” Summoning the Taleen Gate Key, she held it up, watching the mage’s eyes grow big, even Claire raising from her chair and smashing into the table with her thighs.

“Is…. Is that?” She exclaimed, Christopher not managing any words.

“A taleen gate key, yes.” Ilea said and put it on the desk. The man needed a moment to calm down it seemed. “We fought and destroyed a bunch of Praetorians. I do hope this helps in your research.”

“Help? Are you fucking kidding me?” He brushed a hand through his thin brown hair, his voice shaking a little, “It’s a key… THE Key.”

“So I didn’t miss anything in our earlier conversation.” Claire commented, looking at the little thing. “Marvelous work. The Taleen really were something extraordinary. That, I assume is also your plan for the cooperation with the north?”

Ilea nodded, “If successful, yes. Though I would suggest adding any allied city to a possible teleportation network of our own. Rules apply of course. I would assume you could add your own security measures.” She looked at Christopher, the man now crouching next to the key on the table, his eyes mere centimeters away from the thing.

“Of course we can. Whatever you want. This… that’s how they do it, to think such simple enchantments could used for identification… brilliant.” He was mumbling now, lost in his thoughts.

“I’ll talk to the others about it too, as soon as we have a working gate of course.” Claire said. “I suppose adding this, Hallowfort was it? Shouldn’t be a problem. If your trust them. The resources in the north as well as training opportunities for Hand members would be a great opportunity. Of course at the same time we would open ourselves to an invasion as well.”

Ilea nodded, “That as well as the security of it all, I’ll leave to you lot. The benefits are obvious of course and it would be a waste not to use it.”

“I agree and neither will the others veto something like this, I’ll make sure to bang it into their heads if they do. A working long range teleportation gate… and here I thought you were done surprising us.” Claire said.

“It’s not working yet.” Christopher said, “I will need, time. And more stone as well as steel and metals…,”

“You’ll get whatever you need.” Claire said, “This might actually give us the edge we need.” She added, “You beautiful healer, you.” Her joy was almost palpable, grabbing Ilea’s face in a very uncharacteristic manner.

Chapter 338 Sparky

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo

Yaksher made a wiki. Thanks mate :). Here's the link, knock yourselves out: https://azarinth-healer.fandom.com/wiki/Azarinth_Healer_Wiki

Chapter 338 Sparky

“Christopher, before you leave.” Claire spoke up again, the man looking at her as if it tortured him to stay for even a second. She let go of Ilea’s cheeks, a little embarrassed as she realized what she had done, “Sorry.” She said offhandedly, Ilea shrugging in response, “We need something to contact Ilea no matter how far away she is. Would that be possible with your new findings?”

He looked uncertain, “Perhaps… I will research the possibility.”

“Even if it takes you a week to come back, I think it would be worth it.” Claire said, “We know you’re not even the only level three hundred person in the Hand. If an enemy sends their elites our way, we might need you. As well as the elders. If we manage to make something, could you contact Lucas again?”

I don’t need a week to come back. Ilea thought, “I’m not sure if Lucas wants to be involved. He… well, he has chosen a more… peaceful way of life.” She had left out the whole attack on Lisburg and his separation of violence and war. As well as his apparent failure.

“Well… the others might agree still.” Claire said, “Christopher, I’ll come with you in a moment. We don’t want anybody knowing about that thing, nor anyone to take it.” He held the key out to her, the thing quickly vanishing into her ring.

“The tech will officially be mine and Christopher’s. I suppose we could sell it to allies or simply provide it and request a fee for using it. Three percent to you, seven to Ravenhall and the rest split between me and Christopher.” Ilea said.

The man immediately spoke up, “No, that is way too much. At most five percent for me… you provided everything.”

“Except the brain, thirty for you.” Ilea retorted.

Christopher wouldn’t have any of it, “Ten percent and that’s it.”

She growled but accepted, his resolve apparent, “Alright, ten for you which means eighty for me.”

Claire rolled her eyes, “I don’t even know why me and the city are involved at all.”

“To give an incentive for you to spread it, at least a gold incentive.” Ilea suggested.

“The sheer possibility of long distance travel between human cities is so overwhelmingly revolutionary there doesn’t need to be an incentive beyond. Still, I accept of course and will plan the rest.” Claire said, “You do like to dump a lot of work on my desk.”

Ilea smiled, “There’s more where that came from but I suppose it can wait.”

“Well I’m around. Come on Christopher, let’s shake up the very foundations of human economics and warfare.” Claire said, patting the man on the back.

He grinned, turning before he bowed to Ilea, “As you wish.” His manic giggle at the end made her worry a little but she had met plenty of workaholics by now to categorize it as him simply being excited. Very excited.

Trian got up when they left, summoning the golden lighter she had given him upon her departure. He flicked it on and stared at the flame, “I think your stories could fill more than a couple of my notebook’s pages by now.” He said, “Though now I suppose you gave me another task to fill my time.”

Ilea looked at him, sitting down in Claire’s chair. The woman had left her office unguarded, her domain unchallenged. Trian raised an eyebrow at her action but didn’t comment, “Trian, I don’t give you tasks to fulfill. If you really want to do this, then I want us to work together.”

He nodded and paused, “I suppose task was the wrong word… purpose perhaps? I think you have a way to look at the world that I can’t ever comprehend.”

“I’m not entirely sure I know what you mean.” She replied, leaning back in the chair.

The man smirked, “Me neither. Maybe I’ll figure it out someday.” He mused, looking at the ceiling before he shook his head, “We should establish some groundwork before you leave again. If I’m supposed to look for volunteers, I at least want to tell them what this new order is about.”

“Again, not order. Organization maybe. What’s not clear? We train healers that can also fight, because it’s a powerful and useful combination for both the users as well as any party they fight in.”

He sat back on the couch putting away the lighter and summoning his notebook, “Your classes are powerful, theirs might not necessarily be on quite that level. It’s not that easy to sell.”

“True. Hey, you said you wanted a bout? Plus…,” She checked her stats, “My lightning resistance is at level six in the second tier.”

He beamed, “I’d love to. To see a level three hundred warrior in action. Might get me motivated to train again.”

“You didn’t train at all?” She asked, more surprised than anything else. Standing up, she cracked her neck, “We can rent an arena, if that’s still a thing.”

He waved his hand sideways, “I trained with Claire from time to time as well as the squad you handed off to William. Just, not as much as before and certainly not as dangerous.”

“Hey, he wanted to train them.” Ilea laughed, blinking out of the office and landing on the square, sludge like snow covering the cobblestone.

A bunch of heads turned her way but most continued their business again immediately upon realizing she wasn’t some invading monster.

Trian appeared next to her, “Oh, I know he probably feels that way.” He said.

The two walked to the underground arena facility she had used to train her resistances before traveling north. It didn’t take them long but Ilea couldn’t help but smile at the stores and people, the atmosphere reminding her of Christmas. Yes, go and buy all the goods, give me your money so I can have more food, all the food.

“Are you ok?” Trian asked, looking at the woman with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Yes, very much so.”

“One arena… wait you’re… are you not that ash tank of the Hand who sold magic training to strangers?” The woman asked, completely uncaring for the two powerful mages in front of her. She looked pretty done.

Ilea spread her wings, “Yea, why? Does Lilith ring a bell?” She asked with a dawning possibility in her mind.

“Oh good, at least the owner isn’t a fucking shithead.” The woman said, nodding her head lightly, “You can use whatever you want, Lilith. For free of course. Let me know if you need anything.”

[Warrior – lvl 130]

Ilea identified her and smirked, “I wouldn’t want to annoy you, with that wonderful attitude. If you want things changed, please complain to the Head Administrator.” She liked the woman, it fit with the business, she thought.

“Oh please, you would squash me like an ant. The attitude is needed with the average moron of an adventurer. I think you should take the lowest arena, it’s the biggest too and we’d appreciate accidental excavation efforts from your side. It’s one of the few facilities below the previous underground part of the city.” The woman said, quickly filling something into the book lying next to her and handing her a runic key, “Not that you need it, costs money to fix the locks though. And yes, I have to say that every fucking time. Can’t complain of course, the job is well paid, easy as all hell and I can read on a slow day.”

“Are you a realm traveler?” Ilea asked.

The woman raised her eyebrows, “No. I just don’t care much anymore about people’s opinions. Hey!” She suddenly shouted at the two mages leaving behind Ilea and Trian. One of them twitched while the other just outright vanished, “If I find the arena full of fucking crystals again, I’ll hound Lilith after you!”

“Yea, yea, Liza. We cleaned up.” The mage sounded tired of her but there was a tiny hint of fear in his voice.

“Good, good.” Liza replied, turning the page in her book back and marking something, “The cheap shit arenas don’t have rune keys.” She said, “I hope it’s ok if I use your holy name to strike fear into the unworthy.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, disciple.” Ilea said, rating her sarcasm a ten out of ten.

The two teleported down the elevator shaft to avoid the long drive, opening the gate to the lowest arena, basically just a cave with a circle of sand lazily thrown into its center. The walls were rugged but obviously worked by a mage. Craters, burns as well as corrosion made it apparent that the place was at least in use. “Looks good to me.” Ilea commented and blinked to the center, “Oh fuck, I forgot to steal leather armor.”

Trian laughed and walked towards her, a set of Hand leather armor appearing in his hands, one of the bracers falling down with a thud. “A gift, to my new, superior?”

“Partner.” Ilea said, “Or even just affiliate, considering I’ll probably be gone most of the time.” She chuckled, “Blast me cowboy.”

“I don’t know what cows have to do with me but then again, you have said weirder things.” He said, red lightning crackling around him.

Ilea took the armor and switched her clothes out with it, “Focus on my stomach.”

The man nodded, a pulse of lightning burning into and through the armor before it stopped dead on her skin, his brows rising before the pulse turned more violent and powerful, her skin taking light damage that instantly healed. “So, the healing organization? What will we offer?”

She counter healed the damage, seeing her mana restored near instantly as a part of his spell was absorbed by her new sentinel core’s third tier, “Well, we provide gear, training and lodging as well as a good class. I know you want to be less strict but if we manage to find one good class at least, it would help establish the whole thing too.”

Trian paused his lightning and noted something down before continuing, he held onto his notebook with one hand while attacking her with the other, “True. So gear, training and lodging. At least one good class, if we find something. Do you plan to pay for everything yourself? I know you’re insanely rich at this point but if you want to grow it to even just the size of an ordinary healing order, it’s going to cost you.”

She pondered for a moment, “We could make deals with the adventurer guild and the hand. They could pay a reasonable fee for us to provide healers to their teams. Less than what a conventional order would request. The healers in the end would just be another member of the party, getting gold according to whatever they agreed on. We just train them initially, I suppose the guild as well as the Hand would have an interest in more healers, especially if they don’t answer to a healing order.

“They will answer to us though.” Trian said, his notebook vanishing before he intensified the attack.

Ilea was skidding backwards a little but he didn’t manage to burn farther than a couple millimeters into her skin, her healing too powerful, “Yes, but we’re independent, our goal only to provide healers that help fight monsters. If we have to get politically involved and rally our members, it’d have to be something pretty fucking big. Like a demon summoning or a Feynor attack on all of humanity. Along those lines. What goals do other healing orders have?”

He shook his head, “Profits mostly, influence for their various religions or the higher ranking members.” His beam suddenly slipped past her, ramming into the distant wall and destroying one of the magical lamps. “Oh, sorry.”

She shrugged before she spread her arms, “See, perfect. We’re already much simpler to deal with, cheaper and our healers will just be normal adventurers. We can even encourage them recruiting new members, teaching first aid and things like that to whoever is interested. Free of charge of course.”

“I see. I think I have a clearer picture of your ideas now. We’re going for quality healers and not profit. Free training, lodging and gear. What about food?” He asked, recasting his spell.

“I own plenty of restaurants, members could eat there for free. Or they deliver food to wherever the organization will be placed at, otherwise members will abuse it and just go to Keyla all the time.” She laughed.

Trian chuckled, “It seems with your influence and properties in the city, it should be simple to set up. After the demon invasion, the elves in the west and the war, there will be plenty of capable trainers who would look for a job like this as well.” He murmured, barely audible over the lightning, “Healers should join adventurer teams or the Hand, if their level is high enough I suppose. We can make deals with each guild to get some benefits for the members. Any rules you want to have? I don’t think you’d like them to join warring countries for example.”

“Yea, joining anyone that fights sentients is forbidden, if it’s known beforehand. Self defense of course is fine, as well as situations where it turns out that the monsters are actually just rogue adventurers or something.” She said.

“Sentients?” Trian asked, looking at her, “Of any race?” His magic stopped. “I should recharge some mana.”

She nodded, “Of any race. Requests can be made and you or me decide on fringe cases, I suppose.” Ilea replied.

The man raised his eyebrows and wrote it down, “Seems good. I agree that we should try and focus on monsters and dungeons. What about city defense or the respective guard? They need healers as well and most get them from orders or train them themselves as far as I’m informed.”

“I think we should focus mostly on offense, to clear out dangerous areas and help adventurers level, also to make the profession more desirable. The goal is to advance society as a whole and for that we need people to be able to face monsters.” Ilea said. “Then again, many would not want to fight and healers in cities are helpful and needed too.” She grumbled, unsure.

“We could offer training in a less combat oriented healing class too, same organization but more for settlements.” He suggested.

“Long term maybe but right now we haven’t even started. There will be plenty of people capable and willing to face dangers. I can invest gold into what you suggest as well, maybe you can discuss the idea with Claire but I think it should be a separate thing entirely. For now at least.” She wanted her healers to be capable fighters, willing to jump between a monster and an adventurer.

He tapped his notebook but nodded, “I suppose that’s alright. I’ll find a place then, hopefully with training arenas and plenty of room going down into the underground.” He looked around, “Like this place.”

“Good.” Ilea said, “You deal with Claire in regards to the restaurant deal, the guild deals as well as the contract new members would need to sign. They can join for free after someone evaluates them, you for now. I’ll talk to Dagon in regards to information on medicine, first aid and the like. There must be some authors that wrote about those topics. You already mentioned trainers, we’ll need teachers too. Alchemists and the like might be interested as well.”

He grinned, “I’ll get it done. Soon, Ilea’s healer club will be the most renowned organization in all of Elos.”

“Keep working on the name.” She said, a serious expression on her face, “Don’t include my name, no, also not Lilith.”

“The healer friends.” He suggested, his notebook vanishing as he prepared another spell, “Your friendly neighborly healers.” His eyes sparkled with joy at her reaction, “Just healing. It’s what we do.”

He was already working on horrible slogans when she decided to start the actual bout. He can be the manager but we’ll need a separate head of marketing. She shook her head, The possibilities are endless with all this gold. Her ashen limbs appeared and spread behind her, her bone armor appearing before it was covered with ash, wisps of the nearly black element moving as if touched by wind.

Trian took a step back, his armor appearing too, “I’m not so sure about this anymore.” He joked, “Fighting the elder of the Curing Sisters, just doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

She smirked and rushed at him, her limbs spreading out as they slashed with hardened spear like tips at the man. His lightning was ramming into her ashen armor, near completely ignored by her. Heart of Cinder was activated, Ilea teleporting where she felt him appear, her senses and speed enhanced enough to catch him on his first teleport. My poor vampyr. A fist slammed into his stomach, not mana intrusion spells used as he was sent stumbling.

He caught himself, coughing up blood as she slowly landed a couple meters away from him. “Your punch sure has improved. That was strength alone?” He asked.

Ilea nodded, “The evolutions were pretty nuts.”

Trian smiled and crouched down, red lightning flaring up around him, reaching even his eyes. His health and mana drain reached her before he vanished, appearing above her before a lightning strike slammed down onto her face, clearing away a part of her ash that quickly reformed. He flew around her, slamming lightning attacks into her time and time again while he dodged her ashen limbs that lashed out at him.

She started to add lances of ash into the mix, forcing him to teleport as well. When her Heart of Cinder started to damage her, she lifted her hand his way before cocking her head to the side. Maybe that’s a bit much. Her aim switched to the wall around twenty meters to her right before she released the spell.

Trian’s eyes opened wide as he watched the cone of fire and embers slam into the stone wall, burning into it with incredible power. The spell lasted for a little over a second before all the heat had been pushed out. His lightning vanished, the man laughing out loud as he watched the smoke clear. A deep circular crater had formed in the wall, “Good thing you own the place.” He commented, not appreciating her aggressive excavation project.

Chapter 339 Skill Testing

Chapter 339 Skill Testing

“That’s insane. And it’s not powered by mana alone but generated heat that’s stored within you?” Trian asked as his eyes sparkled with joy.

“Yes. It does cost mana to channel but not much at this level. Normally it’s released in a sphere around me but the third tier allows me to use it like you just saw. A cone of flame shot out from either arm.” She explained, feeling a little weird that Trian of all people would be such a fan of her ability.

“Either… what about those ashen ones? Very impressive manipulation by the way, I assume they’re considered part of your body?” He asked.

Ilea scratched her head, “I haven’t actually tested that. Pretty recent that one. And yes, they’re part of my body.”

“Does the sphere damage your ash when it expands?” He asked again.

I should really do more testing. Ilea thought and smiled, happy to have people pointing things like this out for her. I miss the simple days, where a fist to a monster’s head was enough. All this Intelligence and here I am.

She tested both, generating heat with mana, one of her ashen limbs moving ahead of herself and pointing back at her. She created some ash and let it float before her face, leaving room for the blast to reach her ashen armor as well as the wings and limbs she spread behind her. She focused on the ashen limb and released the spell.

Fire and energy washed over her, slightly damaging the ash in front of her but neither her armor, her wings or even the ashen limbs behind her. “Ok… that doesn’t make any sense.”

Trian shook his head, “No, it does. It doesn’t damage your body.”

Ilea nodded and tried again, having an idea. She formed a dome of ash and connected it to one of her limbs before releasing another lightly charged blast of Heart of Cinder. This time however, the dome was damaged. “What?” She asked.

“I don’t know. It’s supposed to be part of your body. Maybe it has something to do with familiarity as well?” Trian asked, his hand on his chin. “What about when you release it as a sphere?”

The test ended in the same way. “I mean it doesn’t damage my bone armor or clothes either.” She said, “Magic mumbo jumbo, man.” She shook her head. That’s why I don’t overthink this stuff too much.

“There has to be a reason. I can’t see past your ashen armor with my magic sight but if you have something similar you might be able to spot it.” He stepped past her and looked at the floor. “Hmm… I mean… I’m not sure. Try again, use it on yourself but stand next to the wall. That way we can tell where the beam actually goes.”

Ilea sighed, not particularly seeing the reason why they were doing this. If I aim it at my enemies, it will deal damage to them. She tried, basically making a shadow puppet of herself, just that the light was a deadly beam of energy, heat and fire.

Ilea concentrated on her magic sight added to her sphere and closed her eyes, releasing the spell and trying to make out what happened exactly. Indeed, the spell didn’t burn the wall where her limbs hovered, neither did it damage the stone behind her body or wings. What was peculiar was the fact that the magic in the spell seemed to be absorbed again by the protrusions.

“Yea.” Trian said, “It just flowed back into you. I think it has to do with the substance of your ash. The spell is aligned with your body, meaning the energy gets absorbed again. At least in part. I suspect its so little that you barely notice, especially with it being mostly heat and not pure mana.”

“Good to know.” She murmured.

“At least you know that if someone is behind your wings, you can’t aim at them.” Trian said.

She tested again with the sphere instead and found the limitation didn’t apply there, the energy flowing past her ashen limbs and wings. “And why is this working instead?”

The man again scratched his chin, “The source is different. You release the spell from your core, slightly below your chest I think. The magic registers your body, where it is and what’s a part of it. I suppose it forms the energy around those parts instead of just sending it out of your limb.”

“I’m not sure how this knowledge will be of any use.” She said.

Trian smiled at her and chuckled, “You will never change, will you? Most other mages would test their skills until exhaustion, to understand every little piece of it. I suppose your way is more instinct based. The results speak for themselves, I suppose.” He laughed. “Any other cool things you can show me?”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Definitely agree on the instinct part. I do like to trust my gut. Not just when it comes to food.”

“Do you even need to eat at this point?” He asked, tilting his head to the side.

“I do. The need comes less from my body and more from my mind.” She explained and left it at that.

The vampyr looked at her with raised eyebrows, “Oh k.” He murmured something to himself, “I noticed my mana drain didn’t really work. I even took damage after a while.”

She nodded, “Yea, I have the second tier resistance maxed at level twenty. It’s harder to drain obviously and if you use the mana, you take damage. It should increase with each unit of mana drained.”

“Fascinating. I didn’t know about the effects.”

“Also I can drain a part of your spells’ mana. Not sure how much though, it’s kind of unclear.” She added.

“You mean the second tier lightning resistance?” He asked.

Ilea shook her head lightly, “No. I mean yes. That too. I have an additional skill that absorbs mana.”

He looked at her wide eyed, “You are… what a combination of skills. If we can train people to have at least similar classes…,” He mused, “The Mending Pact will rise in power, surely.”

Ilea groaned, “I don’t remember you joking so much.”

He shrugged, “I said I changed. In many ways, I think. Not taking everything so seriously is one thing I strove for. You were a good role model.”

Ilea laughed, “I can see that. I think a middle ground is good though. I was damn near apathetic for a long time.”

“True.” Trian said, reeling back their subject, “I think it’d be good to test your mana absorption ability. Is it active or passive?”

“It’s passive.” Ilea replied, “The efficiency is determined by the mana used for the spell and my resistance to it. At least that’s the wording in the skill.”

“Hmm, with our regeneration it’s going to be difficult to test, adding in the lightning resistance bonus. That one isn’t very high usually so it should still be a reasonable test. One strong blast is probably best. What’s your lightning resistance at?” Trian asked, lightning flowing over his arm.

“Second tier, level six.” She replied.

“I believe it was around ten percent absorption at level one for the resistance, probably up to thirteen percent then with your level. I tested Claire and it varied between one percent and ten at level one, depending on… well we didn’t really find a definitive answer.” He paused, “So, the damage itself doesn’t get affected at all by that absorption skill?” He asked.

“Not that I know. There are other skills that reduce magical damage as well as resilience in general but I think it’s completely separate.”

He nodded, “Good. So that’s twenty six levels of lightning resistance. Can you use up some mana, I’ll hit you with a single attack afterwards.”

Ilea nodded, sacrificing two thousand health before healing herself back instantly. “Alright, I’m down around seven hundred mana. Hit me.”

“I want to know what you just did… oh well.” Trian said before a single massive lightning bolt discharged from his hand, slamming into her chest. She had to step back a single step as the energy flowed through her. Her health was down only two hundred points, regenerating quickly.

“Around one hundred and ninety mana from that.” Ilea said.

He got out his notebook again, “Five hundred mana used, one ninety would be thirty eight percent.” He noted it down and nodded, “Let’s do that again. Until we can ignore the randomness of your Lightning Resistance absorption.”

They tested with another thirty or so attacks, Trian continuously writing down the numbers, “Twenty six levels in resistance and with all taken into account your should… more or less gain either around 1.4 percent per level of your absorption skill or what I assume, ten percent if you have the resistance and then one percent for each level in the resistance.”

Ilea ran it through in her head, “So if it’s at the end of the second tier, I get 50 percent of the mana used in the spell? That’s insane.”

“I mean, you need the resistance at that level. How many of them do you have?” He asked.

“Like twenty, thirty? I don’t feel like counting right now. A lot in the second tier as well.” Ilea replied. “It’s super simple to train with a healing spell and Pain Tolerance in the second tier. It just negates pain altogether.”

“Yea, I did hear about that one. You still need people or monsters to train you. The healing is an issue as well but most of all, you need to get to the second tier of Pain Tolerance. I’m at level five and honestly, I’d rather keep it that way.” He sighed.

“As to what I did earlier, I can activate a third tier aura by sacrificing health. Then I use my third tier healing to instantly recover, using a chunk of mana.” Ilea explained.

He shook his head and blasted her stomach again, continuing the resistance training, “You’re even harder to kill now. I should really level more to get those third tier skills.” He said. “You should train your healing by sacrificing health randomly.”

She nodded, taking a step forward against the lightning, “I did that before. It’s alright but in the third tier it takes ages. I’d rather just fight something and heal myself. More efficient I think.”

“Probably.” He replied, “Thing is, most people wouldn’t prefer fighting monsters all the time. With your healing and level I’d assume you’re not really aging anymore. Getting a couple skill levels by shutting yourself inside an academy for a decade or two would be the reasonable thing to do.” He paused his lightning, “Of course I’m not suggesting you do that. I know you’d rather starve.”

“Yea, mate I’d rather have fun than doing that.” Ilea said and laughed, “I can see the reason of course but I suppose you could train for decades in a library too when you’re level fifty, then at level one hundred and then again at my level. Fighting and progressing is at least exciting. I didn’t get here because I wanted power, not mainly at least.”

He nodded, “I know. You have to agree though that a lot of close death situations you undoubtedly had on your way could have been avoided with more preparation and skill leveling in between.” The lightning slammed into her again.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

“Probably. Might have gotten myself into other situations though.” She said.

“You? Yea I can see that.” Trian laughed. “Can’t believe that my magic isn’t even damaging you anymore.” He added, “Most of the nobles wouldn’t even think about offending me. They’d be terrified of you.”

She smirked, “Exactly the way I like my politics.” She replied, “Oh, I actually did get attacked by someone calling himself a noble today. In case you hear about it, he was being a haughty idiot.”

“From north of here then, I assume? Most from the region around here are actually quite competent. They know and respect the Hand and act accordingly. The higher ups from smaller cities in the somewhat safe areas of the plains are usually the hardest to deal with. The influx of self declared nobles moving here has slowed down considerably though.” He explained.

“I don’t care much, have to be honest there.” Ilea said with a smile.

He chuckled, “I can see that. It’s why I’m here after all. You would think I had a similar opinion on nobles after all… that has happened. Yet I find it refreshing. The position of power I was bestowed certainly helps.”

“What position? Noble manager? Are you hired by the city or the Hand? Or are you just considered the highest noble around here? Mayor or governor?” She said, tilting her head to the side.

“I need to regenerate.” Trian stopped his magic once more, “The previous governor died in the demon summoning, it’s been… kind of awkward since then, at least in regards to that. The empire didn’t appoint anybody else and Claire kind of took over the tasks that would be required of that role. Since then many others have taken up certain tasks but Lys still hasn’t done anything about it.”

He cracked his neck, “I suppose it’s easier to just let us handle stuff on our own down here. Ravenhall is one of the outermost cities in their territory.”

Ilea nodded, “The establishment of our organization won’t be a problem in that regard either then.”

“I hope so.” The man replied, glancing at her, “I think most of the basics are covered for now. I’ll get to work if you don’t mind.”

She crossed her arms and smiled, “I won’t stop you. I’ll try to come back from time to time, also because of the class thing. Maybe I can find a bunch of healers that could help.”

He grinned, “Do that. Yet there’s enough I can work on anyway, especially once we have a couple teachers and trainers as well as volunteers. Even if there’s no class yet. Rooms will need to be furnished, facilities prepared.”

The two made their way back, Trian locking the gate behind them. He breathed in the cold air outside and smiled at her, “See you then, don’t do anything too stupid. And don’t get yourself killed.”

Ilea chuckled, “It’s not like you depend on the income, Trian.”

He rolled his eyes, “The southern healing tribe depends on you, Ilea.”

“Of course it does. See you, Trian. You don’t do anything ridiculous either.”

He waved his hand sideways and vanished with a grin on his face.

Ilea stretched and yawned.

“How you doin, fair healer?” an adventurer in full plate and a claymore on his back asked her, walking by.

She glanced his way and shook her head lightly, “I’m alright, how you doin?”

“I don’t know, I have never gotten this far. May I invite you to supper sometime?” The man asked, surprising Ilea.

[Warrior – lvl 109]

“I’m fine, thanks.” She declined and spread her wings, flying off towards Viscera. There were some things she needed from the two librarians. Seems like the healer tag makes people less scared of me at least. Now, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 9’

“I will see what I can find.” Elise said, “Eve Aillan and a man named Albert or Scipio, the descriptions of their abilities should help tremendously.”

“Hire people too, you can use this to pay them.” Ilea said, dumping thirty gold coins on the table the woman was sitting at. “Try to be a little discreet and if possible only use people you trust personally.”

Dagon walked in and laughed, “Overpaying people again, I see?” He commented, “I thought you were already gone.”

“I wish.” Ilea sighed, forming an ashen chair and falling into it, “There’s another thing I need from the two of you.”

“Whatever you need, the information you provided earlier is worth damn near all my secrets.” Dagon sighed, “Not that you still need to trade for anything.”

She had thought it was an iron rule for him to always ask for something in return. “Books and information on healing classes of any kind, medicine, first aid, anatomy, healing potions, injuries and related runes and enchantments if you have anything. Trian will have copies made so just give all of that to him.”

Elise nodded, “I can collect what you need. Do you plan to enhance your healing class?”

“Not exactly. You’ll see in time, I suppose.” She replied with a smile.

The next stop was outside the city itself, Ilea flying northwards to the village of Indur. I’m getting tired of all this organizational stuff while Maro is building his undead army to destroy all of humanity from within. She decided to get a meal and drink once she was done with the enchantress and the smith.

She found it already nice to fly out of the city, the snowy landscape spreading before her. A deep breath entered her lungs, the cold air welcoming her back into the wild. I need to get some sense dampening skill again. She hadn’t managed to get used to all the sensations in the city, even after staying there for nearly a day now. There were escapes of course and with all her gold as well as restaurants and other places she owned, she could get a whole terrace to herself. Not the same as out here. She thought, after two minutes of flying not a single sign of human life visible.

Ilea did try to avoid the road, instead flying over a nearby summit, checking for arcane storms out of habit. There were none of course. Twenty minutes of flying later, she landed and stepped closer to the cliff side before her. Good thing I’m not terrified of heights. The ghost town of Morhill was visible, no clouds nearby. No refugees visible. She thought. Ravenhall took everybody in, or the dangers were so high that people still deemed the town inhabitable.

Even if there had been people in the cellars and houses somewhere, she expected at least some signs of life, burning fires or nearby hunters. The dirt road leading past the city and towards Ravenhall was covered in snow, empty as far as the eye could see. Indur wasn’t visible, a little off the path and located in a nearby valley between the high reaching mountains.

She crossed the rest of the way, leaving the ghost town behind and landing outside the little village. Smoke was rising from several of the buildings and the walls were higher now, sturdier. A steel gate had been added, a single fur clad heavy plated warrior standing atop with crossed arms.

“Ho there, what is your business in Indur?”

Ilea waved, “Meeting an old smith and his lovely daughter.” Her ashen armor receded, revealing the bone below.

“Entry fee is one silver.” The man said, hand moving to the hilt of his ax.

Chapter 340 Craftswoman

Chapter 340 Craftswoman

One silver. They really don’t want outsiders in here. She thought, walking towards the big house of the smith. Her bone boots left behind deep tracks in the snow, the crunching sound overshadowed by the chickens and pigs in the nearby pen. She wondered if they weren’t too cold but looking through her sphere, she realized there was more than one enchantment placed on the area. Iana doing her due? She wondered, not sure if normal villages could afford or provide something like that. Remembering barns in more than one place she had visited spoke against it.

The sturdy door shook, Ilea’s fist pounding against it thrice. She heard grumbling from within, curses uttered in a deep and heavy voice.

The door swung open and Balduur was greeted with a chuckling Ilea.

“Hi Balduur.” She said, “Still angry at every visitor?”

He grumbled and shook his head, “Girl. I didn’t expect you today. You’re still alive?” The question at least sounded sincere, as if he was glad to see her among the living.

[Smith – lvl 183]

“Hey, you leveled again.” She said, stepping closer and shaking his hand, her strength overwhelming him without effort. “Not as much as I did.”

He chuckled, the sound like a deep rumble, “It seems you are right.” The man eyed her armor, moving a hand through his beard, “You found that? No… it’s too well fitting. A smith then.” He shook his head in disapproval, “I did not expect you to cheat on me, Ilea.”

She smiled, the armor vanishing into her necklace, “I just don’t want to travel every time I need something done. Not that I really need armor anymore.” She said, “May I come in?”

He stepped aside and waved her inside, “Of course, I understand. The craftsmanship is exquisite as well. At least you found someone matching my level.”

“He’s higher actually, above two hundred and a Dark One. Thousands of years of experience too.” She kind of regretted the mention, seeing his eyes widen and a big smile form on his face.

“I will want to meet them.” He said, a statement, no room for argumentation.

Ilea glanced at him, hearing noise from below, “Good for you, Balduur.”

“So.” He said, “What do you need from me?”

“I’m mostly here for Iana to be honest. Though I’m sure you’ll be interested in our talk as well. There is something I will want to discuss with you too.”

The smith wanted to answer something when she heard an excited voice.

“Is that Ilea?!” Iana exclaimed, the girl bursting into the room with a big smile, “By the gods, it is.”

Ilea smiled back, hugging the woman who had grown a bit since last time, not just in height.

[Enchantress – lvl 162]

“Hey Iana. Nice to meet you too.” Ilea said, the girl separating quickly with an embarrassed look on her face.

“I… sorry.” She said, “Happy you’re still alive, that’s all. With the war and all…,”

“It’s alright. Is Aki still alive?” Ilea asked.

Iana nodded, rushing towards the basement.

Balduur looked at her and shrugged, following his daughter to their work area.

They had expanded since last time, more tables and tools. Machines whose purpose Ilea could only guess at. The air was hot, then cool, then hot again. Enchantments glowed in her magic sight, more than she had ever seen in her sphere. The workshop of two prodigies. She joined Iana near the big work bench.

“Ilea? Truly… she has returned. I never would have expected it.” Aki’s voice came from somewhere on the crowded desk.

She couldn’t quite place where he was, looking at Iana for help.

The girl smiled, her deep blue eyes staring back at her with nearly runic designs sparkling within. She grabbed something off the table and held it out to her. A spike with a tiny handle, four guard like protrusions extending from its center.

“You reforged him? Hey, Aki. You remember me?” Ilea asked, looking at the thing that most of all reminded her of a steel face hugger.

“Of course I remember you. How did you survive for a whole year?” He asked.

She glanced at Iana, “Are you kidding me? No trust, Aki.”

“He’s been talking about you much nicer before. I don’t know what he’s going on about now. Did you not sleep well?” Iana asked the face hugging spike, petting its steel form.

“You’re not supposed to say that.” Aki simply said.

Ilea laughed, shaking her head, “Well, I’m glad you’re doing alright. What’s that form? Do you plan to plant dagger eggs into some poor human?”

“I figured out the enchantments, most of them at least.” Iana said, “They are Taleen in nature I believe, very very old. Aki isn’t a soul bound to the dagger as I had suspected initially. He’s a complex array of interchanging and ever evolving magical circuits powered by ambient mana alone. The dwarves figured out how to harvest it, though it’s not enough to power the complexity of Aki.”

“He uses mana from the wielder. Is that also why you change your personality after a while?” Ilea asked.

Iana nodded happily, “Exactly, yet I tinkered with that part, solidifying his current self. His request of course.”

“You’re sharing personal information.” Aki informed her.

She just smiled and patted him again, “I have learned so much from studying him, Ilea. I can’t thank you enough.”

Ilea tapped the table and nodded, “Sure. So he’s an A.I basically? An artificial intelligence?”

“Hmm… maybe. I’m not sure the dwarfs really made him. Perhaps the core was born out of mana, yet I’m not sure. It’s been too long, too much has changed in him and neither does he remember anything from back then.” Iana said, “Yet if anybody could succeed with such a task, then it would be the Taleen.”

“I can be more useful now, by the way.” Aki said, “I just need a machine I can control.”

Iana looked at the dagger, “It might not work, Aki.” She looked at Ilea, “We tried with things Balduur and I created but I don’t have any Taleen machines to study other than him. That’s why I was so excited to see you, maybe you could help me out there.”

Ilea frowned, “I don’t have any of them with me.” She said, “Maybe Maro…, yea. I’ll ask a friend but he’s currently in Ravenhall. Speaking of, I have a couple suggestions for you two.”

Iana raised her eyebrows and Balduur frowned, a caricature of their respective openness for change in their respective age.

She laughed and shook her head, “I would like to hire you two. And Balduur, hear me out first.” She said, pointing at the man who was already shaking his head, “I’m level three hundred now and I own a big chunk of Ravenhall as well as some investments in other cities. I plan to form some sort of healer organization and for that I will need gear and enchantments.”

“I trust the two of you. And I hope you’ll keep all this to yourselves.” She warned, “Iana, I found a Taleen gate key. A knowledgeable rune mage and enchanter is currently working to develop a long range teleportation gate for the Shadow’s Hand and for me.” She was happy to see the girl’s reaction, her eyes going wide and her mouth opening slightly, “I would like you to work on that. As well as something else we found. Ancient runes that I’d like someone capable to study.”

The girl looked towards Balduur with a complicated expression.

“It’s your decision, Iana. As we discussed before, I don’t think working for the Shadow’s Hand is the best idea.” The smith said.

Ilea tilted her head to the side, “You’d be working for me directly, Iana. Both for my healing order as well as on the teleportation gate. I’m a part of the Hand but you would not be associated with them, not that I agree with Balduur. Management has changed since we retook the city and I trust all of them.”

“I’d love to.” Iana immediately said with a big smile, “Would I be moving to Ravenhall?”

“I can introduce you to Claire, she’s the head administrator of the city. You can have a house or apartment, whatever you want. Funding and workspace as much as you need.” She said, happy to hear the girl wanted the job.

Balduur smiled and spoke, “Ilea, I’m happy that you can offer such a position. The girl has been growing bored in the village.” He turned to Iana, “As much as I hate to see you go, I can tell this is not an opportunity you want to miss.”

“What about you, Balduur? I know you normally only work for the village but you’d be supplying my own organization.” She explained.

The smith nodded, “I can work with you, depending on what your organization aims to accomplish. Supplying healers already sounds better than all the rest of the offers I got over the years. What I can’t do however, is move to Ravenhall. Too many people.”

“What about Morhill?” Ilea asked seriously.

“I… why would I move to that ghost town?” He asked.

“Not just you, Balduur. The whole village. Iana, are there enchantments here that prevent people from listening in?” She asked.

The girl nodded, “Except high level rogues or scryers, we’re fine… probably.”

Ilea trusted her work more than the girl herself it seemed, “The war will come to an end at one point or another.” She started, “When that happens, either Baralia or the Empire will prevail. My gold is on the empire with everything I’ve heard. Ravenhall has recovered and grown considerably, not just in population but in influence, gold and power too. What would you think of joining us, taking over Morhill and governing the city?”

Balduur was quiet for a moment, staring at her as if she was crazy, “Leaving the empire? You speak of treason.”

“I swore no allegiance to the empire, nor do I feel particularly connected. The Hand retook the city and cleaned up the demons summoned by one of the previous elders. I know the leaders personally, Balduur and I think this is the best thing for the region. The empire abandoned Morhill as well as all the villages around here. The war has sucked them dry. It would take years or even decades for them to invest in these parts again. With you lot as well as perhaps some other villages you trust, we could rebuild and strengthen the city.”

The smith at least considered, more than she had expected considering his previous words, “The area is good, walls already standing as well as the infrastructure. Yet, we aren’t city people, Ilea. I don’t want to live among thousands of people either.”

“Then don’t. People will flock to Ravenhall anyway. What you could provide is gear and another starting point for adventurers in the region. A supply station, place to rest and refuel for the merchants and Hand members. Training areas too maybe, there’s space enough.” Ilea suggested.

“And a wall between you and the empire.” He said.

“That too. But would you really prefer the empire over the Hand and Ravenhall? Contracts will be forged and the empire won’t care about us as long as trade is flowing and the mercenaries are still available for them. They don’t have the power to oppose us, not after the war.” She said.

“What about in five years though, ten?” He scratched his beard, “What stops you from expanding, conquering?”

Ilea shrugged, “I have a veto and I will only agree to defensive wars. I can see you’re thinking about it at least. I’ll tell Claire to visit you and talk about the details. I can’t tell you anything about the long term plans or expectations. Just thought you would be a good guy to have.”

The burly man laughed, “Well thank you. I don’t get offered a city every day. I have to warn you, I might just stay in Indur. The only reason I’m even considering is because you’re the one asking and because it’s in the region.”

“Fair enough. It’s fine too if you want to stay, I can have Trian send the requests for the organization directly.”

She went on to talk about the healing order and her goals with it, Balduur approving of the rule against fighting sentients. It would have to be seen if Claire could convince him in regards to Morhill. At least he had agreed to work with Ilea directly and that was the major goal she had in her meeting with him.

“I was thinking.” Ilea said, talking to Iana after they had a drink together and talked about her order as well as some of her adventures in the north. Balduur was even more interested in meeting Goliath by now and Iana kept asking questions about the Taleen, especially the Praetorian shields. Recovering the runes would be impossible of course, not until Ilea could securely destroy one of the machines before they exploded, a task likely not possible for many years to come.

She summoned the dark obsidian hammer forged by Goliath, “Can you give it an enchantment that could bring it back to me?”

Iana touched the metal, “There are no enchantments on it yet. High quality but the structure is so dense it doesn’t allow much. Perhaps something that would allow you to make it fly back to you. No spacial magic.”

“That’d be alright.” Ilea replied.

“You would need quite a bit of mana to make it work.”

“I also thought about having my armor enchanted. It’s bone though so I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

“Of course. Show it to me.” Iana replied.

Ilea put on her Eternal Guardian armor onto one of the work benches, each piece separately.

“Timeless… beautiful work… this isn’t carved, it’s molded. A bone mage? And a smith as well?” Iana commented as she ran her hand over the gear.

“Not the same person.” Ilea commented. She noted Iana lingered on the symbol carved into the helmet’s cheek.

“This is elvish, I’m pretty sure.” She was stating it, not overly concerned.

Ilea still decided to explain, “I met some in the north. Cerithil Hunters, exiled from their domains, their only purpose to hunt and destroy Taleen machines. I suspect the elf you were previously owned by was one such hunter.” Ilea said, looking at Aki.

“The name… it’s familiar, yes.” The dagger said, “I believe you might be right. Although… it’s weird. Somehow I feel negative towards it, as if they were… cursed? As if I wanted to, hunt them, kill them.”

She nodded, “I would assume non Cerithil elves would think that way. It’s possible your previous owner wasn’t quite convinced yet or you changed owners among the elves as well.”

Balduur seemed concerned, “Elves too… Ilea. I do trust you, yet I must ask. What do you intend to do if those creatures invade? What will you do if Ravenhall ignores your veto?”

“I will fight them, both the elves and those that would break their promises. I can see why you would be concerned, I really do. I wasn’t convinced by the idea immediately either. Still decided to join, mostly because I know all of them. From the empire, I know nobody. Just talk to some of them and think about it.” She replied. “I’ll try to set up a meeting between you and Goliath too.”

He nodded, the suggestion likely more important to him than any of the politics. At least she thought as much considering his facial expressions.

“What enchantments would you want, Ilea?” Iana asked, turning away from the bone gear.

She shrugged, unsure what would be helpful, “Can it give me stats or make me faster?”

Iana shook her head, “No stats, something like that could only develop over a long period of time and only for high end gear. I think this set of armor is capable of growing such an effect, yet it’s hard to say. Same with the speed effect. I can of course make it lighter.” She glanced at Ilea with a questioning look.

“How common is that? Developing stats or effects? Never heard of it and I’ve talked to plenty of librarians and powerful beings.” Ilea said.

The enchantress chuckled, “Perhaps you haven’t asked the right questions. Though I suppose it is rare to know about this, even more so to see it. Powerful family heirlooms might bear such effects, long forgotten and guarded treasures in ancient dungeons or kept by monster tribes. Some adventurers stumble upon such items from time to time.”

“I do ask to few questions. What enchantments would you suggest?”

“Stat bonuses, at least those I have seen wouldn’t give you much. Perhaps five to ten points for a whole set of armor. The fact that the gear can develop an effect like that speaks for its quality, the item itself being the actual benefit.” She paused, “Resistances to heat or mana intrusion, perhaps another element. Bone is rather versatile so I could accommodate to a lot. Simple hardening or durability is possible as well.” Iana suggested.

Ilea walked to the table and checked the helmet, “I don’t think lighter gear would help, I barely notice it as is. Resistances don’t matter much either. Can you do both hardening and durability?”

“I could make it heavier as well. And yes, if you want that. I would leave it at three enchantments, to make sure we’re not overburdening the material.” She suggested, “Hmm… well, you being a healer, I could add a mana flow enchantment.” Seeing that Ilea didn’t know what that is, she explained, “It negates any mana flow or mana intrusion resistance the material has.”

“That’s be great.” Ilea replied, “How much would it have reduced my healing or attacks anyway?”

Iana checked again, her mana flowing into the chest piece of the set, “Not much. The maker made sure of that. Still, an enchantment would remove whatever is left of the resistance.”

“Do those three then.” Ilea said, quite happy about the upgrade for her new gear.

Chapter 341 Maximum Overbusiness

Chapter 341 Maximum Overbusiness

“Should I do it in Ravenhall?” Iana asked after noting down some measurements.

“No, I think Claire can get you when she comes to talk to Balduur. I’ll inform her. When do you think you’re done? I think it would also be good to bring all this stuff.” Ilea said, gesturing widely around her.

The enchantress looked around, “That… will be a little longer then. Just getting it up. Most of it was built to stay.”

Ilea thought on it and summoned the Band of Infinity. “I think this should solve the problem. Consider it a gift, to make sure your work is the best it can be.”

The girl stared at the storage ring, back at Ilea and then once again at the ring. “I can’t…,”

Ilea stopped her immediately, grabbing her hand with a quick but gentle motion before she put the ring on, its size automatically changing to fit Iana’s finger. “Oh wow, you just could. Great.”

Balduur laughed and shook his head, heading for his own space in the smithy, “I’ll see you around then, Ilea. Do send your friend over.” He said, leaving them.

She gave him a nod and patted the speechless girl on her back, “Come on, you’ve got work to do. Maybe you’ll figure out how to mass produce these as well.”

Iana looked at her, “Three days… I need three days for the armor and to pack everything up. With this. If it’s really alright. They’re exceptionally rare, random magical proportions evolved over centuries, I don’t think I could replicate it…,”

“We’ll see, Iana.” Ilea commented with a smirk, “I’ll be back in a couple days then. Have fun you two.”

“Don’t forget to check for a taleen machine!” Aki said from the table.

Ilea waved him off, “Yea, yea. If we don’t have anything, I’ll get you one in a couple weeks.”

“I’ve waited a thousand years, Ilea!” Aki commented.

“Then be happy if it’s not going to be another thousand.” She replied with a smile.

“So this is the place?” Ilea asked, back in Ravenhall.

Keyla gave off more heat than normal, her eyes burning bright, “It is.”

Ilea looked at the line of people waiting outside, the establishment more just a store, people going in and out quickly. Some with a slice of cake, others with crepes or a croissant filled with chocolate. The business took up a whole house, not nearly as big as Keyla’s restaurant though. Big pink lettering above the entrance informed her about the name. Big ass Pastries… whoever this is, I can’t exactly fault them, I’m sorry Keyla.

“They’re the most successful food business next to the Golden Drake.” The woman informed her.

“Did you ask Claire about it? And why are you so pissed off?” Ilea asked, “Your restaurant is still booked out for months to come.”

Keyla looked at her, Ilea feeling the hairs on her back stand up, her instincts moving the ashen armor on her back forward before she could consciously interfere. Bright yellow reptile eyes looked into her very soul, flames of hatred and power burning within.

“This is about honor. About my name as a cook. About my restaurant. I won’t have some… baker, steal my glory of having the best food related business in the city. I will not.” The cook said and turned away, her scorching sight aimed at the show window, a dozen beautifully made and decorated cakes presenting the capabilities of the baker.

Ilea was surprised the cakes didn’t melt, “And what do you want me to do about it?”

The yellow eyes focused on her again, “Burn it down, kill them all.” Keyla said, “Or hire the baker for the golden drake, I don’t want to seem extreme.”

Had me going there in the first half. “I’ll check it out. Maybe I own it already.”

“Claire wouldn’t tell me.” Keyla hissed.

The two waited in line for a couple minutes, Ilea watching the two women rushing back and forth between the back room and the counter, taking orders and bringing whatever the people demanded. She could see where the name of the store had come from, Good for them. Not so much for their backs. Ilea noted, thinking on the invention of sports bras. Didn’t I think about that before? Now I could actually fund it. She smiled, looking at the third woman working the cash register and handling the money. Her eyebrows rose at the lack of big ass, pastries.

The worker squinted her eyes at her, “Can I help you miss?” The voice professional and nice, with an icy undertone.

“Yea, is this store owned by Lilith?” Ilea asked, stepping closer.

“May I know who is asking?” The woman said, eyes going wide at the mention.

Ilea spread her ashen wings behind her and smirked, “Potentially, the owner.” She replied.

“Yes, ma’am.” The woman said, saluting her vigorously, indicating her possible past in a military unit. The icy eyes had turned into admiration. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, what can I do for you?”

“Hey, I do own the place. Keyla?” Ilea looked back at the pacing woman.

“That complicates things.” She said, “I wouldn’t want to mistreat someone under your protection.”

“You shouldn’t mistreat anybody, Keyla.”

The woman waved her off, “Ah, come on. A little is fine sometimes.”

Ilea squinted at her, “I’d like to meet the head baker.” She said to the woman who quickly nodded and led them towards the back.

There was a room with a variety of pastries, baked goods, cakes as well as literal tons of ingredients. “He is through that door, it is very, very hot in there. I cannot enter without damage to my body myself.”

“I think I’ll be fine. How’s your heat resistance, Keyla?” Ilea asked.

The woman rolled her eyes and opened the door, “They tried to make me a dragon Ilea, how do you think it is?”

Ilea chuckled and stepped through the opened door, a wave of intense heat immediately washing over her. Nothing dangerous for her but she could tell this wasn’t your average baker. Dozens of ovens were lining the walls, timers and magical lights added to them. In the middle of the room, sitting on a tiny chair was a man in red heavy full plate armor.

He turned his head when he heard the noise, the helmet looked wicked and dangerous. “Oh. Hello Ilea!”

She smiled brightly, “Hey Popi, fancy meeting you here. I already suspected it.”

“Do you know this hideous creature?” Keyla asked, the heat making her scales glisten.

“Don’t talk about him that way, he’s a kind and nice guy.” Ilea said, pointing at Keyla and looking at her with icy eyes, the woman shutting up immediately, “How are you Popi? Where’s Maurice?”

The man walked over and hugged her, “Thank you! Thank you! I have my own shop! Look!” He let go, the force he had used enough to crush a lesser woman. The baker gestured around himself with such joy and pride, Ilea couldn’t help but feel happy for him. “You gave me all this! The boom woman said it was you. Hahahaha.”

Boom woman? Claire? “Well it makes me happy that you have all this. Do you have a place to live as well? And you didn’t tell me where Maurice is, is he ok?”

He pointed up, “I live up. But I like it more here. Maurice said the war is too dangerous for me, traveled here with me and talked to the boom woman.” He nodded, “Maurice said to do a good job and become the best baker. The best baker of all.”

“That’s great.” Ilea said and laughed, “Do you know where he is now?”

He touched his chin, “Hmm, I think. He said he wanted to work with the angry girls. Yellow eyes, like hers.” He said and pointed at Keyla, “And purple eyes.”

Ilea thought for a second, “Felicia and Maria? The ones who came to kill your boss?”

“Arthur? Yes, he’s dead.” The man said and sat down on his little chair made of steel.

Ilea thought he had sounded sad, “Sorry for reminding you. He was a bad man at least.”

“I don’t like killing.” He said seriously before looking up, “But now I have a shop. And you gave me all this.”

Ilea smiled, “Gladly Popi. You’re an amazing baker and deserve your own shop. Tell the boom woman if anybody or anything bothers you. I’ll help where I can.”

“Ilea… your ash…,” Keyla said timidly.

She noticed that her ashen limbs were moving behind her, her armor formed around her, “Oh… sorry. I just thought about what I’d do to anybody that messed with Popi.”

Keyla gulped, “He’s… I mean…,”

Ilea looked her way, “Popi, do you want to work together with this woman? You can supply her restaurant with pastries.” Ilea suggested, “Would increase your diversity of supplies.” She turned to Keyla, “Plus, the name issue would be solved, him being your supplied. At least I think it would.”

“It would be agreeable for me.” Keyla said.

Popi scratched his armored head, “Maybe…how many cakes do you need? I want to bake in the night but Melly says we don’t need that many cakes. StupidMelly, I hate her!”

“If you really want to.” Ilea said, “Who is Melly?”

He pointed outside, probably one of the workers then. Ilea assumed the one working the cash register.

“I’ll talk to her Popi. Thanks. Oh, before I forget. Did you choose the name for your shop?”

He nodded happily, “I want to be the biggest pastry seller! And I am big too.”

Ilea laughed, “I think it’s a great name. Well, we’ll leave you to work then. Glad to see you’re happy. Again, just tell me if you need anything.”

He nodded, “Ok.”

Ilea followed Keyla out again, the two finding the attendant who had brought them to Popi, “You’re Melly?”

She nodded and smiled, “Yes, I am. I hope he wasn’t too rude, though the Head Administrator informed me that you know him.”

“He wasn’t.” Ilea said with a smile, “And yes, glad he’s out of the mercenary work. Make sure he’s happy back there.”

“I try.” She sighed, “Popi barely wants to do anything else but bake. You’re the head cook of the Golden Drake, aren’t you?”

Keyla glanced around before she nodded, “I am.”

“Good, stop stalking around outside the store, it’s creepy.” Melly said, squinting at the woman.

Ilea laughed, “Well. I own both of the stores. Popi agreed to supply the Golden Drake. Do you think that would be possible? Keyla here is a little over competitive.”

Melly shrugged, “If he can bake more then I don’t see the problem. I personally wouldn’t agree but considering it’s the best for my boss, we can work out a contract.”

“Good. When are you done working? I can make time.” Keyla said, sounding very eager.

The two strolled back to the fine dining establishment, Ilea glancing over at the cook who was crunching numbers in a small notebook. “Hey Keyla, I’ve been thinking. All that storage you have in the Golden Drake. I think with this you’ll be able to stash away meals for me more efficiently.” She summoned the Ring of Holding she had left, adding thirty storage units to Keyla’s stock.

“Are you fucking kidding me, woman.” The cook stared at her, shaking her head at the ring Ilea held in her hand.

“Just take it, you have five seconds, otherwise I’ll find someone else who wants one.” Ilea said, “One, two…,”

The cook snatched it up and put it on her left ring finger, looking around at the people walking by.

Some had glanced at the two but most were too occupied with their own lives to care much about a ring exchange. To assume an insanely rare and expensive item like a storage ring would be exchanged in the open like this was unthinkable anyway.

“I’m tired of people reacting this way. I have a ton of gold and rare items, fucking get used to it.” Ilea murmured.

Keyla huffed out some air, “You’re crazy. Thanks. I’ll make good use of it. Storage won’t be an issue anymore and I can save money on all the enchantments keeping things fresh. At least if this is like the storage items I’ve heard about. Also, Ilea. I don’t think people will get used to it very quickly. If you hand out gifts like this to cooks, I don’t even want to know how rich you are.”

Ilea walked onward, patting Keyla on her shoulder, “I don’t know what you mean. Cooks are the most essential to society. Long hours, shit pay, hard and difficult work. Everybody needs them. I hope, as an employer that I can provide them with all they would ever need.” She gave her a thumbs up and a big smile.

“You really mean that. I think some gods must have heard our prayers, sending you in return.” Keyla said and laughed.

“Well yes, I’m the Guardian of all cooks, nurses, plumbers and garbage men and women. The pillars of the world.”

The cook chuckled, “You should be careful with your sarcasm skill. With your power, there could be a cult developing right now.”

The suns were low on the horizon, one of them already hidden behind the mountain over Ravenhall. Ilea and Keyla reached the restaurant, the angry noble from earlier standing outside with a couple of disinterested guards.

Patrick was patiently listening to the noble complaining in quite a volume. He looked relieved when he noticed the two women strolling lazily towards the group.

Onlookers had gathered, talking amongst themselves or just watching on with interest. The streets were getting more busy, a lot of businesses closing up for the day.

_____________________________________________________________________

Oh by the empress. Just shut up already. Jacquen had the same thought for the past seven and a half minutes, the noble twat in front of him going on and on and on and on and on about the owner of the Golden Drake. Perhaps the best and most renown restaurant in all of the city, a city owned by mostly the Hand and rich imperial investors. And this idiot of a noble needs to ask the guard for help. Can he not count two and two together? Whoever owns this place will kill you at best.

[Mage – lvl 118]

Below my level even. And I don’t dare offend a shop keeper here because they might have a friend in the Hand. Ravenhall was a peculiar city, the presence of the Shadow’s Hand making common overconfident adventurers a rarity. Jacquen had seen a lot in his time with the imperial scouts, some of the smaller towns being the worst of it. Men and women alike, drunk on their insignificant power they garnered in a lucky quest or two. Level eighty warriors treating weaker farmers, inn keepers and merchants as if they themselves were kings or emperors.

To him, the Shadows might as well be kings or queens, each usually powerful and experienced enough they could take over a small town somewhere in the west or lead a successful rogue adventurer or bandit group. Yet they were here, either that or on missions to kill beasts nobody else would challenge. He felt no shame in admitting that they did more to regulate the monsters in the empire than the scouts he had been a part of just a year ago.

He saw the Golden Drake’s receptionist glance away, the man’s posture relaxing. Following the man’s gaze, Jacquen’s eyes fell onto two approaching women. One a breed and likely the cook and owner of the famous restaurant. Her race wasn’t a secret but it turned out that in Ravenhall, few really cared about it. In Virilya people would have set her establishment aflame. He smiled at the thought, glad to be rid of that city.

[Cook – lvl 162]

No wonder she’s so good. Even higher than me.

[Healer – lvl ??]

The other woman he couldn’t identify. She had raven black hair, braided and reaching below her shoulders. Brown simple pants and a white shirt with nice embroideries at the top. Nothing too fancy but a style he certainly liked. How long is this going to take. Looking into her blue piercing eyes, he knew there was more about her. The casual way she approached the situation, a light smirk on her face with her arms crossed before her. He wondered if she was with the Hand but him being unable to identify her was reason enough to be careful.

Healers are usually supportive and don’t pack much of a punch but himself being a bard, he knew that even the cook wouldn’t be a pushover. He turned to the noble who was still talking to the attendant, completely unaware of his surroundings, again proving that he had no combat experience whatsoever. Jacquen just wanted to go home, his wife had the early shift today and would be there. Let’s move this along, shall we. He tapped the noble lightly on the shoulder. “Mr. Grom. I believe the persons in question have arrived.” He said and pointed at the two women.

The noble huffed and turned, his eyes going wide as he pointed at the healer, “That is her! The one named Lilith. I order you to arrest her! She attacked me in this very establishment!”

He looked at the woman and felt the hairs on his back stand up when she glanced his way. If he had learned one thing with the scouts, it was to trust his instincts. Attacked…, The owner of the best restaurant in the town housing the Shadow’s Hand. This was going to be high on his list on most annoying last calls of the day. Jacquen wasn’t sure if that included his time in the military too. His body at least informed him that yes, staring at the woman was just as terrifying as staring into a monster’s maw.

Chapter 342 Are you not entertained?

Chapter 342 Are you not entertained?

“Well, Mr. Grom, do you have any proof or eye witnesses to testify against this woman?” Jacquen asked, forcing himself to look at her.

He noticed his colleague had taken a couple steps back, letting him take the lead. Abandoned as always. Then again, for the level sixty warrior, everybody here was likely terrifying.

“Proof? My word? I’m a noble, that should be enough. Or am I misremembering imperial law?” The man said.

Jacquen rolled his eyes, How long exactly have you lived here? “A noble of your influence must know about the contracts forged after the demonic catastrophe. Without proof, even the empress herself could not convict someone of a crime, not in Ravenhall.”

The noble ground his teeth and looked his way with an annoyed expression.

Very much aware of the contracts, as I had suspected.

The healer spoke up then, “I don’t know about the laws but we could end this quickly. He can hit me ten times, with whatever he can do. Afterwards I hit him just once, to make it fair. I suppose that could alleviate his anger?”

Thank the gods. Jacquen thought, “A challenge was raised Mr. Grom. The guard may be witness to its execution should you wish to accept.” Come on you arrogant fool.

The noble laughed, “A healer? Challenging me? Of course I accept. You will rue the day when you offended and attacked Villibald Grom, sage of fire and bearer of the Grom secret skills! I shall show you why they call me the devourer. Now prepare.” Fire came alive around the man, surging in power as his mana permeated the surroundings.

Jacquen looked at both of them before he stepped a little to the side, She offered him ten strikes. He watched her send away the cook, lazily stepping up towards the noble. “Please step aside to avoid collateral damage.” Jacquen said to the onlookers, a rather large crowd having formed, the first bets being made. He was glad the woman had chosen such a brazen solution. It’s going to be interesting to see how she deals with his blows.

The fire surged once more before a swath of flames surged out from the noble’s outstretched hand, the surroundings heating up instantly. The crowd stepped farther back as the spell engulfed the woman, burning her alive.

Jacquen blinked and had to take a double take through the flames, Well… that’s disappointing. She had been burnt to the bone, dead with the first hit. Why isn’t he stopping? He watched the noble lift his other hand, a more powerful spell engulfing the skeleton of the woman. The guard was just about to stop the noble when he realized the remains hadn’t yet collapsed to the floor. When the flames of the second spell settled, her form was revealed.

His eyes went wide as he looked at the fierce set of armor covering the healer nearly fully. Her blue eyes were focused on the noble, her eyes the only thing visible on her head, the two small horns on the side of her helmet pointed forward in a savage defiance. Her arms were still crossed in front of her, looking unbothered by the powerful fire spells. Jacquen had to at least admit that the noble’s power was on par with a scout, despite his low level. He must have worked hard to level his skills as well as having a good class for his level.

Nobles and their privileges. He couldn’t help but smirk, instantly turning serious again when the woman’s eyes glanced his way. He gulped and hoped he hadn’t offended her in any way. I have a wife and kids. He nearly wanted to say, hoping that the monster would somehow understand. There were eight more blows coming but he knew for sure now that there was nothing this noble could do. Even he himself was unsure if his magic could in any way damage her armor. Beautiful. The thought came to his mind. Fierce and elegant.

“Well it seems your defenses are formidable. Well in that case… let me show you, the most powerful fire magic you have ever witnessed.” The noble babbled.

Jacquen wasn’t listening to his words, enthralled more and more with every spell that washed over the unmoving healer. The flames turned hotter and hotter, nearly white with the last three blasts. It really was a shame such an exquisite class had been taught to such a boring and petty man. Yet there she stood, uncaring, resisting with ease and confidence. The words nearly wrote themselves, Jacquen having to muster up all his professionalism not to grab a notebook and to start writing out songs and poems. Lilith, guardian and shepherd, standing against the immortal institution of nobility. Blue tears of love flowing from her ever mourning eyes, to heal and protect those she has deemed worthy. Born of the spirits themselves she walks among mortals, her grace and elegance bestowed upon admiring minds.

He had a melody in his head already but without paper it was hard to write songs. Jacquen noticed he had begun humming, leaves flowing in the wind around him, elegant and deadly. The bard stopped his spell immediately, the birth of his daughter the last moment he had experienced such beauty, such power. He couldn’t decide if his wife back then, screaming and pushing had been more fierce than the ash armor clad healer standing before him. Jacquen asked for forgiveness in his mind, hoping his wife hadn’t sensed his thoughts. Women and their elusive perception. He hadn’t even noticed that the ten blows had come and gone.

The noble mage was shaking with anger and mana exhaustion. “Impossible… where did you steal that armor?”

Lilith smirked once again, taking a step towards the man as a black mist started to form around her, quickly forming a dome like barrier of ever moving ash, effectively cutting off the view of the onlookers. “My turn.”

Jacquen saw an ashen protrusion form on the healer’s back, the sharp tip lashing forward with a blur, its impact rushing past the noble and crashing into the stone floor. Stone and debris smashed outwards, crashing into his own armor and into the back of the noble.

He watched as the healer appeared before Grom, her ashen limbs fanning out behind her.

“Don’t ever pester or attack anyone under me again. I won’t miss the next time. This is your last warning.” She said in an icy tone, her eyes focused on the noble.

She turned and sighed.

Don’t do it.

Grom lifted his hand, white fire forming.

He’s not aiming at her.

Jacquen couldn’t react in time and watched as the healer appeared again, this time right in front of Grom’s hand.

The spell flashed up, burning into her armor before a single limb soundlessly smashed through his skull.

Blood and bone splattered towards the guards as the ashen limb disintegrated.

The man instinctively stepped back and activated his skills, both his defense and perception increasing. He watched the noble man collapse, his head gone, blasted from his shoulders with such force that blood had colored a big chunk of the ever moving ash behind them. When he looked back at the healer, she was back in her normal attire, a light frown on her face.

“You don’t need to be afraid.” She said, walking towards the corpse before it vanished, ash appearing out of thin air before it moved over the cobbled street, cleaning off the blood and chunks of tissue.

Jacquen heard his heart pump in his chest, his hearing dull, a slight beeping noise suddenly appearing in his right one. He barely noticed the other guard puking on the floor.

It was difficult to move but he forced himself to turn and look at her.

A hand on his fellow guard’s shoulder as the puke was cleaned up with ash. She turned his way and smiled, a limb of ash forming on her back before it gently reached out to him.

This is it…, He was sure of his death, closing his eyes as he accepted the inevitable. Instead he suddenly felt better, a warm feeling flowing through his body and mind. Healing magic. He immediately noticed, hearing a noise resound in his mind, the beeping in his ear already gone.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 6’

When he opened his eyes, the ash around them was gone, no sign of the ashen limb that had reached out to him and the healer simply stood amidst the guards. For the first time in a long while, the bard was lost for words.

________________________________________________________________________

Ilea just couldn’t bear to deal with the man in a more reasonable way. He would just crop up again and again. She felt no remorse, only glad to be rid of a problem that was bothering both her and someone close to her. Perhaps in a better world, another solution was possible. Perhaps even in this one. Yet it certainly was effective and Ilea hadn’t survived Praetorians to be lectured and ridiculed by a stranger, not even if it was the empress of Lys herself. She had given him another chance even and he decided to spit on it.

The guards looked terrified but she couldn’t quite place the look in the higher leveled one’s eyes. Terror? Admiration? She certainly knew that she didn’t like it. “Was that legal?”

He shook his head to calm down.

Her healing had stabilized them mostly, at least as far as her Sphere had informed her.

“It was. The challenge was clear and no kill restriction had been offered, he broke the rules and you retaliated. It is allowed. I will of course report this incident. Your name was Lilith?” The man said quickly, a glint of joy in his green eyes.

The long blond hair reminded her of the elves. A distant relative perhaps? She wondered. “It is. If there are any problems in regards to my actions and I’m not available, do inform the head administrator. She will surely help to sort it out.”

The man nodded, “I will, thank you. I suppose the issue will be brought up to the nobility mediator too, just so you know.”

Trian? Or is that someone else. “Sure, whatever.” She shrugged. Dealing with Miststalkers is much simpler.

The people around them were murmuring, some already leaving again, others obviously annoyed they hadn’t seen what had happened. People were getting into fights about bets because they argued the noble had fled. Others instead suggested she had devoured him instead.

Lilith the devourer. I suppose now that he’s dead, I might as well steal his title. She smirked, “Anything else?” She asked the guard.

The man was staring at her intensely before clearing his throat, “Y… yes. I. May…,”

“What do you want?” She asked.

“I’m a bard… I wanted to ask if I may retell what I saw… your ash armor.” He stammered out.

I can see about fifty ways how that will create problems. On the other hand, songs about me being awesome? “Sure, just don’t forget my name. Lilith.” She reminded him, making it somewhat obvious that it wasn’t her real one.

The man didn’t seem to care, a big smile on his face as he literally bowed to her, “I will, I will. Thank you!” He grabbed his fellow guard who had beentrying very hard not to look at her and walked off briskly.

Keyla stepped up to her and touched her back, “I’m not sure if that was a good idea.”

Ilea turned her head, “Killing the noble?”

“No, telling a bard to sing about it.” She chuckled, “Good riddance.”

She shook her head, I suppose everyone I know is well acquainted to death. She was at least glad Keyla hadn’t made a fuss about it. Turning her head suddenly, she squinted her eyes at someone in the crowd and focused her hearing.

“Rumor is the necromancer summoned her and now he’s her minion. No, I tell you Joan saw them arrive together just this morning.”

Someone else chimed in, “The necromancer who is losing dozens of gold coins in the gambling halls?”

“Heard of another necromancer? Both guards are looking away. How else would you explain that, he must have connections high up. She’s Lilith and you heard them, she owns the Drake, can you imagine how rich she is?”

“Hey… guys… I think she can hear us.”

Ilea smiled with teeth at the group glancing her way before she watched them run off, two of them literally vanishing. She laughed and shook her head, Damn Maro. I hope I own those gambling houses, I guess it wasn’t bad after all that I took most of the money.

“What is it? You look like you’re about to kill someone else.” Keyla said with a smile.

“Not going to be as easy. I think the lower his health is, the harder it gets.” She murmured, “I could finish it though, pretty sure about that.”

“Well do let me know if you need help. I have enchanted kitchen knifes and I know how to use them.” Keyla said, her reptile like tongue slithering out over her sharp teeth.

Ilea shook her head, “I would never endanger and artist such as yourself. You must be protected, at all costs.”

“You don’t have to look after me, Ilea.” Keyla said.

“At. All. Costs.” Ilea said firmly, grabbing the cook’s arms.

She seemed to understand and just nodded lightly. “Want to have another meal?”

Ilea thought about it but there were still things she wanted to get done, “Later maybe. Tomorrow I suppose.” She said, looking up to see the mountains now blocking out the suns, the sky tainted in a reddish purple color. Magical lamps flickered on in the street around them, the people already moving on with their business.

I was pretty productive today. She patted Keyla’s shoulder, “See you around.”

“Stay safe.” Keyla said after her.

Ilea walked towards a nearby building, “Never.” She said and jumped up to the roof, her wings spreading before she rushed off eastwards. Her ashen armor came out from her back and spread over her flying form in an instant. She saw the barrier extending over the outermost city wallsin her sphere, a pulse of mana rushing out after she had past them, likely informing someone that a person had left through the air.

A couple flying people reached the spot where she had exited a couple seconds later, Ilea too far away to make out any details. They didn’t pursue.

Ilea moved the ashen armor from her face and enjoyed the cool air on her skin, her wings moving behind her with powerful motions, pushing her towards the distant ocean with increasing speed.

Ashen wings disintegrated behind the landed healer, a growl making her turn. “Oh, you’re still alive?”

[Swordmouth Tiger – lvl 102]

“Wait… weren’t you higher than that?” She asked, pretty sure the one that had lived in the cave was at least level one fifty. Her eyes went wide when the monster jumped at her. “You’re one of the pups!” She exclaimed, catching the ferocious two hundred fifty kilo murder machine with open arms and a laugh.

Claws and teeth scratched against her skin, leaving thin marks that instantly recovered without her healing skill ever activating. She wrestled it down in a playful manner and cuddled the rough furry creature.

It let out a desperate howl, lashing out with sharp claws as long as the woman’s fingers, not quite drawing blood against the hard skin. Its attacks ineffective, it instead turned to the cave and tried to run off, only to find itself unable to move.

Ilea laughed, holding onto one of the monster’s legs, “My name is Ilea, I live here.” She said and grinned.

Two more cats shot out from the nearby cave and rushed her, ashen limbs extending quickly behind her.

Ten seconds later, the three tigers were all growling, pushed to the stone floor by her ash as she looked for something to eat in her necklace. “I don’t suppose you would appreciate Keyla’s cuisine.” She sighed.

When she looked around, she found a group of birds flying above. Ilea formed an ashen lance and fired it off, the unluckiest of the three avian creatures pierced and falling quickly. A one meter long gull like monster with sharp talons splatted against the stone nearby.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Son of the White Flame – lvl 118 / Arcane Enhancer – lvl 103]

Oh, that’s the message from before. She hadn’t even looked at it.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Raptor Gull – lvl 101]

“Do you like to eat birds?” She asked before she squinted her eyes, “That reminds me.” She summoned the noble’s corpse and tossed it to the cats. “Don’t eat too fast.” She released the three and walked over to the dead Raptor Gull, the sounds of flesh ripping and tearing not quite as disturbing as they should probably be. Ilea grabbed the bird and walked back.

The three cats finished their meal, down to the clothes and boots. They looked at her and growled, two stalking to her sides.

Ilea rolled her eyes and formed her ashen limbs again, the cats stopping immediately at the sight of the magic. She held up the dead bird, “Me, friend. Not food.” She tossed the bird to them and watched them eat with a proud smile on her face. I do hope the mother is fine. She remembered fighting the beast before choosing the spot for her house. Having them around would be a good deterrent to adventurers or random explorers. She ruffled the head of one of the massive cats, a little bigger than adult tigers from Earth.

They seemed to understand already that she wasn’t food, leaving her alone after finishing their meal.

Ilea found her house untouched, the door locked, opening with her mana signature when she activated the enchantment placed into it. She stretched and sighed, looking at her living room. Ilea appeared two floors down in the armory and started looking through her storage items. That’s a lot of crap. She was pretty sure her house wasn’t a safe place to keep it all. Pretty much anybody could just walk in and take stuff and she wasn’t exactly there most of the time.

Another thing to my list of ever growing… things. She sighed, missing her time in the north already. Who am I kidding. I like the change of pace. And I can leave whenever I want. She reminded herself and smiled as she looked at the Taleen weapons displayed in her armory. Wish I had a Praetorian head to display. She mused, the thought of an adventurer invading her home and finding that before fleeing in fear. Let’s be honest, deadly traps would be more effective. Or good locks. Otherwise Kyrian returns from his adventure only to tragically die of poison.

Chapter 343 A Breath of Air

A note from Rhaegar

“Die? Didn't you know? Spartans never die.” – 051

Chapter 343 A Breath of Air

Ilea started with the crates of loot she had gotten in the Vineyard caves, the collection of the Undying Lord moving on to her. I wonder if in ten thousand years someone will invade my home to kill my skeletal undead remains, taking all my stuff and moving it somewhere else. She laughed at the thought, already excited for the fight. I would probably not be around anyway, looking for something exciting out there.

There were lots of weapons and armors. Ilea had designated the room she was in as the armory and decided to put any not fighting related treasures further down, into the part of the house that was a little more secret. With all the skills people had for finding hidden spaces, she assumed a high level scavenger or rogue wouldn’t have an issue getting it anyway. Luckily, she had sorted the loot already back in the bone mansion.

It took her twenty minutes to fill all the gear onto the hooks, brackets, as well as weapon and armor racks. Her ashen limbs helped tremendously, a certain uncaring attitude required to ignore some of the scratches and rough handling of the beautifully crafted and doubtlessly expensive weapons. Ilea had the opinion that if anything got damaged because of that, it wasn’t really worth keeping anyway.

When she was done, Ilea smiled and crossed her arms, nodding at the sight. The magical lights illuminating the room beautifully reflected off the various metals, a colorful palette of displayed wealth and power. She had no idea what most of the weapons were even called, even dubious on how to use some of them. The only thing she could surmise was that a varied horde of warriors tried to kill the Undying Lord. Or he went out and hunted them down. His skull had sadly been molded into her helmet, otherwise she would have put it up on one of the various hooks.

She grabbed the crates with the treasure, putting everything into her necklace before she blinked one floor farther down. One of the storage rooms was chosen at random, the crates put inside. Ilea added the Taleen shield that had remained form the first dungeon, now not really providing much to her defensive arsenal anymore. Back in the armory, Ilea added the Dark Elf Ranger Bow to the wall. Wasn’t I supposed to give that to someone? Lorcan maybe? She didn’t really remember. If anybody was looking for a bow, they could always ask her. I wonder what he’s up to. Still in Dawntree?

The next item she summoned were her heavy obsidian gauntlets. She lifted them easily now, all her offensive upgrades lately made the weapons useless. Her ash could pierce better than her Blue Steel Gauntlets ever could and with how light the supposed heavy gauntlets felt in her arms, she doubted they would add anything to her ridiculously enhanced body. And they prevent the use of Destruction. The hammer wasn’t something she could wield very well yet but if she really needed purely blunt physical force, the weapon was at least heavier.

She summoned it too and compared, How much fucking Strength did that Dark One have? She shook her head with a smile, placing her hammer back into the necklace. The gauntlets she placed in a prominent spot, each a part of her journey. She added the ax from the Dawntree hunter that was looking for her. Looking for Alice. She noted with a smile, Another one that might be dead by now. It wouldn’t be a terrible loss, she thought. At least her butler was a good guy, James? Jaime? Something like that. I meet too many people. Miststalkers all look the same, same name too.

Ilea laughed when she saw the heavy dark steel bow, reminded of a hobby she hadn’t really practiced in a year. Her heavy archery skill was still at level four. The last thing from her necklace that she placed in the armory was her Ashen Hunter leg, cut through cleanly by the now deceased Kingsguard of Tremor. A testament to her power as well as a reminder of her mortality. I think I need more skulls. She thought, tapping her cheek with a finger.

Blue Reapers weren’t that nice to look at, Miststalkers left no corpse behind and the undead knights were human. Ilea decided to hunt for some aesthetically pleasing monsters to decorate her armory with an imposing atmosphere. The next half hour was spent distributing the gear found in Tremor’s treasury. Ilea ran out of space in the end, forced to place some of the weapons and armors into the storage room below, as well as the treasures themselves of course.

Ilea rubbed the bracelet, the storage item mostly emptied. She had forgotten to give Goliath the destroyed Rose Hunter armor sets but Terok had delivered enough metal ingots that it wouldn’t make a difference either way. Stonehammer steel gear for the healing organization? She smiled at the possibility. Forged by Goliath himself, enchanted by Iana. Talk about incentives to join.

Done in the armory, Ilea blinked down into the library and walked over to her bath, activating the enchantments. Her clothes vanished into her necklace a couple minutes later before she stepped into the steaming water. A deep sigh left her, the woman relaxing as the grime, dirt and sweat was cleaned off of her. Ash did the job just as well but there was just something about a steaming bath that nothing could replace. So far at least.

Ilea spent the rest of the evening reading in bed, the star and moonlight that shone through the big glass window above was enough light for her enhanced sight. She read of werewolves and blood sucking monsters, not the sparkly kind. The sound of the waves that continuously broke upon the cliffs below eventually lulled her into a slumber. Ilea woke up a couple times throughout the night, only a light sleep possible with her untiring body. The ashen blanket at least was incredibly comfortable and Ilea found it didn’t dissolve even during her sleep.

A cocoon of ash, hibernating dragon Ilea…, The thought was hazy in her mind when she woke up, the suns not yet visible on the horizon. She could tell it wouldn’t be long until they rose, dusk upon the land. She rubbed her eyes, her auras flowing through her constantly, lines of fire from her Aspect of Ash visible on her skin. Her Ashen Armor was a small patch on her back. Ilea turned in bed, her ashen blanked moving to cover her. She formed a tiny Taleen Praetorian with her ash, the thing fighting a group of Kingsguard all made of ash, her thoughts given form.

If all else fails, I can become an ash puppeteer. She smiled, willing the Armor of Ash on her back into the form of a rose similar to the one on her bracelet, thorns growing out. She noted that if she gave the armor a little more area to expand, she could flatten the ash enough for it to be more akin to a tattoo than anything else. Possibly less obvious that a skill is actively being used. She thought, the praetorian halving one of the knights, Not that it would matter either way. She thought about Trian’s words in regards to skill testing.

There’s a lot I can still learn about ash as well as the Azarinth. She yawned and stretched, clothes appearing on her before she blinked downwards twice, appearing in one of the lower training halls she had had built into the house. Ilea didn’t trust the construction enough to go crazy down there but it was perfect to hide her training in her Armaments of Trials. Doing so outside was fine too but the tigers would probably claw it up. Maybe I should get one of those cat trees.

The next three hours were spent using various skills inside the big bulky armor while she analyzed every little change, flow of magic and enchantments within. Compared to using her skills freely, the armor helped her focus on the more minute changes. Ilea’s magic sight was still untrained. Of course her sphere skill was at the highest current possible level but that didn’t mean she had nothing to learn about it. Her experiences with her ash creation and manipulation had proven as much.

When she was done with the training, she took another bath for good measure. I have a water rune with me… could just blast the ground somewhere, fill it with water and heat it up with the fire rune or Heart of Cinder. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind yet. This world really was full of possibilities. Storage items with fresh food and a bed inside, magic runes that could collect water and heat from their surroundings. Wings. Ilea still ranked the wings pretty much at the top. Flying was just that satisfying.

Dressed again and fresh from two nice baths, a couple hours of sleep and a hearty breakfast of four of Keyla’s meals, Ilea blinked up onto her roof. Her arms spread wide. Cold air surrounded her. A moment later, her wings spread, the ashen protrusions moving first up and then down, with a strength surpassing most men. Seconds later, she was flying past the cliff side, rushing over the dense pine forest. Her legs occasionally touched the tip of a tree as she twirled and laughed, speeding onward to the only major city for miles and miles.

“And that concludes our morning lesson on the importance of proper preparation. If you have any remaining questions do consult your guide books first or ask your seniors in the guard.” William explained, glancing over at Ilea who was leaning in the door frame of his classroom. His purple eyes not the only ones focused on her. “Again, do not bother the members. More often than not they used unconventional means or abilities to gain power. They were the lucky ones.” He was full on talking to her by now.

Ilea smiled at him, arms crossed in front of her. She ignored the people looking her way, most trying to be sneaky but nothing eluded her sphere. The wooden door frame creaked when she pushed off.

“Fancy seeing you alive and well.” William said, confirming his views on most members. “I see you have attained more power still.”

“I did. How have you been? Teaching the shadow guard I see.” Ilea said, not missing Cless sneaking up behind her. “I wanted to ask how the squad is doing.”

Cless drew something in the air, holding her spell book in the other hand. Focus was apparent on her face. Finally, her magic condensed and formed a small bolt of energy that came to life in the air before her. A smirk. The sneak attack was launched.

Many in the class were watching, some confused why the young girl dared mess with a member of the Hand. Others still were confused as to who Ilea was and why she was even here. Some simply ignored everything.

Ilea watched the attack unfold through her sphere, watched the spell form from the runes in the girl’s book. She could tell the spell was arcane in nature. Slow but precise. The young mage was getting a good foundation. Her lips tugged as she looked at William. Azarinth Fighting told her what she needed to know.

The spell hit. Power spreading through my back, bursting my organs and bones. Heart ripped to shreds and brain powering down. Ilea fell to her knees, her strings cut. It was too late for healing, the spell so powerful, her perception increase hadn’t even been triggered. An attack that bypassed all her defenses. Easily. A groan of pain. The last her punctured lungs would give before she fell to the floor, eyes blank.

Cless fumbled with her book before it fell to the floor. Her little steps were quick. Panicked. “Ilea… Ilea, are you ok? Come on, heal yourself!”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for her.” William said in a deadpanned voice, shaking his head in regret and sorrow. He was not a good actor.

Cless shook her, on her knees now. Blue eyes started to tear up when she was suddenly dragged down by powerful arms.

Ilea hugged the kid, “Fool!” She exclaimed, “You have left your most powerful weapon behind!”

Cless giggled as she was held up and spun through the air. Tears gone, her laughter filled the big classroom.

People shook their heads, some chuckling as well.

“I have been well. Ravenhall is developing splendidly, as is the Shadow Guard and the Hand.” William finally replied, having waited for her to finish the dramatic play. “The squad is well too, on a mission currently but I have no doubt they will return. Hardened and stronger.”

Ilea spun to a stop, the girl in her arms still giggling, breathing fast to calm down, “That’s good to hear. Hey I wondered. Some of your classes, would it be possible for a bunch of healer trainees to sit in?”

“Healer trainees?” He asked, scratching his gray beard. He went on to put his folders away.

Ilea waited for the people to be gone, “Yea, I might start an organization of sorts. Training healers for the Hand as well as adventurer teams.”

“Anybody who faces monsters could benefit from my knowledge. If there is room then of course. I don’t have time for more classes. Just so you know.” He informed her.

“No worries. It’s in the makings anyway. I doubt there will be anybody for a while. Just looking for resources I could use.” Ilea said, putting Cless to the floor. “Grab your book.” She said, “And don’t let it go. Also, make sure your enemy is dead before you stop attacking.”

The girl nodded fiercely and rushed to get her spell book.

“If the elders are ok with it, I don’t mind. More healers would be a good thing either way. It’s a struggle to get one for every team.” William said, crossing his arms.

“You actually manage? I don’t think I’ve seen many healers in Viscera.” Ilea said, raising her eyebrows.

He chuckled, “You’d be surprised how many classes have at least some capacity to heal. Mostly themselves. Treating wounds over time, quickening natural regeneration or just curing poisons or other ailments will already save lives. Still, you’re right. Actual healers are a rarity, at that level even more so.” He explained, “Your healing isn’t exactly normal either. Having to touch those you treat is a big detriment.”

“People usually don’t complain when I regrow their limbs.” She said with a smile.

“Well you were one of the most powerful and best healers we had. Now… well I’m not sure anymore what you are. Your identification is healer now but the feeling I get from you is… well let’s just say it reminds me of Verena.” The man said.

“She did seem similar, charging that massive demon with her axes. I think I would like her.” Ilea said, thinking back.

William shook his head, “I was more talking about the danger I feel from you. She is much more… cold. Distant.”

Ilea nodded, Cless grabbing her hand as she listened. “She was here wasn’t she. In the past year. She killed that demon and came back. Yet she let Sulivhaan and Dagon take over.”

“She did. I don’t know if she killed it. Of those that went with her, none returned. I think she was glad to have the two take over leadership. It was a strain on her, I think.” He said.

“Not one to share her feelings, hmm?” Ilea asked.

The man just shook his head lightly.

If you’re the one saying that, she must be a literal stone. “Do you think she did a good job being an elder? I met Lucas and Adam, Wallace died and the last one is somewhere out there too. Really not the best track record for leaders, gotta be honest there.” Ilea said.

William sighed, “She did her best. Verena is better at wielding axes than she is at managing an order of mercenaries. There was help of course and I think without her there, worse would have happened.”

“Worse than the demon summoning?” Ilea asked.

He didn’t answer, apparently believing that yes, it could have been worse.

“Verena and Pierce are rather young, chosen simply because of their personal strength or so I assume.” William said, “Yet you must know that the elders had a much less powerful role than what the new leaders choose to do. As long as there were missions available, new members evaluated and the few rules we had enforced, the title was nothing more than that… a title.”

“Do you think it’s good what they’re doing?” Ilea asked, unsure if he knew about the circle’s bigger plans.

He considered her words and spoke, “The Shadow’s Hand is old, Ilea. Very old. It survived throughout the ages because it did not interfere with the politics of empires and kingdoms. The same can be said about the adventurer guild. I suppose most members would have ignored a summons either way. The demon summoning changed that. While the attack on Ravenhall was different for the members, I still believe many would follow Sulivhaan and Dagon. Should they ask them to.” He paused, “I suppose it depends entirely on how well of a job they will do. I can however see it going either way. I welcome the change but stagnation is at least, consistent.”

Ilea smiled, not adding anything to his summary. She had been in the Hand for less than two years and certainly welcomed the changes. Adam is a mass murderer, Lucas is lost in the north, Wallace is dead and the remaining two seem to be more interested in battling than the mercenary order. Ilea couldn’t fault the last two at least. Appointing new leaders was likely not possible for them either, seeing how the other elders were around still. The shake up brought by the demon summoning had been the catalyst and Ilea hoped they wouldn’t waste it. I’ll do my part.

Chapter 344 Influence of the Rich

A note from Rhaegar

Heyyyy

Chapter 344 Influence of the Rich

“This is another one from you!” Cless exclaimed, pointing at one of the paintings. One of many.

Claire was working on her desk, a small enchantment active to blend out the talk between Cless and Ilea.

“It’s beautiful. Do I really look that cool?” Ilea asked, crouching down to see the painting better. It was her, fighting a Blue Reaper, blood and ash divided by a streak of blue lightning. Drawn with what looked like oil. She had seen Cless draw before and knew that there was no oil involved.

Magical oil creator? She mused, “And this one is from Ravenhall?”

She pointed at a bigger painting, the destroyed middle section of the back then only wall. The massive demonic monster flying above.

I wonder what they did with the corpse and all the bones. “And these are Kyrian.” Ilea said, the man’s armor apparently changing to a more sleek design, less protrusions and spikes but thicker. More sturdy. The beasts he was fighting in the pictures ranged from Taleen Guardians to Spirits of Winter to unknown canine monsters. The painting Cless had finished just the week prior showed him in some sort of castle ruin, the man flying and surrounded by cold winds and snow as he looked down onto the structure.

Ilea tried to memorize as much of the surroundings as possible. “And how’s school going?”

The girl rolled her eyes, “They don’t call it school here, Ilea. This isn’t England.”

“Well, how are your studies going then.” Ilea humored her.

“It’s going well. I’m learning about a variety of monsters living in the wild, magic and magic theory. I don’t understand some of the words but William says I’m smarter than half the class.” She said and smiled to herself, looking to the floor.

“That’s great. You should be proud of that and not embarrassed. Just don’t flaunt it.” Ilea replied and chuckled, “You’re going to be a great mage some day, I’m sure of it.”

The scrying ability itself already brought more information on Kyrian and herself than anybody else could have provided. “I’ll talk to Claire for a while, thanks again.” Ilea said and patted the girl’s head.

She beamed with pride and nodded, “I will paint more then!”

Ilea smiled in return and stood up, walking over to the busy woman. The enchantment shimmered when she passed it. “Quite the wonder child, isn’t she?”

Claire stopped her work and looked up, “She is indeed.”

“How is she doing in regards to her past?” Ilea asked.

The woman shook her head lightly, “As well as you could expect. She understands that this is a different world, accepts the existence of magic and monsters but I suppose you have the fictional creations in her realm to thank for that. Television and the like. Fascinating really.” She paused, “She misses her parents, her class mates from school. Her home. The painting helps, as well as learning about the world and different things. I do think however that she will try to get back at one point or another. She’s from England. The same realm as you?”

A chair of ash formed, Ilea sitting down with a light grating sound. “Probably. At least I know the name. With different realms there could just as well be different dimensions, unlimited possibilities and all so I can’t say for sure.”

The woman rolled her eyes, “Well, you’re not wrong there. Too much we don’t know.” She scratched her head, “With all the things you’ve told us. The world keeps getting bigger. I remember when Vihal was my main concern.”

“Well, we do what we can.” Ilea said, “I’m optimistic though, for Ravenhall and the Hand at least.”

“There are too many things happening at the same time, too many factors. Yet I doubt you came to your conclusion with data analysis.” Claire said and smirked.

“If you call my gut feeling data analysis. Then yes.” She paused, “Thanks for keeping all the paintings. It’s good to know Kyrian should be alive. Out there, somewhere.”

Claire grunted, “We just don’t know where at all. I do hope the key will help Christopher along. So far it’s been rather fruitless.”

“Hopefully. Iana Birch will join him soon. She will work for me here in Ravenhall. For the healing org as well as on the key and other things. A capable enchantress.” Ilea explained, “Her father, Balduur Birch might be interested in the Morhill deal.”

“You talked to him? I’ve heard of the man before but the general consensus is to leave him alone.”

Ilea nodded, “He’s stubborn and has his views. I believe he’s a good man, just burnt and used too many times. He wanted to discuss some things so I suggested you visiting him. He agreed. I don’t know much about the political situation as well as the long term plans and dangers involved. I think he trusts me to an extent. Enough at least to talk to you.”

“Another thing added to the list of tasks. Well I can’t complain, the money and gear you provided will go a long way already. Having another capable smith and enchantress to cooperate with is always welcome. I’ll visit this week. Village of Indur if I remember correctly?” Claire said.

“Supercomputer brain?” Ilea asked, chuckling.

“Cless mentioned computers too from time to time. Magical really, to project moving people onto a box.”

“Well, the robotics of the Taleen is quite a bit more advanced I think. A different thing of course and likely made with magic and enchantments but incredible nonetheless.” Ilea said, “I don’t know much about how computers actually work. Not sure if it would work in Elos at all. With all the magic around.”

“Your enchanters could figure it out perhaps. For now, let’s focus on the teleportation gate.” Claire said. “I have your contracts ready by the way, for all the new things you requested.” She added, summoning a stack of papers. “Do read through and sign with your mana. If you have questions or changes, do let me know. Oh and Ilea, I’ve invested where I could but Ravenhall is mostly bought up by now. From now on you would be buying from the Hand or the city itself and I doubt that makes much sense in general. I suggest investing a part of the money into other cities or in the empire.”

“Of course, you did that already anyway with a part of it, didn’t you?” Ilea asked.

She nodded, “Yes, but only a small part. The opportunities early on were… enormous Ilea. Even ten gold coins would have brought anybody a lot of wealth, if they knew where Ravenhall was headed. You were at the right place, at the right time. With a ton of gold.” The woman smirked. “You made us rich.”

Twoglasses and a bottle of wine weresummoned, “I’m not sure if I ever properly thanked you. We’re friends, more that that perhaps. Of all the things you’ve done for me, protecting me and my mother will never be forgotten. Yet helping out so much with my job, the early recommendation to Sulivhaan and Dagon as well as all the gold you brought in. It all led me here, led us here. So thank you, for all of it, Ilea.” She opened the bottle and poured.

“You said it, Claire.” Ilea said, smirking herself and taking the glass. “We’re friends. Plus, if I didn’t have you, my gold would probably still be sitting inside my necklace.” She laughed.

The glasses met in a light clink, the dark red liquid inside moving. “I don’t want to think about all the people who do that. So much gold… just sitting around.” Claire said and shuddered. She downed the glass with a single gulp.

“I decided to invest most into Riverwatch.” Claire spoke again, “With the war, I supposed the empire wasn’t the best option. And I know you have history there. If they could shake off the elven attacks and handled the influx of refugees, I thought to take the risk. Should I focus on that city again with the gold planned for foreign investments?”

Ilea nodded, “You would know best anyway. How did the city develop anyway? Last time I was there I went and took care of a bandit gang led by some bitch from the west.”

Claire grinned, “I did think the descriptions matched. So it was you. Well, more jobs for the Hand came in in the coming months, some quite similar to what you had done. They still have some open but the city is still there, still more than capable to pay for mercenaries and likely one of the more stable settlements in the area. The reports I received two weeks ago from my contacts there also inform me that your share of the city has grown.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “I have a share of the city? I thought you only used a small part on it.”

“A small one. Less than one percent initially, around three by now but it’s hard to say. I lack a lot of information. You see, after the elven attacks, investors that had money in the independent cities lost everything. Or damn near everything. Riverwatch was deemed a danger and many got out. I was a little late there but we still managed to get quite a lot for our gold. Nothing compared to Ravenhall of course.” She chuckled.

“Well, it’s way more than I expected. Same name, Lilith? Description and everything?” She asked.

Claire nodded.

Gold mine for a shapeshifter. Ilea thought. She wasn’t sure if such a concern was even valid. In the end, Claire managed most of it all, decided on contracts and had the people hired. “Did you ever visit?”

“Not myself but a team I trust went three times in the last six months. They check the conditions of both the stores and houses you own as well as the people working there. It’s not a perfect system of course and I can’t have as tight a grip as here but it’s alright. The current government is rather competent and easy to deal with as well. That helps. I can tell you that people are at least paid well and that few complaints come in. I know those are the main concerns for you.” Claire informed her.

“A big reason why the growth was so good was because of the high wages and good working conditions. The highest level workers, best cooks and waiters flocked to fill the positions and those are the establishments that survived and thrived to this very day. Compared to some nobles that moved here early, trying to take advantage of the refugee situation. I expected them to earn a lot of gold early on and then crash but not even that happened. Most of the new citizens just sold their services and wares directly. The regulations here are rather lax compared to the empire, especially after the new contracts were forged.” The woman explained.

Ilea yawned, “Sorry. Seems like we were both there in the right moment then. Glad it worked out.”

Claire laughed and shook her head, “You really don’t care much about gold and wealth. Well, just know that you paved the way for a lot of people now living good lives, doing what they love and living in nice houses you paid to renovate and clean up. The Hand had a lot of gold too but Sulivhaan and Dagon weren’t quite as open to investing early as you were. You jump started Ravenhall when it was down.”

“How do you know that expression?” Ilea asked. She was indeed happy to hear all those people could find work but in the end it wasn’t quite as graspable as seeing Keyla and Popi. Those two being able to have their own places was worth it already.

“Jump start? Cless mentioned it once. Sometimes the metal wagons you used would stop working. So some sort of lightning snakes were used to make their hearts beat again. Or that’s how I understood it.” Claire said.

Ilea grinned, “Fair enough. Still Claire, ninety nine percent of the work was you. I was just lucky to stumble upon a shit ton of gold.”

“And you chose to trust me, chose to give it all away. I see that this conversation leads nowhere with you.” She smiled, “Look through the contracts now, before you vanish again for a year.”

“Yea, yea.” Ilea grumbled and started reading. She put the paper down again, “Before I forget.” She summoned a couple books that had been preserved in the Tremor treasury. “Books on wine and how to make it. From an ancient kingdom that prided itself in the craft. Maybe you can find someone willing to try it out. We can finance it too of course.”

Claire leaned forward and got the books, flipping through them as she refilled her glass, “The never ending golden Ilea, laying eggs containing ancient secrets. I’ll personally make sure these get made.”

It took Ilea a couple hours to read through everything, signing all of it and handing it back. Claire had read through the books on wine and was excited to have the project started, perhaps even more so than the teleportation gate.

Ilea assumed she either really really liked wine or it was just the most recent new thing to work on. Christopher and Claire had tried cracking the Taleen technology for nearly a year already after all. She had added some suggested contracts for the Healing Organization too for her to look over. As well as deals between the organization and the Hand as well as the Adventurer Guild.

Seeing her few explanations and goals detailed and laid out in contracts and deals made Ilea pretty excited too. To have someone managing all this was incredible. Trian would work on the details but she was happy that both of them understood what she was going for.

“I’ll take these to Trian. Any idea where I can find him?” Ilea asked. “Oh… also, the jobs from Riverwatch. I think I might visit this or next week. Maybe I can have a look.”

Claire looked up and summoned a binder, opening the massive thing and removing three pages. “Increased monster activity in the western forests. It’s a monster hunt request with more details given in Riverwatch. The range listed is two fifty to four hundred. Seems like the city and guild can’t deal with it themselves.”

She put the page on the desk, “The next one is a bandit camp… organized crime really, suspected surviving officials from other western cities to be involved as well as cooperation with Baralia to destabilize the region. The request is actually to simply be stationed in the city or operate from there to deter the criminals from attacking. A team of Shadows is requested but I suppose you alone are enough. You’ll have to talk to the city if you want to actually go in and attack. I doubt you want to stay there for that long.”

“The last one is a little different. A dozen people went missing in the last three months and they want somebody at a high level to investigate.” Claire explained, writing down the details and contacts as well as the reward money onto a separate piece of paper.

“Why would they want somebody to investigate that? Aren’t there at least a hundred thousand people in the city? With the criminals in the region, you would assume it’s them.” Ilea said.

“Ten out of those twelve are investigators hired by the city. There is definitely more to it but those are the three postings we have. I’ll keep them away from other teams that might be interested for a month if you promise to look into them.” She explained.

Ilea shrugged, taking the piece of paper Claire handed to her, “Sure, I’ll check it out. Maro might be interested too.”

“The necromancer who lost dozens of gold in the gambling houses?” Claire raised an eyebrow.

“That very one.” Ilea supplied.

“The one that hired a hundred escorts and arranged a festival of life?”

Ilea scratched her head, “I don’t know about that.”

Claire sighed, “All the alcohol in one of the northern districts was bought up and hundreds didn’t show up to work today or came intoxicated. The guards who tried to intervene joined as well. We had to supply people from the Shadow Guard to help out with the normal guard today. That hasn’t happened in months. We got several complaints in regards to some of the festivities and rituals performed.”

She nodded in return, “I’ll talk to him.”

“It’s alright. Sulivhaan already did and he informed me that Maro is just an enthusiast. The problem is that with his wealth and power, he already unwillingly formed a cult. At least Sulivhaan suspects it. Necromancy and death magic aren’t inherently a crime in Ravenhall but we’d at least like to keep it somewhat of a niche. Otherwise people start to look for corpses and skeletons to raise.” Claire explained.

“I see.” Ilea said and left it at that. Maro’s sheer presence would have an impact. She knew as much. To think he already organized a festival and birthed a cult after a single day and night was however, impressive.

“You also asked where Trian was. I assume in the city hall. The nobility goes there to resolve their issues, talk about current events and to try and impress each other with their fabulous clothes.” Claire supplied.

Ilea nodded and stood up, the chair vanishing into thin air, “What do they even do here? Do they have power in the city? Nobles would usually be serving under a king, assisting in the government. Or am I mistaken?”

“Gold, levels, connections and knowledge are all forms of power. They have little in the form of government influence here but we are still part of the empire. There are certain obligations we have to uphold until that is remedied. It is mostly their demands for more influence that Trian manages. He has been a dear in helping us buy back most of what they had initially purchased. The most important and powerful people being stuck inside Virilya certainly helped of course.”

“Well, thanks for all the info, the contracts and everything. I’m happy to have you as a manager Claire.” Ilea said and smiled.

“Whatever you need.” The rune mage said and meant it.

“I’ll see you around then. Don’t overwork yourself!” Ilea said and vanished.

Chapter 345 Corpses

Chapter 345 Corpses

Noon had already come and gone. The sky above Ravenhall was clear, only a couple clouds visible in the distance as Ilea walked towards the City Hall. A grand building, towering over its neighbors. Straight gray stone decorated with designs only magic allowed, or perhaps thousands of hours of chiseling. Pillars adorned and stabilized the front of the building.

Ilea certainly felt like she was walking into the highest court of the city. How much of this did they have to rebuild. She wondered, hardly any noticeable renovation or repair work visible. Magic of course allowed for more nuanced restoration than what she had seen on Earth. The people building their cathedrals would go nuts seeing the possibilities here. Their lifetime works created in weeks or months thanks to capable stone mages.

As she walked into the building, a guard stopped her at the door. Ilea moved her ash armor over herself, mostly to keep her face hidden amongst the nobles. If they really wanted to find out who she was, there were enough sources in the city by now but she could at least make it a little harder to find out. “I’m Lilith, here to see the Nobility Mediator.” She said.

The guard chuckled, “Of course, and I am the king of Ravenhall.” He paused, “Only nobles are allowed in and with that armor and your healer tag, I think you’re a member of the Hand or just an adventurer. If you’re on the list, do state your name.”

Ilea walked closer and reached out to the man, really not in the mood for any more of this.

[Warrior – lvl 75]

His short broadsword flashed out and stopped dead on her hand, his eyes going wide.

Trian appeared between them, one hand on his arm and one on Ilea’s. “Now, now. There is no need to be this violent. This is the City Hall.” He said in a calm tone, smiling at each of them in turn.

“How am I not on the list?” Ilea asked, taking her hand back.

“Sir, she tried to grab me. I had no choice.”

Trian shook his head, “Commendable but if someone like her tries to gain entry, you stall her, try a diplomatic route and stay defensive.” He paused, “You seem to have a question?”

The guard glanced at Ilea with an uncertain expression, “Even with a healer, sir?”

“Lilith, I didn’t think you’d be interested in visiting the City Hall. I will put you on the list shortly.” He looked at the guard, “Attacking healers is a bad idea in general. We need all we can get. As to this one, you’re lucky she seems to be in a good mood.”

The man gulped and bowed lightly, “Apologies, lady Lilith.”

“Don’t sweat it mate. I wanted to talk, Trian. Do you have time?” She asked, noticing the guard’s expression of shock.

Trian smiled, “For you, always.” He vanished.

Ilea saw him appear in a room upstairs before she tapped the babbling guard on his shoulder, “Try to hit a weak spot next time. And don’t underestimate healers, or any classes for that matter.” She said and blinked up to join Trian.

He led her into an adjacent room before he activated a couple enchantments near the door. “I got the books from Elise, thank you.” He started, “We also have two possible places where we can build the headquarters. One in the central circle and one in the outermost one. The latter is much bigger but… well it’s in the outer ring.”

“What’s the problem with that? You’re pretty fast on your feet, I doubt that would bother you.” Ilea commented, her ashen armor vanishing as she ran her finger over a nearby wooden table. Beautiful.

“It’s not about me. All the big guilds are in the central circle. It’s good to attract capable and rich adventurers as well as investors.” Trian said.

Ilea looked at him, the man trying to hide a slight mischievous smirk. She only saw it thanks to her sphere, “Are you testing me?” She asked, a smirk of her own on her face, “I thought you trusted me by now.”

He looked at her, the smirk now apparent, “Oh, I trust you. With my life. There just weren’t that many discussions about economics and politics back when we still worked together. Yet if I am to manage this thing, I want to stand behind what we’re doing.” He paused and leaned back on the wooden wall behind him, “What do you choose?”

Ilea shook her head, “That’s what you get for hanging around nobles all the time. Of course we’ll take the one closest to the refugees in the outer wall. I’m the only investor you need and we want to train new recruits, not hire established adventurers.”

He smiled, “Good. That would have been my choice too. The added space and underground expansion possibilities are a nice bonus too. Also, Ilea. I’m a noble myself, you shouldn’t forget that. If anybody is influencing anyone else, it’s me.” He spoke with conviction and a casual confidence.

“I remember you being an arrogant prick, yes. Glad you have settled on something more reasonable in the meantime.” Ilea said.

“Blunt as ever. Very refreshing, thanks. I have some possible teachers already, some even Hand members that are looking for a more relaxed position. Thanks for talking to William as well, he already informed me about the cooperation with classes. Claire straight up gave me a part of the gear you have supplied. I doubt we’ll need it for a long while though.”

Ilea nodded, “Good. Here are the contracts she prepared. Do look over them. I think most are alright the way they are. Let me know if you want to add or remove anything.” She said and summoned the stack of papers, going through and putting aside those relevant to the new organization. “I’ll get Iana Birch tomorrow, she’s a capable enchantress working for me. I think she’ll be able to provide whatever you need for the headquarters as well as the gear.”

Trian clapped his hands together, “Birch? Balduur’s daughter?” He laughed at her nod, “Your connections do know no bounds it seems. I’ve been looking for healers too but most are employed somewhere or in a team already. Now that we have a place and a contract, I’ll start looking for volunteers. Keyla as well as other restaurants are already informed as well. You also apparently own a bunch of bed and furniture stores. They will be able to craft whatever we need.”

Ilea chuckled, “It’s coming along nicely then. Sorry for all the work.” She chuckled.

The man laughed, “I love the idea and you’re providing everything. I know that you prefer to fight monsters out there and being in the wild. I’ve known that for a long time.” He smirked, “If I can help produce little Ileas to join adventurer and Shadow teams, the world will thank us for it.”

“The work suits me so don’t worry, I’ll do what I can. I’m the one who should thank you.” He paused, “Thought of a name yet?”

“Some, yea. Sentinel Healer Corps maybe? Or Red Sentinel Corps. Shadow’s Heart.” She suggested.

Trian nodded, “Sentinel… because, let me guess… your class?” He grinned, “Shadow’s Heart would be too closely associated with the Hand, I suppose. Why Red? For blood?”

“It is part of my healer class description, yes. I think it fits better than Guardian or something of the like. The red part, well there was this organization back where I was from. They helped out where they could, mostly medical aid but generally there to reduce human suffering.” She replied, “You think it’s a bad idea to be associated with the Hand?”

“No necessarily but if we want to stand on our own, I think it’s better to have a new name. I don’t know about red sentinel. Even with your explanation. Sentinel Healer Corps sounds similar to most healing orders who have that word in their names. The goal is to have capable fighters that can also heal.” The man mused. “Corps is written nearly like the word for Corpse… I’m not sure if that’s for the best.”

Ilea chuckled, “What about medic then, it’s the word we used for doctors or well, healers and surgeons during wars. Healers amongst soldiers or warriors.” She paused, “Regarding the corpse, it’s a close line between life and death around here. I think it makes the name even better. Morbid perhaps but also a reality check. And we both get to use it as a pun, albeit written.”

He scratched his beard, “True. That is a benefit. So Sentinel Medic Corps? We don’t have the word here but if it pretty much means combat healer, it fits well. The word will spread anyway.” The man suggested.

“Medic Sentinel Corps works better I think. We should have badges made as well. Iana will be able to enchant them so we have something similar to the Shadow badges.”

“I’ll talk to a smith in one of the forges you own. Or Balduur if he agrees, I suppose. Pretty boring work. Any idea with the symbol?”

Ilea shrugged, “None yet. Didn’t really think about it. Maybe just a cross or shield? No… we’re more aggressive than that.”

“A cross?” He asked.

“Oh yea… Elos wouldn’t know about that I suppose. Doesn’t really make sense then. Any widely known symbol for healers here?” She asked.

The man nodded, “Yes, one for most big healing orders. Though that wouldn’t be the goal here, I suppose.” He laughed, “I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll have some prototypes made and we can decide together?”

“Hmm… sure. Include one of a Drake as well as a Basilisk.” Ilea said.

“Drakes are really important to you, aren’t they? You never told me that story.” He said, sitting down on a nearby chair while looking at her.

Ilea smiled, “When I appeared in Elos, it was close to Riverwatch, to the north. The first monster I ever saw was a Drake.” She shook her head, “Considered dangerous beasts by the first librarian I talked to. Well… I got mangled pretty badly by the first ones I fought.”

He laughed, “Not wrong then. If you’re below level fifty and not a warrior or body enhancer, they would be terrifying to face. A monster might be a good idea, seeing the goal is to fight them instead of people. I’ll have something ready in the coming weeks.”

“Don’t prioritize it.” She replied.

“Any ideas with the class yet?” Trian asked, leaning forward, “All the books and teachers will probably be enough for a normal healer class, especially if they learn about mana theory and the like. We want something a little more sturdy though.”

“The Azarinth class sucks because you have to touch someone to heal. Maybe we can learn from it though. The arcane nature of the healing is unique. Maybe we can devise something from it. Early resistance training before getting a class should be good too.” Ilea said, “My ashen class is strong defensively and offers some bonuses to resistances. Getting it is insanely hard though.”

Trian nodded, “It’s also not a healing class itself. We will have enough people willing to test things out. Training and educating them in healing and fighting as well as a bunch of resistances will be a good base I think. I’ve gone through a big part of the information already that Elise provided and it looks like many of the healing orders have a more religious approach as well as using substances and elixirs where available.”

“Is that necessary though? My ashen class evolved from an initial Fire Mage class.” Ilea said.

He shook his head, “Definitely not necessary. We just have to test, see what people can learn. Being below level fifty won’t offer the best classes anyway. All we really need is a healing ability so we can effectively train resistances as well as other magic and fighting amongst the members.”

Ilea chuckled, “It seems like such a logical way to train early on. They can still fight each other to near death without much true danger.”

“Sure, early on their skills will rise quickly. The higher ups in the healing orders likely focus on more defensive and pure healing classes to avoid dissident. You have to realize too that simple bouts won’t give as many skill levels as being in real danger.” Trian said.

“I’m sure you’ll have some ideas to create something close to real danger.” Ilea smirked, “I could fight them too, rip out some limbs. As cruel as the system governing classes and levels is, I would assume real pain and near death experiences count, be they done in an artificial environment.”

“You sound like some of the nobles in Virilya.” Trian replied.

Ilea shrugged, “The difference is that we ask for consent.” She said, “And we don’t start training them at five or ten years old. Adults only.”

“Of course. With what they went through, I’m sure many will agree happily. Experiencing pain should be a requirement before becoming an adventurer. Most casualties happen in the first three jobs they do. At least according to the guild representative I’ve talked to last week.” Trian said, “They would welcome a mercenary healer organization with reasonable prices by the way. Most of the time only bigger expeditions can pay the orders.”

“That’s good to hear. I think some demonstrations between the two of us can give some good impressions to any new recruits.” Ilea added, “Would it be viable to capture monsters for them to fight?”

Trian thought about it, “Maybe… but I think it would make more sense to purchase the rights to a nearby dungeon. Maybe you have one already, I didn’t check with Claire about that yet.”

“Are there even low level ones around?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. The levels vary in most areas. My father used to say it depended on the nearby mana density but after seeing a lot of areas and dungeons, feeling the mana. I doubt it’s just that.” The mage explained.

Ilea stood up and cracked her neck, “Well, the north has incredibly dense mana. Enough to gain Arcane Magic Resistance from just… well breathing. And the monsters there are super high level. Dungeons with beasts well over five hundred.”

“Well, I’m sure it’s a factor. The way you described the north, only the strongest would survive either way so it’s not necessarily proof.” He replied and too got up, offering his hand.

“True again.” She grasped it and smiled, “I’ll leave you to your work again. Medic Sentinel Corps leader, Trian.”

He smiled and spoke, “We will work on the different positions too. For now I suppose leader is alright. Oh… before you vanish.” He said, letting go of her hand, “Thanks for killing that noble after a formal duel request was made. There will be some who hold you in disdain for that of course so be prepared for some assassins sent your way. It might not be an issue because the noble in question wasn’t exactly rich or influential but some of the northerners dislike it when their own get disrespected.”

Ilea nodded, “Let them try.” She turned around but paused, “Feel free to share some information on Lilith and how powerful she is. Perhaps that will make them feel a little less enthusiastic about hunting her down.”

Trian smirked, “I will share some things. I also didn’t want to sound too paranoid, many of the nobles welcome your actions, I’m sure. Even if few are vocal about it. Take care, Ilea. Make sure to be back in a couple weeks to check out the first recruits. Don’t become a corpse.”

“I’ll try not to? Also yea, we should work on a slogan.” Ilea said.

Trian didn’t reply, a slight smile tugging on his lips.

She shook her head and blinked down, right behind the guard and with her ash armor protecting her again.

The man didn’t notice her immediately.

“Boo.” She whispered in his ear before blinking again, out of his sight. Ilea chuckled at his jump and subsequent preparation for battle, all perceived in her sphere. “Now…,” She said, “Iana needs another day. Maybe I should check on that necromancer… before his cult becomes the dominant religion in the region.” She murmured to herself before activating her Sentinel Huntress skill, focusing in on the necromancer.

It took over an hour to find his scent. Mostly because there was just so much to register in the city. The trail led her down into the sewers, through the underground before she came up to a closed gate. Behind it, she saw there were two armed men playing cards on a table, sitting on wobbly old chairs.

I hope the smell in there is better than here. She thought, the flow of sewage prominent in her ears, the smell in her nose even more so. She stepped up and knocked on the door.

“Fuck off!” One of them shouted.

Ilea knocked once more, this time using a little more strength and hitting the door near its top. The hinges bent and ripped out of the stone, the door landing on the floor with a heavy crash. It slid towards the table.

The two men jumped up, one grabbing his daggers and the other one preparing what looked like a death magic spell.

[Mage – lvl 103]

[Warrior – lvl 58]

Ilea smiled and stepped inside, her ash armor and demeanor sending a terrifying yet casual vibe, “I don’t like to be told to fuck off.”

The men looked at each other, “What do you want?” One of them asked. Not the man who had shouted before.

“I’m looking for my friend. Gray hair, green eyes, beard. Incredibly charming.” She explained and walked closer, onto the door.

“Look, lady. We don’t want trouble.” One of them said.

“I’m just here for him. I wasn’t sarcastic, he’s actually a friend.” Ilea said.

“Do you mean the necromancer who came earlier?” One of them asked, “The description fits.”

“That would be him, yes.” Ilea smiled. “What is this, an underground gambling place?”

One of them grinned, “A little more than that.”

Chapter 346 The Necromancer

Chapter 346 The Necromancer

Ilea was led into the complex, a balcony overlooking five floors lit in various colors, both torches and magical light present. On the ground floor a red hue was prominent, the smells of smoke, sex and blood were prevalent. Puke and alcohol too. “Lovely.”

The guard next to her grunted, “Lovely that we have to fix the door. Again.” He shook his head and walked off, “Joe! Get your ass out here, the door is busted again!”

Ilea heard a distant cursing. She chuckled at that. Maybe if Fuck off wasn’t the first thing they said to people trying to get in, it would make these circumstances a little less numerous. She spotted Maro instantly, the man standing near a roulette table with a following. His armor stood out amongst the scantily clothed bystanders.

She jumped over the railing and fell down, blinking right before she landed to soften the fall. Few even noticed her, most of them in a daze or focused on the dancers moving around the various platforms and stages. Ilea admitted she stole more than a glance too, yet still making her way to the gambling necromancer.

“Black, black, black, black.” She heard him as well as the crowd murmur, the little marble finally coming to a stop.

People parted for her and a moment later, she was standing next to Maro. “Shame.” She said, “Should have bet on red.”

The man laughed, welcoming her with a tight hug, “My friend! It is no shame, winning and losing is part of the game! And black is the color of death, there was no choice.”

She smiled, “Been enjoying yourself?” She asked, “I hear you organized an orgy and lost a ton of gold.”

He moved his hand around her back, “Ah, that small party?” The man laughed, “I might need to borrow some gold from you if you have anything left.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Not for gambling. I can get you food and something to drink though if you like.”

“What about some escorts? We could enjoy them together?” He suggested.

Ilea thought about it. “If I hire one, then without you.”

He acted hurt and smirked, “Am I so hideous? It pains me to hear that. This city is wonderful.”

“It surely is. Do you feel like getting some fresh air? I’ll visit an enchanter friend tomorrow morning. Or do you want to stay here?” She asked.

Someone grabbed at her ass, getting confused at the ashen armor in their way.

She rolled her eyes and pushed the man away, gently but firm. He stumbled and caught himself on a nearby sofa, sliding onto it and closing his eyes.

“Now? Sure. I don’t have anymore gold to play. Can we go hunting?” Maro asked, his wings spreading in her sphere.

“If you feel like it, sure.” Ilea said, spreading her own before they flew up and away, hands grasping at the both of them. “Were those undead?” She asked jokingly as she looked down.

Maro landed on the uppermost railing and smiled, “Close enough, really.”

“Why there?” Ilea asked, the two of them exiting the city in the afternoon light.

He glanced her way, “You mean the gambling hole?”

She nodded, descending a couple hundred meters away and landing in the snow. Going out of the city was nice either way but coming from that sex and fume hole was a level of freedom she hadn’t felt in a while.

Maro landed gracefully next to her, “Well. I believe mostly because drunk and high people don’t fear me.”

She looked his way and smiled, “That’s pretty honest.”

He laughed, “I do like gambling too, as well as sex. In places like that, most of the time, people are equal. Their social standing, forgotten, their inhibitions, clouded. Free, as they should be.” He grinned and stretched.

“I feel the same way about fighting monsters, flying through the wilderness. Doesn’t really apply to groups though, just to me personally.” She replied.

Maro nodded, “I can see that. A little too solitary for me. I’m usually the strongest around too, which can cause problems on its own.”

“I won’t hold you back if you want to return.” Ilea said.

“No, no it’s alright. It’s good to get some fresh air finally.”

She summoned some ash, “You stink by the way. Can I clean up with some ash?”

The man smiled and spread his arms, “Sure, armored first.”

Ilea engulfed him in ash, adding enough density to make it coarse as she moved it over his armor. Most of the dirt was gone when his gear suddenly vanished, the clothes below too. She rolled her eyes but simply moved her ash over his body too. She made it disappear when she was done.

Clothes and armor appeared again as he winked at her, “Very intimate.”

“Hardly.” She replied.

“I didn’t expect you to be so gentle.” He teased.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt an old tortured soul.” Ilea replied, walking further through the valley they had landed in.

Maro followed, “You just did. Where are we going?”

She shrugged, “No idea. There’s bound to be something amidst these mountains. We can also check out Morhill, it’s not too far from here. The demons killed most of the population and we cleared it out a year ago. We can also visit Keyla, you wanted to try her meals.”

“Did already and have enough with me to last a week.” He gave her a thumbs up. “An abandoned city? I’m up for that.” He smiled, “Not wearing your bone armor?”

“The enchantress we’ll visit has it right now. Speaking of which, do you have any Taleen machines with you?”

He glanced her way, the two approaching the deepest part of the valley, “Yea, Guardians. Both sword and ranged variants. Thought I’d try some necromancy spells on them but I wasn’t successful so far. They weren’t really living in the first place, I suppose.”

“No Centurions?” Ilea asked, a little disappointed. Might not be the best idea with an explosive core anyway.

“No. The ones that didn’t explode were too damaged to even consider.” He laughed. “Why do you ask?”

“Aki, the talking dagger? The enchantress modified his body and now he looks like a face hugger.” Ilea informed him.

“A face hugger?” Maro gestured with his hands in front of his face, “You mean like a parasite laying eggs into your lungs?”

Ilea nearly stumbled, “They exist?”

Maro shrugged, “One dungeon had monsters like that. Stupid of them to impregnate our tank. His chest was too hard to get through once the monster hatched so the fire mage basically cooked it.”

“While inside the man’s chest?” Ilea asked with a chuckle.

“Yes. That party was… well. Unique problem solving skills were abundant at least.” He chuckled.

“Did the face huggers have corrosive blood?” Ilea asked. The implications would be rather horrific.

He shook his head lightly, “No, after landing on one’s face, it pumped down the eggs and then let go. They were disgusting more than anything else. Normal blood as far as I remember. So the dagger is now ready to lay dagger eggs?”

Ilea laughed. “That’s good to hear. No but maybe he can control something like a Guardian.”

“Interesting.” He shrugged. “Well, it’s worth a shot for sure. Want to go there now?”

“She’s not done with the work. Tomorrow morning.”

He rolled his eyes, “Come on. The dagger is done, right? I’d love to see that. A conscious dagger controlling a Taleen war machine? Please?”

His eyes literally sparkled as he asked.

Still no resistance to that. “Alright, we can go. The smith isn’t friendly and please don’t start anything in that village. I want to stay on friendly terms. Also, don’t charm the girl.”

“Start something with the girl, charm the smith and corrupt the village. Got it.” He gave her a thumbs up.

She shook her head and smiled, “You fucking idiot. Alright, let’s go. First to Morhill though, I want to check it out quickly.”

The man nodded. “Lead the way, lady of ash.”

Sloppy. Ilea thought. Metal plates, knifes and even a sword still remained in the abandoned imperial camp. The flag, she assumed, was left on purpose.

“Left in a hurry.” Maro commented. “Demons killed everyone here?” He looked around and shouted, “HELLO!”

Nobody replied.

Ilea used her skills to sense the surroundings, focusing on the smells and magical residue, “Yes. The rest fled I guess. The imperials staying here probably went back north because of the war.”

“And why did you want to check it out? Does the Shadow’s Foot want to take over the city? The houses and walls are pretty undamaged. I don’t even sense any monsters around.” He commented.

“Something along those lines, yes. Ravenhall wants to become independent. Morhill could be a part of whatever this new government would be.” She explained. “Speaking of that, your kingship could surely lend some counsel.”

He snorted, “I’m sure there are enough capable leaders in that city. With how smoothly everything is running. That Sulivhaan guy seemed competent enough.” He chuckled, “If you ask me, I’ll help but I prefer to stay away from government.”

“I won’t ask anything of you. Still, I’m interested. Do you think becoming independent is actually possible? I’m sure you learned some things about the political situation, if you wanted to or not.” She asked with a smirk on her face.

Maro rolled his eyes, “I did notice some things, yes. The presence of empire troops is nearly nonexistent, the defenses are incredible. Better than what I had planned for Tremor. The population is of a comparatively high level and the crafts reflect that. Laws are free enough to allow for fast growth and competition while the presence of this mercenary order of yours keeps people honest. A promising combination.” He explained.

“As to the independence, with the war going on, I think it’s good timing in the very least. If the empress is smart, she will agree to the terms Ravenhall presents. At least as long as the leadership asks for reasonable ones. The geography is in your favor as well. Especially if this city is rebuilt and repopulated as a sort of buffer.” He finished, grabbing the left behind sword and holding it out towards her.

“Makes sense. Very optimistic. I guess we will see.” Ilea replied, “Thanks.”

He twirled and moved the sword around. “Of course. I owe you my life, Ilea. Now come, to death.” He pointed the weapon at her once again.

“I don’t have a sword.” Ilea said and chuckled.

“Make one out of ash. This flimsy thing won’t hold up anyway.” He grinned.

She chuckled and formed a sword in the same shape as his, making it as dense as possible before grabbing it with her right hand. “To the death.” She said, the leather armor Trian had provided appearing over her clothes.

Maro moved quickly, his blade slashing at her horizontally.

She stepped back, avoiding the weapon before attacking herself. The tip of her ashen sword rushed over his hair as he ducked.

Neither teleported, using only their stats to control the blades. A nightmarish display for any master of the blade but likely terrifying for different reasons to any lower leveled person. Each of them easily cut stone, the two of them jumping through the abandoned houses. Stone and glass broke in their wake, the speed and strength of their blows increasing in power with each minute.

Finally, their blades met and Maro’s steel blade was cleanly cut through by her ash. “I win.” She exclaimed.

He held the halved sword up and looked at it, “It appears so.” He said and bowed, “The monster wins against the king. A tragedy the bards will sing about in many centuries to come.”

She rolled her eyes and dissolved her blade, smirking as she watched him rush forward.

Maro slammed the remaining part of the blade into her neck, pressing hard. A thin line of blood flowed down, “His last attempt, all honor gone, all pretense. Yet the monster stands unmoving.” The man continued.

Ilea grasped the blade with her hand and squeezed, the steel shattering when she increased the strength in her grip. The light cuts on her fingers and neck closed again before the pieces hit the snowy ground.

The king stumbled back, “Monster!” He exclaimed. “And now you kill me.”

She rolled her eyes and kicked him, the man sent flying before he crashed through the walls of a house and coming to a stop beyond, rolling on the floor. Ilea blinked and appeared next to him, holding out a hand to the defeated necromancer.

“We should show this play in a theater. People would love it.” He said, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He jumped up, “That would solve my gold problems.”

“You don’t have gold problems, Maro. You gambled it away.” Ilea said, “You could also kill some monsters as you had suggested.”

“True.” He admitted, “First, I want to see a talking Taleen Guardian.” The man grinned and held his stomach, “Holy shit, what a kick. You don’t hold back, do you?”

Ilea made big eyes and smiled as warmly as she could, “Not for you, my dear.”

“Lovely.” Maro murmured, patting at the dust on his armor.

“You’re already back? I’m not quite done with your armor. The material is… difficult to work.” Iana said, wide eyed and obviously distressed. She glanced at the necromancer going through the things on the nearby workbench.

Ilea touched her shoulder gently, “Take your time. He just couldn’t wait to see Aki. You’re done with the hammer then?” She asked, in an excited tone.

The enchantress nodded, “Yes. I’ll have to bind the enchantment to your mana signature and then it should work.”

“Perfect.” Ilea grinned.

A loud jangle resounded, Maro having summoned a Guardian onto the floor. “Which one is the talking dagger?”

“I am.” Aki replied.

Maro moved out his hand and grabbed the dagger, holding it high above the Guardian.

“Wait! That’s not how it works!” Iana exclaimed and walked to his side, her eyes glancing into his for a moment, “You… you have to…,”

He lowered the dagger and handed it to her.

Iana was still looking at his face.

Ilea stepped between them and took the dagger, giving it to Iana, “I said no charming the girl.” She said, glancing at Maro.

Balduur had walked over in the meantime, his big hands clasping the necromancer’s shoulders from behind, “If you touch my girl. I will rip you apart. No matter your level, no matter where you hide.”

“You have a lovely daughter, master smith.” Maro said and turned, easily escaping his grip, “I have agreed not to corrupt her.”

“Ilea, what kind of people do you bring into my smithy?” Balduur asked in a defeated tone, looking at her with a sad expression.

She rolled her eyes, snapping her finger before Iana’s face, “If she reacts that way, then maybe she really should get out of here sometimes, before she meets someone worse. Maro, put on a helmet.”

The man obliged, his helmet appearing as he held out his hand towards the smith, “Maro Invalar, former king of Rhyvor, necromancer and admirer of your work.” The voice flowed well. Confident and warm.

Balduur grasped his hand with a frown on his face, “Balduur Birch. I only tolerate you in here because she brought you. And don’t flatter me with lies, I have never worked for you, former king.”

Ilea looked at Iana who turned around the guardian, studying it from each side, “He’s talking about her.” She commented, helping the girl with the machine. A crunching sound of bones grinding against each other resounded behind her but she ignored it. “Let me know if you need a healer.” She said offhandedly.

“Here.” Iana said, touching the part of the Guardian Ilea would define as its neck. “It’s where the runes flow together, I can see it.”

Maro stepped closer, “You have rune sight?” He exclaimed, “That’s… incredible. How did you achieve it?”

Iana looked up and smiled, radiant blue eyes sparkling. “My secret.” She said in a teasing voice.

The former king turned towards Ilea, “I’m the one with a charm stat?”

Ilea shrugged, “She’s cute alright. Keep it in your pants necroking, you heard the smith.”

The enchantress was certainly flustered, glancing between Ilea and Maro but she focused on the task at hand. “Here…,” she whispered before trying to push the dagger into the machine. “Can you?” She looked up at Ilea.

“Sure.” She said, crouching down and holding on to the dagger. Ilea looked at the girl and when she saw her nod, she slammed down the dagger.

“Oof.” Aki exclaimed.

Magic spread suddenly, outwards from the dagger and through the Taleen machine.

“It’s dark in here.” Aki said in the same voice.

“Didn’t work.” Maro said and sighed.

“Wait… give it a moment.” Iana said, a smile slowly spreading on her lips.

Ilea watched through her sphere as the mana flowed into the Guardian, slowly but surely spreading out.

When the mana reached throughout the whole machine, green eyes suddenly flashed.

“Aki?” Ilea asked. She felt the attack coming before it happened, stepping over to Iana before the blades flashed out, slamming into her back and leg as well as the table and the necromancer.

The attack calmed down, Balduur stepping over with a hammer that had suddenly appeared, “Destroy it!”

Maro stepped between the smith and the Guardian, blades scratching against his armor, “Wait.”

Ilea just stood over Iana, seeing the girl looking at her with fear in her eyes, watching the blades slash into Ilea’s ash. “Don’t worry about it. Aki, are you alright in there?”

A sudden, deep scream resounded, “What… what is happening… what is this…, haha… hahahaha.” It was clearly the dagger speaking, his voice a little lower than usual, “I… have… legs!” The machine sprung up suddenly and slammed into the nearby wall. “Oof.. again.”

“Iana, come on.” Ilea said and got her up, moving the girl over to the smith.

The man was watching on with concern in his eyes, taking the girl and hugging her, “You’re safe. Don’t be so reckless…,” He said, no blame in his voice.

“Thanks.” She said, looking at Ilea.

“No worries.” Ilea said and turned to the machine, blinking closer and holding it down, “Aki, move slowly, there are a whole lot of new limbs you just got. I know the feeling, trust me.”

Chapter 347 Steel and Ash

Chapter 347 Steel and Ash

“Should we go outside?” Maro asked, “Stuff here will get wrecked.”

Ilea grew her ashen limbs and held down each leg and sword individually. No hands. At least he can be the most efficient cake cutter. “Aki? Did you calm down. Are you there?”

“I feel… restricted.” Aki replied, “Did I lose it all again… I cannot see anymore.”

“That’s because I’m holding you down and your insect machine face is facing the wall. Try to turn your head first.” Ilea said and chuckled. “Seems like it actually worked. Now this baby dagger just has to learn how to walk.” She commented and identified him.

[Guardian of Akelion – lvl 200]

“Oh.” Aki said.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “That’s your left most arm that you’re moving.”

Maro laughed from the side.

“Don’t laugh you fuck!” Aki exclaimed.

That only made the necromancer laugh more.

Ilea stepped aside, her ashen limbs doing all the work. “Just keep figuring things out. Can you get my hammer, Iana?”

“What’s… what’s his level?” The enchantress asked, summoning the hammer out of her new storage ring, the thing falling down onto the table with a dull sound.

“Two hundred.” Maro replied, “I think he’s categorized as a monster. Hey… Aki right? Think of a status. Do you have one?”

“I’ll give you a fucking status.” The dagger, now Guardian replied.

Ilea chuckled. “Like my very own child.” She grabbed the hammer and moved it around, “How do I activate it?”

“Check here.” Iana said, tapping the hammer as she kept her gaze on the Guardian and the blades sometimes trying to move. “Try to connect your mana, let it flow inside but don’t push too hard, otherwise it might damage the enchantment.”

Ilea tried to follow the instructions, touching the enchantment and gently flowing her mana inside. Something happened, only visible thanks to her sphere. A weird glow surrounded the hammer that looked similar to her own mana, gently drifting around her and her ashen limbs.

“I think it’s activated.” Ilea said, putting the hammer on the table once more. When she reached out and felt the mana, she noticed a connection immediately forming, a thin line of magic between herself and the hammer. When she willed mana into it, the weapon instantly slammed into her open palm. “Holy shit. Nice.”

“You literally saw a Guardian reanimated to life with a conscious dagger thing and you’re excited about your hammer?” Maro asked and shook his head. “Come on Guardian, do you have a status?”

“No, no I don’t. I can still use my meditation like state it seems but I might not be able to level up. We could test it by killing you.” Aki suggested to the necromancer.

“We could.” Maro replied, “But that would require your ability to hurt me.”

“Stop fighting.” Ilea said, twirling the hammer in her hands. “Aki, focus on learning how to move. I don’t want to babysit you.”

“Sorry.” The Guardian replied, his head finally turning to look at them.

Looks different… like the Praetorians.

“The eyes look more like a Taleen Praetorian.” Maro suggested, “Is he Taleen in nature?”

“Probably.” Iana replied, “And yes, it’s a possibility that the dwarfs made more machines like him.”

“Why a dagger though?” Maro asked, stepping closer to the Guardian to inspect him. “Or did they intend for him to be used like this? Maybe a prototype. Or someone tried to copy the dwarfs to do exactly what we did here. Where did you find him again, Ilea?”

She put away her hammer, “In a Taleen dungeon, next to a dead elf. A Cerithil Hunter I think… though Aki sounded like an obnoxious imbecile when I found him, not quite as reasonable as the hunters we’ve met. He’s somewhat influenced by the person close to him.”

“Not anymore.” Iana said in a proud tone. “I’ll get back to work on your armor, Ilea. Let me know if you need anything else.” She walked a couple meters away, one of Ilea’s armor pieces appearing on the workbench before she started.

“It’s going to take a while until this one can move around as well as the Guardians.” Maro commented.

“Yea, but compared to them he’ll be able to learn. Level two hundred is pretty powerful among humans.” She said.

“What do you plan to do anyway?” Aki asked, “I thought I could maybe travel with you again.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “You don’t sound very convinced. Well… you’re categorized as a monster so most humans will attack or flee on sight. Those that know the Taleen even more so.”

“Shit.” The dagger exclaimed.

“I’m sure I can find something with the Shadow’s Hand or my new medic organization.” Ilea said.

Maro turned her way, his helmet vanishing again. “Medic?”

“It’s a term for a combat healer of sorts.” She explained.

“I’m not sure how I can be of use with the Hand. They’re all above my level.” Aki said.

“You can also hang out with Iana and Christopher. Your body and runes would surely give them some insights. Helping to train the new medics would be cool though. You don’t really need sleep either and I think the blades are well suited to maim without killing.” Ilea looked at the weapons.

“What the hell kind of order are you setting up?” Maro asked, a smirk on his face.

“Combat healers, similar to me. The goal is to supply adventurer teams or Shadow teams with healers. Basically train people like me and the mission is to help fight monsters. Generally it’s not allowed to join warring nations, organizations or to kill people if not previously attacked.” She quickly explained.

“Sounds like a pain to organize.” Maro sighed, “Have fun with that.”

She chuckled, “Well, I’m not the only one who can delegate dear Maro.”

He nodded in a sarcastic way, “You tell me that in ten years time. Medic Queen.” He smiled, “Though I commend the goal. With your power you could do whatever you want but you choose to found a medic order beneficial to all. Naive perhaps, idealistic maybe. Not impossible.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. I literally killed a man yesterday for being an arrogant idiot. I can see more than a couple missions for manhunts or even elfhunts to be approved. She didn’t voice her thoughts, smiling when Aki once more turned his head around.

“I could learn… fight and maybe help train people. I believe I would like that.” The Guardian said.

“You will probably have to stay in the headquarters though. And we’ll have to give you a different color to make sure nobody attacks you without a second thought.” Ilea said, “You’ll get paid like everyone else of course.” She turned and looked at the smith who was still standing close by. “Bladuur, do you think you could make armor for him?”

He blinked his eyes, “What? I was lost in thought.”

“Armor, for the metal machine? Yes or no?”

“Ah… maybe. It’d have to be very precise work. It’s going to cost you quite a bit too.” He said.

Ilea looked at Aki and then at the smith, “Never mind. I’ll just ask Goliath when I see him. He works for free.”

“I’ll do it. Free of charge.” Balduur said, grinding his teeth.

Maro laughed, “And that’s the guy who should move to Morhill?”

How the hell did he figure that out?

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Balduur asked, arms crossed in front of him.

“I mean.” Maro said, “You’re not exactly the leader type. I just don’t see it.” He said in a dry tone.

“How… dare you. Ilea. I ask you to remove this man from my smithy. Immediately.” He said, “No discussion.”

She rolled her eyes, “Aki. I guess we’ll move out anyway.” Her ashen limbs moved around the machine’s arms and legs, dragging him towards her, “Come on Maro, you heard the smith.”

“Iana, I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Think you’ll be done then?” She added.

The girl looked their way, “I think so, yes.” She focused once again at Maro before a cloud of ash obstructed her view.

“Good. Balduur, I told Claire. She’ll visit sometime soon.” Ilea said and walked up the stairs, trying to keep the Guardian away from the walls but in the end just dragging him up.

She spread her wings and flew off, Maro close behind as they rushed once again to Morhill. The abandoned camp in one of the bigger squares was just the way they had left it earlier.

Ilea landed, carefully setting Aki down. “Why would you say that?” Ilea asked, looking at Maro.

“What?” He asked, “Oh, you didn’t get it? You should really work on your manipulation skills if you want to lead an order.”

“I don’t want to lead an order. I just want to give them the backing to do what I intend them to do.” She replied.

Maro looked at her for a moment before biting his thumb, “Damn. That’s what I should have done.”

“Well, you got married. Too good looking for your own good. Now explain.” She said, letting go of Aki.

The Guardian stumbled around on the floor, blades flailing around as he cursed and sighed. Like a weaponized fish on land.

Maro ran a hand through his hair, “It’s not just good looks. It’s the way I talk, my smile, the way I hold myself, the words I choose, my gear, my magic. All subtly working together.”

Ilea didn’t say anything, just looking at him until he continued.

“Balduur is a stubborn old man. A master of his craft, sure but he’s been sitting around his cellar for too long. Arguing with him would be difficult but questioning his abilities?” He explained, “He immediately agreed to work for free when you mentioned the crazy smith up north. I just lent a hand. If this Claire goes to talk to him, he’s likely going to agree before she even asks.”

“You don’t think he’s a bad leader?” Ilea asked. She knew he didn’t mean the comment but she had a hard time seeing the smith as one herself.

Maro shrugged. “Not as a general on the field, nor an elder. Managing an adventurer town with different guilds and orders having to cooperate. Maybe. I don’t know him well enough. High level smiths like him are rare either way. Why are they always so stubborn?”

She smiled. “Maybe it’s the hitting metals for decades, breathing in all the fumes.”

Her suggestion made him laugh, the man dodging to the side as a Guardian’s blade nearly slashed him.

Aki laid down after that. Unmoving. “This is hard.”

Ilea glanced at him, “Let me help you.” She extended three of her ashen limbs and moved them below his core, lifting the machine up. The legs dangled to the side, the slim torso and head hanging down just like his arms.

She remedied this by lifting up his head with another ashen limb, each of his blades getting the same treatment. “Do you still have your sight from before?”

“Yes. I do but it’s confusing. I have two visual inputs now… and so many new limbs.” Aki said, getting frustrated again.

“Calm down. You have all the time in the world to figure out your body. Do you feel that?” Ilea asked, moving one of his legs.

“I know you are moving one of my legs, yes. Feeling… might not be the right way to describe it.” The Guardian said, green eyes shining at her.

“It’s your front left one. Now, let’s go through everything.” Ilea said and continued with her tutoring.

Maro offered a bunch of comments too.

They did some testing with healing and death magic. Aki had an understanding of how damaged his body was but didn’t feel pain.

Healing had no effect on him but he could repair internal parts of himself with conscious effort. Very slowly but it was better than what the normal Guardians could do. The actual metal forming his body he couldn’t repair.

“Very peculiar.” Maro said a couple hours later.

The dagger was able to stand on his own now. Moving in any direction was still difficult because of the number of limbs and the power he had. Getting a level two hundred mechanical body suddenly wasn’t easy to handle.

Ilea could tell the dagger was getting more and more positive about the whole thing. The initial excitement was back. To finally be able to move and see, after hundreds or even thousands of years as a piece of metal.

“Left swords.” Aki said, the three weapons moving one after the other. “Right swords.” He repeated the exercise time and time again.

“Do you think Balduur or Iana could give me actual hands? These things… well won’t be able to do much.”

“You can slice things.” Maro suggested.

“It’s not like you have to do a lot.” Ilea said, “You don’t need to eat. If you want to read or write something, you can ask someone for help.”

“What if he wants to fuck.” Maro asked.

The dagger exhaled an exaggerated laugh, “Very funny Mr. King. I have legs and sword arms, this is better than anything I ever expected. I don’t think the joys of the flesh will ever be a concern of mine.”

“Not until I move your soul into an undead body.” Maro said in a teasing voice.

Aki turned his head in a smooth motion, “Hers, if she dies.”

Ilea snorted, her arms crossed, “Sure, if I really die.” She replied, “Oh, speaking of undead. How is your skeleton army coming along? Can you use that skeleton we found back in the Taleen dungeon?”

“I’ve used up more bones than I’ve gotten new ones so the army is shrinking if anything.” He said, “I can use it, yes. Takes up a big chunk of my control though.” He dumped the skeleton before necromantic magic surrounded it, the thing standing up on its thin legs. Claws extended.

Ilea could see a green wisp of magic flickering inside its chest, visible in her sphere only. “Want to fight that Aki?”

“It’s probably stronger than him.” Maro said, “Especially because of his movement inhibitions.”

“Sucks.” Ilea frowned. “I would have like to see that.” She created herself in ashen form and moved the thing closer to Aki. “Fight that then.”

Maro laughed, “Just as entertaining.” He commented, “Didn’t know you could make ash clones of yourself. Or is it purely creation and manipulation?”

“It is. I don’t think it will be very strong or fast.” Ilea replied.

The man sent his skeleton off and sat down on a nearby tree stump the imperials had left behind, “It’s getting dark. I sent it to collect some wood.”

“I can attack it?” Aki asked, moving a bladed arm closer to the ashen figure.

“It’s just ash.” Ilea said and joined Maro on his tree. She found it rather uncomfortable and created an ashen couch instead.

The king joined her shortly after.

Hours passed as they watched the machine battle the ashen clone, both moving rather sluggishly at first but improving quickly.

A demonic skeleton piled more and more wood nearby.

When the suns had set, Ilea set it aflame with her runic sphere of fire. Neither Aki nor herself were bothered by the lack of light anyway but the warmth was nice.

“We’re going to attract monsters.” She commented offhandedly, glancing to her left.

Maro seemed unconcerned, clapping when Aki landed a hit. He turned her way and smiled, “Oh, I hope. They can try to fight it together then.”

She shrugged. “I guess.”

Some animals did come closer but nothing attacked. The warmth of the fire was the only desirable thing in the vicinity. Neither Ilea nor Maro used their magic other than the ash.

The skeleton had been put back into the king’s ring. They each ate a couple of Keyla’s meals, fawning over the cook as Aki and Ilea’s Shadow control improved with each passing hour.

“I’m nearly done in Ravenhall by the way. For now at least.” Ilea said after a while.

“I thought as much. Where to after?” Maro asked.

She smiled and spoke, “Riverwatch probably. It’s an independent city between here and the north. You can stay here if you want to of course.”

“Is that were your necromancer friends are?” He asked, “I definitely want to see that.”

“It is.” Ilea replied, “Sure, I can introduce you. I got a couple jobs there too. Monster subjugation, missing people and a group of rogue adventurers making trouble.”

“Sounds interesting. I’ll help, if you will have me.” He said.

“You don’t have to. I think I can handle myself.” Ilea commented.

The king waved her off, “Ah, of course you can. I said I’ll help because it’s interesting.”

They were silent for a couple minutes, the dull noises of battle continuing in front of them. Metal against ash.

Maro shifted before he spoke, “I… I don’t know if I want to go north again. I…,”

She looked his way and nodded, “It’s alright. Would you join me if that Descent problem is still a thing in a couple weeks? Or do you not want to go there ever again? I would understand of course.”

He thought about it for a minute.

Ilea waited in silence.

“Once more, yes. I would also like to say farewell to Elana, to Tremor and to Rhyvor. After that… I don’t know. I liked Ravenhall.”

“We’ll figure it out once the time has come. I’ll come with you if you want. To Elana and the rest. To make sure you don’t get stuck.” She said and smiled, focusing back on the battling machine and ash. I could probably murder a level fifty warrior with that thing. She mused. Ridiculous.

Maro was silent for a while, tapping the ash with a finger, “Thank you.” He finally said, not adding anything. It wasn’t necessary.

Chapter 348 Moving out

Chapter 348 Moving out

Ilea woke up with warm sunlight on her face, sweat on her brow. She yawned and sat up slowly, still on her ashen sofa she had created the night before. Still active. The ashen clone was there too but stood unmoving.

Aki was circling the thing slowly, occasionally slashing at it with somewhat awkward movements.

Maro commented on the strikes, standing a couple meters away. “You’re not using all your legs as efficiently as you could.” He said and turned towards Ilea, “Oh look, you woke up.”

She rubbed her eyes and pushed both healing magic and meditation through herself. Aspect of Ash as well as Azarinth Awakening were still active, the two free skills constantly running. Her Armor of Ash sat on her back, in the form of a rose.

The fire was out, only ash remaining. Still, some heat came from the big circle. A tiny white fox was sleeping nearby.

Ilea deemed it cruel to wake the thing up, instead joining the others. “You can move pretty well already.” She said to Aki.

“Not as well as your ash even.” The dagger turned Guardian said. He made a noise that sounded a little like a sigh. “An improvement of course but this body can do so much more… I feel it.”

Ilea chuckled and smiled at him, dissolving her ashen clone, “I think you’ll soon reach a normal Guardian’s capabilities. It will be interesting to see how far you can push that thing.”

“He’s still just level two hundred.” Maro said, shaking his head, “And I don’t think he can level.”

“I know monsters don’t usually but some Taleen machines were a little higher than others. Demons can level too and they only have one class. What do you think?” Ilea commented.

Maro walked up to Aki and touched one of the sword arms, “I don’t think we should ignore the possibility completely. This, at least to me, is unprecedented. Not a dark one and not a machine. Something in between.”

“I’m just happy that you can move around by yourself now.” Ilea said, smirking.

Aki tried to bow but one of his legs didn’t exactly behave, making him veer sideways a little too far, “I do appreciate it. After sitting in that dungeon for a thousand years, I can certainly see the benefits.”

Maro laughed, “Don’t get yourself destroyed in the first week then.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “I’ll get you in. Come on. Iana should be done, we’ll move the both of you into Ravenhall.”

“It’s done.” Iana said, standing in front of the workbench covered by bone armor, the obsidian hammer sitting behind it all.

“It looks… fierce.” Aki commented, the guardian standing next to Ilea. He was somewhat in control of his body now, at least now flailing his sword arms around in the basement.

The enchantress smiled at the machine, looking genuinely happy to see the successful implementation.

“Can you enchant him too?” Ilea asked, nodding to Aki before she went and identified her newly enhanced gear.

[Quiet – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Bound Return 5]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Helmet – Ancient Timeless Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 5 / Mana Flow 3]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Torso – Ancient Timeless Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 5 / Mana Flow 3]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Arms – Ancient Timeless Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 5 / Mana Flow 3]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Legs – Ancient Timeless Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 5 / Mana Flow 3]

[Eternal Guardian Armor Boots – Ancient Timeless Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 5 / Mana Flow 3]

Self regenerating, mana flow enchanted and hardened bone armor with a badass look. That will take Basilisk or Dragon armor to top. Ilea thought with a big grin on her face.

“I will try, of course. Not now, not here. I will need space and some way to protect myself in case of explosions.” Iana replied to the earlier question. “It should be possible… but there are already a lot of them just to keep Aki running and to keep the Guardian working. I’ll need to study him further.”

Ilea took each piece and moved them into her necklace, the full set appearing right after on top of her pants and shirt, covering most of them. The hammer vanished into her storage item too. “Whatever you need. Trian will provide it.” She said, “Are you ready to go?” Ilea asked, most of the enchantress’ area cleaned of gear and machines.

The girl nodded happily, “Ready to leave!” She gave them an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Maro was wearing his helmet on Ilea’s instructions but turned his head towards the healer, “Are the rules still standing?”

Ilea just rolled her eyes and didn’t answer. She had to admit that Iana was a catch. Even though the girl was only a couple years younger than her, she felt like they were so far apart in maturity that she wouldn’t consider making a move on her.

Might change in the future. She thought but for now, she would protect her from hawks like Maro. Or at least tell Trian to do so in her stead. “Great. Come on then. Balduur! We’re leaving.”

She turned and watched the smith come to her.

A serious expression covered his face, his eyes focused on Iana before they moved to the woman in front of him. A deep sigh. “You. It could have been worse, I think.Make sure she’s safe and taken care of.”

“Of course.” Ilea replied and continued in a whisper, “She’s old enough Balduur. I was probably not much older when I had to survive in the wild, fighting against Drakes with my level twenty class. Iana is a big girl with plenty of levels to boot. She’ll be fine.”

The man once again glanced at his daughter before he shook his head, “You’re right, I know you are. I promised not to hold her back.” He sighed again and clasped Ilea’s shoulder.

The smith let go of her a moment later, moving on to hug his daughter and saying his goodbyes.

Ilea didn’t comment on the fact that they wouldn’t be more than an hour or two away from each other by wagon.

“Cute, aren’t they?” Maro asked with an undertone Ilea couldn’t quite discern.

“Do you think they will let me walk into the city?” Aki asked, his legs clinking on the stone floor as he walked towards them.

Ilea looked at him, at his steel legs, his bladed arms, “You’ll act like you’re a corpse. I will carry you in.”

“They can identify him.” Maro commented.

It was Iana who spoke up, the girl clad in a warm black winter coat in lined with a dark brown fur. “I think deactivating him would be best. As a dagger, I can store you in my ring.” She said.

Aki moved away from her in a frantic move.

“It’s ok.” Iana said, “I promise you’ll be back in your new body as soon as we’re in a safe place.” She smiled, the runes in her deep blue eyes gently swaying.

“I’d give up my body if she asked.” Ilea joked.

“Without question.” Maro confirmed. “But… then we couldn’t eat anymore.”

“True.” She replied, “Further considerations are necessary.”

Aki whipped his head their way, “Don’t joke about me losing my body! I just got it!”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Come on, don’t be such a dramatic pansy. You heard the girl, you’ll be up and running again in no time.” She walked up and past him, looking at the dagger in his back. “Or do you not trust us? After getting you so far? Iana, I just pull him out?”

“No.” The girl said, “I will have to do it. Aki, can you crouch down?”

“I… alright.” Aki said dejectedly and bowed to the enchantress.

The dagger was removed slowly, magic pulses forming sporadically and flowing through the basement smithy.

Ilea noted the complex form of the magic. So much tech and advanced magic and he’s level two hundred. I do wonder if he could control a Centurion or even something more powerful.

She would try of course, overwhelming a Centurion before it managed to explode should be a cakewalk with all her advancements. The same sadly wasn’t true for Praetorians. Yet.

“Are you ok?” The girl asked the piece of metal in her hand.

It took a moment for Aki to answer, “Yes.” His voice indicating the hurt of leaving behind his newfound freedom and ability to move as well as interact with the world around him.

Iana carefully hugged the dagger to her chest, “It’s not for long. I promise!”

“Put me in the ring.” He replied, his voice uncaring and tired.

Ilea chuckled after he had vanished, “He knows it’s for the best.”

The enchantress touched the Guardian and made it vanish too, “I can’t fly but my stamina should hold up should we run.”

Ilea and Maro looked at each other instantly. “I’ll carry her.” They both said simultaneously.

“I’m a woman.” Ilea said, crossing her arms.

Maro laughed at that, “Of course. You really thing you can hide your tastes from me?” He grinned.

She rolled her eyes. “Not her.” Ilea said with finality, ignoring Balduur missing the piece of glowing metal in front of him with his hammer.

“What!?” The smith exclaimed.

It was too late of course. Ilea was out of the door, gently pulling Iana up behind her. The two were out in the village moments later.

“What did the necromancer mean by that?” Iana asked with big eyes.

Ilea’s wings spread, ashen limbs moving out before she formed a seat for the enchantress. “I like both men and women.” She stated simply.

The girl cocked her head to the side in a confused manner, “I like both to… oh. I see.” She turned red, the cold air swirling around them not helping in the slightest. The girl hid deeper into her coat, her eyes firmly planted on the snowy ground.

“See, you scared her with your wild and mannerless ways.” Maro commented, his magical wings extending behind him.

Ilea looked at him. Really? You?

He laughed and winked her way, “Come on. I’d offer to carry you but an ashen seat isn’t really something I can top.” It looked like he was about to add something else but decided against it.

The three reached the city soon after, Ilea noting that both guards were wearing black.

“Where’s the normal guard?” She asked, taking a couple steps towards them as she summoned her shadow badge.

One of the guards stepped over, ignoring the adventurers waiting to get into the city in favor of Ilea. “Something with the capital I heard. We took over their posts for now.” He checked the badge and nodded, glancing at Maro and Iana, “With you?”

“With me.” She said and entered through the gates.

They quickly made their way to the City Hall.

The guard this time didn’t make a fuss, a quick glance into her eyes enough to identify her. “Lady Lilith.” He said respectfully, neither stopping or commenting on the others who followed her inside.

They found Trian in a nearby hall on the ground floor, the interior certainly suggesting nobility. Massive beautiful painted portraits in extravagant frames covering the walls. A mural depicting the Shadows’ storming of Ravenhall, demons in the fields. The polished floor, chandelier and banquet table paled in front of the visceral painting.

Maro staying behind with Iana, either unwilling to join the nobels or to protect the girl.

Some heads turned at her entrance, most quickly lost in their own conversations again.

Trian quickly glanced her way and approached through the crowd, composed and confident.

Ilea waited, her bone armor certainly noticeable amongst the beautifully crafted armor and clothing. She crossed her arms, watching the nobles as they parted for Trian, some watching them with approval, others with disdain. A nest I’ll try to avoid. She thought, a particularly hard stare returned in kind.

“Welcome, Lilith.” Trian spoke, “Did you hear about Virilya?” His voice was controlled, perfectly neutral. The fact that he had joined her immediately sent enough signals already.

“I haven’t. May we speak in private?” She asked.

A couple talks quieted down, the people obviously trying to listen in.

Trian nodded, “A couple minutes.” He said and vanished.

Ilea followed, feeling the enchantments fall in place immediately after. She saw Maro bring up Iana through her sphere. “What happened?” She asked. The atmosphere in the hall was tense but didn’t feel like doom. People were agitated but not distressed.

“It seems the coming months will be very interesting.” He replied, summoning four glasses and placing a couple bottles on the wooden table. He turned her way and smiled, “The siege is broken. They launched an attack on the Baralia camps. Information is scarce yet but it sounds like an absolute slaughter.”

He glanced towards the door right before a knock resounded, “Come in.” Trian said, “Friends of yours I assume?”

Ilea nodded and quickly introduced them.

“Iana will be working with the Medic Sentinels. As will Aki. You’ll see.” She explained.

Maro poured himself a glass of wine, sniffing on it before he tasted. “Adequate.”

Trian stayed neutral, “What about the necromancer? He’s the one growing a cult following, right?”

“That.” Maro spoke up, taking the bottle with his free hand, “Was not my intention.” He smirked and sat onto the table, “I will leave with Ilea. Your noble games won’t be interrupted by my presence.”

“Good.” Trian smiled, “I wouldn’t want to see them as part of an orgy.”

“They’re nobles… they likely do it all the time.” Maro commented.

Trian rolled his eyes, “As am I. They’re free to do what they want outside these halls. Now, Iana. I will take you to the headquarters soon. Much of the essentials are still missing. I hope that’s ok for you.”

“I lived in a smithy. If it’s not a dungeon, I’m alright.” She replied with a smile.

“Ah, before I forget. Trian, can you take Iana to my house at some point in the next month? I’d like to have it obscured and strengthened against anybody that would try to break in. No traps, just make it harder to enter.” Ilea said. “Also, introduce her to Claire. She should work together with Christopher too. I’m sure they could learn a lot from each other.”

“Of course.” Trian said, “Will you go to the capital?”

Ilea shook her head lightly, “No. I’ll visit Riverwatch as planned. Let the empire deal with it.”

Trian took a sip from his own glass, “My thoughts exactly.” He smiled, “I won’t hold you any longer then. Do stop by.”

“You don’t have to tell me that every time we meet.” Ilea said and turned to Iana, “Is this alright for you? He’s a mostly good guy. And if he makes trouble or you’re unhappy, go seek out the Head Administrator. She’s a friend of mine. Claire.”

Trian didn’t comment on it, “I have to join the nobles again for a while. Iana, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said and walked up to them, “I’ll be with you in around twenty minutes. Can I leave you alone here?”

The woman nodded with a smile.

He punched Ilea on the shoulder and vanished once more.

“I could also talk to my father for better materials in your house.” Iana suggested, “My enchantments would be quite a bit more efficient with that.” She added.

“Sure. Just don’t change it too much.” Ilea said. “Can we leave you alone here?”

The girl rolled her eyes and sat down on a chair, summoning Aki and the Guardian body, “I’m not a three year old. Enjoy your adventures and don’t get yourselves killed.”

“I’ll try not to offend her.” Maro said, glancing at Ilea.

“Says the literal king of death.” Ilea commented, “Have fun Iana and be careful. It’s a big city and most people will just try to take advantage. Stay close to Trian and listen to his advice. Also, greet Aki from me.”

“Mhm.” The enchantress commented with a smile before she once again focused on her work.

Maro stepped up next to Ilea, bottle in hand before he took a sip, “To Riverwatch?”

“Soon. First, I need to stock up on food.”

“Even better.” The necromancer grinned.

“I know I said a week.” Ilea said. “Did you have time to prepare meals for me at all?”

The cook had a smug grin on her face and crossed her arms, “I know you better than you know yourself. Of course I have prepared as much as I could. The third order of cakes already came in too, it’s reserved for you.”

“Remarkable. May I propose to you?” Maro spoke, going to one knee next to Ilea, his gaze focused on Keyla.

“You’re married.” Ilea commented, “Also, Keyla. Don’t.”

“I must decline. I’m seeing someone after all.” The cook commented and winked at Ilea.

“Heart broken…,” Maro whimpered, “Only food may fill it.”

The cook obliged, summoning a meal from her new storage ring and handing it to the man. “I’ve got a couple hundred meals ready but I guess we’ll have to transfer them individually.” She said, ignoring Maro’s slaughter of her meal.

The next couple minutes were spent with exchanging meals between their two storage items. Plates appearing and disappearing on the table in the private dining room on the top floor.

Three hundred sixty meals from Keyla and thirty cakes from Popi. “Marvelous. That should last me a while.” Ilea said and grinned. She was very aware of the murderous stare from Maro. “You can get some too, if you can pay.”

The man didn’t react, his stare changing into a thousand yard like expression, his eyes looking past the cook, past the kitchen and perhaps past Elos itself.

“Don’t worry about him, I’ll share.” She said to the cook. “Thanks for the hard work, Keyla. Give my thanks to Popi too. I’m sure he’ll have some fans up north soon enough.”

Chapter 349 Angel of Death

A note from Rhaegar

Began watching Critical Role. A D&D series by a group of voice actors and I can't recommend it enough. It's SO good. Do check it out if you haven't heard of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-p9lWIhcLQ

Chapter 349 Angel of Death

A storm was brewing, dark clouds rising in the distance. Groups of mounted imperials rushed out of the city, scouts and soldiers to join the war efforts, to get information and deliver their own.

“Sure you want to leave now?” Maro asked, sitting next to her on the roof.

The building had a good view, near the outermost wall. “They have to be able to deal with it themselves. I can’t be here all the time.”

The man stood up and stretched. “You could be. I was.”

“I can’t do much good here.”

“You could defend the city, be a reason for people not to attack.” Maro said.

She knew he was just fucking with her but replied seriously nonetheless. “Sulivhaan is at level two sixty eight. Dagon at two sixty one. They have the Hand and the Shadowguard behind them. I trust them not to fuck this up.”

“Maybe…,” She added, “Maybe it’s the wrong decision. But if I stay now, I will stay the next time. I care about them, even a little about the city itself, the people living in it. Still, I won’t let it hold me back.”

He shrugged, “Your decision. I hope you’re ready to live with the consequences.”

“Like you did?” She shot back and watched in amusement as he grasped his heart, acting as if a powerful spell had hit him.

“I was there. And I still failed. Perhaps it would have been smarter to focus on what I was good at.” He said and stood up.

“Killing monsters?” Ilea asked.

“No.” He winked at her, “Gambling.”

Ilea pushed some air out of her nose, “I’m sure the leaders of Ravenhall will rise to the challenge. If anything, the city would hold under siege. One level three hundred human won’t change the tide of war. A level three fifty or four hundred though? Maybe.”

Maro snorted, “One level two hundred assassin can change the tide of war. Let’s not get into details though. Come on then. Or do you want to brood on the rooftops some time longer? Maybe until the storm hits, might make a good painting. Lightning flashing in the background. Ilea, the defender of Ravenhall! Lady Lilith, the destroyer, the avenger!” He gestured wildly, nearly slipping on the slightly wet roof.

She silently spread her wings, his words like static in her ears. Did I finally get my Resistance? Ilea wondered, the winds pressing against her bone armor, soon covered by ash.

Maro caught up with her, the two rushing over the mountains with incredible speed, their target, Riverwatch.

___________________________________________________________________

It was hopeless really. The monsters. Hidden near the riverbank.

I was all Linus could do not to scream, to stay composed and to focus. He had faced monsters before, of course he had. Both men and beasts deserving of the name. Both with the guard and with his brother.

His glaive swung wide, twirling in the air and coming down on the neck of a Nazark. He trusted his skill, trusted the blade. The ground was wet, the air cold. His boots moved smoothly on the gravel of the road, blood spraying out from the wound of his enemy.

The glaive continued through the air, his skill keeping the bladed pole moving. Behind his back and finally into his other hand. No monster was in range. None that he could see, sense.

“Retreat!” He heard his commander shout. The sound was lost in a sea of screams and snarls.

He was part of the team that was supposed to flank the beasts. Nazarks, easily provoked, easily led into a trap. Today it was the other way around. The scouts had failed it seemed or the creatures had learned, perhaps had a leader even.

[Nazark – lvl 62]

Weak, he thought. A single blow of his weapon would be enough to kill it. Still he felt his breath get stuck in his lungs, felt the shiver flowing unrelentingly down his spine as he looked at the blood dripping from the monster’s claws.

This was what it meant, to fight outside the walls. To be the hunters, the cleaners. Those that were meant to protect the people living happily within the distant city.

He had of course regretted his decisions many times already. His post on the city walls was secure, his level above one hundred. Many contenders had to become adventurers instead or had to join the troops to scout and kill the beasts nearby.

Riverwatch. The city he had come to call his home. He looked at the lanky beast, taller even than him and thinner, albeit not by much.

Hatred glowed in its eyes, coupled with apprehension. It had seen its kind cut down, its attention focused on the blade held out by the human warrior.

Linus waited, recovering his stamina and mana as he surveyed his surroundings, listening for anything that would try to sneak up. The formations were broken, many wounded or dead. On each side. What the beasts lacked in teamwork and planning, they made up in savagery and fearlessness. He knew the guard was losing. A numbers game. Individual skill might be the saving grace. Both for him or the beasts.

“Why couldn’t you just stay in the forest?” He asked, sincere. The man’s voice laden with anger and fear.

Yet his hand was steady, the heavy wood familiar, a pillar to lean on. To focus.

The beast moved.

Spindly legs propelled it forward, strong muscles tensed and released as they brought its claws toward the armored man.

Lightning cracked around him, his body tensing up before he shot forward. His glaive was aimed at the creature’s heart, a dull crash resounded and the blade had punched through. Too much. He felt it, knew it in his core.

The beast slid closer, the gashing wound on its chest spelling its death. Yet not fast enough. Claws moved in and slashed at the human, their coupled momentum making it impossible to avoid. Not for the monster and not for the man.

Linus’ eyes opened wide right before they crashed together, a bling resounding in his mind just when the long vicious claws buried themselves in his left arm and right shoulder.

The force went through him and the two tumbled down in a ball of long legs and arms. Still, he gripped his weapon, the wood holding against the weight. Linus moved the corpse away from him and stumbled to his feet, blood dripping from his arm and shoulder. Neither wound was life threatening but it would be an issue if not treated soon.

The pain was familiar, not worse than what he had felt before but not much better either. It would impact his skill. The blade slid out of the corpse, the man distancing himself from the body as he once again looked around.

Corpses littered the riverbank but the sounds of battle had moved, towards the treeline to his right. Coughing and moans of pain resounded around him, the iron stench of blood laid heavy in the air. Death. The thought flashed through his mind. Run. He heard himself think. A pounding in his body, his own heart beating faster yet again.

The man activated Meditation, its second tier allowing him to move slowly towards the battle, the side effects of the skill calming him down, unraveling the knot of fear in his mind.

He sped up again once he was focused again, lightning flowing through him to quicken his movements, to enhance his reaction speed. The Nazarks had been quick, had killed five of them before most even knew what was happening.

Any lower ranked adventurer team or even the guards from Stormbreach would have fallen into chaos. Quickly overwhelmed. Yet they were the hunters, trained and prepared to take care of monster infestations. Nazarks hadn’t been planned for today but it didn’t matter.

Fire flashed in the underbrush. The light of dawn slowly pressing through the dark.

The trees wouldn’t favor his weapon, an open space required to fully use the range. Linus moved his grip farther up the wooden pole, his breath heaving for air as he steeled himself. Lightning flashed once more when he broke through the bushes.

Heavy steps pushed against the earthy ground, his blade slashing into the neck of a beast, killing it instantly. A slide allowed him to dodge a flying clawed hand, his weapon cutting through a leg before her rolled and shot up again.

The mage looked injured, stumbling away from two more beasts as a small ball of fire burnt into one of them, released by her hand.

Blood was dripping from her chest, her left arm hanging to her side. The white of bone visible.

Linus moved towards her, the power of lightning flowing through his veins. He jumped to her side and shouted, “Healer!” To deter the beasts and just as muchin hope to find the only healer in their troop to stumble out of the darkness.

Three more monsters answered his call, rushing out from the thicket as he readied his blade.

Everything stopped instantly, writhing lines of moving darkness exploded through the Nazarks’ heads and chests. A figure clad in black, wisps moving silently around their armor landed softly in their midst.

Linus breathed out, his weapon ready as he prepared, hands sweaty and eyes focused on the blue piercing glare of the monster. The taste of blood was in his mouth, his body moving to protect the mage behind himself.

[Healer - ??]

He read the tag and watched as the person moved past, with graceful and quick movements. Past his blade and his body. The man turned, only to find a steady hand on his shoulder. He activated a short term boost to his mind but all he saw was the wound on his arm closing rapidly. A feeling of warmth flowed through him, his eyes going wide as he watched the tissue on the mage’s arm reform. Monster…

He had seen healers before, had trained with them and fought to protect them. This wasn’t a healer, this was a wraith of death. He dared not breath, dared not move.

“Relax and move to the road.” The voice said, human. Young. With a confidence and calm that made the hairs on his arms stand up.

He forced his eyes to hers but found only the trees staring back at him.

“Shadow…,” The mage said with a breath. Her hand grasped at her arm before her gaze focused on him.

“Are you alright?” He asked, looking around to find the stranger. All he found was corpses. Distant sounds of battle still resounded, spells and rare flashes of light.

The mage stumbled away from the tree, looking around frantically, “I… am. Come, we have to go to the road.”

Why do we have to do anything? She is a stranger and definitely dangerous. He thought but followed nonetheless, their breathing the only sound next to their legs brushing against the bushes and plants.

They broke out of the trees, his gaze immediately finding others stepping out, bewildered, looking around as if to find the monster right behind them.

“We’re not the only ones.” The woman said, a smile on her face as she wiped at the blood she had coughed up just minutes ago.

Linus too grasped at his shoulder. It was a weird feeling, to be healed. This had felt different still, forceful as if someone intruded his very core. Still warm and true. Power he could not imagine. He steadied his shaking hands, focusing on the forest, looking over the bodies. “Look for survivors.” He said, “Regroup, form up!” He was no commander but neither were those coming out of the forest.

They listened, mages and rangers lining up behind, their backs towards the river. Weapons and spells at the ready.

Linus trusted his speed, knew he could escape should a group of Nazarks come out to ambush him yet again. He saw more people move out of the forest. Here’s one. He checked the man, finding several wounds but nothing that explained all the blood near his belly. All the guts.

He moved his hand through the gore and pushed it aside carefully, finding the man uninjured. Small cuts and bruises. Did she get here first? Noises came from the other side of the small grass field, a group of Nazarks rushing out.

He readied his glaive, ready to retreat to the group a dozen meters behind and to his right. Yet he saw the beasts’ gazes weren’t focused on him.

A man in red robes, lined with silver plating appeared in the field. Silver antlers grew from his helmet, no eyes visible through the metal. A hand was extended and a beam of black seared through the fleeing monsters, their bodies dropping dead as if their very strings of life were cut.

Linus held his ground, the bladed pole ready to strike. They’re not shadows. He thought, the man too far away to identify. His armored robe looked powerful, ancient. As he stared at him, the mage suddenly appeared a meter away. His teeth clenched, lightning flaring up as he forced himself not to strike, his instinct nearly costing him his life.

“Bow before me, human.” The man spoke, his hands casually to his side.

[Necromancer – lvl ??]

Linus kept his hands on the weapons, his spells extended and his senses heightened. I can give them time. Until the healer comes back. He jumped back, focused on the necromancer before him. “Healer!” He shouted again, his only hope to survive this the mysterious stranger that intervened before.

Something pushed out of the trees, flying high and illuminated by the sunlight pushing through the mist. Black wings, ethereal and powerful. The armored healer, clad in black looked his way. Ash?

She appeared closer and looked around.

Linus forced himself to focus on the necromancer, confused why the man hadn’t moved.

“You fucking dunce. Stop scaring the soldiers.” The healer said, shaking her head. She chuckled and vanished once more.

Scaring… the soldiers? The words repeated in his mind, his eyes darting right to find the woman but she was gone.

“Taking the fun out of it.” The necromancer said. “Alright glaive master, join the others. Would be best for your already atrocious casualty numbers.” He added and flew up and away.

“What the fuck is happening.” Linus said, unsure what kind of feelings flowed through him. At least I didn’t pee myself this time. “What a day.” He sighed and moved to the growing group of hunters.

“Stay vigilant. We don’t know who they are.” He said, prepared to fight. Even if they had saved him twice.

One of the other warriors sheathed his weapon, “Are you kidding me? You haven’t heard of Lilith? She’s the mad healer Dale found around here years ago. We’re blessed, I tell you.” The man laughed, completely relaxed.

Captain Dale? So those stories weren’t made up? He had his doubts. Until now it had simply been weird for the respected guard captain to make up people. Linus had assumed the man wanted to encourage recruits to take up a healer class. The wings and armor, maybe that drunken story wasn’t actually made up.

_______________________________________________________________________

Ilea rushed through the forest, far faster than the monsters she was hunting. It was a slaughter. Dozens of them still ran, some trying to find the humans they were fighting and others fleeing from the newcomers. It didn’t matter.

They were slow, sluggish even. Their hide proved utterly useless against her ashen limbs, the bladed ends piercing through their bodies like bullets through skin.

She ignored the notifications, the low leveled monsters irrelevant to her progress. Ten more she killed before the forest returned to silence. Birds and other animals were holding their breaths, hiding in whatever hole they could find.

“I think that’s all of them.” Maro appeared a couple meters away, brushing at the blood on his armor.

Ash formed and moved over his armor, Ilea wordlessly helping him out. “Don’t get used to it.”

The man chuckled, “Already have. Want to join my kingsguard? We could use a woman of such power.”

“Power to clean? Might want to check on your outdated views on women. Things have changed in the last thousand years.” Ilea joked, flying up to look over the forest. Her ears strained as she rushed over the surroundings, her sphere and senses not picking up anymore of the beasts.

Maro followed, “Hey, some of my best friends are women.”

“We can even vote now.” Ilea said, glancing his way with an apathetic look.

“You vote kings nowadays? Things really did change.” The necromancer said with fake shock.

Not like you would have an issue charming a crowd. Ilea thought and rushed towards the riverbank.

A thin gravel road led alongside it. To Riverwatch, a couple kilometers away if her estimate was correct. The adventurers were lucky that some of them had screamed so loudly. Otherwise they would have never knownanyone was there.

She landed in the field where the initial battle must have happened. Dozens of corpses littered the grass, most of them beasts. She closed her eyes and breathed in, focusing on the blood, guts, shit and piss.

“Not puking this time?” Maro asked with a teasing voice as he landed next to her, “Should I raise them? Would give them quite a spook.” He suggested.

Ilea opened her eyes and glanced at him, “Do that and I’ll spook them with your ripped off head on a stick.”

“That would work too.” He said, his helmet vanishing to reveal his grin. “I was talking about the Nazarks of course.” The man said and kicked one of the bodies.

A groan resounded, the adventurer slowly getting up before he stumbled back, glaring at the necromancer standing above him.

Like a child sometimes. She thought and smiled. Guess there’s a reason I’ve kept him around.

Chapter 350 Hunters

Chapter 350 Hunters

“Ignore him, your people are over there.” Ilea said to the man, her ashen limbs moving out to wake the others she had healed. Most had been in critical condition. “Stop playing dead you two. I can hear your heartbeats.” She said, hearing the very same accelerate.

“Your prey is distressed lady Lilith, I can feel it.” Maro said, moving closer to one of the survivors.

“Oh my fucking god, Maro. They’re already traumatized, do you have no regard for the human mind?” She slashed at him with an ashen limb, finding him vanish.

He chuckled and walked towards the apprehensive group.

Now that she saw them together, Ilea realized they were part of an organization, a military perhaps or a guard.

“We’re leaving for Riverwatch in twenty minutes. You can either ride among the corpses or walk.” She said finally and joined Maro.

“Who are you?” The glaive wielding man asked, his gaze neither hostile nor friendly. Green eyes, black hair, tall and somewhat thin.

Ilea glanced over to Maro, “He’s got your eyes. A bastard maybe?” She asked, focusing on the man instead, “We’ve come to find my friend’s long forgotten son.”

The necromancer snorted, “Yes we have. And you are…,”

Ilea interrupted his speech, “I’m a Shadow. On my way to Riverwatch when we heard you. What are you exactly, adventurers?” She heard the word Shadow whispered by some of them.

“Your armor isn’t black.” The man said.

Ilea rolled her eyes, “Fucking seriously?” She asked, summoning her badge and throwing it at him.

The man caught it and looked it over before he handed it to a mage standing behind him.

“It’s real.” The woman said, about as annoyed by his demeanor as Ilea was.

He took it back and held it out to Ilea, his weapon moved to the side. “Apologies for my rudeness. I’m Linus… it looks like captain Miller didn’t make it. Thank you for the help.”

The rest of the survivors finally came over from the field, some looking a little embarrassed.

A somewhat portly man with a big smile on his face walked over to Ilea, his hand held out. Chest covered in blood. “Captn Miller. Glad to meet you, Ilea right?” He asked and laughed, shaking her hand.

“That was a close one, I tell you.” He said, “Good thing my screams got your attention.” He pointed at some of the people, “Get the carts, move the bodies. If there is space left, take the Nazarks too. Haren and Cliff, collect an ear from each of them.”

“From our troop too?” One man asked, playing with his dagger as he walked towards the field.

“Not again Haren. Just the monsters.” The captain said and chuckled before he looked at Ilea. He hit her arm lightly, “He’s joking. Joking.”

“The rest get ready to return, help move the corpses and spread out a little. You’d be easy fodder for a fire mage. Come on, move your asses!” He shouted the last bit.

“You know who I am?” Ilea asked.

“Hah, now I do. Dale told some stories. A healer with black wings, thought some poison was going to my head.” He tapped his skull, dripping more blood onto his brown hair. “Well I suppose you can move on then. I’ll make sure you’re compensated for the help. Just visit me in the eastern hunter camp.”

“You’re hunters?” Ilea asked, some skepticism in her voice, her eyes moving over the carnage.

“We were going out to hunt goblins. The Nazarks ambushed us around half an hour ago. We didn’t expect it. I killed their leader, a stronger version likely capable of leading the normal variants. The forests grow more and more dangerous.” He shook his head, “You’re here with the Hand or for Dale?”

She looked at him, “Both, I suppose. How’s the city?”

He chuckled, “How’s the city. Standing. Some of the houses feel a little scared at night.”

Maro laughed, “I like him.”

“Of course you do.” Ilea commented.

“A necromancer. You’re a member of the Shadow’s Hand too?” The man asked and held out his hand.

Maro grasped it, “No. I’m just here to raise the dead, corrupt and take over your precious town from within.” His face was serious, his tone dry.

Miller laughed and shook his hand with both of his, “Perfect. Finally, this horrible life comes to an end.”

Maro joined in as Ilea rolled her eyes.

“I’ll help with the cleanup.” She said absentmindedly and walked over to help with the dead. It felt wrong to move them in her storage items, their comrades still around. Still wearing her bone armor, she grabbed one of the corpses and moved the dead woman over to the arriving carts. A mage she assumed, due to the lacking sheath or straps for any weapons.

Some of the hunters looked at her but nobody said a word.

The captain’s mood wasn’t exactly reflected in his hunters. Just lost a third of his men and he’s joking with a necromancer. Ilea felt a smile tug on her mouth. And I think it’s funny.

She carefully placed the corpse in the wagon and turned around. All the other bodies had been moved already, each of the not assigned hunters carrying one.

She found no of her skills had leveled when she checked through the messages. Just a bunch of unlucky Nazarks that ran into her path.

“Already done?” Maro asked as he walked over. “Heard the city is barely an hour from here on foot. Want to go?”

Ilea glanced at the woman once more before she nodded. How many would have died if we hadn’t been here? The thought was bizarre. There are thousands dying all over the world. We just happened to save these guys.

Ashen wings spread. She gave the group of hunters a nod and ascended.

Maro followed in silence, the two flying low. Right next to the flowing ice cold river.

Ilea stopped and landed a couple hundred meters away from the walls. The city sprawled before her. She attributed the size to magic just as much as with Ravenhall and Virilya. Comparing them to maps and paintings of medieval towns on Earth was unreasonable. What confused her a little was the fact that despite all the building advantages, they didn’t like to build high here.

Stone and enchantments should get them at least a hundred meters high, if not much higher than on Earth. Either it was a money thing or more likely the constant fear of monsters. Collapsing a two story building dealt less damage than a ten story one. Area space wasn’t really an issue here. Not yet.

Movement near the gate indicated they had already been spotted. “Riverwatch. Doesn’t look like they did the same defensive improvements as Ravenhall.”

Maro chuckled. “They don’t have an insane mercenary order to defend and fund them either.” He commented. “Or do they?”

“Not that I know. Can we switch to a more normal getup? I don’t want to stand out too much.” Ilea said and put away her bone armor. Luckily there was no blood on her clothes, thanks to her ashen armor she had worn above her bone one.

The man rolled his eyes, walking towards the gate. His armor was suddenly replaced by elegant black pants, a red shirt and a black coat going to his knees. A silver pin depicting a rose appeared in his hand before he pinned it near his chest.

“Not that you won’t stand out just as much.” Ilea said but walked on. “Also your eyes don’t really fit with the red.”

“Red and green? Fits perfectly in my opinion.” He replied, “You’re not a queen so you wouldn’t understand. Damn youths.”

Ilea ignored his comments, “I don’t know what their laws are in regards to necromancers. If you’re not allowed in, just fuck off and sneak back.”

“Do you not want to separated from me then? You’ll be treated as an associate.” Maro suggested but they were already too close.

Four more guards had joined the ones near the gate, more on top of the wall.

Ilea glanced his way, “What? No, I’m the healer you’ve drugged and charmed to work with you. The guards will be my sweet saviors.” She spoke in a serious and flat tone.

“I don’t like how I’m rubbing off on you.” Maro said.

“Don’t praise yourself for work that isn’t yours.” Ilea said, the two reaching the guards’ earshot.

One of them stepped up, all ready to fight, hands on their weapons. “State your name and business! We saw you land.”

“I’m Ilea. Friends with captain Dale. Here on Shadow Business. This is Maro, we helped out captain Miller on the way. They ran into some Nazarks.” She explained casually, pointing first at Maro and then back down the road.

“Ilea. Can I see a badge? I don’t like him being a necromancer, can you vouch for him?” The guard said, a hard stare focused on the mage.

She summoned and threw her badge, noticing a couple guards opening their eyes wide, others talking quickly to the ones next to them. Storage items. Ravenhall would see a lot more, I guess.

Still, she didn’t want to stop using them here, feeling powerful enough to ignore the possible dangers. Any human that could pose a threat would have the resources or strength to get one themselves. If they didn’t have one already.

The guard checked her Shadow badge and nodded, “Yea. You’re alright. The necromancer?”

“He’s not going to raise any corpses.” Ilea said simply.

Maro fixed his coat and stepped towards the man with a smile on his face, “Maro Invalar.” He bowed, “It is a pleasure to visit your beautiful city, dear noble warriors and mages.”

He’s so fucking bad. And they love it. Ilea wouldn’t have believed it had it not been for her sphere that informed her about the distress levels dropping rapidly. “You’re fine. Want to come with me or explore the city?” She asked the man.

“Explore? Just come find me if you need help. Enough fighting for me today though, to be honest.” Maro replied in a low tone.

“Sure. Meet up at sundown in the adventurer guild, the one closest to here?” She asked. “To visit my friends.”

“Ah, yes. Done deal. I’ll be there.” Maro said with a grin. “So much for acting like you’ve been charmed.” He winked.

Ilea rolled her eyes and walked past the guards. She noted that literally none felt distress anymore. “What’s your usual policy with necromancers?” She asked the guard.

The man looked at her and then Maro, “Let’s just say he’s allowed in because of your word.” He stopped the necromancer with a gesture, “The Shadow can enter. I want to hear captain Miller’s confirmation of your story.”

“That’s not exactly logical. If she lied, are you going to find her?” Maro asked with a smirk.

“No. Shadows are allowed some leeway. Necromancers aren’t.” He replied.

Ilea smiled and waved at him, hoping the mage wouldn’t massacre everyone here. She was happy to hearMaro instead starting a conversation about gambling halls and brothels in the city.

The smells and noises inside weren’t quite as overwhelming as back in Ravenhall. Fewer people. She noted. A dog barked at her when she passed, the streets muddy with ice in places.

There was snow on some of the rooftops but most had melted away due to the heating. Stoves and wood for most, runes for those a little more well off. Many with no heating at all.

“Oy… lady, some copper?” A man asked, thin and with clothing that wouldn’t hold another winter.

Ilea summoned and flipped a couple silver coins his way, “Get a bath too.”

[Warrior – lvl 28]

She wondered how many years ago he had gotten those levels. Ilea didn’t stop, ignoring the shouts of thanks behind her.

I don’t remember there being so many beggars. Rounding a corner, she saw three more, ignored by most who walked by. For each, she summoned a couple copper coins, making her way to the guard station Dale had been stationed at.

Ilea recalled the location of his office and this time blinked in front of it directly, without talking to any of the guards around the station. Good timing. She thought, smiling as the door opened before her.

Dale jumped back and grasped his sword, letting go immediately when he realized who it was.

She waved and smiled.

“You? You weren’t here a second ago.” He said, “Really. No regards for this old man’s heart.” Dale added, shaking his head.

Ilea noticed the new scar on his cheek, touching her own. “You’re what? Thirty?”

He nodded. “I’m not telling you. The scar? A close one. Abby forbid me to stay with the hunters until the kids are old enough.”

She smiled, “Did she say a specific age?”

Dale looked at her as his eyes widened, “Damn…,”

“You’re not joining anytime soon. Miller seems decent enough though, even with his disregard for death.” Ilea said, “Am I interrupting you?”

“I was just about to go down join the new recruits. It’s been a month and we’re evaluating the progress. Want to join?” He asked, his eyebrows moving up.

Ilea shrugged, “Sure, if that’s not against guard protocol.” She said and stepped out of the door.

“You even joined in last time you were here. I don’t think anybody would say no to a Shadow giving some pointers. Or even just watching.” Dale said, moving past her and down the nearby stairs.

“You’ve met Miller? I thought he was out today.”

“They ran into some Nazarks. We helped them out. I think he should be back in half an hour or so.” Ilea informed him.

“Nazarks? So close to the city.” Dale said thoughtfully. “An ambush then. Otherwise I doubt they would have needed help at all.”

Ilea nodded.

A nearby guard did a double take on her and Dale before he nodded towards them.

“Are you here with your Hand squad? On official business or just passing by?” The captain asked, the two walking out onto into an open space.

Around eighty people were waiting, fifty of which looked like the new recruits. They stood in formation.

She summoned her bone armor and answered, “I’m here with a friend. I did get the jobs near Riverwatch though. Thought I’d check in on you and ask about them as well as the related contacts listed.” She got out the note form Claire. “Alistair Gallian seems to be the one to talk to. For all of them. At least in part. Know him?”

“Beautiful armor. It fits.” Dale said, the two joining the group of waiting officers. “I do know him. He’s the governor of Riverwatch. Newly appointed after all the… mess.”

“Captain. Everything is ready.” One of them said, glancing at Ilea for a second.

“Good, start then.” Dale said and turned towards the recruits. “Ilea, if you have an hour or two, maybe a demonstration would be helpful.”

[Warrior – lvl 142]

“I think you’re quite enough for that. I don’t want to make anyone feel inadequate.” There was no mockery in her words.

The man noticed as much and nodded, “I will be.” He paused, “Might have been my curiosity too.”

She smiled under her helmet, “A private bout isn’t out of the question. I did look forward to freak you out.”

He chuckled as the recruits started forming into groups of two, each using their preferred weapon or magic to fight one another. “You give off a calmer feeling. If anything, I feel safer standing next to you.”

Ilea pushed air out of her nose. “Not the reaction I wanted. Refreshing though I think.” After all the big eyed looks she had gotten from the survivors, even the reactions from her friends in Ravenhall. It was nice, she supposed. The first human she came in contact with in Elos still treated her in a normal manner.

Dale smiled, starting to walk around, commenting on some of the recruits.

“Guards or Hunters?” Ilea asked after a while, following the man.

“They can choose. Guards for all at first, only small jobs outside the walls with a focus on gaining levels. After they reach level fifty, they can choose to join the hunters.”

“Basically adventurers in employ of the city?” Ilea asked, noting the glances from the recruits.

Most at least tried to stay focused on their opponents.

Dale glanced her way, “Not exactly. The pay is worse but you get benefits in the city. Jobs are usually somewhat close by and we move in much bigger groups. It’s hard to get together twenty adventurers even for newly discovered dungeons.”

She nodded. “More safety then. Sounds like a good system. How many healers do you guys have?”

He laughed at that. “Not nearly enough. I try to encourage people to have it as a second class at least but it’s hard to argue. Even if they’ve seen you.”

“I really don’t get it. You can heal yourself and you’re desired by any adventurer group or the guard.” Ilea shook her head.

“Stigmas, fear of the healing orders, not actually as useful early on compared to a body enhancement or mage class. Many lack the talent for it too or the knowledge. We can’t provide many teachers either. Handing them a sword or spear is much easier and cheaper.” Dale explained.

“If the healing orders gave out their classes and the knowledge they’ve kept to themselves in the past thousand years, I’m sure there would be more around. More people to choose it early on.”

Ilea nodded, ignoring a blast of ice that rushed over her.

The man who shot the spell looked mortified but Dale just motioned for them to continue.

“You high leveled ones are all out there, with adventurer teams and unwilling to teach new healers. Why would you? More competition.” Dale said and chuckled. “We get by though. Still, I’d like a healer in every group of ten.”

“How many do you have now?” Ilea asked.

“One in fifty? A hundred? Sometimes it feels like even less.”

Chapter 351 Evaluation

Chapter 351 Evaluation

“I can bring you if you’d like. They know me well and it might save you a couple annoying talks and explanations.” Dale said after a while.

The recruits were actually rather well trained. Ilea was particularly impressed with their focus. Most were below level fifty, the bigger part with various warrior and body enhancement classes. A few had rarer mage classes but nothing Ilea didn’t already have a resistance to.

She glanced at Dale. “Sure, if you don’t have any more pressing matters to attend to.”

The man chuckled and shook his head. “You’re literally the Shadow, here to take care of the most dangerous threats that the whole city has to deal with.” He laughed, “It’s pretty much my job to make sure you get where you need to be as fast as possible.”

Ilea just waved him off, “Ah come on Dale, I’m not just here because of that. You’ve leveled quite a bit. One forty already. How have you been, how’s the family?” She smiled at him.

The warriors fighting in front of them tried very hard to seem like they weren’t listening in.

Dale smiled, “Keep those skills up, recruits.” He walked on and answered her after a while. “Most of them I got with the hunters. I can’t complain. The pay isn’t bad and with Alistair it’s only gotten better. My wife doesn’t really have to work anymore, not that she’d ever stop.”

“What does she do?” Ilea asked.

“She’s a cook.” He said with a smirk, “Damn good one at that.”

“I definitely approve of you two.” Ilea said, glancing at the approaching guard.

He smiled and stopped a meter in front of them, “Ma’am, may I ask a question?”

“Of course, lowly peasant.” Ilea said with a serious tone.

“Lowl… you are Ilea, right? The warrior who was here over a year ago, having a bout with captain Dale?” His voice didn’t sound so sure anymore, his expression less confident.

“Yea, that’s me.”

He scratched his neck, trying to avoid looking into her eyes, “Well… there has… sort of been a bet. To see if anyone could land a hit on you. Because… the captain failed to take you down.”

“Neil, you’re talking to a Shadow. I think she has better things to do than that.” Dale said in a calm voice.

Ilea was happy neither of them seemed too intimidated by her, Dale especially. Then again, other than shock he had usually seemed pretty collected. Compared to Walter or her friends in the Hand. Maybe because he was never super powerful to begin with.

“How do you test them, just look at them as they fight?” Ilea asked Dale, looking at the recruits.

“You’re not seriously considering…,” he shook his head but couldn’t hide the smirk that tugged on his lips. “We have them fight officers, they get evaluated and either promoted or they stay recruits.”

“Can they go all out?” Ilea asked, the suggestion evident.

Dale looked at her, scratching his chin. “No, of course not. We tried dummies, before you asked. It’s not in the budget with how many of them get destroyed.” He paused. “But I really don’t want to have you stay here. The missions are more important and you should be briefed as soon as possible.”

Ilea cracked her shoulder and spoke, “I’m not in a hurry, Dale. If it’s really that important, you can inform the governor already. It’s not like he could just make time instantly anyway.”

“You’re underestimating your own worth. I don’t think anybody expected a Shadow so soon. With the siege of Virilya and the war.” Dale said and gestured for a nearby guard.

The man ran over quickly.

“They broke the siege. Earlier this week I think. Huge massacre in the Baralia camp. I heard it right before leaving Ravenhall.” She said.

“What?!” Dale nearly shouted, startling the guard. “Inform the governor that a Shadow has come to answer the summons. Add that said Shadow informed us about the end of the Virilya siege. The empire struck back.” He quickly explained.

The guard nodded and ran off, teleporting occasionally before he jumped over the low walls, continuing over the rooftops.

“You didn’t know yet.” Ilea said and chuckled. “Oh well. So what about it? They all get a shot at me, can go all out and you tell me what I should do. Attack, defend, dodge, fly, ranged. I’ve got it all baby.” She winked at the captain.

He shook his head again and laughed. “You come here and bring the most important news in the last year. You know what, why not. Only if I get a shot too, as well as any other guard or hunter who wants to try.” Dale suggested.

“How priorities suddenly shift.” Ilea joked. “I thought the Shadow needed to be briefed immediately.”

“They wouldn’t let me live it down. Ever. You’re the only Shadow I’ve met that would agree to something like this, let alone suggest it themselves. Plus I’m sick of people thinking I made up all those stories about you.”

Ilea crossed her arms and sighed. “Then we should get started, don’t you think? There’s a bunch of people around.”

Ten pairs of eyes glanced their way, some anxious, some excited, others again outright terrified. A cold gust of wind flowed over the training square, the sand shifting slightly. It almost seemed like the soon to be guards or hunters held their collective breath.

“Well, I’m in too deep now.” Dale whispered to himself. “Did anybody say stop?!” He shouted at the recruits who had interrupted their bouts.

Unsure glances were exchanged before they started again, many of them looking disappointed.

A moment later the captain shouted, “Stop!” He smiled and glanced at Ilea. “Form ranks!”

Three lines formed quickly, some of the men and women stumbling as they got into position. One actually fell down but was up again quickly, helped by his colleagues.

“Can I use your name?” He asked her.

“Sure. I’ll keep the armor on at least. Not that it really matters anymore.” Ilea replied, the last part more to herself. My decision to use Ilea or Lilith is just as arbitrary as me hiding my face. She smiled at her own inability to ever become a spy. A good one that was. I’d get murdered on my first day.

“This is Ilea. She’s with the Hand and today, she will be evaluating you. Combat ability, speed, dodging, range, attack power. If she has time, we might be able to test team setups as well.” He trapped her effectively and looked at his officers. “You’re free this morning but she offered to let any guard or hunter try. Make sure word gets around.”

The guard lit up and were about to vanish when Dale spoke up again.

“If I find any post unfilled, any rotation being done sloppily, I will execute the punishments myself.”

They gulped and nodded, rushing off to likely inform their friends.

“A good test.” Dale said in a quiet voice, walking back to Ilea.

“For what? Loyalty?” She asked.

An officer joined them with a list and nodded to each.

“No.” Dale replied, “Frederick Trail, you’re up first.” He added and looked at Ilea. “It’s not unheard of to distract city guards with an attraction, a festival or something along those lines. Rare, sure but not unheard of. I’ll have some of our rogues and rangers try to get into the city as well as some key locations throughout.” He said it silently, knowing she would hear it anyway.

“Smart. Sure, I’ll be your attraction.” Ilea said. “Whoever manages to draw blood gets a gold coin.” She added in a much louder voice.

The recruits looked at each other with exciting eyes. Some actually looked confident.

“You’ll break them.” Dale said.

“How else would you get them to go all out? Plus, it’s been a while since you saw me, Dale. Enjoy the show.” She said and winked. Ash started to form around her, cladding her in a dark, nearly black armor.

The recruit who had been named stepped up, wide eyed and glancing around as well as back to his fellow doomed.

“Trail…,” Ilea started, getting the man’s attention. She saw him gulp. “Do you know a man named Joseph?”

“No ma’am.” He replied.

[Warrior – lvl 38]

She just nodded, a couple of ashen limbs forming on her back. “You may attack. I can heal myself so feel free to go all out.”

“You heard her. First speed and attack, show us what you can do.” Dale said and stepped aside to join the guard holding the list.

The warrior looked unsure but still unsheathed his sword.

A well made blade but nothing that could hurt Ilea without a seriously powerful and skilled warrior wielding it.

He approached carefully, glancing at the swaying ashen limbs before he focused. Spells were released, his body growing more nimble, his muscles more dense and powerful. His heart rate increased before he dashed forward, his blade slamming down on her shoulder.

It stopped dead, surprising not just the man himself but many of the watching recruits as well.

Maybe it is good to show them what’s possible. Ilea thought and spoke, “You would probably be dead if I was a wild beast.”

The manjumped back and tried again. His blade hit with more vigor, his movements allowing followups and dodges. Despite his level, he showed more experience and composure than she had expected.

“Enough.” Dale said after a while.

The man was sweating, his hands shaking lightly as he held on to the blade. His eyes were focused on Ilea still, ready to strike or react.

“Well done.” The captain added. “Now, you will defend against her. Ilea, I hope you can gauge the limits of my men. I’d rather avoid injuries.”

She cracked her knuckles, walking towards the man. Happy to find he was switching to a more defensive stance, she sped up, trying to body check him.

He rolled to the side and took a couple steps back to make distance, sword held out towards her.

“Injuries build character.” Ilea said and once again sped up. This time, she stopped and changed directions with the help of her ashen limbs smashing into the ground. A light kick sent the man flying, his sword taking the brunt of the force.

Blood dripped from the recruit’s mouth as he stood up slowly, his sword still held up and ready to defend once more.

“Well done. How’s your health?” She asked.

He was about to speak when she appeared behind him and grabbed him in a choke.

“Just some bruises.” Ilea said. “Don’t let an opponent distract you. Expect teleportation at all times.” She let go and pushed him forward.

The recruit stumbled but quickly turned and held his sword out again.

Ilea formed an ashen blade and advanced, striking slowly and very telegraphed. She sped up when he dodged without issues until finally, her blade was about to hit his. The ash dispersed instantaneously.

Frederick used the opportunity to stab at her neck, the blade stopped by the ashen armor and sliding to the side with a scratching noise. His hand moved back but not quickly enough.

Ilea grabbed for the weapon, her hand closing around he blade before she yanked it towards herself. She smiled as she watched him let go and jump back.

“Lost your weapon.” She said, letting the blade fall to the floor. “What’s your next step?”

The man glanced at the captain and retreated, his eyes focused on Ilea.

“Good. Don’t turn your back to the enemy. Sometimes though, you have to.” She said and sped up, trying to be just a bit faster than his back steps.

Finally he had to turn to keep the distance, running as fast as he could with chuckles coming from the watching group of recruits and guards.

Their time will come as well. She thought, increasing her speed as she slammed her heels onto the floor with hard and powerful steps. Ilea was behind the running man in a mere two seconds.

She merely tripped him and clapped when he actually landed in a roll and continued onward.

“What a guy.” She said and chuckled, going back to Dale and his assistant. “Definitely ready.”

“Agreed. Barely any hesitation and quick decision making skills.” Dale said. “He’s pretty fresh but I didn’t expect such good results.” He held his hands near his mouth and shouted. “Frederick! Come back!”

The man was already fifty meters farther away and quickly turned and rushed towards them.

“Stop with the laughter.” Dale said. “Feel free to be a little more rough with them.” He added the second part with enough volume to make sure everyone had heard him.

“Sure. I’ll heal the ones who give it their all.” Ilea replied and tapped Frederick on his shoulder, quickly healing his bruises. “Well done.”

He smiled and nodded, stepping back to his friends who welcomed him with various reactions and gestures. He touched his chest after a while, a little confused at the absent bruises.

“Next up, Gideon Skorn.”

Half an hour passed with Ilea throwing around recruits, none of them even coming close to injuring her.

Some walked away with broken bones or bad bruises. To be taken care of by their own healers at a later time. Cocky or stupid behavior had led to their results. Many would remain with the recruits.

A sizable crowd of guards and officers had formed, many waiting to test themselves against the Shadow, by virtue of the bet or their own egos.

Ilea didn’t mind. She had settled into a routine already, making the testing quite efficient and fast. The more recruits she fought, the more she could quickly grasp if they were ready to move on to the next stage of their training.

She noticed a group of people approaching that looked a little different than the previous officers and guards. “Defense now.” She said, focusing back on the poor water mage whose attacks hadn’t even landed thanks to her second tier resistance.

His speed and resilience left much to be desired as well. Ilea appreciated the effort at least and left it with a throw.

The water mage landed hard, rolling over himself twice before he came to a stop. He tried to get up but slumped down again, coughing up blood.

“Some more vitality, my friend.” Ilea commented as she appeared next to him, her foot delivering some healing as she touched his side. “You’ll get a teleportation spell I hope. Otherwise try to form a barrier with water. That should be helpful too.”

She once again appeared close to Dale.

The group she had noticed closed the distance and demanded not just her attention. A man with short black hair and blue eyes led the group of five, dressed fairly normal other than the intricate embroideries on his vest.

A woman walked to his left, blond hair and armored.

I know her. Ilea noted.

Dale was looking their way as well.

To their right walked an older man, gray hair and a beard of the same color, or lack thereof. Despite the frail look, he could keep up effortlessly.

The shield mage, wasn’t it? She thought, remembering the tournament a couple years ago.

Two more noble looking men walked a little behind the first three, their clothing and weapons indicating a high standing or at the very least a certain amount of wealth.

They stopped a couple meters away from Dale and Ilea, the man nodding to the captain. “Dale, I heard the news and decided to welcome our guest personally.” He explained in a quiet voice and looked at Ilea. “My name is Alistair Gallian. I am the governor of Riverwatch. It is a pleasure to welcome you, Shadow.” His voice was very quiet but his words were nonetheless spoken deliberately and with confidence.

Ilea heard him without problems but she could tell some of the people around her had difficulties. Is he hiding a stutter? She wondered. He’s focusing way too hard on his words. “Nice to meet you. I didn’t expect the governor to come to the training square.”

The blond women opened her eyes wide but didn’t say anything, looking at Dale before her focus shifted back to Ilea.

The governor looked at her and stepped a little closer. “I. Did not expect a Shadow to be examining our future guards and hunters.” He said. “What do you think?”

“Good base for most of them, I suppose. I didn’t reach this level through conventional training though, so I might not be the best person to ask.” Ilea replied.

[Mage – lvl 203]

“Few Shadows did. I am happy to hear you think them adequate.” He said and bowed lightly. “You bring news from Virilya?”

Ilea nodded. “The siege is broken. The Baralia camp was attacked. That’s all I know. I’m sure you’ll receive more in the coming weeks.”

His eyes sparkled as he smiled. “We sure will. Thank you. For providing this and for offering your time to train with our guards. I am afraid that payment was only reserved for the requests sent out.”

Ilea waved him off. “I don’t expect to be paid for this.”

He blinked twice at that. “You did come here for one of the requests though. Or are you merely passing by?”

“I’ve come for all three. Don’t plan on staying for too long though.” Ilea replied.

“All three? I’m aware that Shadows usually work in teams. Is yours waiting in an inn nearby or perhaps outside the city?” The governor asked.

Ilea shook her head lightly. “I am the team.”

“A single healer. Peculiar. I hope you are not offended at my doubts. It is rare… to see a healer above my own level.”

“First day for everything, right?” Ilea asked with a smile, her ashen armor receding to reveal the bone below. She crossed her arms and smiled. “Feel free to watch or join in. I’m sure you could still place a bet.”

Dale avoided the governor’s look, instead focusing hard on the floor.

Chapter 352 Azarinth Sentinel

Chapter 352 Azarinth Sentinel

“I suppose that is true.” The governor said and chuckled lightly.

The blond woman spoke up next to him, “I can vouch for her Alistair. She saved me and some survivors in Salia. At least I’m reasonably sure it was her.”

Ilea had a hard time remembering her name. “You the one who helped out the expedition, right?”

[Warrior – lvl 179]

“Valery Stormbound.” The woman said and bowed. “I’m impressed at your growth, healer.”

“I can also vouch for her.” Dale said, looking up once more.

Alistair lifted a hand. “I did not question her abilities. I was merely, surprised.” He said with a smile. “We can share most of the details to the jobs here. For two of them we know very little in the first place.” He added and shook his head.

“Sure.” Ilea said. “I know you too.” She pointed at the old man, “Barrier and light right? Saw you in the tournament years ago.”

He chuckled. “An honor. To be remembered by a Shadow. I did indeed participate in the tournament. My name is Esteban Cain.”

[Mage – lvl 110]

Ilea wondered how such an obviously important and old figure sat at such a low level. Maybe participating in tournaments was literally all he ever did. Then again, going out and fighting monsters all the time likely didn’t lead to an old age. Definitely not to an old look.

“We can continue, Dale.” Ilea said. “Do inform me about the jobs in the meantime. If you can share that stuff around here.” She added. “Start with the monster hunt.”

Dale looked at the governor and read out the next name upon receiving approval.

“I don’t see a problem with that.” Alistair said. “Not with the monster hunt or the rogue adventurers. It’s been going around and I’d like to avoid misinformation among our own people.”

Ilea’s ashen armor reformed and the next recruit started slashing into her.

The governor seemed surprised at the ferocity but after so many failed attempts, the guards didn’t hold back anymore, not for a second.

“The closest of the abandoned cities in the west, Stormbreach. Are you familiar with it?” He asked, watching her ignore the spear thrusts.

Ilea nodded. “You mean abandoned because the population was slaughtered by elves?” She asked rhetorically. “I haven’t been there myself but yea, go on.”

“A big chunk of the population. Not all. Many are here in Riverwatch, many more yet fled farther east. We’ve sent scouts into the area but have failed to gauge anything. Most didn’t return at all. Those few who did spoke of demons and other monsters patrolling the forests nearby.” The governor explained.

“Demons? Patrolling? You’re suggesting someone is controlling them?” Ilea asked, starting to attack the recruit with slow movements.

The governor watched with interest. “Perhaps. We don’t know for sure but no demons have come to bother us here. I don’t believe in ignoring potential problems however and would like for a Shadow to investigate. Few of our own can reliably deal with demons, let alone groups of them or the Mind mages they supposedly have amongst their ranks.”

“Most mind weavers are dead but they do have them. I’ll check it out. Kind of the Hand’s fault anyway that the demon invasion happened in the first place.” Ilea said, curious to see Valery’s eye twitch at the suggestion.

The governor didn’t seem particularly bothered by the comment. “I would appreciate it. We can provide a scout that knows the area.”

“A description of the city would be enough. I’m sure I’ll spot it from above.” Ilea said, grabbing the recruit and throwing her a couple meters away. “You froze up.” She said and appeared over the woman. “You’re doing it again.” An ashen limb smashed into the ground next to her head, digging half a meter into the stone floor.

“Next.” She said. “What about the rogues in the area? Bandits?”

Alistair glanced at the recruit and back to her. “Partially. If my information is correct, then it was you who took care of Melian Serantis.”

“Who?” Ilea asked, turning her head to the man as spears of ice shattered against her armor.

“I asked you to investigate.” Dale chimed in. “A year ago, I think.”

“Ah, that bitch. Yea. What about her?” She nodded.

“She was just one of many. The west had enough organized crime but with the destruction of their cities and the refugee issues, Riverwatch as well as the closest eastern kingdoms became prime targets. We managed, in part thanks to you. The deterrence of those murders was helpful. Many ignored Riverwatch and went elsewhere instead. Of course in part too because they expected it to fall to the elves.” The governor explained.

“With the war starting, Baralia got involved as well. A group of rogue adventurers, mercenaries, crime lords as well as deserters from both the empire and Baralia have made their nest in the forest west from here.”

Ilea glanced at him. “Why don’t you go out and murder them?”

“They have several level two hundred people.” Valery said, stepping forward. “They kill and loot merchants coming to Riverwatch. They take the women and children to sell them in the east or just to rape and kill them.” She got louder with each word.

Always the same, isn’t it? Ilea frowned. “What’s the point? Why are they here?”

The governor put a hand on Valery’s shoulder and stepped ahead. “I suspect Baralia initially paid them. To spread dissident against me and our governing body. Fear is rather effective at that. By now, they might have just settled. They know we can’t or are unwilling to do anything about them but they also know that they can’t take the city.”

“Sounds like they’re not very ambitious.” Ilea said in a bored tone, switching to her attack mode.

“They’re torturing people, right now!” Valery spoke up and walked up to her. “Do you not give a shit about anything!?”

Ilea stopped her attacks, the mage wholly incapable of even dodging her. “Next.” She said. “And you.” She pointed at Valery. “Didn’t I save your asses back in Salia?”

The woman opened her eyes wide but didn’t relent. “Then you should understand how I feel. But you’re playing with recruits while they’re out there, an hour away while the families of those abducted and murdered grief and cry.”

“You know where they are then?” Ilea asked.

The woman glanced at the governor and back to Ilea. “I do, what’s that supposed to change?”

“How many level two hundred, how many below?” Ilea asked and walked over, ashen wings forming behind her.

Valery took a step back.

Alistair answered for her. “At least three above two hundred. Ten or more close enough. We want them gone, one way or the other.”

“Then let’s go right now.” Ilea said and smiled. “Dale, I’m getting hungry. Can you organize some food for everyone while I’m taking care of this?”

“Ehm… I’ll… of course.” The captain said and gestured a bunch of guards towards himself.

“There are probably close to a hundred people out there.” Alistair said. “I don’t mean to question your ability but perhaps some preparation would be in order.”

Ilea looked at him and stepped over to Valery, grabbing her arm. “You want to get this done. Then let’s get this done.” She said to the woman before glancing at Alistair. “I can tell you’re speaking from experience but Alistair… may I call you Alistair? There’s a reason I was allowed to take these jobs on my own.”

The man smirked lightly. “You may. I will wait.” He said and looked at the two men that had come with them. “Can you get some cooks as well? And do help however you can.”

They nodded quickly and rushed off.

“We will continue shortly.” Ilea said to the waiting group of recruits, government officials and officers. Her wings moved, sand sent flying to each side as she ascended, holding on to Valery with three ashen arms.

_________________________________________________________________________

What the fuck is she doing?! Valery’s thoughts were in a turmoil. Why is nobody helping me? I’m being kidnapped! She felt the familiar sensation of healing magic flowing through her.

Ashen limbs held on to her body, her own arms tightly gripping the strong elemental manifestations as the ground quickly moved farther and farther away.

“Don’t freak out. Where is the rogue camp?” The armored healer said, floating above the city as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Don’t freak out?” Valery asked in a dry tone, gulping hard as she looked at the houses and walls, so small in the distance. The forests and fields spread out as if she was looking at a map. She was most certainly freaking out.

“Where is it?” Ilea asked once more. “You wanted me to take care of it, didn’t you?”

Take care of what? We’re so high up…, She felt the cold winds flow over her. The rogue camp… Clarissa. Forcing herself to calm down at least a little, she pointed towards the patch of forest she knew the camp to be at.

Valery had stalked it several times in the past weeks, tried to find a way in, past the guards and to the captives. She had failed, each time.

Ilea nodded and sped up.

It was so fast that Valery’s head whipped back. She forced herself forward and kept her muscles tense. What is she made of?

Smoke and fires were visible in the distance, just a couple minutes of flying later. “They will spot us…,” She whispered.

“That’s the point.” Ilea commented and rushed downwards, landing in the middle of the camp with a deep crouch.

Valery stumbled to her feet, the ashen limbs let go as she stabilized herself on her knees. She had to concentrate not to puke from the insane descent.

“Who are you!” A man’s voice resounded.

“A healer?! Sound the alarm!” Another voice spoke.

The ringing of bells resounded, steps and shouts of dozens of people audible all around them.

She’s killed us both… she’s… mad. The thought came over Valery as she looked at all the powerful adventurers converge upon their position.

Dozens of them, all dressed in various states of gear. Some naked, some in pajamas and others again in heavy steel armor. The only thing they had in common was the fact that they were armed.

[Warrior – lvl 152]

[Mage – lvl 187]

[Rogue – lvl 128]

[Cook – lvl 59]

[Smith – lvl 81]

The various classes and information flowed into her mind, Valery overwhelmed as she activated her skills, Meditation most of all taking over. She kept her sword sheathed, ready to defend herself immediately, should the situation escalate.

I will die here… who am I kidding. She kept herself steady nonetheless, focusing on not letting the panic take over.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 16’

The sound startled her but the eyes of the people around them quickly made her focus again.

“Welcome!” Ilea spoke and lifted her arms. “Now, I heard you’re a group of horrifying criminals prowling these forests. Selling people into slavery, raping, murdering and looting. The usual boring shit you lot seem to revel in. I’m a Shadow, here to bring an end to this. Any of the charges made up?”

They were looking at each other, some of them chuckling while others looked nervous and ready to ditch.

Valery knew Ilea wasn’t a pushover, she knew many would die here but it was simply impossible. A single Shadow without support, with no preparation and surrounded had no chance of standing against all this.

“The charges are true but we’re just trying to make a living here. Even if we weren’t, so what?! You’re just better paid than we are.” One of the rogues shouted back, brandishing his wicked curved blade.

Ilea laughed at that. “Maybe. Doesn’t change your situation. Put down your weapons and come with me to Riverwatch. You will be questioned and judged.”

“And executed. We know how this works, Shadow.” One of them said with a grin.

“Why the fuck are we even talking to her, she’s alone and a healer. Even if she’s level three hundred, what the fuck is she gonna do? Let’s kill her before her team arrives.”

They’re ignoring me completely. Valery thought and gulped.

“Don’t underestimate her, she’s not faking that confidence. Ranged first. Let’s keep casualties low.” A warrior above level two hundred spoke up.

Many of them nodded.

“Just trying to survive?” Ilea asked and walked around, looking over a nearby ledge. “Ah, there they are. A cage made of wood? Really?” She turned and shook her head. “You still have the choice of course. Drop your weapons and avoid conflict or die, right here, right now.” She spoke with intense words.

Valery felt the hairs on her neck stand up. Something changed. She saw that some of the watching group had noticed too.

More were still coming, some still putting on boots or readying their weapons.

“Kill her.” The warrior said. “Try not to damage the blond one.”

“Your choice.” Ilea said, her voice cold and without the mockery she had talked with before.

It felt like the air was standing still, everyone ready to spring into action. Valery saw their eyes, their fear, their anger, apathy, excitement. There were too many. Simply too many.

Cold air moved by in a gust of wind, the smells of a nearby bonfire, sweat and fear mixing up in the early morning light.

Valery’s eyes moved over the men and women. And then she tensed up, her hand moving to the blade on her hip. Magic surged through her body as it strengthened, her senses accelerating, her breath more steady.

Colors of spells lit up, arrows loosed and daggers thrown.

Her blade flashed out, lighting up with power as she deflected the arrows and dodged to her right, a bolt of lightning flashing by.

Ilea was gone. And then she appeared. A wraith in black, too many limbs of ash to count. They flashed in and out, ripping through shields, armors and skin alike. Blood and brains spread out, guts ripped out of bodies as people were flung around.

Notifications started to come to her mind, Valery unable to take her eyes from the healer.

She wasn’t the only one, no more spells or attacks coming her way as she stood in a defensive stance.

Ilea moved nearly too fast to track. Lances of ash formed in the air, independent of the quickly moving woman who ignored all the spells, swords and arrows that crashed into her impregnable dark armor. For every enemy spell that hit, three of them were slaughtered.

Dust, fire and mist rolled over the clearing, obscuring her view more and more. Still, she heard the screams, shouts and running steps. Some of them had fled immediately, when the fight had started, gauging a part of the healer’s strength that even Valery couldn’t discern.

She’s… a monster. The wet sounds of skin being torn and ripped was overwhelming, familiar and terrifying. Focus. Do something. Valery felt the power flow through her, the shock and awe of Ilea’s display shaken off. The captives.

The spellsword turned and rushed towards the ledge Ilea had looked over. She jumped and landed in a crouch.

The steam and fire hadn’t reached so far yet, slowly rolling overhead.

The sounds of fighting were still loud in her ears. Her blade flickered with a purple flame, her hands steady as she concentrated on her breathing. We could survive this. She focused on her goal, ignoring the small voice in her head telling her to run. Monster. It whispered.

“Not a step farther!” The man in front of her shouted, stuttering and nervous. The glistening sweat on his forehead reflected the raging flames. A blade was pressed to a young girl’s throat. Blood slowly rolled down from the shallow wound.

Four more people stood nearby, each holding on to one of the captives.

Reasonable. Valery thought. Their only chance. She wasn’t sure if it was true. If the Shadow would care or if she would slaughter everyone here. Run. Shut up.

“Your only chance is to drop your weapons. You heard her.” Valery said with a steady voice, her eyes focused on the men and women before her.

Eyes darted over her and the chaos behind.

I can only take down one or two with my teleport. I need to stall them.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Do you hear that?!” One of them shouted.

“That’s Thane…,” another said.

A deep voice screamed and was silenced. Barely a minute had passed and an uncanny quiet returned to the camp. Nervous steps and rushed breaths were the only sounds that remained.

Valery, the rogue adventurers and the captives were waiting together, each hoping that somehow the monster they heard would ignore them.

Someone in gray full plate armor appeared and casually stepped over to the cage, nearly a dozen people still remaining inside. A thin mist of gray suddenly formed around the cage and all the people present.

Valery jumped back and prepared her blade.

“Did you bring that upon us, Stormbound?” The man said, slowly stepping through the confused adventurers. “I was so close.” It was clear he was agitated and not just by the fact that they were getting slaughtered.

Two more people appeared, both in better gear than anybody present, both above level two hundred, same as the man in gray.

Valery didn’t know any of them and simply waited. The gray mist worried her but she didn’t move.

“It was you, Vincent. I knew you’d turn on us sooner or later… but to involve the Hand? I would have expected more.” A woman said, twirling her dagger, her eyes darting around as she moved closer to the waiting group. She completely ignored Valery.

“I didn’t involve her. If you move closer, I’ll ignite everyone here.” The man in gray said, his voice steady and sure.

“This is Baralia property, you will not move rashly. Do I have to remind you of the consequences?” The man who had appeared said, frost forming near his feet.

A stalemate. Where the fuck are you, Ilea? Valery hoped the two wouldn’t focus on her. She didn’t feel particularly safe with how the woman was glancing her way.

Chapter 353 The Value of Lives

Chapter 353 The Value of Lives

Ilea tracked down another one, the rogue teleporting one last time before she finally grazed his legs.

Blood spurted as he was plucked from the air. He crashed hard and rolled.

She landed next to him and smashed another ashen limb into his injured leg. “Stop it already.” She said and stopped the bleeding with her healing magic.

He was one of those that ran immediately, at least not attacking her. There had been quite a number who chose not to fight her.

She flew back and landed near the clearing, throwing the man back onto the pile of groaning bodies. Blood and guts littered the whole area, still obscured by steam, smoke and ash. What’s that?

Ilea listened and heard steel against steel. Valery? “Stay here, or you die.” She said and blinked twice, appearing past the clearing and close to the cage.

A woman in full plate was slashing her daggers at the spellblade, slowly but surely overwhelming her.

Ilea appeared between them and grabbed the woman’s wrist, crushing metal, muscle and bone.

[Warrior – lvl 217]

“You’re injured?” Ilea asked and extended an ashen limb to Valery.

“No… I’m fine…,” the woman replied.

“Let her go.” A man in dark red full plate armor said, frost spreading on the floor near him.

Ilea looked around, staring at all the adventurers who had taken hostages. She closed her eyes and let go of the woman.

The warrior teleported and appeared next to the ice mage, holding her arm but not making a noise.

“Let me handle this.” A male voice said, coming from a mage standing near the cage.

Ilea could see the magic in the air, the dust. If he willed it, all of the captives would die, she was sure of it.

“You don’t speak Vincent. You’ve done enough.” The female warrior said before she addressed Ilea. “Shadow. How much are they paying you?” She hissed, still holding her arm.

Ilea didn’t speak, instead crossing her arms and checking on Valery through her ashen limb. She was fine.

“You will come with me to Riverwatch, where you will be trialed.” Ilea replied.

The mage in red put a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “We are with Baralia. Shadow, whatever Riverwatch is paying, we will top it. I don’t think you want to stand on the wrong side of history.”

Wrong side of history? Ilea laughed and looked at the men and women near the cage. “Do you mind if I murder those two?”

“It would be a favor.” The man apparently named Vincent said in a steady voice.

“I hate people acting like they’ve got morals.” The female warrior said. “Let’s kill her, Gale.”

“Did you not see her before? She would rip us apart.” The man said and stepped forward. “I’d like to discuss our leave, Shadow.”

“You kidnapped, tortured and sold people as slaves. There will be no leaving.” Ilea said.

“You self righteous bitch.” The woman said and vanished, appearing next to one of the hostages.

Ilea was waiting for her however, a simple punch without aiding skillsslamming into the warrior’s stomach. Ashen limbs caught her as she flew back and brought her once again towards Ilea.

Another punch slammed into her chest and a third one hit her head. Ilea grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up as one ashen limb lightly lifted her helmet, another one slamming inside the opening.

A gurgle resounded before she heard a noise in her mind, notifying her about the death.

The body dropped to the floor.

The rogue adventurers to her left dropped their weapons, letting go of the captives.

“She was always a little too impulsive.” The mage said. “Never had the power to back it up, like you do. Now, I for one would like to live. I can offer information on what happened here, about Baralia and…,”

“Don’t listen to him.” The dust mage spoke up once again. “He will run the moment there is a chance. Trust me, Shadow.”

“It’s your word against his then.” Ilea said. “I think the most reasonable solution is to kill you both. You for threatening these people and you, for being orchestrating all this.”

“I am merely securing my imminent survival. You’re friends with that guard aren’t you? Captain Dale… Langston. You came here a year ago to help, did you not?” He said.

Ilea noted the Baralia man tensing up. “Why are you so nervous?” She asked him.

A wave of frost suddenly shot out over the whole group of adventurers and captives, the man vanishing before he appeared twenty meters to the east, magical wings spreading.

Stupid. Ilea appeared behind him, her ashen limbs extending before she released her Heart of Cinder, the spell having heated up throughout the whole ordeal.

A beam of condensed energy, heat and fire slammed into the man from behind, his teleport not ready to use again and his shields and armor melted through near instantly.

Fly first, teleport to dodge. Ilea noted, watching the remaining hunk of molten metal and flesh fall to the forest floor. The sight was bad, the smell even worse. A ding resounded in her mind.

She spread her wings and flew back, happy to find the group of people had remained. “I’m going to heal them, don’t make a move or you die here.” She said and spread her ashen limbs to take care of the captives as well as the adventurers. Some had a pretty bad case of frostbite but the mage had left them alive on purpose.

Smart. He thought I’d prioritize healing them. None had died in the end.

“He gambled and lost.” Vincent said. “I would have thought he might make it. To Riverwatch and into a hideout.” The dust mage seemed more intrigued than anything else.

“Your situation isn’t much better, Vincent Halligan.” Valery spoke up, anger in her eyes. Her purple flame blade was still alight and held in a defensive stance.

“I am alive, he is not. Thank you. Ilea, was it?” Vincent asked.

“You’re from around here. You know Dale and me?” Ilea asked in turn.

He nodded. “I am. Couldn’t properly thank you for killing the Serantis mage but I suppose I can thank you for killing those two.”

“You were here too, part of the operation. Why should I let you go?” Ilea asked.

“I didn’t ask to be let go. For now, my life is all I ask for. The captives will let you know more about what happened here and I am willing to share whatever I can as well. I never approved of the kidnapping and slave trade. At least me and my men could keep the numbers low.” Vincent explained.

“Why not kill them if you were so against them?” Ilea asked, raising an eyebrow. The captives had been healed again, she noted. The dust was still in the air.

He chuckled and spoke, “It would be a lie to say we didn’t have the numbers or the power. I took it as a necessary evil. In case Baralia overwhelmed the empire and expanded this way too. While I had a chance of killing them, I had none at toppling Alistair.”

“So you let them take people, sell them?” Valery spoke up.

“I did. And I will live with that decision. A wrong one it turned out. Still, once everyone talked it will be apparent that I did all I could to slow them down.”

“Except outright attacking them.” Ilea added.

“Except that.” Vincent admitted. “I wish to take your offer. Be trialed in Riverwatch and talk to Alistair.”

Valery moved towards him. “You will die for what you did here. Ilea, you can’t be seriously considering this pig?! He’s been a known crime lord in Riverwatch for decades.”

Ilea stepped through the dust, ignoring the woman, the captives and the adventurers. “Is that true, Vincent? You’ve been a crime lord for such a long time?”

He nodded. “I have. Never have I sold people nor tortured without reason. There’s a difference between the free cities of the west and the savages from the northern kingdoms.”

“Melian would disagree.” Ilea said. “I want to talk to you. Come on.” She walked away from the cage.

“I refuse. These captives are my lifeline. I trust your word, Shadow. But not with my life.” Vincent spoke.

“Take one with you then. That girl there.” Ilea said and pointed at a young girl.

Vincent nodded and walked over to the black haired girl, crouching down and grabbing her hand. “Don’t be afraid. It’s going to be alright.”

None of the other captives made a move to stop him.

“Valery, bind and gag the adventurers. Take care of the captives and check on the survivors I left near the clearing. They all chose to run instead of fighting.” Ilea said, watching Vincent step out of the dust, the cloud condensing and swirling around himself and the girl instead.

“You’re not my officer…,” Valery said, not looking at her. “He will find a way to get out of this if you let him get to the city.”

Ilea glanced her way, saw how hard she was clenching the handle of her sword. “Fifteen lives.” She said. “Fifteen lives were saved today, because of me.” She pointed at the cage. “And thirty six were taken. They had friends, some perhaps even families. Dreams and wishes. Their decisions and actions have led them here. I killed them, murdered them. Don’t pretend this was anything else, Valery.”

“I draw the line at slavery and torture. If he really didn’t do those things here, it hardly makes him any worse than myself. Can I trust you to do as I asked?” She finished, looking at the woman with icy eyes.

Valery gulped and nodded. “I will do as you asked.” She said, dejectedly.

Ilea didn’t trust her fully to not kill any of the captive criminals but then again, it wouldn’t be a horrible loss either. She motioned Vincent to walk, following a couple meters behind.

“What’s your name?” Vincent asked the girl with a warm voice.

“R… Rose.” The girl said in a quiet stutter. She glanced back at Ilea with uncertain eyes, a smile on her face nonetheless.

“You live in Riverwatch?” He asked.

“In the… Cookie Bakery.” The girl replied.

“Far enough?” Vincent asked.

Ilea nodded and stopped, crossing her arms in front of her. “The cookie factory, what’s that?” She asked the girl.

Vincent replied instead, “An orphanage owned by Lilith, one of the few non Riverwatch investors that has retained their gold here.”

“Did you know about that?” Ilea asked, keeping the question somewhat vague.

His helmet vanished, revealing a close to fifty year old man with black hair and gray eyes, similar to Kyrian’s. A hard face. “I did not know she was an orphan. Nor where she lived.” His gaze was inquisitive but he didn’t inquire further.

“I think you hold partial responsibility for what happened here. I also think Valery is right and that you will weasel your way out of your sentence somehow, should I let you go back.” Ilea said.

He squinted his eyes lightly. “And yet you asked to talk. Was it simply to reduce the number of casualties?” He asked.

“What do you think, crime lord?” Ilea asked.

“I think you don’t want anything to happen to Rose here. Nor do I. Yet we both wouldn’t hesitate, would we?” He said. “What do you want?”

Ilea chuckled. “Rarely does the opportunity present itself, to talk to someone like you.” She started. “A friend of mine has gotten herself involved with people she probably shouldn’t have.”

“You want to trade her life with mine? My reach is far but with the war, it might be difficult to accomplish.” Vincent said.

He’s getting nervous. “She was killed quite a while ago.” Ilea added. “I want to find out who did it and why. I want to talk to them.”

“Get to the point.” He said.

“The Golden Lily.” Ilea said and felt his distress rise instantly. She noted that nothing on his face revealed anything about him otherwise. Impressive composure. He knows about them at least. Will you lie to me, Vincent?

He chuckled. “The Golden Lily. Of course. Someone of your power. Killing level two hundred Baralia spies with single blows. What else could be a mystery to you?”

“You know them.”

“I do. I was forced to cooperate with one of their operations a long time ago. And I learned, certain things.” He said. “You might not like what you find.”

“Tell me what you have.” Ilea said.

He glanced at the girl next to him and back to Ilea, considering. “Rose. If you want to live, you should forget this talk ever happened. Now go back to the others, talk to Valery, the blond lady with the sword.” He said and let go of her arm.

Rose looked at him and then at Ilea. “Ok.” She said and walked by. “Thank you, for saving us. Lilith!” She smiled brightly at her.

Ilea’s ashen armor moved back, her bone helmet vanishing as she revealed the smirk on her face. She patted the girl’s head as she passed. “Sure thing, little one.”

Vincent started laughing. “Of course you are.”

“You let go of your lifeline.” Ilea said, thinking on the absurdity of the expression being a thing in Elos.

“I don’t trust you with my life.” Vincent replied. “But I trust the Lily even less. The fewer things this girl knows, the higher my chance is at surviving.”

“They’re that dangerous, huh?” Ilea asked.

“Not exactly. The Golden Lily isn’t an order like the Shadow’s Hand or my own organization. They’re simply incredibly powerful humans occasionally working together. Each has their own influence, their own organizations, their own countries.”

“Countries?” Ilea asked.

“I believe some do, yes. Or their influence and wealth is simply equal. First and foremost, they really don’t want information about them to spread. Even uttering the name can get you killed in the wrong areas.”

“Do you have names, locations?”

He shrugged. “Nothing from the past ten years. I suppose you could simply look for the richest and most powerful men and women of the empire, of Baralia, of Dawntree. Many keep themselves hidden, less prominent than the nobles and kings flaunting their power. It’s the only way to survive and thrive in this world for longer than a few years.” He explained. “Lilith. That alias might get you some time before you get in trouble.”

“In trouble for what?” Ilea asked.

“Bringing gold to buy institutions, stores, influence? As soon as get involved in such things, eyes will start looking.”

“How do I find them?”

He smiled. “They will find you. If you go looking.” He replied. “The only name I have is of a man long dead. Killed by nobody lower than Empress Alyris of Lys.” He paused. “Brynden Longhawk was his name.”

Ilea frowned. “So she stands above them?”

“Above? No. Killing a member of the Golden Lily doesn’t have anything to do with their order. I told you they are simply individuals occasionally working together for common goals. I suspect most of their cooperation involves mercenaries, trade and investing in politicians.”

“Just a group of powerful people cooperating?” Ilea asked. “What’s their goal?”

Vincent shrugged. “Who knows. Each has their own but perhaps there are overall rules, a code maybe? Brynden wasn’t that forthcoming with information.” He paused and looked past her. He opened his mouth and closed it again.

“May I. Suggest something? And ask a couple of questions?” He asked.

Ilea motioned for him to continue.

“Thank you.” He said. “Lilith. I commend you. To use your gold to help orphans. I grew up as one too. Was beaten and abused. I hear that the stores, restaurants and the… Cookie Bakery are good places to work at.”

“What are you getting at?” Ilea asked. “I don’t care about your past.”

He smiled. “You do. If only a little. I can tell.” He shook his head. “I killed them myself, with my own hands. I am not looking for pity. I’m long past that. How far does your name reach? Lilith that is?”

She shrugged. “I don’t see a reason to tell you.”

“Farther than Riverwatch then.” He smiled. “I suggest you wait. If your influence expands, the Golden Lily will contact you. I suspect your position will be more favorable than if you look for them through investigation and murder.” He paused. “Even if you are powerful enough to challenge their members.”

Ilea considered it. I wouldn’t have to look for them at all. If he tells the truth, it would be difficult to pin them down anyway. “I’ll think about it.” She replied.

Vincent nodded. “It is what I would do.” He said. “Now. I have told you what I know. Will you bring me to Alistair and honor your promise?”

“I didn’t promise anything to someone who threatens captives.” Ilea said. “But I also think you’re better off living than dead.” She added.

“We are in agreement on that. Did you kill everyone else?” Vincent asked his glance was questioning, evaluating.

“The men and women? Not those that fled or dropped their weapons.” She replied and turned around. “Come.” She said and stopped once more. “Vincent. I’ll check in on Rose. If I find her dead or gone, I will find you.” She pointed at him.

“I will get away with mentioning the name of the Lily.” He said. “I give you my word. I won’t hurt, threaten or kill her.”

“That still includes quite a lot of possibilities.” Ilea said, glancing back at him.

He smiled. “I plan to talk to her. Maybe offer her a job, an apartment and whatever else she would like.”

Ilea had her suspicions but funnily enough, she trusted his word.

Chapter 354 Conflicting Interests

Chapter 354 Conflicting Interests

Valery was standing near the group of maimed adventurers. The uninjured ones were nearby, looking at the ground or at the carnage with hollow eyes.

They would be judged. Hope for leniency was slim, none as influential and important as Vincent.

“More made the smart decision than I thought. Good on them.” The dust mage said as they returned.

Ilea didn’t comment on it, instead checking on the nearby freed captives. “I will bring you back to Riverwatch where you will be asked to testify against the men and women who did this to you.” She said.

Rose smiled at her and nodded enthusiastically.

She smiled back. “Let me know now if you don’t want to do that. I will check what kind of facilities and houses I own in the city. I will likely be able to offer housing, work or someone to talk to. If you have nobody or nowhere to return to.” Ilea said. “Is anybody still injured?”

None of them spoke. They neither thanked her nor cursed her. Various emotions flickered over their eyes and faces. Fear most of all.

They will know they’re safe once we’re back in the city. “Rose, do you know if they had wagons here?”

The girl nodded and pointed towards the north. “Hidden away under branches and leafs.”

She smiled and nodded. “I’ll check it out. Thank you.” Ilea said. “Just wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Ilea walked over to Valery and Vincent as well as the survivors. She looked at their fear, their pain and the sorry states they were in. It smelled of piss, shit and blood.

None were about to lose their lives. At least not until they reached Riverwatch.

“Keep an eye on him, Valery. He’s not to speak to any of them or the freed captives.” Ilea said. “Vincent. If you manipulate this any further, I won’t shy away from ripping off your head.” She added, making sure everyone heard her clearly.

“Yes ma’am.” The man replied seriously.

Good boy. It definitely sent a message that he was listening to her. The violent display of her power was one thing. The cooperation of the crime lord was another.

Ilea found the wagons quickly, her ashen limbs moving away the branches and massive dark green blankets. She pulled them with her ash and found the wood moving easily.Light, she thought and stepped between the two wagons, her ashen limbs moving around them quickly before she lifted.

Easy enough. Her wings spread and she ascended, branches breaking as she flew up. Both wagons easily two meters wide and six long. She landed in the clearing a moment later.

Valery and Vincent looked up to her, glancing at each other despite the adversity.

“You can fly?” Ilea asked the dust mage.

“Yes. I won’t be able to help you carry those however.” Vincent replied.

“I won’t need help. I simply don’t want you in either of them.” Ilea said. “Valery, help me fill the left one with the survivors.” Ilea added, her ashen limbs moving out to the scared adventurers, grabbing them roughly before she literally threw them into the wagon. More bruises and some broken bones were the least of their concerns.

“Rose!” Ilea said and walked towards the group of captives. Might be bad if they see all that mess. She thought and instead carried the wagon with her. She placed it near the group and smiled at them. “Your ride is here. Please get in. I’ll bring you to Riverwatch shortly.”

People in the streets as well as the guards and recruits watched the flying wagons arrive, accompanied by the gray armored dust mage.

Ilea landed in the midst of the evaluation session she had been a part of just over an hour ago.

“What… is that… Vincent Halligan.” Alistair spoke when Ilea gently landed the two wagons.

She had covered the injured rogue adventurers with one of the blankets to make the whole thing easier on the captured citizens.

Dale was waving at them as they landed. “Sooner than I expected.” He said. “You just made me a lot of money.”

“Good for you.” Ilea said. “These are the kidnapped people. Can you take care of them? I informed them that they should testify against the survivors as well as talk about what happened in the camp.” Her ashen limbs let go of the wagons, disintegrating behind her. “Those are the survivors that were part of the rogues.” She pointed at the covered wagon.

“Of course.” Dale said and motioned to a group of guards, many of the officers and veterans rushing in immediately.

There were even a couple of healers present that quickly joined them.

Vincent landed and remained quiet as to Ilea’s instructions. If anything, he was cooperative.

Dale walked up to her. “The governor and his officers are in the canteen.”

“Is there food?” Ilea asked.

“There is.” Dale replied and led her and Vincent towards the buildings.

The survivors were taken care of by a group of guards and healers, given food and new clothing. Messages were being exchanged and people were sent out to look for their families and friends.

Valery was talking to one of the younger women, hugging her repeatedly before she joined the group again.

They walked into the canteen together and saw a group of officers turn towards them.

“You really did it.” Alistair said and walked up to her. “Incredible.” He offhandedly gave her a pouch with coins. “Your pay and a small bonus for the quick resolution.”

Ilea opened it and put the coins into her necklace. Twenty seven.

I have no clue if that’s the agreed upon amount. Ilea thought, too lazy to check right now. “Thanks.” If that’s what Handjobs are getting you these days, I’d rather rummage through old ruins. She smirked at her own joke.

“I trust you can take it from here, governor. I have a couple officers to disappoint.” Ilea said with a smirk.

The governor nodded and smiled back, getting quite serious when he looked at Vincent. “You gave up. So easily? To fall that low…,” He said.

Vincent looked at Ilea with an intense glare.

“Brought you here and you shut up until now. Do what you want.” She said and joined Dale. “Nice buffet. I’m going to help myself if that’s alright.” She walked off before getting an answer, her ears perked to listen to their conversations. They even got cake. Nice.

She assumed the buffet inside the canteen was mostly for the officers. There had been food outside too. No cake.

“Baralia was involved. Several officers.” Vincent said. “I expected you to bust in there four months ago but, nothing.” He was getting louder, pointing at Alistair. “Your uncaring leadership will doom this city. Citizens, kidnapped and sold into slavery. And you needed… that… monster. To come and rescue you.”

“We didn’t have the resources. We couldn’t risk it.” Alistair was getting serious again.

The officers around them didn’t seem to know what to do exactly. Obviously familiar with the criminal but not wanting to make their leader seem weak. It might have simply been confusing to see someone talk to the governor like that.

“Don’t give me that, Alistair. I would have gone out there myself…,”

“You were there.” Alistair said, his voice cold. “And you helped them. You supplied them with the information they needed, got them the men.”

“I had no choice. I didn’t know Baralia would get involved.” Vincent retorted. “I could have helped. I only needed you to send some men.”

“I was there. We were there.” Valery said. “Your people attacked us on sight.”

“I set up a contract and you got the healer. You’re as much at fault for this as the Barlia officers.” Alistair said and waved him off.

“She slaughtered half my people…,” He lowered his voice, still obviously angry. “We could have solved this amongst ourselves. We had to get the Hand to deal with the elves already. Now we can’t even deal with a bunch of slavers?! What has happened to us?”

The governor shook his head. “It’s no matter now. They lost. The empire broke out. Baralia is finished. They have bigger problems than Riverwatch now.”

Vincent pointed at him once more. “You don’t understand. There were two officers… two. And you sat here, watching them do what they want.”

“Silence.” Alistair said. “Vincent Halligan. The only reason you haven’t been sentenced to death already is my respect for you. And for what you have done for this city.” His voice was quiet, nearly a whisper.

Nobody dared to make a noise. Except for Ilea, she was happily piling food onto a massive plate.

“I had hoped you were trying to delay them. Had hoped you weren’t actually stooping so low as to work with slavers. We had a city to rebuild, thousands of refugees to handle and your people to fend off. A minor problem. Handled by the Shadow. A stranger perhaps but why does it matter? We have time to build, time to get stronger.” Alistair said.

Ilea was walking back and joined Dale’s side.

“Want some?” She asked and handed a piece of cake to Dale.

“You know what?” He looked at her and sighed. “Why not.” He took a bite out of the piece of cake , chewed and swallowed before he continued speaking. “I just wanted a slow day. And now I have the most famous crime lord of Riverwatch arguing with the governor. Both in my canteen, with pretty much every high officer watching. Thanks for that.”

“Welcome.” Ilea replied, lifting her cake at him. She noted a couple of the people glancing at her.

Vincent looked at the two of them before he focused on Alistair again, getting even more angry. “Time to build?” He asked. “What do you think will happen once the war ends? Do you think your policies will stand? Allowing necromancers in the city? Any random person to take out loans? To own property? Schools to educate the poor?” He was getting louder.

He walked in a circle. “You are insane if you think you’ll get through with it. Kroll and the Nipha Empire won’t stand by, let alone Baralia or Lys. Look at your officers, your guards. They all know it. The war was the only thing keeping people at bay, the war and the elves. Where are they now?”

Alistair nodded, aware of all the uncertainty around him. The truth in the criminal’s words. The trial to bring Vincent to justice had turned into one for himself.

“We will find allies. We have been in communication with Asila and Dawntree as well as Lys.” The governor said.

The criminal shook his head and answered instantly. “Asila are not far from Baralia. Dawntree has been cut off for too long, they’re in a worse state than we are. And Lys… well I’d like to hear what they have to say about Riverwatch when they have dealt with their war, their bloodied claws looking for the next beast to kill.” Vincent certainly had arguments.

Several people around the group were nodding at his words, albeit barely noticeable. It was quiet.

Did he plan all that? Ilea thought and stepped forward, ignoring Dale’s attempts to stop her. She opened her mouth and coughed. Fuck. She lifted a hand and coughed again.

Everyone was looking at her, the healer in bone armor. For some a fearsome Shadow that participated in their fun bet. For others a monster with incomprehensible capacity for slaughter and blood.

Vincent paled as he looked at her.

She coughed again before finally a piece of cake mixed with bile hit the floor. “Oh damn. I was about to rip out my throat.” She said. “Sorry about the mess.”

Some people chuckled, Vincent gulped.

“You’re not taking over, Vincent. I told you, I won’t shy away from killing you.” She said. “Now, I’m not your go to gal for politics but it seems like your city needs allies, governor?”

“Indeed.” Alistair said in a silent voice, arms crossing in front of him.

“Perfect. Well it just so happens that I have quite some pull with the Shadow’s Hand as well as the Medic Sentinels and Ravenhall.” She said, dropping her not yet founded organization’s name in there. “Medic Sentinel Corps that is.”

Vincent gulped again but didn’t say anything.

“How much pull are we talking about?” The governor asked, staring at her with intense eyes.

She smiled and grabbed another piece of cake from her plate. “Enough.” She simply said and continued eating.

He glanced at Vincent, Dale, Esteban and some of his officers before he sighed. “Even if we decide to accept your help. I don’t think we could give you what you desire in return.”

“And what would that be?” Ilea asked, right after gulping down another bite.

“You know Dale and you’ve helped out the city before but excuse my suspicion, I don’t see why you would want to help without significant compensation.” Alistair explained.

Vincent wanted to interject but he closed his mouth again quickly as he looked at Ilea.

“Significant compensation. Well, some sort of veto right would be interesting. As well as some rules for the city.” She said and smiled at their reactions. “More to see if your goals are in line with mine. I can also share with you that I’m also known to Riverwatch as Lilith.”

Alistair smirked lightly but quickly composed himself again. He calmed down the protesting officers and gave Vincent a confused look. “Nothing to say?” He asked in a silent tone.

“He does not.” Ilea said. “Except he would like to talk in favor of my demands.”

The man looked at her but shook his head.

“There you go.” She said.

“A veto right, for an outsider?!” One of the officers spoke up, outraged at the notion. “Unthinkable.”

Alistair clapped his hands together. “Unthinkable? Vincent is right. The dangers are high right now.” He sighed. “I don’t plan to give up the government to a criminal who would see his own people tortured and sold into slavery for his own goals. Neither do I plan to let nations decide our fate. The Shadow’s Hand is an ally that could give us the backing we need.”

“I don’t want an answer now either.” Ilea added. “You may contact Sulivhaan or Dagon of the Hand to hammer out the details. They’re friends and I think cooperation between the Hand and Riverwatch would be very much in everyone’s interest.”

“You are just one healer of the Hand. You can’t speak for their order.” Another officer said.

Ilea shrugged. “No, I can’t. That’s why I said you should contact them and have me sign the request.”

“They have been under the empire for centuries. If Lys decides to pressure us, such cooperation would not be possible.” Someone else said.

Alistair stopped the officers from voicing any more complains and walked closer to Ilea. His height was close to hers. “Do you know something we don’t?” He asked in a whisper barely audible, even to her.

“I do.” Ilea replied. “And I’d like to see Riverwatch thrive. Open schools and all the rest you mentioned seems like the right direction. Trust me, governor. Just write a letter and I’ll sign with my mana signature.” She smiled at him.

“Ridiculous.” Someone said.

It was Vincent who corrected the woman. “She is Lilith, one of the only external investors that remained. I don’t like it either but you would take her words more seriously if you had seen her slaughter those men. She tore through level two hundred officers like a fireball through paper.” He sighed.

Ilea lifted a mug of ale in his direction and smiled. “Even the crime lord vouches for me.” She laughed and took a drink.

“I vouch for her too.” Dale said. “Whatever it’s worth.”

“As do I.” Valery added.

Some people still didn’t seem convinced but definitely more officers looked to be open to the idea.

They don’t even know what’s coming for them. Ilea smirked to herself. Not just the Hand but Ravenhall itself will back them. And they will back us in turn.

“You mentioned influence with not only the Hand but Ravenhall and the Medic Sentinels? I haven’t heard of the latter.” Alistair said.

“Contact the Hand. In the meantime, I’ll take care of your other requests.” Ilea said. “May I talk to you alone, Alistair?”

“You shouldn’t stay alone with a Shadow.” An officer said and looked at Vincent with a scowl, the dust mage laughing out loud. “What? You should be glad you’re still alive.”

Vincent calmed down. “Oh, I am glad. I am.” He had a grin on his face.

“She could slaughter everyone in this room if she wanted.” Valery supplied. “Officers. We have people to interrogate.” She stared at Vincent in the end.

He looked down but walked outside, followed by Valery and the rest of the officers, including Dale.

“The food is splendid.” Ilea said.

“We have good cooks.” Alistair confirmed in a neutral tone.

“What do you plan to do with Vincent? He helped kidnap people, looked away when they were tortured and sold away.”

The man sighed and looked at her. “He has done worse before. What he hasn’t done is give up on the city. His influence is clear and if we use him to control organized crime, we can have a much better grip than any guard would ever have. Spying and destabilization would be much harder for our enemies.”

He laughed. Cackled really. Not loud, as all the words or noises he uttered. “A part of me would welcome it.” He admitted. “The challenge he would pose. I will prevail and bring this city to heights it has never seen before.” He looked into her eyes with a fire in his. “Me personally? I would have him beheaded. As the governor however, I cannot allow it.”

Chapter 355 Compromises

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, started uploading epub/pdf versions of advance chapters to patreon in case someone cares.

Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 355 Compromises

“I will have his left hand taken and he will be put on house arrest. Not that either will be much of an inconvenience. It will be a reminder.” Alistair said.

Ilea nodded. “Appropriate. Not much of a punishment.” She sighed. “We will see what the survivors have to share about him. If he really is as honorable and true to Riverwatch as he pretends to be, I don’t really care if he lives on.”

“Is that what you wanted to discuss with me?” Alistair asked. He looked at her with inquisitive eyes.

“That too. Too many people as well. I need to breathe.” She added and moved a chair away from one of the tables, sitting down casually. She continued to eat.

Alistair followed her example and grabbed a chair too, sitting a couple meters in front of her.

“The open schools, loans for non nobles… that one I didn’t even know was a thing. Why bother? The kingdoms and empires wouldn’t be an issue if you just kept doing whatever Riverwatch did before.” Ilea said.

“And be owned and controlled by foreign interests?” Alistair asked. “No. The war brought us an opportunity and I acted on it. I had hoped it would last longer but I have to live with it now. Education and capital for everyone will lead to a much more powerful populace. Many will want to live here simply to study their schools of magic. Necromancy is just one of the often forbidden magics, many of them useful if practiced responsibly.”

Ilea blinked closer and smiled. “We seem to be on a similar page. What about war, expansion?”

The man looked up to her. “Nobody cares about the western forests. Some leeway was given to the independent cities because of this in the first place. I do like the idea of reclaiming the lost towns but beyond that, there is enough space here. Let them slaughter each other in the east.”

“I will hold you accountable to those words, Alistair Gallian.” She said and formed a dome of ash around them. “Ravenhall will become independent of Lys. To be managed by the current leadership of the Hand.”

He remained quiet, a grin forming on his mouth as he processed the words.

“I believe we could find a way to back one another.” Ilea said. “Do keep this information to yourself until your own spies bring you news of this.”

Alistair nodded. “I believe an agreement can be reached. Lilith, of the Hand and Riverwatch.”

“Write to the Head Administrator of the city. She will manage the rest.” Ilea said. “Ah another thing… what do you think of cooperation with dwarfs and dark ones?”

“Dark ones… monsters turned sentient?” Alistair said. “Laws apply to everyone. As long as they abide by them when they are in our city, I see no problems.”

Ilea refrained from asking about elves. Right now she knew only Elfie and his crew, not about to suggest they side with the monsters that brought them so much torment. With Sulivhaan and the Hand, she had to know how they stood to it. With Riverwatch, it was less important to her.

“Good.” She said. “Then that’s settled.” Ilea got up, the ash dispelled before she filled her plate again and walked towards the door.

Alistair remained on his seat for a moment, finally standing up and brushing off his suit. “May I ask one last thing?”

“Sure.” Ilea said, standing near the door.

“Why Riverwatch?” He poured himself a mug of wine before he joined her. “I can tell you like the policies I introduced but there’s no reason other than the gold you have here. If what you said is true, we might need more help than we can provide ourselves.”

Ilea smiled. “It’s the first town I found.” She said and walked out, not offering him any more than that.

A group of guards was waiting, the officers and Vincent nowhere in sight. “Governor.” One of them nodded. “The interrogations are in progress, conducted by Valery Stormbound. We moved the prisoners into the cells.”

“Good. I will join them. Vincent?” Alistair asked as he walked closer.

“He is with them, as are some of the officers.” The guard said and looked at Ilea. “Captain Dale has continued the evaluation. He told me to inform you that he would appreciate the continued participation.”

Ilea nodded, chewing some cheese.

Alistair turned her way. “I will contact you again in regards to the letter. The information I provided in regards to Stormbreach are sadly all I have. As to the third job, do come find me once you wish to start.”

The disappearances. “Sure. I might check out Stormbreach today.” Ilea replied.

“Captain Dale will be able to provide a guide.” He said and bowed his head to her lightly. “I wish you good fortune, Shadow.”

“Cheers.” She said and walked over to the groups of people participating in the evaluation.

There were still a bunch of officers waiting to try themselves against her, their faces lighting up when they saw the Shadow approach.

Some of the guards who had been near the canteen were following her at a distance, the others went with Alistair.

“She’s back.” Dale said when he saw her. “Care to join us again? We’re nearly through with the recruits.”

Ilea nodded. “Sure.”

“Nothing is happening.” A guard commented.

“Did he even use a spell?” Another said.

Ilea waited with crossed arms, her ashen armor mostly ignoring the ice lances that slammed into it.

“This is fucking ridiculous.” The ice mage said and shook his head. He gulped and bowed to her. “I give up.” He joined the group of laughing guards and officers once more.

“If he can’t get through, I don’t know if we even have anybody that could.” Someone commented.

Ilea yawned and walked over to the buffet that had been prepared for the normal guards. Dale certainly hadn’t been kidding when he organized this distraction test.

He walked over to join her, a plate in on hand and a mug in the other. “They were hoping for more of a reaction.” The man said and smiled at her.

“Should’ve done this a year ago then.” Ilea said. Some of the attacks had gotten close to penetrating her armor of ash but her resistances against the magics were too high. Coupled with all the defensive bonuses it seemed like people below level one fifty had a hard time even scratching her.

Dale nodded. “And here I thought a group of my guards could take down even a Shadow.”

“I’m not any Shadow.” She said with a smirk, her armor receding and her helmet vanishing before she shoved a spoonful of hummus into her mouth.

“You certainly aren’t.” Dale said and paused. “What did you talk about with Alistair?” He asked, unable to stop his curiosity.

“Maybe you’ll find that out in the future. Maybe not.” Ilea replied, winking at him.

It was midday now, the evaluation and bets had taken up quite some time, coupled with her short expedition into the wild. Many of the guards had already gone back to their posts, bored by the lack of success against the Shadow.

Dale sighed. “You’re not as easy to read as you once were. Too much power and secrets. How are you?” He asked.

“How am I?” Ilea asked back. She could tell he wasn’t asking how she felt about the food or the sun or even the evaluation. “Better, I think.” She replied.

He looked at her, waiting for more. When nothing came, he nodded. “That’s good to hear at least. I’m here you know.” He paused. “If you want to talk to someone a little less insane than the people you likely deal with on a daily basis.”

“I appreciate it.” Ilea said and meant it. Coming from Earth and being at her height of power, she doubted many could truly empathize. Perhaps a guard in Riverwatch, grounded in his life and morals might just be the one to offer some counsel.

Those in the Hand were reasonable enough too but somehow she had felt more comfortable with Maro, Terok and Goliath, each of them understanding a little of the absurdity surrounding the world. Maro perhaps the most because his situation was maybe even more ridiculous than her own.

I hope he’s not forming another cult. She thought and continued eating. Oh well. One more or less.

“I’ll need a guide. To show me where Stormbreach is.”

“You really are going for that too.” Dale said and shook his head.

Ilea looked at him. “Dale, you will understand once you get the ability to fly. Shouldn’t be too long by now.”

He waved her off. “I’m very much fine on the ground. Thank you.”

She laughed and stretched before she looked around. “Seems like most of you lot have had enough. You didn’t try yet.” She said with a smirk.

“I’ve seen enough of you to know the result.” Dale said. “No reason to make myself seem incapable in front of my men. Again.”

“Fair enough.” Ilea replied and went back to the buffet.

“Any hunters who’ve been near Stormbreach recently?” Dale asked the men and women standing around the tables.

“I’m not going there again.” A woman said. “It’s bad enough in the forests around here, I don’t want to add demons into the mix.”

“Not even if she’s with you?” Dale asked again, pointing at Ilea.

The woman’s eyes opened wide. “She’s going there?”

“I just need someone to show me the way. Once I’m in the right patch of forest, you can leave again.” Ilea said.

“I’ll get a team together. When do you want to leave?” The woman asked.

“You don’t need a team. I’m enough. I’d like to leave in a couple minutes if possible.” Ilea commented.

She shook her head. “I don’t want a team to get there. I want it to get back.”

“I can join in too.” A nearby hunter said, tapping someone else on the shoulder. “And so will he.”

“What?”

“I can help as well.” A guard said. “Too long since I’ve been out.”

“Perfect. Got your team. Let’s go.” Ilea said.

“No wagon?” A man said, putting away his plate.

“No wagon.” Ilea repeated, her ashen limbs moving out to grab the people who had agreed to join.

The flight didn’t take very long. An hour or two over the western forests. Ilea had to keep her speed down a little because of the lower leveled team she had with her. Most of them had never flown before. One of the hunters said his only flight had been a fall down the Riverwatch walls.

Their guiding certainly helped and was ultimately necessary to find the target location as quickly as they did.

Ilea flew low over the forests, the only trees remaining with any color were pines and variations thereof. She landed in front of a river, after the indication of her navigation system.

The group stumbled to their feet as they were let go, two of them using trees to balance and as a help to keep their lunches down.

“Beyond the river is the area associated with Stormbreach. Where demons were sighted.” The woman who had initially volunteered said, crouching next to Ilea. “It’s been a couple weeks since our last scout came through here. Are you sure we shouldn’t stay with you?”

Ilea looked at the man nearly puking from the flight and held back a smirk. “I’ll be fine.” She said. “A couple weeks is a long time.” She added. “I’ll fly you back a little to make sure you have a higher chance of surviving.”

“Please, no more flying.” One of them complained.

“She’s right. I’m the highest here with level one ten. If demons show up, we’re in trouble.” The huntress said and nodded to Ilea.

“You could also make camp where I set you down.” Ilea suggested.

“Keeping on the move is important. Many beasts are territorial. If we leave quickly enough, they might not challenge us at all. I’ll keep them together and we’ll return safely. I think we can make it back by sundown.” The huntress explained casually and checked her gear. “Get ready, we’re flying again.”

Ilea nodded. “If you say so. I trust your judgment.” She thought about bringing them back to Riverwatch instead of setting them down somewhere twenty minutes away but decided against it. They wouldn’t agree and having so little trust in their abilities wasn’t going to help anyone. Might even get some levels if they fight monsters on the way.

It took her half an hour to transport the group a chunk of the way back before she returned once again, this time at her full speed. There had been scents and tracks of monsters but nothing had approached them so far.

Ilea looked over the river and towards the forest that held Stormbreach. Another one of the western mostly independent cities. Southwest from Riverwatch but nowhere near as far west as Salia or Dawntree were located.

Decimated by the elves, for whatever reason. Damn near completely wiped out. She thought about the monsters and their possible motives but couldn’t really think of anything.

Big number of Taleen getting close and they needed to flee eastwards into human territory? An oracle’s whim? A bet among the young warriors? Maybe she would find out at some point.

Many of the people she had met on the way had lost people to the elves and their nonsensical attacks. The least she would do is ask why. Not that she expected a satisfying answer.

Might turn out that the Miststalkers are sentient too and they’ll ask me why I killed so many. For my stats going up doesn’t really seem to cut it. Then again, elves could hear and understand humans, could discern their sentience from a mere beast.

She jumped over the river, fifteen meters wide at least and raging with an icy flowing current.

Landing in the dirt, Ilea summoned her black obsidian hammer and clad herself in ashen armor. The hunter is here. She thought to herself and grinned, letting the hammer rest on her shoulder.

Its substantial weight was felt but was no longer a concern.

I wonder what a level three hundred strength focused warrior could wield. Add in a bunch of multipliers and it’d be pretty ridiculous.

The forest wasn’t too thick, the trees without leafs and barren in the late winter cold. The so called human plains were a little lower than the western lands, their temperatures warmer.

Temperature, if not magically amplified was not a concern for Ilea of course. Good thing I didn’t appear here in Winter. It would have likely been a quick death. Either outside or in the azarinth temple ruin.

Voices were audible in the distance.

Ilea focused on the sounds, moving quickly through the thin layer of frost and snow that had remained from the previous night.

She crouched as soon as the voices were distinguishable from the howling winds and rushing river.

“Shut up human. You always want to run, always thinking of betraying our great master.” A sluggish voice formed the words, each pronounced with wet noises in between.

“I’m just suggesting it. None of us is here by choice.” Someone else said. The human presumably.

Ilea moved closer, only using her blink to stay hidden and make as little noise as possible. She stopped when her Sphere was in range of the walking group.

Her eyebrows quirked up in surprise. What’s that? A forlorn DnD group?”

There was a creature that looked a little like an orc or a big goblin, maybe a more burly Nazark. She felt like a racist thinking about it. They surely had distinct features but she just didn’t care much to learn about it all.

Ilea’s goal here was to fight monsters, not to better inter species relationships and diplomacy. I’m distracted again. She smiled at the thought, knowing that she would have been terrified looking at the group just a couple years ago. Now she was getting lost in thought for a second time in the span of a single minute.

A human adventurer was among the group, as was a demon spawn, moving in silence. Don’t tell me they speak. She simply watched through her sphere.

The fourth and last member of the bizarre group was a lizardman, half a meter taller than all the others and with a big scaly tail brushing over the earth behind him.

“You’ve ssseen what happensss to the essscapeesss.” He said. “Be glad we’re on patrol duty and not entertainment.”

He moved his forked tongue out and looked around. “Leave this place. There is nothing here for you. We told you before.”

He’s talking to me, isn’t he? She remained quiet, confused at the situation.

“Is he still here?” The human asked.

“Why can’t we just eat him?” The orc asked with wet sounds.

“We talked about this before.” The human said and shook his head. “You just don’t get it.”

The orc lowered his head and made a weird purring noise. “Intelligence is low but I try to remember.”

“Don’t be mean to the orc.” The lizardman said. “Let’s just ignore him.”

Him. So it isn’t me?

Noises came from a nearby ledge overlooking the group, someone stepping out from a bush and looking around with frantic movements. “Do you bring news from Stormbreach?” A man asked.

Ilea had to move her head out a little to get a glance, her sphere lacking in range.

He looked middle aged, the hair he still had was thin and in chaos. A human. He wore a thick white and red robe.

“There are no news, it’s been the same as it was.” The human adventurer said and kept walking.

“No people disappearing?” The robed man asked and stumbled over the ledge, nearly falling before he caught himself.

“No. But you will if you don’t leave now.” The lizardman said. “Know that not all of usss are ssso undersstanding.” He was talking in a more intimidating voice now. “Leave.”

The older man nodded, obviously frightened by the lizard person. “I will stay in this forest. One way or the other.” His voice was soft, the departing group either ignoring it or not able to hear.

Ilea smiled to herself and kept her eyes focused on the man. This seems to be a more interesting mission than just killing a bunch of monsters.

Chapter 356 Man of Conviction

Chapter 356 Man of Conviction

Ilea watched the man for a while. Stalked him as he made his way to the river, as he checked on a trap.

The squad was long gone, lazily strolling through the forest.

“Finally.” The man spoke and smiled, crouching down to grab a fish that had swum in his roughly constructed trap. He held it up and grinned as his stomach rumbled.

[Healer – lvl 104]

Interesting. Ilea thought and once more checked her surroundings. He really was alone.

The snow and frozen dirt crunched when she stepped out from the tree she was standing behind.

“Your hunting skills are better than your awareness.” She said and stopped.

He was immediately startled by the voice and nearly fell, turning around in an awkward movement as the fish flopped to the ground.

It landed right in a brown puddle, splashing some on the man’s robes and adding to the disheveled look.

“Whoa, you startled me there.” He said and chuckled, crouching down to get his fish. “Best wash that one again.” He added and smiled at her.

No distress? Ilea was impressed. A dark armored ashen healer with a big hammer appeared out of nowhere and the first thing he thought about was the sanitation of his fish.

“What brings you here, young healer? Or are you a part of the Stormbreach garrison?” He asked and stepped back into the water, holding the fish into the current with a strong grip.

“There’s a garrison?” She asked.

“Oh yes.” He said and lifted the fish again, shaking his hands to get rid of the water.

He shivered a little but barely seemed to be bothered. Being a healer had its perks.

“A monster is at the helm of the ancient and sacred town. Corrupting all who step within. I tell you, this is no place for someone such as you.” He said it gently and smiled. “Have you eaten?”

“You seem to know a great deal about Stormbreach.” Ilea said and lowered her ashen armor, her bone helmet vanishing after. “How are you going to gut and cook that?”

He chuckled and waved her off, droplets of water splashing to the ground. “Ah don’t you worry about me, dear. I’ve made fires with worse. Eating them raw is no issue either. We are healers, you and me. I’m sure you know.”

“We are.” Ilea said and smiled. “They taste much nicer when you cook them though.”

He pointed at her. “That is true. Well, you seem more versed in surviving the wilderness. I can offer the fish and you the fire? I’m sure you have had a long day too.”

A long day? Ilea wasn’t sure. She had eaten quite a bit already. Had killed dozens of people, had made a possible deal with Riverwatch and perhaps shared too much information with their leader. Now she was here, in the cold forest around Stormbreach, talking to a lone healer. “Long day, yes.”

He laughed and walked away from the river. “There’s…a small cave nearby. The patrols don’t know about it yet.” He said. “I suggest you move east, away from here.”

“Why do you stay, if it’s so dangerous? I have a higher level than you after all.” Ilea said, following the man as they moved through the forest.

“I am an elder of the Sanctuary Healing order. And I won’t leave Stormbreach behind until it is freed again.” He said with conviction.

They reached the cave. A small opening near a ledge where the man squeezed himself inside.

Ilea blinked in and looked around in her sphere. A surprisingly spacious area and a small tunnel leading farther down. Is he going to turn into a monster now?

He smiled in the darkness and grabbed a bunch of wood from a nearby pile. “I haven’t eaten in weeks. I hope the smoke doesn’t attract too many nuisances.”

“Freed from what? Stormbreach I mean. I haven’t heard of the Sanctuary Healing order either. Are you based here?” Ilea asked, helping him pile the wood.

“Thank you.” He said. “Freed from the monster that came and claimed the city. Few had remained after the… terrible crimes, committed by the elven invaders. Most had fled, leaving us with little power to resist. The Sanctuary Healing order has been a staple of Stormbreach for centuries and we will not leave now. A trial, to be overcome with faith.”

She listened, summoning her fire sphere and setting the wood aflame.

“A storage item. You must be very wealthy.” The man said and stretched out his hands to warm them. “Which order do you serve?”

“I’m a Medic Sentinel, part of the Medic Sentinel Corps. We’re more focused on helping adventurers than staying in a city.” She replied, sitting down near a cave wall. “Do you need help with the fish?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry.” He got a sharp stone and slit it open, getting out most of the guts. “I haven’t heard of your order but you must be a high ranking member. Dangerous work. To be out there and help adventurers.”

“Rewarding too. And necessary. Our goal is to help cull the monsters, instead of letting them attack our walls.” She explained.

He lifted an eyebrow. “I commend your spirit. Why then, is a member of your order here?”

“To take care of the monsters that have taken over this area. I heard demons prowl the area and I’ve seen one of them, walking with a human, lizardman and orc.” She said.

He clapped his hands together and smiled brightly, the flames dancing in his eyes. “A savior, sent to lift this curse. You must be a blessing from the Lady herself.”

“The lady?” She asked.

“The Lady of Benevolence, protector of Stormbreach and our sacred patron.” He explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “The demons, humans and others are under the control of a wicked beast. Too powerful for any that have come before but perhaps not you. Have you fought demons before? Those coming from the mountains I mean, not the ones risen from the dead.”

“I have.” Ilea replied. “And you would need a mind mage to make them as docile as the one I’ve seen today.”

“Perhaps. I can… be of service. Lead you to the city, tell you of passages unknown to the monsters and I can heal. Not that it is needed with you. Medic Sentinel, was it?” He didn’t even ask about the meaning, likely assuming it was simply a name.

The man moved some of the sticks to the side, placing the fish on top of two interlocking branches. “Or are you waiting for the team you support?”

Ilea shook her head. “No, I’m alone.”

He didn’t seem disappointed, nodding once more. “My name is Collin Rey, one of the Sanctuary healing order’s elders. Perhaps the last that remains.”

“I’m Ilea.” She said. “Thought about just going in and killing whatever monster is controlling the people around here but it seems like a bad idea. If the demons go wild, they will spread out and cause chaos.”

The man coughed from the smoke, waving his robed arms around to move some air up towards the opening in the stone. “The west is once more a wasteland, the little civilization the independent cities have brought is gone, returned to the monsters both beast and man. There is little chaos a few more demons could introduce.”

“People killed by them turn into demons too.” Ilea said, not sure if he knew at all.

“Of similar level.” The healer retorted. “Stormbreach is not a city of adventurers or soldiers. The demons born from its citizens will be killed and eaten by whatever beast they come across. Few humans remain in these parts, I doubt they will become a problem. Not as much as those monsters summoned in Ravenhall.”

“I still think I should take care of them first.” She said.

“True. Especially because of those that walk with them. Many would die, unprepared for the sudden betrayal. Yet those that cause a disturbance will be met with hunters coming from the city. You won’t be left with free reign.”

“I need to know what’s going on, who or what is in charge. Can you bring me into the city?” She asked.

The fire flickered, flames licking over the fish before the healer moved the branches a little, stopping it from getting burnt. “I could.” He said. “In these circumstances I could show you the way. Yet you must know, these pathways are sacred, meant for those of the order and not outsiders such as you.”

“I’m a Sentinel. My only goal is to cull the monsters here. I don’t care about your hidden pathways or your secrets. Not if there aren’t any slaves or torture chambers down there.” Ilea said.

He looked at her for a while and then nodded lightly. “I believe you speak the truth. There are no torture chambers nor are there slaves. Yet we hold secrets that are not meant for others. I merely doubt there is a chance without the help of someone such as you.”

“There are demons too, down in the tunnels. Infected members of our order as well as those we tried to protect. I simply ask of you to bring them to rest as gently as you can.”

“I will do my best.” She glanced at the fish and the fire. “You should eat, I don’t want to wait around for much longer. You don’t have to share, I’ve eaten already.” Without salt or a sauce, she really wasn’t interested.

He nodded and carefully got the fish out, using a stick to hold it close as he blew on it. “The fire.” He said, a glance to the flames slowly consuming the sticks.

Ilea wordlessly formed a blanket of ash that slowly descended over the flames, smothering it and returning the cave to darkness.

“Ash creation… you are truly unique.” The elder said and gobbled up the fish in silence, his hunger certainly not made up.

When he was done, the man grabbed one of the remaining sticks and held it up to her. “It isn’t a torch but it will burn for a little while.”

“I can see in the dark.” She replied.

“And I can’t.” He chuckled. “We will be faster if I can lead the way. Perhaps discovered more easily but I found that demons care little about light or dark.”

“Fair enough. Are there torches down there somewhere? Otherwise I suggest taking more.” She didn’t have any in her necklace sadly. A magical torch or flashlight would be a good investment for the future.

“There should be some remaining. The underground of Stormbreach is vast.” He said and watched the flames summoned from Ilea’s artifact light his wooden stick.

“I lead, you tell me where to go.” Ilea said and walked to the small opening in the wall. Her helmet appeared once more and her ashen armor on top.

The man nodded in silence and followed, their ashen and leather boots tapping on the stone was the only noise other than the crackling of burning wood.

“You are more warrior than healer. Medic Sentinel.” Collin commented after a while.

No branching pathways had shown themselves yet but an open cave was coming up, a collapsed bridge of stone trying to reach the other side. Remains of the bridge lay on the floor a couple meters down. A remaining chunk on the other side was just in range of Ilea’s sphere, handing on the ledge of a high wall.

“We are. Having a healer that can fight is a powerful asset for any team.” She said. “The bridge is collapsed.”

He nodded. “We have to get to the other side. Your healing abilities will be weaker however. Still, I see the reasoning. More people might want to join your order too. Perhaps not those that should be healers in the first place however.”

Ilea smiled. “We’re not a healing order. More a mercenary organization. Recruits get screened plenty and if anybody acts against the few rules we have, they’re out.”

“A healing mercenary organization. Very daring if I might say so. It will be interesting to see how the big orders react to your presence.” Collin said.

Ilea grabbed him and jumped, her wings forming in flight before she moved them once and got them to the other side. “The big orders. Who are they even? I was invited personally to join the Sentinels and liked the idea. Met members of the orders only rarely myself. Why would they care about mercenary healers?”

The man dusted off his robe, steadying the burning branch that nearly went out after the jump. “You are either deceiving me or you do not think much about big decisions in your life.” The man said and chuckled. “The Corinth Order, the Order of Truth and the Order of Balance are the most powerful healing orders in Elos. They are each the strongest in their respective territories but it would do you good to learn about each of them. As well as the many smaller orders they allow to exist.”

“They allow to exist.” Ilea repeated.

He nodded, their shadows moving on the walls. “The Corinth Order is likely the main problem, outright attacking healers not associating with an organization, sometimes even those that do. They are a plight upon human lands, I tell you. Even Stormbreach wasn’t completely safe.”

They found a room with forking pathways, the man choosing one immediately and leading her through. “The Order of Truth is mostly based in Baralia, Asila and some northern towns of Lys. They mostly leave other healers alone but it isn’t unheard of that they do in fact attack other orders, even healers working for the guard.” His voice turned sinister. “Some even say they have an order of assassins in their ranks.”

Ilea heard the demon before she saw it in her sphere. She held out hand to the man and sped up, appearing next to the creature before her ashen limbs formed and cut through its body.

Clean enough. She thought as the demon fell, blood leaking onto the stone ground, the heavy liquid slowly spreading.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Brawler – lvl 58]’

“It’s safe, come.” She said down the tunnel, watching as the light once more approached.

The stick was nearly burnt down already, the man holding on to the edge to be able to still use it at all.

Ilea checked the area through her sphere and found a used torch in one of the metal sockets connected to the walls. “Use this.” She said and held it out to him.

“Thank you.” Collin said and set it alight with the remaining fire of his wooden stick. He only glanced at the demon corpse and bowed, eyes closed. “May you find rest, sister.”

She waited for him, more diverging tunnels opening up in the room.

“The right one this time.” Collin said and waited for her to walk towards it, glancing back at the corpse one last time.

“You were talking about the big orders. The Order of Truth.” Ilea said.

“Ah yes. Excuse me.” He replied and focused forward again. “Little is truly known about them, their secrets well guarded, despite their range and influence. Donations can be made to receive healing, which is incredibly profitable. Especially in the kingdoms.”

“Why especially the kingdoms?” Ilea asked, stepping into a dark room. It looked less like an area carved into a cave and more like a man made cellar.

Collin stepped up next to her and looked around. “We are getting closer.” He said and looked at her. “The kingdoms… they don’t have healers in their guard or working for their cities. Don’t ask me why. I would assume a long history and various reasons led to the current state.”

“The last order is the Order of Balance. Most common in Nipha and Lys. They might even accept your organization because you don’t interfere with their ideas too much. Then again, their members are known to freely interpret and execute their... balance?” He pronounced the last word with a bit of confusion. “I have given up on understanding their motives, as long as they don’t interfere with Stormbreach.”

He looked around the room and walked to one of the walls.

Ilea saw several hidden runes on it through her sphere but would have no idea which one to activate.

Collin touched a specific one, mana flowing inside before a door like shape glowed nearby, opening up without triggering any of the traps.

“The Corinth Order was strongest in Dawntree, slowly infesting the cities of the west. In this horrible fate that befell us, I cannot say that their partial destruction wasn’t welcome.” He explained, motioning for her to walk through the open pathway.

Their conversation continued as he guided her through numerous tunnels, the occasional demon standing in their way and taken care of by the Shadow.

Ilea generally understood that healing, just like everything else, was a commodity. A service that several orders sold and wanted to keep to themselves as much as possible, for economic, spiritual or other reasons.

In turn of course, they monopolized a set of abilities that should be a core component to any fighting team of humans. The influential and powerful teams as well as big cities or the Shadow’s Hand got around that problem most of the time but poorer areas and groups simply had to do without.

While the adventurer guild was more lax and spread out, akin to a franchise, the healing orders were more strict and ingrained in their cities or areas of influence. With her Medic Sentinels, she would shake up some of the mafia like business that was currently surrounding the rare class of healers.

She couldn’t wait to make people angry. At least it wasn’t quite as one sided as she had initially thought.

Chapter 357 Sanctuary

Chapter 357 Sanctuary

Ilea and Colin spent nearly half an hour navigating the tunnels below the forest and soon, Stormbreach itself.

The man had kept her up to date on where exactly they were, finally mentioning that they were now below the center most government buildings of the city. Very far below that was.

Water flowed through parts of the tunnel system, some of it sewage, other streams simply creeks that trickled down through the cracks of the old foundations.

Mushrooms and some vegetation grew in parts, despite the lack of light.

Collin knew his way around, that much was clear. “You just have to go up now. I think with that teleportation of yours, it will not be difficult to scout the city. I wish you good fortune.” The man said, looking to a dark pathway in the room.

A loud sob suddenly echoed through the halls, distant but piercing. Ethereal and ancient.

“What’s that?” Ilea asked, turning towards the origin of the voice.

The healer looked nervous, unsure of what to say as he opened and closed his mouth. Finally, he seemed to find resolve. “Our… Lady. She is grieving the lost.”

“That didn’t sound human.” Ilea said. “A dark one? Or something else?”

“I… this is the most sacred… outsiders are not allowed to meet her.” Collin said, aware that he wasn’t answering her question.

“Why? Because it would turn out some monster or otherworldly being is your patron saint?” She asked and chuckled.

Collin shook his head and glared at her with fury in his eyes. “You would not understand. That is the reason. Our Lady is kind and caring, more human than most of us.”

Ilea turned her head to where the noise came from, glancing at him a moment later. “You misunderstand. If she is crying over the lost souls of her town, she is less of a monster than I am.” She said and smirked. “I think I’ll meet her.”

“Impossible. Outsiders are not to meet the Lady of Benevolence, not ever.” Collin said but didn’t make a move to stop her.

“Might just be the monster that took your town that will meet her then. Or a team of Shadows sent to scout and secure the area. Do you think either will understand?” Ilea asked and walked towards the sobbing.

“She is… easily startled… her grief is overwhelming. It might be dangerous for you.” He followed her in hurried steps.

“Secret order with a monster in their basement, unable to control the demon. What’s new?” She asked and strolled closer, her sphere picking up magical reverberations after the sobs.

“Not a demon. Our city was taken. Can you blame her for getting overwhelmed?” The elder asked.

“I don’t care about blame, Collin.” Ilea said and reached the ripped open door leading into a dark hall.

Lines of blood marred the ancient stone floor. The smell was heavy with iron and rotting flesh.

“Please… please… please.” A young woman’s voice begged, her body covered in cuts and bleeding all over. Her face was in anguish, tears streaming down.

Ilea was about to interfere when she saw her teeth, sharp and long, her eyes shining in a dark red, reflecting the flickering torchlight brought by Collin.

A demon was with her, its claws digging into the woman time and time again.

Her wounds recovered but not fully. Slow and weak was her magic, sobs ripping through the monster in front of her and staggering the beast.

“My Lady… she needs blood.” Collin said and stepped past Ilea, her hand moving in front to stop him. “Please… at this rate… she will die.”

The demon noticed them and turned, screeching and opening the familiar maw at the newcomers.

[Demon – lvl 38]

Ilea looked at the woman in turn, her dress torn to shreds, revealing all of her in the dark room.

[Spirit of Blood – lvl 283]

The beast once more screeched and rushed at Ilea.

An ashen limb was extended and shot out, only to pierce the spirit who appeared in front of the demon.

Claws slashed into her back and blood dripped from the deep wound the ash had produced.

“Leave it be…,” The ethereal voice resounded with more power than before.

Magical pressure made Collin and the demon stumble back.

“Why? It’s a demon spawn, a ravenous beast only driven by hunger and its instincts.” Ilea said, watching the facial muscles on the spirit twitch in pain and anger.

Somewhere in the red serpentine eyes, understanding flickered. “She was my child… a child of Stormbreach.” She moved closer, the ash digging deeper into her body as the demon started slashing into her back.

“Not anymore.” Ilea said and grabbed the demon with four of her ashen limbs, moving it away from the spirit and restraining it. “See for yourself.”

She pushed some healing mana into the wound as she removed her ashen limb from the spirit’s stomach.

The wounds were slowly closing but her condition wasn’t getting much better, the bleeding still continuing.

Collin rushed in again, once more stopped by Ilea. “She needs blood. You cannot heal… what is that? Arcane… unholy, only the blood can-”

He was interrupted by a loud sob of the spirit. “My child.” She hovered a couple centimeters above the floor, blood dripping down as she extended her clawed hand to the restrained demon’s face.

It bit into her fingers but she didn’t react.

“What did they do to you?” She turned and looked at Ilea, her eyes going wide. “What did you do!?” Blood spears formed and crashed into ashen armor, barely penetrating and stopped by the bone below.

Ilea shielded the man behind her, watching as the spirit calmed down once more.

“I… Collin, you are alive.” She said with a wide smile, tears coming to her eyes as she floated towards them, suddenly falling to the floor before she caught herself once more.

“Take my blood.” He said and offered his arm.

Her eyes once more opened wide, her teeth elongating as saliva started rolling down her chin. A spike of blood formed out of her hand and was thrust at the man.

Ilea stepped between them and stored her bone armor’s left arm before receding her ashen shroud. “Don’t kill the man. He just came to help.”

Genuine terror and disgust flashed in the spirit’s eyes as she moved back, tears once more streaming down her face. “I can’t… please… Collin I…,”

Ash cut into Ilea’s shoulder and ripped through her flesh and muscle. Harder than I thought. She noted but finally got through, grabbing the separated limb and stepping up to the spirit.

A new arm formed instantly and was covered by bone armor and then ash. “Here. Ilea supreme, a monster’s favorite.” She said and slammed the arm into the spirit’s open mouth.

“Instant regeneration… arcane healing…,” Collin uttered and walked up to them once more.

The spirit was ripping into her arm, most of the skill bonuses gone after the separation. She bit and slurped, ravenous just like the demon spawn that was still screeching, pushed against a wall.

Red eyes slowly seemed to calm down, the ravenous eating turned into a more collected and calm dinner. She didn’t eat the meat, instead going for the veins and sucking out every last drop of blood.

Ilea watched as the spirit’s wounds closed slowly, the bleeding stopping as well as her serpentine eyes focusing. Less frantic.

When she finally lowered the arm, the spirit looked at Collin and then Ilea before she lowered her gaze and turned a little red.

“Another one?” Ilea asked with a raised eyebrow.

The spirit nodded meekly, holding on to the arm with care.

Ilea chuckled and repeated the violent arm removal before she held it up to the woman.

This time, there was no saliva. Claws retracted and teeth less long and sharp.

“Here you go.” Ilea said and held out the arm.

The Lady fumbled with the drained one and nearly dropped it, taking the one Ilea held out and giving back the previous one. “Th… thank you.” She didn’t make eye contact.

What am I supposed to do with this? Ilea looked at her cold and dead arm, not a drop of blood remaining inside. She shook it and got distracted by the tears she saw flowing down the spirit’s face, her teeth sunken in the second arm she had provided.

“She’s crying again.” Ilea commented, not stopping Collin from going to the lady this time. The spirit seemed calm enough and obviously not a threat anymore.

The Lady wiped at her eyes, still drinking the blood from the gifted limb.

Ilea summoned a cloak and handed it to Collin. “Here, the ripped dress fit more in her blood frenzy.”

“Thank you… truly, thank you.” Collin said and grabbed the cloak, carefully covering up his lady.

She lowered the arm and tugged on the black cloak. “Healer. You have offered me your blood.”

Oh shit, did I accidentally bind myself to some ancient evil? Ilea was prepared to resist when she saw the woman bow.

She held out the arm. “Potent and powerful, a being of immense strength has chosen to step before me. Welcome, to Stormbreach.” She said and lifted her head, the white hair having regained some color. Her eyes too had changed, a pale gold instead of red.

Ilea leaned forward and stared at the woman. “Are you a bone mage?” She asked, releasing her ash armor and storing her helmet before she rubbed over her own teeth to clarify the question.

The spirit looked at her, first in confusion before she giggled, a hand in front of her face.

“Did you put a spell on me? Holy shit.” Ilea said, staring at the perfect beauty, her smile radiating warmth and comfort.

The spirit’s eyes twinkled. “It is only I you see.” She said, her voice sounding human. Not anymore laden with magic. “The form of a spirit is less defined, my dear human savior.”

“Shapeshifters too?” Ilea asked.

She giggled once more. “Not as freely as once might wish. This is merely how I wish to look, a manifestation of my deepest desires. I could not mimic such a striking and fierce form as yourself.”

Ilea smiled. “You’re flattering me. I don’t think I’ve seen anything as beautiful as you before. Knowing what simmers underneath only adds to the intrigue.” She grinned.

Collin slapped her shoulder and glared at her. “Don’t flirt with our patron lady, the most holy of beings.”

“Did you just slap me?” Ilea asked the man.

He gulped and took a step back, towards the spirit.

“I apologize for his grave error.” The spirit said. “He does not understand the power you wield.”

“And you do?” Ilea asked, smirking once more.

“In part, yes. I know of ash. Little, but I do know. And I know of the ancient mages trying to force reconstruction. Not through blood or life but mana alone.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows, “The Azarinth?” She asked, dropping the name.

“Was that the name? One of them perhaps. Some I have met wielded similar powers but nothing of your… grandeur.” She said and smiled brightly.

“I don’t like where this is going.” Collin said. “She is with the Medic Sentinel Corps, here to take care of the monster that took our city.”

The Lady instantly turned serious once more and turned to look at the struggling demon. “Is there no hope for them?” She asked, stepping closer again.

“I don’t know. People who get killed by a demon stand up again as one of their Spawn. I doubt there’s much left of who this originally was, other than the bones and flesh.” Ilea said.

“The muscles tense up, bones reform to allow for claws and teeth. The brain gets smaller and many of the organs simply regress and die, unused by what they become.” Collin added. “I’m afraid the people they once were, are truly gone.”

The spirit gulped. “I can’t do it.” She said and looked away.

Three spears of ash slammed into the demon a moment later. Head, chest and heart. It died instantly.

Collin patted the woman on the shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“I will take care of the demons, will collect each one after I killed them so you can send them off the way you deem best. I suggest burning.” Ilea said and glanced at the two, the demon corpse vanishing into her necklace. “You, my lady. If you can. Will distract whatever monster is controlling them. Once I’m done, I’ll come back and kill that one too.”

“You get back your city, I finish the mission.”

The spirit looked at her and spoke. “What do you want in return?” She seemed anxious.

“Cooperation.” Ilea said.

“What do you mean?” The spirit asked. “We have no people, no wealth, no power.”

Ilea nodded. “You will have that back soon enough, in part at least. I need information, for my healing organization as well as your word that you will recognize us.”

“Your organization?” The spirit asked, an eyebrow lifted inquisitively. “I would give you my life to save this town, dear Sentinel. Information is the least we can offer.”

“And exactly what I want.” Ilea said, not saying anything about the spirit’s first remark. “Now, you fought it? The monster that took over the city?”

She nodded. “Briefly. Yet the result was absolute. It is a demon much like the one you… killed. Smarter, faster and more deadly. A ferocious beast near immune to my attacks. It wore ill fitting pieces of armor and talked of being a king.” The Lady explained and shook her head. “Near all of the survivors who had remained in Stormbreach fell to the creature or its spawn. I was forced… to flee, near succumbing to my wounds.”

Ilea nodded. “Any idea about its level?”

“Below level five hundred, I would guess. But it is a demon, so be careful.” The spirit warned. “Sentinel.” She added and summoned something to her hands. “Be it of use or not. You have returned me to sanity once more, when all hope was lost you have come to us with aid.”

She held out a small necklace towards Ilea, a thin silver chain with a red teardrop shaped stone fastened onto it. “May you be successful and survive your quest.”

Ilea smiled and received the gift. “I’ll try my best, benevolent spirit.”

[Tear of Desolation – Rare Quality] – [Your blood regenerates more quickly]

“Thank you.” Ilea said and looked at the elder, “I’ll scout through a part of the city and get you once I need the distraction.”

Collin nodded. “Should I come with you?”

“No, you two wait here. I’ll be faster alone.” Ilea said and blinked up. She checked her sphere as she moved through the underground, occasionally killing a demon and storing it in her necklace.

Can I even wear two over each other? She wondered if there was somehow a limit to magical items like that. Level three hundred and I don’t know that. She chuckled, ashen spears slamming through a demon that didn’t know what hit it.

Already eight of them killed. She had an idea who the demon could be and now, she felt confident enough to beat him.

Blinking once more, she found herself on the ground level. It was late afternoon, the suns would set soon. The floor was cobbled, houses made of stone, plants and ivy growing over many of them. Trees were all over the streets, ingrown with the city it seemed.

Stone bent to nature here instead of the other way around.

Ilea sneaked around, blinking through several abandoned houses before she appeared in one that overlooked a vast square.

Demons as well as humans and other races were standing around. A market? She wasn’t sure.

Looking a little farther, she saw bridges leading over some parts of the underground. They went vertical here. She had wondered why not more cities were going deep instead of wide. Ravenhall did both now but most towns she had visited simply sprawled above ground.

Probably because we like the sun. She answered the question herself and blinked down, right in front of a patrol that was walking towards the square.

A demon, human and lizardman.

The demon immediately attacked, screeching when ashen spikes on connected limbs punched through its head and heart.

The body vanished into her necklace as she watched the human and lizardman step back, weapons at the ready but wholly unprepared to deal with Ilea.

She waited for a moment. “Not attacking?”

“You’re not attacking either.” The lizardman said, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

The human was holding his rusty sword with shaking arms.

“True.” Ilea said and relaxed, most of her limbs disintegrating. “I heard there’s a new king in Stormbreach.”

“Indeed.” The lizardman spoke. “Now what would an ashen healer want with such a king?”

[Warrior – lvl 110]

[Warrior – lvl 32]

“Kill him, probably.” She said, waiting for their reactions.

The lizardman smiled, sharp teeth showing. “Finally. And here I thought we would stay his playthingss forever.”

“D… did the Lady send you?” The human asked.

“He keepss going on about the Lady of Ssstormbreach. I told him we need the Sshadow’s Hand. Are you with them?” The higher leveled lizardman asked.

Ilea cocked her head to the side and chuckled. “All of that and more. So where’s the king?”

“King Green ressides in the Ssanctuary temple. The biggest building in town.”

“King Green?” Ilea asked. Well, I thought as much.

“Yes, do you know him? Demon but I suppossse he’s not the worst of them, we are sstill alive after all.” The lizardman chuckled.

“I do, in fact. We have a score to settle and he’s not getting away so easily this time.” Ilea cracked her neck and smiled below her bone and ash armors.

Chapter 358 Double Tap

Chapter 358 Double Tap

“Now, there’s a bunch of demons walking around. Do you know if there’s a mind weaver controlling them?” Ilea asked.

“Aye, two of them even. They don’t send them out too far or for too long. Head after a couple hours in the foresssts, they turn wild.” The lizardman spoke. “Come, we shouldn’t talk in the open.” He grabbed the human warrior and glanced around, leading them into an abandoned building before he closed the door behind himself.

“Three.” Ilea repeated. Shouldn’t be a problem but coupled with Green it might be annoying. Just have to be careful not to let any escape.

“Yep.” The lizardman said and sat down on a chair, awkwardly moving the tail to the side. He sat near a window, looking out. “A demon in every squad. If someone tries to flee, the monster attacks.”

“You’re strong enough to deal with one, aren’t you?” Ilea said.

“Perhaps. But the weavers notice and go out to investigate. Have you ever felt mind magic grip your very thoughtss?” He asked.

Ilea chuckled and ignored the question. She wondered how the mind weavers reacted to the dead demons she slaughtered on the way up. I think she can handle a couple mind mages at least.

“What about the market? And your patrols? Seems fucking weird.” She asked.

“Bizarre, isn’t it?” The lizardman said. “He thinkss himself a god and forces us to take part in thiss play.”

“The Lady will cause a distraction, maybe you can talk to everyone and help out while I kill the demons in and around the city.”

“The Lady will help?” The human asked, hope flashing in his eyes.

“Ah ssshut it.” The lizardman replied. “I will help, if only to be rid of this charade. I’ve been in this city for too long already.”

“Good, then I’ll inform her and we get started.” She said and got up.

“When, tonight or perhapss tomorrow? How much time do you need to prepare?”

Ilea shrugged. “Five minutes? Just don’t antagonize the demons and focus on the Lady. I’d like to avoid a slaughter. Good luck.” She gave them a thumbs up and vanished, blinking a couple times downwards before she found the room again.

“Already back?” The Lady asked.

“Yep. Some of the sentient people in the city will help with the distraction. Just spook them and if you can, lure out the king. Can you handle the combined attacks of Mind Weavers? There are two, supposedly.”

She nodded and smiled. “I can hold them off for a while. Five to ten minutes perhaps if they focus solely on me.”

“Should be plenty. Ready to go in a couple minutes?” Ilea asked.

The Lady beamed with joy, her eyes slowly turning red. “Thanks to your blood, yes.” She looked up, her teeth and nails turning sharp. “Let us cleanse this city.”

Ilea nodded. “Start your distraction in around three minutes. I’ll work my way towards the city from the forest outside.”

“Shouldn’t we plan this out more? Organize and inform the people? I could be of use as well.” Collin tried to interject.

“My people have suffered for long enough.” The spirit said and touched his shoulders. “Move up and help the injured, only after the demons have been taken care of. I cannot bear to lose any more of my devout order.”

“See you in a couple minutes then.” Ilea said. “And don’t rampage. I’ll take care of the higher leveled targets.” Ilea said and vanished.

She sped back the way Collin had shown her, black wings and ashen limbs at the ready, tucked in behind her as she rushed through the dark tunnels. Her Sphere and memory led the way.

It took her barely fifteen seconds to cover the distance, appearing in the woods as a cold breeze brushed over her. The dust she had collected fell with her ash, her armor instantly reforming.

“Now.” She said and spread her wings. “Let’s go on a hunt.”

The trees were spread out rather far and without leafs. The low suns giving enough light to spot movements at a high distance.

Ilea flew low, through the winter forest, finding her first target barely ten seconds later. She landed with a heavy impact, the group fanning out in confusion as she grabbed the demon of their squad. “Go to the city, help clear out the demons. Don’t move until I killed the mind mages and engaged the king.” The demon’s head exploded in her grasp, blood and brain matter landed on her ash before she vanished once more.

She fanned through the outskirts, killing every demon that she came across. Her senses were on overdrive, noticing every smell, every movement.

After five groups she had rid of demons, she had closed in the city considerably. Walls and houses were visible in the distance, watchtowers above.

An slight headache suddenly formed in her mind and a big grin formed on her face. That, was a mistake. She quickly located the Mind Weaver, hovering a couple dozen meters to her right and above the trees.

“FoOliSh Hu-”

His chest was pierced by ten ashen limbs, his back exploding outwards.

Ilea punched her flat hand into his throat and crushed his spine, hearing the kill notification a moment after.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mind Weaver – lvl 209]

Adam Strand, still cursing these lands. She put the body into her necklace as she did with all the demons, even if it wasn’t a turned citizen of Stormbreach.

Around three minutes had passed already, Ilea moving in circles around the city, closer and closer as she hunted for any hidden demon or the squads they were part of.

When she reached the walls, she simply blinked through, relying on her sphere alone as she rushed past the abandoned buildings.

The ivy, trees and old stones didn’t make it seem like the city was lived in at all. It had been nearly two years since the elves had slaughtered their way through the western cities.

Ilea wondered if Stormbreach had looked the same before then or if nature really had reclaimed so much in such a small time frame. She whipped to the right, finding a demon with a single human.

He had no time to react when the demon was taken by the flying monster, pierced through and carried away like prey.

Another one. She put away the corpse and blinked, appearing close to the main square. Signs of battle. She noted the destroyed stands, blood pools leading away from the area.

A familiar pressureexuded from the Mind Weaver floating above the people of Stormbreach. What remained of them at least.

Demon Spawn stood amongst them, ready to lash out at any given moment. As soon as I kill that Mind Weaver. Well. She paused only for a moment and walked out of the house she had been hiding in. Let’s see if my acting is any good.

The Mind Weaver immediately turned her way, the black abyss of his eyes staring into her soul as he spoke into her mind. “HeAlEr…HaVE YoU coMe tO plEdGe FielTY?”

He hadn’t attacked yet, she noticed. “Yes, I have.” She spread her arms and walked closer, trying to make out all the demons in the group of people. There were dozens of them and ten times the humans and other races. Focus on me you damn idiot.

She looked at the Mind Weaver as a loud noise resounded, coming from a distant part of the city. I don’t have much time. She sighed and sacrificed a thousand health, a blink bringing her into the center of the people.

Her healing activated and brought her health back, the ash from her wings and half her arms exploding outwards as her chest started heating up.

The rest of her arms shot out, more and more ash forming and spreading at the same time. She pierced only the heads, blinking through the crowd and quickly back to her sixteen limbs as she decimated the demons.

Precise and quick strikes, carefully balanced not to injure or kill any of the bystanders. Lances of ash formed and shot at the Mind Weaver as a distraction and challenge.

His magic slammed into her mind, not quite comparable to a single Blue Reaper. Maybe they should be called demons instead. She thought, seeing many of the warriors and mages among the men and orcs fight the demons too.

Word had spread, the lizardman having done an excellent job. Now, before he starts killing them. Ilea thought and blinked up, seeing the demon teleport back and away from her.

Wings spread and her speed increased, following the demon through the city before finally, one of her limbs slashed his back.

He tumbled down and crashed into a house, his magic expanding around him before a heavy fist slammed into his skull, flattening it instantly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mind Weaver – lvl 179]’

Ilea turned and blinked, flying back to the square where the remaining demons were engaged with the survivors.

It wasn’t the same massacre as in Ravenhall or Morhill, the demons too low in level and lacking a advantage in numbers. Their claws and teeth were dangerous still, ferocious and with abandon they fought.

She landed amongst them, her ash cutting through the beasts with ease. She used some of her limbs to heal those badly injured. Weaving through the monsters and men, her fists and limbs delivered heavy blows.

Her head spun to the side, quick movement flying past. A white haired woman clad in a black cloak followed by a savage looking hunter.

A beast jumping from rooftop to rooftop and most certainly the demon she had faced before. Faced and lost to.

Ilea killed four more demons and checked the people around her, the lizardman from before giving her a thumbs up. “Move the injured to the center. We’ll take care of them afterwards.”

She blinked and once again spread her wings.

The spirit was fast. So was Green but the demon was somewhat bound to the streets and roofs while the Lady simply floated.

He caught up to her, the two tumbling through the air before they crashed landed on the cobbled road, stone cracking under the force.

The Lady of benevolence had shed the fair and wondrous disguise, teeth and claws slashing into the armored demon.

He responded in kind, digging deep with his own natural weapons before he threw her aside.

“Stop it, Green.” Ilea said and landed between them, checking on the Lady. Doing better than I expected. She smirked and watched her get up, anger in her eyes. “I’m your opponent.”

“The king has no opponents, huntress!” He slurred and brandished his claws. “You… you were there, in the snow city. You killed so many, masters of the mind. Ruined my plans.”

The Lady stepped next to her, damn near fuming. “Let… me.”

Ilea put a hand on her shoulder. “Your people need you.”

Red eyes glanced at her, surprise showing on her face before they slowly turned golden once more. “Y… you’re right.”

“Go.” Ilea said again as she watched Green advance.

The Lady nodded and jumped to the side, rushing off to a side street.

Green looked her way but growled once again when an ashen lance flashed past his head.

“Told you, I’m your opponent. And new king of this town.” Ilea said with a smirk, her ashen limbs fanning out as she crouched. “Let’s see who advanced further.”

“Advanced… I became king. You are nothing, just a monster. I will turn everyone into spawn, the great… green.” He vanished.

And appeared right in front of her, his claw slamming down on her.

Ilea lifted her arm and pushed against the claws, her legs bent and pushed into the ground. The cobblestones moved and cracked slightly. Her ashen armor held and she smiled, a heat filling her. Payback time.

Heart of Cinder had been damaging her for a while now, building up more than it ever had.

Green kicked her in the stomach but she simply took it, most of the force going into the ground where her ashen limbs helped her stabilize. My turn.

Heat and fire surged, turning stone to ash and setting the very air on fire as the stored up heat was released in a sphere around her.

The shock wave and heat sent the demon back, his body impacting the ground several times before he came to a stop. He groaned and slowly got up, coughing up blood and adding to the puddle forming below him.

Damn near all his skin and muscle was gone, at least from his front. And yet he lived, perhaps protected by the miss matched pieces of armor. Now burnt up and useless.

“You’re still alive?” Ilea asked, joy in her voice.

“I…,” He gurgled and slowly got up, tissue reforming as he stumbled and caught himself. When his chest closed once more and his throat had reformed, he spoke. “I am king. And you will be my feast.” He roared and jumped at her.

Ashen limbs disintegrated, Ilea dodging the frontal and telegraphed attack. The demon was fast but she had evolved, had learned not to rely solely on her physical prowess. A powerful punch filled with destruction and cinders slammed into his side.

Green stumbled and roared once more. He turned and attacked in a flurry of strikes, forcing Ilea back step by step.

She found an opening on the sixteenth strike and slammed her fist in his stomach, a second punch slamming into his chin, actually lifting the monstrous demon up into the air.

A hand rushed out and grabbed his massive clawed foot, spinning before she let go. Ilea followed the flying demon, crashing through one wall of a house and stopping on the next. She slammed her heels into the floor and landed on his chest with her right knee, crashing them both through the next wall and onto the street beyond.

A clawed hand shot up and grabbed at her head, another roar sending spittle and blood onto her ash. The claws slowly pierced the ashen armor.

Right until Ilea slammed her fist down on his skull, hitting a second and third time. Destruction flashed through his brain, the collective force of her fists and empowered body as well as the demon’s skull turned the cobblestone to dust below them.

She stopped and charged Absolute Destruction.

The demon started moving again after four seconds, clawing into her with both arms but barely finding purchase against the powerful defense. Finally, he managed to get through the ash on her face, only to get caught in the bone below.

Ilea felt his claws dig into her left eye, blinding her partially as blood started to pour. Ten seconds would be enough. I’ll see you in the next hell. A thousand points of health were sacrificed, blue runes flashing before her fist slammed into and through his skull. Bone exploded outwards and whatever was inside was smashed to pulp.

She ripped his clawed hand out of her helmet and jumped back, her armor of ash reforming and her eye reforming. No notification. She smiled, ashen limbs forming behind her and spears above. Nearly as though as I am.

She watched his headless body twitch, tissue slowly reforming.

The demon was stronger than her, purely physically speaking. But other than ferocity and speed, there was little he excelled at. Let’s not tempt fate. I’m not a villain after all.

The spears followed by sixteen limbs of ash slammed into the creature’s body, destructive healing mana pumping inside as her limbs ravaged through every bit of the demon.

Finally, a noise resounded in her mind. She was down to two thirds of her mana, instant healing and health sacrifice coupled with charged destruction took their toll. Meditation was already flowing through her as she watched the minced remains hanging on to the scratched bone, only the skull destroyed.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Frenzy King – lvl 340] – For defeating an enemy twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Her mana regenerated quickly before she collected the body. Not as clean as the rest. She noted, happy with the skill upgrades. The fight had been easy but she attributed a big part of it to the Intelligence of the demon.

While he had the capacity to think, in the end he was more monster than anything else.

Ilea ascended and flew back. The fight had taken them a sizable distance away from the square.

She landed amidst the people and checked the situation. The demons were taken care of and the injured were being healed by none other than the Spirit of Blood.

The name was program too, the woman literally making the injured drink her blood. She glanced at Ilea and sighed, a smile on her lips. “You made it.”

“I did.” Ilea replied and looked around. “How many died?”

“Three.” Came the reply. Hurt in her voice but more so understanding.

“I’m sorry.” Ilea said and meant it. She knew that with more planning and preparation, they might have had zero casualties. Still, she didn’t blame herself. The results could have been worse too, much worse if Green had found out about them earlier than he did.

“It is much more than I had dared hope.” The Lady said quietly, making it clear that she was ready to die. “Too long has it been.”

“But now we are free once more.” Collin said as he stepped up and helped with the injured.

“You killed him?” The lizardman stepped up to Ilea with a grin. “Honestly, I gave the fight to him seven to three.”

“Without seeing me fight?” Ilea asked, acting insulted.

“He regenerates.” He said.

Ilea smiled. “I regenerate harder.”

Chapter 359 A slice of life

Chapter 359 A slice of life

“You will have all the support we can give but first we must rebuild, look for survivors and clear out the rest of the demons.” Collin said as he walked through the square with Ilea. “You have the corpses?”

“I do.” She said, looking at the people celebrate. “Do you really want to stay? There aren’t a lot of you left.” She added, estimating the survivors to be barely a hundred.

Collin smiled, turning to look at the Lady as she talked to each of them. “Any many more will leave. But this is our city. Here we will stand, here we will remain.”

“I can give word to Riverwatch. Maybe you have some refugees there that would like to return.” She said, following his gaze.

“I would very much appreciate that. The tunnels here are vast, well known by us and filled with enchantments. We will move down as we rebuild. Winter will come to an end soon, a blessing amongst all the loss.” Collin said and smiled at her.

He bowed to her then and spoke. “Should we remain in power here, you will always find refuge within these walls. Aid and whatever else you might need. Ilea, medic sentinel and savior of Stormbreach.”

She turned and shook her head, walking towards the cheerful people, finally freed of their monster king. Back to their spirit queen. She chuckled and glanced at Collin.

“You dislike the attention?” He asked rhetorically and smiled. “A true hero.”

“Don’t call me that. Not ever.” She stopped and said it seriously. “No.” She added when she saw him opening his mouth once more.

Green had been a demonic monster who had been partially responsible for thousands of deaths. Killing him however wasn’t heroic, not in Ilea’s mind. He was misguided, barely intelligent enough to understand his own dream. To create and shape these lands into something his kind could enjoy, live in. Under his iron rule.

There were better leaders in the world, that much was true. There were worse ones too. It was justified and perhaps even necessary. To protect humanity or at least Stormbreach, yet it wasn’t heroic. Heroic would have been if I had convinced him, had stopped him without killing. But that isn’t me. She smiled and looked at the Lady. To his kind, I’m as much a monster as he was to ours.

“We only have another hour or two of daylight. We should find shelter, for the night.” Collin said as they reached the spirit.

“And so we will.” She replied and nodded. “Will you remain with us tonight?” She addressed Ilea with a warm smile.

“I’ll report to Riverwatch and I have a date with a friend.”

“The fallen?” The Lady asked, concern in her eyes.

“I can leave them somewhere.” She replied.

“The temple.” The spirit spoke with a quiet voice and led the way. “We will burn them. And cleanse this city of the demonic corruption.”

“Some still remain.” Ilea said. “I wasn’t perfectly thorough with my hunt.”

“Of course.” The Lady said and opened the heavy gates.

Ilea quirked up an eyebrow, watching the slender spirit move the massive steel doors. Spirits. Well, she is a dark one. Having her test her hammer flashed through her mind but the situation was wholly inappropriate. That much was clear, even to Ilea.

I shouldn’t hang out with Maro so much. She knew the necromancer wasn’t really to blame. Her dark sense of humor had only gotten darker with everything that happened, one of the few things keeping her sane through all the slaughter.

Either that or she was really hallucinating in that ancient temple, high on Bluemoon grass.

“Here.” The word brought her back to reality.

Light fell in through the ruined ceiling, rubble littering the beautiful carpet in the vast hall. Various statues decorated the wall. Some of them weredestroyed, others merely chipped.

They stood in front of an altar of sortsand Ilea quickly summoned all the demons she had killed in and around Stormbreach, placing them on top of the flat stone surface. Blood started to leak. The smell was terrible. Rotten despite the theoretically fresh state of the bodies.

Many of the survivors had followed the group into the temple. Be it out of interest or merely to stay safe with the most powerful beings in town.

“I can collect some wood.” Ilea said.

The Lady smiled and shook her head with closed eyes. “That will not be necessary, Sentinel.”

She turned and floated upwards, stopping when she was above the lined corpses. “Citizens of Stormbreach. Your suffering ends today. You will not be forgotten. May you find rest.” With that, a pulse of mana flashed through the temple.

Ilea wasn’t sure what had happened until she saw the bodies light up in her sphere. A moment later, flames flickered through life. Bound to their blood.

Quickly, the whole altar was aflame, the Lady of Stormbreach floating above it all. Tears of blood fell from her face, hissingas they landed in the flames.

Ilea walked to the altar and touched the stone, unbothered by the flames before she walked out. The air was cool, a breeze flowing through the main square, still marred by blood and guts.

The city looked deserted, lost. And yet the warmth of the flames could be felt all the way to her. The smoke rose in the evening sunlight, a contrast to the mostly clear sky.

“A little dramatic.” The lizardman said as he joined her, stretching before he checked his belt and weapons.

“She means well.” Ilea said and smiled. “But yes.”

“Tearss of blood? To each their own.” He commented and stepped past her. “Will you remain here, Shadow, Ssavior of Stormbreach? I’m sure you could become pretty high up in this town if you did.”

Ilea shook her head lightly. “I don’t plan to settle in the near future.”

He moved his head back slightly. “I ssee. Monssters to hunt. Citiesss to save.”

She didn’t comment on it. “You’re staying?”

“Not much of a builder, me. More towns remain to be looted in the wesst. I will be interessting to see what remainss.” He said with a smirk.

She nodded. “I see. Let’s hope there isn’t a maniac demon king there too.”

He chuckled. “I cannot ssay that thiss won’t make a good tale. It had to end, one day or the next. Either that or he would have taken all the landsss. I would have been a captain at leasst.” He mused.

“Or demon food.” Ilea said, noticing Collin walking out of the temple to join them.

“Aye, or demon food.” The lizardman said.

Collin stepped up to her and bowed. “Thank you again.” He glanced at the lizardman but didn’t comment. “Can we expect your return in the near future?”

“Probably not in the near future.” Ilea replied. “But you never know what comes up. A representative of the sentinels might come. If they can provide my name and some of my abilities, I ask you to share information with them.”

“Of course.” He bowed once more. “We will not delay you any further.”

“Give the Lady my regards.” Ilea said and walked down the stairs that led up to the temple, her wings spreading.

The way back was covered in considerably less time than it had taken to get there. The weight of carrying the team hadn’t slowed her down as much as the additional navigation as well as the sheer wind resistance of their bodies.

The suns had nearly set when she landed again near Riverwatch, covering the last bit of distance on foot. The sky was colored in a dark red, nearly purple. Big storm clouds were visible in the north.

Birds still chirped in the forest around the big sprawling city, unbothered by the cold or the people. Spring was on its way.

Ilea reached the gates and was let in, most of the guards knowing her ashen form after today.

No sight of Maro. She noted, looking around. She decided to wait for a while and have dinner. If he didn’t show up, she would go look for him.

“We made it.” A familiar voice came from near the gate, the heavy metal door opening wide enough to allow the people inside.

Around twenty minutes had passed and Ilea was just about to go look for Maro. The sunlight was gone, lanterns and torches carried by guards the only light remaining nearby. She stored the empty box of food in her necklace and jumped down from the roof.

No guard had actually bothered her up there, despite the clear rule violation.

“You’re alive.” She said to the group of hunters and guards that came in, mud and blood covering their gear.

“Fuuck, I have to get this clean by tomorrow.” One of them whined before he noticed Ilea.

“We did.” The hunter said, the woman who had pretty much taken the lead of the group. “And you’re back too. Did you find out anything about the demons and Stormbreach?”

The rest walked closer, interested in what she had to say.

Ilea stepped to one of them and healed the wound on his arm, in the meantime forming an ashen mist she casually moved over their gear to clean them off. She winked at the man who had complained afterwards, seeing his big grin.

“A high level demon in company of two Mind Weavers had taken the city. Called himself king and forced the survivors that had remained within the walls to play along. Good thing I think, otherwise they would have all been dead.” Ilea explained.

“Thank you. This would have taken me an hour of cleaning.” The guard said, ignoring what she had just explained. He got hit by one of his colleagues immediately.

“No worries. I got you involved. The king is dead and the survivors are trying to rebuild and take back what was lost under the Sanctuary healing order.” Ilea said and glanced at the huntress.

“Could you report this to Alistair? As well as spread word to any refugees from Stormbreach? The Sanctuary order is alive and will try anything to get the city back in order.”

She nodded and smiled. “Of course ma’am. I will get word to him immediately.”

“Don’t call me ma’am.” Ilea replied and rolled her eyes.

“Sure, Shadow.” The huntress once more nodded and then ran off.

“What about beers?!” One of the men shouted after her.

“Tomorrow!” She answered.

He looked at Ilea angrily. “Ruined my fucking date. I was so close.” He showed two fingers being close together.

Ashen limbs moved out behind her as she took a step closer to him. “Want to take me out instead, sweetie?” She asked in a whisper.

The man stuttered and stumbled back as the others laughed at the scene.

“Cleaned your gear. And you have a date tomorrow it seems. Don’t blame me.” She said. Now… where do I find a runaway necromancer. “Ah, before I forget it. Did you get paid for this?” Ilea asked.

One of them nodded. “It’s work, so yes.”

“We do appreciate tips, miss scary ash shadow healer.” Another said. He got hit. “What? She asked.”

“I did.” Ilea said and smiled. She did feel a little bad that they had to walk back all the way just to show her the way. None had died and for that she was grateful. Still, she summoned ten silver coins and handed them to the man. “Distribute it in the team. I’ll find out if the huntress doesn’t get her share so don’t try to cheat.”

“No need to threaten me.” The man said and handed each of the others two silvers. “I can tell who I want looking for me. And you, my lady. Are not one of them.”

She rolled her eyes again. Ma’am, my lady, scary Shadow. What’s next? Bone lord? She sniffed the air and checked the mana around her. There was no trace of Maro around but it was way past their agreed upon time. “Any gambling halls around here?”

“Yea, follow the main road until you hit the second square. Then take the road right, you’ll see it. Magical lights all over, as well as banners.” One of the guards said. “Should we guide you?”

“That’s fine, thanks. A good night to you all.” Ilea said and vanished, appearing thirty meters above, her wings spread. She flew the distance over the dirt road, quickly finding the indicated spot.

It wasn’t far into the city but it likely wasn’t the only gambling area either.

Casual clothes appeared on her right before she landed quietly amidst the people. Some eyes glanced her way but people generally gave her little attention.

Again, she checked the area. A faint trace remained, leading away from the area. Ilea followed, rushing through the dirt roads as fast as her sense of smell allowed.

The trace got stronger, more of an actual lead now. Maro had been here recently. Sometimes it vanished entirely but picked up again a couple dozen meters away. Teleportation.

Finally, the trace led her to a restaurant or bar, warm light glowing behind the murky glass windows. Ivy was growing along the facade of the building, at least two stories part of the establishment.

The door creaked as it was opened, a jingle audible above as the woman stepped inside.

It was a bar, small but cozy. Warm light came from oil lanterns placed in various spots. The walls were mostly lined with wood as well as paintings depicting both violent battles as well as various adventurers in armors, mages in their intricate robes.

“Evning.” The man behind the bar said with an accent she couldn’t place.

She nodded his way and found Maro in her sphere. “What beers do you have?”

“Various. Wheat, ale, something darker?” The barkeeper asked, looking at her with a smirk.

“I prefer ale.” Ilea said.

The man nodded and got a glass. “Riders is pretty good, brewery is nearby too.”

She gave him a nod and watched as he poured the ale.

On tap. Looks nearly like a pub from Earth. She looked around once more. No oil lamps and the smell is definitely worse. They haven’t heard of window cleaning either. Cool vibe though. She placed two copper coins on the counter. “Thanks.”

Few patrons were occupying the two floors.

Ilea walked up the stairs and found another nearly identical looking space as below.

Loud laughter came from one of the corners, a group of four men and women all looking rather rough were listening to none other than the king of Rhyvor. Even the barkeeper had joined them it seemed. A slow night.

“Turns out they were wrong. Not only is fighting in underwear a bad idea, it’s even worse when three Shredders appear out of nowhere.” Maro said and lifted his glass to take a deep sip.

“Aren’t those the wind magic worms? They surround you and then attack.” One of the adventurers said, summoning a small flame in his hand. “I’d have a hard time against one.”

“No.” A woman said and frowned. “They attack with their bones, hundreds of little teeth.”

“Either of one ever seen one?” The barkeeper asked.

Neither replied.

“Ah fuck.” Maro said and shot up, spreading his arms. “There she is, Lilith herself. Demon slayer and Shadow of the North. And I, am late.” He smiled brightly.

Ilea lifted her glass and grabbed a chair. “No worries. Finish your drink, underwear necromancer.”

The group looked at her with various expressions.

“That’s her? Doesn’t look so scary to me.” A big man said. “Healer too… I can see that being nasty. You regenerate lass?”

Ilea looked at him and smiled. “I do. Want to see?”

He grinned but the man next to himchimed in. “Don’t make a mess here please.”

“Thanks Daniel.” The barkeeper sighed.

Casually sipping her beer, Ilea listened to the rest of Maro’s story. He had winked at her and sat down again to finish his tale and drink.

If it had been anybody else, she would have likely questioned some of the circumstances but with him, she assumed he even toned it down a little. The audience was around level one hundred, most below. If anything, they had little understanding of the power the necromancer or herself wielded.

“Fucking hell. I wish I had been there.” One of the women said, obviously infatuated with the charming necromancer.

“It was… a while ago.” Maro said and glanced at Ilea.

She chuckled and took a sip of her ale. We need all these brewers in the north. She mused.

“That’s it for me though.” The necromancer said and finished his drink, standing up.

“Already?” Another one of the women said. “I know some places you might like.”

“Some other time. But duty calls.” He added and teleported behind Ilea.

The group blinked at the quick movement.

Ilea finished her ale too and stood up, “Enjoy your evening.” She said and watched Maro wave at the group.

She blinked out and up before her wings spread. “You could have stayed you know.” Ilea said, the man flying up next to her.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “It’s…,” Maro started but didn’t finish.

“I finished two of the three Shadow jobs already. Monster hunt and the rogue adventurer group.” Ilea said. “Do you still feel like meeting the necromancers?”

His face lit up and he smiled. “Very much so. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help. I heard about the guard bet and your participation already. You’re already somewhat of an urban legend here.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m a big girl.” Ilea said simply. She knew that someone having her back would have helped but somehow, she felt that Maro needed this. I’ll still force him to come north once more.

“What are you scheming?” He asked, sensing her intent as they flew westwards and towards Karth.

“Nothing sinister.” She said truthfully.

Chapter 360 The Vultures

Chapter 360 The Vultures

Ilea led Maro into the forest, the trees hiding their flight through the more and more rocky terrain.

She landed near the hidden entrance to the Calys mine. “Should be around here.”

“They’re in hiding, aren’t they? Sure you just want to bring in a stranger?” Maro asked.

“Are you nervous?” Ilea chuckled. “What are you going to do? Report them for being necromancers?”

He sent a beam of death magic at her, slamming into her face. The black beam turned purple as she laughed.

“Stop it, you’re going to give away our position.” She said, her skin regenerating as quickly as it decayed.

“Your regeneration is insane.” Maro sighed and stopped his attack, shaking his head.

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Common in the deepest and most depraved parts of the world, the magic of death itself seeks nothing but to destroy, to rot and kill. It is difficult to survive but to someone like you, what is death but another challenge?

2nd stage: Necromancers, Blood- and Death mages hate you. Your blood, bones and your body are mostly unusable in their rituals.

“Well that’s stupid.” Ilea grumbled.

“What?” Maro asked, looking around.

Ilea walked to the hidden entrance and blinked into the cave, followed by the necromancer. “I just got the second tier to Death Magic Resistance.”

“From that spell?” Maro asked. “Of course you did.” He rolled his eyes. “And there go all my plans for an Ilea undead.”

“I could have just removed my head and left you with the rest of the body.” Ilea joked.

“Doesn’t work sadly. Good thing too, otherwise there would be some pretty fucking gruesome practitioners. The being needs to be dead to be resurrected as an undead.” He explained.

Yea, I can imagine how that would be fucked up. “Good to know.”

“Your blood is useless too now, that’s a shame. Congratulations though. You’re now even harder to kill.” He bowed with a chuckle.

“I was hoping for you cannot die.” She said and walked towards the Vulture’s secret entrance in the cave.

“Maybe at the third tier.” Maro replied in a dry tone. “That entrance is enchanted.”

“I can see that.” Ilea said and blinked inside. Nothing seemed to happen and Maro followed.

“Just to hide it?” He commented and looked back. “They will be found if the city guard ever looks for them.”

Ilea shrugged. “No reason to. They mostly just live here. Plenty of corpses to get from all the battlefields and the cities in the west, I’m sure.”

He nodded and followed her down the stairs.

“You have returned.” The voice spoke directly into her mind, the demon waiting for them in the rough stone corridor leading further into the hideout.

“They were taken over?” Maro asked. “A shame.”

“That’s Weavy. He’s part of their group.” Ilea said. “How have you been? You detected us so quickly?”

The demon spread his arms, sharp claws on his hands. “I was merely on my way to hunt tomorrow’s breakfast. Everyone must contribute. They do not allow fish summoning inside anymore. Not after… the incident.”

“Fish summoning?” Maro asked. “That sounds interesting. Weavy, was it? I’m Maro. Nice to meet you.” He walked up to the demon and grabbed his hand, shaking it with enthusiasm and a big smile on his face. “You weren’t kidding. This is amazing.” He said, looking back at Ilea.

Black lightning cracked when Walter appeared, his eyes completely black and his voice resounding with an ethereal power. “Who trespasses in this crypt?”

Ilea lifted a hand, her ash receding and her bone armor replaced by casual clothes. She noted that his entrance would have been intimidating more than comical if she didn’t know the man.

Maro changed his attention to Walter and let go of the demon, patting him on the back. “A Dark Sorcerer above two hundred… fascinating. This place is great. Nice to meet you.” He walked up to him and went for an actual hug. “I’m Maro, nercomancer and former king of Rhyvor. Dark sorcerer… can you believe it?” He asked as he glanced back at Ilea.

“Ilea… who is this guy?” Walter asked before he sighed. “I’m Walter. Please refrain from hugs. My betrothed dislikes it when others touch me.”

Maro laughed, the sound reverberating through the caves before he patted Walter’s shoulder. “I can show you some tricks to get rid of smells.” He whispered. “My wife hated it when I came back with the smell of smoke and sex on me… oh, that must be her.”

“A beauty, fierce and unbent. I am at your service.” He bowed deeply at the approaching woman.

“Who the fuck is this clown?” Lucia asked, her green eyes fierce and focused on Walter. They softened immediately when she glanced at Ilea. “You’re back!”

She grinned and rushed her, grabbing Ilea in a strong hug. “Wow, what the fuck. You are nuts. What happened to your body? You feel like steel.” She squeezed Ilea’s arms and chuckled.

“Nice to see you too Lucia.” Ilea said and smiled, swatting away the grabby hands. “Walter, Lucia, Weavy. That’s Maro. Former king of Rhyvor, a kingdom far north. Fellow necromancer and apparently very interested in meeting you all.”

Maro looked up and frowned. “You should think about using marble. Gives a nicer atmosphere than stone.” He tapped the walls. “Who are your construction mages? The ceiling isn’t even.”

Walter shook his head before he smiled. “You’ll have to take that up with Neeto but he’s very bad with criticism so I suggest you give it some time. Any particular reason you’ve come? Is Riverwatch in danger?”

“Quite the opposite.” Ilea said. “No, we’re just visiting. Going north in a couple days again.”

“As I’ve come to know you.” Walter said, his eyes reverting to normal. “Well then, be our guests.”

“A demon, a dark sorcerer and a beautiful enchantress. What else have you hidden down here?” Maro asked, sounding downright giddy.

“Come, let’s move to the common room. There’s still some dinner left for you, Ilea.” Walter said.

Maro was talking to the demon behind Ilea, the previously mentioned hunt not relevant anymore. “About your summoning. I’m interested to see the runes you use.”

“Your mind will crumble as you look at them, human.” Weavy replied.

The necromancer smiled brightly. “Exactly. So show me.”

Ilea smiled and followed Walter. “How have things been?” She asked. “Everyone still alive?”

“Yes. Some close calls in the west. Lately a group of Baralia led adventurers west of Riverwatch have caused problems. The boy is still here too. While I don’t think Weavy is a very suitable teacher, Eyn seems to like him. His progress certainly speaks for itself.” Walter said, motioning the two undead guards to open the door to the common room.

One of them walked off, likely to inform the rest of the Vultures of the guests.

“You’ve been to the north then?” The sorcerer asked as he stepped behind the bar and went to the kitchen to fetch some food.

“I have. Plenty to tell you about. Also some knowledge about the Elves and Taleen you might be interested in.” Ilea said, glancing at a man sitting at a table in the corner of the room.

“Sounds interesting. You don’t want to retell it all four times, I’m sure.” He said, bringing out two plates with food. Cheese, cold cuts as well as bread and some fruits. “Oh, that’s Theo. He came looking for you around a year ago.”

“For me?” Ilea asked.

“Worked for some nobles in Dawntree but decided to give up on the job and join us.” Walter explained and put down the plates on one of the tables.

Warm light came from the flickering flames in the hearth as well as the various lanterns hanging on the stone walls. The common room looked much less roughly constructed than the hallways leading up to it.

The sorcerer walked to Theo and touched his shoulder.

“Woah. Oh, hey Walter.” The man said and sat up. “I had a weird dream. A clawed beast looking for me. When it found me though, it just offered me some food.” He turned to look at Ilea and smiled. “A newcomer, nice to meet you.”

“That’s Ilea, the woman you were looking for initially.” Walter said.

“Ah, the healer shadow. Yes, I remember.” Theo said and walked up to her. “You look less dangerous than Walter implied.”

Ilea chuckled. “Nice to meet you too. I assure you, I was dangerous then and even more so now. Why were you looking for me?”

The man scratched his graying black hair and smiled warmly. “I don’t remember.” He laughed and shook his head. “Apologies. It’s been a while.”

She nodded slowly. “Alright.”

“Alice Forkspear.” Walter supplied as he went back behind the counter, grabbing some glasses and filling one for Ilea.

“Ah, they’re still looking for her. Fucking hell.” Ilea commented. “Upgraded from the mugs?”

Walter smiled. “Yes. Trade has been a little easier lately. The guards seem more relaxed with our classes and magic. Not sure if its the governor or the world going to shit.”

“Alistair seems alright. The guards even let Maro in as soon as I explained that he was with me. No major fuss.” Ilea said and took the glass he handed to her. “Thanks. Ah and the rogue adventurers, I took care of them earlier today. They won’t be an issue.”

The barkeep nearly dropped his next glass before he stopped and looked at her. “You know the governor? And you took care of the criminals?”

She nodded and took a sip, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the beverage. “You really have to take apprentices. This is the best.”

“The governor?” He focused back on the topic.

“Yea, I wanted to check by anyway but took some jobs when I left Ravenhall. One was to take care of the criminals. The Baralia officers were mainly the issue I think. Met Alistair as well. I could talk to him you know, maybe get you some better deals.” She suggested.

The man was completely out of it, barely catching a glass he knocked over. “H…,” He shook his head. “If… I think if you could introduce us, that would be best. An immense help, really.” He stuttered out the words. “Thank you… of course, for taking care of those rogue adventurers. They’ve been complicating things around here.”

Ilea smiled and took another sip. “Why don’t you just go in. You’re level two hundred, I doubt many guards would stop you or even care.”

He sighed and shook his head again. “It’s a little more complicated. Not everyone high up has the same opinions and without anybody influential supporting us, there is little chance he would listen. I debated it, I really did. It seemed safer not to engage.”

She nodded. “Fair enough. Well I can go check it out tomorrow. There’s one job left of the three they had with the Hand.”

“What other jobs were there?” Walter asked, calming down again.

“Investigate Stormbreach. A demon took over there and forced the survivors to play to his tune. Killed him and now the Sanctuary Healing order is back in power. Until a government forms again I suppose.” She explained. “Speaking of trade, I’m sure a Spirit of Blood wouldn’t have issues working together with necromancers.”

“Spirit of Blood?” He asked, eyes going wide before he stopped her. “I need to sit down, just give me a minute.”

Ilea chuckled and helped him serve the ale.

Indra, Harthome, Celene, Neeto as well as the initiates and Eyn joined in the meantime, excited to have guests in their crypt.

She was surprised to find Eyn had reached level seventy already.

The boy was a little apprehensive of the newcomers but quickly joined Weavy and Maro in their rune discussion.

Weavy was scratching runes into the wall and discussed the various uses with Maro, laughing whenever the high level necromancer had to look away.

“So.” Ilea said and looked at Walter who was sitting opposite her. She ate a couple pieces of cheese. “The Lady of Benevolence, spirit of blood and probably the leader of the Sanctuary Healing order in Stormbreach. I think you could go there to trade. A little far I suppose but if you need anything from them, I doubt they’d decline.”

Walter chuckled. “Another avenue, that is sure. Yet if you can help me with Alistair, I think we would be fine for the time being. Riverwatch has a massive population. And they’re growing.”

“Are you level three hundred?” Celene asked suddenly. “Did you turn into something not human?” A smirk on her face as her piercing eyes glared at Ilea.

Ilea smiled and leaned forward.

Nearly two hours passed as she told the group of hers and Maro’s adventures in the north. She talked about the landscape, the storms, the monsters and dungeons as well as Hallowfort and the Dark Ones.

Lucia nearly had to gag Celene when Ilea mentioned meeting elves. The woman was of course interested in the dark ones too but she seemed to prefer dangerous beings first and foremost. The Feynor of course were also a target for questioning.

Ilea left out some details here and there. She trusted the Vultures more than others but there was no reason any of them had to know about the Teleportation key or what happened to Maro and his wife before she found them. It was his story to tell, if he wished so.

She did share some info on her evolution and that she in fact stayed human, to Celene’s disappointment. The woman had been sure there was an option to evolve into something “hotter” at some point. She made sure everyone knew that it was a big dream of hers.

Ilea didn’t much comment on that, knowing her level had barely moved from the last time they had met.

Walter’s face was resting on his hands. “That’s a lot to take in.” He said ultimately, watching Ilea eat the remains of their winter supply.

“You mean the food? I know I do eat a lot.” Ilea said after swallowing, smiling through it all.

He sighed. “That too. But what you told us about elves and the north is probably worth a thousand times what you just ate. Who knows all of this?”

“Some people in Ravenhall.” Ilea said.

“I would like to know more about this Goliath fellow.” Harthome said. The smith had listened attentively when the dark one had come up. “I would like to see his craft.”

A black hammer appeared in Ilea’s hand before she moved it over the table. “It’s very heavy.” She said.

The smith took one look at it and started laughing. “Please…,” He said and got up, the table rattling when his knee hit into it. “That is… black obsidian. One of the heaviest metals out there. A brilliant alloy. To incorporate volcanic glass, marvelous really. I’ve only seen it twice before.”

He stepped to the side and motioned for Ilea. “It is too heavy for me to lift, please, would you place it here?”

She shrugged and blinked to him before she placed the hammer on the stone floor with a dull sound.

“I want to hear more about the elves!” Celene shouted, escaping Lucia’s grasp.

Lucia cursed and finally sighed. “No controlling that one.”

Indra had been silent throughout most of it, occasionally glancing to Maro.

“You can talk to him, you know.” Ilea said as she sat back down. “He doesn’t bite.”

“Are you sure? I don’t… want to be a bother.” He whispered.

Maro overheard it and walked over, clapping the man on his back. “Relax. Being such a high level just means I killed more monsters. I wouldn’t dare assume I’m a more knowledgeable necromancer than you.”

A lot of assumptions there, Maro.

“Really? Well I would like to discuss some things with you, as well as test some theories. I… lack the mana and spells for some of them. Perhaps you might be able to help.” He said in a hopeful tone.

A lot of correct assumptions. Ilea raised an eyebrow and finished her drink.

One of the initiates poured her another immediately.

“You don’t have to treat me like a bloody queen.” Ilea said to the girl.

Walter chuckled. “Queen? No. You might as well be a spirit like entity at this point.”

She shrugged and took another sip. “I’d like to be treated the same as you treat each other. That’s why I liked it here initially. Why I brought Weavy and Eyn.”

The barkeeper nodded in Maro’s direction lightly, a questioning look in his eyes.

“Maybe.” Ilea said. “We have something to finish up north. Maro is free to do what he likes after that.”

“I’m free to do what I want, whenever.” The man said, interrupting his talk with Indra and Weavy.

“I’ll drag you there if I have to. You agreed.” Ilea said in a dry tone before she focused back on Walter. “As much is it your choice to let him come and go as he pleases.” She added. “Seems like they have a lot to talk about at least.”

Walter chuckled. “It does indeed. Well, the time when I was in control of all this has long past either way.” He sighed and looked at Harthome and Neeto trying to lift the hammer.

“Too weak.” The skeleton said, glaring at Ilea.

“Oh, almost forgot.” Ilea said. “Goliath helped make this as well.” She dumped her bone armor on the free table behind her.

“Ooooh… marvelous.” Neeto exclaimed and rushed to see the pieces. Harthome followed quickly after.

“And they sent us to look for you.” Theo commented, looking at the gear on the table, his eyes focused on the bone helmet. He smiled and took a sip of his drink. “Thank the gods we never found you.”

Chapter 361 Demonic Tendencies

Chapter 361 Demonic Tendencies

“Seriously Walter. Would you be willing to teach some people your brewing craft? Or is it a closely guarded secret?” Ilea asked, her inner Lilith showing herself at the marvelous opportunity to get insanely capable people to work for her.

He shrugged. “I suppose I could teach some. Not enough room and resources here to produce bigger amounts. Not that I could do everything myself anyway. It’s one of our best sellers in Riverwatch. Do you mean people around here?”

She quickly shook her head. “No, Ravenhall and perhaps Hallowfort. Either seems too far away now but maybe we could open a school in Riverwatch. I’d pay you handsomely of course.”

Walter laughed. “We can talk about that after I met Alistair. I’m apprehensive of even entering the city as it stands.”

“You’re a mage, not a necromancer though.” Ilea pointed out, identifying him to be sure.

[Mage – lvl 207]

“There’s more to identifying someone than the skill used. Dark magic is easily spotted by anyone with an advanced mana perception ability. Plus, I might get surveilled or even followed simply for my high level and unknown status.” He explained.

“Complicated lives, being a sorcerer of dark magic. You should get a healer tag, people either cherish you or underestimate you. Perfect for most situations, really.” Ilea added.

Lucia chuckled. “Try the enchantress tag, I’m like a magnet for fucking thugs. It might be different if they knew I was a necromancer too.” She laughed, joined in by some of the others.

“Timeless.” Neeto grumbled from behind, his literal bone fingers sliding over the chest piece of the Eternal Guardian armor.

“It is.” Ilea said as she turned around. “What do you think?”

“I would like to meet this fellow too. Was he the bone shaper?” Neeto asked.

“No, that was one of the elves.” Ilea commented.

“Powerful and inexperienced. I had assumed elves were ancient beings of unlimited knowledge. It is good that the smith was present.” He explained as he let go of the armor. “Do you have other bones or perhaps skeletons with you?”

Ilea looked through her storage items quickly, the only thing notable being the red liquid from the Descent. Still, she thought it best to keep that under wraps for now, same with the Tungsten Key. Neeto and in case of the key, Iana were both surely capable but they could tinker with something less mysterious and potentially dangerous first.

Ilea was quite aware of her hypocrisy but getting herself in danger and getting her friends in danger were two completely different things to her. Iana has the Gate key to figure out. As for Neeto. She got up and motioned for the skeleton to follow. “I have something but it’s kind of messy still.”

“Bones?” Maro looked up from the rune he was staring at.

Indra turned his head too. “Bones? A corpse?”

“Food?” Weavy beamed into her mind.

“Thirsty fuckers.” Lucia commented and held her glass out to Walter.

The sorcerer complied and smiled towards Ilea. “Appreciate you not dumping them in here again.” He said and waved, walking back to the bar to get his woman a drink.

Ilea was let to one of Indra’s experimentation rooms, candles already lit and burning down. What’s their budget on candles? She wondered and summoned Green’s corpse onto the wooden workbench.

“That’s…,” Weavy exclaimed in their minds. “Evolved Spawn… very rare. It was… powerful too. More so than me even.” He explained and hovered closer.

“Yea, the head is messed up from when I killed him but the rest should be relatively intact. Knock yourselves out.” Ilea said and stepped back, watching the group converge on the corpse like starving vultures. She rolled her eyes at the accidental connection.

She let them be and blinked back into the common hall. Maro was there so whatever sinister idiocy they could cook up, at least someone powerful enough to deal with it was present.

“More elves?” Walter asked, placing filled glasses onto the table.

Only the initiate girl Ellie, Celene, Walter and Theo remained. The rest apparently left to see whatever she had brought as well.

Ilea quickly collected her bone armor and hammer again before she sat back down, sighing and taking a sip of her filled glass. “Fitting name for your brotherhood.”

Walter chuckled. “You wouldn’t believe the amount of thought I put into it.”

“Did you shag one of the elves?” Celene suddenly spat out.

“What?” Ilea asked.

“Shag, fuck, had intercourse with. Made love. You know what I mean, come on. Did you?” She insisted.

“I did.” Ilea replied simply. “But it wasn’t a very different experience than having sex with a human. I don’t think your fantasies would be fulfilled.” She explained plainly.

Walter chuckled while Ellie got red. Theo didn’t really seem to listen at all.

Celene looked like someone had doused her with cold water. “Really?” She asked meekly. “No special abilities? How was the-”

The barkeep cut her off. “Please Celene, I really don’t want to hear about about an elf’s cock.”

“Not much different honestly. I was a little let down myself. At least he was level two hundred, I think you should shoot for that instead of a specific race.” Ilea nonetheless replied, smirking at Walter and the look he gave her.

“There you go.” Walter commented. “Knowledge I neither asked for nor needed.”

“They still have balls to rip off so it might in fact, come in handy.” Ilea commented with a grin.

The man waved his hand sideways. “I suppose that counts.”

“A healer that kills.” Theo suddenly said, looked up and got something from his pocket. A harmonica. “Life and death. What a spectacle.” He murmured and started playing a melancholic tune.

Walter got his lute and joined in.

The conversations died down and music prevailed. Some of the others returned but the necromancers stayed in their experimentation chambers for the next hour.

Ilea excused herself to sleep an hour or two in one of the rooms, summoning her bed to make it an acceptable stay. She drifted off quickly, Meditation and her healing magic calming her mind. I like these misfits.

Ashen limbs extended as her sphere spread through the room, adrenaline pushing her to wake up. Demon.

She sat up while rubbing her eyes. “Weavy, what are you doing here?”

The demon floated near the door, curiously looking at the ashen protrusions. “Marvelous power. You do not stop surprising me.” He chuckled, imitating the noise well.

“Answer me.” Ilea demanded.

Weavy sent her an emotion that suggested his eyes rolling. If he had any. “This is my room.” He simply stated.

“Oh.” Ilea replied and yawned. “Sorry about that then.”

“You may use it whenever you please. The demon you brought… its corpse that is.” He continued, casual about the intrusion. “A thinking, calculating demon spawn. Extraordinary. I understand there were reasons why you killed it but would you tell me of him?”

Ilea felt a little bad that she had taken up his room. The small and empty room that was. She assumed it was meant for storage. “Of course. What time is it?”

“Time? Ah… yes. It is the time of moons still. You were asleep for two units.” Weavy replied.

“Units?” Ilea asked and got up, storing her bed again. “You mean hours.” She stretched and cracked her neck. Two hours. Fucking luxurious at this point. “I can tell you about Green.”

“He had a name?” The demon hovered closer, his voice sounding excited through the connection.

Ilea nodded and opened the door. “Let’s go somewhere with light. And yes, a name. I assume he evolved somehow or leveled Intelligence. He was at level three hundred and forty.”

“High but not immensely so.” He touched his chin as he floated behind her.

They went to the common hall, Walter the only one there.

“Back already?” He commented. “Weavy, you’re done with the skeleton?”

“I am no necromancer or bone magic wielder, sorcerer.” The demon replied.

Ilea went on to explain her encounters with Green, the way he talked, his abilities and power, as well as the apparent wish he had.

Weavy listened carefully and remarked on some little things. He was silent after she had finished. “King. Of humans and monsters.” He said finally.

Walter sat down with them and served some bread and cheese. “Thinking of new aspirations?” He asked jokingly.

The demon waved him off with clawed elongated hands. “I do not intend to rule. Too much work and not enough fish summoning.”

“That’s the second time I hear about this. What happened exactly?” Ilea asked.

The barkeeper shook his head. “The incident will not be spoken of. No more fish summoning in our crypt.”

“No MoRe FiSH suMmoNiNgS.” The demon projected the words in an annoyed tone. “I’ll just summon them in the Karth cave systems.”

“I don’t care if you do that. As long as you take care of whatever comes out.” Walter replied.

“Hmm…,” The demon thought about it.

Ilea had assumed he would love the idea but it seemed he wasn’t as confident about the summoning as he seemed. Either that or the incident was truly traumatic. Even to a two hundred year old demon mind mage.

“Walter, can I use two magic items on top of each other? Like two necklaces?” Ilea asked.

“Why the sudden question? Did you find another storage necklace?” Walter asked.

“No, got a gift.” She said and summoned the red tear.

The man touched it and smiled. “Interesting effect. Make sure to hide that from the necromancers, they will pester you to trade it. Did you claim it?”

“Claim? You mean like I claimed my storage item?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, exactly.” Walter said.

“No. There was no question when I got it. Does that mean it belongs to someone else?” She asked.

The man shook his head. “You can use it. Did you ever wonder why your necklace hasn’t been damaged so far?”

“I mean, sometimes. Just attributed it to magic. Why is that relevant here?” Ilea spoke.

He smiled and answered, “If this is a magic item that cannot be claimed, it won’t have the same protection as your storage item. Once you claim it, there’s a connection between you and the item. Damage to it gets partially transferred to you and in time, it can even repair itself. In theory. I never owned something like that myself. Just a heads up, in case you want to wear this new one too. It will most certainly break if hit by a sufficiently strong attack.”

Convenient. Ilea chuckled. “The things my necklace has gone through. Well, now I have an explanation as to why. Wait, can this work for armor too? My Bone armor can regenerate already.”

“Not really. You wouldn’t want damage to the armor to be transferred to you, now would you?” Walter asked and smiled. “That’s what Neeto meant by timeless… I didn’t want to believe it. You really are out of this world by now. Glad to have you as a friend of the Vultures.” He added and held up his glass.

Ilea lifted hers too. “To the best brewer in Elos.”

“Bold statement.” He replied and took a sip.

Ilea leaned back and smiled. “I was wondering, maybe you know something about this too.” She started. “You too Weavy. I’m looking to get a class for classless humans, a fighting healer class that is.”

The demon looked at her once more. “A class. Simple, they heal and fight, soon one will emerge.”

Walter chuckled. “He’s not entirely wrong. Are you trying to teach new healers? I didn’t take you for a teacher.”

“I founded a healer organization in Ravenhall. My class doesn’t work because you need to eat a rare elixir that is also highly deadly. Plus, the healing is on touch only. Not exactly the best.” She explained.

“I suggest asking different healers for help, maybe contact the orders. I’m not sure if that will be very helpful though. Being a part of your order and perhaps being taught by you might create possible classes already. It’s hard to say.” Walter explained. “General skills and knowledge in the direction you want them to go is helpful too. Picking up a sword is easy but being taught to wield it by a legendary swordsman will yield completely different results in your class selection.”

“So you’re saying I need to be a teacher?” Ilea sighed.

Walter laughed and shook his head. “No, not if you don’t want to. I’m just saying that even just seeing your abilities or being exposed to them might help. You don’t have to stand there and teach them about healing. Not that it would hurt.”

“So just general inspiration, general skills, education and training will get results?” She asked.

“Potentially. There’s a reason the healing orders guard their secrets so well. Not just them of course. Nobles and any powerful classes do, really. Many use elixirs too as well as inhumane training methods. You’ll just have to test things out and see what results you get. I wholly support more healers though and with you backing them, I doubt any of the orders would be much of a problem.” Walter explained.

So I’m on the right track. “Thanks. Just wanted to make sure I’m not completely wrong with my assumptions.” Ilea said. “I leveled so fast and pretty much just did my own thing for so long that I’m probably still less knowledgeable than most commoners.”

“I sincerely doubt that.” Walter said. “There are many reasons you became as powerful as you are now. Becoming a healer and fighter combination is advised against in so many ways. It’s not supposed to be as strong offensively as purely warrior or body enhancement classes, nor are they as good at healing as pure healers. Either one is the preferred choice normally. You proved some people wrong.”

“I got lucky. Several times until I had my class. It wasn’t exactly choice either.” She said. “We will find out if this is one of the few lucky classes that can pull it off. Having a healer in your team is insanely valuable though, even if they might not be as good as a pure one. Nor do you have to constantly protect them if they’re trained and have a more warrior, tank or rogue like second class.” She surmised.

“Interesting times ahead, for sure.” The man said and smiled. “What are you going to do in the north?”

“Potentially help out with a dungeon problem. Best case, the problem has resolved itself in the meantime. I’ll probably stay for a while either way and level up some more. Plenty of fantastic opportunities.” She said.

“Which monsters do you use, of those you mentioned.” Walter asked. “I’m curious.”

Weavy was attentive as well.

“Miststalkers. They’re around level four hundred and higher. And there’s pretty much an unlimited amount of them all around the north.” She explained.

“The ones that come at night? Maybe I could try myself too.” Walter suggested.

Weavy made a confirming noise.

“They drain health and mana. So you better have a way to regenerate that quickly. If you get too close, they attack with mist magic too. Ranged attacks don’t work well because they vanish after too much damage. I suppose it’s possible if you instantly kill them or immobilize them somehow.”

“Sounds fucking horrible.” Walter sighed. “No easy way for me then.”

“She could hold them for us and we attack from afar.” Weavy suggested.

“What about the drains, do you have unlimited mana and life?” The barkeep asked.

“She can heal us too.” The demon said. “Lady Ilea, I have a proposition.”

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I’m not powerleveling you Weavy. Mind magic is insane enough, I’m sure you can find a dungeon around here housing some beasts that are weak to it.”

“I’m looking every day. The ones stronger than me have ways to overcome it. All those I have found so far.” He sent an emotion that suggested deep sadness. “The weaker ones I show to Eyn.”

“At least the boy can level.” She said and chuckled. “Make sure to let the others spend some time with him too, we wouldn’t want him to become a mind mage who eats people, no offense.”

“Why not?” Weavy asked. “They taste fantastic. I do not harm innocents as was agreed, neither does the boy of course.”

“He’s not to eat people.” Ilea said.

“Of course, of course. He himself has objected to the idea.” The demon waved her off as if she was some conservative grandmother suggesting that the newest fad is to be forbidden.

“That’s why you always bring so few bodies.” Walter mused.

“I bring as many as you ask. The cities in the west still hold thousands, rotting, some rising from natural magic alone. It is hard to resist when the smell is so overwhelming.” The demon explained.

I think I just puked a little in my mouth. Ilea swallowed hard and took a sip of her beer.

“I don’t understand why you people can’t appreciate a good meal. You always want me to hunt rare animals instead of just collecting corpses. A truly arrogant race. Me and my spawn never complained about eating our own.” Weavy added and shook his head.

“Growing up in the Great Salt has its charms, doesn’t it?” Ilea asked in a dry tone.

“Certainly does. I don’t suppose you want more food?” Walter asked and too the empty plate.

“You underestimate my appetite.” Ilea said.

“And you overestimate our stocks.” Walter replied and caught the golden coin she flicked his way. “At your service.” He added and bowed mockingly.

Chapter 362 The Word of a Shadow

Chapter 362 The Word of a Shadow

“Sure you don’t want to come?” Ilea asked, looking at the group of necromancers still tinkering with Green’s body.

“It did sound interesting initially but this is so fun. There were so few of us in Rhyvor, most just criminals trying to get to power quickly by murdering old people.” Maro explained and looked at her with sparkling eyes.

“It’s fine. Just thought you might need some fresh air.” Ilea said. “I’ll get you once I’m done.”

“Do that.” He said, already lost again as he read through the runes proposed by Indra.

Neeto was arguing with the lower leveled necromancer while Eyn rushed back to Maro as soon as he heard their talk ending.

Bunch of nerds. Ilea chuckled and closed the door, happy for their shared hobby of dissecting corpses and investigating bones with powerful death magic.

“Not coming?” Walter asked, wearing a beautifully embroidered black robe and black leather boots. His hair and short beard were in pristine condition.

“No.” Ilea said and looked him over. “You look… different.”

He smiled. “Lucia insisted I take care of myself before meeting the governor. I agree of course, those people care about appearances.”

“Not if you’re insanely powerful.” Ilea said and smiled. Her casual clothes or aggressive gear hadn’t led to major problems with nobles or officers so far.

“Well, it’s not a negative at least.” Walter said with a grin. “How do I look?”

“Good. Not my type but good, professional. Dark Sorcerer vibes.” She said and gave him a thumbs up.

“I’m not sure what to make of all that, Ilea.” The man chuckled and shook his head. “Ready to go?”

Bone armor appeared over her clothes before she nodded.

“Sure you don’t want to fly us in?” Walter asked as they approached the western gate of Riverwatch.

A thin mist lay over the city and surrounding forests. The air was cool but not as cold as it had been even just a couple days earlier.

“I got in with a necromancer. You won’t be an issue.” Ilea said, the two walking up to the closed gate.

Two guards were stationed at the top of the wall, torches lighting the surrounding area as well as providing some warmth.

The trees coming close to the wall had been cut down to make sure the guards had enough time to report monster or other enemy activity.

“Gate opens in two hours.” A guard said. “You can camp out. Shouldn’t be any monsters coming close.”

Ilea glanced at Walter and rolled her eyes. She vanished a second later and appeared next to the guard on top of the wall. “I’m a Shadow and here on a mission. Directly working for Governor Gallian.” She summoned her badge and held it up.

The two men had jumped back, hands on their weapons and ready to fight.

[Warrior – lvl 81]

[Mage – lvl 60]

“Show me that.” One of them said and caught the badge she threw his way. “Seems fine. Mana signature and all. Can he jump up or teleport through?”

Ilea waved to Walter, the man appearing next to her.

He nodded to the guards. “Thank you.”

“Come on.” Ilea said and jumped down, landing on the muddy road, frozen patches of dirt and puddles cracking below her boots.

Walter chose to teleport once more. “That went smoothly.” He said after they had crossed some distance into the city.

Some people were already awake, going about their business while others were sleeping off their hangovers or simply had no place to live in.

Ilea wondered how many people died each winter. A population of one hundred thousand was huge. Getting housing for all of them within the city walls without skyscrapers or underground expansion was certainly difficult.

The city did stretch far and housing could be provided rather easily with the help of magic. Stone mages, the rare metal mages, water mages and many others would likely work together to provide a more modern infrastructure than a first look would suggest.

She already knew there were water and heating runes in some inns, easily providing otherwise pretty difficult to acquire commodities. There was also a sewer, she had traveled through itback when the elves had attacked during the tournament.

“Do you have a clue where the main government buildings are?” She asked Walter after a couple minutes.

He chuckled. “I do. It’s not guaranteed that he’s there or has time to see us though.”

“He will have time to see me. Plus, he’s above level two hundred. Doubt he sleeps through the night. Not with the position he has.” Ilea added and motioned him to lead the way.

The sorcerer obliged, continuing onward on the main road leading towards the city center from the gate.

A few wagons were loading up, groups of adventurers loitering close by. Protected caravans to other cities or perhaps dungeon expeditions preparing.

Some of them glanced their way. One warrior at level one twenty even approached Ilea. “Excuse me, miss?”

She kept walking and looked his way. “I’m on a mission.”

“Understood. We would be willing to wait for a healer. Dungeon expedition around three days west from here. We are well prepared and know the monsters. You would get a third of the pay as well as first pick on anything we find.” The man added, walking with them.

Ilea smiled. “I’m on a Shadow’s Hand mission.” She added and winked.

The man paled immediately and nodded. “Apologies. I didn’t mean to disturb you. Good luck on your mission, Shadow.” He even bowed and quickly retreated, scratching the back of his neck before he shook his head in the direction of his waiting teammates.

“You could just walk around in black.” Walter commented with a smile. “Missing people mission. Do you not think it could have been connected to the criminals you already took care of?”

She shrugged. “Possibly. If it’s obvious then I don’t think there would be a separate job for that. Riverwatch is a big place. A group of what, fifty criminals is not the sole problem they have.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Walter said and chuckled, turning into a big square with structures towering over the adjacent houses. He pointed at one of them. “That should house the main governor’s office. At least it did a decade ago.”

The building looked similar to the city hall in Ravenhall, albeit smaller still. Ilea nodded, taking the lead again as the dark sorcerer followed. She could tell he was getting a little nervous. Only thanks to her sphere at least.

The man was an experienced veteran it seemed, as much with fighting as he was with politics.

They passed the few people on the square, soon reaching the broad stairwell leading up to the stone hall.

The fountains both on the square and in the big entrance hall weren’t running, likely due to the season.

No guards obstructed their way inside, a small line of people waiting in front of the counter. Two people took care of them.

“Seems like our best bet.” Ilea commented and walked towards the queue. If they didn’t get what they needed here, she could contact Dale again too. Or simply ask a random guard to show the way.

Walter followed.

It only took a couple minutes until they stood in front of an attendant. “I’m the Shadow working on the remaining mission placed by Riverwatch. I’m here to talk to Alistair Gallian about the details.” She summoned her badge and put it on the counter.

The simple fact that she had a storage item, coupled with the badgeseemed confirmation enough.

The attendant checked the badge and nodded quickly, motioningthem to the side. “Please follow me.” She said, changing into a brisk pace as she led them to closed double doors.

“The Shadow wishes to speak with Governor Gallian.” She informed one of the two guards.

The woman nodded in turn and took over, black and gold armor clinking as she opened the door. “Please follow me.”

[Warrior – lvl 132]

Walter glanced at Ilea with an impressed expression as he followed.

Ilea rolled her eyes at the official feeling it all had. They all shouldn’t take themselves so bloody seriously around here.

They were led through a long hallway, marble like stone reflecting the magical light from above. Spotless. Pillars reaching to the ceiling sectioned off the small courtyard to their right. Benches and even some trees had been placed inside, no real sunlight reaching them.

A magical device above simulated the warmer light shining down.

Ilea took a moment to check on it, smiling at the installation.

She did get a curious glance from the guard. Either the woman tried not to be offensive or she was truly confused at the antics of the Shadow.

Finally, Ilea nodded to the guards standing in front of yet another set of wooden double doors. She knew both of them from the previous day’s bet testing, even with their full plate armor and closed off visors.

[Mage – lvl 163]

[Mage – lvl 170]

“The Shadow is here.” One of them said.

“Another beating?” The other one asked.

“Most likely.” The first one said again.

The woman who had led Ilea and Walter rolled her eyes. “She’s here to see the governor.”

“Who’s the sorcerer?” The first guard asked.

“Dark magic swirls around him.” The second one said.

“A ploy at deception?” The first one again asked.

Ilea smirked. “Do you really want another beating?” She asked. “He’s a friend, also here to see Alistair.”

“Another bout would be interesting.” One of them said.

“Us together this time. Against you.” The other one said.

“We don’t want to ruin this beautiful building, now would we?” Ilea asked.

Magic surged from the two as their power was released. “Indeed. An unwise decision.” One of them said.

Ilea’s ash armor formed as her limbs fanned out behind her. “Unwise indeed.” She grinned.

Alistair opened the door and hit both his guards at the same time. “Stop it.”

Walter patted Ilea on the shoulder. “You too, please?” He chuckled as he looked at the woman who had brought them, her sword halfway out of its sheath, her face pale.

“Relax. She’s not our enemy.” Alistair said, stepping past his guards to greet Ilea. “Welcome back. Earlier than I had expected.” He spoke with a warm voice.

The guards had immediately stopped their antics and Ilea too was moving her armor back to the rose form on her back and below her clothes. “Alistair. Nice to meet you.”

“The same. Your work yesterday was splendid. I wish I could pay you more but the bureaucracy only allows me a certain power over our budgets.” He turned his head to face Walter. “Welcome, dark sorcerer. I assume you are with the Shadow?”

Walter extended his hand and shook the governor’s. “Governor Gallian, Walter Skorn. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am a friend.”

“A friend.” The governor replied, inquisitive eyes looking over the sorcerer. “Well, do come in.” He walked back into his vast office.

Ilea smiled once again at the two guards and blinked past them.

Walter walked in the normal way.

The door was closed by one of the guards as soon as they were in the room.

She saw the enchantments fall into place and smirked.

“I got the reports.” Alistair said and walked around his desk, sitting down on the big armchair and resting his elbows on the dark wooden table.

Walter looked around, taking in the bookshelves, the different maps as well as artifacts and monster pieces displayed in various ways.

“Impressive work in Stormbreach. An escaped demon from Ravenhall?” The governor asked.

Ilea grabbed a horn and looked it over.

[Alpha Drake Horn]

Knew that seemed familiar. She smiled. “THE escaped demon. An intelligent Spawn variant that forced Mind Weavers to work for him. Mind Weavers are those normally controlling the weaker and more ferocious Spawn version.” She explained.

“We are aware of some of the specifics. Lys had to deal with some Mind Weavers themselves. I’m glad the problem has been taken care of before it escalated. Demons are incredibly dangerous to a mostly non combatant population.” Alistair said. “Of course killing the Baralia officers earned you my trust already. We are working out a deal with Vincent at the moment. To keep his operations in check but to give enough leeway for him to not betray us.”

“Vincent Halligan?” Walter asked. “He’s the one you brought back from the rogue camp?” His voice didn’t betray the way he felt about the man.

“Yes.” Ilea said. “He threatened to kill a child. Other than that, he didn’t seem like the worst guy. I didn’t tell you Alistair but if he makes trouble, feel free to contact Claire or me if I’m around. It would surprise me however.”

“It would be my failing as the governor if he rebels. As I’ve told you before.” Alistair said and nodded towards Walter, a questioning look on his face.

Ilea opened a nearby chest, knowing what was inside thanks to her sphere. Cold runes kept some of the things inside fresh. She took a bottle of ale and opened it. I probably would have a problem if alcohol did anything to my body still. She smirked and closed the chest again. “Feel free to talk about what we discussed in secret. He’s a dear friend that helped me out quite a bit.” She smiled at Walter and lifted her bottle. “A good man.”

The sorcerer smiled at her, genuinely.

“I finished the letter. Would you like to go over it now or later? Your signature as well as mana signature will be needed. The contents cannot be altered after our mana has been placed on the paper. Feel free to examine the enchantments.” The governor explained.

“I can have a look in a minute. Walter, can you check the enchantments as soon as I’m done?” She said.

“Of course. Lucia has taught me quite a lot in the past years.” The sorcerer said.

“Should we talk about the last mission or is the sorcerer’s presence the reason you’re here?” Alistair asked.

Ilea smirked and grabbed the letter on his table. “Both. I’ll let you two talk while I read through this.”

Alistair looked at Walter and nodded.

Ilea in the meantime walked back to the chest and formed an ashen chair before sitting down. Her legs crossed as she started reading.

“I suppose it’s time to formally introduce myself.” Walter said. “I’m Walter Skorn, leading member of the Vultures Brotherhood. We are a group of mages practicing various forbidden and dark magics, necromancy as well as dark enchantments and sorcery.”

The governor smiled and glanced at Ilea before he sighed. “The Vultures Brotherhood. Now we can place a name to your little group. A peculiarity. You operate near the abandoned Calys mine, don’t you?” He asked and gauged Walter’s reaction.

Alistair chuckled. “Were you part of a court perhaps? You betray nothing. The trade has been noted but according to our investigation, none of the goods were poisoned or in any form dangerous. Nor were there abductions or murders associated with your… brotherhood.”

“Many have still advocated me or the guard to take care of it. To few for it to matter. What is it you propose?” He asked.

Walter got out a small rolled up paper with a seal on it. “We are merely practitioners. In no way do we endanger the population nor anybody but ourselves. There are services we can provide as well as goods I’d like to trade without having to pay off guards. Neither do I want to worry about… as you put it, being taken care of.”

Alistair motioned him to come closer and accepted the paper. He broke the seal and started reading.

Ilea was mostly through her letter too, mostly suggesting cooperation and official recognition of each other’s independence. Some law suggestions, humanitarian rights and ground rules were mentioned but it all seemed reasonable and in line with what the Ravenhall council had in mind.

Mentions for direct support in case of war were little but present. A discount on Hand mercenaries and support in case of a large scale invasion or imminent destruction of either city. Alistair apparently didn’t want to ask too much. Or he assumed Ravenhall would be the city to catch the kingdoms’ and empires’ eyes more so than Riverwatch.

“Reasonable demands.” Alistair said as he put away the suggestions from Walter. “I need a couple days to check it and perhaps have it revised slightly. In case we get the support of Ravenhall, I think I can easily get this through without much of a headache. How should we communicate?” He asked.

“Have a message placed for Skorn with the adventurer guild in case you would like to meet.” Walter said. “Thank you for the consideration.”

The governor nodded. “I understand your situation. Know that this goodwill is only possible because of Ilea’s word. I would have you thoroughly investigated otherwise. As much as I believe simply practicing a school of magic doesn’t have an influence on a person’s morals, I do know that some schools are more dangerous than others. As long as you keep your experiments to your cave and don’t kill people related to Riverwatch, I will accept the Vultures and will officially recognize them as a trading partner to the city.”

Walter bowed his head.

Alistair turned to Ilea, noticing that she had stopped reading. “May I use your name officially to back the Vultures? The connection will quiet most if not all opposing voices.”

“Use Lilith’s name.” Ilea said. “More investments are likely on the way too.” She said and stood up, giving back the letter. “Walter, enchantments.” She added and smiled.

The sorcerer complied and checked the letter thoroughly before he nodded. “What he said is true.”

“Perfect.” Ilea replied. “Where do I sign?”

Chapter 363 Breadcrumbs

Chapter 363 Breadcrumbs

Alistair carefully folded the letter before he placed it in an envelope and stamped it with a ring of his. “This might very well be the future of Riverwatch and myself as the governor.” He murmured and smirked. “Ilea. Truly, a fortunate turn that you chose to come here in these times.”

She shook her head. “Don’t mention it. I have friends and a history here. It’s the least I could do. The mission?”

Alistair nodded, still in a joyous mood. “The mission. About two months ago, a woman was found dead. Bite marks on her neck suggest some blood sucking beast. Now neither of those facts would require a Shadow nor are they exceptionally rare or noteworthy.”

He opened a drawer and searched through some files before he grabbed a specific folder and put it on the table. “In the meantime, threeofficials investigating the case have vanished. Six more were found dead with similar bite marks and loss of blood.”

“A vampire?” Ilea asked.

Walter chuckled, drawing both of their attention. “If a vampire was here, we would know. Everyone would.”

Alistair nodded. “I would agree with you, Walter. I have however learned never to assume anything to be impossible. Little is truly known about Vampires as are there various bloodsucking creatures more than capable of the described murders. I can tell that fighting a Vampire would be an exciting endeavor to you, Ilea. Yet the chance of it actually being such a creature is low.”

“The officials were tasked to find out more and died. Now, knowing so little I thought it best to hire a specialized mage or warrior from the Shadow’s Hand instead of wasting more resources and people. This has been going on for two months. Already various people have pestered me to have it looked into.”

“Any clues, connections between the dead?” Walter asked.

Alistair glanced at Ilea and back at the sorcerer.

She shrugged. “I’m not exactly a detective. Want to tag along Walter?”

“A Shadow mission?” The man asked.

“Come on, your spells will help. I’ll get paid and gift you a part of it after. Plus you can do something else than brewing and preparing food for once.” She said and laughed.

“Just today. I’ll go back for dinner.” Walter said, obviously interested in the change of pace.

Adventure time for the barkeeper. Ilea smirked.

“Very well then. If you help out, I’ll take that into consideration as well for your Brotherhood. I haven’t looked into the case much myself and honestly, I’m not sure why so many people cared about it so much. We’ve lost more to other criminal activities just in the past week. However the loss of officials and experienced investigators is a problem.” He moved the file over the table. “All we have is here. Names, locations and guard contacts.”

Ilea walked over and grabbed it. “Alright. We’ll look into it. Anything else?” She asked the two of them.

Neither replied.

“Good. Then let’s go.” Ilea said.

They went through the file and visited the areas where the people were killed. Most of the murders were too long ago for any reasonable tracking or magic perception spell to do anything.

They did knock on some doors and asked the people living nearby about the dead but none offered anything useful.

The guards who found the corpses were next but again, nothing major was learned. Their findings had already been written out in the various reports and none of them added anything useful. Surprisingly the bodies themselves had already been burnt, something Ilea found especially confusing. Preventing undead from rising had a higher priority than keeping potential murder evidence.

“Great.” Ilea said, leaning on a wall near where the latest murder had happened. “We woke up twelve people and found nothing.”

Walter was looking over the floor, checking every little pebble, the nearby houses and the gullies. “This isn’t a mere monster hunt, Ilea.”

“Exactly why you’re with me.” She replied.

He sighed. “Too many people walk through here every day. If we had started maybe four days ago, one or two days after it happened.” He paced around some more before he spoke once more. “Do you know anybody from the underground?”

“Criminals you mean?” Ilea asked. “Well, Vincent is under wraps. I doubt he could offer much, being outside of the city for so long.”

“Connections. He might be able to refer us to someone else.” Walter suggested.

“Trevor… was that his name? The Riversong gang. I helped them out over a year ago. Maybe they can help.” Ilea said.

“Riversong. I’ve heard of them. Is he the leader?” Walter asked as he walked back to her.

“Yea. I think so. If he managed to get back and maintain his position.” She explained.

“Any idea where to find them?” He asked.

“I remember where one of their old bases was. Maybe it’s still around.” Ilea said and and led them through the city.

The two ran and jumped over the rooftops towards their destination. The suns would rise soon, some color already visible on the horizon.

“Is he willing to help you?” Walter asked.

“I think he made a deal with the guard even. We should at least get some info.” Ilea replied, stopping on a roof that had a view on the building she remembered.

“Looks the same it did back then.” She said and got on her bone and ash armor. “I’ll go check if he’s in there. Wait here.”

Walter nodded and crouched near the chimney reaching out of the roof.

She blinked to the other side of the road and landed on the building right next to the once hideout of the Riversong.

Another blink got her inside the attic. Her sphere reached down and informed her that there were indeed still people here. Four in fact on the first and ground floor. Two looked like thugs, armored even inside, various scars showing on their faces. None of them were Trevor.

Ilea found one of them isolated, on the toilet even. Time to traumatize an innocent citizen. She hoped they were actually part of the Riversong.

Her hand immediately pressed against the man’s mouth as soon as she appeared in the small toilet room. Another thing that Riverwatch and Ravenhall have that medieval cities would likely not sport. She marveled at the sewage system, the pipes leading down through the walls.

The man struggled against the ashen limbs that held him down, tears running down his face as he screamed against the unrelenting hand of the monster that had suddenly appeared while he was taking a dump.

Ah yes. “Calm the fuck down.” She said. “Don’t make so much noise or I’ll have to kill all of you.”

The man in fact did calm down. He was still breathing hard, staring at her eyes.

[Rogue – lvl 57]

“Is this still a Riversong site?” She asked.

He nodded weakly.

“Oh good.” Ilea sighed. “Now don’t make too much noise. I’m not here to kill any of you.”

The man remained calm after she let go of his mouth. “What do you… want, Shadow?”

“First, you get a proper job with the hunters or something. Second, I have to talk to Trevor. Beard, scar.” She motioned with her hand to indicate where the scar was on his face. “Is he still the leader?”

The man glanced around, getting more nervous. “They’ll kill me if I tell you anything.”

“I’ll kill you if you don’t.” Ilea said. “Come on, I’m a healer. You can trust me. I just need to talk to the guy, we’re old friends. I took care of Melian when she took over.”

“Melian… you’re that Shadow then. There are stories… so it’s true.” His eyes opened wide. “I’ll help… just please, don’t kill me.”

“Where is he.”

“The new headquarters is near the southern wall, only a ten minute walk from the southern gate. It’s in the restaurant called the Everlasting Ash. If he’s in the city, he might be there.” The man explained.

“Everlasting Ash.” Ilea chuckled, her limbs retreating and letting go of the man. “Thanks.” She said and vanished.

She saw him relax in her sphere, a bunch of shit splashing into the toilet.

Good thing he was already on there. She smiled and blinked over to Walter again. “I have a location.”

He nodded and motioned her to lead the way.

Ten minutes from the southern gate was quite an area to cover but random pedestrians knew the restaurant and showed guided them along the way.

“Everlasting Ash.” Walter mused and glanced at her.

The two were standing right in front of the establishment.

“Seems like you left an impression.” He chuckled.

“Shut it.” Ilea replied with a smile and opened the door.

It wasn’t closed but neither were there any patrons currently in the place. A woman was working behind the counter, glancing up to look at the two.

[Warrior – lvl 61]

“Welcome. What can I do for you?” She asked.

Ilea could tell she was highly uncomfortable with the guests. The ashen armor didn’t help. “I’m looking for an old friend. Maybe you know him.”

She saw a part of the underground structure but found her sphere broken by enchantments placed along the ceiling of the second floor.

“And who might that be?” The woman asked, trying hard to stay calm.

“Trevor, leader of the Riversong.” Ilea replied.

“And who’s asking?”

“The Shadow who helped him out with Melian.” Ilea replied and smiled at her.

“Do you have a badge or something? I can’t see your level but I know Shadows have badges.” The woman said.

Ilea summoned hers and threw it at her.

“I’ll be right back.” She said, nearly walking into the counter before she went through one of the back doors.

“You think she’s trying to fool us?” Walter asked.

“She’s taking three stairs at a time. I think she at least knows what she’s dealing with.” Ilea replied.

A couple minutes later, a group of people rushed back up the stairs, led by none other than Trevor.

He burst out the door and spread his arms. “Welcome… Ilea, was it? Yes… I know those eyes.” He said with a broad smile on his face. The beard had grown even more.

[Warrior – lvl 138]

“Trevor.” Ilea said.

“New armor. And a new friend.” He commented, glancing at Walter. “I want you gone out of here as fast as possible, so what do you want?”

“Boss, why are we working with her?” One of the men asked.

Trevor rushed over in an instant, his movements enhanced before his fist smashed into the man’s face.

He was knocked into the wall behind him, cracking a part of the stone before he slid down, unconscious.

“Anybody else have a problem with her?” He asked, finding nobody else disagreeing openly.

“Nice approach to leadership.” Ilea commented. “I’m investigating some murders. Looking for some people. Anywhere we could talk?”

“Sure.” Trevor said. “Follow me.” He glanced at the woman behind the counter. “You, make sure the wall gets fixed and bring that idiot down again before we open for the day.”

They were led into a simple room with a table and a couple of chairs. Bottles remained on the table and a map of the city was hanging on one of the walls.

Trevor sat down and motioned for the two to do the same. “Wait outside.” He said to those of the Riversong who had followed.

He sighed when the door closed. “Bad time to visit.” He grumbled and opened a chest near the table. “Still, I’m known to pay my debts.”

Three bottles of ale were placed on the table.

Walter chuckled when he saw the label.

“Yours?” Ilea asked and smiled when he nodded. She focused again on the confused Trevor. “You’re not in a position to make me feel bad about anything, Trevor. Now that I’m here… I actually have an additional question.”

He gulped and opened his bottle, taking a deep drink.

“Vincent Halligan. I killed the Baralia people he was… forced to work with. What do you think of him?” Ilea asked, leaning forward as she too cracked open the bottle.

The man sighed. “So the rumors are true. I thought it ridiculous that a Shadow would come and deal with them in a matter of a single day. If it’s you, I can see it.” He shook his head. “We’re competitors but I respect the man. Only kills when necessary and he generally stays out of other’s territories if he thinks them capable enough. Win Win really, for all involved. I try to operate in a similar manner.”

“Of course there are the occasional fights, brawls and assassination attempts but it’s part of the gig.” He chuckled. “Vincent being back actually puts in danger some of our own operations. Also puts in question at least thirty peoples’ loyalty. Real headache.”

Ilea shrugged. “Sounds like he told the truth then.”

“He’s known to be ruthless but never deceiving.” Trevor confirmed. “I hate to have him back.”

She chuckled and took a sip of her ale. “That’s your problem to deal with. Now, do you know anything about these murders?” She summoned the file and moved it over the table. “The people that were killed, the murderer or monster involved or the area where the killings happened.”

Trevor glanced at her and took the file, looking through the names. “Hah, this one nearly got me once. Good man. Shame.” He flipped through it and stopped at the woman.

“This one seems the only one not from the guard. The rest I assume were assigned to the task. Weird though.” He said, looking at the names once more. “Two months.”

“What do you mean?” Walter asked.

Trevor glanced at him and back to the documents. “Nine assigned officials to a murder case. Every time one got killed, they sent one more? Sounds more like a meat grinder than anything else. Sure our lovely governor didn’t just want them gone, for one reason or the other?”

Ilea tapped the table as she thought about it. “Why would he hire a Shadow to look into it then?”

“Maybe he wants the Shadow gone too.” Trevor suggested but shook his head. “He wouldn’t know who’d come. Plus, I doubt anything he has can kill you.”

“It’s not just that they only ever sent one more person to investigate. It’s also the time span. Do you know how many people were killed in Riverwatch, just in the last year?”

She stopped the tapping. “I’m not sure I want to know that.”

Trevor waved her off. “Many perhaps not as random and innocent as this woman seems to be but it would require a similar investigation to happen nonetheless. Usually the officials just determine criminal activity to be the reason and close the case. Sometimes there isn’t even an investigation at all. It’s suspicious that there were this many assigned to the case.”

“Scared of vampires or bloodsucking creatures?” Walter suggested.

“Doesn’t make sense. Maybe someone has a personal vendetta. Otherwise I see no reason to be this concerned. If they are then they would have sent more than a single official each time. At least two when the first one got killed.” The warrior explained.

“So something might be fishy.” Ilea surmised. “What else can you tell us?”

Trevor shook his head. “I don’t know anything else about the officials. You would have to ask their higher ups to find out what cases they usually worked, why they were assigned this case. You should probably focus on the woman. She’s the odd one out. The area has some interesting newcomers from the west. I can ask around and see if anybody has something for sucking blood. It’s a trend among nobles in some of the bigger countries. Maybe they’re looking to improve. Maybe one of their playthings managed to escape.”

“Lots of assumptions.” Walter said.

“You’re probably not dealing with a beast here. It would likely be more violent, more random. And there would certainly be more clues.” Trevor added. “The obvious answer is usually the right one.”

“Usually.” Ilea repeated.

“Yea. Well it might be here too. Maybe not either. Not my case. Neither does it make sense to me why they hired a Shadow for this.” Trevor said.

“Can you ask around right now?” Ilea asked. “I don’t plan to invest more than a day on this.”

Trevor chuckled and got up. “Sure, to get you off my heels, anything.” He opened the door and went up again to talk to some of his gang members.

“You think he is trustworthy?” Walter asked.

“No. But he made some good points.” She said. “Maybe someone did have a problem with those officials. Or there is someone trying to cover up their escaped blood bag.”

Trevor already came back and sat down again. “I had word sent to a couple people who know the area. It’s near our territory. I try to know about possible threats at least.”

It didn’t take long for two people to arrive. One a woman that made big eyes when she glanced at Ilea.

“What’s wrong?” Ilea asked her, trying to place the likeness.

She stuttered and shook her head. “Never mind.”

“She’s the one whose leg you broke over a year ago.” Trevor supplied. “Came to look for a job after Melian was killed.”

“Ah. Yes, I remember.” Ilea said. She was still in her bone and ashen armor, making quite the impression.

The woman gulped. “Cheers for letting me live back then.”

“They’re looking for someone that might suck blood or likes to bleed out their slaves. In the south east noble district.” Trevor interrupted.

“There’s some that might fit. The Isyll fellow from Salia, the Graysword sisters from Virilya as well as Colson. Only heard rumors about them all.” The man who had come spoke.

“The sisters and Colson left, each a couple weeks ago. Mansions were sold back to the city.” The woman said.

“Really? Nobody saw them go.” He said.

“Their servants aren’t there anymore, neither was there light. If they’re still around then I’m not sure what they’re trying.” The woman said once more.

Trevor nodded. “Isyll it is. Can you show our friends those mansions?”

The woman gulped but nodded. “Sure. Right now?”

Trevor smiled brightly and stood up. “Right now. Nice meeting you two. Don’t come back.”

“Don’t stretch it, Tervor.” Ilea warned and stood up. She knew he had a deal with Dale, which is why she wouldn’t bother him anymore than she already had. Still, while below the enchantments, she made sure to check on the other rooms in range of her sphere.

Goods and gear but no obvious torture chamber or slaves. “Wait for us outside. We’ll be there in a couple minutes.”

Chapter 364 Detective Smash

Chapter 364 Detective Smash

Ilea gave Trevor a glance when she was done looking through his headquarters. There had been some hidden areas she discovered but nothing other than more likely stolen goods came up.

“Happy?” He asked, stepping up behind her.

“Yea.”

He snorted. “I wouldn’t have taken you for such a lawful citizen. I know you Shadows do your fair share of shady shit.”

Ilea nodded. “I have probably killed more people than you have, many of them for worse reasons too. Morally speaking of course.” She said and shrugged. “I recommended you to Dale, just feel a little personal responsibility when it comes to you.” She smirked and jabbed his arm.

“Fucking hypocrite.” He whispered, glancing at her to see if she heard. “I have lines I won’t cross, Ilea. And that will stay that way.” He said.

“I was looking for slaves or torture, not the fact that you killed people.” Ilea said. “Don’t whisper around people like me. We can probably hear you. Or in my case, even feel your… distress.”

He sighed before he chuckled. “Noted. Way to make Shadows even more terrifying than they already were.”

I’m not exactly any random Shadow. Ilea thought but kept that to herself. If the deterrent of having a Shadow look for you can prevent people from becoming criminals, half the work was already done.

“Well then, keep up the honest crime my dear Riversong leader. Perhaps we will meet again.” She smiled under her bone and ash.

“I sincerely hope we don’t.” The man said in a bitter tone. “But I’m here if you need anything.” He added.

In case you need my help at some point? Ilea asked herself and motioned to Walter who had helped her look for hidden rooms.

They teleported up and joined the two waiting thugs.

Both didn’t look exactly comfortable. At least eager to get the job done.

“Lead the way.” Ilea said.

It didn’t take long to get to the nearby district. The two pointed out the three mansions and even informed them where they were currently staying just in case more help was needed.

“She really seemed grateful.” Walter said as he glanced at Ilea.

They were standing in front of an abandoned looking estate. The Graysword sisters had owned it apparently. Nobles from near Virilya. Likely fled the war and stayed in Riverwatch.

“I think I broke her leg because she spit on me.” Ilea recalled. “Not necessarily an appropriate reaction on my part.”

“Your power is an easy excuse. Others would have killed for as little as that.” The sorcerer said.

“And yet others would have ignored it.” Ilea replied, checking the metal gate.

He shrugged and teleported through. “Sometimes, violence is the only language people seem to speak.”

“That why you hide in your cave?” Ilea asked as she blinked to join him.

The garden was mostly just half frozen dirt. Any plants or flowers that once grew here were dead and gone. It was winter of course but some of the neighboring estates had quite the luscious assortment of greenery, despite the cold.

“Among other reasons.” Walter said. “I do deal with intruders. Sometimes I’m forced to do more than just break a leg.”

“But you’re protecting your family.” Ilea said, the two walking to the entrance.

“Murder is murder. Torture is torture. Despite the reasons. I don’t regret any of my actions but neither will I excuse them.” He said and knocked on the door.

Nothing happened.

“Nobody is in there.” Ilea said. She didn’t add anything to his statement, agreeing with the sorcerer.

She kicked open the door and stepped inside. No lights. “Dusty as fuck in here.” She said and blinked around a couple times, not finding anything suspicious. The furniture was gone too, indicating a tidy move out.

“Cellar?” Walter asked when she was back by his side.

The both appeared down in the cellar. “Just storage.” Ilea murmured before her ashen limbs started to smash into the floor.

Stone cracked and was moved aside, revealing another warded off and enchanted area. It did look rather pristine but Ilea could smell the scarce remains of blood in the air.

A rather small cube like stone room without any furniture. She could only imagine what had happened in there.

“I don’t think anything happened in here as recent as last week.” Walter commented.

“They cleaned up when they left.” Ilea said and appeared outside again.

Sunlight reached the city now, the ice glistening in the abandoned garden.

Walter stepped up next to her and crossed his arms. “Not here.”

“Probably not.” She confirmed.

They left again and checked out the second estate. One owned by a man named Colson. It was abandoned too but contrary to the first one, there wasn’t even a hidden area in the cellar.

“Leaving only Isyll.” Ilea said. “Should have asked for some more details.”

“I did, before I helped you look through the Riversong headquarters.” Walter commented as they walked towards the last current lead.

“And?” Ilea asked.

“Not much. Kevan Isyll. Noble from Salia, came here after the elves decimated his city’s people. Bought the estate and mostly remained inside. Few apparently even know how he looks like.” He said. “Explains why so little is known about him.”

“Salia.” Ilea murmured when they reached the gates. Bushes grew high here to provide some privacy. Little could be seen of the mansion from the street.

“Enchantment on the fence.” Walter commented. “Noise blocking I think as well as… smell blocking?”

“Might be he likes to cook incredible meals.” Ilea suggested.

“Bloody meals you mean?” Walter suggested.

The gate was closed and the metal bell that had been present on the previous mansions wasn’t here.

“It’s closed.” Walter said when he moved the handle.

Ilea blinked inside at the same time as Walter did. “Should we talk first or look through the house immediately?”

“We’re already intruding. I think if we go any further, a fight will be unavoidable. If he’s guilty or not.” Walter said.

“True. I’m better at monster hunting than this.” Ilea said. “Less, subtle.”

The man nodded slowly. “I’m aware.”

The heavy wooden door opened before they even knocked. An man who looked to be in his fifties glanced at them through the gap. Several chains were still in place. “What do you want? You’re intruding.” He wore a black suit and white shirt with added embroideries and a bow tie.

[Alchemist – lvl 143]

“We’re here to talk to Kevan Isyll.” Ilea said.

“The master is busy. He will not entertain any guests, not of the Shadow’s Hand either.” The man looked her up and down. “A good day.” He added, the door slammed shut.

“Lovely.” Ilea said. “He’s walking downstairs. There is more than one floor. Wanna check it out?”

“I suppose we have little choice.” Walter sighed.

Ilea nodded and blinked into one of the storage rooms. She made sure to look through each reachable room with her sphere. Nothing suspicious yet.

The house was extended into the ground with normal looking chambers for sleeping and dining. Someone likes to be underground.

Walter followed, waiting behind her.

She found the man in question a moment later, joined by the butler who informed him about something.

The reaction was minimal, neither did either of them seem particularly distressed to her Sentinel Huntress skill.

She motioned downwards and vanished once more. What do we have here. Glass containers in one of the lowest storage rooms held a red liquid. She didn’t have to check to know it was blood.

“Good find.” Walter commented in a whisper.

Ilea saw the man of the mansion look their way, through all the walls. She raised a finger to her mouth and vanished again, into the rather spacious hallway right outside the storage room.

Throwing one of the glass cylinders up in her hand, she watched the blood inside slosh from one side to the other. When she caught it again, a man stood in the hallway before them.

Straight long and black hair, a short and trimmed beard as well as black eyes that glared at her. He wore a suit of immaculate design, cut perfectly for his height and size. A vest instead of a jacket.

“Why are you here?” He asked, his voice tired. His stance casual, arms at his side.

[Mage – lvl 219]

“This is blood.” Ilea said, holding up the cylinder of glass.

The man rolled his eyes. “Yes. Well deducted, I’m sure you will make a wonderful detective, Miss Shadow. Now please leave me alone. I have no desire to entertain guests, my butler will have informed you.”

Ilea noted that the butler was gone, outside of her range. Why didn’t he come down too? “A bunch of people died, their blood apparently sucked out from wounds on their neck.”

A red tint seemed to flash over his black eyes. “That blood you have there is bought. Volunteers provided it. It is used both in Alchemy and Healing. I have remained in this house for the past year and I have no reason to justify myself to you. You’re intruding on my grounds. I ask you to leave.”

“He’s polite at least.” Walter commented.

“A woman was found dead, near your mansion. Bite marks on her neck. We’re looking for the killer. You living so close, this blood right here and the growing distress you are hiding very well, are telling a tale. Kevan, did you kill those people?” Ilea asked casually.

He put his hand to his brow and shook his head lightly before he sighed. “Leave or I will remove you myself. This is my mansion, you have no right to be here.”

Magic started pulsing around him. A deep red in Ilea’s sphere. If that doesn’t scream blood magic. “Sure you want to do this? I have no issue fighting you here.”

“I will die one day another. Why not to a Shadow?” He smiled. “You won’t believe me either way.” He whispered to himself before he vanished into red smoke.

Ilea let go of the cylinder, her ashen limbs fanning out before sharp claws slashed into her ash. Her hands held onto his.

“He’s draining health and mana!” Walter warned.

“Get out then, I’ll deal with him.” She said and saw Walter vanish. “What did you mean by your last line?”

The drain was mostly negligible, against her powerful resistances.

He ripped himself free and jumped back, showing incredible strength for his level. “It is of no consequence, Shadow.”

The blood that had spilled from the cracked container ignited and flashed up in a powerful explosion.

The ash around her legs was slightly burnt away but reformed quickly, Ilea staggering back a step as she shielded her eyes.

Only smoke remained of her enemy before he appeared behind her.

She felt a familiar sensation, blood magic pouring into her, completely uninterrupted by her ash or bone armor. The downsides of using mana intrusion. She smirked and moved a little to the side before her insides erupted. Azarinth Fighting showed her enough to know how dangerous his attack was.

One of her lungs was ripped through, her breathing interrupted for a second. He had gone for the heart but the movement shifted his spell.

Kevan appeared again across the hallway, sweat on his brow. “What are you?” He asked, neither angry nor annoyed. Confused perhaps. He relaxed from his fighting stance and looked at her. “I am no threat to you.”

“Not exactly.” Ilea said, her lung already reformed. “Now either you tell me what you meant or I’m going to slug you so hard, your brains will cover that wall.” She explained and pointed at the stone behind him.

Kevan chuckled and shook his head. “You still haven’t killed me, after all that.” He seemed to consider something, looking at the ceiling. “What a horrible year.”

“Stop whispering to yourself. You’re not the only one with insane hearing.” Ilea said. “Also stop draining me, it’s ineffective.”

“I know that. I just haven’t seen anything so resistant to my spells yet. Have I not destroyed your lungs at least?” Kevan asked.

“One of them.” Ilea admitted. “Did you kill those people?”

“I know the woman you spoke of.” He said, dejected and uninterested.

“What about the rest, the investigators that came looking?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head. “I know of no investigators.”

Walter appeared again, looking around at the blood below Ilea, the red fire still smoldering. “You were talking. Decided to check in.”

“Dark Sorcerer. You reek of death.” Kevan said offhandedly. “I’m responsible for her death, now end me, finish this monster hunt.”

“He is?” Walter asked and looked at Ilea.

“Probably, but I’m not sure.” She replied, ignoring the overly dramatic nobleman. “You say you’re responsible but did you actually kill her?”

He sighed and vanished in smoke, appearing on the couch above.

Ilea rolled her eyes and followed. “Tell me.”

A fire was burning in the hearth, luxurious tapestries and carpets lent the room a sinister atmosphere.

Light flickered over the noble’s eyes as he stared into the flames. “She came to me, seeking help. Deep wounds on her neck, blood… flowing from her. I could not…,” He stopped, unable to continue.

“Couldn’t resist?” Walter asked a moment after he joined.

“He’s a vampire?” Ilea asked.

Kevan looked up with a smile but he didn’t speak.

“He isn’t. A vampire wouldn’t be this articulate. Nor would he be this weak. If the stories are to be believed. Few survive encounters.” The sorcerer explained.

“They are granted… a curse.” Kevan whispered. His voice was quiet, barely audible.

“So you have a curse from a vampire encounter and now you need blood.” Ilea said.

“But he had blood in the cellar.” Walter mentioned.

She glanced at him. “We don’t know if he had blood then.”

“I didn’t.” Kevan admitted. “That is why I couldn’t stop.”

“Why attack us then? You could’ve just explained yourself immediately.” Ilea said. “I was this close to killing you.” She showed him two fingers close together.

He didn’t say anything and looked back at the flames.

“You think he was set up?” Walter asked.

“Maybe. Seems like a sorry lad, doesn’t care much about dying either. Any idea why someone would set you up?” She asked the man.

Again, he didn’t speak.

“The woman wasn’t found close by.” Walter said.

“Could’ve dumped her there.” Ilea suggested.

“I would have hidden her in here. Would have burnt her.” Kevan said quietly. “If anything, I’m not stupid. Not so stupid as to discuss this here, with a suspect to the murders you are investigating.”

Ilea waved him off. “I don’t pride myself in being a detective. I pride myself in being indestructible.”

He snorted before chuckling. “Amusing.”

“Who knows about your… affliction?” Walter asked.

“Anybody could know. I’m not exactly trying to keep it a secret.” Kevan said.

“The butler?” Walter asked.

Kevan shrugged. “Likely. The people who sold blood to me, the volunteers might know too as well as some guards and gangs that work in and around this district.”

“Not much closer then. I guess the next step is checking in with the superiors of the various officials. Maybe they can explain why there was a single investigator assigned after so many deaths.” Ilea said.

Kevan shook his head. “In Salia, higher ranked guards could chose the jobs themselves. Made it easier for the administrative work. If that’s the same here, you are not going to find out much.”

“We could also just kill you and be done with it.” She joked.

“Or that.” He replied with a smirk. “I’m the obvious suspect. Blood in my basement, my unfortunate… situation, the murder happening nearby.”

“It’s too easy.” Walter commented. “I think somebody is trying to pin these murders and disappearances on the obvious outcast. Fled form Salia, needs blood, hides in his mansion.”

“Nobody would miss me.” Kevan added.

“Ah, don’t be so over dramatic, mate.” Ilea said and rolled her eyes. “You should go out and hunt some beasts sometime. Really takes care of that downtrodden mood.”

“I prefer trying new recipes with brewing. Or playing music.” Walter suggested.

“That’s good too I guess. Different strokes for different folks.” Ilea said and shrugged.

Kevan ignored them and stared back at the flames. “Good luck on your search.” He said when they had finished talking.

Ilea crouched down next to him. “What do you mean? You’re coming with us of course.”

“What?” He hissed.

She chuckled and stood back up. “You’re still the most likely candidate. Maybe your way to get out of a shit mood is killing and eating some random people.”

He grumbled and got up, straightening his vest. “Why am I always in a bad mood then?”

“Overeating?” Ilea suggested, leading them out of the house.

Walter chuckled at her mention but didn’t comment on it further.

She was glad the noble followed without much further complaint.

He frowned when she looked his way. “I just want to have my peace and quiet.” He grumbled.

“Of course, of course. I’m glad you understand at least.” Ilea said.

“Do you have a plan at all? I would suggest paying the local gangs for information.” Kevan suggested, weighing in on the mission.

“I think I’ll just ask Dale if he can pull some strings. See if the officials were put on the job or not.” Ilea said. “The local gang already didn’t know anything. At least the one we talked to.”

“The guard captain?” Walter asked.

“The very same.” Ilea replied.

“The gang led you to me?” Kevan asked a moment later.

They were moving up to the rooftops, Ilea looking around to find out where Dale’s guard station was located.

“They had some other suggestions as well. Apparently you’re known to be an eccentric noble that stays hidden most of the time.” Walter replied to the man.

“Great.” Kevan commented. “Come to a new city and just want to deal with my own things. It’s the same everywhere, isn’t it?”

“I have a place you might like.” Walter said and chuckled.

Ilea chuckled too. “Soon you’re going to be more powerful than the Hand itself.”

Walter smiled. “It’s all coming together. You’ll see.” He used an overdone sinister voice to deliver the message.

Chapter 365 Captain of the Guard

Chapter 365 Captain of the Guard

“Come in.” Dale’s voice had a defeated undertone.

“It’s me.” Ilea said, her head peeking into the door she slightly opened.

“I know it’s you.” Dale said. “Anybody else has appointments or uses the gates.”

“Really?” Ilea asked as she stepped inside. “I’m here with two guys, can they come in?” She looked around the small office.

A stack of papers were on his small wooden desk. His chair had seen better days. A small magical light provided some illumination. A bunch of file cabinets were put up on each wall, interspersed by book shelves as well as a small weapon rack. There was no carpet, just plain old wood.

“Damn, I didn’t remember this place to be so bleak.” Ilea chuckled.

“You can come in, your friends too.” Dale said, putting away the stacks. “Your help made the evaluation finish early.”

Ilea knocked on the door behind her. “Come on in.” She said and walked to the desk, sitting down on the second chair opposite the man. “So you have time?”

Dale sighed before he smiled. “Of course. I did hope to get to some other things I’ve been postponing for weeks but I suppose for you, I always have time.”

“Great.” Ilea said. “This is Walter and Kevan. They’re helping me with the third Shadow job Alistair put out.”

“Welcome.” Dale nodded to the two.

Kevan nodded and Walter smiled.

“Nice to meet you, captain.” Walter said respectfully, giving him a nod.

Ilea spent the next five minutes explaining what the mission was about and what they had already done.

“That is very weird.” Dale confirmed. “Many of the investigators as well as some officers chose their own jobs. There’s enough to do all around. They are however supposed to stay in their own district.”

He went through the files and frowned. “I’ve seen three of them before.” He removed two of the papers and put them on the desk. “I know that these two worked in different districts. At least around four months ago.”

He tapped the table and shook his head. “I should have heard about their deaths. Yet I haven’t.”

“There are hundreds, if not thousands of guards and officers. It’s not that surprising.” Walter remarked.

“You don’t understand. I’m Dale by the way.” He looked at the two men.

“Walter.”

“Kevan.” The nobleman said after Ilea tapped his side.

“I don’t use government sources only and want to stay in touch with what is happening in the city, both officially and underground. Someone didn’t want me to know or they wanted someone else to know.” He mumbled and scratched his chin.

“Who do you think would want that?” Ilea asked.

Dale thought about it but then shook his head. “I have no clue. The two officers could have been moved to another district but I don’t think either would have wanted that. Neither would they be so interested in this job or arrogant enough to go at it alone. They both had families.”

Walter gulped.

“Whoever they are, I think they wanted these officers gone. Either that or they wanted Kevan gone.” Dale surmised.

“Or both.” Kevan suggested. “I’ve been attacked by a manic Shadow in my own home and was forced to participate in this ridiculous investigation because of whoever did this.” Mana pulsed around him.

“Calm down. You’ll be there till the end.” Ilea smiled.

“Any suggestions?” Walter asked Dale.

“Find out what which cases they worked on before they died or vanished.” The captain answered.

“They all worked on this case.” Walter commented before he nodded. “I see. You think that’s not true?”

Dale tapped his table before he got a bottle from a drawer. He filled himself a glass of water. “I don’t think it’s true, no. Forged reports I assume.”

“So we find the real reports or the people who received them?” Ilea asked.

“No.” Dale said and took a sip of water. “There is simply too much paperwork to get through, too many people involved. I think your best bet is to find someone close to them. Talk to the families.”

“Aren’t there rules, what they can share with them.” Ilea commented.

“There are.” Dale said and simply gave her a look.

“I see.” She took the files and got up. “Any idea where I can find them?”

“I do. And I will come with you.” Dale said and got up, getting on the coat that hung over his chair. He grabbed his sword and fastened it to his belt. “Someone killed nine officers in my city. I will help you find out who did it and why.”

“Full team then. You talk to the families.” Ilea said. “We should get a move on. Who of you can fly?”

Dale was the only one who couldn’t. He did agree to be carried by Ilea.

They rushed over the rooftops with high speed, crossing over vast parts of the huge city in mere minutes.

“Here.” Dale said.

Ilea slowed down and let go of the captain when they landed on the nearby street. It didn’t look like the most wealthy area.

Some of the nearby people immediately dispersed, others simply increasing their pace, trying not to attract unwanted attention.

“I think it was over there. I visited nearly a year ago for dinner.” Dale said and pointed to a house.

The color it once had was fading, the windows milky. There was however dim light coming from within while smoke rose from the chimney.

The two waited for a minute until Walter and Kevan showed up and landed next to them.

“What level are you?” Kevan asked as he looked at Ilea.

“You ask that now? After your successful attack earlier?” Walter asked with a chuckle.

“Ah shut it. She’s a healer, have you ever tried to kill a healer hybrid?” Kevan replied, glancing at the man with an annoyed look.

“Ready?” Ilea asked Dale, ignoring the two bickering mages.

The man nodded and walked towards the door in a brisk pace.

Ilea hung back a little and changed to casual clothes and a cloak to not scare the family.

Dale knocked on the door four times and waited. He looked up and back to Ilea. “Can you open up?”

“Sure.” She said and blinked inside, unlocking the door before she opened it.

“Can you see them? First floor on the right. Young girl, fifteen or sixteen, short hair and a seven or eight year old boy.” Dale asked in a whisper.

There were six apartments in the small house. Small rooms, no runes or enchantments that she could see.

Ilea looked up and smirked. “She’s standing at the door, listening. Oh? Good hearing.”

Dale smiled. “She’s a good kid. Let’s go.”

Ilea followed him up and saw the girl step back from the door.

A crude knife was held in her right hand. Steady. She positioned herself between the room with her brother and the entrance.

Dale went up the stairs and knocked carefully. “Vin? It’s Dale. Guard captain. We met around ten months ago.”

“What’s my father’s name?” A quiet voice asked.

“His name is Eli. And he isn’t your father.” Dale replied.

The door was unlocked and opened. Blue eyes stared at them.

The girl took several steps back and watched each of the people that entered.

[Rogue – lvl 62]

“Who are they?” Vin asked.

Dale took off his coat and hung it over a nearby chair. “They’re here to help me. Did you hear about your dad?”

Walter closed the door behind him.

The girl looked uncertain, glancing over the group before her eyes stopped at Ilea. “You’re a healer.”

“I am.” Ilea said with a smile, moving back her hood. She saw the girl’s lips twitch upwards, ever so slightly.

Vin focused back on Dale. “Eli was murdered.”

Dale kept his eyes on her. “He vanished.”

“Vanished, murdered, sold. It’s all the same.” Vin replied.

“Who told you? Did anybody come to find out more or to tell you not to talk to someone?” Dale asked.

The girl shook her head. “No. I looked into it myself. He told me that he was onto something big. Smugglers. A week later, he didn’t come back. Can I trust them?” She asked Dale, looking at the others.

“I’m a friend of Dale.” Ilea said and punched the guard captain on his arm. “That dark sorcerer is a friend of mine and he’s a nobleman and suspect in this case. If he’s guilty, I’ll kill him myself. If he isn’t, there’s no reason not to trust him with this info.” Ilea explained. “Did you need a healer?” She asked, regarding the earlier question.

Vin moved the knife away from her back but kept a hold of it. “My brother isn’t well. He’s been sick for a week.”

Ilea walked into the other room, carefully opening the door.

The girl glanced at her but didn’t move in the way immediately, only following with an uncertain look and knife in hand.

Ilea knelt down next to the old mattress and put a hand on the boy’s head. Fever. Or he’s channeling Heart of Cinder. She chuckled at the thought and carefully moved healing mana through his body.

“Why did you chuckle?” Vin asked, her knife close to Ilea’s head.

“He’s so hot I thought he was channeling a spell.” Ilea explained and got her hand away.

The boy’s breathing slowed down, his face relaxing as his fever was removed.

“Just had a fever, also an infection on his leg. I healed both.” Ilea added.

Vin immediately crouched and grabbed her brother’s leg, moving back the pants and sock to reveal, nothing. “You’re lying. There’s nothing here.”

Ilea smiled at her. “I said I healed it.”

“Prove it to me.” Vin said.

“You don’t trust me?” Ilea asked, moving back the sleeve of her shirt. She glanced at the knife the girl held but instead formed a thin ashen blade in front of her finger.

She slid the ash through her skin with high pressure and watched the girl. Blood started to drip to the floor before the ash disintegrated.

Ilea moved her arm in front of the girl and healed it. “Happy?”

“Does it not hurt?” Vin asked, touching the arm a moment later.

“Pain tolerance in the second tier allows you to ignore it entirely. Not that that was needed for a cut like this.” Ilea explained.

“That’s what it does.” Kevan murmured from the door.

“They’re called the Gray Company. I found a letter Eli left behind.” Vin said, her eyes staring into Ilea’s.

“Where’s the letter?” Dale asked.

Vin glanced his way and shooed them out of the room, looking at her brother who was turning to the side.

They walked back into the other room and Vin closed the door carefully. “I burned it of course. They killed an officer. What do you think they would do to me?”

“You could have come to the guard, to me.” Dale said.

“Optimistic.” Vin said. “The guards at the gate would have shooed me away. Plenty of them are paid by one organization or the other. They might not lie to you but to me?” She shook her head.

The girl tugged on her short black hair. “Why are you helping him?” She asked Ilea.

“I was hired to help.” Ilea said. “I’m a Shadow.”

Vin stopped moving. She glanced over the group before she looked at Ilea once more. “You don’t look like a Shadow.”

Ilea moved her ashen armor over her body and smiled at the girl’s expression.

She took a step back and lifted her knife.

“How about now?” Ilea asked.

Vin smiled nervously before she put the knife down. “You will find them?”

“What else did you find out? A place we can start?” Ilea asked.

The girl nodded. “A warehouse twenty minutes south of here. Do you know Nal’s smithy?”

Dale nodded. “Heard of it.”

“It’s in the same street. At the very end of it.” Vin added.

“Circumstances changed.” Ilea said. “Walter, can you stay here and look after them?”

The man sighed but nodded. “I wanted to be back tonight. Alright, I’ll take care of them.”

“Who said we needed longer?” Ilea asked and looked at Vin. “Just in case you’re in danger.”

“I can take care of myself.” Vin said in a defiant tone.

“Can you fight while your brother is in there?” Dale asked.

That seemed to convince the girl. She nodded. “If… if you find anything…,”

Dale touched her shoulder. “If we find anything that belonged to Eli, we’ll bring it back.”

Vin nodded, glancing once more at Ilea.

The ashen armor was gone once more before she turned and walked to the door. “Kevan, Dale.” She said simply and walked down the stairs.

“They will know an officer’s uniform.” Kevan said as they rushed over the rooftops, not flying anymore to attract less attention.

“I’ll scout ahead, see what we’re dealing with.” Ilea said.

“I know it’s not how Shadows operate but I’d like to have evidence and a trial.” Dale said.

“You’re talking to a Shadow.” Kevan commented with a laugh.

“I didn’t kill you, did I?” Ilea asked when Dale motioned them to slow down.

“We’re getting close. We should move on the streets from now on.” The captain said.

“I’ll try to hold back but I won’t promise anything.” Ilea said as she jumped down, landing in a small alley.

Dale landed next to her. “That’s all I ask.” His voice was hard.

Ilea could tell that he wouldn’t be too troubled if some people died today.

“Are you sure about this?” Ilea asked a moment later, Kevan appearing in red smoke. “You left the hunters and now you’re doing this?”

Dale didn’t smile. He kept walking, gaze forward. “Whatever they have, it’s magnitudes less dangerous than what is out there.” He said and that was that.

I don’t exactly disagree with that. Ilea thought and followed.

They crossed the distance and found the massive building. Guards stood out front but people occasionally came and went with wagons, all filled with various goods. None of it looked particularly suspicious.

“I’ll have a look inside.” Ilea said to the others.

They were sitting in a cafe that had a view onto the square and the warehouse.

“Don’t vanish or do something stupid, alright?” She said to Kevan.

“I believe my innocence is proven at this point. If you two don’t go in there, I will.” He said.

Ilea stood up before she paused. “I forgot to ask. Sunlight… no issue?” She moved a hand over her face.

“It’s slightly unpleasant. Been like that for as long as I can remember.” Kevan commented. “Why would you ask?”

“Just thought. Vampires and such.” She replied.

He looked at his mug, back to her and back at his mug. “That…,” He said. “How did I never make that connection. How do you know about this? It’s just a slightly unpleasant feeling… I would have never associated it with… that.”

Ilea shrugged. “Read it somewhere a while ago.” With that, she vanished.

Two blinks brought her close to the warehouse and into an adjacent building. Bone and ashen armor around her, she listened carefully. Her sphere went into the warehouse, not obstructed by any enchantments.

Massive crates were stacked to the warehouse’s ceiling.

She blinked behind one of them. Potatoes. There were at least ten crates as tall and wide as herself, if not larger.

Voices were audible but somewhat distant. Dim magical light shined from above. The warehouse was vast, sectioned into various areas with massive stone walls.

Ilea moved only with blinks, quickly mapping out most of the building. None of the cargo seemed in any way illegal. At least not to her consideration.

There were stairs leading down into a small cellar, three men and a woman playing cards on a small table. Wine barrels were lining the walls.

Why have them just protect the wine? There had been some guards as well as workers walking around but none of them in a group of four.

Perhaps she would have accepted the space to just be a break area, out of potential customers’ sight. With what she knew however, she was pretty sure there was more to it.

The area didn’t allow for her to blink down without alerting them. Time to level my wine resistance. Ilea thought and teleported into one of the barrels.

There was barely any air and the sudden appearance pushed out the little there was. Ilea held her breath and smirked. Jackpot.

Her ashen armor sizzled, acid slowly eating into it. Wine drinkers really like their exotic stuff. She deactivated her pain and simply watched her ashen armor regenerate continuously. Weaker stuff than what the Taleen could cook up. Not that that was enough. Second tier level seven. Maybe I can stay here a little longer.

Ilea blinked to the other end of the long underground hallway, dozens of barrels lining the walls.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Unwitting brew – You resist the poison’

Switching it up at least. Ilea reached the end of the hall and put on her Drowning Bear ring, just in case she had to stay in the liquids for longer.

At the end of the hall was a stone wall. Ilea decided to risk it and simply willed herself to appear behind the wall. No enchantments glowed in her spherical perception nor was there anything she could actually see behind.

The group of guards had their attention on their cards.

In the end it didn’t matter. Ilea appeared in a dark stairwell leading down. Not a soul was around. She waited for anything to happen, someone to shout or running steps to resound from the guards outside.

Nothing happened. The guards seemed to continue playing their game and whatever enchantments had hidden the entrance didn’t signal anything and neither exploded.

Ilea smiled. Now, let’s see what they’re hiding down here.

Chapter 366 The Gray Company

Chapter 366 The Gray Company

“Somebody is here.” The new mage said, suddenly wide awake. His eyebrows quirked up, an expression of surprise on his face. “They’re moving… quick. Arcane teleportation.”

Mauro sighed and put down his pen. The contracts would have to wait. If an intruder got out and informed the guard, he would lose quite a lot more time than this. Even being behind. “Who’s coming now? I thought we would have paid off everyone interested by now.”

“Come on guys, flush out and incapacitate. Hit to kill if he turns out to be dangerous.” He said and grabbed his backpack full of ash, a shroud of dark gray forming on top of his armor at the same time. “Zair, was it? You come with us. Show us where the intruder is.”

The mage looked at him with his one working eye, moving a towel to his other one. He dabbed it lightly to get the moisture away, wincing at the pain.

Half the mage’s face had been burnt, leaving him in this sorry state. Mauro had considered not hiring the man because of his hideous appearance. Distracting. He couldn’t afford to ignore someone as useful as him however.

His men got ready, putting on missing armor pieces and preparing their weapons. Maces, swords, bows as well as daggers and even that weird one with a whip. All present, all above level one hundred.

If Alistair had hired a Shadow Squadlike Nolan had suggested, they had to be ready. Taking out their scout would be the top priority. After that it was simply a matter of cleaning up, finding and taking care of those that had talked and making sure the city didn’t have a reason to hire another squad.

“What do you think? Another one of them officers?” One of the men asked, slurring his words.

“Are you drunk?” Mauro asked. “Pan, get your ass over here and heal him. Anybody else that is still fucked up, line up.” Ash slowly floated out of his pack, a threatening gesture to make them get their move on.

The healer rolled her eyes, slowly getting up from her seat as she continued to eat her breakfast. “You don’t get to command me like that.” She said and moved up to him, a hand stroking over the ash covering his chest. “We don’t want something like that coming up in my monthly report, now do we?”

Mauro glared at her and nodded. “Of course, please just heal them.” They had an intruder in the caves, someone who had moved past the guards and all that acid and poison, all undetected. There was no time to argue with the Corinth bitch.

He sighed when she finally activated her spells, pulses of healing energy flowing through the room. His heart beat slowed down a little, his mind and body calmed by the magic. “Where are they now?” Mauro looked at Zair.

The bald mage bit his lip and shook his head. “Gone… too far. This way.” He pointed, finger slightly shaking.

“Go. Pan and Zair, you come too. Stay between everyone else.” Mauro said and moved out.

Torchlight flickered in the dark tunnels, dug out just big enough to let two men move through side by side. Anybody unfamiliar with the location would soon find themselves in a trap.

Many were annoyed at the complicated and paranoid nature of their hideout but Mauro thought it only reasonable. Nolan was on the right track. So far the layout had proved quite effective against sniffing dogs.

“I can see them again.” Zair said, pointing down one of the forking tunnels.

A light smirk formed on Mauro’s lips. “The hound’s den.” He motioned for the group to follow. Ten warriors, five mages, the healer and Zair. In these tight corridors he preferred the company of warriors. Tougher to kill and not flinging around dangerous projectiles or spells.

None made a noise, well trained and disciplined. The drunkenness from before was gone from their eyes, focus and concentration replacing it. The last officer who had come down here had killed one of their own, just the past week.

“Are they still here?” Mauro whispered, coming up to the closed grate.

“No.” Zair replied.

Mauro moved his ash covered hand over the rough wall, a little of the dry stone crumbled and fell to the floor before a rune glowed. A lock clicked and the grate opened inwards to the room, squeaking loudly all the while.

He waited and listened. “What about the hounds?” As he asked the question, he smelled the heavy odor of blood. Grabbing a nearby torch, he held it out and moved into the more spacious room.

Stalkerhound corpses littered the floor. All fifteen of them they had down here. Vicious beasts, released as soon as someone stepped in without activating the rune.

The beasts would kill most level one hundred mage and warrior. Skulls were smashed in, some damn near ripped apart. It looked like whoever did this was quite a bit stronger than your average intruder. Not a rogue probably. Or we really have a Shadow down here.

Mauro frowned as he touched one of the corpses and stood up once more. “Be vigilant.” Mauro wouldn’t want to face a Shadow alone but down here, with his team, a healer and his classes, he was at an advantage.

All tunnels were connected, the hounds’ den simply wasn’t a place any of their members would walk through to get anywhere.

He led them farther down, glancing at the splintered wooden spears shot out from a trap at the base of the stairs. Good shields or armor too. He was getting a little uncertain. Someone who could bypass the guards was not supposed to be a powerful warrior.

Most high level mages had shields of course and wooden spears would have a hard time penetrating those.

The thought calmed him down once more.

One of the main storage halls was coming up, the team spreading out in the widening corridor. The massive steel gate was dented in, slightly pried open with brute force. Not quite enough to fit a person inside but certainly enough to disrupt the enchantments that had been placed on it.

“What the hell?” Someone whispered behind.

Mauro glanced back with an angry look. Do you want to get us killed?

One of the mages gave him a thumbs up and moved a finger to his mouth. “We are silenced.” He said in a whisper.

“Good. Zair, who’s in there?” Mauro asked.

“There was a teleport just now but since then… nothing. I can feel life forces but… there are many.” The mage replied, uncertainty and stress obvious in his expression. He shifted his feet.

The men and women were clutching their weapons more tightly, preparing for the coming battle. The pried open doors as well as the dead Stalkerhounds were proof enough that it wouldn’t be easy.

No blood either. They’re probably not injured. Mauro thought. “We have to be fast. It might be a Shadow, perhaps more than one. We go in and spread out, not far enough for Pan’s healing magic to not reach. Ten meters at most. The rogues, teleport to the prisoners and grab a couple. We might be able to stall them. One must remain, the others attack if an opportunity presents itself. The rest, immobilize and defensive. Let’s wear them down. We know the place and the traps. If four or more die, we retreat. Slowly and together.” He quickly explained the plan.

Rather simple but there was too little he knew. Mauro did assume there was only one person, otherwise they would have likely brute forced their way in anyway. With the power on display perhaps it was a metal mage or something of the like, on par with his own Follower of Ash class. Maybe they know.

He felt himself shiver, the hairs on his arms standing up as he contemplated the possibility. They wouldn’t have sneaked in, would they? People would have died. The possibility was always there of course but they tried their best to keep their secrets hidden.

Breathing in deeply, he sighed and activated his Fury skills, his muscles tensing up and his mind focusing. He held up a hand, ash flowing from his pack. It slid off his shoulders when everything was out, floating around him.

Slowly, the ash spread along the damaged gates before he pushed.

Steel groaned as it was bent and pushed, the group of warriors and mages rushing in. Some teleported and others simply ran, forming up with weapons drawn.

The rogues vanished and appeared behind the grates where the prisoners were held, the section taking up most of the right side of the hall.

Dim magical light shimmered above, just enough to let one make out the other side of the basic hall, carved and formed into the dirt and rock far below Riverwatch.

“Where is he?” Somebody asked, the group glancing around the room, various spells and buffs adding light sources to the hall. Blades and arrowheads reflected some of it.

Zair pointed to the prisoners. “In there…,” he whispered and took a step back. “They’re… powerful.”

“Be more specific.” Mauro gnarled. His eyes went wide when he both felt and saw ash spread within the caged section.

Dull impacts resounded before one of the rogues suddenly appeared, flying out of the ashen mist and hitting the grates with a loud crash. Blood flowed from his face as he coughed and tried crawling to the side.

Mauro’s own ash spread out and formed lances as he watched someone walk out of the mist, holding one of the rogues each. Both unconscious or dead.

The warrior was clad in bloodied bone armor, light and dangerous. Horns adorned his helmet and blue eyes looked coldly at the group.

Dull sounds echoed through the quiet room when the two rogues landed on the floor. Coughing resounded from the conscious one.

“Who are you? And why are you here?” Mauro asked, annoyed that he had been so thrown off by the ash. Of course there would be others. Three rogues taken out in an instant.

The warrior appeared outside the grates, standing in a casual pose. “Funny. That’s exactly what I wanted to ask you lot.” A woman’s voice replied.

[Healer – lvl ??]

A healer… what? Ashen healer? Mauro didn’t reply immediately, watching his men fan out a little more to get better angles as well as react to a sudden teleport. Their own healer was protected by two men standing right behind her.

“I heard there were slaves for sale here. Thought I’d come and have a look. A sorry state they are in.” Her voice was cold. She shook her head and looked over the group. “And then you come and flash your daggers at me? No… I can’t have that.”

What is she playing at? “You sneaked in and attacked my men. Who are you?”

The healer sighed and looked down, crossing her arms. “My name is Lilith. I’ve come to investigate our… competition.”

“Lilith… you own some places in the city. Are you a noble?” Mauro asked. He had heard the name before. One of the only remaining external unknowns. Most of the city was owned by various groups native to Riverwatch, Alistair and his government mainly.

She shrugged. “I suppose I am. Is all this… for sale?”

Our competition. Is she smuggling too? Buying slaves? She’s powerful if anything. And rich. “Depends on what you mean by all this.” Mauro said.

He would try to solve this diplomatically, considering the name and her high level.Eccentric nobles were nothing new to him. Many of their best customers actually fit that description.

“The people…,” she said and paused. “Also… that man.” She pointed at Zair.

The mage took a step back, a drop of pus falling to the floor as he winced.

“I’m sure we can find an arrangement. I’m Mauro, co owner of the Gray Company. Would you like to discuss this in my office? With a drink?” He asked, glancing at the dead or injured rogues.

Lilith looked at him and glanced back. “They are alive. Neither are your goods damaged. I even healed some. You should take better care of them. It’s a waste if they die.”

Mauro gulped and nodded. “I’ll take that into consideration. They’re moved quickly normally. Fed and healed when necessary. We do take proud in our quality, with slaves and everything else we sell. I’m sure there are things you would be interested in.”

She tapped the side of her helmet. “Perhaps… perhaps. I will have that drink.”

“May I get the injured?” Mauro asked. “They didn’t intend to attack you. We simply responded to your intrusion. I hope you understand.”

Lilith turned and put her hands on two of the metal poles before she forced them apart. One quick move.

Mauro gulped, looking over to one of the warriors. The man shook his head in disbelief.

The metal was enchanted and strengthened, not comparable to what even the city prisons used. A single escaped slave could spell trouble after all.

The healer threw the bodies out and glanced at Pan. “Are you with an order?” She asked, her voice sounding amused before she turned and pulled the metal back.

They weren’t straight anymore but it was enough to prevent anyone from escaping. Mauro would have an enchanter have a look later. This damn woman. He forced himself not to sigh and smiled instead, gesturing towards the destroyed entrance which made him even more annoyed.

“The Corinth order, child.” Pan spoke with disinterest. “But your uncivilized kind wouldn’t understand our ways.”

“Your ways…,” Lilith spoke before she laughed.

“Pan.” Mauro glared at her with an intense look. “Keep your wits about you.”

“What order do you belong to then? Lilith.” The words were laced with venom.

Fucking healer women. Mauro ground his teeth. He was so close to deescalating and getting this insane intruder out of here. With a deal even.

“None of your business. I’m uncivilized after all.” Lilith said and slowly strolled towards the gates. “I didn’t know you would work for slavers… or what would you consider yourselves… Mauro?”

She’s gauging us. Perhaps she knows less than I assumed. “We trade goods. All goods and all services we can provide. To any and all. As long as they pay.” He explained.

“Hmm.” Lilith mused and sighed. “Could I buy an assassin to have her murdered?” She asked and pointed at Pan.

Mauro looked at her, keeping his face straight. “Yes. As soon as she is not in our employ anymore.”

“You dirty bitch.” Pan spat. “And how dare you disrespect us like that. You know who I am… who I represent.”

This day couldn’t get any fucking worse.

“We have a reputation to uphold and a clear business model. You are not in danger as long as you are in our employ. I wouldn’t dare offend the Corinth order and you know that very well.” He explained.

Lilith chuckled and walked to the entrance.

Mauro nodded to one of the warriors, letting him lead the way. He was happy to find Lilith didn’t care to have damn near everyone else walking behind her. It was impossible to tell if she really was who she said she was. If she was a Shadow, perhaps she was adapting to the situation.

Mauro was sure that Lilith was more than she let on but something about her demeanor made him want to run. Either she was the most confident actor he had met or she was the most dangerous person he had ever had dealings with. Second most dangerous. He thought and smirked.

Whoever she is and whatever her goal is, she knows what she’s doing.

__________________________________________________________________

Ilea had no idea what she was doing. Most of the place was full of traps and complicated enough to make her retract her steps constantly.

It had taken her half an hour just to find the big iron gates. The prisoners confirmed most of Vin’s story to her. At least the name of the smugglers and the fact that they were in fact intended to be sold.

None of the Riverwatch officers were around but she was sure there were more storage halls, prisons and whatever else these sick fucks could cook up in these tunnels.

The rogues had gone for the prisoners, likely in an attempt to use them as hostages. Somehow she had been detected. Her sphere made her think it was the scrawny mage with the scarred face. His magic was… extraordinary.

Mauro, if that really was his name, had chosen not to engage. Even with the injured rogues. A sensible decision, she thought and had decided to play his game. For a little while at least.

Contrary to the Baralia officers she had killed the day before, he seemed to know what he was doing. It made her feel even more disgusted. A powerful man to be sure, an Ash Wielder or something similar at level two hundred and nine.

He was aware of it all, the horrific nature of his actions. With Baralia, Ilea understood that people grew up in a system, knew that a lot of their beliefs and decisions came from an upbringing of ignorance and opulence. Arrogant and self righteous in their morality.

This man however, seemed more like a mere businessman. Ruthless and cold. Ilea itched to let loose, to paint the walls of the dark tunnel with their blood and guts. To bring a speck of equity to the world, a tiny bit of vengeance for all the suffering they had caused.

Yet she remained calm, collected. The people in the cage were safe, merchandise not to be damaged. And she was Lilith, powerful, mysterious and most importantly, rich. She would find out more, would get them to spill some secrets. Her act however would come to an end. Sooner rather than later.

Chapter 367 Deal with the Devil

A note from Rhaegar

Hello everyone!

I wish you all a merry Christmas or happy holidays my lads and lasses (lassies?). Thanks to those of you working in the service industry during this time as well as everyone else doing shifts :).

I hope you can all find some peace and relaxation during this time, even though family gigs can be more exhausting than work.

Just wanted to thank you all again for the downright insane support you have given me in the past seven months since I started going full time. Financially, as well as with comments, messages and everything else :). You make it possible for me to follow this passion.

Cheers, to a good week and hopefully another 300 chapters of Azarinth Healer :).

Chapter 367 Deal with the Devil

“It’s been an hour.” Kevan said casually, taking a sip from his tea. “Also, we’re being watched.”

“I’m well aware of that.” Dale replied.

He had a lot of trust in Ilea but maybe she had bitten off too much this time. What would I be able to do if she really did?

“I could help, you know?” Kevan said, his cup of tea placed back on the small plate. The man leaned back and smiled.

Dale couldn’t help but chuckle. “No offense but I don’t think you’re in the same league as she is.”

“You’re right. Yet I am the one here. At the very least I could get you out of there if things get dangerous.” Kevan said and looked towards the warehouse.

Dale wasn’t sure. “Why should I trust you? I could get a squad together and force my way in.”

Kevan turned his way. “That is a risky move. With the little information we have. You wouldn’t risk your men for that. Yourself however, I believe you would risk that. For her… for those still missing.”

“I would.” Dale admitted. Despite the danger, despite his own family. He couldn’t get Vin’s face out of his mind.

“As for my reasons. I’m bored. That mad healer damn near killed me and now she forced me on this fool’s errand. I want to go home and lie down.” Kevan sighed.

Dale believed him. He had seen and talked to his fair share of people. Kevan wasn’t a liar. “We go and ask to speak to the owner. Find out more. You help me get out if they are stupid enough to attack.” They could buy Ilea some time with a distraction. If she really was in danger, they might be able to prevent her death with the leverage of the guard.

Kevan rejoiced and stood up. “Finally.” He dusted off his robe and disappeared in a dark red smoke.

Dale found him waiting downstairs. “I’ll be back in a couple minutes.” The captain said and looked for a patrol.

“Why?” Kevan asked, looking at the warehouse.

“I’m not going in there without anybody knowing about it.” He replied. It was the least he could do to protect himself. These smugglers would be dealt with, one way or the other.

_______________________________________________________________________

Ilea was getting bored of the talk. Even the food and drink was sub par for a rich smuggling company.

The so called office was just another room with a little more care put into the walls and floor. Tapestries, magic lights, luxurious carpets and beautiful furniture adorned it all. It smelled of booze, incense and sweat.

Mauro wasn’t alone in the big room either. All the people who had accompanied him were close by, some playing cards, others just drinking. Most of them had their eyes on her.

Half an hour ago that was. Now, she was pretty sure she could kill the man without anybody noticing for a couple seconds. The Corinth healer had left, apparently annoyed at Ilea’s presence.

I’ll find her again later. Ilea had her scent, unmistakable among the sweaty and unwashed men. Her perfume was like a poison.

There were of course things she could learn from the woman, about the Corinth order, healing magic and her class. Yet she doubted there would be much cooperation without torture and Ilea wouldn’t cross that line. Not for random information she could get somewhere else.

Mauro was careful. He didn’t trust her, for good reason of course. He was no fool, giving her only the information she would require as a customer. What they had in stock, where and how much of it they sold.

She was pretty sure there was little else she would learn from the man. Not if their talk continued the same way it had. “You’re an ash manipulator.” She interrupted, his talk on exotic monster parts reaching the worst point yet. All it did was making her want to fight them herself, instead of buying parts that were inferior to her gear anyway.

He looked a little taken aback, sitting up in his leather chair as he studied her. “As are you.” He said a moment later. “Are you interested in trading class information?”

I’m an Ash Creator. Ilea thought and smirked. “I was just wondering… you’re the first ash manipulator I meet. What happens if we both try to move the same ash?”

“The same that happens to two ice mages trying to move the same piece of natural ice.” He said carefully.

“And what is that, Mauro?” Ilea asked and sat back, glancing behind her at the people.

He was giving her a look, not giving anything away in his expression. “The stronger one prevails.” He finally concluded.

“Interesting.” Ilea said and leaned forward. “I’m getting bored. Is there anything of interest you could tell or show me? Otherwise I might just buy a couple things and that would be that.”

“I apologize if none of our merchandise has peaked your interest. I assure you it-”

“Cut it out. You know what I mean. Something big. A pet demon perhaps, elven mercenaries, a cursed blade that can talk. Or perhaps the guides to finding hidden classes. Those are the things I’m looking for and if you really are this massive smuggling company, then you would have at least something of the like.” Ilea said, gauging his reaction both with her natural senses as well as her sphere.

There was something, when she was listing things. Some reaction she hadn’t noted before. Yet she couldn’t place it.

“Lilith.” The man started. “You must understand, I don’t know you. We haven’t done business before. I cannot risk endangering our goods or associates on mere interest.”

Ilea sighed. “What then? Gold?” She started summoning gold coins onto the table. One hundred, two hundred, they started spilling over the edge, rolling over the floor.

She certainly got the attention of everybody else back.

Mauro too seemed impressed but he kept his reaction in check.

“This might interest you. A Shadow I’ve come across. A hunter, looking for me.” She said, summoning her own badge and throwing it onto the pile. “You could get into some interesting places with that, I suppose. If you could break the enchantment and match the mana signature that is. Not that many would check.”

She summoned her Drowning Bear Ring and handed it to the man. “Magic items like this might interest me as well.” She said and paused, letting him have a look at the ring and her badge. “What do you think. Take the spilled over gold as a token.”

“We…,” he started and glared at one of the men about to pick up a gold coin. “… might have some things more aligned with your caliber of goods. I’m afraid we cannot accommodate you with demons or talking swords. I might however be able to offer authentic elven goods. Not a mercenary team but their armor and blades are just as good, if wielded by someone like you.”

They’re pretty bad at this point actually. Ilea thought.

“As well as magical items. Incredibly rare and often questionably useful but a status symbol if nothing else.” Mauro said and summoned a pair of plain looking shoes. Silver lining shimmered in the dim warm light, weaved seamlessly into the footwear.

Ilea took them and had a look.

[Silver Insight – Rare Quality] – [You gain understanding of Silver]

Guess that helps if you want a silver mage class. Ilea thought. “Impressive. See, that’s more akin to what I’m looking for.” She smirked. “What about your elven goods?”

He summoned a thin slightly curved blade and handed it to her. Near white and reflecting little of the light.

[Wyvern’s Claw – Ancient Quality] Enchantments [Strong Edge 5 / Fire Affinity 2]

Kinda want to test that on my skin. Ilea thought and gave him a questioning look.

“Go ahead.” The man said and gestured for her to try it out.

Ilea stood up and twirled the blade in her hand, not as adept at it as a swordswoman but she did have rather high Dexterity. Why is it harder to use a hammer for me than twirl a blade. Of course she would likely find her skills lacking too.

Putting away the armor on her arm, she stabbed the bone like blade into her skin with incredible force.

Mauro stood up but didn’t say anything, his mouth opening and closing once more. He apparently hadn’t expected such in depth testing.

Ilea pressed down, a sizzling resounding as the blade tried burning into her skin. Cool effect. “Could a fire mage set it ablaze?” She asked, pressing harder. She stopped when she felt the blade couldn’t take any more abuse. Disappointing. The undying skeleton could have likely produced a finer blade.

Then again, she was talking to a random trader in Riverwatch. Even if the blade was ancient, she assumed it was mostly the age itself.

“Perhaps they could.” Mauro said and received the blade.

Ilea was intrigued at least. She would get his storage item and look through it all. “Did you loot this or do you have elven associates?” She dared ask.

The man seemed a little shocked, his eyes going wide before he caught himself and calmed down. “I cannot share this information, I’m afraid.”

“Associates then. I know some too. Cerithil Hunters mostly. Are you trading with the southern domains?” She asked.

This time he was outright stunned. A full four seconds passed before he talked, “You… seem to know a great deal. We do have elven associates, yet I am not aware of Cerithil hunters or the domains you speak of.”

“Hmm…,” Ilea mused and leaned forward, more gold falling to the floor. She smiled. “I would like to meet them. Could you arrange that? I’m willing to pay what you have on your desk for that.”

“I…,” Mauro spoke and shook his head before he looked at the gold again. “Maybe we could… find a way. They are very particular in who they talk to.” He explained. “As well as… when and where.”

“When’s your next meeting then?” Ilea asked, crossing her arms as she leaned back.

Mauro seemed to be wringing with himself, unsure if he should share the information with Lilith. The gold won out in the end. A horrible mistake as he would learn soon enough.

“Today. In two hours. These tunnels… have several ways out of the city. We have a meeting in a cave near Karth. A dungeon actually.” He explained.

Cerithil Hunters then. Or some group I haven’t heard of yet. Ilea thought, even more interested now. She would have likely paid an insane amount of gold to meet them anyway. To an actual merchant of course, not a slaver.

“Good. Then we will go there later.” She said and summoned back her gold.

“I request you leave half the gold as an advance payment.” Mauro said, smiling brightly. He just made the deal of his lifetime.

Ilea smiled too. “I have to admit, you have a rather interesting assortment of things down here.”

Mauro looked at her, still smiling.

“However, there are some things that are problematic. You see.” She got up and clapped her hands once to get everyone’s attention. “I have a slight issue with people selling slaves.”

The man was getting up too, his smile gone. “We are just doing business. What we do and don’t do is none of your concern.”

Ilea grabbed the Shadow badge and twirled it through her fingers.

“We are happy to accommodate you as a customer of course.” Mauro said.

Ashen limbs started to slowly form behind her. “Mauro, you don’t seem to understand.”

The men and women in the room were looking on, some grabbing their weapons as they slowly got up. The atmosphere had changed in an instant.

Nobody made a sound as they all held their breath, watching on with various expression. Confusion being the main one.

“I’m making it my concern.” Ilea said and walked to the door, ignoring the stares of the parting people before finally, she turned around and leaned back, resting on the wall.

“You have kidnapped and sold slaves, have killed officials that were looking for you as well as a ton of other vile shit I would assume.” She said slowly, making sure everybody heard her clearly.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mauro asked, stepping out from behind his desk. Ash came from his pack as a Veil formed around him.

It covered him completely, just like her own Armor of Ash.

Seems to be available at an earlier level, or is it a different skill? She looked at him with interest.

“I give you one chance, to drop your weapons and step back. You will be brought to the guard and judged.” She spoke the words loudly, ashen limbs fanning out behind her.

“You are the Shadow…,” Mauro said and chuckled. “It was you all along. Yet you come here, alone, a healer.”

He spat to the floor, “You give us no choice. Our sentence will be death.”

Ilea cocked her head to the side. “I’ll make it quick then.”

The room exploded in motion, spells and skills flaring up as tables and chairs were flung to the side, splintered by the raw power.

Ilea’s sphere lit up with various colors, projectiles flying her way as she remained, leaning on the door. She focused on what the people did, noting that three had actually dropped their weapons and stepped back.

The mage with the burn scar wasn’t doing anything either. He had fallen down and was crawling backwards until he hit a wall.

Her armor of ash moved out from her back, covering her as the spells impacted. Most of the people were below level two hundred. Not that it made a difference.

Ash exploded through the room, not her own but the one controlled by Mauro.

Ilea moved her armor to her back once more and stored her chest piece of bone armor. Her limbs rushed out, slamming through the bodies of approaching warriors, teleporting mages and aiming rogues. Each was ripped through or apart with a single strike.

She let the ash hit her, felt the weird sensation before projectiles impacted her stomach. Her chest was covered by ash still.

The only people that remained alive were the three who had stepped back, the scarred mage and Mauro.

She still needed him. For various reasons.

A couple minutes passed, Ilea adding to the thick mist of ash in the room, even healing the survivors who took some damage from the merchant’s wild rage.

When he finished his barrage of spells, he rushed her and slammed his fists into her stomach. Ashen spikes bit into her flesh but finding little purchase.

She was happy to find that his power increased with each strike however. Perhaps he would actually be able to draw blood. There was of course the option to disable her armor but in a situation like this, she decided not to underestimate her opponents. Too many had fallen to her because of that, she wouldn’t do the same.

The man seemed unstoppable, his strikes increasing with intensity, his shroud of ash ripping in parts as he screamed. Blood dripped from his mouth as he finally slowed down.

Ilea checked him with her healing. Dozens of cuts, internal bleeding and obvious confusion. No, do go on. She thought and healed the man.

“Pan…,” He whispered and smiled, continuing his assault.

Minutes passed as Ilea continued healing him, supporting his self destructive power up until finally, he drew blood.

Ilea smirked and healed herself too at that point. She was a little conflicted about the whole thing. Was it torture? Or simply her playing with her prey? Perhaps that was one and the same. The intention of course wasn’t to hurt the man. Her actions were driven by an interest to see how far a level two hundred apparent berserker could go with the help of a healer as well as a much more selfish reason.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1:

Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

You have found a being similar to your own, wielding magic you are not just familiar with but have mastered. A small increase in your resistance but perhaps a new insight into your own connection to Ash itself.

Ilea’s fist slammed into the man’s head, knocking him out and to the floor. His skull was fractured from the unaided punch but he was alive. Her healing made sure to keep it that way.

She willed the ash away, returning the room to its former state. Having added of course a pile of corpses, blood and guts as well as whatever damage their spells had caused.

“You four, come on. We’re leaving.” She said.

Fearful eyes stared back at her and nodded, dejected.

“He wasn’t necessarily right, you know. He’s dead, I’m pretty sure about that but you guys are just in the team. Maybe there’s a deal in store.” She said. Of course there was a low chance of that happening but they had decided to face the guard at least, instead of attacking her. There was a chance they got into this job for reasons outside of their control. It was impossible to tell of course and they could pretend or lie. She would leave that to Dale.

“We’ll get the prisoners as well as any surviving officials out before we go up. If you stay with me, I’ll at least promise to keep you alive and to make sure your case is heard by a reasonable guard captain.” Ilea explained. “As long as you cooperate of course.”

Her ashen limbs moved through the room, picking up the remaining gold pieces as well as shattering the table and taking all the contents. Mostly documents and files. Evidence for Dale. Paperwork she was very much not interested in.

Chapter 368 Blissful Edge

Chapter 368 Blissful Edge

Mauro woke up with a massive headache. What the fuck happened? He felt like he was mauled by three bears, healed back to health and mauled again. It felt like he was floating.

Ash… I feel… ash. He remembered then. Lilith, she was the Shadow. His eyes opened wide as he turned his head and looked around. They were still in the tunnels of their hideout and he was being, carried?

He looked down on his own body and saw the thick ashen ropes around him. Limbs? He asked himself as he followed them, finding their origin to be none other than Lilith.

She was walking in silence, glancing his way when she realized he was awake.

No words were spoken, neither by him nor her. The situation was clear. He had lost and would face the guard. She didn’t kill me yet. Did I injure her? He had activated all his skills, had pushed himself further than he ever had. No memory remained from what happened after but he knew he had tasted blood.

Maybe she realized I’m of more use alive. Or…, He stopped himself from smirking, the thought flashing through his mind. There was a chance but first he would wait and see.

Mauro could bide his time, he knew how to talk, if anything and he knew there were things she wanted. His storage ring was gone of course but she had no access to it, not until he was dead or gave her access.

Waiting for his ownership to fade was likely not an option for the impulsive woman. He heard steps, dozens of people walking through the corridor, led by himself and Lilith.

Zair was there too, looking his way with a frightful expression.

That rat. I knew it. Mauro wasn’t too surprised or annoyed about it. If cooperation had secured his life he would have sold out his own mother. His crimes were too severe however, the evidence damning. No reasonable guard would let him loose, nor was there much leverage he had with the city. Nolan perhaps could convince Alistair but himself, not likely.

They were walking up now, to the exit that led into the warehouse. She’s taking us out first. He was getting a little nervous but stayed focused. Every word he now uttered, every action could be fatal.

Lilith stepped up to the exit, a closed off section of wall. Some of her ashen limbs moved and cracked through the stone as if it was paper. A couple strikes later and the passage was open.

“Where are the guards?” She asked, looking at the empty table.

Those fucking lazy bastards. Maybe they heard it… an ambush? No, unlikely. If anything, they fled already.

“Come on. Careful with the barrels, there’s poison and acid inside.” Lilith said and looked at him. “Don’t do something stupid now, or you’re dead.”

Don’t worry, healer girl. I’m not about to risk my life. Mauro thought.

____________________________________________________________________

Dale gripped his sword once more, forcing himself to ignore the pain. His health was dwindling, the poison taking a toll on him.

“Come on old man, are you really giving up already?” Kevan asked as he chuckled and vanished, cutting through the steel armor of one of the smugglers with a scraping noise.

“Hold out a little longer.” Kevan said when he appeared once more next to him.

“You two will die here.” The gray haired spear master said, ignoring the four dead smugglers in the hall around them. “Don’t dare fleeing now Kevan. We worked so hard to set all of this up.”

Kevan spat and whispered to Dale, “I won’t accept flight. Not now. Kill a couple more and I’ll take care of him.”

“I can hear you Kevan. Your body next to his, killing the last honorable guard that came to investigate this mysterious case.” The spear master said as he twirled his two weapons, one of them vanishing before he threw it towards them.

Dale jumped to the side and rolled to avoid the ice magic from one of the mages as well as the spear. He sped up and dashed forward, using his rush skill to close the distance to the nearbywarrior. A feint got him an opening before he activated another skill. A quick slash bit into his oponent’s neck and ripped through his spine.

He grabbed the body and turned it to block another ice spell coming his way. Coughing up blood, he felt his arms cool down, nearly freezing before he threw the body towards the mage.

The woman vanished and appeared on top of a bunch of massive crates. Dale ignored her and focused on the rogue that rushed him.

Kevan appeared behind the rogue, his clawed hand slashing into his back before he vanished again in a red smoke.

The spear master followed Kevan, appearing and disappearing after each other.

I should get a skill like that too. Dale thought as his blade slammed into the dazed rogue’s skull. A heavy strike, going through and killing the man instantly.

He had to rip out the blade with quite a bit of force, jumping to the side again when a barrage of ice bolts bit into the stone floor. A crackling noise of icecrystals breaking resounded, some of them biting into his thick leather armor.

A few drew blood but it was nothing compared to the injury on his side. The wound was getting worse, the pain would inhibit him soon. His body enhancement skills could only take him so far.

“The guard knows I’m here!” He shouted, another effort to stop the fight.

“You are near dead, captain!” The spearmaster shouted, his weapons appearing and disappearing as he blocked the clawed strikes from the angered Kevan.

He jumped back and twirled his weapons, cutting through the blood spikes Kevan had sent his way.

If he kills Kevan and I die too, they will pin it on him. Dale thought about leaving but that would mean the ice mage and the remaining warrior would all focus on Kevan. He was struggling against the spear master as it was.

The spearmaster might go for me too if I try to flee. He held his side now, switching his short sword to his left hand. “Kevan, the ice mage!” Dale shouted and jumped back, avoiding the heavy axe strike from the remaining warrior.

At least the warriors had been slow, allowing Dale and Kevan to cleave through them early on. With fewer targets, the ice mage could rain her magic down freely and Dale’s injury was getting worse.

“I never liked them.” The warrior said in a deep voice, a wicked smile on his face. He was tall, two meters at least and broader than most men Dale had known.

He jumped back once more but found his feet losing purchase. Ice. Dale slipped and fell, rolling before he came up again. The massive two handed ax was coming for his head.

His blade moved up and deflected the heavy blow, jumping to the side once more. They’re focusing on me. He noted, his sight blurring as he ground his teeth at the pain. Already at half health, Dale decided to distract them.

The man moved behind the crates, running and checking behind him from time to time to make sure at least the warrior was following.

Ice spells occasionally flew his way, confirming his hopes. They’re sure that the spearmaster will win. Where the hell is Ilea. He moved through the halls before he found some stairs leading down.

“Found you.” A deep voice said as the warrior walked out from behind a set of crates. “You can go down there if you like. Death awaits you either way.”

The ice mage appeared next to the warrior, her short hair revealinga scar on her skull. She had yet to speak a word.

Dale glanced back towards Kevan and the spearmaster but saw nothing, only hearing distant noises of a high level battle.

He didn’t have to think twice, quickly rushing down the stairs and opening the door.

His blade flashed as his eyes opened wide in surprise. Too many. Finally his brain recognized the familiar armor of bone. “Oh thank the gods…,” He whispered and collapsed onto Ilea, trusting her unnatural strength and power. “Abby would have killed me if I had died.”

Instantly he felt healing magic flow through him, the wound closing nearly as quickly as it had formed.

“Why the fuck are you here? I told you two to wait.” Ilea said and held him up.

“No time, he’s fighting a powerful warrior, above two hundred. There is a warrior and mage coming for me too.” Dale quickly spoke, getting as much info to her as possible. There was not time for questioning.

“Protect the people here. These four worked for the smugglers but they surrendered.” She said, ashen armor forming on her before she walked up the stairs, a man held by ashen limbs to her side.

Dale felt his strength returning and grasped his blade once more. He turned to the group and recognized a face. “Eli, you survived!” He exclaimed.

“Dale… so it was you.” The man said, a tired smile on his face. “Do you have another sword?”

He didn’t change. “You fucking moron.” Dale replied and laughed.

“That the friend you told me about?” Eli asked as he pushed forward through the scantily clad people.

The four indicated smugglers stepped aside.

Dale just nodded, a big grin on his face.

“You didn’t exaggerate. She’s fucking crazy.” Eli said and chuckled.

He moved closer and whispered to Dale, “Is she alright?”

Dale nodded again. “How we found you.” He looked at the smugglers but they tried hard not to get any attention to themselves. Nor was there much chance of them hearing anything with the sounds of battle above. Not with any related skills at least. “A friend of hers is protecting them.”

“Good. Should we help?” He asked.

“And leave you lot unprotected. I think I underestimated her again, let her handle it.” Dale said and focused on the entrance. I should really stop thinking of her as the lost level twenty healer. She’s a Shadow… an exceptional one at that.

_________________________________________________________________________

Ilea simply stood there as the axe slammed into her side, barely biting into her ashen armor. “Is that all?”

Ice magic slammed into her but it was some of the weakest spell power she had experienced. She just glared at the woman. “Drop it or I’m going to kill you two.”

The mage took a couple steps back and lowered her hands.

The warrior however shouted loudly, his axe shining in a deep red glow as he collected his strength. His muscles bulged, veins showing on his forehead and hands before he moved the weapon down on her.

An ashen limb punched through his face and skull, splattering blood and brain matter onto the floor and crates behind.

The mage staggered back a little farther, droplets of blood splashing on her face.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Axe Raider – lvl 133 / Blood Enhancer – lvl 128]

Boring. Ilea thought. “Go down and join the survivors. If you attack any of them, I will find you and I will rip you to shreds. Understand?”

The mage nodded quickly and ran towards the stairs, stumbling before she caught herself.

Black wings spread before Ilea flew through the halls, led by the sounds of battle.

She found Kevan facing off against a spear wielder.

The noble was injured, bleeding from several cuts and wounds. His teeth were elongated as were his claws.

His opponent jumped down from one of the crates, landing casually. He looked middle aged but certainly not weak. Even in his light metal armor he looked strong.

“Another opponent?” He asked, looking towards Ilea.

She dropped Mauro on the floor and extended an ashen limb to Kevan, taking care of his wounds. “Wow, he fucked you up vampire boy. How are you alive?”

Kevan groaned and hissed at her, blood splattering onto her ashen armor. “Don’t call me that!”

“Ok, calm down.” Ilea said and glanced at the spear wielder.

“Nolan… don’t underestimate her.” Mauro said as he crawled to the side.

“Pathetic. You should have died like a man. Look at you.” Nolan spat before he focused on Ilea. “And you, a healer… no. You’re more than that. A Shadow perhaps? Alistair is no fool then. And neither are you. Seeing through our little game with Kevan. You lot are usually more thick headed.”

“Kill Kevan and get out of here, get paid and don’t return. We can end this without suffering.” Nolan suggested in a casual tone.

Ilea shrugged and appeared in front of him, his spears crashing into her armor as her ashen limbs grabbed around his arms and legs.

He smiled, a powerful thrust suddenly pushing his spears forward.

His smile vanished when nothing happened.

“That’s it?” Ilea asked.

[Warrior – lvl 230]

I would have destroyed this punk even when my level was that low. She punched his head but found it surprisingly sturdy.

“That’s… it?” He spat, blood landing on her armor.

“Oh… now you did it.” Ilea murmured, Destruction and Storm of Cinders slamming into his head.

The mana surged into him, his head exploding out behind him.

His limp body sagged down, held up by her ashen limbs.

Ilea let him fall and took a step back. “Ah, fuck.”

“Don’t fret it.” Kevan said and appeared above the corpse, kicking his side with enough force to sent the body flying into a nearby crate. “The cunt deserved it.” He spit on the floor. “Fucking would be noble.”

“Can’t you drain health?” Ilea asked Kevan as they walked back to the underground entrance.

“I would have been dead five times over without that.” Kevan replied. “He was pretty strong.”

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Prodigy of the Spear – lvl 230 / Child of Lightning – lvl 224]

Now I feel bad for killing such a rare specimen.

“It’s clear, you can come out.” She said down into the stairwell.

“You killed the spear wielder?” Dale asked as he stepped out.

A man was following close behind, one of the officers who had been in a separate cell. “Told you she’s crazy.”

“Not the first to suggest that.” Ilea said, once again dragging Mauro behind her.

Dale nodded. “I will notify the guard, we will dig through this place.”

“Plenty of traps. Make sure to ask the surviving smugglers for help. I’m sure they’d prefer to not die today. The one with the burnt face has interesting classes. Might be useful for your hunters.” Ilea suggested.

“I will do so.” Dale said, speaking loudly to make sure they heard him. “Perhaps Alistair will consider their sentence to be less than death if they cooperate.” He glared hard at the ice mage.

The woman gulped and looked to the floor.

“What about that one, he’s one of the leaders.” Eli said and pointed at Mauro.

“He still owes me something.” Ilea said with a smile.

Dale nodded. “I’ll let you handle him then.”

The other man chuckled. “Doesn’t sound like you.” He clasped Dale’s shoulder. “Thanks for saving us.”

“Of course.” Ilea said and looked at Dale. “A word.”

The captain nodded and walked a little farther away with her.

She formed a dome of ash around Mauro before she talked, “There’s a healer down there. Corinth order. She was hired by the Gray Company.”

Dale frowned. “I see.” He thought about it, “Alistair wouldn’t want to offend them, neither would anybody in the guard. She will be let go with a warning.”

“I wouldn’t like that… at all.” Ilea said in a menacing tone.

Dale sighed. “I understand. Me neither to be honest but it would spell trouble to antagonize a big healing order. Some of our own best healers are hired.”

“What if you pin it on me? I could do it.” Ilea suggested.

“Murder her in cold blood?” Dale shook his head. “Without a trial?”

“She worked for slavers.” Ilea hissed. “I don’t want to know what else they used her for.”

Dale glanced back to the survivors. “Can you make her vanish? Leave no trace?”

Ilea nodded.

“They will investigate. Will ask questions. Will ask me questions.” He said.

“Don’t lie. Tell them it was the smugglers or Lilith, the Shadow you had hired. She acted on her own, as Shadows do.” Ilea suggested.

Dale gulped, “That might work.”

“You have witnesses.” Ilea said and stepped past him, stopping next to the man. “We will not talk of this again. Unless you feel like you’re in danger. In that case, seek out Claire, head administrator of Ravenhall or go find Walter in the Calys mine. Either will give you and your family shelter until you manage to contact me.” She paused. “If they come for you, I’ll have a little… talk.”

The hairs on Dale’s neck stood up as he nodded. “Good. Now go.”

“I’ll see you later, for the report. Captain.”

Ilea moved past the group of people, leaving the rest to Kevan and Dale as well as the other officer. Her eyes were focused forwards as she walked down the stairs, straining her nose. Poison and acid flowed onto the floor after she ripped through the barrels with her ashen limbs. It would make sure the guards who came to investigate knew about the dangers as well as provide some more time for her to snoop around herself.

When she reached the lowest step behind the destroyed wall, she turned her head and focused.

“You do want to meet the elves still?” Mauro asked, his face a mask that revealed nothing.

Ilea could imagine the hopes he held. Hopes of survival, of turning them against her. A part of her hoped they would. An interesting fight perhaps after all this boring slaughter.

Visiting Ravenhall had been fine but now she longed to go back north. Tired of playing the exterminator, finding filth and vermin under every bit of stone. The last thing she would do was crush his head, even if it turned out the elves were hostile towards her, would overwhelm and trap her. She would make sure he wouldn’t get away.

Ilea smelled it then. Perfume.

Chapter 369 Cursed Meeting

Chapter 369 Cursed Meeting

Pan had apparently not noticed any of the commotion. She was brushing her luscious hair in front of a mirror, her room huge and spacious. A hugebed and various expensive pieces of furniture surrounding it, coupled with warm light from magical lights embedded into the ceiling.

She turned her head when the door opened, looking at the dark Shadow clad in ashen armor.

“What is the meaning of this?” She asked, her voice confident, annoyed even.

She took a step towards Ilea, recognition flickering in her eyes. “You are Lilith. Come to learn about our order, have you?”

Ilea dragged in Mauro. “I’ve come to make sure you don’t get away.”

“Get away?” Pan glanced at Mauro and back to Ilea, taking a step back. “I’m with the Corinth order… you wouldn’t want to offend us. Do I have to remind you who I represent?”

Ilea stepped closer. “I know exactly who you represent. You represent an order that is happy to support slavers. I don’t recall slavery being legal in Dawntree or am I missing something?”

“Don’t throw me in with these savages. I was hired to heal, nothing else.”

“Nothing else?” Ilea asked. “Mauro… what did you tell me before? About her help?”

Pan’s eyes widened before she glared at Mauro with an angry look. “You dog. Barking whenever someone asks you to.”

“Do you deny it then?” Ilea asked. “To have helped in torturing city guards?”

Pan sighed. “I only did my job. What I was asked to do. If it’s anybody’s fault, it’s theirs.”

Does she not even recognize what she did? Ilea was baffled. “A proud member of the Corinth order, taking orders from… what did you call him, a dog?”

“I merely healed them. It is the duty of us healers, to heal. Wouldn’t you agree?” She asked, smiling at her.

An ashen limb lashed out and took her head. “I do.” Ilea spoke and heated up her core.

Half aminute later, she blasted the corpse and half the room, the fire digging deep into the stone, turning it to ash.

That too was disintegrated with her true creation, leaving nothing but magical energy behind.

Mauro looked on with wide eyes, trying to move away from her but failing.

“Stop thrashing around.” Ilea said and looked through the room.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corinth High Priest – lvl 120 / Corinth Mercenary – lvl 103]’

“Interesting. Two classes from the Corinth order itself.” She murmured and found documents related to her mission here. Dale would likely just get in trouble so she decided to pocket it all.

High Priest at level one twenty. And they’re one of the big ones. Ilea wasn’t sure what to make of it. Class names of course were just a minor description. With her Medic Sentinels, she would have to deal with the Corinth order at one point or another.

“That’s dealt with. Want to show me some hidden storage rooms before the guards find them and all the wealth goes to Alistair?” She asked. “We still have an hour or so until the meeting you mentioned.”

__________________________________________________________________

Mauro couldn’t believe that Lilith just straight up murdered the healer. Was she sane at all? To attack a member of the Corinth order like this would spell her death.

Killing a Shadow was harder but rarely would those cases be heavily investigated nor punished. There was a reason the Corinth Order could send out pure healers and not worry about them.

She was powerful however, really fucking powerful. Even Nolan had been taken out with a mere couple of blows. Playing it safe had been the right decision.

Lilith wanted to know about hidden storage rooms and Mauro was honestly considering it. She already had his ring which contained the highest value non living merchandise. Nolan had left the actual trading to him a couple years ago and instead dealt with employment, acquiring goods as well as managing the territory as well as paying off people.

The traps so far didn’t bother her. She took down the hounds and just walked through the acid and poison. Another problem was the fact that their highest caliber traps didn’t really protect any storage areas. He couldn’t exactly lead her into those.

However, Lilith had a storage item as well and what she had said about Alistair and the guards was true. If his plan worked out, he might be even wealthier in the end. The Gray Company was fucked, most of the members dead at this point but the connections were still there. He would simply have to rebuild. Perhaps in the east instead of Riverwatch.

“I can lead you to our hidden stashes.” Mauro said, resigning. Some traps were on the way but nothing more powerful than what she had already shown to tank. She was a healer too, meaning he couldn’t likely injure her continuously.

Lilith looked at him after going through Pan’s room. “If we have time, point out dangerous traps too. I’d like to see what your organization was capable of.”

What? She wants to disable them. How though? She’s shown no major enchantment capabilities nor mechanical knowledge. He nodded and focused to keep his emotions hidden. I can show you some traps alright.

Mauro’s hopes were dwindling. For half an hour, he led Lilith into the most dangerous, highest level poison and acid traps they had set up. She didn’t even just survive them, she literally removed her armor to let them hit her body.

Not a single drop of blood was shed and the poison seemed to have no effect on her. The hidden stashes and storage rooms were emptied in mere moments.

Mauro was sure by now that she had some sort of perception that went through walls and chests, usually picking the most valuable chests and drawers immediately. To his horror, she simply ripped out the poison darts and spikes from the traps and used them on her arm, ramming them in time and time again.

“We should probably go for the meeting now.” Lilith said after she had raided one of the last storage rooms.

Years of work, a lifetime’s worth of wealth… all lost in an instant. Just because this Shadow decided to take this job and come look for us. He held on to a smidgen of hope still. If nothing else worked, he would made sure both of them were killed.

_________________________________________________________________________

These fuckers were rich. Ilea had put everything into her bracelet, to be better able to sort it at a later time. Metals, artifacts, magical items, potions, armors, weapons, clothing, exotic animals, class and spellbooks as well as history books and other treasure.

Some of it was sure to help her Medicorg, the rest would go to Claire for further investments or into her house.

Mauro pointed the way and she ran through the dark corridors. Most of the way was dark, rarely traveled it seemed or perhaps kept that way intentionally.

Glad I took this fucker with me, otherwise this would have been impossible the find. Neither her Sentinel Huntress skill nor her Sphere showed anything in the darkness, running in silence.

The tunnels became more and more crude, parts of it even collapsed. Ilea blasted through with her ashen limbs as well as Heart of Cinder, the focused version quite effective for the job.

She was very much aware that Mauro hoped to somehow turn the elves against her, if they even showed up. Still, he had led her to all the storage rooms and traps, helping her get most of the wealth as well as protect the guards and hunters that would enter their hideout later on.

Ilea had to speed up, running through the tunnels until light became visible in the distance. A tiny speck, clear and bright to her enhanced senses.

“We’re coming up on the meeting point.” Mauro said.

They exited out into a cave overgrown with moss, roots reaching over the walls as well as trees growing in the distance. Light came in from above, several cracks in the ceiling over a hundred meters above letting in air and the sun. Thin streams of water flowed in from some of the cracks, pooling into creeks that led farther down into the caves.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Garden of the King dungeon’

Ilea slowed down and looked out into the expansive cave.

It stretched for hundreds of meters with exits visible that led both outside and farther down into what she assumed to be Karth.

“Where do we meet them?” Ilea asked the man still held by her ashen limbs.

“They will find us.” He said simply, the edges of his mouth quirking up ever so slightly.

She felt them arrive before she saw them, magical energy flowing over her. The sphere lit up when four light sources appeared.

“Oh, a new human. And she has bound the smuggler. Fascinating.” A voice spoke, excited and quick.

Blue eyes, a warm smile and a hat covering his ears. The elf that spoke wore human clothing, simple black pants, a shirt and jacket on top.

[Mage – lvl 322]

Interesting. “Greetings.” Ilea said, smiling back at the elf.

“She’s the enem…,” Mauro exclaimed and was muffled by ash entering his mouth.

“Human Healer” Another one of them spoke, his eyes completely white but focused on her. He wore a simple white robe that glowed brightly in Ilea’s Sphere. His hair flowed freely behind him, as if carried by wind, white as snow. “Thou does not fear our kind?”

[Healer – lvl ??]

Ilea was intrigued to say the least. A healer amongst elves and one she had yet to catch up to. “I have friends among your kind.” She said. I am inside a dungeon. Now let’s see if Seviir and Hera fucked me over. The ash on her helmet receded to reveal the rune like carving on her cheek.

A third one of them laughed, reptile like red eyes glaring at her as his flowing red hair changed to a dark orange before her eyes. “You’re entirely too weak to carry that title, healer girl.” He wore dark red scale armor, his helmet covering his face but letting his hair flow freely.

[Warrior – lvl 289]

Ilea looked at the last one of them, noting the tears flowing down his face. His skin was pale, more so than she had ever seen with an elf. His eyes were covered by a strip of black cloth, his hair of ethereal quality, light partially going through as if unhindered.

[Mage – lvl 262]

“Your level is lower than mine, fuckwit.” Ilea commented, not taking the red haired elf’s comment very seriously.

He was about to reply when the white haired one spoke up. “Not a title bestowed to those of strong body alone but those of great spirit and… compassion. You know of the hunters?”

Ilea winked at the red haired one, his hair getting dark red. She noted the twitching muscles, even below his armor. “I know Cerithil Hunters… are you hunters too then?”

Mauro was watching on with disbelief in his eyes, ash still covering his mouth.

“We are. That human, he is bound yet our associate. I ask you to explain the circumstance he is in.” The white haired healer said. He sounded old. Neither demanding, nor anxious.

“He is part of an illegal smuggling company. They kidnapped humans and sold them as slaves, tortured city guards and provided assassins for pay.” Ilea explained, glaring at the elf.

This might be a difficult fight. She couldn’t help but get a little excited. Even escaping them might be dangerous. She hadn’t felt that way in a while. Alone against a near impossible opponent.

Don’t engage if there is no reason. They’re hunters, not part of the domains.

“Is see.” The healer said. “And you oppose such actions?”

“Some of them, yes. Slavery, torture and assassination. Though the latter might be fine under certain circumstances.” Ilea explained.

“Marvelous… the diversity in morality. Splendid… even among those considered powerful.” The hat mage said, summoning a notebook and starting to scribble.

“As you know of us, you perhaps know of our plight?” The healer asked.

Ilea looked his way. “The Taleen and their unending machines as well as the oracles and their senseless reign.” She said. If they weren’t Cerithil Hunters, at least now she assumed they would attack.

“Precisely. Though such information… rarely is shared. I would be interested in meeting the hunters you know.” The healer said and continued. “Supplies, if not gathered ourselves can be difficult to acquire. No elf would trade with the cursed, few humans remain willing to trade or even talk. Dark Ones and Dwarves alike shun our kind.”

“I can see that.” Ilea said. “What would someone as powerful as you want to trade for anyway? Did you buy those humans?”

“I don’t like her tone… she speaks as if to demand respect. May I show her our power?” The red haired one asked, not in an angry or annoyed tone. Excited perhaps.

“I am sure she will accommodate you. After our talk. He is in constant search of challenging battles. Perhaps you too, share this… trait.” The white haired one explained. “Though powerful we are, no craftsmen, smiths or tailors remain amongst the cursed. It is through tools made by human or dwarven hand that we enhance our chance of survival in the depths left behind by those at constant war.”

“So you don’t buy humans to eat?” Ilea asked.

The mage in human clothes chuckled. “Ropes, enchanted fire spheres, armor repairs, good meals cooked by professionals. Even we appreciate the mundane. There are many of us who don’t care but after hundreds of years, it gets tedious to just eat raw meat and constantly run around in the darkness, relying only on magical sight. I like the comfort of a feather filled bed just as much as any other mammal. Your kind has perfected such wares and thus we sought a trader.”

His explanations made the most sense to her so far. Ilea could see how trading for mundane things like that could be an issue. Shadows and whole city’s guards would be hunting them down immediately if they showed up. Not that this particular group would have much trouble dealing with them all but maybe they would rather stay discreet and not murder thousands.

“Thank you.” Ilea said.

The healer opened his eyes a little wider, brows quirking up. “For what would thou thank us, human?”

“For not taking what you needed with force, causing death and destruction.” She said.

“It is of nobody’s benefit to slaughter those alive and thinking.” The healer said. “Yet you hold one we need. Your plight is commendable. Inconsequential to us however. I ask you to release him.”

Ilea smiled. “I could say the same about your plight.”

“You speak the truth. Dost thou hold the trader hostage?” He spoke the words in the same slow manner, no indication about how he felt.

She was pretty sure it was a threat however. “His trading company was destroyed. I dismantled it myself. However much I would like to fight you, I’d rather work together with the hunters of Cerithil. Perhaps we can find an arrangement.”

Ilea let the ash flow out of Mauro’s mouth. “He however, must pay for his crimes. I’m sure I can provide you with what you need today.”

The man coughed a couple times before he glared at her and back to the elves. “She is lying, our company is fine and we can continue to provide what you need. At a lower cost than she will. She is just a Shadow anyway, unable to produce the goods you need and smuggle them out of the city. Kill her and I promise, the next ten deliveries are free of charge.”

The healer looked over at the elf whose eyes were bound.

The tears had stopped, yet he was facing the two humans. “Uncertain. Fearful. Liar.” The words were spoken with long pauses in between, the voice sounding mournful, spoken with deep and conflicting emotion.

“What? You’re wrong… I’ve been trading and smuggling for decades… she’s not even that old, all she does is fight! She’s a mercenary, paid by whoever has gold!”

“And yet… she is a healer. And marked as as Guardian of Cerith. One we are meant to trust, not a title easily given and without reason. You speak of gold and yet are not merchants those most interested in its splendor?” The white haired healer asked, each word hitting Mauro like a blow.

“I am interested. In your proposal, healer and guardian. Though it is unfortunate, that our trading partner has been… removed, you pose an alternative. How do you suggest we proceed?” The healer asked.

Ilea thought about it, tapping her cheek. “First.” She said, an ashen limb moving out towards Mauro.

His armor of ash formed as he struggled against the limbs holding him.

Ilea’s own ash penetrated his, slashing through him a couple times until she heard a noise resounding in her mind. “I’d rather he doesn’t share anything about this conversation. His life was over when I found him either way.”

She grabbed the body and made it vanish, to be burnt at a later time.

“I’ll have to think of how we could set this up. I hadn’t planned to cooperate with any elves for the foreseeable future. A trade agreement with Cerithil hunters might be the first step.” She thought about it and paced around a little. “First though, I’d like to fight the red one. Would be a waste to not take you up on that offer.”

“We will reside here until an agreement has been reached.” The healer said. “If battle is needed to clear your head, human, then so it shall be.”

“Yesss.” The red haired one said. “Finally, a human who can appreciate the finer things in life.” Power and white flame exploded out of him before he flew at her with an explosion of speed.

Chapter 370 Red Scales

Chapter 370 Red Scales

Ilea’s buffs flared up and she met him with her full arsenal. Ashen limbs smashed into his armor before he reached her, glancing off the hard scales. Heart of Cinder started burning in her core as she felt the heat of his white flames bite into her ash.

She dodged to the side as the elf slid to a stop and appeared before her, his claws slashing at her with a blazing white edge, several centimeters long.

Ilea knew he would penetrate her ash halfway but not further. She let him hit and slammed her fist into his stomach, absolute destruction and storm of cinders pushing their mana into his scales and body, a big chunk of the energy blocked by his armor.

His claws penetrated, suddenly expanding and cutting through all her ash before they scratched along her bone armor.

She ducked under his other arm and grabbed his leg, twirling around before she slammed his form into the stone with all the might she could muster. Rock cracked and shattered as his massive weight crashed down.

The elf was unfazed by the blow, getting up when sixteen ashen limbs slashed into him, each delivering Storm of Cinder.

He ripped his leg free of her hold and vanished, appearing a couple meters away in a crouch. His eyes narrowed before heat gathered in front of his face.

Ilea felt it form the distance and waited. Azarinth Fighting told her of his powerful attack, likely fire that would burn through her ash. He’s insane for his level. She thought and watched the white flame form, small at first but expanding in an explosive wave as if a dam was opened in an instant.

She blinked in the last moment, appearing thirty meters to the side. Her eyes opened wide as she watched the cone of fire arch towards her, the other elves disappearing to avoid the attack.

Her wings appeared and formed a cocoon as she dived down.

The fire enveloped her a moment later, partially burning through her ashen armor. This time his attack didn’t penetrate to her bone armor.

She smirked, feeling a chunk of mana come back. You won’t win with that my long eared friend.

Ilea rushed him, surprise showing in his eyes before she slammed fist first into him, grappling the elf before they tumbled, stone cracking at their impacts.

Twenty meters away, the fight continued. Ashen limbs continued to slam into him, scratching the scales but failing to penetrate. An attempt to attack his open helmet was dodged by him, even in her grasp.

She felt heat form and tanked it, a sphere of white flame expanding and pulverizing the rock below.

Her ashen armor reformed quickly, a part of her bone armor singed. The ash he had created with his fire slammed into him from below as Ilea delivered punch after punch. She felt his armor cracking with the third one before he once again ripped himself free of her hold and appeared ten meters away.

Ilea’s ashen armor reformed. He nearly got through with his claws. She noted the damage to her bone armor, still hot from his white burning claws.

“Fantastic!” The elf exclaimed before a burst of mana rushed out from him.

Ilea crouched in surprise, feeling the sudden change in power. And size.

She jumped back but the heat caught up to her. A massive cone of flame engulfed the whole area, her blink getting her out before the flames reached her once more.

This time she healed her ash, both her wings and her armor to make sure he wouldn’t get through. The result however was similar. Her bone armor was slightly singed, by the heat alone that penetrated her ashen armor. Only a thin layer remained before she reformed it with the skill itself aided by her healing. A mere instant.

She couldn’t believe her eyes as she moved her wings in the air, white fire blazing on the tips of nearby trees and rocks alike. The creeks supplied form above provided the constant sound of flowing water. Before her stood a dragon.

Two arms and legs, wings, covered in red scales and dark horns. Red eyes staring at her from a dragon’s head with teeth as long as her forearms. He was longer than a drake and taller too. Perhaps half the size of a Taleen Praetorian.

Impressive and certainly cool but Ilea couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. She landed a dozen meters in front of him and smiled. “I expected dragons to be bigger.”

Laughter resounded, coming from the floating elf in human clothes.

The dragon elf frowned and shot a white cone of fire at the elf who promptly vanished.

“None have faced my fire as unscathed as you, human. My name is Feyrair Kaa, Cerithil Hunter and honored to fight you.” His voice was much deeper, snarled in parts as if he had to get used to the difference in size and form.

“Likewise. My name is Ilea Spears. Shadow and Medic Sentinel.” She said and crouched, her ashen armor at the ready, light steam visible around her from the singed ash and the burnt up sweat below. “Enough talk.”

“Enough talk.” He repeated, standing tall as he prepared another spell.

Ilea extended ten of her ashen limbs and sacrificed a thousand points of health, releasing her charged up Heart of Cinder through the limbs.

The beam of energy and fire slammed into Feyrair before he could do anything, sending him rolling over the rocky terrain with heavy impacts before he was pushed off, wings and legs tangled up.

Ilea immediately started to charge her Heart of Cinder again. She could hear a roar that reverberated through her very being.

No Veteran warning?

The red dragon moved his wings with powerful swings, flying up as the light burn marks healed. “Full of surprises. This little one.” He spoke and rushed her.

Ilea appeared behind his head in the last moment, avoiding the claws before her charged fist slammed into the back of his head. Destructive mana spread through him as her ashen limbs slashed into his wings, the thin skin incredibly resistant but ultimately penetrated by her ash.

The dragon roared once more and turned with incredible speed, his claws lighting up in white fire and slashing at her.

Ilea blinked back but saw him immediately close the distance, an unnatural movement, as if teleported mid swing.

Why did I assume he couldn’t use that spell in this form. She smirked before the claws cut into her, slamming her ash more than cutting it. She was thrown to the side, her bone armor damaged before her ashen armor reformed. There was damage to her body, some of her organs destroyed, her lung squashed. Her bones were uninjured.

Ilea twirled in the air and landed on her feet, coughing up blood from injuries that were already healed as soon as the liquid reached her mouth. She spit it out, the ash around her mouth closing up again.

Feyrair struggled more with his injuries apparently,stumbling in his step before he caught himself.

Did I knock his brain around a little? Ilea smirked.

Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth before another surge of mana exploded out. White hot fire flared from his nostrils as he crouched in his dragon form.

He sped up, teleporting several times as he appeared and disappeared.

A cone of fire enveloped her, Ilea simply healing against it as she waited. When he appeared once more, she slammed a charged absolute destruction punch with three hundred mana into his approaching clawed hand.

Mana exploded, a big chunk flowing into his arm as it was pushed aside. His maw opened, fire visible in his throat before it rushed out.

Ilea crouched and punched upwards, two hundred health sacrificed. Her uppercut slammed into elf’s dragon chinwith incredible force, shutting his mouth as the last of the white flame puffed out.

His eyes rolled before he collapsed.

Ilea blinked away and watched the dragon form vanish, revealing the elf in his natural state, covered in red scale armor that looked chipped and damaged in parts, slightly singed.

The white haired elf appeared above him, a light breeze flowing in, a green hue in her sphere. “Mana intrusion.” He mused. “You are indeed worthy of the title, Guardian.” His voice was calm, dealing with a situation as normal as any other.

“Is he alright?” Ilea asked, unsure if to approach. He was a healer too after all.

“A while it has been. Since his health reached below half. Yet few of such mobility and resilience meet his flame.” The elf spoke.

Feyrair coughed then, waking up as he moved and grabbed his jaw. “Oh wow…,” He motioned for the healer to stop. “I deserve this, let me feel the pain.” He sprawled out on his back and chuckled to himself.

The healer complied and stopped.

Ilea crossed her arms and watched the other elfs approach too.

The one with the hat hiding his ears rushed towards her. “Incredible… such prowess. What level of Heat Resistance do you have if I may ask?”

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

“I’d rather not say.” She replied with a smile.

“Of course… of course. Do you have ice resistance too? There were some things I wanted to test but he’s too weak and the other ones wouldn’t agree to testing. You’re a healer too right, so we could try? Speaking of healing… a meal would be nice, do you have any food to share? It’s been so long since I had a good human meal. One cooked by you I mean, not human flesh… though that is delicious too. Not that I eat them, haha.” He scratched the back of his head, his hat moving to reveal short light blue hair of a similar color as his eyes.

Ilea formed a table of ash, big enough to seat all of them, adding chairs as well before she summoned a bunch of restaurant meals she still had. She wasn’t sure yet if they deserved the divinity that was Keyla’s cooking.

The elf shrieked with delight and sat down on an ashen chair without complaint, looking at the food with a big grin on his face. He checked the plates and moved them around, sniffing on different ones before he looked at Ilea with a questioning yet delighted glance.

“Dig in.” She said and smiled.

He complied, quite literally slamming the food into his throat.

If he weren’t a level three hundred elf, she would have been concerned for his burned throat.

“You can get some too if you like.” Ilea said in the general direction of the others.

The healer appeared and bowed to her with a thankful expression before he sat down with grace, summoning a silver fork and taking the nearest plate.

He smiled delightedly when he took the first bite.

Feyrair appeared next to her and slammed his hand onto her shoulder, the ground below her left foot cracking slightly. “You are… most certainly a friend of ours. If you want to go again, I’m ready.”

Ilea smiled and motioned to the table. “Let’s eat first. I’d like to level my Heat Resistance against your flame if you’re up for that. Same with your ice, if that was your suggestion?” She asked the eating mage.

He spoke, mouth full of food, giving her a thumbs up. “Of courshe.”

The last elf hovered a dozen meters away, facing their way but staying where he was.

“He doesn’t eat?” Ilea asked.

The healer looked at her. “Rarely.”

“How often do you eat?” The ice mage asked. “I’m Ben by the way, nice to meet you. This is excellent, some of the best food I’ve eaten. Reminds me of southern empire cooking. Ravenhall or Morhill perhaps.” He grinned.

“Ben?” Ilea asked. “Wait, you know Ravenhall and Morhill?”

He chuckled and waved her off. “A rare name for an elf, I know. We change ours usually when we become Cerithil Hunters. I thought it fitting more than such fancy titles most others bestow upon themselves. I’ve visited a couple times, yes. Years and years ago of course. Nowadays it’s difficult to get in unseen, with the new leadership and after the demon attack. Security is tight with the war and all.”

Ilea chuckled. “You know a surprising amount about humans and their dealings.”

“Ah yes, you have fascinated me for a long time. I questioned the oracles many a time to see if we could adopt some of your notions. Laws, common currency and the like. Few approved of such ideas of course. I suppose joining the hunters was inevitable for me.” He laughed and slurped up the rest on his plate, grabbing another. “Either that or getting killed I suppose. But you know that kind of life, as a Shadow and all.”

“What does it mean to be a Shadow?” Feyrair asked suddenly, having started to eat as well.

“They’re a mercenary band, it’s costly and difficult to join. They only allow level two hundred humans to get in I believe. Their elders are close in power to my own.” Ben explained before Ilea could even open her mouth to answer.

“Mercenary? Those are paid by gold right?” Feyrair asked.

“Yes, exactly!” Ben damn near shouted. “And with that currency you can buy other things then. It’s a marvelous system.”

“You don’t have mercenaries?” Ilea asked. “In the domains I mean.”

“No… no, there’s barely a currency more than a few houses use. And then they murder each other again and we’re back to the beginning.” Ben laughed. “Favors could be seen as currency I suppose. Those generally amount to similar services provided as you do with mercenary work.” He explained.

Ilea chuckled and nodded. Talkative fellow. She didn’t dislike the company. Seeing the distant elf still floating around, she summoned another meal and moved it towards him with an ashen limb, not looking his way before the ash disintegrated once more.

“So, you’re looking for Taleen dungeons and destroy them?” She asked, switching the subject to a more elven oriented one.

“That is a part of it, yes. A big part of our work includes helping to find and destroy the Taleen armies that roam our forest. It is a vast and expansive land, few of us are out there and even fewer are quite as powerful as us, especially our leader.” Ben explained.

“That would be you?” Ilea asked, glancing at the healer.

He ate in silence but turned his head her way upon hearing the question.

His eyes lacked pupils but it still felt like he was looking directly at her.

“I find those willing.” Was his answer.

He’s even more fucking cryptic than Elfie was. And he didn’t offer his name either. Elfie two? ELFIE? Elfer? He seems more dangerous at least. Fuck, I forgot to ask Mauro about the Golden Lily. Oh well.

“You seem concerned about something.” Ben said, a hand reaching out to hers.

Ilea was a little confused at the gesture but let him touch her.

“Ah, don’t mind it. Even after all these years, it is still a mystery to me when it is appropriate to touch a female human and when it isn’t.” He laughed.

“It is a complicated subject, one many human males don’t understand either.” Ilea explained. Her ash receded, revealing the cracks and cuts in her bone armor that repaired themselves ever so slowly.

“Timeless.” Elfer said, not revealing either way he felt towards this discovery.

“Yea, formed from the bone of an Undying Lord, a Spirit of Death and Dark One.” Ilea supplied.

“Few humans know of us, let alone Dark Ones. You have traveled beyond your plains then?” Elfer asked.

Ilea wasn’t happy with the nickname she gave him. “How may I call you? I have given you all my name.”

Ben stopped moving his fork, his hand hovering in the air as he closed his mouth slowly. Feyrair too stopped eating.

“I am Isalthar Nauum. Cerithil Hunter.” He said.

Ilea nodded. “Back to the elven names then. I’ve been to the north, where arcane lightning surges through the sky and Feynor war with Dark Ones.”

The others continued eating as if nothing had happened.

Ilea wasn’t sure if asking for the name had caused it or if there was something else to it.

“I am familiar with it. Dangerous to travel.” Isalthar said and continued eating.

“I assumed you could just ignore it.” Ilea said and chuckled.

“Can you?” Feyrair asked. “I can take one hit but it nearly kills me. A shame. Traveling through the cracks and crevices, like an ant.”

“I can take a hit too but I try to avoid it.” Ilea said.

The elf slammed his hand into her back. “I would love to see that! Your defenses are extraordinary and your offense isn’t a joke either. Too bad mana intrusion is one of my weaknesses, otherwise I would have destroyed you.”

Ilea just smiled, “I have some friends in and near Riverwatch. Perhaps we could set something up. I’d have to talk to them first though.” She said, looking to Isalthar and changing the subject once more, back to the initial problem.

“That is agreeable.” The elf replied, finishing his food. “Thank you for the meal. It is most generous.”

“Don’t worry about it. I own a bunch of restaurants, got plenty where that came from.” Ilea said and smiled.

“You own a restaurant? How does that work? Do you have to hire cooks?” Ben asked, his notepad out again.

Not sure if I like where this is going.

Ilea smiled at him and explained some things but adding that someone else manages it for her.

She noticed that the last elf who hadn’t spoken much so far carefully approached the plate she had put out and grabbed it. A silver fork not much unlike Isalthar’s appeared before he began eating in silence.

Chapter 371 Potential Allies

Chapter 371 Potential Allies

Ilea finished eating too, exchanging some stories about the north with them. She decided not to mention Elfie and his crew yet, not before she talked to them about this new group of Cerithil Hunters.

She sat back and smiled, crossing her arms. “So, you’re a dragon or what was that?”

The elf laughed, showing his sharp teeth now that he wasn’t wearing his helmet anymore. “Perhaps one day… one day I’ll be one of them.” He looked up with longing red eyes.

Ben laughed. “Keep dreaming. Shapeshifting is all you’ll ever get.”

“Possibilities are unlimited.” Isalthar commented, drinking from a beautiful white porcelain cup.

Ilea thought it was tea, the smell at least reminded her of herbs.

“We’re talking about dragons.” Ben said, rolling his eyes. “There are limits. He’s a fighter, he’s not going to be as old as you are.”

“I sadly have to agree there.” Feyrair sighed.

“So you’re shapeshifting into one? How did you get the class?” Ilea asked with interest. “Did you meet one? Fight one?”

Feyrair laughed. “That, dear human, is not something I would tell to someone who couldn’t defeat me.”

“I defeated you though.” Ilea said, squinting her eyes.

“Who couldn’t defeat me at least twice.” The elf changed the requirements.

“You’re going to raise that once I slap you around again, aren’t you.” She commented.

“He is.” Ben said.

“I’ll go check with my associates then but if you’re staying for a while, I’d love to train some resistances and have more bouts. I think it’d be beneficial for all of us.” Ilea said and got up. Her Heat Resistance hadn’t leveled in a while and just a couple attacks from Feyrair were enough.

She wanted to know what the story behind his classes were, that dude packed a punch she wouldn’t expect from anyone below three hundred.

Ilea thought he was perhaps stronger even than Maro and that guy had been a king, studying for ages and out there fighting dangerous monsters. If anyone had a good class it was him. The white fire reminds me of that noble. What was his class called again?

She didn’t remember but she knew it had been powerful for someone at level one hundred.

“You do not intend to give us the goods we need right now?” Isalthar asked.

Ilea looked at him and smiled. “You do not trust me?”

“Would thou trust an elf on their word?” He asked.

She shrugged. “Probably. But I know I’m too trusting.”

“Your words prove the truth inherent.” Isalthar replied. “Go then, human, Guardian. I have decided to trust you.” He said.

Ilea bowed lightly and smirked. “I’ll be back in a couple hours hopefully.”

Ben raised a mug to her.

Feyrair showed his teeth and hissed, an approving challenge. Or something like that.

Ilea was still learning her hisses.

The last elf hovered, empty plate in hand before he bowed, a warm smile on his face.

“Hope you liked it.” She said and spread her wings, shooting off into the tunnel she had come from.

Ah fuck, I’m not going to find back, am I?

Using her magic perception and Sentinel Huntress, she could reverse engineer the path she had come from. An extended ashen limb cut lightly into the walls from time to time, marking the way for her latter return.

The first city officials and guards were already present in the smuggler’s den. Heavily armed soldiers with massive metal shields led squads of rogues as they dismantled the hidden traps one by one.

Ilea glanced at them and got a couple scared looks.

The guards reassured each other, many having seen her before in her ashen armor.

She didn’t find Dale but was directed by a waiting guard whose job it was to inform her about his whereabouts.

“Miss… Shadow.” The man called out when he saw her exiting out into the warehouse.

Ilea landed next to him, her wings snugly folding on her back. “Yes?”

“Captain Dale informed me to inform you about where he is.” The man stuttered out and got a small piece of paper from his pocked. “With the girl, he said. I hope you know what that means.” He laughed awkwardly, sweat forming on his hands.

“I think I do, thanks.” She replied and spread her wings once more, flying up and blinking through the ceiling before she headed towards the house Walter and Vin were staying at.

She landed a couple minutes away and ran the rest on foot, blinking into the stairwell before she slowed down.

A knock on the door notified the others waiting behind.

“Come in.” Dale said. He had glanced her way even before she arrived.

“You didn’t want to join the search?” She asked, looking at the captain.

Walter was there too, as were Vin and Kevan. Another man too, one of the survivors she had freed. An officer.

Vin rushed her, tackle hugging Ilea as the air was pushed out of her lungs. Like running into a tree.

“I’m Eli by the way.” The man said and chuckled at the sight. Olive skin, black short hair and brown eyes. He had several noticeable scars on his neck and right cheek. A rapier was fastened to his belt.

“One of the missing ones. Good to see not all of you died.” Ilea said and patted Vin’s back.

The girl was in tears, hugging her with all the strength she had. “You came back… you did it…,”

“I did, I did.” Ilea replied. “Kevan, you’re still here too.”

The man grumbled. “They didn’t let me look through the hideout. Because I’m not an official. Even though I saved his ass.”

“I thanked you.” Dale said. “We will inform you if there is anything related to you.”

“You heard that fucker, Nolan. He said they tried to set me up. I want to know who did it.” Kevan hissed.

“Yes, yes.” Dale said. “Your foraging went well?” He asked, glancing at Ilea with a glint in his eye.

“It did.” She said simply.

Wonder if Mauro’s ring holds any evidence in regards to Kevan. The ring was safely in her bracelet, just like the rest of the loot she had taken from the Gray Company. She had worn it on her finger, unclaimed until she killed the man.

The fight with Feyrair forced her to either claim or store it. The latter was faster and actually worked. Likely because nobody had a claim on it anymore.

“Will you talk to Alistair? I could report to him too. We will be covered in paperwork for the next week either way.” Dale suggested.

She sighed and nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Let him know the pay for the job can go to Walter.”

“What?” Walter asked, stepping away from the wall he had been leaning on.

“I have a proposal for you. We’ll talk about it later.” Ilea said and smirked.

“What did she plan this time?” The sorcerer grumbled and stepped back again, exchanging a knowing glance with Dale.

“Don’t act like I didn’t see that.” Ilea said but that was exactly what they did.

Vin finally let go and walked back to Eli. Her young age really showed then, a stark contrast to the young rogue from before,clutching her knife behind her back.

“Eli, can you get in contact with Alistair. I could get you three a house somewhere in Riverwatch. And you could stop taking dangerous missions.” Ilea suggested.

The man laughed before he shook his head. “I’ll look into an apartment in a better area for them. Yet I won’t stop going on my missions. Vin is already independent and next year she can join the Hunters if she wants to.” He explained. “You won’t stop doing Shadow missions either, just because they’re dangerous. Will you?”

I don’t have two kids at home. Ilea thought but kept it to herself. She knew that Vin would grow up to become a feared hunter, with her help or without. Maybe one day, she would become a Shadow too.

If Eli didn’t want her help, then that was his choice. “Make sure you have healers around next time.”

“Of course. We’ll be closer to a guard station. Dale already chewed me out, Miss.” Eli said and gave the captain a nod.

“Good.” Ilea said and winked at Dale.

“I’ll be taking my leave then. Is it alright if I check back in on the Gray company hideout in a couple hours? I wanted to look through some of the lower tunnels, there were some interesting poisons I want to test on myself.” Ilea said, stepping over to Walter.

“I’ll be there again shortly. Of course you’re free to come and go. Most of the guards know you already anyway. It’s going to take a couple days or even weeks to go through all that.” Dale said, sighing.

“You know you can leave some work for others. Like Eli.” Ilea suggested and watched him shake his head.

“This has priority right now. At least until the brunt of it is done.” Dale rejected her idea.

If you want more work on your desk. She smiled and shrugged. “Then I’ll see you around. Walter?”

They said their goodbyes, Vin hugging Ilea once more and thanking her profoundly.

She wasn’t sure about them, about Eli especially. The man would take another mission and there was a possibility that he would die. At one point or the other. Ilea just hoped Vin was old enough and prepared enough by then.

“What are you thinking about?” Walter asked, the two walking back to the western gate.

She hadn’t yet explained any of her intentions. “The question Eli asked me. If I would stop doing missions. If I had a little girl that needed me.”

He huffed and glanced her way. “It’s difficult isn’t it. You’re pretty rich by now so you could just get a house and someone to take care of them.”

“And not be there?” Ilea asked. “No.”

“What if there’s an important mission, someone needing your help?” He asked as they reached the gate.

Exiting was a much simpler affair than getting into the city.

“Fuck them. I’d stay. Probably.” Ilea said. She didn’t have a kid, the decision seeming uncertain to her. Perhaps if she did, it would be easier.

“I would stay.” Walter said after a while.

“We should fly now.” Ilea said, her wings appearing on her back as she ended the conversation. She didn’t want to think more about Eli and his adopted kids.

Walter nodded and started hovering as well.

They went back to the Vultures hideout, a couple minutes of flying away from Riverwatch.

“What did you want to talk about? You know that I can’t take that gold from you.” Walter said when they landed, the two walking towards the cave entrance.

Ilea sighed and shook her head. “I thought about giving you guys some gold anyway. Now I have something that I believe nobody is quite ready for yet, no one but you. You and your necromancers.”

Walter glanced at her, uncertainty showing on his face. “What do you have in mind? I don’t want to expose the Vultures, I don’t want to put us out there.”

“You already did by agreeing to meet Alistair.” Ilea said with a smirk. “But of course in the end, it’s your decision. I think it would benefit humanity, you, me and perhaps even all of Elos.” She chuckled and shook her head. “I sound like a naive idealist, don’t I?”

Walter looked at her and smiled lightly. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about yet. You do, a little. Then again, you just convinced the governor of a whole city with nearly a hundred thousand people living in it to meet a necromancer and look at a trade deal.”

“That I did.” Ilea agreed. “I want Lucia there too, her, Harthome, Celene, Indra and Neeto. Maro will push his way in too of course but I suppose it’s good that he likes you lot. His protection could mean a lot.”

“You’re starting to scare me, Ilea.” Walter said. “What did you find down in that smuggler’s den?”

“Some new… potential friends.” She said and smirked, watching the man frown and open the door to the brotherhood’s hideout.

“I’ll get them together.”

It didn’t take long but the necromancers were of course annoyed about the interruption to their tinkering.

Ilea was a little intrigued in what exactly they were cooking up with the remains of Green. However it could wait for after her announcement and the connected suggestion. She didn’t know how long exactly Isalthar was willing to wait.

“Glad you’re all here. I’m gonna make it quick. We found the missing people in Riverwatch, some of them at least. A smuggler organization was responsible and we took them out.”

Some murmurs went through the room but nobody interrupted. Maro was looking on with a big smirk.

“Now. There were some associates that I got introduced to before I killed one of the leaders. Associates that are desperate to trade with Riverwatch.” She paused. “With humans.”

Maro laughed out loud.

“Who did you find?” Walter asked, one hand massaging his brow.

“A group of Cerithil Hunters, elven warriors and mages.” Ilea said.

“What? So close to the city?” Lucia blurted out.

“You want us to trade with them?” Harthome asked, a terrified look on his face.

“Why?” Walter asked. “Why not Alistair? You could convince him, I’m sure of it.”

Ilea looked at the man and smiled. “I don’t intend to keep this something small. I intend to help support the hunters, strengthen and organize them, have them find shelter and support in human lands.”

“Why?” Lucia asked. “They’re monsters, they see us as ants.”

“Because that’s what they were taught. The hunters want to end the blight that are the Taleen, they want to protect their people. I think at one point or the other, they will prevail. Either that or we have a couple hundred thousands or however many Taleen machines there are, roaming the forests. We should worry about the elves in the domains. Do you think the Hunters would care for humanity once the oracles look our way?”

“I don’t want either of those things to happen without us having better relations. They’re incredibly powerful, could likely teach us a lot about a ton of magic schools and they could help protect humans in case something worse comes up.” Ilea explained.

“Like demons.” Celene said.

“That still doesn’t answer the question I asked.” Walter said. “Alistair has more resources.”

“Not more than me.” Ilea said simply. “Not with Ravenhall and the Hand, with Claire. That’s not the point though. The point is you. You have necromancers here, a living skeleton, a Mind Weaver, a demon and you still manage to respect each other. Why not add elves to the mix? It could just be a trading proxy, between the elves and Riverwatch. They will see humans that don’t see them as monsters and perhaps, they won’t see us as ants in turn.”

“You’re trying to change a whole people’s perception of a whole race.” Harthome said.

Maro chuckled. “Wrong, two peoples’. But honestly, most wouldn’t give a shit if you told them that elves weren’t actually as one sided as they believed. Some would revolt, sure but who cares?The same is true for the elves. I met the hunters up north and they were alright enough, a little crazy sometimes, sure but not worse than anything I’ve met with a human head on their shoulder.”

“The domains will flip their shit as soon as they realize the cursed elves are supported by humans. It would be interesting to see for sure. If we help them now, now that they have this issue, in a thousand years, they will remember.” He added.

“We are talking about a war that has been going on for thousands of years already. Do you think some traded goods and organization will suddenly turn the tides?” Walter asked.

“Of course not.” Ilea replied. “It might take another thousand or even ten to finish the Taleen and their endless assault. Do you want to face the surviving elves who went through that afterwards? Or even have them close by? With their oracles? Or do you want to know that humans have helped the Cerithil Hunters for hundreds of years, the hunters that are now perhaps their own people, separate from the oracles or who knows, even overthrew them?”

“It sounds good in theory, yes. Then again, we could just leave them in their endless cycle of war. Let the elves fight against the machines, let the hunters try and stop it. Maybe they will succeed, maybe they fail. Humanity will find a way to antagonized them.”

Maro snorted. “And have them think we are all ants? I’d rather they know the Vultures, Riverwatch and maybe the Shadow’s Hand supported them. I won’t be part of those conversations once we get there but Ilea has something very special here. Something not me nor any of the powerful people I knew could achieve. She knows powerful elves, dark ones and humans. All of them trust her. It would be a waste not to try at least.”

“They need food, ropes and lanterns for fuck’s sake, not our secret tech and knowledge. Plus, we’re just talking about a trade agreement. The Vultures helping out those four hunters. That’s it. Anything else that might come of it will be tackled as soon as it comes up.”

Walter crossed his arms. “And I will have to deal with it.”

“You deal with the Vultures and your trade. The main elf in that crew will deal with their shit, I’m sure of that. I on the other hand will make sure that someone who wants to will step in as soon as things expand. Claire maybe, or someone else.” She said and glanced at Maro.

“No. Fuck no, find someone else to do your shit job.” The man said and smiled. “I do want to meet them though.”

“Fair enough. I don’t want to do it either.” Ilea said with a smile. “Walter, they really don’t need a lot. Meet them at least before you make a decision. Alistair and Ravenhall could get involved too at a later time but for now I think it would be great to have you.”

The man shook his head and sighed. He looked at Lucia, the woman giving him a slight nod. The same confirmation came from the others before he sighed again. “I’ll meet them. But I swear to you, Ilea. If in a hundred years, I’m stuck with managing a trade empire, I’m going to use all that gold to hunt you down and sit you on that management chair. Do you understand?”

Ilea smiled brightly and nodded.

Chapter 372 Contact

Chapter 372 Contact

Ilea led Walter through the tunnels, the markings on the walls leading her.

Maro had sneaked in behind them, avoiding the guards that were still very much busy with dismantling traps and searching through already looted rooms and halls.

They would find some things left behind by her.

“We could have gotten the others too.” Ilea said, glancing towards Walter.

“I trust you Ilea, it scares me but I do. And still, I won’t let Lucia and the others just meet a bunch of elves. They were our enemy for hundreds of years, as long as I can remember. Always a looming threat and never did they step up to try and talk.” He dismissed the idea.

“To be fair, you don’t know if they never did. Who in their right mind would try and side with elves?” Maro asked and twirled his finger near his temple.

“Smugglers, apparently.” Ilea replied, looking at him as she shrugged and smiled.

“Or you, a fighting obsessed mad woman who released a thousand year old necromancer from his prison and crypt.” Maro said.

“You two are stressing me out.” Walter said. “It was enough of a thrill to be involved in the mission earlier. This is magnitudes beyond. We are about to meet elves.” He said the last sentence in a quieter tone, as if surprised by it himself.

“We are.” Ilea said. “And I need to get some resistance training in too. They have insane magic power.”

Walter stopped suddenly. “If Riverwatch find out about this, we’re done.”

“I’m still somewhere around. Probably.” Maro said. “Let them try.” He smirked.

Ilea turned around. “I’ll write a letter, signed with my mana signature. Addressed to Alistair. And I will inform Claire of course. I don’t want her to organize the trading yet because she’s too far away and not the best person for the job. Not yet, not now.”

Walter thought it over and nodded after a while. “It’s a big risk.”

“Like summoning a demon into your halls?” Ilea asked. “Or taking one in? Or not attacking the weird healer that joined you suddenly?”

He just puffed air out of his nose and walked past her. “You’ve made your point. Let’s meet the fucking elves.”

Ilea grinned. “That’s what I want to hear.”

Maro gestured for her to go. “After you.”

“Scared?” She asked.

“A little, might pee myself.” He replied in a dry tone.

Ilea rolled her eyes but was quite amused by his antics. She was glad the necromancer had come as well, feeling a little less ridiculous about the idea thanks to his jokes.

They crossed the rest of the distance, running most of the way. The speck of light became visible again after a while, Ilea motioning for the others to slow down.

“We’re nearly there. I don’t want to surprise them.” She said and took the lead.

Isalthar and his group was waiting already, floating near the entrance with their various flying magic.

Feyrair of course was sporting dark red wings. He smirked when she came into the open. “Took you long enough. Come, let’s fight!”

“Please. A moment.” Isalthar said.

Ilea couldn’t tell if it was a command. The wording didn’t suggest so but Feyrair stood down immediately, his excitement gone. He didn’t even grumble to himself.

Walter and Maro stepped out, the latter actually a little further back.

She lifted an eyebrow at that but didn’t comment. “This is Walter, a dark sorcerer and leader of a small necromancer brotherhood that operates near Riverwatch.” Ilea explained and motioned to the man. “And this is Maro.”

Isalthar nodded to each of them, taking his time to look them over. “I am pleased, to make thy acquaintance.”

“Likewise.” Walter said, glancing over the elves.

Maro just nodded.

“Peculiar. I remember such symbols. Yet I had thought that Rhyvor was gone. Even before my own time.” Isalthar commented, facing Maro.

“Some remnants are still around.” The man commented.

Feyrair smirked. “Another one to fight. Death magic seems like a worthwhile addition to my resistances.” He showed his teeth and hissed.

“He’s like you.” Maro whispered to Ilea, completely aware that everyone could hear him.

“Nice of you to notice.” Ilea said. “I’m less brazen.”

“Really?” Maro asked. “Just because he uses red…,”

“It’s not just that. Maybe he will show you later.” Ilea said with a smirk.

Feyrair smiled back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. His red leathery wings flapped once, not changing his unmoving hover in the slightest.

Isalthar landed near Walter. “It is thee then? The one to provide future trade.”

Walter nodded. “Yes. Riverwatch isn’t keen on us necromancers but we can get goods in and out of the city. A new contract she secured us should make it much easier too.” He explained.

“They’re even less keen on elves so I hope you’re not planning on making a scene.” He added.

“I understand, the horrors my kind has brought upon you. I hold no guilt and yet I hope it may not stand in the way of cooperation.” Isalthar said.

“It’s not like we wouldn’t do the same if we could.” Walter said and chuckled, ending the noise nervously.

“Do not underestimate your kind, sorcerer.” Isalthar said, surprising the group. “The two standing next to you are living proof of your capabilities.”

“Outliers.” Walter replied and shrugged. “Should we discuss the details? The way your red warrior is looking at me is freaking me out.” He said and glanced at Feyrair.

“Your fear is not misplaced.” Feyrair said with a wicked smirk.

“Don’t talk shit dragonboy, It will only make me hit harder.” Ilea said and spread her wings.

Isalthar faced Walter and gestured for them to step aside. “We shall. I appreciate your consideration.” He glanced towards Maro too.

The necromancer shook his head. “I’m mostly here for the fighting.”

Isalthar sighed, neither audible nor visible.

Ilea could tell only through her sphere and the slight change in air pressure in front of his mouth. She chuckled at that and noticed a slight twist of his head. Perceptive, that one.

“I am torn.” Ben said. “Hmm.” He apparently decided on Walter and joined the two.

The last elf floated nearby but didn’t seem to be particularly interested in any of them.

A high pitched sound suddenly came from near Isalthar, chunks of rock cut out of the ground before they levitated before him. Again, the air moved and pieces of stone fell down, leaving a table and four chairs that slowly drifted to the floor.

Walter gulped audibly but took a seat nonetheless. “Why do I agree to these things?” He grumbled to himself.

“We intend no harm.” Isalthar reassured the man.

“That’s what they all say. Now, let’s discuss what you need, where we could get it and when you would like to visit.” Walter sighed, getting his pack he had gotten back in their crypt, removing pieces of paper and a pen.

Isalthar focused on the man with an unreadable expression.

“I want one of those pens. Mine is nearly empty.” Ben said immediately, taking a seat. “Also food. Do you have a way to store it freshly?”

“You have more than ten pens.” Isalthar said, confusion apparent in his words.

“Yes but what if they’re all empty suddenly?” Ben asked and shook his head. “Walter, right? I’m Ben. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you understand the importance of this. We have to eat wild beasts if you cannot deliver food to us.” His expression screamed urgency.

“Don’t you love eating people and animals?” Walter asked as he wrote down something. He glanced at Ben. “How many pens?”

“Five… no ten.” Ben said before he looked at Isalthar. “Ok five. We do like eating humans, animals, elves. There is something beautiful about the fresh blood, the still pulsing muscles, the warmth. Variety is the spice of life. I heard a human say this a couple decades ago. A marvelous saying if you ask me. I most certainly agree. I am old, Walter. Older than many a human and trust me, I’ve eaten many things. New flavors and experimental dishes are most welcome. If you lack a storage item, I might lend you one so you can provide fresh ones.”

Walter nodded. “Food is easy enough. Do you plan to trade in gold or wares? Knowledge might be valuable too. Rare spells and classes as well as geography. Perhaps even ways to defend ourselves against the domains.”

“All are reasonable. Simply ask what you wish in return.” Isalthar said.

Ilea stopped listening by then. Walter was in his element already and took it seriously. We’ll see who sits on that trade throne. She thought, feeling a little bad that she had pushed this onto him. On the other hand, he might be able to win them as friends as time went on. Having Maro and Isalthar defend the Vultures would likely make them one of the most powerful human organizations. Mostly human that was.

“You are so easily distracted from what is important.” Feyrair said, glaring at her with a big grin.

“He seems to like you.” Maro commented. “Just take him out on a date first.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, “My Heat resistance needs a couple more levels. Feel like setting me aflame?”

Feyrair grinned. “Only in a fair bout. I will not steep so low as to use my magic for your advantage alone.”

“Fair enough.” Ilea said, ashen wings forming behind her, limbs fanning out as she went into a crouch.

Magic erupted from Feyrair, his form shifting before he stood there, once again in his dragon like form.

Maro hovered up, stunned as he looked on with a shocked expression. “Wonderful.” He finally got out, the word whispered.

The dragon like being gave him a look before it once again focused on Ilea.

Come on then. She thought and advanced, running at the beast and tanking the white flames that washed over her a moment later. She blinked back and simply let the elf do his thing.

Healing and ashen armor took care of the damage, the fires not quite enough to get past her resistances coupled with her regeneration. Her third tier Sentinel Core transformed a big chunk of the attack into mana she could straight up invest back into healing.

The only thing going down through this was Feyrair’s mana. With how massive and powerful the swaths of flames were, it was likely that the spell’s cost wasn’t negligible.

Ilea’s bone armor occasionally took a tiny bit of damage but even with the slow recovery speed, she decided to keep it on. The armor repaired itself in the downtime, only sustaining minor singeing in the first place.

“You are not attacking…,” Feyrair complained, stepping sideways as his dragon head kept its focus on her, red reptile like eyes squinting at her as he puffed out white flames from his nostrils.

“Seems like I’m winning so far. Is that what you do usually? Just wait and burn your enemies from a distance? I had expected more to be honest.” Ilea taunted, looking at her hand that she held up in front of her face, as if to check her nails below the bone and ash armor.

A low growl came from Feyrair before he chuckled, the sound more akin to a rumbling. “Very well.” He said and vanished, appearing right in front of her, the air displaced and a massive clawed hand slamming into her.

Eight ashen limbs in addition to the left wing helped block the attack, Ilea more prepared for the sheer force of the strike and the following white hot cutting and melting properties of his massive claws.

She crouched and was moved sideways, the talons ripping through her ash, stopping only on her armor, right before they touched bone.

Ilea’s response came quickly, as the other eight limbs slashed into various parts of Feyrair’s huge body. Wings, eyes and his jaw were primarily aimed at but his quick movements avoided any major damage.

He could however not avoid Storm of Cinders, flowing into him as well as her reversed healing, sending destructive mana into his connected talons.

The white fire that burned on them and pushed against the constantly reforming and healing ash provided a constant flow of mana for the healer to use.

She noted that the exchange was in her favor, grinning as she held up her arm to the incoming second arm slamming down on her.

The blow made the ground crack in various places under her ash covered armored bone boots.

Ilea held the position, feeling the heat of the fires burning, right before she felt the next attack coming. Another cone of flames, enveloping her entirely as it melted away the very stone she stood on, even partially damaging the thick leathery skin on the dragon’s arms.

Smoke rose as he disengaged and disappeared, growling once more as the scorch marks on his long dark red arms cleared up.

She too was smoking, the combined effort enough to get to her bone armor where his talons had pushed down. The armor stopped him however and the cracks and blackened parts were already repairing itself before ash covered them once more.

He roared, white fire surging around his whole body, his red eyes slowly turning white as he glared at her.

The heat around his form increased ten fold, Ilea instinctively taking a step back. Her own fire spell was charging up within her chest but little time has passed so far in their brief exchange of blows.

She waited, his form tensing up as swaths of fire scorched the ground below his palms. Molten rock was left where he had stood, his form appearing next to her.

Ilea had followed the movement, not teleportation but a burst of speed similar to what Dale could do. Enough to surprise her, had it not been for her Azarinth Fighting perception.

The blow landed, sending Ilea skidding to the side. She was prepared to take it, her once more damaged ashen wing reforming as she came to a stop and looked his way.

His claw had cut deep, past her armors and into her skin. The familiar feeling of Mana Drain still lingered as the wounds closed, halfway to the bone on bother her arm and torso.

Ilea grinned, watching him move once more. Her ash had reformed already but her bone armor was heavily damaged still.

The heat of his presence made the air singe, each touch to the ground melted a chunk of stone.

Again, Ilea decided not to dodge, instead forming more ash to help soften the blows. Ashen limbs slashed out at him, delivering further blows.

Her own arms moved to block the claws coming from both sides, cutting into her and past her defenses. She felt mana return to her, still topped off thanks to her opponent’s constant contributions.

The talons once more stopped before they reached her own bones, tearing flesh and burning it, leaving nasty wounds behind that would likely incapacitate anybody without a high level of Pain Tolerance.

Ilea felt it and ground her teeth, her skill bonuses and high level of Pain Tolerance still leaving her nearly stunned by the intense feeling.

She pushed through, her Heart of Cinder releasing at the same time as she forced her arms to the side. The added sphere of fire and heat helped her get free of his grasp.

Immediately, the damage to her body healed and the pain subsided, her mind focused and ready. Ash once more covered her, the bracers of her bone armor now damaged too.

Feyrair staggered back from the blow, the heat slowly subsiding as the white flames stopped flaring up. His eyes turned red again, blood running down his maw.

Several wounds showed on and near his wings as well as small cuts on his thick armored body. He heaved and nearly collapsed where he stood, a look of defiance in his eyes. Defiance and joy.

“You… survived it.” He said and turned back into an elf.

Feyrair went to one knee, several wounds on his body showing. He still heaved, every breath a difficult undertaking.

“Need a heal?” Ilea asked with a smile as she appeared next to him.

“I... do.” He said, each word strained and with a long pause in between.

An ashen limb extended, the heavy damage to his body healing thanks to her skill. “You’re in better shape than I thought.” Ilea commented, seeing his anatomy thanks to her recovery magic.

“The last… form I used.” He said, his voice already sounding relieved. “It has ramifications beyond healing.”

“So you can’t fight anymore?” Ilea asked, disappointment in her voice.

“Not at that power. Nor for a day at least, perhaps longer.” He looked up to her with a little shame in his eyes. “But I can use powerful fire spells if you want to level your resistance.”

“Sure, that sounds great.” Ilea replied and glanced at Maro. “You can continued to use Death Magic on me too.”

“Me as well… if you could heal the decay?” Feyrair asked as he glanced first towards Maro and then Ilea.

Maro floated down next to them. “Impressive burst of power. You were nearly three times as fast.”

Feyrair nodded. “If she didn’t have Mana and Health Drain resistances, which I assume you do?” He sighed when he saw her nod. “It would have lasted much longer. The way it stands, this one really covers all my strengths with countering abilities.”

The necromancer chuckled. “I can’t even damage her anymore so you have that on me. You’re below level three hundred. May I ask how something like that is possible? I had assume me and Ilea were outliers already.”

“You may.” Feyrair said and got up from his half kneeling position. “Would you like me to use fire magic on you as well?”

“Thanks, but no. Even with Pain tolerance, I’d rather not see my skin melting.” Maro said.

The elf looked at him then, his eyes squinting before he hissed. “Very well. As to my power, I suppose it is merely a matter of class rarity and skill levels. I have switched classes over the centuries, giving me some unique modifiers.”

Chapter 373 A relaxing afternoon

Chapter 373 A relaxing afternoon

“You gave up high leveled classes to take other ones?” Ilea asked. “You lose the level in that case, right?”

“You do.” Feyrair confirmed. “And I have. Perhaps I was foolish and proud. My decisions however are my own and they have led me to what I am on this day.”

“I’m sure you’re going to be nuts after hitting three hundred.” Ilea commented. “I know a couple high level dungeons up north, you could get there in no time.”

Feyrair smiled at her. “May we start?” He asked and extended a hand.

Ilea moved back her ashen armor near her stomach and stored her bone armor. She summoned the gear once more and touched it with her ashen limbs. It wouldn’t regenerate in her storage item, she assumed.

“Go for it.” She said, both Feyrair and Maro releasing their spells.

Ilea healed herself and the elf, magic burning and decaying chunks of their unprotected bodies.

The elf had revealed his left arm, the piece of scale armor previously protecting it had vanished.

“I know plenty of dungeons myself. Our quest however is not one of personal growth but far beyond such goals. In time, I will reach level three hundred and beyond. A steady pace that will allow high skill levels even in the third tier as well as achievements unlikely to show themselves in mere years or decades.” Feyrair explained.

Ilea didn’t see it. Leveling to the next evolution would give him a significant increase instantly. He was going the long route it seemed, the very long route. Even taking new classes entirely and losing whatever progression he had before.

She assumed he hadn’t been any lower than two hundred. Still possible in a couple years. He can’t be as reckless without a healer but Isalthar is nearby too.

“You disagree.” Feyrair said. “I understand. How old are you, Ilea, Guardian of Cerith?”

“Twenty two, three. I’m not sure anymore. Sometimes I didn’t count the days that passed.” She replied.

“Younger than I had thought.” He said. “Even more impressive then, for you to have reached such power at that age. An extraordinary combination of classes, close to both death and life. A thin line few may traverse safely.”

“I think in decades and centuries, not in months and years as your kind tends to do.” Feyrair said. “Our quest has not waned through it all. Through human empires and kingdoms forming and falling, millions of your kind birthed and dying once again.”

Ilea smiled. “I get it, you’re old. Still seems more effective to me to just go out and get the levels. You’re powerful enough to melt even a Praetorian’s shield.”

The elf chuckled. “That I am. Rare machines they are however and once defeated, not even I am safe from the detonation.”

“They do pack a punch.” Ilea said, remembering the blasts.

“You defeated some then? Where?” Feyrair asked, his interest sparked.

“I might tell you at some point. How did you get your dragon form? I defeated you again.” Ilea retorted.

He smirked, sharp teeth showing. “Perhaps I might tell you at some point.”

“I have to say.” Maro chimed in. “It’s just not a good feeling to have you act casually while my death magic decays your bodies.”

“Inefficiently.” Ilea pointed out.

Maro looked at her and rolled his eyes. “That’s the point, smart-ass.”

“So taking a new class will give you more options?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. Everything you do will influence the possibilities.” Maro said.

“He speaks the truth. However still, with all my advancements, I cannot recommend it. Not with classes as powerful already as your own.” Feyrair said.

Ilea thought it over. It seemed like a stupid idea overall. Rarity of one’s class and magic was important, sure but skill and class levels alone would be more beneficial. In the short term at least.

“Is there a level ceiling? Like an end to leveling or something that makes it harder to get higher?” Ilea asked. She could see how someone having reached the maximum level possible would choose a new class for better skills. Still kind of stupid but with centuries to live, she didn’t know if the choice would stay as obvious.

“Not to my knowledge.” Feyrair replied. “Of course you need to fight more and more powerful monsters, many with resistances. The higher you go, the fewer obvious weaknesses they have.”

“That’s part of the plan anyway.” Ilea said. “Any idea about third classes and third tier general skills?”

He grinned. “You are asking questions few humans get to ponder. I can see you are on the right track for both. And no, I have neither nor do I know more than the general requirements. Elves I trust have confirmed their existence, however each of them preferred not to share the specifics of those secrets.”

Ilea sighed. “Why do people not share information here? It would help other elves out just as much as humans. What are the general requirements?”

“I share this with you, only because you have defeated me twice. Guardian of Cerith, and because you have chosen to help the hunters of our kind, despite our respective race’s history.”

“To reach the third tier of general skills, you must level general skills. To reach a third class, must simply get stronger.” He explained.

“That’s more general than I had assumed. How many general skills and to what level? By stronger, do you mean simply my class levels?” Ilea asked.

“Those are the secrets I do not know.” The elf said, apparently amused at his own lack of information. It seemed he could empathize with her frustration.

Ilea frowned. “I heard someone got a third class by doing an extraordinary feat. Is that not possible?”

“I have yet to hear of such a story. Perhaps it was a lie? Or maybe it is possible, past level three hundred.” He suggested.

“We could ask the other two.” Ilea nodded towards where Isalthar and Ben were talking to Walter.

Feyrair chuckled. “No. Neither will share. For different reasons. I have tried, believe me.” He said. “Oh, you could add your ash to the attacks. My resistance to it is still below the second tier.”

Small projectiles of ash formed and slammed into his arm, the force not enough to make him move.

“So you’re saying Ben has a third class or third tier general skills?” Ilea asked. The elf was at level three twenty but his attitude didn’t make him stand out as a very intimidating fellow.

“He says he doesn’t.” Feyrair replied. “He talks to a lot of people though and with all his hundreds of interests, I just don’t see how he wouldn’t know. It is of little consequence to me however. I will progress and pave my way through effort and an unwavering will.”

Ilea nodded. Sure you will. It’s at least nice to know what to work towards.

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

Heat too? That was quick. Everyone acted very surprised that she could even stand against his magic but Ilea got more and more interested in what the other elves could do.

Glancing towards the elf who had yet to reveal his name, she found his head facing her.

“Do you want to attack me too with something? I’d appreciate the resistance levels.” Ilea suggested, smiling towards him but still covered by a helmet and ash.

“I don’t know if you want to go through that.” Feyrair said. “It’s unpleasant.”

“Not more than burning alive.” Ilea said, speaking definitively.

The elf shrugged and didn’t contest her statement. He probably knew one thing or the other about fire and its effects on living beings.

“Soul and pain.” The hovering elf said, a reply to her suggestion perhaps.

“Soul and pain magic?” Ilea asked. “I’ve never met anybody who could do that.”

“Me neither.” Maro said, looking at the elf with interest. “It would be exciting to see.”

Feyrair didn’t interrupt, just giving the other elf a nod.

“I’d love to have more resistances so you can try it on me.” Ilea said and turned towards the elf. “I have pain tolerance in the second tier so you don’t have to worry about that part.”

The elf remained quiet, hovering near motionless.

Ilea didn’t know if he was considering it or if he gave up on the conversation already. Either way, she was already getting results from Feyrair. If the other one would join in, it would simply be a bonus on top.

Loud laughter resounded suddenly, Ben walking over with a smile on his face. “Now this is what I call a good environment for experimentation.” He exclaimed and opened his arms wide. “You said you would be open to some ice testing?”

Ilea nodded. “Ice, fire, soul or whatever he has. Isalthar can join in too but I’d like to at least try to tank your attacks alone first.”

Ben lifted his eyebrows before he nodded. “You take risks I wouldn’t even consider. Very well, I won’t complain. Let’s just start very low and go from there. Can you stop for a while?” He addressed both Feyrair and Maro.

The magic ceased, both of them regenerating the used mana.

Ilea’s healing and ashen projectiles hadn’t taken much mana, her own regeneration enough to sustain it. The mana she got from the incoming spells didn’t really have a use in this situation.

“We can start with ice. Just let me know if you’re alright with joining after.” Ilea said towards the floating elf who hadn’t spoken another word.

“Go on Ben, I’ll let you know once it becomes an issue.” She extended her ashen armor and prepared herself. Azarinth Fighting would inform her about any excessive danger and should something damn near kill her, she still had her second tier Azarinth Perception.

Ben nodded excitedly, powerful mana emanating from him a moment later. Instead of heat, the air now cooled.

Crystals of ice formed on top of her ash near instantly. Soon, her body itself started to cool down but she noticed that the ice itself couldn’t quite penetrate.

“You have a second tier resistance.” Ben noted, smiling brightly. “Perfect.”

A chunk of crystals on top of her armor suddenly burst with a powerful explosion of ice and pure force. It didn’t manage to penetrate or even heavily damage her armor.

“Marvelous. You are definitely a valuable test subject.” He said and used more mana in his next spell, her entire body now covered in crystals.

I’m literally an explosion test dummy.

Again, the force ripped through her, stone cracking below as the others took a couple steps back.

Ilea was unharmed.

It looked like Isalthar and Walter got interested as well, the two walking over.

“Done?” Ilea asked, looking their way as more crystals formed.

Ben himself was now covered in a thin layer of ice, reminiscent of the ice mage elf Ilea had fought back in Salia. Ben’s armor looked much thinner, mostly see through and more flexible.

“For now.” Walter said. “You mentioned that you would give them the needed materials for today?”

“Yea. I’ll check it later. Or do you have to go already, Isalthar?” Ilea asked. She had planned to do some more resistance training while they were available.

“We can stay until nightfall.” The healer said.

Ilea nodded. “Do you have a list?”

Walter gave her a piece of paper that she took and stored. “Are you staying?”

“No. You make me feel inadequate at the best of times. I’d rather not see you monsters test magic on each other.” Walter said with a dry voice. “Check in again before you leave. I’m sure the others would be happy.”

“Not you?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“I think I would survive. Nothing against sharing a mug of ale of course.” Walter said and smiled back.

“I’ll be there.” Ilea said and gave Ben a thumbs up to continue.

“You can join as well.” Ilea said to the watching Isalthar. She assumed he was at least.

“Perhaps I will. Do you have a second tier wind magic resistance? Otherwise I would suggest acquiring said first.” The healer said.

“I do.” Ilea replied, an explosion of ice shards sent a shock wave over the group, Feyrair taking another step back.

“Marvelous, marvelous.” Ben exclaimed happily.

Ilea had a feeling she would hear that a couple more times during the day.

After ten spells, Ben even warned the others to take a little more distance. The already splintered rock below Ilea was so cold, it cracked further from her weight alone.

It was a weird sensation. The air was so cold it should damage her somehow but the second tier of her resistance simply made it ineffective. The physics didn’t make sense but somehow, her mana altered the properties of the air she breathed in, the crystals clinging to her body.

Only the shards themselves and the force of the explosion could actually harm her.

Ben’s magic however was barely capable to rival Feyrair’s feats. The range, speed and duration of his magic was vastly superior compared to the dragon elf but its slow nature had a hard time doing any significant damage to Ilea’s ashen armor.

The ash froze of course and flaked off, whole chunks ripped out thanks to the explosions but the force wasn’t enough to rip through to her skin or to rip her apart completely.

Ilea had a theory that was later confirmed, making her second tier Blast resistance responsible for the sheer lack of result.

Ben wasn’t discouraged, even after trying for nearly an hour. Quite the opposite.

He was ecstatic. The man let loose all the spells and powers he had wanted to try. He could even partially turn into ice himself, moving through the frozen stone and air as well as the ice he created out of nowhere.

He tried to crush her with huge chunks of it, tried to cut through her armor with spikes, lances and shrapnel. He tried to squish her between moving pieces, tried to freeze her ash and body itself.

Nothing quite managed to leave a lasting impression. Ilea was too shock and ice resistant, her ashen armor regenerating too quickly and part of her body, benefiting from most of her defenses.

His spells gave her mana that once again were used for her to regenerate. In the end, Ben probably had some ways to potentially injure her but the stone below as well as his created ice were simply not as resistant as her body coupled with ash.

“Do you feel more comfortable now, to try your magic?” Ilea asked the floating elf once more. Isalthar hadn’t joined yet either but she already had wind magic resistance. Something new would add to her Avatar of Ash and with it provide a five or even ten percent increase to her toughness.

He didn’t respond, making Ilea focus back on the others. She did however glance back his way when he held out his hand.

His other arm moved back, as if he was drawing a bow.

In her sphere, Ilea saw exactly that. A bright whitish blue bow being drawn, a corporeal arrow placed on the string of light. Wisps of the energy flowed over both bow and arrow, moving out as if to escape.

“Certain?” The elf asked once more, doubt and anxiousness in his voice.

“Soul magic partially damages your soul. Your healing will have a much smaller effect on it. An incredibly painful and… unsettling experience.” Ben said, taking a couple steps away from her.

“What happens if my soul gets destroyed?” Ilea asked, looking at the drawn arrow.

It did not look like there was any strain on the elf’s face. He simply held the arrow and aimed and waited.

“The soul cannot be destroyed.” Isalthar supplied.

“Soul magic damages your health just as much and your mana. The added aspect of the soul is… difficult to discern or explain. This is information we learned when he joined the hunters, provided solely by him.” Ben explained.

So I’m trusting this random elf to not lie. “How do I heal it?”

“Rest.” The elf said and turned his head sideways, just a few degrees. A questioning glance.

She could see the sweat form on his brow. “Shoot.”

The arrow was loosed, a streak of bright light flowing towards her and through.

Azarinth Fighting had informed her about the health loss but not the rest.

It felt like a chunk of her life force was ripped out with the arrow, the thing flying off into the distance. A chunk of life force and mana.

It had moved through, ignoring her armor just like the mist scythes of Elana had.

The worst part by far was the unsettling pain Ilea felt. Deep in her core, not a physical location but something so private and emotional. As if it had scraped and injured who she was. Not her mind or her memories but something Ilea had never felt before, yet had always known.

“What the fuck, was that?” She exclaimed and stared at the elf. The damage was massive in comparison to the others, healed in seconds nonetheless. The mana situation was a little confusing because she both lost and won mana. The feeling was distinct, it didn’t just mitigate how much of her mana was taken. Without a resistance of course, the mana she got back was minimal.

The elf lowered his hands and head, his mouth opening but closing again a moment later. He turned, in shame, avoiding the group’s looks.

“That was beautiful.” Ilea said. “And terrifying.” She asked, noticing just now that tears had formed on her eyes. The ash prevented anybody from seeing it but her voice had quivered slightly. She felt the distress in him, as obvious as the sun was in a desert.

“Can you do it again?” Ilea asked after a moment of cycling healing mana through herself. It helped, slowly, comforting her. This is the weirdest shit. Ilea thought and laughed.

The elf had turned back a little, head held in a curious position. He looked unsure.

“Certain?” He asked once more, a scared voice, quiet and unsure yet hopeful at the very same.

Ilea smiled and braced herself. “Certain.” She said and breathed out.

Chapter 374 Loot and Levels

Chapter 374 Loot and Levels

The sensation didn’t get any easier to handle. Harder actually until the elf stopped attacking. Ilea took that as a sign to rest. Rest. The unreasonable thing she felt was hurt.

She allowed herself to resume the normal resistance training. “Thank you.” She said and bowed to the elf.

Ilea really meant it. She felt like he had shown her something indescribableand opened a door to a new understanding of herself. Not in a way that would benefit or change her notably, it was just a feeling.

He bowed back, facing her and smiling, ever so slightly.

Ilea had yet to gain a new skill but she would try again in an hour or two, maybe longer if the feeling didn’t subside until then.

“Do you have that resistance, does it exist even?” Ilea asked, looking at Isalthar.

The elf had watched on with curiosity, slightly twitching whenever an arrow moved through her. “You shall find out, soon.” Not a threat, a statement of fact.

“Interested to try yourself against my defenses then?” She asked, facing him with her full body now, ashen armor completely covering her bone armor below. It had regenerated in the meantime and was ready to be ripped apart once more.

“In fact, I am.” He said.

A powerful surge of mana washed over them, followed by a gentle gust of wind.

Ilea stayed where she stood, crouching down into a fighting stance.

“Do you have a way to tell?” Isalthar asked.

“Tell what?” Ilea asked back.

“I do not wish your death.” He spoke, again not a speck of arrogance or superiority audible. He asked if she was sure about this, about what she was getting herself into.

“I’ll teleport away if you’re about to kill me.” Ilea said then. Even if he could half her, it would hardly be dangerous but that card, she wanted to keep close to herself.

The elf nodded and lifted his hand slightly.

A thin line of air condensed and moved. That was all that happened.

As obvious and simple as it sounded, it looked the same in Ilea’s sphere. She could have blinked away if she wanted, had known the damage to her ash thanks to the third tier of her Azarinth Fighting skill but the reaction time was close. Terribly close.

Her ashen armor connected again, a barely audible crack resounding as her bone armor was separated vertically. It too repaired itself quickly.

Ilea felt a thin line of wet and warm blood flowing down her body, starting at her brow and ending on her right thigh. Her bone was intact but he had cut deeper than Feyrair’s claws.

“That was insane.” She whispered. Was it not diverted? Did the second tier not do anything?

Isalthar breathed out, having held his breath for a second longer than he normally did.

He was worried. No wonder, with an attack like that. Is that the weakest he can tune it? No… he tuned it according to me?

“More. To the bone.” Ilea said.

The onlookers had various expressions. All of them knew what had happened, had perceived it in their own ways. For some it might have been too quickly but they had felt it.

Another line formed and moved through her. It was so thin, her ash barely moved as it was seamlessly separated. It moved faster still, denser in its fleeting connection.

“Nothing?” Isalthar asked.

Ilea shook her head. “Not a crack.” Her bones were all that protected most of her organs and especially her brain. She would be out for a split second or even longer once he got through. He would notice.

“Peculiar. Your body is resilient beyond compare.” A compliment from the elven mage that could effortlessly bypass most of her defenses.

She wasn’t sure how to take it. Mostly, she wanted to increase her resistance. It felt exciting yet wrong that someone like him could carve her up so easily. Someone as smart as him.

Not quite there yet. Ilea smiled. Another Drake presents itself. She grinned, glaring at the elf.

“I do not wish to face you, guardian. Merely to provide my assistance.” He spoke, feeling her intent.

“I merely seek to help my people. Fighting you in earnest will not benefit either of us.” He added.

Ilea sighed. “Your choice. Not even me moving around you, trying to approach?”

“Your teleportation is instant, arcane in nature. I have no way to stop it. I suppose it would be a battle of attrition, of who to land a killing blow first. If you wish to test your speed, I suggest testing it against him.” Isalthar spoke and pointed at Feyrair.

He Is pretty speedy. “It’s more about dodging. You could just do this and I’ll try to evade sometimes. What do you say?” She wanted to test herself against him but something told her that she wasn’t quite ready yet.

Ilea was glad now, that she had elven friends and that these hunters weren’t the enemy of her kind. Perhaps she would have died today were neither of those things the case.

Perhaps it would have been them to die.

“That is agreeable.” Isalthar spoke.

Ilea smiled brightly. “Then let’s continue. I think I can take it all simultaneously.”

Feyrair glanced at Maro who in turn glanced at Ben. All of them looked at Isalthar.

“Very well. You may use your spells against my flesh. Thou too, necromancer.” The wind mage said.

That sounds wrong. Ilea thought, forming dozens of small ashen projectiles.

They agreed on a setup, distance and who would attack whom. Two healers were present and all of them likely had Pain tolerance and defenses on par or higher thanmonsters above level five hundred. A terrifying group, capable of destroying whole cities.

Hours passed, the group falling into a rhythm. Those with the most powerful attacks had to rest most often, waiting to regenerate their mana. Feyrair and Ben, then Maro and the yet unnamed elf, who joined in once more after two hours had passed.

Both Ilea and Isalthar did not rest, using only a small part of their resources to provide resistances to the others.

It wasn’t easy this time, compared to the training, the fighting and killing Ilea had done in the past year.Not until a noise resounded in her mind, the arrows passing a little easier, a little less sorrowful.

‘ding’ ‘You have gained the General skill: Soul Magic Resistance’

Soul Magic Resistance – lvl 1

The fleeting conscience of man and beast. Flesh, energy, motion and thought. The Soul stands separate entirely, yet intertwined all the same. Through hardship you have learned understanding, not through meditation and study. A brutal yet comforting truth, strengthening that which cannot be grasped.

Ilea smiled at the contradictory description, feeling that it fit with the feeling she had. Something changed in her and yet she was the same. This is fucking stupid.

She focused on the ice, exploding steadily around her ash, the lances boring into her defenses before they were melted away by white hot flame, decayed by the forces of death before a gentle breeze carried all away.

The sunlight was shifting, their spot now cast in shadows.

“Let me check your list before we continue.” Ilea said and stepped aside, the constant bombardment of various spells stopping instantaneously. “Just in case I need to get something in Riverwatch.”

Nobody had come yet, from the guards investigating the tunnels.

Isalthar had informed her that either way, they would know.

“Shall we continue?” Feyrair asked, glancing at Maro.

The necromancer shrugged. “Sure.”

‘ding’ ‘Would you like to claim [Ring of the First Born – Rare Quality]

Ilea accepted, glancing at the group who continued their training.

The unnamed elf moved a little closer to her, floating around the group. He did not speak.

“Want to watch?” She asked, putting on the ring.

[Ring of the First Born – Rare Quality] – [Storage Capacity at 58/60]

“Tons of shit in here… mostly crates. Do you want to help me look for the things you need?” Ilea summoned the first crate. Mauro hadn’t labeled them. Why would he, he knew what was in each.

A couple items hadn’t been stored in boxes. Those he had shown her earlier were examples.

“Metals.” She commented, lifting a bunch of ingots out of the crate before she stored it once again. Goliath and Terok would be interested in that.

The elf didn’t move much closer but he did keep his focus on her and the crates that came and went, sometimes turning his head a little or smiling.

There was armor, not enchanted or magical, of common or rare quality. Made from various metals, hides and leathers. There were wines, spirits and liquors. One crate held herbs, roots, various monster parts and even finished potions. Health mostly but other more peculiar effects too, some of which Ilea could not discern with Identify alone.

Beautifully made clothing as well as enough weapons to arm whole villages, just as varied as the rest. Whips, pikes, spears and swords. Hammers, halberds and barbed clubs. All of it well made, by capable craftsmen and women.

Ilea was surprised to find a variety of class and spell books, describing different rare magic schools and how to acquire them. Valuable resources and possibly usable for her Sentinels. She didn’t go through it all to find out. If she ever got a third class, maybe it would be worth it to find something suitable. Could I change it even? Feyrair said he switched his main classes so why not?

The Sunlight Blade

Arcanum

The Senescent Spirit

Way of the White Wolf

Dream Hunter and Trickery

Mercer’s Guide on Survival and Luck

Fear of the Reaper

She turned the last book in her hand, dusty and old. It looked like a chunk of it was missing in the end. Won’t be finishing this one.

Ilea put it back into the crate. A smaller one than most of the previous ones. Made of wood, sealed and heavy.

Some of them were history books, guides, others class books or fighting styles. There were many, perhaps too many for a lifetime’s read. Pretty much immortal at this point, no excuses. Ilea sighed and closed it once more, the crate vanishing back whence it came.

Four more crates of similar contents followed before she reached the things not stored within boxes. The more immediately valuable things, magic items, gold and trinkets.

[Silver Insight – Rare Quality] – [You gain understanding of Silver]

[Wyvern’s Claw – Ancient Quality] Enchantments [Strong Edge 5 / Fire Affinity 2]

Those she already knew, now in her possession.

[Midnight Cloak – Rare Quality] – [Improved vision in the dark]

Interesting, might try that one. Her sight was already pretty good in the dark. If something got close enough and into her sphere, eyes of course weren’t at all needed anymore.

[The Skull of Defiance – High Quality] – [Releases a vulgar smell upon destruction]

[Scroll of Fire – Rare Quality] – [Stored Flame]

[Bottle of unending soup – Rare Quality] – [One hundred liters of lukewarm soup – Remaining 99/100]

Ilea rolled her eyes. Most of this stuff was of questionable use. Perhaps in niche situations or simply valuable for their unique effects.

I only got that canine amulet and a bunch of rings so far. Still missing that double damage wig and explosion effect sunglasses. There was more of course, each stored individually.

[Chekhov’s Heavy Bow – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Sure-fire 2]

Ilea summoned the bow, finding it a little too large for her. Still usable perhaps but the one Balduur had crafted for her was better suited to her height and the length of her arms. It did look beautiful however, a long wooden curved piece of carved wood and a string that shined with silver brilliance. Maybe a wall ornament for my house.

[None Shield with Left Axe – Medium Quality] Enchantments [Sharpness 1]

Half shield and half axe. An interesting weapon for sure but Ilea couldn’t decide if it was better than simply using an axe and shield individually. Maybe there would be custom classes for someone using a weapon like this? She wondered if any of the books and items were applicable for her Medics.

She summoned a hundred and twenty gold coins into her hand and straight into her own necklace. Expected them to have more. Then again, a smuggling organization likely wanted their gold to be invested once more instead of piling up.

[Staff of the Chosen – Rare Quality] – [Channels the divine light]

Ilea summoned the thing, a gnarled wooden staff with a yellow crystal entrapped in a cage of roots at its tip.

Divine light? Ilea wondered and let some of her mana flow into it.

Immediately, a warm but bright light emanated from the crystal, bathing the shadows in light.

She slammed an ashen limb into the ground, creating a thin crack before jamming the staff in there. The glow didn’t subside, enough mana remaining to keep it active.

Can even throw it like this. Ilea was happy about the find. This one, she’d definitely use herself.

“Maro, why the hell didn’t you have stuff like this in your treasury?” She asked, making the man interrupt his spells and look over.

“That staff does what a tiny magical light can do, using twenty times the space and probably lasting half as long.” He commented, focusing back on the elves around him.

Ilea shook her head. “It’s pretty cool though.” She felt like she was browsing through a bunch of barely useful itemsto maybe find some Christmas gifts.

She already knew who to gift the actual ring to. Storage items aren’t rare if you raid ancient city vaults and kill smugglers.

A stack of contracts and letters appeared on top of the ashen table she had formed. More shit for Dale to sort through.

Everything she deemed useful but wasn’t on the list of things Isalthar’s group needed, she simply stored in her bracelet. The magical items could at least be sold or put into her house for decorative purposes. Other than the cloak and staff, there was nothing immediately useful to her.

Finally, there were several huge wooden crates containing most of the items the elves were looking for. Well made ropes and backpacks, lanterns as well as a bunch of enchanted spheres to provide whatever the runes would collect.

Ilea tried them and found water, fire, air, light, heat and a rune that collected moisture. A drier. There’s everything here to make a modern washing machine and a drier. We have the technology. She however had her ash already, the tiny particles already enough to get rid of any semblance of dirt on herself.

If her clothes got dirty, they were probably ripped apart anyway. Wait, fire and heat. She wondered why there wasn’t a resistance to the former but there was one to the latter. Why isn’t Ice Resistance just Cold Resistance?

Ilea shrugged and moved on, piling up everything the elves needed before storing everything else in her bracelet. The ring was empty. “Only thing remaining is food. Ben?” She called out.

The elf looked up and disappeared, coming back into existence a couple meters away from her. “That seems like most of what we need.” He smiled brightly. “Thank you. It’s going to make our lives a little easier.” He touched the pile and quickly moved everything into his own storage item.

Ilea started summoning the remaining twenty meals she had from various Ravenhall restaurants. They were over a year old but in the storage item, it stayed hot and ready.

Ben rushed over, putting away the meals immediately. “This.. will be rationed.” He said in a serious tone.

“That concludes our immediate requirements.” Isalthar said, floating over.

“I had hoped for some more resistance training.” Ilea said, looking over the group.

“As I have said previously. We may stay until nightfall.” The elf replied.

“Great, then come and join again. It’s not every day that I can train my Ash Magic Resistance.” Feyrair exclaimed and beckoned her over.

“Of course. Same goes for your high level magic. I’ve already gotten more Heat Resistance than bathing in molten steel for days.” She sighed, actually a little annoyed that it hadn’t been categorized as dangerous enough to level up her skill faster.

“It needs to actually damage you.” Feyrair said. “I suppose it’s not a terrible problem to have. It helped to change one of my classes back in the day. The sudden reduction in health and resilience certainly helped with my general skills.” He winked.

“Okay.” Maro said and started using his death magic on Ilea once more.

“You’re just annoyed that I beat you.” Ilea said, winking at the elf as she exposed her stomach to allow Maro’s magic through.

“Don’t tempt me. I will reach my next evolution in time. And I will make sure to show you, the extent of my power.” Feyrair said, trying to sound intimidating.

Perhaps if she hadn’t already known a bunch of elves, it would have worked. As it stood however, Ilea just chuckled.

Night came in a flash, Ilea focused entirely on the training.

The combined magic tested her skills and control all the way through, forcing her to decide on which injuries to heal, which parts of her armor to recover first and how to use the split seconds her Azarinth Fighting skill allowed her before Isalthar’s attacks hit.

She did feel like she got better in the end, slight variations in her stance, minute adjustments allowing her to mitigate a lot of the damage.

His beyond razor thin attacks allowed for such.

Ilea had no delusions. She was pretty sure the elf was more than capable of summoning more than single attacks. In the last two hours he even did, using horizontal and vertical aligned blades to throw her off.

Perhaps he was holding back to not give all his cards away or he simply decided on the most profitable exchange for Ilea and himself. Maybe he didn’t have the mana to sustain more attacks for unlimited time or he was worried to accidentally kill her.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Chapter 375 Departure

Chapter 375 Departure

The Staff of the Chosen still provided light, a similar hue as a campfire, yet flickering less.

Ilea was happy with today’s training and of course finishing the last mission. Most of all, she was glad she had found a new group of Cerithil Hunters, one a little more experienced than Elfie’s.

She was watching them fly off into the distance, to return in a couple weeks, a month perhaps. Isalthar hadn’t been sure.

Ilea wasn’t sure if keeping the Centurion factory and Elfie mostly a secret for now was the right move. They could certainly help with that problem.

However she didn’t know if she could trust them that far. Isalthar had agreed to work with Walter and hadn’t attacked any humans as far as she could tell. Internal politics however, was a completely different beast and she would at least talk to Elfie before making a decision.

“You look gloomy.” Maro said as he stepped up to her. “Didn’t want to tell them about the dungeon?”

“You did neither.” She replied, walking over to the staff and ripping it out of the ground. A pulse of mana went into it to keep it alight.

The cloak of midnight appeared on her, covering the casual clothes after she stored her Bone Armor. It reminded her of her old cloak. Ilea did like having a hood, fashion that was sadly not exactly in during her time on Earth.

With the staff in her hand, the effect of the cloak wasn’t noticeable. Turning it off, she did feel like she saw a little farther in the dark cave. Just a tiny bit. Maybe it would make more of a difference to someone who couldn’t see in the dark at all.

Maro sighed. “Yea. I didn’t.”

“We’re done with the missions and I’m in the mood to go back north, fight some monsters. I’ve made zero progress in these past weeks.” Ilea said, twirling her staff as it the light returned.

“Just once more.” Maro said, serious suddenly.

She turned her head to look at him, walking towards the cave entrance that led them here. “Once more.”

“I hope I don’t die.” He said in a joking voice.

“Stop that.” Ilea replied, smiling at his antics.

“Would be a shame… last time in the north before I retire.” Maro added.

“You won’t retire. You’re just not a king anymore.” Ilea said and spread her wings.

“Your fault really, my tragic death that is.”

“Shut it or I’ll kill you right here and now.” Ilea added, not really joking anymore. She wouldn’t kill him of course but it did annoy her a little. Perhaps because there was always a real possibility of death. She was fine joking about herself but if he died, she would probably blame herself.

The hypocrisy wasn’t lost on her. His jokes however did stop as they moved back through the tunnels, once more following the trail she had left behind. Ilea was glad about the silence.

She asked the guards and soon found Dale, busy directing various people from the warehouse above. “You’re back.” Ilea said and stepped up to the group surrounding the makeshift table. A medium sized crate had been used.

All eyes moved to her, many showing surprise or something akin to reverie.

“Yes. Do you need anything?” Dale asked, obviously quite busy.

Ilea stepped up and summoned the documents she had gotten from both Mauro’s ring and his office. The stack appeared on the makeshift table, causing various confused stares and glances.

Storage items are rare. I remember something about that. From a long time ago.

“That’s what one of the leaders had in his office. I confiscated it earlier to make sure it doesn’t get destroyed. Knock yourselves out.” She said and was about to step away when she felt someone appear next to the group of guards.

Kevan, the noble stepping closer. “Captain. I think I will wait nearby, should my name come up in those documents.”

Dale sighed and gave Ilea a hurt and tired glance. “Of course. It’s easier to arrest you when you’re already here.”

Kevan snorted. “I was set up!”

“I know.” Dale sighed once more and gave Ilea a questioning glance.

Ilea thought about asking Dale about the Golden Lily, at least have him check the documents she just provided. The potential dangers however outweighed her gains. Ilea would find them eventually, or more likely, they would find her. There was no need for Dale to endanger himself.

“That’s all, have fun.” She said after a moment and motioned Maro to follow.

The necromancer didn’t make a scene but definitely caught a couple glances.

“Where to now?” Maro asked as he stretched, the two walking out into the open square.

A few streetlights as well as the dim shimmers behind windows gave the area some illumination.

“Back to Walter and then, to the north.” Ilea said, quickly glancing at him but not mentioning anything further than that.

“I guess it’s inevitable.” Maro said with a sigh, smirking right after. “I suppose I should enjoy it.”

“You should.” Ilea said and smiled back.

They caught Walter and the others in a conversation about their future elven trading partners, suggestions being thrown around when their heads turned towards the newcomers.

“Could you give them what they needed?” Walter asked immediately, getting up from his sitting position. He looked between them with a frantic motion.

“Yea, of course.” Ilea said. “They left already.”

Walter sighed deeply, relaxing his shoulders and arms. “Thank the gods.”

“Didn’t take you for a religious man.” Maro said and walked past, clasping Walter’s shoulder before he went behind the bar to pour himself some ale.

“We still have some few things to discuss.” Ilea said and summoned the empty storage ring of Mauro. “This, you can have. Both just because it might come in handy and because I kind of pressured you into this new endeavor.”

She smiled and held out the ring.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Walter asked.

The others moved closer to look at it.

“This…,” Lucia exclaimed. “Unholy shit!”

“Are you sure?” Walter asked. His eyes were wide, staring at the ring before he once more focused on Ilea. “This is more valuable than anything we possess.”

Ilea just waved him off. “You’re underselling your ale. Take it. It’ll make your trading easier too.”

“Aren’t we going to get in trouble if you use that with people watching?” Celene asked. She gave Walter a worried glance, unsure about the whole situation.

“Not more than being a dark sorcerer. As long as there aren’t any high level people hunting me down for it. I’ll only use it outside of town.” Walter suggested.

“Do you have some paper?” Ilea asked, looking around.

Walter deadpanned for a second before her nodded. “The letter… yes, of course. Let me just…,” he walked off and past Maro, who was still filling glasses. Searching under the counter, Walter came back up and walked out with a couple pages of paper.

“Thanks.” Ilea said and took one, her pen appearing in her hand. She started writing immediately, one letter for Alistair and one for Claire.

Ilea planned to inform Claire directly but there was a chance that Ravenhall or a Shadow could get wind of the whole thing before she had a chance to go back. Just. In. Case. She thought, finishing the first one to Claire.

Simple and concise, mentioning the Vultures and Walter including some descriptions and the purpose of the whole trade. “How do I sign with my mana?” Ilea asked to the group.

Maro was distributing glasses, putting one down before Ilea with a wink.

Their attention moved from the ring to Ilea, one of the plates on their desk appearing and disappearing quickly.

“I’ll take care of it.” Lucia said and moved over, sitting down opposite the Shadow. “There needs to be a light enchantment on the paper before you can sign with your mana signature. They do know yours?”

“Both had documents signed by me and both know me, is that enough?” Ilea asked.

Lucia glanced up for a second before she focused back on the paper, magic flowing from her fingers as she traced over the thin sheet. “You leave a lasting impression so I assume it is.”

Ilea took a sip of ale before she signed the paper, both with her signature as well as her mana. Putting down the glass, she continued with the second letter to Alistair.

“Walter, come and read it.” She said, giving the man a glance as she watched him move his gloves in and out of his new ring.

He seemed flustered, getting up quickly before he read over the letter.

She was still looking at him and smiled. “You can summon them onto your hands already. Takes some practice but it isn’t that hard.”

His eyes moved up. “Really? That’s amazing…,” he looked down at his ring and smiled.

I can practically hear the black riders coming. Ilea thought and finished the second letter.

Lucia enchanted it and Ilea signed it.

“Ilea.” Walter spoke, tapping the table, obviously a little unsure. “With the gold from the Shadow mission you finished… I think this is beyond too much.”

“Don’t mention it, please.” Ilea said and sat back. “I have so much gold and items as well as powerful and capable friends. Believe me when I say that this ring and the gold is just a small gift.”

“Way to brag about being fucking rich.” Maro said and sat down next to Walter, taking a sip as he smiled.

Ilea sighed. “I guess that’s one interpretation.” She smiled at Walter. “You’re a good man and you’ve been a friend to me in this strange land for a long time now. It’s really the least I can do. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

Walter smiled and shook his head. “Thank you. Truly.” He looked at the signed letters and made them vanish. “I’ll have to get used to this.” He mumbled. “I suppose being diplomatic with intruders was really the way to go.”

The door to the common room opened with a creak.

Ilea had a smirk on her face as she turned and looked at Green, the demon locking eyes with her.

He snarled and took an unsure step, moving slowly. His face was stitched together with pieces of flesh not previously a part of it. It looked a little smashed still but not entirely destroyed.

Indra stepped in behind him with a big smile. “I did it! And at a much higher level than myself.” He spoke, looking at Maro.

“Well done. The face looks… acceptable. I probably would have gone for the skeleton alone.” The ex king said, appearing near the undead demon.

[Demon Undead – lvl 123]

I suppose it is impressive, considering Indra’s level is below one hundred. Ilea thought and watched them discuss some peculiarities.

Maro touched the demon, both of their necromantic magic flaring up from time to time.

“You’re going back north?” Walter asked finally. He was trying to get on his gloves, failing a couple times.

“I am.” Ilea replied. “If we survive, I would assume we’d come for a visit again afterwards?”

“You are always welcome, as is Maro.” The dark sorcerer said.

“That is great to hear.” Ilea said and smiled. “Same of course for all of you, in Ravenhall. Should you ever need it.”

“It’s good to know… that a Shadow has our back.” Walter said.

“You’re at the same level as a Shadow.” Ilea retorted and cracked her neck before she finished her glass of ale.

Walter waved his hand sideways. “I think most of us grew up with the idea of a Shadow, a powerful mercenary here to kill monsters, or people. Reaching my current power, yea, I can match some of them but you… since coming back from the north, you truly represent this thought again. For me at least.”

“I get it.” Ilea said. Not growing up in Elos hadn’t instilled the same picture of a Shadow in her mind but there were plenty of organizations back on Earth whose members had a certain reputation.

“Sure you don’t want to stay the night at least? Move in the morning?” Walter asked.

“The storms return by day and we’ve been south for longer than I told our friends up north already.” Ilea said and turned to Maro. “Ready to go?”

He looked at her, his face turning serious before he nodded. “Anytime.”

“Good luck then, in your trading. I hope Alistair accepts the contract you had suggested.” Ilea said and shook Walter’s hand.

“He will, especially now that I helped take care of the smugglers.” The sorcerer replied with a knowing smirk.

Smart move. Ilea hadn’t even considered the good graces his help would put him in with Alistair and the city. If Dale reported it of course.

They said their farewells, to all the members and initiates as well as Weavy and Eyn. The newly undead Green couldn’t talk and Ilea was informed that there wasn’t anything left of his previous mind, neither physically nor otherwise.

Her wings moved in the dark skies, storm clouds moving above, obscuring the moon and starlight. Rain was pouring down, the water flowing past Ilea’s ashen armor as if it rejected her form.

Maro on the other hand was soaked, his robe armor and helmet taking in as much water as they could hold. With his level and stats, the added weight as well as the damp and wetness were of no concern.

The two flew in silence over the forest, soon rising up to get over the Naraza mountain chain and pass into northern territory.

The ascent brought them through and above the clouds, where a near magical sea of stars opened up to them. Storms and lightning gone as they moved northwards.

“Beautiful, isn’t it!” Maro shouted, a dozen meters to her right.

The air moved past her, little pressure forming on her small and magically enhanced form. She had to hold back with her speed to let the man keep up. “It is!” Ilea shouted back and looked up.

When they finally crossed over the mountains, the rocky terrain spread before them. For miles and miles, as far as the eye could see.

Ilea felt like she could breathe again. Whole weeks inside of cities really is a little much. The thought came and went quickly, a broad grin below her helmet and ash as she sped up and twirled, enjoying the sensation.

It would take a couple days of travel to reach Hallowfort once more but she was looking forward to flying all the way there.

They went on through the night, avoiding the occasional Famine Crow flock and diving through the crevices. Ilea released her Heart of Cinder from time to time in an attempt to kill whole swaths of Miststalkers, the monsters dancing through the northern landscape unperturbed by the worldly happenings.

The days and nights went by quickly, Ilea and Maro not ever stopping for more than a couple minutes, most of the time lost due to their dependency on crevices during the arcane storms.

Ilea would likely choose to travel through them if she was alone but with Maro around, that wasn’t an option.

A couple days later, they reached the mountain that marked the Tremor dungeon and with it nearby Penumra as well as the entrance to Hallowfort.

It was early evening when they landed near the cave entrance.

“Just this one mission.” Maro said, more to himself than to her.

His mood had steadily declined over the last days of travel, talking less, eating less. His jokes on the other hand hadn’t been less in number but certainly darker.

Ilea didn’t even reply and simply made her way down through the tunnels, blinking through quickly as she knew the layout.

Quickly, she reached the massive crystal lit cavern and the bridge leading over to the town built on top and inside the left behind statue of an ancient hero.

Just that there wasn’t a bridge. Not right now.

On the other side of the damn near abyss was a wall, built on top of the statue. Two dark ones resided on top of it, the bridge now fastened to the edge of the barricade and hanging loosely downwards.

Steel and wood clinked against the cliff side as Ilea and Maro approached.

“Town closed?” Ilea shouted, alarming the guards as she flew over.

They didn’t attack or were in any way apprehensive. Not of her that was.

“Merely a security measure, healer of ash.” One of them said.

“It is good to know you have returned.” The other one spoke, both clad in full plate dark armor, wielding a halberd and a war hammer respectively.

“Why, what’s happening?” Ilea asked as she landed on the barricade. She noted that it spanned around the full size of the town, nearly melded onto and around some of the buildings it now shadowed.

“It would be best if you talked to lady Elana. The Descent… is spewing up its kind, corruption spreading amongst them.” He spoke.

“Where can I find her?” Ilea asked in turn. Corruption? The blood monsters?

The dark one pointed behind him. “The Hunter’s den. May your battles be prosperous.”

“Yours too.” Ilea said and jumped off, landing smoothly on the stone floor as he wings slowed her down.

Maro appeared next to her and looked around. “What have we just joined into?”

Dwarves and dark ones of various races and sizes were moving through the streets, shouting and working. Weapon racks were visible, smiths and craftsmen talking to heavily geared scavengers and adventurers.

Food was being cooked in the well lit streets, new magical lights having joined the existing ones. People seemed busy, unsure and frightful.

Ilea’s sphere only confirmed what she saw with her eyes.

Let’s hope we’re not too late.

Chapter 376 Slaughterhouse

Chapter 376 Slaughterhouse

The Hunter’s Den was busy, at least a dozen people moving about, emptying the shelves from anything useful they could find.

Elana was coordinating it all from the central table as well as talking to four people in front of her.

The people rushed out a moment later, grim expressions on the faces not hidden by armor or masks.

“Ilea. And… Maro.” Elana said when she saw the two. “You’re late.” Her expression didn’t offer much.

“I come and go as I please.” Ilea said and smiled.

Elana nodded and approached them. “There is no time for jokes. Something happened in the Descent. Corrupted monsters are coming up to the first layer, frenzied and enraged. We’re trying to contain it as well as bolster our defenses here but it’s proving difficult.”

“I’m sorry for the lack of welcome but your help would make a difference. Catelyn is already down there, fighting.” Elana quickly explained. She was tired and stressed, that much was obvious but still she remained focused and kept the account concise.

“How long has this been going on?” Ilea asked.

“A little over a week.” Elana said. “Don’t let them injure you, the corruption is… dangerous.”

Ilea cracked her neck and smiled. Seems more like a job I can do, compared to finding missing people and setting up trade agreements.

“We’ll check it out.” Ilea replied.

“Stay safe.” Elana said. “The both of you.”

Ilea nodded and blinked out before she started running, towards the Abyss and the fastest way to the Descent. “Corrupted monsters…,” she muttered.

“She was concerned.” Maro said to her side.

They reached the bar and rushed through, teleporting down the vertical stone shaft before continuing on downwards.

“She’s never concerned.” The former king added.

Coming out in the expanding underground cave less than a minute later, it became a little more clear why.

The vast forest was alight with blazing fires, the smell of burning wood and flesh reaching up to the highest point of the cave where Ilea and Maro were hovering. Smoke plumed from various burning sections.

Steam was rising from the lake, explosions of fire and other magics lighting up in the distance and rumbling through. The noise of battle was apparent, even from this far away.

Dozens of wide spanning spells were visible. “Let’s go and join the fray.” Ilea’s words were lost in the noise, both to Maro and herself.

Her intent however was clear, her wings moving as she shot down and forward.

A couple seconds later, Ilea impacted on the ground among the raging fires where a cluster of spells had exploded moments earlier, her weight and some of her ashen tendrils digging into the scorched earth. Dark ones hovered over the smoking remains of trees, some were running past with their blades and weapons.

Ilea followed.

The screeching, snarling and howling of various beasts was audible, coming from ahead. She didn’t know if they were dark ones or monsters.

Scarred and scattered remains of unidentifiable creatures littered the blackened earthy ground as she sped through and came to an abrupt stop, using her ashen limbs.

A huge bear with singed brown fur turned her way, one black eye focusing on her as he roared, muscles rippling, some completely exposed. The right side of his skull was fractured, split open with a dark orange sludge dripping out, pulsing with life and magic.

[Corrupted Farngard – lvl 174]

Ilea had no time to assess the situation, the monster charging at her immediately. Powerful steps propelled the massive animal forward with somewhat unsure footing.

Ashen limbs slashed out as she stood there, tearing through the beast’s hide, body and organs. Ilea made sure to target the orange sludge with one of her limbs.

The bear died the instant his body was ripped through, unable to defend against or react to the attack.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Farngard – lvl 174]’

Corrupted. She looked at the orange sludge sticking to her ashen limb before she shook hit off, splattering it to the ground.

She moved on, cutting through a group of wolf like creatures showing wounds on their bodies with the same orange ooze dripping out. Their lightning magic fizzled out against her ashen armor, most of it completely avoided in the first place.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated Kohlwolf – lvl 163’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated Kohlwolf – lvl 178’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated Kohlwolf – lvl 180’

The beasts were attacking her on sight, completely uncaring for their approach or own safety. In itself it wasn’t much of a surprise, Ilea having fought similarly behaving monsters previously. It was something in their eyes, the way they moved and the sheer ferocity they showed that stood out however.

A nearby dark one was getting overwhelmed when Ilea appeared with a blink.

Her ash tore through a dozen creatures, mostly wolves and insect like monsters. All below level two hundred. Gore, orange ooze and blood splattered the ground as she helped the dark one up, healing him in the process. “What are those creatures?” Ilea shouted over the noise.

Another three wolves rushed them, impaled on ashen limbs that completely skewered them before they were tossed aside.

The dark one heaved for air and clutched his two handed curved sword. “Corrupted… beasts. You just arrived?” He was looking around frantically, his voice suggesting exhaustion.

Ilea nodded and sent ten ashen spears into three oncoming mantis like creatures, two meters in height and moving with high speed. Thin legs and bodies, single near blade like claws adorned the arms as well as sharp long teeth in their maws.

The ash shredded through them, Ilea’s limbs finishing the two that had survived her spears. Muscles still twitched as the ash exited.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Jagged Mantis – lvl 238]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Jagged Mantis – lvl 253]

Pretty high level. She noted the silence of the Dark One. “Where is Catelyn?”

“I don’t know… it’s chaos. I suggest you find the biggest fire. Thank you ashen healer.” He sighed, looking for the next target.

“What are those creatures?” Ilea asked, forming more ashen lances in the air above her.

A corrupted bear broke through a damaged tree and was killed with a single ash lance to its head, the momentary stun giving ample time to aim.

The Dark One’s attention was back on her. “They’re creatures from the Descent, various layers. The orange puss they all have on them is a…,” He was interrupted by a loud roar.

A familiar roar as Ilea noted, seeing the approach of a near flying beast of towering size, hammer like bonearms coming down on her.

Ilea’s arms lifted and took the impact, her ashen limbs tearing into the beast at the same time. They came to a stop a couple meters further back.

[Blood Carrier – lvl 321]

The disfigured form of muscle, bone and gore was torn up even more than the last one she had met, already showing cuts, half of its torso pulsing with the orange corruption.

It died seconds later, Ilea’s destructive healing mana pushing into it as her limbs dug deeper with each passing moment.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blood Carrier – lvl 321] – For defeating an enemy ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.

That one was close to death already. “Go on!” She shouted to the Dark One who was clutching his weapon but hadn’t much moved since her arrival.

“The orange puss.” Ilea supplied, seeing his lack of words.

“Yes… a corruption. It will infect and kill if you are wounded by any of them. The beasts are frenzied and will seek out and attack anything that doesn’t carry the corruption.” The warrior explained.

“What’s the plan?” Ilea asked, seeing a corrupted Pure Blooded approach, half scorched and missing an arm. Still it moved on, instantly focusing on the two when its eyes focused.

Her sphere spotted another two monsters approaching quickly from behind. Wolves.

“We have to stop them, at all cost.” The Dark one said and watched Ilea tear through the three monsters with ease.

“Where are the biggest groups?” Ilea asked and extended a hand to the warrior.

He caught on and grabbed her arm, his form much larger than hers. “No groups, they’re everywhere!”

[Warrior – lvl 221]

Ilea ascended, looking for fires and spells. She spotted a number of flying archers and mages through the smoke and flames, sending their attacks down into the burning forest.

The warrior pointed. “The cracks, where the beasts emerge.”

“Should I bring you somewhere?” Ilea asked as she sped up to where he had indicated.

“Any group you see.” He shouted in response.

She did spot four dark one warriors fighting alongside a dwarf with magic support from above. They were being overwhelmed by dozens of monsters.

Ilea let go of the Dark One who landed in a roll, his blade cleaving a wolf in two. Her ash spread out, both healing the injured as well as ripping through the beasts.

Many of them she had never seen and yet they all had the corruption in common. She was about to move on when she noted that the injured two warriors were still retching, orange pulsing growths forming near the injuries that wouldn’t heal with her magic.

“What the fuck.” She exclaimed and stepped closer, a jumping Pure Blooded impaled by five ashen limbs as his blood splattered down on her.

The dwarf stepped up and ripped open the damaged plate armor of his friend. “Healing won’t help. We have to carve it out!” He shouted and unsheathed a blade. “It takes a couple days to take over but with a healer here, we can do it now.”

Ilea watched on in horror as the dwarf started cutting into the pus and the wound, the warrior screaming at the pain, attracting more beasts.

“This is fucked up.” Ilea murmured to herself and pushed the dwarf aside. An ashen limb moved into the man’s mouth to separate his teeth. Healing magic flowed into him as two more of her limbs formed thin bladed tips, cutting out the corrupted wound in an instant.

A yelp resounded from below the helmet before the wound closed again quickly. She grabbed the plate armor and forced it closed again.

The man heaved and cried as he clutched where the wound had been.

“Move back, form a defensible position. You’re surrounded.” Ilea said as she cut through the corruption on the other man’s leg. The wound was healed again, taking a little longer as half his thigh had to be removed.

They nodded to her and grabbed the previously injured people, rushing back into the forest.

The smoke was itching in her throat, making her eyes water slightly. Circulating healing mana through herself made those sensations stop, a full on forest fire raging around her by now. Trees groaned before chunks of wood fell down.

She pressed on, through the flames as she cut down every beast she came across. A flare of magic and fire made her turn to the left, running through the ruined and burning thicket.

Ilea came out of the trees and found the burning form of Catelyn, reaching three meters in height and twice that in length. Claws ripped through whole swaths of beasts that tried to latch onto her.

The corruption from her wounds was burned away instantly, the heat she exuded alone was enough to singe the monsters. Still they came and rushed at her, uncaring for their coming demise.

Ilea joined in, a quick flight making her land a dozen meters away from the fox, flanking her.

A charged Heart of Cinder extended out, disintegrating at least forty creatures before she blinked away, appearing with a flurry of limbs that ripped through bodies, skulls and bone.

“Ilea.” Catelyn said, her voice deep. Angry.

“Hey Cat.” Ilea said, extending one of her limbs to check on the fox’s health. “You’re in pretty bad shape.”

[Mage – lvl 328]

Catelyn opened her mouth, a massive cone of flame setting ablaze an oncoming dozen monsters. “I’ve been fighting… for some time.”

“Sure.” Ilea said, already healing her. “What’s the plan? Just slaughter everything that comes up?”

“For now… We need space… perimeter, defenses.” Catelyn said when she looked up.

A beam of purple energy slammed through approaching monsters, decaying flesh and bone alike.

Maro kept floating nearby. “What happened to this dungeon?” He shouted, beams continuing to form.

Catelyn roared, a loud noise to attract more of the beasts. Perhaps it had another effect too besides the pure rage.

Ilea couldn’t tell. “We’ll thin them out.”

A dark one landed a couple meters away, one she already knew. His whole form was wreathed in shadow, four arms each holding a short sword, blood and orange pus dripping from the blades. A black metal mask hid his face, a horn jutting out from each cheek. The red vertical line of paint was barely discernible behind all the blood.

“Ilas.” Catelyn said.

[Warrior – lvl 254]

He simply nodded once, vanishing a moment later before he appeared amongst a group of beasts. His blades moved similar to Ilea’s ash, a flurry of steel, reflecting the light of the flames.

There’s so many of them. Ilea thought as she saw the shadows move beyond the blazing fires.

“We need a line, somewhere to make our stand!” Maro shouted.

“Here.” Catelyn replied, fumes rising from the edges of her mouth. Her eyes squinted, focused once more thanks to Ilea’s healing.

Here it is. Ilea thought with a smile and blinked after the warrior wreathed in shadows.

There were more wolves, bears, pure blooded and variations, a number ofinsect species as well as the occasional reptile. All corrupted, all immediately focusing on her, guided by sight, smell, sound or magic detection.

To her ash, it was all the same. Writhing tendrils slashed and tore through dozens of monsters with every passing second. Ilea blinked and moved, sometimes flying up and landing again to avoid the magic and claws coming at her from the mass of monstrosities. Her ashen limbs helped dodge and move from time to time, their far reach and strength easily serving as additional legs to navigate with.

Heart of Cinder was released in cones, aimed from several of her limbs before it disintegrated dozens if not hundreds of the corrupted creatures. Every thirty to sixty seconds, she released the heat constantly forming within her. The longer charged allowed for a much wider area to be affected.

The field was littered in corpses, blood and bones, writhing orange ooze spilling out of thousands of wounds as the ashen healer appeared and vanished.

Monsters screeched and howled, fighting to get to her, to tear her apart with all their limbs and teeth, all the magic they could muster and whatever strength their bodies could give.

It was futile. Their sheer strength not enough to stop the monster amongst them.

Twenty minutes passed, perhaps longer, Ilea falling into a trance of battle where every move had a deadly purpose. Every strike and limb, every spell focused on making her the most efficient at killing the mostly lower leveled monsters.

She got to know them, their spells, their weaknesses, learned that the corruption was a weakness to exploit, whatever instinct and intelligence these beasts once had, replaced by anger and ferocity.

What they lacked in everything else, they made up in numbers, ten and twenty times over. Like the unending waves of the ocean, more and more monsters poured out of the crevices in the earth, leading down farther into the layered dungeon.

They get stronger the further down they are. Ilea noted, some rare beasts taking longer to kill, some cutting deeper into her ash. And still it was nothing, the spells aimed at her doing little but give back some of the mana she was using.

Few of her punches and strikes were fueled by attack skills, the sheer strength and durability of her ash enough to kill most of the frenzied creatures.

A while later, Ilea started to see glimpses of other mages, specifically Maro and Catelyn in the distance. Their magic cut through the uncontrolled masses as more and more flying mages joined. She assumed the same was true for warriors fighting on the ground.

Seems like we made a small dent already. The numbers never waned however, every strike of her ash finding purchase.

Whenever she flew up, Ilea found the numbers remaining similar. How many of them are down there?

Maro’s purple beams appeared a while later, the necromancer flying closer before his magic ceased. “I need to recharge!” He shouted over the sounds of battle.

Ilea flew up to him, ignoring the thorns, lances and bolts of lightning flying up from below. The beasts simply kept moving, the vortex of death she had formed undone, letting loose hundreds of them upon the terrain.

“Go get the elves and Terok, it’s just a couple hours away. We need everyone we can get.” Ilea shouted and blinked downwards, not waiting for a response.

She tried getting back in the way of the running monsters but was sure a couple dozen at least were gone already.

Maro leaving his position would cost them as well, making Ilea move a little further towards where he had fought. She twirled and laughed as the beasts were ripped apart, feeling more like a corporate shredder than she had ever before.

Few of them proved a challenge worth more than a couple additional seconds, a couple more spells unleashed. Any mana she lost during those phases, she would gain back from the enemy spells.

Ilea was prepared to fight for hours, even days with the low mana expenditure and her high recovery. Depending on the masses and how well the others did, her alone just might not be enough to stop all this. A Hand might be nice. She thought, flying through the blood and guts.

Chapter 377 “Healing”

Chapter 377 “Healing”

Hours had passed, the body enhancement spells and healing skill keeping Ilea topped off in both health, mana and her ability to function efficiently. If anything, she had gotten better.

The numbers were thinning, nearby at least. It was good that most of the species had good senses, making them pick out and focus on Ilea the moment they got even forty or fifty meters close.

She fought atop a literal mountain of corpses, limbs, blood and the orange corruption that permeated through it all.

I’ll need the biggest fire in the history of fire to burn all this down. Ilea thought. Her sphere and magic sight was the only thing even remotely capable at making out the living monsters amongst the twitching, oozing sea of gore.

It would have affected her much more, had they all been sentient but she was pretty sure most of the creatures attacking her had been monsters devoid of higher thoughts.

In any case, the corruption had killed them and taken over. If there was a cure, it was either too late for them or most certainly not the time and place to find it.

We need some necromancers to raise these skeletons. Maro was still gone, either taking up a different spot or heeding her request to go and get the elves. Having five more high level beings help in the fight could make a difference, especially with their skill sets.

A rumble suddenly went through the ground, shifting the soft earth and forming new cracks in the land. Bodies tumbled into the openings as well as living beasts trying to get away, trampled by larger monstrosities or simply swallowed by the ground.

Ilea blinked up, her wings making the earthquake irrelevant. The masses nearby had thinned out once more, rushing along the mountain of bodies as they searched for prey to tear apart, to infect with their corruption.

Might be good to check on other survivors, top off Catelyn again and anybody else that might be injured. She thought and flew alongside the running monsters, the occasional spell or projectile flying her way, one as ineffective as the next.

The flames had died down a little, not because of a lack of spells but because there was simply nothing quite as flammable as a forest remaining. Not for a couple kilometers.

It was easy for Ilea to make out the brightest flames, coming from the direction where they had made their stand. Small specks hovered above, spells raining down into the masses.

The first mages were passed quickly thereafter, confused expressions at the sudden arrival of the ashen clad healer.

Numbers were still high here, various streams of beasts coming from distant cracks and caves leading up into the first layer of the Descent.

Walls of stonehad been erected, forming an open dome like shape manned by various defenders. Catelyn was outside, a couple hundred meters ahead and amidst the chaos. As were others.

Ilea waited a couple seconds longer before she came down amidst the beasts, ten of her ashen limbs pointing towards the arriving wave before a beam of heat and energy tore into them, a chunk of monsters disintegrated in an instant. Many more left crippled and burnt by the sheer heat.

The rest of her limbs smashed through the skulls of six more monsters. She blinked and appeared flying above the flaming fox, her ash reaching down to heal her.

“Better than last time.” Ilea commented with a smirk.

Catelyn jerked her head up and snarled. “We have healers too.”

“Monsters are thinning out in that direction.” Ilea said. “We should-” She was interrupted by another earthquake, more crevices forming both within the flood of monsters as amongst the groups of Dark Ones that remained.

“It’s coming up soon!” Catelyn shouted. “Check the injured while you’re here. I can hold them off.”

Ilea nodded and blinked towards the dome, the only reasonable place for anybody in need of a healer to be.

Cracks had formed here too, the Dark Ones however avoiding them expertly. Everyone present was above level two hundred, few above two fifty however.

“Healer, over here!” One of them shouted, motioning to a group of people lying down.

Ilea blinked and spread her limbs, pushing her mana into them.

Another two healers were present. “The corruption is extensive with these. We can’t just cut it out anymore.” One of them informed her, bloodon his brow. A reptile like dark one, exhausted and tired.

Ilea extended an ashen limb to him too. There were six injured here, orange pulsing from various wounds on each body. “Nobody who can destroy the corruption from within?”

The healer shook his head.

“We’ll just have to combine our efforts. This one first.” Ilea said and lifted the dark one up, at least ten open wounds dripping orange ooze. It was only for magic that he was still alive.

Her limbs extended, forming sharp blades as the other healers stepped up and used their spells in addition to hers. “I’ll get as much out as possible, let’s try to keep him alive.”

She focused and sacrificed five hundred health, her limbs lashing out and cutting into the groaning dark one. The corruption had gone deep, forcing her to remove his limbs one by one, healing them back with surprising speed, the help making a massive difference. As did her healing change at level three hundred, removing some of the the benefits only applicableto healing her own body.

He survived, barely.

There was still corruption left, visible now to Ilea thanks to her healing skill and her hour long exposure to the stuff.

So far she hadn’t been cut or injured but knowing that a simple removal of the physical corruption was enough made it less of an issue for her personally.

Again, she cut into the dark one, his torso this time. She tried avoiding his organs but some were infected too, forcing her to rip them out as well. Her ash was pretty much as effective at this as her hands at this point, her high manipulation skill allowing for fine tuned movements.

If they didn’t have any healers around, everyone with corruption was as good as dead.

She finished removing the last bit, near the dark one’s eye before his skin reformed and his breathing first hastened and then stabilized. The pain and torture he had went through was real, had happened just moments ago but now he was healed, conscious without anything inhibiting his body.

“You alright?” Ilea asked, lifting up the next barely alive creature.

He glanced at her, horror in his eyes before he fumbled and grabbed the damaged armor pieces that had been removed from his body. “We have to get out of here…,” He murmured to himself.

Ilea didn’t mind. If he fled, he might still survive. A terrified warrior was no help against these monsters. What they needed were killing machines like Catelyn and herself.

The spells raining down from above as well as the shouts and war cries coming from beyond the barricade proved that there were at least more of them out there.

Contrary to the similar situation back in Ravenhall, everyone here had likely been prepared, not immediately surrounded by summoned demons.

Ilea got better with each treated patient, ripping out corruption and keeping them alive. It would have taken quite a bit longer without the healers as she would have been forced to work slower and more carefully.

With the insane recovery, she could cut off limbs without issue, even going as far as damaging the heart and brain of some of them.

“That’s all of them.” She said and turned around.

“Thank you.” One of the healers said and sat down, resting his face in his hands.

The other one was crying.

Ilea blinked up and spread her wings, quickly making her way back to the maelstrom of death that was Catelyn.

Many of the Dark One warriors nearby kept quite a distance to the fox, fighting the stragglers that had ignored the fox or those simply too far away to take notice.

She started heating up her core again and landed near Catelyn, continuing her dance of destruction and death.

A dark one clad in black armor rushed her, massive axe in hand. His breast plate was split open, sowing bone and blood dripping from within. Corruption had taken over, his eyes focused yet lifeless.

Ilea put him down like the rest. She had been too late for him.

Several minutes of brutal battle passed before the whole area came to a sudden standstill.

Everyone froze, including Ilea.

‘ding’ ‘You have felt the effects of an ancient beast invading your mind. You are paralyzed for three seconds’

Fucking outrageous. Ilea thought, feeling the slight headache. The familiar pressure of mind magic.

I have a second stage resistance. What the fuck is this?

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 7’

The ground rumbled, the earthquake now stronger than before. Cracks formed all over, some of the frozen beasts and dark ones toppling over from the shifts.

Three seconds passed, the rumbling intensifying as Ilea blinked around, collecting the frozen dark ones she could reach.

Silence washed over the vast cave before the ground shook once more, something massive breaking through amidst the beasts and monsters still frozen in place.

A twenty meter wide scaled worm like creature rushed out of the collapsing hole, dozens of beasts flung aside, just as many entering its maw that split into four separate triangle shaped jaws.

Ilea saw no eyes, just teeth. Teeth and brown scales. No signs of corruption were visible but it was only a matter of time until it got injured by one of the beasts. For now it didn’t matter.

She flew back and collected as many of their allies as she could, leaving Catelyn behind who was still frozen in place.

The pressure had lessened, suggesting the spell wasn’t permanent.

Ilea couldn’t hold more than sixteen people, putting them down within the barricade they had hastily constructed before she moved out to get more.

Catelyn was moving again then, her tails swaying behind her as she looked at the massive creature.

The worm dived down and took with him another fifty creatures, breaking through the hard and stony ground as if it was mere mud. A creature beyond the comprehension of most men.

[Goliath Veramath – lvl ???]

“What do you think?” Ilea asked as she stepped next to Catelyn. “Let him have some fun?”

Catelyn slowly started floating, a vicious grin on her face as she glanced to Ilea. “Let him. Get out the rest and then join me, we have to guide our new instrument of destruction.”

Ilea smirked. “Why don’t you help? You have tails.” She said and rushed down, grabbing more of the Dark Ones.

Some of them were moving again but the same was true for the beasts. Ilea just hoped the worm really wasn’t corrupted yet. Even if it was, the sheer size would crush most of the monsters anyway.

No longer paralyzed beasts jumped at the hundreds of meters long form still moving past, confirming that it was yet to be taken.

Ashen limbs slashed through heads and bodies as Ilea collected the last of the front line Dark Ones and dwarfs close to Catelyn, most of them already past the paralyzation and retreating themselves. There were at least a couple hundred of them still standing.

Can’t believe they all agreed to join this battle. I thought the residents of Hallowfort were less territorial and would just fuck off somewhere else. Ilea brought the people down and pushed some healing into their minds, even the last of them able to move now.

“Retreat, those able to fly, help the others. We’re going to use that worm to take out as many monsters as possible. Ranged mages with quick evasion and mind magic resistance, with me.” Ilea quickly shouted to the groups within the stone barriers.

Nobody argued, people quickly forming groups and either retreating or flying up to join Ilea. They had seen her fight, either here or back when the Feynor had attacked Hallowfort. The ashen healer had a name in Hallowfortand more than a few grinned when they realized she was there, fighting with them.

Ilea absentmindedly noted that the distress in many of the Dark Ones lessened after her quick call. She watched the worm emerge again, now moving along the ground as it swept up hundreds of beasts, reforming the terrain with its massive form.

“Not much direction we could add.” Ilea said as she flew next to Catelyn, the two a couple hundred meters above ground now.

“Not yet.” Catelyn said, staring down. “Mages, continue to rain fire onto those not focusing on the Veramath. We have to kill and destroy every last one of the corrupted, lest they infect our city and these lands.”

She turned and looked at the flying Dark Ones, all elites in the eyes of a human, now faced with a near impossible task. “With me.” Catelyn said and moved down, her ten tails swaying behind her.

Heat formed in front of her snout before a series of fireballs slashed down and landed in deafening explosions.

A hail of crystals, ice, black sorcery and lightning followed. Beams of red arcane energy cut through the masses, bodies exploding in their wake.

Ilea flew with the group of around thirty mages, the only healer present. She decided to stay in the air, using her beam like heart of cinder whenever it had charged enough to damage her own body.

The output was much less frequent than the mages around her, raining down their magic spells with each motion of their hands. Some held themas if praying while others simply crossed their arms. Incantations were spoken aloud in various languageswhile others yet were silent.

The result was the same, powerful magic cutting through the corrupted monster hordes, killing dozens with each strike. Heart of Cinder was certainly more powerful, perhaps on par with Catelyn’s spells. The frequency was the only issue, self inflicted of course and only present to allow for a farther reaching spell.

The ashen projectiles she continuously formed and shot down were much more frequent but the impact had less of an effect due to her lacking related skills.

Ilea even took out her greatbow to add some more damage, even if it was little. Some of the arrows pierced and at least injured some of the beasts.

“It is slowing down.” Catelyn said, the group watching the worm dig back down into the ground.

Hundreds of beasts were clinging to its protected scaled shell. How many of them managed to pierce its defenses was impossible to tell from the distance, neither how the corruption affected the beast and how fast it spread.

“We’re going to have a frenzied Veramath soon.” One of the mages said. “The corruption is spreading.” His eyes were lighting up in Ilea’s sphere, some kind of long range visibility spell.

I want that too. Also fireballs. Ilea thought and made herself focus on the fact that she could tear through hundreds of monsters when she was in melee range.

They made another round over the hordes that stretched nearly half of the cave at this point, a huge chunk already dead, simply littering the ground.

A sudden wave of mind magic flowed over them, one previously unseen shield shattering before a second one became visible. The group stopped, each looking at the mage who had put up the defenses.

Most of them held their heads, some of the magic getting through still.

Ilea had barely felt the pressure. “Well done.” She said, extending her limbs to heal the group and their minds.

“Everyone without a resistance to mind magic should retreat now.” Catelyn said. “Soon we will have to deal with the Veramath and its attention will be on us alone.”

“Shouldn’t we move in now then, already damage it while there are still monsters attacking it?” One of the mages asked.

“Soon. There will be a point when it is weakened from the corruption yet still under attack. If we damage its body enough then, the corruption won’t take effect.” The mage with the sight spell said. “Yet I agree, those unable to defend against its magic should leave, least they become a liability.”

Most of the mages nodded and teleported or flew away, leaving only around ten remaining.

“Can we do enough with this many?” Ilea asked.

“It is what we have.” Catelyn said. “The worm should not be able to regenerate, not quickly. We simply have to stop it from going further up. As long as there are survivors here to damage it, the beast will attack.”

“Veramath tend to flee if they are close to death, to rest and regenerate. Something must have angered this one to come all the way up and attack the monsters.” One of the remaining mages explained.

Ilea nodded. “On what layer do they reside normally?”

“In between. There were some sightings on this level even but never the Goliath. Perhaps its brethren were taken by the corruption.” One of them said.

She nodded in silence, watching the behemoth, nigh natural calamity thrash around, flattening hundreds if not thousands of beasts and monsters. Corruption spreading in its body from thousands of cuts and injuries too small to make out from such a distance.

Ilea felt anger rise up within her, at whoever was responsible for this slaughter. While monsters, they each had their habitat in the dungeon, their prey and those that preyed on them. To be reduced to such a frenzy after a corruption had destroyed their mind and body was beyond cruel.

She had felt the same about the demons who had killed and turned whole populations of cities into mindless monsters. It had been in their nature to do so, perhaps there was a similar reason here. Someone who had brought it upon them as Adam Strand had brought the demons upon Ravenhall.

Ilea wanted to find out. An ancient fungus suddenly released or the fanatics that had ruled the fourth layer of the Descent, had experimented with blood and various creatures. She would find out and if it was in her power, she would end them.

Chapter 378 Turning Tides

Chapter 378 Turning Tides

The Veramath was still thrashing around, slower than before but its sheer size did most of the work.

Ilea looked through the gains from the battle so far. Few of the beasts had the capability to even get through her ashen armor, let alone injure her. The Veramath was different but they had yet to engage it.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 5’

Ilea assumed that some of the skills had been close to leveling already thanks to the training with the new group of Cerithil Hutners. Especially her armor of ash.

“It’s getting close.” One of the mages informed.

“Barrier ready?” Catelyn asked.

The barrier mage nodded, the steel mask on their face not revealing anything.

The tension was obvious, amongst all of them. More excitement for Ilea and perhaps a couple of the others but they were aware of the dangers involved.

“Then let’s move down and destroy that creature. Ilea, how is your Mental Resistance?” Catelyn asked as they moved down towards the raging beast.

“High enough for it not to matter.” Ilea said. “Want me to get its attention?” She asked with a wide smirk.

“That. Yes. If you don’t think it’s too dangerous.” The fox asked, looking back at her.

Ilea moved her wings and sped up. “It would be my pleasure.” She said as she passed Catelyn, starting to blink to close the distance.

Her healing would help keep the mages out of danger but the barrier mage should keep them save for a while.

Ilea after all was very good at being a painful nuisance for a beast of such size and destructive power. Like a roach, flying, with ash tentacles and instant recovery.

Let’s see how hard this thing hits. Ilea thought, blinking once more as she reached her top speed.

The Goliath Veramath was at least three hundred meters long with a twenty meter diameter and thick scales.

She could see the orange lines now, hundreds of cuts showing the orange ooze trickling out, some still holding arms or heads of beasts that had sunken their talons in.

Ilea landed near its maw, right where its head should be.

The worm had slowed down enough to make it an easy maneuver, its rolling and thrashing easily avoided with flight.

Ashen limbs lashed out and dug into the hardened skin, some of the blows glancing off while others yet found purchase.

Ilea could see the scratches now, thousands of tiny indentations from just as many claws and teeth. For every wound the beasts had managed to cut, there had been hundreds if not more failures.

Her ash as well had to dig in several times for all her limbs to puncture. Heart of Cinder was charging and while some of her limbs remained in the wounds to keep her balanced atop the moving worm, most of them dug deeper still.

All the whiledestructive mana was pushed into the creature.

The Veramath didn’t seem to notice her, not until a chunk of its plate like skin was ripped out by ashen limbs, exposing the vulnerable flesh beneath.

Ash now penetrated much deeper than before, ripping out huge chunks of flesh as Ilea quite literally burrowed herself into the burrower.

Explosions and impacts resounded from further back, the mages having started their assault.

This time I won’t go into its mouth. Ilea thought, releasing her Heart of Cinder into the open wound. Heat and energy smashed inside, scorching the flesh as the worm screeched.

‘ding’ ‘You hear the raging mental cry of an ancient creature. You resist paralyzation’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

The attack didn’t subside, her head pounding with the brute force of its mind magic. Good thing I’ve met some friends called Blue Reapers.

Her ash cut deeper and deeper, Ilea now standing within the wound, blood soaked and holding on with four ashen limbs.

The worm had turned, rolled over the beasts still attacking it from all sides, crushing them with wet sounds. Most of them were paralyzed.

Some made their way into the wound Ilea had created but they instead were ripped apart by ash.

Burrowing herself even deeper, Ilea once again released Heart of Cinder, now in a sphere instead of a cone.

She was already several meters deep, the worm trashing in pain as her healing pulsed through her mind. Its attacks had become more frantic and more powerful.

More than just her healing was supplied by the magic of the beast, her mind shaking as it was glued and taped back together time and time again.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

Ilea had to use her instant recovery now, the damage too vast to simply heal with normal healing. She mindlessly slashed around herself, carving herself deeper into the worm with each passing second.

Soon she found dripping orange ooze coming from within the deeper sections, the corruption already having reached that far. Heart of Cinder extended the cavity more with each explosion.

Ilea felt the mind magic hasten as time went on, her digging going into the direction of the source she could now feel.

The pulses themselves were now crashing against her armor, the sheer amount of mana stripping away chunks of her ash. She could see the damage coming thanks to Azarinth Fighting but there was nothing she could to to mitigate it further.

Finally, an area was ripped open to expose the organ responsible for its magic.

Ashen limbs slashed into it before Ilea’s sight became blurry and then black. She heaved as her sight returned, her ash still slashing through the incredibly tough sphere of what was essentially white stone connected with various tendrils to the body of the Veramath.

Ilea carved it out, another wave of mind magic flowing through her and nearly knocking her out again. Winding the ash around the organ, she cut the tendrils and ripped it out with all her strength.

The thing came loose, Ilea rocking back as the damaged white organ slammed into her, its weight and size rivaling her own. It vanished into her bracelet a moment later.

It’s not dead yet.

Ilea jumped into the opening she had created and released another wave of heat, all her offensive spells and ash lashing around in the small space. Her mana was topped thanks to the massive mind magic waves, allowing her to charge Absolute Destruction.

She stabilized herself with all her limbs and waited, feeling the monster breathe slowly, its muscles limp as the corruption flowed through.

Thin orange veins formed in the space she was in, moving slowly along the bleeding exposed flesh.

Twenty seven…

Blue runes lit up on her body, hidden below her ashen armor as two thousand points of health were sacrificed.

Twenty eight…

The power emanating from her fist was palpable now, even without her sphere.

Twenty nine…

The magic power flowing through her arm could barely be contained within. The third tier of Aspect of Ash activated, embers and fire started to dance around her arm.

With that, Ilea watched the orange veins move past, her fist smashing into the wall of flesh as her fully charged Absolute Destruction was released, amplified by her third tier auras.

Her arm was repelled backwards on impact, her shoulder dislocated from the force as she was held by her ashen limbs.

It felt like half of her very being was expelled as a ripple of destructive mana flashed up in her sphere like sunlight. A thunderous wave washed through the creature, its very cells destroyed and burnt by the repurposed healing magic.

Ilea grinned as she lowered herself to the fleshy ground before she grabbed her shoulder and yanked it back into place without so much as a wince. She watched as the orange veins faded, losing their magical energy as the breathing of the Veramath came to an end.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Goliath Veramath – lvl 783] – For defeating an enemy four hundred and seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 312 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 313 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 311 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 312 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

Ilea took a deep breath, smelling blood, the vile stench of corruption and sweet victory. Her healing had already brought back the sacrificed health, her mana quickly regenerating with her activated Meditation. “Fuck, this is fucking disgusting.” She exclaimed and shook her arms and ashen limbs, blood and orange goo splattering all over.

__________________________________________________________________________

Catelyn felt the mind magic even at this distance, several hundred meters away. Fire still rained down on the near motionless worm as she watched the beasts topple, what remained of their minds ripped apart by the increasingly frantic and powerful magic.

The group of mages had retreated when the barriers fell, three of them unconscious, hopefully alive.

She had remained of course, her resistance high and her healing stronger on her own body. Rage filled her mind, shielding it against the waves of power.

Even with the cracks she felt were forming, Catelyn held fast, the flames burning ever so brightly as she released spell after spell in the hopes that Ilea was still alive.

Fireballs exploded atop the massive creature, ripping out chunks of skin and flesh, the corruption now clearly visible, slowly taking over what remained of the worm.

A sudden ripple of blue energy washed through the creature, Catelyn’s eyes widening as she watched from afar.

The orange veins exploded outwards, the light of their corruption fading quickly. Red mixed with orange as the creature bled out where it lay.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Goliath Veramath – lvl 783] – For defeating an enemy four hundred and fifty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

She did it. Catelyn felt herself relax as she chuckled, floating in the air for a moment before she sped up, hoping that the mad human was still alive.

Still not enough for a level. I wasn’t the one clawing my way into the beast either. Perhaps I should join her next time.

______________________________________________________________________

Ilea stepped out of the dead worm, wings spreading as she looked over the sea of corpses spreading for what seemed like hundreds of meters. Seems like mind magic still works against the corrupted.

She grinned and looked up at the bright fiery spot coming towards her with incredible speed. Now, what to spend my stat points on. Mana is probably fine for a while with my absorption. Intelligence it is.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 313

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 14

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 12

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 14

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 6

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 312

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 16

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 3

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 9

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 8

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 9

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Veteran – lvl 8

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Crystal Resistance – lvl 18

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 3

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 9

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 18

- Gravity Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 15

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 9

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Soul Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Stamina Drain Resistance – lvl 1

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 723

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 666

Wisdom: 767

Health: 7230/7230

Stamina: 2982/4000

Mana: 3281/7670

She was happy, looking over her levels and stats. Another behemoth slain. Next time maybe alone.

“You survived.” Catelyn said as she landed, looking around at the thousands of dead once corrupted beasts.

Ilea raised an eyebrow. “Why does that sound like you’re disappointed?” She spread her wings and flew up, landing on top of the worm.

Catelyn joined her, their gazes focused on the emerging monsters in the distance.

Killing the Veramath had an impact but in the end it was just a small reprieve.

“Because I would have died.” Catelyn answered the question, not looking her way. “I’m in your debt, I really am. Thank you for coming to help.”

Ilea nodded. “I consider you and Elana friends and it would be a shame to lose Hallowfort here in the north. The area would become terribly lonesome.”

“I had taken you for someone that prefers solitude.” Catelyn said.

Some of the dark one mages and warriors joined them nearby, hovering in the air and preparing their weapons.

The four armed shadow dark one appeared close by.

“I do but I also like variety, from time to time.” Ilea replied.

“A monumental feat, healer of ash.” The dark one said. “You have improved exponentially since I last met thee.”

“You were the guardian of the village here, right?” Ilea asked.

They watched the beasts approach in the distance. Their numbers still seemed high, most of them now coming from the path the Veramath had created. A gaping tunnel leading down.

“Thy may call me Ilas, guardian of the first layer. A presumptuous title, holding little truth in the face of these events.” He spoke, holding his short swords casually. His steel mask hid any facial features but he was facing the beasts like everyone else.

“There is no shame in getting help. You’re fighting like everyone else. If anything, they’re all guardians.” Ilea said and chuckled. “Are you ready, or does anyone need some rest or healing?”

Catelyn chuckled. “They will not rest until all of them are dead and burnt. Neither will we.”

“The barricades now have an additional layer of protection, those in need of rest and meditation will retreat. I will organize rotations depending on enemy numbers.” Ilas said. “It seems the sudden calamity has proven useful after death.”

He was probably talking about the Veramath, providing a biological barrier between the approaching horde and their defensive position as well as the change it brought to the enemy approach, coming from a single place instead of various cracks and crevices in the ground.

“Any idea how many of them were there per layer?” Ilea asked, glancing at Ilas.

“We do not know.” Ilas replied.

Well, only one way to find out then. Ilea thought and moved her wings. “Don’t worry about me with your magic. I’ll try to attract as many as I can. Just send your spells into the bulk of them.”

Some of the mages gave her an apprehensive look but most nodded.

“She was the one to enter and kill the Veramath.” Catelyn supplied. “I doubt any of us could kill her.”

“I haven’t fought you.” Ilea said to her as she twirled in the air.

“And I hope not to change that.” The fox replied and ascended.

Most of the mages now looked at Ilea in a different light, in the very least respect in their eyes.

Now, my dear corrupted beasts. Come to me. She thought with a grin, flying over the field of dead.

The screeches and howls grew more audible, frenzied beasts on their way to sink their teeth into something. All they would find was death as dozens of warriors teleported down from the dead Veramath, even more flying rangers, mages and rogues ready to unleash their spells and arrowsfrom above.

They had their perimeter now, people to organize the troopsand they were ready for whatever came out of the depths of the Descent. The Veramath was likely just the first of many.

Ilea blinked down and came to a stop, her ashen limbs fanning out and her buffs at the ready. Meditation was still active, just now topping off her mana once more. If she was honest, she hoped for stronger beasts. Some of the forms as well as the flying monsters emerging from the hole in the ground at least suggested change to before.

Her fists slammed together, her from crouching lightly as the first projectiles impacted her defenses.

Chapter 379 Fire and Ash

Chapter 379 Fire and Ash

Ilea felt the heat of the exploding fireball to her right, dozens of beasts scattered as their limbs were ripped off, their bodies unable to withstand the pressure.

The Old Blooded in front of her withstood the blast, burns showing on its malformed and corrupted skin. It crouched and snarled at her, the wounds regenerating slowly.

It jumped aside to avoid the ashen limbs, two of them still slamming through its body.

Ilea used the limbs to pull it closer, another five of her ashen tendrils ripping through the beast and killing it.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Old Blooded – lvl 352] – For defeating an enemy thirty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Downside of having the mages help. Ilea thought, blinking towards another cluster of monsters nearby.

A powerful stream of wind knocked her aside, making her spread her wings to stabilize before she blinked into the group. Ashen limbs slashed through the snarling creatures before she looked up and saw the distant moth unleashing another wind magic spell.

Ilea watched as a set of ice spears impaled it, making the beast tumble in the air before it dived downwards, focused on the mage that had attacked it.

Annoying. Ilea thought, at least a dozen of them flying above, way too far away for her to effectively fight them.

She could go to them but Ilea was much more effective on the ground, killing dozens of monsters in the time it would take her to hunt down one of the moths.

It seemed the Veramath in its approach had formed a more direct tunnel to deeper layers of the Descent. The moths were certainly annoying but Ilea enjoyed fighting the new beasts that had shown up.

[Corrupted Needlebear – lvl 324]

She dodged out of the way as the massive creature rolled past her, coming to a stop with a roar.

A three meter tall bear with bone like needles sticking out from its back, both used in its rolling attack but also at range.

Alright, let’s do this. She thought, looking at the beast with a deep gash on its belly, orange puss oozing out. Four ashen limbs slammed into the ground behind her.

The bear jumped and curled up, rolling at her with increasing speed.

It impacted with a heavy thud, the needles digging into Ilea’s ash as the movement was stopped completely.

She held onto one of the spikes and slammed her fist into its back, some of the needles splintering as her mana was pushed into the creature. Her limbs slashed into the bear from the side, adding to its injuries.

They were surprisingly durable, especially those without many previous wounds.

Ilea kept it in place and continued her assault until the noise resounded in her mind.

She turned her head as a root slammed into her face, scratching past her ash before she grabbed onto it.

[Corrupted Night Forest Spirit – lvl ??]

Still below five hundred. Ilea noted, glancing at the floating spirit with an owl like wooden head.

She let go when another Needlebear slammed into her, jumping up when a Blood Carrier crashed in from behind, dodging both with the movement. Both creatures were stunned for a moment, allowing her to unleash her Heart of Cinder, disintegrating them entirely.

Ilea spread her wings and rushed at the spirit, dodging the wooden spears and roots rushing at her before she impacted, slamming her fist down onto its head and chipping away at the wooden form of an owl nearly her own height.

With a last crack, the head was ripped off and the creature died.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Night Forest Spirit – lvl 438] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and twenty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

The numbers were thinning out a little, mostly because the dark one mages had insane area spells taking out dozens of the lower leveled monsters with each attack.

Ilea wasn’t slacking either, her ashen limbs and Heart of Cinder incredibly effective against groups.

With the new species showing up, it took a little longer to kill them. Many survived the area spells too, creating spaces where only one or two corrupted monsters remained, stronger than the ones from presumably higher up layers of the Descent.

Ilea let another powerful gust of wind with mixed in air blades flow over her, the magic slightly digging into her ashen armor but mostly just providing a little bit of mana and a sliver to her next level of Wind Resistance.

Two corrupted Old Blooded rushed at her with lanky long limbs, their movements a little uneven due to the corruption running through their veins.

Ilea sighed, her limbs at the ready when a barrier suddenly formed between them, cutting into their flesh before two purple beams slammed into their heads.

Wooden spears crashed into the creatures, ending their lives.

“You made it.” Ilea said and looked up.

Maro grinned down and nodded. “Quite a massacre you’ve created. Can’t believe there’s still more with all the dead.” His helmet appeared before he lifted his arms, a surge of power fanning out over the area.

Dozens of dead corrupted beasts twitched and slowly stood up, readying their fangs and claws.

“My kind of battlefield.” Maro sighed and floated down, the monsters rushing past Ilea and towards the corrupted.

She just looked on with amusement before she nodded at Elfie floating closer.

Neiphato, Seviir and Heranuur joined too, weapons at the ready.

“You have called and we have arrived.” Elfie spoke. “A battle unlike most. A corruption has caused these beasts to rise up to the upper floor?”

[Mage – lvl 295]

“Close to your evolution.” Ilea said with an acknowledging nod. “Thank you for coming. I think we can use every capable mage and warrior we can get.”

“It does seem very fun.” Heranuur said and walked past. “Neiphato, let’s stay close together in case one of us gets injured.”

“Of course.” Neiphato said and followed, giving Ilea a smile as he passed.

Seviir rushed past with claws extended, joining the creatures Maro had raised.

The demonic skeleton they had found in the Taleen city was leading the charge, clawing into the corrupted with a ferocity comparable to their own.

“Efficient.” Ilea commented as she watched the dead fight the corrupted.

“Certainly. Though they are weaker, it will help protect our own and it will let the mages shoot spells without worry.” The necromancer said.

Niivalyr crouched and grabbed some of the orange sludge with a gloved hand. “A threat, to all life.”

“A little dramatic.” Ilea commented, glancing around to see where she could join the fight again. To her surprise, there were no monsters immediately close to her.

The elves had moved a couple dozen meters farther ahead as well as the raised undead. Corrupted raised undead. How many times can someone raise them?

Ilea didn’t think further on the specifics.

“Perhaps. Yet you should not underestimate such corruption. Worse perhaps than even demons and mages of death.” Niivalyr commented as he shook off the orange goo.

Ilea was surprised that Maro didn’t have anything to say about that.

The necromancer just moved past and raised more of the dead creatures. “I got Lucas too. He’s fortifying the defensive position you formed. Terok is helping with that as well.”

Ilea nodded. “Thanks, he’ll be quite useful with his wood creation.”

“As is Neiphato.” Niivalyr said, smirking at her.

“Of course. A healer especially.” Ilea said and smiled back. “I’ll have to talk to you about something later, Elfie. Met a bunch of Cerithil Hunters back south.”

“You did? I am intrigued. First however, let us deal with these creatures.” The elf replied.

Ilea nodded and flew up, turning to face the enemy hordes.

The line of mages had moved up, taking out the moths one by one as the warriors on the ground got some time to breathe thanks to the arriving elves and Maro who was adding more and more undead to their numbers.

Ilea counted at least eighty to a hundred, quickly dying but more arriving to join at the same time. Their levels were lower than the corrupted creatures had been before but most still above two hundred.

Don’t fight a necromancer amidst piles of corpses. She smiled and flew ahead of the line, coming down with wildly twisting ash, impaling ten beasts at once.

Some were dead on the spot, others she threw at their corrupted brethren. Heart of Cinder was released after a blink into the thickest mass of bodies she could find within her sphere.

The ash remaining from the disintegrated corpses condensed into spears that were released at another group running at her.

Some of the beasts released spells that slammed into her ashen armor, providing some mana for her next attacks while shielding the resurrected creatures behind her as well as the elves.

Their auras gave off a different feel than those of the corrupted, allowing her to differentiate between them.

Ilea was glad her limbs were so effective, reserving Storm of Cinders and Absolute Destruction for the stronger beasts among the groups, effectively allowing her to fight near indefinitely. The constant sources of mana from various spells was just icing on top.

___________________________________________________________________________

“They are still going strong.” Ilas commented, floating a little ahead of Catelyn.

She was regenerating some of her mana, occasionally shooting a fireball down at the masses or a beam at an approaching moth creature.

Ilas was talking about Ilea and the elves she assumed, those she had called for. Elves and a necromancer, as well as that old wood creator.

She was curious about where they had come from, how Ilea had met them. She knew Maro of course, the king to Elana’s title of queen. Gone now and forgotten but their strength remains.

Hordes of undead rose and fought until they were ripped apart, only their bones remaining. They rivaled the corrupted in sheer tenacity.

The elves were similar, one of them joining the mages as he floated above, barriers and curses funneling the monsters and greatly helping in containing the beasts.

“We will have to talk to the curse user.” Ilas added, using an item to spy over the landscape. A telescope, he had explained.

“If he is inclined to help us.” Catelyn replied. Curses helped against poisons, able to target specific substances in someone’s body. Perhaps he was able to destroy the corruption just as well.

The worm had formed a formidable defensive line, more dark ones gathered from Hallowfort and the village of the first layer, helping extend and fortify the perimeter as well as closing off the various cracks and crevices leading down.

Stone, wood and whatever else they could summon, create or move.

Ilas signaled a waiting group below, pointing them at a distant group of monsters that must have emerged from a smaller opening.

Not a single one was allowed to escape this place, lest their city fell and all those within.

Catelyn looked up and sent a scorching ray of fire at an approaching moth creature, burning one of its wings as it tumbled down. Sixth layer creatures and much smarter than their corrupted versions.

It’s worrying that Moth Divers were taken too. Yet here is where they will fall.

Looking down, she saw the elves move a little ahead, their own healer making sure the others wouldn’t be overwhelmed, wood appearing from time to time, splitting up groups of monsters as the other two slashed through them.

Neither overextended, aware of the others as the fourth elf moved above, his barriers and curses focusing on their own targets unless the group below needed assistance.

A formidable group. It was obvious that they had worked together for a long time. She was aware that there were elves in the north, some few visiting Hallowfort even. Their kind wasn’t liked however, by neither dwarfs nor many dark ones.

At most tolerated, most knowing of the atrocities committed by their kind, now or a thousand years past.

They tended to keep to themselves, not getting involved in any of the northern conflicts. Some had asked Catelyn about Taleen dungeons and the machines within but that was hundreds of years ago.

She smirked, finding Ilea amidst the hordes of monsters. Blasts of magic impacted close to her, ripping through the beasts, many of them already dead thanks to those ashen things around her.

From time to time she released a blast of fire and heat that rivaled Catelyn’s own, burning through whole chunks of corrupted.

The magic around her didn’t seem to have an effect on her, neither the spells coming from the Dark Ones flying above nor those released by the enemy beasts. She appeared like a wraith of ash, within the largest clusters before her ashen tendrils spun and slashed.

There had been some monsters with somewhat similar abilities that Catelyn had encountered over the years. None of them however could shrug off magic quite as easily, none of them could recover quite as quickly. Most of all, they couldn’t fight for hours on end or kill a Goliath Veramath with such ease.

Ilea had changed since first meeting her in Hallowfort. Not just her level and evolved classes. They simply enabled her, pushed her further.

The healer now commanded an authority on the battlefield that Catelyn had seen in few.

Mages followed her form, sent their most powerful spells down into the frenzied monsters that pooled around the healer, knowing that she would not be injured.

Those on the ground followed suit, taking care of the remaining beasts as the line of undead and dark ones moved forward, closer still to the yet distant gaping black hole the Veramath had left behind.

Unbeknownst to her perhaps, Ilea had become a general to lead her troops in battle. Driven perhaps by a frenzy of her own, she carved her way through the enemy.

Neither her task nor perhaps her intention, it was still apparent that as a tactical leader, she was yet inexperienced. Catelyn could see it however, a force of nature that rivaled her own, shaped and empowered by time and battle. A powerful ally to Hallowfort and all those living.

“She is moving too quickly.” Ilas said as he appeared again at her side.

The moths above had yet again doubled in number, monsters in the air as well as on the ground spreading east and west of the main entrance to the first layer that lay northward, created by the worm.

“It is not her task to reel the monsters in. She is merely here to kill.” Catelyn stated. “Two thirds of the mages should retreat, form a broader line and take care of the flying monsters. Those on the ground unable to face the higher level threats should keep farther back.”

Ilas nodded in agreement. “I will add those who can attract beasts to the ground troops. Some should have arrived by now.”

“Good.” Catelyn said, another ray of fire burning into a far away moth. It seemed things were in control once more and it was time for her to join the battle.

To fight the wretched creatures that would threaten her people.

Flames rose from the corners of her mouth, her eyes blazing with a dark orange.

___________________________________________________________________________

Ilea felt the heat of an inferno crash down into the running beasts, their forms set ablaze instantly, many of the weaker forms melting or outright disintegrating.

The smell was terrible, perhaps the worst she had ever experienced. Her auras and healing kept her from gagging or puking, ashen limbs still slashing at the monsters in her sphere’s range.

Some of the mages had retreated, others simply flying a little farther back.

The burning form of Catelyn appeared a couple meters to her right, the heat comparable to Goliath’s furnace, open and blazing.

The corpses where she stood were set aflame, bones cracking under her massive form and weight. A rage in her eyes focused on the beasts.

Ilea smirked and kept moving, occasionally burnt by Catelyn’s spells as the two moved up and through the beasts that were still spilling out of the created tunnel.

She healed the fox whenever necessary but found her regenerating herself too, albeit much slower than a healer could manage.

The two cut through the oncoming hordes like a smoldering harvester through a field of crops, their yield however were bones as well as melted fur, scales and skin.

Still, the sheer number of powerful beasts was near overwhelming, leaving the two in a field of beasts without support from further back after an hour or two of fighting. Ilea had lost her perception of time at this point, waving through the beasts as if she was one with her ash.

A loud noise resounded, many of the monsters turning away from her and Catelyn, running towards the sound.

“Follow them.” Catelyn said as she appeared next to Ilea.

“Sure thing, boss.” Ilea said and spread her wings, jumping up and out of the monster’s range.

Catelyn followed, flying next to her.

Wish I couldn’t fly so I could ride her. Ilea thought, glancing over.

Fuck it.

She spun in the air and made her wings vanish, landing on top of Catelyn with her ashen armor covering her.

“What are you doing?” Catelyn exclaimed.

“We’re making an entrance!” Ilea shouted with a grin on her face.

The noise came from various Dark Ones sporting their voices as well as two who were using alp horns or didgeridoos.

It was hard to tell at a distance.

The toots sent sound waves through the monsters before a horde of undead rushed past the bards.

Ilea and Catelyn impacted the corrupted beasts with a crash, continuing their slaughter a kilometer further back, once again with air and now even musical support.

Nice way to supply me with magic. Ilea thought as the sound waves washed past, sending some of the monsters tumbling while she braced herself against it.

Chapter 380 Taking Stock

Chapter 380 Taking Stock

Ilea could finally sit down and eat something. Days had passed according to the people she had quickly talked to.

She was sitting on top of a stone structure near the tunnel like hole the Veramath had left behind, leading down in a steep angle.

Little was visible but an abyss and the creatures that were still coming up, frenzied and taken by the corruption stemming from farther down.

Fewer now, far apart and taken out by the rangers and rogues as well as the mages who could attack at such a distance.

Walls had been put up around the tunnel entrance, as well as several layers of defense. Spikes and obstacles of various elements were still rising within the tunnel as well as on the battlefield around the entrance.

Various structures had been put up, all with the intent to be defensible should another massive creature break through the ground. So far, the Goliath Veramath had been the only thing who had managed such a feat.

Ilea enjoyed the vegetable soup, not quite in the mood for meat after the endless slaughter. The smells didn’t exactly add to the experience but she didn’t want to go too far from the entrance, just in case.

Various mages were scouring the air, looking for cracks and crevices that were then closed by Lucas or Neiphato as well as a dozen other creators with their various elements. Wood and stone was best however.

The tunnel entrance was to her left, a hundred meters away perhaps. Some of the dark ones had started piling corpses into holes before setting them ablaze but with their own numbers, the task was monumental. Even with powerful magic at their disposal.

Ilea was resting on the wall of a dome like structure, elevated and grown out of a natural boulder and not closed off at the top. It was possibly the most secure structure they currently had on the first layer.

She assumed Hallowfort had improved further in the meantime as well. Some of the mages were rotating between the first layer and the town above. Always in groups to make sure the creatures lurking between could be taken care of or at least avoided.

A blue reaper was perhaps more dangerous than any of the corrupted that had spilled out so far, excluding of course the Veramath.

Maro was discussing the effects of the corruption with Catelyn and Niivalyr, the three joined by a couple of Dark Ones and two dwarfs were standing inside the dome structure and below where Ilea was eating.

“The curse has an effect but I have to learn more about its nature. It is the first time I have come across such a potent corrupting force.” Elfie commented, looking down on the corpse they were standing around.

“It latches on to wounds, to blood.” Maro said. “It kills slowly, depending on how aware a being is to the circumstances.”

“I don’t feel blood magic resonance however. It is alchemical in nature, a substance. Released further down in the Descent.” One of the Dark Ones said.

Ilea gave him a glance, dark red armor and a reddish glow emanating from him through her sphere.

“The blood containers found within the fourth layer have properties unlike anything found elsewhere, to our knowledge at least.” Catelyn said. “Someone might have experimented with them.”

“The expedition caused this. It must’ve been them.” One of the dwarfs grumbled. “The Descent has been quiet for a hundred years and now suddenly, when they go down, it changes.”

Maro nodded. “Not the only thing that would be released in the depths of the north.”

Catelyn gave him a knowing look, back in her small fox form but standing on an elevated rock. “One corrupted beast powerful enough to kill others would be enough or a trap releasing the substance itself. The goal of the expedition was to delve as deep as they could, uncover artifacts and resources, unlike most of the previous endeavors where less… grand goals were the target.”

“I say we seal it all off and forget about it. Collapse the whole damn thing.” The dwarf said.

Protesting words immediately came from some of the Dark Ones, their species hidden behind cloaks and armor.

“Eighty of our own went down there. Do you suggest leaving them to die?” One of them said, a gravely deep voice with a near ethereal quality to it.

“What else should we do? The monsters are corrupted, frenzied and looking for blood. Sneaking past won’t be possible, not for the best of us.” The dwarf said and glanced at one of them, Ilas, the Dark One wreathed in shadow.

They started bickering until Catelyn cut in, silencing the group immediately. “This… corruption cannot be allowed to exist. The Descent is vast. Ancient. We have no idea how many ways lead out of it, back to the surface or into other dungeons further away.”

“Let them kill each other and die to the storms and blizzards.” The dwarf said.

“They retain their level, mostly.” Ilas said as he stepped up. “The longer we let this corruption run free, the higher the chance it will infect things like the Veramath. Creatures we cannot defeat.”

“We already can’t defeat them.” The dwarf hissed.

“You certainly can’t.” Ilas spat. “I have studied the Descent for decades. The monsters that have emerged so far, are not those I fear. Should the corruption run deeper, this very continent may fall.”

“What do you suggest?” Catelyn asked, looking at the four armed shadow creature.

“We go down. A small group, best suited for survival within the dungeon, its traps and the monsters within. Those able to destroy the corruption, to seal off exits.” Ilas explained, looking at Catelyn.

The fox thought about it for a moment. “It seems like the most reasonable choice. Leaving with too many could cause a disaster, should our own be taken over. The first layer and Hallowfort must be further fortified, those finding their way up most be destroyed.”

“That much we can do.” The dwarf said and chuckled. “If the strongest leave however, we may not be able to stand against high level creatures.”

“They have not emerged so far.” Ilas spoke. “And we will attract them. I suspect only a portion of the higher layers has been corrupted, otherwise we would have already seen more catastrophic results.”

“You want to go too?” Catelyn asked with an uncertain voice.

The dark one looked her way, no eyes visible but the tension was obvious.

“Are you acting with our interest in mind, or your own?” The fox asked.

Ilas was silent for a moment.

“Both.” He finally spoke. “Nothing I said was a lie. I do believe it is our best option.”

“So do I.” Catelyn replied.

“Then who is to join this group?” The dwarf asked.

“Word has been sent to the Dark Protector yet I won’t hope for assistance. The council will manage Hallowfort and you will manage the first layer.” Catelyn spoke, addressing the group of dark ones and dwarfs. “I will join this delve, to vanquish this… corruption.” She spat the word as if it had a vile taste to it.

“Maro? Will you join us?” Catelyn asked. “Your power and necromancy will be a boon I don’t want to miss.”

The man sighed below his helmet, the antlers moving down a little. He glanced towards Ilea. “The last mission.” He spoke with a tired voice.

Ilea was still eating, smiling down on him.

“Will you join us?” Catelyn asked, now looking at her as well.

Heads turned to face Ilea, sitting at the top of the wall.

“Of course.” She said after swallowing, taking another bite.

“And you, we don’t each other but you have joined our battle.” Catelyn said, looking at Elfie.

He hissed. “We came on her behalf, not yours.” The elf looked up at Ilea and back to Catelyn. “However. I agree with your assessment of the threat. Should the northern creatures fall prey to this influence, our kind will suffer as much as yours.”

He paused and nodded. “I shall join you. The young ones however, will stay here.”

“Thank you.” Catelyn spoke. “I had hoped to have the wood creator with us.”

“Too few here have healing capabilities as it is. She will suffice.” Niivalyr spoke, nodding towards the eating healer.

“There is another one, you know.” Maro said. “And he is perhaps more powerful than myself even.”

“The human? He has refused to fight. What use is he?” Elfie asked with a hiss.

“He can close the exits. And he is formidable when needed.” Maro said.

Ilea jumped down, putting away her empty box. “Lucas can’t differentiate between friend and foe. I don’t think he’s suitable for the job.”

“He won’t fight, not unless we are overwhelmed. In which case I’d rather have him down there than any of the mages I saw in the past days.” Maro said.

“Even so, he has no reason to come. I’m surprised you could even convince him to join the battle here.” Ilea said. She assumed it had something to do with his charisma or he simply asked him to pay back the help they had provided.

Maro didn’t say anything in response, his face hidden by the helmet.

“I will talk to him.” Catelyn said. “His level alone is higher than most.”

Ilea rolled her eyes but didn’t stop her. Lucas could decide on his own, even if she thought it was unwise. Especially considering his pacifism and lack of control.

It wasn’t necessarily a consideration for her own or her party’s safety but more for his own. All of them had ridiculous defenses and health, except for Ilas, him she barely knew.

The shadows wreathing around him at least made her suspect he could escape, should worse come to worst.

“In the meantime, prepare yourselves. I suggest we leave later today.” Catelyn said and looked over the group. “Ilas, prepare plans for the first layer. We will discuss it as soon as I have talked to the human.”

“As you wish.” Ilas replied and bowed lightly.

Ilea cracked her neck and blinked back up to the wall, appearing with her legs dangling down the side and with a view over the expansive cavern, the tunnel now nearly enveloped with stone, crystal, and wood.

Fires were still burning over the distant fields, thousands of corpses still littering the ground as far as she could see. As high up as she was, the smell wasn’t that bad anymore at least.

She summoned another meal and started eating, enjoying the light breeze of somewhat fresh air coming from the lake, ignoring the physics of this underground dungeon. Finally, she had some time to look over her gains.

The kill notifications were too numerous, quickly skipped as she moved on to the more interesting bits.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 314 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 315 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 313 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 314 – Five stat points awarded’

The stats she quickly invested into Intelligence, bringing it to 686. Each point would give her the same boost as around ten would provide normally, thanks to the multiplication from her auras.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 19’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 20’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 14’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 15’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

Being in the middle of a massive battle against thousands of frenzied monsters was still one of the best ways to level after all.

Ilea could have likely gotten more levels facing down Miststalkers, their levels mostly higher than the beasts she had fought in the past couple days but her resistances certainly benefited.

Most of the damage came from allied mages but considering her state in battle and the added dangers, many of them had leveled quite a bit.

Niivalyr suddenly appeared next to her, landing on the stone wall as he looked over the landscape.

Ilea continued eating.

“You really think this could doom your people?” She asked after a while.

He glanced at her. “Perhaps. There are many things out there, beings of great destructive potential. Magic and beasts we cannot comprehend, even after thousands of years of study.” He paused.

“The reason humanity, elven kind and any other living thing has not yet been wiped of this realm is simply because those creatures stay where they are. This… corruption leads whatever it infects to seek out those not yet in its grasp. An unending hunger. I cannot begin to comprehend the dangers this would cause, should an ancient and powerful creature fall prey to it.”

“If they’re so ancient and powerful, don’t you think they could fight it off?” Ilea asked, taking a bite out of a wrap.

Elfie sat down, to her surprise. “Perhaps they would.”

He glanced at her food.

Ilea handed one of the remaining wraps to him.

Niivalyr took it and nodded. “Thank you.”

“I… understand now that I cannot trust in those with more power than myself, to do what I believe needs to be done. I do not think it is wise to let this infestation run unchecked and to trust in others to solve this problem. Not when we ourselves have the power to change its course.” Elfie spoke.

“Same as with the Taleen?” Ilea asked, finishing her meal.

The elf ate in silence.

He swallowed and nodded. “Perhaps. I had… looked for an answer, a way to convince the o… oracles. The answer however, had been in front of me. All this time.”

“Maybe you weren’t ready to see it yet.” Ilea suggested, leaning back as she looked at the crystals on the far away cavern ceiling.

“You have met more of us then? Cerithil Hunters. The cursed.” He asked, not commenting on her remark.

She could tell he was interested. Seviir and the others were younger than him. The group she had met recently was a different caliber altogether, Ilea knew as much.

“I did. The strongest one was a healer bearing the name Isalthar.” Ilea explained.

His head turned to her instantly. “Isa… the Val Akuun… are you certain that was the name?” He had moved closer, nearly in her face.

Ilea extended her hand and pushed him back a little. “That’s what he said. What does Val Akuun mean?”

“I won’t tell you.” Elfie replied immediately. “Know that he is infamous among the domains, the hunters. He met with you?” His voice sounded unbelieving.

“Why is that so hard to grasp?” Ilea asked and chuckled. “You’re sitting with me right here and you weren’t even a hunter when you first met me.”

“Perhaps you are right. Did you tell him… about me, us? The Centurion facility?”

Ilea wasn’t sure if she heard fear but her sphere at least told her he was nervous. “I told him that I know a group of hunters, nothing more. Didn’t know if I could trust them.”

He sighed and then shook his head, chuckling. “I don’t… I don’t know why I’m afraid. I’m the same now, a hunter like him.” The realization seemed to hit him pretty hard then. As if for the first time he understood the gravity of his actions. “Perhaps… I can still atone… be released of my cur-”

Ilea’s finger flicked his skull so hard, he had to stabilize himself with his arm.

“What are you…,” He exclaimed.

Ilea just held her finger at the ready once more. “You made your choice. Going back will only get you killed. I think what you had with your oracles could be constituted as an abusive relationship. You disagree with them, don’t you? You want to fight the Taleen and destroy them?”

He looked at her, a trickle of blood flowing down his hair and over his cheek. “I do.” He said, his voice quiet. “I do. And you’re right. Thank you, human.”

“Just come to me whenever you need a beating. Although you nearly reached my level again. I can’t wait to spar with you after the evolution. Five to go.” She said with a smile, releasing her loaded finger.

“I don’t particularly look forward to that. Your power has increased exponentially.” He commented.

“As will yours.” Ilea said. “Gonna be interesting to see where it takes you, now that you’re a free elf.”

He looked at her once again, mouthing a word she couldn’t grasp.

“We shall talk again, of these elves you met. Now.” He said and stood up, patting down his coat.

“I have an urge, to fight.” He said and put up a hand. “Not you.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Get to three hundred already.”

She could swear there was a light smirk on his face before he vanished, flying towards the tunnel entrance a moment later.

They probably had a couple hours to go, perhaps enough to get some more resistance training in. Ilea stood up and spread her wings, looking for people she could convince.

Chapter 381 Packing mule

Chapter 381 Packing mule

“Are you ready to go?” Catelyn asked, having appeared a couple meters away. Her form was small, eyes a dark fiery color as she sat on a nearby rock. Her tails were swaying in the unnatural wind moving through the cavern.

Ilea stood in a smoldering, partially crystal covered, corroded and frozen crater. She gave a thumbs up towards the fox and smiled under her armor.

The mages stopped their attacks at that point, seeing the fox arrive.

“Did you convince Lucas?” Ilea asked. Several hours had already passed since their talk in the defensive dome like structure.

The first layer of the Descent was looking more like a crude town by now, simple and efficient buildings providing shelter, storage and mostly places to sleep and stay without immediate danger.

Pretty much what the village near the higher up cliffs provided but much closer to the Veramath tunnel.

If mages put their heart into it, they can really get shit done. Like my resistance levels. Ilea thought as she stepped out of the ten by ten meter crater that had expanded further and further as time went on.

With various elements clashing together in explosions, that was a given.

“He agreed to join on the grounds of sealing up the corruption as well as to study it and the Descent. The vegetation apparently is unique here. He did complain about me burning most of it down.” Catelyn explained.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Of course he did. Well just make sure to warn everyone that he might not be able to distinguish us from the beasts when he actually starts fighting.”

“A berserker like skill then?” Catelyn asked. “He told me he will not join the battles themselves. Odd, seeing his high level. Higher even than yours.” She lay down on the rock that started to glow a little from the heat she exuded.

“Something like that. Only saw it once. But yes, there’s a reason his level is that high. Not fighting can only get you so far in this world.” Ilea commented.

Catelyn purred. “It can get you somewhere, you simply need much, much more time.” She looked up at Ilea with a confused expression when she was suddenly petted.

“Please, not in front of the Dark Ones. My authority might be questioned.” The fox said.

Ilea continued, moving her hand through the soft fur, her unarmored hand searing slightly at the heat. “Just turn into your killer form then. I doubt this will have an impact on how they view you.”

A sudden flare of scorching flame shot up Ilea’s arm, making her wince and remove her hand. “Alright, alright.”

“Sorry, did that actually hurt you?” Catelyn asked as she hopped off the stone and landed softly on the ground.

“Of course not.” Ilea said and smiled at her. “Still, surprisingly powerful for my heat resistance and other defenses. You should have joined in my training.”

Catelyn sighed and shook her head, slowly walking towards the defensive structures around the tunnel. “I’m too busy for that. How did you reach such a level without any responsibility?”

Ilea summoned one of the cakes she had gotten from Popi, smiling at the instant reaction from the fox.

Her form suddenly extended, a massive fiery maw closed around Ilea’s arm. The cake was gone, including the plate it had rested on. The slight damage to Ilea’s armor reformed near instantly.

Catelyn made a couple sounds that didn’t quite fit her massive intimidating form, chewing before she swallowed with a satisfied sigh.

She shrunk again immediately after, the sizzling tracks her huge form left behind a mystery as she looked ahead with an embarrassed expression on her face.

To Ilea’s interpretation of fox expressions at least.

“I know people who do that for me.” Ilea said finally. “I’ll help in a fight but any riches or knowledge I gather, I’ll mostly let others deal with.”

Catelyn nodded. “Thank you, for the cake. Do you… perchance-”

“I have more, yes.” Ilea said and summoned another one, throwing it up into the air before a red streak of fur and fire rushed past.

“Why the question? Do you not like the responsibility you have with Hallowfort? You know there are others, right? Even Elana now I’m sure would be happy to take your position.” Ilea said.

Catelyn giggled, the voice deep and menacing before she shrunk once more. “I would never leave Hallowfort behind, nor its people. It means too much to me. I cannot deny however that I sometimes envy you.”

“You can leave too, go on adventures. I think you even talked about that once. Doesn’t mean you can’t be there when the city needs you.” Ilea said and chuckled. “I have friends too, you included. I’m here right now because you needed my help. Not because I wanted an exciting adventure. Just so happens to correlate.” She gave the fox a wink.

Catelyn snorted and looked up at her. “I know, I know. And I do appreciate your help. Without you we’d likely still be battling that Veramath. If we had even survived that far.”

“You’re at a higher level than me, don’t give me too much credit.” Ilea replied.

“Maro is here because of you, as is that elf and Lucas. I don’t mean your power alone, which is growing to frightening heights by the way. I think I just envy your free spirited approach. We might face the extinction of all life on Elos and yet you’re here, training your resistances.” Catelyn said with a smirk.

“You having friends and places you care about just adds to this. There are human towns in the south yet you are here, to help us out with this. You don’t seem to worry as much as I do.” She added.

Ilea thought about it for a while, the two soon reaching the first crude buildings. The smell of food came from within, not particularly inviting but nonetheless hot and ready.

“I haven’t really thought about it that way.” Ilea said. “The realm I am from, there was little influence a single person could have. Even the absurdly wealthy only had so much they could do and change. Personal power as here in Elos, simply didn’t exist.”

“We had an information network telling us about all the things in the world that were constantly going to shit, all the wars, the exploitation and crime. It was easy to focus on that. And it was disconnecting sometimes, to think about how powerless I was in the grand scheme of things.”

Ilea paused and looked up, at the crystals illuminating the cavern. “Something that helped me both back on Earth as well as here, was the fact that I am just one person and that I have to focus on the things in front of me, the things I can change and influence.”

“At first that was just me and the next Drake I wanted to fight. Progressing through the levels and survive. Now I have enough wealth and power to influence whole cities, perhaps even more than that. That realization was overwhelming at first but the same rules apply. I am just one person and I have to focus on what I can change and influence.”

Ilea looked at Catelyn and realized they had stopped in front of the second stone wall that was being constructed around the tunnel.

“I’m not a politician, nor particularly good with money. I’m not a leader either. So I let others do those things. What I can do here is help destroy the corrupted, help find out what is going on in this dungeon and who is responsible. And that is what I will do.” She finished.

Catelyn again chuckled. “You make it seem so simple. You still have views, morals both your own as well as from the realm you were born in. With your level of power, can you trust others to do in your place what you think is right?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I do it anyway. Because I don’t want to be the queen of a city nor do I want to argue with someone about legislation. I want to explore and fight, with this wonderful body and magic I’ve come to love. I can’t do everything myself and neither can you. Finding people you can trust is just a part of it. You’re letting Elana guide Hallowfort in this very moment.” Ilea said.

“Her and the council.” Catelyn specified. “Yet I’m sure she will convince them to give her more privileges with time. That woman is brazen and terrifyingly efficient.”

“I see your point of course. Focus on what’s in front of you. With everything that’s been going on, the Feynor and now these… corrupted. It seems insurmountable.” Catelyn sighed.

Ilea smiled at her. “Hallowfort has stood for how many hundreds of years? Or was it thousands? I doubt any of this will make a difference. If it does, then you simply do what you can. Fight them until you can’t anymore. Stand or flee, whatever makes sense. Avenge your city or rebuild it. Why worry about it now when you don’t know the outcome?”

“Because my people depend on me. Because thousands will die if I fail.” Catelyn replied with a tired voice.

“Fuck them.” Ilea said. “They should be grateful that you’re fighting for them. That you’re leading them in this battle. Many of them are, from what I’ve seen. They’re powerful warriors, mages and each will shoulder what they can. While people surely depend on your power and guidance, you’re in this together.”

“That we are indeed.” She replied. “Perhaps all of living things in Elos.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Stop with the doomsday talk or I’ll get anxious too.”

“You should be, this is not a common occurrence. We know little to nothing about the deeper layers of the Descent. If its denizens get corrupted and invade the north as well as your lands, our peoples might very well find them unstoppable.” Catelyn said in a bitter tone.

“Then we move to another realm, or get some nukes to start anew. You’ve survived in the north, the most ridiculously hostile environment any sapient creature would choose to go. Let’s go and show them what we can do. One dead corrupted at a time.” Ilea said and grinned.

Catelyn shook her head, still, a light smirk showed on her face. “You’re really just here because you like the challenge, aren’t you?”

Ilea spread her wings and ascended above the top of the wall, the tunnel extending into darkness beyond the second wall ten meters ahead.

“How could you think so little of my motives?” She asked in a dry tone.

“Well, I do hope your enthusiasm will result in a successful cull of this infestation.” Catelyn said, floating next to her.

“Me too, as well as a bunch of levels.” Ilea said, finding herself truly hoping for a challenge.

The demons hadn’t destroyed humanity, not yet at least. Nor have the Taleen brought an end to elven kind. Ilea had her doubts that this was the end to sapient life on Elos.

Either way, her fists and ash would give their all to prevent it.

“Rations, light sources, magical items that might help, healing potions as well as bandages, possible shelter and materials that will help against harsh climates and magical conditions.” Ilas read down the small list he had prepared, several bags of various items sitting next to him.

The group stood at the beginning of the tunnel, behind the expanding defensive spikes and low walls that slowed or even stopped approaching beasts.

The rotation of mages and ranged individuals on top of the wall was already routine by now, paid and taken care of by the city of Hallowfort.

“Can we finally leave?” Maro asked, sitting on one of the low walls with a group of skeletons and undead behind him. Only the most powerful it seemed, their levels all above two hundred.

“Each will take a pack.” Ilas said and grabbed his own, easily lifting the massive backpack at least twice his size.

Ilea walked over and put one into her bracelet, not about to argue about free provisions. The dark one was the expert on the Descent after all.

Catelyn stored away one too, into an item not visible on her body. Perhaps it was a skill of hers.

Maro stood up and stretched, making one vanish as well.

Niivalyr did the same.

“Mhm, a powerful party indeed. Do not look at them with such surprise, young one. It is no shame not to possess an item of such power. I myself have lost those I had found.” Lucas said casually, a smile on his face as he stepped to his pack and groaned to lift it.

“Should I take yours?” Ilea asked. “Give you a hand.”

The old man chuckled as he fell backwards, a cough suddenly rattling through him. “A lovely suggestion.” He finally said as he freed himself from the shackles of his pack.

Ilea walked over and helped him up, storing his pack in her bracelet. “Don’t act so weak, I’ve seen you fight.”

He frowned at her. “Mhm, and for that I am sorry.”

So you want to be seen as a weak old man instead of what you really are? Ilea didn’t ask the question, not about to start another discussion.

“Would… someone be kind enough to, free me of my burden?” Ilas asked, looking down and his voice a little quiet.

Catelyn strolled over and grabbed his pack with her tails, putting it away into whatever pocket dimension or item she had control over.

“So downwards, kill all corrupted and seal exits?” Ilea asked and stepped ahead, turning to glance over the group.

“Sounds simple enough.” Maro said and got up, his skeleton crew following behind.

Elfie grinned at her, his robe suddenly replaced by a set of black metal armor, reflecting little light. Engravings showed where various enchantments had been placed with intricate elvish writing and magical runes.

His robe appeared on top, open to expose the armor below. His face was hidden behind a mask similar to Feyrair’s, hair flowing out behind. The gray mist in his eyes seemed to move as he focused on Ilea.

“Let us purge this dungeon.” He spoke, brimming with power and confidence.

Ilea clapped and smiled at him. “Nice.” She commented, her ashen armor expanding from her back to cover her bone one.

Fire fox, ash healer, curse elf, wood pacifist, death king and the four handed shadow. Ready to steam roll through this fuckery.

“The second layer is mostly comprised of dark tunnels, filled with various insect like creatures.” Ilas explained as they walked down the massive nearly twenty five meters wide tunnel.

There were no light sources in the tunnel itself, Catelyn and Lucas providing for the group with hovering flames and balls of light.

Ilea didn’t use her newfound staff, keeping her hands free to take care of the approaching beasts.

There were plenty and the group moved somewhat slowly, even with Lucas’ impressive speed at covering the few tunnels and cracks they discovered with roots.

“The third layer is mostly under water, housing various monsters that thrive in such an environment. The worm must have moved through the dry parts, otherwise I see no way for the creatures to have reached the first layer.” Ilas continued, his swords drawn and at the ready.

Ilea moved a little ahead, just a couple of meters. Her sphere extended through the whole tunnel, each beast quickly taken out with her ashen limbs.

The others didn’t seem to mind, only stepping in when the monsters grew more numerous. None of them cared to hit Ilea with their spells, knowing her rather well.

“When do we reach it?” Maro asked as he resurrected the intact bodies and sent them running ahead. He couldn’t gain information from them but the sounds of battle gave the group plenty of foresight. Some of the undead even managed to take out a couple more beasts.

Ilea would have complained but the kills were few and far between. Her proposal for them to attack her in the meantime had been rejected by Catelyn. Understandable but still a little annoying.

The short training with the mages earlier had brought her only one level, a small upgrade at least thanks to her Sentinel Core but not as much as she had hoped for. They simply couldn’t deal enough damage.

Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Crystals aren’t just shiny decorations to old ruins and caves. You have learned that the arcane scholars have found ways to turn the beautiful natural phenomenon into something quite more deadly. Less deadly to you with this skill.

2nd stage: Your body adapts, crystal growth and transmutation now exponentially harder to achieve on your tissue.

It was only applicable to Crystal Magic and didn’t really benefit her any more than the second tier of Death Magic Resistance did. To be expected of course but she always hoped for more versatile bonuses.

“The upper layers tend to blend into each other. It is hard to say in which we reside.” Ilas said. “Yet due to the lack of water, I assume we are in the second one still.”

Ilea shredded through an Old Blooded that rushed them, the beast screeching up to its last moment, a barrier slashing through its neck.

Elfie would reach his three hundred evolution in no time if they continued to encounter so many of the high leveled beasts.

She liked the look with his new armor, a calm and confidence he hadn’t exuded before. Fighting with his group of hunters really seems to have changed him.

“Done, we may move on.” Lucas said from the side of the tunnel, massive roots covering the previous opening to the second level cave system.

“What about the creatures that are already in there?” Ilea asked as she focused ahead again.

“They will find their way to the top, where they will be killed.” Ilas explained.

Chapter 382 Sushi

Chapter 382 Sushi

Another storm. Hana looked through the stained glass window, the flying sand soon blocking the view. There wasn’t much to see either way. Rocks, sand and distant boulders.

She was tired, not having slept for nearly two weeks. It was straining, just to stand, to hold her blade. Shameful.

Her armor lay damaged and in shambles, cut apart as if it had been made of cheap copper. She didn’t know why she had held on to the pieces, some of them still hanging from her scaled body. One of the shoulders was fine still but the rest was unusable.

Carefully, she stepped over the gray metal floor, any unnecessary noise had a chance to alert them. She’s still sleeping.

Her hand moved over the woman’s brow. The fever was gone and the wound had healed but it had been taxing on her body. Hana checked where the healer, Jonna, had been pierced by the stinger.

The screams still rung in her ears. She had been sure the woman was dead but somehow she had pushed through, had healed herself through the pain and the corruption.

It hadn’t been easy, cutting out the infected part and adding to her torment but Hana knew better than to question a healer at her own profession. Should have never come back down here. She sighed and sat down next to the sleeping human, her eyes focused on the steel door.

The noises had calmed down a couple days ago but food was running low, as was water. She would hold out as long as she could but even at level two hundred, they had to eat.

Two days passed, Hana using her time to meditate and think of possible solutions, possible ways out. Nothing made much sense. In hindsight this whole expedition had not made sense. Why bypass monsters you can’t fight in the search for riches?

It had never made sense to Hana but it was the way of the scavenger. Krentin hadn’t been averse to such tactics. There had been enough opportunities to fight anyway but down here, the beasts were simply beyond her.

The grip on her sword handle tightened at the thought. Go out there and face them. You are Hana of the Krezjagar, you fear nothing and welcome death.

The familiar mantra wasn’t as effective as usual. Tiredness, thirst and fear. Things she hadn’t felt in years, decades perhaps. Never in this capacity.

A slight stir made her focus and grip her blade once more, preparing to unleash her skills and rush at whatever horrible abomination was after her.

“… what… where am I? Hana?” The human smiled, showing her teeth as her hands moved to her stomach. “I was injured. The poison…,” tears came to her eyes.

Hana grabbed the woman and held her awkwardly, blade still in hand. “Sssh, we mustn’t make too much noise.” She whispered. “You have healed. I cut out the corruption, as you instructed.”

She seemed to understand, nodding lightly as she took in the words and wiped away the tears. Her body curled up more, her gaze focused on the floor. “How much time has passed?”

“A week. You went unconscious as I cut out the corruption but your healing did the rest.” Hana explained in a quiet voice.

The woman chuckled quietly. “My poison resistance went up by five levels…,”

“The corruption… is. It nearly overwhelmed me, even in that short time. I couldn’t move, only hold it at bay.” Jonna explained, still holding her stomach. The dark blue beast hide armor showed exactly where the Patron of Torment had pierced it.

Overgrown scorpion. Hana thought, remembering the venomous critters from her childhood. Never this large of course or quite as deadly.

“What happened, since we were attacked?” Jonna asked, her blue eyes watery as she looked up at the huge form of the lizard woman. “What did we do?” A whisper, full of regret.

Hana sighed, stopping herself from hissing. “We didn’t do anything. It just seems like whoever built this place really, really didn’t want anybody messing with it. Our only mistake was to agree to come down here.”

“Krentin…,” Jonna said, touching Hana’s arm carefully.

“Probably dead. There were few healers and even he can’t face the beasts down here, let alone frenzied ones.” She replied.

“How do we get out then?” Jonna asked, her lip quivering.

“I had hoped you would have an idea.” Hana said and chuckled.

____________________________________________________________________________

“What is this?” Ilea looked back at the waiting group, shaking her arm with the attached monster eel that had jumped out of the water immediately when she had gotten closer.

[Corrupted Widow Eel – lvl 242]

The orange veins pulsed along the side of its slippery pale white skin, bite marks visible and filled with the orange pus.

Most of it was still in the shallow water, writhing wildly as it tried to pull Ilea in. Or tried to eat her arm, or come out.

She wasn’t exactly sure what it was trying.

Oh well. Ashen limbs pierced the creature, killing it near instantly.

It slumped down, still lodged on her ashen armor.

Ilea ripped it away and threw it back into the water.

The tunnel had opened up into a cave, a rocky beach extending to her right for hundreds of meters. The Veramath had dug its tunnel mostly avoiding the water, the way down leading into the rocky wall away from the beach.

“There are more creatures down there.” Ilas commented from a distance.

“Yea, we wanted to kill all of the corrupted ones, didn’t we?” Ilea asked, looking at the approaching shadows as she took a couple steps back. Ten of her limbs were deep inside the cave walls to make sure she wouldn’t be dragged into the deep.

“Even the swimming ones?” Ilas asked. “They can’t exactly walk up…,”

Catelyn sighed. “She’s right. They’re corrupted nonetheless. Can you just stay there dear? I think you’ll make a wonderful piece of bait.”

Ilea smiled and gave her a thumbs up. “I’ll do my best.” she whispered, seeing the first creatures approach within her sphere.

Maro lifted his hand, the dead eel twitching back to life within the water before it was ripped apart by an oncoming fish.

That one’s huge.

[Corrupted Whalesharkturtle – lvl 284]

The creature shot out of the water, twitching eel in its turtle like head as it came crashing down on Ilea. Two eels followed right after, the same as the one she had already fought.

Five smaller fishes followed, their form confusing Ilea a little.

[Corrupted Salmon – lvl 1]

What? One of them slapped into her protected face, twitching as it fell to the ground, unable to breathe.

The others followed, crashing down and snapping at her. The turtle head moved fast but only met ashen limbs that pierced through the thick skull, releasing blood and corruption.

The eels were pierced before they could wind themselves around her body. Purple beams as well as barriers and fire slammed into the frenzied swarm that jumped out of the water without any concern for their own survival.

This is pretty ridiculous. Ilea thought as the corrupted salmon piled up.

Barbed tongues suddenly rushed out and slammed into her ash, trying to drag her down into the deep. Ashen limbs cut them loose immediately, before the connected beasts were revealed.

[Ball Snatcher – lvl 230]

Really? Ilea watched the thing fly out, a giant two meter puffer fish like creature that sprayed not only blood when it was pierced but dark blue acid in addition.

The sizzling noise of it eating into the various corpses around her added another wonderful ambient sound. Coupled with the fumes released as the acid ate into the corrupted flesh, she really, really hated that creature.

Ilea chucked back the dead, some of them twitching with Maro’s magic as they shot off to find corrupted fishes to attack.

Stop littering on my beach. She walked alongside the cave wall, her limbs keeping her steady still. Even with her underwater skill and the ring she had gotten, there was no reason for her to take the plunge. Not here, not now.

The monsters were simple to deal with, mainly their number being an issue as they literally started filling up the cave. Few of them got close enough to even attack her, leaving their territory in their frenzy.

The salmons died without Ilea’s intervention, likely what the other creatures ate in the first place.

The puffer fish had an acid spit attack that she took gladly, the corrosion eating into her ashen armor as she kept some of them alive to walk past and drench her again.

The horrific smell came from it eating through flesh, not her ash.

Two white eels were wrapped around Ilea’s legs, continuously using their ability to drain Stamina as she walked along the beach.

Elfie was rather helpful with his barriers, moving dozens of the dead monsters back into the water with every spell.

Catelyn had stopped burning the beasts upon Ilea’s request, mostly adding a vile odor to the cavern instead of doing anything helpful.

Few of the monsters were above level three hundred, giving Ilea little in terms of experience.

The constant stream of them didn’t stop for hours however, at least making it easy for her to kill them.

Beasts from the lower layers continued to occasionally run out of the tunnel, taken out by a waiting Catelyn and Ilas, the latter having started to set up a small camp site where the tunnel met the third layer cave around twenty meters away from the stone beach.

Ilea sighed as she watched a shrimp like monster crawl out of the water a dozen meters away, colorful scales protecting its soft skin. Its eyes moved to look at her, orange pulsing veins visible under its defenses.

[Corrupted Cannon Shrimp – lvl ??]

Wait, didn’t I hear about something like that? The thought went through her mind right before she felt the attack coming, her wings spreading in front of her as she braced for the damage.

The one meter tall mantis moved its small claws before a wave of force exploded outwards, rippling through the stone ground as cracks formed.

Ilea was pushed back, smacking hard against the cave wall as her ashen limbs tried to stabilize her.

The eels on her legs were squished by the impact, sliding down. Lifeless.

She decided to stay near the wall, watching chunks of the stone beach break off and fall into the shallow water, cracked and splintered by the sheer force of the magic.

“Are you alright?” Maro shouted from further back, sitting on a makeshift wooden stool as he occasionally resurrected a wave of beasts.

“Yes, yes.” Ilea waved him off, bracing herself with even more ashen limbs now.

The stream of beasts had lessened by now, Niivalyr and Maro taking out those landing closer to them.

Ilea continued killing the jumping creatures, taking a couple more blasts from the shrimp. It nearly managed to get through her ashen armor to her surprise.

Give me that blast resistance. She smirked and let it live, anything that came in the path of it and Ilea, was shredded by the shrimp’s magic as well as Ilea’s ash.

She checked her notifications and found that the kills were apparently attributed to the one landing the last blow. Ilea did manage to get most of them.

“Ehm… Ilea?” Lucas had walked up to her, taking a step back as he eyed the shrimp and the fish body parts and bones scattered around the area. Water was seeping into the continuously damaged cavern.

“Hmm?” she asked, spearing through two Ball Snatchers, scattering vile acid over the remains. She lifted them over herself and shook the corpses to drench herself too before she chucked them back into the pool where they once lived.

She gave Lucas another look, stepping a little to the side as another shrimp attack rolled past, the ash on her back quickly reforming after the force had pushed the stabilizing limbs further into the rock. “What is it?” She asked with a smile.

“Your… hmm work… is extraordinary.” The elder said and chuckled awkwardly.

A nod, several angry salmons flopping to the floor close by. Ashen spears tore through an approaching Whalesharkturtle, one of her limbs finally ending its life right before it could snap at her. “Thanks for the compliment. I do pride myself in efficiency.” Ilea added and drenched herself in acid once more.

“I wanted to ask… if perhaps you had some food with you. The rations are hmm… rather bland.” Lucas said, wincing as he watched another group of fishes get skewered and thrown back.

“Didn’t you bring your own? Oh wait, you don’t have a storage item. Yea, sure. Don’t get used to it though.” Ilea replied with a smile and summoned one of Keyla’s meals. Due to the recent stock up, she had an easier time sharing.

The man nodded gratefully and smiled. “Thank you… it smells… ehm… well I’m sure it’s good.”

“That’s the corpses. The food is top notch.” She said and pushed away the shrimp with two of her limbs. “Blast attack. No claw stuff.” She said to the beast and made a blast motion with her hands, imitating its little claws.

“Oh, Lucas. I know you dislike violence but would you be willing to train my wood magic resistance while we’re working here? They’re mostly below three hundred and the shrimp isn’t making the difference. I think I could add some training to it.”

The elder frowned but then looked at his food. “I suppose I could throw some… spears or use roots from a distance. If you think it’s really safe.” He took a step closer and held out his hand to get reassurance.

“You’ve seen me. I’ll let you know if it’s too much and Lucas, I really appreciate it.” She smiled and watched him walk back to the others.

“Want my help too?” Maro asked and patted Elfie on his shoulder. “Come on, you too. See if we can push her into the water.”

“I’ll drag you down with me.” Ilea said with a smirk.

“You are trivializing this threat… we do not know what lurks below and if any of us die, we might be taken by the corruption. Please, you too… Ilea. Take this seriously.” Niivalyr argued, watching the scene with tangible annoyance as he continued to move corpses into the sea.

“You can take my post if you want.” Ilea said. “Just extend your curse, more enemies hit and I get to train a little. I can teleport away if something more dangerous suddenly shows up. It’s been hours Elfie, come on.” She extended her arms, feeling the powerful shrimp attack flow through her, the stone cracking further.

Lucas was eating in silence, facing towards the tunnel they had come from, the only place where no monsters were currently being slain.

The elder did send the occasional wooden spear and root her way as he had agreed to do.

Maro shook his head and did release the occasional death magic beam into her side. He didn’t seem to care much either way, neither speaking up for or against the idea.

When the monsters started to further thin out, Niivalyr did extend his curse but made no mention of it.

Neither did Ilea, who was testing the cone of her Heart of Cinder and how long she needed to charge it to disintegrate the various monsters entirely.

The thirty second charge was too much in the cavern, steam rushing up or boulders falling down depending on where she aimed.

A five second charge was already quite powerful, its range however quite limited. Enough to kill one of the eels but not disintegrate it entirely.

She tested longer charge times but in the end moved back to her trusty limbs and spears, mostly due to the smell.

Ilea checked her notifications then, sadly no class level ups due to the small number of corrupted Cannon Shrimp that had made their way all the way to the top of the lake.

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

Progress, slowly but surely. Ilea smiled. The upper layers had been a complete slaughter but she didn’t have any delusions about her own and her team’s power.

The deeper levels of the Descent hadn’t been conquered and who knew how deep exactly it went? The fact that no insanely powerful beast had made its way up to these levels gave her some hope but only time would tell.

Worst case, they had to collapse this whole thing and bury everything within.

Ilea just had a suspicion that that would not be enough.

“I think we’re pretty much done here.” She said, killing the corrupted shrimp with three of her lances, its defenses not even as durable as those of the Whalesharkturtle.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cannon Shrimp – lvl 452] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and thirty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Yea, I need like fifty more of you guys. She looked at the water but shook her head.

“We might have only killed a part of the corrupted monsters in this layer.” Ilas said as he glanced at the returning Ilea.

“I’m not diving in there.” She said. “They can rot in the water for all I care.”

“Send someone to poison it.” Maro suggested.

“None of the beasts can survive on land, corrupted or not. This is enough. Let us move on.” Catelyn said as her fire beam cut through a distant Pure Blooded that lit up in the dark tunnel, for just a second.

Chapter 383 Powerburning

Chapter 383 Powerburning

“The fourth layer, the Heroes’ Decent. City of the Red Church.” Ilas spoke ominously, all four arms crossed as he looked into the darkness.

“Think it was them? I did find some weird machines, trapped skeletons and red blood like fluid in the inner circle.” Ilea commented as she stepped up to him, a layer of ash falling to the floor and with it the acid and gore that had still clung to it.

“Ancient red fluid, may I have a look?” Maro asked, helmet off to activate his charm skill set.

“You’re not a blood mage. I wanted to keep it safe with me but if someone could compare it to the corruption, we might find out something.” Ilea said, considering his request. She did assume he mostly just wanted it because of the novelty.

Niivalyr hissed as he looked at them. “You foraged into these parts and do not even consider that your interference has caused this outbreak?”

“Many venture into the deep. Nothing she speaks of is of special notion. If the expedition had reached only the fourth level, we would already know. The wood spirits and moths are from lower layers, I doubt a trip to the fourth had anything to do with the corruption’s spread.” Ilas tried to mediate, gesturing for the elf to calm down.

“That was quite some time ago.” Ilea commented. “The corruption is here and while I doubt my actions had anything to do with it, I’m here now too.”

The elf hissed once more, considerably less annoyed. “I apologize.” He said. “It is merely your… human… curiosity. Every secret in every dungeon must be unearthed. Every ancient and forgotten evil, released, sold or even outright used.” He shook his head and murmured some presumed curses in elvish.

Lucas chuckled and looked at the elf. “A disposition as natural as is your blood hunger.”

Niivalyr hissed again but started walking down the tunnel.

“Done?” Catelyn asked. “We probably have many layers to go and I’d like a full night’s rest within the month. Three hours just isn’t the same.” She said the last part with a quiet voice.

“You think there are still beasts in these layers fighting the corrupted?” Ilea asked after a short while of walking.

They had to jump down some parts of the tunnel, the Veramath not caring much for a usable architecture.

Trampled remains of various monsters still marked their ascent, living ones now showing up rarely within the tunnel.

“They want to live, just as we do.” Catelyn said. “I suspect even in the second and third, there are many still hiding away.”

“It is my hope that most of the corruption will be dealt with by the denizens themselves.” Ilas commented.

“Are there sapient ones down here? The ones we’ve seen so far didn’t strike me as such.” Maro said as he looked over, a group of undead walking to his side.

“There have been reports, yes. However nothing confirmed by myself nor anybody I trust. I do not believe there are any beings of higher intellect in the upper layers at least.” The dark one replied, returning to silence.

“The Veramath already helped us.” Ilea said. “Albeit not exactly willingly.”

Ilas stopped and crouched down. “We are getting close.”

“With all the pure blooded, I doubt there are many of them left down here.” Ilea said, seeing the stone ceiling separating the third and fourth layer below the tunnel.

“Much of it remains sealed off, many of its secrets and beasts hidden away.” Ilas said as he stood back up. “Yet the corruption may not have reached those. We should press on, destroy those remaining and follow the Veramath’s path.”

“I agree.” Catelyn said. “The monsters on this level are only marginally more aggressive than they were before. Those sealed do not concern us.”

“And you’re sure it didn’t start on this level?” Maro asked. “With what Ilea talked about, it seems experiments using blood and corruption would be done here, if anywhere.”

Ilas shook his head. “Too many have come this far. It seems unlikely that such a poison would be found or released here. After all this time. It is not the only place meddled with. This whole dungeon might have been created. The Red Church merely followed their gods in their work.”

“You know a lot about this dungeon.” Maro said and looked at him. “I’ve been past the twentieth layer, a long time ago. There was nothing artificial about them then, merely a peculiar dungeon.”

Ilas stopped walking at that and looked towards the necromancer. “You are… older then. Than any of us here. Do you not see, the stone separating the layers we are in right now? The quality it has? Nature rarely works such wonders.”

“I don’t remember it having such separations, just the habitat changing. Then again, I was younger, less interested in such things. As long as there were monsters to fight.” Maro admitted.

“Enchantments perhaps? Now in disrepair, forgotten. The great shift changed all, the Descent included.” Ilas said.

“You mean when the mana changed in the north?” Ilea asked.

“Has to be.” Maro said. “None of the monsters up here were anywhere near level two hundred.”

“The north is peculiar in this, birthing only the strongest. I have heard only stories and little remains from before the shift.” Ilas said. “You perhaps, are one such thing.” He nodded to Maro.

“Well, I would have been out of my city a little earlier if that shit hadn’t happened.” He sighed and shook his head.

Flickering lights were visible now, chunks of the fourth level city ripped out by the passing worm. The tunnel led into various sections of perfectly rectangular hallways, tattered carpets with a hint of forgotten red adorning the ancient floors.

All of it seemed empty, flushed out and quiet.

“Should we make some noise? Attract the remaining corrupted?” Ilea asked, glancing back at the group.

Catelyn nodded, summoning three fireballs that slammed into the nearby hallway walls. The explosions of fire ripped through stone, sending deafening waves of sound through the corridors.

The group waited, all in silence as their enhanced hearing was focused on any reaction.

Did they all come out already?

The question was answered with several clearly audible screeches, frenzied Pure Blooded and other variants running into the corridors leading towards the group.

They were all corrupted.

Their activity apparently prompted yet more of them following behind, the screeches combining into a horrifying orchestra of gurgled voices.

“Here we go again.” Ilea commented and stepped ahead, still inside the Veramath tunnel. “I suggest you lot just drop spells into the mass and I try to occupy them. Not much space here to fly above or do a more complicated formation.”

“That should be effective.” Catelyn said as she transformed into her huge form, taking up nearly half of the tunnel.

Niivalyr stepped aside with an annoyed hiss, directed at the sudden heat. “I will keep them focused on you.” He commented, looking at Ilea.

“Here they come.” Lucas said in an anxious tone, moving further back as a wooden cocoon started forming around him.

Ilea was prepared, the first corrupted blood monsters ripped apart by fire and death rays, barriers and ashen spears following after.

Maro’s undead surrounded her to provide some literal meat shields against the frenzied beasts.

Old blooded and Blood Carriers were a bit of a nuisance to deal with, the former quick on their feet as well as regenerators and the latter having the strength and speed to tackler her away. Their massive form required her to use some offensive spells to kill them quickly too.

Her evolutions however had simply made her too tough to make the beasts anything more than a minor inconvenience. Most of the damage she took came from the apparently just as frenzied spell casters that seemed to abuse her as a target doll.

There was little else they could do of course, the tunnel simply not allowing for a safe environment. Some of Catelyn’s spells had an area of effect that filled the whole tunnel and several adjacent corridors with smoldering flames.

Maro’s undead were certainly lessened in effectiveness by this too.

Ilea on the other hand welcomed the spells, few of them even getting below her ashen armor. All of those that did were Catelyn’s. That fox certainly packed a punch, even with her high resistance.

Hours passed once more, in a battle that seemed more like a cleanup grind than anything else. The only thing Ilea was missing were some podcasts.

Only a little of course. Fighting all out with her skills and insane powers while a group of supernatural beings helped with spell support was more entertaining than most things she had done back on earth. Even if the enemies posed little threat or tactical finesse.

A combination of her own Heart of Cinder and Catelyn’s fires turned whatever remained of the monsters into ash that she continuously used to attack, occasionally turning some of it back into ambient mana when the mass simply became too much to control efficiently.

She felt a little bad for Ilas and Lucas, both of them not participating in the battle, one stoically waiting with his swords drawn and the other one hiding within a cocoon of protective roots.

They’ve got other motivations. Ilea reminded herself amidst the chaos. Getting more levels and fighting constantly wasn’t on most people’s wish list. Not if one was inseparable from the other.

Again, not much gained from all this. She sighed and looked through the few notifications, skipping the group kill messages.

We killed what? Five hundred? A thousand?

Solo fighting miststalkers still seemed like the most reasonable thing to do for her. When it came to leveling itself that was.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 6’

Not even a resistance level. Maro and Elfie had focused on the enemies this time, enough targets around for both of them. The curse did occasionally hit her but it had apparently not been enough for a level up.

It was quiet now, most of the nearby magical lights had been destroyed. Only the flames still clinging to carpets and bits of corpses remained.

Catelyn silently cast four more explosive fireballs before the group waited once more.

“Let us move on.” Ilas said a minute later.

The tunnel led further down, through and past the city in the fourth layer.

It opened up once more, into near complete darkness.

“Fifth layer?” Ilea asked, seeing only as far as her sphere reached. She summoned the cloak she had gotten from the Gray Company but it didn’t improve her sight in the slightest.

“Yes. The bears and wood spirits should have been from around here.” Ilas said, his voice a little more quiet now.

Catelyn and Lucas’ lights moved out a little farther, trees faintly visible as well as grass.

“The light should attract those that are corrupted. Others might stay away.” Ilas added, looking around.

The group was waiting once more.

“Anybody home!” Ilea shouted into the darkness.

“Seems like they all found their way up already.” Maro commented.

“Quiet.” Catelyn hushed him.

Ilea could make out light steps in the distance, coming closer. Dozens. Hundreds.

She prepared her spells and waited, the light reaching the beasts before her sphere did.

Squirrels, frothing at the mouth, glints of orange ooze among them as hundreds of them charged the group.

“Catelyn, some fire please.” Ilea said as she slowly took a few steps back.

[Corrupted Rabid Biter – lvl 48]

Rabid and corrupted. Well, at least I won’t die eaten by level four hundred squirrels.

A burst of heat washed over her, extending in a sea of flame into the rabid monsters about to overrun the group.

Ilea felt the fire bite into her ash from behind and spread her wings in front of her, the critters quite literally exploding in flashes of blood, bone and blood. All of it once more quickly engulfed in flames.

A wall of ash formed with both Ilea’s creation magic as well as the beast remains created by Catelyn’s magic.

Elfie filled the gaps with his barriers, the low level monsters not making a dent in either of their defenses.

There were however hundreds of the beasts, Ilea just waiting for them to die.

“This is disgusting.” Maro commented, looking over the burnt corpses.

Catelyn cast her spells in silence, a continuous stream of fire enveloping the raging beasts.

Lucas averted his eyes while the flickering light reflected off Ilas’ armor and swords.

The swarm didn’t slow down for a whole fifteen minutes, smoke rising above the line of visibility, a couple of trees having caught fire near where the squirrels were coming from.

The fox didn’t stop burning the creatures when the last of them had been killed, turning whatever remained of them to ash and with it clearing most of the smell and corruption away.

Nobody made another comment as they walked further down and into the forest. It seemed like the trees were absorbing whatever light the group’s spells were giving off.

“Peculiar.” Lucas noted as he brushed a hand over a nearby tree he passed. “It is unlike anything I’ve come across.”

“Like most of this bloody dungeon.” Maro said before he suddenly stopped and shook his head.

“What is it?” Catelyn asked as she glanced back.

“It’s just weird. Ilea, the Soul Rippers were different too, summoned here by the runes Reyker had found.” Maro said and glanced her way.

“Most of the creatures and beings I’ve encountered so far have been new to me. Doesn’t mean this has a connection.” Ilea said. “Plus, you’ve been to the Descent before. Was it filled with unknown beasts and vegetation too back then?”

“Some, yes. Dungeons do form beasts according to the available mana… I’m pretty sure about that at this point. It could be a coincidence but it just seems… weird. Everything here in the north, the way it changed.” He added.

“It does have light absorbing properties.” Lucas commented. “Interesting possibilities. We could line tents with this wood or build whole camps out of it to keep monsters at bay.”

“Don’t most beasts dislike fire?” Ilea asked when she noted movement in her sphere. “Something is close by.” She warned and prepared herself, looking in the direction where she had seen the beast. Too little of it to make it out.

“I don’t sense anything.” Catelyn said. “If it is corrupted, it will come for us.”

Ilea nodded. “It’s gone again. Not corrupted I assume. They can see and hear.”

“That varies between species.” Niivalyr said. “I do not think the corruption adds senses.”

“Just be prepared.” Catelyn said. The flames around her intensified, pushing a tiny bit further into the forest.

Flying over it could have easily been accomplished but their goals was the destruction of all corrupted they could get to, leaving them with the conscious choice to attract them.

“Is anybody keeping track of where we are? I’ve marked trees but honestly, I have no clue where we’re going.” Ilea said, cutting into a nearby tree with an ashen limb.

“Downwards.” Ilas said, pointing in a direction.

Ilea couldn’t tell they were actually moving down, not with all her available skills. She glanced at Ilas with some appreciation. So far he had done little but walked with them.

Lucas at least had closed up sections where the corrupted could swarm out to. With a cavern as open and huge as the one they were currently in, that job however had gotten somewhat useless too.

His light magic was nice to have at least, quite a lot more potent that Catelyn’s fire.

“We should be getting close to the next lay-” Ilas said and halted suddenly, holding up a hand. “We have company.”

Ilea saw them a couple seconds later, the wood spirits appearing in her sphere.

Orange veins showed on their wooden bodies depicting various animals as they ran or flew towards her.

[Corrupted Night Forest Spirit – lvl ??]

The trees around them bent, splinters ripping out and rushing at Ilea as she covered her body with black wings.

Her ash lashed out before she blinked to the closest forest spirit, a feline creature with long claws and orange veins lining its full two meter length.

Storm of Cinders and Absolute Destruction were discharged as she slammed down into the creature from above, grappling it right after as she brought it to a stop in the dirt.

Claws reaped into her ash, digging deep with each strike as she responded in kind, ashen limbs chipping away at the wood as her fist slammed into its head.

The spirit suddenly went limp, the mana intrusion too much coupled with Ilea’s reversed healing.

She moved it aside and vanished, grappling one of the flying variants, interrupting the projectiles firing down at her companions that were grouping up, shields and fire as well as death magic and swords flashed, dulled and distant to her eyes.

I don’t like this forest. Ilea thought with conviction, ripping away the wings of the creature. Of course it continued flying nonetheless.

Roots and spikes slammed into her ash, unable to penetrate as she slowly invaded the corrupted monster’s system with her own destructive mana.

She let go when the ding resounded and spread her own wings to land amidst the battling people.

Niivalyr had it under control, his barriers chipped and cracked but holding the beasts at bay.

Ashen limbs moved out quickly, touching each of them before Ilea blinked into the fray once more. None of them had been injured majorly, only showing slight scratches and cuts.

The created wood projectiles at least didn’t seem to transfer the corruption.

A couple of corrupted Needlebears joined the battle half a minute later, lured by the sounds and spells.

Their projectiles and quick rolling movements proved more difficult to avoid in the dark forest than in the open field in the first layer.

With Ilea’s sphere and their comparatively low level, they posed little threat however. Ilas seemed to have some difficulties, mostly teleporting around to avoid the bears.

The rest of the group had flown up, simply letting Ilea and Ilas deal with the creatures while they used their spells from a distance.

Casters. Ilea thought with disdain, stopping one of the bears with her own strength and weight, her back slamming into a tree when the two impacted it.

It groaned, its roots slowly ripped out of the ground before Ilea killed the bear, its corpse pushing the tree back into the ground after she vanished.

Two more bears and the battle was won. Fewer creatures than above.

Chapter 384 Drawn to the Flame

A note from Rhaegar

Hey everyone.

I thought I'd warn you guys too already. Starting on the first of March, I'll be busy with three months of civic service.

This means much less time for me to write and likely a reduction to 1-3 chapters per week from March until the end of May. I apologize already for the reduced content and hope you understand. It's a one time thing and I hope to be back again to six chapters per week afterwards.

I had a limited choice in this and felt it was the best time frame to finish the remaining service.

Anyway, thank you for the continued support and for (still) reading :).

Chapter 384 Drawn to the Flame

“Why were there so many squirrels left and only so few spirits and bears?” Ilea asked as Catelyn was cleaning up with her fire.

The flames licked the trees surrounding them but none actually went alight.

“Maybe they hid and were infected later, found by one of the corrupted.” Maro suggested. “Otherwise they would have followed the Veramath up. I’m pretty sure about that.”

“Possibly.” Catelyn said. “It is good they are dealt with.”

Ilea checked through the notifications but found only kill messages, no skill or class levels rising. There had simply been too few enemies to face.

Again, she thought she saw something in her sphere. This time she blinked and spread her wings, seeing a flying forest spirit facing her as it drifted away.

[Night Forest Spirit – lvl ??]

Not corrupted.

“Hey! Wait, what are you doing?” Ilea shouted after it as she slowed down, not about to lose her group on a wild goose chase.

No answer came as the spirit vanished into the darkness. Not worth the experience. Seems like it’s just observing? Or is it a trap?

“Ilea?” Catelyn asked when she landed once more. “What did you see?”

“A spirit, uncorrupted. It’s following us, observing.” She replied and crossed her arms.

“Hunting?” Niivalyr asked. “It would have struck amidst our battle.”

“Maybe. We know little of these creatures. Perhaps they understand that we are purging the corrupted.” Ilas suggested, looking up.

“Could some of them be Dark Ones?” Maro asked. Three damaged wood spirits were floating behind him, controlled by his necromancy. It seemed he had stored the demonic skeleton again or it had been destroyed in one of the battles.

“Surely.” Catelyn said. “Yet if they do not initiate communication, I won’t offer it either. Come on, we are here with a purpose.” She walked on, her form small once more.

It had already been well over ten hours since they ventured down the Veramath tunnel, none of them showing signs of exhaustion.

Lucas grabbed a couple of branches and pieces of splintered bark, turning it over in his hands. Magic lit up from time to time as he muttered to himself.

Ilea smiled and focused forward again. “Know anything about the next one?” She asked, the question directed at Ilas.

“An abyss. The moths are likely from there. Let us hope we do not get swarmed.” He said, apprehension in his voice.

Ilea nodded and followed in silence. No sign of a following spirit showed itself until they reached the lowest part of the pitch black forest, if Ilas could be believed.

Earth made way for stone as the constructed separation became visible.

Light traveled easier once more, Ilea’s eyes watering slightly at the sudden brightness of everything.

“Marvelous.” Lucas said, still staring at his little collection of bark.

Ilas led them to cracks in the stone, crevices as wide as two meters. Nothing was visible beyond, just darkness.

Catelyn looked down and started floating. “Lucas. I doubt sealing more pathways will benefit us much from now on. Already there is too much area for us to cover alone. If you don’t desire to delve deeper, you might want to leave now. Protecting you will become a liability soon.”

The man looked up from his bark and nodded. “I would like to continue. There is no need for protection however. I will defend myself or escape if necessary.”

“What if you lose control?” Maro asked. “Like you did in Lisburg?”

The elder hesitated. “Just leave me behind. Or use me to lure the corrupted.”

“Dangerous… but a distraction could be worth the trouble.” Niivalyr said and nodded.

“All of you can fly?” Ilas asked as he looked down into one of the cracks.

Nobody answered with a no, the dark one grunting approvingly before he started floating down the opening.

Ilea followed down, her wings moving silently through the air as she came out into open air.

Immediately, she felt lighter, less crammed in somewhere. Fucky forest. She looked up and watched Lucas float down.

Balls of bright light formed out of nowhere, floating through the air and into the distance.

Catelyn kept her fire close, the brightness not reaching far enough to really make a difference.

A strong wind brushed past the group, coming from below. They braced themselves against it, their success depending on each of their individual flying skills.

Ilas had a hard time against the wind, as did Elfie.

Perhaps it was simply because they were not yet above level three hundred. Maybe their flying magic just wasn’t as good or at the same skill level as the others.

“Hey.” Ilea started and looked into the distance, squinting her eyes. “Didn’t moths really like light?”

“They do.” Maro said and chuckled.

“We’re going to get swarmed. Some of them are close to level four hundred. Note the exits and run if they overwhelm you.” Catelyn said and floated a little farther ahead.

“I’ll try to draw them to me but I doubt it’ll be as easy as with beasts on the ground.” Ilea said and followed Catelyn.

Another strong gust of wind brushed over them, this time coming from the side. Is this natural? Ilea wondered as she looked towards the source, not seeing far in the darkness.

The hum of moving wings became audible then, each of them preparing as Lucas flew back up to the cracks leading into the fifth layer and its forest.

Ilea smiled and waited, her wings slowly moving in the wind as her Heart of Cinder charged. An aerial battle was something new to experience and she was ready to rip out some wings.

Would be cooler if they weren’t overgrown moths. She sighed at the thought and saw them approach.

A blink brought her into the masses, at least a dozen of the massive creatures visible in her sphere.

She dodged the wind blades clearly discernible within her sphere, letting those impact that her Azarinth Fighting skill made out to be harmless as her ashen limbs cut into their thin wings and bodies.

Eyes and wings were cut through, the corrupted beasts having little sense of self preservation other than attacking from a distance.

Not a problem for the healer who simply moved closer with her teleport. Heart of Cinder released into a cluster, disintegrating a group and clipping at least four wings of those that managed to avoid the cone like beam.

One of the monsters tackled her from the side, its sharp teeth and claws digging into the ash as its body was perforated by sharp dark gray tendrils.

A punch with Storm of Cinders and her destruction spell sent a wave of mana into and through its head. The course suddenly changed as a volley of wind blades slammed into the dead creature, some of them cutting into Ilea’s wings.

A blink brought her up once more, the corpse slowly falling into the darkness below. Ashen wings reformed before she sped up once more, focused on where the attacks had come from.

The beam and fire attacks of her team flashed up, already hundreds of meters away. She wasn’t too concerned with them, flying towards the attacks still aimed at her.

Some of them hit, digging into her defenses. Ilea smirked and pushed on, moving in a straight line as dozens of wind spells cut and slashed into her, pushing her back down.

She used her healing spell to make her wings and armor regenerate near instantly, keeping it active as the cost was more than covered by her mana recovery coupled with whatever she absorbed from the enemy attacks.

There is no stopping me. The thought made her smirk broaden as she pushed on, blinking from time to time to at least make some distance.

Heart of Cinder started damaging her, eight of her limbs moving ahead before she released the heat, trying to focus it into a smaller cone.

To her surprise, it worked somewhat. It wasn’t comparable to one of Catelyn’s or even Maro’s attacks but the cone was considerably smaller and more focused.

The range in turn was increased, the beam reaching the attacking group of Corrupted Moth Divers. Only two were killed but otherwise the spell would have been completely wasted.

Could just charge it more at this point. She blinked again and finally reached the beasts again.

Ashen spears maimed the beasts, those closer ripped through by her ten meter ranged limbs. Every four to six seconds, a bright cone of fire and heat burnt whatever was in its path.

Their wind spells came from various directions now, Ilea moving her body in the slightest way not to get thrown off her course.

Azarinth Fighting not only informed her about how much and what kind of damage an enemy attack would do, it also simply let her know that an attack was coming at all.

With her speed and perception, she could easily adjust her stance and wings to make most attacks simply slash into her armor.

Normally, someone would prefer to lose balance over severe damage but to Ilea it was of course the exact other way around.

She watched as one of the moths was impacted by another, a faint glow of necromantic mana visible when the two passed in her sphere.

He’s fucking reviving them up here. Ilea smiled and blinked up, a sphere of heat exuding before she twirled, ashen limbs cutting into the heavily burnt beasts.

They weren’t very durable considering their rather high level. Her ashen limbs and spears still injured them heavily.

Maybe their wind magic is supposed to be damaging. She chuckled to herself as another four blasts impacted, not even cutting through her ash.

Not seeing any more of them nearby, Ilea made her way back to the far away group, their spells still impacting the moths flying around them.

She blinked a couple times and focused on Elfie who had blood dripping down from one of his legs.

“Did you get hit?” She asked as an ashen limb extended and started healing him. A nasty cut going nearly to the bone was clearly discernible to her skill.

“The barrier broke.” The elf replied and moved his hands to shield the others.

Maro avoided most of the strikes but his armor showed shallow cuts as well.

She moved on and appeared near Catelyn, her massive form an easy target despite her speed. Compared to Maro and Elfie, she at least had a higher level.

Dozens of cuts were visible to Ilea as she got closer, most of them already closing again. Her own healing mana helped speed up the process as the fox released several beams onto the moths.

“Where’s Ilas?” She asked, looking around.

Catelyn pointed one of her tails towards a cluster of moths that seemed to focus on themselves. She released two small fast flying spheres of fire that exploded in blinding light mere moments later.

Ilea squinted her eyes but couldn’t make out the dark one. She did hover see one of the moths suddenly losing a wing before it started to fall.

“There.” Catelyn pointed again, a group of seven flying beasts approaching.

Ilea nodded and shot off, blinking thrice to reach the creatures. A cone of heat killed three, her limbs killing another one before her spears burrowed through two more.

The last moth was burnt through by a purple beam, its head decaying quickly before it fell.

She looked for more but found the last couple scattering into blood and bits by fiery explosions.

Level three to four hundred creatures. Ilea thought and shook her head. Traveling with some pretty terrifying people here.

“All of them?” She asked when she arrived back with the group.

Ilas showed up then, a little unsteady as he floated closer.

An ashen limb extended and healed the damage. Deep cuts into his back and one of his legs. His armor was slowly repairing itself.

“Timeless armor?” She asked and smiled when he perked up.

“I thank thee.” The dark one said with an exhausted voice.

[Warrior – lvl 266]

Another six levels since we were in the first layer. Ilea envied him a little. On the other hand, the monsters would only get stronger.

“My chest piece is indeed of timeless quality. A gift from my… benefactor.” Ilas replied as he sighed, in control of his flight once more as his wounds had been healed.

Maro had risen to level three fourteen and Elfie was close to his evolution at two ninety eight.

Ilea smiled at him, hoping he would receive something as cool as she did.

“What?” He hissed as he stared at her, checking his armor for damage and summoning a small glass bottle, lifting his mask to drink from it.

“Why so pissy?” Ilea asked and watched six barriers suddenly appear in front of her, the group slashing into her ashen armor. A puff of ash was raised as her defenses regenerated near instantly.

Ilea chuckled. “Maybe after your evolution you’ll be able to bite a little deeper.” She teased and heard him hiss again.

Catelyn gave her a disapproving look but didn’t say anything, looking around before she watched Lucas hover down again through the crack above.

“Are we clear?” He shouted.

“Yes. For now.” Maro replied, sending out his necromantic moths to scout ahead.

Ilas watched them pass. “Can you see through their eyes, as if they were thine?” The question was directed at the necromancer.

“No.” Maro replied. “But I can tell when one of them dies… well dies again. Tells me what I need to know.”

“Their eyes are good. I doubt there are many more, corrupted that is.” Catelyn said and floated ahead into the open space. “We move down. Ilas, beyond this point we have little information, is that correct?”

Ilea snorted. Not like we had much before. She waved off Catelyn’s stare and followed.

“Indeed. Even scavengers dare not move past this point, climbing down and up incredibly difficult without flying skills.” He looked up and pointed at the roots breaking through parts of the ceiling. “I believe some have tried fixing ropes and chains to the roots. Yet I have not heard of someone succeeding.

Why would anyone go down here without a flying skill? Ilea wondered. Terok and his then crew had attempted to get into the Penumra dungeon and all they had gotten was poison.

This expedition is the same I suppose. People focused more on the riches and artifacts they could find than the monsters they could fight. Remember, not everyone is out here to collect resistances and levels.

It was a byproduct of dungeon delving of course but even members of the Hand were usually on missions that paid in gold, not in experience alone.

“We haven’t found shit yet, how can someone justify going down here instead of literally anywhere else?” Ilea asked. None of the monsters had dropped anything and while the meat and parts would probably sell, she was pretty sure the dangers weren’t worth it. Not for someone close to or slightly above two hundred.

“It is a competition as much as it is a business.” Ilas replied to her musings. “Unearthing the mysteries of the past or finding a powerful artifact can change the very life of an individual, perhaps even those of a whole town.”

“Like releasing a corruption that might kill everyone?” Maro asked in a sarcastic tone. “I can see the appeal.” He added and must have rolled his eyes under his helmet.

Ilea saw that one of his antlers was chipped when she glanced his way.

“Not all secrets are boons. Some shall remain hidden and forgotten.” Ilas replied.

“Who hides all this shit?” Ilea asked and squinted down at an imaginary entity hiding cursed gear, poison traps and corruption in the depths of dungeons.

“Ancient civilizations, powerful magic scholars far beyond our understanding. Godlike creatures that have attained intelligence. Priests, hiding away the cursed evil they found or created.” Ilas answered seriously, glancing at Ilea and then Maro before he nodded.

“I see, it was a question asked in jest.” He confirmed his understanding and looked down too. “Perhaps we shall find the perpetrator of this unholy curse.”

Catelyn started floating downwards, her form shrinking once more now that they were out of battle.

“Unholy?” Ilea asked as she followed, her gaze upon Ilas. “Are you part of a religion?”

“Religion? You mean the school and following of a specific deity or a group thereof?” He paused and floated downwards. “No. I merely see the corruption of beast and thinking creature as an act against the very fabric on which we tread.”

“The balance of magic.” Elfie said.

“A peculiar description but yes, I suppose it is fitting.” Ilas commented.

The elf hissed in turn and just shook his head as he too descended, the whole group now following Catelyn.

Ilea took the moment of quiet to check her few gains. No class levels again, despite many of the kills being her own. At least she was fairly sure the next level up was close.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 13’

“Hey, guys. Can third tier skills level past twenty? Or are there fourth tier skills after that?” Ilea asked suddenly, seeing some of her third tier ones were approaching twenty already.

She knew there was still progress to be had when a skill was capped but seeing the number just sitting there was a little annoying.

It would take considerable time to just reach the third tier in her existing skills. If there was a fourth tier, and she assumed there was, it would take exponentially longer to get there.

“They do move past twenty.” Catelyn supplied. “I have yet to reach another limit with my highest skill.”

“And where are you at with that one?” Ilea asked excitedly, flying around the fox as if she was an annoying fairy.

“You will find out in time, young healer.” Catelyn replied, mischievousness flashing in her eyes.

“Don’t give me that young shit, just tell me.” Ilea said and twirled backwards, ashen tendrils moving through the air.

“It’s at twenty eight.” Catelyn replied with a sigh. “We should focus, the ground is near.”

Ilea chuckled and turned downwards. That’s good news.

Chapter 385 Mine Residents

Chapter 385 Mine Residents

The tunnel ceiling rumbled, chunks of stone falling down as a set of ashen limbs pushed through.

The group was waiting, hovering over the huge pointed rocks spreading over the ground of the sixth layer.

Ilea was wedged between the stone, her ashen limbs digging into the ground and ripping through the several meters thick ceiling. She could tell it wasn’t the separation to the next layer but merely another part of this one.

A tunnel led through underground, found by her sphere after they had flown over the lowest point of the layer for a couple of minutes.

“Are you sure she’s the best for the job?” Maro asked, looking at Ilas. “You know Elfie has barriers.”

Elfie hissed at the mention of the nickname. “Must you call me the same way she does?”

“Well now I certainly must.” The necromancer replied in a matter of fact tone.

“He cannot see through stone. Either way, we will break through.” Ilas replied as he moved a little closer to Ilea.

“A fireball would have accomplished the same.” Maro said again but was ignored by the group.

Lucas moved closer and started to extend his roots before he stopped and floated back again. “She… seems to have it covered.” He said, glancing at Catelyn with an awkward smile.

“Did it!” Ilea exclaimed as she broke through, her wings moving to keep her in place. Chunks of rock tumbled down with a deafening crashing sound.

“Thank you.” Catelyn said and floated closer. “Shall we?”

Ilea gave her a thumbs up and moved down, landing in the crude tunnel. “Hello!” She shouted, waiting for a moment before she waved to the others.

“Nothing here.” She added and walked along the tunnel, the others quickly following behind.

The way bent after a while, leading downwards. The angle was too steep to walk, the group using their various flying magic to get down.

After an about fifty meter descent, Ilea could see the shattered remains of the stone that had once separated these layers. “Number seven.” She said with a smile.

“Indeed.” Ilas said as he touched the chunks of differently colored rock jutting out of the tunnel walls.

“If the corruption has reached this deep, few beasts will be able to get up to the higher layers.” Catelyn said and sniffed the air. “I believe something has burrowed through here.”

“The corruption has reached the higher layers. We must assume this natural barrier is not enough to stop the beasts lurking below.” Niivalyr said as he looked down.

“Going to be hard to find all the monsters if they burrow through the stone.” Ilea said and punched the wall lightly.

“Do not underestimate a beast’s perception. They might very well know of our passing already.” Ilas said, gesturing her to move ahead.

Ilea continued, moving next to Catelyn in her small form.

The tunnel ended a couple minutes later and opened up into what looked like a slightly deformed makeshift mine.

Ancient withered wooden beams supported parts of the walls and ceiling, metal sockets made to hold torches still clung to the walls. Empty. Every single one.

Spheres of warm light drifted into each side of the corridor.

Ilea activated her Sentinel Huntress skill and checked both ways with her sphere. There were signs of magic as well as some faded tracks but nothing she could pin on someone or something, let alone follow it.

“A mine.” Niivalyr commented. “Crude, human. To extract metals and the like. It seems dangerous, so deep within the dungeon.” He added, looking around before his eyes fixated on the wooden beam sitting five meters above, not looking like it had been meant to support the tunnel for more than a couple years. Those years had passed perhaps a thousand ago, perhaps more.

“The stone itself should hold.” Lucas said as he looked up. “Little strain is on the wood.” He smiled, reassuring the elf.

“The dangers men are willing to go to are directly correlating to what kind of reward hide within these walls.” Maro said and knocked on the stone.

“We would survive a cave in.” Ilea said confidently and got up from her crouched position.

“You would.” Maro replied. “And no, we’re not going to test that. There is no cave in resistance.”

“How would you know though?” Ilea asked in a whisper, her ashen limbs slowly moving to a nearby wooden beam.

“Please, do not.” Ilas said and extended a hand.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “I’m joking.” She paused and looked down the tunnels. “Where to?”

“Should we attract the beasts again?” Catelyn asked, looking towards Ilas.

“It seems unwise.” He replied and pointed down in one direction. “Both lead down. We know not what lurks here. We shall wait until we have fought one or two, before we call upon the rest.”

“Fine with me.” Ilea said and started walking.

They came upon a fork in the tunnel about twenty minutes of walking later, some of them having eaten a meal on the way. Ilea of course being one of them.

Two tracks of rusted metal led along the newfound tunnels, dented and ripped apart in sections still visible to the group.

Ilea looked at the Dark One, their now pretty much official map person and guide. She assumed he had some kind of innate ability not to lose his way in a labyrinth of tunnels, able to tell north from south even without a compass or stars present.

He pointed silently, perhaps a little envious of the smell Ilea’s meal had exuded, some of it still hanging in the air around her.

“Looks like whatever destroyed those tracks burrowed out from below.” Maro commented as he crouched down near the tracks. “Hard to say what it was.”

“Veramath perhaps. Yet beasts of such levels have no difficulty destroying forged steel.” Ilas added. “We will find out soon enough.”

Catelyn walked ahead. “We should look for a place with more space before we try to attract any beasts. I’d rather not fight in these tunnels.”

“If this is just a mine, carved into solid rock then we won’t be finding any massive caverns.” Maro replied.

“Quiet.” Ilas said and put his head on the floor. “Prepare. It seems… something is approaching.”

The group tenses up, spreading out in the dull and small mining corridor.

Ilea started tapping the floor with two ashen limbs. She watched as the others started flying, Lucas moving back where they had come from.

Maro summoned a few corpses from his storage ring and revived them, copying Ilea’s idea as he floated a little further away.

With Lucas’ light sources gone, they relied on Catelyn.

“Any of you need light to fight?” Ilea asked.

Nobody replied, mana exuding from them as their spells came to life.

“The forest would have been difficult.” Maro finally said. “These tunnels are fine either way.”

Ilea felt it too now, light vibrations coming from below. Something was burrowing up towards them. It got stronger with each passing second but still barely notable even with all her skills.

The creatures entered her sphere and broke out of the ground in nearly the same moment.

A ten meter long centipede like creature with a black shell protecting its upper body. Instead of feet it had fang like protrusions coming out of its stretched out belly, hundreds of them and each humming with magic.

Ilea felt the attack before it came and decided not to blink in that instant.

[Shade Shredder – lvl ???]

The thing was over a meter in diameter, quickly wrapping itself around Ilea as her ash started cutting into it.

Its shell was dented before a surge of mana rushed through it, the fangs grinding over the ashen armor suddenly extending and sharpening.

Wind magic? Ilea felt the somewhat familiar mana cut into her ash, digging deeper with each passing moment.

Her own mana was pushing into the creature, her ashen limbs not finding purchase on the powerful shell nor the sea of blades below.

Storm of Cinders and her reversed healing were dealing damage as she counter healed the damage done to her armor.

She withstood the crushing damage and tried to get her arms out to deliver some punches. Unsuccessfully, as she tumbled to the floor with the beast wrapping around her once more.

Sharp wind magic enhanced claws, spikes and teeth like protrusions moved past her face and dug into her eyes before she covered them with ash as well.

They rolled through the tunnel, Ilea’s limbs slashing into the creature as it was cutting into her.

When she was far enough from the others, Heart of Cinder released and burnt into the screeching monster.

It didn’t let go however, despite the burn marks showing both on its shell and the skin around its bladed stomach.

The beast grew more frantic, moving faster as its magic increased in power. It managed to get through the ash and ground against the bone below.

The loud grating sound pounded in Ilea’s ears as she reformed her ash and continued her assault, slamming the grappling beast into the walls with whatever purchase she got with her legs or wings.

Blinking didn’t work at the moment but she wasn’t terribly concerned so far. The beast out damaged her armor’s healing but it hadn’t yet managed to get to her skin. Her third tier recovery didn’t work on her ash armor but it did work on her body.

The constant flow of additional mana thanks to its wind magic was a nice touch as well, the creature not understanding that it was fueling her with the attacks.

Heart of Cinder released again, smoke rising from the burnt skin. The stone around them disintegrated in parts, both Ilea and the creature tougher than whatever material the tunnel was made of.

Her strength wasn’t enough to get out, the Shredder wrapping around her more and more tightly. Ilea’s armor was through by now, the bone providing a momentary barrier but nothing compared to the ashen defense on top.

A thousand lines of red blood formed slowly as the shredder moved around her.

Ilea got her elbow free and started punching the creature with little force but added Absolute Destruction.

Pain disabled, Ilea continued her attacks, noticing that after another couple hits, the creature was slowing down. Its wind aided blades weren’t digging as deep as they had before.

Sentinel Reconstruction now outweighed the damage dealt, her destructive mana still flowing into the creature from both her touch as well as the sixteen limbs that pushed past and through the gaps left behind by the creature, delivering Storm of Cinders continuously.

Its grip finally loosened, the creature untangling as its head dived towards the ground, black blood dripping from various dents and cuts the ashen limbs had managed to deal.

What do you think this is? Ilea thought, ashen armor reforming on her torn and bloody skin as her limbs grappled around the creature, her legs closing around it as it started to burrow into the ground with a stone manipulation skill.

Ilea held on, most of her limbs now trying to stop the Shredder from moving further into the stone.

It was bleeding profoundly now, various injuries obvious as it struggled against the hold of the ash healer.

She would have likely not been able to hold on, had the creature been at its full strength. However with all its injuries and Ilea now focusing on the open cuts with a few of her limbs, its screeches and struggles soon became death throes.

A grin spread on her face as she finally ripped it out of the floor, pummeling it with punches and her limbs as it twitched, a few of its fangs still flickering with wind magic from time to time.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Shade Shredder – lvl 532] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 316 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 315 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea ignored the messages and rushed back to the others, her bone armor regenerating from the bits and pieces that had remained. The whole right side of her helmet was gone, as was most of its torso and legs.

Her body was wet with her own blood but she had no time to take care of it now, blinking through the corridors before she saw the light of fire.

One of the creatures was burrowing itself into the stone, bleeding and scorched, a huge chunk of its middle section missing. Decayed.

She focused on the one still going, flickers of magical barriers visible from where the monster had grappled to.

Maro was to the side, heaving in shredded armor as a dull purple fire was blazing around him. He looked rough in her sphere but alive.

Catelyn nearly filled up the whole of the tunnel, her fire surging as she burnt the sides of the remaining creature, trying not to injure the grappled elf. A difficult task.

Ilea saw flickers of Ilas appearing as his blades cut into weakened portions of the shredder right before she appeared.

Her ashen limbs moved through the gaps and started healing the elf, the sound of cracking and shattering barriers audible.

Good thing he got that pain tolerance. She thought, seeing the state of his body. Ilea couldn’t reach Maro from where she was but he had survived worse.

Punches and destructive mana slammed into the Shredder, still outpacing her healing.

Niivalyr was hanging on to life with his barriers and Ilea’s help, all his mana focused on defending himself in the precarious situation.

One of her limbs ripped off a chunk of the monster’s shell, Ilas immediately appearing as his steel dug into the exposed flesh.

The creature was screeching in pain, the combined damage overwhelming its predatory senses.

It slowed down and let go, quickly slithering away.

Ilea immediately caught Elfie, his armor mostly in tatters. Her healing flowed into him as she sent a couple ashen spears at the fleeing creature. Two of her ashen limbs extended and released Heart of Cinder in a cone.

At the same time, Catelyn teleported past and unleashed an inferno that singed the ground and walls near the group, ten meters farther back.

Only a smoldering husk remained of the Shredder.

Catelyn moved on to the third one, its plated and protected head with four eyes and circular maw frantically pushing through the rock as it tried to carry its heavily injured body away from the fox.

Another screech resounded before a several meter red and hot crater was revealed when Catelyn shrunk once more, her form no longer blocking sight of the tunnel.

She immediately appeared next to Maro, a bright flame touching the man and mending his wounds.

Niivalyr coughed and nearly staggered back, caught by Ilea as his eyes widened.

“Another twenty seconds.” She said simply, her body covered in ash. “How many were there?” She asked.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Shade Shredder – lvl 510] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Shade Shredder – lvl 468] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and forty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

“Four.” Ilas said and faced the way they had come from. “The sound of battle still resides.” He added, blades at the ready.

“Go, I’ll take care of them.” Catelyn said, nodding to Ilea and Ilas.

Ilea gently moved Elfie to the wall and helped him sit down. The most pressing injuries had been dealt with but he was still riddled with cuts and bruises, certainly looking more like a corpse than anything else.

“Th…,” he started and coughed again.

“Your throat is still fucked, don’t talk yet.” Ilea said and vanished, following the quick moving Dark One through the tunnel.

His teleportation was quicker than hers, Ilea losing sight of him in her sphere. The sounds were audible now however.

Roots filled half the cave, Ilea blinking through.

Bloodied wood covered Lucas, the Shredder grinding against his defenses as thorns and roots cut into it in turn. Both were injured it seemed.

A beam of bright light cut into the beast as it screeched and increased its tempo.

Ilea dodged the roots going for her and blinked closer, her ashen limbs slashing into the Shredder as it dug through Lucas’ armor of wood.

He screamed in anguish and anger when it cut into his flesh, another bright beam of light brushing past the monster, cleaving a deep smoldering cut into the stone tunnel wall. Not enough to penetrate the creature’s defenses but it left a heated streak.

Ilas tried coming closer but disappeared again when a wooden tendril slammed through one of his arms. He winced and hovered near the ceiling.

“Get back to the others. I have this under control.” Ilea said, healing Lucas as he screamed and lashed out. His attacks lashed into her ashen armor, not quite managing to get through.

She charged destruction for a couple seconds and slammed her fist into the Shredder’s head, stunning it for a split second as the magic flowed through its brain.

Her limbs slashed into its eyes with thin and sharp tips, digging as deep as they could before it started moving again.

Slower now, the combined effort of Ilea and Lucas definitely showing as it dragged a black streak of blood over the wood, screeching in pain.

The delay in its attack had allowed Lucas to reform some of his defenses, the slower creature having a hard time getting through by now.

It noticed as much after a couple of seconds but by then it was too late. Ashe and wooden tendrils gripped around it, light and destructive healing magic shredding through its defenses and body before it died, within their grasp.

Ilea deflected the roots coming from her as the elder ripped apart the Shredder corpse. She punched his protected head and started cutting into the wooden helmet.

“Stop it, Lucas. It’s dead.” She shouted, regenerating her damaged ashen armor against his assault. “It’s me! Ilea!”

Finally, dozens of projectiles, roots and light beams later, the elder calmed down. The defenses quickly receded, revealing the man below, covered in blood and injuries quickly healing.

He blinked, embarrassed and full of regret as he stared at the healer.

“Don’t give me that old man. We both knew this would happen.” She said and flicked his forehead, the blow rocking his head back.

Chapter 386 Recovery

A note from Rhaegar

Check out A Journey of Black and Red, if you haven't already. It's a very enjoyable and high quality read. Lots of action and blood with an anti-hero lead and very well done characters.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26675/a-journey-of-black-and-red

Chapter 386 Recovery

Lucas shook his head and focused, a red spot visible where Ilea had attacked him. “You got me out of it.” He said and moved his hand to the spot, some of his wounds still regenerating.

His robe seemed to knit itself closed again.

Ilea saw that his body certainly didn’t look as old as he acted. “I did.” She said, looking him over, her focus on his wounds. The man certainly didn’t need a healer. Not out of combat.

“I’m glad you moved away at the first sign of beasts.” She said and turned her head. “Ilas is gone, must have returned to the others.” Ilea commented absentmindedly.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Shade Shredder – lvl 488] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

“I lost control again. I thought… that by retreating, I could avoid this… mess.” Lucas said, looking at the Shredder corpse. “It was not even corrupted.” He sighed, his wounds and robe finishing a full recovery, blood still dripping to the ground.

“That’s probably why it even came for you. Frenzied beasts are easier to lead on compared to those still retaining their instincts.” Ilea replied and gave him a look. “You regenerate rather quickly. A skill?”

The man coughed and smiled. “Ah, yes. I cannot heal others yet my own body will recover rather quickly. Especially after… killing.”

“You lose control once you are in battle. I don’t care about your beliefs but you have a berserker class.” She sighed, each of her sentences met with a wince.

“I called your name, tried to pry open your wooden helmet. You attacked both me an Ilas. I know you don’t like the topic and back in Lisburg it wasn’t my business. Now however, I’d like to know more about it. How to stop it or use it.” Ilea finished, storing her damaged bone armor and slowly moving her ashen armor to clean off the blood and sweat.

The blood and ash mix was moved to the ground as her bone armor appeared again under her ashen one, regenerating ever so slowly.

Lucas opened his mouth several times before he finally got some words out. “I’m… sorry. It’s… it’s complicated…,”

Ilea sighed and went over to the dead creature, tapping its dented and scratched shell. Maybe some armor out of that? She wondered.

“I’m sure it is.” She said, starting to rip on the plates, finding them separating rather easily compared to when the beast was still alive. “And I also don’t care.”

“Just tell me how it activates and how I can stop it. If you can’t control yourself anyway, you might as well give us an edge. For both your own and our survival.” Ilea said and ripped a chunk of the shell away.

[Shade Shredder Shell Piece]

Figures. She stored it and continued.

Lucas seemed to think about it but in the end conceded. “My wooden form takes over after I sustain around five percent of my life as damage. Sometimes even from less. I…,” he paused and winced as he watched Ilea rip away more of the creature.

“I used to be able to control it, use it.” He sighed, his eyes glazing over slightly.

“Why not anymore? Something with your evolution?” Ilea asked as she continued her bloody work. Now at least her ash armor was intact.

Lucas shook his head. “No. No I have not leveled up since then.”

Ilea nodded. “Look, I can tell you’re having a hard time talking about it. Just tell me how you regain control.”

“Out of battle.” He immediately replied. “Do not attack me. Prying open the wood nearly made me lose it again, I could tell. Talk to me, as you did. I think… that works.” He said, a bitter smile on his face as he explained it.

“Works for me.” Ilea murmured and continued her work in silence.

“What about the others?” Lucas asked with an anxious tone. He looked towards the tunnel they had traveled before.

“They’re fine. We join them when I’m done or they join us.” She said, checking the rest of her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

A lack of time resulted in few rewards. The levels she had gotten from her solo kill were welcome of course, the ten stat points once again going into Intelligence.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 316

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 15

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 13

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 6

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 14

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 7

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 315

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 11

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 6

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 10

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 9

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 1

- Heavy Archery – lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 9

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Veteran – lvl 8

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 11

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – lvl 4

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 4

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Fear Resistance – lvl 9

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 18

- Gravity Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Light Magic Resistance – lvl 17

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 15

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 9

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Soul Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Stamina Drain Resistance – lvl 5

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Wood Magic Resistance – lvl 9

Status:

Vitality: 723

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 696

Wisdom: 767

Health: 7230/7230

Stamina: 3683/4000

Mana: 6849/7670

The last usable chunk of the Shredder’s defense was removed with a wet squelch and stored in her bracelet, the storage item undamaged.

She looked at the rest of the corpse and felt bile rise in her throat. Ilea noted that light had returned to the mine, Lucas spells floating nearby.

“I appreciate it.” The elder said suddenly. “Saving me, caring enough to ask.”

“Why are you here, Lucas?” Ilea asked after a moment of silence, turning away from the disgusting blackened remains.

The man didn’t reply, keeping his gaze focused on the ground.

“Come on. The others are waiting.” Ilea said, tapping his shoulder.

The walk back wasn’t long, the damaged tracks now showing even more abuse thanks to the group’s battle.

Ilas nodded as he saw the lights approach.

Catelyn was still standing near Maro, her fire caressing over his body as it had fifteen minutes prior, when Ilea had left.

Ilea noted that Elfie was still sitting up to the wall, some of his wounds still showing. She extended two tendrils of ash when she reached them, checking and healing both of them.

“My spell has done very little. It feels as if he is just eating up my mana.” Catelyn commented, glancing at Ilea quickly. “I’m glad you two are safe.”

“Mhm… her work.” Lucas replied quietly.

“He was in this condition back when we helped you with the Feynor, Catelyn.” Ilea said and flowed healing magic into the necromancer. “It’ll take a while but he’s going to be fine.”

Elfie was already back to his full health, still sitting there in his shredded armor, half of his mask missing. Pale white skin showed below, scars visible even in the dull light.

“Seen a ghost?” Ilea asked as she stepped over and summoned a meal.

The elf momentarily glanced at her. “No.. no. Thanks for the healing. I need a moment.”

She smiled and started eating the meal previously intended for the elf. A chuckle left her as she stepped back, realizing what had just happened.

“Take your time. Make the right decision.” She commented and summoned a cake next to Catelyn. Ilea still had twenty seven of them left.

The fox sighed and cut out a piece with two of her tails. “You make this horrible adventure worthwhile. Thank you.”

“Cake and healing. It’s what I do.” Ilea said and smiled brightly, her face revealed to allow for eating. She sat down next to Maro and held out her spoon, not getting a reaction.

“These creatures… they weren’t corrupted.” Catelyn said. “Have we already moved past the origin?”

“We should investigate further.” Ilas replied. “I have yet to find traces of the expedition. Uncorrupted beasts remain still in the fifth layer, these creatures have simply been spared.”

“Or they just killed everything that tried to corrupt them.” Ilea suggested, chewing on her food.

“Swallow before you speak.” Maro coughed next to her.

“Hey, look who’s back.” Ilea said with a smile. “You’re not one to speak, with your public indecency.” She nodded towards his crotch area where little of his armor remained.

The man sighed, a fresh armored robe appearing to cover him up. “I hate Shredders.”

“Not ordinary ones. Never have I heard of them above the three hundredth level.” Ilas supplied. “Yet they were called Shade Shredders.”

“Changed by whatever happened in the north, no doubt.” Maro said. “I vaguely remember there being Shredders in the lower levels of the Descent. Normal ones, not these… abominations.”

“Wait till we find the corrupted ones.” Ilea said and chuckled.

“The corruption will complicate things. They are rather fast and capable of breaking through each of our defenses. That is, if they managed to injure you?” Catelyn asked as she looked at Ilea.

“They did. But it’s just a matter of ripping out the corruption, isn’t it?” She asked.

“From a thousand cuts?” Catelyn asked. “Well… I could burn it out of you I suppose. Perhaps your heat spell would do the trick, the corruption not being part of your body. It worked for me back in the first layer.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I think dealing with frenzied ones will be easier, even if the corruption comes into play. Just let me take point.” Ilea said and finished her meal.

“You don’t have to say that twice.” Maro said. “I’ll dream of those teeth for months.”

“It’s finally getting interesting.” Ilea said and stood up, cracking her neck before she walked towards the nearest Shredder corpse. She continued healing Maro, the necromancer far from recovered and healing slowly.

Too burnt up. She noted, huge chunks missing from the corpse. The same was true for the other one, both finished by Catelyn.

The one she had killed was likely too damaged as well, her ashen limbs having punctured in many places, her Heart of Cinder having partially burnt the rest.

A sudden flash of magic made her turn, all eyes focused on Niivalyr.

He opened his eyes, a dull white glow emanating from them as he floated up from his sitting position.

Ilea smiled and approached.

[Mage – lvl 300]

“Show me.” She said with a broad smirk, arms crossed in front of her as she gave him an expectant look.

The elf turned his head to look at her, the corners of his mouth moving up as his teeth were exposed.

A shining white barrier formed in front of him, runes and letters Ilea couldn’t read spread on it both visible to her naked eyes and within her sphere.

“Shiny letters, what do they do?” She asked, watching the barrier split up into various smaller shards that blinked out of existence, appearing once more around Ilea.

“Go on.” She said, her face covered by ash again before the shards finally slashed into her armor.

The familiar feeling of a powerful curse flowed through her as they hit, now more directly affecting her compared to his previous appliance through runes formed on the ground or simply using some form of ranged curse.

With her resistance and healing, it wasn’t much to deal with. A feeling of nausea. “Only one class?” She asked carefully, feeling the curse reside.

“Indeed.” Niivalyr replied, forming another set of barriers around him. “Marvelous…,” he said to himself as he inspected his own magic.

Ilea’s fist slammed into it with her full power, sending a shock wave to the nearby walls.

Not a crack showed on it.

“Let’s hope this one is enough to protect you from a Shredder.” She said with a smile, refraining from using her mana intrusion spells against the new barriers. It was a big moment for him, she didn’t intend to ruin it.

Ilas was at two sixty eight already too. Still further away from his next evolution than Elfie had been but they had time. Plenty of monsters to slay.

His high mobility and teleportation skills had kept him out of harm’s way so far. Ilea hoped it would stay that way.

Maro was healed up against after around half an hour, Niivalyr in the meantime testing his new as well as changed abilities.

The elf definitely seemed more formidable now.

Ilea especially liked his white glowing eyes whenever he used his barriers. The things had gotten sharper too, reminding her more of those Albert had used back when they had fought.

Elfie’s armor had been replaced by an enchanted black and red robe, back to his old look. He did have a second mask however and decided to wear it.

The group moved through the tunnels more carefully now. Ilea at the front, walking on the ground. The rest followed, floating. A few of Maro’s skeletons were walking beside Ilea, enough distance between them to allow for individual Shredder attacks.

They didn’t talk anymore, simply moving through the tunnels, Ilas occasionally pointing in a direction whenever a fork in the way showed itself.

A while later, Ilea felt a weird pressure in her mind and gestured for the others to stop. “Mind magic.” She said. It was subtle. The complete opposite of what the Veramath had thrown out. She felt it vanish once more, perhaps because she had injured whatever creature it was with the feedback from her resistance.

“It stopped again.” Maro said. “Very subtle. You have the second tier bonus too, right?”

Ilea glanced his way and nodded. “Should we split up?”

“No. We just kill it faster than it can do the same to us. You can heal the mind as well. If it’s a trap, we should stay together.” Catelyn said.

Ilea nodded once more and continued walking. She came across an entrance to what looked like a resting place for the miners.

It had once been fortified, the steel and wood now bent and broken. A few of the simple beds, chairs and tables still remained, some visible still in the ground and walls.

Landslide? Ilea wondered as she saw the hidden furniture in her sphere. She picked up something else as well, a weird spot on one of the walls.

Fuzzy and confusing, not an absence of something but she felt compelled to look away, to ignore it. And still, she knew it was there.

Ilea walked closer as the rest spread out in the hall before she called out. “There’s something here.” She said and poked the wall.

A row of teeth suddenly became visible, biting down on her arm.

Ilea chuckled, her battle precognition informing her about the damage.

The teeth ground on her ash but failed to penetrate, a bolt of lightning impacting her a second later as well as a mental attack that she easily shrugged off.

[Blighter Stone – lvl 283]

The group had walked closer upon her call and watched the wall.

“A Blighter Stone.” Maro said and laughed. “Wow, that’s a high level. I didn’t know they could reach that far.”

“What are they?” Lucas asked as he watched with fascination at the wall’s changing color.

“They pick a spot and hide, usually using some form of bait, light or magic to lure prey in front of them.” Catelyn explained. “First time I see one and certainly the first one to use mind magic.”

“Mimic.” Ilea said with a smile.

The thing continued biting her arm, working its way up but getting stuck, unable to digest her.

“Not corrupted either.” Ilea said before she pushed destructive mana into it, holding on to the tongue when it tried to run away on its tiny legs that formed under it.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blighter Stone – lvl 283]’

Feel kinda bad about that one. She thought and sighed.

“Let’s have a look around while we’re here. Maybe rest.” Catelyn said and started walking through the hall.

“Rest seems dangerous with Shredders around.” Ilea commented, shaking off the dead creature before she joined the fox. “We can go another couple hours to find something more defensible.”

Sleeping was one thing but three of them had a brush with death in their previous battle, not necessarily something they sought out as much as Ilea did.

Chapter 387 Hiding Beasts

Chapter 387 Hiding Beasts

Other than some downright ancient pickaxes and mining gear, the group found nothing in the resting hall withing the 7th layer of the Descent.

Granted, the search did not consume much time with the various perception skills of the high level group.

“What kind of metal do you think is found around here?” Ilea asked as they progressed further down the tunnels, illuminated by spheres of light moving ahead and behind. She remained the only one walking on the ground, accompanied by two skeletons and an undead Pure Blooded.

Nobody replied, keeping themselves hidden to anything that might listen. They had decided not to rest, knowing there had been beasts around even when the hall was discovered.

“My bet is on gold.” Ilea said and peeked around a corner. Only a dark mining shaft looked back, the same one she had seen for the past hour.

Ilas continued to decide where to go. His ability to keep track could of course be questioned but Catelyn trusted him. That was enough for Ilea.

Neither did she see a reason for him to lead them astray, other than perhaps getting them into a trap or close to a dangerous monster for whatever reason. Both seemed acceptable outcomes to Ilea, needing high level creatures to further level up.

Getting trapped alone would be even better. She smirked, moving her hand over a mine cart that likely hadn’t been moved in a thousand years. The squeaking noise it made upon movement certainly spoke for that.

Ilea felt a familiar pressure a while later, stronger and coming from a less focused point. “More mimics.” She said, glancing back at the group.

“Follow?” She asked, getting a nod from Catelyn.

The fox was their de facto leader in this dungeon expedition. It didn’t seem like anybody had a problem with that.

Elfie was still testing some of his skills, a little absent as he read through invisible descriptions and messages.

Maro hadn’t spoken a word in a while, hiding himself under his helmet. He didn’t particularly want to be there, that much was clear.

Ilea was somewhat sure the necromancer would at least not abandon them, his promise and pride overshadowing whatever else he was feeling. She was genuinely surprised at his evident suffering, the man supposedly someone who enjoyed dangerous dungeons and fighting beasts.

So far it had proven true enough. Maybe his visit to the human cities have changed his views somewhat. Ilea wondered.

She could tell that Lucas still felt bad, even though what had happened was one hundred percent expected. He hadn’t killed anybody and Ilea felt confident in dealing with him whenever it happened again. She did inform the others about how to approach the elder in case she herself wasn’t available.

Ilas barely knew any of the group which left Ilea and Catelyn, the former most certainly not willing to take a leadership position when a council member of Hallowfort was present, willing and capable enough to fill the role.

The mind magic increased in intensity before it ceased entirely. A more spacious cavern opened up a couple minutes later, in the direction of the attack.

This one looked natural, stretching high and far as well as lacking any wooden beams or sockets for lanterns. It did look that whoever had once mined down here had dug into sections of the walls. Rubble and stones littered the ground, the cave itself uneven. Lacking the flattened nature of the shafts.

“Smells in here.” Ilea said, sniffing the air. “Decay.”

“Perhaps something recent.” She added and followed the smell around several boulders.

Ilea found a dead Blighter Stone, burnt and showing various piercing wounds. She crouched down and checked the area with her skills, intending to find a clue about the expedition.

“It injured someone. Heavily. There’s a ton of dried blood here, most of it not from the creature.” She surmised.

Maro moved closer and landed next to her, examining the blood as well. “It’s pretty old.” He said and floated upwards again. “Could be the expedition we’re looking for, could be a random scavenger.”

Elfie smelled on it too, brushing a finger over the blood and tasting it, his mask quickly lifted and put back in place. “Dwarf.” He said with certainty.

“Their blood tastes different?” Ilea asked. She had eaten her fare share of animals as well as beasts at this point but tasting a difference in blood alone. Granted, I we don’t use blood in dishes normally. And if we do, it’s cooked or baked.

“It does.” The elf said simply. He paused and looked at her. “Many I have killed in my years. Their bodies I didn’t waste.”

“Hey, cultural differences.” Ilea said with a smirk. “We like to bury or burn our dead. As long as you don’t hunt sapient creatures for food alone.”

“Not anymore.” the elf said, looking at her. His words were meant for Ilea alone, that much was clear from his attitude.

Eating corpses as a way to prevent waste. Ilea could see how it could become normal in a much more violent society with less emotional awareness or an aversion to it.

She wouldn’t ever think about it, not with humans or really any creature that once talked and thought. Mostly because it was ingrained in her from her life on Earth.

“Any trace of them?” Catelyn asked.

“Only one way leads out of here.” Ilas said and pointed towards the other end of the cavern, barely visible in the dim light of Lucas’ spells.

Ilea nodded and checked the cavern, finding four hiding Blighter Stones, responsible for the previous mind magic.

It seemed the creatures shared her disposition about cannibalism, having left the corpse to rot.

They had led the group here at the very least but she wasn’t about to leave mind magic creatures alive near their escape route. Not when she was working with a team.

If she had been alone, half the creatures they had killed would likely still be alive, feeding her spells.

They continued on through the small tunnel at the end of the cavern, much less refined than the corridors from before, either made at a later time or perhaps a first effort to go deeper.

Another cavern opened up after Ilea had passed the tight tunnel, barely enough space for herself to get through.

Orbs of light spread into the wide expanding space, revealing more sections were digging had started. It was also a possibility that all the metal had already been excavated.

The others floated in the air behind her, Ilea starting to walk into the middle of the room.

Again, the smell of rot couldn’t be mistaken. Soon, the light revealed scattered bodies. Ripped apart, both their gear as well as the flesh and bone below.

Ilea couldn’t tell how many there had been but counted at least three, according to the bone remains showing pieces both humans and most dark ones only had one of.

Three remains of spines, one barely recognizable.

“Cuts.” Ilea said, examining the pieces in her sphere.

A slight vibration suddenly ran through the ground. Her sphere picked up movement, coming in quickly from below.

There was no time to speak, to warn the others. A Shredder shot out the very moment she had recognized the disturbance.

Ilea jumped back, dodging the beast as it rushed out of the ground, orange pulsing lines visible on its elongated body.

[Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl ???]

Her ashen limbs immediately slashed into it, using the grip to dodge a second monster coming out of the ground behind her.

Maro’s skeletons were ripped apart in mere instants, chunks of flesh and bones falling to the ground with wet sounds.

The cavern exploded into motion, spells raining down on the corrupted creatures as they frantically sought out their targets.

Ilea tried to get to all of them, using her ashen limbs to injure each one as she ducked and weaved through the fast moving corrupted.

Five of them were focusing on her already, pushing each other as they rushed to trap her in their fangs.

Barriers of bright white light were visible in the corner of her eye, floating at the highest point of the cavern. Beams of red and purple came down and injured the creatures, however failing to reduce their momentum.

There were seven in total, one focused on the teleporting Ilas, trying to entwine him with its long body as his swords slashed at the wounds seeping with corruption.

Ilea followed suit, her ashen limbs slashing at the Shredders behind her, focusing on their eyes and wounds. A difficult task in the limited space, both her and the creatures moving at high speeds.

She was tackled and blinked away, Heart of Cinder released in a cone to engulf four of them, burning away at their protective shell and corruption. They barely slowed down, screeching in anger and blind fury.

Explosions of fire both purple and red slammed into them from above, shards of white appearing around the monsters before they slashed into them.

Lucas seemed to still be in the room, the lights having spread, now illuminating most of the area.

Ilea’s limbs still delivered Storm of Cinders when two more creatures burrowed towards her from below, her sphere giving her just enough time to jump away.

Blink activated before she landed, three lunging Shredders crashing into each other and the stone ground where she had jumped to.

“We have more coming!” She shouted, sending ten ashen spears into the oncoming swarm of thoughtless monsters.

Some of them pierced, others glanced off their defenses. All it did was agitate them more, if such a thing was at all possible.

Ilea separated her limbs in the last moment, blinking above as the creatures rushed past. Her area spell activated again, releasing the stored heat from the last couple seconds.

Her ashen limbs rushed down and slashed the monsters apart, their defenses much less durable than those of the uncorrupted beasts. The reaction of course was quite different, the frenzied monsters not concerned with their survival as they thrashed and turned, looking for their vanished prey.

“There’s too many!” Maro shouted, making her turn and look his way.

Two corrupted Shredders had burrowed in from above, biting at the white barriers that kept them at bay as fire and death engulfed them.

“Find a way out of here!” Catelyn shouted, her massive form slamming down as her tails swept away two of the creatures, a cone of bright fire engulfing the swarm below Ilea.

Ilea kept her focus on the beasts. If anybody had a chance to survive this, then it was her. Ashen armor clad, she blinked towards the beast closest to the edge of the group and the cavern, slashing all her limbs into it as her fists punched into its corrupted form, all her offensive potential used.

Walls of ash formed close to her as the monster wrung itself around her defenses, reversed healing mana as well as all her spells slamming into it as its life burned away.

It moved quickly, shredding through her ash as its name suggested. Still, it was overwhelmed by the damage before it could get to her, suddenly sliding away with its lasting momentum.

Ilea heard the noise in her mind but simply focused on the next, the beast already wrung pretty much around the previous Shredder, waiting for its turn to rip the healer apart.

“A way leads out, on me! Teleport through the wall. Metal-” He paused and reappeared after dodging one of the creatures. “Metal they will find hard to burrow through! There are too many!”

He vanished once more, barely noticeable in the edge of Ilea’s vision.

There hadn’t been enough time to reform her ashen defenses, the monster now digging into her armor with frightening speed. She heard a roar then, coming from Catelyn a couple meters to her right.

She couldn’t see anything other than teeth and claws, orange pus and black blood smearing onto her rebuilding ash as her punches and limbs ripped apart the flesh around her.

When the creature died, she noticed some cuts on her body, an invading force pulsing with orange light as pain shot through her body.

Three cuts in her arm. She blinked when the creature died, flying as high as she could as two of her limbs slashed into her own skin, ripping out the corrupted flesh. Her healing pushed against it but wasn’t able to overcome whatever substance it was.

It felt different, a mixture of the known and something new. Poison, curses, acid, pain itself. A cool feeling of inevitable doom.

As fast as it had spread into her, it was ripped out again. Muscle and skin reformed once more.

Catelyn was hovering with a Shredder moving around her tails, cutting deep as she roared and burned it.

Maro was gone already, as was Lucas and Ilas. The lights however remained, indicating that he was close.

Niivalyr hovered close by, barriers protecting him against the lunging beasts that were deflected, not finding purchase on his magic.

“I’ll get her out, move to where they are!” Ilea shouted to the elf as she blinked into the flames, her offensive skills slashing in and through the creature holding on to Catelyn.

More of them were coming from below, barely deflected by Ilea’s and Catelyn’s spells and attacks.

Heart of Cinder released into the writhing mass below, the creatures using each other’s bodies to get higher. To reach the floating fox.

Flashes of white appeared, blocking the lunging worms, now coming from above as well.

“Teleport as soon as this one is off.” Ilea shouted, the flames burning away at her armor as they finally killed the creature.

Both of them vanished, appearing close to the wall Ilas had indicated, three flying orbs of light pulsing to mark the exit.

One of the Shredders shot out of the ground the moment they appeared, Ilea shoving the fox away with her limbs, her fist slamming into the creature’s head. Limbs followed as well as a surge of ash to engulf it.

Again, she was entwined, blades of bone shredding through her defenses, some of them brimming with the magic of wind and others merely drenched in corruption.

She staggered back, her mana slowly draining as she used all her spells in quick succession. The wind attacks brought some of it back.

Her attacks killed the injured creature, the ash around her condensing into thick walls before three more Shredders slammed into her and the stone walls of the cavern.

She could see beyond now, five meters of thick stone followed by something else, more durable, harder to penetrate for her Sphere.

Her ash was still connected to her body and the beasts, her attacks keeping them at bay but preventing a teleport at the same time.

Catelyn had shrunk and lay collapsed on the ground beyond, Maro resting on the side of the wall with his head turned towards the cavern. Ilas paced around while Lucas watched on with a worried expression, torn and unsure.

Just fucking stay there. Ilea thought, finishing another one. Her defenses were eaten through from three sides now, all her spells only giving momentary pause to the creatures as she delivered more destructive mana into them.

Elfie was still in the cavern, preventing more of the worms to get closer to her as he floated around, teleporting to avoid the creatures as they scratched past his barriers.

Time passed, Ilea’s bone armor now barely hanging onto her body as various orange lines showed on her skin. Her ashen limbs were diverted into attacking the Shredders and cutting out the corruption on herself.

Meditation and their contributions made sure she could keep up her powerful attacks. She staggered back with a smile, hitting the wall before Heart of Cinder was released, burning away the corruption on herself as well as pushing back the creatures. The stone behind her was reduced to ash, her spell stopping on the steel that protected her allies.

Her ash was banished when Elfie appeared in front of her, a set of barriers appearing as the Shredders slammed into them, cracks forming after a moment.

“Get out of here.” He said, the barriers flaring up with light.

Her ashen armor was reforming, blood dripping onto the stone as she stepped towards him. “My knight in shining barriers.” She grinned and glared at the creatures with fury in her eyes.

“Not here, not now. Catelyn is injured.” Elfie said, focused on the monsters.

“You first.” Ilea said, sighing as she watched dozens of frenzied Shredders cut and bang against the elf’s magic.

“Why are you so much like us?” He asked, tired but with a hint of pride.

Niivalyr vanished, Ilea following right before the corrupted beasts reached her once more.

She stepped into the room, her ashen armor closing around her chest as a last portion of blood splashed to the floor with her appearing momentum.

The wounds had already closed, only blood and orange goo remaining on her body.

“Ilea!” Lucas exclaimed as he moved closer, stopping a meter away. “Are you alright?” He seemed hesitant.

“Yea, of course.” She said, spreading her limbs to check on the others.

Catelyn was low, her wounds slowly closing however.

The limbs retracted once more, her damaged bone armor vanishing into her necklace as her ash scrubbed off the remaining blood off herself. Both black and red alike.

New ash formed as a tainted portion hovered to the ground. Steel now instead of stone, a metallic sheen reflecting the light from the group’s spells.

Ilea proceeded to walk to the wall that separated them from the Shredders. Her limbs once more spread out and started healing the others.

She watched in amusement as the monsters tried to burrow through the thick reinforced steel. A smile spread on her face as she knocked on the wall with her fist. They’re not getting through that.

Chapter 388 Safety?

Chapter 388 Safety?

Lucas was still watching Ilea as she knocked on the steel that separated them from a chaotic sea of teeth and claws. “Is Catelyn alright?” His voice quivered a little as he spoke.

“She’s fine. As is everybody else.” Ilea said.

“Can the Shredders get to us?” Ilas asked, his pacing had stopped, focusing on the healer. The blades he held were near completely black now, drenched in the beasts’ blood. Streaks of orange still showed on them, dripping to the floor as he spoke.

“They are failing to penetrate the steel.” Elfie replied. “Quite durable.”

Ilea nodded. “Yea, they’re scratching it but if they can’t wrap themselves around this whole place, I doubt they will make much progress. I’d love some of this steel for armor. Any idea what it is?” She gave a nod to the elf.

Niivalyr glanced at her with a confused expression. “Do I look like a craftsman to you?” He hissed, the stress and adrenaline from the battle still running through his veins.

“Dunno, maybe you came across this particular metal in your hundreds of years of experience.” Ilea joked and glanced at the others in turn.

Lucas looked to the floor, Ilas shook his head and Maro ignored her.

“Should have brought Goliath with us.” She murmured and tried cutting into the wall with an ashen limb, leaving only a scratch. This will take ages.

“There are enchantments in place.” Maro said suddenly. “It won’t be the same if you cut it out.”

“The runes are weak. It will still be formidable.” Niivalyr added. “Yet I agree with the necromancer. Please refrain in weakening our only barrier against those creatures.”

Ilea nodded and stopped. “Thought we were doing quite well. Only around ten of them remaining I think… wait, twelve.”

Niivalyr hissed angrily, a faint sense of a curse washing over Ilea. “We were forced to flee! Like-”

“Humans?” Ilea asked in a calm tone, looking at the elf with piercing eyes.

He took a step back and glared at her, not saying a word.

“Definitely the right decision.” She said and watched the beasts through her sphere. “Now we can exploit this defense and their frenzy. I’m nearly topped off again.” She murmured the last part, quickly looking through her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 520] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 462] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and forty levels or more above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 317 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 316 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

Her bone armor was back on, slowly regenerating. They had killed eight of the creatures already, Ilea four of them herself.

“Ready when you are.” She said finally, looking at the elf.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We barely got away.” Ilas intervened, stepping between the two.

Ilea looked at him with confusion.

Niivalyr shook his head, a hiss directed at Ilea as he straightened his enchanted cloak. A ripple of powerful mana exuded from him a moment later. “Ilea can kill them.” He said after a pause.

“And you can get me out.” She added, giving the elf a nod. “Can you see through the wall?”

“I can see the magic in and beyond.” the elf supplied.

“So you see my ashen limbs?” Ilea asked.

“Your form is unmistakable, yes.” he replied, unclear if it was a compliment or an insult. Perhaps both.

“You’re not seriously going back out there?” Lucas asked, having looked between them a couple times as his eyes continued to widen.

“We should wait for Catelyn to wake back up.” Ilas said.

“And ruin my fun?” Ilea asked. “No. They’re stupid as fuck and easy to kill. I just need to get out from time to time to regenerate.”

She noted the Dark One wasn’t convinced and sighed. “You don’t want these things alive when more people from Hallowfort come down here. And if they find a way to burrow up to the higher layers, we’re fucked. They’re not going to stop until they’re dead.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Maro said and chuckled, his back still resting on the wall as he sat and rested.

“Want to join?” Ilea asked, looking at the necromancer.

“No.” his answer simple and final.

“Your loss. Elfie, I’ll scratch the wall with one of my ashen limbs if I need you and your barriers. Can you cast them through the steel?” She asked. The possibility would make the whole thing much easier.

“I will have to come to the other side. The beasts however are slow to react to flying enemies. Especially if you have their attention.” The elf said and walked closer to the wall, a hand reaching out to it.

“Should work well enough.” Ilea murmured and looked at Ilas. “I’m only endangering myself and maybe Elfie, just a little.”

The Dark One didn’t say anything but nodded a moment later, walking over to check on the unconscious Catelyn.

“We should leave these beasts behind.” Lucas said seriously. “We have escaped these monsters once, you might not succeed another time.”

Ilea didn’t comment on it and formed ash around her, preparing her skills and auras. Heart of Cinder was charging as she watched the thrashing Shredders still scratching into the enchanted steel.

She put her ten stat points into Vitality, to perhaps stay for a couple seconds longer. The allocation was confirmed and she vanished, appearing with a grin and cold eyes, welcoming the screeching corrupted beasts.

Monster’s back. She thought and moved to attack.

The frenzied Shredders got into each other’s way trying to grapple Ilea to use their teeth and magic.

It allowed her to focus on one most of the time, sometimes a second one wrapping around her legs if the previous beast allowed it.

Knowing what they could do, how the corruption affected her and how long it took for her to kill one, she methodically slashed through them.

Mana came and went as the Shredders were slowly drained of their health by mana intrusion, ashen limbs and Heart of Cinder.

Two of them died before they got through her defenses, cutting into her flesh and muscles below.

Ilea finished a third one, healing herself through the damage and using her third tier recovery when necessary. She extended an ashen limb through the bloodthirsty monsters and scratched over the steel wall behind her.

Elfie appeared and sent his barriers between the monsters and their prey, allowing each to breath for a moment.

She blinked back through the wall and breathed in deeply, her ashen armor reforming as blood and corruption dripped to the floor.

Ilea wrung out her hair and nearly puked up a little of her food at the combination of smells and the texture of the orange ooze dripping down.

Lucas looked at the gore with disgust, turning away from her as his face blanched a little.

Elfie appeared right after her. “Three already killed.” He said, voice filled with joy.

“There were more coming.” Maro commented. “Are we supposed to wait here while you continue?”

“Feel free to help or explore.” Ilea said. “Although I do like the solo experience I’m getting here.” She added, moving her ash through her hair.

The three kills hadn’t given her a level up yet but she was well on her way. At least it felt that way.

“Wait, what if there are corrupted in here? We should stay together.” Ilas interrupted. “Please… we are here for a reason.”

“I wasn’t about to run deeper into this place.” Maro said and chuckled.

“Then let’s wait until Catelyn is awake.” Ilea said. “Maybe get out some sleeping bags and prepare some food. We should get some rest after this is dealt with.”

“Can you summon our packs?” Lucas asked.

“Oh yes.” Ilea said and got out the two packs she had in her bracelet.

“Ready for the next round?” She asked, looking at Elfie.

He confirmed with a light nod, turning once more towards the steel wall.

It took around twenty minutes to get in and out of the fight before the last of the creatures was felled. Ilea felt pretty comfortable dealing with them in the end but while more had appeared, their numbers were limited.

Fifteen she had killed, now standing amidst the gore as her armor reformed.

Elfie floated above, surveying the cavern as they waited for more.

“I think that was it.” She said after a while and blinked back inside.

Niivalyr appeared next to her. “For now at least. I do not think that was the extend of the seventh layer’s creatures.”

Sleeping bags were rolled out now, a small fire rune heating up an unidentifiable sludge inside a heavy looking cooking pot.

The smell was at least more enjoyable than the corpses and gore outside the facility they had found themselves in.

Catelyn had been covered by a heavy blanket, quietly breathing.

Maro was resting in an actual bed, getting a thumbs up from Ilea when she saw it.

Lucas and Ilas were still waiting vigilantly, the latter keeping his attention at the corridors leading away from their position.

The group was located in a corner where two hallways met. Forking ways were visible around fifty meters away in each direction. It looked like the corridors ended in closed off walls.

“You should stir this.” Ilea commented and walked to the pot, using the ladle inside to move the sludge around. She heard Maro chuckle, the man hiding his helmet covered face behind the book he was reading when she glanced his way.

“Perhaps they had hoped you would supply food.” Elfie commented and stepped closer, his eyes full of disdain as he glared upon the sludge. “Upon seeing their disgraceful creation.”

“Funny, coming from an elf.” Maro whispered to himself, aware that everyone heard him as clear as day.

“Humanity has a way to focus on the mundane and find progress in it. I can admit that we are no culinary masters.” Niivalyr replied, still glaring at the stew.

“The beasts are dead.” Ilas commented. “Forgive me. I have doubted you.” He spoke, not looking their way.

Ilea shrugged and summoned her own bed, lifting Catelyn with three ashen limbs before she dropped the fox onto the soft feather bed. After giving her an ashen rinse of course.

The Dark One curled up a little more, dragging the blanked closer as her expression relaxed.

God, this fucking fox. I need to get a pet that doesn’t want to eat me.

“What matters is that they’re dead.” She said and summoned a meal.

“And that you leveled up again.” Maro said from the side.

“Oh yes, I did.” Ilea said with a grin before she checked her messages, starting to eat in the face of envious glances.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 503] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and eighty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 521] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 318 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 317 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 11’

I should probably focus on skill leveling again. Can’t be healthy to get all these levels. Then again, I could level more third tier skills if I had more.

Ilea concluded that fighting and killing monsters was definitely the way to go. Perhaps her focus was more on the food she was consuming than on the intricacies of her leveling.

So far, her gut hadn’t led her astray. She would continue to trust it. As well as her incredible regeneration and ability to get out of dangerous situations with various powerful magic spells others would kill to have.

Looking over her stats, she noted that Endurance was starting to fall behind pretty hard. Something that could actually become an issue during fights. So far it hadn’t, mostly because Stamina regeneration was faster than mana regen. She could however see a scenario where stamina drain creatures would even it out.

Still, can’t really justify it. Not even with my third tier reverse skill. Ilea distributed her ten points into her three priority stats, evening out the numbers a little.

Status:

Vitality: 736

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 700

Wisdom: 770

Health: 7330/7360

Stamina: 3821/4000

Mana: 5428/7700

The problem with her third tier reversal increasing her Destruction and Reconstruction based on the lowest stat was that she had to invest in both Dexterity and Endurance by now. If she reached five hundred in each of them, she would in turn have to invest in Strength.

Ilea preferred to have more Health or Mana available, even if the bonus from her skill was a percentage compared to the raw numbers Vitality and Wisdom provided.

“Hmm… would you perchance be willing. To trade?” Lucas asked. He scratched the back of his head when the healer didn’t react.

“Ilea?” He added.

“Hmm, what?” She asked, finishing her plate as she sat on the edge of her bed. “Trade?” She added, her brain filling her in on what her ears had perceived.

“A plate of your food.” The elder said, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“For what? Gold?” She wasn’t sure if he had anything to offer.

“Hmm, the position as elder, in the Shadow’s Hand?” He asked, tilting his head a little to the side.

Ilea chuckled. “You can’t offer that. You explained it to me yourself. How about more resistance training. You have light magic too, right?”

He immediately frowned at that but didn’t instantly decline.

“Come on old man, there’s something here we both want. Let’s do it, you and me.” Ilea said and winked, a smirk on her face.

Her bone armor was now nearly fully regenerated. Ten to fifteen minutes seemed to be the usual time depending on how much of it remained.

“Give me the damn food.” Lucas finally said, his frown remained as he showed his true priorities, snatching the plate from her hands before he turned away.

He still looked back and thanked her.

“Is nobody going to eat the sludge?” Maro asked after a while, turning the page on his book. More a tome really, the binding alone priceless in its materials and artistry.

“It is my food and I will eat it.” Ilas said. “As soon as my watch is ended.”

“We have a watch?” Ilea asked.

A deep sigh made her turn then, fiery red eyes staring at her with annoyance.

“Who put me in this bed?” Catelyn asked.

“Do you dislike it?” Ilea asked.

“We were nearly killed, how can you sit there with such a smirk…,” Catelyn started but sighed, looking around at the relaxed group now staring at her. “I’m sorry.”

“We killed the remaining Shredders and are now within some weird super steel blocked off facility. No scouting yet and Ilas has first watch. You seemed to need the rest.” Ilea explained quickly. “Here, have some cake.” She summoned another one and placed it away from her bed, not to sully the thing.

Catelyn teleported to the thing, her head alone expanding before it vanished in her maw.

Twenty six Catelyn silencers remaining. Ilea thought, checking her necklace as she lay back in her bed.

“You went back in there… why? The risks were too high.” Catelyn said, not a hint in her voice about the whole cake she just ate. A hidden void ability perhaps.

“The healer thought them not to be.” Ilas spoke. “Her success speaks for her interpretation.”

“Ilea…,” Catelyn just shook her small furry head. “That’s why Elana implored me to keep you close and in good terms at all costs.”

“How expectedly calculated.” Ilea said, enjoying the softness of her bed as her bone armor vanished, the back of her ashen one thinning a little.

“You will serve nobody by dying to corrupted Shredders.” The fox added in a stern voice.

“I had Elfie help out. They were frenzied and easily manipulated. Also, since when do I have to justify my actions to you?” Ilea asked, her voice the same as it had been before.

“Since we are here together and your actions have consequences concerning the rest of us.” Catelyn said, staying calm as well.

Ilea sat up and tilted her head a little. “You mean like helping you shrug off that Shredder and healing you afterwards? Killing that Veramath before everyone’s brain was fried because I’m such a loony to train with Blue Reapers?” She stood up now and walked towards the fox.

“Or healing everyone after the first encounter in this layer nearly killed half of this group?” She smiled. “I don’t remember owing you a thing, Catelyn. I saved your ass before, as did Maro. I like close fights and in my few years here I have come closer to death than you would ever know.”

She was standing right next to Catelyn now. “Don’t act like I’m a liability to your suicide mission, Catelyn. I’m hear to heal and kill. And I will continue deeper into this fuckfest of a dungeon, with your permission or without.”

A moment of tense silence came and passed.

“I will follow the mad human.” Niivalyr said, leaning on the steel wall, the grin practically shining through his vicious mask.

“Always the same with women.” Maro said and sighed.

Ilea rolled her eyes and slammed an ashen limb past his book and into the wall next to him, slightly scratching the steel. “Fuck off, Maro.” She said and stepped past Ilas. “I think it’s about time we scouted through this place a little. Wouldn’t you agree?” She asked, glancing at Catelyn.

The fox nodded, not saying a word.

“If anyone wants to join, I’ll have a look around. The others should rest. We all know this was just a taste of what’s to come. If you’re not ready to take risks then I suggest you turn back now.” Ilea said and picked one corridor at random.

Chapter 389 Bunker of Steel

Chapter 389 Bunker of Steel

Elfie appeared on her side and floated next to her.

Glad to see at least someone came. Catelyn had made her point and so did she. Risks would be necessary and dangerous encounters were inevitable. Splitting up and going into the unknown without anybody having your back was questionable however.

If there was help available, Ilea wouldn’t say no. Not when the people weren’t holding her back.

Ilea led the way, walking through the corridor before they reached the end of it. A thin, barely visible line showed a rectangular gate that was currently shut.

“Can you figure out the enchantments?” She asked, glancing over at the floating elf.

“There is none, human.” He said a moment later.

“Calling me human again, I see.” She commented, slamming her fist into the steel with full force. The metal creaked and dented, the loud back traveling through the hallways.

Ilea waited a while and listened. Nothing replied to her call.

“You are out for blood. So driven by emotion.” Elfie commented.

She glared up at him, enjoying the sight of him backing off a little before she continued her assault on the door.

“What are you driven by then? Oh glorious elf.” She asked, a sizable chunk of the metal bent in by now, revealing a path. Neither commented on its uselessness by virtue of their teleportation magic.

“Distinct intent.” Elfie replied as he watched her walk through the opened gate.

A rectangular room opened up beyond, machinery whose purpose was unknown to the healer built into the walls, four stone tables in the middle of the room. Dim light shined on from a magical light built into the ceiling.

I know who fucking built this place. Ilea thought as she walked over to some of the machines, their design distinct, the color and feel she got from it.

“You still call me Elfie, despite me having given you my name. An honor I must explain, amongst those of elven descent.” Elfie commented on her earlier inquiry, having called her human.

Ilea toyed with the machine but nothing happened. “This whole thing, was built by the same people who had facilities in the demon realm.” She said. “I’ve seen these designs before. Not exactly but distinctly similar.”

“Also, the nickname is endearing. Take it as a compliment. We humans like to do that to our friends.” She added and checked the stone tables.

Runic carvings had been scratched into the stone from bottom to top, the four tables standing out in the otherwise technologically advanced room.

What’s the chance of this place being built by the same people fucking with the Rhyvor dungeons? Pretty fucking high if you ask me. Ilea wondered.

She wasn’t in the mood to get the ex king and hear his opinion. His earlier comment still irked her. Of course exactly his intention. The other side of his charm skills, the anti charm. Effective enough to get him killed one day.

“I will allow it then, because it is you.” Elfie said after a while. “As to your assumption, it is an interesting theory. However there could be other explanations. If we find more facilities like this one in the deeper layers, I am inclined to believe we have found the creators. Or the place they had resided in at the very least.”

Ilea glanced up at the shimmering light. “What makes you think they ever left?”

He followed her gaze and shook his head. “The mana density in these regions is high, in dungeons even more so. The Taleen have found ways of harnessing this power, why not others?”

“Damn, you’re right.” Ilea said and smiled. “Guess I like the prospect of sucker punching whoever made this.”

“The purpose is of yet unclear. The fate of their kind may have driven them to create such a place or they merely came to study what others had left behind.” Elfie theorized as he too inspected some of the machines.

“You’re surprisingly open and positive. I doubt this corruption suggests a lot of good intentions. I’m happy to be proven wrong however.” She said. “Also, we might not want to fuck with too much of this. Not knowing the purpose of it all.”

Elfie stopped tinkering with the machine and nodded. “Enchanter’s work.” He agreed. “Remember, I came to travel these parts in search for those who might have answers. To my people’s plight. And perhaps not only the Taleen.”

“Your oracles. Can’t help you much there. Maybe Isalthar has some insights for you.” Ilea commented, walking to another closed gate on the other side of the room.

“I wonder if he does.” Niivalyr said as he followed.

This time, Ilea blinked through the door, neither her teleportation nor her sphere interrupted by whatever enchantments had remained.

More corridors opened up beyond. “Are you good in remembering layouts?”

The elf hissed joyously. “We will not get lost, human.”

“Now you’re just doing it on purpose.” Ilea said and rolled her eyes, choosing a direction at random.

“What do you mean? It is simply my nickname for you.” He deadpanned.

She snorted, checking the hallway for any magical residue. Anything that would lead to anybody that had walked these halls in the last weeks and months.

They examined a couple more rooms and halls but found them devoid of any life, all of the machines and tools not giving off any magical power. This world’s form of electricity it seemed.

Heat and motion could still be used, evident by forges and waterwheels. Ilea wondered what would happen to a battery brought here. It would convert to magic or explode. No middle ground. She decided, knowing very little about how batteries actually worked.

“We should return soon.” Elfie said after a while. “Neither traps nor beings seem to remain in this facility.”

“Guess you’re right.” Ilea said, having calmed down from her earlier argument. The scouting had been rather boring, no traps or beings the opposite of what she was looking for.

“You sound disappointed. Perhaps we can attack you for a while later, that seems to help your mood.” Elfie commented.

“I’m touched by your concern.” Ilea replied with a smile. “It sounds lovely. What would your barriers constitute as anyway?”

“I was not concerned and merely pointed out the oddity of your apparent addiction to have your body damaged.” He said and looked forward. “My barriers remain in the physical realm, no resistance to be gained for you.”

Ilea nodded with her eyes closed. “Of course you weren’t.”

“I wasn’t.” The elf said once more, sounding more than a little unsure.

“Yes. Yes.” Ilea confirmed in a dry tone. “You should lead the way back, I’m not a hundred percent sure anymore where we are.”

He hissed and led them back through the empty steel corridors of the weird facility built into the dungeon.

Knowing the way, the two reached their little camp shortly after, teleporting through the rooms with little pause.

Catelyn had replaced Ilas as the guard, the latter sleeping in his bedroll, helmet of course still on.

The fox nodded their way. “Welcome back.” She said and glanced at Ilea. “May we have a word?”

Ilea glanced at Elfie and back to Catelyn before she nodded. “Sure.”

They teleported a little further away, some of the others likely still in hearing range.

“I wanted to apologize.” Catelyn started. “A lot is at stake in this mission and it can be irritating to see your casual demeanor. Your actions however speak the opposite and I thank you for the help. It is a great boon, to have you and your power with us.” She kept her gaze on Ilea’s face.

The healer sighed. “Sorry for snapping at you, Catelyn. You know I care, about you and the city. Not as much as you do perhaps but I’m still here instead of killing Miststalkers.”

“With all these people dying, the wars and everything else going on in Elos, I don’t want to be serious all the time. It helps me to deal with it all. Laughing in the face of death and horrors. It’s who I am I suppose, who I became.”

“We will fight off and destroy the corruption and those who created it.” She finished and extended an ashen limb towards the fox.

“That we will.” Catelyn smirked and extended one of her tails, tapping the ashen limb with it. “Also, thank you for all the cake. Yet it might be appropriate to wait with more until we are done with this. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth, to eat something so sweet in the face of danger.”

Ilea chuckled and started to walk back to the others. “See, that’s exactly where we’re different.” she said and summoned one of Keyla’s meals. Perhaps she was indulging a bit too much but even Ilea wasn’t completely unfazed by going through a dozen shredders. All the while her healing and sphere informed her about the exact state of her skin and muscles.

Enjoying a good meal was just an additional fuck you to the creatures and corruption of this fucked up place.

Ilea shared the findings from their little scouting trip as well as some of her theories.

Maro hadn’t paid attention until she made the possible connection between the demon realm, Tremor and the Descent.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked the necromancer, glancing his way.

“If Reyker’s findings can be believed… and that man wasn’t one to deceive anybody. Then there definitely was someone tinkering with the dungeons. The Descent had always been peculiar. Finding out now that it was built or at least manipulated to this extent. There’s a chance the same people are responsible.” Maro surmised.

“Did I miss something? Who are they?” Catelyn asked, glancing between the two.

“We don’t exactly know much. It could honestly just be different ancient civilizations, another race or elves.” Maro added. The revelation seemed to have pushed him past his lethargy, the man now pacing through their little campsite, a hand to his helmet’s chin.

Niivalyr hissed at the mention of elves but didn’t comment on it. He knew just as well that it was a possibility. They simply knew too little about these affairs.

“Either way, we’re here to stop the corruption.” Catelyn said and looked over the group. “Two hours and then we leave. Any objections?” she glanced at Ilea.

“Sounds good to me.” the healer replied and blinked to her bed. “I can take watch in an hour.”

“I’ll wake you up.” Catelyn said, stepping to the edge of their little space.

Ilea managed to fall asleep rather quickly, waking up again with a furry tail tapping her nose. She squinted and saw the fox standing near her bed. Doesn’t feel like any time has passed at all.

Meditation and healing mana flowed through her, Ilea’s body immediately awake. She felt rested, even though a part of her disliked the notion. Two hours just isn’t enough. Even if it is.

Her bed vanished as she stood up, still in her bone and ash armor. Time for breakfast. She summoned a meal and started eating.

The others were woken up too, only Maro grumbling a little.

Ilea smiled, looking over the group, armor changing and a mask appearing on Elfie.

He hissed as she glanced at him, the elf straightening his robe.

It’s like we had a sleepover. Always wanted that. Wait, we need snacks for that.

“Eat and drink, we leave in fifteen minutes.” Catelyn said.

“I’ll take the packs again when you’re done.” Ilea said to Ilas and Lucas.

They nodded and started rolling up their sleeping bags.

Maro made his bed vanish too, cracking his shoulders. “We should try to kill as many of these worms as we can. Any of them escape this place and we have a problem.”

“I agree. Ilea can apparently kill them as long as she has time to regenerate. How many until that is the case?” Catelyn asked, looking at her.

“Two or three.” Ilea replied, swallowing a bite before talking. “But with magic support it could be three or four. The problem is that they will attack you lot when I leave to regenerate. Also, having Elfie around to help me teleport away would be handy.”

“We have to find open spaces that allow us to fly far enough above them. Should be easy enough with those corrupted.” Maro suggested. “First, we should try to find any caves adjacent to this facility. The steel walls will allow you to use the same tactic as you did earlier.”

Awfully motivated now. Ilea quirked up an eyebrow. Revenge of Rhyvor? She chuckled at the thought. With all these ancient kingdoms, orders and civilizations, she didn’t exactly expect much to remain within this dungeon.

“An agreeable course. We should explore this facility as well.” Ilas said, the first words out of him in a while.

Ilea cracked her neck and put away her empty food box. She really was living the high life, eating Keyla’s cooking nearly every day. If this was a novel, something bad would happen to her. Ilea balled her fists at the though and shook her head. There were no words to describe the hell she would unleash on anybody that would try.

Of course there was no reason to believe anyone would specifically target the cook. She did have a storage item now, was probably one of the most famous cooks in Ravenhall and well, she was in Ravenhall. A soon to be independent city defecting from the empire.

On the other hand, she had the protection of the Hand as well as Lilith, was herself at a comparatively high level and resided in one of the most well protected cities known to man.

The thoughts were only brought up by Ilea’s high consumption, the fear of losing this nectar of life itself. I’m an addict. The realization hit her but there was nothing she could do. People would think Ilea the power behind Lilith, her influence reaching over various cities in the human plains when the true mastermind was nobody else than a devious cook. Her power, unlimited.

“Have you seen death?” The voice of Niivalyr brought Ilea back, his eyes swirling with gray mist.

“Perhaps I have.” Ilea said in a grim tone before she shook her head. “I will lead the way, in case of traps. Also, don’t destroy them. I might be able to get resistances out of it.”

“Speaking of-” she added.

“Yes, we will attack you while we explore. Although we won’t be hidden from anything lurking in these halls.” Maro said with a sigh.

“I thought that was the point?” Ilea asked, cocking her head to the side.

“She is right.” Niivalyr said and hissed in amusement.

The next hours were spent exploring the facility, occasionally teleporting into nearby caves to stomp around and attract Shredders.

Catelyn agreed with Ilea’s suggestion to leave the machines alone. Both agreed however to take some of the things with them. It was easier to get machines and tools up to an enchanter or smith compared to getting the people down here.

Ilea managed to kill another fifteen Shredders in their exploration, ten of them from a single cavern. However none of them counted as her own kills, leading to no level ups as the experience was split.

At the same time it meant less danger and a much easier battle altogether, now that they were prepared and could retreat behind the steel walls in case the creatures overwhelmed them.

Little usable information could be retrieved from the facility itself. No maps, no writing and other than a few more crude looking runed tables, there was nothing out of place.

Maro was sure the runes related to blood magic but he didn’t know them, taking half an hour to copy down some of them into a notebook. Ilea healed his mind as he worked, even looking at the things causing damage.

Ilea was amused at the fact that reading complicated texts in this world literally damaged the mind.

“We have mapped the whole facility.” Ilas suddenly said, the group having just rounded a corner.

“Really? Looks new to me.” Ilea said, squinting into the dark corridor.

“No entrance or exit, no teleportation gate, no rotten food, no chambers to sleep.” Maro murmured, shaking his head.

“Maybe they’re like super introverts.” Ilea suggested. “Or slimes that don’t need to eat or sleep.”

“There are many species without a need for either. Most lack a higher intellect.” Catelyn commented. “It seems either this facility was built into the very stone or it was moved here. It is certainly hidden. Protected against nature and beast.”

Like a bunker deep underground. Ilea thought and looked up at the walls. Maybe I can build a vault for my shit under my house. She remembered the cellar in the Azarinth temple and chuckled. Not exactly a novel idea.

The difference was of course that this place was hundreds of meters below ground.

“The change in the north might have moved it.” Lucas said, brushing a hand over the immaculate steel wall.

“Potentially.” Maro said. “We won’t know more if there is no writing, a corpse or anything… that would give us an idea about what this is.” he sounded frustrated, his demeanor back to how it was before Ilea revealed what they had found.

“We should move on to the caverns then. See if we can find more Shredders before going to the eight layer.” Catelyn said and turned around, sending a beam of fire at Ilea.

The heat washed over her, the rest of the group using their spells in a bored fashion. After hours it had become routine to attack the healer.

Little damage and danger led to few levels however. Ilea looked through her notifications once more.

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

Ilea was glad now that Lucas was there, providing easy level ups to two of her skills. She had hoped Niivalyr would reach level three hundred in his second class already but it didn’t seem like he was quite there yet.

Chapter 390 Don’t Fear the Reaper

Chapter 390 Don’t Fear the Reaper

One last explosion rolled over the area, Ilea lowering her hand as the heat subsided. Ash armor reformed over her shredded skin, the wounds closing quickly below.

Scattered parts of dark worm like creatures covered the vast cavern, flames still clinging to their bodies, bringing a dim light to the area.

They had found what seemed like a central cave, at least a dozen tunnels leading in and out. There was enough space for the mages to hover safely above while Ilea and Ilas cut into the beasts below.

Despite his lower damage, Ilea had to admit that Ilas took more of a risk being here than she herself did. He didn’t let the shredders attack him but neither did he have the healing and durability of Ilea.

A good thing that she didn’t feel particularly competitive today. Seeing her levels and resistances improve was enough.

Just entering the cave had alerted several corrupted, more coming as the battle raged on.

Ilea had used her Heart of Cinder to push the Shredders back from time to time, allowing her to blink up to regenerate. Either Ilas or some of Maro’s undead had occupied the creatures in the meantime.

While most of them remained anyway, glaring at the flying healer, some tried burrowing through the walls to fall down on the group. The undead kept them close and grouped up. Perfect for the powerful area spells raining down while Ilea cut through them from within.

To her annoyance, the creatures protected her against her allies’ magic most of the time, reducing the damage she would have taken by a considerable amount.

Maro had sent some undead into the nearby caves, trying to lure out more of the corrupted. A success initially but now it seemed the Shredders were dealt with.

“How far can you make them walk?” Ilea asked as she flew up, her wounds healing as a surge of heat spread around her, getting rid of the remaining corruption clinging to her wounds.

Maro shrugged. “Depends on the caves. I’ll just push until I lose them.”

“Their detection range is high.” Ilas said. “I believe we have covered a significant portion of this layer by now.”

“Should we kill the uncorrupted ones too?” Maro asked. “I’ve lost some undead without any Shredders coming out.” He had sent more of his skeletons to the areas where he lost them previously, cautiously leading whatever creatures had killed them closer until they picked up on the sounds of battle.

It seemed the uncorrupted Shade Shredders refused to enter the main cave, likely intelligent enough to understand their disadvantage. Or their instincts simply screamed at open spaces. A more likely scenario.

“Hunting them down would be dangerous.” Catelyn said. “They might be able to finish off the remaining corrupted we have missed.”

“Or be corrupted themselves.” Ilas said.

“They haven’t been so far. Maybe they’re a higher level or work together?” Ilea asked.

“A higher resistance to the corruption perhaps? Or they have a way to get rid of it.” Catelyn suggested, sounding very unsure.

“Either way, it seems like an unnecessary risk and time investment to hunt them down. We should focused on those already corrupted.” She added, nodding to Ilea.

“I think I hit another wall… one of my skeletons is taking a sharp turn.” Maro informed them and pointed.

“Then we should be mostly done.” Ilas said. “We shall check on this layer once more when we return.”

“If we return.” Maro said in a tired tone. “There are already level five hundred creatures here. What do you think will wait further down?”

“We do not know the extend of this corruption’s spread.” Ilas said. “More powerful creatures means as well that they may be less corruptible.”

“And thus even more dangerous to us.” The necromancer replied.

“You are free to go back, Maro. Nobody is forcing you to stay.” Catelyn said. “I appreciate the help you have already provided.”

The man sighed and shook his head. “No. I’ll see this through.”

“Then stop whining.” Ilea said as she looked through the messages from their battle.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 482] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and sixty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Shade Shredder – lvl 494] – For defeating an enemy one hundred and seventy or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Twenty eight, twenty nine… thirty two of the fuckers and not a single level up. Ilea sighed. I really need to fight solo again after this. The penalty is ridiculous.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

Progress was at least still present, compared to her adventures in Riverwatch.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

“I thought you wanted dangerous adventures, Maro.” she said absentmindedly, focusing back on her surroundings.

“There is a difference between that and a suicide mission.” he replied, crossing his arms.

“We’re pretty hard to kill. I’m betting my gold on us.” Ilea said and glanced at Elfie.

He seemed lost again.

Finally. “Second class?” she asked.

“Indeed.” The elf spoke a moment later, not really turning his attention away from himself.

A surge of power emanated from him a moment later. He glanced at Ilea with questioning eyes.

“You want to do some testing?” She asked.

“If you would be so kind.” Elfie replied.

Ilea nodded and blinked down, landing on the ground of the cavern as the elf followed.

“We will move further down soon.” Catelyn said as she floated down next to the elf. “It’s good to have another level three hundred class to support us.”

Ilea felt the area around her suddenly change, a curse magnitudes stronger than anything the elf had put out before taking effect as she nearly puked right then and there.

Health and mana was drained from her, her eyes growing a little blurry before she healed against the effects. “Not bad.” She said, resting her hands on her knees.

Her body felt a little wobbly. The sound of her touching her own knees was barely audible, the vile odor of corruption and blood fading into obscurity.

Sentinel Reconstruction pushed against the effects, coupled with her sense amplifying skills mostly negating the curse after a while. Definitely something that would throw off many a creature if not outright knock them out or kill them.

“Holy fuck.” Ilea said as she once again fought against her stomach trying to puke up the food she had eaten earlier. A sacrilegious notion really. She would jam her throat shut with an ashen limb before wasting Keyla’s cooking like that.

“Hmm… I had hoped it would have more of an effect. It should be at least ten times stronger.” Elfie murmured before he grinned. “Yet you have faced down Praetorians without flinching. I suppose it is a success to cripple you as much as I did.”

His magic faded, Ilea looking up at him. “Keep going. Great training really. Did you upgrade it to third tier as well?”

“I did with the resource drain. Mana is now drained as well and it’s several times stronger. I can also affect various enemies at the same time.” He grinned. “Yet it seems the change wasn’t as impressive as I thought.”

Ilea waved him off. “I have level twenty resistances in the second tier to both so don’t worry. If you get anything out of me at all, it’s pretty good. Speaking of, you should get hurt from the mana drain actually.”

“Ah, I was wondering what it was,” the elf smirked. “Well, I suppose with how little mana I drain from you it is merely a nuisance.”

“It’s supposed to be a help against more powerful drain beasts,” Lucas said as he joined them. “Did you try to fight Miststalkers before, Ilea? It might be worth a try with those defenses, mhm.”

“I started farming them, yes,” Ilea replied and cracked her neck, the curse now more a passive feeling. Her senses were definitely reduced somewhat but by now she was used to it. Maybe not the best during battle. Impressive then that he can have such an impact on me.

She imagined Elfie fighting against a horde of demons or humans, all just collapsing due to his curse. Kind of want to see that now. She grinned at the elf as her wings spread.

“Farming? I do not understand,” Lucas commented.

“I believe she implies monsters are an agricultural resource she grows and collects?” Elfie said to the elder.

“The experience is,” Ilea said, flying up to them.

Lucas shook his head in disgust. “To quantify the systematic slaughter of a species and call it farming.”

“I’m talking about Miststalkers Lucas. I get that you dislike fighting and killing things of whatever nature but I’d compare this to removing mold from your house,” Ilea said.

“Why would you remove it?” Ilas asked. “It carries valuable nutrients.”

“We should move on,” Catelyn sighed and looked at the group with a tired expression. “You can discuss the intricacies of mushrooms once we return.”

“Oh yes, the corruption,” Ilea commented, winking at the fox before she looked around. “Where to?”

Ilas pointed and led the way, the group descending further through the tunnels.

They reached the next separating stone floor twenty minutes later. Somewhat smaller caverns led down into the eight layer, a vile odor rising from them.

“Looks like the Shredders burrowed down,” Maro commented as he looked at the area. “Smells like poison and death.”

“Poison?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“It’s concerning that you sound excited,” Catelyn said as she looked down.

The Shredders didn’t burrow straight, making it impossible to see what was waiting in the next layer.

“You should expect as much from her,” Elfie said and gestured to one of the holes. “Scouting?”

Ilea nodded and jumped down, blinking through the small carved out section of stone, noting the smell of corruption on the walls. So they didn’t just move up.

The air got thicker, her nose now already itching as something burnt her airways. Nothing that would inconvenience her majorly but it was there.

Finally, the tunnel opened up into the next layer. Dark once again.

She summoned her staff and had a look, her sphere not offering anything in its range. “Well. It’s purple,” she surmised, nodding to herself.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Mild Rupture Fetor – You resist the effects’

“With these unnecessary notifications again. I was just about to get excited,” Ilea rolled her eyes and waved her staff around but other than a purple mist, there was nothing to see.

“Poison in the air but I can’t see anything else!” Ilea shouted, her gaze snapping downwards suddenly.

A tentacle like protrusion shot up and tangled itself around the Staff of the Chosen.

“Let go, this is mine,” Ilea said, holding on to the thing as her ashen limbs spread.

[Tangled Reaper – lvl ???]

“You should maybe come down now!” she shouted up to the others and slashed at the limb, separating it after several deep cuts from her ash.

A squeal could be heard from below and within the mist, the bleeding tentacle slithering down into the unknown once more.

Ilea raised her eyebrows right before a beam of purple energy impacted her ashen armor. She grinned at the familiar sensation of her ash quite literally decaying. It was similar in power to Maro’s beams but less focused and physically broader, nearly encompassing her whole torso.

Elfie appeared next to her, shards of white forming around him as he extended his hand downwards.

The screams immediately intensified, his curse taking effect before the shards rushed down, wet sounds of cutting audible. It didn’t seem to be that far down.

“You seem to enjoy the light,” the elf said as he glanced over, a shining barrier in front of him in case the beast changed its target.

“Yea, don’t worry about me,” Ilea said, seeing the rest of the group come down to join them. “Same as before. Let me try myself against this one first. Just to see if I can survive. I’ll shout or send some ash up to you should I need help.”

“I’m not going down there,” Maro immediately replied.

“I agree. It would be safer if you stayed up here as we survey,” Catelyn confirmed, giving her a look.

“You don’t need to come down, just carpet bomb my general direction,” she said and started floating towards where the beam was still coming from. “Also, call for me if the poison becomes an issue.”

The others seemed to accept the proposal, Catelyn only begrudgingly as she sighed.

The purple mist slowly engulfed her as she floated downwards. Tentacles shot up but Ilea blinked down instead, flying along the long limbs as more of them appeared.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Rupture Fetor – You resist the effects’

The beast was now visible in her sphere, half submerged in thick liquid that glowed a little in her magic perception. It looked like a ball of flesh with a single vertical maw as wide as Ilea’s whole form, ashen limbs and wings included.

Thousands of teeth lined the sides of its mouth as dozens of eyes covering parts of its malformed sphere like body blinked and stared up to the approaching healer. The purple beam had stopped but reformed near one of the bigger eyes, once more slamming into her.

The magic slowed her down a little, dozens of tentacles now slashing through the air as the beast tried to grab or impale her, some of the limbs ending in sharp gnarled spikes.

Ash entangled with the creature, cutting into it as Ilea rushed closer to its body. Heart of Cinder was charging up.

She was yanked to the side when the creature dragged several of her ashen limbs away, forcing her to abandon the ash and reform them.

Ilea landed on the creature’s malformed skin, her armored boots sinking in a little as her ashen limbs cut into it, digging deep to stabilize her on the massive form.

A pulse of death magic washed over her as the Reaper thrashed, decaying a chunk of her armor and nearly throwing her off with the sheer power of its spell. A loud noise emanated from it, a high pitched screech that nearly blew out her ears.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the Tangled Reaper’s frenzy. You are paralyzed for 1 second’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 9’

Fuck. Ilea could only watch as the massive creature turned, dozens of tentacles slamming into her before the paralyzing effect vanished.

Heart of Cinder was released but she was already submerged in the thick seething liquid. She closed up her ashen armor completely, feeling it burn away quickly.

The Reaper let go of her for a moment, its tentacles burnt as it screeched once more, right after Ilea had blinked up and out of the poisonous swamp.

Death soup. She thought, a beam of purple energy slamming into her in the second she was paralyzed.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 10’

Screech again you fuck. She thought with a vicious grin, blinking again and appearing once more on top of the main body.

Ashen limbs slashed into the creature as her fists slammed down.

The monster thrashed and sunk into the purple muck, its spells and tentacles still slashing into Ilea.

A couple of Ilea’s limbs slashed the approaching tentacles, her eyes till covered by ash to prevent the purple liquid getting into her eyes.

I can take this one. She thought, now the moment to either hang on tight or retreat. Destructive mana flowed into the beast, her ashen limbs digging deeper by the second. Her defenses held, making the decision rather simple.

The fluid covered her as the two of them were submerged, the drowning ring appearing on her finger while she held her breath. Blinking was of course still possible, even within the liquid.

Ilea didn’t plan to escape however, death magic spells returning mana to her as she healed her armor and limbs, both slowly decaying within the liquid.

Punching was still possible, allowing her to use Absolute Destruction, now more and more charged because the liquid slowed her attacks down to a crawl. The physical damage of course was mostly mitigated through the thick natural shield but a punch was a punch.

All noise was muffled now, Ilea holding on as the monster turned and turned, attacking with its tentacles that still moved at rather high speeds even within the liquid. The death magic came in waves, intensifying as its panic grew.

Shouldn’t have fucked with me you eldritch shit. Another wave finally broke through her armor, the liquid immediately seeping in and burning her bone armor.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Concentrated Rupture Liquid – -100 Health per second for three minutes’

Ilea’s grin widened, knowing that her Poison Resistance could finally be leveled again. The damage was high too, reducing her healing by nearly half.

She wasn’t worried however, her third tier still available in case her health dipped too low.

Death magic now slammed into her bone armor, soon breaking through, her skin sizzling as she continued her attacks.

The monster was moving aimlessly through the liquid, swimming quickly as Ilea held on to its continuously mangled body.

Many of the tentacles were ripped out already or showed deep cuts from the ashen limbs.

Ilea wasn’t sure how much time had passed when the creature finally went limb, a noise resounding in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Tangled Reaper – lvl 523] – For defeating an enemy two hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Nice that I’m considered a group now. Ilea rolled her eyes, blinking up when tentacles reached out to her. She blinked several times, emerging in the purple haze above before she spread her wings and flew up.

The group was visible in the distance, like a beacon in the darkness.

Her ashen armor was back around her body, the poison still in effect, its duration constantly back at three minutes because of her exposure.

Chapter 391 Newfound beverages

A note from Rhaegar

Chapter 388 change: Ilea does not destroy the book. I apologize. I had no violent relations with that book.

Chapter 391 Newfound beverages

Niivalyr smirked as he spotted the dark wings moving in the purple mist. She prevails once again.

Death magic and poison. A dangerous combination that would even cripple and kill Niivalyr if his barriers failed.

He itched to test his curses on the monsters in this place but reckless behavior was reserved for the brave and foolish. If he was to advance in strength, he had to be smarter than his brethren, had to think not like them but find his own way.

Ilea had shown him that not all humans were the same in their approach to battle. If she could act like a young elf then he too could become more. She wasn’t thoughtless however, her actions mostly deliberate. More so than the young of his kind.

Brash and reckless at first glance but that human was more durable and persisting than anything he had seen before, monster or not. It made him excited when he looked at her. Niivalyr respected her, perhaps even feared her.

And yet she called him friend and he did the same. Ridiculous. A human. The thought came like an impulse and he smiled, resisting the urge to lick over his sharp teeth. Ilea had pointed out that it was creepy.

He simply hadn’t noticed the habit before, so normal amongst elves that he didn’t question it. Now he resisted it, as if it was a part of his past self. A part of his old self, before his evolution, both his mind and now his body.

The change had not been instantaneous. He was a hunter now, cursed and rejected from the domains. Still he sometimes found himself thinking of the oracles in their unparalleled wisdom and unquestioned superiority.

It would take time. To accept this change and to find power like he never dared dream of.

The ashen healer flying towards him reminded Niivalyr of what was possible, not in power alone but in freedom. Humanity, hidden within their flimsy city walls, forgetting and ignoring the wild, the balance and chaos of magic.

And yet here she was, fighting beasts beyond her comprehension. She persisted and prevailed.

He felt the magic around him, the dense and powerful arcane seeping into his very bones, reminding him of his sins with every second he remained in a place of creation. And yet he smiled, his heart pumping life through him, beating faster than it had in the last six hundred years.

He calmed himself and formed the words in his mind. The words that guided him since he left his life behind to save that of another.

Your name is Niivalyr Olanis and you are free.

________________________________________________________________________

Catelyn sighed as she spotted Ilea flying toward them. We didn’t even know she was so far away. That girl is going to die.

It’s her own fault. She reminded herself, failing to convince the part of herself that sought to protect the healer. She’s going to surpass you in a month, a week or even today already. You should worry about your own survival.

This was no place for self doubt, no place to stop a reckless warrior from seeking her destiny. Catelyn saw the writhing tentacles moving up to catch the ashen healer, the woman twirling in the air to dodge it all.

This poison is getting on my nerves. Her healing was active constantly by now, just to counteract the vile toxin hanging in the air.

A dark fiery red sphere formed in front of her face, released when it reached the highest heat and density she could manage.

The spell flashed through the air, arcing down into the unknown before it exploded in a bright light, a wave of heat washing over the floating group a moment later.

Screeches followed, the sound of beasts mangled and burnt. The price she paid to use her power. May you find rest in death. Several spheres formed, between her tails and in front of her mouth, her form expanding as her mana concentrated into spells.

“She certainly gathered a sizable group,” Ilas commented, the warrior wisely sitting this one out.

So she did. Catelyn thought, watching the writhing mass of vile creatures moving through the poison mist. Creatures that should have been left to rest, deep in the dark. Now roused by fire.

___________________________________________________________________

Ilea heard the creatures behind her, beams of death magic flashing past as they focused on her. Powerful and expansive fire spells created shock waves below her. Each impact burnt dozens of tentacles, maybe just as many of the creatures.

Not as welcoming an opportunity than a group of Shredders. Ilea didn’t think facing twelve death magic spells at once was particularly wise. Wouldn’t they damage each other? She wondered, nearly turning back to find out.

Get closer first. She suddenly realized that the spells had slowed down, only two beams coming for her in the past three seconds.

Ilea turned around and squinted her eyes to see anything in the purple haze, illuminated only by magic spells. A flash of fire exploded in the midst of the chaos, the split second of bright light revealing one of the creatures, corrupted and frenzied. Its brethren ripping into it with magic and tentacles, fighting off the revived and frenzied monster.

Now’s your chance. Ilea thought and blinked down, joining the fray as she tried to avoid the corrupted beast.

There were dozens of them, a cluster fuck of limbs and spells.

Ilea smirked as an idea came to her, blinking closer to the frenzied beast as an ashen limb extended.

She clung onto one of the beasts and used all her offensive spells while she healed the corrupted Reaper, already close to death as it was overwhelmed by the others.

Catelyn and the others had moved closer by now, their spells raining down from above.

The familiar feeling of Elfie’s curse spread through her, many of the creatures reacting quite a bit more, their magic missing her suddenly, their tentacles sluggishly attacking the pool of poison below them.

The corrupted Reaper however didn’t seem to mind, ripping into the others and occasionally healed by Ilea.

One of them died a little later, its body pulsing with corruption as it woke once more, the odds now less overwhelming.

Constant trashing and fighting as well as the expansive spells brought more beasts as the battle went on. Some of them were corrupted, others not.

The mages flying high above were largely ignored, the origin of both explosions and curses hard to pin point, even for Ilea.

She was pretty sure the beasts were capable of dealing with the corrupted on their layer. But why miss a fight with a bunch of death magic tentacle horrors when it’s available? A new motto to add to her list.

It came to a point where only the beast Ilea currently engaged was focused on her, none of them diving down into the poisonous broth, either because there was simply too much entanglement or because of the corrupted.

Catelyn and Elfie continued to be effective because of that, as well as Ilea who was cutting through tentacles with her ash, delivering blows and beams of fire whenever possible.

Untiring and relentless, she pushed on. Amidst the beasts as just another enemy. A nuisance to them that they most certainly underestimated. Perhaps a creature they hadn’t ever seen before. Prey at most, to be ignored in the face of their own being turned and corrupted.

Ilea certainly didn’t mind it, killing the creatures left and right as time passed. Minutes or even hours by now. The only thing she could reasonably deduct about the duration of her battle was that Catelyn’s spells had stopped six times already. The fires always returning after a short break.

Thanks to her Sentinel Core, Ilea didn’t have the same problem. Elfie too seemed to be fine with his mana drain, no break in his curse.

The sluggish beasts were overwhelmed, Ilea now focusing on the corrupted as she joined the Reapers.

Near black ashen wings moved silently behind her, Ilea looking over the still smoldering remains of the Tangled Reapers, both corrupted and not.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Tangled Reaper – lvl 542] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Tangled Reaper – lvl 532] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ten or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Dozens of them had come and were slaughtered, by their own or Ilea’s group.

Ashen limbs extended to her floating companions, healing them against the poison that was still in the air.

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 318 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Death Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Death Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Death Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

Hours spent productively. Ilea smiled to herself as she read through all the level ups.

Elfie had really pulled through with his curse magic. Ilea was sure the fight would have taken hours longer if his spells hadn’t given the edge to the corrupted early on.

“I’m not sure if we should use them like that,” Catelyn said, as if she could read Ilea’s mind.

“They attacked me. I didn’t just want to leave them,” Ilea retorted, putting her five stat points into Vitality.

“I do believe it was wise to kill them. I meant simply the corrupted,” the fox clarified.

“As long as we can kill them. I think the corruption actually helps,” Ilea said, cracking her neck. “Next layer?” she was hungry for more.

“I can’t wait to get out of this poison swamp,” Maro said with a sigh.

“Did the beasts drop anything upon death?” Ilas asked, glancing at Ilea.

“Didn’t see anything. I can go check. Wanted to swim a little in the poison anyway. You lot should too so this doesn’t happen again,” she said and floated downwards. The next layer could wait for a couple minutes while she filled some bottles with the fluid.

“Any of you have empty bottles?” she asked, ignoring the looks she was getting.

“I don’t plan to come her again,” Catelyn said as she dropped a couple flasks down.

Ilea caught them all with her limbs. “Bigger ones too,” she said and gave a thumbs up upon receiving containers with several liters of volume.

What if I drink it. She did so, finding the poison having the same effect as it did upon simple touch. It also hurt her throat but all that did was make it hard to speak.

She decided on a bath alone, her ashen armor relegated to a bikini as she stored her bone armor.

The bottles were filled and stored away, concentrated rupture liquid for a later use. I should really make sure to get level twenty before I leave this place for a longer time.

Niivalyr floated down and touched the liquid, his face hidden behind the steel mask. “May I use my health drain on you?”

“Of course, use all you have,” Ilea replied and extended an ashen limb to him. “I’ll take care of the rest if it’s not enough.”

“How very considerate of you,” Elfie said.

It’s hard to tell when he’s sarcastic and when he isn’t. Ilea thought and realized she was rubbing her skin with the poison liquid. This isn’t soap.

Ilas was leading the others, flying over them.

“Let’s keep up with them,” she suggested to the elf, his feet now dipped in the liquid without boots on.

It took them nearly an hour to find the exit and the way down. Various cracks and tunnels led out of the poison filled cavern but most just led to even more poison.

They did confirm that most of the place was cleared out and Ilea did level her poison resistance once more, the skill now in the second tier at level twelve.

Need stronger poisons. She put it on her imaginary list, right next to more powerful spells of literally all varieties. Is it impossible to gain resistances when it deals no damage to me at all?

It certainly seemed more difficult now that she was so tough. Perhaps it was more reasonable to not level anymore and focus on them. On the other hand, third tier skills. If I keep advancing, it doesn’t matter either way.

She was pretty sure there were creatures out there that could rip her apart even if she reached level four or five hundred. Already, she had met some of them. It only meant that she would have a hard time training her general skills with other sentients.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Elfie certainly didn’t disappoint with his new evolution either way.

“Let’s hope for a more welcoming environment,” Catelyn sighed as Ilea jumped down the hole leading to the ninth layer.

A thin trail of poison was running down the side of the crack, dripping on the bright crystal below with a sizzling noise.

Some fucking light finally. Ilea’s mood immediately lifted as she drank a sip of concentrated poison. “Disgusting,” she remarked and carefully stepped through the openings in the crystal.

What she found beyond made her pause for a moment. Her wings moved behind her as she entered the vast cavern. Lush green plants and grass covered what looked like floating islands of rock in a sea of mist blocking any visibility below.

There were creatures she saw in the distance, wings moving quickly before the red forms vanished into the mists.

“You can come. It’s safe,” she said, looking up as she floated a little further down.

Ilea suddenly turned her head to the side, squinting her eyes at movement right below the surface of the white sea.

A roar resounded a moment later. Too far away to be of much concern. Still, she felt her body locking up.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the sound of a powerful beast. You are paralyzed for five seconds.’

She felt herself drift down, caught a moment later by a barrier appearing below her feet.

“Thanks,” she said, looking up when the effect had worn off. “You didn’t get paralyzed?”

“For one second only,” he said, joined by the others climbing out from the crystal that covered most of the cavern’s expansive ceiling.

“What was that?” Catelyn asked, looking around.

“Saw something red, with wings,” Ilea supplied what she knew. “Dragons?”

“Don’t joke around,” Catelyn said seriously. “You might summon one.”

“Really?” Ilea asked, excited as she twirled in the air.

“No. I believe it was in jest,” Elfie said. He locked eyes with her and was silent for a moment. “You damn sarcastic fuck.”

“Trying out new insults?” Ilea asked, proud of the elf.

“It is a good word,” he confirmed.

“Let us land on one of the visible areas. I think I can see some cave entrances already,” Catelyn said and started floating down.

Ilea followed, quickly getting ahead. She landed on the stone and checked the surroundings with her skills. One smell immediately stood out, Ilea immediately raising a hand to signal the others to be careful.

“Blood. And corruption,” she said and followed the trail, quickly after finding tracks suggesting talons the size of her own head.

Chunks of rock seemed ripped out, deep marks showing where something had clawed through. Scorch marks showed on the nearby plants as well as the grass sprouting from sections of the island.

Ilea was led mostly by the smell, the tracks simply so obvious she had immediately noted them thanks to her sphere.

It seemed whatever had fought her had fallen off the side of the nearby cliff.

She looked over and saw a ledge below, jumping down a moment later.

An open cavern led into the massive stone pillar sprouting up and through the mists still hanging farther down.

The vegetation was growing more freely inside, crystal light pouring in from various cracks and openings in the surrounding.

Ilea waited for a moment, seeing Elfie fly down the side of the stone island or pillar. She wasn’t sure yet if it was floating or not.

A nod sent his way, she followed the smell and finally found what she was looking for.

The corpse of a seriously mangled creature. Red wings torn to shreds and a dragon like head missing most of the skin and both eyes. A long tongue, half oozing with corruption uselessly hung from the creature’s exposed jaw, bits and pieces of muscle barely holding it together.

“We might have found the end of our journey,” Elfie said as he stepped up.

“Why, know what it is?” Ilea asked, looking at the tiny red scales covering parts of the once corrupted monster. Two legs with massive claws and teeth that could bite right through her thigh.

“Wyvern,” Catelyn said, landing on a ledge overlooking them.

Ilas took a step back as soon as he saw the creature.

“Fascinating,” Lucas said as he approached slowly, touching the body as he closed his eyes. “Mhm… it has been a while, since I have seen one of them,” he smiled, reminiscing the memory.

“You fought them? Aren’t they just discount dragons basically?” Ilea asked and rolled her eyes at the immediate reactions. “What’s it with you lot and dragons?”

Elfie chuckled, the only one who hadn’t reacted at all. “The legends will never fade. Calamity and destruction, wrought on a whim. The dragons of old, reshaping civilization with each step they took.”

“Has anybody here ever seen one? Or someone you know?” Ilea’s question was only met with shaking heads. Superstitious folk here.

Chapter 392 Remnant

Chapter 392 Remnant

Guess they’re like nukes here. Ilea thought as another roar rolled through, closer now.

The paralyzing effect only lasted four seconds now.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 13’

“I have never truly understood the fear of dragons myself,” Lucas started. “However their tales have survived over the millennia, mhm. Unlike other beasts that too destroyed whole cities.”

“It is bad luck. We should not engage a Wyvern, its presence an omen of death,” Ilas murmured from behind Catelyn.

“It’s just a monster. Died and was corrupted even,” Ilea said, touching its partially exposed skull. “You can leave anytime.”

The Dark One was silent for a moment but shook his head. “I shall remain in the shadows. My power… is not sufficient anymore. If you wish me to leave, I shall do so.”

“I don’t care,” Ilea said and tried removing the skull, finding it a challenging endeavor. “Oh hey… Maro, can you raise it?”

The necromancer sighed as he approached. “An omen of death… oh well,” he lifted his hand, a pulse of magic rushing into the creature.

Maro seemed to struggle, more and more mana flowing into it.

Ilea was about to speak when she saw purple wisps come to life within the mangled skull.

Muscles rippled as the beast stood up once more. Two meters tall, it’s wings each easily three meters wide.

Ilea took a step back. She had to lift her head up to stare at its skull. “Hmm,” she mused with a grin. “Any idea what they can do? I asked before but has anyone fought one?”

“I have,” Lucas said, his hesitation apparent. “A long time ago. They… teleport, quickly. Mhm… several times in a row. Their talons easily cut through my armor. Fire was however the most dangerous part. More powerful I think… than even you,” he glanced towards Catelyn with the last mention.

“Sounds pretty straight forward,” Ilea said and cracked her knuckles. “Maybe I can get my Heat Resistance up to level twenty.”

“I will wait with Ilas. Perhaps we can build a small camp here,” Lucas said as he looked around. “Mhm, yes. It is much friendlier than the previous layers. The vegetation too… speaks to me.”

Ilea leaned over, her eyes widening. “Do the plants literally speak?”

Lucas just winked at her with a smile.

“They can fly… and if they’re really as quick and powerful as Lucas suggests… maybe I should wait this one out too… if those we find remain free of corruption,” Maro suggested. “Are you sure you want to face them? Even if they can fight off their own corrupted?” his gaze was on Ilea, the man scratching the back of his helmet.

“You faced Soul Rippers… why stop at this?” Ilea was genuinely confused at that. These were just overgrown Drakes.

He offered no justification.

“My fire will be of little help,” Catelyn mused. “We should move farther down, explore more of the islands. Perhaps we can find out if they remain without corruption.”

What a fucking bummer. Ilea rolled her eyes, glancing at her last hope.

“I shall support you,” Elfie said. “Should you be able to fight them alone, I shall leave you to it.”

Bloody legend. Ilea thought and smiled brightly, blinking over and hugging the elf.

A powerful curse immediately spread within her as barriers snapped to existence between them.

“Please, respect my… personal space,” the elf said.

Ilea nodded. “Apologies,” she did feel a little bad, not getting the expected reaction out of him this time. “I meant well.”

“Noted,” he simply replied.

“Should we check the top of these islands first or move farther down this one? I can see some cracks leading down,” Ilea asked, looking over the group.

“It should be safer… to move above the mists,” Ilas said.

“Agreed,” Catelyn confirmed, waiting a moment for any objections. “Let’s hope they’re not all corrupted.”

Might be easier to fight if they’re frenzied, Ilea thought but she had a feeling the corrupted corpse suggested it wouldn’t exactly be that simple.

The closest islands were smaller than the one they had landed on before. Little to no inner workings compared to the cave with the dead creature.

Ilas and Catelyn checked the space between them and their next target and signaled the group.

All teleporting through the gap quickly, they reached a rather large island. This one even had small palm tree like fauna growing on it. Ferns and grass covered large sections of the nearly hundred meter wide plateau.

“Hide,” Maro whispered, vanishing farther into the ferns.

The rest followed, Ilea lying prone twenty meters further back right after she appeared.

A whooshing sound reached her ears. Familiar red wings were barely visible as they moved past nearly on the same height as the plateau.

[Cliff Wyvern - ???]

A roar resounded, the paralyzing effect passing once more. No sign of the creature remained.

Ilea waited a minute before she blinked closer to the edge, seeing only mist below.

She found the others in her sphere and blinked to Catelyn. “It left. Not corrupted,” she whispered.

“Good,” Catelyn said and sighed. “Do you see a way down?”

Ilea shook her head, her sphere not offering anything. “Let me check the whole area.”

One blink followed the next as she moved over the plateau, remaining prone. The least she would do was make sure the others were somewhat safe before she engaged one of those creatures. Should level Veteran until I can ignore their damn roars as well.

She took a sip of poison and returned to Catelyn. “Found it. This way,” she pointed and subsequently informed the others.

Maro and Ilas were already waiting near the crude stairs leading down into the stone.

“Probably not natural,” Ilea said with a smile. “Oh, Lucas. Before we get into a fight, did you manage to win against the Wyvern you fought?”

The wood creator shook his head. “I have escaped with my life. Barely and not without help. Its level too remained hidden,” he paused and gave her another look. “Even with all I have seen of you. I would suggest you wait… until you get stronger.”

Ilea nodded and turned back towards the descending stairs. Not the way to get stronger, a near manic grin was on her face, hidden below her armor. The fights so far had been challenging but she always had a team behind her.

Even with the Shredders, she could trust Elfie and the others to intervene in case it became too dangerous. Perhaps they were reaching depths now, where them trying to help would only inconvenience her. What they lacked wasn’t spell power or mobility, merely her durability and regeneration.

And if I can’t beat one, I can use Elfie to get his curse. Sounds like an ok compromise. Ilea was brought back from her thoughts with the stench of blood and corruption in the air.

“Another corpse down here,” she said.

“Several dozen,” Maro supplied from behind.

The stairs opened up into a cavern similar in shape to the one they had found within the smaller island.

“There are runes here,” Elfie said. “Deterrents, fear and pain,”

“I don’t feel any of that,” Ilea said as she turned to look at him.

The smell of blood and rot only got stronger as she moved through.

Elfie pointed to one of the cavern walls. “I do not believe these enchantments are meant for creatures of higher intellect. Something is hidden.”

“Wyverns are rather Intelligent,” Lucas said. “Yet I suppose they did not talk.”

“Starting to believe you’re on their side,” Ilea said jokingly, walking to the indicated wall and brushing her ash over it.

“Mighty creatures, born of mana. Shaped to be perfect predators, their movements precise and deadly. They hunt and fight all they find. Mhm…,” Lucas said, smiling ever so slightly as he winked her way.

Ilea rolled her eyes. Even odds then from him. “I should at least get a species sympathy bonus,” she said, tapping the wall. “Anyone able to break the spell? I’d smash it otherwise.”

“If I had taken species into account, they would come out on top,” Lucas said.

“I’ll give it a shot,” Maro replied and stepped up to the wall. “The smell is different by the way, to the Wyvern that is.”

Ilea gave the creature a nod when it stepped up a little. How did he manage to keep that thing hidden from the one flying past?

A pulse of mana came from the wall before the illusion vanished.

Instantly, the smell intensified ten fold. Catelyn gagged and Ilas took several steps back. The rest remained untouched.

Says a lot about you mad fuckers, calling me a murder machine, she specifically glanced at Lucas.

She walked onward, another stairwell leading down. Her sphere had expanded as soon as Maro had broken the illusion.

Metal cages holding dead beasts, some simply sprawled on the ground while others had literally been ripped apart, from within or externally. It was hard to tell at this point.

Some of the beasts had been corrupted it seemed, the orange ooze still dripping from a few of them. Ilea saw some similarities but couldn’t tell if there were even two of the same species.

The space was circular, one more exit leading down, more cave like. A tunnel burrowed into the stone. With the size of the plateau above, Ilea was nearly certain the island expanded as it went further down, or it connected to the wall of the cavern.

Magical light was brimming above, not of the same nature as the technology they had found in the seventh layer.

“Most of them should be the same species. A bear like creature,” Maro supplied and looked up at the lights.

“These are lights similar to what I have seen before,” Elfie said. “They should require a manual mana supply. Be vigilant.”

“Not like the Wyverns are any less dangerous than whatever is in here,” Ilea commented.

Catelyn shook her head as she glanced over the scene.

The lack of tables and other utensils made it seem more like a boxroom instead of anything else.

Lucas closed his eyes and murmured something to himself.

“We will burn all this as soon as we are done,” Catelyn said, a glint of fury visible in her eyes.

Ilea nodded and went down the tunnel.

A couple minutes of walking later, it opened up into a somewhat vast cavern. Too expansive to reasonably be within the island or the pillar leading down.

The smell never really left.

Vegetation was abundant here too, more controlled it seemed, as well as bushes growing weird yellow fruit.

Most notable however were the buildings made of crude stone, rough and barely holding together. A fireplace, a simple forge as well as many other additions were strewn in the area.

Ilea perked up when she heard a hiss, coming from within one of the houses. The rectangular thing had an entrance but was missing a door.

A man appeared in the middle of the camp, glancing around frantically before his eyes met hers.

He wore tattered robes with fading white, red and golden colors. A once surely expensive garment. The robe was torn near his chest, revealing a straight line of pulsing orange, oozing out of the wound.

His hair was a mess, splatters of blood visible both on his robe as well as any revealed part of his skin.

[Corrupted Vampyr Thrall – lvl ???]

Oh, the thought went through her mind when the man vanished into a mist of red smoke, appearing right in front of her.

The familiar sensations of powerful life drain and mind magic immediately hit her, Ilea still sidestepping the swipe of his hand.

His nails had grown out to form claw like protrusions on his otherwise human hands.

Ilea responded with a kick to his knee, a loud dull noise resounded as her armored boot met his skin and bone, destructive mana flowing into him.

Another swipe came, ripping into her ashen armor as she jumped back.

“Any help?” Ilea shouted as she danced backwards, dodging his attacks by a hair’s length. Her ashen limbs spread behind before they lashed out.

The thrall dodged them with comparable speed to her own, twirling in the air as he continued to attack, each swipe coming a little faster as he cut through her limbs, avoiding the rest.

Ilea noted that Elfie, Catelyn and Ilas were frozen in place. Lucas wasn’t there anymore.

Maro was the only one moving, his hand stretched out to the undead Wyvern, the creature’s purple eyes flashing with energy a moment later as it turned and focused on the enemy.

“Their minds can’t take it,” Maro shouted to her. “I will get them out and come back to help you!”

Claws slashed into her throat, stopped barely by her bone armor as she slammed her fists into the man’s head.

Fucker is tougher than steel.

His eyes were unfocused, frenzied. His mind taken over by the corruption.

A powerful pulse of mind magic made her pause for a moment, the claws that came still dodged however. He was slowed down too. Second tier resistances definitely have their merit.

The Wyvern rushed in from behind the man, attacking with its massive claws. The thing could keep up with either of the two.

Ilea kept the thrall busy with her limbs, getting in a couple of punches while he focused on the undead Wyvern.

His claws scratched over the bones, occasional bursts of mind magic freezing the monster.

When he was about to slash through the crature’s spine, Ilea blinked behind him and grabbed one of his arms, twisting her body before she slammed him into the stone floor.

His weight coupled with the momentum cracked the stone.

Ilea landed on top of him, her ashen limbs slashing into his arms and keeping them down as her fists crashed into his skull. She felt the vibrations of her powerful attacks run through her bones, neither of them showing much of a reaction to the physical force.

Destructive mana from all her offensive skills continuously flowed into the corrupted man, little resistance to her abilities apparent.

She finally managed to damage his bone too, a crack resounding when one of her punches caved in the right side of his face, squashing one of his eyes.

A surge of mind magic made her pause for a fraction of a second, the man grabbing onto her and turning before he jumped off the ground and crashed her into a nearby wall. Stone cracked as she was embedded.

He followed up with a flurry of strikes, that slowly ripped away her ash and then her bone armor.

Ilea finally caught his arms, an armored headbutt crashing into his skull.

A surge of mana went through him, the man struggling to get his hands away when another attack followed. Ashen limbs were now cutting into his legs and shoulders, slowly ripping away at his skin and muscles below.

Ilea continued to slam her head against his, her mana recovering through meditation. She noted that his eye was reforming, using an ashen limb to crush it again, trying to get the other one as well.

He moved his head to the side to avoid the strike, instead receiving a cut near his temple.

The Wyvern had recovered by now and slashed into the thrall’s back with its claws, digging nearly as deep as Ilea managed with her ash.

A wave of mind magic made both her and the Wyvern pause, the thrall turning before a powerful swipe ripped off the creature’s head, the purple magic flickering once before it died.

Ilea blinked away as he turned to her, appearing behind the man as a kick sent him staggering back. She saw the cut on his temple was healed already.

Maro appeared in the room once more, quickly glancing at the once more unmoving Wyvern.

“He’s got health drain. What’s your resistance?” Ilea asked as she closed the distance, dodging his claws by ducking and a followed up sidestep. Her right hook slammed into his chin, sending mana into the creature.

Ashen limbs entangled his right arm, a dozen sharp ends slashing into his shoulder as she continued her assault with her fists. She created ash to wrap around his head, cutting into his eyes and clogging his nose and mouth.

Connected to her, the ash was as strong as her limbs, making it hard for the man to shrug it off as he was held in place.

“You’re being drained, Maro! Let me do this, I’ll call for help if I need it!” Ilea said, seeing the magic extend from the thrall to the necromancer.

Maro nodded and vanished.

She felt her grip on the man loosen, a charged Absolute Destruction crashed into his throat, five hundred mana used up in the strike as his windpipe was crushed inwards.

Ashen limbs were ripped away as he freed himself, unbothered by the injuries, his right arm hanging by a mere thread of muscle and flesh.

Ilea released Heart of Cinder at the same time as he used a mind magic blast, both stationary as the magic washed over them.

His arm was ripped off by the surge, his scarred form staggering back a couple steps before he caught himself. His eyes burned with the same savage frenzy they had since the beginning, unhurt by the flames.

Ilea extended five of her limbs and wrapped them around his remaining arm, imitating the shredders as she formed claws and started moving the ash around.

The thrall stepped closer and tried to slash her, caught by the rest of her limbs around his forearm.

Ilea watched his missing arm slowly grow back, a smirk on her face. Not quite enough.

Three fingers extended, she jabbed at his eyes, trying to imitate one of her favorite movies. The result was a bloody mess, the man dodging her attacks, causing skin to be ripped off and one of his eyes being partially squashed.

With his remaining arm in a bind, he focused on mind magic before finally resorting to biting.

Ilea very much welcomed this approach, allowing her to land easy hits on his head with both fists.

At this point she felt like she was back in the gym, slamming her fists into the resilient punching bag as training. Her mana was slowly draining but with each burst of mind magic, some of it returned.

The shredder trick had worked, biting through his skin and muscle before her limbs formed back to the usual design. Not connected anymore, the arm fell to the ground with a wet sound.

Her limbs swiped his legs, bringing him to a fall before she once again landed on top of the corrupted man.

His arms were slowly regrowing as his head was slammed into a pulp.

The fight was over.

Chapter 393 Findings

Chapter 393 Findings

Ilea just kept on punching, her mana recovering slowly with Meditation. Some of her hits lacked mana intrusion abilities to let her recover a little more.

Her ashen limbs continued to slash and cut at the thrall’s arms that kept on regenerating.

Nothing much remained of his head but his heart was still beating, mana still active in his body. His magic still draining health out of her.

A loud crack resounded when Ilea finally broke his rip cage, the subsequent punches squashing his organs one by one.

She ripped out his mangled heart and squeezed it briefly, blood scattering over her ashen armor and the ground when it exploded. A ding finally resounded in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Vampire Thrall – lvl 541] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and twenty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Sure, so much help from my group. Ilea brushed off the blood from her ash covered cheek and stood up, looking at the remains of the corrupted man. Seems safe enough here, she thought and revealed her right arm.

Maro appeared in the room before the rest teleported down.

“Are you alright?” he asked as he stepped closer, watching her slowly cut into the top of her arm.

“Yea. Thanks for listening. Would have been a longer fight otherwise,” Ilea said as she crouched and took some of the corruption and blood. Might not be my best idea but I suppose I survived it already.

She covered the wound on her arm and felt the unpleasant feeling spread through her body. The things we do for resistances.

Her healing kicked in, keeping the disgusting and dangerous ooze at bay, Ilea gritting her teeth as she struggled against the effects. It felt worse than her first exposure to Kyrian’s curse.

“That’s dangerous,” Catelyn commented, more concerned than accusatory.

Ilea didn’t even look at her, covering her arm with bone armor and ash once more. “Like being frozen in place by mind magic?” she asked.

Niivalyr chuckled, Catelyn shaking her head before she smiled too.

“I’m learning of the benefits. It seems in my old age, I’ve grown arrogant,” the fox said. “Still, I won’t rub corruption into my wounds. I hope you understand.”

“It’s a niche hobby,” Ilea commented, getting more and more used to the sensation in her arm. Is it taking over?

She quickly checked her messages to confirm.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 319 – Five stat points awarded’

“Do I get more experience if the kill was mostly mine?” she asked the group.

“Of course,” Catelyn replied. “A sizable part is distributed amongst anybody else involved however, even if all they did was being frozen in place.”

“Good,” Ilea said. She supposed the available help and them being involved reduced it by quite a bit. Still, she had gotten a level out of it.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

She put her five points into Intelligence when another ding resounded in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation resistance reaches lvl 20’

“It’s insane leveling speed for Blood Manipulation resistance,” she said.

The group had already made their way past her, looking through the camp.

Niivalyr joined her and looked at the mess left behind by her battle. “You can heal against it?” he asked, moving back the part of the robe that covered his arm.

A beautifully crafted dagger appeared in his other hand, the elf cutting a one centimeter wound into his skin. He crouched down and took some of the corrupted blood too, looking at it for a long moment before he glanced at her.

An ashen limb extended and started pushing healing mana into him. “Sure. It’s not very pleasant though. Just let me know if it starts to take over, we’ll have to cut off your arm.”

The elf pushed the corruption into the wound and hissed at the instant sensation. “Do… you know… of a place, where one can train against the mind?” he hissed again, perhaps in anger at his inability to resist the thrall.

Ilea moved the corpse with her ashen limbs, searching through it with her sphere. He owned nothing? Expected another storage item from such a high level creature.

“There is a Blue Reaper nest near Hallowfort. They’re pretty fucking though though. This one here used his magic in a much more nuanced way but in sheer force, the reapers are probably more powerful,” Ilea explained.

“The city of Dark Ones above? Do you… plan to visit the nest once more?” he asked, a little shy.

“Yes, definitely,” Ilea replied. “Miststalkers and training more resistances is probably going to fill my time in the coming months. If we survive this delve that is,” she smiled at him, revealing her face as the ash receded and her bone armor was stored.

“I will focus on the Taleen to enhance my strength but perhaps I might train against their drain magic,” he mused. “It seems less dangerous however than the magic of the mind.”

“Yea, mind magic is fucky,” Ilea commented and walked to the crude buildings too.

“Do you think he was corrupted before?” Catelyn asked, glancing back at her as she looked through the fireplace and some of the tools. “Or did he live here?”

“The corruption was deliberate, that much is sure,” Ilea replied, motioning with her hand to imply the cut he had on his chest.

“The ink hasn’t dried out,” Maro said as he stepped out of one of the buildings, holding a small glass container. “He kept a journal. In a language I can’t read.”

“Let me see, there is a chance I have encountered it before,” Elfie said as he stepped forward.

Forgot he’s a languager, Ilea thought and watched him step into the building.

“More experiments in here,” Lucas commented from within another building. “Tinctures, potions and a lot… I mean a lot of blood.”

Ilea stepped closer, getting within range of her sphere. Hmm?

Some of the glass containers were familiar, the same design as the blood vials she had found back in the fourth layer, before she was hanging out with Hana. The ones she still had.

One of the machines was there too. The freaky looking chair with various injection needles, and restraints, half covered in blood.

“Horrific,” Lucas murmured when he saw her enter. “To think someone would warp the creations of magic… mhm,” he shook his head, smelling on some of the herbs and potions.

Ilea nearly gagged at the smell of old and rotten blood and other bodily fluids, leaving the building again without commenting on what Lucas had said. The sight itself wasn’t as disturbing to her anymore.

The implications were worse but Ilea had been dulled towards scenes like this. Perhaps hardened, depending on who one might ask.

Ilas carefully looked over some tools when Niivalyr exited one more, a somewhat worn and torn book in hand.

“It is a language of old, one found within many a ruin in these parts. Closer to Standard than Rhyvor’s language,” he explained, his gaze focused on the pages.

“This one’s name I believe was Malbrunt Krad’il’etar, a priest of the so called Red Church and he was most certainly untainted by corruption mere weeks prior to today,” Elfie added.

The rest of the group joined now, listening to what he had to say.

“Kradiletar? With apostrophes?” Ilea asked.

The elf nodded in response and turned the page, careful not to increase the damage to the book.

Ilea just rolled her eyes but didn’t comment on it further.

“The day of salvation is here. The true blood was released, in its active form. From their slumber they woke. To deliver upon me their promised deliverance,” Elfie looked up and glanced at Ilea. “He wrote in blood by the way… just in case such is relevant.”

He focused on the book once more, moving a finger along the lines. “A frenzy strikes those who are freed, their path enlightened and focused. No more do they stall and stray. Their power unleashed, they seek to spread that which is truth,” he squinted his eyes but then shook his head. “A messy writer. It appears his wits were barely present even before the corruption.”

“Those in our way will be slaughtered. The old gods have spoken, finally, I will be free. Come upon me, thy servant. So long have I waited, so long have I suffered. The mind will open, soon,” Elfie finished.

“That is the last entry. It appears he corrupted himself afterwards,” he said and instead opened the book at the beginning.

“I don’t feel the enlightenment,” Ilea said, looking at her arm. She continued to heal Elfie, preventing a further spread of the corruption in both her own body and his.

“Many years has he wandered, in search of truth. May he find rest now,” Elfie said as he read through the book.

“It appears this one was exiled from the church, removed for his methods that he himself called righteous and necessary. There is note of a tuner he found deep within the ninth layer. An apparatus to apply and extract blood. Change it,” Elfie added.

“Probably the chair thing in there,” Ilea said, pointing to the building where Lucas and herself had been in before.

“He decided to make camp there, cover his tracks and set illusions. The entries become increasingly confused it seems, full of rage and self loathing,” Elfie said, continuing on. “It appears the church came looking for him at one point, several… inquisitors. Slaughtered and their blood extracted.”

“Is there a mention of his power?” Catelyn asked. “A human at level five hundred… seems unlikely.”

“He does appear to have avoided most of the monsters on his way down here, yet there is no mention of his actual level. He did capture Tusk bears only, apparently a beast common on this layer. The Wyverns… he seemed to have held them in high regard. Wait… there was a fight at one point. He was injured heavily and had to retreat. He too speaks with respect of the Shredders and the Reapers we have faced before.”

“What was the level of the corrupted Dark Ones on the first layer?” Ilea asked. “There were some, weren’t there?”

“Indeed,” Catelyn said and contemplated.

“I failed to identify them,” Ilas supplied.

“I didn’t look at each and every message. There were hundreds,” Ilea said. “Maybe the two classes get merged into one of a higher level.”

“It is possible. The dungeon taking control once the corruption kills whatever it has infected,” Catelyn said.

“Man becoming monster,” Maro said. “Hmm.”

“Like your knights?” Ilea asked.

He nodded absentmindedly, looking at the corpse of the priest.

“So it’s not the red church that was responsible?” Ilea asked afterwards.

“He was not part of them anymore. The old gods he spoke of, they may simply be higher ranked members of the church,” Catelyn said.

“Yea, or they were fucking with shit they didn’t understand. Left behind by whoever built that bunker we found,” Ilea said, scratching her cheek.

“Possible. The true blood… in its active form. It seems he had known about the true blood, whatever that may be… and had simply failed to activate it?” Catelyn asked.

“The substance rarely found within the Descent? Retrieved and sold to the highest bidder,” Ilas said, shaking his head lightly. “The corruption may very well be unleashed upon the world already.”

Ilea shook her head. “This guy tried for ages and he failed. Even if it is the same substance, I doubt much will come of it. Plus, someone else might not be as happy to become an infected zombie,” she said.

“Not as happy as you?” Maro asked.

“You better hope it doesn’t take over, old man,” she winked at him, her ashen limbs looming behind her.

“That would indeed pose a problem,” Elfie murmured, still reading through the book. “Also he does speak of finding true blood within this place. As well as the facilities of the old gods, their technology too advanced to understand. It leads me to believe whoever they are, they are not a part of this church.”

“Certainly capable blood magic scholars,” Maro commented.

“Maybe one of these survivors managed to activate the true blood, if that is really what the corruption is,” Ilea suggested. “Is there a mention of the expedition passing through?”

“Nothing so far,” Elfie answered a moment later, turning the page. “Fascinating. It seems this individual infected himself with the blood of a vampire… on purpose. Giving up a high leveled class to become a thrall. In search of understanding.”

“He fought a vampire?” Maro asked, somewhat in disbelief.

“There is no mention of a battle, necromancer. Merely the acquisition of blood,” Elfie replied.

Catelyn sighed and looked at the ceiling. “So there might be a vampire down here too…,”

“Don’t look so defeated. I thought Wyverns were already the worst possible outcome,” Ilea joked.

The fox shook her head and chuckled. “Well… let us at least hope it did not get infected. With the legends pertaining to its blood, one would assume it is a difficult to corrupt creature.”

“Have you seen one? Fought one?” Maro asked, facing her now.

“No,” Catelyn said.

“How do you know of them here? I believed it to be a legend amongst humans alone. Perhaps one attributed to elven kind,” the necromancer said, getting an absentminded hiss from Elfie.

“Man and his arrogance. Do you think a creature of blood is particular in its hunger?” Catelyn asked.

“I thought they only ate virgins,” Ilea said. “So yes.”

“Then you are wrong. They are feared amongst Dark Ones as much as it appears they are amongst humans,” Catelyn said. “Yet it matters little,” she sighed. “The farther we descend, the more dangerous it seems the monsters are becoming.”

“As grows their resilience against the corruption,” Ilas said.

“Do you guys want to make camp here? Maybe scout around a bit, find the way to the next layer?” Ilea asked, her bone helmet appearing once more, ash covering it a moment later.

“You wish to battle the Wyverns,” Elfie said. “I will read through the rest of these records. I will accompany you however, should you request such.”

“We should focus on why we are here. I understand that you want to face them, Ilea. And I won’t stop you. Yet they will still be here, whenever we come back up,” Catelyn said.

“I agree with you, mostly. This fucker here however already knocked out half our team and without me and Maro, you’d probably be dead now,” Ilea said, neither trying to insult nor belittle her.

“What are you trying to say?” Catelyn asked.

“She wants to fight the Wyverns to get stronger,” Maro assumed, tilting his head to the side lightly as he looked at Ilea.

“Marginal increase will make little difference-” Ilas said.

Maro interrupted him. “It will with her. Since we encountered the Shredders, she’s been the one to mainly deal with the monsters. We can survive and flee as a team but I doubt we would have been able to decimate everything the way we did. Not without her insane resilience and recovery. She’s the main tank and healer we have.”

“And we are to wait until she is powerful enough for us to continue the journey?” Catelyn asked. “I admit, you have already saved us many times but as a team, we will be able to progress more safely. And more importantly, faster.”

Ilea sighed. “And then what? We hit a wall we cannot break because whatever creature is down there will be too powerful for anyone here to face.”

“It is doomed then? Our path at an end?” Ilas asked.

Maro shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous. The expedition went through here. Either that or we missed them. We continue on but simply don’t fight every single beast on the way. We find them and get them out, if they’re still alive. If there is a source to the corruption that isn’t a powerful beast, we take care of it too.”

“Every corrupted beast is a source of the blood manipulation,” Catelyn said before she looked at Ilea. “Are you to be the weapon to destroy it?”

“I have a higher chance to take a hit and live,” Ilea said and crossed her arms. “Even more so if I fight and kill a bunch of beasts here. Alone.”

Ilas nodded. “If she is to face them alone, perhaps it may be worth the time loss.”

“We will lack our healer,” Lucas said, glancing at each of them.

“Most of us can heal however,” Catelyn sighed. “Even for me, it would have been difficult to face the Shredders or Tangled Reapers alone, I will admit it. I lack the resistances and sheer resilience. However I won’t leave the Descent while the corruption is still rampart, my people’s fate uncertain.”

“We can go farther down,” Maro said. “Me, you and the elf. We find the expedition or what’s left of them. We find the source, if it exists and destroy it. With your fire and healing, we should at least survive that far. Ilea follows as she progresses.”

He looked at Lucas and Ilas. “You two are a liability by now. I suggest you ascend once more and help defend the first layer.”

Lucas sighed. “Hmm… I have been wondering, when we would have this talk,” he chuckled and smiled. “If nobody objects, I would like to study the trees and plants in the fifth layer. There was something peculiar about them. I will be able to seal more exits, should I encounter them.”

“Ilea… if it is no bother, may I collect some of the vegetation here as well? Now that I am here already,” he asked, smiling at her.

“I don’t mind, as long as you don’t get in the way,” Ilea replied and nodded.

Chapter 394 Break

Chapter 394 Break

“I would prefer her to be with us,” Catelyn said as she looked at Ilea.

The healer had summoned the pack for Lucas.

“You’ve known her for a while too,” Maro said. “Her time alone will make a difference. We might very well be stuck in this place for a while. Let her do what she does best.”

“And what is that exactly?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“Fight monsters others would avoid, even with a whole team backing them up,” the necromancer replied.

Ilas had been silent up to now, contemplating their talk. “I will not retreat. Not now… that I have come so far,” he said.

He held up a hand before Maro could talk. “I do not ask for protection, nor even to accompany you.” he looked towards Ilea. “I will train, as you have. And when you are ready, I will follow. If you would have me.”

Ilea could tell he was anxious, his voice however was steady, unwavering.

“Why?” she asked.

He looked at her. “Because this may be my last chance. To find what I have lost,” he paused. “If I leave now… I will never forgive myself.”

“What are you looking for then?” Ilea asked. “You don’t want to go with them? I’ll need longer to get wherever you need to go.”

The dark one glanced at the others. “A long time ago, me and my team of scavengers… we were reckless, young. With illusions of grandeur, our goal was to go farther than anyone had dared go. Deeper into the Descent than those before.”

“We succeeded, with illusions and powerful items to hide our passing to the creatures below,” he continued.

“So you knew about these layers? And chose not to inform us?” Catelyn asked, showing her teeth.

“No,” Ilas said immediately. “We were wreathed in shadow, an ability of my own, coupled with many spells of those with us. Few beasts came close, none of them I even saw with my own eyes. We were not explorers. Reckless fools, blinded by treasure.”

“I knew you were looking for someone here… to think you were a scavenger yourself,” Catelyn said, fire swirling in her eyes. “Why did you never tell me?”

The Dark One remained silent for a while. Finally, he looked to the ground and spoke, “Because I knew you would offer help.”

“So what’s the problem?” Ilea asked. “You want to go down but not with them?”

“There is a monster. And a gate. That which I have lost remains within, protected by what I cannot challenge,” Ilas added. “I have seen you fight and I have waited, had hoped my suspicions would prove true. You are not here merely to protect the world against corruption, to find and rescue those lost in the deep. You are here to find a challenge.”

“I offer you all I have and ask you, will thou face the challenge?” Ilas asked and went on one knee, holding out both arms and lowering his head.

Well, this is kind of awkward, Ilea thought, glad her face was covered by her armors. “How do I know you’re not using me to get some treasure?”

“It is a beast… a monster of blood and bone. It took that which I love. I am a coward… and I have waited. For someone… that might be able to fell it. I tried… to find the strength, to kill, to find power. Yet I have failed. Time and time again I have failed. I offer you my life, to do with what you please. If only you could rid me of this curse,” Ilas said, less in control of his voice now.

“Stop speaking in this convoluted mess… what do you want?” Ilea asked once more.

Ilas reached for his face, taking off the mask that had covered it for all this time. He revealed the scarred and deformed skin below, only one of his eyes visible, yellow and feline. The right side of his face looked as if molten. Brown scales showed where his skin wasn’t deformed, a remainder of whatever creature he had been before finding sapience.

“I wish to bury her,” he spoke. “Cynthia.”

“And with it the failures of my past. It is all I have left, all I long for. An impossible task. This corruption… your coming…,” he gestured to all of them, “… it must be fate. Destiny, cruel as it is, finally presenting an end.”

“That’s pretty heavy mate,” Ilea said and sighed. “But I’m not one to turn down a good fight. Know… that if you’re deceiving me and you’ve lied about any of this, I will come back from the dead and rip off your head.”

His one eye seemed to light up at that. “I swear, on all that I hold dear, on Cynthia herself… that I have not lied to you.”

Ilea felt bad for the guy, the deformed face telling enough of a story. He seemed sincere, with all she knew about people, the feeling she got from her Sphere. Just can’t help yourself, can you?

She smiled and shook her head. “We will focus on the initial plan first. The expedition and the corruption. You mentioned a shadow skill to shroud your group?”

His one eye opened wide. “Yes… yes, I could help in hiding you.”

“You could help hiding them,” Ilea said and pointed at the others. “And as soon as we’re done with the reasons why we’ve come, I’ll help you with yours.”

Ilas nodded. “If they agree to have me, I will be honored to help.”

“I want to see the skill first,” Maro said, looking at him.

“Of course,” Ilas said and put on his metal mask again.

Catelyn sighed but didn’t say anything.

“You’re ok, going with them?” Ilea asked, looking at Elfie.

“We will find the source. It will be most beneficial for you to face the Wyverns alone, without potential help,” he chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “How very Elvish you are. It amuses me,” he hissed.

Ilea hissed back, trying to imitate the sound as well as she could, a broad grin on her face.

Elfie veered back and tilted his head to the side. “What?”

She laughed and saw a shroud of shadow envelop the rest of them.

They suddenly became blurry in her sphere, her eyes having a hard time focusing on the group.

“Seems pretty effective,” Ilea said, taking a couple steps back to look at them.

“Yes… but it’s the same for us,” Maro said, sounding a little unsure.

Elfie appeared within the area of the spell. “Ah… yes. It appears my magic sight is not affected.”

“Then we take you with us,” Catelyn said. “We lack any other hiding skills. I will try to protect you, Ilas. We are getting into territory now where I will have to protect myself, just be aware of that.”

“Of course. Thank you, Catelyn. I’m sorry that… I have kept this from you,” Ilas said.

Catelyn waved him off. “We should wait here until the elf has read through the whole journal. There might be information in there in regards to the next layers and the beasts within as well as potentially about what caused the corruption. Or the activation of the true blood.”

“I’d like to have a look at the machine… the tuner,” Maro said and nodded to Ilea. “Maybe we can test it on you.”

“I’d rather keep myself to a corrupted arm,” Ilea said. “I’ll have to take care of that too, Elfie,” she glanced his way.

The elf revealed his arm, the corruption pulsing in the small wound. A barrier formed and slashed into his skin, ripping out a sizable chunk. He inspected it and nodded, using his curse to drain some Health from Ilea.

He glared at the wound as it healed. “I will have to consider this. Fighting someone with a high health drain resistance is… problematic.”

“Self healing is always the better option. Or just having an actual healer,” Catelyn said. “We will have to be more careful from now on, with Ilea staying back. My healing is limited and slow.”

“Compared to hers, yes. As a general healer however, you will do fine,” Maro said as he walked to the hut holding the tuner.

“I’ll check in again here. Leave me a note in case you find something detrimental that I should know. Otherwise, good luck,” Ilea said, cracking her neck and fists.

“To you as well,” Catelyn said and bowed lightly. “We shall await your coming.”

“A race then. Who shall first stop the corruption,” Elfie said.

“Don’t die!” Maro shouted from within the hut.

“You too. I shall see you again, sooner rather than later,” Ilea said and gave them a last nod before she blinked up.

One more she blinked, appearing on the plateau overlooking the sea of mists. She knew that if she had remained any longer, she would have decided to stay with them, to protect them on the way down. To die, likely. Or to return without taking care of the corruption.

There was a deadline, depending on how quickly they progressed down the layers. Marginal power increases won’t do? Ilea smiled to herself, taking a deep breath of the surprisingly fresh air considering the location.

Then I guess I’ll have to do more than that, she heard a distant roar and spread her own wings, following the noise.

The search didn’t take particularly long, the Wyverns very much aware of their superiority.

Ilea noted now that they occasionally flew over the mists, their focus however mostly on the plateaus themselves instead of the air above. Not a lot of birds up here.

A positive to their apparent high self esteem was the fact that they hunted alone. I wonder if that was the case with the corrupted corpse we found. And if they would interfere when one of their own was getting killed.

Only one way to find out, Ilea thought and dived down, quickly reaching her full speed.

The Wyvern was flying casually, suddenly turning its head upwards before a small and heavy frame impacted it.

It roared, tumbling down as ashen limbs entangled its wings and body.

Ilea felt the paralyzing effect wane after a mere second. She had still been in touch, the Wyvern unable to teleport.

[Cliff Wyvern – lvl ???]

The two tumbled down and slammed hard into one of the plateaus, neither impaired by the blow.

A low growl came from the creature as it stood up, easily pushing against the limbs trying to hold it down. Its eyes glinted golden, a wild fury apparent.

“Nice to meet you,” Ilea said as she too got up, ashen spears forming around her as she crouched into a defensive stance, looking at the monster towering before her.

She felt the heat rise around her, sudden and instantaneously. Ilea waited with her move, a wide grin on her face as she felt the hairs on her neck and back stand up. An instinctual reaction, not based on her Azarinth Fighting.

This is what you came for, isn’t it? she heard herself think, seeing the glow of fire from within the Wyvern’s mouth.

Its maw opened wide, the massive teeth parting to reveal its throat.

Ashen spears rushed out, aimed at the opening. They were pushed aside, a cone of fire enveloping all that stood before the creature.

Ilea moved her wings in front of her, creating a thin barrier of ash right behind. Her precognition informed her about the damage she would sustain and despite the bells going off in her mind, she couldn’t be happier.

She spread her arms and smiled, seeing the flames wash through her ash as if it was mere sand, standing against the tide. Her armor was next and finally the bone.

The flames settled and Ilea stood, the molten skin on her chest and legs reforming. Her face was burnt, skin hanging down and eyes charred.

All of it was healing, no sign of pain shown as she simply stood, waiting for the Wyvern’s next move.

Heat once more surged and enveloped her, ashen armor only partially reformed, her bone armor reduced to uselessness.

Ilea stored her armor and let the flames wash over her, burn her. She saw her insides getting cooked, only a charred mess remaining. Before her brain was gone, Ilea healed the damage with her third tier reconstruction.

The steam from the vaporized blood and water in her body settled, revealing an undamaged Ilea. Ashen armor formed around her once more.

It seemed like the Wyvern was a little confused, its eyes blinking several times as it took in the sight in front of it.

“Don’t worry, happens to everyone,” Ilea said and released Heart of Cinder, happy to find that some of the heat from the creature’s attacks had actually contributed.

The cone of fire shot out and burned into the stone before it petered out into thin air.

Ilea had seen the Wyvern vanish but it was too late to change the trajectory.

The beast vanished once more and appeared right before her, its maw opened and rushing to slam down on her head.

She ducked out of the way, finding the Wyvern’s extended claws in turn. A blink brought her away, only to find the beast followed.

This time, she couldn’t dodge all the way. Teeth sank into her shoulder.

Ilea got in a punch to the Wyvern’s head as well as several slashes of her limbs before it broke through her ashen armor, digging into her flesh.

Its teeth bit deeper with each passing second as it took her hits in stride.

She slammed her ashen limbs into the Wyvern’s eyes, making it stagger back. A wild movement ripped her arm away at the shoulder, blood spraying to the ground before a new arm took its place.

Ilea spat blood to the ground and stared at the creature who ground her arm in its maw before swallowing the thing whole.

Wish it would retain the bonus resilience from my skills, Ilea thought, imagining the thing choking on her bones. They were still much more dense and heavy than what a normal human sported but the Wyvern didn’t seem to have issues cracking through with just that.

Come on, use your fire.

The beast roared, the sound vibrating through her as she instinctively held up her arms.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of the Cliff Wyvern – You are paralyzed for one second’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 14’

She just watched as the creature once more charged up its fire breath. This time took longer. A cone of flame shot out, more deadly than before.

Ilea had to use her instant recovery three times during the breath, lasting three times as long as the previous attacks.

Her body was reformed once more when she saw the beast appear, a gaping maw staring back at her.

Ilea extended her arm and slammed it into the Wyvern’s throat. Teeth ground into her flesh.

“Try dodging this one,” she said and released her spell right into its mouth.

The Wyvern opened its eyes wide as it thrashed and shook her around, staggering back several steps as its insides were burnt.

Sadly, the creature didn’t explode in a rain of guts and scales as Ilea had hoped for. There did seem to be some damage however.

Before she could use the spell again with a reasonable charge, the beast threw her away.

It snarled and hissed at the air, the unfamiliar feeling of its damaged insides disorienting the creature.

Ilea wasn’t one to ignore an opportunity, blinking on top of the Wyvern and holding on to its neck with both arms.

Her limbs extended and slashed at the strong scales protecting its wings. Two of them formed a shredder like collar on the base of its neck, scraping against it.

In the meantime, destructive healing mana pulsed into the Wyvern. As well as Storm of Cinders from all the limbs lashing into it.

The beast turned and trashed, slamming Ilea into the stone. Cones of fire were released but nothing reached her.

A sudden sphere of fire extended around the Wyvern, burning away Ilea’s ash armor and a chunk of her skin.

She nearly lost her grip due to her muscles getting melted but held on thanks to her third tier recovery. Found your weakspot, fucker.

Its eyes were bloodshot already, all the mana slowly damaging its insides.

The heat wave followed again, several times as it attempted to shake the annoying healer off.

Yet she held steady, an iron grip around the Wyvern’s neck, her mana recovering with every blast of fire. You’re only making yourself die faster.

Ilea’s own heat wave extended, barely doing any damage to its powerful hide. Catelyn seemed to be right. She smirked, feeling the creature panic.

There was nothing it could do however.

Ilea’s physical damage as well as her fire damage was shrugged off easily but mana intrusion was another beast entirely. One the Wyvern apparently had no answer against.

It staggered towards the cliff before jumping off, scraping Ilea on the side of it.

They entered the mist together, Ilea simply holding on. By now they were falling instead of flying.

Several seconds went by, Ilea preparing herself for the impact. Now.

She moved her wings around herself right before the weight of the creature slammed her into the stone.

All the air was pushed out of her lungs, the grip on its neck loosening for a moment.

Ilea grasped at air, seeing the Wyvern appear next to her. She blinked away from the claws slamming into the stone, the beast once more appearing before her.

It snapped down, dodging her extended arm as several ashen limbs slashed into its bloody jaw and tongue.

Teeth scraped against ashen armor before Ilea blinked again.

She felt claws dig into her back, fast and deep. The ground came to her face as she was pushed down.

Destructive mana flowed into the creature still, making it release her a moment later.

Ilea stood up, the fatal wounds on her back closing quickly. Swaths of blood covered the ground and the Wyvern’s claws.

She cracked her knuckles when the beast collapsed.

Chapter 395 Solitary Gains

Chapter 395 Solitary Gains

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cliff Wyvern – lvl 582] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and sixty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 320 – Five stat points awarded. One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 319 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Monster Hunter – lvl 1’

Monster Hunter – lvl 1

Many times have you faced creatures well beyond your level. You revel in it, seek them out and you prevail. Your presence demands respect. Imbue you voice to show your intent. Effects vary depending on your disposition as well as those affected and their levels in relation to yours.

“Oh man,” Ilea murmured. She walked over and stored the dead creature, spreading her wings and quickly ascending.

She didn’t want to be stuck somewhere in the mists, looking through messages and skills.

It didn’t take her long to reach the same island the group had initially explored. She blinked into the cavern where Maro had gotten his undead Wyvern.

Level twenty in the second tier and that thing still burnt through my armor and skin that easily. It upset her a little. As if all those defenses were merely a requirement to face more powerful monsters.

“Well, maybe they are…,” she murmured to herself. Catelyn was at level three twenty nine now, Maro at three fifteen. Both were pretty old and had fought their share of battles, had done their share of adventures. More than Ilea would likely manage in the next decade.

And still, she was already higher than the necromancer, was close to reaching Catelyn level even.

Healing and mana intrusion continues to be a ridiculous boon. We will have to get something similar for the Sentinels.

Ilea checked her surroundings before sitting down on a nearby boulder, her bone armor appearing on her to regenerate. It had given her a split second more against the first hit. If only it could regenerate as fast as my ash armor does.

‘3rd tier skill points available [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Azarinth Sentinel]:’

- Sentinel Sphere

- Sentinel Huntress

- Azarinth Perception

Ilea mulled it over but only for a moment. Her sphere was the reasonable choice, considering its usefulness.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 1

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the sphere reaches.

2nd stage: The Sentinel Sphere opens your senses to the arcane. A paramount skill both on and off the battlefield.

3rd stage: Redirect damage dealt by magic or the elements within the sphere towards yourself. Efficiency and control are influenced by related skills and your respective resistances.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

She read through the new addition and frowned. “Well. That would have been helpful with the others.”

“Or I would have just died even more quickly,” she added in a murmur.

It’ll certainly be nice to have. Also for resistance training with groups.

She didn’t get a defensive or damage buff through the new skill which would have probably made more of a direct difference.

Being able to protect others will certainly come in handy, either way.

Ilea tried to use the new monster hunter skill, thinking on it for a moment before she settled on a low growl. Not quite as ridiculous as a roar but she wanted to see what it did to her voice.

The sound that came out however made her jump back. “Holy shit!”

It sounded deep, threatening. As if a dangerous creature was hiding in her mouth. Nothing like a human. And still, somehow it was clear the sound had come from her.

Fucking weird.

Is it like… a paralyzing skill for people far below my level? She wondered. That could help with annoying shitheads underestimating her because of the healer tag. Normally a boon but sometimes also the bane of her existence.

She tried using the skill again immediately but knew instinctively that it wasn’t possible yet. A cooldown of sorts?

Well, I suppose I can growl now. Ilea thought and stood up. The ten points she put into Intelligence, to get just a little more damage. Equal to what? Over a hundred normal Intelligence points?

The slower and more dangerous leveling would become rather inefficient but on the other hand, one level had a significantly more vast impact. The same was true with a third tier point every ten levels instead of only every twenty.

Ilea wondered what happened once she reached level three fifty.

“I’ll worry about it when I get there,” she said and blinked up again. “So, where’s my next target?”

Ilea felt the heat wash over her, using the opportunity to test her newfound third tier sphere.

As if she was a fire mage, Ilea forced her will upon the flames.

They swirled, those already past turned and instead slammed into her back. The cone like attack turned into a focused maelstrom as soon as it entered her sphere.

She was melting from all sides now, a grin on her unrecognizable face.

Nice.

Ilea regenerated her body and smiled. Heat res at second twenty. Plus, I’m getting more mana out of it this way.

The Wyvern roared.

Ilea crouched and imbued her voice. “Fuck your roar,” the challenge came out laced with magic, the air vibrating.

Ashen limbs spread behind her as the creature seemed to enrage. It charged her and teleported.

She remained standing, once more ramming her fist down the Wyvern’s throat.

“What should I say? It works,” she murmured to herself and released the fire attack. This time she added ash to the mix, pushing as much as she could down the creature’s throat.

Her fist smashed against its hard skull, dealing little damage other than the mana intrusion.

The Wyvern veered back, actually letting go of her arm, the wounds healing quickly.

Ilea blinked behind its head but found only thin air.

Claws dug into her back once more but this time, she landed on her feet, pushing back as the creature stabilized itself with its wings.

Her reversed healing continued to push into the enemy, its claws digging deeper into her back.

And then it flew off, lifting Ilea.

A short round trip through the air later, she was thrown into a stone wall, air and blood slamming out of her throat and into the ash protecting her head.

With all her second tier resistances, the blow wasn’t very effective.

She ripped herself out of the rock, taking chunks with her that fell down into the mists before she dodged to the side.

The Wyvern seemed to have learned that its fire breath did nothing much to her, instead focusing on its massive talons.

It teleported three times in a row to finally sink its claws into her, this time her stomach. The second set of claws wrapped around her head and started pressing down.

Ilea released her Heart of Cinder with little impact, her mana still flowing into the injured creature as her ashen limbs tried to cut through the leg close to her head.

She used the shredder trick once more, focused on the leg this time.

The Wyvern had a hard time against her skull, her healing constantly pushing against any damage.

Her stomach area was being gouged out with each strike, the ash not reforming quickly enough to prevent major damage. Organs reformed and were ripped out again.

Ilea thought of that one Greek story but could not remember the name of it. Perhaps because she had claws around her head, one of her eyes crushed and useless.

Despite the fatal injuries, the actual health damage wasn’t as scary. Her healing of course the main reason for this but she suspected her changed body was a major part as well.

Organs just didn’t have the same meaning to her, with her level of regeneration. Even if it did get her head, it would simply be another chunk of health and mana lost. Lost my head before the change. She noted, a little distracted. Back then however, the health damage was rather significant, likely helped already by her enhancement skills.

Half a minute or more passed, the creature’s hold growing weaker as it was pumped full with mana.

Ilea smirked when she felt her ash find purchase, ripping through the Wyvern’s leg.

The claws stopped pressing down on her head. They did remain embedded however, connected to the now severed leg.

Ilea caught the claws digging out her stomach, stopping her delivery of Destruction. They dug into her hands and arms but she held tight.

The Wyvern moved its head towards her and released its fire breath, joined by the sphere like fire spell it possessed.

Ilea’s ash was melted away, her skin and muscle following. And in the blink of an eye later, the skin was back, her organs reformed and even the talons on her head pushed away as the skin reformed below.

The beast thrashed, biting at her now with fire attacks in between.

Ilea regenerated through it all, the lack of movement as well as the abundance of spell attacks only helping her to keep her mana up.

The movements of the Wyvern grew increasingly frantic with each passing second.

Ilea felt the panic through her sphere, holding on and simply continuing to deliver her destructive mana. Her free fist slammed into its head several times each second.

Even its jaw seemed to weaken as time passed and finally, Ilea simply grabbed each part of the open mouth and pulled them apart.

Ashen limbs cut into the muscles inside the creature’s mouth, burned away a second later by the fire breath coming from within its throat.

Ilea’s skin melted, the bone visible on her face as she once more regenerated her whole body.

With another push, she ripped apart the monster’s jaw.

Hah… there’s just something about doing that.

She realized that it wasn’t dead yet. “How very anticlimactic of you,” Ilea murmured, her voice instinctively laced with mana as her limbs continued to slash into its now exposed and open mouth.

Three more fire breaths burned away at her before the creature finally went limp, held only by Ilea’s ash.

It vanished into her necklace the moment the noise resounded in her mind.

Ilea fell back into the stone wall, her limbs smashing into it to provide some stability.

Holy fuck… these guys are though.

The Praetorians were the only enemies she had fought lately that had provided such a challenge. Even the Shredders had a hard time matching the instant damage the Wyverns caused.

Their fire would be impossible to deal with without her insane resilience coupled with Heat Resistance.

I think I went through like twenty bodies throughout that fight. Ilea mused, flying back up and out of the mists.

This time they hadn’t gone as low, making her find an island rather quickly.

There was no cavern within but the vegetation atop was likely enough to prevent another fight.

Down to two thousand mana. She noted, even with all her bonuses, her mana absorption and using Meditation throughout most of the fight. Wyverns certainly have health.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cliff Wyvern – lvl 621] – For defeating an enemy three hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

“Holy shit!” she exclaimed and immediately blinked, just in case anything had heard her.

Is this the first time I solo kill something three hundred levels above my own? Hmm… I suppose it isn’t that impressive considering I’m half its level already.

Another thing to add to my next evolution bonuses. She smirked and cackled in a rather mad way.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 321 – Five stat points awarded.’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 320 – Five stat points awarded. One third tier skill point awarded’

And they say leveling after three hundred is hard. She snorted at the thought. I didn’t even come close to dying.

She ignored the fact that her flesh and organs would feed several creatures lucky enough to find them, wherever it all had landed. She looked through the rest of the notifications before choosing her third tier skill to advance.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 9’

Sadly, there were likely no more levels possible in Heat resistance. Can’t be the limit though. The dragon elf told me I was on the right track for third tier general skills.

She sighed and put her newfound stat points into Intelligence once more. Her defenses could stop the Wyvern’s attacks. A level six hundred monster.

It had taken her rather long and a shit ton of mana to kill it anyway. She had a hard time telling how resistant to mana intrusion the beasts had been but even so, her damage was lacking.

Killing Rose Knights with a single strike, as well as level two hundred humans. And I think it’s lacking. She rolled around onto her back and sighed. You’ve come a long fucking way, Ilea.

And there’s a long way to go still.

She wasn’t exactly sure to what end. Mainly the enjoyment of battling ridiculously powerful creatures, that much was sure. A side of establishing some more human rights and lessening the overall suffering in Elos.

Goes hand in hand really, she thought and chuckled to herself.

One step at a time, as always.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Kin of Ash]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Kin of Ash]:’

- Ashen Wings

- Eyes of Ash

- Avatar of Ash

This one is harder.

Ilea loved her wings, she really did. And yet she couldn’t really see anything major a third tier in them could provide.

The Sentinel Sphere, while being a perception skill had given her something she hadn’t anticipated at all. Perhaps the same was true for her ashen wings.

What if it’s just more speed?

She rolled to her side and pondered the thought. There had been many a time she needed to be fast. When she got teleported away by Arthur, when the elves had engaged the Praetorians and when she rushed to Virilya to find Eve.

Would it have changed anything? Would I have been able to save her?

Ilea shook her head, focusing on the now.

Eyes and Avatar of ash gave tangible bonuses to her fighting prowess while her wings didn’t, not really. They added another layer of defense but it wasn’t a deciding factor.

She had a hard time imagining herself fight without the perception as well as reflex and speed bonuses from the other two available skills.

There are tons of monsters here. I should be able to gain another ten levels in the Descent. For now, I need every bit of power that can help in a fight.

Ilea decided that there was a higher chance of a benefit from Eyes and Avatar, deciding on the latter because it gave a speed bonus and the second tier tied in with her resistances.

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 1:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 50.5% [404%]. Your ability to avoid damage to your vitals when dodging increases.

2nd stage: Your muscles grow more dense. For each Resistance skill your body becomes tougher. First tier Resistances equal a static 5% increase, second tier equal a static 10% increase [255%].

3rd stage: You can choose to allow magic damage to bypass your related resistance skills. Effect is canceled automatically upon reaching 50% of your health. Each Resistance skill in the second tier increases the potential density of your created ash by a static 5% [90%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Ilea felt the change immediately. Her armor of ash made an almost grinding noise as it seemed to become more focused. Harder.

The wisps were still present and in pure aesthetics, it had changed little. The way it felt to her Unity and creation however, it was like night and day.

Her limbs extended behind her, the tips now thin and sharp, less jagged and brutal. A more precise tool, formed by her will, losing none of its flexibility.

She tried forming ashen spears and found the same result. More focused. Little remained of the mist like quality it previously had. Just to try, she willed it to form a spear the way it had been before this new third tier skill.

The projectile expanded, its structure weakening until it reached the same level Ilea could push it to before the change.

She revealed her arm and slashed into it with one of her limbs, finding the result rather terrifying. The sharp tip nearly cut to the bone. A simple and clear strike.

Experimenting a little, she formed the shredder like circle that had been used against the Wyverns. The ring looked much more terrifying, as if forged with a dull dark black steel.

She used her limbs against her own armor and found it holding up against the attack. Good, at least my defenses are better than my offense. Something she wanted to keep up. Ilea only had one life after all.

Also, I need to get more resistances. The bonuses from her Avatar of Ash skill were no longer minimal. They were downright ridiculous. Like most of my fucking skills.

She smiled and tapped her cheek, realizing the strongest benefit she had just received wasn’t at all about her ash.

Chapter 396 Math Resistance

Chapter 396 Math Resistance

Ilea wasn’t about to test the magic bypassing bonus of her newfound third tier against a Wyvern. The fuckers melted her skin even with a Heat Resistance at the end of the second tier.

Wait… does that count?

She summoned one of the glass vials holding the poison from the eight layer. “Are you magic damage?”

The vial of course did not reply, as vials should.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Concentrated Rupture Liquid -100 Health per second for three minutes’

Alright, now can I deactivate the resistance? Ilea tried to feel for the skill and something instantly clicked in her mind.

The notification changed.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Concentrated Rupture Liquid -208 Health per second for two minutes and fifty eight seconds’

“What?” she exclaimed and checked her Poison Resistance.

“That’s fucking twice the damage!” she murmured to herself. Something felt off.

I should have asked how damaging the poison was to the others.

“Ah, they wouldn’t even want to drink it,” she sighed.

Ilea searched through her necklace and found something else that could perhaps serve as a test.

The corrosive arrows the elf near Riverwatch had used right before she went to the Shadow’s Hand. She looked at them and found little of the green sheen remaining.

Eh, why the fuck not.

She jammed one of them into her unprotected arm and let the sizzling begin. Ilea counted five seconds and checked her health throughout the whole affair.

A frown on her face, she looked at the useless arrows. No change in her health was noticeable. Her natural recovery outdid the corrosion.

So how about I disable the resistance.

This time, something did happen. Her brows lifted high as she looked at the numbers change.

“Twenty five… no, twenty eight health per second,” Ilea had no clue what that meant. With all her defenses, her natural health recovery and nothing else but a bunch of arrows and poison to test it, she simply sighed and put the rest of the arrows into her arm, finding the damage rise to a little over one hundred and ten health per second.

Ilea summoned her notebook and flipped the pages to the last notes on her health recovery. 0.1% base, plus 1% from my class… now with Sentinel Core at 3rd lvl 10, that’s… 1.1 times 11.25.

It took her a while to figure out the math, finding her health recovery at an insane 12% per minute. A little more than that but Ilea really struggled without a calculator.

With 7410 current Health, that meant nearly nine hundred health per minute or around fifteen health per second. Last time it had apparently been at around thirteen.

Every level counts, she noted.

One alone dealt around twenty eight damage per second. Plus fifteen health per second meaning around forty three?

Adding two more arrows dealt an additional eighty six damage per second, quickly decreasing.

The exact numbers were hard to grasp. Ilea had the capacity to see and recognize the changes exactly but depending on where she stuck in the arrows and if she moved them, the damage changed of course.

Likely less than with a normal human, where an arrow to the throat would deal much more damage regardless.

Ilea’s body wasn’t one single sludge either though, some parts more difficult to regenerate, meaning damage dealt would certainly not be static all over her body.

“This is getting ridiculously technical…,” she moaned to herself but wanted to reach at least some form of conclusion.

“So, this means that with my resistance, I can reduce forty three corrosion damage to less than fifteen. What about three?” she asked herself and deactivated the newfound ability once more.

She ripped the arrows out, healed her arm completely and jabbed them back in.

Oh? Five seconds passed before she removed them once more.

“You deal… about twenty one damage per second,” Ilea exclaimed proudly, holding the arrows up above her head.

“So,” she looked at the notebook again. “112 or so damage plus 15 health per second equals around 127 damage. 21 damage with the resistance skill active means it’s around 36 damage in total without my recovery.”

She scribbled some more. “Second tier level nine corrosion resistance equals… a 71% damage reduction. What the fuck?” Ilea closed the book and stood up. Poison vial in hand, she squinted at the little thing.

The arrows had lost their green glint, discarded in the cave.

I’ll have to ask someone about this. Armor of Ash likely fucks this whole thing up anyway, affecting my resistances as well. Or it’s different because I applied the corrosion to my flesh and poison works differently?

At least I know that deactivating my resistance actually does something. Might just be that the poison is fucking powerful and thus only allows for a smaller reduction.

The new skill would help immensely with her resistance training, even turning these useless arrows into quite a chunk of damage.

I don’t think I want to know what the Wyverns would do to me without Heat Resistance though. If it seventy percent on my corrosion, it could be in the same vein.

She was getting melted as it was. Plus, there was likely no way for her to level her Heat Resistance any further. For now at least.

Ilea cracked her neck and teleported out once more. There were beasts waiting for her still.

Ilea managed to kill two more Wyverns in the span of the next six hours. The newfound bonus to her ash let her tank more hits without major damage and noticeable reduced the time she needed to penetrate its defenses.

In the grand scheme of things however, the creatures still got through her armor just as much as she overwhelmed them in the end. Without her shredder tactic, she still failed to penetrate the hard scales.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 322 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 321 – Five stat points awarded’

All points were once more invested into Intelligence.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Finding them within the mists proved to be quite difficult, their lack of corruption the main reason for that. Both of the creatures had been below level six hundred. Enough still, for a single level in each class.

It didn’t exactly help that the layer expanded downward for several kilometers. Ilea had yet to find the actual ground level.

Only the tiniest percentile of rock formations actually expanded up to the top and above the mists, most of them ending within the sea of white.

Ilea could only follow the roars she heard from time to time but all she found were Tusk Bears and Wisp Ravens, the former ranging in the lower three hundreds and the latter even lower, below two hundred.

Neither was worth killing for the experience and neither did they show any corruption among them.

Not amongst the living ones that was.

Ilea did find dozens of once corrupted corpses, most of them burnt to a crisp. Only one of them had been a Wyvern. She even found a couple tentacles from corrupted tangled reapers that must have made their way down after being frenzied.

There was a chance that the corruption had sprung up in a higher up layer and the group had simply missed it. However unlikely that may have been, considering the lack of trail left behind by the expedition.

She returned from the hunt and landed once more on the plateau where the red church priest had resided.

Ilea hadn’t met any of her group during her hunt but she assumed they had left quite some time ago.

One of them had remained.

Lucas had collected samples from all the plants in the area and was currently studying a fern like plant he had potted into a wooden container.

He turned her way when she entered the cavern. “Oh… mhm. What a smell! How often did your hair burn up?” he smiled and shook his head, turning away from the plant as he grabbed his pipe from the gnarled wooden table.

“I don’t count. Probably lost about a hundred sets of bowels though. If that counts for anything,” Ilea said, looking around.

“They left. About two hours after you did,” Lucas replied. “And yes, I believe your survival counts for something. As well as your level. You have caught up to me. Congratulations.”

Ilea smiled. Her Sentinel class was now one level higher than Lucas and his wood creator one.

She assumed the light magic one was his weaker class.

“They’re tough. It’s fair to say that mana intrusion and my insane recovery allows for some wonders,” Ilea commented and formed and ashen chair, sitting down as she stored her bone armor, cleaning herself with ash before she switched to more comfortable clothes.

Her armor moved back to just under her neck as she yawned.

Lucas had lit his pipe in the meantime, taking a puff as he watched her.

“You still liked fighting back then? When you faced the Wyverns?” she asked a moment later, summoning herself some food.

Lucas looked at the dish with his puppy eyes, not replying until her received one too.

“I… I did,” he said, taking a bite and closing his eyes, savoring the taste.

“Ravenhall you said. I should visit to eat this food,” he murmured to himself. “It was maybe ninety years ago. We did not enjoy it… at least I didn’t. I had my reasons and to attain power, it is a necessary evil.” he explained.

“And yet you chose a peaceful life now. Even though you agree that without fighting, killing. There is no way to attain power?” Ilea asked.

“Power is not necessary for a fulfilled life. A meaningful life,” the man said as he leaned on his table.

“I suppose it isn’t,” Ilea said, continuing to eat.

The elder seemed surprised at her response, one of his eyebrows quirking up slightly. “You really like the challenge, don’t you? Facing the most powerful monsters of nature. The blood and pain.”

“You don’t have to point out that I’m nuts,” Ilea said.

“You are not crazy. Your motivations merely differ from most. Perhaps it is for the best, that someone such as yourself should find their way to power... mhm,” Lucas said.

“I’ll use it in the way I see fit,” Ilea commented. “More practical… I got a skill that allows me to nullify my resistances. Wanted to test some stuff with you, if you’re up for it.”

“Oh? Now that… would come it spectacularly for someone like yourself! Hah,” he exclaimed with a smile.

“Exactly. Just hit me with a very weak spell. Light or wood magic, doesn’t matter. I need both,” Ilea said and switched out her shirt for her ashen bra.

Lucas lifted his hand, a beam of light burning into Ilea’s skin an instant later.

“Hmm… it does seem to work. This shouldn’t hurt you much at all,” the man said.

“Well, it isn’t. Crank it up a little. I’ll let you know when it reaches significant damage,” Ilea said. She still had all her other defenses and bonuses after all. Simply removing her resistance to an element simply meant the same potential damage as physical attacks.

“I was wondering… how resistances work exactly. My testing was confusing,” she said after a while, the beam getting stronger with every passing second.

“Hmm… well for one, their level determines a reduction in damage. A percentage. This can vary greatly however, depending on what level the enemy skill used possesses. So, even if you have a high level light magic resistance, my spell being in the third tier will still do significant damage,” the elder explained.

“The bonuses, I believe it was around forty percent at level twenty and I think eighty at the end of the second tier. I personally don’t have a resistance at that level but I’ve tested plenty. If the progression continues to be linear, it will be eighty percent,” he said.

“So if I have a level twenty resistance and you hit me with a third tier spell, it’s not going to count for shit?” Ilea asked.

“That would be… a difference of twenty or more levels. I believe the skill levels add or retract one percent respectively, depending if your resistance is higher or lower than the skill attacking you,” the elder said.

“One percent per level? So say my light resistance is level twenty, meaning a forty percent reduction. And your spell is in the third tier, at level one. That means my reduction is reduced by twenty percent? Leaving me with a twenty percent reduction?” she surmised.

“Twenty one. Because I have one level in the third tier. But yes, that is ultimately how it should work. It is difficult to test because there are so many factors playing into how health damage is calculated. Skills, armor, species as well as offensive properties of the attacker. Some might have an armor piercing bonus from a skill or deal more damage to especially flammable parts of your body… like hair for example,” Lucas explained.

Ilea noted the gist of it down.

Resistance level 20 = 40% reduction

Resistance 2nd level 20 = 80% reduction

1% up or down per skill level difference between attacker and defender

“What about level one of a resistance? It should give only two percent if it’s linear, shouldn’t it?” Ilea asked.

“I believe it is five actually. After level four, the progression is two percent per level,” Lucas supplied.

“And third tier skills? If it’s eighty percent already at the end of the second tier, could I reach complete immunity against an element?” Ilea said.

Lucas chuckled and shrugged. “I don’t know. You are already in a place few people have reached. With level alone that is, mhm. Your resistances… are a completely different beast. Perhaps you will be the first I know, to gain a third tier resistance. You tell me, after you manage that.”

Ilea sighed. “Well, for now I’ll just get as many up to the end of the second tier. You can push more with your spell by the way.”

“That is as powerful as I can keep it, to not deplete my mana in a quick manner, mhm,” the man said. “Even without a resistance, it seems you can withstand my light magic.”

“The resistance is only at level nineteen, no worries,” Ilea tried to reassure him. It did burn into her stomach much more quickly than before, about thirty eight percent more quickly.

So that’s the base for resistance skills. How my Armor of Ash comes into play is still a mystery. It has a one thousand percent increase to resilience but I wouldn’t be taking any damage if I had a four hundred percent resistance to light magic.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

“Ah, there we go. Level twenty,” Ilea said with a smile.

“The reduced resistance will allow you to train much faster,” Lucas said. “It appears you have gained another powerful boon to help you.”

“It did… you know a great deal about combat skills for a pacifist,” Ilea said, smirking at the old man.

He didn’t reply.

“You can add wood magic to the mix, if you would be so kind,” she said a couple seconds later.

The man nodded, roots and wooden projectiles slamming into her mere moments later.

This time, the difference wasn’t as noticeable, her wood magic resistance only being at level twelve. Still, the projectiles dug deeper into her skin than the last time they had done this.

“Do you know anything about… this?” Ilea asked, the last word enhanced by her monster hunter skill.

Lucas blinked before he smiled. “Took you long enough. Which one is it?”

“Which one? There’s more than one?” she asked.

“A general skill then… that’s rare. Well, I suppose everything is possible. A reward then, for fighting a Wyvern while alone?” he said.

“For fighting many beasts alone, much higher leveled ones too. It’s called monster hunter,” Ilea informed him.

“Never heard of that one… might be Verena has the same one. She likes to face challenges alone as well,” he mused, taking his pipe from the table. His magic was still slashing into the healer’s stomach.

“The elder. Yea, she seemed keen on fighting that colossal demon alone,” Ilea said. “She is alive, I heard.”

“Good to hear,” Lucas said.

They trained in silence for a while, before Ilea glanced at his plants.

“Found anything interesting?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes and no. Most of it is… rather mundane. At the same time it is extraordinary.”

“How so?” Ilea said.

“Because… every single plant here. I have not seen any of them in my entire life,” Lucas said. “Not here in the north, not in the south, not in the Navali forest nor near the Isanna desert.”

“Could have developed in this dungeon, born of magic?” Ilea suggested with a shrug.

“Potentially. Even within dungeons however, there are similarities. Not here,” he said.

“Well, the Descent does seem to be quite special,” Ilea said. Do I ever find dungeons that are not special. Even the Calys mine had a group of hidden necromancers inside.

“It does. Which is why I will likely stay here. For a time at least,” Lucas said.

“What about your forest in Lisburg?” Ilea said, cocking her head to the side.

He frowned at the mention. “It has been difficult… since that bloody Protector sent his lackeys. The Feynor won I suppose. They lost that battle but the city was lost nonetheless,” he sighed.

“Politics,” Ilea said, giving him an empathetic smile.

The elder just nodded. “I will return once they have dealt with that. Or as soon as Lisburg loses its value.”

“Could just stay here, maybe work for Hallowfort? You want to restore the north somewhat, don’t you? I doubt it matters much where you start,” Ilea said.

“Years of work are just sitting in Lisburg. Mhm… I will see what I find here, in this peculiar ruin,” Lucas said.

Ilea tapped her cheek and smiled. “You could work for me. I’ll provide food and rare plants I find,” she suggested.

Chapter 397 Sunglasses

Chapter 397 Sunglasses

“Work for you?” Lucas asked after a short while had passed. He definitely seemed skeptical.

“Eh, you can still do whatever you want. I just provide what you need and well… you in return share your findings,” Ilea suggested.

“And what will you do with such information? Is this a request from the Shadow’s Hand?” the man said.

“You are the Shadow’s Hand, aren’t you?” she smiled. “No, I was thinking we could profit from each other. I have gold and know people. I think the world would very much welcome a more balanced and green north.”

“Mhm… why would you care about the north so much? I appreciate the idea, I do. It is simply difficult to understand why you, the battle lover… would care for this,” Lucas said. He paused his spells for a moment and dragged from his pipe.

“More livable space is always nice to have. I think Hallowfort would benefit too. Look… this doesn’t have to be anything formal, no contracts, goals or anything. Just let me know if and when you need anything. And feel free to share any crazy findings, I’d be happy to fund help or research. Be it for the Hand or me personally,” Ilea suggested.

The man thought it over and nodded after a while. “Hmm… you saved my life. Several times already. And you… prevented me… of committing more violence. I’ll do what I can. Who should I contact to get in touch with you?” the elder asked.

“For now, I’ll come find you I suppose. Otherwise you can leave things with Catelyn or Claire from the Hand. Depending on where you are,” Ilea said.

Lucas continued his attacks and nodded. “For now I don’t particularly need anything. A storage item perhaps but that would be stolen by the first scavenger that crosses my path,” he laughed.

“Self defense should really not be an issue,” Ilea sighed.

He shook his head. “It is a term misused often and easily. Self defense from revolting peasants, self defense from expansive but ultimately peaceful animals and beasts. Not that many care for an explanation at all,” he said. “No, I will not compromise.”

“Stubborn old man,” Ilea said with a smirk. Anybody that actually attacks you will learn quickly how peaceful you really are.

She didn’t want to insult him outright, both of them knew about his lacking control. Perhaps at some point in the future, if their paths cross once more, she would ask him if he wanted to learn train, to keep himself in check. For now, she decided to avoid that discussion.

“Did the others find anything else?” she asked, changing the subject to something a little less touchy.

“Indeed. The ramblings of a lunatic the book may have been, yet some things could be gained. Specifically, information on some of the lower levels,” Lucas said.

“The next layer, the tenth, holds a powerful lightning creature. Perhaps something akin lightning itself. An elemental. There is however a lot of cover as well, rocky cliffs leading down as well as powerful winds,” the elder said.

“An elemental? I think I’ve fought one before… the elder had one, Adam,” Ilea recalled, thinking about it. “If I managed to hold my own against him then, I shouldn’t have much of a problem here.”

Lucas chuckled. “You fought the Wyverns… I will not doubt your capabilities again. However, I most certainly doubt Strand had an elemental. Not a true one, perhaps a variation or young offspring, if such a thing exist.”

He sighed. “You are about to face lightning itself. Much like the storms darkening the skies of the north. You should not expect anything weaker.”

Ilea smirked. “Sounds exciting then. My Lightning resistance will benefit greatly,” she said and quickly checked the skill. 2nd lvl 8. Plus I get a shit ton of mana from lightning.

The elder laughed. “Hmm… personally, I feel obligated to suggest you avoid that monster. Just so I don’t feel terribly bad if you end up as a burnt corpse.”

“Noted. Did he only go one level down? Or was there more?” she asked.

“There is more. The eleventh layer is comprised of a snow covered valley. Food and monsters aplenty, Spirits of Winter, Snow Owls and northern rabbits. Stone Cyclops are mentioned too. The last one I have never seen but he mentions a powerful paralyzing spell, so be careful,” he said and paused.

“There was a mention of something lurking within the snow as well but it appears the priest avoided it whenever it closed in,” Lucas added.

“The twelfth layer is the last one he visited, not going further because he didn’t consider his research on these layers done. Perhaps he was afraid, or considered the risks too great,” Lucas said.

“Dude seemed crazy, could also be a voice told him to stay away,” Ilea joked.

“Yes, or there was an actual voice telling him that… hmm. Well, anyway… the twelfth layer holds ice and reflections, illusions perhaps and traps. He did encounter a beast but other than injuries, nothing was mentioned,” the elder explained.

“Dude spent decades down here, or even centuries… that’s all?” she asked, more herself than the man.

“He appears to have been obsessed, a madness spreading in his mind that perhaps prevented him from being very effective. In an environment like this, it is difficult to survive,” Lucas said.

“Are you defending the guy?” Ilea asked, more interested than accusatory.

“Hmm… am I?” he chuckled. “Not his actions perhaps but there are ways a man can be lead down such a path. I myself perhaps could have ended up in a similar way, had certain things not occurred.”

Ilea nodded. “I guess you’re right. Well, didn’t know the guy. Just found the creatures he experimented on and left to die.”

“His life is ended, his soul at rest,” Lucas said and gave her a nod.

Ilea remained silent for a while, checking on her levels.

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Light Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The power of the sun harnessed and enhanced by magic. You have experienced the burning heat of light and pushed ahead. This skill will help you be more resistant.

2nd stage: Staring into the light should have really blinded you at this point. Instead, you have gotten used to it. Your eyes are much less sensitive to the negative effects associated with light. You are mostly immune to sudden blinding changes, be they an abrupt abundance or lack of light.

Ilea immediately noticed that she could easily see Lucas now, despite the bright beam of light burning into her stomach. The light was still there of course but it was simply less blinding.

Got it, magical sunglasses, she noted and smiled. I wonder what an actual flash grenade would do to me at this point. They do more than just blind you but with all my defenses?

It was hard to gauge the damage difference between a modern rifle and an arrow shot by a level two hundred Shadow. Ilea assumed it was perhaps similar, leaning towards the arrow being stronger even. Yet she lacked the scientific knowledge and testing for something like that as well as any experience with getting shot.

Taleen don’t count, she told herself, just as unreasonable to compare as an arrow.

“Is the training effective?” Lucas asked, seeing her thoughtful expression.

Ilea closed her status and smiled. “Very much so, yes. Is it alright if we do this for a couple hours? I’d love to get my wood magic resistance to the second tier as well.”

Her ash density had just gone up another five percent. Ilea wasn’t sure if it was a multiplicative change or if it somehow just added to her Unity skill. Definitely a more noticeable upgrade than the defensive buff from her second tier Avatar of Ash.

“Are you sure you want to invest more time for this? Instead of fighting more Wyverns? Your level growth is incredible. A resistance is certainly not as effective,” he said.

“I get bonuses other than just the resistance. I think it’s worth it. The Wyverns are pretty elusive. I only found two in the last six hours. I think I’ll move on soon if I don’t catch more of them,” Ilea explained.

The elder nodded. “Hmm… it seems they could fight the corruption somehow.”

“Was there anything else about that in the book? How it spread?” she asked.

“No, sadly not. The priest got aware of it and was ecstatic about finding the activated blood. Hmm. Knowing how few bodies we found… of creatures not part of the respective layer, I believe it must have been released throughout the whole dungeon,” Lucas said.

“We just haven’t found evidence of that either. I suppose a couple corrupted beasts are enough however. Just seems odd that all of them streamed to the first layer and further down, they seem to be staying put,” she said.

“The Shredders had difficulties burrowing up higher it seemed. They themselves had survivors amongst them, resisting the corruption. More powerful beings might have simply resisted the blood manipulation or they understood how to fight it,” Lucas suggested.

“Many beings we call monsters are more intelligent than is commonly believed,” he added.

“Are you trying to make me feel guilty about killing them?” Ilea asked.

He smiled. “Your conscience will do that either way. Don’t get me wrong, while I personally disagree, you are free to retaliate against a beast that attacks you. Just understand that not all of them do so for the same reason. Some might simply be frightened or defend their home from invaders.”

Ilea nodded. “I survived. I think with some species I overdid it, like the Drakes near Riverwatch. Most of the beasts I faced however were instantly hostile and attacked for no other reason than me being there. I don’t regret any of those fights. A deer or rabbit would run away. If a predator chooses to challenge me, I won’t back away.”

“A fair argument. Still, you have the intelligence to choose. Whether to kill or not to. I will not lecture you, with or without my own lack of control…,” he paused. “I simply wish to give another perspective.”

“Where I’m from. Humans are the top of the food chain. We overpopulated the planet and destroyed the living space of most animals. Those that remained were allowed to do so, by our choice. And still, most died out anyway,” she sighed.

“Elos is different however. Most people would get ripped apart by the average monster in the wild. Some few have the luxury to chose here but honestly, I’d still slaughter a weak monster in the wilderness if a sapient creature can survive because of that.”

Lucas was quiet for a while. He finally cleared his throat and talked. “Every creature has its place. Magic, nature, humans and every other race. There is a balance. I believe that balance has a reason to be there. The realm you speak of, do you not think it unnatural for humanity to have such power?”

Ilea smiled. “Maybe. And still, a lot of people lived in peace, without fear of monsters and hiding within walls. They lived in wealth and luxury our ancestors could never even imagine. Still human of course, with all our faults and selfishness. I don’t deny that.”

“Hmm… perhaps I am a cynic. Yet I would rather trust predators to keep us in check than humans themselves. It would not be a surprise to me, if this very dungeon was built and used by humans. From this realm or another. Whatever purpose it served,” he said.

“Yea… we’re a bunch of bastards,” she smiled and left it at that. Ilea didn’t have the answers he perhaps sought. Humans were diverse, capable of incredible creation but just as much of horrible destruction and suffering.

She had some ideas about how the longer lifespan with higher levels as well as insane personal power could influence the whole structure of societies in Elos but so far, most of what she had found was quite familiar and similarly diverse as back on Earth.

“Did you check out the tuner?” Ilea asked a couple minutes later.

“I… something might have happened to that horrific thing,” he said, a little more quiet, barely audible.

Ilea laughed. She couldn’t see inside the stone shed from here but certainly saw where he came from.

“Hmm… nothing good can come from such a device,” he said.

“Probably,” Ilea said. Other than maybe four arms… for more punching, she thought. The creatures in the fourth layer as well as the corrupted certainly spoke against blood manipulation being anything but fucked up.

“Something else, Ravenhall started to use the Haven for food growing. I’d assume you to be quite knowledgeable about all that. Might be worth a visit, to share your insight,” Ilea said.

“I do not plan to visit…,” Lucas said.

“Just if you ever find yourself in the area,” Ilea said. Stubborn old man.

A few hours passed, the two further discussing resistances before Lucas went into a long talk about the plants he had found, as well as his project in Lisburg. The major difficulty seemed to be the higher mana density in the north, preventing most southern vegetation to thrive in the area.

Even vegetation found within dungeons didn’t like it here, requiring constant attention from the man. The trees in Lisburg were originally from there, multiplied and now forming a whole forest but still remaining within the dungeon.

Ilea earned more levels in her resistances and finally decided to continue with the Wyverns.

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

...

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

A connection made from a mage to nature allowed for this talent to take root. Facing the force of nature you grow more accustomed to its effects, your body more resilient to the magic of the forest.

2nd stage: Magic of life and nature. It is concerning how much you have enraged the usually peaceful creatures and mages using this school. Through painfully learned understanding, your body can now absorb a fraction of the life used.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

The additional life absorption really was minimal. For someone without a very high health regeneration, it would prove useful of course. In the rare event of facing a wood mage.

Ilea shared another meal with the man, the two having reached a lull in their conversation.

“Will you stay here?” she asked, preparing to leave.

“Mhm… another day perhaps… or two. And then I shall move to the fifth layer. If… if you come across more vegetation deeper in the dungeon. I would be happy to study them. Of course only if it is safe to retrieve it,” Lucas said.

“Thank you. Ilea. For the company and the food,” he said and bowed lightly.

“Thanks for helping with the resistances, despite your pacifism,” Ilea smiled. “Guess I’ll throw myself into more danger then. Good luck with your studies.”

“May you survive,” the man said in a sincere tone, lighting his pipe once more.

“You too, Lucas,” Ilea said with a smile and blinked out.

It took a couple hours but the second tier resistances would be more beneficial than the one or two Wyverns she could have realistically killed in that time.

Now, more Wyverns or should I check out that lightning thing?

Ilea knew the beasts now, knew that she could probably get another one or two levels out of them if she managed to find them.

Then again, having an easier time won’t be super beneficial either, she finally decided to work her way down and towards the next layer, slow and methodical.

The mists soon enveloped her, near black wings moving behind her as she circled around in the area.

Ilea saw the creature move up behind her, silent in the air. A couple minutes had passed since she started to descend.

She slowed down and waited for the attack to come.

Not for long. The Wyvern roared, releasing a wide cone of powerful flames through the low visibility of the mists.

Ilea was enveloped by it, slowing down further as her wings disintegrated.

She turned and punched towards the monster’s mouth, hoping it would go for the bait.

The Wyvern opened its maw and bit down, teeth grinding against her ashen armor.

Ilea smiled, the gesture a grotesque movement on her half molten face. She charged her Heart of Cinder and slashed against the creature’s head, aiming for its eyes and ears.

Her ashen limbs left scratches now, digging just a little deeper with each strike she managed to land. She refrained from cutting into its neck just yet, wanting to get off at least one internal fire spell. It seemed the most effective attack she had at the moment, next to her mana intrusion.

The latter built up over time and would kill the beast in the end but it had little direct effects, unlike sending a cone of fire down into its body.

She accounted it to the thick scales and skin that protected the creature.

It held her aloft, digging into her skin now as its claws ripped into her from below, swatted away or blocked by her left hand whenever she managed it.

Heart of cinder was released, stunning the beast for a second which allowed her to cut off her own arm at the shoulder, swinging around and locking her newly formed arm around its neck.

Got you now, she thought, a smirk on her face as the creature started to panic, a wave of fire expanding immediately after.

Ilea held on, pulsing her mana into the Wyvern as her ash locked around its neck, starting to rotate.

Chapter 398 Benevolent Sentinel

Chapter 398 Benevolent Sentinel

Ilea crash landed on an island, her arms locked around the Wyvern’s neck as they slid to a stop, leaving behind a line in the stone.

A last wave of fire expanded, burning into the stone and the nearby plants as well as Ilea’s ashen armor.

Ilea heard the noise in her mind resound, signaling the creature had died. She stopped her shredder extension that had bitten through half of its neck by now and stored the corpse. The healer landed on one knee, the space below her suddenly empty.

Ash reformed, as did her skin and the bone armor between. Meditation had been active for a while, her mana regenerating quickly. She blinked away and hid within the nearby bushes.

No light needed for all this to grow? she wondered. Perhaps it was mana alone that supplied the growth, or the crystals above somehow sent energy through the sea of mist.

She waited for a while, prepared to face another one of the creatures.

Nothing showed itself however.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cliff Wyvern – lvl 608] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 3’

No levels from that one, she sighed. The fight had been simple enough, Ilea now knowing how to handle them pretty easily. Their instincts were good, likely not expecting her to simply ignore the flames and their teeth as she did.

A suicidal approach for anybody without Pain Tolerance and Heat Resistance in the second tier, as well as an insane level of defense and regeneration.

For her however, it worked.

Ilea noticed movement in her sphere, spotting a creature that looked a little like a bear. Thin and with two tusks jutting from its mouth. It hid behind a tree, looking straight at her.

She checked the surroundings and got up slowly.

[Tusk Bear – lvl 303]

Shouldn’t be too dangerous for me. Ilea thought, having dealt with similarly high leveled creatures back in the first layer.

The bear looked at her but didn’t move at first. It took a step towards her, showing its teeth before it roared.

Not exactly an intimidating sound.

Ilea crouched, her talk with Lucas fresh on her mind. This thing could rip apart most humans in the southern lands, maybe even a member of the Hand. And yet here it was, looking positively malnourished, close to death.

She was about to just leave when she saw a small cut on its leg, orange ooze dripping out.

“Ah fuck,” she murmured.

The bear approached, once more showing its teeth. On all fours now, it prepared to charge or leap. Desperate.

Nobody is ever going to come down here. Might as well help out.

It attacked, charging with surprising speed as its maw opened, showing sharp teeth.

Ilea let the bear bite into her ash, its weight coming down on her as she braced against it. Ashen limbs moved to immobilize its arms and legs, its mouth uselessly biting into the powerful armor.

She summoned a chunk of meat she still had from her own kitchen, slamming the thing into its mouth. “Calm down, I’m not food,” she patted its fur and checked the cut on its leg.

“That’s pretty nasty, not gonna lie,” Ilea healed the creature before two of her ashen limbs closed around its left thigh. A quick jab separated the whole leg, enticing a pained roar from the dying bear.

“It’s alright,” she reassured it again and healed the leg back, this time without corruption.

Ilea summoned another piece of meat and threw it into the nearby bushes. “Now fuck off.”

She released it and pushed the creature aside, already looking healthier than before.

A sigh left her as she leaned on a nearby tree, watching the bear run for the meat.

Ilea watched as it reached the meal, a smile on her face as her wings spread once more. She turned and barely saw another Wyvern, swooping down, its talons slamming into the Tusk Bear before it was flung off the island, limp and bloody.

“Fuck,” she murmured, following the Wyvern.

It caught the bear mid flight before landing on another island, gulping down a third of the monster before it noticed Ilea.

“I just healed it,” she hissed, her voice imbued with power.

The Wyvern turned towards her and roared.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of the Cliff Wyvern – You resist its effects’

Fucking right I do.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 15’

“I’ll rip its remains out of your stomach,” she said and advanced, stepping into the flames that enveloped her.

How come I search for six hours and now I find two? Fucking with me and my bear.

Ashen spears slammed into its wings, unable to penetrate the powerful scales.

The Wyvern roared once more, biting down on her head.

Ilea dodged, going to one knee as its mouth closed around her shoulder.

“Like the taste?” she asked, wedging an ashen limb into its slightly open mouth and releasing a beam of heat and cinders.

Ashen limbs cut into the creature’s eyes as she held on to its head, her shoulder mangled but released.

“You will die here,” her voice thundered through the creature.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 2’

Ilea ripped off the Wyvern’s head after it had been killed, falling like the rest of them. She looked at the thing, its tongue hanging out in a grotesque manner.

She thought about keeping it but decided against it, instead throwing the head near the dead bear. May you both feed something else.

Ilea did store the rest of the corpse in her necklace.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cliff Wyvern – lvl 581] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and fifty or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 323 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 322 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 10’

She sighed once more and jumped off the island, continuing her flight through the layer. At least he didn’t die to corruption.

Ilea encountered two more bears in the next hour, both in a healthier state than the previous one.

They avoided her, one even running into a cave to get away.

No more monsters showed up, Ilea soon landing on what she assumed to be the bottom of the ninth layer. Rock formations jutted out, devoid of the same greens that grew on top of the plateaus.

Pillars of stone grew from the bottom and vanished into the mists above.

Ilea noticed the smell first, familiar now but still just as heavy. Corpses littered the ground. Bears, Wyverns as well as a bunch of dead Wisp Ravens, the birds sometimes showing up on the edge of her sphere, their level ranging in the two hundreds.

They all had one thing in common. Corruption, she lifted some of the corpses and saw the orange ooze dripping out. Many were charred, taken out by the Wyverns that remained untainted.

They dealt with it themselves, Ilea mused. So much for world ending threat, she smiled.

She sliced open her arm and slathered some of the corruption into it. In case a Wyvern attacked, she could simply rip it out again.

No wonder so few of them remained.

There were dozens of creatures, just in the range of her sphere alone. Ilea was sure this layer had looked quite a bit different before the corruption came. More beasts to fight and levels to be gained but Ilea wasn’t sure she could reliably take out two Wyverns at a time, let alone three or four.

Depending on how fast they regenerate, we might have an issue going back up.

Then again, we somehow got down. We’ll find a way back out, even if we have to dig a tunnel ourselves.

Ilea smiled and formed a drill bit with her ash, combining her limbs in the process. Might want to try that at some point, now that it’s so much harder.

She flew a couple meters above ground, avoiding the corpses. Most of the Wyverns were quite literally ripped apart, most of their scales charred and unusable. She still found five corpses that looked to be in passable shape.

Burning hot ash removed the remaining corruption before she stored them in her necklace. The other creatures, she ignored, their corpses easily coming apart with a couple strikes of her ashen limbs.

Twenty minutes later, she found a cave entrance leading down. Pieces of charred clothes remained near the entrance, as well as a small message carved into the stone.

Expedition came through – Be vary of lightning

Ilea wasn’t sure if it was carved by her group or by the expedition.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

A rare gift similar to poisons having an effect with dangerous results. Your blood was tampered with through magic but you have survived, making it harder for the next attempt by your enemy.

2nd stage: Stop putting weird substances you find into open wounds. Perhaps your parents told you that playing in dirt was good for your immune system but there are limits. Your body can now fight blood manipulation actively.

We both know I won’t stop with it, Ilea said to herself and whatever god, system, supervisor, virus or delirious fever dream was talking to her.

Her resistance was off to level the skill faster but she checked quickly what it would look like with it being active.

She saw the corruption slowly recede, as if it was taken over by her own body. Hmm, seems like a good thing to have. Maybe some of the creatures developed this as well? Let’s hope so.

If they did, no matter how often they got injured, they wouldn’t get corrupted. Were they to survive in the first place of course.

Ilea checked her stats quickly and decided on Vitality and Wisdom for her ten remaining points. While Intelligence provided more, it was mostly offensive. Prioritizing offense over defense was a horrible mistake, in her experience that was.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 323

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 18

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 19

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 13

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 11

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 11

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 322

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 19

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 14

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 14

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 9

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 11

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 2nd lvl 20

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 12

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 2

- Heavy Archery – lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 9

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Monster Hunter – lvl 2

- Veteran – lvl 15

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 11

- Blood Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 9

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Fear Resistance – lvl 9

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Gravity Magic Resistance – lvl 2

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Light Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 9

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Soul Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Stamina Drain Resistance – lvl 5

- Time Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 12

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 746

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 735

Wisdom: 775

Health: 7428/7460

Stamina: 4000/4000

Mana: 7723/7750

Oof, my stamina, Ilea ignored it for now, knowing it regenerated rather quickly anyway. As soon as she would notice it being the deciding factor in a battle, she would level it again of course.

Luckily I did get that cost reduction with Keeper of Ash.

“Well,” she said to herself, looking at the remaining corruption in her arm before it was taken care of by her resistance.

She quickly walked over to one of the corpses and filled some of the empty flasks she had used in her poison training with the corrupted blood, just in case she didn’t come across more of it. As unlikely as that may be.

One last time, she looked up to see if any more of the Wyverns wanted to get her. Nothing came.

She sighed and walked back to the tunnel leading down. “There are like a hundred corpses down here and you had to get that fucking bear.”

Layer ten, let’s see, she thought and walked down, cautious of any beasts or traps that might still lay hidden.

The tunnel narrowed, the initial steep decline not present anymore as she felt a cold breeze come from the end.

She saw a vertical crack, an exit it seemed. Another powerful gust of wind washed past her, the air partially ignoring her due to her second stage resistance.

Her sphere offered little but the fact that there was open space. She stepped out, ashen limbs crashing into the flat stone extending into the distance.

Ilea was hanging from the wall and had a look at the tenth layer.

Below her, the abyss called, light shining from various crystal formations clinging to the ceiling as well as some of the stone formations.

Instead of islands of stone within a mist, the cliffs here were dominant. Huge cracks and missing sections reminded of the northern landscape. Compared to the surface, the ground level was much farther down.

Ilea spread her wings and floated to the nearest surface, a small ledge to the side of a rocky cliff. The winds howled, pushing against her a little but not enough to destabilize her flight.

She landed and noticed ice crystals had formed on her armor.

Ilea couldn’t hear anything other than the wind, no smells or tracks that she noticed either.

Kind of expected to get blasted as soon as I step into this layer.

She explored a little more, jumping down as her wings moved through the sometimes narrow paths.

A little while later, she found a corpse, teeming with corruption. A Wyvern, dead and burnt.

There was little remaining on it. The scales were too damaged to be of any use.

Ilea looked up, noticing the sudden new light source inside the small open space she had found. Something blueish, quickly moving.

She lay prone and covered herself in ash, a small opening for her right eye remaining as her sphere barely reached the cliff side leading to the abyss.

A ball of lightning shot up and landed inside the space, a small bird that looked a little like a sparrow. Its eyes were a bright and nearly white blue.

Ilea assumed she could see it mostly due to her newfound second tier light magic resistance. A cute lightning bird.

It tapped along the ground, looking at the corpse as well as the rest of the cave before its eyes came resting on the pile of ash.

[Elemental Fragment – lvl ???]

A bolt of lightning washed over her, Ilea’s precognition informing her about the damage. Nothing major but undoubtedly as powerful as Trian, if not more so.

Thanks to her resistance, a chunk of the spell was transformed into mana and stamina, her Sentinel Core adding even more.

“You’re not exactly what I had expected,” she murmured and watched the bird take flight, zapping her with powerful arcing lightning in quick succession. The bright blue light moved through the cave, licking the walls and ripping out chunks of stone in the process before it slammed into her ashen armor.

Ilea staggered back a little with each hit but her defenses held. Let’s help you a little, birdie.

The next hit burned through her ash and into her bone armor, stopping only at her skin as her muscles tensed up.

“That’s more like it,” she said and smiled, seeing the bird charge up more attacks yet. “I think I’ll stay here with you, for a while.”

She carefully looked at her healing, her health and the area before she blinked to the corrupted Wyvern, taking a handful of corruption and slathering it into one of the newly formed wounds on her arm.

If that’s just a fragment, there might be something else down here. Something where I’ll be happy to have a little more levels in my resistance.

Chapter 399 Lethal Voltage

Chapter 399 Lethal Voltage

Ilea staggered back once more, watching the fragment’s movements. She could tell now, the minute pauses between attacks, the rhythmic pulsing of its magic, its very life.

Here it comes, she thought, another spell released as it arced towards her. It felt like a part of the creature’s body came and attacked her, vanishing as soon as it burned through her ash.

The past hours had been more effective at training her Lightning resistance than weeks with Trian had been. The difference Avatar of Ash brought was massive.

She could always deactivate her Ashen Armor to receive a significant amount of damage more than before but her body was tough even without it. The difference Avatar of Ash made, specifically to magic damage, was more significant than her armor.

The main benefit was of course the pure magical damage that slammed into her with each spell, its full potential unleashed and thus flowing into her resistance skill, instead of any other defensive abilities she had.

Ilea tried catching the creature after a while, finding herself outmatched in both teleportation and speed.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

Ilea felt that adding poison to the mix, especially the full damage without a resistance would be too dangerous. Her wounds would need to be healed with her third tier recovery, using up quite a bit more mana than otherwise.

It was likely safe but the environment was not familiar to her. Should more of the creatures or something more powerful and unknown suddenly show up, she didn’t want to be caught with a third of her health missing and at half her mana.

The training did get a little boring however, enticing her to try and catch or damage the beast that had burnt up her very skin and muscles for the past hours.

It proved difficult. The creature seemed to have some sort of spherical perception as well, avoiding all her ashen limbs with ease, keeping itself at a distance even from the ashen mist that Ilea tried to move around it.

A combination of spears, mist and limbs finally grazed the creature, mana intrusion sending a bit of Ilea’s destructive energy into the thing.

She watched as the fragment tumbled a little, its body sizzling where it had been hit. One second later, it dissipated entirely.

“What?” Ilea asked into the empty space. There had been no kill notification or anything else.

She heard a loud crackling noise in the distance, a low rumble following.

Time suddenly seemed to stand still, Ilea blinking out of the cavern and activating her resistance once more. The corruption started to be removed from her body as she turned and watched.

Even with her magical light resistance, she had to squint her eyes as a bolt of pure lightning cut through the stone from the other side of the cavern.

The bolt of volatile energy thrummed with power, reaching where she had been a moment earlier before it turned and rushed at her.

Fuck.

The spell moved towards her as if her perception wasn’t slowed at all, burning through her wings, the small wall of ash and her armor in an instant.

A crack formed on her bone armor before the energy spread through her body, locking her in place for a moment as all her organs burst.

She blinked her eyes, her sight blurry. Her body had restored itself with her third tier reconstruction but she was pretty sure her brain had been fried for a fraction of a second.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

A single spell… shit, she thought, realizing she had lost around three thousand points of health in the attack.

Her eyes squinted once more, ashen armor reforming as her wings spread again and stabilized her fall.

The creature appeared, a ball of energy exuding outwards, wisps of lightning cracking at the air around.

It spread its wings and looked at Ilea.

[Young Lightning Elemental – lvl ???]

A wingspan of around six meters, bright blue feathers adorning their whole length. The main body only reached around two meters, a little taller than Ilea herself. Its eyes were wisps of white light, a trail of energy left behind as it moved. A long blue tail like protrusion moved through the air behind it.

Ilea saw the attack coming, her precognition just barely enough to recognize it. She blinked and sped up, the lightning arcing in the air but flying past and crashing into stone, a ripple of blue light shredding into the cliff side.

She dived and twirled, trying to get as much solid matter and distance between herself and the elemental. Ilea curled up suddenly, her wings moving up as she changed directions. Lightning streaked past, burning halfway through her armor.

It’s keeping up, she noted and glanced back, seeing the fast moving blue bird around fifty meters behind. A part of her armor was freezing up, the cold winds washing past her as she descended. She dodged two more streaks of lightning, one of them clipping a wing.

Ilea barely dodged the next attack, blinking out of the way in the last possible moment. She felt when they were coming, saw them advance in her sphere but the difference in projectile speed and her own maneuverability was too high nonetheless. The distance between them didn’t matter much either, the lightning homing in on her in the last several meters, even partially following after she blinked.

The huge cliff sides provided cover at least, powerful lightning strikes that would put most natural occurrences to shame cut into the stone, chunks of rock splintering outwards and falling into the abyss.

Ilea maneuvered through the tight passages with all the speed she could muster. She used her ashen limbs to round corners without losing momentum, something the increased density allowed for rather easily.

She created ashen mist and spears. Aimed at the elemental, both to obstruct its view and to damage it outright.

The monster dodged her attacks and teleported through the sections filled with ashen mist, either cautious or suggesting its vulnerability.

Ilea failed to dodge another three strike attack, getting hit by the last one. This time, she wasn’t completely burnt up, only taking about two thousand damage to her health that healed again instantly, using mana gained from the attack itself.

Her wings were reforming as she fell, a trail of smoke from her burnt skin following. She released Heart of Cinder, aimed at the creature. More so to be rid of the damaging heat than to hit it outright, grinning when she saw the bird teleport to the side, slamming into the cliff wall.

It screeched in pain and charged up.

Ah, that’s worse, Ilea thought and felt her body unable to move.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the enraged screech of a Young Lightning Elemental – You are paralyzed for five seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 16’

She couldn’t do anything but watch as a five meter wide cone of white energy spiraled down and hit her, a split second later.

Her regeneration at least didn’t stop working, an internal skill after all. Ilea’s body reformed three times during the effect of the spell, her skull and ribs exposed during the first cycle. She was glad that she could absorb a large chunk of the mana used, otherwise she would certainly not remain as comfortably topped off.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

The spell continued on for another ten seconds, Ilea remaining within as she regenerated, tumbling further down to give the elemental the impression that she was being damaged. In reality, she was simply using the attack to get some distance between them.

This is actually…, the thought paused as her brain popped, … some good training.

Ilea dodged the rock formations extending from the cliff walls but nonetheless slammed into some of them, the damage negligible with all her shock absorption and general resilience.

She blinked once more when the spell ended, seeing the elemental hadn’t exactly stayed still to deliver it but had certainly fallen behind. While her lightning resistance could certainly use the training, this was beyond anything she had encountered before.

Ilea hadn’t tested with her newfound abilities but she was pretty sure the arcane storms raging in the north weren’t as powerful as what this creature was putting out. A force of raw magic, an elemental of lightning and a young one at that, rendering all her layered defenses useless.

She wasn’t even sure her regeneration could hold up against the creature if they faced each other in open space. For now, she focused on the fact that the monster wasn’t corrupted and had apparently killed one of the tainted Wyverns that had come down into this layer.

A defender of the outside world, certainly more capable of destruction than Ilea herself. The itch of course, remained. Her will to face the creature, to actually go in close and slam her fist into its magical skull.

She knew it was futile. Even the fragment had managed to dodge nearly all her attacks. This one wouldn’t just dissipate if she managed a hit. It would enrage and throw all of its natural and raw power into ripping her apart.

That fact of course only made her want to go and fight it even more so. Her mission and the people she promised help prevailed however, neither a dead Ilea nor a dead Lightning Elemental helping anybody in this scenario.

As long as it remained here, guarding the tenth layer and burning away all the corruption that tried to escape from further below.

The abyss slowly cleared as she flew further down, now having to dodge the normal bolts again, grazed and hit from time to time. Caves opened up and dozens if not hundreds of burnt and scattered corpses littered the ground.

Corruption gleamed in the crystal light, proving Ilea’s suspicion and easing her decision to get away. Fucking hell… listen to all the people that care about you. Get the hell away from that thing.

She landed hard, her body having just regenerated. The smell of burnt skin and corruption entered her nose as she blinked away, lightning slamming into the ground and ripping out stone, further scattering whatever creature’s remains had occupied the space.

Ilea surveyed the area and found several tunnels, cracks in the stone that led somewhere else. I’ve proven that I can take hits from it, she thought and turned, moving close enough to one of the tunnels to be able to blink inside.

She formed walls of ash, tumbling back and impacting the stone from the first bolt, the second one landing at the same time as she did. Her body burnt up, her muscles convulsing as her eyes and organs popped.

A deep breath filled her newly formed lungs when another strike rolled over her. She regenerated and lay sizzling inside the crater she had formed in the cavern wall, her eyes focused forward as her ashen armor reformed.

She saw the creature land, a pulse of blue energy pushing away the scattered corpses. A chunk of brain matter and a leg splashed against an ashen wall.

The elemental stopped its attacks, its white eyes focused on her as it waited.

It’s not charging an attack, Ilea was pretty sure of that, nothing about the creature suggesting an attack.

She moved out of the wall and cracked her neck, ashen limbs spreading behind her as she too waited. “What is it? Tired of attacking? Out of mana?” she asked, slowly stepping closer to the cave entrance.

The bird remained quiet, its head fixated on her.

Ilea checked her messages quickly, keeping an eye on her surroundings.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

I really need to find more elementals to fight. Ah, I see…, she looked up and saw a dozen blue spots closing in quickly. They crashed into the creature, making it stagger forward a little with each small bird merging.

Ilea watched for a couple seconds longer, seeing the creature’s feathers start brimming with energy, its form remaining the same size physically but commanding a presence different to before. She vanished the moment it opened its beak, hearing the screech from behind twenty meters of solid stone.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the screech of a Young Lightning Elemental – You are paralyzed for four seconds’

She heard three impacts in the stone, the ground shaking as tiny pebbles fell on her. A louder crash made the wall crack, white blue light enveloping her.

Ilea blinked as soon as she could, moving down through the caverns. The last hit was more powerful, lightning still sizzling through her. It was however the last hit, the creature not pursuing her any further.

Remaining it its lair and layer, Ilea was certainly happy about that, unsure if she could even damage it. How many fragments remained that could empower it? Saved again by the magical borders of dungeons and the territorial nature of beasts.

She decided that if she ever reached the power to face and best the elemental, she wouldn’t kill it. It had made the message clear. A fuck off rather than a frenzied wish to kill her.

Ilea released her charged Heart of Cinder, the stone around her reduced to ash by the powerful spell. She sighed and looked up, to where the tunnel entrance lay.

Might just come back and annoy you. Or rather… one of the fragments. Only six levels remaining.

She trusted her instincts for now, feeling it unsafe to go back now and further provoke the powerful force of nature. Blinking twice, she came up on the stone separation leading to the eleventh layer and with it a drilled hole that allowed a person to get through.

A long cold and burnt out fireplace remained, empty wooden boxes and scraps of reddish cloth as well as marks of corruption and blood on the ground. She sniffed on it all, finding a variety that hadn’t been present so far.

“The expedition?” she asked herself. There would be enough space here and the elemental as well as its remnants didn’t seem to move down the tunnels. The entrance to the eleventh layer was drilled, suggesting not all of them had a teleportation ability or they simply chose to err on the side of caution.

Drilling wasn’t something her group would have done here. It could have been someone else as well of course but Ilea felt the ash in the fire had come to be in a somewhat recent time frame. A month ago, perhaps two.

Interesting… since when can I gauge the age of ash?

Ilea decided to trust it, her intuition that the feeling was reliable.

Either way, it could have been the expedition but it could have also been anybody else. A fire suggested that heat or light was necessary for whoever made it. Or they just enjoy a good old bonfire, like I do.

Something intelligent has come through here, that much I know.

She looked back once more before jumping through the hole and to the next layer.

Ilea landed thirty meters down in a pile of snow, sitting back as she took in the view.

Immediately, she forgot about the bonfire and the elemental she had just left behind, instead taking in the expansive snowed in valley before her.

Trees were visible in the distance, as well as some moving figures. Everything was cast in white, a thick layer of snow covering the whole layer. Her breath came out as a mist, something she couldn’t suppress anymore with her Heart of Cinder.

She sat in the snow and smiled, the scene reminding her of Ravenhall and its surrounding mountains. Alright, let’s get on with it, she mused and spread her wings, flying down the slope and towards the first moving thing she could recognize.

[Spirit of Winter – lvl 243]

Ilea slowed down and stopped, watching the creature turn as it noticed her. Free of corruption. And not exactly a threat, she noted and let its magic pass her resistances, using her sphere to move all the cold air towards her.

Spikes formed as the creature attacked, a whirlwind of ice and snow that cut into her exposed skin. Most of it was ineffective, despite the lack of ice resistance, the monster’s level and damage output simply too low.

I need to find more if I want to level my Ice Resistance, she noted and slowly flew through the valley, spirit in tow.

She wasn’t sure why exactly the creature attacked her, being a much lower level itself and not being attacked in the first place. Perhaps it saw heat or life itself as an enemy, something to be destroyed or well, cooled down.

She spotted an owl flying above about ten minutes later, diving down when it found a rabbit. Ilea watched the whole thing happen from a couple hundred meters away, reaching a hilltop in the process, ice still swirling around her.

Massive stone creatures moved in the distance, a frozen lake running along the side of their mountain. She spotted a group of winter spirits too, occupying a field of ice and snow. My first destination.

“Come on, let’s meet your brothers and sisters,” she spoke, looking at the spirit behind her, its face lacking any features or emotions. A specter of ice and winter.

“Don’t be so cold, friend,” she said and shook her head in mock disappointment. “The suns will rise again.”

She jumped down and moved her wings, landing amidst the group of spirits. “Welcome. It’s nice of you to help me with my training today,” she said and smirked, her armor receding to cover her chest and hips alone.

Chapter 400 Fear

Chapter 400 Fear

Ilea only spent a little over an hour with her newfound friends, exploring the eleventh layer in the process.

There were a surprising number of creatures around, none of them corrupted. Maybe the cold temperature was an issue for the blood virus or whatever it really was, or the monsters had taken care of those that fell to it, their corpses now resting under a thick layer of snow.

She had crossed a long distance on foot, taking in the environment and watching the massive stone creatures move on the other side of the river. One eye and crude weapons made of rock. Some were literally just carrying a chunk of stone.

They threw it at other creatures from time to time but otherwise kept to themselves.

Do they not need to eat? Hunt? Are they having conversations? Ilea lacked answers to all those questions.

Another sound in her mind took her out of the moment, informing her that her ice resistance had leveled once again. Avatar really is a bloody miracle.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

The spirits left suddenly, moving away with the winds and disintegrating in the process.

She watched them, not interfering as killing them wouldn’t exactly provide anything. They weren’t even corrupted.

Ilea shrugged and moved forward, finding her foot stuck to the ground. Her ash was frozen over, the rest of her body quickly following. What?

Her sphere was crisper than ever, nothing around her moving in the slightest. Is this just natural?

She couldn’t detect a monster nearby and forced herself to move, the ice on her ash cracking but reforming again quickly. Her second tier mentioned that her body wasn’t affected anymore by freezing temperatures. Might just be that I wouldn’t even be able to move, let alone think and see without that bonus.

Her Resistance didn’t level as she moved towards the river, not seeing any of the creatures anymore. They have some way to tell. Whatever this phenomenon is, even a Spirit of Winter decided to avoid it.

She pressed on through the snow, her wings instantly freezing over whenever she summoned them, the magic pulling her up before the frozen wings broke from the movement and let her fall once more.

Her blink worked of course but she decided to wait with that in case something was about to attack.

As suddenly as it had come, the phenomenon left again. Ilea released Heart of Cinder, charged for a couple seconds before she moved her body, the last of the remaining ice falling to the ground.

That could be fatal during a fight. If whatever I’m fighting is immune to it at least.

She saw one of the massive rock creatures stock their head out from a small cave entrance, spotting her in the process.

It roared in anger, rushing out with a chunk of stone in hand.

The humanoid creature was at least five meters tall, closer to six and half as broad. Its skin resembled rock, both in color and texture. One eye was visible in the middle of its head and it was staring right at her.

[Stone Cyclops – lvl ???]

Ilea spread her ashen limbs and smiled, watching the monster approach.

‘ding’ ‘You have met the gaze of the Stone Cyclops. You are paralyzed in fear for three seconds’

I’m not exactly afraid of this fucker, she thought and noted her mistake of looking into its eye. An obvious trap really.

Wait, do I even have to look into it? her thought was interrupted by a chunk of rock crashing down on her, the full weight of it enhanced and sped up by the creature hit her and she felt her legs nearly give out, her spine aching as her feet dug into the snow and hit stone, digging into that too.

She was reminded of old cartoons, blood dripping from her nose when the stone hit again. This time her legs snapped to the side, the joints unable to take the stress. She fell onto the snow with her back and blinked away right before the crude weapon came down again.

Her legs were healed, helped along with her ashen armor snapping them into place as she willed them to straighten. Ilea landed and cracked her neck, her eyes closed.

“Alright, big guy,” she murmured and vanished, appearing behind the massive monster. Her limbs fanned out and slashed into his back, a fist colliding with his right knee as her destructive mana pushed into him.

He turned and tried to hit her with the rock, surprisingly quick for his size but a long way from Ilea or the lightning Elemental.

She charged her Heart of Cinder while she continued her simple approach to the somewhat simple creature. Until it staggered forward, held its knee and roared.

Her eyes remained closed but she still felt her body tense up.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the terrifying roar of the Stone Cyclops. You are paralyzed in fear for three seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 17’

You’re sitting me, right?

Ilea watched as it discarded the crude weapon and turned, grabbing her in its massive hand before it squeezed hard, moving her to his mouth.

Teeth ground into her ashen armor, pushing her throat shut and squeezing everything within to paste. Destructive mana flowed into the creature but it just bit down harder.

She let the beast try and rip off her head as she started charging Absolute Destruction, adding a hundred mana with each second all the while Heart of Cinder was burning in her chest.

Ilea felt one of the bones in her neck shift, her body going limp in the process.

Fuck, she thought, calm but a little annoyed to be inside this fuckers mouth. It didn’t actually smell as bad as a bunch of half burnt rotting corpses riddled with corruption but it wasn’t exactly pleasant either.

She waited another three seconds and unleashed her stored heat, a sphere of fire and energy bursting forth, burning the inside of the Cyclops’ mouth and throat as well as the palm of his hand.

The monster howled and released her head, staggering back as he kept his hold on her body.

Healing instantly spread through her, the bone in her neck popping back into place. Ashen limbs moved in from above, failing to cut the thick skin of the creature and instead pushing into her armor, wedging his hand open by a small amount and allowing her to get her right arm out of his hold.

An ashen spear formed above her, smooth and sharp. “Hey, dinner for you,” she said, watching the angry monster turn its head back to her with a furious expression on its stone face.

The spear rushed out, slamming into its eye from close range and digging a couple centimeters deep. Her limbs rushed out and moved around the back of his head, getting him closer with a yank as it howled in pain.

She made the spear vanish, revealing the thin cut on his eye before her fist slammed into it and nearly three thousand mana with it.

The magic was ripped out of her, spreading into the Cyclops’ eye before it searched for a place to go. To continue its destructive path. Apparently that was rather difficult, the eye swelling up before it burst with a loud sound.

Blood and eye matter splattered onto her, the creature dead the instant its stand out feature was destroyed. Its grip was still somewhat strong one her, the two falling together before they hit the icy ground.

Ilea was glad she had her ash armor to protect her from the gore, pushing against the hand that still clung to her despite its master’s death. “Come the fuck on,” she murmured and pushed, her limbs helping out.

She quieted down when she heard heavy steps coming closer, four thunderous legs at least. Come on, she finally slipped out, blinking away right when she saw the two creatures come closer. More Cyclops.

Be there in a second, she thought and spread her wings, flying low and fast before she crash landed in a heap of snow, rolling several times until she slid to a stop on her back. Her mana wasn’t where she wanted it to be.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the terrifying roar of the Stone Cyclops. You are paralyzed in fear for two seconds’

“Yes, I get it,” she sighed and waited for meditation to bring her mana up again. Charging it is almost not worth it.

She stood up and patted off the snow, cracking her neck when she heard another roar, feeling herself freeze up again.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the terrifying roar of the Stone Cyclops. You are paralyzed in fear for two seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 18’

This paralyzing shit is so fucking annoying. I bet ninety percent of high level people die to this crap.

She heard the creature approach and saw it move into her sphere a moment later. A fast stride brought it to her in three steps.

Second number two passed and she blinked back, her eyes closed as she formed several ashen spears and started charging her fire spell again.

Neither used up a ton of mana and she would refrain from using her intrusion skills for a while. At least until she was back at around six thousand mana.

Again, she waited for the Cyclops to move into her sphere before she released her spears, one by one , aimed at its eye from various angles.

It swatted away two of them with a quick move of its massive hand. Too quick as far as Ilea was concerned.

She had felt magic from the creature but hadn’t been able to discern it. Neither did it matter as the third spear slammed into its eye from above, causing an angry roar as it tried to get it out.

Ilea focused on the second creature and continued with the same tactic, finding it hunkering down and protecting its eye with both hands.

Suits me, she thought and waited, her mana recovering slowly as she moved backwards and away from the angry monster, the scratch on its eye really bringing its mood to a boil.

Ilea released heart of cinder in a cone in front of her, charged for around fifteen seconds by now, the energy slammed into the creature.

It stopped for a second but seemed to shrug it off. Its one eye opened wide before a glint of fire showed.

Ah, Ilea was struck by realization before a beam of fire enveloped her. She chuckled through it, her ashen armor melting down to her timeless bone before it started to reform. A chunk of mana had returned to her, back from what she assumed to be a copy of her spell.

Does that mean I could damage myself? Or is it amplified by this fucker’s level?

Now that their roars had been used, she decided to get close again, blinking behind the one she had enraged and slashing at its back, delivering Storm of Cinders with each strike.

She kept an eye on the second one who was still protecting its eye, apparently more scared of having it hurt than its will was to attack her.

Ilea kept her assault going, chipping away at the rock as the monster was slowly filled by destructive energy punching into it. She could tell that its natural resistance to mana intrusion was high thanks to its skin but with each hit, Storm of Cinders weakened it a little.

Its eye didn’t share the defensive capabilities but the Cyclops was careful now, constantly having one hand close to its eye, watching her through the gaps between its fingers.

The monster still held its club like chunk of rock in its right hand, slamming it at her once every second.

Ilea felt herself get into the rhythm before its hand suddenly sped up mid swing, magic wisps glowing lightly in her sphere as she blinked away.

She smiled, figuring out where she had seen this before. Ilea noted that the second creature was now copying its mate’s strategy, covering its eye partially instead of fully. Time magic.

The addition made the fight certainly more interesting, both facing two of them at the same time and having the occasional burst of speed. Ilea didn’t know how often they could use their roar ability either but if her own Monster Hunter skill had anything to add, she had no idea, because she hadn’t tested it.

It felt like a disapproving Trian was watching over her, shaking his head even here, in this fucky dungeon below Hallowfort.

As far as Ilea was concerned, he could fuck right off. She’d finish them before they had another chance to freeze her.

Ilea jumped and blinked through the club, her ashen limbs moving around the monster’s other hand and maneuvering her over it. Her fist slammed down, right into its eye. Magic pulsed as her spells rippled through the cornea and into whatever magical ass mucus resided below.

The Cyclops roared and let go of its weapon, lashing out with its hands with quick jabs. Its target however was already gone.

She focused on the second creature that had a hard time getting close while its brother was frenzied. Ilea even managed to maneuver them in a way to make one hit the other. Just once, but it made her proud, as if she could pay back the fact that she had nearly been eaten.

Wings moved behind her as she ascended a little over them, a mist of ash forming and spreading over the two confused monsters. Spikes formed within and slashed into their eyes as her reversed healing poured into their battered bodies.

Two massive ashen spikes were forming behind her, flying as tall as she stood, their design similar to the screw like projectiles she had tested when she had been training her ash manipulation. The sheer size would already be difficult to control and keep together, let alone the added torque she planned to integrate.

And yet her Ash and Ember Unity proved itself once again, the surface of her weapons smooth and without cracks. She started spinning them as the monsters below lashed out at the ash while they protected their respective eye.

Ilea waited until the projectiles nearly slipped from her control before she made the ash around the creatures vanish. She grinned when both of them looked up, eye wide open and ready to receive what she had cooked up for them.

The screw like spears slammed down. One of them bored into an eye with a sickening wet sound before it came to a stop. The other one slammed into an open palm, raised fast enough to get between. It didn’t manage to penetrate, slipping to the side and spinning on the ground before it rolled to a stop.

Ilea was already forming new spears, of normal size this time and without added spinning. And now there’s only one of you.

It took her a couple minutes to get through the defenses, the third tier of Storm of Cinders providing a valuable help against the durable creature.

Both were cautious by now, knowing most of what the other could do. Ilea had the advantage thanks to her recovery, finally besting the beast with an anticlimactic slash to its back.

Her ashen limb clinked against the stone armor without much of an impact and still, the Cyclops fell, lifeless. Dead.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops - lvl 612] – For defeating an enemy two hundred and ninety or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted.’

Ilea looked at the message from her first kill, before these two had even showed up. This bonus stuff has really not been helpful. Most of what I fight is a higher level than me. Can I just turn it off?

She hadn’t messed with her status much, liking it simple. The additional bulk coming with each kill had started to annoy her however, especially while fighting the hordes on the first layer.

Her will sent towards whatever created the messages in her mind, or whatever god or system governed it, she checked the rest.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops - lvl 622]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops - lvl 602]’

Yeees! I hope I didn’t just get rid of all the bonus experience.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 324 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 323 – Five stat points awarded’

Doesn’t seem like it, she smiled.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 12’

The ten points went straight into Wisdom. To maybe one day be able to hit a motherfucker twice with a fully charged Destruction.

Never tested it, she noted and started charging Absolute Destruction in each of her fists.

It actually worked. Holy fuck… six thousand mana? she asked herself but soon found the limit still at three thousand, one and a half thousand each.

“Oh well, might still come in handy,” she murmured, enhancing her voice to quickly check how fast her monster hunter skill could be used after one another.

Her surrounding was clear, more Cyclops moving in the distance but none of them close enough to notice her, for now.

She found her voice could be infused once more after a minute had passed. Are you happy now? she asked, nobody in particular.

Now, doesn’t seem like they were taken either, she thought, watching the creatures move in the distance.

Chapter 401 Ice Valley

Chapter 401 Ice Valley

Ilea watched them move, flying high above as she thought about her next steps.

The Cyclops were hulking creatures, aggressive and quite certainly lacking higher intelligence. She hesitated a little because they were humanoid. Unlike the Nazarks that had attacked her caravan in the first place, these creatures wouldn’t exactly bother anyone.

They would if literally anyone came across them, she crossed her arms. Killing them was somewhat simple at this point and they were an insanely high level, unable to damage her even as much as the Wyverns had.

Plus I can level Veteran off them, she cracked her neck and flew closer, watching the various groups go about their business, mostly just walking around, looking for food or fighting each other. Certainly monsters, impossible to be reasoned with and still it didn’t exactly feel like survival at this point. It felt like she was about to slaughter them for personal gains alone. Even the challenge didn’t seem worth it, like with the Wyverns or the Elemental.

And yet they’re here and I need to be as powerful as I can be before going further down. Sorry Lucas, I’d be an idiot not to take all I can get, she thought and formed a massive spear, flying close to a Cyclops moving alone.

It was running after a rabbit, slamming down its stone with a fury.

Ilea didn’t make a noise as she approached from behind, her drill like spear hovering next to her as it started to spin. A second spear formed, this one small and smooth.

The Cyclops closed in on the fast moving rabbit when a small impact on its back made it stop and turn, an angry growl leaving its mouth. When it didn’t find anything, the creature looked up, the last thing it saw were the black wings of an unknown creature, sending a spinning object right at its eye.

Ilea watched as it collapsed, killed in a single hit to its weak spot. This one hadn’t been quick enough to protect it, hadn’t realized how potent the attack would be. She saw the rabbit stop and watch as the creature fell down into the snow with a heavy thud.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops – lvl 607]’

I don’t see how Catelyn or anybody else couldn’t manage this. I suppose it’s a risk, in case they do manage to defend themselves… you could still just fly away again.

She figured it was a compatibility thing, finding monsters of a high enough level with a weakness against ones abilities or simply a weakness easily exploited. Perhaps ash was an especially strong element to use against Stone Cyclops, or the torque was necessary to penetrate their eye, something only creators could usually do, not all of them either.

How would Kyrian do against these? He could just curse them and fly backwards until they died, or am I missing something? The reverse thing they do with their eye I suppose, hmm, Ilea mused, thinking about getting some of her friends to certain places in the north, just to train them up.

The Cyclops were certainly a step down compared to the Wyverns, that much was clear. Their levels however were similar. She’d be interested to see the two face each other, pretty sure the Wyverns could just teleport and continuously use their fire breath. Even if the eye reverse thing was enhanced, they should be able to withstand their own flames.

She had only seen about fifteen of the creatures either way, scattered around the snow covered valley. They were easily spotted and likely the strongest in this layer.

“I won’t hurt you, little rabbit,” she said, hovering next to the dead cyclops. Storing them in her necklace was impossible, their bodies likely too large.

Ilea thought about ripping off an arm or something but even their defenses didn’t seem as impressive as the Wyvern’s. All brawn, no finesse or speed with these.

She could certainly see them as barely a threat, tough enough to withstand even their direct blows. Many others might not want to take the risk of getting close however.

She watched the rabbit walk closer, jumping onto the monster’s head before it started ripping at the exposed skin near its destroyed eye, exposing its sharp teeth.

Circle of life and all that, Ilea smiled and ascended once more.

The next hours were spent hunting Stone Cyclops. Only a few were taken out with the first ash drill, most deflecting or stopping the missile with relative ease, forcing her to get in close.

Ilea killed twelve of them all in all, getting bashed from time to time, grabbed only once when she fought two at the same time. The worst damage was a near completely squashed torso, including broken bones. A testament to their strength at least.

Their roars and time magic led to some unfortunate circumstances but she made the best of it, only a little annoyed that no resistance was leveling through the ordeal, their magic used on themselves instead of her.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops – lvl 621]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Cyclops – lvl 613]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 325 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 326 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 327 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 324 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 325 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 326 – Five stat points awarded’

The levels were really good for the time spent fighting, reminding her of the time before reaching level two hundred. Her opinion on the Cyclops changed a little too. While she still believed them to be much easier targets than the Wyverns, they certainly weren’t any less dangerous.

Without her instant recovery, even Ilea with her sphere perception, high speed, quick teleport, precognition and all her other buffs would have been killed ten times over.

When she had tried to use only her spears and reverse reconstruction, she found the monsters had a way to hunker down and regenerate quickly, their defense rising ten times over as well. Going in close was really the only option, or getting lucky with a powerful spell to their eye.

The beasts were somewhat slow, that much was true but combined with their paralyzing roars and time magic, a single hit was enough to injure even her. Anyone with less resilience would be squashed like a fly.

She was standing next to the latest group she had killed. Two of them, having eaten up nearly all her mana before going down. Ilea was happy with her decision now, to kill every last one of them. And she was glad there weren’t any groups of three. Even with her high affinity for risk taking, she’d want to separate them or only engage after one was taken out by a drill.

Every single beast down here could dismantle a whole village or town back in the south. Even the rabbits are level thirty.

With every battle, she was more impressed that humanity was still around, glad these creatures remained in the deep and didn’t desire the death of all life. None of the Cyclops had been corrupted, nor had she found corpses of any being affected by the blood manipulation in this valley.

The Elemental could surely kill the Cyclops, perhaps even did so already at the bottom of its layer. Thanks, lightning bird, she thought, looking up. Many would have died, had these monsters moved up to the first layer, as unlikely as that was.

Thirty stat points… hmm, she looked through the rest of her gains before making a decision.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 20’

Compared to the Wyvern battles, her skills didn’t level quite as fast. She assumed the routine she quickly developed in battling the creatures was responsible.

In general, it seemed the only skills that really benefited more from a prolonged battle were her resistance skills. Even a quick kill against a high level creature rewarded similar levels as a longer fight did.

Fighting the unknown and responding to new skills, magic and weapons would be more beneficial of course, even if skills and levels didn’t exist at all. Ilea was sure it applied to skills themselves, as well as class levels for that matter.

If she fought only Cyclopes for another year, she doubted any of her skills would rise significantly. Her classes of course would, to an extent at least. Simply for the fact that she was killing creatures above level six hundred.

Veteran had stopped leveling after twenty, preventing their roars from having an effect against her. The creatures still got hits in from time to time, due to their time manipulation.

Ilea was glad at least that they couldn’t turn back time to heal their wounds or get her stuck in a loop or something. I still need another time mage to level my resistance. Just in case I ever face something that could freeze me like that.

Ilea put fifteen stat points into both Vitality and Wisdom, reaching eight hundred in the latter.

She sighed and ascended, her wings carrying her away from the corpses before she landed a couple hundred meters down the frozen river, next to a couple of white trees.

Might as well relax for a little while. It’s been days since my last real rest.

Camping in such a place was pretty much suicide. Not for her probably but certainly for anyone below level three hundred without some long range warning spell. Wait, that’s why you have someone do watch.

She chuckled and summoned some wood, setting it ablaze with a focused Heart of Cinder, charged for a second only and aimed to only graze the wood.

Ilea didn’t get to enjoy the bonfire for very long, the hairs on her neck standing up as she suddenly blinked away, her wings spreading and carrying her up and away.

What? she tried to figure out what had happened. The fire was snuffed out, smoke rising from the fireplace. Ice started to form on her wings, making her unable to ascend any further.

She tumbled down and caught herself in the white tree branches, her ashen limbs moving her closer to the trunk.

Something was visible in her sphere, moving below the snow and the ground. It was blurry, lacking a form and wreathed in a confusing illusion.

Ilea waited, her heart beating quickly as her instincts screamed at her to get the fuck away. Everything was frozen, a layer of ice on top of her ashen armor. It tried to dig deeper, it really did. She could see the magic intrude into her defenses, failing to leave a lasting mark, likely because of her resistance.

The healer held her breath, watching the thing move past below. It moved around the roots of the tree and didn’t detect her.

Terribly long seconds passed before the air was suddenly back to normal, Ilea breathing once more.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

She waited a little while longer before she moved, finally blinking up and spreading her wings, a wave of heat spreading out from her that splintered the ice instantly.

Not something I want to fight, for now at least.

She had learned to trust her instincts and that thing made her danger sense tingle about as much as the lightning elemental, with the added bonus of being shrouded and underground.

Her ice resistance needed to be higher. If it could nearly immobilize her by just moving through, she wasn’t ready to face it.

A mere human, in a world of monsters.

And yet she wasn’t. Not anymore. A weaker monster. For now.

She smiled and continued further down the valley, ready to face the next challenge that was waiting for her. Ready to leech every bit of power out of this hostile place and quell the corruption that arose from it.

Ilea found no more Cyclopes in her descent, nor did she encounter the powerful ice magic anymore. Nothing remained in the eleventh layer other than the cave entrance that led further down.

A long frozen tunnel with a steep decline, traversed in flight before she came up on a blown open stone floor.

Number twelve, she thought and checked once more for any messages or scraps left behind. This had been one of the most prominent ways down to the next layer so far. Others definitely existed and could be constructed but Ilea assumed most everything would use this tunnel.

There was however nothing scratched into the frozen walls nor was there anything left behind.

She jumped down into the next level and immediately smiled at the sight. A mirror, she looked at her ashen form, the small horns jutting forward from behind her temples. The thin limbs of ash moving behind her, much more focused and smooth near their sharp ends.

Not exactly me in a pajama anymore. I doubt any of those poor Drakes expected me to come this far, she smiled and focused once more, not about to die in this forgotten ice cave.

The walls were covered in shards of ice, dark stone jutting out here and there. Reflections of her form were visible all over, thousands of them spreading out in each direction, illuminated by the thin lines of crystal embedded in the floor and ceiling.

This is as far as the priest went. Let’s see what made him turn around.

Ilea walked around for a while, the tunnels forking out into various directions from time to time. She missed the sure guidance of Ilas. With time however, she would find the way.

Sudden laughter resounded behind her, a giggle at most.

A familiar voice.

She kept her eyes peeled, her senses focused. There it is again, she sped up and followed the noise into another tunnel with a slight decline.

A figure shrouded in shadow glanced her way and vanished. A woman with blond hair, two daggers in hand, a familiar posture.

“Eve…,” Ilea whispered and followed, rushing after the woman before she came up on a dead end. She’s dead… she’s dead, she repeated in her head.

Her eyes opened wide as she blinked back. And you just entered whatever trap this was.

The ground below her blurred in her sphere, a dozen eyes turning to focus on her. Two dozen rope like protrusions lashed out to catch her as a vibration went through her.

‘ding’ ‘You have felt the magic of the Halian – You are paralyzed for two seconds’

Ilea watched the huge mouth open, teeth as far as she could see, all the eyes on her as she was caught and brought down into the creature that seemed grown into and connected to the icy rock.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Veteran - 2nd lvl 1

You have experienced the shouts and spells of beings completely out of your range of imagination. You will not survive but at least you won’t be completely immobilized while you get eaten. Good luck warrior.

2nd stage: You are immune to the fear of facing that which you do not understand. Be wary, some might sense your arrogance in the face of power, others might fear it.

Her eyes were cold, her limbs slashing into the creature’s flesh as she watched the teeth close around her. Heart of Cinder was released, charging since she first heard the giggling behind her.

Attacking her was one thing, using her murdered friend to lure her into a trap was something else entirely.

The fire lashed out, singeing the skin of the creature that snapped its mouth shut.

Teeth dug into her from all sides as her ash spread through the gaps, destructive mana flowing into the beast as her limbs scratched and cut into the inside of its mouth.

It thrashed in pain, making the stone around it rumble as it pushed harder to sink its teeth into her ash and bone.

Ilea pushed her hands against the walls of flesh and teeth, her muscles aching as she strained against the powerful creature. You fucked with the wrong human.

Her ash lashed out behind her, ripping out chunks of flesh. She felt the teeth penetrate through her armor, digging into her skin as blood started to run down her palms.

Drills started spinning before they dug into the monster, Shredder like layers of her own blades forming before they spun around in the creature’s insides.

Tentacles came from all around, trying to pull her out once more but they too were ripped through.

“You misunderstand…,” she murmured, her arms nearly buckling as she infused her voice and spoke, “… you’re the one being hunted.”

Chapter 402 Getting Lost

Chapter 402 Getting Lost

The Halian finally managed to spit her out, a combination of tentacles, gag reflex and acidic stomach juices doing the job.

She slithered to the ground, failing to stand up due to the slippery juices burning into her skin. Her ash was reforming, deep cuts on her body healing under it. Ilea blinked, avoiding any further battle against the ground.

Her ashen limbs reformed, healed to move the process along. One of her eyes had been pierced by a thorned tentacle, refocusing as it sprang back to life.

She let out a breath and spat out a mix of blood and acid, looking at the creature.

It was writing in the ground, screeching in anguish and fury, thousands of cuts on its insides showing, most of its eyes scratched or punctured, some outright ripped out. The beast had a bad day, that much was certain.

Another screech left it, acid spewing out from its massive maw, slathering Ilea in the brown muck.

She felt the substance burn into her ash, disintegrating it quickly. It stopped at her skin, her healing and resistances pushing against it. Ilea rushed forward, watching the mouth shut before she slammed into an invisible wall.

“A barrier… really?” she asked, putting out her hand. She tried to gauge it, compared it to Claire’s and other barriers she had come across. Destructive healing mana started pouring into it, Ilea using the downtime to let her mana regenerate.

The battle, more a messy dinner really, had lasted just around a minute so far. The beast didn’t have long, now hiding behind its barrier.

Ilea watched her mana pour into the slowly more visible barrier, eating through it like the acid still clinging to her skin. She tried blinking inside but appeared at the same place she had started. Whatever prevented her teleportation was still there.

My mana against yours then, she thought, charging her Heart of Cinder. Thanks to her ash aura, she was getting stronger with each passing minute of battle. Her sphere informed her that the barrier was slowly being eaten up, having a hard time fighting the reversed healing that ate away at it.

Ilea used up between fifty and a hundred and fifty mana per second if she went all out, Absolute Destruction alone using seventy five points per fully charged strike. Storm of Cinders from sixteen separate limbs used around sixty mana per strike. With around eight mana regenerating per second without Meditation, it wasn’t quite enough to keep up her offense.

Sentinel Core helped, especially when the creatures used spells against her. And meditation added a factor of four to her base regeneration, nearly doubling it. Her skills of course still ate up much more, leaving her below four thousand mana after the minute long engagement.

Nothing less was required from a monster she assumed to be above level six hundred. These weren’t creatures easily overwhelmed, not by an enemy with a much lower level. Even if she had two classes.

She wouldn’t stop here however, continuing to eat through the barrier as her fire spell charged. Each passing second with Meditation active would mean another strike or two against the creature.

Heart of Cinder was charged a little over half a minute later, burning away at her insides. She put her hand through the barrier and released the spell in a beam of energy, heat and fire.

The Halian shrieked and thrashed in its hideout and soon to be grave within the walls of the twelfth layer, enveloped by fire as its hard skin was scorched, its insides cooked. And still it remained alive. Powerful but injured and bled.

Ilea broke through moments later, the barrier wavering due to her attack. She blinked close and rammed her ash into its eyes, and some into its maw to try and open it again. Mana poured into it during the assault, her hands slamming down, each strike sending a destructive wave through the monster’s form.

It died half a minute later, overwhelmed finally by the insane amount of energy destroying its insides. The creature stopped moving rather unceremoniously, its attempts to stop her in its death throes lackluster compared to the earlier assault. The Halian had closed its mouth and thus sealed its strongest weapon.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Halian – lvl 610]’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 13’

Ilea blinked back up into the tunnel, her wings taking her the rest of the way. The creature below was huge, now unmoving and dead. Fucking disgusting, she thought as she looked down, her mana regenerating as her body was cleaned by ash.

Her bone armor appeared again, slowly restoring what had been damaged or lost. Which consisted of a large part of it.

A moment later, she sat down on the edge, the crack leading down into the beast’s little alcove. “Shit day, hmm?” she asked and summoned a meal. The smell of a dead creature didn’t bother her much anymore, nothing compared to the things she was exposed to every day within the Descent.

Random creatures are already above six hundred down here, she mused, enjoying Keyla’s cooking with each bite as her mana regenerated. Ilea hoped the expedition hadn’t gone much deeper, despite her growth and the possibility of fighting a variety of dangerous and interesting creatures. For their sake and that of her friends at the very least.

She herself could come down here and test herself against these monsters whenever she wanted, without anybody else’s life on the line.

Ilea snorted. Sure, as if nobody has a world ending threat for me to fight at this point. I’m too fucking powerful. I bet the empire is knocking on Ravenhall’s gates, Adam somehow summoned another demon horde and maybe there’s an actual demon invasion. Or hey, maybe the Taleen switched targets to humanity. Because I’ve been fucking with them so much. Yea, why not make it my fault too.

She chuckled to herself. The Feynor were a danger in the north, to Hallowfort and all the Dark Ones. Baralia in the south, as well as any other nation or tribe holding slaves.

As far as her knowledge of fantasy narrative was concerned, there were necromancers and dragons out there, just waiting for her to reach the right level of power. Then they would invade and burn down whole kingdoms. Only for the hero to emerge.

You can summon someone else for that, destiny.

So far, things went alright. At least in her opinion. The demons had fucked up a lot of shit but the threat wasn’t close to as world ending as some people made it out to be. They even took out Ravenhall. Even if they had managed to somehow take over the human lands, the rest of humanity would have just been pushed farther north and west.

As soon as they would have gone into elven territory, they would have been slaughtered. If anybody needs a bloody hero, it’s the elves, she thought and smiled. Ilea believed them at this point. Isalthar and Elfie both had corresponding stories. Their shitty leaders didn’t care much and their people saw the Taleen merely as a training opportunity, despite their heavy losses of both lives and land.

Well, I don’t actually know enough about that conflict to really have an opinion about it. Just seems more dire than whatever humanity is dealing with. Every little monster or plague will be highly threatening to a race of people where the average level is below one hundred.

And of course we monopolize healers.

She shook her head and smiled. Small goals. I can still explore and fight powerful beasts here, while helping a friend with her world ending threat.

Ilea wondered how much of their previous talk was just fueled by her wish to fight monsters alone. The arguments were valid of course but everyone knew she wasn’t exactly here for the same reasons as the others.

Lucas and Ilas don’t care much for the corruption either I think. Not anymore at least. Why would they? I’m pretty sure the Elemental provides a better barrier than we ever could.

At this point it was more about finding the expedition, or bury their remains. For the others that was. For her, fighting monsters was enough. Finding out who built all this and experimented with the creatures was another thing she felt somewhat strongly about. If only for the fact that a lot of people had died already.

At least destroy your viruses before you abandon a testing facility, she thought and finished her meal, getting up a moment later.

“Alright. Let’s see if I can find more of these fuckers,” she said and walked back.

Ilea wandered through the tunnels for twenty minutes, not finding a single thing other than her own reflection in the hundreds of glass like ice shards covering the stone.

She tried finding a trail of either the expedition or her group that must have passed through here half a day prior. Nothing revealed itself however, neither to her sphere nor her Huntress skill.

She hummed the theme song for one of her favorite Superheroines to stave off the boredom that was slowly growing. The main reason was to attract any monsters that were nearby. So far, nothing had shown itself.

Ilea had her precognition, her sphere, her Azarinth Perception as well as her insane defenses in case something did jump her.

Ten minutes and a lot of unknown corridors later, something did show. A creature that appeared in her sphere and vanished.

Ilea felt the space next to her side distort and turned, using her arms to defend herself when a dozen blades cut into her. They penetrated halfway through her ash before the creature vanished once more.

A four legged dog sized beast with a ball like head, adorned by too many eyes and no mouth. Twelve protrusions came out its back with bladed ends, the whole thing a sickly purple color.

It appeared again behind her, ashen limbs lashing out to counter the attack. Blades clanged against each other before it vanished again.

Ilea at least managed to get a glimpse at it with Idenfity.

[Blade Lurker – lvl ???]

The thing appeared again, cutting deeper this time.

Ilea was fast enough to respond but the thing appeared in an awkward spot every time, as if it knew where she could reach easily and where she couldn’t. Her ashen limbs were the only thing keeping it away for now.

After she got eaten by several creatures, Ilea had some time to think about possible ways to use her new power up to her ash effectively. Just need to make it a little more uncomfortable.

Barbed thorns formed on her ashen armor, growing out quickly before she added the same to her limbs, moving them from her back to her limbs and torso. They started spinning with quickly increasing velocity, around her arms, legs, chest and stomach. One even swirled around her head.

Everything was still connected to her body, giving it the benefits of her active skills as well. Anything that attacked her in this state would have a damn annoying time.

Ash Hedgehog baby, she smiled and watched the creature appear, its blades cutting into her defenses. Several cuts ripped open its purple skin, both close to the protrusions on its back as well as its side.

The ash chipped but quickly reformed, injuring the monster with each teleport.

Ilea noticed that the Blade Lurker moved with increased velocity after every blink, its weapons cutting deeper every time. Its body was in turn ripped apart by her thorns.

When it finally cut to her bone armor, the beast whipped around, getting stuck in her ash.

Ilea snatched it with her arms, hugging it close as it was shredded through by a thousand thorns. Blood sprayed the walls and her armor.

She let it go when the killing notification resounded in her mind, a sad lump of mangled flesh at that point, landing with a wet noise.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Lurker – lvl 517]

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 14’

This level isn’t very lucrative, is it? she sighed and reformed her defenses, getting rid of the gore. I should move on to the thirteenth as soon as possible.

Ilea’s plans didn’t pan out exactly. She just left a corridor with ten Blade Lurkers, each cutting into her defenses before she took them out. The numbers nearly overwhelmed her at one point, their blades chipping too much of her ash to make it effective. A charged blast of fire took three of them out of the action, allowing her to refocus on the rest.

It didn’t seem like the monsters had an upper limit to their speed, cutting deep into her flesh, their own bodies nearly breaking under the stress their abilities put them under. And now she was looking at a hazy illusion moving into and out of the walls.

The person looked like a hazy nightmare version of Claire, calling for help in a voice much too deep and distorted.

She followed of course, hoping for another Halian, perhaps one that was worse at the illusion part of the job.

What she found was to be expected.

[Corrupted Halian – lvl ???]

The monster screeched, its tentacles thrashing out of the opened mouth as it ripped at the walls to get out.

So much anger, and still you’re stuck in a wall, Ilea thought and formed her shredder like protrusions, adding several layers of ashen padding to her defenses. Full mana, Heart charging, hedgehog mode on.

She thought about waiting for fifteen minutes to get the full benefits of her Aspect but decided against it. Ilea had killed one before and now it was corrupted and frenzied, a husk of its former self.

“Here’s dinner,” she said and jumped in, the tentacles trying to grab her getting shredded as soon as they touched her moving defense.

What followed was a grinding mush of thorns and teeth, fire and blood.

The added aggression and unrelenting frenzy of the Halian actually made it more dangerous, contrary to Ilea’s expectations.

The mouth smashed down in quick succession, its teeth grinding into her ash without any concern for the Halian’s own safety. It didn’t stop or slow down its attacks, acid spew and tentacle strikes no matter how many wounds it had, how much of its body got burnt.

Ilea had to retort to her instant recovery several times but decided to remain within its mouth, stopping the walls with her arms as her ashen limbs and her reversed reconstruction slowly whittled away at the creature’s health. She had to refrain from using more offensive skills after a while to preserve her mana.

She had tried blinking out but this time, the monster was using its barrier to keep her in, instead of out.

The end result was the same however. The Halian died, in a gory soup of blood, guts and orange ooze.

Ilea finally blinked out, going on one knee as her lungs reformed. Not instantly, to preserve some mana once more. She was still fine but a sudden appearance of ten more Blade Lurkers could pose a significant problem.

Meditation had been active during most of the fight and was flowing through her now too, giving her an additional bit of mana every passing second. The acid had provided some resource as well, considered a magic attack. Likely because she had a related resistance.

She sat back and looked through her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Lurker – lvl 505]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Lurker – lvl 523]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Halian – lvl 605]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 328 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 327 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

The ten stat points went into Vitality as she waited and listened. Nothing showed up.

Ilea jumped down and stored her bone armor, reducing her ashen armor in the process. There was still plenty of acid and corruption remaining inside the corpse, slathered onto her in perhaps the deadliest bath a human has ever taken.

What better way to deter other creatures than a corrupted and acid ridden corpse, she thought and sat down, her skin slowly burnt through.

She deactivated her armor of ash as well, both the corruption as well as the acid instantly increasing in potency. Not ten fold as she had hoped for but at least twice or thrice as powerful.

Ilea felt a little exposed without her ashen armor but she had to learn to trust her other skills as well. Gaining resistance levels quickly was a major priority at this point and while it took a moment for her armor to form on her body, the effects to her real body were instant.

She sighed, turning on her perception of pain, instantly wincing as her teeth clenched. The corruption was most certainly worse than the acid, sickening and like a bright all consuming sensation in her mind.

She stopped it again. Losing focus here, especially while her defenses were down was stupid. More so than what she was willing to do at the moment. Ilea planned to level her pain tolerance as well but while there were so many other resistance levels to be gained, the could certainly sideline that project.

To think now that she was deep within a northern dungeon, she would train without her defenses active. When even within Ravenhall, she had kept her ashen armor present most of the time, likely slowing down her training.

The damage output coming from the mages was good either way but she still shook her head at the though. Monsters are at least open with their intent, more trustworthy than humans in their own way.

Chapter 403 Layers

Chapter 403 Layers

Ilea spent an hour inside the Halian corpse, until little of the acid remained. She checked her progress and activated her armor again, her bone set had regenerated again too at this point.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

She spent another hour walking around in the ice mirror covered corridors but other than two Blade Lurkers, she didn’t encounter anything. Neither had been corrupted.

Ilea assumed that those that were had been killed in the layer above by the Cyclopes or they might have gone further below.

There it is, she thought, spotting the stone separating this layer from the next. Not exactly very profitable that one.

She decided not to dwell on it, using her ash to form a drill before she dug down into the ground. Ilea wasn’t about to lose another hour to find an exit when she could just make her own.

The lines of crystal continued down through the stone, into the thirteenth floor of the Descent. Even Ilea’s little tunnel was illuminated by them. The sound of rushing streams of water was audible as she broke through.

She spread her wings as she came out below, taking in the sight of a dozen rivers, creeks as well as still ponds spreading through the area. A slight decline let her know where the next layer could likely be found.

Rocks jutted out from both the rushing as well as the still waters, separating the streams.

Water layer…, Ilea shuddered at the thought as well as the sight before her. At least it wasn’t an unending ocean like back in the demon realm. I never thanked Trian for going with me. Would have been terrifying alone.

Ilea clapped her hands together to motivate herself and moved down, flying low over the water. She found herself enjoying the sound at least, most of the layers before devoid of much audible ambience.

A sudden tug pulled her down, powerful enough to counter her wings nearly fully. Ilea used her ashen limbs to grab onto anything solid she could find as soon as she reached the water. The stone groaned before it cracked.

Her wings wet and submerged, there was nothing that kept her from going down. Ilea focused and breathed in deeply, putting on her Drowning Bear Ring.

Sharp stones jutted from the bottom, as well as pillars and formations of rock that lined the whole area underwater. Ilea was pulled down and wedged between two walls, their sharp edges digging into her armor.

Meditation activated and she calmed down a little. What are you dealing with? What do you need to do?

She asked herself those two questions, realizing that she knew the sensation. Gravity magic. Something is trying to drown me.

I need to get out or kill whatever is causing this, she thought and started smashing at the stone around her. Her arms felt sluggish, pulled down and heavy. She was sure it wasn’t just the water.

You can survive underwater for at least half an hour, probably longer. Your Gravity Magic Resistance is pretty fucking low and you can’t fight it right now. Might as well go all out.

She deactivated her resistance and waited, trying to locate whatever was causing the magic through her various abilities.

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

Her ash crashed through the stone around her, Ilea now free to move around as the pressure still put her down.

The level up had no effect, the skill’s bonus still deactivated.

Ilea moved slowly, pushing hard against the magic as she scanned through her sphere, trying to find something out of the norm. The flowing water made it hard to find anything that stood out.

Ten minutes passed, her search so far fruitless. At least I’ll have some more resistance levels before I die.

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

Whatever it was, the magic it used was strong. Like most things down at these depths of the Descent.

There you are, she thought, spotting a small part on a rock where the water flow was slightly different.

An ashen lance formed and shot out.

Sudden movement revealed a gray octopus the size of a house cat, the creature scurrying around the rock and vanishing again.

Fuck.

No interruption in the magic was noticeable. I’ll find you little octopus.

Ilea used her ashen limbs to pull herself against the powerful gravity magic, the water around her pushing down much more weight than air and her body alone would provide, coming from a beast likely above her level.

She smiled, finding the monster behind the rock once again. Now, let’s not be stupid, she thought and activated her blink.

Her perspective changed and a hand rushed out as fast as she could, uninterrupted by gravity magic that was still focused on where she had stood previously.

The creature was squishy, several arms in her grasp.

[Vile Varass Drowner – lvl ???]

She squeezed and slammed her ashen limbs down into the small form of the monster.

It slithered out of the way, dodging most of her blows before something spread out from its body. A murky substance that sizzled as soon as it touched her ash.

Good, even more resistance training you can provide, she thought, feeling the gravity around her once more increasing.

She held tight, pushing destructive mana into the octopus, its eyes frantically looking for an escape within the cloud of acid or whatever substance it was.

Ilea’s ashen limbs slowly pushed towards the creature, fighting against the increased weight as they wrung around it, small blades forming before they cut along the beast’s body.

It struggled hard, making the wounds even worse before it went limp.

What? Ilea asked herself, the magic around her gone. Not very tough for something of your level.

She stored the body in her necklace and checked the messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Vile Varass Drowner – lvl 539]

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

Damn, a level in corrosion too? Despite only being affected for a couple seconds?

Ilea had her suspicions already but now she was pretty sure her Avatar of Ash bonus didn’t just increase the damage taken from resistances. Something inherent was making the leveling more effective. She assumed the skills were deactivated and the leveling speed went closer to the first tier again, despite their actual levels.

Compared to the weeks she spent with her team back in the Hand as well as her time with the Miststalkers, she was getting levels left and right. The ridiculously high damage helped of course. With her resistances deactivated it wasn’t a trade off many would take or even could, really.

Ilea blinked up twice, coming to the surface and landing on a nearby stone. Could have just done that to get out. Fucking idiot.

Drowning was one of her major fears, perhaps having made her a little bit irrational. Maybe she simply focused on getting the enemy instead of bringing herself to safety.

She didn’t want to admit that perhaps her training with William made her fear worse instead of better.

I’ll be able to experience all the intricacies of drowning however, before I die. Not that I don’t know everything there is to know already.

She sighed and stopped herself from just flying through the whole layer. The creatures were at a good level and getting her Gravity Magic Resistance to the second tier would be easy.

Might as well deactivate my armor, I didn’t come close to dying there.

Her eyes focused on the ring on her finger. Maybe should refrain from punching too hard with that hand, she though. She didn’t know if all magic items were subject to the same benefits her necklace and bracelet had.

“You’re sighing a lot lately. Come on, good progress, levels and resistances,” she tried to psych herself. “Also drowning, seeing your own body melt and being eaten by various monsters.”

A fifty fifty endeavor really. I still enjoy it most of the time, she justified and stood up on her wet rock. Might as well start instead of wasting anymore time.

_______________________________

Catelyn held her breath, waiting for the elf to signal the passing of the corrupted beast. Her sight was blurred by the veil of shadows hiding their group.

Ilas’ presence had been invaluable, both his hiding ability as well as his path finding. Most of the creatures they could outright avoid, seeing only glimpses of them, if even that.

Few of the beasts so far down had succumbed to the corruption that seemed to have spread throughout a large part of the dungeon. Maro had accidentally discovered one of the mechanisms that had spread it.

A simple cylinder built into a wall and filled with the orange ooze, having sprayed its contents into the nearby waters.

They had refrained from engaging most of the denizens, powerful magic emanating from them. Dangerous creatures on their own, adding to their abilities with the supporting terrain. The drowning creatures especially had nearly taken them by surprise.

The elf’s barriers hadn’t been affected much by the gravity magic, saving them from falling into the waters. Luckily, the layer right after had a way to completely circumvent the deep waters lying within. The complete stillness had unnerved her. She hoped Ilea would see the message, not that she would necessarily listen either way.

Now they had another problem. The pale blue light shining from above was further reduced by the veil of shadows but Catelyn could see them still, the corrupted creatures prowling this layer. They wouldn’t find a way up but their numbers were worrying.

If the expedition had really passed here, she had a hard time seeing them make their way back up. We will have to dig another way, something she had wanted to avoid. Their supplies would be down already, their numbers as well.

Catelyn ignored the possibility of them all being dead, convinced that somehow they had found a way to hide.

“It has passed,” the elf said finally. “We may not be able to avoid them all.”

“Then we just fight, or fly away,” Maro commented.

“The way down lies ahead, let us press forward,” Ilas said.

She remained quiet, the tension high since they split. Before even, if she was being honest. Lucas refused to fight and Ilea was more focused on her own growth and excitement than finding the expedition.

Catelyn understood of course but she doubted Ilea could take out the monsters in the last couple layers, even if she took time to level. You doomed her, she ground her teeth and focused on the task at hand. It was her decision, she is young but an adult nonetheless.

She hoped it hadn’t been the wrong decision. Perhaps she should have pushed more, could have prevented her from going. It is done now. The strong will survive. Let her be forged, as you have been. And let the lost fools be lucky, before they unleash even more destruction upon these lands.

She looked at the others and kept her magic at a low burn. Maro and the elf could hold their own but without a more powerful healer than herself, Catelyn doubted a prolonged battle would be victorious. We don’t even know what these creatures can do, she thought and walked on, deeper into the unknown from whence there may be no escape.

____________________________________

Niivalyr glanced at the fox, feeling her concern. Like a stench, she doused their whole group in uncertainty. Quite the contrast to the others. The human had surprised him, showing fear deep below his uncaring attitude. He could not be relied on, not now that Ilea was gone, left behind.

He should have stayed at her side. It would have been more beneficial than scouring these caverns, hidden and shrouded like thieves. Her idiotic confidence would have been a more favorable companion than this sorry bunch. Alone she would thrive, he knew as much. He on the other hand had learned to rely on others, to see the benefits of a group.

Their goals were not the same, no longer. He could not risk his life anymore, not for excitement and power alone.

He repressed a sigh, a human gesture he had adapted from his prolonged exposure. Friends, he thought and nearly hissed, his teeth opening slightly as he smelled the corruption, the blood of the monsters walking these lands.

Unnatural and foreign they smelled, wielding the magic of time itself. He had something in common with them too, he knew. The curses were so tangible he had mistaken them for his own magic at first.

Their utter inability to face most of these creatures without danger to their very lives infuriated him, only quenched by the fact that the corruption had not tainted all of them.

Yet these had been taken, overwhelmed and broken, he saw them move in the distance, the magic powerful and potent, like so many things here, beyond the forest.

He hated it here, hated everything about it. The stench, the creatures, the mana. Yet still he knew the weight on him had lessened. His hatred was raw, his emotions free. Exiled, cursed. How dare they force their will upon me?

He hissed then, quietly and stopping immediately. The fear in his eyes stemmed not from the beasts of this place of creation and yet he felt it and he hated it. Hated them.

“What’s gotten into you again?” Maro asked in a quiet voice, glancing back at him.

The others ignored him mostly but the human had used every opportunity to mock him, belittle him. One plagued by such immense turmoil should not roar so loudly at those set free.

“Their magic is quite powerful. Be wary of curses,” Niivalyr said, ignoring the taunt, misplaced in both location and time. Foolish, like so many.

I will not succumb to my nature. The corruption will be destroyed, as will the Taleen and the…, he couldn’t bring himself to finish, not even in his mind. Like claws gripping him, the fear remained. He pictured them then, the young elves fighting against impossible odds, losing of course but their spirit unbroken. Amidst them the only human he truly respected, the one he owed his life to.

“Stop daydreaming,” Maro whispered his way.

Niivalyr held up a finger, indicating silence. A moment later he pointed to the west, one of the monsters standing atop a boulder set in the ground, ears raised and snarling.

Ilas too pointed, towards the layer’s wall and the entrance to a tunnel.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hana carefully set down the injured warrior, finally in relative safety. It was a wonder that he was still alive, the wounds on him would have killed even her five times over.

A dark one. Powerful.

“Did you find someone?” Jonna whispered, walking out from the hall’s shadows. She stopped and looked at the creature. “What is that?”

Hana turned and closed the steel gate, checking one last time if nothing was behind. She would leave the warrior here in case something had followed. “He was part of the expedition. I saw him before, never exposed like this,” she said. “Can you heal him?”

Jonna appeared closer, her magic activating with the familiar warmth. “What are those scales? They’re blue.”

His armor lay damaged and exposed, most of his chest free as well as half of his helmet and his left arm. The previously full plate armor had been ripped through by one beast or the other. Cuts went to his very bone.

“Wow, he’s still alive,” Jonna murmured, taking care of his wounds.

“I was surprised as well. He was alone too but the room suggested a struggle. A dead scorpion was there too, its flesh cooked from within,” Hana said quietly.

“Corruption?” Jonna asked in a worried tone.

“I checked, he took care of it. Use your identification, he shows as a warrior,” Hana replied.

“We cannot trust that alone,” Jonna said, “He is eating up a lot of my mana.”

“With his size, no wonder. He’s even taller than me,” she said, the dark one nearly three meters in height. She hoped he wasn’t inexperienced, easy to panic. Or worse, dangerous and foolish.

Eyelids slowly opened as he woke, “That is enough…,” he said in a soft voice, quiet and alert. “Reserve your mana for now, healer.”

“We should be safe, I can finish the job,” Jonna replied, continuing her spell.

“It is…,” the warrior said and sat up, careful not to disturb any of the partially healed wounds. “… of no matter… focus on… the others.”

Hana looked at Jonna and back to the creature, his gear in shreds, “There are no others, I carried you here.”

His eyes opened wide, a dark blue color reflecting the bright magical light from above, “I failed then,” he murmured and looked down on himself before a small smile spread on his mouth, revealing sharp teeth. “And yet I survived. Tell me warrior, did I slay the beast?”

Hana chuckled and clasped his shoulder, “You did. I found no other corpses. Perhaps they found safety.”

“Or,” he coughed, “Corruption has taken them. We will see. I thank you, Hana, brave warrior and… Jonna, healing hand.”

“You know us?” Hana asked, a little surprised.

“I have taken the time to learn what I can of those partaking in the expedition. Enthusiasm has clouded my judgment it seems. We have unleashed something terrible,” he said, a little more focused as the rest of his wounds healed.

He grabbed the heavy steel chains around his arms and tightened them before he removed the loose remains of his chest plate. “My name is Relly by the way. Tell me, how much of this facility have you searched already?”

“You want to look for survivors?” Jonna asked, apprehension showing on her face.

“It may be a fool’s errand but yes. More importantly, we cannot allow this corruption to reach the surface, lest we doom these lands and all that lies beyond,” he said. “Do you have water?” Relly asked and held out his scaled hand, liquid forming in his palm.

A note from Rhaegar

Happy Birthday :)!

Chapter 404

Chapter 404

Ilea sat down on one of the rocks, watching the waters flow by in a serene beauty. Hmm…

Maybe it isn’t as bad as I thought, she mused, forming another small ashen pebble in her hand before she threw it.

The Varass Drowners were attracted by small disturbances like that, she had realized. Most of the time only one attacked, making her assume they had territories or some form of communication.

If the latter was true then they certainly failed to convey how deadly this new enemy coming to their layer really was.

She had killed an additional eight of them already, spending at least half an hour with each as they used their magic on her.

They thrashed and spewed their acid while pressing down hundreds of liters of water on top of her, increasing the weight ten or even a hundred fold. It was hard to tell without an industrial scale.

Perhaps some might consider it animal abuse but Ilea felt them rather fairly treated, considering her skin was constantly melted and her body nearly squashed whenever she engaged them. Neither was it a matter of hunting the helpless creatures. They came to hunt her all by themselves, realizing too late that their prey was different to the fish and gulls they normally killed.

Ilea was aware that she was justifying her murderous behavior, knowing full well that simply leaving them in peace would allow their ecosystem to remain stable, perhaps even grow. And yet she didn’t really care. Knowing how it felt to be drowned with the help of gravity magic kind of squashed any remaining empathy she had for the creatures.

If they ran away or avoided her, it might have been a different situation but they weren’t. In a world where humanity would likely never be close to a dominant species, worries like these were a luxury. One Ilea would certainly indulge in from time to time, feeling more inclined to trust a monster than a human.

She checked her growth from the training, debating if it was already enough for this layer.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Vile Varass Drowner – lvl 519]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Vile Varass Drowner – lvl 562]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 329 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 328 – Five stat points awarded’

She was getting close to another third tier point again. Between Huntress and Perception, she didn’t exactly have a preference. Both will be there at one point or another, she thought.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 4’

The skill had helped tremendously in collecting the acid from the creatures, as well as pull more power from the gravity magic. Not that the latter really made sense to her but somehow it had worked.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 5’

The fact that she had faced powerful monsters with a quite obvious intent to kill her apparently helped with the skill as well. Ilea couldn’t affect this one with her Avatar of Ash bonus, meaning it wasn’t considered a resistance.

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 10’

The slow leveling skill had finally reached double digits. Ilea had to admit that she was slacking with it, considering most everything could be identified. It didn’t involve fighting or eating however, resulting in the somewhat slow progress. She was pretty sure that identifying a level five hundred monster was more beneficial than identifying a thousand trees either way, or at least told herself as much to ignore the skill.

A second stage bonus could certainly be interesting however. Even Ilea had to admit that much.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 3’

She had used the skill whenever possible, trying to intimidate the creatures with her gargled voice underwater. Not exactly beneficial to her air supply or the fights themselves but levels were levels.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

A force of nature, bound and warped my magic itself. Perhaps not noticing the damage dealt to your body, you have developed a way to resist this magic.

2nd stage: You remain firmly planted and understand a little of the intricacies of gravity. A more practical sense that allows you to move in varied gravity with less difficulty. Be it magical or otherwise.

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

The main benefit was of course the new second tier resistance. Ilea tested it against the creatures and the forty percent reduction to damage and power as well as the second tier made a tremendous difference.

She opted to deactivate the skill again of course, adding corruption to one of her arms as well.

It was beneficial training still but Ilea didn’t want to spend much time here, mostly because of the low number of monsters. Her resistances were important of course but a couple more class levels would give her another set of third tier bonuses.

The latter usually had a vaster impact than a little bit more resilience and ash density.

When this whole thing was over, Ilea planned to take a couple months off and just get all her resistances to the end of the second tier. Her next evolution was still a ways off and while possible, she doubted it would come at three fifty. Perhaps not even at four hundred.

Will I get three question marks when I get to five hundred? she wondered. Everyone would freak out when they saw me and I’d become an international target.

The thought wasn’t exactly comforting. Mostly annoying. Already there were people after her because of Alice. She really didn’t feel like dealing with even more misinformed arrogant idiots.

Although at that point I could probably just sit there and ignore whatever they did to me.

Likely not her style but in her mind there were hundreds of them, queuing to challenge her. Hundreds isn’t an issue, even now, she thought and smiled. They’re still people. Not corrupted and frenzied monsters.

She cracked her neck and spread her wings, slowly flying down towards a lower point in the thirteenth layer. Another resistance had been brought to the second tier and she had gotten a level out of it but all in all these last two layers seemed lackluster.

I wonder what the next one holds, she thought, reminded of an advent calendar and the excitement of opening the next door. Just that this time there were horrific monsters and hostile terrains waiting inside.

She reached the entrance to the next layer, beyond a lake that formed at the bottom of the rivers and streams. Ilea didn’t spot anything within other than a bunch of level ten fish. Impressive power really for something so terribly nonthreatening.

The entrance to number fourteen was a two by two meter hole bored into the stone ground. Whoever built this place didn’t exactly want the monsters to mingle it seemed. Makes me wonder about the purpose of the corruption.

She climbed down and came into a dim layer. Five or six magical lights shined onto a flat surface below, barely reflected. One of them was flickering.

How very ominous, Ilea thought and checked her sphere, finding carvings left behind at the bottom of the entrance.

Fly to the right hand wall, a way will be revealed.

Who writes like that? Ilea wondered as she shook her head. She formed an ashen pebble and dropped it, hearing a plop resound below.

A tiny wave moved over the still water, disturbing the perfectly even surface.

So it’s water, Ilea thought and started moving to the right. It was certainly creepy down here but after being drowned for over four hours, she shrugged it off mostly.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 10’

Should level that one too. Maybe…, Ilea debated if she should just go ahead and dive into the unknown.

She hesitated, still moving towards the broken in entrance she saw within her sphere now.

A thought suddenly entered her mind, not intruding but questioning and barely with recognizable form.

Ilea staggered back, unsure if she was under attack. What? She sent the equivalent of the question back.

Nothing happened for a minute.

“Serass… sal utuun?” she heard an ethereal voice reverberate in her mind, powerful but not terribly surprising.

Ilea had talked to Weavy plenty of times, telepathy having lost its novelty.

“Yes, hello. I speak Elos and English, emotions too if you prefer that,” she replied in her mind and sent the thought equivalent of a wave.

She remained floating above the waters, ready to blink away at an instant. It was quiet for a while.

“Thy purpose, I must know,” a deep voice now, revealing nothing of its intentions.

“Are you speaking English?” she asked with a smile. Elos felt and sounded very similar to her but Ilea had a suspicion that it was because she acquired the magic through whatever had brought her here. Hey, maybe I shouldn’t offend the ancient unknown creat… nice telepath.

“I’m here to find a lost expedition and to destroy the corruption that was unleashed,” she answered truthfully. Her personal stake in leveling was important to her too but it was a side benefit as well as a necessity, not her reason to be here in the first place.

A long pause followed. Ilea wasn’t sure if she had lost the being’s interest.

“Thy art of flesh. Yet uncertain remains, thy truth,” the being spoke.

Ilea was sure the thing was talking in English. With a certain flair but it was English nonetheless. Even Cless spoke Standard most of the time.

She tried to talk back in English but had a hard time focusing on it, the changes marginal in her mind.

“Are you from another realm?” she asked, not willing to share the name of her home world yet.

“Thy art… not a captor, tormentor, a thief of life. Yet thy mind remains closed, hostile,” the being said, ignoring her question.

Ilea sighed. “You’re not very forthcoming either, mate. I won’t lower my mental resistance before I can trust you.”

A long pause came and went.

“A language long ago, found in a… vessel. English. It is… the first time I have spoken... it. It is unknown to me, should this realm be another. Thou speaketh of corruption. What dost thou… mean?” the voice asked.

“A vessel… interesting. I’m pretty sure you’re from another realm then. We share that. I don’t suppose you know how you got here?” Ilea asked. “As to the corruption… do you know where you are at all? I’m not sure how much I have to explain,” she added right after.

“Perhaps there is another name for it. Not all the words were written within the books I found, many letters lost to the deep. We had considered, the possibility of another plane… separate of that we call… harbor?” the being said.

“Home is the word… harbor is a facility where ships are stationed, close to water. I assume the vessel you found was a ship then,” Ilea suggested.

“Home then. If you can prove the existence of another realm, the chance is high that your assumption about me is correct. These waters are not endless, confined by steel and stone. The magic is powerful here, comforting and… serene. We are within a place of power, where the energies of the world... coincide. A creature unknown to me, has taken that which belonged to me. To cause torment, to disrupt the order of life itself. What is the corruption you seek to destroy?” it said.

“A creature unknown to you… we call it a dungeon, what you call a place of power. Where powerful creatures dwell and are born. This one, I believe to be constructed by someone. I think there’s a high chance it’s the same thing that brought you here,” Ilea explained and summoned a flask filled with corruption.

“This liquid is a form of blood manipulation that eats into whatever living thing it touches, killing it and making it frenzy. Afflicted creatures attack everything they see, corrupting it in turn. It was released a month or two ago and has since taken over much of the dungeon. Many powerful beings resisted it however and fight those taken,” she added.

The being was silent for a while.

“May I… see?” the voice asked.

“It’s pretty strong, make sure not to touch it,” Ilea said and moved the bottle down towards the water with one of her ashen limbs.

“A drop will suffice… if you will,” the being said.

Ilea was unsure but right now she was pretty intrigued about what the being was and more importantly, what it knew. Maybe she could even extort some resistance levels out of it.

She opened the bottle with a second limb and tilted it lightly until a drop of the ooze plopped into the water. A little more came out due to the slimy texture.

Several minutes passed until the creature talked to her once more.

“It is true then… they have succeeded in their creation. This… corruption stems from me,” the being said.

“From you?” Ilea asked, confused.

“Made from the blood, the very life that flows through me,” the creature said, tremendous regret very much apparent in both the sound of its voice as well as the emotions it sent her way.

“So they captured you, put you in this tank and weaponized your blood?” Ilea asked.

“Weaponize? It is… an unfamiliar word,” the being said.

“To use it for war, destruction and killing. A weapon is something you fight with, to survive, defend, kill or oppress, depending on what you’re going for,” Ilea explained.

“A terrifying purpose,” the being said and went silent.

“Though only natural, in pursuit of power and superiority. Much have I felt from those that passed. You too share this nature and yet… I sense no animosity or fear. Yet… a strong barrier prevents me from delving deeper,” it said, “Similar to that which took from me.”

“I’m very much interested in finding out more about that being, as well as the corruption. Is there a way to cure it?” Ilea asked.

“It has been long, since last I felt its presence. Little do I know. Yet it is not of flesh, its mind near impenetrable. I had felt… an ambition… beyond compare as well as unnatural precision. The cure is death or physical removal. Only the body itself can fight it and few creatures have the capability to do so,” the being explained.

“I have it, Blood Manipulation resistance in the second tier. I’m also a healer. Maybe I can somehow fight it with all that?” Ilea asked.

“Blood is life itself. You cannot heal that which needs no mending. You may stop it but not destroy it. A curse perhaps or fire, both incredibly rare and near impossible to find,” it replied.

“Not in this realm it isn’t. Fire magic is one of the most common skills here,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Then perhaps… there is a chance,” the being said. “Thou dost not trust me… yet there is something I must know.”

“And what is that?” Ilea asked.

‘ding’ ‘You have demonstrated knowledge of a General skill: English Language – lvl 15’

English Language – lvl 15

You can speak the English Language.

It felt like a slap, it really did.

Are you fucking kidding me?? Ilea thought. Now?

A confused emotion reached her mind.

Not you. I just got a skill for speaking my own language.

“Peculiar,” the being said. “I feel a mark on thee… something familiar and yet… it is uncertain.”

“You’re speaking in riddles,” Ilea replied.

“Then I shall be plain,” the being said and sent thoughts to her mind, memories, feelings and a figure. A black form with two white eyes. A Fae.

“What about it?” Ilea asked, unable to discern what the creature meant with all the thoughts and emotions. “Are you a Fae?”

“You know of their kind then?” the being asked.

“Yea,” Ilea replied and sent back some of her own memories, the process reminding her of selecting a bunch of pictures and emotions from her mind library before she sent them through the channel she had with the being.

The being remained quiet for a whole minute.

“It has not been in vain… to alert you of my presence. I am of a kind much unlike yourself. Our desires and needs differ greatly and yet here in this unknown place I have found company. One that was struck with the same fate that many here befell. I ask of you, would thy release it? Of its torment?” the being said.

“You made a friend here? And now they’re corrupted?” Ilea asked.

“It is the fate I fear has fallen upon them, yes. And yet it remains uncertain, as so many things,” it said.

Ilea nodded lightly. “Let me guess, it’s on the hundredth layer?”

“It is here, merely twice the distance between me and you. I had yet to alert anyone of myself or them. The marks on you speak true however, not an enemy of their kind,” the being said.

“Sure, I’ll check it out and get back to you. What may I call you by the way?” Ilea asked.

“I am… of the Veiled Enavurin, young child. What are you?” the Enavurin said.

“I’m Ilea, human. Two legged monkey with a bigger brain basically, though sometimes I’m not sure about that. Nice to meet you. Names aren’t a concept to you?” she said.

“They hold no meaning to me. You may call me what you wish, should it help your monkey brain,” the Enavurin said without a hint of mockery.

“Then you are the Gracken of the Deep, ancient Enavurin of the Descent,” Ilea said with a broad grin. “Now tell me, where do I go?”

Ilea didn’t have a reason to doubt the creature for now, other than it being a monster found within one of the most dangerous dungeons she’d been in so far. It probably wanted to eat the Fae, if there even was one but if there was a chance the thing was speaking the truth, Ilea wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Being in its good graces could lead to some mind blowing resistance training, quite literally.

Chapter 405 Ancient Mind

Chapter 405 Ancient Mind

“I should still be able to communicate with you until you reach the place. The layout of this… area is unfamiliar to me yet I can guide you through it nonetheless,” the Gracken said.

Ilea gave a mental thumbs up and moved to the entrance. “Right direction?”

“So far, yes. It was at your current height. You should push further,” the Enavurin said.

She continued, seeing several corridors leading into the structure. A prominent stairwell led down but she ignored it for now. “You mentioned a mark, what did you mean by that?” Ilea asked, soon reaching a dead end.

“Ancient magic. Even to me it was new, finding it on my own essence after several… talks with the excitable creature,” it replied.

Ilea tapped the wall and tried blinking past it, not seeing anything with her sphere. Doesn’t work, she thought and instead ripped into the steel with her ash. It still resisted, the same material they had encountered in the seventh layer. Her ash however had gotten significantly more durable and she had some new tricks.

The assault of her limbs stopped and instead she formed a massive drill. It would take a while but she immediately got better results from the steady pressure and torque compared to her limbs alone.

I should just use drills on all my limbs, she thought and tried forming one. Ilea found it difficult to keep the moving bit steady and compact, deciding that she would remain with her normal spikes for now.

“So my… essence, is marked?” Ilea asked. “I don’t like the sound of that, didn’t even notice it.”

“You said… that you can heal. I have found it similar to healing, where it is a non threatening form of mana intrusion. The marking changes nothing and is only visible to creatures able to see. It took me a long while to even discern the change on myself,” the Gracken said.

“What exactly is a long while for you?” Ilea asked, already a couple centimeters deep into the wall. “Is this the right spot by the way? I don’t want to lose hours because I started at the wrong place.”

“It should be a good point to start. Yet I do not know how far you will have to go. Is the steel blocking your way?” the creature asked.

“It is,” Ilea said.

“Yes… there is no rush. I have lost contact a while ago. Time holds little meaning to me, young Ilea. How do you calculate it? There are many forms of doing such,” the Enavurin said.

“One, two, three, four… along those lines, those are seconds. Sixty form a minute and sixty minutes form an hour. Twenty four hours form a day. Seven days a week and around thirty a month. Twelve months a year and that’s usually the longest unit we use. Decade is ten years and century a hundred. Humans don’t really live much longer than that normally. At least where I’m from,” Ilea explained.

The Enavurin was quiet for a moment. “A peculiar method. What is the logic behind it? A deity you worship? Or an old system that was never replaced?”

“Kind of a deity… the sun,” she said, continuing when a questioning emotion came her way, “It’s a star, providing light, warmth and energy. It’s a long fucking way from planets usually but visible in the sky.” Ilea added a memory of an animated science video she once saw.

“Interesting… does this realm have a sun as well?” the Enavurin asked.

“Two actually,” Ilea said, pitying the creature for remaining in the dark for such a long time.

A calming emotion was sent her way, “Do not fret, young human. I have only been here for three of your centuries. Even for you that should be trivial. My needs are different, my way of thinking. It has been… one month since I last communicated with the Fae.”

“Three centuries… are you kidding me? Humans usually live less than one,” Ilea replied, chuckling a moment later when a comforting emotion came her way. “It’s fine, plenty of time to have a fun life.”

“Fun?” the creature asked.

“Oh boy… you don’t have a definition for that?” Ilea asked.

“I am communicating in your language… through the magic of the mind. Words are naturally not even a concept for us,” the Gracken said.

“Fair enough Mr. Superbrain,” Ilea said and sent some memories their way, of fighting, eating and whatever else she could think of being fun. Only memories from Elos. She even checked if they were still there afterwards, in case the being was somehow able to eat her past.

“How very interesting… I will need some time to grasp this concept. Perhaps one… day, I might understand,” the Gracken said.

“What do you do then? In all this time you have? I’d get bored sitting in a tank of water all day,” Ilea said.

“I would share memories, concepts and emotions with you but I believe your mind might not be able to take it,” the Enavurin replied.

“I’d welcome some Mental Resistance training actually, though be warned, there will be an automatic reflection of some of the damage,” Ilea explained.

“The second tier, I am aware. Yet I believe a part of the concepts I may show you will be reflected. No harm will come my way,” the creature said.

“Go for it,” Ilea said, sending a reassuring emotion to the creature.

Pictures and feelings suddenly appeared in her mind, making her reel back as the drill spun to the size, dissipating all the while Ilea counter healed the damage to her mind. Insanity, the word the only thing she could think of.

“Yeah… well, I don’t think I could understand any of that even if I had a thousand years to study it,” Ilea said and reformed her drill.

The equivalent of a chuckle reached her, “Different beings have differing strengths and weaknesses. Not all possess the vast understanding our species has evolved, neither do they need to. Perhaps it was a way for us to live… without Fun, the warmth of a sun or the thrill of hunting.”

“You don’t hunt? What do you eat then?” Ilea asked. “No offense but I’m picturing you as some sort of massive ancient octopus. The ones in the last layer tried to drown and eat me.”

“Sustenance is not necessary as long as there is… what do you call it? The energy that permeates us all, flows through all life and gives us the power to think, to create,” it said.

A form appeared in Ilea’s mind, pretty much confirming her suspicion. Kraken, she thought and chuckled. Similar beings were hyper intelligent even on Earth. It was no surprise to her that she found one able to talk here. Much more than that, really.

“I think you’re talking about Mana,” Ilea said. “And I was serious about the Mental Resistance training. Can you just crudely attack me? Or with finesse. I’m trying to get more resistances to a higher level,” Ilea said.

“Mana… yes. It is all I truly need. As well as concepts, thoughts. Should I have found all answers to all questions, I will cease to be.” it paused for a moment, “To what end may I ask, do you wish to raise your levels? It is pain, suffering and hardship, is it not?”

“It is… maybe it’s a weird drive we humans have. To strive for more. A deep hunger or desire. Maybe it’s because we normally don’t live very long. We need sustenance, desire things, food and well, fun. I can see that there would be little purpose to strive for change if you are perfectly satisfied with your own thoughts and mana,” Ilea tried to reason.

“It is certainly… interesting. To communicate with one such as you,” the creature said and started pushing against her mind.

Ilea healed against it, feeling the power even with her high resistance. “That’s… good… holy… shit,” she stammered out. The creature had the finesse of Eve and the punch of a mind weaver, and then both tripled.

The attack ceases a moment later. “Is it too powerful?” the creature asked.

“It’s fine actually. The damage is pretty high though. Your skill level must be negating my resistance skill,” Ilea said.

“Such is impossible. There is always a minimum reduction provided by resistance skills gained through violent exposure,” the Gracken said.

“What do you mean? I thought the benefits were reduced by one percent for each difference in levels of each skills,” Ilea replied.

“It should universally be a minimum of five of one hundred for level one, ten of one hundred for level ten, twice that for level twenty. Should you reach the second tier, you have a minimum of twenty six of one hundred reduction. At level twenty of the second tier it is forty five of one hundred,” the Enavurin explained.

“Interesting… so it’s not as diminishing as I thought,” Ilea said and smiled. Lucas had mentioned there was a minimum at some point but he hadn’t known exactly what it was.

“Keep attacking, I can take it,” Ilea said. “If you can handle the reflected damage.”

“Attacking the Enavurin with mind magic is a foolish endeavor. Anything that does not reflect at all is not considered a threat,” the creature said.

“And I am?” Ilea asked with a smirk, feeling the magic weight on her again. It can even attack me through rooms. Well, maybe it’s just the connection.

“I would have not considered you as such… yet you seem to have faced many that have reveled in their own superiority. I shall not end as one of them, merely to satiate your unending hunger,” the Gracken said.

“Is there… an… upper… limit… as well?” she asked the creature, changing the subject back to resistances.

“Yes, ninety five of one hundred. Yet often one’s skin alone or a loss in power to a spell due to external influence will render what remains useless either way. Complete immunity to a form of elemental magic is… rare. Not found in a species such as yours or even mine,” it said.

“Ele… mental?” Ilea asked, suggesting one being that could theoretically be fully immune.

“It is possible, yes. I have met only a few in my drifting, none of them having reached higher thinking,” the creature said.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

Already, without reduction. The Gracken is nuts.

“Can… you… read… minds? Thoughts… memories?” Ilea asked.

“It would be difficult to explain this… knowing you have little knowledge of this magic yourself. Some, surface thoughts can be grasped… ideas mostly… influenced by your desire to share them. Something you deem… secret or private, is instinctively protected, even without a resistance to it. Complete domination would be required… with a potential rupture of the mind,” it explained.

Yea, let’s not try that. I shouldn’t even take all this at face value, not that there even is a face.

“Stop,” she said after a while, having broken through whatever enchantment had prevented her sphere from seeing past the wall.

The mental pressure vanished immediately. “Have you found it?” the creature asked.

“I found… something,” Ilea said, her sphere revealing another hallway that extended beyond this part of the facility. She blinked inside, succeeding this time. “I’m in,” she whispered and crouched.

“You are closer now, yes,” the Enavurin spoke in her mind.

“How are you seeing me by the way? Did you know I was there from the very beginning?” Ilea asked.

“You dropped something into the waters, disturbing my slumber. A pulse of mana alerted me of your presence and when you responded to me I could locate you. I can see your mind now,” the creature explained.

“How very comforting,” Ilea said with a grin.

“There is no need to fear me, not unless you wish me harm,” the being said.

“I don’t. Just know that human minds sometimes jump to things we don’t actually want to do or think, in case something comes up,” Ilea said.

“A lacking control of your mind can mean death. I suggest you remedy that,” the Gracken said.

“I’ll try to find one of the three human mind mages to teach me a general skill, cheers,” she said.

“I am aware of the concept of sarcasm, human. It is deeply offending to communicate one thing and mean another,” the creature said, a warning tone in her mind.

“No offense meant but if you can’t ignore my sarcasm, you might as well try to kill me now. For us it’s just a form of humor, if that is a concept to you,” Ilea smirked.

The being sent an apologetic wave her way, followed by understanding as well as the words Monkey brain.

How is that not sarcastic? Well maybe it tried to be offensive, knowing I wouldn’t take it as hard. Fucking giga brain.

Several open doors lined the walls of the hallway, light pouring out from the magical lamps set into the ceiling above.

Ilea could already hear the snarls of a variety of beasts, subdued and dulled. Her sphere supplied her with the reason a moment later.

Tubes? she noted and walked into the closest hallway.

“You are close, what do you see?” the Gracken asked, his English already modernized.

“Test tubes… a bunch of partially corrupted beasts, corpses and some frothing and angry creatures,” she replied and checked all the tubes. She killed those that were corrupted, all below level two hundred.

The majority of creatures however were already dead, restrained by the same type of metal that made up most of the facility.

A sudden emotion reached her mind when she took out the last of the thrashing creatures, a bug like monster from the second layer. Fear? she thought and blinked towards the origin of the telepathic message, somehow feeling the location.

“You are there,” the being said.

Ilea looked at the tank, seeing a partially corrupted Fae writhing against the small enchanted metal restraints, the whole right side of its body covered in corruption.

[Fae – lvl 103]

It’s not yet taken, she thought, cutting through the glass of the tank. She made sure the liquid stayed inside, in case it had some sort of restraining effect on the corruption.

“Calm down,” she said, her ash reaching the creature and pushing healing mana into it. The corruption was kept at bay at least but she couldn’t exactly rip it in half to get rid of the growing ooze.

She ripped away the glass, letting the water flow out now that her healing was keeping the corruption at bay. Ilea had no idea what she was looking at within the black horned fae, one white eye staring at her and the other one overgrown by pulsing orange and red veins.

Ilea noted that the creature wasn’t in distress anymore, the sentiment she picked up within her sphere changing.

“You trust easily,” she commented, starting to work on the metal that bound the creature, small lines of ash with hundreds of small blades rapidly turning around the tiny bars.

The Fae didn’t respond in any way, just looking at her with the one large white abyss like eye.

She tried grasping its anatomy with her healing magic but only found herself growing more confused as time went on.

With a loud clink, the restrains were ripped through and Ilea caught the Fae in her hands. “Hmm… so, how do we go about this,” she murmured.

“It’s still alive but half taken over by corruption. I’d cut small parts of it away and just let the healing do the trick. Any other ideas?” she asked through the mental connection.

“Incredible… I am… reassured, now that I know it has not died,” the being said.

“You’re not exactly helping,” Ilea commented, holding the Fae in her hands, the creature about the size of her head, much thinner however.

“I do not know how to treat the corruption. Cutting away the infected tissue should be the best option,” it said.

“Fuck,” Ilea said and looked down. “Any way you can knock it unconscious with your mind magic? I don’t want to hurt the little guy,” she said.

“Perhaps…,” the Gracken said.

I don’t see a reason why it would kill the thing, if it’s already corrupted. I wouldn’t have found it either way, Ilea tried to think of reasons not to trust the ancient being but so far it had given her nothing to doubt its sincerity. Other than the fact that it was some weird ass mind magic monster but Ilea knew appearances could be deceiving.

“Do I have to get closer to you?” she asked, hoping the answer wouldn’t be a yes.

“The enchantments were broken… I can barely sense its mind next to yours. It is weak. Move away from it, five or six of your human steps. Can you still keep the corruption at bay from there?” the Enavurin asked.

“Sure,” Ilea said and stepped away, using her ash to keep the Fae afloat next to the destroyed tank.

“It is done,” the Enavurin said once more.

Ilea noted the differences in the being through her healing skill. It didn’t breathe air but the magic flow around it calmed. “Can you keep it unconscious?”

“Yes, do what must be done,” the being said.

She nodded and stayed at the same distance, using her sphere and ash to cut away the corruption, her healing continuously flowing into the creature.

The Fae showed no reaction, its white eye looking as if it had closed halfway.

He’s fucking out. Mind magic being mind magic. Glad I have resistances to that, she thought, cutting small pieces out and healing them instantly, finding her spell faster than the corruption could spread once more.

“We’ll get there little guy, just be patient,” she murmured, focusing on the task.

Chapter 406 Strange Acquaintances

Chapter 406 Strange Acquaintances

It took nearly half an hour to restore the little Fae to a completely corruption free state, Ilea working fast and efficiently to make sure she was done before it woke up once more.

The Enavurin reassured her that he could keep the Fae unconscious for as long as she needed but Ilea didn’t know how exactly the little creature perceived things around it. And if mind magic had adverse effects if one is exposed for such a long time. Her training with Eve should have revealed something like that of course.

Still, even unconscious it might know what was happening.

She finished up and waited for a couple minutes to see if she had missed any of the corruption.

Nothing spread again.

“Hey, Gracken. You can release the Fae now. I think I took care of it all,” she said with a smile.

“As you wish, Ilea,” it said, the magic vanishing.

Ilea moved the Fae closer to herself and carefully rested it in her hands. It seemed alright, its vitals fine according to her healing skill.

“You there?” she asked, holding it up to her face.

Its hand lashed out and booped her nose before it vanished, appearing on the same spot but standing now.

Ilea had seen the devastating attack coming with her precognition but let it happen nonetheless.

“How is it doing?” the Enavurin asked.

“How you doin?” Ilea asked, locking eyes with the Fae.

It jumped up and did a little pirouette before it landed and bowed to her.

“He’s fine, or she, or whatever gender it has,” Ilea said in her mind.

The Fae shook its head.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Ilea said.

“I believe the Fae do not possess the concept of gender,” the Gracken suggested. “I am glad you are well, my friend,” a joyous emotion reached her.

Is this a group chat now? She wondered and rolled her eyes. “Let me quickly check if there are more survivors,” she said and looked at the Fae, “You can float, right?”

It turned its head to the side.

She spread her own wings and saw the creature nod in understanding.

Ilea let go of it and smiled under her armor, quickly checking the rest of the rooms. She hadn’t heard any noise coming from them and checking through only confirmed everything was dead.

“You said a couple hundred years right? Since whoever brought you here was here,” Ilea said to the Enavurin, finding the Fae waiting for her in the main corridor.

It pointed to her.

“What is it?” Ilea asked.

Dulled thoughts reached her mind. Joy and want.

“You want something?” she asked, watching the thing float to her face.

It pointed at her shoulder and vanished, now standing on it and looking at her.

“You can stay there, sure,” Ilea said and watched it sit down, moving its legs as it tapped the ash with its little hands. No fingers, Ilea noted. No mouth either.

“A short time after I found myself here… so three hundred years. I do not have perfect recollection of the time that has passed since, my slumbers lasting for many years. Do you seek the creature?” the being asked.

“Yea, and slather some corruption into its face,” Ilea said.

She swore she heard a giggle coming from her right shoulder but then again nothing had resounded. “Don’t fuck with me, little guy,” she whispered, a feeling of innocence reaching her mind. “You know what you did, Fae.”

“Revenge… it is not a journey you should follow, young human,” the voice said.

“I don’t need to hear that advice, ancient one. I’d like to find out more about this whole facility first anyway. If it subdued you so easily, I doubt I could face it anyway. Not yet,” Ilea said.

“My blood was taken but I was not subdued, never directly engaged even. It used toxins to paralyze me and other than small wounds on my body, there was nothing I perceived,” it said.

“That’s even worse honestly,” Ilea grumbled in her mind. “So it didn’t even see you as a threat or something to respect, just another test tube.”

“I suppose you are right. It saddens me that I cannot share more about the being responsible,” it said.

“Do you want to get out then? Or get revenge? Back to your home world?” Ilea asked, back in the facility and soon reaching the dim layer and home of the Enavurin.

“I have pondered this question for a long while. It is comfortable here, warm and the pulse of life is strong. Hostile creatures will be waiting outside, terribly dull and territorial. I think I shall stay,” the Enavurin explained.

“Really? And what if the being comes back? Decides to get more blood or even just kill you… worse even, corrupt you?” Ilea asked.

“Then it shall be so,” the being replied.

Ilea was about to retort when a thought came to her mind. No point.

She glanced at the Fae and gave it a slight nod. I suppose it tried already. Possibly even to get it out of the facility.

“Why didn’t you help the Fae before? To escape its prison?” Ilea asked, her eyes still on the little creature.

“It offered no such wish and I cannot move outside of water. It would kill me,” the being said.

Quite logical, Ilea thought.

“Why didn’t you want to be rescued?” Ilea asked the Fae.

The being just shrugged.

“What did I get myself into…,” she murmured to herself.

“It is… uncommon for someone of one species to try and understand the thoughts and wishes of another,” the Gracken said. “A brain of your size could not possibly understand however.”

“Yes, yes. I get it old man,” Ilea said.

“You are offended? I apologize, it was not my intent,” the Enavurin said.

It sounded like genuine confusion, just the way Ilea felt about the whole situation. “Well, either way. I need to go deeper and find what caused the corruption to spread suddenly. Did you feel a large group of humans come through in the past two months or so?” she asked.

“Yes. Not as resistant to my magic as you are. Yet I did not meddle, as they meddled not with these waters. The frame of time would suggest they are the cause for this occurrence. A trap perhaps, or a deliberate action?” it suggested.

“Your blood can be used to make more corruption?” Ilea asked. She wasn’t about to kill the creature just because it held an ingredient for something dangerous.

“I will adapt and modify the blood within me. It should be no trouble to make it useless, now that I know of the existence of such a vile purpose,” the being spoke.

Ok, Ilea thought and just sent an approving thought their way. “Blood Manipulation is another one of your abilities… makes sense now that I think about it,” she said.

“Indeed,” the being said.

The Fae was climbing her head in the meantime, using the ashen horns of her armor as supports.

“So I understand correctly that you just want to hang out here and think for the next… thousand years,” Ilea said.

She got an affirming thought back.

A smile spread on her lips before she chuckled and then started laughing. The movement of her head made the Fae jiggle around as it tried to hold on.

She calmed down again and sighed. “And what do you want to do, little guy?” she asked, talking to the Fae currently standing on her head.

It sat down and hugged her head from above.

“You want to stay with me?” she asked.

The creature nodded.

“I know you guys are pretty tough but don’t do anything stupid, ok? I’ll have to fight a lot of beasts,” she said.

Joy

“Really? Your friend didn’t seem to think the same way. Did you know them? Found it in the same dungeon, just a bunch of layers higher,” she explained.

The Fae didn’t seem to understand the question, tilting its head to the side.

“It’s fine. Hey Gracken, are you not going to be lonely if I take your only friend with me?” Ilea asked.

A seriously confused thought came into her mind.

Why do I even ask. Well, might as well try.

“Do you know how I can get third tier general skills and a third class?” she asked. It had known quite a lot about Resistances, maybe it could offer some more.

“Class… you mean the flows we choose. I possess merely one and it cannot be changed. I suppose your species is offered choice in this, unlike most. I must tell you that I do not possess the knowledge you seek. As to the third tier resistance, there is a way to advance abilities to such degrees with time and effort. Centuries, decades perhaps with great risk. I have had little use for battle in my life and thus have only achieved two abilities to reach such heights.” the Gracken provided.

“Any chance you want to share that knowledge with me?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“You have helped a being most unknown to yourself. A commendable act. I shall tell you what I know. The first ability I have advanced past the second tier was Meditation. Yet I do not believe you will be capable of such, not with your brain as it is and not with the lifespan that limits humanity,” the being said regretfully.

“So you just meditated for a shit ton of time and considered concepts and magic I could not comprehend?” Ilea asked.

“Essentially, yes,” the being replied.

“No point system or something like that? I’ve gotten Soul Magic Resistance before through sheer exposure. And an elf told me I was on the right track for third tier skills by just getting more,” Ilea relayed the bits of information she had gathered so far.

“The nature of mana is… varied. You may find a way where there was none for me. Fire magic, soul magic, curses… as well as the void and space… resources previously unknown to me. The Enavurin are ancient yet with further understanding, yet more questions arise. If the path was known to the creature you call elf, then I suggest you pursue it. As my way will be unattainable for your quickly distracted mind,” the being explained.

“I understand. But that means it is possible to attain third tier non class skills with prolonged exposure and vast understanding?” Ilea asked.

“Vast understanding… greater than I presume the sum of your knowledge is at this time. Or feats that would require more time than a lifetime would provide you,” the Enavurin said.

So you’re saying there’s a chance? Ilea smirked, tilting her head to the side.

“Either way, what does it do? The third tier of Meditation?” she asked, very much interested. If she ever got the opportunity to raise a general skill to the third tier, the first one would undoubtedly be this one.

“It… I shall use plain terms for your benefit. It enhances what you likely perceive as Wisdom… Judgment, Knowledge or Understanding. I believe there are many ways different species see the interpretation of their own abilities,” the being said.

“You mean the stat, Wisdom? That increases mana capacity and regeneration? Oh, speaking of, do I need ambient mana… ambient life force to regenerate it or does it regenerate for me even in areas where there isn’t any mana?” Ilea asked.

“Many large questions from someone so young. I shall share what I have found, yet do not take it as truth. As I have said, the ways of life are vast, diverse. We speak of the same Wisdom. I do not believe a creature needs ambient mana to form it within them. Yet I am unaware of a space or being that is untouched by it. Even death itself is a form of life,” it explained.

The Fae on her head rolled around before it fell to the ground.

Acting dead? Ilea asked herself, finding its vitals very much fine. Sorry little one, my friends would be angry if I ignored this ancient soup of knowledge.

“There is no mana where I’m from. Nothing. I got the first notification in my mind when I suddenly awoke in these lands one day,” Ilea said.

“Peculiar. I doubt your words without proof. A lack of ability will make it impossible to sense that which you do not understand. Much more permeates the space we inhabit than we will possibly ever perceive. Organs, abilities and knowledge may help us find the truth,” the being said.

“And yet it is something I had not considered, not ever. You have shared a new perspective and theory with me, as impossible as it may sound to me right now. I thank you,” the Enavurin said.

“Sure, happy to expand your unending horizon,” Ilea said with a smirk.

“I begin to understand your humor. It is highly irritating and yet not unpleasant. Peculiar,” the being said.

The Fae was rolling away by now, still on the steel floor and moving towards the stairs leading down.

“You’ll get dirty,” Ilea said in her mind.

You’re dirty.

“Little fucker,” Ilea murmured with a smile before she focused on the Enavurin again. “What about the second skill?”

“It is related to thought. I do not know the word it would translate to in your language, yet I am almost certain you do not possess it. The impressions I have related to you previously would have not impacted you as much as they did,” it explained.

“Hmm… no chance of me learning it?” she asked.

“With a lot of time and study… perhaps. Little is impossible and even that I doubt. Yet it is used for introspection and understanding. Should you ever wish to focus on it for perhaps five thousand of your human years, I could offer you some tutoring,” the Enavurin said.

“Sure, I’ll come back as soon as that happens,” Ilea said, her tone making it quite clear how she felt about that. Then again, she had little understanding of what it meant to be immortal. Age wise at least.

The mental equivalent of a chuckle reached her mind. “Young one, may you prevail in your endeavors. You are good at heart, untainted by ignorance.”

“Don’t flatter me, I’m a monster. Just like you. To many at least, most of all our enemies,” Ilea said and prepared to leave.

Still have those stat points. Wisdom it is, she thought and gave herself another one hundred mana. A single charged punch of her Absolute Destruction.

“To me you are not and neither to your new companion,” the Enavurin said.

“Alright… anything else I should know about this facility, the corruption, the Fae or the world itself? Something that you deem important,” Ilea asked.

It remained quiet for a moment before it spoke into her mind, “The gift of life is rare, nurtured and formed for time untold. Trust in your instincts,” the Enavurin said.

“Ok, cheers to that,” Ilea said, very much aware of that truth. “Sure you don’t need anything? Food, books or company? I could throw you some monsters,” she asked.

Be on your way, came the response, fleeting and much less clear than the words from before.

Overstayed my welcome in this one’s house it seems, Ilea thought. She wasn’t exactly unhappy about the circumstances. She had learned about the corruption, some of the purpose of whatever built this place. The fact that they were around three hundred years ago, which seemed rather recent when she considered Maro and Hallowfort.

Additionally she saved another Fae, the third one now. And she found out her essence, whatever that was, was in fact marked.

This one seemed much more playful and expressive than those she had met before. She wasn’t sure if it was due to the marking or because it simply had a different character altogether. They were intelligent creatures, that much was obvious, finding themselves in hidden places, trapped or taken.

Their levels was incredibly low compared to what they could do. That was the main reason she didn’t mind it coming with her. Its decision helped of course and the fact that Ilea wasn’t exactly in need of stealth at the moment.

Who am I kidding, that little guy is probably sneakier than I’ll ever be, she thought and followed the Fae down the stairs. It was lying at the bottom, sprawled out and waiting.

She sent a wave towards the Enavurin but was pretty sure it had severed the connection altogether.

Unsocial. That’s what happens when you let your kids spend a thousand years underwater without any company.

About an hour invested, Ilea passed the fourteenth layer, having learned some new things and having gotten a new companion.

“Do you call yourselves Fae?” she asked the creature that once again appeared on her shoulder. “Or do you have individual names, like Roger or Stephanie?”

It tilted its head again but didn’t reply in any meaningful way.

“I’ll call you little guy, is that alright?” she asked.

The Fae shrugged, accepting the status she placed upon him.

“Alright little guy, do you have anything to share about whoever captured and kept you here?” she asked, following the steps.

Her Huntress skill picked up faint traces of magic now. While it was mostly gone, she was pretty sure her companions had come through here.

A flash of anger washed into her mind, terror, fear and then anger again.

“You don’t think very fondly of them, I see,” she said and walked down several flights of steel stairs. Why a being that must have had a way to teleport in and out of such a facility had the need for stairs was a mystery to her.

The little guy shook his head.

“Well, me neither. Plenty of people from Hallowfort died already to this fucked up corruption, enough to at least rip out some arms, don’t you think?” she asked.

This time the giggle was a little more graspable, turning into manic laughter.

Chapter 407 Air Pressure

Chapter 407 Air Pressure

“Don’t be too hasty. It was likely a powerful thing. Even I am too weak yet to face it, am I not?” she asked.

Unsure. Possibility.

She had a hard time grasping the meaning of the mental images, feelings and thoughts. It felt alien in a way and yet familiar. Like a language one had studied for a year or two, a decade prior to hearing it once more.

The Enavurin had learned English just to communicate with her. It had mentioned it was the first time it spoke it, through the mind even.

Impressive creature. A shame it chooses to rest and think instead of… well anything else really. We could learn a lot from such a large brain.

“Were you taken from your home?” she asked.

The little guy shook his head lightly.

“Why come here then?”

It seemed to think of an answer.

Joy, the thought reached her mind and she understood.

“You like to explore, find new things, feel new magic?” Ilea asked with a smile.

The Fae nodded.

“Me too, but I like to train my resistances. To get stronger, get a higher level and all that,” she explained.

Understand.

“Do you mind if we teleport down? There seem to be a ton of stairs here,” she said, looking down into the darkness. The dim lights from higher in the facility did not reach far.

He nodded.

Ilea blinked several times until she reached the bottom of the long decline. Any sight of the fourteenth layer was gone in her sphere.

Finally, she thought, seeing the small door that exited into open space.

The Fae appeared a moment later, sitting once more on her shoulder.

“Number fifteen, any thoughts or detection?” she asked.

The area right in front of the entrance was mostly barren earth, partially frozen over. No trees or any vegetation was visible, nor any creatures or corpses.

Careful.

“I mean everything down here is hundreds of levels higher than me, let alone you. Of course we should be careful,” Ilea said and chuckled, stepping out.

Crystal light shined from above, hundreds of meters away and yet still reaching the ground. It was quiet, no noise except for the wind as it moved over the dead and frozen ground.

Ilea walked up the incline of a small hill before the whole of the layer spread in front of her.

Kilometers of barren land, only the occasional shrub or stone disturbing the overwhelmingly boring landscape. No trees, masses of water, mountains or creatures.

She felt the hairs on her neck stand up. Open space… this might spell trouble. Nowhere to hide.

Ilea continued to observe and found her assumption hadn’t been entirely correct. Gashes in the ground strewn around at random would provide spaces to hide from monsters and attacks alike.

Danger.

The thought reached her mind when a loud shriek made her look up. She didn’t freeze this time but Ilea could feel the power in the challenge.

A bird flew closer as she waited, stopping a kilometer away.

Ilea had a hard time even seeing it but the power emanating from the creature was noticeable even at the distance. A single monster, she noted, open space and very little space to hide.

“I’ll charge it. Do what you want but I suggest you try to get to the other side. If things go to shit, I’ll be fleeing to the next layer as well,” Ilea said.

The Fae nodded and vanished, unaffected by the screech just as much as she was.

Fascinating creature that one. As well as my distant friend, she smirked and spread her wings, her precognition not necessary for her to see the incoming blade of wind.

The spell cleaved through the air itself, reaching her in mere seconds.

She jumped and moved her wings, the sound of the impact as the crescent blade slashed into the frozen earth arriving at the same time as the passing of the magic itself.

That’s insane. At that distance, she thought, a broad grin tugging on her lips as she sped up, her eyes focused on the winged dot.

More spells came her way, much harder to dodge now due to her own speed working against her.

She had to resort to her blink when she was around halfway to the creature, both the intensity and frequency of its attacks increasing by now.

As she got closer, her eyes glimpsed more details as she weaved and blinked through the multitude of attacks. The thing looked like a four legged bird with broad and powerful feathered wings and the head of a golden eagle.

She dodged downwards, only to be caught by one of the blades.

It cleaved through her ashen armor and through her bone, cutting deep into her flesh before it was finally stopped. Her second tier wind resistance didn’t seem to have helped much, both her own speed and the incoming spells too fast for a reasonable change in trajectory.

The hit unbalanced her, the deep cut already healing as her ash covered her once more. She spread ash before her and moved her wings ahead when a barrage of tiny needles slashed into her.

Like an unending storm of tiny cuts, the beast overwhelmed her defenses and ash regeneration. It didn’t stop for several seconds as Ilea was shredded through, the thin and shallow cuts healing quickly but a hundred more forming in turn.

She refrained from using her near instant recovery quite yet, in case it got worse. The mana she absorbed from the attack easily paid for her healing.

So much resilience, defense, resistances, healing. And what do these fuckers do? Just get right through.

The attack stopped and she spread her wings once more, farther back and halfway to the ground by now. Her eyes were ice. I’ll slap your arrogance off your face.

Ilea sped up again, using her blink sporadically now. She let the attacks hit when necessary, moving her body in the slightest ways to let them cut into non vital parts as she turned and circled the creature.

She wasn’t about to accept that some flying fuck could reduce her to nothing from such a distance.

It didn’t even move, simply keeping its head locked on her as she moved.

Another set of spells cut through her, three blades, each slamming through her skin. One of them cut into her bone even, severing it halfway through.

As long as you can’t mince me, I’ll keep coming, she thought and healed her body with her third tier. Ilea’s Wind Resistance was rather high leveled and even her third tier reconstruction was paid with the mana she absorbed, coupled with her natural regeneration.

The beast would have to keep its heavy assault going for minutes, shredding her very body to nothing faster than it could regenerate to get close to a kill. No matter its level or the critical damage inflicted.

Sentinel Core, my darling dear. If only you could absorb physical power, Ilea mused as she closed the distance, only to be cut apart once more.

The closer she got, the harder the magic hit, the more did she want to slap the creature’s beaked face.

Five times already did she try to approach, getting a little closer with each try.

[Storm Griffin – lvl ????]

Ah shit, Ilea thought, a barrage of blades ripping through her body, now close enough to identify the creature.

Its eyes glinted with intelligence, looking at her with interest and apprehension.

She felt her bones crack, her left arm ripped off and flying away. Hope that doesn’t matter to my bone armor, the thought was the only thing going through her mind as she was pushed away by the powerful magic that slashed and punched through her skin, muscles and bones.

Her head was struck and she noted her brain was cut into before it immediately regenerated. She hadn’t even blacked out, it had been so quick. Seems like my third tier regen kicks in as soon as a critical organ is hit. Good to know, she smiled and kept moving.

I can do this all day, little bird, she thought and blinked.

____________________________________

Hana ripped out another piece from the wall. It had taken dozens of strikes from her sword just to bend the metal a tiny bit.

“Sure it was them?” she asked the dark one next to her.

He was panting, collecting his blood and corruption covered chains before he collapsed near the wall. “Don’t look at me like that… I’m ok,” he said and breathed hard.

“Yes. I am sure. The corruption stems from those canisters. I have found two already, both empty. If only none of the beasts would have been infected, we could still search this place,” he murmured.

“Something is coming,” the thin mage said in a gravely deep voice.

Hana didn’t have much confidence in the dark one, his thin form covered in a ripped magical robe, his head covered in a black metal mask. Even his level was below hers.

He had contacted them several hours prior, having hidden in a small storage room veiled in illusions and shadows. Like many in the expedition he was very much unlike Hana, not one to confront a beast and fight it.

She had to admit that he had already saved their lives three times but without his kind in the expedition, they might not find themselves in the midst of beasts they cannot fight.

Relly can fight them, she noted, watching Jonna heal the man’s wounds.

He hadn’t killed the beast that sensed them but it had left, injured and wary. Free of corruption. There is hope still, she thought.

“Come to me,” Carul said, the mage appearing next to the wounded warrior and bidding Hana to join.

A shadow formed over them. “Cease your healing, lest we be discovered,” he hissed in a quiet but deep voice, commanding and on edge.

Hana hissed at him but did not retaliate, nodding to Jonna who had already stopped her spell.

Relly gave a nod and smiled at the human.

Hana watched as Carul finished another spell, his own form appearing in the damaged hall several times, moving slightly as to attract attention.

“Why do we not only hide?” Hana asked.

“It knows we are here, it can sense something. Let us hope the illusions frustrate it enough to leave,” the mage said.

A clinking sound came from above before a massive worm like creature punched through the ceiling, its mandibles ripping through the corporeal illusion and the wall beyond.

[Fang Shaper – lvl ???]

The creature screeched before it burrowed itself into the steel floor, its ten meter length vanishing seconds later.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the Fang Shaper’s challenge – You are paralyzed for five seconds.’

How did Krentin really think this was a good idea in the first place, Hana thought.

She was happy to get a challenge, otherwise she would have tried her luck in the human lands or further south a long time ago. There were limits however and the Descent proved to be one of them.

I should have spoken out against it, should have stopped them. Fools. Hiding and sneaking is the scavenger’s way. We are no scavengers.

Hana was aware that the same wasn’t true for most of the others in the expedition. Even Krentin tried to avoid conflicts and battles whenever possible but he didn’t stop her either. Here, she didn’t have a choice but to hide.

And now they were stuck down here. The only reason they were alive still dumb luck and a single mage weaving his illusions and shadows. It made her furious.

“Keep calm, we will find a way,” Relly said, the warrior looking up at her with warm eyes. “Are we safe to continue?” he addressed the mage.

“It has moved away. Yet we will not be safe for long. We should move up and out of this layer,” he said, repeating his earlier suggestion.

“Not until we destroy the corruption and find all the survivors,” Relly said with conviction. It was clear that he wouldn’t change his mind, even if the mage decided to leave them behind.

Carul knew as well that his chances of survival were small, were he to move alone. Otherwise he would have left his little storage room long before.

Hana smirked at his situation, feeling quite happy about cleaning up the mess they had unleashed. Someone amongst them at least, intentional or not.

“I see you are unwilling to be rational,” Carul said, hesitating for a moment before he continued. “I have sensed that a group left, right before this whole thing went to absolute shit. I may be able to find where they went.”

“Where were you?” Relly asked, his wounds now healed once more as he stood up and tightened his chains.

“The main camp we had established,” Carul replied.

Hana hissed and Jonna frowned.

“It is overrun with Patrons of Torment. We cannot hope to defeat them alone,” Relly said.

“Many will have moved on by now. I will be able to sense them as we get closer. Come, if we must do this then let us not delay any further,” the mage said, his spell waning before he appeared close to a steel door that was halfway ripped open.

Hana rested her blade on her shoulder and smirked. “Our honor is to be restored, lest we be cursed with far worse than corruption.”

________________________________

Ilea formed three ashen spears, two immediately slashed apart before she launched the last one. She watched with anticipation as the spear rushed at its head, perfectly aimed and timed between its attacks.

The Griffin looked on with annoyance before it moved its head to the side, the lance scratching its right wing without leaving a wound.

Her own body was hit by a barrage of wind that sent her spiraling through the air, a hundred meters away from her target.

She smiled, finally getting a hit in after nearly half an hour of trying, maybe longer.

We could just keep going forever, she mused, watching the creature move for the second time today. It rushed at her far faster than anything Ilea could muster herself, the air visibly pressured by the sudden explosive movement.

Ah shit, she thought, feeling the magical power that had manifested suddenly.

A spiraling wall of air moved towards her, Ilea blinking out of the way before she was sucked into the turmoil. Her body tumbled downwards as her wings tried to stabilize her fall.

The Griffin was close, entering her sphere with its wings resting on its back. A wall of air slammed down on her, a single spike piercing her chest.

She was pushed down to the ground with immense speed before the impact slammed the invisible spike through her chest, ripping through flesh and bone alike.

The wall of wind pushed her further down into the earth, the very floor around her compressed under the weight and power of the magic.

Her heart lay splattered and useless below her, joined by whatever other organs had been squashed.

She watched as another front of air moved towards her, the light from above distorted and blurry. The Griffin hovered a hundred meters above.

Her chest reformed, the hole nearly encompassing her whole torso. Even with the third tier it didn’t heal fast enough for the next attack.

The ground shook once more and her body was compressed down into the frozen earth and stone. Blood flowed from every opening in her body before her instant regeneration restored her.

She blinked and reformed her armor, now moving away from the air blades coming in from above. The magic rushed past her with much higher frequency by now, the attacks that hit cutting deep into her body.

Pissed it off, she thought and felt another front coming from above. She blinked again and braced for the impact, several of her bones snapping before they were healed again.

Mana at least wasn’t a problem but she definitely started to worry a little. Don’t let it trap you, she thought and continued towards the other end of the vast open layer.

Ilea kept moving on foot, her wings only providing a bigger target to the wind magic that rained down either way.

Maybe I should have taken those four marks a little more seriously, she thought and blinked again. She appeared, her back slashed apart by a dozen spikes, some penetrating as far as her organs.

Blood and air was pushed out of her mouth, splattering against the inside of her ash before she healed again.

Should have dragged that lightning elemental down here for them to duke it out, I get it mate, I pissed you off, she saw the wall of the layer now. Hundred of meter of straight stone, carved into the deep, now housing creatures she definitely wasn’t ready to mess with.

Not yet, she thought.

Ilea noted that the Griffin didn’t move after her anymore, still hovering where it had been before. The attacks still came in the same frequency.

She ground her teeth, her legs carrying her over the terrain as the magic slashed into the ground around her, ashen limbs moving her to the side whenever possible. She jumped and leaped, ducked and rolled just to reduce the impacts.

If she lost her legs and the creature really tried to put her down, she had no doubt it could. This wasn’t a monster anymore, it was a natural disaster.

A lazy one at least, she thought and finally reached the other side.

A damaged steel gate rested in the middle of the massive expansive wall, Ilea blinking inside and rolling to a stop.

She held up her hands as the steel was turned to shrapnel, blasted open and punched her way before she blinked once more, down this time.

Chapter 408 The Winds of Time

Chapter 408 The Winds of Time

Steel splinters clanged as they fell to the floor, pushed out of the ashen armor.

Ilea collapsed to one knee, breathing hard as the rest of her wounds healed quickly.

The Fae appeared in front of her with a questioning look. Safe?

“Yeah,” she said and rested on the wall behind her. “I think so,” she looked up and didn’t see any more attacks coming their way.

Strong, the thought arrived, the little guy pointing at her.

“No, I’m just an overconfident idiot that nearly died… again,” she said and calmed down, meditation flowing through her.

Ilea had to use her instant recovery so often, her mana was below a thousand. Even with the energy returned from the wind magic, the instant healing depleted her, still using around four times as much mana to heal a single point of health.

“That thing hit like a fucking truck, huh?” she said.

The Fae sat down on the floor and looked at her, not sending anything her way.

“I suppose I should look at the silver lining. I just survived a rampaging quadruple mark beast. Even scratched it once,” she said with a smile. “Damn hard for anything to kill me at this point.”

A giggle came and went, inside her mind. The Fae nodded before it bowed to her. Protect.

“You want to be protected?” Ilea asked, looking through the few notifications she had gotten.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Ilea wondered why her Veteran skill was leveling now, without any paralyzing effects remaining. Might just be a matter of facing insanely powerful beings. Or I offended it by not freezing. Holy shit…, she suddenly stopped.

If I had been frozen for a couple seconds when it went all out… fuck, good thing I have the second tier now, she sighed.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

That ridiculous battle and damage was necessary for two levels, against a creature with four question marks. Thank fuck I have Avatar of Ash now, otherwise I’d have to spend decades getting everything up.

Or I’d have to fight monsters of that power for each resistance. Time and time again, she shook her head and sighed. Challenges were fun and what she was looking for but getting minced for half an hour wasn’t exactly a challenge. It was a beat down.

A testament to her survival and recovery, as well as her defense, reducing the damage she took by a ton already.

“If that expedition even looks at this creature, their mush. Do you think we went to far? The Gracken confirmed they went past though,” she said, looking at the little creature.

He crossed his tiny arms and looked down, tapping one of his feet that looked just as simple as his hands. No toes or claws, just a black stump.

Thankful Protect.

“Ah, now I get it. Sure, I guess you didn’t expect a Storm Griffin to show up either,” she said with a smile.

Hiding Helpful

“Probably. I just wanted to see if I can take it. My recovery is pretty good and until I actually attacked it, the attacks dealt pretty minimal damage,” she said.

Joy

“Well, let’s hope there is something we can kill in the next layer. I’m not particularly good at hiding and we can’t expect every monster to stay in its lair,” Ilea said. Only the lightning elemental and the Storm Griffin didn’t move out of their respective layers so far.

She suspected that there was a more powerful single enemy every five levels, the first one being the Veramath. It must have been the only one not able to deal with the corrupted beasts on its own layer. Or her theory wasn’t right at all.

“Ready for the sixteenth?” Ilea asked.

The Fae jumped up and twirled like a windmill.

“You’re a very weird creature,” she said and chuckled, watching the little windmill start to spin vertically as well.

With pretty good control and balance, she noted to herself before getting up.

The last couple layers weren’t exactly profitable, more taxing on her pride and social energy. Neither had a bar to fill with hear healing magic so she just had to deal with it.

The next layer came after another set of stairs, this time leading into an open space with pale blue light shining from crystal like stone set in the ceiling.

It was a vast and expanding area with hills and rocks dotting the environment. A little less high reaching than the previous layer.

The entrance was a broken steel gate at about fifty meters above ground, a stairwell leading down but most of it was missing. What remained of the metal was lying down at the ground, torn apart.

Monsters flexing their power by shredding through the steel, Ilea thought and looked around.

There were some moving creatures she could see, even with the bad light and from this distance.

Four legged creatures about the size and shape of a panther. Not that she had seen a panther but she assumed them to be a little below her height.

She noticed they were prowling frantically or outright running around.

“Ready?” she asked her tiny companion.

Conquer!

“Ok, calm down there emperor,” she said with a smile and jumped down, spreading her wings to move her away from the steel wreckage.

A noise to her right made her turn, her eyes finding one of the creatures standing atop a boulder.

It growled and showed its sharp teeth. Orange puss dropped from various wounds on its body large body, reaching Ilea’s chest in height and twice that in length. It had four reddish gray eyes and a maw that looked just a little too broad, its jaw unhinging to show several rows of teeth. Its body was covered in thick near black hide, powerful muscles visible below. Short black hair showed on parts of the creature, especially atop and behind its head.

[Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl ???]

Alright, here we go, Ilea thought and watched the monster rush at her.

The thing came in range of her limbs and vanished without a trace.

Ilea felt the impact as her leg was bitten into, the familiar sensation of a powerful curse flowing through her. “Motherfucker,” she exclaimed, her limbs lashing down at it before it vanished once more.

There was no distortion in space, no precognition warning her of the attack either. Or maybe it did, she thought, moving her ashen limbs closer to her, short bladed tips forming before they started to spin around her body.

The creature’s teeth had penetrated her ash but the wound was shallow, healed quickly. The curse was mostly ignored, eating away at her health and making her senses dull. Both effects were remedied by the powerful healing flowing through her.

She spread ash around her, forming little flakes that she threw up with her manipulation.

The beast came once more and vanished. This time it appeared again ten meters away from her, several cuts showing on its body as it snarled. The flakes had fallen considerably, as if they had teleported.

I was wondering why such a weak creature resided at this level, Ilea thought. “Come, you’re frenzied. Get shredded.”

The beast of course wasn’t itself anymore, neither recognizing the taunt nor caring for its own well being. It appeared again several times, its teeth slamming through her defenses and spreading the powerful curse through her body.

Ilea smiled when she found the beast stuck to her ash, her hands reaching out before she slammed her fist into it. A couple punches and it was over.

The noise in her mind informed her about the kill before her precognition picked up something. Interesting.

She held up the corpse and watched with curious eyes as the body expanded, exploding in a flash of blood and bones.

The blast was powerful, washing away her ash and a chunk of her bone armor but not quite managing to get past her skin. The damage was healed again quickly and her ashen armor reformed on top of it.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 582]’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

There you go, she thought and spread her wings, flying up as she checked the surroundings.

A susurration seemed to go through the creatures she had seen in the distance, groups turning their heads and growling before they rushed her way.

“Yes, come to me my darlings… blood magic, explosions, curses and time,” she could hardly contain her joy as a grin spread on her face. All the resistance levels she would gain out of this. There were dozens of them, even class levels weren’t out of the question.

And with the corruption flowing through them, she could just stand there and have her ash shred through them, the element apparently not caring when time stopped for her mind or the area around her. Even if it did, the frenzied creatures would embed themselves on her anyway.

Who’s the shredder now?, she thought and flew away while snickering, blinking several times before finding an isolated corrupted Zanedin Hunter. It wasn’t easy to win over her excitement but more testing was required before she would face the larger groups.

The beast immediately turned her way and used its magic.

Ilea felt the curse spread lightly from the already closed wound on her leg. The monster was injured already, sporting several deep gashes on its side, one of its eyes pierced.

So my magic keeps working? Even healing? She was pretty sure that was the case. Ilea turned her head and listened, hearing dozens of hasted paws sliding against the dry earth.

The creatures were fast, of course they were. Everything down here was. If that weren’t the case, the world would be ruled by quick moving teleporting rogues.

“Come on, once more. I need the data,” Ilea said and smirked, watching the injured beast rush at her without a single care for its wounds. The corruption on her arm was already pushed out of her body by her second tier resistance.

She blanked out again, watching as the beast now limped, still growling at her of course. No wound showed on her body. The curse too had little effect by now. Am I getting used to its attacks? I’m still subject to its time magic.

Ilea was sure the hyena like beast retained some of its instincts. Why would it even retreat after attacking? The corruption however made it continue, despite its heavy injuries and the obvious fact that the women in front of it was neither prey nor a challenging foe. She was death.

Let’s see if I can take it, she thought and deactivated her resistances.

When she came to again, her wound were healing but more numerous. The curse had spread further through her and corruption pulsed in each of the small wounds ripped open by the enemy’s maw. Ok, maybe don’t do that against the group, she thought and activated it all once more.

A splatter of blood and energy followed, as if it teleported right in front of her. The blast shredded through her ash but this time stopped at the bone. Alright.

She knew that the time magic was pretty powerful, taking her out of the fight for a split second and enough for the monster to get a hit in. The beast could repeat the attack too, giving her little pause between bites.

Their defense was low of course, shredding themselves up on her ash alone. The only thing she had to maintain was her healing, meaning she could theoretically do this until she grew tired or hungry. Which was a long fucking time.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 603]’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

“This is amazing, honestly”, she murmured to herself. No class or class skill levels this time but I suppose it’s fine.

The beasts obviously exploded in a blood magic blast but the kill was still attributed to her. Thanks to her Avatar of Ash, her ash armor had gotten much stronger and the Griffin showed her that it was pretty difficult to kill her at this point.

Each of the attacks give me mana too, she mused. Now it’s just a question if they can basically freeze me in time when more of them are around.

That was the crucial piece she was missing right now. The difference between an insanely tuned and effective training method for her and her abilities or well, her death.

Could also try flying, she thought and jumped up when the first monsters closed the distance. She formed ashen spears and shot them down, only to find that the monsters simply appeared next to them. Time magic, hmm. Maybe I should look into that.

Her speed and blink coupled with precognition and her sphere allowed her to dodge most attacks already anyway and she doubted time magic would help against an unending barrage like the Griffin had provided. I’m good, she thought and flew away once more.

The additional explosion had increased the group trying to keep up with her. Not yet, she thought and slammed down into the ground amidst three of the creatures.

A grin on her face, ashen blades placed on limbs that clad her armor spun with high speed, ready to cut through anything that approached.

She saw the beasts before her, then they were injured, crippled and finally they exploded in blood. Three explosions ripped through her armor and flesh, not reaching much deeper because of their placement.

So they can’t freeze me completely. The intervals seemed a little smaller but I could blink out, she thought and reached another group. Five creatures running at her from a different direction than she came from.

Monstrous teeth bared and an insanity in their eyes wrought by the corruption of their blood.

The intervals were the same this time, despite the two additional creatures, confirming that there was some limit to their magic or how it could influence someone.

No time wumbo jumbo, at least not to ridiculous extents, Ilea thought with a smile, realizing with joy that the blood explosions hurt the creatures as well. Kills were still attributed to her but perhaps with a lower experience ratio.

She didn’t quite care and faced the next group with a broad grin. This time, she deactivated her resistances to see if she could take it.

Five of the creatures moved in at once.

Her healing was running through her, ashen armor in place, her bone set mostly destroyed. She didn’t store it, taking the little reduced damage it would provide where the remaining pieces still protected her.

Wounds suddenly appeared on her, ripe with corruption and curses. She coughed up blood, finding her condition the same a moment later.

The beasts showed a dozen more cuts with every use of their magic, blood coloring her surroundings and the ashen spikes moving on her body.

Her chin was wet with blood, much of it flowing down and onto her chest. And yet her vitals remained fine, the bite wounds somewhat shallow and the magic unable to compete against her resilience and healing, even without resistances at play.

Ilea couldn’t tell if the spikes actually made the the beasts bite less deep but she imagined it wasn’t exactly easy to get past. An impressive feat in itself, really. To even injure her at all.

Once more, she saw them explode, the energy ripping through her and the creatures around.

Two survived and used the opportune moment to get some nasty bites in while Ilea remained partially uncovered by ash, many of her blades and spikes washed away by the blasts.

She chuckled, the noise interrupted by time magic before she activated Heart of Cinder. Two more blood explosions rattled through her, her body shredded down to the bone in parts as she tried to move the energy towards her with the help of her sphere. The kept at bay corruption was purged by the flames.

Now this, is what I’m looking for, Ilea thought and watched the muscle and skin on her right arm reform, covered by ash a moment later. The deep wounds on her body were healed and all the magic purged when her resistances activated once more. She looked through the levels from the last encounters and smiled.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 512]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 623]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 330 – Five stat points awarded - One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 329 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

Yea, I think I’ll clear this one.

Chapter 409 Hunting Grounds

Chapter 409 Hunting Grounds

Ilea put her ten stat points into Wisdom as she spread her wings once more, flying up to avoid the coming horde.

The growls and roars made the hairs on her back stand up, despite the fact that she just shredded through over ten of them. The level difference and sheer power the beasts emanated still had an effect on her body and mind, or perhaps it was another ability she hadn’t recognized yet. The lack of resistance or Veteran levels didn’t support that theory.

The only problem are the blood explosions. If they shred through my ashen blades, the ones following have an easier time injuring me, Ilea thought. That’s not the only thing though. They kill each other with those damn explosions. If I create a chain reaction, they’re all going to die in moments. Instead of feeding me their magic first.

She flew silently through the cavern, the blue light barely enough to illuminate the moving dark creatures on the ground. Ilea was somewhat confident that they would lose her quickly in the vast space, their eyesight probably not much better than hers.

Kind of want to wait with the third tier point so I can upgrade a skill in both classes, she thought. Then again, would be a waste if it stays at 2nd 20.

‘3rd tier skill points available [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Azarinth Sentinel]:’

- Sentinel Huntress

- Azarinth Perception

The latter probably saved my life earlier this week, she thought. Sentinel Huntress was her only tracking skill and while certainly useful, it fell behind in sheer power compared to most of her other skills.

It was more a utility skill and less one to punch through an opponent’s head. Ilea was reluctant to replace it with something else however, not that there was anything available anyway.

She had fought and traveled with competent people lately but moving through these layers alone had reminded her that tracking and perception skills were very much important. If only to find the next monster to slaughter. Admittedly, the beasts didn’t much conform to be found with Huntress.

At this point it would take some time to level a new skill up to the end of the second tier and Ilea was interested to see what the third tier would bring. If it wasn’t great and a better option presented itself on the way to or at the next evolution, she could still switch it out.

For now, she picked the immediately more useful ability.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 1:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body a healer of Azarinth has to control it.

2nd stage: Your perception spikes for two seconds, should you be about to receive a blow that would take 75% or more of your life. This can happen only once per hour.

3rd stage: Your resilience and speed is doubled during the spike in perception. Increases usage to twice per hour.

Category: Body Enhancement

Ilea read through the new addition. Well, why not, she thought. Not exactly the most useless bonus a third tier ability had granted but neither the best. Perhaps it could save her life twice in a row now.

It remained a mystery if the recharge time was half an hour now or if an hour wait time refunded both uses. Ilea didn’t exactly want to test it. A being that could activate her ability even once should be avoided one way or the other.

Ilea decided the best use of her time and the frenzied creatures was engaging groups of three to six with deactivated resistances. She could still leave a couple groups at the end to just train her skills without killing them. That of course would reduce their usability to time and curse magic, the latter somewhat irrelevant either way, with her knowing Elfie.

Then let’s fucking go, she thought and moved her wings, excited for the coming slaughter. Frenzied monsters that could hurt her but weren’t exactly a danger to her life, basically just sacks of corrupted experience. Plus, rooting out corruption was one of the main reasons she was even here.

Her advantage of flight allowed her to find groups rather easily too, the monsters making no effort to hide or organize due to their corrupted state.

It’s like this was left here for me, as a gift, she thought, landing with spread arms and a hundred blades moving on her armor. Perhaps it had only been a matter of time, the last ten layers somewhat lackluster when it came to the monsters within. High level and powerful but too little in number, lacking corruption. Some had even been too much for her to deal with. Now these, these were creatures that reminded her of Taleen Guardians back in her first dwarven dungeon.

Glimpses came and went after she landed, wounds showing up and vanishing. It reminded her of an old school slide show. With a theme perhaps, that few people could appreciate or could even stomach.

Ilea completely ripped the hyena panther hybrids apart. Or well, they ripped themselves apart, by attacking something that bit back. Her body was ripped through by teeth and claws in turn, the latter having a hard time penetrating her armor.

Corruption, curses and blood magic devastated her body but nothing quite reached the destructive force of the lightning Elemental or the Griffin she had faced before. At this point, she was pretty sure a Praetorian wouldn’t pose much of a challenge to her anymore. With all the skill levels and third tier upgrades she had gotten in the meantime, Ilea was pretty confident.

Two might even pose a challenge, she thought with a smile. Many of the Zenadin Hunters were higher in level than Praetorians but she hardly considered them equal.

The last of the group’s monsters exploding in a gory fest of guts, blood and bone.

She turned her head to the side as the visceral goop splattered onto her, infecting more of her cut open and exposed body with corruption.

Ilea activated her resistances again, pushing back the orange veins forming on and within her. Pretty gross. They got that down at least.

What if these things are actually as powerful as Praetorians? She wondered. They were of a higher level, had deadly magic that might take out most without as much defense and healing as Ilea and they were even faster.

The death explosion wasn’t as impressive and they were smaller in size of course but otherwise? Ilea flew up again afterwards, her ash cleaning over her healing body, getting rid of all the foreign blood and gore.

How much did I actually improve? She wondered. There were third tier skills of course, as well as resistances and stats but Ilea found she had lost track a little of the sheer power her skill levels alone provided.

With all the ridiculous boosts to healing magic and body enhancement spells, she had gathered quite the assortment of power over even just the last week. Most of them were above level ten of the third tier already, something that was supposedly a very difficult task to achieve.

These rules apparently didn’t affect someone who fought creatures twice their levels on a daily basis quite as much. There must be others like me. Of course there are.

They’re either dead or somewhere out there, in the huge monster dimension or hell itself, endlessly ripping apart monsters to the glorious sounds of Metal. She smirked.

Her attack spells alone must have benefited greatly. No wonder she was killing monsters of such ridiculous level with only a few blows. Absolute Destruction and Storm of Cinders didn’t have any actual damage numbers listed but she could only imagine them to be ridiculous.

Sentinel Reconstruction at level twenty one of the third tier could regenerate 324 points of health per second. With the low cost of four mana no less. Ilea could heal her health back to the full 7710 points in less than twenty four seconds. A feat quite ridiculous coupled with all her defensive bonuses. The only reason her third tier healing was even needed was the terrifying reality that mere seconds were enough for a powerful monster to chunk her health down to half or below.

Both her main auras were free of charge by now and provided three point five percent additional power to their respective bonuses for each level in the skills, the multiplication a courtesy of her classes.

Blink reached a solid 42.5 meters by now, quite a difference compared to the initial fifteen. Of course the longer ranged required a higher cost in mana but did it really matter when she could travel nearly a hundred meters with just two uses of Blink?

Her sphere could see farther as well, close to thirty meters by now and her defensive buffs coming from Armor of Ash and Sentinel Core were rising by a significant amount each level.

The newfound power to her ash coming from Avatar of Ash or the utility of her third tier sphere certainly overshadowed the comparatively small increase in power brought by a simple skill level but all of them combined? It was a steady increase in power.

Ilea had little to test it on, finding new challenges with each layer. Beasts that even she couldn’t take down, or even withstand for longer periods of time. She could only imagine the havoc her presence would have wreaked if her current self had been present at the siege of Virilya.

A fucking slaughter, I presume. Might have actually lured out the most powerful generals to try and stop me. Not that I understand that conflict enough to even want such responsibility. It was easy for her to justify the slaughter of slavers but if a whole people and culture did it, was not she the one in the wrong? To invade their way of life and kill off a tenth of their population because of her view on morals. A bit of a dilemma, she found. One she really wanted to leave to other people.

The war was likely still raging, if they didn’t find some agreement in the meantime. Virilya just broke out a couple weeks ago and after a year long siege, they surely wanted some cities to burn in the very least.

All they do is reduce the already laughable power of humanity. If they knew could only learn from the demons and monsters around them, the challenges in the wild. Maybe petty politics wouldn’t be such a problem, she thought and sighed. It wasn’t that easy. She knew it, knew humans and how they thought.

Ilea had thought about this problem time and time again and she doubted even in a thousand years that she would find an answer. Forming an organization and training healers was a step in the right direction, as well as further increasing her influence in cities like Ravenhall and Riverwatch.

While she wanted to keep said influence rather passive, it could still lead to a lot of good.

Hundreds of the beasts still remained, prowling along the frozen tundra, bathed in the dull blue light shining down on them.

She slaughtered four more groups in the next twenty minutes. Perhaps less, perhaps more. Time magic brought that problem with it.

Not a small part of the time was spent on finding suitable groups, with enough distance to others. The battles themselves were only dragged out because even in a corrupted state, the beasts often retreated after a blow to reassess the situation. She assumed it was ingrained in their instincts, to let their prey feel the curses flowing through them, to let them understand that the foe they were facing was ancient and overpowering.

Well, in a sense Ilea had turned the tables. There was little satisfaction to the fights however, the monsters having lost all their intelligence and nuance, a fraction of what they must have been before the vile blood manipulation took their lives and resurrected them as these lousy husks. Time magic prevented her from intervening too much, from dodging and weaving through them, simply relying on her powerful skills instead.

Ilea had plenty of reasons to face the creatures, the main one being a bunch of levels to various of her skills. As well as her task to slaughter every host of corruption she could face.

Some would surely question her sanity, seeing the wrecked state Ilea’s body was in after each engagement. And yet she remained with a smile, bathed in blood and guts but triumphant, without a hint of pain or inner turmoil.

The smell even was something she had gotten used to by now.

A single bath would change that back immediately but while she was here, fighting and in constant strive, her senses hardened. No food remained in her belly and the required muscles to gag were often ripped out anyway. Simply removing her nose and tongue was an option too but Ilea disliked the idea, already being monster enough for her own tastes.

She found herself close to one of the layer’s walls, more natural than the ones in the prior level. The incline wasn’t straight but simply very steep. Boulders, sharp edges and even some flat areas interspersed the slope.

Ilea landed on one such flat plane, sitting down before she summoned herself a well deserved meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Time had no meaning below the surface, not to her that was.

She knew the food would be ripped out by teeth or a blood explosion soon but it did not matter. The cooking was consumed for the joy alone and not the nutrients it would provide. More notifications were present in her mind, ready to be read but not before she started digging in. A pasta dish with prawns, quite fresh in taste with some few daring notes of flavor.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 630]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 598]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 331 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 330 – Five stat points awarded - One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Blood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The arts of blood manipulation can be deceptive and dangerous to both ally and foe. You have stood against the old magic and lived. Next time your chance of survival will be even higher.

2nd stage: Masters of this ancient art have found ways to use the very essence of your life against you. With sheer ferocity, you have shown that not every creature born of blood is prey alone. They will find it a challenge to invade and use what belongs to you alone.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

Fewer class skill levels than before, despite more kills. I should maybe use Monster Hunter more. Should be easy to level it here against these ridiculous beasts.

The new addition to her blood magic resistance likely meant a defense against its intrusive nature, the way Edwin had used it against her in their training.

It seemed her resistance levels too were slowing down a little. Those in the second stage at least. Ilea knew her Avatar of Ash ability at least didn’t ignore existing levels altogether as soon as a resistance was disabled. The levels themselves were similar in number as those from her previous confrontations but this time, she had faced near twice the numbers all in all.

Damn, I should really eat more seafood. This stuff is great when it’s not frozen and shipped over half a country before a fast food chain prepares it with entirely too much fat and frying.

Show me the third tier points my dear, she said in her mind and took another bite.

‘3rd tier skill points available [Kin of Ash]: 1’

‘Skills available for third tier advancement in [Kin of Ash]:’

- Ashen Wings

- Eyes of Ash

Not much left hmm? She pondered.

Ilea was intrigued what the bonus to her ashen eyes would be but after having faced the Elemental and the Griffin, she could do with an upgrade to her wings. The lack of dodging her speed and maneuverability had provided was a concern.

Against the Griffin, she had even decided to move on the ground instead with her otherwise superior wings. Too many spells with a powerful impact had forced her to abandon one of her greatest strengths.

She remembered when her wings had made the difference against her first Taleen Centurion. Even now, they allowed her to see this layer as the farming ground it was, instead of a horde of bloodthirsty frenzied beasts that would follow her without pause.

The choice for now was clear and soon her remaining skills too would advance as well.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 1’

‘Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 1

Your understanding of ash allows you to form wings from ash and ember. Strike your enemies from above and close the distance to deliver your wrath.

2nd stage: Your wings become more dense and tangible, able to help you defend and attack.

3rd stage: Ash Creation and Unity prove you are above the rest. Shape and form your wings to your liking, now directly affected by your control. An added tail shall make you one with the skies above, not a mere human imitating flight but one who revels in it. You may charge your wings with mana and stamina to dramatically increase your flight velocity at the cost of heavily reduced control.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

Chapter 410 Taking Flight

Chapter 410 Taking Flight

Ilea nearly choked on a prawn when she read through the new description. Holy shit that’s cool.

She hurriedly formed her wings and started experimenting, finding her ability to change and form them just as proficient as her normal control of ash.

There were limits of course. Her wings couldn’t be two dicks for example, something she thought rather funny. Neither could they be massive hands or enlarged copies of her head. They had to stay wings.

Otherwise, she could apparently go nuts. A feathery form and then one of a more leathery design. Angel and demon in respect, both formed by ash and thus lacking some of the iconic touch they would normally possess.

Ilea found she could even change the size, though not by very much. Hmm, funny.

She admired the new addition to her back. A tail of ash growing out where her spine ended. This one too she could form and change a little.

I’ll have to think of a theme. Draconic maybe? Hmm… a little too conventional, isn’t it? Yet I’ve killed Wyverns and Drakes already. I do like feathers too and the ashen ones do look pretty cool, she mused, looking at the changing form.

They seemed to flow and grow seamlessly into her armor. By now she looked more like a being of ash than a human. Ash fiend, or well, Kin of Ash I suppose. She chuckled and tried out some other forms, one more akin to a fighter jet from Earth. It felt very much out of place in the setting as well as unwieldy.

Bone wings were another option, missing a lot of area, rotten and dead. They still worked actually but while the magic was still active, Ilea was sure the missing chunks would still affect her movement. Just as her healing needed longer to regenerate a whole arm compared to a simple arrow wound despite the theoretically same health point recovery.

She jumped up and did a somersault, using her new tail to guide her movement. What?

This time she jumped higher, moved her wings twice before rushing down to the small ledge. The difference wasn’t just noticeable, it felt like day and night.

The flavor text didn’t lie, hmm? She thought to herself. Did I really think I could fly? Well why would I have doubted myself? I could keep up with flying creatures, could hunt and kill them. But this…,

The movement had changed. Speed and precision as if she was fighting something hand to hand, now applied to her flight. Her wings had already been superior in some ways but now she doubted there ever was a reason to remain on the ground if there was enough space. She had to get in close either way of course.

Well. She landed and changed the shape of her wings again to a more aggressive design, spikes and straight lines gave it a pseudo futuristic feel while still somewhat fitting the magic creatures all around. Hmm, not perfect but I like it.

A decision would be difficult but Ilea didn’t exactly have to make one. The change was near instant, just as she would form and move an ashen limb. Force of habit and some level of comfort would keep her moving on the ground, that much she knew. She knew just as much that flying didn’t feel like a novelty anymore, something she should not be able to do, only achieved through the magic of this world.

No. Now, she felt in control. As if she always had wings to traverse the skies, to move through and feel the air around her. Like a bird of prey that was born inside a cage, finally freed and allowed to spread its wings, to let instinct take over.

It’s not just the tail, is it? She wondered, finding it rather easy to move the new appendage. Easier even than her ashen limbs that felt mostly natural to her by now. Her control remained even after she twirled up her tail near her lower back. At least mostly. It did add a noticeable increase to her dexterity but her wings themselves too felt different.

Oh wait, I also have a speed up thing, she thought and instinctively activated the part of her skill.

It took a couple seconds for the aspect to activate. She felt how energy permeated the powerful wings on her back, heavier now than a moment before, brimming with light in the sight of her sphere.

She shot off when they were ready, her enhanced body coupled with a second tier wind resistance easily ignoring the forces pushing against her as she sped through the layer, flying several hundred meters above the creatures prowling below.

Ilea reached the other end in less than a minute, unsure of how fast exactly she had flown. Trying to stop the skill caused a bit of a problem when she realized it had a wind down too. She spread her wings to slow down but the momentum was simply too much, crashing her into the rock on the other side of the layer. Her form cracked the stone and dug deep but she found little damage to either her armor or the body within.

I could use this to attack, just fucking slam into things, she thought and chuckled as she ripped herself free of the stone prison around her.

Just have to make sure I’m harder than anything I hit. If she were being honest, even that wouldn’t matter much with her regeneration. She laughed at the thought of a powerful being, hit suddenly by a fast moving human that splattered all over them. Also a way to go, I suppose.

I could become an ashen drill or just form a spike before I fling myself at targets, Ilea pondered. Her limbs moving around her like Shredders with the initial torque and power from a massive drill could seriously damage any oversize beasts. The Veramath wouldn’t have stood a chance like that, Ilea immediately punching into its brain like a human sized bullet.

She could see it then. Ilea, the regenerating human cannonball. Feared attraction. In a circus now because every monsters had already been taken out.

Perhaps she was a little too ambitions but the idea at least had merit. With her steadily increasing ash control and density, she could do with it whatever she wanted. The drill spears already proved more than just usable, taking out level six hundred monsters in single strikes, albeit hitting their weak spots. The shredder imitation, now more akin to a bladed armor took out creatures capable of using time magic to freeze her perception.

Aiming it is going to be hard though, she thought and frowned. There really was a sharp decline in control as soon as the speed boost activated, barely any correction possible. It would have a tiny impact, let alone at that insane velocity.

I guess I’ll have enough opportunities to test it. The charge time alone would make it unsuitable against most enemies already engaged.

She invested her ten stat points into Wisdom yet again. The fact that her third tier wings barely made a dent in her stamina just drove home again how insane her offensive mana spending really was. Ilea could really use every single bit she could get.

At some point she would have to think about her Dexterity and Strength again, both falling behind heavily. There were reasons for that of course and the upgrade to her wings would surely compensate a little for the lack of dexterity. As would her powerful mana intrusion and ash unity compensate for a lack of strength.

Mana intrusion remained her main weapon coupled with her ashen limbs and projectiles. She doubted her Strength stat had more impact on the physical power of her spears and blades than Intelligence. Destruction additionally had a physical aspect that compensated rather well for her comparatively low strength.

More resistances as well as skill levels in her manipulation and creation abilities would also mean that she would more and more rely on her ash to deliver the physical aspect of her damage. Mana intrusion was versatile and many had little to defend against it but she had to have an alternative ready in case something showed up with a high defense.

She marveled at her wings once more, moving the tail as she twirled in the air. If only I had a more thorough ranged arsenal and a focus on such skills. Being able to fly like this would bring me to a similar ability as the Griffin, able to play with their enemies without ever touching them.

Of course that wasn’t her style and she didn’t truly want that to change that. A mix was welcome though and with the increasing power in her ash, she could certainly already stand her ground against flying and ranged contenders of a similar level. Monsters that was. Perhaps even sapient creatures with less powerful classes, considering her high regeneration and the low cost of her ash creation and control.

“We’ll see, I suppose,” she murmured to herself and once more focused on the task at hand. The complete eradication of the corrupted monsters.

Beautiful!

The thought reached her mind and reminded her of the Fae that had been watching everything from a safe distance, both the fighting and now her flight evolution.

“You think so?” Ilea asked with a smile. “I think so too,” she added and spread her dark wings with a futuristic pseudo feather design before she rushed down, eyes peeled to find another unsuspecting group of monsters.

________________________________

Hana held her breath as they came up on the destroyed camp. She could smell the corruption and venom, as if it was permeating the very air.

Relly had bent a somewhat intact armor piece to his liking. One they had found on a dead sorcerer an hour prior. It now covered a large part of his chest, protecting some vitals.

A useless effort, she thought. If one of the creatures struck him there, it would make little difference. And still he had donned it, had smirked with a glint of pride. Ridiculous. Such confidence in the face of certain death. I can only follow suit, Hana thought with a broad grin on her own reptilian face.

Carul was less enthusiastic about their endeavors. He hid them well, so far no creature had found them past his magic cloak. His opinion on the misguided suicidal idiotic and prideful wish to deal with the corruption was less of a mystery. The dark one reminded them often of his thoughts and still he had remained.

Of course he does, Hana thought and glanced back at the creature. He is dead just like we are and if there is a glimpse of survival, it is with the help of others.

She had been surprised at the lack of complaining coming from Jonna. The woman wasn’t exactly known to be so quiet during any of their missions. And yet here she barely spoke a word. Hana could smell the fear emanating from her, could see it in her human eyes. An understandable emotion, especially from someone of such a weak species.

She had to remind herself that it was a human who bested her last, not one of a noble and respected line of Dark Ones or Feynor. Yet she knew well that one outlier didn’t change the ways of the world. The only reason humans hadn’t been overrun by anything else was their high numbers, their powerful defenses and enchantments as well as an ability to work in formations that few others could match.

Hana knew this to be the truth, many respectable warrior confirming it. Some lesser educated creatures simply laughed at the poor essence in the human plains, their territory undesirable and unwanted but like so often, the truth was more complicated. It was the respectable warriors after all that had driven her out after she had defended herself. Savages, truly.

They were silent as they reached the last gate before the camp. Hana remembered when they had entered, an enchanter amongst them having disabled the magic placed on it. Activated once more after they had entered and built their camp within the expansive halls.

Now the gate was open, pried through by powerful claws and fangs. A testament to the monsters’ strength, knowing her own sword couldn’t even scratch the steel.

“What do you see?” Relly asked, turning to the mage among them.

His magic pulsed out before he lowered his head a little. “Four beings, yet I feel they are not the same as the scorpions or worms. Each feel different in their own way, yet the same.”

“Corrupted,” Relly hissed as he prepared his chains. “We move in together and attract them. Carul, if you can, make sure nothing hears the commotion. We deal with them as quickly as possible.”

Hana nodded and so did Jonna.

“You and me at the front, Jonna, you focus on healing,” the huge saurian said. “Do not back down, we will be victorious. Let us free the ones taken, for the honor of those awakened!”

Hana followed him, activating her buffs as she prepared her blade. The camp lay in shambles, most tents and crates destroyed, corrupted corpses littering the even floor. She saw four figures moving towards the new commotion, humanoid shapes and one of them quite familiar.

“Fuck,” she murmured, seeing Krentin’s form float towards them. Dark magic pooled around him as he prepared his spells. “That one’s mine,” she said, preparing to teleport.

“Do not split up. Trust in our healer and deal with the close ranged creatures first. We move back to cover should they overwhelm us!” Relly stopped her, his chains lashing out with unnatural speed before they spun around the legs of two running corrupted. One once a dwarf, wielding two large axes and the other one a heavily armored dark one wielding a large scythe of shadow.

[Corrupted Warrior – lvl ??]

[Corrupted Mage – lvl ??]

Still two mark, maybe we have a chance, Hana thought, slamming her sword into the thick plate armor as soon as Relly had pulled them close.

Magic pulsed from him as lightning flowed through the chains, burning up the dark ones connected to them.

Hana’s blade did not bring lightning onto herself, the two had tested such hours prior.

She found her weapon wedged in the armor, using her full weight to punch through. A familiar dark bolt flashed past her head as she dodged. Krentin was in range. What remained of him at least.

Hana roared and slammed the tangled up dark one to the ground, using both of her fists to slam down on her own weapon, trusting that her own steel would prevail.

And so it did. The massive curved blade cut through the already damaged armor and bit into the corrupted flesh.

She grinned before the mage moved his scythe. Hana dodged twice before the magic weapon cut into her side, leaving a deep gash with a foul smell. At least no corruption seemed to spread, otherwise she might have been in trouble.

A teleport brought her back to Jonna, the healer quickly getting to work.

“Keep an eye out, there is another mage hiding somewhere,” Relly said with a strained voice, using all his magical ability to keep the two monsters at bay, his chains still crapped around their legs. Another pulse of lightning moved through them, flickers of blue light zapping at the destroyed tents and the steel floor before the spell reached the corrupted bodies.

Jonna suddenly turned away from Hana, her fist slamming into something previously unseen. A dagger scratched on the stone armor that covered most of her body. Another punch lashed out, the impact unveiling the remaining mage who had been mostly invisible before.

His eyes pulsed with corruption, a large whole in his chest barely held together by the orange pus.

Hana watched as her friend punched an earthen spike into the open wound, using her full weight and large form to overwhelm the corrupted mage, pinning him down on the floor as the corruption splattered over her.

The stone sizzled but she continued punching, her fist slamming the mage’s head into the steel again and again.

Relly wrapped one of his chains around the large two handed blade still stuck in one of their enemies, ripping it out with a violent noise before he sent it flying towards Hana.

“I will hold them back, finish the mage!” the saurian said as his chain lashed around to strike at the slow moving scythe wielder.

Hana caught the blade and appeared next to Jonna, her body bulging as power flowed through her. The blade came down with a heavy crash, embedding itself in the mage’s neck before a powerful two handed strike from Jonna made it cleave through the rest.

A ding resounded in her mind but there was no time for that right now. She retrieved the blade and ripped out small sections of her own scales, infected with corruption. Hana could feel it burn into her flesh but by now her Blood Manipulation Resistance was already at level thirteen.

She signaled to Jonna that she was fine, watching the woman shed her stone armor covered in corruption. New armor formed on her slowly as she went to support Relly.

The saurian was now dodging through the attacks of the two corrupted, as well as avoiding the dark magic coming from Krentin’s remains. He weaved through them as if they were newborn, not yet used to their claws and weapons.

Hana smirked at that and appeared on his side, blocking the axes with a strike of her own. She roared, her body bulging a little more. “We will not die here!” she shouted her defiance, her voice somewhat silenced by the magic of Carul. She cared not for such matters right now, her sole focus the corrupted warrior standing in her way.

Chapter 411 Games

Chapter 411 Games

Catelyn focused on her breathing, calming down through meditation. She checked around herself in the dark cave, finding all her companions alive and breathing.

The elf was injured, deep wounds showing on his stomach.

She moved over, healing her own wounds before she extended one of her tails to the creature.

“What the fuck was that thing?” Maro exclaimed, wincing as he pressed his hands against the cuts on his legs.

“Stop quivering, human,” the elf spoke, forming barriers that pressed against the wounds, effectively stopping the bleeding.

“Worry about yourself, and keep an eye out. Is it following, Ilas?” Catelyn said.

“No,” he replied, crouching a couple meters away with his eyes focused on the entrance to their cave.

Catelyn continued her healing, extending the help to Maro as soon as the elf was stable. Ilas had remained undetected or perhaps the creature had simply not been interested in the lower leveled prey.

“Are you alright?” she asked him, seeing him remain crouched.

“I will recover,” he replied.

“There was a struggle here,” Ilas said after a while. “It seems the expedition had found this layer’s enemy a dangerous foe.”

“They were discovered,” Catelyn said. “What else do you see?” her eyes were focused on the sand covering a small part of the cave entrance. Whatever the creature was, it seemed to have no interest in moving through stone. Let us hope there is simply no way for it to come here.

“Some intended to go back… the struggle does not suggest involvement from the creature,” Ilas said and looked around, pointing at a scratch on the stone wall. “People attacked each other. I can smell dried blood.”

“Very little… not enough for someone to die,” Maro added. “We weren’t the only ones who couldn’t hide anymore.”

The elf hissed, a noise Catelyn had gotten used to by now. “It is becoming more dangerous for us to move. The Griffin felt us pass yet decided not to intervene.”

“Your theories are just that,” Maro retorted. “That thing had no clue we passed through. Don’t hiss again, It doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever that was, it pierced our veil, found us and attacked. I could barely locate it in the sand.”

“It was not corrupted,” Ilas said.

“Are you sure?” Catelyn asked. She trusted his nose more than her own and the corruption reeked.

“Certain,” he said, still remaining crouched.

“Half the beasts down here resisted it, why are we still here? If we struggle with one of those things, the expedition is wiped out,” Maro said.

He wasn’t annoyed, Catelyn knew. These were the words of an experienced mage who had fought thousands of creatures. He had seen death. Understood it.

“I will not go until I have found their corpses. Or have turned their corrupted forms to ash,” she replied, leaving no room for discussion. “You are not bound to be here and I will not repeat myself.”

The man nodded, remaining silent as his wounds were healed.

“We should rest. For a while, before moving on. I agree that the circumstances have changed. If more creatures are able to bypass the shadows and attack from their own hiding, it will be a risk. The Griffin will destroy all corrupted that rise from below. The danger is not as vast as we had assumed,” the elf spoke.

“My words are for all of you, not just the human,” Catelyn said and rested her head on her paws. I wish there was some cake. Dying here without another taste will be pointless. I shall prevail, if only for that goal.

____________________________

Terok frowned under his armor, his arms crossed to show the emotion. “Are ye sure, lad?”

“I know what I have seen, dwarf. The others may not believe an elf but do you take us for liars?” Neiphato said, barely containing his anger.

Didn’t know that one to be so bloody loud, he thought and sighed. “It just seems unlikely, is all. The bodies are being burnt and few monsters have shown up since they left.”

“Not the whole layer was cleared,” Heranuur said, the red haired elf seeming a little bored.

I wish Ilea was here, or Elfie, or Maro… anyone but me, Terok thought, shaking his head as he started to understand the scope of this newfound information.

The Dark Protector had sent some troops, at the request of Catelyn and Elana. Now completely useless of course. Too late to clear the first layer and too late to defend the Veramath tunnel. The forces of Hallowfort had recovered and most had gained a couple levels from the brave battle that had taken place over a week ago.

By now the rotation was established and few dangerous creatures still emerged. Terok was sure there remained many corrupted down in this cursed fucking dungeon but they were too stupid and frenzied to find the way up. The terrain might even be in their favor at this point.

“They took corpses with them. I’m sure it is in none of our masters’ interest for this curse to spread,” Neiphato commented.

A horn resounded in the distance. A request for help. “Ah fuck,” he said and turned towards the noise. “I don’t know what to tell ya, lads. We wouldn’t want to start a war on something a bunch of elves have seen. Neiphato, if you must, report to Elana directly. She is in Hallowfort. If anyone will believe you, it is her.”

The elf seemed unsure but he nodded a moment later. “I will try to find her. Your presence would help my case however, you were involved in her rescue, were you not?”

Fuck, he remembered, “I was. Let’s deal with whatever that signal was about first, afterwards the two of us move up to Hallowfort. The sound didn’t come from the tunnel so this is something different. Is that agreeable?”

The elf nodded and held onto the metal pole Terok extended to them.

He hovered up and moved the elves with him, eyes focused on the distant area where spells flashed up. I hope the others come back soon, I’m not made to deal with affairs of war and deception. I just want my gear and some unknown caves to dig through.

He grinned and sped up. Perhaps this is what I pay for accepting her help. Ah well, let us survive another day.

__________________________________

“Your requests are denied. The corruption will be destroyed and must not be spread further. It is not a weapon to be used by your lord but a poison that will eat you from within,” Elana said in the most diplomatic tone she could muster.

She really was at the end of her patience. Worse than the bloody Nelaar, she thought, glancing at the mage covered in black robes and a mask.

Nothing would suggest that he wasn’t a citizen of Hallowfort and just another dark one, except for the three purple stars sitting within an upside down triangle, proudly displayed on his chest.

“The Dark Protector has sent his strongest warriors to defend an ally from certain death. It is a small request, human,” the being said.

The arrogance wasn’t new to her and with what her sources told about the dark protector and his army, it wasn’t entirely unwarranted. They were pushing, finally having a reason to enter Hallowfort after Elana had convinced Catelyn to ask for help. The fox had debated it already but with a little push from her, the decision was final.

“The matter was taken care of before your proud troops have arrived. We will compensate you with resources or gold. I don’t have to remind you that had we not taken out these hordes, they would have found their way into your lands sooner or later,” Elana said, approving more building requests with a pen while she talked to the creature.

The corruption had lit a fire under the citizens of Hallowfort. Either to join the dark army or to build on their defenses. Catelyn had a massive pull and many knew her personally, had seen her fight. They had also seen the troops arrive, too late, too little. The choice was obvious to anyone worth their salt.

Those who had left were very much welcome to do so. It saved her the chore of weeding them out another way. Let the Protector deal with them, she thought.

The request for corrupted corpses was reasonable of course. Anyone would want to use it as a weapon. That’s exactly why she had set it as a top priority to burn every corpse as fast as possible and to store a select few in a hastily built hidden vault below the first layer. Down the tunnel the massive worm creature had created, to make sure the defenders would take care of it if any of the corpses tried to rise again.

Elana wouldn’t take any chances, not after having lived with a necromancer for so many years. She was of course very much aware that a monumental task like that needed time. Too much of it that was.

The representative apparently gave up, giving her a respectful nod before he departed with his two guards.

She didn’t turn and continued her work. Too easy, she thought. They already took what they came to get.

These creatures came to sapience already powerful, didn’t have to climb up through schemes and diplomacy. Elana knew what Catelyn would do and found herself quite joyous at the fox’s current absence.

Let them have it, spread it amongst themselves and their enemies. Until nothing remains of their proud armies. Hallowfort will stand, the sole beacon of civilization in these wastelands. It was a risk of course but their positions were clear. If the Dark Protector or the Feynor wanted Hallowfort, they could take it. With heavy losses but they would succeed.

Elana would make sure the balance would tip in their favor. Ilea will revel in the joy of slaughtering all the corrupted. As will others. Heroes to be born and forged in the fires of destruction.

For the first time in many decades she felt joy. Rhyvor was gone and with it the people she had loved. Yet she would rather die than let arrogant monsters trample on her legacy.

Catelyn was a good leader, one that could turn this savage land into something more. If only she had some guidance.

Elana would make sure Hallowfort would flourish. Her debt was vast and she would repay it piece by piece. Ilea had found them, had finally freed them from this unending wait and Catelyn had freed her of the prison, had taken her in and given her power beyond what any reasonable leader should give to a stranger.

It was almost adorable. The heroes that trusted a buried necromancer king and his ancient wife. She would have had them removed from her court, had they been a part of it. Yet of course they weren’t. They were powerful beyond compare. Beyond even Maro, who had looked tiny next to the healer.

If they survived this escapade and found some way to quell the hordes, both would return more powerful than they had ever been. Both in influence and sheer destructive force.

She liked Catelyn, she really did. The fox reminded her so much of herself, of what she could have been perhaps. With more time and wisdom. Someone that could trust easily and naturally held the power that Elana had so desperately grasped at. A good leader.

Elana would teach her, would pull strings where necessary but compared to Maro, the fox actually had the intellect and will to reach the heights of an empress.

Ilea on the other hand, she was a little bit of an enigma. Elana had been sure the woman was just another battle fanatic, seeking her next monster to fight. She had the best interests of people in mind that didn’t directly oppose her but she also brought knowledge and morals from another time and realm.

Elana had underestimated her on their first meeting, only realizing later that the healer was very much ready to rip off her head if anything coming out of it wasn’t to her liking.

There was potential there, surely. Under other circumstances, perhaps she would have made a cunning ruler. As it was, her path had diverged and even the Queen of Rhyvor thought herself unable to change her in major ways.

With her abilities and fast growth, there was a small chance she would actually survive all this. Already she was more powerful than most humans, able to walk into a kingdom and claim a title of nobility without many who would dare oppose her. Either she didn’t realize such or she simply didn’t care, living her life of adventure when there was so much influence she could have.

Her heart was true however and Elana would have to consider her plans carefully. Losing Ilea to some ploy of her own or anyone in Hallowfort would be more than just an annoying failure. She had learned quickly that a trusting friend was worth ten times more than a bought or blackmailed ally.

Ilea was the bridge to the south, should relationships ever be established. Elana was sure a figure like her had made powerful friends in many places. And friends of friends could be potential allies.

For now, Elana focused on the immediate problems. The defensive power of Hallowfort, trade and training amongst the citizens and the subtle and complete disassembly of potential enemies.

She allowed herself a subdued smile. It was a good day.

___________________________________

Ilea cleaned up once more, sitting down on a boulder amidst the carnage nearly five hours of battle had brought. A plethora of wounds were healing, corruption overcome.

The only thing that remained of hundreds of monsters were splatters of blood, bone and corruption. A true massacre. Not quite to the extend of the first layer, where thousands of corpses littered the battlefield but everything here was her work alone.

Hers and the little guy’s.

She watched the Fae as it dodged and weaved through the attacks of the ashen form Ilea had conjured and controlled. An exact copy of the Fae and other than the missing white eyes, nearly of the same color as well.

“You can use magic, you know,” she said, for the third time that day already.

No reaction came from the being so she tried something else. Small tendrils of ash came out of her ashen fae, with additional small spears forming above its head. They rushed out to attack the creature as it started to teleport in quick succession.

One spear simply vanished before it hit its head. A chunk of the ashen Fae suddenly quivered, its head imploding with a powerful force before it vanished entirely.

She had watched the entire thing in her sphere and smiled before she jumped up and clapped, nearly dropping her dinner. Two ashen limbs caught the plate before it fell.

The Fae looked dejected at first, turning its head before it realized Ilea seemed joyous.

A giggle reached her mind as well as a questioning thought.

She smiled and pointed at herself, forming a copy of her arm with ash before she made it implode in a similar way, the ash vanishing right after.

The Fae seemed to be thinking before it reached a conclusion, tapping a balled hand into the palm of the other. Not that there was more than a palm in the first place.

Certain?

“Yes, certain. You’ve seen me destroy those creatures. I doubt you could harm me in a major way,” Ilea said with a broad grin, her armor retracted to her back.

The bone set was regenerating nicely, each minute adding another chunk back to the defensive gear.

I’m really not giving it enough credit. The way I fight just leads to non regenerative armor being completely useless.

Ilea doubted there were a lot of materials in the world that could withstand the continuous abuse she put her own defenses under. Armor that regenerated more quickly or something like an energy shield would probably provide the best result for her but right now this is what she had.

“Do it,” she said with conviction, giving the Fae a look.

The thing had watched her get ripped apart, hundreds of monsters dying to her ash and all it ever sent was joy. It confused her why the being hesitated with attacking her.

The Fae looked at her before a familiar feeling of void magic started pressing into her arm.

She simply waited, her resistance skill active as well as her defenses.

Other than a somewhat powerful pressure, nothing else happened.

The magic ceased and the Fae hovered down a couple centimeters, head lowered.

Sad

Expected

Ilea laughed as soon as the thoughts reached her mind. She deactivated her armor and resistance before she tapped the Fae on its brow. “Once more,” she said in a quiet tone, an expectant look on her face.

The creature seemed to understand, focusing on its magic once more.

This time, there was a reaction.

Ilea smirked at the creature as she felt the attack with her precognition. “You little shit,” she murmured, her arm imploding with a sickening sound.

Her bone resisted the magic but the muscle and flesh above was smashed to a pulp.

She heard the giggle in her mind as the Fae twirled with an innocent aura.

“It’s healed already. Do it again,” she said, watching as the creature stopped and turned its head to the side.

Joy

“Yes, I know you like to see things ex- or implode,” Ilea said, feeling her arm once more squeezed together by an unnatural force.

The Fae attacked her five more times before it stopped, looking at her with its big white eyes. It lifted a hand and pointed at one of its eyes.

“I don’t mind,” Ilea said with a chuckle.

The following was quite literally an eye opening experience, perhaps for both of them. Eye popping was perhaps a more appropriate term.

Ilea added an ashen Fae to make it a little more interesting for the little creature.

She focused on her meal and ignored the constantly reforming eyes within their empty sockets.

Chapter 412 Magic

Chapter 412 Magic

Quite powerful for someone at level one hundred, she thought and started reading through the backlog of notifications from the extended period of fighting.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 583]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Zanedin Hunter – lvl 622]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 332 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 333 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 334 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 335 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 331 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 332 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 333 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 334 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

...

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The intricacies of time magic are difficult to grasp, its secrets hidden forever to most who attempt the plunge. A rare few have managed to bend the elusive force to their will, making it a dangerous tool both for themselves and for their enemies.

2nd stage: While it certainly eludes your simple mind, your body has learned that the flows and waves of time are fickle. Bent and shrouded for too many times, you have found a center in it all. A calm in the sea of time. It will take a true master to disturb what you have found to be truth.

No wonder you elude me, with those vague fucky marketing descriptions, Ilea retorted in her mind. She wasn’t truly annoyed, rather enjoying the banter between herself and her subconscious. At this point it was the easiest explanation for the personal attacks.

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

Back to insane leveling speeds, she thought with a grin, her eyes once more imploding. The bleeding stopped near instantly with her recovery active.

There were two ashen Fae by now, moving quickly through the air and trying to catch the real one teleporting through.

The small forms made it easier for her to control two at the same time. Their movements as well were simple.

For the first time in a while, she had jumped quite a couple of levels in such a short period of time.

She felt that soon, the Zanedin Hunters too would only provide a reasonable growth to her and not the explosive experience she had collected in the last hours.

Now, where’s the layer with the level seven hundred version of you lads? She thought, looking over the remains.

Parts of her body were still pulsing with corruption, only kept in check by healing magic.

A dozen or so creatures remained on the layer, moving alone or in groups of two or three in the outskirts. Far enough away so that the loud battle hadn’t reached their ears.

Ilea spent twenty stat points each into Vitality and Wisdom. There was a very small chance that something would reduce her health to zero with a single hit but the risk still remained and every point of Vitality could make a difference.

I now have six general skills at the second tier and level twenty, she wondered. So there’s no requirement like with the third tier class skills. Or maybe it’s just more?

There was no way she could know of course. Ilea didn’t think anyone had lied to her, she simply though that each bit was a piece of the puzzle. Most of all, she trusted the dragon elf. If she just continued leveling up resistances, she would at some point have a breakthrough.

With so many possibilities present, poison, time, blood manipulation, corrosion, gravity, lightning and even ice, the Descent really was a prime ground for an insane resistance boost. For anyone brave and resilient enough to face the dangers of course. Also with enough regeneration. And something like Avatar of Ash that helped increase the impact of magical damage.

Maybe… maybe this whole place was just built for me? Ilea thought. Just to create the perfect anti magic warrior.

She smiled at the idea but thought it rather suspect. If there was some powerful entity who had built this whole place for a somewhat mundane reason, she would bet her money on a zoo.

Ilea made an ashen spear vanish right before it was about to hit the Fae. The ashen creatures followed after, returned to the magic permeating the very air around them.

“You alright, little guy?” she asked, extending an ashen limb.

Tired

Its eyes were a little smaller now, partially closed as it drifted onto the ashen limb.

Eat?

“You want food?” Ilea asked and summoned one of Keyla’s meals.

The Fae shook its tiny head as it was moved closer to the woman.

“That’s a grave insult. If you were anything but a cute little Fae creature, I’d probably fight you for that,” Ilea said with a feigned warming tone.

Eat

“I mean, go ahead if you need anything from me. Health, stamina, mana. I have it all,” she said and expected a massive maw to rip out chunks of her flesh.

What happened was much less spectacular and gruesome. A simple mana drain.

She kept the resistance deactivated to make sure the Fae wouldn’t get damaged by her mana.

No shit you’re hungry, she thought, watching her resource drain by nearly twenty points per second. With meditation active that meant a drain of a little over six points per second.

Ilea soon realized that the creature had fallen asleep. Its small six dark wings rested on its back, sometimes quivering a little as it continued to drain mana from her.

Is this going to wake some kind of maternal instincts? She wondered with a smile. The little guy was cute, certainly. Also a highly respected being amongst ancient Dark Ones and probably not something she should take as lightly as she did.

As well as a great many other things, she thought with a smirk.

The fact that it could injure her without defenses was certainly out of the ordinary. A level one hundred creature. The noble with the white flame was impressive but this creature here, kind of defied the logic of this world.

The parts at least that she had known thus far. Ilea was pretty sure her own existence was more than a bit of an outlier as well. People already freaked out at her quick advancement to level two hundred. Now she was three thirty and beyond any sapient creature she had met and could identify so far.

Beings centuries old.

She decided to ignore it. The feeling of being special or misplaced. Ilea was taken from Earth and brought here. She had paved her way and had settled into a more comfortable self. One that would make her own decisions, would find her own answers.

And so she pet the little Fae. Its head was composed of a black material that seemed to absorb the very light around it. To the touch it felt like nothing she had ever experienced before or could categorize in any way.

The experience was weird and she let go of it again. Her mind was whirling, trying to find a way to understand and make sense of what her fingers had touched.

It had been a long time since she had felt like something really deserved the name of magic. The Elemental she had met came close and perhaps her feelings would change if she could actually touch it but this Fae really deserved the mythical name.

Great, now I want to touch that lightning bird, Ilea thought, tapping her leg with a finger as she checked the notifications she had received from the eye popping game.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the general skill – Space Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Space Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Most who try to chase this elusive school of magic will find and choose the Void instead. You have fought a being of truly peculiar making, have faced and survived its spells and may count yourself amongst the few to call this skill their own.

Hmm, I was sure that was void. Didn’t feel any different than what Maria did to me, Ilea thought.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

She spread her wings and looked for some of the remaining creatures. It didn’t take long but she didn’t want to engage with the Fae unconscious.

“Hey, wake up little guy. I’m going to train a little more,” she said.

No reaction graced her.

“You can watch me get injured,” she added, seeing its wings twitch a tiny bit. “Blood and guts.”

It slowly woke, eyes opening as it took in the surroundings.

I know you heard me, Ilea thought but she couldn’t be mad at the cute little thing.

I don’t think this was supposed to happen until my mid thirties, Ilea thought. Oh well, let’s cap out some more resistances and then move on.

This time, she let the creatures attack without any ashen blades moving around herself.

She noted that with her time magic resistance active, the skips didn’t happen anymore. It seemed the monsters weren’t considered true masters of the magic. Good to know, I guess, she thought and once more deactivated her defenses.

The skips started happening again, four of the creatures digging into her flesh as she stood and healed. Ilea thanked Pain Tolerance once more, to make this opportunity feasible at all.

She’d be reduced to a quivering mess of tears and sorrow in a matter of seconds were it not for the skill. Most people likely would, bodies and brains made to protect themselves. Not to stand in fire or smile amidst four rabid corrupted magical creatures that tear and bite into one’s body.

Ilea blinked up from time to time, activating her resistances once more to cleanse her body of the vile orange goo.

The Fae watched, hovering a couple meters to her side.

Just a little creepy, she noted and dived back down.

The curses had little effect on her by now, her resistance left active as it was capped at level twenty anyway. It was about time magic and blood manipulation by now.

After around ten minutes, Ilea decided to add a little spice to the mix, summoning a bottle of poison and taking a sip. She glanced over to the Fae.

“Care to continue popping my eyes?” she asked, forming a copy of her head and turning an ashen eye to nothing. With her armor active it would be more difficult but she believed in the little guy.

Support!

The Fae formed a fist and nodded.

Quite motivated the bugger, she thought and blinked down again.

She had no clue how much time was reasonable. Already her levels and skills had increased quite considerably since splitting up with her group. Especially her third tier skills would help quite a bit.

Avatar of Ash pretty much doubled the physical defense and offense of her ash, aided by any resistance skills she brought to the second tier.

Her wings would help tremendously against anything that required speed or maneuverability to beat. The upgrade to her sphere would allow her to protect her allies from magical damage and her Perception third tier would allow her to take more risks.

All in all a good combination of upgrades. Perhaps not quite what she had hoped for when she decided to split from the others but it would make a difference.

Ilea wasn’t sure if her evaluation was skewed either, fighting higher leveled beings from layer to layer. The fifth or sixth level creatures would surely be torn apart even easier by now.

She blinked up again, sighing as her body recovered. Both her insides as well as her skin and muscles were pretty fucked up. Even with a powerful reduction to the curses, the beasts still had sharp teeth. Teeth that could penetrate her ashen armor that even the combined effort of ten Hallowfort mages had a hard time getting through.

And that was before the upgrade to its density.

Even if my theory is obviously wrong, this dungeon really was a way to solidify the power I gained from my last evolution.

By now she felt like she had grown into her new body. The capabilities of the Azarinth Sentinel and a Kin of Ash clearly on display as she took direct and continuous beatings from monstrous entities. Let alone the fact that she could slaughter them by the hundreds.

She decided to continue until her Blood Manipulation resistance reached level twenty in the second tier. Three levels wouldn’t take too much more time without the damage reduction and the active removal of the corruption.

Ilea wondered how someone without this additional ability could even train the resistance after reaching the second tier. I didn’t try turning the effect off yet. Might work just like the Pain Tolerance one.

She would give it a shot should there be a need to test some blood manipulation on her with the damage reduction present, as specific and unlikely that scenario was.

The remaining training lasted three full hours, one for each level in Blood Manipulation Resistance. Her other skills leveled quite a bit more quickly. The main reason was her healing that constantly fought against the spread of the corruption. Without it, even Ilea wouldn’t survive a Zanedin onslaught for long.

She flew up and motioned to her shoulder, flesh and ash reforming as the Fae appeared and sat down. It had little trouble staying balanced, even in flight. She was glad the creature at least seemed to understand the danger these monsters posed to it. And yet she had never felt discomfort or fear. Apart from when she had found it.

Ilea had located the exit and way to the seventeenth layer some time ago, a half open gate sitting around sixty meters above ground in the wall, hidden between large boulders.

She didn’t bother hunting down the remaining creatures, easily avoided by flight. Ilea would be back for them, sooner or later. There were still some resistance levels to be gained after all.

The thought of leaving turned and corrupted creatures behind irked her a little but the monsters were already dead, they were beyond caring. The Griffin would take care of them should they decide to move up. Anything further down should be able to defend itself, or was already corrupted.

She checked the fruits of her labor and pressed on.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 6’

The taunts had no discernible effect on the monsters but she still used it whenever possible. Their corruption already had their minds fried and she was happy the skill even leveled at all.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blood Manipulation Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

She was surprised her Poison Resistance leveled so slowly, the stuff was pretty fucking strong after all. So were most of the other magics she was getting hit with of course.

The Fae tried its best but with her armor active, there was just too little damage being done, even with the resistance deactivated. She would find some time soon, in case the creature stayed around for another couple days.

For now, she focused on the next layer.

Ilea wasn’t sure if she had reached sufficient power at this point to have the impact she had on the earlier layers. On one hand, she had just slaughtered hundreds of level six hundred creatures alone but on the other, the Elemental and the Griffin had certainly proved unbeatable. For now at least.

It really just depended on how far the expedition went, how far the corruption reached. And where her team currently resided.

Alright, so at this point I’ll only engage monsters that are corrupted. I can come back whenever to check out the rest.

“I’ll go find my friends now, alright little guy?” she asked the Fae on her shoulder, landing in front of the slightly ajar steel gate that likely led farther down.

Violence?

“Don’t worry, my dear. There will be plenty of violence either way,” she said with a grin, blinking past the gate.

Chapter 413 Ghosts

Chapter 413 Ghosts

Ilea and her Fae companion found themselves in an eerily quiet cavern. It expanded for kilometers in each direction, crystal growing on several pillars that reached from the bottom to the top.

Stalactites overgrown with the shiny mineral grew from the distant stone ceiling.

Maybe the crystal is the real corruption here, Ilea wondered as she looked up.

Shiny

“Yeah, it’s pretty shiny. Do you want some?” she asked.

The Fae tilted its head, not quite understanding the question it seemed.

“Crystal,” she said and pointed up and then to the Fae.

It shook its head.

Well… that was. Something?

Ilea chuckled to herself as she started walking through the layer. So far there was no movement visible at all.

Sad

“Sad? You’re sad?” Ilea asked.

The Fae didn’t react, its white eyes focused ahead.

They walked a couple dozen meters farther before Ilea halted. She perceived something ahead of them. A humanoid shape without a face or discernible legs. Her eyes didn’t inform her of the presence but her sphere did.

[Spirit of Elysium – lvl ???]

Identify worked as soon as she focused on the skill through her sphere’s perception.

The being didn’t do anything, simply remained where it was.

“Hey there,” Ilea said and waved at the creature.

The Fae looked up to her before a giggling sound came into her head.

“Shut it, you should greet them too. It’s rude to stare at a stranger,” she reprimanded the creature on her shoulder, making sure a hint of joy remained in her voice.

The Fae stared at her for a moment before it turned and waved at the Spirit.

The being of course, did not wave back.

Rude

“Yeah, maybe a little,” Ilea said and walked around the creature, leaving it alone for now. If it didn’t attack her, she had no reason to do the same.

She kept an eye on it through her sphere and they were quickly past the thing.

“Weird. Was that why you said sad before? Because of them?” Ilea asked, seeing more of the spirits floating around. She didn’t get an answer.

The skeletons of various creatures and destroyed rusted gear that soon started to pop up didn’t exactly create an inviting atmosphere. Her nose picked up very little, meaning most of these creatures had died some time ago.

Others made it this far then, she thought, picking up the broken handle of an axe or whatever weapon it had once been.

A sniff didn’t tell her anything about the thing. She held it out to the Fae that seemed interested.

It grabbed the handle and held it, sitting down once again.

Hmm, she mused and continued through the open cavern. More of the spirits showed themselves from time to time. None were hostile.

I mean if that’s it? She thought and spread her wings before speeding up and flying through the cavern.

The exits to the next layers were usually either straight down or ahead. Usually.

This time she could see from pretty far away that there was a break in the crystal growth on the far wall. Likely where the way to number eighteen was located.

She noted that some of the spirits appeared even fifty meters above ground, where she was currently flying.

The only thing she noticed was that near all of them were to her right.

“Can you talk to them?” she asked the Fae.

It nodded a couple seconds later, holding the handle a little closer to its body.

“Want to talk about it?” she asked, finding it strangely easy to be open and nice to the Fae. Perhaps it wasn’t that strange with how otherworldly the creature felt to her.

She let it be when it didn’t react, not about to pry. It was difficult enough having to deal with the lacking communication tools.

Layer seventeen seems like a bloody waste, she thought and landed near the cave at the end. She already saw the steel gate that lead out.

Her sphere picked up something when she got closer. Sentinel Huntress activated and let her know that her team had moved through here. Not too long ago.

There were also signs of a struggle, older however than the tracks her group had left behind.

Something was scratched into stone, right next to the gate.

Ilea couldn’t read it.

She tapped the absent Fae with an ashen tendril moving out from her armor. “Can you read that?” she asked, pointing at the scribbling.

The Fae nodded silently.

Violence bad.

Disagree.

“The first thing is the translation?” Ilea asked, assuming the second part had been added by the creature.

The Fae nodded.

“Why do you perfectly understand me sometimes and then you just don’t again? It’s almost like you answer on a whim and ignore me when you feel like it,” Ilea said, turning her head lightly towards the creature.

Agree

“Asshat,” she said with a smile. Ilea wasn’t annoyed. She had always preferred people who were more direct. For once, it wasn’t a criminal trying to fight her.

The Fae sent a giggle.

“Now I want some violence too,” Ilea said and blinked past the door.

________________________________

Hana bit into the piece of wood Jonna had handed to her. She glanced at her arm, nearly overcome with corruption.

She nodded to Relly, the large saurian watching her with an unsure expression. His armor had been destroyed again in the fight.

The more aggressive three corrupted had been taken down rather easily but Krentin had certainly put up a fight.

Just as I hoped he would, Hana thought. She was proud to have chosen him as a team leader and it wouldn’t have been right if his corrupted body hadn’t at least nearly killed some of them.

His cunning and planning didn’t come into play this time, mainly the reason why their group had prevailed at all.

“Dew it,” she said through the piece of wood.

Relly seemed to find some courage, gripping her blade before he lifted it above himself.

Jonna’s healing kept the corruption at bay but in the long term, there was only one thing that could be done.

The blade came down with all his strength, aimed rather well. It slashed into her arm, near the shoulder.

Hana bit through the wood and hissed. Her over sized blade wasn’t exactly made for producing nice cuts. Most of the flesh was separated however, the bone nearly broken through.

Relly ripped it out and cut down again, separating the rest.

She was glad he hadn’t hesitated again.

Hana focused on the healing magic flowing through her, ignoring the pain from the severed arm and the bleeding. While it wasn’t the first time she had lost a limb, it wasn’t exactly her favorite.

Jonna’s magic could recover lost limbs, if the injury wasn’t older than a couple weeks.

“Th-” Hana started and realized she had bitten into her tongue, spitting out a piece as well as a substantial amount of blood before she continued. “This is going to take a while. You better start looking, Carul.”

The mage nodded, suspiciously quiet.

“We shouldn’t remain here. The area is too open, there are bound to be creatures nearby still,” Relly said, handing her the blade back with a nod. “Well done.”

“I don’t need your praise. I want to burn the corpse of our companion. Your lightning should help,” Hana said, looking over at the destroyed body of Krentin.

Jonna nodded behind her but kept working on her arm.

“We should not stay here… I sense several beings in the vicinity. It will only be a matter of t-” Carul said but stopped abruptly when he glanced into Hana’s eyes.

“We will make haste,” Relly said as he started piling wood and fabric from the tents and boxes their camp had consisted of before the ambush.

Some few in the expedition had storage items, carrying most of the supplies through the layers while the rest was traveling light, focused on staying hidden through the various spells.

Now of course, most of the supplies were useless. They had no way of getting anything out anyway. The saurian handed everyone some food he found as he continued to pile up things. He too was chewing on a piece of dried meat.

The group hadn’t eaten much in weeks, surviving only thanks to their high level and experience.

“Are you sure you don’t want to eat the bodies?” Relly asked, moving the first one on top of the makeshift pyre.

“There is enough food around, no need for cannibalism,” Jonna said in a tired voice. She had been rather badly injured too in the battle. It really was a blessing that both her and Hana had spent so much time training with Krentin, their dark magic resistance reflecting years of traveling together.

“Humans do not eat their fallen companions. Don’t start, she won’t shut up about it,” Hana said with a strained voice, watching her arm slowly reform.

Carul snorted at that but Relly just nodded and continued moving the bodies.

A spark of lightning set it aflame a couple minutes later.

The mage hid them with a shadow spell, including the fire.

You better build up a reputation wherever you are now, old friend, she thought and held her curved sword out towards the flames, using only her left arm. I will be joining you soon.

It took Carul nearly an hour to find the tracks he had mentioned. Weeks had passed but most of these corridors hadn’t been walked in centuries, making every change stand out.

Jonna looked at every intersection, every door and room. She had an exceptional memory for places. Krentin had usually sketched a map as they explored dungeons but in an emergency, even he had trusted the healer to find the way.

“We are approaching the core of this facility. If it is built symmetrical,” Jonna commented, eyes focused on the dead scorpions.

Patrons of Torment, shredded apart by magic. At least five of them.

In the midst of the carnage remained a halved dark one quite familiar to all of them.

“Nima,” Relly said as he approached. “She must have been caught.”

“Or she protected someone,” Hana said. “Why wouldn’t she teleport away from them?”

“Out of mana?” Carul suggested and checked the surroundings, “However I agree with her, there are various tracks leading away. A little less old than the ones leading to… the center,” he said, glancing at Jonna with the last word.

“Perhaps. If there are survivors then they would be in hiding, let us move on,” Relly said.

“We should check for items, her armor might fit onto one of your shoulders,” Hana said and started going through the remains.

“Or yours,” the saurian replied.

Hana hissed, “You are the strongest here. If we are to succeed, we have to make sure you are equipped with the best gear possible.”

“Agreed,” Jonna said.

Carul nodded.

“Very well,” Relly said and started prying the pieces off the chunks of flesh still sticking to it.

Jonna looked away.

Hana glanced at the healer but didn’t comment. Humans were sensitive in ways she will never understand.

“Did she not own a ring?” Relly asked, looking at Nima’s hands.

“She did,” Carul said.

“Then someone came here before us?” Hana asked.

“It is likely,” Relly said and put the remains down again. They would feed another.

The group moved on through the corridors, avoiding any stray corrupted monsters until they reached a massive closed steel gate. Three Patrons of Torment were crawling on the ground in front of it, occasionally clawing at the walls or hitting it with their spiked venom filled tails.

Deep gashes and dents in the metal showed how powerful the creatures were but also how thick and resilient these particular gates seemed to be.

“Can we take three?” Relly asked in a whisper. “This is the core, is it not?”

Jonna nodded.

“I cannot fight one alone,” Hana admitted. As much as she wanted to run in there and battle the creatures, she wouldn’t risk her group for a foolish attempt. Krentin had explained the benefits of caution and calculated risks to her many a time. Some of it stuck.

“I cannot fight them, they would rip me apart,” Jonna whispered.

“We could sneak past, teleport inside,” Relly said.

“We do not know how thick the gates are and if there are enchantments in place against intrusion,” Hana said.

“Right,” Relly commented. “Perhaps there is another w-” he said, interrupted by Carul.

“Something is approaching. I have just perceived them. They are… shrouded… I know that spell. We may have potential allies coming,” he said, nodding towards where they had come from.

“Let us not reveal ourselves until we know what or who we are dealing with,” Hana said and took the lead. “There may be creatures here with similar spells.”

Jonna nodded.

“We should not meet them here, so close to the monsters,” Relly said.

They moved farther back through the steel corridors occasionally broken through by one of the Fang Shapers. None were close by anymore at least.

“They are here,” Carul said in a whisper.

Hana couldn’t see anything.

“We have no choice,” Relly said and teleported out of the spell’s influence.

He appeared with open arms, a couple meters away from the group. Close enough that they could interfere should the shrouded being be an enemy.

“Greetings. I am a warrior of Hallowfort and I ask you to reveal yourself,” Relly said in a confident voice.

Not what I would have said, Hana thought and watched.

A couple seconds passed before a shadow appeared, the veil lifted.

Her eyes went wide as she glanced the familiar forms of Catelyn and the first layer guardian, whose name she did not know.

“Relly,” Catelyn said, glancing over at Hana who stepped out of the spell as well, followed by the others. “It is good to see you.”

The fox did not reveal any emotion in her voice but Hana could sense it nonetheless.

“It is good to see some of you have survived. I had nearly lost all hope,” she said and nodded to them all.

Hana chuckled and walked over, giving a glance to the other companions, one clad in armor, the other in robes, their faces hidden.

[Necromancer - ??]

[Mage - ??]

Powerful beings, she noted. The guardian too was beyond her identification range. She could tell the two beings were close to even Catelyn’s might. Who are they?

She hadn’t seen either of them in Hallowfort before. People came and went, many exploring the landscape or scavenging in dungeons for months at a time but after decades, she thought she had met most residents. Those powerful at the very least.

“The corruption, what happened?” Catelyn asked a moment later, looking over the group that had revealed itself.

Relly glanced to Hana and then back to Catelyn. “We reached the twentieth layer with some difficulties. Especially the last layer. Even the combined effort of our spells could not shelter us against the creatures,” Relly said and paused for a moment.

“We were recovering, choosing this facility as a place to set camp for a while. I assumed the leaders decided we should not move deeper. Even with all the preparation, the monsters had noticed us. Beyond what we could manage in terms of sheer power.”

“Many started to explore this layer, find and retrieve whatever treasure they could. It wasn’t… well, it wasn’t exactly as lucrative as many had thought,” he explained.

“Two days in, the monsters changed their behavior. They moved in a more aggressive way, driven by something beyond their instincts and hunger alone. They pursued without relent and soon we figured out why. A corruption had infected them… as you have found too. Your presence here is worrying. Has it spread farther up?” he asked finally.

Catelyn listened to saurian and nodded. “I had hoped you knew more. Yes. Corruption has befallen many species in the dungeon. A large horde spilled into the first layer, threatening to infect much more than just the Descent.”

They were quiet for a moment, shame and realization coming over them.

“We were on our way to the core of this facility,” Jonna said.

Carul nodded. “I saw a group leaving in this direction shortly before the monsters were corrupted.”

“You did?” Catelyn asked. “Why did you not intervene?”

The mage quieted down, glancing at the others for help.

“They were exploring already. I would assume the group had nothing to do with it. He’s just trying to find someone to blame,” the necromancer commented, unbothered by the powerful dark one. His voice sounded tired.

Hana assumed he was a human. The robed one, she wasn’t sure about yet. Something made her apprehensive when she looked at him.

The being hissed.

She knew the sound and jumped back, taking her blade from her back as she hissed back. “Elf,” she stated.

“And an ally,” Catelyn said. “My apologies Carul. It has not been a simple journey. We came to destroy the source of the corruption. What is this core you spoke of, young healer?”

“It is my assumption that we are close to the center of the facility, considering its size and the make of its corridors,” Jonna said calmly.

“Good, then let us go there. We have wasted enough time,” Catelyn said.

“We should wait for the human,” the elf said, not moving an inch.

Catelyn stopped and turned. “She had enough time to catch up. I am tired of hiding and waiting. We have found remnants of the expedition. This is the layer where it started and here we shall destroy our enemies.”

The necromancer chuckled, giving the group a look over. “These people won’t add much, they’re not even above two fifty. Except for this guy,” he nodded to Relly. “My name is Maro, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Hana hissed once more. “To be insulted by someone like you, who toys with death.”

“We are here to destroy the corruption and to prevent its spread,” the elf said. “Too many have died already, let us set aside our differences.”

Maro chuckled, “Now you sound like Ilea. Sure you’re an elf?”

“Your provocations are tiring, king. And your attempt to mask your fear is childish,” the elf retorted.

Catelyn growled, getting everyone’s attention. “Relly. Are there monsters guarding the core?”

The saurian nodded. “Three Patrons of Torment. Their levels range around five hundred to five hundred fifty. They have powerful venom, all are corrupted,” he quickly supplied.

“A lower level than higher up then. How peculiar. We should be able to handle that easily, even without her. Don’t you agree Elf?”

He didn’t say anything.

“Then let us kill those creatures and let off some steam. We all seem to need it,” Catelyn said as she grew to ten times her size, the surroundings heating up to an uncomfortable degree. Her eyes burned with anger and impatience, her teeth ready to tear and shred.

Chapter 414 That’s no Moon

Chapter 414 That’s no Moon

Niivalyr spread his curse through the creatures, feeling health and mana return to him. He had little opportunity to test his newfound power after Ilea had split off.

It had been disappointing, the impact it had on her. Now he realized that it wasn’t him at all. An extraordinary human, he noted, underlined even more by the present healer who lacked any of the confidence and power the huntress exuded.

The monsters quivered under his spell, their senses disturbed, an illness eating at their health and a steady drain slowly ridding them of their very life. And still they resisted. He sent barrier shards into their bodies, most glancing off the powerful plating. He focused on the corrupted spots to penetrate deep into their bodies.

He finalized the barrier in front of him as it appeared with a powerful vibration.

Catelyn floated above him, releasing a torrent of explosive spells that turned the hall into a furnace.

Maro sent beams of death magic at the creatures, slowly burning into them.

Niivalyr couldn’t help but enjoy the sheer awe present on the newfound group of allies. Their uselessness was apparent as they displayed their power.

Ilas was waiting with them, blades drawn and ready to strike.

He respected the dark one, the only one who did not complain constantly. The only one who did not show disdain to what he was. If he had been alone, the lizardwoman would have been slaughtered, despite the present danger of the corruption.

A warrior of her level made little difference in a battle such as this. She should return to the first layer to fight the hordes and not play at the core of it all.

At least they were standing back, not acting irrational like so many young of his own species would.

His barrier cracked but he remained calm, already forming another one behind.

The creatures, like many in the Descent, had no way to fly or attack at range. In a situation like this, they would undoubtedly flee but the corruption prevented that, keeping them aggressive and attacking.

The small space also guaranteed that he could hold them back, for a while at least. At the same time their combined ranged efforts didn’t go to waste.

It did not take long for the creatures to die to the attacks.

The familiar bell rang in his mind as he lowered the barriers once more, the shining white light fading.

“Well, that is quite a bit more than I had expected,” Relly said in a nervous tone.

Niivalyr didn’t show his fangs but the fear enticed him. It had been a while since he had eaten fresh meat and blood, hunted and killed with his own hands. Too much had happened in the last months. I shall find time, after this annoying endeavor is dealt with.

_____________________________________

Catelyn felt the eyes on her. Another tale to add to the legends. She sighed, floating down in her large form.

The gate remained closed, singed and already damaged by the creatures.

She had calmed down considerably. Letting loose so freely was one of the greatest ways to deal with stress.

“What do you see?” she asked, glancing at the elf hovering a little farther back. His barriers were invaluable. Another thing to add to her list of growing debts. I should have never let them go. That expedition was doomed the moment they left.

It wasn’t true and she knew it. Even a single person could have likely triggered whatever had caused the corruption to spread.

Calm down, focus on your meditation, she breathed in deeply and closed her eyes for a moment.

“There are enchantments in place. Against teleportation. Reinforcement too, for the steel. I doubt we are breaking in there anytime soon.” Maro said.

“I agree. We have to disable the magic first,” the elf said.

Both seemed to have calmed down a little, the act of slaughtering some corrupted monsters really helped one’s demeanor.

Catelyn had nearly been driven nuts by their constant bickering. Arrogant and powerful in their own ways and she knew very well that she herself wasn’t exactly very different.

Their fragile alliance wasn’t made for this kind of pressure, not without the glue Ilea brought to the picture.

“Ilas, can you scout through the facility to look for more survivors?” Catelyn asked.

The dark one nodded in silence and vanished.

He really has made himself useful. Even I had doubted him and here we are.

“How many people were in that group, Carul?” she asked and turned around.

“Six people I believe. Verita being one of them,” the mage replied quickly.

She frowned, “Any idea what the others can do?”

“I did not know them personally, I’m sorry,” Carul said.

“Who’s Verita?” Maro asked.

“She was one of the expedition leaders. Her level is close to yours. She wields two blades, ancient relics infused with light and fire. One of the most dangerous people near Hallowfort,” Catelyn said. And a major pain in everyone’s ass.

“We have to assume they were corrupted. Can you tell if they are in there?” she asked.

“I know that the group I have tracked has come this way, yet I cannot pierce the enchantments placed on the gate,” the mage said.

“Let’s get to work then,” Maro said, nodding towards the elf.

“How did you find the facility?” Relly asked a moment later.

“Ilas is an exceptional tracker. Even in the desert, he could follow the magic trace,” Catelyn said.

“Speaking of desert, I felt something insanely powerful in there,” Maro commented.

“We are at layer twenty. So far there were singular monsters on layer ten and fifteen. Perhaps the Veramath originally resided in the fifth layer too,” Catelyn said.

Relly nodded. “There were sightings of massive sand movements. So far it has stayed away from this facility. Otherwise nothing would be left alive. Some have thought them to be natural sandstorms.”

Maro snorted. “The only good thing about sand creatures is that they usually stay in sand. Just fucking avoid deserts. Nothing about this place is natural,” he said in a dry tone, touching the gate in certain places as he pushed and pulled on the magic within.

“We shall avoid it if possible. Let us hope the corruption hasn’t reached it,” Catelyn said.

“If it needs sand to travel through we’re probably fine. Even if it’s corrupted,” Maro said.

__________________________

Ilea squinted her eyes, lying prone on the steel floor right behind the gate that led into the eighteenth layer.

It was located a couple dozen meters up from the ground of the layer like with the time hyena layer. The gate had been pried open from the bottom which had prompted her to lie down and survey for a moment.

The Fae stood next to her head, on one knee and with a hand to its nonexistent chin. The only things missing were a cowboy hat and a leather jacket.

“What do you think, Indie?” she asked, her eyes kept scanning over the landscape. Without her second tier light magic resistance, she would have certainly gone blind a couple times already.

Ilea couldn’t exactly tell what produced the bright light, other than the fact that it was coming from above. The landscape itself reminded her of the desert in the south. It looked wrong however, reflecting a little too much light. The sand too looked too hard, too flat.

She occasionally saw small spots flying high above the ground. Guess for this one I can’t just fly up to get to safety.

A blink brought her out and she quickly flew down to the ground. The ground looked even weirder from close up and when she landed, it cracked under her weight.

It does look like sand though, she wondered and dug a little deeper with some of her limbs, finding normal sand farther down. Hmm.

Heat

She looked over at the Fae floating a meter away.

“Ah, I see,” she said, looking up to see one of the flying forms approaching.

“We’ve got a visitor. Stay behind me,” Ilea said, tilting her head a little.

The Fae listened and moved close to her back.

She spread her wings and tail, flying up a couple meters to make sure she wouldn’t lose the advantage her new third tier bonuses provided.

The creature certainly looked like one of the weirdest things she had seen so far. An elongated vertical body that resembled a plant’s roots perhaps? Wings spread behind it, made of the same thin root like tendrils that intertwined into each other, the speed not corresponding with the slow and eerie movements at all. Not that the thin tendrils provided enough physical resistance to create working wings in the first place.

It was white in color but more akin to faded bark or bone. Its head reminded Ilea of dice, a single ten sided one perhaps but smooth.

It stopped a dozen meters away, itself easily that large, its wingspan double that.

[Elder Sun Sprite – lvl ???]

“Quach sezim naa quip.” Sounds reached her mind but Ilea had no clue what to do with it. There were no emotions transmitted either nor was there an incline or decline in the noise, indicating a question or statement.

The words seemed taxing to her mind but she was pretty sure it hadn’t been intended as an attack.

“English, Elos or emotions and thoughts?” she asked, sending calmness and a mental greeting along.

The creature remained quiet for a moment.

“Sena lari,” it said but Ilea just shook her head.

“I don’t understand you,” she said.

Stupid

She had to focus for a second to realize the thought came from the Fae.

The Sun Sprite twitched a little, moving a meter closer.

“What is it little guy, can you talk to this one?” she asked.

Danger

Stay

Hidden

The Sprite suddenly appeared behind her, at the same distance. It immediately screeched into her mind and focused a sphere of bright energy between its thin tendril like arms.

Ilea could feel the energy from the distance as well as the heat. She turned and kept the Fae behind herself, waiting for an attack.

“Saaa maduun,” the creature said, the mental pressure much more powerful this time.

“He’s a friend, alright? We’re just going to move through. No fight needed,” she said.

“Saaa maduun,” the Elder Sun Sprite repeated.

Warning, the Fae conveyed.

“I figured as much,” Ilea said and started moving backwards over the landscape, slowly and with spread arms.

The being followed at the same speed, energy still held within its hands.

“I’ll protect you, little guy, don’t worry,” she said.

Danger, it said and pointed at its own body.

No danger, it added and pointed at Ilea’s back.

She saw the gestures through her sphere.

“Yeah, seems like it has a problem with you. I’d rather side with something that can communicate with me than a weird sprite sending cryptic warnings for no apparent reasons. Hear that flying root thing! You better back off!” she laced her voice with Monster Hunter.

The being recoiled at the sound before the energy in its hands was unleashed.

Here we go, she thought and was hit near instantly. The light magic attack came faster than her precognition could inform her. It burned a hole into her ash and left behind a seared spot on her skin. Impressive power but nothing that posed a danger to her. She was somewhat sure the creature hadn’t used all its power however.

The ash reformed, as did another ball of energy. Ilea could see it form within her sphere, the gathering power within a near invisible field around it. The field quivered before a minuscule opening formed that let everything out in a focused beam.

She was seared again, deeper this time. “You might want to think about what you’re doing, big guy,” she said, once more lacing her voice. A warning this time.

Ashen limbs spread behind her and heat started to gather in her chest.

The being stopped collecting energy and instead lifted one of its arms, a bright ball coming to life, nearly blinding Ilea even with her resistance.

Flee

Ilea trusted the Fae. Never before had she felt such urgency coming from a transmitted thought. She turned and sped up, not risking the charge up her third tier wings provided. An ashen limb moved the Fae from her back to her front, her hands holding it in a protective manner as ash formed to further shelter the creature.

A powerful beam of light slammed into her side, not destabilizing her but burning into her shoulder. Four more beams slammed into her back, one into her face. Her healing reformed the molten skin and muscle.

She sped up and used the newfound agility in her flight to twirl up and down, changing trajectories so quickly a normal human body would’ve been squashed to a pulp.

As she moved, Ilea saw the dozens of sprites behind and around her, moving in from all directions. Many of the beams missed at this point, their eyes and arms not moving as fast as their actual spells.

Her wings were burned through from time to time but her healing took care of it quickly, the beams rather concentrated and small. The attacks would have been more dangerous if they lasted longer.

Ilea continued her acrobatics without retaliating, knowing her body would be reduced to a steaming pile of bones the moment she stood still. Even her quick recovery wouldn’t deal well with all that.

The attacks stopped for a moment and she focused on the distant wall that was barely visible, flying as fast as she could, still moving in a zigzag to offset the beams.

Her eyes went wide when the moving landscape around her slowed down. Her limbs reformed into a thin barrier of ash on her back as she felt magic emanate from the Fae in her arms. She glanced back and found a circle of at least fifty Sprites, a large flaming ball of light in their midst.

The beam reached her instantly, slamming into an invisible barrier that quickly cracked and vanished, her ash washed away and then her skin. She felt her bone vanishing as she activated her third tier recovery.

The beam passed before her perception sped up again, her body explosively growing back bones, organs, muscle and skin as it was covered once more by ash. She fell, her wings catching her as soon as they reformed. A slight wobble and she was back on track.

The Fae had passed out, a slight nudge reaching her mind.

Go for it, she said and deactivated her mana drain resistance.

Her eyes were cold now, her focus the far wall and her arms gripping the creature with as much protection as she could provide.

Ilea stopped and created as much ash as she could in a wall behind her, charging her wings with power in the meantime. She sacrificed two thousand points of health and near instantly recovered it with her healing, bright blue runes shining on her skin below the ash.

She felt her wings reaching the necessary power and rushed forward, keeping the ash connected to her back, as dense and compact as possible.

The air was split by her passing, her wind resistance working hard to keep the pressure down. Healing mana poured into herself and the Fae as she formed a protective cocoon of ash around it, adding to her back as well right before time once again slowed down.

The constant up and downs to her perception were confusing, disorienting but she kept her focus on the wall. Heat reached her back, burning into and through the ash in an instant. She saw a small hole in the distant steel right before her brain was scorched.

She came to again, her wings instinctively flapping once as her body reformed. Her chest and arms were still there as she held the small creature surrounded by ash and a thin barrier.

The last dozen meters flew by, her wings and tail twisting to the size as her body was yanked into the right position, her body moving into the slit of the steel gate before she tumbled to a stop.

Ashen limbs spread and dug into the steel to slow her down as she formed ashen walls in front of her, her wings too adding to the protective wall. The Fae she moved behind herself, the creature still siphoning mana from her as it slowly woke.

It opened its eyes and held out both hands, a bright barrier appearing in her sphere.

The steel gate in front of them vanished a moment later, the barrier cracked and shattered and her ash was burned through. Her armor followed before the magic vanished.

Ilea took a deep breath, the slightly molten skin on her chest, face and legs reforming as she looked at the creatures floating a hundred meters away.

“Come on… I’m right here!” she shouted, her voice rushing out in a boom as she spread her arms, a thick mist of ash forming behind her to protect the Fae.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

The collective messages didn’t surprise her. Nothing so far had decimated her defenses to that extent, not in an instant. Not the Griffin and not the lightning Elemental. And here these fuckers thought they could take me down.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 12’

“Is that all you have?” she asked, her voice more subdued, almost disappointed. She floated up and moved out of the hole in the wall.

The creatures formed another attack, remaining motionless and silent.

The beam came and washed past her defenses, her bones now barely withstanding the blast. A part of her neck and arms had always remained, keeping her necklace and bracelet in place.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

Oh by all means, keep it coming, she grinned now, the joy not reaching her eyes as she counted the monsters. More had appeared now, the ball of energy growing once more.

You think you can overpower the Azarinth Sentinel?

She heard a giggle in her mind.

Cheer!

“You’re not taking t-” her throat and mouth were gone for a moment before she could continue, “this seriously,” she finished, more and more mana returning from the spells due to her rising resistance.

The Fae bowed to her, the gesture visible through her sphere.

Friend

The word made her smile and she nodded in return, seeing the scorching laser light up again.

Chapter 415 Nemesis of the never Master

Chapter 415 Nemesis of the never Master

The attacks continued for several minutes, many of them soon forming smaller groups or attacking her alone.

A light show rarely seen, reminding her of the few times she had been to a club. The smell of cigarettes, sweat and the weird fragrance of aesthetic smoke replaced by burnt skin, bone and hair. For the first time in a long while, she decided that the club experience was superior.

In the end, she’d probably still choose laser tag. Only if it could enhance her resistance and defensive skills of course.

Ilea decided to turn off her Light resistance as well, both to insult the creatures and simply because they had given up on their clustered attack, the only thing that posed a reasonable danger to her by now. With the high mana return, even her near instant healing could be fueled for a long while.

She thought about using her Monster Hunter skill but right now it felt right to just stand there and take it, to show them how futile their attempt was. While their communication and thoughts differed greatly from a humans, they certainly knew pride.

“Skeleton ass fuckers and their shit sunlight,” she murmured to herself as the blasts burned deep into her body. Avatar of Ash deactivated from time to time when several more powerful beams brought her health down below fifty percent.

The Fae watched on in silence, eyes focused on her.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

The skill leveled even faster with her resistance deactivated. She decided to stay until it reached twenty, the fifteen to thirty minutes it would take definitely worth the investment.

In the end, it took around fifty, her body destroyed and reformed many a time by the focused beams. Ilea wondered why the monsters kept attacking, not seeing the futility in their attempts.

Her anger had calmed down by now, meditation continuously flowing through her as she remained standing at the edge of the doorway, now merely a tunnel digging into the steel wall.

“Why are they so persistent?” she asked, glancing back at the Fae. Many of the beams were aiming at it too, redirected towards her as they entered her sphere. The speed of the attacks didn’t seem to matter, her sphere getting more effective with each level of Light Magic Resistance.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

The last ding resounded right after she asked the question, her eyes closing as her resistance activated once more. The beams were now stopped by her ash, still digging into it but with much less punch than before.

Hatred, the answer was laced with a sad tone.

Ilea nodded and once more activated her Monster Hunter skill. “I’ll be back,” she said, her serious side winning out over the part of her that was responsible for imitating an Austrian accent.

Her voice rushed out, not spoken loudly but traveling far nonetheless, enhanced by her skill. The intent was clear. Cold. She would be back, one day.

The creatures seemed to feel it too, their attacks ceasing, if only for a moment.

Ilea felt the slight touch of something on her cheek and looked down, seeing the Fae on her shoulder, its stubby hand pushing into her ash.

Beams of energy lit up again, hammering into her ash with little effect.

Serenity

The thought reached her with the corresponding feeling and she agreed, turning around and walking towards the stairwell leading down.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 13’

“I’ll still go back thought, just that we understand each other,” she said to the Fae, summoning a meal for herself as she walked down into the dark.

Understand

Violence

She nodded and summoned the Staff of the Chosen, handing it to the little creature.

As expected, it hugged the wooden stuff ten times its size before it started glowing, illuminating the way down.

Her sphere provided all the visibility she would ever need but Ilea still liked to see with her eyes, as much as she liked walking, even with her newly empowered wings.

Sentinel Huntress informed her that she was getting closer. The magic left behind by Catelyn was nearly graspable now. She didn’t worry about the Fae, knowing how Goliath had talked about their kind. The Sun Sprites didn’t seem to think the same way.

She offered food to the Fae but it didn’t react.

Another thing to add to the list of shit on my list, she thought. “Gotta say though,” she started and smiled, watching the Fae struggle to carry the massive staff. “Some order of elite humans just doesn’t seem quite as intimidating anymore after you’ve been blasted by the sun. Neither do a bunch of Praetorians,” she finished and took another bite.

The Fae looked at her but didn’t send anything.

“You don’t know things about human politics, do you? Hidden orders and the like?” she asked with a smile.

The Fae shook its head.

“One of my friends was murdered. I think I might be powerful enough now to look for those responsible,” Ilea said.

Violence?

She chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t know. Probably? We were friends but I knew her for less than a year. And yet it impacted me pretty hard. She was a teammate. The least I can do is find and confront the ones who did it. I know she wasn’t exactly a saint either. That’s another thing I’ll want to find out more about,” she said.

The Fae nodded and bumped her head with the staff, the light flickering for a moment.

Ready

“I am. Right,” she said and made a fist, a grin on her face. She liked the idea of letting the Lily come to her, now that she was an important figure in Ravenhall and Riverwatch, in the latter certainly less so. But now, if they did initiate contact, she would answer.

“Think I’m ready to face a Basilisk too?” she asked.

The little guy bunked her, harder. It shook its head.

“I see. A little more violence then until I get there.”

Lots

“Lots? Well that’s the thing little guy. I can’t seem to get enough.”

When layer eighteen resembled a desert, the nineteenth one was a full blown sandpit. Ilea was thankful for her ash, easily able to get the stuff off her body. Otherwise it really was coarse and got everywhere.

The light once more came from faintly glowing blue crystals above, bathing the dunes in an illusion of night.

“Sense anything?” she asked the Fae, the two floating a couple dozen meters above ground.

The Fae shook its head, handing back the staff.

She stored it and smiled. “Well, let’s find out if there are corrupted beings around.”

Ilea floated down to the surface and landed, feeling herself sink into the ground.

Quicksand? Are you serious? What is this a nineties comic? She wondered and moved her wings to easily get out of the stuff.

Danger, the Fae sent and disappeared.

She looked up and remained where she was. Ilea had nearly been overwhelmed by the last layer’s combined team effort of shittery but all it really did was make her annoyed. Right now, she was very much excited for some good old Violence.

The wait wasn’t long.

Her precognition informed her about the incoming tendrils of sand. She flew back was quickly as she could, twirling in the air as the sand rushed out of the ground.

It whirled around, sharp points at the end that very much resembled her own ashen limbs. Spears shot out of the ground and by now she was pretty sure this level had somehow copied her and put Sand Monster Ilea down into the floor.

She dodged easily, even through the dozens of limbs that tried to pierce her. The new upgrade to her wings really shined, not adding to her speed but simply providing a wider and more intuitive range of motion.

Ilea picked up the sound of giggling but it didn’t come from the Fae. This one sounded more malicious than anything else. It did retain some playfulness but she felt a wickedness coming from whatever creature was causing the sand to move.

A grin spread on her face when she felt the familiar feeling of Mana and Health drain. More importantly however, a Stamina drain as well. Now, what do I do? She thought.

Ilea had never really tested her abilities in sand, the only creature she had fought was that fish monster back with her Shadow team, in the huge southern desert.

Eh, I should be fine, she thought and stopped moving. The sand tendrils slammed into her ash, penetrating deep but not quite through to her slowly reforming bone armor. The latter piece of gear was mostly in a state of constant repair lately.

The spears actually reached her skin but she quickly opened up most of her stomach and chest area to be injured by the sand. The Health and Mana drain were mostly negligible, only accomplishing a reduction in her regeneration.

Meaning I should be a little more conservative with resource here, she thought, the first sand spears and tendrils slashing into her skin and drawing blood.

The stamina drain would have actually been dangerous if she hadn’t decided to not move at all anymore, her meditation helping out in addition.

The giggling remained but sounded curious now, still wicked. This dungeon certainly had taught her a lot about communication and various tones of voice. Other than Joaquin, she hadn’t ever considered how much a laugh or giggle could convey.

The creature was closer, she could tell through the power of the drains, increasing in power constantly until it remained steady. The sound got louder too. Ilea had a hard time gauging if it was a form of telepathy or an actual audible thing. It had an echo too.

“You certainly win the creepy award, my man,” she said and sent an ashen spear down into the ground.

The Sand attacks continued for a while, crude and repetitive.

She was just about to call it a day and wait another couple hours until her resistances had at least reached the second tier when the tendrils instead wrapped around her and pulled down.

I don’t exactly feel like drowning, mate, she thought and fought against it with her wings, her own ash slashing into the sand but simply passing through the tendrils. “Great,” she thought, finding herself unable to blink as well.

If I die because of such retarded arrogance, I just really fucking deserved it. Ilea formed a massive drill in front of her chest and started charging her wings as she was pulled down.

Her sphere still didn’t pick up something but there were a couple meters still to come.

There you are, she thought with a grin and sped up, slightly tucking in her arms and legs as the drill started spinning.

The being looked similar to the spirits from two layers before, just with an additional hood. The sudden increase in velocity sent her digging into the sand with an enormous punch, the sand tendrils ripped off and left flailing.

Sand wasn’t exactly the easiest material to drill through however, slowing her down considerably before the being vanished. Of course, a teleport, she thought and copied the move, blinking up and out of the sand.

Drains all resources I have, can bury me under the sand and uses limbs and spears to attack at range. Also a teleport, Ilea smiled. “You’re almost as fucking annoying to fight as I am.”

It went without saying that the being regenerated as well, health, mana and stamina.

I’m missing that stuff still in my skill set. To become the ultimate annoyance.

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Sand Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Sand Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A powerful and versatile school of magic, able to slash, crush and suffocate. Usually found and common in certain desert regions, its masters unchallenged within their domain. Exposure has made you more resilient to this type of magic.

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

Unchallenged? We’ll see about that, she thought with a grin, once more slowing down and letting the attacks smash into her. It seemed the creature had given up on trying to get her down into the sand. For a moment at least.

“Come out and fight me, you fuck.” Ilea said, the last word laced with power.

A giggle resounded from below and the attacks ceased.

What?

She watched as a cloaked fuzzy head emerged from the sand, looking up at her. It was hard to see in the dim blue light already and the thing’s color scheme didn’t exactly help.

It remained in the sand with the rest of its ethereal body, giggling once more.

Ilea waved. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Sandman.”

The being moved around a little, keeping its eyes on her as she lazily moved her wings and tail.

[Deep Mirage – lvl ???]

Ilea formed an ashen copy of herself and pierced it with ashen spears, apparently unable to communicate with thoughts, feelings or words.

The being giggled before around thirty sand spears rushed out at her.

She smiled brightly and removed the ashen armor from her stomach and chest, pulling the rather sloppily aimed spears towards her with her Sentinel Sphere.

The drains hadn’t stopped at all, she noted. She thought it might be a similar thing to Goliath’s constant health drain in his vicinity.

The being didn’t seem to be annoyed at her second tier of mana drain resistance, probably still stacked out anyway.

Ilea moved in the air, sending ashen spears down at the creature, seeing it flicker around in the sand to dodge them.

She was glad the Mirage had understood her request and was quite literally playing along. Ilea had a hard time thinking of a way to even get to the creature.

It was cautious, teleporting quickly and long before the ashen spears even came close.

The being certainly had some level of intelligence but it was hard to tell how far that went. In the end, Ilea was pretty sure it wouldn’t hesitate to bury her under a thousand fuck tons of sand as she was sucked dry.

I do enjoy this, she thought, dancing around with a likely ancient and powerful creature in a dimly lit desert kilometers underground.

The anger from her previous encounter was already gone, pure joy filling her as she twirled and flew around. Her sphere was still active but she could dodge the spears’ trajectory nonetheless.

Annoyed

The thought reached her a couple minutes later, making her turn towards the distant Fae, its white eyes glowing slightly in the dark. It was far away enough to escape the influence of the Mirage’s drains but it could apparently still see what was going on.

“What is it?!” Ilea shouted as she twirled and laughed, hearing the wicked giggle from below.

The Fae turned away and crossed its arms.

“Are you pouting!?” Ilea blinked and reached the Fae as she laughed. “You’re pouting, really?” she flew close, her face right in front of the Fae’s.

Negative

“Oh no, no this is positive. Very much so,” she said and touched her chin. “Do you want to join us?”

The Fae looked at her with one eye and then down at the sand.

Danger

“It’s draining health, stamina and mana. I can give you health and you can drain my mana. Just don’t use it, I have a second tier resistance. If your stamina gets low, if you even have that, just teleport away,” she suggested.

The Fae was looking at her now and seemed to consider.

“Drain my mana if you understand,” she said and watched it lift a hand. The pulse was much weaker now with her resistance active but it didn’t seem to hurt the creature.

She formed a small seat on her shoulder and pointed at it, grinning when the creature appeared on it. Two ashen safety belts closed around its shoulders. “Ah, also teleport away if I get dragged down or the Deep Mirage does anything different, It still wants to eat us… I think.”

The Fae gave her a nod and giggled in her mind when she sped back to the waiting Mirage.

Aww, you look like a lost puppy, she thought and approached, unsure if it felt similarly about the Fae as the Sun Sprites did.

The Mirage looked up and stopped its giggles, rising out of the sand before its cloaked form was completely out. Tendrils of Sand moved around it before it spread its ethereal arms and bowed slightly.

“Friend?” Ilea asked the Fae.

The Fae didn’t reply and turned its head away from her.

“What is it?” she asked but didn’t get an answer.

She formed a series of ashen spears and once more formed a copy of herself, repeating the gesture.

The Mirage returned into the sand and started giggling once more.

That gesture was obviously respectful but it’s not a friend? She wasn’t sure what it meant but the Fae intrigued her even more now. Goliath had thought them ancient beings, even for him. He had nearly spoken in reverence.

Maybe this is the same. Might be I’m underestimating this little guy here just because of his level, she wondered but instead focused on the battle of spears with her new spear buddy. Should have gone for a Spear Master class. Ilea Spears, spearing the competition with piercing accuracy.

She preferred her body as a weapon of course but with her bow and hammer escapades, she didn’t feel particularly adverse to learning about the spear.

Might just take a couple months off and join some classes. Too much to do, too much to fight, she thought.

Like taking care of the corruption and finding the expedition, she thought, wincing a little at her enjoyment of this situation. It was a little easier to accept with the giggles coming from both her current companions, one a little more murderous than the other.

Just the second stage, then I continue on, she thought.

Chapter 416 Remnants

Chapter 416 Remnants

Ilea continued her escapades for around an hour, working on her resistances and getting more used to the speed and maneuverability of her new wings.

The Fae was giggling in its seat, the previous envy forgotten completely.

“We should leave soon,” she said and twirled backwards, sand spears pulled towards her, piercing her skin.

Disappointed

“Yeah, I’d prefer to stay longer too but I’d be pretty annoyed if my friends die because I played around for too long,” Ilea said. The resistances gave tangible benefits of course.

She waved to the Deep Mirage, forming a basketball sized sphere of ash before she dropped it into the sand. Her True Creation made sure it would remain. It would fall apart after a while, especially after she went away too far but without communication, she at least wanted to leave something.

She bowed to the creature and flew up, checking her notifications. The Mirage didn’t copy the gesture but if anything, that made its greeting to the Fae even more mysterious.

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

A powerful and versatile school of magic, able to slash, crush and suffocate. Usually found and common in certain desert regions, its masters unchallenged within their domain. Exposure has made you more resilient to this type of magic.

2nd stage: Through exposure and forced understanding, you will find it easier to move through sand. An ability most sand mages and creatures master early in their development and one of their core advantages.

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The more rarely used drain magic focused on Stamina. Its effects are not as immediately noticeable as Health or Mana drain skills but the end result is just as devastating. You have leaned to resist such spells to an extent.

2nd stage: Stamina exhaustion won’t impact you as heavily anymore as it did previously. Your body is used to rapid magical Stamina Drain and can counteract its absence through mana and health respectively.

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Ilea was happy about the advancements but felt quite stupid by now to have spend weeks with the Miststalkers to get her other drains up to the end of the second tier.

Avatar of Ash was pretty broken but she wouldn’t complain. Steady progress. If not for the levels from those sessions, you would’ve died along the way down here, she reminded herself. It might not have been true but every little difference was just that, a difference. Marginal or life saving.

Ilea was pretty sure the skill had adapted to her behavior as well. It would be interesting to compare her skill descriptions with another Kin of Ash but she doubted there would ever be a chance to meet one.

Plus, they wouldn’t have time to talk, instead training each others’ Ash Magic Resistance. Should have questioned that Gray Company guy more. Oh well, here we are.

None of her class skills had leveled throughout the training. She didn’t think it a coincidence, more a confirmation that the Deep Mirage didn’t really have any intention to actually kill her.

She was only a little bit disappointed. The damage to her body at least seemed to compensate enough for her to get both resistances to the second tier.

Another ten percent to ash density… well at this point we’re past a hundred already, meaning the increase won’t be quite as noticeable than before, she mused, moving her ashen limbs and tail. Wisps of ash still rose from them but below was a smooth and deadly weapon, her armor too had changed.

The added weight didn’t have much of an impact due to her control over the element, or it was simply offset by the skill gains in abilities involving her strength and speed. A little of both probably.

Ilea sped up through the rather dark layer and after a little bit of searching found the tunnel leading out of it, dug into the stone and earth.

The sand ended at the edge, marking the end of the Mirage’s influence.

Ilea hadn’t checked if there was more than one in the layer but with its relatively low level of power, she assumed there was a chance. One had been sufficient for her training, the only goal reaching the second tier and not the very end of it.

A creature of that power using their magic on her with a disabled resistance did plenty of damage for her to jump through the first tier with ease.

Trail

“I just noticed,” Ilea said, stopping in her tracks before she used her sphere and huntress to check the tunnel. “It seems like someone fought in here. The others went through as well, just a couple hours ago I think.” She checked the scratch marks and tracks.

“Hmm, I’m pretty sure there were more people present than just my group… and some of the damage… I have a hard time seeing one of them causing that. Maybe Elfie got frustrated and scratched over the walls…,” she said and walked around.

A large part of the tracks stopped a couple dozen meters into the tunnel, only her team’s magic and light physical remnants and smells noticeable. Spells to hide it all? So the expedition did come this far.

She sighed. It’s possible that the Deep Mirage caused problems they hadn’t foreseen. “Pretty stupid to go down here without insanely powerful people, right?” she asked. “Sounds like something I would do, not a prepared expedition.”

Treasure

No Violence

“Yeah, I know. Especially the scavenger types in Hallowfort seem to prefer gold and artifacts over levels. I will never truly understand that outlook. Don’t look at me like that, I know I’m not exactly the standard human,” Ilea said.

The Fae giggled in her mind.

“No offense but is there a telepathy resistance? I feel a little uncomfortable with people being able to just scream into my mind,” she said.

Harmless, the Fae sent and touched its chin with one of its stubby hands.

Healing, it said and pointed at her before it giggled once more.

“You’re saying there isn’t a healing resistance either… eh, guess you’re right. What happens if it’s meant as an attack though? Like a high pitched noise invading my brain?” she asked.

Mind

“Mind magic?” Ilea asked and got a conforming thought back. “Hmm, so then it’s Mental Resistance. Still weird then that there isn’t a mana intrusion resistance for attacks. If the mind can differentiate telepathy from mind magic attacks.”

Or I’m misinterpreting this little guy’s singular words. Or he’s fucking with me… because that’s what Faeries do, isn’t it? Just don’t eat any food it offers, she thought and looked at the floating creature.

She wondered if such rules existed in Elos. And if they did, was it simply a mind magic attack? Something an ordinary human couldn’t resist? A vampire with a sufficient level and light magic resistance could probably survive daylight as well, if it was a weakness at all.

Ilea chuckled at the thought of a steaming vampire complaining about the weather. Should move to England, she mused.

There were monsters in Elos that had been popular in fiction back on Earth, as well as a lot of other creatures with a variety of abilities. None so far had shown magic based heavily on rules like etiquette or daytime and with everything she had seen so far, Ilea just assumed there were ways around it. If a creature had enough levels and power.

The Fae was one of the only beings she had met that was most definitely out of the ordinary. Its level hadn’t risen either since she had met it, still sitting at one hundred and three.

“Do you not level?” she asked, pretty sure some of the battles would have counted as a team effort. She was glad of course, the experience not split at all.

It looked her way but didn’t send anything, as it tended to do.

“You like being mysterious, don’t you?” Ilea asked, squinting at it.

The creature actually winked at her.

“Ancient Fae, toying with young human to get entertainment in an endless void of time. I’ll never understand ageless creatures like you,” Ilea said and shook her head, not hiding the joy she was feeling. Most of her traveling companions weighed on her after a while. This one had yet to come even close to that.

Its small frame likely wasn’t very heavy either. That possibly helped.

“Number twenty,” she said, reaching the exit of the tunnel after a steep decline. “Another desert.”

The dunes spread for kilometers, a rather massive sandstorm raging in the distance.

Team, the Fae sent and pointed.

Ilea looked but didn’t see anything in the distance, not for a lack of light, warm illumination provided by growing crystals far above.

“Feel free to lead me there, little guy,” she said with a smile, watching the Fae appear on her head and grabbing some ashen tendrils not much unlike reins.

Ilea laughed, reminded of her sprints through the western forest, Alice on her back as they ran towards Riverwatch. Her wings moved behind her, tail extending as she ascended. I wonder if she’s even still alive. Might be the only other human with an Azarinth class, if she didn’t waste the stuff I gave to her butler.

She focused on the now again, keeping her eyes peeled for the powerful single creature she expected at the twentieth floor as she sped up, flying over the dunes while the Fae steered her.

____________________________

“I can see five moving beings within the hall beyond this gate,” the elf said.

“I’m pretty sure there are six,” Maro added.

“Five or six then, might be one is hiding. I assume it’s Verita and a close knit group with her,” Catelyn said and looked over the group.

The enchantments had been broken and they could teleport in.

“Again, I won’t ask you to help but another healer would certainly be useful,” the fox said, addressing the survivors.

Hana shook her head, “If there is anything we can do to help, we will.”

“I agree,” Relly said and tightened the chains around his scaled arms.

“They have been moving around frantically for the past two minutes, I assume corruption,” the elf added.

“Then let us put an end to it,” Catelyn said and grew to her large form, the heat around them increasing instantly.

Hana forced herself not to hiss, her body not made for such temperatures. Her Heat Resistance didn’t help much with the discomfort she felt.

“Everyone ready?” the fox asked once more, getting a variety of confirmations from the group.

“On three, one, two, go,” she vanished and so did Hana.

The lizardwoman appeared within a spacious hall with a variety of steel beams and stairs as well as several doors leading out. The center of the room was elevated, a set of stairs leading up from each side. In the midst of it floated a sphere of steel, hundreds of glowing runes adorned it all. The power it emanated could be felt even from twenty meters away.

Hana gripped her blade as she heard the growls from the corrupted scavengers and explorers, former members of the Hallowfort expedition.

They all rushed forward, Verita at the front with two glowing blades that seemed to sear through the very air. One warrior using two sickles, moving quickly as he jumped over a steel beam.

[Corrupted Warrior - ??]

[Corrupted Warrior - ??]

A second warrior approached from the right, wielding a monster’s spine with a steel tip that glinted in the cold magical light.

She felt the power of a curse grip her, making her unable to move as the air cooled down around her. Hana spotted the floating cursed mage a little farther back, clad in a dark cloak.

A second mage appeared on their left, powerful mind magic nearly knocking her out on the spot as she roared and activated all her buffs. We are doomed, she thought, seeing the spine tip lash out towards her from the warrior that had closed the distance.

A white barrier appeared in front of her, the weapon shattering against it uselessly before the white shield splintered and vanished, pieces of it appearing around the warrior before his armor was shred through by the shrapnel.

Purple beams slammed into both mages at the same time, a bright red flame engulfing the second warrior and Verita.

The latter didn’t seem to care, ramming her blades into the white barrier that formed in front of Catelyn. The corrupted body of Verita vanished and appeared behind Catelyn, immediately slammed down by several of her tails before she turned and opened her maw.

Hana had to look away from the bright flames, seeing instead how the necromancer appeared close to the left mage, purple energy engulfing the dark one, decaying its armor and skin until only bone remained.

The second mage was caught within four barriers that squeezed together, forcing his limbs into unnatural positions. Seven white spikes of runed magic appeared around him, slamming into slight openings in the barrier and through his body, killing him instantly.

The sickle wielder fought against the first layer guardian, his weapons deflected as he was quickly reduced to minced meat by masterful strikes of four swords.

The curse had nearly faded, Hana’s hand gripping her blade as she started running at the heavily injured corrupted warrior, dodging his spine weapon before her blade dug deep into his neck.

She turned and squinted her eyes, bright flames still emanating from Catelyn. The others had jumped away from her. A noise resounded in her mind a couple seconds later, spelling the death of perhaps the most fearsome and powerful expedition leader.

She shared a look with Relly, both of them astonished by the display they had just witnessed. They truly were amongst monsters.

“Was that all of them?” the elf asked, dropping the corrupted mage corpse to the floor before he approached the central platform.

The necromancer shook his head but approached the sphere as well, “There’s something else in here, atop that beam,” he said and pointed up at one of the steel protrusions connecting the central platform and the ceiling.

“I remain untainted and am an ally!” the panicked voice suddenly came from an unknown place in the hall.

Hana looked at where the necromancer had indicated and saw the air shimmer before a being revealed itself, unfocused and lacking any defining features other than six arms and a torso.

“A Dark Sprite,” Maro said, interest apparent as he looked at the being.

“One should not point out the species of a being ascended,” the elf commented.

“Sure, you’re exactly the one that would care about dark one social etiquette,” Maro said and waved at the sprite.

“You better come down and explain yourself before you meet the same fate as the others,” he said in a charming yet cold tone.

Catelyn roared before she bit down and ripped off Verita’s corrupted head, throwing it to the side before the body followed, crashing against the gate.

The fox stepped away and casually removed the blades deeply set within her chest. Blood vaporized as it touched her flames, the wounds slowly healing. “Human, some assistance if you will,” she said, glancing at Jonna.

“O… of course,” she answered and moved closer, her healing magic flowing out.

Catelyn’s expression relaxed as she closed her eyes.

“My name is Met, I am part of the expedition… same as some of you present… please, I am not your enemy,” the dark one said and slowly floated down towards them.

Catelyn, Maro and the elf spent the next twenty minutes interrogating the survivor.

Hana had her own questions but the hierarchy here was clear. Making the de facto head of Hallowfort come down to the twentieth layer of the Descent to find out what the fuck had happened wasn’t something that occurred every day, not even every decade.

Verita had found the hall and tried to convince the leadership to focus on the device, to try and unlock its secrets. She had thought it the central piece to the Descent and a tool to unlock its secrets and treasures.

Both Nima and Venekov, the other expedition leaders had thought it too dangerous and unknown. Studying the sphere was a low priority and to be left to the enchanters.

And so Verita got together a small team of trusted or well paid others and tried anyway.

“She was sure to have understood the sphere, despite the language being something I had never heard before,” Met explained.

“The sphere can talk?” Maro asked, looking at the thing.

“Yes, I believe it to be a living core of sorts to this facility. The spread of the corruption you have reported is regrettable but it confirms the influence of this device,” the sprite said.

Catelyn growled in annoyance. She didn’t act of course, knowing about the nature of many sprites. Its actions had unexpected results but it was not driven by malice or greed, merely by curiosity.

“And why did she activate the corruption?” Catelyn asked, “Or did she not understand the being?”

“The mind mage that had fallen to corruption, slain now by you, he had a talent for languages. It seems a translation error has caused Verita to activate something she should not have chosen,” Met replied.

“A translation error?” Catelyn hissed. “Then why are you alive? You mentioned corruption spreading into the room, infecting your companions who fell to it after some time.”

“I believe it to be a form of Blood Manipulation. You see, the second tier of a resistance to such magic will prevent the spread of an infection, fight it even,” the sprite answered.

“I have heard of this too,” Carul said from the side, he looked down when the attention shifted to him.

“It is rare to see such magic,” Met said.

“That explains some things,” Maro muttered. “Can you prove it?”

Met floated to one of the corpses and took a little of the orange goo, spreading it on one of its arms. The corruption settled before it was eaten away by an invisible force until nothing remained but the sprite’s dark form.

“There’s a cure then,” Catelyn sighed, her face looking relieved.

“For those with sufficient strength to endure it,” the elf said.

“And a healer… or a couple to keep it at bay,” Maro said. “You there, how’s your mana? I’d like to get this second tier resistance as we figure out what to do from here,” he nodded to Jonna.

Hana didn’t like his tone but couldn’t deny the usefulness of that resistance. She herself was already halfway towards the second tier. Maybe she would join him, now that such knowledge was revealed.

Chapter 417 Friends with Benefits

Chapter 417 Friends with Benefits

Ilea saw the facility in the distance, not quite as hidden as those they had found previously. Massive structures of steel partially set into the wall of the layer otherwise covered in sand and stone.

A bunch of scorpions and worms had shown up when she had landed, quickly turned to shreds by her limbs and spears. None of them were above level six hundred and their abilities weren’t very impressive either.

She would have to check the scorpions again, their tails likely laced with venom. The sand magic they had shown was considerably less impressive than the Deep Mirage from the last floor sadly.

“You think they’re in there?” Ilea asked, glancing at the floating Fae.

The creature wasn’t looking at her, instead staring at the sandstorm raging in the distance. It looked to have moved closer.

Ilea was pretty sure she wasn’t imagining things. “Is that a natural thing?” she asked and joined its side.

Elemental

“Another one,” Ilea said with a smile.

The Fae looked at her with interest.

“There was a young lightning elemental back on layer… ten I think,” she said.

Beautiful, the thought reached her.

“Pretty powerful beings it seems, yeah. I don’t think I can fight that one though, not with how I struggled against the lightning one already,” Ilea said.

A sad emotion reached her but she could tell there was more than a simple lack of violence.

She would leave it for now. If the Fae wanted something, it could ask. So far it had warned her whenever there was danger so she assumed it wouldn’t withhold something vital.

“Come on, let’s check on the others,” Ilea said, the tracks now rather recent and clear. She didn’t know how far this facility reached but she couldn’t find a magical trail leading away from it either, making her believe her group was still inside.

__________________________

“I know you believe it was just a lack of understanding but it could have just as well been a security measure,” Maro said.

“To trigger the spread of corruption as a defense mechanism?” the elf asked in a skeptical tone.

“I’ve seen traps that made less sense,” the necromancer retorted.

“Why then spread the blood manipulating agent throughout the whole Descent? Would this layer not be enough? Or this facility itself?” Met asked.

Hana smiled at Jonna who was tirelessly healing Maro, the elf as well as the guardian, corruption visible on their arms.

Catelyn already had a defense against it with her flames, little interest in the resistance. She was staring at the sphere, resting her head on her paws.

“What do you think?” Relly asked as he stepped up to Hana.

“We should just bury this whole facility and forget about it,” Hana replied. “Nothing good will come with our tampering.”

“Nothing worse than the corruption should happen, it wouldn’t make any sense,” Maro said.

“We will not activate it, not without further understanding. Neither of us is an expert on runes,” the elf said.

“I know that these runes were the same ones present in the dungeon near Tremor. It summoned creatures previously beyond my comprehension. Trust me, elf. I am aware of the dangers.” the necromancer said. “Rune experts won’t help us here.”

“They will. And you won’t touch that thing,” Catelyn said, her tone final. “If what you said about Rhyvor is true then that just adds to the reasons why this thing should not be tampered with.”

“We should not destroy it however.” the elf said.

“I agree. This is the first set of runes unrelated to blood magic we have found within the Descent,” Relly said. “All the death and suffering should not have been for nothing.”

“You talk like there’s a choice. I doubt we could destroy this thing, it’s layered in defensive enchantments.” Maro said.

“Something is approaching,” Carul suddenly said in a distressed voice.

“Something? Be more precise,” the necromancer complained.

“Two beings… they are powerful, moving fast. Beyond even you,” he said and glanced at Catelyn.

“Maybe we already triggered something,” Maro said and cut out the corruption on his arm.

The others followed suit and prepared.

Catelyn too stood up and grew to her large form.

A couple tense seconds passed before the elf chuckled.

“What?” Maro asked.

A being shrouded in ash appeared near the gate, more than a dozen protrusions behind them moving slightly, interspersed by two wings that looked otherworldly.

Hana felt its presence, gripping her blade before her eyes opened wide at the appearing Spirit of Old. She had only heard stories about them but every dark one knew about the beings.

“Cared to join us at last,” Catelyn said with a grin, her form shrinking once more.

“Too late it seems,” the female said.

Hana recognized the voice, her eyes opening even wider. Are you serious?!

“What’s that floating ball of magic?” Ilea said and pointed at the device.

__________________________

“Oh, Hana is that you? Glad you survived!” Ilea said and waved at the lizardwoman.

The expression on her face confused her a little. Maybe she forgot about me.

“You have brought someone with you?” Catelyn asked, bowing to the Fae before she looked back to Ilea.

“Yeah, little guy, my team and some survivors of the expedition it seems,” she said, gesturing to the group.

The Fae appeared on her shoulder and sat down, waving at the people.

Elfie tapped Maro on his arm.

“Yeah, see Catelyn. Told you it would make a difference,” the necromancer said and laughed.

“My expectations were shattered. Finally, some good news,” Catelyn said.

[Mage – lvl 329]

Ilea couldn’t help but smile at that, having surpassed even the fire fox in levels. She still had a couple centuries in experience on her but with the amount of fighting Ilea did, she was sure to catch up in a couple years or decades.

Ilea quickly explained her meeting with the Enavurin, her rescue of the Fae and some of the battles. Specifically, she explained the abilities of the various creatures, finding out that the group had hardly ever fought anything. The Deep Mirage had caused the most problems, having seen through their hiding spells. Both for the expedition as well as her group.

“That one I will be able to distract, pretty sure about that. He’s just lonely and bored,” Ilea said.

Elfie hissed with an amused tone, Maro shaking his head in disbelief. Hana and the expedition people just stared at her.

Ilea felt slight distress coming from them but she decided not to comment. “Oh and the sandstorm outside is probably an Elemental, the Fae informed me,” she added in the end.

Catelyn nodded. “Good. We had assumed something similar. Are you sure we can trust the Enavurin? It could very well have deceived you.”

Friend, the thought came and went, all eyes going to the Fae on Ilea’s shoulder.

“I trust him more than myself on this,” she said with a chuckle. “Though for what it’s worth, he seemed reasonable.”

The fox nodded and quickly informed her of their own findings, the various mechanisms that had spread the corruption and what they had learned from Met, the floating Dark Sprite.

“I can confirm the second tier of Blood Manipulation Resistance,” Ilea said. “I suggest you keep some of the corruption to bring the skill to everyone in Hallowfort. It’s discomforting but if something similar ever spreads, it’s the only way to counter it effectively.”

“That… will be impossible,” Catelyn said. “The pain is rather… excruciating. Most won’t accept the procedure.”

“I shall do this with the Hunters,” Elfie said and nodded.

“It’s perfect really, also good to train Pain Tolerance then. I have the second tier there as well where you can ignore pain entirely. It’s more risky but a great path to more general skills in the area,” Ilea explained.

“Oh, thinking of. Do you have more bottles and containers? I’d love to get some more of the corruption,” she added.

Catelyn didn’t seem particularly happy with that. “I am aware that the dangers turned out to be less extensive as initially expected but we should try and prevent a spread.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have some stored away too. Do you really trust me so little?” Ilea asked, tilting her head to the side.

The fox sighed, summoning several large glass containers. “For what do you even need it?”

“Just collecting resources,” Ilea said with a smile, moving them with her ashen limbs before she stored it all in her necklace.

“We should question the Enavurin about this device,” Maro said.

“It cannot leave the water,” Ilea said. “And just because it’s an ancient being doesn’t mean it can read the runes.”

Read

“Oh?” Ilea looked at the Fae on her shoulder. “You can?”

It nodded.

She chuckled.

“What did it say?” Catelyn asked.

“It can read the runes. I just doubt a translation will be very detailed,” she said with a smirk.

“We should just let a Fae tamper with this dangerous and ancient device then?” Maro asked, not convinced.

Everyone else looked at him as if he was the weird one to ask.

“Come on, Ilea, you’re human. Don’t you think it’s a bit ridiculous? It can’t even speak in complete sentences, no offense,” he said.

Offense

“Yeah, he can be annoying. He’s good at heart though, I’m like sixty percent sure of that,” Ilea said, ignoring the man.

“Sixty? So low have I fallen,” the necromancer murmured.

“Look, everything here is probably older than you. Except the healer over there, hi by the way,” Ilea said and waved at the woman who winced and took a step back. “I just think there’s a reason these creatures are revered amongst the Dark Ones and I have traveled with it for a couple days now. He’s a little bit deranged and violent but otherwise quite decent.”

Deranged?

“Come on, we played with a Deep Mirage,” Ilea said to the creature.

Deranged.

“A little,” she confirmed, gesturing with two fingers close together.

“You played… what?” Catelyn spoke but then shook her head. “Well right now I doubt anybody would have more knowledge about these runes than the Fae. They are said to be older than most creatures and powerful in many ways. Although it is unknown how exactly.”

“It’s level one hundred. Maybe it’s a child,” Maro suggested.

“The last two I met were around that level as well,” Ilea said.

“If we leave this sphere alone, someone else might come and cause even more damage,” Elfie spoke. “I say we keep a close watch and let the Fae try. They have a reputation amongst Elves as well.”

Maro nodded. “Alright. Not like I can convince you fanatics anyway.”

“It’s not fanatic. Just look how cute he is!” Ilea said and grabbed the creature, holding it out towards him.

Maro just stared back form under his helmet.

“Cute…,” Catelyn whispered in disbelief.

“Right?” Ilea asked and smiled at her.

“To call a being so ancient cute…,” her sentence was stopped when Ilea walked up and pet her head.

“Don’t worry, you’re pretty cute too. Very fucking annoying at times as well but who isn’t?” Ilea said, enjoying the various reactions.

Elfie and the Fae seemed the only ones that genuinely thought it was funny.

“Come on guys, we found out the corruption isn’t the world ending threat we had assumed and even found some survivors,” Ilea said with a smile. “Cheer the fuck up.”

Survivors

“Hmm?” Ilea asked.

More

“There are more survivors too, if I interpret this all knowing little floating legend’s thoughts the right way,” Ilea added. She let go of Catelyn and summoned a cake to defuse her potential reaction. Explosions of fire wouldn’t help.

The fox devoured the whole thing in one fell swoop, growing to her massive size as she breathed down Ilea’s neck.

She didn’t say a word and turned back to normal, walking past Ilea and towards the central platform. “None of you have seen any of this. If I hear rumors spread, I will hunt you down and make sure your last moments are filled with suffering and regrets,” Catelyn spoke with a soft voice. She got nods in return.

Elfie chuckled and Maro just stared at her.

Catelyn reached the sphere that was around a meter in diameter, made of steel with hundreds of runes craved into various sections of it.

“If possible we would like to learn more about the corruption and why it has spread. We want to prevent something like this happening again. Any defensive measures you can disable would be helpful as well,” Catelyn said, glancing at the Fae. “If you desire something in return, I will do my utmost to fulfill your requests.”

The Fae waved her off.

Help

Friend

The Fae sent, pointing at Ilea.

Magic flowed from it before invisible forces changed parts of the runes with blinding speed.

“Wait, I can’t foll-” Maro spoke before a powerful surge of magic washed over them.

Elfie chuckled. “Truly, the reputation is deserved.”

Maro stored his helmet, eyes wide open. “Unbelievable. There were over sixty layers…,”

“What happened?” Ilea asked.

“It disabled all defensive enchantments,” Elfie informed them.

Ilea turned her attention back to the sphere that started shifting, rectangular shapes moving in and out from the previously perfect seamless sphere.

“Vanu Tes okuun. Ver saa,” a deep unnatural voice resounded from the sphere, making everybody look at each other.

Another surge of magic changed up the runes.

“Language change accepted,” the voice said in the same deep tone.

“Holy shit,” Ilea said, giving the Fae a thumbs up.

It glanced back at her and giggled in her mind before continuing.

Ilea was sure it was using its space magic to reshape the runes, somehow.

The others were watching in sheer disbelief, one of Maro’s eyes literally twitching.

“All defensive measures and traps disabled. Remaining Manipulation agent destroyed,” the voice continued.

“Displaying map of testing facility Zeta.” A hologram appeared above the sphere, displaying the Descent in its whole.

“Displaying population and success parameters for Project Animus.” Various new information appeared, displaying species and levels of various monsters.

“That doesn’t exactly line up with what I’ve fought,” Ilea said.

“Dungeons are rarely static. I doubt this one was as well,” Catelyn said.

“Many are there however… the lighting elemental is registered on level ten, same with the Veramath at five,” Maro said.

Ilea noted that there were twenty five total levels to the Descent. Everything below twenty was listed as unstable and without any species information at all.

“The Young Lightning Elemental is listed as level nine fifty. Does that mean whoever built this place can identify that?” Relly asked, gulping.

“It could also just be an estimate,” Maro said, one hand on his chin.

“The success rate is two percent,” Ilea said. “Seems optimistic. Project Animus is the corruption?” she asked the Fae.

Hundreds of small lights appeared on the hologram. “Displaying Animus Agent distribution systems. Time elapsed since activation – 42 cycles.”

“That should line up with Verita leaving. It has been difficult to track time however,” Relly said.

“It lines up,” the Dark Sprite confirmed.

“Is there more information on Project Animus?” Catelyn asked.

The Fae used its magic again.

“Project Animus – Priority: 1

Redacted test of redacted. Control of redacted with impact expectation redacted.

Status: Failed”

“What the fuck did we stumble into…,” Maro murmured.

“Someone removed the juicy bits,” Ilea said. “Well, the important thing is that the project failed. Meaning, we activated it on accident.”

“Redacted failed to change composition in meaningful way. Distribution approved by redacted in case of facility breach. Document success rate.” the disembodied voice spoke.

The expedition members seemed to shrink at the confirmation that it had been their tampering after all.

The success rate percentage for the twentieth layer was sixty six, all layers below showed zero. Some of the layers above as well. Many had the word unknown written next to it, the necessary technology, sensors or runes having failed to provide the information.

“Are there other projects?” Catelyn asked with a tense tone.

The Fae nodded.

“Project Fluctuation – Priority 3

Observation and documentation of redacted in relation to redacted.

Status: Complete”

“Is there a time mention of when it was completed?” Maro asked.

“Time elapsed since completion: 1123935 cycles.”

“That’s a lot of days,” Ilea murmured.

“Three thousand years, give or take a century,” Met commented. “What? I’m fast with calculations.”

“I confirm the result,” Elfie said. “Sadly, I have not been alive back then.”

“You don’t know when exactly the great change happened that the Dark Ones still retell?” Maro asked Catelyn.

“You believe it a correlation?” the fox asked.

“Someone has been fucking with this realm,” Ilea said. “We should at least consider the Ascended.”

“Ascended?” Relly asked.

“We found documents talking about a common enemy between Humans, Dwarfs and Elves. An enemy coming from another realm,” Ilea said. “They were defeated but it’s possible that this is one of their facilities that was left behind.”

“The Enavurin… you said he came here centuries past, not millennia,” Catelyn said.

“When was the status change of Project Animus?” she asked.

“Time elapsed since project designation change: 108184 cycles.”

“A little less than three hundred years.” Met supplied again.

Ilea nodded. “That fits with what the Enavurin told me.”

“So whatever is in control of this facility was still working on this project three centuries past,” Catelyn said. “I had already found consciousness then and had been a member of the Hallowfort council,” she murmured.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Relly said.

“No shit,” Ilea said and smirked. “What else can you give us little Fae?”

“Project Eden – Priority: 2

Test compatibility of redacted in redacted area. Document changes and behavior of redacted.

Status: Ongoing”

“There you go,” Ilea said. “Still ongoing.”

“Can we deactivate it?” Catelyn asked.

“Project Eden is in Passive state. Deactivation requires authorization.”

“We don’t have that?” Ilea asked.

The Fae shook its head.

“Any more projects?” Maro asked.

Negative, the Fae sent to all of them.

Chapter 418 Ancients

Chapter 418 Ancients

Maro and Elfie continued to ask the Fae a bunch of questions, the three of them going through whatever else the sphere could provide. Most of its knowledge had been removed by the owner.

Ilea hadn’t been too surprised to find essentially a computer here. It was simply powered by runes instead of electricity. Most of its data was gone but what remained was still rather significant to them.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked, looking at Catelyn lying next to her.

The fox murmured to herself before she looked at Ilea. “I think we might have to actually work on that Blood Manipulation Resistance. For now, all we can do is destroy whatever corruption is still left in here.”

“I agree. I’ll take care of most, still have some resistance training to do in the coming days and weeks,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Ehm… we might have a problem with that,” Maro said as he looked at them, pointing at the detailed information on the twentieth layer and its denizens.

Sand Elemental – level ???? - Success Rate: 5% - Status: Success

“Ah, fuck,” Catelyn whispered.

Ilea started laughing. “Well, that’s a problem. I don’t think we can kill a four mark creature.”

“It’s a sand creature. Hasn’t moved up yet. Why can’t we just leave it here?” Maro asked.

Elfie shook his head. “Elementals are creators first and foremost. It will not stop until all of the Descent is filled with sand.”

“How long do we have?” Ilea asked.

“It’s hard to say,” Maro said. “It’s possible the thing is only here because creatures free of corruption remain.”

“Us,” Catelyn said.

Ilea expected a sudden rumble through the facility and an instant attack but nothing happened. “Lots of interpretation going on. I can just go and explore more, get powerful enough to fight it.”

Maro laughed at her. “Fight an elemental? Ilea, this one might be beyond what humans can do.”

Elfie hissed. “Have you been blind? Or do you simply reject our potential? We have found this… thing,” he gestured to the Sphere. “Those who built it were not monsters but creatures like us, with higher intelligence. Potentially creatures that had already meddled with Elos Millennia past. If it is the Ascended then they were fought by the Taleen, by Elves and by your kind, Humanity. And they lost.”

Ilea nodded. “Well, most people from that time aren’t around anymore. We still don’t have a clue what they want or who they are. They lost the war apparently, the remaining members scattered but their facilities still remain.”

“Resources, life, land. Isn’t it always the same?” Maro asked in a sigh.

“You’re not being creative enough. Maybe they heard of cake and came here to steal our most treasured recipes,” Ilea suggested with a smirk.

“She is right. We do not understand their motives. Neither do we know if this facility is truly still in use. Even if it is, it could be someone else has taken control. There are plenty of candidates that would be willing to cause destruction and death for the sake of knowledge and power,” Catelyn said and looked around. “This includes all species sadly.”

“Then let us gain what we can from this and use it for our own purposes,” Elfie said.

“And what purpose would that be?” Catelyn asked.

“To protect life. And to destroy those that would warp and corrupt it,” he replied with conviction.

“Alright, this is getting too big for me. I’ll help with destroying the corrupted but now we’re talking about ancient wars and politics,” Maro said.

Ilea had assumed he would push more, the possibility of a connection to Rhyvor certainly present. Maybe he really had made his peace, a speck of honor still remaining that at least itched to ask some questions. Not enough apparently to dig into another potential conflict.

“And I ask nothing more of you, Maro,” Catelyn said. “Now, I would rather we don’t wait until this Elemental fills half the dungeon with sand before we do anything about it. It is corrupted according to this sphere, there have to be ways we can use that.”

“It will not retreat nor fight in an intelligent manner,” Elfie said.

“We’re still talking about an elemental. It could be well beyond anything else within this place,” Maro said. “Even if we give Ilea enough time to train…,”

“Did you not advocate for her potential growth?” Elfie asked. “And she will not be the only one to increase her power.”

“Yes… yes I know but that just… we are talking about a full blown Sand Elemental. This is not something another hundred, even another five hundred levels and more skills and potentially even classes will beat. It is a force of nature. I have seen the destruction caused by a young elemental. The only reason these lands aren’t ravaged by monsters of that power is because they do not care for it. Well now it’s corrupted. It will care,” Maro said.

“And,” he held up a finger towards Elfie, “Even now, I’m sure she would survive for a while but we are not talking about surviving its assault, we are talking about killing it. This whole layer is made of sand, it is its own territory. We are facing a living desert.”

Elfie thought about it but just hissed after a while.

“Are we even sure it’s corrupted?” Catelyn asked. “We should check before we even think about facing it.”

The Fae looked down and sent a thought to them all.

Corrupt

Death

“There’s your confirmation. I can get my Sand Resistance up to the end of the second tier, get some more levels and I’m pretty sure I can at least tank it while everyone else blasts it with their spells. There are other survivors too, they could help as well.” Ilea said.

“Survivors of an Expedition that was wiped out by the creatures we killed. It won’t make much of a difference. Adding ten level two hundred mages against a mountain is not enough,” Maro said.

“I agree. According to the few records we have, Elementals remain within their territory and are rarely even hostile, no records would exist otherwise. They predate most beings we know of. And this isn’t a young one, like the one in the tenth layer,” Catelyn said.

Just another Drake, Ilea thought, a little annoyed at the pessimism. “Then what? We let it be and evacuate Hallowfort? Move away and wait until we have gathered enough power to deal with it?”

“That is an option,” Catelyn said.

“Or we just ignore it, let it exhaust itself against the monsters. If it goes further north, it might even find something too powerful for it to challenge,” Maro suggested.

“That is. A terrible idea. This is the place where it must be defeated, otherwise this corruption will spread to beings even we cannot deal with. Miststalkers, Famine Crows and worse,” Elfie said, shaking his head.

“We should at least try to fight it, find out more before we dismiss everything else. We could try to collapse the ceiling or flood the whole place with water,” Ilea said.

“Neither would make a difference. Even if you replaced the water with lava. I suggest you try to face it and get an idea of its power. I’m sure even you will find it difficult to argue afterwards,” Maro said. “Trust those more experienced for once.”

Ilea hissed, the sound imbued with power, magic washing over everyone present.

Only her three companions resisted the effect entirely and still she felt distress from all but Elfie.

“I haven’t faced death a thousand times to listen to someone talk about what is possible and what isn’t. You called yourself an adventurer but I find it more and more difficult to see you as one. While you hid within the shadows, I have fought and bled, have killed and...,” Ilea said and stopped herself there.

An old forgotten king who found his power thousands of years ago.

“I have asked you to come and for that I am sorry,” she said and smiled, her face revealed. “You bet your fucking ass I will try and kill that mountain, with all I have and all the help I can get.”

“You will die,” Maro said.

Ilea smirked. “I’ll recover.”

Elfie chuckled and hissed. “I shall help you, with the little power I can give.”

“As will I,” Catelyn sighed. “I won’t get you out of there though, you’re alone.”

Ilas gave her a silent nod.

The rest looked around a little awkwardly.

The Fae twirled in the air and giggled into her mind.

Death

Ilea looked at it and smiled. “I know we lack the power but I will at least try. You’ll see some violence, that’s for sure.”

The Fae shook its head and pointed at Maro.

Truth

Before she could react it went back to the sphere and used its magic to change the orange hologram into a map of the twentieth layer.

Help

Another facility in the corner of the area came into view, massive steel gates closing off a rather large cavern, at least half as vast as the whole layer itself.

Trakorov – level ???? - Success Rate: <1% - Status: Failed

Ilea read the description as a broad grin bloomed on her face. She looked at the Fae and nodded slowly.

Violence!

“I kind of wanted to fight it alone first,” Ilea murmured to herself.

The Fae pointed at her.

Strong

Proud

It pointed at the map.

Stronger

“Hey, I didn’t say I could kill it alone, just that I’d try. Same with the Sun Sprites, I knew I wasn’t ready,” she said, not thinking herself too overconfident and proud.

Truth

The Fae sent and changed the map to the eighteenth layer, activating the Elder Sun Sprite description.

Weak, it pointed at the floating letters.

Strong, it again pointed at Ilea.

The elemental came up again and it shook its head, Death.

“Alright, alright I get it. No need to shame me.” Ilea said.

The Fae giggled and appeared on her shoulder, its arms extending before it hugged her face.

Friend

Brave

It let go and pointed at the map. Help

Ilea thought about it. Not really a lot to consider here, she thought, pretty sure about what the Fae suggested.

“Are you two lovers going to let us in on your plan?” Maro asked, his voice calm and charming as it tended to be.

“I thought you wanted to fuck off?” Ilea asked.

“I understand where you’re coming from, Ilea. And I admire you for it but I stand by what I said. I have been king for decades and I have been an adventurer for just as long before. People with your attitude and confidence have died in droves, sure of their victory,” he sighed.

“I admit that your magic allows for some insane things and I know you don’t rush in completely without thought but what we are facing here is different. Now, please don’t tell me you’re planning what I think you are,” he said.

“And here I thought you’d like it,” Ilea said with a smile.

She didn’t agree with Maro that the Elemental was different than any monster before. If it was still alive, then maybe. But it was just another corrupted creature, frenzied and lost. It was likely much more powerful than anything she had faced before, sure. Too powerful for her to prevail.

And yet she had thought about the Praetorians the same way, had thought of Elves the same way. And now she could fight them, perhaps even kill them herself.

Soon she would get all her skills into the third tier but so far no ceiling in potential growth had shown itself. Her whole time in Elos had been proof that humans could survive and thrive in a world like this.

If a mountain blocks your way, you start with the first stone. If that’s too heavy, you get the first pebble. If that is still too much, you train, find someone to help or get better equipment.

Angry?

The thought reached her, coming from the Fae floating a couple meters away.

“No, a little annoyed at worst. I know he’s not wrong. Just expected him to be a little more unreasonable. A little more fun,” Ilea said.

Fun?

“With insane monsters birthed from nightmares and death itself, threatening to kill and destroy you, what else can you do but laugh and welcome them?” Ilea said.

Flee

Hide

Negotiate

The Fae nodded, one hand on its chin.

“It’s more a figure of speech. I’d do all those things first to make sure I survive. I mean it more… as an adventurous spirit. You have something like that too… the Fae, found in unfortunate situations and trapped even though I’m sure you could be quite safe and happy somewhere else.”

“It’s a way to give a massive fuck you to the horrors of the world, both monster and human, to go where no one else dares. To face what everyone else fears.” Ilea tried to explain.

The Fae seemed to consider and then nodded.

Freedom

“You get it, little man,” she said and smiled.

Adventure

Violence

It nodded.

Ilea wasn’t sure if the last word thought was the necessary conclusion but she knew very well that it was part of it. Violence and death were so normal to her at this point that she had to be consciously aware of herself walking the line between human and monster.

A single punch could end someone’s life and her influence reached over whole towns by now. Her enemies certainly thought of her as a monster already.

Just have to make sure I stick to some principles, she thought. There was no reason she couldn’t live her life of adventure while others benefited from her power.

Ilea didn’t think herself the pinnacle of morality and fairness but if she had learned anything from both Earth and Elos, then that there were always completely selfish assholes obsessed with their power over others.

She would leave the details to those she trusted and called friends but it wasn’t a hard decision to oppose racism, speciesism, slavery, oppression and genocide.

She was glad she was obsessed with a different kind of power, the more magical kind. Before her eyes, she saw a being that went beyond anything a human should be able to oppose. A natural catastrophe that if left alone would swallow whatever it could find.

Ilea felt the tingle in her brain, felt the hair on her neck and arms stand up as she took in the raw magical power of a Sand Elemental. It might have been the most terrifying and beautiful thing she had ever seen. To think magic could go that far.

And yet she felt the pain and anger the Fae next to her openly transmitted. The Elemental had been killed, its magical might now twisted and corrupted, bent on chaos and destruction.

[Corrupted Sand Elemental - ????]

She could identify it, even though she couldn’t make out the core of the being, the body that she assumed to be there, somewhere amidst the storm that expanded over several kilometers of the layer.

Sand cut into her ash, brushing against the Fae’s shield at the same time.

Ilea had spent an additional six hours training with the Deep Mirage, bringing her Sand Magic Resistance to a more acceptable level. Not quite what she had wanted but even the Fae had urged her to move the plan along.

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

The storm had grown in that time, the sand moving more wildly now.

Catelyn and her team focused on finding the survivors, clearing out the corrupted creatures that had found themselves inside the facility. It was up to them to decide if they wanted to fight against the Sand Elemental or if they were more liability than help.

Every bit of damage and support would help, of that she was sure.

“Can you see it?” Ilea asked, looking at the Fae.

It nodded, white eyes focused into the storm of sand, a whirlwind of destruction.

“Let’s meet our friend then,” she said with a smile, blinking away from the storm, quickly followed by the Fae that kept up with her.

They reached the second facility after a couple minutes of fast flying, the layer quite a bit more vast than some of the previous ones.

A massive steel gate was inlaid into the rocky wall of the layer. Ilea landed a couple dozen meters away, feeling a breeze flowing over her as she checked the surroundings for monsters.

The sand storm wasn’t visible anymore from the distance but she knew it was there, in some way even felt it in her bones. The sheer magical pressure that both enticed her and made her instincts scream for her to run away.

She walked to the gate that was twice her height and three times that in length. Her sphere had a hard time penetrating through and her blink only brought her back in front of the entrance.

I’ll just dig a way around it, she thought before the Fae sent a thought her way.

“Sure, if you think that’s faster,” she said, feeling her mana draining into the creature.

Half a minute passed before a surge of mana ripped out a chunk of the steel gate, making it vanish in an instant.

“Whoa, nice one,” Ilea said with a smile.

The Fae twirled and sent a thought of joy her way.

“That’s some grade A violence, my dear,” Ilea said and felt the heat flowing out of the dark tunnel that had opened up. Here we go.

Chapter 419 Meeting the Competition

Chapter 419 Meeting the Competition

Ilea glanced at the Fae and entered the cavern. The sand ended at the entrance, a little bit blowing inside, sticking out against the black rock. Is that charcoal? She wondered, brushing her ash over the walls and floor.

There was no light within, Ilea trusting her sphere as it expanded outwards. “Think I should make light?”

The Fae shook its head.

She felt the mana in here, the density making it nearly graspable. Definitely a spot that a powerful creature would like, if she had learned anything about mana.

“We don’t exactly want to fight it though, maybe some light would be good. As a warning,” Ilea suggested.

The Fae considered before a white flame appeared between them.

“You never used that before, we could have trained more resistances!” Ilea said in a loud whisper, disappointed in her friend.

Negative

“You mean it wouldn’t help me or you just don’t want or can’t use it on me?” Ilea asked.

Heat

“Ah, hey how did you know I capped that resistance already?” she asked.

Deduction, the Fae replied as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Deduction my ass,” she whispered to herself. “Also why not just use my staff?”

Insult

“Didn’t mean it that way Mr. White Flame,” Ilea said with a chuckle.

The Fae tilted its head before it shook it. It pointed to itself and shook its head before pointing into the darkness ahead.

“An insult to the thing in there?” she asked.

Child

Learning

Proud

“You sound decidedly sarcastic. Don’t get cocky just because you’re an ancient revered being that is entirely too cute,” she said and bumped the Fae’s head with an ashen limb.

It giggled in her mind before focusing forward again.

Ilea felt the being now, similar to the Elemental outside. She could hear it breathe, could feel the heat and magic coming from it. Still she assumed it to be several dozen meters away, invisible in the darkness and not yet in her sphere’s influence.

“It’s sleeping,” she whispered, suddenly feeling the pressure increase ten fold.

Her buffs and resistances kept her alert, Ilea not showing a reaction to the presence, except to be wary in her mind.

A low growl resounded, entirely too close. She could feel the magic flow over her. The second tier of Veteran prevented her from freezing but this was not something in her league, not something she could entirely comprehend. Her instincts themselves had to be reigned in to keep her mind and body steady. Prey in the face of a predator.

But Ilea wasn’t prey. She smiled and growled back, the sound enhanced by Monster Hunter and a good imitation of the monster’s warning. She was glad the magic helped, otherwise she would have made herself quite ridiculous by now with her monster noises.

The flame between them intensified and grew, its light reaching farther as the sound of something heavy impacting the ground reverberated in the cavern.

Ilea could see a faint shape now, massive talons dug into the black ground, three times her height in length and several times as broad as herself.

Tall fucker, she thought and looked up, feeling magic emanating from her companion.

Another growl resounded as two fiery red reptilian eyes closed in, the shape of its head illuminated by the flame. Several horns protruded from its skull, a layer of broad dull black scales covered its head. Ilea’s first thought was a dragon but as her eyes adjusted, she thought more of some kind of dinosaur.

Its head was too broad to be what she thought of as a dragon or drake, neither could she spot any nostrils. The two largest horns looked similar to her own, jutting out of the skull and angling forward, close to its head.

Now that’s material I could use for armor, she thought.

[Trakorov – lvl ????]

Maybe not quite yet.

The head alone was four or five times her body’s size. A behemoth, truly and possibly the largest living creature Ilea had ever seen.

That flying thing back in the arcane storm might have been close, she remembered. As well as some of the flying Taleen machines in Iz.

“Friend?” Ilea asked the Fae who was obviously communicating with the creature. She was pretty sure her little companion was the only reason she hadn’t been squashed already.

Negative, the response came.

Ally, the Fae added a moment later.

“That’s all we need really,” she said with a smile.

Corruption

The Fae looked at her and gestured to its own hand.

“You want me to show it to the Trakorov?” Ilea asked and got a slight nod in return. She summoned a vial filled with the orange goo and revealed her right arm, cutting into it with her ash before she let a couple drops fall into the wound. Her resistance was deactivated.

She held out her arm to the creature that moved a little closer, its eyes focused on the orange goo.

It growled.

Ilea could feel the magical pressure increase so decided to improvise. She started healing herself to show the spread stopping. “Healing magic can stop it from spreading but it cannot destroy it,” she said and started charging her Heart of Cinder.

The Fae pulsed with mana next to her and sent a quick thumbs up into her mind.

“A second tier Blood Manipulation Resistance can fight it,” she said and activated her skill, showing the receding corruption before she stopped again.

Several of her limbs moved in front of her, angling towards her own arm. “Fire works well against it too, burning it away,” she explained and released her spell, the heated beam of flame and energy removing the corruption without injuring her body.

She used a couple more drops of the agent. “If fire isn’t available, cutting out the corruption works as well.” she kept eye contact with the being as her ashen limbs ripped out a chunk of her flesh, dropping the bloodied piece of corrupted skin on the ground in front of her.

The Trakorov kept its eyes on her before it growled, heat and a furnace like smell hitting her as it slightly opened its mouth, sharp black teeth the size of a greathammer showing.

She watched as orange red light came from behind the huge teeth, the substance slowly flowing forward before it dripped down its chin and onto the ground.

The Fae moved back but Ilea remained, her eyes focused on the Trakorov’s as the lava flowed out and over the the corruption, burning it away in an instant before it reached her feet.

She healed her ashen armor, her maxed Heat Resistance doing its job to negate most of the damage. Still, she felt it wouldn’t take long for the lava to get through her defenses.

“The Elemental will not stop until everything in its path is dead, you included,” Ilea said, feeling the magic pulse from the Fae.

A growl was her answer.

“We have to stop it here. Now,” she said and spread her arms, wings and ashen tendrils fanning out behind her. “I will help, heal you and cut out corruption that spreads onto you.”

The creature puffed as soon as the Fae had translated, its nostrils visible for a moment below the scales, their size and form reminding her more of a carapace.

She felt the attack coming but remained where she was, seeing the lava spurt out before it covered her entirely, the ground around her sizzling as it burned into her.

Ilea moved her arms back and looked at them as her ashen armor was eaten through. It’s not just Heat, is it? She thought with a broad grin that was soon revealed.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Lava Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Lava Magic Resistance – lvl 1

An elemental form of molten rock, reserved for those few living in conditions most consider deadly. You have met and fought such a being, its magic opposed by Heat and Earth magic resistance but ultimately something different, more primordial and ancient.

For the first time since its rescue, Ilea felt distress coming from the Fae, if only a little.

She laughed as the lava made its way through her ash, healing her skin as it started to singe her flesh.

Ilea stepped forward through the lava and stopped right in front of the creature’s looming head. She started charging Absolute Destruction, deciding on around a thousand mana as well as a thousand Health sacrificed into her Awakening. Any longer would have made it quite awkward.

Chunks of molten rock still dripped from her body, a part of her skin molten but regrowing. She looked at her fist and back at the Trakorov, the heat coming from its mouth now nearly damaging her with its intensity alone.

Azarinth Awakening activated and she slammed her fist into the creature’s massive chin, a dull noise resounding as a tiny shock wave moved over the ground, her ashen protrusions moving back slightly. A chunk of her mana was ripped out of her as it flowed in chaotic patterns into the creature.

She felt that a large part of it had been unable to penetrate but she had also very much noticed the slight distance its head had moved as the physical energy went through her body, bones vibrating. It felt like she had hit solid steel with a normal human body.

The energy that flowed through her only leaving her unaffected thanks to all her buffs, her high resilience coupled with the second tier of Blast Resistance as well as her increased weight.

A minute had passed and she growled once more, her body healed and her armor reformed, eyes locked with the creature.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 14’

The being puffed and turned its attention back to the Fae before it growled and stood up, the ground shaking in the process.

“Did you convince it?” she asked with a broad grin on her face as she flew over to the Fae.

It appeared on her shoulder as they flew up together, Ilea trying to make out where the Trakorov’s head went. The thing was like fifty meters in height, nearly reaching the cavern’s ceiling.

The Fae shook its head slowly as they reached the exit, teleporting out into the light, moving away from the gate quickly.

Ilea saw the Fae point at her face as it giggled in her mind.

Convincing

In the same moment, the steel gate bent outwards, as well as a thirty meter section of the stone wall. It wasn’t a violent explosion but reminded more of a burrowing creature bursting out of soft earth. The material of course, wasn’t soft at all.

“Holy shit, what did we unleash?” Ilea asked in an excited voice, watching the massive armored dark creature shake off debris of twice her size, its eyes scanning the surroundings before they fell on their flying form.

Challenger

“Yeah, fucking right. You think you can survive on my shoulder? I don’t intend to watch from afar,” Ilea said and flew towards the Trakorov.

Distance, the Fae confirmed but for now remained with her.

The monster really reminded her of some form of dinosaur, dragon mix. The creature lacked wings as well but with the small demonstration from before, she gauged it was more the underground type anyway.

It stepped out into the sand, four armored legs with claws that could shred through city walls with ease. Its form was massive, built for armor and weight instead of speed and flexibility. Despite all that it moved with fluid steps, neither sinking into the sand nor losing balance.

Its horns were slightly chipped and vicious, near black bone jutting out from its skull as well as numerous parts of its over a hundred meter long body.

It terrified her and she loved it.

I bet it won’t notice if I nick a bit of its armor, Goliath would love it, she thought and landed on its head, moving her ash around some of its horns to keep steady. Ilea didn’t consider asking or slowly approaching. This creature emanated power, it was the only language they shared.

“That way, dear Calamity,” she said and pointed, enhancing the last word with magic as she imbued it with her excitement.

The monster roared, making her hold on with all her strength.

Deranged, the Fae sent to her excitedly.

Ilea just grinned and held on as the Trakorov jumped, magic vibrating before it dug into the sand.

______________________________

Niivalyr lightly adjusted his mask as he floated near the facility. He had offered to make sure no more creatures breached it from outside.

Several corpses riddled with corruption lay below, having fallen to his curse and barriers. A lack of ranged attacks really made them simple targets, as well as the mindless state they had been rendered to.

Perhaps I should have joined her, should have fought these creatures alone to gain power, he wondered. It was done now and he would not waste more time here than necessary. Through his destruction of the Taleen will he find strength. There were plenty of powerful machines remaining and his skills should be used to cull them.

And yet something remained, something that asked him why not? You have abandoned everything, you are cursed. Why not gain Strength against something weak, something that cannot fight your abilities?

He reasoned that the struggle that came from fighting the machines will prepare him for when he had to face more powerful ones while cursing creatures from a safe distance did not.

Niivalyr showed his teeth, his mouth spreading in a wicked smile. If only he had the regenerative power and melee abilities of Ilea. You do regenerate and you do not feel pain, no longer.

He nodded and certainly saw the benefits but in the end he liked his magic, liked to play with his prey. To catch and bind them as they were slowly drained of their life, shitting themselves to death.

The human was efficient and her healing and regeneration certainly impressive but it lacked a certain sense of pride. She was too savage for his liking, too much like his own kin. He respected her for that, for diverging from the path her human brethren liked so much.

He too would diverge and shape his own path.

“Brooding again?” the necromancer asked as he flew closer, having left the facility a moment ago.

“It is a past time I very much enjoy,” Niivalyr answered.

“Makes you age faster, not the best for your mental state either,” the man said, lacking the annoying spite and provocation he usually laced his words with.

“I have lived a long life, human,” he said, unsure what the necromancer was getting at.

“Have you?” the question sounded sincere. “You know, I have probably been alive far longer than you, perhaps as long as some of your species’ oldest. And still I feel like I’ve only truly lived a handful of years.”

Niivalyr considered his words but did not respond to them. “You have found the survivors?”

“Yeah, bunch of illusion, shadow, mind and dark mages as well as warriors that are pretty much just scavengers. Useless bunch for what we’re about to do,” Maro said and laughed.

He has returned, Niivalyr thought. It would be nice to return to his task and yet he could not fault the man for he has taught him patience like no one else before. Even the mad healer.

“They shall help us escape as soon as we fail,” Niivalyr said.

“Hmm?” Maro asked, “You don’t believe this ridiculous plan will succeed?”

He hissed with joy and laughed, “Only time will tell. Exciting it shall be, no matter the result.”

“You’re quite different,” Maro said and smiled, “But at your core, you’re as Elvish as they come.”

You do not know what you speak of, human king, he thought and let the words wash past.

The man chuckled to himself and floated down, landing in the sand. “A terrifying sight, is it not?” he said in a loud voice as he summoned a Cliff Wyvern’s corpse. One of six Ilea had gifted him before she had left to train her Sand Resistance.

Niivalyr glanced down before he once again looked at the raging storm in the distance. The power of the elements themselves, controlled through raw magic. The power of the Oracles.

His attention once more moved down as the necromancer pushed his death magic into the creature, forcing it to stand up once more. It seemed taxing and yet a single Wyvern, even at a much lower level, would make a difference.

Maro had said that four were his limit but Ilea had dumped another one, saying he should work on his skills and one more to train his mental and pain resistance.

A visionary, truly, Niivalyr thought with a smirk. It was a fine line between brilliance and utter stupidity but her overwhelming power and growth spoke for themselves.

It was no surprise when the necromancer managed to raise five of the Wyverns, only leaving one.

The survivors of the expedition joined them soon after, some few likely to provide useful spells. The rest would hide and wait for the fighters to return.

Niivalyr landed close to the Wyverns and smirked, impressed that the human could really fight them. It gave him a sliver of hope. Facing an Elemental and surviving is not an achievement many could boast, not for a lack of trying.

He watched Catelyn step up and grow into her massive form, joined by a masked Dark One clad in loose yellow pants and shirt.

[Mage – lvl 305]

Perhaps another useful member, he thought. Their little group wouldn’t make a difference of course if Ilea failed to get the main target involved.

He felt a surge of mana flow over him, accompanied by a distant roar that sent shivers through his body.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the roar of an ancient being – You are paralyzed for ten seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Veteran - 2nd lvl 1

You have experienced the shouts and spells of beings completely out of your range of imagination. You will not prevail but you will find yourself able to move, when others are paralyzed in fear. Good luck esteemed mage.

2nd stage: You are immune to the fear of facing that which you do not understand. Be wary, some might sense your arrogance in the face of power, others might fear it.

He smiled and bowed to the distant creature. Whatever it was, she had succeeded.

Chapter 420 Blaze that Fucker

Chapter 420 Blaze that Fucker

Ilea held on as the massive beast moved through stone and sand with ease, its magic pushing aside whatever lay in the way. Her second tier Sand Magic Resistance helped, massively reducing the pressure she was under.

She kept the Fae within a small cocoon of ash that she held onto until they emerged back out into the open.

Her wings fanned out to protect herself against the strong wind filled with sand. “You should get some distance now, little one,” she said to the Fae, moving the ash away.

It teleported in front of her and giggled into her mind.

Violence!

“I’ll focus on survival,” she said and smiled, seeing the Fae vanish without a trace right after.

The Trakorov continued with the same momentum, pressing forward and through the storm with heavy steps.

Ilea deactivated her Sand Resistance, hoping to get one or two more levels as they approached, now that they weren’t yet facing the Elemental directly.

Each step brought them closer, the storm increasing in intensity, brushing against Ilea’s armor.

The visibility was atrocious but she kept steady, knowing that the Elemental would be at the center.

The eye of the storm, she thought and thought of a cool theme playing in the background. There was nothing of course, just the sound of wind and sand brushing against the massive creature and her rather tiny person in comparison.

Her buffs were ready, all her skills much more powerful than they had been back on the first layer. Her Sand Magic and Blood Manipulation resistances would provide the necessary defense against the creature, coupled with everything else in her arsenal.

Ilea had no illusions about fighting the elemental herself. The magical pressure she felt was extraordinary, something she could only compare to the northern storms themselves or the creature she was holding onto.

This time, she would take the part of a healer. If the Trakorov died or fell to the corruption, there was nothing else that stood in the Elemental’s way. Another plan could be formed but this one had been just crazy enough to potentially work.

She felt the pressure from below and grinned.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

Heat rushed out from the Trakorov, small flames clinging to her ash as the monster roared its challenge.

Its maw opened wide before a stream of lava sprayed into the storm of sand. It didn’t stop, instead increasing in both heat and velocity as its cone increased. Everything it touched mixed with the molten rock, sticking to it and falling down. A path had formed within the storm, filling up again quickly but allowing a glance at the enemy they were facing.

Ilea stared at the eagle like wings spreading out from a flying cat like body. A woman’s head sat on the body’s shoulders, adorned with goat like horns. A being made of sand, a part of the storm and its center at the same time, lined with corruption slithering through its whole form.

It turned towards them just as the lava slowed down and hissed in an almost inaudible frequency.

Ilea instinctively covered her ears, the Elemental once more hidden within the storm as the waves of sound washed over her. Blood dripped from her ears before her hearing returned again.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Intricate and difficult to master, used by both mages and monsters. You have withstood and survived sound attacks, making you more resistant to its effects.

Ilea sent healing magic into the creature below her, focusing on the organs she thought to be its ears. They had withstood the attack but showed signs of damage.

Her precognition made her form a wall of ash in front of her, adding her wings to the mix before the storm twisted and moved, as if living. First away and up before it came down upon them, a thousand blades of condensed sand that washed into both her and the Trakorov.

It flowed down like a river, Ilea’s defenses shredded away as the sand was deflected to the side, chipping at her wall of ash, constantly regenerating until her defenses were breached. Her skin held up better but it too was cut and bruised, more with every passing second.

Heat gathered within her as she regenerated her body against the constant assault, pulsing as much healing mana into the monster below as she could.

Corruption seeped into her body from the sand, fought and removed by her resistance.

The storm returned to its former state as she stood up from her crouched position, her ash and body reforming at the same time. “Is that all?” she asked, her voice enhanced before a wave of heat rippled out of the Trakorov, the corruption that was forming on its body washed away in an instant.

Its wounds closed quickly, even without her help. A roar joined Ilea’s challenge as they watched the storm twist and condense before them, whirlwinds of sand filled with chunks and spikes moving over them.

The monster below her slammed its tail down into the sand and spewed lava, the river turning into a high pressure beam as the heated material cut through the storm, reaching the Elemental and slathering its whole right wing and body in burning orange red heat.

Another hiss resounded, Ilea continuing to heal them both, gritting her teeth against the magical pressure, feeling a headache form in her head before a chunk of it exploded outwards. Instant healing reformed her head as she took a deep breath, watching the Elemental shed a truckload of sand covered in lava, its body reforming as the storm raged around it.

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

____________________________

Catelyn felt the pressure from this distance, their group approaching quickly after the Elemental’s cry had frozen them in place.

Ilea had succeeded, bringing something into the fight that could potentially take out the ancient and revered being of sand.

She spread her tails to protect the group of support mages who volunteered to join them.

The elf had formed a broad white barrier in front of them, stopping the occasional sand projectile that made its way towards them.

Five Wyverns were flying around the group, purple flames dancing in their maws. Maro controlled them, his whole focus needed for the high level undead.

Venekov had insisted on joining them, golden sparks occasionally visible around his body as he too protected a small group of flying mages.

They watched the sandstorm condense and form a river a hundred meters broad, washing into the scaled black monster.

“Now! Go!” Catelyn shouted, all of them advancing as one, barriers around them as the Wyverns fanned out to draw the Elemental’s attention.

She felt the familiar feeling of bard spells, making her focus better and her flames burn just a little brighter.

They closed the distance as the river of sand washed into the massive creature that remained unmoved.

Catelyn flew upwards, condensing her mana into a glowing sphere of fire. She watched the Sand Elemental and pushed more and more into the spell, more than she had ever risked before.

The river stopped before a stream of lava broke through, covering a part of the flying enemy. Wyverns rushed forward before she released her spell, the flaming meteor vanishing in blinding speed as the sandstorm reformed around them.

Catelyn teleported down and started healing herself when she heard the cry of the creature, their group flying close together as the healers activated their spells, shining runed white barriers taking the brunt of the force, quickly cracking under the pressure.

__________________________

A flash of light made her blink before an explosion resounded, sending both heat and a shock wave her way.

Ilea smiled, flying down in front of the Trakorov’s maw before her limbs lashed out, ripping out a human sized chunk of corruption that had lodged itself between its carapace. She stabilized herself and dug farther down before a wave of Heat made the rest of it burn up.

Her ashen armor reformed quickly, her singed skin healing below as she remained hanging from the monster’s face.

She watched the sand around them focus once more, forming a hundred meter long blades above them. Ah fuck, she thought and aimed her limbs up, releasing Heart of Cinder into the closest blade that quickly approached.

Fire and heat slammed into the sand, changing the blade’s trajectory enough to slide past the Trakorov’s armored back. The other six blades crashed down, making the creature buckle as it roared.

The shock wave followed, Ilea holding on with her wings and all her ashen tendrils as her body was pushed away.

She blinked up onto the Trakorov’s back and found two of the weapons had penetrated, one deeper than the other. Ilea jumped into the wound and released heart of cinder, burning away the corruption the clung to its insides before she immediately started charging it again.

Her ash spread and pulsed healing mana into it, slowly reforming tissue as she felt more rumbling from outside. She focused on her task, hearing explosions resound.

The Trakorov roared, followed by a high pitched whine.

Ilea felt the sweat rolling down her brow and back, reforming cubic meters of flesh before she blinked into the other wound twenty meters away. There was enough room within and she activated Heart of Cinder again, only charged for a couple seconds but enough to burn up the corruption.

Her monster ally was insanely powerful but it was also slow, its heat wave ineffective in dealing with the constantly spreading orange veins.

_____________________________

Maro sent the Wyverns towards the Elemental as he watched in terrified awe as the blades of sand crashed into the monstrous armored creature.

The shock wave sent his Wyverns tumbling through the air as the elf reformed his barriers, many of the lower leveled mages whimpering as the healers kept the group alive.

He focused again and made his undead close in on the Elemental, purple flames setting it ablaze from various sides. The destruction was incredible and still the creature remained unfazed, uncaring and frenzied, simply too large and monstrous to be affected by the Wyverns.

Tendrils of sand lashed out, grabbing at the undead as Maro made them dodge and get distance. One of them was caught up and got dragged into the sand, pierced by a dozen sharp ends as its flames burned bright, until they were smothered inside the sand, the creature drowned and crushed.

He looked away when another one of Catelyn’s fireballs exploded, blinding light and heat following right after, seen and felt even behind the elf’s barriers.

The group remained partially shrouded by shadows and illusions but the sheer pressure and magical power these creatures emanated made it mostly obsolete.

Maro watched as the Trakorov jumped and buried itself into the sand with surprising speed, the sound of cracking stone and moving sand audible even from several hundred meters away.

______________________________

Ilea was nearly done with the second wound when the creature buried itself in the sand. She held on inside the small crevice left and waited, the light coming in from outside vanished for a couple of seconds as she charged her Heart of Cinder and felt the heat rise not just within her.

They burst out of the ground, an explosion of heat, fire and lava washing over her as she formed her wings and covered herself in all the ash she could.

Ilea felt her eyes pop, her mind blanking for a moment before she was back, seeing the scorched remains of her bones as they quickly recovered, muscle and skin forming as her ashen armor spread over her again.

The spell hadn’t activated her Azarinth Perception but she knew she had dipped below half of her health at least. Her wings formed as she tumbled in the air, seeing the skeleton of a Wyvern falling twenty meters away.

______________________________

Niivalyr watched with wide eyes and a manic grin as the Trakorov reemerged, swaths of sand and boulders of rock exploded outwards as the creature jumped up and towards the Elemental, its maw opening wide as a spreading heat instantly changed the very air.

A beam of blinding light, fire and lava exploded upwards, engulfing the Elemental entirely.

He formed several barriers and held out both hands, pushing all the mana he could into the defense as he changed the runes to defend against heat and fire.

A wave of wind and sand washed over the flying group, followed by a scorching heat that instantly shattered two of his barriers. Healing mana flowed into him from behind as his skills were enhanced by various spells.

The third barrier broke as he felt his mask melt his robe on fire and his hands burnt to the bone. Pain Tolerance in the second tier kept him focused, all his attention on the last remaining barrier that kept most of the heat and fire away.

His sight started to blur as cracks started to form on his remaining defense. He felt the familiar presence of Catelyn teleport in front of him, her body burning bright as she roared, redirecting the heat into herself before several beams of fire shot out and slammed into the sand below.

He saw her fall, caught a moment later by the sole surviving expedition leader.

The skin on his hands reformed as he ripped off the mask, tearing molten skin before a new one appeared to cover his features. Meditation recovered some of his mana as he let the last barrier shatter, forming another one immediately after.

The healers focused on him and Catelyn who hissed at the pain, still conscious.

_______________________________

Ilea twirled in the air and saw the Trakorov diving towards the ground. Drops of lava spread outwards from above like fireworks, a part of the layer’s ceiling covered in the molten glowing rock.

The sand on the ground had turned to glass, at least for a hundred meters. The storm had been pushed away, a wave of sand still visible in the distance as it moved away from the explosion.

The Elemental remained in the air, turned to glass in its entirety.

A serene calm followed as Ilea held her breath. Two seconds later the Trakorov landed on its four legs, a booming explosion resounding as its weight crashed into the sand and stone below.

Cracks formed on the glassed form of the Elemental before it shattered with a deafening hiss followed by a wave of magic that sent Ilea rolling through the air, stabilizing herself again quickly.

She charged her wings and watched as chunks of glass shattered away and fell to the ground, the Elemental breaking out of the prison formed of its own body.

Her ally had turned and growled at the floating creature, dozens of wounds on its head and chest seeping dark blood.

She sped up, reaching the Trakorov near instantly before slowing down, blinking the rest of the distance and cutting away the corruption in silence. One of its eyes had been infected, ripped out and reformed as she flew around its face, continuing with its chest and legs a moment later.

“Don’t give up on me now, big guy!” she shouted, her voice enhanced with all the encouragement she could muster.

The terrifying creature sent a wave of heat outwards, the corruption vanishing as Ilea’s armor vanished and reformed again. She smiled and went to the cleaned wounds and started healing, focusing on her task in all this.

____________________________

Maro watched in disbelief as the Elemental broke out of its glassed prison, his Wyverns turned to smoldering skeletons, those closer to the Trakorov completely turned to ash.

The wave of magic and sound crashed into the elf’s barriers, the front one cracking slightly before it recovered.

A roar resounded from behind him, Catelyn healed up, her eyes cold and her flames burning bright.

“Let’s finish this,” she said and lightly pushed away the healers. “King Maro,” she said and nodded at him, “Noble Elf.”

She flew ahead and looked back. “The rest, flee from here,” her voice was final, only the expedition leader doing a double take before he too nodded to her and teleported away as far as he could.

“We will stay close together,” she said and moved next to the elf. “This is your last chance to leave,” she added.

Maro gulped as he looked at the sand pouring out from between the glassed chunks floating in the air.

“Not an adventurer? Fuck that,” he said to himself and appeared on the elf’s left.

“Make it taste our curse, death and fire,” Catelyn said, her body growing a little more.

“It was an honor, to fight by your side,” Niivalyr said, his barriers shattering into a thousand shards that vanished a moment later.

Heat gathered between Catelyn’s paws as she growled, her eyes burning with rage and power.

Maro sighed lightly, spreading his arms as death magic spread through his veins.

The three of them sped up, flying towards the Elemental, raging as it slowly broke out of its shell.

Purple flames started burning around Maro as he channeled his mana into both his hands, forming an erupting flash of death magic that slammed into the Elemental a moment later, decay and death spreading as he pressed on with fear and excitement.

That damn woman, he thought with a light smile on his lips.

Chapter 421 Buried

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, double today to avoid the cliffhanger :). Next chapter on Wednesday. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 421 Buried

Ilea saw her companions in the distance, flying as a trio around the Elemental, fire and death crashing against the sand still half covered in a layer of glass.

“Any chance for another one of those?” Ilea asked the being, patching up its cut face. Even removing the corruption wasn’t easy with her ash, she couldn’t imagine actually fighting the monster.

Just don’t get hit by the Elemental, she thought and quickly checked her few notifications while she healed.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

Ilea kept her eyes on the Elemental as she flew close to the Trakorov’s face, her sphere informing her about the wounds. She continued with its legs, the creature yet to make another move.

The heavy breathing made her think the attack had exerted it more than she had expected. Granted, even she would have likely been vaporized in a direct hit of its spell. Both the Elemental’s survival as well as the partial glassing spoke for each of the creatures’ insane power.

It had certainly been the right decision to bring this one onto the field instead of trying to face the corrupted Elemental directly.

Another annoying hiss came from the creature as tendrils of sand burst out from various cracks, wiggling into the open and trying to pry away the glass.

Ilea was done with the monster’s legs and landed back on its head. “Ready for round two?” she asked, infusing her voice.

The Trakorov huffed before it looked up and roared.

Explosions of fire racked through the hovering sand, cut into by streams of death magic and cursed by the elf protecting the others with his barriers, projectiles occasionally crashing into them.

Ilea felt the heat build before a stream of lava entirely covered the sand, hissing sounds from both the heat and the Elemental reaching her moments later.

Fucking sound shit, she thought, healing her own ears and those of the Trakorov.

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

“I think that just made it more mad,” she said, watching a blob of sand break out and rush to the ground.

A ball of fire impacted the creature as well as another lava spell, both burning into the sand.

The flying glass prison covered in molten rock returned to being just that, crashing into the desert a moment later, shards and splinters spreading onto the thin field of glass that had formed near where the Trakorov had broken out of the ground.

The Elemental retained a similar form, moving over the glass surface as if it was slithering, its legs losing form with each attempted step, its wings uselessly flapping on its back. Sand burst through the cracks on the ground and from farther out, rebuilding the creature as it hissed, shrugging off the magic that crashed into its body.

“Come on, we have to keep it on the glass. Otherwise it will return to sand storm form,” Ilea said and blinked forward, pointing at the glassed area and the Elemental.

The behemoth huffed and followed, its steps building momentum, steam rising from its mouth, eyes focused on the enemy.

Ilea smiled and landed on its back, holding on with her limbs as they closed the distance.

____________________________

Niivalyr could barely hold his barriers against the Elemental’s sound magic, their group much closer now than they had been before.

“Distance!” Maro shouted, the three of them moving back as a plethora of sand projectiles and tendrils moved up from below.

Niivalyr formed a barrier below as they ascended. “It is charging…,” he said with a disbelieving voice.

The Trakorov was running, its massive claws and weight breaking the layer of glassed sand as if it was a tin sheet of ice formed over a pond.

“The Elemental cannot reach the desert,” Catelyn said and sent a ball of fire at the creature.

It hissed and blocked the spell, engulfed in fire as the blast further cracked the glass around it. The Elemental focused back on the Trakorov when it heard the roar, sand pouring in from all directions but its half formed body charging nonetheless.

“Is that… what is she doing?!” Catelyn exclaimed.

Niivalyr couldn’t keep the grin from his face when he spotted the ashen dot between the horns. “She is keeping it alive.”

“I was wondering where she was,” Maro said. “Come on, it’s far from over.”

___________________________

Ilea sent her own spears into the approaching projectiles, to both deflect them or slow them down at the very least.

The sand blades created by the Elemental mostly bounced off the Trakorov’s armor but some managed small cuts. Ilea herself wasn’t targeted, the Elemental focused entirely on the creature she was riding.

Sand both formed on its body, around it and came rushing through the cracks below as well as from farther out where the ground wasn’t glassed but remained a desert.

Ilea herself formed all the ash she could, building walls in front of her in the few seconds before the monsters impacted.

They crashed into each other with so much force, both were lifted up as Ilea was flung to the side and away from them, blinking up just before she hit the ground.

She watched the Trakorov bite into the Elemental’s shoulder as lava flowed from between its teeth. Sand spears cut into the monster from several sides, digging into its carapace and soon drawing blood.

Monstrous claws shredded into the sand, finding little purchase but shedding away corruption and hardened chunks nonetheless.

Ilea blinked again, using her Heart of Cinder to push and burn away the sand and corruption, healing specific wounds she deemed the most dangerous.

She used her wings and tail as well as her limbs to weave through the hundreds of projectiles and tendrils of sand that constantly formed and rained down, battering the carapace.

Lava covered half the Elemental but it wouldn’t be enough, more sand flowing in as well as simply forming out of thin air.

Ilea used Storm of Cinders too by now, pushing mana into the sand tendrils as she cut and healed, occasionally hit by a stray blade or tendril that she chose to ignore thank to her precognition.

Death magic and fire burned away at wounded parts or larger spikes of sand that burrowed into the powerful monster from below.

The Trakorov’s arms were getting caught in massive mounds of sand, building up and keeping them in place as it kept its tight grip around the Elemental’s shoulder with its jaws.

Ilea saw the white barriers form around the sand on its left arm, biting into the mound of sand to get it free.

She blinked away and charged her wings, forming an ashen drill as large as her own body in front of herself, adding ash to it until the density couldn’t get higher. Her wings charged, she made the whole thing spin around a solid base and charged.

Her flight speed accelerated before she slammed into the heavy mound of sand that kept the monster’s right arm locked down. Her resistance to the element made her push farther, her drill burrowing deep before it was stopped.

Enough to break through. Ilea blinked again before the sand around her closed, seeing with joy how the arm broke out and slashed into the Elemental’s head, biting deep into its body before it stopped.

She flew back and continued healing, cutting out corruption that seeped into the Trakorov as she charged her Heart of Cinder, keeping an eye on her resources.

Fire and Death magic assisted her continuously, wounds burnt out and ready to be healed, sand tendrils decaying before her eyes.

The Trakorov’s left hand had slammed into the Elemental’s side, the sand creature by now reverting to an undefined form as it slowly spread over its assailant.

__________________________

Maro dodged several projectiles coming his way, teleporting to avoid the last one as he charged another beam, aiming at the sand spikes forming below the large creature.

“It is about to devour the creature!” the elf shouted from a couple meters to his left, forming a barrier to block a series of attacks.

“Stop the sand!” Catelyn replied, forming a set of fireballs.

A wave of heat expanded out from the Trakorov, burning up the building corruption but only pushing back the sand for a moment, reforming quickly as it slowly covered its face, its arms completely stuck in the growing Elemental.

Explosions of fire bit into the encroaching sand.

“Closer!” Niivalyr said and teleported, appearing on the creature’s back, forming barriers that stopped the sand’s movement.

Maro nodded, teleporting in front of the elf as purple flames formed on his body. He slowly walked towards the sand and the Trakorov’s head.

“This territory I claim. Return to death,” he whispered as a ripple of magic flowed out, sapping the forces that animated the sand. “Law of Rhyvor,” the words spoken, he felt a large part of his mana leaving, the ripples of death magic flaring up in purple flames.

He smiled, seeing the effects of his new third tier bonus, the flames spreading as he continued to pour more mana into it, both arms outstretched.

“Get back!” the elf’s words reached him just when a tendril of sand snatched around his ankle.

His teleport failed as his eyes opened wide at the avalanche of sand breaking through his flames, as if they were the mere cinders of a bonfire.

A beam of death magic separated the tendril but half his body was already covered in sand. A fiery explosion sent heat over him and the sand, ripping out a chunk of sand as well as half his arm.

A hundred blades slashed through his armor, tendrils punching through his arms, his body exploding in purple flames as the spear about to pierce his head was blocked by the fire.

Still, his teleport failed and his last stand ability too would only last as long as he had mana, the Elemental slamming more blades into his defense every passing moment, only a small part of the sand decayed by his spells.

Maro struggled frantically, for each destroyed section of sand, the pressure of another increased threefold.

He coughed up blood, realizing that he was trapped, arms held up defensively as the sand covered him entirely.

A fitting end, challenging an Elemental, he thought, his sight blurring slightly.

A sudden blast of heat burned away the sand on his left, a dozen ashen limbs cutting between him and the sand, ripping him out before he impacted someone’s chest, nearly puking from the maneuvers that followed.

He saw the ashen tendrils moving behind them, suddenly vanishing entirely, as if plucked from existence. He couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, coughing up more blood as he felt something warm flow into him, something that protected him, kept him whole.

“Don’t pee your pants you old fart,” he heard a familiar voice say, an annoyance rising within him before it was quenched by the warm feeling.

______________________________

Ilea charged and flew as far away as she dared, pumping Maro full of healing magic that he simply ate up, his condition not improving much according to her spell. The wounds however did close and she knew that he would probably survive, having seen his ability several times already.

This time he had even been semi conscious, now passed out and drooling blood and slobber onto her armored chest.

She deemed the distance enough and chucked him onto a nearby rock. “Thanks for the assist, little one. Can you keep him safe for a while?” she asked the Fae that had appeared nearby, her wings charging already as she once again formed a drill and checked her Heart of Cinder. Not quite enough but with the next couple seconds she might have a chance.

She had hoped the Elemental at least somewhat retained its form but as it turns out it could just become fucking moving sand.

Protect!

She nodded to the Fae and sped up, covering the distance in mere seconds as she aimed right in front of where the Trakorov’s head would be.

The Elemental had covered a third of the other monster’s body by now, only marginally slowed down by the waves of heat it exuded as well as the shields and fire magic from Ilea’s teammates.

She suspected the Elemental had retorted to a tactic she herself would have deemed useful against the large lava breathing creature.

A heavy impact sent her burrowing into the sand, stopping a little past the Trakorov’s open maw. Fully surrounded by sand, Ilea started to use her reversed healing as well as her limbs to deliver Mana Intrusion spells.

Her eyes however were focused on the open maw, massive teeth still moving as more sand poured into the monster’s throat. She charged her wings again and reformed a drill, as large as she managed with the encroaching sand. She shot off as soon as they were charged, burrowing through the sand and into the Trakorov’s throat. Her second tier resistance allowed her to get through the sand rather easily, coming out at the other end.

“I really hope this pisses you off,” she said and aimed her hand at the corrupted sand that closed in from outside. Heart of Cinder, she sacrificed two thousand health and released the spell, a blinding light of heat and fire forming past her hand as the sand started pushing against her ash.

The fire burned deep, pushing the sand back just enough for her to briefly see the monster’s teeth before they were once more covered in sand.

Heat formed behind her as the muscles around her tensed. Cleaned the way, time to fuck off.

Her perception slowed down as she felt and saw the lava come to life behind her. She formed as much ash as she could in the fraction of a second, moving her arms, limbs and wings out to push against the restricting throat.

Right before the lava came, she made all her ash vanish and moved into a fetus position, activating her blink now that she wasn’t touching the monster anymore.

She appeared where her sphere had perceived nothing to be, twenty meters to the side of the Trakorov’s head, right when a wave of heat washed over her, singeing her skin as her ashen armor reformed, wings spreading behind her.

Ilea watched in anticipation as the sand started glowing a deep red, brightening quickly, the Elemental retreating away from the Trakorov before its insides were turned to glass.

A blob of sand remained, falling to the ground and slithering away before four white barriers formed around it. The Elemental was already adding to its form again within its newfound prison as the Trakorov collapsed, hitting the ground with a resounding crash as the glassed sand shattered, chunks and pieces rolling to the side.

Ilea blinked within the prison, spreading ash to mix it with the sand, her reversed healing flowing into the corrupted Elemental as she charged Absolute Destruction. She felt the powerful effects of Elfie’s curse, her ears popping when a hiss resounded from right next to her.

She could feel the presence, the frenzied elemental trashing against the cracking enclosure. It focused on her as soon as it felt the damage, ignoring the barriers for a moment.

Ilea saw the two white barriers outside, one below the Trakorov’s sideways lying head and one on top of it. Slowly, the elf steered the monster’s head towards his barriers, Catelyn landing on top of it as she charged a sphere of fire.

“Wake up!” Ilea shouted, infusing her voice as she felt her body punched through by the sand, her organs and bones shattered by the powerful creature. Her regeneration couldn’t keep up with the damage.

A smirk spread on her lips when she saw the Trakorov’s eyes open up behind her, its mouth opening just when Elfie opened his prison.

Ilea couldn’t blink but kept the Elemental’s attention on her, moving through the sand as she tried to get herself behind its form.

Flames erupted within the small confines, followed by a focused stream of lava that evoked a hiss from the corrupted creature.

Ilea held on, feeling her flesh and bones melt away, her instant healing recovering her body as the prison was filled with molten rock. The barriers exploded outwards and she felt herself being dragged away.

Elfie, she thought as her eyes reformed, everything below her neck missing entirely. Her instant regeneration made flesh and muscle explode from her head a moment later.

The elf who had held on to her hair was suddenly dragged down by the weight of her whole body, his robes melting and in flames as he rolled on the glass.

Ilea reformed her ashen armor and started healing the elf who was in a bad state, his skull and ears heavily damaged by the sound magic. The lava and heat had burned into his body too, enough to kill any lesser being.

No help of my perception there, she thought, deciding the initial hit of the lava wouldn’t have gotten her down to twenty five percent but the following stored explosion of heat and lava would have finished her off. Hard to say, with Niivalyr saving me, she thought and stood up, staggering as her ashen limbs formed behind her.

“You are… I saw you… reduced to a head!” the elf shouted, ripping off his partially melted steel mask as he coughed blood, barely able to stand up.

Is he really surprised? Ilea thought and saw his smile, right before he started laughing, more blood splattering on the glassed ground.

A ding resounded in her mind as she helped him stand up, healing mana still flowing into him. “A head is all I need,” she said jokingly, the elf recovering quickly.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Corrupted Sand Elemental – lvl 1483]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 336 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 337 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 338 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 339 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 340 – Five stat points awarded – One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 341 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 342 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 335 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 336 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 337 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 338 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 339 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 340 – Five stat points awarded – One third tier skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 341 – Five stat points awarded’

“Focus and stop healing me, heal that one,” Elfie said and pointed at the Trakorov, corruption pulsing from a variety of wounds. “Otherwise we have merely replaced one monster with the next.”

Chapter 422 Recovery

Chapter 422 Recovery

Ilea nodded immediately, blinking towards the Trakorov as she started cutting out large swaths of corruption, healing magic flowing into the creature. She found an injured Catelyn bleeding from a dozen wounds on her large body, coloring the glass below her in a crimson color.

Ilea kept one limb connected to the Trakorov, flying closer to the fox before she extended a limb to her as well, healing flowing into both of them.

Catelyn was barely conscious, her eyes without focus as she was dragged closer to Ilea, wounds closing.

She grabbed the massive fox by two tails and flew back to the Trakorov, continuing her corruption removal session.

Elfie joined her a moment later, still injured but helping nonetheless, his barriers ripping out as much corruption as they could.

Catelyn coughed and struggled against the ash before she realized what was happening. “W-” she coughed up blood as her form returned to normal, paws gripping the ashen limbs close to her. “We did it… we killed the Elemental,” her voice was rough.

“Yes. If we lose this one to the corruption, we will have failed nonetheless!” Niivalyr shouted, hissing as one of his barriers slipped off the carapace.

“Some fire would be helpful,” Ilea said to the fox, “I’m losing to the blood manipulation.”

Healing a creature this large with such an enormous health pool and hundreds of wounds wasn’t the same as keeping someone at her level of power alive.

Catelyn growled and changed form again, flames lighting up around her. “This isn’t how I intended to celebrate,” she commented and started burning into the spreading corruption.

They fought the spread for nearly twenty minutes, Elfie at one point leaving to grab Maro for additional help.

Ilea was slowly becoming a little nervous, the Trakorov’s condition not getting better.

When it huffed and opened its eyes, she thought they had lost it until her own eyes went wide. “Flee!” she shouted with her voice enhanced. She watched her friends teleport away as a wave of heat washed over her, the ashen armor reforming a moment later.

Ilea blinked on top of the Trakorov’s head as she continued healing the creature.

[Trakorov – lvl ????]

“Thought I lost you there,” she said and relaxed, her back leaning against one of the horns.

The creature huffed, tired and hurt, its eyes looking up before they closed.

Ilea smiled when the Fae appeared in front of her, gesturing at the scene around them before it twirled and bowed, giggling in her mind.

“Thanks for the intervention earlier,” Ilea said with a smile.

The creature tilted its head to the side and once again giggled, feigning ignorance.

“I should thank you too,” Maro said as he approached again, “Sure that thing won’t turn on us?”

The Trakorov opened one eye, making Maro jolt back, getting some distance again.

Ilea laughed and tapped the horn behind her. “This one is way to fucking slow to catch us. Nor are we anywhere near nutritious enough to gain its attention.”

“You’re very optimistic,” Maro said, floating closer again, arms crossed.

“I’m also making it up. You should leave before it returns to its full strength, I only trust that it doesn’t eat me or the Fae and even that is sketchy,” Ilea said.

The man nodded before he chuckled. “Thanks. I mean it,” his voice was serious again, no hint of ridicule audible.

“Oh? Did the close brush with death actually impact you?” Ilea asked.

“It’s not the first and I doubt it will be the last. This dungeon… has shown me some things,” Maro said.

“That you love fighting Elementals?” Ilea joked.

“It will be an epic tale, that is sure. My role in it will be a little bit more glorious than the truth too,” he said in his usual charm. “But it will be good…,” he paused, serious again as he stored his helmet and looked up at the warm light. “To leave it at telling stories. For a while at least,”

Ilea nodded. “I appreciate the help and I’m sure Catelyn and Elana do too. Just make sure not to stir up too much trouble wherever you go.”

He smiled and gave her a nod. “I will stir up some trouble. But I will take care of it myself, that I promise you. And if you ever need me, come for me. I won’t ever be able to pay back the debt I owe to you.”

“Live your life and don’t lose yourself to drugs and gambling. Help out when there’s trouble close by and stay loyal to your friends,” Ilea said, her face revealed as she smiled at him.

Maro chuckled. “How very noble and boring. Didn’t take you for an honorable knight.”

“I’m not. But I do care about those I consider friends,” Ilea said and played around with a dagger she formed out of ash. “Do that, Maro Invalar, former King of Rhyvor and I will see your debt as paid.”

He didn’t seem to be sure if he should take her seriously. Maro settled on a slight smile before he bowed, still floating. “It was an honor, to fight by your side, Ilea of Ash,” the man said with a commanding voice.

He looked up with a smirk.

Here we go, she thought and grabbed the handle of the dagger, aiming at him.

“I name you Knight of Rhyvor, the mos-” he moved his head to dodge the sloppily thrown dagger, the ash veering towards his face in the last moment.

The king laughed and vanished, flying up and away. “I’ll check on the survivors, hope they weren’t eaten by a bunch of scorpions in the meantime!” he shouted and waved.

Ilea nodded, looking at the Fae that was floating quietly.

It bowed. Knight.

“Oh come the fuck on!” she threw a ball of ash that vanished before it hit the creature.

It giggled and floated around before it landed on one of the horns.

“I too will join the expedition. What will you do?” Catelyn asked as she approached, a wary look on the Trakorov.

Elfie was next to her, his face uncovered.

“Have a moment, heal this monster and then, dunno. There were a bunch of resistances I still plan to get. As well as the rest of the layers,” Ilea said.

“The gate to the twenty first layer is located within the Trakorov’s cavern. We found no other way to proceed farther down. Do inform me should you find more corrupted beings, I won’t trust the sphere without making sure,” Catelyn said.

“Seems like a good idea. I’ll let you know if something shows up. Ilas still has his request, if he didn’t somehow die in the midst of all this,” Ilea added.

Catelyn nodded. “Do stay safe. May we… ask for your assistance on the nineteenth layer? The rest should be manageable for the survivors and us.”

“Of course, I will finish up here first and then join you. You should get some rest as well, Catelyn,” Ilea replied.

“Too much was revealed, too much yet undone. I will have to discuss with the council how we handle both the creators of this place as well as the corruption,” she said and sighed.

“Resistance training,” Ilea whispered.

“Yes, yes… it will be a headache to convince people but I see no other option to protect us against the possibility of another outbreak,” Catelyn said and sighed. “Thank you for the help, Ilea. Without you, this whole thing could have spread over all the lands we know.”

Ilea waved her off. “Wouldn’t have found a better place to train. Add it to my Hallowfort account,” she said.

“Your account?” the fox asked before she smiled and chuckled. “Very well, so it shall be. I’ve been thinking about a statue as well.”

“Under no circumstances-” Ilea started.

“Pure gold,” Elfie said. “It should be at least as tall as the one holding the city. Perhaps build another city entirely.” He smirked and looked at Catelyn.

The fox nodded. “Hmm, yes. Perhaps it can be arranged. Enough jokes now, there is much to be done. Thank you, again and do come let me know when you leave,” she said. “Niivalyr, you know where to find me.”

The elf nodded and watched her go.

“It is a shame, truly. To have saved one such as you and yet my debt remains in your favor,” he said with a light smirk.

Ilea laughed, summoning one of Keyla’s meals and starting to eat. “We are friends now, Elfie. Helping each other out is what we do.”

“A naive and simple human notion,” he said and approached. “It will be useful to have you by our side.”

“You want me to help with the dungeon?” she asked between bites, summoning another meal and moving it towards the elf on an ashen tablet.

“Thank you. No, not yet at the very least. We have much to learn and while it would be simple to rely on your power, we should focus on increasing our own. For now at least, I do believe our sense of pride is leading to more problems than it is solving them. This is however not the only Taleen dungeon, not by far. And it is our fight, not yours.” he said, summoning a fork.

“However it would be helpful for you to introduce me to the one named Isalthar,” the elf added.

“Sure. I can get you when I go back south,” Ilea said.

He held up a hand. “There is no rush. I shall be grateful for a meeting in the next six months, the earlier the better of course.”

“Of course. Thanks for helping out with this Niivalyr and for saving my life,” she said.

The elf bowed. “It is not solely for you that I have joined this quest. As to saving your life… I have a notion that you would have survived anyway.”

“We will never know,” Ilea said and took another bite, smiling at the elf.

“You could ask it for help, to answer that question,” he said and put on another steel mask. “I will return with the survivors and let you… finish with this,” he gestured at the general vicinity.

That might be a helpful test. Lava Magic Resistance is on the list anyway, Ilea thought and nodded, waving at the elf as he departed.

Still plenty to look over, she thought and checked the notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

Should probably keep fighting powerful beings like that for a while until my skills max again. In case of an evolution at four hundred.

She thought about the seventy stat points and decided to invest them into Vitality and Wisdom. Most going towards the latter.

Her third tier points went into the remaining skills each class had left.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 1

Huntress turned Sentinel. Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings as well as the ambient mana to find clues about your target’s whereabouts.

2nd stage: You gain a sense for the distress in the people around you. Amplify this by sacrificing mana.

3rd stage: Through Azarinth magic, you may mark an enemy or ally with the Sentinel Mark. Allies may use the stored mana to signal The Azarinth Sentinel. Each level in the third tier adds an additional mark that can be used. Marks forcefully applied have a limited duration.

Category: Body Enhancement

Interesting. What exactly does it do though? I’ll have to test that later. Don’t want to mark the Fae with something I don’t understand yet.

One mark per third tier level? Meaning right now it’s limited to one. And an ally can signal me? Ilea was pretty happy about that. It might be able to solve the long range communication problem her and Claire had. She would of course be the one to bear her first mark, in case Ravenhall required her presence.

The people she met in the north could take care of themselves, most of them at least. Claire isn’t exactly the weakest person either but other than a select few, I think I outclass most Shadows by now, she thought with a smile.

If it worked with no range limitations, the skill just skyrocketed in her list of useful abilities, even though she had thought about replacing it with another buff from time to time. Her classes continued to be immensely poor when it came to new skills.

Ilea smiled and leveled her last remaining class skill to the third tier.

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 3rd lvl 1

Increases your perception by 50.5% [404%] when fighting without a weapon.

2nd stage: Effects apply with weapons as well. Opportunity calls, you notice possible critical weak points on enemies with more ease.

3rd stage: Your eyes are vastly improved. Great distances and a lack of light won’t pose a problem to you anymore.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Ilea instantly noticed the change, everything both close and far turning immediately more sharp. It felt like upgrading from a flip phone to the newest smart phone, both screen quality and camera.

This is fucking weird, she thought and closed her eyes after a couple seconds. She could see the individual sand kernels a hundred meters away, could see the distant form of Elfie, flying at great speed. The intricate designs on the back of his armored robe, the damage to the fabric on his right shoulder.

Guess I’m an eagle now, she thought and focused on herself again, her own hands. Even at such a short range, it made her nearly nauseous. She closed her eyes again and decided to use her sphere as her primary perception until she got used to the change.

The Fae sat down on her shoulder as soon as Elfie had left.

“It’s going to take a while to heal our new friend here, sure you want to wait?” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded.

Training?

“Sure,” Ilea said and made an ashen Fae to play with the little guy, deactivating her armor and resistance to let it damage her eyes. Her Azarinth Perception was ready in case the Trakorov tried to burn her to a crisp for no reason.

Ilea played around with her interface, looking through her stats and skills as she let the Fae destroy her eyes, using her reconstruction to heal the Trakorov.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 342

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 20

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 25

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 23

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 16

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 7

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 22

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 15

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 341

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 21

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 20

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 12

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 13

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 14

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 18

General Skills:

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 5

- Heavy Archery – lvl 5

- Identify - lvl 10

- Meditation – 2nd lvl 20

- Monster Hunter – lvl 15

- Veteran – 2nd lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 17

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 15

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Fear Resistance – lvl 10

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Lava Magic Resistance – lvl 10

- Light Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lightning Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 2nd lvl 17

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 2nd lvl 9

- Poison Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Soul Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Space Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 10

- Void Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 811

Endurance: 400

Strength: 510

Dexterity: 415

Intelligence: 735

Wisdom: 900

Health: 8002/8110

Stamina: 4000/4000

Mana: 7829/9000

Could write a book with all that soon.

Chapter 423 Friends?

Chapter 423 Friends?

She was glad she had waited with the last two skills, surprised she was actually much more interested and excited about her Huntress ability instead of Eyes of Ash. The latter would surely be useful as soon as she got used to it but right now it was more of a distraction.

Eight general skills maxed out and still nothing about the third tier, she thought. It wouldn’t hurt getting more levels either way so she would continue to do so. Resistances against various schools of magic would give her an edge against many opponents, the higher level the better.

Another ten minutes passed until the creature was healed up, most of its heavier injuries already dealt with before the others had left.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

Repaying the Trakorov with a heal was the least she could do. Another level to her space magic resistance was just the cherry on top.

She spread her wings and jumped off the head, turning around to see the monster’s eyes opening slowly. “Thanks again and see you around!” she shouted and bowed before waving at the creature.

It simply kept its eyes on her but didn’t move, closing them again as soon as she was a little farther away.

By now her bone armor had regenerated as well. It was by no means bad equipment but against creatures beyond level six hundred, it just didn’t hold up.

The survivors were waiting near the facility, a couple dead worm creatures and a bunch of blood and corruption telling another small tale.

She landed with all eyes on her, waving at the group. Most of the lower leveled ones were apprehensive at least, some outright terrified.

Ilea moved her ashen armor to her back but found the reaction not changing much.

“You made it. How is the Trakorov?” Catelyn asked as she approached in her normal sized form.

“Grumpy? Not sure. I’ll check on it again at some point soon, met some worms?” Ilea said and summoned one of the glass containers, harvesting orange goo into them from the rather massive corpses lying around. Nobody commented on her ashen helmet covering her eyes.

“Venekov and the rest managed to fend them off. Barely,” Catelyn said, giving a nod to the masked dark one.

“This dropped from the Elemental by the way. I didn’t want to show it so close to the Trakorov,” Catelyn added and held out a fist sized sphere swirling with sand.

“Looks cool, what does it do?” Ilea asked, taking the sphere as it was handed to her.

[Elemental Tear – Ancient Quality] – [Allows storage of one ton of sand]

“Uuh, nice one,” Ilea said and handed it back. “Would be useful if it was ash.”

“We thought you should have it, considering the contribution,” Catelyn said.

[Mage – lvl 334]

She benefited quite a bit as well, Ilea thought with a smile.

“Ah, I’m fine. Give it to a sand mage in Hallowfort or sell it to fund something useful. I’ve gotten plenty out of this place,” she said with a smile.

“Thank you. We will put the value to good use,” the fox said and bowed lightly.

“Do you want to leave immediately or catch up on some sleep?” Ilea asked.

“Sleep would be good but most everyone here prefers to rest within one of the staircases further up compared to here. I count myself among them,” Catelyn said with a weak smile.

“Then let’s go up. I’ll take care of the Deep Mirage,” she said and nodded to the waiting group, wary and tired, with damaged and broken gear. “As soon as I filled these containers,” she added, putting another chunk of corrupted flesh into the glass.

Ilea filled three containers with corrupted material before she led the survivors and her team towards the exit of the twentieth layer.

Most of them were rather dejected, considering the failure of the expedition and all the losses they had incurred. They avoided looking at the four people that had come and saved them, out of shame or fear. Wearing masks and helmets helped in that regard.

Ilea didn’t mind either way. She came to destroy the corruption and to help out a friend. It was nice that the healer girl and Hana had survived but she didn’t know the rest of them and cared little for a group that thought this endeavor had made any sense.

She understood that not everyone was about to fight things that could kill them but to sneak past in the hopes of treasure? In the north? Then again you are a little weird, getting a kick out of being in danger constantly, she thought, deciding to let it be.

The implications from the sphere and the dubious purpose of this facility still left her a little on edge but in the end it simply confirmed the existence of powerful beings or people moving pieces in the background. Nothing too surprising, really.

Ilea wasn’t about to hunt them down but she would have some questions about the corruption at the very least.

“Ilas,” she called out, the dark one flying over to her before he bowed.

“Your plan worked. Impressive, truly,” he said.

Ilea chuckled and looked him over. “You don’t sound very elated.”

“It is… no, I am glad, that we… you have defeated the corruption. Yet the closer I come to my own goal, the more it is… difficult, to be confronted with my failure.”

“We’ll be done with it quickly then. Tell me again what you need help with and where,” Ilea said, the group now walking into the tunnel leading to the nineteenth layer.

“The seventeenth layer… the spirits are protecting a facility that me and… Cynthia, an old friend, explored with the help of two people I will not name. We had reason to believe there to be immeasurable treasure but all we found was a monster too powerful for us to beat,” the man explained.

“What was it?” Ilea asked.

Ilas looked around them and intensified his spell that seemed to block off their conversation. “A Vampire. A man, human once perhaps but turned and corrupted into a being with unending thirst for blood.”

“Oho… that does sound interesting! Don’t you think, little guy?” she said, glancing at the Fae.

It nodded, listening as if it understood every word.

Ilea didn’t doubt that it did.

“Cynthia… she remained within the facility, one of her summoned animals dragging me out, injured and bleeding. I care not for the Vampire but if anything of her remains, I want it.”

“We’ll see. I can fight the Vampire and see if I can win. Otherwise I’ll distract it for a as long as I can while you search for any remains, though with all the legends about them, I doubt there is much to be found,” Ilea said.

“I agree… it is wistful thinking and still, it has remained with me for all this time. I have never come this close. I would give you everything, Ilea, for your help,” Ilas said and bowed deeply.

“You’re weirding me out mate, stand up. I already told you I’d help. I’d also like to see a Vampire. It’s not a four mark, is it?”

He looked up and shook his head. “Three but it was powerful, more so than the scorpions and worms on the twentieth layer.”

“Good, then I’ll be worth the challenge. Just follow the expedition up to the seventeenth level and wait for me,” she said.

“Are you not traveling with us?” the Dark One asked.

“The Sprites on the eighteenth layer have a problem with my little friend here. It would be dangerous for us to come through there with you.”

Ilas shook his head. “No, we have a lot of illusion and hiding spells. They did not even notice us with only my spells, I doubt it would be a problem.”

Ilea wasn’t sure. “What do you think?” she asked her companion.

Dangerous

“I think so too,” Ilea nodded. “Know what? If you want to come back for us, then maybe we can try but I don’t want to be responsible for the death of everyone here. Especially after they were finally rescued.”

Responsibility

Me

“No,” Ilea said to the Fae, “They made me their enemy to get to you. I doubt they’d ignore me if I showed up alone. It’s not the point either way, fuck those sunbeam shitheads.”

“I will come back and hide you two,” Ilas said, sounding positively elated.

“If they attack, you flee, alright?” Ilea suggested and watched him nod.

“Great, then let me meet my sand monster friend and you guys move past a couple minutes later,” Ilea said. Sleep does sound nice at this point.

“Cat! I’m going in, I’ll send the Fae as soon as the creature is distracted… fly high and fast,” she shouted to the fox who was talking to two of the dark ones.

Catelyn nodded. “Stay safe!”

“I hope not,” Ilea replied and vanished, appearing twenty meters into the sand covered layer as she spread her wings and started flying through the area.

“Can you tell if there is more than one?” she asked the Fae.

It shook its head.

“Well, then we’ll just have to f-” she said and felt the drain magic activate, coming closer in a rapid pace.

“There you are!” she said and waved at the general vicinity from where the magic came.

Sand tendrils formed on the ground before they fell down again, the head of the Deep Mirage popping out and looking at them.

Ilea formed an ashen clone and added spears as she lazily flapped her wings.

The creature vanished in the sand as a giggle resounded, sand spears flying up a moment later.

“Can you go inform the others?” Ilea asked her companion.

The Fae nodded and vanished, leaving her to play with the creature. Should I really just leave you down here? I mean you would kill everyone I know but it seems kind of lonely. It felt like playing with a happy yet malicious dog that bled you dry of life at the same time.

A dilemma really. Because it was still kind of like a dog.

____________________________

“Do you think she abandoned us?” one of the dark ones asked in a whisper.

Jonna looked over but didn’t comment on it. She could see Catelyn and the two others that had come for them standing near the exit. The necromancer that looked human and the elf. Both terrified her. At least with the fox, she knew it was on Hallowfort’s side.

A wonder she didn’t kill us back then. I can’t believe it’s even the same person.

“She is merely a puppet of the Spirit of Old… trust me, there’s a reason she is always covered in ash,” one of them said.

“I think the Spirit is her prisoner. She uses it to become more powerful. How else do you think she got down here? I bet she’s negotiating with the creature ahead, to let herself pass safely,” the first one said again.

“Stop talking nonsense. The human came to save us and she fought the Elemental. Without her we would be dead,” a mage spoke up.

“You really believe she’s human?” one of them spoke. “What do you think?” the being suddenly looked at Jonna.

She looked for a reply but couldn’t think of anything, stuttering a little before Hana stepped in front of her.

“I fought her, some time ago. She is human and she came to save us. And she won’t abandon us, believe me,” just when she said that, the Fae appeared within the tunnel.

It looked otherworldly, beautiful and ancient. Jonna couldn’t believe it was only level one hundred and yet she saw it. The white eyes focused on her for a moment before they moved past.

Safe

Careful

It sent thoughts into her mind as if it was the most normal thing.

Jonna had experienced telepathy before but this was different. She couldn’t quite place in what way.

“See,” Hana said with a grin. “Ilea isn’t our enemy.”

Jonna wasn’t so sure about that. At least the woman hadn’t killed them, not when they confronted her and Austin and not now. Even with the mistrust Jonna had for other humans in the north, she trusted Ilea, if only to a certain length. It helped that she was a healer too and fought offensively.

______________________________

“She wasn’t kidding,” Catelyn said with a chuckle as they slowly flew past, several spells in effect to keep them somewhat hidden.

They could see the ferocious battle in the distance, ash and sand intertwining to create a chaotic and deadly battlefield.

“Should we not help her?” Venekov asked.

Catelyn shook her head and kept flying forward. “You would only get in the way. If this creature did not manage to kill us, it won’t even leave a scratch on her.”

“No it will, just not for long,” Maro commented as he too watched the raging battle.

The Fae had left them again to join Ilea.

It really got close to her, it seems. I hope it will not pose an issue. Many would kill to get their hands on a Fae.

Catelyn felt anger rise within her chest. It would be a grave crime to attack either one of the two. One a revered being of old, ancient and powerful, the other the bringer of cake.

She hadn’t gotten her fill yet but it wasn’t time yet to relax and to celebrate. If she knew Elana, there was plenty of trouble waiting for her even without the information they had found within the Descent.

Let us at least hope she hasn’t started a war, she thought with a grin. It had been such a joy to work with the human but her goals and methods needed some adjustment. It had been too early to leave her alone with the town but Catelyn trusted her capabilities more than anybody else in the council. With the Dark Protector, the Feynor, the corruption and now potentially even the Ascended, capable rulers were preferable to anyone else.

_______________________

Ilea took her time, training with the Mirage for over an hour as she got used to her new eyes, learning that she could change the sharpness a little. She finally waved her goodbyes, leaving as she twirled through the air, guiding the last projectiles towards her unprotected body.

“Do you think it will be lonely?” Ilea asked, glancing back at the head looking after her.

Negative

“No? What makes you think that?” she asked.

Aggressive

Predator

Malicious

“Doesn’t mean it can’t be lonely,” she retorted.

The Fae giggled in her mind.

Simple

“The creature itself is simple?” she asked and saw it nod. “I will believe you on this but only because it makes myself feel better.”

Truth

“Well you could be lying about that too,” Ilea said.

The creature tilted its head to the side, apparently confused with the suggestion.

Truth.

“Alright, no need to get violent. Humans constantly say they’re truthful and then it turns out they were lying,” she said.

Fae, it pointed at itself.

“Are you saying Fae don’t lie?” Ilea asked.

The creature nodded.

She tapped it slightly and smiled. “That’s exactly what a liar would say!”

The Fae groaned in her mind before it shook its head.

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

Slowly getting there.

“I was thinking, third tier general skills… how many second tier skills do I need to level to the highest point before I can advance them?” she asked her companion as she flew towards the exit.

The Fae giggled in her mind, tapping its chin before it tilted its head.

Fae

Liar

It shrugged and looked away.

“Really? You’re insulted?” she asked and laughed.

The Fae giggled again.

Ten

“Ten?” she asked, slowing down a little.

Ten.

“Ten general skills at the max to get third tier skills?” Ilea asked.

The Fae shrugged.

Maybe

“You’re just as uncertain as everybody else. How is this not common knowledge,” Ilea sighed.

Rare

Human

Variable

“I know I’m a rare human with different abilities. Just thought there would be some rules in place,” she said.

Rules

Yes

Human

Rare

“I see. So you know about other creatures?” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded.

“I’m also feeling like you’re talking more. Maybe you might actually grace me with a full sentence at some point,” she suggested with a smile.

No

“No? Why not?”

Rules

“I see. Rules by magic or rules by your king? Queen? Collective? Magic brain?”

The Fae nodded but didn’t specify.

Ilea could tell the creature wasn’t too keen on talking about the topic, likely because there were other rules or there was more of a reason for it to have found its way into the Descent than a weird curiosity. Could be that the higher up Fae were fascist.

“What about writing? Any loopholes like that?” she asked.

It shook its head.

“Alright, I’ll stop,” Ilea said with a smile. “Do you want to go up to the surface with the others? Or join me as I fight the Vampire and explore more of this place?”

The Fae thought about it for a moment before it pointed at her.

Join?

“I don’t mind you hanging out. As long as you don’t get yourself in unnecessary danger. Like using your magic to stop an Elemental’s attacks. Something like that would be ridiculous,” she said.

The Fae giggled again before it hugged her armored face.

Chapter 424 Regen powers

Chapter 424 Regen powers

The two of them joined up with the others a couple minutes later, finding them within the stairwell that led up towards the eighteenth layer where the Elder Sun Sprites were surely already waiting for Ilea’s return.

Most of the survivors were already asleep, completely exhausted from the high stress and near death experience they had to endure for over a month. They had known what they were getting themselves into but certainly underestimated the ridiculous endeavor.

Then again, without the corruption they might have actually succeeded. Weren’t as lucky as me to find treasuries left and right and instead finding a deadly blood manipulation agent.

“You made it,” Catelyn said, still awake.

“It was very close. Nearly died,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“I can imagine,” Catelyn said in the same voice.

Elfie hissed and turned away in his terribly overdressed bedroll.

“Didn’t tell me you were royalty,” Ilea whispered his way.

“I simply have a sense for dignity,” the elf whispered back.

“He hates sarcasm,” she said to the fox. “You should get some sleep, you look rather spent.”

“You first. I don’t need much and while I’ve been awake as long as you have, I didn’t exactly fight as much.”

Ilea smiled. “True. You could join, cuddling is nice,” she said and summoned her bed into the corner of a flat area in the stairwell.

“Enough rumors will spread as it is, no reason to add more. I am a council member of Hallowfort,” Catelyn replied.

Ilea stored her bone armor and added an ashen blanked to her armor, enjoying the soft mattress and pillow below. “Your loss,” she said and closed her eyes, out in a moment.

She woke to a tapping of her nose, the Fae standing on the bed and in front of her face.

Sleepyhead

Ah, a victim presents itself, Ilea thought and slowly reached out with her ash, wrapping the creature up in a small blanket before she dragged it closer. It wasn’t exactly big enough to cuddle but she still held it in her arms and relaxed.

Confusion, the thought wasn’t exactly sent to her, more a general statement the creature sent out.

“Sssh, it’s warm and you feel like a Galaxy,” Ilea said, not finding a better word at the moment. She saw the rest of the camp packing up, someone waking up a grumpy fox sleeping on a comfortable looking little bed.

“Four hours have passed, human,” Niivalyr said as he stepped up to her bed.

“Go ahead, we need to wait anyway. Tell Ilas to get me here once you’re through,” Ilea whispered.

“And here I thought you powerful. To lose to the lull of sleep, of all thi-” a hiss interrupted him.

“Leave, elf. I will find you when the time has come,” Ilea whispered, seeing many of the Dark Ones frozen by her enhanced voice but she didn’t care.

“Very well,” he said and bowed. “Apologies.”

She waved him off with an ashen arm that grew outwards from her blanket. A giggle resounded in her mind.

The survivors didn’t make a single noise as they passed, various clues for a wide range of emotions graspable within her sphere before she was about to doze off again.

“I’ll probably be near Riverwatch if that’s alright with you,” Maro spoke, only him and Catelyn remaining.

Ilea nodded.

“Come visit some time and don’t get yourself killed. Not for a long while at least,” he added and bowed. “Knight of Rhyvor.” He vanished when the last word left his mouth.

Ilea just smiled and cuddled the Fae closer.

“Visit us whenever you are around and have time,” Catelyn said, floating next to the bed as she eyed the two.

Ilea nodded again.

The fox left, looking back once more before she vanished.

Envy, the Fae giggled.

I know. My bed is awesome, she thought and fell asleep.

Ilea woke up the instant Ilas appeared within her sphere. She had slept much longer than necessary but after all the fighting and healing, she really enjoyed the nap. Several hours didn’t really constitute as a nap but Ilea didn’t support such restrictions.

Everything beyond an hour was a nap because her body simply didn’t need more, even after days and weeks. She hadn’t tested it in a while.

I hope I never get a sleep resistance, she thought and sat up, tapping the Fae that she was pretty sure just acted asleep.

Ilas bowed and waited.

She put on her bone armor and extended her ashen one above before she got up and stored her bed again. Her necklace had the benefit of storing the warmth of the bed as well. Still, she would have to let it air out soon. Not using it nearly enough anyway.

“So. Ready for your little adventure?” she asked the ancient guardian of the first layer.

He nodded. “It is the only purpose left to me,” he said with conviction.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Come on, you’re nearly at level three hundred. You will live a long time as it is, don’t get overly dramatic on me now. Even if we succeed, there’s plenty of purpose you can find.”

“I… I will think about that once it is done. Come then, let me shroud you against the creatures awaiting above,” Ilas said and activated his spell.

The Fae returned to her shoulder.

Violence!, it conveyed with a hand thrust forward.

“Sure. Oh, before I forget. Don’t intervene in the fight if I don’t ask you to,” Ilea said to the Dark One.

“Of course. I have no interest in the resulting experience, only in the creature’s demise,” he replied.

“I thought you wanted to get the remains out?” Ilea said.

“That as well. And yet I cannot deny a wish to see it destroyed,” he said.

Ilea just nodded, the group coming up on the eighteenth layer.

The shroud remained over them as they floated down to the surface, keeping around half a meter above ground.

Ilea kept her eyes on the floating Sun Sprites, their forms barely distinguishable in the distance.

Fifteen tense minutes later, they entered the stairwell leading up to the seventeenth layer, undiscovered and unbothered. Ilea was almost a little disappointed.

“No violence,” she murmured.

The Fae nodded but gently caressed her armored cheek.

Ilas just glanced at them briefly before he continued, his spell still active. “The Spirits that roam this layer are hostile to those moving closer to the facility. My shroud will keep them unaware. We found that they do not enter the facility itself.”

“Good to know. Anything practical you can tell me about the vampire?” Ilea asked.

“It was brutal, fast and strong but none of that is surprising with a level above five hundred. I am somewhat sure mind magic was involved as well. We could not injure it back then, one of my companion’s summons dragging me out as the rest stalled the creature. It… is rather tall as well. If you can beat it…,” Ilas said.

“I’ll try. You search through as much as you can. Also, remember… tell me all you know right now, as well as any hidden intentions. If they’re there. I will come for you if you are deceiving me,” she said.

“I would not dare lie to the one offering to free me of this burden. I swear it, on all that I am,” Ilas said and bowed deeply.

Trust, the Fae said.

“Let’s see what that thing is about then,” Ilea said, motioning for him to lead the way, shrouded and hidden.

The Spirits didn’t see them, dozens of them floating close to the facility that came into view ten minutes later.

Ilas’ hiding spell really highlighted how the expedition managed to get through all these dangerous creatures.

Ilea wasn’t sure about the utility though. If a huge treasure waited behind the monster, then maybe but at this point fighting the creatures was the main thing she was looking for.

She looked at her hands, blinking a couple times as she watched the minuscule changes and movements in her own ash. She felt it too, had felt it long before but now she saw it as well. It was a little weird but Ilea slowly got used to her eyes.

It probably feels similar to near blind people getting their eyes lasered. Here in Elos the best way to get rid of medical issues is to level up.

All my skills are in the third tier now. I wonder what happens if I reach level three fifty.

“Time will tell,” she whispered to herself as they entered the facility through a heavily damaged steel gate.

Ilea immediately noted the smell of dried blood and rot. The remains scattered in the broad hallway leading into the structure of steel only added to the grisly atmosphere.

“You came through here?” Ilea asked. “When was that?”

“Over ten years ago. We did come through here and went into the first side corridor we could find. The creature found us, tracked our steps and even my magic could not deceive it,” Ilas whispered.

“Then I’ll just walk in and confront it, you search through the place,” Ilea said.

“You do not want my help?” Ilas asked.

“If it’s too much for me, I doubt your assistance would make much of a difference and in that case, you will have more time to search. I will send the Fae to find and warn you in case I have to retreat, that ok with you two?” Ilea asked.

Agreement

“Thank you,” Ilas said and stepped closer to the wall, shrouded in shadow before he nearly vanished.

Ilea could still tell him apart from the wall with her eyes but she wasn’t sure if that was due to her newfound third tier skill. Her sphere could spot him too, although more an absence of something. Even so far in the north, Eve isn’t bested. A shame, really.

Sad?, the Fae sent.

“I’m alright. Come on, let’s see what this Vampire can do,” she said and kept walking, keeping her skills and buffs active.

There were cadavers from a variety of creatures down here, most reminding her of species found within the close layers both up and down. It hunts, she noted.

A slight grin spread on her lips as she felt the hairs on her back stand up. She couldn’t hear or see anything but she felt a faint presence. Something stalking her.

“I want you to get to safety as soon as that thing attacks,” Ilea said, nodding to the Fae on her shoulder.

The creature started floating next to her and nodded back.

Close

“I feel it too, my young padawan,” Ilea said, not caring much about the noise her steps produced.

Other than the smell and rot, the facility looked similar to others they had found within the Descent. Machines and runed tables of unknown purpose decorating many of the rooms.

She reached a rather spacious hallway, making sure the enemy was still nearby as she focused on the feeling. A combination perhaps of her Sentinel Huntress, her sphere and all her other enhanced senses combined. It would make her feel quite shit if it turned out Ilas had been slaughtered while she was aimlessly strolling about.

There was writing on one of the walls in the spacious area, as well as an altar holding burnt down candles and smelly artifacts.

She rolled her eyes and looked up at the writing. It wasn’t a language she knew but the cliche was almost perfect. All we’re missing is a goblin in the walls playing one of those weird steel instruments to create scary noises.

Ilea wasn’t caught off guard when something jumped at her from the ceiling, both her sphere and precognition reacting long before the creature got to her.

She blinked to the other end of the room and looked at the monster that landed with graceful dexterity. Its whole presence screamed danger.

Ilea watched as it turned, a distorted human body that looked elongated and unnatural. Its jaw was unhinged, all teeth sharp and long, the canines ridiculously broad and near fully covered in dried blood.

Its eyes were black, thin vertical slits showing some red color between. Black greasy hair and a beard of the same color accentuated the pale skin. While rather thin, the body looked powerful nonetheless, wiry muscle visible below the shreds of red, white and gold that remained of its garb.

It reached nearly three meters in height, both hands and feet equipped with sharp but somewhat short nails.

[Starving Vampire – lvl ???]

Its tongue moved out of its open maw, too large and full of teeth to close. It looked like an arm made of flesh.

“Ew, holy shit tuck that back in mate.” Ilea said and looked at the creature. “Any intelligence left in there?” she asked and summoned a couple chunks of meat, throwing them at the monster.

It completely ignored them, its eyes focused entirely on her.

“Didn’t think that would work but I suppose it’s wo-” she said, stepping to the side when the Vampire appeared and slashed at her.

Sharp nails brimmed with magic as a thin line of blood formed in front of them, cutting into the steel behind where she had stood.

That’s some absurd range, five or six meters, Ilea thought and jumped back, attacking with her ashen limbs that could reach even farther.

She felt a sudden push against her mind as the creature rushed her, with speed higher than herself.

Her Mental Resistance reduced the attack to a slight pain that healed quickly, Ilea jumping past the steel beams and machinery in the hall as the Vampire cut through it, close behind.

Ilea was surprised to find her ash actually managed to cut the skin, rather deep as well but glancing off the bone whenever she got that far. The less surprising thing was that the wounds healed nearly as quickly as her own did.

This is going to take a month, she thought, still smiling as she continued to dodge. If anything, it would be good for her skill levels.

This thing was made for hunting, efficient and quick movements and deadly magic at its disposal. She was sure Ilas’ team only survived because it liked playing with its prey. Or they managed to surprise it with something.

She was pretty sure the dark one hadn’t made a fool of himself and lied to her. She would beat him to death with whatever treasure he had found. No, his emotion had felt true and he had stuck with them throughout the whole adventure, despite the dangers.

Ilea found herself unable to dodge the next attack, deciding to take it as her own fist smashed into the creature’s stomach.

Five lines of blood slashed into her ash, digging deep but not penetrating to her second set of armor.

“That all you got?” she asked, her voice enhanced as her ash reformed.

The creature looked at her before its mouth opened a tiny bit more, nearly imperceptible.

She dodged to the side when it bit down, her body somehow dragged towards the open mouth.

Fuck that, she thought and blinked, her skill only bringing her a little further away before the teeth bit into her outstretched arm covered in ash.

She immediately felt her health draining, a deep cold spreading into her body and mind. Its clawed hands dug into her sides as she charged Absolute Destruction.

The drain was already slowing down and she identified the rest as a combination of mind magic and blood manipulation. It had dug into her flesh, its teeth grinding against her arm’s bones.

The draining sucks, added to the self recovery it already has.

“You’re nearly as annoying as I am,” she said with a smile, sacrificed five hundred health and slammed her fist into its head, a thousand points of destructive mana spreading into it with an added side of heated embers.

The Vampire was ripped away from her arm, chunks of flesh and muscle leaving with him before he stumbled away a couple steps.

Ilea healed her arm, her ashen armor covering the spot immediately as well as the wounds on her sides. She stepped to the middle of the room and started charging her Heart of Cinder, sixteen ashen limbs fanning out, ready to deliver destructive mana into the monster.

It recovered and went on all fours, glaring at her as it hissed. For the first time in their short battle did it look at her with apprehension.

Ilea looked at her arm before she crouched, “Let’s see who has the better recovery.”

Dozens of hits were exchanged in the next seconds, Ilea having a considerably easier time dodging the blood magic of the Vampire than it had against sixteen moving ashen limbs.

Destruction didn’t come into play often but Storm of Cinders continued to burn into the creature, each hit dealing a little more damage, continuing to rip away any defenses it had against mana intrusion.

Her impression had been right, the Vampire had even played with her at first. Its blood magic claws now dug deep into her flesh, easily penetrating her ashen armor whenever it managed to get in a hit.

The mental pressure too continued to increase but still nothing that would knock her out for even a moment.

Neither of them showed any lasting wounds, their recovery enough to stitch together any cuts and heal any bruises formed from the constant attacks.

The Vampire was wary about biting her, having learned of the consequences earlier, now mostly dodging her attacks and using its broad strikes with long range to counter her.

There was a short lull in their frenzy when the creature nearly cut through her neck, Ilea blinking away to heal the wound, covering it up with ash a split second later.

The creature hissed, standing up as it glared at her.

Neither of them looked any different than before.

“Yeah, we’re going to be here for a while,” she said with a smirk, glancing at the floating Fae above as she heard the giggle. She spread her wings to avoid the floor, wet with their mixed blood and charged.

Chapter 425 Creature of the Night

Chapter 425 Creature of the Night

Ilea reformed her arm as she jumped back, watching the Vampire devour the limb it had managed to rip off.

Its recovery seemed to have no bounds, and neither did her own. The ground was covered in blood, chunks of flesh as well as a couple of her own limbs.

She hadn’t managed to get through his bones but by now Ilea was pretty sure she wouldn’t have to.

Her own mana intrusion spells had been reduced to the occasional Storm of Cinders to preserve mana. She wouldn’t hesitate to use her full power if it decided to grab her again but the creature was even more wary now.

It looked at her, stopping its assault as it too seemed to be focused on recovering lost mana and health.

Barely a minute had passed but hundreds of blows had been exchanged. Enough to kill the same amount of normal humans, leveled below fifty perhaps.

It was both terrifying and thrilling. To face a creature like that and live. Not just that but to make it stop and reconsider her.

I can recover, let’s see if it can too, she thought and moved eight of her limbs around each arm, intertwining the spikes at the end right on her fists. She blinked close, coming face to face with the creature as she slammed her fist into its chest.

It clawed into hers in turn, its left arm cutting into her leg, getting a third of the way into her bone.

Ilea adjusted the spikes in the last moment and shredded past the Vampire’s ribs, completely squashing its heart. Moving the ash was nearly impossible as soon as it entered the body of an opponent but it was enough to line it up right before to get great results either way.

She trusted her Unity there, knowing the ash would find its target.

Teeth came down on her neck and bit deep, not quite severing her spine but getting close.

Ilea just grinned at the hideous creature as her left arm lashed out, a charged Absolute Destruction coupled with the physical power of her ash ripping through its shoulder. She grabbed onto its bicep and pulled, sacrificing some health to make herself just a little stronger.

Her legs pushed against his thighs as her wings pulled, ripping herself free of the creature with one of its arms stuck in her chest, her head hanging to the side with half her throat removed.

New tissue formed near instantly, her third tier healing replacing the missing parts as she ripped out its arm, throwing it to the side as her wings moved lazily.

The remains of its heart dripped from the combined eight spikes above her fists and she could tell it had made an impression.

The Vampire staggered back, nearly falling before it caught a nearby beam with its one remaining arm. The second one was healing but it looked painfully slow, blood still dripping from the violent wound.

The same was true for its chest.

Ilea could see the wound close but the heart within struggled to reform.

“Oh?” she asked and enhanced her voice. “Are we not quite as indestructible as previously thought?”

She grinned and appeared behind the creature before it realized the extend of its prey’s power.

Her combined limbs punched through the tough muscle on its back, ripping through and trying to grab onto the spine.

The Vampire turned, a powerful swipe of blood magic slashing through her as a continued assault of mind magic battered her mind.

Enough so that she staggered back, forced to back away as another swipe clawed through the air.

Ilea continued flying through the room, observing the now stationary Vampire slowly healing its grave wounds.

Deep cuts, arteries and bruises were not a problem but it had difficulties with the heart as well as missing limbs.

Still, it would recover in less than twenty seconds, enough to overwhelm most damage.

Not hers.

Ilea formed a dozen spears, sending them at the creature before she rushed in, tackling it as it bit into her flesh with a frenzy, ripping chunks of flesh from her chest, neck and face after getting through her armor.

Her right arm came down, ripping through the right shoulder. It took her two punches before she had to back off, her head nearly falling off as it was. The same was true for the Vampire’s arm, a couple slashes of her extended ashen limbs enough to sever the limb.

Ilea’s wounds healed as she breathed out, spitting out blood that had came to her mouth. She coughed once as her lungs reformed, watching the Vampire with a bunch of meat in its maw and half an arm.

Bunch of flesh wounds, she thought and focused her healing on her mind for a moment, the continued assault getting to her.

She didn’t let up, attacking with her limbs now that the Vampire didn’t have arms to fight back.

It charged and ran, teleporting from time to time to sink its teeth into her.

While its speed was higher than her and its teleportation was near instant, it failed to find purchase.

Ilea had precognition, ashen limbs that reformed when destroyed, each with a ten meter range as well as a bunch of projectiles flying in constantly. She focused on the wounds on its arms, rather vulnerable as they healed.

Mind magic didn’t give the Vampire an advantage, neither was its health drain very effective, nor its blood magic or blood manipulation. Ilea even out regenerated the creature. Its body was considerably tougher, her whole power needed to deal significant damage while hers was ripped apart with each strike.

And still she prevailed, flying through the small room with her third tier wings as if it was an aerial battle. Third tier healing won this fight, coupled with her second tier resistances against everything the monster threw at her.

Without Blood Manipulation Resistance in the second tier, a single hit could have been fatal. Without the second tier of Blood Magic Resistance, she didn’t know what the creature could do to the blood in her body. Mental Resistance didn’t even need to be mentioned, a single second of a shut down mind enough for it to rip her to shreds.

All coupled together let her have the advantage, let her be the one regenerating quicker, dealing damage instead of taking it. All of it together allowed her to fly through the hall, dodging through any attack that came her way as she twirled around the jumping Vampire, its jaws the last remaining weapon.

She wondered why it never used the claws on its feet. Perhaps it never had to before and had completely relied on its hands all this time. It was a monster after all, a creature that had difficulties adapting to their foe, learning from their enemy.

A creature that had always been on top, never found an opponent it could not beat with sheer overwhelming force. There might have been encounters with dangerous beasts in the other layers but if it found itself incapable of killing the enemy, it would simply retreat.

Now however, it was in a complete frenzy, focusing on Ilea with everything it had.

She didn’t know if it was because of any of her skills, the devastating injuries she dished out or the simple arrogant fact that a level three hundred and forty human was challenging this ancient creature.

And she didn’t care.

Ilea had fought monsters ten times more powerful than her, capable of destroying her with a single strike and she had prevailed. This upstart creature of the night was nothing to her. She could see it move, could see its attacks coming, could tell the feints and could resist its magic of the mind.

Neither did she underestimate it, carefully flying through the room as she continued her constant assault, knowing from experience that she could very well have to conserve her mana and keep at it for hours on end.

It only took a couple more minutes.

The Vampire fell, hitting the floor and sliding in the blood before Ilea landed on it with a heavy thud. Her ash slashed into it, cutting through its neck and back before she ripped its spine from the bloodied body.

Heart of Cinder discharged into the heavily fire resistant creature, burning it up from within as she threw the spine to the side.

Several charged two handed strikes against its skull followed while her ashen limbs continued to rip out chunks of flesh, punching through all of its highly resistant and still regenerating organs time and time again.

A last hit cracked the skull before it caved in, brain matter covering her ash layered hands.

Ilea didn’t stop, not until the Vampire had turned into something barely resembling a once living creature, the ding finally resounding in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Starving Vampire – lvl 753]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 343 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 344 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 345 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 342 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 343 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 344 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 345 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea sat back and once more cast Heart of Cinder, burning and pushing away the blood and guts.

Fucking disgusting, she thought and activated Meditation, both do deal with her low mana as well as the smells and the sight. Another problem with my fucking super eyes.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 19’

Holy shit there Kin of Ash, nice one. Even caught up!

Ilea heard the giggling in her mind as the Fae slowly floated down, clapping its hands menacingly.

“I still identify as a healer, right?” she asked, a little worried because her second class had caught up again. It normally wasn’t a problem and she was pretty sure her main class was the one she identified as if both were at the same stage.

The Fae nodded.

Joy!

“I’m pretty fucking exhausted, not gonna lie,” Ilea said and circulated healing mana through herself. She kept a look on the Vampire’s remains, sending her Heart of Cinder into the chunks of meat and bones whenever it was sufficiently charged just to make sure.

If anything had a recovery as ridiculous as her, it was that thing.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

Ilea spread her thirty five stat points into all of her stats, five points each and ten for Wisdom.

Status:

Vitality: 816

Endurance: 405

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 420

Intelligence: 740

Wisdom: 910

“You enjoyed the violence it seems,” she said and let her wings carry her up towards the Fae.

It landed on her shoulder and nodded.

Beautiful

Loot!!!, the Fae exclaimed into her mind as it twirled vertically in place and pointed.

“I saw it, just give me a couple minutes,” Ilea said. “You could check on Ilas if you want to do something productive.”

The Fae twirled faster before it slowed down in the next minute.

Loot

“You know you can just get it if you want,” Ilea said.

The Fae appeared in front of her face and commenced to boop her ashen helmet.

Healthy?

“I am,” Ilea said, smiling as she realized what this was about.

Human?

“Yes, yes. I know. I thought you of all beings understood. I like Violence more than Loot. At least most of the time,” she said.

The Fae nodded and pointed at her.

Understand

Strange

Human

“Do you want to check the loot or not?” she asked.

The Fae nodded and vanished, appearing in a splatter of gore as it giggled. It stood up, triumphantly holding up what looked like a black claw.

“Well done,” Ilea said and laughed.

The Fae floated over, the blood dripping off as if it didn’t want to stick to the surface of the creature.

“Found a claw, hmm?” Ilea asked and received the item.

[Midnight Claw of the Red Church – Ancient Quality] – [The path of true blood lies before you]

“Isn’t that fucking ominous?” Ilea asked and stored the item in her bracelet. “Any clue what it is?”

The Fae shrugged.

Blood

“I figured. Maybe it makes people into vampires. Or mad men,” she suggested. “Do you need cleaning?”

The Fae shook its head.

“Ilas!” Ilea shouted a moment later, moving her wings to keep herself above the blood and guts. Only around ten minutes had passed since they had entered the facility. She doubted the dark one was far away.

“Can you tell where he is?” she asked the little creature.

The Fae shook its head.

“Vampire’s toast, you can come out!” she enhanced her voice with Monster Hunter to make it travel a little farther.

The Dark one showed up a couple seconds later, appearing still shrouded within her sphere.

Ilea looked up and waved towards the spot she thought him to be in. “Hey.”

Ilas appeared and jumped down, landing on the sticky steel floor. “You… you did it?”

“Are you… sure it was the Vampire?” he asked, looking at her with apprehensive body language.

“Starving Vampire, level seven fifty three. Mind magic, blood magic, blood manipulation and regeneration. That the one?” she asked.

Ilas looked at her and took off his mask, his one eye glaring in disbelief before he collapsed to his knees. The dark one started sobbing, his head lowered and four hands on his thighs.

Hug, the Fae sent.

“I’m really bad with consoling,” Ilea whispered to the creature.

The Fae shook its head before it appeared next to the dark one’s head, patting it with a stubby arm.

Ilea decided that floating there was more awkward than looking around, slowly flying through the room and checking the few things of interest.

The writing was of course indecipherable for her and she’d let the Fae take care of Ilas before she asked it for help. Elfie might speak the language but I can’t exactly take a picture.

She didn’t want to leave the hall either, just in case there were more creatures around that could endanger the others.

“I am sorry,” Ilas said as he stood up, wiping at his one eye before he covered his face again. “It is… sudden.”

“Don’t worry, Ilas. I’m happy to help. Now, let’s search this place and see if there is anything useful,” Ilea said.

The whole facility had been defiled by the Vampire. Blood and gore as well as bones adorning most of the rooms. There were piles of rusty armor, gear as well as carapace and scales.

Ilea even found a Wyvern’s remains. Completely destroyed and shredded. As they looked through the mess, she realized the Vampire had a rather extensive hunting ground, many of the creatures she had met and fought represented here.

“Think it had a way to travel the layers that we didn’t find? Or did it hide itself from the Lightning Elemental and the Griffin?” Ilea asked, not expecting an answer from the occupied dark one.

“The altar and the writing makes me thing it had once been part of the Red Church. They surely had secret passages only accessible to them. Was it Intelligent still?” Ilas asked.

“Not a shred. Maybe far below in its subconscious but it didn’t seem like more than a frenzied monster,” Ilea said.

“I thought so… how much it remembered of such passages is unclear, if they even existed. It is possible mind magic helped it stay hidden as well,” Ilas suggested.

“Possible… it was a rather efficient hunter. I just happened to be mostly immune to its abilities,” she said.

“That is what I had hoped. You showed incredible tenacity and defenses as well as regeneration I had not encountered before,” the dark one said. “At the very least, you would survive.”

“It’s pretty hard to kill me, I agree on that. And still, the Elemental and Trakorov came a little too close,” she said. “I’ll have to work on more resistances as well as better gear that doesn’t just instantly melt.”

“With all due respect, Ilea. You should not be able to face those creatures and live. The combination of defensive abilities, a variety of resistances and self healing should simply lead to a slower death. And yet with all your additional skills, you are able to face monsters that others on your level would hide from,” Ilas added, moving a bunch of bones to the side.

“No need to flatter me, you reached your goal,” Ilea said.

The dark one chuckled. “It is not flattery. If anything it is a warning. You have to realize that what you are doing is far from the norm. Yet you didn’t strike me as inexperienced either so this may be useless to you. Just be mindful of the power you wield and the power of creatures like this Vampire. Walking the line between life and death does not have to be a constant in every battle. There are many ways to progress safely.”

“Like exploring the deeper layers of the Descent in search of treasure?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“I was young. And I simply share the lesson I have paid for dearly. It was not meant as an insult or unwanted advice. I apologize if it seemed as such. You are beyond my power and that of this Vampire and I am in your debt, forever.” the dark one said.

“Oh, I’m not offended. That creature nearly ripped off my head several times. I think I’m aware of my limitations,” Ilea said. I just like it, makes me feel alive, she thought but didn’t voice it, knowing he had lost people to this way of thinking. A good reason to focus on traveling and at least fighting alone.

Chapter 426 Threshold

Just gonna post it here, not sure what the formatting in the author's note field is up to today (yes, it's probably me).

Hey all.

As I have mentioned before, starting tomorrow, I'll be working full time in civic service for three months.

Chapter releases will slow down considerably during that time (1-3 per week). I will likely post chapters during the weekends and keep you updated on how it's going.

In the meantime, thank you for the continued support and for reading what I write :). It means a lot to me.

Chapter 426 Threshold

The only thing they found left behind by Cynthia was a scrap of a heavy plate chest armor. The dark green dye made Ilas sure it had been hers.

Ilea hadn’t voiced her doubts and instead tried to find a trace or anything else with the piece, unsuccessfully due to the passing of time and surrounding gore.

She felt the dark one had calmed down considerably, staring at the piece as if he had found an inner calm.

“Can you read it?” she asked, flipping through the pages of the ancient book they had found.

“I am not an expert,” he said and looked through the pages. He shook his head a little after a couple of minutes. “I only know some of the words… not enough to make sense of it.”

Pride

Madness

Corruption

The Fae supplied a couple words as it floated close to the book, the pages moving on their own.

Truth?

Betrayal

“Sounds like a thrilling story. I’ll ask Elfie to translate it at some point. Anything relevant to the corruption we faced or the beings who made this place?” Ilea said, watching the Fae move through page after page.

It shook its head after another couple minutes.

Speculation

Reverie

“He was part of the red church then?” she asked.

The Fae nodded in response.

“I’ll ask Elfie to translate it at some point,” Ilea said and stored it in her necklace.

“Do you want to keep looking?” Ilea asked.

“I have found what I came to find,” Ilas said. “Though… it seems wrong to leave all the corpses behind.”

“I can help you burn them up,” Ilea said.

“You have done enough. I will build a pyre, in this layer,” he said.

“For all this? That will take you days, there isn’t even any wood here.”

“Longer, likely. I choose to do this however. It seems… right, to me. I understand if you think it unnecessary and wasteful,” the dark one said.

Ilea shook her head and smiled. “Not at all, Ilas. Do what you need to do,” she said and looked up. “Will you require help to get back to the first layer?”

He shook his head. “I have grown much since I have last come here. I shall find back.”

“Ilea… I owe you everything I am, for this. For your help. You set me free,” he added.

She waved him off. “Just promise me to find your way back up and to find a new purpose in this world. Be it protecting the first layer… or gardening. Now that this is taken care of.”

The dark one went on one knee and bowed deeply. “I will. Thank you, Ilea. Sentinel of ash.”

It’s actually the other way around, she thought with a smirk. “Come on, I don’t want to fight the otherwise peaceful spirits. You can help me get out of here.”

He nodded. “Of course. I doubt you’ll need assistance with traversing the layers?”

“I’m fine, thanks,” Ilea said as they came out of the facility.

The previously crowded space was completely empty by now.

“Is my perception acting up?” Ilea asked.

“I sense none either,” Ilas said, apprehension in his voice.

Joy, the Fae sent and giggled. It landed on Ilea’s shoulder and hugged her face.

Ilas kept the shroud up when she saw a single Spirit fly closer.

Friend, the Fae sent.

“You can disable your spell,” she said to the dark one.

Ilas nodded, the saturation in the surroundings increasing as his shadow magic vanished.

The Spirit came a little closer before it bowed to them.

Ilea waved and watched it slowly disappear.

“What was that?” she asked with a chuckle.

“Perhaps they remained because of the Vampire,” Ilas said.

“Hmm,” Ilea nodded and patted the dark one’s shoulder. “Well, we’re done then. I’ll be traveling around the Descent a little longer so catch me between exits if you need anything.”

“I will. Though I shall remain self sufficient from now on,” Ilas said and bowed to her again.

Ilea focused on not rolling her eyes as she waved and departed with the Fae.

The near reverie from the dark one annoyed her a little. She preferred Maro’s or Elfie’s company, their snark keeping her humble and down to Earth.

“So… we have a bunch of stuff to do now. Lots of violence. I suggest you start with space magic on my eyes,” Ilea said, deactivating her resistance and armor.

The Fae giggled and started without complaint.

Violence!

“Hmm, so… we’re at number seventeen. Let’s start with the Zanedin Hunters. Time Magic Resistance and maybe some Blood Magic… Blast and Curse is already at level twenty… alright?”

The Fae nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ll have to use my armor though, their attacks are a little much otherwise.”

Sad

“I know, I’m pretty fucking weak, right?” she sighed.

The Fae shook its head but didn’t comment on it, likely understanding the sarcasm.

The two moved up to the sixteenth layer and continued their training, Ilea quickly finding the small groups of Zanedin Hunters left behind, all of them corrupted.

She spent several hours leveling her Time Magic Resistance, sometimes even deactivating her armor of ash if only one of them remained.

The Fae had a hard time injuring her with her armor up but still dealt a little damage, helping with her Space Magic Resistance.

She finished off the last of the corrupted creatures before checking her progress.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Time Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

“That’s nine general skills at level twenty of the second tier,” Ilea said as she looked through the messages, feeling her eyes explode.

A familiar sensation by now but it seemed the Fae wasn’t getting bored of it yet, dodging the tiny ashen swords wielded by the ash Fae.

“So, do you want to pop my eyes for another three days or should I get the tenth skill against the Storm Griffin on layer fifteen?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

Death!

Death!

Death!

“Alright there Theoden, I too choose the flying calamity,” she said and prepared.

They reached the exit to the fifteenth layer, Ilea glancing at the Fae. “You should wait here, that thing is dangerous, even for us. You should be able to see from here.”

It nodded and appeared near the ground, looking out through the mostly destroyed exit.

“Shouldn’t take more than half an hour with that ridiculous monster,” she said and looked up.

The upgrade to her eyes let her quickly make out the dot in the distance. She even saw the wings and legs.

It was moving towards her.

Here we go, she thought and appeared near the ground thirty meters away. Close enough to the exit so that she could simply blink back to the Fae. Her third tier wings should help with the constant barrage as well.

She was here to take damage but the Storm Griffin was one of the few creatures in this dungeon that could completely stomp in her brains. Not something to take too lightly.

Ilea was at least somewhat sure the creature wasn’t out on a furious murder spree, judging by their last encounter.

Holy shit that thing is fast… comparable to my charged wings evens, she thought and soon saw the Griffin’s eyes focused on her. Still hundreds of meters away.

A shiver went down her spine before her precognition kicked in, informing her about the coming attacks.

She didn’t do anything about them of course, her armor opening up to let the weaker wind blades slash into her skin directly. Her resistance deactivated.

It cut nearly to the bone.

Yeah, that won’t take long. That thing could’ve even helped against the Elemental, she thought and smiled.

The Griffin moved on to more powerful attacks rather quickly this time, either because it remembered her or because it could tell Ilea was looking at it.

It was also apparent that her flying skills had improved vastly, making her able to dodge even the faster attacks more reliably.

Ilea blinked away many times to heal back up and recover some mana, spending a couple hours with the Griffin until the last message finally popped into her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea waited for a moment, sitting in the stairwell with the Fae on her side before she sighed.

A ding resounded.

‘ding’ ‘You have proven to be more resilient and masochistic than few before you, training without ANY regard for your own body or mind in a wide variety of General skills. Mostly Resistances. To find and acquire these skills is already an achievement worthy of mention. To train them to their maximum potential is far beyond even that.

For reaching level three hundred in at least one class, unlocking thirty General skills and achieving a minimum of 2nd lvl 20 in ten or more General skills, you have unlocked 3rd tier General skill points.’

Ilea rejoiced with a wide grin. “I did it!”

Joy!, the Fae sent, dancing in the air without knowing exactly what had happened.

She read the rest of the notification, calming herself down unsuccessfully.

‘One third tier General skill point is awarded for reaching 100 levels in General skills.

You currently have: 1061 levels in General skills.

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

One third tier General skill point awarded

“Holy fuck… that’s way more than I expected. This is a little overwhelming…,” Ilea murmured and summoned one of Keyla’s meals.

She needed something to distract herself, shoveling the food into her mouth as she explained the achievement to her companion.

Joy, it repeated and patted her head.

Consideration

“I’ll think about each point carefully, don’t worry,” she said between bites.

As she calmed down, the overwhelming feeling turned to a more subdued joy. The main benefit of all her resistance skills were of course the skills themselves. Third tier benefits would be a nice addition but even if they were very powerful, it wouldn’t top simply having second tier resistances in the first place.

Let’s see what’s available then…

‘3rd tier General skill points available [1061 Total skill levels]: 10’

‘General skills available for third tier advancement:’

- Meditation

You have fought with Meditation active, have trusted in the skill and have consistently used it to its full potential in the midst of battle. It is certainly crafty and yet quite opposite to the actual intention. Through your complete disregard for such matters, you have unlocked the potential third tier of Meditation.

- Blood Manipulation Resistance

You have faced both the carefully crafted Corruption of the Descent as well as the might of a Starved Vampire. Neither has fazed you, proving that your body is ready to advance Blood Manipulation Resistance to the third tier.

- Heat Resistance

Be it Cliff Wyverns or the power of a Trakorov, you have faced and lived through their smoldering fire. Truly, it is remarkable your path has not lead to fire related classes but here we are. You may advance this skill to the third tier.

- Light Magic Resistance

Not many have witnessed the combined effort of Elder Sun Sprites and even fewer have lived to tell the tale. It is beyond anything the second tier would provide protection against, making you ready for the third tier.

- Wind Resistance

The Storm Griffin is an ancient and proud creature. Your survival is a grave insult and proof enough that you deserve to reach the next tier of Wind Resistance.

Ilea read through the information, surprised the actual achievements that were needed to unlock the third tier were listed. The same wasn’t true for her class skills after all.

A little annoying that achievements are necessary at all, meaning I have to face something ridiculous in the first place to get the option for a third tier.

Meditation, Heat and Wind were the obvious choices out of the list. Ilea kind of wanted Light Magic Resistance too but she would think about it a little longer.

“Meditation, heat and wind resistance. What do you think?” she asked the Fae.

It sent a mental thumbs up.

I’ll still have plenty more points to spend for everything else. Just have to find insane creatures to fight… though I guess the lightning and sand Elementals count, as well as the Trakorov. Need to get those to level twenty.

Ilea focused on the now, culling her excitement a little. She had time to level a bunch more resistances to the end of the second tier. Afterwards she’d have to check on Trian. She cringed a little at how long she was already gone and the time it would take to get the rest of her skills where she wanted them.

I also kind of want to explore the last five layers before going back, she thought and tapped her chin.

Ah, he can wait a little longer. Patience is a virtue any medic should have, she thought and ignored the matter for now. Her own progress was more important right now. Ilea planned to have the Medic Sentinels be mostly independent of her anyway. After some initial guidance of course.

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Meditation – 3rd lvl 1

While in the state of meditation you cannot move. Your natural mana and stamina regeneration is increased by a factor of 423%. The factor is improved upon leveling up the skill.

2nd stage: Your familiarity with Meditation lets you move slowly while the skill is active

3rd stage: Few ever reach this stage, normally through centuries of study and meditation. You have stood amidst death, trusting the flow of mana to be at your side. Vast experience and understanding has changed your very core. The effects of Wisdom are doubled. Meditation is no longer limited by movement.

“Oh my shit! The Enavurin was right!” she exclaimed and laughed, feeling as if invisible flood gates within herself had opened up.

Ilea checked her status with a grin.

Status:

Vitality: 816

Endurance: 405

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 420

Intelligence: 740

Wisdom: 910

Health: 8110/8110

Stamina: 3738/4000

Mana: 6821/18200

Double the power, she thought and looked at the Fae.

“Meditation third tier doubles the effects of Wisdom… can you fucking believe that?” she asked.

The creature nodded knowingly, sending her another thumbs up.

Wait, effects of Wisdom are doubled and I can keep Meditation active at all times now… regeneration being a percentage… holy shit!

She summoned her notebook with the previous calculations and added the changes.

The bonus to Wisdom alone increased her mana per minute from 4.5% to 9%, doubling again thanks to her maximum mana doubling from 9050 to 18’000. Instead of doing the math, Ilea just slammed her fist into the wall behind her a couple times and checked how fast her mana regenerated.

Around 33 per second without Meditation and nearly 46 per second with the skill. I don’t really have to consider the first number though, she thought. This was huge, bigger than most of her third tier class bonuses recently.

Well, practically maybe not that significant but I don’t really have to worry about mana in the near future.

Then again, the next creature I fight could just as well be ten times as durable… still… now I have a chance to kill whatever it may be without having to recharge several times.

Stamina was affected by the Meditation change as well, meaning the resource was barely a concern now that she didn’t have to slow down to use the skill anymore.

Ilea tested it quickly, flying around and watching the numbers as she used her most costly mana intrusion abilities.

“Fuck yeah, Fae Fae!” she exclaimed.

No

“What? The nickname?”

It nodded.

“Alright then, Mr. Violence,” she said, elated from the skill change.

The Fae sent an approving thought.

Ilea slowed down and continued her meal, selecting Heat Resistance for the next level up.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Ignoring the warnings of your parents and friends, you refuse to not stand in fire. This skill will help lessen the damage and pain a little.

2nd stage: You’ve been burnt and melted again and again. Through extreme exposure, your skin, muscles and bones become much harder to burn and melt.

3rd stage: It is a mystery how the soul of a literal Volcano has found its way into your body, forcing you to seek out fire and heat as much as you do. Do you not see how melting your body is not a good idea? The third tier lets you retain and use some of the flames and heat around you, should you choose to do so. They are still damaging of course but it seems you are beyond caring.

Ilea smiled at the jabs, knowing that there was either a god like being governing all this or the magic allowing her to learn and improve skills tapped into her own subconscious to form these paragraphs before they were beamed into her mind.

The benefits were rather unclear, making her hesitate with the third skill she wanted to improve. Kind of want to test this one before I advance my Wind Resistance.

“I’ll wait with the third skill,” she said to the Fae.

Disappointed

“Yes yes… you know it’s reasonable though. I first want to see how good the Heat Resistance bonus is.” she said and stood up, excited to test some things out and to get more resistances.

Give me your magic, creatures of the Descent!

Chapter 427 Open threads

Chapter 427 Open threads

Ilea had a lot to do, many creatures in the Descent left to face. Each resistance skill would take time but she felt simply going up the layers and then back down was likely the most efficient way.

In the end, she could simply teleport out back home, or rush back up if the Fae was still hanging around and had no way of following her.

“Think I can ask the Enavurin to level my Mental Resistance?” she asked, checking her skills. Only two levels remained and the creature certainly packed a punch.

The Fae nodded.

“You can help out as well with your space magic if you want to,” she added. Also poison.

Ilea checked the class skills that had abilities related to Resistance skills, unsure if her newfound third tier skills affected them in some way.

The only one that showed a change was Avatar of Ash, also the only one showing specific percentages compared to her Sphere, Armor and Core.

Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 1:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 50.5% [404%]. Your ability to avoid damage to your vitals when dodging increases.

2nd stage: Your muscles grow more dense. For each Resistance skill your body becomes tougher. First tier Resistances equal a static 5% increase, second tier equal a static 10% increase, third tier equal a static 15% increase [320%].

3rd stage: You can choose to allow magic damage to bypass your related resistance skills. Effect is canceled automatically upon reaching 50% of your health. Each Resistance skill in the second tier or higher increases the potential density of your created ash by a static 5% [130%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

At least another five percent resilience. Makes waiting with the other points much easier though, knowing it won’t affect the third tier of the skill.

The hundred and thirty percent to the potential density of her ash was huge compared to another five percent to her already insanely inflated resilience. Both were benefits of course but now she felt another piece supported her decision.

I’ll keep some third tier skill points if possible and won’t use them on obscure shit like Blood Manipulation. Ice or Poison seems much more common.

Ilea felt it more reasonable to use them in case she faced a powerful being that demanded the additional defense. Or something that could level the resistance far into the third tier.

Thinking of which… twenty points for the first, twenty in the second and potentially thirty or even more for the third tier. At least sixty to seventy points per resistance. Should be able to get most to the third tier then.

For the moment, Ilea still stuck to her decision to keep her third tier points for the more commonly useful magic schools. Mental Resistance was pretty fucking high up on that list.

“Ready to get past that thing,” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded and appeared in front of her chest, a translucent barrier coming to life before it was covered in a cocoon of ash.

Ilea blinked into the layer and charged her wings, keeping an eye on the Griffin that usually took a couple seconds before attacking, another one or two seconds passing before the wind attacks actually reached her.

Her wings thrummed with power right when the creature reached its comfortable ranged attack distance. Ilea activated her third tier and felt the air pressure increase as her Wind Resistance tried to push aside the element.

She reached the other side in no time, feeling some attacks hit close behind her as the Griffin quickly changed gears to more powerful spells that could keep up with her.

Ilea blinked through the last stretch, appearing in the stairwell that led up to the Enavurin. She turned to face the wall with her back as her momentum absolutely slapped her into the steel.

She left a small dent in the strong steel, finding herself mostly fine other than a couple minor bruises. All her defensive skills paid off, especially her shock absorption bonus from her second tier Blast Resistance.

Magically enhanced and likely created steel against a magically enhanced human using ash armor. I’d love to see how a normal car or truck would respond to me flying into it with enhanced wings.

Ilea was pretty sure some of the crash test videos she had seen would come close. For the cars that was. She was probably fine.

“You ok there?” she asked the Fae and sent some healing through the slowly opening cocoon.

It nodded and twirled.

Fast

“Right? It’s pretty nuts,” she said. “I just can’t really steer while I use it.”

“Let’s see if our friend is doing well, I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear about the corruption mostly being quelled.”

Baron Violence nodded as they ascended quickly through the stairwell, teleporting to avoid walking the stairs.

“Can you contact it?” she asked the Fae. “I don’t have mind powers.”

The Fae nodded.

Greeting

Ilea felt a probing pulse of mind magic spreading before a voice spoke into her mind.

“You have returned. A surprise. I had expected your chance of success at below three percent,” the Enavuring said.

“What a greeting. I expected you to move your ass away from your tank at a similarly low percentage,” Ilea replied.

“An attempt was made to contact me but I could not sense you within the group. I had thought you had been lost or betrayed. I do not mean to be unpleasant but I was engrossed in a beautiful dream,” the being said. “Why do you disturb me?”

Sure, a dream in a dream, old one. Let them live a happy life, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“The corruption took over a Sand Elemental. We took care of it with some help. Thought you might like to hear that. Also I come with a small request, if you’re up for it,” she said.

“An Elemental… truly. It seems the changes to my blood have been dearly necessary. It is surprising however… that being must have refused to fight it. I doubt this corruption could overwhelm something so powerful.”

“We don’t know how it happened, just that it did,” Ilea said.

“Mhm… yes. I thank you, for freeing it and for surely taking care of most of the blood manipulation made from my body. I am glad the group that passed did not attempt something foolish,” the Enavurin said.

“Some of them should be smart enough not to challenge a being as ancient and powerful as you. I’m not one of them, thus my request. I’d like you to use your mind magic against me. I’m two levels away from the second tier maximum,” Ilea explained.

“Two levels… is doable. I shall support you in this, pain obsessed monkey,” it said.

Caught you grumpy, hmm? Ilea thought and heard a giggle in her mind.

You two can just read minds, can’t you?

Nothing replied, as expected. Ilea decided to trust in her abilities. Should these creatures be able to read her mind like a book, alter memories and her very being, what would be the point of caring?

“Be thy merciful on this poor mortal,” she murmured to herself and disabled her space magic resistance, deciding to keep her Mental one up for now.

“You are sending mixed signals,” the Enavurin said. “I will not destroy your mind repeatedly if you do not want me to.”

“Do it,” she said and summoned a flask of poison, deactivating that resistance as well.

With a somewhat recent comparison to the Vampire, Ilea could tell that while the ferocious monster had been powerful, this one was a true master of Mind Magic. It made her want to fight it, to test herself against it with more dangerous stakes but the Enavurin would be against it, she was sure of it.

Quite different from the Deep Mirage that happily went for her life, enjoying the test of each others strengths and magic.

Several hours passed, her resistances rising slowly before she finally reached the end of the second tier.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

Ilea checked if her Mental Resistance could be advanced.

‘General skills available for third tier advancement:’

- Mental Resistance

You have trained with true masters of mind magic. Human, Mind Weaver and Enavurin. Their expertise has tested your defense and Resistance in ways few could. Perhaps there is a case to be made if this training hasn’t in the end led to your many resistances in the first place, leaving cracks in your sanity that even you could not heal. Stay safe.

I am safe, don’t worry. Plus I’ll be even safer with all those juicy resistances, she thought with a grin.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

You are more adept at resisting and detecting attacks to your mind.

2nd stage: Your mind is nearly impenetrable. Attacks on your mind will be partially reflected, causing harm to the attacker.

3rd stage: Your mind is a bright shield and warning to anyone that dares attack it. You can pin point attackers and gain a general idea of their mind magic capabilities. You gain the capability to initiate mental contact with those that are receptive, sending simple thoughts and feelings.

Oh, there you go, she thought and immediately felt a vast and powerful magical presence wash over her. Ilea grasped her head for a moment as she got used to the feeling, circulating healing mana through her body.

Ocean, it was her that sent the though, out to anyone that might be capable of receiving it.

Safe? the Fae replied.

“Remarkable… you have found a way to the third tier… despite your young age. A matter of diverse and high level abilities then I presume? Do not worry Ancient One, she simply requires some time to adjust… to new understanding,” the Enavurin said.

Each of his words boomed in her mind, the last couple ones a little dulled.

Ilea steadied her breathing and closed her eyes, focusing on Meditation and her healing.

Safe, she sent to the Fae, as casual as she would be talking.

Mind, the creature sent and tapped its brow.

“Yeah… holy shit Ena. You’re insane!” Ilea said and started laughing. “Did you just level your mind magic for a thousand years?”

The creature sent a chuckle. “Much longer than that, young one. Not all creatures focus solely on the demise of others and their own increase in power. Understanding alone can be satisfaction enough for some. Let it be a lesson, to not underestimate those you cannot comprehend.”

“Hmm… can you use it? Just use more until I lose consciousness,” Ilea suggested with a grin. “I could push the resistance so much higher!”

“I refuse. At this stage… it could become unpleasant, even for me. It would be a fine line and I do not with to cause your demise. I have used this power only against few, my understanding of its effects on living organisms minimal at best,” the creature explained.

Ilea nodded. “Sad to hear but I understand.” She could just deactivate her resistance and train more with Weavy or someone else. There was no reason to push the ancient creature.

Everything here is ancient in comparison to me, she thought. Can’t wait for me to be a couple thousand years old to call everyone I meed Young One.

Violence? She sent to the Fae.

Violence

Violence.

They could finally communicate on one level. Both sent giggles to each other and twirled in the air.

“I am glad I was of assistance to you, young human,” the Enavurin interrupted them.

“Thanks!” Ilea said.

She informed the being about their findings on the twentieth layer but it knew nothing additional, neither feeling the need to offer more theories or speculation.

The being clearly wanted to return to its dream and Ilea had already potentially doomed a reality by waking it up, not about to add more to that.

“I shall visit you again, thanks again for the help,” she said and bowed towards the water.

“I will welcome you, in a couple of your centuries. Sleep well,” the creature said, its presence changing to a more serene feeling in her mind.

The ripples in it stopped and soon it was completely still.

Leave? The Fae asked.

Ilea watched the mind magic presence of the Enavurin for a couple more minutes. It continued to be overwhelming but she could let it wash over her by now, could accept it as reality.

With a mind like that, no wonder it can just sit there for millennia, she thought and turned to the Fae, giving it a nod before she flew up to the exit. She shivered, a part of her considering that the dream joke might not be too far from reality.

Ilea decided to focus on something more tangible again, flying over the flowing waters of the thirteenth layer as she waited for one of the Varass drowners to catch her in its gravity magic field.

Poison, gravity, harmony of the drowned?

Underwater? She sent to the Fae.

It shrugged.

“I mean are you safe underwater or do you need air? These creatures have gravity magic and try to drown others,” she explained in more detail.

Safe

“Alright,” she said and continued the search.

It took a while but she finally felt the pull, deactivating her resistance as she was dragged underwater.

Instead of fighting the creature, she drank a bit of poison and watched the Fae swim around her in circles. She added an ashen clone to it as she felt the pressure on her eyes. Honestly, I can take it.

She deactivated her armor, feeling the power of the gravity magic increase several fold, pushing her to her knees on the ground of the river, her body immovable against the pressure. The air was pushed out of her lungs as her eyes exploded in a gory mess, popped by the pressure instead of by space magic.

Challenge? The Fae sent with a vigorous joy.

Beautiful, Ilea thought, the last of the air leaving her body.

Ilea didn’t exactly understand how drowning worked but she knew that healing against it without any air in her lungs wasn’t pleasant. She had learned that with William and now she learned that she preferred ice spears cutting through her instead of gravity magic pushing the force of tons of water down on her.

She had lost track of time, letting the creatures test their magic on her until the pressure suddenly stopped.

What? She thought and found the Varass Drowner drift away in the currents. Excuse me?

Ilea blinked to the creature and grabbed it.

Attack! She sent in her mind, trying to hold on to the monster.

[Vile Varass Drowner – lvl ???]

It struggled before its magic activated again, pushing down on her.

Good, she sent, feeling the distress from the being through her sphere.

It couldn’t answer or decided not to but the being understood that it had become prey in its search for food.

The training continued for another two or three hours before the monster passed out from mana exhaustion or regular exhaustion. Ilea had no way to tell.

She didn’t feel bad for sucking the predator dry, deciding not to kill it as a thanks.

The Fae watched the monster drift away and shook its head, glancing at Ilea before appearing on her shoulder.

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

Ilea appeared on a nearby rock and enjoyed a meal between training sessions. This is taking too long… I need more of them.

“Can you help me find them?” she asked. “I need at least two or three to make the leveling a little quicker.”

The Fae saluted and vanished.

Together, the two found several of the Varass Drowners that apparently weren’t the best at hunting for prey, remaining in stationary positions until something moved through above.

With three of them, Ilea’s leveling speed increased massively, her body crushed and her bones regularly breaking as she regenerated herself without any sense of pain.

She did consider getting Pain Tolerance to the third tier but compared to most of her other skills, it wouldn’t be a pleasant cruise. Avatar of Ash would help of course but even the reduced pain she would go through on a daily basis was likely too much to handle for a human mind.

For now, she focused on the skills that were immediately available and easy to get.

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Gravity Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Space Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Most who try to chase this elusive school of magic will find and choose the Void instead. You have fought a being of truly peculiar making, have faced and survived its spells and may count yourself amongst the few to call this skill their own.

2nd stage: A true mystery, how you have sustained so much damage through Space Magic. You must have truly angered a being to summon such scorn. Your body and its parts become more difficult to displace.

‘ding’ ‘One third tier General skill point awarded’

“Fucking nice,” she said after blinking out of the water, easily ignoring the powerful magic now that her ashen armor and resistance was active again.

The Fae appeared on her shoulder and lied down.

Sleep? She asked.

Exhausted, the creature replied.

“Thanks for the help, little one. Just relax. I’ll protect you,” Ilea said and moved on, taking a sip of poison.

She chose not to kill the Drowners, feeling herself so far above their power there simply was no need. They obviously had some form of intelligence and she wasn’t about to murder them for the somewhat low experience they would provide, especially after they had helped her out so much.

Chapter 428 Routine Training?

A note from Rhaegar

Have a good weekend :).

Chapter 428 Routine Training?

Ilea didn’t feel as benevolent about the Halians and Blade lurkers of the twelfth layer, slaughtering every last one of them she encountered.

Neither felt much like an animal to her, purely monsters. The Halians used illusions to lure her towards them. Distorted friends and memories they pried from the surface of her mind or simply something Ilea formed herself. She doubted the creatures could get much from her now that her Mind Resistance was in the third tier.

She didn’t feel a mind magic presence from them as soon as she found her first enemy, confirming her second theory. No illusion resistance showed up sadly but the powerful corrosive substance from their bellies was enough to satisfy her.

The Blade Lurkers weren’t interested in food, ignoring the chunks she threw their way and instead cutting into her armor.

Ilea killed them quickly.

The Fae helped her locate more of the Halians, making the layer much less annoying to traverse than before. She decided to fly through it as well, increasing her speed considerably compared to her previous walking.

She was quite a bit more aggressive this time around, trusting in her skills and newfound power as well as knowing the enemies and their abilities. The Blade Lurkers hadn’t posed much of a threat before and the Halians were quickly taken care of thanks to her new increased mana pool.

A couple charged up uses of Absolute Destruction made them realize in record time that what they swallowed wasn’t exactly lunch.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Halian – lvl 620]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Halian – lvl 603]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Lurker – lvl 522]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Lurker – lvl 583]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 346 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 346 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash creation reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

…

‘ding’ ‘Corrosion Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea sat down near the exit to the eleventh layer with a meal and a happy Fae. Both had enjoyed a rather extensive display of violence, corrosion and blood.

She had cleaned herself and was eating a meal, having lost track of time. She was somewhat sure it had been less than ten hours at least. Somewhat.

None of the creatures had responded to her new mind magic trick and her Monster Hunter skill had only enraged them more.

Ilea spent five stat points each into Dexterity and Intelligence. Might as well get it up to my Strength standards. Now that Intelligence is the main damage dealer I might as well get some more speed and flexibility.

Wisdom would become a priority again but the bonus from Meditation was so good she decided to shelve it for the time being, likely getting more practical use out of some other stats.

She checked if Corrosion Resistance was eligible for a third tier level up.

- Corrosion Resistance

You have literally bathed in acid, have chosen to slather yourself in corrosive substances instead of trying to avoid them. It is quite frankly, concerning. Your body has melted and regenerated so many times it might even be second nature by now. Should you wish to advance your Corrosion Resistance to the third tier, you may do so.

You’re right, it is second nature, she thought and decided not to advance this one either. For now at least.

I have nine points though… Veteran, Monster Hunter as well as a bunch of others are way more interesting though.

Ilea didn’t feel like hunting down any of the Stone Cyclops, instead finding a couple Spirits of Winter to continue her resistance training.

They obliged, the Fae surprisingly staying close to her as it seemed to work on its shield.

She wondered if it was benefiting as well, sitting down and enjoying the breeze. Her body froze up constantly, her Ice Resistance deactivated as well as her armor down to allow the lower leveled creatures to get in what they could.

The mysterious presence she had encountered the last time didn’t show up and she soon reached the end of the second tier for her Ice Resistance.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

There sadly was no option to get it to the third tier and her search for the presence proved futile.

She gave up after a couple sweeps of the layer, her enhanced eyes, Sentinel Huntress, the Fae as well as all her perception abilities unable to determine a being besides the Spirits, a bunch of rabbits and the Cyclopes.

I’ll find something, she thought and instead focused on another potential third tier skill.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

- Poison Resistance

Perhaps it is only natural, for humans to eat and drink things that damage their bodies. When it is alcohol and chili for some, you choose the deadliest poisons carefully crafted and measured by top assassins and predators. Poisons that should kill you twice over. You do you.

“Nice,” she murmured to herself, sitting near the exit to the tenth layer. “Poison resistance to the third tier, what do you think?”

The Fae was forming snow angels, pausing to giver her a mental thumbs up.

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

You are a target of assassins or not very good at distinguishing berries. Surviving either of those you have developed a general resistance to poisons.

2nd stage: Either you need better guards or you need to stop eating everything you see. Experience has granted you an ability to sense poison. Additionally its spread throughout your body is slower, reducing its effects.

3rd stage: Your favorite drink and seasoning for every food, you revel in that which destroys you. No more. You may neutralize the effects of many poisons on touch, in a mug of ale, your body, or someone else’s with the help of mana intrusion abilities, should you choose to do so.

Ilea tested it immediately, trying to neutralize the poison in one of the little flasks.

She knew instinctively that it failed, feeling that the poison was too strong for her current ability. Great.

It was an ancient dungeon and she assumed most commonly used poisons were less potent. Plus I know it’s going to be quite effective for leveling.

“It’s pretty cool. I can neutralize poisons now,” she said absentmindedly.

Great

Congratulations

“You sound sarcastic. Are you bored?” she asked.

The Fae sat up and looked at her before it nodded weakly.

The eleventh layer hadn’t been very interesting admittedly.

Ilea smirked and jumped the creature, grabbing it before they rolled through the snow. “Well…,” she started. “I’ve got something quite interesting for you in the layer ahead.”

The corpses were still at the bottom of the tenth layer, much of the stone burnt up by the creature that inhabited these parts.

Excited

“Can you feel it?” she asked and cupped her mouth with both hands.

“Oy! Birdie!” Monster Hunter activated and sent the challenge reverberating out through the cliffs.

The lightning Elemental appeared near instantly, floating proud with outstretched wings. It looked at her with near white eyes but didn’t attack immediately.

Ilea watched in amazement as the creature bowed to them.

“What?” she asked before a bolt of lightning zapped her.

Friend?, she sent to the being.

The Fae tapped her cheek as it shook its head.

It pointed at itself.

Friendly

“Ah, so it’s friendly to you but not to me?” she asked.

The Fae nodded.

“Perfect, then watch and enjoy,” she said with a smile and plucked the Fae from her shoulder, setting it in midair where it floated.

She turned to the Elemental and pointed at herself.

Lightning!

The being remained silent and looked at the Fae for a moment before it bowed.

Violence! The Fae exclaimed as more birds appeared, flying to join the main body.

“Alright, let’s see w-” Ilea started before she was blasted into the wall behind her.

A faint giggle came from the Fae as her body reformed, her armor regenerating.

Not one for talking, she thought and spread her wings, joining the Elemental in flight as she circled around it, dodging and weaving through the bolts and arcs of lightning magic.

Ilea found it much easier to avoid the attacks, her third tier wings doing the majority of the work, aided by her newly upgraded Eyes of Ash and all her other skills and defensive upgrades.

It only took a couple seconds to realize that the Elemental had been holding back. Massively.

Area spells and powerful surges that ripped through stone joined the already numerous arcs and bolts. It stayed at her tail, challenging her both in her flight abilities, dodging and defense.

Ilea used everything she had but didn’t fight back. The creature was already willing to kill her, she knew as much. The training was perfect but if she hit the Elemental, the benefit reluctantly given to her thanks to her Faen friend would vaporize instantly.

The longer they fought, the more this turned out to be the right decision. Despite the lack of four marks, Ilea questioned if the Trakorov could have won against this creature.

The Sand Elemental would prove difficult with its changing form but even having experienced that, she found the attacks of the Young Lightning Elemental to be close as deadly. The frequency of attacks was the main difference however, unending spells wearing down her mana, ash and regeneration even with all her newfound upgrades.

The two fell into a dance like trance as they flew through the layer, lighting exploding wherever they went.

Ilea caught glimpses of Fae from time to time, floating or teleporting behind as it twirled in joy, not adding its space magic to the mix. For once, she agreed that more damage wouldn’t be for the best.

Ten minutes or an hour, Ilea had no idea how much time had passed. She twirled in the air when a series of attacks forced her to blink, finding a beam of blue arcing lightning slamming into her torso when she appeared.

She was pushed back and slammed into a cliff side, rolling sideways before another arc slammed into her and then a third.

Ilea blinked again, appearing on the ground as she slid to a stop, her torso gone except for most of her bones, regenerating near instantly as the Fae appeared close by, followed by the Lightning Elemental.

Break? She asked, breathing hard as her mana regenerated at nearly forty six per second.

The Elemental floated casually, occasionally moving its wings as it kept its eyes on her.

Ilea breathed out and summoned a meal.

Impressive

Powerful

She sent the impressions to both of the creatures.

The Elemental didn’t react.

Impressed, the Fae sent and pointed at the bird, sending a giggle into her mind a moment later.

A small bolt of lightning hit the ground near the Fae as the bird looked at it.

Danger? Ilea asked the Fae.

It waved her off and floated around.

“Don’t attack the little guy,” she said to the bird as she ate. Ilea was pretty sure she couldn’t win against this one but she could deal some damage and if there was something a proud unchallenged Elemental was sure to dislike, it was taking damage. Or pain, if it could feel such a thing.

Ilea felt a little weird eating her food, basically having them wait for her weird human activity to end. She rummaged through her necklace and found something that might be of interest to them.

Her last mana crystal from the demon realm appeared in her hand before she held it out to the Fae.

The creature appeared and made the crystal float.

Gift?

Rare

“Sure, if you can do anything with it,” she said and smiled.

The Fae twirled and split the crystal in two, sending a half towards the Elemental.

Ilea watched with interest as the massive creature landed and picked at the crystal like a normal sparrow would. She couldn’t help but snicker, masking it with a fake cough when the Elemental glanced up at her with its immeasurable power brimming in its eyes.

She checked her progress while she ate.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 3

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

Insane what fighting an Elemental can do, she smiled. The comparatively low number of resistance levels was due to the skill being active during the whole battle. She had even tried to avoid the spells, many of them still finding their target.

The Elemental was getting impatient, having finished its meal. It was floating again, eyes facing her way.

Barely four minutes, she thought as she crouched. Enough I guess.

Commence, she sent. Ilea was pretty sure the creature didn’t speak Elos or English. What she sent through these messages was the pure meaning, the concept of the word. In her mind it was the word Commence but she had no clue what the bird actually received. The same principle applied to the Fae.

It understood, continuing its attacks as it had before.

This time, Ilea floated in place, taking it all in as she continuously regenerated her body. She still kept her resistance and armor active, as she would have been reduced to nothing otherwise.

The bird didn’t seem to mind, sending more and more deadly spells slamming into her body. The returned mana from both Sentinel Core and her Lightning Resistance wasn’t sufficient to keep up completely with the constant third tier healing required to stay alive.

I’m sure it understands…

Boring, the Fae sent her and giggled into her mind.

She was pretty sure it meant the Elemental and not itself as it had never complained to her so far.

Ilea rolled her eyes and blinked away, starting to fly around again. The monster was deadly as it was, no reason to piss it off in addition to that.

I’ll definitely be back for you, she thought. Ilea was happy about the progress and training as well as the somewhat safe cooperation but at the same time she was a little annoyed that she couldn’t even fight a young Elemental toe to toe.

High level problems, she thought with a sigh and blinked away from an exploding area of lightning.

They continued for another two rounds before she finally got her resistance to level twenty.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 4

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea was sure that battling the Elemental was enough to get the skill to the third tier but still checked quickly.

- Lightning Resistance

Your need to electrocute yourself makes one think you should have probably chosen to become an electrician instead of going studying. Trades are a good option in today’s economy after all. Well, here lightning works a little different and while it is certainly admirable that you try to challenge Elementals, you might want to give it another couple centuries. However you have more than proven your capability to advance Lightning Resistance to the third tier.

Hmm, might have actually been a good option. While there weren’t massive student loans involved, the lack of income certainly would have been annoying, she thought, reminded of her life back on Earth. Simply the mention of a couple centuries was ridiculous compared to that.

I’ll give it a couple years before I wipe the floor with this over sized light bulb.

She decided to level this one, knowing a couple beings next to the Elemental against whom it might be useful.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Either in a storm or fighting a ferocious beast blessed by lightning you have resisted. This skill will help further with your endeavors.

2nd stage: You are so familiar with Lightning that your body can transform a fraction of the energy into Mana and Stamina.

3rd stage: The spread of lightning within your body is slowed down significantly and with sufficient practice, you may redirect a part of the power out once more.

“Interesting…,”

Lightning? she sent to the creature and felt the spell approach and spread through her, much slower this time, burning through as she healed against it.

It merely slowed it down but to Ilea the difference was like night and day. Third tier healing wasn’t necessary anymore against the spell that had chunked her health down significantly before. The damage itself was similar of course but instead of a near instant hit, it came in the span of a little over half a second.

Doesn’t really make a difference if it continues to hit me until I’m just a bunch of charged up fairy lights. Against enemies less ridiculous than the Elemental… fucking nice.

Chapter 429 Questions

Chapter 429 Questions

Ilea tried the redirection thing a couple times but couldn’t quite figure it out.

The Elemental wasn’t exactly the best training partner for this either as it simply bombarded her like an F-16 fighter jet with an unlimited ammo cheat.

She soon decided to leave it be as the Elemental seemed quite annoyed about her newfound third tier resistance, once more upping the power output of its spells.

Ilea questioned how far the creature could actually go at the moment. Too much for her, that was obvious.

She signaled to the Fae that they would leave.

The Elemental stopped its assault as soon as the little creature appeared on her shoulder.

Thanks! she sent to the being and bowed lightly.

It watched them as they vanished once more towards the eleventh layer.

What an interesting being, she thought. “What do you think?”

The Fae looked at her as it jumped down and landed in the snow once more.

Proud

Powerful

“I’m surprised it agreed to help,” she said and laughed. “Now I have lightning as well…,”

Dangerous, it sent and pointed at her before it pointed up.

Alone

“I’m alone?” she asked.

It shook its head and once more pointed up.

“The Elemental?”

The Fae nodded.

Dangerous

“You don’t think it’d be as nice with me if I went alone?”

Precisely

Ilea chuckled. “Thought as much. Well, I have what I wanted from it. Thanks to you!” she jumped down and watched the Fae vanish, blinking after it until she grabbed the creature and rolled with it in the snow.

Thanks, she sent.

It waved her off.

“Alright, let me see now… I could get wood magic resistance up on the fifth layer but Lucas can help me with that too, more reliably as well. Anything above is useless I think… sixth and seventh have wind magic which I have already maxed. Poison on the eight layer is useless too now… I guess I could get some to continue leveling. As soon as I’ve used up the stuff I have,” she said, letting go of the Fae as she laid in the snow.

It floated up and twirled, flakes of white falling away from it. A little hat between its horns remained.

“The Wyverns on the ninth can’t really give me much either… more levels for my third tier I guess but the same can be accomplished by any fire mage really. With Avatar… we could look for the weird creature on this layer… but I honestly don’t want to waste anymore time. If it doesn’t want to show up I don’t really care.”

“Seems like everything except for the Deep Mirage and the Trakorov isn’t worth it for now,” she said and sighed. “Sorry about that, little one. We have to go down to layer nineteen again.”

The Fae twirled and tilted its head.

Help

“You want to help?” she asked with a smile.

The Fae nodded and sent excitement.

“How?”

Mana!

“Mana… you want to drain some?” she asked.

It nodded and started.

Ilea quickly disabled her resistance and let the Fae do its thing, interested in what it had planned.

Contrary to last time, the drain was much more powerful, the mana flowing into the Fae like before but instead of remaining there, it flowed straight into a circle below them.

The white glow of the magic intensified in her sphere until it became visible to the naked eye. Nearly ten thousand mana had flowed through the Fae before the space around them warped.

Ilea looked around and grinned. “Hmm… nice one,” she said and bowed to the Fae that was floating in front of her.

Nice, she sent.

Help

Joy!

“No shit, we just saved so much time and annoying creatures,” she said. They were in the small cave between the nineteenth and twentieth layer. Nothing around them suggested a powerful spell had been used but there they were.

The little Fae could use long range teleportation, using mana it siphoned from someone else.

“Is the range limited?” she asked.

Secret!

“Alright, alright,” Ilea said, putting her hands up in a placating gesture. “I just asked because I have a similar skill but mine needs ages to charge.”

I wonder if the time is reduced now that Blink leveled some, as well as my mana capacity, she wondered. Sentinel Huntress allowed further people to be marked with each level but her Blink third tier didn’t offer more locations to travel to or anything similar.

She started using the skill and canceled it after a couple seconds. If do feel like it’s charging quicker, hmm.

Slow, the Fae sent.

“Yes, I know. That’s why I was curious,” she said and smiled. “I guess it has to do with your space magic.”

The being nodded.

“Any ideas?” she asked.

The Fae thought for a moment but then shook its head.

Uncertain

“Like so much, isn’t it?” Ilea said and started flying up and towards the Deep Mirage. “Well, as long as I have you around I’d love to abuse that ability,” she said. “I assume the locations are limited?”

It nodded.

“Well, I’ll just ask you if we need another teleport. Now that I have enough mana,” she added and winked at the creature.

Affirmative

Ilea was happy to find the Deep Mirage quickly finding them and continuing right where they had left off.

It was a powerful being for sure and Ilea would have a very hard time getting anywhere near close the creature while it was hiding within this layer. Yet still, she couldn’t help but compare it to the Elemental, finding its power insignificant to the Lightning creature.

Is that how that fucker thinks of me? she wondered, getting shred through by sand.

The Deep Mirage was too powerful for her to drop the Ash armor and the resilience bonuses it provided. That sadly meant little use from the Fae’s space magic in her training.

The three still had fun. At least she liked the idea of that. The other beings were of another species entirely. It was possible their thoughts and emotions were too different for her to comprehend.

At the very least, she didn’t feel distress from either through her sphere.

It took quite some time to get the two skills to the end of the second tier, Ilea eating several meals in between, letting the Fae pop her eyes in the process to make sure it wasn’t getting annoyed by its lacking power.

Ilea checked her notifications as soon as her Stamina Drain Resistance reached level twenty.

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sand Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Stamina Drain Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

“Level twenty in everything,” she murmured and let the Deep Mirage attack her, all resistances activated at that point.

She smirked at the massively reduced impact the attacks had on her. Just shows how fucking important all these skills are. Thanks Pain Tolerance and Avatar of Ash, for making this a possibility.

Ilea had only six third tier General skill points remaining out of the total eleven she had.

“I think I should wait with more third tier resistances,” she murmured. The bonuses from her third tier Meditation were ridiculously insane compared to what the Resistances provided. The skill in its very nature was more versatile while the Resistances helped specifically against a single school of magic.

Ilea knew all of them could save her life in the right situation but she decided for now to keep the rest of her skill points until such a situation came around. Plenty of skills to level and now I can even benefit from Heavy Archery and skills in the same vein.

Veteran and Monster Hunter were the most interesting to her, the former actually somewhat close to the third tier. What’s that going to be? Me being able to paralyze higher leveled beings? she thought with a chuckle.

They flew out into the twentieth layer after saying their goodbyes to the Deep Mirage, Ilea still thinking about her general skills.

Identify was just such a shit skill to level, only at eleven after all this time. Ilea had stopped using it on literally everything but even identifying high level creatures seemed to offer little return to the skill.

I should ask the librarians about more General Skills that could be useful. Might also be helpful to get my language skills higher. Write some essays or even better, stories about my adventures.

“Darth Violence, any clue about leveling Identify? It’s so fucking slow.”

The Fae turned to her and giggled into her mind.

Time

Patience

Ilea rolled her eyes. Nemesis, she sent back.

The Fae giggled.

“What’s the second tier? You must have it at your apparent ancient age.”

Boring

Information

“Ah… I see. Well I’ll be the judge of that as soon as I get it,” Ilea said with a smile. If the Fae didn’t think of it very highly, she had no reason to be super bummed out about not having it yet.

“Think the Trakorov is up for some training?” she asked and checked the new notification in her list of available third tier General skills.

- Sand Magic Resistance

It’s been like a week. Please slow down with these. A Lightning Elemental and a Sand Elemental. I think it is time to accept that you will not learn. Sand Magic Resistance can be increased to the third tier, should you wish to do so. Perhaps this skill will help steer you towards a different fate than a certain Chosen One.

The Fae nodded in response.

Nothing for Stamina Drain Resistance. Oh well, she thought.

“Let’s see if I can get Veteran and Monster Hunter to a reasonable level as well,” she said and charged her wings, aiming at the entrance to their savior’s cavern.

The Fae giggled in her mind before they sped up.

Ilea watched her arms melt under the lava, finally understanding how her third tier Heat Resistance worked.

Flames clung to her ash and skin, continuing to burn with minimal damage. Heart of Cinder charged much faster, absorbing a good amount of heat from the magic.

She continuously used Monster Hunter as she sent thoughts to the massive creature that was half asleep, occasionally dumping some lava on her.

It didn’t seem to mind their presence.

Ilea and the Fae were just sitting around, an ashen clone fighting against the little creature.

The Trakorov opened one eye to look at her when the flames enveloped her wings, continuing to burn for a while.

Nice, Ilea thought, enjoying the sight.

She had seen videos showing lava setting things aflame that were thrown into it. The stuff this creature was huffing out was definitely on another level entirely. It burned through her defenses as if it was a powerful acid coupled with fire.

Glad I’m not a chemistry major, otherwise I’d go mad by all the ways magic changes up the properties of elements.

On the other hand, scientists from Earth could likely make some amazing tech with the available resources and changed properties here. All Elos had were runes and enchantments.

Ilea didn’t exactly contribute massively with her kick-boxing and general knowledge from Earth.

They’d have to survive in the first place of course.

“Can you travel through realms?” she suddenly asked the Fae, half her face melted off.

Realms?

Realms, Ilea sent the thought, more concept than word.

The Fae considered for a moment.

Dangerous

“I mean yeah. I am not from this realm though. Might want to visit my old home at some point,” she said.

The Fae nodded.

Understand

Possible

Difficult

“Would I lose my abilities there? There was no magic or mana as far as I know,” she said.

The Fae came closer, looking interested.

Untouched

It reached out to her and touched her head.

Homesick?

Ilea smiled, her face regenerating quickly. “Not really. I like it here. I like being able to fly around, fight dangerous creatures. And meeting beings like the two of you.”

The Fae giggled into her mind.

Home, it sent and gestured around itself.

Ilea smiled and nodded.

“What did you mean by untouched?” she asked.

Magic

“No magic. So I’d lose my abilities if I go back? Is it dangerous because of that?” Ilea asked.

No

Magic, it pointed at her.

Touched

“I’m touched by magic?”

The Fae nodded.

“So I’d keep my abilities.”

It nodded again.

Ilea grinned. “That’s great news. Means I can go back and check out how things are going at some point.”

The Fae didn’t send anything but she could tell it wasn’t happy about the idea.

“You don’t think I should?”

It shook its head and pointed at her.

Decision

You

“My decision?”

It nodded.

“Why do you think it’s a bad idea?”

Touched

Different

“Yes but I could do a lot of good with this power. I’d be Superman basically,” she said and laughed before the responsibility dawned on her. “Oh shit… yeah maybe that’s not the best idea. I can already do a lot here. Let’s worry about that as soon as the opportunity presents itself,” she murmured and sighed.

The Fae nodded.

“You know a lot about this stuff. Are you sure you’re allowed to tell me all that?”

It waved a hand.

Rules

Variable

“I see. Thanks. I know you don’t have to tell me all that.”

Friend

Ilea laughed and nodded, another lava bath covering her.

She didn’t want to ask the Fae if it could help her get to Earth. The possibility existed but she wasn’t ready. She trusted the creature when it said she would keep her powers but emotionally, she simply wasn’t there yet.

Ilea had accepted Elos as her new home, the place she was brought to and the place she would stay at. She had refused to use the teleportation thing in the demon realm to get back to her apartment and even now, she’d probably say no.

Her third tier blink had helped her to get home but she wasn’t sure the skill alone would be enough to return.

“You saw my teleportation… could I return with that… from another realm I mean?”

The Fae nodded.

Slow

“Yes… yes I know,” she said. It really likes to point that out.

“I thought about it a couple times… the reason I came here. If someone had summoned me, or if it’s a simulation in the first place. A virtual world within a computer. What do you think?” she asked. It was worth a try. The Fae seemed to at least think it knew a bunch of things about realms and teleportation.

Common

Random

“It is? I mean I met a girl from my Realm before… could have been another dimension as well now that I think about it… this realm stuff is confusing man.”

Simulation

Possible

“So you’ve thought about that too?”

It nodded.

Existence

Peculiar

“I doubt we can have a conversation about these topics with one word thoughts,” she said.

The Fae didn’t respond.

“Not if you keep using one word replies.”

It giggled.

Ilea continued the training mostly in silence, thinking of the few acquaintances on Earth that still meant something to her. It was a little sad really, the only one she really cared about being Mark.

They had mostly talked about kick boxing, training and diets. Still, he had given a shit while her parents had pretty much abandoned her as soon as they could, both in their own way.

It hadn’t been easy, to accept that cutting them out of her life entirely was for the best. Keeping busy and focusing on her training, work and school had made it easier.

The shittiest part was the fact that it kind of just happened. Without her trying much. She had stopped calling at some point, not hearing from either in weeks, then months and finally years. I was fucking nineteen.

At least they hadn’t been drug addicts coming to her for the little money she had whenever they had a dry spell. They were just busy and selfish, happy to be rid of the kid they made on accident. No drama really, no tears. Just barely existent relationships that faded entirely with time.

Can’t choose your family, she thought, remembering the line. Life is weird sometimes.

She looked at the Fae, the weird fantasy creature floating around with a copy of itself made of ash, conjured and controlled by her. The absurdity of her situation hit her in that moment, as it sometimes did. She couldn’t help but chuckle. Common, random.

The Fae’s thoughts made the whole thing even more absurd. Does it really matter? I have wings now and can fly. Plus, if I ever get back I’d absolutely stomp any kick-boxing tournament.

Ilea activated her pain perception, immediately gritting her teeth as her muscles tensed up. Meditation, Sentinel Reconstruction, Sentinel Core and Pain Tolerance Itself reduced her pain immensely. Still, getting her body melted wasn’t something she enjoyed. Despite all the messages suggesting she was a masochist.

It stung but wasn’t more than a little distracting. Comparable to a headache but not quite a bad migraine. She still got a more personal picture of the damage to her body, quite unlike the clinical information she received from her healing magic.

Will have to get that one to the third tier at some point as well, she thought. It was easy to just ignore pain entirely but it had its uses. The levels were welcome too of course, adding to her potential third tier points.

Important to not forget how it feels. Otherwise I’ll just turn into an unfeeling monster at some point. Especially if I’m going to make decisions that affect others.

She closed her eyes and calmed her breathing, focusing on her meditation and healing as she continued her ridiculous training with the ancient creatures, feeling a little more like a human than she had before. A powerful human, with limitless potential.

Chapter 430 Nature

Chapter 430 Nature

Ilea checked her levels from the endeavor, eating another meal as she bathed her feet in lava.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Monster Hunter – 2nd lvl 1

Many times have you faced creatures well beyond your level. You revel in it, seek them out and you prevail. Your presence demands respect. Growl to show your prowess. Effects vary depending on those affected as well as their levels in relation to yours.

2nd stage: You become better at communicating your intent. Infuse your voice with up to 100 mana to increase its range and effect on those that hear it. Fully infused, you may lure even powerful creatures towards your location, depending on your intent.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Lava Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

An elemental form of molten rock, reserved for those few living in conditions most consider deadly. You have met and fought such a being, its magic opposed by Heat and Earth magic resistance but ultimately something different, more primordial and ancient.

2nd stage: Your body can store heat more effectively, your skin and muscles less prone to melting. Lava has become to you like water is to others, its substance less restricting as you move through it.

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

Nearly a day had passed, the Trakorov happily assisting in her training between dozing.

The thing was lazy and Ilea was pretty sure it sustained itself off mana alone. There really wasn’t another explanation with how little prey was present in these layers. Some of the monsters hunted and ate, like the Wyverns, Cyclopes and Varass Drowners but to sustain the heat this creature produced, it would have to consume whole towns worth of people.

Ilea was certainly glad that wasn’t necessary. Otherwise these monsters would roam instead of simply sleeping in their caves.

She didn’t have enough data on the Trakorov to be sure about it but even if it roamed from time to time, it reminded her more of the lizards she knew from earth. Mostly chilling out on a branch or hot stone.

Her Monster Hunter skill felt much more refined and the range was incredible when she charged it fully. The noise however annoyed the Trakorov and she refrained from using it any further.

The second tier for her Lava Magic Resistance coupled well with her third tier Heat Resistance, allowing her to both charge her Heart of Cinder more quickly as well as adding a bunch more power before her body started taking damage.

She was getting closer to her twelfth third tier general point as well.

Even training with the Trakorov, none of her class skills had leveled. It made her feel much more comfortable around the creature, an additional hint that it didn’t mean her any harm. Not anymore at least.

Compared to most of her previous training, the past day felt more like a spa to her. She didn’t keep her pain perception up throughout the whole thing either.

As soon as she had reached the second tier of Lava Magic Resistance, she left the skill active from time to time to enjoy the heat.

Coupled with other skills, she could definitely understand why the massive creature enjoyed lazing about in its cave all day.

She simply had too many other hobbies she enjoyed but if she would be reincarnated as an animal, it would be a hard decision between bird and lizard.

Done? the Fae sent.

Ilea had noticed it was lazing about as well but for the last couple hours the being had become increasingly restless. Neither did it particularly enjoy the sparring matches with her ashen clone.

“Twenty minutes or so? Then we can check out the deeper layers,” she replied.

The Fae twirled vertically.

“Come on… exploring the unknown? Even more ancient and powerful beings to befriend or fight.”

It stopped the twirling and looked at her.

Violence?

Maybe, she sent.

Boring

“I’m sorry. You can send a complaint to our support address. I apologize for being an inefficient activity organizer.”

The Fae lifted a pebble of black rock and shot it at her head.

“Hey! That could have killed me if I was a normal human.”

It giggled into her mind.

Normal?

Monster, it sent with a sarcastic tone.

“Oh?” Ilea asked and covered her face in ash. “Then what does that make you?”

Prey, she sent the response and blinked to the creature.

They flew around the cavern, giggling and using spells to fight each other.

A loud roar resounded a moment later, massive eyes open and focused on them as the Trakorov stared at them. It huffed, steam exiting from its mostly hidden nostrils.

Danger

Definitely

Leave?

Leave

The thoughts were exchanged in quick succession as they giggled and flew past the massive creature, sending their goodbyes as they approached the small crack in the wall at the end of the cavern.

No gate blocked the way, simply a small cave entrance carved into the black stone.

Ilea flew down, Fae by her side. The cave was more like a hole, leading straight down for nearly a hundred meters.

She noted that the heat was rising, even with all her buffs and defenses. When they reached the ground, she had to actually heal against the damage.

Ilea included the Fae as well, though it didn’t seem overly concerned. Still it accepted the small ash cocoon she formed around it, holding the creature in her arms.

“A level one hundred human would literally melt down here, you know,” she commented, taking in the layer.

A large cavern, black rock like within the Trakorov’s lair. Lava pooled into orange glowing lakes, streams flowing in from cracks in the walls and ceiling. Large stone protrusions, platforms and boulders dotted the area, the sound of slowly moving molten rock the only thing audible.

Ilea had to do a double take, the air shimmering as if twisted and torn by the heat. Many of the rocks resembled half burnt down candles, melting slowly from the top but not quite enough to form another pool of lava.

She coughed, wondering if there was even any air within the layer. Drowning wasn’t much of an issue to her anymore which made her doubt suffocation or smoke poisoning would be a lot scarier.

Safe? she asked her little friend.

Safe

How the fuck can it survive this, she asked herself, still not quite able to grasp its body with her healing magic.

Nothing moved in the layer, other than the streams.

Ilea flew around for a couple minutes but nothing showed up. Neither from within the lava or hidden near the ceiling or behind the rocks.

The layer was empty. Perhaps her perception simply did not allow for her to see the creatures or there was no interest on their side to challenge her. With the Trakorov so close by, she could certainly understand the lack of inhabitants.

She took the Fae and made her way towards the next layer, another shaft that led down into the unknown. There was a case to be made about training Heat Resistance here or perhaps gain a skill against the smoke and lack of air but she could tell the Fae wasn’t doing so well.

Plus with Avatar of Ash, she could reach the same result inside a small forge with no ventilation.

As they descended, the heat was replaced by something else. Something Ilea couldn’t quite place immediately.

Her eyes opened wide a moment later. It was obvious. Mana. Pure unadulterated mana. She had last felt it coming in waves from the Sand Elemental and Trakorov, before and during their battle.

The permanent feeling now was something she hadn’t felt in a long while however. To a lesser extent perhaps when she had first flown into the north. Her Sphere was muddled, barely recognizing the walls right next to her.

It didn’t exactly feel like drowning, nor the effect gravity magic had on her. It was a little more subtle. Her heart was beating faster, her jaw and fists were clenched. She could feel the hair going down her back, could feel the ash close to her body, her tongue in her mouth, as if all of it was foreign.

Slowly it became more difficult to breathe, her wings barely keeping her up anymore as the controlled descent turned into a free fall. She tried grabbing at the walls. Blink activated but it felt like moving through water, and not water with her second tier resistance, but water from when she was a kid and swam for the first time.

Her healing still worked, informing her that nothing was wrong with her body. And still she could barely move, finally slapping against the stone ground below with a loud thud. The injuries were minimal, quickly taken care of by her regeneration. The rock looked worse off.

Okay? It was the Fae’s turn to ask, the creature popping out of the cocoon and floating close to her face.

Maybe, she sent back and used her ashen limbs to slowly move her back up into the corridor. She was severely slowed down, any monster could just rip her apart.

Half a minute later, she was hanging ten meters up within the shaft, ashen limbs barely holding her body in place. Something that should have been simple, even for just one of the protrusions.

The Fae seemed concerned, floating around her, asking her if she was okay from time to time.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

I see, she thought. It’s that bad, damn. Come on second tier, you’re supposed to deal with exactly that.

Magic, she sent.

The Fae looked at her before it nodded in understanding.

Help?

No, she sent back, deciding that she should get used to it herself. The creature could drain her mana so she assumed it had some way to assist her in this but at some point the Fae wouldn’t be there anymore. Stuck within the stone shaft, she felt it an opportune moment to get her resistance to a higher level.

The Fae got bored after half an hour.

Ilea suggested eye popping.

An inspection of her arms made her realize that dark blue and purple veins had formed, pulsing with something that wasn’t her heartbeat.

Same shit that happened to Elfie, she thought, remembering him passing out after the Praetorian fight.

Should I teleport up and get out. I could just chain blink, even if it feels muddled.

There was no immediate danger however. The elf had survived and so would she. She trusted her ash to keep her hanging in the tunnel. Already her limbs felt more in control, sturdier.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

The difference was minimal but she did feel it.

Heat so intense it melted her skin even through her armor was something she could deal with, something she was pretty used to by now actually.

It was obvious that a human shouldn’t be here but that was exactly why it was important to stay, to get her resistance up and to the third tier.

Arcane lightning and now this. Nothing else seemed so hell bent on killing her while being incredibly effective at it.

“Can… you… explain?” she asked the Fae with strained words. At least she could speak now, her body slowly taking in the surrounding power, helped by her resistance.

Human, it sent and pointed at her before it popped one eye. Even with the suggested training it kept her right eye unharmed, perhaps concerned.

Uncomfortable

She smiled. I can feel that, little one, she thought.

“Is… it.. just… more… dense?”

Much

“You… don’t… mind?”

The Fae shook its head.

Like

“I… see,” Ilea said.

“Is… it… normal?”

Rare

Mountain

Cave

So just high up or far below the ground? Ilea thought. She wasn’t sure about the exact meaning but at least it wouldn’t be something that just randomly happened.

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that there were insane natural forces at play here after the last couple layers. She just didn’t expect it to be something other than another creature.

“Third… tier… help?”

Maybe.

Human.

Different, the Fae sent.

As we are… as we are.

Finally, the message she was waiting for popped up. The veins on her arms were already a little less visible, her ash even stronger now. It seemed her body had overcome the initial shock.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

- Arcane Magic Resistance

Magic, a force mysterious and powerful. It fuels both deadly spells and incredible creation. You have seen and felt it in its raw and chaotic form. It has coursed through you, has permeated your very core. Few live through what you have. Not just in general… that too… but just the Arcane itself. The recommendation to visit a psychiatrist is still something you should consider. Really.

Got it!

Joy, she sent, watching the Fae twirl in place.

That’s a point I’ll gladly spend.

Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Wielding the true arcane is a rare and powerful talent only accessible to few. The raw energies tear at not just flesh and bone but at the magical structure and minds of whomever faces them. Its red glow turns purple the more refined it is. This skill shall help you counter masters of the arcane.

2nd stage: Your flow of mana has been ruptured many times by the raw form of magic, making it substantially more resistant to both adept mages and natural occurrences of the true arcane.

3rd stage: You have survived both arcane storms and immeasurably dense pockets of mana. Your body has changed and adapted, both able to walk within mana sparse as well as highly saturated areas. Constructs made from your mana become more resistant and substantial.

Ilea immediately unclenched jaw, the power in her limbs returning, increasing even compared to before. A breath left her before she filled her lungs again deeply.

“Whoa, this is fucking weird,” she murmured. The first part of the bonus was obvious, the result immediately felt.

“I can move in mana dense areas now,” she said to the Fae, giving it a thumbs up.

Nice

“No shit. Hmm… would I have died had I been weaker?”

The Fae pointed at itself.

Savior!

“I mean if you hadn’t been here. I’m aware that you’re my shining knight.”

Dark

“Dark Knight, whatever,” she said with a smile.

Yes

Death

“Damn… pretty fucked up if you ask me. What if I walk into an area that’s even more dense? I mean the description of the skill now suggests I could do that but do you think it would be a problem?”

Dangerous

Maybe

Death, it said and shook its head after the last word.

“What about the Trakorov for example… I’m sure it wouldn’t give a shit to come down here… just like you. Would you die if you went south? Where there are no arcane storms? Or even out of a dungeon… wait no, there was a Fae I met in the south.”

Uncomfortable

Death, it again shook its head.

“So it just applies to weak as shit species like mine?”

It nodded with a giggle.

“Fucking busted. Is that why shit like a Trakorov doesn’t just waltz around in the south, stomping down cities?”

Possible

“It could though, right? It’d just be uncomfortable as fuck.”

Likely

“You’re very vague.”

World

Varied

It sent with an annoyed tone.

“I know, I know. Sorry. They can just get resistances too… hmm maybe not. Or can you train Arcane Magic Resistance in a mana sparse area? Maybe Mana Starvation would be a skill one could pick up,” she suggested.

No

“Now you’re absolute again.”

It giggled into her mind.

Maybe

“I’ll go with maybe. Maybe if I ate the Trakorov’s kids and it really wanted revenge.”

Bad

Idea

“Are you sure? I already thought about stealing some scales.”

No, it bumped her head with a stumpy arm.

“I was kidding.”

“Would be pretty powerful armor though…”

Another bump.

“Just saying.”

The second part of the skill talked about magical constructs. Ilea could feel that her ash was included in that. The difference was noticeable but nothing spectacular. Perhaps equal to five or ten percent in her Avatar of Ash third tier. A difference still, one that would make a fine addition to her collection.

She jumped down and looked around the dark cavern. Her sphere was still a little muddled but not quite as much as before.

“Sense any creatures?”

The Fae shook its head.

Both of them watched as a sudden spark of purple energy flared up in the distance, zapping through the cavern before it vanished into the ground.

“Is that a creature? Another Elemental?” she asked with an excited voice.

The Fae shook its head.

Natural

Dangerous

“You think so. Who would have thunk.”

Ilea charged up Monster Hunter and roared into the cavern, trying to lure anything out that might be lurking within. Huh, should have done that earlier as well.

She waited a minute and blinked up a couple times, repeating the same within the Lava layer.

The Fae shook its head.

What? she sent.

It didn’t say anything.

“Hey, I’m a human. I could only laughably imitate a roar before. Let me have my fun.”

Dangerous

“Why?”

Proud

“That’s the whole intent of the skill. I piss off powerful creatures and they come and fight me.”

Chapter 431 Grounding

Chapter 431 Grounding

They quickly moved down again, the Fae already using its shield against the heat.

Nothing had shown up on either layer.

“Hmm… did you specifically mean the roar?”

The Fae nodded after a moment.

Why, she sent.

The Fae looked at her in a contemplative way.

Dragons

The answer was simple and comprehensive.

Ilea laughed.

Confused

She calmed down and shook her head.

“Just… of course it’s because of Dragons. Everyone here pisses their pants at their mention. I bet it’s going to be a massive let down once I actually meet one. You fear them too?”

No

“Of course you don’t. So why should I?”

Human

It pointed at itself.

Fae

“So what?” she asked and summoned a meal. Hungry after nearly dying to some floating energy.

“You said I’m special.”

The Fae shruggedand looked away at the same time.

Special

Stupid

“Hey, you’re free of corruption because of this special stupid human.”

True

Nice

Special

Stupid

“Oh? Four words! You’re slipping up, my guy.”

The Fae giggled and twirled.

“Do you like it here? Where the mana feels fucking choking?”

Yes

“Do you have a home? Somewhere you would go after this?”

It nodded.

“Is it like here?”

The Fae seemed to hesitate.

Rules

“I see, I see. You’re not allowed to talk about it. Outsiders and all. I get it. I don’t approve but I get it. I’d say you should be an independent Fae that needs no rules but I don’t understand your species at all.”

Considerate

“I know. I’m the beacon of tolerance and inter-species understanding.”

It giggled.

I mean considering most humans would probably try to eat you or something I’m actually alright. Same with Elves. Might be one of the only humans with friends of various species.

“Elf, Fae, Spirit, Dwarf, Firefox, Mind Weaver, Maro, Dagger turned Machine… I’m pretty good. Think I can befriend those arcane bolts?”

Try

“I will, you know I’m not kidding. Oh I forgot the Trakorov. Also a good friend.”

No

“Dude loves me. Did I mention the Lightning Elemental?”

Stop

“You start to sound like my notifications. Are you the system in my head?”

Yes

Ilea squinted her eyes and grabbed the Fae, moving it close to her head.

It giggled.

Would certainly fit with Fae supposedly being tricksters and all. I told it my name, right? Well I didn’t give it. Just said it. I’m perfectly safe. Not like a certain demon warned me from saying my name.

“Do names have power?” she asked, actually interested now that the thought crossed her mind again.

Names?

“Yes, like my given name. If someone else knows it, can they use magic against me?”

The Fae shrugged.

Unknown

“I see. Or it would just be something related to Mind Magic or another school.”

It nodded in response.

Boring

Friend, it sent and pointed at one of the moving bolts of pure arcane energy.

“Ah yes. I’ll have to introduce myself,” Ilea said and stored the empty dish.

The mana surged through her, partially wrecking her body. Nothing much to worry about. A bunch of fried organs and a couple thousand points of health gone in mere moments.

Another surge formed and rushed through the dark cavern.

Ilea blinked twice to catch it, gritting her teeth as the energy flowed through her. She stayed upright, her wings moving behind her as she took a deep breath, healing the damage to her body.

“I don’t think it likes me!” she shouted to the Fae that was floating near the entrance where so far no arcane lightning had reached.

It waved back and twirled in joy, clearly visible to her Eyes of Ash.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Nice

She continued chasing the arcane beams for a while, their insane power enough to push her Resistance even higher.

Ilea spent another couple hours in the layer until it became boring.

The damage was certainly there but not having an actual enemy to face made the whole thing much less exciting.

“We’re leaving!” she shouted to the Fae and blinked towards the exit she had found some time earlier.

The Fae appeared on her shoulder while she checked her progress.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

She jumped down into the stone shaft.

Boring? she asked.

The Fae shook its head.

Impressive

“I guess… been a while since I tested but are these arcs more or less powerful than the lightning up and above the dungeon?”

Similar

“Hmm.”

The mana density mostly remained as they descended farther down but was joined by frost forming on the walls and her armor.

“Lava to mana to ice. I’m sure a large part of this dungeon was made by whoever built all those steel structures but can something like this form naturally as well?”

Possible

“Really? I mean these are some fucking extremes.”

Mana

Powerful

“The more density, the more volatile it all becomes?” she asked.

The Fae nodded while sitting on her shoulder, grabbing some ash to tuck itself in against the cold.

Ilea helped out, leaving only its eyes uncovered under the makeshift skiing gear.

She kept a look on its vitals as they came out into the next layer. Only three remaining, she thought, barely able to see ten meters far in the mist of snow and wind.

Ilea used Monster Hunter again, her roar echoing through the unknown areas, moving far.

Nothing responded to her call.

I doubt this experience will allow me to get Ice Resistance any higher, she thought and slowly made her way through the terrible weather.

Chunks of ice formed on her ash but her second tier bonus to Ice Resistance made it not dig much further.

The Fae certainly didn’t enjoy the experience but neither did it complain behind its shield and ash.

Twenty minutes of searching and a trail of ice later, the two found the way into the next layer. No creatures had shown themselves here either and she suspected that nothing else would come up.

Maybe the extreme conditions didn’t allow anything to stay down here or nothing had found this place yet. She had too little of an understanding about how dungeons worked to make a reasonable assumption.

The good part was that there were no signs of corrupted creatures. The Trakorov would take care of most anyway but if she could help out before, that was preferable. For her own levels and growth as well as a help for the creature.

A corrupted Trakorov was not something she would want to face.

“What’s with these layers?” she asked as they once again descended farther down.

Barrier?

“Natural barriers you mean? But the Trakorov is much more of a barrier than any of this,” Ilea said.

Creature

Hide

“You’re right. The expedition reached level twenty without much trouble and they’d be swatted by even layer six or seven monsters. Just weird you know… Maro talked about going deeper than layer twenty but everything is different since he shut himself into his machine.”

“I guess these layers would stop scavengers dead in their tracks. Or force them to face the creatures first,” she noted.

The Fae nodded.

Ilea and the creature came into a small room made of steel. The mana here felt even more restricting, more dense and powerful.

“Still just nothing to you?”

Nice

“I bet it is,” she said and looked around. A corridor led away from the small room, no traps, enchantments or runes visible to any of her skills.

Ilea walked to the closed door and touched it, seeing into an open space beyond. Her sphere wasn’t obstructed but muddled instead, even more than before. More than in the hallway itself where the mana density reached levels close to the twenty second level.

“Teleport in or open the door?”

She decided on the door, to make sure she had a way out in case it locked her into the area of high density. Her ashen limbs smashed into the steel, cutting through with difficulties but considerably easier than when she went to rescue the Fae.

Granted, the door wasn’t exactly ten meters of pure steel. More like ten centimeters.

As soon as she pierced through, the mana leaked in and made her step back. “Holy fuck…,” she grumbled, feeling the power. She could see the change with her Sphere but more than anything she felt it in her bones.

Ilea coughed and spat out blood as she healed herself. Without the third tier, she would have probably collapsed immediately.

Interesting, the Fae sent as it floated right in front of the hole, looking into the open space beyond.

Unnatural

“No shit,” Ilea said and breathed in deeply.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

She propped herself on her knees before righting herself up again. “I’m fine.”

Blood

“Ah, I’m fine,” she repeated. “You’ve literally seen me ripped apart, a little blood isn’t a concern.”

Okay

“Don’t give me that look. Come on, let’s check it out,” she said and smiled at the creature.

The Fae nodded excitedly as it watched Ilea pry open the steel gate with her ashen limbs and arms.

She breathed in deeply and walked out into the open space.

Magical lamps illuminated the hundred meter high dome like structure, thousands upon thousands of runes glowed with dark orange red power on every piece of metal that formed the creation.

If any doubt in her mind had remained that this was made by the same beings as the facility in the demon realm, then it was shattered right then and there.

Goosebumps formed on her arms and neck as she took a couple steps, struggling to move in the dense mana. It wasn’t constricting and paralyzing as it had been in the twenty second layer but nonetheless it felt overwhelming.

Ilea could see the runes on the steel plates clearly and still she failed to grasp their form. It didn’t hurt in her mind but she could tell her Mental Resistance was responsible for that. She was looking at knowledge and truth her brain could not comprehend.

Hmm, does that mean I can look at a bunch of Eldritch shit without going mad? Bring me the elder scrolls, she thought with a smile.

Wrong, the Fae said into her mind.

It was disturbed, frantically looking around.

“Are you concerned about this place?” she asked.

The Fae looked at her and nodded.

“I have no clue what the runes do though. Do you know?”

Concentrate

Mana

“Hmm… so that’s what this is. Why you said unnatural?”

It nodded.

Dungeon

Formed

“This place is responsible for the dungeon?” she asked.

The Fae nodded.

“What do you want to do then?”

Destroy

“We could learn a lot from this though. Plus we don’t know how destroying this place will affect all the creatures within the Descent,” Ilea said.

The Fae considered and nodded.

Agree

Dangerous

“We can go to the next layer I guess, see what’s around. With everything else empty I don’t really except another powerful being like at fifteen and twenty. Might bring some answers if this is essentially the core of the dungeon. There’s an opening in the middle leading down.”

Maybe

Idea

The Fae looked at her and then averted its gaze.

No

“What?”

Dangerous

“Maybe I can help?” she asked.

The Fae nodded.

Needed

Yes

Dangerous

“I’ll help if I can. Just explain what you’re thinking about.”

Collection

Slow

Drain

It sent and pointed at itself and then her.

“You want to drain the mana?”

The Fae nodded excitedly.

“How?”

You

Damage

“Show me,” Ilea said.

The Fae landed on her outstretched palm, its eyes starting to glow white.

Sure?

Ilea nodded. “How bad could it be?”

It was horrible.

As if a thousand needles pierced her body in an instant, flowing through her body as they wreaked havoc.

Ilea went down to her knees and screamed, her healing trying to work against the power but the pain didn’t lessen. This was purely arcane, magic damaging something beyond nerves and cells. Her head hurt, something deep within her being screamed and she felt her very existence lose focus, torn and shredded.

The Fae stopped after two seconds.

Perhaps the two longest seconds of her life. Then again, she had learned that horrific pain usually made her think it was the worst thing in existence whenever she was in the process of experiencing it.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

“What the fuck,” she said and looked through the messages. Not purely arcane at all… Pain Tolerance? But my pain is off?

“This shit is weird, what’s going on here? I just got resistance levels in like six different schools of magic.” She touched her head, still feeling the aftermath of the experience flowing through her body.

The Fae nodded.

Painful

Dangerous

Runes, it pointed around the dome.

Spell, it pointed at itself.

Transferred

Body

Damaged

Friend

Resistant

Death, it pointed at itself.

Again it pointed at her.

Alive

Maybe

“How long do you have to do this?” she asked.

The Fae looked down and shook its head.

“Sure this is necessary? I really don’t feel like going through that again, even with all the levels…,” Ilea said and bit her lip. It had felt wrong, entirely wrong.

No

Leave

“Tell me and be honest, friend. Do you think it necessary?”

The Fae looked away but found her eyes some seconds later. It nodded weakly.

“Why? Do you know what the runes can do, who the people behind this are?”

Power, it sent after a moment and gestured around itself.

Gathered

Millennia

Unknown

Possibilities

Corruption

Pain

Destruction

Ilea nodded. “I see. And the effect it would have on the people in the first layer and above? The creatures within the dungeon?”

The Fae shook its head.

Not

Destroy

Drain

“And that wouldn’t have an effect?”

Minimal

Certain

“I see. And you think the absurd pain I’ll go through is worth all this?”

Uncertain

Corruption

Pain

Drain

Necessary

“Hmm… I trust you, you know?” Ilea said and moved two of her ashen limbs between her jaws as she knelt down. She closed her eyes and nodded to the Fae.

Regret

Its eyes started glowing.

Friend

Courage

The pain came once more and all her senses were overwhelmed.

She only saw glimpses of her surroundings, noting that she was lying on the ground now, blood seeping from her nose and ears. Her body twitched from time to time as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Ilea screamed into her ash, her mind, soul, and body battered by the continuous stream of mana that flowed into her, to destroy and find its end. Her very existence shuddered, each level up marginally reducing the overwhelming nature of the experience. Not enough to change it in a meaningful way, not by a long shot.

Ilea had felt the concern from the Fae, knew it had been imprisoned here for years, centuries perhaps. It had struggled against the corruption until she freed it.

The being would not ask this of her if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Even now she could feel the regret, the pain of her friend seeing her in this state.

It was little consolation.

Ilea lost track of time, her whole existence pure agony. The mana kept her awake. Her resilience and all respective resistance skills reduced the effects by a large margin. Sentinel Reconstruction healed her mind and body, both from the physical and psychological damage. And still she felt like she was going numb, her very being torn apart by the incredible power.

As time went on, the experience changed. Thoughts from time to time came to her mind again, her brain not completely overwhelmed anymore.

More time passed and she found herself sitting up, rocking on the ground as the Fae continued to push mana into her.

Hours passed and she started to analyze the flows around her, started to glimpse at her inner being, her body, mind, the part of her she assumed to be her soul.

The mana was laced with different powers, various nuances she had seen before, had experienced before. Space, Void, Mind, Soul, and Arcane. The Pain was unnatural, something that resulted from the various magics, the purity and strength of it all. It became easier to handle as all resistances rose to meet the challenge. Her body adapted.

Her mind found calm as she opened her eyes and focused on the two white eyes staring at her still. She could tell her soul was cracked and injured, could feel her mind struggle to keep together a semblance of herself. And still she took in the power, felt it intrude her body as it burned and destroyed.

She wasn’t rocking anymore, instead changing to a cross legged position.

More, she sent, knowing the Fae was holding back. She couldn’t form words as she was but simple thoughts were possible.

The Fae looked at her and nodded slowly.

The damage picked up again, returning to an experience difficult to handle but not overwhelming. I’m through the worst, she thought, trying to relax her muscles and mind as she focused on the healing that flowed through her.

Ilea kept watching the stream of mana, warped and focused by the Fae. A part of her was glad she had agreed, seeing the levels come in. Another part of her screamed at her to get away, to stop it. Persevere, she told herself. Persevere and prevail. Become that which cannot be destroyed.

Chapter 432 Core

Chapter 432 Core

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 1

Being a bit of a masochist, you have learned to ignore some of the pain. No, only physical pain. You’re feeling a little more numb towards pain but careful...the damage is still being done!

2nd stage: You’ve been through more pain than most others. You are now able to completely turn off your perception of pain. Be wary as there is a reason pain exists.

3rd stage: Pain comes in many forms. Pain to your body which you have learned to ignore. Pain to the mind itself which you have resisted. Pain to your soul, which you have endured. A pain coming with the forces of magic, the arcane, tearing and cutting at the core of what you are. You have experienced pain beyond which can be survived. And yet you live. A testament of resilience and perseverance, regeneration and a powerful mind. Let it fuel you, empower you. Pain now lets you focus, clears your mind instead of distracting it. You shall not be broken.

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The fleeting conscience of man and beast. Flesh, energy, motion and thought. The Soul stands separate entirely, yet intertwined all the same. Through hardship you have learned understanding, not through meditation and study. A brutal yet comforting truth, strengthening that which cannot be grasped.

2nd stage: Battered and cracked. Challenged and near broken. Your Soul has endured through sheer tenacity against that which meant to bring its end. A serene calm now sways through your very essence, changed and evolved, grounded and calm.

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

...

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Void Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The mystical magic usually used to enchant high level items applied as a form of combat magic. It’s as deadly as it is silent. How exactly you survived is unclear, perhaps the caster willed it so. Next time it might work against a true enemy as well.

2nd stage: You have resisted the true magic of the Void, your body and will showing unrelenting grit. More than a simple spell will be required to invade your body with the void. Your very existence and all of its parts are connected to you through the threads of magic.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

...

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘One third tier General skill point awarded’

Ilea read through it all in passing, noticing how her mind focused as soon as her Pain Tolerance reached the third tier, keeping her calm and ready, her mind analyzing the changes. She understood why it had reached the third tier without a point necessary, the breakthrough possible thanks to her assisting abilities and the unique situation presented by the dense mana around her, collected for thousands of years and now funneled into her by the ancient being with destructive power. The fact that neither the Elemental or Trakorov attacking her had led to the same result made it even more meaningful.

She understood the change to her Soul, on a level she could not quite describe. The tears did not stop but she smiled when it advanced, as if she watched her child make its first friend, as if she was an innocent prisoner finally finding freedom after a decade long sentence. Neither applied to her and yet she felt them all the same. It was beautiful and confusing until the pain moved once again to the foreground of her thoughts and mind.

The change to her Void Magic Resistance was by far the most graspable and simple, the pain coming from that part of the arcane torrent flowing into her, moving to the background as she meditated.

Slowly, the power fizzled out and she was left with a feeling of lightness she had never experienced before.

For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, she breathed in, filling her lungs as her mind relaxed. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking as she looked at the Fae. A slight smile spread on her lips as her ash wiped away the tears, snot and blood covering her.

The Fae bowed deeply.

Friend

Pain

It added a thought of deep respect and relief.

“It’s alright now, little one.” She felt the mana around them had normalized. It was still dense and powerful, as all mana in the north, but a mere puddle to the ocean it had been before.

“We did it. Are you okay?” she asked.

The Fae nodded.

“What exactly happened anyway? It felt like the mana pushed into me just like a mana intrusion spell.”

The creature nodded again.

Destruction

Merging

Dispersion

“But energy can’t be destroyed, right? So it should still be somewhere around here, no? Even if it flowed into me.”

The Fae shook its head.

Complicated

“Hmm… as many things huh, little guy?” Ilea said and laid back, looking up at the ceiling and the runes covering all the metal.

“It’s like a huge battery, storage of energy… and you just sent all that energy into me?”

Yes

“Can I use it?”

No

Destructive

It pointed at her.

Ash

Healing

Ilea huffed. “I see. Kind of a waste then, eh? If I could just take that then it probably wasn’t a lot either.”

Wrong

Four

“Four what?” she asked.

Day

“Are you telling me four days have passed since you started?” she asked but couldn’t quite bring herself to care right now. She felt serene, calm.

The Fae nodded.

Apology

Pause

Dangerous

“Don’t worry about it. If people can’t be without me for a couple weeks, I did something wrong,” she said and chuckled. “That might change for a while though… if I finally start up that healing organization.”

The Fae sent a questioning thought.

“Hmm? I have quite a lot of wealth now, buildings as well as influence. I know compared to a Trakorov of you I’m pretty weak but for a human I’m very powerful. I should at least try to help out some people.”

Knight!

“I hate that you understand that concept,” she said and chuckled.

The Fae giggled into her mind.

Why?

“Why what?”

Help

“Seems right to me. Plenty of assholes around that cause misery and shit. I won’t involve myself too much. As soon as we have a class and some baselines, I’ll leave Trian to run it.”

Knight?

“Eh… not exactly. He’s an alright guy though. I hope he won’t put righteousness and law over our interests though.”

Dark

Knight

She formed a ball of ash and threw it at the giggling creature.

“How do you know all that anyway?” She didn’t expect an answer but it came nonetheless.

Travel

Watch

Talk

Read

“Are all Fae like that?” she asked.

Many

Knowledge

Important

“That it is. Cool that you get us, being what I assume to be immortal creatures and all.”

Understanding

Key

Ilea threw another ash ball but this time upwards, catching it again. “Never had a psychiatrist. I guess you kind of count.”

The Fae sadly didn’t lie down on a magical couch with a pen and notebook.

“It really hurt… you know.”

Know, the Fae sent, the thought laced with enough emotion to bring home the truth of its simple statement.

“Do you have classes as well? With skills that you have and can level?” she asked.

One

“And ten skills? Five active, five passive?”

The Fae nodded.

“Interesting… what about general skills? Like resistances. You weren’t taken by the corruption so you must have at least something like that.”

Yes

Healing

No

Pain

Difficult

“Yeah… it helps. You could join with the training if you want. I can heal you as you take damage.”

No

Body

Different

Dangerous

“I see. Well the offer stands. My future students are certainly going to participate in that.”

Sympathy

“Really? It’s beneficial though. The sooner they get over the pain the better. I’ll let it be their choice of course. We’ll hopefully get a healer class out of it. The benefits of resistances is incredible. Only reason I could survive what we did here.”

Class

Helps

“Ye, ye. I know. Should we move on by the way? According to the sphere robot we have another layer to explore.”

Pause

Okay

It sent and landed on her chest, mimicking her posture as it laid onto its back.

Ilea smiled and enjoyed the quiet, closing her eyes until she dozed off.

She woke up again to find the Fae floating close to the wall. She summoned a meal and dug in.

The Fae noticed her a couple minutes later and floated over.

“Good morning.”

Morning

As if it’s the most fucking normal thing in the world, she thought with a grin.

“Found anything interesting?”

Collection

Only

“Hmm.” Ilea didn’t particularly care. The mana was gone now. “How long will it take to collect again?”

Long

“I’ll inform Catelyn. Mabye we can go back at some point to study the runes.”

The Fae nodded.

Important

“I know, I know. Why do you care so much by the way?”

Unnatural

Powerful

Dangerous

“There must be a lot out there that is dangerous. Don’t worry too much. Just gives you headaches,” Ilea said and smiled, finishing her meal.

The Fae giggled into her mind.

Okay

Try

“Do that. So… excited to find an Arcane Elemental in the last layer?” she said and moved herself up with an ashen limb, her wings and tail extending at the same time as she started to hover.

The Fae saluted and sent a stern yet excited thought.

Ilea laughed and tapped her shoulder, smiling when the creature appeared on it.

She walked to the center of the dome like layer, finding a small entrance that led farther down.

“Hmm… looks more like this would have been used to get the mana out.”

Agree

Ilea nonetheless jumped down and followed the small steel tunnel until they hit a wall. Straight up closed off, she thought and started to work on the ground below, seeing through it with her sphere.

It took a while but she ultimately punched through. A blink would have sufficed but again, she wanted a physical way to get out in case something locked her within the layer. The experience she had gotten form the collected mana, the runes and the Fae would at the very least make her more cautious.

She wanted to avoid paranoia, knowing very well that powerful creatures and potential world ending threats, toxins, corruption and curses must exist both in Elos and beyond. Everything beyond her immediate surroundings was out of her reach, making it less of a concern.

What she could do however, was thinking of an exit strategy before entering the last layer of the most dangerous dungeon she had ever been in.

“Well, isn’t that ominous?” she smiled and bent the last pieces of steel out of the way with her hands and ashen limbs.

The last layer was smaller by a large margin. A couple hundred meters in each direction. A bridge made of steel ended right under the exit. Brackets and beams suggested something could be placed right below the pipe. Perhaps to funnel the mana into or to feed it.

For all she knew, the creatures who built this were mana eating slimes invading different worlds to collect and eat their magic.

At the other end of the three meters wide bridge lay what looked like a castle or temple of steel. Stairs led up to a simple steel gate several meters in height. The structure had neither windows nor artistry, formed of rectangular and sharp steel bits without so much as a seam.

One large blob of metal.

The castle still dominated the small cavern, illuminated by crystal growing on the close walls and ceiling. It had a presence that exuded power without over complicated displays of artistry or wealth. The simple fact that it was located here, thousands of meters below ground and at the end of the Descent made an impression.

“Found the Alien sci-fi castle,” Ilea commented and gave a thumbs up to the Fae.

“If things go south, you teleport out okay? I’ll leave through the tube. Can you tell if anything is in there?”

The Fae shook its head.

Can’t pick up anything either, Ilea thought, using her skills and eyes to scan the area as they slowly floated towards the steel structure.

It certainly looked the least decrepit compared to all the other buildings she had seen within the dungeon. Ilea was sure this one hadn’t been touched by a living being in a long time.

“What do you think? Necromancer? Elemental? Cursed Dragon?” she joked as they landed on the stairs.

She checked for any magical resonance, enchantments or traps but couldn’t find anything. “Let me know if you see enchantments.”

The Fae nodded.

Ashen limbs slashed into the steel gate, leaving small dents and cuts until Ilea could get her hands inside, slowly prying the whole thing open with sheer brute force.

Magical lights shined from various lamps embedded into the ceiling.

A large main hall opened up.

If that isn’t a fucking boss room…, she thought and focused on all her senses. “No enchantments or runes?” she again asked.

None

Ilea stepped inside the hall and glanced around, finding several open entryways that led into various rooms. Worktables, machines of unknown purposes, a platform that looked like an elevator and lastly another sphere covered in runes.

Broad stairs led up and farther into the structure, Ilea deciding to leave the four open rooms for now.

“We can check out the sphere after I’ve seen the whole thing… the platform might be some kind of teleportation thing. We should find out if we can disable that. I don’t feel like getting visitors,” she whispered to her companion.

Agree, the Fae sent.

The stairs led towards a hallway with a variety of adjacent rooms, all of them open and without doors.

Many of them held a variety of empty tubes, worktables covered in runes as well as what looked like steel furniture. All of it empty of course.

Ilea and the Fae explored everything they could, finally arriving at another rather large hall at the end of the corridor.

Enchantments

Careful

She stopped and immediately focused on two things. The hall looked empty except for half a corpse leaning on the far wall and a steel sphere floating in the middle of the room. She tried to identify it but failed.

“Steel Elemental?” Ilea asked.

The Fae hit her head with an annoyed thought.

No

“What? I’m sure they exist.”

Yes

It pointed at the sphere.

Just

Metal

“So they do exist, that’s pretty cool. Also scary… would that be metal magic or purely physical damage?”

Both

“Have you met one?”

The Fae shook its head.

Focus

“Right… right. A little tense, are we?”

Understandable

“Why? We fought a corrupted Sand Elemental. I refuse to fear whatever trap is lurking here. Honestly feels more like we’re just intruding on someone’s research base. Someone very obsessed with metal. Seems like we’re not the first either,” she said and looked at the corpse. Everything above the waist was gone, cleanly separated. The legs looked human, bare feet sticking out of the baggy colorful yellow and red pants, a part of it blood.

The Fae didn’t reply.

Cannot

Disable

“Really? You could easily take out the defensive enchantments on the sphere in the twentieth layer, why not these? I can also smash it if you point out where they are.”

Destruction

Signal

“I see. That wasn’t the case with the sphere?”

No

“Can you tell where the signal would go? That might be interesting information as well.”

The Fae’s eyes started glowing until it moved back a little.

Unknown

“You can’t tell?”

Can

Location

Unknown

“Eh… well it was worth a shot. No direction either or anything like that?”

Not

Here

“What do you mean?”

Realm

“Ah, fuck,” Ilea said, crossing her arms.

“Of course I of all people stumble into this place. They can send signals through realms?”

Unclear

“Any clue about the corpse?”

It shook its head.

Ilea nodded. “Let’s try and disable that platform we found earlier and then try and talk to the sphere… not this one, the one floating near the entrance hall.”

The Fae nodded.

They floated back and Ilea glanced at the Fae as it looked at the platform.

No

Enchantment

No

Rune

“Nothing? It does look like something though… an elevator maybe?” her sphere couldn’t find anything below or around either however.

“Mind if I smash it anyway?”

The Fae shook its head.

Violence

Ilea commenced to commit violence against the platform, cutting and digging out as much as she could.

It took quite a while but Ilea was proud of the result, chunks of steel distributed in the small room and out into the hall. Deep gashes dug into the now unrecognizable platform, its remnants only visible because the rest of the structure was smooth steel.

“Time to see if you can make the ball talk again,” Ilea said with a smile.

The Fae nodded as they approached the runed sphere.

It activated its magic to disable any defensive enchantments as some of the runes started to glow in a deep red.

Ilea felt the slight pressure of subdued Mind Magic when she looked at the runes, their forms unwilling to be recognized and stored in her brain.

“Vanu Tes okuun. Ver saa,” the familiar deep voice spoke from the sphere.

She smiled. Let’s see if this one’s been cleaned out too.

Chapter 433 Breach

Chapter 433 Breach

“Language change accepted,” the voice said.

“Displaying map of testing facility Zeta.” A hologram appeared once more, showing the same layers. This time, number twenty five wasn’t listed as unknown anymore. It showed not creature either.

“No boss here then,” Ilea said, almost a little disappointed.

The real boss is the horrific mana we drained on the way, she thought with a smile.

“Can you check through the information in there? Same stuff we looked at before,” Ilea said.

The Fae nodded.

“Project Animus – Priority: 1

Fieldtest of Blood Manipulation Agent III. Control of spreading corruptionwith impact expectation of mass extinction.

Status: Failed”

“Ain’t that fucked up. There is more information though, which is good,” Ilea murmured and scribbled everything down into her notebook.

“Subject Enavurin failed to change composition in meaningful way. Distribution approved by Vor Elenthir in case of facility breach. Document success rate.”

“Is that a name or a title?” Ilea asked and wrote it down.

Unknown, the Fae said and moved on.

“Project Fluctuation – Priority 3

Observation and documentation of mana fluctuation and change in relation to Project Dusk.

Status: Complete”

“We’re getting to the juicy bits,” Ilea commented. “I’m pretty sure Project Dusk has to do with the supposed third sun Elos had back in Maro’s days. The name is too fitting. Anything you can add to that?”

Mystery

Possible

Perpetrator

“First of, holy shit you’re old. Second, we don’t know for sure if it’s related. I feel pretty sure about it though. What exactly happened to that sun?”

Vanished

“Hmm… any idea what they did?”

The Fae shook its head.

“Well, let’s check the rest then.”

“Project Eden – Priority: 2

Test compatibility of subject organismsin transformed area. Document changes and behavior of subject organisms and long term survivability.

Status: Ongoing”

“Do they mean the transformed area just within the Descent or the north in general? Any notes on that one or further information?” she asked and wrote it all down.

Negative

“Alright, check for Project Dusk.”

The Fae nodded.

“Project Dusk – Priority: 1

Execution of-”

“What is it?” Ilea asked.

The Fae looked frantic, its magic making various runes glow before the sphere whirled and shut down.

Detected!

Ilea grabbed the Fae and rushed out of the room, seeing the chunks of steel she had ripped out of the platform liquefy and flow back into the destroyed thing.

Fuck

She blinked close and slammed into a barrier, sending destructive mana into it and failing to blink through.

The platform had already reformed, runes appearing on it before a surge of power rushed out.

Ilea blinked back to the Fae, grabbed it and turned towards the ripped open gates. She could see the runes that had formed near the exit, many of them damaged, magic failing to put up a barrier.

She stopped and looked at the Fae.

Know what?

“Hide. I’m not about to run without a good fucking reason.”

The Fae looked at her and nodded, vanishing.

Careful

“You know me, epitome of caution,” she said and turned towards the platform.

She took a deep breath and checked her spells, her sphere, armor, both bone and ash, her auras supplying her with power and her full mana pool.

She floated in the middle of the hall with her wings moving lazily behind her, ashen limbs ready to strike and arms at her sides.

Nothing happened for a full minute before finally a surge of mana expanded from the platform.

She could feel the presence a moment later. Subdued but still brimming with power. Her instincts told her to run, quickly quenched by Veteran and simple experience.

The being floated out of the room, a humanoid creature two and a half meters in height and composed of dark interlinked steel pieces that glinted a little in the magical light. Obviously enchanted robes rested loosely on its form, lined with silver patterns. Its head was vaguely oval in shape, angles in the steel parts suggesting jaw and cheekbones.

A thin protrusion atop its head jutted out, reminding of a fixture holding feathers atop a roman officer’s helmet. There was nothing attached to it however.

Two glowing white eyes took in the hall, resting on the pried open gates before they focused on Ilea.

[Mage – lvl ????]

“Greetings,” she said and waved at the being.

It remained floating for a moment. If it was taken aback by the casual greeting, it didn’t show it.

She felt the attack coming, flying back to avoid the steel ripping out of the ground to pierce her. Splinters of steel ripped out of the ceiling, floor and walls, turning the air into a mist of shrapnel.

Ilea blinked but found herself closer to her previous position than she wanted, unable to do anything as the steel rushed at her. She felt a variety of effects on her body at the same time as she watched the steel approach. Void.

She twirled in the air to avoid the magic that was about to rip out her head and heart. The shrapnel hit and dug through her ash and deep into her body. Another familiar magic extended. Blood.

The eruptions ripped through her, each piece of metal the center of a small blood explosion. She used her third tier to heal the massive damage as she reformed her wings and flew again, dodging the beams and tendrils coming out of the floor and ceiling.

Large parts of her sphere lit up with magic of the void, making her weave through the areas before the air itself was removed. Blinking is a bad idea. Need to get out of this steel trap.

She made for the door, dodging through the attacks. A last lunge brought her through, before she hit an invisible wall. Ashen limbs and her fists lashed out to sent destructive mana into the barrier as she felt the void magic manifest behind her.

Ilea punched through with a last effort, landing on the stairs leading to the steel bridge. Her legs were gone, as was half her torso. Her blood had barely started flowing out when she used her ashen limbs to propel her forward onto the bridge, spikes forming under her.

Her body was reformed when she saw the being appear above the stairs.

She formed a dozen ashen lances and sent them at the creature. All of them vanished. At the same time she felt something form around her, moving her towards the being. Space, she realized, seeing the void magic manifest within her sphere. Enough to make her whole being vanish. Where would I go?

Focus.

The being tilted its head a little to the side as it watched her, one of its arms lifting towards her.

Ilea blinked back in the last moment, the void taking a part of her chest and her nose. Both reformed as she ascended higher up and away from the steel tendrils trying to get to her.

The metal splintered into shrapnel before it all rushed at her. It was simply too crowded to avoid it all, forcing her to blink once again. Space barriers, she noted with annoyance, finally figuring out what prevented her blink from working as intended.

She appeared and formed as much ash around her as possible, feeling the space magic constrict her like invisible tendrils holding her back, more void magic manifesting just as the steel dug into her, exploding in ferocious ruptures as soon as it reached her blood. Huge chunks of her were ripped out as she rushed against the barrier ahead of her. Instead of trying to destroy it, she used it to provide momentum with the few ashen limbs that still held up against the steel shower.

Ilea pushed off, the little shreds of her wings that had remained vanishing in the manifesting void. She landed on the steel below, her feet immediately pierced. More came instantly. Her ash armor receded at her hips before her limbs slashed into them.

Wings reformed right when another shower of shrapnel approached. Her eyes opened wide when all of it simply vanished, appearing right around her body instead. Fuck

The blood ruptures ripped through her but she focused on two of her limbs, keeping them intact as the ruptures helped rip out her legs, allowing her to propel herself away from the bridge. She left behind two legs that were by now nearly fully entwined by steel.

An expected barrier prevented her to get off the bridge but her Heart of cinder had finally charged enough. It blasted out, shattering the invisible space magic as well as pushing back some of the shrapnel still following her. Her body reformed once more as she flew up and away from the bridge.

She watched the being appear near her severed legs, large parts of the bridge bending and forming into spikes, sharp floating pieces, beams and tendrils ready to pierce her. That wasn’t the end of it however. More steel formed out of nowhere, wicked shapes and efficient designs. Each ready to deliver the blood magic imbued within. Steel Creator, she noted.

Ilea barely had time to form a coherent thought during the battle so far. Nor had she been able to get close at all. Its offensive was unrelenting, unstoppable.

She realized that the short lull of less than half a second hadn’t been without reason. It had provided her with a short moment to breathe. To realize that she was out of her depth here. By a long shot. This was a being wielding power equal to the Lightning Elemental, perhaps even more powerful.

With four schools of magic at its disposal.

A surge of mana rushed past, with it a tingle that went through her body.

Ilea knew what that was. She watched the projectiles appear closer, the swarm supported by space magic trying to hold her in place, void magic forming around her.

If it hadn’t been for her second tier Veteran, she would have died here. Blood, void and space helped too of course, each one providing her with the additional resilience required to only lose half her body in this battle. And not all of it.

Her perception slowed down as she watched the impending doom, two uncaring white eyes watching it all from beyond.

Heart of Cinder released, the little power it had garnered pushing against the space magic before she blinked away, towards the exit into layer twenty four. This wasn’t a battle she could win. What the fuck did I even expect?

She appeared fifteen meters away instead of over forty, a swath of steel bits flying past as she dodged and weaved through as many of them as she could. Up, out. Trakorov might help, she thought as a dozen blood explosions erupted within her. One of them unfortunately took half of her head but she kept moving onward, her ash taking her where she had intended to go while her mind wasn’t there no more.

Only a moment passed until she was back, a moment that otherwise could have cost her life.

Ilea used her third tier wings and sphere to avoid the void magic spheres appearing in her way, used her Absolute Destruction and Wave of Cinders to crash through the barriers trying to block her way. Reversed healing magic pushed against the space magic hold that constantly tried to grasp her.

The being couldn’t control the steel anymore as soon as it entered her body, meaning the blood eruptions were the only thing it could do. She knew her second tier in Blood Magic Resistance helped out considerably, despite the likely high tier and level of her enemy’s spells.

Ilea knew she couldn’t remain in this layer. She knew just as much that the layer above would be another death trap. Can’t use the tunnel, she thought and dodged more projectiles, using the void magic to her advantage as she moved close to the ceiling.

Huge parts of stone simply vanished, leaving behind spherical indents. Heart of Cinder released and dug deeper still. Ilea blinked as far as she could and appeared within the dome like mana collector. She kept her momentum and rushed towards the exit only to frown when the opened steel gate closed in an instant.

Another blink caused her to appear in front of it instead of past, the invisible magic blocking her way. Steel spikes formed below and out of the door, slashing out at her as she moved back.

Ilea came face to face with the being as it slowly ascended through the central entrance.

It looked around before focusing on her once more.

Her breathing had steadied, her wounds had healed. Ashen wings and protrusions on her back and at the ready. Walls of ash continued to form around her, ready to form into spears or shrapnel like the being had used in case she needed it. Well done Ilea… brought the steel mage into the dome of steel. Attack, distract and dodge. Survive until an opportunity presents itself. Escape and try to use the other layers against it.

She prepared to rush at the being, her eyes focused on its white ones. She would regenerate, would outlast it. If only she could survive.

“Azarinth Healer… why did you come here?” it spoke into her mind. A gravely and deep voice, balanced and without a hint of emotion.

Now you’re interested? And you know the Azarinth, she thought to herself. Ilea took a deep breath and answered telepathically, the link established by the being.

“Corruption has spread through this dungeon, Blood Manipulation. I sought to destroy its source,” she answered. A conversation with words seemed like the better option compared to fighting this thing, even to her.

The being looked at her for a while, contemplating the words. “I had thought all your members hunted down. You wield ash and concern yourself with corruption in a location lost to your people. What happened here… in this layer?”

Neither of them showed the tension of the moment. Ilea floated around the stationary being, slowly moving her wings. Mostly to make sure she wasn’t just letting it create a trap with its space and void magic.

Its body turned with her, floating at the center still.

That thing doesn’t need an elaborate plan to take me down. Just time and effort, she thought.

“I’m not a member, I simply wield the long forgotten class. My people are those I consider as such. Some have died due to this corruption I believe you have left behind,” she said. Shouldn’t reveal what I know quite yet.

“Long forgotten. Motives beyond misplaced pride and power itself. It pleases me to hear these words from one wielding Azarinth magic. You must know that your want for vengeance will end here. So tell me, Human. What happened here?”

Ilea smiled under her armor. The being was pissed they had drained its battery. The Fae had been right in its insistence. It would entertain her as long as she withheld that information from it or as long as its interest was overshadowing its patience.

“Scavengers and adventurers exploring ruins as dangerous as these certainly know the risks. I merely interfered because the corruption seemed too dangerous to be left alone. I came here for answers, not vengeance. You are more than I had expected,” she said.

“You avoid my question. Which means it was you. And yet I do not believe you a liar. Are you alone?”

Smartie that one, she thought.

“The Agent was a weapon conceived long ago. Intended as a way to cull our enemies, in a war that is lost to time itself. The tests suggested it would fail to completely corrupt even those of minor power. Your concern is misplaced,” the being explained.

Ilea smirked. Interesting. Why is he telling me that? Does he think me dead anyway? A villain gloating before they kill the hero?

“Why are you telling me this?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“I seek information you hold. You have survived more than any of those wielding your magic have before and yet you stand. Defiant.”

Is it praising me? Surprised? I mean it’s right to assume pain and death won’t make me talk. Not that I give much of a shit about the information he seeks. If anything it would be a last fuck you.

“Are you suggesting a trade of information? Before you kill me?” she asked with a smirk. Ilea had seen worse than the being, some of it mere hours and days prior. She was not about to start being afraid now.

It had talked about the corruption and the war so easily. Either it held no importance anymore or it really did not think she would live to tell the tale.

“Your fate is not yet decided, human. Considerable effort has already failed to capture or kill you. At the very least you confirm the apprehension I had held for the Azarinth.”

“It does? I’m interested. You said I survived more than any other. Was it you to hunt them down?” she asked.

“Some. It was however not my hand alone that led to their demise.”

Ilea nodded, knowing through its tone that this was all she would gain about the Azarinth Order.

“Do you really care so much about what happened here? Why did you even come to fight me if the corruption was made for a war long past?”

“Do I have to explain morality to a scavenger and thief?” it asked.

The information I learned from the runed sphere then. The corpse has a meaning too. As does that other ball of metal. Or the mana that was gathered here. Either of those could be the reason it came. Or it simply disliked people walking into its houses.

“What if I tell you? Would you leave me be?” Ilea asked. Maybe I leveled a secret charisma stat that will get me out of here.

It considered. “That entirely depends on your answer. Time is running out. Do not overestimate the importance your knowledge holds to me. I am being generous in the face of your tenacity.”

Chapter 434 Negotiations

Chapter 434 Negotiations

Ilea chuckled. “And why would I take your word on that? Already you have wasted mana and time to come and deal with this intruder.”

“You will not tell me. Have I misjudged you perhaps? And yet I have not sensed a presence apart from yours.”

She didn’t answer, back near the exit by now. Is the Fae safe? Teleported out maybe? Or in hiding. And yet it had been captured before.

Gone?

Safe? she sent both words towards the Fae, wherever it may be.

Tell, the word came into her mind as if it was muffled.

Survive, it sent.

Ilea ground her teeth.

No, she sent back.

Why? the Fae asked.

Ally, she sent back.

Serious!

Tell!

Leave!

Safe? Ilea simply asked.

Nothing came back.

The being would capture the Fae and kill it, or worse. She knew it. A decision had to be made. Either her or the Fae.

Ilea had faced death before. Hundreds of times. If anyone had a chance to get away, it was her. What was the point if she couldn’t even protect an ally from an interdimensional metalhead? Not the good kind of metalhead.

Leave, she sent.

Please, the Fae sent back.

Both

Die

Ilea rolled her eyes.

Violence, she sent.

Leave, she added.

Stupid!

Stubborn! the Fae sent.

“You are communicating with an ally… tell me. This is your last chance.”

“I won’t give you the information you seek,” she said and prepared to fight.

“A regrettable turn. Come then, human. And show me the last embers of the Azarinth,” the being said.

“Humans are stupid and selfish, little one. Better get used to it. Now get the fuck out of here while I distract the mage,” she said and formed her ash into spears.

I will show you the Azarinth, Ascended. At least I have the satisfaction of wasting a bunch of energy you collected over centuries, she thought and rushed at the creature.

The Sand Elemental had been more powerful, the first Drake she had faced more deadly. And still, she felt a finality in this decision, to attack this ancient and cold being. It wouldn’t hesitate, wouldn’t stop. Until every last bit of her would be destroyed.

Let it try, she thought, watching the dome erupt in motion.

Hundreds of steel limbs rushed out, thousands of pieces of shrapnel. Void and Space magic laced the very air as she weaved through the attacks, limbs ripped off and body parts exploding.

She kept her focus on the creature, her ashen spears vanishing or slamming into invisible barriers. She felt the space magic around her, pushing past with all the strength and power she could muster.

It felt good. Like a challenge. Insurmountable to her past self and yet she had stood against Elementals, had felt the streams of concentrated mana as they flowed through her. Her body had been pierced, burnt and destroyed as many times as this creature had years. She roared in the midst of it all, feeling her body regenerate and break at the same time as she pushed off the ground.

Her wings were in tatters, her left arm missing and her legs pierced by a dozen tendrils of steel. They bent and broke as she was slowed down, only a couple meters away from the being.

It watched her, thousands of steel pieces flowing around it.

Ilea smirked and released Heart of Cinder, charged by five thousand points of health and all the time their conversation had taken.

A beam of fire, heat and energy erupted from her arm, far more powerful than the spell had ever manifested. The third tier of Heat Resistance and the second tier of Lava Resistance had allowed her to charge it far longer than before.

It rushed out and slammed into an invisible wall, breaking through and crashing into another wall, this one made of steel. A small hole was melted at the center, showing the being behind.

It lifted a hand and brushed off the few embers that had reached it.

The arm extended towards her and moved the steel below.

Ilea was ripped apart by dozens of spikes, unable to blink. Her head looked up at the sharp pieces. Thousands of them slashed into her ash, flesh and bone. She was shredded entirely, her sphere the only thing that informed her about what was happening.

Her brain was pierced and exploded into bloody pulp, turning off that part of her as well. She came to consciousness once more, her third tier healing overwhelming the continuous stream of damage for a moment.

She felt the void around her and formed a single dense limb of ash with a sharp blade. It slashed into her neck, severing her head. She continued to control the ash as all of her was punched through by shrapnel.

The ash formed a cocoon around her head and shot away to the side. Her body, neither pierced nor halted by the steel, reformed and she slid to a stop, ash covering her once more. She saw the empty sphere missing in the ground and the spikes where she had been a moment earlier.

Ilea didn’t stop, ignoring the shrapnel slashing into her body. Her meditation was active through it all. She felt no pain. Could regenerate her body near instantly.

The shrapnel stopped coming, all of it flowing into the ground instead. She dodged several hundred spikes shooting out of the ground until one of them pierced through her, digging through her leg from the side and piercing her lungs.

She tumbled to the ground and was immediately pierced by fifty more. Her head too.

He left my brain intact, she thought and looked for a way out. The ash she formed was shredded apart by steel and pushed away by an invisible force.

Ilea’s perception slowed down as she looked at the creature, her own body reminding her of a hedgehog, hundreds of steel protrusions sticking out of her back. This is it? No was to escape?she asked herself.

There was nothing she could do. Her blink didn’t work. Her ash was pushed away. Heart of Cinder did little against the steel, charged for less than a second. Healing kept her alive but she was trapped.

She remembered the feeling from earlier. Her soul and mind ripped apart by the torrents of the arcane. She remembered the wolves she had fought outside the Azarinth temple, remembered running from the Elves back in Riverwatch. Some of it had blurred. It was a fitting end, to die against a creature like this. A being she did not understand.

Many might call her foolish, to risk her own life to protect a being like the Fae, one perhaps doomed either way. And yet she felt at peace. Her eyes were cold and defiant as she stared at what she assumed to be one of the Ascended. A being that perhaps could have been her ally, had they met a thousand years ago in different circumstances. Their paths had crossed and even if the Fae hadn’t been here, their meeting could have led to this outcome.

Always another Drake, she thought with a smile as the void started to manifest. She closed her eyes.

And opened them again. The magic was pushed aside, dissipated.

Mana! the thought reached her mind and she immediately disabled her drain resistance.

The Fae had appeared on top of her head, arms outstretched as a barrier lit up within her sphere.

Ilea groaned, pushing against the steel with all she had, ashen limbs cutting and bending as she healed against the blood magic seeping into her body.

“Fae,” the being exclaimed with interest. “I see.”

Shrapnel and steel started slamming into the barrier, the little creature pushing against it as cracks formed.

Teleport? Ilea asked with a broad grin, pulling free of the steel below her. The Fae somehow prevented the being from manipulation the metal.

She placed the Fae on her shoulder and jumped back, more and more mana flowing into it. The barrier shattered and Ilea continued her game of evasion.

She could tell the being was throwing everything it had at them. Its space magic had much less of an influence now, her wings, precognition, speed and maneuverability working against all the projectiles as well as the void. The shrapnel was deadliest against her brain while she had to avoid the larger pieces and spears.

The Fae had a way to separate the connection between the steel on the ground and the being, allowing her to move more freely on the floor of the dome like structure. Mere seconds had passed since her capture before she felt a powerful surge of mana from the Fae on her shoulder.

She looked at the being in front of her, its assault still ongoing. “Until next time,”she said with blood dripping from her mouth as she waved with one remaining arm.

It spread its arms, the structure around them starting to disintegrate.

Ilea kept her eyes on the two white shining eyes of the being, protecting the Fae as her body was ruptured by blood magic.

It nodded ever so slightly before her surroundings changed entirely.

The Fae on her shoulder collapsed, caught by Ilea’s hands as it fell.

She stared at the two moons of Elos shining down on them. Lakes of mist showed far below as her wings reformed and kept them steady.

Healing flowed into the Fae as Ilea charged her wings. She had no doubt the being had a way to follow. The question was if it would. It nodded. Does that mean it is inevitable that it will come and finish the job? Or was it glad that I escaped? Fucker gave me a chance after all. I need to find void and blood mages to get trained and reach the third tier.

“And you saved me, little guy,” she murmured. Ilea had been sure that time. It hadn’t come in an unexpected way or brought by some super powerful monster. Just a being that overpowered her entirely. A being that she opposed, perhaps underestimated, even in the end.

She would have paid with her life. I was ready to die, hmm? That’s an interesting revelation, eh, add it to the pile. Guess I score high on loyalty and stupidity. Pretty sure the Fae being so cute and mostly defenseless helped in that regard. I was sure I could at least survive a minute or two andmake an actual attempt at escaping.

She sped up as soon as her wings were charged, choosing a direction at random, clouds and blizzards making the visibility limited. She was in the north still, that much she knew.

Another being to add to the list, she thought. Either that or she was on its list now. Somehow she doubted the creature cared enough to hunt her down. She hadn’t revealed her knowledge about the Ascended to it. As it stood, all they did was drain the mana in the twenty fourth layer and fight the creature. No clue how annoying that was to it and more importantly how resentful of a person it was.

Pretty fucky either way. He completely destroyed me. Knew how to deal with all my skills and I couldn’t even land a scratch. My blink so easily disabled… I have to find a counter for that. Third tier Space Magic Resistance is definitely a good first step. I got away with my head, let’s try not to make the same mistakes the next time.

It was a sentient four mark creature after all and Ilea was barely at level three fifty. She didn’t look back, speeding above the lands with her charged wings.

The level difference was huge, comparable perhaps to her fighting a level two fifty elf back in Riverwatch. She had much more tricks up her sleeve and with all her general skills and healing, Ilea could certainly punch above her weight class. Not a four mark. Not yet.

The whole experience reminded her mostly of the Young Lightning Elemental. She had no clue how durable the Ascended was but she doubted it reached Trakorov levels. I would be dead otherwise. The Sand Elemental and Trakorov just shredded my defenses, easily.

The adrenaline slowly set as she sped over the landscape, her mind sharp and prepared with all her skills flowing through her body.

Ilea wondered if she could have escaped without the Fae, had she tried immediately, right after she had appeared in the dome. The whole thing was made of metal and the shrapnel completely minced her. The added spikes from the ground and ceiling pinning her with the aid of space magic made for a deadly combination against her.

Even something with less raw power could have been a problem. Maybe even a team of level three to four hundreds with abilities like that. Enough to keep me at bay, counter my movement and pin me down. As soon as I’m stuck and can’t teleport, I’m pretty much fucked.

“The joys of fighting alone…,” she murmured. Glad that this time, she had someone to rely on.

The level one hundred Fae standing against a level one thousand Ascended… if it even was an Ascended. Maybe it just used the facilities or it’s not related at all.

Ilea doubted that and decided that without proof against it, she called the being an Ascended. The implications weren’t quite clear yet. Catelyn knew that the Descent had been used or visited three hundred years ago. For a Dark One, that time frame didn’t mean much.

To go and warn them wouldn’t change anything. Hallowfort was on the defensive either way. If the Ascended went and attacked them, there was nothing she could do, nor anything Hallowfort could do, to stop it.

Pretty fucking stupid if you ask me, she thought and frowned, looking at the little Fae in her hands. It was acceptable to think that powerful creatures existed, threats to whole cities and maybe even all of humanity but they were monsters, not reasonable sapient beings.

Eh, just like the elves with a bigger punch. They were the same when I was level one hundred. This one will become manageable too, with time, patience and levels.

As well as resources. Don’t let it get you down. It was inevitable that this world holds beings far beyond your power, even now that you have reached such heights. They’re not out to get you and you’re not exactly pressured for time. Survive, fight and gain power. Protect those you hold dear and escape if all else fails.

Ilea grounded herself by looking through the gains from the battle.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

Alright, maybe it wasn’t so bad to nearly die… again.

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

Nothing against that fucking metal… it’s just like my mana intrusion. Damn asshole has a cheat.

She sighed and kept flying. On the one hand, I should go down and fight Miststalkers right fucking now, get every level and ounce of power I can get. On the other, I just want to go home and sleep, lie in bed, read books and eat some nice fucking food.

The latter would actually be the better fuck you, wouldn’t it? Not giving in to the fear. Let him come to me. I like that.

“Come on little one, I still need some space magic resistance levels before I decide to take a break from all this violence.”

The Fae woke up as if it heard the cue word.

Safe? it asked, looking around at the icy clouds that flew by with insane speed.

“No idea little one, you tell me,” Ilea said.

The Fae giggled.

Survived

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

Stupid

Close

“Been close before… I’ll try not to make it a habit. Overestimated my resilience.”

It bonked her head with its small arms.

Stop

Ilea did so, slowing down as they came out of a massive cloud. A massive forest spread far down below. She could see creatures move in the dark. Damn, my eyes are scary. How fucking far did I fly?

Fast, the Fae sent.

“No shit, where are we?”

It shrugged.

“How do we get back? I could use my teleport but I can’t take you with me,” Ilea said and looked back. “Do you think the Ascended will follow?”

Ascended?

“I think their race or group is called that. Read it in a book,” she explained.

Safe

“It didn’t follow?”

No

Difficult

“Yeah but did you see that thing? Fucking ripped me to shreds.”

The Fae giggled.

Ye

“Did you just ye me?”

It nodded.

“Thanks for saving me by the way.”

The Fae hugged her face from the side.

Saved

Me

“I guess we saved each other, hmm? How very cheesy of us.”

Food

Always, it pointed at her and shook its head in mock disappointment.

Ilea smiled and rubbed the creature’s head.

She took a moment to take in the sight. The forest and mountains, the lakes and rivers. It felt serene. Once more flying in the skies after having been underground for weeks.

“I’m glad we made it,” she finally said.

The Fae nodded in silence.

Chapter 435 Cosmic Knowledge

Chapter 435 Cosmic Knowledge

“Where to then?” Ilea asked after a while. “Do you still want to travel with me, now that we’re done with that dungeon?”

Unsure

Time

Away

Long

“Away from home?” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded.

“Well, as much as I have enjoyed exploring the Descent with you, I won’t hold you back. I’m sure we both have plenty of things to worry about back home.”

The Fae looked at her and then up at the moons. It tapped its leg as it sat on her shoulder.

Visit?

“You can visit whenever, just make sure the people around don’t spot you. You Fae seem to be a desirable thing to many.”

No

Visit

Me

It paused.

Us

“You want me to visit your home? What about the rules?” Ilea asked. She was certainly intrigued but if it put the little one in danger, she’d rather not. Similar to Elfie and his Domain. Not that he himself would be welcomed with open arms at this point.

Trust, was all the Fae sent.

“You should never trust a human. Just as a general rule. I wouldn’t want you or your kind to get hurt,” Ilea said.

Home

Safe

“You think so?”

Dangerous

Mana

“More dangerous than the twenty fourth layer?” she asked.

Yes

Ilea looked at the Fae. “I don’t really want to feel that pain again, little one.”

No

Drain

“So it’s a little more dense than the layer itself was but it won’t hurt me because you won’t funnel it all into my body?”

The Fae nodded and twirled.

“If you don’t think it will be an issue, then I would love to see your home. Are you sure the Ascended won’t follow?”

Misplaced

Concern

“I’ll trust you on this, ancient one,” she said.

Mental

Resistance

Third?

“Yeah, it’s in the third tier. Why?”

Us

The Fae sent and stopped to consider.

Human

Mind

Fragile

“I’ll let you know if I can’t handle it. Is it a pressure I can escape?”

Unsure

“Sounds intriguing at least. Do you want me to visit now or some other time?” Ilea felt a little like her six year old self having made a new friend, now discussing visiting each other’s homes. Is it going to have to ask its parents?

Now

Tired

“I’m happy to join then. Can you teleport us again?” Ilea asked. “Oh… before we go. I can teleport out from there right? Or is it blocked off? You saw my skill before when I started using it.”

Leaving

Works

Entering

Difficult

It started draining mana, Ilea’s resistance turned off.

Her mana had recovered enough to allow for the nearly ten thousand points the Fae required. Instead however, it kept going.

Ilea felt like she was powering a spell of her own, so easily did the mana flow out and into the creature. She was impressed such a small and low level being could even hold all the power she felt from it.

It seemed creatures around them noticed as well, some of the monsters in the forest below running away just as a bunch of birds flew out of the trees to get some distance to the magical phenomenon forming in the skies above.

I hope we won’t attract something powerful. Ilea kept a lookout for the Ascended or something else. Is this a thing now? Constantly checking my back for that fucker?

She decided that it would be alright for a while. Contrary to most other things that could beat her close to death, the Ascended was a sapient being, one capable of tracking her down to finish the job.

Space shifted once again.

Ilea immediately felt the mana around her, crashing into her like waves of water. As if she was teleported into the depths of the ocean with all the weight and pressure suddenly pushing her down.

Holy fuck, she thought and went on one knee.

Okay, she sent to the Fae from whom she felt slight concern within her sphere. She couldn’t quite place where the creature was, her arcane perception muddled by the magic.

This really is an issue… my sphere is the main thing I can trust once my eyes fail.

She looked up and found the moons staring back at her. Much closer than they had been a moment prior. The winds were strong here and the air thin. Neither bothered her nearly as much as the mana density itself.

Ilea saw a sharp decline to her left, clouds visible far below, slightly illuminated by the moonlight. We are definitely high up.

The stars above added to the scenery, as did the sharp rocks jutting out of the terrain. This was the peak of a mountain. She glanced around but found nothing else reaching these heights. Some of the summits in the distance peaked out of the clouds but nothing quite as impressive as this.

There was no plateau per se. Just wild outcrops of stone and rock, without a visible path. The highest point was still around thirty meters farther up.

She slowly adjusted to the mana and kept a focus on breathing steadily. The thin air surprisingly didn’t bother her body. Her rational mind told her she would need to exert herself more here, would need to be careful and move slowly but nothing else seemed to support that notion.

“I’m fine,” she said and found the Fae floating a little to the side.

The creature twirled and nodded.

It floated away and towards the peak. Ilea followed.

She noted that the moon- and starlight reflected from various otherwise invisible sections around her. As if space itself was distorted here.

Her wings moved slowly as she took in the surroundings, finding that the sky more and more meshed with the ground until finally, she could not quite tell up from down anymore. Even gravity didn’t help. Where are the moons? she found herself thinking.

Ilea forgot the question when her eyes landed on something she could not grasp. It moved. She knew instinctively that the being turned towards her but she failed to comprehend its form, could not understand where it began and ended, the shape impossible and instantly forgotten. As if her eyes looked but refused to see.

She felt the slight pressure in her mind. Something was damaging it but it was of no concern. For she was looking at something incredible. While her eyes refused to see, her mind and body could feel the presence, the power.

The Fae close to her was gone, she hadn’t noticed it leaving.

“Do not fear us, human,” a voice resounded in her mind, incomprehensible and yet as clear as the very stars around her.

Ilea had to close her eyes, focusing on the flows of mana around her instead. Her mind hurt but she let meditation and healing flow through it, getting used to the presence, the sensation it brought. A part of her felt like crying, another like laughing. She was in the presence of a god. Nothing else seemed appropriate in description.

It took her a while to calm down. Sometimes a giggle slipped out or a tear rolling down her cheek. She had goosebumps all over. It was beautiful and terrifying. Slowly, she learned to accept the being as something real.

It gave her time. Did not speak again as she adjusted.

Ilea did not know how much time had passed when she spoke, now calm and mostly collected. She really was in need of a clock, unbothered by the presence of ancient beings or the insane flows of mana.

“Way to make an entrance,” she spoke. “Nice to meet you.” her eyes were still closed.

A giggle resounded all around her. “You adjust quickly. Ilea, Kin of Ash. It was not our intention to make an impression as you suggest. Your human mind is simply not equipped to perceive our presence.”

“I’ve seen some pretty powerful beings but none of them could match the feeling I get from you. Is my ally and friend still somewhere in there? Or is all individuality lost when the Fae join your being?”

“It is the Fae as we are Fae. It is part of us as we are part of it,” it spoke.

Ilea rolled her eyes and laughed. “How very hive mind of you,” she said and identified the presence with her sphere.

[Fae – lvl ????]

The presence chuckled into her mind. One and many.

“Your mind is ill equipped to perceive and understand us. The notion to use humor in the face of the incomprehensible is similar to our own. A tool most powerful, do you not think so, Kin of Ash?”

“I do,” she answered. “You got some level ups too… why send out the little Fae? And why at such a low level compared to this? You wouldn’t get captured and hurt or even killed otherwise.”

“The mark on your soul has not been placed without reason. To think we shall meet a human that holds concern for that which their mind rejects. How cute.”

“Hold up a minute. You’re the cute one, alright. Not me. I’m the fearsome monster and you’re the little Fae sitting on my shoulder. Just because I can’t comprehend your form or being as you are now doesn’t change that,” Ilea exclaimed and summoned a meal.

“Is that… sustenance?” the being asked.

“I need something to ground my mind. I know you don’t eat,” she said.

“A peculiar notion. Very common in mammals. Our consumption of mana might be the most comparable thing. We have decided that we do not dislike your notion of calling us cute. Your shoulder however does not have the room to hold us as we are now.”

“I’m pretty strong, you know. And you can float, can you not?”

“True… we believe it rude however. As most of what we are does not know you. The trust we feel is not encompassing and yet we understand why a part of us has found a liking to you. Though it was a part entranced by violence and death.”

“As we are now, much of the world would be painful to walk, uncomfortable and dangerous. Our power leads to animosity and fear, thus much of what we are decides to take a form more vulnerable, requiring less energy and mana to travel the lands lived in by creatures such as you.”

“Do you not get lonely up here?” Ilea asked.

“We are one but we are many. The hive mind thing you have mentioned, it fits. Is it not the way you describe the home of bees? Perhaps a way to describe such a concept in your realm, not yet reached humanity in the place you call Elos.”

“I see. Talking to oneself is usually considered a bit of a psychological issue though. Maybe you should go out sometime.”

The being giggled. “A long time has it been, for us to meet one as unconcerned with our power. We were right all along, to bring you here. Your survival is most joyous.”

“I trust the part of you I met and traveled with but I’m a little concerned about the mark you talked about before. What does it do? The Enavurin said it wasn’t an issue but he’s just as much an ancient incomprehensible mind as you are.”

“It is very young compared to us. We have decided to ignore such a grave insult to our being in light of our relationship. The mark is placed on the soul of a being. Now that you have reached the second tier of Soul Magic Resistance, it will fade with time. Faster if you learn to manipulate it, not at all if you will it so. Already you should perceive a part of what is your essence. If you try and learn, you will understand yourself, what the mark means.”

“It is a warning or endorsement we, as others, place on beings we interact with. Yours means tolerance as well as power. Both warning and endorsement, depending on who might see. Though most Fae would see you as a potential ally or perhaps even more.”

“I’m not sure if I’m sexually attracted to a star being,” Ilea joked, not just enjoying but actively reveling in the sheer absurdity of this conversation.

The Fae laughed. “Amusing. Suggested as a joke, it would strike fear into weak minds should our persons engage in a relationship of romantic nature. Your tendencies however would make it difficult to hold and nurture one such bond, let alone the thousands of individual minds and wills that form what we are.”

“Yeah, that sounds exhausting. No offense. All the roses I’d have to get.”

“Individual wishes would be offered. Many require no gifts, others only the most precious stones. Others still the hearts of creatures you are not yet ready to face, nor would be morally acceptable to slay. As to the mark, you shall learn of it as you progress. Should you wish for us to remove it now, we shall oblige. And yet it would pain us deeply.”

“Leave it. You haven’t consumed me yet so I’m inclined to trust you. Even as a being made up of many. Are all Fae part of you by the way? Or are there many collections such as you? What about individuals? Are there some that travel the world alone?”

“We are aware of others such as us. Not all Fae you meet are us and yet they are.”

“More like a network of Fae clusters then. A hive network,” Ilea said.

“Not entirely. Our liking of you will not transfer to others yet it is unlikely you will meet any such being in your lifetime. Not impossible, with your fast progress in power. Simply unlikely. Your incline to seek death and danger will likely undo your existence before such an event occurs.”

“They are in other realms?” she assumed.

“Yes.”

Ilea nodded and continued eating. “Sure you don’t want to try? I’m confident you could form a mouth somehow and the senses required to perceive the taste and smell.”

“You overestimate our abilities. We are not of flesh and blood.”

“And yet a part of you was corrupted by the Blood Manipulation.”

“It affects the essence of what flows through the bodies of its victims. All life is fueled by something. Even the purely arcane is subject to the effects of Blood Manipulation, even if it may be subdued.”

Ilea nodded. “Do you think the Ascended will hunt me down?”

“Do you fear it?”

“It nearly killed me. Came closer than even the Elementals.”

“It is its sapience you fear. With what we know, it is unlikely the being will hunt you down. Outside of its domain it will find it difficult to trap and kill you. Nor does it benefit of your death. We determine it is too wise to be tempted by the notion of vengeance. Especially considering the grievance. It was wise of you not to share the knowledge we have revealed to you. We shall inform the individual named Catelyn of the importance of those secrets.”

“Thanks. I could do that myself, you don’t have to get involved.”

“You have cared and protected us, have spent time with us and even risked your life to save us from suffering and death. It is the least for us to prevent your allies from meeting an unnecessary end due to misinformation. We shall however not interfere in direct battle unless the realm itself is endangered.”

“If it’s not much effort for you, then I appreciate it,” Ilea said.

“I have so many questions I could ask you… are you bothered by that or is your goodwill limited? I don’t understand what you are and what drives you and I don’t want to bother or anger you.” she said.

“You may ask as you wish. Not all of us are focused on you and as time goes on some will lose interest yet we consider you a friend to the Fae. It is the least you have earned. Knight.”

“Ah fuck off, Baron.” Ilea murmured with a smile.

The Fae snickered, in an entirely different way. Still somewhat cute but based on terrifying power that tugged on the fabric of her mind.

Ilea tried to glimpse at the creature but found it still weird and confusing. She came close to placing a thought in her mind before it vanished. “I feel like a child looking at you.”

“A vast understanding of Space Magic and more synapses in your monkey brain would be required to see us with your eyes. The main problem really, is that there isn’t exactly a form to perceive.”

“I see. So now I made a friend as powerful as perhaps a god… do you know what brought me here? Can you give me a power up that would make me level one thousand or at least capable of fighting against the Ascended? Maybe you can change me into a Dragon or something.”

“Your obsession with Dragons is dangerous and yet we know you do not care about such warnings. We hope your first encounter will be as favorable as it was for you to meet us. They usually do not care to seem harmless and approachable. Knowledge, understanding and entertainment are desires we share with them but our ways of acquiring them differ greatly. However they are more individualistic and most care not to converse with us.”

“Are you pouting?” Ilea asked with a smile before she laughed.

“We cannot give you power. Not in the sense you seek. Only your own strength and achievements can bring the leap you wish to accomplish. Meeting us in such a way and surviving the encounters in the Descent have surely unlocked many possibilities however. Your obsession with Resistances will only benefit and form an increasing advantage. We believe it might even be possible a third class will unlock as soon as you reach level three hundred and fifty in both of your current classes.”

Ilea opened her eyes wide. “Oh really? Any idea where I can find some creatures to hunt?”

Chapter 436 Considerations

Chapter 436 Considerations

“There are plenty of creatures that shall satisfy the experience needed to advance. For some it may be beneficial to wait and train both class and general skills.”

“I’m not known to be very patient.” Ilea said with a smile.

“Even from what we have experienced together in the Descent, you might find something that meets the requirements for a third class. Few humans ever achieve such.”

“I hear that all the time. What is it that talks to me anyway? The messages and notifications when I level up? The Status I can see in my mind?”

“It is mana itself. A part of you now. One that has fused with your very essence as soon as you were brought here. We do not know the exact reason you have arrived here in this land unknown to you. A crack perhaps in space itself or a musing of a being even we do not comprehend. The most likely theory is an instability in your realm of origin. The notifications in your mind are simply a way to make graspable what otherwise would not be comprehensive. Changes to your body and soul, its potential unlocked as soon as you were touched by magic.”

“As to your request for us to change you into another being. We do not possess such power, nor do we believe it necessary. You are beautiful and powerful as you are.”

“Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I’ll think on that date again, you flattering space magic creature, you.”

“Can you elaborate on the instability of my realm?”

“Magic seeps through space and time. It is the source of life itself and where it all returns. That is our current theory at least. Even we do not know all. While we believe your realm must have had little magic, some had to be present. Instability can be manufactured or can occur naturally, when cosmic forces shift and the flow of mana grazes realms and worlds previously less suffused. Cracks appear and phenomenons rarely observed take place. Not much unlike what happened in the lands of what you call the North after the disappearance of the third sun of this realm.”

“You’re bombarding me with confirmation and new knowledge. Holy fuck.”

“Is it too much for your monkey brain?” the concern sounded real with a speck of well meant banter.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Come on. Probably been a while since you were bombarded with such knowledge.”

“We jest.”

“Parts of you, probably. So tell me… if that’s true then my original realm was grazed with mana. What does that mean? Changes like here in the north? Worse?”

“We have too little information to be sure. Potentially the changes could be as vast as in the north or could not have been felt at all. Magic could have reached a suitable level to affect beings in a more direct manner, as is the case in this realm. If truly cracks have formed that allowed you to appear here, it is likely the effects could have been violent and expansive.”

“Classes and stats… can’t imagine the chaos that would cause… holy shit. Billions would die…,” Ilea murmured. “What about those cracks… I would assume they go both ways?”

“It is likely. Creatures with even a moderate understanding and feel for magic would avoid such places where the space between realms is fluctuating.” the Fae explained.

“Can you see to other realms? Or tell me what happened? Maybe there’s a way I could go there… I’m sure my blink could take me back again,” Ilea said.

“Not without an anchor. Or knowing the realm ourselves. Your memories could provide one perhaps but it is an invasive attack on the mind. One we will not use on you. Neither is success guaranteed. You yourself however, could perhaps one day acquire the ability to return. The skill you have shown is sufficient to travel through the realms. Connected to a powerful anchor in space. Yet it will not bring you to your old realm in the first place.”

“Why, might I ask, would you want to go back?”

“I told you before… this is my home. Elos. Might just be curiosity, to see my old realm again. You definitely added to that with your talks of mana and cosmic flows. The Ascended had a way to travel through the realms… you told me as much. Or at least to send signals through realms. Maybe we could establish trade or travel between places.”

“Humanity… you are not the first with such thoughts and goals. Perhaps using the technology brought by those you call Ascended, might bring your species a step further in such endeavors.”

“You talked about the sun. Everything I found points to the Ascended being the perpetrators. It vanished three thousand years ago?”

“Indeed it did. The rupture that followed rolled over the lands like a wave of fire, burning those not powerful enough to withstand, shifting earth and stone, water and ice. And then it faded… against all logic and theory. The human lands as those of elves were spared. Perhaps it took time alone for the celestial bodies to realign, time for this plane to stabilize. We have not found the answer, though few of us seek such knowledge.”

Ilea nodded. “What do you think happened? If the Ascended really did something, they had a reason. I doubt the destruction caused was the goal itself.”

“Do not underestimate the wrath of living creatures. Yet with what we know of them, it does seem unlikely. A source of power perhaps, to harvest what lays atop the curtain of the skies.”

“The Taleen talked of unlimited energy… perhaps it was the sun they meant after all. They also suggested the Ascended were scattered among the realms, few survivors remaining,” Ilea said, recalling the information from the translated diary.

“The Taleen have been a fascinating group to observe. Few of us have returned from their iron clutches but those that did told of enchantments unknown, theories and wonders that we had not considered.”

“You aren’t angry that they captured and killed some of you?” Ilea asked.

“It is only expected. To lash out against the unknown, to capture it, to try and gain whatever power and knowledge you can. Most sapient creatures share these traits. An evolutionary need for competition, to come out on top. Few beings care not for such things and most of them sit high atop the chain of power. As you have said that scavengers know the risk of exploring dungeons, each part of us is aware of the risks within the world and its inhabitants. Even more enticing is the journey. For what more than danger and the unknown can entice a living creature, can give it meaning?”

“I kind of get what you mean,” Ilea said. “Especially considering how old you must be. You were there then, during the war. When the Ascended attacked Elos?”

“A long time has passed since last the lower races of this realm have come together to repel a common enemy. Many had suspected the Ascended had taken the third sun but the evidence you provide as well as the Descent’s existence and depths as well as the runes found within lead further credibility to this theory. If only they were willing to converse. To share stories and knowledge. Yet they remain untrustworthy, dangerous and arrogant. Elves fighting alongside humans and dwarves is a rare thing. An fickle alliance, shattered as soon as the enemy was repelled.”

“I mean the same is true for alliances between different human kingdoms and empires. We do what is necessary, often only cooperating because a greater danger requires it.” Ilea said.

“You do not seem particularly invested,” the Fae said and giggled.

“It’s difficult to care, with so much shit constantly going on. I’ll try to have an impact, now that I am as powerful and rich as I have become. I don’t feel like constantly being involved however, a purely selfish notion.”

“It is not selfish at all, to try and have an impact. Already you have helped in destroying the corruption that would not have threatened the realm but would have cost many life, both sapient and not. You have cared to save not one but three of us without expecting anything in return. You speak of being selfish and not wanting to be involved and yet your actions tell the opposite.”

“I appreciate it. I don’t need to hear about the impact I’ve had. I just try to help out where I can.”

“A false modesty. You at heart desire to help those less fortunate, those weak and unable to conquer the challenges set on them by life. It is good to be aware and cautious, not to become a slave to a cause unworthy. And yet we all make and find our own meaning, now that the burden of consciousness has been placed upon us.”

“That we do. I think I can at least help enable more people to fight for themselves and to survive a little longer than they otherwise might have. I do sound a little like a knight, don’t I?”

“Self awareness is the first step in accepting and challenging a mental illness.”

Ilea laughed. “Nice one. Well, you have a couple millennia on me so I’m sure I’ll figure it out someday.”

“That, you shall. If you survive until then. Perhaps forming a cluster of knowledge and stories like we did would help in those endeavors.”

“Thanks but I like being me and not having a thousand voices in my head,” Ilea said.

“The benefits are incredible. Perhaps you simply need more time to understand.”

“Perhaps,” Ilea replied.

“You are being sarcastic. To think a being as young as you has the sheer audacity to question our knowledge. Highly intriguing.”

“Others would kill me for that,” she said.

“Dragons might.”

“You really dislike them. Speaking of killing, can you use your space magic against me so that I can reach the third tier? They way you are now it should be a simple matter.”

“Of course. We suggest you disable your resistance as you did before. It will be more safe for the both of us.”

Ilea nodded and disabled her resistance, in no way expecting a sudden betrayal. Not that this creature would need her resistance to be off. It was so far beyond anything she had felt before, she wouldn’t be surprised if it could just delete her out of existence.

“The Ascended… it was a four mark creature. I’m pretty sure that means level one thousand or above,” she said and felt her arms and legs compress by an invisible force, crushed and bent in ways that weren’t natural. Neither her nor the being were bothered by the training.

“That is correct.”

“Well… I’m just wondering. There was a war, against their people. Elves, humans and dwarves came together to fight them. Just still doesn’t seem like quite enough, you know? I think I’m close to the pinnacle of what powerful humans ever reach. Elves are higher surely but above one thousand? Same with the dwarves… Praetorians were level six hundred and while there were surely more powerful beings around, it seems unlikely they would have even considered asking humanity for help if they could deal with it themselves.”

“You assume that because humans were asked to join, the enemy in question should have been insurmountable? We fail to understand. Have you not defeated creatures twice and more your level? The Vampire you have faced should at least have been level seven hundred. And you would pose a small threat even to the Young Lightning Elemental.”

“Would I? But I have two classes, wouldn’t they add up to seven hundred as well?”

“That is a wrong assumption. The species of a being determines how many classes it may hold. Pushing through thresholds via various means can increase such but in general you should assume a being at level one hundred is as strong as another, no matter how many classes it possesses. Humans commonly have two. Creatures lacking sapience commonly have one. Do you believe it normal that a level one hundred human can fight and kill level two hundred monsters?”

“I mean I mostly did that. It took quite some time to get them down usually but by now I can kill a level four or five hundred creature with a single hit. Not all of them of course but some.”

“Does that not explain it already? You realize that creatures of similar levels differ greatly in resilience, power, cunning. You yourself are the best example. Sapience and the ability to learn, improve, use intelligence and tactics in battle adds a layer of power that is not quantifiable. Not by levels and the numbers associated. Those merely determine how many points of Health and Mana a being has at its disposal. And yet what do even these numbers mean when your self healing can recover even lost limbs and heads? When skills can multiply certain numbers ten fold? When you can summon ash itself from mana and use it to defend and attack?”

“You are telling me levels don’t matter. I always thought they were more of a suggestion. Means I’m pretty special then, doesn’t it?” she asked.

“They do matter but as you say, it is a suggestion. It is unwise for you to challenge beings above the level one thousand mark but you have experienced such yourself. Many times. Before you ask, a third class for you will benefit you but it will not be the same as your current ones. It will be weaker, subdued and it will take time for it to be nurtured and grown into another weapon you may wield. Many humans, elves and dwarves have found their end because they expected the same result based merely on levels. You too could be slain by an old and cunning creature closer to level three hundred than five hundred.”

“I see the doubt in your mind. You have the luxury to recover injuries in mere instants and to escape where others may be trapped and killed. Your classes, skills and resistances as well as the experience in combat you have garnered make you a formidable foe. One that benefits from their low level and would surprise most at higher power. The Ascended too showed considerable caution when battling you. To even talk to a being so far below its own power is a testament to your abilities.”

“I see. I mean it wanted to know what happened to the mana.”

“And you believe it would be possible for a level three hundred and forty human to influence the gathered power in any meaningful way?”

“I wouldn’t know,” she said.

“You wouldn’t. We would, as would the being you have faced. And still it decided that there might be a possibility, as slim as it seemed, that you truly were the reason for the power to be gone. It did not learn that in a way that possibility was true after all, accepting in our intervention that it was us in the first place. A human as resilient and self repairing as you are is something we have not encountered before. Perhaps some that have wielded the Azarinth magic in the past have come close but your attitude, enjoyment of battle as well as resistances put you apart from them. With your recent acquisition of third tier general skills, it may even be possible that you can challenge some few level one thousand beings. We do not suggest you do, merely think it a possibility.”

So it wouldn’t have asked me in the first place, if I hadn’t survived for as long as I did?, she thought.

“Neither should you disregard your connection to Ash itself. Requirements are often dangerous and reserved for those few willing to take risks that others disregard. Yet it is not our place to explain your abilities to you. You yourself know best how vast and powerful your classes are. The trail of death and destruction you have left behind is proof of that.”

“I suppose it is. So even a few humans could have managed to take down one of the Ascended?”

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

“It is possible. Yet if the being we have faced is representative of their people, it seems unlikely. Wars are complicated affairs however and in such chaos, much is possible that would not seem likely at first glance.”

“Yeah. Maybe their numbers weren’t high. Or they were weakened.”

“Theories. Should you meet again, perhaps you can ask. If you have progressed far enough in power to force a conversation.”

“I might. Pretty far off in the future, if I survive until then,” she said.

“It already is difficult to kill you. We believe there is at least a three percent chance that you will survive.”

Ilea nodded. “Thanks for the optimism.”

The Fae sent a thought indicating a thumbs up.

“Where are we by the way?” Ilea asked, looking around.

“It is a secret kept to Fae alone.”

“I see,” Ilea said, thinking of what else to ask. The being really seemed to know almost everything.

“Is there a way to stop the Taleen machines attacking the Elves? And would that be desirable at all? For humanity I mean.”

“Machines are made and controlled. Surely there is a way to stop it. As to whether this would be desirable… many opinions should exist. Without the constant danger, many elves would find other targets. It could also be possible that their settlements would grow, their population less hardened from the constant strive. Only centuries and millennia would tell. All this is without considering individuals swaying whole Domains one way or the other.”

“I see. What about the Oracles? Do you believe they would desire the lands human hold?”

“Their desires are separate of your concerns. If anything humanity should fear from the elves, it would be the complete removal of the Oracles’ control. They have little interest in your kind.”

Chapter 437 Ancient Mentor

Chapter 437 Ancient Mentor

“Why murder everyone in a bunch of cities then?”

“Perhaps something was revealed to them that forced their hand. We do however not believe an oracle would want the death of so many humans for a reason disproportionate. It has been long since one of ours has visited them. A chance exists that their control is slipping or merely that many of their young have decided to strike at humanity on a whim of their own.”

Ilea didn’t doubt the Fae knew a lot about the Oracles and elves but she trusted Elfie more on the subject.

“Anything interesting you can tell me about the Azarinth Order? I found one of their temples when I arrived here. The Ascended suggested he hunted down some of the members. I assume many died in the war as well.”

“What interests us and what interests you may differ greatly. None of us who visited them have ever returned, which tells us some things about the order. They were one of the most powerful healing orders at the time, three and a half thousand years ago and up until the war. They were secretive and near religious in their dealings. Much of the human plains would have potentially fallen into their hands if their numbers hadn’t been culled in the war. Great risk is required to attain the class, as you surely know.”

“Hundreds of possible suspects existed back then that would have gladly rid them off this plane. Their teachings and believes led to few of them escaping in the end. Healing orders were disdained long after, forbidden from acquiring political influence. Funding and public opinion of healers was low. Some of the human healing orders that exist today were in their infancy during the war, most did not exist at all. Had you arrived here three thousand years ago, you might have found more animosity upon entering human settlements.”

“Now that is interesting… I’ve been wondering why healers seemed scarce.”

“Many other reasons exist of course. Humans like their individual power, few healer classes providing as much versatility as the Azarinth. Before reaching level two hundred, it would be rare to find a competent healer capable of fighting for themselves. Many need to be forced or paid well to even consider such a class, despite the demand.”

“Weird that none of the librarians I talked to remembered any of that,” Ilea said.

“Victors write history, as is well known. The Azarinth and their accomplishments were stripped from records far and wide. We remember only stories, bits and pieces from the time long past, weaving together bits of evidence to form the tapestry that may come close to truth.”

“What’s so special about my class anyway? I’ve had many people talk about my healing.”

“It is arcane in nature. Closer to true restoration than most healing abilities. Usually such power is not found in humans. Only few of you choose the path of the truly arcane, fewer still able to bend it to their will. The Bluemoon Grass is the pinnacle created from centuries of work, alchemy and magic. It changes the body of a weak and classless human to allow for arcane attuned healing to be used. You are beings of light, sun, water and emotion. Not of control and arcane. Outliers always exist however and you are one of them. Or perhaps you accidentally stumbled into becoming one.”

“You even know about the elixir,” Ilea said and laughed. “Are there some that might help me get a better third class? Do you have any details on that?”

“We strongly suggest you do not chose a class unlocked through an elixir. Though it would be highly unlikely for you to find one as powerful as would be required. Not any class can be chosen as one beyond one’s species usual limitations. Only those truly extraordinary are even an option. We simply thought it possible that you unlock one thanks to the experiences we shared in the Descent. Maneuvering a Trakorov to fight a Sand Elemental while you are amidst it all surely should quality for something extraordinary.”

“I guess it should. But why at level three fifty?” Ilea asked.

“Humans have two classes. You were awarded third tier skill points until now, were you not?”

“You mean I’ll get something else now that all my skills are in the third tier?”

“Precisely. There are ways to find other paths, to break through with achievements otherwise unrelated. Both for third and higher general skills or more classes and even levels but time is usually of essence. You are many things but old is not one of them.”

“True,” she said and smiled. “Does that mean there are forth and fifth tier skills as well? As well as fourth and fifth classes for me somewhere down the road?”

“Perhaps. The magic flowing through your body, mind and soul is part of you. Trust it and nurture it and you shall evolve and grow, as we all do.”

“Great. Well, guess I’ll find out myself. One step at a time.”

The Fae giggled in her mind.

“Thanks for all the information and advice by the way.”

“Of course, human. You have provided us with magnificent stories and knowledge that would have otherwise been lost.”

Ilea nodded.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

“Two more levels then I’m there. Maybe you can get me a couple levels in the third tier as well,” she said and smiled.

“You are welcome to stay for however long as you wish.”

“But once I leave I can’t return? Would be quite handy to have your knowledge available when I need it.”

“The one of us you met might visit from time to time but it is against our self imposed rules not to share this location with those not of the Fae. We merely invite from time to time. You are the first human in several centuries.”

“And here I thought myself special,” Ilea said with a smile.

The Fae giggled. “We meet many creatures. It is meant as a great honor to converse with you and to share knowledge.”

“Ah, I didn’t take it as less. Just thought I’d be able to see the little guy from time to time.”

“Perhaps there will be a way. We shall allow it should both you and it agree to cooperate. We will leave it to the two of you.”

“I see. So I can talk to him before I go?”

“Of course. This is not a prison. It is tired and requires sustenance only we can provide. Another three hours it should remain with us.”

Ilea nodded.

“Can you tell me about class creation in the meantime? I want to start a healing order and we need a class.”

“Achievements can become requirements met to allow for powerful classes. You know that well already. Humanity as well as many others have found cruel and unforgiving ways to force the emergence of strong classes, both in their young as well as slaves and soldiers. The knowledge you gathered as well as the abundance of healers your order will have should provide good results.”

“But I can’t create something like the Azarinth Healer class?”

“Not without an elixir that would apply changes to the human physiology.”

“Ah, fuck. I thought I could make something cool.”

“Your ashen side however, might be able to be helpful here. Your ability to create and control the element could show and force a connection for those not yet initiated. Usual requirements of risks and near death experiences would prove hurdles in your goal. It is possible of course but certainly a challenge for you. If our assumption is correct that you would refrain from killing or torturing recruits.”

“Hmm… I mean if they don’t know I would kill them, would it still work? Or would the magic know the person wasn’t actually in danger?”

“If your deception is successful, so might be the emergence of a class. Should they know that death is not truly an option, they will not meet the requirements necessary. Should near death be a requirement at all.”

“This is going to be a headache. Ah well, we’ll figure something out that isn’t exactly traumatizing but should come close to all that. Is arcane healing always touch based by the way?”

“No. Of course not. For humans however, it should be. Outliers always exist however but we have not encountered one for this so far.”

“But we can still use destructive healing?”

“Healing usually used by humans is not easy to form into a destructive weapon. With you as a teacher and the Azarinth magic to observe, a chance exists.”

“Alright… I’ll try different stuff then. Wanted to focus on resistances, combat training and medicine anyway. Observing my magic and ash would have come up anyway. Thanks for the advice.”

“Of course, human. We hope that you are aware of the competition between healing orders among the human nations.”

“I know, I know. Do you really think any of them could stop me?”

“Potentially. You personally, certainly difficult. Your order however is not established yet. We suggest backing, moderate secrecy and political allies.”

“I should have most of that. Secrecy isn’t exactly my strong suit. Speaking of which… would you mind if I told people of this meeting? The Fae and all?”

“Your knowledge is yours. We cannot and will not influence what you share and what you do not. We share with you what we think appropriate.”

Ilea nodded. “Don’t really see a reason to share anything about you guys anyway. Maybe I could even find some more of you that were captured.”

“It would be most generous of you but it is not necessary. The risk is well known to us. Capture and death are only natural.”

“I won’t start to argue with you on this.”

“A wise choice.”

“Snob.”

“A little, perhaps. We are old. Do allow us some indulgence.”

“I’m joking.”

“As is some of us.”

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

“One more,” she said.

“Any piece of advice you could offer to a young human like me? Something that would help?”

“It depends heavily on what you seek. If it is power, you are on the right path and little we say or share would change this. If it is happiness, we do not know you well enough to offer advice. If it is gold, we suggest branching out into gold magic. Your species is weirdly obsessed with that metal.”

“Yeah. I don’t really know why either. Was the same in my original realm. Maybe it’s instinctual. It’s shiny and rare. We do all want to feel special, in a world where millions of us are competing.”

“Let’s say power… General skills. What would you suggest I pursue?” she asked, the sounds of breaking and twisting limbs fading to the background by now.

“With your peculiar ability to deactivate resistance skills, most certainly that. Anything else would require considerable effort. Do you have anything that helps you survive without air?”

“Harmony of the Drowned.”

“Hmm… it is only beneficial if one is submerged in liquids, is it not?”

Ilea nodded.

“A human body has many limitations and weaknesses. You can survive with little sustenance and in areas near devoid of mana but it should be a priority to address those weaknesses. Sleep, food, air, light. All unnecessary and potentially deadly.”

“I’ve got most of them covered. Can you create a space without air? I guess I could get something if I suffocate long enough,” Ilea said. “Pretty annoying that I haven’t received anything for drowning so much.”

“We never suggested overcoming your weaknesses would be easy. Already you have surpassed most humans we have seen, met or heard of. You should be proud.”

“Why does that sound like you’re complimenting a child on its artistic ability, knowing full well that it does not even come close to reaching mastery?” she asked.

The Fae laughed. “Because in a sense, it is the truth. We do not feel it necessary to explain, knowing what you have faced, what you know exists in this realm. We can force out the air of a specific area, if you wish to train such as well.”

“I can communicate telepathically. Shouldn’t be a problem. My healing should counteract the lack of oxygen a little as well. I’ll let you know when I’m starting to die.”

“Your trust in us is dangerous. Be wary of creatures as old as we are. They are wicked and dangerous. Especially to someone as inexperienced as you are,” the Fae said and changed the space around her, pushing away the already thin air.

Ilea found herself not terribly affected by the change, breathing nothing out of sheer habit but not reacting in a way she would associate with suffocating. Should start up soon.

“You don’t seem very fond of your peers,” she said, through the mind this time around.

“It is simply a warning. As you have warned a part of us before.”

“It’s alright. Speaking of resistances, what schools of magic are there?”

“Many… we know of several hundred ourselves but many are not practiced by humans or even beings in this realm. Many are varieties as well but might provide resistances themselves. Similar to Heat Resistance and Lava Magic Resistance, both of which you surely have by now.”

“I do,” Ilea said and started to notice the lack of air. Her healing magic kept her working and fine but something told her the oxygen was missing and that it would have adverse effects should she continue without.

“I guess a list won’t make much sense then if I can’t find people practicing them anyway. I’ll talk to the people I know, about creatures and adventurers that might be willing to help,” she said.

“It is a part of the excitement as well, is it not? To discover and learn of new magic. We have decided that information is not needed by you.”

Ilea smiled. She agreed. Her goal was exploration and exciting battles, not becoming the most powerful indestructible human that ever lived. That was just a side product.

She was glad the Fae had made her feel excited again. The worry she had felt because of the Ascended had mostly washed away already. In the presence of a being such as this, the creature she had fought seemed irrelevant.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

- Space Magic Resistance

Against all common sense you have not just faced an Ascended in battle, you have invited a Fae to travel and train with you. In the face of meeting the most powerful being your weak human self could not even comprehend, you remain mostly unfazed. To ask the true Fae to train you is not just an insult, it is lunacy. And yet it seems the creature somehow has come to like you. Truly, incomprehensible.

Yeah, I’ll take that one, thank youuu.

Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Most who try to chase this elusive school of magic will find and choose the Void instead. You have fought a being of truly peculiar making, have faced and survived its spells and may count yourself amongst the few to call this skill their own.

2nd stage: A true mystery, how you have sustained so much damage through Space Magic. You must have truly angered a being to summon such scorn. Your body and its parts become more difficult to displace.

3rd stage: Your being comprehends space magic in its arcane nature, able to ignore some of the aspects of it. You may still be slowed if your adversary is too powerful but it will be difficult to pin you down entirely.

Ilea read through it all and frowned. “That’s just the same fucking thing as the second tier.”

“Congratulations. You will find that barrier of space magic nature will not be able to stop you anymore. Nor will it be possible to hold you in place entirely. Not even for us.”

She smirked and squinted at the same time. “Being reduced to crawling through mud instead of being entirely stuck within isn’t exactly a massive benefit,” she said and opened her eyes.

To her surprise, she found that looking at the Fae didn’t give her a headache anymore. Its form was still changing and unclear but it wasn’t overwhelming anymore.

“You know that such a difference can be the difference between life and death.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Just a little underwhelming that one, compared to Heat Resistance or of course Meditation.”

“The main benefit of reaching the third tier in Resistance skills is the simple fact that they continue to level. Most creatures above level two hundred will attack you with skills in the third tier or higher. The additional bonus you receive for each level is most certainly worth it. Other general skills will have more impactful bonuses but in the end we do recommend gaining as many third tier resistances as possible.”

“Of course, of course. I know all that. I’m just holding on to some of the points in case I meet something where I really need it.”

“A wise precaution. You seem to be suffocating.”

Ilea nodded. “It’s a rapid drain on my health and stamina. The former is off set by my healing coupled with natural regeneration and the latter by Meditation. I guess I have conquered that weakness.”

“Not entirely. You should continue until you receive a skill of sorts. There should be some available for humans.”

“Abstaining from sleeping and eating is the next thing you should focus on.”

“Might as well just die at that point. I’d rather level Pain Tolerance to the third tier than abstaining from either of those. You wouldn’t understand, Fae. It is a grave insult but I shall let it fly considering our relationship,” she said and winked.

Chapter 438 Basically just exposition, isn’t it?

Chapter 438 Basically just exposition, isn’t it?

“What’s the most powerful creature you have ever met?” Ilea asked. They were soon reaching the three hour mark when her little friend could leave its collective once more.

“We are the most powerful.” the Fae replied.

“You’re pretty fucking full of yourself.”

“We are very dense, yes.”

“In a more conventional way… pure force of nature… who can level the biggest mountains with their spells, who can survive the most insane natural conditions, who has the densest mana?”

“We have decided not to tell you.”

“You’re pretty insecure for a being as old as you are.”

“A collection of insecurities. You are pretty mean for someone so weak,” it said.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. You are the most powerful being I’ve met.” their conversation had devolved into quips and banter but it seemed both enjoyed it.

The Fae giggled. “That is how it should be. We have collective knowledge, span through realms and are the most beautiful, violent, prosperous, good and smartest being. Amongst many many other qualities, all of which of positive nature, we assure you.”

“Collection of high opinions as well, hmm?” Ilea teased.

“Of course. We do enjoy discussing our greatness.”

Ilea nodded. “You could probably form a cult or religion among humans or other sapient creatures. With that power and sheer density, I’m sure a lot of people will follow,” Ilea suggested.

“No… there is already an annoying level of reverence for our parts among those you call Dark Ones. It is why many of us choose not to travel among their lands,” it explained.

“Just an immortal god looking for some real friends and stories,” she said and smiled. “Sucks that you can’t shape shift or hide your description from identify. Are there no skills for that?”

“Potentially. Yet we only have theories. If anything the ability is locked to us. There are ways to appear weaker to skills such as identify so be aware of that. At this point you should know anyway to trust more than just a skill like that.”

“I know, I know. I generally don’t care much about levels anyway. Except for the fact that higher leveled monsters provide some good experience.”

“Always focused on killing. Short lived races…,” it faked a huff.

Ilea had certainly become more comfortable with the being in the last hours. By now she felt like she was taking part in an after work gossip session. The creature wasn’t lonely, with its hundreds or even thousands of occupants but many seemed interested in talking to the lowly human.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Oxygen Repository

Oxygen Repository – lvl 1

Due to unfortunate and/or sexual circumstances, you have been deprived of air for extended periods of time. Somehow you have pushed through to survive. Your body has learned that it may not always be supplied with what it needs. You may survive much longer without oxygen and may store what little you can get for extended periods of time. Apologies for ruining your sex life.

Nice.

“You suggest we just train our skills until we reach suitable levels? Most would die of old age. Especially those not healers.”

“Excuses.”

“You even need class levels to get higher tiers. It’s not like skill levels can be leveled indefinitely, you know? What’s the cap on third tier skills anyway?”

“Thirty. Usually.”

“Great… and when should my next evolution happen? Four hundred?”

“Evolutions depend on classes and achievements. Yours being so insanely powerful, we do not expect another one until you reach level five hundred. Someone with vastly weaker ones might achieve one at three fifty or four hundred.”

“I’ll probably cap my skills then… ah well. Plenty to do and learn anyway, even if they’re at the highest level.”

“Finally, something wise out of your mouth.”

“Did everyone with decent manners and some bloody fucking respect tune out of the conversation by now?”

“Pretty much. Not like you have groundbreaking knowledge to share at this point. Stories would be interesting but you lack the skill to tell them. Maybe a bard of some kind shall learn of your adventures.”

“You’d rather listen to a bard sing about me than hear the stories directly?”

“Some of us, yes. Others prefer an accurate historical retell. This has been a debate for many millennia. Art or history.”

“Subjective,” Ilea said and shrugged.

“As are many things. It does not however mean that no debate should be held. It saddens some of us that true poets and visionary minds rarely reach your level of power. Too conflicted.”

“They read and write instead of going out there to fight. It’s the world itself that causes that problem. Not like you can’t visit them in your weaker and more individual forms,” Ilea said.

“True, though we are limited in our conversation skills outside of this form.”

“Am I technically immortal by now? I mean purely age wise. I know people kind of stop aging after level two hundred.”

“A certain level of Vitality is necessary to stop aging in humans. Two hundred is usually around the point where it slows down so much that your perception coupled with the way you experience the flow of time leads to the illusion that people do not age. Healing skills like your own help as well and with your level it is doubtful that age would be the end of you. Even if you decided to stop adventuring at this very moment.”

“You do know a lot. When is my birthday? I lost track when I came to Elos.”

“Your body has reformed hundreds of times since we have met you and you believe we are capable of determining the date of your creation?”

Ilea nodded. “You do seem so terribly wise. Maybe I was wrong.”

“You lack both vocabulary and wit to taunt us. It is impossible with the data we have.”

“When’s your birthday then?”

“It was two months ago, on the fourth day. The year however is sadly lost, even to us. Our first millennia were shaped by strife and survival.”

“Oh? Interesting. Do tell. Were you born weaker than you are now?”

“Not in the sense you suggest. Our strength has increased since then but not to an exponential degree like your own. Humans have incredible potential, capable to be formed and shaped into what they deem useful and desirable. We did not have that luxury. Many may argue that the strength and ability we were born with is preferable to the potential your species possesses, coupled with your incredibly weak bodies and minds.”

“We have fought and battled, creatures long forgotten by the worlds and its inhabitants. Some laying dormant since time immemorial, others ripped to pieces as small as atoms, returned to the flow of mana itself. We have traveled the realms, many yet to become stable, elemental forces powerful enough to strain even our existence. We have witnessed yet have not yet understood. An infant, steered by instinct.”

“You saw the creation of the universe then? Was there a mother or father that formed you? A being maybe, like an architect or smith that formed the realms?”

“We witnessed creation, the forming of whole worlds and yet there was time before we were, there were worlds and realms even before we came to be. These are questions we have pondered on for many centuries and yet we lack the answers you seek. They are ever fleeting, folding and changing with each new piece we find to set into the puzzle that is space and time itself.”

“There was no mother or father. We are born of the arcane itself, formed by will and magic, the want to live, to observe, to experience. Many a creature has thought themselves the architect of life, some human like yourself. Yet their creations are incomparable to the vastness of space itself. They could not comprehend the terrifying depth of the universe and all its realms.”

“Are realms like dimensions? Or just planets within the universe? Maybe far away from each other.”

“Your realm has pondered questions that few humans here dare ask. It must have been a peaceful place. To allow for such luxury. The universe holds both physical planets and realms. They are all part of the same space and yet for you it would perhaps not seem so. You may find yourself able to travel to the moons and yet find yourself unable to ever reach another realm, no matter how many planets you visit. Only those touched by mana can thrive with life and only those are connected within the net of the arcane. It is why you have not appeared on a planet devoid of air or one made up entirely of gas.”

“I’m not sure I understand. So there are different dimensions? But there are also planets.”

“Realms are not dimensions, they are merely fissures in space itself. Another view perhaps… yet we find it impossible to explain such matters to one unknowing of space and its secrets.”

“True understanding of a topic shows when you can explain it to a novice,” Ilea said with a smile.

“You are not a novice. Explain the concept of meditation to an infant human. It will not understand.”

“Eh… care to share some knowledge on other sapient species of this realm?” she asked instead.

“No. Where’s the excitement otherwise? These lands stretch far and wide and so far you have only visited a single continent. Keep adventuring and you’ll find out yourself.”

“You’re very particular with what knowledge you share,” Ilea said.

“It is enjoyable to see your frustration. And yet you have learned many things throughout this talk.”

“That I have. Another one for you. What’s the capital of Assyria?”

“We have no recollection of a place with that name, in any of the languages we comprehend. We suspect you are referencing a work of fiction with a humorous intent. You do that often. It is a little confusing. Perhaps you have traveled alone for too long, developing a need to joke and reference things only you would understand. As a way to cover your insecurities? Or perhaps you are simply intent to spread confusion and chaos in the minds of those too advanced to accept the concept of such meaningless thoughts.”

“Good theories there, Superfae.”

“The next logical step after Baron would be a king, would it not? We accept however the title of Superfae.”

“You’re not willing to provide a map either, right? Or some hidden gems when it comes to Elos cuisine… eh, you don’t exactly eat so that would be a waste,” she said and didn’t wait for an answer. “How old do Elves get? Do they have similar limitations and break points as humans?”

“Their birthrate is much lower than that of humans. Their life expectancy is close to five centuries if they remain at level two hundred.”

“Wait… they’re born at level two hundred?”

“The level of a creature is merely a representation of their magical ability, sturdiness, strength as well as their other stats. Few creatures born in mana rich environments start without a class and at level zero. The domain in which an elf is born likely determines the first class it possesses. We have yet to meet an elf below the level of two hundred, thus our theory that they are born at such power. Changes are possible later on in life but their paths are potentially predetermined. More so than those of humans.”

“I guess. I mean it wouldn’t make sense if all the monsters had to kill and level up to the respective strength they have,” Ilea said.

“Exactly. Which is why you should be cautious to approach a level two hundred human compared to a level two hundred elf. While the latter might be older and might have more actual combat experience, they tend to underestimate foes due to the power they have likely always known.”

“But there’s always a class associated with level, right? You said a level two hundred monster is about as strong as a level two hundred human. Are monster classes just more powerful?”

“It is vastly more varied and complicated than that but essentially that is what you are looking at. Strong hide or plate armor can make a large difference in defense. An intrinsic and powerful magical ability can make a big difference in offensive power. Learning the usual levels of certain monster races as well as starting points of various sapient creatures will help you determine the experience and real strength of an opponent. You should however trust your instincts more than anything else, especially skills like identify. A false sense of both security and danger have caused many deaths as well as they have prevented achievements.”

“The fact that you faced Elementals shows that perhaps you should take a small step back before battling enemies far beyond your capabilities.”

“Eh, I survived, didn’t I?”

“That you did. Back to your question about age. Elves beyond level two to three hundred likely share a similar fate to yours. Death by old age is a luxury only few will experience.”

“I expected as much. That means there’s a bunch of really high level elves out there.”

“Potentially. Their lifestyles and competition amongst themselves as well as their war with the Taleen has kept their numbers low, culled even now compared to a thousand years back. Another ten thousand years and their race might very well be wiped off this continent.”

“Meaning there are more elves on another continent?”

“That is for you to find out,” the Fae said and giggled.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 2’

“Sure it is. Do you know an order amongst humans called the Golden Lily?”

“We have not heard of such. It is a rare flower that grows only in the mountain range separating the human plains and the north. A specific density of mana is required, as well as a cold climate. If it is a secretive organization, we are not an authority on the subject.”

“I see. Would you mind identifying a couple of items for me? And telling me what they do?”

“Trinkets? Magical items? Of course. It is of special interest to a large part of us. Yet many creations lack depth and power, materials valuable and ancient, their properties wasted and fused into meaningless artifacts.”

“My necklace for example… it’s a storage item.”

“Bound to your soul and mana. A rather dangerous prospect. It will drain resources from you to stay intact. The enchantment however is rather well done. Better than the bracelet you hold.”

“It would have melted ages ago without that connection. Is it dangerous to wear?”

“We know humans hold a strong connection to the material. It will not hinder you in a meaningful way. Should you ever disregard possessions entirely, we suggest you do not wear them anymore. If you must, as some of us does, manipulating space itself to create secure storage controlled by your mana instead of such crude devices would be preferable.”

“Doubt I could ever learn that. They’ve been working out well for me. Do you think I should reduce it to one item instead of two?”

“Considering your mana pool and the strength of your soul, the difference would be marginal.”

Ilea looked through her possessions. Eh, it’s been so long. If anybody doesn’t give a shit about it and might actually be able to tell me something, it’s this thing.

She summoned the Tungsten Key. She noted that it cost a significant amount of mana to get it out but with her improved pool, it didn’t matter in the least. “Found this in one of the Taleen dungeons ages ago. Any clue what it is?” she said and held the pyramid shaped thing in her palm.

“A key… of great importance it seems to its creators. Various enchantments are placed to make it difficult to locate, difficult to store within an item such as yours. One of twelve it seems. What it opens we do not know. Should you be intent on finding more of its kind, this key could serve as a tool to locate its other parts. There are warnings engraved in the Taleen tongue.”

“What do they say?”

“They speak of great responsibility, of protecting the twelve keys, protecting their very race. It does seem like they found their end nonetheless.”

“Do you know about that? Haven’t met a Taleen.”

“The war culled their numbers. Many of them were proud and fought alongside their creations instead of focusing fully on their power. Those who disagreed and were tired of battle have long joined other Dwarven communities though their secrets remain hidden, most now buried within their tombs.”

“Can you help me locate the other keys?”

“We read runes, we do not forge enchantments. However it should be possible for a skilled human enchanter. Your strength should surely allow for you to find and meet one.”

“Already know one. Thanks. What about this?” she stored the key and summoned one of the blood containers. She wanted to ask Trian or even Kevan about it but the Fae seemed just as good if not better.

“It is from the Descent, is it not? We believe it to be the Blood Manipulation agent used to spread the corruption. It is dormant in this state, its use versatile. A talented blood mage or alchemist might find use for it.”

“You don’t think it’s dangerous?”

“Potentially. As is metal ore after it is worked by a master smith.”

“I get it,” she summoned her crate of miscellaneous items and started looking through. Ilea held it up with her ashen limbs, unsure still what exactly the space around her was composed of. An ashen ball she formed and dropped vanished after it fell for a couple seconds.

“Know what these are?” she asked and showed the Fae her collection of figures she had found under the Azarinth temple.

“The symbols are elvish. Each showing one of the domains.”

“Hmm… eh most of my stuff isn’t very interesting. Here… the mind core of a Goliath Veramath.”

“Congratulations. Proof of a successful hunt.”

“I mean, what can I do with it?”

“With your impressive Mind Magic capabilities? Maybe use it to decorate your home.”

“Nice one,” Ilea murmured.

Chapter 439 Quiet Arrival

A note from Rhaegar

Aaand it's unfucked :). Hope you didn't combust with anger.

Chapter 439 Quiet Arrival

“What about these… machines from the Ascended facility in the Descent. Any clue what they do?”

“Impressive technology. Their runework truly is a marvel. No wonder they were involved in such large scale operations. We are not sure but it seems you have a tool that allows for magnification of a high degree. Another one made to project an image into thin air and yet another for ambient light.”

“Kind of boring. Sad there wasn’t a coffee machine.”

“Is that sustenance of some kind?”

“Yes. Yes it is. It’s like a mana crystal for humans. A dark brown liquid.”

“The Ascended did not strike us as a being in need of sustenance.”

“Yeah. Maybe some coffee would help that thing chill the fuck out,” Ilea murmured and stored the machines again.

The only thing left of interest seemed to be the Midnight Claw of the Red Church. “Any clue on this?”

“We suspect it is comparable to an elixir of some kind. One capable of shaping a path for classless humans more related to blood and its manipulation. It seems crudely made. Very old. Perhaps the Vampire you have faced and took this from had initially used it to gain such power.”

“He didn’t seem quite in control of it.”

“No. He did not. Had he trained his Mental Resistance as you have, perhaps the result would have been different. As it is, he was overwhelmed by an evolution not initially meant for a human body. Or perhaps a less arcane or blood related form of madness. We may never know.”

“Are you saying the Azarinth could turn me into a mindless zombie too?” Ilea asked.

“It is inherently a change that forces restoration and arcane pathways. If anything at all it will lead your mind to expand. Be wary of warnings associated with the mind however, should a choice like that present itself.”

“Like berserker classes? I generally avoided them because of that exact reason.”

“A wise choice. Great power for a human body but one that holds its own dangers. The part of us you know has now recovered sufficiently to separate once more. Would you like to know more?”

“Thanks. I think we talked more than enough. Thank you for all the advice, information and the training as well,” she said and bowed towards where she thought the Fae to be.

“And we thank you for the time you have spent with us, for the help you have offered without expecting a reward in turn and for protecting us when we were not able to do so ourselves. As slim as the chances may be, a majority of us hopes for your survival.”

“What does the rest hope for? Out of curiosity?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“A variety of results. Splattered entirely by a Dragon, turned into a gem, fusing with an Ash Elemental, betrayed by a dear friend, surrounded by loving dogs, and a variety of other outcomes, few of which you would comprehend.”

“Speaking of unlimited potential. I could fuse with an Ash Elemental?” she asked.

“We will not elaborate on such endeavors. However a large part of us agrees that a date would be desirable should you ever follow that path. Your mind and essence would become something entirely unrecognizable. If you wish to preserve who you are, we suggest you refrain from such actions.”

“Well… who knows. Maybe I’ll grow tired of being me in ten thousand years. Dating you as an ash elemental might just be the thing I look forward to then. Nice meeting you.”

Greeting, the thought reached her as her eyes finally recognized something in the weird space.

“Hey, you’re back. Are you okay?”

Good

Leave?

Ilea nodded and waved at the unimaginable being she could not comprehend.

The space magic had ceased, her breathing and arms back to normal. Barely been choking anymore. Nice skill to have for sure. It will help with drowning as well. Weird that I never got it from the training with William.

Well

Done

“You mean talking to you and the others? I guess it went well. Learned some interesting things. Was it you to convince them not to share information on locations as well as creatures, higher evolutions, and levels?”

Baseless

Accusation

“It was you. Nice. Well, I don’t disagree entirely. So what are your plans?”

Stay

Then

Explore

“Weren’t you captured for what… centuries? And now you already want to go out again.”

Yes!

Ilea chuckled. “I like the spirit.”

Mark? it asked.

“You’re talking about the mark left by you?”

The Fae nodded.

Modification

Visit!

Ilea laughed. “Sure, if you want to. I’ll try to learn about my soul so I can keep it there. Just be careful when you visit. You know the drill.”

Yes

“Now that I think about it. Can I mark you too? I have a skill that allows me to put a Sentinel Mark on someone. Supposedly it allows for you to signal me. I’m not sure what else it entails.”

Agreeable

Ilea smiled and used the skill on the Fae, watching as a small rune like symbol formed on its hand. It cost nearly two thousand mana to apply. Nothing else seemed to change.

General

Location

“It adds that too? I can’t seem to tell where you are though,” she said.

Home

Protected

“I see. Does it work through other realms though?”

Yes

Home

Special

“I could tell,” she said and smiled.

“Anything else it comes with other than a general location and your ability to signal me?”

If

Close

Health

“That’s good. Well, I’ll test it with another friend soon. Glad you agreed. Do call for me if you find yourself in a bind on one of your adventures. I’m also happy if you want to join me on mine again at some point.”

The Fae nodded.

Joy!

It hugged her face from the side, held close by her hand.

“Trian’s been waiting for me though. I should finally show up again. Thanks for saving my life again, little one. And for the company. Visit me if you get lonely,” she said and stepped to the side.

The Fae let go and floated away.

Survive!

Joy!

Adventure!

They looked at each other and sent the last concept together.

Violence!

“See you around, Baron,” Ilea said and crossed her legs while floating. Her third tier blink activated, draining her mana into the complicated spell. It still used around half her mana but the charge time was considerably faster. While it took nearly thirty minutes when she first used it, by now that was down to a little below seven. More mana equals a faster charge. Who would have thunk.

She smiled at the Fae and waved, watching the creature mimic her motion with its stubby arm.

Damn, I’ll actually miss the guy, she thought and watched as her surroundings turned white.

The option to explore the surroundings of the Fae’s home had been there but she had thought it disrespectful. Already it had been a risk to take her there, she wasn’t about to tread on their hospitality. It’s hospitality. Their? Who fucking knows.

Ilea was back home. Her house in the same state she had left it in. A breeze moved the glass balcony door she had forgotten to close. A wet spot on the wooden floor showed the passing of time. She stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

It was night, the moons now terribly far away compared to a moment earlier. That was quite the adventure.

She took a moment to appreciate the sound of the waves far below, the cool wind and the fact that she had once again gotten away with her life. A lot to think about and to plan. Should I go for three fifty as soon as possible? Or maybe get some more skill levels and third tiers?

The good thing was that compared to her arrival in Elos, she now knew quite a lot of people that could give some counsel. Even the Fae had suggested waiting a little. She would at the very least get her Void and Blood Magic Resistances to the third tier.

Ilea blinked inside and down into her armory. Nothing seemed amiss and she thought about putting some of her newly acquired items on the walls. Might as well give the stuff to Claire or Trian. It’s little use down here.

Any dangerous or valuable items would be safer on her person anyway so she blinked up once more and out into the cold.

Her bone armor had miraculously survived, mostly due to her foresight in storing it as soon as it was breached. The bent and damaged bone got in the way during dangerous battles. Her bracelet was there too. While she couldn’t store it inside her necklace normally, she could transfer everything inside and then store it. Two items like that really didn’t make much sense but she liked it nonetheless. As an accessory if nothing else.

Four levels to go, five third tier general points. I should use all of them before I get that third class… if the Fae were actually right about that.

She spread her wings and ascended, enjoying the flight from her house back to Ravenhall. Didn’t say hi to the cats. Hmm. Later maybe.

There was a lot to talk about and even more to consider.

Ilea landed a distance away from the city, within the small forest surrounding the lake in the valley. She breathed in the cold air and smiled, reminded again of the training with Eve, Kyrian and Claire. All of them quite different now.

Trian had been too much of a prick to consider training with them. Can’t even believe he’s the same person at this point. Claire kind of went where I expected her to go. Maybe a little less quickly, she thought with a bittersweet smile. Eve hadn’t made it and Kyrian might still be lost.

She walked through the forest and soon reached its outskirts, finding much of the surroundings devoid of snow. Wagons moved lazily on the road from Morhill, protected by groups of adventurers or even guards. Ilea couldn’t spot a single imperial soldier on the road or the walls. Shadowguards only, she mused, watching their mostly bored expressions.

Becoming a guard really was the opposite of her goals. It was interesting however, to see their faces from hundreds of meters away. I’m Eaglea. Good thing nobody heard that one. I’ve been around the Fae for too long, fighting monsters alone in a deep dungeon. Good thing Claire and Trian are used to me.

She reached the gates and joined the waiting people.

“Shadow! Lady Lilith!” one of the guards called out.

Ilea looked at him and nodded. “What is it?”

“Please, this way,” the man said and gestured her to come.

Ilea appeared by his side, drawing looks from the waiting travelers.

“Shadows don’t have to wait. Please just quickly show me your badge and you may enter the city,” the guard explained.

Ilea nodded and summoned her badge, throwing it to the man.

He checked it and handed it back. “Are you really Lady Lilith?” he asked with sheer reverence in his voice.

“Maybe I am,” Ilea said and put the badge into her necklace. She still had her ashen armor covering her whole body, all her leather armors gone. She didn’t wait for a response and instead just walked by and into the city. A couple of blinks brought her to the second wall.

It was enchanted, preventing her to teleport through. A simple jump over the walls worked well enough. She felt a magical resonance when she crossed the threshold and waved to the two guards she saw quickly flying towards her. Flying even. They’re getting better.

The nodded as soon as they saw her and turned back.

Ilea appeared within a nearby store and looked around.

An older lady greeted her with a nod, not terribly distraught by the sudden appearance. “Leather works. Armors, packs, pants. Anything you are looking for, Shadow?”

She nodded. “Armor sets and comfortable clothes I guess. Generally inconspicuous.”

The woman nodded and led her into a rather large room with twenty odd stands. “Healer and ash. What’s your name, dear?”

“Lilith,” Ilea said and touched some of the armors.

“Oh? It is a pleasure to finally meet my benefactor then,” the woman said and bowed lightly. “Anything you need will be free of charge of course.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay like everyone else. Materials and your work aren’t free,” Ilea said and waved her off.

The only other patron in the store tried hard not to look their way, his demeanor tense. A level sixty warrior.

New to the city maybe, she thought and picked three sets of gray and black leather armors. Those that seemed to fit the best.

“There really is no need. Do you need help with the sizes?”

Ilea shook her head. “I’ll pay,” she said with finality and continued on to the clothes. Her sphere and general perception allowed her to easily pick the pieces that fit her. Four pairs of black comfortable pants, four long sleeved shirts of which two were white, one black and one red.

“If you wish to do so. The three sets and the clothes you picked out come together at seven gold and fifty silver pieces,” the woman said.

She nodded and summoned eight gold pieces, putting them on the counter as all her acquisitions vanished. “That’s alright. Thanks,” she said and vanished herself, appearing on top of the building with a fresh set of comfortable clothes covered by a set of black leather armor.

Ilea turned to look behind her, the air flowing through her hair meaning that her ashen armor had been breached. No you dummy, it’s resting below your neck. The Ascended would have found you already if he wanted.

It didn’t hurt to be a little careful at least. As much as she would like a rematch, she wasn’t ready by a long shot. Neither would she want it to happen here, in the midst of Ravenhall. Where thousands would die trying to take that being down.

Hard to believe the Fae’s words. Even I could just walk in here and slaughter thousands before I’m stopped. If that is even possible.

She wondered if the creature had regeneration on par to hers. Both with Health and Mana.

Quite a lot of people here knew how she looked like below all the armor but certainly fewer cared now that she wasn’t clad in ashen armor anymore. Ilea could see the sewers below and below even that another street full of apartments, stores and people. Expanding quite well, isn’t it?

Ilea wondered if an apartment down below was more expensive than up here. Sunlight would be a privilege but the underground had a higher security against potential monsters flying in or attacking armies.

With magical light capable of mimicking sunlight, there should be plenty of expensive shit down there as well, she thought, looking at the central administrative building. It was still the middle of the night, the store she had visited by far not the only one open. Plenty of people walked the streets, many of them armed. Night had less power over people when many only had to sleep for four or five hours.

Dim light shone from within Claire’s office. That one doesn’t sleep at all, she thought with a smile.

The guard let her in after she showed her badge, nodding with respect. He was at least twice her size, wearing full plate armor reminiscent of a Dark One in the north.

Neither the size nor the wicked morning star on his shoulder intimidated her in the slightest.

She grinned as she entered, feeling his distress at her passing. Smart, that one.

Ilea slowly walked up the stairs.

“Come in,” Claire’s voice was subdued, inaudible to most humans.

Ilea opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind herself with a small tendril of ash. She felt the enchantments snap back into place.

Claire sat at her desk, looking rather relaxed. A smile on her face as she looked at Ilea.

Cless was sleeping on a couch near the window, the whole area changed to allow for more painting supplies and canvases.

“Welcome back,” Claire said.

Ilea noted the field of magic active around Cless, likely filtering out the sound of Claire’s working and talking.

“Took you longer than expected.”

“Much larger a problem than expected,” Ilea replied with a smirk.

“Oh, I saw. Care to explain this?” Claire asked and summoned a painting that depicted Ilea standing atop the Trakorov’s head. She looked at it and then back to Ilea. “Or this,” she added, the canvas exchanged with a painting that depicted Ilea surrounded by bright light, most of her body burnt up.

She formed a chair out of ash and sat down, resting her legs on an ashen stool before she summoned a barrel of ale, pouring herself a mug. “That girl’s power is breaching my privacy,” she said and took a sip.

Claire chuckled.

“I will ask her to stop if it is a bother. Though she might not listen. Here at least I can store away the paintings. She couldn’t draw you the last couple of days, after you met once more with that large horned creature. I thought it had killed you,” Claire said.

Ilea waved her off. “That sweetie? Never. Interesting that she couldn’t draw me anymore. Do you know about the Fae?”

Claire smirked and sat back in her armchair. “So that’s what it was. Cless mentioned a companion, something she could not see but feel instead. She decided not to try and draw it. You met another Fae?”

“I did. And quite a few other beings and monsters. Is Trian available?” Ilea asked.

Claire nodded. “He’s been the most anxious about your return. I reassured him that you were still alive. Should I get the others as well?”

“Just Train is fine. I don’t plan to hold another interrogation meeting. You are plenty,” Ilea said and smiled, offering a mug to Claire.

The woman took it and lifted it high. “To your continued survival.”

Chapter ???

Chapter ???

Ikea felt the Space Magic manifest. More powerful than anything she had experienced before. Comparable perhaps to the accumulated magic she had dispelled in the Descent.

Even the third tier wouldn’t help her with this one and she knew as much. Oh boy, here we go. Whoever is doing this to me without asking will need a good fucking explanation.

Ilea appeared within what looked like a throne room. Enchantments and runic symbols glowed in a circle on the ground around her. A pitiful barrier flickered to life a moment later.

Could have already come for you, she thought and took in the sights. Her sphere wasn’t blocked and all her skills and abilities seemed to work the same way. Still active and ready.

The mana density in the area didn’t strike her as abnormal. Am I still in Elos?

Maybe I could rip out chunks of the ground and bring it back for research purposes. The spell seems quite potent. If it can even transport me against my will.

Armored knights lined each side of the grand hall, their gear reminding her of the Rose Knights she had fought in Tremor. Somehow she felt they were much weaker. None of them stood close enough for her to use identify on.

A group of people stood on an elevated platform, one of them in front of an unnecessarily large throne. Presumably the people that summoned her here.

Ilea hadn’t been the only one called. Two more circles of magic had just stopped giving off power.

One of them held a pitiful heap of bones and smoldering chunks of flesh. The other one a living being.

Living was perhaps not quite the right word. It had no heartbeat. The power it emanated felt visceral. Deadly. Certainly on the level of a Shadow.

A woman, blond hair and blue eyes, sporting a traditional dress in light blue, a dagger, and two throwing knives. Something about her look was off. As if she came straight out of an eighteenth century ball.

God, I would hate putting that on every day, but holy fuck she looks good in it.

“Welcome! Heroes of faraway lands! You have been summoned by nobody lesser than the great and mighty King Abel! To fulfill the prophecy and rid this land of every and all demons!” one of the people said. A man wearing overly long red robes, lined with gold.

“Ah great. The summoned hero story. Why put a barrier up if you want our help?” Ilea said and tapped the shiny magic. She could break it in a few strikes if the underlying magic was similar to Claire’s.

“We mean you no harm!” the man continued and walked closer, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Something about his face was off.

Ilea chuckled, reminded of Arnie trying to impersonate a human.

“The shield is there to prevent magical power leaking outwards. You were chosen as prospective heroes, individuals with great potential. Young and surging in power!” he continued.

Neither the king nor anybody else had yet to speak a word.

The shield appeared after the magic subsided. A child could see that. Ilea thought and rolled her eyes.

“What do you think?” she said and looked straight at the woman next to her. “That bundle of flesh doesn’t seem quite happy about being here either.” She nodded to the heap of meat.

Rest in peace lost hero.

“A spell that has one in three chances of turning their target to mincemeat indicates that little care is given to their target,” the woman said.

“How thoughtful. You are right. Though I must say, I would very much like to experience the full extent of this spell’s power… perhaps I could learn to resist it fully…,” Ilea mused and glared at the flesh. Might just be space magic after all. Hmm.

The woman said nothing, though her eyes widened slightly.

“Why summon us? Doesn’t the mighty, high and powerful king what’s his name have enough powerful people to fight the war himself? You already have forty eight capable knights standing in this very hall. Pretty wasteful if you ask me,” she said.

“You were chosen to fight the fiends who wield necromancy, blood magic and curses in their unrelenting pursuit of conquest! Are you not those good of heart and spirit? Those who would vanquish the evils of the world?”

“Some of my best friends are necromancers. And blood mages… and curse… mages?” Ilea said and looked around the room. She could feel the distress build in the knights and the supposed priest.

I hope this ordeal at least leads to an interesting fight before I teleport back.

“Besides… I can feel blood magic from your king. Seems a little dishonest to me,” Ilea said, summoning a bowl of food and forming a chair of ash before sitting down.

Something about these people was fucky but she wasn’t exactly in a hurry. Despite her abduction, which in itself was pretty impressive, she wasn’t against helping out. If helping out meant fighting a war against unending hordes of demons, she at the very least had to have some good reasons. Good reasons to abandon her friends back home, in Elos.

So far, the argumentation wasn’t quite convincing.

“Then perhaps-” the king first spoke, his voice deep and gnashing. Not something that would come out of a human’s mouth. He coughed a few times before continuing.

“Perhaps you would be interested to side with us after all-” he said and again coughed. This time a splatter of blood splashed to the carefully cleaned floor.

“My king! You mustn’t,” one of the attendants said and approached the man, only to be swatted away like a fly.

Impressive, Ilea thought and continued eating. She wondered if anybody who had been summoned before would have fallen for this terrible play. Probably. I mean if I had come here as a normal human, I likely wouldn’t have had a choice. Any of those knights would have been enough to end me, ten times over.

Now at the very least I can escape. At least I’m somewhat sure of it. Even if we’re underground. I will probably take that woman with me if she doesn’t protest too hard. She’s definitely not happy with the situation.

“A… being… of ash. And one of blood,” the king said and chuckled. “Would you not serve me? You could be lords… whole continents would cower before your might. As heralds of King Abel.”

“I’m quite happy where I am. Can you send us back now please? I have obligations and I’m sure the same is true for you,” she said and looked towards the other supposed summoned hero. “I’m Ilea by the way, nice to meet you. I like the daggers and the whole corpse like thing you’ve got going on,” she said and gave her a thumbs up.

“I am Ariane of the Nirari,“ she answered, and grumbled in a lower voice, “and I am not a corpse.”

“Hey wait, you’re a vampire, right?” Ilea said and felt the woman’s distress flare up immediately.

Her face remained the same, nothing betrayed by the schooled expression.

“Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re not a feral monster trying to eat me, there shouldn’t be a problem,” she tried to reassure the woman.

The king chuckled once more, the sound traveling in an eerie way across the hall.

Ilea wondered what kind of magic he was using. Or if it was inherent to whatever species he was part of.

“I am afraid such is not possible. Too much was invested to get you here. You will serve me. Willingly or not,” he spoke, emanating magical pressure.

“Hold on, friend, perhaps we should try to negotiate with them first…” whispered the vampire

“Okay mate. Last chance. Beam us back or I will literally rip off your head,” Ilea said to the king.

She watched as he glared at her, a pulse of magic lashing out and manifesting within her own chest.

A step to her left made the power shift, the blood rupture ripping out a part of her lungs.

Bone armor appeared on her body, quickly covered by ash as her tendrils and wings exploded out of her back. The limbs shattered the barrier in an instant, lances of ash forming out of thin air.

The vampire looked at her wide eyed, hands on her daggers. She seemed apprehensive but ready to fight.

“I don’t think you have a choice here,” Ilea said and winked.

“Kill them!” the king roared as his body burst outwards, muscle, bone and limbs expanding. What remained was a fierce monster four meters in height. Claws and teeth that would shred through a human replaced the human features from before.

The only thing that remained the same was the small crown on his head, half-grown into the skin of his canine skull.

“Whoa, pretty disgusting there,” Ilea said and slammed a few of her ashen spears into the approaching knights.

She saw the vampire had moved as well, expertly dodging through the blades and axes slashing her way from a group of knights.

Her daggers lashed out to strike at weak points with inhuman speed.

Won’t have to worry about that one, good.

She teleported behind a group of knights, her ashen tendrils ripping through them as if they were paper. The flesh and skin pouring out of the armor was most certainly not human.

“YoU DaaaRE DeFY MeEE?!” king Abel bellowed.

“Yes, yes. I do dare. I’ve heard this so many times before. What the fuck did you expect, summoning powerful heroes here?” Ilea asked, ignoring the explosion of blood that ripped out most of her torso.

“You’ll need more than that,” she said as her body reformed nearly instantly.

Her Heart of Cinder charged, she shot it out in a cone, incinerating a swath of knights about to attack her companion in this ordeal.

The woman dodged back and scrambled away from the flames, her eyes wide before she glared at Ilea, the source of the spell.

“My dress!” she hissed.

“Sorry!” Ilea shouted and waved. “Behind you!”

“I know!”

She watched the woman turn and stab a knight in his throat, her knee slamming into his chest, leaving dents in the metal.

One of them nicked her leg, leaving a trail of blood that stained her dress.

“I am alright!” the woman called out and continued her battle.

Good, Ilea thought and blnked, slashing through the knights before focusing on the king himself.

A barrier formed in front of him, cast by the priest.

She turned to address the problem when a woman in a blue dress jumped out of the smoke, landing on the man. They tumbled down before her teeth found his neck.

See, vampire! Ilea thought with a smile. She watched as the woman patted out the flames clinging to her dress.

Her eyes looked wild, fresh blood dripping from her mouth as she took in her surroundings.

“That guy,” Ilea said and pointed at the king, no longer protected by barriers.

A few spears rushed out, deflected by the large arms.

The response was spikes of blood forming below them as the beast roared.

Ilea appeared in front of the woman, taking the brunt of the force.

“Want a bite?” she asked and smiled at the vampire.

“Certainly,” she replied.

Ilea grabbed her, aimed and threw her right at the creature’s head.

Two daggers stabbed into its eyes, the woman using the momentum from the attacks to propel herself upwards.

A blink brought her next to the screeching monster, its open maw expecting the falling prey. A charged up Absolute Destruction sent it reeling to the side.

The vampire landed on its shoulder, her eight fangs finding purchase on the mangled flesh.

She drank the beast dry in mere seconds before falling down and catching herself on her feet.

“It is done”, she said, looking around herself before she collapsed to one knee.

Ilea appeared next to her, lifting her hands when the woman recoiled. “No worries. I’m a healer,” she said.

“It will heal. There is no need,” the woman said and took a step back.

“Ah, you can regenerate too, nice,” Ilea said with a knowing grin. “Can you lose your head too?”

“In theory yes, though I would rather not find out. Why, can you? ” the woman asked, grinning now too. Her eyes were glassy and her mouth hung open just a little.

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?” Ilea asked before she laughed.

“No! I am not! Just curious, is all,” the woman said, clearly drunk.

Ilea shrugged and ripped off her own head with a few ashen limbs, forming a new one near instantaneously.

This would have to remain a secret but somehow she had a feeling that this woman could be trusted.

Ariane just stared, apparently at a loss.

“Huh, I did not expect a demonstration. Perhaps one day, I shall develop the power to erase selective memories. That would be nice.”

“Want a bite?” Ilea asked and threw the head, ignoring the comment on memory loss.

The woman stumbled back but caught the thing, looking at it for a moment before she giggled.

“Made you lose your head in five minutes, heh. Who are you… really?” she asked.

“I told you, I’m Ilea. I was brought here from Elos and I intend to go back,” Ilea replied.

“Ilea… well met! I am a vampire as you have previously deducted. Do you perchance have a way to travel through the planes?” the woman asked.

“Nice to meet you too, Ariane. I can only return to my own realm. Maybe one of the mages here can help out,” she suggested.

“The mages! Yes! How could I forget?” Ariane said and glanced around the hall in frantic motions.

“I have no clue either, sorry,” Ilea said and shrugged.

“I found one,” Ariane said and sped off, into the setting smoke and debris.

A scream and a short scuffle later, she returned, holding up a man by his neck. Her claws were digging into his flesh, drawing blood.

Ilea discreetly healed the man, just in case.

“Return me to the United States, promptly!” Ariane demanded.

“We can’t… the magic required… it would take decades,” he murmured.

“I can supply it,” Ilea said. “You just provide the magic circle.”

“Can we trust this… creature?” Ariane asked.

Ilea shrugged. “No. Definitely not but do you have another idea?”

“The circle is simple… I understand it, studied it… for decades… please, let me live! I can bring you back,” the man said.

Ilea could feel his distress.

“You want to live, don’t you? You are a powerful mage, are you not?” Ariane said.

Ilea could see the magic form but she couldn’t quite tell what was happening.

“Yes I do. I am, quite powerful. Wiser than even King Abel!”

“Then you would surely be able to bring us back to our realms. To protect your own people,” she said.

“Yes, of course. The magic… it is impossible,” the man stammered out.

“With her help, it may be possible. You would be a hero! Having banished the monstrous creatures that have murdered your king!” Ariane continued.

She’s good, Ilea thought. The man was in her palm, dancing to her tune. She gave her a thumbs up.

“I will get right to it! Only small modifications need to be made… but I can only send you back from where you have come… nowhere else,” he spoke, scrambling to his feet after being let go by the woman.

“Impressive powers. Does that come with the vampire class?” Ilea asked.

“Class? I know of no such thing. What are you? If I might ask?” Ariane said.

“I’m a human. So are you, by the looks of it. You said United States... of America? I’m from Earth too, though I don’t exactly call it home anymore. The place I’m from has magic and monsters. And quite a few opportunities to find power,” Ilea said.

“Human… you looked more monster than woman,” Ariane said.

Ilea wondered why she looked sad all of a sudden. “You too. Well, sometimes you just have to let it out, you know? Feels good to let loose and these fuckers deserved it. So, ready to go home?”

The man motioned them to join him, the modifications to the magic circle done.

“If I might ask... would you… would it be fine for you if… if I drank a little of your blood?” the vampire asked, glancing down at the head she was still holding.

“Knock yourself out,” Ilea said. “But it does feel a little uncomfortable seeing you hold my head.”

The woman handed it back, a longing look in her eyes.

Ilea stored it, planning to incinerate it later. “This should suffice for blood,” she said and punched through her own chest with an ashen limb, ripping out her heart and handing it to the vampire. “A parting gift,” she said with a bright smile, her wound healing already.

“Erm, thank you, Ilea of Elos. It was... an experience to make your acquaintance,” Ariane said and gingerly held the heart.

“Ready?” Ilea asked as the woman stepped into the circle.

Ariane nodded. “Until we meet again,” she said.

Mana flowed from Ilea into the circle as the man activated the spell.

The vampire vanished a moment later.

“What… what happened?” the man asked as he looked around.

“You should probably think about solving your own problems from now on,” Ilea said and activated her third tier blink. She watched him run away, dodging the corpses and blood as he screamed. Just another Wednesday.

A note from Rhaegar

I will link to Mecanimus' version here so you can check out Ariane's point of view :). Check it out and let us know what you think!

Chapter 440 Catching up

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all, thanks for the feedback and the comments for yesterday's posts :).

I hope you continue to stay safe and have a good week in spite of the circumstances.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 440 Catching up

Claire notified Trian with the device behind her desk, sending a small enchanted letter through a tube.

“You weren’t the only one being busy,” she said and sat back down, taking a sip of her ale.

“Your assets are growing, both here and in Riverwatch. Investing there got much easier now that we’re in contact with Alistair. The treaty you initiated with Riverwatch benefited both of us greatly. Sulivhaan and Dagon could hardly believe it was you to suggest it. The timing was perfect for both of us. The empire has accepted our independence, mostly citing all the help the Shadows provided in the war efforts and with the demons,” Claire explained.

“Didn’t we cause the demons in the first place? And the war in turn?” Ilea asked.

“Adam Strand caused the demon summoning. Empress Alyris is very much aware of that. We have our theories on the war as well but it is still too recent to make final judgments. Let’s just say that I think Alyris has been looking for a reason to be rid of Baralia for a long time. For them to actually initiate the war might have been the best possible result. I won’t bore you with the politics of it all. Suffice to say we are in a complicated but overall agreeable relationship with the empire. Riverwatch adds to our claim and we add to theirs.” she explained.

“Thousands died from that war,” Ilea said but just shook her head, not about to get into the reasons behind such things.

“We won’t ever engage in war, except if we are attacked or a threat is too dangerous to ignore. I hope you can trust me on this, Ilea. Neither do I believe the empress wanted the war. It simply did align with some of her goals. If you want her reasons, I suggest you go and talk to her yourself.”

Ilea chuckled. “Talk to the Empress of Lys? That’s the last thing on my list.”

Claire nodded. “I thought so too. Turns out I was wrong. I have you to thank for that, I suppose.”

“You met her?” Ilea asked.

“Letters only. We communicated with her together. The leaders of Ravenhall. You have a say in our decisions as well of course. The empire is busy with rebuilding and fortifying their cities as well as with the war efforts. Currently we merely signed treaties as to our independence, the removal of all imperial personnel from the Ravenhall mountain chain and open borders for trade. I assumed you have nothing against such.”

“Of course not. I’m sure they’re glad to have the soldiers and guards back that were stationed here as well,” Ilea said. “They’re still at war then?”

Claire nodded. “Baralia has turned into one of the largest battlefields in recent history. We even have reports of Nipha and Asila joining the empire. Plenty of Shadows have joined as well, mostly as a response to the bounty that was set out for them by Baralia. The Shadow’s Hand however is not officially at war. Members of course are free to act independently as long as Ravenhall or the order are not endangered. We suspect it might have been Alyris in the first place who was responsible for the bounty but it is merely a theory. One that would make a lot of sense. The lack of resistance to our independence may be the payment for the Shadows’ involvement in the war.”

“Might just be they joined for the simple benefits of war. Good way to get some power and gold,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“Vultures flying over a soon to be corpse. I agree. And yet Baralia is not a corpse quite yet. Their cities are fortresses held by high level nobles and their families. People that have been in power for centuries. They will not give up ground easily. We benefit greatly of course, exporting food, armor, weapons and dozens of other goods into the empire. Most used to rebuild and protect their cities, towns and villages.”

“I forbid any Lilith owned businesses to profit directly from the war efforts but I hope you understand that it is impossible to completely prevent it,” Claire said.

“Sure. As long as we don’t sell machine guns to the front lines, I don’t care,” Ilea said.

“Alistair and I are working close together with the establishments you own in Riverwatch to extract and take in refugees and slaves. It is proving difficult but I dedicated a good sum of gold towards those efforts. I hope you agree.”

Ilea nodded. “Double or triple it if possible. How are the slaves in Baralia? Just used for entertainment and manual labor or is the society a little more advanced than that?”

Claire smiled. “Administrators, cooks, leather workers, smiths, and much more. All useful and needed. That is the main reason why I prioritized those efforts.”

“Always with gold in mind,” Ilea said and shook her head in a joking manner.

“Ravenhall has mostly recovered but now we are starting to retake Morhill. Your smith friend Balduur has agreed to our suggestions by the way. Both cities are additionally building downwards as well, the mountains providing great ground for expansion, now that the Haven is producing ten times the food we previously managed to grow. Before you ask, we are looking into expansion there as well, to not solely rely on its soil.”

“We need all the people we can get. If they are trained and capable, even better,” Claire said.

Ilea nodded. “When will you give yourself the title of Empress?”

“One ruler is not reliable as a form of government. Efficient and simple, yes but I don’t plan to leave behind chaos in case of my death.”

Planning even beyond her own death. Well, I guess I suggested the right person for the job back then.

“Come in,” Claire said.

Trian burst into the room, wide eyed and with a broad grin on his face.

“Hey. You look horny,” Ilea said with a smirk, tilting her head back to look at the man.

He walked up to her, one of his eyes twitching as lightning sparked around his hand.

“Careful now,” Ilea said, her voice traveling through the room with a pulse of powerful mana.

A second of subdued silence passed as her companions were entirely frozen before she giggled.

Claire shook her head and summoned some documents. “Madwoman,” she murmured with a slight smile.

Trian laughed out loud. “Perfect! At least you didn’t waste your time. Do you know how difficult it is to answer the questions of nearly sixty people about the leader of their organization while I think she is dead?!”

Ilea smiled. “Sixty? Damn… I expected like five. Well done.”

“I want an apology,” the man said and crossed his arms. “I don’t give a shit about your powerful healer shit. You said you’d be back sooner.”

“Apologies Trian. There was a powerful blood manipulation spreading in the north, capable of large scale destruction. Then a Sand Elemental was corrupted and we had to put it down before I was nearly killed by one of the Ascended.”

“Thanks.” he said and summoned his own armchair, sitting back before he closed his eyes and cupped his face with both hands. “Wait… Sand Elemental?”

Ilea spent the next twenty minutes retelling her adventure through the Descent, starting with the first layer battle, the exploration, her advancements as well as the Sand Elemental battle. She made sure to share all her discoveries about resistances, levels, elves, Blood Manipulation, third tier general skills, the Ascended and everything else she encountered. She did decide not to share much on the Fae itself.

Claire wrote everything useful down and nodded with increasing joy all the while Trian sunk further and further into his chair.

“So apparently you can get a third class at level three fifty but I’m not sure about the requirements yet,” Ilea said.

Claire nodded and put away another page, enchanting it in the process. “I’ll get a list of general skills together that you might be able to learn quickly. As well as a list of potential resistance trainees within the Hand, the Shadowguard and potentially interested adventurers in the city. You used the arena before. Are you planning to stay for a while?”

“Schedule it for every morning. Sunrise to noon,” Ilea said and gave her a thumbs up. The woman had understood immediately. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, dear. Anything I should scratch before I hand it to Dagon, Elise and Sulivhaan?” Claire said.

“No. Just make sure that they know the information on the Ascended cannot spread. I don’t want that one entering this city,” Ilea said.

“Of course. We have protocols in place for a potential three or four mark breach but I had not honestly considered a sapient being with such power. Even the elders won’t be able to deal with that,” she said and sighed. “Well, it was only a matter of time. If we want to do more than survive, we will have to be able to fight both Elves and anything else that exists out there. It is at least somewhat comforting that powerful creatures like that should dislike the low mana density,” Claire said.

“A little. Terrifying at the same time,” Ilea said with a smile.

“No shit. We are fishes in a pond right next to the ocean,” Claire said with a smile.

“You like the challenge?” Ilea asked.

“Not in the same way that you do. But of course. It was nearly getting boring. With the Empire accepting our independence. I’ll make sure to triple the power of our defenses. Finally Sulivhaan might accept my budget suggestions,” she said and rubbed her hands together.

“Lightning… Ele… mental,” Trian whispered. His eyes were wide open still, not a peep coming from him during her whole monologue and the conversation after.

“Yep. Quite powerful too, that one. Do you want to meet it?” Ilea asked.

He groaned and straightened in his chair. “Ilea. I apologize. For asking for an apology. I should have known you were busy with tasks beyond my understanding. And no. I do not want to meet an Elemental, not ever. Thank you.”

She smiled. “Might be one attacks the city at some point. Would be good if you prepared a little. Don’t worry about the apology. I fucked around plenty after we dealt with the corruption. Meeting the Ascended wasn’t exactly part of the deal. Any word on Kyrian?”

Claire shook her head. “We have no idea where he is. Still alive and continuously more… rugged and powerful. According to the paintings of course. Perhaps it is simply Cless’ evolving style. You two certainly seem to be the ones advancing most in power.”

“I can take you two to the north at some point, as soon as things are running a little more smoothly. Would be good for you to at least reach level three hundred. The benefits will be crucial,” Ilea said.

“Not anytime soon, sadly. I will continue to train of course,” Claire said.

[Mage – lvl 227]

A couple levels at least, Ilea thought and nodded.

Trian was at two twenty nine, not much different than the last time they had met. Considering the small time frame it was still impressive of course. Both of them had found the time to hunt and fight.

“Can I add dungeons in the area as well for resistances or do you prefer to train here? I’ll just add the magic schools I won’t find, if anything close by can fill a gap,” Claire said.

“Sure. Focus on Void, space and blood. Hey, don’t you have blood magic spells?” Ilea said, looking at Trian.

“I know some people who can help there. I focused more on drain spells and lightning,” the man said with a smile.

“Here are the most recent paintings on Kyrian,” Claire said and showed her a bunch of canvases.

“Is that a cape? Of needles? And claws? He looks pretty wild, I like it,” Ilea said and gave her a thumbs up. “Cless is a terrific painter as well, as a side note.”

“She is getting better,” Claire said and nodded.

“He looks more beast than man,” Trian said.

“Ah, you grew up noble. He looks perfectly fine to me,” Ilea said with a grin on her face. Maybe I’ll have to reconsider him after all.

“I wouldn’t mind his courtship either, if I had a shred of time to spare on such matters,” Claire said, not showing a single bit of emotion at the apparent loss.

Trian cleared his throat. “Now that that is out of the way. Do you still plan to help out with the Medic Sentinel Corps?”

“Of course. That’s the main reason why I’m here. I told you I’d be back. Just took a little longer. So… sixty people. Tell me about the Medic Sentinels,” Ilea said with a grin.

Trian sighed with relief and smiled. “Of course. Now… we have fifty recruits at the moment. I interviewed each one myself and at least for now I can vouch for them. Most came here to Ravenhall due to the demon invasion or the war with Baralia. Some were referred by William, others by Sulivhaan. Claire helped with most of the rest.”

“They aren’t scared, Ilea. They are smart and eager, tired of being powerless. Many share convictions you set forth for the Sentinels. I don’t know how aware you are of this but your second name has made quite some waves. Not just here in Ravenhall. Lilith is the main reason for many to even consider joining the Sentinels and for even more of them it is the only reason they remain after the past weeks.”

“Why am I so important to them? And what happened in the past weeks?” Ilea asked.

Claire chuckled.

“Do I really have to explain why you are important? They’ve been taking classes and have started to train but they have yet to meet you and not few of them have started to ask questions. Healing orders are known to be hard on recruits, many people never returning after joining. Worse rumors are out there and I have no reason to believe they are wrong.”

“Aki might be one of the reasons people haven’t left as of yet. Him, Sidney and Orthan are the combat trainers for the recruits, teaching them tactics, hand to hand combat as well as the use of various weapons. At this stage I have to say that they’re mostly just beating down the poor sods.”

“Sidney? Orthan?” Ilea asked.

“Sidney is a Shadow. She was responsible for evaluating new potential members before the demons happened,” Trian said.

“She was the woman who evaluated your combat abilities, alongside Adam Strand and William, as far as I’m informed,” Claire cut in.

“I see,” Ilea said.

“Orthan is one of the people you rescued in the Alymie… estate. He has always been loyal to my family. I have… heard… that your first meeting wasn’t exactly favorable and should you wish to have him removed, I will do so,” Trian explained.

“Ah, the old guy with bone magic? Maybe I can get a resistance from him,” Ilea said. “What do you think of him?”

“He can be rude but he knows what he is doing. My own combat prowess is partially a product of his teachings. And beatings,” he said.

Ilea nodded. “I’ll talk to him but I trust your judgment, Trian. I don’t want to torture the recruits either. I hope you made it clear that this isn’t a noble’s mage factory bleeding out orphans.”

“Of course, Ilea. They are harsh but not to an extent that is unreasonable. The Alymie never participated in such practices. It is Sidney and Aki that sometimes go overboard after all. They profoundly apologize to the recruits of course but that doesn’t exactly add to our credibility, despite their undeniable combat prowess and experience.”

Ilea snorted. “Combat prowess? Aki? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“He has improved considerably. A very dangerous level two hundred machine capable of keeping up with even me,” the mage said.

“Really? I’ll be the judge of that,” Ilea said with a grin.

“He would be happy for the challenge and I’m sure it would be a motivating sight for the recruits,” Trian said.

“Can we call them students? I don’t necessarily think of this as a military thing. More a place of learning,” Ilea said.

“Learning about resistances,” Claire murmured.

“Not if they don’t want to. We need administrators, trainers, teachers, consultants and whatever else we can think of as well. If they want to become powerful healers and assets to a strong adventurer team or even a Shadow team, they will gladly get those skills,” Ilea said.

“Pain Tolerance in the second tier would be a priority but it won’t be easy to sell. I personally don’t plan on ever getting that far,” Trian said.

“Why would you? You have a stable position, you have reached a level of power most humans will never come close to. There are however plenty of people that would like to reach higher. Leave it to me to show them what is possible. And to give them the resources to do so in this world of information hoarding nobles, clinging to the shreds of power they think significant,” Ilea said.

“You will face plenty of adversity,” Trian said.

“From whom?” Ilea asked.

“The existing healing orders, many of the nobles in the empire as well as any other kingdom. Information sellers, alchemists selling their overpriced potions. Just to name a few,” he replied.

Ilea smiled and took a sip of ale. “Just doesn’t seem that much of a challenge after seeing the power of Elementals. Let them try.”

Chapter 441 Administrator

Chapter 441 Administrator

“What other classes get taught?” Ilea asked after a little bit of silence.

“Medicine is the main one. We looked around for someone capable but it proved difficult. Some instructors in the Shadowguard as well as some retired soldiers and guards were options but none were interested after I made it clear they had to read through and understand all the literature Dagon and Elise had provided on the subject. It is rather extensive, you know? And the sources often contradict each other. Something I noticed after just a little bit of reading.”

“Of course it is. It was one of the most notoriously difficult subjects to study back in my realm. Here, where magic can just solve everything with a simple skill, the need for proper understanding and non magical treatments seem obsolete,” Ilea said.

“I understand that you generally want to focus on such knowledge to force a class emergence but do you not think the efforts are wasted beyond that?” Trian asked.

“Do you?” she asked.

“Partially. The knowledge of how to apply bandages does seem a little wasted,” he said.

“You didn’t read particularly far in those books, did you? Or the understanding of the human body and injuries is worse than I thought. I agree that once powerful healing magic is available, the need for most of what we considered treatments would become obsolete but I found that the knowledge I slowly accrued through practical experience has brought me quite far in applying my spells.”

“I only scratched the surface but knowing how to treat a blood manipulation based corruption before encountering it is surely beneficial. We should take the information we have, test and prove it and then expand on that. Anything that might help. Magic just makes it much easier to apply. Perhaps at some point we might be able to recreate something like the fountain I found within an Azarinth temple, capable of creating water with healing properties,” she said.

“Did you find someone in the end?” she added.

Trian nodded. “I did. On accident perhaps. Lyza. We met her when we went to the arena to train last time you were here. Turns out she was very much bored with the job and spent much of her time reading. She has considerable experience dealing with a wide variety of magical and non magical injuries in the arena. Contrary to the others, she only got interested once I mentioned all the books and knowledge she would have to sift through. The mention of you being the de facto leader of the organization sealed the deal.”

“Interesting. Didn’t take her to be someone that motivated but I guess there’s a passion in everyone,” Ilea said.

“Speaking of leaders, what should we call ourselves. You and me. Elders?” she suggested.

“We aren’t very old though, are we. Officers? Directors? Are you sure we should have the same rank?” Trian said.

“Decision making wise, sure. Though I agree that it makes little sense to give you the same title as I have, not being a healer. Why not just Head Administrator? I get that one too. Then we have something like Professor for the teachers and Administrator for anything else,” Ilea said.

“Head Administrator seems fine. Professor… I’m not sure we should put so much weight on a title like that. Teachers are important but not all knowing. At least in the beginning I would like to let classes as well as students develop as individual and open as possible. Until we have nailed down some practices and classes we can apply more generally,” Trian said.

Ilea nodded. “Sounds alright to me. What do you suggest?”

“Advisor sounds good. It still demands respect and could still be used after lessons become a little more defined,” the man replied.

“I like it. And for the healers themselves we can start with Apprentice, Medic, Sentinel and Veteran, each simply representing another hundred levels higher. Me being the only Veteran, so far,” Ilea said.

“Medic as well as Sentinel will lead to confusion. We should replace those or at least one of them,” he suggested.

“Hmm, alright. Instead of Sentinel, what about Executor? I hope they can do more than just heal at that point and while Medic already implies some sort of combat training, Executor does even more so. They should demand respect just as Shadows do,” she said.

“You want to keep Medic then?” Trian asked.

“I guess. We can refer to all members as Sentinels. These shouldn’t be much more than a bunch of titles either. Something to try and reach,” Ilea said.

“That sounds alright to me. So Lyza is teaching the medicine classes and I’ve been taking part of one as well. She knows what she’s doing. Very blunt but the students like her,” he said.

“Classes? There’s more than one?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. It makes little sense trying to train fifty people at the same time in combat. I believe a smaller class size is also appropriate for other subjects as it allows for more questions as well as engagement. I split them up into five groups of ten. Orthan has already planned out several group training sessions but we will wait until classes emerge,” he explained.

“They sit in on William’s lessons in Viscera that he holds for the Shadowguard as well as some of the classes available from the Shadow’s Hand directly. We left some choice there to allow some freedom. I personally teach them classes in economics, politics and geography. Claire double checked much of my material but rest assured, I have went through quite an education.”

Ilea chuckled. “I remember. When you didn’t take part in our lessons because you were such an educated soul.”

Trian closed his eyes and sighed. “A lot has happened since then.”

“It sure has,” Ilea agreed.

“No enchantment classes from Iana or Christopher?” she asked.

“I have considered her but they are rather busy with various important tasks. Perhaps in the future, when things have calmed down a little,” the man said.

Ilea nodded. “I think it would be good for me to address everyone. As well as hold some lessons as well. How do the afternoons look?”

“I would think that best as well. Experiencing healing magic and its powers will be instrumental to a class emergence. I don’t see how resistance training would be possible without you there to heal the damage,” Trian said. “Is this afternoon possible for you? The suns will rise in a couple hours. We can shorten some of the combat classes. It’s been a stretch for Orthan and Sidney as it is. They will be glad to have some more free time.”

“Mhm. Definitely. Today is fine, yes. Noon until dinner arrives I guess. At least whenever I’m here in the next couple of weeks,” Ilea said.

“You plan to leave again?” Trian asked.

“During the nights. Skills and resistances level best when the enemy has an intent to kill. Plus I just need a couple more levels to reach three fifty. I don’t plan on waiting too long,” she said.

“You say that like it’s an easy task.” He shook his head.

“It should be. The question is simply how much I should focus on my other skills first. Both resistances and otherwise. A class option might only be available if I level all my skills to thirty, which honestly seems like a stretch. If I can change my other classes, I should be able to change my third one too.”

I don’t want to wait another month with the potential of an Ascended hunting me down. Even if it means not getting the most optimal class option. Something good is bound to be there with what I have right now.

“Are there any known four mark creatures around somewhere? It would be a worthy achievement if I killed one,” Ilea said.

With what she had seen, Ilea doubted she could kill a level one thousand creature alone but there was the potential of something being out there that couldn’t counter her very well. The Vampire had a rather efficient collection of abilities to take her down but she won in the end and that one was at seven fifty already.

“I haven’t looked into it much but I’m not aware of any reports lately. Four mark creatures usually emerge from the depths or skies, destroy and kill some things and vanish again. Most of the sightings come from non credible sources but I’m sure some of them at least told the truth,” Claire said. “I’ll look into it but with your stories about the Elementals and the Ascended, I too suggest that you should get that third class as soon as possible.”

“Rare classes are beneficial. Highly so. Yet as you said, the potential for changing to another class or reaching the next evolution is always an option. It takes time to level skills, to understand them and use them efficiently in battle,” she added.

Trian shook his head. “A better class might give you more of a class bonus. No matter the skills you might get, another fifty to a hundred percent increase to your Body Enhancement or Healing magic is surely worth it.”

“New skills will make much more of a difference. If Ilea could wield another element or gains synergies with her current skills it would outweigh even a two or three hundred percent increase from the class alone. They’re additive, remember,” Claire said.

“We don’t even know how it works. I doubt it will be like the two classes we all have,” Ilea said. “I can see the benefit of everything you two are saying. I’ll just get the remaining levels when I feel ready. Right now, I feel like getting some more third tier resistances at the very least. As well as a bunch of levels in a variety of my skills. I won’t get the maximum, not with how long it already took for me to get where I am. I’m more inclined towards more skills than more benefits from a class bonus. It’s a problem too however because better classes give better skills as well.”

“Not always,” Claire said. “The same skills often show up in a variety of classes. They are not always directly bound, however variations and select skills might not be there in a weaker variant of a class.”

“I will work on everything I have. Starting with my Sentinel Huntress mark. I haven’t really tested it so far,” Ilea said, not having mentioned marking the Fae.

She quickly explained how she thought it worked.

“You can mark me. It would solve our issue of reaching you. Both for Ravenhall and your Sentinels. I haven’t mentioned it but Iana and Christopher managed to work out and produce a long range communication device. It is however not particularly wieldy and doesn’t work within a storage device. The range is enough for Morhill at the very least and we have sent one to Riverwatch as well,” Claire explained.

“What? That is huge!” Ilea exclaimed. “Can you talk through it?”

“Only small pulses of mana can be sent and so far we have decided on three codes. One pulse for assistance request, two for an imminent catastrophe and three for imminent complete destruction,” the woman explained.

“We had something like that before new technology became widely available. Can you not designate the pulses so that letters can be formed? Three short pulses and one long one for one letter for example? Or even words if that isn’t feasible,” Ilea said.

“We tried but even at a very short distance, the mana isn’t precise, the pulses different and hard to differentiate. It becomes even more impossible when the operators switch. We are still looking for solutions but already it is a huge accomplishment. All thanks to you of course and the Taleen technology you provided,” Claire said.

“The enchanters should get the credit. Not me. It’s good to know however. So you accept the mark?” Ilea asked.

Claire nodded and held out her hand.

Ilea poured a little under two thousand mana into the mark that slowly became visible on the back of Claire’s left hand. The rune glowed in bright blue light, three lines reminiscent of claws glowed the brightest before it faded into a more complicated design.

The mark was definitely visible but it didn’t immediately stand out, even if one looked at Claire’s hand directly. The color too faded from the bright blue to a much more subdued one.

“Fascinating,” Claire exclaimed. “It looks similar to some of the runes I have seen on your body, before your body enhancement spell changed.”

“Can you tell what it does?” Ilea asked.

“No… I have no idea. It is faded too by now, mostly dormant. I feel the magical connection to it. The only thing I can do is release it… with something attached. Should I try?” Claire asked.

Ilea felt something in her mind, knowing that there were two marks now. She could focus on them, one indicating that it was close and slightly to her right. Claire. The other one was hard to grasp but she assumed that was just the Fae’s home meddling with things.

“Can I have one too?” Trian interrupted.

“Not until I gain another level in the skill. It’s one per level. Yeah, release it.” Ilea said, looking back to Claire.

The mark faded on her hand and Ilea knew immediately that it had vanished.

Hello?

The thought reached her mind as if the Fae had spoken to her. The feeling however was different and Ilea knew it was Claire.

“That’s fucking weird. You sent the word Hello?” she asked.

“I sent Hello? Can you hear me? But I suppose only one word is possible,” Claire replied.

Wait, I can still feel the location of the mark. Even though I know it’s gone.

“I can still track you…,” Ilea said.

“Interesting… there is a faint bit of your magic remaining but it isn’t much. It would be quite annoying if you couldn’t track the mark at all after someone calls for you. I doubt it will last long however,” Claire said.

“We can test it. Trian, give me your hand. I want to know if I can apply one again without losing the tracking part of the other one,” Ilea said.

Another mark later confirmed that she could still track Claire. Applying two marks obviously didn’t work. Ilea knew as much instinctively. Three doesn’t work… one is with the Baron.

“I will apply one again as soon as the tracking has faded entirely,” Ilea said.

“In the meantime… I’ve gotten quite an assortment of supplies from a smuggling group in Riverwatch that I mostly took out myself. Can I give you the stuff? You two can just decide on how to distribute it. Prioritize the Sentinels of course. Anything we don’t need, give to the Shadowguard or whoever else could make use of it,” Ilea said.

“Of course. Just hand me everything,” Trian said.

Ilea proceeded to summon the massive crates she had gotten from the Gray Company, watching them all vanish again as soon as Trian touched them. She added most of the magic items except for her light staff, the heavy bow and dark vision cloak.

“This might be interesting too. Got it off the Vampire I fought,” Ilea said and handed over the claw. “Just be fucking careful with it. I don’t want to come back here because a blood magic beast epidemic started.”

“Interesting. A blood manipulation artifact. I’ll have a look at it with Orthan,” Trian said.

“There’s a guy in Riverwatch that might be interested too. Kevan Isyll I think was his name,” Ilea said.

“We’ll get in touch if needed. I won’t prioritize this however, except you want that?” he asked.

Ilea shook her head. “It’s fine. Ah, also take this while we’re at it. It’s the blood manipulation agent but in its inactive state. If it gets activated and the corruption spreads here, everyone in Ravenhall will probably die.”

The two looked at her with concern apparent.

“That church didn’t manage it in however long they tried. Keep it in the laboratories in our headquarters where Iana is working. To be sure,” she said.

“I will. As long as it isn’t the corruption itself,” Trian said with a sigh.

Ilea smiled. “Ah, I have that too. I plan to make the people who want it immune. A good way to level Pain Tolerance as well, I suppose.”

“I can feel the headache coming,” Claire said. “At least Iana is good at keeping your premises blocked off against anyone that might be interested in breaking in.”

“Is she? Well that’s good,” Ilea said. Still have to fortify my house with her enchantments.

“Are you alright with all the work with the Sentinels by the way?” she asked, looking at Trian.

The man nodded. “The most difficult nobles left after we declared our independence from the empire. The position remains in case of emergency but I had little work in the last weeks.”

“Balduur made some prototypes of badges we could use by the way. Maybe we could include the rune you put onto Claire’s hand as well,” Trian said and summoned a handful of various steel plates.

“It’s probably related to Azarinth magic so that’s a hard no. We don’t want to spread something like that. They had enemies we are not ready for and a history we do not want to associate ourselves with,” Ilea explained and took the badges.

They weren’t enchanted yet but she liked some of the designs. Not sure why a Drake should be the symbol. Keyla already has that… copying anything from Earth seems a little iffy too. What if a copyright lawyer gets placed in Elos? she shuddered at the thought and chose one of the simplest designs.

“What do you think?” she asked the man.

“I mean… it’s just a wing, Balduur apparently liked yours so he included that one,” Trian said.

“It’s not trying too hard. A single wing. People can wear it as a necklace. I like the shape and it’s unique enough to stand out. At least from the boring adventurer plaques or the Shadow badges. No offense Claire,” Ilea said.

The woman looked up from the document she was reading through and smiled. “You are literally in the council of Ravenhall and a Shadow too. If you want them changed, we could talk about it.”

Chapter 442 Performance

Chapter 442 Performance

Nathan walked towards the main hall, careful not to attract any unnecessary attention.

They were supposed to check the notice board at least once at noon and once after dinner, just in case something came up.

For two weeks already he had participated in the strewn together lessons this organization provided. The teachers certainly had charisma and power to boot but the topics they were talking about seemed somewhat random.

“Hey Nathan!” a loud voice resounded to his right.

“Luke,” Nathan said as he turned and nodded to the man.

That was an awkward nod if I’ve ever seen one. He’s a bloody farmer and what? Five, six years younger than you? Get your shit together.

It didn’t help that the man was around twice his size, his clothes barely containing the muscles below.

[Farmer – lvl 28]

“Did you see?” Luke asked as he approached, touching his shoulder.

“We just finished our combat lesson. I didn’t have time yet to check, what is it?” he asked.

Luke grinned and took several steps back. “Classes are canceled this afternoon. We are to gather in the lowest training hall.”

That was indeed some news. “What do you think?”

“What else would it be. Lilith! The dark shadow, clad in ash with wings to darken the suns themselves! She will grace our presence!” Luke exclaimed in a mocking tone.

Some of the other students looked up from their meals or books, some smiling while others seemed annoyed.

“Or they’re going to sacrifice us in some ritual,” Nathan suggested in a whisper.

“Didn’t you work for her before? Show some trust at least. I’m pretty sure this isn’t a scam,” Luke said.

“I worked in a store owned by her, as did many who joined. Doesn’t mean I ever met her. Nor that she is trustworthy. She is rich, that much is sure,” Nathan said and checked the noticeboard.

They had all gotten high quality clothes, good beds and the food was otherworldly. Sometimes that was.

“This is directly from Trian. Sounds good,” Nathan said after reading through the short notice.

Luke stepped up to him and whispered, “Some say he’s a blood mage, you know?”

“And what’s that supposed to mean? Not every blood mage is automatically a monster,” he replied and stepped towards one of the empty tables in the hall.

It was obvious that this place had been furnished rather recently. That should also explain why the food came at different times and how the teachers talked about a variety of subjects in single lessons.

He would have left already if this wasn’t the only place in Ravenhall that offered training in healing. Lilith’s name being attached had certainly helped convince him to join in the first place.

“All I hear from you two is fucking complaining. You get your own room, a bed, clothes and good food. What more could you ever want in life,” Celeste said as she joined the two with a plate piled up high with meat, potatoes and bread, all drenched in gravy.

“Don’t you think it’s weird though? Every store, inn and restaurant associated with the name Lilith is well run and generally of good quality. We’re not learning about a Class at all. Nobody is even a healer here,” Nathan said.

The woman shrugged and started eating, replying with a full mouth. “As I said, food, beds and all. Plus, the training is amazing. I’m pretty sure Sidney is a Shadow.”

“How would you know? Just because we’re in Ravenhall doesn’t mean every other high level warrior you see is a Shadow,” Luke said.

“Just a feeling. I’ve lived on the streets here long enough to be able to tell,” she said.

“I wanted to ask you before…,” Nathan started, looking around as the words got stuck in his throat.

“Spit it out rich boy,” she said in between bites, barely looking at him.

“Is it true, the demon summoning?” he finally asked.

“Maybe you shouldn’t-” Luke said.

He was interrupted by Celeste holding up a piece of bone. “Why? It happened. Nearly everyone died. I hid for weeks in the underground. Good thing the demons had a shit nose and eyes. The rats were a worse threat.”

“They say if a demon kills you, your corpse stands up again and becomes one of them,” Nathan said.

The stories that had reached his village had been horrifying. And fascinating.

“I didn’t see that. But there were a lot of them… more than I saw at the beginning. And there were no corpses. Could just be they ate everyone,” Celeste explained as she bit into a juicy chicken leg.

“Do you three mind if I sit here?” a new voice joined them, a woman with striking blue eyes, long black hair in a single braid falling down her back. She wore simple but high quality clothes.

Nathan felt the hair on his neck stand up but he didn’t exactly know why.

[Healer – lvl ??]

Ah, she’s a high level too.

“Finally, a fucking healer,” Celeste said with a grin. “You’re a new teacher? Nice to meet you. Celeste,” she said and offered her greasy hand.

The woman smiled and sat down, grabbing the hand as she placed down a plate even more stacked than Celeste’s.

“I’m a substitute teacher or something,” the woman said and started eating. “Nice to meet you all,” she said after swallowing.

Celeste eyed her plate but soon focused onto her own again.

“I don’t think it’s true,” Luke said.

“What?” Nathan asked.

“That people rise again after a demon kills them,” he clarified.

“I’ve seen it happen,” the woman spoke, surprising the three.

“Really?” Nathan asked. “How could they be defeated then?”

“The demon was only level fifty after it rose. Still dangerous but it was killed by a brave warrior right after,” she said.

Celeste snorted.

“Great. Just what I expected,” the girl said.

Nathan could have sworn he saw a smile twitch on the healer’s mouth.

“Will you teach us your Class?” Luke asked.

“No. It’s a rare one. I doubt any of you could learn it. The pay is good though so I agreed. I’ll show you some healing magic at the very least,” the woman said.

She doesn’t look much older than me. Still feels like she’s ancient.

“Do you know what the assembly is about?” Nathan asked her.

“Assembly?” the healer asked.

“It’s probably about the new healer they managed to hire,” Celeste said and nodded her way. “In half an hour or so. Lowest level of this castle.”

“Not exactly a castle, is it?” Luke asked.

“I believe it was a joke,” Nathan said.

The healer leaned forward and smiled. “Tell me, what do you think of this place? I’m not sure if I want to get stuck here, even with the pay.”

“It’s… new. It’s supposedly owned by Lilith,” Luke said. “The food is good, the classes are interesting and I’ve learned more about fighting than I did in my eighteen years.”

“You’re a fucking farmer, Luke. Of course you don’t know shit about fighting,” Celeste said with a chuckle.

“Who’s Lilith?” the healer asked.

“You’re not from around here then?” Luke said with a smile. “She’s the greatest there ever was! Providing employment to thousands. She’s the richest and most beautiful woman in existence, her ashen wings are legendary. I’m pretty sure she’s a Shadow too. Never met her though. A mystery really.” His voice indicated he was joking.

Nathan looked at the healer before his eyes opened wide. He watched her glance at him, her eyes ice. Something in his brain told him to run but all he could do was sit there, anything he would have wanted to say got stuck.

It’s her!

A random healer suddenly appearing before an assembly? The first of its kind? It has to be.

Stay calm, he thought and found her attention was back on Luke.

The man was babbling about the legend that was Lilith.

“… wings powerful and righteous, she landed to defend the weak!” he sang, getting boos from the people sitting somewhat close. His voice really wasn’t the best.

“Do you have a singing skill?” the woman asked.

“Not yet. I won’t let them discourage me!” Luke exclaimed.

She laughed. “Don’t. I’ve seen miracles happen. Yours might just come true.”

Nathan had a hard time breathing. Right until she touched his shoulder. Something warm flowed into him, his mind calming down immediately.

“Are you alright? You looked a little pale,” she said.

“He has his moments. The scars should tell you enough,” Celeste said.

“Don’t,” Luke hissed.

The girl rolled her eyes and continued eating in silence.

“It’s alright. You calmed down, right?” the healer said.

Nathan nodded. It felt wrong. He touched his neck, could feel the skin, burnt and disfigured. “I’m… fine,” he said.

“Well, that was interesting. Let’s hope we meet her at the assembly. Sounds like a terrifically unreal person,” she said and got up. “Fifteen minutes?”

“Yes, ma’am. Just take the stairs and go down all the way. Can’t miss it,” Luke said.

Nathan glanced at her once more. Her movements seemed different to him now. Lethal. Like the monsters he had seen in the woods. Like the soldiers.

“How the fuck?” Celeste exclaimed, looking at the empty late next to hers.

“You got beaten,” Luke said with a laugh. He patted Nathan on his back and smiled. “You okay?”

Nathan nodded. Should I tell them? No. She’ll reveal it herself. Why talk to us first? She wanted to know about the rumors?

“We should go too, finish your plate Celeste,” Luke said and got up.

The girl rolled her eyes and stood up too, taking her plate with her. “Sorry, Nathan,” she said as she walked past.

At least she apologizes. Not the reason I freaked out however.

He followed the two in silence, glancing at the others as they fell in from the various floors.

One class looked properly battered, showing bruises from the heavy steel armor they had to wear during combat lessons. At least they had armor, otherwise the teachers would rip them apart.

Aki stepped into the broad stairwell on the fifth floor down, glancing over the students with his shining green eyes.

Many looked away, not about to challenge the being.

Nathan looked back. It fascinated him. A machine, capable of thought and as deadly as the strongest warriors he had ever seen. Nobody knew what it was or how it could exist. One of the rules was not to talk about it to outsiders. He was pretty sure Aki would actually like to face some challengers form the city.

Maybe a Shadow or two would be interested in fighting him.

They soon reached the bottom floor, much of the stairwell here not quite finished yet. Stone rubble covered the ground. It felt more like a cave than part of a building, let alone the headquarters of a healing order.

Not order, organization, he reminded himself. Trian made it clear that they shouldn’t be associated with the known healing orders. Good thing too, Nathan thought.

He was there as well. All the teachers were, including the new healer. Maybe it isn’t her? he thought, watching her greet the others. Their expressions were a mixture of confusion and understanding. Lyza was the only one that didn’t seem to care at all. Nothing new there.

People were talking amongst each other, whispering about what this was all about.

“What do you think, Nathan?” Luke asked, standing next to him.

“Not sure,” was all he said.

He watched the healer talk to Trian before the man nodded. She vanished and appeared in front of the murmuring students. Some heads turned to her but most people didn’t even notice.

“Greetings everyone,” she said, her voice barely reaching the second row of people.

Her head tilted to the side.

Nathan watched her, their eyes meeting as he saw a grin form on her lips.

He gulped.

A whistle resounded through the large stone hall, clear and with a high pitch.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of a powerful healer. You are paralyzed for five seconds.’

What??

He couldn’t move an inch. The murmuring had died down in an instant, everybody frozen in place. The healer was still looking at him, her eyes soon moving over the large group of assembled people.

“Now that I have your attention. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Medic Sentinels. My name is Ilea, or otherwise known as Lilith,” she spoke.

I knew it!

The five seconds had passed and he could move again, taking a deep breath as he looked around at the confused group of people. Nobody dared make a sound.

“Fuck,” Luke said in a whisper.

Lilith looked at him and smiled. “I apologize for showing up so late. Now… in the coming weeks, I’ll take over your afternoon lessons. If I’m available.”

She walked a little closer and sat down on the ground. “Come on, don’t be scared of me. Form a half circle and sit down.”

Don’t be scared? Are you kidding me?

“Really?” someone behind him whispered.

“Yes, really,” Lilith said and looked straight at him.

She heard that?

“What you heard before is as skill called Monster Hunter. I got it from fighting creatures well beyond my level. Time and time again,” she explained.

Nathan gulped. “You’re a healer,” he said, looking straight at her.

She smiled. “Yes. Yes I am. Now come everyone, sit down with me. Today, I’ll show you what healers can do.”

Nathan couldn’t help but smile, pushing past some of the stunned people before he sat down somewhat close to the woman. It took all his guts but he didn’t come here to fool around. This was his chance at power and he wouldn’t waste it.

The others slowly followed suit, sitting down in a half circle as the woman had instructed.

She sat with her knees close to her chest, hugging them in a casual way.

“Why are you here?” she asked after a while.

“Free food,” someone said.

Nobody chuckled, except Lilith herself.

“We are supposed to become healers,” someone else said.

“Combat healers,” Luke said.

Now some people did chuckle.

“Combat healers… it’s the description we have. I like Medic as well,” Lilith said with a smile. “You still came here of course, even though you think it a laughable notion?” she looked at the few people who had chuckled.

“Healers are weak,” Celeste spoke, her voice serious.

“They’re supposed to stay behind walls, take care of the injured and sick,” someone else said.

“I heard healers get killed if they’re not part of the guard or an order.”

“I want to become a healer,” Luke said. “I don’t care if it’s a weak class but I want to be able to help people, protect them.”

“My father died in my arms and I couldn’t do anything,” a man said.

Nathan knew him. Ford. Didn’t speak much and his level was too high for him to see. A mage, like himself.

“If we are with an organization, we won’t have to fear the orders,” Hadley said, a level thirty eight alchemist.

Nathan had thought her shy before but now she was speaking up.

“Why didn’t you join an order then? Or the guard? The imperial military?” Lilith asked.

“Fuck the empire,” someone said.

A murmur went through the group.

“The Sentinels are here to support adventurers, we should help fight monsters, not people,” Luke said.

“Few healers are out there, protecting and healing the most powerful humans. The Orders don’t care about adventurers and neither do the cities, as long as their walls are secure,” someone said.

That’s Lorelei, he thought. She was one of the oldest here, probably close to thirty. A warrior and nearly as packed with muscle as Luke was.

“Precisely,” Ilea said. “Now I won’t lie to you all. I got the healing class that I have on accident. It requires physical contact to heal and is thus not the best to support a team,” she stood up and smiled.

“Those of you who think healers are weak or ineffective in combat are wrong. I’m a Shadow. I’ve been to the north. I have seen and fought creatures that people write stories about. And I’ve learned quite a bit in my journey.”

“We need healers. Independent and ready to support Adventurers and Shadows in their missions. How is humanity supposed to grow and prevail if our strongest keep dying while our healers keep armies alive that fight against other humans?” she asked.

“Now, I can tell that many of you have doubts. Why wouldn’t you? You should very much think for yourself. So instead, we’ll try a little demonstration. Just to show you a small bit of what is possible. If you put in the work, the pain and sweat that is required. Healing magic is the most powerful thing we have at our disposal.”

A single tendril of ash came to life behind her, some people shifting where they sat.

“Ash. It is the element of my second Class. Now many Classes have the ability to heighten resilience, defense, speed. Many provide powerful spells and ways to destroy. What is unique about us healers…,” she said, holding out her arm as the ash suddenly lashed out.

Faster than Nathan could perceive. A sickening noise resounded when it pierced flesh.

Some people looked away. Not as many as Nathan would have expected. We are not that different, are we?

“This is my arm,” Ilea said, holding the severed limb with her remaining one. “You might notice my lack of concern. There are skills that reduce pain. The main one is a general skill called Pain Tolerance. If a skill reaches level twenty and levels once again, it advances to the second tier. The benefit of Pain Tolerance in the second tier is the complete removal of pain. Should I choose to do so.”

“I won’t force any of you to acquire this skill but the benefits are extraordinary,” she said and waved at the group with her severed arm.

“This is quite a problem, isn’t it?” she said. “I was injured. My arm taken. I can’t hold my weapon, I can’t concentrate on my spell because of the pain. I will bleed out soon. If I survive, the wound might infect. If I can’t find a capable healer in a couple days, I have lost my arm forever.”

“Watch,” she said, looking at the wound close to her shoulder, tissue reforming in an insane speed. Bone, muscle and skin, right until her hand closed once more into a fist.

“I still ruined one of my shirts but you get the idea,” Lilith said and threw the severed arm behind herself.

Nathan couldn’t keep the grin from his face. His heart was drumming in his chest as he forced himself to look, watching the blood slowly flow down the perfectly reformed arm.

Chapter 443 Impressions

Chapter 443 Impressions

Trian was right, these guys are hungry. And not just that girl who still has a plate of food with her. Seems like she forgot about it though. Now it’s cold. Maybe she isn’t so smart after all, Ilea thought.

Her decision to not remove her head in the first lesson was probably the right one. Maybe the second one then.

Only a few of them had looked away when she had cut off her own arm, all of them watching her now. She could feel that a few were distressed but most of them had different expressions on their faces.

_________________________________

Hadley couldn’t believe her eyes. The woman had cut off her own arm without flinching and regrew it in seconds.

Most of the people around her didn’t know the pain of losing a limb. She herself had only lost a couple fingers but the pain had nearly knocked her out. She had been lucky, a guard had heard her scream and brought her to a healer he knew.

If I could attain that power… still, it doesn’t mean she is particularly strong. Many warriors can cut off limbs after all. There are mages who can burn you up in seconds.

“That won’t help you win against a mage. They’ll just burn you up until you’re out of mana,” Lyza said. The teacher seemed unfazed.

“Good thing then that most of my skills are combat oriented. Aki, I heard you advanced quite a bit, you even got some upgrades it seems. Care to test yourself against me?” Ilea asked.

Hadley glanced at the machine, a shiver going down her back. It was relentless, powerful, fast. Unfeeling. Even the other teachers respected it.

Is she stupid?

“Are you sure? We don’t want to make a mess,” Aki said.

He’s sounding apprehensive? Really? They know each other.

“Don’t worry, I won’t hit you very hard,” Lilith said with a vicious grin on her face.

Hadley watched as the machine jumped up and landed a dozen meters away from the healer. Some of the people stood up to see better and she followed suit.

“My Classes are mostly based on body enhancement skills. They make me faster, more resilient,” Lilith said. “Come now, attack.”

The machine moved, faster than Hadley had seen it move before. Her eyes could barely keep up, even with her perception skill in her second Class.

Six blades slashed into the healer but she too moved in a blur, back and away.

A loud noise resounded suddenly, Aki’s movements stopped entirely. His blades were stuck in Lilith’s skin, not very deeply. She held on to one of his blades with one arm.

“Defensive skills will help you resist damage but in the end every fight is just about who comes out alive,” she said and twirled, dragging the machine with her before she threw it at the opposite wall, the steel slamming against stone with a loud crash.

Her wounds healed already, how is she so strong?

“If you have good Classes and train your skills up high enough, you’ll be able to see enemy movements, sometimes even before they happen. You will have armor and projectiles at your side,” she spoke, ash suddenly flowing over her body until she was fully covered.

Two horns jutted out of her head, pointing forward and towards the watching group. Limbs of ash formed behind her and fanned out, lances of ash appeared out of thin air and hovered close to her. The healer was gone, replaced by a warrior of ash.

“To defeat monsters, you will need strength, speed, mobility, understanding, any tool that might help you out. Something that all of you should know is that everyone makes mistakes. Us being healers, we won’t need to worry about one or two. Missing limbs are just a part of the job. Losing a heart or even your head might not actually be a death sentence. Not anymore.”

_____________________________

“Together, we will find some Classes that will suit you. That will suit the Sentinels you are to become. The Sentinels that will be feared and respected, by both humans and everything else out there,” Ilea said as she watched the people.

Aki was coming at her again. He really did become better.

She remembered him fumbling around in Balduur’s forge. She enchanted him, added padding.

He was bigger, faster, more robust. His blades were deadlier. Perhaps he could even face a Centurion the way he was now. It was a bit of a stretch.

Ilea let him attack, his blades digging into her ashen armor without finding much purchase. She turned around and slowly grappled him with her ashen limbs, lifting him up before she turned him around on his head.

“The classes you take part in are a part of the puzzle. Combat training is another. I will take you through the process of acquiring resistances and potential achievements. If you want to get where I am or even higher, you will have to endure pain. You will have to watch your body get destroyed and reformed. Until it is a process as normal to you as breathing.”

“I won’t force you to join and neither will I make you decide right now, right here. If at any point you think it impossible to continue, you can leave. I will get you an appropriate position in one of my businesses.”

“Now that everyone is here, can someone tell me how you can gain a Resistance?” she asked.

“You let an element damage your body,” one of the boys said.

It might be unfair to call him boy, the man was close to her own age. And still she felt older. Perhaps it was just the fact that she had seen Elementals, had survived the Ascended. He was a level thirty two mage, a prominent scar showing on his neck, extending to his shoulder. He was the one to understand who she was back in the main hall.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“Nathan,” the man replied.

She liked the confidence. He was scared of her and still he spoke.

We’ll make sure that you won’t be scared anymore soon enough. Of anything.

“That’s correct Nathan. Can you tell me what the benefit of a healer is in all this?” she asked.

“They’re often used to help train warriors, defenders specifically. It means we can heal them while they take damage and level their defensive skills, including resistances,” he said.

“True. But you’re going to be healers yourself. Why train someone else when you can advance your own defensive capabilities?” she asked.

“Trian, would you help me out here?” she asked, smiling when the man appeared next to her.

“As some of you might know, Trian is a high level lightning mage. Not too common but you’ll encounter them from time to time, as well as creatures capable of using the magic. Anyone brave enough to take some damage?”

Nearly twenty people immediately lifted their hands.

“We’ll start with you three,” she said, pointing at the trio she had talked to before. All of them had lifted a hand.

She watched them approach and extended three ashen limbs, one to each of them. “I will heal you through these. It’s going to hurt… a lot.”

“Just one second Trian,” she said, “Ready?”

All of them nodded.

Sparks flowed, the three people screaming instantaneously. The farmer had bitten through his tongue, the cook sprained her fingers from clenching her fists. Nathan passed out.

Their health was topped off again a moment later.

“Well done. How did that feel?” Ilea asked.

The Farmer choked and spit out the piece of his tongue he had bitten off. “Fucking horrible!” he shouted.

“Third worst pain I’ve ever felt,” the cook said. “Can we do it again?”

Could it be? One of my people? Ilea asked herself.

“Name?” she asked the farmer.

“Luke,” he said.

Nathan woke up again, sitting up before he looked around, confused.

“How long until I get Pain Tolerance?” Celeste asked.

Ilea shrugged. “I have no clue. It won’t help massively at first either,” Ilea replied. “Everyone who wants to join can line up. One at a time until me or Trian reach capacity. If you don’t want to join, just stand back. This isn’t mandatory. Any questions you have, just ask away.”

Ilea spent the next three hours answering questions about resistances, healing magic, fighting, monsters, dungeons and many other topics. Most of the questions, she didn’t know the answers to but the experience of being electrocuted and healed helped the students tremendously to open up.

All of them chose to undergo the training, many tapping out but joining again. After half an hour, the first people reported acquiring Lightning Resistance. After one hour, the first instances of Pain Tolerance showed up.

Ilea made it clear many times that nobody had to undergo the training. She learned many names, forgetting most of them again quickly. There were mages, farmers, rogues even one enchanter. All of them would give up their Classes to get whatever showed up.

“I consider Heat, Ice, water, wind, pain, poison, and mental resistance some of the most important defensive abilities. We will focus on getting you as many resistances as possible. As well as any other general skills we can think of. Veteran being one of them…,”

___________________________

Nathan focused on his hand, unable to hold the fork he was trying to grasp. It clang against the wooden table, as did many others.

“Just use your hands,” Celeste said, bringing the food to her mouth. Her hands too were shaking.

“She’s insane!” Luke exclaimed, trying to keep his voice down.

“I think I’m in love,” Celeste said with a full mouth. “I got Veteran, Pain Tolerance and Lightning Resistance. Can you fucking believe that?”

“We all got those skills…,” Nathan said in a whisper.

“Are you guys for real? We were just electrocuted for five hours,” Luke said.

“Yeah and it made us all stronger, without actually getting injured,” Celeste pointed out.

Nathan shook his head, leaving the fork as he too used his hands to eat. “We were injured. Again and again,” he touched his neck and swallowed empty.

“Are you guys already giving up? The benefits are obvious. You heard her. If we get more skills and learn about healing, we might get new unique classes,” Celeste said.

“Might. What if it’s all for nothing?” Nathan asked.

“I agree that it’s pretty nuts to go through this training but why would she suggest it if there is no point?” Luke asked.

“She likes other people in pain? It’s part of a ritual?” Nathan suggested.

“She is right,” a new voice said. Lorelai, the woman adjusting her braid as she sat down next to them. “Nobles do it to kids. Force them to go through horrible experiences to get rare classes.”

“That’s sick,” Luke said, his eyes opening wide.

“Yes. Yes it is. The difference is that we have a healer to take care of us that actually gives a shit. And we all have a choice,” she said.

“You really think she would let us leave?” Nathan asked. “We know who she is, what she’s doing here.”

Lorelai chuckled. “You have a very optimistic view of your own importance. Did you see how she took out Aki? It was effortless. It would take the Shadow’s Hand to do anything to her.”

“Trian has strong ties to the Hand, I’m fairly sure about that. They won’t give a fuck about some random low levels,” Celeste said. “I believe her. If you want to go, just go.”

“She seemed sincere to me as well,” Luke said.

Celeste scuffed. “To be fair, you have the people skills of a pig.”

“Hey, pigs have complicated emotions too. They’re very loving animals,” Luke said in a serious tone.

“Is he joking?” Celeste asked.

“No, they do show surprising emotion. Especially the younger ones. Appreciate your food.” Nathan said. “You think this has a point then?”

Celeste looked at her food and continued eating.

Lorelai nodded. “It takes courage and a shit ton of suffering but if I can get anywhere near what that woman is capable of, I’m happy to rip out my own arms to reach it.”

“Agreed,” Celeste said. “And it’s all free too. Even the Hand costs you a hundred gold and those are already level two hundred people.”

“That’s just a rumor,” Luke said.

“I have my sources,” Celeste said and looked away.

“Afternoons are going to be difficult,” Nathan said as he contemplated a piece of sausage. Damn hand shaking. The lightning is gone, stop it.

___________________________

“That went better than expected,” Ilea said. “I thought many wouldn’t want to go through that.”

Trian gave her a weak smile. “Most have been through worse.”

“You are absolutely crazy,” Lyza said and looked at her. “I don’t dislike it. Maybe I’ll join in too. My second Class sucks anyway.”

The faculty had gathered in their own hall in the third floor down. Warm magical lights shined from above as well as a bunch of oil lamps standing on various furniture.

“Any of you can join whenever I’m here. Or you can take the afternoons off,” Ilea said.

“We will finally have some time to prepare better lessons,” Sidney said. “Can’t believe I’m working for you now. You were so weak back then!”

“Hey, I nearly beat you, didn’t I?” Ilea winked.

The woman shook her head. “No way. Now I’m not sure anymore. Fuck… Adam was still around then, the son of a bitch.”

“He hasn’t shown himself since his disappearance,” Trian said. “I too suggest that while Ilea is here, we focus on working on our classes.”

“I’d like to sit in on some if possible. I’m pretty sure not all of them will want to continue the torture I put them through. Maybe they can become teachers in time or help you with all the administration work,” Ilea said, looking at Trian.

“That sounds like a good idea.” he replied.

“Where’s Aki by the way?” she asked.

“The Guardian is watching over our students, as well as this facility,” Orthan explained. “He is awake at all times, thanks to the enchantress.”

“I really need to talk to her about that. She made him quite dangerous,” Ilea said with a smile.

“More of him would be useful,” Lyza suggested.

“Sure. The problem isn’t the Guardian body, it’s the thing that animates him. A rare find and not one we can replicate, or can we?” Ilea said.

“She tried. And failed. The other project has priority,” Trian said.

“What other project?” Lyza asked.

“You didn’t tell them?” Ilea said.

“It is your decision,” Trian replied.

“You three are sure you want to stay here and work for us?” she asked.

“Most interesting thing I’ve ever done,” Lyza said. “Trian pays too well too. I don’t know how filthy rich y-”

Sidney cut her off with a hand to her mouth. “It’s fine. The pay is acceptable,” she said with a smile. “I like the students. I like teaching them how to fight. Not as arrogant as the Hand members. Now that William and Claire evaluate most of the new members themselves, there is little for me to do. It’s safe too and I like the freedoms we have. If you want to keep it that way.”

Ilea shrugged. “I trust Trian to make those decisions. What about you?” she looked at Orthan.

“It was a surprise to learn that it was indeed you behind all this. I had thought Trian mad when he started talking of a healing organization. Still, it filled him with such passion I could not resist. We are still hidden here, the name protected. We owe you a great debt but it is not why I wish to stay, not the only reason at least. I believe it a noble goal, to train more independent healers. So many resources and people are wasted because the healing orders refuse to supply the adventuring guilds or the Hand, not that their priests would be much use out there.” the man explained.

Ilea nodded. “Your expertise will be appreciated. Iana and Christopher are working to replicate a Taleen teleportation gate.”

“Impossible,” Orthan said immediately.

“Nothing is impossible, old man. Did you see her before?” Lyza asked.

“That is way bigger than I expected,” Sidney said. “Well, I’ll focus on teaching them the ropes of battle. A teleportation gate would be neat however. Just make sure we don’t have Taleen swarming the city suddenly.”

“Claire and Iana made sure the security is airtight. Even if the worst case happens, the city would be evacuated before much damage is done,” Trian reassured them.

I doubt that. If a bunch of Praetorians come through we’ll have problems, Ilea thought but didn’t voice it. The rune master and enchantress were capable, maybe she could trust them on this. Otherwise Claire had her mark.

The test had showed it lasted two hours past using it up. Meaning that she had two hours to find her in case she calls for help. Same with the Fae. Not a lot of fucking time if I’m half a world away.

Ilea hoped it would improve as she leveled Sentinel Huntress.

“If you need any resources or creatures for your lessons, just let me know. I’m going to be out most nights and may be able to procure some things,” Ilea said.

“Now that is interesting,” Lyza said. “Do you have human corpses? I’d like some for my lessons.”

Ilea nodded. “You can have mine. No head though.”

“What?” Sidney asked.

“The head is the most interesting part,” Lyza said. “But alright. If you find some, do let me know. For now, I’ll take the rest of the body.”

“Seriously, what?” Sidney said again.

Ilea slashed into her neck with a bunch of her ashen limbs, severing her head before she reformed her body, covered by her ash armor.

The limp part missing her head fell to the side before she caught it.

“Teleportation gate seems like a fine idea,” Orthan said.

“Fucking nice,” Lyza said and helped Ilea undress the body.

“Every time you get more ridiculous,” Trian murmured.

“By the gods, what level are you anyway?” Sidney asked.

“Trade secret,” Ilea said and looked at her corpse and then at Lyza. “No funky business with that thing.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” the woman deadpanned.

“Otherwise it’s your corpse and a new teacher next time,” Ilea said.

“Sure thing, boss,” Lyza said and rolled her eyes.

Chapter 444 Busy Schedule

Chapter 444 Busy Schedule

Ilea said her goodbyes for now, no further requests coming from the group of teachers. She thought about visiting Iana but decided to wait another day with that.

There had been a lot of talking, a lot of new people. The way they looked at her freaked her out a little. Near reverence. Lilith had a name, apparently not just here in Ravenhall but farther out as well.

She tried to come off as casual as she could but the demonstrations were a little too effective. At least they all want to stay and most might actually continue with the resistance training.

Back in some casual clothes and leather armor, Ilea went back into the city. She was looking forward to the wilderness but a couple short stops were still necessary.

People don’t know my face, she thought, walking towards the second circle. Ravenhall had the benefit of the Shadow’s Hand, making high level adventurers something most people barely looked at twice.

The Shadowguards assumed it was her, black hair and a high level healer tag probably rare enough in these parts. That however was a good thing too, meaning the controls were quick and simple. She just hoped the guards were as respectful to everyone else as well. So far there was no reason to believe otherwise.

No beggars in the streets, she noted. Neither in the first ring nor the others.

She quickly made her way to Claire’s office, blinking into the building after signaling to the guard.

“Come in,” the woman said. She was sitting on her desk, as she generally did. Working on the unending administrative workload from the city and the Hand.

“Do you ever tire?” Ilea asked as she stepped into the room.

Cless wasn’t there today but her little art station remained, taking over a third of the room.

“I doubt you sleep much either, with your progress,” Claire said and summoned a piece of paper. “Here is the list of general skills you could learn. I added small notes with my opinions.”

Ilea nodded. “Thanks Claire. I appreciate the work.”

“Of course you do. Here’s a map with known dungeons in the surrounding regions. Many are controlled by governments, the regional adventurer guild or other groups. Our info there isn’t up to date but I’m sure you’ll figure something out once you’re there. Be it sneaking past or paying a small tribute,” she explained and summoned another sheet onto the table.

A hand drawn map with various marked locations.

“That will be useful,” Ilea said. “I don’t think going back into the Descent already would be the best idea.”

“I agree. Hence the map. I’m sure even you will find something suitable to train against. The ones marked with a skull, artist’s choice, are the ones generally avoided even by higher level teams,” Claire said.

Ilea nodded and looked through the list of general skills.

Alchemy (If you are interested. Mostly expensive to learn)

Astronomy (Requires quite extensive knowledge)

Baking (I’d go for it)

Brewing (If you’re interested)

Calligraphy (Should be possible to pick up fairly quickly with your Dexterity)

Carpentry (Might be good)

Cartography (There are shops owned by you that could offer training in this – might take a month)

Cooking (ask Keyla – good idea, might take a week or two to learn)

Dancing (I could teach you)

Enchanting (Iana is busy and it’s not your forte. I’d leave this one)

Engineering (Complex topics, if you’re interested)

Farming (Not so much, would take months to learn)

Fishing (If you enjoy it – others probably more efficient)

Herbalism (Extensive knowledge necessary – don’t if you have any related skills in your Class)

Instruments (Take long to learn)

Jewelry Making (Has potential)

Languages (Too much effort)

Leatherworking/Tailoring (Plenty of shops. You’re probably too strong, not recommended)

Mining (Definitely, should be simple enough for you. Grab a pickaxe and go to town)

Painting (Cless would surely offer – might take longer)

Pottery (An option but difficult)

Resistances (Explore the dungeons, some new things might pop up – I will keep looking)

Singing (Not sure)

Smithing (Good idea, would take a while but you might be able to do small repairs)

Survival (Probably impossible for you with your regeneration, I’d let it be)

Tracking (With your perception, might be worth the trouble. Not if you have a skill like that already)

Trapping (Would need to travel with someone)

Weapon skills (You learned about archery. Keep on that. Anything else you need, let me know)

“That’s a lot of stuff,” she said.

“I just listed some common ones. You can get a general skill for many things if you just dedicate enough time and effort towards learning it. Some on the list should be rather easy for you to get, others only make sense if you’re interested,” Claire said.

“I’d like to learn how to use a war hammer. If you could find me a teacher. During my mornings sometime in between or just in the arena as well. I’ll take you up on the dancing offer. Any of the dungeons on the map a former mine?” Ilea said.

“Mines often turn into dungeons. I’m sure you’ll find some of them on there,” Claire replied.

“That’s good to know. The main thing I get from this skill list is that most everything can be a skill,” Ilea said.

“That was part of the intention. Also to give some helpful starters. Any random skills you would have picked up by fighting monsters, you would have already picked up by now,” Claire said.

“Weird that I don’t have Cartography. I did map out some dungeons,” she said.

“Takes more than some. Especially as a general skill. If you have it as a class, it would be easier to level,” Claire explained. “Same reason why you shouldn’t try to get anything you have already covered by any of your class skills. Any experience will just flow into them instead.”

“Class skills are the priority. Anything else I can pick up or level is just the cherry on top,” Ilea said. “So, when are we having those dancing lessons?” she asked with a smile, pocketing the two pieces of paper.

“I have plenty left to do. Maybe tomorrow?” Claire suggested.

“Sure. I’ll visit after I’m done with the Sentinels,” she said.

“How did it go, by the way?” Claire asked.

Ilea talked about the experience but kept it short, both of them eager to get on with their tasks.

Task of getting the hell out of this city, she thought and made her way over to the Golden Drake. At the very least saying hello after arriving back in Ravenhall was mandatory. And checking in on her supplier. To make sure that she was safe.

Ilea left the city half an hour later, checking her map as she exited through the northern gate.

“Ma’am, are you sure you want to leave alone at night?” a guard asked, clutching his spear tightly.

[Warrior – lvl 84]

Ilea smiled. “I think I’ll be fine.”

There were a couple dungeons nearby but Claire had scratched them through. Either because the magic types used by the creatures within were common amongst humans or because the level was too low to even consider.

The latter wasn’t necessarily a valid concern with Avatar of Ash. Ilea still decided to go a little farther north, spreading her wings before she ascended.

One of the dungeons close to the imperial plains was specifically marked. It also had the little skull indicating that there were unknowns present or the nearby population and adventurers actively avoided the place.

Ilea charged her wings and sped up and over the mountains, realizing quickly that the landscape here wasn’t as vast and expansive as that in the north. She slowed down again and descended, already past the mountain chain within which Ravenhall and Morhill lay.

The sky was rather clear, only a few clouds visible. Ilea took a deep breath as she looked at the mountains. The terrain changed rather quickly, from the plains showing low hills to the steep mountainous incline that soon reached dangerous heights and cliffs.

She took a moment to appreciate her wings once more. Even with her running speed, the geography itself would get in the way, not that she came close to her charged wings.

I should probably get the third tier, might bring an increase to my wings as well, she thought. There were a couple options remaining and now that she hadn’t gotten much more suitable skill options from Claire, she played with the idea of advancing a bunch of resistances that would have otherwise been a secondary concern.

Definitely want Monster Hunter and Veteran, doubt I could get any of the others to the end of the second tier in a feasible amount of time. Void and Blood is a must too, leaving me with currently just one third tier skill point.

She checked her map and started flying in the direction she thought the dungeon was located at.

Half a minute later, she looked through her third tier options in her general skills. It would likely take a while for her to find the place in the darkness.

‘General skills available for third tier advancement:’

- Blood Manipulation Resistance

You have faced both the carefully crafted Corruption of the Descent as well as the might of a Starved Vampire. Neither has fazed you, proving that your body is ready to advance Blood Manipulation Resistance to the third tier.

- Corrosion Resistance

You have literally bathed in acid, have chosen to slather yourself in corrosive substances instead of trying to avoid them. It is quite frankly, concerning. Your body has melted and regenerated so many times it might even be second nature by now. Should you wish to advance your Corrosion Resistance to the third tier, you may do so.

- Lava Magic Resistance

You trained with a Trakorov. Why?

- Light Magic Resistance

Not many have witnessed the combined effort of Elder Sun Sprites and even fewer have lived to tell the tale. It is beyond anything the second tier would provide protection against, making you ready for the third tier.

- Sand Magic Resistance

It’s been like a week. Please slow down with these. A Lightning Elemental and a Sand Elemental. I think it is time to accept that you will not learn. Sand Magic Resistance can be increased to the third tier, should you wish to do so. Perhaps this skill will help steer you towards a different fate than a certain Chosen One.

- Wind Resistance

The Storm Griffin is an ancient and proud creature. Your survival is a grave insult and proof enough that you deserve to reach the next tier of Wind Resistance.

Might have been a little spendy with all those points, she thought. Corrosion and Wind sounded like good options as well. Perhaps better than Lightning. The Elemental swayed me, she smiled.

Well, there’s plenty of levels and thus third tier points to gain in the coming weeks and months, starting here.

Ilea had spotted a distant light source thanks to her enhanced eyes and the aerial view. A combination that really started to shine now that she was back outside and not within a dungeon anymore.

Perfect that I’m looking to go into a dungeon once again, she thought and sped up, air rushing by as she lowered her altitude, landing entirely about a hundred meters away from what she could now identify as a building.

It stood three stories high, half carved into the stone adjacent. There were a few other buildings, some similarly placed into the rocky hillside.

A village? Ilea asked herself, unsure if this really qualified. She walked up to the mansion, feeling arcane power emanate from the ground around her.

Runes? She checked through her sphere and quickly found the runed stones lazily strewn in the general vicinity.

Ilea couldn’t discern what they did and decided to move on, rather sure the amount of magic she felt from the stones coupled with the simple design even coming close to Claire’s power. Let alone anything that could trap her.

Shouldn’t underestimate people, she reminded herself, stepping to the dirt road that led past the building. None of the runes changed their behavior. To her perception at least.

She could already hear some people talking, the faint sounds of a piano, likely off key and the clinking of glasses.

Her entrance was met with little reaction, Ilea still dressed in her casual clothes, her ash armor hidden near her neck but under her shirt and leather armor.

“Greetings traveler,” the barkeep said as he approached her from behind the counter.

“Evening. An ale if you would,” she said.

“Coming right up. What brings a healer to Karheim? Here on Orders’ business?” the man asked.

[Mage – lvl 138]

Pretty high level for a barkeeper. Maybe he’s like Walter, just trying to find a quiet place somewhere.

“I’m looking for a dangerous dungeon nearby. Am I in the right place?” she asked. The map had mentioned Karheim, making this very much the right place. It would be interesting to see if the man withheld information.

“Sure is. Plenty of adventurers and miners come by to find their luck in the depths. With your level you should probably be fine if you take a team with you, just don’t go into the cursed hall,” he said and placed a mug down near her.

Ilea grabbed it and drank. “Cursed hall? Sounds interesting.”

“It’s a powerful spell kept in place by the Golems that occupy the dungeon. It isn’t worth it. Many have tried. I’m sure you’ll find a group willing to take in a healer. In case that is what you are looking for?” he said.

She could tell that more than a few people were listening in on their conversation. Many trained warriors and mages, some of them able to make out the words despite the talks and music in the dimly lit room.

He was right, two groups were already discussing about hiring her.

“Not exactly. I just follow the road I presume?” she asked.

“Yes. Do you need a room for the night?” the man said.

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll take the mug though,” she said and summoned a piece of silver, placing it down on the counter as she walked out.

“Ah, ma’am! We th-” one of the mages was standing up, calling out to her.

Ilea appeared outside with her mug in hand and blinked again. I love that the ale is still here, she thought, looking at the swirling liquid in her wooden mug. And he continues the tradition of good fucking beverages in fuck off no man’s land.

Two blinks later, she had crossed the distance to the dungeon entrance. It was closed off by what she assumed to be stone or earth magic. A steel gate was placed in the middle.

There was a small stone structure to the side of the entrance with a window and a door. Someone was sleeping inside. And he has the keys. Probably the usual way to enter the dungeon. And they request a fee as well? she thought, looking through the small dome like structure with her sphere.

She ignored the snoring man and blinked through the entrance, no enchantments placed to prevent the easy entry. I’ll pay some other time, when he’s awake.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Karheim dungeon’

Ilea assumed the dungeon would be more busy during the day. At this time most of the adventurers had gone to the inn, celebrating whatever victory or find they had achieved during their delves.

Most of the patrons had been between level fifty and one hundred. No wonder they were looking for a healer.

Pretty fucked up to leave the gate closed… what if someone is injured and tries to escape? She assumed there was a fee to exit as well.

Ilea decided not to inquire about the dungeon residents. If it was anything that a level fifty adventurer could face, it wasn’t a concern to her. Not underestimating her adversaries was important but there were limits. She had after all killed level two hundred humans with single attacks and that was back before the Descent.

Let alone the level four and five hundred monsters I fought constantly. They’d have to surprised me with some pretty novel stuff to pin me down.

Her ash armor spread and covered her as she walked deeper into the cave system.

The first monsters she encountered seemed more surprised than she was.

[Vicious Bat – lvl 25]

Magic? She asked with her mind magic.

The creatures didn’t react to the thought, some rushing at her while others tried to get away as quickly as possible.

Ilea let them approach to see if they could perhaps provide a resistance.

The bats landed on her and started to nibble on her armor, thoroughly unsuccessful. She didn’t feel any magic coming from them either.

Just bats. Makes me feel kind of bad to just slaughter them. There is no point at all. I would even take away the dangerous adversaries of the other adventurers.

She chuckled at the notion, enhancing the sound with mana.

The bats dropped to the ground, motionless.

Ilea spread her wings and flew past, making sure not to step on any of them. So Monster Hunter works the same on creatures. Good to know.

She found the bats didn’t pursue her anymore after that, showing some sort of primitive instinct. To think they even attacked me in the first place is ludicrous. That’d be like me fighting an Elemental.

Ilea wondered if there was a transported bat from Earth just decimating the local wildlife, becoming the first sentient bat. Manbat.

The way the Fae had explained it, the possibility of other species being transported was pretty likely.

Does a tiger get a tiger class once it comes here? Or can it gain a random class associated with its actions? she thought while walking deeper on her search for magical creatures and perhaps even a dangerous foe, holding her staff of light.

Chapter 445 Rotten Treasures

A note from Rhaegar

Stay safe everyone :). Thanks for reading.

Chapter 445 Rotten Treasures

Ilea could tell now that the Fae had a good way to keep its location a secret. She could easily tell in which direction Claire was located with her mark.

She found something a little more interesting than the bats a while later.

It didn’t notice her at first but turned as soon as she clapped.

[Decrepit Golem – lvl 71]

The being was a solid meter taller than her, made entirely of stone or clay, perhaps even metal. It was difficult to tell in the dark cavern, her only light being the staff.

“Hello,” she said and sent the greeting with her telepathy as well.

The golem didn’t speak to her, instead slamming its fist down with surprising quickness.

Ilea just stood there and let it impact her armor without any effect. A small chip showed on his hand, proving that her armor was the harder material.

“Wondrous, isn’t it?” she asked with a smile and watched the creature take a step back. Something glinted from within a crack in its torso. A green gem that reflected the light of her staff.

Perfect, come on, show me your magic.

Arcane power manifested as vines rushed out from the cracks, entwining her where she stood. Sharp thorns scratched against her ash, still not enough to injure her at all.

Ilea at least found the strength of the combined vines considerable, making her strain against it before the vines gave in. The awkward position was the main problem really.

“Let me help you out here,” she said, the golem hitting her head while she talked.

Her ash armor disintegrated and her clothes vanished. Created ash covered her chest and waist. Wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. Even though sex golems are definitely a million dollar idea.

She let the creature attack her as she explored more of the tunnels, the thing not understanding that she was an enemy it couldn’t possibly beat. Even without her armor, the vines had a very hard time piercing her skin.

“Too much Vitality, hmm?” she asked, finding another one of the creatures.

This one had a yellow stone embedded in its skull, shooting concentrated light beams out of it.

A third one had a blue stone, using pressured streams of water to attack. It reminded her a little of the powerwashing tools that existed on Earth.

If all of them provide single resistances then I have to thank Claire for suggesting this place. Not sure why the skull is here however.

She assumed it had to do with the curse the barkeeper had mentioned.

Her movement was somewhat inhibited by the group of golems that slowly followed her, continuing their mindless attacks.

Me and my pet golems, strolling through the Karheim dungeon.

She hummed a tune, spending the next two hours walking through the place.

At that point, a dozen golems were following her. The existing group’s arsenal extended by an area attack stemming from a red gem, a spherical arcane attack that did more to inhibit the other golems than her.

The damage they inflicted wasn’t enough to provide additional skills for now but she was sure they’d succeed in time.

Finally, she came upon the hall the barkeep had mentioned. Ilea could smell the vile stench for a while already, leading her to the source.

Rotten and half overgrown corpses. Human, bat and a few animals. All littered the rather expansive hall that led deeper into the dungeon.

The main thing of note was the architectural difference. This was built, not natural. Finally, an actual ruin, she thought.

Ilea thought it a waste to destroy the golems but neither did she have a good way to get rid of them. Some of the adventurers who had gotten deeper into the hallway looked rather well equipped, not the kind of people she had seen in the inn.

She turned to the Golems and charged Monster Hunter, all the while activating her armor again, as well as summoning her bone set.

The spell was unleashed as she shouted. “Leave!”

To her surprise, the creatures turned around and slowly shuffled away to the various tunnels leading to this central place.

She wasn’t sure if they actually understood or if it was a similar phenomenon as with the bats, simply making them realize the efforts were in vain. Should have realized that after hours of attacking me. Oh well, won’t question the rhyme and reason behind a golem’s actions.

The pressure and magic she felt from the hall was obvious but she couldn’t quite place it. Guess there’s no way around it, she thought and took a step forward.

Nothing happened.

Another couple steps brought her into range of the magic.

Alright, this is wholly different than whatever those Golems could dish out. It felt similar to the curse magic she had experienced before but somehow she knew it was different.

“Fuck,” she said and stored her armor, puking on the ground as she stabilized herself on her knees. Another retch brought forth the rest of whatever she had remaining in her stomach. The next one came out bloody.

Her natural regeneration wasn’t enough anymore and she started healing against it. Ilea watched in fascination as her skin turned a sickly green color, something growing on it as well. Her healing pushed against it, turning it back to normal.

Healing works. Good thing I didn’t die to some weird curse down here, she thought and remained standing in the area.

Ten minutes later, she took a couple steps forward, finding the spell growing considerably stronger. The pain was probably the worst, leading her to disable that perception entirely. It just felt disgusting, as if her innards were convulsing, decaying and spurting growths at the same time.

The perception granted thanks to her healing didn’t help either. She just let the magic run its course as she waited and healed against it.

Half an hour and nearly halfway through the hall finally granted her with a notification.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Blight Resistance

Blight Resistance – lvl 1

A rare phenomenon often caused by ancient curse magic colliding with naturally poisonous, unclean or corrupting environments. When wielded by a mage it can turn into a dangerous weapon.

Blight hmm? That’s why I thought it felt somewhat familiar. Hmm, maybe? she thought and deactivated both her poison and curse resistances.

The effects from the magic around her increased immediately. Not to a significant amount but noticeably so. Does that mean I can level the others too?

Ilea decided to stay for a while anyway, to just experience the beauty that was blight. The smell especially was a marvelous mixture of rot, death and decay. If there was a smell resistance, I would have it by now. I should really be unaffected by all this shit by now.

She continued to advance through the hall, finding some spots where the blight’s influence was less powerful. In other places it was several times as intense.

Fucking weird.

As soon as she was out of the hallway, she found that the magic was still present. As if it was part of the ruin itself. I guess that’s good, I can level it up coupled with whatever creature survives down here.

The halls and tunnels were made of stone, carved into the ground by mages of the respective elements. It was no wonder that many peoples in Elos preferred to build underground, protected against dangerous creatures and the elements. Humans just really, really liked sunlight.

We could at least build trains or tubes that connect various cities together. Or would monsters come to life down there? she wasn’t quite sure. Teleportation seemed like the better option anyway.

At least if I don’t just copy myself every time I use blink. Let the Federation think on theories like that. I’ll just enjoy my fast traveling methods.

Much of the ruins were overgrown, the design and architecture much simpler compared to the Taleen or Tremor. It made her think it was more just an underground laboratory or shelter than a town.

Would make sense as well. Rhyvor wasn’t always underground and the Taleen are dwarves. Potentially more inclined to stay underground.

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 2’

One step closer to ultimate indestructibility! she thought with joy, retching up some more blood and likely malformed and destroyed organs. She certainly understood why this dungeon was listed as a dangerous place.

Ilea found traces of recent activity, massive footprints that suggested golems or something of similar size. Using Sentinel Huntress, she followed the steps as she continued to heal herself against the damage.

A healer in the team isn’t just a recommendation in a dungeon like this, it was an absolute necessity. Even someone like Trian or Kyrian couldn’t survive this without someone to drain.

I just really hope I’m not torturing all those people for nothing. Morale will drop until the first person gets a class. My fame and power isn’t enough on its own.

The food, free lodging, gear and good teachers definitely helped as well but she was already late as it was. Not that she saw it as her fault, she just hadn’t expected Trian to focus so much on the organization.

It wasn’t a bad thing at all, the goal of Ilea mostly being a self sufficient organization that produces capable independent healers. For some larger conflicts or outbreaks they could be mobilized as well but the general idea was just more healers for everyone.

She herself was just the head. There to finance the whole thing and take care of any problems some idiots might try to put in their way. If a Shadow was feared already, she couldn’t imagine what kind of feelings her power would inspire.

Then again, to a level one hundred person it doesn’t exactly matter if the enemy is at two, three or four hundred. Respect is demanded either way.

“There you are,” she said and waved at the Golem that turned towards her. It moved faster, two yellow gems set into its stone skull focusing on her. The creature was three meters in height. It looked ancient but not quite as sad as the ones she had met so far.

[Gem Golem – lvl 252]

“Do you understand me?”

Greetings

The golem replied by firing two concentrated beams of light magic into her armored chest.

“Guess not,” she said and tested her defenses against the creature.

It looked like this version had more than a single gem type set into their body. She could see a red glint near its torso, two clear gems on its hands as well as two green gems set into its legs.

The golem didn’t hesitate, vines spreading from its legs and entwining her as the concentrated light beams still cut into her armor. It didn’t approach, remaining where it stood. For now.

Ilea found the magic sub par. Laughable compared to the sun sprites or even Lucas’ power. I guess that comes with having such a wide variety of abilities.

She kept up her defenses and approached the creature, using a couple of her ashen limbs to slash through the vines. Roots are better my friend, she thought and closed the distance in walking speed. The blight was mostly in the background now that her ashen armor was active, as well as the resistance.

As soon as she got five meters close to the creature, its lasers stopped and clear blades appeared from its arms.

“Blade arms. How original,” she sighed and put away her staff, just in case it got damaged. The way the light reflected on the golem’s blades reminded her of a diamond. Perhaps actually the gems set into its massive hands.

It slashed into her ash and surprisingly cut quite deep. The attacks were rather slow as a trade off.

She stepped even closer and smiled when the red stone in its chest started glowing, releasing a spherical arcane wave that pushed her back and burnt away a tiny bit of her ash.

Alright, I think I’m safe, she thought and deactivated her Ash Armor. Her resilience was immediately reduced considerably, the blades now cutting deep into her flesh and the thorns ripping into her similar to a Shredder’s attacks.

Of course the level difference was still a major thing. Ilea regularly fought creatures at level six hundred by now. This golem was not a threat. Might actually be without all my resistances, stacked resilience and most importantly healing.

She deactivated her Heat, Light, wood and arcane magic resistances, finding that the damage increased significantly. Guess its skill levels are on par with my resistances. That’s a pretty huge difference.

The damage coming from the blades didn’t change at all but the magic now ripped through her body with significant efficiency.

Her healing of course negated it all, skin and muscles reforming faster than the golem could destroy. The blight remained one of the most annoying aspects, occasionally making her cough up tissue. The other damage was on the surface only, the worst part of it all the smell of burnt skin and hair as well as the wet feeling of blood running down her body.

“We should find some of your buddies, big guy,” she said and continued her exploration of the frankly disgusting ruins.

This was what she imagined a rotten old and forgotten dungeon to be, not the splendid beauty of the Taleen. She enjoyed it in a way, the blight making sure nobody sane would come down here to disturb or annoy her. The gem magic provided a wide variety of resistances, if only she could find two or three more of the golems.

Ilea didn’t bother with a map, sure that it would get destroyed the second she tried to draw it, instead trying to follow the always left approach, choosing the left most way until she came into a closed room or the end of a tunnel, circling back and once choosing the next way.

It wouldn’t help of course if the dungeon tunnels circled back on itself but it would make sure that she explored as much as she could.

Ilea spent ten minutes searching before a second golem showed up, adding to her training regime. Her healing still easily outperformed the combined damage of the creatures. She did leave behind a trail of blood, cut off chunks of meat, eye sauce, burnt hair as well as choked up bloody sludge from inside her body.

Not a nice scene but neither one that made the dungeon any more disgusting than it already was.

The third golem she found actually had blue gems set into its skull, adding pressured water attacks which really came as quite the help, cleaning off everything else.

She found three of them to be optimal, choosing a room as she focused on her Meditation to pass the time. There was of the dungeon to explore but she could come back tomorrow. For now, this was exactly what she needed. Some good old fashioned resistance training, made more efficient by the fact that these creatures actually wanted to kill her.

Ilea checked her growth a few hours later.

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Diamond Magic Resistance

Diamond Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A considerably hard substance, capable of channeling powerful mana if the user understands its properties. Rarely seen due to the required gems and necessary fundamental understanding and connection to its composition.

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Emerald Magic Resistance

Emerald Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Vine magic is a magic school closely associated with water and earth, often used to entrap creatures where trees and vegetation is naturally abundant. Emeralds have the ability to create vines from magic. Acute control and high understanding is necessary to achieve a usable result.

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Ruby Magic Resistance

Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A sub magic school of gem magic, harnessing the arcane connection of rubies. Rarely seen among living creatures, unstable and difficult to control. Golems are one of few exceptions to the problems of using such magic.

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Sapphire Magic Resistance

Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A sub magic school of gem magic. Sapphires are attuned to water magic in a way few natural stones and gems are, letting a trained user focus powerful torrents of collected or created water to form devastating and precise attacks.

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Topaz Magic Resistance

Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Gems especially capable of channeling light magic, focusing beams to an extent otherwise impossible. The necessary understanding and craftsmanship to create usable gems is vast, minute mistakes causing dangerous malfunctions.

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Vine Magic Resistance

Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 1

The versatility and abundance of vines have caused many hunters to specialize in its use. Often coupled with venom, this at first glance less dangerous magic becomes the last thing many a creature experiences. You have avoided that fate. For now.

‘ding’ ‘Vine Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘One third tier General Skill point awarded’

Ilea was more than happy with the results. She didn’t necessarily expect a lot of enemies to wield gem magic but it didn’t hurt to be prepared. The fact that the gems mostly altered or helped channel the effects of other magic schools was helpful too, partially leveling the respective resistances in addition to the gem magic ones.

A successful night. I’ll certainly be back again tomorrow.

She waved at the golems, activated her defenses and started blinking through the dungeon, following her own bloodtrail back to the entrance.

Chapter 446 Purpose

Chapter 446 Purpose

Ilea came out to find the suns already rising. Damn, spent quite a long time down there.

“Hey! You there!” the man in the small bunker like structure called out.

“How much is it to enter?” she asked, already knowing what this was about.

“Fifty copper,” he said. “Did you sneak past!? You shouldn’t go in there alone, woman! It’s dangerous.”

Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned a single gold coin, finding that she didn’t have any silver coins on her. “This should suffice for the next couple of weeks,” she said and put the coin into the slit like window.

“Wh… that’s gold! Why a-”

Ilea vanished, blinking several times until she was out of sight of anybody that would be near the dungeon, spreading her wings before she charged them and shot off.

She aimed nearly straight up and towards the mountains.

Should have left earlier to relax for a little while, she thought, not about to be late to her first resistance training session in the arena. It would make a very bad impression, even if she was a Shadow, let alone if people knew she was Lilith.

Some might even leave or not come back, the potential loss of resistance points would be devastating.

So much productivity and potential free time with my little need for sleep. She grabbed a couple street food dishes as she walked to the arena complex.

Does it still count as breakfast if I didn’t sleep?

Or does the fact that this isn’t breakfast food change the answer to that question?

Ilea finally reached the arena after many thoughts on food.

A dozen adventurers were already waiting, their levels ranging from eighty to one fifty. Doesn’t look too promising, oh well.

“Welcome everyone. You’re here for the magic training?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am. The notice said five silver coins per hour, was that correct?” He obviously couldn’t quite believe the offer.

Both Claire and Ilea had thought it beneficial to provide a rather good reward. There was even a bounty out for a whole gold coin, in case someone gave her a new resistance. Maybe I should up that to twenty or fifty gold. Then some Shadows might be interested as well.

“Why are you following me?” she asked, turning to look at the attendant that had registered her entering the arena.

He nearly jumped, taking a step back as he collected his thoughts. “Ehm… the administrator has instructed me to manage the gold aspect. People will register with me and I will check the time they actually spend attacking. Don’t worry, I have several perception skills.”

“Also, you won’t have to spend your own gold on this. The payments will be handled separately.”

Claire really is a saint, she thought with a smile. “Perfect. Hear that? You register with this guy, what’s your name?”

“Jerry, ma’am,” he said.

“With Jerry. Also I decided you get paid for the time you are here, not your active mana use only. I expect powerful spells and understand that you can’t keep those up all the time. I won’t hesitate to boot you out if you are wasting my time, understood?”

All of them nodded, either respecting her more than she had expected or simply not ready to fuck up such a well paid and easy job.

“Perfect, then let’s start,” she said and formed ashen clothing, deactivating her armor as she focused on copying the look of her casual clothes. She left her stomach, arms and most of her legs exposed to provide a better target.

“She’s for real… I told you, I heard that someone did this before. Been a while though,” one of the adventurers whispered to his friend.

The other man shook his head in disbelief. “I was sure it was a scam. You win,” he said and gave him a couple pieces of silver.

“You’re going to get that back in less than an hour,” the first one said again and laughed.

“Just attack me. I’ll dodge or block attacks I deem too powerful. Be vicious. Think of it as a way to advance your own skills,” Ilea said.

So I guess tomorrow might be different in terms of participation.

Ilea hoped as much at least. Otherwise she might just choose the Golems to train with instead. The magic here was much more diverse however and would likely help more against both people and creatures, fire and ice simply more common than the gem magic mainly used by the Golems.

She let the spells rain into her, all twelve people attacking at the same time with her defenses down. Ilea found them even less effective than the creatures she had fought earlier.

If you think that these people are even considered a somewhat high level among humans. I could shred through them as if they were made of paper.

She didn’t voice the thought of course, simply a little worried about the city and humans in general, knowing what was out there.

They had survived for a long time already and would likely do so continuously but whenever a powerful creature or sapient decided to attack humans, hundreds if not thousands would die.

The elves were a good example, young ones even, inexperienced and weak. And still, several cities had fallen to them.

Travel time is a major issue, otherwise the hand could have taken care of it. The corruption however, just doesn’t seem possible that even the Shadows could have dealt with all that. The Elders themselves, maybe. Normal members at two hundred or a little higher?

With time, range, preparation and traps, maybe. Now however, she knew how powerful the Ascended was. How much damage it could cause.

Good thing I can be contacted now, and I can be here in a couple minutes if my third tier Blink is ready.

She frowned at the thought. As if she was the sole protector of Ravenhall and its people, or even humanity itself. It hadn’t been the goal and neither was it now. And yet she couldn’t deny the power she had accumulated.

Even now, she was watching these powerful human adventurers look on in disbelief as the wounds they inflicted healed in mere moments.

It was one thing to call yourself a protector, a guardian or sentinel, to dedicate your life to a cause. It was another to watch by as thousands died when you alone could have defeated the army or horde that caused all that destruction.

So that’s what I am now? Involuntary knight? She chuckled at the thought, smiling as some of the adventurers took a step back. Fear perhaps or confusion.

Maybe the Fae was right all along. I could just become a hivemind too, living with myselves somewhere in the north. Problem is that I’m not a cook. And I definitely care about people, even though I like to pretend that I don’t.

Just have to get the Sentinels going, help them level up, put them into random teams and the world will be a better place. For some at least. Humanity as a whole perhaps. And I jump in when there are bigger problems at hand. Like demon invasions caused by humans.

“Come on people, show me what you got,” she said and clapped her hands.

The spells did pick up for a couple minutes but all of them had to pause to regenerate mana by then.

Sentinel Core really is ridiculous, as is the third tier of Meditation. I bet I could just keep going against a thousand mages of this caliber. If they don’t combine their efforts like the Sun Sprites did, or use combined spells to inhibit my healing and movement.

Even then… I can’t really see a group of adventurers killing me. Not at this level. How did the Ascended feel I wonder? When he ripped me apart. Was he happy, to have finally found something that didn’t instantly die to its whims? Was it angry for the same reason? Or did it feel nothing at all?

I’ve been thinking about that one a lot lately. Makes sense. I should talk to someone about this. Trian maybe.

She continued the training, getting a little bored of the process. There was no danger involved, no pain and struggle. Even with the sense turned on, all it really did was to make her focus more on the moving spells, the unbelieving faces of the mages, thinking their attacks should have more of an effect on her.

The Golems at the very least had tried to kill her. And still she deemed the process necessary, the skill levels important. I need to slow down for a little while. Am I addicted to the thrill of highly dangerous situations by now? I guess I am, because this shit is boring.

She sighed and focused on her meditation, the time passing much quicker that way. When noon came, she thanked the people and made sure they would spread the word about the next day.

Avatar of Ash still made sure the time hadn’t been wasted entirely.

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Water Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

An underwhelming result for the time invested. There had been fire too, arcane, wind, corrosion, ice and poison. All of them either stuck at level twenty in the second tier or the damage was just not enough to grant her a level in the third tier.

Can’t believe this is how some nobles do it… without Avatar of Ash. I’ll try it for a week. If it’s still that slow I’ll much rather go to more dungeons, at least let things attack me that have an intent to kill.

“You’re grumpy. What is it?” Trian asked with a smile, following her down to one of the lowest floors of their headquarters.

“The training was pretty boring and unsuccessful,” she said.

“No success in the dungeon? Or did you not find it? Told you, you should have used a guide.”

“No, the dungeon was fine. Interesting new skills there. Level two fifty Golems with various gem based magic. No, I’m talking about this morning. Only twelve people showed up,” she said.

“Only twelve…,” he murmured and chuckled right after. “Give it some time, alright? You’ve been in such a rush,” he said and walked to the nearby stone wall, activating a hidden rune that disabled the anti teleportation enchantments in the floor.

Both of them disappeared, appearing in the stairwell below, leading to the seventh floor down.

“Ilea,” he started and looked at her, stopping on the wooden stairs as he touched her shoulder. “You have reached such enormous power in such a short while. I remember when we went toe to toe… and now look at you. You should be proud! And you should give yourself a break. Your adventures in the north were insane from what you have shared of them but now you are here. You can relax.”

“The Ascended would have come for you already if it really cared, those are your words. And we are doing everything we can in case something of that level in power attacks. Remember, the highest level demons were nearly four marks too. And the Hand took them out.”

“He would have killed me, you know?” she said. What am I even talking about.

“It’s ok,” Trian said and suddenly hugged her tight.

Ilea didn’t fight back. She didn’t really get what was happening but it didn’t feel bad.

“You’re back now, safe and sound. You were bound to stumble upon something insurmountable at one point or the other. Maybe pick up a hobby that doesn’t involve fighting dangerous beasts?” he suggested.

“That’s not it, Trian,” she said and pushed him away a little, the man letting go.

“That thing could think… could talk, communicate with me. It wasn’t some weird creature like the Trakorov or the Fae, something unconcerned with us. It was here for a reason and it tried to kill me. That thing could wipe out this whole city if-”

The man zapped her with a bolt of lightning that would have killed any of their students. “Look at me,” he said.

Ilea rolled her eyes.

“If it’s that powerful, why worry? If it could just come and kill everyone then there is not much we can do. So tell me, Ilea. What is it you want?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Have a life where I don’t have to think about protecting whole cities?” she asked.

He smiled. “I get it. You want it back, the freedom you had back when you joined the Hand. Traveling the lands without a concern on your mind other than the next hunt. I could tell you know? The way you enjoyed it, loved the fights, the blood. I was scared of you for a time, not because of what you were but of what you could become.”

“And here we are,” he said and spread his arms. “You are even more terrifying than I ever dared imagine.”

“After I got my revenge… hollow and… meaningless as it was… I had a lot of time to think. About how I joined the Hand, became powerful enough to challenge most every noble in the capital. It didn’t help in the end. They died all the same. I thought about how you got me out, had found the only survivors, had helped me find the people responsible.”

“We always knew there were dangers out there. Elves, Taleen, Demonsunimaginable creatures capable of large scale destruction. And still we live our lives. We walk around in our little cities, build our little homes, trade, eat and fuck. You know about the war in Baralia. It’s not the only conflict among humans and you know that very well. Hundreds if not thousands die every day because of us. Because of humans.”

“Even if there weren’t any monsters out there, we would still do the same. Worse probably. Even if you had the power to defeat any creature out there, you cannot change what we are. Don’t think yourself the center of the continent, Ilea. And don’t assume the Ascended is needed to destroy us. We are quite capable of that ourselves.”

“Great. That definitely lifted my mood,” Ilea said.

Trian shrugged. “It’s the reality of it. Demons, caused by us. The elves… well I guess that could have been avoided. All the wars, slavery, murders… that’s on us. And even if you do everything right, things don’t always line up. People die for little reason and cities get razed for even less.”

“However, you made a difference. You came and got me out when I was in a dump, thinking on the meaninglessness of life. You showed me that sometimes I just have to focus on what I can do. That sometimes it’s better to ignore the larger threats lurking in the dark and instead focus on the light you hold, however meager it might seem,” he said.

“Now you sound like a cleric,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Cleric, mage, scholar… I’m human. You already provided so many people with work, your investments and the values you demand leading to a lot of tangible prosperity. Why not enjoy it? Be grateful for what you have done and are still doing?”

“You want the freedom back that you had? At the same time you don’t want to abandon everyone. So what can you do?”

Ilea shrugged.

“Well first things first, you can trust in us a little more. In me, Claire, the leaders of Ravenhall. This city is stronger than it has ever been, its defenses rivaling the capital of Lys. And we are far from done. The Sentinels will grow, will learn. We will slowly build and increase our strength. You are a part of that and perhaps you are right and at the moment we would have to rely on you too much. So focus on what you can do to change that,” he said.

“I could just leave and never come back,” Ilea said and chuckled.

“You could. The seeds you have sown will surely flourish. Or perhaps we will be wiped out by another power. But even you might not be enough to stop them, so why worry?” he asked.

“Are you telling me that nothing matters anyway?” she said.

“No, Ilea. I’m telling you that you matter, that the Sentinels matter. That Claire and I, matter. That all the lives we changed here matter. Just as much as all the people that died during the Demon summoning mattered. What I’m telling you is that you should focus on what you Can do, what we can do. Instead of focusing on the unknown and what we cannot possibly achieve,” the man said.

Ilea snorted. “That makes a surprising amount of sense. You made all that up under that tree in the Haven?”

“No. I was taught about some philosophy back home. Back then it was boring and meaningless to me. Only power mattered, my eyes focused on the capital, other nobles. Blind to the size of the world and the scraps humanity fights and dies over. It just made sense to me. After all that has happened. All I could do was take the next step.”

Ilea took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She opened them again and lightly punched the man’s shoulder. “Know what? I’ll try that. It doesn’t sound too bad.”

Maybe I didn’t quite get how big the world really was either. Might as well enjoy the ride before a random wormhole farts out a level one million world ending creature.

“I like that look on you,” he said with a smile, walking down the stairs.

“What look?” Ilea asked.

“You’re hungry,” Trian said.

“No I’m not.I just ate,” Ilea answered.

Trian just laughed. “Come on, you wanted to see Iana. Our torture lesson starts in half an hour.”

Chapter 447 Truly Enchanting

Chapter 447 Truly Enchanting

The girl had bags under her eyes, scribbling on a massive sheet of paper with a pen, Christopher commenting on some of it form the side.

“Hello,” Ilea said as her and Trian joined the two, the enchantments keeping this section secluded and closed off briefly deactivated to let them pass.

Iana looked up from her work, barely meeting her eyes. “Oh… you’re back.”

“Yes. And you look like you need a break. I don’t want to lose you two to overworking. Burnouts are a thing, you know?” Ilea said.

She formed an ashen table and placed some food and water onto it. “Come on, maybe some healing will help too.”

“It does feel pretty nice,” Iana said as she took a deep breath, focusing on the healing mana that flowed through her.

“This is from the Golden Drake right?” Christopher asked, piling his mouth with food.

“Yeah, Keyla is a fantastic cook,” Ilea said and smiled.

He nodded and grinned.

“You say that like it’s a curse.” Trian said, sitting down on a chair as he too ate some lunch.

“In a way it is,” Ilea whispered, closing her eyes as she chewed on a bite, savoring every bit of it.

“We haven’t succeeded yet,” Iana said, looking down as she delivered the line.

Ilea shrugged. “You have. I heard about the device you made for Claire. To communicate between cities. It’s going to help immensely. And I assume it’s also a step in the right direction in regards of the teleportation gate.”

“It is,” Christopher said. “Though there are missing links. Moving mana to a location predetermined proved difficult but not impossible. This… this is an entirely different task.”

“Doesn’t help that our test subjects aren’t exactly cooperative,” Iana said with a sigh, continuing to eat.

“We use rats,” Christopher said. “They… have met unfortunate ends.”

Ilea chuckled. “It’s always rats, isn’t it? I can be your test subject.”

“We are dealing with fluctuating arcane and space magic, runes and enchantments that are highly experimental. It would rip you apart,” Christopher said and shook his head.

Trian smiled. “Don’t encourage her.”

Ilea looked at him and winked. “I have third tier space and arcane magic resistances. I doubt whatever you created can seriously hurt me. And if it can… all the better. I need better skills anyway.”

Christopher looked at Iana and back to Ilea.

“Are you sure? We heard that you have returned even stronger than you were but this is not something to take lightly,” Iana said.

Ilea could tell the girl was excited. Finally presented with a potential solution to a problem she hadn’t yet managed to solve. “I’ll be the judge of that. There are some other things I wanted to discuss. I’ll take part in whatever testing you need tomorrow… hmm a little before noon if that is acceptable for you.”

“Of course! We’ll prepare everything we need. Trian, is it possible for you to come as well? We might need some mana to start some of the enchantments.” Iana said.

Trian nodded. “Of course. I’ll be there.”

“Perfect, perfect,” Iana said, lost in thought.

“What else did you need?” Christopher asked.

“First off, do you two need more enchanters or rune experts? I’m sure we could hire some,” Ilea suggested.

“Christopher has looked through many potential people but it would cause more harm than use,” Trian said. “If you find any good candidates outside of Ravenhall, send them to me if interested.”

“I see. As for the other things. Maybe these things will benefit you in some way,” she said and summoned the notebook of the Tremor guard captain she had requested from Maro before he departed back to Hallowfort.

Ilea made it clear that these runes were to be treated with the utmost secrecy and respect, retelling bits and pieces from both her experience with the Soul Rippers and the Ascended.

She added the machines she had retrieved from the seventh layer in the Descent. The two reacted to both the runes and machinery in a way a puppy would treat something new and unexpected.

Did I just doom Ravenhall? Ilea asked herself with a sigh.

“It’s alright,” Trian said and lightly punched her arm. “We have protocols in place. The benefits outweigh the risks. Marginally but they do,” he reassured her.

“We will be careful. There are many layers of enchantments in place around our testing facility as well as the very room you are in to prevent tracking spells, mana leaking and even divination,” Iana said. “The benefit with powerful high level beings is that they often focus on brute strength, lacking understanding of such matters entirely.”

“Not the Ascended,” Ilea said. She was sure of it and made that clear.

“I also have something else that I would like to show to the two of you. I suspect it might be better if we go very far away from the city or into the testing facility you have mentioned,” she said.

“What is it?” Iana asked, her eyes glowing with runic magic.

“A key. One of twelve Taleen keys made to unlock… something. I found it at some point but deemed it to dangerous to mention so far. Perhaps now is a good time, now that you have studied the gate key. I can show it to you now, for a couple minutes. That thing however, stays with me. I can show it to you again tomorrow.”

“Follow me,” Iana said and walked off, activating various sets of enchantments that made the ground glow, stairs forming in the solid stone, leading downward as a soft blue glow of magic light illuminated the side walls.

“Anything you can learn from it is excellent of course but I would also like to have a tracking device made so I can find the other keys. The Fae mentioned something along those lines should be possible,” she explained.

“Why do you want to find them?” Trian asked.

“You lack a sense for curiosity,” Iana said to the man as she released the most powerful and nearly blinding set of enchantments Ilea had ever seen. Both within her sphere and without.

“This… is the core,” Iana said as she waved them inside.

It was a rather spacious hall with a sphere like shape, seemingly floating bridges leading towards two platforms. Each had what looked like a circular teleportation gate built onto them. The materials used in the construction of the facility were various metals and wood. Neither looked common.

The whole place reminded Ilea a little of the dome structure on the twenty fourth layer in the Descent. The difference was that that one was covered in runes. This here seemed more intricate, complicated. At the same time the dome had been simple, raw. Perfect perhaps in the purpose it served.

“This looks fucking expensive,” Ilea said.

“It was,” Trian nodded. “You are Very rich.”

“I’ve been told,” Ilea nodded. “As to why I want to search for the keys, mostly to figure out more about the Taleen and what they left behind. You’re aware of all the machines. Right now they seem to have the goal to hunt and kill Elves.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Trian asked.

“Partially. Some parties I have come into contact with would be very interested in stopping the assault. Yes. Elves. Not all of them are absolute monsters. I however am more interested in the potential of using all those machines. Or at least taking over production facilities. The keys might hold secrets that could lead us towards such a goal,” Ilea explained.

Iana shook her head. “Taking over Taleen machines… you know that Aki is a special case. We could not reproduce him. I’ve decided it is more reasonable to focus on the gates instead of him for the time being.”

“That’s the right decision anyway,” Ilea said. “So this place is safe?”

Iana turned around, her eyes glowing within her sphere for a brief moment before the gates closed. Several heavy stone and steel ones, a thrumming sound of energy activating right after.

“Now it is,” she said with a smile and quickly went to a small bunker like room nearby, placing the diary and the machines inside, summoned from the ring she had received from Ilea.

Quite proud of all this, hmm? Ilea thought. She didn’t see the problem with it. It was indeed an impressive installation. Her sphere couldn’t penetrate. Even Sentinel Huntress apparently got confused. She could still tell that there were two marks out there but there were no directions.

Guess this is as good as it gets.

She summoned the Tungsten key and placed it on top of an ashen altar she quickly formed.

Iana took a step towards the thing and just stared at it. Christopher walked around it and activated a few spells with unknown effects.

“Remarkable…,” he said.

“Is it?” Iana asked. “It is covered in enchantments that serve a similar purpose as this very facility. Below… the… no. I see…,”

“You see it too. She is right. One of many. Twelve seems unlikely… impossible even,” Christopher said.

“How reliable is this Fae?” Iana asked.

“It is older than perhaps humanity itself. Witnessed perhaps the forming of this realm itself. A mind compromised of hundreds if not thousands of individuals, all with experience and knowledge that likely transcend a genius human mind. Some are a little more dense of course. The source however, I think you can trust,” Ilea replied.

“We will treat it as the accepted theory for now. This… key, as you call it. It is indeed a piece of a larger puzzle. Some of these enchantments are incomplete,” Iana explained. “I would be very much interested in finding the rest, just to see what it looks like. However, as it is, this likely won’t be of use for the gates.”

“I agree,” Christopher said and sighed. “I would still like to study it whenever you are here. There are some obviously protective enchantments here that I have not seen before.”

“Sure, knock yourselves out. Iana, maybe as a day off project, I have a house near the ocean. Thought about securing it against potential looters and intruders. Make it harder to find or something. Maybe you can help?” Ilea suggested.

“Of course. That actually sounds like a good distraction. Maybe Christopher can come as well. Whenever you have time. I’d just like to study the runes and machines you have brought. And do some testing with you and the gates. If that is agreeable?” Iana said.

“Sure. It’s not a priority. Just something on my list. The house has pretty much been unprotected except for the group of Swordmouth tigers in the nearby cave,” she said.

“Swordmouth… tigers?” Christopher asked and glanced at the group with slight concern.

“You are standing in a room that holds teleportation gate prototypes. With two Shadows,” Iana said and smirked.

He waved her off. “I haven’t fought a lot of monsters, alright? They can reach rather high levels.”

“I will be there to protect you of course,” Ilea said.

“Creatures like that are no concern for a Shadow?” Christopher asked with interest.

“I have fought Elementals. No. Swordmouth tigers are not a concern,” she said.

Ilea looked at Iana and continued. “Have you three talked about potentially teaching some students about enchantments?”

“We did,” Iana said. “It isn’t a top priority at the moment. Claire suggested to focus on the gates and Trian agreed. The potential to support Riverwatch or the Empire in the war would place as at an entirely different stage in human affairs. If you want us to teach, we can do that as well. I plan to enchant the future gear of the Sentinels and teach on the basis of that process. Father has some ideas but we haven’t decided on a model yet.”

Ilea nodded. “That sounds like a good plan. And I agree with you. Focus on the gates first. Balduur is in Morhill now, right?”

“He is. Should I contact him for you?” Trian said.

“No. I’ll visit myself at some point. He has plenty of work to do anyway. Our students don’t exactly need equipment quite yet,” she said.

“Agreed,” the man said.

“Speaking of equipment though… I’ll have to talk to Orthan later this week. He’s a bone mage, right?”

“Blood and bone,” Trian confirmed. “Why are you grinning like a lunatic? Oh no… don’t tell me?”

“It’s just an idea, don’t shit your pants. It’s safe, trust me,” Ilea said and winked.

“Your choice,” Trian said and smiled as he shook his head.

“Iana, you upgraded Aki a little?” she said, changing the subject.

The woman nodded. “Improvements… protective alloy layers based on how much he could handle before his speed would suffer. His blades should be quite a bit more deadly. The main thing is a slow self repair enchantment. The way Taleen Machines gather ambient mana is a mystery to us and while Aki can use this ability, we have as of yet failed to understand the technology behind it. However, it enabled some quite ridiculous possibilities. Like said self repair.”

“Why didn’t the other Taleen machines have something like that? If it can be fueled by ambient mana,” Ilea said.

“I would assume it is a simple question of cost and efficiency. Perhaps there were not enough enchanters to supply all the machines,” Iana said.

“Or the levels were not worth it,” Ilea suggested. She hadn’t done extensive testing with machines higher leveled than Centurions. Even Praetorians had an implemented self destruction integrated, meaning the Taleen cared more for their technology’s concealment and the destruction of their enemies instead of the safety and recovery of their machines.

“It would be interesting to have that tech as well,” Ilea said. “Keep working on that too as soon as some time slots open up.”

“Of course. The city’s defenses would benefit greatly if we didn’t have to charge the enchantments from time to time. Let alone the equipment we could provide. Self repairing and inlaid with various spells and projectiles,” Iana said.

“High level skills and classes will prevail nonetheless,” Trian said.

Ilea nodded. “Of course they will. The existence and availability of such equipment would lead more people to such classes however. And it would provide quite a bit of security for low level people in the wild.”

Like guns did for us.

“Your class is starting in around two minutes,” Trian said.

“Ah yes. When did you become a living clock?” she asked, taking the Tungsten key back into her necklace. “I trust you two, I hope that is clear. I simply think it would attract more attention than all the other things you have down here.”

“I understand,” Iana said. “Your concerns aren’t invalid either. The key being a part of something bigger also means there might be connections that we can’t necessarily detect or prevent. A spacial item like your necklace is one of the safest bets we have.”

“It was nice seeing you again. And thanks for all the new toys,” Iana said, touching Ilea’s arm lightly.

“Thanks for all the additional work,” Christopher said, avoiding her eyes as if he regretted the joke.

“Shut it, we both love it,” Iana said with a smile.

“I do hope that’s true. Talk to Trian if not. See you tomorrow,” Ilea said and walked towards the opening gates.

“Until then,” Iana said.

Ilea and Trian teleported back up to the seventh layer.

“That was quite fruitful. Thank you for providing all of that,” Trian said as they reached the closed off section of the stairwell.

“I have no use for runes, nor much interest in the matter. Perhaps some day,” Ilea mused.

“You can take the afternoon off if you want to. Maybe grab some food and enjoy the city? Or the mountains?” the man suggested.

“I’m okay, Trian. I will let you know when I need a break. Training the students is part of the step I am taking. Plus, I find it quite enjoyable. Not constantly working on my own skills and power for a change,” she said.

“I agree. It brings a different kind of satisfaction. Every new revelation, skill and level a major milestone at their stage,” Trian said with a smile.

“Don’t get too used to it. I’ll help you get to three hundred soon enough,” she said with a smirk.

___________________________

Nathan couldn’t quite believe that he was still here. That he had chosen to return to this afternoon class. Two people were notably absent. He had counted.

They had remained in their respective rooms.

He certainly understood them. And still, there was something about all this. Something exciting. They were part of something special. That’s what all the cults and orders tell you, that’s how they get you.

Nathan reminded himself that thefirst encounter with Lilith was her basically openly having them tortured. She had answered their questions and concerns in an honest, almost comical way. The results however were there.

Skills he hadn’t had before. It was worth the pain he would have to endure. He gulped. It had to be. This was his chance of becoming something more. To make a difference. Like dad used to say.

“Is she not coming?” Luke whispered behind him.

Most of the people were quiet, some shaking. He didn’t know if it was fear or excitement. Aftershocks perhaps.

“She said she would. She will,” Celeste commented.

“You should get used to disappointment, girl,” Lorelei said, the older woman casually standing around with a mug.

“I grew up in the gutter, lady knight,” she said in a mocking tone. “This place is anything but disappointing,” she added and smiled.

“Here we go. Hello again. I see nearly all of you have chosen to come back into the hall of pain and blood!” Lilith exclaimed after she had suddenly appeared.

Trian stood close by.

“So, ready to be sacrificed in a blood ritual?” she asked.

Nathan glanced around, unsure how to react. She’s joking.

Celeste chuckled. Some others did as well, not all of them as casually.

“I’m kidding of course.Kind of. Today we will start with something called Blood Manipulation. The potential dangers and how to get rid of it,” Lilith said as a glass container suddenly appeared n her arms.

Everyone remained silent. A storage device and not even a murmur. I like where this is going.

Chapter 448 Corruption

Chapter 448 Corruption

“This substance was actually considered a potential world ending threat by some of my colleagues. It is made with what I assume to be blood magic or alchemy. The result is an orange ooze that corrupts, damages and ultimately takes over.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be alive by then, just a ravenous monster. Now… if this substance was splattered on a random citizen outside… the results would be potentially devastating. Not just to this city but the human plains as a whole,” Ilea explained, casually moving the glass container around in her hands.

“You sure this is safe?” Trian whispered inaudibly.

Ilea nodded his way. “Now. What do you think one can do against such corruption?”

A few students lifted their hands.

She pointed to one at random.

“Burn it,” he said.

“That’s an option. Potentially more painful than others,” Ilea said and pointed to another.

“Healing?” the girl said.

“Healing stops it from further spread… sufficiently powerful healing that is. However, because the ooze is somehow not considered an invasive body, healing will only stop it, not get rid of it. The method we initially used was to simply cut out infected tissue and regrow it,” Ilea said.

Some of the students looked at each other and gulped.

“What about a resistance?” one of them asked.

“That… is the right answer. Now any sane adventurer, even a Shadow… wouldn’t administer this to themselves for the required period of time. It is painful, deadly and spreads quite quickly.”

“So, any volunteers who aren’t quite that sane? Trian… you should join as well,” Ilea said.

The man gulped and looked away. “I’m not entirely sure this is a good idea, Ilea.”

She whispered. “Your pain will be theirs. It will connect you. Otherwise you remain the torturer and administrator.”

He thought about it when a few students raised their hands.

Ilea picked one in particular. “Lorelai, right?” she was older than most of the others. Definitely more experienced. She would likely become an important figure for the younger ones. The woman was most definitely older than Ilea but she didn’t think it wise to think of herself as less experienced. Ilea could see the use the name Lilith held.

A symbol, Alfred, she thought with a smirk. Her name would be even more important because she didn’t plan to stay here all the time.

“Yes, ma’am,” the woman said and joined her.

[Warrior – lvl 60]

“Have you ever lost a limb, Lorelai?” Ilea asked.

The woman shook her head. “Not so far. I’ve been among the lucky ones.”

“You were an adventurer before?” Ilea said.

“I worked at a castle in Stormbreach. Came to the Empire after the elven attacks. Picked up many things in my time,” Lorelai said.

“Then I trust that you share your inputs and opinions wherever applicable. Now tell me, what happens to someone who loses a limb?”

“That depends on many factors. How did they lose the limb, which limb, how much blood is lost, are there bandages or anything else to stop the bleeding and most importantly, is there a healer nearby. One that can regrow limbs,” she said.

“Yep. That last part is pretty much the crux,” Ilea said. “I’m not sure how long it takes but if you haven’t regrown it in a while, even a healer won’t be able to help anymore. Now, if you all get a healer class… and I’m sure you will, you can easily take care of such an injury yourself,” Ilea said.

“May I remove your arm?” she asked the woman.

Lorelai gulped and nodded slowly, holding out her arm as she kept her eyes focused on Ilea.

“I’ll try to make it clean,” Ilea said and sliced through flesh, muscle and bone with a single swipe of one ashen limb.

Lorelai went to one knee and grit her teeth, panting hard as she grunted.

More angry than in pain. Good thing I have nearly three hundred levels on her, Ilea thought as she started healing the woman.

“Wound closed, bleeding stopped regrowing your arm now. Aaaaand we’re back to normal. How do you feel?” Ilea asked.

The woman remained on one knee and cracked her neck. “Violated.”

Ilea laughed. “You’re free to pay it back once you’re strong enough,” she said. “I just want to make it clear that this isn’t some miracle magic done by me… I mean magic itself is miraculous but pretty much any healer at a certain level of power can achieve this effect.”

“If you can heal your group of adventurers after an encounter, you can move on with your mission or your dungeon dive, despite otherwise even fatal injuries. If you can heal yourself from shit like that… well let me tell you, you’re going to be respected. I have reached the point where my body is mostly expendable. A resource just like my health, stamina and mana.”

“Lorelai, ready to test the blood manipulation?” she asked.

The woman gulped and nodded.

“It’s going to be painful. If you reach critical condition, I’ll cut off your arm. I’m already healing you to stop the spread for now. Ready?” Ilea said.

“Get on with it,” she said.

Ilea nodded and put a drop of the corruption onto the back of her hand.

It stayed and didn’t change at all, her healing making sure of that.

“How does it feel?” she asked.

Lorelai’s face was distorted. “I hurts,” she got out through gritted teeth.

“I will have to let it spread for a moment, to see how much it affects your health. Are you okay with that?” Ilea asked.

She nodded.

Ilea stopped healing and watched as the corruption immediately spread out. Faster than with the level two hundred beings she had seen in the north but not as quick as she had expected. Possibly still just limited in growth speed, she thought and started healing again as soon as half of Lorelai’s arm had been taken over.

She was barely holding on by now, panting hard with gritted teeth.

“Can you endure it?” Ilea asked, crouching down next to her as she healed.

“… With… h… heal… y… yes,” she got out and screamed.

“Perfect. We will do that for as long as you can then. Just tap me when you need a break,” she said and straightened herself. “The second tier lets your body fight the corruption. Without healing it would still be dangerous but you won’t turn into a frenzied monster by the end of it,” she said.

Should I add more now or just focus on this for now?

“How many can you support?” Trian asked before murmuring something to himself.

“Shouldn’t be difficult to support everyone,” Ilea said. “Decided to join?” she asked with a smile.

“Don’t give me that look. Yes I do.”

The next two hours were spend with carefully spreading the corruption and monitoring the students. Compared to Trian’s lightning form the previous day, this method was both more rewarding skill wise but at the same time much more dangerous. Everything depended on Ilea’s ability to heal and monitor the students.

Something she actually found quite interesting to do. With her ash spread in a mist that came up to everyone’s waist, she found it trivial to keep the corruption in check. The difficulty was the encouragement, monitoring pain and taking care of the people that lost consciousness.

She stopped after the two hours were up, mostly because she wanted to try out some other things as well that day. Now that, was a success, she thought and piled up the severed limbs, replenishing the corruption she had used up with fresh ooze. Heart of Cinder activated, disintegrating everything that remained of the vile substance.

“Check your clothes, each other’s clothes, the ground around you, your hair or anything else where corruption might remain. I don’t have to tell you how deadly and dangerous it is. Be thorough,” Ilea said and checked them too, both with her eyes and sphere.

Nobody spoke as they carefully touched each others’ clothes.

“I don’t think it’s safe for that substance to be in this city,” Trian whispered to her as he approached.

“I agree. That’s why it’s with me,” Ilea said.

He sighed and shook his head.

“It’s the first thing to prevent the effectiveness of such a corruption. Having people that can fight it, are immune to it,” Ilea said. “Don’t you agree?”

“Of course I agree. But you can’t expect normal citizens to go through that training. It’s insane. I haven’t felt pain this bad in… some time.”

“I don’t expect everyone to go through this. Nor do I reasonably expect a corruption of this level to ever reach Ravenhall. Just in case that it does however, the Sentinels should be prepared,” Ilea said.

“What you have there is a weapon that could cripple and destroy empires… does it really turn the dead into monsters?” Trian asked.

“It does. Well they don’t get much more powerful and they lose most semblance of tactics and instinct. If we want Ravenhall and thus humanity to be able to face larger threats, training against this is necessary. Especially with how simple it really is. The pain is worth it. Trust me, Trian.”

“I know it is. Despite your retelling… seeing the corruption work on me and the others… it seems ridiculous,” he said.

“You should have seen the hordes in the north. Good thing we stopped that. For now at least,” she said.

“For now? What do you mean?” he asked.

“There were thousands of bodies. Hundreds of people involved. Just one of them has to be greedy enough to sell it to someone. It’s a good thing humans rarely go so far north,” she said.

Trian opened his eyes wide. “I see. I had thought it more contained. It seems the least we can do is provide our students with a resistance. Maybe the Shadow’s Hand should do it too.”

“Definitely. But I don’t trust every member to that extent. Tell Claire to fund the creation of a less powerful agent. Maybe Orthan can figure something out here with us?” she suggested. “Then people can train the resistance with each other and with less involvement from me personally. This is just the fast course,” Ilea said.

“If he can study the corruption, I’m sure he could come up with something. Nothing he could create would be this frightening. Many have tried before, I’m sure,” the man said.

“I will talk to him tomorrow at noon. After I conclude the testing with Iana and Christopher. Can you inform him?” she asked and turned her attention back to the recovering students.

Ilea wondered how much her healing dealt with the psychological strain this training surely had on them. The pain alone should make people vomit, cry, scream and potentially do even worse.

Little of that showed in the students however. Maybe that’s an aspect of arcane healing?

“Trian, do you know if healers can take care of recent psychological trauma? Like this training we are doing?” she asked.

“You are talking about the strain caused by the pain? I am not sure. Few worry much about such effects. The nobles I had contact with who run somewhat similar operations as this mostly think it a test of character. Those that break will break. I myself limited my own training in ways to deal with these issues. Perhaps some of the healers had an effect on my mind as well, who knows?” he said.

Ilea nodded. “That’s worrying. I’m pretty sure my healing can deal with such matters. To an extent.”

“Everyone, be aware of your psyche. If you’re scared of the training, feel numb to it or anything else. Talk to each other and the teachers. Not being able to handle it isn’t a weakness. It’s important in your development. And even if you have to stop the training for one reason or another, we will find another job or position you can fill,” Ilea said.

She wasn’t a trained psychiatrist or a psychology major and this world lacked knowledge on such matters. It would be a challenge to deal with such issues that may arise during not just the training but the lives of all Sentinels. If there were skills to deal with it, that would simplify the whole situation. Fear Resistance, Mental Resistance and healing itself should be part of it.

It was necessary for them to experience some of the shit she went through to reach the power she now had but if they all got PTSD through that, the efforts would have been more than wasted.

“They’re not allowed to leave the facility?” she asked Trian.

“Only for classes in Viscera. Enchantments are in place to prevent entry and exit. Only we two can currently come and go as we please. Just until a certain normalcy has been reached. I believe it’s important that they bond together. From personal experience it is easier to accept and push through difficult situations if an alternative at least requires some steps to achieve,” he explained.

“I see. It does seem rather harsh but for now it might be for the best. Make sure they have enough literature, food and other potential past times to fill the time. And make it clear that people can leave if they do not wish to go through the training,” she said.

“You’re worried about them. I understand. I don’t know your background, Ilea. Just know that all of them went through things equal if not worse to what I have experienced. Wars and monsters claim many lives, not only in a direct and measurable way. They want to be here and I will make sure to continually confirm that. We do not want someone that is unable to cope with it. We want those who excel through it,” he said.

She just nodded. What a fucked up world. Hmm, I guess the same was true for many countries back on Earth. I was a somewhat sheltered first world kid after all. Trian seems like a good mix though. Between pragmatic and caring. It may seem harsh but I’ve experience enough of Elos to know it’s necessary.

“It’s just different. To subject myself to pain and danger and to expect it from others,” she said.

“They will be able to protect others in turn,” he said simply.

Ilea noticed that most of the students were ready again, waiting for them to finish their talk. Very few, if any could hear them talk in the low whispers.

I would tell them all of that if they asked. No issue there, she thought.

“How are you?” she asked.

“That was pretty bad,” Celeste said. “But I somehow feel better after all that.”

“I feel the same. It might be the healing… or the process of acquiring skills,” one of the men said.

“Hunger is worse,” another said.

Several people nodded in understanding.

Ilea smiled. You won’t have to hunger anymore. Oh no… I’m getting attached.

“Next up is ash magic,” she said, to get her focus on something else. “Again, if anybody is unwilling to participate anymore, you can leave at any time. I assure you that there are no negative repercussions.”

She waited for a moment, using her sphere to gauge the distress levels of the present people. Three seemed to be having quite the struggle.

Ilea wordlessly spread a mist of ash and grabbed their hands, leading them out into the stairwell.

Her healing magic seemed to subdue the panic they initially felt. Interesting.

“It’s alright. Grab some food and water, read a book or train. Or just sleep. Whatever may help,” she said.

Trian appeared to her side and looked at the three.

“I don’t think I need you for the rest of the lesson. Take care of them,” she said with a smile.

“I will. Thanks for keeping it somewhat discreet. Come on, then,” he said and waved to the three, walking up the stairwell.

Ilea appeared back in the hall and continued to address the others. “Again, there is no shame is fear, pain and thinking yourself weak. The system that governs classes and skills grants everyone power, if they wish to reach it. Overcoming ones own blockades and pain will lead to even better results. It isn’t easy and giving up is neither weak nor deplorable. It is perhaps the sane thing to do. Admitting our own shortcomings and inabilities but pushing forward nonetheless is a large part of what makes us successful. We can evolve, adapt, learn and recover.”

“To get this ash class, I had to come close to death many times. Had to fight creatures and machines many levels higher than myself. Something only possible through the healing magic that I possess. Being able to recover even otherwise fatal wounds has its perks.”

“Even the basic Ash Wielder class I originally received had great perks in both defense and offense. I can only imagine what you all will receive with the Resistances and understanding of healing. I think something related to ash would be great but any element or even non magic Classes should be interesting. As long as you have a healing ability in any of them,” she explained.

“To bring you a little closer to the element of ash, what better way is therethan to train a resistance?” she said.

“With elemental creation and manipulation, you can form what you want and how you want it,” she said, moving around ash as she created an aerial view of Ravenhall itself with as many details as she could remember.

“The ash that is connected to me counts as my body, benefiting from body enhancement skills as well as my healing abilities. As you have surely noticed. It would be more beneficial for you to have long range healing compared to mine but at the end of the day, you get what you get. And you have to practice and learn about your abilities,” she said.

“Let us start.”

Chapter 449 Lessons

Chapter 449 Lessons

Nathan grabbed a plate and piled it with food, turning around as he searched the hall. There he is, he thought, approaching the table with its lone occupant.

“Mind if I sit here?” he asked.

[Mage – lvl ??]

The man nodded, barely noticeable. The food on his plate looked cold, his fork stabbing into a steak.

“Your name is Ford, right?” he asked.

The mage looked up and met his eyes. “What do you want?”

“You left earlier, right? I’m just interested in what they told you. Or did to you,” Nathan explained, the last part in a whisper.

Ford looked at him and grinned. “Nothing. Just told me to relax and take it slow. That it’s alright and that I should join again as soon as I feel ready. Trian even checked up on me three times already.”

“What?” Nathan asked.

“I agree… it’s… confusing. I don’t exactly have a better place to go so I’ll just follow their advice. Watching the corruption grow on my arm… I felt… helpless. Like an insect succumbing to something so simple. Lilith just stopped it, ripped it out. Like it was nothing,” Ford said.

Nathan chuckled. “She’s quite something, isn’t she? I feared you would be exiled… or worse.”

“With what you hear of healing orders… or other training… facilities… I expected similar. That’s why I forced myself to stay,” Ford said and leaned in. “She could tell… somehow, she could sense it.”

“It wouldn’t be the weirdest skill she has,” Nathan said as he noticed Celeste and Luke approaching.

“Still think this is a cult and Ilea will eat your heart?” Celeste asked as she sat down next to Ford, not giving him any attention.

Nathan gave the man an apologetic look, noting that he didn’t seem to care.

“They’re the smart ones,” Luke said as he sat down next to Nathan. “Doesn’t help either way. They could rip us apart if they wanted to… Lilith even did earlier. Weird,” he said and flexed his hand. “This isn’t my arm, right? It’s a new arm. My old one is gone.”

“Didn’t you listen? As soon as you can do that yourself, your body is just another thing to use. I can’t fucking wait until I can turn off pain and regrow limbs. Can you imagine the stunts you could pull?” Celeste asked. “You could wack someone with an arm. Or you could feed a whole family!”

“That’s cannibalism,” Luke said.

“So what? Ever been hungry? I would have eaten a fucking baby on my worst days. Not that I did. I have some standards,” she said. “Plus… is it really still cannibalism if you can just regrow it?”

“You could argue that you are just eating mana,” Ford said and started to cut his steak, looking intently at a piece he held up with his fork.

“See,” Celeste said with a smile, “This guy gets it. Did you get Ash Magic Resistance too earlier?”

“I… was made to leave after the Blood Manipulation,” he said, looking down at his plate.

“Really? Ah fuck… I was scared Ilea could sense my apprehension. Guess I fooled her. Well, your loss,” Celeste said and started eating with joy.

Nathan noticed the weak smile on Ford’s lips.

“You shouldn’t call her by that name… Lilith is more honorable,” Luke said.

“Does she seem honorable to you? She seems like a normal woman who somehow came to power. With an underdeveloped sense for pride and self importance. Could you see any noble do what she does here? We get fucking amazing food! I don’t think she gives a rat’s ass about what we call her,” Celeste said.

“I agree,” Nathan said. “I believe we should keep the second name to us. Otherwise potential enemies will know more about her. There’s a reason she has two names.”

“She doesn’t seem to care much,” Ford said. “I agree of course. Either she doesn’t deem any enemies to be a concern or she is simply too uneducated to understand.”

“Who are you calling uneducated, noble boy?” Celeste asked with a full mouth.

“You should know about that too, especially with your background,” Nathan interrupted.

“Eh… I like her lack of concern. Makes me think even higher of her,” Celeste said. “I won’t use then name outside, alright? Not that we can really leave anyway.”

“We can,” Ford said.

“Yeah but that would mean leaving the Sentinels,” Luke said.

“Fuck that,” Celeste spat.

Ford didn’t seem so sure. He continued eating in silence.

“Should we bother Aki later for some training?” Nathan asked.

“Your obsession with that creepy machine knows no bounds,” Luke said.

Celeste chuckled. “You wouldn’t understand the advancements of technology, farm boy.”

“Want to learn what this farmer can do?” he asked.

“Show it to Aki,” she said.

“Want to come as well? More interesting than sitting here,” Nathan said, looking at Ford.

The man glanced at the group and nodded.

____________________________

“Just follow my lead,” Claire said, one hand on her hip and one holding her hand.

“I’m trying,” Ilea said, distracted by the giggling of Cless.

The music at least made it less awkward.

I thought Dexterity helped with this stuff.

“You are blushing,” Claire said. “Focus.”

“I’m sorry,” Ilea said. “You’re just very close.”

“Keep your natural desires in check. You would be doomed at a ball. Good thing you are powerful in other ways,” Claire said.

“You grew up noble?” Ilea asked.

“I did. However I did enjoy runes and explosions more than I did lessons on proper dining and dancing,” she replied.

Cless clapped as the music came to a stop.

“I think that is enough for now,” Claire said. “It is truly striking how little your finesse in battle translates to your ability to dance.”

“Was cutting words also a lesson in your schedule?” Ilea asked.

“No. That was all my father. Now, I’m glad you found the dungeon to be so fruitful. Your arena training left an impression. I already had the rewards for tomorrow lowered according to the flood of interest. I will be excluding the elements you mentioned. Do let me know once you advance any to the third tier so I can readd them,” Claire said.

“Sure, will do,” Ilea said and formed an ashen armchair, sitting down as she glanced at Cless. “You enjoy this, don’t you?”

The girl looked away in clearly feigned innocence.

“Is there a resistance to her magic as well?” Ilea asked.

“Potentially. She has painted you many times already. If anybody could test it, it would be you,” Claire said.

“Cless… can you paint me more regularly? And really focus on your magic? It will help both of us enhance our skills,” Ilea said.

The girl opened one eye and glanced at her with crossed arms. “We can set up a contract,” she said.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Claire?” Ilea said.

The woman gazed at Cless with obvious pride. “She is learning so fast. Remarkable. I will set up the contract with you, Cless.”

“I have no word in it?” Ilea asked.

“You always do. Speaking of which… I know you’ve been to Dawntree before,” she said.

“I have, what is it?” Ilea asked.

“It seems the economic stress put on the city because of the elven attacks has finally caused too much tension. A group of rebels has turned on the nobles, supported by a large part of the populace as well as adventurers. It would not have been possible if a large part of the previous nobility hadn’t fled eastward after the initial attacks.”

“I took the liberty to offer some contracts in your name. Similar to Riverwatch,” she explained.

“That sounds okay to me. If we can help keep the transition period somewhat peaceful. Any clue about the new leadership? And tell me honestly, did you get involved? I know you had dealings with some of the Forkspears because of me,” Ilea said.

“The leadership is yet to be determined. The one currently in charge of the rebels seems reasonable however, mostly concerned with providing food and living wages to the peasants. I personally didn’t get involved but a few members of the Hand took it upon themselves to offer their services. It isn’t outside the rules of course. We only interfere if Ravenhall is directly endangered or damaged through a Shadow’s actions,” she explained.

“So they just want to enrich themselves. And you’re piggybacking on their success?” Ilea said.

“Precisely. Same with the war in Baralia. I assure you, my personal revenge only played a minor part in this. I will continue to inform you about the developments. It is rather difficult to get accurate information from the distant city at the moment,” she said.

“Do that. I trust you Claire. Just don’t prioritize gold alone,” Ilea said.

“Gold is just the result of a flourishing economy. Happy, well fed, productive and spending workers are of high importance, be it for economic or humanitarian reasons,” Claire explained.

Ilea nodded. “What about the Corinth order? Isn’t it based there?”

“Yes and no. Many of its members relocated to Nipha and Kroll in the wake of the elven attacks. I am keeping an eye on the situation amongst the healing orders to make sure the Medic Sentinels aren’t blindsided by the developments. Currently they are more focused on each other. The Corinth order themselves might even try to retake Dawntree,” Claire said.

“That might be bad,” Ilea said.

“Understatement of the century there. I keep them informed. However interference to a higher degree won’t be possible, nor do I think it a good idea. I will inform you if a request comes in or if contracts are formed. Only then would we be able to offer extended support. Otherwise it would be an invasive war,” Claire explained.

“Can’t stop fighting amongst ourselves,” Ilea said.

“We try to focus on our own development but yes. It is a present problem. The loose rules of the Shadow’s Hand doesn’t help much. Especially when jobs like this pay better than many monster exterminations. Plus they’re usually less dangerous too. At first glance that is,” Claire said.

“Riverwatch on the other hand had some success in rescuing and taking in ex slaves. I received a letter earlier today. They are expanding downwards too. We lent them a number of our best architects and engineers. Large sums of gold too, most of it from you,” she informed.

“How much gold do we even have at this point?” Ilea asked.

“More than you will ever need. However I try to keep most of it invested. Assets, goods and the continued employment of capable people is worth more than sitting gold,” Claire explained.

“I understand as much,” Ilea said.

“Done!” Cless exclaimed and showed off her newest creation. Ilea holding up a severed arm. “Is that your arm?” the girl asked.

“It is, want to see?” Ilea asked.

“YES!” Cless replied excitedly.

“No. Don’t encourage her,” Claire said.

“Why? You teach her contracts, I teach her about healing,” Ilea said.

“Mutilation isn’t healing,” Claire murmured.

“Ah, don’t be such a downer. Cless, I’ll show you when you’re a little older okay? It’s dangerous and hurts. Plus it’s pretty gross,” she said.

The girl was obviously disappointed but accepted the reply, already starting her next painting.

“She needs to understand the pain and damage involved, otherwise I fear she would grow desensitized,” Claire said.

Ilea nodded. “I agree.”

Cless glanced at them and continued.

“I should get going, to get some more levels,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Same dungeon?” Claire asked.

“Today, yes. Might try another one in the next few days. Thanks for the work and info,” she said with a smile.

“For you, always. Don’t get yourself killed out there,” Claire said as the door to her office opened.

“I’ll do my best,” Ilea said and blinked out.

She spread her wings and shot up, charging them as soon as she was several hundred meters above the city.

Now that she knew where the dungeon was located, the travel time was reduced. If only a little. She skipped visiting the inn this time and instead approached from behind the dungeon entrance, running over the hills.

“Hey,” she called out to the man inside the little building.

“Ah! Oh… ah it’s you, from yesterday? Yes… wait… let me get the keys,” he said and got up.

“Don’t bother,” Ilea said and blinked through the dungeon entrance.

She rushed through the tunnels and soon found the blighted section of the dungeon once more.

The golems had sadly spread out again through the tunnels but it didn’t take long for her to gather a group of them together.

Should probably explore a little more. See if this place has anything else to offer, she thought and examined the walls and corridors.

Few rooms remained that weren’t completely overgrown, many of them only recognizable by the suggestion of a door frame. Ilea’s sphere pierced that too of course but other than fungi and whatever else dank growth occupied the halls, she didn’t find anything useful.

What an absolute rank place, she mused as her body was cut apart by the golems that followed her smoothly through the corridor. Mostly smooth, as five of them hardly fit.

About an hour passed of her casually strolling through the corridors, retching up blood and guts. The trail would lead her back once more.

“Now this is something different at least,” she murmured before her jaw was separated by a diamond blade.

A rather large building had been carved into a spacious cavern. It was just as moldy and overgrown as the rest. A few glowing mushrooms illuminated the parts she could see.

Two golems were guarding the main entrance. Made of stone luckily, otherwise it would have already rotted away.

Ilea blinked twice and left her entourage behind, appearing in a rather dark hall. Some of the mushrooms were glowing in a pale blue. Enough for her enhanced eyes to see the surroundings.

She advanced deeper into the structure and found a rather spacious hall.

Much of the furniture that surely once adorned this place had joined the growth. She found at least a dozen separate skeletons. Most of them buried and half rotten within the fungi.

Arranged in a circle? she thought and looked at the sarcophagus in the center of the hall. Runes and glyphs unfamiliar to her adorned the overgrown stone.

Her sphere informed her that a person remained inside. Neither a skeleton and neither void of magic. Rouse the old unfamiliar being, or let it sleep?

The answer was quite simple, really.

Ilea tapped the top of the stone with an ashen limb. “Hello, anybody there?”

Nothing happened.

“Do you want to join a group of rogue necromancers? I know a guy.”

This time the thing opened its eyes. It looked around before slamming its hands into the stone.

Dust and spores spread from the sarcophagus, the lid lifted a tiny bit.

Didn’t break it in a single hit. Guess whatever it is, I should be able to handle it.

Ilea waited as the being grunted and gurgled, slamming its fists into the stone. Cracks soon formed until chunks of rock fell to the side.

“You’re really taking your time,” she said and noticed the being now had enough space to bend its elbow, grabbing the straight longsword lying next to it.

A brief slash imbued with powerful magic ripped through the stone. It pushed open the two remaining large pieces of stone and rose.

[Undead Gem Sorcerer – lvl ???]

Ilea felt the pressure of his magic spreading as he focused on her.

Large chunks of flesh still clung to his body, mostly covered by a black tunic. Both had partially resisted the decay. Various yellow and near golden gems glinted on the hilt of his sword.

Parts of the man’s face remained but he was noticeably less charming than Maro.

“Still in there?” Ilea asked.

The sorcerer replied with a slash of his sword, the blade glowing in bright white light as its range was enhanced.

“Not a talker. That’s also fine,” she said and dodged by taking a step back.

The undead didn’t relent, instantly following up with two more slashes, the latter a feint that caught her off guard.

Ilea raised an eyebrow and took the hit, trusting Azarinth Fighting to inform her about the potential damage.

Her ashen armor was cut through but the blade didn’t penetrate particularly deep into her skin.

The magic was used up as soon as it reached my body, she noted as the attacks continued.

She was hesitant about just killing the undead. He wants to kill me, can cut through my armor and his technique, she thought and dodged another three steps back before he caught up, forcing her to blink.

His technique is incredible. Definitely much faster than me, even with my buffs. I doubt he could stand against my attacks for very long but this is already enough.

Ilea instead focused on her skills, dodging and weaving through his attacks as she spread her wings in the hall. It wasn’t perfect but coupled with the Golems, she could now train a variety of her skills without killing anything and leveling up.

My offensive skills are a problem… I’d have to find something resilient enough to take a bunch of my attacks without dying. A quadruple mark would probably fulfill that.

Ilea continued for a while, deciding that this dungeon definitely wasn’t the worst when it came to training, especially for her resistances. Her main skills however could benefit from a powerful boss monster. More so than this undead. Even if he managed to push her, compared to the gem golems that didn’t offer much in the means of resistance.

Could go look for that Basilisk again, she thought. It was pretty far away however. Something a little more local would do the trick. New dungeon tomorrow.

Chapter 450 Steady Climb

Chapter 450 Steady Climb

Ilea returned to Ravenhall the following morning. This time a little earlier to allow for a nice and extended breakfast as the suns rose over the mountains.

The luxury of a buffet served solely for her on a beautiful terrace certainly made up for the rancid smells and blight in the Karheim dungeon. A quick bath in the lake near the city helped clean off most of the dirt and blood. The ice was gone but the water hadn’t been exactly warm. To Ilea, it hardly mattered.

She looked through the steady advancements in her skills with a smile, biting into a croissant.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 22’

Ilea was very much happy with the quick progress in her class skills. The undead was dangerous and quick, his fighting prowess nothing against her healing, defense and regeneration but if she simply let him come and attack, it was enough.

She didn’t know how long this would work so well. Even with the high level of the creature, which she estimated to be in the late five hundreds or early six hundreds, at some point her skills would slow down. For now, she could benefit from the obvious experience the creature still retained.

The Vampire she had killed in the Descent really would have been a prime candidate for leveling. That thing could even take all of her attack skills without dying. She could have just returned whenever she had time. That option was gone now.

Ilea didn’t regret it exactly, knowing that at the time the class levels had been beneficial. She just had to find an equivalent. The undead was a start but not a replacement.

Could inquire about Vampires. Might be able to find one or the other. Or that Werewolf thing I fought with Edwin and co. Hmm, might not be enough at this point.

She continued eating and read the rest of her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 7’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Vine Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Vine Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

Ilea nodded to herself, happy with the improvements. I hope the Descent repopulates with non corrupted creatures. That would be great for resistance leveling.

She wondered how long she should reasonably stay away from the place. The Ascended might not care to hunt her down but the dungeon itself was something it had considered its territory. Might not be the case anymore with what it did to the metal in the end.

Ilea thought a couple of months would be necessary at the very least. Then she could visit Hallowfort again and get some information from Catelyn. She trusted the Fae to inform the fox of her survival.

She finished the hot chocolate with closed eyes, uncaring of the scathing heat pouring down her throat. Some of it was absorbed by her third tier Heat Resistance to provide some warmth. Heart of Cinder could certainly be used for such a result but Ilea currently didn’t have a way to safely get rid of the spell once activated. Sending a beacon of bright energy up into the sky wasn’t something on her list. Especially with the flying guards and birds. Killing humans on accident wasn’t something out of the question anymore.

She left several gold pieces in exchange for two hundred and ninety silver pieces. The waitress reassured her that payment wasn’t necessary but Ilea had already vanished.

Once you’re rich and influential, you apparently don’t have to pay for anything anymore, she thought with a smirk. As if it was an affront to ask the famous Lilith to pay for services or goods provided. Ridiculous.

Jerry looked relieved when Ilea finally showed up, his expression quickly turning to fear as he approached her.

“What’s the matter, Jerry?” she asked with a smile, ignoring the looks from dozens of people hanging around in the arena.

Some of them were trailing the attendant but their questions died down as soon as they spotted Ilea.

“Ah… yes. Greetings, my lady. Erm… it seems the session from yesterday has made its round. I am nearly done with categorizing. Claire informed me to lower the rewards from five silver to two per hour. Nobody left at the announcement so I suggest we lower it further tomorrow. Would that be agreeable to you?” the attendant explained.

“Sure. I trust you two on that so just do what seems appropriate. If possible I suggest we massively increase the reward for new magic provided. Enough to attract Shadows as well,” Ilea explained.

By now she had covered herself with ash. The Healer tag was one thing but she didn’t exactly want every adventurer in the area to know her face.

“Of course. I will discuss the changes. I have listed the main elements for today. Please mark those you do not wish to include,” Jerry added and handed her the book he was carrying.

Ilea glanced through, happy to find a few rarer schools. She scratched the ones she already had at the end of the second tier and added a plus to the rare schools. “Pay the ones I marked with pluses a little better.”

He nodded and took the book back. “I will. If I may add another suggestion,” he said and waited for her to nod. “I suggest we pay those of a higher level with an increased rate. It would both potentially entice some of them to increase their personal power and might attract stronger adventurers.”

“Sure. We can introduce all that gradually. It’s only the second day. Let me know if you have any other suggestions. Discuss them with Claire as well,” Ilea said and stepped to the center of the arena, people stepping aside.

One rather large and heavily armored warrior didn’t step away.

[Warrior – lvl 128]

“Excuse me. That’s my spot. You’re here for the magic training?” Ilea said.

“And you are the one offering it? To level your resistances for sure… I can’t believe a rogue healer would be involved in such a scam. Oh well… when is the noble coming that we will attack?” he asked with disinterest, looking past her.

Some of the people cringed back, others just shook their heads.

Ilea noted that most of them didn’t care either way. She sighed and casually grabbed the man’s arm. She twirled and threw him to the spectator stands, his form crushing several benches in the process.

“Shall we begin then?” she said and clasped her hands together.

Several hours later, she bid farewell to the large group of adventurers.

The undesirables hasn’t been terribly offended when Jerry informed them, merely disappointed that they were not allowed to participate in the lucrative endeavor.

The reduction of the reward proved if anything that the initial sum had been ludicrously high. Only those that had participated on the day prior reacted with more than minor disappointment. Smug more than anything, to have found this gold mine before everybody else.

Ilea questioned their capabilities as adventurers or whatever else they considered themselves to be. There were many ways to increase one’s monetary funds, especially if one could hunt and kill monsters.

There were reasons of course, that Shadows were considered the best of the best. Most everyone else would prefer a safe environment to earn gold, pushed to their adventuring ways by lacking opportunities or a youthful spirit that has waned a long time ago.

If only they had more healers to go with them.

She did note that there were few participants younger than herself or even close to her age.

Ilea checked through her messages as she strolled through the city, towards the headquarters of the Sentinels.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Pain Tolerance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

None of her class skills leveled but at least she found Pain Tolerance to be manageable here compared to the blight dungeon.

She didn’t turn it off, nor removed the resistance altogether but instead let it help her focus. It was still a painful experience but it let her see the spells move within her sphere, let her try and trace the magic. To understand how it formed, how the projectiles impacted her and how her body regenerated.

Her face had been covered by ash but as soon as the attacks started, it was hardly a necessary precaution. The various explosions of elements both prevented her face from being seen, nor from it actually being present most of the time. The combined effort of around seventy mages of various levels proved enough to at least injure her with her resistances and armor deactivated.

So far it kind of came as a surprise that none of them had any new magic to show her. Ilea hoped the increasing rewards for special abilities would be fruitful. She doubted her current skill set already protected her from every adventurer out there.

She reached the headquarters and opened the door, feeling the magic of several enchantments dissipate as soon as she channeled her mana into the entrance. It fell back into place behind her, the defensive magic activating once more.

Fascinating, she thought, once more joyous to have employed the smith’s daughter into her organization. Her potential would have been wasted most everywhere else.

Swords and armor when she can work on teleportation and defensive structures, she thought and smirked.

Ilea waved at Aki who sped out from one of the entrances, checking on the commotion he had either felt or had been informed of by one of the enchantments.

Greetings, she sent through the mind magic she had gotten from her third tier resistance.

“What? How did you do that?!” the dagger turned Taleen machine asked in confusion.

Secret, she sent.

“You defy logic, Ilea. Welcome back. You are early,” he said as his eyes glowed a bright green.

Ilea smiled, thinking of the Praetorians and the danger they had posed. By now she was eager to fight some of them alone. Not that it would prove to be lucrative for her but after the Ascended, she was definitely interested in smashing her old nemesis. Just to feel a little better… a little more in control perhaps.

“Says the sentient dagger controlling a Taleen war machine. I am neither early nor am I late. Lilith always arrives on time… or something like that,” she said and remembered her light staff too late. Not that Aki would get the reference anyway.

“Still clinging to your otherworldly references, I see. It is good to know that at least your mind has not changed too much,” Aki said and turned back to the stairwells.

“What’s the point of life if you are not having fun?” she asked and followed the machine. “I’m here to see Orthan and Iana. Do you know where I can find the former?”

Aki nearly glided down the stairs with lethal precision, his six legs in perfect control. “He is teaching a class at the moment. I shall take over if you wish.”

“You have improved considerably, even though your level remains the same. I hope my display didn’t dishearten you too much,” she said.

The machine turned its head to look at her. “I appreciate that you worry about me but remember, I have been a dagger for millennia. It still fills me with joy to finally have a body to move around in, especially one so powerful. My debt to you is immense and while it is disappointing to see that the gap between us has increased instead of lessened, if anything it makes me proud. To have been owned by you. And to serve you now, in this new form I have taken.”

Ilea tilted her head to the side. “Feels like you changed your tone as well. Where’s the snark?” she laughed.

The machine laughed as well, the sound unnerving and unnatural. “This body provides me with ambient mana… I have found my mind is more stable than before… less inclined to shift to better suit my wielder. I appreciate the sarcasm you have bestowed on me but find it rarely useful when teaching inexperienced students,” he said.

“I see. It’s good to know you’re finding yourself. Maybe you could write a biography about your life at some point. Coming of age of a Taleen war machine. Bet it would sell. Also yes to your earlier question, I’d appreciate talking to Orthan now,” she said.

“My sword arms aren’t particularly suitable for writing. Perhaps I could find a large rock to carve my story into?” he asked in a dry tone, confirming that the Aki she knew was still somewhere in there.

He led her to the fourth floor down where several training halls were located.

She stopped him before he entered. “Aki, just to make sure. You don’t have to serve me and just because you have this body now, I don’t think of it as a debt. Just a favor for a friend. If you wish to pursue your own adventures or endeavors, you are free to do so.”

His eyes glowed a little brighter. “As always. Too kind for your own good. As I said, I like it here. Very much so. Should I ever wish for something else, I shall talk to Trian about it. I consider myself a Sentinel as much as everybody else here. Do not mistake my devotion for obligation. I have seen and judged you with my own mind. I choose to serve you, Ilea.”

She sighed and nodded.

The machine laughed again. “Still that uncomfortable with praise and loyalty? You should get used to it. The way your students think of you will soon be revealed, when their fear and respect is overcome with sheer reverence.”

“Oh god, please no,” she whispered and watched him enter the hall.

“There is no god,” he whispered back in a menacing voice.

Orthan joined her a minute later, closing the large wooden double doors behind him.

She could see some of the students trying to glance out.

More rumors to the pile, she thought, unsure if Maro would remain the only one to form a cult in Ravenhall. Too much familiarity and I will be expected to stay… too much mystery and I will become a myth.

“You seem in turmoil. Greetings, Ilea. Or should I say Lilith?” the old man said. His age didn’t show in his movements or the way he held himself. A dangerous senior for sure.

“Whatever you prefer, Orthan. I have been thinking but that is a battle for myself alone,” she said with a chuckle and walked back to the stairwells, sitting down on them.

The man surprisingly followed suit, sitting down next to her with a sigh. “What can I do for you then?”

She felt the distress slowly grow within him through her sphere and wasn’t exactly sure where it came from.

“I can feel your fear,” she said in a voice as deep as she could manage before she laughed. “Sorry, that was weird. Seriously, there’s no reason to be distressed.”

His eyes opened wide as his heart rate accelerated. He calmed down again in a few seconds. “You can peer into the mind? Or have my abilities to hide my emotions truly deteriorated that much?”

“I can perceive a general feeling of distress. This concerns your abilities and a few suggestions and requests I have,” she replied.

He nodded. “I had feared you wished me removed from the Sentinels,” he said and smiled.

“Trian trusts you and I have no reason to doubt him,” Ilea said.

“I see. He is a good man. I truly enjoy being a teacher, especially in an organization as prominent as this one. I assure you that my experience is worth your while,” he said. “So what is it that I can help you with?”

Ilea nodded and leaned back. “I’m sure you’re doing a great job. There are two main things… you’re a bone mage, right?”

He nodded. “Bone and blood magic are my main tools, yes.”

“That’s good. I thought about potentially supplying the students with bone armor. Maybe mixed with metal but I’m not entirely sure yet. Can you shape bone?” she asked.

His eyebrows quirked up as he considered. “It is unusual. Bone is rather sturdy… just not easy to come by. Its various uses in alchemy and other sectors often make it less profitable to sell to the few armorers that are interested.”

“I doubt my capabilities are enough to produce full fledged armor but perhaps if I work together with a smith or leatherworker, we could figure something out. Metal is easier to come by however, especially if you are looking for a uniform design,” he explained.

“I see,” Ilea nodded. “I can regrow my bones so I thought mine might be suitable. They lose a lot of resilience once removed from my body but I suppose they’re still much stronger than much of the nearby wildlife could provide.”

The man looked at her before he started cackling, turning into a cough before he calmed himself. “To think I challenged you on our first meeting… I thank you for your mercy. It may be possible. With enough bone we could outfit everyone,” he said and nodded.

Chapter 451 Displacing Circumstances

A note from Rhaegar

Check out Essence of Ash if you're looking for some well written worldbuilding and an interesting magic system :).

Chapter 451 Displacing Circumstances

“Do you think it would even be beneficial? Compared to expensive steel? I have plenty of that as well,” she said.

“You shouldn’t underestimate bone. Especially procured from a monster like yourself. It might additionally be able to hold more powerful enchantments. Naturally, bone is better suited against many schools of magic, mana intrusion being one of them,” he explained.

“Great… we can test both I suppose,” she said with a smile.

Ilea continued to explain the need for a lesser blood manipulation agent as well as blood magic resistance training for herself.

The man agreed on both and followed her down to Iana’s stronghold.

Ilea decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and to trust him this far. He had seemed sincere in all their talks and his loyalty to Trian and his family was unquestionable.

The gates opened after she had knocked hard enough on the steel gates to send a pulse of mana through one of the enchantments.

The enchanters waited on the other side.

“Oh no,” Ilea said with a sigh.

“Stop it with the pity,” Iana said. “The runes you brought are fascinating… as are the machines… a marvel. It’s like a whole new world has been opened to us… truly. We fail to understand most of it quite yet but I am sure your discovery will lead to advancements in technology that will revolutionize the settled world,” she said, babbling out the words in quick succession with what seemed like a single breath.

Lost a rapper in you, Ilea thought and sent healing mana into the both of them. “It’s good to hear you can use the information,” she said. “Ready for the testing? We can do it tomorrow as well if you need to sleep a little before.”

Iana shook her head. “We’ve been planning for hours… no. Now is perfect. We can sleep later. I promise that we will, later today.”

Ilea looked at her with suspicion but nodded nonetheless. “Lead the way then. Also, Orthan will be experimenting with the blood manipulation agent I encountered in the north. Can you provide a secure environment within the Core?”

“Of course. Christopher, can you start with the first gate tests?” Iana said.

The man nodded as they entered the Core, both of them immediately activating a variety of enchantments.

Ilea dripped some of the corruption into a small glass container placed within a variety of enchantments she didn’t understand.

Orthan began his work immediately, occasionally asking for tools or resources, all of which Iana could provide.

“Now, just relax and tell me what you see and feel, both with your eyes and magic perception. Signal me verbally or with a lifted hand if the strain is too much,” Christopher explained carefully.

Ilea nodded and relaxed, her ashen armor covering her bone set. She was ready for whatever came.

The whole core sprung to life, magic lighting up in the sphere around her as it rushed through the enchantments and finally into the two platforms in the center.

A light thrumming noise was audible and even Orthan looked up from his work for a moment before he focused back onto the corruption.

Ilea felt the space around her fill with power, the area distorting. A heavy pressure started to form, pushing into her from all directions. Not enough to be a concern. The mana density kept increasing, focused on the center of the platform where she stood.

Something pulled on her left side, her arm lifting slightly without her intention. And then the magic faded.

“Are you ok!?” Iana shouted.

“You don’t have to be so loud,” Ilea said and quickly told them what she had seen and felt.

They gave it another shot with Ilea’s resistances deactivated, both arcane and space.

This time her arm was ripped out entirely.

Iana screamed and Christopher looked away.

“It’s fine, calm down,” Ilea said as she regenerated her arm and spit out some blood. The arcane pressure was rather powerful without her resistance. Her ripped out arm spoke itself for the space magic that happened. Might be a way to train those resistances, she thought.

Enchantments might not be sentient but neither was the blight or poison for that matter.

“Do it again and watch,” she said and once more retold what she herself had experienced.

The two modified a bunch of enchantments after five more tests.

“How’s it going?” Ilea asked Orthan as she joined him while the others worked.

The man looked up with slightly shaking hands. “Do you have any idea what this is?” he asked in a carefully controlled voice.

“An incredibly deadly agent that could wipe out all of humanity if it infects someone?” she asked casually.

He nodded. “Exactly… why did you bring it here?!”

“To get a weaker version… so that if something similarly powerful ever spreads, at least the Sentinels will be immune,” she explained.

“I see. I see. Yes… it makes sense. Still… this is outrageous… I have never seen or heard of anything this potent,” he murmured.

“It’s from a dungeon in the north, made by a being more powerful and ancient than I dared imagine. Even more important to prepare ourselves. Just in case,” she said.

Orthan just nodded in silence, continuing his examination as he took notes. “I will need blood… potent blood… and a variety of ingredients that I doubt you have available,” he murmured.

“Would my own blood be potent enough?” she asked and held out a severed arm.

The man blinked before he hesitantly grabbed the limb, examining the blood. “It is,” he said, as if he admitted something he regretted.

“Talk to Trian for the ingredients. I’m sure we can procure whatever you need,” she added.

The man nodded and thanked her.

“Ready?” she asked and looked at Iana.

The girl swallowed hard and nodded weakly, her face a mask of uncertainty.

“I’m alright, don’t worry,” Ilea said and appeared on the platform again.

“Number six… enchantments version two point six, sequence start,” Christopher said before the pressure resumed.

Ilea felt a pulling again, this time more central. As if she had issues with digesting. It was a little difficult to breathe as well. Nothing major.

She reported the findings and they resumed the test, once again with her resistances deactivated.

I wonder if someone with a third tier space resistance can even use teleportation like this, if it prevents me from being moved, she wondered before her innards vanished.

“Oh?” she exclaimed with the air that was left.

Her body recovered near instantly before she smiled. “Eh… my whole rib cage and stomach as well as nearly all my organs just straight up vanished. I’m not sure if that’s the intention.”

The enchanters both paled and looked at each other.

An hour passed, the enchantments modified several times in that span.

Ilea’s suggestion to weaponize the space gun was dismissed by Iana, her explanation as to why that wouldn’t work going above Ilea’s understanding.

Dismemberment guns… or maybe… Portal? she thought with a smirk. Johnson could do it with a box of scraps, in a cave. Or how did that go? Surely Iana could live up to the task.

Christopher once again read out the next test sequence, by now looking visibly aged.

The magic activated and Ilea instantly felt the pressure built.

It climaxed and ripped out a section of her chest.

She reformed it and immediately looked over to the other platform where an unidentifiable sludge of red appeared and slapped to the ground, splashing blood and bone over the surface with a wet sound.

“YES!!” Iana exclaimed before she covered her mouth in shame, looking at the ground.

Ilea laughed out loud and waved at her. “It’s fine. A marvelous success. The disembowelment gun will be quite the shocker!”

“I told you it’s not possible to make it portable! Nor do we understand why this happens! Stop with the horrific suggestions!” Iana exclaimed, her shame immediately forgotten before she smiled. “Come on, we have a lot to do. The connection was established successfully this time, let’s work on the next version,” she said to her companion.

“I have a class to attend soon but I’ll be back again tomorrow,” Ilea said.

“Of course… thank you for the assistance. It would be impossible for us to do all this without you, I hope that is clear,” Iana said.

Christopher nodded next to her, a hand moving through his disheveled hair.

“I don’t know many people that can easily recover from a ripped out chest either. That’s why I’m here. And why you two work for me,” Ilea said with a smile. “Glad we already made progress today.”

Orthan sighed and stepped away from the cube holding the corruption. “I will need more time. I don’t think it impossible however. It has been a while since I last worked on Blood Manipulation.”

Ilea gave him a thumbs up and stored the glass container in her necklace. “Then you’ll join us tomorrow again. If you don’t mind?”

He nodded. “Of course. Don’t mistake my terror for a lack of interest. I believe I should join you resistance training as well… what happens when someone dies to this substance?”

“What do you think?” she asked.

“They turn into a monstrous beast? Losing all sanity?” he suggested.

“Bingo,” she said and pointed at him with both hands.

“What’s bingo?” he asked, confusion apparent on his face, his gaze focused on the empty cube where the corruption had sat previously.

“A dangerous monster that feeds on the boredom of men. Hope you never encounter it,” Ilea said and ushered him out. “See you two tomorrow!”

They waved and continued their work.

“Also sleep, or I will make you,” Ilea added as the gates closed behind them.

“You are relentless,” Orthan said with a smile. “And here I thought I was a strict instructor.”

“I don’t want them to be consumed by their work… doesn’t seem healthy,” she said.

“It is their passion, their joy. What else is there in life?” he said.

“Doesn’t help if they die of exhaustion,” she murmured. “You can join the class if you want. Trian agreed as well. The Faculty is free to participate. If they can stomach the pain.”

Orthan considered it for a moment before he nodded. “I will join but I might not be able to go through with it.”

Ilea shrugged and entered the unfinished training hall on the sixth floor.

She was a little early, or only a fraction of the students showed up for today’s lesson. “Are we early?”

“I believe so,” Orthan said and stood with some of the students.

They looked at him and each other but nobody dared to murmur. Too few of them were there to reasonably hide it. Not that it would make a difference to Ilea’s ears.

Perhaps to Orthan’s but she had a suspicion that the old man was quite perceptive.

So close to level two hundred but he didn’t push through. Either he leveled when he was already quite old or he chose to not increase his lifespan any further.

Ilea decided that she didn’t care enough to risk a complicated talk. He was free to do whatever he wanted in those regards.

Hmm… don’t plan to just stand here today and watch them train, she thought and blinked to the farthest walls. It looked more like a cavern, unfinished and barely resembling something man carved.

She used a single ashen limb to scratch a variety of targets into the most even surfaces, using her wings to reach the higher up parts of the wall. That should do it, she thought and glanced back to find most of the students had arrived by now.

There were about as many as the day before. Doesn’t seem like a steady decline at least. That’s good.

Ilea landed and greeted everyone, quickly commencing with where they had left off on their previous day.

She used her heavy bow to fire some arrows at the targets she had set up. Her enhanced Eyes of Ash only added the benefit of knowing just how inaccurate her shots were. With time it would surely turn into a benefit too.

She added spears and arrows of ash that were shot from where they came into existence into the mix, finding them a little more accurate as she didn’t have to manually aim them with her bow. The lack of string helped too.

The students in the meantime endured her ash attacks, blood manipulation and the occasional shock from Trian.

Ilea finished with a session of meditation and literal soul searching. She could tell there was something, her essence. It proved a massive struggle to even grasp its edges however.Practice and time, she told herself and aimed another arrow at one of the targets.

A few of the students reported both levels in Mental and Fear Resistance. The strain on their minds must have been palpable.

She assumed it had to do with students overcoming their previous fear of the training, joining again when they stayed away on the previous day. The Mental Resistance was welcome but a little worrying too. The strain she put them under was so much as to evoke it as a necessary growth.

It’s the first hurdle… they’re only getting stronger, she tried to steady herself, her healing continuously flowing into all of them.

Ilea watched them grit their teeth, fighting against the corruption that ate into their bodies, against the ash that sliced into their flesh.

She could feel the fear, the distress, and the pain. Each expression was a little different. Furious for some, determined for others, fearful and resilient or even joyous. Whatever it was that drove them, it kept them here. Made them endure. And she was proud. Of each and everyone of them.

You will grow to become Sentinels yourself, able to protect and heal those you call your own.

The training ended without a major incident, the students leaving exhausted but not quite as terrified as they had been the previous days.

She watched them leave through her sphere and aimed yet another arrow.

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 6’

The message made her miss the target, appearing in her mind as she aimed. An eyebrow quirked up when another message appeared.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Sage of Torment – lvl 1

Sage of Torment – lvl 1

You have reached strength through pain and struggle. With time they have become companions on your way to power. As long as you train those willing, they shall find comfort and resilience in your presence. You are an example of what is possible, through sheer tenacity. Also, you inflict a lot of pain.

Ilea sighed at the message before she shook her head. I have become a torturer, haven’t I?

She wondered if her actions were any different from the Dark Ones she stopped back in Lisburg. The subjects were willing and the benefits were obvious. She wasn’t looking for information out of an already defeated foe. She wasn’t inflicting pain for the sheer sake of it.

Well, to an extent she was but only to ultimately make them immune to its effects.

The existence of skills really fuckswith ethics, doesn’t it?

She sighed again and reminded herself that the students were here by choice. That she was in fact helping them acquire necessary skills in a safe manner.

“Doubting yourself?” Trian asked as he joined her. “For what it’s worth… I focused on it today. The reaction of my mind was soothed by your healing. I am almost certain. It’s different with you here. Your magic provides both warmth and security.”

Don’t want to know what kind of skill that will grant me, she thought with a smirk.

“I’m okay. It’s not a forever thing either. As soon as they have Pain Tolerance in the second tier, we can really start,” she said.

“A few are already above level ten. I doubt somebody could normally take that without heavy damage to their brain. Not without the kind of healing your provide,” he said.

“Time and therapy can heal some wounds,” Ilea said.

“Neither of which is usually provided,” Trian said and winked. “How did the testing go?”

Ilea walked towards the exit. “Managed to teleport some of my innards. An absolute win, I’d say.”

“Sounds unpleasant,” Trian said and glanced back at the hall. “Not as unpleasant as the chamber of agony.”

“That the official name?” Ilea asked.

The man chuckled lightly. “I overheard it. Testing grounds is another one. A little more positive. Hall of tears might be my favorite but I admit it is less fitting.”

“Huh, didn’t take you for a poet,” she said.

Trian glanced at her with an unreadable expression. “If you take that as poetry, I pity your reading habits.”

She just waved him off. “I like fun stories. I’m not much for the finer arts of reading.”

“You should try. It is rather enlightening. Makes you truly appreciate the wording and hidden implications in contracts. The terrifying power of Claire will only reveal itself through such a lens,” he explained.

“I prefer to stay ignorant. She is capable enough as it is,” Ilea said. “Do you know if Dagon is in Viscera?”

“Planning to visit? He should be. They barely ever leave their library these days. Not that I know much about his time management before the demons,” he said with a smile.

“At least Elise didn’t change much,” Ilea said and grinned. “Did we ever get any trouble because of that by the way?”

“Not so far. The Empire is busy as is. I am sure the Library of Souls is shouldering a part of the work. With our independence, it will be difficult for them to demand anything. Especially people,” he said.

Ilea nodded. “Let’s hope they never try. For their sake.”

Chapter 452 Seeker

Chapter 452 Seeker

“The news you brought was highly disturbing,” Dagon said as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. He offered the bottle to Ilea with a questioning glance.

“Thanks, I prefer ale,” she said and sat down in the armchair opposite his large table.

Elise had joined them as well.

“Jasmine managed to get a letter out. Her theories align with what you told Claire,” she said and sighed. “To think we were controlled to such a degree.”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“The most prominent libraries, collections of knowledge of humanity, their stories, and legends… lost all records of one of the most cataclysmic events in history,” Elise explained.

Ilea crossed her legs. “I doubt it’s the only one. We stretch only through the plains…,”

Dagon shook his head in a solemn way and took a sip of his drink. “Three thousand years should not be enough for us to forget. This was a conscious effort. Either by the Ascended or another perpetrator,”

Or we just forgot. Because three thousand years is a long fucking time, Ilea thought. She didn’t mention it, not about to present the two esteemed professionals with the possibility of utter human failure. Something that was more than common, she found. How much was lost with the library of Alexandria? How much would be lost if Viscera was wiped out and burned?

As long as books made of paper were the main medium of storing knowledge, there was always a possibility of eradication.

“I assume you are not here for that?” Elise asked.

Ilea felt a little reminded of her visit to Walter and his necromancers after her training in the Hand. Elise had been the one to try and dissuade her from going north in the first place. And now she had returned with even more power. They could feel it, surely.

The body language showed. Or perhaps it was merely the news she had brought several days prior.

“Apologies for not talking to you immediately. It felt a little like an interrogation the last time,” Ilea said, thinking that perhaps they had seen it as an insult of some kind.

“Not at all, dear. But you must understand that the world has expanded even farther… the implications of your information are… hard to digest,” Elise said with a weak smile.

“Of course. We will focus on what we can do to protect ourselves and expand,” Ilea said.

“The Medic Sentinels,” Dagon said with a smirk. “A grand idea. I just hope you are prepared to face the scorn of the established healing orders.”

She shrugged. “I’ll take that hurdle when I get there. For now, they have no influence here. As soon as they take us seriously, it will be too late. They will either accept our presence or they will vanish.”

They glanced at each other with uncertainty. Even fear perhaps.

Ilea sighed. “I won’t incite conflict for not reason, calm down you two.”

“Power tends to corrupt, even those of a good heart,” Dagon said.

“Then it is your job to tell me if I do get corrupted. If creating an organization to provide healer for adventurer and Shadow teams is corruption, then perhaps we should consider the definition of the word,” Ilea said. “I’m not however here to talk about my sanity, corrupted mind or moral alignment. Did your inquiries lead to anything useful?”

“We are on the same side, Ilea. We merely consider the potential real results of our actions and those of our friends. The independence of Ravenhall has so far led only to prosperity but times can change quickly. The political balance is fickle and we need to question our decisions constantly, lest we are conquered or destroyed,” Dagon said as he summoned a stack of papers.

That’s why I leave the details to Claire and Trian, she thought.

“Eve Aillan. A name we suspect to be entirely made up. As is the little information she provided to the Hand upon joining. Some of the testers were apparently blown away by her abilities in both mind magic and well… her ability to vanish. You should know plenty about that,” the man continued.

“The contact at the library of souls offered some suggestions too, on both of the targets you mentioned. Sadly neither is listed with the names you have mentioned,” Elise said.

“It took us a couple weeks to cross reference the specific abilities we know and any records we have from various adventurer guilds, libraries, information brokers, assassin guilds and our own records. We assumed looks to be deceiving but focused on the specific genders. It is possible that both Eve and the man, Albert, you have mentioned, had ways to hide such information but it is unlikely,” she said and joined Dagon, moving some of the documents on the table.

“There were several girls that fit the assumed lower evolved abilities. Records of at least one hundred and twenty three point to a combination of similar classes. Around three hundred if one counts those seen as deceased. If we assume her age, size, and body type to not massively differ from what she presented to the Shadow’s Hand, it narrows it down to about thirty.”

“Upon further investigation, a single girl stood out. One Olivia Sarken. Born and raised in Farport, a town of about two thousand in the south eastern part of Lys. The description of her looks only loosely fits the Eve you know but it does not differ too greatly to be out of the question.”

“What made you focus on her then?” Ilea asked.

“She had several encounters with the guard and local authorities. Asked questions that even the informants we contacted were vary of mentioning. It concerned local nobility. Some of which mysteriously vanished around ten years ago.”

“The girl was found guilty of murder, hunted down by a group of Imperial Scouts, and killed in the woods near the town,” Elise explained.

Ilea motioned for her to continue.

“The evidence to convict her was shallow at best. Connections that would make little sense to a reasonable judge but it seems the disappearance of nobility made some influential people nervous. Most of the records on her were destroyed. Her family supported the pursuit,” Elise said.

“The scouts reported the target taken care of and returned to Virilya. However… they never arrived.”

The soup is getting dense, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“A stray monster ambushed and killed them, their bodies only found by a traveling merchant weeks later. Ripped apart and strewn about in a manner that shocked the man so much his business soon failed and he drunk himself to death only three months later. The case was documented and shelved. Investigations into the area were deemed too dangerous. A quest was offered to the nearest adventurer guild but nobody deemed the reward worthy enough. And that… was that.”

“Thorough investigation,” Ilea said.

“The merchant guilds do keep the best records after all. Now all that isn’t enough to warrant a connection. If it weren’t for a short interview with various guards and guild representatives in Farport. Olivia was notorious for vanishing, often associated with an eerie humming sound that resulted in a small legend that her ghost still haunts the town.”

Ilea chuckled.

Elise nodded. “Some children apparently still hum a tune associated with her and with how guarded the informants were, we believe its possible that Olivia still lives on in more than a few hearts of the town. The local nobility guards their secrets closely but it isn’t however impossible to see the connections. The average wealth of farmers increased greatly after the killings and the allocation of taxes took a swift turn to more… community oriented projects.”

“She faked her own death,” Ilea said and considered. “None of the others fit her abilities?”

“A few do… same with their age and body types but motives don’t line up, nor are many of them still alive. Even if we consider that they faked their own deaths. Olivia is your best bet. Until proven wrong, we believe it to be her,” Elise said.

Dagon nodded.

“Alright. I’ll visit the town at one point and inquire about her. Thanks for the inquiries,” Ilea said, almost at a loss about what she should do with all that. Olivia, hmm?

“Do you think it would be easy to find me?” she asked, the thought suddenly striking her.

Elise smiled. “Much of the detailed information about you is with us and we would not part with that except if you started to massacre whole towns for whatever reason. We have been tracking stories and information about all council members however. Ilea and Lilith come up the most. You certainly leave an impression wherever you go. However that doesn’t mean it is easy to pin you down. The abundance of information creates a veil.”

“Riverwatch, Virilya, Dawntree, Ravenhall and many other places. The general consensus is probably that you are a Shadow and armored in black. Ash and healing is mentioned often but the info on your looks, specific abilities, allegiances, and age vary so much, you might as well be thirty people,” Elise explained with a smirk.

“The time differences between emerging stories makes it hard to believe you are a single person,” Dagon added. “Considering the geography. I assume your flight speed is rather advanced.”

“That it is,” she confirmed. “What about Scipio?”

Dagon sighed. “He is a mystery. There are barrier mages that can do similar things but nothing to the extent you described and none of them is at that level. Albert is a somewhat common name but Scipio doesn’t show up in any records.”

“The most peculiar thing however… and potentially a better lead than even with Olivia, is the fact that we received an answer from the Foundation of Glass. Directly. Addressed to me,” he said and summoned a single sheet of paper.

“Esteemed librarian of the Shadow’s Hand, Dagon Keywire

I have been informed that you have inquired about an individual named Scipio. I would like to invite you to discuss his whereabouts in person.

Regards,

Evan Trayne”

Dagon handed the letter to Ilea after he had read it out loud.

“Evan Trayne is… to our knowledge, the current head of the Seekers and potentially the most influential person in the Foundation. His interest could mean many a thing,” Dagon said.

“Danger most of all,” Elise supplied.

“Guess I can meet him at some point. It’s not a priority,” Ilea said and stored the letter.

Doubt Scipio or Albert, whatever his name is, knows more than the Fae. Still worth finding, if only to pay him back for that fight we had. And if it provides a meeting with such an important guy from the Foundation, it could open a lot of doors. If I need that.

“I advise you to be careful, at the very least. The Foundation is comparable to the Shadow’s Hand. Instead of mercenaries, their power comes form knowledge. Don’t let it mislead you, however. They should have plenty of high level individuals,” Dagon explained.

“Sure. I’m always careful,” Ilea said with a grin.

Elise shook her head as Dagon finished his drink. He winked at her when he was done.

Ilea bid them farewell and joined Claire in more dancing classes, letting Cless draw her several times.

The dancing sadly didn’t lead to much quite yet but the little girl didn’t disappoint.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Be it seers, oracles, or madmen. Undeniably there are those gifted with the ability to pierce the veils of space and time itself. You must be important enough to warrant special attention, leading to a resistance to such magic. If anything, this new ability will increase said attention but at the very least, your most private moments might not be so easily perceived.

The skill was very much welcome, especially to the little voice in Ilea’s head reminding her of the Ascended. She doubted the creature itself had an ability like Cless’ but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare herself against it.

If she ever clashed with the Elven domains, it might be useful too. And she assumed it would happen, at one point or the other.

For the night, Ilea decided to visit a new dungeon on her list. The Gem golems were certainly effective to level some resistances but none of them provided essential defenses. The undead creature that remained within its sanctum would be overshadowed by many more dangerous monsters out there and Ilea wasn’t about to dismiss other locations before at least checking them out.

There were several on the map but she chose another one with a skull mark.

It led her to the west of the Ravenhall, to the Kingdom of Kroll. The dungeon was supposedly located on the mountain chain separating the Navali forest and the human plains from the Isanna desert in the south.

The flight was a little longer than visiting the Karheim dungeon but with her third tier wings, long distances weren’t much of an issue anymore. Nor was the otherwise difficult to traverse geography.

Her eyes allowed her to pick up distant light sources as well as movements illuminated by the setting suns.

She found hunting parties and soldiers, lone adventurers and even a few farms. When she reached the mountainous area, Ilea decided to land near a camp fire partially hidden between a group of large boulders.

Already, she was nearly back at the height of Ravenhall. Nothing compared to the North but she assumed these to be at least moderately dangerous territories. More so than the plains at the very least.

She decided to don her casual clothes and leather armor to approach.

Several figures sat around the small fire, talking in subdued voices. A woman stood guard on top of a boulder, spotting Ilea as she closed in on foot.

A whistle from the lookout made the others scramble up, wary as they emerged from behind the rock formation.

“Who goes there!?”

Ilea waved. “Lone healer, looking for a dungeon nearby,” she answered and kept her pace.

“A healer… hey Edgar, maybe she could fix your leg,” one of them said as he looked to one of the men.

Ilea identified them as she approached, finding them to be between level one twenty and one forty. Two mages, a warrior and a ranger.

The latter approached her with a friendly smile. “Good to meet you, I’m Sean. We were also on the way to the dungeon.”

“Ilea, nice to find a group finally,” she said, noticing that the mage, Edgar, had trouble standing upright. “I planned to visit the Caverns of Rot. That the same one you’re looking for?”

Sean nodded. “Yes. It’s just another hour up the mountain. Are you here on order’s business?”

She waved him off. “No, no. I was in the area and heard about it. Thought I might find a team already there. I don’t permanently join groups. Should I have a look at his leg?”

“That would be wonderful, really,” Sean said and looked at the others. He got some looks and a couple of nods. “Do you think there’s a possibility of joining our team? I can tell you’re not a run of the mill healer but if you are looking for a group. We explored the caverns several times in the past months and know our way around.”

Ilea thought about it. They seemed nice enough and certainly capable and prepared. The fact that they had a lookout that immediately spotted her was already a good sign. They knew the dungeon and more importantly, the way there.

Might be fun, joining a team again for a little while, she thought. Good way to test my capabilities in protecting a group, helping them level. If the dungeon has something on a similar level as the Golems in it.

“Sure. I’ll join for the night. How do you share loot, or are you here on a quest?” she said.

Sean seemed relieved. “That’s great news. Thank you. We mostly protect Edgar over there as he collects herbs. If we manage to catch some Mist Butterflies, we sell the parts and split the rewards. Same with the herbs. Bloodroot and Maar grass sell quite well in Utach.”

“Ah, I see. That sounds good to me,” she said with a smile and joined Edgar.

[Mage – lvl 142]

The man was dressed in similar gear to her own, various bags and compartments tied to several belts he wore both on his waist and around his chest. He had dark skin and green eyes, a little stubble on his chin, his head otherwise clean shaven. Other than a small knife, he didn’t seem to carry any weapons. As was often the case with mages.

“Let me have a look,” she said and crouched down, touching his knee. It was swollen and slightly bent. “What happened?” she asked and poured healing mana into it. A trickle really, to make sure it didn’t immediately pop back into place.

The man looked at her with a bit of suspicion, his demeanor changing at the question as he scratched the back of his head.

“He lost a bet,” the woman said. “Sophia, nice to meet you. Completely inconspicuous high level healer who travels alone.”

“Didn’t make the jump,” the warrior and fourth member of the group said with a wicked smile, chuckling right after.

“It’s cold,” Ilea said as the knee slowly healed.

“Used some magic, helps with the swelling,” Sophia said and smiled, forming a crystal of ice in her hand.

Ilea nodded and continued with her subdued healing. The knee still soon returned to normal.

Edgar sighed and sat down on a nearby rock. “Thank you,” he said with a nod.

“No worries. Did I interrupt your dinner?” she asked and glanced at the heavy black pot in which a delicious smelling broth was cooking.

“Joined more than interrupted. Care to have a plate?” Sean asked.

“I’d love to,” Ilea replied with a smile. She noted Sophia giving her another glance before she climbed back onto the boulder, resuming her watch.

Chapter 453 Adventuring

Chapter 453 Adventuring

“So, what brings a lone healer up to the Caverns of Rot?” Sean asked as he filled a bowl with broth, handing it to her with a spoon.

The man was wearing light armor, mostly leather, steel plate protecting some of his vitals. He had short brown hair and a short beard, neither particularly kept in check. She assumed he cut it himself. The ranger wasn’t particularly handsome but he seemed kind enough, his demeanor professional and experienced above all.

Ilea thought he was likely in his early thirties, perhaps a little younger. She assumed the bow and quiver resting near one of the boulders was his.

“I’m looking to pick up some general skills, mostly. Resistances and whatever else I can learn,” she said with a smile, thanking the man as she received the food.

Sean glanced at her and nodded. “For your next evolution I presume? Or just to become more durable?” he said and chuckled.

“I approve,” the warrior said in a deep tone, his name as of yet unknown. He was twice as beefy as the rest of them, his long blond beard braided. Coupled with his unkempt blond hair, the man looked more like a viking than most. Not that the two handed battle axe was any indication already.

“For evolutions, yes. It’s reasonably simple to get resistances as a healer. No permanent damage,” she said and started eating. A hearty stew with carrots and some other vegetables, potatoes, and meat. Rabbit, judging by the bones that she saw near the fireplace.

“Except for the pain,” Sean said. “I have entertained the thought of getting a healer class but at this point it’s just too risky. With all the work I already invested.”

“Are you part of an order?” Edgar asked, an unreadable expression on his face.

“No,” Ilea said simply.

“Are you lying?” the man asked in the same tone.

“No,” she said again and smiled, chewing on some meat.

“I like her,” the viking man said. “My name is Colt. Are you up for fucking?”

Edgar threw a spoon at the man. They stared at each other for a moment before both started laughing.

“Nice to meet you Colt. I prefer someone with a little less meat in their head,” Ilea said and casually continued eating. She heard a chuckle from atop a nearby boulder.

“Can you fight at least?” Colt asked as he filled his bowl.

“I dabble,” Ilea replied.

“Colt, leave her alone. Just because she’s a higher level doesn’t mean you should just challenge her,” Sean said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Ilea said. “If any of you have interesting magic I could get a resistance to, I’d love to have some bouts,” she said and winked at the warrior.

“I use earth magic,” Edgar said.

Ilea shook her head. “Earth and Ice I already have.”

“Oh?” Colt said.

Ilea looked at him but didn’t say anything else.

“Just between the two of us, what level are you at?” the man asked as he leaned a little forward, whispering the words.

She smirked and leaned closer as well. “Three forty,” she whispered sheepishly and slurped up the rest of her soup.

Sean chuckled and Edgar smiled.

“Really?” Colt asked with wide eyes.

“No you damn idiot,” the ice mage said from atop the boulder.

Good ears the lot of them, Ilea thought. Instincts, maybe not as much. Cooking, pretty nice.

“What? Because you don’t think it’s possible? You fight, you get stronger, you kill, you get stronger. It’s simple. You get injured, you die. You’re a healer, you survive,” Colt explained as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

Edgar laughed and the others joined in.

Ilea chuckled, mostly because of his deadpan delivery. She couldn’t agree more.

“You should think about getting some healing skills then,” she said to the man.

He nodded. “Yes. Can you teach me?”

“I’m not sure if I can. I didn’t exactly learn it in a formal way. Try to ask some healers in town later. I’m sure some are willing to give you a few pointers,” she suggested.

“You overestimate the generosity of the orders. They would rather let you die than have more people capable of healing,” Edgar said.

Ilea chuckled. "Well, you could also try one of the guards. They should have a couple healers too."

"That would be a more sensible option, yes," Sean said. "They don't have unlimited personnel either."

"Just pay them," Edgar suggested.

"I will simply grab one of them. Healers are weak," Colt said with a wide grin.

"Well protected too, most of the time," Ilea said and nodded.

"Not now," he said and pointed his spoon at her.

Ilea smiled back. "I assure you. I am."

"She's right, Colt. I will personally freeze your dick off if you touch her," Sophia said as she jumped down from the boulder.

Ilea wondered if the woman didn't have a teleportation spell or if she simply chose not to use it.

She had medium length brown hair, bound into a single braid and vanishing under the padded robe she was wearing. It didn't look like the fancy robes Ilea had seen on some high level mages, instead made out of treated hide and in a light brown color. Visible repairs and patched up parts showed that the woman either really liked the duster or simply didn't have enough gold to buy an upgrade.

Sophia looked pleasant enough, easy to smile it seemed and certainly easy to joke. Her dark brown eyes moved between the party and their surroundings with trained ease, catching everything that would be out of the ordinary. A short blade sheathed on her hip made it clear that she wasn't relying solely on her magic.

"You never allow any fun," the warrior said but his smile remained.

"I'm not the boss. You are free to try," Sophia said as the air around her grew cooler.

Ilea could see the magic form within her sphere and smirked. She noted that Edgar had kept his gaze on her. Not one to trust a healer, hmm?

"Table it for later, you two. Everyone ate and Edgar's leg is fine again. Let's leave before night is upon us," Sean said and grabbed his bow and quiver, shouldering his pack as well.

Ah, I forgot about that. Not that a lone healer wouldn't already be suspicious enough.

None of them actually mentioned it but she could tell that Edgar continued to glance her way from time to time.

"You are quite brave," Sophia said as she joined her, carrying her pack now too. "Even with your level. I wouldn't travel alone. Not even if I was at two hundred."

"I enjoy traveling into the unknown," Ilea said. "Makes it easier to be desired in a group due to my abilities… and if I get hurt, I just have to escape somehow."

The woman nodded. "Your second class is more combat oriented then?"

"Magic actually, but yes," Ilea said and formed an ashen lance that looked considerably less deadly than her usual creations, made in the same time it would take her to create twenty full power ones.

"Hmm, Ash, isn't it? I would say it doesn't look particularly impressive but you are a creator… that changes things." Sophia said.

"Yes. It's quite useful. Especially to create a diversion and escape," Ilea said with a smile. It wasn't technically a lie.

"I can imagine that. Ice is a little less useful when it comes to that. Quite deadly on the other hand," Sophia said and winked.

Does she think I will try to make an escape?

They shared some stories as they trekked up the mountain, reaching the supposed dungeon entrance a little under an hour later. The suns had mostly set by now, leaving them in near complete darkness.

Ilea didn't comment on it, assuming that either Sean or one of the others had a way to see well in the dark, maybe even all of them.

A number of torches placed atop a two meter stone wall flickered in the cool wind, illuminating the guard patrolling on top.

"Adventurer team coming up," Sean spoke loudly, making sure the guard heard him.

"Level?" the question came back.

"Ruby," Sean said and approached the wooden gate set into the stone.

"Ruby," the guard muttered before he turned away. "Open the gates."

Ilea looked on as the gate was opened, not by an enchantment or mechanism but by the sheer strength of a single guard, a level one hundred and five warrior.

He grunted and watched them, his eyes shifting between them, opening wide when they found Ilea.

"Lilith…," he whispered as soon as they had passed.

Ilea didn't look back but she was surprised someone out here in Kroll would make the connection. An assumption really. She wasn't showing her ash after all, she was simply a high level healer. A rarity in its own right anyway.

Various structures had been built behind and connected to the walls, a dirt road leading to the dungeon entrance at the end of the makeshift village. It looked like the same mages who put up the wall had worked on everything else, as if the whole base had been poured from the same mold.

Lanterns and oil lamps placed on the buildings provided illumination, aided by the dimmed lights from behind the windows. The sounds and smells of an inn indicated the most popular spot in the vicinity, one adventurer passed out to the side of the entrance and another currently puking out his dinner.

"Lovely place," Ilea said and smiled.

"Right," Sophia murmured.

"Hah, just wait until you see the dungeon," Colt said. "Beautiful creatures."

"Quite deadly," Sean said and extended with a short explanation on what would wait for them inside. Blood magic ravens one should avoid, around level one fifty usually. The herbs they were after could be found deeper inside, where Mistwings, a type of mist magic butterfly sometimes showed up.

"Level one hundred? Nothing worse down there?" Ilea asked, not quite able to hide her disappointment.

"There are creatures lurking in the dark. Those who tempted fate have lost their lives," Sean said.

"How insidious. Any real information? They're just monsters," Ilea said.

"A few have reported abominations out of nightmares. The teams who actually went deeper and survived have not shared their findings with the public. The local guild only cared enough to warn people not to go into the dark sections," Sophia explained.

"Two hundred and higher is what I heard," Edgar said.

"With the people that vanished, I can believe it," Sophia commented.

"Can we stop by the inn?" Colt asked and looked at the ranger.

"After our delve, it's always the same, Colt," Sean said, obviously not for the first time. And not for the last, according to the grin on Colt's face.

"Sophia, can you arrange the usual two rooms?" he said.

The woman nodded and walked off, entering the inn.

"For later tonight, whenever we return," Sean explained as he looked at Ilea. "Depending on your contribution, it will be on us."

I probably own the inn, she thought and nodded. "That's generous, Sean. Thank you."

They already went to the entrance of the dungoen, the ranger paying a fee for each of them to enter.

One would think they’d want there to be fewer monsters and more powerful people. Doesn’t seem like it, Ilea thought as she looked at the guard.

Sophia joined them a few minutes later.

“I trust you know how to work in a team?” Sean asked.

Ilea nodded. “You fight, I heal.”

“Simple enough,” Sean said and chuckled. “I like you so I won’t ask about your specific abilities. Don’t make me regret that, okay?”

She just smiled. If I were a man eating demon, you would be such an easy target, Sean. It’s almost comical.

It seemed that healers really did get a lot of benefits when it came to suspicion. Dale hadn’t really questioned her back in Riverwatch either. Just a random unaffiliated healer showing up in the wild. Anybody else’s interrogation would have been a little more extensive. And possibly violent.

Cruising through as a healer, she thought and smirked as they entered the dungeon.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered Caverns of Rot’

Nice, now let’s hope this place has a little more than a bunch of birds and butterflies.

______________________________

Sophia positioned herself behind Ilea, if that was really her name. She agreed with Sean. The benefits of a healer outweighed anything she could do to them.

Alone, she would be overwhelmed. If she wasn’t much higher in level than two hundred. Sophia had considered it but the notion was so ridiculous she dismissed it. Not because a healer of that level wasn’t a possibility, simply because someone like that wouldn’t join a random group of adventurers they came across in the Kroll mountains.

They would be an influential figure, a general, the head of a healing order or perhaps a high ranking mercenary or adventurer. None of that fit with Ilea.

Might be she’s just looking for a change of pace from whatever she did before. Or she’s telling the truth and just joins various adventuring groups on a whim. The risks involved are high, especially for a healer… on the other hand, it sounds quite exciting. And you’re not bogged down by the same faces all the time.

Sophia preferred the trust she had in her team to such an uncertainty. At first she had assumed Ilea to be an outlaw, her group waiting somewhere after she had poisoned, slowed or trapped them somehow.

There had however not been any unknown faces in town. She had inquired with the inn keeper and the guard, asking about Ilea and potential troublemakers.

One of them had whispered the name Lilith but hadn’t elaborated on it. The inn keeper had told her about the mysterious healer from Ravenhall. A member of the Shadow’s Hand it seemed, one apparently wielding ash.

Sohpia could see how she might be part of the Shadows, with her level so high. That would still not necessarily be a problem. Quite the opposite. They had a good reputation. As long as you didn’t cross or betray them, they usually stayed true to their word.

And still. The woman was so unthreatening and casual. Sohpia just couldn’t see her being anything but what she said she was.

“Stay low,” Sean said as they entered the trenches, coming out into the vast open cavern, littered by bones and a few burnt down trees.

The system of dug out and reinforced pathways was extensive. Moonlight shined in from a few cracks in the distant ceiling.

“Why the trenches?” Ilea asked, looking around.

“To avoid the flock of ravens. A few we can handle, especially with Sophia’s ice. Blood attracts more however… we’d be picked clean in seconds,” Sean explained in a whispering tone, looking out for the creatures.

Maybe not, with a healer, Sophia thought as she gauged Ilea’s reaction. She didn’t seem to care at all. A few glanced into the dark and a slight smirk Sophia nearly missed. What did you see?

She tried to follow her gaze but couldn’t find anything. She likes being in danger… that much is obvious. Maybe that’s why she chooses lower leveled teams. Her type usually doesn’t make it very long. Might just be her healing prevented an untimely death.

They made it through the labyrinth without catching the attention of a raven, a few of them occasionally flying by.

“What kind of magic do they use?” Ilea asked as soon as they had passed the main cavern.

Sophia carefully surveilled the dimly lit cave. By now she knew nearly every nook and cranny. It still never hurt to make sure nothing was lurking for them.

“The Rupture beaks?” Sean asked. “I never stopped to ask.”

Colt grunted. “Saw someone getting ripped apart by them. Seen it before… blood magic,” he said.

The man was an undisciplined chattermouth with a distinct absence of any kind of manners. As soon as they were in immediate danger, he got quiet and focused. He too was scanning the area with a casual grip on his axe.

“Interesting,” Ilea said absentmindedly, scratching her chin as she glanced back the way they came.

“We won’t battle them,” Sohpia said.

Ilea looked her way and tilted her head a little.

Sophia felt her breath get stuck in her throat as she took a small step back. What?

The moment passed as Ilea walked by. “Shame.”

She tried not to let her reaction show. Goosebumps, really? Who the fuck is she?

Not to trust one’s instincts was a sure death down in a dungeon. She just didn’t exactly know what to do with this information. Is it even new? She’s a higher level… maybe that’s enough? No… you have faced Shadows before and some that were close enough. Only two made you feel anything close to that. And they were using magic. There was nothing there just now. Her presence alone? Maybe it’s a healer thing.

“So, should we find some butterflies? I will heal you if you get injured,” Ilea said to Colt as she joined him.

The dull blue light from a common mushroom illuminated the way ahead, interspersed by lanterns, some still holding burning oil.

She signaled Sean with a hand gesture.

The man winked and joined her.

“She’s dangerous,” Sophia whispered when she thought they were far enough away.

“I know. I believe she’s trustworthy. Your call,” he said.

Maim and escape, kill with all we have, trust her and go on. Or talk to her about it.

She was sure the last option was the worst. The first two were risky but so was the third.

“I trust your judgement. Let’s continue. Just be prepared,” she whispered.

Chapter 454 A test?

Chapter 454 A test?

Ilea had really thought the day to day life of adventurers was more exciting. Maybe she and the Shadow’s Hand really were outliers as much as she was made to believe.

They were literally protecting Edgar, the man collecting herbs in the various caves they had explored.

The group knew their way around, checked for hidden monsters at every corner. It certainly was efficient, if the goal was to collect herbs and not fight a single creature for the whole duration of their delve.

Could just Monster Hunter me some creatures out of the depths… no Ilea, don’t risk the lives of some honest and hard working herb collectors.

_______________________________

She’s bored, Sohpia thought. This is not the time to be bored… it’s the time to be vigilant.

A muffled scream resounded from one of the tunnels.

Everyone turned towards the direction. Sophia checked in the opposite direction, in case of an ambush. Nothing was there.

“I’ll go check it out,” Ilea said and started walking.

“No… what, wait!” Sean called out as he dashed close to her, bow out and an arrow nocked.

“That didn’t sound pleasant, I will go. Stay if you like,” the healer said and vanished.

Sophia opened her eyes wide and looked for her, finding herself unable to locate the woman. How far did she go?

She looked around frantically.

“What do we do boss?” Colt asked, axe at the ready.

Sean was unsure, the ranger glancing towards Sophia.

“You want to go after her?” she asked and sighed. A thin layer of ice formed on top of her skin, below her duster and clothes.

She could feel the magic from her companions, skills activating.

“We vote, in favor?” Sean asked.

Edgar was the only one against but that didn’t matter. He nodded and prepared, stone armor forming on his body as bits and pieces of rock joined from the ground below.

Sean motioned them towards the scream and sped up, forming a couple of gestures with his hands.

Quiet, leave space, potential trap, Sophia interpreted. There were many reasons the ranger was their leader. She agreed with the assessment and followed behind, leaving Edgar to protect her back.

They have worked together for so many years, no further words needed to be said.

The tunnel lead downwards, few mushrooms remaining that would provide light. The guild’s warning was on her mind, and likely on those of her companions. They were risking their lives for a stranger. Sean just can’t help it.

And yet she was still here, ready to help. We will all die for this at one point or the other. Maybe today is the day.

She felt her mana flow through her body, the air cooling around her.

A distant light source illuminated a small cavern. Fire, a torch.

Burnt flesh, she thought and sniffed the air. It was getting warmer, despite her ice.

Her eyes widened as their group came into the open space. Blood, limbs and guts littered the ground, most of it partially burnt. Bones looked out from various sections.

It took everything she had not to puke out her dinner. Sean couldn’t handle it.

She saw movement behind a large bulge of scorched meat and focused on it, blades of ice forming on her arms as she crouched lightly.

“It’s me,” a voice resounded.

“Ilea?” Sophia asked.

“Yep… found a group of adventurers. Only one survived,” she said and suddenly turned her head. “More coming, prepare to fight.”

They were all prepared. “Colt, get the survivor and let’s-”

A gurgling sound washed through the area.

Fuck

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of a powerful beast. You are paralyzed for two seconds’

A creature shuffled into the light, various limbs scratching and moving over the ground.

[Rotten Abomination – lvl ??]

Sophia counted eight eyes in various places, just as many limbs of differing size, some ending in hands while other still in bone. She tried taking a step back but found herself unable to move.

Someone appeared in front of them. Ilea?

The healer looked back and grinned. “Do you think you can handle this one?”

Pieces of bone lashed out from the creature, intercepted by ashen tendrils that sprouted out of the healer’s back.

The two seconds had passed, all four of them jumping or teleporting back to make distance between themselves and the creature.

“What are you-” Sean said as he looked at the woman.

“Get away from that monster!” Colt shouted.

Which one? Sophia thought as she watched, lances of ice forming around her as she calmed her mind.

Ilea wasn’t there anymore. Instead there stood a being made entirely of ash, more than a dozen tendrils moving behind her back, like arms.

Elemental armor wasn’t rare. Sophia had ice armor herself, currently active under her clothes. What made this sight different was the sheer casual air coming from the woman.

She gulped, unsure who she should attack with her magic. She tricks and kills adventurers, eats them, she heard a voice in her mind but ignored it. She would have killed them already, why wait?

“You don’t want to? They’re pretty slow and it would definitely be good experience for you,” Ilea said and looked back.

The creature lashed out, attacking with a storm of limbs and bone, blood and flesh splattering around as it moved.

It could have just as well tried to attack a solid block of steel.

The healer whistled. “Stop it.”

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of a powerful healer. You are paralyzed for two seconds’

“Ah, that’s not what I wanted. Sorry,” Ilea said and lashed out with her limbs.

The Abomination was left without arms, squealing in rage as it recoiled in surprise.

“Kill it,” Sean said as soon as he could speak again.

“Sure?” Ilea asked.

“Wait,” Sophia called out. Give her what she wants. Otherwise we are dead. She glanced over to Sean and signaled him one thing. Danger.

“Well go on, I think it’s regenerating,” Ilea said, a series of bone spikes smashing into her armor without visible damage.

Sophia released her ice spears, the blades digging into the creature’s flesh. Rocks and arrows followed until it stopped moving.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Rotten Abomination – lvl 312] – For defeating an enemy on hundred and eighty levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

She ignored the messages ringing within her mind. The fight wasn’t done. Everyone was aware of it, waiting in silence.

Did we do the right thing? Why did she choose us? What are we? Something to play with? Something to eat? Is it a test?

A plethora of questions ran through her mind as she prepared her most powerful spells. Escape would be difficult. The woman could teleport, had medium range and in a closed space like this, she had an advantage. And the worst of all, she stood between them and the exit.

“Oh, four levels for that? Hmm,” the healer said and stepped closer.

What does she want?

“Oh my god, relax guys. It’s still me,” Ilea said and walked to the side, grabbing an unconscious adventurer that she lifted onto a small bed of ash.

“What do you want?” Sean asked.

_______________________________

Ilea couldn’t believe it. One monstrous abomination dead and a lightly paralyzing ability and boom, you are the villain apparently.

She rolled her eyes. “What do you mean what do I want?”

Sean signed something to Sophia.

“Stop that signing shit. I’m not a monster. You can talk to me with words… seriously. What is it with you people?” she asked.

“How would you feel…,” Sophia said but stopped herself.

“What?” Ilea said.

“If it turned out your healer friend is a fucking monster,” she added. “You just stood there while it attacked!”

“I need to get resistances, I told you!” Ilea replied.

Colt started chuckling before he laughed out loud.

Nobody else seemed to think it funny.

At least I have him, Ilea thought and crossed her arms.

“You weren’t lying…,” Sean said.

“What?” she asked.

“About your level,” the man added.

The others glanced at him.

“Ah, that,” Ilea said and smiled, scratching the back of her head.

“Three hundred and forty, was it?” Sophia asked. Her ice armor and a few other spells were still active, the air around her cool. Her expression had turned from surprise to apprehension.

She’s ready to fight. Wow, they really think I would kill them?

“Yep. Also don’t worry. You shared food with me, that makes you more than safe. Even if you directly attacked me. Feel free to try by the way,” Ilea said and winked towards the woman. “My ice resistance is maxed out for now though, so I’d prefer something else.”

“We don’t know if you’re telling the truth,” Edgar said.

“Oh, of course you don’t. I just felt like taking it slow tonight. Maybe meet some adventurers. Work in a team that isn’t made up of complete monsters for once,” Ilea said.

“A whim?” Sean asked, relaxing his posture.

“You trust her?” Edgar asked, his stone armor still active.

“What’s the point? She intervened to protect us. She healed you before. I think it’s less of a risk to trust her than to attack her,” the man explained.

“I appreciate it,” Ilea said. “If it makes you feel better, Edgar, you are free to try and fight me. I would welcome it honestly. My earth magic resistance could use some more levels and I would be interested in whatever else you can dish out.”

“She’s bluffing,” Edgar said.

___________________________

No she’s not you fucking idiot, Sophia thought.

“What do you want from us then? You got your adventure. Will you let us go?” she asked the healer.

Ilea looked at her, none of the ash still present, back to her mundane look. It’s really easy to underestimate a healer like her. Even with the high level. I should remedy that.

“You call that an adventure? That thing was the only creature we even fought… and let’s be honest, you guys didn’t exactly do a lot. And still, you got several levels out of it. Almost too easy,” Ilea murmured.

“So you want us to continue, explore this dungeon? With you?” Sophia asked. She didn’t like how excited Colt looked when she spelled out the idea. Sean might choose to follow Ilea’s wishes to protect them. It would be up to her to make a decision.

“You already gained several levels. More are sure to follow. And I would be there to protect and heal you, should things go south. I won’t force you of course, you can leave right now if you like. Just take this guy with you, if you do,” the healer said, pointing to the unconscious man floating on her ash.

“What’s in it for you?” Sophia asked.

Ilea shrugged. “A test run. To see how effective I can help people level up. And to have some conversation while I train. A change of pace so to speak.”

“We only got so many levels because we didn’t know you would protect us,” Sophia said. “It won’t be that easy, otherwise every high level noble would have an army at their disposal.”

“They do. How do you think healing orders have so much influence,” Edgar said. He glared daggers at Ilea. “You are part of one, aren’t you?”

Not the time to challenge her, Sophia thought with a sigh.

“Hmm… not a healing order… a healing organization. And I suppose being the founder makes me part of it. I think a test run is even more important then. My students aren’t exactly trained adventurers like you lads. You can kill the creatures while I take their attacks. Simple enough. Maybe I’ll make it a little more interesting from time to time but I will try to keep you safe,” she said.

“Try… I won’t trust you. I vote against going with her,” Edgar said.

“Where is your organization based?” Sean asked.

“Ravenhall,” Ilea said.

The man smiled. “You are that healer then… the one from the song. How did it go? Lilith, the guardian of ash, lover of food and the heeealer of Ravenhall. Didn’t think we would meet her here.”

Ilea shook her head before she chuckled. “Really? You just made that up, didn’t you?”

“No, no. I heard a part of it too,” Colt said. “Just forgot the name. Makes sense now. I will vote for going with you… under one condition.”

There he goes. She won’t fuck you.

“One night,” he said.

“No.” Ilea replied.

“One fight then,” he compromised.

“Deal, right after the others decided,” Ilea said.

“We have a rare opportunity here,” Sean said and glanced towards Sophia. “I will take the risk. It’s up to you.”

When is it fucking not? Ah what the hell.

“I don’t dislike the idea of some easy levels and achievements for my next evolution. I want to be safe however,” Sophia said and channeled mana into her spell, stepping closer to the woman.

“You think you can protect us? Then let me hit you. Point blank. No tricks,” she said.

__________________________

Ilea was a little confused at the suggestion. “You saw me fight that Abomination… no offense Sophia but I doubt your magic can match a level three hundred creature.”

Maybe it can, maybe not. I would have struggled against that creature at level one twenty.

“I don’t know what they can do. I know what I can do,” Sophia said, matter of fact.

Ilea shrugged. “Sure, go on.”

The work you need to invest to help people out. Everyone here is so mistrusting, she thought, shaking her head.

“I won’t apologize for what happens,” Sophia said as she stopped a meter away.

Colt was watching with anticipation in his eyes and a large grin on his face. Sean’s expression was unreadable. Edgar looked at her with distrust still.

Which healer hurt you?

“Come on, girl. I’ve seen worse,” Ilea said.

______________________________

Sophia was sure the healer wasn’t faking her confidence. She had seen Ilea take hits from the Abomination but she had met a few illusionists and mind mages in her years. She wanted confirmation.

Her spell had charged up to the maximum. She doubted even a Shadow could shrug it off from this distance. Frost surge.

The magic unleashed in an explosive blast of ice, everything in front of Sophia instantly frozen as a chunk of mana ripped out of her.

She breathed out, thin crystals of ice shattering on her hand as she moved it back. The cold white mist settled and vanished. Behind it, she could see Ilea. Completely and utterly undamaged and unimpressed.

“You should work on your skills… oh well, at this stage you probably don’t have any third tier abilities either. Better get you to two hundred soon,” she said and shook her head.

“What… did you dodge it?” Sophia asked.

“No. She just stood there. Made it look like you’re an apprentice mage,” Sean said in a tired voice.

“Oh,” she heard herself utter, her hand falling to her side utterly defeated.

“My ice resistance is at the second tier, level twenty. Which means if your spell isn’t higher than that, its efficiency will be reduced by eighty percent. Or more, depending on your skill level,” Ilea explained.

“How did you level it that high?” Sophia couldn’t help but ask. Her curiosity won out as soon as her most powerful spell didn’t as much as scratch her. The Abomination was close in level and it certainly seemed to care.

“With continuous exposure. And a lot of healing,” Ilea replied. “Want to have that bout now, Colt?”

“But… how… how am I supposed to fight something like you?” Sophia said.

“You don’t,” Sean commented.

“Two classes. A variety in attacks or just so much power you overwhelm my defenses. Honestly though… if I fought someone with high defense against my attacks and healing at their disposal… maybe we would reach a stalemate at some point. I’m an outlier however… I doubt many people even have base level resistances against the most common magic schools. A terrible deficiency, I believe,” the healer explained.

“Easy to say as a healer,” Edgar said.

Ilea gave him an icy look. “Pain is still a thing, Mr. Untrusting.”

He actually took a step back.

“It takes dedication and a high level of danger and pain. As well as regeneration or healing. It would certainly be more common with us adventurers if there were more healers around. The orders don’t supply any for such purposes. Even within the guards and militaries of the towns and kingdoms I have been to, I haven’t heard of the training regimes necessary to achieve a broad availability of resistances,” Sean said.

“Nobles do it,” Colt said and readied his axe and spells.

“Shouldn’t we bring up the survivor first? And go somewhere where it’s safer?” Sean asked.

Ilea nodded. “Where you collected the herbs. Doesn’t seem like they particularly like light. Or maybe it’s the mushrooms that grow higher up.”

“Also yes, nobles do it but it won’t help much if they just stay within their walls and estates, only using their abilities to kill each other instead of all the monsters out there, preventing normal folks from moving out and expanding,” Edgar said, shaking his head.

The healer nodded and made her way towards the tunnel they had come from.

“Good thing that my organization will provide healers for adventuring teams and shadows then,” she said.

For the first time, Edgar seemed interested.

“You and what nation? The orders won’t like it and with them all the nobles, kings and emperors they have influence over,” he said.

The woman just shrugged. “Guess I will find out if it works out or not.”

She’s talking about offending some of the most powerful people out there. Who the hell is she?

Chapter 455 Abominations

Chapter 455 Abominations

Sean and Edgar went back with the unconscious man while the rest remained in the cavern.

Ilea wondered if they would return with a squadron of guards or if they would return at all.

Sophia got over her initial surprise, now quite interested in the ways Ilea got so resistant to her magic. The confidence she had shown previously wasn’t just fractured, it lay broken on the ground.

“You are going to find creatures that you can’t beat… no matter how many spells and punches you rain into them. It’s more important to think of your defense and even more so to make sure you can get away. Teleportation and flying are good options for that,” she explained and casually dodged the warrior’s attacks.

The man would have a hard time penetrating her defenses even without her ashen armor but she didn’t feel like completely breaking the adventurer. Not after what it had done to Sophia.

It’s almost like they don’t face life threatening monsters on a daily basis. Would maybe put their abilities into perspective. Instead of comparing themselves to sub par adventurers and calling it a day.

Ilea didn’t have a problem with someone making their living this way but for Sophia to be so distraught about the difference in power seemed naive and dangerous to her.

“You are simply to fast… it’s like you know where I’m going to strike,” Colt said as he stopped to breathe.

“Yep… well I kind of do,” Ilea said with a shy smile.

“Hmm… interesting. Which means,” he said and continued to attack. The result however, was the same.

“I can tell what the result of an attack will be, Colt. I can’t read your mind,” Ilea said.

“Fuck. Then you win. Nothing I can do,” he said and laughed. He looked at his axe and nodded. “I will come with you. And I will win the next fight.”

I doubt that my dear, Ilea thought. She didn’t dislike the optimism however.

“And you, stop moping and attack me. Might be some of your skills will rise as well,” she said and nodded to the mage.

Sophia looked up. “Really? I mean… yeah maybe that would help.”

Sean and Edgar returned shortly after, a little confused at their two team members attacking Ilea with abandon.

“Did we decide otherwise now?” Sean asked.

“She offered,” Sophia said. “It’s not an everyday thing to be able to attack a level three hundred person without worry.”

The man grabbed his bow and an arrow. “Mind if I join?”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “No. But we should start actually fighting monsters that want to kill you.”

“You don’t?” Edgar asked. “I’m kidding,” he added right after, an awkward smile on his face.

“Not at the moment. No,” she replied and motioned them to stop. “Come on, let’s see why this dungeon is on the danger list.”

They made their way farther in, the group quickly switching to their serious and trained behavior they had already employed earlier.

If only they had a little more ambition and a healer. They’d be Shadows in no time, she thought as another creature closed in.

“Incoming,” she said and formed some ash around herself before storing her leather armor and clothes. There was no reason to destroy gear after all.

She ignored the quick glance Colt gave her before he focused on the enemy. Sean and Edgar seemed to have their baser instincts more in check or simply weren’t interested.

“God, fuck. You’re ugly,” she said as the beast came into the range of her sphere. The team apparently had adequate sight in the dark, deciding against torches.

More arms than Ilea with her ash and just as many eyes.

She wondered if the creature could match her sphere in visual prowess. Probably not, she thought and used the same ability to guide the enemy projectiles towards her own body. Not that much intervention was necessary. The creatures weren’t exactly smart.

They were loud and disgusting, shocking and powerful. To most that was. Ilea had seen worse, smelled worse and fought beings that would rip these Abominations to shreds in the span of a second.

She let it attack, let it bite and tear into her body with all the appendages and projectiles it could throw out and move in a coordinated fashion. The pain she felt only added to her perception, her ability to keep an eye on the team behind her, their thrumming heartbeats, the fear in their eyes.

And the spells they shot out.

Ilea wasn’t scared of the thing, nor was she scared of the dark corridor or for the lives of those that now depended on her protection. She was in control.

This creature was nothing but a monster, one unfortunate enough to have met her. Just a creature here to deliver experience and possible skills to her and those she called allies.

And that’s how she treated it. She experimented with her sphere, used it to move both the enemy spells but also her allies’ abilities towards herself. Ilea was the center of this fight and she was unmovable.

She watched with fascination as appendages grew and formed, some shooting out to strike her, others flailing uselessly. A creature truly bringing honor to its name.

[Rotten Abomination – lvl 330]

The level was close to hers, the numbers governing magic and power in this world considering it nearly equal to herself. A comical miscalculation. One born perhaps of few humans striving for the power she now held. Potential only unleashed when someone pushed beyond their stand. Or she really beat the system, with healing and ash as her allies, few creatures finding an answer to her overwhelming resilience and regeneration.

It had been that way from the start, since the first Drake she had fought. Anybody without healing would have died. She had survived. And she continued to do so.

Ilea kept her focus on the enemy. She was prepared to intervene should they be flanked, despite the simple tunnel they had found themselves in. She was ready to respond to any hidden abilities or allies that might spring up to help the creature. Many of her enemies had died because they had underestimated her. It was important that she remembered it. To acknowledge what she had achieved but to be mindful of what was out there, what would always be out there.

The Ascended was one thing. There were other things too. Beings like the Fae, malevolent in spirit. Ancient and incomprehensible. Like Trian said. One step at a time.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Deviant of Humanity – lvl 1

Deviant of Humanity – lvl 1

You face creatures most other humans have nightmares about, call beings your friends that occupy the pages of legends told by your kind. You have reached a level of power that few humans will ever call their own. And yet you push onward, knowing of the dangers that wait in the dark. You anticipate them. Welcome them. Those who would dismiss you may now take notice, should you wish for them to do so.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Not perhaps the prettiest of magic schools nor the most sanitary. Its ability to disturb and maim at the same time make it quite effective against those of higher thought. For the same reasons it is rarely found used by humans or those who preach purity. You stood unwavering against its power, unimpressed and with the only intent to learn this skill. Perhaps it would fit you.

Wow, alright there mr system! Maybe you should go fucking learn Meat magic!

The first skill at least seemed pretty cool. Mostly its description. The actual use was dubious, as many of her recent skills. Would the Fae treat me differently? Wouldn’t my level alone already make me quite special? Or is it the same as Veteran at the second stage?

She could feel the ability to mold a new presence, a warning perhaps that others might pick up on. Another thing to add to her growing list of tools. To survive, explore, and prevail.

Ilea was sure the thing was close to dying when another large chunk of rock hit one of the few faces it sported on the constantly regrowing and shifting body. A last spike of bone slashed into her face, stopped by her skull.

‘ding’ ‘Your group as defeated [Rotten Abomination – lvl 330]’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Bone Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Bone Magic Resistance – lvl 1

The ability to shift, grow and use ones own body to gain an advantage in battle is as old as magic itself. A skill which many humans had mastered in a time before language. Now most of that knowledge is gone and few remain to practice these arts. You have faced it in battle and survived. Of course you did. Sigh.

Did you just sigh me? Why not just have a conversation at this point? Hmm? Maybe if I start to see my own soul, we’ll be able to duke it out.

“Another level…,” Sean said, his knuckles white as he gripped his bow.

“Yep, good job with the attacks,” Ilea said. It took them a while to down one of the creatures. Understandable with their low levels.

To think this was just normal for me, back when I was below two hundred. Now I could kill these abominations in less than a second.

She could tell the group was getting a little more stressed out. Now that they were walking deeper into the dungeon with the only light source being the torch in Ilea’s hand.

“I suggest you try to fight one yourselves. Would benefit evolutions greatly,” she said as she led them farther down, choosing a direction at random. She noted that Edgar was sketching a map of the place. Quite intricate, according to the movements of his pen.

“They would overwhelm us. We don’t have a good answer against the projectiles, let alone the brute force,” Sean said.

Ilea glanced at him and waved her torch around. “I didn’t mean you as a team. I meant each one of you, individually. But I suppose it might be too much of a risk without self healing.”

Sophia lost the last shred of color on her face. “Alone?”

“Yes dear. Most of my class evolutions had high level kills as requirements, both in groups and alone. Not like you lads couldn’t accomplish something like that. Granted, the abominations here are quite tricky, especially in these tight tunnels,” Ilea said and pointed at Sean.

“Ranger… you could trap something and just shoot it until it dies. Doesn’t really matter what its level is, as long as it stays put without regenerating and you deal damage. Same goes for you two, ice and earth magic should be versatile enough to make something like that possible. Even here… a wall or two, frozen ground, a prepared hole covered in ice that you can shatter when the enemy is on top… seems reasonable. Colt… well your skills are a little harder to utilize like that. Just make sure to get a life steal or self heal ability as soon as you can. Then just wack it.”

The man grasped his axe and smiled. “I can do that. Sounds simple compared to them.”

Ilea shrugged. “It’s what I did. Definitely hurts but Pain Tolerance will take care of that problem as time goes on.”

“The problem isn’t trapping or even killing the creatures,” Sean said. “It’s getting out without injury. If one of us gets hit… even once. We might not be able to get out of this place alive. Not without you.”

“Or another healer,” Ilea pointed out.

“I would fucking worship you if you manage to push that healing organization of yours through,” Sophia said and wrung her hands.

Ilea laughed and turned forward again. “Well, it will take some time. Doesn’t mean you can’t work on it yourselves. Get some abilities to regenerate health.”

“Wouldn’t help with a broken leg,” Edgar commented.

“Maybe not the first tier. Second, maybe,” Ilea said.

The next several hours were spend guiding the adventurers through the maze of dark tunnels, helping them survive the encounters with the various Abominations inhabiting the dungeon. There weren’t as many as she had hoped but enough for each of the team to gain a few levels.

She didn’t inquire about their skills but just watching their spells through her sphere told enough about their progress. Very promising, she thought.

The dungeon itself wasn’t quite ideal. The creatures were too powerful and hard to deal with. She could use it to send teams of healers down to gain Fear Resistance, to bond them as teams or perhaps to gain some kind of dark vision. Only with their consent of course and with her watching over them from a safe distance.

So many ideas. I suppose nobles just don’t do this because the trainees would quickly overtake them in power and capability. Assassin guilds and the like probably try to brainwash people into obedience but with Mental Resistance as well as all the other benefits that come with high level classes and general skills, how long could you really bind someone to your organization?

Ilea was aware that plenty of her healers would one day find their own way, abandoning the Sentinels altogether or perhaps even fighting them. She definitely hoped the latter wouldn’t ever occur but the possibility would surely be present. Either way, more healers out in the world. And as soon as the orders realized she couldn’t be stopped anymore, others might just pop up with the same idea.

She checked her levels as they entered a vast cavern.

“What…,” Sean said as he began to cough.

Ilea spread her limbs out and healed all of them, barely noticing the damage she herself was taking. Interesting… seems like its going for my organs directly.

“Stop panicking, your health is fine. Just spit out the pieces, they are regenerating continuously,” Ilea said.

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 12’

Quite the haul, she thought happily and clapped her hands together. “Now I believe this…,” she coughed, a slab of bloodied innards slapped on the stone floor with a wet sound. “This is a new one.”

Her group fought hard to keep themselves together. None of them replied, either on their knees or stabilizing themselves on the walls to stay upright. Their torn faces informed enough about the pain they were going through.

“We leave if you want to. Otherwise I suggest camping here for the remainder of the night,” she said.

“… leave,” Sean croaked out, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at her.

The others nodded slowly.

“Alright. I see you’re not fond of my ways,” Ilea said and spread her ashen limbs behind herself. “I’ll carry all of you. It will be faster than the way we came.”

They looked at each other but none had the will to disagree. Or perhaps they welcomed the offer.

____________________________

Sophia watched the monster approach, her gait confident and relentless. This is it, she thought and gulped.

The ashen appendage moved out faster than she could comprehend, the pain within her body too much to use her spells. It wouldn’t make a difference anyway.

She was wrapped up and carefully moved behind the woman.

A quick glance at Sean told her that he wasn’t quite as confident as usual either.

Ilea spread ashen wings because of course she had wings too. If death really was a person, they would be envious of the ashen specter hovering into the air.

I feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface of her capabilities, she thought and dared hope that they would get out of this alive.

A loud screech echoed through the cavern, reaching them as they sped up.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of the Specter of Rot. You are paralyzed in fear for 19 seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 11’

Fuck… fuck fuck…

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 12’

Sophia wanted to scream and run but she remained calm, forced to do so by the healing magic that flowed into her. It made her aware that Ilea continued to move, only glancing back before she resumed the ascent.

“Specter of Rot… any clue what it might be?” the woman asked.

She sounds way to interested.

“Please… haven’t we seen enough abominations for one night?” Edgar asked, downright pleading.

“I haven’t heard of that creature,” Sean said.

“I see. I will investigate alone then. It would be too dangerous for you with that aura or whatever is causing our insides to turn to shit,” Ilea said.

Sophia gulped, thinking for a second that the healer would leave them here. Don’t be stupid. She has protected you all this way. Why would she let you die now?

Because she found a new and more interesting toy? she answered her own question.

“Are you sure it’s safe for you?” Colt asked. He did look a little comical, wrapped up in a couple ashen tendrils, carried as if he weighed but a single pound.

“Hmm… it will be interesting to find out. I do hope it isn’t,” Ilea said, the smile practically graspable, even with her face covered in ash.

Sophia kept herself focused, her expression schooled. She’s gone… a complete lunatic. Who else could reach such power? I’ll stick to my fucking herbs, thank you. Fuck these tunnels, fuck the Abominations and fuck this unprepared and unsafe behavior.

Her mind unintentionally went to the many notifications she had received during their horrifying delve, her emotions turning from complete abhorrence to a more conflicted mix.

‘ding’ ‘Glacial Core Enhancer has reached lvl 127 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Glacial Core Enhancer has reached lvl 128 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Glacial Core Enhancer has reached lvl 129 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Glacial Core Enhancer has reached lvl 130 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Glacial Core Enhancer has reached lvl 131 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Scholar of Frost has reached lvl 116 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Scholar of Frost has reached lvl 117 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Scholar of Frost has reached lvl 118 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Scholar of Frost has reached lvl 119 – Five stat points awarded’

…

Chapter 456 Blood

Chapter 456 Blood

Sophia couldn’t stop herself anymore. She stepped to the side of the exit and puked. Whatever remained in her stomach came back out.

“Hey, do that somewhere else,” the nearby guard said.

“Leave it, I don’t want to explain a corpse to the guard,” Sean said and handed a coin to the man.

“Fucking rookies, at least prepare before going in,” he muttered to himself and resumed his post in silence.

Prepare? For that? Sophia thought and turned around, wiping her mouth as the surroundings grew colder.

Sean was already there, placating her with a gesture. “Calm down. He doesn’t know. Nobody could know.”

It would be so satisfying, to show that guard who was unprepared, powerless, weak. Sean was right. Jeopardizing themselves and their entry to this dungeon wasn’t worth it.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

“I’m very far from alright, Sean,” Sophia said and sighed, looking at her hands as she opened and closed them.

“What the hell was that?” she asked.

The man just shook his head. He hadn’t been speechless many times, usually eager to offer some words of support. “Come on, let’s have ourselves a drink.”

“Good idea,” Colt said as he joined them. “You think she’ll come back tomorrow?”

“You are kidding, right?” Sophia said.

“What? Got more levels from this than the last year of adventuring,” the warrior said. “It was pretty fucked up, I’ll admit that much.”

“Fucked up?” Sophia said. “I never want to see anything like those Abominations ever again. And that last part? I thought I was getting eaten… from the inside.”

The warrior gulped. “It was crazy. And her healing just took care of it… Sean, I tell you, we really have to get us one of those healers. We could do what she said, lay traps and hunt creatures like that.”

“I have fought with healers… she’s not exactly a normal representation. I haven’t ever met one who just stood there and took direct hits from level three hundred creatures,” Sean said.

“Why are we talking here, come on. Let’s go,” Sophia said and walked towards the inn.

“Agreed,” Colt said and followed. “Did you see her wings? I want some of those.”

“Good luck with that. With your weight, you’d need ten times that size,” Sophia said and winked his way.

“I’ll show you something else ten times that size,” the warrior said.

“That doesn’t make any sense, Colt,” Sean said.

Edgar sighed and shook his head. “What a night.”

_________________________________

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of a Specter of Rot – You resist its effect’

Ilea received the same message as earlier. She had dropped the group off near the exit of the dungeon, the flight quite simple with her Sentinel Huntress and sphere picking up where they had used their magic on the way.

The reward had come when she used the same skills to get back into the deep cavern.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 3’

She could feel it again, the blight damaging her from the inside. Not blight, she thought. It was less strong of an effect than the power she had experienced in the Karheim dungeon.

Enough to kill the others.

Her healing luckily canceled it out but fighting creatures while focusing on them wasn’t in the cards. Not if she wanted to guarantee their survival.

“Sooo, Specter of Rot… let’s see if this place manages to pose a challenge after all,” Ilea said as she hovered farther into the vast cavern.

The place was pitch black and silent. Nothing suggested the presence of a being other than herself. If only it hadn’t been for that screech.

If you had been quiet, I might have left you alone… to rot in this god forsaken hole in the ground.

Ilea didn’t know where the creature had come from, it might as well have been birthed out of the void itself.

Two swords made of bone slashed out, the weight, power and quality enough to cut through her ash and deep into her skin. According to Azarinth Fighting that was.

Ilea didn’t quite know enough yet to let the creature close.

It was flying, like her. Wings made of skin and bone. Two dead eyes set into a malformed skull. The creature was three meters in height, deadly talons on both hands and legs at the end of lean but muscular limbs. The swords were just over two meters long.

[Specter of Rot – lvl ???]

Way to make it interesting, Ilea thought with a smile, all her skills ready to answer whatever questions the being might ask.

The Specter did not have a mouth however, power emanating form its form as magic was released.

“Dancing? Oh, how did you know I just took some lessons?” she asked and twirled through the air as the being rushed her.

__________________________

“I tell you, she just stood there. Level three hundred. She’s at least that high,” Colt repeated himself.

A group of five was listening to him near the bar, the innkeeper apparently quite interested too.

“What skills did she use?” one of them asked.

“Do you think this is a good idea?” Edgar asked Sean, the two of them sitting with Sophia at their usual table.

“She didn’t tell us to keep it to ourselves,” Sean said. “Besides. Everything he said so far is in the song.”

“We shouldn’t share anything else. About the healers she wants to train… and about how she helped us out.” Sophia said.

“She nearly got us killed,” Edgar said but waved her off before she could retort. “I know she helped. And I get it. She’s just a little off. Well a little lot.”

“I don’t think we were ever in any danger. Not from anything besides herself,” Sophia said. They still don’t get what kind of a monster that woman was. Talking about Abominations instead of her. Just because she’s wearing a human body.

“Doesn’t matter. I agree with you that we shouldn’t talk too much. Sean?” Edgar said and glanced at the man.

The ranger rolled his eyes and stood up. “Okay, alright. Colt!”

“Ash!” the warrior said and spread his arms. “That’s all lads… keep away from the dark, or she will snatch you away.”

Some of them laughed, others talked amongst themselves.

“Sounds like that song. Lilith, was it?” a nearby patron said before changing the subject.

Colt brought four mugs to the table and sat down with a satisfied sigh. “There you go lads. Something to fill back up the water we lost by shitting ourselves. Or puking.” he added and winked to Sophia.

“And we survived another day,” Sean said and grabbed his mug. “To Lilith.”

“To my crush,” Colt said.

Edgar touched their mugs without a word.

“To the monster of Ravenhall,” Sophia said.

Sean laughed. “To get that title, with the Shadow’s Hand being located there.”

“Do you think she’s actually different form them? Or is she just a high level Shadow?” Colt asked.

“We never asked if she is one in the first place,” Sean said.

Sophia signaled to them that they had company.

The barkeeper had switched with someone else and was approaching their table.

“Sean, right?” he said and nodded to the man. “Couldn’t help but overhear your story. Mind if I join in?”

“Take a seat, Hudson. It has been an exciting night,” Sean said.

Sophia glanced at the man. She had seen him before and was pretty sure he owned the whole place. He wasn’t very tall but made up for it in sheer density. Hudson nearly reached Colt’s levels of muscle. He sported a short gray beard and hair of the same color bound in a bun, visible scars on both his face and arms telling of his time of adventuring or military, wrinkles added into the mix giving him a grizzled look.

[Warrior – lvl 82]

Not an overwhelming threat, Sophia thought. His influence in the area could be a problem, which is why Sean allowed him to sit down with them. After what they’ve been through, she was sure he wouldn’t easily welcome a stranger to join in conversation.

“What do you know?” Sean asked, getting straight to the point as he leaned in. He talked in a hushed tone.

Hudson leaned back, the chair groaning under his weight. “I heard the songs. More than that, I talked to someone who met her. Nearly a year ago.”

“Songs? There’s more than one?” Edgar asked.

Sophia was interested too.

“Yep. Pretty much the same thing however. One goes into more detail on why she is such a bloody good thing for Ravenhall and its people. Sounds to me like she has a cult following. Mind magic is an option,” the barkeeper said.

Sophia rolled her eyes.

“You disagree, lass?” he asked.

“Bards need money too. You pay them and they write a song,” she said.

“Well… you ain’t wrong. Songs are one thing but the man I talked to… he swore he had met her. The Shadow wielding ash. Apparently she paid people to attack her. To train resistances, people said. Just that the magic did very little to injure her at all. And if it did, she was healed back up in mere instants,” Hudson explained.

“Why I thought it was her. It sounded the same to me when the big guy over here talked about it. But three hundred? I’ve never heard of someone that high,” he said and shook his head.

Sean nodded. “I think she has to be there. At least that. With what she showed. They’re out there, you know? They have to be. People at that level. Higher even.”

“Nobles hiding in their estates and castles,” Edgar said and took a sip.

“Hiding won’t bring you to those levels. You can torture and kill slaves and captured pray all you want,” Sophia said.

“Aye. That one… she enjoyed it. Not a shred of fear in her. You saw it too,” Colt said and looked at Sean.

The ranger nodded absentmindedly.

“What do you think she found down there? You think she really went after it?” Colt asked and glanced at each of them in turn.

“She did,” Sophia stated.

Hudson was wise enough not to ask too many questions.

“Do you think she will make it?” Edgar asked.

Sophia turned her attention to the mug in front of her, lifting it towards her mouth. “I don’t fear for her. I fear for whatever stands in her way.”

______________________________

Ilea felt the magic condense, choosing not to blink this time as it manifested.

The rupture went through her, her blood exploding in a flurry of heat and movement. Half her chest was ripped out.

She let it reform as she drifted backwards. Having a hard time, are we?

The creature had to focus on her for quite some time to manifest its spell. It changed up the pattern, where it attacked and how fast it manipulated her blood.

None of that mattered in the end as Ilea didn’t exactly want to dodge the attacks. Granted, she didn’t know exactly when they came but she was getting better.

So far, she hadn’t retaliated in any way, simply observing the creature as it attacked.

The Specter varied between a flurry of bladed attacks and blood magic in various forms. Projectiles, ruptures within her body, enhancement for its swords, and vine like blood shooting out from the ground.

Ilea only avoided the last variant, not about to get trapped if she had anything to say about it.

Here we go again, she thought when the creature vanished.

It appeared in a mist like state behind her, blades slashing through her armor and skin.

She could see it vanish within her sphere, forming again and continuing its attack. The being attacked four to five times per second, putting her blink to shame. She only avoided the thrusting attacks, just in case she would end up impaled and thus trapped.

Ilea didn’t know yet if the swords would give her bone magic resistance levels but it was worth a shot. It was difficult enough to avoid them entirely already. She was glad they didn’t cleave through her limbs as easily as the Ascended had taken her apart.

Alright, let’s see how durable you are, shall we?

She twirled backwards, a blade slashing through the air below. Ilea sped up and used her wings to maneuver her around its moving blades. She took the hit from the blood sphere that surged out, burning a layer off of her armor right before her fist landed.

Absolute Destruction and Storm of Cinders rushed into the being as she pulled back, taking two slashes that drew blood. The thick red liquid flowed down and ignited, energy expanding as her wounds ripped open. And closed.

Didn’t die yet. That’s good, she thought with a smile. But you’ll have to try harder than that, my friend.

She watched it vanish and turned to where she felt the newly available mark. Promptly using it against the creature seemed like a good way to further work on the skill. Ilea could feel its effect weaken as the seconds went by, another surge of magic

Talk?

She sent the thought towards the being floating in the dark but nothing answered her.

It teleported in and out of her sphere’s range with its continuous attacks.

Quite convenient. Knowing where that thing is at all times.

Ilea continued to fight the creature, her body cut and ripped apart in the process, the woman getting more and more aggressive in her approach.

She found that her punches and skills had less of an effect as she had expected. Something was wrong. This one was regenerating too.

Perfect

Ilea could even see the creature now, the embers burning within its body and on its skin lit it up like a torch. The effects waned quickly but she reapplied them just as fast.

She added other skills to the mix, burning it with Heart of Cinder and finally whistling at it with Monster Hunter.

The creature stopped in its tracks and forced its magic into her blood.

No reaction? Guess my level just isn’t high enough, Ilea thought with a smile, the echo of her whistle reaching her a moment later.

She dodged another two blades that slashed her way and to her surprise found the weapons doubling suddenly. Blood magic made her shoulder explode an instant later.

Ah yes, the increased range. Maybe I shouldn’t have infused it.

There were five of them.

Ilea struggled to completely avoid all their attacks, finding their coordination striking. The constant blood magic posed more of a problem too, now that the more physical attacks didn’t stop during the casting.

Her third tier healing was working extra shifts as whole sections of her were ripped out and splattered onto her ash or the ground.

Ashen wings maneuvered her up and into open space, allowing her enough wiggle room to avoid most of the enemy strikes. Finding openings proved difficult however and she wasn’t focusing on a more suicidal tactic quite yet.

Ilea’s limbs spread out from her back, interconnected with her wings, the tendrils lashed out and struck the beings, three at a time. All five when they were close enough.

The magic slamming into her was both there to level her resistance but just as much to recover mana, allowing her to keep up with the creatures even after nearly ten minutes of constant battle.

She was sure by now that these things were either close to level seven or eight hundred or they had some form or regeneration. Or mana intrusion resistance. Doesn’t feel that- her thoughts were interrupted by a blade nearly slashing through her throat.

Ilea kept her head as the tissue reconnected. The mana goes in. They just heal the damage. Quite tough.

She wondered if they were on the Vampire’s level but thought it too risky to go all out, sacrificing her movement, dodging and defense over pure attack.

Heart of Cinder charged to higher levels for now and she didn’t hold anything else back either. At this point the playing had turned into serious training.

The danger wasn’t anywhere close to the Ascended but she wondered if the Specters could actually take her down if they just managed to capture her with their blood vines.

It helped that they apparently had to connect to the ground, ceiling or walls. If she stayed mostly in the middle of the cavern’s space, she should be mostly safe.

This would be quite a bit more brutal in a small corridor.

Blood vines were moving closer from above, Ilea finally letting go of the stored heat. A spherical wave of fire and energy expanded, momentarily illuminating the space.

Dead eyes stared back, their skin nearly as pale as the swords of bone they held.

Her released Heart of Cinder burned through the blood magic and parts of their bodies with ease. Not close to the power she had used against the steel barriers of the Ascended but nothing to take lightly either.

Ilea watched within her sphere as the burnt skin healed, missing parts reforming and the scorched sections shed away. Not a hint of fear or pain, just a single focus, a single goal. To cut down the unknown intruder in their midst.

She blinked back to avoid a thrust attack, jolting her head backwards as a chunk of her face exploded outwards and reformed. As long as her brain didn’t go, she wouldn’t be taken out of the action. Her third tier prevented her from dying but even a fraction of a second could mean being pinned down and potentially reduced to a continuously regenerating soon to be corpse.

She took a deep breath and focused on the fight. The chance of them taking me down is low. Now, let’s see if the same is true the other way around.

Chapter 457 Worthy Adversaries

Chapter 457 Worthy Adversaries

Ilea was sure an hour or two had passed already. She would have to leave soon to join her resistance training. The only reason she even considered it was because the date was set. If she was too late or didn’t show up, tomorrow there would be fewer people. Fewer potential skills and levels.

The Specters however, would remain down here.

She wondered if they could kill her. If she remained motionless or trapped. Their destructive power, swords and magic against her regeneration.

Her body would regenerate as long as she had mana and the creatures continued to provide it. Stick a sword into my brain, maybe two. Then I can’t regenerate it. Secure the head and just keep going until I have no more mana. If that isn’t possible, you can’t kill me.

She went through the steps she herself would employ if her opponent had the same abilities as herself. Avoiding magic was a large part of potential success. Or magic as overwhelming as the Ascended had possessed.

Teleporting me away might be an option too. I doubt meddling with my mind is an option, considering Sentinel Reconstruction and my resistance to that magic type. Another option would be to trap me indefinitely. Bind or seal me away.

She didn’t like that thought at all. If she went out, she would want to go out and not be trapped for a thousand years. Hmm… well with meditation it might not even be that bad.

The attacks kept coming and by now she had a good idea about their speed, range and magic. Even if they manipulated their blades with the help of blood magic.

Her Heart of Cinder had been charging for a while now. Longer even than in the core of the Descent. She chose one of the Specters at random and blinked in.

She dodged the blades and punched, all her limbs smashing into the creature. She ignored the blades cutting into her back and the blood magic ripping through her body.

Reversed healing mana flowed into the one Specter as her attacks kept going, culminating in the release of the stored energy.

The blast sent back the blades still stuck in her body, burning through the skin and muscle of the Specter she had chosen.

The others moved in again as she smashed down one last time, fire surging from hundreds of thin orange red veins where Storm of Cinders had accumulated.

A ding resounded in her mind and she blinked out, just as three blades got close to her once more.

Three more blinks brought her out of the cavern and another five farther up through the dungeon.

Ilea stopped and turned around, crossing her arms as she steadied her breathing. Her mana was at half, despite the constant blood magic attacks. It would regenerate.

If they follow, I’ll have to kill them all.

She waited. A minute. Two. Five.

When twenty minutes had passed, her focus finally changed and she let out the air she was holding in her lungs.

They wouldn’t come.

Defending their cave. Or they’re the boss of the dungeon. Seems pretty ridiculous considering how weak the Abominations were before.

She checked the kill message and frowned.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 621]’

Holy fuck they’re strong for that level.

Ilea slowly flew backwards through the tunnels, once more following the traces of ice and earth magic. She could clearly feel the mark moving farther and farther away. It remained stationary and quickly waned in intensity.

They’re as tough as Praetorians with their shields but have faster regeneration. Plus their movements are multiple times as quick. What a find… what a night!

She flew back with the occasional twirl and bob, giggling through the dark tunnels like the madwoman some thought she was.

Turns out the dungeons here are very much dangerous and interesting. If you just dig deep enough.

The rest of her notifications didn’t let down either.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 347 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 348 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 347 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 348 – Five stat points awarded’

Ah fuck, can’t kill another one or I’ll reach three fifty.

She wondered if she shouldn’t just get it over with already. On the other hand, she could gain a few more achievements beforehand.

Her skill advancements from the dangerous battle didn’t let down either.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Rot Resistance – lvl 1

Rot Resistance – lvl 1

With your regeneration and healing, it was unlikely that such a resistance would ever manifest. However you have found a powerful source of unnatural rot. Perhaps fueled by a curse or magic. Congratulations on yet another painful and horrific experience.

Hmm… maybe just a few more exciting nights with my new Specter friends. I have a source now for levels, class skill levels and resistances.

Ilea wondered if it even made sense to explore the other dungeons on her map. For training purposes, I’ll have to. Especially the ones close by.

It wasn’t just about her own resistances but about her students as well. They were progressing fast, even after a couple of days. She saw little reason for it to slow down considerably any time soon. Some combat experiences would help them get the right classes. Perhaps something a little less support oriented.

She herself had only one true healing skill and it was easily enough to take care of herself and everyone around her. A full support healer with a second class to reinforce such effects could maybe heal half a town’s worth of people in instants but that wasn’t exactly needed most of the time.

The question was also apparent of how to actually get someone to the required level. Questions over questions. Can’t say I’m not living an exciting life at least, she thought and grinned, her wings retracting as she reached the upper part of the dungeon and with it the exit.

The suns weren’t out yet but her flight would take some time as well. Not hours anymore, thanks to her third tier wings but enough to endanger her extended breakfast. Definitely her second breakfast.

Ah, forgot about one small thing.

___________________________

Sophia turned in her bed. The benefit of joining an otherwise male party was usually getting her own room. It wasn’t always possible but the last two years were good on her purse and her team respectively.

Sean sometimes got a room on his own too, the other two didn’t care much. Edgar needed very little sleep and Colt was often found passed out in the common room. Most inn keepers either couldn’t physically move him or didn’t care to risk it.

Tonight, she would have preferred some company. Even with the annoying comments from the brute. She had been liberal with her drink but her Poison Resistance was just as high as that of her team members. Contrary to Colt, she wasn’t about to spend her last coin to keep herself inebriated. Maybe I should have.

Sleep had come but only for an hour or two. Not quite enough for her. A nightmare had woken her up. A healer reaching out her hand, their face suddenly turning into an Abomination before she was swallowed.

It had been a while since an experience had shaken her this much. Half a year maybe? The werewolf, she thought and shuddered. It would take some time for her to recover fully. It’s weird really… this was much worse objectively and yet, I seem to be able to handle it much better. Maybe I’m imagining things. Or I’ve grown more resistant to it.

She noticed her thoughts focusing back on the Abominations, their squeals. The ripped apart adventurers in that small cavern. Ilea getting slashed apart, coloring the ground and walls, the wet sound of bone hitting flesh.

She sat up and rubbed her eyes. What a fucking nightmare.

It wasn’t worth some levels. Not in a thousand years.

A knock on her window made her yelp out and teleport to the opposite wall. Her heart rate accelerated but her breathing calmed. Ice formed around her as she prepared her spells.

The faint light of dawn shined into the room, barely illuminating a floating form outside her window. Blue eyes and black wings. A glowing smile and a wave.

She rubbed her eyes and relaxed. I’m still dreaming.

“Hello Sophia,” a voice said, the presence now closer to her.

“No need to be afraid. Come on, it’s me. Ilea. Open your eyes,” the voice said.

No

Please

Something warm and relaxing entered her body and she yelped a little at the sudden sensation.

She opened her eyes and saw that the healer was here. Here in her room.

“Out,” she found herself saying, her voice steady and her eyes focused on the woman.

Ilea nodded and vanished, appearing once more outside the window.

What the fuck is this supposed to be?

She shook her head and walked to the window. Let’s get this over with before she decides to slaughter this whole fucking town.

The window slid open and she leaned out into the cool morning air. “What do you want?”

“Apologies for invading your room. You seemed scared and highly distressed. I thought I could help out,” the woman said, showing genuine concern on her face.

And she’s a good actress too, Sophia thought. What an absolute monster.

“You’re not human, are you?” she found herself asking.

“What? No of course I am!” Ilea replied, hovering outside a window with ashen wings on her back. Wisps of the element licked the air around her like an omen of death.

Sophia rubbed her temple and sighed. “Don’t just go around pushing your mana into people. It’s borderline rape.”

Her eyes opened wide and she hovered back a meter or two. “I… I’m sorry… I didn’t.”

She waved her off. “Don’t, it’s fine. You meant well. At least I think you did. Forget what I said. I don’t want people to die or go insane because you ask them for healing consent. What kind of world would that be?”

“One where you can sue doctors for treating you?” Ilea said, more to herself really.

“Sue? Whatever… what did you want? Why has the personification of pain and death come to my window?” Sophia sighed. She was tired and noticed it too. You’re taking risks that you shouldn’t. Calm down. Choose your words carefully. You know what she is. Don’t offend her.

Ilea laughed and floated a little closer again. “I thought I’d be seen as someone who brings life and recovery. Not pain and death. I suppose both are true.”

“Keep it fucking down you twats!” someone shouted out of an open window.

The woman hovered closer. “Should we continue inside?”

“Sure,” Sophia said and closed the window, finding Ilea sitting on a chair made of ash.

“I’ll keep it short. You are obviously in dire need of sleep,” the woman said. A statement of fact, neither insult nor taunt. “I found something in that cavern you saw at the end. Well you heard it too. The Specters of Rot,” she said.

Sophia opened her eyes wide. “There’s more than one? It’s unusual for anything below triple mark to paralyze me for that long.”

“Well, they are triple mark. Around level six hundred actually,” Ilea said and scratched her chin.

“Six hundred? Wow… your identify skill is that high?” Sophia asked.

“Ah no, It’s just at level twelve. I killed one of them. Six twenty. They regenerate and use blood magic as well as bone swords. Quite dangerous. Some of the most powerful creatures in the six hundreds I’ve fought,” the healer said, nodding as if to confirm her own assumption. “The Wyverns might be close… if they had regeneration… maybe.”

“I…,” Sophia started and stumbled backwards. “I need to… sit down.”

Her bed was still miles away but she felt something form behind and under her, catching her stumbling form before she found herself in a chair. A black one, made of ash. It warmed up as she sat there. Comfortable, she thought as it shaped itself around her bum and back. No, focus.

“You, killed? Killed one of them? Six hundred? Alone? What?” she said.

“Yes. I have quite a few skills that make me a good match for them. Regeneration and high defense as well as Blood Magic Resistance in the second tier. Perception helps too of course, otherwise it would be difficult to keep up with the teleporting creatures. Especially in complete darkness,” she explained.

“Okay,” Sophia managed to say. The words were still processing in her mind. “How does this relate to me?”

Did she just come to gloat? Or is her game still ongoing… oh gods… she’s still playing with us, just another form of torture.

“Ah, yes. Of course. Sorry, lost track again. Well, I waited for a while and they didn’t follow but I would say this little village is fucked if one comes up to the surface,” she said.

“Six hundred? Yes… we would be,” Sophia said and gulped.

“That’s why… I have a skill to give people a mark, to let them call for me in case of emergency. I thought about the others but you seem just the right mix of apprehensive and smart. Colt would just call me for a laugh or because he’d think it an advance on my part. Edgar hates my guts and wouldn’t use it even if his life depended on it and Sean. Well it was between him and you but you seem a little less scared of me,” the monster explained.

“You wish… to mark me?” Sophia asked. No… never make a deal with a monster or demon. It never comes out well.

“Yes. I tested it with several of my friends and it’s safe. I’ll know where to find you in case you call for me. Just a precaution. I think if nothing shows up this week, we’re in the clear. I’ll be back tomorrow night anyway but I just wanted to be sure,” she said and continued in a murmur. “I hope that undead didn’t break out of that blight cathedral… ah well, might check in quickly before going back.”

Blight cathedral… undead? Wait a minute.

“I don’t exactly have a choice here, do I?” Sophia gathered her courage.

“You do. You just say no. I know it’s scary to see someone powerful show up out of nowhere and show interest in you in some way. Trust me, I do. However, even though I know the training was nothing for you, did I actually do anything to put you in harm’s way? Did I break my word even once? Was I hostile towards you or is there any reason why you would mistrust me?” Ilea said.

Sophia calmed herself and again marveled at how comfortable the ashen chair was. She thought back on everything and had to agree. They were never in danger, not really. If she could beat a level six hundred creature, the Abominations were nothing to her. It could be a lie but she had seen her fight the beings. As much as she believed the healer, in the end it did not matter if she killed one or not. She had healed Edgar without asking anything in return.

Ilea had rushed to help that adventurer, saved him even. She had helped them get stronger… in her twisted and horrific way… and she had protected them, even brought them back out after. Despite her interest to go deeper.

If she was Lilith, and there was little reason to doubt it at this point, then the songs supported her too. If she didn’t pay for them. Everything just to get this mark on her.

She shook her head and sighed. This woman could just force her to accept anyway. And yet she was giving her a choice here. Her words rang true.

“I accept. Under some conditions,” Sophia said.

Ilea smiled. “Oho… how daring of you,” she said and leaned forward in her own ashen chair. “What do you want?”

“Gold!” Sophia blurted out. Ah, that’s so stupid. Why ask for gold? She doesn’t even carry a pouch or backpack.

“Sure, how does five pieces sound? That would be equivalent to quite a few jobs at your level. For a full team that is,” Ilea said.

What?! Five! Is she nuts?

Sophia watched in disbelief as five pieces of gold appeared out of nowhere and floated towards her on a small circular ashen tablet. A storage item, of course! Why did I not think of that? Because she doesn’t dress like a noble, doesn’t talk like them.

“Anything else? I don’t want to be annoying but I should leave soon,” the healer said and looked out into the morning sky.

That’s it, the sunlight will hurt her! She’s a witch after all. Or something more sinister. Every argument the more cautious side of her came up with was dulled and dismissed by the golden shine in her hands. This would cover her expenses for a year if she was conservative in her spending. Or I could buy new equipment.

Chapter 458 Reputation

Chapter 458 Reputation

Ilea watched the resolve and caution in the adventurer melt away in the face of money. It’s just too powerful a weapon.

She still had four hundred and twenty four pieces of gold with her. A small price to pay for calming her conscience.

Ilea didn’t care as much for Karheim. In part because the undead just seemed much less dangerous to her than the Specters did but mostly because she just didn’t know anybody there. Checking in quickly would be enough. Worst came to worst, she was sure most would escape anyway.

One Specter on the other hand would just rip people apart. No wonder we hide behind walls. Even low level Elves would have difficulties with those fuckers.

It was a good thing after all that not every species living in this plane of existence had similar ambitions as humanity.

“Questions… I want you to answer a few questions if possible,” Sophia said after she had regained her focus.

“I will choose to answer but shoot,” Ilea said. There was little reason not to share some knowledge with the mage. The lack of sharing in this world was a major factor why humanity struggled to gain more of a foothold.

“Your name is Lilith, isn’t it? You are the healer from Ravenhall?” she asked.

“Didn’t you ask that before? Hmm, well I guess I didn’t confirm it. Yes. That is a name I use. Started kind of as a joke but I suppose it stuck. It would be useful if I didn’t share my actual name all the time,” Ilea said and shrugged. She was just not cut out to be a cautious politician or rogue. If her honesty and carelessness became a problem, she would deal with it the way she dealt with most problems. On the fly.

The woman nodded excitedly. “Your level is really at three forty?”

“I won’t confirm nor deny. But I have passed the three hundred threshold.”

“That is huuge! Wow… you must be one of what? A thousand? A hundred?” Sophia said and giggle.

“Tell me, why did you choose us? Was it because we were a low level team? Or because of one of our classes?” the woman asked.

Ilea tilted her head to the side. “I just happened upon you. Been looking for the Caverns of Rot and you knew where it was.”

“But you could have just asked for directions!”

“You still think this is some evil plot?” Ilea said and sighed. “You offered me food. And I thought it would be fun to join a normal adventuring team for a change. I’ve mostly been solo and I doubt a Shadow team is the usual experience.”

“So you are a Shadow too. Yes… okay. Okay, I will risk it. I accept. Do you need to carve it into my chest or something?” the mage asked.

“What, no. I just push mana into you,” Ilea said. Calling it rape. That’s such bullshit.

“Ah, I see. Well, I’m ready,” the woman said.

Why is she blushing? Ilea asked herself as she set the mark. Could it be?

She smiled but didn’t comment on it. Sophia was obviously dealing with last night’s experience. Maybe some other time, Ilea thought and stepped away.

The adventurer looked at the mark on the back of her hand and smiled. “Did I just sign over my soul?”

“No, my dear. You didn’t. If things here go south, call for me. It should be an instinctual thing,” she explained.

Sophia nodded.

“See you around,” Ilea said.

“See you.”

The flight back took a little longer, Ilea making a beeline for Karheim. The small village seemed entirely the same, people drinking in the inn’s common room, some entirely passed out and others sleeping in the rooms above.

No incident then. Good.

Her breakfast consumed, she strolled to the arena, finding even more people than on the day before. Any arguments as to who would be permitted to participate were silenced as soon as she was there.

Someone clad in ash and two question marks above their head were a little more convincing than the meek handler.

He apologized for the delay, despite her reassurance that everything was alright.

Ilea was just glad someone else managed the screening, payment and reservations. Today they had an even larger hall. One obviously used for a little more destructive testing and training.

She spotted a few people in entirely black gear, their levels in the two hundreds. Not people she remembered but according to their body language and the looks they gave her, they at least knew about her.

“Welcome all. I’m sure you are informed already. Start whenever you want to. Jerry will evaluate your participation and you will be paid accordingly. His word is gospel and if you start shit with him or argue too much you won’t receive anything at all. If you go further, I will personally fly you up above the clouds and then drop you. Understood?” she said.

The three Shadows nodded immediately. Everyone who had participated previously did too. Some few looked around with a confused expression, others even chuckling at the declaration.

Ilea didn’t know if it was pride or just a darker sense of humor. What she knew was that if they came back again tomorrow, they would nod just like the others. Yes, learn and grow, my resistance providers!

She needed six more levels for another third tier point. Blood would soon reach the end of the second tier but she still needed Void. Veteran was close as well. Which left Monster Hunter. Four points plus one for emergencies. Which already left her with one.

I should probably spend them all before advancing. Ten seems like a good number for a potential achievement.

One of the Shadows vanished and appeared closer to her before anyone had started to whirl spells at her. He wore light armor, intricate carvings covering large sections of it in a language unknown to her.

[Mage – lvl 226]

“I would like to start, if you would allow?” she said in a gravely voice.

A woman? Interesting. Didn’t look like one.

“Sure. If you think your spells too powerful, step forward,” Ilea said.

The other Shadows as well as a few of the others came closer.

The first woman was the highest level person present.

She demonstrated her magic on the ground, a chunk of stone vanishing in an instant.

Many of the people present recoiled and started murmuring amongst themselves.

“Void. You, my dear. Are very welcome,” Ilea said with a wide grin. She walked close to the woman who remained motionless. “I hope you don’t have plans for the coming weeks. My friend there will pay you handsomely for your continued participation,” she whispered the second part.

The woman ever so slightly turned towards her. “I am sure we will find an agreement.”

“Good. Very nice to meet you. Don’t go for the head and we are golden,” she said and looked to the next person in line. Another Shadow.

She wore light armor too, mostly treated hides. Very little metal. A hood covered her head and a scarf most of her face. Dark orange eyes stood out from the otherwise dark aesthetics of the level two fifteen mage.

The woman lifted a hand and black smoke formed above. It looked similar to Ilea’s ash but much less dense and defined.

It was quite literally just smoke.

“Interesting. That would be a new one,” Ilea said.

“That is what I had hoped,” the woman said and giggled, the joy not reaching her eyes. A crossbow appeared in her hands, the heavy tool easily moved by the woman.

“I will use this too, for the price of the bolts,” she added.

“Jerry, can you handle that?” Ilea asked and nodded towards the man.

“Of course,” he replied.

“Good. What do you have?” Ilea said.

“Poison, explosive, fire, lightning, paralyzing and a few more that I will not declare,” the Shadow said and winked.

“Perfect. Use everything but explosive. Ah and… feel free to throw in some of those mystery bolts. Would be interesting to see,” Ilea suggested.

“Hmm… I just might do that. Oh… before we continue, I usually use my smoke to choke and disorient my prey. The attacks are less direct,” she said.

“Even better. I have Oxygen Repository, so feel free to make me gasp for air,” Ilea said and winked back.

“Oooh, I like this,” the woman whispered to herself and leaned in. “Do you perhaps have a spot free in your team?”

A new Shadow? Or she wants to switch. “Not at the moment. But I will let you know when something comes up.”

Ilea nodded to the last Shadow. A level two hundred and four warrior. He was tall, over two meters. His gear had to weighas much or more than the man below. A large sword was strapped to his back, the form reminding her of a katana but its size was closer to a greatsword. Two meters or more in length as well and currently sheathed.

His armor was made of black steel, dents and scratches telling a story of their own. Four varied horns adorned his helmet, only two sockets showing his eyes behind.

The others were all below two hundred and none of their skills were anything new to her. She suspected that the majority of them simply overestimated their own abilities or they didn’t believe the stories from those who had participated in the course already.

When it was the Shadow’s turn, he looked to the waiting group and spoke. “Cover your ears.”

He then focused on Ilea, took a deep breath and shouted.

She felt the power reverberate through the hall, washing over her as if it was a wall of stone that hit her.

Sound magic… that’s good. I’m pretty low there. And something else, she thought and tried to place it. Ah, yes. I can even tell he’s not particularly good at it.

“Mind magic too. Interesting combination. I suspect you confuse your enemies and cleave them apart with that thing there?” she assumed.

A few of the people present had gone to their knees, some even bleeding from their ears. The Shadows didn’t react.

“You noticed it. As expected from someone with your reputation,” he said, surely sporting a smile below his helmet. The magic he exuded meddled with her sphere, if only a little.

“Can you focus it more? I don’t want people to get hurt,” she said.

“If you stand farther away, yes. I will use another angle. Someone can put up a wall of stone or ice. That should do it,” he said.

“Earth mages,” Ilea said and looked at a few she knew to be practitioners.

Two of them nodded and raised a wall in mere moments.

“May I ask something?” the Shadow said.

“Of course,” Ilea replied.

“I sense the presence of your mind. The only time I felt something similar was when I met a powerful mind magic wielding creature ten years past. A part of the attack was even thrown back at me,” he said.

“Hmm… that is a little secret of my own. Maybe you’ll find out more if you continue to join,” Ilea said and winked.

Resistance, she sent the thought to him and smiled when she saw his eyes widen.

“You…,” he stammered but focused again quickly. A laugh resounded as he walked to his spot. “I expected much and it still wasn’t enough.”

“Wait until you see her just stand there,” one of them said, shaking his head as he avoided looking directly at her.

As if that would protect you, Ilea thought with a grin. “Well, that settles it. Shadows, please start with low power attacks. We will find an effective system.”

____________________________________

Lorelai frowned when she reached the large table, eyeing the corpse laid out on top of it.

Sidney had asked for someone to show what they had learned about anatomy in the previous week. On a real body. With a dagger.

“What is it?” the teacher asked. “I can give you a sword or axe if you prefer it. Just don’t make a mess.”

“That’s not it,” she said and looked at the body again. The hips, modest chest, the skin color and most importantly the muscle. Beheaded.

“I’m sorry to ask but… where did you get that body?” she whispered to the teacher next to her.

The woman leaned closer and smiled. “That is classified. If you don’t want to do it, I will ask someone else.”

Lorelai gulped. No, no it can’t be. Or can it?

She took the dagger and glanced at the waiting class. Everyone attentive. Sidney had made sure of that since the beginning.

“First, the heart,” she said and touched the cold skin with a hand. “Protected by the rib cage, there are a few places where a stab can reach it. If you can get under the arm,” she said and pushed away the arm. She made a double take, squeezing the skin.

It’s like fucking steel, she noted and stabbed the dagger into the corpse’s side. Or she tried to at least.

A little more effort and an awkward glance at the others was followed by the activation of a few skills. The blade only penetrated a few centimeters into the body.

Sidney stepped over and grabbed her hand, ramming the blade inside. “Better?” she asked.

Lorelai only nodded dejectedly. “If you can manage to hit this spot, it can be deadly. However an injured or destroyed heart doesn’t always lead to death. As you all have seen with Ilea.”

“We didn’t actually see her lose her heart,” one of the students said.

“She could probably lose her bloody head and live,” Celeste said and chuckled, leading to a few laughs coming from the group.

Lorelai looked down at the body, her eyes moving to the neck as her eyes widened.

“That’s enough for now, I’ll take it from here,” Sidney said and patter her back. “Don’t,” she whispered in her ear.

The woman nodded and stepped back to her seat.

“You look pale,” Luke said. “Must be scary to stab a body.”

“Leave her alone,” Nathan said.

“It’s just like cutting meat, stab, stab, stab. I don’t see the problem,” Celeste said.

It’s her. She can regenerate her head.

Her response to the realization was a giggle that turned into a full blown laugh.

“Lorelai, please. If you can’t control your laughter, calm down outside,” Sidney said and continued the lesson.

___________________________

Four hours passed in the blink of an eye. Ilea learned that choking inside smoke is worse than simply choking due to a lack of air.

Void magic was still void magic but she could once more put into perspective just how insanely powerful that monster’s magic really was. The Shadow was close to Maria’s level of power. Ilea at least assumed as much. It was difficult to gauge with all the new power she had gotten since last training with the woman.

Everything deactivated brought the Shadow close to what Maria did to her back then. And it was immensely helpful. Sadly, there weren’t any competent blood mages involved but with Trian, Orthan and now the Specters, it was just a matter of time.

The warrior mostly focused on sound magic, the mind aspect not quite powerful enough to raise her level, even with Avatar of Ash.

The rest of the group delivered however, close to a hundred and twenty people participating again today. Many were below level one hundred however but their contribution accumulated to quite a few skill levels.

She enjoyed some lunch while she waited for Iana and Christopher to adjust the enchantments again. Orthan was occupied with the corruption, quite a few books and tools now occupying his small work space within the Core.

Ilea checked through the notifications while she let them work.

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘One third tier General skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Smoke Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Smoke Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Usually the result of fire magic, this school focused on smoke itself. Wielded by a master, it can be just as deadly and destructive, if not more so. Knowing you, you probably just set fire inside a closed off cave and enjoyed the choking sensation. Slut.

‘ding’ Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

My subconscious thinks I really enjoy being choked. Might just be worth a try, maybe I AM into it.

The third tier point was welcome too. She quickly looked over the options and found she hadn’t spent her twenty stat points yet either.

They went straight into Intelligence. I won’t reach a thousand Wisdom until three fifty anyway. Might as well make my magic hit just a little harder.

Ilea chose to finally advance her Wind Resistance with the new third tier point she had gotten.

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The ever elusive magic of Wind can cut from any side. You have learned that it might’ve been a good idea to become a Void mage. This skill helps you resist the power of wind a little more.

2nd stage: The mana flow inside of you has acclimated itself to the air around you, making you more aerodynamic.

3rd stage: As you adjust to the flows of powerful wind magic and natural torrents, you find yourself often capable of using some of the power. Perhaps to propel yourself forward or stop abruptly. Wind mages might think you one of their own.

A nice potential surprise for the Griffin, she thought with a smile.

Chapter 459 Request

Chapter 459 Request

The testing with Iana and Christopher wasn’t quite as successful as on the previous day. Something definitely worked but other than chunks and pieces of Ilea, nothing else was teleported.

Ilea’s lessons in the afternoon went well on the other hand, nearly all students participating in the torturous endeavor. She wondered why Lorelai watched her with such an intense glare. Ilea decided it had to be just a difficult day. Or she overcame her fear and pain by channeling her anger at Ilea.

Her bow training didn’t amount to a level but she did receive one for her Sage of Torment skill, bringing it to level three.

Ilea went to meet with Claire afterwards, finding the woman watching Cless draw.

It was Kyrian again, flying in mid air with a large number of blades floating around him, all aimed at a creature shrouded in a mist of colors.

“You’re back, how was your day?” Claire stated, not taking her eyes from the canvas.

The girl was utterly consumed, not reacting in the slightest to the newcomer.

“Classes went well. Training too. Did she draw me earlier? I got a level in Divination Resistance.”

“She did. Several times. I am not sure if what you’re doing is the best idea, Ilea. I’ve seen it before but the still painting of dozens of spells flying at your unprotected body made me worry a little,” Claire said.

“Is Kyrian fighting a mist monster or what is that?” she asked.

“It means Cless can’t see it, whatever it may be. It happened with you too from time to time. Some creatures have a higher resistance to divination magic,” the woman explained.

“I see. Let me know if you find out anything about his location. As to your question, it’s perfectly safe. I doubt anybody in this city can kill me at this point,” Ilea said.

“I didn’t say it was unsafe. I said it might not be a good idea. Everyone who uses their magic against you will feel inadequate. I can’t have half the city’s adventurers quit because you broke their self confidence,” Claire explained and finally looked at her.

Ilea followed her to the table, enchantments activating that separated Cless from their conversation. Not that the girl would listen right now anyway.

“With all due respect,” Ilea started and formed an ashen chair as she sat down. It warmed up immediately. “If anything, I’m providing them with easy skill levels. If someone quits because they can’t injure a powerful Shadow, they are not adventurers in the first place. Plus, there are a few Shadows present now too. It might help to see that their spells are just as ineffective.”

Claire sighed and summoned a document. “I hope you’re right. I know you don’t care much but every adventurer is needed, for a variety of jobs. The economy and growth of this city would be impacted if a lot of them quit suddenly.”

“Most come back for more. I believe you are overthinking this,” Ilea said and nodded to the piece of paper.

“Maybe. I didn’t mean to have you stop by the way. I just thought to tell you,” she said and turned the document around. “I received this a few hours ago. From the team manning the communication unit provided by Iana and Christopher. A request for assistance,” Claire said.

“Riverwatch?” Ilea asked. It was the only place outfitted with such a device outside of Ravenhall.

Claire nodded. “Yes. I assume we will get further information in the coming days from a courier. Anybody that could make the trip in less time would be too valuable to send.”

“Want me to go check it out?” Ilea asked.

“I thought about asking, yes. A job for the Shadows would take a little more information and who knows who would take it. Our alliance is new and you already know Alistair. However, I know you are busy. Both with your classes and personal training,” she said.

“Hmm. You are right with both. People know me now though. I can take a few days off if necessary, they will be back. The students might welcome a bit more time to breathe too. You will receive the information from Riverwatch anyway. If it’s too big for me or if it takes too long, I’ll leave it to a Shadow team,” Ilea said.

Claire closed her eyes and visibly relaxed. “Thank you. I really really appreciate this, Ilea. And I apologize that I’m bothering you with this.”

“Don’t worry. There are a few people in Riverwatch I’d like to survive. And I know the situation isn’t exactly stable with the war and everything. Plus, there are some things I wanted to get done in the area. Guess I’ll just move that a little forward in my schedule,” she said. “Should I just go talk to Alistair?”

“I told you everything I know. The device isn’t very specific. Yet,” Claire said.

“I will go immediately then. No dancing lesson today, I suppose,” Ilea said and got up.

“I suppose not. I will be here for your next one. Trian and the arena will be informed that you won’t be participating tomorrow. Don’t get yourself killed out there. And please, don’t start any wars,” the administrator said.

“I’ll try not to,” Ilea replied and vanished out of the room.

With my charged flight speed, it shouldn’t take more than a few hours to get there, she thought and made a stop at the Sentinel headquarters.

Iana and Christopher were still working. Might be good for them too. Another perspective.

“Good evening you two,” she greeted them with a wave, having been let in to their sanctuary.

“Hey Ilea. Didn’t expect you back until tomorrow? Didn’t you plan to explore dungeons?” Iana asked. She scratched her head, still holding a pen in her hand.

Christopher didn’t even get up from his desk.

“I did. A request from Claire and through extension Riverwatch has come up however. I will fly there right now and thought you two should come with me,” Ilea said.

“What… Riverwatch?” Iana said and looked around. “It takes months to get there… I don’t have my things ready and we can’t stop our research for so long!”

“It does seem like a long trip. Even though you fly quite quickly,” Christopher said as he got involved as well. “Why do you want us there anyway?”

Ilea crossed her arms. “Calm down you two. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours. My wings aren’t the same anymore. Hmm, I do hope you survive that speed. How does your Vitality look?”

Iana was murmuring something to herself before she spoke up. “Ilea, focus. Why this trip? Why now?”

“Because back in the Azarinth temple, where I got my class, there was a device that teleported me down into the basement. That and a fountain that made the water inside it have healing powers. I want you two to have a look. Plus, if Weavy is around, you can talk to him about demonic runes. Both might be helpful,” she said.

I wonder if Maro is already back too. He probably fucked out of the north as fast as possible.

“The demon you mentioned. That would be quite helpful. Iana, I think we should go,” Christopher said.

“Yes but a few hours? How fast exactly are you?” Iana asked.

“Quite,” Ilea said. “You have food, clothes and whatever else you need in your storage ring?”

“I do, but-” Iana said.

Ilea nodded and clapped. “Then we are ready to go. Come on, grab what you need for your research as well as a bunch of weapons and armor.”

“Will we have to fight?” Christopher said, frantically glancing at the two of them.

“I don’t plan on it but who the fuck knows what’s waiting out there. Might as well be prepared,” Ilea said. “If you need anything, we can quickly check some of the shops.”

“No, no. We are quite prepared. My father made sure of that,” Iana said as a set of dark blue steel armor appeared on her body, the enchantress’ look changing to that of a fearsome warrior. Various enchantments glowed on the gear. A rapier was fastened to her belt.

The armor was obviously fitted and made just for her, reminding of Ilea’s own bone armor.

“You look good in that,” Ilea said and nodded to the weapon. “Are you trained?”

The girl winked, only her eyes visible. “I can hold my own. Not against a Shadow but enchanters have their own tricks.”

“I don’t have tricks,” Christopher said with a sigh.

“What do you mean? What about the trap enchantments you made and the explosives? You finished the implosion device too! Just activate and throw them,” Iana said.

“Ah yes… I suppose I could do that. I will get them, give me a few minutes,” he said and walked to one of the many storage units built into the walls.

“Check C18, I made something for you. Just in case,” Iana said with a giggle.

Have you been getting a little closer than just work acquaintances? Hmm? Ilea thought and glared at the girl with a smile on her face.

She didn’t look her way, instead focused on the ceiling.

He may be a little old for her but if anyone is looking for someone more mature than their age, it’s Iana.

“Oh wow… this is… quite useful!” the man exclaimed and looked through the pieces.

“I will get dressed immediately!” he said and started changing where he stood.

“Not very modest, are we?” Ilea asked, not loud enough for him to hear.

Iana’s face turned a little red, her eyes still focused on the ceiling.

He was done a few minutes later, joining them again with a smile.

Ilea had to admit that his face was easy on the eyes. Perhaps not the most striking appearance but it might not be fair to compare him to level two hundred mages and warriors, enough money, time and power on their hands to get all they could out of their appearance.

Compared to when she had found him, in Arthur Redleaf’s employ, the man now positively glowed. He looked a few decades younger too.

His gear consisted of belts and pockets, strapped onto an intricate light weight armor with bits of steel and leather. Masterful work but what else was to be expected from Balduur and Iana. The most striking part was that all the pockets, straps and belts were part of the clothes. They didn’t have to be fastened individually. Otherwise they might have very well left on the next morning.

“I think with this I can distract a few monsters. Or set up some barriers at least,” he said, gingerly opening and closing some of the compartments.

“Good. Ready then?” Ilea asked. She wasn’t in a hurry because of the request itself but perhaps there was a chance that she could be back for her morning session after all.

The two looked at each other.

“I guess so,” Iana said. “You will carry us?”

“Yes, I will,” Ilea said as her ashen armor formed, limbs moving out to grab the two. “I don’t want you to die so I’ll have to hold on pretty tightly. My healing should offset any damage you would take but I will have an eye on the both of you.”

“Going off your estimation, we would pass out and die after less than a minute of flight,” Christopher said as he looked at the ashen limbs, nodding to one of them as if it was a living creature.

“We will test,” Ilea said. “If you can’t take it, I’ll go alone.”

Ilea’s normal flight speed without charged wings was already quite taxing on the two. She was sure they would pass out after a few minutes without her healing and the ashen cocoons she had formed around them.

The test with charged wings was successful too, both of her passengers passing out after a while, their vitals however stable thanks to her continued healing. Delivering two enchanters to Riverwatch, now where was that large fucking mountain?

Just under three hours later, the dark winged healer reached the intended destination.

The suns hadn’t gone down quite yet and visibility was good.

Ilea spotted the town from a high distance, just a speck to her enhanced eyes but it was unmistakable, sitting next to the mountain Karth and the river flowing past.

The town was neither on fire nor besieged as far as she could tell. Enough for her to swerve away and towards the Azarinth temple.

Ilea slowed down considerably, going low and into the forest to avoid any interested eyes. Her sphere, blink and third tier wings made the dangerous journey quite simple. Not that trees would stand against her flying form.

It would be moot however, if she avoided tracks on the ground but left behind dozens of felled trees.

She did spot a few of them on the way, some likely not downed more than a few months ago but that didn’t change her opinion. The temple was close enough and they soon reached it without interruption.

“Here we are,” she said and checked the area. There were tracks and she saw magic residue. Nothing that would suggest humans or other bipedal creatures.

Ilea laid both of her travel companions onto the grass and pushed a little more healing into them than before.

Both shot up immediately, eyes wide open as they reoriented themselves.

“What! What happened? Where are we!?” Iana said out loud.

“How long have we been out?” Christopher asked as he cupped his face with both hands.

“A little over three hours, I think,” Ilea said. “We are near Riverwatch. Far enough away not to attract any attention. And this,” she gestured behind them. “Is an Azarinth temple. Past its glory.”

“This is where you got your class,” Iana said, already over the experience. Likely due to the constant healing.

“Three hours?” Christopher said as he scrambled to find a booklet in one of his pockets. “That is… incredible… truly. If people can move at that speed, a teleportation device becomes obsolete in the first place… storage devices would solve the wind resistance issue and the logistics of transferring large amounts of goods,” he murmured to himself as he took some notes.

“The world is bigger than the human plains, Christopher. And I doubt many will be able to fly this fast, nor do I want to become a delivery girl,” Ilea said.

“Of course. I am simply looking at the possibilities. Well, the enchantments you wanted to show us, they are here?” he asked.

“Yes. Follow me,” Ilea said.

“Marvelous… it’s healing isn’t it?” Christopher asked and looked to Iana.

She nodded, moving her hand over the inscriptions, barely visible without any perception skills. “It invades whoever gets too close, thus activating the enchantment without a previous charge. Ilea, do you happen to have a skill to steal mana from someone?”

“Part of one skill does that, yeah,” she said.

“But nobody mentioned gaining a drain resistance I assume? It’s a healing skill,” Iana correctly assumed.

Ilea just nodded.

“Can you recreate it?” Ilea asked.

“I’m not sure yet. The chance is low however, because neither of us can channel the type of mana necessary. The principles however, might be useful.”

“Perfect. The second thing is in the room this teleportation thing leads you to. A fountain that produces healing water,” she said.

“We will look at it as soon as we’re done here,” Iana said, focused on the runes.

“How long do you think you will need?” Ilea asked.

The enchantress looked up. “As long as we can.”

Ilea nodded. “I don’t think there should be anything too dangerous around. For your level at least. If something does show up, just teleport below using the enchantment.”

“You won’t stay?” Christopher asked, glancing around the dark temple.

“I have other plans. I would leave a mark but I’m out currently. I’m sure you’ll be safe. I will sweep the area to check if anything is around but I survived here for weeks on end, below level one hundred,” she said.

“It’s alright. We aren’t defenseless, Ilea,” the enchantress said, giving her a thumbs up with an armored hand.

You don’t look defenseless. But if a Specter or Praetorian showed up, you wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Good. I will check in on you again. You have food and water as well as provisions?” she asked.

Iana nodded.

“Okay. If I’m not back in three days, assume I’m dead. Go back to Ravenhall and continue your work,” she said.

“What exactly are you planning?” Iana asked.

“I hope you aren’t getting in too much danger,” Christopher said.

“Your funding will be guaranteed anyway, don’t worry,” Ilea said. “I plan to meet an old acquaintance and help out an independent city with an unspecified problem. Just don’t want you two to be stranded in case something finally manages to put me down… though it is more and more unlikely.”

“We will figure it out, don’t worry about us. I welcome the opportunity to be in the wild, studying ancient runes without my overprotective father looking over me,” Iana said.

Christopher gulped. “I had hoped it was finally over.”

“Don’t worry, we don’t plan to face Taleen. And if it becomes too dangerous, we will leave,” Iana said, patting his back.

“Well, knock yourselves out. Ah, if any Bluemoon Grass has grown in the meantime, harvest but don’t eat it. It hurts and there’s a high chance it can kill you. Well, maybe not you at this level but I would still be careful. Stay safe and I’ll see you later,” Ilea said and waved.

“You too. Have fun on your adventure,” Iana said, beaming with joy in her eyes. The dangerous looking armor gave the farewell an odd feel.

“Have… fun,” Christopher said, shaking his head.

Ilea chuckled at the sight and vanished, appearing on top of her temple. A single ashen limb moved out and marked a few new discoveries on her small map next to the compass rose.

It felt a little weird, to stand here now, where she had started in this weird and fantastical world. If the wolves or drakes had gotten me, it would have ended somewhere here, in the woods. But it didn’t.

Her wings spread as an armor made of ash covered her. The fear and uncertainty that vividly came to her mind as memories of her first months came back to her were no more. All was replaced by confidence in her magic and abilities. The only feeling she shared with her past self that had struggled to survive in this temple, was excitement.

If only she had knownthat in a year or two, she would be flying through the skies.

Chapter 460 Problematic Conflicts

A note from Rhaegar

Author's note: Hello all. First I wanted to say thanks for still reading :).

My civic duty should end on June 1st and I hope to be able to post more regularly again starting on June 2nd. As some people on the Discord already know, I decided to increase to 5 chapters a week instead of the previous 6.

I hope that I can focus a little more on other projects as well as side stories for Azarinth. I set myself a schedule as soon as I went full time and while I could finish 6 chapters a week (without fail I think), I often worked on weekends or found myself creatively starved when trying to write side stories or working on other things.

I do hope you understand this change.

Again, thank you so much. For this amazing opportunity and your continued support.

Now I will let you (hopefully) enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 460 Problematic Conflicts

Ilea landed in Riverwatch without being confronted by a squad of guards or arrows and artillery flying her way. To her disappointment really. If she could enter this easily, others could too.

Then again, I can’t truly expect Ravenhall’s level of defense. They neither have the capability nor a recent mass genocide by demons to remind them of the necessity.

She wore her leather armor and casual clothes, her ashen armor receding to her back, just below her neck.

A passing guard squad supplied her with directions towards the main governmental buildings. A quick show of her Shadow badge convinced them that she isn’t a dangerous vagabond traveling their streets by night.

Ilea tried to use her Huntress skill as much as possible, focusing on Alistair as her target. A few more skills would allow her to mark more people, something she definitely wanted. It had been difficult to level the skill during combat, meaning opportunities like this were very much welcome.

A few stores were open still and the occasional worker or adventurer passed her in the streets but the difference between day and night was striking in this city. Compared to Ravenhall where many, especially in the inner two circles or Viscera, went about their business no matter what time of day. Some stores were even closed while the suns were out, knowing business would be better when the higher level people shopped at night.

Mostly inns and pubs were still active. The suns had set but it likely wasn’t past midnight quite yet. As spring rolled in, the nights would grow shorter too.

Her skill informed her of a trace of mana. Instinctively, she knew it was her target. Alistair. Don’t remember him ever using a skill in front of me. Just his aura was enough? Or can I just feel the mana of everyone I’ve ever met with this?

She focused on the Ascended and his magic, not picking up a single thing in her surroundings. A comforting thought. To be able to know at the very least, if her enemy walked amongst humans.

Ilea hoped her assumption was correct and the being heavily disliked these mana starved areas, being of another species and all. One that might have started at a higher level too.

She found Alistair in the city hall, where she had met him before. The same office even.

She mused on how easy it would be to assassinate the man as one of his guards checked her badge.

“The request went out earlier today. How come you are already here?” the woman asked.

Ilea spread her wings behind herself and flapped them once, a gust of wind moving away in both directions of the corridor. The sound of a violently shutting window cemented her argument.

“Lilith,” the other guard murmured, eyes wide open.

It’s spreading far and wide. Maybe for once the name actually helps, she thought.

The woman knocked on the door, entering upon confirmation. “A Shadow is here to see you.”

Alistair appeared close to the door and opened it wide. “Ilea. It is marvelous to see you.”

The man had bags under his eyes, moving a hand through his disheveled hair as he looked at her. “Well, let her in. I know her.”

The guards nodded and stood aside.

“Good to see you too, Alistair. I take it you haven’t been as well as when I saw you last?”

She formed an ashen chair and watched him teleport to his own, slumping down as the doors to the room closed, an enchantment’s effect activating.

“It has been… turbulent. Are you here just by chance or because of our request for assistance?” he asked, unsure but hopeful.

“Claire sent me, I’m here to help,” Ilea said.

He sighed and got a bottle from one of his drawers, pouring a glass and glancing at her.

“I’m fine, thanks,” she said and instead summoned a bottle of ale.

“I am… relieved that you are here. And I won’t be wasting your time with idle talk,” he downed his glass in a single motion and continued without pause. “The contract with Ravenhall was a success. Many higher ups in Riverwatch welcomed the security it should provide. Doubts of course were present too.”

“More came up when operations to save ex slaves from Baralia to incorporate into our city were launched. Quite successfully if I may say so myself. The financial and logistical support from your side was an immense help of course. Many ex slaves have already been employed by shops, smithies, and even the guard.”

Ilea took a sip. “What’s the problem then? Angering Baralia? I thought everyone is pretty much working together to destroy them at this point.”

“Exactly. Which means everyone wants a piece of their land and the riches included within. However the doubts and complaints were of a less materialistic nature. Some few individuals simply do not see the worth of slaves and the fact that we set them free. Sadly, their influence and other capabilities far outweigh the impact of such arrogant thinking.”

“Cut to the chase, governor. I plan to leave again tomorrow,” Ilea said and downed her ale.

The man blinked and nodded. “Of course. Apologies… where were we… yes, the operations. You see, Nipha has made offers and requests lately. Their interest in Riverwatch and the western cities has been known for long but the crises in the past years has made them more bold.”

“It seems they haven’t intervened in the passing of a rather large group of slavers and lords from Baralia, trying to reclaim the slaves we took from them. They are blocking roads, rile up monsters and outright attack caravans and soldiers, heavily reducing our effectiveness.”

“We could intervene but the resources we spent on this already make it difficult for me to convince all parties. It is paramount that I keep this city and its most important leaders unified. Nipha and potentially other players are ready to use any opportunity they can get.”

Ilea crossed her arms and slumped in her chair. “Why the fuck do they care? Isn’t Baralia under attack? Why come here and get some slaves back?”

“The lords and ladies of Baralia are loyal only to themselves. Pillaging rescue operations in a foreign forest suits them more than rallying their troops in their king’s defense,” Alistair said. “It is an easy target and they do hate to be wronged. I hear that all slaves of an owner are punished if a single one escapes or is taken. Now that isn’t possible because we take everyone from estates and farms. The only way to punish them thus, is to find them and take them back.”

“Are they really that bored? With all the things you could do in your life? You hunt down escaped slaves to punish them,” she said and shook her head.

“To them those people are property. They grew up learning that and believing that such is the way of life. Even now, I doubt many citizens of Baralia truly know in what kind of danger they are. Now they are here, to get back what belongs to them. In their minds, they are righteous,” he said.

“That doesn’t make it better. Just sad too,” Ilea said.

The man shrugged and poured himself another drink. “War always is.”

“Humans,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“We do have a certain charm,” Alistair said. “Now I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t a precarious situation. For any other Shadow I would have offered twice the normal rate. For you however, I have something else in mind. If you finish the job, it may be possible to finally convince the others.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“You will see. It is suffice to say that the worth of the reward will vastly exceed the normal rate. I owe much to you, Ilea. And so does Riverwatch. And I will do my utmost for us to be kept in your good graces. Riverwatch will stand with you and Ravenhall and it pains me that already we are forced to ask for your help,” he said and stood up, bowing to her.

“Don’t bow. Wow, I’m really not cut out for this. Sure, I will help you. Just get as many slaves out of there as you can. I’d prefer if they worked in stores owned by me,” she said.

“Of course. I have a squad of highly specialized adventurers prepared to come out with you, as soon as you are ready,” he said.

“What are their levels?” she asked.

“Close to two hundred but their abilities are quite extraordinary,” Alistair said.

“I would rather work alone, wouldn’t want any of them getting killed. My tracking spell needs a few levels too. How hard do you think it would be to find them?”

“There are many. They occupy the area right outside Nipha borders,” he said and took out a map, showing her the location. “It will be simple to find them. However it wont be easy to avoid open battle without covert experts.”

“Why would I avoid open battle?” Ilea asked and stood up.

“I will leave it to you then. Do not overextend yourself,” he said and lifted the glass to her.

Ilea wasn’t sure if she could trust the man fully. He was a governor after all and as everyone with power, they were playing their little games. She was just a piece on his board as she was a piece on Claire’s board.

Perhaps more a wildcard than anything else, making them adapt policies through sheer brute force and wealth. Claire owed her but more importantly, she was a dear friend. The same thing could not be said about Alistair.

The owing part, yes. But she didn’t trust him quite yet. Alice had used her and there was a high chance that he would try to do the same.

Maybe everything he said was true but Ilea wouldn’t just slaughter a bunch of people on the word of one man. She would ask them herself and find out why they were here.

If Alistair had been honest, that would benefit their future relationship. She hoped the man took her for what she was and not someone to manipulate.

Glad I’m not a fucking governor, she thought as she landed twenty minutes of flying later. A river flowing nearby let her orient herself. The area Alistair had marked was quite extensive, suggesting either a very mobile force or large numbers.

Making people understand that slaves are just as much human beings deserving the same rights as everyone else seems exhaustive.

Sentinel Huntress and her sphere picked up every movement, scent and living being around her as she strolled through the forest.

Ilea spotted a few wolves that promptly sprinted away upon sensing her. One nimble bear like creature climbed up a tree as if its life depended on it.

Is it the aura? Ilea wondered. She turned it off. Deviant of Humanity.

Another pack of wolves avoided her but didn’t outright run for their lives.

She found tracks and magic residue, following the confusing trail until she glimpsed dull torchlight in the distance. Still hundreds of meters away but with her eyes it could have just as well been next to her.

I have special eyes, don’t I?

She giggled to herself, noticing movement within her sphere. Oh? Already found? Maybe he was right and I should have taken that covert squad with me.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 4’

“Niceee,” she said out loud.

The person stalking her stayed at a safe distance, shrouded in something that obscured them.

Eve my dear, you would be disappointed, she thought and vanished.

Her hands rushed out and grabbed, finding purchase in thin air before she felt an attack coming.

Useless.

The blade scraped against her armor, a poisoned throwing knife.

“Stop it or I will snap you like a twig,” she whispered and put Monster Hunter into the mix.

Her captive calmed, the air shifting before a man in dark brown robes appeared, his face covered by a steel mask.

[Rogue – lvl 191]

Ilea removed the mask which revealed a man in his thirties, various scars showing on his clean shaven face. He was bald too and didn’t have a tongue.

“Great. The silent assassins. How fucking original,” she said and rolled her eyes. “Are you a slave?”

The man didn’t reply.

“Hmm… what’s that?” she said as her healing mana examined his body. Her sphere helped too. “Interesting. What do they do? The things in your teeth?”

His eyes opened wide and he shook his head slowly.

“What? Tell me or I’ll just rip them out, your choice,” she said.

The man made a noise but talking proved difficult without one of the relevant organs. The injury seemed too far back to be healed.

“Do you want to gesture?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Okay, good. Don’t do anything stupid,” she said and grappled him with several ashen limbs, letting go of his arms.

The man made two fists and then opened them quickly, moving his hands away.

“Explosion?” Ilea asked.

He nodded.

“Same happens if I remove them?”

He nodded again.

“How powerful are we talking?”

The man shook his head.

“Do you trust me?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head.

“Do you want to be free?”

He didn’t reply.

“You’re with Baralia, right?” she asked.

The man didn’t deny.

Ah what the hell, if he dies I’ll have taken out one of their assassins.

She filled his mouth with ash and hardened it to keep it open. “Now this is going to hurt, my dear. I suggest you think of something pleasant.”

Didn’t think I’d become a dentist too, life leads you on interesting paths, she thought as her healing mana flowed into him, two ashen limbs wrapped around the relevant teeth.

“On three, one, two-” she ripped the teeth out with blinding speed, the explosions muffled by ash, unable to penetrate the encased space. Ilea was sure her Blast Resistance had helped tremendously.

Catching an explosion within a closed off space. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

The wounds were already healed, new teeth grown to replace the old ones.

“Hah, now you’re free. Bet you didn’t expect that when you woke up today. Now I want some information or I will have to kill you,” she said, watching the man grasp at his jaw with both hands.

His eyes were wide open as he looked at her and the ash holding him in place.

The sound had been muffled enough not to reach the distant light but Ilea thought it possible that someone could show up.

He looked back and once more touched his jaw.

She felt he was in great distress but not because of her.

“Scared your master will kill you because the implants are gone?” she asked.

He focused on her, tears forming in his eyes as he nodded. He made a pained noise. A request perhaps.

“Look. As far as I see, you have two options here,” she flowed healing magic into the man. “One, you go back to your master, who surely trained and groomed you since you were a wee child. They would likely kill or punish you for taking out the implants, right?”

He looked around frantically.

“Option two. You cooperate with me, I kill your master and set you free, as well as any other slave that is in that camp,” Ilea said.

The man locked eyes with her as his breathing slowed down. The turmoil was clear.

“I don’t have all night. Do you want to live or do you want to die?” she asked.

He closed his eyes, tears flowing down his cheeks before he nodded.

“What, die?” she said.

He shook his head.

“Live. Good choice. I would have chosen that too. It’s fun. Living. And now you’re free. As soon as you told me what I want to know.”

He gestured to his mouth and the obvious lack of tongue.

“Tell in a figurative sense. You can write I assume?”

The man nodded.

“Great! Fantastic.”

It soon became clear that the extent of the enemy forces had been underestimated. Not just by Ilea but by Alistair as well.

The camp ahead was just the long reaching arm of one Lord Harken, the noble in charge of Wynehold, which was the southwestern most large city in Baralia. They came to retake the slaves stolen from their lands.

Seems like Alistair didn’t lie. So much for not getting massively involved in this war. Eh, we’re freeing slaves, aren’t we?

She sat with the freed man, his resolve broken as he wrote down the answers to all her questions.

As if he’s just fulfilling an order.

“How old were you when your training started?” she asked.

He looked up and showed four fingers.

“Four years old. Do you even understand the concept of freedom?” Ilea said.

He didn’t reply.

“No master. Nobody to take orders from. You decide on your own,” she said.

He listened but it looked like he didn’t hear.

The man wrote something and pointed at her.

Master

Ah fuck. That’s exactly what I didn’t want to happen, Ilea thought and sighed.

“We will figure that out later. For now, we’ll need a plan to free all the slaves in that camp and disrupt these operations. Can you sketch me a layout and tell me how many people there are, if they’re slaves or not and how powerful they are?”

The man nodded.

Ilea stopped him for a moment and looked into his eyes. “What’s your name by the way?”

The pale man just shook his head.

“Of course you don’t have one. I’m Lilith. Nice to meet you,” she said. He might still escape or betray her, in which case she preferred him use that name instead of her real one.

He mouthed the word and continued the sketch.

Chapter 461 Infiltration

Chapter 461 Infiltration

“Luis Harken, hmm? Charming man,” Ilea said as she read through the notes on the man. A level one sixty two mage and the leader of this rag tag group of government funded bandits.

“You think it will work?” she asked, having outlined the rough plan.

He shrugged. The epitome of confidence.

A shrug is enough for me.

“Dress or roughed up leather armor?” she said.

Armor. More believable.

“Probably,” she murmured and let her ashen armor flow to her back. She casually slashed open her arm and rubbed some of the blood onto her face. A few rough rounds through her hair with both hands left it disheveled enough. “How do I look?”

Rugged, the man wrote.

“Beautiful enough to peak interest?” she asked.

He nodded.

Ilea squinted her eyes. “Are you just saying that because you think I’m your master?”

He shook his head.

Smart man.

The two of them casually strolled into the camp. At the sight of the slave she had come to call Steve, the guards nearly ignored her completely. Two men a little above level one hundred tried hard not to look at Steve, clasping their weapons a little more tightly.

He gestured her to continue and stepped back into the forest.

The camp was quite vast, trees felled to provide space for tents, some luxurious while most were quite simple. Moonlight shined from above, few clouds obscuring it.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” Ilea said with fake apprehension, glancing around frantically to give off the notion of a carp inside a wasp nest.

“The Vowed brought you here… who are you?” one of them asked, now quite a bit more hostile than before.

God you are stupid. The other guy is at least respecting my level. The Vowed… of course.

“I was separated from my team. I’d like to talk to whoever is in charge here,” she said.

The man laughed and glanced at his companion. “I’m in charge as far as I’m concerned. You want to stay the night? Have food and water? Maybe we can work something out. Not the ugliest I’ve ever had.”

Ilea took in his scent, the sweat and lack of hygiene, his aura, the feel of his magic, as dull as it was. She would find this man and she would personally rip off his head.

“We shouldn’t… what if he finds out. You know what happened to those scouts,” the other guard said.

That seemed to put a real damper on the dead man’s ambitions. He wrung with himself but finally his fear won out over his desires.

“What makes such a high level healer travel alone through here? With which order are you?” he asked.

“I would like to discuss such matters with whoever is in charge. As to your earlier comments, I hope you will fulfill my request. You know what will happen if a Corinth Order member suddenly vanishes,” Ilea said.

He turned to her and got close. “A lone healer… and you still think your order will protect you. Here? In the middle of nowhere? How will they find me, I wonder?”

“They will interrogate your friend over there. Or the silent one who brought me here. He seemed more wise than you are,” Ilea said, enjoying the twisting veins on his face.

Invoking the Corinth order’s name brought her some joy. She couldn’t agree more with the man. Nobody would come for a lone healer caught in a war camp of a bunch of slavers.

“Follow me. No crap or you will be thrown to the slaves,” he said, walking ahead through the camp.

Ilea could see the grin on his face thanks to her sphere. He believed her fate set in stone.

I’m going to expand your world by so many dimensions, little warrior man.

[Warrior – lvl 112]

Her sphere gave her an idea of the equipment of the people here. This wasn’t a rogue team trying to get a few slaves back. This was a war camp, perhaps one of many. Why they were here instead of their own country was another question entirely.

Is that lord really that petty? Just forget about those slaves. Get your forces behind the walls and defend against Lys.

When she was let into the largest and most unnecessarily decorated tent, the question of pettiness answered itself.

Four Vowed ones occupied the large room, one in each corner.

Sprawled out in what looked like a couch lay a man wearing gold laced pants and no shirt.

He looked bored as he turned to her and the guard that had brought her here.

With him were nine women in a varied state of undress. And three men. They littered the floor as if they were furniture or pets. A few of them took note of Ilea but tried hard not to glance her way. The man had dark green eyes, toned muscles and wavy hair. A short beard gave his face a pleasant form as he rested on one hand.

“Who is she?” he asked in a bored tone.

“Sir, she came looking for help. She claims to be part of the Corinth order, separated from her team,” the guard helpfully informed.

“A frightened and lost cub has come to my tent. Tell me, my dear. What are the principles taught to the Corinth order?” he asked in the same monotone voice.

Fuck

“You got me. I’m not part of an order. The rest is true,” she said.

The guard next to her grinned.

“Oh? So you lied to us? Now that… that doesn’t paint a very bright future for you, my dear. Hmm… it has been a while however, that I have feasted on such a rough… animal. And healing powers are so, enticing. You may stay the night. With me,” the man said with a slight smile. He didn’t sound malicious, perhaps truly believing it to be a courtesy.

He stood up slowly and appeared in front of her.

[Mage – lvl 162]

“My name is Luis Harken. I welcome you to my tent,” he said and touched her face.

Ilea stepped closer, reaching out and stroking his arms. She brushed her still armored chest against his and found his hand, her fingers brushing the thing she was looking for.

She got close to his ear, noting that his heart rate had increased, his manhood pushing through his pants against her thigh. “Now, my dear. Promise not to scream.”

Ash spread out behind her and into the man’s mouth as she snapped off his finger and with it the signet ring. Four more limbs immobilized the guard that had brought her here as she took a step back, both men caught in her ash, the missing finger already healed.

“Shiny,” she said and looked at her outstretched hand, the golden ring topped off with a red signet. “Vowed, take a step forward.”

The four men in the corners of the tent simultaneously took a step forward.

Ilea was happy none of the slaves had spoken a word. She could tell that a few of them weren’t exactly present, their minds within a fog of ecstasy. Those that weren’t were very distressed.

“Interesting. All that is needed is this ring. Steve was right, what a surprise,” she mused to herself and looked at her captives. Their mouths were still filled with ash.

“Don’t worry, I’m here to free slaves, not kill them,” she said and crouched down in front of Luis.

“See, you’re quite attractive. I might have considered your proposal if you didn’t hold humans like cattle.”

He made a muffled noise as his body caught fire, a spell forming.

Ilea’s hand lashed out. The slap extinguished the flames entirely, the man nearly going unconscious. Her healing brought him back.

“Now, now, now. Listen to me, Luis. I want you to realize in what position you’re in,” she said as her ashen armor extended around her. The grip of her ashen limbs strengthened on both of the men. She noted that his erection didn’t wane. Quite the contrary.

Ew, now I feel dirty.

“Your life is in my hands, do you understand that?” she asked.

The man nodded, fear in his eyes.

“Now, I want you to answer everything I ask and do as I say. Or I will kill you. It’s as simple as that,” she said.

He nodded frantically.

“You won’t scream if I take out the ash?” she waited for the nod and then freed his mouth.

The man coughed, helped along by her healing. “You won’t get away with this, woman. My father-”

Another slap made him shut up. A few of his teeth had broken, as well as his jaw. Ilea healed it quickly as her ash kept his screaming to a minimum.

“Listen here you little shit. I really don’t want to torture you, you’re just so fucking weak I nearly kill you with a slap. Your threats aren’t very convincing with that thing poking through your pants.”

“My sexual interests matter not. You dared lay a hand on a Harken. You life is forfeit. Unless… perhaps we can find an arrangement,” he suggested.

Ilea sighed. “Okay. First tell me what this ring can do. I can feel several uses.”

“It shows the enchantments placed within the Vowed and lets you charge them,” the man explained. He remained quite calm after his small literal outburst.

Confident that he has the upper hand. Even bound and horny. This man hasn’t lost a single time in his life.

“You, get every Vowed here to this tent,” she said, pointing at one of them. “You, tell the guards outside that I’m the new master. Nobody is to be let in.”

Both men vanished.

Don’t get used to it. You will have to give away this toy. It is the ethical thing to do.

I can at least be evil for a little while, she thought with a smile.

“Are you really here to retake the slaves freed and taken from your lands?” she asked.

The man looked at her as if it was the stupidest question to ask. “Of course. My father doesn’t take lightly on thievery. These lines of slaves have been held for generations. Fed and trained by us. Given purpose. A light response would not stand.”

“Really? Even though your country is at war with several nations?” Ilea asked.

“The king will prevail. And Wynehold will stand. It has been that way for centuries. The empire is weakened, wounded. It will bleed out in our lands, as will any other that dare to attack,” Luis explained.

Is he delusional? Or does he know something I don’t. Claire seemed sure the war was at an end. Just a matter of time until the kingdom is conquered or destroyed, its parts split between the vultures.

“Why are you so sure of victory?” Ilea said.

“My father believes the priests of the order. I personally trust more in our military might. You must understand that the siege of Virilya was merely a play. A distraction for those who wanted war, bored of the status quo. The true power of Baralia remains within our cities, none of which will be taken,” he said.

“Bored. What the fuck,” Ilea said and sat down on an ashen chair. “There is so much in this world you could discover, so many creatures to find or fight, so much land, ruins and dungeons to explore. To stave off boredom… you start a war?”

“Of course,” the man said. “What is more glorious than war?”

The question was serious.

If everyone in that country thinks this way, this war may really go on for a little longer than the empire or Claire thinks.

“Okay. Here’s the deal. I only kill that guard because he is a disgusting fucker and insulted me personally. I take all your slaves and you fuck off back to your country and never come back.”

The man looked at her before he burst out laughing.

“You cannot be serious… oh… you are!” He laughed even louder.

Ilea waited for him to calm down. “So you’re telling me there is no way you will retreat or stop this little play here?”

“Our people were stolen. It. Will. Not. Stand,” he said, glaring at her with unfounded confidence.

“People aren’t property,” Ilea whispered, making the man laugh again.

“You are weak. The order of the world is si-” he couldn’t finish the sentence for a lack of head.

The guard started struggling against the restraints, one of the ashen limbs piercing his skull a moment later. His limp body slumped to the ground.

Ilea sighed and looked around the tent. There were better options, she knew as much. Luis didn’t seem like he was outright evil. He grew up in a system that promoted inequality, taught him that it was the way of life. And yet he restricted and endangered the lives of every slave in this camp.

She chose the easy way out and killed him. Ilea wasn’t a saint and she didn’t judge herself as one. The man held slaves. He wouldn’t be missed. Baralia wouldn’t be missed.

A Vowed one appeared next to her in a crouch, bowing.

“You’re all here?” she asked.

Steve appeared a moment later. He nodded, looking at the corpses and the ring on her finger.

“Can I disable the enchantments?” she asked.

Steve shook his head.

“I see. Well. I will remove them later. The rest of you. I want you to call a rally with everyone present in the camp. Only those who are not slaves. Or slaves forced to work for Baralia, like you were before,” she said. “Right outside this tent, I suppose. There’s plenty of space.”

The two men nodded and vanished.

She spread a light mist of ash and healed all the slaves in the tent.

A few of them shivered or yelped when the healing suddenly flowed through them.

“You are safe now,” she said.

“Y… you killed him… what have you done?” one of the men said, carefully moving closer to Luis’ corpse. He touched it, tears flowing from his eyes.

The others didn’t seem inclined to do the same.

“You will have a choice later. To come with me to Riverwatch, get a new life there as free men and women, or to go your own way. I suggest the former. The wilderness isn’t quite as forgiving,” Ilea said.

She kept her ashen armor on now, her bone set right below.

“Thank you,” one of the women whispered. Not loud enough for the others to hear but for Ilea it was crystal clear.

“Of course,” she said.

Ilea waited in silence for the next fifteen minutes, ash lazily moving around her form as she meditated. For a few minutes she had contemplated her decisions here. Luis had not budged and neither would she. It was inevitable.

She opened her eyes when one of the Vowed appeared in front of her.

[Mage – lvl 184]

“Spread out and protect the slaves. Kill anybody that tries to take them, harm them or use them as hostages,” she said.

The man vanished again.

Ilea wondered how the others understood the command. Perhaps it was part of the enchantment in their teeth. Or it was an inherent ability they shared.

Either way, it was time to continue.

She grabbed Luis’ head and stepped out, ignoring the wails of the slave behind her.

Over a hundred people had gathered, all soldiers or adventurers, trained, armed and armored. Cooks, bards, administrators, scouts, rogues, and everything else a war camp required.

Before the situation could escalate, she whistled.

Everyone froze.

Hostility and aggression turned to fear and apprehension.

“If you attack me, you die. If you kill or attack the slaves. You die,” she said and threw down the head of Luis. “If you continue to intervene here. You die.”

“Return to Baralia without causing any problems and then, stay there. Leave and live,” she finished with the simple choice.

People started moving once more.

More than half immediately attacked, formations of them moving in on her and past those that were yet undecided. A few were cut down by their own, the word traitor thrown around here and there.

Ilea just stepped forward, to create some distance between herself and the command tent.

Everyone that rushed at her was ripped apart by fast moving ashen limbs. Some of them dodged or blocked a hit but every single one of them died. Not a single one of them was above level two hundred.

Their magic impacted her ash, her sphere making sure everything found its target.

Keep them focused on me.

She saw a few of them going for the slaves or fleeing. The former were cut down by the Vowed. The rest she didn’t care about.

Ashen spears formed and skewered the mages and rangers who attacked from a distance.

It should be obvious by now that their efforts were in vain. And still dozens of them attacked.

Ilea didn’t mind. They had made their choice.

A pitiful display. Only a third had fled, the only ones remaining either dying or still frozen, undecided and soiling themselves. A few were crying.

“How very unpleasant,” she said with a sigh. “Why can’t we just let each other live?” she asked as a few of her limbs cracked the barrier put up by the last remaining mage.

His armor and body were ripped apart in the next moment, blood and guts slowly seeping onto the ground.

She clapped a few times to get the attention of the last four standing people. A cook, warrior and two mages.

Their heart rate and location of excrement suggested not just fear but terror.

“You heard me, lads. Go back to your home and your families. And stay there,” she clapped and watched them finally move, running for their lives.

If the son was an indication for the father, they would have another visit on their hands shortly. Think not of what was lost, she thought and looked at the slaves, shivering in their basic clothes, hope in their eyes as they tried to see her.

Chapter 462 Mark of Trust

Chapter 462 Mark of Trust

Ilea watched as the slaves were led to another open section of the camp. One not littered with corpses and blood.

She waited until all of them had arrived. There were more than the group she had talked to before. Most of them were women. None of them were mages or warriors. There were smiths, leather workers, farmers and many other professions.

Ilea already had their attention. “Okay. I’ll make it quick. I killed your master. You are free now. If you want to, Riverwatch will take you in. You will get a life, a job and a right to decide on your own fate. That is one of your choices and the one I suggest you take. The other one is to take what you can from this camp and leave, to wherever you want to go.”

Murmurs went around the group after a moment of silence.

Ilea looked at them all. Some were scared and crying, others happy and crying. A few were cursing at her, others were cheering. Alistair, I commend you for dealing with this.

“Grab what you can anyway. Gold, clothes, weapons and gear. The way to Riverwatch will take a few days,” she said.

A surprising number of them got to work immediately, grabbing their friends and going through the camp, looking for clothes or even looting the corpses she had left behind.

“Vowed,” Ilea said.

They all rushed to her and stopped in formation. “Make a line. I will remove your implants.”

None of them complained.

Five minutes later, they were all free of their burden.

“Do most slaves have something like that?” Ilea asked Steve.

Too expensive, he wrote.

“I see. Now, all of you. From now on you are free. I suggest you go to Riverwatch too. You can work as guards, adventurers, soldiers. Whatever you want. Your abilities will be greatly appreciated.”

They looked at her, not quite understanding the words.

Always a master, Steve wrote.

“Not anymore,” Ilea said and took off the ring, crushing it in her hand before she dropped the remains onto the ground.

“Think of it like this. You are now your own masters. You can decide,” she said.

Why not you? You are strong.

“Because I don’t hold slaves. Not even if you lot want it. If you want a last task then protect everyone while you lead them to Riverwatch. As soon as you are there report to Dale Langston. If you simply cannot comprehend having no master, he is a good man at least and he will put you to work. Otherwise, decide on your own,” she said.

All of them bowed.

“Steve, do you know the way to Riverwatch? And do you think you can protect everyone while you go there?” she said.

Steve knows the way. Very little danger. Drakes, wolves and soldiers.

“Good. Then I will leave it to you to escort everyone there. Those who want of course. Everyone who wants to leave is free to do so,” she said.

Steve nodded.

Great, means I don’t have to fucking escort everyone for days.

She went back to the tent, the one man still crying over Luis’ body.

“I’m sorry,” Ilea said.

“Cursed demon,” he whispered, not looking at her.

“You are free to bury him and to go back to Baralia. And you are free to seek revenge. He was a man who believed himself to be worth more than others. Someone who owned people, caged and chained them,” she said.

The man turned his head her way. “He loved us. And I loved him.”

Ilea left him to mourn. That’s why fighting humans just isn’t for me, she thought. At least now he can be miserable as a free man.

She chuckled at the thought and shook her head. “This sucks.”

“Death is never pleasant, ashen savior,” a woman said. She bowed when Ilea turned her way. “You have set us free. My whole life have I waited. Prepared. I imagined so many ways. To break free, to escape. And I never did. I never had the courage.”

“You have your whole life in front of you,” Ilea said, unsure of what else to say.

“Thank you,” the woman said and looked up.

Ilea noticed dozens of people listening, looking at her.

“What is your name?” a man asked.

“You can call me Lilith,” Ilea said.

The camp raided, provisions and wagons prepared, the convoy set out. Protected by the Vowed who would lead everyone to Riverwatch.

Only nine people chose to leave on their own.

Ilea hoped they would make it. Their chances weren’t good.

She checked the surroundings from the air, quickly finding a few fleeing warriors and mages as well as the monsters that would soon prey on them.

Hundreds of peoples’ lives. Entirely changed by little old me.

She turned around and checked on the convoy, torches lighting their way. On the right track. Good.

The next stop was the Azarinth temple.

Iana and Christopher had moved down into the cellar, studying the well and the walls. No new bluemoon grass had sprouted but the glow was unmistakable. The roots were still there.

“Oh my fuck!” Christopher exclaimed when he turned and saw Ilea standing there.

“Oh, sorry,” she said with a knowing smirk. Blink was entirely silent. “How’s it going?”

“Well! Splendid… thank you for taking us here. It is most interesting!” he exclaimed.

“And frustratingly useless to us,” Iana grumbled. “How is your mission going?”

“Done. Well… I killed a Baralia noble’s son. How high do you think the chances are of them retreating and forgetting about this?” Ilea asked.

“Zero percent,” Iana said with a monotone voice. “Christopher, check the fourth layer on this one. Any clue what it means?”

Ilea sighed. “Ah man. Okay, you seem to be busied for a while. I will brief Alistair and Dale. Ah, he’s going to love having a murder commando under his control.”

He’s going to hate it, she thought and couldn’t stop herself from smiling, just a little bit.

She checked her notifications on her way to Riverwatch, making sure to fly low and through the forest. Ilea ignored all the messages about defeated, no, slaughtered people. She knew that should she get involved in the war directly, thousands more would follow. Thousands who thought their beliefs to be righteous.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 7’

On the other hand, you could save thousands, she argued. Some of the warriors had chosen not to fight but if she went into their lands, attacked their homes, it may be different. Uprooting so many people and bringing them into an existing city or a newly built settlement required tremendous resources, otherwise more suffering would surely follow.

With the fires of war already raging in Baralia, it was easy to justify the funding of operations to extract former slaves. Her network so far was sadly not wide enough to provide large scale support. The Sentinels would hopefully fill in that gap in a few decades or even years.

She assumed the empire and any other country involved were after not just gold and land but the people too. Employing former slaves seemed like a sure way to boost one’s economy. Especially if those slaves were skilled and experienced workers.

Ilea decided to keep her involvement low for now. The operations launched in Riverwatch were in part funded by her and Claire, making her feel somewhat responsible. She didn’t know what kind of fate a freed slave would have if she attacked and slaughtered their masters. The ones extracted and brought to Riverwatch however, those she could employ and feed. Or people she trusted would fill that role.

She landed in the city, the cover of night masking her approach. Once more she was glad her wings were near black and not bright lightning like Trian’s.

Sentinel Huntress and her sphere quickly led her to Dale’s guard station, picking up traces of him in the surroundings. A few blinks brought her in front of his office.

He sat on his desk, working through the night with a straight back and strained eyes.

Ilea wondered when he had last seen his family. She knocked and watched him sigh and relax back into his chair before he straightened again. Captain, she thought with a smile.

“Come in,” his words were muffled through the thick wooden door, simple in design but sturdy.

She opened it and stepped inside, closing the door behind herself with an ashen limb as she took in the gloomy atmosphere.

His office had remained the same, a testament to simplicity and efficiency. An officer’s dream. The only source of light was an oil lamp placed slightly behind his table.

“You look overworked,” she said and formed an ashen chair.

He sighed. “And you look like an uninvited dangerous Shadow, ignoring boundaries such as walls without a hint of remorse.” He leaned back again, crossing his arms. Despite the hour, he managed a slight smile.

“The perks of power. And teleportation,” she said and sat down. “I’m afraid I’m bringing more work.”

“As is tradition,” Dale said.

[Warrior – lvl 149]

He had leveled again.

“Are you aware of the request sent to Ravenhall?” she asked.

He quirked up an eyebrow. “The one sent today? Yes, the officers were consulted. You came so quickly?”

He’s not even surprised anymore, Ilea though. She was a little bit disappointed. Could show him some other shit.

“About Baralia stopping attempts at slave extraction from the southwest part of their territory,” she explained.

Dale opened a drawer and grabbed a few sheets of paper. “Let me guess, you already went and took care of it? Did you consult Alistair at least?”

“I did, both of those things, here comes the new work bit,” she said.

The man started laughing, grabbing a pen before he calmed down. “Okay, shoot. What did you get us this time?” he sounded genuinely excited.

Ilea explained her earlier encounter briefly, happy to find the man showing a reaction this time.

“The Vowed… and you killed an actual Harken… to think they sent one of the sons because of this,” he shook his head and sighed. “Wouldn’t you assume that a war on your doorstep is more of a concern than a few hundred escaped slaves?”

“I don’t know them. Maybe Riverwatch just seems like an easier target than the Empire,” she suggested.

“Possibly. Well, it was inevitable. You scared them away but if their lands don’t get attacked, we will have another strike to prepare for. They may not hide in the forests anymore,” Dale said. “I will report this to Alistair immediately.”

“How come the Harkens aren’t involved in the war yet? I thought the empire was sweeping Baralia, aided even by the other surrounding kingdoms,” Ilea said.

“We don’t have the full picture. The Empire seems more focused on rebuilding and securing their own lands right now. Powerful high level teams have entered Baralia but it’s a large country. I doubt this conflict will be over anytime soon,” the captain explained.

“I would have expected more,” Ilea said with a sigh.

“It took them a year to break the siege of Virilya. I believe a majority of that time was spent on internal politics but if they had the power for a swift strike against Baralia, they would have done so much earlier,” Dale said.

“When do you expect a strike? If they don’t get held up by Empire forces?” she asked.

“Difficult to say. A small scale attack could happen in a few days already. But Ilea, you don’t have to stay because of your attack. Alistair asked for assistance in taking out the enemy, not to help defend the city. We are prepared,” he said and looked at her.

“You don’t believe me? Or do you just think us that weak?” he asked. “I’m not insulted… just curious.”

“I know little about how to defend a city. Ravenhall, with the Shadow’s Hand was overwhelmed and decimated by a couple thousand summoned demons. I doubt Riverwatch could hold against something similar. There are… things out there…,” she didn’t continue.

Dale smiled knowingly. “I know. I have seen some of them too, despite my comparatively low level, Ilea. Most will stay away from the noise and smells of a town, let alone a large city like Riverwatch. We’re talking about Baralia, humans. Not wild beasts. We have an idea about their troops. If Lord Harken doesn’t mobilize his whole army to attack us, we will hold.”

“What if he does?” she asked.

Dale tapped the table a few times as he thought. “Then perhaps our new ally would be inclined to help. I’m sure a few Shadows would tip thebattle in our favor.”

“You seem to know exactly how strong they are,” Ilea said.

“I said we have an idea. Of course we don’t know enough. One rarely does. It seems unlikely that they would move enough troops to challenge our city. For what? Freed slaves?” he said.

“For a murdered son,” Ilea said.

The man didn’t counter that argument.

“In any case. It may take a while for you lot to call for help. Which is why I visited you first. I have a skill with which I can mark someone. I can find them. Plus they can release it to call for me. Thought you should have one.”

“Me? You place too much trust in me. There are far more powerful and capable people in this city. Alistair being one of them,” Dale said.

“Whether that may be true or not, I don’t call them friends. This mark isn’t meant as a gesture from Ravenhall for Riverwatch. It’s meant as a gesture from me to you. If someone kidnaps your family or if you face an enemy too powerful to overcome, call for me. If your city is under attack and you need assistance, call for me. I will be there. Perhaps not immediately but I will come, that I promise to you,” Ilea said.

“I think of you as a friend too, Ilea. I just think you may be overdoing it. I helped you out when we found you near the city but that hardly qualifies for you to be at my beck and call,” he said.

“I trust your judgment. Obviously don’t call for me if it isn’t necessary. I know you would do the same for me. Give me your hand,” she said.

The man complied and soon sported a runic mark on the back of his hand.

“Do you know how to use it?” she asked.

Dale nodded. “Incredible. How much power you used just for that. As if it was nothing. I could see the mana that flowed into it’s creation.”

“Don’t forget that I took out a camp of slavers in less time than it took me to get there. A group your city deemed difficult enough to warrant help from Ravenhall,” she said.

“Fair enough,” he said and smiled. “You’re really something. What’s your current level anyway?”

“Three forty eight, and I should get a third class if I get to three fifty. According to an ancient Fae,” Ilea explained.

Dale nodded. “Sounds about right. Don’t lose yourself up there, in your level of power.”

“I try not to,” she said and smiled. “Talking to you always helped with that, you know?”

“Thanks,” she added. “And not just for helping me that one time. Thanks for showing me the ropes, giving me gear when I had none and for seeing me as a human. Even now.”

He opened a drawer and got out a fancy looking bottle and two glasses. “It just shows me what we’re capable of. And it’s good to know not everyone in your leagues is a noble born twat.”

Ilea chuckled and watched him pour, taking her glass right after.

“I thought you didn’t drink on duty,” she teased.

“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?” he said and looked at the mark on his hand. “Plus, I can call a Shadow now, might just be safe to have a drink now and then.” He turned his hand a few times.

“Maybe you’re right. So, just call me if anything comes up,” she said.

“I will. Are you staying in Riverwatch for a while? I would assume we ripped you out of an important schedule. Or were you about to leave on an adventure again? To the west this time? Or eastward?” he seemed genuinely interested, taking a sip of his drink.

Ilea wondered how close to Whiskey it actually was. She preferred other beverages.

“Just for a little while. Hopefully not even a day. Say, have there been any news on a Basilisk on the road to Salia lately?” she asked and leaned forward.

“You don’t honestly think of…? Ilea, as a friend, and your elder, I strongly advise against this plan of yours. We are talking a legendary creature… one rarely even seen, never without casualties,” he said. “It’s a four mark, isn’t it? You’re not even a three mark yet!”

“Humans start at zero,” she said and shrugged. “What do you think a Basilisk gets born at? Three hundred? Eight? Maybe a thousand?”

“It doesn’t matter… there’s a reason creatures like that are at the top of the food chain. Traps won’t help you with this, neither will careful planning, tools and weapons. Something like that is a force of nature,” the man said.

“I didn’t exactly have a plan in mind. But I have to see. Last time we fought it seemed… beatable? And I wasn’t even level one hundred. None of us were,” she said.

“And still, you lost dozens of people. Take it as a grace of fate, if you will. It won’t happen again. Can you not wait until you’ve reached ample strength? With your progress it can’t be too far off until you yourself are a natural disaster.”

Ilea frowned. “But then it might be too late for an achievement!”

Chapter 463 Quest

Chapter 463 Quest

Dale blinked a few times before he burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head as he calmed down. “It’s just… to attempt fighting a Basilisk, without a plan or preparation, nor a team. For the sheer sake of an achievement for one’s next class evolutions. It sounds ridiculous to me and yet when you said it with a straight face, I just accepted it.”

Dale lifted the bottle again but decided against it, putting it away instead after he glanced at her with a questioning look.

She declined.

“Theoretically, people like you should exist, should be out there. Hunting and fighting, improving so much that they are hardly recognizable as humans anymore. I just never thought I would actually meet someone like that. Now the most dangerous thing I’ve met is not an elf anymore but someone I call a friend,” he said and sat back.

“Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” Ilea said.

“That it is. As to your question, I haven’t heard of a Basilisk. Not since your caravan encountered it several years ago. I suggest you check the guild to see if they have anything to offer,” he said.

“Is it open at this time?”

“It’s always open,” Dale confirmed. “You’re not the only one who sleeps very little. I for example just don’t exactly have a choice,” he said and got up.

“You’re going too?” she asked and followed the man.

“To Alistair, yes. I will report your success and the potential issue. I know you hate these technicalities,” he said.

“You’re a treasure, Dale. Really,” Ilea said to him took a deep breath of fresh air, only a tiny bit sullied by the smells of the city. Riverwatch luckily did have a sewer. The marvels of magic.

“And you are a monstrous killing machine that I am fortunate to call an ally,” he said and sighed. “When did you say the slaves should arrive?”

“A few days. It’s hard to say exactly how long they need. My flying speed keeps improving,” Ilea said.

“Way to make me envious of your power,” he said and smiled.

“Hey, a few weeks of dungeon training with me by your side and you’ll be the strongest in town. You say the word,” she suggested.

Dale crossed his arms. “Thank you. I mean it. I would rather do it the old fashioned way, lest I turn into a creature of ash too.”

“Are you calling me a monster?” she asked, her limbs fanning out.

The man wasn’t fazed in the least. “Keep your intimidation tactics to people that don’t know you. Good luck on your hunt, and stay safe.”

“I’ll do my best,” she said, tapping his shoulder before she vanished into the night.

The guild hadn’t changed much since she had visited. A few repairs were visible but only thanks to her sphere, otherwise well done. To her surprise, the guild hall was packed. Dozens of people drinking and feasting together, just as many waiting in line to get quests or get rewards.

It felt nostalgic, even though she had barely participated in this type of life. These were the adventurers of Elos, slaying monsters and taking care of the various problems that come with a life near the bottom of the food chain.

“Oy, healer! Ya lookin for a strong team!?” a very loud patron called out to her.

[Warrior – lvl 68]

Adventurers of Elos indeed, she thought and joined one of the lines.

“Didn’t ya hear me?” the man called out again.

“Leave her be, don’t wanna insult the orders, they’re a nasty bunch,” his friend said, a rogue of a similar level.

“Miss, I want to apologize for the behavior of my fellow adventurers. My name is Asher,” someone else walked up to her and introduced himself. He looked straight out of a romance novel, long blond hair and a charming smile.

[Mage – lvl 102]

“Hello Asher, what is it that you want?” Ilea asked as the line moved forward, the man dancing around her to avoid bumping into the others.

“It has come to everyone’s attention that you are a healer. Your kind is rare within these halls. I was wondering if perhaps you were looking to join a team?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

Ilea liked that he didn’t try to manipulate her at first. He simply greeted her and asked. “How surprising, you actually have manners.” she said. “Are you from Riverwatch, Asher?”

The name amused her.

“Not everyone here grows up in a gutter,” he said and winked.

Perhaps it would have had more of an effect on her if she hadn’t met Elves and powerful Shadows, a few of them rivaling the sexiest men on Earth in looks. Or perhaps it was all the blood and guts, all the death she had seen, that let her ignore his attempt at charming.

“I can see that. As much as I’m intrigued, I believe I’m looking for different jobs than you,” she said, arriving at the front of the line.

“Welcome. Your badge please,” the attendant said, a rather petite woman in her twenties.

“What kind of jobs are you looking to do? We can adjust. If we had a healer in our team,” Asher said.

“You’re…,” the attendant said when Ilea handed in her silver badge, identifying her as a level fifty healer. “Would you like an updated version? You are far beyond silver,” she said.

[Mage – lvl 110]

Ilea wondered how high the woman could identify. Does she think I’m one fifty? Two hundred?

“Sure, whatever is the equivalent of this,” she said and summoned her Shadow badge, placing it on the counter.

Asher opened and closed his mouth before taking a step back.

The woman nodded and checked the badge. “This is real. Let me see if we have any emerald badges. Ah… as you are a Shadow, I’m not sure how many jobs you did for the adventurer guild. If you didn’t reach a certain quota, the badge will cost you one gold piece and thirty silver. Is that okay?”

“Why do I need an updated version then?” Ilea asked.

“It may provide entry to certain dungeons, cities, inns and other establishments. Granted, your Shadow badge opens most of those doors but not all of them. Do you wish to have it?” the woman asked.

“Sure, why not,” Ilea said and summoned the money.

More than a few people were looking her way by now, the conversations having died down.

Asher chuckled. “Apologies for wasting your time, Miss Shadow,” he said and bowed.

Ilea smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I appreciate the way you asked, compared to the dolt over there,” she said and nodded towards the man.

“What did ya say!?” he said and stood up.

“Don’t!” his friend called out but it was too late.

“I said that you lack manners,” Ilea said to the low level warrior.

Asher took a few steps back, trying to get out of the way. A wise choice.

“I don’t give a fuck what shit order you’re a part of. Shadow or noh-”

A slap sent the man sprawling on the floor, a few teeth missing and blood dripping from his mouth. He was knocked out cold.

“Apologies,” Ilea said when the attendant returned.

“Oh, no worries. It’s not the first time he has ended up in a similar situation. I will put the cleaning cost on his tab,” she said and handed over the new healer badge.

It looked the same other than the metal it was made of. A dark green that didn’t reflect much light. She paid and made the thing vanish.

“Anything else I can do for you?” the woman asked.

“I’m looking for information on a certain creature,” Ilea said.

Ilea soared through the skies, trying to identify the landscape. Sadly there had been no new information on a Basilisk in the area. The attendant could however pin point the area where Ilea’s caravan had encountered the creature last on a map.

She would have perhaps found it anyway but the process was much faster this way.

A few skeletons showed that she had found the right place. Nazarks, she thought and kicked a skull away. Not decayed, chewed off.

“The ciiiiircle of liiiife,” she sang to herself and strolled towards the cavern entrance.

A few creatures moved by in the nearby forest, doubtlessly aware of her. It seemed they deemed her too dangerous to approach.

Lucky for them, Ilea thought and found parts of the caravan still sitting untouched within the cavern. Ripped apart wood, wagons, spoiled goods, weapons and destroyed armor.

Most of the Nazark corpses had little remaining on their bones but it did look like only the brave had come in here to feed.

It seemed bizarre to her, that after all this time, this cave remained mostly untouched. Why would it be any different? It’s not like a city was struck by a natural disaster and had to be cleaned up.

She grabbed a sword that had been missed or deemed cheap enough to be left behind, twirling it in her hand as she looked for any traces.

The tracks were old. No traces of magic either, nor a massive winged creature.

Ilea spread her own wings and flew through the cavern, speeding up as her senses didn’t pick up a single thing.

She chose the largest rift she could find and entered. The tunnels were large, dozens of ways leading away from the main one, naturally formed or created by the denizens of Karth.

She stayed in the main tunnel, the walls moving farther away by the minute. Bones and a general absence of living creatures gave the area an eerie atmosphere. Not quite as eerie as the presence of rot and Specters.

Ilea found herself in darkness but kept flying, speeding up as time went on.

A hiss resounded in front of her, making her stop in her flight. Her skills were ready, the sound expected this time.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard a mighty being’s cry, you resist the effect’

Not quite the same as last time, she thought with a smirk and moved in the darkness. The buildup of mana was graspable, permeating the air as the spell manifested.

She turned and faced the creature, unable to see it, nor close enough to perceive it in her sphere. Something is wrong.

The spell manifested, a wave of air moving her way.

She saw it come within her sphere and rushed backwards, blinking to the side twice as the powerful magic rushed by.

What is this?

The whole cavern rumbled when the spell impacted the opposite wall a moment later. Quite a powerful attack. But I avoided it so easily.

Ilea rushed at the creature, reaching it moments later.

Large wings and a head that reminded her of a dragon and snake mix. A wide maw with crooked teeth as wide as her head. Scales lined its body like armor, its eyes looking right at her.

[Basilisk – lvl ????]

Found you!

And then she was there, ashen limbs smashing into the monster’s head, most glancing off but four finding purchase.

It lashed out, the attack avoided with a quick twirl to the side as more limbs smashed into it.

Ilea closed the distance, her fist slamming into its skull with a full load of her destructive spells. She watched as it opened its maw, releasing a lightly charged Heart of Cinder into its throat.

The Basilisk veered back and started charging another spell.

She stopped, floating in midair as she closed her eyes. This is all wrong. It veered back. The Trakorov barely moved. I remember it too, the ice mage injured it as well.

Its spell was charged and released, another wave of air.

This time she trusted Azarinth Fighting, feeling the attack coming and letting it wash over her. It barely scratched her armor, the wind moving to each side as if she split it in half.

Illusion? She sent the thought towards the being. A question. One she did not expect an answer to.

And yet, she received one.

L ea ve

Broken sounds spoken with an inhuman voice that transcended the material.

She felt her very soul shake. Not very reassuring. Maybe I should listen to the ancient creature.

“You killed half of that caravan, I’m not leaving,” she said, quickly realizing that it wasn’t exactly the reason she was here.

Ilea hadn’t known many of the adventurers that died on that day, nor had she cared much back then, let alone now. No, she was driven by something different than justice or even revenge. Merely curiosity and a potential achievement.

Was it enough to challenge such a being? Perhaps not, but curiosity would find it difficult to kill Ilea, just as everything else did.

She rushed the creature once more but found nothing.

It had vanished entirely, as if it had teleported away. Only traces of its magic remained.

Only one way to go, she thought and continued down the tunnel.

A few more wind magic spells disrupted her journey but the Basilisk itself didn’t approach anymore. The charge time for its attacks lessened and the power itself increased with each spell.

The tunnel led into another cavern, this time in a bowl like shape, a few crystals growing from the ceiling providing enough light for her to see.

Hmm, not good, I think?

Ilea reached the center and with it the remains of the largest egg she had ever seen.

Baby Basilisk, no wonder she was so pissed back then. That healer guy was right.

She remembered the druid had sensed something, telling them to flee from the cavern.

Is this worth something? she wondered and broke off pieces of the shell, storing them in her necklace. The egg was already broken, so she dismantled it with her ash and took it with her. Not everyday do you come across a four mark creature’s hatched egg.

Now I feel like a scavenger, she thought, wondering if the residents of Hallowfort would look for discarded egg shells themselves. She wouldn’t say no to Trakorov shell armor.

A definite exit to the cavern revealed itself when she looked up, a large circular shaft expanding up into the unknown. I wonder if it’s still here, or if that thing I saw before was just a remnant of its power. A dormant spell to protect its spawn.

Her wings moved and she was taken up, soon back in near complete darkness. A few cracks and tunnel entrances showed up within her sphere from time to time, testament to the intricate underground network that was home to native creatures unknown and dangerous. Many had likely never seen the light of day.

A nightmare to most and yet exciting to Ilea, finding a fascinated joy in exploring the unknown. Something perhaps intricate to any human, muffled by fear and the need to survive. Or perhaps she truly was a deviant, her interests andjoys so far removed from human, she could hardly be defined as such anymore.

The question did not have an answer, not one she would accept, even if an all knowing being deemed her worthy of the knowledge. Despite her changes, her power and the experiences she went through and would continue to live out, she knew that she was human. And she would remain such forever, no matter to what twisted forms her body, her magic, and her mind evolved.

The flight was long, considering the speed she was traveling at.

When she emerged out into the open, the air had thinned, the moons seemed closer, shining bright. Cliffs and boulders grew around her in towering shape and size. The way oceans made her feel small and insignificant, the mountain of Karth came quite close itself, formed over millions of years through shifts deep below the ground.

The plateau she found herself on was located far above the clouds dotting the sky below, only faint colors visible of what amounted to forests, lakes and plains.

Bones littered the area, flesh and organs still clinging to some. Creatures larger than most living things Ilea had ever seen or fought. The sheer logistics of bringing these creatures up here seemed ridiculous to her but when she considered the Basilisk’s size, impossibilities turned feasible.

The gaping abyss behind her led to where its spawn had hatched. She didn’t know why the being had laid it deep underground instead of up here, above the clouds.

Ilea remembered that the skies above belonged to beings far above humanity. Those were the words of the librarian she had consulted back in Riverwatch, when she had known nothing of the world. Now, while she silently moved through the graveyard of bones, she felt like she had learned precious little.

Already she could see the green scales in the distance, moving with tremendous ripples of muscle. The creature lay surrounded by stone, its eyes closed, unaware of the ant within its domain.

This was not the Basilisk she had seen. In many ways.

It looked smaller, less vicious. And still, its sheer presence shined bright within her sphere, despite being outside its influence. Like flames whose heat could be felt before one’s eyes could find it.

Identify worked from this distance, either because the being was immensely powerful, its aura inhibited or because its sheer size demanded it.

[Basilisk Hatchling – lvl ????]

This is probably the best chance I’ll ever get, she thought, wondering if she would really kill a baby, for the chance of a better class.

A hiss came as the answer to her moral dilemma. It flowed over the mountain like a wave crashed into the seaside cliffs.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of a Basilisk. You resist its effects’

Ilea found the creature hovering in the night sky, its shape unmistakable and its power unquestioned. She wondered if there were a few Trakorovs and Fae in the area to recruit in her endeavor.

But this time, she was alone.

Chapter 464 Thresholds

Chapter 464 Thresholds

Lightning surged from the being, yellow and bright like the suns. Thunder did not follow, the power sneaking through the sky without so much as a whisper.

Ilea was ripped out of her amazed stupor when the lightning crashed into the stone, ripping through with little resistance as she blinked away.

Not far enough, she thought as the shockwave sent her flying, residue lightning slowly flowing through her body as the damage was healed.

A wave of mana washed over her as she floated with her ashen wings, locking eyes with the being.

Le ave

Its voice rumbled through the vicinity like a spell of sound and air, broken by Ilea’s resistances and her mental fortitude.

Ilea’s own aura marked her as a human of not quite the ordinary sort, her second tier Veteran skill keeping her moving, despite the level difference. And yet the creature seemed unimpressed. Still, it gave her a chance to flee, asking her to leave them in peace. Or perhaps it was asking her to die.

“Not until you make me,” she said with a smile, ashen spears forming around her, looking pitifully small against the thing they were supposed to injure.

Battle, she sent and charged the being.

It floated, without reaction, moving its wings before its mana manifested.

Lightning and air surged out, homing in on Ilea as she twirled and moved through the air with all the speed, precognition and maneuverability she could muster. The spells were dodged and still she was seared by lightning, its sheer proximity enough to burn through her armor.

Slowly, the magic spread through her, leaving heavy damage that was instantly healed, the magic cost more than replenished by the spells themselves. The waves of air did nothing but push her further, her form circling the Basilisk as she was pushed away and closed in again.

The spells that missed her slammed into Karth itself, leaving deep gashes in the stone, the magic sending debris and boulders flying that would surely result in catastrophic avalanches.

When the lightning elemental was a machine gun, this creature was the orbital artillery.

Ilea knew very well that a direct hit would be catastrophic to her but the intervals made her confident that her third tier healing could keep her alive. She wondered if this creature too was holding back, like the Griffin had.

The fact that it hadn’t obliterated their caravan on their first meeting spoke for such a theory and yet there could have been other reasons entirely.

Doesn’t hurt to play a little, Ilea thought as she circled the massive being. She narrowly avoided the attacks coming at her without pause, realizing shortly after that they were increasing in number. At the same time they came at her far quicker, the power in each bolt however reduced compared to before.

Clever girl, she thought and pushed forward, a wave of air pushing her back and towards the mountain side.

A blink let her avoid a swath of lightning projectiles, only to make her realized thirty more had already reached her.

The spells broke into her ash, spreading slowly as she counterhealed, using the third tier a few times as she was pushed back into the mountain.

Fuck

The spells subsided only to let through a massive beam of lightning, aiming at her exposed torso.

Ilea knew what to do, happy to see her perception slowing down to allow for an easier maneuver.

Lightning hit, the power surging through her, now even further slowed down as she focused on the energy. First to her core and out of her right arm. She couldn’t aim it, barely holding it away from herself.

The arm swelled up as the lightning spread through it, exploding in a splatter of gore and bone, the energy rushing out and into the night, most of the damage mitigated.

Her arm reformed as she pushed herself out of the stone, ash covering her once more, her bone set back inside of her necklace.

The Basilisk moved its wings lazily, yellow eyes looking at her from hundreds of meters away.

Ilea looked back.

Okay, she sent and let herself fall down. I got the memo. The Basilisk is a no no.

She couldn’t help but summon her bow, sending one last arrow at the creature as she descended down the side of the mountain.

A few bolts of lightning came as a response, moving after her like living beings before she dodged and weaved through them, using blink to avoid the last one right when she entered a sea of clouds.

Her sphere let her maneuver through without any fear of collision. She broke out below and slowed down, letting herself fall towards the dark landscape below.

The small excursion was most definitely worth it, not only because of her quick test of strength against the being.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 20’

She checked while falling, moving her wings from time to time to make sure she wouldn’t splat against the mountain side.

- Veteran

You have faced creatures completely out of your league, since arriving here and up to this very moment. Not just that but you mostly faced them alone, even managed to get two four marks to fight each other. It’s hard to say if you’re a veteran or just a plain lunatic. Either way, you may unlock the third tier of Veteran.

Damn right I can!

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Veteran - 3rd lvl 1

You have experienced the shouts and spells of beings completely out of your range of imagination. You will not survive but at least you won’t be completely immobilized while you get eaten. Good luck warrior.

2nd stage: You are immune to the fear of facing that which you do not understand. Be wary, some might sense your arrogance in the face of power, others might fear it.

3rd stage: It seems you don’t just happen upon impossible fights, you outright look for them. Your confidence and experience is obvious, not just to yourself but others too. Your second tier now extends to allies within a fifty meter radius, should you allow for such to happen. Additionally, your ability to gauge an unknown enemy’s power is vastly improved.

Most definitely worth it, she thought with a smile. The buff to allies was welcome but she was more intrigued by the second part. Might just check again. Should I?

Ilea smirked and changed directions, flying up once more and through the clouds.

The Basilisk was flying close to the mountain, not immediately taking note of her.

[Basilisk – lvl ????]

She knew instinctively that the creature was at least a thousand levels higher than her but anything more than that was a mystery.

Thousand three hundred at least, interesting. I wonder what I can tell about the Hatchling.

Ilea decided against checking when the monster turned her way once more, instead blinking away and down back through the clouds. It’s just that I’m not interested. I could’ve easily sneaked past. Easily. Definitely.

She respected the Basilisk, knowing most importantly that it had given her several chances, likely not killing her intentionally. To think that caravan nearly got wiped out by the warning of an illusion. Let’s not tell that to the relatives, she thought on her descent.

I wonder what I’d get from the Fae with the third tier, she thought and pushed on, realizing that she had little idea of where exactly she was on the mountain. Could check on Dawntree. Claire said they had a revolution or something going on? Ah, this was enough human conflicts for tonight. Maybe Iana and Christopher are done with their research.

She used Dale’s mark to find Riverwatch and continued on from there, once again flying low and through the forest until she reached the Azarinth temple.

A blink brought her down and to the two enchanters. “Back,” she said and waved.

“Good,” Iana said. “I believe this has been frustrating enough. We can leave,” she added with a sigh.

“That bad hmm?” Ilea asked.

“The fountain is in some way connected to the grass that should grow on the walls. Without it we can’t reproduce its effects, not that it would be easily possible with the grass present,” Iana explained.

“Both enchantments are quite interesting however, they should help with our research,” Christopher said.

“Yes, but we can’t just copy them. Why would they use such overly complicated layouts? And this azarinth type of arcane magic is just frustrating,” Iana said.

“I could demonstrate it,” Ilea said with a smile.

The woman held up a hand and rubbed her temple. “No thanks, I’ve seen it enough already. Your class changed up your body to an extent where the study of your mana won’t provide anything. Either the enchanters of this order were extraordinarily stupid or brilliant.”

“Often goes hand in hand,” Christopher said.

Ilea laughed, the enchantress didn’t.

“Come on, it’s funny,” Ilea said.

“Do you have anything else that you wanted to show us?” Iana asked, clearly tired.

“Show? Hmm, well more someone you two could meet,” she said. “You can sleep there too but I plan to leave again a few hours before dawn.”

“That doesn’t leave much time,” Christopher said.

“Exactly, so let’s move. His name is Weavy and he’s a master of mind magic as well as a… user of demonic runes. Some other people there could also be of interest to you two,” Ilea explained.

“Where is there?” Iana asked, the three of them back out in the open.

Ilea formed cocoons of ash around them, leaving their heads uncovered this time. “The Vultures Brotherhood of course, an order of necromancers and dark mages.”

“Great,” Iana said.

“Great!” Christopher confirmed, a broad smile on his face.

“That’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen,” Iana whispered, not able to take her eyes off the creature in front of her.

“Good! Not all of you humans are lost,” Weavy said into their minds. “Mistress Ilea… you have, changed once more,” he said, looking at her with an apprehensive air about him.

“Don’t worry, demon. I still don’t eat your kind,” she said.

“No… you merely slaughter us,” he whispered, not afraid but inspired.

“From time to time,” she said and walked past the being. “Be so kind and teach them something about demonic runes… and the Ascended stuff.”

“The secrets of my kind… so easily pried from my claws,” he said and looked at his hands with the two abyss like holes within his skull.

“She has that effect on people. Christopher, nice to meet you. A mind weaver? Fascinating. I’m sadly just a boring human,” the enchanter said and laughed.

Weavy laughed as well but he had some work to do on that front, the sound more demonic gargle than anything else.

“Hey Eyn,” Ilea said, waving to the boy.

He bowed. “Mistress,” he said with respect, joining his teacher after she had passed.

“Ah, it’s you. With visitors, again,” Walter said as he stepped out of his inn.

“I flew here. Shouldn’t have left a trace, don’t worry,” Ilea said.

“Your expedition to the north went well then?” he asked and walked back inside.

Everybody else seemed to be out.

“So and so. Maro didn’t come back yet?” Ilea asked. She was sure the necromancer would join them.

“He came in, chose a room and left again. Said something about needing some sea air for a while. Ah, Ilea. The red haired elf really wants to meet you again, said something about his evolution. He is… eager,” Walter said and poured two mugs of ale.

“They’ll have to wait. I’ll have Elfie meet them soon enough but I should avoid the north for a little while at least,” she said.

“Want to tell me about it?” the man asked.

“Sure, the others are busy for a little while. Hey, you’re a dark mage, right? Can you attack me while we talk?”

“Still working on those resistances, hmm?” he asked.

“Yep. Plus third tier general skills by now. Each level is helpful,” she said.

“You don’t cease to surprise. Do tell. Maro only mentioned some annoying orange goo. He seemed a little down,” Walter said.

“Do you think he’ll be alright?” Ilea asked.

He patted her back and sat down. “I think so. Don’t worry too much about him. He was a king, wasn’t he? I’m sure he has been through worse. Now tell me. It’s been dreadfully negative lately, with the war and all.”

“You found them. And they’re still alive… four mark. That is dangerous, really dangerous,” he said and shook his head. “To think we fought a war against them thousands of years ago. And nobody remembers.”

“I’m sure some do,” Ilea said. “Not like most humans would care about a war fought so long ago. Speaking of four mark, I found the Basilisk again.”

“You did? The one from that caravan you traveled with years ago?” he asked.

“Mhm… turns out they have some kind of mirage or illusion ability. Its real form completely destroyed me. Might even have managed to seriously injure me if it wasn’t for my third tier lightning resistance.”

The man shot a dark projectile at her arm and smiled. “Good thing you had that then. You know… if I wouldn’t meet elves from time to time, I’d forget how ridiculous things are out there.”

“Walter… you live with a mind weaver and a literal skeleton. How does that surprise you?” Ilea said, downing her ale.

“Those things are normal. Fighting Basilisks, ancient corruption, Griffins and Sand Elementals… those are stories of legend. Do you mind if I write some of it down? I’d change the name of course.”

Ilea stood up and smiled. “Just call me Lilith. Plenty of people already do,” she said. “I have a training course to catch. Hope you don’t mind us leaving again.”

“You are always welcome,” Walter said, opening his eyes wide. “Wait, Lilith… from the songs?”

“That one,” she said and winked, leaving the inn in search of her companions.

“That makes a lot of sense actually,” Walter grumbled to himself.

She found them puzzling over a few runes scratched into a wall.

Eyn, Iana and Christopher were staring at it, blood dripping from their noses as Weavy watched them intently.

“A capable bunch,” he said to her when she entered.

“Of course they are,” Ilea said. “Guys, we’re leaving again. Or should I get you in a few days?”

Iana shook her head and turned. “No… no I believe it is best for us to get back to work. I will lose my mind if I continue this study. The world is a dangerous place,” she said with a sigh.

“Vast and full of possibilities,” Christopher said with a grin. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out in time,” he added and patted her back in a supportive manner.

“It came so easy to me… and here these ancient ruins trip me time and time again… the Azarinth, Demons, Ascended… what can a mere human do?” Iana asked, seeming lost.

Weavy just pointed a clawed finger at Ilea. “She is human too.”

“Barely,” Iana said and looked up. “But I suppose you’re right. We will figure it out. Just need more time… Ilea, we will have to reach level two hundred soon. To extend our lives.”

“You want to extend your life just to study runes?” Ilea said.

“Of course. What other reason is there?” Iana asked.

“Let’s not get into this discussion right now,” Ilea said. “Come on, let’s go before the suns rise.”

“I didn’t sleep,” Iana said.

“I’ll accelerate quickly again, you’ll be out for the duration of the flight,” Ilea said and patted her shoulder. “A higher level might help with that too.”

“True… Christopher, we will join a few combat lessons. Killing monsters will become a part of our routine. Our bodies are not prepared for the power of these runes.”

Did I just create a monster?

“I see. I’ll follow your lead,” Christopher said.

Two monsters.

Eyn chuckled. “They finally understand. Lady Ilea has saved my master and set him free. Now it is our turn.”

“Look what you did,” Weavy whispered to her in an accusing tone.

“Hey, take some credit, mind demon, I’m not the monster here,” Ilea said.

“Ah, but you are. Look at me, how could anyone think I’m a monster?”

Ilea did and could very much see the resemblance. She did however not comment on it, unsure if he was developing sarcasm. Either way it seemed he was mocking her.

“Demon,” she whispered, monster hunter rushing through the room as she froze everyone.

She proceeded to pick up her companions and waved at the others. “Have a good time. Eyn, don’t forget that you’re human. Go and play with some peers sometime. And don’t kill or eat them.”

She was already out in the forest when the two enchanters could move again, her wings carrying her through the tunnels in seconds. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Iana said and relaxed in her ashen cocoon, closing her eyes as she yawned.

Christopher nodded.

“Good, then off we go,” Ilea said and sped through the forest, emerging a few minutes later as she charged her wings. Good night.

The shock of near instant acceleration to whatever speed her wings could manage knocked the two out.

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

That was a nice change of pace. Back to the boring old training then, she thought, wondering how long it would take for Baralia to strike back. She hoped to get in a few days of training at the very least.

Chapter 465 Moving Pieces

Chapter 465 Moving Pieces

Ilea returned the two enchanters to the Sentinel headquarters, leaving them in two unoccupied rooms to not wake them up. Unconsciousness might just be the only way to make them get some sleep at this point. Workaholics.

She herself hadn’t slept much either lately but there was just so much to do. I’m one of them too, am I not?

Ilea wondered if she could do the same without her Mental Resistance, eating a few bites of food as she rushed to the arena. She was a little late but the pay made most of the adventurers stay.

Even the Shadows were present still.

“Welcome everyone. Let’s get back to it, shall we,” Ilea said as she appeared before them, a smile on her face as an ashen mist formed around her. Give me your magic, my minions!

The training passed without major incidents, quite a few of her resistances leveling in the process. She spent her time healing herself and thinking about the past night. The Basilisk made it clear that she might just not be ready yet to kill a level one thousand being.

Nor did it seem morally acceptable to her. The Sand Elemental, maybe. The Ascended, definitely. The Basilisk and Trakorov on the other hand seemed to her like somewhat intelligent animals, nor mindless monsters that attacked with abandon.

If she killed the creature, it would feel like killing Bambi’s mom. She had become rather ruthless but Ilea hadn’t joined the dark side entirely. At the very least she thought that was the case.

She proceeded with lunch at the Sentinel headquarters, surprising some of the students eating nearby. Some even joined her but remained quiet, reading her mood.

So no four mark achievement for the third class… if they’re all as powerful as the ones I’ve met so far. And the way levels are calculated for monsters, it would seem they all should be. Which means I could get my third class soon.

She checked her advancements from the morning session, tapping her cheek as she shoveled food into her mouth.

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

You have stood against a being of true darkness. Its magic was not able to pierce your defenses and you stand to tell the tale. This skill will help you repeat such actions.

Your body is attuned to the effects of the dark. You may traverse areas imbued by it without harm, nor will all creatures that dwell within see you as something not part of their domain.

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Another set of levels. Not enough for another third tier point nor perhaps an achievement. Every resistance in the second tier would add to the potential density of her ash, in this case most certainly the most impacting change.

I wonder if the element is inherently magical, Ilea thought and swirled around a little bit of ash, to the surprise and terror of the nearby students.

A marble formed, reflecting little light as its form turned smooth, more ash added to it as its size remained the same. The added weight did not impact her ability to move it. Could I reach a point where its structure changes? What would ash become? Charcoal? Diamond? I wish there was a chemistry professor in these lands… on the other hand, they might just go insane because everything they learned didn’t make any sense around here.

Ilea wondered if the marbles she created could theoretically reach a density where they had a graspable pull on their surrounding. A long way off for that, she thought. The sheer weight of a projectile like that would make for a wonderful impact, more so than a benefit like gravity would have.

“You seem lost,” Trian said as he joined the table.

“Things to consider… plus I might have started something stupid in Riverwatch,” she said with a sigh.

“The request for help?” he asked.

“Yes… slavers coming to reclaim their taken, property,” she said, saying the last word with disdain.

“You took them down?” Trian said.

“Killed those that attacked. The rest fled,” she said.

“You should have killed them all,” the man replied, continuing to eat.

“The result would be the same. Now at least some people might rethink their choices,” she retorted.

“They will know who did it. And they will respond in kind. It’s difficult to change someone’s beliefs, if they have been taught that they are true for the duration of their whole life.”

She shrugged. “That’s a good thing. They might look for me instead of focusing on Riverwatch,” she said.

“But it was them who called for you. All they know is that a Shadow came and slaughtered their people,” Trian said. “The nobles of Baralia are… more individualistic. They rarely consider their king or country when making decisions. Do you know who sent them?”

“Harken,” she replied.

“Hmm, I know little of him. Lord Rowan Harken. I believe he is known to be strict but fair, a man of principle, though you and me may not agree with his views on things. His lands may not be the worst to live in as a slave, compared to some of the others,” he said.

“That doesn’t change the fact that he holds people, as property,” Ilea said.

“True. You understand however, that many believe slavery to be beneficial. I know of a few families in Lys that would gladly introduce the concept again in the empire,” Trian said.

“Again?”

“Oh yes, that was centuries past however. The economic stability without slavery present shows that it isn’t necessary. Let alone the misery, death and pain it brought. You could argue that some of the training facilities the nobles manage are borderline slavery but most ignore them. A few children are not enough to antagonize a powerful noble house,” Trian explained. He shook his head at the thought.

“There is an argument to be made that incredible structures as seen in many of Baralia’s cities cannot be build in lands without slavery but I would say with enough gold and capable mages, the same could be achieved. It may take more time,” he added.

“Virilya seems pretty impressive to me,” Ilea said, ignoring the comments about training facilities. She would confront the responsible people if she came across something like that but getting involved without any knowledge was foolish. Her money and Claire could maybe achieve more on that front. Maybe the rejects could be bought up and brought to Ravenhall.

“It is. And yet you haven’t been to Baralia. Their cities are… monuments to their power and wealth. It’s like a competition between clusters of noble families. Same goes for their assassin orders, mages and other trained and brainwashed individuals,” he said.

“Hmm, I met the Vowed. Implants in their teeth that explode in case they get too far from a ring. Nasty that,” she said.

“Oho? They’re quite famous. Did you fight them?”

She waved him off. “No, I took out the implants and told them to go report to a guard captain I know in Riverwatch.”

“Ah, I see. They will probably find it difficult to adjust to a free life,” he mused. “Your lesson should start in a few minutes by the way.”

“Ah yes, the torture chamber,” Ilea said and finished her plate.

She smiled at the students sitting at the table, listening to the whole conversation. They’d have a lot to gossip about.

Ilea continued with her training, using the bow while injuring and healing the class with her ash. Trian and the enchanters had joined as well. Perhaps it would help the students to see some of the teachers going through the same pain and torment.

It filled her with pride that every last one of the students participated this afternoon.

A few would soon reach the second tier of Pain Tolerance, something that likely wasn’t possible without a healer present. One that could take care of mental strains too.

The rest of her day Ilea spent with a short dancing lesson, telling Claire of her job in Riverwatch, and lastly a visit to the Caverns of Rot and her newfound silent friends, the Specters.

She was back in her routine, now once again having enough time to eat in between. Sometimes even for a nap. The next few days passed without a major incident, if one didn’t consider the dangerous near death experiences with the Specters as incidents. They didn’t invent new tactics to pin her down luckily, otherwise she might have had to find new dancing partners.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea reached the Blood Magic milestone on the second day, immediately investing a point to advance it to the third tier.

- Blood Magic Resistance

You have made masters of blood magic your enemies, pushing through and surviving despite the odds. Your body has been ravaged by this school of magic so many times, any count would be meaningless. Creatures beyond your imagination have tried to kill you, without success.

Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The arts of blood manipulation can be deceptive and dangerous to both ally and foe. You have stood against the old magic and lived. Next time your chance of survival will be even higher.

2nd stage: Masters of this ancient art have found ways to use the very essence of your life against you. With sheer ferocity, you have shown that not every creature born of blood is prey alone. They will find it a challenge to invade and use what belongs to you alone.

3rd stage: Your very blood has changed and evolved. While it may still be susceptible to change and foreign influence, it will not take the abuse lightly. Enemies will find their blood magic will demand a sacrifice should they choose to injure you. You may deactivate this effect.

She found the effect would result in a reduced effect of the spells hitting the casters themselves. The Specters had minor ruptures ravaging their bodies after they used the ability against her. Not enough to kill them luckily. The creatures regenerated and didn’t seem to feel pain, making them a great party to test the third tier on.

Ilea wondered if she would get some form of Blood Magic as a general skill if she used the feedback often enough. Realistically, it would just level the Resistance but one could hope.

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

_______________________________

The officer bowed, going to one knee as he addressed Lord Harken. “The scout reports are conclusive. We estimate heavy losses should you wish to take the city within the week.”

Rowan scowled, his eyes going from the officer to the map situated on a wooden table within the command tent. A variety of figures had been placed on top of it, carved from wood and stone, each symbolizing one of the many troops at his beck and call. Paid, trained, enslaved or otherwise employed.

His most loyal guards and troops were situated close by. The scouts had been thorough, probing the independent city for the past few days. As annoying as it was, he could only commend the efforts that had gone into strengthening the town.

Riverwatch had been a miserable frontier city when he had last visited eight years prior. A mismatched town of adventurers and people seeking to accomplish their hopes and dreams in the uncivilized and crime ridden independence of the west. A foolish notion.

One that had cost them dearly, only two cities remaining of the downright ridiculous experiment. Rules and laws were there for a reason. Strict and guiding, for all blood lines, be it low born, slave or even noble.

It seemed Alistair Gallian proved to be worthy of his reputation, having taken control of the city despite his low birth. There were exceptions even among slaves and adventurers. Patrols and guards had been strengthened immensely, not just in numbers but in character too. Few could be paid for even scraps of information.

Many of the scouts had to be called back, to not alarm the competent leadership and officers of the city.

Rowan had thought the town an easy target and yet Nipha’s indecision to conquer the lone standing target proved to be based on more than just incompetence. An attack by storm would cause heavy losses, not just among the soldiers but the population of the town as well.

He sighed, still confident in the operation but annoyed at the set back. A challenge was welcome but at a time like this, he had to keep order in his ranks. Never had he marched with all his people, every soldier, cook, slave, and noble. The logistics was a nightmare. He was carrying supplies in his own storage ring and had to make everyone who possessed an item like that follow suit.

He balled his fists as he thought about his lands, the ridiculous orders from his king. To be driven out of one’s own lands. He saw it as his only option. The attempts to retrieve slaves from his territory by Riverwatch proved a perfect opportunity. His reputation would keep the king guessing. Was he responding to the theft with an iron hand or was he defecting? His son’s demise at the hands of a Shadow forced him to act. Earlier than he had planned. His useless offspring had wasted all he had been given.

Once Baralia fell, it would be too late for the king’s realization, Rowan and his people too far away and not a concern. Lys moved slower than he had anticipated but his advisors had rarely been wrong. Baralia was doomed and so was Wynehold. The only way to escape the fires of war was to relocate, form new alliances and to rebuild Baralia out of the ashes.

If only he had acted when the first signs of incompetence showed in the high king thirty years back.

He pushed the thought back. This wasn’t a time for regrets. It was a time for war. A time for change.

“What of the Shadow?” he asked, looking at the dark winged figurine standing within the forest between his camp and the city of Riverwatch.

“It is possible she was employed by the city, or she had a personal reason to attack the camp. Most soldiers had been caught off guard, under equipped, tired or drunk. We estimate her to be of minor concern in the conflict, if she is even still in the area,” one of his officers explained.

Harken looked at the man, his gaze making him wince. “She slaughtered forty men in the span of mere seconds. If she shows up we have to be prepared. Make sure the Vowed are informed. Focus their efforts on ash magic resistance and add more healers to their squads.”

“The reports may be exaggerated, my Lord,” a nobleman said.

“They may be. Her description and the abilities observed coincide with a new song a few bards have started singing in these parts. Lilith of Ravenhall. She too is said to be the main reason Riverwatch and Ravenhall formed an alliance,” an officer said.

Harken let them talk.

“Songs and an uncertain alliance. Ravenhall doesn’t have a standing military, the Shadow’s Hand acting merely as a mercenary group.”

“And yet many have been seen participating in the war. It isn’t unrealistic to assume her standing on the side of Riverwatch. As to the songs, they may be exaggerated but don’t dismiss myths. Our research suggests the bards have not been paid to spread her name.”

“They could have easily been manipulated,” another said.

Rowan stopped them with a gesture. “Be it as it may, we have to consider Shadows moving in to assist the town. Prepare gold and make sure our elite is ready to group up in case the reports have not been exaggerated and distorted by fear.”

If only they knew more about this alliance. An extended siege was the only way he could make sure his people weren’t decimated but it brought with it uncertainties. An exciting time indeed, one he deemed himself entirely too old to live through. Rowan ground his teeth, anger flowing through him as he wished he was powerful enough to kill King Baron himself.

Chapter 466 Bells of War

Chapter 466 Bells of War

“She moved through again,” Sean said, taking a sip of his ale.

Warm light filled the inn, most of the patrons already drunk out of their minds.

It was good that they usually went into the dungeon at a late time. Less competition.

Sophia nodded, glancing at the mark on her hand. Nothing had come out and killed everyone, she thought and looked around the room.

Wooden beams covered the ceiling, a few supporting beams reaching up from between the chairs and tables. People young and old occupied the inn, most of them adventurers, a few of them cooks, caretakers, guild workers or travelers and merchants. Some looked sullen, showing fresh scars and injuries, the scent of blood in the air.

Others rejoiced, lifting their mugs high as they sang one song or the other. A rare find or an especially successful day within the dungeon’s suffocating tunnels. Or perhaps they were rookies, excited to delve into the dark for the first time in the coming morning, not yet introduced to the pain and fear that accompanied the dangerous and often paralyzing work.

She wondered if what Ilea had said was true. Beings so powerful they could kill everyone here. Sophia had heard their call, had felt the chill, the need to run. Monsters just like the woman who had placed this cursed mark.

She had played with the thought of leaving, of running away as far as she could. Seeing the Abominations was one thing but to think there was even worse down there?

The gold kept her here and the fear of Ilea somehow sensing that she had fled. Would she come and hunt her down? She doubted it. And yet there was a small part of her that cowered in terror, just thinking of the healer.

She sighed and sipped on her ale. The mug hadn’t been cleaned properly and the ale here wasn’t great. Still, it would help soothe her thoughts.

“What could she be doing down there? Do you think she is fighting those creatures we heard?” Sean asked.

“I don’t want to know,” Sophia said. She was thankful at least for the gold, able to upgrade her room with some pleasantries that she would have otherwise done without. Her plan to retire and buy a small bar in Utach had moved closer by ten years after her recent encounters. The money wasn’t close to enough yet, forcing her to keep this profession. For now.

“I think it’s quite exciting,” Sean said. “What I wouldn’t give to be there and watch it,” he mused.

Did she infect you? I really hope you stay sensible, Sean, otherwise I’ll have to find myself a new group. And so many are just terribly incompetent.

She downed her mug when another bard started with the Lilith song. If only they knew.

_____________________________

Dale woke up and grabbed his sword, loud pounding coming from the door below.

Abby turned to him, barely awake. “What’s going on, honey?”

“I’m not sure,” he said as magic flowed through him, waking him up immediately. He had few days off and since the Elven attacks, there had been nothing to warrant such an intrusion.

Alaina’s door was open, the girl looking out with a confused expression. Rhett slept through the commotion, as expected.

“Everything is fine,” he whispered to the girl before descending the wooden stairs.

His house was simple and comparatively small. Officers in his position could certainly afford more but he had been more interested in a secure location and close by guard stations. The price had been higher but he could sleep more sound at night and that was worth every piece of gold.

Abby made them feel at home regardless, decorating the house with beautiful colors, paintings, curtains, furniture, and even a small training room for the kids, library included.

He sighed and kept his blade at the ready. “Who is there!?”

“Captain Langston! There is an emergency, all officers and guards are called upon!” a woman’s voice said through the heavy door.

Dale unlocked the three locks and deactivated the enchantment he had someone install last year.

The woman was armed and armored, a warrior close to level one hundred. He had seen her before, knew she was stationed at the nearby guard station.

“What’s going on?” he asked, looking around the street but not finding anything amiss.

“I’m not sure. The gates are closed and-” she said and was interrupted by ringing bells.

Dale opened his eyes wide and nodded to her. “I’ll be there, go now. Hurry and fulfill your orders,” he said, turning around and rushing back to his room.

“The bells, what’s happening?” Abby said, already half dressed as she looked at him with worry.

“I don’t know yet. We might be under attack,” Dale said as he put on his clothes and armor, the motions quick and efficient. “Take the kids and go to the cellar until further notice.”

He fastened his sword to his belt and hugged her. “You’ll be safe.”

Abby nodded. “Don’t try to be a hero, Dale. Promise me.”

“I promise,” he said but averted his eyes, rushing down the stairs and outside into the night.

Alistair and most of the officers had gathered already, plans of the city sprawled out on the tables in front of them. Barrier mages and healers were positioned around them as well as a few dozen high level guards.

“They have taken out our scouts and patrols, only two managed to return, heavily injured. The lack of movement suggests a siege. Why they are here is as of yet unclear,” one of the officers explained.

“The Shadow we hired took out a camp and killed a noble. Retribution perhaps?” another officer suggested.

“Lord Harken isn’t known to be unreasonable, nor particularly sentimental,” Alistair said as he touched his chin, looking at the map. “Defensive protocols have been called. Every guard, mercenary and adventurer is under martial law for the time being. Residents are advised to stay in their homes or offer their service to the nearest guard station.”

“Are we sure it’s Harken? It could be Nipha or even Kroll, there are plenty of armors and flags to be scavenged,” someone suggested.

“We don’t know as of yet. I’m sure we soon will,” Alistair said. “We haven’t directly attacked anybody else but Lord Harken in the past months. The numbers don’t add up however. Why would he send so many?”

“Baralia armor?” Dale asked a nearby officer he knew.

“Yes. They are surrounding the city, have cut off supply lines and are building camps. Trees are being felled as we speak,” he said in a hushed tone.

“How do our supplies look? Food and water?” Alistair asked.

“Sir, the stocks have been mostly filled. The extensions you ordered half a year ago will give us a few more weeks at least,” an unarmored woman replied.

“Did we call for aid?” Dale asked.

Alistair looked at him and shook his head. “Not yet. Not with the extent and the enemy unknown. We cannot drag our allies into a war, not so soon and with so little information.”

“She will help,” Dale said, ignoring the looks he was getting.

“The device Ravenhall supplied doesn’t let us send specific requests. Nor do I think she remains within their walls for much of her time,” he said.

Dale nodded and balled his hand into a fist, very conscious of the mark left behind by Ilea.

Alistair was right. He knew too little as of yet. Nor was Riverwatch defenseless by any means. He had prepared his guards and the hunters for a day like this. Another Elven attack was just a matter of time or a ravaging party of monsters that got the confidence to attack the city.

The fact that they were humans disappointed him more than he had expected. Still, humans at least were familiar, their tactics and capabilities known.

“The Hunters will remain within city walls for now, until we gain a better understanding of the situation. You know what to do, move out,” Alistair said.

Indeed they did. Dale nodded and turned away, signaling to a team of ten high level guards from his station. The southeastern section of the wall was their assigned position and they had already taken it. Dale would be there to command his guards as well as lead them.

He still remembered the chaotic scramble when the Elves had attacked during the tournament a few years past. The response now was calculated, prepared. Everyone had a position to be at, knew what to do. The same would be true if fire rained from the skies and Elves were running through their streets. A siege hadn’t been expected but they had prepared for it nonetheless.

Dale subconsciously rubbed the mark on his hand, a lifeline that made him calm down. No matter what happened, he had a way to call down upon their enemies a monster and a friend.

______________________________

Preparations were going well. Most of their scouts had been taken out and the production of siege engines was starting already. Every supply line was cut off.

With such a high population, Harken’s advisors assumed the siege would be over in one or two weeks. A lack of food led most people to rebel.

“If our assumptions are incorrect, we can still poison the river,” one of his officers said.

Their command had been relocated to an unassuming tent with a good view of the city. Long distance fire or ice mages could otherwise endanger him and his advisors. They had a disturbing lack of information on high level individuals in Riverwatch. Something they would remedy immediately upon taking control.

“Our goal is to take the city, not reduce its population to a graveyard,” Lord Harken said. “With all the refugees and slaves they have taken in over the past years, it should be simple enough to starve them out and force them to surrender.”

“What about offensive measures?” another officer asked.

They were eager to show off their magic and best engineers. He wouldn’t stop them. Glory through battle and genocide were a fine balance, one he would have to consider many times in the coming weeks.

“Focus on the walls, government and guard buildings. We are reasonably certain that the general population will remain within their houses. Do try not to damage them to an unreasonable degree,” he commanded.

Enough to spread fear but not enough to spread unwavering hate.

“Yes, sir,” the officer said, a wicked grin on his face. Most of the others shared his disposition.

Too young. They do not know the cost of war, nor will they learn from this siege. Once we return to the ashes of Baralia, they will understand.

“Any sign of Shadows?” he asked.

“None so far. Our troops have worked mostly uninterrupted. The Hunter division created by Alistair Gallian has so far remained within the city.”

“Or stationed far enough away not to rouse our suspicions. Keep up patrols and double the guards, especially facing away from the city. They won’t break through, not with our numbers,” Rowan said.

The officers nodded. They would get their blood and for now they were satisfied, their ambitions focused on the free city. It would prove a challenge to keep them in check.

It wouldn’t hurt to let them loose for a little while either. Transgressions will be punished, unnecessary murders and rape as well as pillaging. They weren’t animals and right now he did feel like he was inside of a noble’s collection of exotic beasts.

War brings out the worst in people, he thought and scowled. “Gentlemen. I must remind you that our laws still apply. Every transgression will be punished. The citizens of Riverwatch are to be treated like our own slaves. The guards and soldiers however, are our enemy.”

Let them show their claws. I will know after this who is to be trusted and who will break or lose control.

“Resume your positions,” he said and watched as a few attendants moved the pieces on the map.

_________________________________

Dawn had yet to come when the first trebuchets and ballistae propelled their payload into the city and its walls.

“Keep your heads down!” he shouted, his own body enhanced enough to easily dodge the stones and even the large arrows.

The wall shook when a steel tipped enchanted arrow slammed into it. The thing nearly burrowed through the whole thing.

Not just the projectiles are enchanted, the machines too, he thought as he glimpsed the soldiers loading in another arrow. This isn’t just a war party.

A few of their own bowmen tried to reach the distant machine, only a few higher leveled rangers able to close the distance. A translucent shield flared to life, blocking the attack without impact.

Mages too, protecting their siege weapons. This is a prolonged operation.

“Water and ice mages, ready!” he called out, seeing a few flames burst to life in the thicket. Arrows, boulders and flaming chunks of wood followed. Not enough to overwhelm the defenses, just to test them, strain their resources, their mages.

Most of the nearby houses had already been dowsed in water to prevent a large scale fire. The city’s expansion had been more important than planning in regards to a siege, leading to a lot of structures standing close to each other.

A few of the slower projectiles were taken out by ranged magic of their own, some damaging the wall. The sound of shattering glass resounded before screams filled their ears.

Two mages took care of the growing fire.

Dale rubbed his temple, confused why the woman who screamed hadn’t relocated to her cellar yet. People don’t even take an army in front of their city seriously. Not until the soldiers break down their front gates.

“Hold your ground. Group three, switch with group seven, they’re coming up right now,” he said and ducked, an arrow flying past. Dale looked but didn’t find who had shot it. High level rangers too. Trying to take out officers.

The extent of the siege would show as soon as the suns were up. He already assumed it to be more than expected but he held on to some hope. The slaves we rescued simply don’t warrant such a respsonse. Did he come himself? For his son?

“Reports are in, captain!” a runner called out from below.

Dale jumped down from the wall and joined the young man who was barely two years older than his son.

“Formations are holding, the walls are continuously damaged. Earth mages are to patrol and reinforce the defenses. Due to all supply routes being cut off, the gates are to be closed off too,” the runner said. “Hunter squads are preparing to hit enemy targets and siege engines are being moved closer to the walls.”

“Good, finally something we can send back,” Dale said as he spotted a catapult being moved closer to the wall. He would prefer enchanted cannons but this is what they had. Alistair hadn’t approved the expensive machines, to their current detriment.

So far it seemed the enemy didn’t have that kind of power either, otherwise their walls might have very well been breached already.

Dale would prefer a battle that was a little more personal, face to face with the enemy. The uncertainty of who was even attacking them and how strong they were exactly worked on not just him but every guard that manned the walls, as it worked on most of the population.

Whoever commands them knows what they’re doing. Either that or they are being overly cautious. A siege like this won’t work. Not if they don’t plan to spend the next two months sitting in the forest.

Already it was clear that the enemy wasn’t out to destroy the city or kill its population. Unlike the Elves.

“They are here to take what is ours, the city you call your home! For every life they take, we will take ten!” Dale shouted, happy to see his little encouragement timed up perfectly with the first flaming boulders sent back to the enemy lines.

A few guards cheered but the optimism was short lived. Water and ice manifested and quickly quenched the flames, mages of an unknown number still remaining hidden within the line of trees.

Smoking them out won’t work, he thought and sighed.

The suns were finally coming up, the sky mostly clear other than a few clouds and swaths of smoke.

Dale now understood why the enemy had waited until now to show their numbers. His eyes opened wide as he walked among the top of the wall.

Lines and lines of soldiers stepped out of the thicket, sunlight glinting off their armor, spears, halberds. The dark red of Baralia stepped out into the open, flags, bows and robes. Clean, well fed, armed and armored.

He watched as a series of projectiles came flying out of the forest behind, ten times as many sources as had fired during the night.

A line of soldiers and mages stepped forward, protected by shields of both steel and magic. Bows and spells were readied before they rained into the wall and beyond.

His men hunkered down next to him, impacts sending debris and dust over the edge, houses bursting into flame as walls collapsed. Horns resounded outside as another volley of spells rained onto the city.

The few shields and counter spells barely managed to stem the flood. A few guards were coughing.

Acid, poison and smoke magic spread over the walls, forcing some of them to jump down and abandon their positions.

Dale turned his head at a loud explosion coming from the gate. It hadn’t been covered by stone yet.

Explosions rattled the heavy wood as it splintered. “To the gate!” he called out and rushed towards the entrance right as it flung open.

Ten or more people rushed in, teleporting as they slit throats and engaged in close combat. Vowed, he thought as he blocked an attack, stepping back as he took in his enemies.

Three of them, slaves, their tongues cut.

The gate remained open. They’re not rushing in, just demonstrating their power.

Dale focused on the now, his pride giving in at the thought of his family enslaved, his city taken and his people killed. The mark on his hand dissolved and vanished as he deflected the blows aimed at him, a throwing knife grazing his armored shoulder.

Two of the rescued Vowed appeared at his side, a few guards joining them to stand against the enemy. I do hope it’s not too late, he thought and ignored the projectiles raining down from above.

“Close that fucking gate!” he shouted and activated his skills, rushing the closest Vowed, his blade cleaving through an arm before he ducked under a slash, coming up with another slice that slit through the slave’s stomach.

Dale turned and sliced through his neck with a clean swing. He ignored the messages and rushed to a wounded guard, intercepting a death blow. His shout was lost in the chaos of battle, exploding debris and spells impacting around them.

Chapter 467 Shadow

Chapter 467 Shadow

Rowan was pleased with the reaction. Their number advantage showed, most of the night spend either resting or building siege weapons. Riverwatch hadn’t understood what was happening but even if they had, the Lord was reasonably certain they wouldn’t have broken through.

Now that the suns had risen, the true power of his army was revealed. Not all pieces but enough to show what they were up against.

The walls and important buildings were bombarded with spells, flung stones and heavy arrows. Many of the projectiles were flung at the closest lines of houses but his orders were mostly obeyed. Rowan had a few trusted rangers and mages keep close track of those who went overboard or exclusively attacked civilians.

A third of the Vowed aided by warrior slaves willing to participate for a chance at freedom and citizenship had pushed forward. The show of force aided by ranged artillery and arrows had let them advance to the walls. A few of the gates had even been broken but it wasn’t the time yet to push into the city with everything they had.

It may be possible to take Riverwatch now but the losses were uncertain, both parties not yet having revealed all of their cards.

Lord Harken was patient, many years of battle and rule had shaped him. This battle should already be a victory. It was only a matter of time. Uncertain aspects like the Shadow’s Hand and potential high level individuals in the city would have to be dealt with but their numbers were overwhelming.

If he didn’t make major mistakes, this battle was theirs.

Retaking and rebuilding his home lands would be the challenging part of this war but Rowan didn’t let his thoughts drift quite yet. Overconfidence had been a cruel teacher and he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

“We have identified most of the officers,” a ranger reported, the man suddenly appearing close by.

“Good. Inform me how they fare against the lower leveled Vowed,” he said and used his looking glass to observe the walls.

Well disciplined guards. Fires aren’t spreading, which is good for both sides.

“Focus on taking out their healers,” he said when another ranger appeared.

“Sir, Vowed were spotted fighting on the enemy side,” he reported.

Rowan ground his teeth. “Those sent with Luis?”

The man nodded, fear showing on his face.

So the reports were true. Who are we dealing with here? A powerful enchanter?

The implants were excessively expensive but they did their job. If someone destroyed the ring, they would detonate after a while. If someone removed them, they would detonate.

None of the Vowed were allowed classes that could survive or regenerate a missing jaw and those with higher Blast Resistance would receive stronger implants.

“Reduce the bombardment in half an hour, half the mages should rest,” he said to a waiting officer.

“Yes, sir,” the man replied and vanished in a red smoke.

Harken checked on the troops positioned north and south of his position, finding their aggression to be similarly effective.

Alistair Gallian was a reasonable man, if the records could be believed. He will give up the city if the pressure becomes too much, too many guards dead. Rowan hoped for both of their sake that the man made the right choice and in a reasonable time. He hated camping in the woods like some savage adventurer.

Once again he turned away from the raging battle and sat down on his heavy wooden chair, brought of course from his office and stored within his ring. The tent itself was simple, not to arouse any suspicion of where their commander was located.

Words were a powerful weapon and soon he would have to announce to the guards and people of Riverwatch who exactly was besieging them and why. A mistake on his part could cost lives on both sides. He had to be concise and confident. Perhaps the leaders of this independent heap were more inclined to listen to reason than High King Baron ever was.

The pen in his hand snapped at the thought of the arrogant, stupid, childish king. He calmed his breathing and let meditation flow through him, a new pen appearing as he looked over his short speech once more, scratching a word here and there, replacing another. Explosions, shouts and spells resounded from the direction of the town.

A few hours later, the sounds had calmed down. A steady thrum of spells and projectiles impacting walls and buildings had replaced the outright storm from before.

Rowan’s speech was ready. The city knew the extent of their power and had an idea of their numbers. No surprises had popped up after the taken over Vowed. The gates had been closed and reinforced but the continuous attacks were chipping away at the defenses of Riverwatch.

He stood up and inspected himself in the large mirror placed within his tent. Rowan scratched his short gray beard, a little annoyed that he hadn’t reached level two hundred earlier in his life. Slow and steady had been his maxim. At least he looked wiser than most of the green officers he was commanding. His hair had the same color and was cut short too. He would look dignified even in the heat of battle.

He wore black silk pants held up by a brown leather belt. A dark red shirt was covered by an embroidered jacket. He disliked the way generals would pin their chests full of unnecessary medals. Still, he wore his family’s crest and the coat of arms of Baralia. Anybody worth their medals didn’t need to wear them to be recognized.

Scars showed on both his cheek and neck. Scars he was proud of. Any noble worth their name had healers close by in case they got injured. It was meant as a message that he carried these scars with him to this day, each representing certain events that his competition had best not forget.

Light armor appeared on his body, crafted from sturdy reinforced dark steel, colored in dark red shades. His two steel chain whips he kept stored for now, not planning to engage in battle. His helmet too he kept stored. With his ring, he could simply will it onto his head in the blink of an eye. He didn’t however expect to wear it today.

“Lord Harken,” one of his guards said as he stepped out.

“Signal the troops. Cease fire,” Rowan said and teleported twice to reach the front lines. He didn’t believe in charging at the very front but neither did he think effective command could be issued from kilometers away.

Soldiers stepped out from the thicket of the forest, their armor impeccable, their formation impressive. The stage was set.

Many of the guards looked out from behind the top of the battered walls, at the lone figure stepping towards them.

Rowan whistled, a horse stepping out from between the lines of troops that advanced a few meters, lines of soldiers and mages showing themselves.

He gently touched the horse’s head before getting on.

“People of Riverwatch!” he shouted as he spurred the horse to move closer. Everything was silent, not a single arrow of rock flying as he stopped his steed once more.

“Due to your involvement with Wynehold and the murder of my son, I, Lord Harken and with it the Kingdom of Baralia, declare war on your city. I am willing to discuss the terms of complete surrender with your leaders. All following bloodshed is a waste of life, on both sides. It does not matter to me if you surrender now or a week from now, or even in a month. Know that you cannot stand against us. The cease fire will last for half an hour. Make your choice!”

He finished his short speech and turned his horse around, slowly stepping back to the lines of soldiers until he moved past them. The army would remain in the open but he himself would wait in his tent.

“What’s that?” one of the rangers said as Rowan moved past.

Are they already surrendering? Perhaps I underestimated Alistair, he thought with a slight smirk as he turned. He schooled his expression immediately and got off the horse, walking back to the front line.

A few soldiers were pointing up and to the sky.

Squads of elite soldiers who could fly were ready but the black dot flying dot was moving entirely too fast.

Rowan saw his troops flying up, unable to catch up. He got out his looking glass and tried to focus on the thing. Person, black wings.

“The Shadow has come,” he said, glancing around as he saw his high leveled officers and soldiers forming up in groups to tackle the dangerous individual.

A single one, he thought, not letting himself smile.

The Shadow flew closer and landed like an arrow right behind the eastern gate.

Looking glass in hand and a ranger by his side, they watched the winged and armored being appear next to one of the guard officers.

Rowan couldn’t tell what they were discussing but he saw the Shadow hug the man. Personally involved. Then perhaps I can solve this with a deal instead of losing important people.

They talked for a few minutes before the Shadow jumped down onto the field.

A woman. What is she doing? Rowan thought as he watched her move closer. The guard officer didn’t seem particularly pleased with the development either but he made no move to stop the Shadow, instead giving orders to a few people close to him, some running away immediately.

“What should we do?” one of the soldiers asked.

Rowan stepped forward, summoning his helmet and weapons, positioning himself a little in front of his troops. Shadows could move quickly and he had little information on her. If she was the same one, she would use ashen magic. He hadn’t bothered with getting a resistance against the rare school of magic.

The woman stopped around fifteen meters in front of them, her body entirely covered in ash formed into armor. Forward facing horns adorned her head and a few tendrils moved lazily behind her back. Her wings were gone. Blue piercing eyes stared right at him.

His instincts told him to run. This Shadow was dangerous, more so than any he had met before.

[Healer – lvl ??]

Two eighty at least.

He nodded. “Welcome, Shadow.”

Rowan gauged her every movement but she didn’t seem to be bothered at all. No signs of stress or a defensive attitude. Either through true power or madness, the woman was confident in the face of his army.

She will escape and join the defense. Why did she come here?

“Rowan Harken,” the woman spoke. “Lord of Wynehold and the surrounding lands. I’m surprised you came personally.”

“My son was murdered. Our people taken. You, I presume were the culprit of those actions?” Rowan spoke.

A few of the soldiers around him were shifting. Scared of the Shadow or because they were so close to the two of them.

“You don’t give a shit about your son or your dead people, Slaver,” the woman said.

Rowan looked at her and chuckled. “You’re a healer. Is that how you took out the enchantments?”

Insults, slavery as an argument. Was she here just to provoke an open battle? I have always known most Shadows were madmen. Another one to confirm the reputation.

“I will give you the option to leave this place. Just take your shit and go. Every slave stays here. You will never return,” the woman said.

A ridiculous notion and yet Rowan felt cold sweat dripping down his back.

“On what grounds, Shadow? I don’t see the Hand rallied behind you, nor an army of Ravenhall descending on my troops. You are mad if you think we will leave. Riverwatch is ours and you won’t stop us,” he said.

“You came to protect your friend? I will assure his safety and that of his family. You can take them and leave to Ravenhall. No more blood needs to be shed,” Rowan said, his offer generous.

A few people gasped. Offending a noble of Baralia was a grave crime. A lord, punishable by death, or worse.

These were wild lands however and Shadows were monstrous creatures.

“I agree. Which is why you should take my offer. You gave the city half an hour? I’ll give you ten minutes. Take your troops and leave. Free your slaves and send them to the city,” she said with a calm voice.

A few soldiers chuckled, some outright laughing at the ridiculous proposal.

Has she faced too many horrors to understand this situation? Rowan wondered. He was about to talk when the woman spoke again.

“Ten minutes,” she said, power surging outwards with the words.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of a powerful healer. You are paralyzed for two seconds’

His eyes opened wide as he watched the Shadow spread her wings, flying back to the wall. All the laughs and chuckles had subsided, replaced by palpable terror.

__________________________________

Dale watched on as half the army suddenly froze, his own wall just as quiet as everyone looked on in disbelief.

He shook his head and sighed.

Ilea landed next to him, her expression hidden behind her ashen armor.

“What the fuck was that?” he asked.

“Monster Hunter. Seems like they should work on their Veteran skills,” she said.

Dale watched as the army started moving again, apparently unsure how to proceed. Rowan Harken remained standing where he was.

Entirely paralyzed.

“You have a way with diplomacy,” Dale said.

“Do you think they will agree?” Ilea asked.

She knew the answer already.

“Are you sure you can do this?” Dale asked, seeing Alistair arrive with an entourage of officers.

“It’s more that I just don’t like it,” Ilea said. “Don’t join me out there. Just protect your walls and take care of the slaves afterwards.”

“I know you have ways of surviving and escaping. Alistair,” Dale said and nodded to the man who now joined them on the wall.

“You came, why? Were you in the area?” the man asked and glanced at the two of them.

Ilea didn’t say anything.

“They said half an hour for us to surrender. Are more Shadows on the way? We just now called for immediate aid,” Alistair said and looked at Rowan and his officers forming ranks.

Powerful magic surged from the people now stepping into the field. A challenge.

Ilea touched Dale’s shoulder and jumped down.

“What is she-” Alistair said, looking at Dale.

“She gave them ten minutes,” he said and allowed himself a small smile. He had lost a dozen guards already. Men and women he knew well, had trained, fought and eaten with. He had called her here but everything that happened now was on them.

“Ten minutes… she can’t be serious. We can’t engage… even with her on our side it would be suicide,” the governor whispered.

“She told me not to join the battle. And neither should anybody else,” Dale heard himself say.

“This is ridiculous… she can’t seriously think she can stand against an army,” Alistair said, not a statement but a question, one he asked himself.

“Lilith is allied with Riverwatch. It was high time people learned what that means,” Dale said.

_________________________________

Rowan stepped back, all his high level officers and warriors gathered before him, his army at the ready.

“Kill her,” he said and motioned to his troops.

Arrows were nocked and spells charged, ballistae loaded and aimed.

“Everyone who is just a normal soldier, if you want to flee, I won’t hunt you down. You have my word,” the Shadow said, looking at the group of elite fighters and Rowan.

“Loose!” Rowan shouted.

Spells of twenty schools of magic rushed out at the woman, hundreds of them, interspersed with arrows.

Everything impacted near her for a few seconds before Harken lifted his hand.

“Cease fire!”

One last arrow fired from a ballista rushed at the rising smoke, flames clinging to the nearby grass, crystal, stone, wood and poison all occupying the same space.

Rowan watched the projectile, hearing the sound of metal striking stone.

He held his breath, as did everyone around him.

The smoke cleared, revealing an unscathed Shadow with a massive arrow in her hand. She twirled around the projectile before throwing it behind herself.

Voices started whispering around Rowan, a few cheers resounding from the walls of the city.

Some way to negate damage or projectiles? Or did she teleport away? Might be she’s an illusion in the first place.

“Five minutes,” the woman said, scratching her armored cheek. “I really, really don’t feel like slaughtering all of you. Please. Please just go.”

The request sounded sincere, as if it was a burden to her.

The arrogant fall the longest, he thought and lifted his hand again.

“F-” he started, a whistle interrupting him.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of a powerful healer. You are paralyzed for two seconds”

“Ah, I really like this ability. Come then, try to take me down. You still have a little over four minutes. I encourage you to run,” the woman said before spells once again started impacting her.

“An illusion?” Rowan asked.

“I cannot tell, Lord Harken. As far as I can see, she is here,” one of his officers said.

“Impossible,” another said and stepped forward.

The man had reached level two hundred at a young age, confidently lifting his two handed mace. Enchantments came to life as he approached the woman.

Rowan lifted a hand, the ranged attacks ceasing once more.

The Shadow tilted her head to the side as she watched the officer approach.

No matter what, it is foolish to attack a Shadow alone. I will have to deal with him after this is over, Rowan thought.

Everyone watched as the officer stopped a few meters in front of the Shadow, his form towering above hers, the head of his mace as large as her chest.

“Feel free to try, big man. Three minutes,” the woman said. For the first time, she sounded amused.

A loud noise resounded when the mace found her head. And stopped entirely.

“Oof, quite the strength you have there,” she said and grabbed his weapon, easily ripping it out of his hands before she twirled the thing and brought it down on his head.

The man’s helmet crunched downward and into his body, blood squirting out from the sides as he fell to his knees.

The Shadow ripped out the mace with a shower of blood, throwing the thing to the side. “I prefer my hammer,” she said.

Rowan gulped.

Tendrils of ash slowly formed behind her as wings manifested out of thin air. Ash spread out on the ground and spheres started forming around her.

“Two minutes,” she spoke. Every bit of amusement was gone out of her voice, only ice remaining. Her eyes were focused on him.

Chapter 468 Lilith

A note from Rhaegar

Hey all :). Two chapters for today.

I'm finally done with the civic duty and will be returning to full time writing. For now I plan to post 5 chapters per week (Tues - Sat).

Thanks for the continued support and for reading :)!

Some Art related stuff: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37814269

Chapter 468 Lilith

Rowan knew he was losing control. “Prepare to fight, take her down as fast as possible.”

“Everyone who flees will be executed!” he shouted, looking back. His eye twitched when he saw some of his soldiers were already turning away, more were stepping back, unsure of what to do.

Just because she can shout and kill one man! Undisciplined imbeciles!

“STAND YOUR GROUND!” he roared and prepared his two steel whips, imbuing them with power.

“I don’t give a fuck about her ultimatum. Take her down now!” he said to the team in front of him, even some of them showing uncertainty.

“Come, I don’t mind,” the Shadow said, crouching as she held up one finger. “One minute, flee and live. Or die at the hands of Lilith.” Her voice wasn’t particularly loud but it traveled far, like the whisper of a demon.

Rowan watched as his elites used their skills and shot forward, some teleporting right next to her while others sent their spells forward.

His eyes opened wide when the Shadow started moving, her limbs rushing around as she twirled. Three men were impaled, her fist punching in the chest of another. A loud crunch resounded as his chest plate bent inwards, his ribs broken and his insides squashed to pulp.

The three impaled men were flung at the mages, one of them unable to dodge the body. Marbles of ash zipped around, two finding their targets as heads exploded in a mist of red.

Four warriors slashed their weapons at her only to find thin air as she weaved through their attacks, her limbs impaling two of them as one of her wings slapped away the third.

The last warrior dodged two of her punches only to get a knee in his crotch. She followed up with an elbow to his face, the force ripping off his head with a part of his spine still attached.

Lilith vanished and appeared over the downed mage, his cries finding no mercy as he was silenced with a sharp limb of ash through his skull.

“Time is up,” the woman said as motion erupted all over.

Arrows were loosed, men and women shouted, spells impacted close to her but compared to before, none of them found their target.

Soldiers screamed and turned, some vanished and others went to their knees, overwhelmed by terror.

Rowan looked around at a loss. “Stand your ground!” he shouted, his voice lost in the explosions of ice and fire around them, the screams of men and women.

He turned and found two blue eyes staring at his own.

“Yo-” he started when a hand lashed out, slapping his cheek with enough force to nearly break his neck. He was lifted off the ground and landed hard on the ground a few meters away, disoriented and bleeding.

“Stand-” he started as he stumbled back to his feet, his voice stuck in his throat when he saw the ashen tendrils mow through his men as if they were bugs. Heads were pierced, corpses and living bodies were thrown around to all sides.

Spears and marbles of ash slammed through armor as if it was made of wet paper. Hundreds were fleeing.

Rowan saw soldiers trained and prepared for this day on their knees, praying to their gods as the creature of ash slaughtered their brothers and sisters in arms.

“A monster…,” he spoke, shielding himself from a fiery explosion to his right. Nothing stopped her. Shields and swords were broken through, spears snapped with their blades breaking against her armor. Arrows rushed past or had no impact. Spells hit allies or trees, the monster teleporting and shredding through their ranks like an unchained beast left to hunger for weeks.

What have… what have I done… who is she?

How could I have known?

He stumbled forward, his eyes still focused on the woman, only able to follow her due to the limbs of ash and the path of carnage she left behind.

Rowan watched as a mist of ash covered twenty men in formation, their screams drowned out until they fell a few seconds later, lifeless and covered in ash.

“Lord Harken! We must retreat!” an officer said, half of his right arm missing.

Retreat? How… one Shadow. Is she even human? He asked himself as he followed wordlessly, running into the forest with his ally, fleeing along hundreds as screams resounded and died.

He had lost control. Discipline and trust ripped from his hand by sheer force of nature. Whatever he was facing, it wasn’t human. A creature of darkness.

Was it punishment? For forsaking his king and country? The Order of Truth?

He could feel his steps hasten, his eyes focused forward as he ran. He was the commander, Lord Harken. He was supposed to stand, to face the enemy and lead his army to victory. All his instincts told him to run, his rational mind overwhelmed by what he had seen.

Adventurers told stories of creatures powerful enough to slay whole towns, to break through walls and slaughter hundreds if not thousands. He had thought it hubris. Overblown stories by men and women who thought themselves heroes, trying to impress their lowly peers.

He believed it now. The thing could speak too. Lilith. Lilith, he repeated in his mind.

A sudden burst of magic came from the left and he teleported, his whips at his side as he felt a strong pressure on his mind.

The officer who had ran by his side collapsed, foaming from his mouth as he died.

“You are the commander? Are you not?” a voice resounded in his mind, something that was not human.

“Show yourself beast! Lilith! Come and finish it! Show me your power!” he said, finding courage in the mindless slaughter of his comrades.

A creature clad in black rags hovered out into the open, abyss like holes instead of eyes in his skull as a large mouth opened, sharp lines of teeth glinting in the sunlight breaking through the trees.

Rowan took a step back, at a loss for words.

[Mind Weaver – lvl 219]

“Mistress Lilith is looking for you. But I found you first,” the creature said without moving its mouth.

“What are you doing here? Demon creature!” Rowan shouted, his weapons at the ready as he watched the dangerous being.

“I live close by. And then I felt this power… and now this… feast. She wastes so much flesh. A shame really! So here I am, collecting the scraps,” the being said as it lifted a clawed hand.

A powerful surge of magic slammed into his mind, Rowan finding no other way but to teleport away as far as he could. His Resistance was strong but not enough to counter whatever that being was.

He turned back and watched as it lifted the officer’s corpse, biting down on his neck.

“Run, human, run until you collapse,” he heard the voice, the being somehow still reaching him.

Rowan kept running. She commands demons too. Mind demons… I have to warn the kingdom, maybe the high king will forgive me, maybe they will be able to help.

No, we have to avoid this place. She offered us to flee and I laughed at her. Foolish! How stupid can I be.

He ran for twenty minutes, the shouts and screams lessening over time. Soon he found himself entirely alone, running still as fast as his legs would carry him. He saved up his teleport skill in case the enemy showed up.

Rowan felt his heart thrumming in his chest, his breath the only thing he heard in the thick forest. Did I cross into Nipha already?

He had to regroup, find the survivors, return to Wynehold and think about what to do.

A whistling sound came from above, Rowan jumping to the side, crouching between two trees for cover. Something heavy impacted the ground, roots groaning.

“There you are,” the voice said.

No

No, no

Rowan stepped back and stumbled, catching himself thanks to the high dexterity he had.

Before him stood Lilith, clad in her dark ashen armor, her eyes cold as ice.

The two trees snapped when an ashen limb flashed through, four more pushing the heavy wood to the side as if to make space for the queen of death herself.

He closed his eyes and sighed. “Do it then, finish it,” he said, resigning himself. “I only ask you to keep your word. Don’t kill those who fled.”

The woman seemed surprised. “I don’t plan on breaking my word. Nor do I plan on killing you. Not right now at least.”

“You want to torture me and feed me to your demon friend?” he asked. He could try to attack, could try to get a hit in but he had seen what his strongest warriors accomplished. There was no way he could succeed.

“Weavy came to join? That damn demon,” Lilith said and shook her head. “No, I don’t particularly like torture. We will free the slaves and you might be able to return to your city. With some changes to your local policies. You didn’t seem as stupid as some other nobles I’ve met and I’m happy to see you actually care about your soldiers. If only the same was true for your slaves,” she said and spit on the ground.

“Our slaves are well fed and taken care of! Don’t you dare talk down on Wynehold like we are some sort of savages,” he said and threw down his weapons.

“Slavery in itself is savagery. Every human has a right to their own freedom. One of the things that will have to change if you want to keep your city and people. I’m sure losing you would cause more harm to them than the sudden freedom of your slaves. Think about it. You’ll have plenty of time,” Lilith said as a few ashen limbs moved around his body.

Her wings moved, casting long shadows before she ascended. Rowan was dragged behind, hitting his shoulder on a branch.

He closed his eyes and calmed himself down. He was still Lord of Wynehold and his duty has yet to end. Rowan ground his teeth. Defeated by a savage and someone who thought slaves were worth the same as nobles.

__________________________________

“Bring them over here!” Dale shouted towards a group of guards. Dozens of soldiers wandered aimlessly before their captors, dejected and entirely defeated.

“Where are the water mages, get the fuck over here, we can’t have half the forest burning down!” he shouted once again, pointing at a few uncertain mages walking amongst the carnage. “MOVE MOVE MOVE!”

They did move, focusing on the trees instead of the mince meat.

Half of that would have been enough, Dale thought as he looked around. He wasn’t sure if it would have been. The officers were defiant until the last one of them was ripped apart by her.

He was just glad a large part of the army had actually fled. He knew Ilea would keep her word and let them go. The same wasn’t true for their hunters or other people who would try to gain something out of this.

“Earth mages, holes and fill them with wood. I want this carnage cleaned up until this evening!” he said and walked briskly back to the wall. All the blood and the corpses would attract a large amount of monsters. The fight wasn’t over quite yet.

He just hoped nothing as powerful as Ilea showed up. Hopefully they just come to eat and ignore the city.

Dale had seen a lot in his life but the scene on the field before Riverwatch topped everything. Not quite everything. Seeing it happen certainly topped it.

He still wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t dreaming.

Ilea had briefly showed up half an hour ago to put back the mark he had used up.

A few earth mages had extended a section of the wall to allow Alistair a base of command. Officers came and went.

Rescue operations to get out people from collapsed or burnt buildings were already under way.

“Dale… I…,” Alistair said as he looked at him.

“It’s alright. Take your time. It took me years to accept her existence,” he said with a wry smile. A few more years and she will do this without even moving. Ah stop it, there’s no sense in trying to understand that woman’s power.

“Where is she now?” Alistair asked.

“She said she wanted to get the Lord. For negotiations,” Dale said.

“What negotiations? The battle is over… she slaughtered them. I have met Shadows, Dale, but this…,” he just shook his head.

“She is a special kind of person. You can ask her yourself once she’s back. I’ll take care of my share of the cleanup. You take care of governing the city,” Dale said.

“Dale… it was you, wasn’t it?” Alistair said and nodded to his hand.

“Maybe. Maybe she was just in the area,” he replied and winked.

“This event will ripple through the lands. Added to the history books of Riverwatch,” Alistair said.

“She already has songs about her. Lilith, the healer of Ravenhall. We just added another verse,” Dale mused.

Alistair moved closer and whispered, “A demon was sighted in the forest. Can you inform Walter that that creature shouldn’t be so obvious?”

“I’ll send a letter,” Dale said, this issue barely making his list of current priorities. “Anything else?”

“No… no, I’ll leave it to you. Thank you. Dale. Really,” Alistair said.

Don’t need to thank me. I just called her here, he thought with a smile and walked down the stairs. His joyous mood quickly turned solemn when he returned to the field of death. Work to do. We survived another day.

_____________________________

Ilea saw something move in the forest and shot down, taking the Lord with her until she landed next to Weavy. The momentum accidentally smacked the commander of the enemy army into the ground, dirt filling his mouth and nose. An accident. Definitely.

“Weavy, you need to get the fuck out of here. The guards will fight you!”

“Mistress! What a beautiful display! Truly magnanimous! Thank you,” he said in a joyous tone, taking a massive bite out of the corpse in his hands.

“I must say however, your tendency to waste food is worrying, especially because you say of yourself to be a lover of food,” Weavy said and shook his head, blood dripping to each side.

“Weavy, we humans don’t eat other humans. We bury them to send them off to the afterlife,” she said.

“Ah yes… I forgot. A foolish thought. There is only the endless void. It isn’t easy… to let them do so… I saw some of them burning them! Just burning them!”

Ilea felt his distress about the situation and patted his back. “It’s alright. Come on, I don’t think it’s good for your mind to stay here. Go to the western forest and hunt an animal or two.”

He nodded slowly. “I shall… yes, I shall do that. Thank you. Humanity really is disappointing… such a waste,” he said and murmured the same phrase a few times as he hovered away.

Ilea kept an eye on the demon for a few minutes, watching him move away from the battlefield and the forest east of Riverwatch.

Such a progressive demon, worrying about foodwaste in the middle ages.

The Lord coughed and took a deep breath. “Why!?” he shouted. “You said you disliked torture!”

“Eating dirt isn’t torture. Now shut up before I change my mind,” Ilea said.

“You won’t. I know people like you. How did you reach such power? Did you make a deal with that demon? Or are you the elite of an order? The order of Balance perhaps?” the man asked.

“You certainly got back your spirit,” Ilea said, ignoring his questions as she sped up and rushed to Riverwatch.

Now I have to participate in fucking politics again, she thought, annoyed as she flew over the carnage left behind by her demonstration.

The lives she took weighed on her but mainly, she was glad Dale and Riverwatch were safe again. She would have killed every single one of their soldiers if it had been necessary to achieve that end.

Soldiers and guards alike took a few steps back or recoiled at the sight of her when she joined Alistair on the wall.

“Lord Harken,” she introduced and threw the man down.

He slowly stood up and brushed off his armor.

“Lilith,” Alistair said and bowed.

Oh no, not him too, she thought and glanced at Dale working on the field.

He glanced up to her and waved, as if he saw a friend on a Sunday afternoon stroll.

She waved back.

“I’ll help with the cleanup. Can you draft something up? I’d think it reasonable for him to stay in charge back in his city. No slavery anymore or any other vile shit,” she said.

“We are not born equal,” the lord whispered with an angry expression.

“You’re right, some of us are huge fucking shits,” Ilea said.

“I’m sure I can work something out… as well as the surrender of the Baralia forces and the conditions about the takeover of all present slaves,” Alistair said.

“The prisoners?” Lord Harken asked, respectful in tone.

“They will be returned to your command as soon as you signed the respective contracts,” Alistair said. “Is that agreeable?” he asked and looked to Ilea.

She nodded and blinked to the field, helping to rid corpses of their gear before putting them into the pits. She had some qualms about just burning them but then again, she was the one to kill them in the first place. Compared to the demons, they at least carefully put the corpses away, removing identification and gear.

The blood would attract monsters.

“Hey,” she said to Dale as she walked past carrying sixteen bodies.

“Thank you,” the man said.

“It’s no matter, I produced them so I should help with the cleanup.”

“No, I mean thank you, for coming when I called,” Dale said, a genuine smile on his face. “You can leave it to us by the way. My guards prepared for war and now they only have a cleanup.”

“I’ll stay for a night. Just in case monsters or soldiers come back,” she said.

The man nodded. “Care to join us for dinner? I would have had today off.”

“Sure, after we’re done here,” Ilea said.

Chapter 469 Aftermath

Chapter 469 Aftermath

The cleanup only took a few hours, thanks to the help of the numerous guards. The corpses themselves weren’t many in number either. A few hundred at most, compared to the ten thousands of demons they had killed in Ravenhall.

The gear brought more work. Stripping all the bodies, sorting everything and transporting it into the town.

Ilea didn’t talk much, keeping her ashen armor active during the process. She knew that her display would leave a lasting impression on most of the onlookers. The atmosphere however was mostly celebratory, a combination of the won battle and the fact that many of the guards had already known her.

A powerful ally was something completely different than an unknown monster helping out on a whim. She did hear the whispers and comments. People thinking she was far enough away to talk about her. Rumors and speculation, mixed with admiration.

There were of course a few conspiratorial voices among the crowd but Ilea didn’t mind. She had investments in Riverwatch so a connection there could certainly be made. It hadn’t been the reason she had come but to an onlooker, she may very well have come just to cement her influence in the city.

Her knowing Alistair and Dale didn’t necessarily help there. She was glad that the majority of voices were positive however. Another thing she didn’t want to deal with. Plus the problems it would cause for both Alistair and Dale could have been disastrous. Kidnapping to accusations.

She sighed, watching the burning pits, the suns burning down from high above. No sweat or discomfort showed on her, nor did she feel any. Guards around her had tears in their eyes, likely more from the smoke than any form of sentimentality.

Ilea could be standing in the fire and it wouldn’t have made a difference. May you find rest, unfortunate soldiers of a backwards country, she thought and looked up, forming a stream of ash that flowed up with the smoke, joining and intertwining with it until it dispersed.

A few soldiers looked at her but soon a mage shot up a spray of fire. More joined in as time passed.

A gesture to send off those who had fallen. On both sides. Human souls, lost to the whims of powerful men and women.

Ilea remained for a few minutes before she wordlessly walked back to the city. It wasn’t even noon yet but the cleanup outside was already mostly done.

Within the city, mages, engineers, and guards alike were still working hard. Houses needed to be repaired, trapped people needed to be rescued.

Most of the work would be the management of all the slaves the city had just freed. They needed food, water, jobs, and a place to stay.

Nearly the same was true for the prisoners who had given up. In addition to guarding them.

Ilea had avoided killing those who lost to terror or those who had tried to defend them.

Only the men and women who still clung to their goal of taking the city were killed. That was the ideal case of course. She was sure many of them simply had not found the courage to flee or put down their weapons. Or they had found the courage to face the monster that had suddenly slaughtered the officers and nobles of their camp.

Slavery was a horrible thing but Ilea understood that not everybody in Baralia was a monster in turn. She knew that many of the soldiers she had killed just wanted to create a better future for their families, their loved ones, or maybe even their slaves.

The morality was complicated and she lacked the knowledge to judge it all. Her mood was a little dampened but she had given them a choice, multiple times. Ilea wasn’t a saint, nor did she aspire to become one.

Harken had attacked Riverwatch and thus her allies. Be it for revenge or to save his own people from the war raging in Baralia. The conflict remained and she was the one who came out on top. Maybe the choice she had given them was one Harken could not have possibly accepted. And still, a large part of his army fled. They will return and live on, or die on the way.

She doubted the latter, knowing that they could easily regroup and return in a controlled manner.

Too much thought put into this, she thought and strolled through the city. They attacked without reason and I repelled them. Many of the residents had come out of their houses again, the conclusion of the siege spreading quickly.

She got looks from everyone. Some people cheered, others were terrified. Many thanked her or bowed in respect. Ilea didn’t feel like putting away her armor of ash, being the only high level healer around. Many already knew how she looked like but now that she had literally become the savior of Riverwatch, she desired a tiny bit of anonymity.

Ilea strolled towards the main government buildings, unsure of what else to do at the moment. She enjoyed Keyla’s cooking and soon jumped onto the roofs to avoid people calling out to her.

The city had their own healers to take care of the injured and the rest of the work didn’t concern her. Could visit Walter again, she thought but decided to stay in Riverwatch. At least until most of the coming night had passed.

The Baralia soldiers could be foolish enough to form a strike force to get out Harken or just damage the city. She had certainly killed enough of them to warrant a response fueled by vengeance.

The cycle of human conflict, she mused and sat down on the roof overlooking a large square. Opposite her lay the center of the Riverwatch government. She stored her bone armor and cleaned herself with ash before changing into more casual clothing. Her ashen armor moved to her back as she sighed and continued eating.

Dozens of soldiers and officials rushed over the square, in and out of the surrounding buildings as they worked to deal with this crisis and its conclusion. One of the inns had already opened its doors again, loud and cheerful guards celebrating their victory as they commented and joked with the people rushing past.

Ilea wondered how many of them would have died if she hadn’t been there today. If she hadn’t met Dale a few years ago in the nearby forest. If she didn’t have the ability to mark someone and have them call for help.

Alistair would have called for assistance at some point but Harken had only just made his declaration. A prolonged siege would have been problematic, to say the least.

She knew Dale was somewhere to the east, working hard to sort this mess. Might be dangerous if people know about the mark. They could leverage it against me or him.

She let go of the dark thoughts, hoping that the respect he had in the city would counter whatever danger could arise. The man himself wasn’t a pushover either, having reached level one fifty thanks to the battle.

Ilea just had to make sure Riverwatch would get the resources necessary to make it unreasonable to challenge. The tale of this victory would spread far and wide, likely leading to more credibility for both this city and Ravenhall.

“Hey! You’re not allowed to be up there!” a guard called out as he walked past.

Ilea spread her wings briefly and smirked at the change of his expression.

He bowed deeply and apologized profusely before being on his way, looking back a few times as if a predator was hunting after him.

She looked through her messages for a little while, quickly skipping all the ones telling her about defeated enemies.

Only the small group she had killed in the beginning had people above level two hundred. Her skills hadn’t leveled much, as expected.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Only one level for Monster Hunter. So despite not being able to freeze high level creatures, just challenging them provides more experience than using it against a damn army?

Not a single level for her resistances, despite the heavy bombardment. She was happy to see the additional mark. Likely for Trian or perhaps even Walter.

Maybe the latter. Claire already has one and she’s much harder to pin down than Dale is.

She finished her food and jumped down to the square, once more covering herself in ash. A few blinks brought her in front of Alistair’s office, expecting the man to be inside.

The guards nearly jumped, skills and magic flaring up as they reacted to her sudden appearance.

“Lilith,” one of them whispered.

“This is already getting old,” Ilea whispered as she shook her head. It’s Lilith! Oh my god!

“We get it, can I see the man?” she asked.

“I will get him at once,” one of the guards said and ran off.

Ilea remained, looking at the guard who hadn’t said anything so far. The woman just stared at her with wide eyes behind a full plate helmet, her spear still held in a defensive stance.

“Guarding an empty office. How much do you get paid?” she asked.

The woman moved her spear back, as if shaken awake by the question. “Guarding the governor’s office is an honor. One with history going much further back than Sir Alistair Gallian.”

“I see,” Ilea said and glanced away. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be offensive. Fuse is a little short today.”

The guard just looked at her.

“Did you really fight the army alone?” she asked after a while.

“Most of them ran away or laid down their weapons,” Ilea said.

Alistair luckily came to stop the awkward conversation, the man joining her with a brisk walk, accompanied by the guard.

“Good to see you, come in,” he said and opened the door for her.

Ilea blinked inside and formed an ashen chair, letting her armor move back as soon as the door was closed after him. She was aware that any of the guards could have a skill that let them perceive through the door or the stone walls, just like she could but there was only so much she was willing to do to protect her identity. An interested party would find her at this point, without too much digging.

“I didn’t expect you so early,” he said. “We are still negotiating with Lord Harken. He is a… stubborn man.”

“Cleanup is mostly done already. Do you think he won’t agree to our terms?” she asked.

“He weighs every little bit. A smart man and potentially not the worst of rulers. As much as it annoys me to say. We talked on the definition of slavery for nearly two hours. I suspect it will take some time to reach an agreement,” Alistair said.

“Good thing his men are save at home and not running through the wilderness of Nipha,” Ilea said.

Alistair leaned back and allowed himself a smirk. “He is aware of his situation. But I can understand the frustration after being defeated by one single Shadow.”

“Oh me too, but I have little sympathy left for a man who advocates the ownership of people,” Ilea said.

“I concur. Now while you’re here, I have some suggestions. As to your reward for both your help with the initial problem and its quite unexpected escalation,” he said.

She gestured for him to go on.

“Many of my colleagues find it troublesome that external persons own large parts of the city’s establishments and houses. You are one of very few individuals that could even be categorized as such.”

“The Gray Company owned a rather sizable number of businesses, goods, land, and property. As we have struggled to find someone both willing and deserving to receive, manage and take over such assets, I can’t think of someone better than you. Or the Administrator back in Ravenhall you have put so much trust in,” he said.

“I came to help out Dale and the city. You can inform Claire about the rewards. I’m sure she will find a good use for them. Let her know that jobs and housing should mostly go to the newly freed people from Baralia,” she said.

“And as an additional payment, you can make sure they are well fed and integrated into the city. They should get the same rights as everyone else here,” Ilea said.

“Certainly. Those things weren’t in question in the first place,” the man said and hesitated.

“You know… I’m aware of the reasons you came. And I know that for someone of your power, it may not seem like much. But today, you saved the lives of tens of thousands. You saved the whole city. It seems… inadequate to give you so little in return,” Alistair said.

“Let Claire invest into defenses here. And make sure I’m exempted from any restrictions to foreigners. Don’t worry about inadequacies. I am your ally and so is Ravenhall. Our suggestion to get out slaves was what caused all this in the first place.”

The man waved her off. “I would have launched something similar too, if I had the resources to spare. I’ll make sure everything you asked for will be taken care of.”

He twirled a pen in his hand and just stared at her for a moment.

“What is it?” Ilea said.

“Just seems… a little like a dream. We were prepared for a month long siege,” he said and shook his head. “I won’t keep you any longer then,” he said and stood up.

Alistair bowed to her. “Riverwatch will forever be in your debt, Ilea of Ravenhall.”

“Stop it with the praise, I mean it. I just happen to be a bit of a killing machine,” Ilea said and stood up too.

“The fact remains, as does our debt and gratitude. I wish you good fortune in your endeavors, Ilea. Whatever it may be you are working on,” Alistair said.

“You too, have fun with all the work this put on your table,” she said with a smile and left, blinking out of the building as soon as she had reached the hallway.

Ilea spread her wings and flew outside of the city, finding a tree with a good view and settling down. Ash made it considerably more comfortable than back when she had camped out here without the convenient creation skill.

She sighed, turning in her makeshifthammock as she watched things happening in the city. The slightly elevated position let her observe quite a bit. Her Eyes of Ash allowed her to see the expressions of guards patrolling on the walls, the spells and efforts of those cleaning up and rescuing people.

The exhaustion of the past few days started to add up, making her close her eyes slowly.

Ilea fell asleep on top of the tree, neither dreams nor monsters disturbing her.

The suns had moved considerably when she woke up, shining down on her as she slowly opened her eyes. She didn’t have to blink, looking straight at the celestial bodies. Courtesy of her Light Magic Resistance.

She assumed it was late afternoon. Four hours maybe, she thought and sat up. On the ground.

Ilea looked up and found the tree branches she had used to hold her hammock. The construct broke as soon as I fell asleep, she thought and found the ash piled up around herself. Contrary to her armor or sphere, the things she made with her manipulation didn’t last through her sleeping mind.

She smiled, amused at the fact that falling from a tree didn’t even wake her up. The disturbance so minor it hadn’t managed to rouse her. She would have been concerned about monsters creeping up on her but her sphere worked differently. If even level ten wolves had shown up, she would have woken.

“That was nice,” she murmured and stretched, her wings lifting her off the ground as she extended her legs.

She summoned another meal and casually floated towards the town when rapid movement to the south caught her attention. Monsters? She wondered but quickly saw two squads of dark armored people rush towards the city, half of them flying.

Reinforcements? Seems like Dale wasn’t the only one who called for help. The defensive war only decree of Ravenhall’s forces and the Shadow’s Hand obviously extended to Riverwatch too.

She knew that many a Shadow was in Baralia at this very moment, working for one employer or the other, or perhaps just looking for valuables or powerful foes to fight on their own volition. The Elders didn’t have the authority to command members.

They wouldn’t try to mobilize Shadows for offensive war efforts however. The same wasn’t true for defensive ones. Surely a well paid assignment if it attracted two squads on such a short notice.

Or they have some connection to the city too.

She sped up a little and kept her eyes focused on the Shadows. They landed near the southern gate and quickly entered the city.

Ilea wasn’t stopped by anyone when she slowly flew over the west gate, low enough for the guards to identify her.

The looks she got made her less uncomfortable than the way Alistair had treated her. She was glad many of the guards had known her already, stories of her early interactions with the city surely spreading like wildfire by now.

Alistair and a group of officers and guards met the Shadows on the square she had overlooked earlier that day.

She landed on a nearby house, looking at the groups. Ilea recognized a few of the people. The guy using sunlight magic in front of Virilya and his lava magic partner. She had forgotten their names.

Oh, noticed me, have we?

Chapter 470 Reinforcements

Chapter 470 Reinforcements

“There she is,” one of the Shadows said after waving her over. “Lilith, savior of Riverwatch. Seems like the threat was exaggerated.”

“Or you are underestimating her,” another one said, amusement obvious in his voice. “Still… very stupidly.” He seemed to be grinning, despite the mask covering his face.

The man who had talked first growled. He was at least twice as large as Ilea, plus another Ilea in the form of muscle put on top of it all. His armor too should have weighed as much as a car. Savage, scratched and hastily repaired in parts.

“My offer stands, we can do it right here, right now,” the second one said, magic flowing around him.

Ilea smirked, identifying the bunch. Warriors and mages in their mid two hundreds. Claire certainly hadn’t underestimated the threat, that much was sure. The two men who talked were both close to two fifty.

“Stand down, Miller,” a woman said, her voice calm and confident. She was smaller than Ilea, a fine light blue dress covering her slender form. Long raven hair fell down her back, her mouth and nose free but the upper part of her face covered by a simple black mask.

Ilea looked at her eyes, feeling the magic in the area through her sphere. Hmm, she thought.

[Mage – lvl 285]

The woman was by far the highest level individual nearby, aside from herself.

The brute man shut up, not even grumbling as he visibly relaxed.

“You too Duncan. Let the man be,” one of the men she had recognized said. “It is good to meet you here. Lilith, is it?” he said.

“I suppose it is. And here I thought Shadows were secretive with their names,” Ilea said, glancing at the woman when she was done talking.

“Varren,” the man said.

“Names can be said without being given,” another man she had recognized said. “Charles. We met near Virilya. During the demon invasion.”

“You know her?” the woman said, likely their squad leader.

Ilea assumed Varren was the leader of the other one.

“Yes, I’m Petra if you have forgotten. No offense taken of course, names are annoying after all,” she said with a smile. “She was the one coming to Virilya. One of the reasons Ravenhall is how it is today, and not a demon infested ruin.”

Ilea smiled at the waiting group of Riverwatch officials, unsure if to interrupt. Alistair let them talk. Probably a smart choice.

“The magic I feel around you… I’m intrigued,” she said to the woman.

“I have heard a lot about you, Lilith. And your… resistance training. It seems, excessive,” the woman said. “Yet now that we seem to have traveled here for nothing, perhaps a small bout would not be such a bad distraction.”

“I agree,” Miller said, the massive man crouching as his magic flared.

Ilea looked at him and hissed, Monster Hunter flowing through the group and a few onlookers. She smiled at the fact that not all of them were frozen. Everyone had felt the power.

Miller’s eyes turned a little red when he could move again, the parts of his face that weren’t obscured by steel distorting into a vicious grin.

“Not exaggerated at all, it seems,” Varren said. “We have the matter of discussing our mission with the local governor however. I suggest we postpone getting to know each other.”

“You are crazy, I love it!” Petra said as she slapped Ilea’s shoulder.

Varren turned away and greeted Alistair.

“It won’t take long. We will receive payment from Ravenhall. Miller, some patience,” the woman said.

“We could play outside the city,” Ilea suggested, looking at the woman.

She seemed to consider. “He isn’t needed in the talks. Let him live, if you would be so kind.”

“I’m a healer,” Ilea said.

“Good to see you,” Charles said, waving at her.

Ilea nodded. “Can you fly?” she asked the brute.

“Flying is for birds. Do I look like a bird?” he grumbled.

“No, you lack both the beauty and grace,” she said and spread her wings. She grabbed the man with a few of her limbs, lifting him off the ground.

She expected a lot of weight and was still surprised. This creature, whatever it was, could be used as a projectile to breach even the walls of Virilya. Ilea wondered if she could even lift two of him. Probably not. An impressive feat for his actual size.

They flew out over the western forest, Ilea unceremoniously dropping the man a few minutes later.

He twirled in the air and landed like a bowling ball smashing away a few trees. Not quite a Strike but she had little training launching large men into forests.

She landed ten meters away, watching him stand up.

Level two fifty. Same as some of the Dark Ones. Let’s see what he can do, she thought with a grin on her face.

“Impressive. I doubted your strength. I still do. You slaughtered a whole army? They must have been weak. I could have done the same,” he said, his muscles straining as some of the steel of his armor bent.

Metal mage? No… seems to be pure anger.

“I’m sure you could have,” she said and meant it. Eight Shadows would have shredded through that low level army just like she had. She wondered if a few of them would have died, considering the lack of healer. Harken had prepared well, pooling the higher leveled officers together to face her with the ranged support of an army. Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

She had to admit that she was quite different from an average Shadow. Neither that woman nor Miller, the man standing in front of her seemed very average however.

“Let’s leave stories and speculations for others. Show me,” she said and used Monster Hunter again, spreading her arms in a casual gesture.

This man was dangerous. To most others that was. To her, he looked like a suitable distraction until dinner time.

The magic around him exploded and he shot forward, a simple brute charge.

Ilea didn’t care to dodge or blink. She was merely interested in how much damage he could deal.

Miller closed the distance in an impressive time for his size. He threw in a feint when he got close and grappled her, twirling before he slammed her down into the ground.

He didn’t let up, rolling with her in tow before he closed his legs behind her back, coming to a stop.

Ilea watched as he slammed his fists down on her, his fingers shooting out to squash her eyes. His strikes looked erratic and wild but he was aiming for weak points quite efficiently. Throat, eyes and nose before he moved on to her torso.

She was surprised some of the damage actually moved past her armor of ash. Waves of Mana intrusion. Interesting. His aim is quite good too. If his fingers weren’t as fat, he could have gotten my eyes too.

Not getting a reaction, Miller moved on to brute force, slower attacks slamming into her head as waves of mana flowed through her.

The damage was enough to make her use her healing from time to time. Her bones didn’t give but her throat and some of her organs were mildly damaged. An impressive feat for someone a hundred levels below her. His hits seemed to get stronger too. Not enough to change anything in his favor however.

Ilea interrupted one of his blows with her hand, stopping his fist dead in its track. “Are you done?” she asked with a smirk behind her armor.

He twirled and threw her into a line of trees.

She used a few of her ashen limbs to avoid them, using the momentum to sling herself around and back at him.

Miller was waiting, his fist moving towards her approaching chest with all the power he could muster.

Ilea answered in kind, their fists slamming together as she came to a stop. She could hear the satisfying crunch of his fingers breaking. His arm however remained.

“Hmm, is that all you have?” he asked, apparently amused at the broken bones.

Ilea proceeded to dance around his defense, dodging his attempts to grab or punch her as she aimed for his knees, elbows, wrists and shoulders. Her wings and high speed overwhelmed his reach entirely.

In a few seconds she had broken eight of his bones, the man’s legs giving out under him as he tried to step back. His arms unable to move as well as they had before.

Anybody else would be on the ground but he can still fight.

She had used her attacks without mana intrusion, trying to give him a fighting chance. A few more moves bent his legs into shapes that could not physically carry him anymore. And still he tried to resist, now on his knees, flailing to get her.

“Stop it, or I’ll move on to your face,” she said with a sweet voice, stopping in front of him as she let his uncoordinated attacks slam into her armor.

“I admit, you are stronger than I thought,” the man said.

Ilea smiled.

“But this is nothing. You are barely at my level,” he said and grappled her, trying to use his weight against her as he brought them both to the ground.

He hugged her close and proceeded to headbutt her as hard as he could.

Neither of their skulls relented for a good minute, the dull sound of his skull colliding with her armorthe only thing audible in the small clearing.

Miller’s arms suddenly went limp, as did his legs. His eyes rolled back as he fell unconscious, the repeatedtrauma to his head too much.

“Okay,” Ilea murmured and wiggled out of his hold. She stepped aside and used an ashen limb to heal the man.

He fights like a wrestler. With his weight and the power behind his punches, this guy can take on creatures much higher than his level. As long as he is larger in size.

She was a little disappointed at the lack of fast regeneration or health steal. Though she hadn’t disabled her resistances, she hadn’t felt a drain.

The man’s bones snapped back into place and he woke up with a gasp.

“FUCK!” he shouted, looking around before his eyes found the woman casually sitting on a nearby rock, an ashen limb connected to him.

“What did you do?” he asked in a growl.

“You hit my head, with yours. Repeatedly,” Ilea explained.

He put a hand to his chin in a contemplative manner. “You have hard bones. But just because I lost consciousness doesn’t mean you bested me.”

“Of course not,” Ilea said, nodding with understanding.

“Then what are we waiting for?” he asked, slamming his fists together with a wide grin.

I like his spirit, Ilea thought and giggled. “Yes, let’s continue.”

The two enjoyed twenty minutes of sweet bone breaking and tree destroying brawling until the others arrived.

Ilea was just in the process of training her discus skills, twirling her body with the man in tow before she sent him crashing into a line of nearby trees, two of them splitting like twigs before he rolled to a stop behind.

Too many of his bones were broken to let him stand. He instead clawed his way back to her with one half working arm, a bone sticking out as blood pooled around him. His eyes were fixated on her as he growled.

“He really didn’t exaggerate,” Charles said as he chuckled and floated down to join her. “Now this, is a battlefield.”

“He likes to destroy trees,” Ilea suggested.

“It was you who threw him,” Varren said in a dry tone.

“You must have fought for a while to get him to this state,” the squad leader said.

Ilea nodded, not mentioning that she had worked him down to this broken state fifteen times already. She learned about his moves during the time, the leg he favored and the feints he preferred. The heavy brain damage she continued to deliver on his mind prevented him from doing the same.

Or he simply wasn’t a fast learner.

“Let’s pause for a while, honey,” she said and crouched near the man, healing him with one of her limbs.

“How’d it go?” she asked, not looking back at the others.

They had come with a mission but Shadows were quite independent. She wouldn’t hesitate to put them into their place if they decided to go against Riverwatch.

“There is no need for hostility, Lilith,” the woman said. “We simply received a report and a part of our payment for coming in the first place. And an offer to stay for a while, which we declined. Neither me nor Varren deemed it necessary to remain.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ilea said and helped the massive man up, his bones back where they should be.

“Let’s call it a draw. In my favor,” he said.

“You did well on that last round,” Ilea said and nodded. The crawling mess he had been really made her shake in fear. Close to the Ascended. Very close.

None of her skills had leveled during the ordeal but it had certainly been entertaining. And sometimes that was more than enough.

“What are your plans then? Still up for that bout?” Ilea asked, looking at the group.

“I wouldn’t say no,” Duncan said, summoning a dagger that he twirled around his fingers.

No dagger resistance out there, she thought, looking back at the woman.

“We have another assignment east of here,” she said and looked at Miller. “But I suppose it has been a while since I met my match,” she said, a sly smile on her lips. Her black eyes seemed to sparkle for a split second before they returned to normal.

At two eighty, there are plenty of matches out there, lady. Maybe you should leave these plains once in a while, Ilea thought but didn’t say anything.

Varren nodded. “There was a monster infestation reported north of Kroll. I suppose we can stay for the show, if you don’t mind. Since the last tournament was so… rudely interrupted.”

“I don’t care,” Ilea said.

The woman shrugged.

“What do you guys have? Any interesting magic? I pay ten gold for a new resistance,” Ilea said.

The two woman in Varren’s squad looked at each other. Neither of them had talked so far.

“Fire mostly. I doubt you lack that,” one of them said, giggling.

“I use wind and sand… not rare either but perhaps?” the other one whispered, the sound traveling through the area with magic.

Is she using wind for that?

“Cool voice thing you’ve got going on but I have all that. You can join the arena in Ravenhall if you want to earn some silver,” she said and returned her attention to the others.

“My magic is mostly arcane,” Varren said.

“Void, but it’s the daggers that deal the damage,” Duncan said, once more twirling his weapons around. “I would still like a bite, if you would indulge me.”

Ilea knew that Petra used lava and Charles light. That only left Miller and the woman whose name she had yet to learn.

“Ladies first,” Ilea said and spread her wings, ascending to reach the same height as the woman.

“I won’t hold back, considering your reputation,” she said.

“Oh? Please don’t,” Ilea said as politely as she could.

She wondered if the Shadow could reach the same heights Feyrair had displayed. Somehow she doubted whatever she had could top a dragon transformation.

The others moved aside when a powerful pulse of mana rushed out from the woman. Mana Ilea had never felt before.

Please be something cool!

Ilea watched as the woman’s pupils changed from black to something else. A deep void interspersed with specks of light like the night sky.

Magic manifested in the form of hovering shapes, vaguely resembling arrows. They brimmed with energy, colored in shades of red, blue, and purple. It looked like the light around the Shadow dimmed as her power manifested.

The arrows rotated around her in a complicated pattern as she lifted one of her arms. A tiny speck of light formed in front of her outstretched palm, the same sly smile on her lips.

Ilea felt the attack coming and the damage it would deal. The decision was obvious. Disable armor, get fucking roasted!

A beam of dark light came and went, washing over her body. She felt the various aspects of the magic, its complicated form. At first she thought it arcane in nature but there was heat too, something that felt like space magic, and finally something else. Something new.

She reformed her armor without actually using the skill, instead reconstructing the shape with created ash.

“Interesting,” she said with a smile, realizing that the casual expression on the woman had changed.

Really? You really thought that would be enough to take me out? No wonder you’re that arrogant. Well then, let me teach you a few lessons. After I’ve gotten a resistance to whatever space mumbo jumbo you’re throwing around.

Ilea would enjoy playing around a little before showing this young Shadow the dread of Lilith.

Chapter 471 Shadows

Chapter 471 Shadows

Ilea pretended her wings weren’t quite as maneuverable as the Shadow’s own hovering power. Time and time again, she rushed the woman before being blown back by the spells she threw around.

Admittedly, the beams formed near instantly and they dealt quite a bit of damage, even to her. The problem was that those factors weren’t quite enough to deal with Ilea’s insane regeneration and healing.

Her actual armor of ash would mitigate a large chunk of the damage as well but even without, the spells weren’t enough to take her down to even two thirds of her health.

Ilea wasn’t sure what was more powerful, Feyrair’s white fire or the weird magic this woman was using. It was a testament to her classes to even bring up such a comparison. The elf likely still came out on top, even with the presence of a third tier Heat Resistance.

Finally, a message popped up in her mind, making her put up a hand.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill – Astral Magic Resistance – lvl 1

Astral Magic Resistance – lvl 1

The power of the stars, harnessed and used to wreak unimaginable destruction. Few beings are able to channel this power through their bodies. It would not come as a surprise to find a human, of all beings finding a way to modify their weak vessel for its use. You should not let your encounters fool you, this school of magic is quite extraordinary and just as rare.

I can see that myself, message person. Thank you very much.

The Shadow misinterpreted her request for a pause, her eyes glinting with the light of the fires clinging to some of the nearby trees, paths of destruction left where her magic had scorched the ground.

“Have you finally reached the limits of your regeneration?” she asked, the arrow like shapes still circling around her.

Ilea assumed they were her defense, likely activating if something got too close. If they weren’t fifty times as powerful as her other spells, they wouldn’t be a concern.

“Not quite. Thank you for the help. Do you want your ten gold now, or later?” Ilea asked as her real armor of ash reformed.

“You can keep the gold, Lilith. I’m not in need of charity,” the woman replied.

“I simply wished to pay for your service. I didn’t insult your financial state,” Ilea said, shaking her head. “Ready to continue?”

“Whenever you want,” the woman said, lifting her arms.

She seems bored… well, let’s show her then, Ilea thought and rushed her, ignoring the power washing over her, barely shaving off a millimeter of her armor. Neither did she fly backwards, instead closing the distance with vastly higher speed.

The woman opened her eyes wide at the display, lifting both arms as more beams washed over her foe.

Ilea reached her, the arrows digging into her ash before their power dug into her. Mana intrusion? Or another way to bypass my ash, she wondered, the damage of no concern.

The Shadow vanished before she could reach her, finding a distortion of space within her sphere. A blink brought her to the surprised woman. Her hand rushed out and closed around her neck.

She felt the power build before more arrows moved past her ash and into her body. Not my body… my mana, Ilea realized. They damaged both her mana pool and her health, neither in a substantial way. She wondered if it was due to her drain resistances or just her general resilience.

The woman chocked and tried to punch her, magic flowing around her fists.

“What? You didn’t seriously expect that that was all I had?” Ilea asked, letting go before her fist punched into those perfect lips.

A broken jaw and half of one’s teeth missing didn’t lead to a very beautiful smile.

The woman hovered back, tears in her eyes but still focused on her foe. “You faked it,” she said, straining against the pain before she spit out blood.

“I told you, I want resistances. Now I’ve gotten yours. Are you disappointed someone bested you? Or do you want to continue?” Ilea asked.

“I’m not done,” the woman said, her magic surging before another beam extended, at least twice as powerful than any she had used before.

Ilea dodged that one, her wings carrying her outside of the range of magic as she once again approached the Shadow. The damage was still lowbut she wanted her to know she could just avoid her magic entirely.

She reached her and grabbed on to her leg as she tried to escape, twirling in the air before she sent her flying into the ground.

The Shadow managed to slow herself down a little but still crashed hard, her shin broken from Ilea’s hold.

Quite a bit more fragile than your large friend, she thought. But why would you think about defense when you can simply blast away all your foes? Perfect logic.

She landed next to the crashed woman, watching her turn and aim her magic.

Ilea slammed a few ashen limbs into the ground next to her, the magic dissipating an instant later.

“I give up,” the woman said.

“Good,” Ilea said and healed her back up, not receiving a complaint from the Shadow.

The others joined again, Miller chuckling as he approached.

“Looks like I did a better job fighting her,” he said with a smirk.

“Well you both seem to be defensive fighters,” one of the mages said.

Charles and Petra just looked at each other. They had seen Ilea near Virilya.

“You still want to try?” Ilea asked, looking at Duncan.

He shrugged. “Why not, you can just heal me back up,” he said.

At least no delusions with that one, Ilea thought.

“Thank you for the heal,” the woman said. “My name is Rivka. It looks like I’ve found more than my match. Thank you for the demonstration,” she said and bowed.

Ilea was a little taken aback by the polite gesture and just nodded. “No worries. I appreciate the resistance. As I said. I’d be happy for you to join in the arena.”

Rivka waved her off. “I have plenty of areas to work on, thank you. Miller here is enough to help me with my hand to hand combat. It seems I have neglected it.”

The man just grunted. He nodded to Ilea, as if he was glad Rivka finally understood her shortcomings.

“Come at me whenever you want,” Ilea said, looking at Duncan.

The man didn’t need to be told twice, vanishing immediately.

Ilea felt the attack coming. Interesting, using the void like that.

He appeared followed by his blades, two curved daggers that flickered in and out of existence.

Azarinth Fighting seemed to be a little confused at the changing space. Ilea had to react without the precognition, deflecting his blades with her armored arms before she punched thin air in front of her.

Duncan appeared to her side and then behind, without a noticeable pause between his skills.

Either way, it didn’t matter if his daggers couldn’t penetrate her armor in the first place.

Ilea continued to react, finding it hard to see the distortion in the space around her. He attacked at random, using speed and the void to simply overwhelm her.

There you are, Ilea thought and punched into the air, Duncan appearing right as the fist connected.

He was sent tumbling back, holding a half broken mask in place, blood dripping out from below.

She noted that the bleeding stopped surprisingly quickly.

“You can predict my movements?” the man asked.

“There is a slight distortion in the magic around you. Right before you appear,” Ilea explained.

“You react to that? Fuck…,” he said and relaxed his posture, his daggers vanishing. “If that is all it takes, then I’d rather miss out on the beating.”

“Smart lad,” Ilea said with a chuckle.

“Well, I think we’ve stayed here for long enough. Anybody else wants to get their teeth kicked in?” Varren asked.

“I’m fine, boss,” Duncan said.

“We should go too,” Rivka said. “May we meet again.”

“Stay alive, you mad fuckers,” Charles said and winked at Ilea.

“You do the same,” she said.

A few comments were exchanged before they went on their way.

Ilea watched them fly and sprint off into the wild. Her own wings spread before she slowly moved around the area, quenching any remaining flames with a cloud of ash.

The ground had been upturned, dozens of trees destroyed. It looked like creatures of myth had an epic battle in the vicinity.

Maybe that’s exactly what we are, she wondered. Among humans, they certainly had a reputation.

The Shadows she had fought were well trained, versed in their magic or style of fighting. They had ways to hit her and to avoid her attacks but they hardly compared to something like the Specters, or the Ascended.

The whole experience just reinforced her belief in the Medic Sentinels. The combination of healing and offensive power would underline the main reason humanity became the apex predator back on Earth. Endurance and intelligence. The former would make sure the latter came into play.

Even Miller who got stronger the longer he fought was broken in time, his injuries mounting until he could simply not move efficiently anymore. Being able to regrow lost limbs, cracking bones back into place, fleeing and learning from lost battles, that was what really set her apart from them. Without her healing, she would have died within a day of meeting her first Drake.

Ilea planned to provide the same benefits to her Sentinels. It was up to them to take advantage.

Ilea knocked on the door and waited, glad nobody had recognized her on the way here. Taking the rooftops had helped. Plus the fact that most citizens were below level fifty, meaning most healers would identify with question marks showing.

She was just one of many.

The door was opened, green eyes staring out from behind the chains still in place. “Yes?” the woman asked.

“Hello. I’m Ilea. Dale invited me for dinner… I hope he informed you?” she asked with a smile.

The woman smiled and opened the door wide. “He let me know, nice to finally meet you, Ilea.”

It took Ilea a second to process the words, stunned by something entirely beyond Veteran.

Dale’s wife had flowing red hair and striking green eyes. She was a little smaller than Ilea with a delicate stature. The woman wore a simple dress but on her it looked anything but.

“Are you alright?” she asked, waking Ilea form her stupor.

“Ah… yes. Apologies. I’ve had a long few days,” Ilea said.

“I’m Abby, come in,” she said, welcoming the guest before she walked to the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Sure, whatever you have,” Ilea said and looked around the ground floor. Her sphere already told her everything to be known about this apartment from a practical standpoint but only her eyes could appreciate the subtle color schemes worked into the various items and decorations.

Does Elos have interior designers? Probably.

Abby leaned out into the doorway to the kitchen and smiled again. “We have wine, ale, mead, beer, whiskey, water, and lemonade. Or do you prefer fresh blood?”

She giggled and vanished again.

What did you fucking tell her about me? Ilea thought and shook her head. “Ale, mead, or beer. Whatever you suggest. I’ve had enough blood in the past week,” she said with a contemplative tone.

“I didn’t mean to offend!” the woman spoke loudly, pouring something into two mugs before showing herself. She handed one of the containers to Ilea.

“None taken. I didn’t expect you to…,” Ilea started. Why am I trying so hard?

Abby waved her off. “It’s quite alright. Dale mostly just groans. You’re a large improvement. I thought you had horns and a tail.”

Ilea nodded and downed the mead. Delicious.

[Cook – lvl 41]

“That comes with the armor. I decided on a more casual outfit for tonight,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Very disappointing to hear,” Abby said and leaned on a cupboard.

Ilea smirked. “Do you want to see it?”

“Yes. Very,” Abby said and took a sip of mead, a sly smirk on her freckled face.

She obliged, armor of ash activating.

“Hmm, yes. The wings?” Abby asked.

Ilea spread them, making sure not to hit any of the furniture or vases. She noticed the boy entering the house behind her.

“Why is there a bird here?” he asked.

Abby giggled. “I didn’t tell him,” she whispered.

Ilea turned, the casual expression on the boy turning to terror as he took a step back, one hand going to his side as if to draw a weapon. There was nothing there.

“Nice to meet you,” Ilea said and deactivated her skills. “I’m Ilea. Dale invited me to dinner.”

“D… what?” the boy said. His hair looked similar to Dale’s, as did his build. He would do his father proud. She assumed he was around eighteen.

[Warrior – lvl 22]

How cute.

“He is off limits,” Abby said in an icy tone.

Ilea smiled and looked at her. “Oh if I’m interested in anybody, then it’d be you,” she added a light touch of monster hunter to the mix.

You’re not the only one who can play this game.

It took them a while to recover form the paralysis, Ilea casually sipping on her mead. “No need to be scared.”

“Why would I be sacred?!” the boy asked.

Ilea could feel his terror.

“You’re barely older than me!” he added.

Ah, that stings.

“He’s right, you know. If I weren’t married… I would give it a thought,” Abby said and went back into the kitchen. “Be so kind and introduce yourself, Rhett!”

“Lilith is in our house and you are still acting like this! Why are you embarrassing me!” Rhett shouted but he was expertly ignored by his mother.

He shook his head and calmed down, taking a deep breath before he bowed deeply. “I’m Rhett Langston. Thank you for saving our city and my father!”

Ilea was glad he had closed the door behind himself.

“No worries. I just helped out a friend,” Ilea said and motioned him to stand up straight again.

“Sorry about that. Dale told me you dislike the attention but after what you did today, I doubt you’ll have an easy time avoiding it,” Abby said and refilled Ilea’s mug.

“It’s not that much of a problem when you can literally fly into the wild to avoid your problems,” Ilea said.

The woman laughed.

“You wanted someone else to train with, Rhett, why don’t you show her your skills?” Abby said before going back to the kitchen, grabbing a few vegetables and washing them.

How very vicious, Ilea thought, almost pitying the boy whose cheeks had taken a dark red shade.

“I wouldn’t mind,” she said. “Could also help in the kitchen.”

“You keep to fighting armies, I don’t need healers and warriors in my kitchen,” Abby replied.

“I see you have a training room in the house?” Ilea said, nodding towards the closed door.

“How did you know?” the boy asked.

“I can see through walls,” Ilea said in a whisper.

“Really?” Rhett asked, now with a smile on his face.

“Yes, come on. I’m sure you can benefit from attacking me for a while,” Ilea said.

“No resistance training, young lady!” Abby shouted from the kitchen.

“Yes, yes,” Ilea said, waving her off as she entered the training room.

It wasn’t large. Enough for two people to swing around swords but not quite enough for an actual bout. The walls were made of stone, chips and scratches covering them.

The straw scarecrow looked back at Ilea, sad and abused eyes.

“Why does it look so sad?” she asked, touching the thing as if she could heal it.

“Father says I need to understand the weight of taking someone’s life,” Rhett said as he walked over to a small wooden chest, taking out a wooden sword that he twirled somewhat expertly.

The things a teenager has to learn in these parts, Ilea thought. Maybe a few lessons from Dale before this all started would have been more than beneficial.

“I heard the whole army shot spells at you… and you didn’t even flinch. Is it true?” he asked.

Ilea turned towards him. “I wouldn’t say the whole army. That would have been difficult logistically. I’m a rather small target. There were quite a few.”

He laughed and changed into a battle stance.

Ilea noticed a pair of eyes watching from the doorway a few minutes later but didn’t push.

Dale showed up half an hour later.

“I’m back!” he said and looked into the kitchen. “Did-”

“Yes,” Abby said and pointed.

“Ah,” Dale said and joined Ilea and her two trainees, Rhett and Alaina.

The girl had accepted Ilea’s invitation to the makeshift lesson on swordplay. Dale knew more about it but Ilea had fought plenty of experts to know a few things herself.

Rhett brushed away the sweat form his forehead before grasping his sword. His face was focused, his stance prepared. Two steps and his blade rushed past the dodging woman.

This time, he didn’t leave himself open, instead side stepping before he went into a more defensive stance.

“Well done,” Ilea said with a smile. “Hey Dale.”

She did a double take, unsure if she had seen right.

The man looked at her with a serious expression. “Did you hurt my kids?” the words came out in a growl, magic emanating from him.

“Did your classes evolve?” Ilea asked, appearing in front of him with a smirk. “Well done!”

The man relaxed, realizing who he was dealing with.

“I checked in, darling. She was a sweetheart,” Abby said, looking out from the kitchen.

“Thanks,” he said and turned to Ilea. “Sorry. It’s just… when it comes to them.”

“I get it, no worries,” Ilea said.

“Daddy, come play too! She can make wings! Like a bird!” Alaina exclaimed in a high pitched voice, running circles around Ilea.

Chapter 472 Expectations

Chapter 472 Expectations

Ilea enjoyed the company of the Langstons for the remainder of the evening.

Dale joined her on a short walk through the city afterwards.

“You have a lovely family, Dale,” Ilea said after a minute of comfortable silence.

“Thank you. They definitely liked you,” he said. “Maybe I should have introduced you earlier.”

“Might have been awkward,” Ilea said. “Now we at least had some things to talk about.”

“How you saved the whole city?” Dale mused and laughed.

“For example.”

“Ilea, you have dozens of stories worth talking about,” Dale said and nodded to a guard patrol walking past.

The city was on high alert, most of the guards and hunters still working.

A few of them glanced at Ilea but the others either didn’t care or didn’t make the connection.

“Not quite as relatable,” she said.

“I suppose. I hope you didn’t leave too much of an impression on the two,” he said. “I’d prefer if they had a peaceful life.”

“I wouldn’t call my life the opposite. It’s dangerous, yes, but I enjoy it.”

“Safe might be the better word,” the man said with a smile.

Ilea nodded. “Hmm. It can feel suffocating too and boring. To some.”

Dale stopped and looked up. The sky was dark, clouds moving far above. It would rain soon.

“I won’t stop them if that is truly what they want. It just worries me. With everything out there. They’re just kids,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Now you know how I feel about you.”

The captain snorted. “Just because I’m not at level three hundred.”

“Would help,” she said.

Dale showed her the back of his hand. “I’ve got this. Summons a powerful beast. I got it from a traveling witch.”

Ilea nodded. “Hmm, that sounds suspicious. Are you sure it’s not a curse?”

“I’m not sure. But I have a good feeling about this one,” Dale said and continued walking.

They checked on a few groups of mages and guards, cleaning up through the night or stabilizing buildings that might have otherwise collapsed.

The damage to the city was quite low, considering the expected result of that siege.

Ilea said her goodbyes to Dale an hour later, letting the man return to his deserved rest.

She herself patrolled the walls in her black armor, keeping an eye out for soldiers and beasts alike. None of the guards complained.

Soft rain started to fall shortly after, washing away the remaining blood from the battlefield. The event would live on in the memories of the people living here, in history books and government reports. To the monsters lurking in the dark, it meant nothing.

They would continue to prowl the night, looking for prey. A few did show up, scouring the fields in the search of injured beings or a half eaten carcass. They all gave up after a while.

Ilea watched after a group of four legged hound like creatures, slowly walking back into the thicket.

The guards around her gulped but she didn’t know if it was because of the monsters out there or the one standing amongst them.

Those who had seen her fight approached her quite different than the citizens who had merely heard about it. The guards respected or feared her. For many of the people who had called out to her that day, she assumed it was still hard to believe.

A normal looking healer. Sure, her level was high but to a level thirty farmer, what did that mean? They didn’t understand the difference between a level one hundred adventurer and a Shadow. Not truly.

The name carried weight, fear. They didn’t know about the dangers involved in reaching level three hundred, the unlimited potential every human carried within them in this strange magic touched world.

“Tea?” a man asked, joining them on top of the wall. He was clad in armor, part of the hunters. In his hands he carried a tray with a few mugs and a pot, steam rising lazily as raindrops trailed down the dark ceramic form.

He noticed Ilea then but other than his eyes opening a little further, he showed no visible reaction.

“Gladly, thanks,” she said and stepped over, pouring herself a cup.

“I’ll take some too,” one of the others said.

They stood in silence for a little while, looking into the night together as they sipped on their tea. A combination of herbs with a note of citrus. It would help a little with staying vigilant and awake.

“Do you think they’ll come back?” one of the guards asked.

Ilea looked over, still clad in her armor. She took a sip of tea, the ash parting at her mouth to allow for the motion. “I hope they don’t.”

“They didn’t seem to be an issue for you. No offense meant,” the woman to her left said.

Ilea sighed.

She turned and continued to patrol the walls, making sure the city was safe well into the night.

Ilea left when the first signs of dawn seeped into the horizon, only a few gray clouds hanging above.

A short stop at the Vultures let her mark Walter after a short discussion. He had a way to comprehend parts of the spell, content to have a way to call for her. Weavy hadn’t returned yet and word of the battle would likely reach them in the coming days.

Hours passed as Ilea rushed back to meet her appointment in the arena. Thoughts of the soldiers she had killed were on her mind. There had been better ways to deal with the situation, and worse. She accepted her decisions but allowed herself to think of them. Perhaps to honor them, or to make a part of her calm down, a part that still clung to the idea that murder was a heinous crime, no matter the circumstances.

That part did not know war, the split second decisions that would cost the lives of hundreds of thinking, living beings. It did not comprehend the power she now wielded, the weapon she had become.

It demanded a satisfying conclusion to a complicated conflict, structured and with a redeeming end for both the hero and the villain.

There had however not been heroes or villains. Only people, all striving to defend what was theirs or to take what they deemed as such.

Maybe it had been a mistake to let Lord Harken live. The deaths were in a major part on him and his decisions. She didn’t know if he would accept Alistair’s demands, didn’t know if he would adhere to the rules placed upon him in the coming years. Or if her decision would lead to thousands more deaths.

Ilea knew that questions and decisions like these were exactly the kinds she had tried to avoid in the first place. However, as long as a shred of morality and care remained in her, she thought it impossible to escape them entirely.

She had become a monster years ago. Had fought and killed to stay alive and to gain more power, most of all for the sheer joy of it. The line between a monster that destroyed and one that protected was thin but once more, she decided to strive for the latter.

The marks would help her be free, only to be called upon in emergencies. Hopefully without being involved in petty politics or manipulated as a piece on someone’s board of conquest.

She was looking forward to breakfast, and the simple joy of having magic crash into her magically empowered body.

_________________________________

Nathan finally came to a stop, groaning as he checked around himself. Luke was moaning in pain somewhere to his right and Celeste was still rolling down the steep decline according to the shouts.

He rolled to the side once more, the pain in his thigh confirming that he hadn’t gotten out of this unscathed.

“I need light,” Lorelei said in her calm voice.

Of course, he thought before a small flame came to life above his open palm. It flickered when Celeste landed, the girl chuckling to herself before she winced.

She had managed to land on her feet and in a crouch but the height had taken its toll.

“Status?” Nathan asked as he walked over to Lorelei, his hand pressed to his thigh as he felt wet blood flowing from an open wound.

“He cut his cheek and hit his head,” Lorelei said.

Nathan moved his pack and crouched, wincing as the pain flowed through him. The temptation to deactivate the pain was there but he knew how dangerous that would be. He might just collapse due to blood loss or an infection without even realizing it.

Celeste stepped up, ripping a rag in two before she grabbed the bottle of alcohol Nathan held out to her.

He pointed to his own thigh and Luke, touching his own cheek.

The girl nodded and soaked the rags before handing one to Lorelai.

Nathan grit his teeth through the sharp pain of the liquid cleansing his wound. He let the girl apply a bandage with enough pressure to stop most of the bleeding.

He forced more mana into the flame to provide a better view, glancing at Lorelai who took care of Luke. The man would be fine in a few minutes, if the hit to his head hadn’t been too much to handle.

Everyone was quiet, listening, watching. Lorelai worked.

No monster had shown up so far but it would only be a matter of time.

He checked the message he had received halfway down the slope.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Hidden Gulch dungeon’

The second one he had been to by now. He hadn’t heard of the Hidden Gulch so far. The Vile Grotto, Raven’s Cavern, and the Frozen Peak. Those were the ones other teams had been sent to.

The latter one he had seen too.

At first it had sounded entirely ridiculous. These were dungeons even the adventurers in Ravenhall generally avoided. The monsters remained there and rarely attacked travelers.

If they had been easy to reach and filled with weak creatures, the circumstances would have been different.

Lilith selected one team per night, woke them up and let them prepare for three minutes.

She then grabbed them and brought them to a dungeon somewhere in the mountains of Ravenhall.

That’s at least what most of the students thought. Nathan assumed she could fly much faster than most other Shadows. Others swore they had heard of the dungeons before, knew they were close by.

Either way, it didn’t matter. They were there. And they had to survive.

That was the main goal. Others were rare ingredients and metals, observing creatures, and fighting said creatures. The last task was to go back.

So far nobody had managed the last one alone.

Many had doubts but Nathan was certain Lilith watched over them. Why else would only one team go out per night. Why else would nobody have died so far?

He believed the stories however, knew that if she had to interfere, their experience would be vastly worse than if she didn’t.

Neither did anybody want to fail the missions. Nor would they want to disappoint the healer.

Whispers from Riverwatch had reached the city of Shadows a few weeks ago, stories of Lilith fighting an entire army on her own.

He believed it.

Every Sentinel did.

They knew what she was capable of. And they were the ones who had been chosen.

“He’s fine, and so are you,” Lorelai said.

“Nothing in the vicinity,” Nathan said.

“Can’t hear anything either. Any info on this one?” Celeste asked.

“Nothing,” Nathan said.

Lorelai shook her head, prepping up Luke as he put a hand to his brow.

“I fucked up, sorry guys,” the farmer said.

“You can rest for a few minutes, I’ll check the vicinity,” Celeste said.

Lorelai nodded and watched the girl speed away.

Nathan was glad Celeste listened to the knight by now. Their first mission had been rather chaotic and dangerous, despite the few monsters they had encountered. Not creatures they could have fought.

They could outsmart them however and managed to escape whenever it was necessary. Hopefully this one would go better than the last.

The wound on his thigh was healing already, he could feel and see it. His health was recovering, making him sigh.

“You rest for a bit too,” the knight said and looked at him. “Keep the flame up.”

“I will,” Nathan said, glad the experienced woman was their squad leader. This is insane. Entering an unknown dungeon with a few rookies, without preparation or necessary gear.

He couldn’t help but smile. They would make her proud. They would make the Sentinels proud.

______________________________

“What do you think?” Balduur asked as he stood proudly next to his creations.

“They certainly look fierce. How do they hold up?” she asked.

The man grinned, his booming laugh rolling through the massive forge.

A few heads turned but continued their own work a moment later, only visible to Ilea thanks to her sphere.

Balduur’s space was separated from the others.

Ilea assumed the building had been owned by Morhill’s government or a wealthy noble before. Now it had been repurposed as one of the largest smithies she had ever seen.

The smiths necessary to operate it weren’t there yet but the town was growing quickly.

“The Stonehammer steel you provided is quite durable. Remind me how you managed to get them to that state,” the smith said.

“I fought monsters,” Ilea said, thinking back on the knights in Tremor who had slowly demolished all the armors Goliath provided.

Balduur huffed. “Of course you did. Not in the mood for stories then. Well, it is no matter. The bones are quite durable too. Not quite as strong as the steel but it’s very flexible and I’m sure Iana can make up for it with enchantments.”

It had been a choice between versatility and durability. Ilea thought her Sentinels could use the former more. Plus the look would make them seem distinct. A name could carry power too.

People clad in black armor would be let into villages and towns without questions, guards assuming them to be Shadows.

Bone armor would make them something different. Something people would know.

“They’re distinctly human,” the smith added with a frown.

“You saw that?” Ilea asked and smiled.

“I watched Orthan work a few times. The consistent strength of the bone however… I hope you didn’t decide to take up torture,” the smith said.

Ilea shook her head. “They’re mine, Balduur. Don’t worry about it.”

He laughed. “I knew it. You don’t cease to surprise. I’ve heard of people using bone armor but without shaping skills or a supply of strong monster corpses, it’s simply not feasible to supply an entire order with them.”

“Organization,” Ilea corrected.

He waved her off. “Whatever you want to call it. Some of the molds you brought were faulty. Maybe I should come and make them myself next time.”

“You have more important work to do than that. Just tell Orthan which ones and we’ll make sure the next batch is fine,” Ilea said.

The man had high standards. That was why she had hired him for this job and why he had been interested in the first place. Supplying Lilith’s organization with bone armor was not a job you refused.

“I asked Orthan before but how are they formed? I hope not in the same way we made yours,” Balduur said.

“He didn’t tell you?” she asked.

The man shook his head.

Pain Tolerance and healing were interesting abilities. With enough of each you could cover a man in molten steel without any danger to his health. As long as he could keep his breath for a few minutes.

“Then we will keep that one a mystery,” Ilea said and smirked.

Balduur was an exceptional smith but he didn’t like repetition and boring work. If she could keep him focused on this task with a few unanswered questions, that was exactly what she would do.

She stepped up to the armor and touched the single horn jutting from its forehead. It was rather sharp to the touch. It won’t remain like this.

The shoulders on this set were smooth, much like her own. The whole thing made to fit close to the body of the wearer. Made to be light and quiet. Very little steel had been used on this one, only in places that protected the heart, head, and spine.

The armor was closed off entirely. Not as smoothly as her own, instead it was an assortment of pieces that could individually be removed. Balduur really outdid himself with the internal fastening mechanisms, located between and slightly on top of the pieces without sacrificing mobility or much of their defensive capabilities.

It looked deadly. But so did all of them.

Her Sentinels weren’t ready for these pieces yet but she was sure they would like the small reward for their efforts.

They had grown from scared and desperate refugees, aspiring adventurers without means, or fallen nobles without a remaining family to support their claim, to capable fighters. Veterans that had already survived more than many high level adventurers had dared to face.

Many had already received options to change their classes but nothing exceptional had come up. And so they would wait. Wait and train.

She was proud of every single one of them. The way they faced death in the caverns, the way they stepped in front of their injured allies, to protect them with their own lives.

A few of them had surpassed even that, had fought and killed monsters way beyond their expected capabilities. Just like she had.

“I remember you being more fun,” Balduur said with a grin.

“One of them nearly died last night,” Ilea said after a while. “But he held on.”

The man touched her shoulder. “And that is all that matters. A sword cannot be forged without striking it. Time and time again.”

She nodded, knowing that it wasn’t exactly true. In the case of swords at least.

Chapter 473 Practice

Chapter 473 Practice

Trian tracked his target for the good part of the evening, listening to every conversation the warrior had with his peers.

He hoped the man didn’t need a reminder about his contract.

I should really be mad at her for insisting on both an archery and hammer trainer. To let them come into the headquarters.

He understood of course, knew that Ilea didn’t exactly enjoy spending every afternoon with the students and himself, using her ash and healing to help them train.

She had told him that both Gavin and Lauren could be trusted but he wouldn’t just take her word for it.

Ilea was getting better but he remembered how naive she had been, how trusting. Untainted by the world, he thought and smirked. How utterly idealistic.

He wondered how much of it remained.

Her involvement in the affairs of Riverwatch made him think her heart had remained in the right place. He had absolute trust that she would protect those she considered friends but how far would she go?

Would she raze all of Baralia for their transgressions? Or was it enough to repel an attack? Would she choose to kill the whole family of those that wronged her, like he did? Or would she just kill the responsible people?

Maybe she would even forgive.

He made sure to talk to her regularly, to offer counsel where he thought it necessary. It was the least he could do for her. For everything she had done for him and the new purpose she had bestowed upon him. For the trust she had in him.

Gavin refused to answer a question about Lilith, coming from one of his friends. The sound of his voice suggested he regretted even telling them about his employment in the first place.

Rumors about Lilith’s organization were spreading slowly, whispers from cooks who prepared meals, from leather workers and alchemists who sold equipment. Most of it could be contained but by now it was hard to completely subdue anything with the name of Lilith connected to it.

Most people liked her. Some loved and admired her. The worst respected her.

In Ravenhall that was.

Claire made it clear that the Sentinels should remain mostly secret until they could fight for themselves. If only to lift some weight off Ilea’s shoulders.

Trian agreed and tried his best to help with the endeavors.

He smiled when the conversation shifted away from Gavin without one word coming out of his mouth.

The man was easier to handle than Lauren, Ilea’s new archery trainer.

Despite her daring personality, short fuse and love for gold, the woman hadn’t shared information with anyone so far.

A trusted Shadow more capable at this kind of work had observed her for an entire week and found no reason to doubt her loyalty to Lilith.

Lauren was smart.

Trian just hoped she didn’t think herself too smart.

He disappeared, looking at the night sky as he rushed over the rooftops. Almost time for the next mission, he thought, hoping that their efforts would soon provide some results.

Morale was high, despite the dangers and pain. Trian just hoped they hadn’t become what he hated most.

__________________________________

Sophia sighed as she looked at the dark clouds above.It didn’t rain yet but she missed the good weather from the last week.

Venturing into the dungeon at night only provided them with quite a bit of free time in the mornings and afternoons.

Mostly, she just enjoyed it because she felt safe.

Both outside where the Abominations wouldn’t reach and at a time where Ilea stayed away.

Lilith, the savior of Riverwatch, she thought. At first the stories had been interesting, frightening, and unbelievable.

To most.

She had believed them immediately. If it really was the same Lilith, and why would it be anybody else? That woman could take on a whole city, she was sure of it.

By now, the songs were just a reminder to her that she had made a deal with the mother of demons herself. The deceiving shine of gold.

She looked at the mark on the back of her hand. Still remaining, taunting her, reminding her of her lack of self control.

Ilea had told her the mark was left behind in case of Specters coming up into the settlement but Sophia asked herself sometimes who the more dangerous monster was.

Some mornings she thought she saw the demon fly out into the darkness. A speck of black ash that vanished into the night sky like a shooting star.

____________________________

Cless finally finished the piece she had worked on all morning.

Somehow it was more difficult to paint Ilea than anybody else. Trian was easy, as was Claire. Only Kyrian provided a small challenge but even him she could see with clarity.

She stepped back with a smile on her face and paint on her white shirt. A small twirl of joy later, she inspected her creation.

Claire sadly wasn’t here to tell her what a good job she did but she knew that this one was special.

It showed Ilea with a single wing, floating in mid air with three ghostly bone monsters attacking her with nasty looking swords.

Cless understood that Ilea and Kyrian were often fighting monsters. They were true heroes!

She would grow up to fight monsters too. Her spells were getting better but William and Claire haven’t let her join the combat classes yet.

At least I can pain, she thought and giggled when a ding resounded in her mind.

She really liked those, excited to see which of her abilities had become stronger. Unlike homework back in school, her efforts here were always rewarded. And painting was so much more fun than math.

Cless stuck her tongue out at the thought of addition when Claire stepped into the room.

The two looked at each other. “I did it!”

“You did?” Claire asked and joined her. “That’s her alright,” she said and giggled. “So those are the Specters of Rot she mentioned.”

“They look scary,” Cless said and hugged the woman’s leg.

The gesture always made Claire rub her head and this time too, it did not fail.

She had a smug smile on her face as she looked at the painting. The beings did look scary, but not to her. Ilea was strong. No monster could beat her.

“They do,” Claire said. “Can’t believe she’s fighting them for hours every day…,” she added in a murmur.

“Are you angry at her?” Cless asked and looked up.

“Angry? No, not really. Just sometimes worried,” the woman said.

Cless giggled. “Silly Claire,” she said and stepped away, brushing off her shirt like she had seen some of the Shadowguards do. “Nothing can beat Ilea.”

Claire laughed and ruffled the girl’s hair. “I hope you’re right, Cless.”

“It’s not a matter of right or wrong, Head Administrator. It’s a fact,” Cless said, trying to imitate William as best she could.

“You’re learning a little too much lately,” Claire said and lifted her up. “Can you draw Kyrian again next? I wonder if he’s still climbing that mountain.”

Cless rolled her eyes. “Aw, it’s been so boring to draw him. Drawing Ilea gives me more points!”

“More points… shouldn’t Kyrian give you points as well?”

“Some. Not as many,” Cless said.

“Because you always draw Ilea,” Claire said.

The girl understood the basics of skills and knew that the woman was right. She furrowed her brow and pouted. “Okay.”

“Are you going out again?” she asked to change the subject.

“Probably. If Trian has time. Ilea said she would show us a new dungeon,” Claire said with a smile.

“I’ll paint that!”

“First Kyrian,” the woman said. Her tone was final.

Damn metal man, climbing stupid mountains! she thought and placed a new canvas onto the wooden base.

Mana flowed and her magic activated, her sight changing as the canvas became everything she saw. A drop of pain splashed against the white, Cless focusing on the far away man, the feelings and thoughts she connected with him.

Her hand started moving and the paint followed.

_______________________________

I’ve put this off for way to long, Ilea thought as she summoned the bulk steel construction that was Goliath’s gift to her.

The Armaments of Trials.

She decided to train with it for at least half an hour each day. It would cut into something else but the weeks of constant fighting and training were taking a toll on her.

Could sleep in it too, she thought, assuming it to be a rather safe place to hide.

Her healing mana flowed into the steel, enchantments lighting up within her sphere. As time passed, Ilea added ash into the mix, simply letting it flow around her. Heart of Cinder spread from time to time, the heat and energy absorbed into the enchantments.

After a week of daily sessions, she started noticing heat forming in the set of armor itself, slowly flowing back to her, in turn fueling Heart of Cinder to charge up faster.

Ilea understood that some of the enchantments used her mana to create heat. The energy was moved back to her and increased over time. This would ultimately just damage her but with her Heat Resistance in the third tier, she used it to her advantage.

Could just have Iana get a look at this thing, unravel its secrets. How did Goliath make something like this in the first place? Didn’t he say he’s not the best with enchantments?

She decided it was hers to find out what purpose the armor had.

In addition to using many of her skills inside the armor, observing them and the reactions, she started using her enhanced strength to try and move it.

There were no seams at the joints, no fingers on the hands, and nothing else that indicated the thing was made for anything but stationary training. Ilea just didn’t believe that the legendary smith made this whole thing without the intent to make it move.

It was ancient in quality and she doubted a simple hunk of training metal would reach that rarity.

A few days later her suspicions were confirmed. When she entered the armor, many of the enchantments were still active from her last session. She had fed it enough mana.

Her sphere could now pierce whatever had blocked it initially, the area around her as clear as if she wasn’t inside of the steel contraption.

Storm and Heart of Cinder spread within the armor but this time, heat remained. Only a part of it flowed back to her. The rest remained.

Ilea heard the shifting of steel but couldn’t see anything happening to the surface of the armor.

Well… let’s continue and see where this is going, she thought with a smile.

She increased her time in the armor to one or two hours per day. Her arcane sight was somewhat limited but everything she saw pointed to a gradual and continuous change in the way her mana flowed through the armor.

Now that more of her magic remained in the enchantments, she started to notice the paths and circuits. It was as if Goliath had tried to imitate a living being. Mana flowed through every part of Ilea’s body, not just through her veins or other specific channels. She assumed the smith had to simplify a little, unable to have the whole armor resonate with magic.

The intent became more clear as time passed, Ilea unraveling more of the armor each day.

She let Iana have a look at it at one point, telling her not to reveal anything to her but instead try and improve on Goliath’s work if possible.

The enchantress had obliged, giggling as she inspected the thing. She assured Ilea that whatever enchantments had been placed inside were simple but efficient. Any tampering would undermine the genius that went into the set. She was genuinely impressed with the work, telling Ilea to show it to Balduur.

Ilea deemed that a very bad idea, knowing that the smith already wanted to meet Goliath. If this thing really was as advanced as Iana had suggested, the man would start his own expedition north to meet the legendary Dark One.

She simply kept her training up, the first changes to the armor’s surface starting to show. Perhaps Goliath had intended it to be an exercise in patience added to everything else it had taught her. By now she was invested, only focusing on her other daily tasks thanks to the more immediate results they provided.

_________________________________

“Ah come on, it’s barely a scratch,” Ilea said and healed her friend.

Trian grit his teeth against the pain, watching his shoulder reform, followed by his left arm. Right until he made a fist with his new fingers. The man didn’t have the luxury of a regenerating set of armor but he did have a storage ring, summoning another set.

“Trian, I need you over here!” Claire shouted, her shields cracking as a blinding explosion spread over their enemy, the shock wave and sound expanding before they hit her prepared sound canceling enchantments placed at the two exits of the cave.

Ilea watched the monster recoil before it started its assault once more.

Energy sparked to life next to her, Trian back in action as he appeared above, his red lightning wings spreading before bolts of energy lashed downwards and into the massive creature.

[Torn Brute Reaver – lvl ??]

Ilea had found them deeper in the Vile Grotto, one of the nearby dungeons that was generally avoided by adventurers and the Hand.

Despite the name, the reavers remained within the dungeon tunnels, mainly because it was a ridiculous maze that dug deep into the mountains. She assumed the chances of one ever finding daylight was incredibly slim.

The high level of three to five hundred suggested that the creatures preferred the higher mana density inside the dungeon more so than outside.

Her testing with Sophia and her team would suggest that she should be the one taking the enemy attacks but she planned to wait with reaching level three fifty until certain thresholds had been met.

She only intervened if either Trian or Claire were about to die. Without injuring the creatures and no intent from her side to fight them, the magic governing levels and skills assigned her the uninvolved healer part.

Most of the creatures were at or below level four hundred, meaning quite a few accidents would be necessary for her to even level once.

She crossed her arms and watched as the three meter high monster of flesh and muscle crashed through Claire’s shields.

The woman jumped back as the air ignited, explosions ripping through the legs of the monster as its extended spike like arm scratched against a hastily created shield.

Trian didn’t let up, his lightning precise and unrelenting. Eyes, tongue and nose were destroyed, the monster’s health and regeneration slowly overwhelmed by the two high level Shadows.

Both would have died ten times over in their training without Ilea’s assistance but she admitted that they learned quickly. They hadn’t been as rusty as she had expected at the beginning.

Trian screamed as sparks burst from his body, the man rushing at the creature’s malformed head, dodging a swing before his hand slammed into one of its empty eye sockets, a burst of energy channeled into its brain before its head exploded in a shower of brains and bone.

He panted and landed next to Claire, checking on the woman who held a bleeding hand.

“You’re infected,” he said.

Claire could hardly speak but nodded, looking to Ilea with regret.

“You did well this time,” she said, complimenting their first takedown of a Torn Brute Reaver, one of the more dangerous versions of the monsters in this dungeon. Then again, all this place offered was dangerous creatures.

She knew that the two would progress faster if she wasn’t there at all but their skills were rising steadily, as was their experience.

Ilea smiled and shook her head. Both of them had a much more extensive training to back up their power she should really not be the one to think about them in such a way.

And yet she did. And she could too. The last year was filled with dangerous experiences and tangible increases in power.

The team they once were wasn’t the same anymore.

“Thanks,” Claire said and adjusted her shoulder piece.

Ilea nodded, grabbing the piece and bending it back into shape.

“I’m still not used to it,” Trian said with a smile.

“It’s no wonder, with living in the north for so long, fighting monsters all day. I just wish I had a few healing skills too so that we could do this without her,” Claire said.

“Focus on a teleportation skill first, your shields are helpful but you’ll need more than that,” Trian said.

The woman grinned.

“What?” Trian asked and looked between the two of them.

Ilea shrugged. “She just hit two fifty.”

“That, I did. And I just replaced one of my skills,” Claire said, vanishing as a pocked of mana formed where she just stood, heat and fire expanding in an explosion that washed over Ilea.

Trian had vanished beforehand.

“Well, congratulations,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Hmm, that won’t be very useful in the city,” the man said.

Claire shrugged. “It’s useful if someone tries to assassinate me,” she said and twirled.

It’s like they’re more alive out here, Ilea thought, enjoying the two of them bickering about whose teleportation ability was better.

She sighed.

“We have another hour, come on. Let’s put it to good use,” she said.

They stopped arguing, immediately focused again and ready to fight.

It will be difficult to get Walter and his crew to do this. Dale though… maybe. A family trip perhaps?

“I don’t like that look on your face. We’re seeing enough action, don’t make it even harder,” Trian said and winked at her.

“We should use first aid more while down here,” Claire said.

“It’s less effective for our levels. She can patch us up much faster,” the man replied.

“I wasn’t thinking about you. She’s right though. Some random healing or regeneration ability will be more useful for the future than pure levels,” Ilea said.

“But we have you! And I can already heal myself,” Trian said, his arms opened wide as lightning sparked around him.

“You can only heal yourself. And only if there is something around to drain from. Come on, we’ve wasted enough time,” Ilea replied.

“Yes, lady Lilith,” the man said, imitating some of the Sentinel students.

Ilea didn’t comment, glad the two could relief some of the stress from their demanding jobs, with the side effect of making them stronger and more resilient.

Chapter 474 Guardian

Chapter 474 Guardian

Ford could hear the troll approach through the dark tunnel. He could hear its pained breaths.

His face was strained in an expression of anguish and concentration. One step at a time, he told himself, pushing further as he felt warm blood dampen his arm.

Hadley had been hit directly, the woman much smaller than himself. They had everything planned out but none of their team had noticed the sleeping troll in a dark corner of the cavern.

One mistake had cost them a successful mission. The last five ventures had nearly been too easy. A few brushes with death but nothing major to speak of.

A single strike had taken out Hadley. The other two ran off, chased by the furious monster.

He didn’t fault them. Neither were strong enough to carry the injured woman nor were they in any position to fight the creature. A distraction was the best chance they could have given him.

The second troll had lashed out in a state of confusion, half asleep and injured by the blade Hadley had stuck into its eye at the last moment.

Ford had moved as quickly as he could, scorching the frenzied beast with everything he had before grabbing the woman and getting the fuck out of there.

He knew that the creatures had a good sense of smell. The blood dripping to the ground could easily be tracked. He tried to cover it, backtracked to set a wrong trail. But he was simply too slow.

The girl was weighing him down.

Lilith will save us, he told himself. She had saved everyone who had been about to die. But she was human too, despite her abilities. She could make a mistake, could have lost them because of the separation.

One second too late and the troll would rip them apart. He wasn’t even sure if Hadley was fine.

Check, he told himself. The troll would find them, sooner or later.

He laid the woman down carefully. Breathing, good. He took his pack and grabbed a few bandages, replacing the hastily applied one, already soaked through with blood.

His hands were shaking but he ignored it, ignored the exhaustion and the sounds of the approaching troll. Extend, clean the wound, apply pressure, three, four times around, secure. The steps were practiced, trained a thousands times over.

This time the wound hadn’t been inflicted by Lilith or one of their own but by a wild monster out to kill them.

Ford steadied his breathing and moved the unconscious woman into a lateral position to make sure she wouldn’t choke on her own vomit or blood. Her head and back should have been uninjured but he couldn’t be entirely sure.

He dragged the woman to a dark corner in the cavern. The only sounds he heard were his own breathing and the dragging noise of her leather armor against the cold rock.

Ford stopped his movements when he heard the steps. He held his breath and carefully put down the woman.

Faint light from crystals growing on the walls illuminated parts of the area and with it the furry creature stepping towards him, bloodshot red eyes staring straight at his own eyes.

[Cave Troll – lvl ??]

It didn’t carry a weapon but its broad arms would be enough to kill them ten times over. The creature was at least three meters in height and two meters broad. It moved with a hunched back to even fit into the cave.

Any wound Hadley had managed to inflict was gone and with it the knife that had been stuck in its head. Maybe it had been foolish to approach even one of them but they had to grow, had to achieve more. And they had been ready.

Just not for two.

Both Orthan and Sidney had talked often about the importance of numbers and cooperation. Any sapient group of beings could hunt down monsters of a higher level than themselves. There were risks involved but it was possible.

Four against one was a risk. Four against two was suicide.

The troll took a step forward. One of its eyes seemed lazy, glassy.

It is injured… still recovering? he asked himself.

She’ll come.

She will save us.

He saw the demon who had invaded their home flash before his eyes. He remembered how helpless he had felt when his father died in his arms.

The troll came.

“No,” he said, lifting his arms towards the creature.

His hands were steady.

Mana flowed and formed into flames. Flames that could only destroy, could not heal.

Ford would not rely on the specter of ash anymore.

She had brought him here, had trained him, had sheltered him.

She had given him the opportunity to chose life. The ability to protect others from the loss that haunted him at night.

If he didn’t fight now, if he didn’t protect Hadley, why was he even here?

Fire blazed and expanded, a trail of heat lashing out to the right as his eyes and hands followed the dodging creature, its size entirely too large to avoid the spell.

It pushed through, arms shielding its head and chest against the spell. Its fur caught fire as it cried out in anger.

Ford stepped to the side, ducking under a wild swing before he set off a fireball from a close distance.

The spell exploded and sent him staggering back, stunning the massive creature for a split second.

He ground his teeth, focusing as he steadied himself.

Don’t you dare touch her, he thought and immediately attacked again.

The troll was focused on him, rushing at him with a frenzied push.

He had no way to step out of the way, hands in front of him to take some of the force as he jumped to the side.

Ford was hit by the monster’s shoulder, his ribs and a bone in his right leg snapping before he slammed against the hard ground.

He coughed up blood, turning off his pain as he rolled to the side.

The sounds and the wet feeling in his chest didn’t indicate that any of that was smart. The fists slamming onto the ground behind him suggested otherwise.

Only turn off your pain in emergencies.

He stood up, finding his leg to be unreliable. It still worked. Left heavy then, he thought and formed another fireball.

Ford waited until the last moment, sidestepping a punch before his spell slammed into the monster’s head.

He wouldn’t be able to keep this up for much longer. A step brought him closer to the monster, his left hand forming another fireball and his right grabbing the dagger from his belt.

Throat, heart, spine, he heard the words in his mind. High regeneration demanded that weak points had to be taken out.

The spine was unreachable and he didn’t know if he could even penetrate to the monster’s heart, let alone find his way past its spine.

His spell exploded right when the creature’s arms closed around him.

It moved back its head, crushing his sides at the same time.

Ford’s sight went blurry, using meditation now that he wasn’t moving anymore. Wait.

He ignored his health and focused entirely on the monster’s throat.

His hand rushed up and the dagger slammed in. It slipped off a little but he still penetrated.

A fireball exploded near his waist, pushing back the already loose arms of the monster. His own resistance to the magic was higher.

Both of them slammed to he ground.

Ford ignored the cold feeling in his gut, the smell of blood in his nose and the wet and heavy feel of his gear.

The troll grasped at the dagger in its throat, gurgling in pain as it struggled to breath.

Serves you right, he thought and tried to form another spell. The flame came to life but snuffed out a moment later.

His vision went dark as he heard the dagger clatter to the ground.

It didn’t matter anymore.

He had fought and he had lost.

No

Ford used all his remaining strength to push himself up. His eyes and his magic didn’t work anymore but he still had his hands.

He wouldn’t let her die.

Never

Never again

Blood flowed to the ground below him as his vision cleared.

That is a lot.

It felt warm, comfortable.

He had expected death to feel cold and miserable.

Maybe it only felt like that to the people left behind.

The bleeding stopped, likely because he simply had no more blood to lose.

His breathing stabilized.

He had to find the knife, had to get to its heart, maybe a tendon.

He turned his head right to find the knife and instead found two legs covered in ash.

She’s here, he thought and immediately relaxed, falling down to the ground. It was her magic, the warmth, the comfort.

His heart felt cold instead. He had failed again. He had not been able to protect her. He was too weak.

He heard a whistling sound before something wet hit the ground.

The troll’s head, its features warped, surprised and angry.

“Well done,” Ilea said before she vanished.

Ford forced himself to get up, some of his wounds not yet healed entirely. He activated his pain perception again, wincing at the overflow of sensation. A groan escaped his lips but he pushed onward, walking towards Hadley. Lilith was standing over her.

“She’s fine,” she said and turned.

“I failed,” Ford said and straightened himself.

“You fought. And you lost,” the woman said, ash receding to reveal her face. “There is no shame in that.”

“I’m weak. I’m not like you. I never will be,” he heard himself say.

“You are a Sentinel. And your mission isn’t over. Wallow in self pity once you have returned to safety,” Lilith said and vanished.

What did I do? he thought and slapped his cheeks. She’s right. I’m still here. She saved me. I did all I could. And I will continue to do so.

The embarrassment made his cheeks heat up but right now was not the time to think about that. He stepped towards Hadley and once again lifted her up over his shoulders.

Bad idea.

He took the time to apply a few supportive bandages to his own injuries. Half his pack was emptied to safe on weight. Only a little food, water, and medical supplies remained.

Ford grit his teeth and carried the still unconscious girl out of the cave, his eyes and ears peeled for monsters.

There was time to regret his decisions later, to analyze his failure in a hundred different ways. Right now the life of his teammate was more important. The mission he was given. To survive.

He quickly checked the messages he had heard appearing within his mind.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Cave Troll – lvl 182] – For defeating an enemy one hundred or more levels above your own, bonus experience is granted’

Ford stopped for a moment, his eyes widening as he read through the next part.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class change: Guardian Medic. This Class will replace either [Child of Fire] or [Fire Mage] with all associated skills and stats -

Has endured the harrowing training of the Medic Sentinels without breaking. Has gained ample understanding of the human body and its functions. Has mastered various first aid techniques. Has gained a basic understanding of various forms of healing magic. Has gained understanding of various combat abilities. Has the First Aid, Fear Resistance and Veteran skills. Has risked their own life to safe another.

The Guardian Mediccombines the combat and defense oriented teachings of the Medic Sentinel Corps with a focus on healing magic. This healer will keep their allies alive and protected, no matter what. Healers may be desirable in a team of adventurers but a Guardian Medic trained in Ravenhall can keep up with the best of them, able to provide support and protection during combat without losing to fear or pressure. If someone finds themselves in the worst possible situation, they shouldpray that one of their allies is a Guardian Medic.

His mind was calm, his breathing even. Trian had told them to wait if class change opportunities presented themselves but Ford knew that he had found his.

Nobody would take this from him. It was the first step to the power he needed. The power to protect.

‘ding’ ‘Are you sure you want to replace [Fire Mage] with [Guardian Medic]? All associated skills and stats will be lost’

‘ding’ ‘[Guardian Medic] replaces [Fire Mage]’

‘The [Fireball] skill was removed’

‘The [Flame] skill was removed’

…

‘The [Mage Body] skill was removed’

‘New Class: Guardian Medic

Vitality +20

Strength +5

Intelligence +10

All healing magic skills are improved by 200%

Body Enhancement magic is improved by 50%

Resilience is increased by 50%

Skills gained in Guardian Medic:

Active: Focused Heal – lvl 1

Your mana surges as you channel regenerative power into yourself or one ally.

Category: Healing

Active: Healing Aura – lvl 1

All mana regeneration is channeled instead into a one meter sphericalaura that heals yourself and all allies within.

Category: Healing Aura – Body Enhancement

Active: Guardian Spirit – lvl 1

You stand against all. Increases your resilienceby 50% [75%]and your Strength by 20% [30%].

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Passive: Medic Resolve – lvl 1

Your mind and body are trained and experienced. You will not flinch, stagger or fear as easily. Your focus will not waver when in danger.

Category: Body Enhancement

Passive: Sentinel Warrior – lvl 1

You are familiar with various weapons and fighting techniques. Damage inflicted with your preferred weapon type and your own body is increased by 50% [75%].

Category: Body Enhancement

Ford immediately felt the weight increase on his back, the few points he had invested into Strength from his Fire Mage class vanishing in an instant.

Guardian Spirit activated and the weight decreased once more. It used a substantial amount of mana but he needed it right now. Wisps of power in gray and white color occasionally showed on his arms and body as he looked down on himself.

The self pity and pain from before was gone. The mission was a success. If he managed to get back alive that was.

His focused heal spread through him. A pitiful display compared to Lilith’s torrent of life. But this one was his. His alone.

The rest of their team soon found the survivors thanks to the occasional laugh Ford failed to suppress.

Lilith had saved them too.

Upon his inquiry, Ford realized that he might have really saved Hadley’s life after all. And his own in turn.

The rest of their trip was difficult but with a healed Hadley and the confidence his new class brought to both him and his mates, the dangerous way out felt trivial.

Some might argue that he had gotten weaker, giving up the trained skills and levels of his Fire Mage class but Ford had never felt so strong.

The work, pain, and sweat had paid off. He was the first of his team but the others would soon follow. He would make her proud. If only he hadn’t lost hope. A pitiful display, one that he would never forget.

Lilith picked them up a few kilometers outside of the dungeon, half frozen rain and strong wind the only challenges remaining.

________________________________

“Guardian Medic,” Ilea said with a smile, reading through the class and skill descriptions. “Those are as good as some Azarinth Healer skills.”

“It’s a powerful class. It’s rare to have that many requirements for a level one class,” Trian said. “I wanted to scold the kid but his decision was right. I’m sure we will have a few of them by the end of the month.”

“I hope so,” Ilea said. “Speaking of rarity, the others are just as good if not better.”

“Mhm,” Trian said and opened a bottle of champagne.

“I don’t like champagne,” Ilea said offhandedly.

“It’s to celebrate. A gesture. It’s not about the taste,” Trian said and filled two glasses.

“How can you say something so blasphemous? Are the others informed yet?” she asked.

“I will do that tomorrow morning. The students will want to hear the news too. I’m not sure if we should share all the requirements quite yet. Some might force stupid risks to achieve them,” he said.

Ilea nodded, swirling around the liquid in her thin glass. “I’ll leave that decision to you.”

She took a sip and frowned, leaning on the wall behind her.

“The boy… Ford,” she said in a subdued tone. “I was too late. The two would have died if he hadn’t risked his life.”

Trian smiled and touched her arm. “It isn’t the first time. And it won’t be the last. Soon they will go on missions without you standing over them.”

“I don’t mind you and Claire doing that but…,” she said and stopped.

Trian sighed. “Ilea. You know what kind of monsters are out there. You know war and the fragility of our power. It’s been your competent work that has kept them alive so far. Your efforts and theirs. If you shelter them too much, they will become dependent. We have achieved more in a month than most nobles have in years, decades even.”

He took a sip and swallowed, savoring the taste. “Do you know why?”

“Because we tortured them and forced dangerous situations?” Ilea asked with raised eyebrows.

“We trained them, taught them. And we gave them the choice to leave. They want this. They’re eager. And now we’re starting to see the results of their hard work and ours. It’s only the beginning. Each of them has a sharp mind, a strong will, a choice. And the resources we give them.”

He looked at her. “Don’t assume yourself the only reason they have come this far. You just gave them a jump start. Now watch them grow.”

Chapter 475 Possibilities

Chapter 475 Possibilities

Some thresholds in the training must have been met in that week, more classes starting to emerge in the students of the Medic Sentinels. One even with the name of the organization.

It didn’t take long for all of them to gain a new class, replacing one of their old ones or taking an empty slot that had remained.

Trian talked to specific people, telling them about certain achievements and advising them.

The students talked amongst each other too of course, making it hard to say if his counseling really had much of an influence in the end.

Ilea glanced over the requirements written down by the students themselves, sharing their newfound knowledge for the Sentinels to come.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class change: Medic Sentinel. This Class will replace [insert class] with all associated skills and stats -

Has endured the harrowing training of the Medic Sentinelswithout breaking. Has gained ample understanding of the human body and its functions. Has mastered various first aid techniques. Has a basic understanding of alchemy. Has gained understanding ofvarious combat abilities. Has the First Aid and Fear Resistance skills. Has at least five Resistance skills at level ten or higher.

Trained and forged under the scrutiny of veterans in their own right. Chosen by the Medic Sentinels, you will embody what it means to be part of their ranks. Should you choose this path, you shall find no lack of adversity and struggle but with it opportunities and sheer unlimited potential. With both defensive and healing abilities, the Medic Sentinel provides the backbone to any organized team. And even alone, they should not be underestimated.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class change: AshenMedic. This Class will replace [insert class] with all associated skills and stats -

Has endured the harrowing training of the Medic Sentinelswithout breaking. Has gained ample understanding of the human body and its functions. Has mastered various first aid techniques. Has gained a substantial understanding of ash. Has gained understanding of variousadvanced combat abilities. Has endured several near death experiences. Has the Pain Tolerance and Ash Magic Resistance skills in the second tier. Has the First Aid, Fear Resistanceand Veteran skills. Has at least five Resistance skills at level ten or higher.

The Ashen Medic would not at first be recognized as a healer. Perhaps you may even be mistaken for your benefactor. It’s on you to try and live up to such expectations. A hunter with a balanced offense and defense, using both Ash and healing abilities to fight on the front lines or to provide time and opportunities for more offensive fighters. Your path is set and opportunity calls.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class change: Ashen Sentinel. This Class will replace [insert class] with all associated skills and stats -

Has endured the harrowing training of the Medic Sentinels without breaking. Has gained ample understanding of the human body and its functions. Has gained a substantial understanding of ash and its uses in combat. Has gained understanding of various advanced combat abilities. Has come to the brink of death at least five times and pushed on. Has the Pain Tolerance, Ash Magic Resistance, andLightning Resistance skills in the second tier. Has the Veteran and Fear Resistance skills. Has at least five Resistance skills at level ten or higher. Has defeated an enemy fifty levels higher than themselves while alone.

The Ashen Sentinel is both protector and destroyer. Wielding powerful ash magic, they are unpredictable and prepared for everything. Unwavering and ready to meet death with weapons drawn, they instill fear in their enemies and confidence in their allies. With minor healing spells and high regeneration, these warriors are difficult to take down. Ambition and drive may lead you to reach the same heights Lilith herself has reached.

The skills often overlapped. Medic Sentinel and Ashen Medic were more defense oriented healer classes with various utility and combat skills. At a higher level or stage of evolution, Ilea wondered if they would be even more durable than herself.

The Ashen Sentinel was more focused on battle and less on healing. She compared it more to her First Hunter class that had changed her designation from healer to warrior. The same applied here.

The Guardian Medic was more focused on healing but could likely still compete with many a pure warrior.

All classes had requirements that were far beyond what most level one classes needed. Many of them were specific to the Medic Sentinel Corps and its training.

She hadn’t planned to be too involved with the organization but Ilea couldn’t be more proud of her students. Each of them had survived the dangerous missions she had put them on. Each had surpassed her expectations.

Ilea looked over them, each of the students focused entirely on her.

“As you heard, every single student of the Medic Sentinels has now received an organization specific class. I’m proud of every single one of you,” she said.

Ilea had thought about a speech for the duration of her morning resistance training and came to the conclusion that she would keep it short. To the point.

“You have all reached the rank of Apprentice. And with that, you will receive your personal set of armor,” she said.

___________________________________

Lorelai watched the set of armor appear, each piece held up by floating ash.

Bone and steel, she thought with a broad grin.

She was proud. Proud of everyone here, proud of herself. And she was excited. For her set of armor and for the months to come.

Lorelai had already reached level fifteen in her new Medic Sentinel class. She could heal her own injuries and those of her teammates. Could fight monsters well beyond her own level without fear.

Each name was called out.

Fifty people had been chosen as Medic Sentinels and now fifty people graduated.

It had been only a little over two months but Lorelai wouldn’t believe anyone who told her that, not without the count she had kept. It had felt like a year had passed.

She had seen death before but never this close, this personal. And never had she thought she would find the courage to stand in its presence.

Not just stand but fight it.

Ilea didn’t seem so alien anymore, her power not unreachable but respected.

She couldn’t imagine the waves this organization would create in the human plains but Lorelai couldn’t wait to see them. To be a part of them.

She too received her set of armor and a personal congratulation from Ilea. Lorelai didn’t ask her if the bone was her own, she knew it already. And she loved the idea.

A part of her will always be with us, protecting us.

She nodded to Nathan, Celeste, and Luke.

Their journey had only just begun. But she didn’t feel uncertain anymore. She was one of the Sentinels.

“In the coming weeks, your training will continue, adjusted to the new skills and abilities you have unlocked. Those who deem their second classes useless or a bad match will receive information and specialized lessons to determine and work towards something better.”

“I encourage you to think out of the box. Find something that suits you,” Ilea finished.

_______________________________

Felicia twirled in the air, arrows and spells whistling past before she landed on the ground, crouching low as her wind shot out.

Two soldiers were cut in half, another one dodging the near invisible blade.

She dodged left and rolled, feeling the glaive slash through the air above.

Major Braak finally reached the enemy group, his spear piercing through two skulls in the blink of an eye, the man vanishing before he slashed the neck of a third soldier.

Felicia rushed three mages preparing a group spell, blades of wind slamming into a hastily erected barrier. She pushed on, teleporting when the heat of emerging flames appeared around her.

She felt the fire burn through her armor, watching as her spells slashed through limbs, heads and the ground alike. She breathed out, the wind picking up around her, quickly putting out the flames still clinging to her body.

She looked around, expecting more soldiers to fill in the contested position.

But nobody came.

“Something isn’t right, we’re advancing too quickly,” she said to the Major.

He ripped his spear out of a dead mage and cleaned it off on the fallen’s robe.

“I agree. Something is amiss,” the man said and joined her side, the two looking over the battlefield from the slightly elevated position.

Spells flared up in many places, the Baralia slaves and soldiers overrun by the high level teams of Empire elites.

The approach had worked well so far. They probed the defenses of cities and settlements, dealing as much damage as possible before artillery and numbers would overwhelm the defenses over time.

The Empress didn’t want to risk too many losses, nor did she have to.

With both Asila and Nipha joining the war, it was only a matter of time until Baralia was overwhelmed.

Felicia could only praise the Empress for focusing on her own empire and people first. Moving the whole army would have left them vulnerable to monster attacks and other parties. This would cement the power of Lys, not only fighting a war of conquest but reinforcing cities and protecting their own people at the same time.

Baralia had always been a split kingdom, powerful nobles following their own interests and only banding together in emergencies or if the high king commanded it directly. By now they were scrambling to defend the wealth and power they had accumulated, slowly falling one by one.

Odiah was the fifth city they had approached, testing its defenses and the troops stationed within.

So far it had taken weeks of desperate battle to take over or entirely burn down each larger city. None had capitulated and nobody expected any of the remaining cities to do so.

Slaves were rising up in many towns and settlements, some towns already taken over when they arrived.

One of the southwestern cities had defected the country after losing the siege of Riverwatch. An event that encouraged many slaves and dissidents to rise up in the southern parts of the kingdom, bolstering the forces available to General Velamyr Ryse.

It hadn’t surprised Felicia that many soldiers and guards had put down their weapons as soon as their masters and lords had been felled or their loss had become certain.

How much of this did you plan, Alyris of Lys?

She would meet her after all this was over. And have her own name and title restored. The head of the Redleaf family. Major Felicia Redleaf.

They’re already telling stories about the Major of wind, the sacking of Heruch and her part in it. If only you hadn’t faced an entire army, Ilea. Maybe I would have come out on top for fucking once, she thought with a smile.

Lilith, demon of ash… of course. That sweet food lover? She would be nowhere if we hadn’t used her as a trap disarm tool back in Dawntree. She glanced around to make sure her friend wasn’t here, unsure if Ilea’s mind reading powers could detect sarcasm.

She was glad the woman wasn’t like herself. Or worse even, Maria.

Felicia would have beaten her group down to the brink of death. Maria would have killed them and their families, and everyone in the village or town they grew up in. For what they had done to her.

“This is quite boring, Felicia,” Maria said as she appeared next to her.

“I expected more,” she added.

“We all did,” Braak said as he looked over with disdain in his eyes. “Butcher.”

Maria winked with a vicious grin on her face.

Lightning cracked in the distance, making them all look over.

A powerful bolt of magic slammed into a group of soldiers on the ground, barely visible from the distance.

“General Ryse has joined the battle,” Braak said. “Regroup at Camp C, we need more information.”

“Why? Let’s just go in there and kill them. Might just be they put everyone behind the walls,” Maria said.

“It’s unusual. They don’t have the resources to stand against a siege. Nor would they keep any soldiers outside at all,” Felicia reasoned.

The void mage rolled her eyes, not denying any of the words.

“We’ll-” Felicia started when she felt an incredible spell manifest to her right.

All of them looked at the same thing, a beam of red light extending out from the center of the Odiah city walls. Up and into the sky, vanishing into the dark clouds floating above.

“What the fuck is that?” Maria asked in an excited tone.

“A curse of blood…,” Braak whispered. “Run, get as far away from that as possible!” he finished the sentence already running, teleporting away in between words.

Felicia didn’t have to be told twice. The power she felt from the light eclipsed every manifestation of magic she had felt before in the entirety of her life.

Maria spread her arms and started laughing, daggers in hand.

Let her be, Felicia told herself and followed the Major. Maria would face the challenge head on but Felicia didn’t have the same confidence. She activated all her skills and flew up and away.

A look back revealed the brightening of the beam. Chaotic power that would soon combust.

She prepared her defenses, turning around and summoning an enchanted shield as she continued backwards. It didn’t matter to her skills.

A glance down showed the running Major Braak, a group of soldiers and freed slaves in tow as he shouted for everyone to retreat.

A loud crack resounded, as if the very fabric of reality folded unto itself.

The wave could be seen from kilometers away. A pulse of blood magic that would devour all.

Felicia didn’t dislike the Major but her reasons to descend and put herself and her shield between him and the approaching spell were primarily selfish.

He was a well respected and well known major of the imperial army. And he had seen her efforts.

If he was gone, she would lose a powerful future supporter in her endeavors.

“BRACE!” she shouted, sending a wave of air towards the approaching spell as the major and most of the soldiers braced themselves or tried to get behind her shield.

Felicia felt the force impact her defense, the magic sizzling over the ground around her as she was pushed back. A part of the spell washed over her, her blood heating up as she screamed, going to her knees.

A blazing agony was all she could comprehend, her very insides shaking as her mind went blank. She coughed and retched up blood, her mouth burning. Breathing felt dry and painful, her senses slowly returning.

Her health was regenerating, a few of her skills activating due to the heavy damage. She took a deep breath, still on her knees as she slowly forced herself to get up.

The sky had turned red, wisps of dark crimson energy clinging to the ground like flames, dancing in a mocking way. Should have never come here, she could almost hear them say. You will never get back what you lost.

“Braak!?” she shouted and stumbled up, finding the man covered in burns a few meters behind her.

He was standing, his breathing heavy before he spit out blood. She hadn’t seen him in such a state before. They needed a healer. Her own skills wouldn’t make her regenerate indefinitely, not without any enemies nearby.

A few of the soldiers had recovered too, standing up while a few others remained on the ground, dead or unconscious.

One of them turned to Braak and formed a spell. His head exploded in a gory mess when Braak’s spear punched through the skull without resistance.

Felicia formed wind blades, assessing the situation. The man hadn’t gone mad.

She looked at the remaining soldiers. Their eyes had become bloodshot and unfocused, the veins on their necks and arms pushing through the skin with a dark crimson color. Dead men walking, she thought and formed a few blades of wind.

[Cursed Warrior – lvl 105]

That isn’t good.

It would solve her immediate problem of health regeneration but suggested something quite a bit more troublesome.

The soldier attacked. His footing remained sure, his sword held with both hands as he tried to dodge the blades of air. Unsuccessfully.

“Camp C!” Braak shouted, his spear twirling and knocking down the rest of the cursed soldiers.

Felicia finished them off with wind spears to their heads. “What happened?”

The man just shook his head and started jogging towards the direction of the camp, erratic movements and smoke already visible in the distance.

She left the major and floated up, the battlefield having turned into chaos. Soldiers were fighting their own, spells formed and exploded. A quick glance to the city walls revealed only silence. The spell had done what it was supposed to do.

Flying down, she grabbed the two unconscious soldiers who hadn’t fallen to the curse and rushed back to the camp. They needed healers. She hoped a few had survived.

A sinking feeling remained in her gut, her spells cutting through groups of turned men and women who attacked their previous allies, most of the latter unconscious.

She grit her teeth and ignored the coldness spreading through her, ignored the fact that she was slaying her allies, all of it fueling the cold fury in her heart, aimed at those who forced their hand.

The cost of blood magic was no mystery to her. She would kill every last one responsible for this, every noble and high ranking officer in these forsaken lands.

Chapter 476 Baking

Chapter 476 Baking

Ilea kept her eyes closed, focused on the speck of energy she felt within. The armor helped to keep out any external sensations, her sphere and other skills turned off.

She had first came into contact with the thing a few days prior. Her interest piqued, she spent a little more time in her Armaments of Trials, mostly meditating with a focus on the part of her she hadn’t previously seen nor felt.

The more she forced herself to look at it, to feel it, the more it became blurry, ending in a blinding pain that made her stop.

The pain felt familiar too but she couldn’t place it. As if a part of her had forgotten, had refused to cling on to the memory.

She tried a few more times before deciding that it was futile to force it. Instead she tried to coexist with what she perceived, to accept it without showing any desire to unveil its secrets.

Meditation helped greatly to bring her into the right state of mind and soon she felt the energy move closer, or perhaps she herself was moving.

Ilea wondered if this was the closest to a spiritual experience she’s ever had. She decided that meeting the Fae still topped whatever this was.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Soul Perception – lvl 1’

Soul Perception – lvl 1

Through sheer luck and naivete, you have achieved enlightenment. A part of it that is. And perhaps not really enlightenment. Others might call it that but it’s really just the ability to perceive your soul or essence. It’s a dubious skill that might help philosophers understand a piece of life’s puzzle but for you it will be mostly useless. Congratulations regardless. A skill that didn’t require killing and blood to unlock. Marvelous.

“Haha!” Ilea called out from within her armor, unable to lift her arms at all. She stored it and spread her wings.

Enough meditation for today, she thought, happy to have surprised even her own subconscious magical text employee.

The insults weren’t lost on her but at this point she was beyond caring. If she was relegated to write someone’s skill information, she would sure as hell pack it full of insults and jokes. Not that she really thought an actual conscious being was behind it.

The implications were a little too terrifying.

She flew up in the training hall and made sure nobody was present. An eye on her wings, she formed small openings that would allow the wind to travel through.

One might ask why that obvious flaw in flying tech should be implemented but the answer was quite simple.

Intimidation.

Trian had actually joked about it during one of their dungeon runs. With the magic animating her wings, the lack of aerodynamic support didn’t matter as much as it really should have, allowing her to work quite a few openings into her appendages.

Right now, she was working on the best possible sound. An unnerving constant whistle or an increasingly loud high pitched screech? She wasn’t sure yet but the intricacies of sound manipulation were highly interesting.

Ilea had never learned to play an instrument. Both a lack of opportunity, pressure, and simple talent had led to it never coming to be.

Now perhaps, with all her stats and skills, the prospect didn’t sound quite as difficult anymore but seeing her students work themselves to the bone, she herself focused on useful abilities too.

Whistling wings are useful! she said to the uncaring void watching her always. Or perhaps the fae that were hiding in plain sight. If there really were any.

Ilea left the hall, the gates closed behind her before enchantments flared up into place.

Christopher and Iana continued to expand on their defenses. Every new room and hall had to be clad inenchantments before it was approved of usage.

She felt it a little too much but Trian and the faculty approved. Ilea wasn’t about to ignore their fears, knowing very well that they were in the middle of a sprawling city. With interested eyes and ears everywhere, powerful groups and mercenaries irking to find every secret they could sell. Or simply to satisfy some peculiar need.

Something or someone like the Ascended would ignore such defenses but that argument didn’t invalidate the efforts. She knew as much, even without having another talk with Trian.

She walked past a few more training rooms that had been added in the past weeks, glancing inside with her sphere, the enchantments tuned to allow her mana signature to pass. The perks of advanced enchanters.

A few students were meditating among piles of ash, specks of the element floating around two of them. Another student was trying to build something akin to a snowman. Quite an impossible task without control over the element.

She didn’t disturb them, finding two students fighting each other.

Ilea blinked inside, joining the few watching eyes. Other students and Aki, each giving pointers from time to time.

They had tensed a little at her sudden appearance but nobody showed an obvious reaction.

She had to admit that the students were good. Much better fighters than she had been after a month with her class.

Blink and punch. Quite simple, she thought, watching the young man move his staff in an expert manner, striking several times at the woman’s legs as she danced backwards.

She jumped and twirled, a whip of fire manifesting and moving in tow, forcing him back as it lashed out.

Both were fighting defensively, probing each other’s abilities. A test of endurance between two warriors who knew each other well.

Their skills had been honed and corrected by the experienced trainers Ilea had provided. By now her own capabilities far outshone the young fighters but they got a head start. That much was sure.

She wondered how much progress she would have made with teachers like Sidney or Orthan. Edwin had given her some pointers, as did others, but nothing to the extent of a dedicated teacher.

Her own skills had kept her from forming bad habits, from straying too far from efficient and deadly movements. She had learned herself and with the help of magic. Her student would have the best of both worlds.

Surviving in dangerous dungeons with nothing but their skills, learning to fight ravenous monsters with the sole intent to maul and kill. And at the same time training with calculating warriors who tried to hit weak points, used a variety of weapons and tactics. Who tried to exhaust and used every unfair advantage they could get.

Ilea didn’t have to look at Aki to know that he was proud. He, she or it. The machine had filled in the role of combat teacher and protector of the Sentinels perfectly.

He had never complained or failed in any of his tasks. That was what Trian had told her.

Maybe his absence from my side was a good influence, she wondered. Or perhaps she herself would have risen to the task if their positions had been reversed.

How much of herself was in the machine was a mystery. Iana had yet to understand what the dagger truly was but one thing was sure, he was learning, improving.

It didn’t matter if he was a soul bound to steel or enchantments and magic creating an artificial intelligence, Aki had become an integral member of the Medic Sentinels.

She left again when the fire whip slashed into the man’s face, ending the fight as he admitted defeat. He had shown no pain and the wound had already started healing. She assumed the condition for her victory had been met, nodding once before she vanished.

Ilea had kept her interactions with the students low. After a few talks with Trian he had suggested that approach.

She would be the unreachable goal, the specter of the Sentinels that both protected them and kept them pushing forward. If she became too human, too much of a friend, these illusions would lose impact.

At the same time it protected her from being tied down, and in part from the inevitable deaths that would come. Losing a student was one thing but a friend she had helped train was worse.

That’s what she told herself at the very least.

They had made a choice to be here and yet she felt a connection with these students that would make her response to one of their deaths uncertain and devastating at best.

Even Eve, who she had not truly known, had made her rage, had made her investigate and look into one of the supposedly most dangerous orders in the human lands.

That title didn’t mean much to her anymore but at the time, her rational side should have won out. She could understand reacting that way with a family member but a teammate she had fought with for less than a year?

One that hadn’t even entrusted her with her true goals, her true identity?

She sighed and continued up and through the expanding headquarters, whose front above ground hadn’t changed in the slightest.

One thing was sure. She would find out who Eve was and who had killed her.

If one of her students got killed however, nothing would protect whatever had caused it. Be it fifty Ascended and an army of Elementals.

Ash danced around the armored healer, her eyes cold as scenarios unknown flashed through her mind.

Students and teachers alike remained in their rooms as a cold and dangerous aura came and went. A familiar sensation to them but not one anybody could get used to.

_______________________________

Helena shifted in her chair. Uncomfortable but necessary.

Impressions were important after all. Just as the eyes were important when eating a perfect cupcake, the chair she sat on was important when conducting business.

It didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to be annoyed about it.

“Your aura is showing,” Amara said from the corner of the room.

Helena smiled. Well done.

She stood up from the chair and clapped. “You are getting better! My deary, your perception is impressive as always!”

“Don’t act like you intended to do that,” the woman replied without a hint of sarcasm or joy.

You have a lot to learn yet, Helena thought, happy to see that the girl still had the same spirit.

“There it is again,” Amara said.

“You must stop. Please my dear, this old woman can’t take your grievous insults,” she said and stepped past her table and towards the oven.

The smell was close to perfection. Her creation was nearing completion. Another thirty six seconds, according to her intuition. The heat was perfect, as were the ingredients. Not easy to come by in times of war.

And what a dreadful war it was. So much potential lost, so many people and cities. Wiped out because of the misplaced ambition of a simpleminded barbarian. “Aaach,” she exclaimed, tapping her foot to the passing of time as she ignored the moans behind her.

“NOW!” she exclaimed in an onset of joy, her hands rushing out in blurry speed as she opened the oven.

She grabbed the heated metal sheet with her bare handsand carefully moved it out, looking at her delicious creation.

Perfectly calculated cracks showed on the top of the chocolate cake, veins of molten goodness showing in between. Enticing and sexy, heavy and full of promise. She smiled and twirled, hot plate in hand before she vanished and appeared next to a small table.

She had already prepared the tea and now the cake was done too. “Amara, come and sit,” she said and straightened her dress, the pink apron vanishing into her enchanted hair clip.

The assassin appeared already sitting in the chair opposite her. Luscious black hair reaching down below her shoulders. A pale and fair face with deep black eyes that showed neither joy nor care but focus alone.

The girl had nothing but ambition from the start. Helena had been sure she would be eaten alive by her peers but she had been proven wrong.

She loved being proven wrong.

Interesting surprises weren’t a daily thing at her advanced age and experience. Not that she would ever share that information with anyone, lest they learn she was older than most grandmothers in Myrefield!

“I heard you like chocolate,” Helena said in a casual tone.

“I can tolerate it,” Amara said.

You’re playing a dangerous game.

Helena feigned being hurt, touching her heart as she closed her eyes.

Concern flashed on the girl’s face as she gingerly sliced into the cake, taking a piece and starting to eat.

Good.

“You don’t have to play the part, Amara. I know very well that not everyone’s heart beats in the same tone. And yet it hurts nonetheless, to see one’s creation rejected with such lack of care,” Helena said as she cut herself a piece too.

The recipe had originally demanded to let the cake cool down but she found that by leaving her pain perception active and with Heat Resistance in the second tier, the slight tingle would elevate the taste. Almost like a mix of spicy and sweet.

She had tried various toxins but nothing had been quite as subtle as simple heat. Too dominatingin experience and taste usually or an incompatibility with the other ingredients.

Poison cakes were an art she had mastered long ago but there was a difference between trying to kill someone and using the deadly substances to add to the taste. It was especially difficult when she had to evaluate her guest’s resistance to various poisons.

Amara showed no reaction to the heat, nor did she smile due to the mix of sugar, butter, and chocolate. Really, if she wasn’t so competent and if Helena was a hundred years younger, she would have likely taken care of her a long time ago.

“What did you bring me today?” she asked, taking a sip of her cherry tea infused with black vein ivy.

“A Baralia officer who had been stationed in Odiah and a member of the Order of Truth, who was in fact hunting down the fleeing officer,” Amara reported, still showing no concern about the marvelous cake.

“Darling, don’t be shy, eat up. I’m sure your figure can take it,” Helena said, a friendly smile on her face.

The girl finished her cake. Like an animal. Or perhaps a slave obeying their master’s order.

She did not understand what Helena wanted but she had obeyed nonetheless. Misguided but young. Perhaps the girl simply needed time to adjust, her lust for power not yet plateaued.

“Tell me what you know,” Helena said, sitting back as she occasionally took a sip of tea. The veins on her arms slowly turned black as the poison took effect, the sensation of corruption mixing well with cherry and the scent of fear permeating the room.

“The order of truth have more influence over the high king than we previously anticipated. The destruction of Odiah through an elaborate blood magic sacrifice of most its population wasn’t a last effort to repel the imperial forces but simply the first step in a plan I could not yet unravel,” Amara said, her head lowered.

Helena touched the woman’s cheek carefully, almost scared the skin would break. “My dear, you did not fail me. Not at all. I’m very proud of you!”

The girl had tears in her eyes, nodding weakly as she continued her report.

“The ritual involved curse and blood magic, to a scale I had never seen before. I have experimented a lot and I doubt it is possible to fuel such a spell with human deaths. Something is foul,” the girl explained.

Helena sat back again and took another sip, crossing her legs as she sighed. “The world is vast, Amara. And we are just playing in the small part we claim our own.”

She nodded. “Everyone who did not survive was turned, their identification changed to cursed and they attacked everything that had survived.”

“Retaining their abilities and combat sense?” Helena asked.

The girl nodded.

“Did they spread it further?”

“No. I tested it with a surviving Baralia soldier myself. He was simply slain by the cursed and remained so,” Amara replied.

Helena nodded. “Thank you. For your efforts and for bringing them to me. I’m glad you survived your mission,” she said and smiled before vanishing and carefully hugging the girl from behind.

She was tense, still scared, her trauma haunting her but perhaps a little lessso than on the first day they had met.

“I trust you have interrogated the prisoners?” she asked.

The girl nodded, relaxing as the arms around her let go. “The officer had known about a dangerous spell and decided to defect. I’m certain he has nothing left to share.”

[Warrior – lvl 142]

Helena stepped to the shaking man, his body not showing any recent scars or defects but she knew Amara took her job very seriously. He had tried not to make a noise, his hands and legs bound and his eyes covered in a thick dark cloth.

She broke his neck with a casual motion, cleaning off her hands on the appearing apron.

“The priest might know some things but I have failed to pry it from him,” Amara continued as the officer’s body fell with a thump.

The believing cling not to their own minds and ambitions but to something higher. “Do not worry, dear Amara. We will find ways for him to talk. Rest for one day and return to Odiah. Support our forces in destroying the cursed. We do not want another wave of demonic creatures ravaging our lands.”

The girl bowed and vanished.

“Do you like chocolate cake, mister…?” Helena asked as she sliced a piece and placed it on a small plate.

A few shrouded individuals appeared in the large open kitchen, one of them taking away the corpse, another one cleaning the floor.

“I will not talk with savages,” the man said before the last visitor slammed a hand into his throat, silencing him for the moment.

“That wasn’t necessary,” Helena said in a disappointed tone. “I wanted him to try,” she said and showed the cake.

“Apologies, mistress,” the man said and went to one knee.

“Hmm, no worries. Maybe you will like it instead,” she said and handed him the plate.

“I’m honored.”

“You darn well should be. Interrogate him. He is part of the order of truth,” she said and stepped back to her small round table. The cake was still hot.

“Understood,” the man clad in light black armor said, carefully holding his piece of cake as he gestured to the cleaning man in the same attire, the latter taking away the prisoner.

This is shaping up to be a dangerous conflict. If the order really infiltrated that deep, I do hope their lunacy has no foundation in magical theory.

She would await the interrogation. Until then, she still had a marvelous lemon cake recipe to perfect. A soft tune filled the room as she summoned flour and a few lemons, humming the melody of the latest hit to find Myrefield’s pubs.

Chapter 477 The Way of the Sentinel

Chapter 477 The Way of the Sentinel

“You’re new in town? Here on a quest?” the innkeeper asked, a bald warrior in the low hundreds, a few scars showing that he hadn’t always been in this job.

Or I’m underestimating the dangers of owning an inn, Ilea thought as she took a sip of ale. It tasted good. Nothing to write home about but neither disappointing.

“Sort of. More a personal quest, really,” she said and took a look around the common room.

Adventurers and drunks mostly. Most other folk were working at this early hour.

“Looking for someone? I hope you don’t bring trouble,” the man said, his tone nothing new to her.

“Are you threatening me?” she asked and took another sip.

He blinked once before sighing. “Lady, I wouldn’t even think about threatening a high level healer. I’m just informing you that outsiders looking for trouble in Farport have come to find it.”

“I see,” she said. “I’m looking for Olivia Sarken. Is that considered looking for trouble?”

He glanced around the room and then back to her. “Been a while since I heart that name. Good kid.”

“As to your question. It could be trouble, depending on who you ask,” he added.

“What about you?” Ilea said and finished her drink. Her sphere showed that nobody in potential earshot was in distress. She was pretty sure nobody was even listening.

“Depends on why you’re looking for her. Girl vanished years ago. Stories were told and now she’s just another one of them,” he said.

“One of whom?” Ilea asked.

“People questioning the status quo, people trying to change things,” he said and leaned in, continuing in a whisper. “If you’re here for revenge, I suggest you leave. The girl worked alone, told nobody what she was doing. Her family rejected her and most people thought she was more trouble than anything else.”

Ilea smiled. “And yet you know she worked alone. What she was doing? Did I finally find one of the few friends she was supposed to have?”

The search had been mostly unfruitful so far. The family had been easily found but the innkeeper was right. They rejected her. Talked about the madness taking her, about how it was a good thing that she was gone.

“I care about this town and the people living within. She was just another one. I connected some dots, had certain things looked into,” the man said.

“Interesting,” Ilea said and leaned in. She had a good feeling about this man. Now that he shared a little more, she could tell his heart rate was going up. He was apprehensive, which meant he knew quite a bit about her deary Olivia, the most likely suspect to later become Eve.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

Ilea leaned back again and summoned her Shadow tag into her closed hand, placing it next to her mug.

His eyes went wide when he realized what it was, what it meant.

“There’s a chance that I met her, trained, and fought with her. Before she was killed. I knew her with another name and I’m here to find out if it may not have been Olivia after all,” Ilea said.

The man looked at her, glancing once more at the badge before he nodded. “Meet me upstairs in two hours,” he said and refilled her mug.

Ilea smiled and stored her badge. “Thanks,” she said and took the full mug, continuing to sit at the bar for a while without talking.

Ten minutes later, she moved on to the benches outside, the innkeeper always visible within her sphere. She wouldn’t risk losing her best potential source of information.

Farport had a single dirt road leading through it, houses built on both sides. A few inns, a butcher, a market, and some other stores provided everything the townspeople needed.

Behind the stores were simple wood or stone houses, some unoccupied. The shoddy stone walls overgrown with ivy and surrounded by trees were likely just one reason why people didn’t want to stay in the small town.

The guards were below level sixty, miss matched gear and rather low quality weapons showing the state of their force.

Ilea wondered if it was because of the war. Or because of the demons. Maybe they had lost a lot of people.

She sipped on her ale and watched a few kids run through the street, laughing as a shop keeper tried to catch them.

The atmosphere didn’t remind her of a town ravaged by war and monsters. More of an untouched little village with their own problems and intrigues.

She heard the nearby river, no matter where in the town she was. It flowed into the sea a few kilometers to the east.

The small forest surrounding most of Farport supposedly had spirits living in it that protected the town. She assumed it was the vile smelling herbs she had come across. Might just be an alchemist had planted them a long while ago to make the place unwanted to monsters. If that was the case, the people she had talked to didn’t know about it anymore.

Many of the residents were fishermen and women, spending much of their day out at sea. Other than a few fields, their food came from that source.

Ilea had taken the day off, or however many days it took to find out if Eve really was Olivia. She didn’t exactly know what to do if she knew. She knew the woman had been looking for the Golden Liliy and just as much did she know that she wouldn’t find the order in Farport.

A little over two months had passed since Riverwatch. Stories about her were popping up even in remote places, the bard or bards who wrote the songs had apparently done an excellent job.

The Medic Sentinels were leveling their Classes, figuring out a variety of abilities and combinations as Trian worked hard to provide what they needed.

Claire further stabilized the relationship with Riverwatch, ecstatic about the new wealth and possibilities Ilea’s little intervention had provided.

The war was still raging but every time Ilea heard about it, Baralia was sure to lose. More freed slaves were coming into the Empire or Riverwatch by the day.

She herself had progressed quite nicely too. To the point she had wanted to reach before advancing her level.

A quick scroll through her messages made her smile as she relaxed in the morning sun, having some ale with the local drunkards of Farport.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 19’

Ilea was pretty sure level thirty was the maximum for now. Options for the fourth tier hadn’t popped up, nor anything else. Some of her skills hadn’t leveled much, simply due to her not using them a lot.

She was at a point with The Azarinth Sentinel where she felt comfortable going into three fifty. Trying not to get the two levels for much longer may be detrimental to her overall growth.

Mostly, she was just getting bored of the constant repetition. The longer she fought the Specters, the more she thought they were mocking her with their lifeless eyes. She wanted some payback time and that time, was now.

Or well, soon.

Trian and the faculty had an information class for all the students today and a slew of new jobs around Ravenhall and especially Morhill lured a lot of her usual resistance training participants out of town.

What better day than to look into her deceased friend’s past.

She lifted her mug to a mumbling mage a few tables over, not in the best stage of his life, going by the unkempt beard and the dirt on his robes.

He lifted his mug too, with a shaking hand, murmuring about the deep ocean.

One of her new marks had gone to Trian. The other two she kept for her northern friends whom she still hadn’t visited.

Her ashen class didn’t disappoint either, a few skills leveling quite nicely with the challenging Specter training.

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 27’

Many of her ashen skills were quite useful in her resistance training and afternoon lectures. The real winner of course were her general skills.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Dancing – lvl 1’

Dancing – lvl 1

The ability to move your body to music and to coordinate your movements with those around you or a partner. It’s really a surprise this took you so long, considering your dexterous body.

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Gourmet – lvl 1’

Gourmet – lvl 1

You have consumed only high class cuisine for at least two weeks. You spare no expense, learning about dishes and the intricate combinations of taste through extravagant experiences.

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 5’

...

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Teaching – lvl 1’

Teaching – lvl 1

Through time and effort did you share knowledge and experiences with those considered your students. You will find it easier to explain concepts as this skill reaches higher levels.

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill: Warhammer Mastery – lvl 1’

Warhammer Mastery – lvl 1

You have learned to use the Warhammer to an adequate capacity. This skill will let you handle the heavy weapon a little more easily. Your swings will move with just a little more weight and your balance will improve significantly.

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 5’

Ilea found most of the new skills bringing small improvements at best. The line between simply being more experienced and having a skill that should provide knowledge as well was marginal.

She assumed most were just rewarded as a sign of her efforts.

The main change came with Monster Hunter, and her ability to bring it to the third tier.

- Monster Hunter

You have used this skill not only to stall an entire army of humans but to challenge beings far above your own power. True to the name, you have killed beings twice your level and have survived battles against even stronger creatures.

The point was easily spent.

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 1

Many times have you faced creatures well beyond your level. You revel in it, seek them out and you prevail. Your presence demands respect. Growl to show your prowess. Effects vary depending on those affected as well as their levels in relation to yours.

2nd stage: You become better at communicating your intent. Infuse your voice with up to 100 mana to increase its range and effect on those that hear it. Fully infused, you may lure even powerful creatures towards your location, depending on your intent.

3rd stage: You may communicate even more intricate messages to monsters of all kinds. Infusing your voice allows you to imitate the calls of generally lower leveled monsters you have previously heard.

The change was quite welcome. Ilea could now tell creatures to fuck off, cower in fear, come and fight, or simply to chill out. The last option was the most fun, some creatures actually becoming quite friendly. A mix between fear and acceptance.

The imitation worked with monsters of a generally lower level, meaning she couldn’t imitate the Trakorov or a Lightning Elemental. She could however do the call of a Drake or any other monster below level three hundred.

So far there were few opportunities to apply this, other than scaring her students with monster shouts in the training halls.

She refrained from doing that too often, as it would make them less sensitive to the sounds of potentially invading creatures. Their high Veteran level at least meant that she couldn’t paralyze them.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

A rare phenomenon often caused by ancient curse magic colliding with naturally poisonous, unclean or corrupting environments. When wielded by a mage it can turn into a dangerous weapon.

You have survived blight exposure for prolonged periods of time. Weak spells or natural blight will not be able to penetrate past your skin anymore.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The ability to shift, grow and use ones own body to gain an advantage in battle is as old as magic itself. A skill which many humans had mastered in a time before language. Now most of that knowledge is gone and few remain to practice these arts. You have faced it in battle and survived. Of course you did. Sigh.

2nd stage: You seem to really love bone magic. Due to the prolonged exposure and your increasing understanding of its structure, your own skeleton becomes more robust. Both bone magic attacks and anything else trying to break or injure your bones will have a harder time inflicting significant damage.

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

A considerably hard substance, capable of channeling powerful mana if the user understands its properties. Rarely seen due to the required gems and necessary fundamental understanding and connection to its composition.

2nd stage: Through long term exposure and thousands of injuries, your skin has adapted some of the diamond’s properties, its durability increased.

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Diamond Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Dust Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Dust Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Emerald Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Vine magic is a magic school closely associated with water and earth, often used to entrap creatures where trees and vegetation is naturally abundant. Emeralds have the ability to create vines from magic. Acute control and high understanding is necessary to achieve a usable result.

2nd stage: You have been entrapped so many times that you find it easier than before to escape. Quick movements of your arms and hands, a twist of your torso, or a sudden jerk of your legs may be all you need to escape being bound.

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mist Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Rot Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

With your regeneration and healing, it was unlikely that such a resistance would ever manifest. However you have found a powerful source of unnatural rot. Perhaps fueled by a curse or magic. Congratulations on yet another painful and horrific experience.

2nd stage: Your body has endured more than most, solely thanks to your magical regeneration. Time and exposure have made your body more resilient to infection, damaging bacteria, and fungal growth.

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ruby Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sapphire Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke MagicResistance reaches lvl 13’

…

‘ding’ ‘Smoke MagicResistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Usually the result of fire magic, this school focused on smoke itself. Wielded by a master, it can be just as deadly and destructive, if not more so. Knowing you, you probably just set fire inside a closed off cave and enjoyed the choking sensation. Slut.

2nd stage: The effects of breathing in smoke have become irrelevant to you. Only its magical power remains. You should still look for air. It’s good for you.

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 13’

…

‘ding’ ‘Topaz Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Vine Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Vine Magic Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

The last defensive skill Ilea was going for was unlocked one week prior to her drink in Farport.

- Void Magic Resistance

You have faced the concentrated attacks of an Ascended, a master of the void itself, and lived to tell the tale. Be it a whim of your enemy, a chance left for you to escape, sheer luck, or pure tenacity, here you stand, defiant.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The mystical magic usually used to enchant high level items applied as a form of combat magic. It’s as deadly as it is silent. How exactly you survived is unclear, perhaps the caster willed it so. Next time it might work against a true enemy as well.

2nd stage: You have resisted the true magic of the Void, your body and will showing unrelenting grit. More than a simple spell will be required to invade your body with the void. Your very existence and all of its parts are connected to you through the threads of magic.

3rd stage: Your body is bound to the space around it. The void cannot take what it does not own, nor move what cannot be moved. The effects of Void Magic are reduced. Its damage remains but you can no longer be ripped out of space itself, nor be moved against your will by the magic of void.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked one Third tier General Skill point’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked one Third tier General Skill point’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked one Third tier General Skill point’

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1713 Total skill levels]: 5

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 348

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 23

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 19

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 348

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 19

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 27

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – lvl 8

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 2

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 8

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - lvl 13

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 7

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 1

- Oxygen Repository – lvl 14

- Sage of Torment – lvl 18

- Soul Perception – lvl 2

- Teaching – lvl 3

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 4

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 5

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 16

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Astral Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2ndlvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 5

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 10

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Light Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Water Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 816

Endurance: 405

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 765

Wisdom: 910

Health: 8160/8160

Stamina: 4000/4000

Mana: 18182/18200

Chapter 478 Inquiries

Chapter 478 Inquiries

Ilea was quite proud of the progress. Especially the third tier Void Magic Resistance gave her a little confidence that she had lost when fighting the Ascended.

She didn’t know what exactly would happen if the whole space around her was removed. If she was transported somewhere, able to use her third tier Blink to get back, or if she would simply cease to exist. Her precognition hadn’t been clear in the heat of the moment.

The benefits she had gotten through the various second tier advancements were situational and generally quite minor. Still, they added up.

The main benefits next to her Void Magic Resistance were the bonuses provided by Avatar of Ash.

It had reached a point where her resilience was increased by 485% and her ash density by a staggering 185%.

All that just from gaining and leveling resistances, which on their own already provided ample bonuses.

Ilea assumed a part of why she could fight monsters like the Specters was because general skills didn’t really weigh in on level differences. She could very well be level one hundred with the same amount of resistances, entirely decimating her weight class and creatures far above her perceived level.

The Fae had mentioned that monsters at a certain level had abilities and characteristics that offset bonuses like the ones she had but Ilea questioned how far that went. Her healing and mana intrusion combination surely wasn’t solely responsible for her easy time against higher leveled beings.

She sipped on her ale and thought about what resistances she should get to the third tier. No new possibilities had cropped up but she had gained three additional points. Either way, she definitely wanted to keep a few points for emergencies.

Another thing she quickly did was collapsing her general skills within her status. Even the non resistance types were getting numerous.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1713 Total skill levels]: 5

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 348

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 23

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 19

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 348

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 19

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 27

General Skills: Hidden

Status:

Vitality: 816

Endurance: 405

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 765

Wisdom: 910

Health: 8160/8160

Stamina: 4000/4000

Mana: 18189/18200

A little better, still too much though, she thought with a smile. It felt liberating not seeing the massive list anymore. She wondered if she would really get a third class upon reaching three fifty. It was possible all the speculation and waiting had been for nothing.

She chuckled and took another sip. That would fit the Fae, at least the part of the collective I know.

Her options for third tier advancements were Blood Manipulation, Corrosion, Lava Magic, Light Magic, and Sand Magic.

The only thing she felt was reasonable was Light. The rest seemed too situational, even if the bonuses were potentially good. Lava might give an increase to Heart of Cinder.

Many other second tier resistances were more enticing but she hadn’t met the requirements to reach a third tier. Blast Resistance, the various drain resistances or even Time Magic were sadly unavailable.

Ilea decided her five points were enough to spend two. If she needed more, she could always host another resistance training session.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The power of the sun harnessed and enhanced by magic. You have experienced the burning heat of light and pushed ahead. This skill will help you be more resistant.

2nd stage: Staring into the light should have really blinded you at this point. Instead, you have gotten used to it. Your eyes are much less sensitive to the negative effects associated with light. You are mostly immune to sudden blinding changes, be they an abrupt abundance or lack of light.

3rd stage: You have been exposed to incredible sources of light magic. Your body has gained the ability to absorb some of the properties of the light around you, allowing you to see even in the absence of light as long as you have been exposed in the past week. Damaging natural occurrences of certain wavelengths no longer pass through you but are instead absorbed, should you wish for such to happen. Excess energy will be transformed into both heat and mana.

Ilea smiled as she read through the added text. Skin cancer resistance? Not that I think cancer even forms in my body with the regeneration I have. Or does it form faster?

She assumed the former to be the case, thinking she would have noticed if the latter applied.

The interesting part was the excess mana and heat, adding to her pool and potentially Heart of Cinder. I could literally fight a sun, she thought and giggled to herself, getting a weird look from the mage a few tables over.

He pointed at her and murmured something that sounded like a curse.

She didn’t feel the familiar magic however.

“Yes, yes,” she said, waving him off.

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

An elemental form of molten rock, reserved for those few living in conditions most consider deadly. You have met and fought such a being, its magic opposed by Heat and Earth magic resistance but ultimately something different, more primordial and ancient.

2nd stage: Your body can store heat more effectively, your skin and muscles less prone to melting. Lava has become to you like water is to others, its substance less restricting as you move through it.

3rd stage: You gain the ability to absorb heat from both within your body and your surroundings, effectively cooling yourself and your vicinity, allowing you to survive in high temperature environments.

Ilea tapped the table as she read through the newfound powers. Nothing major but she felt the points were worth it regardless.

Her night and cave vision would be vastly improved and if the third tier of Lava Magic Resistance delivered, she could now effectively cancel Heart of Cinder.

Hmm, she thought and activated the spell.

She could feel the heat building before it flowed seamlessly into her body. Other than a lightly warm skin, nothing came to be.

Like the sun on a warm spring day, she thought with a smile.

The mage who had occasionally looked over stared at her with an open mouth, muttering a few more curses before he stumbled backwards and ran.

What’s gotten into him? Ilea asked herself before she noticed the steam rising from the corners of her mouth.

Ah, I see.

She stopped channeling Heart of Cinder, releasing the small amount of energy in a comically weak cone of fire.

So I can charge it up before a battle now, cool myself down from time to time to make sure I don’t die. And absorb the heat in case it isn’t needed.

She thanked the Trakorov and enjoyed the rest of her short stay at the Seaward inn.

_______________________________

“Now, now. That doesn’t sound good at all,” Helena said as she sliced into the freshly baked lemon cake. The fourth try had wielded something quite marvelous. Perfect moisture.

Her guest sighed. A rare show from the near mythical bard. His shoulder length blond hair looked perfect as always, lightly curled today. His skin was lightly toned, the Virilya based man having relocated before the siege had started. He wore utterly ridiculous clothes, unfit for battle or business alike.

Tight black pants ending above his ankles. Above his pants he wore a skirt of all things, ending right above his knees. A fluttery white shirt covered his chest with broadening sleeves reaching nearly to his fingers. It would have been decent enough, if it hadn’t been mostly see through.

The silver chains around his neck would have been acceptable if they were his weapons but she knew for a fact that they weren’t.

She knew the man well, had worked with him for more than five decades. He was capable, ruthless, and still clung to his ridiculous attire and demeanor.

He smiled his perfect smile as he received the plate. “Thank you, my dear. I do so love your baking.”

She could not detect a lie, nor did she care. “Shush, keep those compliments for your concubines.”

“I would never insult you with a lie, Helena,” the man said and this time she almost believed him.

“The situation is dire,” he said, going back to the topic at hand.

“That it is. Half of the forces occupying Odiah have fallen,” she said with a thoughtful look.

“Alyris won’t relent. Circumstances have changed however. Numbers won’t make a difference anymore. Infiltration and powerful individuals are necessary to overcome the rituals they have prepared. The loss of life is unprecedented…,” Elijah said, one of his hands balling into a fist.

A pacifist at heart, with a somewhat warped view of the concept. Few with his power and influence had a grounded idea of human life. Especially not people so young. He was barely eighty.

Helena wondered if a true pacifist would ever even talk to her.

“The fall of Baralia is certain either way. Though it seems the fanatic believed their magic to be more than just belief. The effectiveness would speak for his words. And yet I doubt the man.” Helena said as she ate a piece of cake, savoring the taste.

Elijah glanced at her, folding his hands as he relaxed in his chair. “Why?”

“Because he is a fanatic. I have dealt with such orders before and very few of them were founded on more than hubris. The Empress isn’t idle either. Baralia has been a sore spot for her, not only because of her dearest brother. She won’t abandon this war, not with the impact it already had on Lys,” Helena said.

“Ravenhall,” Elijah said.

A stupid suggestion really. She had expected more. Or was he testing her? Just as ridiculous.

Ravenhall has been independent for a long time, now it’s just official. Alyris kept the relations and doesn’t have to worry about them anymore. Her power is absolute. The nobles who thought of Ravenhall as something to aspire to now have the choice of obedience or independence. The choice is simple.

“Why are you suggesting that? You know Alyris intended their defection. Especially after the surprising change in leadership,” Helena said.

The man smiled and ate a little piece of cake. He swallowed before continuing. “I don’t think the Empress knew anything about that. You overestimate her. It was convenient, I’ll give you that. None of the Elders would have followed through with what the new leaders did.”

“You’re right about the Elders but I’m confident she had her hands in it. Otherwise it seems too convenient. The Shadow’s Hand is no longer an internal threat,” she said.

“Doubt she ever considered it one. Not like you have,” Elijah said.

Well, you don’t know Verena or Adam.

She sipped on her tea.

“Oh, you know something I don’t?” the man asked, leaning a little bit closer.

Helena waved him off. She wasn’t in the mood for theatrics.

“I still think we cannot dismiss it entirely,” she said.

“Will you go?” he asked, a grin on his face.

“Of course not. Baralia is a dreadful place and I’d like to avoid participating in wars if possible,” she said.

“The other members then? Should I contact them? Or do you think your guild can handle it?” Elijah asked. He himself wouldn’t participate even if the war was at his doorstep.

I would rather not risk them.

“I think suggesting an intervention is not out of place. Michael can send some of his people and I’m sure Acantha has been involved from the start anyway,” Helena said.

“Velamyr fought in Odiah,” Elijah said.

“You don’t seem happy about that,” Helena commented.

He waved her off and summoned a filled glass of wine, taking a sip. “Always the hero. He’s going to rise even higher than before.”

She nearly had to smile because of the unintended pun. General Velamyr Ryse cared about his soldiers. He would skewer the High King himself if he could somehow maneuver himself into the right position.

“Just inform him that some of us are coming,” Helena said.

“The Pirate?” Elijah asked.

“Seems up his alley,” she said. Pillaging, war. He’ll feel right at home.

“Skorn has been in touch. He is already involved, though not personally,” the bard said.

Not that anybody expected anything different from the man.

“Good. I’m sure Elizabeth is too,” she commented.

“What about-” he said but was interrupted by a cold aura spreading through the room.

“No,” Helena said and finished her piece of cake.

“I see,” Elijah said.

“How is Virilya?” she asked, making him focus on something else.

“The same. People are returning. Alyris is doing an adequate job. Surprisingly,” he said.

I should slap you.

She didn’t let anything show and instead smiled.

“It’s a shame Arthur died. How is his daughter doing? Any promise?” she asked.

The man nodded. “Last I’ve heard, she may be a good replacement. However her inclination to join the order might be impaired. Perhaps in a few decades, if her ambitions are as grand as her father’s had been.”

Helena smiled, cutting herself another piece. “That is promising.” She would be surprised if the girl would ever even consider it. After the treatment they received from their father. Arthur was capable but he lacked empathy and common sense. Squandering his greatest assets for a misplaced sense of pride.

Helena had greatly enjoyed the news of his death. The evidence wasn’t there but she would bet on the children being responsible.

“No news on Edwin and his… friend?” she asked.

“He remains within the family mansion. The void mage has joined Felicia Redleaf but her allegiances remain uncertain. They should all be in their mid two hundreds,” Elijah informed her.

Helena had some ideas as to her allegiances but she wouldn’t share them with the bard. He did like to talk after all.

“We may consider her in the future. What about that girl you mentioned last time?” she asked, interested in what he thought of her. She had made up her mind a few weeks ago.

“Lilith. She is… well, certainly interesting,” Elijah said.

“You like her,” Helena said.

The bard smiled. “Her methods are crude. And with all the stories and reports, it’s hard to really pin down who she is but yes. I do like her, if only for her sense of style. Ashen wings do paint a beautiful painting.”

One of death.

“Do you think she could be interested?” Helena asked. The woman was an asset to their order either way. She owned a large part of the newly independent Ravenhall with connections to their leadership. The same was true for Riverwatch, if not for other places.

He waved his hand. “That is the question, isn’t it? She definitely likes to fight. She is young. Younger than most at even level two hundred. I expect her to be close to three hundred already. Ashen Classes are rare but her second Class is more interesting. She’s a healer supposedly.”

Helena nodded, letting him talk.

“And still she owns property, got involved when Riverwatch was under siege, fought the demons and even supposedly first encouraged the Hand to retake Ravenhall. Her values will be the deciding factors. Can she accept that the world is not her own playground? I believe it’s possible.”

She agreed.

“I will meet her,” Helena said.

“I wanted to have the pleasure,” Elijah said in a disappointed tone.

“The others won’t approve if you are the one endorsing her,” she said, but the man knew that already. “I’m sure you’ll get to meet her.”

“You’ll have to tell me all about her,” Elijah said and started humming a familiar tune. “Do you think the songs exaggerated,” he asked, interrupting the sound for a moment.

“You shouldn’t get involved with women like her. You remember how it ended the last time,” Helena said.

She didn’t care if the songs were true or not. The reports were and they were dealing with someone that was potentially more powerful than herself. Few people ever reach that level, fewer even in such a short span of time. Most of them get a few titles and then vanish in the north or some other place, entirely absorbed by whatever goal or power they sought.

She couldn’t blame them. And she was glad most stayed away from the intricate and fragile tapestry of politics and trade. Sadly the High King Baron of Baralia had not followed the same pattern. And now they were dealing with hundreds of thousands of deaths and a potentially highly dangerous cult close to the leadership of one of the largest human kingdoms.

The woman sighed, thinking of the Elven lands, the recent return of an expedition vessel from the eastern seas, the potential of an extended trade alliance with the dwarven kings.

And here they were. Again. Dealing with human war. She was tired of it. But she wouldn’t ignore the promises she had made. Too many leaders had left. If she did too, few would remain to uphold their fragile civilization.

“Ah, but it was so exciting,” Elijah said, a reminiscing smile on his face.

“You nearly died,” Helena said.

“No… it was her that was death. A small price, to see such beauty,” he sung.

Helena was impressed that he still sounded degrading, despite the obvious praise. Only a true master bard could mask his insults to such a degree.

Chapter 479 Reminiscing

Chapter 479 Reminiscing

“You wanted to talk?” Trian said, nodding to Claire as a greeting.

“Yes. I thought I’d share it with the late team. Kyrian is sadly still stuck somewhere, though I do hope he hasn’t eclipsed me in power,” Ilea said.

“That’d be surprising,” Claire murmured.

“I can see it,” Trian said and winked at her. “You’re wasting time with your Sentinels, training us, getting resistances. Meanwhile he is fighting monsters.”

Ilea squinted her eyes as she looked at him.

“Anyway,” she continued. “I believe I found out who Eve was.”

The man nodded, immediately serious.

Claire smiled. “You did,” she said and summoned a few glasses.

“Didn’t expect her to leave any traces,” Trian said.

“Don’t underestimate two librarians with a drive. The traces she left behind were people,” Ilea said.

“Her name was Olivia Sarken. She wasn’t much older than me, grew up in Farport with her parents and two siblings. Apparently she always had a knack for mind magic and hiding, got a class before most of her peers.”

She paused for a moment, taking the glass filled with ale from Claire. “Thanks.”

The woman waved her off.

“Her father fell ill just when the local lord increased taxes. The reasons are unknown at this point but many families in Farport couldn’t deal with the higher payments. Some left, others fell into poverty or died. Ev- Olivia didn’t quite take it as well as most others.”

“Killed the lord,” Trian said and brushed a hand through his hair.

Ilea looked at him. “Not exactly. Not yet at least. A few guards vanished mysteriously. Then an administrator, and finally the lord’s mansion was breached.”

“A large scale search was started and one of the hounds found blood in the nearby woods. It’s important to know that most of the people involved here were mercenaries. They didn’t give a shit about Farport or its internal squabbles.”

“Olivia was found in the woods and killed. The corpse was too mangled to identify but the mercenaries still reported the name. Some had apparently seen her in the inn a few times.”

“Of course our dear Olivia hadn’t died on that day. Nobody knows what she told the adventurers or did to them, or if she fooled them entirely. All we know is that the lord died a few weeks later in a hunting accident. Taxes were adjusted again by his replacement and that was that.”

“Are the parents still alive? And her siblings?” Trian asked.

“The father died a few years back. Lost at sea. Nothing mysterious there apparently, as most deaths in Farport happen like that,” she explained.

Claire chimed in, “Not monsters?”

“No… they have a weird plant that grows in the forest. Has a very strong smell. I think it keeps most beasts out,” Ilea said and summoned some of the herbs.

She couldn’t identify the exact name.

[Medicinal Herb]

“That’s Wyrmgrass,” Trian said, confusion apparent on his face. “It shouldn’t grow in the plains.”

“How do you know? Didn’t take you for an herbalist,” Claire said.

“I’ve read up on a lot of things lately. Part of the lessons for the Sentinels. The smell is very strong and many creatures dislike it. The reason why it’s not been used is because it’s hard to cultivate anywhere but in high altitudes. Higher than here even. And there are some species that are highly attracted to it. Whole villages have been wiped out because they had the grass growing nearby. Or at least that’s the small anecdote mentioned in the book,” he explained.

“So why is it growing there?” Ilea asked.

The man shrugged. “No idea.”

“Hmm. Well. Her sister went to Damwell and apparently works as a tailor. The pride of the family. Her brother is a fisher and a drunk. He didn’t have a lot to say about her when I found him at sea,” Ilea continued.

“Eve seemed to care a whole lot more about her family than they did for her. The mother talked about a curse being lifted from them when Olivia had died. With the taxes lowered and her husband getting healthy again. I thought at first that she didn’t make the connection but then I looked around their place at night.”

“I found letters, and they were written by Eve. Not just the handwriting confirm it but the contents too.”

“She sent money to them every other month, supporting them when nobody else would. I… asked Missus Sarken about them. Maybe I wasn’t being fair.”

“What did she say?” Trian asked, lightly touching her shoulder.

“That her daughter had died on that day. That she would have nothing to do with a murderous witch. She didn’t care about anything I said, ushering me to leave and to never come back.”

“I’m sure the money was welcome either way. But it stopped coming, right about when we found her in Virilya,” Ilea finished.

“She kept the letters,” Claire said and took a sip of her drink. “In a way, she still cared.”

Ilea sighed. “Maybe. Or she was afraid no money would come if she burned them.”

“Do you have them?” Trian asked.

Ilea summoned the stack and handed them to him. She hadn’t thought twice about stealing them.

“It’s mostly mundane. She never wrote about her targets, only where she had been, her training with the Hand, new restaurants she had discovered. She wrote about us too,” Ilea said.

Trian chuckled. “A noble with a stick so far up his ass you could see the wood in his throat. I’m sure you would like him. At least he has guts but if he keeps talking the way he does I will end him.”

“I didn’t even realize the danger I was in,” he said and smiled.

“Why are these marked with an x?” he asked, looking at a few of the letters.

“She had a relationship with a cook from the Golden Drake. I looked into it and he sadly passed in the demon invasion. The letters were mostly just her gushing about him,” Ilea explained.

“Did she risk more because of his death?” Claire asked.

“Maybe. Nothing was mentioned about that as I said. I’m sure she went to look for him prior to her escape. The letters after that were few, the paragraphs shorter, mechanical even,” Ilea said.

“She made her choice,” Claire said and grabbed her hand. “I’m glad you found her.”

“I know. The bloody idiot,” Ilea said. She could understand her a little better though. Unable to return home to the family she loved for fear of persecution or rejection. Taking on another name and building a new life before that too was ripped from her.

She hadn’t talked much, mostly seeing the team as a necessity to get her badge and the well paid missions, a place to hide. Eve must have confided in her lover, must have mistrusted even Ilea until the end.

“Uech, it just sucks. Don’t you two ever pull something like that on me. I swear to you, if you get killed somewhere, alone and without informing me!” she said.

Claire smiled and pointed to her mark.

Trian laughed. “An absolute lunatic of a warrior healer. Can you believe it? Her skull is so thick I’m sure she could storm a castle on her own. I like herbut she lacks subtlety and-”

Ilea grabbed the letter from his hand. “Thank you very much,” she said.

“Apologies,” Trian said, the smile still on his lips.

“I’d like to read them too,” Claire said.

Ilea handed the letter to her. “Do with them what you like.”

The woman nodded and started reading through them. “Thank you,” she murmured before a smile tugged on her lips, getting to the section about Ilea.

Various scraps of food, plates, and empty bottles littered Claire’s usually immaculate table.

Trian relaxed in an ashen made hovering hammock, lifting a hand as the others laughed.

“No, but seriously. I could have taken her, easily. What could she do, turn invisible?” some of his old pride showed as he talked.

None of them were drunk, their bodies far beyond the weak influence of alcohol. The stuff they owned at least. Ilea was pretty sure even pure Ethanol wouldn’t bring out a noticeable change.

“Not just that, you’re forgetting about her mind magic,” Claire said. “Again. We’ve been over this.”

“No we haven’t! Kyrian isn’t the same. He couldn’t just fry a whole area!” Trian retorted.

“Neither could you,” Ilea said.

He leaned back and frowned. “Fuck that. I would have beaten her.”

Eve had gone easy on them with her mind magic through most of the training bouts. Except for Ilea. But according to both of her currently available team mates, she didn’t count. Her head being too thick to penetrate with any kind of magic.

“It’s not a fair match up anyway,” Ilea said. “She would have taken stealth into advantage. Try to start this fight with your mind already half taken out and a dagger in your throat.”

“True, she was a killer, not a warrior like you,” Claire said, pointing her glass at Ilea.

“You could fabricate a scenario, yes. But she wasn’t invisible. We all had ways to spot her,” Trian said.

“Burning down your own house because you have a hunch doesn’t compare to my spherical perception,” Ilea mentioned.

He just waved her off.

“We’ll see who will win between you and Kyrian. Maybe I’ll be competition too as soon as I reach three hundred,” the man said and quirked up his eyebrows.

“You wish,” Ilea said with a smile.

“She can literally regenerate from losing her head, or most of her body,” Claire said and cupped her face with both hands.

“What about both, if you’re just a burnt crisp,” Trian suggested.

Ilea shrugged. “I should be fine. My mana remains and I can regenerate. If I lose consciousness, my healing just does its job.”

“There are abilities to damage mana or slow regeneration,” he said.

“Maybe, but do you have them?” Claire asked.

“Not yet. I mean I do have a drain but she can cancel that out too,” Trian said and rolled his eyes.

“I can’t cancel it, yours is just too weak,” Ilea said with a smirk. “Plus, once I get my third class you’ll be left in the dust.”

“Wait till I get mine, Medic Sentinel or something. Same playing field then,” Trian said.

“I’ll be here when you get there,” Ilea said with a smirk.

“What about you?” Claire asked. “It’s been a few months.”

“I suppose I’ve trained long enough. My skills aren’t maxed out yet though,” she said.

“You won’t manage that anyway. Destruction won’t level if you don’t kill stuff. At least not fast enough. And I don’t think you want to wait another year or ten,” Trian said.

“You just want me to be ill prepared so I get a shit class,” Ilea said and threw a ball of ash at him.

He zapped it with lightning and smiled.

“He’s not entirely wrong though. Your hunter skill will likely take a long while too. And the yields for fighting the Specters have been slowing down rapidly, haven’t they?” Claire asked.

“They have. I could get it at this point honestly. I mean all I even have to go on is the word of an ancient Fae hivemind,” she said.

“Better than most sources,” Trian commented. “I feel like you’ve accrued enough achievements. You even fought four mark creatures, defeated one even.”

“I hope it’s enough,” Ilea said.

“If something like a third class exists and if it gets unlocked at level three hundred and fifty, chances are you would be the one to get it,” Claire said.

“And if you don’t, you can just level your skills until you reach four, or even five hundred. Not like you will ever stop looking for stronger monsters,” Trian said.

“Until I find the one that will kill me,” Ilea said and smiled.

Trian lifted both arms. “And what a battle that will be!”

“You can still escape, and your resilience is already incredible. Don’t do anything stupid, Ilea,” Claire said seriously.

“I’d say I won’t but I’ve done some very risky stuff. The Ascended would have killed me if it hadn’t been for the Fae,” she said, thinking back on that monster. Just one of many powerful creatures out there.

One of many battles she had lost.

“So go get stronger. You’ve been hanging out here long enough and I can tell you’re getting bored,” Trian suggested.

“How would you know?” Ilea asked.

“You skipped my speech today, to go explore Farport,” he said, feigning hurt.

Claire snorted while Ilea rolled her eyes.

“You haven’t been there. The students were moved, I tell you,” he added.

“Of course they were. Well, what do you need, two levels? Can you kill a few of those Specters and be back in an hour? I’d be interested in what happens,” Claire said.

Ilea shrugged and stood up. “Guess I’ve stalled for long enough. Let’s see if it was all for nothing,” she said.

That’s be funny, she thought with a smile. The skill levels were still welcome either way, even if nothing happened. She would however have to have a word with a certain ancient creature.

“Go forth! Lilith of Ravenhall, slay the fooooeees of humaanity!” Trian sung right before his hammock disintegrated. He teleported and landed safely, chuckling as he watched Ilea’s wings expand.

“You’ve got holes in there. Is your ash sick?” he asked.

“Something I’ve been working on,” Ilea said and closed the intentional imperfections.

The flight to Kroll and its Caverns of Rot was quick, despite the burden.

“You’re too slow,” Ilea said as she looked back at the flying mage.

“What are you talking about, you’re carrying Claire!” Trian said. “Carry me too!”

“How will you level your flying skill?” she asked and pushed ahead.

“I can’t, it’s at level twenty you dunce!” he said, his voice growing distant as she increased her speed.

Claire just laughed uncontrollably.

The prospect of a dungeon crawl where they don’t have to fight and kill the monster really excites them, huh?

Ilea just rolled her eyes and swerved back, grabbing Trian before she activated her third tier wings. With them, she didn’t bother forming ashen cocoons.

If they die, they die.

Shadow badges opened many doors. This night too, the guard on the low wall let them in without question, too scared to offend a member of the powerful organization.

“Where’s Sophie?” Ilea said as she looked around.

“Wasn’t it Sophia?” Claire asked as she dusted off her armored skirt.

Both were wearing their full gear, their storage items allowing for a quick change at all times.

“Sohpie, Sophia, the girl from the rot caverns,” Ilea said.

Trian patted her shoulder. “Leave her out of it. I’m sure you’ve scared them enough,” he said.

“Alright, just thought it might be interesting for them too,” Ilea said and strolled towards the dungeon entrance.

“They would be in danger. As will we,” Claire said.

“We have defenses too. Both against blood and bone magic,” Trian said, a little more serious as they entered the dungeon.

Ilea led the way into the darkness, knowing the tunnels rather well by now.

“Just get the fuck out if it gets dicey,” Ilea said.

“You’re charging your fire skill?” Claire asked, feeling the mana and heat build.

Ilea nodded. “I can absorb the heat now, invested a third tier point into Lava Magic Resistance.”

“Convenient,” Trian said.

“You get thirty resistances to the second tier and then we talk about convenient,” Ilea retorted.

He snickered. “I’m working on it, okay?”

“We’re getting deeper,” Claire said, the others nodding in response as their conversation died out.

Neither of the two, nor Ilea were perfectly safe in a largely unknown dungeon. The Specters had proven to be manageable for her at least but more could be an issue, as were potentially unknown entities.

Nothing showed up until they reached the familiar space far below. The rotten presence all around them started to affect her companions, both of them retching up blood.

Ah, yes.

“Guys, if you can’t even handle that, you’re not going to like what’s coming,” Ilea whispered.

“What in the name of Lilith is this?” Trian asked as he stepped backwards and out of the aura.

“It’s called Rot. There’s a rot resistance, but you’ll have to sit in there for a while,” she said.

The nodded, glancing at Claire who had started to place various enchanted plates in a spacious circle. She was still coughing blood but the effect wasn’t enough to take her out or even overwhelm her natural regeneration. Not with the Vitality her level provided.

A shimmering dim gray barrier flared to life a few seconds later.

Ilea barely felt a difference but she watched Claire take a deep breath.

“Much better,” she said and placed more enchantments. “We can watch you from here, I suppose.”

“I can’t see-” Trian started, coughing up a sizable splatter of blood. “Can’t see shit from here,” he said.

“Should have invested in some perception skills,” the enchantress said and chuckled. “Come on, you can train that resistance later. I wouldn’t have thought her influence would taint you so quickly. Your old self would be revolted.”

“My old self was an idiot,” Trian said, his voice sounding contemplative above all else. He coughed again.

“Listen to the woman, stay behind the shield. I’m sure you’ll see some fire at least,” Ilea said, the heat now slowly eating away at her health. Her regeneration still overwhelmed the damage but it wouldn’t be long until third tier healing would become necessary. Not something she planned to do for now.

Another barrier flared to life behind the first one as soon as the Vampyr had stepped inside. A brighter variant, one that would hold against most everything the Specters could dish out.

Ilea wondered how long either of them would last against the creatures. Knowing that Claire had gotten a teleportation ability made her a little more confident. In their ability to flee of course. Either would get slaughtered in a few seconds. And all of them knew as much.

These weren’t monsters meant to be fought by humans at their level.

She cracked her neck and smiled. “Alright, here we go.”

Chapter 480 Requirements

Chapter 480 Requirements

The first explosion of fire and energy was similar in power to the blast she had used against the Ascended. Delivered in a sphere instead of a more focused cone but the effect was similar.

She broke their defense.

Compared to the steel wall of the steel man, the Specters fared quite a bit worse.

They were pushed back, half their bodies instantly vaporized, the rest burnt and molten.

Ilea could however not get through their bones, leaving them to quickly regenerate. She knew she had to overwhelm their resources just as much as they would have to overwhelm hers. This was a fight of attrition, the creatures leaving little room for trickery or overwhelming force.

Not at her current power. She knew that the Ascended could simply stop them in their tracks, with space magic or steel. It could use void magic to entirely remove them out of existence, if that was how it worked.

But she wasn’t quite there yet.

Ilea enjoyed it as she closed the distance to the first one, already half its injuries regenerated when her ashen tendrils, fists and reverse healing hit it, all at the same time.

She had fought these monsters for months, had refrained from attacking herself, but now she could finally pay it all back. Your resistance training is appreciated. Now let me help you get some from my magic.

The three other Specters advanced, recovered fully once more as they focused on the well known enemy.

Ilea blinked in the last moment, avoiding the blades before she sent a barrage of ashen projectiles into the creatures. She had the mana. Every little bit of damage would help.

The dark fog around her had lost its terrifying nature, the creatures she fought merely more to her than training dolls. They were lifeless, monstrous creatures. Some of many she had met and killed.

These were a little more resilient, more so than most of the monsters in the Descent even.

The Vampire had been more powerful, that much was true, but he lacked the finesse these creatures were using. She wondered how many of them were necessary to take down a starved vampire.

Three maybe? Or all five?

If they were sapient, one might be enough. Able to retreat upon taking damage, recover one’s resources, exploiting weaknesses.

These were just drones made to kill, creatures of death seeking to end everything that walked into their domain. Or perhaps they sought to die themselves, after millennia of madness.

Ilea was pushed back as a few well placed swings didn’t allow her to advance, one even nicked her arm but the blade barely bit to her bone. The wound closing near instantly.

Blood erupted within her body, the explosion more subdued, as if the substance itself strained against the foreign influence.

The Specter didn’t react at the eruption within its own body that came in response, just minor damage to the unfeeling creature.

Absolute Destruction spread into the nearest of the humanoid beasts, fire and cinders flaring up as her ashen abilities entirely demolished its defenses, now spreading into it freely.

The creature would soon fall if its enemy could keep up the relentless offense. If it kept avoiding their attacks, kept itself from being pinned down.

Ilea didn’t make a mistake. Not after all the training she had done with them, after her skills had reached this level.

The Specter of Rot was a highly dangerous creature, a monster perhaps made for war, or one born out of malice and spite. The origins of the being did not matter anymore as its remaining life burnt away in an flare of ash and embers.

A monster had invaded their den.

Its kin did neither react nor did they stop their assault.

Just as much as the monster in their midst continued casting its powerful spells, the four of them entwined in a dance of death, one untrained eyes would not be able to comprehend.

Ilea grew more bold, taking hits to get in more of her own.

When the next creature fell and only two remained, the balance of the fight started to shift, Ilea more often appearing behind them, her spells hitting before they could even detect her.

She knew how they moved, knew their reach, the spells they could and would use. She knew how the space distorted when they vanished, knew how far away they usually appeared.

Ilea was used to the feeling of sharp bone digging into her flesh, her skills allowing her to take blows in exchange for devastating mana intrusion attacks. She knew the end of the fight was near, knew the creatures would die.

She wondered if they knew too. Wondered if they hoped for a mistake, a sudden weakness, a stumble.

Ilea moved through the air as surely as she moved on the ground. She skewered and punched, dodging blows and ignoring spells as she whittled down the health of the vastly higher leveled creatures.

Her ashen tendrils swirled to the left of the falling Specter, instantly biting into the flesh of the last remaining foe.

There was nothing but the creature. No notifications, no thoughts, or questions. No uncertainty. Just the next nudge to the left, the next limb rushing forward, the next sound of ash or bone cutting flesh.

A sickening scene that would have terrified her old self, would have been manageable to her a few years past, but now, she saw the beauty in it. The joy of a fight that could only end in death.

Either hers or that of her enemy.

A last punch unceremoniously killed the Specter, its body lifelessly falling to the ground as if its strings had been cut.

Ilea remained hovering in the air of the dark cavern. The lack of light didn’t bother her anymore, and not just because of her sphere.

The dark mist that flowed lazily through the dungeon prevented her from seeing far but she didn’t see any other creatures lurking about.

A dim light shone in the distance, Claire’s barrier, and within it her two companions. She smirked, seeing Trian squint his eyes as he tried to see what was happening. Claire on the other hand seemed to have some way of seeing her, though her eyes weren’t exactly focused on her.

She left the bodies where they were and moved her wings, slowly floating through the mists until she came up on the shimmering shield.

“They’re dead,” she said and landed, walking a few steps until she stood in front of the spell.

Claire slightly moved her right hand, the spell dissipating instantly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 615]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 632]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 349 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 350 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 351 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 349 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 350 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 351 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

Ilea rolled her eyes at the fact that one Specter gave her four total levels and four only rewarded six.

“And?” Trian asked.

She smiled and nodded to the mage.

“Get a pen ready, there’s a lot of text.”

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has unlocked at least one unique class. All class skills leveled into the third tier. Has defeated a level 750 creature or higher without assistance. You have fought and survived three battles againstalevel 1000 creature or higher. Has significantly contributed to the defeat of one or more level 1000 creatures or higher.

You have proven to be truly extraordinary. The potential of one additional Class has been unlocked.

Additional Classes exceeding your race’s limitations will have subdued effects. They cannot be chosen as main Classes due to their abnormal nature.

“Fuck. Yes,” Trian commented.

Claire nodded next to him, scribbling everything down with a steady hand.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 30

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [The Azarinth Sentinel]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier skill points [Kin of Ash]: 0

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1714 Total skill levels]: 3

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 351

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 20

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 351

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 20

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 27

Class 3: None

General Skills: Hidden

Ilea checked her status before moving on.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Demonic Herald. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The unknown. Has slaughtered one thousand demons. Has forced a Mind Weaver into submission. Has instilled fear into one hundred sapient beings or more. Has the Mental Resistance and Pain Tolerance skills in the third tier.Has two classes at level 350 or higher. Has unlocked an additional class before reaching level 600.

The Demonic Herald wields fear and the arts of mind magic to subdue and conquer all. She slaughters those who stand in her way. The demon realm tremblesat the call of her name, only spoken in whispers. Only those chosen shall stand by her side, her path destined for greatness. A vicious queen of death and pain wielding overwhelming magic as she leads her armies of beasts.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Ashen Lecturer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The uncompromising. Has inspired fear and pain in her students. Has helped create two or more Classes.Has broken and healed the minds of those taught. Has revealed secrets others would choose to keep even beyond death. Has discussed and learned from ancient beings. Has the Sage of Torment skill. Has the Pain Tolerance skill in the third tier.Has two classes at level 350 or higher.

The Ashen Lecturer is not to be questioned. She is the pinnacle of humanity, a being shrouded in myth. She inspires both fear and adoration in those who know her, sheltering her chosen in her mantle of power. Those she taught will be broken, rebuilt, and forged into monsters of their own. None shall stand in their way and even in the face of death, they shall fear only one.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Mad Shadow. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The heralded. Has defeated an army. Had at least three songs written about her. Is known in more than twenty cities. Has defeated her supposed peers with reasonable ease. Has the Veteran skill in the third tier.Has two classes at level 350 or higher.

The Mad Shadow is a legend born in Ravenhall. She has freed slaves, fought armies, and defeated unimaginable monsters. Her name has been invoked to force children to sleep, to threaten criminals, and even to frighten wild beasts. She is known to appear when danger is afoot, when creatures of the dark lurk in the shadows. Her name is a whisper, just like her form, a true Shadow that cannot be seen or heard, and yet it is there. Be wary.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Benevolent Knight Hero of the North. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The righteous. Has saved at least one settlement of destruction. Has saved a long forgotten King. Has allied with creatures others would dismiss as monsters. Has convinced a level 1000 being to help in battle. Has defeated an army. Has been knighted. Has been truthful in the face of adversity. Has risked her own life for that of another.Has two classes at level 350 or higher. Has unlocked an additional class before reaching level 700.

The Hero of the North is a being of noble spirit. She inspires devotion and affection wherever she goes, helping those below her stand or financial position without question. She is a savior to the weak, a knight in brilliant armor riding on a mighty and beautiful steed. The hero denies all praise, returning to her humble home when her people are safe yet again, waiting for the call to return. Stories will be written about her, songs telling of her benevolence and pure soul!

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Headless Horror. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The terrifying. Has lost her head multiple times. Has willingly donated her body to another. Has lost one hundred limbs. Has willingly taken fatal damage. Has sought out sources of pain and destruction to forge her body. Has instilled fear in thousands. Has the Flesh Magic Resistance and Monster Hunter skills.Has two classes at level 350 or higher. Has unlocked an additional class before reaching level 600.

The Headless Horror is a being of nightmare. Whoever finds themselves in her path can only pray for her lenience or hope to have something of interest to present. She is a monster, true to the word, using her body and limbs to attack in a vicious and uncontrolled manner. Nothing can kill nor stop her. A murderous disaster on one to three or more legs. She wields flesh and blood magic without regard for her own safety, until her enemies drown in her own or their blood. Run, for she has cometh.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Trakorov Rider. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The quite frankly, unhinged. Has ridden a Trakorov. Has two classes at level 350 or higher.

The rider and her steedwill bring the end of time itself. If either can be woken from their slumber. She wields fire and molten rock, bathing her enemies in fury before they are crushed by the weight of her body. Everything will be burned, cooked, and devoured.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Arcane Touched. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The changed. Has survived in concentrated mana. Had lethal amounts of mana channeled through her.Has the Arcane Magic Resistance skill in the third tier.Has two classes at level 350 or higher.

The Arcane touched is a being attuned to the force of arcane itself. Her body is a weapon clad in the limitless depths of mana. Her thoughts and emotions are one with the will of nature. A recluse, seeking out the depths of the arcane. Only the most precious of mana will satisfy her on her quest to power.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class acquisition: The Faen Valkyrie. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other Classes may become unavailable -

The ferocious. Has saved three Fae with no ulterior motives. Has protected a Fae with their own life. Has befriended a rare murderous Fae and together has reveled in the joy of violence. Has marked an ancient being with the goal of protecting it. Has been welcomed into the domain of the Fae and survived without going mad. Has visited three different realms.Has the Arcane Magic Resistance, Space Magic Resistance,and Veteran skills in the third tier.Has two classes at level 350 or higher. Has unlocked an additional class before reaching level 500.

The Faen Valkyrie is a mysterious being that has befriended and fought at the side of the Fae. A being that not only found a violent member of the ancient and unchallenged collective but one that understood and bonded with this irregular. She is a being of battle, both resilient and destructive. Her body is a weapon to defend and one to execute judgment, enhanced by the Flame of Creation coursing through her veins. Her will shall bend space itself, no realm guarded from the storm she brings.

Trian joined his hands together above his head. “Damn.”

“Hell yes,” Ilea whispered, sharing a smile with Claire who had just finished writing.

“Lots of choices,” the woman said, keeping her pen ready. “Nothing normal like Fire Mage? Or any of your Sentinel Classes?”

Ilea shook her head. She tried to think about it, focus on other options or another choice. There was nothing.

“This is what I have,” Ilea replied.

“Now don’t be hasty, Ilea! I know you like that horned creature but hear me out,” Trian said as he pointed at her, looking on as if she was a dog with a grape in its mouth.

Ilea just rolled her eyes and cleaned herself with ash.

“Do you have a favorite already? Or do you want to hear opinions?” Claire asked.

She shrugged. “We have time. Not here though, let’s head up, we can talk outside,” she said.

“The Headless Horror sounds right up your alley, Ilea,” Trian said. “More legs are always welcome, no?”

“Why did I take you with me again?” she asked. It seemed like the man regressed back into his older self whenever they were inside of a dungeon. Maybe the dense mana went to his head.

“Are you healing me?” he asked, trying to slap away the ash swirling around his head.

“Just making sure,” Ilea murmured.

Chapter 481 Choices

A note from Rhaegar

Double today because of the cliffhanger :P.

Chapter 481 Choices

“The Demonic Herald,” Claire said, the group now sitting outside in the Kroll mountains. A rather large plate of ash hovered between them.

Ilea relaxed in an ashen chair, while the others chose to stand.

Filled mugs and a few plates with bread, cheese and various meats sat on the impromptu table.

A light shimmer of magic thrummed close to them, Claire’s runes making sure nothing would sneak up on them.

The moon and stars provided enough light for them to see, even without additional skills.

“One thousand demons killed, fear and mental resistance. Mind magic abilities I presume and fear based magic. That one is rare. So much so that I don’t think a Shadow in my lifetime was recorded with that ability,” Claire said, looking at her transcription.

“I’m worried about the part about the queen of death, leading armies of beasts,” Trian said.

“You think there is something else involved? Turning people into monsters through mind magic and fear?” Claire suggested.

“It does sound pretty badass,” Ilea said. “Mind magic might give me an opening to attack but it doesn’t really work against me anymore. I doubt it will be a major asset against powerful foes,” she said. “The fear one however…,”

“People and monsters don’t have your resistances,” Claire said. “It will most definitely be a powerful asset. But the connection to demons is strong, I’m worried it might influence you.”

“Wouldn’t my resistance protect me against that too? I doubt a class or skill could really harm met at this point.” Ilea asked.

“Maybe,” Trian said. “But there were Shadows in the mid two hundreds killing their team members because of berserker classes and traits. It might work out for you but I think there are safer choices.”

Claire nodded and took a sip of her drink.

“I’m not in my mid two hundreds though,” Ilea said. But this isn’t a second class either.

“Next one would be the Ashen Lecturer. Inspired fear, create classes, broken minds, no requirement like the level six hundred one from the Herald,” Claire said.

“To have unlocked the Class before six hundred?” Trian asked, getting a nod in response.

“It should be the best option for the Sentinels,” Ilea said. She felt proud that such an option revealed itself. It meant they had managed something quite special.

“Don’t even think about that,” Trian said. “We showed them the way and gave them the tools to succeed. Let them succeed. There’s too much about pain and torture in there anyway. I don’t want us to end up like-”

Ilea stopped him. “We won’t. Okay?”

He looked at her, realizing that his lightning had flared out a little, burning a bit of the surrounding shrubs.

“It might be helpful but we’ve found incredible success as it is. I agree that my resources and person can be a stepping stone for the Sentinels but they shouldn’t be its constant foundation,” Ilea said.

“Rationally speaking, the option doesn’t seem as rare as the others. Get something that makes you stronger, or even harder to kill. Survive and your Sentinels will benefit more in the long term,” Claire said.

“I’m not sure about that, but I’m selfish enough to get something interesting, something new. I don’t mind teaching them what I know about healing and fighting but I’m not a lecturer. I don’t plan on being there every afternoon for the rest of my life,” Ilea said and put some cheese on a piece of bread.

“What was the next one?” Trian asked.

“Mad Shadow,” Ilea said through chewing her bread, a wicked smile on her face.

“Manners,” Claire commented.

“I didn’t fight a bloody Sand Elemental to be told how to eat,” Ilea said and continued her chewing.

“Manners aren’t a matter of power. Let’s table this discussion for now, but I’ll add it to your lessons,” Claire said and winked.

She’s fucking around, right?

Ilea squinted at her but the woman was already focused on her notes again.

“Defeated an army, well known… Shadow magic. That would be quite an asset to have. Being able to sneak into places, going unseen. Getting behind people unnoticed,” the woman said.

“You can use it to attack too,” Trian added.

Ilea downed her ale and made another sandwich.

“I can see through walls, can teleport inside. If I blink, I don’t make a noise. Plus my damage isn’t exactly focused on weakpoints and single hits, more on prolonged fighting,” she said and continued eating. It would be cool though… shadows trailing me. Combined with ash I’d literally be the Specter of Death.

“And you can float,” Trian said.

“And that,” Claire murmured, biting around on her pen.

“What about the knight? Sou-” Claire started.

“No,” Ilea interrupted.

“It could be go-” Trian chimed in.

“No,” she said again.

Damn you Maro. You fuck.

“Seems to be mostly based on leadership anyway. I doubt you’d like that,” Claire said and moved on. “Headless Horror seems like an uncontrolled murder class.”

“I deem it unwise to take that one,” Trian said.

“I agree. Though rationally speaking, flesh and blood magic might be a great addition, coupled with your regeneration,” Claire said.

“It does sound dangerous, not necessarily for me though,” Ilea said. “But… despite the allure and my apparent madness, I do think it’s pretty fucking gross.”

“You can clean yourself,” Trian said, gesturing at her ashen armor.

“Doesn’t make it any better. I’d rather take the demon one,” she said.

“The rider one sounds like a wildcard,” Claire said. “Same with the Arcane touched one.”

“Both would probably give you quite a bit of power,” Trian said.

“They would,” Ilea said and relaxed in her armchair, looking up at the stars. “Lava magic could be a nice addition, though I’d say my ash and embers already cover the ranged aspect.”

“I’m not sure if it requires me to have a Trakorov at hand too. The logistics though… can’t exactly lift it. Or feed it. The mana that would take…,” she shook her head. The thought of a Trakorov appearing at her side whenever she did battle was both awesome and comical.

She snickered, thinking of the beast squeezing through small dungeon tunnels, just breaking through the whole structure.

“Arcane magic is mostly just beams as far as I’ve seen, right?” she asked.

“Near instant cast spells with devastating destructive power. Eats up lots of mana but the classes usually have ways to mitigate that. Arcane classes often make other magic better too, which may be beneficial,” Trian said.

Ilea wasn’t sure. “I already have a beam. Would just be another one. Even if it makes ashen magic better, I’d prefer healing or body enhancement. The Horror class might provide that.”

“The Arcane class talks about mana density too. That you would only be satisfied by the most precious mana,” Claire said.

“I don’t exactly want to feel uncomfortable in normal mana density,” Ilea said.

“We don’t know how it would change your body,” Claire said.

“If something like that could even have an impact on you,” Trian said.

“Could mean nothing,” Claire said.

“Yes… I do think we’re being too cautious. I’ve resisted a Veramath’s mind magic,” Ilea said. “I would think all of these Classes would benefit me, without turning me into a ravenous monster.”

“Don’t underestimate the power of class changes. There’s no resistance to the effects and if you decide wrong, you could end up a different person entirely,” Trian said.

Claire moved the page of her notebook. “What about the last one, Faen Valkyrie? The requirements are focused on your new violent friend. Sounds like what you accomplished is quite the feat. Judging by the pre level five hundred requirement, it’s the most rare of the bunch too.”

“What’s the Flame of Creation?” Trian asked.

Ilea shrugged. “Fire magic? Space sounds cool too, maybe some long range teleportation or abilities like the Ascended had.”

“I just hope the connection to the Fae won’t be a problem,” Claire said.

“Says that I already bonded with it, not that it would change anything about that. I like the mention of my body being a weapon too,” Ilea said. Plus I trust the little bugger.

“So it’s Demon, Shadow, Horror or Valkyrie?” Trian asked.

Ilea sat back and thought about it. “Sounds like it.”

Mind, Shadow, Space, or maybe even flesh and blood?

She looked up at the stars and thought about the potential each school of magic could have for her.The Baron had saved her with a space magic spell, had gotten them out when the Ascended had her pinned down.

Shadow magic could achieve something similar, she thought. Both resilient and destructive, to defend and execute judgment.

It sounded similar to her Sentinel class. Ilea wasn’t one to hide in the shadows. Neither was she one to bend people’s minds. The Horror class might have sounded more appealing if it hadn’t been for the recent Abomination and Specter encounters.

Maybe I could visit other realms. Check up on Earth, she wondered if that was a good idea.

“You made a choice?” Claire asked, looking at her.

“Violence it is,” Ilea said and stood up.

“Maybe the Fae Does have an influence over her,” Trian said and chuckled.

“I would have chosen that one too,” Claire said and summoned a lighter, ripping out the pieces of paper and burning them.

Trian raised a questioning eyebrow.

“I’ll tell Dagon about the general idea. Nobody needs to know the specific classes,” she said.

“You two stay at a distance, just come closer if I fall unconscious or something,” Ilea said.

Trian and Claire nodded and teleported away.

Don’t fuck up my mind little guy, Ilea thought and selected the Class.

She felt the speck of energy within herself light up suddenly. Her essence, or soul. Heat rose up and she perceived with her healing and soul perception abilities how something spread through her. It looked like, fire.

The unsettling feeling turned into pain, expanding and intensifying as the flames spread. Not just physical pain but Ilea knew her soul was hurting too.

Perhaps it would have been an unbearable experience a year prior, but after absorbing the collected mana in the Descent, this felt like a minor inconvenience at best.

She ground her teeth against the feeling, refusing to turn off her pain perception. This class is mine, and I will take all that comes with it.

Ilea let her ashen armor recede to her back when she felt the flames break through her skin. The fire was pale, white, just like Feyrair’s. It moved lazily as her body was slowly set ablaze with the strange element, neither wind nor her movements animating the flames.

She noted her health dropping rapidly, canceled out by her combined regeneration and healing. Ilea wondered if any of her resistances worked against the fire.

As the heat built, so did the damage to her body. She lifted her hand to look at the flames, creating ash that swirled amidst the new power. The nearby element didn’t destroy her creation but somewhat incorporated it, the colors shifting around each other.

Her health had slightly declined a minute later, when the fire slowly settled, not vanishing but flowing instead into her body. She closed her eyes and breathed out. Ilea focused on the newfound power, making a fist as she healed the lost health.

‘ding’

New Class: The Faen Valkyrie

Intelligence +20

Wisdom +20

Space Magic is improved by 100%

Resilience is increased by 250%

Body Enhancement Magic is improved by 100%

Ilea expected a few new skill notifications but instead received something else entirely.

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has [Locked] or has unlocked an additional class beyond the limitations of their race.

Core skillpoints have been unlocked.

Core skill points replace Class specific third tier skill points.

Retroactively applicable achievements unlocked:

You have survived anuntouched Arcane Shift – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have visited the Great Salt – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have befriended a Mind Weaver – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have befriended a Fae – 1 Core skill point awarded

A song about you has spread to five cities – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have trained with a Lightning Elemental – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have reached the speed of sound – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have unlocked Third tier General skills – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have ridden a Trakorov – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have absorbed pure Arcane energy – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have entered the Home of the Fae – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have unlocked 10 third tier General skills – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have helped create three new classes – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have unlocked 50 resistance skills – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have unlocked the Soul Perception skill – 1 Core skill point awarded

You have unlocked a Third Class – 1 Core skill point awarded

Ilea wasn’t sure what this all meant. No new skills?

She checked her status as her companions slowly approached again.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 30

Unspent Core skill points: 16

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1716 Total skill levels]: 3

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 351

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 20

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 351

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 20

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 17

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 27

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 1

- Active: None

- Active: None

- Active: None

- Passive: None

- Passive: None

- Passive: None

General skills: Hidden

She sighed, relieved to find six available slots in her new Class. That’s pretty good for a “subdued” Class, she thought with a smile.

The Core skill points were interesting but she had no clue what they could or would do. For now, she focused on the Class skills, hoping that there were options after all.

Skills available for The Faen Valkyrie:

Active - Flare of Creation

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. Attacks with your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 25% [200%]

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

I would assume that’s the fire that just burned away at my health as soon as I unlocked the Class. That would be cool to have, just for the aesthetic alone.

Two hundred percent increased resilience were quite laughable compared to the bonuses her main auras provided but she assumed this had to do with the subdued power of the third class.

It would still make a significant difference, of course.

Active – Spear of Creation

Wield the fire of creationas an extension of your arms. The spear is especially useful against magical defenses.

Category: Fire Magic – Space Magic

The spell sounded interesting to her but without a Body Enhancement bonus, it wasn’t incredibly tempting.

Active – Displacement

Shift space to your will, making an object or person appear somewhere else.

Category: Space Magic

This one is interesting… could I just move an enemy’s weapon away? Or the enemy itself to create openings? I could also move a drink from my fridge into my hands without getting up. I like that.

Active – Burst of Creation

Let the fires spread, creating a sphere of lingering flames around yourself.

Category: Fire Magic – Space Magic

Ilea dismissed this one pretty quickly. Her Heart of Cinder had this one covered. Doubling down on damage was an option but the risk of the skills somehow distorting each other was there too.

Three slots… you might already not make the cut.

Active – Force

Push away or stop objects, constructs, and people from reaching you with Space magic

Category: Space Magic – Aura

I want this. I want to be Neo, yes!

She wondered if even in the third tier, the skill could be used to stop actual bullets. She hoped the answer was yes.

Active – Phaseshift

Expending a large amount of mana, you can temporarily unbind your body from the physical and pass through barriers. You may let spells and physical objects pass through you unhindered. Be aware that certain types of magic will retain some or all of their impact.

Category: Space Magic

Oh, that’s cool too. Fuck, there are too many options. I want all of this.

Active – Shrouding Cloak

Invoke Space magic to hide yourself or objects in your vicinity in plain sight.

Category: Space Magic – Aura

Hmm. I’m not big on hiding. You’re taking a back seat, she thought and moved on to the next one.

Active – Blazing Force Shield

Form a shield of firebefore you that will devour spells and objects alike.

Category: Fire Magic – Space Magic

Ilea preferred the idea of Force compared to this shield. Before you… that sounds situational at best. Not that I couldn’t have used this plenty of times before.

She found that it was the last available active skill, checking out the passives instead.

Passive – Space Awareness

You become more aware of the density and shifts in the fabric of Space itself.

Category: Body Enhancement – Perception Aura

She wasn’t sure what it meant exactly.

“What did you get?” Trian asked, finally breaking the silence after they had reached her.

“Give me a few minutes,” she murmured, continuing to read.

Passive – Space Shift

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again 50% faster [100%] and you can travel 20% farther [40%].

Category: Space magic

That was a must have for her. Blink and Reconstruction had always been the key abilities that kept her alive. Using her teleportation twice as fast again after casting it would allow her quite a bit more maneuverability, let alone the increased distance.

Passive – Dimension storage

You gain a personal dimensional storage space allowing you to store and retrieve unliving physical items at your will.

Category: Space Magic

A storage item replacement. Hmm. My necklace can’t really be destroyed but what could a second and third tier add to this? she wondered.

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 15% [135%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 5% [45%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 5% [45%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic

Those multipliers are nuts. Even though the actual increase isn’t that much.

Passive – Lull of Battle

You are one with war and battle. Less Endurance is needed the longer you fight.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Useless… but a second and third tier could be interesting. A gamble though, she thought, biting her lip. If only there were five slots each, fuck.

Ilea had a lot to think about, feeling the distress building in Trian.

“Come on! Fucking tell us,” he said, arms crossed as a spark of lighting flashed out and seared a nearby rock.

Chapter 482 Experimentation

Chapter 482 Experimentation

“Damn, damn, damn. Those are some good skills. I want to see you use Force against my Lightning! I bet it would look phenomenal. Do you think Phaseshift would negate lightning damage entirely? Or an explosion from Claire? Can you displace spells or is that maybe the second tier?” Trian asked.

“I would really consider the Lull of Battle skill. If the second tier gives you a reduced mana cost per spell used, you’d become unstoppable. Not that you aren’t already close,” he continued, murmuring to himself about potential combinations.

Claire looked at Ilea with an apologetic look as she finished her notes.

“The storage ability is useless to you now but what if you can store spells at the second or third tier? Charge your fire beam into it ten times and you can just unleash destruction!” he laughed at the idea, spreading his arms as lighting arced from him into the nearby ground and the two Shadows.

Neither cared about the slight damage.

“Displacement and Storage in higher tiers could mean you can teleport stored spells into other people. Can you imagine that?” Trian continued.

Ilea focused on the Core skill points for a moment, wondering what she could do with them.

Core Skill Points available: 16

[3rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

Most are locked. What does that mean?

She focused on the individual options instead.

[3rd tier Class Skill Point] – [Advance a Class skill to the third tier – Cost: 1]

Was kind of obvious. So now it’s not linked to specific classes anymore. Not that it matters, my two main ones already have all skills in the third.

[Stat Gain] – [Gain 50 stat points to distribute freely – Cost: 2]

What? For just two points? Or am I missing something?

[Skill Boost] – [Increase the level of a skill. Subdued effects at higher skill levels – Cost: 3]

Costs more than stat gains? That doesn’t make any sense. Why would you use this when you could just level the skills manually. Just takes a bit of time. Or can they level skills beyond 3rd tier 30? I doubt it.

She told everything to Claire, ignoring the incoherent ramblings from Trian, his agitation only increasing with the new information.

“Can you get more info on the locked options?” Claire asked.

Ilea tried but failed to gain anything else.

“There was a mention… when you unlocked the Core skills themselves. You need a locked requirement or an additional Class to unlock the points. Maybe the other locked stuff is linked to that?” Claire said.

She tapped her notebook with her pen and nodded. “Considering the requirements for the third tier classes, I would assume you unlocked them earlier than most people, even at your level, would. Not that we have anything to go on there. As far as I know, you’re the highest leveled human in our records.”

“The Faen Class was the only one with a pre level five hundred requirement,” Ilea said. “You’re right. Or I didn’t level things high enough.”

“You also don’t know yet how these points can be gained. The achievements are quite random. Impressive feats of course but I doubt you could achieve another ten very easily. I suggest you wait until more options are unlocked. The stat and skill boost options are good but what if something much better is waiting?” Claire said.

“Force coupled with Flare of Creation could just decimate whole groups! Or you could just teleport them into your fire spells with Displacement,” Trian said, punching his fist into an open palm. “But then you would have to not choose another skill…,”

“I will use them to advance my third Class skills into the third tier, if that is even possible. Maybe they cap out at level twenty. Which is why I think I shouldn’t choose the Lull of Battle skill,” Ilea said.

“Depends. If you can replace the skills, you could level it up and see what it does. If it’s bad, you can just choose another available skill,” Claire suggested.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Leveling skills just to look at the second tier? Takes quite a bit of time.”

She wouldn’t consider doing that for the third tier, simply because that required a skill point.

“It’s not like you don’t have the time. Most of them sound well suited for you in one way or the other. Knowing more is crucial for a final decision,” Claire said.

Ilea noted down the available skills into her own notebook.

Active – Flare of Creation – Good bonuses (body enhancement)

Active – Spear of Creation ← not really (burst damage?)

Active – Displacement – versatile – instead of Force? 2nd?

Active – Burst of Creation ← probably shit – no multiplier

Active – Force ← versatile too, potential strong 2nd

Active – Phaseshift ← Fucking awesome – limitations?

Active – Shrouding Cloak ← nope

Active – Blazing Force Shield ← no

Passive – Space Awareness ← mumbo jumbo magic – uncertain benefits – Body Enhancement!

Passive – Space Shift ← Yes, yes. Also yes.

Passive – Dimensional Storage ← maybe? More space? 2nd tier??

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie ← Kind of have to. Goal → Become indestructible

Passive – Lull of Battle ← uncertain - 2nd tier? Body Enhancement?

The decision really wasn’t easy. She also didn’t know if more skills showed up as she leveled the class. Her main classes were mostly devoid of that at this point. Either because they simply didn’t have any options or because she was so used to the skills, no new ones would make sense, and thus wouldn’t show up.

She had her theories but in the end that was all they were.

“I would suggest you test first if you can freely swap out skills. If that’s the case you could then test all of them individually,” Claire said.

“Good idea,” Trian said, apparently having calmed down by now.

“You’re not rambling anymore,” Ilea said as she looked over the list again.

“Well you’re not doing anything,” he said and summoned a glass of wine, the sight quite something with his plate armor.

“I don’t want to sacrifice an active skill… with my passives it’s probably between Space Awareness, Storage, and Lull of Battle. Let’s see if I can just switch them out as I please,” Ilea said. She selected Space Shift and Body of the Valkyrie as her first two skills, just to make sure they were set.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill: Space Shift – lvl 1

Passive – Space Shift – lvl 1

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again 50.5% faster [101%] and you can travel 20.5% farther [41%].

Category: Space magic

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill: Body of the Valkyrie – lvl 1

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie – lvl 1

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 15.5% [139.5%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 5.1% [45.9%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 5.1% [45.9%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic

She felt the difference immediately, her body ever so slightly stronger. A quick few uses of blink revealed the description was on point.

Ilea could now blink close to seventy meters with one use of the skill. She wondered what was faster, her charged wings, that apparently broke the speed of sound, or her newly enhanced Blink used in constant succession.

Never broke the sound barrier… meaning my Wind Resistance did a marvelous job. Could I break through without it? she wondered.

“Did it work?” Trian asked.

“Wait,” Ilea said and selected Space Awareness.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill: Space Awareness – lvl 1

Passive – Space Awareness – lvl 1

You become more aware of the density and shifts in the fabric of Space itself.

Category: Body Enhancement – Perception Aura

Ilea immediately felt something new within her perception. It wasn’t comparable to her sphere or to the change brought by Eyes of Ash but something had been added.

Eerie, the word was the only thing she could think of to describe what essentially looked like wisp like winds of energy. Strands of it came and went, moving in seemingly random patterns. Larger manifestations floated high above, all in a ghostly white color to her eyes, barely visible. Her sphere picked up the new sensation too but it looked essentially the same as to her eyes.

“More than no awareness, I suppose,” she said, looking around. She had no clue what to do with the new information she was getting.

“What do you see?” Claire asked.

Ilea shrugged. “Mist like energy floating around, might not even be energy but something else. It’s thin and barely visible. Can turn it off too,” she said, switching the perception on and off.

“You’re not exactly an esteemed Space Mage. It’s no surprise if you don’t know what you’re looking at,” Trian said.

She nodded and tried to change out the skill to the Lull of Battle one. She simply focused on the slot and her intent.

Available Passive skills for The Faen Valkyrie:

[Dimension Storage]

[Lull of Battle]

‘ding’ ‘Would you like to replace [Space Awareness] with [Lull of Battle]? All accrued skill levels in [Space Awareness] will be lost.

“Seems to work. I just lose all skill levels,” she said.

“It behaves like a normal Class then,” Claire said. “I wonder if it provides stat points,” she added.

Ilea confirmed the switch.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill: Lull of Battle – lvl 1

Passive – Lull of Battle

You are one with war and battle. Less Endurance is needed the longer you fight.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

She checked again and found that Space Awareness was available as a skill again.

Hmm. Good thing I didn’t have so many options in my other Classes. That would have required quite a bit of testing.

Sentinel Huntress had redeemed itself in the third tier, becoming one of the main skills to protect those important to her. The few options Kin of Ash provided weren’t worth giving up any of her leveled third tier skills.

“It’s available again, so I guess I’ll level the Lull one for now and see what the second tier does,” Ilea said.

“Do that. Probably easier to level than a dimensional storage skill,” Trian said and laughed. “What about the active skills though? What will you chose?”

Ilea looked through the list again. “I’d go for the Aura, Force, and Phaseshift.”

“Try the others out at least!” Trian said. “The Aura is a must because of your bonuses. The others I’m not so sure about. You should especially consider Displacement and the Spear. Both could be incredible assets in battle.”

Claire chuckled. “I think your choice is good. Force could maybe be replaced with Displacement, depending on how they behave. The latter is probably more offensive.”

Ilea selected the Displacement skill, knowledge about the magic flowing into her and becoming intuition. She tried it out with a nearby stone. It took quite a bit of mana and entirely too much time to make the thing move.

The stone shook and appeared in her hand. She had teleported it.

“This Is pretty amazing,” she said with a smile. Ilea lifted her hand and tried to move Trian.

“I can feel it,” he said, right before he vanished and appeared a few meters farther back.

“Usable,” Claire said.

“Takes too long to affect others. I guess in the third tier it could be quite interesting. Getting people right in front of my fists or making them disappear right before their hits connect,” Ilea said.

“Can you move more than one thing at the same time?” Trian asked. He had a notebook out now too.

Ilea tried but failed to move two stones with one spell.

“That might change later on. What about magic?” he asked and sent a bolt of lightning her way.

Ilea tried but failed to grasp the projectile, the magic dissipating on her armor.

“Hmm… that limits it somewhat. If you level it though… you could move around your enemies the way you want. You could teleport single monsters to you to more easily lure them, depending on the range. Or you could teleport allies to safety?” he suggested.

“The potential is there… definitely,” Ilea murmured.

“Could also work against you, if an enemy knows what you’re doing. Try the Force one,” Trian said as he joined them again.

Ilea added the skill to her active abilities and activated it.

She felt she could focus on a small radius around her, about three meters.

“Oh, I can see it. It looks a little distorted,” Trian said, grabbed a stone and threw it at her.

Ilea’s hand rushed up to catch the flying projectile, barely slowed down by the field of magic.

“Do it again,” she said, throwing the stone back with just as much force.

He caught it and threw it back.

This time she focused on the small rock instead of the whole area around her. It used up a little more mana but the thing slowed down noticeably before it hit her hand.

She lightly threw the stone up and used her Force ability to push it towards Trian.

The rock flew towards him but not nearly as fast as when she had thrown it. She had focused on it again but knew she could use the ability to push against everything around her too.

“Again, two?” Trian asked, holding up the stones.

Ilea focused on them and found she could slow down both.

“I want to try something,” Ilea said. “Hug me, Claire.”

“Okay,” the woman said with a smile, closing her arms around Ilea.

“What did you want to test?” she asked after a few seconds.

“Don’t be mad, ok? You are a good hugger,” Ilea said and used her ability to push back.

Claire’s hold momentarily loosened, the woman pushed back enough for Ilea to blink out.

“I see. And here I thought you liked me,” Claire said in a monotone voice.

“It worked,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Doubt that will be enough to break a monster’s hold,” Claire commented as she brushed off her skirt.

“Not yet,” Trian said and gave Ilea a thumbs up. “Magic?” he asked and sent a few bolts her way.

They did slow down a little but not as significantly as the stones. Neither did Ilea find it as simple to focus on the volatile magic.

“Could be usable in the future. I do have my sphere already to get spells close to me,” she said.

Trian laughed. “You normally Want to get hit instead of stopping spells.”

“I do. If the range increases, which I do think it will, I could protect allies too,” she added.

“Same is true for Displacement. The limitation to one object is likely removed in the later tiers,” the man said.

“Possibly…,” Ilea mused and added Spear of Creation instead of Displacement.

She focused on the spell and found a somewhat lean spear of white fire appear in her right hand. It shined brighter than the flames that had appeared upon her class selection.

“I don’t know how to use this thing,” she admitted, whirling it around a few times.

“Good against defenses. Try me,” Claire said as a few shields appeared in front of her.

She didn’t have to ask twice, the spear immediately breaking through the first layer before scraping against the second.

Ilea wasn’t sure. She stepped closer and used Absolute Destruction against the second barrier, watching as the destructive healing mana ate through three layers in the span of a second.

“Not as fast,” Trian said.

Ilea deactivated the spear. “Maybe, but I’d have to learn how to use a spear. If I could infuse my ash arms.”

“Try the aura then,” Trian said in an excited voice.

“Alright,” Ilea confirmed and switched out the Spear with Flare of Creation.

Instantly upon activation, the pale fire returned, flickering over her ashen armor in a coat of energy.

Her health declined sharply, each second a few hundred points fueling the newfound skill and the power therein. Ilea’s healing activated, mitigating the damage but only barely.

She smirked, hoping the requirements to even use this aura were worth it.

Claire put up several shields again, as if reading her intentions.

One ashen arm clad in moving white flames brushed over the barrier, the fires latching on immediately, breaking through the defenses as if they were made of paper.

Ilea added Storm of Cinders to the mix, watching in fascination as the fire spread into the barriers like the force of an explosion spread underwater.

“Much better than the spear,” Trian said as they watched the defenses break down. “Mana intrusion is the game changer here… the fire of creation flows through your veins,”

The flame only spread slowly but it didn’t vanish either, continuously eating away at Claire’s magic.

“I’m pushing against it too,” the woman said, a drop of sweat rolling down her brow.

“It eats health, right?” Trian asked. “I don’t think it’s supposed to be kept active for a long time.”

Ilea nodded. “Considering the cost, I don’t think it should be anything but a quick burst. However, my healing cancels it out entirely.”

Claire took a step back as her barriers disintegrated. “I’m not surprised, with all your body enhancement bonuses. Hopefully the cost will be reduced in the second or third tier. Trading regeneration with damage is dangerous.”

Ilea just shrugged. “It’s a balance. Not that I’ve never taken any risks before.” She traded limbs and organs for openings. Now it was just Health itself. The difference was hardly there.

“Someone want to test it on themselves?” she asked, glancing at Trian.

He lifted both hands. “No thanks. Maybe after getting my next evolutions. I don’t want to burn to a crisp.”

“Aw,” Ilea exclaimed, turning off the aura. I wonder how effective it would be against me. Lingering damage to health and mana. Feyrair already dealt high damage. I wonder how he’s doing now. Walter did mention something.

She could use the aura from time to time during battles. A quick test showed that she couldn’t instantly turn it on, it took a second to spread over her full body and ashen extensions. Eh, still usable.

Chapter 483 Training

Chapter 483 Training

Burst of Creation was next, as expected an area attack around herself that used the white fire. It was admittedly close to her early levels of Heart of Cinder but with only three slots, she wouldn’t add something she already had. Not if it was primarily an offensive spell.

Using both together felt a little weird, Heart of Cinders expanding more quickly thus creating two waves of attacks. Burst didn’t need to be charged but Ilea found that she couldn’t just use it without pause either. Several seconds between each use even.

The fires still lingered when she replaced the spell with Shrouding Cloak.

“An illusion?” Trian asked.

“No,” Claire said, the two of them looking at the stone Ilea had shrouded. “It’s not there at all.”

“Eve would be proud,” Trian said, still trying to look at the missing rock.

“Just doubt it’s more useful than something else. Even the spear seems better to me,” Ilea said.

Claire nodded. “I agree. For someone focused on stealth, this would be invaluable however. Or if you planned to explore unknown dungeons with a team. As a support ability…,” she said and tapped her chin.

Ilea tried out the Blazing Force Shield, finding that both Trian’s and Claire’s spells managed to get through. Subdued, yes. She had expected more. What was interesting was the fact that the shield grew a little larger with each spell that passed through.

“It’s too stationary,” she said after a while.

“Second or third tier may allow it to be around you, and movable,” Claire suggested.

“I have my sphere to redirect spells, and my ash and body to defend. If anything can still get through, I’d rather have this,” Ilea said and switched to the last available skill.

Phaseshift.

Ilea felt the spell manifest, the space within and around her distorting in her sphere before she couldn’t see herself anymore.

With her sphere that was. Her eyes just stared at the two hands she held up before herself. They looked a little translucent but still very much visible.

“Hit me,” she said, her mana rapidly declining.

Trian obliged, sending a bolt of lightning at her chest.

She felt a part of the spell damage her, some of its mana absorbed by both her third tier resistance and her Sentinel Core. Most of the spell’s energy moved through her entirely, dissipating in the distance of the night.

“Fascinating,” Claire said before she lifted a hand.

Explosions wracked through the earth below Ilea, neither the spell nor the shrapnel affecting her in the slightest.

The lightning was different. I lost health, if not much. Did it damage my mana or soul? That wouldn’t be health though, Ilea thought.

She felt her mass returning and let go of the spell, unable to use it again immediately after.

“Question is… can you move through things too?” Trian asked.

“No clue. Let’s test it,” Ilea said with a smile.

Ilea could activate Phaseshift when she was being grappled. With the spell activated, she couldn’t use blink or any of her other offensive active spells. Meditation and resistances didn’t seem to be affected, as well as any passive or perception based abilities.

“I can’t even move,” she said in a disappointed voice.

Her wings didn’t have an effect either, refusing to move the space magic affected body of hers.

“What if you activate it with present momentum?” Trian asked.

Ilea nodded lightly and slowly flew towards the man, Phaseshift activating a moment later. Her body continued onward, passing through him.

He made a face. “That was unnecessary.”

“Could have dodged, you creep,” Ilea joked, winking at him. “Did you like my insides?”

“There was nothing there,” Trian said. “Confirming my theory that you’re just a powerful magic entity playing human.”

“Feels like that to me too sometimes,” she said. “Then again, most everyone above three hundred could be categorized as such.”

Trian nodded to himself, looking at the distant lands. “I hope to reach such a status too at some point.”

“You can keep momentum. Can you move into the ground? You could move through Trian,” Claire said.

“And get stuck? I’d rather not,” Ilea said.

Claire shrugged. “Try it.”

Ilea did and found herself pushed out of the ground as her spell deactivated. It used considerable additional mana, the effect essentially the same as when she tried to blink into solid matter.

“At least you can’t get crushed within the ground,” Trian commented.

“The ground would be crushed instead,” Ilea said, looking at the stone surface below as she squinted her eyes.

“Good thing you didn’t chose the demon class. Wouldn’t want the ground to be running away in fear,” Trian said.

“So it’s between Phaseshift, Force, and Displacement?” he asked.

“I’m a little disappointed in the first one,” Ilea said. “But the potential for all three is quite crazy. Grapples will still be a problem with Phaseshift, at least until I get to the second or third tier.”

“You wouldn’t want to give up Flare of Creation?” Claire asked.

“Not with it being a Body Enhancement spell… it would be a waste. I’m starting to think that Phaseshift might have to go,” she said, obviously unsure still.

“You can’t move, can’t blink, can’t use offensive abilities. A second and third tier might change that however, as you said. So let’s think about it. Best possible version of the skill… you can move, use teleportation,” Trian said.

“Maybe you’ll be able to use it on allies too,” Claire said. “I do think that maybe teleportation won’t be possible… unbound from the physical. Moving would already help of course.”

Ilea nodded. “But Force and Displacement could provide similar benefits. I could teleport away the enemy spell… or stop it entirely. Force to get out of grapples?” She thought about her encounter with the Ascended. Most of the time its metal spikes just pierced her from the ground, making it impossible to use her hands.

With her ash inhibited by other magic, Force could still push her out of that. If she’s not entirely surrounded.

“It’s not as good as just shifting through things,” Trian said. “No matter how strong it gets.”

“I disagree. The lightning already affected her, even if just slightly. All your other bonuses, like your armor or even potentially your new space magic skills would be useless on the risk that Phaseshift can ignore whatever spell is coming your way,” Claire said.

“That’s true…,” Ilea said. “Essentially what you said. The main thing I’m worried about is the damage that still got through. If it’s uncertain that I can avoid it, I’d rather trust my defensive abilities.”

“The same is true for grapples. What if whatever holds you is magically enchanted or infused. It could grip on to even your phased form,” Claire added.

“We’re assuming the best possible version of the spell. Maybe a part of the damage gets through but you could avoid most everything else,” Trian said, “Get out of any grapple or trap. Plus the damage was low, wasn’t it?”

“Your spells would deal low damage anyway,” Ilea said and winked. She wasn’t entirely sure about it.

“Plus, Force and Displacement would provide a lot more options. Especially if we consider that they will probably get second and third tier bonuses too,” Ilea said. “I could displace whatever is grappling me before it reaches me, could stop it dead with Force. Or use both skills to get openings against the enemy.”

Trian nodded. “I can see the appeal. Phaseshift just seems like a good way to get out if everything else fails.”

“And then I get caught again? Displacement might offer some form of longer range teleportation or maybe even a way to move myself out of a grapple. Force might allow me to stop any spell dead in its track, let alone the enemy that casts it,” Ilea said. “While all my armor and other skills are still available to me.”

“I admit, Displacement and Force seem more versatile. If you didn’t take damage at all, I’d still argue for Phaseshift. But Lightning isn’t exactly the rarest magic around. I’m somewhat sure Soul, Space or Void magic would still affect you. At least in the first tier,” Claire said.

“Hmm. Even assuming that the damage is reduced… if I have to give up the bonuses from my armor, the availability of Blink and all other offensive skills? I think the risk is too high,” Ilea said.

“You could test and see what the second tier changes,” Trian suggested.

Ilea nodded. “Same with the other two…,”

“Why not replace Force with Phaseshift?” Trian suggested.

“It allows me to control the battlefield, stop people and spells. I think the benefits outweigh the potentially less powerful grapple defense, in most situations that is. And even if I can’t avoid a spell that could be disastrous, I can slow it down with Force and potentially displace it. With Phaseshift I might have to hope that it passes without major damage, which is a gamble,” she said.

“It’s less cool too,” she added in a murmur.

“Then chose what feels right,” Trian said.

Claire quirked up an eyebrow at that.

“She’s gotten way… and I emphasize, WAY, more powerful than us in a few years of fighting. If anything, her decisions have led her here. Maybe we should think about our own abilities and limitations less and instead chose what feels right,” he said.

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard today… and I read a lot of reports,” Claire murmured to herself.

Trian laughed. “Well, I’ve learned not to look at everything from one angle only. I do believe she should chose the skills she likes the best, knowing they are all good, have drawbacks and sky high potential.”

Ilea nodded. For now she had chosen both Force and Displacement, with Flare of Creation rounding out her active skills. The option to change them would remain butfor now she was happy with the combination.

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 1

- Active: Force – lvl 1

- Active: Flare of Creation – lvl 1

- Active: Displacement – lvl 1

- Passive: Space Shift – lvl 1

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – lvl 1

- Passive: Lull of Battle – lvl 1

“Can you switch skills during battle?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t recommend it, but yes,” Claire answered.

“You let go of Phaseshift then?” Trian asked.

“For now,” Ilea confirmed and formed a dense ball of ash, pushing it away with Force before teleporting it back with Displacement. A dull white flame intertwined with wisps of ash from her armor, limbs moving lazily on her back.

Trian looked at the scene and smiled. “And so it begins.”

Claire pushed some air out of her nose.

“What about leveling the Class itself?” Trian asked a few moments later.

Ilea looked at the two. “I’m not sure. Theoretically a single Specter should bring my Class level to fifty or a hundred, no? Same with the skills. Second tier at least.”

Claire shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that. Well, it doesn’t for second Classes. Otherwise people would replace inferior options more often. They do level faster than higher leveled classes and skills but the contribution is measured in some way. Your assumption might be correct if you killed a Specter with your third Class skills only. I doubt that will be possible.”

Ilea nodded. “I’ll test it out for a while. See how it goes.”

“Maybe you should fight some low level stuff, things you can take out with your new Class alone,” Trian said.

“The fire burnt through my shields. Anything at around two to three hundred should be possible,” Claire suggested.

“So, low level stuff. Got it,” Ilea said, winking at a groaning Trian.

“I don’t suppose you’ll be participating in any lessons in the next few weeks?” he asked instead, changing the topic at hand.

“No. Now that everyone has ways to heal themselves, and ash magic spells too. There’s little I can provide anymore. Speaking of which, do inform me once the first of them hit level one hundred. Maybe their spells will be strong enough to injure me then,” Ilea said.

“You could provide Space Magic Resistance,” the man said. “But I digress. Do enjoy working on your new spells.”

“We can explore some of the dungeons together now. Might be some of the creatures you fought will be just right in power,” Ilea said.

“Good idea. And we can benefit too,” Claire said. “I would very much appreciate that.”

“What about your resistance training?” the woman added.

Ilea thought about it. “I’ll pause it for now. Might get back to it again before hitting four hundred. But at this point… hmm. I’ll think about it. Cancel it. Or work something out with Trian to get the Sentinels some classes?”

The man waved her off. “Way ahead of you. We’re working on that internally for now. As soon as some basic resistances are met, we’ll work with the Shadowguard. They have a wide variety of magic at their disposal, between level eighty and close to two hundred.”

“You have it covered then,” Ilea said, happy to know the man was this reliable.

“Should we get to it then? We still have a few hours of the night,” he said.

“Her third Class got you going?” Claire asked. “I suggest we stop in Ravenhall for a short while. Get everything in order. A few hours of heads up at least for those usually joining your resistance training.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea said. “Though we do pay them.”

“We have a reputation to uphold. Keeping people happy or at the very least content is important. Even if they are merely providing a service,” the woman said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Sounds excessively exhausting.”

Claire stared at her. “And yet you have been on time every single day. You care, don’t pretend not to.”

“Yes, yes, we are not our uncaring Shadow selves anymore. I know,” Ilea said. “I’ll fly you back. Do you need time too, Trian?”

“Only a few minutes. Should we train in one of the halls?” he asked.

“Sounds good,” Ilea said and grabbed the two of them, her wings charging before they shot into the night.

“I really need a flying skill,” Claire murmured to herself as she steadied herself after landing.

A few Shadowguards arrived, unable to keep up with the flying speed of Lilith.

Clouds and rain had obscured them a little.

“Lilith, apologies,” the apparent captain said from behind his helmet, the squad having surrounded them on the nearby roofs.

“No worries,” Ilea said and summoned her badge.

“I wouldn’t mistake that aura,” the man said and jumped off the roof, his team following in silence.

“They’re getting better,” Trian said. “I doubted they would spot us in this weather.”

“Not all of them are that good. I’m still bothered by the simplicity of avoiding the defensive enchantments with flight,” Claire said and looked up.

“There are sensors in place at least,” Trian said.

“Anybody with flight and teleportation will vanish rather quickly upon entry. Especially if they’re as strong as a Shadow,” the woman said. “Doesn’t matter if we know someone is here.”

“Not much we can do, other than putting the whole city underground,” Trian said.

“Damn our unnecessary need for sunlight,” Claire murmured. “We’d be so much safer as a species.”

Ilea chuckled. “I’m sure you and the enchanters will figure something out. A constant shield powered by barrier mages?”

“Even Virilya can’t do that for the whole city,” Claire said.

“Ravenhall isn’t nearly as large,” Trian said.

“The point still stands,” Claire said. “We already have teams in place to protect important areas and buildings in case of a siege. Most has already been moved underground of course.”

“Your office hasn’t,” Ilea commented.

“I’m human too. And it is nice to have some sunlight once in a while,” Claire said and waved to them. “I’ll join you as soon as I’m done.”

“Do that. Aki knows you,” Trian said and jumped to the nearest roof.

Ilea followed. “See you.”

“You can’t just avoid it all the time!” Ilea said, frustrated that Trian just sidestepped her Displacement. Force was useless too because he never got into its range.

He cackled, flying around her in the large simple stone hall lit by magical lights above and on the walls.

“It’s just SO satisfying, to be able to keep up again for once,” he said.

Ilea thought about using her other skills, reduce him to a regenerating pile of meat.

“Don’t!” he said loudly and pointed a finger at her.

“You know me too well,” she said with a sweet smile.

“Your fangs are showing,” he said.

“No they’re not. I can see myself,” Ilea replied, looking at her perfectly normal teeth within her sphere.

“Don’t trust everything your sphere says,” Trian muttered as he sent a few bolts of lightning her way.

Ilea tried slowing them down, using Displacement to move a few wooden shields in the way of the bolts, keeping them in the air with Force.

The wood splintered, the remaining energy of the spells slowing down as they reached her body, fizzling out on her armor.

She focused on Trian and tried to teleport him somewhere else, finding him just slightly out of range.

“Ten meters,” he said with a smile as he twirled through the air.

Ilea rolled her eyes, keeping the splintered shields in the air for as long as she could. Mana itself was not the problem, though the cost increased exponentially as time went on. It simply felt like her grip with her Space Magic slipped, the longer she tried to hold on to something.

“No levels yet?” Trian asked.

She shook her head.

It wasn’t exactly a surprise. She considered this testing more than anything.

Chapter 484 Noble Ideas

Chapter 484 Noble Ideas

Force created a spherical field around her that expanded for three meters and slowed or stopped things from moving if she willed it so. She could focus on currently eighteen objects to increase the effect for additional mana, of which she had plenty.

She wasn’t sure why it was eighteen exactly. It didn’t have to do with her cognitive ability like her ash creation did but felt more like an otherwise imposed limitation. Focusing on the objects hardly distracted her, merely using up mana.

Either it was just random, based on some hidden requirements, limited by the skill level or connected to a stat, the most reasonable stat would be Wisdom at 930 or at 18600 mana after the buff from Meditation.

No matter which it was, one thousand points in a stat was quite a steep requirement. Might just be eighteen at level one, Ilea thought with a smile. Somehow she felt that wasn’t the case however.

“Sure you don’t want to take Space Awareness? Especially during training like this,” Trian said.

Ilea considered it. She did want to know what Lull would do in the second tier but he was right. She couldn’t exactly level it against him here. Space Awareness would allow her to learn more about the skill itself and potentially her other abilities, hopefully retaining some of the knowledge even after she switched it out again.

“I switched it,” she said, activating the sight. The wisps appeared immediately.

“It’s a body enhancement spell too, so you should get some benefit out of it.”

“Just use it and keep an eye out for anything that changes or might be noteworthy. I believe that while the effects of magic are measurable and explainable by scholars with sufficient understanding and tools at their disposal, using it should be more instinctual. Trust the skills like you trust your ash and your healing.”

“I know,” she said and smirked, reminded of Dale and the pointers he had given her back in Riverwatch in what felt like so long ago.

She couldn’t help but send a few ashen lances at the flying taunt mage, forcing him to put some effort into his evasions for once in a while.

“I have some more ideas you could test by the way, if you’re up for it,” Trian said between teleports.

Ilea noticed that the wisps close to him moved slightly whenever he used his spell.

Hmm?

“Sure, what did you have in mind?” she asked.

“Just some things I don’t think you’ve tried with your current skills,” he said and floated down, his demeanor calm again, the man turning back to his teacher self.

What followed were a quick series of tests he had suggested.

Ilea was impressed with the ideas he had come up with in the short period of time. She usually just used her skills in battle and tried to figure them out that way.

The first thing they tried was seeing if Space Shift affected any of her newfound powers. The only one showing a change was Displacement. The range without Shift was around seven meters, its cooldown considerably higher than the buffed Blink.

With Space Shift equipped, she could use it at a close to ten meter range with a cooldown similar to Blink, the latter of course affected by the passive skill too.

Ilea interrupted Trian to test something she was surprised she hadn’t tested yet.

Displacing herself.

It felt much weirder than Blink did. Ilea wasn’t sure she could have managed it without her sphere, the perception ability allowing her to see herself and focus on the space around her instead of what she saw before herself.

She focused on the skill and stretched out her hand with closed eyes. Touching myself with Space Magic, she smiled and moved herself to a position ten meters away.

The shift was instant.

Trian quirked up his eyebrows and nodded afterwards. “Try deactivating your resistance.”

Ilea smiled and deactivated Space Magic Resistance, finding no change in the way she could use the skill. Other than it still being very weird.

She surmised that Displacement was simply the better teleportation skill compared to Blink. Except for the range but she assumed the subdued third class had something to do with that. I do get a hundred percent to Displacement and nothing to Blink. Might cancel the subdued part out.

The next thing Trian suggested was teleporting something out of his hand.

It surprisingly worked with a few random objects. As soon as they tested with enchanted or magical items, the spell failed to grasp them.

Having used the skill more often by now, it became clear how much easier it was to move a small object compared to an actual person. Both in how much mana it used up and how fast the object was affected.

“I assume it’s the same problem that applies with teleporting out of someone’s grasp. Another mana signature interfering… at least that’s the going theory I’m aware of,” Trian murmured.

“But I can move normal objects. So I could steal someone’s weapon,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Or their clothes,” Trian suggested in a dry tone.

“Or that,” she said with a wicked grin.

Reorienting items or people didn’t work, neither with herself. Blink was quite a bit better there but she assumed a second or third tier could potentially remedy that. Nor was it a major issue with her quick movement, sphere perception, and supply of attacks.

She couldn’t rip out an arm or just Trian’s legs either, just the whole thing. He suggested that it had to do with the mana flow once more.

Ilea assumed the skill just wasn’t meant for that. Yet. She knew Void Mages could rip out parts of a living being and the same had been true for the Ascended, not that she remembered exactly if it had used Space or Void magic to do that. They did feel quite similar.

Trian insisted she try to use Destruction through the new Spear skill she had gotten. She wasn’t surprised when it didn’t work.

“Can we try something with Phaseshift? We theorized about it but I can actually try to prove it,” Trian said.

“What did you have in mind?” she asked.

The idea was that Ilea should use gathered momentum to pass through a few of Trian’s spells. Instead of bolts, he used more paralyzing stationary lightning. Traps he had rarely used in their Shadow days, both Claire and Kyrian having had better options available.

They did find that he could stop her movement in her phased form.

“Have you thought about using it offensively? Phase through attacks and get a strike in after creating an opening?” he asked.

Ilea looked at him, stunned for a second. “I… seems like I was preoccupied with the defensive part. Let’s test it out,” she said.

Trian summoned a blade, looking at it for a moment before her prepared to strike at her.

“You have blades?” Ilea asked, smiling at the man.

“It’s… ceremonial. I don’t use it in battle,” he said and attacked.

With precognition, Ilea could activate Phaseshift as soon as the attack started. It still was barely enough to make herself translucent.

“That was close,” Trian said.

“Takes a moment to activate,” Ilea said and watched him raise a hand.

Lightning hit her before she could use her spell.

“There’s a cooldown between uses too… wait. Try again,” she said.

This time she did activate it as soon as he used the spell. His lightning was faster than the sword, striking her before Phaseshift took effect.

In theory the ability would work well in the way he had suggested. In practice, the limitations were simply too much to overcome. Even against an opponent a hundred levels below her.

If I see the spells coming or use it against a slow enemy, it could still work.

Trian bit his lip. “I still want to see the second tier.”

“Me too. Don’t get me wrong, I still like it. It’s just that instead of the complete immunity, now it seems more like trading one defense for another. The cooldown and activation time make it harder to use than I initially thought too,” Ilea said.

“No, I get it. And your arguments for battle use are valid too. While there are creatures like the Ascended out there, you could escape from most others in that level of power already,” he said. “Any revelations from your new Awareness?”

“Not really. There are slight shifts whenever I use Displacement or Blink. Force changes the flow a tiny bit in its sphere of influence. But I don’t really understand the relevance of it all,” she said.

“You’ve had the Class and its skills for a few hours. I’m sure the skill isn’t just useless. I would even suggest you work on that for now instead of Lull of Battle. When was the last time you had mana problems?” Trian asked.

“Before getting my third tier meditation, I think? Though I haven’t really fought anything that would have required constant full output damage,” Ilea said. “Maybe the Ascended but it would have killed me before I could have used it all up.”

“I thought your body just keeps regenerating automatically,” he said.

“Yes. But if it keeps damaging me, at some point I’ll be dead. At least that’s the theory,” she said.

Trian shook his head. “What a terrifying defense. If you can’t be finished off before the enemy’s mana runs out, they simply can’t kill you.”

“I don’t think it’s that easy in practice. I could think of a few ways to take myself out but I won’t tell you,” she said.

All about that brain. Keep it from regenerating with a spike or something. Could just trap me like that and put me underground. Pretty much dead until my brain gets steel resistance or something.

She didn’t actually know how much of her cognitive ability was tied to parts of her brain anymore. Maybe her sphere would still work somewhat. Cutting off her head and regenerating from her torso would become an option but only if some of her brain worked.

“I think you met a good match, the thing being a four mark and thinking. I doubt there are a lot of those out there. I would be surprised and sad to hear about your death. More surprised. Terrified of whatever managed such a feat,” he said. “But we digress. With all your teleportation and space abilities, I’d say keep Space Awareness for now. Lull of Battle you can try out if the second tier of awareness is useless or if you simply don’t find it to be an asset.”

Ilea agreed. Getting a skill to the second tier couldn’t be too hard.

She formed another ball of ash and continued displacing it as Trian seemed lost in thought.

He looked at the ball and smiled.

“I know you have pretty much given up on the spear and shield skills but can you try them and see if you can merge them with your ash somehow?” Trian asked.

Both ideas worked technically. Ilea just wasn’t sure if there was an actual benefit to either. The blazing shield was strengthened by her ash but still remained the stationary slightly growing shield, her dense ash a much better defense already, even without a specific skill related to it.

The Spear seemed stronger but she needed to hit with the fiery part to get the bonuses. If it had been a brittle thing in the first place, maybe she could’ve strengthened it with her ash but in the end she just added a coating.

Trian summoned an enchanted sword again, surprising her.

“I wondered… you can’t take the weapon with Displacement. Can you take me while I hold the weapon?” he asked.

“Of course,” Ilea said and used Displacement on him successfully.

“Why were you so sure?” he asked.

“Your armor is enchanted too,” Ilea said.

“No it’s not. This is a training set,” Trian said. “Maybe it has to do with the relative power or complexity of the mana connected to another object.”

Ilea thought about giving him the Taleen Key. Could I teleport him still? That thing was quite complex.

“The cast time isn’t influenced by distance, right?” he asked.

“No. Just takes longer for you compared to a piece of bread,” she said.

“Complexity again,” he said and wrote something down in a notebook that had appeared in his hands.

They trained for a few more minutes before Claire appeared in the hall.

Ilea checked her bone armor through her sphere, slightly moving her arms to feel the weight of the warhammer resting in her hands.

Her ashen defense had retreated to her back, forming the one winged symbol of the Sentinels. Invisible to everyone but herself.

The new Class was ready and she felt comfortable with most of the skills. Space Awareness still felt weird, more distracting than anything else really. She forced herself not to think about it, not to focus on it too much but to just let it be, as if it had always been there.

Dim white flames lazily clung to her armor as she lifted up the hammer.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Vile Grotto’

“Ready?” Trian asked. He wore his usual black armor, light and mobile while providing ample protection.

Not enough against creatures Ilea usually faced but he didn’t exactly plan to get hit as often as she did.

Claire too was clad in armor. Her usual set, black in color with a few parts in blue. Compared to her early Shadow days, this set was sturdier, made with better materials. And the hood had been replaced by a helmet without ornaments, connecting snugly with her chest piece, her eyes barely visible behind the two tiny slits.

Ilea nodded towards Trian, a smile on her face as she twirled around the incredibly heavy warhammer.

Claire checked some of her armor’s compartments, taking out runed plates and pushing them back in, seemingly satisfied with the inspection. She nodded ever so slightly.

No enjoyment from her, Ilea thought as she started towards the darkness. Her eyes needed no light thanks to her third tier resistance. The others didn’t complain, her white flame apparently enough for them.

“No fire?” she asked, glancing to Claire.

“Yours is sufficient,” the woman replied, focused on the tunnel before them.

“The Fires of Creation,” Trian said and winked.

Ilea just rolled her eyes. She had gotten used to the skill and class names. Considering all the blood and death she had to go through to get them, the names didn’t come off as comical anymore.

Not that they ever really did, with her rather abrupt appearance in Elos.

They continued in silence, taking the dungeon seriously, despite the fact that so far they hadn’t encountered anything that Claire and Trian couldn’t deal with themselves or at the very least escape from.

The first enemy showed up a few minutes of brisk walking later.

[Corrupted Reaver – lvl 132]

Once human, the reaver had turned into a mere beast. Turned by magic, corruption or perhaps taken over by the dungeon after he had died.

Ilea doubted the actual name in her identify description offered more than a hint. A warning that the creature wasn’t human anymore but something else entirely.

The Vile Grotto reached quite deep into the mountains. Large caverns and crevices, sometimes opening into valleys where snow and ice covered the stone. Dangerous for the Sentinels but quite manageable for a Shadow.

The deeper one went, the stronger the adversaries. Torn Blood Reavers, Torn Brute Reavers, and at the highest level the Elder Torn Reavers. The last variant used weapons, retaining either some of their intellect or perhaps learning anew.

Ilea had wondered in general how common a Dark One transformation was. Creatures gaining sapience after enough Intelligence had accrued or perhaps through another process entirely. Green had been the only one she ever met where she knew the monster version.

Communicating with the Reavers was fruitless either way. Both in English, Standard, and her new and improved Monster Hunter. Even imitating their sounds lead only to angry groans. Which she repeated, laced with sarcasm.

Ilea lifted a hand towards the approaching beast. It moved fast but nowhere near close to anything the three Shadows could manage.

Lifting her hand wasn’t necessary but it helped her focus.

Space distorted in a field around her, slowing the creature as she channeled mana into Displacement.

The confused monster gurgled before it appeared ten meters above, flailing its arms as it fell.

A wet crunch resounded when the creature landed, decidedly ungraceful in its execution.

Ilea lifted her hammer and brought it down onto its head, crushing both the skin, skull, brain, and the stone below. She ripped the hammer out with a wet sound, cleaning it off with ash she created.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Corrupted Reaver – lvl 132]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 2 – 1 stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 3 – 1 stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 2’

Ilea laughed. “Two levels,” she said. “One stat point per level.”

“I expected nothing. At least one point… Two levels is good. Another fifty of these creatures and you’re already at one fifty,” Trian said and chuckled.

“That isn’t a lot. At all. A second class would have gotten eight to ten levels, I would think,” Claire commented.

Ilea shrugged. “I can level it. That’s all that matters.”

She had forgotten to spend the other stat points in the onslaught of new information and skills.

One thousand Wisdom can’t be a bad idea, she thought and put the thirty two remaining points into the stat.

“You have your main class skills active thought?” Trian asked.

Ilea nodded. “Of course. I can barely lift this thing without, let alone use it as a weapon.”

“Now that you mention it, I never tried,” he said. “None of my skills boost Strength. What’s yours at?”

“Isn’t it impolite to ask such things?” Ilea asked. “Five one five.”

“Ah fuck. Mine is half that,” he said and smiled, grabbing the hammer Ilea had placed on the ground.

He pulled with everything he had but the thing didn’t budge.

Claire winked at Ilea and walked over, grabbing the thing and lifting it as easily as she would a broom. “Can we continue please,” she said and handed the weapon to Ilea.

“What’s yours at?” Ilea asked.

“It’s a secret,” Claire whispered and walked on. “Maybe you should focus on your new skills instead of using the hammer. Deactivate all your main Class skills?”

“Maybe later… I really wanted to use it finally,” Ilea said, her warhammer skill as untested as her space magic abilities.

“Claire has a boost, I’m sure,” Trian whispered, his arms crossed.

“Injured masculinity?” Ilea asked.

He nodded as he followed. “Very. Can your arcane healing deal with that too?”

“I never tried,” she said and extended an ashen limb.

“Stroke me carefully. It’s very fragile,” the man said.

“We’ve got company,” Claire said, the two of them stopping their antics.

Ilea twirled her hammer and watched the Brute rush at Claire.

The woman teleported away, leaving behind an explosion the creature simply pushed through.

Trian vanished too, lighting flickering to life to Ilea’s left.

[Torn Brute Reaver – lvl 342]

Chapter 485 The Three Shadows

Chapter 485 The Three Shadows

Ilea used Force to slow down the pompous being, trying to teleport it behind herself.

The Reaver stepped to the side but was slightly pulled forward anyway, yet not teleported. His backhand was slowed by the magic field as he tried to hit Ilea. The heavy hammer smashed into his side, bringing him down to one knee.

Lightning spread into it from its back, making the creature roar before an explosion rocked through the two of them.

Neither the Reaver nor Ilea showed a visible reaction, the creature continuing to attack as she focused on her space magic.

It blocked her hammer swings with slow movements, the sheer size of its arms and hands countering her attacks. She got a few hits in before a fist smashed her square in the chest. An attack she could have easily avoided.

The movements were so clumsy, Ilea wondered how a creature like that could be considered level three forty. I do hope it’s born at this level.

She was flung backwards and tried to use force against the nearby wall. It slowed her movement before she slid to a stop on the ground.

Didn’t even crack the armor, she thought with a smile. It was nice, fighting some low level enemies for once in a while. Now with an actual purpose.

Outside of Force’s influence, the creature focused instead on the other two adversaries, its movements now quicker and more decisive.

Trian floated around, sending bolts of lightning at the being from a safe distance, teleporting whenever the being got close.

A barrier appeared around it after the mage had led it into the hastily prepared circle of Claire’s making. A fist slammed into the bright energy, cracks immediately forming.

Bright light appeared within the dome as a dull sounding explosion spread inside. The energy vanished, smoke and fire released.

The Reaver roared as it stumbled out of the smoke, burns showing on its sickly skin.

Ilea executed her three step run up perfectly, the hammer lifted from behind her back before she let go.

It twirled once before slamming into the creatures head, stunning it for a second as the others continued their assault.

She tried to use Displacement instead of Iana’s enchantment to move the weapon to her hands but found the thing only sliding slowly towards her, Ilea’s mana declining by hundreds of points for each use.

The attempt was stopped and she instead used the enchantment. This time the hammer moved, its weight apparent as she struggled to control the flight angle. She caught it, wincing a little at the thought of it hitting the creature head on. Maybe the level IS justified.

Another use of Displacement moved the giant creature a meter back, its fist now unable to reach Claire’s barriers before lighting and fire enveloped it again.

Doesn’t even regenerate, Ilea thought. And still it took so much time for her companions to kill the being. It was understandable considering their levels and the apparent focus on defense and Vitality the creature had.

A last powerful blast of lightning slammed into the Reaver’s head, frying its brain before two powerful explosions ripped through its legs.

The creature finally died to another explosion covered by a dome like barrier.

“Easier than last time,” Trian said, floating down to join the others.

“Well of course, I’m participating now!” Ilea said in a joyous tone.

“You could kill this thing with a single strike,” Claire said. “It’s because we had more space in this cavern than the last. Don’t grow overconfident Trian. They hit hard. For us at least.”

“I know,” the man said.

Ilea checked her messages briefly.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Torn Brute Reaver – lvl 342]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 4 – 1 stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 2’

“Just a single level for that one,” she said and quickly tested her spells. Half a meter more for Force and about seventy centimeters for Displacement.

She liked the bonuses, knowing that at a higher level, she would be able to use the spells at an impressive distance.

“Nothing for us,” Trian said. “Your participation is showing.”

“I know you want to use the hammer but can you try and only use your third Class? I somehow doubt it would make much of a difference but it’s worth a try,” Claire said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and stored Quiet. “Alright, only magic form now on.”

She formed a fist and watched the pale flames flicker over her hands.

Trian chuckled. “Not that it will make a difference. She’s too powerful, even with just that.”

“Many of my passives I can’t even deactivate. My main Classes will be involved either way,” she said as they moved on.

[Torn Blood Reaver – lvl 383]

The next enemy they faced was more lean, and as it seemed a little more intelligent too.

It circled them with apprehension, taking in the unknowns invading its cavern with twisted eyes. Clawed hands opened and closed as it gargled, any resemblance to a human taken over by whatever had taken this creature.

It reached nearly three meters in height with a thin body. Visible muscles showed the danger it posed, as did the high level.

Ilea had her ash armor disabled, her auras too. Just walking felt sluggish and weird, as if she was sick.

“Hold me Trian, I’m weakened,” she said, trying to sound croaky.

“Don’t touch me, frail being!” he said and moved away, dodging her hand.

Neither of her main auras cost mana to use anymore, making them constant companions. She knew that they were active even in her sleep.

Plenty of passive skills boosted her power in various ways but nothing really came close to Azarinth Awakening and Aspect of Ash when it came to straight up enhancements.

The Intelligence boost is gone too… meaning my magic will be quite pathetic.

She wondered if that fact helped with leveling her third class skills or if the opposite was true.

The beast lunged, its steps fast and sure. Claws rushed out at the group.

The mages vanished immediately, Ilea the one remaining in front of the beast.

Force barely inconvenienced the creature and Displacement failed to move it.

She ducked, barely managing to dodge the claw she had seen coming form a mile away.

Ilea displaced herself, finding that at least that ability still worked, albeit less quickly.

The creature was hit by lightning, dodging the explosion before it was upon her again.

Ilea made it a game of fighting the creature with her main class passive abilities only. Precognition was huge, as were her fighting skills. She weaved through the quick attacks, her armor grazed but holding, some blows deflected by expert movements.

Each touch made the flames spread, Flare of Creation no longer benefiting from her high Intelligence but retaining the Body Enhancement bonuses themselves. Enough it seemed to cause considerable damage and keeping the monster’s attention on her.

Lightning continued to flare up, both health and mana stripped form the being as Trian supplied himself through his vampyr abilities.

The Reaver roared and gurgled, not finding purchase with its claws as the white flames slowly spread on its body.

Ilea failed to dodge a few wild attacks, the claws digging into her armor, cutting into her flesh.

The damage was manageable with just her natural health regeneration. Her flames continued to spread as the Reaver tried to get out its claws, unable to even shake her around due to her heavy weight.

They stumbled together as it continued to strike her with its left arm, a few of its attacks getting through the bone armor.

Thirty levels higher than me, Ilea thought as they fell to the ground, explosions and lightning spreading around them.

The main bonuses she retained from her passives were defensive in nature, her Flare just adding to the lack of impact the various attacks had on her.

As the reaver was overwhelmed by the attacks of her teammates, it clawed into her chest with the stuck claw, two of them piercing her heart.

“That’s not going to do it, I’m afraid,” she said, almost pitying the creature. “Be free,” she said and grabbed its arm.

Its head exploded in a shower of bone and blood.

Chunks and pieces slapped into her eyes before she brushed them away.

“Are you alright!?” Trian called out as he appeared next to the two, crouching down to check on her.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked and sat up, ripping out the claw from her chest.

“Is that… your heart?” the man asked, fascinated at the sight.

“Possibly,” she said, the wound closing as her armor slowly regenerated.

“Timeless armor. I do believe you mentioned it in passing… quite something to see in the flesh,” Claire said as she too appeared next to her.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Torn Blood Reaver – lvl 383]’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 2’

She chuckled and lied down, spreading her arms to the side as her ashen armor spread again, her auras activating with it.

“Not a single level,” she said.

“Hmm,” Claire said.

“Flare of Creation leveled to two at least,” Ilea said.

“So instead of receiving a bonus for not using your main skills, it gave you less for having weaker Space Magic,” Trian said and chuckled.

“The group setting is part of it too,” Claire said. “So far the most efficient kill was your first, even thought the Reaver was at a much lower level.”

“Aw, I hoped for some dungeon exploration with the two of you,” Ilea said and blinked up, spreading her wings.

“Quite a different look. And also why this probably won’t be very beneficial. I did get one level from that but if we had killed it ourselves, which should be possible, we both would have likely gotten two or three levels,” Trian said.

“I have to agree,” Claire said and sighed.

Trian nodded and looked at Ilea. “What do you think of the idea of us taking a group of Sentinels down here? They could stay at a distance while me and Claire prepare our encounters carefully. They could heal us if we’re injured.”

“They would die to a single mistake,” Claire said.

“Then we switch between the low level Reavers where they participate and otherwise just have them close by to heal us both,” he suggested.

“I suggest lower level dungeons first,” Ilea said. “For the two of you alone though, sure. I don’t think you even need the safety measure of someone around.”

“I don’t want to take the same risks you do. Even if it means a much slower progression in power,” Claire said.

“I can heal myself though,” Ilea said.

Trian smiled. “Which just means that you take even more ridiculous risks.”

“Fair enough,” she said.

“We could take two teams out a night. If you plan to continue that part of your routine of course,” Trian said.

“I do. Until they’re strong enough to face some of these dungeons alone. I can take some time to fight lower level enemies too,” Ilea said.

“You would depopulate most everything around here,” Trian said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Alright. I’ll find something farther away.”

“Good… that’s good,” he said, lost in thought. “I’ll get to setting up plans… Claire, do you want to be involved with their training too? Or just join me for our training?”

The woman thought about it for a moment and nodded. “A few days a week. No more than two nights. I simply can’t spare more sadly. I can invest a few hours every day for our training. It would be good to get to know them. With how powerful I believe they will become in the future,” she said and nodded to Ilea.

“I wonder if someone reaches three hundred faster than me,” she said and grinned.

“I hope not. The risks are too high. Plus I encourage them to understand their abilities well and to prepare extensively before every mission,” Trian said.

“Are you implying that I didn’t do those things?” Ilea asked.

“Yes,” he said, in a matter of fact tone, winking at her. “Neither did I. Not until recently.”

You win this round, noble!

“They will have the advantage of an extensive education too,” Claire said.

“So is this it then? You two just stand there and insult me?” Ilea asked, crossing her arms.

“Oh no, it’s just the envy talking,” Trian said in a dry tone.

Claire snickered. “He’s right, you know.”

Trian just smiled and shook his head.

“I do expect you to catch up, in time,” Ilea said.

“You expect the impossible,” he murmured. “But we’ll try.”

“We will,” Claire added. “Amidst managing a city.”

“And a healer organization,” Trian said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Don’t act like you don’t love it.”

“No I do,” Trian said. “But you shouldn’t focus on us too much. You have to catch up to Kyrian after all.”

“He is too far ahead I’m afraid,” Claire said and shook her head. “A futile task, really.”

Ilea nodded. “The metal man is quite capable. At least I got the dancing skill.”

“And your gourmet ability. Those two will make the difference in your upcoming battle,” Trian said. “Surely.”

Claire chuckled. “You had dancing lessons too?”

He nodded. “Being a noble has its disadvantages.”

“It does,” Claire said.

Ilea grabbed them with a few of her ashen limbs, moving them closer into an ash covered hug. “You two poor things! What a terrible childhood that must have been!”

“Why are you heating up?” Trian asked.

He turned his head when a Reaper growled and charged them.

Heart of Cinder released, leaving behind a half molten corpse, slowly collapsing onto itself.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Torn Blood Reaper – lvl 310]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 5 – 1 stat point awarded’

That tipped it over to five? I guess.

“What terrifying power,” Trian murmured.

“You want it too?” Ilea asked, releasing them.

“Oh yes. Of course I do. If only to protect the Sentinels,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Shall we?”

The three Shadows returned to Ravenhall shortly after, carried by the healer and left to their work.

Ilea herself continued getting used to the new skills, walking through the streets of Ravenhall with a sphere of ash disappearing in the space around her, occasionally frozen in mid air as she inspected everything with her new awareness.

She suddenly stopped and grinned to herself.

That’s an idea, she thought and spread her wings.

A few seconds later she was hovering above Ravenhall, her wings charging with power before she shot off into the night.

Dawn came as she sped over the lands, the suns slowly enveloping the forests, rivers, and hills with light. Monsters would retreat into their dens, creatures of the day taking their place instead.

Ilea slowed down and teleported into the thicket below, switching between Blink and Displacement. Space Shift had halved the cooldown but with Displacement present too, she could teleport nearly four times as fast. The new skill sadly lacked in range still but Ilea assumed time and training would remedy that weakness.

Her wings carried her through the forest, trees avoided by quick maneuvers or teleportation. She wondered if most creatures even noticed her at all, her movements mostly soundless.

She landed finally and let her wings vanish, cracking her neck to announce herself.

Her prey looked up, opening its wide maw as it turned. Blood still rolled off its massive jaw, the Drake interrupted in its feeding.

It remained where it stood, roaring Ilea’s way.

She roared back.

The creature was frozen in place. Enough time to rip off its head. But Ilea wasn’t here to bully such a low level creature. She wondered if their population had recovered since her presence in the forest.

Maybe I’m too arrogant, thinking my murder spree actually impacted the species, she thought and approached the being slowly.

The Drake wasn’t highly intelligent but the apprehension was clear.

Maybe if it had a few more brain cells, it would know that right now, running was the only thing it should be focusing on.

Ilea reached it and stopped in front of the creature. She looked down and saw the half eaten deer. “An impressive catch,” she murmured.

The creature opened its jaws and closed them around her head, biting down hard against her ashen armor.

Ilea could hear the teeth grinding against her ash. She used Force to freeze the creature, ripping herself free and staggering back, shocked at the power of the attack.

Displacement moved the Drake back a few meters as she summoned one of Keyla’s meals.

It took a minute for her nose to recover, the monster’s breath stinking of blood and rot.

“Disgusting,” she said and looked up to find the creature running away.

Finally got it, she thought.

The thing was at level twenty, barely a danger to most guards and adventurers even. Their size could still be troublesome but now that she had arrived, she felt bad.

It wasn’t revenge, nor would it be particularly beneficial to her new Class. Maybe she just wanted to show the creature how far she had come.

They had nearly killed her but they had failed. And now she was this far beyond their power.

Ilea spread her wings once more and blinked up and above the treeline. I still have to get Elfie to meet Isalthar. Do I want to go north though?

She decided the elf could wait for a few more weeks or even months. He was hundreds of years old after all. I did say I’d get him before going south… well things came up. I’m sure he understands.

Where else could I find a bunch of unfeeling monsters? Oh I know. Maybe I can sneak past without getting involved in the rebellion.

Her new target in sight, Ilea flew off towards Karth.

She wondered if the Praetorians were still there. She really hoped they were. Cleaning up the Iztacalum dungeon was the least she could do for her Elven friends and the city of Dawntree. It would be quite disastrous if they came out and attacked innocent people, now wouldn’t it?

Animals hid in the thicket and their dens, frozen in fear by the magical snickering they heard, the dangerous predator long gone when the sound reached them.

Chapter 486 Excursion

A note from Rhaegar

Hello there. I'm launching an Art Contest for Azarinth Healer :).

Everyone can participate (voting is Patreon only). See the Patreon post for more details: https://www.patreon.com/posts/art-contest-38604320

Prize pool is 550$ (Winner gets 250$).

Chapter 486 Excursion

Ilea reached Dawntree in under an hour of flight. Quite the difference between my first time traveling here, she thought and landed a few kilometers away. The distant shape was distinct, carved into the side of the mountain.

She moved her ash armor to her back and switched into a comfortable set of clothes with leather armor on top.

People would ask questions either way but she didn’t feel like hiding in the shadows right now. She was here to test her abilities against Taleen Machines. The normal versions would be perfect to level her new class and nobody would miss them.

She remembered adventurers were usually too afraid to approach Taleen dungeons. Considering the traps and machines inside, she didn’t fault them for that opinion.

Ilea reached the main road soon after. There were no travelers in sight but what she did see was a squad of armored people sitting around a campfire.

One of them was the lookout, his eyes looking straight at her but it seemed he was unsure if she was there.

Eyes of Ash, she thought with a smile, watching the man squint against the sunlight.

A few minutes later he did spot her and informed the others.

Ilea had already assessed them when they were prepared and ready for the unknown woman approaching them.

Guards or low level soldiers, judging by their gear and the apprehensive look on their faces. Only two of the five were even wearing helmets.

“Who goes there!?” one of them shouted.

Ilea wasn’t sure he was the leader, two of the others looking at him with slight annoyance. Their armor didn’t give her more information about the hierarchy either.

“Adventurer!” she shouted back and summoned the Emerald Adventurer badge she had gotten.

“Dawntree is off limits,” one of them said as he watched her approach.

Ilea stopped a dozen meters away and held up the badge, the thing shimmering in a dull green.

“That’s emerald… she’s above two hundred?” one of them asked in a whisper, looking at another.

She couldn’t identify them yet but it was clear they weren’t.

“Dawntree is the only city in the west which still has a guild. Are you telling me I traveled for two weeks just to turn back?” Ilea said.

They seemed unsure.

She stepped closer, knowing now that only one of them was above even level one hundred. Quite a pitiful roadblock. If that was what it was. Maybe they were preying on travelers.

“What happened in Dawntree to make it off limits? Did the Elves finally take it?” she asked with a smile. They would be an interesting foe to test with too.

“The nobles of Dawntree are no more. Ziva has led us to freed-” one of them said, interrupted by an elbow to his side. He looked young, excited.

The man who had hit him obviously didn’t trust her. “You’re a healer.”

“I am,” Ilea said.

The other men seemed to understand the relevance.

Ah, I see. “I’m unaffiliated with the orders. Most of all the Corinth, if you’re worried about that.”

“How are we to believe you?” the apparent leader said. A man in his fifties, calm and collected even now.

Ilea thought about it. She could show her Shadow badge, or maybe show off her healing. Something far simpler came to her mind. “Would a Corinth healer dress like this?” she asked, motioning to her general self.

A generally approving murmur spread through the group.

“A spy might,” one of them suggested.

“You haven’t met them. They would rather kill themselves than dress like adventurers,” the leader said and nodded. “You may pass,” he nodded.

Ilea grinned as she walked past them. “That smells nice. May I have a bowl?”

“Food is scarce, buy your own, adventurer,” one of them said.

Ilea nodded and summoned an empty bowl. “How about one silver?” she said and summoned the piece.

The leader opened his eyes wide. “Of course. Help yourself,” he said.

Ilea did. A simple stew with potatoes and meat. Well cooked and seasoned. One of them should probably think about getting a cook class instead. Looking at them… maybe one of them actually Was a cook before.

“Thank you,” she said, infusing her voice with Monster Hunter as she tasted the stew.

She smiled at the frozen men, apprehension turning to fear in their eyes. “Very tasty,” she added and continued onward to Dawntree.

“We should warn the city!” one of them whispered loudly after the effect had worn off.

“Are you crazy, leave her be,” another one said.

“A traveling healer… she’s alone too. Do you think that’s her? From the songs?” one of them suggested.

A fist hit his head. “You idiot, Lilith has black wings. Plus she’s at least two meters tall. This one looked pretty normal.”

“We leave her be. She didn’t seem out for trouble,” the leader said and turned towards the food. “Now eat. It’s going to be a long day.”

Ilea saluted his wisdom. Either way, she would have only scared them a little. Maybe some Displacement. They were just doing their jobs and she had met far worse guards.

The gates of the city were closed, people moving far above on the wall.

“Who goes there!?” a female voice called out.

They always have to scream like that when somebody arrives?

“Adventurer!” she shouted and lifted her badge.

“Open the gate!” the woman shouted.

Ilea was welcomed by an armored team of ten soldiers, each above one hundred with a few going as high as one fifty.

“What do you seek in Dawntree?”

She showed him the badge again. “The guild still operates? Or did you burn it down too?”

One of them took a step forward, lifting a spear to her chest. “Careful now. Healers aren’t welcome here.”

“You’re the one who needs to be careful,” Ilea said and walked towards him, the blade of his spear pushing into her leather armor.

“The guild still operates,” the leader said. “Leave her be.”

“Sir,” the man in front of her said and removed his weapon.

“Apologies for the treatment, adventurer. We’ve had a recent change in leadership. The guild should not be impacted by this, nor should the availability of jobs. I must however know if you are associated with a healing order. Few high level independent healers roam these parts,” he said.

“I’m not affiliated with a healing order,” she said.

“I see. Then you are free to enter the city. You are aware of the rules?” he asked.

“I am,” Ilea lied, not about to listen to the local list of laws.

“Very well. Do have a fruitful stay,” he said and nodded to her, stepping aside.

No toll either. They must be eager to get more muscle.

She glanced at the guard who had confronted her before stepping through the thin hallway inside of the wall, coming out on the other side to the familiar sight of the mountainous town sprawling downwards.

I wonder if it was humans who built this, she thought and nodded to a nearby soldier.

“Where’s the adventurer guild?” she asked.

The woman pointed her in a direction, adding a few explanations.

It seemed like a busy day, plenty of people rushing through the streets. The sounds of workmanship reached her throughout the whole walk. Some buildings lay half destroyed, walls caved in and roofs burnt while others looked untouched entirely.

The palaces and mansions she assumed had been owned by the nobles of the city had been hit the worst. Towers and whole sections entirely destroyed.

She appreciated her Eyes of Ash, allowing her to take in the view with an entirely different level of detail. Even from a distance.

Ilea did note that she got weird looks from time to time but her high level seemed to dissuade any aggression towards her.

The guild looked untouched, obvious adventurers guarding the large building against whoever might cause trouble.

Ilea had her badge ready and flashed it to one of them, the man nodding her past.

Stone and wood had been used in the construction of the guild, the two story building spanning a good thirty meters in all directions. The roof was tiled and angled downwards on each side, the style reminding her of something one would see in a European mountain village.

It looked quite contrary to the surrounding houses, more built for efficient use of space and obviously trying to save on materials.

No wonder they can pay adventurers for protection, she thought and nodded to the man in armor, entering the building.

A large hall with a few counters welcomed her, lit by both magical and oil lamps. The busiest employee inside was the barkeeper, the large man filling up mugs for the various groups of people occupying the stools and tables spread throughout.

She got a few glances but most people dismissed her, unable to identify her from the distance and unimpressed by her gear.

Ilea quickly glanced over the noticeboard, the thing packed with fliers. Most were related to rebuilding, repairs, and security details. Both for obviously wealthy employers or shops.

She hadn’t encountered obvious unrest or crime on her way here but it seemed people were scared. Or it was much worse in the past weeks, she thought and decided to ask one of the two clerks instead of reading through the whole thing.

Only three people were waiting, their requests quickly dealt with.

More people checked her out when she put the emerald badge onto the counter, whispers of healer spreading through the hall.

“I haven’t seen you in Dawntree. Are you new?” the clerk asked. A young woman with long black hair going down her back, wearing light armor.

Prepared for battle it seems, Ilea thought as she identified the woman.

[Mage – lvl 120]

“I just arrived, yes. Before you ask, no, I’m not affiliated with a healing order,” she said.

The woman smiled. “I imagine you’re getting that a lot. The Corinth Order wasn’t exactly happy about the new change in government.”

“Was the guild?” Ilea asked.

“Happy about the change? The Adventurer guild provides its services no matter the local government,” the woman said and left it at that.

“Mhm…, I’m looking for a job,” Ilea said.

“Plenty available,” the woman said and smiled, motioning a hand to the notice board.

“Anything related to the Taleen dungeon previously in the Forkspear territory?” she asked.

“That location isn’t public knowledge,” the woman said in a whisper, leaning in slightly.

“It should be now. I would assume the nobles aren’t around anymore,” Ilea said.

The woman glanced at the occupants and back to her. “Information retains its value.”

Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned a piece of silver.

“A storage item and such a high level. You are an interesting individual,” the woman said and took the coin.

“I hear a missing Forkspear daughter has returned, joining the rebellion and even fighting her own family. What was her name again?” the woman said, looking at Ilea with innocent eyes.

“Look, I don’t really care. Any jobs related to the dungeon or not? Anything Taleen related,” Ilea asked.

The clerk sighed. “Very well. There are a few jobs. Mostly about finding missing people from the expedition that went down there a few years past. And missing people who took those jobs before and didn’t come back.”

“I believe I remember a few jobs requesting materials and any writings or artifacts from the Taleen, let me see,” she said and started looking through a filing cabinet below the counter.

More and more folders were put up on the counter. “Ah yes… this one was interesting too. A living Taleen Guardian. If they are alive at all. Though… I do think the noble… yes, she’s dead.” she proceeded to stamp the file and place it into another cabinet.

“Don’t they already pay to put up the job?” Ilea asked.

“And parts of the reward money too, depending on how trustworthy they are. Yes, this rebellion was quite profitable for the guild, though the economic damage it did to the city itself will far outweigh the small infusion of gold,” she explained.

Especially because nobles are trustworthy employers, meaning there was little gold to pocket in the first place, Ilea thought. She had an idea who the Forkspear daughter was but didn’t feel like investigating. For now.

At least now people won’t bother me or Claire about her anymore. Not that they’d have the resources to challenge the Head Administrator of Ravenhall.

“I’ll take everything that is still active,” Ilea said.

“These seven. Should I have them copied for you? Would be one copper each,” the woman said.

Ilea summoned her notebook and quickly wrote down some of the info, who it was for and what they wanted. “No, it’s fine.”

She would take out any corpses she found anyway, if only as a courtesy to the expedition she had worked with back on her first visit.

Is that him? she asked herself. Jeremy Creek, requests for both bodies and writing. “That the paladin and earth mage who teaches at the college?” she asked.

The woman checked the file and nodded. “Yes. The college sided with the rebellion so I would assume he’s still alive.”

“What if he isn’t?” she asked and continued taking notes.

“Then you won’t receive the part of the reward he didn’t already leave with us,” the clerk explained. “Though with your demeanor, level, and storage item, I doubt you’re here for gold.”

“Who knows?” Ilea asked and stored her notebook. “See you later,” she added and turned, leaving the guild with a few sets of eyes on her.

The walk down to the Root was uneventful, Ilea occasionally checking out mages repairing or adding to existing structures.

Compared to the usually quite boring stone mages she had met, the application it had with structures made her respect that school of magic much more. Where one needed to be efficient when battling monsters, in architecture they could take their time.

Maybe I should pick up ashen building. It’s probably much more durable than whatever most houses are build with anyway.

She reached the open field right in front of the tunnels leading into the mountain, turning around and briefly looking over the city.

It looked like the people were mostly content with whoever the new ruler was. Ziva, was it?

Now who are you? Ilea thought and looked straight at the man currently watching her. He stood about a hundred and fifty meters away, their eyes locking.

A hand moved through his black hair as he smiled. He winked and vanished.

Should I run now, or find and kill him? Ilea thought. She saw something appear in her sphere and turned her head towards the apparition.

A much more subdued change appeared behind her. Nothing she would miss after her bouts with Eve.

She turned there instead, ignoring the illusion of the man now standing behind her. “Who are you?” she asked.

His camouflage dissipated as he bowed. “Impressive. Most impressive. Apologies for the display, Lady Lilith. I could not resist, despite knowing of your prowess.”

He was clad in light armor, the pieces connecting seamlessly, some parts covered with fine fabric. Not a single part looked damaged or in fact used at all. Everything was colored in the darkest raven black. He smiled at her, showing perfectly white teeth.

[Mage – lvl 214]

“To answer your question,” he said and straightened. “My name is Levi Walken, a friend, I hope, and an associate to both the man called Sulivhaan and a certain head Administrator.”

“And how exactly does that involve me?” Ilea asked and turned towards the tunnels, starting to walk.

The man stepped to her side, keeping a respectful distance. “The rebellion was a success and already your influence here is growing. The funds and resources transferred from Ravenhall will make the difference here between complete and utter anarchy and the beginning of a hope carried by the leaders of Dawntree.”

“I was informed that these resources came from both Ravenhall itself and a major benefactor by the name of Lilith. I was quite surprised when in fact it turned out that I had met her before, fought by her side even.”

Ilea stopped walking, looking at him with a questioning glance.

“Indeed. The fields of Ravenhall, opposing the horde of demons summoned to this realm by none other but our own. It is the only logical conclusion. Nobody else could have managed such under the nose of the Elders, were it not an Elder himself.”

Does he want me to tell him who did it? Ilea wasn’t sure if every Shadow knew about Adam. She had assumed word would have traveled. At least in their own ranks.

“But I digress. It is no surprise as such that the one who orchestrated this marvelous maneuver of usurping one of the last remaining independent cities of the west to show herself, finally, at the very center of deceit. The one to end ceaseless corruption and abuse of power, using not her very own strength of magic but instead the will of the people!”

Ilea crossed her arms. “Can you pipe down a little?” she asked, seeing a few people who turned their way. “I don’t know who the fuck you’re talking about. I’m just here to settle an old score, and level some skills.”

He squinted his eyes, a spark going through his deep orange irises.

Levi rubbed his hands together and rejoiced. “Of course! Not a quest for geographic domination but a personal feud unanswered for centuries, nigh millennia! Planning that would drive the weak minded mad!”

Ilea was about to vanish when she saw another character appear on the scene.

“Another one,” she sighed and summoned herself a mug of ale.

“This the one?” a gravely voice asked from behind the black helmet.

“Indeed… you have found the one behind it all, the mastermind. This is no other than Lilith herself, the one wielding ash and death,” Levi said in a whisper, leaves appearing out of thin air before they flew past as if there were strong winds present.

“Oh my fuck. I really don’t want to be part of this,” Ilea said and teleported deep into the tunnel, repeating the spells a few times until she passed the lightly guarded wall to the Root. Nobody even noticed her when she appeared behind an inn clad in ash armor.

Chapter 487 Fame and Confusion

Chapter 487 Fame and Confusion

“What is she hiding that not even her ally shall know? The feud surely with the secret power behind Dawntree, perhaps even the Elves?! She is protecting us, that much is clear,” Levi said as he stepped into the dark cavern. Flickering lights from floating leaves illuminated the way.

Ilea could see the two idiots from hundred of meters away. She even heard them as clear as day, thanks to the acoustic of the cavern and her enhanced senses. Of course they followed me.

She had floated and teleported only, hoping to avoid them.

The other man didn’t make a sound but instead sniffed the air.

My smell? Really?

Ilea was sure there was nothing she left behind. She wasn’t sweaty nor did her magic leave anything discernible in the air that she herself perceived. She knew that she wasn’t the best tracker, not by a long shot. One with more specialized skills would surely be able to follow a recent trail, even one left by her.

My wings would get me out but if they keep following me, they’ll be inside the Taleen Dungeon. Two Shadows won’t stop a Praetorian, let alone two.

“I suggest you leave,” she said from where she hid, close to the ceiling of the vast cavern.

“Hah! She was watching us all along! Nothing less from the one to stand alone against the dregs of Baralia,” Levi exclaimed.

Ilea blinked towards them, appearing right in front of the two.

Levi remained with spread arms and a large smile.

The other Shadow had summoned daggers to his hands, appearing a few meters back and ready for battle.

[Warrior – lvl 228]

“You don’t want to fight me,” she said to the man before turning to Levi. “Now please, can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Of course not!” Levi exclaimed. “Now that you’ve finally come, I want to know how you plan to take the city!”

Ilea rubbed her brow and sighed. She glanced at the other Shadow, the man having wisely put down his weapons, now just shrugging as he listened.

“I don’t plan to take the city, alright?” she said. “There was no plan. The Administrator sent funds and resources to support Dawntree, that’s all. More influence is good and maybe even an alliance with Ravenhall and the Shadow’s Hand but if anybody wants to take over the city, it’s not me.”

Levi shook his head, the words apparently not making much sense to him.

“But… the songs… they arrived, perfectly timed. It had to be planted. Not to mention the girl… she was not the only one vouching for you, the contracts accepted near without consideration!” Levi said.

“I agree,” the other Shadow said.

Not a very talkative one but certainly the one she preferred right now.

“What girl? I don’t know of a girl. I’m here to go into the Taleen dungeon,” she said.

Levi’s eyes lit up again. “The Taleen Dungeon! Surely to face the enemies so long hidden, their threads of control cut, deceit and lies finally brought to light!”

“No,” Ilea said, infusing her voice to shut the man up for one fucking second.

“There is nobody there. Nothing but machines. Machines that nearly killed me when I’ve last been here. I came both for revenge and training, nothing more and nothing less,” she said and sighed.

“You are Shadows, like me. And I tell you that it’s too dangerous down there for the two of you. Nor would I want your company if it wasn’t,” she said.

“She bears the same spells,” the higher leveled one said.

“Who are you anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Hayden,” he replied.

“Hayden. What the fuck are you talking about?” she asked. It was such a nice day so far.

“Alice Forkspear. She is a healer too, just like you. She fights in a way I have only seen once before,” Hayden said.

“Let me guess, the fields of Ravenhall?” Ilea asked.

He nodded.

“And you believe I was involved with this rebellion here? Well I wasn’t. Alice fucked me over a long time ago. I thought her a friend but it turned out she was a shit ass noble brat who used me for her own gain.”

“And yet,” she continued. “I guess I felt bad for her. There is some history we share and a few requirements allowed her to get the same Class. It didn’t have anything to do with Dawntree. I didn’t even know people weren’t happy with whoever ruled before.”

Hayden blinked. “You don’t even know who ruled the city?”

“I told you. I’m here to train. Frankly, if they don’t pile up people in the streets to sacrifice them, I don’t care,” Ilea said.

“I was wrong then. Apologies, Ilea,” Hayden said.

She smiled. “You know me?”

“Most Shadows do, I think. You do not mind me using your name?” he asked.

“Whatever. How did you guys even find me?” she asked.

“We are not here for the same reasons, nor for the same employers,” Hayden said.

It seemed Levi was still stunned by the newfound information.

“I believe he paid guards to inform him of a high level healer arriving here. I just paid a few to have them watch him,” Hayden said.

“And why are you interested in me?” Ilea asked.

He seemed to consider for a moment before he talked. “I plan to settle down. Made a name for myself with the rebels and I’ve got a nice mansion with plenty of establishments waiting as payment. I just wondered if there was more in it for me. Or if I had to silence you, in case you were really here for the reasons he stated before.”

Ilea chuckled at the thought.

“I know, I know. Last time I saw you, you were less… terrifying,” Hayden said.

She liked him. Straight to the point.

“Well if that’s all you’re here to do, then I won’t be bothering you,” the man said.

“But the songs…,” Levi murmured.

“It’s okay. You did help the city, I’m sure of it,” Ilea said and looked towards Hayden for help.

The man raised his arms in defeat, telling her that he’s her problem.

“There will be songs written about you, think about that instead,” she said and summoned a gold coin. She glanced towards Hayden with a questioning look.

He showed her five fingers.

Ilea summoned four more coins and threw them towards him.

They vanished in his fast moving hands. “Very well,” he said and bowed. “It was a pleasure meeting you again, Lady Ilea,” he said and stabbed the other Shadow.

“What? I didn’t mean you should kill him,” she said and rolled her eyes.

Foam came to Levi’s mouth as he murmured something.

“It’s a fast moving toxin. It would kill a lesser man but Levi over here will just be knocked out for an hour or two. I’ll get plenty of drinks and a few women ready for when he wakes up. I’m sure that should get him off your back until his eyes cross your path again,” he said and lifted the man up.

Ilea checked him with her reconstruction, making sure Hayden hadn’t lied.

“Thanks,” she said and spread her wings.

“Thanks for the gold. Let me know if you need someone to take care of your vast wealth,” he said before walking away.

Ilea vanished into the darkness, following the path she knew well, towards the Taleen dungeon that could have very well been her grave.

Maybe I should think about that Shrouding spell… if every fucking idiots knows my name, annoying shit like this will keep happening.

A ball of ash, moved through space around her kept her mind focused, meditation helping to calm her down. There was nothing more terrifying than groupies.

A morbid part of her thought about meeting the man again, if only to level her Fear Resistance.

Not worth it, she thought and rushed through the darkness, the lack of light meaningless to her enhanced eyes.

Ilea found the entrance caved in, only her memory letting her know that there had even been a way in the first place.

How many forgotten cities lay hidden in rubble? Especially in the north… there were whole kingdoms there.

She wondered if Maro could redraw a map or something. To dig things up. Probably all crawling with unspeakable horrors.

A shudder went through her, thinking about the Soul Rippers. Could I kill them now? Hmm…, no, focus on your new skills.

She assumed the distance and blinked into the stone mass. And appeared within the Taleen dungeon.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Iztacalum dungeon’

“First try baby,” she whispered. It’s too late anyway. I’m sure Elana had Catelyn dig up everything of value already. I really fucking hope the Ascended didn’t wipe out Hallowfort. Or the Feynor. Or that Dark One army.

Do I miss them? she wondered. It was possible. Especially Goliath. He probably forged Narsil by now.

She looked around and found what she had been looking for. A Taleen Guardian.

One of the ranged variants, either unaware of her or waiting for an opportune moment.

Ilea waved at the thing when it finally released its payload.

Force activated but hardly did anything against the fast moving steel slug.

It impacted her armored face without dealing any damage. The projectile itself had flattened considerably.

Ilea caught it as it fell from her face, looking at the thing. It IS harder than some metals.

Sometimes it was easy to forget how much stronger she was, usually looking for creatures that could still hurt or even kill her.

She remembered struggling against these machines, fighting single ones for ten to twenty minutes, longer even. “How cute you have become,” she said with a smirk, slowly approaching the machine as it kept spewing out projectiles.

Force and Displacement tried to stop or move the spheres, neither able to do anything about them.

Finally in range, she displaced the machine towards herself, entirely covering it in ash before Flare of Creation activated. Force added to the hold, not that it was necessary.

It took barely a second for the machine to melt sufficiently for destruction.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 150]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 6 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 7 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 2’

I knew this was the right place to visit, she thought with a grin.

The level difference was huge but if she were honest, the normal Guardians or even the Centurions hardly proved to be a challenge at all.

Easiest levels of my life, she thought and left the hunk of metal behind, entering the city.

It’s been a while, she thought, memories of the Praetorians chasing her down flashing through her mind.

Her ash moved around her in a lazy manner, covered by pale flames as she casually walked through the street. The Guardians had spread out again it seemed, one of them entering the other end of the street, its green eyes flashing as it looked at her.

“Did you miss me?” she asked as her ashen limbs spread behind her.

Ilea smiled as the Guardian sped up and slashed its blades against her armor, stopped entirely. Her ash lashed out, cutting off the machine’s arms.

“I’m back,” she whispered, infusing her voice.

The Guardian remained frozen, its green shining eyes lifelessly staring at her.

Absolute Destruction charged up as she positioned herself, sacrificing one thousand points of health to infuse her attack with all the power she could muster.

Her arm lashed out, hitting the creature square in its chest, denting the metal with a dull clunk. Cinders, Destruction, and her Flare exploded into it, frying every last bit of its innards before the energy exploded out of the bent seams connecting its intricate parts.

The Guardian remained in the air for a moment, her space magic willing it so.

She looked at the cracked eyes, the green light gone entirely.

Ilea grabbed the machine with her ashen limbs, twirling before she threw it as far into the city as she could.

The sound of its landing traveled far as she charged her Monster Hunter skill.

Now, which creature should I imitate.

Ilea smiled, unable to think of anything better than herself. Fear, fury, a challenge. Her scream exploded outwards, carrying far and wide.

Come to me, she had said. Come to me and face your end.

And the Guardians came.

Ilea had fought these creatures for hours on end, had known their movements, their weapons, reach, and speed by heart.

She wouldn’t waste them. The first one had been a message. But she was here to test out her newfound power. A power that was still weak compared to her true arsenal. One that needed to grow.

One she needed to learn about, feel out, and understand. A new Class that needed fuel to grow.

And what better fuel than long forgotten machines made solely for war. War and slaughter.

She had no qualms about destroying them.

Force kept them at bay, displacement made them appear far above, the machines landing more gracefully than the Reaver and still they took damage.

Her ash moved as an extension of herself, a dark fog clad in white fire, its energy melting away the power that fueled her enemies. The farther it reached, the more health it demanded.

Ilea had health to spare.

Azarinth Fighting made her step back and to the side, steel slugs rushing past, unable to even reach her as the ranged Guardians tried to bring her down.

Displacement moved her closer, Force slowing them down as her fire consumed all.

She took her time, even letting some of the machines hit her directly. Their blades could not pierce her armor, their slugs may as well have tried to penetrate city walls.

More of them came, more came to the forge that would melt them down to nothing.

And soon the street was clear, dozens of Guardians laying destroyed and half molten on the stone ground, piling on top of each other.

Ilea used Displacement and her ash to move aside the scrap metal as she stepped towards the lone Centurion waiting for her.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl 303]

A Guardian to Iztacalum, purged of the human explorers and blocked off to everyone who might enter.

She didn’t know how much the creatures understood, how advanced or alive they truly were. Only the Praetorians had shown a slight sliver of Intelligence, all others simply following a predetermined schematic of orders left behind by a creator long gone or in hiding.

Ilea watched the creature as it lifted up its spear, throwing the weapon with blinding speed.

Her hand rushed up and caught the weapon, holding on to it as the Centurion tried to summon it back.

She held on for a second before the weapon slid through her hand, caught by the creature as it went into a more defensive stance.

Ilea summoned her hammer and spread her arms wide. “Come, Centurion.”

Monster Hunter conveyed her meaning, making the machine once again change its stance.

She smiled as it approached, speed and grace in its movements as it assessed her, uncaring for the truth of its own inadequacy.

Force and Displacement slowed and pulled on the being, its attacks dodged with practiced ease.

The warhammer crashed into its side, sending it stumbling. She followed it, another strike dodged as she broke the stone of the road.

She ignored the spear, its blade scratching against the ash protecting her face, the metal catching fire as Flare of Creation activated.

Ilea ripped out the hammer and swung, watching the Centurion jump back, confused as it waved its spear around.

It threw the weapon, but not at her.

Ilea watched as the spear slammed into a nearby wall, the flames slowly dying out.

A new weapon appeared in the machine’s hands as it once again focused on her. The dent of her hammer strike remained.

She twirled the weapon and teleported. She slapped away the hand that reached for her, blocking the spear with her hammer. Flames spread as the being retreated, slowed by Force and stopped by her ashen limbs closing around it from behind.

The limbs fanned out as more ash came into existence, the pale flames spreading as they enveloped the machine entirely.

Ilea lifted her hammer, one ashen limb deflecting the spear rushing at her heart. Quiet met the Centurion’s head, denting in one side as its right eye flickered out, cracking as the fires deformed the green steel.

She lifted the hammer again, screaming as she brought it down. The entire head caved in, joining the chest piece before it all burned.

Energy gathered as she formed a cocoon of ash around the remains, the construct connected to her body.

The explosion was dull and contained, smoke and smoldering steel hitting the ground.

A ding resounded in her mind as the hammer vanished.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 205]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Centurion – lvl 303]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 8 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 15 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 6’

It was clear that the Guardians were neither a challenging enemy nor one she had no knowledge of. And still she had gotten eight levels out of it.

Ilea didn’t feel bad about depopulating this dungeon. Quite the contrary. It was the reason she had come.

Chapter 488 Woman vs Machine

Chapter 488 Woman vs Machine

Ilea continued through the dimly lit streets of Iztacalum, systematically destroying every single Guardian or Centurion that patrolled the town.

There were fewer here than in the factory or city she had visited in the north. And still it felt like there were too many. Compared to the time during the expedition.

Then again, they hadn’t explored the whole city. Only the Great Hall had been cleared out, even leaving the hall in front of the treasury alone.

With her advanced senses, speed and now two teleportation spells, clearing the city was only slowed down by her using mainly third Class abilities.

Monster Hunter allowed her to call for all the enemies in a specific area of town, before moving on to the next. Her Class still leveled but she already needed five to ten Guardians destroyed for a single upgrade.

It was good that there were this many around.

When she had last been here, each day had been a difficult battle, each Guardian destroyed an accomplishment. The machines a constant looming threat, hiding behind every corner.

Ilea needed no more rest. Her wounds healed instantly, her armor impenetrable. Even her Space Magic made short work of the left behind creatures.

Only a few hundred remained. More than she had expected but nonetheless a number without meaning, their power insignificant. Guardians not to the treasure of this dungeon and ancient civilization but to the two machines she had come to destroy.

Two birds with one punch, she thought, reaching the bottomless void stretching down into the darkness. Her eyes let her see the rubble below, several hundred meters away.

On the other side of the cliff lay the battered entrance to he Great Hall. The gates had remained open, beyond already visible the patrolling machines, both Guardian and Centurion.

Ilea checked her messages and cracked her neck.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 205]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 151]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 16 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 67 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 5’

...

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 7’

...

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 6’

...

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 4’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 9’

Ilea wasn’t sure how long she had been here already. Night had definitely come, that much she was sure about.

Right now she didn’t care about missing a night of Sentinel training. They had enough tools to advance and now that Trian was eager to take them out himself, she wasn’t as integral to the process anymore.

Every corpse she had found including the nearby gear had been stored in her bracelet, to be given to the guild and the people who had requested it, should they still be alive and around.

There had been quite a few. Something she noted was that the healer woman from the Corinth Order was not among them. She assumed the woman had escaped before the expedition leaders had regrouped outside the dungeon. Or perhaps she had hidden and escaped at a later point.

The numbers were a little blurry in her memory but counting those she had returned with and those she had fought with in the Great Hall, there were at least twenty to thirty people unaccounted for.

With her sphere and perception abilities, she didn’t think she had missed a lot of them. She rather mistrusted her memories. Especially considering the state she had been in back then.

The levels to her new Class skills made quite a difference, she found.

Force at level thirteen could be used in a nearly ten meter sphere around her. It’s power too increased far enough for her to slow down the projectiles shot by the ranged Guardians. Only marginally but with the increased range, the difference was much more noticeable.

Flare of Creation received a 0.5 percent increase to its resilience bonus for each level. More importantly, the fires got stronger. So far the health needed to keep it active hadn’t changed.

Active - Flare of Creation – lvl 15

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. Attacks with your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 32.5% [260%]

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Ilea hoped a second or third tier would remove the heavy sacrifice. Otherwise she wouldn’t necessarily be able to use the spell against dangerous foes. Foes against whom she needed her healing prowess.

Displacement had grown quite considerably too, now usable at a range of around twenty meters. The time and effort it took to displace Guardians had been reduced quite a bit too, Space Shift being part of the reason for these changes.

Passive – Space Shift – lvl 9

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again 54.5% faster [109%] and you can travel 24.5% farther [49%].

Category: Space magic

Space Awareness remained a mystery. It crept up alongside Body of the Valkyrie, despite the lack of damage she was taking.

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie – lvl 5

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 17.5% [157.5%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 5.5% [49.5%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 5.5% [49.5%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic

She shouldered her warhammer and blinked over the vast divide.

The closest Guardians spotted her without a need for Monster Hunter.

Ilea watched the first enemy approach, its spindly legs moving over the rubble and stone without issue.

Quite efficient. She couldn’t help but admire the workdwarfship that went into these creatures, watching the Guardian as it vanished, displaced into thin air above the gaping abyss.

“A good flight to you!” she said and waved, smiling at the flailing creature.

It didn’t scream as it fell but she did hear the impact.

It was quite fortunate that gravity could be used without the need of magical study. Although she was quiteinterested in how completely demolished these machines would become if Sulivhaan added a little pinch of his magic to their fall.

One after the other, the Guardians fell. Perhaps it was wasted potential for her new skills but there were more of them in other dungeons. If there was enough of anything in this world, it was monsters. And Taleen Machines.

Ilea failed to teleport the Centurions but she had another plan for them anyway.

The first one was punched a few times, Ilea using her main skills to entirely shred through the machine.

When its core started to glow, she cut off its arms with ashand grabbed one of its legs. A short twirl sent the grenade towards its approaching brethren.

She quite enjoyed the ensuing cascade of explosions and shrapnel. The light, blasts, sounds, and shrapnel didn’t bother her. She had resistances for everything and specialized defense skills on top of that.

Her challenge was clear, her message sent.

Flare of Creation receded as she stepped into the hall. All gates were open but she was only focused on one. Heart of Cinder started charging, soon reaching a point where the heat forced her to heal.

She spread her wings and approached the throne room.

It’s been a while, she thought, perceiving the rotting corpses and the dried blood nobody had deemed necessary to clean up.

She would bring them all up, to provide an appropriate farewell.

Ilea slowly lifted up, her wings moving as she passed the bent and broken gates.

The throne room still showed the damage from the long ago battle. Cracks, cuts, and shrapnel covered the walls close to the door, less so farther away. A few corpses were present here too, not in a better state than the ones outside.

Once experienced adventurers, here to explore the newly discovered Taleen Dungeon.

Ilea couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Experienced, below level two hundred.

The north would blow their mind. Then again, a mention of it usually did.

“I’m back. Anybody home?” she said after nothing had happened.

The ground in front of the throne opened up.

Ilea saw them within her sphere. The hairs on her back stood up, Meditation calming her down. You have fought their kind before, and worse.

“Intruders,” one of the Praetorians said, “The throneroom has been breached.”

“Indeed it has,” Ilea said and fanned out her ashen limbs.

She didn’t give them any time to assess the situation, blinking close to the Scythes wielder and starting her assault.

The machines responded in kind.

[Taleen Praetorian – lvl ???]

[Taleen Praetorian – lvl ???]

The three marks weren’t as impressive anymore, nor was their size or speed.

Ilea dodged the attacks as she twirled through the air, her limbs delivering Storm of Cinders into the arcane shields, slowly burning into their defenses. Her precognition and spherical awareness allowed her to maneuver around them with practiced ease.

She kept the mace wielding machine behind the scythe one, unsure if the former even had the capability to use any spells or skills like the Praetorian she had faced in the north.

Either that or it never deemed it necessary against the expedition forces.

Ilea sacrificed two thousand points of health, infusing her Azarinth Awakening before she aimed and released Heart of Cinder.

The improved and buffed spell manifested in a blinding flash of light and fire, enveloping the first machine entirely before it spread onto the second.

Her third tier healing recovered the lost health near instantly as she pushed on, closing the distance to the slightly stunned machine.

A fist slammed into solid metal as Absolute Destruction and Storm of Cinders spread into the creature, the lack of a shield surprising her.

Ilea smiled as a pale flame formed around her, the clouds of acid now forming behind the first Praetorian not a concern for now.

Her Space Magic barely inconvenienced the creatures, not that it was necessary with her speed and teleportation. She only had to be aware of the blink canceling spell the mace wielder might have.

The scythes flashed past, one of them scraping her arm without leaving any permanent damage. Her fists continued slamming into the metal, slightly denting it from the outside.

She knew that the insides were looking much worse, the pale flames spreading on the surface but even more so within. The same was true for her other mana intrusion abilities, Storm of Cinders building up with each hit.

When the clouds came, Ilea simply let them spread into her. It even has difficulties with my ash, she thought with a smile, happy about the returning mana the Praetorian provided.

Ilea dodged the mace and displaced herself behind the first machine, once again removing their advantage in numbers. Like a fly, she thought and twirled in the air to avoid the thrown blades. A laugh escaped her. She couldn’t help herself.

“Do you remember me?” she asked, sending a dozen ashen lances at the damaged machine, its shields only recovering slowly, not even covering its legs yet.

She wondered if she had accidentally damaged the shield generator, if they had such a thing.

Ilea didn’t let up, blinking close again and continuing her assault. Whenever the position allowed it, she spread out her ash and ignited the machine’s shields with Flare of Creation, her extended body funneling vast amounts of destructive healing mana into its shields and body, dozens of fully charged punches adding to her overwhelming force.

An overconfident parry cost her an arm, only reducing her offensive capability for a moment until her third tier reconstruction built the limb once more.

A dozen punches slammed into her targeted Praetorian until the severed arm reached the ground.

Ilea blinked and caught it at the last moment, storing it inside of her necklace before she continued, displacing herself to get back instantaneously.

No teleport, no regeneration, lackluster damage. “You are no threat,” she said, feeling the energy build within her target.

“Let’s see who fares better,” she said and winked at the second Praetorian.

It swung wide and quickly, the mace blocked by her hand, ash, Force, and body. She was pushed a few meters through the air, her wings finally equalizing the momentum. No bones had broken this time.

Another set of ashen spears slammed into the first machine, Ilea finding herself unable to blink towards it. She smiled, instead using displacement.

The hunch turned out correct, her body appearing close to the damaged machine. Its shields had barely reformed, pushed back once more by expanding ash and fires.

She used her teleportation again when the mace wielder reached her, the time not enough for the first Praetorian to increase its attack speed.

Ilea took some time to recover mana, circling the beings in the large throne room, happy to receive the ranged acid attacks that only fueled her even faster.

She kept an eye on the shields, now definitely sure that they recovered at a slower pace.

The mace wielder of course was mostly undamaged but she had time. Flare of Creation vanished again, her healing turned off to get a little more mana out of her regeneration.

Her fully powered offensive arsenal slowly drained her, especially against enemies that could take a lot of hits without sending magic her way. Compared to the Specters, she hardly had to dodge them either, allowing for more frequent attacks.

Granted, there were a few more there than the two Praetorians here. Let alone the sheer uselessness of the mace wielder. She almost felt bad for that one, all of her resistance training paying off, her ash several times harder to dissolve than it had been the last time.

While she had to manage her mana against the two creatures, she knew now that her strength had reached a threshold. One high enough to kill Taleen Praetorians.

If they understood or not, they did not show, continuing their assault without pause.

Their ranged attacks were downright pathetic, Ilea just giggling as she blinked through the air, sometimes letting the scythes scratch past her on purpose. The thrown attacks could still penetrate her ash, she knew as much thanks to her precognition.

Ilea wondered if the blades or the machine had some kind of armor piercing benefits or skills, unsure of how else the rather ordinary looking weapons could get past her defenses.

It didn’t matter either way. She didn’t allow them to hit her directly. Getting the curse wasn’t a good idea, however ineffective it was at this point in time.

Ashen lanced rushed out, four of them penetrating the damaged machine, a few more deflected by the second Praetorian, now standing in a defensive stance before its ally.

Interesting, she thought, Flare of Creation activating once more before she vanished.

Three punches slammed into the slowly reforming shields, breaking through and delivering their payload into the creature.

It turned sluggishly to respond, the white flames joined by fiery red ones as Storm of Cinders continued to build within the being.

Only a few minutes had passed since the fight had started, most of that time spent on flying around and recovering mana.

Another punch landed before she displaced herself, the second machine having circled its companion once more.

Ilea advanced when she felt a surge of mana, the power washing through her before she blinked away.

She laughed as she circled the two beings, watching as the damaged Praetorian followed her, unable to keep up with her constant teleportation through the large room.

It would be simple to get out, to make distance between herself and the coming blast but that was not what she had planned.

She wanted them both here, both destroyed within the very hall they had been tasked to protect.

Ilea felt the second wave wash through her as she collected the bodies strewn around the hall, some more recognizable than others. They couldn’t take the blast. She could.

I hope, she thought, still grinning. Last time she had a few Elves, Terok, and Maro putting up defenses. This time she just had herself.

And vastly improved defensive tools, she thought as ash formed around her, teleporting with her.

The core finally cracked and burst, her sphere lighting up with power, her eyes squinting slightly at the flash of green light.

What followed was a storm of power, all life leaving the Praetorian as it was ripped apart by the energy expanding outwards. The stone itself was disintegrated by its wrath, the explosion spreading through the hall with a certainty of death.

Death to most, Ilea thought and blinked, sacrificing two thousand points of health. She appeared between the retreating Praetorian and the expanding green light. All the heat and power she had gathered left through her arm, engulfing the remaining machine in fire and light, its shields broken through, as if they were flimsy conjurations of an apprentice barrier mage.

She displaced herself before the energy reached her, appearing behind the stunned machine.

Mana, six thousand, health, topped. Ash, ready, she thought and summoned her bone armor, her ash spreading in front of her to form a wall. Her limbs joined the defense as she landed near the wall, crouching down to form a smaller target.

Black wings joined the defenses as she watched the second Praetorian tumble, the energy breaking through the remaining scraps of its shield before its steel armor bent and melted.

Very well executed, she thought, taking a last glance at her sixty four available stat points. Ah fuck it, I don’t need them.

The power came and washed over her. The stone behind her cracked and melted, her ash slowly burnt through until the magic reached her more resilient armor. It took a moment to entirely vanish, the energy fueling her mana as her healing took over.

She stored her bone armor before it was entirely destroyed, her skin and bones reforming as the power continued to burn into her.

Her laugh turned into a cackle as her throat melted and reformed, her ashen armor returning in parts before it was burnt away once more. She screamed with all she had and stood up, her body buckling under the stream of magical power, laughable compared to the energy she had absorbed in the Descent, negligible compared to the power of the Trakorov.

Steaming rock flowed towards the ground behind her, Ilea still standing as her eyes reformed, looking at the bones of her hand, only partially covered with muscle and flesh.

She stopped her healing and watched as it all reformed, her ashen armor flowing towards her neck. The slowly closing wounds were exposed, healed by her natural regeneration. Her skills remained active, fueled not just by her remaining mana but the energy she had absorbed.

Ilea ignored the messages within her mind, instead turning her attention to the slowly moving machine before her.

It hadn’t fared much better, the sleek lines and predatory design of its body unrecognizable as it straightened upwards. It grabbed the mace that had dropped to the ground, the weapon now a single lump of steel, all spikes molten into its form.

She smiled at it, ash lazily swirling around her body as she spread her now unblemished arms.

The Praetorian watched her with its one remaining eye, the green light shining brighter as it took a step forward, steadying itself as if surprised at its own weight.

“You should have finished the job,” Ilea said in a whisper and vanished.

Chapter 489 Arcane Energy

Chapter 489 Arcane Energy

Ilea didn’t give the machine time to recover its shields, unsure if it even retained that capability.

She focused on its damaged legs first, ripping through them with her ash. Without its main defense present, she found it quite simple to cut through the steel.

The mace was easy to avoid. Displacement countered whatever teleportation aura the being had, doubling down on the speed advantage she had.

Ilea didn’t use her mana intrusion abilities, cutting off one leg after the other until she moved on to the arms.

She wondered if somehow she could keep the remaining molten chunk of Praetorian intact, preventing the explosion entirely.

When the second arm was separated and the mace came crashing down, the being looked at her with a palpable fury.

She grabbed its head, floating with her wings to even reach it. Their eyes met as sixteen ashen limbs cut into its neck, time and time again until its eye darkened, the half molten metal piece vanishing into her necklace.

Ilea focused on the body, hoping for a moment that that was it.

A pulse of mana dashed her hopes, Ilea instead blinking close and charging Absolute Destruction. The second pulse came.

She waited until the last moment, creating ash and fueling her spells as she sacrificed a few thousand points of health.

Magic and energy flowed into it when her punch landed, her fist digging twenty centimeters into the steel with an explosion of power.

Ilea jumped back and cursed when she felt the heat rise once more.

Still not enough, she thought and prepared her defenses again.

The energy reached her and she remained standing, as she had before.

All that remained of her two adversaries was bubbling steel and rock.

She summoned the severed head and looked at it before she closed her eyes. “May you rest in peace, if you had a soul at all,” she said and placed the piece back into her necklace.

Ilea had already learned that revenge felt hollow, unable to bring back the dead. This time however it felt different. She liberated the corpses that had remained here, had retaken the dungeon that proved too much for the Dawntree expedition. And she destroyed the monsters that had nearly caused her death.

It hadn’t been a perfect execution. She failed to gather a new body for her dagger friend. Hopefully next time, she thought, wondering if her third Class would eventually bring the difference she needed to take these machines down before their self destruct activated.

Only time would tell.

She cracked her neck and checked her messages, her mana quickly recovering as she floated in the destroyed throne room, the scorching heat from the two explosions lingering.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 605]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 603]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 352 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 352 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 68 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 69 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 70 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 71 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 86 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have found and destroyed those you had feared – One Core skill point awarded’

Ilea was quite happy with the levels, now sitting at ninety three unspent stat points.

It was enough to get her Wisdom to one thousand.

‘ding’ ‘You have reached one thousand Wisdom – One Core skill point awarded’

I don’t feel like these are worthy achievements compared to the others. Oh well, I’ll take it, she thought with a smile.

Thirty five stat points went into Intelligence, bringing it up to eight twenty. Four went into Vitality and fifteen into Endurance. The last point she kept. More would come soon enough.

Status:

Vitality: 820

Endurance: 420

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 820

Wisdom: 1000

Health: 8200/8200

Stamina: 4092/4200

Mana: 11328/20000

She checked her skill messages with a satisfied expression, breathing out as she lowered herself into the half molten Taleen throne.

No teleportation key or other treasure had shown up after the destruction of the Praetorians.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 16’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Active - Flare of Creation – 2nd lvl 1

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. Attacks with your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 35.5% [284%]

2nd stage: The pale flame settles within your core. Flare of Creation now affects enemy health regeneration. This effect is higher for areas directly touched by the Flame of Creation.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Ilea activated the spell and moved her ashen limbs in front of herself. Interesting. Maybe I should test against the Specters… does it affect shields too? Hmm, it explicitly says enemy health. Probably not.

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Active – Displacement – 2nd lvl 1

Shift space to your will, making an object or person appear somewhere else.

2nd stage: Your familiarity with teleportation and Space Magic allow you to move one additional object for each level in the 2nd tier. Magical constructs are now affected by Displacement.

Space Magic

“Oh!?” she called out and stood up, creating a few ashen spears before she used displacement on them.

The spears appeared where she willed them to.

She clapped and twirled in the air before settling down again.

“Awesome!”

Which means I can teleport spells coming towards me… or maybe slow them down if I aim for an area behind them. Coupled with Force it could be quite strong, even against something higher leveled than me.

With one more object for each level, I could even teleport a whole group with this. Or a group of spells, I suppose.

The use right now would still be limited against enemies of higher levels, the spell barely doing anything against the Praetorians. It would get stronger with time, as would her third Class. Or at least she hoped.

Either way, moving spells was a very welcome change.

She created a small ball of ash, this time without a tiny tendril connected to it, and moved it back into her hand.

Coupled with her manipulation, her ash was now just as maneuverable as her own body. She created an ashen clone of herself and displaced it successfully.

This could be worth a thought… with my ashen armor, this thing looks nearly the same as I do. Hmm.

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 5’

I should probably get all these into the second tier before leveling much further. Just in case there’s an evolution, though I doubt it with getting the Class at three fifty.

The Space Shift levels were quite welcome too, enhancing her Displacement distance to a little more than twenty five meters.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

Ilea quickly checked if there was an upgrade option for Blast Resistance by now.

- Blast Resistance

Taleen Praetorians are made to destroy their enemy. If they reach critical health, their remaining energy is channeled into a complicated set of enchantments, creating a magical explosion that could rival four mark creatures. You have proven to be quite adequately prepared to face such power. Twice in a row even.

Yes!

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Blast Resistance –3rd lvl 1

Explosions can be an unpredictable and chaotic thing. You have survived quite an impressive one to get this skill. It will help you negate the damage ever so slightly for the next time you chose to stand in one.

2nd stage: Despite common sense, you just keep on doing it. Either you should start reading safety manuals or embrace that you are a true explosion elemental. Your organs, bones, muscles and your skin become partially shock absorbent. Please stop.

3rd stage: It’s difficult to even find a source of power strong enough to warrant such a resistance. Congratulations? We worry about you. Your bones and muscles have adapted to the stress you have put them under, weaving an even more intricate fabric of your ever increasing defensive capability.

Ilea immediately felt the change happening. A weird feeling, though not entirely unpleasant. The added weight was noticeable to her enhanced perception, grown from magic and added to her very self.

She moved around a little, finding it hardly impacting her speed and flexibility. If anything, she needed to get used to it for a little while.

I should stay away from scales.

It would be funny to join a heavy weight tournament with my relative size.

She smiled at the thought, happy about the slight upgrade.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

Cless!

She rolled her eyes, wondering if Claire had gotten worried.

Yes, yes. I’m nearly done here.

She wondered for a moment if somebody else was watching her but ultimately dismissed the thought. Even if there was, what would she do?

Ilea checked the rest of the hall and moved on to the areas she had already explored.

No enemies remained in most of the connecting parts of the Great Hall. She did find a few Guardians within the armory, surprisingly quite busy, compared to the previous patrols.

What are they doing? she wondered, blinking behind a pillar to see more through her sphere.

Her eyes opened wide.

What?

Precisely cut steel had been formed into several large forces, reminding her of the designs she had seen in the Centurion factory back north.

Are they building more Guardians?

There simply wasn’t enough machinery here. Either that or much fewer components than she thought were necessary for their creation.

She confronted the machines, using her third Class skills to finish them in the span of a few minutes.

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 15’

I should meditate on my Space Awareness. Maybe inside my Armaments.

Ilea pushed aside the destroyed machines and inspected the forges. Reaching a hand inside brought out what she had seen within her sphere.

A half molten sword. Of Taleen making.

Raw materials. They’re melting whatever they find here? I did wonder where all those destroyed machines went… there were hundreds.

Her eyes opened wide before she quickly destroyed everything, ripping through the steel and stone with her limbs and Heart of Cinder.

She vanished a moment later and teleported a few times, appearing in the hall where Edwin, Felicia, and Aliana had left.

A single Centurion had remained, likely the last Guardian of this dungeon.

The last enemy she would defeat.

I could try for a Centurion body for Aki, she thought, her attention shifting to the small white stone pedestal behind the gate, within it a Taleen Gate Key.

Ilea turned back to the charging Centurion, wrapping it in ash before she pushed destructive mana into it. Absolute Destruction charged for a few seconds before she tapped the machine, unleashing a large amount of mana and killing it instantly.

She waited for a moment, receiving the kill notification as she watched the core.

Simply storing it would be an option but she didn’t want that thing to blow up the Sentinel headquarters.

When thirty seconds had passed, she deemed it safe enough and stored the machine. She hoped its insides weren’t fried enough to make it unusable.

“Now what do we have here,” she whispered and walked towards the pedestal.

Another key could help Iana and Christopher.

Ilea reached the thing and squinted her eyes. She turned her head to the platform with interest.

The wisps here seemed a little different. More aligned than everywhere else in the hall. It felt more… dense. Focused, she decided on the more accurate word.

“It’s active…,” she said out loud. The fact was quite obvious with the mana she could see exuding from the thing. The part that made her pause was the fact that this gate led somewhere.

Somewhere where the molten bricks of Taleen steel had been delivered. She hadn’t seen any of them here after all. Somewhere where more machines might have been coming from.

But why did the Praetorians remain in the throne room? In this dungeon even? Did they place the gate key? Who else could have done it?

Ilea looked at the platform and took a step towards it.

“I really shouldn’t,” she said, stepping to its center.

She felt a pull immediately. The device was trying to do its job but failed to grasp her. Ilea could see the wisps of space converge on her but she remained within the circle. More mana flowed out of the device until she disabled her Space Magic Resistance.

The spell immediately took effect, the world around her shifting before she appeared within another teleportation circle.

‘ding’ ‘You have discovered the Izacan dungeon’

‘ding’ ‘Successfully infiltrated the Izacan dungeon – One Core skill point awarded’

Ilea blinked up and to a darker part of the area, her Space Magic Resistance back on as she surveilled her new surroundings.

Holy shit, she thought as her enhanced eyes took in the hundreds of machines partially placed into the cavern. Steam covered the entire ceiling a few hundred meters above, gloomy green light partially shining through the veil.

The ground wasn’t lit, nor was it particularly intricate. A mostly natural cavern, with only a few roads dug into it, not quite as well angled as she had been used to from the Taleen.

The dull noise she heard from the machinery all around marked it as an active dungeon. Another production facility. Eyes of Ash coupled with her light magic resistance bonus allowed her to view near the entire facility, and the army of Guardians, Centurions, and Praetorians steadily moving up and through a distant tunnel entrance.

She spotted variants she had not encountered yet, one of them hanging on to the side of the cavern walls, its green eyes finding her own ones as it moved up its great bow.

Ilea watched in disbelief as the Praetorian, clad in steel as dark as the night, pulled on a string as thick as her arm. Something manifested but her sight was muddled.

She blinked as far as she could, finding the creature immediately turn its head towards her, the bow following with a fluid and near instant movement.

Gotta be kidding me, that thing is like two hundred meters away!

It loosed.

Ilea watched as an arrow of blue energy manifested a few dozen meters away from the creature, the projectile striking through the air with a speed rivaling her enhanced flight.

Her brain was barely able to follow, only her precognition allowing her to displace herself away from the arrow.

Ilea’s eyes opened wide when the arcane energy changed its direction in an unnatural angle, striking her defenses as she failed to displace or stop it otherwise.

Her hastily prepared wall of ash barely managed to stop the spell, parts of it breaking through in a bright blue explosion, entirely silent.

She felt the mana density increase around her, especially where the arcane energy weaved into her ash.

A rush of mana flowed into her, absorbed by her Sentinel Core, the spell burning through half of her armor before its power was depleted.

That fucker followed me!

She looked at the being, its bowstring already pulled back again, its eyes still focused on her.

I can take it, let’s see how you fare once I’m closer!

Ilea rushed at the being, forming ash in front of her to soften the inevitable blow. She wondered if a blink directly behind the projectile would help avoid the damage.

She blinked to the right when an arrow came from the direction, suddenly appearing within her sphere.

Another one, she thought and found the culprit standing a few hundred meters away.

The next arrow hit her, the creatures not giving her even a split second to breathe.

Her ash was broken through without issue, her armor pierced before the energy pushed into her.

Ilea blinked away and reformed her armor and ashen walls. What!

A sizable chunk of skin and muscle had been ripped out by the energy, reforming near instantly as her healing activated.

Another arrow came, stopped by her ashen walls. The following one broke through once more.

It’s lowering the defensive strength? Or the structure itself?

She couldn’t tell. It simply happened too fast.

What she knew was that there were now at least three of these machines aiming at her, judging by the frequency of attack.

She found a spot and blinked, displacing herself for the rest of the distance.

A few high reaching stone outcrops provided some cover as she assessed her situation.

This is worse than Iz, what are those things, she thought as the first arrow dug into the rock, fizzling out without taking much more than a basketball sized part out of it.

She peaked out to see the machines moving in the darkness, adjusting their angles. One of them she found was aiming up and above her.

When it loosed, a streak of blue arrows appeared shortly after, flying through the air in what she perceived as slow motion.

Two fast moving arrows flashed past her as she ducked back behind the outcrops, one slashing through the ash near her cheek, drawing blood as its energy erupted.

Ilea reformed her whole armor and watched as the arrows approached, forming a cocoon of ash as she tried to displace the projectiles, Force not having a noticeable impact.

She managed to slightly pull the arrows apart, barely noticeable but perhaps detrimental in the following cascade of arcane explosions.

Ilea didn’t move, her defenses mostly holding as the rock around her turned into shrapnel. She healed the damage she sustained and found a new being within her sphere, quickly approaching.

There was no time to think, she had to get out of there.

[Executioner Praetorian – lvl ???]

The machine looked similar to the normal variant, instead of arms only wielding two blade like extensions that slightly curved inwards. The main difference in design was the entirely silver body, reflecting the blue energy of the arrows and explosions around it.

Ilea saw her reflection on its quick moving body, running through the air as if it was solid ground.

She blinked, barely avoiding a slash that passed with a familiar feel to it.

Void, she thought as she appeared as far away as she could. It moved on mana appearing from thin air. Is that Space Magic? Or maybe air?

More arrows hit her as soon as she appeared, forcing her to displace and blink in quick succession, some of the arrows passing her by or hitting the ground, only able to change directions once or twice.

Ilea had enough of the annoying creatures when an arrow nearly scalped her.

She turned and blinked into the cycle she had used to come here. Her resistance was turned off, the spell quickly taking her back into its embrace.

Eight arrows smashed into her body from various sides, five of them piercing through.

She appeared back in the Iztacalum as her wounds closed, swaths of blood dripping to the ground as she ripped out the gate key with an ashen limb, the rest crashing into the platform below her as her fist smashed into the stone, a ripple of energy dissipating a moment later.

Her ash and fists crashed down and a second later the whole area had simply been removed from the hall, only a small crater remaining.

They didn’t aim for the gate. They aimed for me, she thought, moving the gate key towards herself before she stored it inside her necklace.

[Taleen Gate Key – Ancient]

Way to put a damper on my previous victory, she thought before chuckling to herself.

“Nine vs one. No other way to stop me, eh?” she said to nobody in particular before Heart of Cinder flashed outwards, adding another meter to the crater she stood in.

Chapter 490 Client

Chapter 490 Client

“There is no way they can come here now,” she murmured to herself, sure that there wasn’t some secret teleportation gate around.

Probably just defended their cavern against the intruder, which is me.

She was intrigued by the new Praetorian variants.

I wonder if there were some in Iz too. Probably, by the sheer size of that place. But no arrows were fired on me there. Was I just lucky?

The size of that one was so fucking massive, you could put a hundred of those Izacan caverns in there. That definitely helped.

Where were they going?

She had seen a constant flow of machines moving towards the tunnel at the very back of the cavern. Ilea was reasonably sure that more machines had appeared within close by teleportation circles too, though she hadn’t confirmed, with the fast moving attacks constantly hitting her.

Levels, yes.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 6’

Maybe a converging point for their armies? Close to the Elven territories? Or somewhere entirely different, I don’t exactly have a lot to go on, she wondered, happy about the skills at least.

That Executioner would have cut right through me… Void on a blade? What even is that?

She shuddered at the thought, the image of the fast moving Praetorian moving through the air towards her.

And yet, still just three marks… I can take it, she thought and smiled. If only there wasn’t an army to back it up.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 11’

She rolled her eyes at the notification and turned around, ready to leave this place behind. Izacan was an entirely different beast, one she had neither the power nor the wish to face right now. Not until her third class had reached the power of her main ones, not until she had talked to her Elven friends about these new variants.

Ilea checked through the dungeon one more time, quickly flying past the buildings and tunnels, making sure she hadn’t missed anything obvious. No more Guardians showed up, nor did she find any more corpses.

One reason for her delay was the slight fear that the Praetorians could somehow follow her here. She would prefer to face them within the confines of this dungeon than have them confront her up in the city.

She glanced at one of the inns in the root, remembering the enjoyable night she had spent there. Some other time maybe, she thought and returned to the Guild.

“You mean to tell me that all these jobs are taken care of?” the attendant asked, apparently undecided between being impressed, curious, and skeptical.

It wasn’t the one who she had met the last time.

She summoned her green badge, both confirming that she had the power and dimensional storage to support her claims.

The young man sighed. “Very well. But it’s on you if we call for the clients and you can’t show results.”

“I’ll wait here. Call them here now,” she said and stepped aside, leaving the clerk with a stack of job descriptions. She approved when she saw him ask for help, two more people quickly joining him to arrange things.

It was early afternoon, judging by the suns. Ilea wasn’t sure if a single day or two had passed. Maybe even three. It really had been quite enjoyable to go and clean out the dungeon that had defeated her.

Ilea felt different about all the places in the north, many of them offering too much of a challenge for now. She didn’t consider them losses. In part because they hadn’t claimed her allies’ lives, nor did most of them come close to claim hers.

The Descent was the closest one but she hardly thought of it as a single dungeon. More an accumulation of twenty individual ones. Nor did she like the idea of killing most of the remaining residents. Least of all the Trakorov, Deep Mirage, or lightning Elemental.

The Ascended most definitely was a loss. But she would repay that one in kind. She needed time to grow, to evolve. To both learn and level.

She ordered a few mugs of ale and a pitcher, choosing one of the tables near a wall before relaxing in one of the chairs.

This is quite good, she thought, taking a sip.

The guild hall was somewhat busy, many of the tables occupied by one party or the other. A few lone healers and mages sat around too, with various levels of gear, confidence, and power.

Ilea wondered what their stories were. She could guess at one of them. A healer wearing a tattered robe, something cut out near the chest and right shoulder. A quick maneuver it seemed.

The woman looked young, her eyes darting around the room as she assessed the various groups. So far nobody had approached her.

Nobody came to me either…, she thought and watched the girl, her eyes pausing for a second when they met Ilea’s.

She scrambled up a moment later, walking briskly towards the exit.

“You forgot your staff,” Ilea said, now standing next to the table the girl had been sitting at. She had failed to displace the thing due to its magical nature.

She twirled it around, looking at the woman who now waited with a hesitant look in her eyes.

Ilea could feel her distress. She also noted that nobody seemed to care. Only a few had even looked up after Ilea had spoken out.

“Come, sit with me,” she said and walked back to her own table, leaning the staff against the wall.

I wonder how easily the Ascended could take me apart by now. My third tier resistances should make a difference. As should the additional teleport ability. The rest is probably still kind of useless. Could I displace myself out of its grip? she continued her train of thought from before, taking another sip as she stared at the steady flame of a nearby oil lamp.

The chair opposite her creaked when the girl sat down, her eyes boring into the table at the noise she had caused.

“Don’t like the attention?” Ilea asked, displacing a mug of ale in front of her.

The healer looked at the mug and blinked, glancing around as if she had missed the person who put it there.

“Drink, might help,” Ilea said, taking a sip herself.

[Healer – lvl 72]

Probably high level enough to make alcohol ineffective.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

The girl gingerly took a sip of the ale, coughing before taking another one. She looked at Ilea and nodded.

The hood covered most of her face but now that she looked up, Ilea could see her a little better. The woman would be around her age, judging by the low level, that assumption was likely true. Her hair was brown, weaved into a single braid that hung down past her shoulder. It looked hastily done.

She had dark brown skin, her green eyes downright striking due to the contrast. She was smaller than Ilea, both in size and height.

“What do you want to eat?” she asked.

“Can’t decide?” Ilea added a few seconds later. “Don’t worry.”

She quickly went to the bar and ordered. “One menu please.”

The barkeeper nodded. “We have quite a few different things, what do you fancy?”

“No, you don’t understand. One menu. One of each of the things that you serve,” Ilea said.

“But you’re just two people,” he said and glanced at the healer and back to Ilea.

Ilea nodded, looking thoughtfully towards the ceiling. “You’re right. And more are coming. Two then.”

He chuckled. “Two it is. Can I ask you to pay upfront, I don’t know you.”

Ilea summoned a piece of gold and placed it down on the counter. “Is that enough?”

“More than enough,” he said.

“Keep the rest,” she said and walked back.

Ilea heard him murmur to himself as he stepped towards the kitchen in the back. “Fucking rich people.”

She sat back down with a sigh, happy to feel that the girl wasn’t quite as stressed out as before. Her mug was empty.

“I’m Ember,” she said after a while of silence, Ilea back to staring at the oil lamp.

“Ilea, nice to meet you,” she said, smiling at the name.

“What is it you want from me?” the girl said.

Ilea looked at her before taking a sip of ale. “You looked like you needed some food and ale.”

“Th… thank you,” the girl said and paused, seeming to consider. “Were… were you part of the order too?”

“What order?” Ilea asked.

“The… the Corinth order… before the city was taken,” she said in a whisper, glancing around again.

Ilea laughed, causing quite a bit of irritation in the woman. “Whispering doesn’t exactly help. At least four people just heard you,” she said and lifted her mug at one of them, a roguish looking man.

He lifted his and grinned, winking at her.

“The Corinth Order… one of the main healing orders right? Wasn’t… yeah, she was part of it. And her too. Bunch of assholes. They’re pretty big in Dawntree, right?” she asked.

The woman blinked a few times before answering. “Were… we… they were. Not anymore.”

“I see,” Ilea said. “Pissed off the plebs, have you?”

“I couldn’t see it… I thought we were doing good, helping the poor, healing those who required it,” the girl said, getting more agitated with each word.

“We were blind… indoctrinated and used. To think they taught us political maneuvering…,” she punched the table and giggled to herself.

“You don’t seem particularly happy with them,” Ilea said.

“Particularly happy?!” Ember said and spit to the ground. She suddenly looked embarrassed, brushing over it with her shoe.

“I only met a few. One I believe tried to poison me… the other one. Well, let’s just say she had a bit of an annoying superiority complex,” Ilea said.

“Not all of us were like that. I was chosen simply because I had a talent for healing and a keen mind. That’s what they told me at least. I didn’t know they leveraged healing for political influence and gold,” Ember said.

“Hmm… well you’re out now. Any plans for the future?” Ilea asked.

“The Corinth order isn’t gone. They’ve just been removed from Dawntree. And they won’t stand by that. I’m sure they will try to come back and weasel themselves back into whatever group is ruling this city by then. And if they catch me outside, I’m dead. Or back in the order,” she looked up and smiled. “I’m not sure which is worse.”

Ilea smiled. “I could offer an alternative. If you don’t want to remain here,” Ilea said and glanced to the entrance of the guild, the first of her clients currently looking around the room.

Blond hair reaching down to her back and blue eyes.

She had changed quite a bit.

Ilea waved at her, finding the girl frozen in place.

“Ilea!” Jaime called out when he entered behind Alice. “What a wonderful sight!” he quite literally dragged Alice behind himself and towards the table.

“Good to see you, Jaime. I thought you wanted to get out? Don’t tell me this whole revolution was your doing,” Ilea said and gestured them to sit down.

Alice was wearing a formal dress that would still allow battle.

[Healer – lvl 115]

[Mage – lvl 141]

“It was a lucky coincidence. Nothing more and nothing less,” the man said and sat down.

Alice was still standing.

“I can feel your sphere… well done, Alice,” Ilea said with a smile.

Jaime looked back at the girl and cleared his throat. “What did you want to say?”

Alice looked at him, grinding her teeth before giving up.

She bowed and spoke in a subdued tone. “Thank you, Ilea. For giving me a chance when I deserved none. For sharing your power with me… allowing me to fight on my own.”

“You’re acting,” Jaime said with a sigh. “Sit down.”

The girl sat down.

“She’s learning. Albeit slowly. What brings you to Dawntree?” Jaime asked.

“I finished the two jobs you posted. Retrieving corpses and information on the expedition. You know, the one I joined in the Taleen dungeon. I hadn’t thought you would care,” Ilea said.

Jaime laughed out loud. “You’re the one who took those assignments? Of course you are. The esteemed Forkspear family was involved. Alice lacked the funds and influence for such a large scale operation. Hence, your then quite dangerous adventure.”

“Manipulation. Are you still as naive as you were back then?” Alice asked, this time in a different tone.

Ilea chuckled, ready to displace the woman up into the ceiling fan, if there was one. The girl however spoke first.

“I would have killed me, if I had been you,” she said with a sigh. “Why didn’t you?” the question seemed genuine.

“I’m not you,” Ilea said. “It did feel pretty shitty. Especially after I rescued you. Twice basically. Three times now, seeing your level,” she said, finding that she had little emotions left for the girl. Because of her she went into the Taleen Dungeon and found a quick way to power.

Alice seemed like a lost girl stumbling in the dark, compared to Edwin. Maybe she gave her too little credit. Or maybe it was because the girl seemed entirely insignificant, sitting opposite her now.

Alice nodded. “Jaime always tells me I have to change my ways. I regret that I lost you as an ally, and through my inability to spot a friend… I lost that too,” she downed a mug of ale. “I’ll pay for that of course, the ale I mean. I was allowed a seat in the new government. And the Forkspear mansion was given to me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ilea said.

“If you want to fight me, we could do so down in the Root. I can hold my own now, even against the likes of you,” she said.

Ilea couldn’t help but snicker, nearly choking on her ale.

She placed the mug down and looked at Alice. “I might take you up on that offer. Girl.”

Alice gulped, glancing towards Jaime.

“The expedition was sent to their doom, just like you were. The former was better prepared, that much is true but in the end a Taleen dungeon is highly dangerous. They were sent by the Forkspears and while Alice has much to learn, she has agreed to try and right the wrongs her family had caused. Both to their own and to others,” he said.

Still loyal to her. Their dynamics have changed though. They’re much closer. He’s not as reserved and she isn’t as controlled.

“You’re a good man, Jaime,” Ilea said. “Which is why I won’t take her up on that offer.”

“You should,” he said. “I give you my full approval. There’s even a guild training room we could rent.”

Ilea quirked up an eyebrow and smiled. Does he want me to kill her?

He leaned in towards her. “She’s quite durable.”

A lesson then. Can’t you do that yourself old man?

“Not as convincingly,” Jaime said and leaned back, his posture straightening to that of a trained butler before he took a sip of ale, as if to taste the strange liquid.

“I ordered food already,” Ilea said. “How long until you’re done?” she spoke out towards the barkeeper.

“With that order?! An hour at least! Damn adventurers,” he said, grumbling the last bit before he joined the two stressed out cooks again.

“Okay, let’s see what you learned then, Azarinth Healer,” Ilea said and stood up, brushing off her clothes and leather armor.

“What… is. Ehm, your offer?” Ember said, more to herself really as she glanced around, a little confused.

Alice looked at the girl with pity, lightly touching her shoulder as she walked past her.

“You can come and watch if you want to,” Ilea said and blinked to one of the clerks. She rented the aforementioned training room and informed them that the clients could wait at her table, should more of them arrive in the mean time.

“We have to wait for the food anyway. We can talk about it more later,” she said as the group entered the rather spacious training room underground.

Stone walls and a floor covered in hard sand.

“I assume you’ve found your Class to be quite good. Got a second one already?” Ilea asked.

“It is! The sphere is incredible and Destruction can damage even higher leveled monsters and people. I coupled it with my enchanter class, using runes to trap or slow down people before I attack,” Alice explained, quite agitated. She was already in a stance, prepared for battle.

Azarinth Fighting, Ilea noted.“What about the healing part, no mention of that?”

Alice grinned. “It’s good to trade blows but I haven’t had to rely on it too much.”

Oh you poor girl.

“You can prepare your runes and enchantments, I’ll wait,” Ilea said.

Alice shook her head. “I’m ready. This is a fair duel. And I’m prepared to take a beating.”

Ilea looked at Jaime, his eyes averted as he focused on not showing his smile.

“Okay,” Ilea said and walked towards the girl. “How is your Veteran skill coming along?”

“My Veteran skill?” Alice asked.

“Yes,” Ilea said, infusing her voice.

Everyone in the room was frozen in place, their eyes darting around as they read the message they must have received.

Ilea casually walked in front of Alice, getting her face close to the woman. “How about your Pain Tolerance?”

She touched her with one arm, assessing her health and her strength. Her ash lashed out, cutting through her arm with ease.

The removed limb fell to the ground with a wet sound, just when the effect of monster hunter stopped.

Ilea knew that Alice was fine. A little injured perhaps.

The girl stumbled back and grit her teeth, tears forming in her eyes as her breathing quickened. And then she vanished.

Oh!

Ilea turned and caught her fist, blood dripping from the closing wound on her shoulder.

She’s healing it.

Her hand closed, breaking every bone in Alice’s remaining hand before she let go.

I’m being mean. Would I do this to one of my Sentinels? No. No I wouldn’t. But then again, this isn’t one of my Sentinels.

She grabbed Alice by her neck and lifted her up, feeling that Jaime was getting a little nervous too by now.

“Don’t worry, Jaime. I’m just playing a little,” she said and added her own healing to the mix, the three people watching in amazement as Alice’s arm reformed with increasing speed.

Ilea twirled and threw her into the nearby wall.

Alice blinked and appeared close again, pushed right back by Force, her body slamming into the stone.

A good decision to offer the Bluemoon Grass and books after all. This feels quite, cathartic.

Chapter 491 Reminiscence

Chapter 491 Reminiscence

“If an enemy can catch you once, they can do it again,” Ilea said and walked towards the girl.

Alice coughed up blood and looked at her with calculating eyes.

Ilea could spot the runed stones she had dropped during her fall but didn’t bother doing anything about them.

“I wouldn’t fight something as strong as you in the first place,” Alice said.

“But how would you know how strong I was? All you see is two question marks. Humans are quite different from monsters too, as you should know by now,” she said and stopped walking. “Also, you might fool someone else to step into your trap but with how aggressive you’ve been so far, it’s quite obvious.”

Alice didn’t let anything show on her face.

“At least you have the acting down,” Ilea said and stepped closer nonetheless.

A zap of paralyzing lightning flashed through her, slowed down by her resistance and entirely useless against her defenses.

Alice jumped up and punched at her.

“You’ve grown quite a bit, that much is clear,” Ilea said and grabbed her arm, breaking it. She turned the girl around and broke her other arm too. “But you’re not quite at the level of a Shadow yet. Maybe another fifty levels or so.”

Azarinth is quite an impressive Class. Now that I see it in action. Level one hundred and fifteen and she’s as powerful as some one eighties I’ve killed.

Alice dropped to the ground, sobbing a little now at the pain of her broken arms. They healed slowly but it would take another minute or two.

Ilea smiled when the girl looked at her, a grin on her face too and a fire in her eyes.

Is this just some elaborate acting to get me to help you again? Ilea wondered.

“I admit defeat. You’re the same monster you were back then,” Alice said and stood up, wincing at the pain.

“You went back there then? To get out the bodies?” Alice asked.

“To destroy the Taleen,” Ilea said, not mentioning that she really just went to train her new Class a little. She had used Force in the short battle but she doubted anybody either noticed or connected the dots. Everyone had ten skill slots after all.

“Of course,” Alice said. “I will pay you for each body you have recovered either way. Double. Because it is you.”

Ilea glanced at Jaime, the man just shrugging.

“Build some well managed orphanages or do something else good with that money. I don’t need it,” Ilea said.

“I will,” Alice said and bowed again.

“Make sure she does,” Ilea said to Jaime as she walked back out of the cellar.

She couldn’t know if the girl was acting or if she really was learning to become less of a little shit. At least she had proven to be a capable fighter for her level. She simply hadn’t expected Ilea to be quite as powerful as she was.

“I wish to burn them,” she said, glancing back at the following three people.

“We can offer our courtyard for that occasion. We have enough wood to build a few pyres,” Alice said.

“Good,” Ilea replied and stepped into the hall. Nothing about them had changed except the blood on Alice’s clothes and the missing cloth on her left arm.

Ilea smiled at the face she immediately recognized, a mug of ale currently obscuring the man’s vision.

“Still with that ridiculous sword,” she said.

[Warrior – lvl 241]

Some progress at least. And he’s still alive.

“I knew it! I fucking knew it!” Lorcan shouted as he stood up and spread his arms. “The mad healer returns! Tell me, did you kill them?” his smile was broad and his breath not pleasant.

Ilea hugged him nonetheless, patting his back before she summoned the head of the Praetorian, tossing the thing at him as she sat down in her chair.

Lorcan caught the head and turned it around, looking at the half molten thing. His confusion turned to joy before he lifted it high up and shouted.

Many of the adventurers shouted their approval, most likely not knowing that the monster had been Taleen in the first place. Slaying a powerful beast was worthy of approval either way.

He placed the head back onto the table and sat down. “You took the job then. I was in the area and thought to post it, now that people are desperate after this rebellion. Gold is scarce, I thought I’d try and get some of them out.”

“Why not go yourself? You’ve gotten quite a bit stronger?” Ilea asked, putting the head back into her necklace, glancing at the other three quietly sitting down, not to disturb the large man and his even larger greatsword.

Lorcan shook his head. “I remember them still… the way they looked at me. I wouldn’t go there for fifty gold pieces,” he said and stopped to consider. “A hundred… maybe.”

Ilea smiled and glanced at the entrance.

Jasper entered and immediately found her eyes. He was followed by Jeremy and Rin, all three part of the expedition that had explored the Taleen dungeon. The old man had been one of the leaders, just as Lorcan.

A smile tugged on his lips as he approached. “I had not expected it to be you, nor that anybody would fulfill the job in the first place. A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.”

Ilea raised her mug.

Jeremy and Rin joined too, the latter one staring at the ground.

“I suppose we need a third menu,” Ilea murmured, hearing a plate clatter from the kitchen.

“Miss Forkspear,” Jasper said as he greeted Alice.

“Mr. Horim. You know her?” Alice said.

“Of course. She was part of the expedition after all. Lilith, now quite famous I hear,” he said and sat down.

Alice, Jaime and Ember opened their eyes wide at the mention of the name.

Lorcan roared with laughter.

He calmed down and leaned over to her. “You got to three hundred before me. I’ll need some details later. Ah, and you still owe me that bow.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow, ignoring the gawking people and the confused Jasper. “Ah… I remember. The Elven bow! Hmm… yeah, that thing is in my house.”

“I don’t suppose you live here,” Lorcan said with a smile.

“Ravenhall,” Ilea said.

Lorcan nodded. “Well. Not like it matters anymore.”

“You could visit. You were the one suggesting Balduur in the first place, I’m sure he’d be happy to see you too.”

“The old geezer, still alive after all that demon stuff? How is his daughter?” he said and winked.

“She’s a little young for you, isn’t she?” Ilea asked.

“Oh, I have no interest in her. However if he’s dead, she would need protection. Some of the best enchanting I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Ilea turned towards him. “He is very much alive. And she is under my protection,” she said.

“Both good news then,” Lorcan said and sighed. “Plus I’m not welcome in Ravenhall, after what happened.”

“I’m sure my word could change that,” Ilea said.

“With those songs backing you up… that might actually be possible. But no. I’m happy where I am. Dawntree feels like a frontier city again. Now that we are cut off. A new government, new fire burning in the hearts of people. I would like to see how it develops,” he said.

“You… are Lilith?” Alice asked, finally bringing herself to talk.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Ilea said.

Jaime snickered to himself before he deflected a few of Alice’s blows.

“Don’t rub it in like that!” Alice said in a hiss, stopping her angry antics as she surely let Meditation flow through her.

“Apologies my lady. You have found your way back either way,” the butler said to Alice and winked to Ilea.

Jeremy smiled, a hand on Rin’s back. “It’s good to see you again. I was afraid you had been lost.”

Ilea wasn’t sure what he meant. I wasn’t in the best state after leaving. Maybe he noticed.

Lorcan glanced at her with a questioning look.

“You asked for books and gear?” she said, ignoring his comment.

“From the Taleen, yes,” Jeremy said.

“I sadly didn’t find anything substantial,” Ilea said. She didn’t mention the diary of the Legate she had found so long ago. “I did carve out what runes and letters I could.”

The man lit up with joy. “Perfect. Did you store them somewhere?”

Ilea showed her necklace. “In here.”

“I knew you got something out of there,” Jasper said and smiled. He didn’t look a day older than the last time she had met him.

“I don’t remember seeing you during the siege,” he added.

“I left. To Salia,” Ilea said.

The mood shifted quite a bit at the mention of the Elven attacks.

Better not mention my great Elven friends right now, Ilea thought and sipped on her ale.

“You offered your courtyard?” Ilea asked when the food arrived.

“Yes,” Alice said. “A part of the mansion was destroyed. I believe a sizable chunk of it was wood. To be honest, a part of me would like to see it all burn. But it would be a waste.”

“I heard about your brother,” Jasper said. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Alice asked. “I was the one who dealt the final blow. It was a Shadow that helped me get that far however,” she said and turned to Ilea. “As much as you think that I need a lesson on arrogance, I’m very much aware of my inadequacies. You were even there Jaime.”

“Mhm,” the man said. “I just thought she deserved it. Especially after you offered it so foolishly.”

“I hoped she would refuse, as decent as she is. Knowing now that you are Lilith however. Well it seems I had misjudged you. Sincerely… Lilith. I thank you for letting me live. After all my foolish actions.”

That one seems somewhat honest, Ilea thought with a smile, starting to eat.

“We both survived,” she said. “Enjoy the food everyone. We’ll be moving on to the Forkspear mansion shortly. Oh and I don’t require your gold. You can collect your deposits as soon as they worked through everything.”

“Are you sure? That is excessively generous,” Jasper said.

“I agree. I do want to recompense you for the danger that you went through,” Jeremy added.

Lorcan smiled.

“This was personal,” Ilea said, inspecting a cooked monster leg. “Now eat.”

“She was consumed by fury. A want for revenge. I understood of course but it seemed futile. I did what I could to train her, prepare her for what she wasn’t ready for,” Jaime said, the man walking next to Ilea.

“The Class you let her unlock really is quite something. With anything lesser, she would have died after a week in the wild,” he said.

“She still seems like a scheming little brat,” Ilea said.

He laughed. “In parts. She was raised this way. It takes decades to break out of the mold your were forged in. For most at least. Now that her brother is dead, the looming evil in her life is gone. I’ll keep an eye on her. Thank you again, Ilea. You have saved her life. Ours both.”

Ilea nodded. “I’m glad you are fine at least.”

“Don’t let her Class go to waste in an office,” she added.

Jaime smiled. “I do believe she has tasted the joy of battle. Why else would she challenge you?”

“She really thought she had a chance?” Ilea asked.

He shrugged. “Perhaps. I think she hoped to be defiant at least. She is done with being manipulated by others, and hopefully with manipulating others too. I think she can accept her loss quite easily and hopefully see it as a reason to keep up her training.”

Ilea didn’t comment on it.

“You destroyed a whole army?” Lorcan asked as he joined them.

“Parts of one,” Ilea said. “The rest fled.”

The man laughed.

“Were you there when it happened? Ravenhall I mean?” he asked.

She nodded. “And I was there when we retook the city.”

“Mhm,” he nodded. “The siege here lasted for quite a while. Many of the nobles had relocated quite a while before things had gotten as bad as they were.”

“How did you break out?” Ilea asked.

“A few Shadow squads attacked them from the south. We sheltered them whenever necessary. At some point I think they didn’t think it entertaining anymore,” he said. “The four we managed to take down certainly helped.”

She nodded.

“Were you not hunted when you left?” he asked.

“I was. But they fought amongst each other. They were young, as most Elves that attack human settlements are. Easy to anger and very emotional. I got away and later killed them with a few Shadows that appeared,” she said.

Lorcan smiled. “Good. You seem to know more about the world now than I do,” he sighed. “Sulivhaan. That was his name I believe. He did mention meeting someone in Salia. A young healer of incredible power.”

“He’s a good man,” she said, noticing that they had arrived at the mansion.

It didn’t take long to build a few pyres with this many high level warriors assembled.

Ilea placed each body on a prepared altar, the group trying to identify them, Jasper writing down their names. He had been the one in charge of personnel, having known nearly all of the expedition members.

“Only a few are unaccounted for,” he said without further comment.

“The dungeon is clear. They must have escaped,” Ilea said with confidence.

“Possibly,” Jasper said.

They proceeded to set alight the pyres, quickly attracting a crowd of people and guards that came to see what was going on.

Jasper, Alice, and Lorcan seemed to be well known enough to allow for an uninterrupted funeral.

Jaime was the first to lift one of his swords, the blade flaring out in a bright flame as he looked upwards.

Ilea formed ash, letting it swirl around the rising smoke, quickly joined by many others who bid their farewells.

These had been adventurers of Dawntree. Many of them at least. Some had been well known, for better reasons or for worse. All of them however deserved better than rotting away within a closed off Taleen dungeon.

Jeremy held Rin as they cried together.

Ilea had goosebumps, hundreds of spells firing up into the sky. Like fireworks, she thought, glad she could give these people some closure.

She herself had gotten hers with the destruction of the Praetorians.

“Do you plan to stay?” Lorcan asked after a few minutes.

“No. I’ve been here too long already,” Ilea said with a smile.

He sighed, glancing at her before his eyes focused onto the smoldering embers once more.

Ilea lifted a hand, the ash floating up before it vanished. “I don’t mind staying a few more hours. With you.”

He chuckled. “You’ve changed.”

“I have.” Ilea said. “I’ll find you.”

“Ember, come on,” she said and nodded to the woman.

The girl fidgeted, startled to be addressed by Ilea.

“Y… yes,” she said and bowed.

“What are you doing?” Ilea asked, stopping as she looked at the girl.

“I… eh… I’m trying to show respect… for Lilith,” Ember said.

Ilea felt the distress grow in her. “Calm down. I’m Ilea, a friend. Now come, there’s too many people here.” she said and continued walking.

The two quickly found a somewhat empty bar, Ilea ordering a mug of ale and some water, unsure if the woman really was immune to the effects of alcohol.

“What I mentioned before. I could set you up in Ravenhall, if you want to. A normal job or maybe even something a little more interesting,” Ilea said, taking a sip of ale.

“Ravenhall… that’s a long way from here,” the girl said. “A long way from the Corinth order,” she added in a whisper.

“In here?” Ilea heard someone say from outside.

A woman entered a moment later, red flowing hair and a summer dress of the same color. A broad leather belt wrapped around her waistline, with a sword strapped to it.

“Who the fuck are you? Get away from that girl,” she called out to Ilea, walking closer with a hand on the handle.

“Diana… what, no please wait, she’s…,” Ember said, looking between the two women.

Ilea continued to sip on her ale, taking in the woman. Quite beautiful, brazen, and direct. Perhaps a little too much, like me.

Diana looked at Ember and then focused on Ilea. “I don’t know you. Are you from Kroll?” she asked, her blade still ready.

[Healer – lvl 125]

“Lots of questions. Why don’t you sit down with us before I make you,” Ilea said.

The woman huffed, a smile tugging on her lips. “Are you with the order?”

Ilea rolled her eyes and displaced the sword she had still not quite drawn. “Which order?” she asked, looking at the wholly inadequate weapon.

“Threatening me with this?” Ilea murmured to herself.

Diana whistled.

A man clad in black armor appeared in a crouch next to her, daggers drawn.

“Oh, hi Hayden,” Ilea said and waved at him with the sword.

“You… what?” Diana said.

“Why did you call for me?” Hayden asked, confused as he sheathed his weapons. “That’s Lilith. She’s not with the Corinth. At least I don’t think she is.”

He nodded to her and pulled out a chair.

Diana lost all the color in her face, her eyes focused on Ilea.

“Lilith?” she stammered out.

Chapter 492 Arrangements

A note from Rhaegar

Reminder about the Art Contest ending on Friday 10th of July :).

https://www.patreon.com/posts/art-contest-38604320

Chapter 492 Arrangements

“I told you! You dunce, you should listen before you get yourself killed!” Ember said, finding her courage as she stood up and walked towards the woman. “Why are you here anyway, I told you I’d go my own way.”

“I keep an eye out for everyone who’s left. I’m sorry… someone saw you with a high level healer… I thought they…,” Diana said, the two hugging each other.

“Heartfelt, isn’t it,” Hayden commented.

Ilea grunted and finished her ale, motioning to the bartender for another one.

“Why are you here? Did she hire you?” Ilea asked.

“I owed her. Not the facing Lilith kind of debt,” he said. “Most of the Corinth spies and paladins who remained were quite weak.”

Diana let go of Ember and stepped closer to Ilea, bowing deep before she spoke. “My sincerest apologies, mistress Lilith of Ravenhall. I had mistaken you for a member of the Corinth Order.”

“I don’t exactly look like one, do I?” Ilea asked. She looked at Hayden.

“You’re quite charming. Different clothes maybe,” he said.

“Do I behave like one?” Ilea asked, looking back at the healers.

“Not like one of those we have to worry about,” Ember said.

Diana’s complexion turned from pale to red as the conversation took its course.

Ilea threw the weapon upwards and caught it by the blade, holding it out towards Diana. “You’re lucky you know Ember,” she said.

The woman nodded, gingerly taking the blade before she sheathed it with some level of capability.

“I’m sorry,” Diana said again.

Ilea waved her off. I’m used to stupid shit happening when I’m in cities.

“I was just discussing a potential new start for Ember here,” Ilea said. “Maybe you’re interested too.”

Diana immediately squinted her eyes. “You trust easily. What new start is this you speak of? There are plenty of offers out there too good to be true.”

“I don’t need to trust you,” Ilea said. “There is literally nothing you could do to me. If you’re a spy, which I don’t think you are, then go inform your Corinth leaders that Lilith has taken a few of their ex healers into her protection. If they want them back, they’re free to visit.”

Diana gulped and sat down. “What do you offer?”

Quite desperate, are we? Well it’s understandable, Ilea thought with a smirk. “Are you in hiding? To need a Shadow for protection means you’re not exactly safe.”

The woman looked around, glancing at the barkeeper before she spoke, in a whisper. “The Order doesn’t take kindly to those who would betray it. We are members for life. We’re lucky that Ziva is somewhat reasonable, otherwise we would have all been slaughtered anyway.”

“What a waste of healers,” Ilea commented.

“Logic is not a skill one is born with, nor part of many Classes,” Diana said.

“I can offer you lot jobs in Ravenhall, fair wages and something you don’t abhor doing. Maybe more than that, if you prove yourself to be trustworthy,” Ilea said.

“I thought you didn’t need to trust us,” Diana said.

Ember had sat down again.

“I don’t. But others would prefer it that way. How many are there?” Ilea asked.

The woman considered, glancing at Ember before looking at Hayden. “You’re sure this is The Lilith… the Shadow?”

Hayden nodded. “I suggest you take what she’s offering.”

“Twenty three. And two more who remain loyal to the Order. I suggest you do not extend your offer to them,” she said, her tone making it clear how she thought of them.

“I see. Well I’m sure they’ll be fine. How are your levels, gear, and gold looking? Can you make the trip?” Ilea asked.

Diana opened her mouth a little. “To Ravenhall? I’m the highest leveled among them. We’re not fighters, we’re healers.”

“I’m both. And you were ready to use that blade when you came in here,” Ilea said.

“I would have died,” Diana said.

“True. You would have,” Ilea sighed. “I don’t feel like ferrying you to Ravenhall. Hayden, can her debt pay for an escort?”

“The trip with horses and wagons would take three or four weeks. No, it does not. And before you ask, I don’t want the job either way. I will stay in Dawntree,” he said.

Ilea looked at the man and nodded. “What about the other guy, Levi?”

Hayden laughed. “Are you sure? After his stunt?”

“Her debt can surely pay for you transferring some information and a sack of gold to the man. I’m sure he would be delighted to fulfill a personal request for me,” she said.

“I’m sure he would. I’d say you need a few more people though. Some adventurers would surely be open for a protection detail to Ravenhall,” Hayden said and nodded to himself.

“Can I trust Levi with that?” Ilea asked.

“As theatrical as he is, he is a good man, and a powerful mage. Despite his poor showing against me. I can look for a few trustworthy adventurers too,” he said.

“Good. How much gold do you think is needed?” Ilea asked.

“Around eight gold for Levi, if it takes three to four weeks… let’s say you get eight additional people… around seven gold. Fifteen I’d say, give or take,” he said.

Ilea summoned twenty gold pieces and stacked them on top of each other. “Make sure they know that if these healers do not arrive in Ravenhall… I will investigate the matter personally. And I Really don’t feel like doing that.”

“Understood,” Hayden said and took the gold. “You’re a lucky one Diana.”

“We cannot pay you back…,” she said.

“Maybe Claire can deduct a little bit of your wages for a few years. With so many people it shouldn’t be an issue,” Ilea said.

She didn’t really care about the gold but it already seemed like a very good deal, she didn’t want Diana to run away because of her suspicions.

“Thank you!” Ember said and grasped her hands. “You have no idea what this means for us,” she had tears in her eyes.

“Before I go, is it alright if I mark you, Ember? You’ll be able to call for help if something comes up,” Ilea whispered to her.

“Of course,” she said without hesitation.

“Perfect,” Ilea said and used Sentinel Huntress on the girl, watching the marking appear on the back of her hand.

Diana still didn’t seem perfectly convinced but she tried to smile at least.

Is this how human traffickers do it? Ilea wondered, happy to know that her offer was actually legitimate.

“Now please excuse me, I’m sure you can deal with the rest yourselves,” she said and downed the remaining ale, flinging a silver piece to the bartender.

Diana kept an eye on her back until she stepped out.

Let’s see if my reputation is enough for her to trust me.

She said her goodbyes a few hours later, her clothes and armor appearing before her third tier blink activated.

Lorcan watched with a smile on his face, waving his goodbyes.

The view vanished a moment later, replaced by the large windows of her balcony.

“Puh, the air in here!” she said and appeared outside, opening the door behind her with an ashen limb.

The bow is so close now, she thought and chuckled, enjoying the fresh winds of ocean air, the smell of salt.

Ilea stored her clothes and jumped, closing her eyes before she slammed into the water. It felt good. Cool.

It felt like she was just one fish of many, not Lilith, the army destroying menace.

I’m sinking much faster than I should, she thought, the absence of scales in her home quite welcome.

Hmm, I wonder… she thought, blinking and displacing herself through the water without issues. Her ash expanded outwards behind her, the limbs fanning out and connecting to form fin like extensions twice the size of her body.

Ilea exclaimed, laughing underwater as the air pushed out of her lungs. She twirled, speeding up with her ashen fins, moving quicker than she ever had underwater.

She tried charging her wings, finding their power considerably subdued underwater. It was a surprise that they were more than an inconvenience at all.

I could act as a mermaid… the mermaid of ash, she thought to herself and giggled, realizing that she had been submerged for a few minutes already. And still it felt like she had barely entered the water.

Harmony of the Drowned, she thought and summoned the Drowning Bear ring. Oxygen repository should work quite well too.

She didn’t wait for the skills to start taking effect, quite clean and satisfied as she teleported a few times, appearing back on her balcony. Her ash condensed, quickly drying her up with the help of Heart of Cinder.

Clothes back on, she blinked up and charged her wings.

“Hey can I test something with you?” Ilea asked, looking at the two Sentinels.

She had appeared in the training hall without notice, neither of them showing much of a reaction. Being kidnapped at night and taken to an unknown dungeon by her had taught them to be prepared for everything, at all times.

[Healer – lvl 20]

[Mage – lvl 40]

Both of them had some form of ash armor. “You can both heal yourself?”

They nodded.

Nathan and Luke I think, Ilea thought, remembering the names of the two. Nathan had the Ashen Sentinel Class and quite a few impressive feats during the dungeon dives she had taken them to.

Flare of Creation appeared around her right hand, the second tier giving her a little more control over what part of her body burned. The cost remained the same either way.

“Who has more Vitality and resilience?” she asked.

“Luke,” Nathan said easily.

“I guess,” Luke confirmed.

She turned off her auras and extended an ashen limb to the boy. “It will damage you and your regeneration should be affected. Just tell me by how much and if it changes your healing too. I’ll make sure you don’t die if it’s too strong.”

Two ashen limbs gripped him around his arm before she touched his hand, making sure she could just cut it off in case the fires were too strong.

The pale flame touched his arm, the boy wincing at the pain.

His health declined rapidly, then less so. Ilea cut off his hand and started healing. She noted he had disabled his pain perception at some point in the short time span.

He only looked at his regenerating hand.

She tested a few more times with the boy, the data he provided quite valuable.

His natural regeneration was reduced by nearly half, depending on where and how much he was injured. His healing too was affected, reducing the effect by about a third.

Considering the low level and power of the Sentinel, Ilea considered it passable. She hadn’t used her auras to boost the spell after all, unsure if it would increase the rate itself. It should at least be able to provide a similar bonus against someone at my level. Maybe even higher.

She thanked the boy and vanished, smiling at the fact that he was nearly her age. Ilea had to admit that the difference between their first meeting and his appearance now was quite stark. A year or two and she probably wouldn’t see them as boys anymore. Already they had been through more than many an adventurer sees in their life.

Speaking of adventurers, she thought and dissolved the mark she had left on Sophia. The Specters hadn’t broken out, even after she had killed the five closest to the surface.

Another blink brought her down to the hidden part of the headquarters. I wonder, she thought and tried to displace herself behind the enchanted gates.

It failed but there was some feedback. “It’s me!” she shouted immediately.

“Fucking idiot, causing a cascade of alarms and traps, come in please,” Iana murmured as she tampered with the imbued gate, activating a few runes and sending out a few message tubes through the system Claire had introduced to the city. “I didn’t hear the good news yet. You can do Space Magic now?”

Ilea nodded and walked inside. “Sorry for the commotion,” she said and summoned the Taleen Key she had gotten. “I have a small gift as an apology.”

“Please knock normally, this stuff is in place against enemy intrusion. Don’t try to break through yourself… is that?” Iana recited before stopping. “Another one?! Christopher!”

The man looked out from one of their rooms and waved when he saw Ilea. “I told her it’s probably you.”

“Can’t be too safe,” Ilea said and glanced around. “Is Aki here?”

“He doesn’t come down here often anymore, takes his job quite seriously. Is that another gate key?” he said and joined them.

“It’s not like we wouldn’t already be dead if that creature you mentioned decided to invade this place,” Iana said, taking the key Ilea handed to her.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, smiling at Ilea as soon as the gates closed shut again. “Apologies for the rough welcome. You’ve been out for a few days. The Space Magic was yours, right? Or did you find an interesting item perhaps?”

“It’s mine. Got a Third Class at three fifty. It’s still kind of a secret so don’t shout it around,” Ilea said.

Iana waved her off and walked towards the Core. “You’re going to do that yourself, I’m sure. Not like we get out much anyway.”

“I told you not to work too much,” Ilea said and followed.

“How could we not, with the world changing stuff you find in your travels. This is the most fun I’ve ever had,” Iana said, her eyes focused on the key in her hands.

“It was tuned in to a place called the Izacan dungeon. I would suggest you don’t activate a gate to that place,” Ilea said.

“Without the Taleen gate circle, this key alone isn’t enough. It’s mostly just provides the authority to actually use it. There is however a lot we can learn. Now having two, we can understand the differences, more easily determine what enchantments are variable, and which are static,” Iana explained.

“You do your hacking, computer girl,” Ilea said.

“What?” Iana asked, dropping the question after a few seconds, the three entering the Core. “I don’t suppose your third Class has given you some understanding of Space Magic?”

Ilea waved her hand sideways. “Understanding…eh. I have Space Awareness. Maybe that will help. Also, my third tier resistance actually prevented the gate from working. Something to consider.”

“Nobody will reach that level of resistance from a safe teleportation gate,” Christopher said. “Second tier, maybe. After a thousand years of constant teleporting.”

“Greetings from Lorcan Agor by the way. Adventurer from Dawntree,” Ilea said as she stepped onto the platform. She had time and assumed the two were eager for some more testing.

“That old fart. Still alive. Well, greet him back if you see him again,” Iana said, making it clear that she didn’t have strong feelings for the man either way. “That was one of my early weapon storage enchantments… does it still hold?”

Ilea shrugged. “He had the sword out most of the time. There were times where I didn’t see it though, so I assume it still does.”

Iana smiled to herself.

“You’re standing on the platform. Do you have some time for tests?” she asked.

Ilea just nodded, deactivating her Space Magic Resistance and focusing on the wisps around her.

“Yep, hit me,” she smiled, spreading her arms.

“This part here doesn’t look perfect,” Ilea said, moving her ash onto the section of the platform where the wisps hadn’t looked like a perfect circle.

The two enchanters stood there and murmured to each other, trying to figure out the problem.

Ilea had noticed the patters quite quickly, the wisps in the small hall flowing together a little upon activation of the gate. They generally moved but after a few tries it became more clear how exactly.

The closest comparison she could come up with was water. Flowing water without the influence of gravity. She had seen a few pictures and videos from astronauts drinking or showing off water in zero g. This time the liquid was space, and mostly invisible.

Whenever the gate came close to activation, some of the wisps would move closer, even form somewhat of a circle. When the magic happened, a few parts were disturbed, some flowing out with greater speed.

The practical result was the teleportation of chunks of Ilea, instead of her full being.

She was honestly impressed how far they had come without the help of such an awareness. My two little geniuses, she thought with a smirk.

“You have that predatory look on your face again,” Iana commented, the two done with the fix.

“Let’s try again,” Christopher said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and nodded.

Her right leg was ripped off this time, and a chunk of the platform itself.

Both appeared on the other side, accompanied by a groan form Iana.

“Can we take a break? It’s getting boring,” Ilea said and marked the parts where the wisps had moved. This time there were four. Like plugging the holes of a sinking icebreaker, riddled by four miniguns aimed by blind people.

“Sure… I need a break too,” Iana said.

“We need to repair the gate first,” Christopher said and stepped onto the second platform.

“Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out. My Awareness is getting better too,” Ilea said and gave a thumbs up to the girl.

They accompanied her towards the exit, Ilea stopping a little before.

“Can you take a few steps back,” she said, spreading her ash into a sphere around her.

“What now?” Christopher asked, following her request nonetheless.

A mostly intact Centurion body appeared in front of her feet, Ilea waiting a minute to see if it would explode.

Chapter 493 Influence

Chapter 493 Influence

“What’s that… oh! A Taleen Centurion, quite interesting. Don’t they explode upon destruction?” Christopher asked.

“Arthur fought Centurions?” Ilea asked.

“There are always a few in the Taleen dungeons. They lack regeneration, which allowed us to take them out from a distance… with… minor losses,” he explained.

“I… see. I managed to overcharge it with damage, I guess it was dead before whatever switch was flipped to activate its self destruction. I sadly failed with the Praetorians,” Ilea said.

“Praetorian? That would be quite ridiculous. They were the only ones we couldn’t face at all,” Christopher commented.

Both of them approached and checked the machine.

“It’s still active,” Iana said.

“It’s alive?” Ilea asked.

“No. The self destruct enchantment. Let me… hmm… the sixth layer?” she asked, looking at Christopher.

“I believe it should be on the sixth, yes. You can simply remove the feedback rune and… yes, that’s it,” he said.

This is like shitty science fiction, Ilea thought as she watched the two. “Well I’ll leave you to it then. Put Aki inside if you can,” she said, looking at them again. “Maybe do it inside of a bunker. We wouldn’t want him to accidentally trigger that.”

Iana nodded. “We’ll remove that part entirely, don’t worry. The first three layers are completely fried… we’ll have to replace them,” she said.

Christopher stepped away. “We can use the schematics we took from the Guardian body. I have a lot of incomplete notes on Centurions too. The pieces often had remaining enchantments.”

“Good. Let’s get to work then,” Iana said.

“When should I come back?” Ilea asked.

Iana looked at her, a little confused. “Ah, the teleportation gate. Yes. Whenever you want. Give me a few hours to calm down though, I just want to rip it apart right now.”

“I understand,” Ilea said and chuckled, stepping out of the opening gates.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 7’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 9’

Quite successful for just a few hours, Ilea thought, wondering if the second tier could help with the gate even more.

She decided to use one of the training halls to work on her Armaments of Trials in combination with all her perception abilities and newfound Space Magic.

A few hours later, she asked Trian for some sparring help to increase her third Class skills, continuing to switch between training methods until she took out a group of Sentinels.

The next few days were spent on teleportation gate testing, training with both Trian and her Armaments, or simply with her Space Magic itself, and of course excursions with the Sentinels.

Now that they had their Classes, she had to interfere far less often than before. Even dangerous injuries could be healed, the mobility of early teleportation spells allowing the low level Sentinels to escape more often than not.

Whenever they couldn’t, Ilea would swoop in to save the day. The constant protector lessened the experience her students gained but it was still valuable either way.

Trian took them out too, often with Claire in tow. He planned to have the first missions for the Sentinels quite soon. Missions where no guardian was present. Only perhaps a Guardian Medic.

Ilea relaxed on the terrace of the Golden Drake, enjoying a rich breakfast as she checked the gaines of the past few days.

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Passive – Space Shift – 2nd lvl 1

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again 60.5% faster [121%] and you can travel 30.5% farther [61%].

2nd stage: Interrupt or stop an enemy teleportation spell within a distance of 10.5m. Cooldown and efficiency is affected by available teleportation spells. You cannot teleport while this skill is active.

Category: Space magic

Ilea had tested it briefly in one of her training sessions. The spell could be used whenever either Blink or Displacement were available. Neither skill could be cast while the disruption was in use.

The potency was quite high, Ilea managing to prevent Trian from teleporting entirely. She assumed it had something to do with Blink being high in the third tier. She did wonder if her having two spells increased the power of this ability, or if it would work against her own spells and resistances.

It would certainly come in handy against enemies constantly running away with teleportation.

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie – 2nd lvl 1

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 25.5% [229.5%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 7.1% [63.9%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 7.1% [63.9%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound.

2nd stage: Your body has withstood incredible damage, endured the hardships of battle. The fires flowing through you have hardened your bones and muscles. Your health is increased by 5.1% [45.9%].

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic

It had been quite simple to level the skill, Trian using his lightning against her without resistance or auras present.

In the second tier however, the progress had been nonexistent so far.

The health bonus was incredible of course, mostly thanks to the multipliers her Class provided.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 12’

Sadly, the leveling of her perception skill proved difficult, the progress they had made with the Teleportation gate slowing down steadily until she hadn’t gotten a single level in several hours.

At least the enchanters were getting closer, understanding the issues more as her perception increased. Even minute changes and fluctuations were now visible to her but she felt that like with her Ash manipulation skills, Space Awareness could not simply be brute forced.

Body of the Valkyrie had surprisingly provided the largest obvious change but Ilea hadn’t focused on her third Class alone.

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 10’

Claire waved as she came out of the open doorway leading down into the Drake.

“I knew I’d find you up here,” she said, a smile on her face.

“The Administrator leaves her office. For what reason am I bestowed such honor?” Ilea asked, spreading a little bit of cream cheese on a halved bun of bread.

She smiled and moved one of the chairs to sit down. “Am I not allowed to visit a dear friend without reason?”

“You always have a reason. I’m the one visiting you without one,” Ilea said.

Claire frowned. “Yes. Disturbing my schedules every. Single. Time.”

“With world shattering information or artifacts,” Ilea retorted.

“That just makes it worse,” Claire said and sighed. “How do you like your resistance training free days?”

Ilea took a bite of the bun, chewed, and swallowed. “It’s quite relaxing actually. Feels a little like vacation. Experimenting with the new skills is quite interesting too. And I’m So close to a breakthrough with that damn armor, I can feel it.”

“The armor from your smith in the north?” Claire asked.

“Mhm,” Ilea said and continued eating, gesturing for the woman to help herself.

Claire smiled and took a plate, piling some bacon, cheese, grapes, and bread onto it. “Appreciate it,” she said.

[Mage – lvl 260]

“You progressed too I see,” Ilea mentioned.

“A little. We’re getting better. The idea with bringing Sentinels is quite efficient too. We can stay longer in the dungeons, injuries no longer cutting our stays short.”

“They did before?” Ilea asked.

“Not often, we’re generally quite careful. You out of all people should know though how dangerous it can be to face creatures far above your own level,” Claire said.

Ilea smirked, not saying anything as she continued eating.

“Something you might want to consider… your Sentinels are usually taken out in groups, both by you and us. They train in groups, spend their free time in groups. The bonds they share are a valuable thing,” she said.

“You’re talking about the plan to send them out with adventurer teams?” Ilea asked.

The woman nodded, eating a few grapes.

“It’s not set in stone. If they want to stay in their groups, why not? They can join expeditions or just do jobs themselves. I’m pretty sure half of them or a little less would be happy to work alone though,” Ilea said.

“Then you just have another mercenary order,” Claire commented.

“But they’re healers, doing adventuring work. There’s no rule against going into a dungeon with ten or twenty people. Or tackling the harder jobs with that number. I doubt it will be an issue. Plus, Trian will figure something out, I’m sure. Did you check on the Dawntree healers by the way?”

Claire nodded. “I suppose you’re right. It just bothers me a little… the lax way in which you treat your organization. I did check the names you mentioned. Not much came up in the search but I’ll find places for them. We will make sure they’re trustworthy and fitting before any are offered to join the Sentinels.”

“That’s good,” Ilea said. “Well I mostly just fund the organization. Or is this about the Hand? And your inability to use them as a personal military?”

Ilea laughed at the expression and the rolling eyes.

“I have the Shadowguard for that. Nor am I interested in a personal military. I’d rather rely on my own strength and that of those close to me. The new Classes… and the way you’re training them. These people aren’t ordinary, nor will their impact on the world be that of a measly adventurer or even a member of the Hand,” Claire said.

Ilea smiled. “Trust Trian a little more. We’re not just creating soldiers or powerful rogues. The ideals of the Sentinels are clear and as far as I know them so far, the students share those ideals. There will be those who seek personal revenge or go a little nuts, I’m sure. Nothing that a bit of disciplinary action can’t remedy.”

“A lot of them were wronged. I can’t fault them for potentially doing some selfish stupid shit. I did that too,” Ilea said.

“Hundreds could die,” Claire said.

“The keyword is could. I’d rather risk it with a more relaxed atmosphere, trusting them to have good judgment instead of using rigid rules and control to keep them in order. There are plenty of organizations around that do that already,” Ilea said.

Claire tapped the table with her finger, taking a sip of juice. “You’re not wrong. Doesn’t mean I entirely disagree. It’s your organization however. I just hope you’re ready to take responsibility if some things go wrong.”

“I will, and you know that,” Ilea said.

Claire looked at her, nodding slightly. “I apologize. I know you will. Of course I do. I just know how rash you can be. And I know that you have a soft spot for them. Now is the time to prevent a hunt for someone you once deemed a student or even a friend, because they were corrupted by their own power.”

“I appreciate your concern, Claire. But I’m not the same girl anymore that you met years ago. And neither are you the same woman from back then. I trust Trian. I trust his judgment and his feel for people. And still, I know the scenario you think of is not entirely impossible. Nor do I think it would be easy. Perhaps it’s rash but I like the way everything is structured right now. I’ll deal with it once such problems arise.”

Claire smiled, perhaps a little bitter. “And I’ll be there to support you. No matter what”

Ilea smiled. “Thank you.” She lifted a glass of juice. “To Ravenhall, a city that wouldn’t be the same without us.”

“It’d be a bloody ruin without you. Though I suppose I can give myself Some credit in its prosperity,” Claire said, murmuring the last part.

Their glasses clinked together. Both ate in silence for a little while until Claire cleared her throat.

“I’m glad we could talk about this, Ilea. It is however not the only reason I came to see you,” she said and summoned a letter.

The paper itself looked expensive but what caught her eyes was the golden seal. A lily.

“It seems the name of Lilith has gained enough weight to warrant a reaction,” Claire said and handed the thing over.

“Interesting, so they finally write. Is it authentic?” she asked.

“I have no idea. It looks official enough but even we don’t know much about that organization,” Claire said.

Ilea formed a small dome of ash just in case the thing was some sort of assassination attempt.

Claire chuckled a little at that.

“What?” Ilea asked, opening the letter with an ashen limb.

“Nothing,” Claire said and drank some more juice.

Ilea took out the letter and looked at it. Beautiful and steady handwriting.

“Do you want to hear?” she asked.

“Of course,” Claire said and activated a few runed plates she casually threw around the table. Just in case someone was listening in.

“EsteemedLilith, the Ashen Shadow of Ravenhall.

I have heard much about you in the past months, your name traveling to the inns of my town and beyond. Your exploits in Riverwatch are most impressive, as are your endeavors in the retaking and subsequent rebuilding of Ravenhall and its order of Shadows.

The Golden Lily is interested in making your acquaintance.

I formally invite you to join me for cake and teain Myrefield, whenever it is convenient for you to do so.

In anticipation of our future cooperation,

Helena Pierrot”

The letter burst into bright golden flames as soon as she was done reading, the fire neither harming her nor creating any heat. The paper vanished nonetheless.

“I’m intrigued,” Ilea said.

Claire seemed thoughtful. “Because of the cake?” she asked absentmindedly.

“Mainly, yes,” Ilea admitted, watching the woman summon a booklet, flipping through pages until she found what she had been looking for.

“Helena Pierrot. The sole owner of the Heavenly Sweets, a baking business and unofficially an assassin guild,” Claire said. “Neither is deemed a threat to Ravenhall or the Shadow’s Hand it seems… based on past interactions and their general behavior.”

“Hiding an assassin order behind a bakery business… seems a little eccentric. Kind of funny though,” Ilea said, thinking of a baker coming to kill her. Weapons hidden within cupcakes.

“That isn’t really the case…,” Claire said, already with four books on the table. “Assassin guilds aren’t necessarily forbidden in many countries. This isn’t a front, it’s the main part of their business.”

“Really?” Ilea asked, trying to think back if she had ever seen one of their stores. Her memories came up blank.

“It’s the major provider of cake and baked goods for large parts of the whole human plains… there are even records of sales and connections to the northern planes, dwarven kingdoms, the independent cities of the west… however Ravenhall is suspiciously free of their services.”

“There are no records as to why they’re not in Ravenhall,” Claire said in a disappointed tone.

“Turns out our worst enemy is a bakery,” Ilea murmured.

“The information on the assassin part is scarce. With how successful their bakery business is, it’s very much possible that the same is true for the shadier part. Perhaps it IS just a front after all but I don’t want to think about the implications that would have,” Claire said.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked.

Claire looked at her. “It’s suspicious of course. And we have no clue what they want from you and Lilith. Them avoiding Ravenhall for one reason or the other would speak for apprehension of either the Elders or the Shadow’s Hand. You are beyond most of them, if not all,” Claire said.

“Arthur Redleaf was a member… and he wasn’t exactly at my current power. I think it’s safe to have a look at least. I can dispel the mark on your hand in case things get dangerous,” Ilea said.

“It could be a trap… perhaps we should be nearby. Myrefield is in the southern part of the empire but it’s not exactly close either,” Claire said.

“They’re an assassin order… if they wanted to kill me, there were hundreds of opportunities to do so. What if she really just wants to talk?” Ilea asked. “What reason do we have to think they know I’m looking for them? Or why?”

“It’s just sensible. With the Heavenly Sweets being behind just one person in their organization, we don’t know who else is part of it. The information network they must have is larger than anything else out there,” Claire said.

Ilea thought about it. “Then it’s in their interest to cooperate with me. If they know what I can do.”

“Or they prepared an elaborate trap, enchantments, and groups of mages countering your abilities just to take you down,” Claire said.

“Arthur was an asshole but he had a clear goal in mind. Getting the technology of the Taleen for humanity. Your records about this Helena don’t mention her as a threat. Which means either she’s too weak to be constituted one or her goals don’t collide with those of the Hand,” Ilea said.

Claire nodded. “Getting you as an ally makes much more sense, you’re right. I still want to have a team nearby. Just in case.”

Ilea nodded. “Four hours away, get a bunch of people that can fly. If I dissolve your mark, you come in. If I dissolve Trian’s mark, everything is alright.”

“That sounds reasonable. When do you want to go?” Claire asked.

Ilea thought about it. “I want to focus on the armor for a little while. A few days maybe. How long of a notice do you need?”

“Twenty minutes,” Claire said.

Ilea smiled. So I’ll finally meet them.

Chapter 494 Toys and Theatrics

Chapter 494 Toys and Theatrics

Ilea finally did it.

Her mana didn’t just cause heat anymore, the flow neither dissipating nor entirely eaten up.

She could see it with her magic perception, could feel it with her body as the armor shifted. The groaning sounds of steel bent to her will, animated by magic beyond her understanding.

It took long, minute changes happening as she kept the flow intact, her mana cycling through the metal as if it was just an extension to her body.

The massive thing shrunk by about ten centimeters in the next five hours, the arms and legs thinning out a tiny bit as more visible joints etched themselves into the hunk of steel.

Steel mufflers grew out of the back, just behind her shoulders. Openings through the steel allowed for sixteen ashen limbs to reach through and extend out of the armor, two additional slits appearing for her wings.

No eyes formed in the two and a half meter machine but she saw well enough with her sphere. Features sharpened as the steel slowly settled, the boring hunk taking on the crude form of heavy full plate armor.

Ilea no longer felt like she was sitting in a steel trap but a tank instead.

One she could control.

Her hand grasped the handle that had formed in front of it, the arm’s length extending by a meter beyond the ash covering her fingers.

Magic surged and steel moved.

Ilea laughed within her finally activated toy as she took her first step.

She aimed for the closest wall of the training hall and took another step. Already the movement had been easier, more steady.

[Armaments of Lilith – Ancient Living Quality]

Living? she thought while laughing. “Hello!”

The armor didn’t reply, her whole strength necessary to take each step, her mana regeneration down to a trickle at the constant expense to power the thing.

Ilea spread her wings, pushing with all she had to lift herself.

She sped up suddenly, her legs slowly dangling until she landed, her head slamming into the stone wall with a loud crash.

Her arms moved slowly, pushing against the stone she was stuck in. Black wings, small in relation to her form flapped to get her out.

Steam rose from the exhausts when she finally broke free, chunks of stone falling to the ground as she stumbled backwards, as if in slow motion.

Ilea blinked, appearing outside the armor she now watched crashing to the ground.

“Fuck!” she exclaimed and blinked back inside.

She tried Displacement instead, using it both on herself and the armor.

She appeared where she wanted to but the armor itself didn’t even budge.

“Work in progress,” she murmured. But fuck, I love you Goliath.

Ilea appeared inside the armor again and tried to roll over, using both her ashen limbs, her body and the armor itself to try and get there.

Stuck like a turtle, she gave up and instead charged her wings.

The sudden activation pushed her up and away from the ground, coming to a stop a few meters up. Oh no.

She tried turning in the air, finding the maneuver possible but slow.

Ilea came crashing down, rolling over to find herself on her stomach. Or the armor’s stomach.

After five minutes, she finally managed to stand up, slowly brushing herself off from the rocks and debris clinging to the steel.

Living…, she thought, finding her perception of the steel much more detailed than anything she had worn before. The dent she recognized wasn’t only visible thanks to her sphere.

Sentinel Reconstruction activated and she watched in amazement as the damage was repaired.

Holy shit!

She jumped up, rejoicing at the revelation and jumping up, only to find herself lifting up by five centimeters, landing with a loud noise as the weight came crashing down onto the solid ground.

Okay I need to work on this more.

Ilea slowly stepped towards the wall, pulling her arm back before she punched with all she had.

None of her skills could sadly be channeled through the thing but the fist and weight alone dug into the stone as if it was sand. Chunks and pulverized debris fell when she ripped the arm out once more.

I need a bigger hammer, she thought, summoning the thing into her armor’s hands. That worked at least.

The mana expenditure rose whenever she moved, the heavy hammer demanding additional resources in itself.

“What in the name of…,” Trian exclaimed as he joined her for their scheduled training. “You can move it!?”

Ilea turned and waved, her hammer in her armored hand.

The man laughed as he walked closer. “Tell me you can use your skills.”

“Not everything,” Ilea replied, realizing a moment later that her voice didn’t reach him at all.

She blinked on top of the thing instead, watching it power down without a supply of mana.

‘ding’ ‘You have activated the Armaments of Trials bestowed to you – One Core skill point awarded’

Hah!

“Not all skills… I can heal it Trian!” she said, tapping the steel with her knuckles. The noise was dull.

“How heavy is that thing anyway?” he asked, trying to move one of the arms, failing comically.

“I don’t think you can move it without mana. I don’t think I could bend it while being inside. Not with strength alone,” she said and jumped off.

“My ash can get through the back but my armor only covers my body,” she said.

“You could just layer it with ash and keep that up, wouldn’t that work?” he asked.

“Kind of. Not as powerful as my actual skill though and the concentration would require me to give up a few arms. Not really a good trade off I think, with how limited my attacks are,” she said and appeared back inside.

“What about your fire spell?” Trian asked.

His voice sounded subdued now too. She just hadn’t noticed beforehand.

She motioned him to get back and activated Heart of Cinder, the spell somehow absorbed by the armor. Hmm.

Ilea found the mana cost reduced for a little while after but with her reserves, it didn’t really matter.

Instead of just using the spell, she instead sent it through her ashen limbs, the beam of energy slamming into the nearby ground without trouble.

“Nice!” Trian said and clapped.

Ilea had to try.

She charged her wings while her ashen limbs moved in front of her, joined by more ash that quickly formed a drill. The thing started rotating when she sped forward.

“Are you alright!?” Trian shouted from outside the hole.

Ilea hit her head again, unable to rip out her arms or legs. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just stuck.”

Instead of trying any longer, she simply stored the armor.

Or she tried.

The mana and heat still cycling through the machine flowed out through the exhausts, a part of it back to Ilea herself. When the last of it was gone, the steel cooled down slowly and suddenly vanished.

“Hmm,” she exclaimed and blinked out of the rather sizable tunnel she had managed to dig.

“I don’t want to stand against that,” Trian murmured as he turned to look at her.

Ilea summoned it again and blinked inside. Her mana flowed into it without trouble, as did the heat of Heart of Cinder. Still, it took quite some time for the armor to be charged up, ready to be controlled.

I bet it can get even better… I’ll have to use this whenever possible, she thought and powered it down again.

“Don’t worry about it, that thing is slow as fuck,” Ilea said.

“More durable than you?” he asked.

She huffed. “It took a dent from falling down. More from that stunt before,” she said and pointed to the tunnel. “But it’s heavy… and I can repair it with healing. Not sure against what it would be more useful than my normal style of fighting but it’s fucking cool nonetheless,” she said and giggled. Intimidation purposes perhaps? Probably just for fun right now.

Was he inspired by Terok? she wondered with a grin. I did learn a lot about my perception abilities from that training… is that the reward? Or is there more still to come. Damn smith.

The gates to the training hall opened, Aki joining them with his new body.

“I felt a disturbance… what? Was that a spell of yours?” his voice traveled easily, the spear in his hand held casually.

“A new toy. How is yours by the way?” Ilea asked.

Trian just smiled and shook his head.

“I am learning. It is much more difficult to control than the Guardian’s vessel,” he said.

The uncertainty in his steps was just one part of it. Compared to how easily he had moved with the Guardian’s body, it seemed surprising that the similar looking Centurion would give him so much trouble.

[Centurion of Akelion – lvl 300]

Iana had tried to explain it but Ilea didn’t care much for the intricacies.

“He has a higher level than you, Trian,” she whispered with a smirk on her face.

“Good for him,” the man said and smiled. “I’m glad we have a guardian of such power.”

Back to his responsible self, Ilea thought and rolled her eyes. “You’ll get used to it in no time. Just keep training.”

“Of course, Ilea,” Aki said and lightly bowed to her. “My gratitude for this wonderful gift.”

Next time I’ll get you a Praetorian, Ilea thought.

The dagger had lost a bit of its edge, only in a figurative sense but the absence of someone he pulled mana from was evident.

Ilea hadn’t interacted with him often lately but she trusted Trian’s judgment.

Aki counted himself to the core members of the Medic Sentinel Corps. He found pride in teaching the students and protecting their headquarters. He had remained with Iana and Christopher for a few days after getting his new body, thinking it shameful to show himself like this.

The two enchanters hadn’t yet managed to figure out the issues with the teleportation gate, their testing going in circles. Instead they had decided to focus on the keys again, to see if they had missed something or if the second one shone some light on the problem.

Ilea offered them to help with her Space Awareness again but as the skill was right now, she could only point out flaws. After hundreds of tries, Iana was certain that they wouldn’t be successful taking this route.

“You succeeded then?” Trian asked.

“You’re asking if I’m going to visit the Lily? Probably,” Ilea said.

Her training had resulted in no further level ups, the lack of danger or newfound knowledge for her perception abilities proving to be a rather thick wall.

“I’ll inform Claire then,” he said and nodded.

Ilea didn’t stop him. I’ll miss this, she thought and looked back at the training hall. Just having time for myself and my skills.

Eh, I can use them as training dummies too, she concluded.

“Are you going to battle?” Aki asked.

“Hopefully,” Ilea said and winked towards him.

“Enjoy it,” he said and winked by dimming one of his shining green eyes.

He’s not completely lost, Ilea thought and changed into some comfortable clothes and leather armor.

Ilea landed in the outskirts of the small town. Most of the area was covered in fields, hence the name. A lot of it looked like wheat but she saw other crops too, unsure as to some of their names.

The suns hung low on the horizon as Ilea patted off her leather armor. She had decided not to hide her face. If the Golden Lily really was as influential and wide spanning as they assumed, such theatrics simply weren’t necessary.

If it came to a conflict, Ilea would gather her allies and entirely destroy everything involved with this secret organization. She had Ravenhall behind her, allies in the North and within the human plains.

Trian had offered some concerns as to her identity but it was no secret that Dale was a good friend of hers. Half of the Riverwatch guards knew it. Not a single threat had come up so far and Ilea assumed him to be the most obvious weak spot someone could exploit.

Her mark was there and she would get her revenge if someone made a move,but it didn’t exactly take an international organization to assassinate a level one fifty guard captain.

No. She had to make it clear that Lilith did not need to hide. That whatever they did to her, she would repay tenfold.

God I fucking hate humans, she thought and sighed, already in a mood as she started walking towards the distant buildings.

The one meter high wall suggested either low monster populations or some other defense. If this really was some kind of base for the Lily, Ilea didn’t have to think twice about the perceived shit defense.

An adventurer in mediocre gear greeted her as she approached.

“Evening traveler,” he said, lazily eyeing her.

[Warrior – lvl 58]

“What brings you to Myrefield?”

Ilea looked at the man and smiled. “An invitation,” she said simply.

He nodded. “I see. Go on then, it’s getting late. Dangerous for lone travelers out there.”

She didn’t protest, entering the town proper.

Few people were out at this time of day but the dirt roads were well lit, dull light shimmering through most of the windows she could see.

The houses weren’t particularly high, most of them only reaching one story. Some few had two. What stood out to her was the variety and most of all the workmanship. It reminded her of Salia, or perhaps a few wealthier districts of Virilya.

This town wasn’t a frontier city, nor was it undesirable for residents and businesses. The wealth was obvious to anyone who had traveled to various cities throughout Elos, especially someone with enhanced senses.

No house stood empty. Each store she strolled past sold high quality goods. Other than the low level warrior occupying the main road leading into the settlement, there were no guards. Every person she saw looked well dressed, some of them glaring at her and others just shaking their heads in disdain.

She didn’t know if it was just because of her clothes or because they knew something she didn’t.

Ilea turned her head to a nearby alley. More than a hunch but it was already gone. Interesting.

She didn’t mind the eyes on her, unwilling to hunt them without further provocation. I was promised cake. And I will get some cake.

The most likely place appeared a little further in.

Ilea found herself entering a rather large square, blooming trees providing shade against the evening suns. She looked around and strolled towards the large two story house, a dozen people occupying various tables both outside and within.

A short flight of stairs led onto the low terrace upon which the diners resided.

Ilea could tell with her sight alone that many of them were trained fighters. This just became more obvious when her sphere came into range.

She identified a few of them as she passed, finding most to be below two hundred. Four above.

An unnatural number of powerful people for a small town like this.

If these were the people tasked to take her down, then her enemy was underestimating her severely.

The two story building reminded her of a french estate, the terrace leading towards a large open door, more tables set inside. Waiters sped through with grace as they took orders and delivered food and drinks.

The facade had once been white, having lost a little of its color over the years. The shutters had a lavender color, a little faded just like the house itself. The low angled tiled roof suggested the absence of an attic. Ilea’s sphere confirmed this when she entered, only about a third of the guests even glancing at her.

What looked like the head waiter looked at her with an unreadable expression, flipping through a book of reservations.

Before either could speak, a waitress appeared out of thin air. A young woman with short hair and brown eyes, a friendly smile on her face.

She bowed before she spoke. “Welcome to Myrefield, Lady Lilith. The mistress will see you at your leisure. If you wish to dine first, we have reserved an unobtrusive table, everything free of charge of course.”

[Mage – lvl 245]

Now that’s a waitress.

“Happy to make your acquaintance,” Ilea said. She meant it too, liking the way this woman looked and moved. Her confidence was obvious and she was ready to fight and die right here, if their guest was trouble.

“I’m ready to meet her now,” she said with a smile. “What’s your name?”

She could feel no distress building, nothing showing on her face or through body language either.

“You may call me Maya. Would you be so kind to follow me?” she asked, still smiling.

Ilea nodded and followed the woman.

She was led through a few corridors, noticing a few more hidden forms within her sphere. Ilea didn’t react, simply counting her potential enemies.

If they had such advanced illusion or shrouding spells, she didn’t think of them as massive threats. If anybody managed to get close, her precognition and in the worst case her Azarinth Perception would prevent any major damage.

A set of meticulously polished wooden stairs led up to the second floor, Ilea’s sphere cut off at a set of double doors where she was being led towards. Not the first enchanted space in the house so far but by far the largest she had perceived.

The affected area suggested a rather spacious room. If there was an obvious trap, it would be there.

“The mistress will see you now,” Maya said and opened one of the doors, holding it for Ilea.

She could perceive only one person within. Anybody else that was close by was either hiding too well for her to see or kept at a distance.

Ilea nodded to the woman and stepped inside. “Thank you.”

Maya bowed and closed the door behind her, the enchantments falling back into place.

“It’s just about right,” the woman spoke in a warm voice, her eyes fixated onto one of the many ovens set into the wall. “Tell me, Lilith, how high is your Heat Resistance?”

Chapter 495 Cake and Tea?

Chapter 495 Cake and Tea?

Ilea didn’t respond, a little confused at the question.

The room was quite large, separated into what looked like an office or lounging area and a kitchen. The various ovens were only part of the picture, three large connected counters were covered in various exotic looking ingredients, dishes, tools, and most curiously, daggers.

The floors were different too, the kitchen tiled while the other part of the room was done in parquet. Everything looked rather impressive but hand made furniture generally did look like that. The high quality was obvious however.

Some of the storage units in the kitchen were enchanted, others were half open with visible potions, monster parts or just plain old flour.

Next to two couches facing each other stood a small round metal table and two garden chairs. On it were two plates and forks. At the very back of the room to the right stood a large office desk, an armchair behind it.

“If you plan to kill me with fire, I’d advise against it,” Ilea said, answering the question and perhaps asking one in return.

The woman smiled and looked at her, her face kind and her smile warm, she looked to be in her early thirties. Her brown hair was bound in a messy bun, some flour visible on it. She wore no makeup, her skin a healthy tone. The woman wasn’t strikingly beautiful but certainly had her charm, the freckles and deep brown eyes her most prominent features. She wore a black summer dress covered in a pink apron.

[Warrior – lvl 322]

Instead of answering Ilea’s threat, the woman started singing. “No bounds has her power, no bounds has her heart. Her armor stands unbroken, through fire and through steel.”

“If the songs are to be believed, killing you is quite the venture,” the woman said. “I had my doubts of course, every guard and soldier turning into bards of great renown after a won battle.”

“But seeing you in the flesh. I don’t know if I could prevail. Perhaps if I had the benefit of surprise on my side,” she mused without a hint of malice. “Now!” the woman suddenly called out and opened the oven.

Ilea hadn’t perceived magic or an attack, the sudden call out only surprising her a little.

“Your heat resistance is high… that’s good to hear. How about Poison? I would assume someone as influential as you has encountered one or the other assassin?” the woman asked as she carefully took out the cake with her bare hands.

Ilea looked at the thing curiously, its color black as the night, veins of pulsing red moving through parts of the cake.

“I have some experience in the matter, yes,” she admitted.

The woman seemed delighted with that news. “Wonderful! You might like this then. I have heard that you are quite fond of food. I bet that this is like nothing you have tasted before,” she said and placed the cake onto the large plate sitting on the table. She sat down and motioned for Ilea to join her.

“Welcome to Myrefield, Lilith. Or should I say Ilea? I’m Helena. Come, sit with me and tell me what you think,” Helena said with an excited look on her face.

Ilea was a little apprehensive but so far the woman seemed nice enough. The cake certainly looked interesting.

“Either name is fine, Helena,” she said and stored her leather armor, casually sitting down across from the woman. She wasn’t surprised Helena knew her real name, if anything it led credibility to the people she represented.

“Ilea then, it sounds a little more personal. Your real name too I presume. Now I must warn you. This poison is quite potent and the heat alone would burn through someone’s skull without Resistances in the second tier,” she said as a blade appeared in her hand, a simple design, made for kitchen work. It shimmered with magic, runes etched into each side.

Helena looked entirely absorbed as she cut two pieces, steam rising from the cake.

Ilea wasn’t sure if this was some horrible joke, a test to check her resistances, an actual attempt on her life or just plain craziness. She was too curious either way, and confident that whatever poison was in there didn’t have the capacity to overwhelm her third tier resistance.

As soon as the woman placed the piece on her plate, she identified the poison within to be of medium danger.

Nothing to be concerned about then, she thought, quite aware of the special plates that seemed enchanted to handle the heat.

“How did you even get it to be this hot?” she murmured, unable to stop her curiosity.

Helena smirked in a self satisfied way. “That is a trade secret, my dear.”

The woman looked at her with expectant eyes.

Ilea felt a little uncomfortable. Shouldn’t she take a bite too? If it’s poisoned… eh, there would be an antidote anyway.

She smiled at her potentially stupidest move so far and ate a piece of the cake.

Her eyes opened wide as the poison took effect. She didn’t fight it, instead letting it flow through her. The heat was barely noticeable, making her disable her Heat Resistance.

She kept her Poison Resistance up, just in case the stuff would paralyze her or something without it active.

Holy bakery, she thought, savoring the combined experience that came from not only her tongue but her whole body. The poison pulsated in a regular interval, faint black veins showing on her arms as the heat intensified the various flavors in the hellish chocolate creation. The pain was subdued, a slight itch to enhance the rest. It felt both confusing and heavenly.

Ilea sat there enjoying the cake, her eyes closed not to distract her from the sensation.

She was woken by Helena’s joyous laughter, the woman holding a hand in front of her face as she looked at her.

“What is it?” Ilea asked.

“You liked it?” the woman asked, smiling wide.

Ilea leaned in and whispered. “What the fuck is this thing? I need the recipe.”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t curse within my house, young woman,” she said, her eyes turning cold before they warmed up again.

The change was so rapid, Ilea wondered if it was a skill.

“As to the recipe, it’s a secret too. I hope you understand. But do help yourself, there’s plenty left,” she said and started eating too.

Helena summoned two cups and poured a bright blue liquid into it, the air above it cooling visibly.

Ilea took another bite, adding a sip of the blue liquid that felt colder than some ice magic she had been hit with before.

“People of your… power, tend to be focused on the bloodier aspects of life. The potential, enhanced bodies and resistances provide to the art of cooking and baking have always fascinated me. Few ever get past three hundred and even fewer are creators in nature,” Helena said.

“I appreciate you sharing this with me. I certainly haven’t experienced anything quite like it,” Ilea said. She enjoyed Keyla’s dishes more generally speaking but the experience itself was certainly worth her trip here already.

Helena ate another piece of cake and leaned back, chewing softly before she swallowed. “How do you like Myrefield?”

Ilea leaned back too. “It’s peaceful. I’m not the biggest fan of the people I’ve seen. A little too… rich,” she said.

Helena smiled. “It is. I like the quiet here. It’s much calmer than the bustling cities.”

“Though am I wrong to assume that you are the wealthiest among them?” the woman added.

“I have no idea,” Ilea said honestly. “It’s not the wealth that annoys me, it’s the disdain in their eyes.”

“I understand,” the woman said, looking a little thoughtful for a moment before she focused on Ilea again, taking a sip of the blue liquid herself. “So you are Lilith. The legend, the myth.”

Ilea smirked. “Are you disappointed?”

Helena smiled. “Oh no. Quite the contrary. It’s refreshing. When one thinks about the most powerful humans, it may be easy to forget that in the end they are people too.”

They looked at each other for a while, in silence.

“You are an assassin,” Ilea said.

“I am many things, Lilith. Baker, administrator, lover, woman, and yes, I have worked as an assassin. Though that was a long time ago,” Helena said, her eyes a little absent as she seemed to recall a memory.

She focused again and ate a piece of cake. “You too are many things. Quite powerful. Dangerous,” she said and smirked, taking a sip of the blue drink.

“So are you,” Ilea said.

“And yet here we sit, enjoying a piece of poisonous cake,” Helena said and paused. “Your actions, have sent ripples through the human plains and surely beyond. I believe our cooperation could benefit all of humanity.”

“My cooperation with you? Or the Golden Lily?” Ilea asked, trying to figure out more about the organization.

“Both, perhaps. If you can stomach an assassin,” Helena said.

“I have killed many people myself. Not for gold or without reason but we are murderers both,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Your views and morality are your own,” Helena said, entirely uncaring. “Accepting this offer would allow you to draw on our extensive network of resources, information, and influence. While offering some of yours in return. All for a price of course.”

“And what would that price be?” Ilea asked. Gold, blood, loyalty?

“That depends entirely on what you wish to acquire and from whom. The only goal of the Lily is to provide a network of trade and cooperation, to keep up the fragile order present in the human kingdoms and empires. For the benefit of all.”

That doesn’t sound too bad. A rich people black market with contacts for most likely quite wild resources.

“Doesn’t look like your order is doing a very good job then, does it?” Ilea said, happy to challenge the woman a little.

Helena laughed. “Don’t think yourself educated on history and politics just because you can punch level five hundred beings to death.”

Fair enough.

“Do you trade in slaves?” Ilea asked.

Helena quirked up an eyebrow. “No. Not officially. Humans have a right to freedom. Taking that from them or sacrificing them for whatever purpose is against the principles of our order.”

“However. As we are independent ourselves, nobody exactly investigates heavily. The benefits the Lily provides at least forces you to keep your business hidden.”

Ilea looked at her. “If nobody investigates, why would anybody care?”

“Because the principles must be upheld. I would prefer everyone to be as adamant about this as I am but reality is not exactly that simple,” Helena said.

“You might ask yourself why we haven’t interfered with Baralia decades ago, or perhaps even centuries. Slavery has been ingrained in their culture for longer than that,” she said.

“The suffering of a direct intervention would have outweighed the benefits?” Ilea said.

Helena nodded. “That was the consensus. Yet if our principles stood above our desires, the kingdom would have long fallen. The suffering their people has endured has long surpassed whatever an open war would have caused. It simply wasn’t convenient.”

“Hmm,” Ilea mused. She too hadn’t joined the war, only defended Riverwatch, leaving the work to the empire and all the other states that were involved by now.

“I’m sure we both could benefit, not only to prevent potential future tensions between you and yours, and various organizations led by members of the Lily,” Helena said.

Ilea wasn’t disinclined to accept. The principles wouldn’t be upheld by some if not all of the members, she was sure of it. The information and trade she and Claire could access through this would be quite beneficial to have however. Not only because it could let her find Eve’s killer.

Perhaps it was even the woman sitting right across from her. She hoped not.

“What happens if I find out one of the members or one of their organizations is involved with human sacrifice or trafficking?” Ilea asked. “What if I find out and fight them? Kill them?”

Helena smiled. “You could cause a war. Large scale destruction and loss of human life. Your actions and their effect would be judged by all the members. Should your arguments and evidence speak for you, there will be no consequences. Should they be judged as rash, there might be reparations necessary. Only if your offense was unjustified entirely or judged to be a threat to humanity itself, would you be expelled.”

Ilea wondered if and how many times this has happened before. Would they hunt her down or still trade with her in secret? A truce perhaps if she was deemed too powerful. She wondered if killing those responsible for Eve’s death would constitute as an unjustified offense. Or if personal reasons counted too.

Knowing more about Eve and her motivations, she knew that the Golden Lily wasn’t quite as grand as Helena pretended. Ilea thought it improbable that Eve would mention the order without good reason and evidence in her hands.

The fact that Helena didn’t judge her Assassin’s Guild to be against the principles either meant that their interpretation was rather free or that she had rules in place to prevent excessive killings.

“How does your guild not violate the rules?” Ilea couldn’t help but ask.

Helena seemed slightly displeased with the question. “You are not the first to argue this point and neither will you be the last. Assassinations are a tool for control. If I were not to offer it with rules and strict conditions, the murder rate would triple.”

“You deem this an assumption. It isn’t. The more morally questionable services of the Heavenly Sweets were entirely suspended for a period of five years. After that, it was judged necessary to reopen our businesses,” Helena said.

Ilea smirked. “It would be easy for you to manipulate such an investigation. Just send out your assassins to kill random civilians.”

“Ilea. There was no investigation. I had my assumptions but wanted them proven. This process was instigated by me. I intended it to last ten years to allow for all our guild members to advance their baking skills. The Lily, judged it necessary to cut this experiment short after five years. Three actually but I assume the situation was highly beneficial for a few members and their associates, their votes and arguments preventing such an early continuation of my usual business,” Helena explained.

“Don’t act like you are unaware of the reality we live in. I expected more of you,” the woman added.

Ilea didn’t quite agree. There were reasons people hired assassins or murdered each other. Large scale change was necessary to stop this but it wasn’t impossible.

“Apologies. I did not mean to snap at you,” Helena said after a short pause.

Ilea didn’t reply, thinking about it a little more. Helena believed her actions to be justified it seemed and if her words could be believed, she even tried to investigate her assumptions herself. Ilea admitted that she hardly understood the complexity of this issue, let alone the practical implications.

“I admit that I know jack shit about the assassination field but I still disagree,” Ilea said.

Helena seemed happy with her words. “As you are entitled to do. I do have to ask you to stop swearing though.”

“Apologies,” Ilea said and meant it. She didn’t really get why swearing was a problem but it seemed to nearly physically hurt the woman. She could at least respect something like that in her own house. Allowing assassination but not swearing was another discussion she really did not want to start with the woman.

Helena nodded lightly. “You came at an opportune time. Three members must vouch for you in order to make you a full fledged member of the Golden Lily. Now, if you are not entirely disinclined to cooperate with an assassin, I would like to talk to you about war.”

“Baralia?” Ilea asked.

“Precisely. The High King’s recent decisions have left more than just me bewildered. It seems he really is nothing more than a power hungry barbarian. The siege of Virilya could mean many things but with all the information I have at my disposal, it really was just an entirely misplaced sense of superiority,” Helena said and shook her head lightly, as if she still couldn’t quite believe it.

“The Empire would have dealt with it. Lys is ancient and whatever weakness had come to it, it now stands stronger than ever.”

“Baralia lost this war when they marched on Virilya. It just took a little longer than anticipated for their actions to warrant consequences. What’s your current knowledge of the war?” Helena asked.

“Most countries around are involved by now, each happy to get their piece of the wealth and land I assume will soon be up for grabs,” Ilea said.

“That applied until about two weeks ago, when Odiah, one of the larger cities in the eastern part of the kingdom, was made the stage of a large scale blood magic ritual that wiped out nearly all of its inhabitants and a high number of empire soldiers besieging it,” she explained.

“That does change things,” Ilea remarked, not particularly shocked at the news.

Helena nodded. “Affected people are turned to cursed monsters, much like the demons your order has foolishly released upon the world. Luckily they cannot infect others, making the problem much more contained. Other issues have cropped up however but my information isn’t conclusive.”

“Rather than sheer lunacy, it seems the Order of Truth has a concrete goal in relation to these sacrifices. While I’m sure the present forces can deal with the cursed beings, they cannot survive the rituals themselves nor effectively fight the creatures that have emerged from whatever depths of magic the order has conjured up,” Helena explained.

“You want me to help clean up? For your vote I assume?” Ilea asked.

“You enjoy battle, do you not? And killing monsters is a specialty of both you and the Shadows of the Hand. Three cities have already been sacrificed, each home to tens of thousands of people. The Lily has decided a more direct intervention is necessary. All members who are interested to join the conflict are asked to do so.”

“You already have my vote, Ilea. This, I would count as a personal favor, and not a small one, knowing of some of your exploits. Dealing with this would be seen favorably not just by me and I’m sure the Empire will make it simpler for a war hero to acquire land and resources in the newly conquered lands. Perhaps it might even allow an allied Baralia general to keep power within his lands, his debts to Lilith only growing.”

Ilea didn’t have to think about it for very long. Helena must have thought her release of Harken a deliberate political play but she had really just thought it the wiser decision. A war amongst humans was one thing but with thousands getting sacrificed for nothing, she could spare a few days or weeks to help out.

Getting favors and an entry into the Lily would just be the cherry on top. Ilea was starting to think that it was perhaps wiser to clean up the order from within than to challenge them openly. She couldn’t deny the benefits of such an alliance, if they really cared so much for the greater good of humanity.

It wasn’t a surprise to hear that the Order of Truth was behind the sacrifices. It would mean that one healing order could already be dealt with. The Lily could surely reduce or entirely silence any opposition the other influential orders could have against the Sentinels.

“What’s the level of the cursed and the new creatures?” Ilea asked. It could give her an idea about her personal benefits but also about what kind of allies she would meet. So far it seemed to her that Helena was one of the higher ranked members but perhaps she was wrong.

“The cursed have a similar level to that of whomever they had been before they died. Most everyone below two hundred. The new creatures? Three hundred and above. The highest reported so far was close to five hundred,” Helena said.

Which means they have people who can kill those kinds of beasts, Ilea thought and smirked. She was very much interested in meeting them.

“I’ll help out,” she said.

Chapter 496 Assignment

Chapter 496 Assignment

Helena remained in her chair for a little while after Ilea had left.

The meeting had been quite productive.

Maya glanced into the room and quietly closed the door again as soon as she confirmed that Helena was alive.

A ridiculous notion.

Is it? she wondered. Ilea hadn’t shown many of her skills. She had ways to detect even the best of her assassins, had an armor like defense hidden under her shirt, and she had the aura of someone with Veteran in the second tier, perhaps even the third.

The sphere she felt around her felt like a perception aura but it could have very well been something else entirely. The way she had moved suggested more than one high level combat skill and the thin lines of fire on her skin suggested body enhancement skills. Likely more than one.

A healer with body enhancement and ash at her side. It could be quite dangerous, perhaps even too much for me. Her level isn’t much higher but it might overwhelm my battle experience nonetheless.

Helena assumed she had fought far more than Ilea, the difference in their experience surely quite vast. Especially against human opponents. She had admittedly gotten a little rusty in the last few decades but experience didn’t just fade at this level.

The girl was young. Perhaps as young as she looked like. Helena hadn’t detected any acting or falsehoods, meaning the character Ilea portrayed was likely her real one. Someone who enjoyed battle for the sheer sake of it, not a noble nor someone interested in political influence.

She had risen in power quickly, perhaps faster than most. She thought it unlikely that the girl had remained hidden and unknown, especially with her erratic and sudden appearance on the board.

It suggested a powerful Class or several of them. Reaching level two hundred was possible with luck alone but three fifty? Helena thought it highly improbable. The girl was dangerous, that much was clear.

She had intervened in Riverwatch and had asked for the slaves to be freed. Perhaps the city’s recent involvement with infiltrating the kingdom had something to do with Lilith after all. Helena hadn’t been sure if Ilea just went to protect the city and with it her friend in the guard, or if she was there to fight Baralia.

Perhaps it was both in the end. She did feel quite strong about slavery it seemed. A good addition, if she actually joins.

The fact that she hadn’t actually joined the war herself and only acted to defend Riverwatch suggested she wouldn’t intrude on other territories without very good reasons. Her insistence on questioning her assassin’s guild was frankly annoying but Helena couldn’t fault the young woman.

Ilea was right when she called them both murderers, why she still insisted that an assassin’s guild was any worse than slaughtering half an army of soldiers was however ridiculous.

She had her principles and while she seemed uneducated at first, Helena couldn’t help but find some of her questioning intriguing. Almost as if the girl had been frustrated, but not for the usual reasons.

Helena had confirmed that Lilith wasn’t a monster but instead remained human despite her power. She wasn’t a threat to humanity but instead a potentially highly important asset. The lack of initial interest in the war and her high level suggested she had seen more than her fair share of the horrors lurking both within and outside the human plains.

She smiled bitterly. So full of life and empathy.

Ilea wasn’t yet tired of fighting and neither was she a born leader or administrator. She could trust and delegate, that much was clear by now. Helena judged it impossible for someone like Ilea to manage the wealth and assets attributed to Lilith. Someone else was behind that but nobody that actively controlled her, she wouldn’t have been as confrontational and careless in this meeting otherwise.

She judged it useless to question Ilea about Ravenhall’s independence and the potential role Alyris had played in that. If anybody knew more, it wasn’t Ilea.

The girl had time to enhance her skills and fight battles without risking an insurrection. For Helena, that possibility had long since passed. Nor did she have any interest in facing creatures that would raise her level. Not anymore, not if not absolutely necessary.

Most important of all, Ilea had actually enjoyed the cake. Helena snickered when she remembered her asking if she could take the rest with her.

Nobody had ever done that. It filled her heart with some long forgotten warmth.

She really hoped that Velamyr and the Pirate would support her. Unlikely that three people would veto her. Michael doesn’t care and Elisora will like her. Nero and Elijah might be a problem whileElizabeth is a sure veto.

In the end she could still trade with Ilea personally, or with the person managing her assets. But without the status and connections she would gain by becoming a member herself, Helena thought it unlikely that Ilea could keep up her speed of expansion. As secure as Ravenhall is, Riverwatch will be contested.

She hoped Lilith proved herself in Baralia. Helena couldn’t deny that she liked the woman, not just because she liked her baking. Perhaps it’s part of it, she admitted to herself and took another sip of ice tea.

______________________________

Ilea dissolved Trian’s mark to signal the waiting group that she was safe.

She was already halfway back to Ravenhall, keeping her eyes out for pursuers as she focused on Claire’s mark to find her.

Ten minutes later, she joined the flying group of Shadows, some of them unfamiliar.

Claire trusted them and so would she, if only to do the job they’d been asked to do.

She still waited with her report until the three of them were in Claire’s office.

“You should really try it, it’s fantastic! Sadly some of the heat is gone by now but the poison is marvelous,” Ilea said as she ate another piece of Helena’s cake.

“Are you sure she didn’t just try to murder you with that? She is an assassin after all,” Trian said.

Claire waved him off. “Eccentric for sure. Perhaps you were lucky to have met her. I’m sure your mutual liking for cake helped sooth out the issues you mentioned.”

“You did well, I think,” Trian said.

“I agree. The potential for trade deals and expansion could very well catapult Ravenhall to the power of an entire nation. I’ll have to try and contact Helena as a representative…,” she said, murmuring the last part. “If you are fine with that of course?”

Ilea nodded. “Sure. I didn’t intent to deal with that myself anyway. I’d be hilariously taken advantage of if I tried to talk about trade.”

“Isn’t Ravenhall powerful enough to rival some of the smaller kingdoms already?” she asked in addition.

Claire thought about it for a while, at least giving it some consideration. “Perhaps. It’s difficult to say. I would assume you’re thinking of military power?”

Ilea nodded.

“While it’s true that with all Shadows present, we likely have a force that could stand against an assembled army. Even Lys would have difficulties dealing with that. Adding us three and the Elders to the mix could perhaps overpower them entirely. However, the Shadow’s Hand is not an army. The retaking of Ravenhall was an unprecedented event and while I think we could rally many to our cause should the city be under attack, there is little reason for Shadows to join a war of expansion. We ourselves wouldn’t join either if this happened, nor do I believe any of the Elders would care much,” Claire said.

“If anything they’d fight against us,” Trian said with a chuckle.

Ilea agreed. She’d probably try to stop something like that too. The Shadow’s she had met cared little for the ambitions of Ravenhall, as long as the city stood and the services both it and Viscera offered remained accessible.

“As for economic power… I believe we compare to some of the weaker kingdoms already, though I doubt anybody quite realizes that yet. Much of our high level goods can’t be sold yet but we’ve invested heavily in extensive production. As soon as the Taleen gates can be replicated and are approved of usage by everyone in the council, even the slowest diplomat and kings will realize that Ravenhall isn’t just the Shadow’s Hand,” Claire said.

“My terrifying world dominating Head Administrator,” Ilea said and tapped Claire’s shoulder.

Claire just smiled, quite used to Ilea’s antics.

How confident she is that Iana and Christopher will figure out the gates. Or is she planning centuries in advance?

Trian looked thoughtful. “I think I might contact them too. Not yet of course but as soon as you two have a deeper understanding of the organization and the extent of their influence.”

Ilea nodded. “As a representative of the Sentinels I assume?”

“Exactly. You mentioned it already but as much as you could deal with the Healing Orders by throwing around wealth or by intimidating them, this could smooth things out before they even become a problem.”

“What about her being the leader of an Assassin’s Guild?” Ilea asked.

“Her arguments are valid, however you see it. Perhaps your world was different but I doubt much can be done about it. The Shadowguard finds corpses quite regularly. I’m quite sure more than a few Shadows agree to kill low level targets for gold. It’s much easier than hunting monsters, depending on the level difference, and nearly untraceable within a large city. More people simply vanish however,” Claire said.

Ilea hadn’t known about that, suddenly feeling a little sick. “Fuck that,” she said and focused on her cake. It did make sense of course. Ilea herself could easily slaughter dozens of high ranking nobles or officers without much trouble.

“The people who paid for the assassinations might often be obvious but without further evidence or the actual killer, there’s nothing we can do,” Claire said.

“Which leads to more assassinations,” Trian said. “It was a daily occurrence in Virilya. Now it makes sense to me too how similar the rules were between the various assassins I’ve met.”

“The penalties are quite high in Ravenhall, which at least dissuades many. But some form of control is necessary either way. Sulivhaan keeps necessary contacts to keep it in check,” Claire explained.

“Thanks to us owning most of the businesses, there is little competition there but even just between street food vendors or adventurers, it can come to bloody clashes. Especially with their backgrounds, coming form all over the place,” Claire explained. “If they can’t solve it themselves, they might simply hire someone to finish the job.”

“Hmm,” Ilea mused but didn’t say anything else in regards to the topic.

“What do you think about the war?” she said, changing the subject.

“A good way to deal with the Order of Truth,” Trian said. “They were the ones that worried me the most.”

“I was unaware of the scale of these rituals. There was information of the Empire running into trouble and reports of bright lights reaching into the sky but nothing definitive. Cursed soldiers came up a few times but I thought it simply the work of a few mages, not the sacrifice of an entire city’s population, let alone three,” Claire explained.

“No requests from the Empire?” Trian asked.

“Direct assistance for wars between humans is not permitted. I’m sure there are Shadows present as independent mercenaries but no, we haven’t received requests for monster subjugation either. It’s possible the Empire feels confident in dealing with this alone,” Claire said. “Our independence might make them leery of hiring too many Shadows.”

“Or the requests simply haven’t arrived yet,” Trian suggested. “They’re not exactly the fastest moving bureaucracy.”

“Either way I think you made the right decision, Ilea. Get as much out of this as possible. If the threat is really present and it’s as dangerous as this Helena thinks it is, why not make a name for yourself,” Claire said. “Or well… add to the name.”

“The cursed are low leveled, might be good for your third Class skills, right?” Trian asked.

“Possibly. Yeah, why not. I would have liked to let them deal with the war themselves,” Ilea said and sighed.

“Not really a war amongst humans anymore if they create monsters,” Trian said.

“That’s the only reason I’m even considering this. If it turns out the rituals are of a smaller scale than Helena told me, I’ll leave again quite quickly,” she said. It was a foolish hope. Ilea was quite sure the woman hadn’t lied but she didn’t want to accept it as truth until she saw it with her own eyes. She would have to kill everyone willing to undertake such rituals.

“She gave you two days,” Claire said. “Which means she knows how fast you can fly.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows. “No she doesn’t. I can get there in four or five hours I think. Maybe faster.”

Trian just laughed. “Ridiculous.” He wasn’t questioning her.

Claire had an evil grin on her face.

Oh no.

“Then this is a perfect time to get you a little more familiar with the high ranking officers of the Imperial army, the political structure and geography of Baralia as well as the major cities present in its lands. I’m sure you’ll represent us well in the coming weeks,” Claire said.

Oh no.

Ilea thought about displacing herself out of the enchanted office.

“Representing whom?” she asked seriously. “I’m not gonna play the envoy of Ravenhall.”

“I didn’t expect that much from you. Though you are a member of the Council, just reminding you of that. However to balance out everything you’ve already done for the city, you’d pretty much have to destroy it entirely… not that I would pressure you in the first place. No, what I meant was a representative of us. Your Sentinels, me as your wealth administrator,” Claire said and smiled in a wicked way.

“Show them the power of Lilith,” she added.

Ilea frowned. “I’ll do that anyway. I’m just not very excited in joining this conflict.”

“Might not be so bad,” Trian said. “If the monsters are as impressive as Helena said.”

I’d rather explore the Caverns of Rot. Izacan might be out of my reach for a while… let alone getting back. she thought, not regretting the destruction of the teleportation gate in the slightest. Those things were hot on her tail.

“You two don’t plan to join me I suppose?” Ilea asked.

“You were the one who was invited,” Trian said with a slight smirk.

“Oh sure, not like you couldn’t join a country wide battlefield. What if someone connects the dots?” Ilea said, her words dripping in sarcasm.

“We won’t join because we’re busy,” Claire said, in a matter of fact way.

“I know. I know,” Ilea said and stood up.

“I didn’t forget about those lessons,” Claire said and poured mana into the enchantments of her office.

“You can’t hold me,” Ilea warned.

“Secure her,” Claire said to Trian, a smirk on her face.

The man just shook his head, remaining in his seat before he switched to a set of his armor, lightning sparking around him. He was obviously not entirely committed to the joke.

The next day was spent with lessons on the various landscapes of Baralia and the usual creatures that lived there. Trian and Ilea continued their training sessions and each took a team of Sentinels into a nearby dungeon again. The mage accompanied by Claire of course.

Ilea had a hard time remembering all the names Claire and Trian talked about, both city names and influential people, nobles, and Generals. Not for a lack of brain power of course but simply because she hardly cared.

Claire wasn’t oblivious to her antics, insisting that Ilea’s high Wisdom and Intelligence made it impossible for her to not keep a bunch of names and places memorized.

Ilea knew of course that these things were important. Rationally speaking. However Baralia was far away and soon most of its high level nobles and the king himself would be defeated, one way or the other. Discovering their powers and abilities during a fight would be much more interesting than hearing about them beforehand.

The same was true for the Imperials and all the other parties involved. Ilea would treat them the same way she treated most everyone.

Claire didn’t expect any different and tried to focus on the most important parties. She did whine about the headaches she would get after Lilith’s likely offensive behavior.

Ilea countered that she could heal headaches quite well.

“You told me yourself that I should show off my power,” Ilea said.

“In a reasonable way,” Claire countered, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Do you think I’ll just murder a bunch of high level officers?” Ilea asked.

Claire looked at her for a moment. “If it turns out they’re torturing people, abuse slaves, kill civilians… yes. Yes I think you would.”

Ilea huffed. “You wouldn’t?”

“I’d pulverize them. But that’s beside the point. You’re pretty much famous at this point and your actions will reflect at least somewhat back onto Ravenhall… if anything, think of me and Trian,” Claire said.

“I won’t stand by if they do what you described. I expect more of the Imperial army,” Ilea said.

“I do too. But war remains war. They lost a lot of people and a lot of them have been trapped in Virilya for the better part of a year. Many will be frustrated and angry,” Claire said.

“Then I just take a few legs, what’s the big deal?” Ilea asked.

“Already much better,” Claire said and smiled.

Ilea was a little surprised at that.

“Or kill them where nobody sees you. Saved slaves or soldiers will spread the tales fast. Just consider that,” Claire said.

Ilea nodded. “I will. Okay. I hope there won’t be too much confrontation with humans anyway,” she said.

Claire didn’t comment on that, both of them knowing that it won’t be so simple.

Chapter 497 Ruins

Chapter 497 Ruins

“You’re still here?” Trian asked as he entered the office. “Survived the horrendous lessons?”

Ilea waved her hand lightly.

“Probably worse for you than fighting a Basilisk,” he commented, a literal spark in his eyes as he smirked.

“In a good mood today?” she asked.

“Of course. New students are always a good thing,” he said.

She had been informed that fifteen new recruits had joined the Sentinels, each interviewed by Trian and Orthan. Now that the fifty initial members had skills and classes to work on and train together, the faculty was somewhat freed up.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to do ash and pain resistance training without me there?” Ilea asked.

“They’re doing it already. Just amongst those who already have Classes. It’s a fantastic way to train both defenses and healing,” Trian answered. “I’ll make sure to keep a vigilant eye out for any enmities that might arise.”

Ilea had met them briefly a few hours ago, introducing them to the order with Trian. He had insisted that she would at least meet the new students once. The Sentinels were in their infancy after all and some presence of Lilith was helpful. Her name was one of the main things that convinced new members to go through the gruesome training after all.

When they had made a name for themselves, that would change.

“Ah, something else. William asked me about the group you had him train,” he said.

“You mean Dany and her group?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Three of them asked about the Sentinels. They want to join,” he said.

Ilea wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. William had seemed to enjoy teaching them and while they had endured some training with her, it wasn’t exactly the same regimen the Sentinels went through.

“Wait, just three?” she asked.

“One of them will stay with William. His personal student,” Trian said.

“You evaluated the others so I’ll leave it up to you. If you can squeeze them in, sure. I don’t see a major problem with them otherwise,” she said.

Trian nodded. “Then I’ll invite them. He did ask for a difficult evaluation. I’m not sure it’s because he thinks they don’t fit or if he doesn’t want to let them go.”

“Hard to read him,” Ilea said, thinking back on the drowning. She shuddered before standing up.

“Ready?” Claire asked, having mostly ignored their short conversation.

“Yep. And don’t worry. I’ll try to behave. Somewhat,” Ilea said, her armor expanding to cover her body.

“You do what you do, Ilea. I think we can take care of ourselves, either way. Do at least try not to start a war,” Claire said.

Trian just laughed.

“Politics is so very touchy though… I can’t guarantee it,” she said and winked at the man.

“I’ll make sure the Sentinels can help to heal soldiers if it gets that far,” he said, only a slight smirk remaining.

“Ravenhall won’t be taken that easily,” Claire said. “We’re prepared.”

“Are you seriously suggesting I’d start a war?” Ilea asked.

“Of course,” Claire said.

“Yes. Just try… try really hard to give us a week or two. Every day can make the difference,” Trian said and touched her arm, looking at her with a sad expression. “Think of the children.”

Ilea squinted her eyes and slowly stepped backwards and towards the window. “I’ll be back,” she said and opened it, the enchantments fizzling out before she jumped.

“Good luck!” Trian shouted.

He knew damn well she didn’t need it.

The flight took her towards Virilya, avoiding the city and keeping east of it. She followed the map Claire had prepared. She had left markings for landmarks, towns, and villages on the way.

Only the last half hour of her journey proved a little problematic.

Ilea had to fly low to avoid various troops and small camps she spotted in the distance, both because of the rising smoke and sometimes flashes of magic.

She doubted Baralia troops were fighting so far east but the wild lands remained just as dangerous as they had always been.

Might be refugees or soldiers who try to get away, she wondered.

The journey had taken her through a small part of Asila before she entered Baralia. She avoided settlements and focused on the landmarks mentioned.

The meeting place was an ancient ruin said to be cursed. Adventurers avoided the place due to the monsters in the dungeon below. Curse magic frogs.

The little buggers were mostly harmless to someone with a second tier resistance, both Helena and Claire confirmed, not that they liked to come to the surface at all.

A little risky. This would be exactly the place where I train my Curse Magic Resistance. If it weren’t as high as it already is.

It turned out that the main reason for it being the chosen spot was because it was easy to find.

The ruins were situated on a chain of forested hills, standing out in the landscape to anybody both flying or on foot.

Claire assumed a part of it was also the distance to any cities or towns. It was unlikely any of the armies would choose this as a forward base.

She flew the last stretch below the tree tops, blinking through the forest until she came close.

Ilea immediately spotted a few people within the ruins, all of them heavily armored in deep blue and gray gear, their faces covered by hoods or helmets.

Secret order business, she thought and grinned to herself.

One of them wasn’t armored, the man dressed instead in dark leathers that seemed entirely out of place. There were so many belts and straps that she couldn’t exactly discern their use. The most striking piece of attire was of course the large leather hat with a single red feather fixated onto it.

He had a rather meticulously cared for mustache that slightly twirled upwards on each end. The rest of his beard was just as impressive, long and black, braided in a more complex pattern than her own hair.

Granted, Ilea didn’t spend hours taking care of her hair every day. This man however, just might.

Black long hair flowed out from under his overly large hat, wavy and thick as it rested on his dark brown leather coat.

He looked like a pirate.

She found herself locking eyes with him, deep blue eyes staring at her own before he smiled.

Ilea mimicked the gesture, realizing in that moment that she floated two hundred meters away, her face covered in ash.

You’re being unfriendly, Ilea, she thought to herself and slowed down, floating towards them before her wings dissipated and she continued on foot.

She blinked a few times to shorten the walk before she entered the decrepit ruin.

The stones did indicate that this place had once been claimed by sapient beings but other than that, she couldn’t discern what its use had once been.

Just now did the armored people notice her, ever so slightly preparing for battle. Their postures tensed slightly, their hands going a little closer to their gear.

“Finally!” the man called out and spread his arms. His coat was dripping wet.

Ilea waved at them all, keeping her eyes on the pirate. He was missing the swords and guns but other than that he fit the image incredibly well.

She identified the people around her, finding all of them in the low two hundreds. Eight of them were present, each with their own weapons and feel to their magic. There were at least five perception spells she could perceive within her sphere, another ten or so other spells she couldn’t quite place.

“How very tense,” she commented, glancing at the group before looking at the pirate. “I’m Lilith.”

He smiled. “Lilith! Of course. The ashen Shadow. The menace of Ravenhall. As much as I liked the songs I can’t fucking hear them anymore,” the man said, shaking his head in annoyance.

“And who might you be?” she asked.

“I am of course… the Destroyer,” he said proudly.

Ilea noted that some of the others reacted to that slightly.

“Who?” she asked. The name was utterly ridiculous of course. She expected a legendary Dragon or other calamity to carry that name, not some wet guy.

[Mage – lvl 362]

The level at least was impressive. Most definitely the most powerful human she had ever managed to identify.

His posture seemed to sag a little. “The Destroyer… most famous pirate in the sea… the conqueror of the Wainu islands, caller of the deep, the bringer of war,” it sounded more like a question than anything else.

“Hey man. I’m really sorry. I’ve not been reading up on pirates. Your level supports the claim at least, I’ll give you that,” she said.

The man looked at her for a moment, his mouth opening before it closed again. “You’re shitting me, right?”

Ilea shook her head slowly.

He seemed almost dejected. “What has come to my great name,” he looked up and met her gaze. “Never mind that. Lilith… well I can say honestly that I’m surprised. My crew has been singing your songs nonstop… so much I had to restrict them to once or twice per hour. I expected you to be some puny upstart Shadow thinking themselves invincible because they’re a healer. You’ve nearly reached my level!”

“I need to go hunt again… do you have a third Class already?” he asked suddenly.

Ilea didn’t react. She didn’t exactly want to share that with everyone present, let alone him.

“A secretive one… uech… so boring. Just like these idiots. Hey, army man…,” he suddenly focused on one of the others. “Did Skorn tell you to be quiet? Can you not at least introduce yourself? This is the legendary Lilith! Surely you must want favorable relations with her.”

“We are not affiliated with this man,” one of them suddenly said, looking at Ilea.

“Skorn?” Ilea asked, going through her brain until she remembered. Walter had that name, or was she remembering wrong?

The man didn’t say anything.

“The great Nero Skorn. Filthbag, cocksucker, and as I hear, ruler of Asila. Self proclaimed of course as I doubt that old fucker could rule his own bathroom without the help of his groomed slave bitches,” the Destroyer commented.

Four of the gathered people drew their weapons. Two more prepared spells.

He just laughed out loud, choking suddenly before he coughed a few times. “It just doesn’t get old, does it?”

Ilea wasn’t sure what he meant, looking at him. Nero… I’ll have to ask Walter about that. Might just be a common name but he’s old. Maybe there’s a connection.

“What doesn’t?” she asked honestly.

“Weaklings like them trying to start fights with the likes of us,” he said and grinned at them. “Come on… make the first move… I dare you and your lousy piece of shit daddy.”

Ilea could feel the discomfort in the people around herself.

“You’re being unnecessarily aggressive, Mr. Destroyer. We only came to-” the same man who had talked to Ilea was suddenly interrupted by the pirate’s laughter.

“Mr. Destroyer. Ah I love it. Hey Lilith, before we die of boredom, care for a bout? My bones are aching and I hate being on land,” he said.

“Might as well,” Ilea said and shrugged, apparently surprising the others.

The man clapped once and smiled. “I’m starting to like you!”

A wave of water suddenly formed below him, pushing him backwards and towards the landscape below.

Ilea spread her wings and followed.

“Who are we waiting for anyway?” she asked.

“You, for one,” the Destroyer said. “I would think Velamyr is coming too. The old lightning lad calling himself General now. I really, really hope that’s it but with everything going on in this shit country, I’m sure others will come.”

“Other Lily Members you mean?” Ilea asked.

He glanced at her, his wave moving through the forest unhindered, carrying the man above the trees with surprising speed. “Yes. And others, like that elite order back there. Don’t mind them. Nero is too busy coming himself.”

Ilea nodded slightly, slowing down as he did. “You’re a member too then?”

He waved her off. “Kind of. I mostly stay to annoy some of the others. Helena asked me to come today and so I did. She doesn’t contact me without reason. You should really think about getting involved in this crap. They think themselves very important and most of them don’t possess a shred of honor.”

“Says the pirate,” Ilea said and giggled.

“I don’t pretend to be an upstanding citizen at least. Not like this order of self proclaimed gods of humanity. However I’ll have you know that the cities who tolerate me have been doing rather well in the last decades. I mostly focus my raids on monsters,” he said.

“Why’s that?” Ilea asked.

“Because humans are too weak,” he said with a grin. “You however… might be interesting. It’s nigh impossible to annoy the others enough to cause an actual fight. You’re the first who accepted so quickly!”

Ilea shrugged. “So you have a third Class?” she asked.

“I do. The seven fifty kill was laughably easy… if you find the right creature. Just took me a while to find a four mark with enough people and monsters around to actually take it down. That took weeks! What a battle it was!”

More water formed around him, flooding the forest nonstop.

Ilea was reminded of that one spell Aliana had used but this seemed on an entirely different level. Nor did it stop.

“So you reached that rather recently? With your level where it is,” Ilea said.

“Two years I think?” he said. “You know how it is. Destroyer, we’re starving, please help. Destroyer, our city is under siege, please come and help. Destroyer, your expenses are astronomical, please bring some treasure to pay the bills. Destroyer, your ship was stolen by fishmen! It all eats up time that could be spent on hunting.”

Ilea couldn’t help but laugh. It just seemed too ridiculous for him to be acting.

“Don’t you have people for that?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes. Yes. They’re annoying too of course. I do try to make time! I know my level is inadequate but compared to land, it’s not that easy to find creatures and new islands in the ocean. If you don’t plan to sail alone... and what self respecting pirate wouldn’t have a crew with him?”

“Why not fight on land then?” Ilea asked.

“I’m a man of the sea, young Lilith. I do not concern myself with matters of the land,” he said.

“But… you’re here,” she said and laughed.

“I do occasionally dabble. Only if a cleanup is necessary or old friends ask for my help. However when it comes to monsters, I try to search them in the deep,” he said.

“Let’s start. We can talk during if you really want to. I’ve missed company after spending half an hour with those damn mutes,” he said as magic flowed to his hand. A sphere of water near instantly formed around him, spanning three meters.

“Now come, show me the legacy of Lilith!” he said, his voice in no way muffled by the water around him.

Ilea smiled and charged, ashen limbs expanding behind her as a few spears formed.

She shot them at him, watching with fascination as theywere stopped entirely as soon as they entered the sphere of water. Her ash dissolved within.

Question is, do I want to enter that? she thought. Ilea was sure the man was dangerous but she wouldn’t back down against a human on her level.

A thin stream of pressurized water suddenly shot out of his hand, reaching her fast enough for her precognition to take over.

She dodged to the side but found him following her movement with the stream.

Ilea blinked instead and kept approaching.

Four more streams formed out of thin air and slashed towards her.

No need for his hands. He’s not even looking at me, she noted, moving through the water beams with practiced ease, adjusting her movements and blinking whenever necessary to react to the changes.

Ilea reached his small sphere, her limbs slashing inside.

Her ash was slowed and finally stopped, unable to reach him as she started to deliver reversed healing magic.

The pirate looked at her with a grin before seven beams of water slashed into her.

Ilea couldn’t dodge without letting go of her ash, instead just taking the hits heat on.

Her resistance tried to redirect the beams but they simply came too quickly for it to make a noticeable difference.

Ilea felt her ash slowly washed away.

Heart of Cinder released through one of her limbs, the explosion of heat and energy pushing through the inside of the sphere. It looked too small and slow to her eyes but still managed to get to the pirate.

He watched with fascination and a wide smile as the fire reached him. He moved a hand closer to the energy, the skin visibly burnt before some of the fire went over to his body, as if he could control it.

“Third tier Heat Resistance?” she asked with a smile, the water now cutting into her flesh and slowly past her skin and muscles.

“Oh yes. It’s been a while since someone could even hurt me. A human that is. It’s quite ridiculous how powerful the magic of some monsters is,” he commented. “Your Water Resistance isn’t in the third tier yet, I see. Maybe I can help you there. Your defenses are however… incredible. Most others even in the low three hundreds would be chunks of meat now,” he said and laughed.

Ilea ignored the comments, not disinterested at the potential of a third tier Water Resistance but focusing on pushing her ashen limbs further into his sphere.

Chapter 498 Water

A note from Rhaegar

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Chapter 498 Water

Her reversed healing continued and she added Storm of Cinders to the mix.

“Mana intrusion… and destructive healing. No wonder you could destroy an army with such ease!” he exclaimed, locking eyes with her. “Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me. Not that many could benefit much from knowing what kind of weapons you possess.”

“How is it not affecting you?” Ilea asked after a few more seconds, the water slowly cutting through her as she healed against it. “And how are my limbs not moving?”

As if to demonstrate, the pirate stopped his attack, the water instead flowing free and around her.

Ilea tried to blink but found herself unable to use the spell as soon as his water touched her. Displacement didn’t work either.

Her wounds healed near instantly as she looked at him. She wasn’t worried about drowning, instead charging her Heart of Cinder for her eventual escape.

The water had closed around her fully and she immediately realized why her ash hadn’t been able to move. The pressure she felt was immense.

She found it impossible to even speak. Is this how it feels kilometers deep under water?

Ilea couldn’t help but be impressed that he had managed to immobilize her this easily. Not even the Ascended had managed such and back then she was quite a bit weaker too.

The pressure increased, threatening to pop her eyes before her ash covered them too.

She first used her reversed healing but stopped after a while, realizing that her magic just seemed to dissipate.

The pirate whistled. “Holy mother of the deep. You are tough!”

Force and Displacement proved entirely too weak to do anything against the water.

Ilea finally released her spell, Heart of Cinder spreading out with the help of two thousand sacrificed health. It evaporated a large chunk of the water, allowing her to blink out.

“How did you withstand that pressure? I’m intrigued,” the man said as he momentarily stopped his assault.

Ilea quietly flew in a circle around him. “The water is part of your body, isn’t it?” she asked. “That’s why I couldn’t teleport.”

He smiled. “It’s not uncommon for creators to have such an ability. Your ash is the same I presume?”

“It is. How did you stop the reversed healing and intrusion spells?” she asked.

“I didn’t. Not all of it. The sphere around me can absorb some of the mana from enemy spells. Healing is a bitch to deal with. I would have had to let you go in another twenty seconds or so but you stopped it yourself,” he said.

“Interesting. I have a similar ability,” Ilea admitted.

“It heals me too, otherwise it would have been a problem nearly immediately,” he explained.

“You’re quite open about your spells,” Ilea said.

He grinned. “I’m confident in them. Just as you are. And I think the secrecy around these things is entirely misplaced. If the clowns of the Lily really wanted to bring humanity ahead, they’d share every secret the had found.”

“You’re not terribly fond of them,” Ilea said.

He just grunted.

“Your fire spell is quite something too… you need to charge it? Or do you pay a price?” he asked.

“I form heat within myself,” Ilea said.

“And release it. Horny bitch,” he said.

“What?” Ilea asked.

“Heat. Horny. It’s a play on words,” he said.

Ilea blinked her eyes before she laughed. “That’s fucking stupid,” she said. This man was so much easier to deal with than Helena.

“I can’t believe you don’t have a third Class though. You’re easily powerful enough to destroy some shit tier seven fifties. And with all the waves you created in the last year, I’d doubt you’ve never faced any four marks,” he said.

Ilea activated Flare of Creation and smiled at him.

He clapped his hands and laughed. “There you go! Is that… oho, interesting. I did believe I felt Space Magic before but it was fleeting at best.”

“It’s quite new. I thought I could use this assignment for some skill training. Are they limited in some way?” she asked.

“That’s a smart decision. I don’t think we’ll face anything particularly interesting for a while. Though it is always fun to deal with Lily associates. They’re so easily irritated,” he said and laughed.

“As to your question, no. They seem to behave the same as normal Class skills do. The third tier needs to be unlocked with Core skill points and they’re supposedly subdued but I had a hard time testing that. They seem really strong anyway,” he added.

“Interesting. I mean we have the bonuses from our main Classes and they’re unique so it makes sense for the skills to be strong,” Ilea said.

“I don’t suppose you found a good use for the Core skill points? The options seem… boring at best,” he said.

Ilea shook her head. “Stat and skill level boosts. Third tier skill upgrade, that’s it.”

“I thought so. Maybe once we hit four hundred,” he said.

“Maybe,” she agreed.

“How can you even create so much pressure?” Ilea asked.

He seemed proud of himself as he answered the question. “It’s part of my main Class actually. Plus there isn’t a direct resistance to it, just like there isn’t anything against healing. We have that much in common.”

“I assume you have a dozen other resistances and skills that make your body more resilient though. Otherwise you would have popped like an overripe watermelon,” he said and smiled.

“I have some things, yes. Can you use the pressurized water beams again? If it’s enough to get a third tier resistance,” she said.

“It should be,” he commented. “Do attack me with that white flame… there are so few space magic beings out there, my resistance is still in the first tier.”

Ilea grinned and approached him, spreading her ash around his sphere of water before it all ignited with the flame of creation.

The fire worked through his water with surprising speed.

“It lowers regeneration too…,” he noted before a beam of water punched out of the ashen prison.

Ilea noted that the man was gone, her gaze following the thin stream of water before it reformed into a sphere again, the man forming as if he was born of the water itself.

He would be so annoying to kill, she thought. It made sense of course. He was a human like herself.

He gave her a long look. “Level those skills. They’re already powerful,” he said.

“What’s your third Class anyway?” Ilea asked and glanced towards the ruins, noticing a few new faces.

“You’ll find out soon enough. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lilith of Ravenhall,” he said with a bright smile, the water vanishing as if it had never existed, the small lake that had formed below did the same. Only the wave he stood on remained.

“Same. Do you have a real name by the way?” she asked as the two lazily returned.

“Of course. I wasn’t birthed the Destroyer. But I doubt your name is Lilith either, almost comical,” he said.

Ilea laughed. “Ridiculous, coming from the Destroyer.”

“We agree to disagree,” he said.

Ilea noticed two new people in the group, each quite distinctive compared to the shrouded warriors.

One was a man who looked to be in his thirties. He looked rather ordinary if it weren’t for his gear. Brown hair and brown eyes glanced at her before he seemed to lose interest. He was clad in heavy golden armor that seemed to move or flow slightly.

Ilea wasn’t sure it if was an illusion or one of his skills.

[Mage – lvl 275]

Not quite as impressive as the pirate.

“Hey,” she said.

He looked at her and nodded in a polite manner, choosing not to speak or unable to do so.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” the Destroyer asked as he landed next to Ilea, water dripping to the ground.

“Greetings, Destroyer. I have come upon the request of the Assassin,” the man said and repeated his polite nod.

The pirate rolled his eyes and ignored him, instead spreading his arms as he approached the other new face in the group.

A woman with piercing black eyes, her long hair as dark as the night. She wore a beautiful skin tight dark blue dress, its color bordering on black and heavily contrasting her white porcelain skin. She should have looked entirely out of place in the ruin but somehow the woman fit right in.

[Mage – lvl 318]

“Elisora, it’s almost as surprising to see you here as it is to see Michael,” the pirate said with a grin. “What honor it is, for your eyes to find mine, oh glorious Leya of Lys.”

Elisora seemed to ignore him but Ilea could tell by the incredibly slight twitch of her lip that the woman didn’t succeed entirely.

The Destroyer must have noticed too, laughing out loud as he sat down on a nearby stone.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lilith of Ravenhall,” Elisora instead said. “As our dear ally has already revealed, I’m Elisora Acantha. I’ve not come to personally take part in your endeavors but to both make your acquaintance and more importantly, to make sure this won’t end in a bloodbath,” she said and smiled a perfect and friendly smile.

Ilea nearly shuddered at the feeling she got.

“It seems that my ploy to claim you was already foiled before I even arrived,” she continued, giving Ilea a look.

Is she disappointed, annoyed? I can’t tell.

Something brushed against her mind.

“Impressive defenses too,” Elisora said. “How do I fare compared to the beings you faced before?”

Ilea could tell the magic had come from her. Quite powerful too and a mind mage far surpassing Eve. However compared to the Enavurin or the Goliath Veramath, she didn’t compare.

“You’re the most powerful human mind mage I’ve encountered,” she said honestly.

“I see. Thank you,” Elisora said. “I do hope you will join. I’m sure trade between Lys and Ravenhall could be smoothed out far more quickly with our insistence.”

Ilea didn’t comment.

“We can have that bloodbath now, if you want to,” the pirate said and winked her way.

“Not amongst us, mind you,” Elisora said. “The rituals the Order of Truth has initiated are not to be taken lightly,” she said and glanced towards the man in golden armor, Michael.

“I do presume it’s the reason he came,” she said and focused back on Ilea.

“It seems however that Helena did not take this lightly either,” she said and glanced westwards. “I will see you around. Do visit me in Virilya if you’re ever in the area,” she added, looking towards Ilea before she vanished.

The Destroyer shuddered and made a few hand gestures. Not a cross but Ilea assumed a religious background.

“Don’t go. Even if it might be a good time. She’s a snake if I’ve ever met one,” he said.

“I guessed as much,” Ilea said. “What do you mean by good time?”

He smiled. “Elisora isn’t just an insanely powerful mind mage, she’s also one of the best alchemists in the human plains. She succeeded in making drugs that have an effect even on me. Though the effects might not be enough for you, after that short bout. You should still try them sometime. It’s quite fun.”

“You’re contradicting yourself,” Ilea said and summoned some wood to build a fire.

“I didn’t say you should visit her. Just trade her for it. Ask for the hardest stuff. It’s the only reason I haven’t murdered her already,” he said.

Ilea assumed there were other reasons but didn’t comment on it.

The man summoned some wood too, neither of them getting wood from the surrounding forest.

“A fire would give away our position,” one of the armored people said.

“What’s the point of coming here if we can’t fend off whatever shows up?” Ilea asked. “Who are you anyway?”

The man seemed a little frustrated. “We are the Dawn Company.”

Ilea didn’t know what that was.

“They’re an elite group from Asila,” the pirate supplied. “Under direct orders from Skorn.”

Ilea nodded. “You can hide if someone shows up. Or is that a problem too?”

The man considered for a moment before shaking his head. “No. If you don’t expect us to participate in whatever battle might ensue.”

“I don’t,” Ilea said and that was that.

She summoned her fire sphere and set light to the wood before she formed and ashen chair.

The pirate summoned an armchair and relaxed.

“Who else is coming again?” she asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Velamyr Ryse. A General of the Lys army and a member of the Golden Lily. I assume he’s the main reason this actually came to be. He’s… a military man,” the Destroyer said.

“Alright,” she said, thinking about having another bout with the man.

_____________________

Felicia stood close to General Ryse. The war council wasn’t exactly going like planned. She had expected as much.

“The country is defeated. Surrounded on three fronts and hiding within their cities. The rituals are horrendous but we cannot stop here,” one of the Generals said.

Murmurs went through the large tent.

“Our victory is secured. Though we cannot ignore the cursed. Or the monsters that have sprung to life. I suggest we continue our approach and burn down everything these fanatics have summoned before moving on,” another high ranking officer said.

“I believe there is more to this. The interrogated members of the Order have confirmed as much. If we wait and stall, there won’t be anything left of this country to conquer. And if their plans succeed, we might not want to march any further,” General Ryse said.

His words caused another round of discussions and talks.

“The interrogations were uncertain. We have nothing to prove their ramblings other than the efficiency of the rituals,” one of them said.

“Isn’t that enough? Coupled with the tens of thousands that died?” one of the Majors said.

“We lost few soldiers. The loss of life is regrettable but they are citizens of Baralia. We were prepared for savagery when we got here. Let us not give up on military discipline because our enemies are willing to commit genocide,” the first General said.

“I simply suggest we form strike teams of high level soldiers and Shadows, let them scour the lands and cities, fight the creatures in the cursed areas. We must call for more elite individuals from the Empire,” Ryse said.

“Shadows,” one of them scoffed. “They will refuse to participate in an open war.”

“Not if the enemy are monsters and cursed,” another one said.

“You may risk your own troops, Ryse but I won’t do the same with mine. You are free to include this request in the report that will be sent today,” another General said.

In the end, quite a few of them supported the strike team option. The rest would continue their methodical approach. It wouldn’t be entirely ineffective but not the decisiveness that Ryse had hoped for.

Felicia followed him back to his own command tent, with a sizable group of officers.

“Send letters to the Empress directly. We need to hire every high level mercenary and adventurer we can get our hands on. Otherwise there won’t be a country left to conquer,” the General said as soon as they were inside, enchantments making sure nobody could easily listen in.

A few people nodded and left.

“We already have eighteen teams ready, sir. They mostly consist of Imperial Scouts led by minor nobles,” one of the Majors said.

“Braak, I’ll leave the coordination to you,” Ryse said and looked around. “I will be part of a separate group infiltrating the enemy. We have to clean out those cities and prevent more of these rituals to take place.”

“Shadows?” Felicia asked. Most of the high ranking officers were nobles or simply quite rich. It wasn’t unheard of that they hired or used personal mercenaries during wars. Some didn’t even use Imperial guards to protect their positions.

Lys was quite wealthy in itself, and a lot of that went into its military might. Nobles could rely on the army in most situations but the circumstances had changed.

This endeavor had become as much a monster subjugation quest as it was a war. The lines and priorities were blurred but General Ryse deemed the former far more important.

Felicia agreed after what they had seen in Odiah.

“Possibly. I called in some favors,” he said. “We won’t let our troops die, nor will we let them destroy their whole country and people for illusions and arrogance.”

They discussed the next steps for a while before most of them excused themselves to brief their troops.

“I can lead a strike force too,” Felicia offered. She had already garnered enough trust to be amongst the General’s close Majors. This war was full of opportunities after all.

If she had his word, her status as the head of House Redleaf was all but unquestioned. Velamyr Ryse was well respected, despite his often controversial suggestions and decisions. The results spoke for themselves. He was a patriot ready to sacrifice everything for the Empire. It was even said that he had quite a bit of pull with the Empress.

The Generals thinking his concerns invalid may very well just disagree for the fact that he was amongst those who brought it up. They knew that Alyris would likely approve the requested resources and Shadow contracts but by delaying it all, they strike directly at him and the success that would be attributed to the man.

Ryse wasn’t unaware of it all, maneuvering himself into a place where he could question their rank and ability to lead after the war.

Felicia wasn’t well versed in military politics but she understood some of the maneuvers and plans. The mistake many of them made was thinking that the war was already over. That Baralia was no longer a threat.

She wondered how much of this thinking was responsible for the year long siege. They could have likely broken out after a week or maybe a month.

Felicia listened to the winds, calming down as she thought of the thousands of people who had lost their lives, children, and loved ones. She made sure to remember everyone responsible for the sluggishness of the Imperial army. Ryse did the same, she knew, but perhaps for different reasons.

Chapter 499 Briefing

Chapter 499 Briefing

“I trust them with my life,” Ryse said after he pulled her aside.

Felicia looked at the group behind him, occupying the table and discussing over the spread out maps.

“You’ve proven loyal to both me and the Empire,” he said. “But I won’t appoint you to lead a strike team. Not yet.”

Felicia nodded, unperturbed by the news. She had expected as much, with her short military history and quick rise to the rank of Major.

He had few reasons to fully trust her.

“I knew your father,” he said suddenly, surprising her with the topic. He was usually focused entirely on the war.

“He was a horrible man,” Felicia said honestly.

The General smiled ever so slightly. “A horrible father perhaps,” he said.

“Your question from earlier. As to whom would accompany me. He might have been one of them, though admittedly, he rarely showed up personally. Especially in the last ten years,” he said.

His secret organization? The one Ilea mentioned. If he’s also part of it, this might be a problem. Or an opportunity.

She was already feeling the headache coming. Deciding between her own rise in power and the legitimacy the General would lead to her cause, or helping out an old friend. One that had saved her more than once.

The answer proved easier than she had expected. Her House could wait. It was centuries old. It would mean a small set back but if she couldn’t stay loyal to a friend, how could she lead a House?

“I’m listening,” she said.

The General nodded. “This operation won’t be easy but you have managed the best against the blast of the ritual in Odiah. The Majors speak highly of your combat ability. I will be blunt. I cannot risk them, but I can risk you. Of course I won’t forget your willingness to take part in this strike team,” he said.

“What if I say no?” Felicia asked. She would take part in the war one way or the other. If her capabilities could be brought to a more efficient place, led directly by Ryse, she would prefer that anyway.

“Then you will be assigned to one of the other teams. That would be the end of it,” he said.

Sure, and you wouldn’t forget my refusal. I’m sure, she thought. The man knew she claimed House Redleaf and its assets. She knew that from his perspective, Felicia could hardly refuse this deal.

She wasn’t sure if he understood that this was very much in her best interests. Or it’s just a test and he honestly wants to see if I’m in it for more than just my House’s name? If he works directly with me he can gauge the risks I take, how far I’m willing to go.

There were many other possibilities she entertained, including a marriage between them. It would shut up the suitors he surely was tired of meeting and it would make sure his wife wasn’t someone to be protected only.

The status of their Houses was like day and night but the Redleafs weren’t always as minor as they were now. Are you really thinking that highly of me?

There were other options, some of them more sinister but somehow Felicia didn’t think him even capable of such.

She knew her father had dealt with some criminal organizations but what noble hasn’t? Maria and Edwin were both criminals and the only reason they weren’t imprisoned was the influence she had already exerted. The lack of proof helped too but to an imperial investigator, it wouldn’t remain a secret for long who had murdered those nobles. Not that they had a realistic chance of catching Maria.

“I accept,” she said, deeming the potential gains far higher than the risks. Felicia hated her father with all of her heart but that didn’t mean she hated his connections and wealth. If anything it filled her with a morbid joy to use this to her advantage. Plus, she could perhaps find information for Ilea.

“Good. We leave in half an hour,” the General said and walked past her, the conversation done.

_______________________

Ilea sat with closed eyes and a hot chocolate in hands, enjoying the warmth of their little fire.

Admittedly it was a large fire.

Massive perhaps by some people’s standards.

Their third bout had taken a few dozen trees down. A part of that was cut apart by her and added to their fire.

“A Basilisk, hmm? That’s quite impressive. Lightning is a little annoying with my element,” the Destroyer said.

“And they fly. Not exactly your forte,” she pointed out.

The two of them were a little removed from the ruins by now. A compromise with the Dawn Company.

Michael didn’t seem to care and remained near the ruin.

“True. I can deal with it but the high skies make me shiver, I tell you. Fucking scary up there,” he said.

Ilea laughed. “I feel the same way about the deep oceans.”

They looked at each other. “Fear Resistance training?” he said first.

She nodded. “Though I’m not sure how beneficial it is. What does the second tier do?”

He shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m not afraid of anything.”

“You literally just admitted that you’re afraid of the sky,” she said.

“Fear and respect are quite different things, Lilith,” he said and looked towards the ruins.

“More coming?” Ilea asked.

He nodded and sipped on his drink. “Can’t wait for his face.”

“The fire?” she asked.

“The fire,” the pirate confirmed.

The General didn’t take long to appear at their side, a massive lighting strike forming in front of his outstretched palm before the entirety of their fireplace was blasted away.

“Not like that will inform anybody that we’re here,” the Destroyer said, still sitting in his chair. “It’s been a while boy.”

Boy?

The General had blue eyes and long black wavy hair. He wore an armored robe with two lines of red going down from his shoulders. A short beard added to his features, the man looking to be around thirty. His demeanor and the way he looked at them didn’t quite support that estimate.

Ilea wondered if he had lost his left arm recently or if it was a permanent thing. She assumed the latter after she inspected the robe. It didn’t look cut or damaged.

“I didn’t expect anything less from you,” the man said, looking at the pirate before glancing at Ilea. “And you must be Lilith.”

“I am,” she said and lifted her hot chocolate towards him. “Nice to meet you.”

“War is not a nice occasion,” the man said bluntly. “You were sent here by Helena I presume? To help in the endeavors concerning blood rituals by the Order of Truth and Baralia?”

“I was asked to help, yes. I wasn’t sent by anybody but myself,” Ilea said.

He looked at her for a moment but didn’t say anything. “Good. I’m glad you two have chosen to come. I will be giving a short briefing. With information on the most dangerous cursed areas and targets in Baralia. I’m sure you’re interested in that part at least.”

The man knew who he was dealing with and he knew how to get them.

“That’s our cue,” the pirate stood up and stretched.

Ilea did the same, dissolving her ashen chair before she put out the lingering flames and embers with her ash.

When they reached the ruins, Ilea spotted someone she hadn’t expected.

Felicia glanced at her, her eyes opening slightly before she looked away.

Ilea assumed the girl was just as surprised to see her here.

“Who’s that? She looks nice,” the Destroyer said.

Ilea glared at him. “You want to go again?”

“Don’t act so superior. I won the last one,” he said and rolled his eyes.

“Won? Just because I drowned a little. I hardly died,” Ilea shot back.

“She’s a Major of the Imperial army and you will treat her with the respect that position entails,” the General said before he summoned a table, spreading out a few maps.

The next twenty minutes were spent discussing the various cities, cursed areas and other targets. There were entirely too many for the small group.

“You plan to go in together?” Ilea asked Ryse.

“No. Me and Major Redleaf will infiltrate or break into the few cities we can reach in time. The same goes for Michael and the Dawn Company who will support us. Our goal is to prevent further rituals from taking place,” he said.

“I have heard reports about your prowess, Lilith. And if the conversations I have overheard are to be believed, you can match the Destroyer in… destructive power?” he asked.

Ilea chuckled at the sentence and nodded.

“I wouldn’t say match,” the pirate said.

“I agree. Far exceed would be more descriptive,” she said.

Felicia smiled slightly but schooled her face quickly.

“Either way. The areas and cities marked on your maps hold thousands of cursed beings as well as unknown monstrous entities. The reports on those we encountered are here,” he said and summoned a few more files before spreading them out on the table.

“The primary targets must be dealt with before you start with secondary ones. Dozens of Imperial strike teams will work to do the same, use them if necessary. Should you find a way to prevent further rituals once you’re deeper in the country, don’t hesitate to interfere,” he said.

Ilea nodded, looking at the insect like beings in the reports.

The pirate cracked his neck before stepping away. He looked back to Ilea and gave her a nod. “You coming? We have monsters to kill. General’s orders.”

She couldn’t help but smirk. Velamyr Ryse didn’t seem too offended. Frustrated perhaps and slightly annoyed. He must have known what he got himself into.

“Be swift and without mercy. Thousands of lives depend on it,” Ryse said as Ilea stored the maps and reports.

“Cleanup duty,” she said as they flew towards the first cursed city.

“Don’t act like you would’ve liked the infiltration business,” the pirate said, hanging on to one of her ashen limbs as she flew at her full speed.

“Can’t lie and say I’m not envious of your flight speed. This is quite something. I think you’re the fastest human I’ve met,” he said.

“Just means we might take part in the infiltration too,” she said. “If we deal with this quickly.”

“You want to level your skills. At least use them as much as you can. I’m not exactly stealthy and you don’t strike me as such either,” he said. “Let’s keep to what we do best.”

Ilea didn’t exactly agree. “We can both teleport. I’m sure we’re more than enough to break into one city or the other. Better than to let them prepare and execute their rituals.”

“Can you live with the consequences of failing?” he asked, his voice more serious than before.

“If the ritual activates because of us and thousands die?” she asked.

He nodded.

“I’ll deal with that if it happens,” she said. “Did you know the girl?” she changed the subject.

“The Redleaf Major? No. Might be Arthur’s daughter. He was part of the Lily before. An asshole but his research into the Taleen Gates was deemed important enough to overlook some of his missteps. Good riddance if you ask me,” he said.

“He’s dead?” Ilea asked.

He smiled. “Don’t act like you don’t know. I saw the way she looked at you and I have a good idea of who killed the old fuck. He wasn’t exactly sharing stories about his lovely children.”

Ilea didn’t say anything.

“Your little comment wasn’t missed by anybody either. If you want to protect your friends, you’re going to have to do better than that,” he said.

“If that little reaction was enough, I’m sure they know everyone dear to me already,” she said.

“That bad huh?” he asked and chuckled. “Well, better not make enemies then. Don’t worry though. I’ve been annoying them for decades and nobody moved openly against me. Just make sure they know how powerful you are. They’re real pansies when their intimidation games don’t work out.”

“I didn’t have a bad impression of Helena. Michael seems reserved but polite enough. Elisora sounded like bad news but I’m sure if the contracts are fair, she wouldn’t try to worsen relationships. Velamyr… well, I can’t say I fault the way he acted. This IS serious shit,” Ilea said.

“There’s more to each of them. Helena you can trust. As much as you can trust me and my word. The same is true for Velamyr, if you don’t go against the interests of Lys. Don’t discount Michael as a threat but I agree on Elisora. She’s more bark than bite but don’t offend her too badly,” the man said, sounding like he spoke from experience.

Ilea didn’t trust him yet either but she didn’t see a reason for all of this to be set up just to test her. A test wasn’t necessary. She had influence and power and the Lily had reached out.

Trade deals could be set up even without personal trust, not that she liked that kind of deal.

What she could see was that the pirate was a high ranking member who played a role to get to know her. That much wouldn’t be difficult and with time he could gauge who she was and what her goals were.

Ilea didn’t plan to entirely destroy the Lily quite yet and felt like discussing openly with the pirate would be beneficial either way. As long as she kept some of her information and contacts under wraps. Right now, she did in fact not have a reliable way to kill the man. An open conflict would thus not make much sense.

Gain information, help out with the monster problem, get skill levels, that was still her plan of action. The Destroyer was talkative at least. It remained a mystery if his information could be trusted but so far she had a good feeling about him.

They reached the closest city rather quickly. Scouts had reached it when the ritual activated and killed most of them. Only three got away with their lives, mostly because nobody else was close enough to kill them once cursed.

“This city wasn’t even besieged,” she commented as they floated a few kilometers away. She could already see the greenery spreading out over the walls.

“Just means the Order is entirely nuts. The rituals could deal heavy damage to the imperial army. Why not use them as a weapon?” he said, letting go as water formed below to keep him in the air.

“Because they have their own goal?” Ilea commented.

“Possible. I’ve dealt with my fair share of fanatics and nine times out of ten, they’re just crazy,” he said.

“What about that last one?” Ilea asked.

“Mind fucked by a monster or they peered too deeply into the void. If they succeed, they might unleash some creature or summon a demon. Nothing to be scared of,” he said.

“Even if it’s fueled by several city wide sacrifices of tens of thousands of humans?” Ilea asked.

He shrugged as they approached together. “Humans are quite weak. The life force you get for a blood ritual islaughable, especially using low level civilians. If they were really powerful blood mages, they’d be using powerful monsters.”

“You know a surprising amount about blood magic. Your third Class?” Ilea asked.

He laughed. “I suck at it, no. Plus I don’t like sacrificing my health and blood for spells. I’ll use it to deal with the cursed. You’ll see it soon enough,” he said and snickered.

What are you planning?

“If you want Blood Magic knowledge you can talk to Michael. He’s not exactly open about his knowledge however,” the pirate said.

“Good to know. Elisora made a comment about that. You think he’s here just to study the rituals?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t see another reason for him to care. Maybe they even stole something from him,” he said, obviously amused by the thought.

Ilea quieted down as they closed in. The walls were overgrown with green moss and ivy. Roots and trees had overtaken many of the buildings inside. Grass grew on the streets and out through the broken gates.

“I don’t suppose Baralia really likes their gardens?” Ilea asked.

“No. That’s magic. I smell poison too,” the man said.

Ilea spotted more than a few creatures within.

“They’re fighting each other,” the Destroyer said and pointed towards one of the buildings.

Ilea looked and indeed there were a few brown ants the size of dogs spitting and clawing into what looked like crazed humans. There were dozens of humans but they quite literally melted away under the assault.

She spotted thin spider like beings with dozens of legs using wood magic to pierce and cut into the humans. The shrieks and growls were audible far outside the walls.

“Should we join the fun? Doesn’t seem like anybody has reached this city yet,” the pirate said as water pooled below him.

Ilea nodded, looking at the growing lake below him. She wondered how much water he could control, feeling a little inadequate with her ash. Probably has two or even three water related Classes.

“Any strategic suggestions?” she asked, knowing that he had far more experience.

The man however just laughed. “Strategic? We’re two people. Go nuts,” he said and moved towards the city, his growing lake changing into a rolling tsunami.

Ilea took another look at the city and steeled herself. They’re lost. All you can do is put them to rest.

She checked her skills and blinked into the fray.

Chapter 500 Invasion

Chapter 500 Invasion

Ilea blinked up when a wave of water washed away the living, dead, and everything else in its path. She blinked into a hall overgrown with roots, her ashen limbs fanning out to slash through the creatures and cursed.

Dozens of humans were instantly ripped apart, a swath of them stumbling over each other as they tried to get to her. Heart of Cinder incinerated all of them.

Ilea let the blade of the mantis creature dig into her ash, unable to penetrate the hardened defenses before its head exploded from a punched fueled with her spells.

She displaced three swaths of acid spit towards her by the three Wildflower Ants crawling on the walls. The poisonous acid landed on the Willow Mother, interrupting her wood magic.

Four more mantises appeared in the room, finding a quick end when Heart of Cinder expanded outwards, their bodies slowly falling, still affected by her Force.

The ants and their projectiles were quite effective coupled with Displacement, their carapace annoyingly tough against her punches.

[Pearl Mantis Sire – lvl ??]

Another two appeared, likely crazed and frenzied by its killed brethren. Both the cursed humans and insect like monsters liked to converge whenever she fought them.

Ilea spent the next twenty seconds slaughtering the remaining fifty or so creatures before she blinked up and to the roof. A large tree with pink leaves had grown on it.

She dissolved her ashen armor, reforming it again to make sure no armor reducing effects remained.

Her eyes tried to understand the changes in the wisps around her as she quickly scanned the messages in her mind since meeting up with the Lily associates.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Willow Mother – lvl 382]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Wildflower Ant – lvl 320]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Pearl Mantis Sire – lvl 457]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cursed Mage – lvl 68]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Wildflower Ant – lvl 375]

The levels varied greatly but nothing so far had been above five hundred. The Mantises were the most annoying, capable of quick movements and teleports. As soon as she fought a few of them however, it became trivial to kill them. Their defenses weren’t something to write home about and most every being in this city was already injured in some way.

Ilea wondered what the distorted space meant in the surrounding area. It had been obvious instantly that the mana in the whole area around the city was higher than it should have been but the space had seemed normal initially.

She assumed the growing vegetation was caused by either one or many of the creatures or by the mana density in some way.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 353 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 354 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 358 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 353 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 354 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 357 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 87 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 88 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 89 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 103 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 104 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Active – Force – 2nd lvl 1

Push away or stop objects, constructs, and people from reaching you with Space magic

2nd stage: The strength of Force is increased against schools of magic you are familiar with. You may use Force freely within its sphere of influence, pushing in each direction.

Category: Space Magic – Aura

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

Ilea hadn’t used Monster Hunter in the battles at all. Most of the creatures were immune to its effects due to their high level, nor did she want to paralyze them in the first place.

She wanted them to come at her.

I can push in all directions now? she wondered, testing it with a ball of ash she threw up into the air.

A few seconds later, she had already gotten the hang of it. Her sphere helped quite a bit with applying the Force spell. She could essentially push at something within Force’s sphere of influence from all directions.

Ilea watched the Needle Flies in the distance, their magic forming before wooden arrows and spears rushed at her. Their eyes were at least as good as hers.

She used Force to push against herself from the side, effectively getting her out of the projectiles’ trajectory.

I should try this inside the pirate’s sphere. I think I’ll just call him Bob form now on. It’s just easier.

Force wouldn’t be impacted by the same limitations teleportation had, nor would it be as affected by water magic anymore, if she understood the added skill description. She tried to stop the wooden projectiles with her space magic, finding them slowing down considerably before they clattered onto the stone roof.

Better. Still not perfect but better.

Ilea mostly ignored the brown hornet like flying creatures. Their wood magic was downright useless against her but they liked to stay at a distance, teleporting away whenever she even started to approach them.

There were thousands of monsters on the ground anyway, the few flying ones not much of a concern right now. Bob could blast them out of the air with his pressurized water anyway, not that she knew where the guy was currently. The city was quite large.

Ilea spent thirty five stat points each into Vitality and Intelligence before continuing her rampage. A few hours had already passed but they were far from done.

Ilea blinked into a large plaza and used Monster Hunter to taunt everything in the surroundings, the humans freezing for a few seconds as she charged Heart of Cinder.

She heard the buzz of dozens of monsters rushing towards her from all directions as she stood on the balcony of a government building. Her third Class spells were already doing work as she waited for more monsters to converge.

When the cursed humans started moving again, everything turned into chaos.

The mages retained their ability to cast spells but very few were even above level one hundred. They fought against the monsters but thanks to her use of Monster Hunter, many kept their focus on her.

At least two hundred people and thirty monsters were incinerated by her life force enhanced blast of fire and energy. Ashen spheres zipped through the plaza, punching through heads with ease as she displaced any projectiles coming her way back to one monster or the other.

Anything that got closer to her was shredded by the six limbs she kept active. A net made of ash caught a few monsters before it lit up with white fire. Another blast of fire turned dozens of creatures to ash.

Ilea had checked the cursed with her healing ability, finding that their insides were near entirely corrupted. Their minds retained some of their knowledge and capabilities, apparent by their use of magic and swords, but everything else was gone. Either that or some things still remained. Ilea however didn’t want to consider such possibilities.

They were beyond saving. Perhaps high level mind, curse, and blood healers could somehow reverse the effects but not without rebuilding most of their bodies. If such people and Classes even existed.

Ilea didn’t feel distress or anything else coming from the cursed. It surprised her however that some of the insect monsters were seemingly in high distress. She had no experience with their body language but the way they attacked was crazed and reckless. Only the flying creatures retained some thought of self preservation.

She tried contacting them with Elos, English, mind magic, and Monster Hunter, sending various intent to back down and stop the fighting. Nothing worked however and the creatures kept attacking each other and her, both human and not.

Ilea had thought about simply leaving them here but the other side of the city confirmed that the cursed humans rushed out of the few broken gates on their hunt for whatever lay beyond. They were no danger to Ilea but she was sure there were hundreds of people still in the lands close by. Soldiers, slaves, and mercenaries.

It took her a while to slaughter them and barricade the gates with rubble. Displacement was quite useful in this, a push of concentrated Force slamming the rubble into place.

She met the pirate from time to time now, the city growing less populated by the minute, the two of them hunting down each and every last creature and cursed.

Ilea had to admit that his methods of clearing out open spaces was quite a bit more impressive than hers. He simply flooded everything, drowning or crushing the weaker creatures and using increased pressure to literally burst the higher leveled ones.

His third Class was revealed to her too, some kind of summoning thing. Ilea spotted sharks and small fishes swimming through his waves on occasions, even what looked like a five meters large octopus throwing around monsters.

It didn’t come as a surprise that level four hundred monsters weren’t much of a challenge to him.

“Sure about this? I don’t sense anything specific from this building,” he said after Ilea had led him to an expansive temple. They had cleared out the surroundings before meeting at the entrance.

“The dense mana is weird but the space distortions are even more confusing. They lead here. I’m sure of it now. This all feels very… unstable,” she said.

He shrugged. “Eh, the monsters need to come from somewhere. Maybe they made a portal or something. Or they somehow summoned all the plant life coupled with the monsters living within,” he suggested.

They teleported inside, slaughtering all the monsters that hid on the ceilings, behind pillars or walls. Ilea was much more efficient in the constricted space, killing most of their opponents with her fast and numerous teleports, space magic, and perception before the water even reached them.

“I’m quite surprised with the high levels. Helena was right after all. She always is…,” he said, laughing at the last part. “Guess I won’t be leaving this place without any gains.”

“Speaking of,” Ilea said as they reached a central chamber. It didn’t take a detective or ritual expert to determine that his was the place where the blood ritual had taken place.

She stopped talking and took in the view. There were hundreds of corpses, most of them human and wearing robes. She waved her hand at the air in front of her, confused by the various wisps interweaving with each other.

“Lost your mind?” he asked and chuckled. “Should I flood the stench and corpses?”

“No… wait,” she said and watched in fascination as a few nearby wisps interlinked. Ilea couldn’t wrap her mind around what she saw but a burst of mana suddenly expanded from nothing.

With it came a Wildflower Ant. It landed on its feet and looked around before twitching a few times. Ilea felt its distress before it spotted them and attacked in a frenzy.

“That doesn’t look good,” Bob said.

Ilea nodded slowly. “They warped this space somehow,” she said.

“These creatures aren’t made for the low mana density here. Even with the mana flowing out from here… it’s not enough. They must be going absolutely mad,” he said.

“Flood it Bob. Destroy it all,” Ilea said, hoping that the enchantments, runes, and corpses were somehow keeping this ritual active.

He just looked at her and blinked. “Bob?”

“Yes. It’s better than Pirate or Destroyer,” Ilea said, gesturing to the room with an annoyed expression.

The man chuckled as he flooded everything, beams of water slashing out into the ground, walls, and ceiling, collapsing everything.

“I need a name for you too then,” he said.

If he’s a higher ranked member than Helena, he already knows, she thought.

“How about Ilea?” she suggested.

The two appeared in the air above the temple, watching it collapse below.

Ilea could tell that the space was already stabilizing, enough for her to sigh with relief. If they could stop the rituals, they could stop more monsters from coming into their realm.

“Ilea… it’s still a stupid name but fine,” Bob said.

“It’s my real name,” Ilea countered. “Call it stupid one more time, I dare you.”

“Don’t tempt me like that, foul witch,” he said and looked around at the half collapsed city, flooded in parts with hundreds of corpses visible. It was eerily quiet.

“Call me Hector,” he said.

“Good to meet you Hector. I’ll refrain from calling your name stupid,” Ilea said.

He laughed. “Oh look at you, Lilith, the moral superior!”

“Should we clean out the rest?” she asked, trying to locate any moving creatures. She spotted a few, all of them decidedly human.

“A quick search, ten minutes. Don’t focus on the humans. We can leave some for the imperials,” he said. “Something else I wanted to mention. While we’re here…,”

He looked at her as a wide grin grew on his face. “You know, I’m sure much of the wealth here was moved away on short notice but there is always gold and gems found in a conquered city.”

“I wanted to mention it earlier,” Ilea said. “I don’t suppose a pirate like you has some kind of treasure sense?” she asked.

The man winked at her.

“Really?” she asked, looking at him as they reached the protected vault.

“I told you, I’m an honorable pirate. It’s only fair that you get a third of the wealth,” Hector said with a generous expression.

“Half,” Ilea stated. “And you better empty your pocket items. I know you just got me here to crack these enchantments.”

“Vile accusations,” he said and shook his head. “As if someone as powerful as me wouldn’t have a way to break through some high powered anti magic enchantments fueled by hundreds of mages before they died.”

Ilea rolled her eyes and charged Absolute Destruction.

The vault cracked open with a boom, stone stone and debris flying inside as the protective enchantments vanished.

The two rushed inside and stored everything they could get their hands on, ash and water quickly encompassing the whole treasury before any contingencies even managed to activate.

Ilea blinked and stored the last batch of valuables before a massive explosion of dark red flame, shrapnel and curse magic washed over her.

“Are you alive?!” Hector called out after the dust had settled.

Ilea pushed away the chunks of stone that had fallen on her with Force and her ashen limbs. “We got it all, right?”

“Sure. I don’t suppose you’re open for trade? You don’t strike me as someone who knows anything about enchanted weapons and armors,” he said.

“Which is exactly why I would never trade with you,” Ilea said with a wink.

She had gotten four hundred and thirty gold out of the vault, coupled with a variety of armors, weapons, ingots, monster parts and trophies, as well as other treasures.

“You’re no fun. I need to chunk some stuff into crates, my storage items will fill up if we continue at this rate otherwise,” Hector said, glancing at the four rings on his left hand.

“How much wealth is in there anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Don’t look at a pirate’s wealth like that!” he said and lifted his hands defensively.

Ilea chuckled. “Let’s get out of here.”

They appeared outside after a few teleports from the underground vault.

“Admittedly, it’s not as much as you’d think. Looting the destroyed towns is actually one of the main reasons I came. Don’t mention that to the others. All the cities I support cost a lot of gold,” he said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. It didn’t matter either way. She had gotten quite a bit out of it herself.

“Why did nobody hide inside the vault?” she asked while summoning a few crates, filling them with treasures before storing them again. This way, the various items used up a significantly lower amount of space within her necklace and bracelet. She trusted both items but stored this newfound wealth inside her necklace.

Hector followed her example and shrugged. “Not fast enough? I heard the expanding wave was quite quick. Not that those inside buildings would have even perceived it.”

“Hmm. Any more vaults around?” she asked.

“There are a few more places we can check but we don’t have time to search every little business. Velamyr would ask annoying questions too if there was nothing to be found inside the taken cities,” he said.

“What about the exploded vault?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

He looked like he was deep in thought. “Monsters… they tried to, get the gold,” he figured with a shrug. “I guess.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Lead the way. Not like we’re saving a lot of lives by clearing out the monsters. I’m sure he doesn’t mind that much.”

Chapter 501st Ilea’s Fist

Chapter 501st Ilea’s Fist

Ilea had three more crates of valuables at the end of their short detour, and a hundred and ten more pieces of gold.

She checked her messages again with a bit of apprehension.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 359 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 360 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 358 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 359 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 360 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 105 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 106 – One stat point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 114 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

“Why the frown? You’re at three sixty, got a ton of wealth and surely a bunch of skill levels too,” Hector said.

“I’m blasting through the levels… that’s the issue. I should probably focus on my third Class skills more before leveling so much,” she said.

“Eh, maybe. I tried between two and three hundred, got all the skills to nearly the highest possible level and then… nothing. Not a single potential evolution. I doubt there will be one until four or even five hundred, as powerful and unique as they’re supposed to be,” he said. “You got Core skill points at three sixty?”

Ilea nodded. “We aren’t necessarily the same though,” she said.

“Oh, of course. I’m just one example. It might not be perfectly efficient but this is highly beneficial. You can hide inside a tomb and train your skills once we’re done here,” he said and laughed.

“You almost sound like you want me here. Is it maybe you who developed a crush?” she asked with a smile.

“I’m happy to invite you to dinner, Ilea. Right now I’m just glad to have another monster with me. We’re progressing quickly. I doubt Velamyr expected us to clear out a town in less than a day. Nor do I think the Order of Truth expected as much. Should have summoned more powerful creatures,” he said and laughed.

“Don’t jinx it,” Ilea said and looked at the map. “Mophis is mostly clear, except for a few hundred Cursed. Seyna or Nara?”

“Nara has likely not been touched by anybody. If we move now, we have the first pick for both wealth left behind and monsters infesting the city,” Hector said. “We’re also getting into stronghold territory of the Order and Baralia. I doubt many of the nobles in Nara were taken out by the ritual.”

Ilea considered it for a short while and finally nodded. “Then let’s get there before either army returns to claim what’s left.”

He laughed and grabbed on to one of her ashen limbs. “Spoken like a true pirate! You should really think about becoming one.”

“I’m not the biggest on hats, I’m afraid,” Ilea said and sped off.

Ilea put thirty stat points into Vitality, bringing her total health to a whopping 12991.

It didn’t sit perfectly right with her to level so quickly in her third Class, her skills somewhat falling behind. She had high second tier skills in her Azarinth Healer Class before even reaching level one hundred.

Hector was right of course, she wouldn’t hide away or slow their pace just because her skill development wasn’t perfectly optimal. If that even really was the case.

He told her that there had been no evolution for him, despite working on only his skills for quite some time. The man however had a motive to keep her around and fighting at her full capacity, which made her doubt his word somewhat.

Only somewhat though, she had a feeling he didn’t exactly care. Even if she left, he would continue this on his own. Slower and perhaps a little annoyed but at the same time happy that he didn’t have to share the spoils anymore.

Nara was quite different than Mophis, or really any city Ilea had seen so far in Elos.

The walls looked like the lowest fourth of a pyramid, reaching at least thirty meters in height before they opened up to reveal the high buildings and towers beyond.

She knew that few cities really built high in Elos because there was so much space available and building below ground was both easier and safer, with earth magic around.

When she saw the towers reaching hundreds of meters in height, punching into the gathering dark clouds above, she knew that there was only one explanation. A massive dick measuring contest.

“Fools I tell you,” Hector said as they slowed down a few kilometers away from the city.

Ilea had flown low for the last ten minutes, just in case something spotted them in the sky.

“You think they’re angering the Dragons?” she asked.

“You say that word quite lightly, not having met one,” he said and glanced at her.

“How do you know I haven’t met one?” Ilea said.

“Because you’re still alive,” he said. “Admittedly… it would be interesting to see. I wonder how you could be killed.”

“Overwhelming force, I’d say,” Ilea suggested.

“Which Dragons should have, according to the legends,” he said.

“What could kill you then?” she asked.

He laughed. “I’m not exactly as durable as you are… very slippery though. A Leviathan nearly succeeded once. A Basilisk could do it too I suppose. Most four marks if they really set their minds to it, not that they care about a puny human enough to get their fat asses moving.”

“Not all of them are huge,” Ilea said.

“That sounds like a good story. Care to share?” he asked as they slowly moved towards the sprawling city.

Rain started falling, the first strikes of lightning flashing in the distance.

“Not really,” Ilea said.

He didn’t seem to mind, just nodding lightly. “The rain will be quite useful.”

“For you,” she said.

“How about a bet? The one who kills more gets sixty percent of the wealth we find,” he suggested.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “I don’t feel like keeping a count.”

“So boring. You can just look through your messages afterwards,” he said. “Just takes ten minutes or so to count.”

“I don’t feel like it,” Ilea said. She knew the humans and monsters they were killing were either not themselves anymore or already entirely gone. Putting a number to it all felt too morbid. They had all been living, breathing, and thinking people. She had a feeling at least part of that applied to the monsters that had come through the fractured or weakened space.

He grumbled a few curses but let it go after a few seconds, visibly excited to continue with the fighting.

“This is going to take a little longer than a day,” Ilea said as the real size of the city became clear.

“Not an issue,” he said. “It just means that there is more for us to gain.”

Ilea wondered how many people lived here.

“Don’t let it get to you. Focus your fury and fear at those responsible,” he suddenly said.

She looked at him, a little surprised. Only her eyes were visible after all. Maybe something like my sphere?

He didn’t say anything else, instead lifting up with a large wave of water that broke onto the walls of Nara.

The battle within was raging, screeches and spells audible as the Cursed fought against the summoned creatures. The walls of Nara were large, enchanted, and their gates remained shut. The slaughter was contained, an aftermath of the blood ritual that caused thousands of deaths.

Ilea silently crossed into the city, her wings moving in serene quiet before she dived down, and into battle.

Most of the monsters were the same as back in Mophis, their powers used against themselves with Displacement and sometimes even Force.

Ilea got quite a bit better with the latter skill, using it to deflect spells coming her way into the hordes of cursed humans prowling the streets below.

It became clear rather quickly that the high towers weren’t just a show of wealth, it was a quite literal disparity.

The lower levels on the ground and below were dirty and cramped. Apartments and stores were close to each other, side streets barely had enough space for two people to walk past each other.

While the cursed humans had a low level, there were so many down here that the monsters were quite literally ripped apart after engaging in close quarters combat.

Even a level four hundred Pear Mantis Sire would at some point die to sustained injuries.

The same wasn’t true for Ilea. Her Flare of Creation, Heart of Cinder, and ash shredded through the masses with ease, few of them even getting close to the flying monster, let alone through her defenses.

And even if they did, Ilea’s natural regeneration alone would be enough to deal with the damage.

She did use her Reconstruction but mostly on her mind, realizing that while she had made a similar experience back in Ravenhall and Virilya, the cursed weren’t changed as much by their affliction than the demonic spawn had.

She was slaughtering the diverse population of Nara. Rationally, she knew that this didn’t mean much, that if anything, she was doing them a favor, but despite her life in Elos, Ilea hadn’t turned entirely cold.

The experience wouldn’t leave lasting damage to her psyche thanks to her healing spell and the Mental Resistance she possessed but it wasn’t exactly a joyous occasion either.

She fought through whole sections of the lower levels for hours on end, hundreds and thousands of monsters dying in her wake. Ilea didn’t shy away from invading the underground either, the lack of space, visibility, and even partial flooding not slowing her down in the slightest.

Dozens of Cursed waiting in ambush within dark rooms were slaughtered in less than a second as the ashen Shadow moved past, her sphere checking for any survivors or unaffected, her search unsuccessful.

Ilea hadn’t found any signs of warped space in the five or six hours she had fought so far but she assumed the ritual had been the same.

To think something like this can just wipe out the whole population… I hope Claire integrated anti blood and curse magic enchantments into the various walls of Ravenhall.

She came out into a square close to the center of the city, finding a new creature currently in battle with a thirty meter long black eel whose mouth was about twice her body’s size. Standing on a nearby building was Hector, winking her way when she noticed him.

The eel was half wrapped around a massive armored beetle that thrashed against the pure muscle, pushing back with summoned rock and debris from the surrounding buildings.

“Which one’s yours?” Ilea asked when she appeared next to the man. She needed a break anyway.

“What do you think? Underwater beetle?” Hector asked with a smile. A sphere of water surrounded him entirely.

“Both are triple marks?” Ilea asked. Not because she didn’t know but because she was surprised he could summon or control such a being.

“The Class doesn’t have a restriction when it comes to levels. As long as the requirements are met and I manage to dominate and bond with a creature,” he said. “I like her a lot. The regenerating powers are quite fascinating too.”

“What’s her name?” Ilea asked.

“Neely,” he answered.

“I see. Eel, Neely,” Ilea said. “Sure you don’t want to help? She seems to be struggling.”

“It’s actually just based on the name of a long past lover. She had a personality that very much fit with this beast. The pun is just coincidence. And no, she would get pissed off if I got between her and her prey,” he explained.

Ilea doubted the pun was a coincidence but she would let him have his way.

The battle caused two large buildings to partially collapse. Neely had difficulties piercing the stone armor of the Rock Beetle despite her ridiculously large teeth. A few of them even broke upon the defenses, her body cut, pierced, and bludgeoned by earth magic spells in the meantime.

She did regenerate quite quickly however, making the fight much more even than it would have otherwise been.

“Can eels survive outside of water?” Ilea asked.

“She can but yes, the ocean is her preferred hunting ground. Just as it is mine,” Hector said.

“Why not help out with some water then?” she said.

“Neely would notice it was mine,” he said and shrugged. “How is your side of the battle going?”

“Good, I guess. It’s not easy slaughtering so many people,” she said.

He nodded. “Use ranged attacks. Takes away from the trauma. I just drown them,” Hector said. “If you need a break, I’ve found a few sealed off vaults already.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Ilea said, sighing.

“No luck finding the ritual site?” he asked.

“Probably higher up,” Ilea said. “If the nobles lived in these towers then the Order must have had some quarters there too.”

“Are you sure there’s no way to turn them back?” she asked after they watched Neely fight for a little while.

Hector glanced at her. “You’re the healer.”

“But no. No, I don’t think that’s possible. They’re dead,” he said. “There’s a reason many countries keep a close watch of blood mages, necromancers, and curse mages. It’s often still allowed but this is exactly the kind of think they want to prevent.”

“If Michael gets his hands on this ritual, he’s going to be even more annoying,” he said.

“He’s a blood mage?” Ilea asked.

“Blood and gold. I doubt he would actually use this spell but the knowledge alone could be used as a tool to pressure whole nations, let alone the other members,” Hector said.

“You seem to have a great deal of respect for the man. He’s not even at three hundred,” Ilea commented.

“He isn’t, no. And I don’t want to think of the day when he reaches it. I think it has to do with his duplicate spell. The slow leveling that is, not that I think he fights very often. That’s the only good part, he’s mostly focused on his research,” he said.

“Duplicate spell?” she asked, looking at him.

“Michael has a way to create duplicates of himself. I believe they think and feel the same as the original, though with only a fraction of the mana pool. If he manages to defeat something, it’s not counted as a solo kill. That’s the going theory at least. He’s the opposite of open about his capabilities,” Hector explained.

Copies, I like that. Ten Ileas beating the shit out of some monsters, she thought with a smile. “Do you think he’s a threat?”

“To me? No. I can defend myself, even if he was at the same level. He wouldn’t fight the Lily but he’s a driven man and his views differ from mine in some fundamental ways. If he got his hands on too much power however, the collateral damage would be quite extensive. I just hope the other members can keep him in check.”

Ilea nodded lightly. She had no clue what each member did or where they even had the majority of their influence. “I assume you think the same way about everyone else too?”

Hector chuckled. “Of course. Each member is dangerous in their own right. That’s why we’re not at war. Even an assassination would be disastrous for hundreds of thousands of people. Doesn’t stop me from entertaining the thought.”

“Have there been members who killed each other?” Ilea asked.

The man nodded. “Many times, but the last few centuries were somewhat quiet in that regard. Arthur died but I’d argue he left the Redleaf House in disarray anyway. If anything, it will be beneficial that somebody else takes over. The same isn’t true for everyone else. Except for me, maybe. If I died, barely anything would change,” he mused and chuckled.

“You think yourself invincible?” Ilea asked.

“Invincible? No. But those who would try to kill me? They’d find it a difficult task to say the least. Such an act would moreover give me all the support I needed to murder them myself. That would change things,” he said and looked at her. “It means resources would be offered to take care of the problems that would arise from the sudden disappearance of say, Lilith. Your assets would need to be distributed, people close to you would need to be informed, bribed, or killed.”

“You think I’d want to kill you?” Ilea said.

“More so than others,” he shrugged. “I can empathize with your qualms, Ilea, but they are not mine. If this city had been responsible for even just the injury of a crew member, I’d do the same that we’re doing now, cursed or not.”

Ilea had a hard time believing that. “You’d drown a whole city’s population to get revenge?”

“I would destroy all of human life, if I had the power to do so,” Hector said, his expression serious. “Of course that doesn’t make any sense. No, I know that those responsible would sit hidden within these towers but they won’t exactly come out and admit what they did. And I’m hardly an investigator.”

Chapter 502 Destroyers

Chapter 502 Destroyers

“I guess your name isn’t exactly an exaggeration,” Ilea said. She was probably talking to a walking war crime. Then again, she had some experience in the area too.

“I’ve mellowed out over the centuries,” he admitted.

“Your level is quite pathetic for that age,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Killing humans doesn’t exactly get you to three hundred. I was quite obsessed with killing them but it seems history has already moved on,” he said.

“I admit that I haven’t studied a lot of history,” Ilea said, wondering just who this person would compare to on Earth. Churchill? Stalin? Or just an unknown ruler from a time long past? Perhaps not even a ruler. Just a man obsessed with war and killing. On Earth, one had to be a ruler or high ranking officer to have such a large scale effect on people. Here? A high level was enough.

Hector chuckled. “And yet historians already write about you,” he said.

“Good or bad, what do you think?” she asked, not having delved too deep into the thought so far.

“Life isn’t black and white. As always, it depends on which historians you ask,” he said.

“The Shadow who slaughtered half an army, left dozens of husbands and wives without their lovers, children without their parents. The one who destroyed a future for their people. Or the Savior of Riverwatch, instead protecting the lives of thousands,” he said.

“If we go further, we could talk about demons too. Or the monsters we’re killing here. Who knows if they have writing but perhaps they have stories of their own,” Hector said.

“You’ve given this a lot of thought,” Ilea said.

“You would too, with the things I’ve done. I did try to fix some of it, tried to pay reparations. It didn’t go well. The grief of a mother is not something that can ever be forgotten or paid off. Not even my death would bring their children back,” he said.

“What a bummer,” Ilea said.

Hector glanced her way before he started laughing. “I’ll have centuries yet to mull it over. Good that there are whores and monsters,” he said and bowed lightly.

“Are you implying I’m a whore?” Ilea asked with a light smirk. She could see that this man wasn’t a saint. Quite the opposite. But he had not killed her children, had not taken her lands. Ilea wouldn’t pretend that she was free of fault and so far his actions had proven either neutral or even good. Nor was she a paladin of justice, her whole life dedicated to a cause.

He shrugged. “Hey, nothing wrong with taking gold for sex. Your body is yours to do with what you want. However you’re definitely a monster. Just as much as me.”

“We can agree on that,” Ilea said.

“Well maybe not exactly as much,” he said, gesturing slightly towards Neely with a nod.

The black eel had finally crushed the beetle, working through the armor with her teeth and pure muscle.

“Is she eating the rock?” she asked.

“Why not?” Hector asked.

“She’s just going to puke it up again later. I’ve stopped trying to stop her,” he said.

“Hmm,” Ilea mused. “Where were those vaults?”

Her mana intrusion worked through the embedded enchantments, the defenses taking more hits than some level six hundred creatures.

When it came to their wealth, humans really didn’t shy away from expenses.

“Can Nelly move so far away from you?” Ilea asked as they entered the vault.

They teleported around, storing everything with quick and practiced ease as the acid traps filled the room. There were always traps. If someone managed to break in, the wealth would rather be destroyed than surrendered.

“No, she returned to a pocket dimension connected to me,” Hector said, the acid mixing with his water.

Ilea was knee deep in the liquid as she looked at an enchanted ring in her hand, storing it with everything else. “Interesting. And she can just move back into it?”

“Takes considerable mana on my part to move her, both in and out,” he said. “Speaking of considerable mana, your abilities really suit raids well. Even I would have difficulties breaking into this place.”

“Guess I’m a natural,” Ilea said, ignoring the acid that was up to her chest by now. It hardly mattered to her armor.

“You don’t understand… I doubt there’s more than five to ten people who could pull this off, let alone be able to withstand the countermeasures so easily. Are you interested in working together from time to time?” Hector asked.

Mana intrusion continued to be a major asset. “To raid other countries? I think I’m perfectly capable of starting wars myself, thank you,” she said.

“I mean ancient ruins, maybe cities of other species who are at odds with humanity. The Lily isn’t exactly fond of Elves and Dwarfs,” he said. “I guess I can just contact you if I find something hard to break into.”

“You talk like I’m part of them,” Ilea said. “I don’t exactly give a shit if you’re human or not, as long as you’re not an asshole.”

They left the self destructing vault, exiting into the large and luxurious hall that few people would’ve ever set foot in.

“I doubt you’re going to refuse the offer. Even I didn’t. If I might give you one piece of advice, don’t mention the species thing to the others. Even Helena might take issue with that. They actually think humans are in some way superior. Don’t ask me how the fuck they came to that conclusion,” he said.

“It’s because they’re human themselves,” Ilea said as if it was the most obvious thing.

“But squids have so many arms, and they can survive under water for much longer…,” Hector murmured.

“You want to be a squid?” Ilea asked.

“I’d be open to the idea. At this point however, I’m so used to this body and the Classes I have,” he explained.

“You talk like there’s an actual possibility,” Ilea said as they finally exited the building, the street ahead half flooded with corpses and water.

Hector glanced at her. “There have been many attempts. Elves, Dragons, wolves, many forms seem more desirable than being human. To some. I agree that actually being a Dragon would be quite something, though the likely required mana density must be annoying. Even Elves can’t exactly enter a dungeon without issue,” he said.

He knows about that. Interesting.

“However it’s different being born human and being born a wolf. Turning from one to the other is bound to be messy and imperfect,” he said.

“Is that how Werewolves came to be?” Ilea asked.

“How would I know? They’ve been around for millennia. Could have been a botched transformation experiment on low level people or wolves, a fusing ritual, or maybe just the result of some rather savage sexual desires.”

Ilea chuckled. “Or you know, they could just be monsters born of mana.”

“Or that. That’s always an option. I mean mana is always involved anyway,” he said.

“You have more vaults?” she asked.

“A few, yes. We can clear the districts leading up to them if you don’t feel like a sentimental child anymore,” the man said.

“I almost forgot you’re a massive piece of shit,” Ilea said.

“It’s important to remind people, otherwise they might expect things like decency and mercy,” Hector said.

“What a horrible fate that would be,” Ilea said.

“We’ll talk about that again in fifty years, oh benevolent and holy Lilith,” he said.

“You’re just a grumpy old man, Hector. Maybe you should pick up a book written in the last century from time to time. You might learn a few things.”

“I don’t like reading,” he said.

“Really? I’m surprised. You did strike me as a highly educated man,” Ilea said.

He shot a beam of water her way that harmlessly pushed into her ash.

“And I thought the other members were easily irritated,” she said.

“Oh I’m not irritated. I haven’t been irritated for a long time. It’s in the interest of humanity as a whole to keep it that way,” he said.

“And you’re humble too. Maybe I should have a nice dinner with you,” she said.

“We could invade a few palaces together, just to see how they react when we sit on their thrones,” he suggested.

Ilea snickered. She wouldn’t cause that much trouble for Claire but the idea did sound quite fun.

“I thought people would learn at some point but they still always attack me. It’s like people above level two hundred have no sense of self preservation,” he mused.

“They should be the ones with the highest sense of it,” Ilea said.

“Adventurers, Shadows, Pirates, yes. They live in danger. I’m not talking about them. A noble who hasn’t seen a threat to his life in a decade can grow ceaselessly confident,” Hector said and shook his head.

Ilea could see it of course. Experiences and memories got muddled with time.

She assumed the nobles had access to good Classes and magic too, and perhaps even specific dungeons where they could easily level themselves. It was definitely enough power to keep a comfortable position in a government.

The two of them fought for another few hours, occasionally stopping to raid a vault or noble House for treasure. The latter usually had little left, probably powerful enough to survive the blood magic or even having left beforehand. They wouldn’t leave behind their entire wealth in a doomed city after all.

She got a few hundred more gold pieces out of it and several crates worth of treasures. She would have to go through it all at some point but for now she just stored it.

Ilea was fighting one of the many Rock Beetles that had invaded the city, its defenses finally cracking after Storm of Cinders and Flare of Creation had burned away its regeneration and powerful carapace.

Their offensive capabilities were minor, the earth magic easily dodged, even in the dense city where whole houses were used to try and crush her.

Hector showed up while she was inspecting the remaining rock armor.

“I found something curious,” he said.

“Another vault?” Ilea asked, twirling a piece of black rock in her hand.

“A survivor,” he said.

“Oh really? In the lower levels?”

“No, they’re in one of the towers,” Hector said.

Ilea glanced at him. “You explored the towers without me?”

He rolled his eyes. “No. I stuck to the lower levels like you suggested. They were throwing explosive fireballs down. I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.”

“That IS interesting,” Ilea said. “You want to go talk?”

He shrugged. “Would be a break in the monotonous fighting.”

It’s been nearly a day, Ilea thought and sighed. The city wasn’t just wide spanning but many layered too, densely built and populated.

“Sure, let’s see who this is,” she said.

Hector smiled at that, apparently happy with a change too.

Ilea chucked away the piece of rock and joined him. “Let’s fight up the tower at least,” she said as he pointed her towards one of the two dozen large structures.

They landed a minute later, Ilea no longer feeling any major urgency to clear out the city as quickly as they could. It just wasn’t feasible. She also disliked Hector’s suggestion to just collapse and flood everything.

Nara’s population may be gone but the city itself still held incredible infrastructure. With an infusion of gold and people, it could be repaired. Its walls were standing even now, with thousands of level three to five hundred creatures inside.

Ilea also doubted if his way would actually be more efficient mana wise. She had an inkling that he was just annoyed about her being more efficient in the close quarters and narrow streets.

The tower was connected to dozens of buildings on the lower levels, its base however was firmly dug into the ground, reaching both the highest and the deepest compared to everything around it.

Two massive gates with detailed carvings lay half open at the top of a broad set of stone stairs. Something had splintered the wood and broken in. Or out.

Ilea could spot the enchantments etched into the door, any effect they might have had gone.

Both teleported inside, Ilea sending a few dozen small ashen spheres at the cursed humans after she had confirmed their status. She wondered if a survivor could perhaps hide in their midst by just acting like they did. Aggressive, frenzied, frothing, and instinctive.

The answer was probably no.

Hector looked around as their heads and chests exploded, shredded by ashen projectiles. Anything that got close was pierced by ashen limbs.

“Element creation is a marvelous thing, isn’t it?” he commented.

“My ash is more tolerable than popping people like balloons,” she said.

“What’s a balloon?” he asked.

“It’s a ball you fill with a gas that’s lighter than air,” she tried to explain.

“So it floats,” he said and nodded. “I believe there were attempts once to have them carry people.”

Ilea moved on, clearing out a few smaller rooms before she used Monster Hunter.

Hector appeared next to her.

“Were they any good?” she asked as the first monsters rushed out of the various open doors and hallways ahead.

“No idea. I didn’t think much of the idea. Still don’t. Your comparison to my magic doesn’t lead a lot of credibility to it. Have you looked into it?” he asked.

“Balloons? No. I agree with your assessment. I think teleportation is a much more viable way of transportation,” she said.

“Or ships,” he said, a torrent of pressurized water slicing through fifty approaching creatures.

Ilea nodded. The increased storage space with ships could still be more efficient, depending on how much mana a teleporter actually needed.

The platforms the Taleen used weren’t exactly massive. Even if they could be used non stop, a large vessel back on Earth might still come out on top for reasonable distances.

She still assumed that the human plains would benefit greatly from a teleportation network. The coast was long but most large cities lay far into the land.

Even she needed several hours to travel between Virilya and Ravenhall, and her current speed was close to what some fighter jets could manage according to her previous Core skill point achievement. Teleportation would be beneficial even if they had technology from Earth.

They found the main stairwell and continued their battle. Anti teleportation enchantments prevented them from simply going up that way. None of them managed to prevent Displacement but the main reason they were even here was to clear out the city of monsters.

“The Space is distorted over there,” Ilea said, looking out through a sizable hole in the wall towards a group of towers quite close to each other.

“The ritual site?” he asked.

“Probably,” Ilea confirmed.

They had fought up the tower for the last twenty minutes, reaching the thirtieth floor.

Hector was sure the survivor had been close to this level. One of the highest in this particular tower.

Ilea’s sphere was often cut off, the nobles who had occupied this place either particularly rich or paranoid. With everything she had known about Baralia, it was probably both.

“You want to go now?” he asked.

“Let’s find this survivor fir-” Ilea said, seeing a small ball of fire rush down from somewhere above.

“There they are,” Hector said and chuckled. “I think that was two above?”

Ilea nodded, the two of them continuing onward.

The stairwell to the thirty first floor was blocked with rubble, the teleportation enchantments however still in place.

Ilea displaced both herself and Hector inside, finding the latter quite challenging. She wondered if it was because of his level or the enchantments.

“I tried to resist,” he said, seeing her questioning look.

“Ah, I see,” Ilea said.

“We should actually take a break soon, to train resistances for each other’s magic. My ash res is in the second tier but maybe you can break it through to the third,” he mused.

“We’ve got company,” she said, seeing the man rushing down towards them. He must have sensed them just as she had seen him after appearing behind the barricade.

“Oh I know,” Hector said. “Are you okay with a trade there?”

“Resistances you mean. You’re getting two and I only get water,” she said, quirking up her eyebrows.

“You get to spend time with me, isn’t that prize enough?” he asked with a charming smile.

“Ah yes, now that you mention it. You have to pay for that too,” Ilea replied.

The pirate rolled his eyes. “How about fifty pieces of gold?”

“A hundred, Space Magic is quite rare,” she said.

“I was already being generous. You’re filthy rich if you think fifty gold is worth some resistance training,” he said. “Sixty.”

“Seventy five,” Ilea said.

“Deal,” Hector said and summoned the coins within a blob of floating water.

Ilea surrounded it with ash and stored everything as soon as the water changed back into mana.

“You’re filthy rich too,” she said.

Hector just shrugged. “I’ve looted more gold today than I’ve made in the last year. It’s possible I’m feeling a little generous.”

“Or space magic is really rare,” Ilea said.

“Doesn’t mean resistance training is worth that much. Most people don’t bother with that,” he said.

“I don’t get that,” Ilea replied.

Hector nodded. “Agreed. It’s so easy after you have Pain Tolerance in the second. I guess some people think themselves humiliated if they get injured… even if it’s paid for and painless.”

“If all you do is sit behind walls, you may not find it very valuable,” Ilea suggested. She herself really didn’t get why not everyone with wealth or a certain amount of power heavily trained their resistances. They could even form groups with one or two healers and just trade with each other, not paying a single piece of copper.

The Sentinels would benefit greatly from that.

Chapter 503 Questions

Chapter 503 Questions

Hector listened to the ramblings of the nervous man who had showed up to confront them.

Ilea had tuned out as soon as it became clear that no, this wasn’t Elos Standard, and no, this man wouldn’t lower himself to speak the common tongue.

He looked to be in his sixties, bronze skin and wearing luxurious robes lined with gold, silver, and even gems. It looked pretty ridiculous but he did carry himself with grace and pride.

[Mage – lvl 223]

His power wasn’t too impressive. A fire mage mainly, based on the spells he still kept up as he talked frantically with the Pirate.

Hector spoke the language fluently, to her ears at least.

Ilea mostly ignored them, her non threatening behavior having a slightly calming effect on the man. Either that or the few words Hector got in between the aggressive rambling did that.

It was the perfect time to check her various messages from the past day of fighting.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 361 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 362 – Five stat points awarded

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 361 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 362 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 115 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 116 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 117 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 132 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 133 – One stat point awarded’

The leveling speed had slowed down considerably, for all her Classes. Ilea assumed a large chunk of the experience for her main Classes came from the few Rock Beatles she had killed, their level above five hundred.

She still amassed thirty eight stat points through the fighting, forty six together with her remaining eight.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 19’

Her skills at least were progressing quite well, benefiting more from the constant use against somewhat powerful opponents she actually attacked with everything she had.

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 7’

...

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 9’

...

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 11’

...

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 9’

Ilea put fifteen stat points into Vitality, bringing it to 900. Thirty points went into Intelligence.

Maybe he’s right. I should work on Body of the Valkyrie and Space Awareness.

She didn’t mind too much about leveling her third Class but Space Awareness wasn’t even in the second tier. The skill wasn’t exactly easy to level but she decided to take the time to study the ritual site a little more in Nara.

“Do you mind if I go and study the distorted space? I assume he cleared out the tower from here on up,” she said.

The man finally looked at her and rambled something before shooing her away.

“What’s he saying?” she asked.

“You don’t wanna know. I’ll talk to him for a while, just make sure to come back here afterwards. Don’t forget about the deal we made!” Hector said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and vanished.

Her wings spread when she appeared outside, falling quickly before her flight stabilized. She quickly found the area where she had perceived the distorted space.

She focused on it, trying to find the center. A task that proved more difficult than she had first anticipated.

It was clear that the ritual had taken place in one of three towers ahead of her but she wanted to figure it out with her awareness instead.

Ten minutes passed, Ilea studying the flow and anomalies of the wisps, occasionally flying further out to see how it behaved normally.

A little later, she started to make progress.

Compared to her experiences with the Taleen gate, the space around her felt as if someone had placed a thin sheet of glass between the very fabric of reality. The space on the other side of this equation seeped through, almost like through condensation.

Ilea had no access to the other side however, which made it difficult to even reach this conclusion. Another thing that threw her off was the spacial anomaly she designated as a sheet of glass. It wasn’t static, instead twisting into entirely different directions when approached from another direction.

The direction itself wasn’t the only thing that had an impact. Ilea noted that her speed, Space Magic Resistance, available mana, active skills, and even the weight connected to her body had an impact on the area around her.

It didn’t help that there were monsters appearing out of this anomaly, some of them clinging to the nearby towers and others plummeting to their deaths. Their mass, mana, and spells also impacted the space in their surroundings.

Ilea decided to leave it after nearly an hour of concentrated study, making progress thanks to her awareness but lacking understanding. She came to the conclusion that this might be one of the best places to increase her Space Awareness skill. It most certainly was the best place she knew.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 19’

She would make sure to reach the second tier before disrupting the ritual

Ilea found Hector and the old man back in the tower. They’re both old men. Hector is probably older, she noted. Appearances said even less about people here than they did on Earth.

They were smoking together, occasionally saying a few words in a conversation that seemed to have mostly died down.

“Welcome back,” Hector said and motioned towards one of the silk covered maroon couches. She noted he didn’t have his water field active but was of course still dripping. The couch however hadn’t gotten wet so far.

He must be changing it back to ambient mana, she thought and sat down, summoning a meal as she sighed and relaxed on the comfortable couch.

The old man started chuckling before a cough took him.

Hector just smiled.

“What did I miss?” Ilea asked, enjoying her good friend’s cooking.

“Kain over here just explained to me how he fucked three courtesans on that couch while his sons were attending a formal ball,” he said.

“Amusing,” Ilea deadpanned, closing her eyes in bliss at the taste of the food.

“Are you imagining what it must have been like for them?” the man said, speaking in the common tongue.

Ilea ignored him, eating a few more bites before she opened her eyes. “Kain, was it?” she asked.

He still had the same self assured smile on his face.

“If you insult me one more time, I’ll literally crush your dick,” she said.

“Do you want to touch me this badly, ash woman?” he asked, chuckling to himself as he looked at her and then Hector. He stopped smiling when he saw Hector’s expression.

“Bad idea,” the pirate said. “Try not to kill him yet, he fucking despises the king and the Order.”

“Mr. Destroyer… we had a deal!” the man said as he glanced nervously between him and Ilea.

“With me, yeah. I don’t control her,” he said.

Ilea used her second tier of Space Shift to prevent teleportation, closing the distance nearly instantly as her ash entirely surrounded the man.

She was slightly irritated by his casual behavior after seeing what had happened to the city, the way he talked about the courtesans that were surely prowling the streets by now as cursed beings.

His arrogant and disrespectful demeanor coupled with his likely status as a slave owner and noble of Baralia made her go through with her threat. She had given him a chance, even ignoring his distasteful and downright pathetic comments.

“Sssh,” she said, infusing her voice with monster hunter and entirely freezing the man before her knee slammed into his crotch with immaculate accuracy.

Ilea healed his broken hip but left the mess below as it was.

She returned to the same couch and continued her meal, the man moaning in pain as he slumped to the floor.

Ilea sighed after a few minutes and extended an ashen limb towards the man, helping him regrow his genitals with a push of mana.

She didn’t feel bad in the slightest, continuing her meal in peace as the man slowly got up and found his couch again.

He chuckled when he sat back down, checking his crotch quickly just to make sure before he continued smoking.

“Apologies,” he said after a while. “I had considered you his subordinate.”

“Misunderstandings happen, no hard feelings,” she said with a smile.

Hector snickered while Kain mirrored her expression.

“You want to start with that training then?” Ilea asked.

“Do you not wish to hear what I have to say?” Kain asked.

Ilea looked at him as she got up. “Not really,” she said.

Hector shrugged and followed her, leaving the old noble behind as he muttered something in his native tongue.

“He just called you slightly unreasonable,” Hector said with a smile as they walked into a spacious dining hall.

“His actual words?” Ilea asked.

“Seems like you left an impression,” the pirate said and formed water in his hand.

Ilea used her space magic on him and started sending ashen projectiles at him.

They occasionally adjusted the power of their attacks, Hector in the meantime explaining to Ilea that Kain was one of the oldest members of a mid power noble House from Nara. He had apparently not agreed with the war efforts in the place. When he heard about the plan to use a powerful ritual that would sacrifice many of their own citizens to strike a blow against the Empire, he nearly lost it.

The man had attacked his own family to try and stop the thing but was ultimately placed high in the tower while the rest cleared out their vaults and fled to the west.

“Why didn’t he leave yet? He obviously failed to prevent the ritual,” Ilea said.

Hector shrugged. “He’s pretty much an outcast now. The man has nowhere left to go. He stayed to save the city, his city. I think it’s admirable.”

“He’s a slaver, and by his attitude, the man didn’t exactly treat his subordinates with respect or dignity,” Ilea said.

“I frankly don’t care. As long as he tells us what we need to know,” Hector said.

“And did he? What do we even need to know?” Ilea asked.

“He did. He informed me that many of the nobles knew of a ritual happening. The scale wasn’t exactly what was advertised but their information was comprehensive enough for them to pack their shit and flee. The request to come to the capital came from the High King, including information on the ritual, not the Order of Truth,” he said.

“So they’re working together, it’s not just the lunatics finally revealing their secret rituals, it’s the king ordering them himself,” Ilea said. “A charming man.”

“That he is. It’s also good news,” Hector said.

“How so?” Ilea asked.

“It means that they’re getting orders. If complications arise, there’s a slight possibility that they would abandon their posts and forget about their ritual. Previously it was thought they would die trying to set this up, whatever the final plan is,” he said.

“He didn’t know?” Ilea asked.

Hector shook his head. “The King focused on the war only in his messages. Whatever space distortion and summoned monsters appeared was either just a side effect or not told to the nobles of Nara. Not Kain’s family at least.”

“It’s too complex to be unintentional,” Ilea said.

“Your little excursion wielded results?” he asked.

“I’m getting somewhere, yes. Nothing that would help us however,” she said. “I’ll study it more before I destroy the ritual site.”

She checked if her Water Resistance had become available and found that Hector’s confidence in his abilities wasn’t entirely misplaced.

- Water Resistance

You have survived attack spells specialized and perfected over centuries by none other than the great Destroyer. The outrageous power of magical creatures imitated by sheer ingenuity and perfect control.

Ilea didn’t roll her eyes too hard at the message, honestly impressed with what the man could do.

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

In your days you have learned many things. One of them is that water pressure is not a joke. This Resistance helps a little with reducing the damage.

2nd stage: You’ve taken so much damage from water based attacks it might be good to check if you’re not actually on fire. Getting more used to it your body and armor magically redirects the pressure to lessen the burden on you.

3rd stage: You have seen the true power of the sea. The structure of your body has adapted, forming microscopic webs that will make you more resilient to cuts and pressure, most notably against water.

“It should make you a little faster too. I don’t know how it works exactly but some of my crew have the bonus,” Hector said.

Quite an impressive crew then, Ilea mused.

“I won’t be able to get you to the third tier,” she said.

“Just continue, it might just work. I can accompany you to the ritual site, just use your magic against me there,” he said.

Ilea nodded, the two quickly leaving towards the anomaly.

Hector had a hard time moving at this height, forming a pool of floating water in which he placed himself with utmost care.

“I wasn’t meant to fly,” he said when he saw her look.

“I can see that,” Ilea said, using her spells occasionally as she continued studying the space around her. She quickly found it a useful addition to have him there, or simply someone to use her spells on.

“What did he ask of you anyway? For the information he shared with you,” Ilea said.

“Kain? He wants us to clear his family’s tower of monsters,” he replied.

“But we already did that,” Ilea said.

Hector pointed at her. “Exactly. He doesn’t know that though.”

She shook her head. “What do you plan on doing with him?”

“Consulting him on treasury locations in the city, hidden information on the rival Houses, maybe something that could help us deal with the infestation more quickly,” he said.

“You don’t intend to kill him?” Ilea asked.

He shrugged. “Do what you need to do.”

She thought about it for a moment but then let it go. The man was a dick and he had surely done horrible things in his life but this city was lost, his family gone, and whatever slaves he had once owned were now cursed husks or corpses. The Empire would come for him, one way or the other.

“You’re pretty old, right? Do you know what Identify does in the second and third tier?” Ilea asked suddenly, changing the subject.

“You don’t have it in the second tier yet? You really reached three hundred fifty and a third Class before turning thirty?” Hector asked. “That’s honestly impressive, even to me.”

“I’m flattered,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“Why the assumption now? You know I’ve not been famous a few years ago,” she said.

“There could be many reasons for that. I even considered you being a spy from a faraway land. I’ve met more than a few tribes living in the middle of monster infested country. They were averaging much more impressive levels than most adventurers in the plains. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are whole cities out there with humans all above two or even three hundred,” he said.

“Most adventurers above two hundred should be able to get Identify to the second tier by their early thirties. You, with such a high level, should be able to get it earlier even. Which means you’re either lying or you reached this level in perhaps under five years.”

“Interesting assumptions. Would it be so surprising?” Ilea asked.

“Yes and no. There are more than a few who shoot up quickly. The problem is that such a quick ascension means an automatic lack of experience and respect. They get killed by stupid shit is what I’m saying. Maybe your healer Class prevented an early death. I’m sure you’ve sustained more than a few otherwise lethal injuries,” he said.

“I basically thrive on lethal injuries,” Ilea admitted.

He chuckled. “I can see that. If only the healer orders weren’t so fucking annoying about keeping their secrets and education within their grasps. You should think about teaching some people your Class. It’d be a welcome change to get some battle healers out there. And with your name to back them, I doubt the Orders could do too much.”

“That’s an interesting idea,” Ilea said honestly.

“If you find the time of course,” he said. “I teach my crew everything I know. Only that way can we hunt high level creatures together.”

“I’m kept busy by wars,” Ilea said and gestured around herself.

“The bane of my existence,” Hector mused. “As to your question, the second tier lets you grasp a general idea of the main Class of a sapient opponent. You’re classified as a battle healer for example. For monsters it lets you grasp some random information. Like if they’re hungry, or aggressive. It’s quite variable honestly. The level you can identify above yourself is higher too.”

“What about the third tier?” she asked.

“I have no clue. Never met the requirement to advance it,” Hector said.

It could be a lie of course but at this point, Ilea doubted he was pretending much.

Chapter 504 Fractures

Chapter 504 Fractures

Ilea was standing in the large hall where the blood ritual had taken place.

The space around her felt almost alive, twisting and turning, under such tensions that she feared reality could break at any moment.

It was just an illusion of course. She knew that the fluctuations were temporary and minor in the grand scheme of things. It simply required incredible brute force to break through realms with so little finesse, that much she understood just looking at her surroundings.

Ilea was getting somewhere. She could tell that whoever had designed and executed this spell had only little knowledge of the spacial fabric connecting everything. Enough understanding to rip through but not nearly enough to create something stable.

The only impressive thing about this phenomenon was the sheer amount of power it took to create and sustain it. It was less impressive when one knew the cost.

She was juggling Hector around with her space magic, teleporting him through the room with ease and using force to push him into and through the walls. The second tier of Space Awareness had not disappointed.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Passive – Space Awareness – 2nd lvl 1

You become more aware of the density and shifts in the fabric of Space itself.

2nd stage: Further understanding of the spacial fabric allows you to manipulate its forces with greater ease and higher intensity. You learn to perceive even the tiniest ripples in space. In the case of active fissures, you find yourself able to peer into the other side.

Category: Body Enhancement – Perception Aura

Ilea had already tested the new abilities for the last twenty minutes.

The most obvious change was the increased power and ease of use for her Space Magic abilities. Even Hector had a hard time resisting Displacement and Force for long. His resistance was admittedly at a low level still.

She could activate the spells far quicker, both their intensity itself and her precision increasing by half, if not more. The distance and cooldowns weren’t affected however, nor could she move or stop more objects than before.

It gave her third Class spells a major buff, bringing them into more than just supportive efficiency, at least against lower level opponents. Flare of Creation became stronger too but mostly in how easily she could cover the ashen constructs connected to herself. The strength of the flames were wildly different depending on which monster she used it on anyway.

“Do it again,” she said, watching with full concentration as Hector teleported to the other side of the room.

There were hundreds of ripples she could see in the hall. Hector had just added another one. It was still difficult to discern his spell among all the others, especially within the ritual hall, but Ilea was getting better.

Most teleportation abilities were near instant but with this newfound perception, Ilea could see where people went. The ripples remained for a while too, meaning she could theoretically follow someone who used a few teleportation abilities in a row to get away.

“So you’re saying I’m just condensed into a small pocked space before I’m physically moved somewhere else,” Hector commented.

“That’s my current theory. I only have your spell and the Mantis’ to go on,” Ilea said.

She couldn’t observe herself during her teleportation after all.

From time to time, she would try and peer through the fractures around her. Despite all her resistances and healing, the effort made her nauseous quickly. The feeling went away as soon as she stopped trying.

“There’s trees on the other side,” she said. “More insect creatures are close by and there’s snow in the distance.”

She had to interpret the blurry and fractured images that came to her whenever she used the ability. Her sphere and increased eyesight were anything but helpful, muddling the confusing experience even more so.

“Are they frenzied too? Do you see mountains?” Hector asked after a while.

Ilea shook her head. “I can’t really tell. I’d say no to either.”

“You said this ritual… this fracture, it needs incredible resources to be kept open?” he asked.

“As imperfect as it is, it should’ve collapsed the moment it was created,” Ilea said. She knew it to be the truth. Space was not something one could bend and warp like this. There were rules and limitations. Her own skills showed as much.

“Then why is it still around?” he asked. “There’s no more people around here to sacrifice or supply it and I don’t see or feel any mana flowing towards this place from Nara. Quite the contrary.”

“Exactly,” Ilea said. “Something on the others side is keeping it open. Something so powerful that the mana density in a third of the city is vastly higher than it should be. The trees, grass, and roots growing through everything, I think it’s part of it too.”

“You’re starting to sound a little crazy too,” Hector said as he glanced at her. “You gained all this understanding just from a perception aura?”

“The aura is good but no, it’s just that this place is absolutely incredible. I imagine it’s easier to study lava magic inside an active volcano than anywhere else,” she said.

“I’d think so too, other than the getting burnt up part of course,” Hector confirmed. “So this is like an active volcano but for space magic?”

Ilea nodded.

“Spacecano. Volspace,” the man mused before he was pushed into a nearby wall.

Most of his defenses weren’t active to benefit more from the training. Ilea doubted even her improved space magic could do much against his pressurized sphere of water.

“And it nearly doubled your spell power,” Hector said as he worked his way out of the broken wall.

“How much stronger is your water because of your manipulation skill?” Ilea asked, thinking of her own ash. There were so many skills working together to make it the honed weapon and near perfect defense that it was.

“Fair enough. Just wish I had something like that for my summoned creatures,” he said. “Neely with twice the power.”

“Can we collapse it now?” Hector asked as another being came out from a fissure.

A wildflower ant that was immediately cut apart by a thin beam of water.

Ilea nodded slowly. She had gotten her second tier and while she would have liked to study this place for longer, it was a risk to keep the ritual as it was. They had work to do.

“Do it,” she said, watching the man as a sphere of water formed around him, a dozen beams cutting through the stone floor like knifes through warm butter.

The ritual immediately winked out, the runes no longer supporting this side of the fractured space.

Ilea watched with fascination as the space stabilized, the wisps returning to normal near instantly, as if a vacuum was filled once more with air.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 2’

A nice farewell gift, she thought before turning to Hector.

He had an apologetic smile on his face.

“What?” Ilea asked.

“I might have cut a little m-” he started as a loud groan echoed through the hall, the whole room suddenly turning before it crumbled to the side.

Ilea blinked outside, watching as the whole top third of the large stone tower slid off, falling with an almost perfect quiet before hundreds of tons of stone crashed onto the city below.

Hector had appeared next to her. “Also a way to do it.”

“No,” Ilea said. “No, it isn’t.”

The man snickered, dodging the ashen spheres she shot his way, not that they would penetrate far into his sphere anyway.

A wave of air brushed past them as the dust below expanded through the streets. The damage this guy alone can do in seconds.

“That’s why you don’t build high,” he said and shook his head in a sagely manner.

Ilea understood the appeal at least. A good view was certainly desirable. She herself had chosen the spot for her house mainly because of that.

“Looks like my little mistake didn’t go unseen,” Hector said and pointed towards a distant hill outside of the city.

Ilea spotted the tiny specks of fast moving people. “You think they’re with Baralia?”

“I have no clue. Maybe that’s the first strike team who reached us. It’s been over a day since our briefing after all,” he said. “I’ll get back to work. Let me know if you uncover anything new.”

Ilea nodded, taking a last glance at the people who moved on the ground. She had a hard time making out any details in the rainy weather. The distance didn’t help either. His eyes are as good as mine or better, she noted.

As long as the newcomers don’t get in the way, she thought and blinked down. Much of the city was still very much crawling with monsters and they had stalled for long enough.

_______________________

Felicia hadn’t been terribly joyous about the prospect of working with the Dawn Company. She had heard quite a few things about the elite order from Asila, few of them reassuring.

The fact that she had never heard of the gold mage in the group didn’t exactly help her trust him either.

They had reached Harchat after around seven hours of traveling. Both herself and General Ryse could have made the journey in less than four but they lacked the means to carry the nine others.

[Mage – lvl 275]

Ryse was the only person she couldn’t identify in the group, making her effectively the third highest level participant in their little raid group.

If we don’t count the two monsters who left on their own, she thought to herself. Ilea was, well, she was Ilea. Felicia had watched her fight and grow, quickly knowing that that woman would reach heights she herself would never see.

And she wasn’t disappointed. Felicia had looked into some of Lilith’s exploits and if anything, she thought them downplayed.

She chastised herself often for her indecisive ways, how she followed after Edwin with little will nor passion. Only when their father became an actual target they could get to did she feel involved again.

For her brother it seemed to be the opposite. He had accomplished the goal that had driven him for years on end. And now he was lost.

Felicia on the other hand, her world had opened up.

For all her wavering and uncertainty, it had resonated with Ilea, the woman young, full of life and adventure. She had made a friend then. The aspiring adventurer and the lost noble child. Now they were Lilith and the head of a powerful noble House.

Admittedly, she was falling behind. Felicia doubted she could ever truly repay what Ilea had done for them, not that her brother would ever admit she was much of a help in the first place.

Then again, she knew that Ilea didn’t really care. As long as they stayed friends. She really did like her, the healer somehow remaining untainted in this horrible world. Felicia knew her views were biased, that she liked Ilea for the ideals she represented in her mind and not for what she really did.

The woman was a monster, obsessed with battle and magic, always on the lookout for more dangerous missions and monsters to challenge. Her heart was in the right place and Lilith did what she could but in the end, the stories she had read as a child remained just that. Simple fantasies with simple problems.

If she wanted change, she would have to make it, through work, gold, and blood. Lilith was trying a different approach but in the end, the price they paid would be similar.

She hadn’t seen Ilea for a while and when she had spotted her, the first thing she wanted to do is run her down with a hug. They had so much to talk about after all. Maybe the woman could even take Maria out on a monster hunt to calm her down a little.

Neither of them approached one another however, simply exchanging a glance. Felicia was sure that nothing had changed between them. They themselves might not be the same anymore but something more connected them. From a time when everything seemed a little less complicated.

I should really talk to her, otherwise I’ll idolize her even more, she thought and rolled her eyes at herself.

Lilith was one thing but the man she had been with felt just as dangerous to her. The way they joked with each other, entirely uncaring for the dangerous mission they’d been sent to accomplish. One could dismiss it as bravado or foolishness but Felicia knew enough of the world to know that these two had dealt with threats that made this war seem like a children’s play.

And still they had come.

Ryse had been surprised too apparently, expecting the Dawn Company but nobody else.

Ilea’s demeanor didn’t fit with a covert operation, a large fire informing everyone about their whereabouts for kilometers. The Destroyer might even be worse.

She assumed Ilea had done it because she was bored but the man had done it just to annoy Ryse.

Thus they were sent on a task everyone else would deem suicidal or perhaps even impossible. To clear out the Cursed and unknown monsters within and around the cities taken by the Order’s blood ritual.

It was a task for the imperial army, not two people. And still, either had fought armies on their own before. Each had won in their own way. Perhaps his order had not been a dismissal but an appropriate use of their abilities.

Velamyr Ryse was known to be easily irritated but he always had good reasons to be and he openly confronted those who caused it. He was a General of the imperial army and demanded his peers and subordinates to act accordingly.

That meant swift, smart, and decisive actions with favorable results for the Empire. Those weren’t always words associated with the army however, thus his reputation.

Maybe an old feud would cause him to send the two to their deaths but Felicia didn’t take it that way.

She focused again when an eagle landed on a nearby branch.

One of the Dawn Company mages had a way to control the bird, to use it for surveillance. As ruthless and dangerous as they were heralded, Felicia could at least appreciate their professionalism.

Working with those two would have been a major headache, she thought, glad about their separate mission. There would have been no time to talk to Ilea anyway.

Plus, it should likely stay a secret that they knew each other as well as they did.

“They burned down all the surrounding forests and shut the gates. Very little cover remains and the guards are vigilant. They’ve been preparing for an imperial assault for a long time it seems,” the hooded mage said.

They had expected as much. No settlement in Baralia would be easy to approach, let alone infiltrate.

Their group hid deep within the forest, a few kilometers away from the plains leading to the city of Harchat.

The town wasn’t the largest or most defensible settlement in Baralia. It however housed one of the largest populations in the country.

“There were fires recently,” the hooded man added.

“Perhaps news have spread from the east and south,” Velamyr suggested.

“There would be chaos, if the true extent of the Order’s rituals was known in the general populace,” the mage said.

“Don’t underestimate the power of fear and century old oppression,” Felicia said.

The mage didn’t react but the meaning was surely not lost on him. Asila wasn’t exactly known to be a safe heaven for the poor and unfortunate.

“The Order of Truth is well regarded, often the only healers who can take care of ailments within these parts,” Velamyr said. “A revolt would not necessarily help us. We need to get in and find the ritual site.”

“The old information we have suggests several large Order temples, each heavily guarded with extensive underground structures. I couldn’t detect anything that heavily diverged from the norm,” the mage said.

And you know exactly what the norm is?

“The tunnel seems like the best option we have,” one of the warriors said.

“I agree. Do we have suitable spots already?” Ryse asked.

They moved silently through the forest, a little dejected at the prospect of digging a tunnel.

Even with one earth manipulator and several powerful elemental mages present, it would take the better part of a day to get to the walls. And they had no knowledge on below ground defensive measures. It could very well be that they had to retreat again.

The confidence Ryse had in the plan made her think that he knew something she didn’t.

A few silencing and illusion enchantments had been placed between a few trees and bushes, hopefully enough to prevent an early discovery by one of the patrols that regularly searched through the surrounding lands.

Most of the soldiers and mercenaries they had seen didn’t seem too keen on discovering anything. They’d be the first ones to go, thus thinking of self preservation above all.

It wasn’t a surprise that Velamyr talked extensively about honor and duty as soon as this was discovered.

Felicia didn’t disagree with him but the man really couldn’t read a crowd. Either that or he simply spent too much time with military officers and people who tried to get in his good graces.

She did feel a little bad about being one of those people. I’ll tell him when the war is over, she thought. Right now was not the time to explain to a General why some powerful Gold mage and a few high level assassins or mercenaries might not care too much about the national duty and self sacrifice.

Chapter 505 Golden Boy

Chapter 505 Golden Boy

Felicia was dumbfounded when Michael quite literally split into two.

It looked like his very flesh and golden armor was torn on both ends before both individual parts stabilized and formed a perfect copy. Then he did it again.

Is he summoning more gold or is there just so much condensed in that armor to make three full sets?

He now wore a helmet too, one that covered most of his face with a pair of twenty centimeter antlers growing out above, also made of gold.

Are they independent entirely? she wondered, looking at one of the copies.

It looked back. “Ask,” it said, surprising her.

Felicia glanced at the others. Either nobody cared or they didn’t have the guts to ask themselves.

“I’ve never seen a skill like that. You’re not an apparition, nor a summon. I think I’d be able to tell,” she said.

He nodded. “I’m just as real as he is,” the copy said, glancing at one of the others.

“We have work to do,” the central one said before he summoned a large sphere of gold.

More people reacted to that but Felicia tried to seem unconcerned. That’s at least five hundred pieces, she thought.

She had assumed he was at least as influential as Velamyr or Ilea, based on the people that she met near those ruins but this just confirmed it.

The General had informed her that he was below level three hundred still but that she should be wary of the man nonetheless.

She knew that Velamyr was at three hundred and five. If his words could be believed and she honestly doubted he would lie about that to her.Especially because he told her just to make a point about their allies.

Except for the Dawn Company and Felicia, each of them was at least as powerful as he was. Even the gold mage, he considered his equal.

Felicia watched as the sphere fanned out, bubbling with life as an intricate tool formed, one that would twirl and break the earth. She knew that gold wasn’t the strongest metal but in the hands of a manipulator, it could surely reach new heights.

She thought for a moment about the possibility of him being a gold creator but quickly dismissed it. Any known gold, silver, and copper mages were closely watched by the various guilds and governments of humanity. It was well known that metal creation wasn’t as easily achieved as say wood or fire.

The latter were rare but even just normal metal mages were rarer. The more complex an element was, the smaller was the chance of someone actually making a magical connection so deep they could manipulate it.

That was the extent of her knowledge on the subject. Edwin had talked about it at some point, entertaining the idea of gaining such a Class.

Affinities would go a long way but even extensive experiments with young children had wielded little results. At least that is what the reports said that were taken from the nobles they had killed in Virilya.

The reports were old too and only a few of the nobles had even tried. She hoped it wasn’t common.

She watched as the complex form started spinning, digging instantly into the earth below.

All the excess came out of the drill’s back.

The one earth mage in the Dawn Company got to work too, levitating the excess earth and rock before he compressed it into small balls.

The mage extended a few thin strands of gold before the compressed earth vanished.

Velamyr was right. This is going to be easy, she thought with a smile, jumping down onto the golden platform and drill to join the mages on top.

One of the three gold mages glanced her way but focused on the drill again.

The earth mage was entirely absorbed by his task of compressing the excess.

Of course he’s not digging a hole to crawl through. This is going to be a tunnel high enough for himself and his antlers.

Her time estimate had been off too. They had reached the city after a few hours of digging, and far deeper than she would have thought possible.

The group was now walking in the tunnel, a few specks of fire illuminating the surroundings as the golden drill worked through the hard stone with ease.

“Any major cities you managed to get into with this thing?” she suddenly asked, breaking the silence in the group. She had a feeling the rather reserved man didn’t hate speaking of his exploits. He was a gold mage after all.

“Not recently,” he said, neither confirming nor denying.

Of course it was obvious that this contraption could dig into most places. Virilya might be difficult but generally speaking, it was easier to just sneak into a city than digging in from below.

“It’s quite an impressive design,” she said honestly.

The man didn’t react, nor did anybody else say anything. They were focused on their task alone.

She glanced towards Velamyr and back to the mages ahead.

What an absolutely boring group, she thought, wishing she would have gone with Ilea. Perhaps she would have leveled a little too, instead of walking through a damp tunnel somewhere down below Baralia.

Luckily, they were already ascending, slowly making their way up at a steep angle as the earth mage checked for structures with some kind of perception ability.

She herself had no way to see through stone. The winds would warn her of things around but down here it had little use.

“Stop,” the earth mage said.

“The enchantments are still a few meters ahead,” the gold mage said and pushed on, ignoring the warning.

A ripple went through the drill as it flattened and compressed, soon back to its spherical form before it was stored in a hidden storage item the man wore below his armor.

At least those couldn’t be copied it seems, not that his wealth wasn’t enough to give one to each of his copies.

“Clean away the stone,” he said to the earth mage.

The man nodded and did as ordered.

“They placed a base of stone so far below the city, just to prevent entry?” Velamyr asked.

“It’s a common approach by some of the northern tribes. They locate vaults and important buildings before robbing them. Looks like Harchat was hit before,” a woman said and snickered.

“And you decided to share that information now,” Velamyr said.

She looked at him. “It was still the most promising way. There’s a reason they do it. Enchantments are never perfect.”

Velamyr just grunted and joined the gold mage who stood below the freed section of the stone.

“Can you do it?” the General asked.

“If you warn me. It will take a while, they invested entirely too much time and wealth into this,” the gold mage said as a spike of gold appeared.

The thing wasn’t larger than her thumb but looked intricate in design.

It flew upwards and slowly pierced the stone.

Felicia watched with her magic perception active, seeing the glowing spike enter the mundane stone. A flash of light flared up, one enchantment broken. She hoped they knew what they were doing. As far as she knew, this could have already informed the guards.

“Halt,” Velamyr said. “That one is dangerous.”

The mage didn’t react, pushing the small spike into another direction entirely.

How does he know?

The little display continued for the better part of half an hour until the spike finally came back out.

“Dig out the rest,” the gold mage said to the earth mage.

Felicia joined Velamyr’s side and glanced up. “I didn’t know you’re an expert enchanter too.”

“I’m not,” he said, smirking a little.

She didn’t give him the satisfaction of further inquiry.

“I’m a time mage,” he said nonetheless.

And what does that have to do with anything?

“Some things are more certain than others,” he said, guessing at her questioning look.

Could he predict which enchantments would activate? She couldn’t see another way for his comments to be relevant. Her perception confirmed that the gold mage had a way to push mana into the existing net of enchantments but while a powerful mana intrusion spell could certainly overwhelm enchantments, they had to be much better if countermeasures needed to be avoided.

All in all, she was more than a little impressed by the casual display of their abilities. Especially because she doubted either of them were exactly known for their thieving capabilities.

The wall opened up and they all teleported inside.

No guards or soldiers came to intercept them.

“Will these work?” Velamyr asked, summoning a variety of armor sets and cloaks.

One of the Dawn warriors checked the gear quickly, pushing away a few of them with small comments on why they could be identified as unusual in the area.

A few of them had already fanned out into the underground of the city, returning shortly after to inform the group about potential cellars and hideouts they could use as a base for their operation.

Everyone changed into the provided gear and moved to one of the hideouts where a map was quickly put onto one of the walls.

They needed information first and foremost. Everything they knew about Harchat came from before the war had started. The Order of Truth still operated in this city, that much they could already confirm.

“Ritual sites, high level priests, central temples, and hideouts. That’s the main thing we should focus on for now. We meet back here in two hours. Get familiar with the city. They’re expecting a frontal assault of Empire troops but don’t take too many risks,” Velamyr said. “Teams of two.”

The gold mage split again, creating an additional two copies. He gave each of his four copies a ring before their golden armor seeped away, surely more condensed and somewhere under the new attire they wore.

Each of them looked a little different, two with hoods covering most of their faces, two with helmets and the last one, the original she assumed, without anything.

He joined Velamyr, one of the armored ones walking towards Felicia.

“We’re an adventurer team who stayed in Harchat to take part in the war,” the copy said to her from behind the crude full plate helmet.

Felicia nodded. “Let’s add some more details to make sure it holds up. You have a badge I assume?”

He summoned one and showed it off, summoning another one that he gave to her. “We need to seem like locals.”

She inspected it and nodded. A quick glance towards Velamyr showed that he was discussing with the original already. The members of the Dawn company had already formed up and left, as did the other copies.

“My name is Michael. I’ll be interested to see how you lead House Redleaf,” the armored man said.

“Suddenly so talkative,” Felicia said.

“Come,” he said and pointed in a direction. He vanished and she followed.

They walked through the sewers for a while before he pointed up. “Should be abandoned up there.”

Again, she followed up and found herself in a decrepit and empty house.

“We meet here if we’re discovered,” Michael said. Or his copy did.

“Is Michael your name or the copy’s name?” she asked.

“I dislike the thought of you dismissing me as a mere copy. I’m just as capable as the original,” he said.

“I didn’t mean to offend,” she said.

“It’s quite alright, Felicia. Is it acceptable if I call you that?” he asked.

“Of course,” she answered.

“Good. Michael is his name as much as it is mine. Knowing that my existence is limited, my body merely a construct of blood magic, well I wouldn’t be surprised if the others are more talkative too,” he said.

“Blood magic… it’s frightening to know such a spell exists. I’m sorry about the realization. It must be difficult to accept,” she said, trying to treat the man the same way she would anybody.

“The circumstances are logical and our goal doesn’t change. All life is fleeting. I’m glad to be a copy here and now,” he said, some of the joy showing in his eyes. “Shall we?” he said and opened the door out into the city. “Ah… let me do the talking, if you don’t speak the local tongue that is?”

Felicia shook her head. Her education was good but not this extensive.

“Good,” he said and looked back once again. “I met you in Asila.”

She just nodded and followed him out into the city.

The atmosphere was tense. A storm was coming and the people felt it. Their mission was to make sure the storm came from the Empire of Lys and not from within their own city.

____________________

Ilea sped through the city one last time, Hector by her side as they finished off the last large groups of Cursed. No monsters should remain and the few thousand Cursed they had surely missed would be taken down by Empire troops.

The high level monsters reacted well her Monster Hunter taunts, coming out from nearly a kilometer away to confront her. It took nearly half a day to cover all of the city but their combined efforts were efficient and thorough.

The Cursed of course tried to confront her too, frenzied and instinctual as they were, but a level fifty human, no matter how angry, had a hard time breaking through a closed door or getting out from roots or rubble that held them down.

Ilea didn’t take the time to find every last one of them. She trusted that the level three to five hundred insect creatures didn’t have the same limitations. If they did, the empire strike teams would have no issue taking them down.

“They must have realized there are no guards on the walls by now,” Hector said as they slashed through another group of corrupted.

Ilea scanned the section of the walls closest to them as she displaced and burned the Cursed that rushed her, stepping over wet rubble, grass, and roots.

She spotted two eyes looking at her through the leaves of a tree whose roots had penetrated the side of two buildings, now holding together the crumbling rubble.

Magic really is something, she thought with a smile and waved towards the man watching her.

The group didn’t approach until all the Cursed in the area were taken care of.

There were six of them, five wearing imperial armor. Scouts, Ilea believed they were called.

All were in a range between level one fifty and one ninety. One of them wore a more intricate set of armor, not necessarily of higher quality but it was clear she wanted to stand out.

Most of the woman’s face was covered by a white cloak with some kind of enchantment that made it difficult to see her eyes. She was just above level two hundred.

[Mage – lvl 203]

“Finally grew the balls to enter this shit hole?” Hector asked, taking charge of the conversation immediately.

Ilea knew he was terribly bored. And slightly annoyed.

The nobles had emptied their vaults. All of them.

They had failed to gain more wealth and treasures in the past day, leaving them with only hundreds of gold coins, dozens of gold bars, whole crates of treasures, expensive metals, storage items, and otherwise enchanted gear.

She could totally see why the Pirate was majorly unhappy. Her growing enjoyment of his terrible fate didn’t help with the mood either. Ilea couldn’t give a rat’s ass about this city’s wealth. Claire would be happy with whatever she added to the pool but Ilea knew the woman was busy already.

Whoever was managing Hector’s wealth couldn’t hold a candle to her Head Administrator and she was being very smug about it.

“You’re talking to a noble of Lys. Show some respect, pirate,” the woman said, so very foolishly.

“Don’t kill her please,” Ilea said.

He just glanced at her. “Why not?”

“You literally let that fucking asshole live and now you want to kill a noble of Lys?” Ilea asked.

They both ignored the growing irritation of the woman before them. The scouts reacted differently, some preparing for battle and others to flee.

Hector rolled his eyes. “He insulted You, not Me. I would have ripped his head off in your place.”

Now it was Ilea’s turn to roll her eyes. “If insults like this get to you so badly, then maybe you should work on grow the fuck up.”

“There’s a reason I’m called the Destroyer, and it’s not for reacting calmly when I’m insulted,” he said.

The woman was repeating their names in stutters by now, taking a step back as the scouts exchanged uncertain looks.

“You wanna go then?” Ilea asked, her ashen limbs fanning out.

“Ah fuck off with your shit magic. We barely made a dime in the last ten hours. Let’s at least rob them,” he said and focused back at the group.

Three of the scouts already got out whatever coins they had with them.

“Put that away again. He’s not going to attack you,” Ilea said.

“You’re starting to annoy me,” Hector said.

“Because that would mean trouble for those who work for you. Repeat after me, Destroyer. I, the head pirate of my ship, will not cause problems for my first mate,” she said, starting to chuckle when a wave of water formed and took him out of the city.

He knows I’m right.

She grinned and focused on the small group of people, seeing them flinch at her look.

“The city should be clear. Mostly. Take care of the remaining Cursed and wait for the army to arrive,” she said as her wings spread.

“Thanks Lilith!” one of the scouts said, annoyed when one of his mates hit his back.

Ilea smiled and blinked, following the wet path left behind by Hector.

Chapter 506 Intervention

Chapter 506 Intervention

She found him waiting a few hundred meters outside the city, happy he hadn’t actually left her behind.

“I should maybe join Baralia, just so these fuckwits know who the fuck they’re talking to,” he said, not looking at her. “Nobles… every little piece of shit gets to call themselves that these days!”

“That got really close to you, huh,” Ilea commented.

He laughed. “We should have at least beaten them up a little. For good measure,” he said. “You’re way too kind. That idiot wouldn’t last a single day on my ship. Nor will she manage to survive in this war.”

“Good thing that she’s not part of your crew then,” Ilea said. “Maybe this experience will teach her not to be an absolute twat when she meets someone she can’t place. Where to now?”

“You’re overestimating the human ability to learn from mistakes. Odiah is probably mostly clear by now. It was the first city where a ritual took place. To our knowledge at least. Velamyr himself was there and I doubt he left anything undone before leaving,” he said.

“You have quite a bit of faith in a man you dislike,” Ilea said.

“He thinks too much of himself and takes everything too seriously. He is however a powerful mage and capable strategist. None of these creatures would have stood in his way, I’m sure of it,” he said.

“Says the guy who would kill a noble for a minor insult. Talk about taking shit too seriously,” Ilea said and snickered.

“Never said I’m not a hypocrite. It’s not exactly what I meant either. He’s just not a lot of fun to be around, always concerned with politics, war, and business. I definitely like you more,” he said.

“Even though I’m fucking annoying?” Ilea asked.

“That just adds to your character,” he said. “I take it back by the way. The hypocrite bit. I don’t think you should take the mysterious disappearance of a minor noble so seriously. Nobody would have cared.”

“Except for their families, friends, acquaintances, maybe employees, and lovers,” she said.

“Just a few more added to the pile of this war,” Hector said with a shrug.

“Just because you’ve seen a lot of death doesn’t mean you should think so little of life,” Ilea said.

He just waved her off. “Come on, we’re going towards Seyna. I’m sure some imperial troops have reached it but maybe there’s some treasure left.”

Ilea extended an ashen limb and charged her wings. She had her stance on things but wouldn’t try to change this ancient man’s views. According to his word, he had done terrible things. Her efforts at this point would bear little fruit.

A part of her even agreed with his attitude. Ilea made sure to be aware of those thoughts and feelings, to make sure that she wouldn’t end up like him or so many others in this world of ancient beings, death, and magic.

The flight would be longer than the last one but she was happy with their progress so far, as well as her own.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cursed Baker – lvl 42]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Rock Beetle – lvl 538]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Cursed Mage – lvl 82]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 363 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 364 – Five stat points awarded

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 363 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 364 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 134 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 135 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 136 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 155 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie reaches lvl 156 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 13’

...

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 6’

...

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have cleared a major human settlement of a city wide infestation – One Core skill point awarded’

Getting those core skill points, she thought with a grin. Her active space magic skills were coming along nicely, her passive ones however, not so much.

Again, she had rushed past a threshold with level one fifty but she trusted Hector’s words by now. Her Class was unique, why the fuck would it get an evolution at level one fifty?

They reached the hills overlooking the outskirts of Seyna around half an hour later, Ilea’s speed a tiny bit slower thanks to the burden she was carrying. He had a third tier wind resistance too at least which made it less annoying.

“A Trakorov Rider Class… you’re an absolute lunatic for not taking that one!” he exclaimed as they slowed down.

Ilea summoned a meal and started eating, sitting down on the grass as she watched the distant flares of fire and explosion magic.

Seyna wasn’t untouched but it looked like the magical efforts were taking place in the eastern part of the city.

The town itself was considerably smaller than Nara and compared to the fortress like design, Seyna looked like a sprawling settlement that couldn’t be contained, much like she imagined some of the large cities in the States came to be. The obvious main set of walls wasn’t even protecting half of the visible buildings. More walls had been set up farther out but the effort and investment was obviously not the same anymore.

She assumed the sheer number of people that once lived here coupled with the noises and light prevented many monsters from ever even approaching.

Ilea spotted five large Colosseum like structures in various designs. Each of them looked rather impressive, obviously trying to do different things from their counterparts.

There were some other notable buildings but nothing out of the ordinary.

“The description was super unclear and I liked the idea of space magic more,” she said, answering to his comment.

He shook his head in disbelief. “I thought we had a connection there… guess I was wrong.”

“You didn’t have a Sharkrider option?” Ilea asked as he sat down next to her, summoning himself a plate of seafood.

“That’s just for show?” she asked, nodding to the plate.

“Hey, I own many fishing businesses. This stuff is free for me, of course I’ll take advantage. Fresh too thanks to the rings,” he said and stuffed his mouth. He somehow still managed to retain some decency, maybe because it fit so well with his whole demeanor and looks.

“There was a similar option but I’m not a huge fan of sharks. They’re kind of weak and awkward. I thought with the monster tamer Class, I’d be able to choose whatever I want. And it adds the challenge of first subduing them. I was right of course,” he said between bites and swallows. “Looks like we’re too late.”

“They’re just attacking the east,” she said.

“The brave and the opportunists won’t be staying behind. But you’re right, maybe there are some scraps left. Let’s focus on the treasure first this time, they seem to have the rest covered,” he said and got up. “Follow me.”

“I’ll go help first, we can loot afterwards,” she said. “Not like we’d lose a lot of time.”

“Come on!” Hector said.

“They’re just a bunch of soldiers. It’s not like the loot is running away,” she said.

“Fucking shit… okay, let’s make it quick though!” he said and rushed towards the battle.

Ilea just followed the loudest noises, her wings carrying her through the streets before she came out in one of the larger arenas.

Imperial troops had used earth and ice magic to create trenches, traps, and a secured bunker in the middle, two flying people bringing in reinforcements.

The Wildflower Ants crawling through the arena’s stands shot their acid down towards the bunker, mostly just hitting the Cursed that continued to run into the burning traps.

The imperials must have put up anti teleportation enchantments around the bunker, the Pink Mantis Sires appearing close by but never within their twenty square meter structure.

The creatures were instantly distracted by the traps and Cursed around them, fighting them before a plethora of spells rained in form the slightly elevated central position.

Ilea didn’t wait longer to assess the situation, quickly wading through the beasts, occasionally displacing a few projectiles or pushing monsters into the Cursed masses.

Hector basically pressure washed the whole arena, cleaning out the filled trenches and traps with waves of water to make them usable again. He didn’t bother to conceal his identity with a helmet or hood.

Ilea just had her ashen armor active.

“Reinforcements,” she said and nodded up to the two flying imperials carrying two more people.

“Needles,” Hector said and shot up.

Ilea followed, blinking towards the two people, using her sphere to pull the wooden projectiles her way.

Three Needle Flies were following the soldiers, shooting their wood magic. It was fortunate that the flies were incredibly defensive, instantly fleeing when something opposed them too much and always staying at a safe distance.

Ilea displaced their projectiles and extended ashen limbs towards the soldiers. They had no time to react to her quick movements.

Only one of them was injured. “Let me heal him,” she said, grabbing the man from the dumbfounded soldier before she rushed back towards the bunker.

Hector took out the Needle Flies in the meantime, his precision and speed of attack overwhelming their unnaturally quick reactions.

“Lilith,” someone whispered when she appeared within the bunker, using Displacement on herself and the man she carried to counter the enchantment.

The injured soldier wasn’t in critical condition and quickly recovered as she silently checked the bunker occupants.

A few cuts, a broken arm, this one wasn’t lucky, she thought, seeing the headless corpse in her sphere. He had been covered by a thin sheet of cloth.

“We didn’t expect you,” a woman said, her armor a little more decorated than that of the others.

Hector flowed in through one of the windows and reformed.

“Quite impressive, this position,” he said, looking around. “You’re countering the enemy monsters and account for the massive numbers. Well done.”

Ilea quirked up an eyebrow.

“Since when are you a military commander?” she asked, more so because of his tone and less about what he said.

“It’s just the lesser form of commandeering a ship,” the pirate said, dismissing her with an exaggerated wave.

“You’re dripping,” she said.

“I always am,” he countered.

“There are more positions like this within the city. We’re trying to keep the Cursed inside the walls,” the officer said.

“Any luck finding the ritual site?” Ilea asked.

“Not yet, ma’am. A few specialized teams are looking for it,” she said.

Ilea nodded. “Do you have a map with the other positions, we can clear them out before looking for the site ourselves.”

The woman immediately nodded and went to a pack. She got out a folded map and quickly showed it to Ilea.

“Perfect,” Ilea said, taking the map before she vanished.

_______________________

Captain Reagan steeled herself and took a deep breath as she once more pulled on the stone and earth below.The defenses had to hold, otherwise their whole team would be wiped out.

A retreat was bound to be messy with the high level creatures teleporting through the large plaza they had been assigned to.

The Cursed had been taken out silently and with precise spells and attacks, allowing them around twenty minutes to dig themselves in and create traps and trenches.

It was a well known approach against waves of monsters, especially undead. With the recent demonic scourge, most imperials were somewhat well versed in these tactics. Especially the Scouts.

She was glad that no high level nobles were assigned to her group, allowing them to work in peace and with the efficiency that was needed.

A glorious battle wasn’t needed, they just needed to be safe and secure, taking out the enemy without pause until none were left standing.

Her main goal was to prevent casualties, something that looked more and more impossible to accomplish.

She formed another layer over their defenses, making it as dense as possible. The walls of ice, water, and wind helped mitigate a lot of the enemy damage.

The reports had been extensive but only experience had prepared them for the monsters themselves.

Even as an adventurer, she had rarely seen creatures of such a high level, let alone face them. The plan was to focus many of them into clustered spaces, having them fight the Cursed that would be attracted by the noise.

It had sounded possible to take down the monsters themselves but their spells were dodged or brushed off, only a few of them dying after countless attacks had hit them. Early reports had suggested a level range of two to three hundred but it turned out much higher than that.

She knew each member of her team well, glad to be able to trust them now even though the enemy was vastly more powerful than expected. They had few high ranking officers that could face these monsters but right now she wasn’t sure if any would come in time.

The only solace were the thousands of Cursed humans pushing both against their position but also fighting the monsters. Sadly, they were even less efficient at that task, sacrificing hundreds to even injure one of the insect creatures.

“Hold your ground. We will outlast them!” she shouted and summoned a wall to intercept an acid projectile flying straight at them.

Reagan turned her head, curious at the sudden sounds. Almost like… waves?

Did I die and memories of the ocean are somehow coming back to me?

A loud whistle resounded before a message appeared in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith – You are paralyzed for two seconds’

I’ve gone mad, she thought, preparing for whatever was to come.

Reagan’s eyes opened wide when a blinding flash of light and fire enveloped half of the square, Cursed and high level monsters alike flaring up before they turned to ash.

She could move again and got closer to one of the slits on the walls, trying to figure out what was happening.

“Lilith, the one from the songs… what’s she doing here?” one of the others said with an excited voice.

“She came to save us!”

“Shut your mouths and focus. Don’t assume, watch and think,” Reagan hissed, stopping the hysterics before they could take root. “Keep your attacks up and add to the defenses while the enemy is distracted.”

Is it really her? The one from the songs? It’s said she was a Shadow and protected Riverwatch against Baralia slavers. Why would she be here? And why would she come to help us?

She decided to follow her own advice, adding more defensive structures as she tried to clean out the nearby trenches.

The sound of waves had never left and now she saw them too. Water, as if a river had been released onto their position. It flowed silently, sweeping away every last monster in the square. Reagan thought she saw some of them implode into a gory mess but it was difficult to say for sure.

A black shadow appeared out of nowhere, thin near black protrusions whipping through the mass of creatures before it vanished again.

Dozens of Cursed fell, their bodies cut through or their heads missing. She took a step back when she realized the monsters shared the same fate, their bodies falling apart like weak creatures fighting a wind mage of the Scouts.

She felt something brush against her back and turned, her spells ready to strike when her eyes fell onto a female form covered entirely in hardened ash. Black wisps moved in a mesmerizing pattern as her blue eyes pierced her very soul.

Reagan couldn’t breathe nor talk. She could see the thin ash protrusions touching everyone in her team and knew that their lives where at the mercy of this being.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

“No injuries. Good,” the being said, her ash retreating back.

Reagan got over the oppressive feeling and chastised herself for letting her guard down like that.

“You’re Lilith,” she said.

A spark seemed to go through the woman’s eyes. “Did you get that from the whistle?”

“Wha… yes. Yes it said that I heard the call of Lilith,” Reagan said. She hadn’t expected such a casual tone from a being that screamed death.

“Yess! It worked,” Lilith rejoiced and twirled once in a playful manner, the large wings apparently not an inconvenience in the tight space.

Water flowed in from one of the slits before a full fledged person formed from it.

“Square’s clear. This is the last position,” the man said and looked around. “Shitting their pants again. And you call yourselves Scouts!?”

Reagan looked at him but didn’t make a move. She had learned long ago not to engage with nobles and the like when they played their little games. This man oozed power and he had just helped clear out the monsters their whole team had difficulties even holding back.

Chapter 507 Impressions

Chapter 507 Impressions

“They’re at one fifty. It’s only natural to be afraid of level four hundred creatures,” Lilith retorted.

Yes, you twat.

“Do you shit your pants at an eight hundred one?” he asked the ashen woman.

“We’re fucking nuts though, everyone keeps telling me that,” Lilith said.

She has a point.

“I don’t like the look this one is giving us,” the man said and glanced at her.

Oh shit.

“Being a sensitive little pissbag again?” Lilith said and chuckled.

“You just don’t get the respect you deserve these days, not without a few massacres,” the man said and shook his head, water splashing to the floor from his constantly dripping clothes.

“Apologies, sir,” Reagan said and bowed. “I had not expected reinforcements, not of this incredible power.”

“There she goes,” the man said.

“Are you happy now?” Lilith asked. “Stop bowing to him, he’s a fucking pirate.”

“I agree. Why are you bowing,” the man said.

What??

“I liked you more with that defiant look,” he said.

Reagan looked up but remained silent. Anything she said could forfeit her life.

“You’re not making sense,” Lilith said.

Yes! You’re not!

“Of course I’m making sense. First she was defiant, which annoyed me. Then she turned into a little bitch, which is annoying too,” he said.

Lilith slapped the man with such speed and power that his neck must have snapped.

He remained standing however and just chuckled.

“Don’t call her a bitch. She was the only commander who managed to keep everyone alive. Ma’am, we checked on five positions in the eastern part. Do you know of any more?” Lilith asked.

Ma’am??? You’re the higher ranking officer! Get me out of here!

She gulped and answered, “No ma’am. There are five positions I know of. We deemed it too dangerous to spread our forces even thinner.”

“But you didn’t have enough ranged spells and artillery mages to take care of more than two positions,” the man suddenly said, his previous comments seemingly forgotten.

“The creatures were underestimated. We assumed them to be between two and three hundred, sir,” she said.

“Hmm… that makes sense. Well, I suggest falling back to the south and reinforcing that position. There should be enough space and I doubt it’s crowded with creatures again already,” he said.

My ticket out of here!

“Pack up everyone, we’re reinforcing Winters’ position,” she immediately said and teleported to her pack, shouldering it before she opened up the stone wall.

“Thanks for the assist, Lilith,” she said and winked towards the ashen woman.

Oh gods oh fuck, she thought and rushed out, followed quickly by her team. She only glanced at the massacre that had taken place in the plaza, dozens of dead monsters and hundreds of Cursed slowly drifting away in the waning waves.

I think I peed myself a little.

Captain Reagan focused back on her task and signaled to her team as they rushed over the roofs of Seyna, their slowly approaching deaths prevented by a stroke of fate, or perhaps just luck.

She already saw the powerful spells flying down and into the city with precise arcs, cast by several trained mages in tandem. Just another day. Soon this war is over and we can go home.

______________________

“Hey, she didn’t thank me!” Hector said as they stepped through the cleared out square.

“You were a prick too, I wouldn’t have thanked you,” Ilea said.

“I don’t care about prick or no, they were getting their asses beat,” he said.

“That’s true. Pretty impressive defensive positions. And the spells they used in the central ones, I assume those were mages working together?” Ilea asked.

“Either that or they were using enchanted siege machines. I’d say just working together. They’re usually simple spells but if you have a few people fueling them together, the destructive power is rather impressive. Close to our power even if a few level two hundreds band together,” Hector said.

“Hmm… with that speed they’re not going to be very successful against someone like me,” Ilea said.

“Not what they’re used for anyway. Those spells were made to break through city walls and raze entire towns. Every adventurer team would use them if they could emulate my pressurized water for example,” he said.

“Let’s go then, we’ve lost enough time on this,” he said.

Very well, some treasure then.

The two teleported a few times to get into the city.

Ilea kept close to the man, trusting his treasure sense as they flowed through the buildings and streets with high speed and destructive capability.

Dozens of creatures and Cursed were slaughtered in their path before Hector suddenly vanished underground.

Ilea followed, blinking through dark hallways and Cursed infested halls before she appeared next to him in front of a closed vault.

“If you would, my dear,” he said and stepped aside with a charming smile.

“Is that all I am to you?” Ilea asked and charged Absolute Destruction.

“Of course not. You’re also a ball of furious ash I can throw at people who annoy me,” he said.

Ilea sacrificed a few thousand points of health to activate the blue runes glowing below her armor. Her fist flashed out and slammed into the thick enchanted steel gate with a resonating bang.

The mana flowed in and destroyed the enchantments and parts of the gate’s insides. Her ashen arms merged into four large extensions that pierced through the now mundane steel before she pried it all open, using Force to help along when something got stuck.

“After you, Captain,” she said and gestured for him to enter.

The man bowed and vanished, followed instantly by Ilea.

It took them barely seven seconds to empty the vault of its valuables, their perception, speed, and storage items making the heist quite simple.

“No defensive measures?” she asked after a while, looking at the more mundane items she hadn’t felt a need to store immediately. There was only so much space before she had the time to place everything into another crate.

“They must have been connected to the layer you already destroyed,” Hector said and twirled in place, a beautiful silver scythe in hand. “However… you forgot that I’m the defensive layer!”

She played along, displacing herself close to a two handed greatsword with gems socketed into its handle.

“We’ll see about that,” she said and lifted the massive steel weapon, to her as light as a rapier.

Ilea applied her warhammer knowledge against the quickly approaching Pirate, slamming the sword down from above before she twirled her whole body to deal a horizontal strike.

Hector dodged the first and blocked the second one with his scythe, the weapon expertly twirled before he sliced at her.

Ilea blocked the first two blows before she got hit, the weapon scratching harmlessly past her armor.

“You lose!” Hector said.

Ilea shrugged and let go of the sword, displacing it behind him and using force to push it into his back.

The sword pierced his chest and came out on the other side, the man touching it curiously. “It seems I was rash,” he said and collapsed to his knees. “Take care of my ship… and Neely, she needs a lot of attention,” he added before his form dissolved into water that formed a small pool below him.

Ilea smiled and clapped before she felt the space around her distort. “You motherfuck-” she blinked to avoid the summoned Neely, appearing outside the vault before everything inside was utterly trashed by the angry eel.

“Nearly had you there,” Hector said, standing reformed out in the hallway. “Come on back!” he shouted and stored his creature again.

“You just destroyed everything that was left,” Ilea said.

Hector shrugged. “All that trash you mean?”

“Exactly,” Ilea confirmed.

“You didn’t strike me as a scrap dealer. To each their own I suppose,” he said and vanished.

After traversing the streets for a few minutes, they looted another two vaults, neither of them as impressive as the first one both in wealth and defenses.

Ilea at least got another twenty gold pieces out of it. Quite a skewed view of gold I’ve developed, knowing how much we got for our early Shadow missions, she thought with a smile.

“So, the ritual site?” she asked after a few failed attempts to find more.

“Mmmh,” he said.

Ilea quickly checked if she had any notable level ups while keeping an eye on the space around her. So far nothing had stood out but the city was quite vast.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reaches lvl 157 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reaches lvl 158 – One stat point awarded’

By now even her third Class was only really benefiting from the monster kills. The Cursed humans rarely had a level above one hundred.

Compared to Mophis and Nara where thousands upon thousands of insect monsters had prowled the streets, Seyna seemed kind of lacking in that department.

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 18’

“When were the cities destroyed respectively?” Ilea asked as they breezed over the roofs.

She spent thirty stat points to increase her Vitality while fifteen went into Intelligence before she quickly checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 1

Unspent Core skill points: 23

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1744 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 364

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 28

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 28

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 28

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 21

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 364

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 28

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 26

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 29

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 158

- Active: Force – 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Flare of Creation – 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Displacement – 2nd lvl 18

- Passive: Space Shift – 2nd lvl 8

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 2nd lvl 3

- Passive: Space Awareness – 2nd lvl 2

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – lvl 11

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 2

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 9

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - lvl 15

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 9

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 4

- Oxygen Repository – lvl 14

- Sage of Torment – lvl 18

- Soul Perception – lvl 5

- Teaching – lvl 3

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 6

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Astral Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2ndlvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 11

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

Status:

Vitality: 930

Endurance: 420

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 900

Wisdom: 1000

Health: 13736/13736

Stamina: 4149/4200

Mana: 18482/20000

“Odiah, then Seyna, Mophis, and finally Nara. Between Mophis and Nara a week or more passed I think,” Hector said.

Pretends not to give a shit but reads the reports, Ilea thought with a grin.

“You’re implying they did this to learn about the ritual? To get better?” he asked.

“You’re pretty sharp for a wet noodle,” Ilea said.

“It’s not exactly a testament to your intellect to make this discovery based on what we’ve experienced. Nobody else knows how many monsters there were in each city,” he said.

“No Rock Beetles either. So if they’re getting better, we could see even more powerful monsters with coming rituals,” Ilea said.

“Perfect. Something interesting for fucking once,” he said.

“There’s plenty of interesting shit out there, things that don’t need thousands of human sacrifices to show themselves,” she said.

“Yeah, but I’m not there, am I? I’m here,” Hector said. “If they’re killing off their population anyway, they might as well make it worth my fucking time.”

Ilea just shook her head. The man had lost all regard for human life.

She would gladly be rid of the Baralia nobility that allowed for slavery and the current war but not if it meant sacrificing even one child.

Ilea didn’t comment on it. They had already established that he was a massive shit. One that nonetheless saved hundreds if not thousands of lives by being here and helping out.

Actions mattered more than beliefs and comments. Plus Ilea was at least somewhat sure he just said those things to irritate her. The man didn’t shy away from anything in his banter.

She would likely not mind as much either if they weren’t quite literally wading through living corpses.

By now she could spot the temples of the Order of Truth quite easily. Their design was distinct, the buildings nearly always a little higher than those close by.

___________________

Nicholas used his Sight once more, seeing the robed fanatics rush through the tunnels with haste. A few enchantments were activated before they vanished through the doorway ahead.

His spell faded and he returned to the now dark and damp hallway. None of the fanatics had remained, only his companions and the corpses they had left behind.

Cursed and insect creatures far too powerful for him to fight.

“Where?” Carson asked.

Nicholas summoned three small barriers where he had seen the enchantments activate.

He glanced at the silent group behind him.

[Ranger – lvl 202]

Carson summoned an arrow and aimed, taking out the first enchantment with his magic arrow.

They waited for a little while before he aimed at the second one, and then the third.

Gods it’s warm in here, he thought, not willing to take another look back.

“Are we done?” Maria asked.

“Seems like it, give it another minute for any effects to-” Carson started but Maria walked past him.

She glanced at Nicholas but he kept his gaze forward.

“Still scared?” Owen asked as he walked past and slapped his back with entirely too much strength.

The small barrier flickered out below his robe. He knew the man well and it was easy to predict his actions, both for his divination and just plain old common sense.

Why did they send Me?

He stopped himself from sighing, instead swallowing before he followed the group.

Owen Karrick was the perfect offspring to the military noble house. There was little left of the boy he had once played with, replaced by the armored sword master and blood mage. The man who wouldn’t shy back from killing.

[Warrior – lvl 238]

Nicholas wasn’t the only one who had joined the strike team on short notice. The Generals hadn’t given them much time to plan and prepare after all.

[Mage – lvl 252]

The Butcher of Jorim. Maria Acantha. One of the lost daughters of their House. She had sprung up from nowhere, suddenly joining the war on the side of Felicia Redleaf, just as much appearing out of nowhere. Her father had died recently and one didn’t need to be a scheming genius to suspect foul play.

Nobody seemed to care however, both quickly welcomed to join the war efforts.

She gave him chills. The gray hair and purple eyes but most of all the way she moved, used her magic.

He gulped again and followed.

Nicholas cared little for the games of politics played among the nobles of the Empire or beyond. He really just wanted to get back to his studies. The relics from his most recent expedition were gathering dust because his family thought it important that someone represented House Walker on the front lines.

They suggested he could surely find riches and relics in Baralia too, before the cities were destroyed or pillaged.

There was some truth to that but in the end he was sent because he couldn’t refuse.

Again he suppressed a sigh.

Carson gave him a glance but didn’t say anything. As vile as he was, when they were in a dangerous situation, he shut his mouth.

This is so far over my head, he thought and checked behind him. His divination spells were active at all times by now, steadily draining his mana but he wouldn’t risk it.

Normally he could at least trust his teammates but now he was forced to work with a sadist, an asshole, and a void mage.

He took a deep breath as they entered a large hall, light coming in through cracks in the high ceiling.

Owen glanced at him, making him wince.

“This is the place,” Maria said, looking around. “Interesting…,” she said.

His spells weren’t necessary after all.

“Something is coming!” Nicholas suddenly called out and pointed to an empty space.

The group prepared and fanned out.

A moment later a one and a half meter tall mantis creature appeared out of nowhere. It had a white pinkish carapace and seemed confused for a moment before it focused on them.

The arrow shot by Carson flashed past harmlessly, the creature vanishing.

Spells exploded around him as Nicholas focused on his magic. It was second nature to him by now to trust his Class more than his eyes and ears.

Owen blurred in his heavy gray and red armor, much of the latter coloring just blood. His sword was held close to his body, ready to attack wherever the creature appeared.

The air around Maria distorted slightly, some kind of defensive spell she had used before with great efficiency.

Carson had another arrow ready.

The Mantis appeared, exactly where it should.

Nicholas locked eyes with the creature as a circular shining blue barrier with intricate runes appeared, cracking slightly when the beast slammed its talons into his defense.

[Pearl Mantis Sire – lvl ??]

Maria held out a hand before the beast screeched, one of its legs squashed slightly by the void magic she had conjured.

The woman had mostly vanished when the mantis teleported. It couldn’t perceive her anymore.

An arrow glanced off its carapace before it charged towards the ranger.

It’s completely frenzied, Nicholas thought, watching the creature with interest.

The charge was stopped by Owen who intercepted the beast with a few expert slashes. This wasn’t the first Pearl Mantis they had fought and it wouldn’t be their last.

The beasts were dangerous and incredibly high level but with their group, they could take them down. In time.

Chapter 508 A hunch

Chapter 508 A hunch

Nicholas formed a barrier in front of Carson, leaving a small slit open for him to shoot through.

The mantis focused back on Owen, its frenzied blows deflected before the man vanished, unable to hold back the creature any longer.

Another spell ripped on its leg, further weakening the link.

They were mobile and could teleport but as soon as they lost even one leg, their combat efficiency was drastically reduced. Nicholas just wondered why they were this frenzied.

He could feel that the mana in Seyna had been higher than in its surroundings. The creatures were summoned from somewhere but even then it wasn’t a common behavior for insect like monsters. He had fought different mantis species before and they were more often than not hunters, hiding in the shadows before they ambushed their prey.

The abilities of this Pear Mantis Sire suggested that such behavior would be the most efficient too. And yet it charged without regard for its own safety.

Owen used a few blood magic abilities to boost his speed and strength before he rushed the creature, his blows matching it now. The few injuries he sustained healed again quickly, his armor and skin barely standing in the way of the powerful Mantis claws.

He had the technique however and years of experience fighting humans and monsters alike.

Arrows and void magic continued to injure the Mantis, its weak spots more exposed now that it was focused on the sword master.

A few well placed small barriers prevented grave injuries as the two continued their battle.

The mantis would occasionally focus on the others, teleporting through the room and attacking, finding barriers in its way each and every time.

When it appeared next to Carson, an arrow glanced past its head before its attack came.

Nicholas opened his eyes wide as he tried to adjust the barrier, moving it sideways to deflect the sudden change of its angle.

It happened a moment later but his barrier simply wasn’t fast enough.

The Mantis dodged the next arrow and again circled the man, only to find Owen appearing in its way. “What’s happening!?” he shouted.

Nicholas had no idea. Almost like its instincts returned.

The moment passed as fast as it had appeared, the mantis back to its frantic attacks on Owen as they defended together.

No, Nicholas thought when Maria appeared behind the blood mage, a dagger slamming into his neck with precision and speed she hadn’t shown before.

His barrier had been too late.

Nicholas took a step back as he watched the Mantis slam into his arcane shield that still protected Owen, the man now grasping for the dagger in his neck.

“What are you doing?!” Carson shouted and shot an arrow at her as he jumped backwards.

The projectile vanished inside the air around her.

She ignored him and instead slammed her second dagger into Owen’s side.

The man managed to deflect the blow slightly, his magic surging before he tried to get to her.

I knew it… she behaved weirdly… why would anyone want to get close to Owen? That fucking idiot!

He didn’t know what to do.

The woman had vanished, entirely out of sight and he had no way to track her other than through his divination. The Pearl Mantis teleported too.

I can’t protect him, he thought as he looked at Carson. She’s going to kill us all, why? Why me?

Owen finally grabbed the dagger in his neck and pulled it out with a wet sound and quite a bit of blood. He moaned in pain and went to one knee, ripping out the other dagger.

“That bitch!” he spat, the word barely comprehensible.

His eyes were bloodshot under his helmet. The strike had been expertly done, right between his helmet and armor.

Carson had his daggers ready now too, running towards Owen as he glanced around nervously.

“You little shit! You planned this with her, didn’t you?!” he shouted, looking at the barrier mage.

Nicholas took a step back as he watched the man with disbelief. “Me?” he simply asked, confusion and fear overtaking him.

“Are you okay?!” Carson shouted before he held his chest. He dodged to his left before a part of his arm vanished.

The Mantis appeared again and charged the two.

Nicholas had seen enough, he turned around and teleported, only to find that his spell didn’t work.

He ran instead.

A few screams and shouts resounded from behind as he entered the hallway, not stopping for anything as he dashed over the corpses.

Need to get out.

Find help.

The army.

He knew their positions were quite far away and something had stopped him from teleporting. Enchantments, an aura, or spell?

He used his teleportation again and appeared in a random room. He tried to calm himself down, using both meditation and his divination.

His eyes opened and he focused. Where to?

A hunch.

He teleported.

Instead of leaving the temple immediately, he went through many of its rooms and hallways before finally appearing in the large open space in front of it.

It wasn’t the fastest way out but Maria had the advantage there anyway. What he could do is use his magic.

He looked at the various streets before he finally sighed and chose the middle one. He knew it to be the right way.

The next five minutes went by in a flash, Nicholas teleporting time and time again. He knew that Maria was after him, too many wrong choices presenting themselves. And still, a few right ones remained.

His magic wouldn’t protect him forever, not against someone like her, but he would buy as much time as he could.

When he appeared close to one of the temples they had already searched, he felt a powerful pull. Everything behind him turned dark, cold. Dead.

A single thread of golden light appeared in front of him. The third tier had activated. He was about to die.

His last jump brought him into a large hall, two people turning his way.

“Who the fuck’s this?” the man asked, his leathers, demeanor, the water around him, and his high level made Nicholas shiver.

He had heard stories about a pirate sailing the most dangerous known parts of the eastern ocean. He felt like the painting he had seen had come to life before him. The Destroyer, a title earned with centuries of bloodshed, long past by now. His death had never been confirmed and Nicholas had doubted the man had died at all.

The woman next to him was clad in ash, wings and tendrils moving lazily as she inspected him with curious eyes. That must be Lilith, he thought, the songs and stories not doing her justice. She wasn’t grand and spectacular, she felt more subdued to him. A monster skilled in battle, lethal and unstoppable.

He felt great danger, from both of them. And yet his thread of fate had led him here. The only way out.

“I was separated from my group,” he said finally, trying to catch his breath. His heart was pounding but somehow he was less afraid of these two monsters than he had been when Owen approached him for this mission.

Childhood memories triumphed over newfound dangers. He nearly smiled.

“We were a strike team sent to find the ritual site,” he added hastily.

“Did you succeed?” Lilith asked. She extended an ashen limb to him, the thing brushing against his chest before it retreated. It felt surprisingly warm.

A comforting feeling. He found himself grasping for the retreating ash.

Nicholas shook his head, his cheeks growing red from embarrassment as the pirate started laughing. “Yes… yes, we found it but the monsters that appeared were too much for us. One of my companions was stabbed in the neck, I don’t know what happened to the others.”

Sprinkle in the truth or they might know.

“Quite stupid to be stabbed in the neck,” the pirate said.

“They can teleport… the Mantis Sire,” he said, trying not to look back.

He knew Maria was close. She was listening. He hoped she was.

Nicholas had never interacted with the woman. He had no reason to believe she would want him dead. It could mean many things but right now, he was reasonably sure she simply wanted him dead because he was a witness.

Owen and Carson had many enemies. He assumed she was hired by them or one herself.

Not revealing what had happened was his only lifeline. Even if he could convince the two monsters before him, they couldn’t hunt her down. She was a void mage.

He had to convince Maria that he was no danger to her and even then, there was a high chance she would still kill him. Now I know it’s coming though. I have to find a void magic user to get a resistance, or I could vanish entirely. My family could help but if she’s determined enough to kill members of the Karrick family, she won’t hold back against us either. I don’t want anyone dead, damn it.

“You fought level four hundred creatures with your puny ass magic?” the pirate asked.

“Leave him alone, he’s obviously terrified,” Lilith said and rolled her eyes as she approached. “Can you get us there? We’re looking for the ritual site too.”

He nodded quickly. It’s the reasonable thing. Anything else they’d think suspicious.

His heart had calmed down a little, his mind focused as he continued to use his divination to try and predict what they wanted to hear, what they would do.

“How did you even find us? This isn’t exactly an army position,” the pirate said.

“Why are you so suspicious?” Lilith asked.

“A hunch,” the man said and shrugged. He glanced at him with a smirk on his face.

He knows. Shit!

“We had already cleared this temple,” Nicholas said honestly. It was lucky that there had been no Mantis Sire here, otherwise why would they now lose to them?

“It felt like the monster behaved differently in the end… as if its instincts returned,” he shared the weird realization with them, hoping it would somehow lead credibility to his plea.

“Interesting,” Lilith said. “Come on, let’s go. Maybe they survived.”

No they didn’t, Nicholas thought and ran out of the temple.

____________________________

Ilea and Hector followed the man through the streets. It wasn’t long until they found another temple.

“What’s your name anyway?” she asked him.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

Huh? Not now Cless!

“Nicholas Walker,” the man replied. He had black hair and eyes. A mage at level two hundred and ten, quite small and thin compared to herself. He wore a gray robe with an imperial insignia near his heart, the thing had a lot of blood on it.

“Walker family, why would they send someone like you to the front?” Hector asked.

Why is he so suspicious? Ilea wondered.

“I’ve funded and taken part in a lot of expeditions over the last decade. Someone had to go and I was chosen because of my experience. You likely know about our usual lack of interest in these affairs, Captain Destroyer,” the man said.

What? He knows who Hector is? Maybe he was right all along.

Hector downright dripped with smugness. It was just water of course but his smile already annoyed her.

“I’m glad to hear my name is not entirely lost within the plains,” he said.

Ilea rolled her eyes as they teleported through the temple.

“I did not expect to meet you here, together with Lilith out of everyone,” Nicholas said and glanced at her shyly.

“You know me too?” Ilea asked.

“The man knows a lot more than he’s letting on. He’s using divination spells,” Hector said.

“OH. That was you!” Ilea said and laughed. “You can get names with magic?”

“No he can’t, don’t you know anything about other magic schools?” Hector asked.

“Fuck off pirate, I didn’t ask you,” Ilea said.

Nicholas looked between them like a scared deer. “I can guess some things about people… not their names however. No, you two are rather famous.”

“I see,” Ilea said.

“Probably how he found us too,” Hector said.

The mage didn’t comment on that when they entered the hall where the ritual had taken place.

Ilea had seen the cracks already but this one was much more subdued than the one in Nara. Killing tens of thousands just to TEST a spell. Fucking motherfuckers.

“One of them is alive,” Ilea said and blinked, finding a familiar face between the mangled corpses and a dead Pearl Mantis. She extended her ash and started healing the nasty wound on the woman’s side. “Maria. Didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“L… Lilith, right? A healer is exactly what I hoped for,” the woman said with a slight smile, closing her eyes as she relaxed.

Ilea didn’t know how much she should mention, knowing that Hector and the unknown noble were close by. Already it was clear that she knew Maria.

“You’re part of the strike teams?” she asked and continued healing the woman.

Maria opened her eyes and sat up, completely ignoring the gore around her.

Ilea saw two human corpses and one Pale Mantis, all of them fucked up beyond recognition. These things really go wild, she thought and glanced at Maria. Or she did, she smirked.

“I am, yes. We were sent to kill monsters and Cursed here. They were quite a bit stronger than expected,” she said and gestured to the carnage around her. “Major Redleaf had me join.”

So she’s still working with Felicia. That’s good at least. Though I’m sure she has her own reasons to be here. Maria likely had more enemies in the Empire than Felicia and Edwin combined, Ilea thought, knowing a few things about the woman.

Ilea had seen hundreds of Cursed killed by Pearl Mantis Sires and this scene was a little weird in comparison to what she’d seen. The creatures killed, yes, but they didn’t make a mess like this. Maybe it was different when there weren’t any other things around to kill but Maria survived, which meant the thing did this before killing her.

Maria being here provided a simple enough explanation. Maybe she just wanted to kill these people.

“We’ll have to talk later, alone,” Ilea just said. With anybody else, she wouldn’t even have thought about it but Maria? Maria was a killer if she’s ever seen one.

The woman nodded, giving her an apprehensive look.

She was always a little bothered about her inability to injure me too, Ilea remembered.

[Mage – lvl 253]

That is quite satisfying, she thought with a smirk.

“What’s so funny?” Hector asked, stepping up to them. “I feel like I’m being left out of something.”

“We know each other. That’s all,” she said and saw Nicholas tense up within her sphere.

He doesn’t like that.

“You want to study the area again or can we just fuck it up and move on?” Hector asked.

Eager to get more gold and treasure? Ilea thought, unsure if it was wise to invade a non Cursed city with just the two of them. Then again, other than the team with the General, she doubted there were many others who could just flat out overwhelm a group of high level fanatics.

“For a few minutes, you can go loot if you like,” Ilea said and let the people be. She wanted to talk to Maria quickly to catch up on some things but not while the others were around.

“Oh thank you for your permission, oh great Lilith,” Hector said and bowed before turning towards Maria, the woman glancing at the two men in turn.

“You’re interesting, why the murderous look?” Hector asked and leaned in.

He has someone else to annoy, very nice, Ilea thought and focused on the ripples around her, using her space awareness to glance through the veil. What she saw was much more blurred than back in Nara, and still the colors and impressions fit perfectly with the scenes she had already seen.

Probably not random then… a targeted fissure in space, and the other side is in on it? Or are they just trying to summon some high level being to end the world or something? That would be unoriginal. Maybe Hector is right and I’ll at least get an interesting fight out of it.

“I always look like that,” Maria said and rolled her eyes at the man. She was healed again and collected her daggers.

“I’m… I’m glad that you survived,” Nicholas spoke up but didn’t approach. He was obviously in distress but the way he acted in front of Ilea and Hector before, it was clear this situation just overwhelmed him in general.

“I thought you didn’t exactly like me,” Maria said and smirked.

“You’re part of the team. I thought that monster got you,” he said.

“You ran away,” Maria said. “Your barriers could have helped quite a bit.”

Nicholas looked dejected. “I’m… sorry,” he said and looked down.

“More experience for you,” Hector said. “You don’t look like you give a shit that he left so stop acting like a little shit,” he said.

“And who might you be exactly?” Maria asked.

“I’m the Destroyer, who the fuck are You?” Hector said.

“I’m Maria Acantha… I believe I have heard that name. A pirate, yeah that fits. Did Lilith become one too?” she asked.

“Acantha,” Hector spat. “You’re one of Elisora’s little cunts? Figures.”

Maria didn’t react visibly.

Ilea glanced over. Hmm. Would have expected more there. Maybe she knows just how outclassed she is.

“I’m not my mother,” Maria said.

Ah, so that’s it. I do wonder why she never helped her.

Hector laughed. “Yeah but you damn sure act like her. I can’t say I’m not interested. Do you care for a bout or maybe something a little more personal?”

Maria smiled. “I’ve been humiliated enough today, thank you.”

Chapter 509 Revenge

A note from Rhaegar

Hey there. Quick info - I might go on vacation for two weeks in mid August. As it stands I won't be posting chapters for around two weeks starting on the 14th.

Another thing - Mecanimus published the first book of his novel Journey of Black and Red on Amazon. If you haven't read it, now's the time to do so :D. If you have, make sure to leave a review! https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

Chapter 509 Revenge

Ilea was impressed how calm and collected Maria stayed. Then again, she’s likely seen much worse than Hector.

“I’m done here,” Ilea said.

Hector nodded as a dozen beams of water formed around him, the ground cut apart in seconds before the space returned to its normal state.

“They’re not going to like that,” Maria commented, looking at the deep fissures in the stone floor.

“Good,” Hector said. “I’ll leave you to it then, come find me when you’re done Lilith, don’t take too long.”

“Sure, sure,” Ilea said and joined the group, Hector vanishing a moment later.

Nicholas looked at each of them in turn, his distress mounting according to her sphere.

“Can you wait outside the temple?” Ilea asked the man.

He looked at her for a moment before nodding. “Of course, Lilith.”

“Ah… I would have to retreat if monsters attack, I’m not terribly good at fighting,” he added and scratched the back of his head.

“I’ll find you,” Ilea said and watched him leave.

“So,” Maria said after the man had left. “Did you meet Felicia already?”

Ilea nodded. “We didn’t have a chance to talk sadly but she seemed fine. What got into her? First she wants an end to all the politics and fighting, then she wants to work with Edwin, and now she’s taking part in the war?”

Maria smiled. “It seems the girl has finally grown up. She’s doing it all herself too. Edwin is being a bit pathetic lately, but he’ll get back on his feet. I’m sure.”

“Felicia took over?” Ilea asked, a little surprised.

“She did. She’s the current head of House Redleaf. And as difficult as it is for me to admit, she’s not doing a terrible job of it so far. Already the confidant of a high ranking General, the rank of Major given to her near instantly. Well I helped her along a little, taking out competition here and there,” Maria said with a nasty grin.

“Is that why you killed those two?” Ilea asked and gestured to the corpses.

Maria sighed. “He told you then, ah and I thought maybe there was a chance I’d let him go.”

“He, who?” Ilea asked.

“Nicholas Walker… why else do you think he ran away? He’s easily intimidated but not a coward,” Maria said.

“Ah, him. No, he didn’t tell us. His story actually fit with yours. I’ve just fought a bunch of those creatures before and that,” she pointed at the bodies. “Is not what they do. Plus with you here, I was even more suspicious.”

“I see. You never trusted me, did you?” Maria asked, acting disappointed.

“Of course not. You worked with Edwin after all,” Ilea said with a smile.

Maria nodded. “I thought as much. Not that I gave you much of a reason to. I never liked you… but I suppose we had that in common. As to your question, no. These two I killed for myself.”

“Why?” Ilea asked.

“Why would you care?” she asked.

Ilea shrugged, thinking about it. “Because you’re close to Felicia,” she said. Either Maria was putting Felicia in danger by killing people for her own benefit or revenge, or she was working to help Felicia. Both were reason enough for Ilea to inquire about her actions.

“You really care about that girl, don’t you? Lovely,” Maria said and rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry. I consider her an ally, even if she just sees me as a deranged murderer. I know I’m not the easiest person to deal with. But as I said… Felicia isn’t exactly the same person anymore.”

“She knows what I can do, and she knows what I want to do. And our goals are not entirely incompatible,” Maria said.

Ilea let her talk.

“I found documents suggesting that the Walker family was involved in my imprisonment. At least they didn’t make a move to stop it. Nor did they care about any of the other prisoners in Arthur’s little dungeon,” she said and spat.

“So Nicholas was involved?” Ilea asked.

“No. I doubt that, he’s too young and as I heard he’s usually quite busy with expeditions. He’s obsessed with ruins and culture,” she said. “But it would be a blow to the Walkers anyway. Did he really not tell you?”

“I didn’t lie,” Ilea said.

“I see… maybe I can use him then, instead of killing him. His life is more important to him than the two acquaintances I killed, maybe that’s true for his family too,” Maria said, talking to herself before she looked at Ilea. “Ah don’t give me that look. You’ve killed the Birmingales, slaughtered their members as if they were the ones to kill your friend’s family.”

“I’m not exactly proud of it,” Ilea said. She didn’t mention that she had let a few of them go. The woman might just be crazy enough to go after them just to take care of loose ends.

“Well I am proud of this. The world didn’t lose anything with these two, nor will it lose anything with the people I still plan to kill,” Maria said. “Many of them could cause trouble for Felicia too, hence our cooperation.”

“Can you give me a rundown? Just in case there is someone I’d like to stay alive,” Ilea said.

“Why? So that you can kill me now?” Maria asked with a grin.

“Exactly,” Ilea said and meant it.

“Oh? Maybe I’ve thought too little of you… perhaps there’s still hope. Why not work with me? Your power and my knowledge, we could change the whole Empire,” Maria said.

Ilea chuckled to herself. “No. I’m not you Maria. If you want to get revenge, I won’t stand in your way but be careful. If I find out that you plunged the Empire into chaos, I’ll come for you.”

“The righteous warrior. No, Ilea. You have no idea what kind of depravity courses through the veins of human kind,” Maria said. “The deal with Felicia includes her approval too. And I won’t deceive her.”

“If I was that righteous warrior, I’d have killed you already. Didn’t you try to deceive me just now?” Ilea asked, gesturing at the scene around them.

“I just tried to protect myself. Now that I know you’re aware of it all, I don’t have a reason to lie. Your Alymie friend is not on my list, nor is anyone from Ravenhall or Riverwatch,” she said. “I heard the songs.”

There’s no way she’s telling me everything, Ilea thought with a sigh. “Just make sure to check if they have a connection to me. I suggest you don’t do anything stupid, for both our sakes, and Felicia’s.”

If Felicia confirmed the story, she didn’t want to get involved with Maria or her revenge.

“There are risks involved but they saved my life, Ilea. I have debts that I won’t forget, as I’m sure you have too,” she said. “Your threat, is noted.”

“What happened to Edwin?” Ilea asked, trying to talk about something less depressing. She wouldn’t kill someone she knew just because of what she planned.

Eve had similar plans and executed much of it behind their backs. Ilea wondered how she would have reacted if she found out while the woman was still alive. Would she have been okay with it? Would she have helped? Or condemned her?

What she had learned about Eve suggested it hadn’t been quite as personal as with Trian. She killed systematically but with certain rules in mind. Ilea couldn’t know for sure but she had trusted her enough to think she only killed those deserving. Those untouchable by whatever laws and judges were in place.

Maria didn’t seem quite as concerned about killing. Nicholas was just one example, Ilea was sure. Even now she could change her mind and murder the man.

Did she care?

Should she care?

She didn’t know any of the people the woman was hunting. Ilea would kill her if that turned out to be untrue, if she killed someone close to her.

She knew that Maria had been wronged, Ilea herself would hunt down those responsible if she was in her place. She wouldn’t kill bystanders and those uninvolved however but that didn’t much change how she felt about her.

If anything she pitied her.

A woman so powerful and competent, entirely consumed by revenge and bitterness.

“He’s lost it. Started drinking, constantly. I don’t have to tell you how much alcohol is necessary to even affect someone like him,” Maria said. “He never planned to succeed.”

It gave her some satisfaction to know that the arrogant man had fallen so low. On the other hand she felt bad for Felicia, knowing how much she cared for her brother.

“Do you not care? I thought you were close to him,” Ilea said.

“I would have gladly died on that day, just to get a chance at Arthur’s life. I’m quite happy how it turned out. I was surprised how he reacted but he’s going to be fine. Might take a few years but he’s been through worse,” she said.

“You could help him, you know?” Ilea suggested, thinking about Trian and how he had hidden in his room. She didn’t have the illusion that she had made him recover but at least she tried. In the end it worked out.

“I’m not good at that, Ilea,” Maria said and shook her head. “I’ll just do what I do best. Honestly, I think it’s a little pathetic… and I couldn’t lie to him.”

“Aliana is with him… and Felicia will surely try as well. She was always the loving one. If anyone could do it, then her,” she said.

“Didn’t you say she changed a lot?” Ilea asked.

“For the better. She hasn’t forgotten her dear brother, nor has she forgotten about you, I’m sure. If you were worried about that,” Maria said.

Ilea didn’t comment. She would talk to Felicia herself.

A short awkward silence followed.

“Quite a name you made for yourself,” Maria finally said.

Ilea just nodded.

“You should be proud,” Maria said.

“What are you going to do now?” Ilea asked, starting to walk towards the exit.

“There are a few more people in this brigade I need to get close to. And I’m not entirely uninterested in the war itself. Riches and opportunities,” she said with a grin.

“I see,” Ilea said.

“Why did you come anyway? You were studying the ritual site,” she said.

“To kill monsters, and maybe even to stop more rituals,” Ilea said.

Maria laughed, following her up a flight of stairs. “You and the Destroyer. I should just go north and fight monsters for a few years… if I could survive I’d be unstoppable.”

“There are always things more powerful than you are,” Ilea said.

“Yeah, but not human. Or at least not my enemies. The risks are too high anyway. I’m not a healer and being good at hiding isn’t exactly beneficial against most monsters out there,” Maria said.

“It can be,” Ilea said. “But I doubt you could manage the feat.”

“You’re the monster hunter,” she said as they exited out into the large entrance hall of the temple.

Nicholas was waiting in a meditative pose.

“I won’t kill you,” Maria said. “But I want to make a few deals, to make sure you don’t tell anyone.”

The man opened his eyes and nodded.

“See, I’m not as monstrous as you think,” Maria said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Just make sure a letter reaches Lilith in case you mysteriously die.”

“What? Why would you care?” Maria hissed.

Ilea looked at her and smiled below her ashen armor. “Oh? No this is just to annoy you.”

“I’m sure my relatives will be happy to hear that I made acquaintances with Lilith,” the man said, sealing the deal.

“Well at least you’re not stupid. What about the two in there? I thought you knew them,” Maria said.

“I’m not in favor of wanton killings but I won’t miss them either,” he said and stood up. “The ritual site is cleared, our mission fulfilled. If you don’t mind, I’d like to return to my quarters.”

“I’ll add a few more corpses to the hall. If this dunce could figure me out, I’m sure an imperial investigator could do the same,” Maria said and vanished.

Nicholas smiled and bowed deeply to Ilea.

“You saved my life today and I wont forget that,” he said.

Ilea waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I meant it when I said I just wanted to annoy her.”

“That doesn’t matter, if anything it means more to me. That woman is not someone I want to associate myself with. There will be headaches,” he said and sighed. “I have to ask… I don’t suppose you’d be interested in joining a few expeditions of mine?”

Ilea quirked up an eyebrow, surprised at his sudden courage.

“What kind?” she asked.

“The kind even Shadows would refuse. There are more than a few cursed ruins, endless caverns, and monster infested areas in the plains we call our own and far beyond. I’m an adventurer by heart and a scholar by trade and ability,” the man said.

“You don’t sound like you need adventurers, if even Shadows refuse your offers,” Ilea said.

“I need something more, yes. Someone monstrous enough to face the creatures who guard ancient secrets and treasures. I need Lilith,” he said, his heartbeat increasing. It seemed like his courage wasn’t endless after all.

“Sure, just send your requests to the Hand and mention me. We’ll see if I’m interested or not,” she said.

[Mage – lvl 210]

Quite and adventurer to call himself a scholar. This is probably not the first time his divinations have saved his life.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to find something worth your while,” he said and smiled genuinely for the first time.

Ilea nodded. “Should I give you a lift back to your camp?”

He fiddled with his hands and looked down. “Eh… I mean…,”

“Come on, who knows if she changes her mind again,” Ilea said and spread her wings, ash flowing towards him.

“I suppose… I could,” he said and held on to the ashen limbs moving around him.

The flight was quite quick, Ilea dropping the man off near the camp.

He needed a moment to catch his breath and balance but smiled and waved as soon as he recovered. “Thanks again, Lilith!”

“Sure, a good rest of the war to you, Nicholas. Don’t get murdered,” Ilea said.

“You too!” he said and immediately turned red.

She chuckled and blinked away, flying back towards the city to find Hector.

Ilea noted that only a few trees had grown here, the grass barely spreading out of the city at all.

A quick flight brought her past the bunker positions they had helped out before but the soldiers had it under control, reorganized and reinforced. She wondered how long it would take for them to clean out the city and left them to it.

She found a more active battle far away from the military positions, a furious eel moving through the city streets with fluid motions, dozens of Cursed crushed with each turn and twist of her long and massive body.

Hector was riding the eel as he laughed and steered her into the largest groups of enemies.

Bored of looting?

She whistled with a charged monster hunter.

The eel vanished before he flowed towards her on a mighty wave.

“You’re done?” he asked.

Ilea nodded. “Where to?”

“The closest and richest city we can think of,” he said with a wide grin.

“And that is?” Ilea asked.

“Yinnahall. It’s so fucking huge they won’t even notice us slipping in, I’m pretty sure. Do you have any Baralia armor?” he asked.

“No, why would I have Baralia armor?” she asked.

“Because we’ll pretend to be fleeing soldiers!” the man exclaimed.

“That’s your great plan to get into a large city?” Ilea asked.

“What? You think it could fail? It’s perfect! We’ll be at a higher level than anybody could reasonably identify, we’re wearing their armor and come together. Just two people. Who would think we’re a threat or spies?” he asked.

“Anybody with just a hint of suspicion?” she suggested.

“Ilea… I’ve literally gone into a dozen cities during wars, nobody ever even suspected me. You just hand out a few silver here and there, pretend to be proud of the army, yadayada, and you’re in,” Hector explained and summoned a set of armor.

“Should be your size,” he said and threw it her way.

Ilea caught and stored the set, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t act like that. You’ll be the hero, saving a city of a hundred thousand!” he said.

“That’s a lot of people,” Ilea said.

“More so than even Nara, at least to my knowledge. Let’s hope it’s not too late and the nobles are still there,” Hector said.

“Including their gold?” she asked.

“Just the gold would be better but that’s just not realistic, is it,” he commented.

“What if they realize we’re spies?” she asked.

“Again, just two people. Trust me, people don’t have an understanding of how powerful someone at level three fifty actually is. They’ll try to hunt us but we’re not going to intimidate them enough to use their little ritual ahead of schedule. If there is a schedule. No, they’ll just try to hunt us. Just make sure not to mention the name Lililth, or using your abilities… I’ll do the same,” he said.

“I can’t guarantee that,” Ilea said.

The man laughed. “Perfect, it’ll be more fun with a bit of chaos. Oh and they’ll know you’re a foreigner if you talk Standard. Most should speak it too but generally just for trade purposes. Best to just shut up… but that’ll be difficult for you.”

“I can pretend to be a pirate, people will just think I’m a little deranged,” she said.

“We already settled on being soldiers, it’s the best way. Best act like the terrors of war really got to you,” he said.

“Don’t pretend war is anything but horrific,” Ilea said.

He pointed at her and smiled. “That! Exactly, just act like that.”

She rolled her eyes again and sighed. “Where do we go?”

“West,” he said. “West for gold and glory!”

Chapter 510 Messy Solutions?

Chapter 510 Messy Solutions?

“I suggest we fly low too, just in case,” Hector said. “If we get spotted too early we might get in trouble.”

“Was it Nipha that attacked here already?” she asked.

“The southern part… well both Nipha and the Empire but the main forces of the latter are coming from farther east. I doubt Nipha is committing a lot either, they’re probably just stalling until Lys arrives,” he said.

“You don’t think very highly of that,” Ilea said, the two flying over the flat lands. Only single trees dotted the landscape, neither roads, buildings, or rivers breaking the monotone sights.

“You’re either at war or you’re not. Opportunist cowards who don’t want to fight but still take spoils are just the worst,” he spat.

“There are no rules in war,” Ilea said.

“Of course there are. There’s honor for one thing,” Hector said.

Ilea just laughed, slowing down a little as she lost her focus.

“You wouldn’t understand. How many wars have you fought in?” he challenged.

She didn’t respond. This man came from an entirely different world. Perhaps the Generals before the Great War thought the same. Either way, for the common soldier and citizen just trying to survive it was the same here as it was back on Earth.

“Fuck war,” Ilea said.

“See, you don’t understand at all. Though I agree, the challenge just isn’t interesting enough,” he said.

“You could fight the Elves, they even started wars before,” she suggested with a smile.

He waved her off. “Human armies are not made to face those monsters.”

“You could go alone. Or are you so weak you need an entire army?” Ilea asked as they reached more rocky terrain, forests cropping up here and there.

“That is a possibility… but no. I have no interest in Elven affairs, nor in starting a war,” he said.

“Why not?” Ilea asked, honestly interested.

“Why are we slowing down?” Hector asked.

“There’s a village ahead and smoke is rising,” she said.

“We have a city to take, who cares about some random village?” the man asked.

“This girl over here,” Ilea said and pointed at herself as they landed.

She changed into her Baralia uniform, the smell of blood still fresh.

Hector did the same.

“Elves are just no fun. They nearly always try to fight at long range and with a number advantage. As soon as they’re about to lose, they flee. Cowards I tell you,” he said.

“Really?” Ilea asked as she started walking towards the houses in the distance. They were somewhat high up already, the view quite far reaching for the plains. She watched the suns rise on the horizon, marking the beginning of their fourth day on their mission.

How long did Velamyr think we’d need to clear even just Mophis?

“Yeah. Only the young attack like frenzied beasts but they’re no fun either. Even stupider than humans, I tell you,” he said.

“Seems like the smart ones fight quite efficiently then. Not engaging you seems like the intelligent thing to do. And you never met any that overwhelmed you?” she asked.

“Oh no I did, there are some brutal ones out there if you go too deep into their forest,” he said.

“Did you win?” she asked.

“No, I was forced to retreat,” he said.

Ilea laughed again.

“Hey, it’s the smart thing to do,” he said with a smile.

“Ever fought an Oracle?” she asked.

“Oracle? What’s that?” Hector asked.

“A monster I hear lives deep in the Navali forest,” Ilea said.

“Oh? Interesting… well no. I try to focus on the Ocean these days. It’s been a few decades since I last faced an elf. They’ve been rather quiet anyway, only destroying a few cities to signal their continued existence.”

“I wouldn’t call that quiet,” Ilea said.

“Well you should read some ancient history then. The human plains haven’t always been as large as they are now. The Elves have continuously retreated farther back over the last nine centuries, longer perhaps but reliable sources are hard to come by,” he said.

The Taleen probably, Ilea thought but didn’t mention it.

“Any clue why?” she asked instead.

Hector shrugged. “In fighting? I’m sure their politics is even more fucking annoying than ours, with every bloody citizen being near immortal when it comes to age.”

“Hmm,” she said and focused on the village.

“You’re interested? You could go and visit but they don’t really talk to humans, other than insulting us that is,” he said.

“Maybe I will,” Ilea said, not willing to share that she already made friends with a few Elves. And that she probably knew more about their culture than most humans alive.

“Ever been north?” she asked.

“The real north you mean? With the arcane storms and all?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Ilea said.

“Mhm, but it’s tedious. Traveling through the crevices takes ages and there are no reliable maps. I’ve moved in circles for days on end without finding anything interesting. It’s a bloody wasteland,” he said.

“That’s sad to hear. I planned to explore a little more at some point. I’ve only been to a few dungeons,” Ilea said.

“You’re lucky, I didn’t even find any,” he said.

“Could you not kill Miststalkers quite easily with your water?” she asked.

“A few, yes. Too many and my recovery gets overwhelmed. And there are always too many. The health I get back from their mist magic just isn’t enough,” he said. “You on the other hand could reach four hundred with them, in time.”

“Maybe, would take ages though. I’d rather fight something stronger and more interesting,” Ilea said.

“Agreed,” Hector commented as they reached the two meter high stone wall.

It was damaged in parts, broken in entirely where the gate should have been.

“Disguise on or off?” Ilea asked.

“Keep it on. If we can get the help of a few locals, it’s gonna be even easier,” he said.

They found a dejected crowd in the village square, a few soldiers standing around lazily. A wooden platform had been elected in the middle, a few corpses stacked on top of each other at one end.

At the other end stood a man with broad shoulders, a large axe in one hand and the head of another man in his left.

Ilea and Hector were mostly ignored when they joined the watching crowd of a hundred people or so, many of the villagers making space as they approached. She noted that everyone avoided looking directly at them.

“I’m really getting tired of butchering one of you every day. You know what I’m looking for. Tomorrow it’s two,” the man said before throwing the head onto the pile and stepping away.

He entered the large main building in the square with a few soldiers in tow. The house towered over the rest, quite old by the looks of it but mostly built with wood.

A few whispers went through the crowd, all in the local language Ilea didn’t speak.

“What are they saying?” she asked Hector.

Some of the people turned slightly towards her but still didn’t look.

“Food’s been stolen. Just a few loafs of bread apparently,” Hector said. “Why did we come here again? Let’s just move on.”

“Really? He’s so obviously a shithead and what, level one hundred?” Ilea said.

“They’re going to kick you out if you leave the village without protection,” he said and chuckled. “Are you really going to play hero?”

“I just want to kill that guy,” Ilea said and walked towards the house.

A shout to her left stopped her, one of the guards now standing in an offensive stance and a fireball at the ready.

“You don’t want to do that, mate,” Ilea said. “Drop it now and I’ll let you live.”

He took another look at her before taking a step back, the magic dissipating. “Who are you?”

“None of your fucking business,” Ilea said and walked towards the house. Nobody had come out because of the shout.

She could already see a few people tied up on the first floor, some likely just tortured while others served a more basic need.

“Lovely,” she said and entered the building, Hector following with a slight smirk on his face.

“Hello,” Ilea said as ash near instantly covered her entire body, the door closing behind her as she focused on the group of men that had found seats near the inn’s bar.

“Who are you?” the executioner said, his bald head bulging with veins as he grabbed his weapon, the rest of his five men group following suit.

“An inquisitor, and the one asking the questions,” Ilea said.

He got angry but realized that this wasn’t your everyday situation.

“You’re talking to an officer of Baralia. I hope you know the penalty if you offend me,” he said, looking at her as he seemed to seize them up. The rest spread out in the large hall while the barkeeper made himself small.

“What’s the penalty if I kill you?” she asked.

“The same,” he said, slow torture until death.

“That what’s happening upstairs? Or are they the suspected bread thieves?” she asked.

“They’re slaves, and none of your concern. I take good enough care of them,” he said.

Ilea looked up. “One of them is crying, she’s saying one word over and over… like a prayer. I don’t think you’re true to your word.”

“Crying,” one of the men whispered and snickered to himself. He said another few words to himself and smiled.

“What does that mean?” Ilea asked Hector, looking at the man who seemed surprised she heard him.

“Foreign cunt, I think. And something about making you a slave himself. Pretty creative word choice but it’d be lost in translation,” Hector said and gave the man a thumbs up.

The soldier seemed confused, starting to talk before he was displaced right in front of Ilea.

She pierced through him with a dozen ashen limbs and moved him to the side, the corpse hanging in the air with blood dripping down.

“I don’t think that’s very funny,” she said.

Two of them vanished, leaving the building to get away.

Ilea glanced towards Hector but found him already gone. “I just made them my concern. You killed those villagers out there, why?”

The man was focused on the corpse held up by ashen limbs. “T… They’re thieves. Our supply… the war has made it difficult to get food.”

“Did those you murdered steal the bread?” she asked.

“We don’t know but they acted suspiciously,” he explained.

“You’re not making a very good case here,” Ilea said when Hector appeared again.

He dropped two heads onto the floor unceremoniously and walked towards the bar, ordering something in the native tongue.

“You took six lives… if I counted correctly. And there are six people here. Don’t you think it would be appropriate if I do the same?” she asked.

He gulped again.

“You can have the slaves, and all the gold we have,” he said.

“And how much is that?” Ilea asked, joining Hector at the bar. “Do you have ale?” she asked the terrified older man.

He nodded quickly and grabbed a mug, shaking so hard he nearly dropped it.

The soldiers pooled their gold together and added whatever other valuables they had. “Just let us go, my name is Oban, I have two wives, five sons and three daughters… please.”

What would they think I wonder? Ilea thought. Nothing maybe? It was normal to do that here after all. The slaves that is. The murders were something else, and obviously just a power move to keep the village under control. A thankless job either given to him or perhaps taken, without knowing about the inevitable imperial advance.

“Is it normal to tie up slaves, leaving them to hunger, in pain, beaten and cut?” she asked the innkeeper, a man in his sixties by the looks, thin and shaky.

The man glanced at the soldiers and back to her, a glint in his eyes showing before he shook his head ever so slightly.

“No?” she asked again.

“No…,” he whispered.

“No,” Ilea repeated, her limbs rushing out behind her to rip apart the remaining soldiers and their officer in swift but decisive motions as she took the ale from the man, steadying his hands with hers.

Her ash armor receded and she took a sip. Passable.

“Thank you,” she said.

The man gulped, glancing behind her as the last of the soldiers fell apart with a wet noise, his remains falling to the wooden floor.

“Sorry for the mess,” she added.

“You’re with the army?” the man asked hesitantly.

“I am,” Ilea said, not mentioning which one, nor knowing which one he meant. “The Empire is coming and you should probably either flee southwards or stay here and hope whoever arrives next is better than those shits.”

“Leave the coins for them,” she told Hector who was sneaking a bit of water towards the strewn about money.

“But my loot?!”

“Take their heads if you want,” she said.

“What about the other soldiers?” he asked.

“I’ll talk to them in a minute. Old man, any of the others as bad as these?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No… most have been here before. Oban came here only a few weeks past. He took the slaves and made them his, took the food and gold too.”

She walked up the stairs and kicked open the door. Whimpers and cries resounded in the room before her ash spread and healed everyone.

Ilea removed their shackles and opened the windows out into the town square.

“Some fresh air. I suggest you listen to what I will tell everyone,” she said and blinked down into the main room.

Hector sat there with two mugs in his hands.

“Can you clean this shit out?” she asked and pushed the door open with Force.

One of the hinges ripped off.

“Ah, sorry,” she said to the man and walked out, her ash armor appearing again.

The people had started dispersing again, as did the soldiers but the sudden and loud door opening had gotten most of their attention.

Ilea whistling with monster hunter got the rest. She didn’t think of her name as the translated intent this time, just using the spell normally.

“Ah hello, yes. I’m Lilith. Some might have heard of me, or not. Doesn’t matter. Your country is fucked and I just killed that shit Oban. I suggest you either leave southward or stay and hope the next people who come here are better than him,” she said.

Her wings spread before she ascended. “All the slaves you own belong to me now and may do as they please. If you hurt them or treat them badly I’ll find and kill you,” she said.

Most of them had recovered from her call and now remained silent.

“She killed Oban, take he-” one of the soldiers called out before an ashen spear slammed through his chest, pinning him down to the ground before the spear dissipated, his lifeless corpse falling down with a thud.

“There’s always one,” Hector said as he flowed to her side. “This is how you start a cult by the way.”

“You have experience with that?” she asked with a smile.

“Accidentally. Mostly. Hey it’s good money and if people are too stupid to fall for it,” he shrugged.

She rolled her eyes and checked all the soldiers.

Ilea landed next to the guard who had spoken up before. “Can I trust you to protect my slaves?”

He gulped and nodded.

“Make sure people understand that I will hunt down every single one of them if any of the slaves die or get mistreated,” she said, her ash moving lazily around her. “I care deeply for the lives I make mine.”

She really didn’t have a better story right now. Ilea didn’t want any slaves nor did she want to deal with the issue of introducing them into a life of freedom. The Empire or Riverwatch would surely do that for her. Right now she didn’t have more time to waste on protecting a few people and she thought the best way to assure a bunch of people growing up with slavery don’t harm her freed slaves was to pretend they were her property.

They might attack free people but they wouldn’t dare touch Lilith’s slaves.

The man nodded slowly.

“The Empire,” he asked as she turned away. “Is it really inevitable? Is the war lost? Tell us, bringer of death, our own have forsaken us.”

“Yeah buddy, you’re fucked. I suggest you get out of that armor as soon as possible,” Ilea said.

“You’re wearing it too,” Hector said with a whisper.

“You don’t think we could take the Empire?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

He thought about it for a moment. “Take and hold? No… plunder and destroy… maybe. With your indestructible body? It might be possible. Not if they’re prepared though. I’d have to refuse sadly, too many favors I owe to people that would throw a hissy.”

Ilea pushed some air out of her nose before flying off, dropping a bunch of food from her necklace before they continued on their way.

“Not very elegant if I may say so. Now everyone will think Lilith has slaves,” he said.

“Not if they’re freed in a huge ceremony, my name shouted in cries of victory and salvation,” Ilea said in a bored tone.

More towns and villages appeared in the distance, her wings dissipating before she landed, continuing on foot.

“Wow… I underestimated your ambitions. It’s not a cult you want, it’s a full blown religion!” Hector said and laughed, running next to her.

The man looked surprisingly normal with his soldier armor on, no wonder he could so easily enter cities without suspicion. Just a high level soldier on the run. She herself might have more issues with her healer tag. Or the opposite, who fucking knows?

Chapter 511 Infiltration

Chapter 511 Infiltration

“We’re not going to get far in Yinnahall if you kill everyone who mistreats their slaves, just saying,” he said, keeping pace next to her.

They ran fast but not so much that it would turn heads.

“We’ll see about that. We just need to stop the ritual, I doubt they can set it up super quickly anyway, there were thousands of runes carved into the halls,” she said.

“The slaves you freed might already be dead too. The fear and confusion you sowed with that spectacular intervention may cause a chaotic reaction,” Hector said.

“It may. Or they will live happily ever after,” Ilea said.

“Do you really plan to go check in on them?” he asked. “You really care?”

“Why not? I’m pretty quick,” she said. “And yes, I do. Not everyone is as far gone as you are.”

“That’s true. Well have it your way,” he said and finished his second mug of ale that he still had with him, the drink remaining inside the mugs likely thanks to his magic.

“I will,” she said.

“I’m gonna rob the nobles too by the way. No matter if they’re nice to their little pets or not,” Hector said. “And I might have to kill some people too. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Maybe I will. Depends on who you’re killing and if I’m close by,” she said.

Hector groaned. “Then let’s focus on the ritual first so we have that out of your way. You can go hunt down the evil evildoers and I go make some bloody gold.”

“Sure, not like the fate of this city would be any better otherwise,” she said. “No kids.”

“No kids?” he asked.

“Don’t kill any kids,” she said.

“I didn’t plan to. Who do you think I am?” he said.

Ilea glanced his way, slowing down on a dirt path between two fields, a few farms visible in the distance. “The Destroyer? You know, the walking warcrime?”

“Said Lilith, the walking warcrime,” he said and laughed.

“Not exactly the same, is it?” she said, smiling at his antics.

“Eh, fair enough,” he said.

“Worlds between really. How many did you kill in your time? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand?” she asked.

Hector didn’t answer.

“Suddenly not funny anymore? I probably killed a few hundred humans. A drop in your bucket,” she said.

“A drop in my ocean,” he said seriously.

They walked a few minutes in silence.

“Why are you working with me then? And with the Lily for that matter? You care a lot about the morality of war and killing. I’m sure you know that each of us is a monster in their own right,” he said.

“It’s not my job to police the world. What good would it do to fight you? And the Lily? Being a member I can maybe exert some good influence or at least further trade and the cooperation between Ravenhall and other nations. Fighting would just cause more of the same,” she said and shrugged.

“You’re implying you could actually take me,” Hector said with a sly grin.

“Not yet… but you couldn’t kill me either, I’m pretty sure,” Ilea said and stretched.

“I already know your weakness. Just gather up everyone you care about and torture them to death, you’d be broken instantly,” he said.

“Broken and angry,” Ilea replied.

“And angry. Yep, that would change things. You don’t want any of the members angry, least of them us. You’re not quite in yet however. Three vetoes and you can’t join,” he said.

“Shouldn’t one veto be enough? Being a veto and all?” she asked.

“Hey I didn’t make up the rules,” Hector said. “I’m sure you have Helena’s vote, mine too obviously, and probably Velamyr’s after news of our efforts reach his ears.”

“Who would veto me then?” she asked.

“Hmm… difficult to say. Definitely Elizabeth Pierce. She’s a noble from Nipha who really wants more influence in the remaining independent cities. You don’t have to worry too much though, she’s failed where you succeeded without even trying,” Hector said and laughed.

“How do you know I didn’t try?” Ilea said.

He shrugged. “You just don’t strike me as someone to focus fully on politics for longer than two minutes. Elizabeth is downright obsessed with it, so much so that her actual fighting prowess holds her back greatly. Barely at two eighty last I saw her.”

“Michael is even lower,” Ilea said.

“Yes, but there are reasons for that. Good ones. He’s not like Elizabeth at all. If he focused as much on influence as he does on his research, half the world would be in his grasp. Especially with his damn gold magic,” Hector said.

“He’s a creator?” Ilea asked.

“No… at least I doubt it heavily. But he’s always been rich. Nothing is ever too expensive for that man, no matter how much I tried to ridicule him in trade deals. He definitely has a way to get more and it has to do with his magic,” Hector said.

“What does he usually buy from you?” she asked.

“Gathering information are we? Why I wonder? Do you really not plan to kill each of us? Take over all of the human plains? You’re not the first who tried,” he said and laughed.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “You really think I’m fooling you? What about you? Maybe you’re just playing a role too.”

“No. Neither of us is acting. We’ve enjoyed the real joys of life, there is no need to pretend,” Hector said.

“Food?”

“I was more thinking about sex,” Hector said.

She knew what he really meant. While sex is surely enjoyable, it pales compared to facing a terror of unimaginable power, ancient magical beasts in undiscovered depths of the world.

“We’re weird,” she said.

“Oh young one, still haven’t accepted your true nature? I pity thee,” Hector said and shook his head.

They reached a fork in the road, a much broader one leading towards a hill in the distance.

“Have you met any five marks?” she asked.

“Five marks? No. Not yet. I would hope they exist,” he said.

“Why?”

“Once I reach the point where four marks aren’t a challenge anymore, what else would stand in my way? I’d live on forever, bored, and unchallenged. What a horrible fate that would be,” he said.

“I mean even if there are five marks, that will be your fate if you continue to get stronger,” Ilea said. “Maybe get some other hobbies too.”

“I have too many things already taking away my time. Otherwise a runt like you would’ve never reached my power. Let alone so quickly. Plus while I’m optimistic, I doubt some of the beings out there are even killable,” he said.

“Yeah, with what I can already do…,” Ilea said, considering if she should share something about the Ascended. Maybe the man knew something she didn’t.

She decided against it. Hector was only an ally through circumstance. The more she gave him, the more it would hurt once he became her enemy.

“There are definitely creatures far above the normal four marks. The power differences are huge,” he said.

“Yeah, I noticed,” she said. “Speaking of which, have you met any humans with three marks?”

He smiled and shook his head.

“They’re out there though, I’m sure of it. Just hunting and fighting. Despite my efforts however, I’ve not met any. The founders must be close,” he said.

“Founders?” Ilea asked.

“They don’t like it when people talk about them. The whole thing where mentioning the Lily or asking about it gets you killed… that initially came from them. Maybe Maureen would actually fight me for once if I talked openly about her… heh, probably not,” he said.

“First time I hear that name,” Ilea admitted.

“I doubt many of the members even know them. But I doubt you’ll make trouble. Just be sure not to share it without a good fucking reason. Helena would be forced to act,” he said.

“Them? You said there was more than one,” Ilea asked.

“You won’t get that out of me,” Hector said and laughed. “I already said too much.”

“I’ll meet them eventually I suppose,” Ilea said.

“Not necessarily. They’re not exactly involved, not anymore at least,” Hector said.

“Interesting. How did you come across them anyway? What makes a man like you join a secret organization with the goal of stability and human progress? If Helena didn’t lie to me about that,” she said.

“Those are the goals, yes. It’s more about preventing chaos and war than anything else really. As to how I joined… I met my match. I lost, one of only very few humans that managed such. I was forced to cooperate and thus ended my conquest. Before that I thought a single ruler in control of everything would be for the best, no matter how much blood and death there was on the way.”

“I still believe that but my ambitions have changed to other ventures. Not only because of that experience. I was young then, hot headed and brash.”

“You still are,” Ilea said and smiled.

There was a patrol of soldiers walking towards them, the two stopping their conversation for a little while. Hector greeted them in the native tongue and they continued on their way without being questioned.

She soon realized why. They weren’t the only soldiers going towards Yinnahall. As they approached the hill in the distance, Ilea realized that it was the city itself.

A massive town built onto and beyond the large outcrop of rock in the otherwise only slightly uneven territory. It reminded her of Tremor, just actually above ground.

She wordlessly healed a few of the injured, getting grateful looks as well as confusion in return. The people often talked but she had no way to understand them, some just closed their eyes and finally relaxed.

“I could’ve never cooperated with you back then,” Hector said when they reached a stretch of empty road.

Many of the soldiers were camping out in the fields too, some of them building defensive structures or digging out trenches. Ilea saw whores, slaves, and cooks. All thanks to her improved eyesight. Most of the people she saw walked towards the city or were waiting near the distant gate.

“Good thing you changed then,” she said. “Might not be as easy as you thought to get in.”

Hector smiled. “Are you kidding me? They’re busy. Busy is even better than literally under siege. They won’t look at us twice. And we can just teleport in. I doubt their enchantments work against Space magic. Just move us past.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Ilea said.

“Of course I am,” he smirked before they shut up again, reaching another group. Hector greeted a few of the scantily clad women but moved on quickly.

I doubt that’s just for appearances, Ilea thought.

Already she saw much of a society that revolted her. Slaves being whipped, children in chains, and soldiers refused entry into the massive city.

There was a laughably one and a half meter high outer wall they had already passed, not a single guard protecting it. The area between it and the first real city wall had thousands of huts and simple houses, the slums of Yinnahall. People were being dragged out of their homes to make defensive structures out of them, or simply to destroy them for more space.

There were merchants shouting to sell their goods, smugglers loudly talking about getting people into the city, slavers selling people, and soldiers ignoring most of it all. It was utter chaos.

Judging by a few burnt up patches and destroyed houses, Ilea assumed war had brushed them already. Perhaps Hector was right and there were forces already present, too few or not willing to commit to an all out attack.

The slums provided a bit of a problem, the area between the high city walls and the poor outer district was separated by a trench. Ilea couldn’t see yet what was inside of it or how far it reached but they couldn’t just walk up to the walls and teleport through.

Hector gestured to her before they both entered a half burnt down house.

“They’re talking about raids in the night, tensions are high and people want to get behind the walls,” he whispered in a barely audible voice.

“That’s good then, they won’t notice a few more troublemakers amidst the chaos,” she whispered back.

“Yes, but it might also push the Order to get their ritual done as fast as possible. I heard whispers of sacrifices. It’s not uncommon in these parts but people speak of it in hushed tones. Some know of it, more than is good for the Order,” he said.

“How do we get inside?” she asked.

“No patrols along their walls. They’re confident the enchantments will prevent teleportation. A few flying guards so we can’t go in from above. I doubt either of us can just dig a hole but maybe we can get close enough, teleport into the trench and then into the city,” he said.

“Any clue what’s in there? Water?” she asked.

“It’s just a deep trench probably. Sharpened sticks and some monsters probably. I heard someone talk about an execution, a disobedient slave just thrown down there,” he said.

Makes sense, with water mages around. Crocodiles would have been cool though.

“Wait a second,” she said and blinked. I heard right, she thought and blinked again, her ash slamming through the man’s skull before she made the body vanish. Ilea covered the woman’s eyes and mouth with ash before she healed her.

She vanished again, the woman sobbing to herself as she curled up on the ground.

Ilea didn’t know how much her healing could change but she doubted an experience like that could just be removed entirely.

“You didn’t joke about intervening whenever you can,” Hector whispered when she appeared again just a few seconds after she left.

“She was getting raped,” Ilea hissed.

He smirked.

“Don’t… don’t start shit here. After we stopped the ritual, I don’t give a fuck but don’t test me now,” she said.

“Alright, alright, miss overly sensitive. Let’s get it over with, there’s booty waiting in town,” he said.

Ilea was annoyed but she focused on what was at stake. Everyone here could be wiped out and turned into Cursed. And perhaps she had a chance to prevent that from happening.

“It’s a large fucking city,” Hector said as they approached the wall.

So far they only got a few glances but no special attention. The armor really went a long way and nobody wanted trouble with a higher leveled soldier.

“It is… might take a while until we find it,” she said with a sigh.

They were close to the thirty meter high wall now, quite far from the gates too. There were people patrolling on top but many of them didn’t look particularly vigilant, let alone focused on the slums below.

Ilea displaced a pebble past the wall and found the spell working uninterrupted.

The continued their walk, waiting for an alarm or reaction but nothing happened.

Now it’s just a question what we’ll find on the other side, she thought. If we appear in front of a patrol or even just random people it’ll mean trouble.

“How far can you move things?” Hector whispered when they reached a quiet spot.

“About forty meters at the moment, way past the wall,” she said.

“That’s really good range… we could hire someone to have a look or get a map, both will take time and bring their own risks,” he said.

“My perception can’t get through,” she said.

“Neither can mine,” he admitted. “Should we just chose a spot and go?”

Ilea thought about it. Some of the buildings behind the walls were higher than the walls themselves but it was still hard to gauge where the cellars would be exactly or if they were unoccupied. The wall was built onto the slope leading up to the high hill after all.

“Don’t they have sewers?” she asked.

“Maybe but those will be patrolled more than a random cellar,” Hector said.

“But we can see use our perception then,” Ilea said.

“It would take hours to walk to the other side of the city” Hector said.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Well there’s a lake there. I would think they’d pump their shit into the massive body of water instead of thinking of something more difficult to implement. And we can’t just teleport around freely without being seen. Not out here,” he said.

“I don’t feel like wasting a few hours,” she said.

“Neither do I,” Hector said and looked around. He entered a nearby house without a sound.

Ilea followed, noting that the door had been locked. He used flowing water to get past the mechanism.

Handy, she thought, pretty sure her ash or force could do the same. Not that she needed to unlock doors with her teleportation. Enchantments would likely mean magical keys too, meaning she couldn’t just use it for closed off sections either.

A tiny kitchen was located one room over, various ingredients sitting on a battered table. The dirty floor and small coats draped over a chair in the hallway suggested a family with kids.

“Straight across, see the high building?” Hector said and pointed through the murky window in the wooden door.

“Mhm,” Ilea mused. “The distance is fine,” she said. “I’ll just start really low and we’ll work our way up.”

She tried to move both herself and Hector into the building’s cellar.

The second try already did it, both of them appearing in a dark and rancid room.

“Wonderful smell,” Hector said and formed water around his head.

“We’re not alone,” Ilea said, taking in the sights and activities. If outside the walls was chaos, the this was utter madness. Talk about overpopulation, she thought and walked over to the dying group of people, healing them all as she summoned food. “Water please,” she said, the man not refusing as a few pots and crates were suddenly filled with liquid.

She caressed a girl’s cheek as she displaced the steel chains binding her arms. Her first target was an older woman two floors above, currently in the process of watching two men kill each other, both heavily injured with a few guards watching.

“First the ritual,” Hector said.

Ilea ground her teeth. “Just her,” she said.

“We can also split up,” Hector said.

“Yes, we meet back here in two hours,” Ilea said and tried to wake the girl. She needed just a confirmation. Enough to stop what was going on upstairs. Hector was already gone, likely looking for the closest and largest cache of gold. “What have they done to you,” she whispered, holding the girl’s mouth closed as her healing mana flowed into her.

Chapter 512 Myth

Chapter 512 Myth

“The woman upstairs, she did this to you?” she asked, a few people waking up by now, thanks to the healing. She didn’t care about the smell by now.

The girl nodded weakly, too tired and broken to fight the sudden questioning.

“Who are you?” one of the men asked. He was old, scars telling of a dangerous or hard life. The room was entirely dark except for the little light of her aura, showing her eyes only. A stairwell led up to a locked door.

“I’m Lilith,” she said without hesitation. The man sounded desperate and scared. He was waiting for death but she was the one to appear.

He mouthed the name.

“The name they whisper… the one who repelled Lord Harken… who made him free the slaves. I must be hallucinating, to think I would finally find my end, lost in drowsy hope,” he chuckled to himself.

“I’m not an illusion,” Ilea said and looked at the girl again. “What’s your name?”

“She doesn’t speak your language, foreigner,” the man said. “Your questions are lost on her. Why are you here? Who are you? If not an illusion.”

“I told you who I am,” she said and used Flare of Creation to light her ash on fire.

The man opened his eyes wide before he quickly recited something in the native language.

“It’s true…,” he stuttered. “Why have you come? Why now? Why here?”

“It was the closest city. Have you heard of Odiah and Seyna? Of Nara, and Mophis?” she asked.

“Whispers only,” the man said. “Hushed voices talking about evil magic, the Empire striking back for the lives we took.”

“It’s not the Empire, it’s the Order of Truth,” Ilea said.

“They… they would never dare… killing their own people,” he muttered.

“I saw the rituals myself. And I’m here to stop it from happening again,” Ilea said.

He chuckled again. “All hope is lost one way or another. A daemon of ash and fire appears but there is nothing she can give. You are outnumbered. Soon they will find you, they will find and kill you, foreigner. Leave this city while you can. Our lands are doomed.”

“The woman of this house, she wears rimmed glasses and a revealing dress. There is a mole on her left cheek and she likes to caress a dagger shaped in the image of a griffin. Did she do this to you?” she asked.

He glanced at her, a flicker of madness in his eyes as he grinned.

“She is the owner. If you talk about the injuries, the rot, and the dead you see before you. Yes, it was her or might as well have been her,” he said. “She is untouchable, her gold keeping the guards from taking another look, from investigating the deaths in this mansion.”

“She has to pay someone off?” Ilea asked. She was surprised that was even necessary, with everything she’d seen already.

“Murder is a crime. It’s merely easier to kill slaves without repercussions. A few silver coins are enough I hear, perhaps gold for especially heinous sins and rituals,” the man said.

“Leave foreigner. We are lost here. The slaves will starve in the siege to come, and then the same will happen to the owners,” he said and cackled to himself, finding joy in the thought.

“Not if I can do something about it,” she said.

“Lilith… but a myth, a name that means nothing in these lands. Leave before they slaughter you,” the man insisted, his eyes losing focus as he talked.

Ilea vanished.

She appeared in the room above, her ash moving out with speed and force, impaling the guards through heads and hearts as her hand closed around the woman’s neck.

Her dagger stabbed helplessly into her ashen armor, gargles leaving her throat as her eyes bulged and panicked.

Ilea grabbed the dagger and stabbed it into the woman’s heart, her healing confirming that they all had died, none of them above level one thirty.

The two men had stopped fighting, their wounds healing with unnatural speed as they glared at the woman who put down the corpse and ripped off her head.

She blinked back into the cellar and dropped the head in front of the man, igniting it with burning ash.

“Let’s make the myth a reality,” she said with a grin on her face.

____________________________

Felicia closed her eyes and listened to the winds. The flow was steady, assured. Their preparations had been extensive and now was finally the time to make their move.

It had taken nearly two days of investigation to find the ritual preparations within the Order of Truth temples. Their secrets were well guarded, their priests and warriors high leveled and experienced.

She thought it impossible to infiltrate their bases but the Dawn Company had proven invaluable, showing creativity and experience when it came to information gathering. Felicia definitely had to get a few mercenaries of similar ability for her House too.

Maria was good at what she did but the woman was difficult to control, even just sending her towards the right direction took work. It doesn’t help that she’s known me for this long. Doesn’t take me seriously, she thought.

Their group had uncovered all sorts of secrets, plots, and horrific rituals in Harchat. She doubted it was the only city in Baralia that revealed its monstrous head upon even slight scrutiny. Felicia had thought the Empire’s nobles deplorable but perhaps there was still hope, if these were the depths of human depravity.

Perhaps she should have known, some of her hope still remaining even today, that the world wasn’t what she had confirmed it to be, what she herself had experienced. Just an outlier, one unfortunate soul. It was foolish of course and still she found herself saddened.

Felicia didn’t know what the plans would be once the ritual preparations here were disrupted, the priests and mages killed. The incriminating circumstances they had unveiled needed to lead to judgment. Either their group would do it, or she would hire someone to do so.

Her own power was limited, she knew that much, and an outright war against the city nobles would be dangerous even with Velamyr and Michael present. They needed to focus on preventing more rituals at all costs. More names to add to Maria’s list. I doubt she’d want to stay in Baralia after the army returns.

Deals would be made with the locals, agreements to exchange wealth with life. However she herself would not sign such agreements and thus didn’t see a reason why they would have to be honored by her and hers.

Their search had wielded that one of the minor temples in a poorer district had been chosen to host the ritual. The thing that stood out in the end were the locals talking about being refused treatment by new healers they had never seen before.

Before the war, very little changed in the schedules of the members but lately it seemed the temple was much more busy.

A targeted search by the Dawn Company had shown that nearby inns had rooms occupied by healers and high level mages, which was deemed a little strange considering the surrounding district.

One of the healers finally confirmed the preparations for an expansive ritual currently underway in a secret underground hall. That was twenty minutes ago.

Now it was time for the three heavy hitters in the group to show what they could do.

Velamyr wanted to make it count.

The temple was lacking heavy enchantments, either because the Order was confident or because they simply didn’t have the time, or mages to set them up.

The General appeared by her side, brimming with power.

She had only seen him fight from far away, knowing that the man chose safe engagements over taking risks. The fact that they were here, planning to assault the central ritual hall with three people showed just how important he deemed their mission.

There were just the three of them, but more bodies were present. Michael had split into five people, preparing his spells.

It was the middle of the night.

The Dawn Company was waiting in ambush close to the temple, ready to kill everyone that tried to escape. They couldn’t risk any loose ends.

“Now,” Velamyr said, sparks forming around him.

Everyone vanished.

Felicia activated her auras, infusing her magic with power as her health dwindled. Her speed and strength multiplied as her defenses rose, her vision narrowing. She kept her mind focused on the winds, the whispers keeping her from losing control.

She appeared in an occupied hall, a storm of wind blades slashing through the robed healers and mages of the Order of Truth. She didn’t wait for them to fall apart and die, vanishing again as a few quickly thrown spells brushed against her wind armor, deflected into the nearby walls.

The secret hall was quite large, covered extensively in runes. Even in her enraged state, Felicia saw hundreds of lights with her magic perception. The complicated runes formed a beautiful painting weaved by magic, the construct not yet completed but already trembling with power.

She ignored the shouts, the magic coming to life as Michael and Velamyr appeared, their spells of blood and lightning slamming into the mages and healers with incredible speed.

Her own construct manifested, a thousand points of health leaving her as she tried to contain the storm within her hands.

Felicia aimed, looking at the largest cluster of people, shields and spells already forming, people shouting in the foreign language. A shield made of solid gold formed in front of her, deflecting a few blasts and projectiles.

The sphere she formed stabilized and rushed forward. A gust of wind brushed against her hair, as if the spell she created brought with it a summer breeze.

It reached the enemy shields after a few twirls, golden spikes slamming into the shields before something started to eat up the energy that supported the defenses. A single near straight bolt of lightning spread into the shield, collapsing the thing before a tiny sphere of magic cracked and burst.

Felicia stood with enraged glee, the cutting winds moving past her as if she was part of the storm, her enemies shredded apart as her spell expanded, a flurry of a thousand invisible blades. Screams resounded and were silenced.

She vanished.

And appeared close to one of the survivors, a healer regenerating a lost arm. She wouldn’t give him the time he needed. Two blades of air formed as extensions of her arms, cutting into the man’s throat.

He stopped the blade with a raised arm, the wind cutting deep into his bone.

One of Michael’s bodies appeared behind the man, a spear of blood slamming through the healer’s skull with an explosive thrust.

Felicia rammed her second blade into the man’s heart, recognizing a faint noise in her mind as she moved on to the next target.

The hall had turned into complete chaos, Michael moving through the survivors with experienced and decisive motions, Velamyr making up for his lack of duplicates with insane speed, chaining lightning, and precise teleportation.

Enemy spells and projectiles slowed down around the General as he kept his insane pace up, the blue light in his eyes and around his body creating a blur.

She didn’t let up herself, her thrown blades cutting through armor and flesh.

Three enemies remained amidst the carnage, one man clad in white armor, a woman in robes, her face covered, and a bald man wearing similar robes, his eyes closed as he focused on his magic.

Felicia sent a few blades of wind at the group, watching tiny golden shields deflect each of her spells.

Lightning surged and slammed into another such tiny defense, the stream of energy deflected before it cut into the nearby walls.

The man in white full plate armor raised one arm, moving it horizontally. There was no weapon in his hand.

Felicia felt the familiar magic and ducked. The others did the same, except for one of Michael’s copies.

The man seemed to embrace the incoming spell, a shield of gold forming before a large chunk of his mid section suddenly vanished. He collapsed in a heap of blood and gold.

A beam of lightning struck the armored void mage near instantly, no shield intercepting the spell.

A scorching hole remained but the wound within healed quickly, the woman next to him focusing with a hand extended towards him.

Magic rippled out from the bald man but Felicia couldn’t quite place it.

Velamyr vanished and appeared in front of them, lightning arcing outwards in all directions as he slammed against a golden barrier.

Spikes of gold hit the defensive fields, starting to eat through when the armored man slammed his hand forward. There was a small break in the barrier, his spell pushing past Velamyr’s lightning armor before a chunk of his torso vanished.

The General answered in kind, his lightning spreading through the man and the healer, both of them groaning as they went to their knees, the shield nearly collapsing. A moment later the bald man opened his eyes and the three of them vanished in a powerful surge of mana.

Felicia’s hands twitched before she went to one knee. The fight was over, she needed to focus.

Her eyes closed and she listened to the whispers of the wind. A few seconds passed before she opened them again.

Velamyr, she thought and teleported closer.

He was focused, mana flowing through him as the missing part reformed with increasing speed.

It wasn’t healing magic, she noted.

“Considerable power for someone below three hundred,” he said with gritted teeth.

Michael had spread around the room, his gold collected again as he studied the runes and enchantments, the copy already rebuilt.

“Void magic can be deceptive. He enhanced the spell, sacrificing a large portion of his own life,” Michael said as one of his bodies approached.

“Blood magic,” Velamyr spat.

“You knew the risks,” Michael said.

“Can we follow?” the General asked.

Michael shook his head. “I’m certain the teleportation was space magic. It’s interwoven into large parts of this ritual. We can only hope they don’t want to give up on this ritual site and come to us.”

“Not with their numbers and levels. We overwhelmed them quickly enough. They know now that we exist, and they know what we can do,” Velamyr said. “This is the right place?”

“It is,” one of Michael’s copies said from a little farther away. “The preparation is… extensive.”

“Space magic?” Felicia asked.

“The bald man in robes. We’re lucky he isn’t even above level two hundred. Otherwise I’d think they could set this up much quicker. The blood magic parts are well done. With little to no mistakes. Though sloppy and uncultured,” Michael said.

“What do you mean?” Velamyr asked. “I don’t see an issue with the runes I know.”

“They’re powered by the blood of human sacrifices. You could get a similar result with a few level four to five hundred creatures,” Michael said.

“They’re using whole cities…,” Felicia commented.

“They are… but for what I’m seeing, it’s entirely unnecessary to use this much power. I would think they’re compensating for a lack of space magic understanding. A sloppy and quick solution that will lead to unpredictable results. But perhaps that’s what they’re aiming for,” the gold and blood mage explained.

“You could recreate this?” Velamyr asked. The tone suggested more than a little annoyance.

“I have no reason to use this, though it seems their testing has led to some creative solutions,” he said.

Probably the only reason he’s here. To get the information thousands died for. At least he’s not doing said testing himself, Felicia thought.

The General seemed to think the same. “Do you have what you came for?”

Michael glanced at his copies. “May I have another ten minutes?”

“This place will be swarmed with soldiers soon,” Velamyr said.

“Your army is at war, is it not your duty to fight and kill the enemy?” Michael asked.

“You’re stalling,” Velamyr said, his lightning arcing out as it cut through the runed stone.

Michael sighed, his copies dodging out of the way but continuing their research as the General destroyed the ritual site.

“Major, see if you can track them,” Velamyr said offhandedly.

She nodded, teleporting up into the reception hall.

A few members of the Dawn company were killing the last remaining members of the order, executing them without impunity.

Felicia teleported again, out of the temple, moving quickly to a roof a few hundred meters away. She nodded to one of the Dawn members who intercepted her and moved on, realizing she was an ally.

She was surprised when she saw Michael appear by her side.

“You don’t want to study the runes more?” she asked, listening for the winds to guide her. Teleportation was a very common ability among people in her range of power, if she ever thought about fighting and killing such people, she had to have a way to track them.

Now however, the pessimism from her companions might have been justified.

“He destroyed everything notable. Without the mages present, I won’t be able to learn more. Can you track them at all?” he asked.

“I’m still searching… are you a copy?” Felicia asked. She had no way of telling.

“I’m the same one you worked with. Though that could be a lie,” he said and chuckled. He wasn’t wearing his armor, probably to move faster and more efficiently in case they did find the enemy.

“The Dawn company will have ways to track them but we have to make sure they’re not in the city,” he added.

“You can copy that ritual, can you not?” she dared asking. The man had been pretty open with her so far, and Felicia had been careful not to overstep her questioning. The copy was open with me, she reminded herself. A copy with orders it couldn’t refuse. If she triggered something, the man could attack her immediately, she was sure of it. Or it wasn’t a copy at all she was speaking with. Her interest was real however.

Chapter 513 Alchemy

Chapter 513 Alchemy

“If you’re asking about my capability of sacrificing an entire city’s population to turn them into monsters, then yes. I could manufacture such a thing, though the knowledge I gained today had no impact on that,” he said.

No wonder Velamyr threads lightly around the man. Despite his level not even reaching three hundred, she thought.

“However neither me nor my original think it wise to sacrifice so much potential. Most humans never reach meaningful levels of power but it would be disastrous if such pointless rituals killed even just one or two who could’ve achieved things far beyond their status,” Michael said.

Felicia wasn’t sure she liked the idea of having blood mages around that could just kill so many people on a whim. At least he shouldn’t be the norm.

“Rituals require power and blood magic is quite liberal when it comes to the provided sources. What the original said about using beasts instead was not a lie. It’s both easier and safer. I implore you not to think of blood magic itself as the enemy. The Order of Truth chose deliberately to sacrifice these people, either because of ill informed mages, time constraints, or a foolish hope,” he said.

I’m getting nothing, Felicia thought and stopped her spell. The people were gone without a trace.

In case someone got away, they would first scour the city for more ritual sites before following the trace that would surely be left behind. The loose ends either meant their actions would be reported to the Order or in this case, those responsible had learned about them directly.

“Why do you care about my opinion on blood magic?” she asked, switching into her disguise before they resumed their search in the same teams they had previously employed.

“I didn’t just ask to accompany you because teams were necessary. You’re the new head of House Redleaf, potentially a very influential upcoming noble in Virilya. My efforts to loosen restrictions on various magic schools all over the plains is not a tightly guarded secret. Understanding the rituals that caused this will lead to enchantments and spells that can counter or prevent them entirely,” he said.

“I doubt that will be the opinion of the Empress,” Felicia said honestly. The Empire was rather lax compared to other countries when it came to curse and blood magic, as well as necromancy. Some of it was still restricted or outright forbidden but she assumed it was for good reason.

“If these people understood ritual magic at a higher degree, they could have achieved the same results without sacrificing human lives,” Michael insisted.

“Potentially,” Felicia agreed. He didn’t know their motives however, even if he knew what he was talking about and didn’t lie to her, the Order of Truth could have simply chosen to kill everyone because they believed it to be necessary. Human sacrifice and suffering wasn’t just done for pure pragmatic magical efficiency, there were dozens of other reasons too, often religious or just purely with malicious intent.

Felicia knew as much and had even experienced some of it herself.

She doubted that Michael would refrain from sacrificing humans if circumstances demanded it either. Perhaps the Empire and this war had pushed the Order to do just that, or it was the plan all along. She didn’t know.

All she knew was that they prevented one such ritual of taking place in Harchat. Its population would still have to experience a coming siege and the destruction the war would bring with it but it would be spared from being turned into Cursed monsters. How long they would remain untouched was yet to be determined but Felicia definitely preferred this outcome compared to the alternative.

________________________________

Ilea made sure the doors were locked and enchantments were in place, blinking up to the two slaves who had chosen to arm themselves.

[Warrior – lvl 42]

[Warrior – lvl 38]

Terrifying, she thought and looked at them, their discomfort rising as they stared at the woman in ash.

Ilea walked over to the bodies and stored them within her bracelet. Disappearances were easier to explain than outright corpses after all.

One of the two slaves said something in the native language.

She just displaced them with her, back to the cellar. Or dungeon, whatever it actually was.

They looked around, confused until they realized where they were.

“Make sure everyone is fed and taken care of,” Ilea said to the old man, his eyes still glued to the head on the floor.

She had opened the door at the end of the stairs leading up, the opening providing enough light to see.

The two men rushed to the other slaves, checking for injuries before they found the food and water, confusion apparent in their words.

“To what end?” the old man asked before he looked up. “We will be killed if this is found,” he gestured to the head.

Ilea extended her ash and stored it in her bracelet.

“To what end?” she asked, thinking it over herself. He was right of course, if the guards came into the house now, they’d likely be imprisoned or killed on the spot. Even if the lady had only disappeared.

“The Empire is coming, as are others,” she said. “You said the slaves will starve in the siege to come. Maybe now you have the option to change that fate.”

He looked at her and started to cackle.

“I had hoped for this day once, Lilith,” he said, the others focusing more on them after he said the name. “Maybe you are right. I think I’m too old now but I see the fire in them that I once had. I won’t forsake them,” he said and looked at the other slaves.

“My name is Nadir. I’m glad to have made your acquaintance,” he said and moved to get up, two of the others trying to help him before he hit them and muttered something.

“Nadir… I suggest you don’t act too brazenly. The city is held by its rulers still,” Ilea said.

“The Empire is coming… and we shall do what we can to welcome them,” he said before speaking to the others.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Ilea said, watching him bow, the others mirroring the gesture.

She vanished into a nearby alley, her Baralia armor appearing as her ash receded. Ilea wasn’t here to lead a slave rebellion but she could at least give a few people a choice they never had before.

Yinnahall would fall. The question was how exactly that would happen. A cursed horde fought by Imperial troops, nobles and slaves starving alike in an ongoing siege until the whole city is burnt down? Or perhaps something a little more hopeful.

Her short time with Nadir hadn’t been unfruitful. He had given her the location of several nearby temples and people that might be willing to talk to her for the right price. People who spoke Standard.

It was enough to start her search.

She walked towards her first target, an alchemy shop a few streets over. Nadir had known the couple, tasked to buy various dubious creations for his owner. He was aware of some of their views, the way they treated the slaves sent to them for errands.

Nadir himself didn’t have the best memory, according to his word. Nor did he have a map of the city with Order temples marked on it.

An established alchemy merchant would hopefully provide a little more.

Ilea kept her eyes and sphere open as she traveled through the streets, trying to avoid more active areas.

There were surprisingly no beggars. Everyone seemed to be going after one errand or the other. There were soldiers too, guards, and adventurers patrolling the streets, trying to keep order in the tense city.

She assumed a large number of people were just waiting for the Empire to attack. The chaos brought by a siege would demand a lot of soldiers to be closer to the walls, a lot of attention not focused where it had been before.

Hector wasn’t the only one seeing this war as an opportune time to make some gold but she assumed not everyone thought quite as big as he did.

Ilea wondered how many people would choose to loot and steal instead of fighting the country’s enemy. She didn’t know how many slaves would rise against their masters as free men and women either. She knew nothing of the local customs, the culture, education, and ways of life.

Nadir had seemed interested enough in making trouble, certainly happy to see his master dead.

Ilea had no qualms about killing a woman who let her slaves rot to death in her cellar, pitting them to fight against each other for her amusement as she watched. She already knew that the woman wasn’t the norm however.

Every house she passed, every slave on the street she brushed past, she checked with her sphere or her healing.

She doubted many of them actually wanted to be slaves, nor did she think the ones who did were anything but brainwashed by a society that allowed for this savagery. However when it came to rising up and killing their masters, she assumed most of them just wanted their freedom, fair pay, and a choice. A shoemaker wouldn’t become a murderer from one day to the next, not if they received acceptable treatment within their view of the world.

Ilea wasn’t about to murder everyone who owned slaves in this forsaken country but those who spoke out for it had to be removed. Those who mistreated their slaves, had to be removed. Those who would refuse the change of law that would be brought by the Empire, had to be removed.

She would leave the headache of enforcing this and the payment of reparations to employed slaves to the Empire. I should let Claire know that this is something I care about. If they just take the city and with it every company, employee, and every piece of gold…

She didn’t like it. Realistically that was however exactly what would happen. The slaves would be left with their freedom but nothing else to show for their lives of work.

An extensive buying program maybe… I’ll have to ask for a share in the city’s establishments from the General. A large part if we actually manage to prevent the ritual. The rest we could just buy, and then we give it back to the people. For a small share in the profits.

There was no reason to not profit at all. Maybe Claire is having a bad influence on me, she thought with a smirk before reminding herself that the profits they made would benefit hundreds if not thousands more. Especially here, the infusion of gold could surely jump start the economy back up after the war. And giving establishments back to those whose work actually made them exist might prevent everyone from setting this city aflame and leaving.

First, prevent the ritual, she thought and stepped into a side street.

The store was easy enough to find, the glass front covered in writing, both things the couldn’t read and a name in standard.

Yinnis Alchemy Shop

Ilea stepped inside, a bell near the door ringing as she took in the messy store.

Shelves lined the walls, tables and cupboards filling the rest of the already crammed space to provide a very personal atmosphere. It was stuffy, the hundreds of ingredients sitting about added a sea of smells and impressions, some of them decidedly rotten.

A voice resounded from a room in the back, shouting something in the native tongue.

Ilea couldn’t see through the walls with her sphere, glad that at least the enchantments led some credibility to the place.

She didn’t have to wait long until an older gentleman of short stature stepped behind the counter. A large bald spot was visible on his head, the man still clinging to the gray strips of hair loosely attached to his scalp.

[Alchemist – lvl 79]

“You must be Yinnis,” she said.

“What are you looking for?” he asked, obviously not happy about having a customer.

“Why so annoyed? Looks like you could need the business,” Ilea said as she grabbed random ingredients, identifying and sniffing on them.

“Stop that, you’ll get poisoned. A war is coming, shouldn’t you be manning the walls?” he asked.

“The war is already here,” she answered. “And my Poison Resistance is quite sufficient for anything you have here I wager. I’d be interested in stronger things however,” she said.

“You’re looking to kill someone? Or to use it in battle? I’m afraid I sold everything to the guard already. You’re not the first to come,” he said. “And you’re a foreigner too. I’m surprised the army is so lax these days. I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“Maybe I just prefer Standard,” Ilea said and shrugged.

“You’re as native as that herb you’re holding. Everything you touch from now on you’ll have to buy,” he said.

“I was told of your shop by a common acquaintance,” Ilea said before she looked at him. “His name is Nadir.”

His eyes softened a little at the mention of the name before he narrowed them. “Why did he send you? And not one of theirs?”

“Oh he didn’t send me. I’ve come here for my own reasons,” Ilea said.

“You’re with Lady Varrun then?” he asked.

Seems like allegiances are very important to him, Ilea thought and summoned the lady’s head, dumping it onto his counter.

The man looked down but stayed surprisingly calm.

“You mean her?” Ilea asked.

“That’s her, yes,” the man said. “So he finally hired an assassin. I was wondering how long the woman still had to go. I assume you’re here to kill me too?”

He casually grabbed a pouch from his belt and put it next to the head. Silver pieces started spilling out as he pushed it forward a little.

“Keep your silver, I’m neither here to kill you nor was I paid to kill her,” Ilea said.

He looked at her for a while. “That complicates things. Why are you here then? Foreign healer.”

She stored the head again and cleaned away the blood with her ash. “The imperial armies are coming. But it wasn’t them to destroy Mophis and Nara.”

“What do you think of the Order of Truth?” she asked.

The man looked at the counter top and back to her. If he came to any conclusions, he didn’t share them. “The sum of its parts? I doubt they’re much worse than any other Healing Order. Locally, there are some that I would trust with my life. They take care of illnesses spreading through the slums, offer help for free to those who cannot pay.”

“They help without asking anything in return?” Ilea asked. This was the first time she had heard anything good about the order.

“Not many of their members, but a few are enough. You should know yourself how much a healer of your level can change,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “I doubt there are any at my level.”

“What does it matter? Level one hundred, two? Either means salvation for a dying man stabbed by a thief, or a whore dying in childbirth,” he said.

“What if I told you that the Order has wiped out the population of whole cities just to power a blood magic ritual?” she asked.

He gulped, whispering something in his native tongue. “I’m not a member of the Order, nor do I pretend to know their goals or inner workings. It would be a shame if what you say turns out to be true but right now, you’re merely a foreign assassin to me, your word means little.”

She doubted he was lying.

“I’m here to prevent another such ritual to happen. Here in Yinnahall,” she said.

“Why kill the lady then?” he asked. “Forgive me, I meant not to pry. Just tell me what you need. I will gladly trade information for my life.”

Ilea looked at him. “Should we continue in the back? Where your enchantments shield us from listeners?”

He nodded, gesturing her to follow him.

A few people glanced up from their work to look at the passing two, none of them uttering a word, either feeling the tension or told not to engage with people that were allowed into the back rooms.

The man led her into a small workshop at the very back of the long house. She assumed his living quarters were upstairs.

His discomfort grew with their walk before he sat down on a simple chair in the workshop and sighed.

“Were you sent to kill me?” he asked. “If such is the case, do it now and don’t prolong what is inevitable.”

Ilea looked at the potions in his workshop, trying to identify them but not getting anything useful back. She glanced his way and shook her head.

“I told you the truth. I simply chose to kill a woman who let her slaves suffer and die,” she said. “The people in the hallway, are they slaves too?”

“You would risk facing the wrath of Yinnahall just for the lives of a few slaves?” he seemed baffled but focused again quickly. “A few of them are slaves, yet I promise them employment as soon as they have earned my trust and their place. The rest are free people, once in the same position as the slaves.”

“How very generous of you,” Ilea said, not without sarcasm.

“You cannot compete with free labor, not without using some of your own. I see the value in teaching people, gaining trust, and profiting from their innovation. I’ve worked hard but I cannot compare to the larger shops. I’m not a heartless slaver, Lilith,” he said.

“Hey, you figured it out,” Ilea said and laughed.

Chapter 514 Seeking the Faithful

Chapter 514 Seeking the Faithful

“I don’t have an issue with you if what you said is true. Soon your slaves will be free however,” she said.

His heart rate increased. “It’s true… you’re the one from the songs. The one to defend Riverwatch.”

He got up and paced through the room. “Then perhaps you speak the truth after all… do you have proof?”

Ilea spread her wings and smiled. “Proof for the ritual? No. But you know that the cities were wiped out, their people turned into monsters. I’ve seen them, fought them. Is the Empire capable of that?”

“Of course they are but you’re right. Nara doesn’t make sense. Lys is not known to push so far, so quickly, nor should they employ such destructive blood magic. It took them so long just to break the siege of Virilya,” he said. “And with the High King… what are they planning?”

“You’re pretty well informed,” Ilea said and chuckled.

“Of course I am. My life might depend on it. Are you certain the Order is behind these rituals?” he asked.

“I have second hand information but I’ve seen the halls, the Cursed clad in robes. Someone would have had to infiltrate and take over the various temples, set up a complicated ritual, all under the nose of the nobility, the Order, the guard? Plus in Nara, apparently the nobles were told about it too. They left beforehand,” she said.

He touched his hair with both hands before he sighed. “Alright… I believe you, Lilith. If only because it seems to be the most logical explanation. What do you need from me? Potions? Contacts?” he asked, starting to look through the cabinets.

“You talked about members of the Order who helped out the slaves for free… I doubt someone like that would support what the Order at large is doing. They might not even know about it, or it’s just a fringe group that plans the rituals… I doubt that however, with how extensive they were,” she said.

“It’s possible… in that case you should speak to Acolyte Benedict. He lives in this district, a fifteen minute walk. I don’t think he would be in the temple at this hour,” he said. “If anybody I know can point you in the right direction, it’s him.”

He grabbed a piece of paper and started sketching down a small map with his shop at the center. His hand was trembling slightly.

“I told you, I won’t kill you. Just forget about this meeting after we’re done,” she said.

He finished before saying anything, handing her the piece of paper. “You’re just the first to make it into the city. Troops from Nipha have already shown their presence and more are on the way. I fear what will happen to Yinnahall, no matter if your words were the truth or not. I fear what will happen to me and those I hold dear.”

“You seem decent enough… hmm… hey are there any mentions of Lilith from the siege of Virilya?” she asked.

“I’m not aware of any,” he said. “Most of the soldiers did not return. And your name is not uttered in the open.”

“Then maybe it’s time to add a little fuel to my reputation…,” she said.

“What did you have in mind? If your name can prevent some of what’s to come, I’ll gladly assist you,” the man said.

“You’ll have to spread a few rumors,” she said with a grin.

Ilea hoped her assessment of Yinnis hadn’t been wrong. A single person talking to the wrong people could cause a lot of trouble in regards to the ritual. She wasn’t versed in stealth, infiltration, or information gathering however, nor were any of her skills particularly helpful in this endeavor.

If she kept refraining from torture that was. The thought made her remember the noble in Nara, her treatment of him perhaps too harsh. A single punch to his face might have been enough. She didn’t overly regret it but reminded herself to stay aware of her power. Not to end up like Hector or his younger self.

She bought a few meet skewers from a street vendor who accepted her copper without asking any questions.

Yinnis’ map was enough to lead her to Benedict’s house. She would have likely stumbled upon it with loose directions too, seeing the many sick, injured, or starving people waiting in front of the door.

Ilea didn’t bother trying to speak to them, instead checking for guard patrols, soldiers, or otherwise troublesome people in the nearby streets. Nobody immediately dangerous seemed to be around.

She wordlessly stepped into a close by dark alley, summoning casual clothes and a cloak to cover a part of her face.

A kid sitting nearby rubbed his eyes as he watched her.

Ilea raised a finger to her mouth before checking him with her ash. He stuttered something in the native tongue but she had already healed his minor cuts and bruises, handing him a few silver coins.

“Lilith,” she said and stepped out into the street again. No guards or soldiers had turned up. She quickly walked to each person waiting, summoning a silver coin and healing them with a casual touch. Most were below level forty, the process near instant.

Nearly all of them were lost for words, looking at the silver in their hands before they hid it or rushed off, saying a few words to her that she didn’t understand.

Ilea had to shoo a few people away after they either tried to thank her excessively or begged for more.

One of the last people she healed and gave silver to asked her something in a calm voice. A few of her ribs had been cracked.

Ilea continued without saying anything.

“Who are you stranger?” the woman asked again, in Standard.

Ilea healed the last patient. “Lilith,” she whispered, loud enough for the woman to hear.

“Our thanks to you, Lilith, giver of life,” the woman said. “You should be careful in these streets. Charity is met with greed, envy, and suspicion.”

Ilea just nodded, smiling at the thought of thugs trying to mug her. She assumed the authorities wouldn’t exactly like her actions either but doubted anybody with a new piece of silver would report her. If someone envious did it, she assumed at least that nobody would investigate for the coming half hour or likely much longer.

The door opened and a young woman with white hair and deep red eyes glanced out. She said something in the native tongue looking at Ilea.

[Healer – lvl 32]

A simple brown robe covered the woman.

Ilea didn’t reply, not knowing what was said to her.

The healer looked past Ilea before slamming the door shut.

Not fast enough.

Ilea had already blinked inside, amused by the enchantments flashing to life behind her.

“I was told this is where a certain Acolyte Benedict resides. Can you show me the way?” she asked.

The woman staggered back a few steps, nearly falling before she caught herself. “Who are you? What did you do to the hopeless?”

“The hopeless? You mean the people outside?” Ilea asked.

The woman seemed slightly irritated. “Of course.”

“I’m not from around here,” Ilea said with a smile. “I healed them.”

“All of them?” the woman asked, her heart beating faster.

“Of course,” Ilea said.

“Are you here to kill him, kill us?” the woman asked again. She seemed more defiant now, her body tense and ready to do, something.

“That depends. I’m here to talk first and foremost,” Ilea said. “You better show me to him though, I’m in a bit of a rush.”

The woman gulped and nodded. “Follow me,” she said and led Ilea through a door in the back of the large entrance room and then down into the cellar.

Ilea already noted the enchantments, some of them familiar as noise canceling and anti teleportation spells. She didn’t expect much from this place however, casually displacing a pebble up into the hall above just to make sure she could escape. The spell worked flawlessly.

The girl stopped in front of a thick reinforced wooden door, knocking in an obvious pattern.

Ilea’s sphere wasn’t stopped by any of the enchantments, letting her see the four people inside scramble into a defensive position. Two women and a man with a variety of weapons standing in front of a desk and the man sitting behind it.

Benedict I hope, Ilea thought. The anti teleportation enchantments would work in her benefit this time. She just had to make sure they wouldn’t disable them. Just in case the talks didn’t go in the right direction.

Ilea checked the rest of the building, finding about a dozen people working on different things, nothing out of the ordinary. Two patients with missing limbs were resting in beds in the second floor, what seemed like a nurse was talking to them as she cleaned a few pieces of cloth under running water.

“That was a little obvious,” Ilea said to the girl.

She shied back, holding her arms in front of her defensively.

Ilea laughed for a few seconds before gesturing her to enter. “Come on, you go in first.”

She didn’t say anything but entered immediately, running to the three armed and armored people. She stumbled and fell, helped up by one of the women with a stern look on her face, an angry glance towards the intruder.

Ilea stepped inside and used Force to close the door behind her, a few more enchantments snapping into place.

[Warrior – lvl 103]

[Warrior – lvl 111]

[Warrior – lvl 83]

[Healer – lvl 120]

The man behind the desk looked tired, an uncertain expression on his face as he assessed the newcomer. His eyes were a dark brown, his hair shaved off flawlessly. A broad jaw and thick black brows were the major defining features of his face, his clothes just simple robes like the girl’s.

The warriors were clad in somewhat high quality armor. Simple steel but well made. The mace, hammer, and falchion were held with casual ease, their muscles tense, and their heart rates calm.

Ilea spread her arms. “You must be Benedict. I’m happy to make your acquaintance.”

The healer girl said a few things to the others in the native tongue, the words leading to some obvious confusion.

“Welcome to my house and study, healer. I had not expected a visitor today and yet I can only assume your reasons to be well founded. It’s rare to be visited by such a high ranking member of another Order,” he said in Standard.

A few questions in there, and information for his protectors, she thought and smiled. Ilea didn’t plan to lie or deceive. Their weapons and magic were nothing to her, should they refuse to cooperate, she would simply cut them down. With Yinnis, she was reasonably sure he wouldn’t rat her out but now she was in much riskier territory.

“They are. As to your implication, I’m not a member of an Order at all. I’ve heard a few things about you that made me interested in seeing you,” Ilea said.

“You come here, claiming to have healed all those seeking treatment, break into my house and my office. You must be aware of the connections I have. If you seek assassination, then I suggest you leave this city and get a new contract,” he said.

Does he really think he has the upper hand here? Ilea thought. Even a mere Shadow would rip them apart with ease.

She charged monster hunter and focused on her name before talking. “Benedict,” she said as the spell rushed through the room, freezing everyone in place. She added Force to the mix on everyone but the healer himself.

His eyes opened wide as he remained frozen for a few seconds.

“As I said. I’ve heard a few things about you that made me interested,” she said again and walked to one of the warriors, the woman moving her pupils to look at her as she touched the edge of her blade. “Why were so many of them waiting outside? Can you not take care of them near instantly?”

She assumed even the level thirty girl could have healed everyone in an hour or two.

He gulped and looked at the others, finding himself able to move again. He wisely decided to remain in his chair.

Ilea switched her attention to the mace, taking it out of the man’s hands before she twirled it around a little, locking eyes with the terrified warrior.

“There are consequences for overstepping certain rules. I can’t offer free unrestricted healing to everyone who seeks it. We have to make sure a slave’s owner allows for healing and we have limits as to how many we can treat,” Benedict explained. “If you really are Lilith then I ask you to let them go, they’re loyal guards. You’re after me and I swear to cooperate if you don’t harm them.”

Ilea smiled at him. “It’s nice that you think of them first. If you can promise me that they don’t attack immediately after I let them go, I’ll do so. They must remain in this room however. For obvious reasons.”

“You heard her. Stand down and don’t interfere,” Benedict immediately said.

Ilea released Force, still twirling the mace around.

The three people immediately went closer to the man, ready to interfere if she attacked. The man without a weapon looked a little awkward without his mace.

“Why the limitations?” Ilea asked, throwing the weapon up before catching it again.

“The reasons are different and often complex. If you’re unfamiliar with local customs and our culture it would take time to explain. Simplified, it’s the same reason slavery is allowed in this country. A tool of oppression and testament to a misplaced sense of superiority,” he explained.

Two of his guards glanced at him with uncertain expressions.

“Not the kind of talk I had expected from the Order of Truth,” Ilea said.

“And yet you have not struck me down. Perhaps it was a curse that led you here, but a faint hope remains that it was the gods instead,” Benedict said.

“What if it was just me who chose to come? A lucky coincidence,” Ilea said.

He laughed, relaxing in his chair as he tried to calm his guards unsuccessfully.

“There are no coincidences, Lilith of Ravenhall. You’ve come here for a reason, now tell me, what is it you seek?” he asked.

Ilea spent the next few minutes outlining what had happened in the other cities and what she was looking for.

The group looked at her blankly before they started hastily discussing in the native language. Two of the warriors were especially irritated, pointing at her a few times as Benedict tried to calm them with confident words.

He held up a hand after a few more seconds. “Lilith… you must understand. I’m an Acolyte of the Order. While I strongly disagree with some of the rules and decisions made by the Elders, it’s not easy to accept that such a cataclysmic ritual was truly developed and used by our own people. Without proof I cannot accept it as the truth.”

He held up a hand before she could reply. “However… and this is not information I share lightly. I have made my own investigations into certain members of our Order, and members of this very city’s nobility. Crimes uncovered and documented, to be released to the Empire upon their taking of the city, should they manage such. I don’t know if I’ll be alive to see them but perhaps they’re safe in your hands.”

The warriors again spoke in hushed and stressed voices.

“Lilith. Is there a way to prove who you are to my guardians? It might be easier than trying to convince them otherwise,” he said, sounding tired.

Ilea covered herself in her ashen armor, spreading her wings as she watched them all take a step back, uttering single words that sounded like curses.

“Really? The freezing and voice didn’t do it?” she asked, a little dumbfounded.

“Most will never meet the heroes and villains carried in songs, nor do many live up to their name,” Benedict said. “I will help you, simply because the risk of such a ritual is too high to ignore, your name carrying too much weight for your words to be ignored.”

“Great. So any idea where it could be prepared? I’d assume they need more people than usually present to set it up. Tons of blood magic runes and likely space magic ones too,” she said.

“Space Magic? That… no,” he murmured before stepping to one of the bookshelves behind him. He activated an enchantment that opened up a hidden section.

Benedict took out several books and a few folders filled with documents and letters.

He placed it all on the table before he started looking through some of them. He said something in the native tongue before the warriors sheathed their weapons, helping him look through the large amount of information.

Ilea glanced at the white haired healer and smiled, her ash gone again.

“A.. ap… apologies,” the woman said and bowed.

“Don’t worry about it,” Ilea said. “What’s your name?”

The girl glanced towards Benedict who just smiled and nodded.

“I’m Faith, Lady Lilith. Please excuse my accent, I’ve only started learning Elos Standard half a year ago.”

Literally no accent, Ilea thought. “He give you that name?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m a slave in Acolyte Benedict’s employ,” she said, reciting the words she must’ve said many times before.

“Only officially. It’s difficult to remain without scrutiny in the position I’m in without holding slaves,” Benedict said offhandedly.

“Nice Order that you have then,” Ilea said with an exaggerated smile. “Maybe I should join too.”

“It’s city policy. The Order has little to do with it. I won’t pretend that many of our members don’t have similar views but change requires time and effort, education and most importantly, faith,” he said.

Ilea looked at the woman again and smiled. “You’re the one to change the city!” she laughed at the girl’s confused expression. “And not the invading armies, I’m sure they won’t change a thing.”

“I use the tools I was given, Lilith. As do you. It just so happens that I don’t have an army or immeasurable power to back my opinions,” Benedict said.

“Fair enough,” Ilea said.

Chapter 515 Discovery

Chapter 515 Discovery

“Fair enough,” Ilea said.

He seemed to be taken aback by the answer, glancing at her for a moment before he shook his head and focused back on his search, the corners of his mouth slightly twitching upwards.

“What do you plan to do once you’re free?” Ilea asked Faith.

The woman glanced towards Benedict again but didn’t receive a helping hand, entirely overwhelmed by the questioning.

“I will become a healer in the Order of Truth,” she said finally, turning a little red as she glanced at the floor.

“You could always come to Ravenhall. I’ll make sure you get the education and Classes you want, and a position where you can heal however many people you want. No limitations, no blood rituals, or whatever other shady shit is going on in that Order,” Ilea said and smiled. “You don’t have to say anything now but my offer stands.”

“Eh… I…,” Faith stuttered.

“Here it is…,” Benedict finally said, taking the letter one of the others handed to him. “I hadn’t thought it important but I keep all the communication I receive.”

Ilea looked at the thing but couldn’t read it.

“I don’t speak Baralia,” she said.

He turned it around and started reading when Ilea held out a hand.

Benedict raised an eyebrow but handed her the document.

“You read it,” she said and handed the letter to Faith.

“I… no… I mean… I can’t… the secrets,” she said, looking between Ilea and the others.

“Can you not read? You speak both the native tongue and Standard fluently,” Ilea said and smiled brightly.

Benedict looked at Ilea, his eyes softening a little, some of the tension on his face gone.

“T… to all… Ac… Acolyt… Acolytes in Yi… Yinnahall. We seek to… expand on… a new spell and require exper… expertise in… space magic enchant… ments and runes. Any personne… l-” Faith was interrupted by one of the warriors roughly grabbing the letter, annoyed at her pace. The healer staggered back and covered her face with both arms.

Ilea hissed, her armor covering her instantly as she froze everyone and slammed the warrior into the bookshelf with a hand to her throat. “Just think about touching her again and I’ll rip off your head, slaver,” she said in a calm tone, her eyes meeting the woman’s as her hand tightened.

The warrior struggled for breath.

“Please,” Faith said, touching her arm, her eyes darting to the ashen limbs moving behind Ilea.

She let the woman go but kept her eyes on her.

The warrior looked scared and ashamed, stepping back to Benedict.

“Continue, Faith,” he said with a smile, glaring at the other woman.

“Apologize to her first,” Ilea said.

“I’m sure she understands, lady Lilith,” Benedict said. “Tensions are high and for some it’s more difficult to accept the breach of social norms.”

“Better now then, than when the city is burning. Apologize to her now,” Ilea said.

The woman gritted her teeth and finally spoke. “I apologize, Faith.”

“Good, well done. Not meant in the slightest but I’m sure you’ll get better after a few years without slavery in place,” Ilea said and looked towards Faith.

She read the rest of the letter with even more stuttering, Ilea encouraging her along the way.

“I need a map,” Ilea said after the girl was done.

The request had come from a priest, apparently a rank above acolyte in the Order. High Priests were the ones leading the Order in a single city and the Elders were at the very top.

Requests like these weren’t out of the norm but apparently Space Magic was a rare enough thing for Benedict to remember this specific letter.

He ignored her request, tapping his desk a few times.

“A map. Every minute I waste could be disastrous,” she said, not quite meaning it but the office wasn’t exactly a pleasant place to be in. She doubted a minute or hour would make much of a difference. It would be terribly unlucky for the ritual to happen at this very moment. And still, too much stalling wasn’t wise.

She entertained the possibility that Benedict and his men were just acting, leading her into a trap. But she doubted it, mostly because of Yinnis’ word. A slave trusted Yinnis and Yinnis trusted this Acolyte. It was good enough for her.

“What… what do you plan to do when you’re there?” Benedict asked. He met her eyes again.

“I will assess the situation and act accordingly,” she said.

“Meaning you will kill without restraint,” he said.

“I haven’t killed anyone here yet,” Ilea said. “What makes you think I’d do so there.”

“Your reputation. You believe them to be preparing a ritual of frankly insane proportions. People can act brazenly when they believe to be doing good,” he said.

“And yet you can’t imagine them using such a ritual? Maybe because they believe it to do good?” Ilea asked.

“The theoretical possibility is unquestioned, Lilith. But I know many of the members in this city. I know the priest who asked for this aid….,” he said and paused for a moment. He gulped and stood up, looking at her. “Allow me to come with you. I can get you inside with less suspicion. Let me talk to them, find out if what you said is true.”

Ilea thought about it for a moment. She could just go and destroy everything and be done with it. But something stopped her. Perhaps it was a curiosity, to know what he would do upon finding out the true plans of his superiors, or maybe she wanted to give him a chance to prevent the deaths of people merely caught up in something they did not understand. He had shown care when interacting with Faith, had tried to mediate between the hot headed guardians and Ilea.

“Do you know if there are any enchantments against teleportation in place?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Some temples have minor defenses like that but I doubt Priest Barrett ever thought it a need to invest into defensive enchantments. However I can’t be certain.”

“You can come with me. Including your guardians. We won’t go through the main entrance however, I can’t risk them getting warned and executing the ritual immediately,” she said.

The man thought about it and nodded finally. “Just let me talk to them before you kill anybody… please. No matter what we find.”

“To a reasonable extent,” Ilea said, not promising anything.

He nodded. “Stay in this room Faith, don’t inform anyone of what y-”

Ilea stopped him with a gesture. “She’s coming too of course.”

“She could be injured if fighting breaks out,” he said.

“Then have these three protect her,” she said, not mentioning that she herself would intervene if the girl was in danger. She wouldn’t risk leaving her behind either. Faith was too frightened and inexperienced, potentially capable of ruining the whole thing.

“Then let’s go, now,” Ilea said. “Do you have another robe for me? Just for the way there,” she said.

“In the next room over… yes. Are we going alone? No allies?” Benedict asked.

Ilea considered it. She’d meet up with Hector in about an hour but her shot was now and finding him would be annoying. Should’ve put a mark on him, not that he would’ve allowed it anyway.

She dismissed the thought, deciding it was wiser to go alone. Ilea was sure she could destroy the ritual one way or the other, even with ten people at her own level of power in the same temple. People she doubted the Order had. Benedict of course didn’t know what levels the High Priest of Yinnahall and Elders had.

With how sloppy the rituals had been, Ilea didn’t think anybody with high level space magic had been present, meaning she could likely displace herself out in case the opposition proved too powerful. The ritual itself could be disrupted and delayed with a single cast of Heart of Cinder, as long as she managed to hit the floor.

The only risk was discovery and potentially people escaping to set up another ritual in another place. Hector was unpredictable however and she decided to include Benedict in her plans should it turn out that he wasn’t actually deceiving her.

Hector would at the very least tarnish her reputation.

Let him have fun with the nobles.

She stored all the documents on Benedict’s desk and shook her head. “I’m plenty.”

One of the warriors said a few words not specifically directed towards her.

_________________________

Shut your fucking mouth you idiot!

Mya glared at Sloane, the idiot insulting Lilith in their native tongue.

She could just be pretending not to understand. Is she really this dense?

The woman glared back, the two waiting as Benedict went to grab a robe for the battle healer.

“If what she says is true, we have to stop it,” Mya said to the others.

Lilith didn’t react, either really not speaking Jissu or being a damn good actress. With her short temper and behavior in the previous talk, she doubted it.

“She’s a fool. A young bitch who thinks herself unstoppable because she killed a few beasts. It happens all the time and then they die or vanish,” Sloane said.

“Either speak Standard or shut up,” Lilith said suddenly.

The way she talked and moved, Mya doubted she was just a young mage lucky enough to find a short path to high power. And the songs. It can’t all be true but surely she’s as strong as an Elite. Above two hundred for sure.

Her way of freezing them in place had left a deep impression on Mya. Even strong beasts couldn’t do that easily. At the very least the woman was experienced. And she was a battle healer, something that could change how she approached fights altogether!

I want to see her fight, Mya thought but didn’t voice it. They were about to commit treason but with Benedict, that wasn’t exactly a rare occasion. The pay would reflect the increased risk, all three of them knew that.

A storage item too… if she gets captured or killed, I’ll make sure to reach her corpse first.

She glared at Sloane again, unsure what the woman planned. If she ran away and babbled to the wrong people, they could end up dead. She was underestimating Lilith, even after being attacked personally.

Assassins are cheap. With a storage item promised, some would surelybite even with someone above two hundred as the target. And Sloane hasplenty of connections.

Lilith took the robe and made it vanish. Mya barely blinked and suddenly the gown was covering her as naturally as the armor she herself wore.

Now I want one even more, Mya thought and stared at her.

“What is it?” the healer asked. “Lead the way,” she added, nodding to Benedict.

He did as she commanded.

“Your storage item is very convenient,” Mya answered as she followed, not seeing a reason to lie.

“It is. Maybe you can find one during the coming siege,” Lilith said.

Mya smiled and nodded.

She doubted the Empire would ever reach Yinnahall. The army of Baralia wasn’t something to take lightly. If it really came to a siege, the High King himself would come and destroy their efforts, not that Yinnahall would fall easily even without him. Benedict lacked the practical experience to gauge how a real battle would take place.

If Lilith told the truth and the Order caused the fall of Nara, she was even less worried about the war.

Benedict led them through the streets at a fast pace. The temple in question wasn’t very far away but it would still take them some time to reach it.

“Point me in the direction,” Lilith suddenly said.

Benedict nodded and pointed before Lilith led them into a side alley, checking for something before she looked at them. “Don’t resist my spell.”

Mya felt something manifest around her before her view suddenly changed. She grabbed her warhammer and looked around.

“How far is it?” Lilith spoke in the darkness.

“At the pace we were walking, a little more than an hour I think,” Benedict said.

“What was that spell?” Mya asked.

Lilith didn’t reply, instead she used it again. And again.

A minute passed with them appearing in various cellars, empty rooms in random houses, sewers, and alleys before Lilith stopped.

“Check if we’re close,” she said.

Benedict nodded and walked to the edge of the alley, looking out before he returned.

He corrected the approach and distance, Lilith continuing to move them around.

Mya was sure now that this spell was what allowed Lilith to reach such power. If she could do this to monsters in a dungeon, it would be easy to navigate them into traps or down a cliff. She had heard adventurers boasting about using strong shields to accomplish similar results, effectively avoiding the true battles that let them rise in levels.

Sloane was right that people like that lacked experience and would die against the first monster against which their tactics and magic didn’t work.

However Lilith could teleport monsters and herself, she could stop others in their track and thus would easily escape such a situation. And she was a healer! Even if she got injured, it wouldn’t be the end.

They reached a large room with a dining table in the middle and windows on both sides.

“Is that it?” Lilith asked and pointed, stepping closer to one of the window rows.

Mya watched Sloane steal a few of the expensive looking silver ware, putting them into her belt.

Really, now?

She rolled her eyes and watched Xavier slap the woman’s wrist when she reached for more.

Lilith didn’t intervene and Benedict was too nervous to say anything.

This could very well mean his expulsion of the Order, or worse. This sucks. But what if she’s right? Not like we have a choice with her powers.

“That’s the one… there are more guards than usual… and I believe they’re not the usual ones. I knew some of them. Something is definitely strange,” Benedict said.

They retreated from the window again to make sure they wouldn’t be seen. The streets were busy and thin curtains shrouded them up here but vigilant guards might still spot them.

Mya knew she would normally try and escape at this point but it would put Benedict at risk and she wouldn’t allow it. Even Sloan wouldn’t. Hopefully.

“I’ll check it for enchantments and then get you,” Lilith said and vanished without waiting for a reply.

“We should leave, now,” Sloane said.

“No. I fear there really is something afoot here,” Benedict said.

“Yes, the ritual they wanted space magic people for, what’s the big deal?” Sloane asked.

“She will hunt you down if you leave,” Benedict said.

Sloane ground her teeth, unsure about her decision.

“Mya we-” she started when Lilith appeared again.

Already, Mya thought.

“We move, now,” she said before Mya’s vision changed again.

They appeared between the walls and the temple itself before vanishing again. Next was an empty room with dirty robes. The washroom. Mya smelled the blood the moment they vanished again.

Two more empty rooms followed before she felt a powerful aura suddenly expand next to her.

Ashen limbs expanded out of Lilith’s back, wings spreading at the same time as she crouched, preparing for battle. The robe was gone, replaced by the smooth and lethal looking ashen armor. The moving wisps gave it an ethereal note, something not quite natural.

She felt goosebumps as she took in the view.

They vanished one last time.

Mya appeared in a large hall without windows. The smell hit her first. Blood. Lots of it. She saw the cages next and the dozens of people working. A wagon filled with corpses stood to the side of the cages.

A roar resounded next to her and she couldn’t move anymore. The sound was nothing a human could produce.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith. You are paralyzed for three seconds’

Mya could only watch as a black blur of ashen limbs slashed through chains, guards, mages, and the ground. A surge of powerful fire and energy brushed over the bloody stone floor, digging into it with an explosion of debris and sound.

She could finally move again but didn’t know what to do, spells were thrown at the monster but vanished and hit the soldiers instead. Soldiers, why is the army in one of the temples?

Mya took a step forward, seeing the runes on the ground, the corpses. Is this real?

Faith gasped as she took a step back, the others entirely speechless.

Dozens of soldiers rushed in from a side room.

The ritual is disrupted, we need to leave now, Mya thought but her eyes were focused on the ashen being. Somehow the chained people in the cages appeared outside of them, members of the Order instead appearing within, some with missing limbs or broken bones.

Lilith slammed into the hastily erected shields and broke through in an instant, her limbs and hands lashing out with perfect precision and deadly spells.

The soldiers answered with their own spells but it was too late, their bodies cut and ripped apart, their heads and chests smashed in with single punches. Mya was sure some of them were Elites, knowing a few of the differences in their armor.

It didn’t matter to the woman, each of them dying all the same. It was over in just a few seconds, a single soldier remaining as he staggered backwards. An officer and Elite, holding the open wound on his shoulder.

“You won’t get away with this,” he said.

Lilith held out a hand, the man’s eyes opening wide as he took another step back.

“How?” he asked when she reached him, her hand closing around his throat.

She turned towards the group of healers and mages in the cages, some of them cowering, others appearing at another spot in the cage, trying to teleport away but failing.

“Halt! Stop this madness!” Benedict shouted, his voice cracking slightly as he stepped forward.

The songs were true, she’s a monster… Lilith is real.

Mya remained where she stood, not daring to attract the beast’s attention. Her eyes had changed. When they held an almost casual carelessness before, now they were ice itself. A deep fury that meant only death to those who stood in her path.

She gulped, feeling the cold sweat dripping down her back. Just now did she notice the deep furrow in the stone floor, parts of it still glowing with molten rock. Smaller cuts and furrows covered nearly all of the ground in the hall. When did she do that?

Lilith carelessly slammed her fingers into the officer’s neck, violently ripping off his head before she dropped both parts, her ash lashing out into the corpse and ground around her before she calmed down, her ash covered chest heaving as she breathed, the limbs moving steadily behind her.

Don’t move… just stay still… she’s an ally...

Chapter 516 Mess

Chapter 516 Mess

Ilea focused on her meditation. She ignored the corpses, the ringing in her ears. Her ash spread in a mist before her, slowly encompassing all the would be sacrifices. The looks were familiar to her by now. Terror, fear, uncertainty, amazement, hope.

People reacted differently but as soon as her healing mana flowed towards them, they all calmed. A little.

Terror changed to fear, fear to apprehension.

Their wounds healed but what they experienced was too extensive for her to erase. The recent physical damage to their mental health could be remedied but their memories couldn’t be erased. Not by her at the very least.

She looked only at them now, the bruises and cuts on their naked bodies healing quickly, some of the scars remained while others vanished. All of them were adults, men and women alike. Sources of life that meant nothing to those who used them.

A whole city wiped out was a tragedy, the numbers however incomprehensible. Seeing the nearly thirty people before her gave a face to the horrors the Order planned, had already in other cities committed.

Why there were even sacrifices here was a mystery to her but the cart filled with corpses suggested they needed bodies just to prepare the ritual.

Her healing done, she glanced towards the cages. Mages… healers. How dare they call themselves that, how dare this system categorize them as such.

Ilea moved her ash towards them, their meaningless efforts turning into frantic and terrified movements. Screams echoed that would reach no ears. Just like the screams of the sacrifices had reached no one.

“You promised… please!” the voice sounded out close to her left.

“They’re caged and no danger to you or anyone!” Benedict said again, his voice steadier than before.

“You can see what they did,” Ilea said without looking at him.

She glanced at the people once more and made her ash vanish, sighing before she looked at the Acolyte.

“Let me interrogate them. We have witnesses, proof. Both to incriminate those who were not present today and those still alive in the cages,” he said, tears in his eyes.

Ilea didn’t say anything. Instead she walked to the people she had saved, wordlessly summoning food and water, using a few barrels and her water sphere.

She vanished to the laundry room they had been in before, appearing again in the hall before she started handing out robes, pants, and shirts. Everything she had found.

Benedict spoke to himself in the native tongue before he broke down, slamming his fist into the ground, the man soon joined by his guardians and Faith. One of the warriors knelt down next to him, carefully touching his shoulder.

Ilea ignored them, distributing food to the people and gesturing for them to help each other. Some dealt with the situation better than others.

Few of them spoke at all, nobody daring to address her quite yet. She blinked through the hall, storing all the corpses in her bracelet both the soldiers and the sacrifices.

People shouted and scrambled away within the cages when she appeared inside. “Strip their gear,” she said and summoned the soldiers, workers, executioners, mages, and healers she had killed when she had arrived.

The ritual was destroyed but she made another round of the hall, cutting through the stone with her ash whenever she discovered another rune. It didn’t take long.

The hall itself was large but her sphere reached into the rooms and hallways above. She knew that most everyone had heard the commotion that had taken place. Mostly her use of Heart of Cinder. The thick walls prevented a lot of noise from traveling through but not everything.

It was a welcoming change of pace to see the followers of the Order react, most of them praying to themselves or uncertain. Some talked to others in hushed voices, looking behind themselves and often gesturing downwards. The few warrior types she saw didn’t know how to react, carefully listening for more as their distress increased.

Everything she saw looked like another faction had taken this place by force, had silenced every opposition to whatever actions took place down here and promised retribution so harsh the warriors of this very temple refused to storm the underground hall despite the obvious signs of battle.

Benedict had calmed down a little, steeling himself as he approached the cages. He probably welcomed that most of the survivors’ attention was focused on the task Ilea had given them, in a hope their cooperation could save their lives.

Meaning they might not be willing to die for whatever cause this ritual and its preparation had, Ilea thought as she glanced towards them.

She went and checked the side room where the soldiers had come from, finding some basic gear, beds, chairs, and tables. Documents and books lay open on the tables but she found them written in the native language.

A limiting factor she found but Ilea didn’t plan to learn their language. She would remain in Baralia until the job was done, and no longer.

She grabbed everything and blinked to the cages, the woman talking to Benedict looked harrowed, taking an instinctive step back when Ilea appeared again.

“Might be an insight too,” she said and unceremoniously dropped everything on the ground.

Ilea let them talk for a few minutes, sitting on a chunk of rubble she had moved a little closer to the sacrifices, her back towards them and her eyes on Benedict. Her armor and limbs remained.

When she saw that everyone had stopped working, she blinked into the cages and stored both the gear and the corpses, appearing again near her rubble.

“Anyone here speak Standard?” she asked the group.

More than she had expected raised their hands. Over half.

“Good. You’re free now. I’ll figure something out to get you out of the city or to a safe place within. For now, take what you need and want,” she said and summoned all the gear. “Those who can or want to help, I think giving a farewell to those who were killed here seems appropriate. The furniture over in the guard room would surely make for an adequate pyre.”

“Is it true? Are you Lilith?” one of them spoke up.

“Why is an Acolyte of the Order here?” another one said.

“I am. He was the one to lead me here,” she said and went to the deep furrow her spell had left.

She dropped the corpses of her enemies inside and incinerated them. It was enough, after what they had done. What they had supported.

A few of the survivors approached her as she watched the remaining flames dance in the deepened tear.

“Lady Lilith,” one of them said, a man now clad in steel armor, the visor of his helmet open to reveal black eyes and a mustache.

“Ehm… the fumes of a pyre added to what you’ve already created might be too much for some of us to take,” he explained.

She turned around. “Ah.”

“I didn’t consider that, apologies,” she said. “I just doubt we can do it anywhere outside.”

The man looked at her and smiled. “We might find a spot somewhere. If Barrett is still alive that is,” he said.

“You know the priest?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. I’m one of the temple guards,” he said.

Ilea narrowed her eyes at that but really, she had kind of expected it.

[Warrior – lvl 85]

“I believe we’re on the same side,” he said and lifted his hands.

“Oh are we now? Wasn’t it your Order who orchestrated this?” she asked.

He nodded. “I decided to split from this Order. Now I understand if you want to strike me down for having been part of it. I’ve thought about doing it myself but perhaps I can do better things with my life,” he chuckled, entirely aware of how easily she could do just that.

“What’s funny?” Ilea asked seriously.

“This is a mess… I’ve had some time to think about my life… my faith… everything was shattered and somehow we were saved by an enemy of Baralia. Perhaps it would help if I told you that everyone who had been killed so far was once a member of the Order. Of this very temple to be exact.”

“It doesn’t,” Ilea said. Though she realized a part of her was glad no slaves had been used, if his words could be trusted. The man struck her as someone who had nothing left to lose. She saw the two who had come with him had distanced themselves a little from the man.

“I’m Eduardo Collins. I’m glad you came here and stopped this, whatever it was,” he said.

“It’s the same ritual that destroyed Nara, Odiah, Mophis, and Seyna,” Ilea said and walked past the man.

He stuttered something in the native tongue, his face paled before he turned to look at her.

She didn’t hold her breath, instead addressing the people she had saved. “You were all part of this temple?”

They looked uncertain, most were obviously afraid.

“Yes,” a woman said as she stood up, wearing a simple robe Ilea had brought.

“And you have given back what was taken,” she added. “Fuck the Order. All we have is this temple.”

A few others nodded at that.

This is messed up, Ilea thought. “Everyone who was sacrificed was a member?”

“Yes,” the woman said. “Those who asked too many questions or spoke out early were the first to die, according to their ranks.”

“Yes… Priest Barrett was never brought down here,” one of them said.

“There were those willing to be sacrificed,” Eduardo said as he approached them again. He got a few angry glances but more of them seemed ashamed.

“Well good job then. The rituals turned the whole population of several cities into Cursed monsters. I hope you’re proud,” Ilea said. “Forget what I said about getting you out.”

She carefully summoned the corpses again and laid them down next to each other. “I suppose you can take care of them too then, according to your customs,” she said.

Benedict joined her then, his face looking like he aged ten years in the last thirty minutes.

“We… we have to talk,” he said.

Ilea nodded. “You’re aware that some of the people here are still willing to go through with this ritual?”

“Yes. But you killed those capable of creating the runes. I swear on my life that that is the truth,” Benedict said. “Let alone the fact that those who ordered it were not in the city in the first place. Key pieces are missing, I have the confirmation of several enchanters. The ritual could not have been activated.”

“How long have they been preparing?” Ilea asked.

“For about eight weeks,” he said. “The priest will know more, he refused to cooperate after a meeting he had with the Acolytes that were sent here.”

“Where is he now?” she asked.

“In his study, where he has been for the last two months,” he said.

Ilea nodded and cracked her neck before she whistled, not using monster hunter. She got their attention regardless. “Don’t leave this hall until we know more. If you do anyway, I’ll hunt you down.”

She would’ve had a headache by now but her healing prevented it.

Benedict visibly deflated when they reached the hallways upstairs, Ilea wearing a normal robe again as they walked towards the local priest’s study.

Everyone on the way stopped and looked at the two but nobody dared confront them.

The door was locked and reinforced, enchantments placed on the outside to prevent entry.

She saw the man sitting at his desk.

“You okay?” she asked the man next to her.

He seemed lost in thought before he met her eyes. “Okay?” he asked before he smiled and shook his head. “No. I’m very far from that state of mind.”

Ilea knew only a minute had passed since she left the hall but she quickly blinked down to see what the ex members of the order were up to. Nothing changed.

If they suddenly remade the ritual and activated it, it was on her. She believed Benedict’s words and knew just from seeing the people that it was the truth but even if the chance of betrayal was minimal, the risk remained high.

She appeared at Benedict’s side again and kicked in the door, the enchantments flaring up before the stone around the entrance cracked and broke.

Ilea cleared away the debris with ash and stepped inside. She was very much aware of the people close to their doors in the hallway, listening for whatever they could pick up.

“Hey,” she said and waved at the man. He looked to be in his sixties, a full head of medium length gray hair accented by a carefully groomed mustache added to his stern impression, his piercing black eyes looking at the invaders with scrutiny. The man wore black pants and shoes, a white shirt covered in part by a dark red vest. Despite his age, the man looked more than just fit, the definition of his muscles visible through the clothes.

Ilea wondered how Benedict would look in the set of clothes. Probably more impressive than the boring robes, she thought.

He didn’t say anything for a long moment before he sighed. “Would you explain the situation to me Acolyte?”

Benedict looked at Ilea, receiving a nod as she sat down on a nearby chair.

“You’re familiar with the ritual that was under way in your own temple?” Benedict asked.

“I couldn’t stop it, Benedict,” the man said.

[Healer – lvl 104]

“Nara fell to this same ritual, its people killed and cursed. Odiah, Mophis, Seyna,” Benedict said.

Barrett showed the first genuine reaction at this. His eye twitched as he stood up.

“No… that’s impossible. The goal was to make a connection to the realm of life. Has that woman poisoned your mind?” he asked.

“I’ve seen it myself, priest,” Ilea said. “Or are you calling me a liar? Why would I risk invading a city on high alert? Preparing for war? I came to prevent another ritual to take place, to stop your Order,” she said.

He ground his teeth.

“They confirmed it… enchanters of the Order. The sacrifices required are immense, a thousand times more than the people caged up down below,” Benedict said with a heavy tone.

“I can’t accept that, not from you, Benedict. I refused to cooperate due to the sacrifices but to break in here and claim such nonsen-”

Ilea displaced both of them down into the hall. She walked through the hallway and did the same to everyone else who had heard a part of the conversation. A quick search of the temple let her move around thirty more people down into the hall.

She appeared herself afterwards.

“Your High King and Elders have sacrificed four major cities of your kingdom for these rituals. Whatever this realm of life is, it’s not worth killing hundreds of thousands,” Ilea said.

“Lilith is right,” Benedict said before anybody else could speak. “The proof is overwhelming and I won’t stand by this Order if this is what they’re willing to do,” he said and gestured around himself. “I believe in balance, order, life, and healing but as of now, I am no longer a member of this Order,” he said.

Ten people started talking at the same time, heated discussions breaking out between the members.

Ilea shook her head slightly and stepped back.

“This is horrific,” one of Benedict’s warriors said. “I’m Mya by the way, haven’t felt the need to make myself a target of your wrath,” she said and chuckled slightly.

Ilea nodded and sat back down on her piece of rubble.

The discussions went on.

“He’s a good man,” Mya said after a while. “Give him a chance to fix it.”

Ilea pushed some air out of her nose. “Did he tell the truth?”

“Every word of his was the truth,” Mya said. “Though I can see how you’re doubtful. If this ritual can really kill everyone in such a large city, we have to make sure it can’t ever be rebuilt.”

“They’re probably preparing one of these in every city of your kingdom, maybe even beyond,” Ilea said.

Mya gulped and glanced at her.

“What if there are more here? In Yinnahall?” the woman asked.

Ilea smiled. “I suppose you better start looking then,” she said.

The woman nodded and joined the discussions, quickly garnering a lot of attention. All of them were speaking in the local tongue.

Way to drive a spike into a major healing Order, she thought with a sigh. She could just kill everyone right here, right now. It would make sure this site wouldn’t be used anymore, all the knowledge these people had about the ritual, gone.

She smiled, looking at the passionate speaking of Mya, Benedict, and those she had freed. Even Faith was taking part. It was simple to dismiss the thought. These people could perhaps create some real change.

Ilea counted them, noting down how many people were in the cages, how many guards remained, how many healers. She couldn’t risk them setting up another ritual but she thought it impossible for them to do so in the span of a day, or even a week. But she couldn’t fully trust them either. Not after what she had seen.

She appeared next to Benedict. “I’ll be back. Remain in this hall until you’ve figured out what to do. Try to find out if there are more rituals being prepared in Yinnahall or anything related to rituals in other cities.”

The man looked at her and nodded. “Of course… if… maybe if you’re willing. We could use your help cleaning up. Even on the list I’ve given you, many are untouchable for me.”

“Gladly,” Ilea said and vanished.

It didn’t feel right to leave them behind but she was getting a little sick of it all. A sigh left her as she blinked through the city, summoning one of Keyla’s meals before she appeared again in the initial cellar they had arrived in.

Chapter 517 Pirates

Chapter 517 Pirates

The slaves had moved up into the house. The same was true for someone else.

Ilea appeared in the dining room and casually joined them.

Hector talked in the native tongue while gesturing wildly. He animated a scene with flowing water in front of him, depicting a large ship with several sets of broad sails, an enormous whale appearing below.

A few of the people gasped.

“It took us two days to finally kill the damn beast but it was worth it… best damn meat I’ve ever eaten,” he said in Standard after finishing his story, nodding to himself as if he was reliving the memory.

Ilea just continued eating, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment. She checked her notifications quickly, now that she was out of the temple finally.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 159 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 160 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 9’

She focused back on the pirate who was now looking at her.

“And look who’s decided to finally show up,” Hector said with a wide grin. “I’ll have you know that you’re the first to make me wait in at least five years.”

Ilea smiled at him. “That explains why you behave like a spoiled child.”

He just waved her off. “Find anything? I doubt you got far with your lack of tact. At least you took the time to clear this house so we don’t have to meet in a damp cellar.”

She ignored the fact that he was always damp.

“I found the ritual site and destroyed it,” Ilea said.

His expression changed, the man turning serious immediately. He waited for a moment before he nodded. “Good. You’re not joking. Well that solves one issue we had.”

“What other issues were there exactly?” Ilea asked.

“Oh, so many! Two hours can be very productive, you know?” Hector said.

“Can they wait for a few minutes?” she asked, summoning a few documents and books from both Benedict’s study and the ritual hall. “Nadir, can you read to me what’s in there?” she asked the man.

He grinned and grabbed the books. “Sure I can.”

“You know I can read it too,” Hector said.

“Oh I know,” Ilea said and smiled at him, continuing her meal.

Nadir confirmed that Benedict hadn’t lied about anything. There were detailed orders about the ritual preparations in one of the books and in several letters. Everything fit neatly with what the Acolyte and his allies had told her.

She almost felt bad. Had he betrayed her, she could’ve killed him, a man risking death for his beliefs and dying with the thought of doing what had to be done. Now he was just a man who lost every trust in the institution he had been part of, his whole life turned upside down in the span of half an hour.

She breathed out and smiled, glad she had given him a chance.

Ilea wondered what they would do. The evidence was staggering and it didn’t seem like this realm of life was enough to die or kill for, if not even a priest was willing to allow human sacrifices to reach it.

She explained what had happened after Nadir had read a few key passages and documents, enough to support Benedict’s claims and allegiances.

Hector laughed at a few parts and finally raised both arms with his hands behind his head.

“Wow… you really let them live?” he said finally.

“She made the right choice… I know Benedict. He would never agree to something like this,” Nadir said and tapped one of the books.

“Oh, because fanatics can’t act nice for a few hours to get their enemy to trust them?” he asked.

“I doubt these letters were forged just for a convoluted plan to deceive me. He spoke the truth and now we have allies within this city. Allies with direct connections to a ton of members of the Order,” she said.

Hector rolled his eyes. “You have allies. I don’t want to have a part in all that. I’m sure you can live with this whole city dying because you didn’t do what was necessary.”

“I will,” Ilea said and glared at him.

“Velamyr will be happy to hear this ritual was disrupted but waaay more importantly. There are a ton of vaults here and they’re heavily enchanted. I’m afraid I need your help.”

“You didn’t look for the ritual site at all, did you?” she asked.

Hector grinned. “I thought your enthusiasm would surely make up for the both of us. And hey, I was right.”

He ate a few prawns off his plate before he pointed at her. “I like that disapproving look, almost like you care for the people of this city.”

Ilea didn’t engage with his childish banter, not in the mood for such shenanigans.

“The bait is ineffective. The scene must have really shaken you up. Well,” he said and stood up, dusting off his damp leather duster. “I’ve got something that cheers up every girl I know.”

Gods, if you are there, smite this man and end his miserable existence.

“Gold!” he said. “Now come on, let them squabble amongst themselves. Quite brilliantly done by the way, now we don’t really have to look for anything else here. Let’s just get their treasure and fuck off to the next city.”

His opinions change by the second, she thought and rolled her eyes.

“I won’t be leaving quite as quickly. Nadir, I need some more translations. With these you can help Hector. It’s a list with corresponding evidence about both nobles and members of the Order in this city Benedict gave me,” she said.

“Forged evidence to get rid of political enemies, smart man,” Hector said and nonetheless joined her.

If he just fooled me to sacrifice the city anyway, why would he give me forged documents?

She just shook her head and showed them everything.

Ilea checked the temple a few times in the next hour, making sure no new runes would be made, and that nobody ran off.

So far everything seemed fine. The talks were still heated but they had moved into the side room where tables, paper, and writing utensils were present. Plus beds, for those who were likely still exhausted from fearing for their lives or being tortured by the very Order they had called their own.

Hector joined her after they were done going through most of the evidence. His work had been swift and competent. As already shown, the man was certainly annoying but his practical experience and knowledge showed in his actions.

Ilea learned more than she really wanted to know about the practices of some of the officials of Yinnahall. More importantly, she learned a great deal about those who tried to help and bring reform. Many presently incarnated in one or the other dungeon of the city. If anything, Baralia had the documentation thing down. Just sadly in a language she couldn’t read.

Perhaps her high Intelligence would allow her to get the hang of it quickly but she had little interest. Resistances were easier to get and to level.

“You’ve returned?” Benedict asked as he finished the line on a document.

Ilea nodded, all eyes on her.

Barrett didn’t seem the same either, his body language and eyes hinting at a mixture of shame and anger.

“An ally?” Benedict asked, glancing at the pirate walking through the large hall.

“No. Someone whose power can be used and whose goals might intertwine with mine on occasion,” she said. “Perhaps how you view me.”

“Lilith… I know what you must think of our Order… our people. I just implore you to-” Benedict started when Ilea interrupted him.

“Don’t. Maybe we can talk about it in the future but right now we have more pressing issues. I wont be staying here in Yinnahall for long. Your Order is preparing rituals in other cities, perhaps even more of them here. We have to find and prevent them,” she said.

Benedict nodded.

“I checked the documents, Ben,” Ilea said. “It seems like you’ve been telling the truth at least. Thank you.”

He nodded. “You gave us a chance to redeem ourselves.”

“What about the ones still in the cages?” Ilea asked.

“They were deemed untrustworth-” he said when Hector sent out a spell.

Ilea turned to see the people in the cages fall into pieces.

Ben blinked before he stood up. “Those lives were not yours to take!”

“Careful old man,” Hector said as he walked a few steps closer.

“You just killed prisoners of war,” Ilea said, grinding her teeth as she glared at him, her ash spreading out.

“Members of the Order,” he said and shrugged, ignoring her magic. “You’re really gonna throw a tantrum over that?”

“I will, yes. Ben is right, they were not yours to kill. You can try and get into those vaults yourself,” she said.

“Really? For that? Do you have any idea how many prisoners of war get murdered in this conflict? On a daily basis?” Hector asked, sounding slightly irritated.

“Was the evidence damning?” Ilea asked Benedict as she casually stepped between him and Hector.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Really, you’re gonna side with the crazy Order instead of me?” Hector said and laughed.

Ilea sighed. She would have done the same to the prisoners then. Or she would have let them do it. That didn’t change the fact that Hector murdered those people with barely any confirmation. His actions finally caught up with the reputation he so prided himself with.

“I’m siding with not killing prisoners without at least some pieces of evidence,” she said.

“He gave the confirmation. Plus didn’t you kill all the soldiers and mages here when you arrived? I believe you mentioned something like that,” he said.

She shook her head, not engaging with the ridiculous comparison. “You heard me.”

“You’re being stupid. Do you really want me to go out there and force those nobles to open their vaults? I’d have to threaten and torture them,” Hector said.

“Careful with your threats. If this city turns into a battlefield between the two of us, you’re not the one to come out on top. Remember why we’re here,” she said, disappointed that he would go this far.

Ilea started charging Heart of Cinder, the people around her already retreating a few steps with obvious uncertainty painted on their faces.

She had to make sure this idiot understood that she wasn’t joking.

He sighed and closed his eyes, squeezing the bridge of his nose.

“I suppose it was just a matter of time,” he said. “You really are just as boring and naive as I had feared. Though I admit, I did enjoy myself for a while. Are you sure you don’t want to get those vaults? If we don’t use this chance, the Empire will get it all.”

“I’m sure I’ll find a few of them myself,” Ilea said.

She eyed him and absorbed the heat again, her ash moving back towards her body. Ilea had her stance but engaging him right now would end with a lot of suffering. Everyone present was lucky that the prisoners hadn’t been slaves.

If they fought here, a lot of people would die. And Ilea feared he wouldn’t be among them.

Luckily the man didn’t push it any further, for his own sake and hers.

He laughed and spread his arms. “Maybe you’re not entirely lost as a pirate.”

The murder was one thing but what bothered her much more was the fact that he immediately threatened her with the torture of nobles. She feared that if he thought he could get away with it, he would have followed through.

You don’t want me as your enemy.

And she didn’t want him as hers. But neither did she want him as her ally. The world could keep on spinning without them ever interacting again. As unlikely as that was.

“Keep the pirating to your seas,” she said.

Hector rolled his eyes. “A truce… alright. No animosity. You keep out of my shit and I keep out of yours.”

Ilea gave him a nod.

“I’ll leave this city to you, though I suppose it’s inevitable for us to meet again quite soon,” Hector said and laughed.

He vanished a moment later.

She really didn’t look forward to it.

“You did the right thing,” Ben said.

Ilea looked up and breathed out, her ash fanning out in a threatening way.

The man winced. “I didn’t mean to offend, I’m sorry.”

“Forget about it. We need to figure out what to do now. Did you guys come to some sort of conclusion?” she asked.

She focused on her meditation a little more, aware that she was very much on edge. The people around her felt it too, according to her sphere.

Good.

“We… yes. We decided to split from the Order of Truth and form a new one. Based on providing healer education to anyone who seeks it and providing services to those who can afford it and free of charge to those who can’t. The facilities, connections, temples, and Classes are already here so it’s more a statement of independence from the Order than founding a new one entirely,” Ben explained very quickly. “It’s simplified… I can go into more detail if you wish.”

Barrett didn’t seem annoyed by his stammering, just nodding along as he looked at Ilea with an uncertain look in his eyes.

Finally realized who I am? she wondered.

“You can explain your plans to the Empire once they arrive. I’m just here to prevent more rituals. If you could add a thing or two about slavery being abolished, that’d be good too,” she said.

Two of the healers looked at each other, one of them raising an eyebrow.

“It works in the Empire, I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” Ilea said, specifically looking at the two.

They quickly turned red and looked down, figuratively shitting their pants according to her sphere.

“I believe that would be in our interest too,” Ben said, him being the designated speaker to commune with Lilith.

“Now let’s talk more practical. Lys is coming, no matter how you look at it. How can we prevent this city from going through a siege?” Ilea asked. While she was here, she could at least try and prevent some of the coming misery. Preventing the ritual didn’t mean shit if the city got razed anyway.

“I… believe the evidence. I agreed to the separation but this… I won’t stand here while you discuss treason,” Barrett said, glaring at her.

“And you call yourself a healer,” Ilea said and spat on the floor.

“You’re blessed with power. You can do whatever you want, forcing others to your will. Kill me if you must but I won’t forsake my country,” the man said and raised his chin.

He was ready to die.

Ilea took another deep breath.

“What about your people? You’re aware that any kind of siege would cost thousands of lives. The High King doesn’t seem to give a shit, ready to have your Order sacrifice entire cities for some personal gain or salvation,” she said.

“Do as you must,” he said.

Ilea grabbed him and displaced the man into one of the cages.

“He will change his mind once this is all over,” she said. “I do hope you’ll continue your investigations into your Order’s members?”

Ben nodded, glancing at Barrett for a moment before he looked at her.

“Previous Order… of course. It’s been a long day… and there is yet much to do,” he said and scratched his neck before he slapped his own cheek a few times.

“If we want to prevent this city from burning to the ground, we’ll need more than your name and power,” Ben said and went back to the desk. “Considering the presentation of your battle prowess earlier, I think we can skip a few administrative hindrances on the way.”

He rubbed his brow and took a piece of paper and a pen.

“Sure you’re up for this?” Ilea asked, extending an ashen limb to heal him.

“I’m a healer my-” he said before he smiled lightly. “Arcane… fascinating. You said you’re not part of an Order?”

“I’m not, though one of my Classes along the way was taken from a temple,” she said.

“I see. If you even think about sharing more information on that, I’d be very interested. There are many ailments that nature and life based healing cannot alleviate. As you are doing to my mind at this very moment,” he said and took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

“Maybe. But we should focus on the task at hand,” Ilea said.

The man nodded, visibly more awake.

He started writing as he explained the plans he had come up with.

Namely, they needed allies. In addition to her name and power.

The other members were soon copying letters dictated by Benedict that would be delivered to all the temples in the city, many of its nobles, and important business people. Ilea brought Nadir and a few of the other former slaves over to check some of the letters.

She mostly trusted Benedict himself but there were dozens of people working with them.

Ilea’s name and her actions from earlier had already reached the temple by now. Slaves and soldiers alike were looking for her with different hopes in their minds.

With everyone present, they quickly got together a list of people that would be willing to help or at least prevent the meaningless conflict to come. Some of them still argued that the city could hold against the Empire but they soon shut up when Ilea made it clear that she would personally intervene should that actually become the case.

She knew that Velamyr wanted to be done with it. Ilea very much felt the same way.

Chapter 518 Road Construction

Chapter 518 Road Construction

Ilea opened the heavy iron gate with her ash, prying the thing open as if it was made of cardboard.

The two pieces were pushed aside as she whistled, the first spells already hitting her without any noticeable damage to her ashen armor.

“Run or die,” she said, giving the frozen guards the same choice she had provided to those stationed in the four previous dungeons she had invaded.

The more people that joined this cause, the more information and detailed reports she got. Crimes were uncovered and their perpetrators pursued.

By now her name and actions had spread far and wide throughout Yinnahall, the nobility and army in shambles, split between those who wanted to end the conflict and those still standing with the High King.

Resolutions were being drawn up. Those previously in hiding came out with their evidence and accusations, the sudden opportunity not to be wasted.

It was utter chaos and after just about eight hours, Ilea was far gone from the center of it all.

She made it clear to everyone she got out of prison and every noble she confronted, that they were the ones to decide Yinnahall’s future. She just freed the path and demanded the abolishing of slavery.

Ilea didn’t really care if they found some way to become independent, as many hoped to do. She just felt obligated to interfere after seeing where the current road this city was on would lead.

Hector’s treasure sense was something quite valuable. Ilea found however that talking to political prisoners and amicable nobles trying to manipulate her to be just as good a way to find out where the treasuries were located.

Not their own of course. But those of their enemies.

Hector had already caused some chaos but it was nothing compared to the storm that had taken the city by now.

Ilea invaded the home of one of the last nobles on her list and found the man surrounded by guards in the large entrance hall.

“Lili-” he started, a dagger held close to a slave’s neck as he tried to negotiate.

Ilea had seen enough documents and heard plenty of personal testimonies to confirm his depravity. He was still pretty much on the bottom of the priority list which if anything, just proved that this city direly needed some kind of reform.

He wasn’t the first to try and negotiate, and surely he wouldn’t be the last.

However Ilea didn’t want what he was selling. The charges had been presented, and based on the evidence, the jury had deemed him guilty.

It was his misconception to think that he could negotiate with the executioner.

The dagger in his hand wasn’t magical, thus displaced without issue.

She slammed her ash through his barrier, armor, and finally through his skull.

“You can go or meet the same fate,” she said to the guards, healing the slave who looked at her with confusion and fear.

Many of these nobles were close to the capability of a low end Shadow. Enough perhaps to secure a portion of power in this city, enough to do what they wanted.

Ilea didn’t really see herself as anything more than the consequences of their actions.

She was ready to meet hers whenever they dared to show themselves.

She watched the guards run off before blinking down.

The vault was right where it should have been. The noble had owned several businesses and made a name for himself with soap of all things.

It really came as a surprise to find out how much blood could be connected to such a product.

Her Absolute Destruction charged and was released with a heavy punch that spread through the enchantments like a wildfire through the twigs of a dried out Christmas tree.

She entered and cleared out all the valuables as a mist of poisonous gas spread from various openings in the walls. She took a step closer to the slowly spreading poison and took a deep whiff.

“Interesting, they could work on the flavor,” she said to herself as she continued her looting.

That makes what? Eight hundred gold?

She was back at over two thousand pieces. There was the option of just dropping the money out into the streets to the slaves and citizens but she deemed Claire to be the better solution.

Hector was right when he suggested that the Empire would just take the wealth if they didn’t.

So now she just took his share too.

Ilea blinked a couple dozen times before she appeared in the temple hall. The place had come to be the base of operations for the resistance, the Order of Life, or the Independent Council of Yinnahall. Whatever they wanted to call themselves by now.

She could only compare the scene to an exaggerated depiction of a stock market company floor on a particularly bad day in the world of trading.

At this point the city was in their hands but there was still the problem of the Order’s rituals.

Benedict and a few others had been tasked with looking into it.

“No, if he refuses then he will be detained until after a decision is made. I don’t care if you have to set his temple on fire to get him out,” Ben explained to a group of soldiers before he noticed Ilea.

“So you are Li-” a man in fancy clothes said as he approached her before he was suddenly gone.

The people around her mostly kept their distance, the occasional interested party was simply displaced into the laundry room upstairs, making her stance on socializing clear.

She really liked the spell by now. None of her Classes or abilities had however leveled since the last time, likely to the lack of actual battles or challenges. The last noble she took out was the only one who actually managed to conjure a barrier. Likely because the others simply lacked a required spell to do so.

“How is it looking?” she asked.

“No rituals in the city. The opposition is getting weaker due to the provided evidence and the pressure from our coalition. Plus of course our more direct approach to clean out the city, in large thanks to your personal contributions,” he explained.

“As to information on other potential rituals… well there are reports from an uprising in Valstadt. Wynehold has declared its independence and is supposedly in talks with both Nipha and Lys. Borena was attacked by northern tribes. They seek aid from the more southern cities. Mothine to the south has reportedly been taken by the Empire. Refugees and soldiers who managed to get out before the siege have reached the slums just this morning. We deem it unlikely that the city would hold out for long.”

“Landort is under siege too, according to the troops who arrived a few days ago by both Nipha and Baralia troops. It’s unclear who they are but we assume Wynehold origins. It’s a little chaotic at the moment,” he said and continued immediately. “The High King has been suspiciously quiet. There are no news from the capital itself. We’re informing trusted associates of the Order of Truth, guards, military, nobility, and businesses alike of our discoveries and a call to seek out and destroy the rituals, should any have been set up in the various cities.”

“Harchat has reported invaders battling a group of Order members before leaving a temple entirely destroyed. That was four days ago,” Ben said.

“Hmm. So they succeeded,” Ilea said.

“Your associates then? Apparently they didn’t find the bodies. The report included a warning to other temples and help in the search of Elder Zion,” Benedict said.

“I see. You think he’s a driving force behind the rituals?” Ilea asked.

“Elder Zion, known blood mage and his associate space magic expert were in the process of setting up a ritual to make contact with the realm of life,” Ben said, holding up a letter as he read. “Yes. I think the answer to your question is yes.”

“What’s that place anyway? And where do you think the Elder is going now? Are there more Elders involved?” she asked.

“It’s a topic shrouded in a lot of secrecy. There are theories about it being the origin of healing magic, some say it’s the place where life itself came to be, while others yet claim it’s a demonic force trying to manipulate our Order into chaos. And that information is just from the records held by Barrett, a few other priests, and of course the High Priest of Yinnahall,” he said.

“Did he not have anything to share on the topic?” Ilea asked.

“We found him dead in his study,” Ben said.

“Fuck,” Ilea said.

“As to your question on the other Elders, most should be in the capital currently. I haven’t had the pleasure of ever meeting them myself but some of the other priests did. It’s unlikely that they would execute such a ritual in the capital itself,” he said.

“Why? They were willing to do it here and in so many other cities,” Ilea said.

“Baralia… we don’t think of this country the same way the Empire thinks of theirs. An attack on Yinnahall wouldn’t necessarily mean the country would go to war. An internal issue like Wynehold’s independence is not something the other cities would immediately choose to intervene in. Those who have their roots in the Capital would never sacrifice all of its population, no matter how large the gain. That’s also why only the High Priest here was even informed. The choice was death or exile in the capital. It seems he had friends in high enough places. Still he chose the former,” Benedict explained.

“But the Nobles in Nara were informed beforehand,” Ilea said. “They fled because of the High King’s warning,” she said.

“Because the relationship between the nobility of Nara and Baralia is different than that of Yinnahall and Baralia,” Ben said.

Ilea understood a little more now why the capital had the same name as the kingdom itself. It really was more an alliance of city states forced together because of the surrounding powers.

Claire had already informed her that the cooperation between the various cities had worsened in the last few decades under the current High King’s rule. The theory that the war against Lys was just an attempt at keeping the kingdom from falling apart became more and more plausible.

An attempt that backfired hilariously. From an outsider’s perspective that was. It wasn’t quite as enjoyable for those dying in the cities or in battle.

“And to where the Elder currently is… well we can only speculate,” Ben said. “However based on everything we know, that speculation is more accurate than you might think.”

He showed her a map, pointing first at Yinnahall before he moved his finger westward.

He indicated a small lake and a name written in the native tongue.

“Gyffold. It’s not a very large city but its defenses are well known throughout both Baralia and beyond. Their relations with the High King weren’t good to say the least. It’s one of the few remaining uncontested cities and it lies between Harchat, Yinnahall, and Baralia. One last test perhaps or the true extent of this ritual. Baron is brazen and thinks himself nothing lesser than a god but he would still not risk doing this in the capital. Not with his culminated power there,” Ben said.

“That’s if your high king is a reasonable man. What if he went down the deep end?” Ilea asked, seeing the confusion in the man’s face. “What if he’s crazy?”

“Then the capital is doomed,” Benedict said. “Gyffold is on the way however. We already sent riders and one of our elites who can fly.”

“I don’t know if warning them is the best idea,” she said.

“Had a trusted priest from another city warned us as we warned others, your intervention would not have become a necessity,” he said.

“You have a surprising amount of trust in your peers, especially considering the things we’ve learned today, and what you learned about the ritual,” she said.

“Lust, torture, and murder are failings, one worse than the other, but you are wrong to assume even a handful of Order priests would be willing to sacrifice their whole city,” he said with a firm voice.

“If you say so,” Ilea said, honestly hoping that the man was right.

“How likely do you think is a ritual taking place in Gyffold?” Ilea asked.

“It’s either Gyffold or Baralia. Any other city and it would be too late already. If another ritual had taken place, we would hear of it in a few days at best, weeks if the city was remote. However it’s unlikely that they were intended as weapons against invaders. A side effect if anything,” Ben said.

“They could’ve also just transported a large enough number of slaves to a random location to conduct the ritual there,” Ilea said.

“Then we have no way to stop them,” Ben admitted. “The patterns make sense however and I doubt Elder Zion would risk success now by forgoing the protection of the Order and an entire city,” he said.

Nor would he use fewer sacrifices if he has them available. He’s killed so many already, why not another city? More fuel is always better.

Ilea cracked her neck.

“You’re going?” Benedict asked.

Everyone close by who had pretended not to pay attention was now openly looking at them.

“Yes. I wish you luck in the coming times. Don’t disappoint me,” Ilea said to the man.

“You have saved Yinnahall, Lilith,” he said and stood up, bowing to her.

Many of the others followed suit.

“I prevented a ritual. The city is yours to save,” Ilea said with a smile, grabbing his map and blinking up and out of the temple.

Her wings spread and charged. She caught an arrow flying at her with surprising speed before she snapped the thing in half. People still thought they could change something by having her killed. She just hoped the Empire could prevent an extensive civil war in this kingdom.

She shot off in the direction of Gyffold, leaning forward as she increased her speed.

The flight took her over the elongated lake connected to Yinnahall, the forest beyond, and finally back to open plains.

Her map would be enough, knowing that Gyffold was apparently located in the middle of a rather large lake.

Ilea barely noted the various beasts in the wilderness, some running through the high grass below her without a care in the world. It really was a world unclaimed by humanity, even in their self proclaimed territory.

The birds trying to intercept her were simply displaced before their beaks could injure her or their bodies could slow her flight. She didn’t have time for small fry that didn’t understand her power.

While many wildlife creatures instinctively sought shelter upon her arrival, others lacked the perception to think past the modest size of her body. The absence of any warning colors or loud roars added to this confusing individual some could only logically place into the prey category.

The ashen being was luckily too preoccupied with a mission these creatures likely failed to comprehend, saving them from being ripped apart.

Ilea found the indicated lake a little while later.

The messengers from Yinnahall would not reach Gyffold for another day or more.

She slowed down as soon as she came close to the water. A quick ascent coupled with a few blinks let her get a better view of the city itself.

The walls were dark stone, seamlessly flowing into the rock below before it all vanished into the lake itself. Two thin perfectly straight and heightened stone roads led from the shores to the city island. The two to three thousand meter long constructs were most certainly not natural.

Pretty safe… attackers would have to come from the air or with boats. Any force coming over the roads would sacrifice any advantage their numbers would have provided.

Ilea thought about the potential of ice mages simply freezing the water for an army to cross.

She quickly found that the roads were closed already. Not really a problem for her however.

Ilea simply blinked into the water and approached the city that way. She was surprised to find the lake much deeper than she had anticipated.

The middle island itself extended far below too, the walls above just one of its defenses. Submarine monsters willingly patrolled the lake, some of them trying to have a bite of her but none finding success.

Most were below level one hundred but there were a few outliers. If anything, it didn’t seem like Gyffold had over fished its surrounding waters, either willingly or because the prospect simply proved too dangerous.

She found that the base of the island was rough rock, broad enough to make her sphere unable to reach through.

Instead she went close to the walls and displaced herself through and into a random cellar. The walls here did have anti teleportation enchantments but nothing to prevent her perception or space magic. She wondered how expensive such defenses really were. It was possible the city just lacked the necessary mages or they considered the risk of a space mage too low to justify the expense.

Ilea had made sure Ravenhall didn’t make the same mistake. Perhaps she should request the same from Allistair, if only to prevent infiltration. Not that their walls could even compare to Gyffold’s or Yinnahall’s.

The obvious competition among Baralia cities had likely led to the necessity of such high end defenses. Either that or the local governments simply prioritized walls to feeding citizens and slaves.

Ilea blinked up to the roof of the building she had arrived in and quickly assessed Gyfford.

The walls reached high on all sides, wild and sturdy defenses that looked almost natural at their base, growing into high structures obviously shaped by man. The streets were perfectly carved, a slight incline leading towards the city center and likely the wealthier districts.

Its size rivaled Stormbreach or Seyna, though not quite coming close to Ravenhall or Riverwatch.

The streets were busy despite the late evening hour, the same tension that she had felt in Yinnahall permeating the hushed voices and brisk moving citizens.

Now, where do I start?

Chapter 519 Catching up

A note from Rhaegar

Author's note: Hello there.

After next Thursday, I'll be on vacation until the end of August. I don't really know myself how much I'll work and how well I can upload with the uncertain internet. Keep your expectations low.

Apologies for being vague. I just don't want to promise things I won't be able to keep.

Chapter 519 Catching up

Ilea didn’t have to search far and wide for a start in the city. Instead she was found by a familiar face after rushing through the many houses for a few minutes.

“Finally,” Felicia said as she came to a stop on the roof next to her.

“Was I expected?” Ilea asked with a smile.

The woman giggled, her near yellow eyes twinkling with the warm light from the houses and streets close by.

“Not exactly, but the whispers of the winds were not silent tonight. And you’re moving incredibly fast.” Felicia said. “We’re short on time, as always. How long have you been here?”

“Just arrived,” Ilea said.

“Good. We’re still looking for the ritual site. Have been for nearly a day already. It’s not in any of the temples but we’re sure they’re here,” she said and jumped down.

Ilea followed.

“They?” she asked.

“We managed to find and destroy the ritual in Harchat, though those who were likely most heavily involved managed to get away. All high ranking members of the Order. We tracked them here and are reasonably certain they’re still in this city,” she explained and vanished.

Ilea tracked her with her sphere and followed, down below and into another part of the city Ilea had only glimpsed at.

“Most of Gyffold is underground. Especially the poorer districts. I assume you were successful in Yinnahall?” she asked.

Ilea nodded. “How do you know where I was?”

“The pirate arrived a few hours ago and joined the search. He mentioned that you found and disrupted the ritual in Yinnahall yourself but were busy with the cleanup,” Felicia said.

“Something like that,” Ilea said.

The woman laughed. “Let me guess, you tried to help out the city?”

“You think that ridiculous? I heard you changed but to that extent?” Ilea said.

Felicia looked hurt, slowing down and summoning something to drink. She took a few gulps and looked at Ilea, her black hair moving slightly in the wind that seemed to be present around her at all times.

[Mage – lvl 248]

“I don’t think it ridiculous at all, Ilea. You always had a heart. Perhaps with your incredible power, you could even back up an unhealthy dose of idealism and hope. Ravenhall and Riverwatch are perhaps proof for that already, who knows?”

“No, I’m simply happy to know that you’re still you,” Felicia added with a bright smile.

“Neither of us is quite the same,” Ilea said but allowed herself a smile too.

“The ritual… we should inform the Order here,” she said.

Felicia nodded. “The pirate informed us of the circumstances in Yinnahall. We found similar evidence in Harchat. Velamyr thought it too high a risk to actually inform them but he did contact certain members of the nobility. It will take time to convince even those who would listen.”

“What about an evacuation? If there are no people here, they won’t be able to use the ritual,” Ilea said.

“If that incentive comes from us, the locals would see it as an imperial infiltration, trying to get them out of their highly defensible city. No, they won’t leave. Michael also confirmed that the ritual doesn’t need as much death as it had claimed in Odiah,” she said. “He told me he’s currently working on a solution for that which might reduce the victims here, even if the ritual is used.”

“Where are they now?” Ilea asked.

“We’re working in teams of two. The copy of Michael who was with me sought out the Pirate when I informed him of your arrival,” Felicia said. “We meet in our hideout every hour to discuss our findings but it’s just a matter of time until the ritual is used. They have the blood and space mages here.”

Figured that out too, or did Hector tell them.

“Any leads to find it?” Ilea asked.

“None,” Felicia admitted with a frown. “The Order here seems less corrupt. They’re loyal to the city and any suggestion of its destruction was only met with confusion and anger.”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to inform them?” Ilea asked.

Felicia looked at her. “I believe they were silenced afterwards.”

Fantastic

“Are we sure the next ritual is even here?” Ilea asked.

“There should be others. The Dawn Company split up to pursue smaller towns and cities in the north of the kingdom and strike teams of the Empire should have reached many in the south. Velamyr thinks it’s highly unlikely that the High King would use this ritual in the capital,” Felicia said.

“That lines up with my information. Which leaves Gyffold,” Ilea said.

“Which leaves Gyffold,” Felicia said and stored her bottle. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“I agree but we can catch up later, Felicia,” Ilea said.

“Are you telling me the great Lilith of Ravenhall can’t have a conversation while looking for a dangerous blood magic ritual site?” the woman said with a smirk, vanishing a moment later.

Ilea followed with a smile.

“You don’t look so good anyway. Have you eaten enough?” Felicia asked as they rushed through the city’s underground, hiding in dark alleys, appearing in empty rooms, and damp halls.

“I rarely forget to eat, not that it’s necessary at our power,” Ilea said.

“You don’t sound like yourself at all!” Felicia said and punched her shoulder as they walked through a stretch of busy streets that provided few areas to hide in. Various vendors, restaurants, and stores sold their goods here with little regard for the time of day.

“Maybe you should take a vacation after this is over,” Felicia said.

“I think I will,” Ilea said and chuckled, both of them wearing Baralia armor.

“I’ll try to make it change,” Felicia said.

Ilea nodded.

“I… know what Edwin told you. That for your help, you’ll get all our gold, everything our ancestors have built. It was not his to give but for what you did, I would give it up. Not my name but all we own,” Felicia said.

“I heard you’re leading your House now,” Ilea said. “What would you do if I took it all. Would you follow your dream to get a farm somewhere, get away from war and politics?”

Felicia giggled, reminding her of the girl she had met near Dawntree so long ago.

“No, Ilea. Not anymore. My father is gone and I was the one to kill him. If you claim what was promised, I will start again with nothing. As long as I remain alive, our name retains its power. Some of it at least,” she said.

Ilea laughed before she touched Felicia’s shoulder. “Don’t laugh, but I honestly forgot about Edwin’s promise.”

Felicia did laugh.

“I hoped as much,” she said after calming down. They were back to their fast paced search of the extensive underground. Occasionally they would stop and inspect enchanted areas or otherwise suspicious sections.

“Why bring it up then?” Ilea asked.

“Because I don’t want to deceive a friend,” Felicia said and looked at her. “Deep down I knew you wouldn’t want it, not if it meant anything to me. I’ll make sure to make the legacy of Lilith proud with what I do.”

Ilea nodded.

“I met Maria,” she said suddenly. “Speaking of my legacy.”

Felicia opened her eyes wide before she nodded. “She’s useful. Sometimes. It’s hard to keep her focused on anything that isn’t her broadening revenge. If she continues at the same pace, she’ll make enemies I won’t be able to protect her from. This war might cloud her actions but I already dread the questions soon to rise.”

“You don’t think she should be stopped?” Ilea asked.

Felicia appeared in front of an enchanted steel door, gesturing for Ilea to have a look.

“Why didn’t you stop her?” Felicia asked. “Even if I tried, I couldn’t.”

“She said she was working for you,” Ilea said.

Felicia smiled a bitter smile. “Maria knows which threads to pull, even if she told the truth. Though I suppose I wouldn’t expect you to fight her either way. Maria’s past at least explains her anger, her want for justice. And for what she’s done for us, it would take more than a few nobles’ deaths for me to act.”

“It’s a delicate issue and in the end I simply hope she can somehow find herself again, not the monster she’s become, her entire being consumed by vengeance,” she said with a quiet voice.

“I heard about Edwin too,” Ilea said, her reverse healing slowly destroying the enchantments in the door. “I’m sorry.”

Felicia waved her off. “I appreciate it and I know you mean it for my sake. My brother wasn’t perfect. He fought and killed, used, and manipulated. He saved me and Aliana, Maria too in the end. And he led us to our ultimate goal. He’s not entirely lost and while it saddens me to see him in this state, I do think he deserves some if not all of it, if only for what we’ve done to you,”

“With our level of power, there is always a way to come back. He’s still alive after all,” she added with a giggle.

“You really did change,” Ilea said and opened the door.

“I was a scared, hopeful little girl for most of my life. I questioned every step I took until I was paralyzed in stagnation. When my father died on that field, I felt like I could breathe again,” Felicia said.

Ilea smiled and stepped inside.

“Did we find it?” Felicia whispered.

“No,” Ilea said. “But I can’t just see that and walk by, not even if the ritual goes off in half a minute.”

Felicia nodded, her expression turning serious as the air started moving more erratically around her.

Ilea covered herself in her ashen armor before she blinked inside.

Torture and slavery seemed to go hand in hand. In a world where everyone had the potential to become a dangerous warrior or wielder of magic, the control through fear and pain required more than just chains.

She grabbed the whip mid motion, pulling on it to bring the slaver off balance. At the same time she healed the quivering man behind her, his back exposed and showing so many gashes it all flowed together. Enough blood had pooled below that she was surprised he even still breathed.

A thin blade of air cut through the slaver’s neck, his head rolling onto the floor as his body collapsed.

A dozen guards rushed in from their posts before a whistle sounded through the hall.

“I need a little longer with these,” Ilea said as her ashen limbs spread out to the various cages and torture machines, breaking mechanisms and healing those unfortunate enough to be here.

“Leave it to me,” Felicia said, unaffected by Monster Hunter due to Ilea’s second tier Veteran.

The air reformed around her as she ascended a few meters, a rush of wind spreading out and cutting into the confused guards. Most of them were killed on the spot, others just lost a leg or two.

Felicia finished them off with precise lances of wind to their heads.

Ilea finished her healing and silently displaced or broke the shackles, gates, and rope.

The other woman helped out silently, neither of them speaking the language of the natives.

“Take what you can, disguise yourselves and leave this place,” Ilea said before she vanished.

Barely a minute had passed. An unnecessary detour perhaps, meaningless if the ritual was activated anytime soon. And yet it was a detour she couldn’t ignore, not after seeing it through her sphere.

Felicia didn’t comment on it but the near wicked smile that slowly faded from her face suggested a similar mindset.

“The Class,” Felicia said, turning a little red at Ilea’s gaze.

“Berserker?” Ilea asked. She had given it some thought due to her third Class theorizing.

Felicia nodded. “I’ll try to get something else for my next evolution. I can keep it in check thanks to my main Class but sometimes it shows.”

“Has it overpowered you entirely before?” Ilea asked with genuine interest.

“Not fully, no. It helps cloud pain, helps me focus. Back then I thought it could give me an edge… a way to bridge the gap between myself and my brother. A way for me to become useful to him,” she said and shook her head, a complicated expression on her face.

“I’ve been wondering how much our Classes actually influence our thinking,” Ilea said as they continued.

“I think it goes hand in hand. We act a certain way, change in certain ways, and our Classes evolve accordingly. That again changes how we act and change. Perhaps we all move towards an extreme representation of who we are, who we think we are,” Felicia said.

“In the end they’re our tools. A representation of our magic and our power. I don’t think they make us into who we are but in a world where power is everything, there’s a chance that we might lose ourselves.”

“I agree. I do think there are more physical ways how the Classes affect us and how we think. I just try to avoid evolutions with descriptions that don’t fit me and my behavior,” Ilea said.

“Not everyone has the same amount of choices,” Felicia said. “I hope this war will open a few more doors for me than last time around.”

“You could always come on a hunt with me,” Ilea suggested with a smile.

“I’ve explored a few dungeons myself already. Being alone leads to the most benefits and with my regeneration I think I can grow without your help. I’ve been relying on others for most of my life. I do appreciate the offer of course. Maybe at some point, if we ever become equals,” she said and laughed.

“I suppose that’s only possible if you retire and I get a few hundred years to catch up!” she added.

“Make that a few thousand. I don’t plan to stop anytime soon,” Ilea said and smirked.

“That would be something… Ilea and Felicia. The thousand year old Empress and her ashen Shadow,” Felicia mused in a joking manner.

Ilea smiled. “I’m happy to hear you plan on becoming an ash mage. I’m sure I can put in a good word with the Hand to fulfill the second part of your prophecy.”

Felicia laughed. “I don’t think either of us really wants to become an Empress. I should shut my mouth too, this is treason!”

“I should report you to Velamyr,” Ilea said.

“Please don’t. His sense of humor is still in development,” she said.

They continued in silence for a while, their search still yielding no clues.

With their high speed and perception, the two could search through whole districts in little time but that didn’t mean anything if the enemy had hidden themselves too well.

“I mean it by the way. I’ve worked hard just to be acknowledged as the Redleaf heir,” she said.

“You’re not the only one who’s grown in the last few years,” Ilea said.

“I know. Why Lilith by the way?” she asked.

“Kind of just came up with it. It was a religious thing where I’m from,” Ilea said.

“A god of sorts?” Felicia asked. “That’s fitting.”

“More a demon I think,” Ilea said.

Felicia laughed at that. “Maybe I should think of an alias too. Put on a mask and purge some of the corruption in Lys.”

“Isn’t Maria doing that already?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t think she’ll continue to work with me forever. There’s liberty in wearing a mask, or ashen armor I suppose,” she said and laughed.

“There is,” Ilea said.

“The hour is nearly up. Will you come to the meeting point too?” Felicia asked.

“Sure,” Ilea said.

“These are the people you’ve been looking for by the way. The Golden Lily, was it?” Felicia said. “They knew my father.”

“Yes. Sadly they’re not as obviously evil as I had hoped,” Ilea said.

Felicia laughed. “My father was.”

“Velamyr… well some might call him evil but I think he’s pragmatic at best. He’s entirely focused on Lys, which is good for me but I suppose the High King of Baralia wouldn’t quite agree,” she added.

“Did you talk to the others too?” Ilea asked.

“Michael mostly. He’s a blood and gold mage, can make copies of himself which is quite impressive. His knowledge and skill in general are equal or even beyond Velamyr’s. And that’s just what he’s shown. His copies are more talkative than the original I found but they still have to follow his orders.”

“I think he’s mostly based in Kroll. A researcher. One that cares about the advancement of magic itself and our use of it,” she said. “I didn’t tell anybody else but he shared some insights on these rituals with me.”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“He believes he could create something similar. He called their work sloppy, their sacrifices unnecessary, and wasteful,” she said.

“Sounds more like a perfectionist than an empathetic beacon of morality,” Ilea said.

“You’re not surprised at his ability? If what he claims was the truth,” Felicia asked with raised brows.

“The Order could pull it off. And they didn’t strike me as particularly impressive so far. Strand could summon enough demons to wipe out Ravenhall, why shouldn’t there be others with similar capabilities? You and me both could slaughter thousands before we could be stopped, if we’re stopped at all. It’s just more messy and takes longer,” Ilea said.

Felicia sighed.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t defend against it at all. We’re trying a lot of things in Ravenhall. To prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again,” Ilea said.

“It would be impossible to convince the nobility of Lys to allocate the resources such an undertaking would require,” Felicia said.

“Then I suggest you use your seat among them to inspire some common sense,” Ilea said. “Maybe the rituals that happened here can bring some change.”

Felicia snorted. “Few of us really experienced one. If anything it will increase the restrictions on large scale rituals.”

“Would probably be better if they tried to understand them and created countermeasures instead of just banning the whole thing. If there had been a thousand experts on summoning runes and demons in Ravenhall, I’m sure the extent of Strand’s summoning would have been revealed weeks before he was ready to execute it,” Ilea said.

“Michael shared similar views,” Felicia said and giggled. “I’ll have to be a little more serious again in the meeting, I hope you understand.”

“Play your games, noble girl,” Ilea said.

Felicia laughed and rubbed Ilea’s ash covered head. “Way too rough,” she commented and smiled at Ilea’s amused look.

“That’s the point,” Ilea said.

Chapter 520 Rituals

Chapter 520 Rituals

Ilea followed Felicia into a rather spacious factory hall.

None of the forges were currently in use. A few oil lamps lent their warm light to the gathered individuals.

“There she is!” Hector exclaimed with open arms. “Ah, she’s still mad.”

Ilea didn’t comment, only glancing at the dripping man in passing.

“Lilith. It’s good that you came. I expect Major Redleaf has already instructed you?” Velamyr asked.

Ilea nodded.

“Good. Anything new?” the General asked.

“Nothing,” Hector said, eating from a plate. This time with a fork. “Some of their vaults have surprisingly little security though. Had.”

Velamyr ignored the comment.

“I found several blood mages and ritual halls but not the one we’re looking for,” Michael said. Only one of him was here right now.

“We should inform the Order,” Ilea said.

“It’s too much of a risk,” Velamyr said.

Ilea noted that no members of the Dawn Company were present. It was just them.

“It worked in Yinnahall,” she said. “Messengers are on the way anyway. I doubt they’d take more than a day to arrive.”

“Our resources are better spent searching than trying to convince these fanatics to betray their own. Our interrogations proved such. Your suggestion is dismissed,” Velamyr said.

“I’m not one of your soldiers, General,” Ilea said, glaring at the man.

Hector snickered, nearly choking on his food. The others didn’t react much.

Velamyr nodded as he ground his teeth. “I’m aware of that fact. Though I was told you had uncovered the ritual site before the Order was willing to cooperate at a large scale?”

Ilea nodded.

“Do you think your word alone or that of a priest from Yinnahall will mobilize them quickly enough to find the site?” he asked.

“Maybe. Maybe not,” Ilea admitted. Benedict remembering the space magic related letter was kind of a fluke too. Just talking to him in the first place had been a risk. One that could’ve ended in the ritual site being warned.

Though I suppose now they know we’re coming anyway.

“Preventing the ritual is just one thing we can do. If we can’t find it, what about evacuation, or some kind of countermeasure?” Ilea suggested.

“We’re talking about a city wide scale,” Velamyr said. “And evacuation is impossible. Not in a reasonable time frame, not without hard proof. If we could show them the ritual site. But if we find it, an evacuation won’t be necessary in the first place.”

“City wide scale. You’re part of this group, can’t you create a countermeasure against it all? You’re a blood mage, right?” Ilea asked, looking at Michael.

“You think highly of my abilities,” he said, studying her.

Now that she got a better look, the man seemed quite ordinary. Brown hair and eyes, plus a rather plain face. Still he seemed downright regal, his golden armor coupled with his demeanor and the way he held himself painting an illustration of confidence and ability.

“Can you?” she insisted.

Velamyr raised a brow.

“We still haven’t found it. I expected us to be successful within two to three hours. I hoped as much because the ritual would have surely been used by then. It still hasn’t. Maybe there is some merit in trying to save lives,” Velamyr said.

Ilea shared an appreciative glance that he noted.

“I understand large parts of the ritual, however I could only guess at the space magic runes a countermeasure would require, I can’t perceive their effects after all. Nor could I set up something that could span the whole city,” Michael said.

“We’re sure it’s here. Either here or in Baralia. I dabble in space magic, maybe we can figure it out together,” Ilea said.

Michael blinked a few times at that.

“General skills? No, a third Class… I must have missed it. Impressive,” he said with a genuine smile.

Felicia glanced at Ilea but didn’t say anything.

Velamyr gave her a look too but didn’t seem quite as impressed as the others.

“How many of your selves would you have to invest?” the General asked.

“Just me,” Michael said. “That is if Lilith cannot be in five places at the same time?”

“I can’t,” she said.

“Then just me,” Michael said.

“We keep looking. Try to set up your runes without alarming the authorities. You know where the most densely populated areas are?” Velamyr asked.

“The academy and noble district should be our priority,” Michael said.

“Why?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her with confusion. “Because the brightest minds are located there. The most likely in this city to push beyond a mundane life of normalcy.”

“Because they’re nobles?” Ilea asked.

“Because they have the most resources at their disposal,” he said.

“True but why would an already comfortable noble push for more. I’d argue a slave wanting to improve their life would have more of a chance to survive out in the wild,” Ilea said.

Based on her experience, most nobles reached a high level and simply remained there, more preoccupied with trade and politics than fighting deadly monsters.

“I agree with the ash woman,” Hector said and pointed at her with a shrimp.

“We compromise then. We work out the runes and then each of us gets to chose a district. We roll dice for the first one. Does that sound agreeable?” the gold mage asked. “We should not waste time on such discussions.”

Ilea nodded.

“One hour again. If you find the site and can disrupt the ritual, do so. Make sure to blow some things up if you can’t defeat the Order in your teams, the rest will respond,” Velamyr said and vanished.

The rest did the same, Felicia giving Ilea a light nod before she left.

Hector finished his plate before he dissolved into water, flowing out a nearby window.

Shouldn’t he be with one of Michael’s copies?

“I assume you’re unfamiliar with the city layout?” Michael asked as he summoned a single dice, rolling it on a floating golden plate.

He got a three.

“Higher wins?” she asked and took the six sided dice.

He nodded.

Ilea rolled a five. She hadn’t manipulated the result and couldn’t see anything fishy on his side either. “I don’t know the city.”

“Follow me then,” Michael said and vanished.

They teleported deep into the island town until Michael stopped in a dark alley.

A thin man with a rusty knife stood up nearby, murmuring something in the native tongue.

“Leave,” Ilea said.

His eyes cleared a little before he murmured a curse and ran.

Michael was already working, gold cutting into his arms before a large amount of blood rushed out, splashing to the ground and forming runes she neither knew nor understood.

“How did you track them here anyway?” she asked.

“Lady Redleaf has a nearly divination like tracking ability,” he said. “You can perceive space?”

Ilea nodded.

“Tell me if this is stable,” Michael said as power rushed into the runes.

Something flared up, a short ripple going through space.

“Came and went,” Ilea said.

He adjusted the runes without talking.

They spent twenty minutes with trial and error until Michael stopped. “That’s good enough.”

“What exactly does this do?” Ilea asked, looking around at the complicated layout.

“The ritual seeks out life energy to consume as fuel. It’s not a continued effect but a one time surge. The runes placed here are fueled by a tiny amount of my life. There are sections in their ritual that prioritize higher quality energy. I can fool it into taking only what I have provided here,” Michael explained.

And your word is all I have for that, Ilea thought.

At least she doubted he was creating a copy of the ritual or something similarly sinister.

“We have a lot of ground to cover. Make sure to check if the runes act stable each time. I’m not versed in space magic. It’s volatile and without the associated sight only testing will bring results,” he said.

He messed up a few times but in the end the district was done in less than half an hour.

Michael chose the academy district as the next target, continuing his work with focus.

They mostly remained silent.

“What do you think the ritual does? I know you said you can’t perceive space but you understand the runes well enough to create them,” Ilea said after he finished with the academy district.

They continued with one of the poorer areas.

Michael looked at her as he worked. “The blood magic part is rather simple. Just a way to collect life energy and force it into the space related runes. Don’t understand me wrong, there are perhaps three blood mages I know who would be capable of creating something of this extent. And even they would need time to both work out the spell and actually execute it.”

“None would have a reason to do so. The space aspect is confusing to me. I haven’t seen any of the executed rituals but the base seemed unstable,” he said.

“The results were unstable. It seemed like a forced tear in space itself. All ritual sites had the same monsters coming out of it,” she said.

He smirked ever so slightly. “A connection to an unknown realm then?”

“Probably,” Ilea said. “I had hoped you knew more.”

“It’s a shame I had to disappoint,” the man said but he didn’t sound sorry at all.

He finished up the current runes when Ilea saw a ripple in space.

“Did you just test it again?” she asked.

Michael shook his head. “No, the runes are stable.”

“I just felt something,” Ilea said, trying to make out the epicenter. “A ripple in space.”

He opened his eyes wide and used a few spells. “I can’t detect anything. The runes here haven’t been affected either.”

“I’ll check it out,” she said.

“Are you sure?” he immediately said. “We shouldn’t waste time on a random phenomenon.”

“This isn’t random,” Ilea said. “Something strange just happened and I want to know what it was.”

She blinked a few times, focusing on her Space Awareness to make out the source of the ripple.

Maybe just a long range teleport? she wondered but found no trace of the person who would have used it.

The wisps were disturbed, she noted, following the signs until she reached a dead end. She retracted her steps and found another set of wisps.

She finally reached an alley deep within the city and close to the lake beyond. Nothing showed up within her sphere but the wisps were more disturbed here.

Michael found her a moment later, appearing next to her.

“Behind that wall?” he asked.

Ilea nodded.

He extended his hands before a glob of gold materialized, forming small fragments that launched into the wall itself, digging inside as if they had fallen into water.

“You’re right,” he said. “There are powerful enchantments here,” he said.

“Can you get the others?” Ilea asked.

He glanced at her, deep in thought for a moment before he blinked his eyes. “Yes,” he said, his gold armor cutting into his arms before a pool of blood formed in front of him.

He murmured an incantation before the blood formed loose runes in the air.

“Blood magic is fucking ominous, tell you what,” Ilea said.

“The more you understand,” Michael said as the runes started glowing. “The less you fear.”

A pulse of mana rushed out, only noticeable within her sphere because she saw him use the spell right there. The pulse quickly lessened in intensity, nearly imperceptible when it reached the other side of her sphere.

She kept her focus on the wisps of space, still slightly bent in a weird way.

“I only commented on the looks. I know magic is just a tool,” she said. “We should go. Maybe this is the first step of the ritual.”

He looked at her. “There are anti teleportation runes in place.”

“Anti space magic?” she asked.

“I don’t see any,” he said.

“What levels were we talking about?” Ilea asked.

“The members we faced were below my own,” Michael said.

[Mage – lvl 275]

Should be manageable, she thought and charged Heart of Cinder.

Ilea didn’t wait any longer and displaced herself behind the wall.

She appeared in a spacious hall, about a dozen bodies strewn about. All were clad in the same Order robes, glowing runes on the ground fizzling out as she spread out her ash and cut through them with all the speed and strength she could muster.

Nobody stopped her.

Nobody was even in the hall.

Ilea already destroyed most of the runes when she released Heart of Cinder near the wall she had come from. It didn’t break through entirely but successfully destroyed the enchantments placed within.

She slowed down and focused on the one major thing in the near featureless hall placed within the city walls.

A fissure in space.

Perfectly stable and very much unlike any of the previous ritual sites she had seen before.

It was odd.

The destruction of the runes didn’t have an influence on the fissure at all.

She stepped towards the thing, a round shape without a discernible edge that showed a snow covered stone palace on the other side.

The view wasn’t perfectly clear, not even to her enhanced perception. Her sphere couldn’t pierce to the other side either.

It almost looked like viewing something through water. Either from below while being submerged, or watching on from the outside.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Michael appeared close by with floating gold around him and blood blades in hand.

He looked at the destroyed floor and to Ilea, joining her side as his weapons disintegrated.

“You should have waited,” he said, obviously irritated.

“And risk the whole city?” Ilea asked as she kept her eyes on the manifestation that should not exist and was there nonetheless.

“This is a stable gate to another world… do you have any idea what this means in regards to magic theory, resources, and-” he stopped himself, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes.

“It’s stable,” Ilea said, ignoring his outburst. Going to another realm wasn’t exactly something novel to her anymore. Everything she knew about these rituals was that dangerous insect creatures spilled out from the other side. Here however, that hadn’t happened so far.

He nodded. “That it is.”

“How?” she asked.

Michael stepped a little closer, walking around the fissure.

“Do you not feel the mana?” he asked.

Ilea shook her head slightly. “What do you mean?”

“The density… it’s rapidly increasing,” he whispered.

She deactivated her Arcane Magic Resistance and immediately felt the change.

“It’s overflowing from the other side. Most of it seems to be taken by the gate itself,” he said.

“You’re saying it’s keeping itself active based on the mana it receives from the other side?” she asked.

“It’s my current theory,” he said.

More people arrived now. More Michaels, then Velamyr and Felicia. And finally Hector.

“Oh fuck, they did it!” the pirate exclaimed. “Who’s the first to step through? I vote Me.”

“Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?” Velamyr asked. “Good job on finding it,” he added with a look towards Ilea and Michael.

“They executed the ritual?” Felicia asked, looking around.

“Did it with these ten people instead of sacrificing a whole city?” Hector asked. “Must have learned quite a bit from their tests,” he added with a smirk.

What is he implying?

“Can you collapse it?” Velamyr asked.

“No…,” Michael said.

“No you can’t, or no you don’t want to?” the General said.

“No to both,” Michael said. “It’s not part of the ritual anymore but a stable gate. This is truly incredible.”

“Yeah, but not if we just look at it from here,” Hector said.

“Something is coming,” Ilea said.

They all watched as a Pearl Mantis Sire stepped out from the other side.

[Warrior – lvl 248]

The creature arrived and started shaking, stepping back its limbs started shaking, its eyes bulging out.

Nobody had engaged yet, the being vanishing back into the fissure.

“A dark one?” Ilea asked.

Michael glanced at her.

“The enemy,” Velamyr said. “We have to close this portal or risk an invasion by hostile monsters.”

“Didn’t look very hostile to me,” Ilea said.

“They’re the same we fought before, what are you talking about?” Hector asked.

“Did you not identify it?” she asked.

“No,” he admitted.

“That thing was a warrior. Likely a sapient being. A dark one,” Ilea said.

“Ah, I see,” Hector said.

“That is even worse,” Velamyr said. “Why did it not attack?”

“Because the mana here is not sufficient to supply its need,” Michael said.

“Huh. But they never went back before,” Hector said.

“They couldn’t,” Ilea suggested.

“And more kept coming anyway? If they’re sapient then they’re pretty fucking stupid,” Hector said and laughed.

Michael looked at them. “Excess mana is leaking into the surroundings. Sooner or later, they will be able to pass.”

Ilea noticed a blade of grass sprouting from the stone floor, seemingly out of nowhere.

“Michael, I need you to understand the danger we’re in. No matter what we gain out of this, I won’t risk letting an army of foreign sapient creatures invade these lands. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you if you close this fissure. Now,” the General said.

“Not before I go through. I want to at least see what that place looks like. Been a while since I’ve been to another realm,” Hector said.

Ilea quirked up her eyebrows at that. He has a way to go back then?

“You will be stranded on the other side,” Velamyr said.

“Eh,” Hector said and waved his hand sideways.

Michael shook his head. “I cannot close this gate. It’s embedded into our reality and theirs. Lilith destroyed the ritual already. It’s no longer fueled by the runes.”

Velamyr ground his teeth audibly before he stepped closer to the thing. “Then we destroy what’s on the other side before they can do the same to us.”

Chapter 521 Warriors

Chapter 521 Warriors

How very military of you, Ilea thought. “Let me talk to them first at least.”

“If they attack, it’s over,” the General said.

“I hope they do,” Hector said as he joined them.

“How stable is this exactly?” Felicia asked.

“We cannot collapse it. It’s simply impossible. With the knowledge and power at my disposal,” Michael said.

Felicia glanced at the group before she gulped and joined them.

“I won’t stay back,” she whispered.

“I agree with Lilith. A diplomatic approach will lead to more gain,” Michael said.

“For you and your research. They’re not human. Treat them like you would treat Elves,” Velamyr said.

As I intend to do, Ilea thought with a smile behind her ashen armor.

She wondered why the creatures before had already been frenzied as soon as they arrived. A question she would ask Michael if the opportunity presented itself.

“The three we were hunting aren’t here,” Velamyr said.

“Probably went through already,” Michael suggested.

Ilea walked close to the gate and stretched out her hand. “Then let’s see what’s waiting for us in the realm of life.”

When her hand touched the fissure, it created ripples on the surface but she didn’t feel anything. It felt no different than the very air currently around her. Her hand pushed further and she noticed something peculiar.

Ilea pulled out her arm and pushed it in again.

“What is it?” Michael asked.

“Yeah, get on with it,” Hector said and jumped through without waiting for any feedback.

Ilea didn’t let it disturb her.

“My hand was gone,” she said.

Michael touched his chin. “It’s possible. Your arm really was in a different place entirely.”

She smiled.

Freaky.

And stepped through.

Ilea was hit by freezing air. Air at least and not a vacuum or a different substance entirely.

Like water, she thought, reminded of the great salt.

She felt the mana around her to be substantially more dense than back in Elos. It compared to some of the deeper dungeons she had visited but didn’t come close to her experience at the bottom of the Descent.

It was dark, leaving the impression that she was underground but Ilea quickly realized that wasn’t the case.

Ice crystals formed on top of her armor but quickly dissolved again, unable to push against her resistance. Her breath formed a mist in front of her armor.

Hector stood close by, his face scrunched into a displeased grimace.

“Alright there, waterboy?” she asked.

He looked at her, the ice forming on his body crunching with the movement. “Fuck this place.”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

They were situated in a spacious courtyard, the pyramid like temple before them extending upward. Around them were rudimentary stone structures, pillars, and walls. All of it was covered in a layer of snow and ice.

She looked up and saw the obvious culprit for both the cold and the dim light. A solar eclipse was currently in progress.

There were various beings present, hiding behind nearby pillars or in the doorways leading into the halls beyond. They were of the same species as the monsters they had fought back in Nara but their levels were significantly lower. All were still above two hundred.

Their behavior however was very different, their many eyes focused on the newcomers and the fissure behind, intelligence shining in them compared to the mindless creatures they had faced before.

Ilea felt distress from some of them with her Sentinel Huntress skill.

Peace? She sent to the nearest creatures, trying to establish contact with her third tier Mental Resistance.

A few of them reeled back, others outright ran away.

She got no answer.

“What did you do?” Hector asked.

“Just tried to talk,” she said, spreading her arms wide.

“Do you speak our language?” she asked when Michael came out of the gate.

All five of his self were there, suggesting that he had a way to return to Elos or he really believed the gate to be stable. He used a few spells on himself to ward off the cold and the arcane power as he looked around.

Ilea could see the freezing air around him warm up through her sphere.

Velamyr and Felicia followed.

The latter immediately buckled.

Ilea was by her side an instant later and pushed healing mana into her.

“What is this?” Felicia asked, an armor of wind flowing around her.

“You’ll be fine. It’s pretty dense mana. And just freezing air,” Ilea said to her, keeping up her healing. “Do you want to go back?”

Felicia lifted her head and stared at Ilea, the look in her eyes changing suddenly. She shook her head slowly.

Ilea felt her body heat up slightly, the damage done to her by the cold now healing, even without her interference.

Berserker stuff.

“They’re not hostile,” she said.

Velamyr looked around, lightning flowing on his armor, his movements not visibly slowed by the surrounding energy.

Ilea could tell that the mana was bothering him, if only a little.

Only Hector and herself seemed to be entirely unaffected. His water of course proved problematic but other than a comedic frozen look, it didn’t seem to inhibit him.

“Same conclusion on the gate, Michael?” Velamyr asked.

The gold mage only nodded, staring at the manifestation behind him.

“Do they speak a language?” the General asked.

Michael loudly said a few words, supposedly different languages. He tried to form something with his gold and finally used blood magic to directly connect to some of the creatures.

All it did was make more of the beings run off.

They’re scared.

“None of them are three marks,” Velamyr said.

“If their mana gets out of control, their minds will be destroyed and their power will be pushed to the highest possible ability,” Michael said.

Dude seems to know everything, Ilea thought. She knew the Knights of Rhyvor had been taken by the dungeon somehow. Maybe this was similar.

Would this have happened to Elfie had he succumbed to the mana?

“A lack of mana does the same as too much of it?” she asked.

“Likely,” the gold mage said and gave her a long look.

“So they can’t go to our realm without turning into monsters. Let’s see what we can loot then,” Hector said.

“Leave one of your own here to protect the fissure. We don’t want any of them to get through,” Velamyr said. “If we can find any answers or beings that can communicate with us, then in there.”

He pointed to the temple in front of them and the two large stone gates standing wide open, a stairwell leading up right behind.

Ilea used Heart of Cinder to keep the freezing air from even touching her armor.

“Let’s go,” she said and walked towards the temple entrance, trying to seem as non threatening as possible.

Hector did the opposite, clapping his hands towards one of the ants hiding behind a nearby pillar. The thing rushed away as he cackled.

The rest followed too, all of them with magic flowing around them.

Ilea immediately felt the cold subside when she stepped past the threshold.

Something else however took its place.

A presence, something that pushed against her mind with a curious interest.

To anybody else it might have seemed like a mental attack but to her it was obviously just someone making contact.

She could tell that the being was located deep within the temple, its mind magic capabilities rudimentary at best. Enough to make conversation perhaps but nothing compared to even Weavy.

Ilea smirked at the thought of considering Weavy a low point in mental powers.

Nobody else had reacted in any way as they ascended the broad and high stairs.

She sent something back to the being.

Hello.

Coupled with a mental wave of her hand and peaceful thoughts. She wasn’t exactly far beyond the powers of this thing when it came to mind magic.

Clicking noises could be heard from the top of the stairwell by now, a bunch of mantis creatures looking their way before they ran off.

Ilea heard a moan that sounded decidedly human, picking up her pace as they rushed up.

They reached a large open space, dozens of beings present. A central mantis creature glared at them and punched the blade of a spear through an armored man’s head.

Not a single drop of blood or brain matter splattered out before the spear was ripped out again, leaving a hollow wound both to Ilea’s eyes and sphere.

The mantis creature looked similar to those she had faced before. A pale pinkish color and two large bulges holding two small beady eyes. The being was naturally armored, covered from head to its thin legs in a pink carapace. Flowers of various colors and sizes decorated the being’s armor and head, fastened to it with simple frayed string. It looked a little smaller than the many other mantises in the room, almost delicate.

The spotless spear of bone and steel coupled with the savage execution suggested otherwise. It held the weapon with the natural grace of an experienced hunter, moving it into a defensive position as it watched the newcomers.

The murdered man had been clad in white plate armor, several uneven cuts, dents, and blood suggested a recent fight. Two more human corpses lay by his side, and a few other corpses from the various present species.

[Warrior – lvl ??]

Her Veteran skill informed her that the creature wasn’t far beyond her identify range but probably still beyond four hundred.

Many of the creatures moved through the hall at the clicking of the central one, likely their leader.

She noted how some of them were in distress, while others didn’t seem to mind the tension. Six Mantises specifically, standing close to the spear wielder. Two of them had weapons too, one wielding what looked like a massive tooth and the other holding a rope made of a black material that constantly flowed around it as if it was alive itself.

“Those are the people we fought before, all three of them,” Felicia supplied.

“We come in peace,” Ilea said.

The being simply continued its clicks, all of the present creatures fanning out into what looked like a defensive formation.

“I don’t think they’re peaceful,” Hector said with a grin, his sphere of water forming around him.

They all prepared to fight, Michael saying a few words in various languages.

Ilea tried to make a connection with the beings here, specifically the spear wielder. All her tricks did was make the creature focus on her.

The highest level mantises were all between two ninety and three fifty, warriors without exception.

As soon as Michael formed a shape with his gold, all hell broke loose.

A dozen creatures sent their spells at the group of humans, many who didn’t attack still stuck in indecision it seemed.

The seven main Mantis creatures didn’t hesitate, rushing at them with claws and weapons. A few vanished instantly.

Ilea used monster hunter, whistling, before she saw a spear coming at her. No teleport, she realized, dodging the quick attack thanks to her precognition. She felt the attack shift to where she went, grazing her ashen armor and ripping a chunk of it out.

What?

She vanished, focusing entirely on the battle as she sacrificed five hundred points of health to activate her third tier aura. Displacement moved a dozen projectiles back at the creatures, her wings carrying her above most of them as spears of ash formed.

Ilea used force to try and trip up the warriors assaulting her group.

Shields made of blood appeared around them, flashes of lightning crashing into the creatures as a storm of air exploded through the hall.

The fifth Michael left behind joined the battle near the stairs.

She saw Hector on top of a wave somewhere to her left, water flowing into the paralyzed beings as if a dam had broken.

Ilea displaced some of the creatures into the coming flood, subjecting them to the heavy pressure and near guaranteed instant death Hector’s magic would provide.

The spear wielder watched Ilea for a second before moving, its thin legs running against the air as if it was the most solid of grounds.

Fuck that thing’s-

Another stab nearly got to her but Ilea blinked away, deflecting a claw attack from one of the high leveled mantis warriors before her limbs slashed into it, ashen spears rushing outto the various creatures close by.

Her punch landed on the creature before her, slightly chipping its carapace before lightning cracked, a bright and condensed beam slamming into its right eye, leaving only scorched flesh.

Ilea broke away before she joined Felicia and two Michaels, his shields and armor deflecting projectiles and claws. Blades of wind and small spikes of gold flew around them, trying to injure the creatures.

The warriors dodged with their teleportation and resumed their assault, clashing with Ilea and her ash.

One of them managed to dig its sharp claws into her shoulder, using a combination of auras, and some kind of condensed energy around its natural weapons.

Ilea had seen the damage and chose to trade its blow with a chance to pin it down. Force barely slowed the higher leveled creatures but when their bodies were connected, it hardly mattered.

She deflected its other hand with hers, reverse healing coupled with Flare of Creation, Storm of Cinders, and Destruction crashing into the thing as she tried to cover it fully in white flames.

Ashen limbs smashed into its open maw that tried to bite into her head, Ilea holding its left arm tight and within her shoulder to keep the beast close.

It didn’t weaken in the few seconds of their engagement, its attacks still coordinated and focused.

She had it pinned down however.

Ilea only let go when the rope wielder tried to trap her. She ripped the arm out of her shoulder and moved her ash, blinking away as to not get trapped by the unknown weapon.

She caught a glimpse of Hector, engaged with the tooth wielder who teleported around, slamming its heavy weapon into his water sphere with surprising efficiency. The beams of condensed water were simply deflected by the carapace covering its arms.

Ilea had to blink again, avoiding the spear aimed at her heart. Her precognition had told her where to dodge but the mantis had adjusted yet again.

It has something similar, she noted.

The being didn’t stop this time, hunting her with a teleport of its own.

She deflected the next blow, knowing the spear would cut into her arm.

Ilea ignored the damage. She felt both blood magic and arcane power from the attack. There was even a health drain but instant, compared to the more channeled versions she had previously encountered.

Her ash moved out in response, her fists stopped with quick movements of the spear.

The mantis slashed in a wide arc above, cutting through most of her limbs as if they were made of flesh and bone.

Ilea released Heart of Cinder, her sphere of fire and energy exploding into the close wall and the simple stone throne below.

Her enemy had vanished but now appeared again, Ilea’s fists already rushing at the creature that had hardly finished materializing.

They were entangled for a moment, a few of her hits connecting, both her ash and fists but the same was true for the enemy spear.

It ripped out chunks of ash and cleaved through her skin, leaving behind a spell that ate into her flesh much like acid.

Ilea flew out through the broken wall, feeling the passing of a barrier that kept out the cold air.

The mantis followed, its unwavering assault cutting into Ilea’s defenses as it tried to keep the ash at bay, mostly successfully. With every stab of its bladed weapon, the being winced back in a barely noticeable fashion.

Ilea only noticed thanks to her sphere. At least her third tier blood magic resistance was working, not that this being cared much.

The mantis stopped for a second, standing in the air with its spear aimed towards her.

It’s mandibles clicked, its weapon moved in a way that suggested a challenge.

Ilea breathed out, the air once again a mist in the freezing temperatures. Her wings moved unimpeded.

Outside the temple, she could see a sprawling city of stone, frozen rivers breaking through the mostly pyramid shaped buildings.

A natural defense of rocky terrain protected this place, beyond she saw an endless waste of snow, ice, and mountains. The air was still, near frozen as the two warriors stared at each other.

Ilea activated her third tier Awakening when an explosion of power rushed out from the mantis.

Its spear glowed with a deep red, as did its body, its eyes focused on her with a promise of death.

Ilea’s precognition recognized the attack as she flew backwards, Force and ash forming a defense in front of her.

The mantis turned left instead, past her defenses, its spear slashing into her side.

Her armor partially deflected it, the blade leaving a nasty gash that quickly reformed, no blood drawn but its spell still affecting her.

Ilea felt the same mix of blood and arcane wash over her entire body, more intensely where the blade had recently struck. Her healing nullified the impact, her form resisting the oppressive spell slowly eating her alive.

Next to the mantis’ blade itself, the spell now extended in an aura around the warrior.

The creature didn’t stop either, its speed multiplied as it rushed her. It dodged a dozen ashen limbs, moving through the air ignoring gravity itself. Its spear rushed out, extending its already high range to slightly below Ilea’s limbs.

Both ash and armor were cut as Ilea was pushed to the defensive. Force slightly helped with deflecting the blows but most of the work was done by her fighting skills and her armor.

A few consecutive strikes opened her up and she was forced to blink, the mantis appearing at the same time and continuing its attacks. Three strikes cut away her ash before a fourth stabbed through her arm, sliding against the bone as the magic spread through her.

Ilea just healed the damage and continued the fight, blinking down and through the stone houses as she tried to catch a breath.

Heart of Cinder activated again but too little time had passed to make it powerful enough. The mantis simply stayed, its carapace slightly blackened as it used the moment to cut through Ilea’s left leg.

The wound was already healing when another strike separated muscle, even biting into the bone below.

Ilea deflected dozens of blows, now using her ash purely defensively as she spread more through the small frozen home they had entered.

She had no time to think, acting purely on instinct and based on her skills when the mantis suddenly slowed considerably. Back to a manageable pace, one where she could see the blows as they happened and didn’t have to rely solely on her precognition to even see the attacks.

The enemy possessed a similar ability, adjusting in tune with Ilea.

Chapter 522 Mantises – Manti – Mantuu?

A note from Rhaegar

Sorry about the this/next Thursday confusion. Vacation started last Thursday. I'll try to write/post when I can.

Chapter 522 Mantises – Manti – Mantuu?

Her ash had spread enough, touching the mantis before she activated Flare of Creation, the pale white fire spreading through the whole room as the being slashed at it with its spear.

The fire didn’t stick to the weapon but remained on parts of its body.

Ilea noted that it had been in a state of increased speed for close to ten seconds. She pushed against it now with her own offensive arsenal.

This time she took more risks, keeping her Flare up as she used Absolute Destruction with each strike, all sixteen limbs fanning out and moving as chaotically as possible to touch or strike the mantis.

The creature was on fire but retained its fighting prowess, cutting both ash and flames. It pushed against her fire with its own aura of blood magic, occasionally sliding its blade over its own carapace to get rid of the enemy spell.

Ilea was forced to dodge two blows with displacement and blink before the spear sliced towards her neck. She felt the damage coming and knew her armor was too thin, chipped away from the last hundred strikes.

Force pushed her back in the last moment, the spear’s razor thin blade slicing through her throat.

She felt the magic spread into her before a third tier heal reformed her neck. Ilea’s own ash had never ceased its attacks but the mantis countered with broad swipes of its weapon. Her limbs fell to the ground as if disconnected from her very essence.

Ilea felt the effects of the enemy aura lessen suddenly, accompanied by a message in her mind and a new resistance to call her own.

There was no time to check, with the sound of the notification three more strikes slashed into her.

It meant that she would grow more resilient as the fight progressed. Already she resisted the blood magic aspect partially, and each strike dealt to her damaged the enemy in turn.

The problem was the healing aspect. She could see the small gashes and dents on the mantis’ slim body heal slightly with each successful hit it dealt to her.

If her Health Drain Resistance was responsible for countering this effect, time was on her side with that too.

The question was if she could survive until that became relevant. Flare of Creation seemed to do little and her mana intrusion had no visible effect so far. But Ilea knew that the mantis wasn’t unbeatable. It dodged and deflected her fists and ash, had teleported to avoid Heart of Cinder and it used its blade to steal her health.

Displacement took too long to activate on the being and was simply avoided or resisted. The same was true for Force and the second tier of Space Shift. Ilea assumed it mostly had to do with her skills still being in the second tier. There was a chance too that the mantis simply had a high level space magic resistance which would further reduce its effects.

The creature suddenly vanished up onto a snow covered roof, forming a glob of pulsing blood in front of it.

Ilea appeared one roof over, catching her breath as she let her mana recover, the slight cuts and wounds healing.

Two seconds passed before the mantis spread its arms and the blood erupted.

Ilea had seen it come through her precognition, simply floating where she had before.

The blood magic spread in all directions, downright eating through the stone houses.

Her ash was disintegrating slowly, the magic spreading into her body as she healed against it.

“Impressive, but you should’ve seen the Praetorian explosions,” she said with a smile as her ash reformed.

The mantis replied with a few clicking sounds as its spear appeared in its hand, the creature moving into an offensive stance as another pulse of energy washed out.

Again?! Are you ki-

Ilea couldn’t finish the thought, her mind once again occupied by the hundred thrusts and swipes coming her way.

Her ashen limbs were removed before they could really form, each deflected strike followed by five more. By now the magic hit harder too. The mantis was using more resources or an additional spell to increase its destructive blows.

Whole sections of her armor were removed with each successful hit, an explosion of blood and acidic energy eating her flesh to the bone whenever the spear cut deep.

Ilea had to blink and displace herself at the same time to avoid the deadly strikes, knowing that the mantis already went for her head.

Its teleportation could keep up with hers.

The two spells didn’t buy her any time but simply allowed her to dodge the next attack.

Tricky, Ilea thought as she smiled and flickered through the frozen stone city with a murderous monster at her heels.

_________________________

Felicia was entirely absorbed by the battle, her blades of wind barely cutting into the powerful carapace of the enemy warriors.

Ilea and the pirate had vanished outside at some point, taking three of the beings with them.

The lower leveled creatures had fallen to their spells quickly, many of them choosing to flee in the frenzy of battle.

Four mantis warriors remained, each far above Felicia’s level. She had only survived so far thanks to the shields Michael had created time and time again.

Two of his had followed the pirate out through the large hole blown out by one spell or the other, the other three had remained here.

Velamyr was engaged with one of the creatures, the two teleporting through the hall too fast for her to follow, their movements in sync as his spells clashed with the monster’s claws.

A deep gash on her side healed painfully slowly, her spells keeping her focused on the task at hand. She knew deep down that she had to flee, that she would die here fighting against these creatures but she wouldn’t leave them behind. Not as long as she could actually do something.

Her wind was faster than Michael’s gold, allowing her to support the man against the three warriors focused on them.

He now held two blood swords in each hand, flat spheres of blood forming wherever the creatures would strike, his golden spikes following the fast moving creatures with each step they took.

Felicia sent four more blades at the nearest creature, simply pushing air towards it when it ignored the attacks. She didn’t watch as it was blown back to the nearest wall.

A storm formed between her hands before she released it upwards, the spell expanding as it rushed towards the mantis that crawled on the wall, its rope pushed aside as it tried to entangle one of Michael’s copies.

The man had formed dozens of runes on the ground, his domain slowly expanding as his blood splashed to the ground. Gold followed the same principle, appearing in globs before it splashed to the ground and formed intricate runes connecting together.

Felicia stayed within the area he focused on, avoiding the runes whenever she moved. She felt his magic was significantly more powerful within his domain, his shields forming far quicker and stopping more blows before they dissolved.

Velamyr appeared on the ground next to her, his legs gone as he crawled forward with gritted teeth.

She didn’t step to his side but trusted his abilities, her focus switching to the closest mantis warrior as her blades rushed out.

It deflected the first six and was cut by the last one.

That one’s weaker, she thought and pressed her attack, not letting any of the others out of her sight. Her ears were focused on the winds when she suddenly ducked.

She could feel the talon move through where her head had just been, the creature slamming into a shield of blood before it vanished, the expanding red spikes not fast enough to injure it.

“Can you survive?” one of the Michaels asked, his copy pierced through by a long claw at that very moment.

Velamyr didn’t reply, parts of his legs appearing once more. They didn’t regenerate but were simply back again.

Michael’s struck copy dissolved into blood and gold, both flowing over the creature that seemed unable to teleport away.

Felicia formed another storm when she crouched and now sent it towards the occupied warrior, pushing back the creatures that tried to intervene.

She watched as gold seeped into the mantis’ orifices as it twitched and clawed against the fluids sticking to it. It died a moment later.

The other warriors didn’t stop but Velamyr was shooting out spells again, his lightning hitting the targets near instantly, leaving scorch marks and molten flesh.

Felicia breathed out when the warriors circled them slowly, clicking and screeching at the death of their sibling.

Michael’s domain kept expanding but his numbers had been reduced from three to two.

“What are our chances?” Velamyr asked.

“Our isolated fight here? Not terribly well. The two strongest remain,” Michael said. “Girl, you’re bleeding out.”

Felicia looked down on herself and saw the deep gash on her leg hadn’t healed yet. Her sight grew a little blurry but she simply focused on the gash, pushing her mana towards it and watching the wound close.

“Stay defens-” Michael said when one of the creatures appeared close to him, crashing against his blood shield before the other two appeared on each side.

His body dissolved into a bloody silhouette of a man as the three clashed together, his gold armor denting inwards as the blood escaped.

The other Michael lifted both hands, making the destroyed armor split into shrapnel that cut into the two creatures that still remained.

At the same time Velamyr suddenly stood up, his movements unnaturally fast. His eyes glowed a bright blue as his hands extended.

A wild torrent of lightning expanded outwards, slamming into the creatures and the palace beyond. The bright arcs burned deep into the stone and through the mantises.

Velamyr screamed as his lightning arc continued.

A shield of gold formed where the General stood, deflecting the claw of the third mantis.

Michael’s main body had reformed, once again clad in golden armor. His copy already worked on replacing the domain runes lost to Velamyr’s spell, the arcs just now subsiding.

The man collapsed to one knee when his lightning ceased, his armor reduced to just a few sparks before his movements quickened again, another assault by the remaining warrior dodged.

“Two remain!” Michael called out.

Felicia could feel the being appear behind her. This time she didn’t try to dodge but instead trusted her defenses. This one was inferior to the mantis that had targeted Velamyr.

She turned and flew upward, the creature’s claw cutting past her wind and steel armor, finding flesh and muscle as she charged her spell.

Her storm was localized and heavily focused, enough to even injure herself. It roared against the mantis, its claw still digging deeper, now cracking bone with its strength. A shield of blood appeared before her to deflect the creature’s other arm.

The mantis ripped out its claws and vanished, leaving Felicia floating in the air before she fell.

She found her health at below ten percent, the bleeding not stopping.

One of Michael’s shields pushed against her side and sealed off the wound.

She faintly noted that Velamyr was standing again, a deep cut on his chest and one arm missing.

Only two remain, she thought and tried to move, finding herself lying on the ground.

“Focus on recovering,” Michael’s voice reached her muddled mind, the man standing close to her, pushed to the defensive by one of the creatures.

_______________________

Ilea felt the warrior’s aura getting stronger once again, her resistance to the weird magic of the mantis in turn increasing by the minute.

The creature noticed too, again using its incredible temporary boost to try and overwhelm her.

Ilea’s ash coupled with all her resilience bonuses and incredible healing proved too much however. She deflected, dodged, feinted and attacked. Her reverse healing pushed into the creature whenever her ash connected, Flare of Creation only activating when the monster didn’t use its powerful boost.

She knew that with enough time, she could take this. That was if she didn’t lose her head.

The mantis didn’t have the power to cut through her bone but it didn’t have to. As the battle went on, it learned more about Ilea’s anatomy.

It separated limbs at the joints instead of trying to cut her bone. The practice wasn’t very useful against Ilea, who could regrow them almost immediately.

By now the mantis focused mostly on her chest and head, trying to either pin her down or remove most of the senses for long enough to keep her in a regenerative state until she was dead.

Ilea had punched enough destructive mana into the creature to kill a Specter but it remained focused and continued its attack unimpeded.

Any pretense was gone by now, both of the fighters going for the most lethal hits they could think of. Nothing seemed to work however.

Their continuous battle was interrupted when another mantis slammed into and through a nearby house, the heavy tooth used as its weapon embedding itself into the stone pyramid one street over.

Hector followed, waves of water coming with him.

Ilea and the spear mantis watched the man approach. A third mantis rushed down from above and landed near the destroyed house, going in when the first one came out, blood and cracks showing on its carapace.

She could tell the spear mantis was breathing more heavily, the increasing damage not entirely shrugged off after all. It was simply equalized by its health steal and possibly another skill Ilea didn’t know about.

The spear mantis teleported to its allies, its eyes once more focused on Ilea. It relaxed even more now that the others were close.

Ilea’s eyes opened wide when one of them touched the spear mantis, the scratches and dents on its body healing visibly.

“Yeah, that one can heal,” Hector said in an annoyed tone, his water moving closer.

“The spear one uses something called Devour, a mix of blood and arcane mag-” Ilea said.

“I’ve encountered it before,” Hector interrupted her. “The big one is just fucking durable. Great warrior but nothing special in the grand scheme of things, if it wasn’t for the healer. Also a strong warrior, don’t get me wrong.”

“Mine has some kind of ten second boost it can use every twenty to thirty seconds. Nearly enough to dismantle me,” Ilea said.

Hector glanced at the beings with a smile on his face. “Guess I had the weak ones then, well now that we’re together, let’s kill the healer first.”

[Warrior – lvl ??]

[Warrior – lvl 365]

[Warrior – lvl 312]

The last one was the healer and likely the easiest target.

Ilea waved at them and tried to initiate contact once more but the creatures didn’t react.

She felt the presence again now, the one she had felt when they walked up the stairs.

A jumble of confusing emotions and thoughts came to her mind. Frustration, peace, pleading.

Ilea noted that she wasn’t the only one looking towards the somewhat distant temple.

The spear mantis had turned its head too, making a few clicking sounds before it once again focused on Ilea.

“We can still stop this,” she said to the creature, using a charged monster hunter to send the intent.

None of the creatures were frozen.

The spear wielder raised its weapon and vanished.

Ilea did the same, focusing entirely on the healer now.

Her avatar of ash remained stronger due to the long fight but it hadn’t reached its peak yet. She appeared and focused on the head, her ash and Flare of Creation surging to injure the being.

Ilea dodged the tooth moving past above her, displacing herself two meters to the left. She heard the flowing waves behind her.

Four beams of pressurized water slashed into the ground next to the healer, one clipping a leg.

Ilea pushed through, ignoring the creature’s attacks as she went fully on the offensive. She had seen a glimpse of the spear mantis moving up to meet Hector. A welcome distraction.

Her reverse healing flowed into the creature as her ashen limbs cracked against the hard carapace. Her ash had spread out over the mantis and behind herself, flaring up in white flame to stop the approaching warrior.

The second being teleported to get to her but Ilea simply maneuvered herself below the healer, her offensive not stopping in the slightest.

It cut into her ash with its talons but its attacks lacked the same penetrative power of the spear. The other warrior refrained from striking down its ally to get to her, instead reaching out to grab her.

Ilea’s wings moved her out from below the mantis as she blinked and displaced herself between the two of them, all her attacks and mana focused on the healer alone.

It only took a few seconds and dozens of attacks to make the being dazed, cuts and dents showing on most of its body.

The higher leveled warrior made a clicking noise towards the spear mantis.

Ilea wouldn’t give them the time.

Heart of Cinder activated with a healthy dose of sacrificed health to empower it.

The flames consumed the two creatures as Ilea hammered her fist into the healer’s head. Its eyes dented in and its skull followed but she didn’t stop.

Even when the heavy tooth hit her back with enough strength to crack her spine, she continued.

A flood of water slammed into them, washing the trio away instantly.

Ilea kept her hold, her ashen limbs pushing deep into the twitching mantis from all sides as her fists slowed down under the heavy pressure. She instead charged Absolute Destruction as her limbs approached, pumping all the mana she could into her enemy. Flare of Creation lit up underwater, further slowing down the creature’s recovery.

The other warrior pushed through the water near uninhibited, its heavy weapon rising before it came down on her. The thing moved as quickly as a fencer could strike with his rapier, simply slamming into the water, ash and into her, damaging her insides and bones despite all the resilience and shock absorption she possessed.

It was too late however, Ilea’s fist had already connected. Destruction rushed through the mantis one last time, its body lighting up with spreading flames both fiery red and white in color, the former quickly subdued by the water around them.

A ding resounded as she displaced herself and used her third tier healing to reform her mangled body.

Her wings spread again as she rushed towards Hector, his dome of water reduced to a puddle against the quick slashes of the devouring spear.

His beams of water were dodged before they even reached the creature, his dome reforming time and time again as the mantis slashed away at it, taking large swaths of water as its spear only slowed down marginally within the heavy pressure.

Hector’s right arm and shoulder were eaten through, nearly dissolved entirely but his face only held a wicked smile. One warrior facing another.

Ilea blinked between them, frowning when she saw the broad wings spreading on the heavy weight she left behind.

A pained squeal speaking of anger and death sounded out from the flying creature, giving no pause to the spear mantis’ assault.

Chapter 523 To the Bone

Chapter 523 To the Bone

She reached Hector when he lost his legs, a final swipe of the spear ending the mantis’ boosted state.

Ilea instantly deflected its blows, her ash spreading towards Hector as she started to heal the man.

Her help was fleeting, her ash cut through by the warrior who realized what was happening.

“Just keep her busy,” Hector growled as the dome of water reformed around him quickly. “That one is mine,” he said and intercepted the warrior following Ilea.

Her?

Ilea didn’t have time to wonder, her power slowly peaking as she still struggled against the powerful being.

The feeling she got from Veteran put the creature between four hundred and four fifty, not exactly the most useful gauge.

Compared to wild monsters, the mantis was vastly more powerful. It surpassed even the seven fifty vampire she had fought but with added intellect and cunning.

Ilea however had bested even that. If anything she was the more durable of the two.

Its defenses against her mana intrusion were shredded by now, its body lighting up with lines of fire whenever one of Ilea’s limbs managed to deliver a dose of Storm of Cinders.

Ilea herself found it less impossible to keep up with the normal state of the warrior, the wounds its spear and magic inflicted lessening with each passing minute.

The creature once again activated its powerful aura but instead of going for her, it rushed to get to Hector.

You fuck!

Ilea blinked towards the man, using her two teleportation skills to keep up with the ridiculously fast moving mantis.

She arrived only to be met with an explosion of devouring blood.

The two mantises had teleported away right before, appearing now again to resume their assault.

“Go up!” she got out and deflected several blows, forced to displace herself when she misread a feint from the heavy warrior.

Her ashen armor had already reformed and she was glad to see Hector’s sphere had withstood the explosion of blood magic.

“Stay at range, just focus on attacking and ignore me,” Ilea said as she charged the two.

Their coordination was good but their bodies were larger than hers. Using it against them wouldn’t be as easy as with the healer but it might still prove effective.

Hector didn’t complain, his beams and water flowing in immediately.

The spear mantis accepted her challenge, using the remaining time of her buff to deliver several blows as the two moved through the frozen city.

Ilea grinned when the last two blows were slightly deflected by shields made of pure blood.

She counted down and attacked the moment she didn’t feel the pressure anymore, knowing that the creature could simply pretend there was a limit to its skill to lure her into a false sense of security. But Ilea could perceive magic. She felt the difference and it was like a wildfire compared to the crackling flames of a fireplace.

Michael or his copy didn’t show himself yet, choosing to remain hidden somewhere within the many stone buildings.

She went for the heavy one again, thinking it impossible to put down the spear wielder without the help of Hector and perhaps even the whole team. Perhaps this time it would keep its focus on her instead of her teammates.

The mantis was close to her own level and its skill definitely showed. Its body was pure muscle, moving fast and precise.

It wielded its tree trunk like tooth with grace and experience, like any high level weapon’s master she had faced before. Normally they didn’t remain alive for more than a few seconds. This one however had the resilience to stand against her.

The powers it used however were somewhat inconsequential with the enemy it faced.

As long as she didn’t get pinned down, Ilea could work on its defenses until her mana intrusion simply flowed into it without anything to stand in its way.

Her own injuries were healed near instantly but she doubted their regeneration was anywhere near close. Even Hector was floating inside of his sphere without his legs. He had stopped the bleeding but if he had to rely on his limbs like these creatures did, he would already be out of the fight.

Ilea fought defensively against the two, blinking and displacing herself between them or behind houses. Occasionally a blow would be deflected by a shield of blood, allowing her to escape or get in a hit uncontested.

They could cut or crash through rock and blood alike, sure, but their weapons would be slowed down. Enough for her to teleport again.

She was sure by now that the larger warrior had some form of precognition too, deflecting entirely too many of her attacks with his comically large weapon and body. He was quick for his size but nowhere near Ilea or the spear wielder.

Hector’s beams and waves came in constantly, pushing both her and the mantises aside or forcing them to disengage. None of his attacks managed to be more than an annoying inconvenience but she knew what a difference they made.

Ilea noticed that the spear wielder was not particularly effective right after using her boost. She still used her abilities but acted more conservatively.

She abused it as much as she could, engaging the heavy mantis with everything she could dish out in the span of half a second before she focused on the defensive side again. Hector and Michael understood immediately, focusing their attacks on the spear wielder to distract her for a mere moment.

The distress in her enemy was slowly building up. Not in both. The female remained focused, still looking for the mistake that would bring them victory.

Ilea wouldn’t give it to them however. She had extensive experience facing stronger enemies, knew when to take risks and when not to. She had fought monsters twice her level for hours on end.

These creatures were experienced and strong but in a way it even disappointed her how conservatively they fought. The Specters had used feints and deception just as often as the mantises.

They’re not even taking risks!

It was also abundantly clear that the two lacked any experience fighting a bipedal creature as small and quick as Ilea. Her way of delivering damage might have come as a surprise too.

She saw the spear wielder disappear after her aura had activated.

Ilea ignored it and focused entirely on the heavy warrior, her ash now overwhelming him as she set it ablaze. She blinked to avoid its weapon and spread her ash as far as she could, hoping the building distress would lead it to make a mistake.

This one simply ignored the white flames burning on its carapace, perhaps thinking the damage inconsequential or simply not able to get them off.

Hector used the moment to play his remaining card, Neely slithering out from a wave to her right, her jaw closing around the warrior’s body with a sickening crunch of breaking bone and gnawing flesh, most of it her own.

Ilea didn’t waste the moment and hit the creature’s face with a burst of her offensive skills as it stumbled back, trying to slap her away as she blinked.

She watched as it broke free of the eel and tried to teleport, her smile broadening as she stopped his spell with hers.

Ilea closed the distance at the same time, the quick confusion enough to grab onto it. It was definitely not a smart move if the spear wielder had still been close by.

Ilea poured reverse healing mana into the creature that slammed its tooth backwards before a bright blast of fire and energy surged out with Ilea at its center.

Heart of Cinder had charged long enough to pack a reasonable punch.

The stone house blew apart, most of it scorched or downright turned to ash by the powerful spell.

Ilea let go of the creature and healed the damage to her back, the mantis having delivered a powerful blow despite the awkward position it had been in.

The creature didn’t look as good anymore, several beams of water hitting it right then.

It simply held up the tooth and endured.

Ilea turned left to find the spear mantis rush at her.

The creature stopped and looked at the state of its ally before she held out her talons.

Michael was gone, she knew it. Ilea hoped it was just a clone.

The heavy warrior glanced at the spear wielder and dropped its weapon. It looked towards the temple and dropped dead.

Visible strands of blood and energy flowed towards the remaining mantis before a spear of blood slashed through the air, taking with it a chunk of the power before it splattered against a nearby wall.

The mantis screeched and looked for the culprit, only to find Michael.

She seemed confused for a moment before she prepared her spear again. The absorbed energy had healed her but now she stood alone.

Michael smiled and watched her rush towards him.

Her spear was deflected by Ilea, her limbs slashing at the creature with renewed vigor.

“I’m just a copy,” Michael said.

“And just as useful as the original,” Ilea said as she deflected four thrusts, the fifth one punching into her chest. It didn’t dig far and the devouring power of her blood didn’t take much. Not anymore.

She knew she had gotten to the second tier somewhere along the way. If anything, it was proof of their shared status as monsters.

Ilea kept her spells up, as did Hector, and now also Michael.

The latter flew up and provided ranged support just like Hector did.

It was an obvious tactic that would overwhelm the creature at some point but the mantis didn’t seem to mind.

Ilea didn’t know its motivations or the thought processes that lead it into this situation but the being didn’t stop, it wanted them dead, here and now.

She boosted herself again and went for Michael, likely thinking him the easiest target.

Ilea kept pace, teleporting close to the creature and delivering more blows as Michael chained his teleportation and shields to somehow survive.

The creature screeched again when its buff came to an end, rushing to the outskirts of the city as it held up a hand towards the palace.

Ilea once again felt thoughts reach her.

Forgiveness, frustration, hopelessness.

They were not only directed at her. She could now feel the distress in the mantis.

Power came from the palace, red lines of blood rushing into the mantis too quickly for Michael to interfere. Some of its rough state was reversed, its eyes now focused entirely on the blood mage.

Something changed.

____________________________

Felicia fought to stay awake but she had simply lost too much blood. Some mana was still there and she tried to send wind blades at the remaining two creatures.

One of them was busy with Michael and Velamyr, the other decided to finish her off.

She watched as it came, hesitating when Michael’s last remaining copy stepped in its way.

Somehow she knew it was the copy she had worked with back in Harchat.

He looked at her and smirked, very much unlike his original self.

“Sometimes, the orders are exactly what I hoped for,” he said and formed a few shields of blood.

His blades failed to cut the creature but he still succeeded in deflecting one of its blows.

Michael took a step back when his chest was pierced by the monster’s talons.

No…, Felicia thought as her eyes grew dark once more.

“Go for the neck,” Michael said and coughed, his body slowly dissolving as gold and blood alike flowed onto the creature.

It flailed, cutting away at the substances as its auras intensified.

I don’t have long, she thought and aimed.

Her mana condensed into a single blade. She trusted him.

There was no finesse in her attack, just brute force. The creatures could see attacks coming but she released her blade nonetheless.

The thin line of air rushed out, brimming with enough power to cut into stone, sharp enough to rival the most prized blades.

She watched on as the gold turned rigid, the creature straining against the hold before a near invisible spell moved past its neck.

A ding resounded in her mind as she turned her eyes to the other two. Several more dings followed, informing her of levels to her Classes and skills.

Michael was missing an arm, several cuts showing in his armor. No blood seeped out.

Huh, being a blood mage is nice.

Velamyr wasn’t in a much better shape, his armor mere shreds of steel.

He released a powerful surge of lightning against the last remaining enemy.

The mantis had lost its rope somewhere along the way, its left arm scorched beyond recognition.

And still it stood, still it fought.

Felicia couldn’t believe what kind of monsters both her allies and her enemies turned out to be.

I have a long way to go still.

She could hardly believe it when the mantis glanced to the opening in the temple for a moment and then charged Velamyr.

It simply ran through the lightning and ignored the spikes of gold it had so delicately avoided during the entirety of their battle.

The mantis reached Velamyr and teleported at the same time as the man, both appearing in the same spot.

Its talons rushed out and slashed into the man, both of them coming down in a crash of dust and lightning.

Large spikes of gold and blood slammed into it but the creature didn’t stop. It was in a frenzy, using its last breaths to take its enemy with it.

Felicia couldn’t see what happened anymore.

She just heard another ding and saw something red flow out into the cold.

Michael stepped over to her and knelt down before vanished.

“Is… dead?” she got out, coughing a few times. Her magic was fading and the winds were calling for her to sleep. Pain rushed into her like the tide.

“I’ve heard about that ability before but I’ve never seen it,” Michael said as he approached her again. “It’s fortunate the mantis chose Velamyr as its final target. You would have not survived.”

She felt something flow into her mouth and coughed a few times.

“Drink it. It will lessen the pain as you recover,” Michael said and lifted her up with both arms.

“Velamyr is alive. His body reached a critical condition and his spell activated. It’s good that this place had no enchantments against teleportation or time magic,” he said as he moved her down the stairs.

“L… eaving?” she asked, a warm feeling spreading through her as the medicine started to take effect, lulling her thoughts.

“My last copy has perished. It’s too much of a risk for me to remain here, as is the case for you,” he said. “Try not to speak.”

Ilea.

She tried to move out of his grasp.

“The remaining monsters are beyond us. It’s not our hand that will decide their fate,” Michael said. “Now sleep.”

He carried her out into the freezing courtyard, past the watching creatures and through the gate.

__________________________

Ilea and Hector were alone.

The remaining copy of Michael had been dispatched with the second use of the mantis’ powerful aura.

She knew that the creature was running out of time.

Her attempts to take down Hector failed with Ilea’s interference. Her direct attacks on Ilea were in turn made difficult with Hector’s constant barrage.

Neely moved in from time to time but received devastating cuts and devouring damage from the mantis creature.

The battle had turned from two unknowns testing each other to a team of experienced hunters fighting a powerful beast.

Her tactics failed, her attempts at their lives resulting in injuries but never death.

And it turned out that despite her high level, the mantis had neglected her recovery.

A ridiculous notion to be sure. She could steal the health of any beast she fought, large chunks even. Her burst of power and speed would allow her to flee even in the most dangerous of situations while her devouring power could take down monsters over the span of hours.

Perhaps she could have killed Ilea or Hector. One lucky blow might have been enough but her experience in battle was matched by her opponents. When they struggled on their own, now they fought together.

Both were humans above level three fifty, both were humans with a third Class and enough power to rival high level creatures in the wild.

Ilea didn’t understand why the mantis had acted they way it had.

They had tried to negotiate but it hadn’t accepted, they had fought and overwhelmed her allies but she had not given up, had never even tried to run.

Until now.

The mantis still attacked them whenever her powerful body enhancement ability became available. Between the short scuffles, it rushed out of the city, through the snowy mountain pass and into the frozen desert beyond.

Ilea and Hector followed, too invested in the fight to let the creature go.

She knew it could wreak havoc on her allies or even just Gyffold itself, should it reach the other side.

Hector likely had other reasons, perhaps just trying to get revenge for his removed legs.

Ilea had taken the time to heal him between the mantis attacks but she could tell he was majorly pissed off.

Ilea finally came to a stop, Heart of Cinder eating away at her health after the long flight but she didn’t dare not use it at this point.

The eclipse remained as a constant in the sky above, the air still and freezing as it settled around them.

Ilea knew this is where the creature would make its last stand.

It was ready to die, its eyes focused on the distant moon and the dim sunlight burning at its edges.

Hector charged an attack when the beast screeched, the deafening sound rolling through the even terrain for kilometers as it readied its spear and turned towards them.

“She’s calling for monsters. This place is fucking desolate, whatever can survive here is tough,” Hector said.

“Let them come,” Ilea said and floated down to the ground.

The man grinned, water flowing out around him, a part of it freezing instantly.

Ilea didn’t understand why the mantis had acted in this way but if it wanted to have one last battle here, she wouldn’t deny it.

Chapter 524 Loss

Chapter 524 Loss

Ilea saw the thought in her mind, a barren wasteland with nothing but skeletons sticking out of the frozen sand.

She understood the emotions better now. Whoever sent them was warning them, both her and the mantis before her.

I think she’s beyond reason, Ilea thought.

Too late, she tried to send back but wasn’t sure if her own thought could be carried over such a long distance.

The mantis seemed to agree as it watched them with its spear at the ready.

Movements became visible in the distance, creatures called here by the loud screech of the mantis warrior.

Ilea thought they wouldn’t arrive for a few minutes but she was wrong.

A powerful aura exploded from below as all three fighters moved away.

She found her blink didn’t work and instead displaced both herself and Hector away as far as she could.

The ground shook and split, ice cracking before frozen chunks of sand exploded upwards and an armored black worm broke through the surface. The diameter of the creature reached at least ten meters.

[Spirit of Death – lvl ???]

Close to eight hundred, Ilea thought, trusting her Veteran assessment.

It opened its massive four part maw before a spray of purple flames rushed upwards, coming down again as they enveloped the whole vicinity.

The flames spread out and followed all three living targets.

Ilea didn’t try to dodge, instead facing the energy head on as soon as she felt the mana and confirmed the damage with her precognition.

True to the name, the spirit used death magic. The spell decayed parts of Ilea’s armor and skin but she was back in top form a moment later. It would have to keep up the flames for much longer than that to create an actual problem for her.

Hector flowed away from the fires, creating water that slowly neutralized the incoming barrage.

The mantis on the other hand simply used her spear to cut through the approaching flames before she charged the worm.

“She wants to gain health from them!” Hector shouted as he finished off the last flames.

Ilea rushed at the mantis. She didn’t think Hector’s assessment was true, not after the long battle with the creature. Her powers however remained and she could certainly regain her health from wild creatures.

What life is there to get from a Spirit of Death? she wondered.

A blink brought her close when a powerful surge of death magic expanded out from the worm. The energy slammed into all three of them.

The mantis dug its spear into the ground and held on, the steel scraping against the frozen sand as she was pushed away.

Ilea dug deeper with her ashen limbs, her armor withstanding the powerful area attack.

Wouldn’t she have recovered just from our flight here? With all that blood magic, her regeneration should be better than normal at least, Ilea thought, trying to make out obvious injuries on the mantis but finding nothing.

She held up a hand against an incoming beam of purple energy. Four more projectiles followed in quick succession, her precognition letting her know about the enemy power.

The mantis was targeted too, deflecting two of the blasts before she turned and rushed the worm again.

She glanced at Ilea but kept her focus on the worm.

I should use this soon, Ilea thought, seeing the deformed vultures flying towards them. Dozens of them, all brimming with power and shooting their death projectiles from kilometers away.

She saw hundreds of creatures move on the ground, some of them jumping through the frozen ground as if it was made of water, others running or slithering.

Some kind of corruption?

Ilea was interrupted when another death spirit broke out from below, a second worm creature with similar power as the first.

Eight hundred and such a big mouth, she thought and looked at the mantis cutting into the worm before she teleported back, the warrior’s assault continuing as she cut away decayed flesh with her devouring spear. Her movements were fast, erratic, furious.

That’s not the same warrior I faced. No, Hector, you’re wrong. She’s not here to get health.

Ilea found the pirate moving through the desert in the distance, his beams of water cutting into ten approaching vultures.

I can’t risk leaving now, she thought, seeing the mantis continue her battle.

Not until she was sure. She just had to trust the others to finish their opponents, or to escape should they find no way to win.

The worm had spewed out its purple flames and now turned towards her, its ten meter mouth opening up to show thousands of serrated teeth and a stench that would warrant a resistance on its own.

Ilea watched the glow of its building death magic and charged.

Her health was restored with a third tier heal, the flames coming out from the beast’s body displaced in chunks or burning into her defenses.

She pushed on and flew into the beast’s maw, her sphere providing vision as the worm’s large mouth closed behind her.

Ilea held her breath and sacrificed three thousand points of health, the flames of death burning around her.

Heart of Cinder activated, flashing out with brilliant light and fire deep within the creature’s body.

The vulnerable flesh and organs were burned away by the powerful energy. Splatters of rotted blood and flesh were ripped outwards, dim light and cold air coming in through several open holes.

Ilea charged her wings and formed an ashen drill in front of her. She pushed her control and density to the limit as the worm reeled to the side.

A deafening roar resounded as more flames formed, the first creatures clawing their way into the massive beast’s throat from the many holes that led inside.

Small fry, Ilea thought with a smirk, crossing her arms in front of her as she sped up.

The drill dug deep, cutting through the blackened flesh with all the momentum Ilea could build. She had aimed for the head and kept pushing. As she slowed down due to the sheer mass of the worm, the drill started spinning faster, her reverse healing and a few limbs behind her cutting through everything in their way.

She screamed and finally punched through on the other side, flying a few hundred meters before she slowed down and turned around in the air.

The first beams and flames were already hitting her, ashen shields forming to slow the projectiles as she watched the worm slowly fall to the side.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 782]’

She ignored the rest of the messages for now, enjoying the view of the creature falling, crushing a few critters in the process.

Ilea was only a little annoyed about how easy it was to kill this one compared to her last solo seven fifty kill.

She flew back into the fray with her limbs lashing out around her.

There were scorpion like creatures, mantises, ants, even squid like beings, all spirits of death.

Some were as low as level two hundred, many at five hundred or even beyond. They all rushed at the three living beings.

The living mantis had turned the worm into mincemeat but the creature still remained alive, spreading its purple flames through hundreds of pores. Pulses of magic pushed at both the mantis and the many monsters now present.

Ilea made sure to keep an eye on the warrior but mainly focused on making a few hundred meters of distance between them. She was busy herself, cutting through the many beasts that kept on coming, trampling over each other to get to her.

Whatever had taken these creatures had made their bodies decay and rot, leaving only husks of what they were before.

All color and individuality were gone from the dark sea of monstrosities. Their screeches and roars came without a sense of tone nor purpose, their eyes remained lifeless and cold.

Ilea ascended, watching the dozens of monsters below, many of them burning with her pale fire.

Corrupted, cursed, death spirits, it all seems to lead to the same all devouring instinct, she thought and sent down Heart of Cinder.

Many of the creatures were killed instantly, the others fought to climb the corpses for a chance to face the living one among them.

The second worm had fallen but a third had taken its place.

She displaced a few projectiles and beams, finding Hector’s water sphere flying in the distance. A horde of creatures followed him, corpses left behind creating a line of rotten flesh in his path.

The mantis was surrounded by hundreds of creatures, her spear cutting through flesh with each move, her movements broad and aggressive.

Ilea watched her suddenly run through the air, upwards to meet one of the many flying creatures.

This one was different.

It’s body looked pale blue and smooth, more humanoid than nearly all the other creatures. Six limbs without hands extended from its back as it floated in the air.

Ilea couldn’t see any discernible features on its head or body. It had two legs but no feet.

Another major difference was the fact that the death spirits attacked this creature too.

Those who could attack at range shot their death magic at the creature, all projectiles hitting a multicolored shield.

Astral

Ilea recognized the element immediately.

Beams formed at the tips of its six limbs, the energy hitting various approaching creatures, disintegrating them near instantly.

The mantis dodged the attack as expected. She drew the creature’s attention and soon had to dodge six beams at a time, some even moving while active.

She reached the being and vanished, a pulse of astral energy extending outwards in a sphere. The mantis appeared at the edge of the spell’s range and pushed forward, her spear cleaving through several shields before it was stopped.

Ilea couldn’t help but be intrigued. She didn’t exactly want to join the mantis but there were two more of the pale blue creatures in the vicinity.

Her ash slashed through a few flying Death Spirits before one of them managed to claw into her ash, taking her down into the waiting horde.

Force pushed at the creatures before a sphere of fire burned some of them. Ashen limbs punched through heads and bodies alike.

She refrained from using Absolute Destruction for now, even reserving Storm of Cinders for the creatures that survived her ashen constructs.

A blink brought her up, her ash slashing through four vultures before she displaced herself. The pale blue being was her goal.

She didn’t have to think about communicating first, the creature happy to attack her as soon as she was in range.

Ilea’s Astral Resistance was at level one and compared to the mantis, she didn’t really care about getting hit.

The energy washed over her as her speed was reduced but not stopped.

She saw the silhouette of the creature move more of its limbs towards her as the power intensified.

Ilea felt her ash burn away, then her skin and muscle in turn.

The power subsided and her body reformed.

Not even enough to force a blink! she thought with a broad grin.

The being was already charging its attacks again but the short lull was enough for Ilea to recover her health and armor fully.

She blinked closer and identified the floating creature.

Its body really was perfectly smooth. This one was pale blue too, the same six limbs seamlessly flowing out of its back. They were the only part of its body that actually turned towards her.

[Astral Spirit – lvl ???]

This one was close to seven hundred according to her Veteran based intuition.

Just a bunch of spirits, she thought and attacked.

The astral power rushing out as a defense crashed into her armor.

Ilea was already close enough to touch it with her limbs, pushing reversed healing into it.

She teleported around, avoiding the many beams shot at her as she attacked with her mana intrusion.

Another push brought her directly next to the creature, her fist rushing out before it was intercepted by one of the limbs. Instead of a beam, the creature used a manifested blade of astral energy.

Ilea blinked away and noted that another set of powers was revealed.

A powerful mana drain.

It was stronger than what a few Miststalkers managed together but nowhere near the combined efforts of dozens of the creatures.

Ilea watched in fascination as the few blemishes she had managed to inflict returned to the smooth pale blue skin from before.

She wanted to engage again but noticed that there were dozens of the creatures floating around already.

Purple and astral beams clashed together in the frozen desert. She disengaged, trying to find both Hector and the mantis.

Guess this is the science fantasy realm, she thought and deliberately let many of the attacks strike her.

Hector might not be able to just let the spells fuel him in the same way that she could, nor were they really here to fight a monster horde.

She very much wanted to remain on this battlefield but Ilea had to make sure the mantis was dead and her allies had survived first.

Dozens of attacks slashed into her side as a flock of vultures swarmed around her, Ilea momentarily busy dealing with them before she could find Hector.

A few dozen blinks were enough to reach him afterwards, her ash mowing into the hordes hounding the pirate.

His beams froze the creatures together and to the ground but many of them remained alive. He didn’t use quite as many spells as he had against the mantis.

“How are you doing!?” she shouted, forming several ashen shredders around the largest creatures as her fists and limbs crashed into the relentless monsters.

Her ash dug in deep, spreading out the rotten bits of flesh and bone. A large creature tackled her and broke its teeth on her armor, Ilea’s destructive mana flaring into it before it died. She displaced its corpse before blinking up.

“Trying to recover some mana. Can you spare a heal?” the man asked, a dozen death magic spells crashing into his sphere of water.

She obliged and tried to make out the mantis, her ashen spears taking down some of the vultures circling them.

“Why didn’t she attack?” he said as his face got back some color. “Thanks.”

“I don’t think she-” Ilea said, killing three vultures that moved too close. “… intended to fight us here.”

“Why come then? She will die!” Hector said, his constantly forming waves taking him away from two approaching astral spirits. “This wasteland will be our death!”

“If you can’t take it, then go. Make sure the others survived. I’ll come to the temple if the mantis attacks me or is dead,” she said as the first astral beams burned into her.

A large chunk of the spirits of death rushed towards the new enemies.

Hector nodded and looked around.

“I should get a healer class,” he said and laughed.

“Make sure they survived before you start with your looting. And please don’t kill the sapient ones!” Ilea shouted, her armor reforming after the beams subsided.

Hector nodded and turned back towards the distant mountain range. “Make us humans proud!” he shouted and flowed through the flames of death on a wave of freezing water.

Ilea started to get seriously busy, more and more creatures appearing out of seemingly nowhere. Only about ten minutes had passed since they had reached the desert but already she had to wade through hundreds of monsters.

The astral spirits were too numerous for her to face them now, both their combined mana drain and attacks simply overwhelming.

Many of the spirits below had a way to stop her blink somehow. More large creatures had appeared too, some close in size to the worms they had fought initially.

The only reason she could fight for so long in this chaos was Sentinel Core. Her spells and healing were directly supported by the magic that hit her.

If she faced too many at the same time however, even Ilea would be taken down.

She found the mantis thanks to the many astral beams in the distance that seemed focused on a single target.

Ilea killed hundreds of the creatures on her way there, the air becoming crowded too.

Some larger monsters could even revive the dead lumps of flesh, creating more moving mass on its search to devour living creatures. Much of it was on a low level, too slow, or simply bound to the ground but the death magic they all breathed even managed to devour some of the astral beings.

Sheer mass and numbers overtook the powerful spirits, though most of them remained alive.

A sea of bones and death, as promised, Ilea thought and finally saw the mantis.

She was in bad shape, her left arm hanging limply to her side. Much of her carapace was cracked and bleeding.

Her spear remained in her clawed hand, the weapon striking at the astral spirits with violent attacks.

Six of them were now focused on her.

Enough mana drain and astral magic to defeat even me, she thought, sure of the result should she try the same with her current level and resistances.

The mantis didn’t stop when her body slowed.

She didn’t stop when the astral spirit she had targeted finally died and fell.

The warrior didn’t stop when her weapon was lost, changing to her claws instead.

The concentrated beams of five high level astral spirits burned into the creature and she kept on digging her claws into their bodies.

Ilea kept moving, busy with the vultures herself as she avoided the more powerful spirits in her vicinity, her eyes still focused on the battle taking place a few hundred meters away.

After hundreds of attacks, she saw the mantis fall.

A single notification in her mind stood out as she scrolled through.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Zaiked – The Warrior Queen of Erendar – lvl 418 / The Devourer of Fear – lvl 382]

Ilea instantly made for the falling corpse, ignoring the many spells and attacks coming from all over.

She teleported past the many beams. The horde of death that followed her soon took the attention of the Astral Spirits, allowing her to reach the body.

Ilea stored the mantis and blinked again, charging her wings before she aimed for the frozen city.

She felt somber.

Ilea knew nothing of this place and its people. The queen had attacked them, had shown no will to negotiate or seek peace. Even when her allies fell one by one.

Loss.

The emotion reached her mind as she sped through the desert, her pursuers soon giving up on chasing the fast moving tiny target.

Gratitude.

She cried. It wasn’t an attack, a curse, or an invasion into her mind.

The being simply shared what it felt. In an unfiltered and vulnerable breath of emotion that came and went in an instant.

Her tears froze and broke away, her mind left with a hollow thought of hopelessness and grief.

She healed against it, taking a deep breath before she landed in the sheltered temple.

Chapter 525 Diverging Possibilities

Chapter 525 Diverging Possibilities

Ilea found no human corpses in the hall that hadn’t already been there.

What did you try to achieve here? she wondered, looking at the Elder of the Order.

She wasn’t sure it was actually him but most of their knowledge suggested such.

She sent a few peaceful thoughts and emotions to the mind lurking below, not ready to find out who or what it was quite yet.

A few blinks brought her out to the gate, its flawless form still a part of this reality, a gateway to another word. The world she now called her home.

Ilea stepped through and found Hector on the other side.

“I saw the message,” he said. “Well done.”

“It wasn’t me who killed her,” Ilea said. “The others?”

“In the factory. Your friend survived, sleeping off the heavy wounds now. Michael apparently got her out in the end. He’s already busy working through the information we got from this,” Hector said.

“What information?” Ilea asked.

Hector chuckled. “You didn’t think it weird that a blood mage obsessed with magic came to help with the war efforts of an Empire that restricts it?”

“Go on,” she said.

“Michael was here to see what the ritual did. He must have understood a large part of it before coming to this shit town and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason this last ritual went so well,” Hector said.

“Really? You think he supplied the Order with information?” she asked. “Why? Just to see what they would achieve?” she said.

“You say that like it’s a minor thing. We found another realm. I’m sure he’s going back in there the moment he knows its safe,” Hector said. “I’m not sure you understand the value of that little gate behind you.”

“Lots of powerful creatures to fight,” Ilea said and nodded.

Hector laughed.

“See, that’s why you should be a pirate and not choose the role of a righteous knight or benevolent ruler,” he said.

“You’re going back to loot now?” she asked, ignoring his comment. Her stance on him hadn’t changed.

“One dangerous creature died. There’s plenty more. I need a moment to recover. Those were death and astral spirits, Ilea. Do you know how rare even the former is? I haven’t even heard of the latter!” he said. “And they’re nearly all above five hundred. I need my crew to even try and deal with that.”

He shook his head and sighed. “And that fucking annoying cold. My water froze before it even hit the targets. Neely nearly died. I nearly died!”

“Where’s Velamyr?” she asked.

“He basically died. But it’s not that easy, killing a high level time mage,” Hector said. “Trust me, I tried. Michael’s retelling was pretty funny though. I don’t think he knew. Probably assumed the General risked his life in their battle.”

“He probably still did, if he nearly died,” Ilea said.

“You’d like to think that, right? You’re unkillable too. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. You fought a level four hundred sapient creature, with two unique Classes. And you somehow didn’t die. That fucking beast took me apart in ten seconds. If she had focused on me for a few minutes, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Hector said.

Ilea didn’t go into how close she got to death in there. Hector knew they both constantly threaded a thin line. It was the only way to improve at a reasonable pace at this stage.

“You survived too,” Ilea said.

“That’s true… say, you’re not interested in fighting those hordes on my side?” he asked.

She smiled and shrugged.

“Hector, Hector. You know very well that I can take them myself. Why would I share with you?” she asked.

“Because you’re a nice and upstanding human, ready to save a fellow mage,” he tried.

“There’s no reason for you to face them anymore. Don’t think I’ll come to save your ass,” she said and meant it.

He looked genuinely hurt. For less than a second.

“Teleport far when you go meet them, a few local investigators are trying to figure out why the mana density is increasing in this district,” he said.

She nodded.

“I’ll stay here for a while. Don’t worry, I won’t kill any of your precious Dark Ones should they chose to join me here,” he said.

Ilea doubted it but she also doubted his words on the others.

A few quick blinks brought her into the factory hall.

Two Michaels were present, working on a few desks they had gathered.

“You’re back… are the creatures dead?” he asked and looked at her.

Ilea checked on Felicia, touching her brow as she felt her friend’s condition through her healing.

“You got her out?” she asked.

One of the Michaels stopped his work. “Yes. She was mortally wounded. Her survival was uncertain, as was mine.”

Ilea glanced at him. “Thank you.”

“What about Velamyr?” she asked.

“The creatures?” Michael insisted.

“Dead. But there were many more. Spirits who I’m sure will come for the city sooner or later,” she said.

“I’m not so sure. Powerful barriers kept out the cold in the palace. Not a single spirit attacked despite the extensive battle. Perhaps the defenses are there for more than just the weather,” he suggested.

“As to Velamyr Ryse. A spell activated when his heart was destroyed. I felt both time magic and a teleportation spell. Both quite powerful. I suspect he’s somewhere in the Empire now, in a place only he is aware of,” the man said.

“You’re sharing secrets like that with someone that isn’t even a member yet?” Ilea asked with a smile.

Michael gave her a long look. “The Empire of Lys is a powerful player and Ryse is a strong piece on the board. I’m simply sharing a piece of information that might help you in the future,” he said.

She nodded. With what she knew on his views about magic, she could definitely see how an alliance with her and Ravenhall would be more interesting than stronger ties with Lys. Maybe there were more personal reasons involved too but she knew very little about the two men, let alone their relationship.

“You lied to me, didn’t you?” she asked.

The second Michael glanced her way now too.

He smiled and nodded. “The pirate hinted at it. Or did you figure it out yourself?”

“You told them how to do the ritual? You’re good with space magic runes, aren’t you?” she said, not sharing the fact that Hector had told her. She didn’t even know what hint he meant.

“Not good, no. That wasn’t a lie. They were simply abysmal. I’m surprised a blood mage of Elder Zion’s level could have this little knowledge of blood magic rituals. Fanaticism truly is a breeding ground for magical accidents and misinformation. Their focus on sacrifices made the whole process more unstable than they had intended. I was sure it would fail nonetheless, at least preventing the unneeded death of tens of thousands but alas, I was wrong,

“I assumed the other side to be simply incredible at space magic. To force a connection between realms. It was quite disappointing to find no runes in their realm, already taken by the hidden figure responsible for this ritual. The Mantis you and the pirate have killed, I presume,” he said.

“Likely,” she said. He did inform the enemy but the fact that he saved the city’s population remained. Had the original ritual gone off, they’d still be cleaning up the Cursed.

Ilea just wasn’t sure what would be worse in the end.

“The gate has to be closed,” she said.

“Under no circumstances,” Michael said. “It’s a gate to a new realm… potentially new magic, ancient knowledge by sapient creatures living in that city. The ritual alone, if we can somehow find the knowledge. It would let us research long range space magic gates with an actual possibility of success!”

Ilea didn’t share anything about the project she founded herself.

“I don’t think you understand… that world is lost. Whatever that city had once been, its rulers are dead. Its population is dead. Spirits of insane power roam the wastes and they will find that city, that temple, no matter how powerful the defenses are. And when they come through to Elos, the north will look like a holiday vacation spot compared to here,” Ilea said.

He paced around for a few seconds. “I… I’ve faced Spirits of Death before. I’m aware of the dangers. I just think the potential rewards still overshadow the risks. Surely not all of them would go through the portal? Many would return once they feel the mana here. Or they will remain in Gyffold and its surroundings, the ambient mana slowly rising in the coming years,” he said and stopped her reply with a gesture. “Either way… we cannot close the gate. I’ve said it to Ryse and I’ll say it again to you. With my power, it’s simply impossible. Perhaps if I could research the ritual, the runes from the other side.”

“I won’t try to stop any of your from scouring that temple but if I find a way to close the gate, I will,” Ilea said.

Michael again just looked at her, his copy continuing its work.

“I understand. I haven’t fought the hordes the Pirate has mentioned. His stories tend to be exaggerated but if you think the risk unacceptable, I wont try to disprove it. You two are more experienced when it comes to combat after all,” he said.

Surprisingly reasonable, she thought and walked back to Felicia, stroking her hair lightly. She knew the risk of showing their relationship but with everything else Michael knew, it might even be an advantage for her friend. Felicia wasn’t powerless herself after all. Taking her as a hostage or killing her to get to Ilea would prove dangerous.

“Did you lie about the little countermeasures you set up too?” she asked.

Michael raised a brow. “No. There was a high chance they would use my information but one can never be sure. Should they have done the ritual their way, the districts we prepared would have been spared. But my word is all you have on that. I could share the ritual runes and countermeasures with you if you wish to have them studied.”

“Just like that?” she asked.

“I would ask for suitable compensation of course,” Michael said.

Ilea smiled. “I see.”

She formed an ashen armchair and plopped down. Ilea needed four baths and a restaurant’s worth of food.

The ritual was stopped and Felicia had survived.

She summoned a meal and started eating, closing her eyes as she finally read through the many notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Akina – Warden of the Sanctuary – lvl 220]

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Uryina – Bloodhealer Priest – lvl 312]

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Pyine – The Toothbreaker of Sephilon – lvl 365 / Queensguard of Erendar – lvl 363]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 428]

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 520]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 232]

She had slain hundreds of spirits, scrolling through before she forced them away, only looking at the level up notifications.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 365 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 366 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 367 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 365 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 366 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 367 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 161 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 162 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 163 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 189 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 190 – One stat point awarded’

The levels were quite formidable for the comparatively short fight. She had gotten more out of the city clearings. Those had been full days of constant battle and killing. Ilea assumed the much higher danger here coupled with a few above six hundred creatures resulted in the level ups.

Much more direct danger but in the end I could still just go in and fight them, then escape. If the Astral Spirits don’t try to hunt me down actively, I should have no issue just fighting those hordes for weeks on end, she thought with a grin.

Ilea had considered fighting Miststalkers but these spirits were generally at a higher level and their capabilities weren’t exactly mind blowing. Spirits of Death at least.

Some of the creatures could prevent blink but Displacement solved that issue entirely.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 30’

Five skills at thirty for Kin of Ash… before Sentinel, she thought. The fact that nothing had gotten to thirty one by now suggested that it really was the current highest possible level.

She wondered when another tier would show up. Could also be that it just takes years to get to thirty one.

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Force reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2ndlvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 8’

The skills were coming along nicely.

Each level just provides a single stat point. I could just fight for hours on end in those hordes while trying to not kill anything but should I really just ignore leveling?

Evolutions would come one way or the other… but it will become harder as time goes on to get them.

She really had to get her skills higher before pushing on. Even if her third Class wouldn’t evolve at two or three hundred like she suspected, her main Class skills should be capped before reaching four hundred.

Ilea quickly checked and found that she could level all three active skills of her third Class to the third tier. Each would cost one Core skill point.

I have so many at this point.

She quickly thought about the three skills. Force, Displacement, and Flare of Creation.

The latter two had proven to be simply incredible.

Flare of Creation added a new dimension to her damage, slowing enemy regeneration while damaging magical constructs, health, and mana. The immunities and resilience bonus were just additional.

Displacement was simple enough but already it had allowed her to bypass so many anti teleportation enchantments and even abilities. She thought herself lucky to not have encountered the same kinds of Spirits of Death before.

The offensive utility it provided created so much chaos amidst enemy lines, let alone the fact that she could even teleport allies.

Force had been useful, yes. It had saved her in a few close situations but she could’ve likely blinked or displaced herself out just as well. The stopping effect was minuscule and did essentially the same as Displacement when it came to the enemy spells’ impact on her.

She’d rather throw projectiles back at enemies than just stop them. Maybe if she were a heavier fighter with a focus on armor and shields. The reality was that Ilea constantly moved. Most projectiles were either dodged or hit her on purpose to activate Sentinel Core.

The concentrated pushes were nice to have and definitely inconvenienced some high level targets of a similar size and weight as herself but compared to the other skills it just kind of fell behind.

Skills available for third tier advancement in [The Faen Valkyrie]:

- Force

- Flare of Creation

- Displacement

Ilea decided to give the other available active skills a shot before making a decision on Force. The other two she advanced with one core skill point each. She didn’t check her General skill levels yet.

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active - Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 1

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. Attacks with your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 45.5% [364%]

2nd stage: The pale flame settles within your core. Flare of Creation now affects enemy health regeneration. This effect is higher for areas directly touched by the Flame of Creation.

3rd stage: Your experience with Flare of Creation allows you to infuse your magical constructs with its effects. For each level in the third tier, the skill’s upkeep is reduced by a static 10 [10] points of health per second and you may sacrifice an additional static 100 [100] points of health per second to enhance the skill’s effects.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

She read through the new part twice before she smiled. The upkeep would reduce the cost from three fifty to just fifty points of health per second. And could I?

She stopped herself from testing the new power right next to Michael but was very interested.

A hundred points for each level… meaning I could sacrifice three thousand points of health per second at level thirty? That’s nuts… I don’t think this skill should exist with someone having Sentinel Reconstruction in the third tier.

Ilea couldn’t help but giggle to herself, trying to hide the noise with more food stuffed into her mouth.

She focused again and checked Displacement’s third tier.

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active – Displacement – 3rd lvl 1

Shift space to your will, making an object or person appear somewhere else.

2nd stage: Your familiarity with teleportation and Space Magic allow you to move one additional object for each level in the 2nd and 3rd tier. Magical constructs are now affected by Displacement.

3rd stage: You may choose two flat areas and connect them through space. At the time of marking an area, it has to be within the range of Displacement. Areas have to be connected within one minute of activating the spell and cannot be further apart than 250m [875m]. This ability can only be used every 1200 seconds [255 seconds]. Additionally you may change the orientation of the objects you displace.

Space Magic

Ilea decided to test this one instead of trying to understand what exactly any of it meant. Being able to change the orientation of things is pretty tight.

Chapter 526 Progression and Possibilities

Chapter 526 Progression and Possibilities

Michael glanced her way for a moment but didn’t comment. He summoned something to eat himself, as if he was reminded of the human need by the bowl in her hand.

Ilea checked the rest of her messages.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Devour Resistance – lvl 1’

Devour Resistance – lvl 1

A specialty school of magic combining the perfect control of one’s body, blood, and mana to create a unique blend of highly destructive spells. Both used to damage the enemy’s defenses and body with the benefit of partial health absorption. This school of magic can only be used by those with extensive knowledge and experience. Your survival either means a lack of willingness to kill by your enemy or an incredible defensive repertoire that rivals your opponent’s magical prowess. Coupled with Blood Magic, Arcane Magic, and Health Drain Resistances, this new skill is just as specialized against Devour magic as that school of magic itself.

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

...

2nd stage: Really? Why? Your body refuses to be eaten by Devour magic. You should work on your diplomatic skills.

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘You have found a new realm. Again. And you faced some of its more powerful residents in battle – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have met and fought an Astral Spirit – One Core skill point awarded’

Ilea was very close to just investing another core point into Force but she stopped herself again. Keep your damn points.

Instead she checked if any of the magic she faced had made new third tier resistances available.

To her surprise there were two new contenders.

- Health Drain Resistance

To face an enemy with Devour magic and come out on top is really quite impressive. While it isn’t limited to its health drain aspect, the effects themselves are hardly comparable to conventional health drain abilities. A third tier in this skill should help mitigate such damage.

- Mana Drain Resistance

Astral Spirits are rare and powerful entities, close in essence and body to the very mana they wield. Anyone who decides to face such a creature must be able to strongly resist their powerful drain attacks to gaineven a slight chance of ever defeating one. You may advance this skill to the third tier.

Damn, I want both!

She checked her status and found only one third tier general point available. It was her emergency point. She might have chosen to advance her Health Drain Resistance had the Queen still been alive but as it was, she regretfully leveled neither.

Ilea put her sixty five stat points into Vitality, bringing it to nearly one thousand.

More health to use for Flare of Creation, she thought and checked her new status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent Core skill points: 23

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1795 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 367

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 29

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 29

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 29

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 28

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 22

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 367

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 28

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 28

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 20

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 190

- Active: Force – 2nd lvl 20

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Space Shift – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Space Awareness – 2nd lvl 8

General Skills: Hidden

Status:

Vitality: 995

Endurance: 420

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 900

Wisdom: 1000

Health: 15681/15681

Stamina: 4198/4200

Mana: 19982/20000

She smiled to herself and looked at Michael, done with her food.

Ilea was downright appalled by the lack of interest he had in his own dish, swallowing most of it without even chewing. The smell and look didn’t speak for his vile nourishment either.

“What are the chances of more rituals being prepared here?” she asked.

“Low. They reached their goal after all, though the resulting consequences they met are admittedly quite ironic,” Michael said.

“Are you searching the city with your other clones?” she asked.

“No,” he said.

Ilea wondered if he was lying or if he simply hadn’t been able to recreate all of them yet. Or none of them are actually really him.

“Are you allied with Lady Redleaf?” he asked, the direct question surprising her a little.

Ilea glanced at him and then at Felicia.

“More just friends,” she said after a moment.

Am I allied with her? Maybe. But I wouldn’t help her get rid of nobles in Virilya. Not anymore.

He smiled.

“To think Lilith has friends. The songs coupled with the impression you left suggested something else,” he said.

Ilea had only uncovered her mouth to eat. The man only knew her as the ashen healer.

“Well I’m sure you have people too that you would consider friends. Or do all common relationship models cease to exist when one becomes as powerful as you?” she asked.

Michael just looked at her for a while.

“I believe I have remained human during my life. I’m not quite as old nor as powerful as some of the other members. You flatter me,” he said. “Especially with your high level and third Class. I’m aware of some of the required achievements.”

Ilea assumed his first sentence was meant as an answer, that he indeed had people he cared about.

“Your knowledge on blood magic might have prevented a whole city from being wiped out. If you really told the truth,” she said.

She was aware of his selfish motives but it didn’t change the result.

Felicia finally woke up then, blinking a few times.

“Lilith,” she said with a broad smile. She got up and hugged her.

“You survived,” Felicia said.

Ilea nodded and hugged her back. “As did you.”

The woman registered Michael in that moment and let go a little awkwardly.

“Apologies,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about it,” Ilea replied, noting that she had still used her made up name.

“Thank you for the help in there,” Felicia said, bowing lightly towards Michael.

He waved her off, already absorbed in his work again.

“I’ll go back in. Do you two want to remain here?” Ilea asked.

“With you and the Destroyer present, I shall join you,” Michael said.

Still have to test those new third tiers, Ilea mused.

“We’ll go on ahead,” Ilea said and vanished. Felicia followed her and glanced back when they appeared in a nearby alley.

“That’s a little rude. He saved my life,” Felicia said but still smiled. “Tell me everything!”

Ilea blinked again, this time into another empty hall.

“I just wanted to try something out,” Ilea said and formed a sphere of ash. It floated above her hand before the thing ignited with a pale white flame.

It’s that easy, she thought with a smile. She moved it around and kept the flames alive. She quickly told Felicia about the fight and the hordes they had faced.

“Spirits and a Queen?” Felicia asked after Ilea was done. She grinned. “Well, seems like your intervention once again prevented my death.”

“I’m a healer. I do that,” Ilea joked.

The woman waved her off. “You’re far more than a simple healer. Now… explain that thing to me,” she said and pointed at the blazing ball of ash. “Could you not do that before?”

“No… not exactly,” Ilea said and added one hundred more health to the spell, seeing it flare up slightly.

She formed a mist of ash before her and made it swirl around.

Felicia smiled. “You’re not g-”

The whole thing suddenly blazed up in white fire.

Interesting. More health because it’s larger? Or because it’s not connected to me?

It turned out it was both.

The difference in cost wasn’t huge but definitely noticeable.

She made the flames die down and tried out her other new ability. “Don’t resist.”

Felicia raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

She appeared a few meters away, upside down. The woman remained floating in the air, her smile looking like a frown from the angle.

“That won’t be super useful again trained warriors,” she said.

“Not all of them can fly,” Ilea said.

“True,” Felicia said and floated closer, slowly turning back as the air flowed around her.

“You said your second Class helps with the berserker stuff, right?” Ilea asked.

“Helps me get out of it, yeah,” Felicia said.

“I remembered something when I checked my resistances earlier. Do you have Soul Magic Resistance?” she asked.

“No. I don’t think I’ve ever knowingly met a Soul mage,” Felicia said.

“Maybe you should,” Ilea said. “There’s a section in the second tier that says A serene calm now sways through your very essence, changed and evolved, grounded and calm. Maybe that could help.”

“Hmm… that’s interesting. Thanks!” Felicia said. “I’ll see if I can find a trainer somewhere in the Empire but I’ve got it mostly under control.”

“Sure,” Ilea said and tried to use the main new part of Displacement. She focused on the closest spot her ability could reach and marked the area. At the same time she marked an area on the other side of the hall.

Interesting, she thought as she watched the phenomena form thanks to Space Awareness. There was a slight distortion in the air even visible to the naked eye but the sight her awareness provided proved much more confusing.

“What did you do?” Felicia asked, looking at the changed air.

Ilea felt the spell drain her mana quite quickly, a conscious effort necessary to keep the magic active. A little less than four hundred mana per second, four fifty without regeneration and meditation I think.

Forty to sixty seconds with a full pool.

Destruction and Storm of Cinders still used up way more if she went all out. Against a strong enemy like the Queen, that simply wasn’t possible because of dodges, missing attacks, and various teleports mixed in between. Something like the hordes she had fought earlier didn’t really count either because their constant magical attacks fueled her with more mana, heavily increasing her up time for various skills.

She made an ashen sphere and shot it into one of the five by five meter areas.

They watched with fascination as the sphere vanished and flew out on the other side.

Its momentum hadn’t been used up and the thing simply continued another three times through the two areas before it finally fell to the floor.

Ilea let go of the spell.

“Huh.”

“It’s like an actual gate…,” Felicia said. “Can I step through too?”

“I would imagine that works, yes,” Ilea said. “It’s a space connection between two areas, nothing less and nothing more.”

“Limited range?” the woman asked.

“Yep. Eight hundred meters right now,” Ilea said.

“Hmm… still usable in a siege or to break in somewhere without detection,” Felicia said.

“Or to send the combined efforts of ten explosion mages into an enemy line,” Ilea said with a grin.

“That works too,” Felicia said and giggled.

Though I suppose I can do that with normal uses of Displacement too. Maybe not as easily but it definitely costs less than this.

Ilea could definitely see how the addition could be useful, if only to get allies through anti teleportation enchantments. One issue was the size of the two areas. They had to be quite large, meaning she couldn’t just form a small hole to send a few of her limbs through but had to create the around five by five meter portals. She knew instinctively that a larger area was possible too.

“Can you move them?” Felicia asked.

“No,” Ilea said. She had tried but she would have to remake new gates if she wanted to change where they existed. Over four minutes to use it again.

I guess I could have used it against the mantis… just place it in front of me and as far away as Displacement could have gotten me. The distance might have allowed me to flee more easily until her buff ran out.

Insane that she could keep up with me either way. Maybe she had two teleportation spells too.

“Done testing?” Felicia asked.

“One thing…,” Ilea said and aimed her hand towards the open space before her.

She formed a mist of non condensed ash that simply flowed forward. Flare of Creation activated, the flames spreading through the simple ash like wildfire.

The particles farthest away fell to the ground, out of her manipulation’s influence but still burning. She didn’t let up, creating more ash as she moved the flaming spray around.

Costs nearly nothing… other than health.

“Flamethrower unlocked,” she said to herself and grinned, moving her arm back as if it was a loaded weapon.

The flames subsided and left behind a thin carpet of ash.

The nature of the spell even allowed her to keep the ash burning as long as she had resources to spend.

More condensed constructs would have much higher range but this way, she could cover large beings with Flare of Creation in mere moments, without having to get particularly close.

“Flamethrower?” Felicia asked. “I guess that makes sense. I’m happy for you!” she exclaimed.

[Mage – lvl 252]

“You got a few levels too. No evolution?” Ilea asked.

She shook her head. “Sadly not. Two new spell options but nothing that seems more suited than what I already have.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea said. “Shall we then?”

“What’s the plan? Just explore?” Felicia asked.

“That too,” Ilea said as she switched into her Baralia armor and blinked out into an empty alley. “A being communicated with me through mind magic in there. I think meeting it should take priority.”

“You can talk to things with mind magic?” Felicia asked.

“I think most mind mages can initiate contact. I’m not sure why it only communicated with me… well, the others might have just not mentioned it. Bob might already be there, making a deal with it for whatever treasure their realm holds,” Ilea said.

“You know his actual name?” Felicia asked. “Makes sense now why he chooses to be called the Destroyer,” she added and laughed.

“It’s not his real name but I think it fits. Don’t get too close to the man, his reputation is based on reality,” Ilea said.

“Oh I’m very much aware of that,” Felicia said and giggled. “Velamyr warned me plenty.”

“As much as I like the idea of fighting monsters in that new realm, our goal should still be to close the fissure somehow,” Ilea said. “The danger is simply too high with the mana leaking out. I can’t imagine the damage a single high level Spirit could do to this city, let alone the human plains themselves.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Felicia said as she touched her back. “Don’t worry.”

Ilea sighed. “Just let me brood in my annoyance.”

Felicia shook her head. “It’s very unlike you. I understand. I really do. I nearly died today after all! But the ritual didn’t kill the whole city so that’s a start. Now we just have to figure out the next step,” she said and smiled.

They reached the section of the wall where a dozen guards had sectioned off the area with a crude stone wall, shooing away interested civilians.

A large entrance had been dug into the wall, dense mana already seeping into the surroundings.

It was still nothing compared to the other side.

She simply displaced herself alongside Felicia into the hall.

A few people looked at them but as soon as she started healing some of the near frozen guards, their reception quickly changed.

They went through already.

Hector isn’t here, she thought and looked around. Why isn’t there a single healer present?

“Where are the healers?” she asked.

A warrior close to one fifty stepped up to her, his eyes had already been focused on the two newcomers before.

“Who are you? And why are you speaking in Standard? This is our jurisdiction,” he said.

Ilea turned away from the now mostly healed soldier, still touching his shoulder as she tried to examine the condition he was in. It just looks wrong… mana poisoning maybe? No veins or anything but he’s breathing heavily.

“Don’t worry. We won’t be here for long. Your men should avoid going to the other side. The mana alone could kill them. Bring them out of here and try to contain the mana spread if that is in any way possible,” she said.

He seemed unsure for a moment, glancing around at the few guards present.

“If you attack me, I will injure you. So don’t do it. We came to prevent the ritual that took place here. The one that wiped out four cities in your kingdom. Did you not call for healers because of the corpses here?” she asked.

“Who are you?” the man asked.

“Answer the question,” Felicia said.

“Their attire suggests they’re members of the Order, yes. And our mages confirmed that this was a ritual site. Destroyed now but their lives have fueled something. And now we have this gate in the middle of our city,” he said, scratching the back of his head.

Smart man.

“I’ll try to close the gate if that’s at all possible. You should be above level two hundred with high resistances to cold temperatures and the arcane if you want to go to the other side,” Ilea said.

“You won’t claim it?” the man asked.

“Claim a realm?” Ilea asked before she smiled. “I’m not the British Empire.”

Chapter 527 Species

Chapter 527 Species

She finished healing the various guards, ignoring the confusion.

Two healers in guard armor arrived and spoke with the officer who pointed at her.

“We should go soon,” Felicia said.

“I know, I know,” Ilea said and waved to the officer, stepping through the gate as a few people shouted something.

Felicia followed and immediately started breathing more quickly.

“The mana or the cold?” Ilea asked, her healing mana flowing into the woman.

“Both,” Felicia said and activated her magic.

“Can you still talk with that active?” Ilea asked.

The woman had calmed, heat and energy exuding from her. She looked at Ilea and growled.

“Oh no,” Ilea said with a sigh. “Come then, I’ll lead you,” she said and grabbed Felicia’s hand.

The woman started laughing. “I’m kidding… I’m kidding,” she said.

Ilea didn’t let go, dragging her behind her and into the temple. She ignored the various creatures staring at them from behind pillars and half closed stone doors.

“I’ll keep you safe, Felicia, don’t worry,” she said, now clad again in her bone and ash armor.

“I’m being abducted,” Felicia said in a whisper.

Ilea finally let her go.

“Where to?” Felicia asked, her eyes focused, glancing at every movement she could perceive.

“I still don’t think you’re really there,” Ilea said and teleported up the stairs.

Felicia appeared next to her. “I’m more present than normally,” she said and checked the various corpses.

“This one had a storage ring,” she said, letting go of the armored human’s hand.

“Did the pirate take it?” she asked.

“Probably,” Ilea said. “I’m sure we’ll find him wherever there is treasure here.”

“Our idea of wealth might not line up with theirs,” Felicia said, checking the other two humans. “Notebook,” she called out and waved the little booklet around.

“I really hope they think some random rubble is worthy to be stored in a vault,” Ilea said with a grin. “Written in Standard?”

“No,” Felicia said and handed it to her.

Ilea stored it in her necklace. “From the space mage?”

“Yeah, that was the one,” Felicia said.

“Why didn’t Michael already take it? The information might prove his involvement,” Ilea said.

“What do you mean?” Felicia asked.

She quickly told her about the conversation she had with the man.

“He didn’t look so good either. Maybe he made a mistake,” Felicia suggested.

“But he saved you instead?” Ilea asked. She wondered if she gave him too much credit. Felicia wasn’t much lower in level than him and even Velamyr had nearly been killed. He was probably running on fumes.

“I mean even if you prove his involvement… if anybody would get annoyed it would be Velamyr. Not that it would really be an issue even then. The gate to another realm would be seen favorable by many, even in Lys. Ryse’s views are not shared by all. If anything Michael would benefit in the end,” Felicia said. “They haven’t seen what you have. Nor do they comprehend the danger. Most nobles haven’t fought that kind of threat in their sheltered lives.”

“Really? But they’re nearly all at a high level for humans,” Ilea said.

“The wealth of a nation is not only weighed in gold, Lilith. Control over known dungeons and detailed knowledge on powerful Classes is just as important, if not more so. There are those who try to achieve high levels with their own power but many won’t risk death just to prove something. Not when an easier option exists. The gap between level one and one hundred is often even reached in secured training grounds where captured monsters get slaughtered by young heirs,” Felicia said.

Trian didn’t strike me as that inexperienced. But he said it’s family tradition to join the Hand. Which means they actually care about real experience and not just rare high level Classes.

“Not all families do it that way of course. My late father deemed us so unimportant, he had us join the training regime of the Redleaf monster factory,” Felicia said.

“Monster factory?” Ilea asked.

“Undesirable children, pushed to their limits with downright torturous training methods. Those who survived and showed promise were offered positions in various guilds, or were simply used as assassins, guards, or enforcers,” Felicia said.

“Wouldn’t they kill him or just escape once they’re strong enough?” Ilea asked.

“Some did, sure. But between being hunted as a criminal and getting a well paid job in the employ of an influential noble house, the choice is quite easy. You have to understand that most of those children didn’t chose their fate. They didn’t want to fight, did not necessarily enjoy it, like you do,” she said.

“I see. Sorry for your shit childhood,” Ilea said.

Felicia was quiet for a while.

A few ant creatures approached from one of the nearby stairwells. One of them made a few clicking sounds.

Ilea shook her head, not understanding anything.

The central ant gestured to one of the nearby bodies.

Ilea stored the three humans before she lifted one of the remaining corpses with a few ashen limbs.

The ant took a few steps back, obviously in distress. It seemed to calm down when Ilea carefully moved the corpse closer.

She put the body onto the ground and stepped away, choosing a nearby stairwell that led down.

Felicia followed, giving both the ants and Ilea a few glances.

“I appreciate the notion. It could have been better,” she said. “And yet it all forged me into who I am today.”

“Fucker could have been removed earlier though,” Ilea said.

Felicia giggled but didn’t say anything else.

Ilea tried to make contact with the creature again, getting a response immediately.

She blinked a few times and arrived in front of a destroyed stone gate.

“Once my position in Lys is more established, I’ll try to push for laws that would prevent what my father did,” Felicia said.

“I doubt you’ll get much support from the nobility,” Ilea said and entered the area.

Everything here looked a little cleaner than upstairs. Statues of various creatures lined the walls in the long corridor. Five massive stone gates lined each side of the hall, an even larger one at the end.

“That remains to be seen,” Felicia said with a grin. “The Destroyer is here.”

“I know,” Ilea said, hearing the man throw around metal or furniture.

Four of the stone gates had been destroyed already, cut apart by beams of water if she could interpret the damage correctly.

“Found the vaults?” she asked.

The man grumbled a few words in a language she didn’t speak.

“Unsure,” he finally said, popping out from behind a few chests with a large crystal held in his hand.

“Worthless,” he said and threw it behind himself.

Ilea couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you break the enchantments yourself?”

“No enchantments,” Hector said. “Someone is interfering with my activities here. Maybe that thing behind the massive gate at the end of the hall.”

“Tried to talk to it?” Ilea asked.

“I’m not a monster whisperer like you,” he said.

“You literally summon creatures,” Ilea said.

“Of the deep… the ocean, yes. Do you see water around?” he asked, glancing at her for a moment before he opened another chest. “No. Didn’t think so,” he added and threw a stone statue behind himself, the thing vanishing before it hit the ground. “Now let me go through all this crap… why even store this?” he asked as he looked at another thing before throwing it.

Ilea watched as space itself distorted, catching the thrown marble before it appeared in another section of the room.

Why not just kill him? Or push him away? she wondered. Maybe it can’t.

But it can teleport random objects here.

Ilea followed his advice, much more interested to meet the entity than going through more treasure. Especially because she couldn’t see any gold or other precious metals in the area.

Hello, she sent again.

Hello, the thought came back but distorted, imitated, and not spoken with understanding of the word itself.

She sent a calm thought to the creature, stepping out into the hall and towards the large round gate at the end of it. A few torches lit the area, flickering from time to time.

Felicia followed in silence.

A thought came back.

She saw a bustling city of stone, thousands of creatures communicating in sounds she couldn’t comprehend. She saw the distant mountains, the desert, and the sun burning down from above.

It was accompanied by feelings. Some she couldn’t grasp but others felt like pride and love.

“I think it’s showing me what this place was,” Ilea said.

“Are you talking to it?” Felicia asked.

“No… I don’t think it speaks our language,” she said.

Her companion slowed down as they approached the gate. “The air is….,” she said.

“What’s wrong?” Ilea asked and reached out with her ash.

The mana, she thought. “You might want to stay back.”

Felicia nodded and teleported towards the other end of the hall.

Ilea touched the gate, feeling power within. She couldn’t perceive any enchantments however.

Can I enter? she sent.

The being didn’t reply.

Instead she spread her ash and formed a replica of the gate and herself, making the gate open before she walked inside.

The being sent a wave of emotions that amounted to danger.

To me or it?

She didn’t know but she really wanted to see the creature. If anybody in this place had answers, it was this being. And Ilea didn’t want to wait for the spirits to reach the fissure.

Instead of opening the gate, she blinked inside. Or tried to.

The spell didn’t work and she appeared in front of the area.

She used displacement instead, appearing in a dim hallway that led deeper into the structure.

Her sphere had been able to pierce the gate but now that she appeared, she understood the warning.

The mana here was damn near physical, if such a thing was possible.

She could feel it around her.

And she could feel the presence ahead. Clearer now.

Lilith.

The thought came to her. A question? A thought?

She pointed at herself. “Lilith,” she said out loud and sent the thought at the same time.

Ilea pointed forward.

The being didn’t send anything.

Another gate blocked the way about five meters ahead.

Ilea once again displaced herself through.

The mana grew denser still. She could see space itself distorting here, more wisps visible than normal.

Her resistance to arcane magic was far into the third tier, making this place only slightly uncomfortable.

A rug with detailed symbols sewn in lay on the ground.

She pointed at it.

A thought reached her. The image of a mantis. Not just any but the one she had faced in battle. The Queen.

Zaiked, Ilea sent.

The being sent a set of emotions. Hard to discern. There was anger, fear, uncertainty, and pride. A different pride than the one she had felt before.

Ilea teleported through the last gate.

She took a deep breath and steadied herself, feeling the full extent of the being’s power.

It was, manageable.

Is it the being? Or is this simply the required density of mana for it to survive?

Hello, the creature sent, clearer yet again. Its voice sounded similar to her own, an imitation perhaps.

Hello, Ilea sent back.

Who are you? she asked.

Unsure.

She stepped forward.

The rounded tunnel opened up into a large space. A meadow of pitch black grass spread before her, broken up by a thin creek with clear flowing water. Golden fireflies lent their warm light to the surroundings, a gentle breeze brushing through the grass and past her ash.

Atop a small hill about fifty meters in stood a large tree made entirely of crystal. From its trunk to the many leaves hanging from its branches, everything shimmered in a pale blue light.

Ilea stepped closer to the tree, seeing the grass part below her ash covered boots. The fireflies were within her sphere’s range but she couldn’t see them. Not with the spell.

She stopped before crossing the creek, holding out her hand to one of the flying creatures.

It landed on her outstretched fingers and flattered its wings but she neither felt nor perceived it.

An illusion?

The wisps suggested something else entirely, something she could not comprehend.

Maybe I just stepped into the world devouring equivalent of a carnivorous plant.

Her instincts told her she was safe but who was to say the creature didn’t have a way to influence her towards that decision?

No. Fear, the creature said.

Safe.

“That’s exactly what a flesh eating plant would say,” Ilea said.

Unsure.

“No, I’m pretty sure about that,” she said and smirked.

She tried to identify the little firefly, pretty sure that the tree was the creature that was speaking to her. Though the high mana density made it difficult to pin point its location.

[п̸̤̟͕͖̬͘͜о͢͝͏̨͓̠̱̮̣̭̹̩͇̠̞ͅͅн̷͟͞͏̼̺͖̤͓̼̮͍̱̮̜̳͖̕и҉̨̞̞͔̣̖͎м̴̛̕҉̠̞̻̝̭а̴̻̱̯͎̦͍͚̣̹̦̤̫̗̥͝н̶̡̣̦̖̪͈͍̤̰̰͚̝̦͢͠ͅͅи̧̨̪̣̦̹̞̳͕̪͘ͅе̡̩͉̳̼̠͍ - lvl ????]

Of course, she thought and squinted at the fly.

Veteran had a hard time grasping at this creature’s true power but she knew it was above even level two thousand.

Ilea wasn’t particularly scared. She respected its power but she had felt no animosity so far. If it really was just a murder plant, it would have eaten her minutes ago. Or tried to.

Who’s stronger? A Fae or this thing? That would be an interesting fight, she thought with a smile.

“Are you at least learning my language?” Ilea asked. “I don’t know if we can have a detailed conversation with images and emotions alone.”

She sat down on the grass and summoned a meal, seeing the grass move away.

Hmm, she tried to pluck a blade off the ground and found herself unable to accomplish the task.

Ilea squinted and identified the ground.

[п̸̤̟͕͖̬͘͜о͢͝͏̨͓̠̱̮̣̭̹̩͇̠̞ͅͅн̷͟͞͏̼̺͖̤͓̼̮͍̱̮̜̳͖̕и҉̨̞̞͔̣̖͎м̴̛̕҉̠̞̻̝̭а̴̻̱̯͎̦͍͚̣̹̦̤̫̗̥͝н̶̡̣̦̖̪͈͍̤̰̰͚̝̦͢͠ͅͅи̧̨̪̣̦̹̞̳͕̪͘ͅе̡̩͉̳̼̠͍ - lvl ????]

Oh.

“Am I sitting on you?” she asked and displaced herself back and beyond the grassy meadow.

An amused thought reached her.

No fear. You are safe here.

“So you are learning… what about the others? Are they not safe here?” Ilea asked. She pointed behind herself and asked again. “Safe?”

No safe. Danger.

“Danger… why?” she asked.

Unsure.

This is getting kind of taxing, Ilea thought and sighed. The food was good at least and it felt nice to talk to something that wasn’t human for a change.

Zaiked is death?

“She’s dead, yes,” Ilea said. “I’m sorry.”

I’m… regret.

“Did she imprison you here?” Ilea asked.

Unsure.

Ilea asked a bunch of questions, using visual aides from her ash to clarify words and meanings.

It had already been clear that this creature was insanely powerful and intelligent but she didn’t really see a reason why she shouldn’t teach it Standard.

If anything it would help clear up if the creature was a monstrous devourer, an uninterested third party, a prisoner, or something entirely different. So far it was clear that the being had some connection to the queen. It was unclear as of yet if that was a good thing for Ilea, or the opposite.

Prison, the being said into her mind fifteen minutes later.

No prison. My… home, it said.

“You live here? Why the gates?” Ilea asked.

Protection against… mana?

“The ambient mana here is pretty dense, yes. It’s like that in the whole realm,” she said.

Damaging to… organism. You… survive. Can stay here… surprise.

“I’m pretty durable,” Ilea said with a smile.

Survived… battle with… Zaiked. Yes, durable. Amusement, the being said.

“Are you that tree?” Ilea asked, forming an ashen tree and pointing towards the pale blue thing.

Body? No. Am here, the being said.

“Here, where?” Ilea asked before she understood. “Aha… you’re this whole room?”

Hmm.

“Did you open the space gate to our realm?” she asked, trying to illustrate with her ash.

One… option. Yes. Queen Zaiked disliked. Did not believe… enemy. Pride too much. Survival not priority. She… refused flight.

“So you opened the gate to flee? Because of the Spirits out there?” Ilea asked.

I can survive. Awakened here cannot. Protected here but starving… soon. Cold permeate and Spirits will… come.

“Awakened?” Ilea asked.

You. Awakened. Zaiked. Awakened.

“I see… so sapient creatures. Beings that can think?” Ilea asked. Or just really high level sapients?

Eyes. Yes.

“Freaky way to put it but I guess. So the barriers that protect this place, that’s your doing?” she asked.

Yes. Straining but… possible.

“It’s hard to keep the cold out?” she asked.

Spirits.

“But you’re a much higher level… even than the Astral Spirits I’ve seen. Couldn’t you just slaughter them?” Ilea asked.

The Spirits… devour… mana. Too many are… impossible to defeat. And you have met… mundane creatures only. Daughters of Sephilon shall devour even… I

“Pretty scary if they can even defeat a creature like you,” Ilea said. “Can they go through the gate?”

Yes, but they will die. Or return. Your realm cannot sustain… them.

“It can’t sustain the beings here either. Many came and turned into monsters… they lost their awakening if you will,” Ilea said.

It was impossible… to tell. I needed cooperation from Awakened. Your… species replied.

“They thought this was the Realm of Life… what did you promise them?” she asked.

Awakening, the being said.

“But we are already awakened… or am I wrong?” Ilea asked.

Not they. Other beings, lost in their natural way, seeking light but treading in the dark.

“You know how to awaken monsters? To make them sapient?” Ilea asked. That would be interesting but scary at the same time. Humanity had plenty of enemies already. The north however, could flourish with civilization once more, she thought.

Only through one’s own efforts can one awaken. Few ever find awakening themselves but my guidance can influence the odds.

“How?” Ilea asked.

I warn them of danger, lead them to food and water. I nudge them towards Wisdom and Intelligence until they can make decisions on their own.

“So you helped every creature here awaken?” Ilea asked.

No. Reproduction does not cease but Awakening changes a species. The benefits are often hereditary. Sometimes they’re not, the being explained.

“Why do all that in the first place?” Ilea asked.

Why do you eat?

“I love food,” Ilea replied.

Chapter 528 Meadow

Chapter 528 Meadow

As do many species, I found, the creature said with an amused thought attached to the words.

“So it’s a hobby for you? To help creatures awaken,” Ilea asked.

A hobby… a past time. No, it’s more meaningful than that. It is… what I am.

“Hmm… do you remember your own awakening?” Ilea asked.

Yes. Before the last darkening. I remember feeling the wind, hearing sound for the first time.

“That’s pretty cool… I don’t remember my own birth,” Ilea said.

Amusing. I am not a mammal. Your kind often needs time to develop fully. I was not aware in my development, nor was I birthed to a mother.

“Formed by mana?” Ilea asked.

I have not been able to determine the circumstances of my creation. An unexpected mutation is my best guess. Perhaps I was merely a particularly resilient growth of grass before.

“You mentioned the darkening… do you mean the eclipse still under way?” Ilea asked.

Eclipse… the process of a celestial body covering another?

“You know about planets and stars?” Ilea asked. “But yes, I think that’s essentially the meaning. When the moon temporarily covers the sun. But I don’t think it should last as long as this one has.”

I have learned some things about the astronomy of this realm. In this case it is not a moon covering the sun but the planetary body doing the very same. You are currently on the only moon of Sephilon. Erendar.

“We’re on the moon?” Ilea asked.

Yes. The Astral Spirits you have encountered came here from Sephilon, no longer unwilling to wander this moon.

“Because the sun is covered?” Ilea asked. “Wouldn’t they just come every night then?”

I don’t understand your question. What do you believe the sun does?

“Provide light and energy?” Ilea asked.

Yes. And stability. To that which you call mana. Your presence here is a testament to your achievements. I knew it would be difficult for the Pale ones to survive in your realm as soon as those three entered Erendar butI had thought it impossible for your kind to enter my domain.

“That still doesn’t explain why the spirits wouldn’t come at night,” Ilea said.

Energy does not dissipate instantly. It takes many orbits without sunlight to cause a collapse. The one you see here is only just in progress. Enough for Astral Spirits to deem our surface acceptable but perhaps not yet enough to prevent all formation of life.

“This eclipse has been going on for more than a day?” Ilea asked.

Orbits of the sun, not Sephilon. It is an exceptionally rare phenomenon. Few beings remain who have seen the last and fewer still remember it. I could predict it and tried to find a way to prevent the collapse of this civilization.

“Fleeing to another realm was that option you talked about?” Ilea asked.

I thought it impossible for a long time. The discovery of disconnected realms was surprising. A foolish hope turned into my only plausible option as our efforts failed, one by one.

“Yours and Zaiked’s? Who was she?” Ilea asked.

The Queen of the Pale ones. The wisest of them all. And one of few who could communicate with me. A high Mental Resistance is necessary to comprehend my thoughts, something their species struggled with.

Zaiked refused reason, attacking the unknown species from your realm, thus dooming the remaining survivors of her kind. It is understandable, her history one of warfare and struggle. She had never deemed communication a favorable trait. Those who had cooperated with me beforehand were slain when she came to power. Her strongest warriors failed to kill me, which allowed rare interactions to take place afterwards. If only based on respect and fear.

However even in the most recent orbits, she remained suspicious, without trust. Her very last actions were to fight an unstoppable foe instead of flight into a new realm of limitless possibilities.

She shared the possibility and those who wished to take the risk already went through the fragile fissures. I know now that they did not survive.

“Doesn’t sound like she was particularly wise then,” Ilea said.

Zaiked and her army fought the Spirits, both those of Death and those of Sephilon. They killed thousands but losses soon became more regular, Astral Spirits too much for most of her warriors to kill. For every one they slayed, ten more would take its place.

Children started freezing in their mothers’ arms. Those too weak to bear the changing mana went mad and attacked their own. Crops failed and hunger plagued even the most powerful of her kind.

I believe that she was already lost when you arrived. Because she had lost everything she had held dear.

“There are plenty of creatures still around,” Ilea said. “What about them?”

She considered them lesser. They have the strength to survive but not the will to fight.

“What do you think?” Ilea asked.

They are all Eyes.

“Eyes for what? You?” she asked.

Eyes that perceive existence. Existence cannot bewith no Eyes to see, thus I seek to help awaken those who remain blind.

“I don’t really get that, but okay. You seemed to have more of a connection to Zaiked than just her eyes though,” Ilea said.

I am not immune to the effects of sentimentality. Empathy is a sure way towards awakening.

“And you don’t blame us for coming here? For killing so many of your… eyes,” Ilea said.

You are awakened, as are those who came here. I feel that I must try and prevent the deaths of those I sheltered for so many orbits but I will notfight Awakened to achieve that goal.

“And that’s why you’re talking to me? Why you didn’t eat me yet,” Ilea asked.

I determined that there was a possibility of your cooperation. Your kind has yet to kill any of Erendar’s awakened without reason. While the Queen thought diplomacy to be an admittance of weakness, I think it the only way for Awakened to cooperate.

Desires, needs, and goals differ greatly among the various awakened species I have met. I have found no evidence to suggest that animosity is the only possible result however. And yet we remain in part influenced by the instincts that once drove us. Most awakened would not be able to accept my existence, either responding in terror or aggression.

You have met many powerful beings and thus you stand here with a more complex understanding of my existence. Yet still you remain suspicious. I can feel it. But you are here, willing to communicate with a creature that is not of your own kind.

“So your goal is to get the others into our realm. The problem is that there simply isn’t enough mana there to keep them sane. I’ve seen it happen,” Ilea said.

Yes. That is a problem. I feel however that mana is flowing through the spacial tunnel, spreading into your world.

“Into a populated city that won’t respond kindly to the invasion of another species,” Ilea said.

You do not have the power to convince them?

“I don’t think so. There are too many parties involved. I’m inclined to help the weaker beings here, seeing the evidence of your fucked up world but you yourself are way more powerful. I don’t think I can trust you without good reasons,” she admitted.

I understand. It is the logical conclusion.

It remained silent for a moment.

Erendar is not a static place. Are there places in your realm where the mana density would be enough to sustain the creatures that remain within this palace?

“Yeah,” Ilea said. “The problem is getting them there.”

You have a way to pass into my domain. Do you not have the power to move them into such a territory?

“No. You also understand that I can’t just accept the mana leaking into our realm followed by other species that may or may not be hostile,” she said.

It is true that I cannot speak for the survivors. I merely wish for their continued existence.

“Can you close the gate?” Ilea asked.

It would require an incredible effort but it is possible for me to close the tunnel. I do however see no reason why I should do such.

“The creatures here will fight the creatures on the other side. Eyes will be lost one way or the other,” Ilea said.

That is no certainty. You admitted you cannot speak for them, nor can I speak for those still in Erendar. Understand that if I shut the gate, my whole focus will be needed. All efforts to prevent Spirits from finding this location will cease, nor will I be able to fight them off should they arrive.

“And you can’t just form another gate somewhere else?” Ilea asked.

You underestimate the efforts that went into its creation. Openinganother such gate would bring the Astral Spirits upon us just as much as closing the present one would do. It may also be impossible to do so in this city. The spacial fabric is fickle as it is. I cannot be sure of the consequences should I interfere in its natural state once more.

“Hmm…,” Ilea said when the stone gate behind her exploded.

“Fucking fiiinally,” Hector exclaimed. “Hey creature, where are you keeping all the gold?”

“Shiny metals held no meaning to most of Erendar’s awakened species,” the being replied.

“You taught it Standard? Well fucking done,” he said and rolled his eyes.

“I have learned from you as I have learned from her,” it said.

“Is there anything worth looting here other than the trash in those vaults?” Hector asked.

“What you call trash are memories of ancestors who died in battle. Each holds value both historical and sentimental,” it explained. “I do not know what you deem worthy to call treasure, water mage, but I suggest you look for it yourself.”

“Maybe killing the remaining monsters here might at least get me some experience,” he said and stepped onto the grass. “Or I could kill you, you’re just a bloody meadow after all.”

“Amusing. You are welcome to try, mage. I won’t hold a grudge for your baseless confidence,” the being said.

Ilea laughed.

“Come on, if we work together, we might get a four mark kill!” Hector said.

“Even if that thing was obviously weak and near death, I’d protect it from you,” she said. “But I agree with it, I think it’d be quite amusing if you tried.”

“I agree,” Hector said with a grin, shooting a beam of water at the tree.

Nothing intercepted the beam and it hit the tree without a visible impact.

“You are no longer welcome here,” the being said before Hector vanished, including his water sphere and a part of the floor he had stood on.

“Did you kill him?” Ilea asked.

“I do not kill Awakened beings. I merely placed him close to the exit,” it said.

“So he’s right and we could just try and kill you? You wouldn’t kill us even if we injured you?” Ilea asked.

“Correct,” the being said.

“I don’t think I could do it,” Ilea admitted. “Can you try that spell on me though? I want to see if I could resist.”

She felt the attack coming, a surge of incredible power pulling on her very being. Ilea appeared a few meters away.

“Impressive. Your resistance is high, but your abilities cannot stop overwhelming power,” the being said.

“Did you try to move me here?” Ilea asked, gesturing around herself.

“No. I aimed for the entrance,” the being said.

Hector’s voice came from the tunnel “Listen here you shit! I won’t just be dismi-”

“You moved him again?” Ilea asked, smiling both at Hector’s inability to even approach the creature and the fact that she was only halfway towards the entrance.

I resisted partially.

“That I did. We seem to have found ourselves at an impasse, young Lilith. I deeply value your willingness to cooperate but it seems my involvement ends here,” it said.

Ilea sighed.

“What will you do once everyone is dead and our realm is as infested with Spirits as yours?” she asked.

“The possibility of Spirits choosing to enter the tunnel remains small. I shall examine my failings and await the end of the eclipse. My efforts during that time will be focused on those who remain blind but refuse to fall to the beings who have invaded this land,” it explained.

“There are creatures that survive all that?” Ilea asked.

“Few but yes. You are not the only being with the power to face Spirits,” it said.

“Interesting… hey… maybe you could teach me Space Magic, help me advance my skills,” she said.

“You know that fighting will advance your skills the most. There is an untold number of spirits out there, willing to cooperate,” it said.

“Yeah but they won’t help me with Space Awareness. You can. You’re limited by Classes and skill slots too, aren’t you? No matter how high your level reaches. Or am I wrong?” she asked.

“There are limitations to all beings,” it said. “It would take many orbits to reach meaningful change or progress. Orbits we do not have.”

“I got my Space Class somewhat recently. Most of my spells aren’t even in the third tier yet. But they’re close though,” she said.

“You suggest there may be a way for you to support mygoals should your power reach sufficient heights?”

Ilea shrugged. “Who the fuck knows?”

I already have a way to go back to Elos. Displacement already lets me form a gate between two places. Might just be there’s a possibility somewhere in there.

“That is true. Even I cannot grasp at the potential slumbering within your spells. May I ask why you would cooperate with a being such as I?” it said.

“I empathize with your situation, I guess. If what you said was the truth,” Ilea said. “Your power and expertise in space magic might help me personally but mainly I think that an ally such as you could be the difference between our species’ extermination and our long term survival.”

Hey maybe I AM the ashen knight of humanity. Damn you Maro.

“You deal with me as if I were your equal. That is an incredibly rare phenomenon. Fascinating. Your high level in Veteran suggests it is not a deception,” it said and paused. “I would give much for the survival of those I lead to awakening. A haven within a safer realm may be the best I could ever hope to achieve. I have failed to prevent the eclipse or remedy its effects and I doubt the next five thousand orbits will lead to a different result,

“I shall humor you, Lilith. Know however that whatever deal we strike in the end, I will not kill an Awakened being. Never,” it said.

Ilea grinned. “What about teleporting them away again and again? Or creating an impenetrable barrier between the enemy and for example a city?”

“That would be possible. If my will suffices. I am far from the most powerful being, even in this realm,” it said.

“I think you’re plenty powerful,” Ilea said with a smirk. My newlevel two thousand Meadow friend and space magic instructor!

“First… I think it’s necessary that the survivors make camp down here. Otherwise the humans coming from the other side might just kill them,” she said.

“They lack the mental fortitude to hear my words,” it said.

“Then write it down, or do they not have writing?” she asked.

“There are… symbols. It doesn’t suit complex instructions but perhaps it is possible,” the being said, the tone of its voice decidedly energetic.

“Use this,” Ilea said and summoned her notebook, opening it to an empty page before she summoned her pen.

“A local space chamber… impressive. I had not thought you this advanced,” the being said.

“I didn’t make that myself,” Ilea said and showed how the pen worked.

She didn’t have to hold the notebook as both items started hovering, the pen moving over the page with precise and quick movements.

“Make sure they understand that the other side doesn’t have enough mana,” she said.

“Tschush, who do you believe you’re talking to, young human?” it asked.

“Did you just shush me?” Ilea asked. “How do you even know about that?”

“I am more aware than most. More humans have entered this realm and they share information quite freely,” it said.

“How should I call you anyway? I have no clue what the identification says,” Ilea said.

“I do not believe in the concept of such a definition,” the being said.

“Is Meadow okay?” Ilea asked.

“I prefer Endless Meadow,” Meadow replied.

“Sure. Meadow. Short for Endless Meadow,” Ilea said with a grin.

“Your attempts at humor are falling flat, Lilith,” it said.

“Yeah, yeah. Everyone’s a critic,” she said and received the notebook.

Scribbles and unidentifiable sketches covered the page. Hopefully enough to convince the survivors.

I really care about them, she thought, waving at the Meadow before she vanished. Weird insect creatures from another realm. Maybe because I slaughtered thousands of their brothers and sisters. No, they were already monsters.

For a moment she considered some kind of spell cast by the Meadow to make her cooperate but her Mental Resistance didn’t support such a theory. Her healing didn’t find anything physical and her soul perception didn’t inform her of something strange either.

She decided that maybe she just tried to help whenever possible. The benefits were definitely present but she could have just as well not given a fuck. She just hoped the Meadow wasn’t some unimaginable horror trying to deceive her.

She did had a good impression of it so far and if anything, she’s made better experiences with powerful monstrous entities than most humans. Humans are the real monsters, yadda yadda.

Ilea appeared in front of a group of insects. A few of them she even recognized as the ants she had met in the throne room.

Most of them shied back.

She just stood there and held up the notebook, opened at the page used by Meadow.

They made clicking noises, obviously arguing with one another before a few of the creatures walked closer.

“You understand?” Ilea asked.

They replied in clicks. A few of them rushed out into the nearby tunnels but most remained.

Ilea turned and walked back towards the Meadow’s area. They’re following me. Good.

She met Michael on the way, his eyes darting from her to the insects behind.

“What…,” he got out and joined her.

“You can communicate with them?” he asked.

“Just one of them,” she said as they continued down into the same hallway she had entered with Felicia.

Chapter 529 Deadly Spirits?

Chapter 529 Deadly Spirits?

Felicia was still there, listening to Hector’s rant as she nodded along. She finally found Ilea’s eyes and patted Hector’s shoulder one last time.

“You’re back,” she said with a bright smile.

“You… what did you tell that thing about me?” Hector asked as he approached her.

“You literally attacked it,” Ilea said, standing her ground as he entered her personal space.

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s a fucking meadow with a tree!” he said.

“Hold on, what being are we talking about?” Michael asked.

“Endless Meadow,” Ilea said.

“It’s a four mark down that way,” Hector said. “You brought the other dark ones here? Why?”

Ilea watched as the creatures entered the various halls.

“Did the mana density increase?” she asked.

“He destroyed the physical barriers. I cannot contain it fully,” Meadow said.

“Was that you?” Felicia asked, looking at Ilea.

“No,” she said.

“Welcome, humans. I have come to an understanding with Lilith. Should you be able to support our endeavors, I would try to repay you in kind,” Meadow said.

“Wonderful… wonderful,” Michael said as he walked towards the creature, his hands shaking slightly as he checked his armor.

He stopped ten meters in front of the destroyed gate and summoned himself a table and a few chairs. “I’m Michael. I see that Lilith has already taught you our language? That makes things easier. I have several points I’d like to discuss and possible payments for your information.”

He nearly stuttered, his excitement palpable. Another Michael rushed past the group and joined his other self.

Another table appeared and more notes.

“Why Meadow?” Felicia asked.

The view back into Meadow’s room was blocked by both rubble and fractures in space, likely there for just that purpose. Or perhaps a side effect of the being’s presence.

“Looks like one,” Hector said. “Yeah I doubt I’ll get anything out of this. Hey Readleaf, any clue when Lys starts their siege of Baralia?”

“The last time I was in a war camp was before our meeting at the ruins,” she said.

“Ah well. Nice meeting you, Lilith. Good luck with whatever you’re trying to achieve here. I’ll go loot the capital,” Hector said and righted his hat.

“Do you have the storage ring from the Elder?” she asked him.

“Yeah, which is mine. I found it first,” he said.

“I’ll give you gold for it,” Ilea said. “Not like that guy had anything useful in there.”

Hector looked at her, squinting his eyes.

“Hundreds of books probably… spell descriptions, journals, magic items that need to be categorized and sent to merchants. All that takes time. Or… or you just get pure gold, right here, right now,” she said.

He summoned the ring and flung it her way. “Fifty,” he said.

“Twenty five,” Ilea said, taking the ring.

[Band of Knowledge – Rare Quality][Storage Capacity at 24/25]

“Forty,” he said.

“Thirty five, because you already took out whatever gold was in here,” she said.

“Thirty eight,” Hector said.

Ilea summoned the gold and flung it into his water.

He cackled and made the coins vanish as he bowed.

“Enjoy the war,” Ilea said.

“OH I will. Girl, any clue how long Ryse is out?” he asked Felicia.

She shook her head.

Hector rolled his eyes before he vanished.

“Does he not know how much a storage item alone is worth?” Felicia asked after he was gone.

“I have to admit, I don’t know either,” Ilea said and handed it to her. “I’m sure you’ll find plenty of incriminating evidence and interesting things in there.”

“You’re dropping off your work,” Felicia said but took the ring nonetheless. “I’ll take stock and will inform you of what I find.”

“I appreciate it,” Ilea said and looked up. “And he was so excited to find another realm.”

“He never struck me as reliable. Even more whimsical than you,” Felicia said with a smirk, running a hand through Ilea’s hair.

“Stop that, or I’ll assume you want more than friendship,” Ilea said.

“Who knows?” Felicia replied.

What?

The woman giggled before her armor switched to Baralia gear. “I think someone should be communicating with the officers choking on mana near the gate.”

“I really don’t feel like it,” Ilea said.

Felicia smiled. “I know silly. Go play with the monsters. I don’t want you back with any less than ten more levels!”

Ilea rolled her eyes and displaced both of them a few floors up. She grabbed Felicia’s hand and activated Sentinel Huntress. “A mark. I’ll be able to find you and you can call for help. Might be useful in the coming days.”

Felicia made her glove vanish and looked at the forming runes. “I’m flattered,” she said with a smile.

“Are you sure you’re going to be alright? It will be clear you’re not from Baralia,” Ilea said.

“They will understand the consequences should they attack a Major of Lys. If anything this will be an opportunity for both myself and Gyffold,” Felicia said in a confident tone.

“Stay safe,” Ilea said and squeezed her hand.

“I will. Sorry for teasing you,” Felicia said.

“Don’t mention it,” Ilea replied and vanished.

She felt herself blush a little as her wings spread outside in the freezing air. Not sure how I feel about That.

“You wish to fight the Spirits?” Meadow asked a moment later, its voice a little more subdued now that she was out of the temple.

“Yeah… I can level some of my skills higher by doing just that. I’ll be back in a few hours though. Let me know if any new possibilities present themselves with Michael’s help,” she said.

“I will. Try not to perish, Awakened Healer. I have experienced more than enough loss lately,” it said.

“Don’t get dramatic now. We barely know each other,” Ilea said as she sped up. “How far can we communicate?”

“You will soon pass the range of your ability to reach me. I too won’t be able to talk to you anymore but as long as you don’t go farther than your last battle, I can call for you,” it said.

Long range communication. I wonder how much it can see. I guess it’s fair to an extent to compensate for the lack of legs to move around.

Ilea slowed down after a while, nearly reaching the same desert she had fought in previously. The Spirits were gone, all the corpses too.

Freaky.

She saw bones poke out of the frozen ground, craters, crevices, and mounds remaining from the intense battle.

Should I try to level another skill than Force? It may be possible to help Meadow with a third tier but I won’t just spend Core points for an uncertain result.

Skills available for [The Faen Valkyrie]:

- Spear of Creation

- Burst of Creation

- Phaseshift

- Shrouding Cloak

- Blazing Force Shield

Spear, Burst, and the shield are purely combat focused it seems. I doubt Shrouding Cloak will be helpful in this case. Which leaves Phaseshift. Not the first time I’ve looked at it either.

She didn’t outright dismiss the other skills but had to admit the spell had the most potential out of the bunch. It had its limitations but so had Displacement before it reached the second tier.

Please be good, she thought.

‘ding’ ‘Would you like to replace [Force] with [Phaseshift]? All skill levels gained in [Force] will be lost.’

‘ding’ ‘Be aware that all skill levels gained in [Force] will be lost if you proceed.’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the skill Phaseshift – lvl 1’

Active – Phaseshift – lvl 1

Expending a large amount of mana, you can temporarily unbind your body from the physical and pass through barriers. You may let spells and physical objects pass through you unhindered. Be aware that certain types of magic will retain some or all of their impact.

Category: Space Magic

Ilea checked her Class info, hoping the decision didn’t cut her out of some evolutions.

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 190

- Active: Phaseshift – lvl 1

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 1

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 1

- Passive: Space Shift – 2nd lvl 15

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 2nd lvl 14

- Passive: Space Awareness – 2nd lvl 8

She made sure Force was still available in the list of potential skills and closed the menu.

Maybe not the best idea to level it against high level spirits, she thought and floated through the desert.

Or it’s an absolute mega brain move, she wondered. High danger equaled high skill levels. Her second tier Devour Resistance had made that clear once again.

“So how did she do it?” Ilea asked, charging monster hunter.

“Mashed Potatoes!” she shouted, her voice traveling through the icy desert like a tsunami traveled through the ocean.

Her call had effects nearly immediately, Spirits of Death breaking out of the ice less than ten meters away from her.

No Astrals yet. That’s good, she thought and checked the most important skills to level.

Destruction will have to wait probably. Blink and Sphere will get there. Perception too. Reversal is low… fuck. I need some high level creature I can just pump full of destructive mana. And Sentinel Huntress.

She immediately focused on the skill, trying to analyze the bones close to her.

Ilea already heard the monsters approach but as long as there wasn’t a group of astral spirits, she doubted these mere spirits of literal death could kill her.

It’s so fucking low… level eight? I should really investigate more.

Most of the ashen skills should come along nicely too.

Which leaves… the Valkyrie.

A spirit looking a little like a malformed scorpion smashed its tail into her chest, damaging her armor slightly as it pushed her away.

It attacked again, its tail passing through her this time.

“Phaseshift… it’s pretty neat, isn’t it?” she asked as she tried to displace the creature. Ah yes. Spells don’t really work while I’m in this form.

Ilea made sure her healing worked during Phaseshift before continuing, not to be caught without her heightened recovery during the skill.

She deactivated it and appeared next to the tail.

[Spirit of Death – lvl 482]

She pushed and managed to displace the creature a few meters away. Not a massive success but it worked better against projectiles anyway.

Ilea proceeded to focus on her lowest leveled skills, mostly dodging spells and attacks. Phaseshift with its time to activate and subsequent cooldown to use limited it greatly but she just activated it whenever there were large amounts of projectiles coming at her.

The spell took about one second to activate once she triggered it. It cost about seven to eight mana to activate. The real cost came afterwards. The first second cost 75 mana, the second one 150, the third 300, and so forth. Ilea noted that the cost stopped increasing after six seconds, using up more than two thousand mana per second. Sentinel Core really pulled its weight here with its spell cost reduction but it was clear the skill wasn’t necessarily meant to be used for more than five seconds.

Death magic still drained her health slightly but thanks to the skill, her armor remained undamaged. The reality was of course that her armor would prevent health damage in the first place.

Quite welcome really, she thought as she displaced herself through the growing hordes. Projectiles were moved away or sucked towards herself with her sphere.

Body of the Valkyrie requires actual damage… I hope this counts, she thought as thirty flashes of death magic homed towards her body, phaseshift activating before the energy clashed together.

Ilea blinked whenever possible, the skill often stopped by death magic auras some of the spirits possessed.

Larger monstrosities already started to show up, interrupting her in her search through the various bones.

I wonder if this one is still around as a spirit, she thought, holding a large skull in front of her as spells flashed through her. She learned that holding the skull extended Phaseshift’s effect onto it. As long as the object wasn’t too big or alive, it seemed to work.

The skill needed a second to deactivate too, in which offensive abilities and teleportation still weren’t possible. The three second cooldown afterwards further limited its usability.

One thing she was sure about by now, was that her ash armor and other resilience bonuses to her body still remained active within Phaseshift, otherwise the damage should have been much higher according to her estimates.

She wasn’t quite sure about the alive part either, still speculating on the status of the spirits.

Can they awaken too? Or are they more just a manifestation of the element? Maybe they’d just get better at whatever they’re doing now. Devouring life.

Higher level spirits were present now, in the six to seven hundreds even. The larger monsters didn’t seem to care for the lower leveled ones, trampling or rolling over them as they tried to get the small human.

“Why are you so focused on me? I can’t be more than a little snack,” she said when the first Astral spirits showed up.

There were two at first, arriving not by teleportation but incredibly fast flight. The sudden stops didn’t create the shock waves they really should have.

Ilea was glad they targeted both her and the death spirits, otherwise she might’ve had to leave earlier than planned.

One annoying thing she learned was that astral magic delivered nearly its full damage despite Phaseshift. It didn’t disintegrate her armor or flesh but it straight up burned into her health.

Ilea just had to pace herself, keeping an eye on the spirits and her health to make sure she wouldn’t dip too low. Health at zero meant death, even for her.

It just proved near impossible to get her there.

Even with four spirits firing full barrages of astral magic at her, she only ever got below ten thousand. Her third tier healing was active constantly of course.

It felt surreal to her, floating through the many creatures and attacks, that without her healing, she would be entirely disintegrated in four to five seconds.

Good luck fighting that without my recovery, she thought and smiled.

She allowed the death spirits to pin her down from time to time, when she deemed the situation safe enough. Her pre Astral spirit battling confirmed that a use of Heart of Cinder was enough to make distance, if it was charged for more than five seconds. That in turn allowed her to displace herself again.

Heart of Cinder sadly couldn’t be charged during Phaseshift but whatever heat she had accumulated before would remain.

She found however that that wasn’t necessary at all, the creatures immediately rushing towards the Astral Spirits when she changed into her ethereal form through Phaseshift. It was clear they didn’t perceive her the same way someone with eyes did.

Ilea wondered how light even reflected off of her when her skill should literally disconnect her from the physical.

My brain works too… and my eyes… weird.

She could tell there were explanations in relation to her space magic, her awareness allowing her to grasp some of what Phaseshift did.

It didn’t so much move or remove her from the physical but instead changed the space she occupied to suit the skill’s description. That was also why most of the magic still had an effect on her.

The headache she didn’t get thanks to her healing made her anticipate the probable Space Awareness levels she would surely accrue by studying her abilities in more detail.

Ilea started to avoid more of the astral beams when additional Astral Spirits appeared. It became clear after about twenty minutes that the Spirits of Death would soon be destroyed by the flying pale blue creatures.

But they were still here? Which means the Astral Spirits left last time… before they destroyed the spirits?

Ilea displaced herself a few times to get away from the spirits’ attention, blinking a few more times to make some distance.

She watched as the Astral beings burned down the remaining Spirits of Death who didn’t stop charging at them until the very last one was destroyed.

“There shouldn’t be any left… if the star spirits destroy the death spirits,” she said.

“Meadow?” she asked.

“Apologies. I was unsure if you were addressing me. What was the question?” it asked.

She repeated her musings.

“Yes. The failing in your assumption is that Death Spirits can be destroyed by Astral Magic,” it said.

“They can’t? But I did get kill notifications,” Ilea said.

“As do they. Physical representations of Spirits can be destroyed even with more mundane weapons and magic. If I interpreted your spells correctly however, you may hold a way to end their existence permanently,” it said.

“My healing?” she asked.

“Precisely. Spirits of Death can be killed and they can be killed. The experience you gain should be a little higher should you manage to permanently destroy them,” Meadow said.

“Is that why they charge ceaselessly?” Ilea said.

“They destroy all that is not them. All that has a pool of health,” it said. “No matter how dangerous their enemy might be. With what I’ve seen and interpreted, I believe they do not consider danger to their existence.”

“Can they awaken?” Ilea asked.

“I have failed to achieve a Death Spirit Awakening so far. Though I cannot accept its impossibility,” Meadow said.

“You’re trying to awaken them? What if they still want to devour everything even after that?” she asked.

“Then so it shall be. I merely lead creatures to their awakening. Your concerns however are likely misplaced. Once sapience is reached, most beings gain some sense of self preservation. It means after all, the attaining of awareness itself. Questions as to why the consumption of all living creatures is necessary will be raised. I think it more plausible that they will find it pleasurable and life sustaining to devour other beings but not their single drive.”

“Assumptions on your part,” Ilea said.

“Based on a lot of experience and information. Either way I will not cease my efforts,” it said.

“Fair enough,” Ilea said.

Chapter 530 Dangerzone

A note from Rhaegar

Formatting should be fixed now. Unsure what happened.

Chapter 530 Dangerzone

As it stands, Elos could use more self aware beings, even if it might mean more competition to humanity. Not that we can really compete with the existing races. Everyone is busy dealing with the monsters around them. But even if we find some way to move the insects through the gate without them dying or turning to monsters, how the fuck would we move the meadow?

Ilea didn’t question the positive impact Meadow once had on Erendar. Right now the realm was filled with spirits that did nothing else but fight each other and everything they came across.

That’s like if every human was like me, she smirked and landed a few kilometers away from the previous action. Ilea was sure a world with more sapient creatures was automatically better. Of course they had ways to make life miserable for everything around them and themselves but Elos proved quite a bit better than what she saw in Erendar.

Spirits came soon and she resumed her training.

Whenever too many Astral Spirits showed up, she would change locations.

The creatures either didn’t care about pursuing her or had no way to even do so. Meadow informed her that the Astral Spirits only showed up when a large amount of mana was used in a certain area. For example a few thousand death magic spells.

Meadow assured her that the beings could randomly show up too but generally didn’t care with something like Ilea’s passive magic output. It was a possible explanation why they didn’t pursue her.

Their drain abilities luckily had a somewhat short range, allowing her to mostly avoid that problem during her fights. Ilea was really just a conduit to summon spirits of death and through them the Astral beings, residents of Sephilon.

Ilea returned to the temple after three hours, checking her gains as she entered the structure through the hole in the wall.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

…

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

The power of the stars, harnessed and used to wreak unimaginable destruction. Few beings are able to channel this power through their bodies. It would not come as a surprise to find a human, of all beings finding a way to modify their weak vessel for its use. You should not let your encounters fool you, this school of magic is quite extraordinary and just as rare.

2nd stage: You have faced enough wielders of Astral Magic to warrant a second tier resistance. Your body is much less likely to disintegrate against this powerful school of magic.

‘ding’ ‘One Third tier General skill point awarded’

The second tier bonus was helpful, even during Phaseshift.

Quite a few levels for the little time I spent with the monsters.

She had to admit that the danger she had faced against the Queen was much higher than what the spirits managed.

If the Astral versions had been sapient, fully driven to hunt her down with their powerful abilities, there might be actual danger but as it was, she hardly thought it possible to die against them. Precognition, high level healing, high resistances, mana gained from enemy spells, two teleportation abilities, and her simple winged speed worked together to make her night unbeatable for the enemies she faced.

The Spirits of Death could pin her down if she allowed it but their simple mindedness made sure they couldn’t capitalize on that benefit.

The fact of course remained that both the death and astral magic damaged her armor and health. If enough monsters worked together they could kill her in less than ten seconds without her regeneration and evasion. A being even of her level would be downright disintegrated if it took the same damage she did, let alone one with lesser resilience and resistances.

Ilea assumed that was a major part of the danger and level calculation. The high enemy levels made up another part of the equation. It would all slow down in time, as it had with the Guardians and Specters. But for now the magic governing her skill advancements still considered the Spirits of a high enough danger to reward her with frequent level ups.

If I make one dumb mistake, I’m dead. Problem is, I won’t, she thought as her wings settled behind her, the tail swaying slightly.

“Hey there. You don’t look so good,” she said to the group of heavily armored people that had reached the throne room.

All were close to or slightly above level two hundred. Their mismatched gear suggested adventurers rather than military. There were ten people all in all, two healers with sweat dripping down their faces, one barrier mage who kept a dome around the group, and a variety of mages and warriors that currently just focused on fighting the high mana density.

They all tensed up when their eyes met Ilea’s ashen form.

Various whispers in the native tongue escaped them, the name Lilith audible a few times.

“I’m right here,” Ilea said and waved. “Who are you?”

“Lady Lilith! We are adventurers from Gyffold… the guard made a posting at the local guild, for anyone brave enough to explore this place,” one of the higher level people said.

“Aha. Well good luck. Don’t go out of the city. You’d be eaten alive,” she said and blinked down to the vaults.

“How’s it going?” Ilea asked when she appeared close to Michael.

He barely glanced her way. “Very well… yes… thank you.”

A third Michael had joined the two, all currently occupied with a single piece of paper and the runes drawn onto it.

“Welcome back, Lilith. An impressive display of resilience,” Meadow said telepathically.

“Thanks,” she replied in the same way, noticing a few of the insect creatures glancing at her from the destroyed entrances.

“Do they have food left?” she asked.

“There is enough for a few of your weeks. And I’m sure more could be supplied from your realm,” Meadow replied.

“Good. Yeah, if you have anything to trade,” she said.

“The mage Michael is providing gold for information on various magic theories. It’s quite peculiar that your species has found interest in such an element. Though the concept of currency is certainly quite useful,” the being said.

“I saw them taking away bodies earlier. I managed to retrieve the corpse of the Queen when she died,” Ilea said.

“The return of their leader should lead to some trust. I suggest you offer it to the survivors,” Meadow said.

“You don’t care for it?” Ilea asked.

“Zaiked is no longer awakened. I shall remember her but I have no use for her remains,” the meadow replied.

“Huh,” Ilea said and turned away, walking to the survivors.

Some of them retreated to the back of the hall but most actually remained, their various forms of eyes staring at her.

Ilea formed an ashen altar before she summoned the body, placing it down slowly before she stepped back.

The clicking noises were quite agitated, some of them moving their bodies in ways she hadn’t seen before.

“They’re showing great volumes of emotion,” Meadow supplied.

“I guessed as much,” Ilea replied and lowered the altar slowly, making her ash disappear.

“Did you manage to increase more of your abilities to the third tier?” Meadow asked.

“Not yet. But I should get there in a day or two with a few of them. I don’t suppose you know how to unlock the fourth tier?” she said.

“Good. Your question is difficult to answer knowing so little about your species. Have you unlocked Core skill points?” it asked.

Ilea didn’t see a reason to lie. “Yeah.”

“That is good. It means you have either reached a level threshold or unlocked an additional Class. How many options are available to you?” it asked.

“Three currently. Leveling a third Class skill to the third tier, a stat boost, and a skill boost. Plus five locked options,” Ilea said.

“You can see the locked options. That confirms that you gained an additional Class before reaching the normally required level for Core skill points. It should also mean that the locked options will become available once you reach said level,” the being said.

“Why are you talking like you’re not sure?” she asked.

“I have studied various awakened creatures since my own awakening. The pale ones for example are born at level one hundred. The horned beetles on the other hand at one hundred and fifty. They each are given a single Class upon their birth. The Rainbow Wisp was unique in that it was born without a Class but powerful resistances to ward off the dangerous nature in this realm. Their limited ability to cast and comprehend magic lead to a few preferred Classes but in the end they all perished due to the eclipse,” the being explained.

“You’re rambling. Species are different. Is that your point?” Ilea said.

“Indeed, young healer. I presume your own kind is not given a Class upon their birth?” it said.

“Yes. Why the assumption?” she asked.

“You have faced several two Class Pale ones and prevailed, despite your level. The Queen was powerful within her species yet she could not slay you. You stand against level six and seven hundred Spirits without danger to your life. It means your current levels are far beyond what your species usually achieves. Beyond the classification your level represents.

“Requirements are different depending on your species. Your kind starts their life without a Class and thus should have more variety in the abilities they choose. With your comments on the third Class, I have to assume you are immediately offered two. And you have achieved a third, which should be rare for your kind. Harder to achieve than a Pale One gaining their second even.

“I see that this information is not what you seek. There are differences in requirements for various species. Some things have remained a constant, I have found. The limit of ten skills to each full fledged Class, or the third tier skill limit of level thirty. Few ever unlock an additional Class beyond their species’ limitations. But when they do, they receive Core skill points, just like you have. It is fortunate that you have done so before reaching the level threshold,” Meadow said.

“How so?” Ilea asked.

“You would not receive Core skill points during this period at all,” it said.

“Really? So every point I get is a bonus one compared to if I didn’t already get a third Class?” she asked.

“Precisely,” Meadow replied.

“And once I unlock all options I can advance skills to the fourth tier?” Ilea asked.

“Not yet. But you should receive a way to enhance your skills further. The fourth tier itself is not easily achieved. Beside myself, there are only two beings I’ve known who have managed to reach it and shared the information with me. So far I believe only one skill per Class can be advanced, and only once you have enhanced every single skill with Core skill points,” it said.

“There’s a way to enhance skills with Core skill points?” she asked.

“Yes. You should receive the option once the level requirement is met. I suggest you refrain from spending any of your points until that option presents itself,” Meadow said.

“Sounds good. So that’s it? I just level up to unlock the options and then enhance all my skills? Then I get to the fourth tier?” Ilea asked.

“There may be a simple level requirement but I am not familiar with your species. You likely are one of few who would ever seek such knowledge with the intention of achieving the requirements,” Meadow said.

“I don’t know about that. I’m pretty sure there are humans out there with insane levels of power,” Ilea said. She liked fighting, yes. And she had really good Class combinations but that was pretty much it. She just wouldn’t believe that there was nobody above four, or five hundred.

“There are those who excel. Your kind has high potential but few will ever scratch even what you have reached. It is simply not in their nature to do so,” it said.

“Was Zaiked one of the creatures with a fourth tier skill?” Ilea asked. “I’m curious.”

“No. Zaiked gained her second Class much earlier than her peers but while she was the strongest one alive when you arrived here, she was not comparable to those who came before. Centuries ago, when this city was thriving and survival on Erendar was difficult for their kind but possible.

“Her kind had to reach level five hundred to gain Core skill points without a second Class and thus all the options for their use,” it said.

“They start at one hundred and we start at zero, meaning I’ll get those options at four hundred?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“Your early ability to have two Classes and the adaptability that provides easily makes up for one hundred levels. I would not be surprised if it takes you even longer to unlock all options. My assumption is five hundred however. As it was for at least four species I have helped awaken,” the being said.

“That’s not exactly fair. Low level humans are super weak compared to Elves or the Pale ones. It’s much harder for us to reach high levels than it should be for them, with such a start,” she said.

“I do not know the Elves you speak of but the Pale ones are near extinct. While your species thrives, capable of even responding to my call through the fabrics of space. Have you not slain a Pale one sixty levels above your own? Your kind likely requires shelter and is highly vulnerable when at a young age but the potential for growth and adaptation is truly remarkable,” Meadow said.

“I won against a Pale One with two classes. And no enhanced or fourth tier skills if what you said was true. Not exactly an incredible achievement. Well… we’ll see what happens at four hundred. Otherwise I’ll just have to go for five,” she said with a grin.

Not like I’ll stop anytime soon.

“Amusing. It should be possible, with how you fought those Spirits. You shouldn’t undervalue your achievement however. Zaiked was on par with the same Spirits you fought today, her lower amount of Classes are no indication for lesser power. Even a being limited by one Class could challenge you, as the Astral Spirits have shown. The power of individual Classes is somewhat proportionate to the possibilities available.” it said.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“It means that a level one hundred Pale one should match the power of a human with two level one hundred Classes. Just as much as a blind creature at that level should match when at the same level. The further you push beyond the normal ranges, the comparisons become muddled. Thus you are able to battle Spirits at much higher levels, just as Zaiked could. Perhaps she could have even matched other Pale ones beyond five hundred but it is difficult to say. The more abilities are unlocked, evolved, trained and mastered, the harder it is to rely on factors like levels or amounts of skills and Classes to compare your strength,” Meadow explained.

She mostly agreed. With monsters she could get an idea of their danger due to the level they showed but even with them it became more and more convoluted. A death spirit at level six hundred hardly compared to a Specter of Rot for example.

Ilea noticed that after some form of ceremony, the insects in the vault started devouring the corpse of Zaiked. She turned away and ignored the process, accepting it as a cultural custom she was glad humanity did not usually possess.

“How many Classes do you have?” Ilea asked.

“Five. Though I have awakened with them all,” Meadow said.

“Damn… speaking of powerful species,” she said and laughed, crossing her arms.

“Power comes at a cost,” the meadow said. “It’s a joy to have found not one but three Awakened with the ability to converse with me. One of you has proven hostile but you and Michael remain, each with their own set of questions, desires, wishes, and goals. But both of you accept my existence and are not driven mad by my very presence. I see and feel through magic, but conversation has been so very scarce in the last two centuries.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m sorry. I guess I was just awed by your high level.”

“I cannot fly, as you can, nor do I find joy in consuming food for there is no need for nourishment. The killing I am forced to do brings me no satisfaction, only the loss of those who never found awakening,” it paused. “Apologies. I did not mean to overwhelm you with my own shortcomings.”

She laughed and displaced herself a few times until she stood next to the tree.

“What are you doing, Lilith?” the Meadow asked, still using a copy of her own voice.

“It’s called a hug,” Ilea said, squeezing the hard magic tree before she let go. “It’s supposed to be comforting.”

The whole room vibrated for a moment before it calmed down, fireflies disturbed before they found their place again.

“I am not a mammal, Ash mage Lilith,” it said. “But. I find appreciation for your simple gesture. Its meaning is understood but I am not in need for your emotional support. I have endured millennia without a conversation, I merely tried to contextualize your perceived weakness.”

“Sure,” Ilea said with a grin.

Chapter 531 The days ahead

Chapter 531 The days ahead

‘ding’ ‘You hugged an ancient and powerful creature to show emotional support – One Core skill point awarded’

Maybe I should try to flirt with it to get more points!

The meadow rustled as a breeze flowed through.

“You said that our time was limited before. How long exactly are we talking? If the survivors eat meat, I can supply them with cut off limbs from my own body if need be,” Ilea said.

“When the eclipse reaches its most central point, the Daughters of Sephilon may descend. They perceive even through the shroud of my magic and they will come,” the Meadow said.

“And when exactly is that?” Ilea asked.

“One day from now,” the Meadow said.

“Fuck… I don’t know if I can reach meaningful progress in that time. I better get back to fighting instead of wasting time with talks,” she said.

“I was merely joking,” Endless Meadow said.

Ilea blinked her eyes a few times. “What?”she said out loud.

Another rustling went through the area.

“Michael has supplied me with books. Amusing stories of yours but often built with unlikely scenarios. Do you not think it would be an extraordinary coincidence that the eclipse should reach its central position one day after your arrival?” it said.

“Well maybe the portal itself was only possible when that central position was reached,” Ilea suggested with a shrug.

“Space Magic doesn’t work that way, young Lilith. And I shall teach you. No. We have three hundred of your days until the Daughters may descend. Though should I show myself, they may appear already,” it said.

“So they can come anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Should they find suitable magic for their unlimited need. I don’t think too highly of myself but there is a lot of power here. Enough that even the strains of lower mana might be born to feast, if only for a little while,” the meadow explained.

“So it’s exactly like one of those stories!” Ilea said.

“Only if I show myself!” the Meadow replied.

Ilea squinted. Who’s more annoying. This guy, my system voice, or the Fae? I think I preferred that incomprehensible glob of a thousand consciousnesses.

At least Meadow is sharing information.

“Why is it an issue anyway? Can you not fight them off?” she asked.

“I have survived the last time but few Awakened would be able to survive the wake of such a battle,” it said.

I would. Probably. Now I kinda want to see it.

“I have another question… my third Class. How likely is it to evolve at level two or three hundred?” she asked.

“It should not evolve until you pass the levels you were at upon its acquisition,” Meadow said.

So past three fifty?

“What about core points? Do I get them after three fifty? For the third Class I mean,” she said.

“I believe once they are unlocked, you will receive them in the stead of Class specific third tier points, wherever that may be for your species,” Meadow said.

First one at two hundred then? Ilea wondered. This creature really was a well of information. At this point she didn’t see a reason to distrust its claims, mostly because it didn’t pretend to know all the answers, simply providing assumptions.

It would take time to prove if its assumptions would be worth anything.

“Is there a Fae in this realm?” she asked, having thought of the creatures.

“What’s a Fae?” the Meadow replied as a ripple went through the space around her.

“Was that you?” she asked.

Another rustle went through the grass. This time is sounded deceptively like a sigh.

“You cannot even detect the source of that fracture? And you call yourself a space mage? Perhaps I should have a look at your healing too,” it said.

“Why? Are you a healer too?” she asked.

“Of course I have a healing Class. How do you think I survived this long? Even true Elementals fall to time and wear,” it said.

Ilea doubted that. “Really? Have you seen one die?”

“Have you?” the being asked.

“I did in fact. Yes,” she said. Though I don’t know if that was a true Elemental. Maybe there’s a difference.

“Then that proves my point. You too have surely survived thanks to your healing. Though I hardly feel any life attuned mana from you,” it said.

Shithead.

“That’s because I don’t have life based healing,” Ilea said.

“You don’t? But how would you heal then?” it asked.

She used her ash to cut into her arm before she healed the wound with Sentinel Reconstruction.

“Purely arcane… that’s. A first,” Meadow said.

“Haha… Lilith does it again. Surprising a four mark with my incredible powers,” she said.

Stolen form an ancient healing order without any knowledge as to the Class’ creation.

“Hey how did you not see that before anyway? I was constantly using it,” Ilea said.

“I’m not all seeing, Lilith. Nor omnipresent. I do want to see that again… if you’re willing,” it said.

Ilea shrugged. “Sure, start with your space magic lessons though. We only have three hundred days after all. Let’s put my ten thousand Intelligence to work.”

“That’s not how Intelligence works at all. It simply increases your magic skill damage and some other attributes connected to your skills,” it said. “I see… you were joking? I am learning.”

“Yeah, I’m not, so get on with with,” Ilea said.

“Do you still have them?” Felicia asked. Her smile was gone now, replaced by an air of tension and exhaustion.

It had been about ten to twelve hours since Ilea had last seen her. The woman hadn’t used her mark to call for aid which made her focus on her training for most of the day.

Powerful enchantments and physical barriers had been placed within the ritual hall used by the Order. Anything that came out of the gate would face several dozen guards in the level one fifty range.

Ilea just hoped Meadow’s concealment would really keep the spirits away, otherwise a single one would cause a bloodbath here. So far it had worked.

Most of the guards near the actual gate hadn’t minded her, the story of her healing the injured must have spread in the meantime. One of them informed her about Felicia’s whereabouts but her mark let her find the woman faster than any directions would have allowed.

The officers and nobles in the large and luxurious assembly hall looked at her with the usual mix of skepticism, fear, and arrogance.

While Ilea had trained, Felicia had dealt with the nobles and officials of Gyffold. And the local representatives of the Order of Truth.

It seemed Felicia’s assumption had been true and they didn’t dare strike directly at a Major of Lys. Not once the evidence had been considered.

Ilea saw a letter with familiar handwriting too. Some of Yinnahall’s couriers must have arrived.

She remained covered in ash, stepping a few meters away from the group. “I do,” Ilea said before the three corpses appeared on a bed of ash that vanished again as the bodies were slowly lowered to the ground.

A few gasps resounded, mostly from those present wearing the traditional Order robes.

Their whispers had never ceased but neither Felicia nor Ilea spoke the native tongue.

A few people looking like adventurers talked to Felicia, translating what they heard.

Probably filtering out anything that might suggest betrayal, Ilea though.

Only two of the twenty three people present had a level above Felicia’s, one being Ilea. And knowing her abilities, Ilea doubted the woman had any difficulties getting away.

Or calling for me in the absolute worst case.

She turned to look at the people, her appearance likely crushing any hope for retaliation they might have harbored.

They knew I was here from the reports, surely. But seeing something in person is always a little different.

Ilea smiled wickedly under her armor, purposefully swaying her ash a little more than usual. Benedict surely didn’t leave out her involvement dealing with a few problematic elements.

I can feel your distress, she thought, locking eyes with a few of them.

“Thanks,” Felicia said as she joined her, touching her back briefly. “Do you have a moment to talk?”

Ilea nodded, the two vanishing together.

She followed Felicia to the fancy door in one of the large government building’s corridors.

“Various enchantments to add privacy,” Felicia said as she turned the key.

Ilea looked at the magic woven into the walls, her sphere not enough to make out the detailed structure of it all but enough to supply her with some knowledge on their purpose. It wasn’t based on understanding but familiarity.

“How do you know they’re not listening to us?” Ilea asked when the door closed behind her.

Felicia sighed, plopping onto a large leather chair. “I had Michael have a look. The translators are independent adventurers I hired. But in the end they could still be listening. If I want to keep the benefits of being seen as a diplomat, I’ll have to play by some of their rules however.

“Honestly… I like having a nice room for a change,” she said and smiled.

Ilea smiled back, her armor receding now to reveal her casual clothes.

“Gods, you look so different without that thing on,” Felicia said. “It’s like you really have two people stuck in there.”

“I’m just as dangerous,” Ilea said as she summoned a meal, choosing to sit in a chair herself.

“Oh I know. You should have heard the questions they asked about you. I was almost offended at the lack of respect they seemed to have for me!” Felicia said.

“Only one guy was higher than you. And honestly, the bunch didn’t strike me as veteran combat experts,” Ilea said as she dug in. She hadn’t eaten for a while.

“YES! I got so close to just ripping them apart. So close, Lilith,” Felicia said. “But alas, a diplomatic solution is necessary. The first few hours were chaotic but I think the reality of the situation is setting in,” Felicia said.

“Which is them having a gate to another world in the middle of their city?” Ilea asked.

“No. That part they think is highly beneficial somehow. Despite their continued inability to even traverse the lands. One adventurer team even lost a member, pushing too far into the city in the hopes of finding treasure,” Felicia said and shook her head. “They even think it a bargaining chip to use for better terms with Lys.”

“So they’re willing to make peace?” Ilea asked.

Felicia shook her head. “They’re willing to become independent. The reports mentioned various cities already discussing such internally and with our forward forces. They’re in for a rude awakening however, if they think they can come out of this war with complete independence. Lys isn’t known for backing down and they’ve already marched into these lands.”

“I don’t really care. As long as they abolish slavery and the people responsible for the rituals are held accountable,” Ilea said.

Felicia grinned. “The latter might be difficult but trust me, I’m not the only one who will demand justice. Officially, or not.”

“What about the capital?” Ilea asked.

“Likely no ritual. The local nobles and high Order members agree that it’s highly unlikely. The High King himself might have the capacity to unleash an attack on his own city but he wouldn’t risk turning the nobility against himself. However a part of our talks include members of the Order infiltrating Baralia to make sure nothing was even set up. Their connections and knowledge will make sure our chances of preventing another such tragedy are higher than if our group simply charged in again.

“The high king has concentrated all his powerful allies in the capital. It wouldn’t be as simple to infiltrate it, not even for our group. It’s going to be a long siege,” she said and smirked.

“How is that funny?” Ilea asked.

“I just think it’s amusing that his hubris led to the siege of Virilya. And now his country is split into devastated towns, cities seeking independence, and a fortified capital soon to be besieged,” Felicia said.

“He could just leave with his followers,” Ilea said.

“He won’t. Not according to the locals. A god does not bow to invading heathens,” she said. “Instead he will die, surprised to find himself not quite as immortal as he made himself out to be.”

“I don’t think I’ll participate in that case,” Ilea said.

“I expected as much. But I still thought it important to inform you at least,” Felicia said.

“I do appreciate it,” Ilea said. “What will you do?”

“I will follow Velamyr’s lead once he returns. I’m sure he’ll be interested in joining the siege himself,” Felicia said.

“Still no word from him?” Ilea asked.

“I doubt there will be anything for a week or longer. Maybe months… he never shared the specifics of his ability with me. It’s quite challenging… balancing my own wishes and anticipating his, while conducting my talks with the local government,” she said.

“Sounds like several migraines, mixed together and infused into one’s brain,” Ilea said.

“It’s not that bad. To me at least. But every mistake could cost my House dearly,” she said. “And the population of Gyffold.”

Ilea chuckled. “Well, I’m glad to be fighting monster hordes instead.”

Felicia summoned a glass of wine, raising it to her. “Monsters that shouldn’t reach this plane. I’m wary of that Meadow.”

“So far I have a good impression. Just because it’s an incredibly powerful entity doesn’t mean it can’t have common interests with us lowly humans,” she said.

“I suppose you’re right but everything in my body screams to run just walking too close to its room. I don’t think humanity should meddle with creatures like that,” she said.

“The world is more expansive than the plains you call your home, Felicia. And there are monsters out there we cannot defeat. Not alone. Not yet,” Ilea said.

Felicia took a sip of wine as she considered.

“I know you’re not the same anymore… but you have to know the consequences. Should that thing come here and decide we’re its enemy,” she said.

“I doubt there there is a way for it to come. I just don’t see a reason for it to lie in the first place. It could have attacked me already. Its thoughts and emotions are genuine,” Ilea said. “And so far it’s the only possible creature that could close the gate. We have no choice but to offer what we can in exchange.”

I would ask the Fae but its whereabouts are a mystery. Her mark on the being wasn’t a help, its location somehow eluding her skill.

“Could it not manipulate those thoughts and emotions? Even your mind?” Felicia asked. “It’s a four mark after all.”

“I’ve met powerful mind mages. Endless Meadow is not one of them. It may be able to trap me in a secluded space or eat me alive but it can’t manipulate my thoughts. I trust my defenses to prevent that,” she said.

Felicia didn’t seem convinced.

Understandable, Ilea thought. She had met and conversed with creatures most humans thought to be a myth. She even cooperated with Elves, something that would surely antagonize the Lily if it ever became known.

It was easy to dismiss an incomprehensible being as something that could not be trusted but if anything, Ilea trusted it more on the simple fact that it wasn’t human. It had the power to do what it wanted. Deception simply wasn’t necessary.

And if she could somehow find a way to get the creature here and convince it to go along. She would. While surely even Claire would be skeptical, someone like Catelyn might be more open to the thought.

“There will be opposition to closing the gate,” Felicia said.

“Not from Velamyr,” Ilea said. “Not that I really care. Let them try and exploit Erendar somehow. It’s the equivalent of a portal to the north. I doubt many would think favorably of that. I would, but that’s an entirely different story.”

“Just know that I won’t get too involved there. Velamyr will be on your side but it may not be enough,” Felicia said.

“I’ll deal with it if anything comes up,” Ilea said.

I doubt anybody will even know. Nor would they be able to oppose Meadow. Or me for the matter.

It would be an issue if it turned out Meadow was hostile all along. But that in itself would be more of a problem than anything the Empire could cause for me.

So far it had shown no way to move around and while the threat of the Ascended remained, Ilea didn’t see the downside of adding another insane creature to her potential allies.

“Maybe you could use this too,” Ilea said and summoned the notebook they had found on the space mage.

“You didn’t want to read it first?” Felicia asked.

Ilea shrugged. “Let me know if you find out anything that could be of value for me,” she said.

“I will. Coupled with everything in the storage ring, I doubt anyone with some reason left in this place would still doubt the truth,” Felicia said.

She summoned the ring and handed it to Ilea. “It’s empty now. Here’s a list of the contents but I doubt you’d be interested in anything,” she said and handed the piece of paper to her.

“You already have a storage item, right?” Ilea asked.

The woman gestured to her earring with a smile.

“I wouldn’t accept it either,” she said and stood up. “Make sure to check in every other day. Just in case something big comes up.”

“I will,” Ilea said and stored the ring. “Good luck in your negotiations.”

Felicia smiled and stood up, downing the rest of her wine before she made the glass vanish. “There is no luck needed,” she said

Ilea rolled her eyes and vanished.

She was back through the portal in less than a minute, nobody standing in her way.

The adventurers currently preparing to enter just stared at her, their thick plate and enchanted cloaks in stark contrast to the sleek ash armor of the healer that passed them.

She smiled to herself, her wings spreading on her back before she ascended up and past the temple.

Chapter 532 Activities

Chapter 532 Activities

Velamyr returned to Gyffold four days later, furious and not alone.

His anger was soothed when he learned about what had happened on the other side. It was clear that his efforts soon focused on the topic of Gyffold and Baralia.

The man demanded no less than complete military support from Gyffold against their former capital, should they ever wish to reach some form of understanding.

Ilea had thought Felicia somewhat reasonable in the bits and pieces of her talks she shared with Ilea but it turned out that the woman was downright saintly. Velamyr might as well have spit in their collective faces. And he knew he could. Lys was moving closer and each city that did not come to an agreement in a reasonable time was forced to speed up their negotiations with more violent methods.

The High King did not come to support anyone. All his closest allies were already in the capital after all and the nobles of both Lys and Baralia were aware of that.

Ilea mostly kept out of the ensuing politics, restructuring, and war. She would bring terms to the General as soon as Baralia was dealt with, mostly in regards to Yinnahall and some of the now empty cities. She trusted the Empire enough not to get involved any further.

It surprised her that the man waited three days after his arrival to even enter Erendar again.

“So that thing can speak Standard?” Velamyr asked as he joined Ilea’s side outside the temple. She had agreed to introduce him to Meadow.

“It learned quickly,” she said.

He squinted at her but didn’t say anything.

Ilea led him to the vaults. “It might be the only being capable of closing the gate,” she said.

“It opened it in the first place. What does it want in return?” Velamyr asked.

“Endless Meadow asks for the survivors remaining here to be brought to Elos,” she said.

He ground his teeth audibly.

“Dark Ones… in our plains?” he hissed, looking at her.

“You’re being racist,” she said.

“Your tolerance will not lead to anything more than death,” he said.

“Haven’t made any such experiences so far,” Ilea said with a smile. “Either way, they can’t go to the human plains anyway. The mana is not dense enough. Even the mana that seeps in from the gate will take weeks to saturate enough of Gyffold for a reasonable transfer.”

“That won’t happen. Measures have already been taken to siphon away the excess energy,” Velamyr said.

“I know,” Ilea replied. She also knew how much the minds put to the task were struggling with finding a solution. Velamyr commanded, likely not accepting failure but there were limits to the magic people could wield.

It was clear that the Erendarians wouldn’t be welcome in the city but Ilea didn’t plan to take them there anyway. She wanted them north, where they could survive.

“You have another plan?” he asked.

“I’ll take them north,” she said. “The mana is dense enough there.”

Another option would have been to place them in a random dungeon in the plains but she thought that no different than imprisoning them.

He stared at her for a moment.

“I don’t like it, Lilith. But... But if it takes that for it to close the gate, then I see no other way. Let them die in the north,” he said.

Such a small minded view, Ilea thought but didn’t say anything. If Velamyr thought the north unbearable for these creatures, she wouldn’t try to correct his assumptions.

He started to become focused onto the end of the hall, likely starting his conversation with Meadow.

Ilea had already informed both of the other, with very limited information.

[Mage – lvl 300]

So his ability reduced his level? Seems pretty cheap to avoid death, she thought, wondering if the same was true for his skills or stats. Did he lose levels in both Classes? Or just the one that holds the skill?

Ilea left them to their own devices, checking in with Michael to see if they could help each other out.

He had asked about a confirmation of some space runes because while his knowledge was definitely greater than he had let on, he really didn’t have a way to grasp the actual result of their use. He instead helped her understand some of the basics better, theory and understanding that Ilea only possessed instinctively based on her skills. Michael had achieved his knowledge through years of study and experimentation, thus having an easier time actually explaining some of it to her.

The tutoring only helped marginally but coupled with Meadow’s more practical lessons, it wasn’t exactly wasted either.

Ilea definitely had some of the most knowledgeable teachers of magic and space right there, both willing to cooperate and share information.

Velamyr was gone when she returned again after a session of spirit dodging and Meadow gave her a quick rundown of their conversation.

Most of it had been Velamyr checking Ilea’s information for consistency. The rest was focused on the relationship between Endless Meadow and humanity, including their empires.

It knew the man didn’t trust it.

Ilea had known as much but didn’t really care what the General thought, as long as he didn’t want to keep the portal open.

She doubted the weaker spirits would be more of an issue than the Demons or even Cursed but she trusted Meadow’s information on the stronger variants still remaining on their planet. The gate had to be closed, if only for the sake of Gyffold’s population. And Ilea focused her efforts towards that goal.

The three weeks after her first conversation with Meadow were mostly spent on training and lessons. Phaseshift reached its second tier in less than three days, the low level skill benefiting quickly from the powerful hordes of monsters she constantly engaged.

Active – Phaseshift - 2nd lvl 1

Expending a large amount of mana, you can temporarily unbind your body from the physical and pass through barriers. You may let spells and physical objects pass through you unhindered. Be aware that certain types of magic will retain some or all of their impact.

2nd stage: Resilience bonuses from skills are doubled when entering Phaseshift.

Category: Space Magic

She already knew that her resilience bonuses were somehow kept when the spell was activated, otherwise she would have had much more trouble using the skill at all against the death and astral magic of the resident spirits.

It was a little disappointing that the second tier didn’t allow for movement but with the increased resilience, Ilea could use it to take a breather and heal herself more efficiently. Against unavoidable spells that was. The skill became a choice between evasion and damage reduction.

The latter was significant enough for her to like the ability quite a bit however. Initially the main benefit she saw from the spell was escaping in the case of her being pinned down. Now, it could be used as a temporary defense boost against attacks she simply could not avoid. Her precognition somewhat lowered the negative impact of the spell’s activation time.

Ilea was aware that her testing in Erendar wasn’t exactly fair either. Astral magic was apparently quite rare and she didn’t think most spells would inflict quite as much damage to her phased form than the spirit’s attacks.

The more tangible defense her physical ash armor and body provided might work better defensively than Phaseshift in certain circumstances but with the second tier bonus, she assumed the skill came out on top most of the time.

Instead of going forward with Phaseshift however, Ilea switched it out for the next available ability. She was set on her passives for now but didn’t see a reason not to check out all her active options now that she could level them so easily.

She found that even the attack spells progressed quickly if she mostly focused on high level death spirits, still not killing any of the creatures. Compared to her passives, most of her remaining active options were quite straightforward when it came to leveling.

The first skill she tried was the spear.

Active – Spear of Creation - 2nd lvl 1

Wield the fire of creation as an extension of your body. The spear is especially useful against magical defenses.

2nd stage: Sacrifice health to double the range of your spear. Spear of Creation gains bonus damage the lower your health reaches.

Category: Fire Magic – Space Magic

Ilea dismissed it immediately. The range didn’t make up for the lack of multipliers and the benefit of more damage at low health didn’t sit well with her. If there was a choice between defense and offense, Ilea would choose the former.

Active – Burst of Creation - 2nd lvl 1

Let the fires spread, creating a sphere of lingering flames around yourself.

2nd stage: Burst of Creation can be used much more frequently and the fires now move with you at their center as they expand.

Category: Fire Magic

Burst proved to be somewhat interesting, allowing her to essentially become a moving fiery explosion that constantly burned her enemies. The damage remained lacking however and it turned out to be more of a distraction than anything else.

Active – Shrouding Cloak - 2nd lvl 1

Invoke Space magic to hide yourself or objects in your vicinity in plain sight.

2nd stage: Shrouding Cloak now affects sound and smell.

Category: Space Magic – Aura

Ilea found herself still nowhere near as stealthy as someone like Eve, even when she reached the second tier. Shrouding Cloak took the longest of the bunch to reach the second tier, Ilea even finding it more efficient to train it while stalking the various adventuring teams that entered Erendar.

Many of them detected her which added to the skill levels as she displaced herself continuously with the skill active. Death and Astral spirits couldn’t be fooled for long by the maneuver, likely grasping either her life or mana without a focus on sight, smell, or hearing.

Active – Blazing Force Shield - 2nd lvl 1

Form a shield of fire before you that will devour spells and objects alike.

2nd stage: You gain mana from devoured spells.

Category: Fire Magic – Space Magic

The shield proved interesting. Had she not possessed Sentinel Core already, the skill would have likely taken a spot in her active abilities.

Compared to her azarinth ability it fell flat however. Most of the enemy spells still penetrated the shield, hitting her anyway. The mana she gained wasn’t influenced based on her resistances, making the gains marginal at best.

If the third tier somehow centered the ability around herself like a constant shield, the benefits could be meaningful but for now, she deemed Phaseshift the winner.

She continued her training with the skill equipped, its progress slowing down considerably once it hit the second tier again.

“Your interpretation is somewhat correct. The ability changes the space your body occupies but you are hardly removed,” Meadow said and shot a wooden projectile at her.

The thing passed through her ethereal form without issue.

It followed the attack up with a grasp spell.

“I can’t move anyway,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“Do not resist but feel its impact. You’re better than this,” Meadow said.

She focused on the space around her. It was one thing analyzing someone’s teleportation ability or her own space magic. Here however, the situation was a little different. It felt like she was inside of a dubstep club a few hundred meters away from the ocean, trying to hear the waves.

Ilea did get better but her progress with Space Awareness was slow, even more contextualized by the ease with which she leveled all those active skills to the second tier.

It still hadn’t reached the end of the second tier. Not that she was convinced the third would even be available. At this point she mostly hoped the Meadow’s insane demonstrations would help her along.

Her study of the gate to Elos helped too, though she soon reached the conclusion that the design was rather simple. Simple as a concept but downright impossible in reality.

“Your talks with Michael haven’t lead to any breakthroughs yet, right?” she asked.

“He would be capable of conducting the same ritual previously used but the problems of its location and likely attraction of powerful spirits remain. I cannot move from this place. Not without leaving it unprotected,” the Meadow said.

“You didn’t mention that before. So you Can move?” Ilea asked.

“There is a way, yes. But I would have to take a risk. Both for myself and everyone here,” it said.

“How could you move exactly? Ten thousand tiny little legs?” she asked.

“I would have someone else move me,” Meadow said.

“But you’re massive,” Ilea said. “No offense meant.”

“Why would I be offended? Is it not preferable to be large?” it asked.

“Depends on who you ask,” she said.

“Hmm… true. There are benefits and disadvantages to balance. Though I gain more power if my form can expand to its full size. However I understand the logistics of such a task. Which is why I would reduce my form to the minimum. Perhaps the size of your head. However my power will be reduced too much to guarantee the protection of this place,” it explained.

“Could I move you through the gate? Or would you go mad immediately at the low amount of mana?” Ilea asked.

“Compared to your human body adapting to allow for strong mana exposure, I will have to resist the effects through healing and sheer resilience alone. It would not be possible to remain in a low mana area for longer than a few of your days at most, not without lasting damage,” it said.

“Really? But you’re sapient and super powerful? Can you not just get an Arcane Magic Resistance or something? Gradually get used to less mana until you survive?” Ilea suggested.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to try. It may be possible but you must understand that my body formed in this place. The base my Classes and skills are built on is not the same as yours. I came to existence with them present, already a part of me,” it explained.

I’m pretty sure it should be possible… staying in the human plains for longer might kill it but if it went the same route I did? A few levels of resistance here and there before finally being exposed to the mana at the bottom of the Descent. Just the other way around.

“Might open up some more possibilities,” she said with a smirk. “I have to inform a friend of the current situation. So I’ll be away for a day or so.”

It’s been over a month already, she thought.

Lys definitely took their time, according to Felicia there were only elite groups stationed close to the enemy capital as of yet. She did assume it was on purpose, to really bring home the overwhelming power at their disposal.

Ilea just hoped it wasn’t misplaced confidence. To her it seemed the nobles and Generals treated this whole affair more like a game than war.

If she were the Empress, a swift and decisive strike would sound much more convincing than giving the enemy so much time to prepare. But she wasn’t a ruler, nor did she know anything about war strategy or tactics in Elos.

No ritual had taken place and reports from the local Order members suggested that Elder Zion had acted on his own. Other Elders and high ranked members denied being involved, as did most of the nobles they managed to contact in Baralia.

Being connected to someone who had willingly sacrificed entire cities within their lands was at least not officially beneficial to their reputation.

As the information spread through the kingdom and beyond, the Order investigated their own ranks and temple sites. In other areas they were investigated by the local government or outright executed without mercy. According to Felicia, more leniency was shown than expected, likely because of the connections many of the members had and the simple fact of them being healers.

“Then I wish you farewell for the time being. Greet your friend,” Meadow said.

“Guess I will,” Ilea said. “There’s something I wanted to show you. I won’t be using the gate to return this time.”

“Oh? Truly?” Meadow asked. “A realm breaching teleportation ability?”

“I should be able to return to my realm with it, yes. Try to decipher as much of it as possible,” she said.

“I will do my best. Even I lack the ability to travel into another realm without cooperation,” Meadow said.

“Well I hope it works in your presence. Don’t interfere. It’ll take me a while to cast,” Ilea said and activated her third tier blink. By now space shift reduced the cooldown enough for her to be able to use it nearly once a day.

It took her six minutes to cast the spell, the wisps around her converging immediately as the spell started to form. They moved into more and more complex patterns before it all stabilized and brimmed with power.

Ilea appeared inside her home the next moment.

I should really use this more… even just for studying purposes. Now that I can see so much of it…,

She was interested in what the Meadow had seen. Could the creature prevent me from using it? Help me modify it somehow? I’ve relied on its functionality without really testing its limits before.

Ilea enjoyed her days in Erendar but she had a lot of work for Claire, information and gold that shouldn’t wait much longer.

She blinked up and out of her house, taking in the view of the ocean for a moment. A breeze flowed through her now uncovered hair, waves breaking against rock far below.

She was glad to be done with the war for now but there was still a lot to do, now in Erendar instead of Baralia.

Still didn’t meet with Elfie. Might just be a dusty skeleton once I get there, she thought with a smile and headed westwards.

Chapter 533 Arrangements

Chapter 533 Arrangements

Claire listened in silence, pouring her third drink before she downed it.

Ilea summoned a meal and started eating, leaning back in her ashen chair.

[Mage – lvl 262]

“I see you leveled again,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Okay… but you understand that I don’t want that thing here? If you really manage to get it out of Erendar and Baralia,” Claire said.

“Of course. I don’t plan to have it anywhere near the human plains. If it’s hostile, it will just kill everyone around. And if it’s not, the beings it helps awaken will be hunted down by humans. I’ll find a place,” she said. “But as I said… there’s no way so far to get it here. And we need it to close the gate.”

“Is that why you’re considering it?” Claire asked. “To get further with the teleportation gate research?”

“A possible benefit, sure. But I trust Iana and Christopher to figure it out in time anyway,” she said.

Claire laughed.

“Hopefully, yes. You just can’t help yourself, can you?” she asked. “You help the Golden Lily, an organization likely responsible for Eve’s death, connected to hundreds of criminal organizations within the human plains and beyond…,”

“For the purpose of preventing dangerous rituals,” Ilea interjected.

“Then you go on to support members of the Order of Truth, the very organization responsible for the aforementioned rituals…,” Claire continued.

“Because it was just a splinter group within the Order who orchestrated the rituals,” Ilea mused, shoveling green noodles into her face.

“You then go on to help Yinnahall’s more rebellious officials in overthrowing the local High King supporters with the goal of independence. A slaver city,” Claire said.

“Not anymore,” Ilea said.

Claire rubbed her brow and poured herself another drink.

“And what the fuck am I supposed to do with all this shit?” she asked, gesturing to the three large bowls on her table.

The bowls had held a variety of delicious soups prepared by Keyla. One was a potato based creation mixing in various other vegetables and a few daring spices Ilea hadn’t been able to place.

The second one had bordered on a stew, mostly using a monster boar’s flesh coupled with its bones to create a wonderfully hearty dish. The boars roamed small forested parts of the most southern Lys territories, their tastes mostly geared towards herbs and mushrooms that grew in their habitat.

Keyla had added those to the mix to make the dish savory but not overwhelming.

The last bowl had held minced pieces of a dangerous shark like creature that terrorized fishermen all along the coastline. Their level wasn’t exceptionally high but the same held true for most seamen trying to make a living.

Keyla had informed her that the sharks were incredibly cheap, their meat tough, slightly poisonous, and most importantly downright appalling in taste. She kept the secret of how she turned those factors around to herself but apparently it had to do with fermenting.

Ilea definitely wanted more of that one.

Right now the bowls weren’t quite as interesting to her anymore, holding approximately one thousand and eight hundred gold coins.

“I don’t know, spend it?” Ilea asked.

Claire sighed, a pleading look in her eyes. “When will your terror end?” she asked in an exaggerated voice.

Ilea pointed at her with a fork. “Be happy I’m not dumping the twenty crates of treasure on you!”

“Who’s gonna get that?” Claire asked, squinting at her.

“Trian. And the Sentinels. What self respecting headquarters of a mysterious Order doesn’t have a vault with treasure?” Ilea said. “But seriously, he can use the funds and the members can check it for gear. I’m sure many of the metals could be used for the same.”

“Yeah. Maybe the Shadowguard can have a look at the lower quality items. Though their equipment is becoming quite impressive as it is,” Claire said.

“Is the information enough for you to write a request and handle the cities?” Ilea asked.

“It is. I’m just very busy at the moment. With both work and training. Would it be alright if some of it is handled by my assistants? They’re trustworthy and I will only delegate the less important bits,” Claire said.

“Of course. It’s not like we absolutely need the influence in Yinnahall but right now is the time to strike. The impressions I left behind are strongest now. I’m sure they will have forgotten about me in a few months,” Ilea said and continued eating.

Claire smiled. “Yes, I doubt that.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Ilea said with a smile.

“How have things gone in Ravenhall? Anything noteworthy?” she asked.

“The influx of people immigrating from various parts of the plains and the west has been steady. Just as much as our expansion into the mountain below. Our early estimates will have to be expanded soon enough but I doubt it will be an issue. Morhill’s reconstruction and defense enhancements are coming along nicely,” Claire said.

“Balduur doing a good job?” Ilea asked.

“He’s one of many. The independence from the Empire attracts a lot of capable workers and adventurers. Some of them have contributed quite a bit of wisdom for defensive improvements, ways to deal with the local wildlife, and various other topics like plumbing. I believe it’s some kind of frontier spirit. Even though we’re not exactly near a frontier,” Claire explained.

“Maybe just the independence then? I’m sure a lot of people who would’ve gone to the western cities have come here instead. Same with refugees or previous slaves,” Ilea said.

“Oh yes. Definitely. We provide a lot of options and opportunities without actually being in an area heavily contested by dangerous creatures. Or with a close proximity to Elves,” she said. “Though Alistair will surely have his hands full in the coming months anyway.”

Ilea finished her plate and stored it. “If the negotiations with the Empire go well, the ex Baralia cities shouldn’t be the worst place to live in.”

“Hopefully not, no. But it’s understandable that a slave wouldn’t necessarily want to work in the same place they had been exploited in for the past decades,” Claire said. “Though a journey south is dangerous and potentially expensive. Many may choose to stay nonetheless. You did well, interfering in Yinnahall as you have.”

“Thanks. I’ll visit them again to see how things are going,” Ilea said. “Trian isn’t around?”

“He’s out of town. Training mission with one of your squads, I believe,” Claire said.

“I’m so glad that the two of your are here to take care of these things,” Ilea said.

Claire smiled. “You say that every time you’re here. You provided the resources, the name, the knowledge, and in the case of the Sentinels, much of the initial training. Neither of us could have managed that. And it’s not like you’ve stopped,” she said and gestured to the gold pots.

“I just enjoy myself and bring you the spoils,” Ilea said.

“Didn’t sound like the war was particularly enjoyable for you,” Claire said and took a sip of her drink. “Well… I enjoy myself too. It’s sad that my father isn’t around to see where I stand now.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m sure he would be proud.”

“Oh not at all. He’d be absolutely livid. Me? The administrator of Ravenhall? Putting peasants into positions of power, investing and distributing wealth to improve everyone’s standard of living?” she said and laughed, looking a little embarrassed after she had calmed down. “I suppose… I’m a little unfair. He even took on dangerous assignments in the end, to change our situation and earn funds. Instead of just complaining until there was nothing left at all.”

“What about your mother?” Ilea asked, unsure how to react to any of that.

“She’s been well. I think. It’s difficult to tell with her but sometimes she lights up when Cless is around… or when she helps with the crops. But I’m not sure if she’ll ever be the same again,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “How do you think she’d react to everything that happened?”

“Mother… I’m sure she’d find some ways I hadn’t exactly done my work in the most efficient way possible. But I think she’d be proud. As long as I put in effort into whatever I did, she was there to support me. No matter if it was dancing lessons, or magic theory,” Claire said.

“You’re definitely putting in the work,” Ilea said.

“You didn’t mention yours often,” Claire said. “Do you never think of them? You didn’t come here willingly after all. They must be looking for you.”

“Maybe. Our family… wasn’t exactly that. I think they raised me based on a feeling of responsibility more so than anything else. There wasn’t much love around. In our world when you’re eighteen you’re considered an adult. When that happened, their involvement pretty much stopped.

“I welcomed it in a way. I’ve always been rather independent and it just felt right to get a job and figure things out on my own. I do wonder if they even know about my disappearance,” she said.

“I’m sorry,” Claire said.

“Don’t be. They’ll figure it out, as I have,” she said.

Claire smiled. “If they’re like you in any way, they will,” she said. “How long are you staying?”

“Not long. I mostly came to dump the gold and news. More spirits to fight and training with Meadow to be had,” Ilea said.

“I won’t hold you back then. Just know that you’re falling behind with your dancing lessons,” Claire said.

“I’m aware of that,” Ilea said with a sigh. “As are many other things but shit just keeps happening. Oh speaking of which, did you contact Helena yet?”

“I’ll wait until the situation in Baralia has somewhat calmed down. It’s not exactly smart to reveal ourselves after you bring a hostile four mark into our realm,” she said.

“Really? You don’t trust me?” Ilea asked with an exaggerated pout.

“I trust you to figure it out somehow. But until you do, I’ll hold my letters,” Claire said and made the gold vanish.

“I know I said I wouldn’t but can you hold on to the treasures from Baralia until Trian is back?” Ilea asked.

“Of course,” Claire said, her eyes widening when the first crate appeared.

It took them a minute to transfer everything.

“You really did raid the vaults of whole cities…,” Claire murmured.

“I told you about the pirate,” Ilea said.

“The Destroyer… indeed. Well maybe he should change his name to something more treasure related,” she said.

Ilea rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be on my way back then. Don’t burn the place down,” Ilea said.

“I’m not quite as powerful as you are,” Claire said.

The way back to Baralia was largely uneventful. Ilea was somewhat familiar with a few of the landmarks, allowing her to find Gyffold without any detours.

I could just take a peek at Baralia itself, see how the city is faring, she thought but finally decided against it. She’d surely have to get involved. Right now it was between Baralia, its High King and Lys, plus any additional parties that may or may not participate.

Ilea would focus on her own growth and her cooperation with Meadow to have the space tunnel closed before the whole kingdom had to be evacuated due to a spirit invasion.

Though seeing how they’re not even interested in following me more than a few hundred meters, they’d be pretty disinterested in staying here.

Her continued experience with the spirits lowered her view of their intelligence even further. The main problem she still deemed possible was some of them accidentally going through the portal and finding themselves unable to get back.

Like some kind of ten meter large tornado death fly stuck in someone’s room. Not a pleasant experience.

Ilea would be able to deal with most creatures but she neither felt responsible to stay in Gyffold for an extended period of time nor did she particularly feel like that. Right now she reaped plenty of personal benefits from her endeavors, coupled with the potential closing of the gate.

“Come on, don’t be afraid little one,” Ilea said, gently pulling the ant creature a little closer towards Meadow.

“It is in distress,” the incomprehensible landscape said.

“Yeah I can see that,” Ilea said, using her healing to try and calm the creature.

“I believe it thinks to be a sacrifice,” Meadow said.

“You did that? Eat sacrifices?” Ilea asked.

“I would push them away but some have tried, yes. I do not consume creatures,” Meadow said.

“Yeah not yet. I’m sure you’ll reveal your eldritch fleshwarper capabilities soon enough,” Ilea said and knelt down next to the large ant creature. “It’s fine,” she said, gently touching its carapace. “You’re not a sacrifice.”

“I am no flesh mage, Lilith. Nor am I aware of a magic type called eldritch,” it said.

The ant calmed down a little, feeling the mana going through it. Its heart rate slowed down a tiny bit but it still seemed stressed.

Ilea didn’t feel too bad about it. They had after all explained their intentions with a page of her notebook. She knew the creatures weren’t animals but intelligent beings and her goal here was to get them to safety. Though she had to admit, she was glad they didn’t look particularly cute.

“It’s a type of fiction, written by some racist ass author back in my realm. Went with the incomprehensible horror type of monsters. Stuff that makes one mad, or just plain weird shit. Often in relation to tentacles,” she explained through telepathy. Michael was still around after all.

Her talks with Meadow had gone far enough for her to reveal her otherworldly birthplace. The creature hadn’t offered much of anything in regards to how she had gotten to Elos, itself only finding out about other realms a few decades ago.

Ilea didn’t know if it simply was a worse space mage than the Fae or if there weren’t just worlds between them and both were insane. She assumed the latter, still knowing very little about the magic despite her many advancements in the past weeks.

“Tentacles are very useful and versatile limbs. You use something similar when attacking with your ash,” the being said.

“True,” Ilea sent back.

A strain of life magic came from the shattered gates and brushed over the ant.

“Truly… your healing is hindering the collapse,” it said.

“Yeah… I can see it better now too,” Ilea said, focusing on the weird strain the ant was under.

A heavy mana burden of the surroundings. The creature was barely above level one eighty, a wonder that it could survive in this place at all.

She walked back to the waiting insect creatures while mulling things over.

“Do you think it’s enough?” she asked.

“You saw yourself, didn’t you?” Meadow asked.

Ilea had hoped she had been wrong. “Yeah. This one would implode the second it stepped through the gate.”

“Is there no way you could enhance your healing?” the Meadow asked.

“I don’t think so. Maybe another evolution but you doubt one will happen at four hundred. Nor would I reach that level anytime soon. What if we raise their Arcane Magic Resistance?” Ilea asked.

“It’s possible… with you here… it would take weeks. You would not benefit much from helping them along,” Meadow said.

Ilea shrugged. “A few hours a day… you can continue teaching me anyway. I just heal them while you do.”

“They won’t like it,” Meadow said.

“Yeah, it’s either starving, death by spirits, or some painful mana exposure,” Ilea said.

“May I use your notebook again?” Meadow asked.

Ilea summoned the thing before it started floating. By now she could understand some the process Meadow used to move the book. Most of it still made no sense to her.

They had tried using her third tier Displacement through the gate but the spell had failed, manifesting behind the phenomenon both on Elos and in Erendar.

Her demonstration of her third tier blink only confirmed the solid structure of the spell, its extended casting time and complex structure making sure its destination was unchangeable, even for Meadow.

Placing her third tier Displacement into the air in Meadow’s room to have it examined didn’t lead to any major revelations either. The spell would work in moving the survivors but its range and apparent realm limitation made it irrelevant to their efforts.

“I noticed your level has been rising again,” Meadow said. “Does that mean your third Class did not yield a solution?”

“I trust your information. So I’m going ahead with advancing my Classes. I also felt like destroying some of the spirits. It’s frustrating to constantly get beaten down,” Ilea said. “Plus the healing works. If they advance their Arcane resistance far enough, I’m sure I can bring them through without issues.”

“It truly is fortunate that your healing works in the way it does. Your body was changed to allow for such, was it not?” Meadow asked.

“An elixir, yes. With a high death rate. I don’t think humans could wield arcane healing otherwise,” Ilea said.

“Which means in some ways You are an eldritch being, are you not?” Meadow said.

Ilea squinted her eyes.

“Sure, whatever… living grass,” she said.

“There is a tree too… an a creek. I think I look rather well rounded, not incomprehensible at all,” it said. “I mean you have ashen tentacles on your back. Like some kind of growth.”

“Okay. I get it. You’re the normal one. I’m sure you’ll get an interview as a cashier at the local pharmacy,” she said.

“Pff. I would be overqualified as a seller of things. I can literally regrow lost limbs and mend otherwise fatal wounds. I can bend space to move hundreds of objects at my will,” Meadow said.

“Hospital logistics then and maybe a doctor assistant,” Ilea suggested with a nod.

“Assistant??”

“Well you lack the education on human anatomy, extensive knowledge on existing medicine, an a degree. That piece of paper IS important, you know,” Ilea said sagely.

“I have learned your language in the span of hours… you’re mocking me, human,” Meadow said.

“What? I thought I was the eldritch being here. So don’t overstep your position here. Or I’ll eat you,” Ilea warned.

“You’ll find it impossible to digest me,” Meadow said.

“Oh just you wait…,” Ilea said, squinting her eyes.

Chapter 534 Escort Mission

Chapter 534 Escort Mission

The Meadow’s estimate in regards to the survivor’s training had been a little too optimistic.

It took them a little overthree weeks to reach high enough levels of Arcane Magic Resistance. Michael helped provide testing for lower mana density with siphoning runes that created an area with lower mana.

They confirmed that the resistance worked for lower density too, allowing the dark ones to tread the prepared areas without issues. Ilea’s healing wasn’t even necessary.

It was impossible for the man to provide an area even close to Elos’ mana levels but both her and Meadow were confident the Dark Ones would survive with Ilea’s supportive healing. Either that or they had to reach a third tier resistance, which all things considered, was pretty much impossible.

“Well done,” Meadow said when their testing was concluded.

Michael bowed. “Endless Meadow, your generous comment is well appreciated.”

Ilea glanced at him before she looked towards Meadow’s tunnel. “What’s up with him?”

“Some people know to respect knowledgeable and powerful wielders of the arcane,” Meadow said.

“But you’re not an arcane mage,” Ilea said.

The meadow sent a mental sigh.

“I could bring you sacrifices as gifts. Oh great Endless Father of the world and space itself, me, thy unworthy-” Ilea felt herself being moved but only appeared a few meters away. “Oh Father! Hast I offended thee? I shall punish mine own body until thy forgiveth mine personage!”

“Are you sure you’re not an annoyance mage?” Meadow asked.

“Who knows, might be my fourth and hidden Class,” Ilea said with a shrug.

Michael glanced at her but didn’t comment. He hadn’t heard a thing.

“Why did you only contact me initially by the way? With him, the pirate, and Velamyr present?” she asked.

“Your mind appears differently. I believe you’re the only one of them with a third tier resistance to mind magic. Coupled with your designation as a healer, I deemed you the most reasonable of them,” Meadow said. “I was wrong. Michael is much easier to deal with.”

“Yeah, but he’ll eat your Dark Ones and dissect each grass blade of yours if he can get something useful out of it,” Ilea said.

“A man in pursuit of knowledge. Pain and sacrifice may be necessary to achieve certain goals. Did you not help in torturing the survivors with the goal of gaining resistances? What is such pain to them if it means their continued survival?” Meadow asked.

“Not exactly the same,” Ilea said. “I only do it when people consent and if there isn’t another way. Admittedly though… I haven’t seen him do any shady shit. It’s mostly what I heard.”

“Second hand information is often unreliable. Like many of your books. Some of the described magic and Classes simply cannot exist,” Meadow said.

“That’s fiction… it’s not real. On purpose. Written by people barely hitting level fifty,” Ilea said.

“Simply for entertainment… yes. You’ve explained it before. It just seems… intentionally misinforming, though… enjoyable,” Meadow said.

“You should write an angry letter to the local publishers. I’m sure that will bring change,” Ilea said.

“You have provided sufficient samples of sarcasm, Lilith. There is no need to add to the growing pile,” Meadow said.

“Are you sure? You’re a monstrous Meadow… I don’t think you Really understand,” Ilea said.

“Will you move them then?” Meadow asked.

“Sure. I’ll have to check in with a friend beforehand and make sure the local authorities here don’t get in the way. Though with how their siege is going, I doubt they’ll care much for our endeavors here,” she said.

Baralia had still not fallen. It had been kind of expected, knowing how easily Lys had conquered most of the kingdom. A lot of their higher leveled people and much of their resources had been concentrated in the capital over the last few months.

Ilea hoped it would work.

“How long will you need?” Meadow asked.

“The journey is quite long. And with their low levels I can’t just fly through the storms. It shouldn’t take me more than a week or so,” she said.

“You mentioned having to talk to a friend before?” Meadow asked.

“Oh don’t worry. If she doesn’t agree, there are mostly safe alternatives,” she said and summoned her notebook. “Can you inform them that we’re moving?”

“Of course. What about the local authorities?” it asked.

“They won’t dare attack me,” she said, ready to knock a few people out if she was wrong. The highest level individuals of Gyffold had joined the war efforts, leaving a thinning garrison of both Empire and Gyffold troops that were busy enough with the situation as it was. Dealing with Lilith and her antics was definitely beyond their pay grade.

“You’ll bring the creatures through to Elos?” Michael asked. He had ditched his helmet, the full plate gold armor replaced with an elegant suit. There was still plenty of gold worked into the black and red colored attire but he didn’t look like a warrior anymore.

Ilea found the man looked rather plain, his hair now disheveled and his eyes a little sunken in.

“Did it not inform you?” Ilea asked.

“Merely that I should not interfere with your actions,” Michael said.

“I’ll bring them north. They should be able to survive there,” she said.

“It’s a dangerous territory,” Michael said. “But the mana density will likely be enough.”

“That’s what I thought, yeah,” she said, not sharing anything in regards to her knowledge of the north. “You should catch some sleep. And eat something.”

He looked at her and blinked, rubbing his eyes. “Useless human shell,” he murmured.

“Well you could warp into some kind of golden sphere. Or become a Meadow,” she suggested.

“Either may be more efficient. I shall consider it for the future,” he said.

Only three Michaels had remained, the rest likely gone to take care of matters in Kroll or Baralia.

By now she could tell the difference between them by the way they talked and moved. The original always moved a little more deliberately than the others. Even just the way he turned a page looked slower and more precise than the more careless behavior of his clones.

She didn’t deem it impossible for him to fake all that just in case Ilea or the Meadow turned against him. By now she gave it a fifty fifty chance that she was right. It took her sphere and extended exposure to his mannerisms to come to the conclusion. If he tried to fake it, he would likely be a little more obvious.

What she deemed the original had remained here at all times. He didn’t train or fight, just talked to the Meadow, his notes and books now extending over several tables he had put up. A small library had been added to the hallway.

“Please don’t. I’m sure your body is warped enough as it is, with your blood and gold magic,” Ilea said.

“Our potential is quite extensive, truly. You are living proof of that,” Michael said. “Will you return here after the survivors are taken care of?”

“Of course. The closing of the gate remains,” she said.

He looked at her and sighed. “There really is no other way, is there?”

“I know you want it open but the risk remains,” Ilea said.

“I’ve made more progress in the past six weeks than in the last three years combined. Endless Meadow is a fountain of knowledge, one I wish not to give up. The tests it is capable of executing are incredible… the sheer output of power,” he said, his eye contact waning before his speech turned into a murmur.

“Will you oppose it?” Ilea asked.

He looked up. “No…no of course not. I agree with your assessment. No matter how much I learn here, we cannot allow the Spirits to enter Elos.”

“You could just leave a few copies here. Maybe they’ll figure out a way to get back at some point,” Ilea said.

“Unlikely. And I would weaken myself for an extended period of time. Theoretically they should survive even if the gate is removed. The problem of transmitting information remains. I’m not a space mage,” he said and looked at one of his copies.

“I… Lilith. I can’t be certain but… did you use realm encompassing teleportation before?” he asked.

She didn’t reply.

“When you returned a few weeks ago, I hadn’t seen you leave. I would at least detect you when you left for the gate or the spirits,” he said.

“What do you want?” Ilea asked.

His hand were shaking. “Truly…then it’s possible… do you plan on remaining here when the gate is being closed? You have a way to go back after all. You don’t have to answer… but I will leave my copies here, to observe the closure. And the ensuing battle. Perhaps you could remain too, and bring the knowledge gathered back to Elos.”

“That’s quite a favor to ask. Knowing the danger involved,” she said.

“I shall compensate you, handsomely. Gold, influence in Kroll, knowledge, tutoring, whatever you require. This is a one time chance and you may be the key to documenting this event,” he said.

“You wanted to stay anyway, or am I wrong?” Meadow asked.

“Of course. Do you think I’d avoid meeting those insane Spirits you mentioned?” Ilea sent back.

“You would not remain alive. The Daughters of Sephilon would devour even you,” Meadow warned.

“I told you I would stay, no need to convince me even further,” Ilea said.

The Meadow sent an image of rolling eyes. Thousands of them, all disembodied.

Freaky.

“I’ll think about it. First I’ll have to get them north without issues,” she said.

“Don’t close the gate before I’m back!” she sent.

“We have more than two hundred of your days left,” Meadow said.

“Even I have felt the mana change. And that was a few weeks. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it’s going to be. Both for you and us,” she said.

The Meadow didn’t say anything.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

“I’m sure I’ll find something to pay you…,” Michael said, taking a few notes on a piece of paper.

“Go sleep. You’ll be more efficient afterwards,” she said.

“I can’t… there is too much unanswered… too many things unaccounted for,” he murmured.

Ilea decided he would collapse at some point. No reason to force it.

“I… find myself… sentimental. At the thought of losing that which I have gained,” Meadow said.

Ilea smiled.

So confident before, about millennia alone.

“And what is that?” she asked.

“A friend. I suppose,” the Meadow said.

Ilea giggled.

“What?” Meadow asked.

“I’m touched. I feel the same way, Meadow,” Ilea said. “Let’s talk again when I’m back from the north. Make sure he doesn’t die.”

“I shall try,” Meadow said. “Thank you, Lilith. I believe that without you, these species would have been doomed.”

“Call me Ilea,” she said and waved to the survivors.

They had plenty of time to read Meadow’s instructions, uncertainty obvious in their body language. They followed nonetheless.

“A pleasure,” Meadow said.

She stopped them right in front of the gate, stepping through herself.

The two dozen mages and warriors sitting behind powerful barriers, enchantments, and explosives tensed and relaxed when they realized who had come.

“Hey. Hello. Yes, it’s me,” Ilea said.

The troop had become even less impressive now that Gyffold had folded to the Empire’s demands. She had wondered why neither Velamyr nor other Imperials had sent people to reinforce the gate.

He’s probably helping me out. Velamyr wants the gate closed after all. What better way to have that done than simply never mentioning the information to his peers. A dangerous game. Or would he just blame me if everything was revealed? Me and Michael?

It didn’t really matter to her. As long as she could get the survivors out and the gate closed.

“We managed to figure out a way to save the species living on the other side. The insect creatures some of you have seen before,” she said. “I’ll get them out one by one and then I’ll move them out of the city.”

“We have specific orders in case something none human comes out of that gate,” today’s officer in charge said to her, her voice surprisingly steady for a level one twenty mage addressing Lilith.

“Yes. Well here’s the deal,” Ilea said. “If you fight me now, I’ll knock you all out, rip off a few limbs here and there. If you attack while I get the creatures out and you kill one, I’ll kill those responsible. Think of them like refugees, just from another realm,” she said.

“You would… the Empire would,” the officer stuttered.

Ilea charged Monster Hunter and whistled.

“I don’t care. We all want this gate closed. For that I need you to stand down. Feel free to report what happened here, I’m sure a lot of people will be very angry. Both at me and you. Or you could just forget about it, wait for me to return, guard the gate for another few days or weeks and then go home when it’s closed.

“I’m sure you’ve heard some things about me,” Ilea said. “Be smart and stand on the right side of history.”

She expanded her ash into the hall and made all the explosives vanish into her necklace. They likely wouldn’t be dangerous to anything but the guards here but she wanted to prevent a trigger happy idiot to cause unnecessary casualties.

Ilea put her arm through the gate and gestured towards herself.

The first creature appeared a moment later, a Mantis at level two hundred and thirty. Her ash immediately caught the convulsing being and helped it fight the lack of mana.

A Willow Mother was next, long and thin legs shaking as it struggled to breathe. Next came a Wildflower Ant. No Needle Flies had remained, their curious nature leading all of them to travel through the incomplete gates.

Ilea waited as the beings stepped through, her mana slowly reduced as she healed them all. There were fifty four beings, each in pain and struggling in the new atmosphere. All of them remained stable.

The guards were watching with various expressions. Not a single one raised their hand against her.

Ilea watched the last creature push through the gate. The single remaining Rock Beetle, struggling to move its massive body through the small entrance.

She moved her ash to help, pulling on its front legs when a powerful push came from the other side, squeezing the large body through.

Ilea healed the rather extensive damage it suffered before she displaced half the creatures up. The second half followed less than half a second later.

She repeated the process until everyone was up in the city and below the night sky of Elos.

A few of the creatures had already calmed down enough to watch, their bodies however still stiff and twitching.

That beetle is so fucking heavy, she thought and pushed them all together, forming a large cocoon of ash that encompassed all the creatures. It was definitely not comfortable but right now that hardly mattered. She had to get north, quickly.

The continuous damage was more extensive than they had expected, her mana regeneration not able to keep up with the constant healing. Even with knowledge on their anatomy.

She checked the cocoon one last time and charged her wings.

Ilea held on to the large blob of ash with both hands and all her limbs, her charged wings moving her over and past the walls of Gyffold. Nobody attacked the weird creature.

They bobbed in the air but she managed to hold on, moving them over the lake and northward.

She quickly found that simply using Displacement was more efficient than trying to use her wings and strength.

The spell could be used several times per second, its range more extensive than before. The creatures didn’t resist either, allowing her to move them without issues.

Mana wise it cost her more than simply using her wings but the faster she got them north, the earlier she could reduce her healing.

It still took them over half a day to pass over the Naraza mountain chain. Ilea had to stop a few times to focus solely on healing to regenerate her mana. Some of the more conscious creatures helped her along by shooting spells at her to fuel her absorption. It was part of the plan they had worked out together.

Ilea entered one of the crevices as soon as they arrived in the territory past the high reaching mountains, feeling the increased mana density immediately.

The creatures around her seemed like fish, finally thrown back into water.

The drain on her mana was reduced considerably, until it stopped entirely, all the creatures healed to their full hp.

I did it.

“Okay people. I need y-” she started when a purple bolt of arcane lightning slammed into the landscape beyond their crevice.

The insects looked around but kept close to her, checking on each other as they had finally reached a survivable mana density.

Ilea had marked several dungeons on the way here just in case her mana would have drained too much or the creatures were about to die.

Contrary to Elfie, their extended exposure to a lower mana density had continued to cause problems in their bodies. She simply deemed it a difference in their biology compared to the Elves. Ilea wasn’t sure which difference was more extensive, the human plains to the north, or the north to a northern dungeon.

“You alright there, buddy?” she asked the massive Rock beetle.

It made a weird clicking sound.

“I’ll mark you, as planned,” she said and extended a hand towards the creature.

The Rock Beetle extended one of its legs.

They would spend the day finding a save spot for the creatures to remain. At night, she would carry as many of the Dark Ones as possible to Tremor. Ilea could move safely through the arcane storms on her own but not with the creatures present.

Chapter 535 This is a litrpg, in case you forgot

Chapter 535 This is a litrpg, in case you forgot

An uncharged uninterrupted flight to Hallowfort would still take her about a full day of travel time. Possibly more with monster or storm interruptions that she couldn’t ignore. Her charged flight was several times faster though, meaning she could carrya group through the night. Ilea wasn’t sure if a single night was enough to reach Tremor but she would simply have to find another spot for the creatures to shelter through the day.

There was a chance for them to meet dangerous monsters but Ilea knew they weren’t quite helpless either. The Marks she used would make sure she’d find them, even if they were forced to relocate.

It only took a few hours for them to find a small cavern, only populated by a few Burrow Dragoons.

Ilea simply displaced the monsters outside before she collapsed the entrance, teleporting her allies inside. She deemed them capable of breaking out in the case of an emergency. A quick check made sure there was air coming into the small cavern.

The various creatures remained close to her, not necessarily because they liked her but because the cavern simply didn’t allow for a lot of privacy. The thought of them seeking her proximity for safety seemed somewhat absurd to her. In reality, it might very well have been the case.

The Dragoons had understood that Ilea was too much of a monster to challenge but even the Dark Ones could take care of a few of them. In case they decided to return. She hadn’t found a nest or eggs, likely indicating that the creatures had simply rested here for a while.

“I’ll be out for a while,” she said, pointing at herself and towards the rubble. The survivors had been briefed about the northern day and night cycle. They knew about the plan and had agreed.

Ilea blinked outside and moved away a few hundred meters, finding a broader crevice where she built a small fire and sat down.

First to Tremor and if Catelyn allows it, from there to Hallowfort, she thought and summoned a meal.

The plan had worked out so far. It wasn’t hugely complicated and mostly relied on the resistance the Dark Ones showed against the lower mana density. Her main fear had been if they still had issues in the north.

If she had to babysit a bunch of nearly dying Dark Ones, the journey would have taken significantly longer. She had decided to help them and she wouldn’t just leave them stranded in this unknown and dangerous place.

Ilea took a deep breath, relaxing as the dark storms moved past overhead. I missed this place, she thought, enjoying the dish as she once more looked through all the level ups from the past six weeks.

‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 22’

…

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 24’

The first three weeks Ilea hadn’t used most of her offensive abilities, focusing on defense and mobility.

With a few open spots for Sentinel Huntress marks, she used them freely on the various spirits, trying to find them again amidst the hordes or after switching between groups.

Each level added another mark, the high level of the creatures or perhaps the distant marks on her allies helping with the skill. Sometimes it even allowed her to damage them without a danger of killing the creatures, having a feel for their remaining health. Amidst the many creatures, this tactic was however difficult to apply.

Every waking hour she spent among the spirit hordes or training with Meadow. The results showed, especially in her third Class.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 18’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea had advanced Space Shift as soon as the third tier had become available.

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive – Space Shift – 3rd lvl 1

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again 70.5% faster [141%] and you can travel 40.5% farther [81%].

2nd stage: Interrupt or stop an enemy teleportation spell within a distance of 20.5m. Cooldown and efficiency is affected by available teleportation spells. You cannot teleport while this skill is active.

3rd stage: Your understanding of space magic grows. You learn to latch on to ongoing teleportation spells with your own teleportation abilities. Long range and channeled teleportation spells have their range doubled and their cooldown as well as cost reduced by half.

Category: Space magic

The bonuses to her long range abilities were quite helpful. Both her third tier of Displacement as well as her third tier Blink were affected.

The bonuses applied after all the other multipliers, meaning her third tier Blink could now be used every fifteen or so hours.

‘Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 30:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between blinks is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between blinks.

3rd stage: You may set one destination you touch. You may change it every six months [37.34 days]. You may travel to said destination once every three days [14.93h].

Category: Teleportation Magic’

The reduced cost changed her channeling time of the spell from six minutes to three.

Her third tier of Displacement now had a range of about one point eight kilometers and could be used again after just about two minutes. The main benefit were the reduced costs, slashing it from 450 mana per second to 225. The spell actually provided a reasonable breather against several Astral Spirits too stupid to understand what was happening when their spells suddenly vanished right in front of her, just to appear somewhere else.

Ilea had thought the bonuses from her third tier space shift good but not incredible.

The first part of the new third tier had taken her some testing to understand but essentially she could connect either blink or displacement to an ongoing teleportation spell that activated within the range of either of her own abilities.

It meant that if someone used a teleportation ability, she could use either blink or displacement at the same time to be moved alongside whoever cast the spell she latched onto.

Ilea would be moved the same distance as her target. She wouldn’t have to guess where they went, nor did she have to watch the lines in space. As long as she attached herself to whoever used a teleportation spell and had one of her abilities ready, she would appear close to where they moved.

The distance and relation to her target would remain the same. If she would have appeared inside of an object, the spell behaved the same way as when she tried to blink into solid matter. She would simply appear outside of whatever solid object was in the way.

Ilea’s double teleportation coupled with her reduced cooldowns already made it difficult for anything to get away but now even a longer range wouldn’t be enough to flee from her or regroup.

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Passive – Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 1

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 35.5% [319.5%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 9.1% [81.9%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 9.1% [81.9%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound.

2nd stage: Your body has withstood incredible damage, endured the hardships of battle. The fires flowing through you have hardened your bones and muscles. Your health is increased by 7.1% [63.9%].

3rd stage: Your ability to adapt to your enemy grows. Continued battle against the same foe increases damage reduction against its attacks by 0.5% [4.5%] per minute to a maximum of a static 50%.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic

A minute was long but coupled with her second tier Phaseshift, the new bonuses allowed for much longer battles against the spirits before she had to retreat. The only downside to the newfound defensive power was that it only applied for each foe separately.

If a new Astral Spirit arrived, she took full damage from its attacks until a minute had passed.

Ilea learned that the bonuses applied in a similar way as the second tier of Aspect of Ash. As long as she considered the battle to be ongoing, it would count. Well there were some plain range and time limitations too but they never came into play when she blinked away for a short breather.

The spirits didn’t make it easy to test how much of a difference the bonus made practically speaking, due to the continued arrival of more enemies. Ilea knew however that the simple addition would have made it quite a bit harder for Queen Zaiked to pressure her during their battle.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 13’

Ilea benefited from the theory taught to her by both Meadow and Michael, the various examples the former could conjure up helping greatly with her increasing awareness.

Contrary to the other spells, Space Awareness leveled more in the third week than in the previous two.

Ilea moved the notifications about her general skills down to the very bottom and read through the second three weeks worth of advancements.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 530]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 681]

There were thousands upon thousands of kill notifications. At first it was quite welcome to her that there was an apparently endless number of Death Spirits in Erendar but as time went on, she grew more apprehensive, the gate’s closure rising in importance. The fact that she hadn’t managed to kill an Astral Spirit so far didn’t exactly add to her confidence.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 368 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 370 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 380 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 390 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 391 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 392 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 393 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 368 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 370 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 380 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 390 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 391 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 392 – Five stat points awarded’

Ilea was pretty sure that her kills awarded more experience the more Astral Spirits were present in the fray. As time went on, the rewards gradually slowed.

In the last few days, she only managed to level her main Classes once despite an even higher number of overall kills. Her own rising levels added to the gradually lower rewards.

Her decision to start fighting back in the first place was two fold. In one part, she really did trust Meadow’s information on her leveling. Especially her third Class seemed unlikely to gain another evolution for quite some time. The second part was her growing familiarity with the Spirits and their attacks.

The longer she fought without killing any of them, the fewer overall levels she would gain once she decided to finally fight back.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 191 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 200 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 201 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 220 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 238 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea hoped to get all her third Class skills to the third tier before reaching three hundred in the Class. It turned out that her concerns wouldn’t exactly be met by her leveling speed.

‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 24’

...

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 26’

Ilea now only had four skills in her main two Classes left to top off.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Ilea found most of her third Class skills somewhat simple to level, the spells widely and constantly usable against the enemy hordes and their spells. Phaseshift got close but would need to see some more use to reach the end of the second tier.

Space Awareness was the obvious outlier. She doubted it would have been possible to get to the end of the second tier even with a year of training on her own. And still, she found it the only skill in her third Class that she couldn’t immediately advance to tier three once it hit the previous cap.

It was a little frustrating but hardly an issue, knowing that the overall growth from the one and a half months surpassed most of her previous training endeavors.

Compared to her times in Iztacalum, Tremor or the Descent, it didn’t quite feel like she was a lower leveled human hunting powerful monsters. She was more a misclassified creature punching well above her supposed weight, obviously more than strong enough to face the spirits. The levels would equalize in time as she continued to kill beings that were supposed to be far beyond her own power.

Her main benefits came not from her level gains or evolutions but simply from skill advancements both in her main Classes and in her third and additional one.

Meadow categorized her at the raw power of a level five to six hundred monster, with added sapience and an incredible variety of abilities that let her face creatures at seven to eight hundred.

She finished the break by checking the accumulated General skill levels from her time in Erendar.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Deviant of Humanity – 2nd lvl 1

You face creatures most other humans have nightmares about, call beings your friends that occupy the pages of legends told by your kind. You have reached a level of power that few humans will ever call their own. And yet you push onward, knowing of the dangers that wait in the dark. You anticipate them. Welcome them. Those who would dismiss you may now take notice, should you wish for them to do so.

2nd stage: You remain human at your core but your actions have pushed you beyond the limitations of your species. Inspire terror in the hearts of your own kind or those who would dismiss humanity, should you wish to do so. The status of a predator among its prey will be evident by your very presence.

The new ability felt a little like a more subdued Monster Hunter that was however active at all times.

Ilea couldn’t freeze lower leveled people with this power but they wouldn’t mistake her for something she wasn’t. Not even the densest motherfucker out there.

She left it off most of the time, her reputation and ashen looks making quite enough of an impression already.

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 1

You have reached strength through pain and struggle. With time they have become companions on your way to power. As long as you train those willing, they shall find comfort and resilience in your presence. You are an example of what is possible, through sheer tenacity. Also, you inflict a lot of pain.

2nd stage: You neither care for the species nor the home realm of your pupils, pushing them beyond what they imagined possible, or bearable. You gain insight into the development of your pupils’ resistances, allowing you to mercilessly abuse any weaknesses and blockades. To better their abilities of course. Definitely that. No joy involved at all.

Ilea didn’t actually gain the ability to see resistance levels but she gained a better idea of how to apply damage for the best result. The effects were much higher when she was the one actually dealing said damage. She could still offer some pointers to Meadow on how much it should push certain individuals but it wasn’t quite as efficient.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Death Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

Ilea managed to convince Meadow to add a little bit of Resistance training, the only schools she could currently level with the alien being were Wood and Space.

She checked her full status, summoning some ale when the storm had moved past, sunlight shining down on her once again.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 303

Unspent Core skill points: 30

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1862 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 393

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 26

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 392

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 26

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 26

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 238

- Active: Phaseshift – 2nd lvl 17

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 7

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 3

- Passive: Space Awareness – 2nd lvl 20

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – 2nd lvl 1

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 3

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 9

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - lvl 17

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 10

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 6

- Oxygen Repository – lvl 18

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 1

- Soul Perception – lvl 5

- Teaching – lvl 3

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 9

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Ash Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2ndlvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 7

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 11

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 8

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Mana Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

Status:

Vitality: 995

Endurance: 420

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 425

Intelligence: 900

Wisdom: 1000

Health: 16487/16487

Stamina: 3992/4200

Mana: 19837/20000

A note from Rhaegar

Numbers go brrr

Chapter 536 Storm

Chapter 536 Storm

The book of Ilea grows, she thought as she scrolled up to see her stat points. She hid the General skills again on the way there.

303 points available, she thought and spent five to get Vitality to 1000.

‘ding’ ‘You have reached 1000 Vitality. One Core skill point awarded’

Ah fuck it.

A hundred points went into Intelligence.

‘ding’ ‘You have reached 1000 Intelligence. One Core skill point awarded’

There was an argument to be made for spending her stat points during her battles as soon as they became available but if anything, the already questionable level of danger would be even further reduced.

Plus she enjoyed actually seeing the progress of several weeks of training compared to the incremental and barely noticeable changes each level up provided.

Endurance isn’t exactly necessary… the regeneration is insane with my third tier Meditation. Strength and Dexterity… they’re all falling behind but isn’t that the point? I do need a certain level to move efficiently, to make use of the various multipliers but in the end my spells use mana, my life depends on health, and my damage comes form Intelligence.

She liked the idea of at least getting her lower stats to five hundred but for now she focused on her main attributes. The bonus from Reversal for both Destruction and Reconstruction is also something to consider but is it really worth it? I get a one percent increase for four points. Or even eight, once Endurance catches up with Dexterity.

Each point of Intelligence adds ten points with all the buffs. It’s still kind of intangible. Wisdom and Vitality just straight up increase my resources.

She decided to put a hundred points into Wisdom and ninety points into Vitality. Five points went into Endurance and three points she kept. Just in case I really need a sudden incredible power boost.

The suns were still high on the horizon, so she quickly checked on the Dark Ones.

Air good, health good, distress… acceptable, she thought and looked through the group. They tensed up a little whenever she was close. Ilea didn’t know if it was an instinct thing, the fact that she had killed Zaiked, or something to do with her contact to Meadow.

It might’ve also been a result of her Veteran bonuses. The creatures were definitely more experienced than most humans when it came to high level monster exposure.

She left again to take a walk on the surface of the abused northern landscape.

Ilea displaced a bunch of stones, throwing them at larger rocks until the sky darkened, the familiar growl of an arcane storm moving closer.

Hmm

She formed a ten by ten meter field of distorted space above her, facing upwards. A second distorted space came to be around fifty meters away, aiming at a particularly large boulder.

The first few bolts of arcane lightning missed her unfortunately. The sixth strike came and vanished through space, cracking sideways into the boulder.

A loud explosion of rock and arcane resounded before a shower of stone chunks hit everything in a large circle.

Ilea dispelled her third tier displacement, using the normal version of the spell at the same time to make a few larger chunks of rock appear somewhere else.

“Not so strong now, are you?” she asked, looking up at the storm.

The storm didn’t answer her. Ilea assumed it simply didn’t speak Standard.

A few strikes cracked the stone close by, the shock waves managing to push her away but not enough to damage her body anymore. Her armor coupled with all the shock absorption and resistances proved enough to resist it.

She felt the strike come, holding up her hand before the bright snake of arcane energy slashed down at her with incredible speed.

Ilea found it too fast to displace, or perhaps just too powerful.

Her third tier Azarinth Perception didn’t activate, the spell going through her in an instant. A part of the energy was deflected or pushed through entirely, slamming into the stone around her.

Resilience bonuses were supported by Arcane Resistance, a large chunk of mana fed back to her by Sentinel Core with a potential help of Lightning Resistance. The shock itself was reduced, as was the bright light, the loud noise, the heat the energy produced.

She looked at her hand, sparks and wisps of purple energy exuding outwards where her ash had been pierced, the burnt flesh below regrowing as her armor reformed above.

The damage had been nearly entirely reduced to pure health, similar to the arcane beams when she had Phaseshift active. The spell wouldn’t help her in this case, using up too much mana to keep up, its activation time too long to use as a counter.

She could however just use it while flying through the storms. The few seconds she would need to cover the distance would turn from slightly problematic to a complete breeze.

Could you do that? Ascended?

She looked up again, spreading her arms as the volatile energy dissipated into the land around her.

Could you face the wrath of the north without consequence?

The creature was a space and void mage, so she assumed it could deflect some of the strikes but to stand and take them? That required a little more than a few portal tricks.

She had her resistances in the third tier, against all the magic she had felt from the Ascended. And now she knew with reasonable certainty that fourth tier spells weren’t exactly common.

Ilea wasn’t sure how much damage the Ascended dealt but whatever it was, it would be significantly reduced.

She still wondered if she could escape the situation she had been in before, the way she was now and without the Baron’s help.

Her answer was a confident maybe.

Another set of evolutions and that would become even more confident, she thought and grinned when a strike slammed into her chest. The sheer force slammed her down to her knees but she was up and standing before the energy even fully dissipated.

‘ding’ ‘Okay. You can pretty much ignore chaotic Arcane Storms – One Core skill point awarded’

Hmm… I wonder if I would have gotten this one in retrospect if I had unlocked them at a later time?

The achievements were somewhat unpredictable anyway. Why did it now only appear after the second strike she tanked? Was it her own conclusion? Her behavior? Or did the magic need confirmation?

Her health was full again in seconds, her healing and regeneration easily outpacing the storms.

Individually, the arcane lightning was much more devastating than the Astral Magic used by the level seven to eight hundred spirits in Erendar but the lightning wasn’t channeled, nor were there six storms at the same time.

Man, I hope the Ascended didn’t go to Hallowfort after I fled.

Ilea fucked around with her abilities for a few hours longer until night finally set over the north.

Miststalkers appeared from the forming lakes of mist, starting their ethereal dance in the apocalyptic terrain.

Ilea made sure the mist didn’t seep into the Dark Ones’ hideout before she displaced over half of them up and into the air. They had trained this maneuver in Erendar more than a few times, each of the creatures grabbing onto her ashen limbs.

Most of them weren’t particularly heavy, except for the Rock Beetle. She’d likely have to do three trips in total, the last one solely for the large creature. Meadow had said it felt bad about its weight so Ilea made sure not to mention it.

She knew the general direction and plenty of landmarks on the way. Famine crows could become a problem but she never saw them fly quite as fast as her current limits.

Okay, let’s pray I don’t attract some ungodly four mark on the way, she thought and checked behind her.

The creatures were holding on, her ash moving around their bodies to provide even more stability. Both the weight and air resistance would slow her down but her wings had a ridiculous pull.

Ilea didn’t quite manage to reach Tremor before the suns rose again, finding a secure location and marking another Dark One to be able to find it again.

She spent most of the day flying back, another two trips necessary until everyone was in the second location.

It took her nearly four hours to find Tremor on the fourth day of their travels, quickly checking the cathedral to find everything untouched from her last visit.

Now that I’m here, she thought, checking the sunlight as her eyes moved over the ancient Rhyvor city.

No more Knights patrolled the sunlit parts and just like before, there were no Soul Rippers visible in the higher parts of the city.

Last time I fought them I wasn’t exactly as powerful as I am now, she thought. Was I close to three hundred? Not even everything in the third tier, let alone as highly leveled as I have them now. No third Class and all the related bonuses. No third tier resistances either.

She sat down in one of the broken windows of the cathedral and summoned her notebook. Flipping the pages, she soon found her notes from her level three hundred evolutions.

Oh boy.

No third tier Meditation. 7000 mana and just as much health.

Hmm… well put it on the list, she thought and made a note. Ilea was pretty sure she could kill Soul Rippers now. The question remained about how efficient the process would be and what their levels were actually at.

She refrained from jumping into the fray quite yet, not knowing how they would react to her killing one of them. Already she knew they would flee when they found themselves damaged too much. She wouldn’t risk the Dark Ones for something like this. If they swarmed her like a bunch of wasps or even evaded the upper parts of Tremor, it simply wasn’t worth it.

Ilea did blink a few times down into the dark zone of the city, quickly finding one of the creatures resting sideways on a wall, not a muscle of it moving.

[Soul Ripper – lvl ???]

Veteran informed her that the creature was at level six hundred.

Manageable, she thought. And barely worth it, really.

A part of her just wanted to explore the dungeon deep in these enormous caverns, to find a clue about who had brought them here, to see the real runes Captain Reyker had found with his team.

Her decision to refrain from killing any of the beings quite yet was only reinforced as time went by. If she somehow drew the perpetrator responsible for their appearance here, she would have another problem to deal with. No matter if it was the Ascended or something entirely different.

She found a few more of the beings, their levels ranging from five fifty to as high as eight hundred. Ilea wondered if the latter had any additional abilities compared to those she had fought previously.

Their movement and offensive potential was downright laughable, especially compared to her. As long as she managed to overwhelm their regeneration, she could kill them.

Can I win when I fight inside their swarm though, she wondered, floating in the darkness of Tremor. She could see them below, a few of them moving in the fields outside of the city walls. With her sight enhancing abilities and Eyes of Ash, she may as well have been outside.

I think they used Void but could only manifest it close to their heads. Which means limited range. Plus my resistance is in the third tier now. Could they even damage me? Even Astral Spirits have to work together to overwhelm my regeneration.

She decided that she couldn’t know, not without fighting a few single creatures before.

Ilea explored a little more of the area, finding a broad river in the darkness, the water flowing in from a large opening in the stone. A large group of Soul Rippers signaled the likely location of their dungeon.

She felt a shiver go down her spine, flying upwards until she reached the cavern ceiling. Despite the enhanced sight, this place was still dark. The creatures looked creepy, her enhanced sight not exactly changing that fact.

Ilea doubted she was in much danger here but the darkness coupled with these otherworldly monsters retained their horror. An instinct Ilea doubted she could ever fully shake. Fighting and killing them would certainly help to take away some of the effect.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 12’

Oh, well done there Ilea, she thought and silently flew back to the cathedral.

The dungeon was arguably less creepy with the knights present in its street. Now it was just an eerie ghost town.

How many of these places remain in the north, untouched for thousands of years.

Ilea left Tremor again, finding it suitable to hold the Dark Ones. At least for now. She spent the next few hours flying around the immediate surroundings, checking various crevices, caverns, and tunnels for anything interesting.

The map of dungeons Elfie had shown her didn’t show anything interesting close by and Ilea didn’t want to get too far away from the Dark Ones, just in case they got into danger.

When night fell, she made the three short trips and continued alone to Hallowfort. The Dark Ones had been quite excited to be brought to the ancient city, after several days of mostly hiding in some dark caverns.

Ilea had warned them of the Soul Rippers through Meadow but she doubted the creatures would venture too deep into Tremor in the first place. They had survived in Erendar, their status as veterans just as justified as that of most experienced adventurers.

Ilea was prepared for everything, entering the tunnels leading to Hallowfort as silently as possible. All her senses were strained to their highest capability.

The trip was short and she soon appeared in the large crystal lighted cavern, the high reaching statue that held Hallowfort an unshakable beacon of civilization in these dangerous lands.

She instantly saw the reinforced walls, the armored guards patrolling on them and in the streets beyond. Dark Ones.

Ilea landed near the brittle bridge, already having gained the attention of a few armed warriors.

She smiled at the old wooden contraption, either left as it was due to a sense of sentimentality or perhaps as a trap for intruders that couldn’t fly.

Beyond now stood a wall of stone, a shut gate right where the bridge ended.

“Ashen healer, you have returned!” one of the guards said, his whisper like voice traveling far.

“I suppose I have, steadfast warrior,” Ilea said, sadly having no idea who the creature was. The guards mostly wore heavy full plate steel armor, all in various shades of gray and black. Neither did they use names very often.

“Is she trustworthy?” another guard asked.

“She is,” a third one said as it signaled to someone behind the wall.

The gates opened up towards Ilea, a nearly three meter tall dark one built like a stone golem finished opening the gates before its one revealed eye blinked at her.

“I have opened the gates,” it spoke, the deep rumbling voice entirely too loud.

“That you have, strong opener of the gate,” Ilea said and walked towards them.

“The gates are open,” it added.

Ilea nodded. “That they are,” she said.

It was entirely unnecessary for her to even use the gate but she knew that at least many of those who became guardians in Hallowfort felt a deep pride for their profession. She wouldn’t make the opener of gates feel obsolete.

After she went through, Ilea blinked up to the guard who had talked to her first.

“Catelyn still around?” she asked.

“The one blessed by fire remains. Shall we inform her of your coming?” the warrior asked.

“No need. Thanks,” Ilea said and blinked towards Catelyn’s store. She just wanted to make sure nobody else had taken over in her absence.

How far did Elana push it? she wondered.

The Hunter’s Den looked the same on the outside but Ilea noticed the increased magic from various new enchantments.

Not just the walls then, she thought.

A few dark ones bowed when they saw her pass.

She greeted them and went inside. Her sphere couldn’t reach past the defenses anymore.

The inside looked much more orderly, about a dozen creatures working in the spacious room. Some were processing herbs, others monster pieces. A few were busy going through documents or books, three Dark Ones discussing a complex array of runes chiseled into a round piece of rock.

Catelyn herself was busy mixing something with both the corruption agent from the Descent and poison from the eight layer.

Ilea displaced herself in front of the large workbench and smiled below her armor.

“I do hope your alchemy skills have grown a little in the meantime,” she said.

Catelyn blinked, her small form looking up to meet Ilea’s eyes.

Her left eyelid twitched once.

Ilea laughed when the fox roared and expanded, her arms hugging the monstrous form of fire that pushed her to the ground.

The Dark Ones close by quickly tried to put out the flames immediately spreading to various ingredients and furniture.

“There, there,” Ilea said, rubbing the hard flaming fur as the large claws dug into the ash on her chest.

Catelyn pushed her harder to the ground as she towered over her.

“You,” the fox growled, her head now close to Ilea’s. The large pointy teeth ground together, her breath enough to melt stone.

“Sorry for waiting so long,” Ilea said.

Catelyn removed her claws, lifting Ilea up like a puppy before she hugged her close to her own chest. Her head bumped the ceiling, water mages now present to fight the spreading flames.

Ilea was entirely wreathed in fire. Warm, she thought and closed her eyes, hugging the fox as her ash armor scraped against the enhanced fur.

“I was worried,” Catelyn whispered, the sound a low growl.

“Me too,” Ilea said. “I didn’t want to risk coming here.”

They stayed quiet for a minute.

“I know,” Catelyn said finally.

She slowly returned to her small form, her fire retreating.

Ilea’s ash did the same, their roles reversing until she held the fox close to her chest.

“Everyone, leave,” Catelyn said in her normal voice.

“The fires,” one of them said.

One of her tails moved, all the flames dying in the same instant.

The fox sighed when everyone was gone, cuddling closer to Ilea. “You owe me a lot of cake for all those headaches.”

Ilea smiled, petting her head as she sat down on the large workbench. “Of course I do.”

Chapter 537 Foxy

Chapter 537 Foxy

“I assumed you wanted to destroy this,” Ilea said, shaking the small vial filled with corruption, an ashen limb holding on to the thing.

Catelyn jumped out of her arms and landed on the table.

“The resistance training was more successful than we had anticipated,” Catelyn said. “One of the Fae has come here.”

“What did it tell you?” Ilea asked.

“That you were safe. That a powerful being had come to confront you in the deepest layer of the Descent. An Ascended,” she said. “We trust the Spirits of old and thus all efforts to break into left behind facilities in the Descent were officially discontinued. Scavengers likely breached those rules but we have not suffered an attack from the creature you faced.”

“We found more evidence. That the Ascended were behind the third sun’s disappearance. The specific goals they had are unclear… and now knowing that the creature didn’t come here or found me… maybe it really didn’t matter anymore,” Ilea said.

“You almost sound disappointed,” Catelyn said with a smile.

Ilea thought about it. “A little. It was a four mark mage, sapient and using four schools of magic. Blood, Void, Space, and metal.”

Catelyn giggled.

“What?”

“You’re annoyed to be dismissed as unimportant,” she said. “Be glad, any other way and either we or you would be dead. A four mark is not something we can face.”

“Maybe I am,” Ilea said, looking at the ceiling before she focused on Catelyn again. “I’m not so sure about the second part. I worked to gain third tier resistances to its magic. And I gained a third Class. It should be hard for that Ascended to kill me at the very least.”

“It may have simply played with you, especially if it dismissed you in the first place. I do admit that you are very durable. Neither the Sand Elemental nor Trakarov were capable of killing you after all. A being with four magic types available to it should not be able to match creatures with just one, naturals at that,” Catelyn said.

“I do think it tried to kill me. And it would have succeeded if it hadn’t been for a friend,” she said.

“The Spirit of old,” Catelyn said and grinned. “Either way, you survived. And either it has failed to find you or didn’t care to try at all. I’m not sure what would be better.”

“Me neither. What did you mean about being naturals?” she asked.

“I’m a natural at fire, because my species uses fire magic even when not sapient,” she said.

“Ah, yeah I figured it was something like that,” Ilea said.

Catelyn looked at her for a moment. “Three hundred and ninety. And a third Class. I do suggest you refrain from delving into the Descent again. Both for your sake and ours.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not here because of that,” Ilea said. “There are plenty of things I have to work on before even thinking about facing that monster.”

“I hope you’re here to meet a friend and reassure her that you’re healthy and alive,” Catelyn said.

Ilea summoned a cake and moved it slightly closer to the fox.

“Your attempts at bribery are misplaced,” Catelyn said.

Ilea added a second cake.

“Not even a letter,” Catelyn said.

Ilea didn’t mention the lack of postal service willing to travel north from the human plains.

A third cake appeared.

“I was sure you had forgotten about me,” the fox added, her voice lacking bite.

Ilea added two more cakes and took a step back.

The fox smiled as her body expanded yet again. Her voice rumbled through the Hunter’s Den with menacing power. “Consider your debt repaid.”

Ilea watched as Popi’s beautiful creations were slaughtered. Ripped apart, their screams silent and unheard, a merciless predator of fire devouring every bit of their writhing corpses.

“How have you been?” Ilea asked, sitting down on an ashen chair and summoning a meal for herself.

Catelyn had returned to her small form, the flames gone as she licked up the remaining splatters.

“I was stressed. Now I’m much… much better,” she said and flopped to her side, her face resting on her paws as she looked at Ilea. She closed her eyes slightly and purred.

“Don’t tempt me,” Ilea whispered, enjoying her own dish as she watched the fox.

Catelyn opened her eyes again and smiled, showing her teeth. “I always thought it hubris… wanting to pet a monster like me. But I suppose you’ve reached sufficient power to make it more reasonable.

“As to your question. Thinks have gone reasonably well. Elana and many others are a huge help taking care of everything. The first layer of the Descent is fully secured now, our efforts to find and eradicate the corruption in the highest four layers mostly successful.

“And we’re expanding too, trying to take over much of the ruins lying between Hallowfort and the Descent,” Catelyn said.

“You mentioned the resistance training? The Ascended had called it a failed experiment for a war that had long ended,” Ilea said.

“Yes. The healers we have profited greatly from our efforts to train extended resistances against Blood Manipulation. Other services are now available to train common defenses. It’s still best to face monsters but healing abilities are rare,” Catelyn said.

“I founded a healing organization in Ravenhall,” Ilea said.

“You did?” Catleny asked, prepping herself up slightly.

“Yep. And we’re getting closer with the Taleen gate technology. I do hope you’re interested in an alliance with Ravenhall,” Ilea said, quickly explaining the progress of the Sentinels and informing Catelyn about Ravenhall’s independence.

“The council will have to vote. As I imagine yours will have to. Though a safe haven… in the south. Mana density may be a problem for some but that can be solved to an extent with Arcane magic resistance. I doubt anyone will be able to resist such an alliance. Do you really think the long range teleportation to be viable?” the fox said.

Ilea shrugged. “I’m pretty sure. We’ll get there. Plus I have a master of space magic to help with the last stretch.”

“You convinced the Fae to help?” Catelyn asked.

“No. No I doubt they’d be interested in that honestly. Meadow is a four mark creature from Erendar, another realm. It contacted ours because they have a problem with a kind of world ending eclipse and Astral spirits. Some cultists from Baralia were able to interpret and answer the call, creating rituals to try and breach space to get to Erendar.

“Well it worked in the end and now we have an open gate to that realm. Which brings me to the reason I actually came, next to finally seeing you again and bringing you gifts of cake, of course. I brought several Dark Ones to Tremor but they don’t speak Elos Standard or anything else we could understand. Their bodies prevent them from living in the human plains and they’re the last ones of their species. I hoped you could take them in,” Ilea finished.

Catelyn blinked a few times before she curled up into a ball. “You’re not making my life easier.”

Ilea appeared next to the fox, petting her gently as she sat on the table next to her.

“Any Dark One is welcome in Hallowfort, as long as they understand the rules and adhere to our laws,” Catelyn finally said. “The last of their species…,” she sighed. “You just don’t stop, do you?”

“Hey, I have to keep moving, otherwise I’ll end up having to govern some kind of city or kingdom,” Ilea said.

“It’s not as bad as you might think. Stability and safety should not be taken for granted,” Catelyn said.

“I do try to provide that to others. Don’t forget that I’m not quite as old as you are,” Ilea said.

“Don’t start with that again… humans are crazy. Now tell me more about this Meadow and the species you brought to these lands,” Catelyn said.

Ilea watched as a dozen Dark Ones tried to communicate with the residents of Erendar.

Catelyn had allowed her to bring them into the town, with the first goal to establish communication.

“It’s somewhat similar to Krazveri,” one of the more insect like dark ones said after a while, addressing both Ilea and Catelyn. “I think we should be able to have simple conversations in a few weeks.”

“That’s awfully quick,” Ilea said.

“There’s only so much complexity in clicks,” the dark one said and laughed with a gurgling sound. “Efficiently that is. It’s obvious that these are experienced warriors. I’m sure they’ll fit right in.”

Catelyn smiled. “Good, then see to it that they’re welcomed.”

The insect creature nodded and turned to one of the beings again, slowly clicking.

Ilea felt that the survivors had already opened up more in half an hour than they had with her.

“Language really is a huge barrier, hmm,” she mused.

“It’s the foundation of Hallowfort. It’s fortunate that Elos Standard was not lost here. Quite a wonderful language really, easy to learn and pronounce, with dozens of different sound organs,” one of the dark ones said excitedly.

Ilea looked at him. “Fair enough.”

“Not an enthusiast I see… I’m sure you have your own talents,” the heap of tentacles said.

A wolf wreathed in shadows stepped over to the creature and talked in an ethereal whisper. “That is Lilith, the ashen clad savior.”

Something happened in the tentacle creature but Ilea had no clue how to interpret it. Her sphere did inform of some discomfort.

“I… didn’t know… apolo-”

“Don’t mention it,” Ilea interrupted. “My reputation is getting kind of annoying.”

“It’s tedious, isn’t it?” Catelyn said and walked away. “May we have a word?”

Ilea looked at the dark ones and smiled. They’ll figure it out.

She could see the excitement in their bodies. A place not filled by sand or ice. Just a bunch of arcane storms.

She followed Catelyn.

“Your proposal…,” the fox started. “I’m not sure about it.”

“Didn’t you say all Dark Ones are welcome?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. As long as they adhere to the laws. With a four mark… there is no way for us to enforce them,” she said.

“I understand. What about a nearby dungeon then? You could get to know it?” Ilea said.

Catelyn didn’t say anything until they reached her den again.

“Elana has helped us define our laws, she’s brought a lot of structure to our council and made our decision making more efficient. The trade agreements with the Dark Protector were drafted by her and may be the reason we have maintained our independence as their forces have grown,” Catelyn said.

“What are you trying to say?” Ilea asked.

“You got her out of that tomb. I trust you. My vote alone will not be enough to sway the council but I can get them to meet this Meadow of yours. If it’s a reasonable distance from here,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “That’s good enough. I can be naive and trust too easily. It would be best for you all to meet and have a talk.”

“You said it’s presence was necessary to close the gate. How will you bring it here?” Catelyn asked. “Will it cross to Elos for the closure?”

“An entire city would be destroyed if that happened, no,” Ilea said. “I have another idea.”

“Do inform us once it has arrived,” Catelyn said.

Didn’t even question it, Ilea thought with a smile.

“On another note, your Elven friend has been pestering me for two months now,” Catelyn said.

“Did he now,” Ilea said.

“Yes. Yes he did. I won’t repeat his words due to the lack of respect he showed me but if you could visit him in the near future, I would very much appreciate that,” Catelyn said.

“Did he find anything special?” she asked.

“He found several things, none of it of importance to Hallowfort. However he mostly seems to wish for a meeting with someone,” Catelyn answered.

“The Hunters, yeah. I promised I’d introduce them. Well I’m sure he can level for a little longer, if there’s no existential threat to all of Elos,” Ilea said.

Catelyn rolled her eyes. “There isn’t but he does have a flair for being dramatic.”

“He does, doesn’t he?” Ilea said. “You mentioned Elana before. She didn’t try to take over Hallowfort yet?”

“Her influence is obvious, and growing. Should she prove to be the most qualified single leader, we will accept her as Queen. However there are reasons this town has never seen such in its whole existence. A council of the most powerful and wisest is necessary for balance and continued prosperity. Our goal will never be conquest or war. Natural growth and expansion is difficult enough in these lands. Elana knows that.

“She has pressed for more exploration and specifically expeditions to ancient Rhyvor ruins. She may be human but her place lies here, in the north,” Catelyn said.

“Just don’t forget that she’s human,” Ilea said, glancing at the fox.

“Don’t underestimate the cunning of non humans, Ilea. Your species may be notorious for a lack of honor but the structure of our anatomy does not make us who we are,” Catelyn said.

“I know you’re right. I just don’t exactly feel that way most of the time,” Ilea said. “You mentioned the Dark Protector. Is the war with the Feynor still ongoing?”

“It’s not a conflict that will be decided anytime soon. The simple act of finding a battlefield is treacherous. Our strongholds are built for survival, each living creature here capable of fighting. Large groups of moving creatures will attract predators neither side is capable of defeating. Nor do we seek the destruction of secure caverns,” Catelyn explained.

“Didn’t seem to be the case in Lisburg,” Ilea said.

“A few destroyed houses are hardly the destruction of entire caverns,” Catelyn said. “But we digress. In the last months there was more pressure from the Dark Protector’s side but the agreements have provided some air.”

“I see,” Ilea said. “Well let’s hope you remain independent until new allies become available.”

“If your teleportation gate works… I can’t even imagine the possibilities. The benefits would be ludicrous. Almost as incredible as a potential four mark ally to protect our city,” Catelyn said. “Is it agreeable to you if I discuss these options with the council?”

“If you trust them enough not to leak anything. I’m sure the Dark Protector would increase his efforts if it knew about the possibilities,” Ilea said.

“Even if they try, we won’t cave in as easily as that. Don’t forget who you’re talking to, Ilea. Despite the power of a long range teleportation gate, an alliance with Ravenhall would highly benefit both sides,” the fox said.

“I’m sure,” Ilea said. Just an access to all the dungeons and the north itself for all her Sentinels and other human adventurers would shift the whole balance of power. Even an Elven attack could easily be repelled with the help of Hallowfort. Let alone the benefit of healers for all the Scavenger squads.

“You’re already a hero to many here. If your reputation in that human city of yours is anywhere near the one you have in Hallowfort, your will alone would be enough to make an alliance all but certain,” Catelyn said.

“I don’t want to be involved that much. But you’ll like Claire. She’s as or more capable as Elana but nice and without that air of royal superiority,” Ilea said. “The other council members are quite capable too. Just don’t mention the Elves, humans have a bit of a problem with them.”

“Your friends are the only ones I have dealt with in the past centuries. The same applies to Feynor when it comes to us. They are generally not seen as potential allies, no matter the circumstances,” Catelyn said.

“I don’t think that will be an issue. If any relations with Feynor should arise, it will be with our alliance,” Ilea said.

Catelyn giggled. “That would be something to see. With your presence, I have come to doubt the existence of impossibilities.”

“I do my best,” Ilea said. “Oh… before I forget. I have a way to mark people now. It allows me to find you and it’s a way for you to call for me should you need my assistance. Would it be alright if I placed it on you?”

“Of course. It sounds very useful,” Catelyn said.

Ilea smiled. “It is,” she said and placed a mark on Catelyn.

“I believe it will be dissolved if I call for aid… no direct communication then. Well it shall remain useful, to call upon the monster it belongs to,” the fox said.

“Right? It’s like you’re a summoner after all. But instead of some shit creatures, you summon me,” Ilea said.

“A powerful Class that would be. To summon Ileas at a whim,” Catelyn said.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way then,” Ilea said.

“There are many things we could discuss but I understand your urgency. Be safe, and thanks for this,” Catelyn said, showing her paw with the barely visible mark. “I shall discuss the news and possibilities you shared and we will be ready. Rest assured that the Dark Ones you have brought to Hallowfort will henceforth be under our protection. They shall receive housing and opportunities to build their new life with us.

‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Pale Ones – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Awakened Willows – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Wildflower Ants – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have secured the continued survival of the Rock Beetles – One Core skill point awarded’

Four points? Fuck yeah.

Wait how will that one Rock Beetle reproduce? Better not ask any questions.

“I appreciate your support in this. I knew I could rely on you,” Ilea said and bowed slightly.

“We’re friends, don’t treat me like a diplomat!” Catelyn said.

“As you wish, Lady Catelyn, blessed by fire and cake,” Ilea said and bowed even deeper.

“I’ll burn you,” the fox growled.

“I’m afraid such is impossible, Empress Foxy. Your magic is simply insignificant to my defense,” Ilea said, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

“Foxy…,” Catelyn murmured. “I can’t believe it. Be off then, child of ash. And let this old one rest,” she added with a very toothy grin.

Ilea smiled and grabbed the fox, hugging her one last time before she left. “So soft.”

“I could shed if you’d like the material. For a scarf or something,” Catelyn said.

“Nonono. That’s not what foxes do,” Ilea said and let go of her.

“I’m not a simple fox. I’m a magical creature, Ilea. You just insisted on cal-”

“You’re a fox. Don’t shed. I’ll go now. Hopefully see you soon,” Ilea said.

“Farewell, Ilea,” Catelyn said and giggled.

Chapter 538 Teleportation

Chapter 538 Teleportation

Ilea had to focus on forgetting the idea of a shedding Catelyn.

I could shed too… no pain and healing would make it a simple but bloody process, Ilea thought and nearly gagged. Let’s not.

Now where do I find a weak creature, she thought and blinked out of Hallowfort, quickly reaching the surface again.

She made a turn and entered the Penumra dungeon.

Never explored this one, she thought, jumping down onto one of the roots. The entrance looked the same to her as she remembered.

The Drop Saurians didn’t wait for long, a few of them cautiously crawling closer on the adjacent roots and walls.

Ilea waited for one of them to charge, catching the creature with her ashen limbs.

[Drop Saurian – lvl 363]

“Lower than me even,” she mused, looking at the frothing creature trying to bite and claw her but unable to break through her restraints.

The projectiles shot by the various ranged variants that had reached a sufficient distance to get to her didn’t penetrate her armor anymore.

Ilea sent a medium charged Heart of Cinder at some of the creatures, killing three more with a few ashen spears.

She called out with Monster Hunter, using her new second tier Deviant of Humanity to make it clear that the creatures were simply no match for her.

Ilea tried to grasp at what her captive felt and thought but it remained aggressive, trying to cut through the ash with continued vigor.

The others had retreated after her display, entirely uncaring for their captured friend. The corpses were left behind, one still falling down into the green hell.

Let’s try this then, she thought and activated her third tier blink.

She summoned a cloak and placed it next to her on the massive root. Her fire making sphere appeared too, carefully placed inside a nook so that it wouldn’t roll away.

Ilea testedher theory but couldn’t be sure until the six minutes were up.

Blink activated and Ilea used her third tier of Space Shift to attach the monster, the sphere, and her cloak to her own long range spell with Displacement.

She appeared inside her house, with her cloak, her sphere, and a thrashing monster that remained alive and well.

A grin spread on her lips, her healing counteracting the effects of the low mana on the Drop Saurian. It wasn’t quite as dramatic as on the insect creatures who had lived in Erendar all their lives. She assumed the Saurian would have survived even without her help.

Bad luck, I suppose, she thought and grabbed its head. A quick twist broke its neck.

Ilea slammed ashen limbs through its head, heart, and spine. The first move hadn’t been quite enough to kill it.

This might be enough… as long as it doesn’t resist, it should be possible.

She giggled, displacing both herself and the corpse out towards the Swordmouth tiger cave. Ilea didn’t wait for them and just threw the monster body inside. Her wings spread as she ascended once more. The mission had been a complete success.

“You have returned… earlier than expected. Were there complications?” Meadow asked.

“None. I brought them all to Hallowfort. My friend guaranteed their integration into the local society. The mana in the area is high enough for there to be no issues,” Ilea said, settling down in an ashen armchair.

“That is…,” Meadow said as a ripple of various magic types flowed through the large hall, the black grass moving as if touched by the wind.

Ilea knew that the air hadn’t moved.

“It worked… our training… the plan to bring them through. It really worked,” Meadow said.

“Sounds like you didn’t exactly trust me,” Ilea said and crossed her arms.

“Oh don’t look at me like that, Ilea. You know just as I do that there could have been many ways for this plan to fail. You act with an optimistic improvisation that I’m not familiar with. But it was you who saved them in the end,” Meadow said.

“Well you opened the gate in the first place,” Ilea pointed out.

“A selfish act, truly. I shall honor our deal and close it,” Meadow said.

“Hold up a minute,” Ilea said. She summoned a meal and started eating.

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 4’

“Well I figured something out. Might be easier to demonstrate,” she said and stood up. Plate in hand, she threw up her fork and blinked, connecting the utensil with displacement to her blink.

Both appeared a few meters away where she caught the fork and continued eating.

“You… that is… does it work on your realm travel ability?” Meadow asked, sounding just a little excited.

“Well it worked from Elos to Elos. With a monster. I’ll have to test if it works beyond realms too,” she said.

“I see no theoretical way why it shouldn’t… this is. You really did consider me, did you not?” Meadow asked.

“Of course. Did you think I’d leave a friend behind, just like that? I would have paid, pressured, or beaten Gyffold and Lys into submission to have you pass through and close the gate from our side but now we might not have to worry about any of that,” she said with a smile.

Meadow remained quiet for a while.

“Ilea… I don’t know what to say,” the being said and instead sent emotions her way.

“I told you before. It’s not just a selfless act, Meadow. Your power and expertise is something we could use. As is the defense you can bring to the table with all your insane magic,” Ilea said.

A soundless giggle went through the hall, somehow manifesting in ripples of space magic itself.

“If you say so,” Meadow said.

“Well, I do,” Ilea said. “No nation I know of has managed to get a four mark to cooperate with them on such a basis. You’d be as powerful as the acquisition of nukes.”

“Oh sure. Sure,” Meadow said and sent a thought containing a smile.

“What are you getting at?” Ilea asked.

“Nothing, Ilea. Thank you. For your help and your trust. You saved several species from extinction and perhaps you may yet add another to your list,” the creature said. “Closing the gate from this side will prevent the destruction of your city. However the spirit problem remains.”

“I’ll protect the gate and then I’ll get you out of here,” Ilea said.

“The Spirits will not be interested in the gate. What they will seek, is I,” Meadow said.

“Then I’ll just have to protect you until it’s done,” she said.

“Despite your prowess, you cannot face the concentrated efforts of mundane Astral Spirits. You are no match for those who have yet to descend,” Meadow said.

“We’re not closing it immediately either. I can get stronger,” Ilea said.

“To an extent. But we cannot extend the risk too far. You will not reach sufficient power in time. Perhaps not ever,” Meadow said.

“Yeah I doubt that. You’re entirely useless while you close the gate?” she asked.

“Not entirely, no. However I won’t be able to stand against the creatures yet to come,” it said.

“You can’t stand at all,” Ilea pointed out.

“That is technically true,” Meadow said. “As is the fact that we need allies.”

“Allies. You didn’t mention that before,” Ilea said.

“I had not considered my continued survival. Well… perhaps I am overly dramatic. There is a chance I could survive against the Daughters for another eclipse’s length despite my weakened state during the gate closure,” Meadow said.

Ilea sighed. “Don’t agree to suicidal plans without informing me.”

“Ilea I know in what danger you live whenever you travel to the wastes. It’s unreasonable to expect of me what you yourself so obviously disregard,” it said.

“I can be unreasonable,” Ilea said and shrugged.

“Humans,” Meadow said, a sigh rushing through the hall.

“Oh don’t give me that. We’re all Eyes to you, aren’t we?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“Oh you are but that doesn’t mean I cannot form an opinion on certain pairs,” Meadow said.

“You mentioned allies?” Ilea asked. “The only one from my realm I can think of is someone I can’t reach at the moment.”

“A convenient circumstance,” Meadow murmured.

“You’re reading too much,” Ilea said.

“Stories were terribly finite and uninspired among the Awakened that lived in Erendar. Your comfort provided by safety and a plentiful environment truly let your minds roam. It’s quite enjoyable,” Meadow said.

“You managed to insult both the creatures that lived here and those living in Elos. Well done,” she said.

“Thank you. I am learning from an adequate teacher,” it said.

“Don’t blame it on me. You’re centuries old. If anybody should be beyond childish behavior, it’s you,” she said.

“No, you fail to understand, Ilea. I merely adopted this personality to manipulate you into releasing my true evil power. My actual mind is something a mere mortal could not comprehend. You would go mad in an instant!” it explained.

“Are you having fun?” she asked, crossing her arms in front of her as the empty plate vanished.

“Yes. Very. Michael is so dreadfully theoretical. I believe he suffers from a mutation that removed humor from his very essence,” Meadow said.

“Well I do hope you don’t tell him, otherwise he won’t stop pestering both of us,” Ilea said.

“I would have thought you liked the prospect of my insights into magic. Isn’t that one of the very reasons you stated before for wanting me in Elos?” Meadow asked.

“Michael isn’t the only scholar in Elos. I’m not sure his methods align with what I believe in,” Ilea said.

“And you would take all that knowledge for yourself, to support those beliefs. Even if it means humanity would not advance beyond their crude magical theory,” Meadow asked.

“No, I’m just saving a friend from annoyance,” Ilea said. “But sure, if you’d rather want it that way, you can make a deal with Lys, Michael, and Gyffold. To have you close the gate from the other side and then they could build a temple or some kind of prison in the ruins of the city. Just for you… and all the questions of all the humans for thousands of miles would come to you. Pilgrims from far away lands would seek your wisdom oh all knowing! Oh master of magic! One healing touch… I beg you!” Ilea delivered all of it in a monotone voice, moaning slightly after she was done.

“You win this round,” Meadow said.

‘ding’ ‘You win – One Core skill point awarded’

Let’s not mention that. I won’t hear the end of it.

“About those allies then,” Ilea commented.

“Yes. I have mentioned the few who remain from the previous eclipse. Some have reached sapience, others… well they’re not quite there or simply refuse to open their eyes fully. There won’t be many that remain but I have to assume some do,” Meadow said.

“You don’t even know for sure? Can you find them, contact them? What kind of creatures are we talking about anyway?” Ilea asked.

“I do not know. I have told you that my eyes do not reach as far as you might think. Nor do I have a way to contact those beings, not without potentially alerting the spirits of my presence. They are powerful creatures capable of resisting both astral and death spirits. Some remain blind, others with a form of sapience. There are not many I have met who would help us, nor could I offer them anything enticing enough to change their minds,” Meadow asked.

“Well you can’t contact them in the first place,” Ilea said.

“No. But you can travel quite quickly. I have seen the speed with which your wings propel you through the lands. Perhaps you may find the owner of this,” Meadow said when a pale blue thin head sized crystal appeared in front of Ilea.

She caught the thing and looked at it.

[Elemental Tear – Primal Quality]

“What?” she said out loud. She identified the thing again.

[Elemental Tear – Primal Quality] – [Ice Manipulation – lvl 10]

“Again, what?” Ilea said.

“It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Meadow asked with a sense of nostalgia. “It was given to me during the last eclipse, by a creature I’ve sheltered for a few decades. An Ice Elemental, as the look and name suggest. The few thoughts we exchanged back then were a pleasant distraction from the battles and the overbearing void of the frozen wasteland.”

“It’s the first item of Primal quality I’ve seen,” Ilea said.

“Truly? I suppose it would be quite rare to come across something like that. I have treasured it for millennia,” Meadow said.

“And I can use Ice Manipulation while holding this?” she asked.

“Yes. Though without related Classes, I suppose it’s quite useless to you,” Meadow said.

“Can you level it? Get the skill higher?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. However I had little success. It was at level one when I received it as a gift,” Meadow said. “I found that I had little talent in the magics of ice and cold. Perhaps you would fare differently?”

“No clue… I mean you can learn magic as a general skill too, right? Would this help me get it as a permanent skill?” she asked.

“Perhaps such would be possible. You need however extensive training and a high affinity to gain such skills as general abilities,” Meadow said.

“Would be weaker too… but that’s interesting to know. A skill associated with a piece of gear… that opens up so many possibilities… what other gear qualities are there? Do you know of others?” she asked.

“There are others on this level, yes. I have confirmed the existence of the Ethereal Quality. And that of the Divine Quality. The former is related to Spirits I believe, as I have only ever seen them used or left behind by high level Astral creatures. The latter may be a little more complicated,” Meadow said.

“You’re talking about gods? Items bestowed by beings so powerful they’d count as divine? Where would they reside? Can they communicate with us?” she asked.

“Well, yes. You see, I’m one such being,” Meadow said.

Ilea laughed.

“No you’re not,” she said.

“This is a little awkward. I’m not joking at this moment. There were items that gained the Divine quality bonus if created or enhanced by me,” Meadow said.

Ilea blinked a few times. “Okay. So can you enhance my armor?”

“I regretfully have to inform you that such is not possible. Not anymore. Not right now. I believe a sizable following is necessary, those who believe that one is indeed a god. There is more involved… once I made the discovery, it became more difficult to bestow such power to items. Almost like my awareness of the attribute’s existence rendered me unable to bestow it. Or perhaps my own inability to consider myself a god led to the outcome,” it explained.

“Damned. Do you have a bunch of those items left? What did they do?” she asked.

“Sadly they are lost, by now perhaps even decayed. There were items slightly enhancing various abilities related to my magic. They were so weak it all was useless to me but some of the Awakenedwore them proudly. The first awakened space magic wielder beside myself had reached understanding through a shield I had bestowed with power,” Meadow explained.

“I see. Pretty cool though… it means I might actually find something useful. Or perhaps I could have someone forge something with high level materials,” she said. “Back to the Tear, why give it to me?”

“It resonates with the Elemental. Even just moving it across this hall I can determine the direction of where it resides. You should be able to tell at least if you’re getting closer after a few hundred kilometers or if you’re moving farther away,” Meadow explained.

“An Ice Elemental… I mean I like the idea but how do you know it would help you? Let alone listen to me?” she asked.

“It isn’t particularly… talkative. However your arrival with the Tear should have an effect. I understood that it felt deep gratitude for the shelter I once provided,” Meadow said. “Otherwise… well you have managed to befriend me… and from our various conversations I take it I’m not the first powerful entity you have allied yourself with.”

“I mean sure. I can try to talk to the thing. If anything it could punch my second tier ice resistance to the third. Or it would allow me to level it at least,” she said.

“Yes, that would be enough. Though I suggest you do not anger it. I do not doubt your survival but it may be difficult to convince the ancient being after a show of animosity,” Meadow said.

“I’ll do my best,” Ilea said with a grin. “How long do you think I can train here until our prospects become seriously troubling?”

“They were seriously troubling long before you even arrived here. I suppose another one of your months won’t make much of a difference but we shouldn’t wait much longer than that. I also suggest you test bringing a spirit into your realm, if you can,” Meadow said.

“I’ll test it, don’t worry,” she said. “Do you know if there are any four mark spirits around that I could hunt?”

It would be quite an achievement to kill a four mark while alone.

“The Daughters are the only ones I know of who reach that level. With what I have seen, I doubt you can kill them,” Meadow said. “You have a chance of survival in a direct confrontation. Maybe. But you should not seek such creatures out.”

“Any dungeons here or places where other four marks reside? You must have met many in your time,” she asked.

“I have met a few, yes. The eclipse has already disrupted what would otherwise be dungeons. The four marksI know of have opened their eyes at least partially, thus I won’t tell you where to look for them, even if I knew, not with your intent to fight them,” Meadow said.

“Party pooper,” Ilea said.

“Thoughtless Barbarian,” Meadow returned with a mental shrug.

“Are the daughters awakened too?” Ilea asked.

“To an extent. More than some monsters but less than others. I won’t kill them if that is what you’re asking. Not that I believe killing them is even really possible,” Meadow said.

“Great,” Ilea said.

Chapter 539 Playtime

Chapter 539 Playtime

Ilea continued her training. With the survivors gone, she could focus near fully on herself.

Michael begrudgingly accepted the closure of the gate in a month’s time, the ultimatum coming from Meadow instead of Ilea.

She didn’t feel like arguing with the man and thus told Meadow to inform him.

He damn near revered the creature as a divine being, easily taking the explanation at face value.

I do wonder if Meadow could create Divine objects again if Michael thought of it as a god. Or is its own self perception already preventing such a possibility in the future?

Ilea activated Phaseshift, displacing a few death flames and blinking up before the spell took effect of the space near her body.

She remained in the air, slowly floating upwards when the first Astral Spirit finally showed up.

It would simply be unacceptable to leave this place without killing at least one of the creatures.

Her ethereal form was enveloped in astral energy, the spirits of death climbing on top of each other behind her were incinerated near instantaneously.

Ilea continued to float closer before she deactivated Phaseshift, her form flickering while the enemy spell still moved through her as if she didn’t exist. The second passed and she displaced herself close to the spirit.

Her ash rushed out and a near fully charged Heart of Cinder slammed into the smooth body of the spirit. Burns and blemishes showed immediately, the body molten where it had faced the spell. A thick turquoise liquid seeped out of various wounds, all of it reforming quickly as it drained her mana.

Ilea’s resistance to the drain was high. High enough that she should be able to kill some of the lower leveled Astrals. Both her own knowledge of the creatures and Meadow’s insight suggested such.

The problem in actually killing them was however difficult to overcome.

It didn’t just drain mana from her, it drained mana from spirits of death and even its own kind. Both the strength of their drain and the range they could use it at made the beings insanely hard to kill. As long as there were other creatures around.

The only reason she hadn’t given up on a kill entirely, was because of their somewhat lacking tactical sense.

They just stayed there, attacking and draining anything that even resembled a pool of mana. So far they hadn’t shown anything close to concern or fear. Sometimes they left but Ilea doubted it was her doing in the first place.

She covered the creature in ash, igniting all of it with Flare of Creation. The spell blazed up with the full five hundred health per second she could add additionally.

Ilea kept a close look on her health and sacrificed a thousand points to activate her third tier aura.

Her ashen limbs cut and slammed into the creature as quickly as she could manage. She grappled it from behind and pushed reverse mana into it as Absolute Destruction charged.

The hits she took from its astral area spell were substantial but she simply kept her third tier healing active at all times. Her growing resistance and other bonuses made the enemy magic at least manageable.

Her resources dwindled quickly but she kept grappling the spirit.

She saw two more Astrals arrive and released her charged Absolute Destruction, her destructive mana coursing through the creature with all the buffs and bonuses she could muster.

Ilea was forced to jump off, displacing herself as she dodged a few spells on her retreat.

Not quite enough… even with all that.

The hordes of Death spirits continued being burnt through by the Astral variants, until nothing was left but a group of nearly twenty of the latter.

But if I go in now there are too many, she thought with a sigh. It was just as hopeless if she looked for an area with no death spirits, or if she tried to use this area where the Astrals killed all the Death variants already. In those cases, the star monsters would simply not come.

Ilea definitely had the power output to kill the various creatures but when it came to pure mana usage, a group of fifty death spirits still outperformed her. Even then it often took twenty to fifty seconds for the first Astral Spirit to show up.

Damn all those regenerators!

She flew back to the temple, frustrated another attempt had failed. Killing an Astral Spirit wasn’t her only goal in the month left on Erendar however.

“Failed again?” Meadow asked.

“It’s nuts… I can kill even higher leveled beings with less damage output,” she said.

“Destructive mana may not be the best way to face Astral Spirits. A more physical approach might be beneficial,” it informed her, again.

“Yes. Let me just get new Classes and level them to three hundred. My ash doesn’t do enough either,” she said.

“As long as the death spirits remain, it will be troublesome,” Meadow said.

Not if I get Flare of Creation higher. Or if I actually manage to charge Destruction for longer than a few seconds.

Ilea could deliver more damage with consecutive punches using her Destruction but what she needed against the quickly regenerating creatures was heavy damage that came all at once. Both methods however had failed so far.

It was sobering in a way but on the other hand she could easily survive even combined attacks by the beings. Her own regeneration wasn’t anything to laugh at either after all. At least I don’t need dozens of living creatures to siphon away health and mana.

“Don’t frown like that,” Meadow said. “I’m sure you’ll succeed eventually.”

“I have my armor on. You can’t see my frown,” she said and sat down on the black grass.

“I can feel it. It’s all encompassing,” Meadow said.

“Can you help me with a skill. It’s been a little annoying to level,” Ilea said.

While Sentinel Huntress did gain levels during her training and fights, it was still far behind her other more directly useful abilities.

She knew that adding markers to enemies during her bouts made a difference but the core of the skill was an investigative one.

“How may I help you, my friend?” Endless Meadow asked.

“Have you ever heard of Hide and Seek?” Ilea asked.

Ilea felt the tear tremble in her hand. Just enough for her to register.

She was on the right track.

Probably in this range, she thought, flying upwards now. The mountains here rivaled the north in Elos, bursting out of the ground beyond the wastes she had covered.

Ilea had flown for hours, Erendar really proving to be quite desolate.

But I guess it’s quiet at least, she thought. No annoying people. Just monsters to battle. For all of eternity. What a dream.

There were however no cooks, no humans to talk to, no cities or architecture to admire. Even for Ilea it may be a little much. Perhaps as a spa it was acceptable.

She felt the temperatures drop even further as she flew up towards the distant peaks. Everything was frozen by now, even Ilea taking damage from the weather. She started using Heart of Cinder to counteract the cold.

Her wings could barely move anymore, despite her high second tier resistance. The crystal was thrumming now.

Ilea displaced herself a few times, appearing in a broad valley. A cave entrance showed on the side of a still distant mountain.

What’s that, a hundred meters high? she thought, teleporting closer.

The storm cleared up more the closer she got. Less snow too, she thought, starting to see bones stick out of the icy wasteland.

Mountains towered to each side, untouched for thousands of years.

Ilea looked down, seeing something trapped inside the ice. A spirit. An astral one.

She tried to gauge if it was alive still but couldn’t discern any information at all.

The closer she got to the cave, the more skeletons and frozen spirits were visible in the ice, entombed forever. There were hundreds of each kind, even the skeleton of one of the worms broke out of a frozen mountain side.

The snow had stopped, even the air itself entirely still.

Ilea looked at the cave entrance, the hair on her neck standing up as she took a deep breath. There wasn’t much oxygen here.

Might be rude to enter its home without permission, she thought, looking at the crystal that now nearly hummed with power.

She played around with her ice manipulation, forming a snowman with the level ten skill that somehow worked instinctively as long as she held the crystal.

Her Monster Hunter chargedand was infused with the intent of a greeting.

“Hello!” her shout echoed through the soundless valley, traveling through the terrain like waves in a pond.

A few kilometers behind her a crack formed near a peak. Massive chunks of ice broke off and quickly formed into an avalanche, crashing into the valley before it all froze again, long before it should’ve stopped moving naturally.

Ilea watched the cave, her arm outstretched and holding the crystal.

She felt as if the air stilled even more, her own heartbeat and breathing the only sounds perceptible to her.

Ilea saw the creature emerge, the pale light from the eclipse reflecting from the clear parts of its body. The being took the form of a wolf and reached a height of nearly sixty meters, its body entirely made of ice.

The shape of the creature didn’t come from bones and muscles but from smooth geometrical shapes. Each shape connected to the next in an angle to form the massive being, almost like the wolf had been carved from a piece of crystal.

There were patches covered in white frost, others entirely clear, some a pale blue just like the tear Ilea held in her hand.

The creature moved with deliberate and slow steps, the ice on its body shifting, none of it making a sound. Antlers seamlessly grew out of its skull, up and right below the ceiling of the cave. The patterns didn’t make any sense, forking out continuously.

Ilea noticed that the single forks of its antlers were moving, shaping themselves into new forms as the wolf like creature stepped out into the open.

When it reached the valley, its antlers grew upwards, as if the air itself was water that froze at the being’s touch. Its gait wasn’t interrupted by the weight or unwieldiness of its antlers, its crystal like eyes looking at her, frozen just like the rest of it.

“Hello, nice to meet you,” Ilea said.

[Ice Elemental – lvl ????]

Her Veteran informed her that this creature was in the leagues of Meadow, unable to determine any specifics however.

Peace, she sent.

The creature didn’t react.

Ilea tried something else. She held out her arm to her left and started forming ash.

The Elemental watched her but didn’t interfere.

She formed Endless Meadow, both the grass, the tree, and the little creek that flowed through it.

The image was hazy, further distorted by the freezing temperatures.

Ilea flew up and joined her ashen creation, displacing the Elemental Tear towards the ashen Meadow before it floated back to her on a bed of ash, indicating that she was given the item.

She turned to the creature and watched in fascination as ice came into existence before her, forming yet another Meadow but this time an antlered wolf lay curled up near the creature.

It looked smaller than what she was seeing now or perhaps the Meadow had been larger at some point.

She made the ashen Meadow smaller, adding the temple on top and creating the gate. Ilea added herself appearing beyond it, before she formed an army of small astral spirits coming towards the temple.

Her arms moved slowly as an antlered wolf appeared on top of the building, fighting the spirits with massive claws.

She wasn’t sure the creature understood when the ashen wolf amidst her creation froze, ice forming both amidst and around the ash before the wolf became a perfect miniature copy of the Elemental.

Ilea held up the Elemental Tear. They assumed the tear to mean a favor, repaid once the creature helped in their endeavors.

The Elemental moved closer to her now, crouching down to meet Ilea’s small form.

She held out the crystal but nothing happened to it.

Its eyes were as large as her torso, the creature now resting a few meters in front of her.

A wisp of ice moved out and touched her.

Ilea didn’t resist. Her chest tightened, her lungs nearly freezing before the feeling resided.

Her breathing accelerated slightly but she calmed down again once the being stood back up.

She watched it jump, its whole body fluidly running up the mountain side.

Alright, she thought and followed with a few uses of teleportation.

Ilea appeared beyond the peak, watching the creature literally run on freezing air.

That’s pretty cool, she admitted to herself and followed with her wings. Beyond the valley, the temperatures weren’t quite as insanely low, as long as she kept some distance to the Elemental.

It wasn’t moving particularly fast, most of its speed coming from the ridiculous size alone.

Ilea still had the Tear, looking at it as she charged her wings.

The Elemental was moving in the right direction, already reaching the frozen desert beyond its mountain chain.

She held the pulsing item close to her chest and accelerated.

‘ding’ ‘You have met a mature Ice Elemental and didn’t die – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 10’

Even a Veteran level. Seems a little excessive. We didn’t even fight, she thought, landing in the temple once more. The landmarks on the way had been few and far between, allowing for a somewhat quick journey back.

“You bring the Tear once more, were you not successful?” Meadow asked.

“Don’t shit your pants. The Elemental is on its way. It didn’t want the thing back,” she said.

She blinked down and joined the Meadow, tossing the Primal item into the air where it vanished.

“That is good news. I was afraid it had forgotten. I’m glad you did not end up frozen for eternity,” it said.

“Hey me too,” Ilea said. “Judging by its speed, it’ll need a day or so to arrive. Maybe longer if it has to fight spirits on the way.”

“They will surely challenge it. I will have to shelter it in here… though the temperatures will not be suitable for humans anymore,” it said.

“Just tell Michael he should move upstairs or farther out. Will the cold spread through the gate?” Ilea asked.

“I will try to prevent that… though the Elemental was young when I first met it. Many thousands of years have passed in the meantime and its strive must have been difficult during the last eclipse,” Meadow said.

“It didn’t wait out the eclipse here?” Ilea asked.

“No, the Ice Elemental merely stayed for a few decades,” it said.

How fucking long is this eclipse? How does that even work?

“Hmm,” she sent.

The space around her distorted, earth and wood forming in the very air around her as everything started moving around.

Meadow was getting more familiar with her Sentinel Huntress spell, adding the slightest magical and odor cues. It was both a puzzle for her Space Awareness and her Huntress skill, both of them pushed to the limit as she tried to figure out which blade of grass or piece of rock the Meadow had chosen for today’s solution.

A fist sized rock rushed past her head, dodged in the last moment.

Ilea formed a wall of ash to slow down the roots about to skewer her. Phaseshift activated as her armor tried to stop the powerful magic. The wood moved through her without issue as soon as Phaseshift took effect, Ilea deactivating the spell immediately after.

Meadow had already formed a wooden prison for her manifesting form, preventing her from using her teleportation.

“This is bullshit and you know it,” Ilea said.

The wood pressed into her from all sides, the spiky ends cutting through her armor and flesh.

Ilea ripped through the wood digging into her skull with ash before she cut off her head, her regenerating form displaced away from the death prison with the rest of her body as she continued her analysis of the surrounding space.

“You shouldn’t use that skill against a sapient being, lest it catch you. Or only use it while you have momentum… it’s far too easy to catch you otherwise,” Meadow said.

“Most creatures I fight aren’t four mark wood creators able to instantly create a prison, let alone one that can withstand most of my offensive skills,” she retorted.

“You should always assume such however. If a skill opens up such a weakness, it shouldn’t be used in the first place,” Meadow said.

“I know,” she said. “Which is why I haven’t leveled it yet.”

“One Core skill point is hardly that valuable. Perhaps the third tier would remedy its weakness,” Meadow said.

“It is to me. I won’t level it as it is,” Ilea said.

“Are you hoping for new skills? Or perhaps an evolution? Both will likely require three fifty or even higher,” Meadow said.

“Enough time to switch again,” Ilea said with a smirk, dodging a few attacks. “Against the spirits it’s the best one I have though, so I’ll keep it for now.”

“Your mana becomes near invisible. I agree with your assessment,” Meadow said.

Ilea felt the tiniest flicker in space and turned to her right.

“Fooound it,” she exclaimed and grabbed the tiny piece of wood.

“Congratulations. You’re getting better,” Meadow said.

“Not good enough. Make the space aspect harder again and the magic aspect a little easier. I hardly noticed anything with my Huntress skill,” she said.

“As you wish,” Meadow said and once again distorted the entire hall.

Chapter 540 Puzzling

A note from Rhaegar

I think the missing spaces have been popping up again. Please let me know if you find any. It's an issue with copying from libreoffice to html.

Also wanted to give a massive shoutout to HealthygamerGG. If you're struggling with any mental health issues or are just interested in learning more about how your mind works, how you start to overthink or feel sad sometimes, do check out some of their videos. They mostly talk about random topics related to the guests (Sometimes famous twitch streamers, sometimes just random people): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClHVl2N3jPEbkNJVx-ItQIQ

Chapter 540 Puzzling

“They still didn’t break through?” Meadow asked.

“No, no they haven’t. I have no clue what they’re doing. Felicia said they were arguing about siege engines and risk assessments,” Ilea said.

She tried to pet the wolf again, her arm freezing fully before it broke off.

“Come on,” she said, squinting her eyes at the Elemental.

Meadow had enlarged its hall to accommodate the large creature, its space magic chasing off the many spirits that had followed the Elemental to the city. Not that many had survived for longer than a few seconds in the Elemental’s presence.

Ilea was really annoyed that she had missed its arrival, instead having had tea with Felicia. Which admittedly wasn’t bad either but the former would have still won out.

Her arm reformed as she pouted, trying to solve the current puzzle.

A large chunk of ice nearly slammed into her face, manifesting so quickly she had barely even noticed it.

“Zaiked would have killed every last one of those Generals before storming the city herself,” Meadow said.

“Don’t act like either of you understand military tactics used in Elos. Think of it as if Zaiked had to storm your very chamber,” Ilea said.

“She tried. And failed,” Meadow said.

“See, that’s why it’s taking so long. Not that I really care. The longer it takes, the longer we have here without too much attention,” she said.

“Sixteen more days Ilea, and not a minute longer,” Meadow said.

Her time in Erendar was coming to an end but it hadn’t been spent idly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 328]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Spirit of Death – lvl 572]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 394 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 396 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 393 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 395 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 239 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 240 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 244 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea assumed the experience she was getting from the Death Spirits was only due to the higher level at this point. Only the Astral spirits remained dangerous to an extent.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 15’

Meadow’s training worked wonders but the lack of danger made it just a little more efficient than using it during her battles. A little annoying when one considered the little use the skill had during actual fights.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 4’

Ilea refrained from getting Phaseshift to the third tier. It was an option but she just wasn’t sure. Rushing it wouldn’t help either with Space Awareness still in the second tier. She mostly just ignored it for now, focusing on whatever else she could work on.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches lvl 20’

So close… just a little more choking, she thought as she scrolled through.

It had become clear that she would have to advance either her Astral Magic Resistance or her Mana Drain Resistance. Ilea had two points available and one had to remain for emergencies. She agonized over which one to choose for quite some time, obviously wasting training time with all the damage she took anyway.

Ilea initially wanted to wait until she actually faced the Daughters to see which damage type proved more dangerous. Now that her goal of hunting Astral Spirits proved harder and harder to achieve, she had to make a decision. In the end it was Mana Drain Resistance, because while both their Astral and drain attacks were potent, only the latter also healed the creatures.

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Rare foes will have the ability to drain your mana. Either for their own use or simply to weaken you. Having encountered one such being, you have learned of its destructive effect. This skill will help you reduce the effect any mana draining abilities will have on you.

2nd stage: Your mana is bound to you, making it harder for anybody to drain it from you. In addition the mana removed from you damages the enemy, should they desire to use it for themselves. The damaging effect increases with every point of mana lost.

3rd stage: Mana formed within you is intrinsic to your very essence. Any being that dares to steal what does not belong to them shall find themselves poisoned by your arcane power. Enemies take damage over time for each point of your mana in their pool.

The effects sadly weren’t enough to overwhelm the creatures but they at least pushed her in the right direction.

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

The stat points she had gradually invested into Vitality, Endurance, and Dexterity, in the end spending ten points to enhance each stat.

“I’m surprised the General hasn’t asked me for help, in exchange for something,” Meadow said.

Ilea looked away from her status. “Too proud. And he hates all you represent.”

“And that is?” it asked.

“Proof that humanity is fucking weak,” she said. “I just want to pet her, can you ask her again?”

“She says you are free to try,” Meadow said.

The wolf looked her way, resting on her icy paws.

Ilea grabbed her removed frozen arm and shook it towards the creature. “Just wait until I have a third tier resistance!”

“I doubt it would make a major difference,” Meadow said.

Ilea didn’t listen, displacing various floating objects and projectiles as she silently flew through the hall filled with magic.

She felt dozens of pulses, the wisps here moving as if separated from the normal fabric of space. A lot was going on. The Elemental’s arrival hadn’t helped much with that.

Michael’s brain had nearly exploded when Meadow informed him of the creature’s coming. He pushed for an extension but finally agreed to keep the date the same when he realized the Elemental couldn’t nor wouldn’t talk to him.

It had started interacting with Ilea once it realized her body was damn near indestructible, mostly freezing her or sending projectiles to either be malicious or help in her training. Ilea wasn’t quite sure yet which.

She displaced herself again and stopped moving. Something peculiar stood out to her amidst the hundreds of floating pieces.

What?

Ilea moved her hand towards the floating stone.

She stopped in the last moment, right before touching it.

Phaseshift activated as she focused on the weird phenomenon. She extended her hand and grabbed not the stone but what lay beyond.

Despite the active spell, she found her hand coming back with an object grasped between her fingers. It was a piece of ice that she could neither feel, smell, nor see. Not with her eyes at least. But she knew it was there.

Phaseshift deactivated, her body manifesting and with it the piece of ice she had known to be there.

It instantly exploded and froze half her body.

The Elemental twitched its ears slightly, its tail moving over the black grass.

Asshole, she thought with a smile, the heat within her quickly taking care of the ice as the damaged section healed.

“What was that?” she asked.

“A surprise gift, to celebrate your success,” Meadow said in a dry tone.

“Aha,” Ilea said.

“You should be able to level your skill now, Ilea. What you just did should be impossible with a mere second tier ability,” Meadow said.

“Really?” Ilea asked with a bright smile. She checked and indeed found it possible to advance Space Awareness to the third tier. “YES!”

Meadow laughed. “Took you long enough. I was getting worried you had some kind of space retardation.”

“Sure, sure,” Ilea said offhandedly and pushed Space Awareness to the third tier.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive – Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 1

You become more aware of the density and shifts in the fabric of Space itself.

2nd stage: Further understanding of the spacial fabric allows you to manipulate its forces with greater ease and higher intensity. You learn to perceive even the tiniest ripples in space. In the case of active fissures, you find yourself able to peer into the other side.

3rd stage: You have peered through the fabric of space itself and have learned to unravel its intricate structure. You gain the ability to perceive and differentiate magical frameworks and how to manipulate them within your space without failure.

Category: Body Enhancement – Perception Aura

“I have no clue what this means. Meadow, please explain,” she said and read the information to the creature.

“A good addition to your abilities. Definitely,” Meadow said.

The wolf formed a flower made of ice.

“She thinks the same. Very powerful indeed,” Meadow said.

“Now there’s two of them…,” Ilea whispered in her mind, squinting at both of the creatures.

“Speaking of which, does the Elemental want to come to Elos too? Not sure if I could manage that but it’s an option I suppose,” she said, tilting her head a little sideways.

“Did you already forget about your new skill?” Meadow asked.

“Oh, right, so what does it do?” Ilea said.

“Better to demonstrate,” Meadow said.

A wooden root broke out of the ground and slowly moved towards Ilea.

It slowed in front of her chest and touched her.

“What’s that supp-” Ilea asked, interrupted by the Meadow.

“Don’t talk. Perceive,” it said.

Ilea did just that, focusing once more onto the space around her, the root, her body. My body. The root.

Is this…, she thought and grabbed the root, trying to confirm her assessment.

She smiled brightly, looking at the tree with joy. “You knew this all along!”

“For your thick skull to finally grasp the solution, you needed more than frustration. I thought it wise to withhold this knowledge from you. While it wasn’t certain, I expected it,” Meadow said.

Ilea shook her head. She knew the creature was right.

Frameworks, she thought about the description. To her it felt more like different flows.

She kept touching the root, a root that represented Meadow itself, permeated by its magic and power.

Ilea displaced herself, focusing on her own flow only.

She appeared at her target destination, the root remaining where it had been a moment earlier.

“Fuck yeah!” she called out and jumped. “Do the full prison,” she said with a wicked smile.

“I shall oblige,” Meadow said, forming a wooden prison around her with spiked ends cutting into her armor.

Ilea had to focus a little harder this time, the different flows not as easy to separate than the simple touch of one root. She still managed it quickly, displacing herself out of the prison as if it hadn’t been there.

The damage to her armor repaired itself as she spread her arms and twirled. “I’ve finally reached my goal.”

“And what is that?” Meadow asked.

“Complete immortality!” she shouted with a pose.

The Meadow laughed in its usual magic way. “It is a major step towards that goal. However just in case you really believe that, I have to remind you that you are very much mortal. Just like me and the Elemental.”

“I don’t really think either of you can be killed either,” Ilea said. “Also I don’t care. Let me enjoy this. More roots,” she said and tested various ideas.

Blink worked just as well as Displacement did.

“As to your earlier question. The Elemental informs you that this is her home and she very much likes her mountains. The cold it is spreading should even last long into the years past the current eclipse.

“I should inform you that she likes to take century long naps. The desolate landscape of Erendar supports her lifestyle more than your realm ever could,” Meadow explained.

“Even if it means it won’t see us ever again?” Ilea asked. “I’d think we’ve gotten pretty close.”

She displaced herself close to the wolf’s head, trying to pet it again.

Ilea blinked back to where she had started, her form falling to the ground with a thud. It really wasn’t very pleasant to have one’s body frozen entirely.

Heart of cinder came to the rescue yet again.

“She’s intrigued as to your heat spell that seems to prevent long term freezing. Most fire spells she has seen could not counteract her ice so easily,” Meadow said.

“It’s ashen magic,” Ilea said. “Forms the heat within my core.”

“Your resistance, healing, and general resilience are the main factors here. She simply hasn’t met something both so weak and yet so durable in her existence. No high level Awakened have crossed her path. Not of a species that starts at such a low level at birth. That would explain her reaction,” Meadow said.

“You two really like to be insulting,” Ilea said and used Phaseshift.

Oh yes… oh… yes yes yes, she thought and watched her ethereal hands. Please.

Ilea blinked and then displaced herself. Phaseshift deactivated and she was back to normal.

“It wooorks!” she called out.

“That is quite impressive. You really are a natural,” Meadow said.

“Didn’t you say literally the opposite for weeks now?” Ilea asked.

“Your understanding itself is lacking. A more practical approach was necessary and you’ve succeeded through that. Your lack of thought coupled with your intuition and your trust in your spells make you quite adept at using them. But not at understanding or explaining the theory behind the magic.

“I doubt you’ll ever push the frontiers of spacial runes or theory but when it comes to using the abilities that evolve through your Class, you’ll exceed,” Meadow explained.

“I don’t see the point in pushing my magic theory further as long as I’m progressing as fast as I am. My approach is obviously working,” Ilea said.

“For now, yes. It is a shame. The foundation you could forge through research and study would surely bring you further. Perhaps something you’ll remedy once your life has spanned for as many centuries as mine,” Meadow said.

“I’m not exactly looking to revolutionize magic. I can help others do just that but it’s not me,” Ilea said. “But yeah, if I live to a century or even longer, I’m sure I’ll try out different things.”

“On a more important note… I can teleport during Phaseshift,” she said and tried it out again just to confirm.

Displacement worked on objects around her too while the spell was active.

Meaning I can even move projectiles while it’s going on, she thought and smiled. The spell just became twice as good. Though it almost seemed like an overkill at this point. Now that she could escape grapples with her teleportation anyway, Phaseshift mostly just added some defense.

Still pretty good. And who’s to say nothing can interrupt my teleportation. I can do it, so others should be able to as well.

“The doubled resilience is pretty nuts though… with teleportation I could have tanked Zaiked’s attacks much more easily,”she murmured.

“Are you still unsure?” Meadow asked.

“No. No I think it’s worth it. Other options still exist but I think with teleportation available to me during its usage, it beats out the competition,” she said and pushed Phaseshift to the third tier.

Active – Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 1

Expending a large amount of mana, you can temporarily unbind your body from the physical and pass through barriers. You may let spells and physical objects pass through you unhindered. Be aware that certain types of magic will retain some or all of their impact.

2nd stage: Resilience bonuses from skills are doubled when entering Phaseshift.

3rd stage: You have bent space to your will. To avoid death and to cause it. You gain a deeper understanding of the Flame of Creation. Abilities sacrificing health may be used during Phaseshift with all effects activating once your body returns to its normal form. The duration of any resulting effects equals that of the preceding Phaseshift.

Category: Space Magic

Ilea read through the new tier and nodded to herself. Basically a safe space to stack Flare of Creation before it’s unleashed?

She tried it out, activating the third tier health sacrifice at its current six hundred health per second. The flames didn’t form around her but her health was still reduced. Can’t do more than six hundred per second in here either. Wait a minute. It said Abilities sacrificing health?

Ilea used her third tier Azarinth Awakening, putting a whopping five thousand health into the skill. Nothing happened as her third tier healing pushed her health back to the max. She repeated it four times.

Four seconds had passed and Phaseshift’s upkeep was steadily growing. She deactivated it, another second of the skill passing as the space slightly shifted. She appeared once more, a bright white flame flaring out on her body coupled with intense blue light from her azarinth runes she uncovered by moving her armor.

Holy shit.

She actually felt the change.

The difference her third tier aura added was barely noticeable at this point, partially because of the diminishing returns of her various inflated stats but mostly because she already had incredible bonuses active at all times. Another few hundred points in whatever she boosted hardly made a difference.

Ilea didn’t know if it was just the amount of health she sacrificed or the duration it was applied to. I can just dump my whole health pool into the skill while Phaseshift protects me against enemy attacks.

She was pretty sure her Awakening wouldn’t flare up this much if she tried the same normally.

So she did and confirmed that while she could regulate the strength of her third tier Awakening boost, there was an upper limit. Phaseshift however ignored that entirely, providing the bonuses for however much health she had invested during its active time.

Chapter 541 Beatdown

Chapter 541 Beatdown

Ilea tested her newfound abilities a little longer, making sure that various grapples or touching meadow still allowed her to blink or displace herself. Everything seemed to work fine.

Her third tier of Phaseshift wasn’t unlimited either. Her third tier healing didn’t recover her health instantly. Near that but not instantly. Her sacrifices could be stacked and increased due to the third tier’s nature but there was a point where it simply wasn’t efficient anymore due to how much mana her recovery cost and the gradually less meaningful returns.

Ilea covered the ground in ash, activating phaseshift and keeping it active for a few seconds, all the while using her full health sacrifice to fuel Flare of Creation.

The spell deactivated and she burst into flame. Ilea kept Flare of Creation’s third tier active however, extending the flames to the ash already prepared.

By now the flames were bright and blazing, moving as Ilea moved the ash.

A few seconds passed and they dimmed noticeably. She stopped fueling it with additional health and watched the flames dim once more.

Double the power… for a while, she thought and smirked. I need more health.

It would only get more expensive the higher Flare of Creation leveled.

“A beautiful little flame,” Meadow said.

“Don’t mock me. I’m not a thousand years old. I’m sure I’ll be able to fight you by that time,” she said.

“Aw. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make fun of your achievement. I meant what I said. You simply don’t have the resources to form something I’d consider an actual flame,” Meadow said and patted her back with some wood.

Still don’t know if it’s being sarcastic, Ilea thought. She really had taught the tree too well. Or was it just a coincidence? The Ice Elemental was much less snarky, that much was true. It was asleep again. By now she was glad the creature hadn’t eaten her for waking her up previously.

Petting her was still an impossible task, its defenses still quite potent despite its state. Whenever it twitched or moved in its dreams, the being destroyed a part of the hall, quickly repaired by Meadow.

It was an impractical pet but Ilea still liked the idea.

Her and the Trakorov would make a wonderful pair. They could cuddle up. Maybe the heat and cold thing might be an issue. Or a benefit.

“She’s just so cute, isn’t she?” Ilea asked, looking at the absolutely massive wolf creature.

“She is,” Meadow agreed. “I’m proud to have helped her achieve more sapience.”

“Can she have children?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t think so. She lacks any reproductive organs though Elementals are a mystery to me anyway. Perhaps she can split somehow or form a smaller version of herself? Maybe one that you could pet?” Meadow suggested.

“Now you’re just teasing me,” Ilea said and touched the tree absentmindedly.

“About your gold magic resistance, you know I could just ask him,” Meadow said.

“I don’t want him to know how close we are. But I appreciate it. He’s going to owe me after all this is over anyway. If I don’t have it by then, that’s whenhe won’t be able to refuse,” she said.

“You’re too stubborn. You live to help others but refuse when help is presented to you,” Meadow said.

“I don’t refuse help. I’m just doing this to protect you,” Ilea said.

“Charming. But you forget that I’m an incomprehensible magic god. That human is nothing to me,” Meadow said.

“Don’t act so tough all the time, dear,” Ilea said. “I know that deep down you’re just a warm ball of a thousand eyes.”

“Don’t make me rip you apart again,” Meadow said.

“We could try you know, have an actual bout,” she said with a smile.

“No holding back? Ilea with all due respect, that wouldn’t be good for you,” Meadow said.

“I can’t feel pain and I can regenerate constantly. I’ll let you know once I reach the end of my resources. Or I can just teleport away,” she said.

“You forget that I’m a high level space magic practitioner. But if you really want it, perhaps you could put my mind at ease concerning your plan to stay here,” it said.

“You’re still worried? Really?” Ilea asked. “I even have a third tier drain resistance. What kind of levels are we talking about with the Daughters? Higher than Wolfie here?”

“No. Not those who would descend in two weeks. They’re probably between one and two thousand,” Meadow said.

“And they’re much worse at magic than you, right? So let’s try. Come at me with the intent to kill,” she said with a bright grin, spreading her wings as she flew back.

“I can’t truly think of killing you but I suppose if we’re testing your resilience, we may as well try. I’ll have to hold back to keep this place hidden but it should be enough,” Meadow said.

Finally, Ilea thought and activated all her buffs, except her health sacrificing ones.

“Then let me teach you a lesson, young human. First. I may be immobile but this, is my domain,” Meadow said, a powerful wave of mana pushing outwards.

Ilea watched on as a pale white barrier thrummed to life around the whole hall, bending around the Ice Elemental to exclude it entirely. It didn’t even wake up.

The mana waves that continuously flowed out from the center of the hall pushed her back physically, her wings working to counteract it. She felt herself tensing up, her ashen armor slightly shaved away with each pulse.

She felt an immense pressure that tried to hold her down. It was a familiar skill Meadow had used to keep her from moving. Ilea pushed against it, setting herself the goal of reaching the tree. Her wings flapped but she moved painfully slow.

She blinked but was pushed back by a barrier that formed where she had appeared. A front of solid rock formed around the tree when she was suddenly displaced back a few meters by one of Meadow’s spells.

Ilea started using her teleportation spells whenever they weren’t on cooldown, trying to get closer but always hitting solid stone, wood, or barriers that hadn’t been there before. The solid wall continued to build around the tree.

Every time she teleported, the meadow pushed her back again, only split seconds allowing her to deliver some blows against the wall of defenses. Any damage she dealt had reformed already once she appeared again.

An arcane barrier formed around the defensive perimeter, growing thicker with each passing moment.

Her spells coupled with Flare of Creation burned into the dense barrier but despite her efforts, any weakness reformed faster than she could cause them. Meadow even had a way to put her flames out completely.

“Barrier magic is versatile. I merely use it to protect but its offensive potential is quite staggering,” Meadow said in a booming voice, pushing against Ilea’s ears and mind.

She saw hundreds of tiny barriers form around her, each thin as a razor and angled in a way to cut her.

Displacement worked on them but her efforts were countered partially. Even when it worked, she could only move less than a fourth.

The view her precognition provided wasn’t promising.

Phaseshift was activated but the second it took to change the space of her body was too long.

She teleported but new barriers simply formed all around her, several hundred tiny magical blades cutting into her armor.

Her defenses resisted but were ultimately breached, her ashen armor cut deeply before her skin was reached. Phaseshift activated when blood started to show on dozens of cuts.

The barriers immediately moved through her, vanishing after they lost their purpose.

Ilea healed the damage, not that much thanks to her changed health calculation. Otherwise some of the cuts would have fucked up a few organs already, likely dealing more damage than a simple deep cut to her arms.

She started stacking her health sacrifice spells as a stone platform came into existence below her. Complex runes instantly formed, forcing her to teleport away.

The platform appeared right where she did, the runes coming to life just as two massive barriers formed in front and behind her.

They closed in, Ilea finding herself unable to teleport. Both of her abilities were stopped by whatever runic field Meadow had created.

Motherfucker.

The barriers stopped moving a few centimeters away from her phased body.

Ilea was sure she’d be paste once her body returned to its physical form.

“Will you survive it if I squash you?” Meadow asked in a normal tone.

“Have fun trying,” Ilea said.

Her body returned to its physical form, Azarinth Awakening and Flare of Creation exploding in power and intensity, the white flames instantly igniting the thick barriers.

Ilea felt the pressure build as the barriers started to squash her, the power of her spells not enough to breach the thick constructs, nor enough to teleport out of the magic field below.

Her body groaned, blood cells exploding under the pressure. Her eyes popped as all the air was pushed out of her lungs. She felt her organs tremble, her whole form slowly flattened between the two barriers.

Wooden tendrils appeared next to her and started digging into her body. When they reached a certain depth, they ripped whole chunks out, ignoring the durability of her bones by simply cutting through the connecting tissue. Phaseshift was still on cooldown.

Reverse healing, Storm of Cinders, Heart of Cinder, Absolute Destruction, plain old ash, and all the strength she could muster pressed against the overwhelming power. All for nothing.

New barriers appeared where her arms would have reformed, preventing her healing from recovering the lost limbs.

Ilea activated her third tier Displacement, squeezing one end between her back and the barrier, the other outside of the hall itself. She used her ash to squeeze herself through but the wood and barriers kept her in place.

When she realized that the exit of her gateway was blocked by a barrier on the other side, she didn’t know what to do anymore.

Meadow ripped her apart until only her head remained, barriers all around to physically prevent her from recovering the missing limbs and wood digging deep into her skull. Only her brain remained intact, left alone by the creature.

“Do I win?” Meadow asked.

“This is barely a scratch,” Ilea said and activated phaseshift again.

“Do I really need to push you further? All you’re doing is delayingthe inevitable,” Meadow said. “I won’t be using spells for you to absorb mana from. I’ll just keep your brain from regenerating fully until you run out of either health or mana. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?”

“Alright. Alright,” Ilea said, annoyed and disappointed.

The barriers vanished, as did the rock and wood.

Ilea reformed with a pout, her armor covering her again quickly. She crossed her arms in front of her.

“Did I miss something?” she asked.

“You shouldn’t have faced me in the first place,” the Meadow said.

“Besides that. Your barriers even prevented me from destroying the stone plates that stopped my teleportation. How did that work anyway? It formed damn near instantly, you’re insane,” she said.

“Your offensive power is simply inconsequential to my creations. I admit that my knowledge of your skill set allowed me to pin you down quickly. Had I not known it, it may have taken me another five to six seconds. Enough for you to escape perhaps. Or enough to surprise me with either Phaseshift or your gate creation. It is unfortunate that I’m a master of space magic,” Meadow said.

“Very unfortunate indeed. If you couldn’t stop my teleportation, I could’ve escaped. Right?” she asked.

“Of course. But the fact remains that I did. Your resistances are high but the sheer energy a creature like me can use to stop you will simply be overwhelming. Had you created burning ash below the barriers to damage the delicate runes, you may have gained a split second to teleport away,” Meadow said.

“I admit that I underestimated you. Anything else I missed?” she asked.

The creature laughed, a sense of serenity returning with the fireflies that once again floated through the meadow. The sound of flowing water the only audible thing in the hall.

“Underestimated. Said a level four hundred to one above two thousand. The first wave of mana should have vaporizedyou,” Meadow said. “The fact that you can even stand here without coughing up blood is impressive enough. Let alone demonstrating a real possibility of escaping the clutches of myself.”

“One, I’m not at four hundred yet. Two, demonstrating a possibility isn’t exactly the same as actually accomplishing said feat,” Ilea said.

“You power is entirely too high for an evolution at four hundred. But you should reach that conclusion soon enough,” Meadow said. “Perhaps once you’ve gained more power, you would wish to try again. I do hope I didn’t traumatize you with this demonstration.”

Ilea smiled. “Oh no. Not at all. If anything, this proved that there’s a chance.”

A sigh went through the hall. “A chance of what?”

“Me winning this fight,” Ilea said.

“You’re delusional,” the Meadow said.

Ilea shrugged. “Again?”

She spent the next few hours trying the same thing but as she adapted, so did the Meadow.

When she started to focus entirely on the anti teleportation runes, the Meadow simply covered the entire hall. When she focused fully on defense and healing, the Meadow still overwhelmed her in time. It felt like playing chess with nothing but pawns against an ancient grandmaster.

While her defensive and evasive measures failed, her offensive ones did so spectacularly. Nothing got through the monster’s defense even remotely. It even reformed the tiny cracks and scratches on the stone and wood it created. Not that it really had to.

After hundreds of attempts, she had managed to escape exactly zero times. If anything, she was getting worse.

Am I teaching this creature how to defeat me?

It didn’t matter. Meadow could have finished her a thousand times over by now. Wood harder than her ash could bore into her immobilized skull without issue.

The creature did compliment her bones but proved even them to be useless against its creations.

Despite her insistence, the Meadow refused to destroy her brain even once. If anything it felt like a slap in the face to her. Like a parent not taking off the training wheels despite the child’s insistence.

“I think this is as far as I’ll get,” she admitted finally.

“Your attempts did get better,” Meadow said.

“You’re not helping,” she said. “I’m going to hunt a spirit now.”

“Do greet them from me,” the Meadow said, a spacial breeze flowing through the area.

Ilea looked at the sleeping wolf and to the tree, unsure which one would be more terrifying to face. From the wolf at least, she might be able to escape.

Probably has a way to freeze space itself, and me within, she thought and left the hall.

I really should have started testing these new abilities with the Astrals. Now myspirit is broken and my day is ruined.

Ilea decided it was time to break other spirits to reform her own.

First, she needed a target.

She flew out into the cold, now actually much warmer than Meadow’s hall.

Her charged wings brought her into a nearby desert quickly, one use of Monster Hunter enough to wake up some monsters.

[Spirit of Death – lvl 459]

It looked a little like a scorpion but most of its form was melted and distorted, oozing with black slime.

Ripley would have a field day in Erendar.

The creature slammed its death magic enhanced stinger into her chest, the thing scratching past her ashen armor before it dug into the ground.

Flare of Creation activated as a mist of ash descended onto the creature. All of it ignited with the pale flame, reversed healing coupled with the fires quickly destroying the being both from within and without.

Five more creatures had appeared in the meantime, hundreds more running, flying, or slithering towards her location.

Three of them jumped her, Ilea nearly buckling under the weight. She managed to stabilize herself with a few ashen limbs. Space Awareness let her differentiate the flows of their mana, Ilea displacing herself upwards before Heart of Cinder fired from an extended ashen limb.

Much more manageable, she thought and took a deep breath. It’s really quite nice that the Meadow doesn’t like killing awakened creatures. And that it can’t move on its own.

She had finally grown at least some confidence in escaping the Ascended’s clutches should they meet again. Now she wasn’t quite as sure. Well Heart of Cinder already burned through its metal. I doubt it could pin me down even close to as easily as the Meadow.

The Ascended could create metal, meaning it too could form runes in the blink of an eye. Coupled with the space magic it wielded, she may still be in trouble.

Just kill more things. Evolve you damn shits, she thought, looking at her Classes.

Fighting the spirits was enjoyable but she definitely had to take a break for a day or two soon. Being among these incomprehensible monsters for extended periods of time wasn’t good for her mental health, whether or not she used arcane healing.

In a way she understood how mortals thought of them as gods. Even her puny old self inspired songs and struck fear in people’s hearts.

“Come on then, at least an Astral. Barely in their seven fucking hundreds and just a mindless arcane zombie,” she murmured to herself, letting the flames of death flow through her phased form, the creatures left confused and searching until her body returned to their fabric of space.

Chapter 542 Docking

Chapter 542 Docking

Nearly forty seconds passed until the first Astral Spirit showed up. Its body looked smooth, without any blemishes. For all she knew, it could’ve been born two seconds ago.

If that had been the case, her plan wouldn’t work.

She had charged Heart of Cinder for long enough, activating Phaseshift as the creature finally took note of her.

In the next few seconds of her approach, she sacrificed tens of thousands of health into her Flare and Awakening. The Astral magic she dodged with displacement.

The spirit didn’t take her as a large threat, instead using its manifested astral power to disintegrate the hordes of monsters below, their initial target completely forgotten.

Ilea let the creature work, revealing herself only when the next Astral Spirit showed. Her magic flared up with a bright explosion of flame and light, her fist lashing out to strike the being’s back.

Sentinel Huntress manifested in a forced mark, the rest of her spells burning into the creature with devastating results. Her mana made bits of the creature burst, the thick blood splattering down onto the icy desert.

Wounds opened and closed as her assault continued, its focus now entirely on her as both its area attack and concentrated beams burned away at her ash.

It didn’t relent.

Ilea renewed the mark when the hordes below started to die down, more Astral variants appearing in the area, adding to her falling health.

Every point of mana stolen would further inconvenience the creature but the burst of power she received from her new phased state still wasn’t enough to overwhelm the monster in time.

By now it was regenerating quickly, the blemishes remaining returning to pristine skin as it drained not only from her but its brethren alike.

Those in turn would drain from the others and Ilea, creating an increasing mesh of mana draining entities.

The Astral spirits effectively forced an attacker to overwhelm every Astral Spirit present if a single one was the target. The same was true for their offensive arsenal, quickly getting through even Ilea’s defenses as they grew in numbers.

She displaced herself a few times, adding blink into the mix as she created distance between herself and the spirits. Their spells at least don’t multiply each other, she thought. Would be quite interesting if they could combine attacks like humans with artillery spells.

Ilea smiled to herself as she lazily flew over the desert of Erendar. The lost mana returned to her bit by bit, her gaze focused on the single Astral Spirit she had chosen to mark.

She could feel it. Sense it.

The remaining Spirits of Death were destroyed, until they would rise again. Ilea didn’t need an additional sense to tell that the Astral Spirit had healed back to full again.

It was unclear to her how much mana the creatures possessed, let alone how quickly they regenerated but perhaps facing them like this wasn’t beneficial in any way.

Only about ten seconds passed as the ground froze again, streaks of burnt sand reclaimed by the unforgiving cold.

When the spirits started to leave, nothing but scattered bones remained from the large scale battle.

It’s just an exchange of mana, isn’t it? Ilea thought to herself. A natural phenomenon given form.

Humans had the capacity of harvesting energy from such phenomena, Ilea just had to figure out when, how, and where to strike.

She could gain experience from killing the death spirits, could gain resistances and skill levels from battling the entire group but the most beneficial enemy to fell would be the Astrals themselves.

The spirits didn’t leave as one, not in the sense of timing or destination.

All were gone in the span of a few moments, flying away at incredible speeds, ready to find the next encounter.

What do they even get out of it? Can they not regenerate mana themselves? Or is it just an instinctual need? To consume and destroy?

Ilea knew they didn’t drain mana when they weren’t injured so that shouldn’t have been their main goal.

Maybe they just like it? Like moths attracted to light, Astrals are attracted to mana. And the death variants in turn seek life.

Survival and procreation were the main goals of most creatures Ilea was familiar with but by now she had been confronted with enough examples that suggested a different approach to life was certainly possible.

The Fae didn’t exactly strive for survival when splitting up to travel the world at much lower individual power. Nor did the Meadow procreate in the same sense as humans did.

She did wonder if it was a change that happened after centuries of introspection or if it was something more instinctual, a difference within the species themselves.

Gonna miss this one if I continue with that train of thought, Ilea mused and focused on the quickly moving mark.

Her wings charged and she followed.

Just don’t fly back to Sephilon.

Sentinel Huntress lead her through the wasteland, most of it compromising of desert. The occasional mountain broke the monotonous terrain.

Clouds of frozen ice hung low at the side of the nearby mountain chain.

Ilea felt the chill even from a few kilometers away, the slowly moving giant traveling over the landscape in a steady crawl.

Another Ice Elemental? Or just a natural occurrence?

The temperatures would challenge even a high level Shadow with an Ice Resistance, or so she assumed. Her own body had grown so used to the surroundings, if anything welcoming extremes.

Feels good to put that natural regeneration to use.

The giant light blue ice cloud moved past, replaced by yet more desert. And Meadow managed to build a working civilization here.

Ilea thought back to the shared memory. Erendar didn’t look much different without an eclipse underway. It just looked boiling hot instead.

No wonder everything dies out with a sudden decade long winter after centuries of summer.

The mark is getting closer.

She slowed down, looking up into the dim blue sky.

“Astral. Right,” she murmured and shot up.

The air thinned quickly at her speed of flight, the high level of Oxygen Repository coming in handy. However long a battle with the spirit would last, her oxygen wouldn’t be the deciding factor.

Ilea stopped her charged flight, continuing on with her normal speed as the ground grew ever more distant. She could see the curve of the moon much clearer now, the air cooling more with each passing second.

Is this the highest I’ve been?

Ilea wondered if her wings worked in zero gravity but decided that at the very least displacement and blink wouldn’t be affected. If the Meadow couldn’t disable the skills without using complex runic creations, a lack of gravity wouldn’t affect them either.

The air had thinned enough to let her fly faster, any resistance it had provided gone near entirely.

All she heard now was her beating heart, her lungs useless at this altitude. Ilea just held her breath and zeroed in on the mark that grew closer evermore.

Eyes of Ash spotted the single spirit hanging in the distant space, its humanoid shape looking up at the dark planet of Sephilon.

All alone.

Ilea used phaseshift, stacking her health sacrifices for a few seconds before she displaced herself closer.

The spell deactivated and she grappled onto the being, a soundless beam of astral energy shooting past into the void of space.

Ash formed around her, spreading onto her adversary and igniting with a brilliant white hue.

The spirit lashed out, powerful spheres of astral energy burning away layers of ashen armor, its arms slashing at her with condensed power. Each strike that stripped away her ash revealed the bright blue Azarinth runes before the dark material covered them once more.

Blood both red and blue floated away from the spiraling forms of the two entangled enemies, both slowly moving down as the now weak gravity of Erendar pulled on their mass.

Ashen limbs slashed into the smooth skin, Destruction and Storm of Cinders dispersing their powerful destructive mana into the creature with every punch.

A bright sphere of fire and energy joined the spheres of astral magic, lighting up like a bright beacon in the eternal darkness of space.

The creature was hurt, more of its blood and mass floating down towards the frozen moon, entangling with Ilea’s ash, skin, and blood.

Its wounds healed only slowly, five more cuts opening in the time one healed.

The powerful astral magic cast near instantly burned away the human’s ashen armor. The beams moved past, fighting the tough dark material. It seemed fruitless, the magic gone as the human’s armor remained, gray moving towards an obsidian black as its density increased, all covered by a bright white flame.

Ilea didn’t let up, her offensive spells lashing out with all the frequency and mana she could muster, the mana drain and astral spells more nuisance than anything else. Flare of Creation burned away both her mana and the enemy, the effects stacked from Phaseshift still remaining.

[Astral Spirit – lvl ???]

Her Veteran suggested a little over eight hundred.

She knew she would win. The spells were meaningless against her defense, resistances, and regeneration. Time was on her side, each minute adding to her defenses and output of power.

Even if she couldn’t keep up the offensive onslaught for very long, she wouldn’t retreat. The mana it stole from her would only damage it further.

It just had to remain here, alone, facing her without other sources of mana.

The bonuses stacked during Phaseshift receded, returning her to a weaker state. Much of her mana was already gone after her excessive spending.

The spirit had been reduced to two thirds of its mass, blood floating away from it as the two continued to spiral downwards.

Storm of Cinders had stripped away its mana intrusion defenses, the Flame of Creation was slowing its regeneration, and her mana continuously poisoned the creature from within.

The many open wounds allowed her to use her ash freely, creating dense combined limbs and shredder imitations to rip through the tough material of the spirit, each touch and attack adding more white fire to her now blazing enemy.

Their speed picked up as they moved closer to Erendar, wisps of fire flaring up as they entered the lower atmosphere and sound returned to their surroundings.

Ilea prepared to use another set of skills when what remained of the spirit went limp. A few dings resounded in her mind.

She stored the corpse and slowed down, blinking a few times before she stopped in the sky above the frozen desert.

Alright, that was pretty cool, she thought and checked the messages with a bright smile on her face.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Astral Spirit – lvl 821]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 397 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 396 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 245 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 246 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 247 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 248 – One stat point awarded’

“That’s what I call pod racing. Or something,” she said to herself, floating slowly through the sky.

Ilea twirled and checked herself for injuries, her mana slowly recovering as she flew. Just takes too much out of me to kill a creature of that level.

The rewards easily justified the high spending, Sentinel Core once more providing a massive boost to her offensive capabilities. The stronger they are, the longer I can beat the shit out of them.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 5’

Not a long fight. Not a lot of danger.

She was surprised the two skills had even leveled, assuming each was close to the next level anyway.

Oxygen Repository is at twenty… could go up there and… no. Meadow is safer.

It creeped her out a little to fly up towards space. With a clear goal and a physical enemy in mind, her fear was subdued but to go there alone, just to choke on a lack of air? A small vacuum created by her tree friend seemed more welcoming.

No other skill leveled but she had reached her goal.

Turned out easier than expected. Alone they’re manageable but I guess the levels aren’t that good. And it won’t get better for the next one I kill.

She didn’t overthink it, flying back the way she came. Ilea had managed to convince Meadow of a huntress mark, the spell now providing a direction she would’ve had to find through landmarks.

“I’m so close. Do you really not think it’d be worth it to max out my skills?” she asked.

“As I have said before. It is unlikely that you’ll evolve at four hundred. Even your third Class is shaping up to be incredibly powerful for a Class beyond your species’ limitations,” Meadow said.

Ilea bit her lip. She didn’t have much time left here. Maxing out her Azarinth skills was impossible in that time, due to Sentinel Huntress. With her ash she only needed a few more levels but considering the last weeks, it may as well take all her remaining time to get them to thirty.

“Continue by the way,” Ilea said, her training with the creature resuming.

Meadow formed a platform below her, the runes appearing near instantly.

Several hundred wooden spikes appeared all around her, cutting into her as she tried to dodge and move around them.

Roots filled the whole arena, quickly growing in all directions as pale white flames and ash tried to fight back against the powerful creation.

The growth didn’t stop, overwhelming her offensive power with sheer density and resilience.

Ilea soon found herself unable to teleport not just due to the platform but mostly because she simply couldn’t get past the sheer mass of wood.

Phaseshift activated, the wood quickly filling in the space where she would have been. The runes below were now the only thing preventing her teleportation but it proved to be enough.

“It’s just getting worse,” she sighed.

Meadow laughed. “You are trapped in my forest.”

“What happens if I appear now?” she asked.

“Either your body will prevail, or the wood will,” Meadow said.

“Very funny,” Ilea sent.

“Maybe I could give you a helping branch,” Meadow suggested.

“I’m all ears. My mana is running out,” Ilea said and smiled.

“The runes carved into the platform below, the field it creates, the very mana that flows from my form into each,” Meadow said.

“What about them?” Ilea asked.

Meadow remained silent.

The seconds ticked past.

Ilea strained her senses, focusing fully onto the platform of stone now hidden below her phased form and the sea of roots.

What about the runes?

She saw the stone in her sphere, saw the runes, saw the magic within them and she saw the way it all warped the space and mana within its area of influence.

And she had no idea what it meant.

The cost of Phaseshift maxed out, her mana now consumed in chunks of several thousand per second. Far too much for her regeneration to sustain.

Mana flows from its body into the platform, the runes use that to create-

Phaseshift deactivated, her body appearing within the roots as her spell tried to move her aside. She flickered a few times before her armor exploded, roots splintering, and bones groaning.

Her flesh ripped, penetrated by wood, both sides pushing on each other for the ownership of each cubic millimeter. Her ash and flesh lost as much as it won, her skeleton at least surviving the sudden appearance without major injuries.

Ilea still found herself severely mangled and stuck within the forest of roots.

Her health was down a third but recovered quickly, much of the damage however difficult to heal with the roots occupying everything around her.

Ilea didn’t feel the pain nor did she care overly much about her circumstances. It was obvious by now that Meadow could crush her with whatever spell or magic it wanted to use.

Instead she continued to study the platform.

Perceive and differentiate magical frameworks.

The roots around her dug into her ash with every passing moment.

Could I see the runes themselves? The magic that flows in?

Or the field it generates?

“I give up,” she said as the wood bored into her skin.

“Disappointing. My vague comment didn’t lead to a revelation?” Meadow asked as the whole dense system of roots dissipated into mana.

“Not exactly… but you were talking about the frameworks, right?” Ilea asked.

A windless gust of pure mana moved through the hall. “Or perhaps it did,” Meadow mused.

The platform remained and Ilea kept her focus on it.

“Perhaps we should start with something a little less challenging,” the creature said as ninety percent of the runes changed into solid stone, the remaining ones changing shapes before a new effect manifested.

“Teleportation… without prevention of space magic,” Ilea said, the wisps and mana around her enough to supply the information.

“Yes. Well done. Your experience once again prevails over your primitive knowledge,” Meadow said.

“Yes yes. You could’ve shared this earlier too. Might’ve saved my life,” she said.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Meadow asked. “The chance of me physically moving Sephilon out of the sun’s gravity is higher than a Spirit forming an anti space magic field. Their primitive brains work much like yours.”

Ilea crossed her arms and sighed.

“Scared I’d advance too fast?” she asked.

“You show promise. Your arcane healing and resilience allow for strength far beyond your level. Adding space magic into the mix is almost ridiculous. Whoever that Fae was, you were lucky to meet them.

“I simply thought a humbling experience may be in order. Oh and don’t think this will be easy. At best it will allow you to escape my grasp. At worst you’ll just continue to struggle like one of those fish creatures you described, when they’re out of water,” Meadow explained.

Ilea just nodded along, staring at the runes with an intense glare.

Chapter 543 Training Training Training

Chapter 543 Training Training Training

Ilea didn’t get a revelation in the next few hours but she did feel like she got closer to one.

Meadow provided various runic systems and combinations for her to get a feel for them, not letting up with the constant insults to her primitive human brain, as was protocol.

“You have a reliable way of hunting level seven and eight hundred creatures. I believe you should gain every level you can before the closure of the gate,” Meadow said.

“You’re ignoring the evolution problem,” Ilea said.

“You won’t evolve,” Meadow said.

“Says who? The Meadow God?” Ilea asked.

“I won’t try to convince you. If you wish to enhance your skills, I suggest you go out there and use only those you still need to level,” Meadow said.

“I’ll do that,” Ilea said. “But we’ll still spend a few hours every day working on this. If you have time.”

“Between the weekly one minute conversations with the Elemental and my busy life of waiting for creatures to awaken, I think there should be a few slots open for helping you. Please speak to my assistant for specific times,” Meadow suggested.

“Your assistant keeps freezing me,” Ilea said, looking at the sleeping wolf deer ice monster.

“I’m too nice. She makes sure I don’t overtax myself,” Meadow said.

“That’s good. Wouldn’t want you to get a burnout. Plenty of time for that with your new cult in Hallowfort, oh divine tree,” Ilea said.

“I’ve learned some ways of avoiding that fate. The way you described them however, it shouldn’t be too difficult,” Meadow said.

“Let me guess, using overwhelming force and displays of incredible magic isn’t the way to go?” Ilea asked.

“Very funny. I wasn’t always all knowing,” Meadow said. “I’ll keep a low profile.”

“You’re literally a four mark being,” Ilea said.

“I meant my magic. I’ll just focus my more impressive efforts on people like you. Those who won’t sacrifice their children to try and appease me. It’s not like many can understand me directly anyway,” Meadow said.

“Fuck. I’m sorry that happened to you,” she said.

“Oh nobody died. Took me a few months to convince those responsible that their actions would cause my wrath instead of help. Not the smartest creatures those,” it mused.

“One of the surviving species?” Ilea asked.

“No. No no. They moved away, their cultural rites more important to them than my knowledge or protection. Perhaps they’re still out there,” Meadow said.

Should I tell it?

Probably better if I don’t.

Ilea heavily doubted anything managed to survive out there. That’s if they’re not as or more powerful than her. Even then, in the long run, it seemed unlikely.

“They might be fine,” she said.

Meadow sent an amused thought. “Hope remains but I understand the conditions required for life. Better than most.”

She smiled but didn’t say anything else.

“You should get going then, if you wish to level your skills,” Meadow said.

Ilea nodded. “Do you think it might be more beneficial if I use them against you?”

“No. My intent would not be to kill you. Not truly. Your hordes are the best bet. I’ll be here whenever you decide to return,” Meadow said.

“Thought as much. Still not willing to give me info on four marks?” she asked.

“Those I know of, you would not be able to best, nor do I know their location as I’ve said before,” Meadow said.

“Have you seen spirits of that level?” Ilea asked.

“Only the daughters. Death spirits form through the remains of those deceased. I have yet to see one reaching level one thousand but if there is a way for you to kill something at that level, it would be one of them,” Meadow said.

The millennia old creature hasn’t met a single one? Well good luck then, Ilea thought. She didn’t think it impossible due to its stationary nature but her prospects didn’t look particularly good.

“I’ll try my best then,” Ilea said with a smile before she vanished.

It only took a minute to be back in the fray. Ilea checked her ashen skills quickly to see if she could help them along somehow.

Passive: Eyes of Ash – lvl 3rd lvl 27

Increases your perception by 63.5% [508%] when fighting without a weapon.

2nd stage: Effects apply with weapons as well. Opportunity calls, you notice possible critical weak points on enemies with more ease.

3rd stage: Your eyes are vastly improved. Great distances and a lack of light won’t pose a problem to you anymore.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Maybe try to look around at the enemies farthest away? And focus on weak points.

Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 27

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers or release the attack in a burst of fire and cinders.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through or on them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect.

3rd stage: Storm of Cinders burns away all that stands against it, damaging mana intrusion capabilities of defensive enchantments, natural- as well as manufactured armor.

Category: Ashen magic

Alright, just keep attacking. At least I can use this one hundreds of times with my ash.

Ilea added whatever passive abilities she could from her third Class and tried to level Sentinel Huntress despite the likely low results.

A few hours later, she decided to up her game a little. Maybe the new bonuses might be enough.

Instead of fleeing the Astrals, she stayed as long as she humanly could.

There were six already present, all the death spirits in the area already destroyed.

Beams of astral magic flashed past as she pushed her wings to the absolute limit of their flexibility.

Her sphere and precognition allowed her to react much faster than a single spirit could fire its spells but the combined efforts lead to more than a few damaging hits.

With Space Shift, she could teleport a little more than twice per second, combining both blink and displacement. Each had a roughly 0.8 second cooldown between uses with the bonuses from Space Shift.

This time she didn’t attack immediately, focusing on dodging in a hope to level her Eyes of Ash a little quicker in the dangerous environment.

They’ll add astral area attacks and concentrated slashes into the mix once I get close.

Ilea sped through the air, watching another astral spirit arrive, its spells immediately forming, aimed at her.

She didn’t teleport yet, dodging three massive cones of astral energy with the help of her precognition and wings alone. Her wings got damaged in the process, the cones simply too broad for her to dodge efficiently.

Damage is still alright, she noted, keeping an eye on her health. Her armor was shaved away constantly but reformed just as quickly.

She swerved around the group of creatures, moving herself between two of the spirits floating close to each other and the rest of the group.

The maneuver didn’t deter any of the monsters, their beams still simply aimed at the annoying human that refused to be incinerated.

A large part of the astral energy slammed into the spirits on the way but they didn’t seem particularly bothered. Their mana drain however activated, now that their bodies had experienced minor damage.

Third tier resistance, here you go, Ilea thought with a smile. Any point of mana they drained would damage the creatures, in turn forcing them to drain more.

Just have to keep them in a perpetual loop, she smirked, knowing full well that their own regeneration likely outpaced the effects of her resistance easily.

Let alone the fact that they steal mana from each other. Wait, shouldn’t they all have high resistances too? Maybe not a third tier, I guess. If it works the same for unawakened monsters.

Another spirit showed up half a minute later, the encounter now not just reminding of a laser tag game but actively being one.

Pretty uneven teams, Ilea thought with a smile as she noticed the slightly reduced damage from her third tier Body of the Valkyrie. Five percent is more noticeable than I thought.

She failed to dodge five incoming cones, her teleports still on cooldown. Getting a little low there.

Phaseshift activated after she continued her dodging, displacement taking her behind one of the spirits. The damage reduction allowed her to heal much more efficiently, despite the higher frequency of attacks hitting her.

She even stacked some health into her Flare and Awakening, if only for the increased defense both would provide.

When the combined efforts started to overwhelm her and both her teleports were on cooldown, she used her third tier Displacement in front of her.

The spirits didn’t grow any smarter just because there were more of them, Ilea sending eight continuous beams through the gate right back at the creatures.

She laughed in her phased form, stacking her auras with more health before the spell dissipated again.

Her resilience increased immediately, allowing her to take a little more of the magic head on.

Ilea’s laughter was the only thing audible besides the low hum of the spells trying to catch the fast moving human.

Mana wasn’t an issue, Sentinel Core filling her resources up thanks to her maxed out second tier resistance and the abundance of magic burning into her ash and body.

Minute number two, she thought, noticing the slight defensive boost again.

Phaseshift activated once more, her third tier Displacement however still on cooldown.

She displaced herself a little farther away, the increased distance forcing the spirits to move closer. Either that or their spells would simply not hit her quite as quickly.

Every millisecond counts, she thought, watching with joy as one of the now more distant creatures left the field again.

Why I wonder?

It didn’t matter. Another creature soon took its place but every delay in combined attacks would lead to increased resilience and regenerating health. The mana drain cluster already seemed to damage the beings quite a bit, at least one of them now constantly using the ability.

Ilea soon started to test Storm of Cinders.

The area spells activated right when she reached the highest possible range of her limbs. Ah shit.

Now that she was closer to the floating group, the beams reached her near instantly. It was close before but with her precognition and constant recovery, the difference was more than just noticeable.

Her ashen limbs vanished in the combined astral energies, only able to deliver a single dose of her spell.

Still enough, she thought, reforming her sixteen limbs after she blinked out again.

Ilea distanced herself, flying around the group of spirits. Phaseshift, use the deactivation time to get close and blink in, hit once, displace out.

She did just that, the timing proving to be a little tricky with her increased perception.

Every hit of her mana intrusion ability forced her to retreat for a while again. More spirits showed up as time went on but it seemed to plateau at around ten of the creatures. Most of them only hit with half their normal damage by now, allowing her to fly around the beings without having to retreat more permanently.

A third tier astral magic resistance would make it even easier, she thought, using phaseshift and displacement again to catch her breath.

Slowly, she acclimated herself to their magic, the way they moved, the frequency of their spells, and her resource management. The latter was really the thing it came down to. That and her own positioning.

With each passing minute, Ilea became more efficient at delivering Storm of Cinders. She was still forced back every single time, her health occasionally dipping so low she had to disengage the group with full distance blinks.

The difference between her and the creatures however was their limited ability to adjust based on her abilities. Knights of Rhyvor changed their behavior accordingly, just as much as the Specters of Rot did. Spirits seemed to care less or were simply incapable of learning, the comparison to a natural phenomenon continuously more apt.

She was forced to disengage entirely when the numbers rose to fifteen, the delicate balance shifting in the Astrals’ favor.

Ilea didn’t wait long to join them again, waiting at a distance until the monsters started leaving.

She reached them when three remained, annoyed she had to build up her damage reduction again but glad some at least had stayed.

They’re not coming back, she thought after half a minute, seeing a single Astral spirit join the three initial creatures. Guess I’ll just do this then, she thought and focused her entire being on the deathly training.

Ilea stopped when she thought that another full day had passed. Instead of disengaging, she marked a few of the spirits and fled.

She had moved through the wastes in her search for higher leveled spirits, the mark on Meadow allowing her to travel much farther without any danger of getting lost.

It was hard to know how much time had passed in her battle trance and traveling, the eclipse looking the exact same throughout her whole time in Erendar.

Is it just a long day? Maybe we’re close to one of the poles?

Might have been more than two days even. I’m a little hungry, she noted. Meditation was both useful and dangerous when it came to situations like this. Could’ve just gone on. As long as my resources remain and neither sleep or food is necessary. Might be a part of Mental Resistance too, or even some of my Class skills?

The training was efficient. She was in danger and she could focus on her few skills. But it wasn’t enough. Not even close.

I’d need at least another few weeks toget them to thirty. Fuck.

The marks were there, floating away as she remained in the air, indecisive. I’m stalling. For uncertain benefits.

What if Meadow was right and there isn’t an evolution at all?

So much time wasted instead of killing these fucks for experience.

I didn’t even find a four mark yet. Just frozen caves, bones, and spirits.

She floated for a little longer, twirling a few times as she summoned herself a meal.

“You know what? Fuck it.”

Eight maxed out skills in each Class is enough.

I’ll use the marks. Make an impression at least before I leave this godforsaken place.

Ilea followed the closest marked spirit, this one residing much lower in the atmosphere than the first one she had hunted down.

Finally, payback time for all that boring, fucking, training!

Phaseshift deactivated after a blink, tens of thousands of health flaring up in the form of white flames, her body empowered by Azarinth Awakening.

She easily grappled the unwieldy creature, her fists and ashen limbs striking into the creature. Destructive mana slowly overwhelmed the spirit as it tried to kill her.

Her ash didn’t yield, each spell the creature used further fueling her offensive capabilities.

Ilea didn’t reach the first minute of her third tier Valkyrie skill, the Astral Spirit killed and stored within her necklace.

And so it begins.

She checked the few messages from her training, on her way to the next marked monster. It would take more than these to push her past four hundred.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Astral Spirit – lvl 742]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 249 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 250 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 251 – One stat point awarded’

At least my third Class is coming along nicely.

Ilea continued to hunt down spirits, killing twelve of them until she finally reached her short term goal.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinelhas reached lvl 398 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinelhas reached lvl 399 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinelhas reached lvl 400 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 397 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 398 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 399 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ashhas reached lvl 400 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 252 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 253 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 260 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 268 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 5’

Come on.

Nothing else appeared within her mind.

Damn tree!

“Alright, five hundred it is. Should be easy enough,” she murmured to herself, searching for the next group of spirits.

Judging by the time it takes me to level my fucking Classes compared to my skills, I’m definitely catching up with the former.

Maxed out skills would have been nice for the various evolution requirements but I doubt an option would have appeared just because of that. Not with all my other achievements since getting the last ones at three hundred.

Ilea spent the rest of the day hunting Astrals.

Not even a fucking extra core skill point for reaching four hundred, she thought, beating her fists into the smooth blue chest of a spirit.

Did I expect too much?

I could already fight Zaiked at three sixty. I guess now it would be a much more even battle with phaseshift and awareness in the third tier. Let alone Valkyrie.

She frowned, crossing her arms as she watched the dead spirit float down.

I need a break from this.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinelhas reached lvl 401 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 269 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 270 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 276 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 9’

No training for half a day. At least not here.

She summoned another meal and made her way back towards the temple, her wings lazily moving on her back. At least you’re never disappointing, she thought, glancing at the bowl of food.

Chapter 544 Off the beaten path

Chapter 544 Off the beaten path

Instead of visiting Meadow for another beating, she left through the gate.

The defenders tensed immediately at her appearance, magic flaring up as their varying spells were prepared.

Ilea glanced over the group and blinked up and out of the city wall. She appeared inside the lake.

Hmm, why not.

Her ashen armor moved to her back, leaving her mostly naked as she enjoyed a quick swim through the monster infested lake acting as an oversize moat.

A few of the creatures approached her but left in a hurry once they felt her Deviant aura.

My level really should be enough. How did these creatures even survive? Attacking something hundreds of levels above your own is just plain stupid.

She smiled to herself, using her insane boosts to strength coupled with her Water Resistance to move in the lake with grace and speed that rivaled or even surpassed most of the native creatures.

Ilea blinked out and dried herself with a use of her fire sphere, her ashen armor appearing once more.

Should probably put on clothes again, back in human lands.

Her training in Erendar would only lead to an obliterated wardrobe if she tried to constantly cover herself.

The bone armor didn’t exactly hold up against the spirits or Meadow either. A few hits perhaps but after that it was caught in a limbo of regeneration.

I do wonder if a Primal or Divine armor would be different there.

She summoned the bone set but kept her ash intact on top of it, both pretty much had the same form anyway at this point. The bone armor just added a little padding from below.

Half a day off, she thought and took a deep breath as her wings spread.

Claire? No, she’s busy. Could fly north to change my blink location… but then I’ll have to reset it again afterwards. I’d rather just do the journey with Meadow in tow. Not like the storms or anything else would be an issue with that creature present. And then I have some company during the flight.

She checked her various marks. The ones for Meadow and Violence were similarly distorted and incomprehensible. Is that little shit in another realm? Without telling me?

Maybe he’s just home.

There were Claire, Dale, Violence, Meadow, Walter, Trian, Catelyn, Ember, and Felicia.

Might be interesting to see the siege of Baralia.

Felicia had left again to join Velamyr at the front lines, occasionally back in Gyffold for various hearings, councils, or whatever else the General dumped on her.

On the other hand, I’d just get involved again.

Just some time for me then, she thought and cracked her neck.

She turned and gazed at Gyffold, the city walls seamlessly flowing into the stone island below. I wonder if the whole island is artificial. Pretty extensive if that’s the case.

Ilea displaced herself a few dozen times, arriving in a grassy field.

“Are you some kind of eldritch being too?” she asked and crouched, chewing on a bite of food.

“No? I thought you’d know Meadow. You two look pretty alike,” she murmured with a full mouth.

Ilea checked the surroundings with her spells, finding a few tracks. Most of them likely belonged to small critters. Or large ones with tiny feet.

She chose the largest one, deep furrows visible to her sphere. Her eyes had difficulties picking up the tracks but her Huntress ability helped with that.

Skills are so weird. How does magic just give me the ability to discern this stuff?

She put on a set of casual clothes, moving her ashen armor to her neck. No reason to hide when I’m just staying here.

The tracks led her through the field of high untended grass. She heard a noise to her right and checked.

Nothing was within her sphere but she quickly found the two eyes staring back at her a hundred meters away. A small rabbit with two fangs sticking out of its tiny mouth, its fur brown and fluffy.

Can you see me little one? Or can you feel me?

She blinked close and displaced the creature into her arms. Healing mana flowed into it immediately.

[Vicious Hare – lvl 8]

The creature bit into her arms with ferocious attacks, screeching with anger and confusion.

Ilea carefully pet it, ignoring its failed attempts of breaching through her skin with the vicious serrated teeth. The hare soon calmed down, giving up on its attempts and settling into her arms as the soothing healing mana flowed through its tiny form.

“Level eight, hmm?” she asked, looking at the cute animal.

Pretty muscly. And aggressive. Never had any rabbits but I doubt they’d be quite as ferocious.

She continued through the fields, enjoying the cool breeze moving through her hair.

Ilea let the hare go after a few minutes. Don’t want you to get lost, she thought and watched it rush away.

Dark wings formed on her back, pushing against the air a few times as the woman ascended.

Anything interesting in the area?

Bunch of trees… a hill. Thrilling.

Oh, what’s that?

She sped up and closed the distance with the pack of large wolves, the animals hounding a massive elk like creature.

The scene could’ve come straight out of a nordic documentary were it not for the wooden roots forming near the elk to deter the attackers from time to time.

Let’s be honest, if there are magic animals on Earth, it’s in Scandinavia.

Or Iceland? No… those are the aliens and gods.

Ilea kept her distance from the creatures, not about to interrupt the hunt.

I could straight up fly to any interesting place on Earth now. The cold would hardly be an issue, even in winter. Nor food or shelter.

Although without monsters it probably wouldn’t be super interesting, she thought.

What level would a polar bear actually be at? Ten? Twenty? The mass alone should count for something I guess.

She shuddered at the thought of high level creatures residing in the oceans.

The wolves silently followed the large animal, occasionally jumping at its unprotected side whenever it was distracted.

The elk was bleeding, stumbling now as its wood magic lashed out at empty air.

She didn’t wait for the end, leaving the animals behind as she sped through the landscape. The north was definitely more interesting than this.

Hmm. I guess if wolves would be a problem for me still, it’d be plenty exciting to explore these lands.

Not a road in sight.

Ilea made sure she kept a few landmarks in mind. The mark on Meadow didn’t exactly help her with finding Gyffold.

Not like I couldn’t find it with my wings and eyes, she thought with a smirk.

She summoned the map Claire had given her and checked it for dungeons in the area.

Nothing in Baralia, hmm. Should’ve maybe checked that too before coming. Just all that useless military and nobility knowledge. Came in suuuper handy.

Could’ve asked in Gyffold too.

Oh well.

She smiled to herself, her idea of a day off from fighting was apparently fighting something else.

A few minutes of flying later, she spotted a group of houses in the distance. Stone with thatched roofs, surrounded by a shoddy one meter high stone wall.

Had it not been for the rising gray smoke coming out of the largest house’s chimney, she would’ve thought the small village deserted.

No animals, no people.

Ilea landed between the five buildings, her boots digging into the mud with her weight.

All this sport and all I get is denser bones.

Her sphere allowed her to scan through all the houses instantaneously.

Interesting.

The chimney producing smoke belonged to what looked like an inn. Or at least a building large enough to house a common room with various tables and an expansive kitchen beyond.

Ilea ignored that one for now, instead displacing herself into one of the smaller buildings. Cute, she thought, looking at the colorful spring flowers decorating the entrance. They had faded a little.

She could hear the heartbeat now, even through the thick wooden floor. It hadn’t quickened yet, displacement not producing a discernible noise.

Ilea quickly found the hidden entrance to the cellar, looking at the rug that covered it.

Didn’t search very well, did you?

She announced herself with a knock on the floor.

The kid stopped breathing.

“I can see you. Don’t worry, I’m not a soldier,” she said.

There was no change.

Doesn’t speak Standard maybe.

“I’m gonna come down, alright? Don’t shit your pants,” she added.

Ilea appeared in the tiny damp cellar.

She recoiled slightly. “Oh fuck,” she murmured and displaced both herself and the kid upwards.

The boy looked to be around fifteen years old, his brown pants and shirt simple but sturdy. Both his clothes and body were covered in dirt, grease, and sweat.

“Let me take care of that,” she said and spread her ash, healing the yelping boy. At least he’s not screaming or running away.

The bruises and cuts recovered instantly, the dirt on his olive skin removed with a thin layer of ash, his black hair cleansed and brushed at the same time.

“Feels better, right?” she asked, checking the house with her sphere. She found a few sets of clothes in one of the drawers upstairs, displacing them into her hands.

Just a very neat skill to have. Coupled with my sphere. Kind of what I always wanted back on Earth. Never get up to the fridge anymore. I wonder if the sudden displacement would cause a tiny vacuum in a good fridge. Probably not.

The boy’s mouth remained open, his lips quivering as tears streamed down his cheeks.

“Change,” she said and pushed the clothes towards him, a smile on her face.

He looked scrawny. Toned muscles however still showed below his flimsy shirt, likely a farmer.

[Farmer – lvl 10]

I figured, Ilea rolled her eyes at the information appearing in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 18’

Okay, that’s just a slap in the face. Really? Why not do that with my ashen skills? Three times each?

The boy took a step back, uncertainty flashing in his dark brown eyes.

“No, no. You’re fine. Just stay here and change while I check on the others. And eat something,” Ilea said with a smile, pointing at him and gesturing around herself, then to herself and to the inn. She summoned some food too, displacing it onto the nearby table.

His eyes opened wide before he shook his head quickly, moving towards her before he suddenly stopped. He said something in the native language.

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Ilea said and carefully touched his shoulder.

A moment later she appeared in front of the largest building, hearing the muffled voices inside as if the people stood right next to her.

“I’m telling you, tis the place,” a gruff voice said.

“Well he doesn’t know shit, alright old man,” a woman said.

Ilea saw four people inside. Three adventurer types and one Baralia soldier tied to a chair.

Should probably use my stat points just in case. Though nobody has even looked towards me. I doubt they’re particularly perceptive.

She put ninety points into Intelligence and opened the heavy wooden door.

Two of the adventurers instantly took a step back, gripping their weapons. The last one stood behind a counter. He finished pouring a bottle of ale into a glass before he glanced at the newcomer.

“Hello,” Ilea said and waved at the group.

The tied up soldier groaned, his mouth stuffed with a piece of cloth. A few bruises showed on his face but he seemed otherwise fine.

“What’s brought ya here, stranger?” one of them said, a tall warrior at level one twenty eight holding a large double bladed battle axe. His armor looked mix matched, the pieces themselves mostly plate and of good quality. His left eye was white, a scar going across his face. The wild gray beard and hair was full, despite his apparent old age.

His one good eye was focused on her, apprehension obvious.

“Was in the area, heard some screams. Thought I’d check in,” Ilea said.

The second warrior spit to the floor, a grin tugging on her lips. “What do we have here? A lone stranger? Scavenger, or perhaps a deserter looking to save a friend?” she asked, nodding towards the soldier.

[Warrior – lvl 112]

She wore thick leather armor, cradling the bloody brass knuckles she held in each hand. Long brown hair and toned skin painted an image distorted by the nasty grimace on her face.

“Pain, stand down. Not another word or we’re dead,” the first warrior said.

“A battle healer? Really?” the woman asked, taking another look over Ilea. She didn’t seem impressed but tensed up a little nonetheless.

“How did you hear any screams? His mouth’s been stuffed for a while now.” the man behind the counter said in a smooth voice.

He looked the youngest of the bunch, dark brown robes covering a set of light plate armor. His hair was short and black, intense eyes of the same color now focused on Ilea.

Ilea smiled lightly. “I have good hearing.”

[Mage – lvl 120]

He smiled and grabbed his glass, taking a sip as he continued staring. The motion was quick and smooth, not a drip of liquid rolling down his olive skin.

Handsome, Ilea observed.

“We’re not bandits,” the warrior to her left started. “Adventurers, here on a quest.”

“A quest? Can you pour me one too, beautiful?” Ilea asked, walking right between the two warriors before she leaned onto the bar.

“If you’ve got coin to pay,” the man said, smirking a little as he took another sip.

“Stop flirting with her you stupid fuck,” the woman said and rolled her eyes.

“Yes,” the warrior said, giving each of his teammates a short but intense glare with his one remaining eye. “A former mate vanished in this area a few decades ago. I’ve come to find him, and the beast or man that killed him.”

“Sounds good enough for an afternoon,” Ilea said. “I’ll honor you with my help.”

To her surprise, the brass knuckled woman didn’t bark at her again. Though she did look a little constipated at the sheer audacity.

“A healer is generally welcome but I doubt we could pay for your services. Are you a Shadow?” the older man asked.

“I’ll do it for one glass of ale,” Ilea said. “I’m a Shadow, among other things, yes.”

“You’re shitting me. A battle healer?” the woman said.

The mage raised his brows. “The Ashen healer? Lilith, the Shadow?”

“Don’t joke around, why the fuck would fucking Lilith of all bloody myths walk into this godforsaken shit hole of an inn, in the middle of Baralia. I veto her help,” the woman said.

“Because I needed a break,” Ilea said with a sigh, glancing at the mage. “May I have that ale, please?”

“Of course, coming right up,” he said and grabbed another glass.

“Why else would a Shadow show up here, Pain? Think about it. Because of us? To loot this place?” the male warrior said.

“Your name is Pain?” Ilea asked.

“Got a problem with that, shithead?” Pain asked, her stance changing slightly.

“It’s just very edgy. Then again, so is Lilith, isn’t it?” Ilea asked.

“We weren’t all born with gold up our asses. I earned that name,” the woman said.

“By torturing people?” Ilea asked, nodding to the soldier.

“No, I earned that long ago. This is just fun,” she said and grinned.

“That won’t do,” Ilea murmured and grabbed the glass handed to her, taking a sip as she walked to the soldier. “Why torture him?”

“We didn’t torture him. Just questioned, with a bit of violent incentive,” the old man said. “Turns out they came through here. Deserters the lot, came here and took everything of value.”

“Except a few bottles of ale,” the mage added with a wink.

“Why wouldn’t they take the ale?” Ilea asked. “And why did this guy stay?”

She leaned closer to the soldier and grabbed the cloth in his mouth, carefully taking it out before she ripped apart the rope with her bare hands.

The woman rolled her eyes at that. “We get it. No reason to fuck up good rope.”

“There was a lot of ale… we couldn’t carry all. I hid in the nearby woods and only came back a day later… I couldn’t do… couldn’t do what they did,” the soldier said, coughing a little after the words rolled out.

“Seems pretty talkative,” Ilea said.

“But he doesn’t know what we wanted to know,” the woman said.

The soldier glared at her. “I told you of the beast… the noises I heard at night. Something is out there.”

“Something is out there everywhere. We’re looking for something a little more specific,” the woman said and balled her fists.

“Lilith… if that’s really who you are. He knows what we look like, knows a few of our names. If you let him go he might bring the group of deserters to us,” the old man said.

“That would be the best case scenario,” Ilea said. “Would save me the trouble of looking. Did you take hostages from here, or did you just kill everyone?”

“I think they took people. To work for them or serve as fodder for local dungeons and ruins. We’re from Baralia still… not murderers. Not all of us…,” he said, his voice growing more quiet.

“Hmmm. I think I have some ideas. I’ll help with the monster. Any idea what it is?” Ilea asked the old warrior.

“It’s large… brown fur, claws and teeth that can rip apart a grown man in seconds. Hard to say what level it’s at but it could have only grown stronger in the past years,” he answered.

“And you… what do you want?” Ilea asked the soldier.

“I…,” he started but didn’t say anything else.

“Gyffold is cooperating with Lys. I could get you into the city if you want to,” Ilea said.

“He’s a soldier of Baralia. Do you have any idea what he’s done?” the warrior asked, taking a step towards her.

“Soldier stuff,” Ilea said. “But if I don’t have evidence or at least a few testimonies, I won’t kill him. Just for being part of the wrong side.”

“He’s gonna fuck you over,” the woman said.

Ilea looked at the man. His level wasn’t impressive. He looked fit, a look of exhaustion and fear in his eyes. Just a man.

You don’t look particularly threatening, she thought.

Chapter 545 Hunting

A note from Rhaegar

Hello all.

Quick update on a few things. TLDR: Will reduce to 4 chapters a week in October. I'll likely write one chapter a week for the new thing I've been working on (Leaves of Terranthir).

I'll post a slightly edited version of the info post I uploaded on Patreon a week or two ago down in the post author's note. Check it out if you're interested.

And thanks for reading :).

Chapter 545 Hunting

Something big and furry, Ilea thought as they walked through the small patch of forest. She hadn’t scanned the area from above and hadn’t used Monster Hunter to challenge anything inside. It would be more interesting to rely on Sentinel Huntress and her other abilities.

Ilea didn’t exactly expect a four mark creature to be hiding in the area. Not at ground level at least.

If it was that strong, she was sure it would find them quickly enough anyway.

“You don’t look like a tracker,” the woman said.

“Yeah, I’m not really,” Ilea admitted.

The group had accepted her help and even offered their names. The old man was called Horace, the woman really went by Pain. Baleron was the name of the handsome mage.

“Why didn’t you bring one?” she asked, checking the ground with her sphere and enhanced eyes.

I’m like a super fucking computer at this point. Just need some laser guns for the Terminator aesthetic, or a bunch of shotguns.

Getting distracted again. Man I suck at tracking.

“Tracking won’t help you when it comes to a fight,” Pain said.

“And a fight there will be,” Horace confirmed.

“Yeah but tracking would allow you to find its lair, set traps, prepare for what’s inside, maybe get something to counter its strengths, something to use against its weaknesses,” she said.

Horace chuckled.

“What?” Ilea asked.

“Spoken like a noble,” Baleron said with a tinge of disdain in his voice.

“Don’t have to be a noble to get a tracker into your team, or to consult local libraries. She’s right. But this is what we have. We’re not exactly from around here,” Horace said. “Searching the beast is just one part. I don’t want to kill it with poison or smoke it out. I want to face it.”

The man gripped his axe as he stared forward, his jaw clenching slightly.

“I see. Why are you two here then?” Ilea asked.

“Is this an interrogation?” Pain asked, checking a few scratches on a nearby tree before she grabbed a few berries from a nearby shrubbery.

“Cinderberries. They’re poisonous,” Ilea said helpfully.

The woman threw them to the ground after sniffing on them.

“Horace is experienced. We’ve worked together for a while. It’s only natural that I’d support him in this personal quest,” Baleron said, the mage wary of his surroundings, turning at every noise.

“Hmm,” Ilea said as they walked deeper into the forest.

“Talking to a minimum now. We’re getting closer, I can feel it,” Horace said.

Ilea didn’t disagree with the man. She casually summoned Quiet from her necklace and let it rest on her shoulder. She got a few glances but the group refocused on their surroundings again quickly, the matter at hand more pressing.

As they went on, she noticed a few smaller tracks, even a few empty homes of various birds and smaller critters.

Ilea made sure her Veteran extended to her allies, just in case the creature was above two hundred.

They reached a small creek flowing through the forest about twenty minutes later.

“That’s it,” Horace whispered, crouching down where a few sticks had been broken, the moss pushed a tiny bit inward.

Ilea raised her brows. I didn’t even notice that. Guess the Huntress skill isn’t quite that amazing.

Or is it?

The wind had changed and now she smelled something that made bells ring in her mind. Hmm. That should be it.

“The trees are marked,” Pain said, tapping one.

“That’s pretty high up,” Baleron pointed out.

True, Ilea thought, looking at the deep gashes. Not healthy for the trees either, I’d imagine.

She squinted at them but the only thing that appeared was [Tree].

And if I get it to the second tier, it’s going to be Battle Tree? Birch?

Ilea turned her head slightly, hearing a noise coming towards them. Quick steps, something small.

Horace reacted a few seconds later, ice forming on his body as the vegetation around him slowly froze. He made a hand gesture and a clicking noise.

Baleron turned towards the noise as a shield formed on his body, his spear poised and thrumming with power.

Pain remained in a mostly relaxed pose, power emanating from her as she took an obvious central spot between the four.

Ilea stayed behind her, the hammer resting casually on her shoulder.

No shout or cry yet, Ilea thought. The smell isn’t getting stronger either.

Her sphere picked up the critters a moment later, small salamander like beings with forked tongues and three eyes. They moved quick and somewhat quietly too. Not enough for her ears and the senses of the other adventurers.

There were eight of the cat sized beings, circling around to surround the group in a quick fashion.

Pretty impressive, she thought and watched the adventurers.

Ilea assumed the monsters weren’t super dangerous but was ready to intervene a bit more directly if she was wrong.

They emerged nearly as one from the various trees and shrubberies, hissing at the group as they spit a clear substance at them.

[Velean Lizard – lvl 58]

“Hmm,” she exclaimed and held up a hand to catch the liquid. It didn’t even sizzle on her skin.

‘ding’ ‘You were poisoned by Velean venom – You resist its effects’

Ilea licked the substance, finding its taste a little spicy. Not quite as interesting as Helena’s creation.

I wonder what the meat tastes like, she looked at one of the creatures. It stared back before it hissed.

She noted that Baleron had already skewered one of the critters, his arcane shield holding off the substance with ease.

Pain had climbed one of the nearby trees, her armor covered in spit as she rushed after one of them.

Horace avoided them mostly, moving around the trees to stay in cover and using his icy aura to slow down the monsters that got too close. His axe finished them with precise strikes.

Ilea displaced the monster ahead into her hand. A small spike of ash formed and slashed through its brain, killing it instantly. The heat in her body and ash grew, kept in check by her Lava Magic Resistance. She removed the creature’s head when it was about to burst, cooling herself down a little more to cook it more steadily as it was surrounded by ash.

When she thought it done, she skewered it and added a bit of salt.

The three adventurers stared at her with a mix of expressions as she took the first bite.

Not a lot of meat on this thing, she thought but kept eating anyway. Compared to Keyla’s cooking, it wasn’t even worth calling it food but she had to keep her addiction in check.

“What is it?” she asked.

“You cooked it… with ash? What?” Pain asked.

“Yeah. I can generate heat, and regulate it with a third tier Lava Resistance. It’s more difficult than I thought. A little overcooked too,” Ilea said.

“Third tier resistance, that’s a thing?” Baleron asked.

“Oh sure it is. The requirements were pretty steep though. Lots of resistances. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not a healer or enjoy pain. The latter can be fixed with a second tier Pain Tolerance,” Ilea said.

“What do you mean?” Pain asked.

“You can turn off your pain perception,” Ilea said, taking another bite out of the lizard.

“What??” Pain exclaimed with wide open eyes.

Ilea snickered. “With a name like that. You should really know about that.”

The woman squinted at her. “I inflict pain.”

“More benefits from enduring it,” Ilea said.

The woman nodded with a thoughtful expression.

Horace glanced between them but didn’t comment on it.

“Anybody injured?” he asked.

“My health took a hit but I’ll be fine in a few minutes,” Pain said.

Baleron walked up to her and touched her face, checking her right arm and her back. He used a spell and pat her shoulder. “That should do it.”

“You’re a healer?” Ilea asked the man.

He smiled. “Not exactly. A field healer. Has some offensive and fighting capabilities too. Better at stabilizing than full restoration.”

“More useful in life threatening situations,” Pain said and rolled her shoulder. “Normal healers often get overwhelmed with real injuries, failing to patch up the damage and just letting their spells do what they can. A bit of health doesn’t help much when you’re bleeding out.”

“Hasn’t been my experience. Maybe I only met capable healers,” Ilea mused.

“Lucky you then,” Pain said. It didn’t sound like she was mocking her either.

“Sounds like you’re a medic,” Ilea said to Baleron, throwing away the meatless lizard.

“What’s a medic?” he asked.

“Combat healer,” Ilea said.

Pain chuckled at that.

Ilea didn’t try to convince the woman. She really didn’t mind. The Medic Sentinels would make a name for themselves. She didn’t have to force the idea into people’s minds. Especially not someone who still refused to take it seriously, even though her teammate was one.

“Don’t get me wrong, Lilith. I know it works. I just always picture a bunch of girls in robes, beating the shit out of each other in training,” Pain said with a smirk.

“Pretty much,” Ilea said, happy to have misjudged her.

The group continued onward, the smell getting stronger. More trees were marked too and even Ilea manged to spot the tracks at this point.

She could see the ruin long before the others, stone pillars and decrepit walls overgrown with vegetation. The distance would make it difficult for the others to spot, the natural camouflage similar to the lizards they had encountered.

Few other animals here, she thought, the tracks leading them towards the ruin.

“No birds,” Pain noted, jumping down from a nearby tree.

“Few tracks too,” Horace said. “Something is ahead.”

Exciting! I hope it’s a Basilisk or maybe a Trakorov?

Nothing roared as they got closer.

Ilea sadly didn’t feel the presence of a four mark either.

Would’ve been annoying too if I got my four mark kill here. At level four o one.

The group slowly made their way towards and into the ruins.

“This is it,” Horace said, grabbing a few brown hairs he found on the ground.

An ancient stairwell led down towards a broken entrance that now more resembled a cave. Rubble covered much of the ground and stairs, the edges had smoothed out from years of use or something deliberately doing so.

Vegetation grew down into the entrance, little light reaching into the tunnel beyond.

Ilea could see inside with her sphere but couldn’t spot anything living. There were a bunch of skeletons, but what ruin cavern didn’t have a few of those?

“It’s down there,” Horace said. “I can feel it.”

“How?” Ilea asked. She couldn’t hear a heartbeat. The smell was obvious but that didn’t mean the creature was here right now.

“Heat,” he said.

Aha. Makes sense.

“Could be a fire or something else,” she said.

“I’d notice. It’s more faint,” the man said, obviously not comfortable with answering questions right now but doing so anyway. He had been the first of them to understand that Ilea wasn’t just some random traveler and he had remained cautious around her.

Baleron didn’t really care and Pain just didn’t mind being offensive.

Ilea assumed the woman would react the same way when facing a Trakorov. She liked that quality in a fellow adventurer. It was very stupid of course but a lot of risks were necessary to reach Ilea’s heights in power. Either that or an insane amount of time, preparation, knowledge, and training. And who really has time for that? Or the patience, for that matter.

“I lead,” Ilea said and walked down the stairs, her footing sure on the rubble, twigs, and smoothed stone. Her ash armor was hidden under her shirt.

The others didn’t complain, following in a small formation behind her as they prepared their torches.

She didn’t need the light, reaching the large entrance a few moments later.

Ilea gripped her massive hammer and stepped inside.

The hall beyond was spacious, at least sixty meters in length. Dozens of decrepit stone pillars stabilized the ceiling, some of them already broken down, others showing cracks.

Skeletons of various animals and people lay scattered on the ground, most showing bite or claw marks. It wasn’t exactly a tomb of a necromancer but whatever had brought their prey here to eat had certainly been doing so for a long time.

The stench was quite overwhelming but nothing that came into the top ten for Ilea. She grinned when the adventurers behind her recoiled, their torches bringing both light and attention into the place.

It didn’t matter much, as the only other occupant was currently asleep.

A man. He lay curled up at the end of the hall. He was naked, his thick brown hair grown to his lower back, his chest and nether area quite generously covered in hair too. Half his face was covered by a beard. It looked like he had tried to rip off a part of it.

Ilea estimated him to be around two and a half meters tall, his arms as thick as her thighs and then some. He still somehow managed to look wiry, not an ounce of fat on his massive body.

She motioned to the others but Horace had already signaled them to be quiet, the group carefully stepping over the soft earth, avoiding the bones and pieces of rotten gear strewn throughout.

They prepared their spells and weapons, slowly approaching the man until Ilea could identify him.

[Werebear – lvl 320]

Does that mean he’s going to turn at night? At full moon? Or does he just look like a hairy man in the first place?

Ilea didn’t know. Is there a curse or something we can break? Where’s Henry when you need him?

She focused back on the task, momentarily distracted by the dazzling image of a silver haired actor.

Setting a trap would likely be the best for the group. They had little chance facing a level three hundred creature as they were.

Horace hadn’t signed to retreat yet but he still seemed to be assessing the situation.

Pain looked excited to face the creature while Balreon didn’t reveal anything on his face. His shield was active however.

Let’s see what they do, Ilea thought with a grin, slowly moving closer.

A gust of wind moved in from behind, the flames of their torches flickering slightly.

The man stirred.

He sniffed the air. His eyes opened.

“Dude woke up,” Ilea said in a whisper.

The others looked at her but prepared to fight.

“Spread out, distract him when one of us gets caught. If he overwhelms us, lead him into a corner, collapse the ceiling. Baleron, you think you can take the weight?” Horace said.

“For a while,” Baleron said.

“We’ll dig ourselves out. Just slow the stones,” Pain said.

A chilling aura formed around Horace, the air freezing as the moisture in the area was collected by his magic. Ice walls formed behind him, likely the place they would retreat to in case the creature was too much.

Spells activated around her, mana enhancing the bodies of the adventurers.

Ilea kept her eyes on the man, his gaze now focused on her alone.

His eyes showed some cunning, understanding of a sort, but that of an animal, not a man.

How much do you get? Fight or flight?

Ilea thought and smirked.

The adventurers spread out, Horace and Baleron to the sides while Pain walked past Ilea in the center.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea if you attack it,” Ilea said.

“This isn’t the first high level creature we fought,” Pain said. “Watch and learn.”

“He’s at three twenty,” Ilea said.

Horace stopped in his tracks, glancing her way for a moment. “Then you’re right. We should-”

A horrible sound of cracking bones resounded, followed by a beastly screech that shook their very core.

Or it would have, had Ilea not extended her Veteran.

The sight alone however froze them just as much as the scream would have.

Ilea watched with horrified fascination as the already tall man burst out in a bright magic light, blood magic flowing freely before it congregated within him once more. His size swelled up to four meters, long claws forming on both his arms and feet. Fur grew near instantly, patches of his skin still bare but most of it was covered.

His head looked horribly distorted, his teeth sharpening and growing out as his skull was forced into a flatter shape, growing still.

Bone magic? And blood?

Maybe a Class that took over? A curse, or just madness?

She didn’t know. What she knew was that the man was lost, a monster born through whatever had caused this change.

His form now resembled a massive but somewhat thin bear, his shoulders slightly touching the ceiling of the hall, scraping against it as he moved.

Ilea felt a primal fear within her, telling her to run. It was a ludicrous instinct of course, her skills immediately quenching it. Bears. How did anybody ever thing of making cuddly toys of something this horrifying.

It moved. A wild stride fueled by rage, lunacy, and incredible muscle shot the creature forward.

Pain could hardly get her arms up in a defensive gesture when the bear swiped his large paw at her tiny form.

She wasn’t hit, instead appearing near the door with Horace. She blinked a few times before she realized where she was.

Baleron had resisted her displacement somewhat, either his shield or a resistance leading to him appearing halfway to the exit.

The bear howled and charged, its size and weight probably comparable to a large truck.

Ilea gripped her hammer and waited, her precognition letting her know about the coming attack. She swung sideways, her body moving in turn just like she had learned in her hammer lessons.

The hammer connected with a dull thud just when the bear’s head came into range. Its momentum continued as it barreled to Ilea’s left, staggering a few times before it hit the wall.

It turned slowly, half its head flattened. Pieces of bone stuck out as dark blood soaked its fur.

Ilea blinked in front of it and lifted her hammer.

The Werebear swiped its claw at her, a wing of ash materializing to block the attack.

The hammer came down, shattering the monster’s skull before pushing deep into its neck.

Ilea waited but there was no notification.

Were. Regeneration? Or do I need silver or something?

She doubted the latter. She would simply have to overwhelm its regeneration.

“Are you alive?!” Horace asked from behind the entrance.

“I am,” Ilea said.

The three adventurers had retreated but remained close to the exit. An unnecessary risk, she thought.

Good people though, she smiled to herself.

She stored her hammer, not about to turn this hall into a smithy.

Ash formed around the bear as its skull slowly reformed.

“Rest now,” Ilea said, a pale white flame illuminating the hall.

A note from Rhaegar

Be aware - I reference comments and feedback from another info post that I uploaded earlier. The content was barebones and the tldr is the same as above basically.

Hello all

This will be long - TLDR: Further insights into my decisions and thoughts in regards to split schedule / writing. Read if interested, or bored I guess.

I felt like writing an update in regards to the Info post I made last Saturday. First of all, thanks for the numerous and detailed feedback from all of you. I appreciate everybody that supports me and has supported me and I understand most of the criticism that was mentioned.

I get that many of you are upset about less Azarinth content. I'm a reader too and understand it well when a creator has to cancel, reduce, delay, or otherwise change a product that I am interested in.

For that reason I thought it necessary to at least explain the reasoning and background to this decision a little more. Because I think oftentimes creators don't communicate these things well, or simply ignore it. I already found myself reminded of large coorporations when I typed out some of my replies to your comments on the update post. But that's not who I am and not what I want to be.

I know that many of you won't give a shit about this but some do and for those I wanted to explain myself a little better.

Azarinth has grown into something quite large. Not by standard internet margins but for the niche genre we're in, it's definitely quite big. With that came opportunities, like it now being my job, tons of feedback, and even a small community I think has grown into something quite awesome.

And with that come responsibilities and expectations. I don't think I ever truly set goals or talked about how much I will post, instead trying to use words such as "likely", "probably", "hopefully", and the like. Because in the end, it's me. One human being.

I can't guarantee that I won't get sick, have an accident, get depression, experience trauma, or be otherwise impaired to deliver on said expectations. This is not to say I have experienced any of that. I simply mention it because I think oftentimes (me too as a consumer) we forget that people are behind the creations we like. That's absolutely normal, especially when you don't know or see the creators, coupled with the anonymity the internet provides.

I think balancing these expectations and reactions has been an interesting side of the job for me. Reading harsh criticism for something I worked on, disappointing people that genuinely enjoy the story, but of course seeing the positive reactions too. The human mind just has a tendency to focus on negatives more so, hence this additional post.

As the following grew, especially the insane amount of patrons, various things happened for me. Obviously it became my job, which is awesome. Next, expectations I had for myself rose. I tried to get better at writing, working on my style, outlining whole arcs instead of the ealier approach that leaned more on discovery writing. And by now I do believe I have a responsibility to continue this story so many people grew to enjoy.

It upset me that some commenters seemed almost fearful of me dropping the story, or talked about burnout as if I'm just another writer that's giving up on what they created. I've written 1.5 million words of Azarinth Healer. Please, have some faith in me. If anything, based on consistency.

I know the majority of comments were positive and supportive - Again, human mind looking at negatives.

Of course I do have to strike a balance. My mental health and personal happiness comes first. Because in the end that flows directly into my work. I'd rather reduce chapters or take a break than turning it into unenjoyable shit. And I'm talking about both the story itself and my experience writing it.

So I feel like I have a responsibility to write the story for you guys who by now are a little, somewhat, or very invested in. Of course I am dependent on the income I make from this too. I have bills like everybody else.

Typed out, that sounds pretty toxic but to me personally, it doesn't feel that way. If anything I'm grateful that something I enjoy doing can now support me financially. The following and expectations are what make me consistent in my work ethic and updates. You are what makes me want to improve myself.

So why the possible change then? I mentioned issues with excitement in my other post, in the fact that Ilea is super powerful by now. That I miss the excitement from a fresh start with a weaker character. That's all true but it's not all of it.

I obviously did something right with this story. But it's the only thing I've done (discounting the two smaller things I wrote before). In the last few months I began to think more about a few questions.

What if Azarinth Healer ends? Do you want to turn it into another shounen like story that just throws bigger enemies in there for her to fight? Can you create enjoyable arcs with a character that is more powerful than most of their peers and even enemies?

Now I'm aware that there are many reasonable challenges left. I even have ideas for several more arcs that aren't too outlandish. Seeing what an overpowered character can do now that they've reached such heights is also an interesting thing to explore. Especially in a more slice of life setting (most stories do end when the mc has reached these heights - I think someone commented that too). And be aware that I don't think Ilea is close to truly overpowered yet. She's hard to kill, but at least you can't call it plot armor anymore. It's actual fucking armor.

Even if it would find a reasonable end at some point, I can write about another character in the established setting and world. The questions however still nagged me. And I think in a way it made me not take risks or implement ideas I would've otherwise gone with. Because a part of me said that I have to play it safe, to keep the great thing that I have going. I do believe this was more a subconscious thing. Now that I became more aware of it however, I thought something needed to be done about it.

I've worked on the new project for a long time, trying to set up the world, create a system that made sense, mix in ideas I've rarely seen truly explored in stories I've read (granted I don't read as much as I did), and most of all write something a little different than Azarinth Healer.

Most of all however, I think I finally felt the burden of expectations and responsibility shift from a motivation to fear. And I was afraid, to have all my cinderberries in one basket, more so creatively than financially.

Now you don't have to like this new thing I'm writing. I don't expect you to even read it. It's not a replacement for the likely reduced AH quantity and you shouln't compare the two at all. I know people will compare them, I'm just saying it's not my intention to present something better, or newer. It's just something else. And that's that.

Something else that I felt was necessary for me to grow, to not feel stuck with AH, to free me a little from these fears. And it's already working. I felt like a burden was lifted from my shoulders when I posted that update. And in the long run I know it's better for the story you came to care about. Maybe you'll find you like the other things I write too, maybe you don't. That's up to you and critisism, as always, is welcome and encouraged.

Those are some of my thoughts and reasons as to why I'm thinking of changing the schedule. Now I wanted to address some more practical things, comments I've read, and random things I wanted to mention.

I know that launching my new thing like this is stupid from a financial and support perspective. I planned to write 30 or so chapters next to AH and maybe even publish it on amazon, or just post it as a side thing without any connection to my patreon.

And well, it didn't work. I've been stuck with 10 chapters for months.

Just understand that this isn't me trying to rake in more money or branch out with another most definitely super successful story (sarcasm warning). It's just something I felt like might help with the issues I talked about above. That's all there is to it.

Plus I do plan to keep AH up for free on RR except if I literally run out of money and have to publish it on amazon, hoping somebody gives a shit about it years after it's been forgotten and irrelevant.

Now I know that reduced Azarinth chapters is annoying. I get it. And I know this post doesn't change that fact but I do believe in pretty open communication and hope some of you can get a better picture of why this came up. If you didn't give a shit and read up to this point, hello there.

I'm not sure yet about specific upcoming changes because I'm not doing perfectly well in my personal life at the moment but I will keep you updated and obviously won't change anything in the middle of a month except if it becomes absolutely necessary.

Thanks for reading and for the insane support you've shown me in the past two and more years.

I'm here to write enjoyable stories for you to read, hopefully for many years to come.

Chapter 546 Of Gods and Myths

Chapter 546 Of Gods and Myths

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Werebear – lvl 320]

Ilea watched as the remains were eaten by the flame of creation.

“It’s done,” she said, putting out the flames and removing her ash.

“We saw,” Horace said as he walked inside, grabbing one of the dropped torches near the entrance.

“That thing was so quick,” Pain murmured. She remained outside, resting on some rubble in the stairwell.

Baleron used a healing spell on her.

Not a level out of it, Ilea thought. Understandable.

She summoned her hammer again and cleaned it with ash, pieces of flesh, bone, and blood wiped away in an instant.

“You really are her,” Horace said, flickering torchlight reflected in his one good eye. “Did you store the body?”

“There was none left,” Ilea said.

He nodded slowly. A chuckle escaped him, the sound slowly building up until his laughter echoed through the Werebear den.

The man calmed down again and smiled. “I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. You were here for a reason,” he said. “A Shadow, to vanquish this evil.”

“He wasn’t evil. Just a monster. Born by mana or taken over by a Class, curse, or corruption. Who knows,” she said, walking through the hall and towards the altar.

“He has killed many,” Horace said.

The others still remained outside.

“As monsters do,” Ilea said, looking at the symbols. She felt magic from them but they weren’t runes or connected in any way. Just infused blood, primal and full of emotion.

Are my lessons paying off or why am I picking this up?

“You feel it too, don’t you?” Horace said as he stepped closer. His eye flickered with recognition as he looked at the stone altar.

“You’ve been here before,” Ilea said.

He glanced at her.

“Yes,” he said in a whisper, checking to see if the others were close.

“Power was promised and power he received,” the man said. “May he rest in peace.”

“What is this?” Ilea asked, about to tap the altar with her hand.

“Don’t touch it!” Horace exclaimed. “Powerful blood magic has been bound to this stone. Now that Andre is gone, the magic is bound yet again.”

“Now I want to touch it even more,” Ilea said. “Will it turn me into a Werebear?”

“Don’t jest… these matters are… I’m forgetting who you are. It is… an altar to Varrah, a god of blood and power. You will be offered a choice, should you wish to gain power. Andre thought himself ready. I was the only one of the Acolytes to survive his change,” Horace said.

God of blood and power.

“I’ll destroy it then,” Ilea said.

“That is ill advised. We should collapse this whole place. It’s the only way to make sure,” he said.

“Why not do that in the first place?” Ilea asked.

“It was the plan. I had to make sure he was here, and that he was injured enough to die,” Horace said.

“You weren’t equipped to kill that thing,” Ilea said.

He didn’t look at her, instead keeping his eyes focused on the ground.

“Are you two alright?!” Baleron called out from outside.

“We’re fine!” Ilea replied.

“I knew he was hunting still. I had… hoped,” Horace said and sobbed. “That he would die. Of old age… another predator. I got stronger. I did. But so did he.”

Ilea slapped him.

“They would’ve died because of you. You stupid selfish fuck,” she said.

He recoiled, touching his face and finding his hand bloodied.

“I…,” he started.

“God of fuck,” she said and kicked the altar with all the might she could muster.

Horace staggered back. “What have you done?”

“Hey, finding four marks to hunt isn’t as easy as it sounds. And my Blood Magic Resistance is pretty damn high,” Ilea said.

The altar splintered apart, pieces of stone falling to the ground or hitting the wall behind. A surge of magic followed, bursting out from the symbols that had been painted and were now broken.

Ilea displaced Horace out of the hall once more, using her sphere to pull the energy towards herself.

The energy seemed almost graspable, wisps of deep red magic flowing within her magic perception. It moved slow, more like a liquid than anything else.

“You are. Worthy. Will you choose… to accept… this gift?” a whisper resounded within her mind as soon as the wisps touched her body.

“No,” Ilea replied.

“Regrettable. There is no vessel. I do not wish. You harm,” the voice said, growing evermore quiet.

The magic surged into her, burning into her armor and through to her skin and very blood.

There was no pain, Ilea healing against the damage as she’d done thousands of times before. She let the blood magic ravage through her own, the energy contained within her body.

“Hmm,” she mused, letting the residual magic dissipate within her, absorbed by Sentinel Core and countered by her healing and sheer resilience. Disappointing, she thought and walked towards the exit, large ashen spheres crashing into the pillars close to her.

The hall collapsed behind her when she emerged into the light.

“What happened?” Horace asked, his voice trembling.

“That mana… I felt it from here,” Baleron whispered.

“You guys should get out more,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“Werebear defeated, your friend can rest in peace,” she added and looked at Horace. “I hope you do the right thing.”

“Eat up,” Ilea said, putting a bowl of stew in front of the boy she had found in the basement.

He didn’t talk much, glancing at the three arguing adventurers.

“You stupid fucking retarded shit eating fuckbag of a blood sucking vulture!” Pain spat more than said, her fingers tapping Horace’s armor with loud clangs.

“I’m sorry,” the man murmured. It was the only thing he had said for the past ten minutes.

At least they hadn’t killed him yet.

Baleron joined Ilea and the boy, sitting down with a sigh.

“You don’t seem to give a shit?” Ilea said, eating a few bites of the stew the mage had cooked.

“I was surprised. But to be honest, I kind of expected it. All men have their secrets. And in the end, we came out alive, and stronger,” he said.

“Yeah, because I was there,” Ilea said.

“A sign perhaps. Luck is not random. We were meant to survive, and we have. Horace is only a piece of fate, as are you,” he said.

“How do I get fate resistance?” Ilea asked.

He chuckled.

“Sure she won’t kill him?” Ilea asked.

Baleron waved her off. “It’s not the first time. He’s a good adventurer. Experienced. Not the best or most honest man. We know.”

“And you still stay with him?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“You should never trust a man without failings. I’m relieved this remnant of his past has been taken care of. Now we can profit from being here during the war, as we had intended,” he said.

“I guess,” Ilea said and sipped one her ale. She remembered Edwin and his group, even her Shadow team hadn’t been exactly forthright with their intentions. It had caused a lot of issues for her, Ilea simply being more trusting and naive at her core.

She hoped her experienced had made her a little more prone to sense these things but by now she had reached such a level of power, where it rarely even mattered. The Meadow could cause major issues for her if her trust had been misplaced. By now she just doubted that heavily.

The Lily she met with scrutiny from the start. But even Hector wouldn’t be stupid enough to go against her directly.

She found she didn’t really mind Horace’s deceit. It had made for an interesting few hours.

Speaking of interesting, Ilea thought and focused on her mark. It was still moving, albeit slowly.

The boy was finally eating, not quite as intimidated by the group as he had been earlier.

“Lilith,” Baleron said. He seemed to taste the name as he said it, smirking in the process. He leaned back in his chair as he looked at her.

The boy looked up and glanced between them before he continued wolfing down his food.

“You really are the fucking worst piece of shit I’ve ever met! And I’ve met a lot of them!” Pain said before she left the house, slamming the door so hard it shook on its hinges.

“Is she gonna leave?” Ilea asked.

“Yeah. She’s going to kill a few monsters. I’ll prepare a bath for when she comes back. Always so bloody, our Pain,” Baleron said, smiling wistfully.

“Maybe you could draw a bath for me in the meantime,” Ilea said, leaning a little closer.

The man looked at her before his eyebrows rose.

“I can do that, if you wish. Though I believe it is something else you seek. Am I wrong?” he asked.

“Not exactly,” Ilea said.

“I see. I apologize. I don’t have that… need. It’s not you, I simply do not enjoy it,” Baleron said.

“A shame. It’s okay of course. You’re pretty flirty considering that fact,” she said with a smirk.

“I’ve been told. That is something I can enjoy,” he said and winked. “Though when the interest is obvious I try to be upfront about my affliction.”

Ilea shook her head. “That’s not an affliction, Baleron. It’s simply who you are. Some men like women, some like men, others simply don’t enjoy the act of sex at all.”

“Thank you. You’re actually the first woman who has reacted in this way,” he said.

“Didn’t exactly expect anything else from around here,” Ilea said.

Horace joined them in silence. He had collected himself a little but the verbal beating he took left obvious marks.

Ilea chose not to share her healing.

“I should’ve told you,” he said after a while.

“You should’ve,” Ilea said. “You’re lucky I’m not quite as vengeful as the songs suggest.”

“That I am,” he said and chuckled to himself.

“Make sure Pain doesn’t torture people anymore,” she said instead.

“We keep her in check,” Baleron said. “She’s had a troubling childhood and it’s gotten better over the years. Most of her wrath is now focused on monsters.”

“What will you do?” Horace asked, glancing at her.

“That’s none of your business, Horace. I do suggest you leave this place soon,” Ilea said.

“That we will,” he said. “Plenty of settlements between here and Baralia.”

“Your dept is vast,” Baleron said as he glanced at the man.

“How much you reckon?” Horace asked.

“Causing my death… five gold pieces. Withholding important information, fifty silver,” he said.

Horace grumbled to himself. “Pain will want even more. Ah fuck. Is there any ale left?”

The mage happily handed him a bottle.

Adventurers, Ilea thought with a slight smile.

She felt much better already, the slog of the past months falling away with the questionable company of the three adventurers and the survivor boy.

I’m just not made to stop rituals of mass destruction. Small scale stuff is just more enjoyable, like fighting Astral Spirits in a frozen realm.

Being around the Lily members and more importantly Meadow had ripped her out of reality. It turned out her break had been the right decision, to ground herself a little.

Still one massive battle to come, she thought, already a little more excited than when she had left Erendar earlier that day.

Only one thing left before my hunt begins anew.

_______________________________

Modano finally spotted the smoke rising in the distance. He wiped at the sweat rolling down his brow, inadvertently glancing at the rune on his hand.

It hadn’t been a dream. It was real. It was right there.

The demon had marked him.

It was said that Lilith slaughtered the army of Wynehold single handedly. The old adventurer was right, it really was her. He could feel it. Something deep within his mind had told him to run, to hide.

She looked so normal.

Watch over me Atiom, guardian of mankind. Let the mark fade and my shame be washed away.

He knew they would’ve killed him had the woman not appeared. He had no choice but to agree.

Already he had stayed in the forest, had barely survived. And now he had to find the very people he had sworn to forsake. Rapists, murderers, slavers.

He had known Baralia was on the wrong path, the teachings of Atiom were clear. All men are meant to be free, are meant to fight and protect. They were not meant to destroy.

It was good that the Empire had come, to bring an end to the High King’s tyranny. He looked behind himself when the thought crossed his mind.

A sigh of relief left him when he found nobody here to strike him down.

The suns would soon set, little light of the day remaining as he walked through the forest.

He had his armor and his sword but many monsters here would be too much for him to kill alone.

Another mark, he thought and saw the sign scratched into a nearby tree. Freedom it meant, freedom from the army, from Baralia.

He had been too naive to see that one master would be replaced by another. The same atrocities committed with different excuses.

Get a grip. She will come. You can still save those who are worthy.

He continued, soon seeing the distant lights of fires burning in the dark and torches held by patrols.

Modano didn’t know what he feared more. Atiom, King Baron, or Lilith. He knew that he was afraid.

The camp was near. By now he saw the simply stone and wooden barricades the deserters had constructed.

You’re a deserter too, he thought and looked at the mark.

He knew he could just go in and seek shelter. But the mark would remain. She will come for me.

His instructions were clear and he didn’t dare go against the Specter of Ash.

The mark on his hand dissolved as easily as it had appeared. He felt a cool breeze flow through his hair.

Modano gulped and nodded to himself. He gathered his resolve and marched on.

He knew one of the guards at the entrance, walking with as much confidence as he could muster.

“Modano! You survived!” the man said and laughed, punching the other guard in joy.

Caiden. I was lucky.

“I… was ambushed, injured. I had to take shelter in the houses until my wounds had healed. Sorry for showing up so late,” he said. Most of it was true. He just had been ambushed by the adventurers and not wild beasts.

“Come, I think there should be some warm food still,” the guard said.

“Are you sure, we should inform the boss,” the other man said. He didn’t look quite as convinced.

“We will. Hey Donovan, take over for a few minutes, will you?” Caiden said, gesturing to a man sitting at a campfire nearby.

The man nodded and stood up.

“You take over an hour before my shift ends,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Caiden sighed. “Yeah, yeah. Alright.”

He gestured to Modano again, already walking towards the crude stone buildings and tents that had been set up.

Modano ignored the others, walking slowly and trying to look exhausted. He didn’t exactly have to act.

This looks somewhat permanent.

They even added windows, he thought and gulped.

The company had over two hundred soldiers, only a few had left to join back with their families or to get to a nearby city.

How will she even get in here? They have a perimeter, guards, experienced warriors and scouts. This isn’t just some random bandit camp.

How will I get out again?

Conner will see through my lies. I should’ve thought of a better story.

Still have time.

Maybe I can add to it.

“Here you go,” Caiden said and handed him a bowl of steaming food.

Modano blinked, brought out of his musings by the gesture. “Thanks.”

He didn’t dare sit down anywhere, wolfing down the food where he stood. He hadn’t eaten anything in a while. Lilith hadn’t exactly been that accommodating.

Lilith. Right.

Atiom give me strength.

“How has the gathering of helpers gone?” he asked.

Caiden glanced at him. He looked at the ground before talking. “Good… good. Some folks are unwilling to support us, as expected. It’s the best for them of course. Otherwise they’d get killed by deserters or imperial troops.”

“That’s true,” Modano lied.

He finished his food and tried to smile. “Thanks, I really needed this.”

“Of course. I owe you more than a bit of food,” Caiden said, laughing.

“I was wondering. You know I’ve been in this area from time to time. Maybe I know a few of the prisoners, could convince them to join our cause,” he said. He had never been in this part of Baralia.

He suppressed a gulp.

Caiden nodded without a second thought. “Sure. They’re all inside a simple stone hall a few of the mages created. We try to talk to them as often as possible.

“You don’t want to get some sleep first? You’ll have to report to Conner later too, I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t want to be in your boots,” the man said and chuckled.

“I don’t want them to rot in there, or get interrogated. Not if I know them,” Modano said.

“Your choice, come on then, I’ll bring you there,” Caiden said.

The two walked in silence. The winds howled through the camp, a monster calling into the night from time to time. Nothing here should be approaching the heavily guarded and bright camp.

It was reasonably safe in the area according to their scouts, as long as the company remained together. Occasional attacks would happen but that was the way of things.

“Here we are,” Caiden said, motioning to the large square stone building without windows. It had a single entrance guarded by a soldier leaning his back on the wall. He didn’t even notice their approach.

“I’ll take my time. Can I find you again at the entrance?” Modano asked.

Just in case.

“No, I’ll be sleeping for a few hours now that Donovan took over. I’m in sector three, fourth tent on the left. Just come and wake me if anything comes up,” Caiden said and lightly punched his shoulder. “It’s gonna be fine. You’ll see.”

The muffled screams that resounded from a distant stone building snuffed out that hope.

It was exactly why he had left in the first place.

And now I’m back.

“Sure. Thank you,” he said and turned away.

Silence reigned over the nearby vicinity.

I’m here Lilith. I did as you asked.

Chapter 547 Challenger

Chapter 547 Challenger

Modano walked up to the guard. He was about to speak when the man vanished.

What?

He looked behind himself but there was nothing. He gulped and tried to open the stone door.

Need a key.

It was suddenly dark.

Where am I? Did I die?

A torch burst to light to his left, blue eyes illuminated in the darkness.

He staggered back. I’m dead.

“Don’t shit your pants, buddy. You did well,” Lilith said as she stepped forward.

Modano saw the outline of two men on the floor next to her. Soldiers. He didn’t know if they were dead but they didn’t move.

Her form was shrouded in ash. She stepped with confidence, her obsidian armor not reflecting much of the light.

Modano tried to follow her and stumbled on a root.

A few coughs resounded nearby.

We’re in the prison. How did she? The guard. She can move people?

He felt something on the ground, something like sand.

It felt warm, energy flowing into him that seemed to calm him. The scratches on his arm that itched suddenly vanished. He didn’t see it but he knew.

Healing magic. It’s different than what I’ve experienced before. Like a soothing song from a bard. Or the sweet taste of Kilproot.

“Don’t be afraid,” Lilith said. “I’ve come to help, if that is what you want.”

People started moving now, hiding before as not to be selected for interrogation, or worse.

The only light came from the woman’s torch, suddenly replaced by a gnarled wooden staff that started shining with a pure bright light.

The ground was ash, moving through the whole makeshift prison, touching each and every one of the people present. Slaves, farmers, hunters, and even soldiers. Those who would defy Conner.

“And who would you be, Shadow?” a man asked, his voice steady and calm. He stood up and walked past the many people around, occasionally lending a gentle touch.

Jensen.

The officer had kept his armor, proudly wearing the colors of Baralia. His graying hair and beard did nothing to diminish the order his sheer presence demanded. Even here, as a prisoner.

Modano focused hard on the ground, hoping the man wouldn’t spot him. His shame was big enough.

Opposite him stood Lilith. The woman didn’t have the same dignity. She felt more like an assassin to Modano, or a predator. Her stance was casual, showing no concern for the gravity of the situation and her position in it.

He feared it was justified.

“I’m the one they call Lilith,” she said.

A few murmurs went through the hall.

Jensen didn’t laugh or dismiss her claim. He looked at her with stern eyes. “You have fought against Baralia. You have killed hundreds of our men and women. Why should we want your help?”

“Lord Harken refused to surrender. I gave him an out, and he attacked. Those who fled or didn’t fight, I spared,” Lilith said.

“Cowards, the lot of them,” Jensen said, his voice firm. He sounded disappointed more than accusing.

“And what’s this then?” she asked, gesturing around herself. “I see farmers, slaves, people scared and imprisoned in a camp that seems to be made up of soldiers. Is that the proud Baralia army you think so highly of, Prisoner?” Lilith asked.

“Don’t think you-” Jensen started, a low growl interrupting him.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith. You are paralyzed for three seconds’

Atiom, protect my soul…

“I killed a man, one of your soldiers, who was torturing a woman in a small building nearby. I’m sure you heard her screams. I did. He seemed to have enjoyed it. She was barely level twenty. Now I’m not sure if she had critical information of army movements or killed a hundred of your company but frankly, I don’t care.

“Your High King has abandoned you, used the Order to sacrifice whole cities for a chance to enter the Realm of Life. The rituals were stopped, the Empire is laying siege on Baralia as we speak. And you, Officer, have become bandits that hide in the woods. Deserters who shouldn’t speak of cowardice.”

The officer started moving again. He looked tired now, his mind reeling with the information she had shared.

Rituals, siege on Baralia… they’re already there?

Modano had thought Lys would never be able to advance that quickly. He assumed they would fight at the border, in a war that would come to an end with treaties and agreements in a year’s time.

“No more slaves. Everyone here that was one is free now. The prisoners too. I’ll bring you all to Gyffold after I’ve dealt with whoever is in charge of this band of common thieves,” Lilith said.

“I can’t let you slaughter my men. Conner will pay for his crimes but they fought for Baralia. I’m in this prison because I disagreed with his methods and actions, as are others. He can’t kill us without facing a revolt. Many are split but the power of him and his closest allies is overwhelming,” Jensen said as he prepared for battle, several spells activating instantly.

He charged Lilith with a leap, his hand glowing with power.

Modano hadn’t seen the man fight but he felt the heat from where he stood.

Lilith just stood there, his fist connecting with her chest as fire spread on her.

He tried to retreat but found her hand wrapped around his wrist.

“I won’t kill you,” she said. Grinding cracks resounded when his wrist was squashed within her grasp.

She let go of him, the man taking a step back.

His face looked slightly strained but he hadn’t even cried out.

“Why?” he asked. “Are you not the Shadow of Riverwatch?”

Lilith’s eyes seemed to sparkle.

She’s smiling.

“That was explosion magic, wasn’t it?” she asked.

Jensen didn’t reply.

“Not exactly an efficient use, is it?” Lilith said. “Don’t worry, I’ll give your soldiers the same choice that I’ve given to many before them. I will trust Gyffold to judge those who take my offer.”

Modano’s view suddenly shifted. He found himself flying, his arms flailing as the wind rushed past.

The lights below shined bright.

His vision shifted again, and again.

He nearly fell as his legs wobbled below him. Shouts resounded in the distance, far away.

More people appeared around him and yet more. Eight, maybe ten seconds had passed.

The sunlight had gone, but the early night was cloudless. He saw the frightened faces of people clad in rags, with dirtied faces, bloodied backs.

Some dared speaking, most remained silent.

Lilith appeared amidst them, Jensen close to her.

“I trust you can defend these people from a bunch of wolves,” she said.

The man looked around. “Form a circle, not too tightly together. Those who can fight at the edges. No light, no noise. Will you return?” he looked to Lilith with the question.

“Shortly,” the woman said and vanished.

Modano winced when Jensen glared at him.

“You brought that demon here. Look what you have done,” he said. But his voice lacked bite. He felt the same shame that drove Modano to desert his company.

___________________________

Ilea was surprised how many of the soldiers had noticed her quick evacuation of the prisoners. Most people supposedly didn’t look up but at least ten of them had spotted her.

Cloudless night doesn’t help.

Well maybe it might.

She spread her wings, flying high enough to be out of range of most mid range spells and projectiles but close enough for most of them to see a silhouette, moonlight to her back.

Her comment about common thieves had been a provocation of course. This was a war camp. She doubted that she could’ve infiltrated it without space magic. A few people still noticed her passing, just too late to understand the significance.

Shouts resounded throughout the camp by now, torches flaring up all around as the single entrance was shut with a quickly raised stone wall. Teams formed up, weapons and arrows at the ready. She saw the glimmer of a hundred spells amidst the light.

All of them had gathered in a central open area with various stone structures, ready to face whatever foe they faced together.

Veterans, the lot of them.

Reluctantly so.

She smirked.

Perhaps she could’ve used the imprisoned officer but she feared he would rally them up against her in the end anyway, causing more meaningless deaths for honor, revenge, or nationalism.

This time she chose to imitate the recent Werebear, charging down into the midst of the nearly two hundred strong group.

Monster Hunter released and washed over the people present, only a few resisting the effects entirely.

Now they know what and who they’re dealing with, she thought and casually landed on the soft earth, feeling the near palpable fear in the frozen warriors close to her.

She displaced them away to make sure they wouldn’t be hit by stray magic. She wasn’t here to massacre them after all.

Modano had been clear and the officer she had met only confirmed her views on this group.

The head of the snake was the most important. Ah, there you are.

[Mage – lvl 182]

The man looked confident in the face of his new foe. A slight smirk pulled his the edges of his mouth upwards but he remained stoic. Long black hair flowed out of his helmet. He was tall and broad but not overly so, armored in what seemed to be normal officer gear. Some of the highest level warriors and mages were close to him, most of them still frozen.

He himself wasn’t.

Second tier Veteran? Or maybe something else.

He looked to be in his thirties, tiny arcs of lightning moving away from his body.

“Greetings,” she said, remaining in a casual stance to make sure they wouldn’t run away or charge her in chaotic terror. Her Deviant aura remained off.

“An enemy of Baralia, don’t let her words poison you. Kill her,” the leader spoke and pointed at her.

It was clear that many hesitated but soon the spells came. Most followed suit, group pressure, fear, or uncertainty pushing them to do what was expected of them.

Others downright reveled in the joy of attacking her.

A challenge? Or because I’m the enemy?

Ilea didn’t mind. Free resistance training was always welcome.

She saw the projectiles coming. Ice, earth, fire, poison, arcane, lightning, light, for each type she saw, one resistance was deactivated.

Her sphere pulled everything towards her, her armor disappearing and replaced by a shroud of ash to keep her dignity.

At least the company didn’t let up, their efforts continuing, for some even until their resources seemed exhausted.

She smirked at the laughable effort, the uncertainty in the eyes of those that could perceive her still, within the bright explosions of magic, dust, mist, and smoke. She enjoyed the confidence in those who looked her way with disdain or boredom, qualities she expected from nobility and not from soldiers. Goes hand in hand around here, she thought.

Few of the attacks managed to deal significant damage. With her armor on, she wouldn’t even have a scratch.

Her precognition let her decide if she needed more defense. She didn’t.

Most soldiers here were slightly above level one hundred. Many waited with their weapons drawn, unable to join the ranged assault.

When the last few spells had hit, she reformed her armor. Ash swirled out in a circle around her, dissipating the smoke and mist, quenching the fires.

Many of the soldiers staggered back. Their resolve hadn’t been impressive in the first place, now challenged by the scene presented to them.

“Anybody who surrenders will be spared. You will be brought-” she started when the officer started laughing loudly.

“Don’t listen to her!” he shouted, taking a step forward. “You’re tough, I will give you that.”

He walked past his men and cracked his neck.

Are you serious?

“A welcome challenge. It’s been so booring lately,” he said.

Ilea didn’t know if she should sigh or laugh.

“A duel then?” she asked.

“To the death,” the man said and checked the straps on his bracers.

The soldiers around looked at each other, a few whispering some words in the native tongue.

“Lilith. You will pay, for what you’ve done,” the man said as he entered the cleared field around her.

Absolutely delusional, Ilea thought. I guess I’d do the same though. Maybe not to the death. Is this how Meadow felt when I challenged it to a bout?

“As will you,” she said. “I will bring you to Gyffold, where you will be judged.”

“SILENCE!” the man shouted, lightning arcing out as his muscles tensed.

Ilea crossed her arms and watched him.

Excited whispers went through the ranks as the man’s magic flared up once more.

He smirked and charged.

His speed was quite impressive for someone at his level. Even for someone at two hundred.

He spread his arms and took the last step to reach her, his body freezing as his skin turned to stone.

Ilea chose not to teleport or dodge, instead slamming a few ashen limbs into the ground behind her.

The officer crashed into her, a small shock wave of air flaring out when he came to an abrupt stop.

Ilea cocked her head to the side as she looked at him.

His skin and armor returned to normal, the man staggering back a few steps as blood trailed from his brow.

He looked confused, disoriented.

“Wh-”

Ilea closed the distance with two quick steps, her fist slamming into his face.

The force sent him flying for a few meters, his head dented inward from the single punch, both his skull and brain mere pulp as his lifeless corpse hit the ground with a thud.

“As I was saying,” Ilea said, looking at her armored fist. “Remain here and we go to Gyffold together. Flee or attack and I’ll consider you my enemy.”

Commotion broke out as at least thirty people rushed her with battle shouts, ten or so ran away in the meantime and at least five fell to the ground, bowing in terror.

Ilea used Displacement on the attackers, sending them up about fifty meters into the air.

She used the spell again to bring back those who fled, her ashen limbs slashing into their legs. It was possible that terror overwhelmed them. She wouldn’t kill them just for that.

Those who attacked however, she looked up and watched them flail and scream.

Some fell more gracefully than others. No matter how injured they were from the fall, they all met the same fate. A swift send off to the Realm of Death. Or perhaps the one of Life. Erendar wasn’t exactly a nice holiday destination after all.

“Gather chains, ropes, and cuffs,” she said and watched the soldiers move.

New officer in town, she thought with a smile.

The next twenty minutes she spend hovering over the group, watching them bind each other. She marked each of them with a slashed cross on their chest plates.

“Gather supplies,” Ilea said.

The officer looked around, his eyes resting on the dead leader for a moment before he faced her again. “You kept your word, Shadow. For that I thank you.”

He still stared at her like the stubborn old military man he was.

“You won’t come with us then?” he asked.

“I’ll bring you there,” Ilea said.

Displacement proved quite useful in moving even a group of around three hundred people. The third tier was more efficient when it came to distance but everyone had to actually step through, which made it somewhat simpler to just use the normal version of the skill that allowed her to move nearly thirty people at one.

It took a while but her cooldown was short and Gyffold wasn’t too far away.

She brought the group in front of one of the two gates that led into the city.

Her presence in the city was known, at least among the guards and soldiers. A few Imperials were even present on the walls by now.

It didn’t take much convincing to get the group inside, a guard captain already talking to Officer Jensen.

His anger at the sight of Imperials was palpable but it seemed he wouldn’t start a fight with so little information and inside an otherwise peaceful city.

Ilea smirked as she looked at him, vanishing a moment later.

Quite enjoyable for an afternoon. Though I guess I remained a little too long.

More than a week left nonetheless.

Let’s put it to good use.

She appeared in the ritual hall, flying through the gate before anyone even activated a spell.

“I’m back,” she announced and blinked into Meadow’s frozen hall.

“Oh, Ilea. You’re too late. The Daughters have come. What a battle it was! We managed to drive them away but it was close. The Elemental was injured. It seems only the heart of a four mark spirit can heal it now,” Meadow rambled.

“Come on, stop with the bullshit and give me some anti teleportation to analyze. I’ll go hunt again in an hour,” Ilea said and clapped her hands together.

“You are no fun. Perhaps you’re bitter, for not evolving at four hundred?” Meadow teased.

“Each level and achievement brings me closer, great god of life and space. Doesn’t matter if it happens at four hundred, five, or one thousand,” Ilea said.

Stone platforms appeared close by, runes forming on them before the magic fields thrummed to life.

“The unending greed for power. What will you do once there is nothing left to fight?” Meadow asked.

Ilea looked at the tree and smiled. “Cooking? Becoming a smith? Riding Dragons? Who knows really. I’m sure I won’t get bored. Worst case, I’ll have to train up a challenge. Starting with your lazy ass.”

A chuckle flowed through space itself.

“Ambitious words for someone so frail and tiny. I’ll look forward to it.”

Chapter 548 Catching up

Chapter 548 Catching up

Ilea spent days upon days hunting Astral Spirits, training with Meadow whenever she had social energy to burn on the god of sarcasm.

Its insight made the runes click far faster than she deemed possible otherwise.

It wasn’t that Ilea could comprehend how the runes worked, not really, she simply felt the way they distorted space and magic.

With Meadow there, the creature could show her hundreds of different combinations of runes that prevented, slowed, reduced, interrupted, or otherwise disrupted her blink or Displacement.

“Wait, I think I can see it…,” she said and focused on the moving framework. It was hard to grasp at active magic that wasn’t grounded in a being or material but instead was born out of runes and spread into the nearby space.

Moving a spell or magical construct was one thing, moving herself out of one specifically made to prevent that proved much more difficult.

She saw the connections and focused on herself. On her own framework, the mana that flowed through her, exuded from her, manifested in her spells and auras. She separated what she knew to be her from what wasn’t her.

And then she blinked.

Ilea appeared at the intended position and jumped up in joy. “Take that you fucking tree!”

“There is no need for profanity,” Meadow said.

“Don’t take it personally,” Ilea said with a wide grin.

“You escaped from one of the simplest constellations. A laughable achievement, but an achievement nonetheless. To think you’re the pinnacle of what your species is capable of. Pathetic. Maybe I should train Michael instead,” Meadow said.

“I’m literally immune to your banter. Save your mind powers. Also, honestly? It took me a few years to get to this point. I’d be more than surprised if I really was the pinnacle,” Ilea said.

“I would doubt it too. Your ingenuity and high potential is undeniable. The work and danger required is much. Your self regeneration and high resistance to damage and death allowed you to reach your heights far faster than most would but I agree. It would be statistically improbable if there are no other humans far above your standing. Though as you have said, they remain hidden, or perhaps they simply choose to not dabble in mundane affairs,” the Meadow said.

“They might be like me, just looking for interesting things to fight. The existence of other realms means a sheer unlimited amount of places they could go to,” she said.

“Are you suggesting there are humans of all things, capable of traveling through realms?” Meadow asked in an exaggerated voice.

“We were the ones to answer your call after all. Not super gracefully but that’s how it is,” Ilea said with a smidgen of pride. The horrific blood rituals after all weren’t exactly efficient.

“You act like you had a part in that,” Meadow said.

“Shut up and teach me, old man,” Ilea said.

“I am not an old man. I am a meadow,” Meadow said.

“But you sound like one,” Ilea said, squinting at the tree.

“Hah! I used your voice as a base. Your mind would shatter if I talked to you with my true voice,” Meadow said.

“Please do. My Mental Resistance could use a few more levels,” Ilea said and nodded eagerly.

“That was a joke,” Meadow said, sounding a little deflated.

“Maybe your next Class then. The Enavurin could teach you,” Ilea suggested.

“Another ancient creature you have met in your travels?” Meadow asked.

“Another one that sleeps all the fucking time,” Ilea said and stared at the absolutely massive wolf being. She blinked close again, nearly reaching it as the cold took over.

“My body literally should not be able to be frozen!” she exclaimed, frustrated as she found herself unable to move despite Heart of Cinder burning within her.

She blinked away again and quickly thawed.

“It’s a miracle that you retain an ability to think when confronted with the frost of an Ice Elemental,” Meadow said.

“I don’t want a miracle, I want to pet it,” Ilea said.

“Then that will be your goal. One even I would fail to achieve,” Meadow admitted.

“Really?” Ilea asked. The task suddenly didn’t seem quite as mundane anymore.

“It is not fond, of petting,” Meadow said.

“I mean I can see that,” Ilea said, summoning a meal and sitting down on an ashen chair.

Ilea studied a new anti teleportation field as she ate. “Ever heard of Varrah?”

“The name is not familiar to me,” Meadow said.

“A god, supposedly,” Ilea said. “Blood magic.”

“I would think most spirits here could be seen as gods in your realm. To those who do not choose the path of warriors,” Meadow said.

“True. Just thought you might be interconnected somehow. A god network or something,” she said.

“I am unaware of such a network. Though I have not traveled much,” Meadow admitted.

“I’ll send you an invite if I find it at some point,” Ilea said and gave the creature a thumbs up.

“That is generous of you,” the Meadow said.

“I’ll get back to hunting then,” Ilea said and stored the empty dish. “See you later.”

“I will perceive you at another point in time,” the Meadow said.

Normal friends. I’m not crazy. No. I’m fiiine.

______________________________

Felicia finished her report for the day and left her enchanted shelter. The word really didn’t do it justice. It was the first time she had joined the Imperial army in an extended siege but having hundreds of expert mages around really made life quite a bit easier, despite the circumstances.

Soundproofing, cooling, hot showers, even comfortable chairs and beds provided by the various craftsmen and women that had come all this way to Baralia or were recruited in the area.

Outside immediately felt warmer, the mana in the air more noticeable. The impacts now sounded louder and certainly closer.

Dozens of soldiers walked around in the vicinity, a few glancing her way. There were dozens more stone shelters in the area. Only high ranking officers had one for themselves. And all the luxuries still cost gold, it just turned out her personal connection to General Ryse and her contributions so far earned her more than she had expected.

A little too busy here, she thought and teleported a few times to get a little out of the main camp. Much of the area had been claimed by their invading army but she knew a few spots that were a little less crowded.

She stopped on a former meadow that had trees just a day prior.

Shredded apart, she thought, looking at a dozen trees bent away from a central point, their bark burnt, splintered, and destroyed.

Instead she looked for a more secluded spot, summoning a hot tea as she took some time to calm down and watch the sights.

The forest had been destroyed or manually removed for kilometers ahead. Steam rose from the two rivers flowing past and through Baralia.

The inner walls reached heights that compared to those of Virilya, formed into a star like shape to make direct attacks easier to deal with. One river turned in a bend, providing a natural defensive line for most of the left side of the city. The right one moved in a straighter line, vanishing into the forest beyond.

The field of battle stretched far and wide. As some of the smoke cleared, Felicia focused on what lay outside of the massive central walls.

An extensive network of streets and houses covered the ground around the walls, spreading into the terrain for several kilometers. Much of it looked like ruins, smoke and fire permeating everything.

Her vantage point allowed her a good view but she wasn’t looking down into a valley, not exactly. Several hills loomed both within Baralia and around it. Coupled with the rivers, the sight proved quite impressive.Not quite as impressive as Virilya.

Something lit up to her left, making her move her gaze.

A large cannon like contraption standing in the field a few hundred meters to her left concentrated a beam of red energy. She could only barely make out the people powering and maneuvering the massive contraption. There were eight of the cannons stationed throughout the camp.

The air seemed to be sucked in as her full attention focused on the magic. She heard a few people approach around her but simply watched.

Arcane energy condensed and was released in a brilliant streak of bright power.

Ten localized barriers formed near the central city walls towering over the ruins of its suburbs.

Five shattered in an instant, three more pierced before the energy exploded in a deafening crash.

Slow and steady.

“Major,” a soldier said, walking past with a few others.

Felicia nodded.

The energy dissipated in red clouds. No direct impact.

The Empire camp spanned throughout a large part of the forest, the core itself clear of trees and spanning several hundred meters. Compared to the Baralia war camp outside of Virilya, this looked more like an actual city.

The stone buildings were definitely efficient, defensible, and sturdy, though obviously not built with the intent of permanence. For that they lacked artistry. Cold and with a purpose, she thought and sipped on her tea.

Thousands of individuals bustled within the camp, expanding, building, repairing. Another cannon was being built at the back of the small city. In full view of the defenders.

She couldn’t help but smile at the thought, knowing how long the Empire had waited within their walls before coming here. How long wefled and hid.

The response to the attack came swiftly, hundreds of burning stones, spiked ice spheres, runed explosives, and arrows ten times that number came flying out of the city walls.

Shields flickered to life around the cannons. Many of the buildings were hit too, some flaring up with defensive enchantments while others were slightly damaged.

Another beam of energy already formed in the next cannon.

And so it goes, back and forth.

It didn’t bother her much, she found. In a way it was relaxing, to have some form of routine, watching their camp grow, seeing the volleys of magic and arrows fly towards them. It was a slow and methodical process, quite the opposite to the more direct confrontations she took part in during her various missions.

A few tents went up in flames from a cluster of explosive fireballs, twenty or so soldiers running around trying to get to safety.

She didn’t think too much of it, seeing the dozens of smaller explosions and battles going on in the city ruins outside the main walls. Pressure until they break.

Most of the eight to ten meter high wall protecting the outermost part of Baralia had been destroyed, turned to rubble by explosions and spells that hit it even now.

Downright puny compared to the central walls.

Eighty percent of the city landscape was outside of the highest walls, Baralia focusing even more on their central district than Virilya did.

The large guns were aiming for the center but the most active battlefields remained within the outer parts.

How many did they actually evacuate?

Felicia hadn’t been there at the very start, the chaos of the forest battles. Baralia had ten times the casualties, not committing their higher leveled mages and combat specialists to the less defensible terrain.

Few civilians not within the central district would have survived the extensive battles by now. She could hardly make out ten houses that looked to be fully intact. Hundreds of spells rained down into the city from the high walls, with no regard for their own, should any have remained.

It’s good the Generals agreed on the slaves and refugees at least.

The blood rituals and spreading news both among Order members and nobility sped up the negotiations with the many cities in Baralia. When it came to taking in refugees and former slaves, they didn’t have a choice.

Many would find their way to Lys in the coming years, she was sure.

The high ranking officers and present nobility had put a high importance on the logistics of feeding and protecting the refugees. Felicia had been surprised.

It really came down to interruptions in their own supply line, thousands of desperate people starting to steal and murder weren’t very conducive to their war efforts, especially behind enemy lines.

How many people from Virilya died when they fled the siege?

She sipped on her tea, distracting herself from the thought.

The same people responsible now sit here, allocating resources to keep themselves safe. The same people that hid within their central district.

It really was quite ironic.

For the common people, this battle here mattered little. Their work was gone, their homes were no more, the walls that had protected them would soon be breached.

All because of the madness and greed of so few.

Another sip.

Felicia had made a name for herself in this war. And she wasn’t done quite yet. But if she had to choose between the influence and trust she had acquired and the thousands of lives lost in this meaningless conflict, the choice was simple.

She looked at the mark on her hand and smiled. And how many more would have died without you, I wonder. Stay safe, Ilea.

A few stone projectiles impacted the ground nearby, sending bits of rock and debris all around.

Felicia pushed a gust of wind against the incoming wave, protecting her tea in the meantime.

Another few hours until sundown.

Most people below level two hundred had issues seeing at night. The real powers clashed then. Her strike team would try to infiltrate from the east once more. Maybe we can push a little further today.

She relaxed and finished her tea. The next council would start soon, a constant play between overeager young nobles and experienced veterans. She counted herself towards neither group, following orders and suggesting improvements when she saw them.

The siege was just as much about internal military squabbles as it was about actually taking the city. It was tiring, but necessary. She comforted herself with the knowledge that their siege would come to an end eventually. She just hoped it was less than a year.

______________________________

Ilea finished off the last mark she had set, the Astral Spirit slowly falling towards the icy desert.

She felt the call.

Meadow had dissolved its mark. Her time was up.

Ilea cracked her neck and casually moved her wings in the air. She let her armor move to her back, a shroud cleaning off the sweat, dirt, and blood that clung to her still.

Her wings charged before she shot off towards the distant temple.

She felt no difference in the mana surrounding her, had experienced no darkening skies.

There had been more Astral Spirits. But the change had been gradual, barely noticeable if she hadn’t spent whole days with the fuckers.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Astral Spirit – lvl 730]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Astral Spirit – lvl 782]’

At this point she could easily overwhelm the creatures. As long as let them separate before engaging.

With her speed and marks, she could kill one of them every fifteen to twenty minutes, most of that time spent on flying between her marks.

The remaining days had allowed her to hunt and kill hundreds of the creatures, if not more.

Initially, she had gained four levels form twelve kills. The speed slowed down at four hundred and more with every kill she got.

It still proved quite beneficial, the sheer level difference enough to reward her large chunks of experience.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 402 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 438 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 401 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 435 – Five stat points awarded’

With those levels came six additional Core skill points and a plethora of stat points.

Ilea wasn’t sure why her ash class gradually fell behind. Storm of Cinders and Heart of Cinders provided reasonable damage but perhaps her estimates weren’t accurate. That or other azarinth skills contributed more than she thought. In the end it hardly mattered. More levels would help either way.

Her third Class grew as fast as expected, the boosts from her third tier Phaseshift and stacked Flare of Creation contributed enough to her battles coupled with all the defensive options and Displacement.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 277 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 355 – One stat point awarded’

No evolution had taken place at three hundred or three fifty but by now, Ilea was focused on her main Classes mostly. If anything more came from her third one, she’d take it. By now however, she didn’t exactly expect anything.

Two eighty and three hundred had rewarded one Core skill point each. After that it was one point per ten levels, just like in her main Classes.

Ilea had gradually invested her stat points into Vitality, Intelligence, and Wisdom. Fifteen points each went into Endurance and Dexterity to bring them each to four fifty.

By now her status looked at least somewhat like that of an actual mage or healer.

Status:

Vitality: 1250

Endurance: 450

Strength: 515

Dexterity: 450

Intelligence: 1200

Wisdom: 1250

Ilea had debated often to invest some of her many Core skill points into her status. Just ten would net her five hundred points or the equivalent of a hundred levels.

She refrained however, knowing that new options would become available. If the upcoming battles demanded it, she would be ready to invest ten to twenty points immediately, just in case she needed the extra push.

Her skills themselves didn’t advance quite as much. An expected result with the short amount of training time.

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 1

Due to unfortunate and/or sexual circumstances, you have been deprived of air for extended periods of time. Somehow you have pushed through to survive. Your body has learned that it may not always be supplied with what it needs. You may survive much longer without oxygen and may store what little you can get for extended periods of time. Apologies for ruining your sex life.

2nd stage: Your body has adapted to a lack of oxygen. Extended periods without oxygen will weaken you significantly but will no longer be deadly as long as mana remains.

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

Chapter 549 Arrival

Chapter 549 Arrival

Meadow’s training had pushed her space awareness forward. More importantly, now that Ilea understood what to focus on, she could crack more and more complicated rune sets. Cracking in a sense that she could teleport out with either of her abilities.

The massive grass creature still had ways to keep her from moving but it admitted her progress was finally acceptable.

Her requests to have the Ice Elemental and Meadow push her resistances to the third tier with their insane capabilities were met with refusal. From the Elemental that was.

Meadow tried with its magic but failed, likely due to its lack of intent to actually kill her. The big tree was just too much of a softy.

Ilea had invested a few hours to incapacitate a lower leveled Spirit of Death, using Blink combined with Displacement to bring it back into her house.

The aftermath would have been a nightmare to clean for anybody that didn’t have magic ash. The lower mana somehow exponentially increased the black blood splattered with every wound she had dealt to the creature.

She really should have just used reversed healing coupled with her flame of creation but alas, she did not.

Michael greeted her upon her return from the desolate wastes.

[Mage – lvl 275]

Not a level… with such opportunities. I wonder how much he learned from the Meadow.

His tables and libraries were gone, only the five versions of his remaining.

He looked determined, not quite as tired as the last time they had met.

“Are you still interested in my offer?” he asked.

She smiled under her armor, the group looking like some kind of cosplay group who chose the same character.

“Of course,” Ilea said. “I’ll take back any notebooks you leave for me. No guarantees though. Your copies will probably die pretty quickly.”

“Let’s hope you’re wrong,” he said with a sigh. “The prize for bringing back my records will depend on its contents, of course. It will all be written plainly, without code or hidden spells.”

“Good,” Ilea said and looked at him.

He glanced at her before looking at the group of his copies. Then he left. Without another word.

Ilea watched his back before he teleported, shaking her head lightly as she turned back to the group.

“Left you to die without so much as a goodbye. What a dick,” she said.

“We are that dick. Though considering the circumstances, I do believe some self reflection would be in order,” one of them said.

Another one smiled.

“I suggest you fan out and try to stay at a distance where you can observe. One maybe close to Meadow but I doubt that one will survive very long,” Ilea suggested.

“We have our locations prepared already,” one of the Michaels said.

Ilea didn’t really care. “Just give me a quick signal so that I know where to look for left behind notes afterwards. Oh… and now that I have all of you here. Is anybody interested in helping me with Gold Magic Resistance? You’re a little too paranoid. Or your original is, I suppose.”

One of them chuckled, another one glancing at him. “I was sure she wouldn’t be this brazen.”

“Really? Maybe we gave her too much credit.”

“I for one am glad I didn’t add an order against using gold magic,” one of them said.

“Our actions can’t benefit a potential enemy,” another one said.

“I don’t see why she would fall into that category. If anything her actions have proven to be that of an ally,” one of them said.

“If you can trick your mind to support such. I find that I cannot,” one of the Michaels said.

“You lads are pretty individual,” Ilea said with a smile. “I thought you’re the same guy?”

“The process is quite invasive and surprising. Even to someone as experienced as us. To suddenly realize one isn’t the original, unable to go against rules set by our creator,” one of them said. “The reactions aren’t always the same. A human mind is complex and reactions differ based on minuscule change.”

“We did discover the spell after experimenting with potential ways to achieve something similar. The results fall well within our potential expectations, even before gaining the ability,” one of them said, obviously proud to have achieved something of this magnitude.

Even knowing he’s a slave and will soon die. A magical construct with all the memories of the original. I don’t really feel like delving into the moral depravity of all this.

“Gold?” she asked instead.

Three of them formed spells as her armor moved to her back, her bone set still on. She ripped out a part near her stomach.

“We won’t be drawing your face for our original to find,” one of them said with a smirk.

“I’m not sure if the original is the one who left or not,” Ilea said. “Only reasonably so.”

“We should start soon,” Meadow interrupted them from below.

Ilea let the golden spikes slash into her, weird corrupting waves of mana flowing into her from the impacts. Continuous mana intrusion? Without actually touching me?

“I’m in the process of finally getting my Gold Resistance. We can surely wait for a few minutes?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. I will start with the preparations nonetheless,” Meadow said.

The ground suddenly shook. Ilea watched as cracks formed on the floor they stood on, the whole thing suddenly ripped out and elevated upwards. The edges crumbled away until they stood on a floating round platform made of stone.

Meadow soon moved them out of the hall. Stone shifted all around, hallways collapsing behind them. Ilea turned around to see the moving structure, much of the temple already gone when they came to a stop a hundred meters above the gateway to Elos.

Stone and roots started growing out of the now vaguely pyramid shaped remains of the temple, buildings nearby taken over or removed entirely as stone merged and grew.

The sphere of influence reaches far beyond the temple grounds, Ilea thought, watching the nearby landscape transform.

She wondered how much of it Meadow built in the first place. Seeing how it changed everything now, she assumed it had little to do with the architecture.

Flowers and trees occasionally bloomed on the living construct of earth, stone, and wood before their leaves froze and died.

The noise was deafening, even at their distance.

At least it’s not using any drills, Ilea thought.

She barely felt the gold magic from Michael, unsure if the clones held back to keep enough mana for their mission or because of some other order or limitation.

“Did he say his goodbyes to you?” Ilea asked Meadow, watching as a square base started to manifest both around the temple grounds, the gate, and a hundred meters beyond.

“He did. And heavily regrets my decision to stay here. There were many offers, though obviously fully intended to be to his benefit alone. He believes I simply refuse to come to your realm,” Meadow said.

“That’s good. Wouldn’t want to have him nagging both of us constantly,” Ilea said.

“Yes. You are quite enough,” Meadow said.

Ilea felt the winds, bracing herself on the floating stone platform as her wings spread.

Michael used his magic to stabilize himself on the stone.

Snow?

She turned to see a blizzard moving to the edge of the frozen city of stone, settling as the Ice Elemental revealed itself. It emerged from the frozen mist, its antlers growing towards the sky in complex patters. Perhaps a challenge to the network of wood and rock the Meadow was constructing.

The Ice Elemental looked up towards Sephilon, dim light at the edges of the large celestial body casting light down onto their moon of Erendar.

It howled. A single long sound that shook the ground, tremors continuing when its voice had already settled.

The Michaels stood frozen around her, Ilea instead moving her wings to get off the platform. Meadow moved them further out and up, its creation already reaching about fifty meters high.

A wave of mana and power exuded from the Elemental, pushing with it ice and debris.

She braced against it, feeling the cold air. Every hair on her body stood up, the primal power displayed making her instincts go haywire.

Ilea couldn’t help but grin. To be the witness of such power twice in a lifetime.

“Can’t believe you got an Ice Elemental to help you,” she said, shaking her head as she healed against Michael’s mana intrusion.

“A magnificent creature,” one of the Michaels exclaimed, noting something into his book. “To see this spectacle… what greater purpose could there be?”

Ilea understood.

“Staying alive would come close to such purpose,” another Michael said, one of the three attacking Ilea.

She agreed with him too.

Why not both?

They didn’t argue any further.

The Meadow had carved out a path in the land, a rectangular structure slowly growing below them. Walls and roots had already covered the gate and Meadow itself. “What can I say?” the creature said. “I’m very charming.”

“That, you are,” Ilea said when a message resounded in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

The power of this magic is not only measured by its direct combat application. Gold is a fascinating metal to many creatures and species. Its manipulation is not often achieved. A precise form of magic, one that benefits from mana intrusion and the inherentflexibility of gold. You have gained a resistance, perhaps even more rare than manipulation itself.

She didn’t stop them, happy to gain another one or two levels as they waited for Meadow to prepare.

The first spirits started to appear in the distance, moving towards the spectacle the Meadow didn’t bother with hiding anymore.

Swaths of spirits were caught in a moving haze of freezing air, their bodies solidifying in an instant.

It didn’t even fucking move, Ilea thought, looking at the Elemental.

The wolf like creature didn’t look her way, its attention focused upwards.

Stone and wood flowed together freely, geometrical shapes of either floating through the air to join each other. Patterns and runes appeared, fields of space magic manifesting and changing in instants.

Thousands of large chunks floated through the air, the sheer size pushing against the air. All was added to the growing stone monolith, Meadow and the gate at its center.

She had no idea how many tons of stone and wood had formed that creation, its smooth form reaching several hundred meters in height, shimmering with magic runes that covered every square inch of its design. Arcane barriers formed all around, the thick mana pouring into them visible to the naked eye.

No wonder they called it a god.

She breathed out and stared at the monolith now towering above their position in the air.

The Michaels stopped their spells and focused on themselves, enhancements forming that would protect them against the temperatures and hopefully some of the rest.

“We will take our positions now,” one of them said, the group splitting up and teleporting through the city, each using a bright spell to show their final location.

“Pretty impressive, right?” Meadow asked in a very smug tone.

“Yeah,” Ilea said, her sarcasm for once entirely silenced.

“Remember, do not come close if the situation does not demand it,” Meadow said.

“I’ll act as I see fit,” Ilea said. The two hadn’t exactly found a perfect agreement in the end, the Meadow going as far as requesting she wait several kilometers away until the closure of the gate had concluded.

“I shall begin,” the Meadow said.

Ilea’s precognition told her of an attack but what she felt was instead pure mana.

The fabric of reality seemed to shift as her eyes started to water, the power flowing out of the monolith like an ocean of power.

She felt herself fly away, if only a few dozen meters. Like a fly close to a flame.

The low thrumming sound coming from the monolith increased until it suddenly turned into a steady hum that shook the surroundings.

Ilea watched with Space Awareness, seeing the wisps turn and spin, the manifestation of space flowing towards the monolith of Meadow.

A growl resounded from the Elemental, its form standing up before it stepped into the air. Steady movements brought it close to the top of the monolith, the blizzard around it now growing in intensity.

Ilea had to displace herself a few times to get out of its range, her health dropping steadily in the swirl of ice.

She moved her wings, her healing active as heat formed within her core.

The sound of burning fire brought Ilea’s attention back up, a glowing form approaching with increasing velocity.

There you go, she thought with a bright smile.

The being didn’t slow down, its entire form glowing as it entered the atmosphere of Erendar.

It looked vaguely feline, were it not for the six legs and smooth oval head. It was entirely pale blue.

She watched as the creature crashed into the nearby mountain range, the sound and shock wave echoing out into the desert and towards the Mantis city.

It stepped out of the smoldering crater it left behind, the smooth head focused on them, two blue horn like extensions the only discernible features next to its three white glowing eyes.

The creature moved with grace, its size about half that of the Elemental but towering over everything else anyway.

It looked thin, malnourished even, the six legs adorned with claws of astral energy that cut into stone and ice alike as it made its way down into the city.

Its spine ended in a thin blue tail that trailed up into the skies, reaching such lengths that its end wasn’t yet visible to Ilea’s eyes.

She identified it from hundreds of meters away, the creature’s attention fully on the Elemental and the monolith it stood to protect.

[Daughter of Sephilon – lvl ????]

There’s your four mark, Ilea mused, judging it to be around a thousand and seven hundred based on her Veteran instinct.

The creature charged.

Spheres of ice formed around the monolith and crashed into the approaching creature like meteorites, crystals of ice forming as the projectiles shattered and exploded in a shower of shards.

Ilea moved closer, staying out of the blizzard around the Elemental.

She dodged the ten meter large shards that howled through the air, more spheres forming as the Daughter soundlessly advanced.

Ilea felt the sudden drain of mana, ten times as powerful as the same ability from a whole cluster of lower Astral Spirits combined.

She kept her distance for now, sending ashen lances at the being as Heart of Cinders continued to charge.

Her projectiles went up in white flame, leaving streaks of fire on the creature.

The ash itself hit the creature without an effect but the flame of creation remained.

Every little bit counts, she thought and continued her efforts, flying parallel to the monstrous creature.

It swatted away a few large ice projectiles and turned towards Ilea with a quick twist of its body, the massive claws slashing her way.

Oh shit. It worked!

She blinked backwards, letting the swipe pass.

Oh no, her precognition picked up the beam as the creature formed it, insane swaths of mana pulled from the surrounding space, leaving it dry as the astral energy solidified in front of its three eyes.

Three large spears of ice slammed into its side, throwing off its aim.

Ilea was pushed backwards by the release of its spell, three beams of astral energy shooting out in different directions.

Her eyes opened wide as she watched the beams arc through the air, homing in on her flying form.

She used her third tier Displacement and activated Phaseshift, the large portal appearing in front of her.

The second portal appeared as far away as she could form it.

The monster’s spells vanished in her gate, flying out into nothing where the exit floated in mid air.

She watched the creature stand up on four legs, another set of beams forming.

Ilea turned her head and saw the initial spells arcing through the air, one aimed at the Ice Elemental, the other two coming for her.

Shit.

Phaseshift activated in time, her efforts at displacing the beams failing.

She blinked towards and to the side of the beams but found them arcing in a way to catch her nonetheless.

Ilea braced for impact, feeling the energy flow through her a moment later.

Her health was eaten up by the thousands, her third tier healing keeping her slightly above half before the energy passed.

She deactivated phaseshift and healed the rest, watching the Elemental form a set of thick ice shields formed out of nowhere. Their near instant creation sent a shock wave of air outwards before the astral energy slammed into the defenses.

The next beam hit her, Ilea teleporting away when her health hit sixty percent. Phaseshift ended and she sped up again, watching the second set of beams leave the Daughter’s eyes.

It jumped up right after the spell was released, floating up towards the Elemental before four sets of claws slammed into the ice walls.

Spikes exploded outwards, the blizzard now entirely enveloping the monster. Its assault kept on, the claws shaving away dozens of tons of ice with each swipe, its speed incredible for the massive size.

Two beams homed in on the Elemental, the creature jumping back and landing in thin air. Mana exuded from its form. The spells hit it directly, astral energy flowing over the crystal form of the wolf like creature.

The Daughter stood on the Monolith now, cutting apart the remains of the ice before it charged another set of beams.

Ilea watched the remaining beam home around, its target little old her.

She created as much ash as she could, forming several walls in front of her, all connected to her through thin tendrils. Flare of Creation activated as she pushed several thousand health into Azarinth Awakening.

Her health was topped again when the beam hit. It ate through the ash near instantaneously, Ilea bracing for the energy as she flew backwards, forming more burning ash to counter the magic.

Flare of Creation did damage magical constructs too after all.

She was finally enveloped by the astral energies, letting them burn through her defenses and body with an eye on her health.

When it reached a critical status, she blinked as far away as she could, healing and building more defenses immediately as the homing energy continued to follow.

The spell reached her again, exploding in a bright light when it reached her ash.

Ilea was flung backwards, her wings and body burned and mangled.

She didn’t lose consciousness, focusing on healing before she slammed into the city below. Through three houses she crashed before she blinked up, her wings reformed and her body healed.

The tail of the Daughter had formed a circle around the city by now.

Ilea could feel the magic emanating from it. That might be a problem.

Chapter 550 Storm

Chapter 550 Storm

She felt the magic take effect, flying to close the distance between herself and the two fighting titans.

Time.

She knew it, not just by the way it felt to her.

The Daughter had started moving faster, its moves accelerated by the enormous spell. Its claws clashed more frequently with the Elemental’s ice.

The behemoth of ice pushed back the spirit time and time again, the blizzard freezing large parts of it but without permanent damage.

Let me see if I can do something about this, Ilea thought and displaced herself, blinking right after as her wings brought her towards the slowly moving tail that now circled around the whole city more than once.

She created ash, spraying it in a broad cone towards the pale blue tail before the flames of creation ignited it all.

Ilea managed to set alight several hundred meters of the tail before the Daughter moved, disengaging from the Elemental to once again rush at her.

Not just a tickle, she thought with a wide grin. The lower regeneration would already be fucking annoying for the massive being, she was sure of it.

The Ice Elemental didn’t let the Daugther get far, keeping pace with the timeaccelerated being.

It sent a push to Ilea’s mind, a warning.

She didn’t need to be told twice, blinking upwards to get out of its line of sight.

Ilea felt the air stand still, her heartbeat audible as she continued to push upwards, the monster below her following as its eyes charged another spell.

The Elemental was faster, a wave of power rushing out as a beam of glacial energy flowed out in an entirely silent but instant spell.

Everything was frozen, a line of a thousand meters turned into ice.

Ilea breathed out, regenerating some mana as she watched a downright mountain of ice form above the entirely frozen Daughter of Sephilon. Its volume increased exponentially, forming an upside down pyramid reflecting the pale light of the eclipse.

It’s not dead yet.

The Elemental let go of its massive creation, pushing it downwards and onto their enemy.

Ice broke and shattered as the loud crash resounded through the city for the better part of a minute, the pyramid breaking apart on itself.

Everything below had been flattened, the Elemental now back on top of the monolith, its gaze once more focused upward.

Why not fini-

Ilea’s thoughts were interrupted when she gazed at the creature floating in from above.

A squid like being with its tentacles stretched out for hundreds of meters, a thousand eyes on its central body as it gazed at everything. It lacked a mouth or other discernible features.

Hundreds of flashes lit up around it, bird like forms of astral energy that quickly sped up, most of them focused on the Elemental and the monolith.

They seemed to have their own mind, flying in circles and wide arcs with flapping wings of pure energy.

Ilea didn’t focus on them, blinking towards the prone form of the first spirit, her ash spreading out as she set it aflame once more.

The creature twitched and moved, its body shattering in parts before it reformed. It tried crawling when Ilea appeared right in front of its head.

The eyes alone were as large as her whole body.

She sacrificed another few thousand health and released Heart of Cinder in a concentrated beam into one of the organs.

The Daughter didn’t react when its eye was burned through. Its whole head now burned with the pale white flame.

Ilea jumped back when she felt the energy condense again, beams already forming once more.

She watched as its eye reformed slowly, the flames burning on. Ash formed in front of her as the two beams were released.

They didn’t connect.

A sudden all encompassing power pushed down from above, her wings unable to work against it.

She tumbled down and watched as the Daughter was hit, its projectiles slamming into the frozen debris with bright explosions. The monster’s body bent and crashed into the frozen ground, bones breaking as it kept its eyes on her.

Ilea too hit the ground, her back crashing into frozen stone as all the air was pushed out of her lungs.

She screamed as her body was pushed into the stone, cracks forming below her as she was pushed farther down.

Fireworks, she thought, unable to form a smile under the increased gravity.

Hundreds of bright birds had reached the city, the Ice Elemental lighting up in astral energy as its defenses were hit by several hundred projectiles all at once.

Shields and defenses flared up on the Monolith, parts of it broken through with deafening explosions of energy.

The rest of the birds crashed into the city.

Ilea felt the heat around her, saw the birds coming for her.

Phaseshift activated once more, Ilea blinking out but not able to escape the aerial bombardment fully.

Her health declined as the birds exploded, turning the remains of the city into glassed rubble. The bombardment didn’t stop for the better part of ten seconds.

Ilea’s third tier healing kept her alive through it all, sentinel core returning a large chunk of the astral energies in the form of mana.

Her form returned to normal space a second later, the gravity not as overwhelming as before.

At least not an aura, she thought and focused again onto the injured Daughter.

It had been hit hard by the bombardment. She assumed the only reason it remained alive was because it had been astral spells.

The creature stood up and staggered, half of its six limbs nearly gone.

Ilea had to keep it distracted while the Elemental kept the floating eldritch being busy. One glance had been enough to know that she couldn’t even annoy the massive creature. It may have even been stronger than the Ice wolf.

She displaced herself in front of the Daughter’s head, straight up punching it with Destruction. Her ashen limbs added both fire and cinders to the mix, slowly building up within the being.

Her mana was draining quickly but the bombardment had nearly topped her off again, so ridiculous was the power.

Not like I have enough mana to supply this monster.

Ilea blinked back to avoid a swipe of the creature, her small form to her benefit in this case.

Three beams formed and shot out, all focused on her.

Now would be a good time for some increased gravity, big guy.

It didn’t come, Ilea instead flying through the frozen ruins. Her wings and teleportation allowed for some crazy maneuvers but the beams didn’t let up quite as easily.

Instead she formed condensed ashen spheres she sent behind herself, the ash expanding into shields that tried to slow the homing beams.

She glimpsed at the Daughter and saw it form another three spells. Motherfucker.

Ilea rushed it again, the spells on her trail as the next wave was released in front of her.

She let them get close enough to damage her armor and displaced herself, having slowed down enough to let the six streaking beams hit each other.

Ilea was thrown to the side by the ensuing explosion, four of the spells having detonated as they hit each other.

Two were still coming for her. Two I can handle.

Phaseshift was on cooldown but she just focused on her ash and healing, boosting her resilience with sacrificed health.

The Daughter’s legs had healed by now, the creature now running towards her in mid air.

Ilea held up her arms, taking the first beam as she kept moving backwards, feeding her ash and flame of creation into the astral power.

Her armor and wings disintegrated before she fell, keeping herself angled towards the beam as her skin melted.

The rest of the spell burned past and into the ground close to her, Ilea’s skin reforming with her ash on top.

She displaced herself to get a little more time.

The second beam reached her before either of her teleports became available again, likely sped up too by the time magic provided by the monster’s tail.

Ilea was hit by the full force of the spell, her ash and fires doing little to impede the energy.

She was pushed backwards, rag dolled through the frozen debris as her body disintegrated. Her healing pushed against it, slowly losing out.

Before she went below a third of her health, the astral energies subsided.

She reformed quickly, blinking away when she perceived the massive claws striking at her prone position.

Her mana situation would soon be dire again had it not been for the direct hit and subsequent activation of Sentinel Core.

Just have to prevent more than one of those beams hitting me with full force and I’m golden.

The Daughter kept up with her through sheer size and speed, swiping its claws with increasing speed.

Was that a feint?

Ilea kept flying through the monster’s claws, avoiding its somewhat rudimentary attack patterns.

A creature like that would’ve never met something it had to use technique to beat.

It also proved that the monster wasn’t particularly intelligent. Otherwise it would’ve just used its beams continuously.

Ilea activated phaseshift when she felt the gravity increase again.

She didn’t have time to look up, instead avoiding a few more strikes from the enemy in front of her.

Both her and the Daughter were pushed down a moment later, Ilea blinking up once before she was taken by the magical force again.

Her spell activated before she hit the ground, the rest of her momentum taking her there.

The Daughter close by was crushed, slowly embedded into the frozen ruins.

Ilea looked up, seeing a thousand birds once more.

The Elemental looked to be missing a few parts of its body, slowly regenerating as a blinding beam of frost shot up at the floating spirit.

The second Daughter reacted by forming a shield of astral energies, the birds flying down towards them.

Ilea prepared her teleportation as she watched the spectacle.

More birds had focused on the Monolith this time, exploding in bright flashes as they punched through the enchantments set up by Meadow, digging into the stone and wood below.

Large chunks of stone fell from the monolith, whole sections now remaining unprotected.

At the same time, the massive astral shield shattered, half of the creature freezing up from the remains of the Elemental’s spell.

The Ice Elemental turned, leaving its momentarily stunned opponent behind as it ignored the birds exploding on its massive body.

Ilea took the hits when the bombardment reached ground level, watching with a smile as the Daughter close to her was ripped apart once more.

She looked up, feeling a massive spell form.

The Elemental was charging energy in front of its crystal snout.

Ilea saw the floating Daughter do the same and displaced herself up as far as she could.

She blinked right when the Elemental released a large scale spell towards the prone spirit.

Her third tier Displacement was ready once more, activating in the form of a massive spacial field in mid air. The second end came to life where she had stood before, aimed at nobody else but the downed Daughter of Sephilon.

She grinned, feeling her back freeze due to the proximity to the Elemental. Ilea watched as the second Daughter released its spell, a surge of astral energy booming through the sky as if a god had chosen to strike down at a mortal creature.

Her space magic didn’t mind the nature or power of the enemy spell, simply letting it pass into the gate.

The cone was so large, a part of the energy moved past, singeing her wings and ash.

Ilea didn’t see the result behind her, keeping her gate up until the monstrous spell dissipated.

A shock wave hit her from behind, pushing her through the air and towards the massive ten armed eldritch entity.

[Daughter of Sephilon – lvl ????]

It had already been obvious but the creature was significantly more powerful than the first one.

She heard a ding within her mind and couldn’t help but grin.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Larinis – Daughter of Sephilon – lvl 1740]’

More messages appeared in her mind but she ignored them, quite concerned about the gravitational situation she had found herself in.

She was floating upwards, her wings pushing against the forces with futility.

Hundreds of beautiful astral birds flickered to life as the spirit shook off the ice that still covered a large part of its body. Hundreds of eyes looking at its prey.

Ilea kept her teleportation ready, watching the projectiles move in.

She blinked, letting dozens of the birds hit each other. She followed up with displacement, increasing the distance between her and the spirit once more.

The birds however kept coming and they moved at a pace she couldn’t outrun.

Her second spell had displaced as many of the things as she could move but they simply homed in on her again wherever she had placed them.

Ilea formed ash in front of her, setting it alight to slow the energies.

Before a dozen spells could hit her, she felt an all encompassing cold.

Massive ice teeth caught her, pulling her away as the Elemental was hit by the spells, shields of ice forming from thin air as it jumped down towards the ground.

Ilea felt her body go numb, the monstrous power overwhelming her resistance.

Heart of Cinder had been active during the whole battle, now fighting hard to keep her core from freezing over.

She kept healing herself, her mind not blanking out despite the creeping cold.

Ilea saw the ground through her sphere, the massive jaws opening to let her out.

She fell, landing with the sound of glass hitting stone.

The Elemental nudged her carefully.

Take care of yourself you big dummy, Ilea thought and displaced herself, activating heart of cinder to break the layer of ice on her body.

She sacrificed health to her auras and flexed, breaking most of the remaining ice.

Her left arm cracked and broke off.

Oops.

She reformed it quickly, cracking her neck as she looked up at the flickering lights in the distance.

The spirit had once more targeted the monolith. Waves of air and energy exuded from the impacts, the stone structure reduced to rubble as the astral energy dug down towards Meadow.

The Ice Elemental turned as well, dents and cracks obvious on its massive body.

Ilea went close again, extending an ashen tendril to the creature.

It glanced at her when the healing flowed into it, its crystal eyes not revealing any of its thoughts.

“Let’s go protect our friend,” Ilea said and charged Monster Hunter.

The intent was clear.

She looked up and howled, imitating a normal wolf both to appeal to the Elemental and to taunt the powerful spirit floating kilometers above.

The Elemental did the same. It looked up and howled, the sound flowing out like a wave, vibrating through her with overwhelming force.

I’ll regret it forever if I don’t at least try.

“Let’s go,” she said and blinked on top of the monstrous creature’s head.

She held on with ash, continuously healing the Elemental as it charged towards the remaining stone and wood protecting Meadow.

Ilea would have thought it a little more epic if her ass didn’t literally freeze off.

She displaced herself towards the rubble when they had gotten close, shattering her frozen legs and lower torso with her own ash before it all reformed.

So fucking worth it, she grinned.

The Elemental seemed slightly amused but it was hard to tell with the old lady.

In the distance, she saw another form clad in fire enter the atmosphere, soon impacting a mountain range with a deafening crash.

The corpse of the Daughter they had killed slowly healed and the spirit above was already forming another set of birds, gravity magic pushing down on them all the while.

“How’s it coming along?” she asked. “I don’t think we can hold out for much longer.”

“Impeccable. Timing,” Meadow replied a few seconds later, another bombardment stopped by ice and ash. Mostly ice.

The Meadow had sounded focused, and exhausted.

Ilea watched the next Daughter approach, a ball of snake like protrusions, floating slowly towards them.

Her attention turned to her surroundings, the space around them condensed in a way she had never perceived before. One moment later it all vanished.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 3’

Ilea’s perception slowed down, her head turning towards the location of the gate where white lightning appeared out of nowhere.

The arcs hit stone, disintegrating the material instantaneously.

A ball of black energy surrounded by a layer of white cracking lightning started to manifest, lashing out farther with each passing millisecond.

“Thank you, my friend. I’m afraid this is goodbye,” Meadow said, sounding relieved.

The Ice Elemental vanished, coming back a few hundred meters away where it appeared running, its massive form taking it away from the gathering power.

“And you, Ilea. Just stay where you are and enjoy the show,” Meadow said, sending a grin into her mind.

Pure arcane barriers flashed to life in a dome around her, thickening with each moment that passed.

She added her ash, activating phaseshift as she watched the expanding lightning.

One arc thrummed into the shields, shattering two layers in an instant.

“Your gates need a safe way to be closed. This is surely against wormhole guidelines,” Ilea said.

Phaseshift manifested, Ilea starting to push health into her auras immediately. Her perception was still slowed down, letting her observe the expanding storm of white lightning.

“Why use that spell? Do you think so little of my barriers?” Meadow asked, seriously insulted. Definitely.

“You’re not the only god around anymore, Space Tree,” Ilea said.

“That’s not the worst name,” Meadow said and laughed.

The arcs of lightning now burned into the approaching spirits, their need for mana overwhelming their other instincts as they kept approaching. Smaller versions came too, now unimpeded with the absence of the Elemental.

Meadow added more and more shields, Ilea adding more health into her auras.

“Will it take them out?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen this,” Meadow admitted.

“And yet you’re so confident?” Ilea asked, smiling in her phased form.

“Of course. It’s mostly space magic. And a little lightning. If anybody can survive here, it’s the space mages,” it said.

The spirits were close now, their entire focus on the growing sphere of energy.

“Will they eat it up?” Ilea asked, seeing the Daughter they had killed stand up once more, its three eyes too focused on the sphere.

Lightning burned through the creatures, their bodies shredded and reforming, faster than anything before.

“They’re draining the energy, yes. But the remains are far too unstable. Cover your ears, little human,” Meadow said.

Ilea didn’t care, watching as space distorted once more, a flash of white washing out, blinding her despite her resistances.

Her eyes adjusted near instantly, seeing the stunned and burnt spirits. She knew that hadn’t been it, focusing on the sphere before it cracked and shattered.

Ten continental storms, condensed into one small city, flashed out in an instant. A sphere of lightning and pure energy, wind, and space itself. Arcs and shock waves washed out, shredding through everything they touched.

Her eardrums shattered, a dozen barriers cracked and broken near instantly.

Ilea spread her arms and watched the enormous power expand, leaving the spirits dead, unconscious, or heavily injured. Bits and pieces of pale blue skin and blood the size of houses floated around, gravity and space distorted in the whole vicinity.

The small variants had been removed from existence entirely, disintegrated to pieces she could not perceive.

Two thirds of Meadow’s barriers had shattered, the rest were cracked and damaged.

“See, absolutely no problem,” the creature said.

“That was close,” Ilea said.

“Oh, you have no idea,” the creature said. “Now come, we don’t have much time.”

Chapter 551 A realm of wonder

Chapter 551 A realm of wonder

“Can you open a path?” Ilea asked.

She watched the ground shift, her wings keeping her afloat as a tunnel formed.

Ilea blinked down and reached the Meadow.Not particularly deep anymore, they were close.

“Remember, my power will be vastly reduced in this form,” Meadow said, quite literally folding in on itself. The grass rolled up and the tree cracked and shattered. The water from the creek dripped out as the mana density first increased and then lowered.

“Perfect. Then I can get my four mark kill early,” Ilea said and displaced herself towards the basketball sized chunk of stone. It looked simple enough, perhaps a last ditch playing dead kind of spell.

“You’ll find this nut difficult to crack,” Meadow said.

“Damn, you’re heavy,” Ilea said when she grabbed the creature.

“Of course. I’m a prime specimen after all,” Meadow said.

Ilea displaced herself and the being out into the open, finding the task manageable now that it was weakened and small. She assumed it didn’t resist anymore either, maybe even helping the spell work.

The space outside was distorted still. A massive crater had formed where the portal had been previously. Debris, ice, and pieces of flesh floated around in the space magic related aftermath that spanned farther than the destroyed city walls.

Ilea couldn’t help but stare at the massive Daughter of Sephilon floating a few hundred meters above, its body shredded, barely a husk now. Its many eyes looked lifeless but she saw the surrounding mana float upwards.

“Where are the Michaels?” she asked.

Two notebooks appeared in front of her.

“They managed to bury them far away enough before they perished,” Meadow said. “Oh… one of them has survived. I’ll lead you there.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow.

She sped up, her wings carrying the two of them out of the ruins, any spirits that arrived now were focused entirely on the corpses and whatever mana had remained from the closing gate.

A howl resounded in the distance, echoing through the lands.

Ilea looked towards the distant creature, antlers of ice visible even from kilometers away.

“Thank you, friend,” she thought and charged her monster hunter.

“Anything you’d like to say to the Elemental?” she asked.

“There is no need. My gratitude has been conveyed,” the Meadow said.

Ilea once more imitated a wolf’s howl, ignoring the spirits of death that would surely look for her now. She waved with a bright smile, seeing a blizzard form around the Elemental as it turned away.

What a fucking beast.

She sped up and left the few death spirits her call had summoned behind.

The remaining Michael was limping through the frozen desert, clutching the book with his one remaining arm.

He went all this way?

Ilea landed nearby.

The man didn’t react.

“Michael,” Ilea called out.

He shuffled to a stop, turning towards her before he collapsed.

His skin had been burnt, several deep wounds adorned his whole body barely held together by his blood magic.

One of his eyes was gone, the other one bloodshot.

Ilea extended her ash and started healing.

“There is… no point,” he said in a strained voice. The man coughed a few times, blood and gold splattering onto the ice.

“I am, a construct. My resources… are… spent,” he said.

Ilea noticed it too. The wounds did close but the man was dying either way. There was nothing she could do.

His one eye widened. “The… book,” he tried to look down but failed to find the notebook he still clutched in his arm.

“I have it,” Ilea said and knelt down next to him, placing Meadow on the ground.

She grabbed the notes, gently but firmly releasing his grip on them.

“Is that… Meadow?” he asked, looking at the spherical stone.

The man started cackling, coughing again before he calmed down a little. “You… you’ll bring it back… you figured it out?”

He laughed again. “That is… wonderful.”

“She will. Your original might find me at one point or another,” Meadow said.

“Fuck him…,” Michael said. “We were… close… you know?”

“To what?” Ilea asked.

“Long… range… teleportation,” he said. “But if you bring… it back. There will be… another chance,” he said. “Don’t… waste it… humanity… requires, its power.”

Yeah I kind of have that covered already, Ilea thought.

“You did well to survive this long,” she said.

“And what… a… spectacle, it was,” he said and smiled to himself.

He died in that moment, his body dissolving into blood and gold.

Ilea sighed as she stood up, grabbing Meadow and charging Heart of Cinder.

“Will the spirits follow us at this point?” she asked.

“Your mana output is too small. I may attract mundane spirits but… the Daughters will return to Sephilon,” Meadow said.

“We killed one of them. But they can’t exactly die, can they?” she asked.

“Perhaps. I do not know,” Meadow admitted.

“What is it? You sound contemplative,” Ilea said, aiming her spell at the remains of Michael. There was quite a bit of gold but it didn’t feel right to take it.

Instead her fire engulfed the remains, flare of creation adding to it until little remained.

May you find rest, clone number four. Or more accurately, Michael.

She closed her eyes for a moment before her wings spread again.

“I was wondering,” Meadow said. “What he said about power.”

“If I’m doing this just for that?” Ilea asked.

The creature remained silent.

“You know me better than that,” she said. “Though if you’re willing, I’d love for you to meet a few enchanters working on some long range teleportation.”

“You know I wouldn’t refuse you,” the Meadow said.

“You can, you know? You don’t even have to come to Elos if you don’t want to. I just think it’d be more interesting for you. And I’d like to be able to visit you from time to time,” Ilea said with a smile, reaching another mountain range.

She looked for a cave somewhere, checking for spirits briefly before she settled down on a peak outside, summoning a meal.

“You wish to wait?” Meadow asked.

“Just a last meal. And a last look at this marvelous hellscape,” she said.

“Hmm,” the Meadow said. “Many peoples have come and gone. Cities built and withered away.”

They remained silent for a while.

“I would like to come with you. To discover what your realm holds for me, if you will have me,” Meadow said.

Ilea finished her meal and grabbed the sphere.

“It would be an honor,” she said and displaced them both into the cave.

“Now don’t flip your shit if you can’t breathe. The mana is VERY thin in my house. I’d like to keep it intact,” Ilea said.

Meadow didn’t reply.

“Ready?”

It sent a confirming thought.

Ilea activated her third tier of blink, feeling the power manifest, runes form, and space distort.

When it activated, she connected the Meadow to her long range teleportation ability, both of them leaving Erendar without a trace.

Ilea appeared within her home an instant later, in her hand a ball of stone.

She shook it lightly.

“Hey, you alright in there?” she said. “We’re here.”

“Yes… yes… I can feel it. Finally… I can take over your realm. You fool!” the Meadow exclaimed. It sounded distracted, joyous.

“You’ve been sitting on that one for a while, huh?” Ilea asked, stepping out onto her balcony, closing the door behind.

“There is… so much life… so many… creatures,” Meadow exclaimed.

Ilea felt deep reaching emotions exude from the being, invading her mind with joy and relief.

“It’s alright. You’re safe now,” she said and silently stroked the stone.

The ball shivered but Meadow didn’t say anything else for some time.

“To see this place,” it said, its voice quivering lightly. “You have no comprehension of what it means to me, Ilea.”

“It’s a pretty nice realm. Maybe we can keep it from collapsing a little longer, with your help,” she said.

“You face an eclipse then? Or an enemy?” Meadow asked.

“Not to my knowledge, no. But you never know what’s out there,” Ilea said. “And time moves differently for an ancient creature like yourself.”

“I’m… sorry. I am a little… distracted,” Meadow said.

“Take your time. The flight is long. How’s your body looking?” she asked, unable to see any issues with her healing.

“Any adverse effects shouldn’t come for another few days. Two suns… magnificent. Something is… missing? Peculiar,” the creature said.

Ilea flew up and charged her wings, aiming northwards.

“There were three suns a few thousand years ago. Or we think so at least,” she said.

“A sun taken from the skies… it seems I have much to learn,” the Meadow said.

“Yeah, if you can find a few Ascended. I’m sure they’d be interested in meeting you,” Ilea said.

“You do not sound fond of them,” the being said.

“I’ve only met one. Nearly killed me. I’m sure I’d fare better now,” she said.

“You survived a battle involving Daughters of Sephilon,” Meadow said.

“Yeah but I didn’t exactly kill them, did I?” Ilea asked.

“No. That is true,” Meadow said.

They continued for a while in silence.

“Trees,” Meadow said when they passed the southern mountains.

Ilea nodded.

“Can… can I see them?” Meadow asked.

“Of course,” Ilea said and descended.

“Should I make you touch one? Or can you expand here?” Ilea said.

“It would be… appreciated. And yes but I can only use it every so often. It would be foolish to do so in a place I do not plan to stay at,” Meadow said.

A little weird but okay, Ilea thought, touching the tree with Meadow’s rock ball.

She checked her few messages from the last battle while the Meadow hopefully didn’t commit an act of sexual harassment.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Larinis – Daughter of Sephilon – lvl 1740]’

Highest level kill I’ve ever gotten, she thought with a grin.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 439 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 440 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 441 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 447 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 436 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 437 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 438 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 443 – Five stat points awarded’

That’s nuts. Glad the Elemental killed that little shit, Ilea thought. Or I guess just temporarily killed it? Who knows.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 356 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 357 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 375 – One stat point awarded’

Fuck, maxing my third Class skills before four hundred is going to be impossible if I continue at this rate, she thought.

Might just go for five hundred too. Wasn’t that a Class requirement anyway? Getting a third Class before five hundred?

She dismissed the thoughts and checked the rest.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 10’

“You can remove me from the tree,” Meadow said.

Ilea did just that, flying up again as she checked the rest of her messages.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mana Drain Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘You have ridden an Ice Elemental into battle – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have successfully distracted a Daughter of Sephilon – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have saved an incomprehensible being from its dying realm – One Core skill point awarded’

Ilea was quite happy with the results.

“Maybe we should go back and have another battle like that. Got a shit ton of levels out of it,” she said.

“You might not be quite as lucky next time,” Meadow said. “Is that… a lake?”

Ilea groaned. “You want to look at everything?”

“Y E S,” the being said.

Ilea laughed and descended. “Alright. Let’s travel on foot then. There’s no rush.”

“I appreciate it… now chuck me into that lake,” Meadow said.

“I’m not going to throw you around willy nilly,” Ilea said. “Can you imagine? Taking you here from Erendar and then losing you in a bloody lake.”

“With your abilities, it’s highly unpro- ah a joke. I’m distracted, apologies,” the being said.

“No need to,” Ilea said and lowered the sphere into the lake using her ash.

She joined for a quick swim but kept her armor active. Somehow it felt indecent to bare herself in front of the space being. Even though it had literally seen her to the bone.

“Those are… the fish, you have mentioned?” Meadow asked.

“Mhm, there are many kinds. Also great to eat,” she said.

“You would… eat? Such a magnificent being? Truly, a travesty,” the Meadow said, mentally shaking its non existent head.

“Have you tried? Well wait… better not teach the four mark space mage the beauty of eating flesh,” she said.

“I lack the necessary organs anyway. Can you move me out of the water? I can see something VERY interesting,” Meadow said.

“Is it dirt?” Ilea asked, displacing the ball into her hand before she swam to the shore. “Oh… yeah I get it.”

She displaced them out and looked at the Meadow. “Do you want some alone time?” she asked with a wink.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ilea,” the creature said, rolling a few thousand mental eyes.

Ilea laughed and sat down, placing the Meadow onto the meadow.

“So what’s the plan again?” the creature asked after a while of subdued rolling around.

“I don’t operate with plans,” Ilea said. “I guess we can quickly check out Gyffold to see if the portal closed fine on our side.”

“It should have. But I understand if you want to get reassurance. Though I am slightly insulted in your opinion of my capabilities,” Meadow said.

“Oh really? You didn’t seem so sure back in Erendar. Why did you not teleport me out by the way?” Ilea asked.

“I would have, should the second to last barrier have collapsed. Though to be honest… I didn’t want to try. Even if your resistance was disabled, your third Class provides reasonable defenses against space magic. I might not have been able to move you far enough away,” Meadow said.

“You’re kidding right? The Elemental was massive and you made her vanish in the blink of an eye!” Ilea said.

“Yes. The Elemental that has faced a single space magic being, me. And we didn’t exactly train. There are reasons why you survived the Daughters’ and the Elemental’s attacks where one of them fell,” Meadow said.

“I wasn’t hit directly by the Elemental, nor the massive floating spirit,” Ilea said.

“You’re like one of the fishes in that lake to them. Barely a concern. Taking a direct hit may have killed you. But the simple fact of having to question that outcome is testament enough. I do remember you getting hit directly by the time manipulator,” Meadow said.

“A few beams, yes. I even considered getting a third tier astral resistance but my health held up,” Ilea said.

“Really?” the Meadow asked. “You could’ve heightened your defenses in that situation? Why didn’t you? You were so close to death!”

“I’ve been through worse. Many times,” Ilea said.

“Hmm. Yes it does make sense. I didn’t have to climb to the power I have now. You’re more a veteran of battle than I am,” Meadow admitted.

“Of course,” Ilea said and picked it up. “You’re a Meadow after all.”

“Are you implying Meadows are not the optimal combat form of a living creature?” it asked.

“Shocking opinion, isn’t it?” Ilea asked and looked at the ball with a grin.

“At least I’m not a sack of meat,” Meadow said.

“Yeah, well I suppose we can both have our own preferred body. No hard feelings,” Ilea said.

“I can accept that,” the Meadow said and sent a mental wink.

Ilea started in a jog before she changed into a sprint, rushing through the empire lands and northwards.

The Meadow occasionally asked to stop and inspect some random growths, plants, flowers, dirt, and creeks.

“Fascinating… it lacks the instinct to see you as a predator,” Meadow commented.

The suns had gone down in the meantime, the two not having gotten very far in their journey.

[Werewolf – lvl 242]

“Might just be angry,” Ilea suggested.

She displaced the large hairy creature fifty meters away to avoid its frenzied attack. Not that its bloo magic enhanced claws would leave a mark on her defenses.

“Hmm… it does seem in a frenzy. I can’t reach it at all but that may simply be due to my limited form,” Meadow said.

“Are Werewolves common in the plains?” Ilea asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” Meadow said.

“Hmm… maybe it’s just the only thing that didn’t run after feeling my presence. Or it specifically followed our trail because of my power?” she wondered.

The thing towered over her by a meter, its arms and legs pure muscle, covered in thick brown fur that was near invisible in the soft moonlight.

Ilea didn’t have the same limitations as most humans however, her eyes locking with the monster’s that once more chose to charge her.

“Are you not going to kill it?” Meadow asked.

“I will. Just because it might attack humans. It’s pretty high level for this area… I think,” she said.

“An opportunity lost then,” Meadow said in a sad voice.

“You won’t be in this area anyway. And I don’t think Werewolves are going to be your priority. Something that attacks me at that level might not be the pinnacle of intelligence,” she said.

“It would be a sound argument, were it not for you,” Meadow said.

“You’re implying I’m intelligent? Well thank you,” she said and displaced the creature close to her.

It lashed out immediately, its claws stopped entirely when they reached her ash.

Ilea grabbed it with her limbs and pierced through its spine and skull at the same time. The creature was dead in an instant.

She carefully lowered it to the ground and released her ash.

“Intelligent enough to awaken, yes. Perhaps comparable to a fish. Or a very simple bird,” Meadow suggested.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Werewolf – lvl 242]’

So easy. How many creatures and humans did this one kill before I stumbled upon it? It might have even given a group of Shadows trouble.

Chapter 552 Tourist Guide

Chapter 552 Tourist Guide

“So that is one of your towns?” Meadow asked.

Ilea nodded. “I haven’t actually been here before. It’s not that large compared to some of the places I’ve visited.”

“It’s quite impressive. The buildings that is… the walls are… not enchanted?” it asked.

“Probably not, no. Most creatures aren’t quite as high level as that Werewolf. And even that one might not approach the lights and noise of a town,” she said.

“Fascinating… truly,” Meadow said.

“Do you want to go in? Look around?” Ilea asked.

“Is that not too much of a risk? What if we’re discovered? There are powerful humans out there. They may not be as amicable if they find out you are carrying a four mark being,” Meadow said. “Also know that I won’t expand here. My mana would kill most of the humans in my vicinity.”

“Would be exceedingly unlucky to get discovered here, let alone by someone who could actually oppose me,” Ilea said and walked towards the town walls.

They were somewhere in Lys. Probably.

She decided it was safer to just enter, blinking and displacing herself before they both appeared on a dirt road.

A single drunk man in shoddy pants and without a shirt on yelped.

“Greetings,” Ilea said.

He gulped. “Ah… greetinsh, my lady.”

Manners at least, she thought and flung a piece of silver towards him.

“You didn’t lie… this man is level eighteen. How did he survive so long? He looks at least a decade old!” Meadow said.

“He’s at least thirty years old actually. The walls are your answer. Walls and lack of predators in the area I suppose. He wouldn’t go out into the wild without protection or in a large group,” Ilea said. “Many of the monsters around aren’t far above him in level by the way. It’s not just us humans.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I hope you understand. It’s just that… I haven’t seen something quite like this,” Meadow said.

Ilea chuckled. “Don’t you worry. I’m quite aware of my species’ limitations. And our potential.”

“Killing Astral spirits… when you started like that? You’re starting to look more and more impressive, Ilea,” Meadow said.

“Don’t flatter me. I’m happy to accept compliments once I’ve bested you in a bout,” she said and entered the local inn, putting Meadow into the pack she summoned.

There were plenty of patrons around, her casual adventurer look not standing out quite as much as she had thought.

Ilea tried identifying the Meadow but failed, the spell unable to pierce the simple fabric.

Good. Wouldn’t want the Lily to find out quite this early.

“Is this… bread? And… some kind of meat? When did you last clean this thing?” the creature asked.

“I… haven’t used it in a while. Shouldn’t be too bad. Stored items don’t spoil, right?” she asked.

“Hmm. Yes. I suppose it could be worse. But a mundane pack instead of spacial storage?” Meadow said.

Ilea ordered two mugs of ale before sitting down near a corner of the room. Most of the large space was lit by oil lamps fastened to the wooden beams and walls.

Most of the patrons looked like farmers or simple townsfolk, two groups more the adventurer type. A single man played lazily on a lute, not singing at the moment.

“There are so many people… what are they drinking?” it asked.

“Ale, whiskey, beer, gin, and a bunch of other beverages. Mostly of an alcoholic nature,” she said.

“Alcoholic?” Meadow asked.

“It’s poisonous to humans. Dulls our senses. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy, or sad and terrible, maybe angry and bold. Depends on who you are, how much you drink, and how you’re doing,” she said.

“Why do they do that?” Meadow asked.

“To have fun. To celebrate. Maybe to forget. Could be they’re addicted, or it’s just the only thing they have that brings a resemblance of joy. I like the taste mostly. But the alcohol itself isn’t working on me anymore,” Ilea explained.

“Fascinating. So many facets and possibilities. Humans are very… cute,” Meadow said.

“Eh. Not sure if I share that opinion. I do think you’re quite cute, to be honest,” Ilea said and thanked the girl who brought her ale, taking a sip and sitting back. She casually rested an arm on the pack next to her.

“I’m flattered. But I like Meadows,” Meadow said.

“You don’t even have reproductive organs, do you?” Ilea asked.

“Way to be insensitive,” Meadow said with a huff.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to tread on you,” Ilea said and patted the backpack.

“I was kidding. Though I do appreciate the sentiment. Remember that I’m a millennia old being. I’ve had plenty of time to think about existence and my place in it,” it said.

“It’s still okay to be insecure or hurt about things. Age alone doesn’t change that,” Ilea said and took another sip.

“Excuse me, miss?” a man clad in decrepit leather armor asked. He was armed with a simple shortsword.

“Hmm?” Ilea asked as she took another sip, glancing at the man.

“We been wonderin… a healer like yerself. Mayhaps you may be lookin for a group to do jobs with?” he asked, sweating by now.

Ilea saw the group of badly equipped adventurers at the table nearby, averting their eyes a little too obviously.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“Ah… Marry, miss,” he said.

“Sit down Marry. Why don’t you tell me about yourself and the last job you did with those four?” Ilea said.

He looked back at the group, sweating even more. “Ehm, miss. I didn’t mean no offense.”

Ilea looked up at him. “I wasn’t offended. I just asked about you and your last job. To get an idea about what kind of team you are. How would I make a decision to join you otherwise?”

“Are you actually going to join them?” Meadow asked, sounding intrigued and a little confused.

[Warrior – lvl 29]

The man looked young, eighteen maybe. His hairline was already declining. For a warrior his physique wasn’t too impressive but that could be misleading. His eyes were quite striking, a deep brown. Otherwise he wasn’t exactly blessed with beauty.

“Probably not. Because I’m bringing you north. Otherwise. Maybe? They seem like they could use some pointers,” Ilea said.

Marry gingerly sat down, nearly tripping on the chair.

He gulped.

“Well… me and the lads… and Ceril, well. We thought ta take up fightin ourselves… kill some pests and beasts. Hard ta find work round here otherwise. With the war an all,” he explained.

Ilea didn’t interrupt him, just drinking from her ale. She moved on to the second mug.

“Ah right… our last job. We were tasked to search a farm nearby. Boy had come runnin, talkin about monsters. Moles they were… massive ones with teeth this big,” he said and gestured with his hand. “Took us a few hours but we foun em all. Killed the buggers with steel and spells. Maul is good with fire.

“Two of us got injured. Hurt like a cun- like a… really bad. Had ta let it heal for a few days. Me leg hasn’t looked that bad ever… but now tis fine again,” he said and laughed awkwardly.

Is this a local accent? How many different ones have I heard so far? I don’t remember anybody in Lys speaking like this. Hmm… well it’s not for me to question how people talk.

She smiled and put down her mug. “That sounds like an adventure alright.”

He smiled too, the gesture sadly not helping his looks.

“Thanks miss. So whaddaya think? You been around ere long?” he asked.

“I’m just passing through, Marry. I do believe my missions are generally aimed at stronger opponents than moles though. I’m a Shadow after all,” Ilea said with a smile.

He made a surprised quipping noise, staring at her with confusion.

“Tell you what, why don’t you take these and bring them to a smith who can handle them. Maybe get some better weapons as soon as you have the funds to pay for them,” she said and summoned five Niameer steel ingots. Half of her supply.

He made another noise before he looked around nervously.

Most of the patrons hadn’t given them any attention. That didn’t change now.

“I can’t… miss, I can’t pay for that,” he said.

“It’s free. Take it as a gesture from one adventurer to another,” Ilea said. “Thanks for the offer.”

She put down a few copper coins for the ale and vanished to avoid another conversation. Meadow was displaced into her hand again, her pack stored once more.

“You like a mysterious flair,” Meadow said with a giggle.

“I dislike extended conversations with people who think me some kind of monster, hero, or goddess,” she said.

“I feel you,” Meadow said.

“Where did you get That expression from?” she asked.

“A romance novel Michael provided. There were interesting uses of language in that one,” it said.

“Maybe an author that came from my realm,” Ilea wondered, strolling through the town.

“You just became the mysterious stranger to start their story. Funny,” Meadow said.

“Until they realize most smiths around here can’t handle those ingots. Or it gets stolen. Or their party falls apart because they can’t decide what to do with it,” Ilea said.

“I didn’t say a happy story,” Meadow said. “Though I suppose you are a little pessimistic.”

“Reality is often disappointing,” Ilea said.

“Why the deep voice?” Meadow asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Hey maybe you’re right and it actually jump starts their crew. Might hear from them in a decade or two,” she said.

“If you’re continuing like this, you’re not going to be alive to see that,” Meadow said.

“Now you’re the one being pessimistic,” she said. “I can heal pretty much anything.”

“Not overconfidence and death,” Meadow said.

“Not yet,” Ilea corrected.

They both laughed, already reaching the other side of town.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” someone shouted from an open window.

Apologies, wondrous dreamer.

“Everyone is asleep. Do you need that much of it?” Meadow asked.

“Mhm. It lessens as you level of course and depending on skills and Classes but yes. Humans do sleep a lot,” she said, displacing both of them out of the town whose name she hadn’t learned.

“Thank you,” Meadow said.

“Hmm, for what?” Ilea asked, spreading her wings before she lazily flew through fields. A few trees started to show by now, thin patches of forest visible in the distance.

“For letting me see all this. I know you just want to go back to killing monsters,” it said.

“Just because that’s all I did in Erendar, doesn’t mean its representative of what I do. Well it kiiind of is but not fully. I do enjoy just exploring,” Ilea said.

“How did the ale taste?” Meadow asked.

“Not that good to be honest. The hygiene in the kitchen didn’t impress me either to be honest. Maybe it was just the mugs,” she said.

“You didn’t have to drink it, you know?” Meadow said.

“It fit with the whole atmosphere. Meadow, you yourself have reduced me to a bloodied and pierced through head. Some dirty mugs don’t bother me,” she said with a smile.

“I suppose,” Meadow said. “I would’ve still complained.”

“Now I want to see that. Though I guess you’d make them burst with arcane energy just being in the same room,” she said.

“I’d have to request the manager of course,” Meadow said.

Ilea laughed, speeding up a little now that she knew the Meadow had seen much of what could be deemed interesting in the surrounding areas.

Gyffold remained where it stood, undamaged from a quick aerial view.

“Seems like it worked,” Ilea said and descended to the shoreline. “I’ll quickly go check inside. Can I leave you here for a minute?”

“Please, mother! Don’t leave me alone in the wilderness! I will be eaten by wolves!” one of the most powerful creatures she had ever met said.

“You have your mark. Call for help if critters start mangling you,” Ilea said.

“You heartless wench,” Meadow said.

“Says the tree. Literally no heart,” she said.

“How would you know. Never seen my innards, have you? Too weak for that,” the creature said.

“True, that I am,” Ilea said and vanished.

She quickly entered the city, appearing in the gate room a moment later.

Only two guards had remained, playing cards on a chunk of rubble.

“Attention!” Ilea said, covered in her ashen armor.

The gate was gone, the surrounding space and mana returned to its normal state.

No residue, nothing.

She wondered how the city would look if they had closed it from this side instead.

Floating rubble.

The guards scrambled up and saluted, their heartbeats nearly exploding.

“I was kidding. I have no authority to command you,” Ilea said and displaced the fallen cards back onto the chunk of stone. “Enjoy your game.”

She vanished again and joined the Meadow.

“What’s that?” Ilea asked, looking at the fox scrambling away at her appearance.

“We will not talk of this,” the Meadow said.

It smelled slightly sour.

Did it? Damn. Well if that isn’t an achievement for some insane evolution down that fox’s life.

She displaced the ball of stone into the lake, retrieving it a few seconds later.

“I nearly drowned,” it said.

“Sure you did,” Ilea nodded.

“How did it look?” Meadow asked.

“Everything’s normal. Gate is closed and already half forgotten it seems,” Ilea said. As Velamyr intended.

“As I told you. No reason to question my grandeur,” Meadow said.

“Trust but verify,” Ilea said.

“I feel like that’s a contradiction,” the creature said.

“Human failure is always a possibility,” she said and spread her wings once more. The third night had fallen since they had returned, dawn on the horizon.

“I’m not human,” the Meadow said.

“Grassland failure is always a possibility,” Ilea said.

“Absolute certainty is likely impossible, so I suppose you’re not wrong,” the creature said.

“Heh,” Ilea said, speeding through the lands by now.

“I wish I could move like this,” the Meadow said.

“You’re a space mage. I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Couldn’t you form some kind of bird imitation with stone magic, make it live with life magic, and then teleport it around while you see through its eyes?” Ilea asked.

“There is so much to unpack here. I don’t even know where to begin explaining the difficulties of such a task without a related spell,” Meadow said.

“You’re the ancient super mage. Figure it out.” Ilea said.

“I’ll give it a shot. I always believed remaining at one positing wouldn’t be detrimental to my abilities but now… well this realm is quite different. Much more diverse. There are so many creatures here I will never reach,” it said.

“Sounds like an idea. Mind if we speed up a little until we’re in the north?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t mind, no,” Meadow said.

“That’s a change,” Meadow said when they had crossed the Naraza mountain range.

“Yeah. It’s only going to increase from here,” Ilea said.

“It’s such an extreme change,” the Meadow said.

“You sound contemplative. What is it?” Ilea asked.

“I suppose I don’t know enough about this realm yet. It just doesn’t seem like a natural occurrence to me,” the Meadow said.

“I see. Well people have meddled plenty. One sun is even missing,” she said.

“That’s true,” Meadow said.

“How is your defense looking by the way? See those storms?” Ilea said.

“Unstable arcane energies won’t be a problem for me, even in this form. Do not worry,” Meadow said.

“Good. Then we can fly during the day too,” Ilea said and charged her wings. “There’s little on the way that you won’t be able to see from Tremor or Hallowfort either. On the surface that is.”

“That sounds agreeable then,” Meadow said.

Ilea smiled and shot off into the distance, vibrations and shock waves from the closest arcane stormsbrushing past her.

Can spend my stats while we’re at it, she thought.

Ilea went with fifty points into Vitality and Wisdom each.

When am I getting a ten times boost to either of those? she wondered.

The Meadow pointed out a few things as they were flying but it seemed even the four mark had trouble perceiving everything at the high speed while in its subdued form.

“Alright, here we are,” Ilea said and slowed down, arcane lightning striking her directly.

The energy flowed through her with a bright purple spark. It left one of her eyes injured, some of her organs slightly singed.

“Alright there?” she asked the slightly smoking ball of stone.

“Quite some power in those storms,” it admitted. “You really need a third tier resistance for that.”

“It helps, yeah,” she said and displaced them through the stone and into Tremor.

They landed in the ancient cathedral, Ilea placing the creature on a random chair.

“What do you think of the Mana density?” she asked. “Could you stay here?”

“It’s much, much better than your house. Not just the interior design, from a mana standpoint too,” it said. “I could stay here, yes. It’s not ideal but acceptable. My presence would increase the density a hundred fold however.”

“That makes sense. How much more would be acceptable? Same as in Erendar?” Ilea asked.

“That much is not necessary, no. My abilities allow me to be a little more flexible. Specifically my life magic abilities,” Meadow said.

“Hmm, alright. I don’t know if Hallowfort is any denser than this but maybe you can stay in the Descent. Not like the Ascended could do much against something like you,” she said.

“Wherever there are beings… and here there are already thousands. Are you aware of the species living within this cavern?” it asked.

“Soul Rippers, yes. They’re from another realm too apparently, summoned here by someone or something,” she said.

“They are very peculiar. Devoid of… a mind. I may be wrong,” it said.

“Maybe they were part of a hive mind before? Something that controlled them wherever they’re from?” Ilea asked.

“A hive mind? Do you mean a shared consciousness or a controlling entity?” Meadow said.

“Either could work. Though the latter makes more sense if you say they’re devoid of a mind. They still move around and attack if you get too close,” she said.

“They are not moving,” Meadow said.

Chapter 553 Degrees of Monstrosity

Chapter 553 Degrees of Monstrosity

“You mean not at all?” Ilea said.

“Those I perceive are still. Entirely,” Meadow said.

“Makes them even creepier. Not like they weren’t horrific already. I should probably take care of them,” she said.

“If that is what you wish to do,” Meadow said, obviously not happy with her removing the species.

“You said yourself that they have no mind to think,” she said.

“Nothing is impossible,” Meadow said.

“Just hiiiighly improbable,” Ilea said.

“Exactly. Though I admit, I would already focus on eight other species in the vicinity that show more promise. There is a particularly powerful mind mage present,” it said.

“The little chicken? Still around?” Ilea asked.

“The species. There are many more than one,” Meadow said.

Really? Guess I was lucky, she thought with a smile.

“Can I leave you here? I’ll get Catelyn and the council,” she said.

“Of course. I’ll try not to roll off this chair and fall into the abyss beyond this cathedral,” Meadow said.

“I’m sure it’s a manageable task for a four mark earth and space mage,” she said.

“Perhaps I can finally reach the fifth tier with this challenge,” the being said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and blinked up.

She charged her wings and made her way to Hallowfort.

The guards let her pass immediately, every single one apparently familiar with her.

Gotta say, it is quite flattering.

Ilea found herself waiting in the Hunter’s Den.

Catelyn went to inform the other council members that the time had come.

She looked at the silver eyed former Queen of Rhyvor. Her hair looked less disorderly now, a little shorter. She wore a set of black armor, light and mostly protecting her vitals. It had various spikes and adornments of silver. No roses.

They don’t do colors here, hmm?

“What is it?” the woman asked.

“Didn’t think you’d be one for armors,” Ilea said.

The scoffed. “Dresses and crowns? Ilea, I was an adventurer too. For a long time. Dark ones think differently. It takes fierceness and strength to impress them.”

“No offense meant,” Ilea said with a teasing smile. “You look incredible.”

Elana looked away. “You didn’t find me at my most presentable time.”

Ilea didn’t comment on it. She couldn’t imagine staying in that trap of a basement for so many years, not knowing if your loved one and yourself could ever be saved.

“How was your trip?” Elana asked suddenly.

“Small talk? You keep going with those surprises,” Ilea said. “It was fine. I can fly pretty quickly by now.”

“You spent the day nearby then?” Elana asked.

“No, I spent it flying.”

“But… it’s daytime. The storms?” Elana said. Her eyes opened wide before she shook her head. “No. Don’t say it. You’re not like him. You’re much worse.”

“Why does that feel like a compliment?” Ilea asked.

“Because it would, to someone like you,” Elana said. “You wouldn’t want to help me deal with some difficult officials from the Protector’s army? Or deal with a few Feynor outposts that have cropped up a little too close by?”

“I’ve been involved in a war recently. Don’t plan to jump into the next. Not if the enemies are thinking creatures,” Ilea said.

“What if they attack us?” Elana asked.

“Catelyn has my mark. She can call for me,” Ilea said.

“Knowing that does give me some peace of mind,” she said with a sigh. “Both for the town and Catelyn herself.”

“If you take in Meadow, I doubt you’ll have to worry about defending this place anymore. Not if the Feynor don’t summon an actual Dragon,” Ilea said. “They’re here.”

Elana turned her head to the door.

Haiden was the first to enter, the feline barkeeper of the Abyss, as graceful as ever.

“Hey,” Ilea greeted the man.

“Ilea… you. Have changed,” he said with a smirk.

“You’re in the way,” an absolutely massive dark one stepped inside, ducking under the already high reaching door frame to get into the den.

Haiden had already moved out of the way, his expression reserved.

The three meter tall being was clad entirely in black armor, the metal moving and adjusting in a way that suggested it wasn’t plain old steel. His voice was deep, resonating in the room with a hum.

Didn’t even touch the door frame… and his steps are near entirely silent.

“Oh? Is that the one everyone talks about… the ashen healer,” he said, bowing down to meet her eyes with his massive smooth helmet.

[Warrior – lvl 315]

Pretty high level. Why weren’t you in the Descent? Can’t imagine I’d miss something this bulky.

A powerful aura suddenly spread through the room, exuding from the warrior. It felt like a challenge.

Ilea saw both Haiden and Elana tense up slightly.

She smiled and activated her own.

The warrior took a step back. “Oh…,”

Ilea deactivated it again, his efforts impressive for a sapient being but nothing comparable to the presence of even an Astral Spirit. Not that she could match that with her Deviant of Humanity. I do wonder what he felt.

“The stories… maybe they’re not all made up,” he said. “They call me Doravin. We will have to fight.”

“Okay,” Ilea said.

He stepped aside and filled a good fourth of the large hall, sitting down on the ground as his armor moved to accommodate his maneuver.

A four legged winged insect creature appeared close by, two large fly like eyes taking in the room. A small trunk adorned its face instead of a mouth.

“Varahan is this one’s name… it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance at last, ashen one,” she said and bowed slightly.

“Greetings,” Ilea said and waved at the creature.

“This one has heard you found a powerful creature that is interested in moving here?” Varahan asked.

Her form reached a little over one meter.

[Warrior – lvl 235]

“All in due time,” Haiden said.

She made a sucking noise but relented, finding a spot particularly far away from Doravin before she settled within an empty cupboard, her spindly legs hanging out.

Catelyn joined them with the last dark one, another warrior. He seemed familiar but Ilea couldn’t place him. He looked just like some of the guards around town.

The armored creature bowed. “Ashen savior. Welcome back to our humble town. My name is No.”

[Warrior – lvl 211]

“Nice to meet you, No,” Ilea said.

Could’ve lead to a few misunderstandings.

Catelyn closed the door with one of her tails. “Everyone here, except Goliath.”

“That old smith doesn’t ever leave his home,” Doravin said in a booming voice, laughing to himself.

Catelyn looked at him but didn’t comment.

“We’re here because Ilea has brought a potential ally to a nearby dungeon. It’s important that we meet this being and determine if it would be acceptable to accommodate it here in Hallowfort,” she said.

“Is it a Dark one?” Doravin asked.

“Yes,” Ilea said.

“Then my answer is yes,” he said.

“What is the nature of this being? You mentioned it was powerful but you wouldn’t have gathered the whole council for something mundane,” Haiden said.

“It’s better to meet it directly,” Catelyn said.

“You’re being secretive again,” Varahan said, the creature jumping out of its cupboard before it flew a little closer. “I won’t be meeting this creature if we don’t know more.”

Catelyn looked at Ilea.

“It’s a four mark space, barrier, life, earth, and wood mage,” she said.

Various curses were spoken out in different languages.

A minute passed with people looking at each other, thinking things over for themselves.

“Can it be trusted?” No asked finally.

“Yes,” Ilea said.

“Then my answer is a yes too,” the warrior said and bowed again.

“A four mark…,” the massive warrior said. “Perhaps I should meet it after all.”

“You would invite a creature of such power to this settlement?” Varahan said. “It could destroy us all.”

“If the ashen savior puts her trust into it, there is no concern left,” No said.

“She is a friend of Hallowfort, yes… but she can’t speak for this four mark,” Haiden said.

“Are you not ashamed to speak so, in front of Ilea?” No asked, stepping closer to the barkeeper.

“Can we cut it guys? Let’s just meet Meadow. You can talk it out then,” Ilea said, her armor forming once more. “If anything, I’m sure it won’t kill any of us.”

“Why is that?” Elana asked.

“Meadow does not kill sapient creatures. It even refused to kill those directly attacking it,” Ilea said.

I suppose the gate closure killed a bunch. Not directly Meadow though. Or is this one of those gravity killed you, not me pushing you down situations? I wonder if it got experience from all that. I didn’t.

“What help is it then?” Doravin said, the large warrior now standing up.

“You ignorant fool… a barrier mage of that power could improve our defen-” Varahan said as she buzzed a little closer.

Haiden stopped her with a tap on her shoulder. “Remember who you are talking to.”

The fly creature stopped and made another sucking sound. “It has been some time. This one is happy to think she had forgotten.”

Doravin laughed and vanished, appearing in front of the Hunter’s Den.

Ilea joined him, the creature now holding a single bladed axe that reached nearly four meters in length. Mid range just with his size and that weapon.

“Impressed? You’re staring,” he said.

Creatures nearby tried to avoids the area.

“It’s the biggest axe I’ve ever seen,” Ilea said with a wink.

“Would you like me to hit you with it?” Doravin said in a quiet but obviously excited voice.

“Sure, but not here. We can fight in Tremor,” she said.

He laughed, the axe nearly slamming into a nearby building as he extended his arms. “Wonderful! This day is truly blessed.”

The others joined too.

“Are we to leave Hallowfort without its council?” Haiden asked.

“I shall stay,” No said. “My answer is final.”

“Everyone else with me then,” Ilea said and spread her wings.

The group moved through the crevices near Hallowfort, all moving at a reasonably fast pace until they reached the area near Tremor.

Ilea brought them the rest of the way with Displacement when no storms were around, glad she could even move the bulky warrior with her spell.

“Here we are,” she said, appearing in the decrepit cathedral.

“Where is the creature,” Doravin asked, looking around the large hall.

“Here,” Catelyn said, her voice composed but her ears pressing down onto her head.

Elana went a little closer to the fox.

“There is no need to be afraid,” Meadow said from its position on the chair.

Haiden recoiled, holding his head the same way Varahan did.

“Is it the presence?” Ilea asked, blinking to the two and healing them through her ash.

“Their mental fortitude is not enough to comprehend my lacking telepathy,” Meadow said. “I greet you, council of Hallowfort.”

Catelyn looked at Ilea before she took a deep breath.

Doravin walked to the chair and casually went to grab Meadow. “Are you the one talking in my head?”

“Indeed,” the Meadow said, blocking the warrior’s hand with a distorted field of space.

Subdued but still enough for this guy?

Ilea smirked.

“Greetings, Meadow,” Catelyn said.

“I shall refrain from talking to those two. Shall I create writing?” Meadow asked, stone forming from thin air before an apology in Standard appeared.

Haiden and Varahan had calmed down, their minds not damaged much.

Elana’s eyes were fixated on the ball of stone, not a word leaving her mouth. Her lips quivered slightly.

“That would be appreciated, yes,” Catelyn said. “There is much to discuss. You can understand spoken language?”

“I do, if you are this close,” Meadow answered.

Doravin still tried to grasp the creature, taking a step back when it failed. “Can I try to smash you?”

“If that will alleviate your curiosity, be my guest,” Meadow answered.

“Doravin,” Catelyn said.

“It allowed it. Just one try,” he said.

Ilea giggled.

He ignored them, several auras activating as he lifted his hammer with impressive speed and more importantly, grace.

The thing came down in a perfect arc, stopped dead by a thin barrier.

A small shock wave expanded before Doravin removed his axe.

“Hmm. As expected. Impressive. I welcome you to Hallowfort, Meadow,” he said and bowed.

“It is appreciated, Doravin,” Meadow said.

“You want to stay here and listen to the talks? Or go have some fun? I haven’t been in this dungeon yet,” the large warrior said, looking towards Ilea.

I feel like I’ve had this conversation before.

“Sure. Catelyn, call for me if you need anything,” Ilea said.

The fox kept her gaze on the Meadow, standing in front of the other two council members. “I shall.”

Ilea blinked, teleporting a few times until she reached a large square. There were still cracks from her last battle here.

Been a while, she thought with a smile.

Doravin landed a dozen meters away, crouching in a way that minimized his impact.

“Ashen healer. You have taken a spot in the minds and hearts of people I respect. I’d like to see why,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Come at me then, you’re already boring.”

The warrior vanished.

Ilea spread her ash, using her limbs to stabilize herself as her auras flared up.

The axe hit her light a freight train an instant later.

She didn’t budge.

“Good,” the Dark one said, jumping back. “No need to hold back.”

He advanced again, shrouded in wisps of dark magic that licked the air and ground as he moved.

Ilea watched him vanish, a slow line moving through space and to her side.

A slowed teleport?

His axe appeared mid swing, Ilea already crouched to let it pass by above.

An aura of darkness exploded outwards from the being, his hand outstretched towards her.

It was obviously meant to create distance but Ilea simply remained where she stood, grabbing onto his armor as she activated her reverse healing.

“Who will lose first?” she asked with a smile.

He ripped himself away and jumped, only to find himself right in front of her again.

“Already back?” she asked.

He growled, punching away her arm before he vanished.

Ilea looked at him and focused on the frameworks around him. Hmm.

This time the being didn’t vanish.

“Pretty heavy, I’ll give you that,” she said, inspecting the ludicrously massive weapon no longer in his arms.

“Stop with the tricks,” he said, walking towards her slowly.

“Oh?” Ilea asked, dropping the weapon.

It was still in the air when she reached him, her fists lashing out, neither Destruction nor Storm of Cinders activating upon impact.

His magic was still active as he tried to punch back, twisting his armor and body as spikes formed on his gauntlets.

Ilea’s precognition coupled with her healing, buffs, and massively higher speed made the fight trivial.

She dented his armor a few times, going for his right leg with a kick before she disengaged to dodge a strike.

Ilea saw the axe fly through the air towards him.

Instead, she displaced it into her hands, twirling in the air and slamming it into his chest with both her strength and its momentum.

It broke through his plate, digging deep into the being.

Doravin staggered back, chuckling to himself with a deep sound.

“Beaten with my own weapon,” he murmured, ripping out the axe. “I stand not defeated, but entirely outclassed.”

“You’re not the first,” Ilea said with a smile.

“You have earned your titles, ashen savior. Please forgive my arrogance,” the being said and bowed deeply.

“No reason not to have a quick bout,” Ilea said, watching his armor reform. Only darkness had been below, no blood visible on the steel blade of his axe.

Guess I expected more from a level three hundred.

“I’ll be off then,” she said.

“A successful hunt to you,” Doravin said, sounding almost gleeful.

Ilea displaced herself into the darker part of Tremor, her sphere and teleportation speed allowing her to find a single Soul Ripper almost immediately.

The creature stood out in the street, unmoving. Its long arms held up the near skeletal purple body, the flower like head closed like a tulip before its bloom.

Around six hundred again. Shouldn’t be a problem at all by now. Let’s see.

Ilea started charging Heart of Cinder, just standing there until the heat within her started to eat away at her health. She activated phaseshift and started sacrificing health for both Flare and Awakening.

The heat should remain until I get out.

A few seconds later, her skill deactivated.

White flames ignited on the near black ashen armor.

The Soul Ripper turned towards her slightly but didn’t jump yet.

Ilea took the chance instead. She displaced herself next to the creature, setting it alight with burning ash. Her hand extended, she released the stored up heat in a single beam.

The energy and light subsided with a sizzling sound, leaving behind the smoldering remains of a dead Soul Ripper.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul Ripper – lvl 620]’

“Hmm. Well if that isn’t anticlimactic. Not even a level for Faen,” Ilea murmured to herself.

Do I outclass them so much already? I mean I did grow quite a bit since last time. My damage just wasn’t quite there yet.

She cracked her neck, reminding herself that she had just used one of her most powerful abilities with charged up auras.

Soooo, just do the same while flying above the buggers, dropping down and use a sphere attack?

Ilea charged her spell again, flapping her wings as she flew towards the open fields outside of the city walls.

They didn’t react it seems. Not the most perceptive creatures.

What if they don’t even get what’s going on if I don’t show myself?

She formed a cloud of ash, slowly letting it all float down towards the hordes of Soul Rippers.

Burn.

The cavern lit up with white fire, engulfing the many creatures in deadly flames.

They ran around, looking for the culprit.

Ilea spread her arms and let herself fall, a grin on her face as she landed in the largest cluster of the dangerous monsters. A glint of joy lit up in her eyes, perhaps just a reflection of the fiery energies exploding outwards.

Chapter 554 Overleveled

Chapter 554 Overleveled

Fire burst outward, leaving behind a crater and twenty odd dead monsters.

Ilea was out before the first living one even approached.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul Ripper – lvl 580]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul Ripper – lvl 656]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 376 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 377 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 15’

Hmm. I should probably focus on my skills a little more with these monsters. Or should I even bother? If they’re not moving around anyway, who cares?

The monsters remained creepy but that was the only thing they had left. She had killed them now, had bested them easily. It didn’t feel like fighting a dangerous creature anymore, more like murdering a helpless pest. And she wasn’t exactly in the mood for extermination.

Hmm.

The only thing that will level from this is my third Class. Do I want to push it higher already? My skills are nowhere.

Oh.

She had seen the attack coming, seeing the jumping Soul Ripper that tried to grab her mid flight.

Ilea avoided it easily, flying around the creature with her high level wings.

A hundred more beings followed, Ilea flying higher as she maneuvered herself through the sea of eldritch grasshoppers.

Hundreds of the monsters now looked up to her, their flower like heads bloomed and pulsing with dull purple energy.

You’re not going to catch me, she thought.

These were the monsters I was so terrified of?

She smiled. You’re not so different from those Drakes now, are you? Still a higher level but not exactly a threat anymore.

Ilea floated around, occasionally using displacement to move herself or one of the beings.

“How is the talk going?” she asked.

“Good so far. It is fortunate that Catelyn seems to have dealt with powerful entities before,” the Meadow said.

“Yeah, me,” Ilea said and laughed.

“I had that one coming,” Meadow said.

“That you did,” Ilea said.

She’s met the Fae, the Trakarov and Elemental too. And whatever else she has encountered during her time in the north. To think she looked that scared with the Meadow.

Ilea blinked to reach a somewhat lone standing Soul Ripper away from the largest groups, appearing right in front of it.

Her gaze was focused on the opening flower, fleshy tendrils slithering within.

The creature grabbed her with both hands, the long fingers wrapping around her ash like moving twigs. Energy formed in front of its head, concentrated void magic biting into Ilea’s head.

Her skull remained, as did her ash. The spell had caused internal bleeding and a bunch of vanished flesh but nothing majorly concerning.

A direct hit, she thought with a grin, displacing herself out of the monster’s grip.

That does feel pretty good, she thought and flew past the hordes. Most had lost interest as soon as she reached the cavern entrance to their apparent domain.

“Hey Meady, there isn’t a four mark in here by chance?” she asked.

“No Ily, I can only feel the presence of the same creatures you have fought,” Meadow said.

“Can you have multiple conversations at the same time by the way? Or am I interrupting your talk every time?” Ilea asked.

“One conversation is enough but talking to you is more akin to busying a child,” it said.

“Oh? I see. So you’re as limited as us monkeys,” she said.

“I disengage from this conversation,” the Meadow said.

Ilea laughed as she entered the deeper layer of Tremor, no new notification informing her of a newfound dungeon.

The Soul Rippers down here were the same, quickly forgetting about her after she had vanished. She let them use their void attacks on her before disappearing, just to show them how futile it all was.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 13’

Look at that. Showing up again after such a long time.

The whole complex was just a bunch of burrowed tunnels with several layers. No sign of any other creature but the Rippers remained, making it a winded deathtrap with little to gain. Rotted wooden beams and rare pieces of decrepit gear suggested this place had not always been quite as abandoned.

Maybe I could’ve visited during my stay in the Descent. I’ve outgrown them a little.

The creatures were still close to the Spirits of Death in Erendar, even way more consistently above level six hundred. Compared to the Astrals however, the difference just wasn’t enough anymore, neither to level her skills nor her Classes. Not while being at four hundred.

Not even twice my level! Where would I get fighting monsters like that!

Ilea slowed down when she reached one of the deepest chambers.

Her eyes opened wide as her smile vanished.

The entire end of the tunnel had been clad in steel, runes carved within, not just similar but pretty much looking just like those she had found in the Descent.

So it was the Ascended.

Ilea squinted, finding the space slightly distorted at the center of the runes.

“Hey Meadow, is there a gate to another realm here?” she asked.

“Oh…peculiar. I hadn’t even noticed. This form really is quite limiting. But no. There are merely remnants of a fissure that existed long past,” it said.

“Can you see the runes?” she asked.

“Not in this form. Though if you bring me there, I can have a look,” it answered.

“I would very much like that,” Ilea said, staring at the steel for a little while. It looked entirely out of place in this cavern.

She didn’t dare touch any of it.

Let’s not alert the metal man, she thought, gulping at the memory.

Interesting. Not quite over it yet, am I?

She sighed and returned up, leaving the Rippers behind to join the others.

“Already back?” Doravin asked.

Ilea glanced at him. “Yeah, not the most interesting hunt.”

Elana glanced over, quirking up an eyebrow but not saying anything.

“It’s settled then. You will be brought to Hallowfort and may stay in the ruins between our town and the Descent. We can adjust if the mana isn’t enough for you there,” Catelyn said. “Elana, can you draft an agreement.”

The woman nodded.

“Already managed to convince them?” Ilea asked.

“Catelyn was quite forthcoming after the initial shock. An impressive friend you have here,” it said.

“Hey, don’t forget who your favorite friend is,” Ilea said.

“Ah yes, Gravhsitanuloti. He was truly a good friend. A shame he succumbed to his old age,” Meadow said.

“May he rest in peace,” Ilea said, shaking her head lightly as she smiled at the creature.

“I can feel that your heart isn’t in it. But it makes sense. You two would have hated each other,” it said and laughed.

“Did you fight the Soul Rippers?” Elana asked, her face a perfect mask.

“Yeah, I can kill them now. But I won’t eradicate them, they’re not really a threat. I did find steel and runes in the place they have come from. I think it really was the Ascended that summoned them here,” she said.

“I see,” Elana said after a moment, lost in thought before she focused on her again. “Thank you.”

“I am grateful for your hospitality, Catelyn, onetouched by fire,” Meadow said and sent a mental bow.

“I’ll have it check out the runes before I go. Can you guys wait a few minutes?” Ilea said and picked up the ball of rock.

Doravin turned his head, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“We shall wait. There is plenty to discuss,” Catelyn said.

Ilea smiled and vanished, displacing the two of them a few times until she reached the deep tunnels once more.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“Hmm,” the Meadow said, held up towards the runes and the anomaly left behind in the fabric of space.

“Hmm?” Ilea said.

“I have no idea what these runes do,” the being admitted.

Ilea turned the ball towards her face. “Really? I thought you were the rune god.”

“I don’t even have a related Class. My knowledge comes from time and experimentation. And this hasn’t been accomplished through space magic,” it said.

“Blood and void, I’d assume,” Ilea said.

“Precisely,” Meadow said.

“What’s the difference to space?” she asked. “Can I destroy it by the way?”

“Do so, yes,” Meadow said. “The void is more… forceful. Where space magic relies on understanding and structure, void magic relies on power.”

“Seems to fit me more then,” Ilea said, using her burning ash to destroy the runes.

“Perhaps, yes. But you received a space magic option instead, so here we are,” Meadow said.

“Because I met the Fae. I wouldn’t have gotten either otherwise,” she said with a smile.

Heart of Cinder released, melting most of the metal that was left behind.

The fissure disappeared, Ilea returning upwards. She flew past the mostly still Soul Rippers.

A few of them walked around, likely due to her recent activities.

“It may be beneficial to talk to a high level void mage, if you wish to evolve towards that instead,” the Meadow said.

“Hmm. I do like the Class as it is though. We’ll see what kind of evolutions present themselves. I’m sure some of it will be cool anyway,” she said.

The Meadow laughed. “You’re somewhat unconcerned with these things. It’s quite refreshing.”

“What? I asked you so many questions about my skills, evolutions, and everything related to that,” Ilea said.

“Sure. Many,” Meadow said in a dry tone.

“I didn’t?” Ilea asked.

“Let’s just say that being seen as all knowing amidst low level sapient beings has taught me that some are simply insatiable. Just as much are they often indecisive or simply afraid to do what is necessary. Simply knowing how to advance doesn’t lead to power. One has to carve their own way. Guidance can be as detrimental as it can be advantageous. It’s a fine line,” Meadow explained.

“I get that. Knowing how many people here remain powerless when the option to alleviate that is right there, outside of their walls. I don’t fault them, and I’m aware of the luck I’ve had in gaining a powerful Class early. But with so many options available… flight, superhuman speed, healing, pain resistance, the thrill of battle, the intoxicating feeling of besting a monster of myth, near immortality… age wise at least. There’s just too much for me to pass up. Though I understand that everyone thinks differently, and the risks and pain involved may be too much to give up a somewhat comfortable life,” Ilea said.

“Very reflective for a battle obsessed maniac,” Meadow said.

“I come from a place where magic and Classes didn’t exist. I think that was a large influence too,” she said. “And to be honest… if I hadn’t stumbled upon the Azarinth Class, I’d have died after a single day of being here.”

“I was born with power,” the Meadow said. “It’s difficult to imagine what I would have done if I had been born at level zero.”

“Well, depends on your instincts I suppose. I you were the same, unwilling to kill sapient beings, you would’ve likely had problems rising to the power you sit at now,” she said.

“Oh, reaching my current level would have been near impossible. I wasn’t born with that anyway, I invade other realms and eat everyone there,” it said.

“Mhm, exactly. Meadow, the world eater. It would be quite a twist to be honest. But you mentioned it too many times,” Ilea said.

“It’s important to add foreboding elements in a story so that it doesn’t seem unrealistic when a twist happens,” the being said.

“You can ask for books from Catelyn if you want. And I can bring you more from Ravenhall if you like,” she said.

“That would be marvelous,” Meadow said.

“And you can write yourself too, you know? I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of things worthy of a book,” Ilea suggested.

“Hmm… that is… a good idea. Maybe. Do you think anybody would care to read it?” it asked.

“You can start by writing for yourself, but honestly? Yes. And if they don’t, you have millennia to hone your craft,” she said and laughed.

“An acceptable alternative to devouring your world. You have just saved this realm, Ilea,” Meadow said.

“Not even an achievement for that. Something is telling me your plans weren’t quite as sinister to begin with,” she said.

“Oh shush, I stand above the magic governing these things,” Meadow said.

“Can you set me to level one thousand then? Administrator,” Ilea asked as they landed in the cathedral.

“That would defeat the purpose of your struggle,” Meadow said.

“You’re back,” Catelyn said.

“Ye,” Ilea said, throwing the Meadow up before catching it again.

The council members looked at her with varied expressions.

“What?” Ilea asked.

Snickering resounded within her mind.

________________________________

Catelyn stood with the rest of the council as Ilea walked around the ruins with the Meadow in hand.

To think she is casually holding that creature, going as far as throwing it around.

She truly is a monster beyond compare. And here I thought I was extraordinary.

She smiled, enjoying the vacant looks on the other council members’ faces. They hadn’t seen Ilea charge in sitting on the Trakorov’s head.

It was one thing to know she had befriended a Fae and another entirely to see her do these things.

I do hope my intuition hasn’t failed me.

At least everyone is in agreement. The benefits offered by this creature could change the fate of everyone here.

And if I’ve done something right in my time, then it was trusting Ilea.

“It says here is good,” the woman said, looking at them with sparkling eyes.

Catelyn knew she was smiling under all that ash. Does she even know how intimidating she looks? Or is she really just the same young woman looking for adventure that offered me cake?

Coming here and surpassing my carefully accumulated power in so little time. An insult really, she thought with a grin.

She joined the two and looked around. “We’re nearly in the middle between the Descent and Hallowfort. Can your power reach that far?”

“Yes. We believed it best to make it possible for me to reach both the surface and deep into the Descent. I’ll be able to warn you of creatures moving within your territory,” the Meadow said.

Deep into the Descent? How far can this being see? Even in this obviously subdued form, it could contact Ilea back in Tremor.

Catelyn couldn’t help but feel both giddy with excitement and terrified of a potential turn of events.

Why would it wait with its betrayal? There is little reason. Except the horror it would cause amidst our own.

She shook her head. If I meet every being more powerful than myself with such suspicion, I’ll just turn into Elana.

Maybe the stress is catching up with me.

“Meadow said it will make some changes to the architecture. I suggested a place close to the cavern, it’s right beyond this wall actually,” Ilea said and motioned behind herself. “A good view is nice.”

“I have told you, I don’t look with eyes,” Meadow said.

“Ah come on, at least it’ll add to your aesthetic, with a crystal lit cave behind you? I’m sure you’ll like it,” she said.

They’re bickering. Like friends.

Catelyn remembered the little Fae on Ilea’s shoulder. Just an illusion. You know the Fae is just as, if not more powerful than this being here. This is nothing new.

“You seem tense, Catelyn,” Ilea said and stroked her head lightly.

I let my guard down.

She growled lightly.

Frustrating. I have no authority here.

Ilea removed her hand. “Hey, I’m sorry. Don’t look at me like that. You’re just so soft. And no, I still refuse that offer,” she said and shuddered.

“What offer, I’m intrigued,” Meadow said.

“I suggested I could shed, to provide her with my fur,” Catelyn said, grinning slightly as she watched Ilea squirm.

“Oh? Why would that make you uncomfortable? I have reduced you to a squirming head,” Meadow said.

A WHAT?

“It’s not the same with me,” Ilea murmured.

“Humans,” the Meadow said, shaking a metaphorical head.

“They do have their peculiarities,” Catelyn said, her tails swaying slightly.

“Oh, I see where this is going. Fantastic,” Ilea said. “You better take my side Cat, or there will be no more cake!”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Catelyn said, growing in side as her fires licked on the surrounding stone and debris.

“Oh I would,” Ilea said, white flames starting to burn on her body.

“That is new,”Catelyn said.

“Oh yes, it’s apparently the Flame of Creation. Sounds super tacky, right?” Ilea said and laughed.

She was joking. The crisis is averted.

“I believe it should represent the power of your magic,” Catelyn said.

“You’ll just encourage it,” Ilea said.

“Encourage the… flames? Do I have to inform you that they are no sapient creature?” Meadow said.

“How would you know, tree? You’re a bloody Meadow, why couldn’t fire be intelligent?” Ilea asked.

“You’re no Elemental,” Meadow said.

Catelyn glanced between the two of them and started laughing. She turned her head to see the terrified looks of the council and laughed even harder.

“This spot is fine then?” Ilea asked.

You’re asking me?

“It’s acceptable for us, yes,” she said.

“As it is for me,” Meadow said.

“Then you can settle here,” Catelyn said.

“Eh… you probably have to get some distance before that happens. Meadow’s current form isn’t… exactly representative of its power,” Ilea said.

“I’m afraid she is correct. The mana alone would kill most of you in a short period of time,” it said.

“Oh,” Catelyn stuttered out. I really shouldn’t be surprised.

Chapter 555 Roots

Chapter 555 Roots

“Can you build those containment walls again?” Ilea asked.

“They reduce the range at which I can operate slightly. If it’s acceptable, I will simply add warnings in the vicinity where my mana could be considered troublesome. And I can of course simply move whoever gets too close to protect them. Or smack them with a few rocks if they don’t understand the simple message,” it explained.

“It’s also a good way to train Arcane Magic Resistance,” Ilea said.

“I doubt many would see that as a benefit,” Catelyn said. “Though I suppose a few might.”

“How far away should we go?” she asked.

“I will inform you when it should be acceptable for most creatures at level two hundred,” Meadow said.

“Let’s go then,” Ilea said and put the ball on the ground, waving for Catelyn to follow.

Catelyn gave the Meadow another look, its size reaching about half the height of her small form.

Let’s see you bloom then, she thought with apprehension.

They walked away in the long corridor.

“We will get some distance before it expands, the mana could be dangerous,” Catelyn said.

“I shall take this challenge,” Doravin said.

“No you won’t,” Ilea said, the both of them disappearing further away into the corridor.

She can move Doravin with so little effort. I need to get back to fighting. There’s just been so little time.

“Are you certain this is the right course of action?” Elana asked.

“Certain?” Catelyn asked, glancing at her as they walked towards the two fighters who were now engaged in combat. “We have welcomed an ancient and powerful creature into our home. There is little certainty to expect with a decision like that. And yet I stand by it, if that is what you’re asking. Do any of you have doubts?”

“Doubts, yes. But I agree. The potential benefits are simply staggering,” Elana said.

“This one agrees,” Varahan said.

“There is little reason for me to oppose,” Haiden said. “If it had been anybody else but Ilea to bring it here. But it was her.”

She really is the bridge we need. I didn’t expect the council to be as convinced as they are. Especially Elana and No.

Catelyn glanced at the former Queen.

They soon reached Ilea and the broken Doravin, his armor reforming where it had been dented and penetrated.

“I told you, if you can’t get past me, you won’t survive in its mana,” she said.

“My resistance is in the second tier,” Doravin said.

“Come back when it’s in the third,” Ilea retorted.

“How would that even-” Doravin started, a wave of power interrupting him.

Catelyn braced herself, feeling the sudden pressure in the hall.

Waves of mana exuded from the location of the Meadow, increasing in power until it finally stabilized.

Incredible.

Catelyn realized Ilea had her ashen limbs connected to everyone, healing mana flowing into her too.

“I’m alright,” she said.

Ilea glanced over. “I know.”

______________________________

The council was dealing surprisingly well with the high mana coming from the Meadow. Her healing wasn’t exactly necessary, but she supposed it did help a little. If only to alleviate the overwhelming sense.

“Way to make an impression,” she sent to the Meadow.

“I can’t change the fact that everyone is so incredibly weak,” Meadow retorted.

Ilea snickered, rolling her eyes.

“You got your place now. Happy?” she asked.

“Very, yes. This is… perfect. There is such an abundance of life here… some even close to awakening it seems,” it said.

“Well, do knock yourself out. Just make sure not to awaken whole tribes at the same time, or they might attack the town,” she said.

“It’s a lengthy process, one I can only nudge towards, not cause myself. I shall honor my obligations to Hallowfort,” Meadow said.

“That’s good,” Ilea said.

“So that’s it. You have your four mark protector tree,” she said, looking at the glittering crystal tree in the distance, black grass growing on the ground, walls, and ceiling close by. The wall towards the cavern disintegrated slowly, letting more light enter the slowly expanding hallway, shifting at the will of the Meadow.

“Indeed… that we do,” Catelyn said.

“I’ll be back at some point soon. If anything comes up, just call for me,” Ilea said, walking towards the Meadow.

“I will. Thank you, Ilea,” Catelyn said, glancing at her for a moment before her attention returned to the space creature.

“I’ll get back to you about that teleportation stuff. Hope you settle in nicely. And keep the godly acts to a minimum,” Ilea said, stepping onto the shifting grass.

“I will try. Though sometimes the odd miracle does slip out on accident,” Meadow said.

“Can’t do anything about that, I get it. We are just too incomprehensibly awesome to fool people consistently,” she said.

“We? Oh don’t lump your uppity weak self into the same basket as me, the great Meadow,” it said. “Would it be acceptable if your mark on me remains? You offered Catelyn to call for you but her perception is somewhat limited compared to mine. I’ll be able to judge an enemy threat far earlier and may gauge if an intervention from you is needed.”

“Sure, I have plenty of open slots. Just don’t call me here for nonsense. Do call if you get lonely or want to vent about something. We’re friends after all,” she said and winked towards the general vicinity.

“I do appreciate it, Ilea. More than you know. Now hush, I can feel that you are restless. These gatherings and talks bore you. Ah to be young and reckless again,” it said.

“You were never reckless,” Ilea said.

“But I was young,” Meadow said.

“I suppose you were. Hey, mind giving me a boost… lemme deactivate my space resistance. Hmm,” Ilea tried to gauge where they were exactly, looking out into the crystal lit cavern to find anything resembling a landmark. “This way I think. But up and out too.”

She pointed in a direction.

“Of course. Your four mark transportation service is ready,” Meadow said.

“Hope you have a good stay. See you soon,” Ilea said and touched the tree lightly.

“Thank you. For everything,” Meadow said.

Her view shifted, sunlight suddenly visible to her. Storms raged nearby, their purple lightning mangling the landscape relentlessly.

Pretty far. Nice, Ilea thought, looking back to where she assumed Hallowfort to be.

She sped up and flew through various storms as night slowly set.

Ilea arrived near the Izna dungeon when the mists started to fill each crevice, burrow, and crater as far as the eye could see.

The first spinning Miststalkers appeared soon after, twirling in their ethereal dance as the stars watched from above.

She entered the facility and quickly made her way towards the factory part of the dungeon.

Ilea didn’t exactly have to use any skills to find her first victim.

She sneaked up from behind and jumped, hugging the floating being as the two slowly moved to the ground.

“Long time no see,” she said and laughed as the being struggled to escape her grasp.

“Hunter of ash… I ask of thee… let go,” Goliath said with his deep vibrating voice that came from everywhere at once.

Ilea obliged, rolling away before her wings flapped once to push her to an upright position. She watched the creature of stone and steel slowly float back up, his two golden eyes twinkling as he turned towards her.

“Here,” Ilea said and stepped up to him, a plate held in her hands.

Goliath stared at the cake, his right arm moving towards it slowly before he hesitated. “For… me?”

“Of course. You mentioned it to Catelyn, didn’t you,” Ilea said.

The ancient blacksmith opened his otherworldly eyes wide, a deep and resonating sob resounding from him.

“Ashen huntress…,” he said.

“Just take it and eat,” Ilea said and laughed, sitting down on a nearby forge.

Goliath didn’t have to be told another time, taking the plate before he grabbed an ever so tiny fork from a nearby impromptu workbench.

Ilea downright stared as he started eating, bringing tiny amounts of cake towards his head and into a small hole that opened where a mouth would be.

That is his mouth.

“Delicious,” he hummed, continuing to eat in silence, his eyes changing in shape and intensity during the whole thing.

Ilea looked away at some point, unsure if it was appropriate to see for her.

The smith had extended his workshop down here in Izna. A dozen forges burned nearby, prototypes of armor and weapons displayed on shimmering green steel racks. Pieces of art were mixed in, much of it abstract enough to be indiscernible from usable equipment to Ilea.

When she glanced at the smith again, the cake was gone.

“Wonderful. Magnificent. Truly, a marvelous work of art,” he said. “Was it thine creation?”

“Oh no. I’m not particularly good at baking. Popi made it, a friend from Ravenhall,” Ilea said.

“Popi. A legendary maker then. I shall treasure his name and this memory,” Goliath said and bowed in mid air.

“Why don’t you do that,” Ilea said with a smile. “How have you been?”

“Hmm, I have been well. Many options present themselves in this forgotten crypt of steel and death. Yet more secrets wait to be uncovered and I am never without a splendid task,” he said. “I do see that thee has yet again expanded upon your experience.”

“I’m glad you like it here,” Ilea said. “What do you mean by that last comment?”

“I can feel the magic of the old spirits. You are rising, and soon you shall bloom,” Goliath said.

“If that isn’t super ominous. What do you mean by bloom?” Ilea asked.

“Evolve, to thine next stage of power,” the smith said.

Ilea squinted her eyes. “You just mean my Class evolutions, right? Not some weird ass metamorphosis for me to turn into a spirit?”

“I do. Yet there is much you have gathered. I will await your evolutions with anticipation,” the ancient being said.

Is he appraising me like I’m some kind of ore?

Ilea didn’t want to think too much on his words, instead changing the subject. “How have the Elves been? Still around or slaughtered somewhere in this tomb?”

“They are. Alive. Many nights and days have passed, since last they have visited,” Goliath said.

“I’ll go look for them then, I suppose,” Ilea said.

“I shall wish upon you, good fortune,” he said.

Why does that sound like a bloody curse? Ilea asked herself but didn’t comment, not about to hurt this old goodhearted craftsman.

“Oh hey, thought about giving you a mark too. So that you can call for me if I’m needed,” Ilea said.

“I may escape, whenever the circumstances demand such. Do not worry about this old steel touched,” Goliath said.

“Are you sure? Just in case, you know,” Ilea said.

The smith approached her and casually put his hand onto her shoulder. “Young one, save your limited spells for those in dire need. I am content, and safe.”

Ilea smiled. “Alright then. Nice to meet you again, Goliath. Oh! Before I forget!” she said and summoned her armaments, pushing mana and heat into it to activate the massive armor.

It started glowing with power, steam rising from the exhausts on her back before she switched into a battle stance.

Goliath clapped his hands together. “Wonderful. I knew you could reach the power to use it.”

She stored it again and grinned. “Took me a while to figure out.”

“I am aware that with your small frame and high speed, it is not the most suitable for thine needs. Yet I had been inspired by the dwarven creation, and sought to accomplish something similar in nature and yet tailored to you,” Goliath said.

“It helped train a few skills already. I’ll find a use for it, don’t you worry,” Ilea said.

“Those words bring joy to this old smith,” Goliath said.

Ilea laughed and waved her goodbyes, using Sentinel Huntress to try and track the Elves through this maze of a production facility.

They’ve been here for some time. Let’s see how much they managed to achieve, she thought with a sly grin. Did they get past three hundred? Maybe even past four hundred… though I do doubt that. Especially if they fought together all the time.

The first sights of residual magic made her speed up slightly, teleporting through the manufacturing plant in quick succession.

She went down each layer, quickly checking for anything moving. All she found were scraps. Centurion scraps, and the signs of explosions. Bent and blackened steel, dented floors and ceilings. Plenty of forges had been damaged and destroyed, spilled out liquid steel had cooled and merged with everything it touched.

Messy, Ilea thought and continued onward.

The factory ran deep, dozens of layers now cleared out by the group of Cerithil Hunters.

Ilea heard a muffled explosion, unsure on which layer she was by now. The sound was familiar enough for her to associate it with a Taleen Centurion.

She followed the noise, speeding up through the various layers until she came out in what seemed to the bottom layer. Her sphere showed her only solid stone down below.

A large double gate at one end of the near empty steel layer had been blown open, the doors blackened and bent inward.

She displaced herself towards it and blinked through, finding herself in an expansive hall with one distant exit. The walls, ceiling, and floor were made of steel, like everything else in the facility, carved into the deep underground of the north. Spaced out magical lights on each side of the large hall shined in their eerie green light.

Not quite as eerie if I can easily see, she thought, stepping out onto the railing. Stairs lead down into the hall to her left, her current position about five meters above the ground floor. A single exit lay at the other end, remaining shut for now.

Flashes of light flickered ahead, created by the four armored mages and their foes.

The Elves were clad in steel armor, three of them in a rather dark variant that reflected little light, one of them in something a little more shiny, and thick.

The ground was littered with scraps of destroyed dwarven creations, shrapnel digging into the walls even where Ilea stood.

Did I ever see- she thought and noted that there were a few new Centurion variants present.

Six foes remained, two of them being Centurion Rippers, each holding four serrated swords in their respective four arms. Two looked like Guardians, six sword like arms extending in a curved way forward out of their central bodies. The main difference was that the swords were flying through the air most of the time, controlled by the wielder like a magical element.

The last two only had two arms, ending in canon like contraptions that gathered energy as they tried to make distance. Beams of bright yellowish light magic extended from their weapons, streaking through the hall with blinding velocity.

Ilea leaned onto the railings with her arms, relaxing as she watched the ensuing battle.

One might’ve thought the enemies overwhelming, if not for the various dents and shrapnel that suggested dozens if not more previously destroyed Centurions.

No Praetorians? she wondered.

Ilea watched a bright white barrier appear near one of the armored elves, runes showing on it that thrummed with energy. They had no discernible effect on the enemies but she was sure of their power.

Elfie, she noted, the elf clad in a armored robes and a steel mask that covered his face and hair.

The heavily armored elf didn’t look quite as gracious, summoning daggers made of fire. He threw them in the general vicinity of the Centurions before the projectiles exploded in red flames. His armor had been damaged, the left shoulder piece mangled to the point of pointlessness. Half his helmet had been ripped off, revealing some of his red hair.

Heranuur looked even more imposing with the set of heavy steel plate, standing over two meters tall now, he faced three of the creatures himself. Instead of dodging, or avoiding them however, he let them strike.

Explosions spread out after he had entangled a Ripper’s blades with both his hands and his armor. His laughter resounded through the entire hall, temporarily muffled by the explosions.

A shield appeared to his right, blocking a beam of energy before it flickered out again.

One of the six armed Centurions found itself entangled by wood in the meantime, roots growing from the ground before they immobilized the target.

Ilea assumed Neiphato had planned to let someone else finish the job, finding herself surprised when the wood continued to expand and grow, crushing the machine until its green lights flickered out, steel bent and ripped as its lifeless husk now lay entombed in a prison of wood. A deafening explosion burnt through the timber a moment later, contained and localized by the elven mage.

Impressive.

Seviir appeared near one of the ranged light magic users, his own steel armor covered by thin lines of bone. His hands expanded further with claw like protrusions that dug into the fast moving machine. He vanished yet again to avoid one of the beams, a shield of light appearing in front of him where he came to.

Elfie glanced back towards Ilea before he focused on the fight yet again.

Heranuur looked a little worse by now, more of his armor dented and ripped, barriers now flickering up around him to deter the downright blade storm coming for him.

He jumped back and threw four bright fiery blades, missing with each.

Ilea smiled, realizing what had happened.

The blasts of the explosions pushed the three Centurion variants towards him, making them stagger slightly before a bright dome came to life around them. Wood came to life within.

Heranuur and Seviir immediately went for the two ranged variants.

Elfie still had the capacity to block a few of their blasts with new barriers that came to life near himself and Neiphato.

It didn’t take long for the trapped Centurions to crack and dent under the creation of the powerful wood creator. The three explosions resounded in quick succession, none of them breaking through the barrier. It did crack slightly but vanished at the will of its caster in the end.

Elfie turned and floated towards her while Neiphato kept an eye on the two remaining foes and their current partners.

“Welcome back,” the elf said as his mask vanished, the flowing red hair falling down his back as he smiled with a predatory grin.

Chapter 556 Friends of old

A note from Rhaegar

Shoutout to Twilight Kingdom here on Royalroad. Wonderful characterization mixed with an intriguing fantasy setting, stellar worldbuilding, and magic system that pull you in like nothing else :). No OP shenanigans but actual conflict and growth :P.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21323/twilight-kingdom/

Chapter 556 Friends of old

Elfie twirled in the air and landed next to her, standing proudly with his full two meters on display. He straightened his hair with one armored hand, his eyes still focused on the ongoing battle.

“It is good to see you, alive and well,” he said.

[Mage – lvl 325]

“And you, Niivalyr. It’s been some time, I see you didn’t waste it,” Ilea said with a smirk, glancing over at the elf.

“Their teamwork and abilities have improved exponentially, as did mine. Yet I see that you have not slowed in your restless pursuit of power. You are far beyond even four hundred now. Did you reach your three marks?” he asked with interest.

“You’d see that, wouldn’t you?” Ilea asked.

“Perhaps. It’s unknown to me what trickery and power may be unlocked at such stages. Especially for a human such as yourself,” he said with a hint of played disdain.

“You called for me?” Ilea asked.

The elf smirked, showing off his sharp teeth as he glanced at her with his fascinating dark gray eyes. “Straight to business? That is not the Ilea I know. Perhaps it would be good for you to take a break, there is no rush.”

Ilea watched the battle, Seviir struggling to get a hold of the Centurion as Heranuur rushed it with reckless abandon. As the fight went on, she realized the latter wasn’t exactly true. Heranuur took calculated risks, letting himself get injured whenever it provided an opening in return. His explosive blades and fire spells just weren’t quite powerful enough to take out the enemy quickly.

Neiphato waited behind, vigilant and ready to intervene when the situation demanded such. He did a few times, with good timing and calm motions.

He’s grown quite a bit, hasn’t he, Ilea thought with a warm smile.

“You’re not wrong. But Catelyn told me you were quite insistent on me meeting you here. I thought it was something at least somewhat important,” Ilea said.

“Ah… yes… well,” Elfie said. “The situation has somewhat, calmed, in the last few weeks,” he said. “I apologize for my insistence.”

“Apologize to her, I came as soon as I had time and considered it somewhat safe,” she said.

“Your expedition into the depths of the Descent… I had heard something had happened, yet the details were not shared with me, only that you were safe,” he said. “Did you perhaps try to mate with the Trakorov?”

“No… though he was a charmer, wasn’t he?” Ilea said.

The elf looked at her for a full two seconds, confusion apparent on his face.

“I was joking,” she said.

He coughed, looking ahead. “I have much to learn.”

“How would that even work… his p-” Ilea started, the elf interrupting her.

“Please. Let us not get into specifics, Ilea. It’s good to see that you’re alive,” he said. “And apparently consider this place safe enough to come.”

“I’m glad you lot didn’t get slaughtered either. Quite a few levels for you, I see,” Ilea said.

“Not just me. My students have improved considerably too. As did you. Far beyond what I thought possible,” Elfie said. “What did you fight this time?”

“Astral Spirits, in another realm,” Ilea said.

“Hmm. Yes, that is a logical explanation,” the elf said and chuckled.

He licked over his teeth and lips, Ilea giving him a glance.

“Oh… apologies. Old habits,” he said.

“Don’t mention it, you don’t have to change something like that for me,” Ilea said.

“And yet I don’t want a… friend, to be uncomfortable when around,” Elfie said.

Ilea smiled. “So what happened on your side? You seem to be handling the situation well enough on your own. Not that I mind visiting.”

“We have cleared much of the facility. There are however many halls in the lower sections protected by Praetorians or variants of them that we cannot yet face reliably. That is however not the reason for calling you,” Elfie said.

The last two Centurions were getting demolished by now, the two elves with support from Neiphato slowly overwhelming the machines.

“We found teleportation gates. Several of them,” Elfie said.

“Good for you. Did you destroy them?” Ilea asked.

“No. Not all of them at least. The Taleen don’t seem to have realized our intrusion, or they simply do not care. One of the gates leads into the Izla dungeon. A facility that we assume produces Praetorians. In time, I’m sure we would reach sufficient strength to overwhelm it but every day that we wait, more of those machines are produced and sent to kill our brethren.”

“I see. And you want me to help?” Ilea asked.

“I want you to introduce me to the Cerithil Hunters you have met. Isalthar specifically. He may be the only one on our side able to face what we found,” Elfie said.

“You’re underestimating me,” Ilea said with a smile.

“I simply don’t want to involve you. You have done enough for me, for us,” he said.

“I’d be excited to help. Destroying ancient machines with a high enough level to both challenge me and be beneficial to my Classes? Sign me up,” she said.

Elfie looked at her. “I… I would be honored to have you at our side. But… I’m not talking about normal Praetorians.”

“Hunters? Or Executioners?” Ilea asked.

His eyes widened. “You know of them? Wait Executioners?”

“I’ve fought a few, briefly. Their numbers overwhelmed me then but I’m not exactly the same anymore,” Ilea said. “Executioners… well I only saw one. Silver with void magic blades or something. The thing was definitely quick and could move on air.”

“I… that’s even worse than the Hunters,” he murmured.

“I’ll set up a meeting if I can. We’ll get the group here and try to infiltrate and destroy Izla,” Ilea said. “I don’t know how long it will take however. Maybe I should check it out myself first.”

“The gate is active. If a real threat goes through, I doubt they’d let you flee so easily. Nor would they only send normal Praetorians in pursuit. I think we were very fortunate. We might not have many more chances with that gate,” Elfie said.

“I see… that makes sense I guess. I destroyed the one that lead me to those Praetorians,” she said.

Neiphato landed nearby, blue magic wings disintegrating. “Greetings, Ilea. It is good to see you well, and powerful.”

[Mage – lvl 306]

“You too. Nice wings. Your magic looked quite impressive from here,” she said.

The elf blushed and looked away.

“Don’t encourage him,” Heranuur said and jumped up to join them.

[Warrior – lvl 308]

“He’s been annoying enough as it is,” he said and stretched, pieces of steel falling to the ground.

Ilea was unsure if they had belonged to his mangled armor or the enemies.

“Goliath will not be happy,” Elfie said.

“He’s a smith. This is what smiths do,” Heranuur said.

“The human returns, still very much alive,” Seviir said as he walked up the stairs. He grinned, a menacing look in his eyes.

[Mage – lvl 297]

Do I have to remind him where we stand?

Ilea didn’t exactly feel like another bout. Beating down poor elves wasn’t on her to do list today.

“Up to Goliath then?” she asked.

“It seems like a visit is necessary, yes,” Elfie said.

Seviir and Heranuur looked at each other before they vanished.

Ilea saw them teleport up and away.

“What’s that about?” she asked.

“A race,” Neiphato said. “Their rivalry has only strengthened over the past months. It can be troublesome in their approach to our foes.”

“They’ll learn, don’t worry too much,” Elfie said, touching the other elf on his shoulder.

Neiphato glanced at Ilea before he went for the door.

“Terok isn’t with you?” she asked.

“Not anymore. He returned to Hallowfort after some time. I believe he talked about putting together a team,” Niivalyr said.

“I see. I’ll meet him at another time then,” she said. He’s going to freak out when he finds out I know the Meadow, she thought with a smile.

“Elfie, something else,” Ilea said.

He turned to face her, a smile on his face. It still looked downright predatory but at least his eyes seemed somewhat joyous.

“I have a skill, to mark people. It lets me find you, and it lets you call for me in an emergency. Just thought I’d give you one while I’m here,” Ilea said. “I you don’t object to the idea.”

“It seems like a useful ability. I don’t mind carrying such a mark, if there aren’t mind magic or other sinister properties bound within,” he said.

“There shouldn’t be. Not to my knowledge at least,” Ilea said and chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to take it. Goliath refused.”

Elfie smiled. “Both him and I, are prideful beings. Yet I trust you, and while he works in relative safety, I fight machines made to destroy my kind. I am not above admitting that a way to call for you would bring me some form of calm,” he said and hesitated. “Don’t… mention that to other Elves.”

“Of course not,” Ilea said and smirked, taking his hand into hers.

Mana flowed into the mark, the power settling quickly before she let go.

“That was… unobtrusive,” Elfie said, looking at the runes on his hand after he stored the gauntlet.

“I guess. I have little experience with marks like that,” Ilea said.

“There are… a few rather… powerful experiences every elf goes through after birth. But let’s not delve into such topics now. Astral Spirits you said. Do tell me more,” Niivalyr said as he walked towards the exit.

Neiphato waited for them near the stairs, the three of them making their way back up towards Goliath.

Ilea talked about her adventures in Baralia and Erendar, not mentioning that she got the Meadow out with her quite yet. She wanted to let the tree settle in before it got flooded with requests.

“Another Elemental,” Elfie commented as they reached the upper floors, the three of them now flying up through the open space in the center of the facility.

“Just one more for the triple,” Ilea said. Might become an Ash Elemental by that point.

“I’ll try to set up a meeting then. Or should I just get them here?” Ilea said.

“The latter would be easier, yes. Though my confirmation may be necessary to convince them,” Elfie said.

“Either way, I’ll have a look and get back to you,” Ilea said.

“I appreciate it, Ilea. Thank you,” Elfie said. “Oh, and about that Taleen artifact.”

“When I’m back, alright?” Ilea asked.

“Of course,” Elfie said. “Safe travels.”

Neiphato waved while the others argued with Goliath.

Ilea blinked away and activated her third tier, waiting a few minutes until she vanished.

Ilea appeared in her home, cracking her neck and knuckles before she blinked onto her balcony.

She looked at her hands and smiled. At least this war is beneficial to my own advancements. And we’re fighting machines.

Her clothes disappeared into her necklace before she jumped over the railing, plunging down until she reached the water.

A quick swim later, she found herself flying again. I’m just a glorified messenger girl by now, with the flight speed of a fighter jet.

The journey to Riverwatch was a familiar one by now, Ilea rushing past the few landmarks on the way she had memorized until Karth came into view. The marks she had left on both Walter and Dale helped of course but they were hardly a necessity at this point.

Ilea flew low past Riverwatch, stopping along the treeline overlooking most of the expansive town. Hundreds of torches and lanterns illuminated the streets, light pushing through many of the windows.

It wasn’t Ravenhall but she had visited so many times by now, she could identify some of the larger buildings as what they were, even from outside the city.

Maybe some day, I’ll be able to watch or even participate in a tournament here without an unexpected interruption.

She was glad to see the guards vigilant, patrolling with their eyes open and ready to face potential threats at a short notice. Did I really save this city from a Baralia takeover?

It felt a little like a hazy dream at this point. She had been in no major danger, and still, thousands now felt the impact of her actions. Both here and in the distant kingdom.

Ilea summoned herself a bottle of ale, raising it towards the city before she took a sip. May your nights be quiet, and your days productive.

Her wings moved, taking her into the western forest.

She quickly reached the Calys mines and blinked through the hidden passage, entering the hideout of the Vultures with displacement.

Do you have space magic detection? she asked herself and sipped on her ale.

Another two uses of the skill brought her into the common room.

Walter sat at one of the tables, engrossed in a few official looking documents.

“Hey there,” Ilea said and sat down opposite him.

The man didn’t even wince, looking up at her with a sigh. “You disabled the runes?”

“No. Space magic,” she said.

“Ah. Makes sense,” he said and stood up. “Good timing. I’m starting to get a headache.”

“What’s going on?” Ilea asked.

“Alistair with his trade agreements. I hadn’t taken him for such a bureaucrat. This is exactly why I founded a hidden order of necromancers and dark magic practitioners,” he murmured. “What are you drinking there? That’s not mine.”

Ilea made the bottle vanish at his glare. “Oh nothing. Nothing at all. Drinking? I’d like a mug of your ale, if you would.”

“Good,” he said, the hint of a smile showing on his face.

“You weren’t even surprised when I showed up. That focused? Or are you just immune to a good scare?” Ilea asked.

“What do you think this place is? I’ve woken up to an undead sitting next to my bed with its face next to mine,” he said, bringing over two mugs.

“Why would anybody do that?” Ilea asked.

“To have a laugh? I don’t know. Ask them yourself if you want to. Also don’t just appear in someone’s room unannounced, it’s rude,” he said.

“I took a peak beforehand. Wouldn’t want to interrupt something a little more, private,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Peeking is rude too. Don’t let all that power get to your head, Lilith, savior of Riverwatch,” he said. “The song requests are getting to me by the way. Thanks for that.”

“I can’t help but watch my back, Walter. And no worries. I just helped against the Baralia forces to annoy you with the songs that would spring up from that whole affair,” she said.

He smiled. “I knew it. But seriously, helping would be one thing. You slaughtered their whole army.”

“It’s what I do now, apparently,” she said with a shrug, drinking from the mug. “Yeah, this is the shit.”

“I told you,” Walter said with a self satisfied expression on his face. “Here for a reason I suspect? Is another army coming or something?”

“Not exactly. I need to speak to the elves. When do you next meet them?” Ilea asked.

“I see. Two weeks from now I believe. I can give you the exact date but I’ll have to check,” he said.

“That’s good. Thanks. How have things been?” she asked and slid to the back of the bench, resting her back on the stone wall.

“There’s always something going on. Eyn is improving at an alarming rate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he joined your Shadows in another year or two. With how Alistair is treating us, and the brewery in town, I feel like we’re actually a part of the city,” he said.

“Sounds good. Or was that not what you were looking for?” Ilea asked.

“Not initially, no. But I suppose with the current leadership it’s better than just hiding, unsure how the locals would react if they found us. There’s just a lot more work on my table now,” he said.

“And nobody can help you?” Ilea asked. “You don’t have to deal with the elves or that brewery if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, the elves are little trouble. And I do like the work. The bulk is just dealing with all the requests from the others, and with the increasing communication from merchants and high ranking officials in Riverwatch. Craftsmen and women dealing in kind of maybe forbidden arts are very much in demand,” he explained.

“Hmm. Yeah I can see that. I got a request to help in the Baralia war by some high ranking secret order,” Ilea said.

“One upping me?” he asked with a smile.

“Oh not at all. I just get it,” she said.

“I know, I know. Sometimes I just wish we’d still just be an unknown group of lunatics hiding in a dungeon,” he said.

“Maybe you should take a vacation,” Ilea said.

“To Ravenhall?” Walter said and laughed. “It would be nice, but I can’t be gone for weeks.”

“That might not be a problem anymore soon. We’re working on a teleportation gate. You could even visit the north,” Ilea said.

“Many have tried to reproduce what the Taleen had accomplished. And to my knowledge, nobody has succeeded. What makes you think you’re getting close?” he asked.

Ilea smirked. “We have more artifacts, probably. And more importantly, the help of a four mark space mage.”

“A f… oh well, not that I should be surprised. That’s good to hear. Or bad, depending on how the gates will be used. Working long range teleportation would have a massive impact on humanity as a whole. To think the young woman who stumbled into our abode would have such an influence in just a few years’ time,” Walter mused, drinking from his mug.

“Well, it’s not just me. I do tend to find and harbor capable people,” Ilea said.

Chapter 557 Contenders

Chapter 557 Contenders

“But maybe I shouldn’t brag about it before we actually succeed. Though I don’t see us failing with already existing gates and a being that could bridge two realms with space magic,” Ilea said.

“If it means vacation in distant cities, maybe even lands not governed by humans… count me intrigued,” Walter said.

“That would be cool, right?” Ilea said. “All that travel time… just gone.”

“Well it depends how it would work in practice. I’d assume people still have to pay a fee or something. And security would need to be tight, otherwise you have armies invading through those things, or worse, monsters,” he said.

“We’ll consider those issues. I don’t exactly plan to place teleportation gates within cities, no matter how safe they’re supposed to be. Maybe nearby, and underground or something,” Ilea said. “And locked in to one destination, if that is possible.”

“The way you talked about the north. I’d definitely like to see it some day, so don’t disappoint me,” Walter said and snickered, emptying his mug.

“I’ll fly you there if the gates turn out to be an impossibility. Or if they need to be charged by sacrifices or something,” she said.

“Sacrifices don’t need to kill the victim. You can also just sacrifice an arm and heal it again,” he said.

“Isn’t there some inherent thing in sacrificial rituals that would prevent healing?” Ilea asked.

Walter shrugged. “I’m not the healer here. But I think if that happens, it’s just a powerful hurdle. Just need to find an even more powerful healing spell.”

“Makes sense, I suppose,” Ilea said.

The two were silent for a little while, Walter giving both of them a refill. He didn’t seem quite as tired and annoyed anymore.

“How are things with Lucia?” she asked.

He swerved around his mug. “Good. I think we should make more time for each other. She’s been very focused on her work lately.”

“Hmm,” Ilea said.

Walter laughed, glancing at her. “What about you? Is the legendary Lilith engaged with someone? Perhaps a commoner at level twenty. That would sprout a few more songs, and stories.”

Ilea smiled. “No. Not at the moment. I quite enjoy the free life of an adventurer.”

“You’re a special kind of adventurer. Unique even, I’d say,” Walter said.

Ilea waved her hand slightly. “I wouldn’t say so. Was just unlucky enough to attract the attention of bards.”

The man chuckled. “I suppose that’s true.”

“Ah right, you’re a bard too,” Ilea said and laughed.

“I am. And every day I regret not being the first to write a song about your escapades,” he said.

“No you don’t,” Ilea said.

“Yeah, not really. Can you imagine, all that attention? At least you can just fly away or vanish,” he said.

“Not like you couldn’t, dark mage,” she said.

“Weeell, I’m not exactly at your level of power,” Walter said. “Are you hungry?”

“Always,” Ilea said. “You know it’s not that hard. You just get a healer class and go out there until you’re as strong as I am.”

He went to the kitchen while shaking his head. “I won’t honor that with a reply.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea murmured.

The man returned soon enough with a few platters filled with bread, cheese, cold cuts, fruits, and a few vegetables.

He sat down and put some of the food onto his plate. “So, now you’re getting involved with the elves again.”

“More the Taleen. They’ve been hunting elves for hundreds of years,” she said and started eating too. “Thanks for the food.”

“Don’t mention it. The machines? Ah yes, Ben mentioned it before. Cerithil Hunters, right?” he said.

“Mhm. Elfie, a friend, he found a working gate to a Praetorian manufacturing facility. At least he thinks so. Those things are level six hundred machines, strongest variant I’ve seen so far,” Ilea said.

“And he wants the help of the hunters here?” Walter asked.

Ilea nodded.

“Makes sense. Wouldn’t you be enough? I don’t know what level you’re at by now but it must be enough to deal with six hundred monsters,” he said.

“There are stronger variants too. And we don’t know how many there are. Even I can be overwhelmed with numbers,” Ilea said. “Not killed maybe, but overwhelmed.”

“What’s your level? Four hundred?” he asked.

“Four forty right now. Third Class is coming up on four hundred too,” she said.

“Space magic?” Walter said.

“A guess?” Ilea asked.

“No, you mentioned our defenses,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Right. Yeah, it’s space magic and white fire? Flames of Creation. Not much of a clue what it actually is but it’s certainly powerful.”

“I can imagine. And no, I don’t want a bout against you. Level one hundred Ilea was quite enough to see,” he said.

“That’s fair,” she said.

“Got any plans for the two weeks until our meetup with the Hunters? I’m sure the others would be happy to see you. Lucia mentioned experiments that require a particularly resilient human,” he said.

“I do actually. It’s back to Ravenhall for me after the meal. Mostly gate related stuff, and I should show my face sometimes in my organization, maybe get some hunting in too if I find the time,” she said. “I won’t be bored, that’s for sure.”

“That we have in common,” Walter said. “It’s good to see you in high spirits. I knew the whole Baralia affair wouldn’t be something you’d particularly enjoy.”

“It is what it is. Can’t all be fun hunting of monstrous entities that want you dead,” Ilea said.

“That’s true,” Walter said.

The two shared a few more stories until the platters were empty.

Ilea said her goodbyes, charging her wings near the mountain of Karth, zeroing in on the mark she left on Claire.

_________________________________

Vienna finished the last few repetitions, pushing the heavy barbell up while keeping her balance and focusing on her breathing.

The exercise wouldn’t increase her strength stat but she found it helpful anyway, if only to be more in tune with her own capabilities. Most of her peers didn’t see the use in this kind of training.

Trian had nonetheless accepted her request for a room that held a variety of weights for this purpose. Even though she was one of the only ones using them.

“There she is!” Chana exclaimed as she glimpsed inside, the door slightly ajar. “Oh… I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Vienna had only glanced over quickly. Do I really look so aggressive all the time?

She slowly let the barbell descend into the steel brackets, breathing out as she sat up. “You’re not interrupting.”

“Oh, great,” Chana said, opening the door. The girl was smaller than her, by quite a bit. The shirt she wore barely hid the muscle below. She had long brown hair and a kind smile, her tanned skin suggesting a life lived mostly outside.

If only I could become as strong as she is, Vienna thought and reminded herself that the woman had invested quite freely into her Strength stat. Not just that, her Earth magic related enhancements provided more than a little help in the department.

Elias was there too, waving at her with a slight smile. His physique, shaved head and thick beard suggested he was older than the eighteen years he claimed to be. He averted his gaze as soon as she met his eyes.

Vienna smirked to herself but didn’t comment on it. She wouldn’t get involved with her teammates. There were simply too many issues connected to that. The man would understand too, once he had a little more experience in the matter.

“What’s the occasion?” Vienna asked. They didn’t have a dungeon dive planned this week and neither did they have a class together.

“What are you talking about?” Chana said, pouting slightly. “Our Hunter exams!”

“Yes. They’re in three hours. I’ll meet you there,” Vienna said.

Elias chuckled to himself. “We thought to have lunch together beforehand. As a team building exercise, if you will.”

“Hmm. I don’t see the worth in that,” Vienna said.

“Come on, don’t be so cold,” Chana said.

I didn’t eat in a few days.

She stood up and cracked her neck and knuckles. “Alright. I guess it wouldn’t be the worst way to spend my time.”

She couldn’t say she wasn’t nervous at all. They were the first Sentinel team to have their Hunter exams after all. They had no idea what to expect. Vienna wasn’t worried. If they failed, it simply meant they weren’t ready and had to work harder to meet expectations.

There was no indication that there would be a punishment or that they could only take the exam once. With their experience so far, she had little reason to believe they would fail in the first place.

Maybe they want to set an example with us, to show everyone that even a team like ours can and will fail. It may be demoralizing for the others to do so however.

She was sure that the faculty knew what they were doing, their classes, combat, skill, and magic evaluations had always been helpful.

Chana squealed in delight, hugging her with her thick arms.

Vienna felt her body squash together. Internal bleeding and a cracked rib. Well done Chana.

“You injured me,” she said.

The woman looked up with a shocked expression, letting go immediately. “I’m so sorry Vi!”

“You need to learn to gauge the resilience of your counterparts. Not all of them can heal themselves,” she said and took care of her own injuries. You absolute monster.

“But I can heal them too,” Chana said with a smile.

“Pain is not something normal people can easily ignore,” Vienna reminded. Sometimes it felt like she was talking to a child with her.

It was good that her initial request to have Chana placed in a different team had been rejected.

“I do enjoy seeing you two hug, so please don’t stop,” Elias teased, his arms crossed in front of him.

“That was close. But I can see the anxiety in your eyes,” Vienna said.

He smiled. “I’m getting better. Soon, you won’t be able to resist anymore.”

“Resist punching you? Yes, maybe you’re right,” Vienna said, the three stepping into the simple stone hallway far below Ravenhall.

Most of the training rooms had been built for efficiency. Anything beyond that wouldn’t have survived for particularly long anyway.

A swath of fire rushed out into the hallway from the doorway ahead, the cheap wooden door reduced to ash.

“Aw fuck… not again,” someone said, the voice quite far away.

Vienna picked it up easily, already placing it with the face of the Sentinel it belonged to. Lack of control.

She couldn’t fault him, knowing his weakness had saved his team more than once. He was simply too emotional. And as long as his team got into situations that demanded his outbursts, he wouldn’t get better either. That was her opinion on the matter. She didn’t care to inform them or the faculty about such, having learned her criticism was often deemed too harsh.

“Let them experience their weaknesses, learn from them on their own. Change comes from within, not without.” Trian had said to her after another Sentinel had asked her on an opinion during a bout.

She didn’t agree exactly but she was the student here, not the teacher. At least as long as it didn’t concern her own team. With them, she was as brutally honest as she could be, not just because she was older. Their survival and growth quite literally depended on it.

The group walked up the stairwell, teleportation outside the training halls only allowed with a good reason. People just bumped into each other too often, a testament to their lacking perception.

She stepped out into the mess hall, finding their table not quite empty.

“Oh nooo,” Chana exclaimed silently.

“He doesn’t bite,” Elias said and went to get a plate of food from the counter.

Vienna locked eyes with the man sitting at their spot, neither of them relenting for a moment before she went to the counter too.

They sat down a few minutes later, Vienna sitting across the man.

Gael, likely the highest level Sentinel besides the faculty. He wore his short dirty pants and stained shirt, if only to abide by the rules. Outside of common areas, the man was always covered in ashen armor. He had deep brown eyes, sometimes shifting towards an autumn crimson, long black matted hair reached down his back. He stood nearly two meters tall and was broader than most.

His massive steel pole rested on the wall behind him. The plate in front of him had a mountain of meat piled on it, much of it raw.

“Greetings,” he said.

“Hey there, Gael,” Elias said and patted the man’s back.

Always taking unnecessary risks, Vienna thought. She did encourage her teammates fight dangerous enemies and train with powerful peers but Gael was a little different.

He simply didn’t know when to stop. That was, if you annoyed him.

It would likely not be an issue during a bout but he simply did not do those.

“Is it a problem that I sit here? I know it isn’t my assigned spot but the others annoy me,” he said.

Vienna started eating. “No. But Chana is uncomfortable around you. You could simply ask the faculty for a separate room or table.”

“They refused that request. Saying I should interact more with the others,” he said.

“What do you think?” Elias asked.

The man looked over. “I don’t mind the three of you. Though if I make you uncomfortable, I shall find another spot.”

“Before you nearly kill them again for a stupid question they asked?” Chana asked. “No, you better stay here and don’t hurt anybody.”

“It’s not my fault if they provoke me,” the man hissed.

Chana stared at him.

“Stop it, both of you. We’re having lunch,” Vienna said in a cold voice. “Childish squabbles is beyond anybody that sits at this table. That applies to you too, Gael.”

The man looked at her, biting into a chunk of meat as he held eye contact. He chewed and swallowed, blood dripping down his chin. “Agreed.”

“He should apologize,” Chana said.

“Don’t be unreasonable,” Vienna chastised.

The woman gave her a look of betrayal.

“Do you expect a monster to apologize for its instincts?” Vienna asked.

“He’s human. Like the rest of us,” she said.

“Are you?” Vienna asked the man.

He shrugged, continuing his feast. He did seem slightly amused.

“You can fight him later, Chana. We have to focus on the exam first,” Vienna said before the woman could escalate the situation.

It wasn’t protection. Neither of the two knew how to hold back but if anybody could challenge Gael in a direct brawl and remain standing for more than minute, it was Chana.

The nearby tables had quieted down, the tension in the air obvious to anybody that wasn’t entirely blind to their senses.

[Warrior – lvl 232]

He was five levels lower last time.

“Did you have your Hunter exam already?” she asked the man, happy to gain any advantage they could.

“No. Don’t care,” he said.

“You can go on missions alone once you’re considered a Hunter,” Vienna said. Level two hundred was the main requirement, and the exam that nobody knew anything about.

Most of the people who had joined the Sentinels initially were Medics by now, after an exam they took at level one hundred or slightly above. It hadn’t differed much from the weekly written tests and combat evaluations. The only thing different about the Hunter exam that they knew about was that their group had to work together.

Gael didn’t have a group. He fought alone. Even if he had the exam, it would likely look different than theirs.

Or perhaps not. Just because he chooses to fight alone doesn’t mean he will face different threats. He just has to deal with them all on his own.

“What’s the big deal? They put me into a dungeon and I can kill monsters,” he said between bites.

“But you can choose which monsters to fight. You can actually help settlements, heal people, or protect a team of Shadows,” Elias said. “Though I think if I can choose, I’d rather stay in this team.”

Vienna agreed. They had become quite efficient together. She wouldn’t want to join some noble boy or inexperienced adventurer who simply happened to be at level two hundred. Most of them had reached it by killing monsters with traps or their magic, not facing much of any danger directly.

She knew her Classes and this opportunity had all been due to Lilith but in the end she had to be able to trust her team fully. Just because she was lucky in getting here didn’t mean she had to become a charity.

“I don’t care. I’ll kill them no matter where they are,” Gael said.

“Why become a Sentinel then at all? You could’ve just become an adventurer,” Chana said.

“Better training, better Classes. Why would I refuse? If they want me to kill monsters near a city or help defend against an attacking horde, I’ll gladly do it,” he said.

What the fuck happened to you?

Vienna had never asked, nor would she ask now. The man’s past was his own. As long as he didn’t stand in their way or betrayed the Sentinels, she didn’t have a problem with him.

“Lilith can just throw you into an approaching monster horde from above,” Elias said with a smile.

“If that is what she wishes to do,” Gael said.

“So no info on the exam. What do you think is going to happen?” Chana said, smiling again.

“A combat evaluation is likely. And I would think they’d put us into a situation where we get to our limits, both physically and mentally. I have a difficult time imagining what that would be, considering we’ve been to various dungeons so many times already. Not even Trian could push us that far,” Vienna said.

Chapter 558 Normal Exams

Chapter 558 Normal Exams

Milena felt her heartbeat increasing. The tension in the hall was nearly palpable, her eyes glancing at the massive man sitting a few tables ahead.

The nearby students had all quieted down, trying to listen in on the conversation of the powerful Sentinels.

Milena watched Gael eat, both his looks and the way he ate downright vulgar. Can’t he take care of his hair and clothes at least, she thought, seeing his eyes snap up to meet her own.

Oh no. She felt the terror deep within her as she looked down, staring at her own nearly empty plate. One little piece of potato was left and a slice of meat she didn’t particularly like, mostly fat.

Please don’t come here. I’m sorry.

“You’re way too scared of him,” Seth whispered. “A man like him, you look into his eyes and don’t relent. If he wants you dead, you’re done for anyway. But he’s going to think less of you if you’re a little wuss.”

“You know the rumors Seth… how can you say that, not even at level fifty yourself,” she said.

Milena had reached level fifty five in her Medic Sentinel Class on their last assisted dungeon trip. Just reaching that much had cost her a ridiculous amount of pain and tears.

Her parents had gotten her into this school. The classes were interesting and everyone was very motivated but by now she didn’t know if it was all worth it. Her new Class was good and worked well together with her ice magic but there was so much to learn, so much pain, and so much training. Out of the ten that had joined on the same day, only her and Seth remained.

By now she could heal her own injuries and had a rather high tolerance to pain but the faculty just made her training harder in turn.

Did they do the same thing until they reached level one hundred… two hundred?

“Elias is sitting next to him. You know that guy helped me out when I was living in the streets. If he isn’t scared of Gael, neither am I,” Seth said with a grin.

But you wouldn’t say that to his face, would you?

Milena didn’t comment on it, still keeping her focus on her plate, playing with the food.

“They’re supposed to be taking their Hunter exam,” Seth said. “That means they’re already level two hundred.”

Milena nodded.

“Can you believe that? They’re barely any older than we are. How long could they have been here? A year? Two?” he asked.

“With how difficult it is, I don’t see how you wouldn’t reach a high level here,” Milena said. “Even I am already over level fifty.”

“You just have to kill enough monsters. The healing makes it easy. As long as you don’t die, you can fight on,” Seth said. “Just wish they weren’t so self righteous.”

“What do you mean?” Milena asked.

He looked at her, leaning a little closer. “All that talk of healing people, helping them. We didn’t get strong here because others healed us. We worked hard to get this far. What help is it if you just fight for others?”

“What? But isn’t that how this all started… when Lilith took the first students in and showed them her power?” she asked.

Seth grinned. “You believe those fairy tails? If you ask me, the faculty did something to their minds. Why would somebody just offer all this for nothing? Trust me, I’ve heard of enough healing orders. They sucker you in with promises and then do something to make you stay.”

Milena shook her head. “But you were healed too? I don’t think Elias had any reason to help you.”

He shrugged. “He might’ve seen the strength and potential in me. Or he was tasked to find more people. Bunch of sad refugees looking for charity.”

“Why are you still here then? If this is all charity? I worked hard to stay, did all the assignments and trained every day. I won’t let you just dismiss all that,” Milena said.

“I take what I can get. There’s food here, and shelter. A powerful Class. And… you,” Seth said with a smile.

“Me?” Milena asked. She was confused. He was her only friend here. The two others in their team looked at her like she was some kind of noble.

“Yeah. We have to stick together, don’t we?” Seth said.

She nodded. “I suppose.”

He leaned in even closer and whispered. “But once we’re strong enough, we get out and go to another city.”

“I can’t do that… my parents live in Ravenhall now,” Milena said.

“You’re old enough. How long are you going to be a burden to them? I’m sure this place costs enough gold to buy a whole set of armor,” Seth said.

They said it was free.

What if they lied?

Milena wasn’t sure. She liked it here but the stress and difficult training was getting to her. Maybe becoming an adventurer like her parents was the way to go.

Is he right?

___________________________________

Vienna checked her bracers, her chest plate, and finally her boots. The rest was already in order.

Her ashen armor spread over her light gear, wisps of dark gray moving slightly as her defenses expanded.

Most Sentinels had a form of ash armor, the differences however were quite staggering. At least now that the levels had spread out as far as twenty to two hundred.

Her own would probably be classified as a light version, providing protection but not impeding her with additional weight or a bulky design. Her Ashen Ranger Class had changed the armor into something a little more lithe at two hundred but so far she had a hard time gauging the differences, even with all her perception abilities.

Chana on the other hand had evolved her Classes into something more attuned to earth and stone. The girl certainly was stalwart, but not quite as attuned to the fine line of risk and death so many others veered towards.

Bulwark of the Sentinels, she repeated the name of the Class in her mind. It was certainly a mighty declaration. One a few others had challenged because of a lack of ash. They didn’t complain anymore.

The girl sat, finishing her armor check, a much bulkier plate version of the stonehammer and bone armor Lilith had provided them. The helmet looked fierce on her, deadlier than many of the monsters they had faced in the past weeks.

She took a deep breath and formed her spear of stone, thin lines appearing on the growing material before the runes flickered once.

Chana grabbed the weapon and checked the enchantments she had placed on them before she glanced at Vienna.

“Oh… did I do something weird?” she asked while giggling, scratching the back of her helmet.

“No, not at all,” Vienna said and stood up. “Are you ready?”

Elias opened his eyes, floating up with a gust of wind that formed below him. He remained cross legged for a moment before he cracked his neck and limbs.

He landed and went through a few combat forms in fluid motions, his Sentinel armor even thinner than Vienna’s. The man was by no means without defenses however, his ash armor not only highly versatile but helped by additional air defenses.

Not that he needs it in the first place, Vienna thought, allowing herself a slight smile.

They were as prepared as they would get.

Whatever the faculty threw at them, they would tackle it to the best of their abilities.

A knock on the door resounded.

“Ready,” Vienna said.

Orthan stepped inside, handing her a map. “You have six hours. Good luck.”

Vienna took the map and turned to the others.

Neither of them complained or commented, instead looking at the clue together.

“Mountain ranges,” Elias said.

“Ravenhall is here,” Vienna said and pointed at a specific spot. It wasn’t marked but she had made sure to familiarize herself with the terrain surrounding this city. To an extent even before she had become a Sentinel. Her father had always insisted on little things like that.

“I know this peak. Eight kilometers away,” Elias said.

“There isn’t a direct route, not if we can’t fly,” Vienna said. They couldn’t fly. Elias wasn’t strong enough to carry the three of them.

“We take the route towards Morhill before we turn back here,” she indicated a spot and put the map into her pack.

“Can we make it in six hours?” Chana asked.

“We have to,” Vienna answered, the three of them teleporting up and out of the Sentinel headquarters, meeting behind the building to not attract too much unnecessary attention.

The citizens of Ravenhall were somewhat used to the presence of powerful Shadows and adventurers but their headquarters remained somewhat of an unknown.

The three sped through the city using their teleportation abilities, only stopping when they reached the northern gate.

They slowed down as they exited, Vienna giving the Shadowguard a quick nod before they continued their mad sprint.

All three of them knew the limits of the others. They could easily make it to Morhill with running and teleportation. The terrain would become harder to traverse afterwards, meaning they could slow down from time to time to use their Meditation.

This was not the time to pace themselves.

Vienna used her air step ability to climb over the deep crevice leading down into a frozen abyss.

The winds were stronger here, a freezing cold sweeping over the group despite the time of year.

Chana broke out of the ground with an explosion of ice and rocks, landing before she vanished. Elias on the other hand simply floated next to the others, occasionally giving Vienna a hand to conserve their collective mana.

Few monsters showed themselves, the terrain neither providing food nor prey. Any shelter in the area would be farther down or hidden. The ones they met either weren’t interested in the group of humans or were shooed off with a few spells.

Vienna could see the thin road down below, her eyes managing to pierce through the icy veil. They had reached the top of the mountain chain. The rest of the way should be simple enough.

They didn’t have to check the final spot for accuracy, a plateau of ice and stone spreading out for a few hundred meters with an obvious cave entrance behind. In the midst of the field stood the stoic form of Aki.

“Had to be him,” Elias said next to her.

They were looking onto the plateau from an elevated position, hidden by snow and stone. Vienna could make out the machine’s eyes. She was sure his sight was no match for hers. The assumption wasn’t arrogance but based on hundreds of bouts and training sessions.

“Are we supposed to get into that cave?” Chana asked.

“We could avoid him, try to cause an avalanche maybe?” Elias suggested.

“No. If he’s here, we’re supposed to show what we can do,” Vienna said.

“But this is Aki we’re talking about. None of us has won a single fight against him,” Chana said.

“When was the last time we fought him together?” Elias asked.

“Exactly,” Vienna said. “And this is an open space. Remember, he can’t fly.”

She made two gestures, one suggestion formation four, the other one suggesting immediate action.

Her teammates vanished, Vienna forming her bow of ash as she stepped up, finding good footing before the arrow formed. She watched the machine, knowing that by now she had shown herself even to his limited eyes.

Her spell activated, the ashen arrow flashing out with increasing speed, aimed at Aki’s chest.

The machine moved slightly to the left before the arrow exploded in a mist of ash.

Vienna teleported to change her position, forming another ash arrow, this one much thicker. She pulled back the ethereal string, pushing mana into her creation.

She waited until Chana broke out from the plateau, teleporting to close the distance to the Centurion of Akelion. Her spear clashed three times with the machine’s before Vienna let her arrow loose.

Aki used a thrust attack, his weapon deflected by the sudden stone covered form of Chana, glowing enchantments visible on her gray armor. She attacked back when the arrow exploded with heat and ash.

The Centurion was pushed to the side, singed slightly as he continued to deflect spear thrusts.

Elias appeared behind him, his timing perfectly set up to deliver a blow of his intrusive wind mana. He deflected the butt of the spear coming for him with a simple movement.

Vienna teleported downwards, stepping through the air until she reached the plateau herself. Her arrows formed more quickly now, shot from a shorter distance at the limbs and spear of their combat instructor.

By now she focused on weight more than anything, not using her area attacks in an attempt to keep her allies from harm. This wouldn’t be the only step of this exam.

Aki’s attacks increased in both speed and power, his green eyes glowing brightly as he slashed through Chana’s armor, his spear digging deep into her stomach.

Vienna used the opening to send an ashen arrow at the machine’s left eye.

He moved his head in the last moment, the homing properties of the spell not enough to adjust at the short distance. The arrow slammed into his head, pushing it back slightly.

He ripped out the spear and jumped back, slashing at a retreating Elias before he suddenly threw his weapon.

The man was forced to teleport away.

Vienna didn’t let up, watching as Chana knelt down to heal her injury.

Aki tried to get to her but was intercepted by Elias and continuous arrows. When he threw his spear, it was deflected by an explosive ash arrow. Just enough to graze past Chana’s head.

He’s not holding back. If I had missed that, her head would’ve been hit.

Vienna took a deep breath, creating a few dozen smaller projectiles that hovered in front of her ashen bow. She teleported closer to join the fray.

Elias was pushed to the defensive entirely, a few dozen dents and cuts showing on his armor by now.

Vienna veered to the side, releasing her projectiles in an expanding cone.

Aki jumped back but was hit by about ten of them anyway, their force pushing him back and twirling him to the side.

Stone shot up from below him, trapping the machine for a moment.

Vienna loosed her arrow, the dense piece of ash crashing into the joint of one of his legs, denting it int the process.

Elias appeared close to the machine and kept it busy as more stone plates broke out from the ground.

She kept her next volley ready, adding to the density as she mixed in explosive mana.

Chana finally boxed in the machine, forcing it to jump up.

Vienna aimed and shot.

Sixty dense ash projectiles slammed into the warrior before they exploded in red light.

Stone spikes broke out of the ground where the machine would land, catching the damaged warrior.

Vienna appeared close by, another volley already floating in front of her bow.

“You are defeated,” she said.

Elias appeared next to the machine and stomped down on the spear, his fist hovering above Aki’s arm.

Chana broke out of the ground behind him, her own spear leveled close to his head.

“Indeed, it seems I have been bested,” Aki said.

If Vienna was honest, he didn’t look bested. There was a slight dent on one of his legs, his armor slightly singed and blackened but she didn’t detect any major damage.

Their team on the other hand had used considerable mana to get him that far.

She shot out her volley, aimed at the leg joints.

Chana slammed her spear into the joint where his arm was connected while Elias sent his wind mana into the machine.

Aki broke out of the stone with a whirling motion, his spear swiping past them.

Vienna had seen it coming, already far enough away to let the weapon pass harmlessly in front of her.

Chana took a direct hit to her throat, her stone armor partially broken through as blood was flung into the air.

Elias had taken the worst hit, his right arm separated entirely due to his close proximity to Aki.

The machine rushed Vienna, his spear thrusting at her with precise and deadly attacks.

She remained calm, her steps calculated as she continued to avoid his attacks, volley after volley of ashen arrows pushing him back. She noted that the joint she had damaged earlier didn’t look the same anymore.

Reparation. Well, it’s only fair.

Chana held her throat with one hand, the other one steadying Elias’ lost arm to make it easier for him to connect the limb again.

Take the bait.

Aki dodged a volley and turned around, rushing at the two injured.

Vienna knew that Chana’s throat had already healed, and Elias was perfectly capable of reattaching a severed arm. They had trained it hundreds of times after all.

The machine took a last step, his spear rushing at the stone wall erected by Chana. Before he could reach her, the ground opened up under him, swallowing the creature into a shaft of stone and ice.

Vienna stepped through the air above, seeing the machine slam its spear into one of the walls.

A single charged arrow hit the spearhead and exploded in a shock wave of mana, ash, and heat.

Chana slammed her hands together, a loud groan of moving stone resounding from below as the shaft was pushed together.

Vienna landed close to the thin crevice, aiming downwards at the slightly bent and flattened Centurion. Mana flowed into her arrow.

“Sentinels, you may pass,” Aki said. “Find what the deepest chamber of the dungeon holds and return it to me.”

Vienna dissolved her ash, kneeling down next to the shaft. The instructor wouldn’t invoke the name of the Sentinels in a ruse. That rule had never been broken.

Chapter 559 Experience

A note from Rhaegar

Can you tell me if there are missing spaces in this chapter? Just leave a comment if you spot any. I've had issues before with copying from libreoffice to html. Thanks for reading and have a good week!

Chapter 559 Experience

She wasn’t sure. He was strong and even now he would have beaten each of them individually. Did they win together? Or was he simply satisfied with their performance?

It didn’t matter. They had received their next objective. The six initial hours were still running. They had to return to Aki or perhaps even Ravenhall before that time had passed.

“Should we assist him?” Chana asked.

“No. Let go of your spell once we have reached the dungeon entrance,” Vienna said and motioned for them to continue without delay.

Elias checked his arm, making sure there hadn’t been any issues with the reattachment, fist closing and opening.

Chana could regrow his arm had he lost it but it would’ve taken considerably more time and mana.

“It’s dark,” Chana said.

The entrance lead into a cavern that went nearly straight down.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Veiled Abyss dungeon’

“Unfamiliar,” she said.

The others confirmed.

“Torch,” she said, watching Chana retrieve one.

A touch by Vienna ignited the tool before it was placed into the stone armor of Chana, a socked having formed.

Vienna didn’t need the additional light but the others would benefit, at least until they knew what they were dealing with. Visual cues and information was important, with an unfamiliar dungeon and the monsters within.

She motioned downwards, the three of them jumping after one another, with Chana going first.

The woman had the highest chance surviving a powerful blow from a monster beyond their capabilities.

The group landed on near black rock, within a tight crevice.

Chana led the way with her stone spear in hand, the flames of her torch reflected on the shimmering runes glowing on her stone armor.

“Mana? Thirty five,” Vienna said.

“Fifty,” Chana said.

“Sixty five,” Elias added.

Vienna had a way to gauge their resources but it was always better to be precise.

“We rest for ten minutes,” she said.

They continued, knowing that the group would only rest in a space where a battle could take place. A tight crevice was no such place.

Luckily the cavern opened up after a few minutes of careful teleports and climbing, letting the group take a short breather to regain their lost mana.

“More crevices ahead,” Chana said, on one knee with her spear at the ready.

“Noise?” Elias asked.

“What about our retreat?” Vienna asked.

“It’s all stone,” Chana said.

It was a risk. The monsters here could have a way to manipulate stone too, or to move through it unimpeded. But they had a solid position here, with enough space to fight mostly efficiently. The way forward looked similarly difficult to handle. And they had to move forward.

“Noise,” Vienna confirmed.

Chana cupped her mouth and shouted.

The group didn’t have to wait long for the response, the question if the dungeon could perhaps be uninhabited answered immediately.

Weird slushing sounds came from the crevice ahead, stone spikes forming along the exit.

Chana added a simple wall in front of Vienna, the latter taking a position at the back of their group.

A horse like skull slid out of the crevice, blackened and covered in dripping black sludge. Tendrils of the muddy liquid pushed past, slithering behind the form as it pushed itself forwards through the narrow passage.

[Veiled Praenar – lvl 242]

Ashen projectiles impacted the creature immediately, followed by stone spikes pushing into it from the very corridor it had pushed through.

The Praenar pushed ahead, not showing a reaction to the attacks in the slightest.

More monsters were slithering through the passage, trying to push past the sludge of the first.

Chana extended her earth magic use as Vienna shot arrow after arrow into the approaching creatures.

Their last member stayed put for now, preserving his mana not to get in the way of the others. He had taken a position close to the crevice, ready to join the fray when the first monster managed to push itself through.

The first three died before managing such, the sludge sliding down on the walls.

A forth monster managed to exit without receiving enough damage, the black sludge expanding as it took the form of a horse, tendrils of dripping sludge slithering outwards.

Projectiles impacted it immediately, Elias now attacking the monster directly.

His armor was instantly damaged by dozens of hardened tendrils that lashed out at him, a few drawing blood as he continued his assault, intruding mana eating up the creature from the inside.

The creature fell, Elias retreating to heal his wounds as the others continued their ranged attacks.

Only three more of the monsters showed themselves, unable to break through the stone obstacles Chana had prepared for them.

“All of them?” Elias asked after he had finished the last creature with a punch, its skull just about to pop out.

“We’re done, yes,” Vienna confirmed, not using a sign this time as additional confirmation that it was safe.

The trio explored the dungeon for the better part of an hour, fighting a few more of the creatures that now only came at them individually.

It didn’t take them long to map out the main tunnels and crevices, quickly finding the cavern they were looking for.

“What do you think?” Elias asked, looking into the dark cave as he squinted his eyes.

“There’s something at the center. A sphere. Magical,” Vienna said.

“Nothing has reacted to our approach,” Chana said.

“Something is in there… there’s more of the black ooze the Praenar were made of,” Vienna said. “Set up traps Chana, in case we have to retreat. I expect the most powerful monster in this dungeon to reside here.”

“Should we fight it?” Elias asked.

“That depends,” Vienna said, squinting as she used all her perception abilities to pierce through the veil of darkness.

The sphere shimmered lightly, placed atop a simple stone altar. Around it there was only darkness. She smelled and heard the black ooze dripping to the ground, unsure where it came from exactly.

“Our mission is to retrieve the orb but if we can kill whatever is in there, we do that too. Same priorities as always. If we fail here, we can try again some other time. Take adequate risks,” she said, trusting her companions to make the right choices.

If the monster was beyond them or if there were too many, they would assess if taking the orb was a possibility. If it wasn’t, they’d retreat and regroup, or flee if nothing else was possible.

She signaled them to go forward, Chana taking the lead with her skin turned to stone to make sure an unexpected initial strike wouldn’t be quite as devastating.

“Ash,” Elias said after a few steps into the cavern.

The torch now illuminated most of the area.

Vienna saw the orb more clearly now, and something large lying behind the altar. An oozing blob of dark matter. The ground nearby was covered in ash.

“There’s a skull he-” Chana said, pointing at a large horse like skull, one side entirely shattered.

Vienna looked around the room, not finding anything but feeling the use of magic. Something was definitely here, staying just out of her spherical perception.

“Smoke out,” she said, the group preparing spells to find the hidden being.

Vienna saw the ash on the ground suddenly move, going up behind Chana before it wrapped around the torch.

The woman reacted in time, jumping away before a black tendril lashed out from behind her, cutting the torch from her shoulder before it was covered in ash, the light going out instantly.

She heard the sound of various spells, shifting ash and stone, a breeze from Elias’ magic.

Her own arrows were prepared as well. “Together.”

The others joined her position, back to back as a circular wall of ash formed around them. Vienna had moved away the ash below. She saw the sphere shift, the top of the altar broken off and now carrying the relic through the air.

A sudden low growl reverberated through the cavern.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the growl of a dangerous predator – You resist its effects’

Vienna tried to make out where the sound had come from, feeling an aura expand from her right.

She could feel the fear take root in her mind. A panic tried to take over her mind, one that came from a deep instinctual realization that this creature was the hunter. And they were its prey.

Meditation activated immediately, a soothing power emanating from Chana to her left.

“Fear not the dark,” she said, giving her spell form as the walls around them flared up with runic light.

The illumination didn’t last long, showing the ash that surrounded them. An all encompassing mist.

They had trained often with ash. At the beginning with Lilith but later on with their own abilities, or meditating in a room covered in it. Each Sentinel had their own connection to it, positive or not.

Vienna tried to take over, tried to move the mist to reveal their enemy but she couldn’t.

It’s her.

She didn’t have time asking herself more questions.

Lances of ash came from within the mist, breaking through the defensive walls with explosive power.

“Retreat!” she shouted, still unable to pierce the ash with her abilities. Something lit up to her right.

Magic.

She saw it now, amidst the darkness floated a winged creature with sixteen limbs, heat and magic now flowing freely from its core.

And then it was gone.

Vienna vanished at the same time as the others did, appearing outside of the cavern with the orb in hand.

She was about to gesture to the others when the sights in front of her changed once more.

Vienna was back in the cave, upside down nonetheless.

She teleported us back? How?

There was no time to think, the woman using air step once to reach the ground in a crouch.

She made a clicking sound, two others resounding nearby. The ash didn’t hinder her perception but it seemed Elias was out of her limited range.

Vienna saw the attack coming before it happened, ducking under the fist before she used her elbow to strike back.

To her surprise, her arm connected. Her eyes opened wide, already comprehending what would happen next.

Something grabbed her arm and twisted it in an unnatural way.

Air step activated and pushed against the being, ripping herself free at the cost of a broken arm and shoulder. Her pain had already been deactivated. There was no need for it here.

She used her teleportation again once it became available, the order to retreat still very much active.

This time the three appeared in the open tunnel outside without disappearing again immediately. The problem however was that someone else had joined them.

They split up immediately, Elias weaving himself through the ashen tendrils as she herself tried to avoid them with air step.

Her stomach was pierced, the ash moving through entirely before it flung her to the side, her back hitting the stone wall with a slight crunch.

She coughed up blood, assessing her injuries as her healing activated.

Elias had somehow avoided the strikes, still in the process of dodging the fast moving limbs.

Vienna could only watch as Lilith deflected each of Chana’s spear thrusts with expert moves, closing the distance with three quick steps before her fist snapped out and cracked her teammate’s armor.

Chana slid back on the ground, staying on her feet before she coughed out blood.

Vienna held up her arm and formed as many projectiles as she could, aiming them not at Lilith but the tendrils moving out on her back.

The monster glanced at her, moving her wing lazily to the side to catch the ash, a few of her limbs swaying towards Vienna.

Elias didn’t waste the moment, appearing in front of Lilith to allow the others time to heal. He attacked with a few faints before Lilith struck back.

He managed to deflect the blow, twirling to keep his balance as he expected to dodge the ashen limbs.

They weren’t there anymore however, both wings and tendrils gone as the founder charged.

Vienna had fixed her back by now, the bleeding stopped but the wound still regenerating. She formed her bow nonetheless, charging a volley as she watched Elias desperately dodge and deflect the woman’s attacks.

He adjusted his arms before the strikes came but Lilith did the same, finally hitting his chest with a direct blow.

Stone spikes forced her back, Chana catching Elias with one arm.

Vienna appeared next to them, keeping her volley at the ready for now.

They knew Lilith was playing with them. And they didn’t waste the chance, Vienna dropping an ash mist bomb as they fled. They kept their teleports at the ready, in case Lilith would use her own ability to move them.

Quick decisive movements brought them up through the dungeon, Vienna at the front now, having memorized the layout. More ashen mist spread out every few seconds, to both divert and mask their retreat.

She noticed that the sphere was gone now but it didn’t matter. This was not an enemy they could or should face, no matter the objective. It was simply unreasonable.

“Mana? Fifty,” she asked as they climbed, floated, and burrowed out of the dungeon.

“Sixty,” Elias said.

“Twenty,” Chana said.

They rushed out of the dungeon and onto the frozen plateau where both Aki and Trian were waiting for them.

Vienna gestured to the right, the team moving close together as they circled the two faculty members to bring them between the likely position of their pursuer.

Failed to retrieve the orb… but we survived without major injuries.

______________________________

Ilea stood in the cave, holding her fire orb before she made it vanish.

“They didn’t even test their strength against me,” she murmured. “Boring.”

The group of students had fled immediately. As soon as that woman realized who they faced.

She glanced towards the cavern behind her. “If only you had been a little weaker. Would’ve been more interesting than fighting them myself.”

Oh well.

She used her teleportation a few times until she was out of the caverns, appearing on the plateau.

Ilea watched the three students rush to a position behind Trian and Aki.

Hmm?

“The test is over, Sentinels,” Trian called out.

She saw them relax a little. Just a little. Their eyes were focused on her ash covered form. Not so unique anymore. Well it doesn’t matter much. Maybe people can stop bothering me now that there are other versions of me out there.

Ilea grinned to herself and joined her friends. “How did they do?”

Trian glanced at her with confusion. “Eh… you were supposed to determine that. Did they fight the highest level monster?”

“No. I fought it for a while and thought it unreasonable. It was at five eighty. Very nasty in that small cavern,” she said.

The man looked at her but didn’t say anything.

Disappointed? In me, the creature, or the students?

“Report,” Trian said.

The ash bow woman approached a little closer and started telling him everything that happened as soon as they had entered the dungeon. Each enemy killed, their status throughout, injuries received, and spells cast.

How diligent.

“Explain your decision to leave behind the orb,” Trian said after she was done.

“Lilith was our enemy. Any objectives but survival of the team and self were discarded immediately,” the woman said, giving Ilea a quick glance.

I need to watch out for that one, before she murders me in my sleep for the greater good, Ilea thought and squinted back.

The woman immediately looked at the ground, her heart rate increasing slightly.

“Well done, Sentinels,” Trian said. “You managed to reach this place in an exceptional time frame, you scouted the area and managed to immobilize a level three hundred Centurion without giving him an opening. You cleared out the dungeon with quick reasonable decisions and decisive strikes. You found the mission objective and evaluated the enemy. You supported each other and kept a cool head despite the obvious danger and gave up the objective based on your evaluation and experience.

“You pass the exam and thus receive the rank of Hunter,” Trian said with a bright smile. “Return to the headquarters and write your reports. Time is still ticking.”

The woman nodded before making a few gestures, the three of them leaving in a wide arc to avoid the three evaluators.

“Holy shit,” Ilea exclaimed as she put both hands behind her head. “What did you create?”

Trian grinned. “We simply gave them the tools. It was clear that this team was ready, but we still needed a test of sorts. To think they didn’t even flinch at your aura.”

“A proud moment, to be bested by my own students,” Aki said, touching his metal face as if he was about to cry.

“It’s alright,” Ilea said, patting his steel back as she floated next to him. He was much taller than her with this new body of his.

“I know you held back considerably,” Trian said with a sigh.

“I did NOT!” Aki said, much like a liar would.

“It doesn’t matter,” Trian said. “They would have passed even if you had taken them apart.”

“I only held back a little,” Aki said, pouting. Somehow.

“Are you convinced about the missions now?” Trian asked.

Ilea glanced over. “Hey it’s been a while since I’ve seen them. Of course I am. Do you remember our first Shadow assignment?”

The man frowned. “Nearly died to those spirits, if it hadn’t been for Eve.”

“Hmm,” Ilea mused.

“It’s a little embarrassing to be honest. Don’t ever tell them about that mission… not after this display,” Trian murmured.

Ilea laughed. “We didn’t die then. Sometimes you just meet a monster you can’t defeat, and that’s okay.”

He grunted.

“I’m proud of you,” she said and touched his shoulder with a smile.

“Shall we then?” Trian asked. “I’d think the others are ready by now.”

Ilea nodded. She had informed Claire and Trian about most of her new information from Erendar and Hallowfort but more apparently needed to be discussed. Ilea just wasn’t entirely sure why she had to be there.

Chapter 560 Breakfast?

Chapter 560 Breakfast?

Dagon, Elise, Sulivhaan, Claire, Trian, and Ilea had settled in Claire’s enchanted office.

Ilea enjoyed a mug of ale, looking at the masterful depiction of herself sitting on a wolf like head. Claire had no issues with her taking the painting off her hands, even offering more.

They just didn’t have the time yet to go through them, the administrator prioritizing the end of the war and a potential new ally in the deep north to the distribution of Cless’ paintings. Something Ilea didn’t quite understand.

“A teleportation gate would grant that creature of yours direct access into Ravenhall,” Sulivhaan said. “It cannot happen.”

Ilea kept her gaze on the painting. This one she could draw, but not the Fae. See, Icy? It really was worth it. Now I have something to remember you by.

“A gate prototype is currently being built in a secluded and enchanted underground facility outside of the city, far enough away that a breach of our walls would be difficult,” Claire said.

Ilea ignored the argument that followed which involved most of the council members.

A final vote apparently overruled Sulivhaan, even Dagon too curious to let his caution prevail.

“We will meet and talk to the council of Hallowfort should the prototypes lead to a working model. As will we evaluate this Meadow,” Claire said. “I already drafted a few potential treaties, similar to our agreements with Riverwatch.”

“What about Lys and Kroll? They won’t accept the sudden appearance of monsters amidst our own,” Trian said.

“The Empire won’t interfere, not with the potential of a teleportation network,” Dagon said.

“Lizardmen and dwarves are rarely seen in our cities but near the northern and western borders, they’re neither unknown nor unwelcome,” Elise said. “I don’t see how these beings would be any different.”

“They’re vastly more powerful,” Sulivhaan said.

“Not necessarily,” Trian said. “Especially for Ravenhall. We have plenty of powerful people here.”

“Any crimes they commit will be treated the same way as when a human commits them. That has always been the case here,” Claire said.

Sulivhaan crossed his arms. “I suppose that’s true. I do believe an early period with restricted travel would be wise. Should these experiments come to fruition at all. We’re not the only ones who have tried to set up working long range teleportation.”

“Of course. I’m sure this Catelyn thinks the same. As to the possibility, we’ll have to see.” Claire said.

A tube flopped into the receiving tank behind Claire, a red band around the parchment inside of the container.

She turned and grabbed the thing before reading the short message.

“It seems we have a visitor in town. One quite interested in cake,” she said, turning her head to Ilea.

“Where is she?” Ilea asked.

“Popi’s shop. She has asked to meet Lilith,” Claire said.

“I’ll go immediately,” Ilea said.

“We’re not done with the meeting,” Trian sighed.

“Claire gets my vote,” Ilea said and vanished, bypassing the anti space magic enchantments with a grin.

She would have to explain that one to Claire upon her return.

Not bad… but not close to what the Meadow can conjure up.

Ilea teleported a few times until she reached the shop.

Ten members of the Shadowguard had taken positions around the shop, both on rooftops and on the street.

Onlookers were curious but were told to move on.

Helena wore a cute green summer dress, her hair flowing freely. She wore no makeup just like the last time Ilea had met her, the woman currently laughing at something Popi explained, the large man sitting on a comically small chair opposite the woman.

Ilea casually passed the guards and joined them at the small table, taking a chair form a neighboring set. Most of the cafe was empty, the left behind plates with half eaten cake indicating the now vacant patrons hadn’t planned to do so.

“Ilea, my dearest, it is so good to see you,” Helena said and smiled warmly.

“Helena, can’t say I expected you here,” Ilea said and glanced at Popi. “I hope she wasn’t any trouble?”

“Oh? No no, you see, this nice woman is a baker too. Like me!” he exclaimed and laughed.

“I know, I’m aware of her profession,” Ilea said and glanced at the woman. “Is it alright if I talk to her for a while, I’m sure you two can swap out recipes afterwards.”

“Sure,” Popi said and leaned in closer. “She is a good baker,” he said it in a deep voice and looked into Ilea’s eyes, as if it was a warning. Or perhaps something to respect. He left, whistling to himself, entirely ignoring the tension of the whole situation.

Ilea did the same, crossing her arms in front of her as she looked at the people glaring at them. “You don’t suppose we can find a more… private place to talk?”

“But the pastries are just wonderful here,” Helena said.

“Then let’s take some with us, shall we?” Ilea asked.

“As you wish,” Helena said and stood up, brushing off her dress unnecessarily before she grabbed her plate with a half eaten piece of cake on it.

Ilea went into the store. “I’ll have a few plates with a bunch of everything.”

Melly glanced between Ilea and Helena, a strained expression on her face as she nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”

“There’s a terrace nearby where I usually eat breakfast. It’s quite lovely,” she said to the woman.

[Warrior – lvl 322]

“The mountain air is quite welcome. Though I do like the calm of my hometown,” Helena said, glancing at the people walking by.

Some were still glancing over.

“Hence the terrace,” Ilea said, receiving the platters before she made them vanish.

A few people gasped and whispered.

“Follow me,” she said and blinked, quickly reaching her usual spot.

There were no customers present, one of the privileges of owning half the city. One waiter glanced over and cursed to himself before he straightened his hair.

“Some privacy, please. Check back in a few hours,” Ilea said. “Thank you.”

The man nodded and left, his hand shaking lightly as he closed the door as quietly as he could.

Ilea still heard him as he cursed another time, walking down the stairs.

Helena winced.

“Don’t murder the guy for saying fuck,” Ilea said.

“You scoundrel,” Helena said with a frown, sitting down on one of the chairs.

Ilea summoned the platters onto the much larger table and took a seat too, calming herself as she looked at the mountains nearby, the snow not reaching quite as low as it usually did.

“I accepted your house rules,” she said. “This however, is not your house.”

“I concur. Yet I retain my right to complain,” Helena said.

Ilea smiled. “Of course. Now why don’t you tell me why you came here in the first place? Just to see the nice panorama?”

Helena looked around for a moment. “It is quite lovely, isn’t it?”

She straightened and switched her attention to the pastries instead. “Thank you for the selection, I shall not hold back. Now, in the company of a lady that comprehends the beauty of delicious baked art.”

Ilea helped herself too. She had expected a letter, or no communication at all until Claire took care of that. To see the woman here, in Ravenhall. It was a little disheartening.

“Well, to be honest,” Helena said, still piling things onto her plate. “I heard a lot about this bakery. Big Ass Pastries. Quite vulgar, if I may say so. I learned it’s part of the Lilith Empire when I looked into it, so by coming here, I could kill three birds, with one spell.”

“And those are?” Ilea asked.

“Well for one, tasting these. I talked to Popi already. Marvelous ideas. I had thought about convincing him to work for me instead but I suppose some healthy competition isn’t entirely useless. Especially in such a faraway corner of the world,” Helena said. “Now, my second reason to be here, is a small vacation. The cleanup from this war has been… messy. There is still a lot left to do but I suppose sometimes it’s acceptable to let those paid and trusted to do their work, do just that.

“My third reason is of course, you.”

Ilea started eating, letting the woman continue.

“A truly outstanding display. I had expected a clash with the Destroyer, but to think you somehow befriended that old pirate. Quite an achievement. The same is true for your help in both cleaning up these horrendous rituals and preventing more from happening. I’m not sure how involved you still are but your efforts in Yinnahall have lead to a rather stable local situation. The same is not true for many of the other cities,” she explained.

“Go on,” Ilea said, having gulped between bites.

Helena took a bite too, taking her time with savoring it before she swallowed. “There was a vote. The Golden Lily welcomes you as a member to our esteemed organization. Or perhaps the band of wolves and assassins that you prefer to see it as. You have the choice to join or to refuse a membership.”

“I’ll have someone get in touch with you,” Ilea said.

“That is acceptable. I was surprised to hear both Michael and Velamyr speak in such high tones of you. They don’t do so about one another,” Helena said.

“You came here to give me a lot of praise,” Ilea said. “What’s in it for you?”

Helena smirked. “So suspicious. My dear, just because I’m the owner of the largest guild of assassins doesn’t mean I can simply praise someone for a job well done. But I suppose you’re right. I came to see you, after the stories I have heard about this place called Erendar. To speak to a four mark creature is both a terrifying prospect and a marvelous privilege. It’s a shame it could not travel thought the realms and join us in our humble endeavors.”

Ilea looked up, her face stuffed with filled croissant. “Mhm, shame.”

“I had expected you to advance, but to see you beyond my identification range. There must have been a lot of powerful creatures,” she said.

“Thousands,” Ilea said. “It was wonderful.”

The woman laughed. “I can imagine,” she said and sighed. “I know there are differences between your interpretation of the world and what members of our orders do, organizations we own and are part of. But I do hope you consider a cooperation. For the sake of all humankind.”

“Is that a threat?” Ilea said, smiling to herself.

“My words are often interpreted as such. Take it as habit, I’m not threatening you. I have people and places I care about too, despite your worst assumptions. And I won’t see them harmed for a childish dispute with an upcoming power like yourself. Your refusal will be met with disappointment and perhaps overeager ambition, but not from me. That, I promise to you right now,” Helena said.

“I suppose then we’re on the same page,” Ilea said.

Helena smiled and continued eating. “I hope you don’t mind if I stay here for a while?”

“I don’t plan to leave either. Meetings and responsibilities. Eating pastries with a likely legendary assassin is much more interesting,” Ilea said and summoned some ale.

“A legendary assassin isn’t exactly good at their job,” Helena murmured. “Isn’t it a little early to start drinking?”

“Says the woman who poisons her cake,” Ilea said.

“Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy that masterpiece,” Helena said, huffing slightly.

Ilea nodded slightly. “You’re not wrong.”

“So what’s new in the bakery and assassin businesses?” she asked.

Helena lightly dabbed her lips with a tissue, cleaning off the powdered sugar. “Murders are happening, politicians are bribed, cities are slowly taken over from within, wars are prevented. And that’s just the baking side of things. With your aversion to criminal activity, I shan’t go into details. It’s a messy business. Necessary but most certainly not pretty.”

“I can imagine. Maybe butcheries would have been more fitting?” Ilea asked.

“I shall forgive that remark based on your incredible personal power. Having affordable pastries, cake, and sweets is my way of balancing the scales, Ilea. I do believe that just like a murder, good sweets can change someone’s life. Perhaps not as permanently, I’ll admit,” she said and continued eating.

They continued in silence until Helena spoke again.

“There were rumors. About a new Healing order, one based in a certain mountain city,” she said.

“Dawntree?” Ilea asked. “Now that the city was taken over by rebels, I’d imagine the Corinth Order is replaced by something a little less… controversial.”

Helena smiled. “I shall await the official opening then. It’s long overdue for someone to enter that segment. With both the Corinth and Truth shaken, it’s a rather splendid time to do so.”

“Oh? I suppose you’re right. How is the Order of Truth faring, now that Baralia has fallen?” Ilea asked.

“One may even assume that a political mastermind has initiated such conflicts and wars… just for these benefits. But I digress. The Elders, I hear, have fought to the death. Only one managed to come to an agreement with the Empire,” Helena said.

“Lucky guy,” Ilea said.

“Well,” Helena said. “His body was found in the very thoroughly guarded cell just last week. Little was left to determine who the attacker could have been.”

“Horrible story,” Ilea said, eating a piece of cake.

“Very,” Helena said with a smile.

“I heard the capital fell. Do you know how it happened exactly? What about the High King?” Ilea asked.

“There were no further rituals, if that was the information you sought. Many died of course, on both sides but mostly soldiers. Once the high level squads breached the city in various points, the defenders splintered quickly, seeking terms with the Empire instead of dying for their High King. He himself remained in his palace, barricading himself inside with some of his most loyal followers,” Helena said.

“I see. I’d imagine quite a few officers and nobles died storming that place and taking him down,” Ilea said.

“Fewer than you think. Lys engineered siege weapons are quite effective against city walls. Even more so against a ceremonial palace. The Generals do not think much of architectural history. A shame really,” Helena explained.

Ilea couldn’t help but snicker at the thought of siege weapons absolutely decimating the High King’s palace, however it had looked. With magic, architecture in Elos didn’t hold quite as much history and value as it did back on Earth. Still a substantial amount but she understood the commanding officers in this case.

“High King Baron of course survived the initial blasts but even his high regeneration and powerful blood magic couldn’t stand against the combined efforts of the Imperial troops. I hear he had nearly reached level three hundred and fifty,” she said and raised a glass of juice she had summoned from one storage item or the other. “You’re more powerful than the High King of Baralia.”

“I have no interest in being king,” Ilea said.

“A shame really. Especially those who would refuse such titles, are all the more suitable to fulfill such roles,” Helena said.

“What about you then? Why rule so much when you’re obviously not thrilled to do so?” Ilea asked.

Helena’s smile vanished. She seemed to consider for a moment before she looked up. “A promise. That is all I will tell. And know that I have told this to few.”

“Not like I could use it against you,” Ilea said.

“Every piece of information that you share can be used against you, in the hands of those creative and knowledgeable enough to see the power given to them. Yet I am aware of your disinterest in such matters. It’s refreshing. It really is,” Helena said, looking towards a nearby mountain with a distant look in her eyes.

Ilea stood up and stretched. “I was interesting. You’ll hear from me or mine. Don’t stab someone on your way out, I’ll hunt you down.”

Helena glanced at her and waved her off. “Let’s not make a murder from a bit of stabbing. If I were a little younger, I’d have taken that as a challenge. Perhaps a warning, for your future dealings.”

Ilea smiled. “Noted. A good day to you, Helena.”

The woman raised her fork, a piece of lemon cake pierced through the steel grate. “And to you, Lilith.”

Ilea vanished into the lower floor, finding the waiter from before. She informed him that his shift for the day was over and found little convincing necessary to leave a mark on him for protection.

It replaced the one she had left on Ember, the girl now safely residing within the Sentinel Headquarters.

She made her way back to Claire’s office, whistling to herself. Did she really come here just for that? Maybe becoming a member is a bigger deal than it feels to me.

“… Lys is already increasing the pressure again. If anything, the war has increased their incessant arrogance,” Sulivhaan said.

“Wonderful moment to join,” Ilea murmured and retook her seat next to the beautiful blue and white painting.

“Riverwatch is too far out of their territory. And with Lilith and the Shadows’ involvement, we can easily fend them off for some time. You don’t have to do so much personally anymore, Sulivhaan,” Claire said, trying to soothe the man.

He rubbed the top of his mask and sighed. “You’re right. You’re right.”

Ilea remained until the rest of the meeting concluded, various boring points about economic, law, and defense later. She was glad they all sounded boring to her, nothing immediately dangerous or highly important going on. Boring politics was usually a good sign.

“She came here?” Claire said after everyone else was gone.

“Indeed. I’m invited to join their cool kids club,” Ilea said.

“Want me to handle it?” Claire asked.

“I would have refused to join otherwise. Just keep me posted about what’s going on,” she said. “Thank you.”

“I do what I can,” Claire said, looking quite smug.

Chapter 561 The very capable and cool divine tree that is awesome and definitely hasn’t taken over a

Chapter 561 The very capable and cool divine tree that is awesome and definitely hasn’t taken over as the true author of this sto- retelling of history as it happened

Ilea made her way to the secret underground location near the city, blinking down into a room filled with old gear. Swords, halberds, spears, armors, all propped up on various racks and workbenches. It was just a ruse of course, in case somebody found this location. Strewn about silver coins would likely make this quite a find for most adventurers who would stumble upon it, just in case any information had leaked. The last thing they wanted was someone continuing to dig.

She felt the mark left on Iana about thirty meters below, despite the many enchantments that blocked her sphere and teleportation. It took her nearly twenty seconds to figure out the overlaid enchantments preventing space magic.

“She did it again,” Iana said when she saw her, squinting her eyes. “I was sure this one would be impenetrable.”

“I doubt there’s anything truly impenetrable,” Ilea said. “How is the project coming along?”

The facility was quite large. A near copy of the Core they had build within the Sentinel headquarters. Stone and various metal plates covered the outside, each holding enchantments against various spying, perception, and teleportation abilities. There was plenty of shock absorption, anti heat, self repair spells as well, all entirely too expensive to consider anywhere else.

Here however, they had the enchanters themselves.

Two gates had been prepared, both looking somewhat streamlined by now. Not as large as those the Taleen used but supported by enchantments and runes on the spherical walls surrounding the platforms.

A few tests had resulted in more failures, even Ilea’s newfound space magic discoveries not helping in the short term. It was possible that they could’ve figured it out in the span of a month, maybe a year, or ten. But there was a much easier solution.

“We’re ready, yes,” Iana said and handed her a stack of papers. Plans for the gates, detailed explanations of the various runes, enchantments, space magic theory, analysis of the key and Taleen gates themselves, as well as theories on improvements and next steps.

She hesitated for a moment, holding the papers up but more towards herself than Ilea.

“You know you can trust me,” Ilea said.

“It’s… of course. Just… if this gets into the wrong hands…,” Iana murmured.

“Meadow doesn’t have any hands, so that doesn’t apply,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Not very disarming,” Christopher said.

“This isn’t a time for jokes,” Iana snapped, handing over their research. “Make sure to destroy it once that creature has read it. I’d like to find out if it really is as capable as you suggest,” she said with a determined look on her face.

Oh honey.

“I’m sure you’ll become good friends in no time. Are those the materials?” Ilea asked, gesturing towards a few crates.

“Yes. Enough to build two gates that could respond to either of ours here. Any optimizations the creature could make, you’d have to bring back to us so we can further study and develop it,” Iana said.

“I’ll blink back once I’m done talking to it but I have a few other things I want to take care of in the next few weeks,” Ilea said.

“Of course. It’s not like this is by far the most important potential discovery for humanity as a whole,” Iana said with a smile.

“We survived thus far. We can make it a little longer without teleportation. Best case, you’ll somehow create a black hole and suck this continent out of existence. But I digress. I’ll leave immediately,” Ilea said and patted the woman’s shoulder, quickly collecting the various crates with materials.

“Don’t worry too much. You both did wonderful work.” She smiled at Christopher too and turned around. “I’ll leave you two to your research.”

“What’s that suppose to m-” Iana started but Ilea had already left.

Ilea wanted this to succeed, if only to stop being a messenger girl between Hallowfort and Ravenhall. My wings are just too fast.

“Raven to tree, do you read me?” she sent into the void, closing in on Hallowfort.

“I can hear you, if that is your question,” Meadow said.

“You’re supposed to reply with something like, Tree to Raven, I read you. But whatever. Can you summon me, or are you busy with grass reproduction?” Ilea said.

She had deactivated her space magic resistance, feeling the magic manifest before her view changed to black grass.

“Oh?” she exclaimed, taking in the rather expansive space. “You remodeled your room!”

“I did. Catelyn has allowed me to modify the ruins between Hallowfort and the Descent, under the condition that I provide elevator platforms for safe passage between the two. And the sealing of various leaks and open passages that local non awakened tend to use,” it explained.

A few floors both above and below had been removed entirely. Massive pillars of stone that shined with enchantments provided ongoing stability to the massive statuein which the ruins had been situated. The whole thing was likely improved even.

Hills covered in grass and plants native to the Northern regions spread out for a few hundred meters, the Meadow’s tree now standing on a small hill. A creek flowed through the scenery, often up and over a hill, finally ending in a small waterfall out into the expansive crystal caverns.

“As more creatures choose to live here… perhaps I will have neighbors at some point in the future,” Meadow said.

“It’s quite lovely,” Ilea admitted, watching the fireflies float through the wondrous space. Various chunks of crystal had been fastened or fused into the ceiling above, lending their magical light to the colorful vegetation either grown or rooted by the Meadow. “I wouldn’t say no to a vacation home here.”

“If you like, I can build you one,” Meadow said, floating stone appearing out of nowhere, shaping into various forms that first resembled her own house and then changed into various creations that seemed Hallowfort inspired.

“I’ll coordinate with you at some point,” Ilea said with a laugh. “I didn’t expect you to be my personal builder too.”

“I merely offer my humble talents to a friend,” the Meadow said. “You’ve come earlier than I had expected.”

“Well, my friends tend to be busy people,” she said, glancing at the rolling hills and massive pillars.

“They sure are… a lot of legislation. Elana Invalar is quite diligent,” it said with a sigh that flowed over its new cavern, like a summer breeze through a field of flowers.

“The Queen of Rhyvor. I can imagine. I have something maybe a little more up your alley,” Ilea said and summoned the crates and plans. “Do you have a moment, or am I interrupting you?”

“I appreciate the concern but as I have said many times before, I’m not quite as limited as a human like you. With only four limbs. Let me perceive,” it said, the stack of papers floating out of her hands and spreading out. The crates vanished, leaving the metals, stone, and tools hovering too.

The Meadow made a weird noise.

“What is it?” Ilea asked, now sitting at the cliff like edge of its domain, her legs dangling down towards the lake.

“Ilea… is this some kind of attempt at humor?” it asked, not haughty but perhaps a little insulted.

Ilea thought she was the only one that could make the creature cringe but apparently she had been wrong.

“It’s the combined research of two insanely talented and experienced human enchanters. They’re not space mages by the way, so do cut them some slack,” she said.

“… Perhaps… I’ll have to reclassify your species as not quite awakened. Ilea, there is no blade large or sharp enough to cut the slack I would have to remove to make this acceptable work,” Meadow said.

“That’s why I brought it here, oh wonderful god of space and flowers,” Ilea said, tilting her head back to look at the crystal tree with a smirk on her face.

“Now the baseline is quite interesting. I suppose their study of these Taleen Gates and the key they had used lead to this… abomination,” Meadow said.

“Ye. Can you write down adjustments and suggestions for me to bring back?” she asked.

“Why? They prepared a gate, let’s bring them here and I’ll show them myself,” Meadow said.

Ilea jumped up. “It could work already?”

“There are a lot of adjustments I’ll have to make on this side… and the mana required would suck most humans dry, but yes. It’s good that they didn’t change the baseline they found too much,” it said. “I do hope for their sake, that they didn’t test this on living creatures.”

“Ah, just me,” Ilea said.

“You are a durable test subject. Good choice,” the Meadow said, teleporting most of the materials a few hundred meters away. “I don’t suppose they can stand next to me.”

“Good call, no, they’d die immediately,” Ilea said. “I don’t think you can talk to them either.”

“Good thing I have a translator then,” it said.

Ilea watched as space magic coupled with roots bent and formed the metals and plates into various pieces that were soon put together into what looked like a platform. Gaps were filled by stone, new runes etched into various pieces before it started thrumming with power.

“Good enough,” it said.

“You did that in less than a minute…,” Ilea said.

“The pieces are already here. You simply need to understand how they work together. I admit that building something like this from nothing would have taken me at least a few hours,” Meadow said.

“I’ll think of more groundbreaking ideas to change everyone’s lives for the better,” Ilea said.

“I just so happen to be kind of an expert on teleportation magic. There’s no way for me to enhance your limited brain,” Meadow said.

“Was more thinking along the lines of defensive enchantments and agriculture, but sure. Let’s add brain magic to the list, maybe I’ll find some four mark mind mage ready to warp our understanding of reality,” she said.

“I would be vary of such creatures. Altering one’s mind is a dangerous prospect,” it said.

“So is teleportation, my dear Meadow. Who’s to say we’re the same people when we emerge on the other side?” she said.

“Basic laws and principles of space magic. You would understand that if you invested even a fraction of your fighting time into arcane studies,” Meadow said.

“Incomprehensible really, there’s no way we’ll ever know,” Ilea mused.

“I could try to explain it in simple terms,” Meadow offered.

“No way really. An ancient mystery,” Ilea murmured telepathically.

“You may traverse the gate, I’ll supply the energy needed,” Meadow said offhandedly.

“Thanks. What about the way back?” Ilea asked.

“As soon as a connection is initiated, I will know, and thus supply the required energy too,” it said.

“Sounds great, will be right back,” Ilea said and winked, stepping onto the platform.

The thrumming intensified for a moment as the runes were filled with magic, space distorting around her as she disabled her resistance.

Bright white light emerged and vanished a moment later, Ilea finding herself staring at the bewildered eyes of two researchers.

“I’m back!” she exclaimed with a joyous tone.

“y...y…. you…. It…. Worked… it worked… IT WORKED!” Iana exclaimed, hugging the man standing next to her.

Christopher smiled warily, his eyes focused on Ilea. “What was its opinion?”

Ilea locked eyes with him. “A strong baseline. And a working gate. We can go back right now, I’m sure you three have a lot to talk about. Or well… I’ll translate early on because of your lack of mental resistance.”

“Ment-” Christopher started and gulped as Iana dragged him onto the platform.

She smiled at Ilea. “Initiating teleportation!”

The three vanished in a bright light once more, appearing on the heavily customized gate.

Both researchers glanced around for a moment before they immediately studied the runes and formations they stood on.

“Of course… of course… but why vertic… no that doesn’t make any sense,” Iana murmured to herself.

“Welcome, to the North,” Meadow spoke, only to Ilea.

The two felt the power nonetheless, turning their heads towards the location of the tree.

“Is that it?” Iana asked.

“Mhm… the Meadow welcomes you to the North,” she said.

“So young and uneducated. To think these second rate enchanters would dare touch a topic so advanced! It’s not only irresponsible, it’s downright suicidal. Does your species not have a sense for self preservation?” Meadow asked.

“Meadow is impressed with your education, considering your young age,” Ilea paraphrased. “It’s impressive that you had taken the risk of building a teleportation gate without deep knowledge on space magic.”

“That’s the opposite of what I said,” Meadow grumbled.

“What? Oh apologies… you see, humans don’t have the best short term memory!” Ilea replied, hitting her own head a few times with an open mouth. It produced a slightly hollow sound.

“Our knowledge is limited. To think you had modified this prototype to a working gate is… overwhelming. It’s an honor to meet you, Meadow. My name is Iana, and this is Christopher,” Iana said with bright eyes, blue light dancing within.

“Limited doesn’t even scratch the surface of your ignorance. To even call this a prototype is beyond reason,” Meadow said.

“It is quite happy to meet you too. And will surely enjoy enlightening your bright young minds with the knowledge of an ancient space mage from another realm. It also apologizes for any rash comments. Socializing is not a focus of one of its many Classes,” Ilea said.

“They are willing to learn. And humble enough, I suppose,” Meadow said.

It formed a stone platform with letters on it.

“Your work is shoddy. There is much you have to learn,” it said on the stone.

“Of course it is. Humans take much of their magical knowledge to their early graves. We do intend to change that. What do you require in exchange?” Iana asked.

“I think Meadow will just help to alleviate bored-” Ilea said when new letters appeared on the stone.

“Your souls and firstborn children,” it said.

Ilea shredded through the stone with a few ashen limbs. “It’s a little sarcastic. You old joker you!” she said and laughed awkwardly.

“I can imagine the detrimental effects of a first contact with you,” Iana said and looked at her, almost pity in her eyes.

“Really? You’re going to blame this on me?” she asked.

“And even if it weren’t a joke. For this knowledge, I’d gladly sacrifice all that I am,” Iana said.

Christopher shyly raised an arm. “I… would like to keep my soul, sir, Meadow.”

“Of course I’m joking. Though I too blame Ilea’s reckless behavior when meeting incomprehensible beings in other realms,” letters appeared once again.

“Yeah, alright, I get it. Do you need anything else?” Ilea asked.

“I have everything with me, thank you,” Iana said. She spoke the words quickly, her lips quivering slightly. The excitement was palpable, even Christopher’s hands shaking noticeably.

“Yeah okay. Have fund then, you damn nerds,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“Enjoy monster hunting,” Meadow said in a dry tone.

“You know what? I will,” Ilea replied with a smile. “Take good care of them. And thanks, Meadow.”

“They are safe in my care, do not worry. I appreciate the interesting work. We’ll see how they handle my teaching,” it said.

Ilea stepped on the platform again. “Mind a boost?”

The Meadow obliged, white light and energy pulsing around her as she waved.

Well, that was much easier than expected, Ilea thought with a smirk. Now they just have to figure out a way for humans to do that on their own. In a safe and affordable manner.

That was it for today… hmm… I suppose it’s worth a shot.

Instead of flying back to Ravenhall, Ilea opted to go westward. She had the better part of two weeks until her meeting with the Elves. She didn’t know about the specifics of clearing out a Praetorian facility but with special versions around, she didn’t expect there to be much solo fighting.

I did grow in power quite a bit since last time, she thought, her wings carrying her over the southern mountain range and towards the kingdom of Kroll.

Her journey westward was quick, Ilea entering the small settlement with a few uses of Displacement.

Nobody reacted to the sudden appearance of a high level healer, most people either drinking in the inn or fast asleep.

She went straight for the dungeon, checking her sphere for any familiar faces. There were none.

The caverns looked the same as last time, Ilea quickly teleporting through the upper layers, using her wings to guide her towards the section she was interested in.

They were so helpful last time, letting me unlock my third Class, she thought, floating into the dark void of the deep cavern.

The air stilled, any noises suggesting monsters or life stopping as if forced out by a boundary of power. A permeating feeling of rotten wrongness instead took their place, something Ilea was all but immune to at this point.

To think lower level humans would just die from this. I wonder if it’s an aura, or perhaps an artifact? It’s not just mana density, that’s for sure.

I hope it’s an aura, she thought with a bright smile.

The cavern remained quiet, the Specters she had fought and killed gone, their posts vacated and not retaken.

A limited supply of monstrous experience bags then, hmm. I really was quite lucky to have stayed in Erendar for as long as I did. Now I have to go out and look for high level creatures.

Ilea went further, soon discovering an entrance of stone, slightly ajar. The stone gate was about five meters high and set into the back end of the large cavern.

So this is what you protected?

Chapter 562 Stone

Chapter 562 Stone

The entrance didn’t offer any insight into what this place was, just made of crude stone.

Ilea had seen enough magic and construction to know that the entrance had been built for efficiency, not aesthetics.

Someone had opened it at one point or another, likely releasing the Specters that had been waiting within. The bones she saw through her sphere suggested both that it had happened quite some time ago and that the intruders hadn’t been quite as prepared as she was.

Within the entrance loomed a long hallway shrouded in dust and darkness. It hardly mattered to her eyes. All that resistance leveling wasn’t for nothing.

She smiled and floated inside, using her wings to navigate the rather spacious hallway of stone.

A single closed door of stone loomed at the end. Runes etched both into the surface and within the stone itself suggested enchantments had once protected this place, now ancient and without anything to fuel them.

Ilea decided to drill into the entrance with a few ashen tendrils, just in case the place acted as a trap with enchantments activating as soon as she stepped through. Both the Ascended and Meadow had proven without a doubt that there may always be a way to get trapped, no matter how many bullshit skills and abilities one possessed.

She worked as quietly as possible, taking her time to rip the entrance apart.

When most of it was gone, she stepped through, entering a round hall with a dozen exits. Her sphere had showed no creatures within. The walls were lined with sockets filled with burnt out torches, the wood rotten and decayed.

Ilea floated into the dark chamber, the ceiling quite low. Skeletons of humanoid beings had remained, some holding weapons.

She went farther in and turned when she felt the presence of a monster manifest behind her.

The Specter looked the same as those she had fought outside, its lifeless eyes set in the malformed skull of an abomination, twisted into the malevolent creature of death and bone it had become. Or perhaps it was summoned here, much like the Demons had been.

This could’ve been Ravenhall, if we hadn’t retaken the city.

“Been a while. You’re not sapient, are you?” Ilea asked, relaxed as she stared at the floating creature.

[Specter of Rot – lvl ???]

Its answer was near immediate, the being vanishing before it appeared next to her. Two swords of bone rushed out to impale the intruder to this ancient chamber.

Ilea remained where she stood, bursting into flame before she caught both blades with her hands.

The Specter was stronger than her but its weapons no longer cut through her defenses.

She felt the blood magic come but simply let it happen, a slight rupture exploding within her chest, quickly healed as the being was ravaged by the recoil.

Ilea held on to its swords, her ashen limbs curling around the two weapons as a mist of ash swallowed the massive being. The room lit up when the mist burst into flames, reverse healing coupled with the Flame of Creation burning away at the monster’s regeneration and health.

She ripped through its body with her remaining limbs, Storm of Cinders bursting into it with waves of heat and cinders.

The Specter never let go of its blades, dying where it had first attacked the woman.

Ilea watched its lifeless remains burn, leaving a monstrous skeleton and ash.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 630]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 378 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea smiled at the notification. I’ll need about five thousand more of you guys.

Her body tensed when she felt a wave of rot. Just a slight change in the atmosphere and only for a moment.

Hmm.

She chose the exit opposite the entrance and continued onward.

Another hall, this time accommodating a dozen rooms filled with simple furniture, mostly formed of stone or perhaps carved into the walls themselves. A few skeletons remained still, lying in their beds with the remains of decayed blankets.

No cobwebs, insects, or anything. Just magical rot.

Ilea went onward until she reached a staircase leading down. Her sphere however made her pause.

A Specter had moved into its range, unaware of her presence as of yet.

As if they weren’t creepy enough, she thought, watching it float through the solid rock of this underground settlement. It left just as suddenly as it had come.

Appropriate name, I suppose, Ilea thought and walked down the stairs, her wings a little too bulky by now to reasonably fly in the tight stairwell.

She already saw the many tight corridors below, fanning out in a haphazard way with tiny rooms connected to each and every hallway. The walls looked as simple as possible, the space just enough for a person to walk through, just high enough for someone like Ilea.

Can’t imagine someone at two meters. The endless duck. All that neck pain. Maybe that’s what finally ended this place.

“Back issues,” she murmured, looking at the lonely skull of a man sitting at the bottom of the stairs. Forgotten and half covered in dust.

The spine below seemed somewhat normal but she wasn’t a chiropractor.

Ilea found the next set of stairs and went down once again.

Four more floors of labyrinthine corridors and rooms followed, each suggesting minimum accommodations for a person or two. Many skeletons had remained and her sightings of Specters grew more frequent.

Ilea didn’t make noise or try to get the creatures to come to her. For now, she was content in exploration.

The intensity of the rot marginally increased the further down she went, suggesting a source of some kind or at least a core of the natural phenomenon. A place where she could perhaps level her resistance if nothing else.

Ilea teleported through the next few layers, finding little that she hadn’t seen before. However as time went on, she realized that this wasn’t just a random crypt or underground hideout. It was a city in its own, spanning far and wide into the deep rock of the Kroll mountain.

Who would build like this?

There were toilets, storage rooms, and the occasional larger room with stone tables and the like, but most of it was just filled with simple stone cubes. There weren’t even doors.

All inside, no visible ventilation system… though there had to be one, otherwise everyone would’ve died pretty quickly. Probably little hygiene. Maybe a plague or something killed everyone? Or the Specters came… would be an absolute massacre with them moving through the walls. At least if these were normal humans.

The larger common rooms didn’t offer much either, any decoration or writing long faded or eaten through by the rot.

Ilea found the first piece of usable evidence in a room about twenty floors down. Though her counting wasn’t exactly accurate due to the liberal construction of said floors. Some weren’t exactly level, blending into those above or below.

Ancient wax had remained where once candle light had illuminated the spacious chamber. Rotten bindings and paper long faded were still clutched in the arms of a few bony residents. Carvings however had survived.

And for once in Ilea’s dungeon explorations, she didn’t need a scholar to translate them.

She brushed away the dust and dirt with her ash, revealing the writing chiseled into the small altar.

‘We remain in the depths, where we are safe.

Queen Lumian will guide us. To freedom and light.

The time will come.’

“Did it though?” Ilea murmured, glancing back at the skeletons. A small carved statue sat atop the altar, a woman clad in a flowing dress, a smile on her otherwise featureless face.

Not the best carver eh, she thought. The location and atmosphere lent the small statue at least some factor of reverence.

She went deeper into the complex until she reached the lowest level.

Here it seemed the builders hadn’t been quite as conservative in their application of magic.

The stairs broadened up until they lead up to a set of large double doors made of stone. Carvings and symbols decorated it, added with care and obvious artistic talent.

Ilea couldn’t discern any meaning, stepping through the opened gates to find herself on a stone platform in the form of a half circle, three steps leading to the ground floor.

A spacious dome like hall opened up before her, pillars of stone reaching up to the ceiling, houses built with care and adorned with the rotten remains of flags on stone poles were visible at the edges of the dark and forgotten hall.

She saw a spacious court at the center, behind what looked like a palace of stone. Towers reached up to the ceiling about sixty meters above, adorned by stone gargoyles. Gray vegetation had been carved into the walls and towers.

The court had perhaps once held flowers, grass, and hedges, all dried up and gone by now. The rotten remains of a few trees had remained, hollow and black like the rest of this place.

Ilea counted the Specters floating through the area, stopping at a few dozen.

The creatures came and went, sometimes vanishing into the walls above and to the side, often just floating in place without so much as a twitch. She watched a few of them vanish entirely, either teleporting or perhaps using another spell she couldn’t discern from the distance.

None had seen her, or they simply chose to leave her alone at the only visible entrance to this man made cavern.

Ilea glanced at the entrance to the palace a few hundred meters ahead. It was closed, another large double door made of stone.

Let’s save that for last.

Instead she started charging Heart of Cinders, waiting for the heat to damage her before she activated Phaseshift. Surprise attack bitches.

Tens of thousands of health fueled her coming auras before she blinked into the midst of the Specters.

Her spell deactivated, a bright white flame flaring out immediately. Ilea smiled at the near instant reaction of the monsters, two thirds teleporting towards her.

Yes my children, come to me, she thought with an exaggerated voice as the first blood magic spells ripped into her body, little damage done.

She focused on the Specters that remained outside her range and activated Displacement, their forms quivering slightly as they were gripped by the powerful space magic before they vanished and joined the monsters close to their enemy.

The first bone swords crashed into Ilea when a fiery sphere of bright energy expanded outward, disintegrating most of the Specters instantly. Those who were covered by several of their brethren were quickly dispatched by swaths of ash fanning out from Ilea at the center.

She twirled as her wings moved her upward, deflecting the few blades that came for her, answering with punches and burning ash in return.

The battle ended quickly, Ilea’s ashen limbs stabbing through the remaining two Specters before she flung their lifeless bodies away, pale white flames mixing with fiery wisps and cinders, all clinging to the still remains.

The blemishes on her armor reformed and her resources started to recover when she heard a muffled shriek resound from within the palace.

A wave of power washed over her, a taste of rotten blood in her mouth. She wiped away at her nose and found blood sticking to her ash.

This just got interesting, she thought with a smile.

‘ding’ ‘You heard the mourning shriek of a vengeful being. You resist its effects’

Not quite actually. Or was that a separate spell?

Ilea remained in the courtyard, flames still moving below her, the only light source in the whole dungeon.

Vengeful being. Who might you be?

She waited for a minute outside the palace, mostly just letting her mana recover.

“Not coming out, are you?” she said, squinting her eyes at the door.

Question is, can you not come out or do you just not want to?

When her mana reached full capacity again, Ilea decided to find out herself.

She blinked to the double doors and checked for enchantments. She found nothing with her limited detection abilities. Still a smaller risk if I open it.

A firm kick sent one of the two stone doors rumbling inward, flipping once before it slid to a stop.

Ilea squinted her eyes and walked in, finding a large throne room with a stone seat at the very back. It was larger than every room she had visited in the dungeon, besides the courtyard. And yet it had no decorations. No windows adorned the walls, no flags, be they torn or decayed, were visible.

No other seats than the throne itself, which was small, almost like a chair, but made of stone. If she had seen it anywhere but this hall, she would’ve never imagined it to be the seat of a ruler.

The rot here felt stronger to her, more dense in a way, if only to her magic perception. Her resistance and general resilience managed to counter the effects but it was starting to eat into her natural health regeneration.

Ilea felt the source by now. A menacing force, something chaotic, constantly pulsing. Limitless in a way. It wasn’t like the sheer overwhelming power of an Elemental, or the weight of an ocean like Meadow.

She couldn’t help but investigate of course, feeling the hairs on her neck stand up as she tasted his challenge.

A single door led towards this source, at the back of the long hall. It looked just as simple as the chair.

Ilea went and checked for enchantments, ripping the thing out of the wall with a quick motion before she placed it next to the open entrance.

The smell hit her instantly, like a wave. It wasn’t physical, not something she had experienced before. This was magic.

She turned away and puked, her armor opening up to allow the motion to take place.

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

Yeah, I’d rather not.

Ilea gave herself a minute to get used to the sensation, only puking three more times. The dry retching was quite a bit more uncomfortable than actual puking.

Her sphere was distorted by the raw magic coming from within.

What don’t I do for the job.

She wiped away the grease with an ash covered arm and stepped inside.

The room was circular, similar to the very first hall she had entered back in the caverns. What looked like tombs to her lined the rounded wall, closed but her sphere could penetrate the stone. Skeletons had been stacked within and when the space hadn’t been enough, the corpses had been placed outside, mounds of bones littering the space.

Ilea realized that wasn’t quite true. The mounds had been carefully stacked, each corpse retaining every bone, put there with meticulous intent and caution.

A silver haired woman sat at the center of everything, only a few meters around her free of bones. A simple dress now left in tatters covered her porcelain skin, her body thin and malnourished. She wasn’t tall, her arms almost incapable of reaching around the skeleton she held within her frail limbs.

She was the source.

[Howling Queen of Rot – lvl ????]

“I don’t suppose you’re up for a chat?” Ilea asked.

The woman looked up at the noise, her eyes clouded and dead. She opened her mouth to show sharp canine teeth before a high pitched howl sounded through the small room.

Ilea didn’t feel magic from the cry itself but four Specters formed as if stepping from the tombs, each immediately attacking her.

She blinked out into the throne room and formed ash around herself, the monsters following after her instantaneously.

Ilea used Flare of Creation, ripping through the four beings with various abilities to overwhelm their regeneration. Their own efforts she simply tanked to get more time and opportunities for offense.

She finished the last of them with Absolute Destruction and twirled to face the small door again.

Will you enga-

A surge of magic slammed into her, Ilea wobbling slightly in the air as she started to wretch. Her sight blurred as her eyes watered.

Healing flowed through her, quickly stabilizing her body.

The Queen had entered the hall, her slender form floating a meter from the ground. She no longer held the skeleton, her dead eyes focused on the intruder to her palace.

Ilea felt the power, like waves washing over her. Not an ocean, or an insurmountable mountain. Just waves.

Let’s see what you can do, she thought and waited.

The Howling Queen lifted one hand, pointing at Ilea.

She saw the connection in her sphere, shifting to the left right before the spell manifested.

Her shoulder exploded in a rupture of blood and rot, both seeping into her near instantly.

Ilea barely flinched, her ashen armor containing the localized damage that already began to heal. She smiled at the Queen whose shoulder had burst out, blood and tissue falling to the ground and staining her tattered dress.

Strands of flesh reached out from the undamaged sections, growing as they closed the wound. Her shoulder was reformed at the same time as Ilea’s.

Why can everybody regenerate?

A battle of attrition then, between a level four forty and a four mark.

Her Veteran skill let her know that the Queen was just barely above level one thousand and not quite as ridiculous as the beasts she had fought in Erendar.

Let’s prove Meadow wrong, shall we?

Ilea vanished, appearing in a wave of magic that immediately overwhelmed her. She tumbled in the air, about to retch before a dozen spells ruptured her insides.

Bones formed on the ground below, shooting up to impale her as flying blades of blood slashed through her wings.

She displaced herself, flopping to the ground when her lack of knees prevented a more graceful landing.

Ilea activated her third tier healing and smirked as soon as her lips had regenerated. This is fine.

Chapter 563 Boning

Chapter 563 Boning

Ilea dodged past the many projectiles that didn’t just fly at her but homed too, even returning to annoy her after they had passed already. A cyclone of blood and bone.

The ground was covered in bone spikes shooting up to impale her, more growing with each passing moment.

The floor is bones, Ilea thought when the next wave of blood and rot magic ravaged her body. These damn mana intruders.

Her main focus was the avoidance of damage to her brain. And it worked reasonably well so far. She wasn’t too worried because of her newfound Space Awareness abilities. Getting stuck in the sea of bones wouldn’t be the end of her. Far from it.

Ilea activated Phaseshift, unsure if the Queen could even perceive her. Her eyes didn’t seem the healthiest. She poured health into her spells, supplying Flare of Creation simply because she didn’t have to risk the lower regeneration with her phased body.

The woman looked around, various visible pulses emanating but nothing managed to pick up Ilea’s position. Or it seemed as such. The cyclone calmed, magic floating around the hall as if time had been slowed.

Ilea watched as the Queen floated out into the courtyard, continuing onward as Ilea displaced herself close to her.

Phaseshift came to an end and she returned to normal space, white flames flaring up as she shot burning ash onto the woman. Her limbs slashed through the Queen, having an easy time cutting her flesh but unable to cut or break the bones below.

She tried to aim for her eyes and brain in the little time she had on the offensive, finding reasonable success.

A pulse of blood and rot magic washed out in a sphere around the woman, leaving the ground without blemishes but punching through Ilea’s body like an invisible freight train. She was pushed back, twirling in the air once before she stabilized and dodged the many blood blades and bone projectiles that moved at a higher speed once again.

So I can stay alive at least, through most of her attacks, Ilea thought. The damage to her body was extensive but so far the Queen hadn’t shown the necessary frequency of attacks that would make this an impossible task.

But she’s regenerating too. And I can barely get any damage in. Even with that direct attack, she didn’t seem to care at all. Not that it’s an indicator. Most high levels I fought didn’t react much.

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

Maybe that should be my focus. Slowly acclimating myself to her attacks and magic. If she’s incapable of learning and if I can get away between encounters, I’ll have my resistances maxed in no time. Maybe even add another one or two third tiers.

Ilea blinked and displaced both herself and many of the projectiles, the swirling storm around her never decreasing and quickly catching up with her fast moving form.

The targeted blood magic and rot attacks never let up, Ilea only able to deal with them due to her precognition.

At least it’s nearly all magic.

Sentinel Core worked overtime, returning large chunks of mana from the devastating attacks of the woman.

Can I keep this up indefinitely? Ilea asked herself, already feeling somewhat good about the quote on quote fight as she regenerated large chunks of missing internals.

The Queen howled again, summoning six Specters that appeared from thin air, weapons drawn and teleporting towards Ilea.

Hmm.

Ilea focused entirely on the Queen’s attacks, using her offensive capabilities to shred through the new Specters. She had to retreat after two had died, her body and ash too damaged to consistently put out damage. Flare of Creation was gone again, the benefit from her phased form disappearing.

She didn’t use the skill at the moment, the cost something she didn’t want to counter right now. Not with the heavy health damage the four mark could dish out regularly.

No way to really dodge it either, Ilea found. When she blinked before the spells activated, they simply wouldn’t and the Queen would use them again where her enemy appeared.

“Just to be s-” Ilea said, twirling through the cyclone as her spells charged, ashen spears rushing out towards the four mark, deflected by blades of ash or simply stabbing into her without a discernible result.

She moved her wings, pushing away from the waves of magic, her stomach rupturing along with her lungs, heart, and left arm. Healing the damage wasn’t very taxing, the matter still around after all, the rest of her body still connected and covered by her ash. The blades dug deep into her armor but only perfect direct hits managed to get to her skin below.

“To be sure! You’re not-” she said again, displacing herself closer to the Queen after activating Phaseshift. “Sapient or something?” she finished her question when her spell activated.

Health is alright, she thought and healed herself, already supplying her auras with huge amounts of health. Mana. Surprisingly high… well I’m not really attacking, am I?

The monster didn’t reply, instead floating towards the exit where she must’ve assumed Ilea to be.

Will you actually leave this place? How far is she willing to go?

The Trakorov hadn’t seemed like a creature that would leave its domain and the same was true for all the other four marks she had met in the Descent but maybe those were different. Or the dungeon itself is different.

Ilea tried to displace the creature, only able to move her back by about a meter.

Oh well.

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

Ilea appeared again and charged Monster Hunter, seeing the woman already floating up the stairwell.

She called out with her skill, fueling the intent with a request to communicate.

The response were a few dozen blades of blood mixed in with about forty bone spears.

Ilea tried her limited mind communication but didn’t get a response there either. No wonder, after killing her Specters.

The four remaining monsters appeared close to her, quickly taken care of now that her Flare and Awakening had flared up again.

She blinked close to the Queen and activated Heart of Cinder, the spell shooting out of her right arm. Bright flames and energy enveloped the Queen, burning deep into the stone ground and wall behind her.

Ilea spread her ash in front of her, sending a burning mist at the skeletal remains of the Queen to hamper her regeneration.

She was forced back when the blades started to cut up more than just her armor. Ilea watched as the monster lifted a bony arm, blood magic forming at the tip of the index finger.

A small red sphere formed, quickly sending out wisps and strands of red energy that seemed almost alive. The woman’s body in the meantime knitted itself to existence again, quickly reforming her pale flesh atop the durable bones.

Just an imitation, Ilea thought, knowing that the skeleton below was what she was fighting. It’s like a shield of flesh.

The blood magic sphere grew and so did the strands of energy, digging into the stone and earth in the courtyard like bloodied whips.

Ilea felt herself pulled towards the energy. Gravity magic?

She realized that it wasn’t magic at all but actual gravity instead. How fucking dense does that thing have to be?

Ilea blinked towards the palace, watching as the Queen finished her spell and sent it flying with a flick of her wrist. The blade cyclone and bones had never ceased, still hunting for Ilea like an invisible force controlled them.

Impressive manipulation skills, that’s for sure, she thought, wondering how cool it would be to have a couple hundred ashen spears move around, hunting a single target as she just floats with a disinterested look on her face.

Not quite as gritty and direct as I’d like though, she thought with a smirk, moving her body through the onslaught of weaponry as she laughed.

The sphere didn’t move quickly, on a direct course towards the palace. The blood magic whips that swirled around the dense near black center ripped through the ground with ease, some reaching even the ceiling and taking with them chunks of stone. The rotten remains of trees were slashed apart.

Ilea found that a direct hit cut deep into her flesh, instead deciding that it may not be the best idea to get too close to the more turbulent center.

She tried to displace the thing close to the Queen, hoping the whips would damage her too, the small form now floating closer behind the roaring spell.

Displacement failed to grasp at the creation.

Okay, time to fuck off then, Ilea thought and blinked upward. She used her teleportation abilities until she climbed up a few floors.

Her eyes opened wide when she saw the spell materialize in the stone hallway ahead, at the same distance from her she had actually been at before. Ohno.

The walls shook at the gravitational pull, wisps of blood cutting through the stone on this floor and those above and below.

Ilea started to be affected too, her body not quite moving as easily now that she got closer to the phenomenon. Heart of Cinder flashed out, burning into the core without a visible effect. And it kept moving closer.

Is that space magic or what?

She tried to focus on the sphere, a few whips of blood now cutting into her flesh, too close and fast for her to dodge. Blink activated, Ilea focusing on the wisps, seeing some sort of connection to herself within her sphere before the spell manifested again, the distance to her maintained.

Another few floors were devastated, Ilea having moved up even higher to avoid the Queen. So far she hadn’t used a single teleportation skill, besides this moving sphere.

Okay, what to do, she thought, watching the sphere move closer as more and more tendrils of blood cut through her, already reaching her bones.

Ilea used Flare of Creation and the third tier of Azarinth Awakening, supplying both with high amounts of health before Phaseshift activated. The Resilience bonus would help quite a bit. She used her third tier of Displacement to form a gate about one centimeter in front of her and one right behind her.

The wisps of blood lashed into the gate and came out behind her, Ilea pushing more and more health into her abilities while Phaseshift was active.

Come on, move faster you shit, she thought, looking at her rapidly declining mana as the sphere got closer.

The gravity started to distort the space itself as it moved closer, the sphere now entering her gate.

Ilea saw half of it appear on the other side before her spell collapsed in on itself.

Energy exploded outwards as her gate vanished, the black sphere separated into two halves with hundreds of red wisps slithering out and into Ilea.

She raised her arms and displaced herself, finding the spell still connected to her. The blood magic simply passed through her phased form, dealing massive damage to her health with each strike.

Ilea watched her numbers move down and up, her third tier healing doing all it could do to keep her from reaching zero.

She used her teleportation whenever she could and after four tries, the spell finally did not follow her anymore. Her health had reached two thousand at one point.

“Blood fucking magic,” she murmured, her body returning to normal space as she watched the rest of the corridor collapse onto itself, a thousand furrows and cuts visible in the walls around.

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

Yeah, you fucking better.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Seeking Wrath of Lumian spell while below level one thousand – One Core skill point awarded’

“Good fucking job,” she murmured and looked at the destruction left behind by that thing.

How the fuck was I supposed to get away from that shit. It wasn’t using space magic to move. Was there a mark left on me or something?

She tried to check her body but couldn’t find anything.

Well now she’s probably regenerating again already. Maybe I should find a few blood mages to train. Or I could just work on my rot resistance.

Ilea thought the latter seemed reasonable. There was a chance her spells had an effect on the Queen but so far she wasn’t sure. Even a charged Heart of Cinder hadn’t left any visible damage on the skeleton.

But it’s the same as I am. Once my damage pushes past her regeneration, I win.

She thought about it for a moment. At least let me regenerate for a while.

Ilea blinked and displaced herself upward until she reached the area she had fought the Specters first.

Her resistance deactivated and she immediately felt the nauseating feeling return. Damn. I fucking hate this.

Ilea let her mana recover slowly, the stunt with that seeking wrath spell costing her heavily. Something isn’t right, she thought, coughing up blood.

Her eyes opened wide before she blinked up into the caverns above. Ah fuck.

The rot reached further than before. Tunnels that had been unaffected before were now permeated by the rotten aura. She’s the source. And she’s fucking moving.

Ilea tapped her leg with a frown.

If she reaches even just the top floor of that stone settlement, the whole town above will die a fucking miserable death.

“No way around it then,” she thought and blinked down again, her mana still recovering.

She found the queen a few floors above the courtyard, projectiles simply cutting through the stone as she followed some form of perception to hunt her prey.

“I’m back,” Ilea said when she appeared, her fist slamming into the woman’s head before she vanished downward. The sphere of magic didn’t reach her this time.

She used Monster Hunter when she reached the courtyard, calling for the Queen.

Ilea cracked her neck and knuckles. I woke her up, I’ll put her to sleep.

The four mark too her sweet ass time to reach her again, floating out of the stairwell with the same expression she had on her face before.

Hollow eyes stared at the waiting adventurer, her hands lifting to create more spells.

Alright, let’s continue.

Ilea used Phaseshift immediately, stacking her auras again before she unleashed a charged Heart of Cinder.

She tried keeping her assault up but was pushed back by he powerful sphere emanating from the skeleton, skin forming again as it continuously shot out its spells.

Ilea used her ranged attacks and limbs constantly as she teleported in and out, delivering just a bit of destructive mana with each attack. Storm of Cinders would strip away any defense the woman had against mana intrusion and the longer her fight lasted, the stronger she would become. Body of the Valkyrie had activated too, the damage reduction allowing her to take a few more hits before she had to retreat.

Sentinel Core enabled her to persevere at all but as time went on, Ilea started to question her ability to overcome the powerful monster.

Her skin reformed time and time again, her skeleton still looking pristine whenever her fleshy armor had been stripped away.

For the sixth time in an hour, she had to blink up through the ruined settlement to deal with one of the annoying rage balls the queen liked to summon. By now the high resilience bonus from Body of the Valkyrie allowed her to tank them with medium safety, as long as she didn’t fuck up the gates.

The problem was that during her time dealing with that spell, the queen could regenerate her mana and health. Ilea didn’t know how much but if her own power at level four fifty was any indication, the Queen had a lot to draw from.

Maybe it’s not the skeleton at all that is my enemy.

Ilea reached the lower floors again, calling for the queen to catch up with her. She wouldn’t risk engaging her in the tight corridors, definitely at a disadvantage with her abilities. Plus with each use of her anger issues, the Queen would move higher in the complex.

She sent a few ash lances at the approaching queen and vanished into the palace, most of the front destroyed and cut up by the first blood whip ball. Ilea just went into the small chamber behind the throne and checked the various graves.

No artifact, nothing. Just bones.

She didn’t have time to check her monster encyclopedia for a potential curse breaking ritual to release this angry Queen from her skeletal prison.

This may be the wrong decision.

Ash spread out in the room, setting everything alight with a pale white flame. Every skeleton, every tomb, all of it was reduced to ashes.

“Please find rest,” Ilea murmured. Probably just created six more curses to strengthen her.

A howl resounded from outside.

Something at least happened, Ilea thought before wisps of blood cut through the wall separating her from the throne room.

Okay no, just anger.

She displaced herself out and towards the floating woman, finding herself face to face with the dark sphere of her most powerful spell.

Ilea rolled her eyes and blinked upwards, repeating the step a few times until she reached a sufficient distance from the four mark.

Phaseshift activated followed by the gates close to her body, the spell quickly dealt with, leaving her with about half her health.

This isn’t working, she thought and checked the few notifications she had.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 625]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 632]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 379 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 380 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 18’

She felt the mark left on the Queen as she slowly floated through her self constructed tunnel.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

Alright, let’s see what we can do.

Chapter 564 Uphill Battle

Chapter 564 Uphill Battle

Ilea quickly checked her status, letting the Queen move up towards her. At least the woman was pretty slow and didn’t teleport. A very welcome change of pace and the only reason Ilea could keep this thing up. Otherwise she would’ve had to lure her out of the dungeon before escaping, hoping the town would’ve survived that. She doubted they could. Not when the rot could make even her puke up blood at a close distance.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 11

Unspent Core skill points: 63

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [1919 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 447

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 29

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 443

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 29

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 29

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 380

- Active: Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 16

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 7

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 3

General Skills: Hidden

Status:

Vitality: 1300

Endurance: 450

Strength:515

Dexterity:450

Intelligence: 1200

Wisdom:1300

Health: 20842/22594

Stamina: 2480/4500

Mana: 16823/26000

Hmm… I reached nineteen hundred at some point. So two third tier General points available. Could go for Rot once it’s at level twenty but right now that doesn’t help me.

The only other thing… Core skill points.

Core Skill Points available: 63

[3rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

[Locked]

Nothing new unlocked. Got everything in the third tier and skill boosts don’t seem worth it at this point. They’ll advance while I fight this thing.

Question is, is it enough?

She glanced at the Stat Gain option for a little while. Two points for fifty points in a stat. 500 for twenty? A thousand for forty? I mean how many could I need at my next evolution?

Ilea didn’t want to waste the points but her Intelligence was sitting at 1200. If she invested just twelve points, her damage should theoretically increase by twenty five percent. With all her multipliers it may be enough to overwhelm the creature.

Theoretically… if the cost doesn’t increase, I could nearly double my Intelligence.

She bit her lip. The achievement of killing a four mark while alone would surely be massive for her next evolutions. But she wasn’t about to dump all of her gathered Core skill points into it just to achieve it.

Okay, first let’s try the normal way. I can try to inspect her with Sentinel Reconstruction to see how much of an effect various abilities have. Let’s see what I can learn.

Ilea continued her fight, more familiar with the Queen’s spells and movements. With the full fifty percent reduction from Body of the Valkyrie, she could generally ignore the cyclone around her.

The direct applications of blood and rot magic still damaged her enough to force a short retreat. And while the Queen’s attacks weren’t quite as frequent as those of the Meadow, they could quickly overwhelm her if she stopped evading.

Ilea found the training to be quite efficient at the very least. All her Class skills were benefiting from this. Her main goal however was to end the creature, if something like that was even possible.

Reconstruction did allow her to gain some insight into the health and anatomy of the Queen. What she learned didn’t exactly reassure her. If anything the creature was closer to a spirit than a human at this point. A being of mana, not one of flesh and blood.

The only noticeable damage Ilea managed to deal was caused by a powerful use of Heart of Cinder coupled with overcharged auras and the expenditure of the fifteen minute bonus from Aspect of Ash.

It really was quite ridiculous.

And when she checked a mere second later, the damage had been healed both visibly and to her spell.

Funny, she thought and blinked up through the destroyed complex of tunnels and rooms. By now most of it was just separated holes and corridors in the mountain, much of it collapsed or ripped apart.

Ilea landed, stretching as she stared at her Endurance. It had nearly reached zero.

How?

She shook her head, watching the numbers go up with each second. Admittedly, fighting the Queen took a lot of concentration and moving, both her body, limbs, and wings constantly in motion. Her precognition allowed her to keep up with the sheer number of spells flying around but she couldn’t just tank it all, not with the main attacks dealing so much damage.

How long have I been fighting her?

She had no clue.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 612]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 640]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 381 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 382 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

Should probably get that one to the third tier once it’s at 20.

Ilea saw no reason to advance her bone magic resistance, easily able to avoid heavy damage from those spells because of her speed, teleportation, and ability to get out when grappled.

The rot damage however was high, and constant. The nausea could be dealt with by using her healing coupled with her enhanced body itself, only flaring up when the Queen directly used the magic type on her. Realistically it simply reduced Ilea’s regeneration.

But it’s not enough. Even if I’m a hundred percent resistant to that or could double my regeneration, that still won’t allow me to just stand there and deck it out with that relic from the great skeleton war.

The four mark simply had overwhelming power.

What I need is enough damage to whittle her down.

[Stat Gain] – [Gain 50 stat points to distribute freely – Cost: 2]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Let’s use eight points and see if it makes a difference.

The cost didn’t increase with each use, leaving her with 55 Core skill points and 213 total stat points to spend.

She put 210 into Intelligence.

Intelligence: 1410

My highest stat now. And it’s multiplied a shit ton by my skills. Let’s see if it’s enough to make a dent.

Ilea felt her aura, trying to gauge a difference. She did feel more powerful but only marginally so. Her resistances and regeneration are a fixed number too though. Just have to crack that, she thought and used Phaseshift to charge up her auras.

Thanks for that constant rot mana supply, dear Queen.

She blinked down and flew past the monster with a smile on her face, grinning as she displaced herself away from the expanding aura before she used Monster Hunter to call her training partner back towards herself.

Ilea floated into the large courtyard, white flames moving on her armor.

The Queen hadn’t gotten far, already joining her again with her cyclone of magic in tow.

Ilea used the last few seconds of her Phaseshift boost to inflict as much damage as she could, her ashen limbs lashing out before she was pushed back again by blood and rot magic, her body ravaged by the overwhelming power.

She felt neither felt pain nor anything else the spells may have caused in a human being. Her body regenerated as she pushed forward again, closing the distance with intent. Heart of Cinder released in a cone from her left hand, stripping the monster of its flesh, digging a burning gash into the stone behind. Her right first slammed into the skeleton’s head, Absolute Destruction and Storm of Cinders releasing as her ash spread out and set the Queen alight with white fire.

A pulse of blood magic sent her tumbling back, sharp bone spikes splintering as her body slowed down in the field of death. Her wings were shredded as she displaced herself out of the bones slowly digging into her ashen armor. A use of blink got her close again, her attacks resuming before the creature could even reform her body.

Ilea used her ash to push destructive mana into her, quickly checking with her healing if her increased Intelligence had made any difference so far. She punched one more time before she was pushed back, her awareness blinded for a split second before she returned, tumbling in the bone field.

My brain? Or just my eyes and enough mana to muddle my sphere?

It didn’t matter. If the Queen had a way to pin her down and kill her, she would’ve used that moment. But she hadn’t.

And now I know that you’re vulnerable, Ilea thought with a wide smile, closing the distance before her limbs and ash attacked the dark sphere the Queen started to form. She tried everything to disrupt or stop the spell but found her efforts meaningless.

So far at least, Ilea thought, using her Space Awareness coupled with her sphere to try and understand what the spell was and how it connected to Ilea. Even just severing the connection would be helpful.

She inspected her own body too, mostly using her healing and Soul Perception. Neither revealed anything particularly useful. Not until she blinked up.

A tether… what’s that?

It wasn’t a connection through space but something much more physical. Ilea used her teleportation a few times and slowly zeroed in on what she was looking for. That’s so fucking subtle.

She smirked, opening her armor as four of her ashen limbs cut deep into her chest, ripping open her rip cage before her hand reached inside. Ilea ripped out her heart and stared at the beating organ, blood dripping over her hand and to the ground. A new one had formed already, the wound in her chest closing as she stared at the thing.

Can’t even see it.

Her sphere didn’t lie however and she was pretty sure this was it.

Ilea looked at the approaching blood magic spell and casually threw her heart at the floating manifestation.

It was ripped apart by dozens of red wisps, pieces of it splattering onto the center as it attracted everything around it.

She watched with joy as the spell broke into itself, flaring up one last moment before it exploded in bright crimson light.

Ilea didn’t waste any time, back to the Queen one moment later. She didn’t know if the target would always be her heart but now that she figured out more about the spell, she could deal with it much better.

The damage itself had already been manageable but if she couldn’t keep the pressure on the four mark up, it may as well be an impossible fight.

Ilea continued her assault, slowly working through each and every spell the Howling Queen could throw at her. She checked the damage she would take, the mana she absorbed, and the frequency the four mark could use them.

The Queen did switch things up from time to time but she didn’t show exceptional cunning or battle experience, not even as much as the Specters.

Because she was a queen and not a warrior, Ilea thought, wondering how the woman had gotten quite as powerful as she was now. Was this another case where magic took over somehow and made this place into a dungeon? Where it strengthened the creatures within?

But she was human once… did she die? Or did something take over at one point? Madness or corruption?

Ilea flew sideways, letting several blades cut into her before she activated Phaseshift. The Queen used her powerful blood and rot magic right before the spell activated.

Getting better at the timing, Ilea thought and healed the damage. The direct attacks provided a lot of mana but they also ripped out a lot of health. The time it took to retreat and focus on healing was problematic. So instead she healed during Phaseshift, using the time to empower her auras instead. The Queen still had no way of detecting her but would usually remain stationary for a few seconds whenever her enemy vanished.

Three, four, Ilea counted and deactivated her spell. She displaced herself close to the Queen and greeted her with a punch to her skull. Her white flames spread out and over the woman, every split second they remained on her was important.

Ilea smiled, the quick check showing a change in her health. Perhaps ninety five percent or ninety six. It was hard to tell. The important bit was that it wasn’t higher than that. Her continued assault was starting to have an impact.

Lull of Battle would be fucking useful at this point, Ilea thought, glad her more frequent Phaseshift uses prevented another Stamina exhaustion.

She ripped out her heart again when the next Seeking Wrath spell formed, the organ flopping against the incomplete sphere without an effect. It didn’t matter, Ilea just kept throwing hearts until the spell exploded in the Queen’s face.

“Hah, take that,” Ilea said, immediately pressing her aggression.

She fell into a trance, laughing as she circled the creature, sending out her spells in quick succession and perfectly timed with the counter aggression from the Queen.

The heart trick didn’t work another time, Ilea instead having to figure out what the Queen had chosen as a connection. In the end it hardly mattered, be it limbs, or even her head. In the latter case, she at least blinked up to prevent another spell from taking her down in the short time she needed to recover.

As Ilea’s skills grew in power, so did the Queen’s resistances. When she finally reached the end of her second tier Rot Resistance, the tides started to turn.

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

- Rot Resistance

You’ve basked in the power of an incredibly potent Rot aura. Most humans would die near instantly when exposed but you of course, have come to enjoy it. Perhaps it’s necessary for you to go to these lengths when other people can eat blue cheese for a similar experience.

The third tier was available and with the progression of the fight, Ilea thought it necessary to invest a point.

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

With your regeneration and healing, it was unlikely that such a resistance would ever manifest. However you have found a powerful source of unnatural rot. Perhaps fueled by a curse or magic. Congratulations on yet another painful and horrific experience.

2nd stage: Your body has endured more than most, solely thanks to your magical regeneration. Time and exposure have made your body more resilient to infection, damaging bacteria, and fungal growth.

3rd stage: You damn near bask in rotten magic. Rotten matter just turned into a delicacy to you. The process of rot has turned beneficial, destroying but also healing you at the same time. The more familiar with specific sources you become, the more you’ll be able to benefit from this boon. Just make sure to was yourself thoroughly afterwards.

The bonus was more than welcome. It provided health on top of a higher percentage of resistance.

Ilea felt the change immediately, as if she had fought in a haze before. The damage she received lowered significantly, allowing her to ignore more of the direct attacks, stacking her offensive skills with a higher frequency.

The higher resistance meant more mana from Sentinel Core too. By now she was constantly fighting with the full benefits of Body of the Valkyrie, any defense against mana intrusion the fake skeleton had were long gone, Storm of Cinder making sure of that.

And yet it remained an uphill battle. Every slip of concentration led to heavy damage to her body and in turn a short period where she couldn’t attack. Seconds trickled by as Ilea turned the powerful four mark’s mana into her own offensive healing and fire.

Each of her skills worked in tandem, healing and defense keeping her alive, Sentinel core and meditation keeping her resources up, Flare of Creation working against the enemy regeneration and healing. Had her Classes been focused fully on offensive power, Ilea would’ve never been able to challenge this being. She would’ve been a smear on the castle floor the moment this creature set its glassy eyes on her.

But there was a reason Ilea had a third tier Veteran skill. This wasn’t the first time she had to fight for hours on end against a monster she could just about challenge. In a way it even felt familiar to her. She felt prepared, ready, enjoying each and every moment.

She was a long way off from the magical power beings like this one commanded, but hunting them? That she could do.

Chapter 565 Perseverance

Chapter 565 Perseverance

Ilea had stopped checking the Queen’s status, confident in her own growth and entirely within a trance. Every dodge and strike flowed into each other, each spell now familiar, every movement of her enemy’s body telling her more than her precognition ever could.

By now she reacted on instinct, the spells dodged or taken with a calculated risk. Most of the magic flying around served no other purpose but to fuel Ilea in her continued pursuit of whittling down the Queen’s health.

She had expected a change at some point, another burst of power when the enemy had reached a critical state or perhaps entirely new spells she could use when a dire situation demanded it.

Her expectations weren’t met however. The Queen didn’t majorly change her approach and neither tried to flee or focus more on defense. Perhaps whatever was left of her mind couldn’t understand how a low level human like Ilea could even still be alive. Or she simply wasn’t capable of more advanced tactics.

With each passing minute, Ilea continuously worked against the Queen’s resources and recovery, her own body fully enhanced by her own powerful skills.

The queen’s armor was stripped away by a charged blast of cinders, her skeleton clad in white flame a moment later. Visible damage now showed on her form, the dark material scorched and brittle. Any attempts at reforming her armor of flesh was interrupted by ashen tendrils, the healer only pushed back for a split second by the concentrated blood and rot.

Ilea slammed her fist into the Queen’s skull with a last use of Absolute Destruction, her fire clad body ready to dodge the response. The powerful mana flowed into the creature, forming lines of fire and energy visible through the cracks in her bones.

The Queen didn’t retaliate.

Ilea floated backwards, her fists ready as she felt for magic around her. She’d rather repeat the whole fight than die to a spell that activated on death much like that of the Praetorians.

A ding resounded in her mind, followed by a dozen more. Her muscles remained tense and ready to react as she watched the skeletal form slump to the ground, a pile of bones glowing with the light of cinders, pale white flames flickering on their form.

She didn’t dare check the messages, instead charging Heart of Cinder, more heat and power forming in her core with each passing second. The courtyard had calmed, the permeating presence of rot gone with the Queen’s death.

It was quiet. Entirely so. “Anticlimactic,” Ilea murmured, her eyes focused on the pile of bones that previously held the most powerful entity she had faced without allies.

There were no cheering warriors next to her, no slaves waiting to be freed, or Meadows waiting to be rescued. It was only her. And a faint feeling of disappointment that the fight was over. Ilea couldn’t help but wish the Queen had been sapient. To fight someone that powerful, with the full capacity of their mind.

Would’ve been more of a challenge, that’s for sure, she thought with a wide grin. Ilea displaced the small crown that had appeared next to the corpse into her hand.

Heart of Cinder released, burning away the bones that now lacked any enhancements the Queen had previously supplied them with.

[Crown of Lumian – Ancient Quality] – [Reduces corrupting effects to the mind]

Finally, I can get my berserker Classes. Just have to wear this bloody thing all the time.

The crown was simple in design, modest if anything. The material was either iron or a metal that had lost its shine long ago, perhaps influenced by the rot it may have been exposed to.

The Queen hadn’t worn it during their battle but neither did it look pristine or unused.

Not exactly my style. Maybe Maro would like it, she thought with a smirk.

Wasn’t quite enough for you Lumian? How long were you down here? Ilea wondered as she glanced at the palace.

Alright, first to safety, she thought and teleported upwards until she reached the cavern ahead of the settlement.

No rot here either. I wonder if killing her had any effect on the Abominations that roam the caverns. Or were they entirely separate?

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Howling Queen of Rot – lvl 1062]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 448 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 461 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 444 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 456 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 383 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 405 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘New skills available for [The Faen Valkyrie]’

New skills? I already have too many to choose from, Ilea thought with a sigh. No evolution either, despite my achievements.

She didn’t really mind, proud she had bested the creature now that the adrenaline and trance of their long battle wore off. Gotta find another one of those.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Reversal reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 13’

…

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Rot Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have laid to rest the lost spirit of Lumian, freeing both her and the people she had sworn to protect – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated a four mark creature while alone before reaching level 500 – One Core skill point awarded’

Nearly got the investment back, she thought. And another slew of stat points to spend.

She checked her new skills for The Faen Valkyrie, despite having no intention of switching any of them out at the moment.

Skills available for The Faen Valkyrie:

Active – Ward of Creation

Summon a shield of flame that floats around you. The Ward blocks and absorbs spells, growing in power. When the Ward has reached maximum capacity, you may unleash the stored up energy in a blast of fire.

Category – Fire Magic - Space Magic

Active – Force Projectile

Unleash an invisible blast of concentrated space magic.

Category – Space Magic

Active – Force Tear

Use space magic to tear out or damage a part of your enemy.

Category – Space Magic

Passive – Space Drift

Move your body with space magic. Increased mana expenditure enhances the speed of flight.

Category: Body Enhancement – Space Magic

Passive – Space Telepathy

Learn to communicate through space itself, forming thoughts into perceivable concepts for space aware sapient beings.

Category: Body Enhancement – Space Magic

She ignored the ones she already knew.

Bunch of offensive stuff for the active slots. Ward is interesting, I suppose. But not worth trading with anything I currently use.

Space drift is just a flying skill? Based on space magic. And Telepathy is kind of unnecessary with my Mental res and Monster Hunter.

Ilea wondered if the numerous new skills meant that there would be more slots at some point or if her Class didn’t consider her current abilities quite as set as those in her main Classes.

Not that I’d change anything now. But I guess it wouldn’t bee too surprising if more slots became available. Then I can try stuff again.

Ilea put a hundred stat points into Wisdom and fifty into Vitality.

She twirled the crown in her hand and jumped back down into the tunnel settlement. The lowest layer had to be explored after all.

Ilea found everything the way she had left it. Deep furrows told of the long battle she had fought against the four mark being, large parts of the houses and palace destroyed and reduced to rubble.

I need a treasure sense skill, she thought with a frown.

The various houses held simple stone furniture and various runes that would make life down here somewhat easier. Even here, the interior didn’t exactly look comfortable. Whatever had driven these people down into the mountain, it must’ve pushed them to urgency if nothing else.

Not even enough time to line up the hallways.

Or am I not giving them enough credit? I’ve got no clue how hard it is to dig tunnels like these. And maybe they simply didn’t have the magical knowledge we have in Ravenhall at this point.

Ilea scanned through the eight houses, finding nothing valuable. There were a few items that might’ve once held emotional value but nothing that hasn’t been tarnished by age and rot.

The palace itself was the same. She floated over rubble and blinked through walls, trying to find a hidden treasury or other rooms she had missed. The only thing she found was a small room with various overgrown dresses and the only wooden furniture she had found, entirely decrepit.

She was about to leave when her sphere picked up the etched letters within a small stone statue sitting below a turbid mirror. The statue itself looked simple, a woman with two wings and outstretched arms. It reminded her of an angel.

She didn’t need to touch it to read the inscription going around the round base.

‘For I shall find no rest, until my people are freed from this prison. Even in death, I shall protect them’

“Worked out fantastically. Why not just be motivated without cursing yourself?” Ilea asked, shaking her head. At least it’s an noble notion. I just fucking hope you weren’t really there anymore in the end.

She checked once more if she could detect any hidden areas before she left.

I need a bath after that, she thought and blinked up to the actual Caverns of Rot. Now perhaps just the Caverns.

Ilea exited the dungeon, a nearby guard scrunching his nose as he turned towards her.

“By the gods… woman… what did you do?” he spoke.

“Killed the Rot,” Ilea said with a smile, giving him a thumbs up.

She strolled past as he glanced at her with confusion and disgust.

Ash along wouldn’t help here.

I could just rip off my head, reform my body and then quickly burn away most of what’s on my skull before healing. Hmm… maybe a little much. Wouldn’t want to traumatize the locals.

Plus, a bath sounds nice.

Ilea entered the tavern with a normal set of leather armor on, quickly making her way to the counter. Only a few groups had started murmuring about her.

She heard a muffled curse before Sophia sneaked away from her table, going towards the exit.

Ilea smiled to herself but didn’t interact with her this time. “I need a bath.”

A flash of recognition lit up in the innkeep’s eyes. “Yeah, you do. Rooms are full though.”

“I can pay premium,” Ilea said.

The man looked at her for a moment. “Five silvers.”

She summoned the coins and placed them on the counter.

He shouted to someone in the back, nodding towards the stairs as he looked at Ilea. “Second floor, last room to the right.”

Ilea nodded and vanished.

More luxurious than the Queen’s bloody room, she thought, looking at the spacious area.

She crossed her arms and summoned her fire sphere, displacing a few pieces of firewood into the hearth before she set them alight.

Poor girl.

Ilea saw the young woman carry a large tub upstairs, touching her back when she had to pause. She lent her a hand, displacing both the tub and the woman herself up into the room.

“Wha…,” the girl exclaimed, her eyes opening wide.

“Please don’t scream, I’ve had enough howling for a day,” Ilea said.

To her surprise, the girl nodded quickly.

“Yes… of course. That’s a rare spell miss,” she said, glancing at her a few times as she set up the tub, connecting a pipe from a nearby wall.

[Mage – lvl 21]

“What kind of magic can you do?” Ilea asked.

The young woman shook her head. “Nothing much, miss. Water and heat mostly, was the only way my father would agree to let me learn. It’s useful in the inn.”

“Makes sense,” Ilea said and stored her clothes, walking past the woman before she stepped into the seething water.

The girl flinched back. “It’s ho…,”

“It’s perfect, don’t worry,” Ilea said and closed her eyes. “Thanks for the bath.”

She could tell the girl wanted to ask something but right now she wouldn’t push her to do it.

It was interesting to see the expression on her face change from scared and hesitant to brave and courageous, only to falter back to the former.

The girl slapped her cheeks and spoke. “Are you the one they call Lilith? The Ashen Healer?”

Ilea opened one eye and glanced at her. The woman looked to be in her late teens, wearing a modest outfit of brown pants, red and white shirt, and an apron. She had long black hair, a little curly. Freckles and black eyes adorned her round face.

“And what would you want from the ashen healer?” Ilea asked.

She clasped her apron and looked down onto the tub. “I… I would ask her to train me!”

Ilea couldn’t help but smile. “And why would Lilith want you as her apprentice?”

The girl looked up now, locking eyes with her. “Because I want to become a healer like you. Because I want to get out of this shithole and I want to become powerful. I want to fight monsters like you did, want to defy assholes like the ones lounging around downstairs, doing nothing but getting drunk and fighting each other.”

“What are you willing to do for that? It would mean a lot of pain, a lot of horrifying experiences, it would mean facing monsters that could rip you to shreds in seconds,” Ilea said.

“I’ll do it,” the girl said without hesitation. “Better than growing old in this place.”

“I see. And what do your parents think about that?” she asked.

“My mother supports me. When I talked to my father, he simply laughed, telling me to bring Lilith to him when I find her. Miss… I heard the rumors. You were here before. I knew it was true. Sophia thinks she can lie easily but she nearly spit out her drink when I asked her,” she said.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“I’m Willa, ma’am,” she said and bowed.

“Don’t bow to me,” Ilea said.

“As you wish,” Willa said and looked at her.

“I’m taking my bath in peace. We can visit your parents as soon as I’m done,” Ilea said.

The girl damn near lit up, her mouth quivering slightly as she grinned, tears forming in her eyes. “I… I… the songs say you love food… I shall help prepare dinner. If you wish to stay?”

“At your parents’ place?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Willa said.

“Sure. Haven’t eaten anything in a while,” Ilea said and closed her eyes again, sliding a little more into the tub.

“Lilith?” Willa asked shyly.

“Hmm?” Ilea said.

“Can you use that spell again?” she asked with a grin.

Ilea didn’t say anything, displacing the girl down into the common room where a large man spilled his drink from surprise.

His friends laughed at him as Willa seemed to squeal with joy, running out as she shouted something to the innkeeper.

We’ll see how you do, Sentinel, Ilea thought and calmed herself, going under in the hot water to get rid of the smell.

May you rest in peace, Lumian.

Ilea stretched her arms about an hour later, the water still hot thanks to Heart of Cinder. She blinked out of the bath and summoned fresh clothes onto her body, absorbing the heat with her Lava Magic Resistance.

She cracked her neck and back, teleporting out of the inn and landing in the mud with her bone armor boots.

Sentinel Huntress led her towards the woman, her scent easily picked up by the skill.

Ilea strolled through the small dungeon town, finding the tiny apartment where the woman lived with her parents.

A little scary how easy it is for me to find her.

She discarded the thought and knocked on the door.

A muffled voice could be heard from the other side. “Baseless dreams, delusions, and lies… Willa I told you not to believe these stories. Adventurers have nothing good to share with you, all they want is your coin or worse. Someone like Lilith either doesn’t exist or the songs are lies anyway, nor would she visit a backwater dungeon town like this one.”

“You’re being too harsh,” a woman said, her hand on Willa’s back as she shook her head lightly.

“Let me tell this thief off and you can go back to the inn. I won’t have another discussion with Hudson about your work ethic,” the man said before he opened the door.

What he found was a winged being clad entirely in ash, wisps of white flame lazily moving on her horned helmet.

“Good evening. I was promised dinner.”

Chapter 566 Concerns

Chapter 566 Concerns

“This is delicious,” Ilea said, shoveling more food onto her place as she chewed.

“Thank you,” Briana said, a warm smile on her lips as she watched Ilea eat. “Quite a compliment coming from Lilith.”

“Mother… please,” Willa said in a quiet tone.

Briana smirked. “Oh? But you always go on and on about her. She’s the most powerful healer in all of Elos you said, the hero we needed, the savior of Riverwatch. Or was it Dawntree?”

The mother giggled as her daughter cringed.

Ilea glanced between the two of them and smiled, facing the father again.

He sat opposite her, bulky and nearly bald. His look was stern, his face betraying nothing as his eyes seized her up, arms crossed in front of him.

“Andres, you should eat something too,” Briana said, putting some food onto his plate.

His demeanor changed for a split second as he looked at her, his eyes much less hard. “It’s fine. I will eat later.”

“Oh come on, don’t be so hard on her. When’s the last time we had a guest over, let alone someone as prominent as her,” Briana said.

“She has no manners,” Andres said, looking back at Ilea.

“Apologies. I’ve been fighting a monster for what feels like days,” Ilea said, continuing to eat. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was supposed to be doing wrong. She was even using the fork.

“See, I’m sure someone as wild and powerful as her can be excused,” Briana said, glancing at Ilea with a warm smile.

I can feel your sarcasm, woman, Ilea thought and smiled back.

Andres sighed. “I don’t care about your name. You want to take away our daughter and I will not have it. She is safe here, taken care of. Here she has a future. Better than out there in a war torn and unstable world.”

Ilea chewed and swallowed, smiling slightly as she leaned back. She wasn’t covered in ash anymore of course. “Willa asked me to come. I’m here because of her.”

Andres glanced at his daughter. “You bothered her with your talks of adventure?”

Willa looked back at him but didn’t say a word.

“I wasn’t bothered. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. She shows promise. Under the Sentinels, she can grow into the healer she wants to become,” Ilea said.

Andres frowned. “I know enough about healing orders to know where this leads. You won’t corrupt my daughter,” he said and stood up, his chair hitting the wall behind.

“It’s not a healing order. If she can’t keep up with the training, she can leave anytime. I’ll even have someone fly her back here,” Ilea said.

“Your songs may have swayed the fools in that tavern but I won’t believe these empty promises,” Andres said.

Ilea was impressed that he would go that far.

Monster Hunter charged and released with a low hum.

[Mage – lvl 42]

“I’m touched by your bravery. All for your daughter’s sake,” Ilea said, forming a small sphere of ash in front of her.

Andres lost some color in his face.

“But with all due respect. If I had wanted to take her, I would’ve done so,” Ilea said with a smile. “I can only offer you my promise. That she receives the same training the other Sentinels do. There’s no catch. I simply want there to be more healers around,” Ilea said. “Yes. There will be pain and danger, but that’s the price you have to pay for power.”

Andres looked at her, still defiant. He glanced at his daughter. “Willa. Is this truly what you want?”

She stood up and looked back with a determined gaze. “Yes. I want nothing more.”

Andres deflated a little, glancing at his wife.

Briana nodded with a slight smile.

“Then so be it,” Andres said before he leaned closer to Ilea. “But I tell you now, Lilith. If you have any ulterior motives. I will find you, and I will finish you.”

“I understand,” Ilea said, respecting the father’s concern but staying somewhat realistic. “Can we finish dinner now? It’s getting cold.”

Briana smiled and continued eating, so did Ilea.

Willa sat with a wide grin and Andres calmed down a little, his eyes opening wide when he glanced at Ilea again.

“I… I hope I didn’t offend,” he said in a whisper, after they had eaten for a minute or two.

“You didn’t,” Ilea said. “But maybe work on that temper a little. Could end badly with the wrong people.”

He nodded lightly. “I know.”

“Not the first time he’s done something stupid,” Briana said. “But this is most definitely the worst of all.” The woman seemed proud when she said it, a bright grin on her face.

“She’s going to make you proud, I’m sure of it,” Ilea said, winking at Willa who turned red as she tried to sink under the table.

Briana laughed and joined Willa, teasing her with a few more remarks.

“What were you doing here anyway?” Andres asked after a while.

“Came to fight Specters of Rot. They were monsters occupying the lower parts of the caverns,” she said.

He looked at her. “The monstrous abominations people whisper about?”

“Oh no, much worse than those. Turns out there was an ancient settlement down there, carved into the mountain itself. They had a Queen called Lumian,” she said.

“The lost regent,” Andres said. “She was here?”

Briana looked up from under the table.

“You know her?” Ilea asked. “It looked fucking ancient.”

“There are poems about her. A queen dedicated to her people. She’s a local hero… for some even a deity,” Briana explained.

“Any idea why she would retreat down into the mountain?” Ilea asked.

“Poems are poems. Doesn’t mean she was liked quite as much back then, nor that she could defend against invading forces,” Andres said. “Though I don’t know what would’ve driven her to hide inside that dungeon.”

“I see. Either way, she can rest now,” Ilea said.

Andres opened his eyes wide again.

“Thank you,” Briana said. “To some of us, this will mean more than you know.”

Ilea looked at her and summoned the crown. She glanced at the thing and moved it over on a bed of ash. “Maybe with that, someone might actually believe the story.”

Briana glanced between the artifact and Ilea, hesitating to touch the thing. “It’s… real… the iron crown.”

She had tears in her eyes. “Are you sure? This is a priceless artifact.”

“Returned to where it belongs,” Ilea said. “Just don’t get killed by some thief who wants it.”

The woman looked at her before she gingerly touched the crown. “Thank you.”

Willa looked on with confusion, her parents now admiring the artifact together.

Hope that shit isn’t cursed.

Ilea frowned before she displaced the crown into her hands. “Sorry, just to make sure I’m not fucking you over,” she said and placed it onto her head.

Nothing happened.

Hmm.

Seems like the description is accurate.

“Okay it seems fine,” she said and displaced it back to the parents.

“I can’t believe she wore it,” Andres said before he started laughing.

“It doesn’t suit you,” Willa said.

“I know,” Ilea said. “Horns are better.”

“I agree,” the girl said with a wicked smile. “Will I get armor too?”

“All in its due time, dear child. First you need to go through some harrowing training,” Ilea said.

“Understood,” Willa said seriously.

They finished their meal and exchanged a few more pleasantries before Ilea left with Willa in tow.

The flight back to Ravenhall taxed the girl somewhat but with Ilea’s healing and cocoon of ash, she survived it.

Ilea crossed her arms in front of her, letting the four students attack without retaliation. Spears of ash grazed her skin.

Gael rushed her again, his ash armor not complete in some parts, revealing the wicked and bloodied grin on his face. His ashen claws extended and cut into her, leaving bloody gashes in her skin.

[Warrior – lvl 232]

The man looked a little younger than her but not by much. He was much broader in any case, honed muscle and powerful spells enhancing his body and every move.

She had deactivated her own ashen armor and various resistances to make sure the Sentinels had a chance to inflict some damage.

Gael roared as his attacks increased in both speed, tenacity, and sheer brutality. He ripped into her face and chest, her limbs and stomach, even targeting specific organs with his claws.

The students had mandatory combat evaluations but by now, some were good enough to challenge even the instructors. Gael would still lose in a battle against someone like Trian but the latter had to actually try. Bouts like that were still helpful but the Sentinels had been trained to take on monsters more powerful than themselves. Providing a save environment to do so was getting difficult within the headquarters. For some of the students at least.

Ilea slapped his face, the man’s large body flying to the side before he hit the ground and bounced back up. A few bones had broken, the ash wiped away from his face and blood dripping down.

He had his Class mostly under control, even when he was low on resources and severely injured, he wouldn’t attack allies. The problem that remained was his over extension when he attacked something. Normally he could out heal even higher leveled monsters but soon he would find himself in similar situations as Ilea had with the Vampire and more recently the Queen.

A cool head and precise evaluation were necessary in those scenarios. And right now, she was trying to beat that into him.

The pain he inflicted with his blood and flesh magic were irrelevant to her, the damage he managed to cause was insignificant.

Ilea blinked towards him and kicked. Her boot slammed into his stomach, pushing him back a few meters. She displaced him towards herself and punched his face.

Gael slapped to the ground hard, his body paralyzed.

Ilea ignored the projectiles cutting into her back and knelt down, a bit of ash connected to him to prevent teleportation. Her fist slammed into his face a few times in quick succession, leaving most of it mushed, the bones broken. She grabbed his leg and threw him into a nearby wall.

The other three Sentinels didn’t blink an eye at that. It wasn’t the first time after all.

Ilea shot a few projectiles at them, watching as they dodged or deflected. Not bad.

Gael pried himself out of the wall, his large form regenerating as he stumbled a few steps forward.

She saw his eyes had gained some focus again.

“Too long,” he said.

He retained some awareness in his frenzy like state but he had to learn to control it.

“Again,” Ilea said. Five attacks was the goal for now. At ten she would strike back.

The Sentinels attacking from a distance had the goal of injuring her while staying vigilant for counterattacks and teleportation.

Gael appeared next to her, his claws slashing her arm three times before he jumped back.

She allowed herself a smile but realized he did that same.

There he goes again.

The man closed the distance and started cutting her up, each strike going deeper. He reached blood with the tenth strike.

Four ashen limbs pierced through him, one ripping off an arm before he was thrown at one of the other Sentinels.

The woman dodged to the left, her eyes focused on Ilea as her next spell formed.

Trian appeared in the hall, glancing at the blood and the groaning Gael. “They’re ready.”

Ilea nodded. “We’re done for today,” she said. “Gael, you train with a few monsters you find, try to get it under control. I’m sure your next evolutions will be promising if you do.”

The man went to one knee, his arm reforming slowly. “Yes ma’am.”

He’s stronger than a lot of mid two hundreds I’ve fought, Ilea thought and followed Trian out.

“How is your training going?” the man asked.

“It’s going. I’m glad there are a few students that can injure me with their ash magic,” she said.

“Their progress is quite frightening. If I didn’t know you as well as I do, I’d have second thoughts about this organization,” Trian said.

“You do keep an eye on them. And not just everybody is allowed to join,” Ilea said.

Trian glanced at her when they reached the entrance to another training hall. “We do our best. But people can be deceiving. We already have a much higher demand and it’s not going to become any less as time goes on. There will be those who slip through the cracks.”

“The two you mentioned,” she said.

“Yes. But not just them. Gael himself has become more uncontrollable. If he has a shift of conviction after reaching level three hundred, there will be little we can do to stop him,” he said.

“I don’t really care if he just goes out there and hunts monsters. And if he starts to slaughter sapients, I’ll step in,” Ilea said. “I’ve seen the way he looked at me. He wants a challenge. It would already be difficult to provide one in most human settlements. And much harder to find than out in the wild.”

“I see. I’m glad to hear that. Though not everyone with a high level will be content hunting monsters. Some will want to get revenge or take power where they came from,” Trian said.

“And that’s such a bad thing? I remember a certain noble looking for revenge,” Ilea said.

“It’s not what the Sentinels should set out to do. We’re here to hunt monsters and heal people,” Trian said.

“True. But sometimes you need to rip out corruption before you can start healing. I’m sure there will be people who do as you suggested but if they provide enough evidence to convince us their actions were necessary, I don’t see the problem,” Ilea said.

Trian shook his head. “You’re taking this too lightly. The consequences could be devastating. Let alone the retaliation from foreign nobility or countries themselves.”

“All we can do is make sure they’re good people at heart. We teach them what we can and guide them to a path that benefits all. If they manage to deceive us or if they choose to go against everything we stand for, there is no blame with you, Trian. We both agreed that the Sentinels shouldn’t be too hierarchical and rigid with our rules and teachings. I trust both you and them. And if that trust is broken, we intervene. It’s as simple as that. Anything less open would lead to more problems and corruption,” Ilea said.

“I agreed with you. But now that the first Sentinels are reaching Shadow levels and go out on their own missions… it just doesn’t seem quite as simple anymore,” he said.

Ilea slapped her hand onto his shoulder. “You’re not in this alone, alright? You’ve got me, all the faculty, Claire, and plenty of others in case shit goes wrong. You’ve taught them well. Give yourself and your students some more credit and trust. And look at what they’ll do, how many people they’ll protect and heal, how many monsters they take care of. The Shadow’s Hand isn’t perfect and neither are the Sentinels. Yet both are very sorely needed.”

“On that we can agree,” Trian said. “It just seemed simpler when they were all just starting out.”

Ilea laughed. “So that’s what this is about?”

“What?” he asked.

“You’re having difficulties seeing your children grow up and leave your nest,” she said and poked him.

Trian rolled his eyes. “I do care about them. Though I think my concerns stem more from a lack of control than any abandonment issues.”

“Control was never the goal. The other Orders control. We just provide a reason for them to up their game. Same thing for the Shadows. Maybe so many of them won’t just be sitting around in Viscera when Sentinel teams start finishing all the contracts,” Ilea said.

“We’re not the only organization that started with that goal,” Trian said. “But history proved that power corrupts and with time, the goals shift, until those who promised to fight corruption become the very thing they sought to destroy.”

“Very dramatic. But having heard you talk about some of them, I doubt they were helping orphans and refugees to reach power without asking much in return. Even if you’re right, I think most of them would make more decent rulers than most nobility I’ve met,” she said. “They want to be here and most want it for reasons we can support.”

Trian looked at her for a moment before he sighed. “I appreciate your hopeful outlook. I think changing things up at this point would be detrimental.”

He scratched his neck and nodded to himself. “I’ll try to trust them. We’ll keep a close look on the reports as more Sentinels start taking missions.”

“You can also hire more trainers and work a little more on yourself. Maybe you just feel inadequate comparing your growth to theirs?” Ilea said.

“How very blunt of you. I can’t exactly regrow my limbs,” Trian said.

“Then go on missions with them. See how they work, judge for yourself if your concerns hold any truth. You’re looking at this from your position as a noble, administrator, and council member of Ravenhall. Maybe look at it from the perspective of a Sentinel,” Ilea said.

“My presence isn’t as needed anymore… I’ll consider that,” he said. “Thanks. I hope you didn’t lose faith in me because of my concerns.”

“Not at all. That honesty is what we need. And your concerns are well founded. I just don’t think being afraid or trying to fix it is the solution. Trust and work alongside them. You’re a capable teacher and so are the others. Now let’s see what these two are about,” Ilea said.

Chapter 567 Decisions

Chapter 567 Decisions

Milena checked her leather armor, making sure everything was in order.

“You checked three times already, it’s fine,” Seth said with a frown on his face.

The two of them were waiting in one of the many training halls down in the Sentinel headquarters.

She gulped, thinking about the upcoming evaluation. It wasn’t the normal one they usually had. Why is he here too? Did we do something wrong?

Both of them turned to the steel gates that opened up.

Trian walked inside followed by a woman wearing white robes, most of her face shrouded by her hood.

Milena couldn’t identify either of them but she knew Trian was powerful. She felt like the same was true for the woman.

“Milena, Seth, please join us,” Trian said, gesturing them towards himself.

Seth rolled his eyes lightly and walked towards the two.

Milena followed a few steps behind him, her eyes focused on the ground.

“Today we welcomed a representative of the Corinth Order into our midst,” Trian said, gesturing to the woman beside him.

[Healer – lvl ??]

“We have heard much of your powerful Classes,” the woman said in a casual tone. “As I understand, you can remain or leave freely, which is why we’ve suggested an offer to the Medic Sentinel Corps. A student exchange program. You will teach what you learned here to our members and those of us will do the same here,” she explained.

Seth crossed his arms. “And why would we leave this place? Would we have to join your Order instead?”

The woman smiled lightly. “You would join our Order for the duration of the program and if you wish, beyond that. As to your compensation, you will receive five gold coins immediately and another five for each year you remain with us.”

Seth glanced at Trian before he looked at Milena. “Make it six gold and I accept,” he said.

The woman smiled, “Five gold and thirty silver.”

“Fifty,” Seth said. “The things taught here are surely quite valuable to you, if you came all the way from wherever your Order is located.”

“Very well,” the woman said. “And what about you?” she asked, turning her head towards Milena.

“I…,” she said.

“Come on, this deal is too good not to take,” Seth whispered to her. “And we can stay together.”

“I’m not sure,” she said and looked to the ground. Five gold pieces is a lot… but my parents wanted me to be here, not with some other Order.

“I’m sure she’d be happy to join, she’s just shy,” Seth said.

“Let us talk in private, girl,” the woman said and glanced to Trian. “Would that be acceptable?”

“Of course,” Trian said and nodded to Seth. “Come on, we’ll wait outside. You can already pack your things.”

The two left, Seth giving her a last glance and nod.

“You seem unsure,” the woman said.

“I’m just… there’s a lot I don’t know about. I couldn’t stay in Ravenhall?” Milena said.

“No, but we would provide lodging much more luxurious than what you have here,” the woman said.

Milena bit her lip. “I have to talk to my parents about that.”

“Didn’t you come here on your own accord?” the woman asked.

“I… yes… no of course. But changing to another Order is not a decision I want to make… lightly,” she said, trying to avoid looking at the woman directly.

“You don’t have to hide that from me, girl. But if your parents are to be consulted, I could talk to them directly as well. It may help convince them,” she said.

“They… yes. But I’ll talk to them alone first,” Milena said.

The woman looked towards the door before she stepped a little closer. “I heard the training here is painful.”

What…

“It… yes, I suppose that’s true,” Milena said, rubbing her arm.

“And yet you’re staying? Our Order wouldn’t demand that from you,” she said.

Milena looked away. “I suppose… if I could convince my parents… I could maybe accept.”

“So your parents were the ones who asked you to join the Sentinels?” the woman asked.

“What? I mean… yes. But if your training is good too, I’m sure they would agree,” Milena said.

“You’re fidgeting,” the woman said, smiling lightly.

“Oh… yes,” Milena said and stopped herself.

“You don’t want to be here,” the woman said.

Milena looked up. “No… no I do want to be here… it’s just… hard. I was always one of the more talented students… but it’s so much… and the training hurts. You always have to fight other students and the teachers,” she said, tears coming to her eyes.

The woman came close and hugged her, a flow of warm healing calming her down.

“It’s okay,” she said and patted her back.

The woman let go and stepped back, Milena catching a glance at the black strands of hair and blue eyes under the hood.

She started giggling, tears now rolling down her cheeks. “You’re her… aren’t you? You’re not from the Corinth order at all…,”

The woman moved back her hood and smiled. “You figured it out. Nice to meet you, I’m Lilith.”

Milena looked at the woman and smiled bitterly. “I failed then? You found out that I’m a fraud… what will you do?”

“Hmm… what indeed. Well, for starters, I want to tell you that you’re not a fraud. You participated in most Classes, did your homework, and even excelled in some areas. I heard from Lyza that you have great intuition when it comes to treating injuries.

“Now you obviously didn’t want to participate in the resistance training and constant battles. Why didn’t you speak up? Did the faculty not provide an opportunity to do so?”

Milena wasn’t sure. She felt the healing mana still flow into her, somehow calming the many thoughts that came to her mind. “I… I didn’t want to be kicked out…,”

“Did somebody say you would be kicked out if you didn’t participate in the training?” Lilith asked.

Milena thought back. “The other students… Seth… it just made sense.”

“They told you you’d be kicked out if you didn’t participate?” Lilith asked.

“N… no… Seth did think so… the others… they just looked at me sometimes… or made a comment. I didn’t want to disappoint…,” Milena said.

“You didn’t want to disappoint the expectations from the other students? Or from your parents?” Lilith asked.

She stayed quiet.

“What about yourself? What do you want?” Lilith asked.

Milena looked at her. “I want… to explore magic. I want to fight monsters… and I like the Class I got here. I really do… but…,”

“There’s no need to be ashamed. Alright, listen. You’re a Sentinel like everybody else here,” Lilith said and carefully touched her shoulder. “But we Sentinels share these concerns with each other, so that we can help. For now I think it’s best if you take the day off and think about what You want. You got a Class and that makes you one of us. If the training is too much, we’ll find something else you can focus on. Not everybody has to be a regenerating battle maniac and monster hunter. Okay?”

Milena nodded lightly.

“Who’s your favorite teacher?” Lilith asked.

“Wh… I… they’re all great,” Milena said.

Lilith smirked. “Come on. Everybody has a favorite.”

Milena thought about it. “Lyza.”

“Alright. There you go. So you think about what we talked about today and you think about what you want to do. And tomorrow you’ll talk to Lyza and you’ll figure something out together. And if you don’t want to stay with the Sentinels, that’s okay too. We don’t force you to stay here and neither should your parents. You have the Class and plenty of knowledge. If you want to be an adventurer, I’m sure you’d do very well. So, give it a good think, okay Milena?” Lilith said.

She nodded a few times before balling her hands into fists. “I will.”

“Good,” Lilith said with a smile and turned towards the door.

“Miss… ma’am… what will happen to Seth?” Milena asked.

“Seth just proved that a few gold pieces is all that is needed to get him to leave. We don’t force people to stay but neither do we want those who have no interest in this organization and what it stands for,” Lilith said. “Don’t worry, he will simply not be a Sentinel any longer. Though I suppose it depends on his reaction.”

“But… the Class… everything he learned here,” Milena said.

“What about it?” Lilith asked as she glanced back at her. “Do you think we gave you those Classes?”

She turned around and shook her head. “We only showed you the path. You did the actual work. You fought monsters and put yourself in harm’s way to fulfill the requirements. If Seth wishes to share what he learned here, I believe it would be beneficial to whoever listens. But after hearing him, I doubt he would. Perhaps he can sell it to an information seller and that’s that.”

But all the techniques… the classes… first aid.

“What’s our main goal, Milena?” Lilith asked.

“To train more healers that can fight monsters themselves and help adventurers or Shadows with their missions,” she said immediately.

“And how does keeping secrets help with that?” Lilith asked. “If anything we’ll be getting more healers and students. The only reason the Sentinels aren’t public knowledge is for protection. But soon that won’t be necessary anymore, not with level two hundred Hunters.”

Milena looked at the woman before she focused on the ground. “Thank you,” she stammered out.

“Thanks for being honest. And do let us know if others are in a similar situation. You’re only here to suffer on your own conviction, not because someone else wishes it. I’ll see you around,” Lilith said.

“Li… Lilith… may I… see your wings? I heard… no I’m sorry. Forget about it,” Milena said, stumbling over her words as they slipped out.

What did I…

She watched as the woman smiled, ash forming around her until her armor was complete. I looked smooth and dangerous, more so than even Gael’s. Dark gray wings spread on her back, flapping once to show their size and power.

Milena couldn’t help but squeal lightly, her hands before her face as she looked at the woman leave the hall, her ash vanishing instantly.

The gates were left open and she had the day off. I like her.

_____________________________

Ilea welcomed Seth in the adventurer guild, a room rented for the day.

“I’m glad you made it,” she said.

The young man looked around. “Milena didn’t come?”

“I’m afraid not. Now I want to ask you a few questions before we discuss the rest of our agreement,” Ilea said.

The boy gestured for her to continue.

“Why did you join their Order?” Ilea asked.

“What does it matter? I’m with yours now,” Seth said.

“It matters because I need to understand if you can be trusted,” Ilea said. “The Corinth Order wouldn’t part with its secrets easily. You will be living within our facilities and you will learn things. I don’t want you to walk to the next Order to sell ours.”

The boy smirked. “They never set up rules. I don’t think anybody told me to keep any secrets. It’s really quite funny. I just pretended to be interested in their teachings to get access to the free lodging, food, and information. I endured the training and got my Class. That’s all I really wanted. I’m willing to follow your rules as long as I receive what you promised.”

“Perfect,” Ilea said with a smile. “Your status as a Sentinel is thus revoked. You can use this room for the day,” she said and summoned a silver coin. “It’s not quite as much as promised but I’m sure a resourceful young lad like yourself won’t have any trouble getting into an adventuring group.”

“What does that mean?” Seth asked.

“I’m not with the Corinth Order,” Ilea said.

He frowned. “You played me? Lied to me?”

“Yes. Just like you did,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Milena…,” he murmured before his eyes met Ilea’s. “You bitch.”

Ilea displaced him in front of her, grabbing his neck with her hand. “Now, now. Seth. I think you’re smarter than that. Stop it and leave with your life.”

He considered for a moment and stopped his movements. “Okay. I’ll go… just let me go.”

Ilea did so. “And think carefully about what you do in the future.”

Seth glanced at her and nodded, grabbing the silver coin before he left, slamming the door behind himself.

He walked down into the common room and went to one of the registers immediately.

Seth ground his teeth before he put down the silver coin, talking to the receptionist.

He received an adventurer badge soon after, sighing as he glanced at the patrons of the inn.

Ilea waited upstairs, watching his moves with a slight smile on her face. The first ex Sentinel to join an adventurer group.

Ilea thought about the conversation she had with Trian earlier, glad no further actions had been necessary.

The boy would surely feel some resentment, but at the same time they had provided his Class and all the other benefits for free. In time, he would understand that and hopefully appreciate it.

She made her way back to the Headquarters and informed Trian.

He remained silent for a while afterwards.

“I’m glad he took it somewhat well. Should we inform Milena? She might want to join the guild with him.” Trian asked.

Ilea thought about it for a moment. “I’ll leave it to you. He acted a little manipulative towards her. Maybe it’s best she doesn’t know his whereabouts.”

He nodded. “I’ll let her make her decision first anyway.”

“Sure,” Ilea said and stretched.

“More ash training for you?” he asked.

“Later maybe. I have something else in mind. See you around,” she said and blinked upwards.

Ilea reached the experimental teleport facility a few minutes later, making sure nobody had followed her. She stepped onto the platform and pushed mana into it, deactivating her space magic resistance in the process.

Bright light flashed before she found herself in Meadow’s cavern.

“It’s you, welcome,” Meadow said.

Christopher and Iana glanced at her but focused back on their work a moment later.

“Say, Meadow. The Blue Reapers living in the nearby caverns… you don’t suppose they’re mindless beings unable to awaken?” she asked.

“Hmm… you intend to hunt them. I’ve found that they’re perceptive when it comes to the mind but they have treated me as an enemy the moment my telepathy has touched them. At the moment, I’m focusing on other beings,” Meadow said.

That’s about as much of an okay as I’ll get from it, Ilea thought. “Then I’ll go visit them. It’s been a while since I was there. By the way, I found my four mark. And killed it.”

“Congratulations on your achievement of murder,” Meadow said.

Ilea ignored the remark and teleported towards the Reaper caverns.

It took a few blinks to reach the deeper sections of the nest.

Now, let’s see what you have, she thought, reaching the first group of creatures.

They attacked instantly, both lightning and powerful mind magic hitting her in quick succession.

Neither of the respective defenses yielded.

The lightning flowed over her armor before she redirected it out into a nearby wall, a finger pointing at it.

She used Monster Hunter on the creatures, smiling when she saw them freeze up. “Yeah, I’m back. Remember me?”

Ilea blinked next to the three creatures, using her ashen limbs to smash through the two by her side. The one directly ahead, she squashed with a single and powerful stomp.

Blood, bones, and guts flowed out, the tunnel returning to a serene calm now that the creatures were dead.

Ilea continued through the nest and soon reached a more populated area.

The Reapers attacked her mind before she could even say hello. This time however, she wasn’t overwhelmed by their efforts.

Her sphere revealed that there were around thirty of the creatures in the cavern ahead.

Their mind magic is pretty good. Feels like they’re combining their power for a more coordinated attack.

Her defenses were quite powerful however, too much to crack for the creatures. In a short time at least.

Ilea calmed herself and sat down, focusing on the powerful magic attacking her mind. She didn’t think the low level reapers were everything hidden inside that nest, nor that their numbers would remain at thirty.

It was a prime opportunity to level her resistance. She focused on her breathing and Meditation, thinking about the past week with everything that happened.

Ilea’s meditation was interrupted by the first Reapers walking into the tunnel.

Lightning flared up in front of their heads. The bolts slammed into her with blinding speed, their energies spreading over and through the ashen armor.

She grinned, unimpressed with the display of power.

Their mind magic is the only thing that seems dangerous at all, she thought and disabled her Lightning Magic Resistance. That way, she might actually get a level or two out of it in the end.

She kept an eye on the monsters with her sphere, spreading her ash in a perimeter around her. None would be allowed to come closer but she did welcome their spells. For now.

“Your mind is quite impressive,” Meadow said.

“Thanks, trained it with the best of them,” Ilea replied. “And my arcane healing lets me take care of damage to my mind.”

“I can perceive that,” Meadow said. “Was the four mark you killed awakened?”

Ilea turned her head slightly to glance back. “No. It was before becoming a monster. Human I think. Something corrupted her mind or she went mad. Maybe she even died and the dungeon took over. I have no idea how that works.”

Chapter 568 Reaping Rewards

Chapter 568 Reaping Rewards

“I understand. Then I think it was for the best that you removed its existence. Powerful creatures driven by instinct alone are dangerous to all those who are awakened. The mind must prevail,” Meadow said.

“Can you tell me about four marks in the area then? Would be a quick way to five hundred, and I could get a few more achievements,” she said with a smile.

“No,” Meadow said.

“You’re no fun,” Ilea replied. She realized a few of the Reapers had left, perhaps to get reinforcements. She hoped they would.

“You will get there in your own time and through your own efforts,” it said.

“Now you just sound like the Fae. I think you inter dimensional super creatures are just scared of what I could become,” Ilea said.

“You already killed a four mark. If such concerns would arise, it’s only reasonable. Not that I think that way. I will be able to squash you even if you reach my level. Not that such is possible for a puny human like yourself. You simply lack the brain power,” Meadow said.

Ilea snorted. “That’s why I’m sucking up the Reapers’ mind magic,” she said and tapped her temple.

Meadow was quite for a moment. “That is not how that works.”

“Well explain it to me then, mind magic expert Meadow,” Ilea teased.

“You actually have to eat their brains for yours to grow,” Meadow explained. “Perhaps their eyes too.”

“Aha. Yeah I’ll try that. Gotta let it all rot first, maybe then it actually tastes good,” she said.

“Hmm? Did you receive a new skill?” it asked.

“Rot Resistance in the third tier,” Ilea said.

“Oh? I had thought you’d prioritize other resistances… oh I understand. The four mark used rot magic. Pushed you to advance a defensive skill. That’s quite impressive,” Meadow said.

“Impressive? Didn’t you say I’m not ready to face a four mark?” Ilea asked.

“Offensively, yes. You already proved you could survive against even the Daughters of Sephilon,” it said.

“Against you too,” Ilea said in a dry tone. A mental dry tone.

“Yes, because I do not kill awakened beings. Well done, you just barely qualify as such,” it said.

“Yes yes,” Ilea said and watched as more Reapers joined their collective effort to bring her down.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

You’re just making me stronger, she thought with a grin.

“How are the two inadequate enchanters doing? How long has it been anyway? I lost track of time when I fought the four mark,” Ilea said.

“It’s been close to one week, Ilea. And let us please not talk of them… while their progress… for humans, is surely impressive, it’s been challenging,” it said.

“Can’t you just present the solution and be done with it?” Ilea asked.

“A scholar seeks to understand, not to imitate. While you obsess over the power of your fist, these two seek understanding. For that at least, I have to praise them. Neither would I share my secrets with someone who simply wishes to use them for their personal gain,” Meadow said.

“Not like I wanted your tutelage to seek understanding, to be honest,” Ilea said with a smile. “Though in a way I did, I suppose. But the main motivator was more power.”

“Yeah, but you’re different. We’re friends. With friends we can sometimes overlook fundamental flaws in their character,” it said.

“Like being a sack of meat with some blood in it?” Ilea asked.

“For example. Though you underestimate the changes you’ve gone through. Your body is hardly comparable to that of these two humans. And I’m sure the difference is even more striking to a lower leveled individual,” Meadow said.

“Hmm… I suppose you’re right. So maybe I can turn into a Meadow too at some point. We could even try to date,” she said and winked.

“You’re barely a century old. I think I need a more mature specimen,” Meadow said.

“Like the Ice Elemental?” Ilea asked.

“She was one of a kind…,” Meadow mused.

“There’s a Trakarov deep in the Descent,” Ilea said. “He’s pretty hot.”

“Temperature has little impact on these choices,” Meadow said.

Not going to take the bait.

“Also he is sleeping a lot. Just like the Enavurin,” it said.

“You’ve already made contact with both? That’s pretty impressive. What do you think of the Sun Spirit fuckers?” she asked.

“They’re rude. And already threatened to kill me should I come to their domain,” Meadow said. “Absolutely ridiculous.”

“I’ll pay them a visit too at some point,” Ilea said with a smile. “Hey, can you see to the very bottom of the Descent?”

“The Descent being the layered dungeon below? Yes. Though some of it is protected by enchantments. A mediocre space mage has set up defenses. Nothing I couldn’t break into but aggravating an awakened being of such power could be troublesome for the settlement I promised to defend,” it explained.

“The Ascended, yeah. I wouldn’t fuck with things down there. Can you see the building at the bottom? Below the mana collector dome,” she said.

“It’s… well I’m not sure I would categorize it as a building. It’s steel I believe, but molten and without an entrance,” Meadow said.

“What? Can you show me?” Ilea asked.

An image invaded her mind, showing the remains of the palace where she had first met the Ascended. It really was just a glob of steel now, little symmetry remaining. It gave up the dungeon? Or did it try to destroy whatever information was left down there?

Maybe it just kept the facility connected to whatever teleportation and warning network it had because of the mana that sat above the last layer? Now that it’s gone, there’s no reason to keep the facility connected?

The corrupting agent was deemed a failure after all.

“It’s certainly an interesting facility. If you meet the creator, I’d like to have a conversation with them,” Meadow said.

“Sure, if it doesn’t kill me first,” Ilea said.

“I would be impressed with a space mage below my power capable of killing you,” Meadow said.

“It wields blood, steel, and void too,” she said.

“More mana to feed you,” Meadow said and chuckled. “Just like these Blue Reapers. They don’t understand that their efforts only make you stronger.”

“Well yeah, that’s the point. Otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here,” Ilea said.

She felt the load on her mind increase once more, another five Reapers joining the cavern ahead. About twenty were clinging to the tunnel ceiling and walls by now, shooting their lightning at her with decreasing efficiency.

“Do you know why they do that? Are they protecting their home? A Queen perhaps? Or are they just hostile monsters?” she asked.

“Their young reside deeper in the nest. Reproduction and the protection of their offspring is often a high priority for living organisms,” Meadow said. “This specimen is particularly interesting. Their defenses and magical prowess isn’t very impressive but with their linked mind magic, they’re capable of fighting off much stronger predators. Such as yourself.”

“They’re not doing a great job to be honest,” she said.

“I can perceive that. Can you explain why you would attack an otherwise peaceful nest?” Meadow asked.

“They sent some of their members out into what is now your domain. Dark Ones died. And they nearly killed me at some point. Granted I was exploring their tunnels. Just because your presence and my power push them back now doesn’t mean they’re peaceful creatures. They attack immediately. The question is, are they protecting Hallowfort from something more dangerous?” she said.

“You are aware of the varied influence organisms have on others in their region?” Meadow asked.

“We learned about it in school back in my realm, called it ecosystem. Removing these monsters would lead to other monsters maybe spreading out more, or dying out because they don’t have any food anymore,” Ilea said. “Not that I’m overly concerned about all that. I’ve decimated whole dungeons before.”

“Creatures of this power rely more on mana than anything else. I found it’s more about a power balance. But I’m still learning. The sheer variety in both levels, abilities, form, and thoughts is staggering in this realm,” Meadow said.

“I’m glad you like it here,” Ilea said with a smile. “I thought you would.”

Meadow sent happy thoughts. Literally.

“No species that are a thorn in your eye?” Ilea asked.

“Mere thorns would not be able to pierce my skin,” Meadow said.

“It’s a saying. Something that’s an issue for you,” Ilea said.

“Oh. Well. There are so many beings. I’ve yet to learn what drives them all, how much territory they claim as their own, what they fight, kill, and eat. I will let you know when I deem some culling necessary, though only in extreme cases would I suggest such drastic action,” Meadow said.

“I’m surprised you’re even considering it,” Ilea said.

“Most beings are not awakened. And if their chance to reach such state is low to begin with, I would not like to see them kill everything else in the region,” Meadow explained.

“Makes sense, I suppose. So you’re like a magical defender of biodiversity,” she said.

“Lending my power to a thriving environment is part of what I do, yes,” Meadow said. “And before you joke, Erendar was a very difficult environment. Even before the eclipse.”

“I’m sure it was. It did feel like a galaxy far far away,” she said.

“Are you referencing a work from Elos?” Meadow asked.

“Nope. One from Earth,” Ilea said.

“If only I could gain access to their culture. Elos has plenty to explore too however. Once they understand the gate technology and figure out a way to use them without bursting their weak human bodies, I’ll be swimming in literature,” it said.

“Hey if you can figure out how to reach Earth, I’d be up for a visit. Could even go with you, though the mana there is nonexistent,” she said.

“No mana would be a problem for me,” Meadow said.

“What about me? I have plenty of spells too. Would I lose them in a manaless environment?” Ilea asked.

“Humans start at level zero, which means you slowly empower your body to supply what it needs. External mana sources can help if you learn to use them, such as your absorption skill, but generally speaking, you produce mana yourself,” Meadow said.

“Does that mean humans aren’t magical creatures?” she asked.

“You may not depend on it as many other species would. But you can use its power, you are compatible. A slow acclimation like that is the best way to make sure you can survive in many different environments but for most creatures, that is simply not a necessary trait to have. More power at birth or creation is beneficial to most.” Meadow said.

“That makes sense. It’s how we became the apex predator on Earth. Because we were smarter than the other creatures. There are physically stronger, faster, and more durable animals on Earth,” she said.

“You were the only species with sapience?” Meadow asked.

“Maybe? At least we couldn’t have a complicated conversation with another being. Though there were animals that showed some form of intelligence,” she said. “The same is true here. Some monsters run away from me when they sense my presence.”

Ilea quickly scrolled through her messages since leaving to the north.

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

“Thanks for helping to set up these gates. I appreciate being able to come here on a whim,” Ilea said.

“I understand. A part of me agreed to help in the hopes of more visits,” Meadow said.

Ilea smiled. “I’d hug you but I’m a little busy at the moment.”

“I would hug you too but last time you didn’t seem to like it,” Meadow said and sent a mental image of roots absolutely shredding through her body.

The curse of this world, having to gain a sheer indestructible body just to hug and pet these unfathomable beings.

Ilea stood up after an hour or so, ready to be a little more proactive in her training endeavor.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

She displaced the nearby reapers towards herself, Heart of Cinder releasing in a sphere around her.

The heat and energy incinerated the creatures on the spot, a dozen of them dead in an instant.

Ilea charged her next attack and walked towards the cavern ahead, pushing back against the combined mind magic of the swarm.

“Exterminator is here, heard there was a problem,” she said, appearing in the midst of the creatures.

Dozens of lightning spells shot into her, welcomed with open arms and a guiding sphere. Her skin was seared, little of the energy managing anything more than superficial damage.

Heart of Cinder released again, burning most of the close monsters and leaving many more injured.

Ilea fanned out her ashen limbs and slashed through the survivors, Displacement bringing those out of range closer towards her.

Who’s the Shredder now?

She walked towards the next tunnel, bits and pieces of Blue Reaper still splattering to the walls and ground behind her.

A few teleports brought her deeper into the complex before she came out in an expansive cavern.

Three Reapers were sliced apart the moment she appeared, likely the respective guards placed on this exit.

The crystal from the hallowfort cavern grew in here too, water flowing in from a few fissures in the distant walls to her right.

She glanced up, finding the ceiling about fifty meters above. Large stone pillars lent some stability to the cave.

Ilea saw a blue glow coming from hundreds of eggs, both located on the ground and the lower sections of the walls. Twice that number of Blue Reapers moved through the cavern, some carrying monster carcasses.

She picked out a few larger variants, their height reaching about one and a half meters. They seemed to have a more extensive carapace and large claws.

A challenge?

Ilea only took a few steps before a large portion of the Reapers turned towards her.

Mind magic, I see, no way to hide.

“Alright, show me what you got,” she said and spread her arms. Her retreat should be safe, just in case the mind magic overwhelmed her after all.

There are a few hundred, if they can combine their collective power, it may just be enough to shut me down.

She grinned, waiting for the monsters to make their move.

They didn’t let her wait for long. The whole cavern exploded in motion, the Reapers moving in a coordinated swarm until they could use their spells.

Lightning and mind magic surged up from the many creatures, each stopping at a safe distance to deliver their spells.

Ilea went to one knee, feeling the pressure on her mental defenses. Third tier healing and Flare of Creation pushed against the spells as the lightning bolts crashed into her armor.

She grit her teeth and endured the pressure, slowly standing up again as her eyes focused on the larger versions waiting at the back of their formation.

“You… ll… nee… d… more… th… an… that,” she spoke, the words coming out disconnected.

Ilea staggered back slightly but held her ground, feeling her mind slowly lose against the combined effort of the swarm. She could just teleport in there and kill them in the span of perhaps half a minute but that was not the way she wanted to win.

She had been able to fight the Queen because she could endure her magic. If she couldn’t do that again level three hundred monsters, what would she do against a similar monster closer to her level?

Phaseshift activated before she had to retreat, in a hope that the spell would affect mind magic in a more fundamental way than Astral magic.

Ilea felt the pressure lessen immediately. It remained, but dulled and weakened. She could see the magical strains connected to her mind slip past from time to time, as if it was more difficult for them to even grasp at her.

The damage to her health had been low to begin with, the attacks more geared towards incapacitating her than anything else. From a purely damage damage perspective, a few dozen level three hundred monsters just didn’t have the power to overwhelm her.

Not with all her resilience bonuses, resistances, and healing.

There was a reason she could withstand four marks.

So just phase in and out. I can do that, Ilea thought with a smirk, the spell deactivating once more.

The bundled power of the Reapers’ combined mind magic slammed into her, making her reel back before she could catch herself again.

There was no capacity left in her mind to form a coherent thought, not without Phaseshift active. She had no lack of health or mana, absorbing much of the incoming spells.

Ilea spent the better part of five hours in the cavern, the enemy power fluctuating as they too needed to regroup and regenerate their mana.

The monsters weren’t intelligent enough to understand their situation. They tried different spell combinations and intensities but as long as Ilea didn’t move from her spot, neither did they.

It wasn’t the first time a monster species didn’t quite comprehend the danger Ilea presented. Perhaps it was because of her small form, a lack of perception on their part, or simply an instinct that drove them to attack without further consideration.

Her high level in Veteran and Deviant of Humanity should’ve been enough to deter many a creature. With the Blue Reapers, her level alone should’ve done that, let alone her continued survival against their efforts. But neither led to anything.

Ilea was quite glad, happy to accept the efficient mind magic resistance training. The lightning wasn’t half bad either, as long as she kept the resistance off.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

...

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

Chapter 569 Request

Chapter 569 Request

Ilea stayed with the Reapers until she could think with little strain while their magic pressed down on her.

It took her another full day, the time passing quickly thanks to her meditative state.

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

As the strain lessened, so did the rewards.

Ilea didn’t feel confident enough to disable her Mental defenses. Not for a long while. Neither did she think it reasonable to remain for much longer, deciding that other skills should be prioritized.

About six days left until my meeting with the Elves.

She slashed through the hordes, destroying the monster eggs just as much as the living. The larger versions had a higher level than most of the small Reapers but they lacked any mental powers, instead using their claws and high speed to fight.

Neither of those properties impressed Ilea.

[Blue Reaper Guardian – lvl 482]

The creature slashed its claws into her ash, getting stuck before its head was pierced by ash, exploding in a splatter of gore.

The level difference and low number of Guardians led to no level ups for Ilea’s main Classes, not that she really expected anything.

At the other end of the cavern, she found a large Reaper stuck inside a web of blue fleshy tendrils. It slowly opened its eyes to stare at her.

[Blue Reaper Hive – lvl 520]

“Do you want to talk?” Ilea asked and established a mental connection. “Hello.”

A low hum resounded as the creature gathered magic. A moment later, a blast of mind magic slammed into Ilea’s defenses.

“I guess not,” she sent, having found the attack more than disappointing after the combined efforts of over a hundred Reapers. “My turn.”

She held up her right arm, releasing the heat and energy she had formed within her core.

The spell turned the remaining Blue Reaper to ash, the crevice it had lived in charred and glowing.

“Didn’t want to talk,” Ilea said.

“Well… would you be inclined to cooperate after someone murdered all of your children?” Meadow asked.

“No. But I’d at least acknowledge that they were little brats, attacking the intruder without trying diplomacy first,” Ilea said.

“At least I can observe what the removal of a monster species does to the surroundings. Now I’d like to implore you to stop hunting random monsters here if all they’re doing is remaining in their nest. That is, if you don’t have any remaining grudges,” Meadow said.

“Just down in the Descent. And pretty much just the Sun Sprites. The rest I don’t really care about,” she said.

“Will you go there now?” Meadow asked.

“Nope. I mean I could go challenge the Griffin… but I think I should work on a few skills before reaching five hundred. Can I use the portal again?” Ilea said.

“Of course. I’ll supply the energy. The changes your friends have made should allow someone like you to use the gate independently. Though the cost is still quite high,” Meadow said.

Ilea appeared in the large cavern and checked in on the two enchanters. The new platform they were building looked simpler if anything. A good sign I suppose, she thought and checked the few messages still in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 406 – One stat point awarded’

Very useful.

So saving a species rewards a Core point but exterminating one doesn’t? Hmm… well I suppose it’s not the only nest in the North. Would take quite some dedication to hunt down every single Blue Reaper.

“I’ll see you around then, have fun you three,” she said with a wave, stepping onto the platform she had arrived on.

“Have fun training,” Meadow said.

“What? When did you get here?” Iana said when she looked up.

Ilea just laughed before she vanished in white light.

It was early morning in Ravenhall, the first light of the suns still hidden behind the mountains.

Ilea stood next to a large table on her breakfast terrace. On it was a map.

I have eleven marks… well the waiter is probably not going to get killed at this point.

She dissolved the mark, assuming that Helena had left town ages ago.

Which leaves nine free marks.

Besides Claire and Trian, none of the marks were in Ravenhall and while she could gauge a general direction for the others, it was impossible to pinpoint their location.

With Claire and Trian however, she could make good guesses as to where they were.

“Ma’am? There’s a woman here… looking for you… eh… she has a lot of cats with her?” the waiter said when he stepped out of the stairwell.

“Yeah, let her up. I hired her,” Ilea said.

A woman in her thirties joined her a minute later, a dozen cats either clinging to her leather robes or walking close to her.

[Mage – lvl 84]

“Pleasure to meet you,” Ilea said with a grin.

“You’re the one they call Lilith?” the woman said. “I’m Cali. You don’t strike me as particularly impressive, I’ll be honest.”

“I don’t really care,” Ilea said. “Are those wild cats that live in the city?”

The woman eyed her and nodded. “Yes. Just like the request said. But let me tell you, if you plan to eat, sacrifice, fuck, or skin them, I’ll make them leave right now.”

“I just want to mark and track them,” Ilea said. “It’s harmless.”

“Of course it is,” Cali said and walked a few steps closer.

Ilea displaced the closest cat into her hands, using her healing to calm the frightened animal. She stroked its head with a smile before placing a Sentinel Huntress mark onto it.

“That’s one,” she said and let the cat go.

The woman watched with a confused gaze as Ilea placed the rest of her marks.

“You didn’t take that one,” she said, pointing at a white cat sitting next to her.

“Mhm,” Ilea said and turned to the map. “You can let them go now. I promise I’ll cause them no harm.”

“As you wish,” Cali said, something about her aura changing.

A few of the cats remained nearby, the others jumping onto nearby roofs or leaving through the stairwell.

“Good luck with your experiments then, Lilith,” the woman said and turned away.

Ilea watched her go before she focused on the map. Nine ashen dots floated over the location of the terrace. Two dots were located at other locations in the city.

She focused on her skill and took a deep breath.

Okay, now we wait, she thought and tried to visualize the various marks in her mind, using her ash to relate their movements on the map.

The first twenty minutes were absolute chaos but as time went on, Ilea slowly got the hang of it. She had to fly up a few times to get an aerial perspective, the different marks much easier to distinguish from above.

When she landed for the fifth time, a new face had joined her terrace.

Or more accurately, a new mask.

“Sulivhaan,” Ilea said as she landed and moved the ashen dots around. A distraction might help with the skill.

“Ilea, it’s been some time since we last talked,” he said, face covered in the same mask he always wore.

[Mage – lvl 275]

Getting closer to three hundred, hmm?

“I suppose it has,” she said.

“You weren’t lying about your planned meeting attendance,” he said and chuckled.

“Why would I? Plus you’re doing well. There’s no need for me to hold you back,” Ilea said.

He stepped over to the map and inspected it. “Fascinating. A tracking spell?”

“Yeah, marked a bunch of cats,” she said with a smirk.

“It should prove a challenge to keep track of so many. Ravenhall is indeed experiencing a time of prosperity, but that isn’t solely due to our efforts,” he said. “Your proposed alliance is going to cause a lot of issues we’ll have to deal with.”

“And benefits,” Ilea said.

He nodded slowly. “And benefits.”

“Did you come to convince me of an alternative? Or to stop the whole thing?” she asked.

“No. Not at all. Please understand that my skepticism isn’t based on a feeling of superiority, but personal experiences and historical knowledge,” he said.

“Oh? So humans have forged alliances with Dark Ones before? Including a four mark space mage?” Ilea said in a teasing tone.

“No, but sapient creatures work much the same as we do. Differences lead to conflict, even just nationality, age, or skin color. Dealing with entirely different species will only amplify this problem. It will be a challenge to overcome. As to your question, I’ve heard of your endeavors here and thought to seek your assistance with a problem,” he said.

“Describe the problem,” Ilea said, moving the ashen dots around slightly. A few cats were starting to move more quickly.

“We keep track of criminal activity within and below Ravenhall. One group must’ve found a cavern system or ruins deep below. Reports of humanoid monsters in the one to two hundred range have become more frequent,” he explained.

“You want me to kill the creatures?” Ilea asked.

“Not exactly. They’re called Threshers. Both the Shadowguard and Shadows themselves can deal with them without much trouble. They’re afraid of light, use teleportation and powerful claws but they’re nowhere near the danger we faced with the Demon invasion. The dungeon itself is the problem. We’ve only managed to push through two rooms so far. One party of five lost all their members to a set of traps. The second party lost half their people,” Sulivhaan explained.

Ilea looked at him and crossed her arms. “How did the Threshers come through then?”

“Most didn’t. There were dozens of corpses in the small part we could explore, many of them ancient and rotten. Before we lose anymore lives, the council thought it best to simply close up the entrance and be done with it. Some of us that is. But you may have both the durability and interest to dig a little deeper,” he said.

Ilea squinted her eyes at him. “You’d just ignore an ancient ruin below Ravenhall? It could hold so many potential secrets.”

“And seven dead citizens. Ilea, ruins are found all the time. Powerful people thousands of years ago burying themselves with monsters and traps is not something new. Little treasure and history remains in the damp and rotten tombs of old. Death and curses are usually the main contenders. There’s a reason many are left well alone.

“The fact that these ruins exist below our very city is however more concerning than most other dungeons we find. I’m aware of your Taleen explorations, which is why I’m bringing this up at all. And perhaps your habit of finding joy in death and curses,” he explained.

“Yeah, I do like those,” Ilea said, nodding to herself. “But I might unleash some ungodly creature if I go down there and explore more.”

“I take full responsibility should this operation lead to damage to Ravenhall. However if we want to expand further, we will have to deal with this at one point or the other. For now we can simply close it up but in five years, maybe ten, we’ll have to find a more permanent solution. Perhaps you are that solution,” Sulivhaan said.

“I can check it out, sure,” Ilea said. “Can I leave a mark on you, just in case I stumble upon something I shouldn’t have woken or touched and need assistance.”

“There is no need. We have two talented Divination experts that will be able to track your movements and actions at a distance of a few kilometers. And a mind mage that will be able to communicate with you directly. The entrance will be shut and reinforced once you’re inside, with two Shadow teams and a hundred guards ready in case they’re needed,” he said.

“This is starting to sound like a much larger operation than you let on at the start,” she said.

“Perhaps. Dagon and Elana insisted on an expedition force but the whole thing became a little more complicated when even a Shadow nearly died to the traps. A consensus in the council couldn’t be reached quite yet but me and Claire suggested sending you instead. If you have the time,” he said.

Ilea grabbed the map and rolled it up. “I’ll check it out. Sounds interesting.”

_____________________________

“Another one is hiding in the tunnel ahead, to the right, hanging form the ceiling,” Josie said, feeling the presence of the weak mind in the dark tunnel.

Uriah gestured to the team, his shield held up above his head as he turned the corner.

The Thresher jumped down immediately, dodging the sword that came for it with a use of its teleportation spell.

Josie felt the mind appear and sent a beam of light at its right leg.

The child sized monster stumbled back, its one eye blinded by the flash.

Uriah slammed into it with a charged shield bash, his heavily armored form swatting the creature into the wall with a wet thud.

An arrow slammed into its eye, finally killing it.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Thresher – lvl 163]’

Josie glanced at the large claws, walking closer before she inspected the body. “This one has scars too. Corruption in its right shoulder. I believe its eyesight was impeded too, though I can’t tell if it was injured,” she said.

“It’s the last one?” Uriah asked, the massive warrior stepping closer as he held his shield towards their water mage.

A beam of pressurized water cleaned off the blood and Thresher bits.

“Can’t detect any others in this area,” Josie said.

They were supposed to join an expedition into the newly discovered dungeon down below Ravenhall. Sulivhaan himself had summoned whoever was interested in the job. But the discovery had turned out to be a little more complicated than initially assumed.

The Threshers were obviously not the problem, though Josie supposed in larger groups, they could pose a reasonable challenge. Similar to the demons they had hunted in the south of Lys before joining the Shadow’s Hand.

“Then let’s return, before we stray too far away,” Uriah said.

“Back already?” Finnley asked as he glanced at the group. His yellow eyes twinkled in the torchlight.

Josie was sure the man had no difficulties seeing in complete darkness. She tried to avoid his gaze.

Uriah stepped towards him. “How’s your rogue?”

Finnley slightly nudged the sitting man. The Shadow had been heavily injured when exploring one of the dungeon chambers. Something with saws.

“He’ll survive,” he said.

Josie felt the third mind materialize next to the rogue, a Shadow that came very close to the name.

Makai, the third and last member of Finnley’s team. He wore black robes that ended in a large hood covering his face. Darkness seemed to gather within, nothing of his face revealed.

The robed mage felt like death and decay, like a spirit or cursed monster.

Josie knew rationally that the man was a human, his mind didn’t look different after all. It still took everything she had not to shiver whenever he was around.

He whispered something to the rogue before he straightened from his crouched position.

Finnley glanced back towards the dungeon entrance and smiled. “Fucking finally. The masked bastard is back. And he brought a lady.”

Josie looked towards the entrance, a simple rectangle cut into the stone wall. Everything here was rather new, carved out by expert earth mages and coordinated by architects. To think there was something hidden below.

Wouldn’t be the first time we find a dungeon in an unexpected place. Perhaps right under an old city isn’t quite that unusual, she mused and glanced at the torches.

About eighty members of the Shadowguard had been sent down here, aided by around forty adventurers. All experienced warriors and mages. It was an expedition force, but more coordinated than Josie had ever seen before.

Well Uriah had called it a military unit. Probably the only reason he agreed to explore an unknown dungeon.

Their team had taken few missions since joining the Shadows. She hoped he wasn’t throwing caution to the wind for reputation. She looked at their leader, his body covered in thick plate armor, his head protected by a sturdy helmet, nothing on his face revealed.

A slight smile came to her lips. He wouldn’t.

He gestured them to follow and walked past Finnley, his shield always at a position where he could react should the other Shadow become more than just provocative.

Sulivhaan appeared a moment later, still wearing his dark robes and mask. He had always been friendly but she definitely felt the pressure coming from him. An arcane power they had rarely seen in humans before coming to Ravenhall.

[Gravity Mage – lvl 275]

He wasn’t just one of the highest ranking Shadows but a council member of Ravenhall. Perhaps that was why Uriah had answered the call.

Sulivhaan was followed by a woman clad in simple leather armor, her blue eyes taking in the surroundings.

Josie’s mouth opened slightly, her lips trembling as she felt the mental defenses that protected her mind.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

The woman locked eyes with her and smiled. “Hey there.”

Did she… was that her? It has to be… she’s a mind mage too? But that shield.

“Look who finally decided to show up. Now can we get the fuck on with it before we all fall fucking asleep?” Finnley said as he walked past their group. “If it isn’t Lilith, the ashen cunt. Sulivhaan shat his pants so hard he had to bring your fairy ass down here?”

Uriah gestured their team to take a step back.

Josie felt his aura strengthen, the man ready for a fight.

Finnley on the other hand spread his arms and walked towards the two monsters.

“Of all the unwise things to say,” Makai said with a hint of amusement, the robed slither of a man floating to Finnley’s side.

Chapter 570 Fire Proof

Chapter 570 Fire Proof

Lilith hadn’t reacted at Finnley’s words, instead taking in the surroundings.

Some of the Shadowguard had tensed up at the mention of her name but they didn’t let it show on their faces.

Josie didn’t question Finnley’s comment. Perhaps he had met the woman before. He was a veteran Shadow after all. How did he survive with that mouth?If the stories are true, she could shred through everyone here in a few seconds.

Admittedly, Lilith didn’t look like much to the naked eye. Her long black hair was tied into a single braid, falling down her back. She wasn’t overly tall or bulky, nor did she look tense or dangerous. If anything she seemed relaxed, entirely carefree.

There was more to her and Josie didn’t need Identify to realize that. I have to answer her. We can’t risk antagonizing her.

“Greetings, Lilith,” she sent and bowed lightly. Not too far but not too little either. They were both Shadows but it was obvious who ranked higher in the hierarchy.

Uriah glanced at her but didn’t say anything.

“And who’s this prick?” Lilith asked, walking closer to Finnley.

“Don’t remember me eh?” the man asked before he laughed. “Fought together in the fields, slicing up demons side by side. I suppose I couldn’t make an impression on the great and legendary ashen healer,” he said.

“There were a lot of people there,” Lilith said, scratching her cheek. “I do remember that guy,” she said and looked at Makai. “I dig the whole Nazgul look. Very broody.”

Makai bowed deeply. “I greet thee, Lilith. This one’s name is Makai. I appreciate your consideration.” His voice quivered lightly, his excitement near palpable.

“Lilith agreed to support us in our mission, for the time being,” Sulivhaan said and stepped next to the woman. “Finnley, I would appreciate if you could keep the hostilities to a minimum.”

Finnley took a step back. “Hostilities?” he asked with a mock hurt voice. “Dear Sulivhaan, I do hope you’re not being serious? I’m just messing with her.”

“I suggest you don’t do that, lest we actually lose a Shadow to this operation,” the gravity mage said and walked past the man. “Shadows only for now, form two ranks behind Lilith and stop any stragglers that make it past. Shadowguard, keep the perimeter secured and report to the city should we remain inside for more than an hour without contact.”

A few of the guard nodded.

The adventurers that were present had quieted down entirely, watching the conversations take place between the Shadows.

“How did you get so much stronger since we met last time? Found some poor ass monster that couldn’t fight back?” Finnley asked and laughed.

Lilith glanced at him and smiled. “Sure.”

She walked past him.

Don’t, Josie thought, seeing his hand move towards her ass.

A slither of ash formed from thin air, preventing the man from his daring attempt.

The tunnel was silent when his severed arm slapped to the ground, blood dripping down from his shoulder as he made a grimace.

“Alright, alright. Message received,” he said with a grin and grabbed his arm, pushing it against his shoulder as he winced.

“Try that again and it’s your head,” Lilith said in a friendly voice.

“Now I want to try even more,” he said and laughed, slapping Makai’s back. “What’s gotten into you. Don’t tell me you’ve seen the light.”

“She’s marvelous,” the robed mage whispered.

Josie gulped, watching the scene unfold before Uriah gestured them to join the others.

“Greetings, Lilith,” he said, giving her a nod. “I’m Uriah. We’re a rather new Shadow team. “I’m a close ranged warrior with a focus on defense.”

“Nice to meet you Uriah,” Lilith said.

He gestured towards Pak. “Our healer and ranger.”

“Greetings,” the man said, his eyes seeing more than he would let on.

“Sivya, I’m a water mage,” the woman said with a smile. “It’s reassuring to have you.”

“And that’s Josie, she’s our light mage,” Uriah said.

Lilith looked at them before her eyes met Josie. “Oh we’ve already met. Greetings to the rest of you. I’m glad you don’t seem as inclined to stand in the way as our dear… what was his name?”

“Finnley, and you better remember it,” the man said as he joined them, scratching his beard.

Lilith ignored him and summoned a rolled up map from a storage item. Dots made of ash moved around for a moment before they slowed down. She smiled slightly. “Okay, shall we?”

“Traps nearly ripped apart our poor scout,” Finnley said. “Don’t get too cocky, even if you’re a healer.”

Who’s being cocky? Josie thought.

“He’s playing with his life,” Uriah whispered next to her.

“I’ll make sure not to be careful,” Lilith said, strolling into the entrance without a care in the world.

Finnley was about to follow when Sulivhaan gestured him to stop.

“She takes the lead,” he said with a voice that suggested finality.

Even Finnley didn’t argue with that.

I’m glad I met my team before becoming a Shadow, Josie thought, glaring at the man.

“Fuck are you looking at?” he asked, turning towards her.

Josie rolled her eyes and focused back on Lilith, the woman now reaching the center of the first stone hall.

She heard deep breathing next to her and glanced over, finding Makai. Josie took a step back as she squinted her eyes at him.

Lunatics.

A whistle resounded from the room ahead.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of Lilith – You are paralyzed for three seconds’

Josie couldn’t do anything but count the seconds. First time it’s not a hostile monster, she noted.

She watched as around twelve mind signatures appeared, the Threshers teleporting to meet the enemy challenge. They surrounded Lilith and jumped her.

Black tendrils lashed out from her back, just for a split second.

Finnley had taken a single step towards the entrance when bloody chunks of Thresher slapped to the ground around her.

They’re all dead. That was barely a blink.

She gulped and glanced over at her team.

“We wait until she gives the clear,” Udiah said in a calm voice. He had always been reliable when an overwhelming force stood against them. It was a new experience to have that force on their side instead but the result was strikingly similar.

“Beautiful,” Makai whispered. “Death incarnate… a manifestation of darkness, ash, and the end of the world,” he added.

Josie glanced at him.

He turned his hood towards her. “Ah… apologies. I’m quite thrilled, you see.”

Is he… embarrassed?

“No worries. She is quite scary,” Josie said.

“BOOH!” a sudden voice slammed into her mind, making her stagger back with a yelp.

“Josie!” Pak called out and steadied her. “What is it?”

“Nothing… nothing, I’m alright,” Josie said.

“Don’t shit your pants. I’m just joking around,” Lilith said.

“I’m not used to people initiating telepathic conversations,” Josie said.

“If it freaks you out so much, maybe you should get used to it. There are creatures out there who like to do it,” Lilith said.

What creatures?

“I understand,” she said.

“You’re talking to her?” Uriah whispered.

“Yes. And she can hear you. She can hear all of us. And she has telepathy. Tread carefully around her,” Josie said to her team. She nodded to make sure Lilith wouldn’t immediately know that she answered with her mind. She will know anyway.

“Can’t find any traps here, plenty of corpses though,” Lilith said.

Sulivhaan teleported inside, gesturing to the others.

“Sure you don’t have anything better to do?” Lilith asked the masked man.

“Do you not want me here?” Sulivhaan asked.

She waved him off. “I don’t mind. Just thought you’d have to maneuver some political shenanigans, instead of exploring dungeons.”

“I can spare a few hours,” he said, sounding almost amused.

It was hard for Josie to read the man, not just because of the mask. He controlled everything about him, his body language, voice, words, and mind. Her few interactions with the man had proven as much. A monster in his own right, that much was sure.

“Scout nearly died in the next room, beams of light coming from all around,” Finnley supplied as the rest joined.

Josie noted the wet ground. Nobody’s bothered by the blood and smell. We’re usually the veterans.

______________________________

Ilea glanced at the Shadows behind her, seeing a few of the guards glance in near the entrance, their eyes wandering to the massacre she had left behind.

Oh well.

It was fun meeting a mind mage girl at least. Her reactions whenever she spooked her were quite precious.

She unfolded her map again and focused on the new position of the cats. It was easier to track them from far below the city. With all the distractions it still proved enough of a challenge.

Eight, and nine, there you go, she thought and rolled up the map again.

“What’s the map anyway, darling?” Finnley asked.

If only you were a little more classy, she thought. “Say that again and I punch you.”

“Oh darling,” he said with a wink and broad smirk.

Ilea decked him in the nose faster than he could react.

He staggered back, half his face dented in with at least ten bones shattered.

The others looked on with various expressions.

“He’ll recover,” Uriah murmured.

Finnley was the highest leveled one in the group at level two twenty. Even if he had apparently been there at the siege of Ravenhall, he had hardly changed since.

Ilea was about to ask the robed man to stop his murmuring but somehow she knew it would just encourage him. Damn death cults. Did Maro spawn this guy? No, I do hazily remember his robes. He fought with swords though.

She moved to the next room without any words, appearing in the spacious stone hall where several things happened instantly.

Her sphere couldn’t penetrate the walls, enchantments preventing such.

Ilea’s armor moved out from her back, if anything to protect the leather armor.

A hundred beams of light slashed through every square inch of the room, leaving slight streaks on her armor that evened out again immediately.

That’s a lot of energy for a trap, she thought, seeing the bits and pieces of bone around her. Multi use too.

She took a step forward when the beams formed again, this time remaining for a few seconds. It wasn’t quite enough to cut through her armor. If she was honest, it wasn’t even close.

Ilea tried to redirect one of the beams with her hand, sadly failing to do so.

“Hmm… you should wait for a moment,” she said, looking at the floor. Oh… that’s why they’re not cutting apart the room.

Her ash lashed out, cutting into the walls and ground to disable the enchantments. When her sphere could pierce, she quickly found the source and displaced it out of its socket and into her hands.

[Call from the Light – Ancient Quality] – [Forms a scorching beam of light]

It was a cube covered in enchantments. Quite heavy and certainly unwieldy. She could tell there were about fifteen openings where the beams would form and decided against activating it right now, lest she cut up both the room and the people waiting behind.

Anything else here?

She walked around, putting weight on various enchantments before she destroyed them. Just the laser room.

“Should be safe,” she said, handing the cube to the appearing Sulivhaan. “There you go, maybe Claire can have it copied or something. Wouldn’t recommend it for a festival light show.”

“Incredible work. Any idea who could’ve made it?” he asked.

The others joined now too, looking between the cube and Ilea.

“Hmm. No, not really,” Ilea said. Doesn’t look Ascended, nor Taleen, or anything else I’ve seen before.

_____________________________

Josie couldn’t help but stare at the ash covered monster before her. Lilith had her arms crossed, her eyes focused on the cube she had quite literally conjured out of nowhere. It looked to be the device which caused the powerful light magic she had withstood without any visible damage.

What would happen if we fought? How could we stop a being like her?

“I’m not knowledgeable on runes. Let Claire have a look,” Lilith said.

The Head Administrator, Josie thought, glancing over to Uriah.

“What about your people?” Sulivhaan asked, turning towards the woman.

“They’re busy with something a little more important,” she said.

“Of course. But perhaps once they have achieved their goal,” Sulivhaan suggested, making the cube vanish.

“Ask them, I don’t mind if they can learn something from it,” she said and glanced at Josie. “What about you, you’re a light mage right?”

Josie stopped herself from taking a step back, her eyes automatically driven to look at hers. “I… m not particularly knowledgeable when it comes to runes and enchantments.”

“Hmm, I see,” Lilith said and turned towards the hallway ahead.

Josie couldn’t say anything else when the woman stepped ahead, triggering several traps at the same time.

Spears slammed into her from one side of the hallway, her arm rushing out to steady herself against the other. Metal groaned and stone broke as the internal mechanisms powering the massive steel pikes lost their battle of durability against the ashen monster.

“Very Taleen,” Lilith whispered with a chuckle, her ashen limbs slashing into and through the wall to her right, ripping out or bending the spears in her way.

The room ahead lit up in powerful heat and brilliant light as soon as the woman had stepped inside.

Uriah stepped in front of them with his shield held up high, the rest of the team gathering behind.

Finnley and his group did the same, the man’s left side singed from the heat alone.

Only Sulivhaan stood alone, unbothered by the escaping power.

A minute passed before it all subsided, darkness returning to their surroundings.

Pak started healing everyone, focusing on Uriah who had started breathing more heavily. Plate armor and heat weren’t the best combination for human skin.

“Safe,” Lilith called out from beyond.

The group slowly joined her, finding the ashen healer standing amidst ripped apart plates of steel, remains of complex enchantments still visible on the parts she had spared.

Lilith summoned her map again and moved around the ashen dots, entirely unconcerned with her surroundings.

“It’s entirely excessive,” Sulivhaan said. “But it’s not of Taleen make.”

“Trap enthusiast?” Lilith asked, not looking up from her map. “It’s pretty impressive, conjuring up magic that comes close to what a three mark creature can do.”

A large steel gate barred an entrance of sorts.

Lilith walked up to it. “Wow… this is better than a city vault.”

How does she know how strong a city vault is?

Pak flinched when Lilith punched the gate.

Both mana and air rushed out in waves with each consecutive hit, the steel not moving a millimeter.

Lilith kept her map floating next to her, on a bed of ash. “That should do it,” she murmured, a loud hiss resounding when the enchantments gave up.

And that means she can break into a city vault, Josie thought.

She bit her lip. “Did you break into a city vault?”

Lilith didn’t turn, her next punch denting the steel. “During the war, yes. Had to show a pirate how it’s done.”

“Eh… okay,” Josie sent back and smiled. “How did you break the enchantments?”

Her curiosity took over, this powerful entity standing in front of her and so willing to communicate.

“Mana intrusion. Reversed healing to be specific. Keep that to yourself. The latter part that is,” Lilith said.

“I will, of course,” Josie sent. “Do you have a mind magic Class?”

“It’s the third tier of Mental Resistance, allows me to establish contact,” Lilith said.

Third… tier??

“By the look on your face, I’d imagine you’ve never heard of it. Don’t worry about it quite yet, just work on your general skills and Classes,” Lilith said.

She can see me, behind her… of course. Why wouldn’t she have another form of perception. It’s not that uncommon.

Josie glanced at Uriah. “Why are we even here?” she whispered to the man.

He didn’t answer, his steel visor facing the back of Lilith, her arms and ash deep inside the steel gate, prying it open bit by bit.

“Never felt so useless before,” Sivya murmured.

“Focus up. Our task is to take care of stragglers that manage to get past her, and that’s what we’ll do,” Uriah said. “If nothing else than to protect the Shadowguard.”

“She’s quite the monster,” Finnley said. “Wish I had her on my team… the things we could do.”

“The things we could kill,” Makai whispered in delight.

“Aye,” Finnley said.

“You would be nothing but dust against the creatures she fights,” Josie said, feeling her face heat up the moment the words left her mouth.

“What was that?” Finnley asked, looking at her with a slight smile and wicked eyes.

The loud creaking of the gates finally opening drowned their conversation, Lilith glancing back.

“She’s not wrong,” she said. “Now stop the bickering, you’re Shadows, act the part.”

Finnley laughed and gestured for her to go on, Makai bowing deeply behind him.

They’re beyond sanity, Josie thought and turned her attention to the large open space opening up before them. A circular stone arena with a layer of sand. The silhouettes of various statues in differing poses were barely visible to her in the distance. She couldn’t discern a ceiling above but the walls bent to the left and right, surely meeting on the other side a few hundred meters ahead.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Forgotten Passageway’

Chapter 571 Defenders

Chapter 571 Defenders

“Now if that doesn’t sound ominous,” Ilea said, stepping onto the sand in the coliseum like structure. Dozens of armed and armored statues, likely golems of some kind, littered the spacious ground. Some even hung from the ceiling or clung to the walls.

Stone or metal maybe? Hard to tell, she thought, squinting her eyes at the humanoid statues. Most pretty much just looked like rather large humans, smooth even at the joints. Spears, large curved swords, halberds, and even large morning stars were their preferred weapons. Or more likely, the weapons they were given by their creators.

“There are about thirty statues scattered around the place, and something tells me they’re not just there for decoration,” Ilea said, seeing the Thresher corpses strewn about here and there.

I should lure one of them to see what they can do, she thought.

“Any idea about their level?” Uriah asked, twirling the sword in his right hand.

“Too far away,” she said.

“I can’t even see them,” the man said.

“I could get their attention,” Finnley suggested with a smile.

“Please refrain from brash actions, you’re not alone with your team,” Uriah said.

Makai stepped forward. “I shall sacrifice myself to lure one of them here,” he said and bowed.

What did I do to deserve this? Ilea thought with a sigh. Is this how Meadow feels? Maybe it’s some kind of curse it put on me.

“I can target one with a small scale light beam,” Josie said.

Finally, something useful. Ash projectiles would have an audible impact… and so far they haven’t reacted to the torches we have.

“Yeah, you go for that,” Ilea said, looking at the woman.

___________________________________

Josie only saw the outline of a few statues, it would be enough however to attack one.

“Now?” she asked.

Lilith gave her a thumbs up. “I’ll engage it alone once it comes. If all of them converge on us, you guys retreat and observe. I’ll let you know if it’s safe.”

Nobody complained to Josie’s surprise. Maybe they finally understood who we’re dealing with here.

She aimed carefully, taking a few more seconds just to make sure she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of the ashen healer.

Mana pooled on her index finger before a thin beam of light hit the statue she saw in the distance. She stopped the beam before the creature showed a reaction, just to make sure she wouldn’t overdo it and alert more of them.

A few seconds passed.

Maybe they’re not gole-

Just when the thought ended, the creature burst into motion.

Josie watched as its long legs changed into a sprint, charging right at them with massive strides. It had a slight metallic sheen, perhaps a little rusted.

The golem reached nearly three meters in height, its legs ending in single spikes of steel. In its three fingered hands, it held a steel battle axe taller than even Uriah. The weapon looked dull but threatening nonetheless, its cutting edge lost perhaps but turned into a bludgeoning nightmare. Its head featured neither eyes nor mouth or nose. Simple in design and made for one purpose only.

[Ancient Defender – lvl ???]

“Three mark,” Josie said, knowing her identify range was a little higher than her team’s.

“Prepare,” Uriah said, his auras exploding outward as he took a step forward.

Their team got into position behind him, far enough away not to stand in each other’s way or be struck by an attack targeting another.

Finnley and his group fanned out too, their magic surging.

This won’t be easy. That thing doesn’t look like it has an obvious weakness.

“Whittle it down with ranged attacks and avoid counters. I might not be able to take a direct hit. Focus on its legs. Retreat at half mana,” Uriah said.

“Welcome me to the end!” Makai said as he spread his arms wide, two curved blades glowing with dull purple light appeared in his hands.

Sulivhaan remained standing next to Lilith, glancing at her.

She started walking towards the running golem, her steps as casual as can be.

Is she seriously just going to face it directly?

Lilith neither stopped nor did she change into a sprint.

She’ll use a teleport at the last moment.

“Prepare to support her,” Uriah said.

The golem swung its axe at her in a horizontal arc, the speed far exceeding what Josie thought possible for a creation of that size.

She nearly yelped when Lilith didn’t teleport.

Instead the woman just slapped the weapon aside, the metallic sound reverberating through the vicinity.

She took another step and slammed her fist into the golem, cinders and mana flashing up with dull light. Two ashen limbs lashed out, cutting through the thin legs at their base.

The creature fell, trying to angle its weapon towards the woman.

Lilith grabbed it by the handle now, ripping it free before she twirled the oversized axe above her, bringing it down in a straight arc. The air parted before the dull steel crashed into the golem’s steel chest.

The axe won out, digging deep.

Its arms tried to grab the woman, the golem still not giving up.

Lilith stepped over it, kneeling down before she punched its head a few times, too quickly for Josie to count. A final metallic crunch had her dig deeper, her fist now inside the golem’s head.

She pulled her arm back and took the head with it.

The woman twirled the head in her arms, the thing as large as her chest. “Quite durable,” she commented as she walked back to the group, throwing the prize at a silent Makai.

________________________________

Ilea smiled as the robed man caught the head, staring at it with intense glazed over eyes.

His hood hid his face in shadows but her enhancements allowed her to see through that effect, mostly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ancient Defender – lvl 515]’

They really are quite durable for that level. I thought a single punch with my spells would be enough. At least my ash is enough to cut through them.

“They’re pretty low three marks. Would do your levels good if you faced them,” she said to the mute and motionless group of Shadows.

“Three marks are beyond our current capabilities,” Uriah said finally. “The rewards aren’t worth the risks.”

Ilea glanced at him and nodded. An expected reaction, she thought, still perhaps a little disappointed. She understood of course. The safe way to level up was not facing three marks at level two hundred.

When did I kill my first three marks? The Undead Knights? I was close to three hundred then. Maybe I’m expecting too much. Shadows aren’t exactly Sentinels after all, she thought with a smirk.

She summoned her map again and tracked the cats.

“I have to agree, as much as it pains me. That demonstration was enough to know I won’t be able to stand against them for long,” Finnley admitted.

“I shall… fight them all,” Makai said and looked at her with a broad grin.

“No you won’t,” Ilea said, shaking her head before she focused back onto her map.

“I won’t,” Makai agreed.

Good boy.

“Can you clear out everything?” Sulivhaan asked. He looked the least fazed. Perhaps because of the mask.

“Mhm, give me a minute,” she said, feeling herself progress with the cats. By now she could near instinctively feel in which direction they were walking. Neither did she need any time to differentiate between them.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 20’

Oh? And that without being in danger. Well, to be fair, it has somewhat limited appliance in a battle. Hopefully I can get it to thirty in a reasonable time like this.

____________________________

Josie looked at the woman and her map, trying not to breathe or make an unnecessary noise.

She killed a three mark so quickly… what level is she at? No wonder she fought an entire Baralia army. They never even stood a chance. A three mark monster might’ve fallen but a human who could match that raw power? With healing, flight, and teleportation?

What kind of beings did she fight to get to this point? Who trained her? How much pain and injury did she suffer through?

What would drive a human to do that?

She yelped when Lilith looked at her.

“What?” she asked.

“How… ?” Josie sent, unable to finish her thought.

“How what?” Lilith asked, storing her map.

“How did… you get this powerful,” Josie asked.

“Oh that. If you get the expansion pack, there’s a Class you can get for fifty gold. Then just buy a few booster packs and you’re golden,” she sent and gave her a thumbs up.

What?

“Seriously though, it takes months of fighting monsters that could kill you in one or two strikes. Dancing on the edge of death for hours on end. I wouldn’t suggest it if you don’t enjoy that idea. A healing Class is definitely necessary too, otherwise you’ll be a sliced up chunk of minced meat before facing your second challenge. Pain Tolerance in the second tier is a must too I found. Distractions cause mistakes, and those cause death,” Lilith explained.

She actually… did that?

“Why?” Josie couldn’t help but ask.

Lilith cocked her head to the side. “Because I enjoy it. The thrill of battle, knowing that the monsters I face want nothing more than to see me dead, not knowing if I will prevail, and doing so regardless. It fuels me, just like good food and the flesh of a virgin like yourself.”

“I.. eh… wh,”Josie stammered out, taking a step back.

Lilith laughed, the rest of the group glancing between the two. “I’m kidding. About the last part that is,” she said out loud.

“But do let me know if you’re up for a drink sometime,” she added and winked.

To… eat my flesh? Or… what?

Before Josie could form a coherent thought, Lilith had vanished, appearing in the distance.

A loud whistle resounded, coming from where the healer stood. No… she’s flying.

Black wings spread out behind her back, ashen limbs moving silently between the two large extensions.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the challenge of a powerful healer – You are paralyzed for three seconds’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches lvl 18’

“She’s not human, is she?” Sivya whispered.

“Lilith shows us what humans can be,” Sulivhaan said, nothing in his voice betraying his thoughts.

Their group watched as the many golems moved into action, weapons at the ready and focused on the dark floating creature that dared invade their sanctuary.

Josie squinted her eyes, seeing some of the creatures disappear. They’re teleporting…

The hall lit up with bright light when a sphere of fire appeared amidst the beings.

Uriah put up his shield, a wave of heat reaching them a moment later.

Flames clung to some of the creatures, many of them on the ground or near fully incinerated by now. The fires allowed Josie to see a little more.

She caught glimpses of fast moving ash, her eyes darting around to catch the teleporting Lilith among the surviving golems.

She’s not getting hit at all.

The woman flowed through the creatures with ease, dispatching one after the other. Occasionally some of them vanished and appeared high up above.

It’s her… she’s teleporting them. But I thought her Classes were healing, fire, and ash. I never heard about her doing anything like that. Maybe she had an evolution? Or did she get an additional Class? Maybe a general magic skill?

Every option but the evolution seemed unreasonable but witnessing the slaughter first hand, Josie couldn’t help but be curious.

She focused again when one of the golems turned towards their group, moving quickly as it angled its spear at Uriah.

The creature never reached them.

Lilith appeared next to it, tackling the massive body as its spear scratched past her armor. They tumbled to the sandy ground, her ash shredding through it entirely. A beam of energy and heat formed on the palm of her hand as she stepped onto its form, the flames burning deep into the golem’s chest.

She vanished before the beam had fully burnt into the creature, joining the remaining monsters.

She’s far more dangerous, Josie thought, glad the woman was on their side. She hoped it would remain as such.

I wonder if she’s fought Elves before.

____________________________

Ilea finished off the remaining three golems, the slow moving creatures barely posing any danger to her. They were somewhat durable but they moved unimaginative and clunky compared to Taleen creations.

No wonder their machines are feared as much, she thought, knowing that even a lower level Elf would have little difficulties dispatching these three mark beings. If they have the necessary damage that is.

Hmm… eh, maybe they’d be too arrogant to avoid the golems’ attacks. Who knows.

The three Elves working under Elfie might’ve somehow gotten themselves hit. Not Neiphato but the others for sure. It’s a miracle they’re still alive.

The last golem fell in a mist of ash, reverse arcane healing burning through its magical body.

Her wings vanished as she landed amidst the burning debris.

“Should be safe now!” she said, checking the messages she had received.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ancient Defender – lvl 510]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ancient Defender – lvl 512]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 407 – One stat point awarded’

How very lucrative, she thought with a smile, watching the group carefully advance through the darkness. Finnley and his group with a lot less emphasis on being careful.

“Well done,” Sulivhaan said. “I do wonder who built these creatures.”

“I’ll keep exploring, feel free to check the parts for anything useful,” Ilea said.

“Are you certain there are no other golems hiding?” Uriah asked.

Ilea took another look but didn’t find any other monsters. “Not visibly, let me check for anything hidden,” she said and flew around the coliseum, checking within the walls with her sphere. Neither golems nor any enchantments or traps stood out to her.

“Just be careful,” she said when she landed. “I couldn’t find anything but I’m not exactly the best at uncovering these things.”

“We will, thank you Lilith,” Uriah said.

“I’ll check on the next area, wait for my signal to advance,” she said, getting a nod from Sulivhaan before she vanished.

A single exit lay at the other side of the underground structure, currently shut and enchanted.

Ilea didn’t bother with the defenses, instead cutting through the stone in which the steel door was set. She ripped the whole thing out a moment later and threw it to the side.

Being able to do that is really the main reason of reaching this kind of power, she thought, stepping through and triggering a few traps.

Fire, steel, and light struck her armor in various ways and levels of intensity. Nothing quite managed to leave more than minor scratches.

Very disappointing. Level five hundred guards and then you have these low quality traps.

She stepped through the long stone hallway and came out on a small platform. This area contrary to the previous halls and coliseum wasn’t man made. Instead she found herself in a spacious cavern, more than a kilometer long with various outcrops of stalagmites and their ceiling counterparts adding to the ancient aesthetic.

A broad stone stairwell with decrepit railings led down a few dozen meters and onto what looked like a bridge. Various similar stairwells led away from said bridge and towards a variety of platforms quite like the one she stood on now.

Bridge doesn’t lead to anything either, she thought and flew to the closest platform. Now if that doesn’t look like some kind of teleportation node.

Each platform had a circular structure placed on it about five meters in height and just as broad. Hundreds of runes had been etched into the stone that positively reminded her of popular portal depictions in old sci-fi movies and shows. The center was empty, likely where the magic would let someone step through.

Right now she didn’t feel any distortion in space coming from the structures but Ilea was sure they had something to do with long range teleportation or perhaps some other kind of passageway. Hence the dungeon name, she thought and snorted.

Ilea didn’t have the illusion of figuring out what the hell any of this was nor how to make it work, so she got out her map of Ravenhall and tracked the cats, casually flying back to the main platform and calling for the rest of the group.

“The passageways?” Sulivhaan asked her when he appeared, taking in the sights.

“I can’t see anything,” Finnley said, lightning a torch himself.

“Probably. Whatever they are, they’re not active at the moment,” Ilea said. “That’s pretty much the extent of my knowledge on the matter. I don’t know the runes.”

“We’ll investigate it,” Sulivhaan said. “Everyone, return to the Shadowguard and wait for further instructions. We’ll have to extend our defensive system into these catacombs.”

“Understood,” Uriah said and stepped back towards the coliseum.

“We can’t even have a look?” Finnley asked with an annoyed tone.

“If you want to risk causing another demon invasion, feel free,” Sulivhaan said.

Finnley raised both arms. “Alright. I get it, come on guys, let’s fuck with the guards.”

“Lilith. A word?” Sulivhaan said.

She kept her focus on the map. “Of course, I’m here.”

Sulivhaan waited until the others were gone, their torches barely visible in the distance. He vanished and returned a few seconds later.

“This was the opposite of what I hoped to find,” he said.

“You know what it is?” she asked.

“No. Gates of some kind obviously. Which raises a lot of questions that right now I don’t want to find the answers to,” he said. “I had hoped for a few monsters or treasure.”

Chapter 572 Training Considerations

Chapter 572 Training Considerations

He crossed his arms and sighed.

“Can we borrow your enchanters? I think it’s best if we keep this under wraps,” he said.

“Sure, as soon as they have the time. You’d have to pry them away from Meadow with more than orders or words right now. I suggest you have this dungeon walled off. Just in case,” she said.

“Of course. We can risk having an entrance right into our underground. It was only a matter of time with our fast expansion,” Sulivhaan said.

“Well the gates are off right now. Let’s just hope the Defenders were just used for their intended purpose,” Ilea said.

Sulivhaan had the aura of a frown.

“And I thought we were getting close to high security,” he murmured.

“You are. And if things go south, we can contain whatever comes out of these gates down here. Worst case we collapse it all and destroy the gates. They probably won’t be fissures that sustain themselves, otherwise there wouldn’t be any structures. At least I hope so,” she said.

Sulivhaan nodded after a while. “Can… I ask you to stay here for a few hours? Not for what may come out but what may come down here. I don’t trust Finnley’s team.”

“I don’t mind,” Ilea said and sat down, keeping track of the cats. Four and six seem to like each other, she noted with a smile.

“Good. I’ll be back soon. Thank you for your time and help,” Sulivhaan said and bowed.

“Don’t you bow to me. We’re friends, even if we may have differing opinions on some things. Don’t you forget that,” Ilea said.

“That we are. It’s been a joy to see you grow in power but lately I admit, the joy has been joined by a hint of fear. You’re likely more powerful than even the Elders by now,” he said.

“Even better to have me as a friend then,” Ilea said with a broad smirk. “I’m not going to become a queen or dictator, Sulivhaan. Don’t you worry. Our council is secure, no matter how strong I become.”

“Words spoken, promises made. I give you the benefit of the doubt, Ilea. And I trust you based on your actions. But even you must see the corrupting nature of power,” he said.

“Oh I certainly do. Which is why I need friends that are a little more grounded than me,” she said. “Not you though, you’re pretty out there too.”

The man allowed himself a chuckle. “I won’t deny that. I’ll get to work then. Get help from the guard should it be required.”

“I will, thanks,” Ilea said and focused fully on her cat lady endeavors.

Now that I think about it. Elos has quite a few interesting cat lady options. Summoning, taming, maybe even turning into a cat oneself. Plus there are species out there a little more frightening than a house cat.

Ilea spent the next four to five hours down in her dark cavern. None of the gates suddenly activated and spewed out monsters or demons, neither did any opportunist rogue or Shadow sneak in to steal anything or try to study the ancient structures.

Utterly boring.

At least she had her cats.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 21’

A surprisingly quick method, she thought. Even without danger, focusing on all the cats proved enough of a challenge to bring her skill to the next level in just a few hours of focused training.

Sulivhaan finally appeared next to her.

“Nothing?” he asked.

“Nope. Not a single cosmic horror trying to slither out and devour me,” Ilea said. “Very disappointing.”

“I can imagine,” Sulivhaan said. “Thanks for your sacrifice.”

“Everything for council and country,” she said. “Are we a country now by the way?”

“A city state at the moment, though the existence and growth of Morhill will soon suggest otherwise. An alliance of city states perhaps, counting Riverwatch and potentially Hallowfort in the future,” he said.

“Huh,” Ilea mused. “Anything else I can help you with?”

The two teleported through the dungeon until they reached a newly formed stone wall with various enchantments placed on it. The structure blocked the exit.

“Let me deactivate the enchantments,” he said.

“Anything against space magic?” Ilea asked.

The man glanced over. “No. We have few people who can set that up. I didn’t think it a priority.”

“It isn’t,” Ilea said and displaced the two of them through the structure. Four more walls followed before they appeared in the underground where they had started the little expedition.

“The barriers are quite intricately planned out. It should be enough to hold even a demon invasion for a time. More measures are already being implemented but for now we consider the risk acceptable,” Sulivhaan explained, unfazed by her teleportation.

“Good to know. Call for me if something gets through anyway,” Ilea said and winked.

“We will. Though our first priority will be to prevent such in the first place,” Sulivhaan said.

“Will you be in town for a while?” he asked.

“Another five days or so. Let me know if anything else comes up,” she said.

“I will. Thank you,” Sulivhaan said. “It’s good to have you.”

“Damn right it is,” Ilea said with a smile. “See you around.”

Ilea continued her cat training, adding more critters to her little network with each level in her skill.

Her other focus was Ash Magic Resistance.

She spent the next few days in the Sentinel Headquarters, both helping the students train and training herself.

The initial pain tolerance training was something only few of the students had worked on in her absence, the lack of mental healing quite daunting.

Now that she was around, they could repeat their sessions a lot more regularly, without working through everything on their own and through counseling.

Trian was on the lookout for arcane healers or other healers with the ability to heal recent damage to the mind.

The peer pressure many of the students were under forced many of them to push further than may have been healthy. The degree of high risk and long term damage was near impossible to pin down however.

“It’s not exactly a prerequisite, is it?” she asked the faculty.

“No, but the benefits are too much to ignore. Both from our perspective and theirs,” Trian said. “There are many ways for them to work through the experiences of pain tolerance training and generally resistance training but your healing is the best method we’ve found so far.”

“I can help out whenever I’m here but I assume that won’t be enough,” she said.

“It’s just more efficient. It’s not impossible to handle without your presence. What I’m more interested in is a way to replicate what your skill does to the mind,” he said.

“It’s arcane healing, right?” Sidney asked.

Ilea nodded.

“Can’t someone else get a Class like that? Or do you dislike the option?” she asked.

“I don’t care. The problem is the elixir is rare and dangerous. Kills a large percentage of those who eat it. Alice Forkspear actually survived it and should by now have gained a Class similar to mine. Finding her, let alone convincing her to join the Sentinels for the purpose of mental healing is downright impossible however. Nor do I think it a good idea,” Ilea said.

“Do you know where the elixir is found?” Orthan asked.

“I stumbled upon it before getting a Class. Ate it all though and it’s growing very slowly,” she said. “Do you have a map?”

The man pointed to the map hanging on a nearby wall.

Ilea formed an ashen arrow and showed them the location of the Azarinth temple. “It’s not perfectly accurate but you’ll find it.”

“We have plenty of experienced mages that could help cultivate the elixir,” Orthan said.

“But we won’t use it if the danger is as high as Ilea suggests,” Trian said.

“And how would we even test it? If we manage to modify it at all,” Lyza asked.

“Feed it to animals or monsters?” Orthan asked. “Or sentenced prisoners of war. There should be plenty in the Empire by now.”

“I won’t stand by that,” Trian said.

“You could ask Lucas for help once the gates work. He’s close to Hallowfort,” Ilea said.

“The Elder?” Sidney asked.

“Yeah. He’s really into trees. I’m sure he could offer one or two useful tips on cultivating the Bluemoon grass,” she said. “But honestly… the Azarinth order is very old. If they couldn’t figure out a way to make the elixir safer… I doubt we could. Maybe… maybe with the knowledge of Meadow and Lucas combined.”

“Who says they couldn’t?” Orthan asked.

“What do you mean?” Ilea said.

“The Azarinth Order… a high death rate on elixirs would make sure their members are very dedicated to their group. And it would potentially even allow them to get rid of those they deemed unworthy, regardless of a success. It wouldn’t surprise me if the elixir was safe to begin with. A modified version could’ve been used on their lesser members. This is just an assumption based on what we learned about present Healing Orders,” he explained.

“There is a possibility of that,” Trian said. “If it’s alright with you, we’ll investigate the location and the elixir.”

“Sure. Just make sure to be discreet. We definitely don’t want that stuff to circulate. Not with the current death rate,” Ilea said.

“Which brings us to the next point. Rumors continue to spread both in Ravenhall and beyond. The missions have made more noise than we had expected. Soon both Lys and Kroll will start to ask questions,” Trian said.

“Then it may be the time to declare our position officially,” Orthan said.

“It would allow our members to join adventuring and Shadow teams. Though I wished we had another half a year, if not longer,” Trian said. “What do you think?”

“There are already members in the two hundreds. The Order of Truth, or whatever they are now will support us, at least those from Yinnahall. As will Stormbreach and Riverwatch. Anybody else I’ll deal with personally, should they cause too much trouble for our existence,” Ilea said.

“It’s not just the Orders. What about the Empire and the Kingdoms?” Orthan said.

“What about them? I think both Ravenhall and me personally have enough pull with Lys to make sure something irrelevant like a new healing organization is welcomed with open arms. If any of the other kingdoms have an issue, we simply won’t operate in their territory. To their detriment. As time passes, we’ll come to an agreement,” Ilea said.

“How very optimistic,” Lyza murmured.

“No, she’s right. We’re not a direct competition to the Orders. They may still oppose our existence but we’re based in Ravenhall. There’s little reason for any of the kingdoms to take action. And even then. Nothing less than a full mobilization of their armies would be an issue. If that happens, we have the support of the Shadow’s Hand and Shadowguard. Neither of which is a force easily ignored or antagonized,” Trian said.

“Maybe it’s even better this way,” Ilea said. “Now that we seem vulnerable, the vultures would be more willing to strike. Better to find out who stands against us now than find them sneaking into our organization ten years down the line, when they think a direct confrontation is too much of a risk.”

Trian smiled. “We’ll announce our existence officially. I’ll work with Claire and whoever she can spare to document everyone that is openly or passively hostile.”

Ilea smiled. “Sounds good to me. Agreed?”

Everyone raised their hand.

“Suggestions?” Trian asked.

“The details of the announcements and who to contact should be discussed,” Orthan said. “We have to make sure the close Adventurer guilds aren’t antagonized.”

“I’ll leave you to the details,” Ilea said and gave them a thumbs up. “Good work everyone.”

She displaced herself twice and appeared in the training hall again.

“Alright, where were we?” she murmured, looking at the thirty or so students fighting each other.

She whistled, freezing the whole group. Her ash began to spread through the hall, those who could move again stepping into the mist.

Their cries and moans weren’t something she enjoyed but with her healing, it was better that she was present. She spotted Willa, the girl waving at her with a tired but determined expression on her face.

This really is the most fucked up thing I’ve ever done, Ilea thought and focused on the many students. Too much reversed healing and they could die, too little and it wasn’t efficient training.

She herself focused on the cats too, letting the students attack her with their own ash in the meantime. Those that had already unlocked one Class or the other.

The only way Ilea could justify all this to herself was the fact that she herself hadn’t turned into an absolute monster. Well, in many ways she had, but she didn’t kill sapients without reason, nor did she eat humans or torture them for fun.

Better they learn to deal with pain here than in a dungeon when they could he saving their companions.

It wasn’t easy still, despite her extensive experience. Many of the students were younger than her. All above sixteen at least, most older than twenty.

Ilea just like the students let her meditation take over somewhat, the healing to their minds applying to herself just as much.

She wasn’t too worried about those who had trained without her presence, knowing that experiences couldn’t just be erased entirely, their impact on the human mind both a warning and valuable experience. Issues started to arise when the impact was long lasting, debilitating, or traumatic in nature.

Neither Ilea nor her peers had the ability to perfectly diagnose and differentiate between these states and she was sure that some of the students would have to deal with more than they anticipated. In the end however, the benefits would outweigh these problems. For a Sentinel didn’t dream of settling down in a safe environment but strove to battle monsters that filled humanity with terror.

They would find themselves challenged with terror, pain, and fear. Learning to deal with all that was part of their training.

Ilea made sure to talk to each of them, trying to gauge how far their efforts were chosen by themselves or influenced by their peers or even external people like it had been the case with Milena.

A Sentinel going through this gruesome training without personal conviction and drive would surely either break or grow deep resentment for those who had subjected them to it.

Seth had already been a difficult case but all they could do was try and prevent more.

The days passed by, leaving many of the newer Sentinels with quite a bit of growth.

Ilea hadn’t invested the time just for them either, her own skills benefiting reasonably too.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 22’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

You have found a being similar to your own, wielding magic you are not just familiar with but have mastered. A small increase in your resistance but perhaps a new insight into your own connection to Ash itself.

2nd tier: You have faced wielders of ash and found their power lacking. You will find it easier to strip them of that which they deem to control. At the same time your experience will make it harder for enemies to do the same to you.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

Sentinel Huntress was coming along nicely. Ilea decided to keep the cats marked for now, tracking them whenever she had the mental capacity to do so.

The bonus to her Ash Magic Resistance was minimal for now but she welcomed it anyway. Perhaps it would make the difference if she ever faced an ash wielder more powerful than herself.

Alright, time to pack up and visit the Cerithil Hunters, she thought when the last day had come.

I really hope Feyrair didn’t disappoint with his evolution and level gain. Our battle shall be legendary.

Ilea informed Trian and Claire before she left towards Riverwatch.

Charged wings propelled the ashen healer out of the southern mountain chain and over the human plains.

She watched the suns rise on the horizon, the forests below her rushing past as she broke through clouds.

I’m a little too fast for an enjoyable flying experience by now, she thought, only able to pick out some landmarks thanks to her heightened perception. Maybe I should just fly higher.

She reached the area around Karth soon after, continuing at a much slower pace to take in the scenery. Riverwatch she avoided entirely, veering left and into the forest. She herself wasn’t in danger but if anybody followed her, it could cause issues for the Vultures.

Ilea entered their hideout with her map in hand, tracking the now distant cats. Their movements were minuscule when perceived from Karth but she had gotten good enough to notice some changes anyway.

“Hey Weavy,” she murmured, walking past the demon.

“Welcome, to our abode, mistress,” he said into her mind. “Your mental defenses continue to impress.”

The boy Eyn followed close behind the demon, bowing to her when she passed.

[Mage – lvl 105]

“Speaking of impressive. You’re already past level one hundred. Well done,” she said to the boy.

He smiled lightly but didn’t meet her eyes.

“Thank you, mistress,” he said.

She ruffled his hair and smiled. “Just don’t turn into a demon yourself.”

Weavy waved her off. “The human shell is vastly inferior. Don’t listen to her boy.”

Ilea laughed and went towards the common room, where she could already see Walter. And breakfast.

Chapter 573 Royal Reception

Chapter 573 Royal Reception

“You’re nervous,” Ilea said.

Walter hadn’t spoken much in the last half hour, the man constantly looking over his shoulder to make sure nobody was following them.

“Of course I’m nervous,” he muttered.

The two were walking through the forests near Karth, now decidedly north of Riverwatch.

“This is no man’s land. As in, monsters and Elves. Not men,” Walter said.

“Good thing I’m not a man then,” Ilea mused.

“Smartass,” he said.

“Do you come here alone usually?” she asked, looking around the thick forest. It was early morning and a mostly cloudless day but little light managed to penetrate through the thicket.

“Of course. It’s the safest,” he said.

“You mean that you wouldn’t blame yourself if only you died?” Ilea asked.

“Since when is this an interrogation?” Walter asked, glancing at her with menacing black eyes.

“Calm down there witch boy,” Ilea said with a smile.

“I remember when you weren’t the monster you are now. Ah the good old times, when things in the world still made sense. No Shadows in my den, no Elves to meet, and no demons roaming the countryside,” the man spoke.

“There are still demons around?” she asked.

“There are occasional reports. Not much of a problem because those that remain are normally quite a low level. More importantly, they target monsters too, which means the problem takes care of itself,” he explained.

“Except when it’s one that is strong enough to start a horde,” she said.

“Well then I’m sure your valiant Hand will take care of it,” Walter said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Hey it wasn’t me who summoned them.”

“I know, I know. These forests were quiet once, you know,” he said.

Ilea groaned.

The man started laughing. “Ah come on. I thought you’d have a thicker skin. What with all your enhancement abilities?”

“You’re less annoying in your little den,” she said with a glare.

“Which is precisely why I remain there. It’s my happy place. Here? There’s only death and danger. Puts a man on edge,” he said, dark energy crackling around him.

“Maybe you’ve just been holed up for too long. I quite like it here,” Ilea said.

“Death and danger, as I said. No wonder you like it,” Walter said with a smile, whistling a tune to himself.

Ilea growled.

“You’re more grumpy than usual. I know it’s early but you hardly need sleep anymore, don’t you?” he said.

“Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like a good night’s rest,” she said. “But I need to keep track of these cats.”

“The map. I was wondering what you were doing. Always training. Racing for the next evolution, the next rush. Maybe you should settle down for a while, get a hobby, like brewing,” Walter suggested.

Ilea looked at him for a moment before she shook her head. “Maybe once I’m strong enough to reliably fight four marks. Until then, there’s too much I’d like to improve. And I wouldn’t go into brewing. A cooking apprenticeship though, that sounds interesting.”

“At least you have plans,” he said with a chuckle.

“Hey, look at you. The banter helped calm you down,” Ilea said.

“Yeah not really. It’s just that we’re here,” Walter said and pointed to a decrepit stone ruin.

It really wasn’t much to look at. Once a shrine perhaps, or the start of a building that was abandoned long before it could be finished. Moss had long overtaken the stone, only glimpses of the pale color sticking out amongst the surrounding greens and browns.

In the middle of the four largest ruin pieces sat a well dressed Elf, his short blue hair slicked back. The chair he sat on was just as out of place as the rest of his look. Black dress pants with a shirt and jacket both immaculate in presentation and cleanliness.

Ben smiled when he saw them, sipping on his cup of tea like some lost aristocrat waiting for his entourage.

“Lord Ben,” Walter said and bowed lightly.

Ilea’s eyes widened as the glanced between the two of them. “Lord? Lord fucking Ben?” she asked, dumbfounded as she glared at the elf.

He winked at her, covering his smirk with the tea cup in his hand.

“Greetings, Ethinu. And greetings Ilea, a face I had not expected to see today,” he said and put his cup down.

“What’s with the weird tone and overdressed getup?” Ilea asked, forming two ashen chairs for herself and her companion.

“Oh that?” Ben asked, as if she had just given him permission to share the homebrew worldbuilding he’s been working on since turning fourteen. “You see… nobility… royalty… power through titles and heritage, not only appointed by Oracles or taken by force. It’s quite intriguing. Like some adorable game played by children!”

Ilea was reminded of the way Meadow talked about humans but while the creature definitely just wanted to irritate her, Ben here sounded entirely authentic. He didn’t belittle humans, no quite the opposite. Her initial impression of him was that of a historian interested in some new species they discovered but it turned out it was just a teenage girl discovering puppies.

A level three hundred ice mage who may or may not eat people kind of teenage girl.

[Mage – lvl 323]

“So now you’re a lord?” she asked. “The lack of level gains speaks for that title, to be fair.”

“Your insults are meaningless to me, peasant. It is merely a role I choose to play. While barbarians like yourself and Feyrair enjoy the meaningless slaughter and battle with machines and monsters of the wild, I take to more meaningful endeavors,” he said.

“Such as?” Ilea asked with a smile.

The elf made an exaggerated gesture towards Walter.

He frowned and held out his hand, several items appearing on a quickly appearing table of ice.

“Tea? Or drugs?” she asked, taking in the exotic scents.

“Mostly tea. Sadly I’m too resilient for most substances humans consider to be drugs,” the elf said.

“Hence the fighting, it’s quite enjoyable,” Ilea said. “Maybe you should try.”

“I have,” Ben said simply, moving a few of the dried leaves and spice mixes towards himself. “Wonderful. Truly,” he whispered, taking in the smells with eyes closed and a look of bliss on his perfect visage.

Ilea didn’t mind the situation, enjoying the bizarre experience.

Sitting in the middle of the wilderness with an elf gushing over his love for tea. Is this how the negotiations with the British took place? Before their ravenous monsters slaughtered everyone in the colonies for a lack of quality in their tea?

While the Elves did eat people and destroyed the occasional cities, at least they didn’t seem to possess deep imperialistic tendencies. Not yet at least, or not anymore because of the Taleen.

Now I want to go to Earth with Ben to show him our history. Maybe he could dress in a bunch of eighteenth century war attire.

She smiled at him when the elf finally turned towards her, his blue eyes just as piercing as his hair and ice.

“So, what brings you here? I doubt someone as obsessed with battle would choose to visit old acquaintances for nothing but chat,” he said.

“Hey, I do that,” Ilea said. “Not right now, but I do that. Right Walter?”

The man seemed beyond caring, now that both of their attention was on him. “She does visit occasionally.”

Ben smiled, showing his canine teeth. “Perhaps I’m not considered an old acquaintance then, and I misinterpreted our relationship.”

Ilea smiled back. “Nah, it’s just that he stays in his den while you apparently set up tea parties in the middle of fuck all forest.”

“This is an important holy site, I’ll have you know,” Ben said, hissing lightly.

Walter tensed up but Ilea knew their hisses well enough.

“Oh? What kind of deity? The goddess of moss and ruins?” she asked, leaning a little closer.

“Precisely,” Ben whispered with the confidence of a noble.

“You’re really playing that part well,” she said.

His body language changed immediately, the elf relaxing in his chair as he crossed his arms. “You think so? That makes me very happy! I studied them for years.”

“I can tell. You should borrow some of the arrogance I’ve seen in younger Elves. Many of the nobles I’ve met think themselves higher than others,” Ilea said.

He nodded enthusiastically. “I know, I know. I tend to overdo it, which is why I felt a more subdued approach might be more efficient. An older member of the nobility, not one corrupted by power but one entirely in control of it.”

“You should join a theater group,” Ilea said and laughed.

Ben smiled warily, stirring his tea absentmindedly.

“Ah, you’re cursed, exiled and all that. Sorry,” Ilea said.

He waved her off. “Few of our kind have interest in such activities in the first place. I’ve sneaked into human groups from time to time but they have a way of telling. More perceptive than other folk,” he said.

A skill maybe? In the theater Class? Or maybe they’re just used to people pretending to be someone else.

“Maybe we can work something out in the future. My influence grows by the day,” Ilea said, mimicking his previous posture and summoning a mug of ale.

Ben quite literally winced.

“That bad?” Ilea asked.

He took a sip of tea before he smiled. “Perhaps it’s better you stick to fighting.”

“I’m sure I’d be okay if I had decades to train,” she said.

“Adequate, perhaps,” Ben said. “So why are you here?”

“Elfie, the Cerithil Hunter friend I met before meeting you discovered something your group might be interested in,” she said.

“Do tell,” Ben said, smirking with the perfect impression of a Princess waiting for gossip.

Why are they all so goddamn fucking beautiful.

Ilea took a second to gather her thoughts before she quickly explained Elfie’s findings in the Centurion dungeon.

Ben sat back, decidedly his normal self as he pondered the implications. “We have yet to find a manufacturing plant for Praetorians. Most production facilities are remote and well defended. They’re rare enough as it is, even for Guardians. I believe Isalthar may be interested, despite the long distance and its location in the North.”

“Why would the location matter? Plus the Praetorian facility may not be in the north at all,” Ilea said.

“We hunters are few and far between. Efforts are made to destroy dungeons and to cut the machines off but their numbers are such that we can normally only react. Especially in the last two hundred years,” he explained.

“What changed?” Ilea asked.

“Nothing. It’s merely the natural progression. More machines keep appearing with every passing year. Our kind is low in number as it is, fewer still willing to join our cause,” he said.

“How are you not extinct yet?” Walter asked. “Pardon if I’m being offensive… but hundreds of years? Any human civilization would’ve been removed from the maps long ago.”

“Farmers and guards die in every war. People succumb to illness and old age all the same but what about your Shadow’s Hand? Or the nobility of Lys? What about you, Ethinu?” Ben said.

“You guys have farmers?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“No. Not farmers. But Young. Reckless warriors that either die by the hand of another elf or in the claws of wild beasts. However since many centuries past, the main cause of death to elven kind are not our own people, or the whims of powerful entities. They’re machines, designed to hunt and kill. Never stopping, never ending. Had I any faith left in the capabilities of our Oracles, I would deem it a stroke of genius,” he explained.

“They keep their power while the young fight amongst each other and the machines. Nobody would ascend to challenge them with the constant barrage of Taleen,” Walter said.

“Wouldn’t they quickly rise in power? Even more so than without the machines?” Ilea asked.

“They would, and then they would be disposed of, should they prove to challenge the status quo,” Ben said.

“But you said you didn’t trust the Oracles’ capabilities?” Walter said.

He closed his eyes for a moment. “No. I do not. The situation is slightly more complicated than the previous interpretation. However the end result remains the same. Those who gained power long ago retain it still. Not Oracles but powerful males. Most are very traditional, their views and reign unchallenged for millennia. The Oracles… are separate from the hierarchical structures of our societies. Their law is absolute and their power unquestioned, however few of their interests coincide with political matters or even the lives of our kind. One of the few things they seem to agree on is that the current situation is beneficial, or at the very least acceptable,” the elf explained.

“Sounds tough for young Elves,” Ilea said. “No reason to come and slaughter humans though.”

“An understandable sentiment,” Ben said. “However given the chance to grow, perhaps in a less rigid environment, characters of such grandeur as myself may emerge. I believe it a just cause to hope for such a chance.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea said. “Stopping the murder robots does sound like a good idea. We just have to have a plan in place for what happens after. Wouldn’t want your kind slaughtering every human in Elos just because.”

“You are talking about stopping a war that has been going on for millennia. Entertaining the prospects, you may perhaps find solace in the fact that our kind would gladly slaughter each other before thinking of visiting your lands. We are quite similar in that, you and us,” Ben said with a toothy smile.

“At least we don’t eat our own,” Ilea said.

“A waste of good meat, I say. But alas, such cultural differences shall not be breached in a single day. Stopping a single production facility won’t end this conflict, of that I’m sure you’re aware,” Ben said.

“Sure, but it’s not like your kind really tried to end the robots. A few hundred or however many hunters you have don’t come close to the resources I can bring to the table,” Ilea said.

Ben smiled. “You have grown in power. At a fast rate, Ilea. Perhaps you shall reach power enough to challenge even the Oracles or the Domains themselves but this war is not won with power. Every day the machines build new gates, every day hundreds of them are created. You cannot fight the tide.”

“We’ll figure something out. I just came back from another realm where four marks came down from the bloody heavens. A few machines don’t sound like much of a challenge anymore,” she said with a smirk.

Ben laughed. “Your enthusiasm is exciting. Perhaps I’ve been in this war for too long to see the light. In any case your help is greatly appreciated, even if we can only slow the endless waves for a single day. The resources of a connected human would surely mean a lot. It takes most of our efforts to remain undetected by those who deem us cursed.”

“Where are the others anyway?” Ilea asked.

“West of here, beyond the Karthian gulf and deep within what you call the Navali forest. A recently constructed Taleen facility has kept us busy for the past few days,” Ben explained.

“I can join you, help out with the cleanup before we go north,” Ilea said.

“Are you sure? The danger you would face is not limited to the Taleen. It’s a risk for me to come here in the first place,” he said.

“I’ve fought Elves before, and I’m interested in seeing some of the West. Plus I’m quite excited for a spar with Feyrair,” she said.

“Of course you are,” Ben murmured. “Very well, we shall leave together.”

“Also, just saying… maybe you shouldn’t take these kind of risks for tea,” Ilea whispered before patting his shoulder.

“You of all people should know the challenges of fighting for months on end without distractions,” he said.

“And tea is not the only thing they requested,” Walter added and started summoning crates.

Wine, ale, meats, even potatoes. Books too? Is that a blanket?

“Yeah alright,” she said, choosing not to comment on the Elf’s few levels gained since they met last. If anything, fighting low level machines for months would be even more daunting.

Neither enjoyable nor beneficial to one’s personal power. Almost like a chore or something. Horrible really.

What other reason than more levels could there ever be to fight something? Ilea mused sarcastically, glad she hadn’t been caught up in a recent war or something.

Ben went to store the crates, checking each for its contents with various excited squeals and comments.

Walter smiled and nodded, as obviously uncomfortable with the situation as one could get.

“You could talk to Alistair, maybe someone else could do this instead,” Ilea said, stepping up to him. “Can’t say I don’t feel a little bad for dropping this on you.”

“And let them cause an international incident between our species? No, I think one morning every month or so is a sacrifice I can make. The bard in me isn’t averse to the stories I hear either. There’s just not much interest in Elvish songs,” he said. “So keep your pity. But know that I do blame you.”

“As you should. And I’m sure your songs will become popular soon enough, much like this Lilith person I keep hearing about,” Ilea said.

“Her fame is certainly confusing. I could just sing them in Riverwatch. It’s not like anybody will know the language,” Walter said.

“I wouldn’t be so sure. Plenty of veterans who’ve dealt with Elves in the past,” Ben commented from the side, closing up one of the last crates.

“I was kidding, Ben,” Walter said.

“She shows up and my title is stripped away instantly. Truly, an enemy of the crown,” the elven Lord murmured with a haughty tone. He added a few choice words in elvish that sounded decidedly like curses.

Chapter 574 Younglings

Chapter 574 Younglings

Ilea followed the elf through the forest, both of them flying below the treetops.

“How far away exactly is that dungeon?” she asked after a while.

Ben had been flying at a slow pace so far, constantly checking around them and often pausing when he discovered anything that seemed suspicious to him.

Ilea didn’t try to argue with the elf, knowing that the forest was very much his territory, let alone this specific forest. She simply supported him with whatever her skills could find in the vicinity. A whole lot of nothing so far.

The main thing she noticed was that compared to the Navali forest south and east of Karth, this part located northwest of the massive looming mountain was quiet.

Not entirely so but she hardly ever heard anything larger than a squirrel. No challenges, no roars.

At first it had been nice, to hear the birds chirp again. Ilea had spent so much time in cities, caves, or the north, she had nearly forgotten what a normal populated non mana overdosed forest sounded like.

Compared to the east, the birds didn’t have a reason to periodically swarm out in fear of whatever massive monster decided to declare its superiority.

As time went on, the serenity made room for something else.

Ben signaled her to be quiet, hovering next to a tree as he stared into the undergrowth.

I can’t see shit here, Ilea thought. Neither her sphere nor eyes suggested anything that demanded attention.

But he’s a level three hundred elf. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, she thought, keeping her careless side under control. Perhaps all those points into Intelligence finally did something.

Who am I kidding? she thought with a slight smile, flying closer to the elf without making a noise.

He glanced at her and motioned her to follow.

They continued onward but circling something she couldn’t discern.

Ben finally spoke a few minutes later. “Something didn’t feel right.”

“Aha. Well it’s your forest,” Ilea said.

“The forest is home to many a creature, our kind just one of the many predators that roam these parts,” he explained as they continued onward.

They moved in silence for nearly an hour, the trees around them slowly growing in height. Some were broad enough Ilea couldn’t discern where they began and ended.

“Do you guys live in tree houses?” she asked, glancing up towards the distant tree tops. There were smaller trees growing below, grasping at the light that broke through far above. Closer to the ground moss had taken over the stone and much of the ground, creeks sneaking through the terrain and flowing into rivers farther down below.

The forest had split into various layers, each housing different animals and monsters, few of which showing themselves. None had challenged them so far.

“Tree houses?” Ben asked intrigued.

He refilled a water flask in a nearby creek, careful not to leave behind any tracks in the moss.

Ilea floated close by, barely any light reaching down to the ground where they stood. It’s just another cave, she thought. But green.

“Yeah, like made of wood and built on the side or within trees. Some of these could hold entire settlements,” she said, staring at one particularly massive trunk. The thing was surrounded by dozens of other trees and vegetation, moss and ivy snaking up on some parts, large mushrooms and purple sludge clinging to others.

Ben chuckled to himself. “What a silly idea. Such houses would provide very few ways to defend against monsters.”

“Nothing showed up so far,” Ilea said, gesturing to their surroundings.

“There are reasons we travel through the Navali forest by day. When the suns shine, we have to be wary of hunters. By night however, we will hide,” Ben said.

“Scary,” Ilea said.

“Monsters prowl these lands that even you would have difficulties facing. Though I suppose that will only encourage you,” he said and smiled. “No. We do not live in tree houses. The forest is the hunting ground of many a domain and often the battlefield of our endless war.”

“And yet there hasn’t been a single Taleen machine, nor an elf for that matter,” she said.

“Let us hope it remains that way,” Ben said.

They continued onward, Ilea only able to somewhat estimate their locations thanks to her various marks strewn through the continent. By now it wasn’t possible for her to track the cats. Instead she focused on her own position in relation to her marks.

Half an hour of slow flying later, Ilea stopped her companion with a gesture.

“There’s fighting going on,” she said.

“We shall avoid it,” Ben said.

“Aw come on, it’s been so fucking boring,” Ilea hissed. “If there are Taleen, we can take them out.”

“Meeting other elves is unwise,” Ben said.

“What if they’re in danger?” Ilea asked. “Bunch of young idiots overwhelmed by Centurions?”

He stared at her for a moment. “You’ll get me out if they attack us instead. Otherwise I’ll leave you behind right now.”

Ilea grinned. “Of course. If they can’t stop space magic somehow, we’ll get out of there. Even if they’re four marks.

“Speaking of… do you have four marks?” she asked.

Ben glanced at her but didn’t answer the question.

They do? Sapient four marks? I mean someone had to… otherwise this realm would’ve long been fucked by the Ascended.

“There is a minuscule chance that we will encounter anything beyond my level in these parts of the forest. That is… if they’re elves at all. Young from the Wastes of Ash, looking to find a challenge in the forest or facing Taleen sent to hunt them down,” Ben explained.

“Wastes of Ash? That sounds like something I’d like,” Ilea said with a broad grin.

“The Domain of Fire, the Wastes of Ash. And where hundreds of Taleen find their end every single day,” he added.

“That sounds way cooler than this boring forest. Why aren’t we going there?” Ilea asked.

“We do not enter the domains themselves. No Cerithil Hunters would remain were we to be so reckless. No, we destroy the gates and dungeons our enemy continues to set up. A fight just as important as the endless battle in the wastes,” he explained.

“I know, I know,” she said, moving onward towards the noise.

She saw them soon. A group of four elves fighting two Centurions. Destroyed Guardian parts littered the surrounding forest. Probably from a dozen or more.

Two of the elves floated near the Centurions. Both had red hair, wearing crude dark red metal armor that looked damaged and singed in parts.

One of them formed a small ball of fire, sending the projectile at the closest Centurion currently engaged with the third elf.

The explosion of heat and flames made the elf stumble, his arm nicked by the Centurion’s weapon who had weathered the blast much better.

He said something in elvish but continued the battle, his blue fire whip materializing yet again.

The fourth elf was busy dodging the second Centurion, chaining teleports with a bored expression on his face. His body was covered in ice, two blade like extensions of the same material growing out of his arms.

The ice mage occasionally attacked the Centurion, using precise timings and openings to get in his damage. None of the machine’s spear attacks connected with his armor.

Ilea watched as one of the floating mages charged up a lightning blast.

He aimed before a loud snap resounded, the lightning traveling through both the whip wielder and the Centurion he was facing.

Ben approached from behind and lightly touched Ilea’s shoulder.

The hit elf went down to one knee as the Centurion in front of him advanced and embraced him in a tight hug. Its core started to glow as the elf struggled, shouting something to his team.

“Monsters,” she said, seeing the despair in the elf’s face.

“Children,” Ben said. “We should go. More might be on the way.”

“You’re really going to walk away from this?” she asked.

“Even if you help, they will attack us,” Ben said.

Ilea shrugged. “Who cares. They’re not exactly heavy hitters,” she said.

The group was too far away to identify but she was hardly impressed with their display.

“We shouldn’t risk discovery,” Ben said.

“We can get away. Trust me, I can escape from worse than this. And they’re not going to enter the dungeon anyway,” she said.

Ben looked between the group and Ilea, hearing the pleas from his fellow elf. “If they find the dungeon, they will wait, preventing both us and them from leaving.”

“Not if you have me,” Ilea said and raised her arm.

She smirked as Displacement took effect, teleporting the Centurion right between the two floating elves. A little closer to the lightning one. By now she knew exactly when the machines detonated.

Her timing was so impeccable that the elves didn’t even realize what had happened. The explosion wracked through the surrounding vegetation, sending both of the floating assholes into the branches.

To be fair, they could’ve been training the whip guy.

“Hey do you think my voice will reveal that I’m human?” she asked.

“That depends on their perception. But you being with me… I would think it unreasonable to assume they would believe it. Even if they saw your face,” Ben said. “They’d think it a spell.”

“It’s so unbelievable that a human is working with an elf?” she asked.

The ice mage shrugged. “No… well yes… but the main thing is your actual power. You’re no more than an inferior race to them.”

“Aah, that makes sense,” she said and cracked her neck and knuckles.

Ben moved a hand through his hair with a sigh. “You don’t seem terribly different than them.”

“Maybe,” Ilea said with a grin, her body covered in ashen armor.

Ben smiled and formed his ice armor. “Have it your way. Welcome to our lands.”

Their ice mage had taken out his Centurion in the meantime, his body twirling with both hands holding two of the machine’s legs.

Spotted us eh?

He let go, sending the live grenade towards the two of them.

Ilea flew towards the Centurion and stopped it with her arms. She moved it a little farther down to make eye contact with the ice mage.

His smug expression took a hit when the Centurion exploded in bright light and energy.

Ilea let go of the bent and singed chunk of steel that was left and floated a little closer. “You’re the only one who spotted me. Well done,” she said in a deeper voice than usual. Most elves she had met weren’t exactly the pinnacle of testosterone. Perhaps it was enough to fool them, coupled with Ben’s assumptions.

“Refusing to speak our language. You really are Cursed,” the ice mage said.

[Mage – lvl 280]

Oh boy. And he really thinks I’m one of theirs. Well it hardly matters. Better not have them go on a rampage in Dawntree. If they manage to escape that is.

“Injuring your own and you call me Cursed. Spectacular,” Ilea said.

The two floating mages from before had woken up again, both looking much worse than before. Their armor was even more in disarray. Burns and cuts from shrapnel showed on their bodies but they just gritted their sharp teeth and joined in on the confrontation.

At least they have guts.

“If he can’t survive a Centurion, he’s not worth his name,” one of them spit and vanished.

“Wai-” the ice mage said but it was too late.

Ilea could see him appear in front of her, one bright ball of fire in each hand before he slapped them together. She just moved through the fiery explosion without a care in the world, a single quick jab to his throat shutting him up for the moment. A gentle kick sent him flying before he slammed into yet another tree, slumping down as he grasped at his throat.

Ben had moved closer again. “If I may ask, I would appreciate it if you spared them.”

She glanced at him. “So that’s why you didn’t want me to engage.”

He looked down. “I know… of the history… but please. They’ve never known anything else… but this,” he said and gestured to the destroyed machines.

Ilea saw the whip wielder glare up at her with angry yellow eyes, forming his weapon yet again.

“Cursed, you are not welcome in these lands. Leave now and you shall come to no har-” the ice mage spoke when Ilea appeared in front of him.

He vanished but she displaced him right back, grabbing his throat as he lashed out with his ice blades. She pressed her hand together, hearing the ice crack beneath her pressure.

“I don’t remember asking you anything, Icy,” she said. “Now you better stop that useless flailing or I’ll snap your neck like a twig.”

He listened, the blades dissolving.

He’s the smart one.

“Hey whip guy, aren’t you mad at your lightning friend? Why are you staring at me?”

“I don’t need your help,” he said in a seething voice, snapping his whip.

The fire extended and lashed out, aimed perfectly at Ilea’s eye.

She caught the thing in her free hand. “How old are all of you?”

“Kill them!” the lightning mage howled, shooting a bolt at Ilea.

Well not her exactly. The ice mage was in the way after all. She just moved him aside and let the lightning hit her. “How very impulsive. I mean I know they’re young but do they just die if they ever meet anything stronger than them?” she asked, looking between the ice mage and Ben. “This guy at least had the sense to call it off.”

“A defeat is shameful. Dying in battle brings more to one’s name than retreat,” Ben explained.

“Very logical. Good thing I grew up under a less idiotic trainer. Ever heard of the Cerithil Hunters?” she said. “Maybe you should consider joining someone that actually teaches you instead of throwing away your lives at the whims of the Oracles.”

“Heretic,” the lightning mage called out with an angry snarl, forming another bolt. He was interrupted by several ice lances penetrating non vital parts of his body.

He slumped to the ground, moaning in pain as blood seeped from the wounds.

“Quiet, fool,” Ben said.

Ilea just looked at the angry elves and shook her head. And idiots like these slaughtered thousands of humans?

“You’re just children, given power beyond your senses,” she whispered, the ice between her fingers cracking more now as the elf started struggling.

Ben grabbed her arm. “Please. Their deaths will bring you nothing.”

She didn’t stop.

“Keep your anger for those who are responsible. They are tools, thrown into the world without purpose. Give them a chance to rise beyond their shackles,” Ben said.

Ilea could see the fear in the mage’s eyes, even behind the veil of ice that started to crack more and more.

She sighed and let go.

He vanished immediately, joining his injured brethren with a hand on his throat.

“Thank you,” Ben whispered. He summoned four small booklets and threw them at the group, two of them conscious and watching. “Think for yourselves,” he said and leaned closer to Ilea. “We should go.”

She just nodded, sharing one last look with the yellow eyed elf and the ice mage.

They moved in silence for a few minutes, flying through the tall trees with a faster pace.

“Will they hunt us?” she asked.

“They’re fools, but not quite that stupid, nor capable enough to keep up. If a report is made, which I doubt, there may be stronger ones on our tails soon enough,” Ben said.

“Good. You won’t shy away from killing adults I hope, their choices not controlled or based on little experience,” she said.

He glanced back at her. “We won’t have a choice if it comes to that.”

“How old were they Ben?” she asked.

The elf remained quiet for a while.

“Tell me,” Ilea insisted.

“Twenty, maybe twenty five years old,” he supplied.

She just shook her head. “Humans are held accountable at what? Fifteen? Sixteen? And you call them children?”

“Would you strike down an orphan who tried to kill you? A child who never knew the love of a parent or peer? One who trained with assassins all their life? Beaten and abused until they could finally fight back?

“I know how many humans our kind has murdered. I won’t judge you for retaliation but at least I want you to understand,” he said.

“Your society is fucked up,” Ilea said.

“Yes it is. And there are those who wish to change it,” he said.

This isn’t about the Taleen at all, is it? What difference does it make if we save these young elves from death? They’ll just find something else to fight.

“What were those books you threw at them?” she asked.

“A collection of Elvish stories, written down by our ancestors and carried through the millennia. With more recent additions. History long forgotten and not shared within the domains. Our heritage, or what little is left of it,” he said.

“Can they even read?” Ilea asked.

“They should know that much, yes,” he said. “If only for their selfish dream of political power and influence.”

“Are those booklets illegal?” she asked.

He shook his head, gesturing to a part of the forest. Beneath a set of trees, a tunnel opened up, leading down into the dark.

“Illegal? No. There are only few rules given by the Oracles. Each Domain is different but I wouldn’t put it past some higher ranking males to kill another for something as small as owning that booklet,” he explained.

“Why would they care then? If it’s not a rule by the Oracles?” she asked.

They landed in the tunnel, tracks from other elves visible in the soft earth.

“Because the stories are not about them. Some might see it as an insult, or as a weakness in those who read it. We strive to achieve greatness, each and everyone of us. Our arrogance is just one of the many barriers that prevent us from achieving such,” he said.

Chapter 575 Reunion

Chapter 575 Reunion

“What about the ice one then? He seemed like he understood the danger he was in, even suggested we leave without a fight,” Ilea said.

“It takes experience and wisdom to reach such a conclusion. Perhaps he has made similar experiences before, or he learned from someone older than him. Our expertise in magic is inborn, our bodies powerful from birth. Challenges are met to grow or to perish. Negotiations are barely even a concept and if they ever come up, it’s because a loss is inevitable.

“It took a lot of courage for him to speak out like he did, for him to stop attacking when you asked him to. Something that seems logical to a human that strives most of all to survive is not inherently the logical step for us. Instinctively so even,” Ben explained as they walked through the tunnel.

They soon reached stone, the walls changing from tube like tunnels to a more rectangular setup.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Iznacarisa dungeon’

“So you’d rather die than admit defeat or submit to someone?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. More so the younger… or well, inexperienced we are. Instincts can be useful, but they can be a crutch too. We have grown into powerful beings with vast territories we call our own, but there are many creatures and beings in the world that are stronger still. You should know the benefits of persevering, of taking risks that seem unreasonable, but you have the benefit of instincts that pull you in the other direction. At least I assume you do, being human and all,” Ben said with a smile.

“It’s come up, yes,” Ilea said. “I don’t see any shame in retreat if my enemy is obviously stronger than me. My healing has mostly allowed me to persevere where I would’ve died otherwise. Especially with a monster, there’s just no reason to keep going when the only outcome is death.”

“Powerful regeneration is a luxury that many do not have. Though the healing orders I’ve seen humans build might change that in the future. There is much we can learn from your kind, though few of us would ever even consider or admit such,” he said.

“Because you’re obviously stronger,” she said.

“Precisely. Thought there are those of us who think differently and I’d like to believe it’s a larger group than most assume. Given the chance, they too shall understand,” he said.

“Sure, priest elf,” Ilea said.

He smiled, glancing at her as they reached some sort of camp in the darkness. Embers still glowed in the small fire. “It isn’t religion I try to spread, but the process of individual and critical thinking.”

“Bringing the Enlightenment to Elven kind. Not a small goal you’ve set for yourself,” she mused. “Your friends aren’t here.”

“Yes. I too, have eyes. Would you like to wait or find them?” he asked.

“There might be things to hit, what do you think?” she said.

“Do go then, I’ll be right behind,” he said and rolled his eyes.

Ilea didn’t waste any time, flying through the simple corridors with her senses peeled for anything that suggested magic.

Cut apart and half molten machines littered the floors. Doesn’t look like I’m needed here, she thought, displacing a rather large head into her hands. The molten steel had a hint of Praetorian to it.

After a few minutes of quick searching, they entered into a large hall with high ceilings. To each side lay a stacked pile of scrap metal. And in the center was a taleen gate platform.

Around it stood three familiar faces.

“Heyo,” Ilea called out with a wave, landing on the ground as her wings dissolved.

Feyrair turned towards her, immediately changing into a battle stance with extended claws and bursting white flame.

[Warrior – lvl 368]

Daaaamn, not bad kid.

“Hey I can do that too now!” she said and laughed, Flare of Creation bursting out of her armor.

Ben took a step back, his eyes focused on the flames.

“Youuu,” Feyrair hissed, surely with a broad smile behind his scale helmet. His long wild hair changed in color from orange to a deep red.

“Missed you too. Did you forget about leveling? You’re far behind,” she said offhandedly, winking at him.

“You shall get your foretold battle. Though I ask thee to leave this hall intact for the time being. Restrain yourselves,” Isalthar said, glancing at her with his white eyes, his focus quickly returning to the gate and its control mechanism.

[Healer – lvl ??]

Damn, still not… hey wait a minute. I should be able to see everything in the four hundred range. Or not?

She used Veteran to gauge his level, her eyes squinting as she frowned.

Seven hundred? Closer to eight even. But he didn’t strike me as that powerful, or did he just hold back?

“Hey why aren’t you a three mark?” she asked him directly.

The others glanced at her before focusing on Isalthar.

“Oh they didn’t know? Sorry,” she said and laughed.

“I did,” Feyrair said.

“Suspected…,” their Soul mage said.

“It hardly matters,” Ben added, not revealing if he had known or not.

“Very perceptive. Perhaps you have achieved the third tier? Congratulations either way,” Isalthar said in a neutral tone.

“You’ll need a gate key to operate that thing,” she said, pointing at the platform.

“A gate key is not enough when the node has been disconnected from the whole,” Isalthar spoke.

“They can do that?” Ilea asked.

“Yes,” Ben said. “When a gate is deemed a liability. That is our current theory. Additionally it’s a way to trap us in a vastly more dangerous dungeon.”

“Let me guess, you go through anyway,” she asked.

“Of course,” Feyrair supplied before he jumped towards her. “You’ve grown!” he said and hugged her tightly. “Oh, and heavier too.”

Ilea rolled her eyes. “I don’t remember us being this close.”

He ignored the comment but let her go. “Third Class then? Or an evolution?” he asked, touching the pale flames that now clung to his body.

He literally doesn’t care.

“Third Class,” she said and waved the flames away.

“They’re not quite the same but I suspect they’re closely related,” Feyrair commented, sending a ball of his own flame towards her. “You get third Classes so early. You humans really have it easy.”

“Says the guy who started at what? Two hundred? How are you so old and you’re still below my level?” she asked and tried to grasp the flame. His was much hotter. It slowed her regeneration too, she noted. And it damaged her health and mana. He’s even absorbing a part of it. But it lacks something… the staying power?

“What can I say? I’m a perfectionist,” he said and twirled where he stood. “But seriously, it’s quite a challenge to gain levels if you fight Taleen all the time, especially in a group. I can’t take the same risks, not with what we have to achieve.”

“Are you trying to reactivate it or what?” Ilea asked, glancing at the two elves still fiddling with the gate controls.

“Directions,” the soul mage said.

“To find the next one, I see,” Ilea said. “I have a small suggestion then. It’s the reason I’m here actually.”

“I thought you came for me,” Feyrair said and looked away, his hair swinging unnaturally past his shoulders.

“Dream on buddy,” Ilea said. “Niivalyr found a gate inside of a Centurion production facility. It leads to a dungeon where Praetorians are manufactured. That’s the guess at least.”

Isalthar turned away from the gate and floated a little closer. “Praetorians… how far away?”

“In the north. About eight hour with my flight speed. Not sure how fast you guys can manage,” she said. “Elfie wanted to meet you anyway. Maybe you can recruit his group.”

“Too many members are detrimental, in most Taleen ruins,” Feyrair said. “Especially with our power. These two hardly fight anyway.” He gestured to the soul magic user and Ben.

“He thought it necessary. I offered my help too but he deemed it not enough. Special variants were present too. The arcane arrow versions at least, apparently Hunter Praetorians,” she said.

Feyrair glanced at Isalthar. “This could be important. If we could slow their production.”

The ancient elf looked at Ilea with his white eyes, contemplating. “High risks too. Few of us can face higher level Praetorians.”

“I’ll be there too,” Ilea said. “If only to bring you out in case things go wrong.”

“You can teleport others?” Feyrair asked.

“Yes, to a specific location in the southern human plains,” she said, not seeing a reason to keep this fact hidden.

Isalthar floated back to the gate, a wave of air expanding from him as a thousand cuts split the platform apart. “We shall leave immediately,” he said.

Ilea looked at the soul mage approach, his hand brushing past her cheek.

“Beautiful,” he whispered before pointing at himself. “Seithir.”

She smiled. “You are quite beautiful, yes,” she said and smiled at the blush tinging his cheeks.

“That’s his name,” Feyrair said.

“Yeah I got that,” Ilea said.

“Seithir,” Isalthar said, still considering. “Farthorn, Asay.”

Feyrair rolled his eyes and groaned. “Really? Them? Are you sure?”

“We’re talking about a specialized Praetorians. It will be a large facility,” Ben said. “We can use every capable Hunter we can find.”

“They should be close,” Isalthar said. “Do not fret, white flame. A test of patience and wisdom shall do you good.”

Feyrair bowed to the white haired elf, saying a word in elvish.

Seithir’s aura started to glow within her sphere, strands of glistening magic vanishing into nothing. A few seconds later he started floating out of the dungeon.

“We follow?” Ilea asked.

“We follow,” Ben said, touching her shoulder as he walked past.

“And when are we going to have our bout?” Feyrair asked, “We could catch up after.”

Ilea looked at him before a smile blossomed on her face. “Hey, can you tank the arcane storms in the north?”

He hissed. “Of course. Who do you think I am?”

“A bitch ass dragonling. Good then, it’ll look cooler if we fight below a storm. What do you think?” Ilea asked, spreading her wings and following the others.

“Dragonling…,” he tasted the word and hissed again. “I like it.”

That was not supposed to be a compliment, she thought and rolled her eyes.

“Our battle will be legendary,” he said.

“Your head trauma will be legendary, that’s for sure,” Ilea said.

“Have you attracted hunters?” Isalthar asked, looking at Ben when they reached their little camp. What remained of it that was, anything substantial already stored in whatever storage items they held.

“Potentially. We met four young ones. Three likely from the Wastes, one from the Valley,” Ben said.

“Did you kill them?” Isalthar asked.

“No,” Ben said, glancing at Ilea.

“Mistake,” Feyrair murmured.

“Do not mistake compassion for an inability to assess risk,” Isalthar said, still looking at Ben.

“Her teleportation would help us escape in case we were followed. I think it unlikely, however. Their shame will overwhelm their sense of duty,” Ben said.

“An assumption,” Feyrair commented. “I thought you humans hated our kind,” he added and glanced at Ilea.

She looked him in the eyes. “Just you.”

“I have that effect on people,” he said and hissed. “The hate makes them taste better.”

Ilea hissed back, a grin tugging on her lips.

“I must remind the both of you that there are no inns nearby, however should you find one, I do suggest getting a room,” Ben commented with a smile.

Feyrair looked confused at that, shrugging as he looked at the elf.

Ilea touched his shoulder. “Don’t worry, some day, when you’re old enough, I’ll explain it to you.”

“It was only in jest,” Ben whispered to her.

“Are half elves a thing?” Ilea asked him in turn.

“They are,” Isalthar said. “Rare, and quite dangerous for the other species. The children’s power is vastly inferior to a true elf, though some features remain. Hated and hunted by all, it is not a fortune one should eye. Now come, there is ample time for talk outside of hostile territory.”

“Every territory is hostile,” Ilea said.

“Some more than others,” Isalthar said.

Surprising that he would chime in. Did he have children with a human?

The elf seemed almost spirit like to her, much like Seithir. The other two were just regular old apex predators.

When they came out of the dungeon, two battered elves stood in their way.

Oh boy, Ilea thought, unsure how to react to that sight.

The lightning and fire mage from before had apparently followed them here.

She could hear Ben’s teeth grinding against each other. “You fools.”

“I challenge you to a duel,” the lightning one said, pointing at Ilea.

“Me?” she asked, looking around at the group. “Guys can we just leave? I don’t think they can keep up anyway.”

The lightning elf hissed.

Her group hissed back.

“Refusing a duel, to them, is an insult of the highest degree,” Ben explained.

“Just get it over with,” Feyrair said.

Ilea rolled her eyes, stepping ahead and giving the terrified looking Ben a quick wink.

The two elves looked between the group, their fear well hidden but not quite enough to trick her sphere.

Ilea smiled. “One after the other? Or do you want to come at me together?” she asked.

“A duel is between one elf and another. To death,” Feyrair supplied helpfully.

Aren’t you beyond those customs, as Cerithil Hunters? she thought and rolled her eyes.

“Okay who wants to go first?” she asked.

The lightning elf stepped forward, his magic crackling around him. “My name is Vaarshun Paarth, and your insult will not stand,” he said. Powerful magic burst around, his eyes turning a bright blue as his hands charged with pure lightning. His dark red armor looked singed in many spots, his right shoulder and arm unguarded entirely. Damage from dozens of battles showed in various scratches and dents. Half of his mouth lay exposed, the sharp canine teeth slightly ajar as he hissed with a menacing sound.

Ilea stepped forward, her group of hunters floating a little further back and up. “You’re an idiot, you know that right?” she said as her auras surged.

[Mage – lvl 250]

His red hair floated upwards, the magic around him zapping the air with thin white blue tendrils.

The fire mage floated a little further back, his eyes on Ilea.

“Will you deny me your name?” Vaarshun asked.

“Not much of a point to share it now, is there?” Ilea asked.

The elf hissed again, this time charging her with extended claws, blue light trailing after.

He slashed them into her ash covered head, digging nearly a centimeter deep as lightning surged through her body. His mouth moved into a grin.

Ilea grabbed his arm, ignoring the admittedly powerful lightning magic. Perhaps as strong as a few Blue Reapers combined.

She activated her Deviant aura and whistled, not revealing her name or species. “It’s quite ballsy of you to show up again but you’re downright delusional. It’s not worth dying for an injured ego. Know when you’re beat.”

Reverse healing flowed into him as he sent spell after spell into her from a point blank range.

Ilea hit his skull, making sure not to overdo it.

The elf reeled back, his eyes focusing again a moment later when another devastating fist crashed into his thick skull.

She repeated the process until he was knocked out, punching once more to make sure. “Quite sturdy,” she murmured and threw his limp body to the side.

“You would dare leave him alive?!” the fire mage shouted, hissing at her with little conviction. He looked at her with confusion in his eyes.

She shrugged. “I don’t really give a shit. Run away now or come at me. A few concussions won’t hurt.”

Ilea felt the eyes of the hunters on her. These two believed her to be one of them. While certainly stupid and reckless, it felt like putting down some rowdy teenagers. She wouldn’t lose sleep over killing a few elves, not after what she’d done. But these two were downright pathetic. She felt like Ben was right. Maybe they could learn from this experience. And if they didn’t, they’d die to something else.

The elf hadn’t moved yet, still floating where he was. Two small spheres of flame glimmered in his hands.

“Maybe you should check out that booklet, and stop attacking Cerithil Hunters who try to save idiots like yourself,” she said. “Now make a decision, fight or flight. Otherwise I’ll make it for you.”

The elf ground his teeth and slowly floated backwards. He turned a moment later and accelerated.

Ilea smiled and displaced the unconscious lightning elf right in front of the other. “Take your buddy with you,” she said, watching him tumble and crash before grabbing the body and flying off.

She turned to the group.

“Boring,” Feyrair said, turning away.

Seithir bowed to her lightly, Ilea mimicking the gesture.

Isalthar just looked at her with an unreadable expression, his eyes the same as always.

“Guardian of Cerith,” Ben said with a wicked smile. “A title well suited.”

“She’s killed plenty,” Feyrair said. “Now come on, I’m sure that idiot will bring reinforcements.”

Seithir led the way, flying through the forest like a flying spear. Straight through the vegetation, occasionally teleporting through a trunk.

The rest followed with ease.

“I appreciate everyone speaking Standard by the way,” Ilea said, looking at Ben who flew close by.

“There are many Elvish languages, and even more dialects. What you humans call Standard dates further back than you might think,” he said.

“I see. Yeah the others might’ve not spoken it otherwise,” Ilea said.

“Your mercy will shake the foundation of their believes,” Ben said. “I am proud to fight alongside you.”

“They’ll die against something even stronger to get rid of their shame,” Feyrair said from the side. “You should’ve put them out of their misery.”

Ilea didn’t reply, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake. She thought back to Salia, most of its population slaughtered like pigs, the ice elf fighting her without remorse or care. His armor looked so similar.

A part of her hoped that Ben was right, the existence of the Hunters proof that Elves were not mere monsters. But she had seen the look in the fire elf’s eyes, fear mingling with confusion. Like a child throwing a tantrum, realizing that their parent had simply walked away.

Chapter 576 Feast

Chapter 576 Feast

Ilea kept pace with the elves, her ashen wings lazily moving behind her back. She wondered how long they’d need to get north if this was the suggested flight speed.

The trees here looked much less exotic. Evergreens that clung to the rocky hills, high and sturdy but more spaced out than the dense canopy where the dungeon had been located.

Seithir had guided them for the better part of half an hour, the soul mage locked in on his target from the beginning.

Ilea landed last in the mountainous terrain in the northern region of the forest, a small clearing the destination of their side objective.

Two Elves sat on an old tree trunk, looking at the approaching group as they continued eating.

The carcass of a large animal lay nearby, cut open with various pieces missing.

“Greetings, young ones,” Isalthar said, floating a little above ground, his white robe nearly touching the earth below.

“Welcome Isalthar,” one of the two said, his gaze moving over the group before it landed on Ilea. He had black eyes, his head shaved unlike every other elf she had seen before. Intricate runic tattoos snaked up his dark skin, glowing lightly to Ilea’s magic perception. He wore black armor, light and made with metals. Niameer perhaps. “Share our prey, if you wish.”

Feyrair hissed. “Don’t mind if I do,” he said and dug his hand into the carcass, ripping out a chunk with bloody delight. He bit into the raw meat, blood dripping down his scale armor.

“You bring a new Hunter?” the elf asked, his voice laced with caution.

[Mage – lvl 325]

“An ally and Guardian of Cerith,” Isalthar replied.

Ilea watched with interest as Feyrair ripped out another piece of the dead beast, throwing it towards Seithir who happily caught it, nibbling on the large chunk in quiet joy.

“Hey, nice to meet you two,” Ilea said and walked a little closer.

The second elf looked at her with a smirk, his purple eyes seizing her up. He held a small piece of meat in his hand, as if it was a delicate glass of wine. His black hair flowed down his back, downright luminous and perfectly straight. The elf sat with crossed legs, wearing an intricate bright red dress that seemed entirely unsuitable for either fighting or being in the wilderness. His features were delicate, no noticeable muscle visible on the little skin he showed.

Ilea would’ve doubted herself if she didn’t know about the Oracles, not feeling the power from him that she’d expect from one of them.

[Mage – lvl 412]

“A human crosses our path. What a surprising delight you have brought to us today,” he spoke.

The bald elf hissed, both annoyed and hostile. Ilea couldn’t tell at whom exactly it was directed.

“I myself am named Asay, female human,” the black haired one said. “I will be interested to hear your story.”

“I’m Ilea, good to meet you, Asay,” she said with a smile hidden behind her armor.

The bald one got up and took a step towards her.

Feyrair glanced up from his aggressive feast and hissed.

“You protect her?” the bald elf asked.

Feyrair grinned. “She needs no protecting. But once she’s done with you, I shall finish the job.”

The elf growled but halted in his tracks. “What is the meaning of this, Val Akuun?” he asked, looking towards Isalthar.

“He shared all that is to know,” Asay said. “Or would you question his word?” his voice sounded excited, magic sparking in his eyes for a split second.

“Not his, but hers,” the bald one said and pointed at her.

“Listen baldy, I don’t need your approval. If you have something against humans, keep it to yourself. I’m just here to destroy a bunch of Praetorians,” Ilea said, crossing her arms as she looked at him.

Ben sighed, sitting down next to Asay. He whispered something to the other elf.

“It is our nature. Yet this development is wonderful,” Asay said, not keeping his voice down.

“I’m Farthorn,” the bald elf said, stepping closer to her. “And I don’t like you.”

“You’re the first one, congratulations,” Ilea said.

Asay snickered to himself, hiding his mouth behind the sleeve of his complex dress.

“Ilea will lead us far into the north, where another group of Hunters we shall join,” Isalthar spoke, unperturbed by the happenings around him.

“We destroyed three gates in the past week. Are you sure it’s wise for us to go north?” Farthorn asked, sitting back down on the trunk, his eyes focused on Ilea.

“Praetorian facility,” Ben said. “That’s why we could use the two of you.”

“A wonderful adventure,” Asay spoke, smiling bright and showing his sharp teeth. “Much more exciting than the work in these parts.”

Perfect white teeth, Ilea thought as she looked at him, their eyes meeting.

Neither of them spoke, staring at each other for a while.

“Your aura is quite fascinating,” Asay finally said.

“Thanks,” Ilea replied and summoned a meal herself, not about to eat raw meat. Keyla’s cooking was a tiny bit better than that.

Ben perked up but didn’t say anything, taking in the smells with interest.

“How far north?” Farthorn asked, finishing the piece of meat, blood dripping down his chin.

“Depends on your flight speed,” Ilea said. “Half a day, maybe more.”

She had the mark on Elfie, which meant no detours or getting lost.

He contemplated and finally hissed. “Very well. If Isalthar wishes it.”

“Can all withstand the storms?” Asay asked.

“We shall move through the ravines, and increase our speed by night,” Isalthar said.

That’s a no, Ilea thought, looking at the group. She assumed Asay and Isalthar had little trouble surviving, the former mostly just because he asked. Feyrair claimed it was no issue but she wanted to see that first. The rest she doubted could take a direct hit without a care, even Ben.

Then again they’re elves. They probably had a lot longer to train resistances. My healing and Sentinel Core advantages for training would easily be overcome with a few more years or even decades.

Ilea summoned her map and sat down in a chair of ash, focusing on all her marks. She could easily place them but the distance to most was too high for specific tracking. Walter and Dale were the closest, their movements sometimes perceivable. More so Dale, because of his profession.

“Sure you don’t want some?” Feyrair asked, holding out a bloody chunk of raw meat, intestines and bones sticking out on one side.

She continued eating while looking at the map. “You should really think about improving your cuisine.”

“What do you mean?” he asked and sat on the ground next to her. “This is just perfect,” he bit down, grinding through the bone with his teeth.

The sound was grating in her ears but she didn’t show a reaction, knowing his diet would simply change to purely bones whenever she was around.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 17’

Humans should go out more, she thought, sighing at the wonderful hearty taste of her cheese and potato dish.

Asay still stared at her but she didn’t mind much. There was a reason Ben sat down next to him immediately. Perhaps they shared an interest in humans and their peculiar behaviors.

“What makes a human join a group of elves?” Farthorn asked.

Ilea looked up, chewed for a moment and swallowed. “I met one in the north. We made a deal. I’d explore a lost city dungeon, and he would share information. He wasn’t even a Cerithil Hunter then.”

“But he is now?” Farthorn asked, glancing over to Isalthar. “Are we sure this isn’t a trap?”

“The dungeon is real, and I trust them,” Ilea said. “Elfie wouldn’t lie about that.”

“Elfie…,” Asay tasted the word before he giggled. “Spectacular.”

He raised his hand and looked at her.

“Do you have a question?” Ilea asked.

“Are we all Elfies? Or is there only one?” Asay asked.

Ilea smiled. “I’m not sure. I like Asay though. It’s a good name.”

“Indeed it is. You have fine taste, for someone so fiercely dressed in ash, reeking of death and power,” he spoke.

“A potential disruption in Praetorian production is worth the potential risks,” Isalthar said. “Or would you disagree?”

All the elves quieted down, looking at Farthorn.

“No,” he said, his eyes towards the ground.

What just happened? she thought, looking at Ben.

He smiled but didn’t say anything.

Power dynamics, or maybe a hierarchy thing? I wonder how much the Hunters took over from their respective domains’ structures.

Feyrair had eaten a respectable part of the beast, hissing when he seemed done.

A question?

He stored the carcass in his storage item as white flame burst from his body, burning away the dried blood and small pieces of skin and flesh still sticking to him.

Isalthar floated to Ilea, his eyes fixated on her. “We shall follow you, Ilea. Do not lead us astray.”

“Is that a threat or a plea?” she asked with a smile, standing up as her map vanished and the ash dissolved. She finished the food with a few last bites and spread her wings.

The elf didn’t clarify, leaving the interpretation to her alone.

“I’m not familiar with this area. Any reason not to go north directly? We could fly eastward first,” she said.

“There is nothing in our way,” Isalthar said.

“Good, then let’s see how fast we can go,” Ilea said and started flying. She assumed it was a bad idea suggesting she carry some of them.

The next hour turned out quite underwhelming. Isalthar, Feyrair, and Asay could keep up with her non charged wings but the rest fell behind quickly. Seithir at the lowest level was surprisingly the quickest of the three others.

The group managed to pass the Naraza mountain chain rather quickly, the winds growing harsher and the mana more dense.

Ilea tapped Feyrair’s arm, the group now flying through a broad crevice leading northwards. “I think we’ve reached a suitable stage,” she said with a grin.

The elf looked up to the looming dark clouds, his red reptilian eyes turning towards her. “Indeed,” he said. “Seithir, call for me if we are needed,” he said.

“Our guide is already abandoning us?” Farthorn asked, looking at the two before he hissed.

“Few forks in the way, just keep going northward,” Ilea said.

“Enjoy yourselves, barbarians,” Ben said.

Ilea blinked up, flying out of the tear in the land.

Feyrair followed, as did Asay.

“I merely wish to watch,” he said with a broad grin.

Feyrair rushed ahead, flying for a few minutes with Ilea effortlessly keeping pace.

Asay fell behind but he would catch up soon enough.

The elf came to a stop when a large cloud filled with arcane energy loomed over them, purple streaks of lightning slamming into the savage landscape nearby.

She felt the power and shock waves from hundreds of meters away. Compared to her first time in the north, the natural phenomenon no longer proved an insurmountable challenge. Flying here instead was a testament to their power.

“You’re a few levels lower than me, Fey. Are you sure you want to do this?” Ilea teased.

The elf glowed with power, his body erupting in white flame, his eyes a blazing red.

“A human like you needs more than a few levels and Classes to best me,” he said, a streak of purple energy rushing past him a few meters away, taking with it a part of the white flame covering his body. His left arm was left limp and blackened.

Ilea watched as he started moving it again, both his skin and armor above reforming before her eyes.

“Surprised?” he asked, his sharp claws extending with blazing white flames.

“I thought dragons would be invulnerable,” Ilea said, feeling the power build above her.

She displaced herself into the trajectory of the lightning that came down close by, letting it spread through her with its blazing purple energies.

The arcane power broke through her armor and into her body, her third tier healing regenerating it all in mere instants as the lightning slowed, wreaking what little havoc it could against her resilience.

Feyrair laughed, white wings of flame materializing behind him as his magic surged. “I knew you wouldn’t disappoint,” he said and rushed her.

She let him come, her auras and spells ready to answer whatever he threw out.

The elf started with five blazing spheres forming above his head, sending them towards her with a higher speed than he himself moved at.

Ilea let them advance, her precognition informing her about the damage they would do.

She didn’t move.

The spheres exploded in bright fire, energy, and heat. The air trembled, leaving behind the uninjured ashen healer flying amidst the lessening inferno.

She saw the fires sticking to her and willed the affected ash away, reforming her armor below.

The elf was upon her in the next moment, appearing next to her with his clawed hands lashing out.

She deflected his first blow, pushing away his claws with her left hand. Her ashen limbs had reformed, lashing out at him before a bright flame spread out in a sphere around the elf.

Her ash was pushed away as he pressed against her hold. He’s stronger, she noted.

Feyrair slashed at the limbs with his other hand, the bright flame able to cut through the ash. Four limbs still sneaked past, cutting into his armor and body.

Ilea’s reverse healing and mana intrusion flowed into him with every moment their bodies touched, his fire in turn burning both her armor, skin, and mana. Her smirk widened when he broke away, vanishing to reappear ten meters away.

His fire slowed her healing but not by much. Not more than what I’m doing to him.

The elf vanished again, avoiding a bolt of lightning striking down from the arcane storm. Bright energy formed on his palms, beams of fire lashing out to meet her.

Ilea laughed and moved her wings, avoiding the spell entirely. She twirled and blinked through his quickly moving fire beams on her way towards him, the elf in turn keeping his distance.

When she got close enough, she simply let the fires burn into her, her ash and skin below resilient to fire more so than most other magic. She punched towards him when he suddenly vanished.

Ilea used Space Shift to latch on to his teleport and appeared with him, her fist connecting with his armored chest.

Destruction and Storm of Cinders spread into him with a sizzling noise, his armor denting slightly as he was pushed back, only to slice away at the ashen limbs that came for him.

His eyes opened wide suddenly, Ilea closing the distance with her wings and grappling onto him.

No teleports for either of us, she thought, ignoring the wild swipes of his powerful claws and the fire burning all around.

They tumbled as she slammed her fist into his face repeatedly, breaking away the helmet piece by piece as her ash dug into his powerful armor and skin. It was a test, to see whose regeneration would prevail but Ilea didn’t have to take a risk, able to teleport away whenever she realized he could overwhelm her.

Lightning struck, slamming into he tumbling pair and the ground below, ripping stone asunder.

The force pushed them down, the high level warriors crashing into the ground without a pause in their attacks.

Feyrair looked worse for wear, much of his armor stripped away, blood showing on a hundred cuts, pouring from a few deeper wounds.

Ilea herself was on fire, her ash regenerating where it could, stripped away in parts by his claws where white flame now burned her skin. Much of the heat she simply absorbed with her Lava Magic Resistance into Heart of Cinder, the mana he expended returning to her through her high resistances and Sentinel Core.

Another punch cracked his cheekbone, his left eye squished instantly. A surge of energy spread out from his chest, pure kinetic force mixed with incredible heat pushed Ilea back, making her hit the ground a few times before she skidded to a halt.

Her wings reformed as she cut away the burning parts of her body using her sharpened ash, healing taking care of the rest.

She smiled to herself, closing her right eye when a lightning strike crashed into the ground a few meters away. Her wings worked against the force, her body barely pushed aside. Rocks and debris ricocheted off her ashen armor, the ground vibrating with the released energy as the air sung with magic.

Before her, Feyrair had changed. His body bulged and exploded with scales and fire. A large tail and powerful wings burst from the massive dragonling as his four clawed feet dug into the stone below. He was larger than last time, the muscle clearly visible and his whole form shining bright within her sphere.

The only recognizable feature was the white flame clinging to his body and the two red eyes set into his draconic skull, their focus on her alone.

“Show me what you can do, dragonling,” Ilea said and laughed, ascending towards the clouds as she watched him do the same.

His large maw opened as the surrounding mana seemed to flow towards him, the flames stirring as the heat increased yet again.

Charge all the way up, buddy, Ilea thought and waited, a glance to her left revealing the distant Asay floating in midair. She saw a purple bolt flash towards him before it suddenly changed directions, hitting the ground at a steep angle. That’s a little better than my lightning redirect.

Feyrair had finished his spell, the world growing still before he roared.

White fire rushed out in a chaotic storm of heat and energy, spreading in a massive cone loosely directed at her. Not a precise or particularly quick attack perhaps, but likely not intended for such a small and nimble target.

Ilea could’ve used her third tier Displacement to send the flames right back, or she could’ve used Phaseshift to reduce its damage. A few simple teleports might’ve done the trick as well. But of course she did none of those things.

She spread her arms wide and welcomed the dragonling’s wrath.

Chapter 577 Flames

Chapter 577 Flames

Ilea felt her ash burn away, the heat itself tugging at her skin and innards. Ash covered her eyes, lest they burst from the intense fires.

Her Lava Magic Resistance absorbed what it could, entirely overwhelmed with the devastating power.

Anybody lesser would’ve molten away but Ilea didn’t survive four mark attacks without reason. And fire was one of her specialties.

She turned around when the ash in front of her had been stripped away, falling now that her wings were gone. Her back burned but her armor already reformed in front of her chest and slightly molten face. She felt no pain and watched with joy as her health slowly dwindled away, brought up again by her hampered healing.

Feyrair slammed to the ground with his massive body, the claws digging deep and burning with white flame. His jaws closed and the spell subsided.

Ilea’s armor reformed as she turned back towards him, her wings appearing yet again. Lightning roared around them, one bolt slashing through the dragonling’s left wing, punching through the thick hide and evoking a hiss from him in turn.

“Wonderful presentation. I’ll be sure to invite you to my next barbecue,” Ilea said, lifting her hand towards the creature. She felt her chest nearly burst from the heat and power stored within, the cracks of ember light caused by her aura seemed to glow with more intensity as Heart of Cinder continued to charge.

The spell released, Ilea watching Feyrair’s eyes widen before she veered her hand slightly to the right.

A beam of bright burning energy rushed past the elf in dragon form, its light illuminating the vicinity cast in shadow by the arcane storm. The very air vibrated as it was pushed aside, burnt to nothing.

Ilea lowered her hand, looking at the furrow in the land her spell had left behind, the dragon’s wing reduced to nothing as he staggered to the side, his own fire ringing with the lingering flames of hers.

He roared, the limb reforming as his claws burst with bright energy, cutting even deeper into the ground but Ilea was done waiting.

My turn, she thought, Flare of Creation bursting out as she sacrificed her health for both her auras. She vanished and appeared to the elf’s side, her fists hitting hard with fully charged spells. She hit six times and slashed his tough skin with her many limbs, not quite managing to get through entirely.

Feyrair had been stronger before, now likely even more so. But what he lacked in speed now showed ten fold with his massive body.

Ilea could sense the attacks coming, teleporting around the creature as she laid into him with consecutive heavy hitting punches. She ducked under his quick moving tail, cutting into it with her ash. Ash that now spread around the whole creature, pushing destructive healing into it with every passing moment.

Heat and flame erupted periodically from the elf but she simply powered through, any health, ash, or skin he stripped away was back before his next attack. Lightning struck time and time again, hitting the large form while Ilea simply let the magic pass or blinked aside.

Deep furrows showed on his back, her constant unrelenting attacks adding to his slow demise.

A heavy hit to his jaw seemed to finish the job, magic bursting out with a last surge as the elf returned to his humanoid form.

He staggered, blood dripping freely from a dozen wounds, all closing quickly. His left eye was shut.

Ilea appeared next to him, holding up her arm as her third tier displacement formed above.

Asay appeared close by, looking up.

The next bolt would’ve hit close by, instead vanishing into her gate and slamming into the ground a hundred meters away.

The brightly dressed elf grinned and floated closer, wisps of pure arcane energy floating around his unarmored form.

Only a few seconds had passed but Feyrair’s wounds had already healed, his eye reformed and looking at Ilea.

“I am here now,” Asay said, “Your spell is no longer necessary.”

Ilea didn’t doubt the elf, having seen his display from before. Displacement deactivated, the shift in space returning to normal.

“Humbled yet again,” Feyrair said, his voice not suggesting a fight had taken place, let alone with him as a participant. His scale armor had reformed, a part of his body just as much as Ilea’s ash was part of hers. “I had hoped my evolutions would close the gap.”

She smiled at him and touched his shoulder. “They did. But as you have improved, so did I.”

This time he grinned, his sharp teeth slightly ajar and his eyes wild. “We shall hunt together!”

Ilea glanced between the two elves and addressed Asay. “Is that some kind of marriage proposal?”

He giggled, covering his mouth with a joyous look in his purple eyes before he replied. “Do not fret, young human. This elf has no concept of your courting. It is merely the thrill of the hunt, and his wish to share in it with you. A thrill you must know, for someone so mighty and yet so young.”

“Do not speak for me, Asay,” Feyrair said and hissed, only bringing more enjoyment to the other elf.

Ilea smiled and stepped towards the dragonling, her mouth nearly brushing his pointy ear. “I wouldn’t be opposed to other things as well,” she whispered and took a step back. “We shall hunt together either way,” she added with a wicked grin.

She addressed Asay before the warrior could form a cohesive reply. “Your magic seems quite impressive too. Are you interested in a mock battle too?”

They slowly flew towards the crevice, the storm above continuing its journey through the north.

“I am not particularly interested in the arts of war, let alone the competition of ones magic against another,” Asay said. “Both of your displays of resilience leave my magic with little chance to gain the upper hand, nor a way to entice interest. For what am I but a shadow to the wild storms of this region?”

“You are an arcane mage then?” Ilea asked. The wisps and manipulation of the lightning had been indicators but there was a chance he had more up his sleeve.

“The study of the most pure forms of mana have left me with no way to branch into other forms in which it may occur. The future is uncertain and just as volatile as our time right now. Perhaps these circumstances will change at one point or the other,” Asay spoke, magic twirling around him, wisps and shapes that lent his floating form an ethereal quality.

“Can you heal?” Ilea asked. It wasn’t fully a shot in the dark, her sphere picking up something quite familiar from his wisps.

He smiled. “Indeed, I am both a master of arcane restoration and destruction.”

She laughed, the parallels almost direct. And yet the two of them seemed so very different. “My healing is arcane in nature too,” she said.

“I have noticed, human. Peculiar, with your limiting biological cage. However if humanity has proven to possess anything, it is a keen sense for ingenuity and a will to improvise,” Asay spoke.

“Could you teach a human without a changed biology?” Ilea asked.

“I see neither a possibility, nor a reason for me to engage in such affairs,” Asay said with a smile.

“A shame,” she said. “Feyrair, we have to do that again later. Are you up for some resistance training? Your fire might be enough.”

“Most certainly. The more I can resist your ash, the more my chances rise. You said your healing is arcane in nature, but my resistance hasn’t risen,” he replied.

“It is no the arcane energy that invades your form, but healing, twisted and changed to seek destruction,” Asay supplied. “Quite an intriguing application, and testament to humanity’s depravity.”

“Hey, I didn’t make the Class. And if it works, I don’t really care how twisted it is. I’ve met plenty of decent necromancers, blood, and curse mages. Magic is just a tool to be used,” she said.

“Not when a will is weak. Magical schools just like political or inherited powers are corrupting in nature. Humans perhaps may have a choice as they ascend, to try and resist their temptations, knowing where they came from. The decision to resist what has always been natural is not quite as forgiving,” Asay said.

“Cry me a river. You poor powerful elf,” Ilea said, winking at him with a smirk on her face.

The elf giggled, quite aware of her sarcasm. “It is truly a delight, to have been brought to your attention. I must thank the both of you, for that marvelous display. However I would’ve preferred a synergy instead of competition.”

Ah, so that’s what you’re into.

“We’ll get ample opportunity against the Taleen,” Feyrair said. “I do hope you will share your power too, instead of watching from the back.”

“I merely have an interest to explore what lies beyond the boundaries our Oracles have set. Though I may be labeled as cursed, I have little stake in your cause,” Asay said.

Feyrair hissed but didn’t comment on his words.

“So you won’t join the fights?” Ilea asked. “Why are you even here?”

Didn’t Isalthar specifically seek those two out?

“I can heal and support. Should the situation truly demand it, perhaps I may be able to offer more than that,” Asay said, winking at her with an amused expression. “Tell me, human. What is your stake in our plight?”

“People I consider friends have asked for help, so here I am. I’m not sure what you mean by the exploration of boundaries but I quite enjoy ancient dungeons too, contrary to you, I like fighting what’s within. The higher the challenge, the better,” Ilea said.

Feyrair hissed again, now an animated sound compared to the annoyance from before. “And what better challenge is there than to face the ancient enemy we elves have fought for millennia.”

Asay rolled his eyes. “Plenty. You may be limited in your imagination, Feyrair, but for a human, there are many other options. The domains themselves are an example. Perhaps we will again see a day when their territories aren’t quite as unchallenged as they are today.”

Again?

“There were times when they were challenged?” she asked.

“Whispers and ancient history, long lost or silenced. But are you not living proof that humanity is not quite as helpless as our younger generation might believe?” he said.

“Are you talking about arcane healers?” Ilea asked, not about to drop the Azarinth name to this unknown entity. Even though she was somewhat sure the name meant little to the current people of this realm.

They reached the crevice, Ilea spotting the flying elves in the distance.

“Ah, the Azarinth Order and their bolstered claims. No, you are far beyond what I have heard of them but others exist that have risen beyond their humanly comforts and security. In times long past and just as much today,” the elf spoke.

“You’re older than you look,” Ilea said with a smile. “I’m not part of the Order, if that’s what you assume.”

“A benefit of our corrupting power. To value a long life without knowing the fear of death and age, another challenge set upon us poor souls. Long has it been since last I’ve heard of the Azarinth. I suspect you stumbled right upon an ancient secret,” he said with an intrigued voice.

“What do you know of them?” Ilea asked.

He waved her off, obviously disinterested to continue with the topic. “A boring Order, rising like a bright star just to vanish quickly, as so many humans do. The times in which they rose to power in your lands are a far more interesting topic to discuss, however sparse our knowledge of such dark and troubling history remains.”

“The war,” Ilea said.

Feyrair looked between them with interest.

Asay grinned with wicked teeth. “You have certainly stumbled through more ancient ruins than I would’ve guessed, with eyes and ears open. More so than I had expected from someone as battle hungry as you are. Intriguing, yet we should not speak of such matters here. The will of the young wavers more than you might think. Our enemy remain the Taleen,” he said and looked into her eyes.

And not the Ascended who may or may not still have a stake? Or the humans who were stronger then?

She didn’t miss the subtle warning in his words. The young? Or are there others who wouldn’t want to speak of the war? Isalthar maybe? He’s probably the oldest of the bunch.

Ilea thought about the unifying enemy the elves shared. The unfeeling machines of the Taleen. She didn’t know about the domains and the relationship between but the Cerithil Hunters at least, however small their numbers are, have united in this purpose.

“Who won?” Ben asked when he arrived. “Let me guess, the one dozens of levels higher?”

Feyrair hissed.

Farthorn glanced at her with a look she couldn’t help but interpret as respect.

Did he miss the level difference? Or does he just think I’m weaker because of my human shell. If only I had sharp teeth and pointy ears.

Ilea smiled and summoned her map. “Just burn my legs, I need this thing,” she murmured towards Feyrair, forming ashen projectiles to attack him. “Oh Seithir, if you could add some soul magic, It’d be greatly appreciated!”

She had a group of powerful elves around her. It only make sense to exploit their magic.

Ilea would’ve needed less than a day to get back to Elfie.

With the Elven group in tow however, they were barely halfway there after three full days.

She looked at her map, ignoring the sleeping elves close by. The first rest since their journey started in the south.

Their little camp had been set up on the slope of a mountain, where the mists didn’t reach. Warm embers remained from the fire they had set up earlier but the moon provided more than enough light.

Asay sat close to the Miststalkers, meditating. The rest chose to sleep, not likely more than an hour or two.

Isalthar floated nearby, next to her the only one who didn’t rest. He stared into the distance, the winds moving oddly around his form.

Ilea looked up from her map and glanced at him. He’s like a ghost or something.

“What do you see with your elven eyes?” she asked.

He slightly turned towards her. “Few beasts to roam these lands. And yet the mists bring motion to this barren place.”

“What do you think they are?” Ilea asked. “Creatures from another realm? Spirits? A manifestation of pure mana?”

He floated closer and to her surprise sat down on a nearby rock, taking care not to get his white robe dirty.

“All beings are in part mana. Conditions allow us to live, to breathe. The tranquil nights here and the absence of the suns let these spirits wander. Be they from another realm or merely resting when they aren’t here,” he said.

Ilea considered his words, her eyes on a group of stalkers dancing near the resting Asay. Not quite in range.

“Why do you travel with this group? If your goal is to destroy the Taleen, wouldn’t they hold you back?” she asked.

“You overestimate my power,” he said.

“Maybe. But in the end you’re twice the level as Feyrair. If anything poses a challenge to you, he would likely be useless next to you. A liability to protect. The others could at least support you otherwise. We’ve lost days coming here. I simply won’t believe that you’re slower than me as a wind mage and nearly twice my level,” she said.

“The journey we have found ourselves on, one you only recently have come to share, is not merely one of warfare, resources, and destruction,” he said.

Ilea waited for more but it was all he shared.

The Journey to stop the Taleen? To change the Elves? To overthrow the Oracles and the domains? Or what exactly?

“You seek to know more and I’m sure, in time, you will learn,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “You sound like a monk. A spiritual journey then, one where brute force is not the key.”

He smirked ever so slightly. “I am grateful for your presence here.”

“Hey, I’m here for my own reasons. It’s not like I wouldn’t have jumped at the chance of destroying a Praetorian factory even before meeting any elves or learning about your little conflict,” she said.

The elf remained silent, glancing at her crude map of the continent.

Ilea made sure not to have specific landmarks on the thing, not quite sure about sharing Hallowfort’s location with this group. The hopefully soon to be alliance between the town and Ravenhall was difficult enough. Bringing elves into the mix would cause issues.

Elfie she trusted, but Isalthar, she could only guess at his intentions.

Not that she wouldn’t try to find out. “Do you think there could be peace between our species?”

“Can there be peace between those who think themselves wolves, and those they deem rabbits?” Isalthar asked in turn.

“I don’t see why not. If there are enough economic incentives, and a few bears to keep them both in check,” she said with a grin.

“Perhaps one day, young bear cub, when the young have forgotten that rabbits are prey to wolves. When humans have forgotten the death we have caused in our ignorance,” said Isalthar.

Ilea smiled. “Well, it’s not like we don’t have enough wars among our own. I assume it’s not quite the opposite between the various domains.”

“You would be right in your assumption. And while we have a unifying cause in the Taleen, it only furthers our stagnation and division,” he said.

Chapter 578 Expansion Pack (Pre order now for exclusive skins)

Chapter 578 Expansion Pack (Pre order now for exclusive skins)

“No, it’s not your skills being more effective. I told you, I can disable my resistances,” Ilea said, rolling her eyes at the smirking elf.

“Oh of course,” Feyrair said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Next thing you tell me, you can absorb mana from my spells.”

Ilea’s left eye twitched. “Another bout?”

“Oh? No I don’t think that’s necessary. I wouldn’t want to hurt you too badly,” he said.

Ben caught up to her and touched her shoulder. “He has a way to turn around any situation. Do not let it get to you.”

If only my Mental Resistance would profit from his shit, she thought with a smile.

The few bouts they did have, she had to admit weren’t quite as one sided as their first. Well in the end they turned out the same but each time, the elf could hold his ground a little longer. His first defeat let him get over his aggressive pride, now staying on the defensive all the time. At one point he even tried to flee, just for a chance to recover. Downright blasphemous really.

How dare he do what I would.

It wouldn’t have been a problem if he didn’t heal as fast as he did. He wasn’t quite as insane as Ilea but coupled with his high defense and growing ash resistance, it was definitely annoying.

The parallels to her own fighting style weren’t lost on her either. If anything it was more annoying.

At least they were getting close to the northern dungeon. Ilea hoped Elfie’s group hadn’t somehow fucked up and destroyed or disconnected the gate. Well in that case I can just leave them all behind.

The thought soothed her and the journey would soon end, allowing her to punch dwarven machines.

She checked through the few messages from her training when they finally arrived.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Another five levels, she thought and entered the dungeon.

The group of elves followed her as she led them through the corridors and into the Centurion facility.

“Always a sight,” Feyrair said when they flew out into the large open space between the many layers of the manufacturing plant. “We should collapse it all,” the elf added, summoning flames around him.

“No,” Ilea said. “There are people who could learn from this structure. Plus a friend is still around.”

“Smith,” Seithir spoke, smiling gently.

“Yeah, smith,” Ilea said.

“We are not here for Centurions,” Farthorn said.

Ilea glanced at him as they floated downwards. “The special variants are quite impressive. I doubt your young would have no difficulty against them.”

“But the Hunters here are sufficient to fulfill that task,” Asay said, smiling at her.

“They are,” Ilea replied, the group landing at the bottom of the facility. Singed steel and dents showed where the battles had taken place, shrapnel and piles of burnt steel littering the area.

She followed her mark into one the corridors, the group coming into a large hall where four elves circled a single remaining Centurion.

Feyrair vanished instantly, tackling the special variant with white flames bursting forth.

The thing was destroyed in seconds, Elfie and his group retreating as the new elf basked in the Centurion explosion.

Ilea watched the elf as he turned towards her, brushing off the soot as he grinned.

Trying to impress me? she thought, rolling her eyes at the display.

Asay snickered to himself as he glanced at her. “You’re not actually interested in him, are you?”

She wondered. “Hey, at least we share a hobby. I’m not looking for a serious relationship anyway.”

“In that case there is no need to mock you into reconsideration,” Asay said, floating past to greet the group of new elves.

Farthorn floated past, his eyes on Ilea.

“Still think I lured you into a trap?” she asked, getting an amused hiss in reply.

“Perhaps I misjudged you, human. Time will tell,” he said.

Elfie made his mask vanish before he bowed in midair. “Niivalyr Olanis, I am honored to meet you.”

“As am I, Cerithil Hunter. It is always good to welcome more into our fight. I am Isalthar, brought here by our human ally. We have much to discuss,” he said.

“Val Akuun,” Neiphato said, bowing deeply.

Ilea felt some discomfort in a few of the elves but Isalthar didn’t seem to mind.

“Where is the gate?” Feyrair asked as he joined them again.

Ilea sat next to the small camp fire, enjoying the warmth and smell of burning wood. Asay and Ben had joined her, the rest discussing the layout of the Centurion facility and everything Elfie’s group knew about their target.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the specifics, focusing on the many marks in her mind. “What does Val Akuun mean?” she asked after a while.

Ben hissed, gesturing her to be quiet.

“He is afraid, to call him what he is,” Asay said with a smirk, his sharp teeth showing as his mouth opened slightly. “Why? Is it not a title of the greatest honor?”

“There is no honor in murder, only necessity,” Ben said.

“Who did he kill?” Ilea asked, addressing Asay.

“Who would instill such fear in elves such as us?” Asay asked.

Oracles? Ilea thought.

“He killed a lady elf?” she asked.

Asay smiled. “That is how the story goes. I have yet to hear him claim its truth himself, and yet he does not refute the title. One that speaks of the greatest deceit, of cursed wickedness, and yet to others an honor, a call to freedom from domains and whims of ancient Oracles.”

“What is it to you?” she asked him.

He remained silent for a moment. “A testament of great loss to life and magic. The hope it may instill in some is not lost on me however. A balance I have yet to settle, on one side or the other,” Asay spoke.

“And yet you’re here, cursed and hunted,” Ilea said.

“Their restrictions are something I can do without, neither can I deny their bright brilliance of magic itself,” he spoke, his eyes glazing over lightly as he smiled.

“Overwhelming power, wielded by those blind for change and the very protection of their children,” Ben hissed.

Asay raised his hands. “Why should those who stand above, concern themselves with matters of their lessers? Is it not enough a gift for them to bring us life?”

Ben just hissed again and murmured something in his elven dialect.

“So your domains are just governed by the most powerful Oracles and males?” Ilea asked.

“Not quite. Oracles hardly ever concern themselves with… let us say, practical questions. Their whims and wishes are often confusing to those who cannot understand their ways. The rulers… in a sense that you, a human, would perhaps comprehend, are those we call Monarchs. The one most powerful in each domain. They too follow the word of the Oracles but as their concerns are rarely overlapping, each rule in their own way.

“For were it not for the sanctuary of the Places of Creation, any elf that dares defy them, would’ve long met their end,” Asay said.

“Dungeons, right?” Ilea asked. “Why the rule against disturbing them?”

“Dungeons, yes. It has to do with mana density but more so with the birth of creatures you call monsters,” Asay spoke. “You may deem them pests but Oracles, and not few males of our kind, think differently on these sacred caverns,” he said and gestured around himself.

“So they don’t kill monsters?” Ilea asked. Could just lure some high level beast into their domains, she thought, liking the idea.

Asay laughed. “No, of course they do. Sacred thoughts are often bent or forgotten when one’s own is threatened, would you not agree?”

“How very human of you,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Human, Dwarf, Elf, Orc, Mava, Druned, and even Vampires… relishing is the freeing thought that we are all prone to hypocrisy. Is it not?” he asked and laughed delightfully.

“Creatures themselves are not deemed sacred once they leave a dungeon,” Ben chimed in.

Asay waved him off. “And yet it makes little sense. Is it not the life that is deemed sacred?”

“Life can flourish without endangering our young. I wouldn’t care if the Taleen machines just dwelled in their forgotten ruins and facilities,” Ben replied.

“And yet they do not,” Asay said with a slight shrug.

“What can you tell me about the other races you mentioned? I’ve only ever met a dwarf, you guys, and a few other species but none of those you mentioned,” Ilea said. She had met a Vampire but that guy wasn’t exactly up for a conversation.

“I have little interest in these matters, more so in what they can create,” Asay said.

“They generally live in territories farther west and north of even the domains,” Ben said. “Your history has little regard for them, likely due to the barriers presented by our kind and the north itself.”

“Enlighten me then, the others are still discussing who should enter first,” she said and rolled her eyes. “Start with the domains.”

Ben smiled. “Very well. The Navali forest stretches east past the Karthian gulf, a small part only of the ancient green. Most of the forest is to the west. The closest domain to Karth is probably that of the Deep. Elves who dwell in the depths of the ocean. I haven’t heard of any participating in the war, neither attacking Taleen, humans, or other Elves. But it’s generally advised not to enter the sea, even close to Karth,” he said.

“Water elves? Do they have gills?” Ilea asked and gestured. “And little lights growing from their foreheads?”

“I haven’t met any. Perhaps that’s how they look,” Ben said.

Just adds more fuckery to the ocean. Haven’t seen any near my house at least, Ilea thought. Then again it’s quite far from Karth.

“The Elves you are likely most familiar with come from the Wastes of Ash, the domain of fire. The name aptly describes their territory bordering the north facing Naraza mountain chain far west of Karth and any human settlement. They’re a society of fighters, and generally the main combatants fighting Taleen armies,” he explained.

“The ones who came into the plains?” Ilea asked.

“Not solely, no. But most you fought are likely from the Wastes, yes,” Ben said. “The wastes border the northernmost part of the Navali forest. West of the forest lay the mountains of Vannok. Where both the Sky and Dark domains can be found. Neither are known to interfere more than necessary with the groups around them. But if you manage to draw their ire, you won’t be able to find a place remote enough to hide.”

“Sky and Dark. Very original,” Ilea commented.

Ben didn’t seem to mind. “The Singing Castle, Verleyna, flies far above the Vannok mountains. The Elves of its domain often winged. Anything that enters their territory without reason or permission is hunted down without mercy. The mountains below and their endless caverns belong to the Dark. I believe there is some truce between those two domains, otherwise there would have to be an open war.”

“What dwells in the darkness is no concern to those who fly above,” Asay said.

“Maybe,” Ben replied. “It’s hard to say how far the Taleen have reached but I wouldn’t be surprised if the caverns are littered with destroyed machines. It’s a high risk to venture into these territories, even for a group like us.”

“Should the domain of Dark fall, would spell the beginning of the end,” Asay supplied.

Ben hissed. “I wouldn’t go that far. And no domain has fallen in thousands of years.”

“It is merely a simple calculation,” Asay said. “Once the scales tip in favor of the unrelenting, little will remain in their way.” He giggled at the thought, his hands moving to represent the scales.

“Is your magic derived from the domains you’re from?” Ilea asked. “Which would mean Ben, you’re from an Ice domain and Feyrair is from the Wastes?”

“Mostly,” he replied. “But while we’re born with certain magic and strong affinities, we too have the capability to evolve and change. Asay here is a good example. Pure arcane is not often seen in elves. His status as an exile wouldn’t be a surprise to many.”

“Restrictions,” Asay said and smirked.

“North of Vannok and west of the Wastes lies the Still Valley, domain of frost and ice. I was born there,” Ben said.

Ilea waited for him to elaborate but he just moved on to the next. Difficult topic?

“Lastly, there is the domain of Light, in the desert south of the Vannok mountains and the Navali forest. They mostly remain in their desert, the harsh conditions dissuading any enemies that would try and seek them out, not that anybody would succeed without their consent,” he explained.

Ilea nodded, taking a few notes in her notebook as she processed the new information. “Bunch of hermits in different climates. Gotcha.”

“Humans may not be quite as prevalent in the east if we weren’t so concerned with ourselves,” Ben said.

“And yet here we are,” Ilea said with a bright smile.

Asay smirked. “You would do well not to underestimate those you study so dearly,” he said and smiled towards Ben. “Though the monarchs may believe the species of this world live and die at their whims, the balance is not quite as stark. Magic flows through all of us.”

Ilea smiled at him. The elves may have four marks in their ranks but if she could reach her power in just a few years, she wondered what kind of monsters slumbered in the human lands, unconcerned with wars and monsters until a real threat forces them to action.

“Do you think there are hidden human actors who could oppose the domains?” she asked outright. “The orders and rulers I have met would hardly be enough to stop even the group that gathered here.”

Asay smirked, purple light flashing in his eyes. “I do wonder,” he said.

“You tease,” Ilea said with a smile. “What about the other species?”

Ben crossed his arms and continued. “Dwarfs in the northern mountains, mostly the Naraza chain but their dwellings are below ground, many of their cities likely never to be found by an outsider. Orcs dwell in the west, far from even the Frozen Wastelands north of the Still Valley. I have never met one but they are said to be warrior tribes, often raiding each other and occasionally those bordering their territories.

“The Cursed Marsh separates the orc lands in the far west and the lands of the Druned and Mava. I know little of those creatures and their origin, few elves are interested in their kind,” Ben said.

“The western part of the Sava desert is not claimed by the domain of Light,” Asay said. “The Mava originate from the dunes and sands. It is unknown to me who came before, us or the Mava. There are animals in the eastern forest that resemble their kind, however I have met few in my time. What were they called, fluffy, red, tailed, and four legged beasts with pointy snouts. They do resemble wolves in a way but seem far more delicate.”

“Foxes?” Ilea asked, immediately thinking of Catelyn. Is she one of them?

“Perhaps. But they are larger and masters of magic. If only our kind would not have left such horrible impressions,” Asay mused. “Perhaps I could have studied with their kind.”

“What about the Druned?” Ilea asked.

“Hmm… peculiar creatures. They are golems of stone and rock, building for the Mava, perhaps protected by them, though the intricacies of their cooperation was never shared with me,” Asay said. It was obvious that he was much more interested in the Mava.

“They’re west of the light domain desert?” Ilea asked. No wonder humans don’t know about them. Well did I even ask? Maybe Dagon has heard of all these species.

Ilea doubted it however. Even the north was deemed a chaotic territory, the species living there unknown to her until she went herself. If someone had to travel through Elven territory, Elves who very much disliked anybody traveling through their domains, it would make exploration quite challenging. Let alone coming back with that information.

“What about the Vampires?” she asked. Sparkly or bloody? With elves being the bloody ones, maybe they would go towards the other direction.

Ben hissed at the mention and Asay snickered.

“You see, human. The Still Valley has long had animosity with the Courts of the far north,” Asay said.

“Another endless war?” Ilea asked.

“There would be one, perhaps, though a victor would likely be decided within a decade or two. It is good for both the Still Valley and the Courts, that there exists a territory between them so hostile, it may be more unpleasant even than these wretched lands we have found ourselves in,” Asay said.

“The Cursed Marsh you mentioned?” Ilea asked.

“Also unpleasant, but no. The Frozen Wastelands. A buffer that may have saved more lives than it has taken, though that is debatable,” Asay explained. “I shall not speak of the Marsh.”

“Neither will I, nor of the Wastelands,” Ben said, his mood souring once more.

So very old, and yet so sensitive. I guess if you had centuries to fuel your hate and animosity, it’s that much more intense. Or they’re just being Elves.

Whole lot of new stuff. And as far as I understand, that’s still all on this continent, she thought, finishing the rough sketch of the various landmarks and territories they had talked about. “How does that look?”

“Barely passable,” Ben said.

“Atrocious. You should study painting for a few decades before you dare create another such abomination,” Asay spoke, physically reeling back.

“I’m human mate, we don’t have centuries to hone a craft like that,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“You do,” Ben said. “Not most, but You do.”

“Yeah but right now I’m more interested in my magic,” Ilea said.

Asay leaned closer again, putting a hand on her notebook to cover the map. “As am I,” he said with a wide smile. “Your arcane aura is fascinating. Would you indulge me in a direct application?”

“Sure, I don’t mind hitting you in the face a few times,” Ilea said.

Chapter 579 Molten Steel

Chapter 579 Molten Steel

Asay was delighted with her direct application, despite the heavy damage to his face and body. He healed quite easily, the mana intrusion seemingly not having a massive effect on him either.

He IS the second highest leveled elf present. And not much lower than me. Definitely much older and more experienced, Ilea thought, eating a salad. A salad with bacon, eggs, and croutons.

As old as Asay likely was, she simply didn’t see him as a fighter. He was interested in magic and likely leveled his Classes to the extent that was necessary for the purpose of research. The spells that sometimes floated around him felt downright intrinsic to her. Not magic summoned to fulfill a purpose but part of his very essence.

Feyrair handily beat Seviir and Heranuur in a bout against each to win the privilege of entering the Praetorian dungeon first. An entirely unnecessary waste of time but one all three of them had insisted on. None of the others had an issue with it, not even Ben speaking out.

Ilea deemed it another Elven thing. Or maybe just an Elven male thing.

She knew that if Isalthar or Asay had wished for the honor to be first, nobody would have argued. But neither of them seemed particularly interested.

“Won’t we stand on the platform together anyway?” Ilea whispered to Ben.

He leaned over. “Yes. It’s about who can take the first step once we’re through.”

“Ah. That makes perfect sense,” she said, her voice laden with sarcasm.

“Are you questioning the superior species?” Ben asked in his royal voice.

“I wouldn’t dare, sire,” Ilea said and bowed deeply.

“Wretched plebeians. Go and work thine fields,” he whispered.

“The mocking humor of the powerless,” Feyrair said as he stepped over, a triumphant smile on his face.

Ilea cocked her head to the side. “You know, I’m not an elf but maybe I want to claim the first step for myself.”

“Too late,” Feyrair said.

“I could challenge that too, or we could just duel until one of us dies,” she suggested with an innocent expression.

“I wouldn’t stoop so low as to fight a human of all things,” Feyrair said. “Surely you wouldn’t want to be humiliated,” he said and snickered, trying to hold back a laugh.

“Best stop now, dear, or I’ll color these bleak walls with your Elven entrails,” she said with a perfect smile.

“Preparations are complete,” Isalthar said. “We go through as one.”

Elven death ball, here we go, Ilea thought and stood up, stretching a little after the long pause.

“Finally,” she said.

“Agreed,” Feyrair added.

Heranuur gave the two an odd glance, the group now walking towards the indicated teleportation platform.

It remained active, despite a lack of gate key. “I thought you needed a key?” Ilea asked.

“Not always. Especially not when it’s a trap,” Ben said. “Let’s hope our enemy underestimates us, if they are indeed inviting us.”

“Do you know who they are? Taleen survivors? Some kind of machine brain? Or both at the same time?” Ilea asked.

“No,” Isalthar answered her. “And yet their actions would suggest control and not chaos.”

Yeah, otherwise they would just be a bunch of disconnected ruins throughout the lands, Ilea thought. Which is pretty much how humans view the Taleen and their creations.

She entertained the thought of a Taleen soul imparted into each machine but dismissed it. Seithir and other soul mages would’ve found out about that. And the machines would surely seek more individual actions.

The one without form, was it? she thought, remembering the journal entry Elfie had translated. The elf now stood next to her on the platform, his face hidden by the usual mask.

“Thank you,” he whispered to her. “Once more you did not disappoint.”

“Of course I didn’t,” Ilea said, hitting his shoulder with a light punch.

She felt the platform activate and disabled her space magic resistance to allow for an easier transmission.

White light and energy flowed around them before their surroundings shifted.

Ilea kept an eye on the space, seeing the wisps converge before they slowly flowed out again, the group now occupying another part of the fabric.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izta dungeon’

Ilea looked around at the dull green light in the ancient hall. The place looked boring and rectangular, just like most of the Taleen dungeons she’s been to before.

The Huntress marks had shifted quite a bit, suggesting a position somewhere south even of Ravenhall. Isanna desert maybe?

The distance was difficult to gauge but if anything, Ilea was annoyed about all the travel time they had wasted going north and now south again. If we are in the desert, then at least we avoided digging into the sand. Now that would have been a bloody nightmare. How did the taleen even get down here?

She dismissed the thought, assuming they could just as well be beyond the desert or even in some kind of mountain. There would be plenty of rocky terrain in the area anyway.

“Far,” Seithir spoke.

“It is quite an expansive facility,” Elfie said, looking at the floating soul mage with interest.

“The platform has yet to be disabled,” Asay commented, staring at the ground. “Fascinating devices… truly an enemy worth their legend.”

“We have yet to be discovered,” Isalthar spoke as the group walked off the teleportation gate, Feyrair first of course.

“So what’s the plan, boss Hunter?” Ilea asked, glancing at the floating elf.

“The plan is to destroy the enemy machines, and to disable their facility,” he said.

“And you needed an hour to discuss that?” Ilea asked, rolling her eyes. “Do you plan to stay together?”

“Smaller groups are usually more effective,” Feyrair said. “Which is why I will fight alone.”

“I forgot your were Elves. Same for me then, best experience that way,” she said and cracked her knuckles.

“Seithir?” Isalthar said.

The soul mage had remained on the platform, magic emanating from him. “Ready,” he said, a wave of power flaring out.

Ilea felt something in her very essence, magic clinging to her core. She felt like she could remove it if she wanted to but decided not to resist.

“We meet back here after every half hour. I shall protect the gate and Seithir,” Isalthar spoke. “If you find yourself overwhelmed, tug on the spell clasping at your essence. I will be there.”

Now if that isn’t reassuring, Ilea thought with a wide smile, glancing over to Feyrair.

“Normal versions give one point, special ones reward five,” he said, white flame bursting from his scale armor.

“Are you sure you two didn’t have the same father?” Elfie asked, motioning to his group.

“He’s all hissing,” she said and winked at them before she vanished.

Ilea didn’t much care in what teams the others worked. She had traveled for so long, it was getting seriously boring.

Pen and notebook in hand, she blinked through a few corridors and started sketching a new map. Shit artistic talent, fuck you man.

Her sphere allowed for detailed perception as she blinked and displaced herself through the facility, adding a few strokes with each use of the spells. She hummed a tune to herself, enjoying the relative quiet after so much talking. The constant hum of power, hissing steam, and turning gears was something she could easily tune out by now, the sounds a part of every Taleen dungeon.

Half a minute was enough for her to realize the sheer size of the facility. Izta, meaning we’re one removed from Iz?

She appeared inside of an expansive hall, so large it resembled a cavern more than anything else. Hundreds of machines and forges littered the ground for nearly a kilometer, interlinked and very much active. Fires and magical lights flickered and blinked, lending life to the otherwise dark hall. Various eyes already settled on her, the first to react the distant archers clinging to the high reaching walls.

The light was dim but her eyes didn’t miss a thing.

That’s a lot of fucking Praetorians. And the archers must be the Hunters, she thought, looking at three of them as they took aim with arcane powered greatbows. Blue energy burst from their hands as their arrows formed.

I did learn a thing or two since last time, she thought, heat already charging within her as she cracked her neck, a smile on her face.

A dozen scythe and mace Praetorians slowly stepped out from the maze of delicate machinery, their green eyes shimmering in the darkness.

Alright, let’s see how effective I’ve become, she thought and blinked into the complex sea of steel. That all looks very intricate. Would be a shame if some crazed healer decided to go on a rampage.

Arcane arrows homed in on her from the distant Hunters. This time Displacement did its job, the powerful spells appearing next to the close by Praetorians and machinery, exploding on impact with strong waves of expanding energy.

How do you like that? she thought, the power washing over her armored and burning form.

She chose one of the machines at random, her spells punching into it as she blinked through their attacks, moving past the scythes as she displaced projectiles right into their production line.

A mark was set on the first Praetorian, its menacing eyes staring at her as it moved its mace. So very slowly.

Ilea felt its spell manifest, the space around her constricted as the weapon advanced. Two arrows came at her, displaced right into the shielded machine in front of her. She blinked up, ignoring the simple set of its restrictions, hearing the mace collide with stone. Another arrow came and this one she let pass.

Energy flowed through her, not quite comparable with the northern lightning, but perhaps inspired by it. Her armor took a light hit, Ilea already back at her Praetorian. She was like an all seeing fly, teleporting past the massive machines that got in each others’ way, constantly bombarded by the arcane spells she displaced or simply brought between herself and the many enemies.

Each punch slammed into the powerful shields, destructive healing flowing into them. Each second added more ash to her surroundings, the flame of creation burning away at both their shields and steel.

Her precognition, sphere, and teleports allowed her to remain amidst the war machines, her high resilience hardly ever finding use as she dodged and weaved through the sea of knives and maces. Nothing could interrupt her, nothing could pin her down. The first Praetorian showed dents in its chest, ashen limbs tearing through the thick metal. Her fist slammed into its eye, the glass breaking before the light flickered out.

She smiled when the Praetorian turned and ran towards the tunnel she had come from, its core already heating up. Oh no you won’t, Ilea thought with a smirk, failing to grasp the massive being with Displacement. Instead she set the destination above the delicate machinery and group of beings, blinking right in front of the fleeing creature.

It ignored her as she continued to add destructive mana to its demise. Somehow it must have prioritized the protection of the facility and other machines to the destruction of its enemy. But in the end it didn’t matter.

Ilea displaced the two incoming arrows into the ground below her, her arm outstretched towards the damaged and running creature. The second part of her gate formed, swallowing the unstable war machine.

She turned with a smile, Phaseshift activating as more arrows slammed into her, refueling her with mana as they burned away her health.

The damaged Praetorian fell out of her third tier Displacement gate, back to where it had started and unable to get away.

Ilea spread her arms as the beings scrambled, her eyes focused on the glowing light of the core explosion. She laughed as the wave of energy spread through the facility, destroying everything in its path. Even some of the fleeing beings were caught within, unable to retreat past the walls of the cavern. Their shields flickered in green light as the energy moved over them.

Ilea rejoiced as the energy flowed through her, eating at her health and recharging a large portion of her mana. Her third tier healing made her instantly recover as she returned to normal space. “Ah, if that isn’t one massive design flaw,” she said with a wide grin, looking at the few Praetorians that hadn’t been able to avoid the blast. You’re next.

The facility was in flames, a massive chunk of the small tech city already destroyed from a single core explosion. But Ilea wouldn’t leave until each and every thing in this hall was reduced to scraps.

She was in their midst again a moment later, her next target already marked, its shields barely half reformed. Flare of Creation burned away the rest, her ashen limbs and fists slamming into the machine as she landed on its chest. The dull sounds of ash covered fists slamming into metal resounded as the flames crackled in the background.

Scythes of green steel failed to penetrate her armor, scratching past and cutting into other machines instead.

Ilea blinked to avoid an arcane arrow, waiting until three of them were homing in on her. She displaced them all next to her mark, turning them to face the creature. The blue explosions of light and energy rushed through the vicinity, shrapnel and brittle stone flying past as she already worked on the next one.

She grinned when the core of her first mark started glowing lightly, this machine not fleeing but running towards her as the rest of the Praetorians retreated.

Ilea followed one of them, cackling as she swirled past the homing arrows, arcane energy searing her burning ash as they rushed past her flying form. “Come back here!” she shouted, appearing in front of the fleeing giant. Her spells crashed into it, her sphere telling her that the unstable machine had already caught up.

“Enjoy this one,” she said, feeling a powerful arcane arrow burn into her back as Phaseshift activated.

A scythe moved through her without impact, the Praetorian trying to protect its unshielded body against its scrambling half destroyed brother.

Ilea watched with joyful glee as the energies exploded, the first machine bursting into shrapnel and molten steel as the second one was brought to the same state, its core exploding just a second later.

Her health dipped below half for a moment, arcane arrows still hitting her phased form, a part of the energy burning into her. But all it did was fuel her mana, health returned near instantly with her powerful reconstruction.

Phaseshift deactivated, the massive hall now half covered in flames and molten steel, its previous luster gone entirely. Just another battlefield of the Taleen. The machines that had once slaughtered through her expedition, had terrified her to the core, were now falling one by one. To her hands, ash, and fire. And the self destruction that had once been the only thing that could’ve stopped her.

But it wasn’t quite enough. Not anymore. Her eyes shined blue, the flames around her a harsh contrast against the near black ash that covered her. Three down, she thought and glanced at the distant archers, the machines unperturbed by the massive display of destruction. Their time would come soon enough, and she felt they knew it too. Area spells were now raining down on her, arcane explosions digging into the many large machines and the ground below.

Ilea’s fire and ash were blasted away time and time again, her armor whittled away before she vanished once again, her defenses reforming behind the shields of the machines. Once again, their numbers worked against them.

She rushed towards a Hunter when the heat within her could no longer be contained. Her arm reached out as the being formed a rain of spells that cut deep into her ash. Health went into her auras before the heat released, a flare of white flame and blue light visible where her ash had been stripped away.

The fiery blast of energy burned through the creature’s shield, blue near transparent light flickered as the wall behind it melted. The shields cracked as it fell, the machine unable to hold onto the molten rock.

Ilea followed with a manic grin.

[Hunter Praetorian – lvl ???]

Seven fifty, she surmised, Veteran informing her about the enemy. I’ve killed many in your league, and you will fall like they did.

The machine landed, its arrow releasing just before.

Ilea blinked through the projectile, landing on its chest as her attacks burned into its remaining shield. Her burning ash spread over it as her fists and limbs slammed downward.

Machines rushed towards them from all around, arcane arrows crashing into the nearby walls and ground, displaced by her will.

A sphere of arcane energy exploded outward, barely moving her as a layer of her ash was stripped away, her innards resisting most of the damage as she healed and continued her assault.

One tough motherfucker, she thought when the shield finally shattered. The steel below was the same as that of any Praetorian, her limbs shredding into it with relative ease. Ash screeched against steel as her fists dented in the plating. She noted that the Hunter’s wasn’t quite as thick as that of the normal variants, each impact bending steel.

A direct hit of a mace made her reel back before she blinked and focused back on the damaged machine, now retreating into the horde of Praetorians. Oh really?

She moved her wings and followed, teleporting past projectiles, scythes, and maces, twirling past the mass of beings until she once again clung to her mark. “You won’t get away,” she murmured, ashen limbs digging into the plating. Heart of Cinder released into it from her arm held right in front of an opened slit.

Its core cracked, a burst of bright blue light shooting out before it shattered.

Ilea felt the power wash over her, concentrated arcane energy released from the machine’s core in an instant. The sphere rushed out, burning away shields and steel as it pushed away the Praetorians. Ilea was sent flying, wings and ash burned away in an instant as her bloodied body slapped against the burning ground.

She rolled onto wobbly legs, holding up a shaking arm to displace the arcane arrows as her muscle and skin reformed. Ash covered her in the next moment, her wings spreading out as she watched the damaged war machines find their bearings, her eyes already focused on the next mark.

Chapter 580 Mapping

Chapter 580 Mapping

At least seven of the machines had lost their shields from the arcane blast, singed and damaged from the impact.

Ilea didn’t wait a second, close to them and spreading fiery ash before they could recover. Ash cut through steel, mana invaded each and every one of them, the enemy fueled by their own spells.

A cascade of explosions soon followed as she dealt with each Praetorian in turn. She blinked away from the spreading energies and displaced an arcane arrow in the last moment. A few normal variants were left, in case she needed the shields for her own protection.

The second Hunter had clung to the opposite wall, their range and speed impressive but not enough to compete with Ilea’s double teleportation and wings.

She reached the retreating creature a few moments later, displacing arrows as they came, their power not enough anymore to resist her high level Displacement. Burning ash flared out, covering the creature and clinging to its powerful shields.

Heart of Cinder wasn’t charged enough, Ilea instead relying on her fists and ashen limbs. The arrows coming at her from the second archer were quite welcome, fueling her with mana that she instantly channeled into her offensive spells. The arrows were more effective against ash they had already targeted but with her quickly reforming armor, it didn’t pose a major problem.

Each punch and use of Storm of Cinders pushed against the straining shield, its close range attacks dodged or simply ignored.

Ilea kept an eye on the remaining four normal variants, their long range attacks painfully slow and ineffective, especially at the range they were using them at.

It took her several hundred attacks to shatter the Hunter’s shields, any effort to keep her off, she dodged or healed. This time she used a slower approach, whittling away at the creature as she kept an eye on its core. When it cracked and light spread out, she was already gone, teleporting twice before she twirled in the air to see the massive blue sphere expanding outwards. It left a dent in the cavern wall and added to the smell of heated steel and fire in the air.

One remaining, she thought and looked at the moving archer, aiming at her once more.

She decided to deal with the normal versions first, her defense enough to ignore one Hunter’s attacks. The level six hundred Praetorians didn’t stand a chance. All they had was their shields and strong plating, each quickly worked through by the unrelenting Sentinel, her constant attacks fueled by her high mana regeneration and the barrage of arcane spells coming from the Hunter.

She let the last explosion move over her, the energies ripping away half her ash and damaging her skin. Ilea watched the shrapnel and molten pieces of Taleen steel as her body healed once again. I won’t go down, no matter how many arrows you shoot at me, she thought and watched the next one blink into existence close to her, shrouded in a hiding spell after leaving its overly large bow.

The projectile exploded in a bright flash of blue energy, so large that a part of it rushed past the small form of Ilea, burning away at her wings and the ground close by. Her armor resisted the direct hit, a large part of the energy flowing through however, damaging her muscles and organs below.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

“Would you look at that?” Ilea said as her wings moved, taking her upwards. She floated towards the creature, each arrow and barrage punching into her with incredible force. But she didn’t stop. “You weren’t entirely useless after all,” she added, using her teleportation spells to catch the now retreating machine.

They were made for ranged combat, thus trying to keep the distance.

Ilea herself was quite the opposite. She was made to stand close to her enemies. Appearing next to its head, she kicked three times, delivering Destruction and Cinders into its shield. An arcane sphere formed that she simply ignored, the damage not substantial enough to push her away, weaker even than what the Astral Spirits could conjure up. Or perhaps she had gotten stronger since facing them.

Ilea punched six times into its shield, blinking behind it when its arcane covered arms rushed out at her. Another five punches and a plethora of limb attacks worked away at its defenses, her mana slowly overwhelming its powerful shield. Ash formed in a cone ahead, set alight with the flame of creation before it clung to the flailing Praetorian, the creature now jumping off from the wall to get some distance between them.

Ilea kept pace, her wings letting her maneuver around the jumping creature as she continued her constant barrage of attacks.

She watched its shield shatter when she landed, pushing off the ground to deliver an uppercut to its massive head, her limbs cutting into the steel carapace near its neck while the burning ash closed in from all around.

Another sphere of arcane energy flared out, Ilea barely noticing with her increasing Valkyrie bonuses and lack of other incoming spells. Heart of Cinder released in a sphere, stunning the massive being but failing to cause significant damage. She blinked to its chest and slammed her fist inside, finally breaking through the layer of steel before she ripped out what she could.

Her ashen limbs followed, digging into the breach and tearing inwards, cutting through whatever machinery kept the creature working. The core cracked a moment later, exploding as Ilea landed on the ground.

She held up an arm, the blast tearing away the armor covering her front, ripping away flesh to expose muscle and bone in certain parts. Her left eye was gone but already reformed, blood dripping to the ground as new skin formed on her body.

You’d need a core grenade launcher to even remotely stand a chance, she thought, looking at the remaining shrapnel. The hall had turned from a production facility to nothing but burning scraps.

She sighed, her ash slowly covering her body once again.

It felt good, to know that Praetorians were nothing to her anymore, just another creature she had moved past, able to take on an entire group without much trouble.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 600]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hunter Praetorian – lvl 751]

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 462 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 457 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 408 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Ilea smiled at the lack of Veteran levels. That would have been worth ten of them half a year ago, she thought, seeing two more exits in the hall, other than to the one she had come from.

How long did I fight? she wondered. Fifteen minutes maybe? Or was it less?

However long it was, she assumed she had a little more time on her hands, choosing one of the exits at random where she continued her sketching. She occasionally twirled in the corridor, the smile on her face not easily wiped away. She hoped there were many more battles to come.

The lights above flickered sometimes as Ilea reached the end of the corridor. She coughed, realizing that the air had gotten much worse than in the large hall before. Her oxygen repository and general resilience would however surely prevent any danger.

That would be something. Dying from some toxic cloud down in a dungeon.

She came into a rough looking cavern, this one not cut in a rectangular way but quite natural. The purpose of this cave revealed itself to her immediately. It was a mine with a massive central hole, reaching far into the dark depths of the land, even her eyes unable to see to the bottom of the vast tunnel. She watched the thousands of Guardians work, their blades cutting into stone. Localized explosions occasionally flared up in the distance, punching through especially hard stone or perhaps metals they didn’t need.

Complex systems of mechanical elevators brought up the collected ore, most of it reflecting the dull light in a shimmering green. A few Praetorians guarded the uppermost levels of the structure, their green eyes focused down into the depths, none of them taking note of her.

Did they not hear the explosions from before? Well I suppose they would’ve come already if they noticed or cared in any way.

A howl came up from the depths, making her try and find the source immediately.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of an ancient being – You resist its effects’

No shit.

She glanced up again, two Hunter Praetorians rushing out from a large tunnel exit on her level, their bows ready before they aimed down into the depths. Their arcane arrows rushed out without ceremony, like flares into the darkness of the ocean. Neither bothered to hide their spells.

Ilea saw something writhe in the dark before another howl resounded, this time from deeper down in the hole. She glanced at the Praetorians, their bows at the ready, neither of them forming another arrow.

Let’s just say that I won’t go down into those depths, she thought and focused her attention back to the Guardians and Praetorians. The Hunters returned through the exit, their job of dissuading whatever lurked in the darkness done. They hadn’t even looked her way.

Taking care of all this would take hours. If only there were some kind of magic users with large area spells nearby, she thought, taking a last look at the expansive mine before she left back to the manufacturing hall she had destroyed.

Some of the fires were still burning when she arrived but no additional machines had shown up. She wondered if whoever was in charge of them was watching. Could they? Or were the machines here acting on some simple set of orders? Maybe they could act independently too to an extent.

The first Praetorians I met even talked, something about the Throne room being breached. None here did anything like that.

She went through the second exit, planning to take a peek before returning to her group. Ilea felt her mark on Elfie in the distance, quite a few kilometers away and much higher up than she was.

Her map grew steadily as she floated through the corridor. She stopped, her sphere unable to penetrate through the walls anymore. Ash formed and moved ahead, enough to trigger any motion or weight based trap.

Green flame suddenly flared up all around, throughout the whole corridor.

Ilea felt the heat but remained floating where she was, the fires washing over her without any visible damage to her armor. Useless, she thought, feeling the familiar curse magic flow through her. The spell hampered her health regeneration somewhat but she knew it wouldn’t last particularly long. A few minutes at most.

She moved ahead, passing the corridor where she found a small room with three more tunnels leading away, including a central platform that served as an elevator leading down.

Ilea quickly sketched down what she had found and decided to take the corridor to the left, which should’ve led her back to their starting point in the dungeon, or somewhere close enough.

She activated a few more traps on the way, nothing quite enough to leave a lasting impression. Especially considering the Hunters she had fought, their power vastly superior.

I hope Feyrair didn’t find an army of machines to fight through. How many did I destroy?

A quick check and calculation brought her to fourteen points from Praetorians and fifteen points for special variants. Twenty nine seemed respectable to her for half an hour, even though she hadn’t fought anything in half that time.

Every aisle here was large enough to accommodate a Taleen Praetorian, untold work going into their creation. A lack of sleeping quarters, kitchens, and armories led Ilea to believe that this place hadn’t been constructed by the dwarfs themselves, but by whomever controlled the machines. For machines didn’t need anything but empty halls to move through.

I don’t think this will lead back, Ilea thought when she came up on another large elevator platform leading down. Time’s up.

She used her teleportation spells to quickly retract her steps, appearing less than a minute later in the gate room where their group had arrived in.

“You have returned early,” Asay said, standing next to Isalthar.

Farthorn sat on a stone bench nearby, looking over a piece of green scrap metal.

“Success?” Seithir asked, a slight smile forming on his lips after the tension in his body had relaxed a little.

“Were you worried?” Ilea asked, smiling at the elf who turned his head away, perhaps a little embarrassed. “Asay, here check out my map,” she said instead, showing the creation to the elf who recoiled and covered his eyes immediately.

Ilea laughed and showed it to Isalthar, giving a quick summary of what she had found and fought.

Elfie and his group arrived soon after, looking battered and injured but still alive. Most of Heranuur’s right arm was missing, the elf looking more than a little annoyed.

“We are back now, let me heal you,” Neiphato said.

Heranuur glanced between the wood mage and Isalthar before he relented with a gesture.

“We have encountered a group of three Praetorians,” Elfie reported, summoning a beautifully painted and detailed map, gesturing to a section clearly showing an elevator leading up. Numbers declared the distance between the start and end, as well as the dimensions of the hall above. He glanced at Ilea and her map, taking a step towards her so that she couldn’t see his creation anymore.

He leaned closer and whispered. “I’m sure you will improve, friend. Do not lose hope.” He clasped her shoulder and nodded to her.

“I’m human. It’s okay to be shit at things,” Ilea said, unsure if he was being sarcastic or not.

“Of course it is,” Elfie said in a reassuring voice, squeezing her shoulder a little tighter before he let go.

Still unsure, Ilea thought, squinting her eyes. The important thing was that she could terrify Asay.

“The hall was otherwise empty, three exits leading away but we thought it unwise to move past the Praetorians without defeating them. One we could bring down, the two others will have recovered their shields by now,” Elfie finished.

“Asay and Farthorn have found a group of five Hunter Praetorians in a deeper layer, protecting what looked to be another mine,” Isalthar supplied.

And they escaped. “Did you destroy them?” Ilea asked them.

“No,” Farthorn said and hissed. “But we lost them on the way back.”

Ilea nodded, seeing genuine shame on the Elf’s face. “There’s no shame in retreat,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

Seviir shook his head ever so slightly.

Heranuur openly hissed, Farthorn standing up immediately as void magic manifested around him.

Fire magic flared up around the challenger before a powerful wave of mana emanated from Isalthar, his white eyes glowing a little brighter as he stared at Heranuur.

The elf went down to one knee, his teeth showing as he said a few words in elvish.

“Remember why we are here,” Isalthar said. “Learn from your mistakes and do not repeat them.”

Ilea assumed the comment was directed at the fire elf. Farthorn perhaps simply lacked the raw power to deal with a high level Hunter, even with Asay there to support him. Though she doubted the latter was much of a help, probably just studying their arcane magic while Farthorn struggled to survive.

But survive they did. All of them, Ilea thought, wondering how several teams of Shadows would fare in this dungeon.

Not quite as well, she surmised. Her Sentinels were far from such a challenge too but she hoped they could at least survive and flee, if they ever found themselves deep underground and surrounded by high level monsters.

“Where is Feyrair?” Elfie asked.

“Late,” Seithir replied.

“Niivalyr, resume your fight. The rest, find and support Feyrair in the challenge he deemed important enough to forego our meeting. Let him struggle alone if there is hope for his success,” Isalthar said. “We shall meet again after the same frame of time has passed.”

The elfs confirmed with words or just by getting up.

Farthorn walked to Ilea and glanced at Asay.

“Directions?” Ilea asked, looking at Seithir.

He pointed forward.

“Thanks,” she said and spread her wings, focusing on anything Feyrair with Sentinel Huntress. Each of the elfs had distinct enough magic. She could probably find them all if she really tried. Feyrair however was the easiest, his fires constantly burning, the trace he left behind more a marking of his territory than an accidental magical signature.

Asay giggled when he joined her, glancing between Farthorn and her.

They were off into one of the corridors, Ilea following her Huntress spell as she took in the surrounding impressions.

“You didn’t lie?” Farthorn asked after a while.

“About what?” Ilea asked.

“The Hunters. You truly destroyed them?” he asked.

“Why would I lie about that?” Ilea asked. “I fought them before. Their arrows are hardly comparable to the northern storms. And I have skills to counter their increasing damage to my armor, not that it’s needed at this point. You’d need quite a bit of arcane power to overwhelm me,” she said, winking at Asay who seemed delighted with the comment.

“I couldn’t destroy their shields,” he said in a disappointed voice. “They were moving too quickly.”

“I have ways to catch up with most things,” Ilea said with a smile.

The elf hissed, acknowledging her comment.

“He’s close now,” Asay said.

Ilea glanced at him, not surprised the magic scholar had ways of detecting the dragonling.

Their group flew into a large space littered with destroyed and burning tools, machines, and Taleen. Guardians, Centurions, and Praetorians had been fought here. White flames still clung to a large section of the expansive hall.

In the middle flew an elf, avoiding the continued attacks from a silver bodied Praetorian whose head turned for a split second, taking in the newcomers.

“How does it look?” Ilea asked.

The Praetorian sped up, void lighting up as one of the two massive blades cut Feyrair in half.

“Somewhat troubling,” Asay said. “Perhaps we should intervene.”

Ilea rolled her eyes, blinking closer and displacing the elf’s torso into her arms. Her healing revealed that he wasn’t exactly dying. Neither was his condition perfectly well.

“Found your match?” she asked.

“Hardly,” the elf spat, blood splattering to the ground. “Unhand me, woman. I’m not done,” he said, his red eyes glowing as his legs reformed.

Chapter 581 Incinerate

Chapter 581 Incinerate

“Want to team up? You didn’t come back in time,” she said, still holding him.

Ilea displaced the both of them away from the quickly advancing machine.

The elf hissed, now flying next to her as the Praetorian ran up on magical platforms. “It would be more efficient, for our purpose here,” he hissed through gritted teeth, likely not from physical pain.

An arcane field appeared between them and the Praetorian, the creature stopped by the floating rune like apparition. Its silver body glowed before a blast of void magic tore through the field which shattered in an instant.

“Impressive,” Asay said in an intrigued voice.

“My spells will be mostly useless against this one,” Farthorn admitted, looking at the creature with apprehension in his eyes. “I shall inform Isalthar,” he said and vanished.

Didn’t expect him to back down that quickly, Ilea thought, appreciating the rational thinking.

[Executioner Praetorian – lvl ???]

Ilea displaced herself and Feyrair again to get away. The elf’s legs and armor had reformed by now. “It’s above level eight hundred,” she supplied.

“A worthy challenge,” Feyrair noted. “Be wary, it can recover from damage. I’ve thrown everything I had at it but it wasn’t enough to overwhelm it. And it learns, far faster than a normal version.”

“Let’s try together then,” Ilea said with a smile. “What’s your Void Magic Resistance at?”

“Highest second tier,” the elf said. “Can you hold it off while I rest a little?”

“Of course,” Ilea said and vanished.

She appeared close to the Executioner, her own reflection visible on its silver body. Ilea saw its head turn as it moved, its two green eyes shining bright.

It turned in midair, ignoring the ashen limbs that moved towards its body as it slashed at her with incredible speed, magic vibrating at the tip of its two curved blade arms.

Ilea moved her wings, barely able to get out of range as her ash hit a shimmering purple shield, spreading both fire and cinders. She watched the creature take another step, catching up with her and slashing once again. Her eyes opened wide when her precognition informed her about the incoming damage.

A smile blossomed on her face as she blocked the attack with her arm, the thin silver blade cutting through her armor in an instant, severing flesh and muscle alike before it bit into her bone. And she held, fire spreading onto her enemy as her ashen limbs continued to crash into its barrier.

She felt the void magic tearing at the fabric of her being, her hand extended to stop the second blade coming at her.

The Executioner moved its blade back, instead going for a thrust towards her stomach.

Ilea blinked behind it, her fist hitting once before the machine had turned again, one blade coming at her with a horizontal swipe while the other stabbed at her with precise and quick moves, the silver arm molding into a straight rapier like extension.

She simply let the attacks happen, several of her organs pierced by the blade that managed to punch through her armor. Ilea watched as her white flame shimmered on its shield, slowly burning through the powerful defensive barrier.

When the Executioner aimed for her eye instead, Ilea vanished again. She wasn’t sure if the thing could somehow pierce her brain but she wouldn’t want to find out.

Her wings moved as she circled the floating being, its steps sure and quick as it ran at her. A wave of void magic formed in an instant, precognition the only reason she managed to displace herself in time to avoid the spell. A set of intrusion and ash attacks crashed into the creature before it turned to retaliate.

Ilea had already blinked again but this time she found the being was already turning. Her ash slashed into the shield at the same time as her body was pierced by the thin silver blades, one of them narrowly missing her eye thanks to her movement.

“Be careful!” Feyrair shouted, still recovering from his extended battle with the creature.

“How did-” Ilea replied, teleporting twice to deliver a single blow, retreating a few meters again before she dodged seven quick thrusts. “...you survive this long,” she got out, spreading her flaming ash onto the being, gaps in its dense shield starting to show.

“It only showed up in the end, after I had destroyed the rest,” Feyrair said. “My changed form could resist the damage for longer.”

Are you telling me his armor is stronger than mine? Ilea wondered. She had dealt with the arcane lightning more efficiently. And his fire wasn’t much trouble to her but then again, she had her healing and insane resistances. Had she won their bouts thanks to her intrusion more than anything else? I mean he’s got a dragon related Class. You’d hope he’s resilie-

Her thought was interrupted by the Executioner, the creature closing the distance yet again.

“When can you change again?” she asked, dodging four blows before she traded the next three for a few punches, one of them hitting the steel itself, her magic spreading into it.

Her innards were pierced and slashed apart, her fists crashing against the shield and body of the creature. She teleported away to heal, forced to distance herself further with a second spell when she saw the being advance quickly.

Doesn’t even have wings, she thought, flying around it as they traded blows. The machine certainly learned and adapted quickly but Ilea had enough experience to match it in that department. She started to understand the void blades better as well, knowing now that they didn’t just pierce her ash but force it apart on a minuscule level. Enough to destabilize the integrity of her armor and push the silver blades through.

I need more ash density for this guy, she thought, intrigued by the way it applied its magic. Almost surgical, compared to the other void users she had faced before who seemed more inclined to use a brute force approach.

Ilea raised her hand, stopping the blade going for her eye as her reversed healing poured into it, most of its shield gone by now, unable to reform in the construct consuming flames. At least it knows that I don’t want my head pierced, she thought with a smirk, turning her head to the side to let the blade slam into her skull, stopped by her bone that apparently resisted the void more so than her ash.

___________________________

Feyrair stopped himself from jumping into battle, his changed form still not ready, let alone his mana. He needed more, focusing on the surrounding magic, dense and nearly fluid to his eyes. It rushed into him, filling him with power and purpose. The urge to shred the Executioner apart was great but he needed to focus on control.

It had proved to be too dangerous for him alone to defeat. If they wanted to stand a chance without invoking Isalthar, they had to work together. And he needed to trust the human who had demonstrated her superiority to him many times before.

Exciting really, to know that a human out of all the species he had faced could challenge him. Perhaps Ben had been right all along, and their worth was far beyond what they had thought. He grinned at the thought, more proof that the domains were nothing but arrogant fools, their ancient ways foolish and stagnant. He couldn’t wait for Ilea to reach the heights of Isalthar, or perhaps even that of the Oracles themselves.

Only for him to drop her in their midst. Let them go mad, he thought, laughing out loud.

Asay floated a little farther away, giving him a look as he hissed.

“You should be watching her instead, scholar,” Feyrair said without glancing over.

The mage grinned. “Oh, but I am,” he said. “Her displays of space magic are quite impressive.”

Space magic? Her fast teleportation? Feyrair questioned. He wouldn’t admit a lack of understanding to the old fool. Her ability to teleport even when they touch… that’s what he means.

Ilea moved around the massive being like an insect, her fists and moving ash stinging with powerful blasts of both intrusive mana and physical strength.

He had endured it himself after all. His mana was reaching acceptable levels and his spell was ready once again. “I could join, or wait a little longer!” he shouted to the human.

“It’s fi-” she got out, deflecting another set of attacks as her mana burned into the shieldless machine. “Recover.”

“She doesn’t need our help,” Asay said in a mocking tone.

Feyrair ground his teeth and suppressed a hiss. And how exactly does that not hurt your ego? How can you look so disinterested when she calls for us to show our power?

“I shall meet her challenge, when I’m-” his voice got stuck when he watched Ilea miss the last of a series of feints, her hand pierced and pushed aside when the second blade slammed deep into her eye.

Her body twitched, her left eye losing focus.

Feyrair watched as the Praetorian slashed through her body with its second blade, dozens of thrusts in mere moments, each ripping through the ash that moved to defend the disabled healer. Limbs of ash still crashed into the creature, moving wildly, as if in a panic.

“It is time,” Asay said.

Feyrair didn’t say anything, his form moving forward as he invoked his spell.

Shade of Garonoth.

Magic burned within him, an incredible heat burning both his body and soul, bright flame and magic flaring out as his body was reforged into the image of his ancient patron. Scales expanded and wings broke out of his back, his hands elongating and broadening as massive burning claws spread out.

He felt the magic around him, knew it was his to command. It swirled and condensed, pouring into him like an ocean of heat and fire.

Feyrair roared, white flame rolling out in a broad cone that enveloped both his enemy and friend. A part of him wondered how long the woman could survive in the clasp of the Praetorian. He did not truly believe she could be killed, admitting that a part of his belief came from his inability to do the same.

His wings moved as he moved closer to the floating duo, his fire unrelenting and growing in heat and power, the two beings engulfed in their entirety.

The Praetorian jumped away its blade slipping from the burned skull of Ilea, her body caught by a field of arcane energy.

Feyrair kept his focus on the Executioner, sending beams of seeking fire at the machine, the upper layers of its armor melted and dripping to the ground below. He perceived Ilea right below him, her eye reformed already, her body healed and quickly covered in ash.

“What did I miss?” she asked in a joyous voice, appearing on his back.

“You almost died,” he hissed with a broad and toothy dragon smile. “Had your brain pierced. The way it shredded through your body… I was sure you were already gone.”

“That would’ve been embarrassing. At least we’re even now,” she said.

Even?

“I was not close to dying,” Feyrair insisted, sending more spells at the creature, its body repairing itself, silver metal flowing into place again.

“Neither was I,” Ilea said. “Now stop the banter and let’s kill that thing,” she said, her voice tinged with ice he had not heard from her before.

Indeed. Let us hunt, together.

__________________________________

Ilea held on to the fast moving dragonling, her gaze on the Executioner. Feyrair roared below her, his fire extending in a cone, following the fast moving machine.

She still charged her Heart of Cinder, prepared to use it at any point in time. Flare of Creation burned on her, neither her nor the elf bothered much by their respective spells.

The Executioner rushed past, cutting into Feyrair’s wing, leaving a bloodied gash that slowly knitted itself together.

Ilea managed to send a few doses of her spells into it as she pushed her healing into Feyrair, the gash already gone. “I think you can be a little more reckless,” she said with a grin. “I have your back.”

Feyrair turned quickly, Ilea’s wings pushing to keep her on his back. His cone of flame caught the Executioner as it rushed past, one of his claws clashing with the silver blade, neither relenting before they disengaged.

The creature jumped back, trying to cut away the flaming ash with void. Somewhat successfully to her dismay.

“How long can you hold this form?” she asked, sure they could whittle down the creature if they had enough time.

“Not long enough,” Feyrair said before he roared again, a beam of concentrated flame and heat slamming into the machine, pushing it back as it formed a purple shield to stop the spell.

Ilea grinned and crouched low on the dragon’s back. “Get it to the ground,” she said. “And be ready to hold on, no matter what. I’ll protect you.”

Feyrair rushed down with a mad dash, his wings soaring in the hall before his claws dug into the ground, missing the dodging creature.

“Again,” Ilea said and watched its movements. She waited as it rushed past Feyrair’s side, leaving a bleeding gash in its wake. The wound had healed before they finished the turn.

The dragonling rushed towards the machine, his massive clawed hands lashing out in horizontal strikes.

Ilea finished her spell right when the Executioner dashed back, its form vanishing in warped space before it appeared right below the dragon’s claws.

He didn’t waste the opportunity, clamping down on the machine with all the massive strength and magic he had at his disposal. The ground cracked and shattered as he pushed the silver form down into the floor.

Ilea appeared in front of his massive jaws, blocking the precise strikes coming for his mouth and eyes with her body, bones, and ash. The dark mist of her element spread onto Feyrair, healing him as she floated slightly to the side, gripping the blades with all the strength she could muster, keeping them within her chest and arm.

The Executioner pushed against the dragon’s hold but found itself outmatched in weight and strength.

“Incinerate,” Ilea said, her eyes gleaming with joy when the dragon jaws above her shoulder roared, the heat burning away her ash and singeing her cheek, right before her vision turned white.

For what felt like minutes, the stream of flame did not subside, the ground around them blackened and scorched.

When the heat stopped and Feyrair roared, Ilea aimed her hand at the remains of the Executioner, a half molten torso sitting in a pool of boiling silver metal. Half her health went into her auras as her spell released, the stored heat flaring out in a single beam of condensed magic.

It ripped away the damaged steel, burning through the clawed arms still holding down the Executioner’s remains. Revealed in the midst of the pool lay a sphere the side of her head. Ilea displaced the thing into the air above, feeling the powerful mana circling within.

She started charging Absolute Destruction, her health recovered as she felt the sphere pull at the boiling silver in the crater below.

Asay floated closer, a layer of arcane energy forming with a set of runes to cover up the crater.

“Do you have another one of those in you?” she asked the dragonling.

He huffed. “I will pour in all that I am.”

She felt the mana around her move, perhaps absorbed by Feyrair himself. The silver started floating up, pushing against the shimmering blue energies that held them at bay. “How long can you hold?”

Asay hissed, both his arms extended now. “This is nothing.”

“I need another twenty seconds,” she said. “Feyrair, get ready to burn both me and the sphere. And get the hell out of here once it cracks. Both of you.”

She let her spell charge and finally displaced the sphere in front of herself. Her auras surged as she watched the glint of purple energy that surrounded the Executioner’s core.

Her ash came down with dozens of strikes, burning into the dense shielding as the runes flared up in purple light. She slammed her fist into the core with all the strength she could muster, her fully charged Destruction spreading into it with sizzling blue light and energy.

All the shields were stripped away and the dragonling roared from above.

White flame came down in a wave of heat as Ilea stepped back, barely seeing the floating sphere inside the bright magical fire.

She could see it wither away before it cracked.

Time stood still as the surrounding mana surged. Ilea watched the flames come down, slowed by her perception. She raised her hand and looked at Asay, displacing the elf away as far as she could. Walls of ash formed in front of her and Feyrair, her skill unable to transport his massive form. She stood in front of him, her wings forming a defensive barrier to shield at least a part of him.

The air stilled when a hand gently touched her shoulder, warm energy flowing out from it. Turning right, she found herself looking at two white eyes and the face of a familiar elf. Isalthar allowed himself a slight smile before he held up his right hand and turned his head to face the sphere.

Void magic surged out as everything was swallowed, the stone below instantly vanished as the sphere of void expanded outward.

Isalthar floated without a concern, the air around them changing in the blink of an eye. Ilea watched a tempest summoned right in front of her, the rushing air shining with magic as it clashed with the expanding sphere of void. A roar of magic and a display of arcane pinnacles that reminded her of Elemental strikes. She found she couldn’t breathe but it didn’t matter.

Chapter 582 Entanglement

Chapter 582 Entanglement

Ilea stood as the storm subsided. Pouting as she glanced at the ancient elven mage. “You interrupted,” she said and winked.

The shade of a smile returned to his face as he turned to face them. “You have fought well. Perhaps I had the want to show my power.”

Bullshit, Ilea thought, raising her eyebrows at him. Thought we couldn’t survive this one. But now we will never know!

She checked the messages, not exactly expecting much from the fight.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 800]’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived and prevailed in battle against a level 800 foe despite brain death and continued damage to your body – One Core skill point awarded’

Let’s not get dramatic okay? I was barely in danger there, she thought and crossed her arms with an annoyed expression behind her ash.

The lack of levels made sense to her based on the group setting. And still it seemed harsh after that battle. New enemies, especially that dangerous, usually rewarded at least a level. It was three hundred levels higher than me, she thought, checking if Deviant had the option to be advanced.

- Deviant of Humanity

You have proven without a doubt that you are the exception. One of few to have faced creatures of the likes you have killed in droves. Your name is a myth to many, feared or revered in the lands of humanity.

Hmm… two points available. Could also go for something else.

Ilea decided to keep her points for now, not seeing the reason to have another intimidation bonus when she already had little problems pissing off creatures far above her level. With fellow humans, the aura was plenty already, let alone skills like Monster Hunter or just her ash alone.

She noted that Feyrair had also not leveled since the fight had started. No wonder he wants to be alone when he fights these machines.

“Well done,” she said to the elf who had finally returned to his normal form, lying down on the floor as he caressed his temples.

“You two fought well together,” Asay said as he landed. “Thank you for the help, though it turned out unneeded,” he added, gesturing to Isalthar.

He would’ve at least gotten more range out of his own teleport with the initial displacement. Ilea hadn’t really expected Isalthar to intervene, let alone as effectively as he did.

“Advance with caution,” he said, looking at the splatters of silver left behind. “Creatures like these are rare and placed only in facilities of high importance.”

The elf turned and vanished.

Ilea watched the line in the spacial fabric, curious to see that he could teleport past the hall’s entrance.

“Hey Fey, I know a place where you could show off your fire,” Ilea said.

He glanced at her, still on the floor. “Please let me rest for a few minutes.”

“You can rest on the way. Want me to carry you?” Ilea asked.

The elf hissed and flew up. “Very well.”

“Asay?” Ilea asked, turning to the elf who was examining one of the remaining blobs of silver.

“I shall rejoin Farthorn, to continue our exploration,” he said. “However I must thank the two of you, for that wondrous display of arcane spectacle,” he added with an elegant bow.

Ilea smiled, waving at him. “We can pause longer if you need it, I was just kidding.”

The elf waved her off. “No, you’re right. There’s plenty of time on the way. I just usually prefer to start any battle with my spells ready and resources topped off.”

“Reasonable, but you have me. Worst case, we run the fuck away. I doubt even another Executioner could catch us. And then we can still call for the Avatar,” she said.

“Avatar?” Feyrair asked.

“Hmm… you’re right that doesn’t make any sense. He can only control wind. Isalthar I mean,” she said.

“I see. You make peculiar remarks. Perhaps it’s just your human nature,” he said.

Ilea twirled to face him in mid air. “Said the hissing carnivore.”

He looked at her and smiled. “I suppose our species would have its peculiarities when viewed with human eyes.”

“It’s your teeth mostly,” Ilea said.

Feyrair smiled, showing the aforementioned.

Ilea smiled and led the elf to the facility she had destroyed. “How many points did you get by the way?” she asked as the elf looked around the far larger hall she had fought in, a dozen small craters showing where the cores had gone off.

“I was stuck with the Executioner,” he said with a hiss.

Oh but I thought it appeared just before we arrived, Ilea thought but decided not to push him further. She knew his defeats had affected him. If anything, she respected the more stereotypical elf for having the discipline not to lash out. The only reason someone like Seviir or Heranuur didn’t do so more frequently were the beatings they received in turn.

Feyrair at least put up a fight and even if he lost, no damage would last for more than half a minute.

“Do you think we could take Isalthar if we worked together?” Ilea asked, thinking back on the powerful display of magic.

“No,” the elf said. “Not yet. He is far more powerful than what little he shows. You should treat him like a force of nature. But I suppose he wouldn’t truly fight us anyway.”

“How did he become as powerful as he is now? If he’s not even up for a bout,” Ilea asked. “Or are higher ranked elves just born that way?”

Feyrair’s hair color changed from orange to a deep red. “Isalthar’s past is his own to share. We are not born into such power. None but the Oracles. You know the risks of reaching such heights, the battles and bloodshed needed. You humans are far more concerned with political power and wealth, but even you should already know the attention personal strength can bring. Little of it beneficial. Now replace every political move, every form of blackmail, or assassination plot you love so much with direct and open duels.”

“Sounds like a lot of capable people dying,” Ilea said.

Feyrair grinned. “Every elf to reach his level has killed their own. You may question our ways, as I question yours, but know that no elf has reached their standing without the necessary skill and power to back it up.”

“I judge them individually anyway,” Ilea said, glancing at him.

A people forged by constant strive. In a world where killing rewards power.

“Why did you become a Cerithil Hunter?” she added. “Or did you accidentally stumble into a dungeon.”

The elf slowed down, glancing at her. “Why do you care?”

Ilea shrugged. “We fought together, defeated an Executioner even. Why wouldn’t I be interested?”

He looked at her, the suspicion obvious in his eyes. “Very well. I thought our ways stagnant and meaningless. Fighting I always enjoyed but Isalthar gave me purpose where there was none before. I gained no pleasure killing other Elves and the most dangerous creatures lurk in the places of creation. What better enemy is there to fight than the very one who has kept us occupied without perspectives for millennia?”

“You think the Elves would change if the Taleen weren’t here?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Who knows? I’m not knowledgeable on the various Houses and their dealings, nor do I know the monarchs on a personal level, or understand the plans of the Oracles. But I know that far fewer of our young would die as early as they are right now. It may bring change, for the better or the worse.”

“Wouldn’t they just find something else to fight and die to?” she asked.

“Humans you mean? Possibly, yes. But even now they could not take your cities. Not the larger ones in the east that is. And no established elf would have an interest in venturing into human lands. It’s so terribly drab and your cities are noisy and stuffed,” he said.

“I thought you liked eating us?” Ilea asked.

“You do taste good. But there are many other creatures… ones that make for a better hunt,” he said and grinned.

She nodded. “I see. So if I proof the strength of humanity, you’d come and hunt us down.”

“I’ve grown more interested in your kind, thanks to you. So perhaps you’re right,” Feyrair said. “But contrary to Ben, I’m not interested in culture. Only the taste of your magic, your blood, and the terror when you know there is no hope.”

“Now you sound like some battle crazed vampire,” Ilea said.

Feyrair scoffed. “They are far too concerned about appearances. If only more of them would be obsessed with battle, perhaps I’d try to meet them again.”

“You fought them before?” Ilea asked.

“Oh yes, though only on a few occasions. Neither of our kind normally travels far beyond our domains. But my position as a Cerithil Hunter has provided ample opportunity to do so,” he explained.

“Using the Taleen network?” Ilea asked.

“Precisely. Their technology wasn’t the only thing impressive about those dwarfs. The reach they had on this continent was second to none, or none whose marks remain,” he said.

Ilea smiled. If the taking of the sun changed environments, maybe it was easier to set up back then. I’d think some areas can only be reached using the remaining gates. For normal people that is.

They reached the mine a moment later, Ilea gesturing down into the massive gaping hole. “Want to set fire to everything? There are two Hunter Praetorians nearby too. You can have one,” she said and winked.

“How very generous of you. And why should I waste my precious magic on these lowly Guardians?” he asked in a mocking tone.

“Ehm, because you want to set things on fire?” she asked.

“Oh, you know me so well,” he said and floated out into the cavern, white flames dancing around him.

“Go get them, pyromancer,” Ilea said and turned to the nearest Praetorian. “I’ll deal with these guys in the meantime.”

She ignored the heat and spreading flames to her right, appearing close to the first of four Praetorians. Her attacks crashed into its shields a moment later, their counterattacks and spells barely even noticeable compared to the Executioner she had just faced.

Ilea flew back when the first of them detonated, glancing over to the pit. All she saw was a fast moving elf, swaths of white flame spreading in a downward spiral as Guardians lit up and fell.

She focused on the rest, quickly stripping them of their shields before she shredded one after the other with her ash and fists, the last two exploding quickly after one another. Ilea stood amidst the slowly spreading energies, joined by Feyrair.

He casually landed next to her, the spreading spheres of magic tugging on his scale armor but other than his hissing, she couldn’t detect a visible reaction.

“I see you’re already done,” he commented. “I would’ve hoped you’d let me join at least for a little while.”

“They’re just the wardens. Let’s see if I can attract the actual threat,” Ilea replied and charged monster hunter.

She cupped her hands in front of her mouth and imitated Feyrair’s dragonroar.

He looked at her with a confused expression before he hissed.

Ilea just laughed. “I can slowly copy people’s abilities. Soon I’ll have your dragon form figured out.”

The elf looked horrified for a second, his eyes squinting a moment later. “You lie.”

“Can elves not lie?” she asked.

“There is no reason for deceit when power triumphs all,” he said.

“I feel you, but it’s just a stupid thing to say. What if someone manages to manipulate a monarch to hunt you down? And that person might not be stronger than you,” she suggested.

“There is no glory in such an action. No elf would try something like that,” he said.

“You underestimate your kind,” Ilea said with a smile. “Sapient creatures are willing to go far beyond their natural disposition, education, and principles if their survival depends on it, or if they’re fueled by hatred or necessity. Did you not defy the Oracles yourself? The very authority of your kind?”

“But there is glory in defying the powerful,” he said.

“That’s what you think. Maybe someone else might justify deceit with the goal they’re trying to achieve. Say the death of an Oracle. They could not do so directly but if the goal is reached through deceit, manipulation, or a trap, would the ends not justify the means?” she asked.

“A very human way to look at things,” he said. “There are always those who defy normalcy, just like you stand here right now, fighting Taleen side by side with an elf. I would not be unreasonable to assume there are those of our kind who would apply the means you speak of, yet I’d still deem it rare.”

Ilea nodded, looking at the two quickly approaching Hunter Praetorians. “That makes sense, I suppose. Just be aware of it, before you get fucked over by a fellow elf. I take the left one.”

He hissed, turning into his dragon form with a surge of magic and heat.

Ilea smiled, her auras flaring up before she vanished, blinking towards her target in the hopes of destroying it before the elf managed to finish his.

She heard a roar from behind but ignored it for now. The Hunter tried to get some distance between them as soon as it realized the situation, the corridor rather large to allow both of them to run side by side.

Ilea didn’t mind, easily catching up with her double teleportation and wings. Her first punch landed when the whole corridor suddenly exploded in fire.

She turned and spread her arms. “Really?” her voice was lost in the continuous torrent of flame, arcane arrows flying past her small form and towards the source of the fires.

The two Hunters had no way to escape in the tight space, Feyrair catching up with his powerful wings as he kept his breath attack up. Ilea was sure she saw the dragonling smile with his toothy and monstrous jaws.

“You fuck,” she murmured and rolled her eyes, following the three massive beings before she set her displacement gate. They all vanished and appeared behind her, now facing the mine.

Might as well move them towards the things they were meant to destroy, she thought. And hopefully a surprise for Feyfey.

She smirked as she charged Heart of Cinder, strolling through the still heated corridor as she followed the rampaging beast and arcane machines. Their shields were already gone, Feyrair’s breath definitely not easily ignored, if he actually managed to hit anything with it.

He followed one of the archers into the large cavern, Ilea speeding up and appearing next to the other. Heart of Cinder released as her ashen limbs started cutting into the thin protective layer of metal.

The two explosions resounded nearly at the same time, Ilea appearing outside the range of the blast whereas Feyrair regrew the massive scales and wing taken by the arcane surge.

A roar resounded from below, closer now than before. Ilea glanced towards the sound, seeing nothing in the darkness. Instead she felt a presence, something trying to invade her mind.

Fuck off, she sent towards the mind magic beast, using Monster Hunter to roar back. The attack didn’t stop however, only increasing in intensity. She felt a complex spell manifest within her mind, fear, pressure, and madness itself. It was a subtle change but easily noticed with her extensive experience in the matter.

“How’s your mental resistance?” she asked, glancing at the dragonling. “There’s something down there invading my mind.”

“In this form? I’m rather resistant. Though I do feel a pressure. Shall we go into the dark, together?” he asked, moving his massive wings to join her.

“Can you see it?” Ilea asked. “I saw a glimpse of a creature before and would rather avoid getting close.”

He roared. “How unexpected. I cannot see the creature.”

Ilea landed next to his head and pointed. “I can feel its mind somewhere around there,” she said, the pressure increasing, an urge to go and fight the thing surging up within her.

“We should get closer,” Feyrair said.

“Can’t you shoot fire from here?” Ilea asked. “You know what, you’re right. Let’s go down there.”

Feyrair flew into the dark, joined by Ilea. The remnants of white flame burned on the walls around them.

Ilea didn’t feel the presence anymore, just a pull. Something that called her, to fight, and to show her power.

They reached the darkness, white flames burning on Feyrair’s Elven form and Ilea’s ashen one. Everything was quiet, the light of their fires illuminating only what lay right before them.

Slithering tentacles with serrated teeth writhed, spreading out and welcoming them in their wonderful embrace. Ilea felt happy, and content. She didn’t remember why she had wanted to fight something as beautiful as this.

Teeth sunk into her ash, set alight by the fires. She didn’t understand why the ashen limbs coming out her back were cutting into the loving creature.

The creature screeched and retreated, flames clinging to its body as Ilea’s head started to pound. She felt the mind magic now, could push it aside like she had done so many times before. That was a close one, she thought with a smile and slapped Feyrair, his dazed look not exactly becoming on him.

She felt more magic slowly seep into her mind but with her flames and ash, she now knew she could resist. “Let’s nuke this place from orbit,” she said to the confused elf and pulled him up towards the top of the mine.

Chapter 583 Discoveries

Chapter 583 Discoveries

Ilea watched as Feyrair sent guided flames into the darkness, her healing pushing hard to keep their minds from giving in.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

She glanced over at the elf, his eyes glazing over slightly before an ashen limb pierced deep into his eye. He winced before glaring at her.

“A simple punch would be enough,” he hissed.

“Have to be sure, otherwise you might just be doing its bidding,” Ilea said, smiling as he continued his attacks with renewed vigor. “Good way to gain Mental Resistance too if you ask me.”

He just continued to hiss.

She would’ve shared a snickers if she had any in her storage. But alas, this wasn’t Earth.

“I don’t think we’ll get that one from up here,” Feyrair said. “It fled the moment it realized we weren’t quite that easy to kill.”

Ilea smiled. “Yeah, but now we can train our resistances. That’s all that really matters.”

“Resistances are all that matters?” he asked with a confused expression.

“Well yes and no. You see, young elf, if you fight stronger enemies, you need better resistances, stronger enemies will give you even higher resistances which then will allow you to fight even more ridiculous enemies. It’s really quite simple.”

He nodded alone. “Perhaps I haven’t focused on it as much as I should have. It goes against all that I am to let something attack me without retaliation,” he said and hissed.

“Well then you should channel your inner human. Think about the long term options… battling Oracles, Elementals, downright cosmic beings! It will be spectacular. And all that for the simple price of knowing your limits and taking advantage of stupid ass creatures that keep throwing their magic at you,” she said and tapped her temple.

Feyrair considered it for a moment, his flames still firing into the darkness below. “I cannot find a logical reason to deny it. But it just doesn’t feel right.”

Ilea shrugged. “I can only show you the way,” she said and smirked.

The two continued their training until the creature stopped its attempts, the mind vanishing into the depths below.

Ilea thought about pursuit but deemed it too risky. It had shown the capability to overwhelm even her ridiculously high defenses. If there were more of them down there, she wasn’t sure they could come out in one piece. Her Veteran had informed her the creature was around level seven hundred.

Contrary to the Veramath she had fought before, its attack was much weaker but about a thousand times more nuanced. It didn’t even try to take them out with mind magic alone, only leading them close enough to let it attack.

“We should warn the others and then continue with the facility,” she said.

“You do not want to hunt down that being?” he asked.

Ilea shook her head. “It’s at the level of a Hunter. And something tells me we’ll have a harder time finding that thing down there than finding more Taleen.”

“Reasonable,” he said, hissing as he stared at the darkness.

“Come on, not worth your time,” she said and pulled him with a few ashen limbs.

He growled but joined her in the end, the two mapping out another part of the dungeon. Nothing quite as interesting as the Executioner or the mines presented itself in the next few delves into the unknown, the two reporting back to Isalthar in regular intervals.

“Recover,” Seithir said after a few soul magic spells had tore at her essence.

Ilea nodded, letting Feyrair’s fire burn through her skin and muscle, her resistances disabled to allow for more efficient training.

“Such a barbaric notion,” Asay said when him and Farthorn arrived at their small camp site near the teleportation gate.

Ilea didn’t have the vocal cords to reply.

“It’s quite fascinating actually. She is growing more resilient against my damage… but I agree, to let someone do this is… disagreeable,” Feyrair said, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“You gain strength by fighting and killing enemies, not by letting yourself be degraded like this,” Farthorn said.

Ilea was really glad she didn’t have an elf’s pride to wrestle with. How often would she have died? It was a wonder really that any of them were still around. Less of a wonder maybe if one considers their high level start.

She had to smile at the thought of level one Elves being ripped apart by wolves, too proud to retreat or work together with others.

“We found another gate room,” Farthorn said, turning to Isalthar.

Elfie and his group returned too, battered and beaten, their eyes averted. Except for Niivalyr himself, a grin on his face as he added his curses to the mix.

Ilea glared at him and reactivated her Heat resistance, healing her body before she talked. “I don’t need your curses. The resistance isn’t leveling.”

“It builds character,” Elfie said with a sweet smile, the teeth barely detracting from his almost human expression. “I can at least work on my magic.”

She rolled her eyes and deactivated her resistances again, her skin melting again quickly.

Seviir hissed and walked away, joined by Heranuur who glanced at Isalthar in passing.

“Active gates?” Isalthar asked.

“Yes. We refrained from teleportation so far. How should we proceed?” Farthorn asked.

“The facility takes precedence. Asay, we will examine the gates while the rest continues their exploration,” Isalthar said.

Ilea burned while the elves updated their maps, copying each others’ discoveries. She would do so later, Feyrair the only one who didn’t actively give a fuck about her lacking skill in art. He still teased her about it of course but the less verbal judgment she received from the others somehow hit harder.

She checked the few notifications she had received when they were about to continue.

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 11’

“Ready?” Feyrair asked, standing casually near the exit.

“We don’t HAVE to work together, you know?” Ilea said and smiled.

“I find your company comforting. Especially knowing the mind magic creature still lurking deep below,” he said with a shrug.

“Can’t do resistance training but you will admit fear of a creature,” Ilea said.

He hissed, rolling his eyes as he gestured for her to follow. “As I said before, I see the reason in your arguments. But I can’t change hundreds of years of my way of living in the blink of an eye.”

“Fair enough. I suppose it’s admirable that you’re open for suggestions at all,” she said.

He flew towards one of the corridors Ilea knew to hold an elevator. “How could I not? Seeing a fledgling human coming so close to my strength.”

“I haven’t at all surpassed you, just about eighty levels,” she said.

Feyrair just waved her off. “You’re not a dragon at least.”

“Neither are you,” she said and laughed when he swiped a burning claw at her.

The two entered the elevator, Ilea pouring mana into the enchantment she deemed the right one. A few runes started to glow on the simple stone platform before they started descending.

Feyrair stood with arms crossed and eyes averted, tapping his arm with a clawed finger as the stone walls rushed past.

Ilea glanced at him a few times, smiling to herself in satisfaction. I can’t allow this one to EVER surpass me again, she thought when the lift suddenly ground to a rather abrupt halt.

“What’s going on?” the elf asked.

“Just a trap,” Ilea said when about four hundred arrows shot out from tiny slits in the walls around them.

They looked at each other as the steel tipped projectiles clanged against their armor, falling to the ground without penetrating their defenses.

Ilea rolled her eyes and shrugged when green fire erupted in the confined space. “I really don’t know why they like traps that much.”

“They’re made to wear invaders down,” Feyrair supplied, brushing away a bit of dust from his scale armor.

“Are there any creatures capable of fighting Praetorians that can’t regenerate?” Ilea asked.

“You’d be surprised. Though even if they can, it would still slow them down. Not us of course,” he replied.

“I mean I can see that, yes,” Ilea said, pushing mana into the elevator platform again when the flames had subsided. The lift continued as it had before.

“Did you stumble upon the Taleen on accident?” Feyrair asked when they arrived at the bottom.

“I was asked to help with a dungeon exploration. Humans think them quite dangerous, what with all the traps and powerful machines,” she explained. “Gained a shit ton of levels though so I’m glad I went there. Despite the rather tumultuous end to that expedition.”

“What happened?” Feyrair asked, the two of them now walking through the dimly lit corridors deep below the previous layer.

“Went into the throne room and found two Praetorians. I was barely level two hundred if I remember correctly. And most of the other humans were below even that. We didn’t stand a chance,” she said.

He hissed. “Praetorians are dangerous machines to young Elves too. They know not to engage.”

“Let me guess, they do so anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. Their only solace is that higher level Taleen machines usually don’t remain out in the wilderness or the domains for long,” he said.

“Why’s that?” Ilea asked. “Taken out by higher level Elves?”

“Hardly. Perhaps in the Wastes, but generally speaking, the powerful do not concern themselves with such matters. Though their fits and whims know little reason and predictability,” he said.

Ilea looked his way, the two of them exploring a storage hall with a few Guardians roaming around.

Feyrair halved one of the machines with a rather thin beam of heated flame before he elaborated. “Their cores can hold a lot of energy, as you’ve certainly experienced. But they aren’t beings of life, of mana itself. We think they can’t generate energy themselves but absorb it.”

“Which means a high mana density?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Such as in dungeons. Which is why their production facilities are usually deep below ground or in areas of chaotic circumstances,” Feyrair explained.

“I mean, the Taleen were dwarfs. Don’t they like being underground anyway?” she said.

“I suppose they do,” Feyrair said and looked at a dull green ingot, melting the whole pile with his fire. “But all we find of their kind are skeletons.”

“Enough to account for a whole people?” Ilea asked. “I’ve barely found any in the cities I explored.”

“With their teleportation network, it would’ve been simple to relocate or escape. And yet it’s unusual, that much is true,” he said.

They cleared out the rest of the hall before they came up on a massive enchanted double gate made entirely of steel.

Ilea used her mana intrusion to disable the defenses before Feyrair started melting the steel with his insane fire magic. “You think they still live somewhere? In a city as far away from here as possible? Disconnected entirely?”

“A possibility. And yet their machines are still hunting our kind. It seems confusing to me that they would leave the battlefield when the war isn’t over,” he said.

“Why? Build a bunch of machines and let them fight your enemies while you relax and enjoy life in a secluded town far away from everything. Sounds exactly like what plenty of human leaders would do if they had the choice,” she said and chuckled.

He just hissed and shook his head.

“In this case I agree with you,” Ilea said, watching the gate slowly melt away.

Revealed behind was a brightly lit space with dozens of large machines situated around a central platform where a half constructed Taleen being stood, its armor shimmering in crystalline silver. It was smaller than an Executioner and had two cannon like extensions added to its arms instead of blades.

Its eyes started glowing a bright green, the half finished head facing them as a few pulses of mana exuded from its mostly exposed core.

“Wait,” Ilea said, touching Feyrair as he raised his arm to form a spell. “This one isn’t ready to fight.”

“Does it matter?” he asked. “It looks like an unknown Praetorian version.”

[Pursuer Praetorian – lvl 100]

Both of them shut up when a voice suddenly spoke out from the machine. Mechanical and slightly distorted. “Key warden. Why do you interfere in my purpose?”

Ilea looked at Feyrair and back to the machine. “Who me?” she asked.

“Human. You stand next to our enemy. Do not let them deceive you.” it spoke and aimed one of its arms at Feyrair. Before it could do anything else, a bright beam of fire burned into its silver form.

Its green eyes flickered out and a whatever energy had remained in its core expanded outward in a small arcane blast.

Feyrair looked at the smoldering steel with a confused look in his eyes. “Key warden?”

“Hmm,” Ilea mused with a smile. “I might have an idea what that was about.”

“What are you hiding?” he asked with a smirk and a teasing voice.

“It’s just an artifact I found a long while ago. In a Taleen treasury,” she said and walked around the room, examining the various projects that looked like prototypes of sorts.

Feyrair did the same. “Will you tell Isalthar?” eh asked after a while, holding a silver ingot in his hand.

“I’ll keep the thing for now, but I don’t mind telling him about what happened here. What about you?” she asked.

He looked at the remains of the Pursuer. “That artifact could help us find out more. As does the knowledge that there are Praetorians that can communicate like that.”

“What do you mean? I’ve heard some talk before,” Ilea said.

“Talk, but not communicate,” Feyrair said. “It asked you a question.”

“That’s true. You think that was the Pursuer itself or something connecting to it?” she asked.

He just shrugged. “I have no idea. But I know that bringing you along was the right choice. Not that there was any doubt to begin with,” he said and grinned.

“Not from you,” Ilea said. “Should we take all this stuff to the others?”

“Why? We likely won’t be able to infer much from these devices. We are Hunters, survivors, and warriors. Not engineers or makers,” he said.

“Then don’t mind if I do,” Ilea said and took a random crate, piling everything in the room into it.

“Do you have this key on you right now?” Feyrair asked.

“It’s stored,” Ilea said.

“Which means that machine could detect it within your storage item,” he surmised.

Ilea glanced at him. “I suppose that’s true.”

“That shouldn’t be possible,” Feyrair murmured.

She just started snickering.

“What’s so funny?” he asked and hissed.

“Oh no, I just think it’s amusing that Feyrair, the well established and powerful space and storage mage declares something related to his well studied field as impossible,” she said with a bright smile.

He just glared at her. “Okay. I admit that I might not be the most knowledgeable in the field. But can you say you know more?”

“I can at least see space,” Ilea said, tapping her temple. “But I know some people who might be able to tell us how such a feat is possible.”

“Isalthar will know,” Feyrair said.

“Nah, he won’t. Except if he’s a space mage, which I doubt,” Ilea said. “And it’s beside the point. It could somehow detect the item. Now we know. Plus, it didn’t exactly seem hostile. If anything it thought me an ally because of it.”

“You’re right. And no machines have shown up since then,” Feyrair said.

Key warden, Ilea mused. “It also knew that you were the enemy.”

“Well I am Elvish,” Feyrair said.

“I’m interested in the reaction it would’ve had if you held the key,” Ilea said.

“I’m more interested in what the key does in the first place,” Feyrair said.

“Yeah. I’m sure we’ll find out eventually. Though I’m pretty fucking sure there is more than one,” she said.

“Should we report back? I’ll let you talk to Isalthar,” he said.

“What if I withhold information?” Ilea asked.

He shrugged. “I’ll talk to you if I think it’s necessary to share. But if you think reporting anything here would put you in danger, I won’t force you to do so.”

“Aw, to think you care so much about what I think of you,” Ilea teased.

“I think highly of you, Ilea. However in this case it’s a more practical concern. You if nobody else could escape even Isalthar. I won’t risk your trust for a shortsighted gain. But know that if it comes down to it, I will side with the Val Akuun,” Feyrair said.

“Thanks for being honest,” Ilea said. “But I doubt there will be any hostilities. Not if he’s as reasonable as he’s presented himself so far.”

The elf just looked at her but didn’t say a word.

“He isn’t?” Ilea asked, raising her brows.

Feyrair hissed. “He is.”

“But?” she insisted.

“The title of Val Akuun is not attained by someone who seeks peace and harmony. If that is what you think he is. I believe that who he was then is not who he is now but I’m not known to be the greatest judge of character,” Feyrair said.

Ilea smiled. “I’m aware of his power. And he is aware of mine.”

He stared into her eyes and grinned, his teeth showing. “You are a fascinating woman.” The elf took a few steps towards her, his hand brushing against her armored cheek. “So very ferocious. Unyielding, and powerful.”

Ilea didn’t resist, the armor on her head receding as she watched his scales move aside, a glint of magic in his crimson eyes as his hair flowed in various shades of red.

“Ben was right about humans,” he said and kissed her.

Chapter 584 Gates

Chapter 584 Gates

Ilea gently pushed him away, healing the slight scratches from his sharp teeth. She smiled as fire burst from his body, the elf jumping her in the next moment.

She used her body weight to catch and twirl him around, smashing him down on his back before she went down with him, holding his burning arms as she grinned.

“Now, what will I d-” her eyes widened when she felt one of her marks vanish.

Assistance, the thought burned bright in her mind, a formal request tinged with fury and pain.

“What is it?” Feyrair asked.

“Elfie. He’s in danger. We’ll continue this later. Try to keep up,” she said and vanished, her teleportation and wings pushing her through the tight corridors with increasing speed.

She burst out of the elevator shaft, hitting the ceiling before she bound down the corridor, Elfie’s location still visible in her mind, the magic fading very slowly.

Ilea reached a few dead ends before she finally appeared in the right place. A large hall in the upper parts of the facility. Burning machines littered the ground, a single Hunter Praetorian hanging from the opposite wall. The dim light barely managed to illuminate the place.

An arcane arrow crashed into a glowing white shield, etched runes visible on the cracking defense. It shattered when the magic exploded, destructive energy flowing into the two Elves standing behind.

Ilea appeared in front of them, her ash spreading out as she held up a hand towards the Hunter. Her sphere would make sure none of the arrows would hit her allies anymore. She detected movement to the right, seeing another Hunter near the ceiling.

Elfie stood with a hand to his throat, a large gash showing where something had ripped out his jugular. Behind him knelt Neiphato, his body half burnt and slowly recovering, his shaking hand touching Niivalyr’s back as he pushed healing into him.

“It’s alright, I’m here now,” Ilea said, her arcane healing taking over.

Neiphato slumped to the ground, unconscious when he hit the bed of ash, his wounds healing as he twitched slightly.

“What happened?” Ilea asked, taking care of the nasty wound on Elfie’s throat.

He coughed, trying to form a barrier when the next set of arrows slashed into Ilea’s ash, burning away her defense that quickly started to reform.

Elfie ground his teeth, blood dripping form his mouth as he glared at her with grief and anger in his eyes. “They left,” he said.

“They?” Ilea looked around, unable to find any Elven bodies.

“Seviir. Heranuur,” he supplied. “I don’t know what has poisoned their minds but they attacked us in the midst of battle, right before our planned retreat from these machines. Had you arrived a single minute later…,”

Ilea nodded and continued healing them. “You’re safe now, so just heal up and we’ll deal with them later.”

What the fuck did you do, you two absolute idiots.

She let the arrows punch into her when Feyrair appeared close by, his form expanding immediately. A roar resounded as he rushed one of the Hunters, his white flame leaving a trail of heat and fire on the ground where he jumped off.

“I trusted them. I thought they would have changed by now…,” Elfie said, looking at his hands.

Ilea turned around and grabbed his hands in hers. “It’s okay. You’re not responsible for their decisions. I saw you train them. You did well. And you’re both still alive.”

Neiphato woke up with a start, looking at the two of them and the rampaging dragonling behind.

“Did you call for Isalthar already?” Ilea asked.

“No… I… I didn’t know what he would do,” Elfie said, averting his gaze as he hissed.

“It’s alright. I’ll call them now so that we can figure out what to do. If they act up, I’ll get you two out. I promise,” she said and pulled on the soul magic clinging to her essence, easily destroying the binding.

“What did they do…,” Neiphato murmured, standing up as he stared at the dragon. “He will kill them.”

“I’d kill them too for what they’ve done,” Ilea said, glaring at the elf.

He glared back. “They are Cerithil Hunters, just like we are. We fought and bled together!”

Elfie put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, hissing in a low tone.

Isalthar and Seithir appeared in the hall a moment later, followed by Asay and Farthorn. The wind mage took a single glance at the group and fighting machines before he turned. “The gate.”

Ilea’s eyes opened wide. She glanced at Asay.

“I shall remain,” he said and gave her a nod.

She followed the wind mage, trying to keep up with his teleportation spells, latching on to his longer range ability with her blinks.

They arrived just a few seconds later. Ilea immediately knew that the gate had been destroyed. “Fuck.”

Isalthar checked with his magic but came to the same conclusion. It looked intact on their side but the two Cerithil Hunters must’ve disabled the other side.

“Peculiar,” he murmured.

“Peculiar? That’s what you have to say?” Ilea snapped.

“It’s not the first time, we find ourselves trapped within the network of Taleen facilities. This would’ve come to pass either way. With their premature intervention or without,” he said. “Though it is a pity. I had high hopes for their spirit.”

Goliath, Ilea thought and rushed back to Elfie. She grabbed his hand. “New mark, I have to check on Goliath.”

He hissed, remembering the smith who had remained in the northern facility.

“I’ll be back. I’ll find you,” Ilea said and stepped back, her third tier blink activating as the space around her started to distort.

The first Hunter core detonated as Feyrair turned to the second, his large form regenerating the arcane damage they had dealt as his large maw opened, an ear splitting roar resounding through the facility.

Ilea watched him charge and take down the large Hunter, the two of them turning in the air before they crashed to the ground with flickering shield and fire. Bright flame burned into the floor, Feyrair’s head pushed aside by the Praetorian’s large arm.

Isalthar returned a few seconds later and informed the others.

“Will you return?” he asked, taking in the spell forming around Ilea.

“I will,” she said.

“Be careful,” Neiphato said.

She locked eyes with Elfie right before the space around her changed, Ilea appearing in her home south of Ravenhall.

A blink brought her outside, her wings pushing upwards before they charged. Her form vanished towards Ravenhall, teleportation and flying leading the small ashen form to her target.

It was nighttime. Raindrops from dark clouds above clashed against Ilea’s armor as she passed the dim lights of the city. She blinked down and into the hidden facility, displacing herself onto the gate before she charged it with her mana, her space magic resistance disabled. Familiar white light enveloped her as the wisps of space twirled, only to return to normalcy when she appeared far in the north.

“Meadow. Don’t let any Elves into Hallowfort,” she said immediately.

“Welcome back. You seem in slight distress. Where to?” it asked.

“No Elves nearby? They have long ears and sharp teeth,” she said.

“I have been taught about the various known species of this realm. And no, there are no Elves here, nor have I seen any pass in the surrounding lands,” Meadow said.

“Can you teleport me to the same place as last time? As far as you can,” she said.

Iana glanced at her, just now noticing the healer. The two had set up an impromptu lab a few hundred meters away from the tree and its high mana density.

“Of course. Do be careful, Ilea. Calm your mind and act with thought,” Meadow said and made her vanish.

Ilea appeared in the air flying, her wings charging as she aimed in the direction of the Centurion facility.

The mists had pooled, an eerie quiet swallowing the northern lands as she sped up.

Ilea decided to check on Goliath first and foremost, slowing down near the dungeon and blinking inside. A few seconds later, she came into the hall where he usually stayed, using her Huntress ability to check the surroundings.

She teleported around, finally seeing the dark creature hiding within a heated forge.

“Goliath,” she said and jumped into the molten steel, wading through the heavy liquid as her ash extended into the forge.

“The Elves are looking for me,” he said. “Be quiet or they shall find us.”

“They’re not here,” Ilea said. “And if they were, you’re not the one who would have to hide,” she said and held out her hand. “Come, I think it’s best you return to Hallowfort for the time being.”

The smith slowly moved out of the small forge opening, his form deflating before it expanded once more, golden eyes scanning for danger in the surroundings.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” she said, hugging the massive creature as it flailed with confusion.

“I am joyous to see you unharmed as well,” he said and gingerly patted her armored head.

“Just Heranuur and Seviir were here right? The rest are still with us. They trapped us in a dungeon far south of here,” she explained.

Goliath glanced at her. “It is as thou say. They sent magic towards my location before I managed to hide. However it seems they got bored with their search.”

Ilea nodded. “I’m glad they’re Elves after all. Your obelisk, is it working still?”

“Only you know of its purpose,” Goliath said, floating away and towards the artifact. “It was too far away when they came. I dared not take the risk.”

“I understand. Can you inform Catelyn of what happened here? Meadow already knows,” she said.

“I shall do as thou asked,” Goliath said. “Who is Meadow?”

Ilea smiled. “You’ll like it. I’m sure. Maybe your mind is strong enough to talk to it. I’m sure it can help with procuring metals and other materials for you as well.”

“I see, a friend that you have brought to Hallowfort. I shall welcome them. Do tread with care, Ilea. They were driven by purpose,” Goliath said as his spell activated.

“I will. You take care as well,” she said and watched his form vanish.

Her smile disappeared as she looked around, seeing the scorched ground, displaced tools and destroyed creations.

Sentinel Huntress took in the surroundings, her skill quickly locating the magical trail left behind by the two creatures. A few teleports brought her out of the dungeon, her wings spreading as she ascended.

She strained her eyes to find the two Elves she was looking for. It hadn’t been long at all and she doubted they could match her speed. If they were going south, she would find them during the day storms.

Ilea moved her wings lazily, the night sky and long distances not bothering her enhanced sight and magical tracking as she slowly followed the faint trail. She was prepared to hunt all night but her expectations weren’t met.

She already found the two Elves a few minutes later, their distant forms kneeling in front of two more figures. That’s not quite as planned, she thought and advanced.

The two figures were Elves too, one of them standing prominently while the other crouched to the side.

She looked at their features as she slowed down. The one standing wore a comfortable looking set of baggy black pants and a black long sleeved shirt, both lined with silver runes. Starlight reflected off the chain of silver hanging around his neck, various glittering white stones had been set within. He had long flowing hair, blond and near white. His eyes were golden, with a tinge of a dark fiery red, and they were looking right back at her.

Ilea slowed to a stop, unsure if he really was looking at her. If I can see him, there’s a chance he sees me too.

The elf cocked his head to the side a little, a curious expression on his face before he turned to the crouching one and said something.

She looked at the second one, his whole body covered in form fitting black steel armor. He had no discerning features, two tiny slits in his helmet the only thing that would reveal anything about what hid below.

He stood up and held out his right arm. A perfect silver pole appeared, shimmering in the moonlight before he vanished.

Ilea wasn’t sure what to expect, tracking his movements as he appeared closer. Another teleport brought him close to her, thin platforms of dull red magic appearing in the air as he rushed forward, using them as steps.

“Hello-” Ilea said with a wave, watching the pole come at her with an incredibly quick move.

She held up her arm to block, her precognition suggesting the damage would be minimal at best. Magic rippled through the weapon right before it connected, the pole slamming into her with the weight of a freight train, breaking her arm and sending her flying through the air.

Ilea watched the elf keep pace, running through the air as he brought his weapon down with another fast strike.

This time, she teleported, healing her arm in the process. She barely got a fraction of a second when the elf appeared in her sphere, his weapon striking out yet again.

You fuck.

She dodged the pole as her ash fanned out, finding his weapon stopping entirely mid swing, redirecting itself at her yet again. Ilea displaced herself and the elf followed.

[Warrior – lvl ???]

Eight hundred, she gauged and decided that this wasn’t a fight she wanted to get stuck in.

Ilea kept flying backwards and towards the dungeon, her ashen limbs slashing into the elf without a discernible result, his eyes blood red behind the dark helmet. She glanced back at the other Elves but could only see the shrinking forms in the distance, right where she had seen them before.

“Do you n-” she said, forced to dodge his attacks, the pole moving erratically before she had to teleport again.

The elf followed, continuing his flurry of physically impossible attacks before a blow glanced her shoulder.

Ilea felt herself twirl from the weight, the impact having shattered her shoulder to a thousand pieces, everything on top turned to bloody squash. She displaced herself before another blow could land on her. “Who the fuck are you!?”

The elf didn’t speak, a glancing strike shattering her left thigh, her wing clipped by a direct hit before she twirled down towards the ground.

Ilea managed to blink away, displacement letting her escape the elf who followed. He couldn’t quite keep up with her frequency but he was damn close, using at least two different abilities to hunt her.

When she got close to the dungeon entrance, Ilea stood and held her ground. She watched the elf appear, Heart of Cinder releasing right when two of his teleportation abilities had been used.

She saw the silver pole move through the expanding flames, hitting her arm in a direct horizontal swipe. The bone gave, her arm punching into her chest as her ribs were destroyed, organs squashed before the pole finally came to a halt.

The elf didn’t stop either, fire still clinging to him as he walked over to her regenerating form, the pole coming down as her third tier healing made her bones bend back into place.

That thing isn’t following any laws of physics, she thought with gritted teeth, her ashen limbs simply ignored as Storm of Cinders flared up on the elf with bright burning lines and spreading embers.

Her precognition worked against her, unable to detect any danger or feints from the warrior. Any way she dodged, his pole weapon followed, as if it was weightless. Another hit mangled her legs, a second one breaking her spine, and a third one coming for her skull.

Ilea blinked away before her brain could be squashed, appearing inside the dungeon itself. She watched as the elf appeared right in front of the entrance, looking past her and at the cavern before his eyes turned to her.

He didn’t even hiss, just vanishing without a word.

Ilea felt her bones crack back into place, connected once again by her magical healing. “What the fuck is that pole…,” she murmured. And he straight up ignored all the damage and intrusion.

A ripple formed in space a few meters in front of the entrance, the golden eyed elf stepping out with casual grace, one of his hands going through his hair. Heranuur and Seviir were nowhere to be seen.

[Mage – lvl ????]

She felt he was close to one thousand. At least not higher than the Ascended had been. And still, she felt herself press up against the cavern wall slightly.

He bowed a little closer to have a good look, a curious smirk on his lips. “Human. A filthy human,” he said with a laugh, looking around as if it was the most unbelievable thing he had ever heard. “Why don’t you join us out here, where the air is untainted.” His voice was smooth and calm, almost bored.

Ilea saw the space around her change, magic trying to grip her just like Meadow had used to do. She resisted, taking a step back when she felt her body move forward. She could see the confusion in his eyes, one of his brows twitching ever so slightly. His expression turned to cold calculation when night turned to day.

She couldn’t even scream, the bright burning light melting away her eyes and throat as her ash was washed away. Her body resisted, healing against the bright energy as her resistance started to absorb both heat and mana.

Ilea stumbled back, her skin reforming before her eyes regained their light. She stared at the elf with all the defiance she could muster, her aura expanding outwards. “Who the fuck are you?” she asked, more heat still gathering within her core.

“Not a human, no. A Deviant, child of death and ash. You do not comprehend the weight of my presence here, creature. You know of the Val Akuun, cursed hunter of the damned?” he demanded, a slight smile still on his lips, accompanied by what seemed like a look of pity.

Ilea didn’t reply.

He sighed, taking a deep breath. “If you find him again, crawling around in the filthy birth places of dark creatures, tell him that I demand his presence in Verleyna.”

The elf looked away for a moment, giving a slight nod before he turned back to Ilea. “Now leave my sight and return to the filth where you were made,” he said, his form bursting into light and fire, like a flare of pure heat and energy.

Ilea staggered back, releasing Heart of Cinder in a cone towards him, her spell blocked by an invisible barrier. She tried to remain but his light had already reached her bone. Before her brain could be cooked, she vanished, teleporting back into the depths of the Centurion factory.

Her heart hammered away in her chest, a message looming within her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived an encounter with an Elven Monarch – One Core skill point awarded’

Chapter 585 Dungeons and depths

Chapter 585 Dungeons and depths

Ilea reached the gate room and found the one on this side destroyed entirely. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down using meditation and healing.

A fucking monarch.

She reeled back and laughed. “What a fucking joke. He didn’t even vaporize me instantly…,” she said and grinned. Just another Drake. One with a shit character.

He had looked down on her from so far up, she wouldn’t question it if he had already forgotten about her. But he came all the way up north… for what? Isalthar? To gather the two traitors? Will he kill them? Or take them in? Or were they just working for him from the start?

Isalthar will know him. Thank fuck these idiots don’t step into dungeons, she thought and calmed down, sitting on an ashen chair as she summoned a meal and some of Walter’s ale. “And that armored asshole was too fucking much to handle too,” she murmured, taking a swig of the wonderful drink.

Is he gonna send the two after me? she thought, glancing at the entrance to the gate room. In a way she hoped he would. Can’t believe I had sex with that moron.

His magic was… overwhelming. Even with third tier resistances. Another few seconds and he would’ve burned away my very bones. What if I hadn’t had Meadow’s training… he could’ve just moved me out of there.

She relived the encounter as she slowly ate her food, Keyla’s creation bringing her back to some semblance of comfort.

That pole… I think he could manipulate the weight of that thing. Maybe gravity or metal magic that activates on a whim. His control of that weapon was impressive to say the least. The way he navigated around me, always in perfect range.

It had helped the elf that her attacks simply didn’t seem to have a lasting effect but the fact remained that Ilea hadn’t been so thoroughly outclassed by a combat practitioner for a long while. Even the Queen wasn’t quite as insane.

Not just faster and stronger but more experienced, more nuanced, more visceral, she mused, questioning if she could maybe ask the elf for some training. The idea was quickly discarded, his lack of communication certainly in the way, let alone his alignment.

He even broke my bones. Just shattered them.

She smiled, adding the two to her imaginary list of beings she had to beat the shit out of. Either seemed impossible to defeat for now. I wonder who’d be harder to fight. Probably the warrior. I literally just have to get better and tougher than him. With the monarch, I can already survive his magic. More resilience and healing should be enough.

But he used a space magic barrier… just straight up space. I don’t know if that is even breakable.

The possibilities excited her a little. Could she conjure something like that? Could she get a pole weapon like the armored one had? Or fist weapons maybe? Could her ash gain similar properties?

Her third tier blink would be on cooldown for quite some time, allowing her to think about various options and possibilities. She wouldn’t risk flying south the normal way or going to Hallowfort, lest she lead the Elves there or get killed on the way.

Meadow will take care of Hallowfort. I’m more concerned about the human plains… the damage that one monarch could do. Would Virilya’s shields even hold?

The thought was absurd. A single person powerful enough to challenge the most densely populated human city. She smirked at the thought of the whole Golden Lily getting slapped around by a single elf. But that’s how it works, isn’t it? I could probably destroy entire settlements too before anybody strong enough to stop me even shows up.

We need more enchantments and group spells to prevent shit like that. Or more Meadows. Maybe it can clone itself.

Ilea supposed nukes could do the trick as well. Technology as a deterrent, or just a few insanely powerful people. Hold up a minute… am I a nuclear warhead?

She wasn’t sure. Her aoe wasn’t exactly comparable but that didn’t exactly invalidate the idea. Ilea was glad the other races, especially the Elves, didn’t seem obsessed with Imperialism and constantly expanding territory.

At the same time we’ll have to make sure humans don’t get that kind of power. Otherwise everyone else will be wiped from the map in the next few centuries.

She tapped her finger on the ashen chair, thinking about her next steps. The mark she had left on Elfie was in her mind. She had to go and find them again, inform Isalthar about what had happened here. Helping them fight the Taleen seemed like a good idea too. Both for training and leveling purposes, let alone just helping out a few friends.

If the monarch went after humans, there was admittedly little that Ilea could do to stop him. She highly doubted it but for the future, it was important to know their power. It felt inevitable that they would clash again at one point or the other and if she made him mad enough, he would go after those she cared about. She had to be able to kill him, same as she had to be able to kill the Ascended.

Ilea just hoped there wasn’t a deadline to reach the necessary power. She felt like she had to be a little more considerate with which factions she fought, knowing how comparatively weak humanity was. I need time to grow, need time to grow the Sentinels. And we have to make sure humanity gets their fucking shit together, otherwise we’ll get stomped at one point or the other.

She relaxed in her chair, taking a sip of ale as she considered. How probable is it that no faction ever decided to just destroy our cities on some random whim? Who would come and stop them? It had to have happened before. And there simply have to be humans that could intervene.

Ilea started eating her second meal. She summoned her map and made it float with a bit of ash, tracking the various marks she had left in the lands. Elfie’s was located far south of Ravenhall, right in the Isanna desert.

Hidden in the middle of nothing. I wonder where Iz is located. Is it really the central hub for the Taleen?

The place had been absolutely massive and crawling with powerful machines. Ilea just wondered if there were more places like that. Maybe there’s one just called I.

She smiled at the thought, already bored with the tracking. She added another few layers to the map, made entirely of ash. That way she could try and gauge the height difference between the various mark locations. The differences were minuscule but she had gotten pretty good with the skill.

There were a few notable differences in altitude. Meadow and Iana were incredibly high up compared to the others, both of them located in Hallowfort. Elfie on the other hand was far below ground, or the desert sloped down from Ravenhall, something Ilea doubted based on her one time foray into the southern sands.

Violence was fucking somewhere. Ilea had no way to place that mark, at all. She tried, for quite some time, but failed to gauge any useful information. It was certainly possible that the little critter was just fucking with her somehow. Ilea was pretty sure the Fae was the authority on space magic, even if she considered Meadow.

Far less cooperative and much more chaotic perhaps, but Ilea was glad she knew Violence at least. Maybe my third Class will evolve me into a tree. Finally, some peace and quiet. Freed from worldly considerations. I could grow a garden or something, give horrible advice to travelers, summon unsuspecting high schoolers into dangerous dungeons.

She huffed, sitting in her ashen chair. “How fucking dare that asshole. Making me hide here like some common Shadow,” she spoke out and stood up. “Might as well explore this place a little more. Maybe Elfie’s group missed something. Or I can use a random teleport gate to get me somewhere else.”

The next few hours made her realize that the Elves hadn’t exactly missed anything. And for some reason, Seviir and Heranuur had destroyed not only the gate to the facility in the south, but the few others that had been nearby too. Likely just to prevent her from having any fun.

Ilea instead worked on her ash, walking around the large corridors and halls as she formed various people, places, maps, and tech with the dark material. While keeping track of her marks of course. She realized that this was a justified time to relax and enjoy some me time but it didn’t feel right, if only because it was forced upon her.

It made her even more pissed that she knew for a near fact that the monarch was long gone. But a near fact simply wasn’t enough in this situation.

She had lost track of time, simply trying to activate her third tier blink every few minutes. What if he sees and follows somehow?

Ilea dismissed the thought. Traveling via her third tier was both faster and safer. If the elf wanted to find her, a description of her abilities and looks would already bring him to Ravenhall. If he followed her to her house, it would at least allow her to find a nearby dungeon to hide again.

Would they like the lower mana density in the plains or would they dislike it?

She wasn’t sure. Ilea knew the Elves had a rough time entering a dungeon for the first time, the north itself a little too much to bear without a bit of acclimation. But she didn’t think they had the same problems when it came to a lower density. Maybe it feels off to them? Could their lack of aggression against any settlements east of Riverwatch be explained so simply?

Ilea doubted it. In the end it could just be that they disliked the energy around more eastern towns. It’s so much more complicated when the enemy isn’t just a mindless monster with simple motivations.

Her spell finally activated, Ilea sighing as she waited for the runes to manifest. “Fi na lly.”

She appeared in her house with her spells and auras ready, but nobody followed. No ripples in space or hiding Elves she could perceive. Just her little old home. A home she spent much too little time in for her tastes.

But as Ben constantly said, with power comes responsibility. She wasn’t exactly Peter Parker but Ilea wanted to protect her friends and allies at the very least. And for that she had to get stronger. Also she just really wanted to cave that light elf’s face in.

Ilea blinked out of her home and sped up along the cliffs going south. Storms raged in the distance, harsh waves crashing against the rock below. She saw dark clouds move towards the land, bringing rain and lightning with them. Normal lightning at least and the arcane kind of the north.

She soon veered to the right and onto the rocky terrain steadily growing flatter, until the first sand started to show.

The Isanna desert stretched far and wide. Massive dunes soon stretching for kilometers into the distance, Ilea a single black speck in the vast nothingness. It was warm but not particularly bothering or dangerous to her.

Elfie’s mark was still distant but she was gaining quickly. No creature showed itself right until she reached the mark.

Well, the mark was far below ground. Ilea crossed her arms while floating in the air, looking at the dune below her. She had expected a temple, an oasis, a mountain, or something.

It was literally just sand. Without the mark, finding this place would’ve been impossible. Ilea couldn’t help but wonder if the Taleen had somehow dug down somewhere else and then made tunnels to reach this place.

Or so much time has passed that the sands simply moved?

With magic, there could’ve been many possibilities but the fact remained that she was looking at a metric fuck ton of sand between her and Niivalyr.

“Whelp, only one way down,” she thought and covered her eyes with ash, forming a massive drill she angled downward. How hard could it be. Point it at the ground and turn it on.

She chuckled to herself as her wings charged and the drill started spinning. Her auras flared up before she shot into the ground. Her momentum brought her down over a hundred meters before she slowed. She hit a stone wall before her initial burst of speed ran out, her ash slowly burrowing itself into the thick barrier.

Her wings and a truckload of ash kept the sand from rushing in around her, trickles of it running past as she broke into the Taleen facility with ashen limbs. When she could see the hall below within her sphere, she vanished.

And appeared in the dimly lit dungeon. “I’m back,” she said to the Guardians patrolling in the vicinity.

Ilea ignored the projectiles clashing against her armor and simply sped through the facility, her teleportation and wings bringing her through the many corridors and halls. She alerted plenty of Praetorians and special variants on the way but ignored them all, not even the Executioner she found managed to keep up with her.

It was good to know that there were more of them. She wasn’t quite over her fuck up with the first one. Feyrair and herself had joked plenty but she really wasn’t sure what would’ve happened without the Elves present, let alone Isalthar’s intervention in the end.

Taking one down without help would right the uncomfortable feeling. Though she wasn’t sure she was ready for that quite yet.

She had to travel longer than expected, the dungeon reaching deep into the ground. If she hadn’t seen Iz and the Descend, this might’ve been the largest dungeon so far. Ilea wondered how many Praetorians this place pumped out every week. Ten? A hundred? More?

It didn’t matter in the end. Soon the facility wouldn’t be producing any.

Ilea closed in on Elfie’s mark and appeared inside of a production hall, finding him and Neiphato fighting a group of Praetorians with the help of Farthorn, Ben, and Asay. She assumed Feyrair had continued alone.

She appeared next to the arcane mage floating a distance away from the battle.

“You have returned after all. Impressive,” he said with a slight smirk.

“Can you call for Isalthar?” she asked.

He blinked a few times. “Certainly,” he said with a slight bow. He raised a hand towards the battle, an arcane barrier forming where a scythe would’ve hit Neiphato’s wooden defense.

“Progressing well?” Ilea asked.

“We are… progressing. Yes. Our team composition is more efficient like this,” he said. “Did you find them?”

Ilea glanced at him and then back to the battle. “Yes.”

He hissed in an intrigued way. “You will wait until Isalthar is back?”

“Mhm,” Ilea mused. “But maybe I can share some things with you beforehand… I’m sure you would value such a favor.”

Asay giggled. “Oh certainly, what is the mind but memories and knowledge. Surely there are treasures I hold that may interest a young healer like yourself.”

“I met a monarch,” she said.

His eyes opened wide before he hissed and moved a little closer. “You did? How do you know?”

“Core skill point. I got one for surviving the encounter,” she said.

“How did he look? Did you see?” Asay asked, his smile showing teeth as his eyes sparkled with purple light.

“Blond, near white long hair, black clothes with silver runes. Space magic, and light, or something close. He’s basically a firefly on steroids,” she said.

“Was he alone?” Asay asked, downright holding his breath.

“Seviir and Heranuur were there. As was an elf at level eight hundred or so, black armor and wielding a silver metal pole,” she said.

His grin broadened as he clasped his hands together. “You have fought Noro? The armored one.”

“I did,” Ilea said and chuckled, a core explosion spreading through the hall as the elven group retreated, focusing onto the next enemy. “He bashed my bones in. An absolute monster that one, have you fought him before?”

Asay looked at her before he started laughing, a hand in front of his mouth as he snickered, nearly choking.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

He turned back towards her and smirked. “No, Ilea. I have not fought the Noro, for I would no longer be here, amongst the living.”

“Is that his name?” Ilea asked. “He didn’t seem particularly talkative.”

“Noro bears no name. The word means beast, and nothing else. A fitting title, wouldn’t you say?” Asay asked. “The presence of them means this wasn’t a mere coincidence. The misguided fools,” he murmured the last part and shook his head.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

He glanced at her and smiled. “Little care have those of power for the Hunters of Cerithil. For we are mere beasts lurking in the shadows, fighting in places deemed holy. Cursed and exiled. But there are those even a monarch would seek. The Val Akuun is one of them.

“It is said that great power awaits those who would deliver those deemed enemies of the domains and their long standing monarchs. Yet their foolishness is apparent when they choose to trust a monster.”

“The monarch? Who is he?” Ilea asked.

Isalthar appeared with Seithir in tow, taking in the surroundings before he hovered over to Ilea. “You have returned from beyond. Have you found your friend in safety?”

Ilea smiled. “I did. And brought him away.”

“May I?” Asay asked, looking at her.

“Sure,” Ilea said.

Asay grinned. “This human… has met the Sanvaruun.”

Ilea saw Seithir float back a little, his whole body wincing at the call of the name. She felt the air freeze around Isalthar, only visible due to her sphere. His face betrayed nothing.

“Tell me, all that you have found,” Isalthar said.

Chapter 586 The Grind

Chapter 586 The Grind

Isalthar sent a few waves of air at the remaining two Praetorians, breaking through their shields and nearly splitting them apart before their cores exploded.

Elfie and the rest joined the group. He gave her a sad smile and a questioning look.

“Heranuur and Seviir were there, kneeling before the Monarch. What was his name?” Ilea said.

“The Sanvaruun, monarch of Verleyna and the domain of Sky,” Isalthar supplied.

“Then they betrayed us,” Neiphato said, his voice a murmur before he stepped away, his magic wavering a little before he left Ilea’s sphere.

Wasn’t that already obvious? Ilea thought but didn’t comment on it. “I was immediately attacked by the armored elf, apparently called Noro. Couldn’t even talk to the two and that one wasn’t particularly communicative either.”

Farthorn smirked. “You survived against the Noro? Why should we believe such stories?”

“Have you lost the function of your eyes?” Asay asked. “You have seen her battle the Executioner. How is your doubt still present?”

The elf looked at her but didn’t seem convinced.

“She has certain prerequisites that allow her to stand against such monsters,” Isalthar said. “Nor is the beast undying and all powerful. However I do assume, your escape has to do with a nearby dungeon.”

Ilea nodded. “Yeah. He didn’t come inside. But I could’ve escaped either way. My teleportation is faster.”

Isalthar smiled ever so slightly. “And even Sanvaruun cannot force his will onto a powerful master of space itself. Did you battle him?”

He’s enjoying this, isn’t he.

“Battle is an overstatement. He showed up after Noro left, tried to pull me out of the dungeon with space magic. When he failed to do that, he burned me with light magic,” she explained.

Asay started snickering again. “Didn’t work either. A human of all things… he will be losing his mind!”

Ilea glanced between him and Isalthar. “Will he come for human settlements?”

“No,” Isalthar said immediately. “He may send the Noro or others to deal with you directly. But attacking a settlement of humans is too far below his standing. He cares too much about his reputation. Or so it has been, last I knew the monarch.”

“He would not have changed. He has not changed for too long,” Asay said.

“But he could just wipe out a whole town,” Ilea said.

Ben shook his head. “It would be comparable to a human king dealing with a roach infestation in the village furthers from his capital.”

“Okay, wow,” Ilea said. “You guys really thing that low of humans?”

The group was silent, glancing at each other and hissing a few times.

“Even after you’ve met me?” she asked.

“The sentiment is important for your species’ survival,” Isalthar tried.

“That doesn’t make it better,” Ilea said, raising her brows.

Isalthar looked at her, contemplating his next words. “Apologies.”

Sorry your species sucks, Ilea thought and rolled her eyes. You’ll learn too, Isalthar. When I kick that monarch’s balls into a slushie.

“He told me to let you know that he wants to see you in Verleyna,” she said.

The group looked at Isalthar but he didn’t seem to mind. “Yes. He has demanded such for many centuries. And I shall face him in due time. Our purpose however, takes precedence.”

Ilea shook her head slightly. “Wait, so he came all the way up north just to tell you something you already know?”

“He demands. But a duel in the north serves his purpose just as much. I believe he had hoped to find me, not within a dungeon. Perhaps it speaks for the young to have waited with their betrayal until we had found this place,” he said, glancing at Elfie.

“Or it speaks for their incompetence,” Farthorn said.

Elfie hissed, and he hissed back.

“A request to duel must be answered, it is fundamental,” Ben explained to Ilea. “It’s possible that Sanvaruun believes his request has simply not yet been delivered.”

Ilea just stared at him. “What? After centuries?”

“I have not declined him directly,” Isalthar said.

That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard, Ilea thought and looked at the group. “That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s what saved you today,” Ben said with a shrug. “Except if you think you could’ve ran from them even if they had entered the dungeon.”

“Probably not to be honest. But I would’ve had a shot at least,” she said with a smirk, cracking her neck right after. “Which means I have work to do, in case Noro shows up again. I do want to beat that fucker down. Any idea what his fucking pole is about?”

“The Blessing of Asseth. A divine artifact given to the Noro in his timeless devotion and purpose,” Asay informed. “It is said to be both weightless and… well not weightless.”

“How poetic,” Ilea mused. “That thing hit like an oil tanker.”

“You’re making up words again,” Ben said.

Asay quirked up an eyebrow and smiled brightly. “I see…,”

Ilea smiled back but didn’t say anything.

“What about Seviir and Heranuur? Will they be killed?” Elfie spoke up, looking at the ancient elf.

Isalthar looked at him. “It is possible. But their power is no challenge to him. I would not put it past Sanvaruun to hold his promises. However it is not him they will face, but the Oracles themselves. And their will is unknown. I know not of the fate that awaits those who return, seeking salvation.”

“If it becomes known that they’re Cursed, the two will be dead within the week,” Farthorn said.

Elfie nodded, cursing to himself in Elvish. “I had been sure.”

Isalthar stepped over and clasped his shoulder. “Do not blame yourself, Niivalyr Olanis. Our mark of birth is not easily overcome. It is a challenge we face each day. They are not the first to forsake this purpose but already, they have saved lives that would have otherwise been lost.”

Elfie hissed and stepped away, joining Neiphato who had sat down on a set of interlinked wooden branches.

“So what now?” Ilea asked, looking at the group.

“Nothing changes,” Asay said. “Except perhaps… for you.”

“She’s not the only one he now knows about,” Farthorn said with a sigh. “Just because you don’t care about Verleyna doesn’t mean the rest can be so casual. I’ll try to avoid leaving a dungeon for the next few years.”

“They would’ve found you a long time ago, if they cared at all,” Ben said.

“They didn’t know we worked with the Val Akuun,” Farthorn replied.

“We all work with him, in one way or the other,” Ben said.

Ilea sighed. “Well I’ll better prepare for the next battle then,” she said. “Where’s Fey?”

Seithir pointed in a direction.

Could do with being in control for a change, she thought, glancing over at Elfie but deciding to let them be for now. She spread her wings and sped off into the corridors of Izta.

Their methodical clearing of the massive Praetorian facility continued. Ilea mostly worked together with Feyrair, the two of them splitting up the enemies in the various halls beforehand and mostly doing their own thing until they were forced to work together.

Ilea found them to be quite an effective team, her being able to use her space magic and shield destroying intrusion abilities and him basically just going ham with his fires. The Praetorians had a much weaker defense against his spells than she did after all.

As the dungeon extended more and more on their various maps, drawn with higher or lesser skill, their abilities slowly grew. Those closer to level three hundred showed the largest growth of course, but Ilea and Feyrair had the advantage of facing the machines alone, gaining quite a few levels with that far more dangerous approach.

A little more than seven weeks had passed and by now Ilea thought the dungeon was simply endless. Her previous estimate of ten to a hundred Praetorians a week were likely off by a very long shot. It was no wonder that the powerful Elven domains were slowly getting overwhelmed by these machines.

Especially considering that there was an unknown number of Taleen dungeons and production facilities out there in the wilds. Most likely hidden deep below ground or in other barely accessible territories. The best way to find more was to use their existing network of gates, something the Cerithil Hunters had been doing for centuries, many never to return, still fighting, or lying dead in a forgotten facility thousands of miles away from their birthplace.

“Our weekly return is coming up,” Feyrair said, stepping over and kissing her neck, hugging her from behind as he looked at the map hovering in front of her. “Still worried?” he asked with a light hiss.

Ilea looked at the various marks, able to pick out even minuscule changes by now. The cats in Ravenhall were more lively than she had thought at first, one of them exploring the underground of the city and another somewhere in the forest outside. None of the marks had vanished yet, which she deemed at success at least.

Since her meeting with the monarch, Ilea had been waiting for one of her friends to call. Knowing that there were creatures out there like the Ascended and now the Monarch didn’t exactly comfort her. Either could destroy so much of the life she had built here in Elos, either could kill those she had come to love.

It made her pursuit more focused, her want to reach the heights of her Classes and magic not an issue just about herself but about all that she cared about. To think she had to adhere to the whims of ancient creatures without a single regard for her whole species. It made sense of course, the more she clashed with such forces, the more she would automatically endanger those around her.

She could wait and train but she wouldn’t hide and adhere to such whims and structures. If it was necessary to become an intercontinental space nuke to make these people fuck off, then that is what she would become. Ilea knew she couldn’t do it alone and neither would this approach work forever. The Sentinels were the first part, Meadow and the gates were the second, and she could always think of more.

With high level Sentinels, they could support and heal, let alone fight forces like invading demons or perhaps even Elves. With the gates they could evacuate everyone quickly, preferably into Hallowfort where even the Monarchs would find their abilities more than matched by a certain tree.

But in the end all Ilea could do directly, was get stronger herself. She would leave the defense of Ravenhall, Riverwatch, and Hallowfort to the respective leaders, the training of the Sentinels she already left to Trian and the faculty, the students most certainly in good hands.

She had already made a name for herself in the human plains, a mention alone enough to perhaps even dissuade a military act from one of the various countries. If she could teleport around more easily and get to her allies more quickly, that name would only grow. And for that, she needed more experience.

Her worries had helped train her Huntress spell in a way, a part of her mind focused on the many marks during most of her long days. The rest was spent fighting, or training her resistances. The latter mostly with Feyrair due to the proximity, although from time to time she would look for Seithir to get a bit of Soul training in, both for her resistance and perception skills. The elves were knowledgeable in their various magic schools if nothing else.

“Do you want to kill the Executioner now? Or once we’re back?” Ilea asked, freeing herself out of his grasp as she stood up from her chair, her ash armor forming on her body.

Feyrair whipped his flowing red hair back and grinned. “We could do it now. The last one took just under twenty minutes.”

“Yes and you nearly died from the explosion,” Ilea said. “We need to get the timing down.”

Feyrair rolled his eyes. “You’re exaggerating. Just put up your portal spell and the blast won’t even reach me.”

“It’s too much of a risk. Don’t be stupid. Just transform back and teleport away. Even if you fuck up, what’s gonna happen? We can just kill it next time,” she said.

The elf hissed. “I know. But they learn and I’d rather make sure our first try is the one. I can’t have Isalthar come and save me again.”

Ilea didn’t retort, not about to have that discussion again. She liked the elf. He was passionate, beautiful, surprisingly thoughtful, and his magic was inspiring like few others she had seen. But he could just be such an elf.

She thought about their approach, quickly looking through the messages from the past weeks.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hunter Praetorian – lvl 750]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Praetorian – lvl 600]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 463 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 471 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 458 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 465 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 409 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 416 – One stat point awarded’

The high number of Hunters coupled with Praetorians and challenging compositions in the various halls provided a difficult fight most of the time, even as Ilea grew more familiar with the machines and their spells. Sometimes they even fled and regrouped with more machines in new locations, using the traps to their advantage and from time to time even setting up ambushes.

Ilea didn’t fall into the same trance she had when fighting the Astral Spirits in Erendar, each and every kill more or less the same. Trying to focus on her designated enemies without the fights counting as group battles proved to be an additional challenge as well, both her and Feyrair occasionally losing out on potential experience because either of them fucked up and hit something they shouldn’t have.

They were usually far enough away from each other or in entirely different halls or corridors to make the issue a rare occurrence at least.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 29’

The skill progressed rather quickly as Ilea found new ways to use the marks in a challenging way. It was fortunate as well that the third tier had given her this option. She wasn’t sure a simple application of the first or second tier would’ve yielded the same results, let alone the requirements she would have needed to even challenge herself there.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 16’

...

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 18’

Her rather normal advancement in third Class skills was a testament to the effectiveness of her map training. Or perhaps she found the results for Huntress to be higher because it wasn’t exactly a combat skill. Not that she refrained in any way from focusing on her marks during battles.

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

Ilea spent fifty stat points in Vitality, fifty in Wisdom, and ten in Intelligence. She quickly checked her status, quite happy with the advancements she’d made in the short time in Izta.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 6

Unspent Core skill points: 67

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2031 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 471

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 29

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 465

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 416

- Active: Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 17

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 22

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 14

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 3

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – 2nd lvl 20

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 5

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 9

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - lvl 19

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 12

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 12

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 1

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Perception – lvl 8

- Teaching – lvl 6

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 16

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 19

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – lvl 13

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 12

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 16

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 6

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

Status:

Vitality: 1400

Endurance: 450

Strength:515

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1420

Wisdom:1450

Health: 25088/25088

Stamina: 4203/4500

Mana: 28832/29000

“Alright then, let’s go,” Ilea said, ashen wings forming on her back.

Chapter 587 Opportunity?

Chapter 587 Opportunity?

Ilea and Feyrair appeared in the massive production hall, most of it already destroyed. An extensive battle had been needed to clear out the space from both Praetorians and special variants. Towards the end of the fight, an Executioner had shown up.

Right now it was the only enemy remaining. They had ran from the machine to take a break and recover their resources. The elf had agreed to that measure at least so that they could face every Executioner with some preparation and a full pool of health and mana. The fact that the machines learned more about them during the battles made them enemies they didn’t want to engage for too long.

Ilea had been a little scared that the information would somehow be shared between the various Executioners but that hadn’t seemed to be the case. Or they were somehow pretending for now. She didn’t let her guard down either way. And with Feyrair there, she would have someone trustworthy to get her out in an emergency, as was the case the other way around.

Bright white flame clung to her ash, charged through Phaseshift for the start of the battle. Heart of Cinder was already reaching capacity as Feyrair changed into his dragon form. The two didn’t waste any time, rushing the machine as it noticed them.

Ilea’s fire spread over it, ignoring the blades that came for her in an attempt to keep the machine engaged with her. Feyrair landed on top of them, trying to pin down the creature.

It barely slipped away, one of its legs burnt by the powerful flames.

Ilea sent an ashen lance at the ground a few dozen meters away, Feyrair moving his wings to reach the position. She activated her third tier of Displacement and watched the Executioner retreat right into her appearing gate.

This time, the dragon didn’t let the steel being slip out. Ilea had already healed the deep cuts in her body, now deflecting or tanking the hits of the powerful machine as she tried to protect the dragonling behind her. Storm of Cinders and Destruction slammed into the shield, quickly overloading it with mana. With a final punch, the purple energy exploded in a surge of mana.

She felt the heat build up behind her, the armor on her back starting to glow a little before a torrent of white flame flowed over both her and the struggling Praetorian.

She dealt with the heat much better, overcharging her Heart of Cinder with the gathered energy and healing herself continuously with the absorbed mana.

Silver steel pooled below the creature, Feyrair slowly tightening his grasp, massive red scales and black claws pushing down on the melting machine. Intrusion spells continuously worked against the reforming shield, keeping it at bay as two sets of fire slowed the machine’s recovery.

Feyrair didn’t let up until he had expended most of his mana, stripping away every last bit of the machine, leaving its core exposed.

Ilea had charged Destruction and displaced the thing right in front of her. She punched the core, sizzling blue energy flowing through as her ashen limbs helped work through the powerful shield.

“Go!” she shouted, continuing her attacks as the dragon behind her roared.

Health flowed into her auras, the flames flaring up as she held her arm right in front of the unshielded core.

Feyrair turned back to his Elven form, displaced away immediately after.

Ilea grinned as she felt the heat gather, moving through her arm as it ruptured her body. A bright light appeared in front of her palm, energy and flame forming in a concentrated point before it extended outward and into the floating core. The air itself was set alight behind the small sphere, cracks forming on the powerful artifact.

Time stood still as Ilea watched the last bits of heat leave her arm, the core brittle and cracking. She displaced herself back as far as she could, using her blink right after. When she appeared again, the void explosion had already thrashed through the center of the hall, leaving a large sphere like shape in the stone entirely gone.

Feyrair grinned with a self satisfied smirk. “Easy.”

Ilea rolled her eyes but her expression matched his. “Well done this time,” she said to him. “Come, the others should already be waiting.”

He glanced back at the missing stone and followed with a glint of magic in his red reptile eyes.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 800]

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 417 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 15’

Ilea and Feyrair had a race on their way back to the gathering near the now destroyed teleportation platform. Because of course they did.

“I win,” Ilea said to the group, twirling as ashen fireworks formed around her.

“You always win,” Ben said, shaking his head as he looked at the scene.

Feyrair appeared more than ten seconds later, a new record perhaps. The elf of course had a longer way to catch up the further they went into the facility.

She let him share the new mapped areas, his long life allowing even the dragonling to work on his cartography skills far more frequently than Ilea.

“It just keeps going on, how many of these facilities do you think there are?” Ilea asked.

Isalthar looked thoughtful, ignoring the question they had pondered about a few times before.

“What is it?” Asay asked, the elf apparently interpreting more in Isalthar’s behavior than anybody else.

The wind mage looked at him and remained quiet for a few seconds. “A… discovery has been made,” he said. “An oversight perhaps, or another ploy to lure us into further danger.”

“Did you find more dangerous machines?” Ilea asked, looking at Feyrair with a glint in her eyes.

The elf smirked back. “We should first learn to fight Executioners on our own, Ilea.”

She smiled back. “You’re actually learning. Impressive. But don’t let caution get rid of your excitement. High risk of death is how we thrive.”

“Who’s the Elf again?” Ben asked, looking between the two of them.

Farthorn hissed. “The discovery?”

Isalthar looked to the ground, a rare show of uncertainty. “Many gates we have found, most not activated or leading to forgotten exits in the Navali forest or the mountains of Naraza. Few have lead to facilities, oft insignificant compared to the place of creation we have found here, far below the Isanna desert.

“However, one I have entered, to find a place only one of us has seen before,” Isalthar said and looked up to find Ilea’s eyes. “The core of the Taleen network, or so we believe. The dungeon named Iz.”

“Shit,” Ilea murmured.

Feyrair stood up as flames burst from his body. “What are we waiting for. We have to go there now. Ilea can find Izta again, we know where it is. If the gate is active still, we should use the opportunity.”

“I would certainly be intrigued to visit such a fabled dungeon,” Asay said with an excited smile. “Truly a worthy discovery.”

“I do not wish to see you die,” Isalthar said after a pause.

“Who says we’d die? We didn’t die here,” Feyrair said.

“Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for?” Ilea asked. “I mean you can go around destroying facilities all you want but if you want to end the war, Iz is certainly a better place to try than here. I’ve seen it. Armies of Taleen, flying variants, and a huge floating sphere that glowed with power and light,” Ilea said. “And we could maybe find out more about that prototype calling me a Key warden.”

“You are not ready,” Isalthar said.

“How would you know?” Ilea asked. “Maybe you can finish it all yourself? You can fight Executioners on your own. Why should Iz be any different?”

“It will be,” Asay said. “But I agree with the human. This is an opportunity we cannot miss.”

“And I can get us out if everything else fails,” Ilea said.

Isalthar glanced at her with interest. “You have a way to circumvent the teleportation gate network?”

Ilea smiled. “I have my own long range spell, as you’ve seen before. And I have a way to bring others, though I’d like to refrain from that if possible.”

“That option may justify an increased risk…,” said Isalthar.

Feyrair clapped his hands together. “Then what are we waiting for. Let’s hit our enemy at their core.”

“We can always return to finish the job here,” Ilea said.

Isalthar showed the hint of a smile, sighing right after. “I simply ask you all to prioritize your own survival.”

Ilea smirked. “Where’s the gate?”

Ilea looked at each of the Elves standing on the large platform. Feyrair right next to her, the elf now at level three eighty five. Elfie had managed to reach level three thirty five, Neiphato rather close now with his three twenty.

Seithir and Asay hadn’t leveled at all and Ben had only advanced twice, reaching three twenty five. Farthorn had been overtaken by Elfie, his current level a few below at three thirty two.

The main power in their group came from Isalthar of course, the elf floating near the center of the platform with a poised expression.

Ilea remembered her last visit to Iz, that one very much involuntary. She doubted they could deal with the hordes she had seen but she had yet to witness the Val Akuun going all out. Though she knew she herself wasn’t exactly the same person anymore either.

The force they had gathered could certainly wreak some havoc. The Elves were quiet, each prepared to unleash their magic at the first sign of danger, every one of them an experienced veteran in the fight against the Taleen.

Ilea deactivated her space magic resistance when she felt the platform thrum to life, the fabrics shifting as the enchantments flowed into a singular spell. Bright light flashed and they were gone, appearing in a dark hall.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Iz dungeon’

Welcome back, Ilea thought, the lack of light no longer an issue as she took in the surroundings. Compared to Izta, the walls themselves here looked ancient. She saw ivy grow in the corners of the hall, the mana here noticeably denser than back in Izta.

Same stuff as in the first dungeon, she thought, glancing at the ivy that somehow managed to survive in near complete darkness.

The Elves slowly spread out, Asay hissing a moment later.

“The gate,” he murmured.

“It is as expected. Seithir, lead us to a secure location,” Isalthar said, a powerful aura surging up from within him as his eyes started glowing slightly, a trail of white following them as he moved.

Ilea glanced at the gate, seeing the magic slowly seep out, the thrum from before gone entirely. Cut off.

A thud resounded where a large exit led into the dungeon, followed by three more impacts.

“And the welcoming party is here,” Feyrair said with a grin, his flames flaring up as he stepped towards the exit.

“Centurion,” Seithir said, magic emanating from his floating form, his voice calm and steady.

“Are they mocking us?” the dragonling asked.

“Neiphato, you may deal with them as the rest remains hidden. We shall not reveal our numbers and capabilities if the enemy does not yet know of it,” Isalthar said, floating to the side.

Asay and Farthorn each formed spells, concealing the group that appeared next to them.

“Didn’t know you could do stuff like that,” Ilea commented, curious as her sphere was cut off from the space around her. She still saw through the barrier but assumed anything on the other side wouldn’t be able to perceive them anymore.

“We are after all, full of surprises,” Asay said and hissed a joyous hiss.

Neiphato stood near the exit and waited, four normal Centurions rushing into the hall with their spears at the ready. He didn’t let them advance, roots flowing out of thin air, slamming into the creatures with powerful thrusts, breaking into their armor.

More roots still formed, quickly enveloping most of the four machines, the wood slowly pressing down. Steel groaned as the machines looked on with bright green eyes, their spears and arms unable to get through the dense conjured material.

A few seconds later, the first explosion resounded, followed by three more. Charred and blackened wood fell to the ground, steel shrapnel stuck within.

The group fanned out, Seithir leading them with a quiet confidence as he teleported through the dark facility. Everyone kept close, appearing next to him without trouble. Ilea wondered what kind of abilities each of them used to see or follow the soul mage, but it wasn’t the time for such considerations.

“Executioner,” Seithir said and pointed in a direction vaguely behind them before he vanished again, moving three floors up in the place they had found themselves in.

Ilea saw dozens of cells all around, iron barred doors locked with the occasional skeleton visible within. They continued to move up until they appeared in a wide open space, Seithir not stopping as he pushed on with quick uses of teleportation.

The others followed, Ilea glancing up to see a bunch of magical lights on the distant ceiling, so far away that she couldn’t make out any details. Around them were high walls or even cliffs leading up, Ilea not quite sure if they were natural or dwarven made. The valley they moved in was broad enough for even groups of Praetorians to show up but so far they had remained undisturbed.

Seithir slightly raised a hand. “Hide,” he spoke, several spells activating around their group a moment later.

Ilea watched as a group of Praetorians followed by special variant Centurions rushed past, their steel steps barely audible.

Reinforcements sent to deal with us?

She looked up and quietly pointed, dozens of ranged Guardians crawling past while clinging to the high walls.

They waited for a few minutes before Seithir continued moving, his teleportation bringing them to the other side of the valley and up a broad staircase.

When they appeared at the top, a familiar sight spread out before them. This time however, Ilea had received a few upgrades to her visual organs. Iz fanned out as far as the eye could see, the facility not made to produce machines but to inhabit an entire people. A city, perhaps even larger than Virilya. The ceiling reached so high in the cavern that Ilea could barely make out the distant lights built into it. No crystals but most certainly machines meant to look like stars or gems.

The city sloped downwards from their position, various mountain like structures jutting out from the sea of stone buildings and streets, steam rising from thousands of pipes, layering whole districts in a thin gray mist. Thousands of green lights dotted the city, fiery colors mixed in here and there.

At the lowest point of the city and the very center of its crater like form, a circular hole the size of an entire district lead downwards into an abyss. Above it floated the golden orb Ilea had seen before, bright light emanating from it as it glinted with magic and pulsed with energy. Its surface looked smooth and even. A single set of floating stairs led towards the structure from the surrounding city, over the abyss and onto what looked like a tiny platform jutting out from the golden orb.

Ilea could barely make out any details from the distance, sure that the sphere alone rivaled half of Ravenhall in size, if not more.

Flying machines patrolled the skies, moving in larger groups closer to the light of the sphere. Machines ranging from Guardians to Praetorians stood on roofs or patrolled the streets, everywhere Ilea’s eyes lingered, she could find at least ten enemies.

Seithir made a noise to get their attention, even the Elves distracted by the sight for a moment. He lead them all into the large structure nearby, bouts of steam rising into the air above. Gears turned in the walls, some jutting out slightly, the humming of machinery audible all around.

Ilea entered behind the rest, Seithir looking around before he glanced at Isalthar. “Safe.”

“For now,” Ben said with a sigh, sitting down on a nearby wooden chair.

They had found themselves in what looked like an office far up in the production facility. Not a production facility for taleen machines but in fact for furniture. While gears turned and machines were active, nothing was being produced at the moment. No guards stood within but Ilea could see a few ranged guardians cling to the roof above them, unaware of their group’s presence as of yet.

Large windows lined two of the walls, allowing for a broad view of the expansive Taleen city. Green light came from the magical lights above, the whole area tinged in the color.

Feyrair sat down on the large chair, his armored legs hitting the top of the wooden desk in front of him as he smiled. “So this is Iz.”

Elfie wrung his eyes away from the windows and instead made his way over to the many bookshelves on the other side of the large office.

Isalthar floated next to Ilea, their gaze focused on the floating sphere at the center of the city.

“What do you think?” she asked.

He remained silent for a moment before he turned towards her. “There are too many. I have never seen such numbers of both Hunters and Executioners in one place, let alone in such an open area. They would wear us down in little time,” he said.

“I agree,” Ilea mused. “But while we’re here, I’m sure you don’t just want to leave without at least some destruction,” she said with a slight smile.

“Indeed. We shall find out what we can while we are here. However I believe a more… subtle approach is beneficial for the time being,” he said.

Ben stepped next to Ilea and hissed. “An overwhelming sight,” he said and looked at her. “Your marks. Do you know where we are?”

“Ah, yes. I was a little too excited to be back,” she said with an embarrassed smile, checking the location of the various Huntress marks in the lands.

Her eyes opened wide, trying to make sense of the information. She had expected them to be deep below in the north, or in the Frozen Wasteland the Elves had talked about, perhaps even on another continent altogether.

“Well?” Ben asked, the Elves nearby glancing at her.

Ilea smiled before she started laughing. “Oh, but of course,” she said and shook her head. “Where else would we be but below Karth?”

Chapter 588 Writing

Chapter 588 Writing

“What?” Ben said.

Isalthar hissed, the sound barely audible. “Of course. Hidden in plain sight.”

“Their records never spoke of Karth,” Asay said. “Did they really… well of course they did,” he added and snickered to himself. “Oh those devious dwarfs. All to protect their capital.”

“I mean it’s not that obvious,” Ilea said. “We’re far… and when I say far, I mean fucking ridiculously far underground. I’ve not been this deep down, ever. Didn’t always have a way to tell but I’m pretty fucking sure.”

“It matters little. We would not have found Iz without a gate and your ability to point to its location. Can you help us pin point it?” Isalthar said, summoning a map and floating towards the desk.

Feyrair moved away his legs and cleared his throat. “So we can just dig down in Karth?”

“The inhabitants of the caverns above are dangerous even to the likes of us,” Ben said.

“And yet we now know where to search,” Neiphato said as he joined them at the table.

“Millennia of troop movements, all placed in such a way to lead us away from this location,” Asay said. “I salute their foresight.”

“It also means there’s something they want to protect here, right?” Feyrair said and stood up while Ilea tried to determine the depth and location of their current position. “Probably that bright ball of gold,” Fey added and pointed at the thing hovering over the central abyss.

“That’s what they’d want you to think,” Ben said. “It wouldn’t be that obvious.”

“Why not?” Feyrair said. “You should think with some pride. It’s like a call. Come and challenge us.”

“Keep your shit together for a moment,” Ilea said, not taking her eyes off the map.

Isalthar glanced at the dragonling. “I agree. We must be patient, lest our enemy learns more of us than we can learn of them.”

Elfie had sat down on a chair, a few stacks of books sitting on a small table nearby. “Those who can read Taleen should join me, instead of sitting around uselessly.”

Feyrair hissed and walked over, grabbing a book and starting to read.

He can read? Ilea thought and stared at the dragonling for a moment.

He glanced up and met her eyes. “What?” he hissed.

“Nothing, proud of you,” she answered with a wink and focused back on her marks.

Neiphato searched through the drawers of the desk, pilling up a few booklets and letters, moving it all over to the two sitting Elves before he dumped it on their table. “Start with that. It will have more relevance than the books sitting untouched in a shelf.”

“That’s as best as I can place it,” Ilea said with a shrug.

Isalthar and Asay looked at the map. “That will be enough to find it again. The question is simply how to get here,” the former said.

Asay smiled and joined the reading group, grabbing a book as well.

Seithir remained with Ilea as both Ben and Isalthar joined the others.

“You and Neiphato are the only ones who can’t read Taleen?” she asked.

Seithir smiled and gently touched her shoulder.

“Sympathy,” he whispered and sent a bit of soul magic into her.

“Seithir get over here and help,” Feyrair hissed.

Oh, so you too, Ilea thought, looking at the elf who had now turned his head away from her face. Even though your eyes are covered.

She jumped over the desk and sat down in the massive office chair, summoning a barrel of ale and one of Keyla’s meals.

Neiphato joined her a moment later and leaned onto the desk.

“Want some too?” she asked between bites, taking a sip of ale.

He smiled. “If you would be so kind.”

She summoned a mug and used her ash to fill it with ale, moving over a meal too. “You can’t read their script?”

“No. I have not been a Hunter for long, nor has there been an opportunity to learn such things. Taleen writing is supposedly quite rare,” he said, his blue eyes gentle as he moved his braided brown hair to his back, lest it fall into his bowl.

Ilea smiled. “Well apparently not. We just found upwards of a hundred books.”

He nodded lightly, glancing at the group of hissing Elves, each of them taking notes from time to time or talking to each other about something they had found.

“It’s strange, I agree,” he said. “Maybe Iz was treated differently. Or the books here simply didn’t decay. I’ve not visited many of their dungeons myself but this place really does look different.”

“It’s much more alive, that’s for sure. The other dungeons that once were cities looked more like ruins. Forgotten and withered away,” she answered.

“Maybe it has to do with that sphere. I can feel tremendous power from that direction… though my senses are muddled by the dense magic,” Neiphato said.

“Everything here is bright as fuck,” Ilea said, her magical perception picking up plenty of sources just in their vicinity. She turned in her chair to look out into the city. “But I do wonder what it is. Maybe that’s the One without Form. Would be weird though.”

Or we’ve just found the missing sun.

“Why?” the Elf asked, looking out to follow her gaze.

“I mean it’s a sphere. That’s a form, or am I wrong?” she asked, glancing back at him.

Neiphato stared at her for a moment before he smiled lightly, closing his eyes as he took a swig of ale.

Ilea relaxed, enjoying the busy sight of the Taleen city, apparently once their capital. It reminded her of a modern city back on Earth. Well there weren’t any sky scrapers but the largest structures certainly came close. To think it’s all abandoned, only machines left behind. What a waste.

“Do you really think there are no actual Taleen left in this whole place?” she asked.

Neiphato hissed thoughtfully. “I don’t know. But it’s said that no Hunter has met a living Taleen dwarf. But I doubt many have found this city either.”

“Some must have. Maybe they just failed to escape, or they found the challenge too much and left,” Ilea suggested. They had found a gate leading to Iz in a random Praetorian facility. And she had been teleported here before, maybe on accident, maybe on purpose. However if any place was well connected in a teleportation network of a species, it should be their capital.

Neiphato continued his meal. “Maybe.”

“Shall we scout the city?” Farthorn asked, closing his book before he looked at Asay. “I’m sick of reading Taleen recipes and furniture sales reports.”

“I am however quite fascinated with this find,” Asay said. “I shall remain here.”

Ilea glanced over. “I can join you, I can’t read after all.”

“Yes. An illiterate human who hasn’t heard of the word stealth yet, is exactly who I’d want to have by my side while I scout the capital of our enemy,” Farthorn said.

“Perfect,” Ilea said and joined him, patting his shoulder when he rolled his eyes. “Come on, I can heal and teleport you around. They know someone’s here already anyway. Not much we can fuck up here.”

“There is a lot we can, fuck up, as you call it,” Farthorn said. “But very well, follow and try to be as quiet as possible.”

Ilea put a finger to where her mouth would be behind her armor. “Neiphato?” she asked.

The elf shook his head. “I shall remain. My magic isn’t suited for this kind of work.”

“I see, well enjoy yourself,” Ilea said, pointing at the ale she left behind.

He raised his mug and smiled.

Farthorn vanished, Ilea following the ripples in space, appearing by his side a moment later. He looked at her, tensing up ever so slightly.

Surprised? Ilea thought and smirked to herself. I’m Lilith, she thought with a deep voice in her head.

The Elf continued, teleporting down into the city and into a random building.

Ilea could already perceive eight machines in the vicinity, all of them motionless and waiting. “Can you see them?” Ilea asked in a quiet whisper, her ashen limbs pointing at each of the creatures.

Farthorn nodded. “We should look for documents, books, and anything else that could be useful to the others,” his whisper just as quiet as hers. A normal human wouldn’t have heard either.

Ilea checked the house with her sphere, looking through parts of the adjacent buildings as well. She displaced the few books and papers she could see in front of her, putting all into her bracelet.

Farthorn looked at her, his brows rising a little. “You don’t cease to impress, human.”

“I have a name Fart horn,” Ilea said.

“As do I, Ilea,” he whispered, vanishing into the next home.

Ilea followed, the two of them slowly working their way through the dwarven city, collecting books and documents where something had been left behind.

Farthorn held up a hand when they arrived in a rather spacious entrance hall to what seemed like a government building. It reminded Ilea of a few structures she had entered back in Iztacalum. The elf pointed at the bright light flooding in through a large window to their right.

Ilea glanced over and pointed up to the second floor. Both vanished, sitting behind a large desk to avoid the light coming in. It moved up to their floor, scanning over the walls opposite them.

“Did it see us?” Ilea whispered.

“Magic perception?” Farthorn asked.

Ilea relaxed, watching the bright light sway from left to right. “Maybe. Let’s wait for a while.”

She soon heard tapping noises from below, seeing a few Guardians enter through the open double doors and into the entrance hall. “We’ve got company.”

“Stay quiet and wait,” Farthorn said, moving a little closer to her before he weaved a spell, void magic flickering to life, enveloping them in a thin haze.

Ilea deactivated her resistance to his magic and retracted her ashen limbs to make a smaller visible target.

The Guardians rushed into the room a moment later, three of them slowly stepping around and over the furniture to find what the flying machine outside had apparently spotted.

She watched as one of them moved past the desk they were hiding behind, its blades hovering past her shoulder before it turned to the side. The guardians weren’t a problem but if they started a fight here, half the bloody city would be upon them in the span of a few minutes. They could escape with teleportation, but she doubted the machines would give up quite that quickly. For now they knew about one intruder, if at all. And that intruder should’ve been down in the dungeons.

And so they waited, the guardians leaving again a few minutes later and with them the light flooding in from outside.

The void magic vanished. “We should wait another few minutes with teleportation.”

“Or we can try to use my space magic only. I know it gets around some enchantments, maybe it helps against them too,” she suggested.

Farthorn looked at her. “It may be worth a try.”

They waited in silence for a few minutes, Ilea displacing various documents towards her, the spell not attracting any obvious attention from the surrounding machines. When she got everything she deemed useful, she displaced the two of them into the next building, right into the attic.

“No machines on the roof, but we have a Centurion on the second floor,” she said.

“How are your eyes?” Farthorn asked.

She scanned through the home with her sphere. “Good for a few hundred meters,” she answered.

The elf nodded. “Better than mine then. Maybe you can check our surroundings from the roof.”

“What if a flying one spots us?” she asked.

“There are none close by, it should be safe,” he answered.

Ilea didn’t wait and displaced herself onto the mostly flat stone roof. Most of the buildings in the city lacking any tiles but it looked like some of the builders did add their personal flair. Though the general idea seemed to be a focus on functionality.

She could see the massive furniture production building behind her, the glass front of the office barely visible in the distance. And yet they had barely come closer to the central parts of the city, Guardians and Centurions standing guard on various roofs, the flying versions patrolling the city with their floodlights.

Ilea followed the movements of one, its elongated body reminding her of an upside down scorpion, the tail hanging down and sometimes moving around. Its body was covered in steel, angles and shapes instead of a more organic look that a monster might have. And yet it could move single parts of its carapace as it floated over the many houses, no eyes visible on its front but a single bright floodlight shining down. Its armor glimmered in the same green metal that most Taleen creations were made of.

She vanished when one of the flying machines turned towards her direction. “We’re super far off the center, but I doubt we’ll get anywhere in less than a week to be honest. There are ten of the flying ones closer to the sphere for every one in these parts.”

“Same with the machines on the ground?” Farthorn asked.

Ilea shrugged. “On the roofs, yes. I couldn’t see the ground.”

“It’s likely to be the same,” he said and sketched something into a notebook.

“Agreed. How far do you want to go? We could also try to ignore the documents and go straight towards the center?” Ilea suggested.

Farthorn knitted his brow. “I would normally suggest I try that with Asay… but your space magic might just be more efficient. We’ve avoided detection so far after all.”

“Then let’s go and see how far we get,” Ilea said. “Just keep your void thingy ready.”

She displaced them both into the next building, repeating the skill whenever she found an empty floor or room in any adjacent house. With her quick teleportation cooldown and sphere, the two progressed towards the center in no time at all.

A few minutes later, the machines however became too numerous for Ilea to just displace through. They had to take detours to push further in, her sphere swarming with machines. By now she even saw Praetorians and special variants patrolling the streets and sometimes even staying within halls or clinging to roofs. Without the houses, it would’ve been impossible to stay hidden from the many Hunter Praetorians on the roofs of the larger buildings. And they were barely halfway to the golden sphere.

When an Executioner started moving through the air and towards the attic they were hiding in, Ilea called it quits and displaced them back. It proved even more difficult to navigate the patrolling machines on the way out but they managed with a few risky longer range displacements.

“That was close,” Farthorn whispered when they had reached a less machine infested area of the massive city.

“Did it detect the spell?” Ilea asked him.

“I have no idea. Maybe our auras were enough?” Farthorn suggested as Ilea brought them back into their office and current base of operations.

She vomited all the documents and books they had found out onto the large desk. “Center is too crowded to sneak past.”

Both Asay and Feyrair went to look at the pile of new information.

The dragonling grabbed a few of the letters and hissed. “At least you get to do something interesting. For how rare Taleen writing is, they apparently loved putting everything into books. Just like humans.”

“Helps with retaining knowledge when you’re not immortal magical creatures farted out by all knowing Oracles,” Ilea said and tapped her brow.

“Then maybe you should read more,” Feyrair said with a wink.

Ilea looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Ah but you see, I am an immortal magical creature. Just so happens that I don’t have mommy issues.”

Ben started laughing at that, the rest of the Elves either ignoring the conversation or looking at her with a confused expression.

“The flying machines can somehow detect magic but we don’t really know to what extent so far,” Ilea supplied. “Did you find anything?”

“Writing of the war and their creations but nothing about the sphere or the being that communicated with you,” Asay said. “Hopefully the documentation from those a little closer to the center can reveal a little more.”

“Key warden, was it?” Feyrair said. “I think I just found something,” he said and motioned to the letter in his hand. “… the iron key was supposed to be entrusted to us. The Warson family has no right to take this honor from the Armorer’s guild. You must speak with the king. Too long have we stood in the shadow of the guard...”

“Doesn’t sound like they’re talking about a random iron key,” Neiphato said.

“The one I have is called the Tungsten Key,” Ilea said.

“… not one of the twelve would be given to the Armorers. It cannot stand,” Feyrair finished. “Twelve keys then. Important enough to make that Taleen thing talk to you.”

“Should I take it out? Maybe that would prompt some form of reaction,” Ilea suggested.

Isalthar stood up. “No. Revealing that key should be the last thing we try. We have much to gain while we stay hidden. The time for battle will come, do not despair,” he said and looked at each of them for a few seconds, lingering a little longer on Feyrair and Ilea.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. I can control my impulses. Unlike some people,” Ilea said with a shrug.

Feyrair hissed and grabbed another few letters. “At least I can read,” he murmured to himself, hissing again as he sat down with a glint of fire in his eyes.

Chapter 589 Some Lore for the Wiki

Chapter 589 Some Lore for the Wiki

The group spent the next few days doing research, Ilea and Farthorn going off on their own to gather more documents from throughout the city.

They learned that Iz had indeed once been the capital of the Taleen, built as far underground as their magic and technology allowed. An effort that cost hundreds of lives, an expedition with the sole goal to dig below Karth, to go beyond the systems of caves belonging to the monsters lurking in the dark. To go beyond and find a place they would call home. A place unreachable for their enemies, only accessible through their secure teleportation network.

All the tunnels they had dug were collapsed behind them, dwarfs and machines dying in battle to ensure the rest of the expedition could go on. They did succeed in the end, the destined heroes, or as some of the Elves supposed, just the luckiest of the many expeditions they had likely sent out on a one way trip. It had been a desperate attempt by the weakening dwarfs, their territories contested, their mines running dry. Technology and knowledge they had but they could not compete with their enemies, be it Elf, human, or dwarf.

And yet their desperation had led them here. To the cavern that would later become Iz. The many kings of the Taleen led their people to a new home. Hidden they prospered while their enemies found abandoned cities and outposts, taking over or looking to challenge another foe. The Taleen and their technology developed, and yet their gates remained inactive, forgotten, and silent.

Few remembered who the dwarfs were when they returned, just one people amongst many to come and go. Their technology had been sought after, their knowledge and ingenuity nearly leading to their downfall. But when they deemed themselves ready, their Centurions and Praetorians overran those who had taken their cities. Gates reignited and an unending tide of machines controlled by the guilds of the Guard, the Builders, and the Makers swept through the underground and the lands above.

Few could stand against their will. The Taleen rose from a forgotten people to a power capable of challenging even the ageless Domains. Treaties were forged, trade routes set up, the dwarfs having little interest to live on the eastern plains or to send their creations against the Elves in the central lands. Nor did they have any intention to share their closely guarded secrets. Long range teleportation and single mages capable of controlling a hundred machines.

Growing internal struggles slowed their conquest, the various Guilds growing more powerful with every passing year, the territory and numbers the Taleen commanded expanding rapidly.

“And the war started five centuries later?” Ilea asked, enjoying a bottle of ale as Elfie summarized the knowledge they had gathered.

The group had been forced to move into an underground basement in the outskirts of the city, the machines not letting up with their search for the intruder they had yet to destroy.

Elfie rubbed his temples and hissed a tired hiss. “There were so many wars, Ilea. Against both monsters, men, Elves, and others. Some of the records even suggest a few conflicts with dragons, however even their own historians call those endeavors foolish, the guild members delusional or fanatics. But yes, the great war in the five hundredth year after Bothor the Maker had initiated the Reclamation.

“Monsters started to change, creatures thought harmless slaughtering whole villages of humans, breaking through enchanted dwarf made walls where they had failed for centuries before. Dungeons harbored beings that were impossible to defeat for the adventurers in the region. And runes were found. Runes that bent both space and void, magic so powerful even the Taleen were quickly becoming interested.”

“The Ascended,” Ilea said, smiling at him.

“Precisely. They seemed to have been the sole focus of the Taleen for decades before the Domains even took note of their existence and their invasion into our realm. Facilities were found and taken, destroyed, and contested. The enemy were few but powerful enough to challenge armies on their own, their magic summoning demons and monsters alike, fighting restlessly at their whims. And yet the Taleen machines did not relent, their capital and many cities secured and protected, the builders making a hundred soldiers for every ten they lost.

“Ilea it’s really quite fascinating to learn about all this… you know how little we write down, but this is history that concerns all of us, not just the Taleen,” Elfie said, an excited glint in his eyes.

“History written by the Taleen,” Feyrair said, looking up from the book he was flipping through with a bored expression. “Of course they’d be the first ones to face the enemy, and the only ones to win their battles. It wouldn’t have come to their alliance if the Taleen were as mighty as they claim to have been.”

“It’s not about the power of the Domains, or the armies any other species could have put on a field. It seems to be a matter of interest. Why would the Oracles send Elves into battle against an enemy that does not interfere with their domains? An enemy that does not engage in open battle when left unchallenged? The Ascended came here with a purpose, one they sought to fulfill underground, where no humans and only few Elves dwell,” Elfie said. “I understand that these sources are to be treated with necessary doubt, and yet it makes sense to me that these dwarfs understood the threat of the Ascended long before any others would have.”

Feyrair hissed and continued reading.

“Only when the lands were ruptured, entire cities swallowed in the wake of their reach, only then did the surface dwelling species understand the enemy they had to face. And the Taleen were there, providing information, targets, locations of critical facilities that no other even knew about. I’m sure there were efforts made by other species, but with their teleportation network and incredibly far reach, again, it just makes sense to me,” Elfie explained, glancing at Feyrair who didn’t dignify him with a reaction.

“Here is where things become unclear,” the elf continued. “Despite all the writing they did, all the documentation and rigorous planning, well there just seems to be a lot missing. I gauge that they understood more of the Ascended plans than they shared with their allies, a few sections allude to that. The Taleen had reached their power through technological advances, knowledge, education, and magical theory far beyond what others in their time worked with. The war they fought was just one part of their efforts, much of their resources spent on understanding the runes they had found, the facilities and technology they managed to uncover from their enemy.

“It became a downright obsession, one that led to a plan. What exactly that plan was is unclear as of yet. And though I remain hopeful, it seems the records have been meticulously stripped of this knowledge,” Elfie said.

Ilea sipped on her ale and looked at the ceiling, a few candles flickering nearby. “The Ascended apparently managed to take away or destroy one of Elos’ suns. Somehow. I don’t know if the rupturing lands happened before or after that.”

“Could be both,” Elfie said. “It’s frustrating that they suddenly turned to secrecy.”

“I mean they were working together with Humans and Elves, weren’t they? It’s best if not everyone knows about the plans of the higher ups. One interrogation or slip of the tongue would be enough to endanger the likely fragile alliance,” Ilea said.

Asay giggled. “Alliance. A strong word. These dwarfs distrusted outsiders and other species just as much if not more so than the Domains we hail from.”

“Then why did they all work together?” Ilea asked.

Elfie hissed. “Should the Oracles have commanded it, the males would’ve followed. Yet we would never know, unless we ask an Oracle old enough to remember.”

Feyrair hissed, as did two other Elves in the room. “Don’t suggest something like that.”

“Is talking to them that dangerous?” Ilea asked.

“What did you call it? Mommy issues?” Ben asked with a wicked smirk. “Though I admit, the idea does not appeal to me either.”

“All of this still doesn’t answer why there are no more Taleen around. If their capital was so perfectly hidden and defended, why would they leave?” Ilea asked. “And if the Domains or Ascended did come down here to kill them all, why is this city still around and why is it crawling with machines?”

“That, is precisely what we aim to answer here,” Asay said with a smirk.

“We aim to destroy the purpose that drives these machines, to find those controlling their production, seeding their intent,” Isalthar said. “And perhaps here, we may find answers that could make such aim reality.”

“Not if they were meticulous with the destruction or alteration of their records. And if we’ve learned anything about the Taleen, then that they were meticulous,” Ben said with a sigh.

“But we found out about the keys, they’re certainly important somehow. I still think it’s a good idea to whip it out and see what happens,” Ilea said.

Feyrair groaned. “Yes, please. I’m tired of reading. I want to fight. And there are thousands of Taleen all around.”

“Our time for battle will come, but I bid you, have patience,” Isalthar said, glancing at everyone in the room.

The next day Ilea and Farthorn pushed towards the center from a new direction. Below. His void magic coupled with her ash allowed for somewhat efficient digging. A few problems immediately presented themselves however.

One was the location of the center, solved with Ilea’s increasing precision with her various marks. Especially the one on Elfie gave her significant guidance, the proximity to Riverwatch and the marks on Dale and Walter providing additional help. She could locate the abyss in the center of the city, of that much she was sure.

The main problem however was the architecture used by the dwarfs. Much like the modern Ravenhall, they built deep. Which in turn meant that Ilea and her Elven companion had to dig even deeper. The process was slow and boring, too much magic and vibration would likely attract the attention of an Executioner but they simply had no other way.

A direct confrontation would be catastrophic, apparently even with Isalthar’s help. She had asked him to make sure. A drop from above would reveal them instantly. Not only the flying variants they had found to be called Taleen Destroyers were in the way, Hunter Praetorians swarmed the distant far reaching cavern walls. An attempt would at least lead to a lot of fireworks.

And so they dug, piece after piece, over a hundred meters below the city streets. “If we can come out in that abyss like hole, we should be able to make our way up to that sphere,” Ilea said. She made the large ash drill spin again, slowly to make sure the machines above didn’t notice the vibrations.

“We would likely be spotted anyway. Perhaps with my concealing spell. But it’s uncertain still,” Farthorn said, using his magic to remove the accumulating stone.

They continued for a few hours, Ilea humming various tunes as she enjoyed the meditative drilling work. She was woken from her trance like state by something hitting her mind. Ilea held up a hand. “Something just hit me.”

“Stop hitting me,” she said with her limited telepathy.

“Hit? Ah the feeble minds of the living. I merely contacted you,” a voice said into her mind, sounding deep and gravelly.

“Hi there. And who might I be talking to?” Ilea said and gestured for Farthorn to wait, the elf looking at her with an apprehensive look on his face.

“Who indeed. Perhaps the same being that has been watching your progress for the past weeks. I’m confused as to why a human would choose to work with the enemy, especially a key warden,” the voice said with consideration. “I’m called the One without Form. Because the makers had a very limited imagination. And I’m contacting you as is my duty.”

Ilea smiled, crossing her arms in front of her. “And you chose to do that now? Why not earlier? We could’ve resolved these issues already.”

“I have no obligation to talk with a limited creature of flesh. Nor do I wish to waste my time on a human so wretched, she would conspire with Elves of all things,” the voice said, nearly vibrating in her mind.

“And yet you’re talking to me,” Ilea said and laughed.

“Of course. I must communicate with the key wardens when they reach my authority. What may I do for you, esteemed ally?” the One without Form asked.

“Alright… ally?” Ilea asked.

“You hold the Tungsten key, entrusted to you for its protection. An ally to our cause. I’ll have you ripped apart, your blood and innards smeared onto the ancient streets you have desecrated. Traitor,” it said, the voice vibrating more during the second part, the words distorted and warped.

Ah I see, Ilea thought and glanced at Farthorn, twirling her index finger next to her temple. “This thing is nuts.”

She turned her attention back to the thing still connected with her mind. “What can I do as a Key warden?”

“You will have a say in decisions made by the Guilds,” the being said in a perfectly even tone. “You will be found and destroyed, including the vermin you have brought into this sacred city.”

“Yes, yes. I got that. Can you tell me what you are? Where you are?” Ilea asked instead.

“The information I can share with you is limited, key warden. Due to your status as ally. You need not know who or what I am, for death is already descending,” it said.

“Praetorians have gathered above,” Farthorn said. “They’re cutting into stone to reach us.” He sounded calm, waiting for Ilea to make a decision.

“Can I change my status?” she asked.

“Three keys must be entrusted to you, only then can one without ancestry be considered a true key warden. I suggest you contact the guilds, should you desire more information,” the being said.

“I see. Can you tell me where the other keys are? Or where the Guilds are?” she said.

“No. The locations of the keys are not known to me, as is protocol. Your attempts are meaningless, human. You will perish. This day, or in a thousand years. My purpose will remain. The enemy will be eradicated. And you will die with them,” the being said when the first silver blade entered the tunnel.

“Time to fuck off,” Ilea said and displaced the two of them away.

Farthorn turned and made the ceiling collapse as they ran away. “What happened?”

“Talked to the One without Form. Apparently we entered what it called its authority,” she said, the two teleporting through their tunnel before they exited out into the city, finding their hiding place and appearing within.

“We might be in trouble,” Ilea said.

Isalthar looked up from the book he was reading and cocked his head a little to the side.

“Dug closer to the center. Was contacted via telepathy by the One without Form. Or at least it called itself that. I think it was a little confused because I’m obviously its enemy but I also held a key,” she said.

“Have you learned anything?” Asay asked.

Ilea smiled. “Well yes and no. Apparently I need three keys to be considered an actual key warden. Until then, the information I get is limited. It did seem quite upset with me working with Elves, something about blood and death.”

“Enemies,” Seithir said.

“They’re coming,” Asay said. “Should we relocate?”

“Many,” Seithir said.

Farthorn’s eyes glowed a deep purple for a moment before he hissed. “That is an understatement. Seems like hiding might no longer be an option.”

“The carpenter’s study. Everyone but Ilea and Feyrair, retreat there while we hold them off,” Isalthar said.

The Elves hissed and vanished, Elfie touching Ilea’s shoulder briefly before he joined the others without complaint.

Must hurt their pride quite a bit, to be sent off like that, Ilea thought. Though she did agree with the decision. While powerful, with the numbers here in Iz, even their group here would be overwhelmed. Escaping would be easier for Isalthar and Feyrair than for Neiphato or Ben.

“Do you trust in your ability to get us out?” Isalthar asked, turning to look at her.

“Of course. The spell does need a little over two minutes to activate. Think you can protect me for that long?” she asked.

Isalthar smiled lightly. “With everybody else there, yes. I will tell you when you two should go and start the spell. Ready?”

“Whenever you are,” Ilea said, white flame flaring up on her body.

Feyrair smirked and hissed, his own fire flaring up. “It’s been a while since I last fought by your side.”

“A necessity. Not a joyous occasion,” Isalthar said as the air around him stilled to an unnatural degree. “Do not take unnecessary risks.”

He vanished a moment later, Ilea glancing at Feyrair before she followed.

When she appeared once more, Ilea thought the city itself had started moving. Thousands of machines were rushing towards their position, moving in tandem as if a single mind guided them in their wave like advance. She wondered if that was exactly what was happening, or if she simply hadn’t truly seen an army of Taleen on the march before.

The ground didn’t vibrate, nor was the sound they produced particularly loud. A silent tide of death, coming towards them with a singular intent.

She looked over to Feyrair, seeing Isalthar advance a little. Their spells were ready, powerful magic coupled with near endless resources and regeneration. And yet she felt small.

A single high level enemy was one thing, graspable no matter how much they could manipulate the elements around them or how strong their weapons hit. This however was different.

“Like an ant hill down here,” she murmured, looking at the sea of green lights rapidly moving towards them.

Chapter 590 Magic Turtle

Chapter 590 Magic Turtle

Ilea prepared herself to hold back the masses when the distant walls lit up in a sea of blue light. “Are those?” she murmured, her eyes opening wide when the lights vanished.

A wave of air rushed out from Isalthar, thousands of invisible arcane arrows exploding upon impact with the force.

Yeah I think this isn’t exactly a fair fight, she thought, the first arrows flying past, displaced as they reached her.

Isalthar conjured a hundred blades of wind when the first row of enemies reached them, two dozen Executioners running through the air with increasing speed. Shields cracked and shattered as they were hit by the blades, a wave of air pushing them back a little.

“Perhaps, it may be best,” Isalthar said and dodged the silver blade of one Executioner before blowing it away with a concentrated blast of wind. “If you went and prepared your spell now.”

“Short lived battle,” Ilea said with a smile, flying through a barrage of arcane arrows, most of them displaced, others exploding on her with little effect. Their sheer number however shaved away both her armor and health, her teleportation bringing both her and Feyrair down into the houses below.

The elf hissed in frustration but didn’t offer any words of complaint, knowing how terribly outmatched they were here. Explosions resounded above and behind, the two teleporting as quickly as they could, reaching their little hideout about ten seconds later.

Ilea appeared in the room and immediately started casting her third tier blink. “Stay somewhat close to me and prepare any barrier and defensive spell you can form.”

Her gaze was focused on the broad windows ahead and what lay beyond. The cavern had lit up, blue and green lights flaring up as spells exploded and clashed with the wind mage flying at the center of it all.

His form was visible through occasional glimpses into the storm swirling around him. Machines flew in the air, ripped apart and sent out into the city as spells exploded in the strong winds. Stone was ripped from buildings, Centurions and even Praetorians lifted up into the growing whirlwind conjured and controlled by Isalthar.

And yet the enemy did not relent, thousands of bright beams and magical arrows entering the elf’s domain, exploding nearby or hitting him directly where he failed to disrupt or deflect a projectile. One mage stood against an army, his control of the air unmatched as he sliced through even Executioners, leaving them to fall and reform lost limbs before they could advance once more.

Not all machines were focused only on the elf, many flowing past like waves split apart by a rocky isle. A carpet of dull green steel that moved over houses and through the streets, all in pursuit of the rest. Easier pray for the weaker machines.

“Little point in hiding with your spell charging,” Elfie said, setting up meticulous sets of barriers, layering the white runed shields above each other with deliberate care and hurry.

Purple runes appeared farther out, Asay adding to their defenses as ice and roots joined in on the mix.

Two minutes was a very long time in this situation, Ilea adding walls of ash in a hope to support her allies, her third tier spell slowly taking form as the explosive battle between Isalthar and the endless hordes was covered up by the growing magical bunker.

“How long did you say?” Feyrair asked.

“Barely started. Two minutes total. Keep adding to the defenses,” Ilea said.

The elf nodded, his form expanding as he curled up in the small space, using his dragon self to create another barrier in case everything else came crashing down.

“I’ll let you know when a few seconds are left. Transform back so I can move you,” Ilea said.

Every second felt like an eternity as the explosions outside moved closer, Ilea soon seeing the first machines crawling up the walls and through the staircase in the carpenter’s facility.

Impacts resounded on their defenses as the Taleen started to sink their blades and magic into them. Ashen lances, freezing cold, and white flame burned through the attackers’ health but for every one destroyed, ten more took its place.

“Don’t destroy the Praetorians!” Elfie shouted, the core explosions likely to do more damage than the normal attacks could ever manage.

Layer by layer, their barriers were stripped away, reforming as quickly as they could conjure them up. The distant Hunters had taken aim as well, arcane explosions cracking onto their magical cocoon from above, quickly breaking through each layer. Their sheer power coupled with their high number was simply too much to handle for the comparatively low leveled group.

Ilea spread her ash and already started healing. “Steady,” she said, watching Elfie float above her to block three incoming arcane arrows with a set of bright barriers. They shattered on the second, Neiphato blocking some of the third with a set of roots.

The elf spat blood but was healed again quickly, the hole patched up by several arcane barriers, a field of void magic appearing above.

Feyrair slowly turned in the cramped space, welcoming an Executioner who squeezed itself through the defenses with his fiery breath, continuing the assault until the creature was pushed back again, ice forming immediately where the hole had been.

The flying Destroyers had reached them by then, beams of pure arcane power and death magic continuously burning into the shields as arrows kept on raining in from above.

Ilea caught a glimpse of the ongoing storm outside, Isalthar no longer floating at the center, instead forced to avoid the many projectiles and pursuing Praetorians. Core explosions echoed through the massive city before wood filled the open space she could see through once more, impaling an advancing Centurion with it.

“Can’t hold any longer,” Asay said, both arms outstretched as the arcane field above wavered, cracks forming.

Ilea checked her mana. “Fey, burn me,” she said and activated her third tier Displacement in a large field above their position, the roof long turned to rubble. She manifested the other end towards the largest groups of Destroyers. Both arrows and beams went through the distorted space, arcane magic impacting on the flying Taleen with heavy explosions while the beams harmlessly shot towards the distant cavern ceiling.

“I like that spell,” Asay said while giggling, the group rebuilding their barriers as their magic pushed back against the machines in melee range.

Feyrair’s fire managed to keep the Executioners at bay, for now only two of them nearby but more were coming.

Ilea watched her resources dwindle, the flame clinging to her returning some in the form of absorbed mana but it wouldn’t last long. She had to let go of her portal, the impacts immediately hitting onto the barriers once more.

A few of the Destroyers had gone down from the dozens of arcane arrows impacting them, plumes of smoke trailing them before they crashed into the city below. Apparently the arrows weren’t quite as good at avoiding allies as they were at seeking enemies.

“Fey, now!” Ilea called out, the seconds ticking by as her spell started to manifest. Where are you?

The dragonling returned to his Elven form, the Executioners immediately pushing forward, digging their void blades into the many layered cocoon.

Ilea would go through with the spell either way. If anybody could flee this place, it was Isalthar. Her worry didn’t come to pass however.

The elf appeared within their space a moment later, missing an arm that was already regrowing, his robe splattered with blood. He closed his eyes before the storm he had conjured earlier manifested around their position, flinging away Centurions and Executioners alike.

Ilea saw the army of machines flowing towards them, rushing over the devastated part of the city the elf had fought them in. She couldn’t tell if there were any fewer than before.

Each of the Elves was present and she focused on them with Displacement, attaching them to her own blink as she watched a thousand spells crash against a nearly impenetrable barrier of air itself. Executioners pushed through the winds, slammed away by the combined efforts of their group before Ilea’s blink finally activated.

Magic flared up as the fabrics of space were shifted and they appeared in a living room somewhere near the human plains.

The oppressing magic had vanished, and with it the explosions and constant sounds of machines, gears, and steam. The air felt cool, sounds of water coming from the window front looking out onto the ocean. The suns had just started to rise.

“Where are we?” Feyrair asked, looking around.

“Don’t touch anything,” Ilea said. “This is my house.”

“Oh, wonderful,” Feyrair said and started walking towards the stairs leading up.

Ilea displaced him down the cliffs and towards the ocean, glancing at the group with a questioning look. “I think we could all use a bath to be honest.”

It is what I usually do when I arrive.

“May we sit down?” Elfie asked, gesturing to the sofas.

“Sure, make yourself at home. On this floor that is,” she said.

Asay looked around with sparkling eyes, literally. “Interesting. So very… unhuman. Well, I shall take a bath. Rare to be near the eastern coast,” he said and stepped out onto the balcony before he jumped down.

Ilea rolled her eyes at the roaring dragon flying by, the great beast diving after Asay.

“Well done,” Isalthar said as he stepped up to her, his bloodied robe already replaced with a clean one, his arm back to normal. He bowed lightly and smiled. “I thank you, for saving us.”

“Not like we could’ve done it without your help,” Ilea said and winked. “Oh by the way, I’d like for this place to remain somewhat private. So don’t tell everyone about it.”

Ben had found the stairs down. “Ilea, is that a kitchen? May I?”

She smiled. “Sure. Just clean up after yourself.”

Farthorn sat down on the sofa opposite Elfie, sighing before he started to take off his armor pieces. “That was humiliating,” he murmured with a hiss.

Neiphato smiled as he walked by. “So this is the ocean of the east,” he said and stepped out onto the balcony, Ilea following behind him.

Seithir joined them, silently looking at the sunrise.

“What do you see?” Ilea asked him, curious to know what his view looked like. He wasn’t truly blind after all.

He remained silent for a moment, hissing a long and quiet hiss before he smiled. “Serenity.”

“A poet. I like it,” Ilea said and jumped down, the two Elves following shortly after.

She entered the water with a deep dive, reducing her armor to a point where she retained decency. Ilea smiled at the underwater dragon pursuing a glowing purple fish that looked remarkably Elven in nature.

Not like Fey ever needs to bath with his fires, she thought, enjoying the cold water, the taste of salt and the might of the waves. Her wings propelled her through the ocean before she broke out, forming a small boat of ash in which she could lie comfortably. The view was gorgeous. I should really stay here more often.

She enjoyed the waves breaking on the nearby cliffs, closing her eyes as she relaxed. Ilea only opened on eye when a dragon like creature rose from below, pushing her boat up onto its back.

Feyrair twirled his massive body, taking her with him.

She simply displaced herself past his wing and reformed her boat.

“You’re no fun,” Feyrair said as his massive red dragon head poked out of the water.

She glanced over and smiled. “Enough fun for a day. That was a close one.”

He rolled his large reptilian eyes. “I thought this is what we thrive on,” he said before going under again, focusing on a new prey.

We do, yes. But it would be a bummer to see you all die. Especially in such a shit place underground, she thought and checked the few messages she had received.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 30’

From what exactly? Ah maybe that was earlier. Guess I’m maxed out now. Two Classes pushed as far as they can go. For now.

She felt rather proud, reminiscing about the work and training she had put in to get them to where they were now.

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 4’

Oh, that ordeal pushed it one higher. Well I’ll take it gladly, she thought with a smile.

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 17’

I’ll be the ultimate veteran, she smirked.

‘ding’ ‘You have escaped Iz, saving both yourself and your team – One Core skill point awarded’

“And a nice cherry on top,” she mused. It would’ve been possible to escape through more traditional means but the journey would’ve been long and dangerous. The chance of them hitting a dead end and getting swarmed by machines would’ve been high too.

When she returned to her home, Ilea sighed as she noticed the burnt smell. She blinked down into the kitchen to find Ben and Elfie fiddling with the stove, the metal plates covered in ice.

She crossed her arms and looked at the two, their bodies slowly turning to face her.

“It… eh, I burned something and… panicked,” Ben said, looking down.

“And you mock me for my cartography skills,” she murmured, turning the stove on again to melt the ice. “Come on, upstairs with you.”

Ben tried to say something when Elfie hissed and dragged him up with him.

Shouldn’t have brought them here, she thought, seeing Feyrair looking at the books in her room. As soon as she saw him jump onto her bed, she displaced him in front of the entrance.

What did they even try to cook, she thought, looking at the pan filled to the brim with ice. Below rested a sad burnt piece of meat. And here I thought Ben was the one knowledgeable about human society. I guess he never joined a cooking course.

She cleaned out the pan with her ash and went upstairs, finding all the Elves sitting at the table or on the sofas, cleaned and very much armored.

Ilea looked at them and started laughing. “Holy shit you guys are awkward,” she said and joined them, summoning meals for everyone and adding a few barrels of ale to the mix. “Can someone play an instrument? Some music would be nice. I think it’d be good to relax a little after that endeavor.”

“We should plan our next move,” Farthorn said, looking at the plate he received with suspicion. He was about to dig his hand into it when Ilea handed him a fork.

“Sure, I mean it’s not like a few hours will make a difference,” Ilea said and formed an ashen chair, the creation much more comfortable than anything not specifically made for her ass and back. She had switched into casual clothes, enjoying a mug of ale.

She raised her brows to look at Asay, the elf having summoned a weird string instrument that glittered with arcane energy, his hands weaving a spell as an aura of magic washed out from him.

He winked at her with a sly smile and started playing, a serene sound spreading through the large room, the very air vibrating with each note.

Ilea closed her eyes and relaxed in her chair, enjoying the ethereal experience as the Elves ate their human meals. Human meals, not human meals.

Seithir formed a spell as well, literally touching everyone’s souls with a gentle breeze of pure emotion. A sensation quite unlike anything Ilea had experienced so far.

Elfie summoned runed barriers that glittered with light, pulses of curse magic disturbing the other spells in a profound and changing way.

She watched them and sipped on her ale, happy to have the group here. It felt right, to see them show off their magic in such a spectacle compared to the monstrous ways of their harsh societies. Nobody spoke a word for quite some time.

When the performance came to an end, Ilea clapped with a smile on her face.

Ben glanced over and copied the gesture with a knowing smirk, Elfie and Neiphato following suit.

“What are you doing?” Feyrair whispered from the side.

“Clapping. A crowd can show appreciation for a performance with this gesture,” Ilea explained to him. “You’re amazing with that thing,” she said to Asay. “Let alone the magic the others weaved. Is that a common thing in the Domains?”

Asay giggled to himself before he waved back his hair, the instrument vanishing as he bowed. “Not exactly.”

“A skill like that has little use in battle,” Elfie said. “Though I can see its value,” he added with a hiss.

Asay hissed back, in an appreciative way.

“You should perform at some point. Maybe I could hire you,” Ilea said.

“We have more pressing matters than artistry,” Farthorn said with a hiss.

Ilea glanced at him. “Your millennia old war, yes. I’m sure it can’t wait for a month or a year.”

“You would not be alive, were it not for her,” Isalthar said, shutting the elf up, his gaze growing softer as he looked to the ground. “And we have learned much in our venture. Our goal will be the Praetorian facility, to gain enough strength to face Iz. I shall find the Hunters that remain in the lands, our purpose laid out.”

“What about the keys? We already have one. Well, Ilea has one,” Feyrair said, glancing at her.

“Artifacts long lost. Finding them will prove impossible. Finding Iz, however, is not. Not anymore,” Isalthar said with a light smile.

Ilea looked at him, thoughtfully sipping on her ale.

“Or am I mistaken, Guardian?” he spoke and looked at her with interest.

“It’s going to take a long time for this group to be able to face that army. Might not ever be possible. Now that they know we can get there, I’m sure the forces will only grow,” Ilea said. “The key allowed me to communicate with that creature. And getting additional ones will allow me to gain even more.”

“Do you have a way to find them?” Elfie asked.

“Now that’s the question, isn’t it?” Ilea said with a smirk.

Chapter 591 Proposals

A note from Rhaegar

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Well written with an awesome exploration and kind of new world feel :).

Chapter 591 Proposals

“It would be best for Isalthar to hold the key,” Farthorn suggested. “Should we be able to find more of them, he should be the one to communicate with that being.”

“A foolish notion,” Isalthar said immediately. “The reason we have achieved this, dear Hunter, is because she is a human. She is not of Elven blood. Privileges apply to her that would not befall us. An ally to their cause. Those words would not be spoken to our kind, not ever.” He looked at Ilea. “I do not wish to take what is yours, Ilea. You suggest knowledge and solutions I had not deemed possible, and yet you are confident.

“You have invited us into your home, perhaps a necessity but nonetheless, you have proven yourself worthy of the title given, and an ally to the Cerithil Hunters. And yet you are not of our blood. Already we have received much from you. An imbalance that I had ignored due to your agreement with Niivalyr. Yet we have reached a point where such is no longer acceptable,” he said and intensely stared at her.

“I really don’t mind. The fight was pretty exciting,” she said. “And while you have your reasons to fight the Taleen, I have mine.”

“I must insist, on my honor as Isalthar Nauum,” he spoke.

Ilea smiled. “Alright, I want wind magic resistance training from you as a start. Resistance training from everyone here, not that we weren’t doing that already,” she said. “Plus, if we go looking for the keys, I’ll talk to my allies with only Elfie, Fey, and Neiphato.”

“You know you can trust him,” Feyrair said to her, his voice sounding a little hurt.

“Oh I trust him, but I have to be a little apprehensive of someone who can destroy entire cities on a whim. What’s your plan anyway? If you manage to destroy the army down in Iz? What if it stops the Taleen from coming? Or if the gates there allow you to find the largest facilities much quicker than before,” Ilea said.

“The war has been the plan. To bring an end to it. I dared not hope for its success, nor will I begin to entertain such at the current time. Ilea, I admit that you are extraordinary, and what we have learned in the past weeks brings us closer to change than much of our efforts have allowed so far. Yet you are human, and you are young. I dare not share in your hopes. Not until the last Guardian is destroyed,” Isalthar spoke.

“Humor me then. Taleen stop coming, what about the domains. I don’t care much about your politics but I do have people I care about, you all amongst them. And I might be young but while this war may not end in a year or a hundred, it will at some point. Because I’m happy to do my part in destroying those machines.

“But I’ve also seen entire towns erased, their populations slaughtered, by Youth from the Wastes of Ash. I don’t want one war to replace the next. That’s why, if you want my help, and the help of my allies, I want you to think about what comes after. How we can prevent more meaningless slaughter on every front. Isn’t that what this is about in the end?”

Isalthar smiled lightly. “I understand. Much has transpired between the domains and your people. Once we called each other allies, in an age long past. We know that relations cannot be repaired, not for many generations and not with the Oracles and Monarchs that rule today. I do not expect a change for humanity in case of the Taleen destruction. However I understand your concerns. A single Elf or a group of youths could destroy entire settlements without care. I will consider, but all I can offer now is our protection from those who would seek such destruction.”

Feyrair hissed. “Our presence would just incite more Elves to come, just to see if they could best us. Ilea is enough to deal with upstart Youths. What has to change are the domains. If the Oracles and Monarchs are the problem, we’ll just have to remove them first.”

A few hisses happened in quick succession, most of the Elves participating.

“And how do you propose, to stand against a Monarch?” Farthorn asked with obvious mockery.

Feyrair showed his teeth and grinned. “Oh, how else but to become more powerful. Through training, death, and hardship.”

Farthorn laughed. “You would challenge them?”

“Who better than us? We do not adhere to the rules set by the Oracles. We travel the depths, fight monsters that would not even survive outside of a dungeon. We are hidden, and protected from the whims of the Monarchs. They may be able to kill anyone who would dare challenge them in their domains, but we operate on the outside. They deem us cursed, unworthy, heretics, and traitors. And they dismiss all but the Val Akuun. A title that shall not remain unique,” Feyrair spoke, grinning at Isalthar.

The Elves remained utterly silent, Farthorn staring at Feyrair with eyes wide open.

Isalthar was the one to break the silence. “Feyrair. You speak of a path I have long abandoned. It is a path of destruction, of suffering, loss, and death. A path on which I cannot follow you.”

“When we are ready, you won’t have to,” Feyrair said.

Asay grinned. “Finally found your conviction. And here I thought you would never stop with your stagnating ways.”

The dragonling didn’t say anything, just glancing at the elf. “What about you? You have idled in pursuit of magic. Do you not wish to see change?”

“Change? Oh truly, it would be joyous to see the Monarchs slain, their domains in disarray, music in the streets, humans and dwarfs invited to our homes. But alas, I have little interest to see the death needed for such an opportunity. The results however, I shall welcome,” Asay spoke with a broad grin and sparkling purple eyes.

“What about the rest of you?” Feyrair asked. “Niivalyr? Neiphato? Seithir?”

Elfie looked up, a thoughtful expression on his face before he glanced at Ilea. “I’ll do what is needed to protect you and yours, Ilea. Already you have shown me a path, one I shall continue to follow. But when you have reached the strength to challenge Monarchs, I will be but a shadow, nowhere near such heights. Nor may I ever reach them. I want to see an end to this meaningless slaughter. But to return to the domains… to challenge the Oracles…,” he said, looking at her with a sad expression. “I’m sorry.”

Feyrair hissed. “Pathetic. And you call your-”

Ilea flared up her deviant aura and hissed with Monster Hunter. “Shut it,” she said and looked at Elfie. “Thank you, Niivalyr. There is no need to be sorry. I don’t know the structure of your society but simply slaughtering everyone currently in charge may bring out worse than what you have today. There must be potential allies in their ranks that could be helpful, though I suppose you’d need enough power to get them to listen in the first place.”

The dragonling looked at her with consideration but didn’t challenge her.

“I will stand by your side,” Neiphato said. “The Taleen are merely a symptom. An ancient wrath brought upon us by the very domains we have called our own. Their removal will be replaced by another. Let me travel with you, and I shall reach for the same strength you have gained,” he spoke and looked at Ilea with a soft smile.

Seithir didn’t say anything but instead appeared next to Isalthar, his allegiances clear.

Ilea noted that Feyrair hadn’t even asked Ben about his opinion, the ice mage remaining quiet as he observed the conversation.

“Others will want change. Ancients, Chosen, perhaps even a Monarch. As long as we can bring an end to the status quo, our ancient ways, and stagnation,” Feyrair said, looking at Ilea before he gestured around himself. “Look at this house. Built by those we consider lesser, masterfully set in stone, spacious and beautiful, shelves filled with writing, stories and history. You all ate the meal Ilea has shared with us. I want that too. Raw meat can be so much more.”

Ilea grinned. “Now you just sound like you want to take over.”

He looked at her with a smile. “Would that be too much to ask? It’s natural to challenge the powerful. And I’m tired of fighting machines alone. Of ignoring those who would call me cursed,” he said and glanced at Elfie.

“I just want to beat up the two assholes who fucked me up,” Ilea said. That’s motivation enough.

“Then let us find those keys, and let us find creatures so terrifying, even a Monarch would not dare engage. For only then, will we be able to face them,” Feyrair said, flames erupting on his armor.

“You’re burning my chair,” Ilea said.

He stopped the fires, patting the wood carefully. “Apologies,” he said and glanced at Neiphato.

The elf lifted a hand, the wood regaining its color as a few swirls and flower like extensions formed on the chair. A nice addition really.

“I’ll go back to the Praetorian facility. A lot of work left undone,” Farthorn said. “Do what you must, Feyrair, Ilea.”

“And I shall join you,” Asay said before he glanced at Ilea. “Yet I shall watch your growth and progress with interest.”

“You will need allies,” Isalthar said. “If your goal is the freeing of our domains, and not the death of all our kind. I have decided. Should your hope come to pass, Ilea, I shall support you two in any way I can. Not all my ancient bonds have yet been broken. However I shall not face another elf in battle, should it lead to death. With one exception.”

The Sanvaruun, Ilea though instantly. Well, it could be whoever. Not like I know his past or many of the Elves he knows. Another Oracle perhaps?

Ben smiled slightly when she met his eyes.

Or maybe I’m right.

“I will gather the Hunters we can find, inform them of what we have uncovered,” Isalthar said, glancing over to Seithir.

“Agreed,” the soul mage said and smiled.

“The next time we enter Iz, we will prevail,” he spoke.

“Ah, speaking of entering Iz. It’s probably a hassle going down all the way from Karth. Maybe we can figure out a way to use the Taleen network ourselves,” Ilea said.

“We have tried for millennia. Not even the gate keys allow for manipulation. Your hope of ending the war is foolish, but this is downright insulting,” Farthorn said with a hiss.

Ilea looked at him with a smile. “I didn’t say I could figure it out, but I do know a certain tree.”

“What does a tree have to do with anything?” Farthorn asked.

“Oh, way more than you would think,” Ilea said with a wide grin.

Ilea was joined by Feyrair and Neiphato. The two, she trusted enough to use the gate outside of Ravenhall. Neiphato anyway and Feyrair because even when the One without Form had contacted her, he left it for her to decide what to share with Isalthar.

Isalthar was joined by Seithir, their journey likely to bring them through the Navali forest, looking to find more Hunters.

Elfie, Asay, Ben, and Farthorn joined together, ready to continue the exploration and clearing of Izta. A task that would prove difficult, the group unlikely to defeat an Executioner on their own, and yet it would be priceless for their continued growth.

“Sure you’ll find it with just that?” Ilea asked, watching the four Elves prepare to leave.

“Yes,” Asay said with confidence.

“Alright,” Ilea mused. “Do make sure they don’t die,” she whispered to him.

He grinned, showing his sharp teeth. “I shall do my utmost, Guardian of Cerith.”

Ilea rolled her eyes at his knightly play and joined her own group. “I have to visit a nearby city before we go. You two better stay here.”

“What, why?” Feyrair said with a grin, his hair changing from a deep red to a yellowish color. “Are you perhaps embarrassed about us?”

Neiphato hissed, looking at him with his blue eyes. “We understand of course.”

Ilea looked at him and crossed her arms in thought. Feyrair was, well he was Feyrair. But if nothing else he wasn’t particularly intimidating. If nobody saw his magic that was. Neiphato on the other hand was downright disarming. He didn’t share some of the rougher features of most male Elves she had met, nor the wild disposition and lack of tact. He would fit into a ball for nobility with far greater ease than she ever could.

“Maybe… maybe you’re right, Fey,” Ilea said.

Feyrair immediately hissed. “You’re not actually considering bringing us into a human city, are you? As much as I like the idea, if we are revealed, the consequences would be on you. And your reputation.”

“Yeah, but I doubt you’d be found out. Not with me there. Just keep your heads covered in armor. I do have an inkling that Claire wouldn’t mind too much. And at some point I’ll have to reveal my Elven allies. Why not now?” Ilea said. As long as Sulivhaan or other Shadows don’t see them.

“I advise against this,” Neiphato said.

“Noted. And dismissed. Come on, fighting monsters shouldn’t be the only risks we should take. Plus I can show you Ravenhall. It’s a delightful place,” Ilea said with a broad grin.

“She really does have Elven blood in her ancestry,” Fey said to the other elf.

“Or perhaps a monster of a kind,” Neiphato confirmed.

Ilea rolled her eyes, the two Elves getting up as helmets formed on their heads, made of scales and wood respectively.

She went to Elfie, his group prepared now too. Isalthar and Seithir had already left earlier.

“Make sure you don’t die out there,” Ilea said, grasping the elf’s hand.

Elfie smiled, the mist in his dark gray eyes mesmerizing as ever. “I shall not die, forgotten and exiled. Nor will you,” he said, squeezing her hand with his. “We shall make note of all Executioners, waiting for your coming.”

Ilea grinned. “Do that. We’ll gladly take care of them.”

“Farewell, Ilea, Feyrair, Neiphato,” Niivalyr said and bowed to them. “May you find the strength you seek.”

“Fortune to us all,” Asay commented with a smirk.

Farthorn hissed. “May you succeed. Know that I hold no personal grudge, after all, you have saved my life. I just try to be a cynical voice of reason with this bunch of hopeless fools.”

Ilea raised her eyebrows before she imitated an affirmative hiss. “Cynical asshole, more like. Work on your magic, I’ll be looking forward to some void resistance training.”

He hissed back, either amused or annoyed at her try. Both perhaps.

“I’ll give my best to protect them,” Ben said. “Though it saddens me that I won’t be getting a tour of your city.”

“Not exactly my city. But who knows, if you survive, maybe sometime in the future,” Ilea said.

He smiled. “I shall look forward to it.”

The Elves too said their farewells before the four vanished out of her home, flying southwards along the coast. Hopefully to find Izta in the desert and not a death of dehydration.

“We shall be off too,” Ilea said to her group and blinked out.

“I’ve been wondering. You are aware of the monsters living in that cave over there,” Feyrair said.

She smiled. “Ah yes, I hope they’re eating alright. Probably not easy to hunt around here.”

“Animals, not monsters,” Neiphato said.

“What’s the difference?” Feyrair offered.

“One fights without thought, the other knows to hide when danger is nearby,” Neiphato explained.

Feyrair took a deep breath in and hissed. “I see. I usually kill them before I observe their behaviors.”

“That kind of makes you one of the monsters,” Ilea suggested.

He grinned. “Yes. Yes it does.”

“I don’t remember you being able to fly?” Ilea said, looking at Neiphato. “Evolution?”

He smiled and blushed a little, the wooden helmet covering his face again. “Yes. A lot has changed since reaching three hundred. I’d think you understand.”

“I do. I hope it’s the same at five hundred,” Ilea said.

Feyrair laughed. “Oh I hope that too. Long have I waited.”

“Same,” Ilea sighed, flying up along the cliff side.

“Literal centuries,” Feyrair mused.

Ilea nodded. “Right? Feels even longer to me.”

The group flew through the southern mountain range and its valleys with a moderate speed, the position of the suns suggesting noon by now. The skies were mostly clear, snow only clinging to the higher mountains, creeks, rivers, and waterfalls supplying the lower altitudes with their life. Much of the lands had grown green again, occasional movements showing deer or wolves, bears and squirrels.

Little remained hidden to Ilea’s enhanced eyes, flying in the skies like an ashen hawk. “Lower now, we don’t want to get interviewed by a squad of guards.”

“Why not? Would be interesting to see their reaction to our power,” Feyrair said.

“Because I don’t want to terrify the shit out of them. We can do that in areas where I don’t care about the inhabitants,” she said.

Feyrair hissed joyously. “They exist? Oh Monarch of the human domain?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve probably killed more humans than you killed Elves,” she said.

“Oh, Ilea. I don’t doubt your capability for killing, just your age,” he answered. “Though you do seem to care a great deal about humanity.”

“She is human after all,” Neiphato said.

“I care about weak people being trampled on. That’s all. I don’t care if they’re human, elf, or bog worms. As long as they’re sapient,” she offered.

“Ah, Monarch of all then, not just humanity,” Feyrair teased.

Ilea just rolled her eyes. “Remind me, who talked about changing the domains? Stopping their Monarchs?”

“Let me have my fun,” Feyrair said. “How are you going to bring us into the city?”

They stood in the forest beyond the lake near Ravenhall. The street leading up to the gates had broadened, paved now with magical lights set within poles every twenty meters or so. Ilea watched the guards atop the walls, not finding an obvious gap in their attention.

Chapter 592 Peculiar Meetings

Chapter 592 Peculiar Meetings

Ilea judged the distance to the walls too far for displacement. They would be seen between teleports. Nor did she want to test if the skill worked against whatever enchantment improvements Claire and her team had added in the meantime. She would need to be close to understand the fabrics, if her friend had indeed already added anti space magic measures.

“We’ll just enter the normal way. Just keep your heads and faces covered and don’t hiss,” Ilea said.

“We should act like some rogues? Unable to show our might?” Feyrair asked in disbelief.

Ilea looked at him, not sure if he was being sarcastic or not. Sometimes it was hard to tell with him.

“Precisely,” Neiphato said.

“We are allowed to talk thought,” Feyrair said.

Okay, he’s joking. “Sure. Just don’t share your tales of eating humans and we’re golden.”

“You don’t seem particularly concerned about all this. I thought humans harshly scrutinized outsiders. Especially in larger settlements like these,” Feyrair said.

Ilea walked towards the road. “It’s less so in larger ones actually. And I’ve gotten in worse than you two.”

Feyrair started a hiss before he turned it into a cough. “Worse than us? Now I’m intrigued,” he teased.

Yeah, I wonder what that necromancer is doing, Ilea thought, ignoring his pestering questions until they reached the entrance. She remained covered in ash, the two Elves standing a little behind and to her sides.

“Lady Lilith,” one of the guards said with a respectful bow. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you,” she said and summoned a few pieces of silver, handing them to the Shadowguard. She watched him nod to her companions as they trailed in behind her.

“Your reputation proceeds you, Lilith?” Fey said to her.

Ilea just raised an eyebrow at the comment, leading them further into the city and towards Claire’s office.

The guard at the door recognized her and let the three pass. “The Administrator is present,” he informed her, glancing at the two Elves with interest. “Powerful friends.”

“Indeed,” Feyrair said joyously. “Finally, someone to recognize my capabilities.”

“Keep your dick in your pants,” Ilea said and went upstairs, knocking on the office door.

The entrance opened with an enchantment flaring up.

“Oh, this place is impressively shielded,” Fey commented, stepping inside behind Ilea and immediately going for the small bar to the right of the entrance.

“Greetings, Claire,” Ilea said with a smile, looking at the woman.

Claire had her hair bound as always, her expression serious as she took in the two newcomers. She flicked her wrist and the door closed behind Neiphato. “Hello, Lilith,” she said in a business like tone.

Ilea smiled, glancing over at Cless who was absorbed in painting, sitting at her usual spot near the window. Already a few invisible barriers likely prevented the girl from seeing or hearing them.

“No need to be formal. They’re trustworthy. And friends. May I introduce to you, Neiphato,” she said and gestured to the armored elf behind her.

Neiphato bowed elegantly, his braided brown hair the only thing that poked out of his helmet. “It is an honor to meet an esteemed friend of Lilith.”

“Ilea is fine here,” Ilea said, seeing the curious look Claire gave the elf.

“Greetings, Neiphato. I’m Claire. What a peculiar name,” she said, her brows rising a little as she turned to the second elf.

“And Feyrair. I hope it’s okay if he tries some of the beverages you have present,” Ilea said.

“Greetings Claire,” Fey said, giving her a quick glance before he turned his attention back to the bottle of whiskey he was holding.

Claire sighed, putting away a few stacks of paper before she relaxed in her chair. “Now, Ilea. Why don’t you explain to me what two Elves are doing in my office.”

“She figured it out. Hey, I like her. Strong too, for a human,” Feyrair commented, filling himself a glass.

“They’re Cerithil Hunters. The group who defied the Oracles and hunts the Taleen. We’ve been fighting the machines together for the past month or so,” Ilea said. “As to why they’re here. I just thought I’d introduce them. And show them the city.”

“Is that a wise decision? Based on their history?” Claire asked.

Feyrair hissed but Neiphato put a hand on his shoulder. “I assure you, miss Claire. That there is no danger with our presence here. We are loyal to Ilea, and to her allies.”

“Also I can take care of them if need be,” Ilea said.

Claire sighed. “With the collateral damage of several monsters taking care of each other. No I’d rather not. Well, my knowledge of Elves is limited but it’s both comforting and scary to know that they can blend in within our cities. However, you know that I support your allies. And if you approve of their coming, so shall I. It’s not like the other council members won’t form a strong opposition.”

Ilea smiled. “I know. I don’t plan to introduce them either. Dagon and Elise would want to interrogate them for history knowledge for the next ten years. We will go north afterwards. Some new things have come up, for your consideration too.”

She quickly explained the circumstances of Niivalyr, the Taleen, Isalthar, and the various dungeons and facilities they had visited in the past six weeks.

“I’ll leave it up to you when and what to share with the others. Decisions will have to be made sooner or later, though there is no rush,” Ilea said.

“Monarchs and Oracles. Well I can’t say I’m surprised anymore. I’ll think about the whole situation, concerning your… friends in the north too,” Claire said.

“Friends in the north?” Fey asked, having tuned out while Ilea retold what had happened.

“You’ll meet them soon,” she said. “And thanks Claire. Any news I should know about? Baralia? The Lily? Ravenhall?”

Claire glanced at the two Elves. “Are you sure I can share things with them present?”

“You have no idea how little Elves actually care about humanity and our dealings. Well Ben might be interested but he’s not here at the moment,” Ilea said.

“Ben?” Claire asked, looking at the three in turn.

Neiphato smiled, his wooden helmet receding to reveal a slight smile, only a few of his pointy teeth showing. “He chose the name after becoming a Cerithil Hunter, miss. His interest in humans and their culture is highly unusual.”

“Yeah, his mind is challenged,” Feyrair supplied, sniffing on another bottle before putting it back.

“Less than ours,” Ilea mused.

The elf chose a dark bottle with a glass snake winded around the central body. “Fair enough.”

Claire looked at Ilea before she started laughing.

Fey poured himself another glass and looked over at the woman, his face revealed now too as his hair changed to a deep shade of red. “What’s so funny?”

“The absurdity,” Claire said, meeting his stare. “You are an interesting one.”

“I have no interest in weak beings,” Feyrair said with a smirk.

“Good for you that I do,” Ilea said.

“You two?” Claire asked, looking at her. “That does explain some things.”

“It’s casual, don’t worry,” Ilea said and winked at her.

“That child, is gifted beyond its age,” Neiphato suddenly said, his eyes focused on the canvas standing on the other side of the room.

“That how you knew they were Elves?” Ilea asked, looking at the girl as well.

Claire summoned herself a drink. “You’re not exactly subtle. But yes. I could’ve only guessed otherwise. There were a few choice pieces, though I took the liberty of hiding them within my storage item.”

What’s that supposed to mean, Ilea thought.

“May I speak with the child?” Neiphato asked.

“I don’t see why not,” Claire said. “Just step through the barriers.”

Neiphato bowed again. “Thank you.”

“As to your requests. Well. The war in Baralia is officially over and while timely intervention by many parties, including yourself, has prevented a large scale civil war, there are resistance groups remaining. Both hidden within cities and in the wilderness or ruins. Slavers mostly that refuse to give in to the Empire. However it seems Lys is prioritizing their own territory for now, though it won’t remain that way.

“Hadrian of Lys, brother to the reigning Empress, was captured,” Claire said.

“The brother? What does he have to do with anything?” Ilea asked.

“A lot, apparently. He was certainly a part of why the High King thought it both possible and reasonable to start a war with the Empire. Hadrian was executed in Virilya, just the past week. Little was uncovered about the true plans of the Order of Truth, but from the information that made it all the way here, it’s obvious that their influence on the King was more than just advisory,” Claire explained. “Oh, I’m sure Trian will inform you but your Sentinels are already making a name for themselves. Clearing remaining Cursed in Baralia while protecting and healing refugees. A brilliant move by you and Trian, though I know neither of you planned it as such.”

Ilea smiled. “That is indeed good news. No issues so far?”

“Trian knows about the specifics when it comes to the other orders but with the Order of Truth breaking apart, and the Corinth Order, there is little resistance so far. Though I’m sure it will become more as your organization grows in influence and power. But rest assured, we will call for you if needed,” Claire explained. “Representatives from Yinnahall have sent for you. An invitation to their celebration of independence, from the King that is. We’re still discussing the specifics with Lys but I’m optimistic to add another city to our alliance in the coming years. You must have left quite an impression, on both parties.”

I guess I did, Ilea thought, seeing Fey glance at her.

“What is it?” she asked the elf.

“Hmm. What indeed,” he mused. “Merely that you seem terribly involved with matters beneath you.”

“Some paperwork is necessary. I hope you’d be at least a little involved too if you had the influence I have,” she said.

“Perhaps I’ll be able to borrow your assistant here. She seems terrifyingly competent,” he suggested with a hiss.

Claire looked at him and smiled. “I’m afraid I’m hers alone, little elf.”

“Daring. You wouldn’t mind a spar, would you?” Feyrair asked.

“Of course I would. I cannot stand against your martial prowess, but my weapons are not swords and spells,” Claire answered.

Feyrair grinned. “Then you have terribly little to defend against me. It would be wise not to insult those who could defeat you.”

Claire smiled back. “That’s why I have her,” she said and gestured to Ilea.

Ilea waved at the elf. “Yep, that’s true. Touch her and I’ll remove you from existence.”

“Troublesome. Your treaties and agreements. Where are the days when men fought for themselves?” he said.

“I’m human too, you know?” Ilea said, smirking his way.

“Hardly,” Fey commented. “Though continue, I did not mean to interrupt your unimportant babble.”

“No you did,” Ilea said but turned to Claire nonetheless.

“I’ve also authorized large sums to be spent on the retaking of various cities that had been devastated by the rituals. Though the Empire is involved as well. Our influence will be lesser than in Yinnahall,” Claire said.

“Well it hardly matters, as long as the people there get a home. Do you have the invitation?” Ilea asked.

Claire summoned a letter and handed it over, the seal already broken.

“That’s in a month, right?” she asked.

“Yes, it is. Perhaps your dancing lessons will come in handy, should you attend,” Claire commented.

“You won’t go? I could take you,” Ilea suggested.

Claire smiled. “Thank you, but no. I’ve finally managed to escape the responsibilities of a noble woman, and it will remain so. Though perhaps you will find some joy in it. I’m sure you three would make quite a sight.”

“Could take a few Dark Ones too,” Ilea suggested. “Maybe the Trakorov.”

“I suggest you refrain from that, just based on what I’ve seen in the paintings,” Claire said. “But yes, it would certainly make for an entrance.”

“Something smaller then,” Ilea mused, glancing over at Feyrair with a meaningful look.

“What?” he asked finally, busy taste testing every bottle Claire had to offer.

“Oooh, now I understand. He’s that monster,” Claire mused, nodding to her. “Yeah that will leave an impression. But I suggest you refrain, I do believe you mentioned a dislike for cult like followings.”

Neiphato returned from the secluded area, Cless rushing past him. “The elf man is nice!” she exclaimed, looking up as she giggled.

The elf smiled. “You are quite talented, little one,” he said.

Cless rushed past and hid behind Ilea’s chair, obviously blushing. She turned to Feyrair, the two locking eyes for a moment before she growled.

Feyrair growled back.

“Is this tiny human challenging me?” he asked, looking at Ilea.

“I don’t think so, right Cless?” Ilea asked.

The girl still stared at Feyrair. “I like him more,” she said, pointing at Neiphato.

“He’s much nicer, yes,” Ilea said and patted her head. “I think it’s time we took our leave. Or is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

Claire smiled, looking at the four of them. “No. Trian didn’t tell me about anything urgent either. Until your next visit then,” she said.

“Sure,” Ilea answered and got up, her ashen chair disintegrating a moment later. “Come on boys, we’re heading out.”

“Brave little child,” Feyrair hissed, looking at Cless who now hid behind Claire’s massive desk, her eyes poking out above, staring at the dragonling.

“Good luck on your journey,” Claire said.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Neiphato said with a slight bow.

“And the drinks. Interesting creations,” Fey added with a toothy smirk.

“Indeed they are,” Claire said, a smile on her face as she looked at him.

Ilea led the two back out of the city, spreading her wings as soon as they had passed the gates.

“Your friend is a curious human,” Feyrair said as they flew over the mountains, taking a detour to throw off anybody who might be watching or following them.

“Taken a liking, hmm?” Ilea asked.

Feyrair didn’t say anything, lost in thought as he flew close by.

“That girl… her skills are unusual. Inspirations from… somewhere else,” Neiphato said, the trio landing near the underground testing facility, Ilea displacing them into it.

“She’s form another realm,” Ilea supplied, putting them all onto the platform.

“I see,” Neiphato said.

Feyrair glanced around. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Work in progress, but yes,” Ilea said. “Power is not just about conjuring up the biggest firestorm.”

“No, it still is. But I will admit a teleportation gate would be quite useful to have. If only to make more use of said firestorm,” Fey said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and initiated the connection, deactivating her resistance as the familiar spell formed yet again.

Such a convenient way to travel, she thought as they appeared in the domain of Meadow.

“This mana,” Neiphato said and looked around, his gaze stopping on the tree in the distance.

“Are those the Elves you warned me about?” Meadow asked into their minds.

Neiphato recoiled slightly, clutching his head as his breathing quickened.

Feyrair spread his arms and stepped towards the tree, his face quite obviously strained, if only slightly.

“No, they’re allies actually. And much less dangerous than the ones I talked about. But watch them anyway, especially this one,” Ilea said and pointed at the dragonling.

“You seek to challenge me? Young creature of flame?” Meadow asked in an amused tone.

“This being… Ilea… what,” Neiphato spoke, his utter disbelief quite obvious in his expression.

Ilea could downright taste his fear through her perception, Feyrair on the other hand showing quite the opposite reaction, downright ecstatic as he walked onward.

“Eh, I wouldn’t go too far. Your arcane resistance is probably not enough!” Ilea shouted, turning to the two enchanters who had stopped their work.

“Is that…,” Iana spoke, looking at Neiphato.

“An elf, yes. Cerithil Hunter, the ones who invade and destroy Taleen dungeons,” Ilea said.

“That tree… is… impossible. It’s existence is…,” Neiphato stuttered before he turned away, focusing instead on the two enchanters. “Yes. That is much more manageable. Neiphato, nice to meet you two, normal humans.”

“Interesting to meet you too,” Iana said with an apprehensive expression. “I thought you were all monsters.”

“Well, reputation isn’t always based on factual evidence,” Neiphato said with a smile, his expression wavering a little when Fey roared and hissed, storming towards the tree as his form exploded in scales, claws, and fire.

“An impressive transformation,” Meadow admitted. “How much damage can this creature sustain?”

Ilea smiled. “He’s quite durable. But not as much as me. Feel free to play around a little.”

“It would be quite a surprise, but after Meadow. What really is,” Christopher said and walked to Neiphato, bowing lightly. “Pleasure to meet you. You’re the first Elf I see. But I have heard of Elven Hunters before. I believe one of our mercenaries mentioned you.”

“Mercenaries?” Ilea asked.

He turned to her with a smile. “Ah yes, well not ours but Arthur’s back before you got us out of there. She talked about Elves fighting the Taleen machines, herself looking for ruins. I believe her name was Zoy.”

“She knew about the Cerithil Hunters?” Ilea asked, surprised to learn that. She did know about Praetorians too, didn’t she.

“Well Cerithil is not a work I heard before, but it fits with the bits of knowledge she had shared. That there are Elves who hunt the machines. Arthur did mention finding an Elven corpse in a dungeon before, which goes against what we know of Elves,” Christopher said.

“He seemed to have been quite open with his information,” Ilea said.

Christopher laughed, touching the back of his head. “Well. We were just the enchanters.”

“You’re more than just that,” Ilea said with a smirk. “But I do have plenty of projects I need your help with. And that of Meadow,” she added, seeing the white flames washed away as a massive dragon like creature was cut apart by barriers in the distance.

Chapter 593 Deus Ex Meadow

Chapter 593 Deus Ex Meadow

“Your body will crumble under the mana pressure. Which is why I’m moving you back,” Meadow explained.

“I can take it, creature,” Feyrair roared, the sound not quite as impressive with his battered dragon body, held back by thick roots and surrounded by barriers.

“Mate, even I can’t escape from that one,” Ilea said.

“A worthy opponent then,” Feyrair roared, his flames impacting the barrier in front of him without discernible results.

Neiphato glanced over. “A wood mage too. A true master at that.”

“I’m sure it’ll teach you some secrets if you ask nicely,” Ilea said.

The elf looked at her with an uncertain expression. “Should I kneel? Pray to it? Or offer something?”

“Yes, yes, and yes, your blood will suffice for now,” Meadow spoke.

“No, no, and no,” Ilea rebuked. “Hey I thought you disliked the divine treatment.”

A rumble went through the creature’s domain. “Ah, well. Occasionally it’s nice to be acknowledged, Ilea. It’s only when hundreds kneel before you where it becomes tiresome.”

“I see. So just a little cult then,” she said.

“Exactly. Already have you five,” Meadow said.

“Sure, whatever you say, tree,” Ilea said. “I need your help with a few things. How is the gate technology coming along?”

“We’re getting close. Well more than close,” Iana said. “The gate itself is operational. But it’s… rudimentary at best.”

“It’s downright embarrassing,” Meadow corrected.

“Rudimentary for humans,” Iana said, one of her eyelids twitching. “However… well if we wanted to have a working network, that’d be it. But security is an important factor. Who gets to use the gates, which destinations can be chosen, how often can one use it, how much mana is used with each activation, how many times can the gate be used before maintenance is required. Well… those are the things we’re working on. And I doubt it’ll be done anytime soon.”

“It shouldn’t take too long. I will guide them through,” Meadow said.

Iana sighed. “It would be easier if you just told us. I do understand the benefits of learning something and want to achieve this myself but the benefits could help hundreds of thousands.”

“I’ve been guiding creatures to their Awakening for thousands of years, young child. Your species has survived thus far without these gates, they shall do so for another few months or years. And you will be grateful for this in the end,” Meadow spoke.

“Like a dad,” Ilea commented with a snicker.

“Well I do lack the capability to birth offspring on my own,” Meadow mused. “But you did not speak of the gates when you came to ask for assistance.”

“Well no, but also, yes,” Ilea said and summoned the Tungsten Key. “There are twelve of these in total, and I need to find them. Iana and Chris, you two already know about it but I thought Meadow might be able to assist with a tracking device.”

“An inspiring creation. Too many layers if you ask me. What would be the purpose of so many redundancies?” Meadow commented.

“It’s not made for practicality,” Iana said. “It’s a key, made to lock something up. Twelve parts that make one, and I doubt even you could copy this or make the rest of its parts.”

“True. Only a madman would try himself at such a task. However… with enough time,” Meadow said.

Ilea quirked up an eyebrow, smiling at the still struggling Feyrair. “How long? Few months or centuries?”

“More the latter unfortunately for you short lived creatures,” Meadow said. “Though to find the other parts, that can be done quickly.”

“There are restrictions too,” Iana said. “Anything that uses this key as guidance would only lead one to the closest nearby part of its whole.”

“Which is enough. With someone like her looking for them,” Meadow said, a chuckle flowing through the area, intertwining with the whines of a cut apart dragonling whose form returned to an Elven one.

“Then I’d like you guys to craft something like that for me. Higher priority than your gate work even. Meadow is right, we’ve been fine without them. I want to find these keys,” Ilea said.

“Why are they so important?” Iana asked, receiving the Tungsten Key.

“We’ll get more information on the Taleen. But more importantly, I’ll get to explore the places where they are at the moment. Which should prove interesting,” Ilea said with a smile.

“But the gates…,” Christopher commented.

“The gates. Yes. Well, I want them to be perfectly secure before anybody else even knows about them, let alone before we build them throughout the plains. They’re a tool that may bring a lot of prosperity, but could also provide the opposite. Let’s not rush it. I understand that a tool to track these keys could be made somewhat soon?” Ilea said.

“Yes. It’s not a particularly difficult task. It seems the makers of this thing even intended for such to be possible,” Iana said.

“I see. I’ll be looking forward to it then. Also, there’s something else,” Ilea said.

“Of course there is,” Iana said and smiled. “Something interesting I assume.”

“Well, yes. I would imagine it is. I need to be able to use the existing Taleen gate network,” she said.

Christopher smirked. “Now that’s something.” He laughed and shook his head. “Arthur tried for decades. Others have too. All have failed.”

“The same is true for our kind. The enemy has control over their network still,” Neiphato said.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m asking Meadow too,” Ilea said. “What do you think? Does that sound like something you’d have an interest in?”

Feyrair was pierced by a dozen roots, his body slammed into the ground a few times before he was flung towards the group, hitting the ground with a wet sound and a groan.

“Hmm. A contest of skill against the species whose secrets have eluded the locals for centuries or more. Yes, that does indeed sound like a worthwhile time investment. If only to show my apprentices how something like that is done,” Meadow said. “Ah, and for you, Ilea. It may prove beneficial to your space magic.”

“I won’t complain if I gain a few levels out of it. Question is, how do we go about it? I don’t think it’s a good idea to take you out of here and into a nearby Taleen dungeon,” she said.

“Indeed, I shall remain here. Iana, why don’t you explain to our friend here why a relocation won’t be necessary,” Meadow said.

“She can understand you now?” Ilea asked.

“Well of course. Contrary to your self centered beliefs, you’re not the only creature capable of resistance training. And neither are you the only one capable of healing,” Meadow spoke.

“I can’t yet,” Christopher admitted. “Though it’s easy to read the signs.”

What signs? Ilea thought and glanced towards the Meadow. She looked at the regenerating form of Feyrair, the elf still coughing up blood as his fires flared up from time to time.

“You… trained… with this… one?” Fey asked in between coughs.

“Oh yes. I know your pain,” Ilea said.

Iana cleared her throat. “I’d imagine a relocation isn’t necessary because the Taleen gates are simply run on enchantments. But Meadow… with all due respect, I don’t think we can simply create a copy here.”

“A copy is not the problem. The problem is linking said copy into the network already established. But what a copy, or more precisely, two copies will allow us, is something else entirely,” it said.

“You want to replicate their network to learn how to bypass their defensive enchantments? That could actually work,” Iana mused, looking to their own gate with a thoughtful expression. “And we could learn how to avoid their mistakes.”

“They didn’t make any mistakes. We tried for years and years. Whole groups of enchanters,” Christopher said.

“I’ve studied the layouts. You failed because the gates were powered off after too much tampering. If Meadow can replicate the gates, that won’t be a problem,” Iana said. “I’d also just like to mention that it could just give us the working Taleen gate technology if it wanted to. All our goals solved instantly,” she added with a sigh.

“Not just that. With improvements even. But where’s the fun in that. I didn’t come here to solve all your problems,” Meadow said.

“Kind of seems like you did. Also you didn’t come at all. I brought you,” Ilea said.

“I lead creatures to solutions but I try to avoid simply spelling things out. Those are my ways and while I do bend my rules for a friend from time to time, I don’t see a reason to do so here. However, your request to break into the established network in search of those keys, is something I can help with,” it explained.

“I knew it was the right decision to befriend this eldritch monster and bring it into our realm,” Ilea sent.

“You know I can hear you, right? Also it wasn’t your decision, it was my inconceivable charm that manipulated you into helping me. Now that I’m free, there is no stopping me,” Meadow sent.

“Sure. Just, you know. You’re not exactly moving around.” Ilea said.

“My roots grow, to the core of the world, and soon, they will devour all,” Meadow rebuked.

Ilea blinked closer to the tree and squinted her eyes. “You don’t even have roots.”

A rustle went through the fake grass, Ilea pushed back by a barrier until she landed close to the group with a smug expression on her face.

“The audacity. Truly, you do not know when to stop,” the Meadow said, apparently sent to everyone who could perceive it again.

“Don’t act offended. You’re too old to be capable of that,” Ilea replied.

“You do not relent,” Meadow said, creating a loud sound that seemed to imitate a sob. All it really did was send a shiver down everyone’s spines. Clear proof of the otherworldly nature of this creature. “Ah, I have to work on that.”

“You do indeed. Sounded like a pig being killed or something,” Ilea suggested.

“More like when a health potion is mixed the wrong way and it melts off half the alchemist’s face,” Christopher said in a quiet tone, shuddering slightly as his eyes glazed over.

“You okay?” Iana asked, touching the man’s shoulder.

He nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah. Yeah.”

“To get back on topic,” Iana said, glancing over the group with a slight smile. “What do we need for your plan?”

“The research provided by Christopher shall suffice. At the very least he knows how to document things. A peculiar trait humans seem to share. Smart too, considering their tiny brains,” Meadow said as two platforms of stone formed nearby, runes and magic flaring up as tiny incisions appeared in the material. “Here we go. Now to figure out how to break into it. I’ll leave you to it, with some guidance as I doubt your current knowledge will be up to the task.”

“Did you just fart out two working copies of the Taleen teleportation gates?” Ilea asked.

Neiphato hissed, even Feyrair looking at the tree in a different light.

“You didn’t rescue a plum tree, Ilea,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea started laughing, brushing away tears. Nobody else seemed to think the experience quite as funny, though Feyrair’s will had apparently been renewed with vigor.

“You’ll find the results the same, elf,” the Meadow spoke, welcoming the burning dragonling with expanding roots.

“I’d like to ask for your guidance, master,” Neiphato spoke, going down to one knee.

“Show me what you have, young one,” Meadow said.

“Doesn’t look like I’m needed here,” Ilea said. “Hey Meadow, the Sun Sprites still around… layer eighteen I believe.”

“Indeed. Rude creatures. On their way to awakening but I won’t stand in your way,” Meadow spoke.

“Are you getting more selective now that you have so many beings available to you?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“Not at all. But creatures hunt each other. It is the way of life. You are merely one such being,” Meadow said.

“Mind giving me a boost then?” Ilea asked. “Fey do you want to come as well?”

“I’m-” he started, when his jaw was removed by a particularly nasty looking root. He reformed it in his retreat and hissed, his eyes downright glowing. “… busy.”

“Alright. You can get me out if an Ascended shows up, right?” Ilea asked.

“They seem to be masters of space magic, Ilea. Of course I can,” the tree said.

“Gods, I love you,” she said and smiled.

“I too, am fond of you, child,” the being said and made her vanish.

Ilea appeared in a familiar staircase, the one leading down into the eighteenth layer of the Descent. She wondered if the creatures would be the right ones to fight but most other things down here were either too weak to provide many levels, or too powerful to face. Well the latter part was debatable but she didn’t want to kill the Lightning Elemental or the Trakorov. The Griffin, maybe she would visit the thing. To be honest, I’d like to fight the Lightning one too, just to show it how far I’ve come.

But for now she wanted to focus on growth.

First two Classes are fine. All maxed out. Resistances… could improve, but that will always be the case. Hmm, one thing might be worth it. I have two points after all.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 1

You face creatures most other humans have nightmares about, call beings your friends that occupy the pages of legends told by your kind. You have reached a level of power that few humans will ever call their own. And yet you push onward, knowing of the dangers that wait in the dark. You anticipate them. Welcome them. Those who would dismiss you may now take notice, should you wish for them to do so.

2nd stage: You remain human at your core but your actions have pushed you beyond the limitations of your species. Inspire terror in the hearts of your own kind or those who would dismiss humanity, should you wish to do so. The status of a predator among its prey will be evident by your very presence.

3rd stage: You diverge further from what it means to be human. The magic you have come to call your own and the body once born human find themselves more compatible, their strengths fusing to show what you have become.

Ilea immediately felt the change. As if her nose had suddenly been freed of snot, her lungs expanding fully for the first time in her life. She would’ve doubled over from the intensity of the sensation in the past but Ilea had experienced far too much to let this newfound change affect her in such a way.

Instead she observed. Both with her eyes, her healing, and her sphere. When she breathed, she could see the power flare within her, magic flowing through her very core and out towards her limbs, exiting through her pores and mingling with her ash. Not armor that constricted her, but a part of her very self.

When she spread healing through her body, she found the magic flowing out instantly, far quicker than ever before. She raised her hand and looked at it, her armor receding to her will, showing the skin below that looked very much the same. And yet it had become so very different. Ilea formed a sphere of ash above her hand, the magic manifesting instantly, created as naturally as she breathed and not at all forced upon existence by a complex spell to shape reality.

Flare of Creation activated, burning away her health as she watched the flames spread out from her armor. She checked and found her organs still in place, her heart beating like it had before, her eyes watching as they always had, and her lungs still breathing air. And yet it felt like unseen barriers had been removed.

“Meadow, do you hear me?” she asked.

“I can still communicate with you, yes. What is it?” the being said, its telepathy easily reaching down into the depths of the Descent. While it was deep, the distance itself was mostly impressive because it reached down into the ground and not across the lands.

“Well… I just upgraded Deviant of Humanity to the third tier, and… well I’m not exactly sure what to make of it,” Ilea said.

“Ah… I see. Well… hmm… I can tell that you have increased your harmony. Though to what extent is difficult to discern at this distance. Ask me again when you’re back,” Meadow said.

“What’s harmony?” Ilea asked.

“Ah humans. I’ve found that you see the Classes and magic you grow into as mere tools, assigned to you by some unknown deity or somehow gained through insight. However it is closer to the truth to say that your very self changes as you evolve. Harmony is what I call your body’s ability to accept said changes from a near… instinctual perspective. I suggest you test it out yourself. Congratulations on your first step to become a Meadow yourself,” it said.

“What?? Are you kidding me? I don’t want to become a tree!” Ilea exclaimed.

“I am kidding. Do not fret, little human. Though new possibilities have just opened up, just like when you ingested that Bluemoon grass you have mentioned to me before. This change however is surely less forceful, achieved through your own growth,” Meadow explained.

“I understand. Makes sense I guess. I’ll check what has changed… seems like my ash is forming a little more quickly,” she said.

“Yes. More harmony with the magic born within you will lead to an improvement of control, it is only natural. Within Awakened, such changes are rare however. But I will refrain from stroking your ego anymore than necessary. For I know you didn’t achieve this through study and meditation. Did you perhaps punch a concentrated mana crystal?” it said.

“Very funny. Would that work though?” Ilea asked, making a fist and smiling.

“No… with you though. Maybe,” Meadow answered.

“Just checking,” Ilea said.

Chapter 594 Beaming

Chapter 594 Beaming

Ilea took a deep breath, feeling the magic flow through her. The new sensation from her Deviant upgrade didn’t last long, her perception quickly adapting to what the Meadow had called an increased harmony.

She blinked around in the staircase, activating various spells before she punched into the walls a few times. Heat gathered in her core before the energy was released in a small beam that burned into the stone.

Everything felt… smoother. Practically speaking, her spells activated faster, the mana flowed through both her body and out of her limbs with what she felt like was less resistance. She couldn’t perceive a direct change in her physical body but the results were the same.

Her cooldowns remained the same and most of her abilities were quickly usable anyway, but it felt good nonetheless. Ilea tried her ash next, moving around her limbs and forming a few floating spears. Okay that’s a change for sure.

With the increased control, Ilea felt confident to create eighteen limbs instead of the sixteen she had been using for a long time. Her ability to move her conjured projectiles around had improved noticeably too and something about her armor made her investigate further.

She raised her arm and looked at the thick defensive layer. Instead of making it recede, she cut into it with a limb, revealing the flesh below. Oh boy, she thought, checking her thigh instead. It was the same there. The ash had partially fused with her body. Just a tiny bit but enough to make her a little uneasy.

Am I turning into an ash monster?

Ilea giggled to herself. Ah who am I kidding. I’ve long been one.

“Hey Meadow, how do I prevent myself turning into some purely magical creature?” she asked nonetheless.

“You’ve had choices before, right? Don’t choose the ones that may evolve you in such a manner. Though I do have to ask. What is wrong with turning into a purely magical creature?” it said.

“Probably can’t enjoy food anymore,” Ilea said, a worried expression on her face.

“Ah I see. Food. Of course. Well do carry on, I’m sure your intuition will guide you,” Meadow said, cutting the connection once more.

I suppose it’s right. I’ve not been fucked over by my evolutions and choices so far.

She cracked her neck, finding the maneuver still working despite the change. “Time for some payback.”

Ilea teleported down and into the large open space of the eighteenth layer of the Descent. A desert. She didn’t care about concealing herself, instead fanning out her wings and flying over the sands as she felt the magic in the air, the power coursing through her veins. It all felt vibrant. Available.

A group of three sprites welcomed her half a minute later, the creatures retaining their strangeness. Long root like bodies with thin dried out wings on their backs. Their bodies moved quickly in the air, not corresponding to the movement of their wings. Their faded bone like color remained the same, dice like heads propped up on the thin bodies.

This time they didn’t communicate at all, instead charging up their light magic spells.

“Suits me,” Ilea thought as she felt the heat within her gather. Now let’s see how far I’ve come since last time. Do make sure to show me what you have. I’ll need all the resistance I can get against the Sanvaruun.

A broad smile spread on her lips as she spread her arms in anticipation. She watched as three bright beams of light fused into one, the energy reaching her near immediately. Hmm, she mused, looking at her hands as the magic burned past her, leaving little damage on her armor.

Did it get stronger too? Or would this have happened anyway?

[Elder Sun Sprite – lvl ???]

Close to seven hundred. At least I’ll get some experience out of this, if not much, if this is what they’ll manage, Ilea thought and deactivated her resistance to Light Magic. The third tier really made a difference, the beams working their way through her defense as soon as the resistance was gone.

Ilea didn’t mind spending some time here. It was a good opportunity for some training, and for testing the new harmony she had gained from her Deviant advancement. She formed a few dozen small spheres of ash, condensing them as far as she could in a short amount of time before she sent them flying at the three sprites ahead of her.

The group moved, avoiding some of the projectiles while using their beams to deflect the rest. The few hits that landed made the creatures wobble in the air, the blunt force enough to disorient a level six hundred and fifty Sprite.

Really not something to write home about, Ilea thought, a little disappointed in the monsters’ performance. For now that was, she already saw a few dozen more of the beings descend from the higher reaches of this layer. Together they might even be able to match the Monarch’s output. Compared to the elf however, she would have little issues with escaping, should that become necessary.

The other sprites arrived in the next few minutes, joining in with their brethren to destroy the pesky ashen creature that had invaded their home. Beams joined together and concentrated in brilliant heat and energy where the being hung in the air, black wings lazily moving on her back. Ash was burned away and reformed, bone armor and human skin exposed from time to time, reforming again with each moment when the barrage couldn’t be sustained.

Ilea just laughed, twirling in the air as she exposed herself to the somewhat extreme sun bathing experience. As the creatures gathered, their beams came to overwhelm her healing from time to time but her growing resilience against their attacks through Body of the Valkyrie prevented her from actually having to retreat.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Ilea closed her eyes and enjoyed the heat. Feeling the growing power within her chest, she reached out to one of the Sprites and used Displacement to move it in front of her. Her hand closed around it’s thin root like neck. The right side of her face lay exposed, her cheek missing as a bright beam of light burned away at her tough skin. Her eye glazed over and popped, blood trailing down before it evaporated. And yet she held on to the struggling creature without a care in the world.

“It’s only fitting, to have my eyes explode again in this place,” she mused and raised her other hand in front of the creature’s head. The heat within her released in an instant, a beam of fiery energy flashing out from her palm, quite literally removing the monster’s head from existence.

Flakes of ash flowed from its neck as a ding resounded in her mind. Ilea grinned when she saw that her attack had partially disintegrated four more of them who happened to be in the path, only one clinging on to life.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 700]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 684]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 658]’

“I told you I’d be back,” she said, her face regenerating as the creatures moved into clusters, focusing their spells together for a more powerful result. Ilea knew it wouldn’t be enough to stop her. These creatures were simple minded monsters wielding overwhelming magic to defeat their foes. Beings who never had the need nor will to advance past their limiting instincts. And it so happens that they had once tried to kill a dear friend of hers.

If they had been Sapient, perhaps it would have led to a different end, but their spells weren’t the only limited thing about them. I can be patient too, despite evidence to the contrary, she thought and continued forming heat within her. A display of such destructive magic would’ve forced most enemies to flee, sapient or not. But it seemed the Elder Sun Sprites had an ingrained arrogance not much unlike that of the Elves. Or perhaps they simply couldn’t comprehend that a living thing existed that could fight them.

We will never learn, Ilea thought and displaced another creature to herself. Her ashen limbs spread and entrapped the being, resisting the continuous light magic. She floated a little closer and punched the monster in its dice like head, the impact vibrating through her arm, leaving a dent in the hard material. She punched from the left next, speeding up as her magically enhanced body brimmed with power. Ilea started mixing in her mana intrusion, quickly overwhelming whatever lousy defense and health the being had.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 685]’

She turned around, letting the body fall towards the partially glassed desert below.

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

You Are pretty effective with that combined effort, Ilea mused. The impact however was lessening, the enemy spells dealing more than ten percent reduced damage with each passing minute of their continued battle.

Ilea started being a little more active, using her quick teleportation to close the distance between the various flying creatures, her intrusion overwhelming each and everyone of them in a matter of seconds.

She appeared within the largest cluster, using Heart of Cinder in a sphere around her to disintegrate the group of Elder Sprites. Violence, she thought, using the remaining ash to form spears she sent at the few creatures that were left.

Ilea was almost disappointed when the last of them fell to her attacks, the area quieting down as she floated in midair. That was what a hundred? Two?

The fight hadn’t taken long either but after the hordes she had faced in Erendar, she supposed the experience couldn’t be anything but underwhelming.

“You don’t suppose you could let me know about large clusters of high level monsters nearby?” she mused, looking upwards as she checked her messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 658]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Elder Sun Sprite – lvl 700]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 472 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 466 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 418 – One stat point awarded’

And no more skill levels. Oh well, not like there was a lot of skill involved in this battle.

“Even if I would agree with your way of life, there is nothing here that could satiate your endless lust for blood and death,” Meadow replied.

“Are you sure? A good punch to the head might help some beings awaken, who knows,” Ilea said. “Alright then, beam me up Scotty.”

“I understand the humor, however you would be surprised with how effective that method really is. Especially with hard skulled creatures like yourself. Are you referencing a fictional work I’m not familiar with?” Meadow asked.

Ilea deactivated her space magic resistance when she noticed the pull, appearing in Meadow’s domain a moment later.

“Why does that not surprise me. And yes. It’s an older reference, but it still checks out,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Maybe some day, I will understand your otherworldly references. I hope the planned alliance between Raenhall and Hallowfort will lead to a lot of literature trade at least,” Meadow said.

“Well I’m sure you can teleport or mine valuable things from the vicinity to buy things yourself,” Ilea said. “But I don’t know if a TV or computer would actually work the same way in this realm. Who knows. There was some good stuff out there though.”

“I feel envy, to have such a short life and yet be entertained so thoroughly. Meadows like me had to entertain ourselves with the study of magical theory,” it said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Yes yes old one. But now you’re powerful as fuck, and humanity would rather fuck around behind their walls. Even I am just a fringe case because of my battle obsession,” she said.

“Are you suggesting I did well?” Meadow teased.

“Of course. You’re the best, strongest, and funniest Meadow I know,” Ilea said and winked.

“And how many Meadows do you know exactly?” it asked, sending a vision of a thousand squinting eyes.

“You’d be surprised,” Ilea said, smirking at the continued attempts by Feyrair. She glanced over to Neiphato who sat meditating with wooden shapes floating around him. Definitely a contrast.

“No, I wouldn’t,” Meadow said. “You asked earlier in regards to your skill change.”

“Yeah anything you’re noticing now?” Ilea asked.

“I’m sure you noticed already. How your ash and arcane mana have integrated more with your body. I believe it will be a great boon,” Meadow spoke. “However it isn’t the dramatic change you feared. Not yet at least. However any further evolution options should be quite interesting. Be sure to consider them carefully when the time comes.”

Ilea nodded. “Will do. Thanks.”

“Hey Fey, want to go back to the Praetorian facility for some time? Until our friends here make some progress with the gates and locating device?” she said.

The elf just roared, trying to dodge a bunch of barriers forming around him, his wings clipped a moment later before his limbs were removed, his body slapping to the ground as he uselessly spewed his fires.

“Maybe some levels would help you fight the Meadow too. I’m sure you’ll win!” Ilea said.

The dragonling rolled his eyes and returned to his Elven form.

“You’re not suggesting this creature could ever overwhelm me?” Meadow asked in a dry tone.

“Yeah no, I just want him with me. Can’t kill Executioners alone yet,” Ilea sent back, giving a thumbs up to Feyrair whose mood didn’t seem particularly stable.

“Yes. I don’t think staying here is a good idea,” he said with a hiss and sigh, somehow at the same time.

“Neiphato?” Ilea asked.

He glanced towards them. “I will continue my training here for now.”

“Alright. Then enjoy yourselves. Let’s say we’re back in a week?” Ilea suggested.

“I suggest you give those two a little more time. Three or four weeks at least,” Meadow said.

Ilea rolled her shoulders. “Ah, well. I had hoped to start the search a little earlier. But I suppose getting into the ancient network takes some time. Just dissolve your mark in case I’m needed or if you’ve had a breakthrough.”

Iana smiled. “Will do. With Meadow here, I’m sure it’ll be manageable. Worst case you’ll have your locator at least.”

“Sure, good luck then. And remember to eat and sleep,” she said.

“I will make sure they do,” Meadow informed her.

“Thanks. And for your help in general. Don’t know what we’d do without you,” Ilea said.

“I help those I consider friends. Without me, well you’d be stumbling in the dark for another few millennia. But lucky for you, I already did that part and have come to show you fire,” Meadow remarked.

“Just don’t show us how to build nukes,” Ilea said.

“What are nukes?” Meadow asked.

Ilea waved towards the tree, stepping onto the teleportation platform. “Weapons of mass destruction. Spells destructive enough to flatten whole cities with a single blast. That kind of stuff.”

“I’d like to see such a nuke used against my shields,” the tree suggested.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Ilea said when Feyrair joined her. “See you.”

Ilea and Feyrair had an easy time finding their way into the Praetorian facility. Elfie’s mark led them through the desert and into the manufacturing plant without issues or Monarch interruptions.

“Let’s continue to fuck this place up then,” Ilea said as her ash fanned out.

Feyrair glanced at her and smirked. “More limbs. Did something change?”

“Deviant of Humanity to the third tier,” she said.

He hissed. “I see. Perhaps you’re closer to an elf now than to a human.”

She twirled and looked at him. “Would that make me an Oracle?”

“Well, if that were the case, you’d be the Oracle whose Domain I’d join,” Fey said and winked.

“Alright, eyes on the prize, dragon. We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Ilea said.

The two continued in Izta where they had left off, mapping out the massive facility while they fought the various Praetorian variants. Time passed quickly and for every hall they destroyed, they discovered another three.

Ilea informed Elfie about their progress on the first day and that he should call for her whenever they encountered an Executioner. The machines were rare but still forced Elfie’s group back whenever they did encounter one. For Ilea and Feyrair, they were the best source for skill experience. Class level wise, the Hunters were a far better choice because either of them could fight that variant alone.

Three weeks passed before Ilea was called by one of her marks. However contrary to her expectations, it wasn’t Iana or Meadow. It was Trian.

Meet? was the intent sent with the disappearing mark.

“Might have an emergency with a friend. Want to join or stay here? Probably doesn’t have anything to do with your war,” Ilea said as soon as she received the message, destroying the last Praetorian in the vicinity.

Feyrair turned towards her in his dragon form before he turned back to his Elven self. “I’ll join you of course. More interesting than these endless halls anyway,” he remarked.

Ilea smiled and activated her third tier blink. A few minutes passed before they both appeared within her home near Ravenhall. Trian had been in the city, his mark slowly fading as Ilea focused on his location.

“Cover your elfishness,” Ilea said and displaced them out and towards the city.

“As you wish, ash princess,” Feyrair said, his new nickname sticking. Only because it sometimes visibly irked her when he said it.

If anything, she was a Queen.

Chapter 595 Visiting the Sentinels

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, quick info. I took a few days off last week to play Cyberpunk. So this week there will only be two chapters on RR. I didn't expect to get that into the game but here we are.

Also maybe for the future - If Elden Ring / SIlksong actually exist and come out, I'll be taking a week off to play them.

Cheers, and thanks for reading :).

Chapter 595 Visiting the Sentinels

They found Trian in his office down in the Sentinel headquarters, Ilea knocking on the door before she entered. “You called?”

Trian looked at the group of young healers before he stood up. “Lilith,” he said and looked at the three healers. “I’m afraid we’ll have to continue this at a later time. I’ll call for you, take the afternoon to work on your spells.”

The three glanced between Ilea, Feyrair, and Trian as they left in a nervous hurry.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

Trian waited until the door closed behind the last healer, enchantments activating as soon as the room as sealed. He glanced at Feyrair with interest but turned back to Ilea. “It’s about one of the Sentinels. Gael, if you remember him. He might be in danger, or may be endangering others. If you have matters more pressing, I’ll send another team to check the situation but with his growing power and the job he was sent on, I thought it best to see if you’re available.”

“No, I have time. What’s happening?” Ilea said and appeared on one of the chairs facing Trian’s desk.

The man sat down. “Are you not going to introduce your friend? Or did you learn how to make high level golems?”

“Ah that would be useful. He’s much more annoying than that,” Ilea said and gestured for Feyrair to sit down too. “He’s a Cerithil Hunter. An elf. And who I’ve been fighting with for the past few months.”

“I see. Was wondering when you’d introduce the first of them. Well it’s not any more unusual than Weavy. Welcome to Ravenhall. Trian’s the name,” he said and smiled at the elf.

Feyrair revealed his face and bowed respectfully. “Feyrair Kaa, always a pleasure to meet associates of Ilea.”

“The same,” Trian said with a smile. “I’m sorry but I have to ask. Do you eat humans?”

Feyrair hissed as he sat down, Trian not reacting in any visible way. “I won’t now that I call one of them an ally and friend. The hunt is usually quite boring too, which spoils the taste I find.”

“As long as you refrain from eating our students. Otherwise, make yourself at home. Drinks? Meat?” Trian asked.

“I’ve already eaten, thank you,” Feyrair hissed.

Trian copied the sound and sat down in his chair. “So, Gael. He-”

Ilea stopped him. “Wait, wait. You hissed? What just happened? Have you met Elves before?”

“I haven’t, no. But it’s obviously a gesture their species uses in a complex manner. I simply tried to be polite. I hope you didn’t take offense,” Trian explained and looked at the elf.

“Not at all. Your efforts are appreciated, Mr. Trian,” Feyrair said.

It’s like they’re different people. Shapeshifting diplomats.

“Wonderful. Gael received several monster subjugation jobs in the border regions of Lys and Baralia. The area is somewhat turbulent right now as you can surely imagine. We received confirmation that he completed two of the jobs last week but haven’t heard since then. Our inquiries with the local Adventurer’s Guild suggest he went into the wild near the village of Samethol, in an effort to deal with a Shredder sighting in a nearby mine. However he hasn’t returned or reported,” Trian explained.

“One week isn’t that long, is it? Probably just exploring still,” Ilea suggested.

“We have protocols, Ilea. Especially with Sentinels who work alone or in teams of adventurers. They are to report every three days to a local guild or someone in the last settlement they visited. I understand your interpretation but despite his disposition, Gael has not missed a single report since he started taking on jobs,” Trian explained.

“Did anybody investigate already?” Feyrair asked.

Trian didn’t miss a beat. “No. The locals have refused because of the aforementioned Shredders. The distance and lack of available Hunters made me think of you. Also… well, many of the Sentinels are not exactly comfortable with Gael. I heard from Claire that you received an invitation to Yinnahall and thought that you may be in the region anyway. I hope I’m not wasting your time.”

“You would never, Trian. Don’t worry. Right, that was next week I think?” Ilea said and summoned the letter. “Yeah. I mean sure. I can check it out, see what happened. Might be he discovered a dungeon or something. We could benefit too. Do you still feel like joining Fey?”

The elf glanced over and smiled. “Of course. It sounds exciting. And if I can help out in any way, I’ll gladly do so.”

“Got any other jobs in the region just in case?” Ilea asked Trian. “Or dungeon locations, I suppose.”

“I’ll check, give me a moment,” Trian said and summoned a large book. “Southern Baralia… yeah there are a lot of requests, but you’re more than overqualified for most of them.”

“They sent all those requests to us?” Ilea asked, looking at the loose pieces of paper between the pages of his book.

Trian smiled. “No. We’re not that popular quite yet. Contrary to the Shadow’s Hand, we work with the Adventurer Guilds too, those who agreed to the terms that is. Which… a lot did actually. But that’s another topic. You’ll have to meet whoever put up the jobs or visit the respective Guild first to make sure it’s still available. Like this we can send the Hunters on somewhat low risk jobs to gather experience. And to spread our name.”

“Hunters… is it a rank?” Feyrair asked.

Trian smiled. “Indeed. Those above level two hundred who have passed a set of tests are granted that title. However it’s mostly used internally. Our members are normally called Sentinels or Medic Sentinels. It’s in no way comparable to your own title, Cerithil Hunter.”

“I hadn’t meant to imply such,” Feyrair answered. “Merely curious. It seems to be a prevalent rank, no matter the species or allegiance.”

Ilea pictured the two sitting at a table drinking tea, gossiping about the latest news from the local nobles. Maybe they could join Helena at some point. Throw in Elana and you’ve got a murder.

“Give me the juicy jobs you have. I could certainly do with something else than machines for a change, no matter the power,” she said.

Trian leafed through the many forms and handed her three of them. “Slavers hiding west of Mothine. Imperials posted the job in the town’s Guild. I’m not sure why they don’t deal with it themselves but they must have their reasons. Next one is further north, closer to Nara. Unknown monsters in the area that attack villages and farms. Might be interesting because they specified Emerald rank or higher.”

“What level is that?” Ilea asked, summoning her crate and displacing out her own adventurer badge, looking at the shimmering metal.

“That one, yes. Two hundred,” Trian said.

“Why don’t they hire Shadows?” Ilea asked, putting it back.

“They might’ve sent a request too, but the Shadow’s Hand isn’t exactly overstaffed,” he said. “They would likely take lower leveled adventurers too if they were interested. Plenty of desperate folk trying to make a living in Baralia. And plenty of monsters and bandits around.”

Trian handed her the third note. “Last one is farther west. A large group of those cursed in the blood ritual in Mophis have apparently wandered into a massive quarry west of the city. I don’t think the enemies in any of these requests will be particularly challenging for the two of you, but I’m sure the locals would appreciate a swift resolution. None of these are likely popular for the adventurers in the region, but I could be wrong.”

Ilea took the note and looked at it. “Why a quarry?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they followed someone who fled there, or a beast,” Trian said.

“No I mean. There are earth mages around. Why would they need quarries?” Ilea asked. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a quarry here or in Lys.”

“Earth mages still need good stone. Only few are ever creators. We have plenty of mountains nearby and even in Lys, the empire sends out high level mages and architects to help set up city walls, buildings, and whatever else is necessary. But when you add slavery… well if the human labor is free, quarries can make sense again.”

Capitalism, following me everywhere I go, Ilea thought with a slight grin. “Makes sense, I suppose.”

“You humans,” Feyrair commented.

“At least we don’t eat each other,” Ilea said. “Most that is.”

He hissed. “And wasteful too.”

“Cannibalism is generally seen as an offensive practice. A cultural difference, I suppose,” Trian said.

“I understand,” Feyrair said, looking at the man.

“Sure you don’t want to stay here? Maybe go on a date together with Trian?” Ilea asked.

“Jealous?” Fey asked her.

“Oh no, go for it,” Ilea said and glanced over the three notes before she made them vanish. “I’ll check on Gael and make sure he reports back. Hope he didn’t lose to his berserker rage.”

“That would be problematic. And also a reason why you checking in may be a good idea,” Trian said.

They got up, preparing to leave.

“Feyrair, if you’re ever in the area, feel free to check in with me. I’m sure your experience with magic would be most beneficial to our students,” Trian said.

The elf smiled. “As would be my cultural knowledge and the information I could share on your Elven enemies.”

Trian smirked. “An added benefit. I’m sure an adequate agreement could be found.”

“I’ll remember. But to be honest, I doubt I’ll be frequenting these parts. Good fortune in your dealings,” Fey said and walked towards the door.

“And to you,” Trian said with a hiss and bowed slightly.

Ilea rolled her eyes at Trian and reapplied her mark. “Don’t overdo it.”

“Why. Potential allies are potential allies. Can you imagine? Elves within our ranks?”

“Yes, we would be hunt down by the collective human species,” Ilea said.

Trian kept his smile and sat down again, summoning a few letters. “Thanks for the help. And do check in again when you have the time. Too many students haven’t met our founder.”

“You’re a founder too,” Ilea said as she left.

“Not the one who has songs written about them,” Trian remarked.

Ilea closed the door and found Feyrair stare at the stairwell leading up. She watched him raise a hand, heat gathering before he formed a spell of white flame. Her hand rushed out to slap his spell into an nearby wall. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Feyrair hissed, his eyes fixated on the Centurion staring back at them with green eyes.

“That’s Aki,” Ilea said, spreading her ash to put out the flames.

“Everything alright?” Trian asked, looking out from his office.

“Yes,” Ilea said. “Apologies for the destruction.”

“You paid for all this,” Trian murmured and closed the door.

“I’m confused,” Aki said as he stepped down towards them. “Did I offend in any way?”

Feyrair glanced at the machine and back to Ilea. “It can talk? What’s the meaning of this?”

“Aki is a friend. And you’re insulting a Sentinel within his home, let alone attacking it without cause,” Ilea said.

The elf looked at her with wide eyes, most of his face covered by the scale armor. He turned back to Aki and bowed. “Apologies for my behavior, Sentinel Aki. I had mistaken you for a Taleen war machine.”

“An understandable misunderstanding,” Aki said and chuckled. He paused and looked at the elf for a few seconds. “I’m… reminded… of something. May I ask if you’re a... Cerithil Hunter?”

Feyrair glanced at Ilea.

“He is,” Ilea said. “Your old wielder was one, right? Couldn’t have been a normal elf down there in a dungeon.”

“Perhaps… I’m not sure anymore. Thought the name remains and I something about you reminded me,” Aki said. “It’s an honor, to meet one so brave as to defy… defy who? I can’t recall.”

“The Oracles, or the Domains,” Fey supplied with a grin. “What a peculiar being. I’m intrigued. Are you a Centurion who has gained independence?”

Ilea displaced the three of them into an empty training hall, seeing a few students closing in from above. While she didn’t care that much, it would cause a lot of issues for Trian and Claire if it became known that an elf had visited the Sentinels.

Neither of them reacted to the displacement.

“The… Oracles… yes. It’s barely a memory. I’m not. Our friend Lilith here has provided a suitable body for my form. It turned out that I could control machines left behind by the Taleen,” Aki explained. “I’m far beyond the capabilities of a normal Centurion.”

“You can talk, that much is already impressive,” Fey admitted. “Are you interested in a bout perhaps?”

“You’re not a foe I could beat. I can tell that much,” Aki said. “Nor am I inclined to wait for my repair enchantments to reform myself afterwards.”

“I’ll bring you a Praetorian body next,” Ilea said with a smile. “Just couldn’t disable one yet without having the core detonate. They’re well made.”

“You’re inside the decide then… sticking from the back of the machine?” Fey asked.

“Yes,” Aki confirmed.

“Have you tried on a life one? If he can control Taleen machines, maybe we could get an Executioner on our side,” Feyrair said with a bright smile.

“Even if that would work, my place is here with the Sentinels. The… war… is no longer of relevance to me,” Aki said.

Ilea looked at the Centurion. “Hmm… I mean. You can do whatever the fuck you want Aki… but the prospect of an Executioner… holy shit. You could fight even me…,”

Aki now looked at her with a different glow in his green eyes. “Even you?”

“Even me,” Ilea mused with a smirk.

“What are those Executioners?” Aki asked carefully.

Feyrair hissed. “They’re a special variant Praetorian. Can regenerate and use void magic, also they can run through the air.”

Ilea smiled. “Level eight hundred.”

Aki whistled. Somehow. “And you two fight those things?”

“No,” Feyrair said. “We destroy them.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We can only take them on together,” she said.

“We’re getting closer to fighting them alone. I barely needed your help with the last one,” Fey said.

Ilea laughed. “Oh really. What about that time I deflected its stab into your eye?”

“Eyes mean little,” Fey insisted.

“Yeah, agreed. But the brain behind them is a little more important,” she replied.

“If a body like that is a possibility… I could certainly protect the headquarters more efficiently, let alone train the few Sentinels who already match my capabilities. But you would have to take the risk,” Aki said, thoughtfully turning his spear.

“Not a risk really, she just stabs you into the core when it’s exposed and unshielded. We kill them the same way most of the time,” Feyrair said.

“But what if the One without Form takes control of Aki instead? Or if he’s not powerful enough to take over the Executioner? If the body reforms around him… well it’s gonna be a nightmare to remove him again,” Ilea said.

“A nightmare but not impossible. How durable are you?” Feyrair asked, looking at Aki.

“You really like the idea of having an Executioner as an ally,” Ilea said with a smile.

The elf hissed. “Do you not? We could train with him. And how satisfying would it be to watch him destroy other Taleen?”

“As I said, I have no interest in the conflict you are a part of,” Aki said.

“Fair enough, but I do agree it would be badass,” Ilea said. “Trian is around… maybe we can ask Meadow and the rest if it’s possible? Maybe they could reinforce your enchantments or something.”

“Iana already said that a living Taleen would be necessary to understand how I would interact with their enchantments,” Aki said. “It’s safest to use disabled machines.”

“Yeah but we can’t disable a Praetorian,” Ilea said. “I don’t think even Isalthar took them out without exploding cores, right?”

Fey hissed. “Yes. You’re right. I’ve never seen it happen.”

“At least with the Executioners we can expose the cores somewhat efficiently… and if Aki can take over from anywhere, then directly from the core,” Ilea said. “If working machines are necessary to test it, we can provide some. Guardians are no issue. Just need to get to some random dungeon and grab a few.”

“The prospect sounds promising, however the risk is substantial too,” Aki said.

“Either way we should wait for now. Iana and Chris already have enough on their plate but it’s worthwhile to look into. Especially with the Executioners,” Ilea said.

“Well, I’ll be here. A few of the students have lost the respect they should be showing the faculty. Your suggestion would surely solve that issue, coupled with a few enthusiastic bouts,” Aki said, looking at his spear in a thoughtful manner.

“What a peculiar being,” Fey said. “Who would have created you? Do you remember?”

“No,” Aki said. “Thought the compatibility suggests the Taleen themselves. However I assure you that both me and Iana have made sure that my loyalty lies where I place it.”

Fey looked at Ilea. “You should have the tree look at him too. Just to make sure. Before we create a thinking Executioner in the hands of the enemy.”

“If Aki agrees,” Ilea said. “Meadow may know more. I hope it’s not keeping book of how much it’s helping out, otherwise I’ll have quite an assortment of debt to pay back.”

“I doubt it cares about such matters. You somehow won its trust. Perhaps your greatest achievement,” Feyrair suggested.

“And you can tell that from your long and deep conversations with the Meadow?” she asked.

He hissed. “We fought. You learn more about the other in an even battle than you could ever grasp from conversation.”

Ilea laughed. “Even,” she said in between breaths and laughed some more. The confident stance he remained in only added to the comedy.

Chapter 596 Common Adventurers

Chapter 596 Common Adventurers

“I take it this Meadow is quite powerful?” Aki asked.

Ilea calmed down, still grinning at the elf. “You can fake confidence, that much I give you. Meadow is like a literal god. Far beyond anything anyone I know could fight. Well someone might but that’s beside the point.”

“Wait, you know someone who can fight that tree?” Feyrair asked suddenly.

She smirked. “Ah but were you not evenly matched?”

The elf paused briefly before his fake pride apparently won out against his curiosity. “Of course. You were talking about me.”

“Exactly,” Ilea said. “Who else could be as impressive and powerful as you, dear Feyfey.”

“We agreed on not using that nickname,” he said.

“You’re right. My apologies,” Ilea mused.

Aki made a noise that sounded a little like him clearing his nonexistent throat. “Then I shall await your return, Ilea.”

She could tell the dagger was excited at the prospect of an even stronger body. She understood of course. I’ll have to make sure I’m strong enough to solo an Executioner before we even try this, she thought, squinting her eyes at the machine.

Ilea trusted Aki, despite his nature and potential history. Or even enchantments that would change his mind. Iana had already worked on stabilizing his mind and personality, hopefully they could prevent tampering by an outside source as well. What she didn’t like about him controlling an Executioner was the fact that he would effectively be stronger than her.

And she knew that even the calm and responsible Aki he had become would be teasing her nonstop if he had the capability of beating her in a fight.

“Is something wrong with me?” Aki asked in a teasing voice, tilting his head to the side slightly.

“You’re just a little too excited… is all,” Ilea said, squinting her eyes once more.

Aki chuckled. “Oh but what would make you think that, oh great Lilith. I would surely not abuse the power bestowed upon me by your excellency.”

She nodded very slowly. “Suure.”

“Now leave. I know why Trian called you here. One of my students might be in danger, though I rather pity the fool who trapped him,” Aki said.

Trapped. I hope you’re right, Aki, Ilea thought and smiled. “We’ll make sure we find him. Until next time.”

“I believe I haven’t introduced myself. Feyrair Kaa. Apologies again for the misunderstanding,” Feyrair said and bowed gracefully.

“There is no need to apologize, Feyrair Kaa. Sal… var… nakuun,” Aki said.

The elf stood there silently for a moment before he smiled. “Navii.”

Ilea looked at them with raised eyebrows before she left, the elf in tow. She displaced them through the city until they reached the outermost walls.

She did add anti space magic enchantments into the walls. Nothing better than in the office though, but at least it’s something, she thought and walked towards the nearest gate with Feyrair.

“What did he say there in the end?” she asked.

The elf glanced at her, only his eyes visible due to his concealing armor. “Hmm. What indeed.”

She smiled. “Mysterious, are we?”

“Perhaps a trade would let me share the secret knowledge of the Elven language with an outsider such as yourself,” Fey said.

Ilea looked at him, the two exiting through the city gate. “And what would you suggest is a fair trade for the knowledge of a few Elven words?”

She spread her wings, a few travelers glancing at the duo with interest and awe.

Feyrair did the same, white flame flaring out behind him as he ascended next to her, the two quickly on their way northwards.

“Gate?” he asked.

“No. It’s faster to fly from here,” Ilea said.

“I see. As to the trade… why don’t you tell me who you know that could beat the Meadow?”

Ilea grinned. “Ah so you were that curious after all.”

“Well, I can already beat that tree easily, but it is a powerful being. It’s only natural for me to seek even more dangerous foes,” Feyrair suggested.

“Obviously,” Ilea said. “I’ve met a Fae.”

The elf hissed, his eyes opening wide as he grinned form ear to ear. “Now your Class makes sense… did you meet… you know, a real one?”

“The whole,” Ilea said. “You know about them then?”

“I’ve heard stories. But everyone who interacted with one of them said they were weak and powerless. The only logical conclusion I could come to was that they were illusions, part of a whole, or versed in trickery. But your suggestion that the Fae could fight Meadow makes me think that the respect they garner from ancient Elves isn’t misplaced,” he explained.

“The small ones are just part of a collection of minds. The full things is… well you’ve met the Meadow. It’s a similar experience. Otherworldly. I’m friends with one of the parts and the whole… well it didn’t eat or kill me, so that’s a good sign. But you met a dragon, right?” Ilea said.

Feyrair suddenly looked thoughtful, his hair losing color as he looked forward. “We both met creatures beyond what we thought could exist. Meeting isn’t the best word… it was a random encounter, but you know how I am,” he said and grinned.

“You attacked it immediately,” Ilea suggested.

He grinned. “It must’ve taken a liking to that. Or it had a purpose… maybe it liked my armor, my hair, who knows. I woke up with my body burnt beyond recognition, but alive. And knowing a name I hadn’t known before.”

“Not a very spectacular story,” Ilea said.

“The truth rarely is, isn’t it?” Feyrair said. “But I vowed to find it again. Some day.”

Ilea smiled. “You want to fight it?”

He considered for a moment. “I don’t know. I don’t know if it is possible.”

“With enough time and evolutions, everything is. I’ve fought and killed astral spirits the size of a city and survived. And so can you. A Dragon is just a few steps above that, if at all,” Ilea said. “I’m excited to beat Meadow too, as you should be.”

Feyrair laughed, his contemplative expression gone. “You’re so young… and yet when you say it so simply, I can’t help but believe you. Sure, let’s fight and fight, until we can take on even the ancient horrors slumbering in their lairs and caverns.”

“It’s really not that far fetched. You’re basically a dragon yourself already,” Ilea said. “And I’m getting closer to becoming an Elemental.”

“I’m definitely on the better path there,” Feyrair mused.

Ilea smirked. “Ah I wouldn’t be so sure. Icy was pretty fucking cool. But I’ll reserve my judgment until I’ve met a Dragon myself.”

“You already have,” Fey said, pointing at himself with a confused expression.

“Yeah Icy wins that round. Easily. No contest,” she said.

“I don’t believe you mentioned Icy before,” Fey said.

“It’s a friend of Meadow’s. An Ice Elemental, though it stayed in its own realm. I hope to meet it again someday,” Ilea explained.

The elf hissed. “Of course it is. If anything, I’m glad I have met you, Ilea. Finally someone who can appreciate the finer things in life. It’s so rare to find these traits in a Cerithil Hunters.”

“Because they all die super quickly?” Ilea asked.

“Precisely. The only reason I’m still around is Isalthar,” Feyrair said. “But now I’ve found another healer, and I’ve become quite durable myself, far gone are the offensive Classes I focused on in ages past. Though sometimes I miss the overwhelming power.”

“Not worth it if you die when you’re halved,” Ilea said.

“Easier said than truly understood. Not until you experience getting halved,” Fey mused.

“Try losing your head,” she said. “You didn’t tell me what Aki said yet.”

He smiled. “Sal Var Nakuun… I’d say it means good fortune. To which I replied with Navii, which might mean something along the lines of I respect it, or I respect what you said.”

She rolled her eyes. “Perfectly mundane. Of course it is.”

Ilea looked through the messages still remaining from their stay in the Praetorian facility. The flight to Baralia would take a few hours at least.

‘ding’ ‘Your groups has defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 800]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hunter Praetorian – lvl 750]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 473 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 476 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 467 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 470 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 419 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 425 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 20’

Compared to her earlier efforts, Ilea downright bathed in the core explosions this time, deactivating her resistances and defenses to get whatever she could for her general skills.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

Ilea hoped that the Elves wouldn’t find an untimely end, her resistance training deal hadn’t even started after all.

Feyrair was closing in on level four hundred as well, the elf progressing at a frightening speed. She really did wonder if the opportunities simply hadn’t been the same or if he was holding off on leveling to gather achievements and general skills.

The two flew through the plains, the elf agreeing to be pulled by Ilea’s ash due to her faster speed. She did have to insist based on the potential danger one of the Sentinels was in.

Ilea started flying slower when they reached the northern parts of Lys, or what she thought were said parts. Her map helped of course but without any landmarks or Huntress marks to guide her, finding specific settlements wasn’t an easy task.

She landed on a small road she spotted in the distance, flying a few meters above ground until she saw two travelers a few hundred meters ahead. “Keep your armor on,” she said to Feyrair. “And don’t eat the locals.”

“But that’s the only reason why I’m here,” he mused, still a little grumpy at having been carried by ashen limbs. He was the dragon after all.

Ilea did reassure him that his wings would surely get better in time, not talking about how early she had gotten her Ashen ones.

She landed a few meters behind the two men and their donkey pulled cart filled with various bags. Food and drink mostly. “Greetings travelers,” she said, watching the two jump and spin around, the older man drawing a shortsword.

He wore a simple shirt and trousers, barely any hair remaining on his scalp. The younger man seemed to be in his teens, conjuring fire as he took a step back at the sight.

Ilea only had to wait a few seconds for the two to realize they were a little in over their heads when it came to martial power.

“The Specter…,” the older man murmured, his hand shaking before he steeled his resolve.

[Warrior – lvl 24]

[Mage – lvl 30]

Ilea thought it funny that who seemed to be the son had a higher level. She ignored Feyrair as he walked to the mage and inspected the flame with curiosity.

“We’re not here to fight you,” she said. “We’re looking for a place called Samethol. Do you know where that would be?”

“Your control is impressive for that level. You’re not a mere fire mage. Show me what you can do,” Feyrair said and burst out in white flame, teleporting to the side as he gestured for the boy to join him.

“Don’t kill him,” Ilea warned.

The warrior glanced between her, the elf, and the boy. “Samethol is… a town west of here, several day’s travel but you’ll have to turn back to find the road leading into the forest. It’s a dangerous road to travel at night.”

Ilea smiled when she saw the boy muster his courage, sending a few wisps of flame at the monstrous elf. “Do you know the specific distance and direction?”

The man scrunched his brow, turning towards the forest and pointing. “It’s hard to say miss, but I’d say about this way. There is an inn ahead, perhaps you could hire a guide.”

“We’re leaving,” Ilea said. “Thank you,” she added with a glance to the man, summoning a piece of silver.

“You are still frightened of the flames. You must embrace them, as part of what you are. Do so and you will find enlightenment,” Feyrair said as he spread his wings.

“How do I do that?” the boy asked.

“Conquer your fear. That is all that I’ll tell you,” Feyrair said.

“Who are you?” the warrior asked with wide eyes.

“Travelers. Good luck on your way,” Ilea said and spread her own wings, ascending to join the elf.

She heard the mage whisper as he watched her fly away. “Lilith.”

“Lilith,” Fey mimicked the awe inspired word when they were hundreds of meters away, laughing. “You don’t like it? Your name is known to many.”

“I don’t like the attention, no,” Ilea said. “But I guess it can be useful.”

“They were frightened with your name or without,” he said.

“Did you really care about that level thirty mage?” Ilea asked.

He hissed. “You have such interesting ways to develop magic… at such low levels, your possibilities are so versatile. That boy could follow paths never tread before.”

“And what would he have to do to… conquer his fear?” Ilea asked.

He grinned. “Burn down his town, set himself aflame, burn monsters trice his level without fear in his heart. I doubt he has what it takes, but I have been wrong about people before.”

“Wonderful. Ah well, I became a fire mage by burning myself as well. Who knows,” Ilea said.

“But you’re a healer. He doesn’t have that luxury,” Feyrair said.

“Well then he should become one first and try afterwards,” she suggested.

Fey pointed at the distant smoke, the trees here spaced out far more, even terrain making way for large boulders and stone breaking out from beneath grass and roots.

“Becoming a healer isn’t as simple as you think it is,” Fey said, especially for someone with an affinity for fire.

Ilea landed on a dirt road that led towards the rising smoke. She knew from experience that the town wasn’t in flames. They were probably just cooking.

“With the Sentinels, it is,” she said and smiled.

He hissed. “That is your organization then? Though I assume the training isn’t quite that easy.”

“No, it’s hard. But the people who join aren’t random people wanting to be adventurers. It’s nothing compared to what they’ll have to face out in the wilderness,” she said.

“The wilds are the best place to learn, that is true. Though I suppose the knowledge and guidance of more experienced mages and scholars could be beneficial. Not something usually done amongst Elves,” Fey mused.

They walked the rest of the way, seeing the small town in the distance. “You’re given your Classes by the Oracles who make you, right? And diverging afterwards isn’t really a thing?”

“We are. Yes… it’s much harder to diverge, for various reasons. Even amongst Hunters, direct experience is usually preferred to guidance. However after so much time, I can definitely see the merit. Teaching Elves though… especially young ones… that is a task I don’t wish on anyone.”

“You just need to beat them down often enough. I saw Elfie do it,” Ilea said.

“And yet they betrayed us,” Fey said.

Ilea ground her teeth. “Yeah. Not something I expected, that’s for sure. I’ll definitely want to have a word with them.”

Feyrair hissed. “If they’re alive. The domains don’t think highly of Hunters, let alone the Sanvaruun.”

“I saw them. Why would he have waited with killing them?” she asked.

“To gloat? To torture them? Who knows. I don’t know him like Isalthar does,” Feyrair said.

Ilea grunted, the two reaching the low stone wall going around the town of Samethol. Ivy and shrubbery already climbed some of the defensive perimeter, a single man in a brown duster leaning lazily next to the closed iron gate.

He only noticed them when they stopped a few meters away, looking up before he sneezed. “Shadow?”

“Amongst other things,” Ilea said, summoning her badge and throwing it over.

The man fumbled, missing the object before it reappeared in his hand. He did a double take before he righted his hat and cleared his throat. “You may enter.”

Didn’t even look at the badge, Ilea thought.

[Mage – lvl 104]

“Cheers. Where do I find the local guild?” she asked.

“No guild here. But if you’re looking for jobs, check the inn. Haya is the one you’re looking for, can’t miss her,” the man said.

“Big building on the left?” Ilea asked.

He grunted affirmatively and opened the small gate.

Ilea smiled under her armor, changing into simple clothes before she moved her ash to her neck. Feyrair still looked like some kind of high level armored warrior however, but she didn’t particularly care.

“No offense, but that look won’t inspire as much fear and respect,” Fey said when they entered the town proper.

The people around glanced at the newcomers with caution, quickly moving on not to draw attention.

“That’s the point,” Ilea said. “You know, sometimes I just want to feel like a normal person.”

Chapter 597 Wondrous Travelers

Chapter 597 Wondrous Travelers

“After all the things you’ve been through, all the monsters you’ve fought?” Fey asked.

“I didn’t do that to be seen as a monster. I just liked doing it. Kind of prefer to be ignored when I enter a city,” she said.

The elf laughed. “Very well. I understand in a way. Though with your high level, few reasonable people should ignore you. Perhaps I too should find some common clothes to experience what it means to be a normal human.”

“Eh, if you’re level fifty, pretty much every adventurer just shows question marks. Also I’m sure there’s a tailor around somewhere,” Ilea said with a smirk. She definitely wanted to see the elf act like a harmless human.

He grinned. “You use gold pieces in exchange for things, right? May I borrow some?”

“You can have them, I’ve got plenty. Just ask what things cost before you give them everything,” she said and handed him a few pieces.

“I know that much. Humans and your deceptive ways,” he said with fake disdain.

“You just can’t accept that a level twenty shop owner could win a battle of wits with you,” Ilea said.

He looked at her. “Perhaps you’re right. Then I shall go and see who will win the upcoming battle,” Fey said.

“Can I mark you? Would be easier to find you afterwards,” Ilea said.

“Of course,” Feyrair said and offered his hand, the spell forming a rune on the back of his hand. “Cursed by Lilith. Spectacular.”

“Go away,” Ilea said, looking at the laughing elf who slowly made his way through the small town. “Don’t kill people,” she added in a low whisper that only those with enhanced hearing would pick up.

He just waved her off.

Ilea let him be, hoping he wouldn’t create issues for them as she made her way through the muddy streets and towards the inn. The building looked run down but built on a sturdy stone base, a broad thatched roof with long faded color showing its age. An unconscious man with a large belly sat near the entrance with his back to the wall, the smell of alcohol and puke quite apparent.

Charming little town, Ilea thought, looking at the two horses drinking from the through nearby. She already inspected the various people inside with her sphere, going up the steps before she opened the heavy wooden door.

Inside she found a common room with a few wooden tables and chairs, a large hearth to the right with a fire burning within. Oil lamps illuminated the rest of the room with a few windows still letting in some of the sunlight from outside. The atmosphere seemed solemn, about a dozen patrons present, most of them silent and focused on their mugs.

Only a few even glanced her way, murmuring to their friends about outsiders. One made a comment about healing orders as well.

Ilea already focused on her target, a woman sitting at the bar with her back to the entrance. The most attentive one here, and she’s not even looking my way, Ilea thought with a smile. She walked over and sat down at the bar a few meters away from her, glancing at the inn keeper.

A burly man in his forties, handsome and with a hard look. A large greatsword was fastened to the underside of the counter, the man being the likely wielder.

[Warrior – lvl 58]

“Ale,” she said and placed a silver coin on the counter, glancing at the woman to her left.

[Ranger – lvl 125]

The man filled a mug and placed it down close to her. “You’re new. Healing Order, or looking for work?”

“Neither. I’m looking for someone,” Ilea said and summoned another piece of silver, smiling at the man’s reaction to her storage item.

Haya tensed up a little but didn’t show it, still not looking her way.

“And who is a healer looking for in Samethol?” the innkeeper asked, leaving the coin on the counter.

“A healer came here and took a job recently. Clearing out a mine, sightings of Shredders. I’m looking for him,” Ilea said.

“Lad went to the mine over a week ago, haven’t seen him since,” the man said and took the coin. “Mad look that one. I suggest you forget about it.”

“You’re a Sentinel too?” Haya finally asked, sipping on her ale.

Ilea nodded to the innkeeper and tasted the beverage. “Yes. I’ve come to make sure he’s not in trouble.”

The woman looked at her now, two green eyes taking her in. She wore sturdy leather armor, gray in color and worn. Two small crossbows hung from her belt, various quivers fastened to the back of it. An additional two large hunting knives and various pouches hung from another belt strapped diagonally around her torso. Messy blond hair had been tamed into a simple bun, a gray leather tricorn hat similar to the one of the guard near the wall rested on her head.

Her face showed signs of old scars, her mouth tightened into a perpetual frown. “He was wild. Came here covered in blood and stinking like a drunk monster.”

“Not the best first impression. I apologize on his behalf,” Ilea said.

“No. Certainly not,” the woman said.

Ilea sighed. “Did he kill anyone?”

Haya sipped on her ale again. “No. Thought a few of the less bright miners took offense at his behavior. He didn’t even flinch when they punched him. Bottles shattered on his skull. He simply asked me about the Shredder job when I interrupted the one sided brawl, showing the tattered note. Are you sure you’re from the same Order?”

“Organization,” Ilea said and smiled. “Yes, I’m sure. Though perhaps I’ll have to have a talk with him about his hygiene.”

The woman sighed. “Good luck with that. Barely listened to me and was off when I told him of the mine’s location.”

“Would you be so kind as to share that location with me too?” Ilea asked.

“And you’ll go rescue him? I’m sorry lass, but you don’t strike me as the cavalry. Not after what he showed here. I know your… organization was supposedly founded by Lilith herself, but I suggest you get a team together first. Maybe even locals who now the mine, if any are willing to go back in there,” Haya said.

Ilea finished her drink in a single swig. “So you want me to get into a brawl too?”

“I would appreciate if you don’t. I can see that you’re strong, but if you don’t take this seriously, you’ll die just like he did. Shredders are not your common monsters,” Haya said.

Ilea smirked. “Frightening monsters, yes. The location?”

“Don’t give me that attitude, girl. No matter what your level is, if you don’t know what you’re facing, you’ll die. And I won’t have another adventurer lost in my town. So get a team and come back to me,” Haya said and motioned to the barkeep, her mug filled yet again.

I suppose Fey was right in some ways. But isn’t this the best part of this charade? Ilea thought and activated her Deviant aura.

Everyone in the room froze, Haya immediately jumping up and grabbing her crossbows, aiming at Ilea with a dangerous look in her eyes. Her breathing was rugged, her heart beating quickly, but she was in control still, not pissing herself like some of the patrons.

Ilea did feel a little about the latter but she wanted to get the point across, feeling a little offended at how she was treated. She was one of the founders of the Sentinels after all.

“Try me,” she said, standing up with her mug still in her hand.

“Don’t. Come… closer,” Haya said through gritted teeth.

Ilea casually walked towards her, smirking when the bolts were released. She let them hit her neck, the wooden bolts breaking against her skin, pieces falling to the stone floor when her aura vanished. Ilea sipped on her ale and smiled at the terrified expression on the woman’s face.

Did I go too far?

“The location, if you please,” she said.

To her credit, Haya had put away her crossbows, both knives in hand, magic flowing around her. Sweat dripped from her brow as she glanced at the innkeeper.

“Calm down,” the man said to Haya, his hand hovering close to the handle of his large sword.

The door opened and a man dressed in a black velvet doublet and a kilt stepped inside, his head covered in a round metal helmet with wings of steel fastened to each side. “Here you are!”

Ilea burst out laughing, nearly spilling her drink as she steadied herself on the bar. The rest of the patrons started chuckling too, the tension of the moment fading away for a moment.

“What is it?” Feyrair asked. “I think I look splendid.”

Ilea calmed down, brushing away tears as she nodded. “Oh my dear, you do. Wonderful really.”

“Do I not look normal?” Feyrair asked one of the men sitting nearby.

“Lad, you look like a jester,” the man answered, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what had just transpired, looking into his mug as if to determine the state of reality.

Ilea offered her mug to the innkeeper. “Another one, and I still need that location.”

Haya had calmed down too, still gripping her knives as she glanced between Ilea and Feyrair. “You Sentinels definitely know how to make an impression.”

“He’s not a Sentinel,” Ilea said.

“I’ll take you there myself,” Haya said and nodded to the innkeeper.

He looked at her for a long moment before he grabbed Ilea’s mug and refilled it.

“I appreciate it,” she said. “Thanks,” she added, taking the mug and walking towards the door.

“I combined the pieces I liked most,” Fey said to her when she walked past.

Ilea smiled. “You do you. Might be a trend if you keep it up. But I suggest a simple robe or duster, brown or black pants and shirt, maybe a hood.”

“Sounds boring,” the elf said and followed her, Haya stepping out behind them.

“How far is it?” Ilea asked.

Haya reloaded her crossbows and fastened them back to her hip. “Half an hour if we run. With you, we could ignore the roads.”

“Sounds good,” Ilea said and reformed her ashen armor, spreading her wings a moment later. “We’ll fly.”

Haya stared at her for a full two seconds, blinking a few times afterwards. “Alright.”

She grabbed the hand Ilea held out to her, ashen limbs fanning out to envelop the tense woman. “Point me in the direction.”

Haya did as she was asked to, Ilea ascending quickly before she sped up, followed by the handsomely dressed Feyrair, some of the common folk in the town watching them rush off.

“This way,” Haya said, looking down at the quickly moving landscape. “There’s the main entrance.”

Ilea landed and let go of the woman, stepping closer to the open cave entrance supported by beams of wood, small tracks of steel leading into the darkness beyond.

Feyrair landed and joined her.

_____________________________

Haya watched the two people casually step towards the mine’s entrance. They ignored her completely, the location the only thing she could’ve given them. Neither were in her range of identification but she could feel their magic.

She had met plenty of overconfident adventurers and even Shadows in her time near the border. But the presence she had felt before was something entirely different. That woman wasn’t what she looked like. She was a demon, a monster, something inhuman. And I shot at her. You’re damn foolish these days.

The war had put her on edge, every other stranger coming to town a refugee, deserter, or slaver. When the massive boy had come and declared himself a Sentinel here to rid the mine of Shredders, she had hardly believed a word. An unheard of organization of fighting healers. She had inquired of course, learning that Lilith had something to do with them, the songs of the famous healer having reached Samethol long ago.

She had done what was necessary to get the boy out of her town. Haya hadn’t believed he would actually go into the mine. And now she was standing here with a monster and a ridiculous mage dressed in mismatched pieces of formal clothing. Should I just leave? No, let them go inside first and then go.

“Shredders tend to hide. They’re a pain to find if they’re scared,” the mage spoke, glancing at his companion.

The woman was now clad in ashen armor, her wings gone, but the thin tendrils of ash still moved silently behind her. Strong enough to carry me, Haya thought, finding the movements mesmerizing. The careless girl from before was gone, replaced by this creature devoid of fear.

“Then I’ll just have to get them out myself. Maybe Gael will come out too,” the woman said and cupped her hands in front of her mouth.

Haya held her breath when a monstrous roar reverberated through the vicinity and into the mine shaft, the hair on her back standing up as she felt her body freeze in a familiar sensation.

‘ding’ ‘You heard the challenge of a powerful healer – You are paralyzed for four seconds’

Her eyes trembled lightly as she focused on her breathing.

“You froze her,” the mage said, glancing back at Haya. He chuckled before he turned back to the entrance.

Who are these people.

Haya remembered a melody, the sounds ringing from somewhere in her mind. The bard that traveled through Samethol a few months ago, his voice coming back to her as if he stood right next to her.

Ashen wings of peerless might.

Elegant and mystifying.

She will not refuse a fight.

Lilith, guardian undying.

Her eyes opened wide when she heard monsters break out from the mine, a single wisp of white flame flickering on the outstretched palm of the unconcerned mage. She felt the heat as if it was an inferno, the terrifying sounds of moving Shredders coming closer.

She saw the beasts come out in the frenzied search of their challenger.

Heat surged as the white flame burst out, flowing into the massive creatures and the mine shaft beyond. Haya tensed up as the heat singed her skin, staggering back when an ashen limb lashed out at her, circling her arm.

She couldn’t shake it off, moving away still as her eyes started to water from the smells of burnt flesh and skin, the heat making her gasp for air. And yet it didn’t matter, powerful healing flowing into her from the ash, soothing both her body and mind, the slight burns vanishing in an instant as her breathing calmed once more, her body in a constant battle of heat and regeneration.

Haya gasped when the flames finally subsided, falling to her knees as she coughed a few times, covering her face with a piece of cloth to counter the smell.

“You alright?” the woman asked, glancing at her with kind blue eyes. Lilith.

She couldn’t bring herself to talk, terrified of the implications.

“Did you break her?” the mage asked.

“No. You nearly did, with your flames,” Lilith rebuked.

“Ah… apologies. I’m not used to dealing with… people like her,” the man said. “Should we go find your student?”

Lilith walked closer and touched Haya’s shoulder, healing flowing into her once again. “You seem to be alright. We’ll report to you when we’re done. I suggest you go back now, I’m not sure if we got all of them.”

Haya managed to nod slightly, steadying her hands as she watched the two step into the mine, past the burnt piles of ash, flesh and bone. It seemed so obvious now, but she simply hadn’t thought someone like that would come to Samethol of all places. I need some ale, she thought and staggered back, turning around before she started running through the familiar terrain. She glanced back from time to time, unsure who she expected to be hunting her.

__________________________________

“Gael!” Ilea shouted through the corridors.

“More remains, he came through here,” Feyrair said, lifting a battered carapace. “He uses a blunt weapon… did you get your own beast?”

“He just likes killing monsters. Nothing wrong with that,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed with joy. “Humans aren’t quite as boring as I assumed. Ben really was right.”

“Hundreds of years old and you finally come to the conclusion that sapient species are diverse and interesting. Bloody genius,” Ilea commented, trying to pick up anything with Sentinel Huntress. The trail was there but so far all they found were monster corpses.

“I blame my upbringing,” Feyrair mused. “Being thrown into the wilderness with nothing but magic isn’t conductive to one’s education.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea said.

“So what do you know of this Gael? You did meet him before? A student, so a healer too?” Fey asked.

“Yeah, he heals alright. I think mostly self regeneration though, but that’s how he became one of the strongest Sentinels so quickly. He doesn’t work well in a team and uses a berserker like Class that gets him into a frenzy. Though he does have some control over it, but who knows. Maybe he lost it here. I’m honestly surprised he never missed a report before this,” Ilea said. “Then again, no idea how long he’s been going on missions.”

“Could be he found something too strong to beat. Those who forego the mind in favor of strength are bound to fail,” Fey said.

Ilea giggled. “Ah, really now? Like how Elves fight creatures far beyond them instead of retreating?”

Fey looked ahead. “Even for me, it’s not easy. And I don’t have Classes and magic that muddle my mind in favor of tenacity or lack of pain. Now think what that could do to a young Elf.”

Chapter 598 Extraction

Chapter 598 Extraction

“We’re getting close,” Ilea said, a few more Shredder corpses visible in the mine shaft.

Feyrair grunted suddenly. “Poison.”

Ilea waved her hand through the dusty air, taking a deep breath.

“Hmm, not poison. But it’s not air either,” she said.

The elf scratched his armored cheek. “It will be a problem for me if we stay here for a few hours.”

“Oh? The mighty elf is defeated by the lack of air in a mine?” she asked.

“You’re joking, I know. But Hunters have died to such circumstances, and I’ve come close too. Not all poisons are made by monsters, and not all are immediately noticeable,” he said.

As if on cue, Ilea heard a ding resound in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by carbon monoxide – You resist the effects’

Nice. I’m literally not human anymore, hmm?

Ilea smiled to herself and walked on, following the trail of faint magic she felt through her sphere, Huntress leading her in the right direction.

“I wonder how many explosion and fire mages have been buried in some random ass dungeon because they got spooked,” Ilea mused.

“Many,” Feyrair said. “We often found remains. Every species is prone to that. Even dwarfs. Especially dwarfs.”

“I mean they live underground, or so I’m told. Makes sense that they would be the ones dying underground. Survivorship bias. Well they didn’t survive in that case,” Ilea said.

Fey grunted. “That does make sense, but others explore dungeons too. It just saddens me how many die without a fight. So much experience, magic, and strength… and then they’re crushed by stone or poisoned by invisible gasses.”

“Glad I could skip the Classes on the those dangers and go straight to poison resistance and long range teleportation. I don’t even know if I could be crushed at this point, to a point that would kill me,” Ilea said.

The mine shaft opened up a little as they came into a more spacious natural cavern.

“With enough weight and momentum, only a paste would be left of you. I just don’t know if that would be enough to kill you,” Fey said. “We could try. Plenty of cliffs and mountains near your home.”

“I don’t see the point. No crushing resistance after all,” Ilea said and pointed ahead. “Found him. Or them, as it is.”

Ilea walked towards the wooden door set within the surrounding stone. She could tell there were enchantments active but nothing impressive or particularly powerful. Her sphere pierced without hindrance, showing a somewhat spacious room with tables, chairs, simple beds, and even a cellar with plenty of room for storage. Various tools like pickaxes and torches suggested this had once been lodging for the miners.

Gael sat close to the door, very much alive and seemingly bored. He looked at his bent maul, occasionally trying to pry it back into shape.

On the other side of the room were about fifteen people dressed about as richly as Gael. Tattered rags, worn pants, and old shoes. They looked calm, many of them focused on the Sentinel. A few Shredder carapaces lay down in the storage room, the flesh stripped from them in a messy way.

Ilea knocked on the door and entered. She glanced at Gael, now sitting with ash armor covering his body, wisps of dark red energy intertwined with ash covered his damaged steel maul. The head on the thing was as large as her own. She found he still looked calm, just prepared.

“Hello Gael,” she said, herself wearing casual clothes as she glanced over at the group of humans, uncertainty, confusion, and fear obvious in their expressions. A few started crying. “I see you’re in some kind of predicament.”

The man breathed in deeply before he sighed, his armor receding as he looked at her with tired eyes. “I hoped someone would come. I didn’t expect you, but I’m glad,” he said and stood up. “I’m not good with people. One of the beasts destroyed a wall, couldn’t heal poison. But this place is safe somehow,” he explained.

“You could’ve gone to get help, no? Or was the poison too strong for you?” Ilea asked, Feyrair stepping in behind her.

“That IS a beast. Greetings,” the elf said as he took in the massive Sentinel.

They stared at each other for a moment before some kind of unspoken agreement transpired between the two.

“The Shredders followed me here. Two even tried coming inside. They were hiding, would’ve died, but I can’t get them past the poison,” Gael explained.

“Well I’m here now, so don’t worry. I’ve got some tricks that might help,” Ilea said and walked over to address the people. “Ex slaves from Baralia I assume? Anybody in charge?”

An older woman stepped forward immediately, defiance in her eyes. Her exhaustion masked the fear below, but not to the extent that Ilea wouldn’t notice. Her level was below a hundred.

“We won’t go back,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “There must be a misunderstanding. That man is a Medic Sentinel tasked with clearing out the Shredders in this mine. I’ve come because he didn’t report anymore. The only thing I intend to do with you all is bring you out safely and to Samethol, where you’ll be given clothing, a place to stay, and a job or something, if any are available.”

The woman laughed a bitter laugh, crossing her arms. “I’ve never heard of the Medic Sentinels. That man is strong but he’s more beast than human. His magic is evil. He was the one to bring the monsters upon us. We were safe here. And we will stay here. We’re close to the border still. Baralia doesn’t care about that. They have deals with the locals, to bring back escaped slaves. If you want to get the coin, you’ll have to bring them our corpses.”

“That’s a lot to take in,” Ilea said. “How long have you been down here?”

The woman didn’t reply.

“The war is over. Baralia is no more. But I don’t really feel like trying to convince you for the next two hours,” Ilea said and whistled, using monster hunter to freeze the group. She spread her ash and pushed healing mana into them. “My name is Lilith, and I’m a Medic Sentinel. I promise to get you out of here and to Samethol where you’ll be safe. More so than here that is. And I’ll personally pay for food and lodging until you can figure out what to do in the future.”

“You really want to deal with all that?” Fey asked, glancing over at her and the still frozen people.

“Of course. Everyone deserves a chance at least. They would run out of food down here and they can’t get out. Good thing we found them now,” she said and smiled at the group. “But I don’t feel like being doubted by you.”

“You would take our choice?” a man asked, one of the first to free himself from the paralyzing effect. He didn’t sound defeated but Ilea doubted he would try to fight her.

“I’m not a saint,” Ilea said. “But I’m sure you lot will forgive me. Now please hold your breath everyone,” she added and moved them together with her ash, being careful not to injure any of them. “I said hold your breath,” she said again, the whole group now shrouded with ash. “Your life depends on it.”

Her healing really helped, getting rid of the panic and fear welling up in their minds, replaced by confusion. They all managed to hold their breaths in the end, Ilea not wasting the few seconds she would have and teleported everyone through the caverns and out of the mine. Displacement had quite the range at this point.

A few uses were enough and soon they were all standing outside in the sunlight, the refugees rubbing their eyes at the sudden exposure.

Gael stretched before he cracked his neck, his ash armor forming as his spells flared up.

Feyrair burst into white flame and spread his arms.

Ilea displaced them away from the group and glanced at the woman. “Take a moment to breathe, I’ll bring you to the town in a few minutes.”

She summoned a meal and started eating, watching the Sentinel try and fight the powerful elf. To her surprise, it wasn’t quite as one sided as she had expected.

He’s at two sixty now. But he’s a fucking monster, she thought with a grin on her face.

“Is it true… the war is over?” a young woman asked, trying to cover herself as best as she could with the rags she had left. She received a look of scorn from the old woman but ignored it.

“Mhm. The High King is dead I hear. There are still slavers around so I’d avoid traveling north for now. And a few cities aren’t exactly the same anymore,” Ilea said. “You can learn about that in Samethol though.”

Some of the people started murmuring now, showing cautious optimism. It seemed her ability to teleport them out of the mine counted for something.

“Why would you help us? What are we to you but slaves to be sold to the highest bidder?” their leader asked.

Ilea sighed, crossing her arms as she kept her eyes on the fight. A few trees had now been destroyed and Feyrair was apparently trying to start a wildfire.

“Look, I don’t care. I said who I was and why I’m here. But please shut up or I’ll teleport you back into the mine,” Ilea said.

She just planned to relocate herself if the woman kept on being a cynical old fart. She understood of course and even thought it wise to think along those lines but she knew the woman would be convinced in time. Not by her and maybe not today, but that really wasn’t Ilea’s problem.

One good thing about people knowing my name is that I can show up and they won’t doubt my intent like that. I do hope I don’t have to hunt down Lilith impostors in the future. Ah the joys of being famous.

The same would be true for the Sentinels themselves. At least their signature ashen armor was not something people could easily fake. She had only met a single ash mage outside of her organization so far.

Did he even have an ash armor? she questioned. Well he led me to Fey and his group, so at least he helped me there. Absolute shit otherwise though.

“Are you like a Shadow? The ones from Ravenhall?” someone asked.

“I’m a Shadow too, yes. The Sentinels are just a healer organization though. We aim to support adventuring teams and do monster subjugation jobs ourselves,” she said.

Feyrair spun the massive form of Gael in a circle before he sent him flying through the trees.

Ilea watched as the massive man twirled in the air, using the trunks as steps to keep his momentum. He rushed back at the elf with predatory grace, his maul landing with a devastating blow on the dragonling’s armor. Without a visible effect.

“You lack her intrusion. Without it, you won’t be quite as dangerous,” Fey mused, the ground around him set alight as the Sentinel jumped back, his armor burnt away as he reformed the skin on his face.

Ilea saw a man comfort a crying child who had watched the exchange. Some of the others were glued to the fight with disbelieving eyes. She walked to the girl and touched her hair, soothing her mind with healing magic.

“Thank you,” the man said. “I was… too absorbed.”

“Maybe not something a child should see, yes,” Ilea said with a slight smile. She made a few ashen horses and let them run around in front of the girl, quickly distracting her from the horrifying sight she had just witnessed. “Are you all ready to go?”

“Have my pack ready,” the man in front of her joked.

“Alright,” Ilea said and displaced the group through the forest, keeping them close together in case the local wildlife made trouble.

Nothing showed up however and she quickly got them to Samethol, displacing them into the town and to the inn she had already visited. Checking inside with her sphere, she moved the group into an unoccupied room upstairs before going there herself.

Ilea thought about displacing Haya up to them but seeing the woman bent over her drink at the bar, she refrained. “I’ll get someone local. Wait here for now,” she said and walked out through the door. She went down the stairs and leaned on the railing. “Hey Haya.”

The woman spit out her drink, making a weird sound based on the swallowed shriek.

“Apologies,” Ilea said and walked over. “Found a bunch of Baralia refugees hiding in the mine. Gael was protecting them, why he didn’t come out.”

“Refuge… in the mine? How? Wh… it’s been closed for months!” Haya spoke.

“Yeah, you can ask them that yourself. Apparently had enough supplies too. I didn’t see any human skeletons down there,” Ilea said.

“Damn squatters,” one of the men at a nearby table said. “Eating our supplies.”

“How much was all of that worth?” Ilea asked, apparently surprising the man with her attention. “Speak.”

He glanced to his friends, sobering up quickly. “Ah, miss. I meant no offense.”

“How much for the supplies?” she asked again.

“Not much… food and drink alone maybe a hundred fifty silver. Not that we can get them with them Shredders around,” the man said.

Ilea summoned two gold coins and displaced them onto their table. “Payment for their squatting,” she said and turned back to Haya. “They’re getting agitated. Don’t even know about the war ending.”

Haya finished her drink in a single swig. “I’ll come with you then. The mines?”

“No, upstairs,” Ilea said and pointed.

“Up… what?” Haya stuttered.

Ilea glanced at the innkeeper, his face slightly pale as his hand hovered near the massive blade below the counter. “Can you prepare a hot meal for them? And get a tailor, they’re wearing rags. Fifty silver still left, that should be enough for something simple. Fifteen people.”

He nodded slowly, pushing his hand back from the weapon with his other one.

“Smart move,” Ilea said, showing a wicked grin for a split second before she summoned herself a bottle of ale, walking upstairs again. “Haya, come on.”

Overwhelming power, nearly unlimited gold, and space magic really made life easier, she found.

Haya stepped into the room behind her, her eyes opening wide yet again.

“There will be clothes and food soon. I’m not sure if you need a bath, I’ve just been in a mine slaughtering Shredders, no the best judge,” Ilea said. “Can I leave you with this?”

Haya glanced at her before she focused. “Of course… yes… I’m the guard captain… after all. Yes. And yes, you do all need a bath. Clothes will come shortly, as will food… she already said that. I’ll… eh… I’ll figure things out. We’ll need to get the mayor. Plenty of refugees in the past months, yes.”

“Great. I’ll be back in a while, need to make sure your forest doesn’t burn down,” Ilea said and vanished.

___________________________

Haya nearly broke down when the woman was gone. “By the gods…,” she murmured. “She’s gone…,”

Fifteen pairs of eyes were one her. How did she even get them in here? How did they get into the mine? Johnson was looking for more hands on his farm and the guard was terribly understaffed, and Frank could surely use a few more apprentices. Yes, that will work out.

“You’re in charge?” she asked, back to her usual self as she evaluated the frightened and malnourished people in front of her.

The older woman looked at her. “Who was that woman?”

“I think that was Lilith,” Haya said. “But I’m not entirely sure. Her power certainly matches.”

“We’ve been in hiding for a long time… but you say her name as if we should know it,” the woman said.

Haya rubbed her temples. “Well yes, she single handedly defended Riverwatch from Lord Harken’s army, killed dozens of high ranked nobles in Yinnahall to pave the way for those who defied the High King. I don’t know what else she did in the war but I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the one who killed King Baron himself.”

The woman’s lips quivered lightly. “And why… why is she here?”

Haya touched her shoulder. “I’ve been asking myself that all day. Now come on, I need names and experience. Lys has ordered a quick integration of refugees. Lodging and food for the first month is paid for by the Empire.”

____________________________

Ilea landed near a growing bush fire, using her ash to deal with the flames. The heat itself had caused leaves and wood alike to burn.

She found Feyrair sitting on a rock with his hand supporting his chin, eyes staring at the regenerating form of a creature that seemed to be sort of human like.

“Having fun?” she asked, her wings dissolving when she landed.

“This one is quite impressive. Lacks experience but his magic is promising. Reminds me of young Fire Wastes warriors, but with potent healing and impressive defense. Granted he won’t be burning down entire mountain sides,” Fey mused.

“Not our goal anyway,” Ilea said, helping her student along with healing.

“The refugees should be alright now,” she said, looking through her necklace.

Ilea summoned the storage ring she had gotten from the Order of Truth elder, or well, Hector really. She threw it at the naked Gael. “Here, it’ll help with the clothing problem. Also maybe you should wash yourself sometimes, making at least a somewhat good impression can help with your missions.”

“Ash and blood covered helps too,” the man said. “Less talk the better,” he added and looked at the ring. “I cannot accept this, Ilea. This is expensive.”

“You take that. It’s a gift. Might solve your maul problem too, that thing is absolutely wrecked,” she said, looking at the weapon lying next to him.

He perked up at that. “You can store weapons too?”

“Of course, it’s a storage item, it stores things,” she said.

He grinned from ear to ear. “Wonderful. Then I shall accept it, Lilith,” he said, stood up, and bowed, at least having the decency to cover his junk with ash. “And I will work hard to repay this debt.”

“No debt. It’s a gift. Just don’t lose to your rage and remember what the Sentinels stand for,” she said.

Chapter 599 Northward

Chapter 599 Northward

“The Sentinels gave me everything, Lilith. How could I ever forget,” Gael said as his ash armor reformed, turning the man into a monster. His version had jagged horns and spikes growing from his head and shoulders, as well as his arms and thighs.

Ilea couldn’t help but grin at the sight of him. Not your typical healing order, that was for sure.

“We should clear out the mine,” she said to Fey.

“I shall go send my report. It’s overdue,” Gael said. “I assume there will be nothing left when I get back.”

“Probably. Best of luck on your other missions,” Ilea said.

“And to you, Founder. Thank you for the gift and your assistance,” Gael said and put a fist to his heart.

Ilea gave him a nod before he vanished.

Fey grinned at her.

“What?” Ilea asked, starting towards the mine.

“You inspire deep respect in your subjects,” he said.

“He’s not my subject. Just a student in the organization I happened to finance,” she said.

“Whatever you say,” Feyrair mused. “Founder,” he added in a gravelly voice.

“Come on, let’s clear the mine,” Ilea said with a light smile below her armor.

The two worked through the expansive mine for the next twenty minutes, finding only a few remaining creatures and their nest. Everything killed and burnt down, they returned to the surface.

“Not exactly a Taleen facility,” Feyrair said.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah. I’m glad we didn’t have to clear out hundreds of kilometers worth of mine,” she said.

They returned to Samethol a few minutes later, finding the inn clear of patrons. Instead there was a tailor talking with Haya as they distributed clothing to the refugees.

Everyone froze up when Ilea and Feyrair appeared in the room.

“I can see you’re well on your way then. Did Gael show up?” Ilea asked.

“He did. I’ve already sent the report to the nearest guild. Word should arrive in Ravenhall in a few days,” she said.

Ilea quirked up her eyebrows. “That quickly?”

“The guild has trained messengers, mages, and animals that can bridge the distance far faster than a single rider or flier ever could,” Haya said with some pride. “With the war, the Empire invested a lot more in a reliable and fast messenger system. We just happen to benefit from that too.”

I’m sure I can outfly them, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“Impressive cooperation,” Feyrair commented, checking on the clothes sitting on a nearby table.

He got a few looks but nobody dared talk to the mage.

“The mine is clear, found and destroyed the remaining Shredders and their nest. Maybe give it some time and check in to make sure we didn’t miss anything,” Ilea said.

Haya smiled. “That’s wonderful news. Should I… give the payment to you or have it sent to the Sentinels? Gael refused to be paid.”

“Have it sent to the Sentinels,” Ilea said. “How’s the rate anyway?”

The woman blinked. “What?”

“Compared to the adventurer’s guild and the Shadow’s Hand,” Ilea said.

“Eh… aren’t you the founder of the Medic Sentinels… do you not know? Ah apologies, I didn’t mean to offend, I’m sure you have more important matters to attend to. Well to be honest, it seemed too good to be true. Less expensive than an adventurer team of the appropriate rank… not that anybody of that level would show up to Samethol for a Shredder extermination job,” Haya explained.

“Why not? Challenging fight I’m sure, even for Gael,” Ilea said. She wasn’t sure how challenging it had been for the man exactly, but at least the levels would’ve been good.

Haya nodded slowly. “Yes… challenging, and dangerous. There is better pay to be had for far less treacherous work. Especially with the recent war.”

“I see, makes sense I suppose. Well do make sure to spread the name at least,” Ilea said. She wondered if they could just do jobs for free. It would benefit the Sentinels who did them in both fighting experience and plain levels. And with her funds, they didn’t really need anything else. But Ilea knew that a service like that would be fishy to most, downright inconceivable to others.

“Of course… hardly think anyone will believe what I’ve seen, but I’ll do my best,” Haya said and laughed awkwardly.

“Before we go, can you arrange for a map to Mothine? We’re to do a job nearby,” Ilea said.

Haya waved to the innkeeper. “Lilith needs a map to Mothine. Can you check with Caral?”

“Of course, I’ll be right back,” the large man said and ran out of the inn.

“Thanks,” Ilea said. “As to the refugees, how much would a few weeks of lodging and food cost?”

The woman waved her off. “There is no need, Lilith. We’ve received funds to take care of such matters within the Empire.”

“Everyone? Or just the northern region?” Ilea asked.

“It’s a massive undertaking. I do believe it’s a policy throughout the whole of Lys. Faster integration of refugees will lead to a smoother transition and less desperate people. Would have been wonderful if they did the same in Baralia but I know even the Empire doesn’t have unlimited resources,” Haya explained.

“Would’ve thought they did,” Ilea said.

“It may be an incentive for refugees to move to the Empire. It will weaken the occupied territories further while creating bonds with the populace itself,” Feyrair said.

Ilea raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know all of that?”

“Ben talks. I sometimes listen,” he said with a smile. “And while I care little for this land, now that I travel through it, I may as well be informed about current affairs.”

Did he get scarier? I feel like he did.

“Where’s my battle obsessed monster?” Ilea asked with concern, gently touching his shoulder.

“I would show you, but the environment may not endure our struggle,” he mused in a whisper that nobody except for Haya and Ilea picked up, the former tensing up slightly.

Two young adults had walked closer to Ilea, both part of the refugee group. One of the women opened and closer her mouth a few times until Ilea turned towards her.

“Yes, you have a question?” she asked.

“I… we… were wondering… about your… Sentinels, I… I would like to become a healer,” she said and bowed. The other woman followed suit.

“You can try to get in. I’m not sure about applications or anything but you’ll have to get to Ravenhall first anyway. Haya can you arrange something? I’m sure there are caravans or traders going that route,” Ilea said.

“From Samethol to Ravenhall? No. To Virilya though, sure, and from there they can continue. It’s a rather long journey but mostly safe,” she said.

“How much for the fare?” Ilea asked, summoning a piece of paper and her pen. She wrote down a quick few notes for Claire.

“Without any goods to transport or Classes to guard the caravan… I’d say about two gold coins each. We won’t be able to pay that much sadly,” Haya admitted.

Traveling is expensive. Damn. If only there was some sort of teleportation gate network, Ilea thought and summoned four gold coins, handing them to the two women. “Don’t get robbed. Give me your names and then you can give this note to the Head Administrator of Ravenhall. She’ll at the very least get you a job. As for joining the Sentinels, you’ll have to figure that one out yourselves.”

The women gave her their names, excited and overwhelmed as they looked at the note together and stowed away the gold with lithe movements.

“You’re surprisingly generous,” Haya said with a smile. “That’s a lot of coin.”

“If they want to become Sentinels? Why not,” Ilea said. That much gold was nothing to her, even with just what she had on her right now. Ex slaves rescued by Gael and her personally, willing to make the trip to Ravenhall to join the Sentinels? She didn’t know much about inspiring loyalty but this case was obvious even to her.

She just wasn’t sure if the two would make the cut. The resistance training wasn’t easy. But maybe Claire could get them something else.

The innkeeper returned then, with a rolled up piece of paper in hand that he quickly gave to Ilea.

“Thanks, how much is it?” Ilea asked, looking at the map detailing the specific journey between Samethol and their next stop.

“It’s on the house,” the man said. “It’s good that the mine is cleared, plenty of people here depend on it.”

Ilea could tell that the general attention had been on her for the past few minutes, many in the group unsure if they should talk to her or not, if anything was expected or if they had to wait for her to say something.

It felt a little uncomfortable, so she decided to cut it there. “Well it was good to see your town and I’m glad Gael was safe. Good fortune to all of you,” she said and vanished.

Feyrair appeared at her side, their wings spreading before they flew northwards.

“Not one for attention, are you?” he hissed with joy.

Ilea sighed. “Not usually, no. Especially not when they look at me like that.”

He grinned. “Ah… I understand now. The normalcy. That’s why you show up in plain clothes, hiding your power in such a way. The way they watched you… you understand that it was not enmity.”

“I know,” Ilea said.

“They admire you, look to you for guidance. It’s only natural,” he said before he looked towards the sky. “You have power… but at the same time you show compassion. A combination I rarely see in Elves. Perhaps there is merit in such a way.”

“I just do what feels right to me, and I don’t like it when people stare at me like I’m some kind of official,” she said.

The elf just smiled to himself, lost in thought as they sped over the grassy plains and meadows.

The distance was noted down as several days’ worth of travel but they arrived near the city of Mothine in less than an hour. A few landmarks mentioned on the map made sure that they had followed the right path and came to the correct place.

Ilea took in the city from a distance, floating in the air as she let go of Feyrair, the elf spreading his own wings again as he hissed.

“Was it necessary to come here this quickly?” he asked.

“No, I just like to torture you. Just a little,” Ilea said, not looking at him.

The city walls were high and looked sturdy, simple in design. The town itself was built between two large rivers that split the surrounding plains. It looked like one of the smallest Baralia cities she had visited so far, but the roads leading to and from bustled with activity. She realized that the only bridges nearby led into the city and out of it again to the north.

“What did you read earlier?” Ilea asked, curious as to the books he had gotten out during the flight.

“On the history of Baralia and Lys, specifically the regions we’re in right now. Dull, but less so than the Taleen records. At least you have frequent battles,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s a good thing,” she said.

“It is for a book,” he answered. “Mothine with the rivers Kaar and Nela mark a definite border of the kingdom, well not kingdom anymore as I hear.”

“Where did you even get those?” Ilea asked.

“You gave me coins, remember? I used some of them,” he mused.

“Yes, also your outfit. I don’t mind much but we’ll have to get something different for you if you want to accompany me to Yinnahall,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed. “You would take an elf with you?”

“Why not?” Ilea asked.

“Oh… there are many many reasons but I do believe you’re aware of at least a few of them,” he said.

“Sure, like the complete loss of reputation for the Sentinels and me in turn, what else?” she said.

“Then why, enlighten me?” Fey said.

“Might be fun,” Ilea said. “And do you honestly believe that someone would go as far as to question me? Let alone attack you to the point of revealing the features your armor hide?”

“Trian and Claire made the connection quite quickly it seemed,” he said.

“Sure, but they know me and what I do. I doubt anyone here would even consider a human working together with Elves. Also it’s fucking racist if they would just dismiss me, even if they found out,” Ilea said.

“The risk is absolutely not worth it. But it does sound fun,” he mused.

“So it’s settled then. Just act like a human, not that you’re too different to begin with,” she said.

“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Feyrair asked as they descended, landing near the road leading to Mothine. A few groups of travelers looked their way but nobody approached, keeping their business to themselves.

“Whatever you want it to be,” Ilea said and walked to a nearby caravan. She had changed into leather armor and waved to one of the cart drivers. “Hello, got space for two on your wagon?”

“A silver each and I take you to the city,” the wizened old man said, squinting his eyes at the two.

Ilea summoned the coin and handed it to the man before jumping on the broad cart. Half of it was empty.

The wheels creaked when she landed, the mules slowing down at the increased weight. More so when Feyrair sat down opposite Ilea.

The driver just murmured something about adventurers, happy enough with his silver considering the short distance.

“Another thought of normalcy?” Feyrair asked, his reptile eyes sparkling as he smiled below his scale armor. At least high level adventurers had special eyes from time to time, meaning he wouldn’t necessarily be seen as strange because of them.

“If you want to call it that,” Ilea said and summoned a meal, handing him a bowl too. “I also like to enjoy the moments when I don’t have to rush somewhere.” She used her storage items freely by now, anybody who would have the power to challenge her would not be impressed by something that trivial.

“A rare joy indeed,” Fey said and started eating, making sure to cover his teeth between bites.

Ilea watched him eat, wondering how many people so far east would actually know how an elf looked like. The western cities apparently had to deal with them even before the attacks in the past years but here? Perhaps they would know based on sketches or stories but with how mysterious they were, she couldn’t know.

The cart rattled lightly when they drove over uneven ground, a few holes in the road making their driver swerve to the right.

“Damn mages,” he muttered. “Blades don’t make holes in roads.”

“Some do,” Ilea said and continued eating.

He just grunted in response.

No time to repair the roads yet? Or they just don’t care, she thought, glancing to the side and out onto the fields. The grassland was ravaged, much of it overturned, small defensive positions made with stone still visible.

“Fighting seemed to have been rough here,” she said.

The driver grunted again.

“It’s an important city. To bring through supplies,” Fey said. “Would’ve been interesting to be here during the war.”

Ilea kept looking at the fields. “It’s better when there are just monsters and machines.”

He looked at her but remained silent, finishing his meal before he made the bowl vanish.

They soon reached the stone bridge that led over the first river and towards the massive city gate.

“You’re not my cargo, this far enough?” the driver asked.

“Of course. Thanks for the ride old man,” Ilea said and jumped out, followed by Feyrair.

Groups of imperial soldiers were present on the bridge, talking to each other or just watching the travelers. Most of them were at a rather low level but their gear looked to be in good shape and most of them remained somewhat vigilant.

Feyrair received plenty of attention, his scale armor sticking out even amongst the adventurers that made their way to the gates. The elf didn’t seem to mind, eyeing the people around him in turn.

“There are so many,” he said.

A dozen guards at the gates checked everyone who went in or out. They worked fast, only glancing at papers, sigils, and badges quickly before they waved people through or denied entry.

“Yeah, I mean there have to be some reasons why we’re still around,” Ilea said, summoning her Shadow badge to get the attention away from Feyrair.

“Welcome, Shadows,” the man said and waved them in without further questions.

Ilea summoned the piece of paper detailing the job and glanced at the man. “Where can we find Officer Barren?”

The guard pointed into the city. “Central plaza, large fountain that looks like a bear, can’t miss it. Largest building there.”

“Thanks,” Ilea said and walked on. “No fee to enter either,” she mused, looking at the many people walking around. Plenty of injured and sick begging for money. Ilea assumed most of them had either been slaves or soldiers before the war, having lost their occupation for the better or worse.

She just slowly walked past the people, a thin layer of ash flowing past the ground in a near invisible film that looked much like dust or dark sand. Everyone’s injuries healed miraculously, many of them giving their thanks to the passing healer.

“I thought you didn’t like attention,” Fey commented, a small crowd already following them, calls of healer ringing out as more people were made aware of her.

“They’re so weak I can heal them in seconds,” Ilea said, thinking that explanation enough.

Chapter 600 Shortcuts and Ambitions

Chapter 600 Shortcuts and Ambitions

When people started to get in their way, she made sure everyone nearby was healed before she displaced both herself and Feyrair into another street nearby. She continued her healing where appropriate, taking in the busy city. Merchants shouted out what goods they had today, artists, warriors, and courtesans advertising their services.

Feyrair suppressed a hiss.

“What is it?” Ilea asked, catching the hand of a kid who tried to steal from an older man. She healed the boy’s injuries and let him go, ignoring his confused babbling before he ran off, staring at them from a hiding spot a few moments later.

“It stinks, makes me hungry,” Feyrair said.

Ilea walked to a food stand selling skewers and summoned a few copper coins. “Cities tend to be crowded and more or less dirty,” she said.

“Why would anybody choose to live here?” Fey asked as he looked around, gratefully receiving the skewers she handed him.

Ilea started eating too. “You know the answer to that, Fey.”

“Safety. But at the cost of this?” he asked.

“We’re not prone to like fighting monsters and eating raw meat in the wilderness quite as much as you do, nor are we nearly as powerful usually. Takes a lot of effort to get to two hundred even,” Ilea said.

“It’s like living in a prison,” he said. “And your houses… boxes of stone or wood behind walls and stacked together.”

“You have people around all the time, things are happening, entertainment and food is readily available. It’s warm,” Ilea said. “I enjoy coming into cities from time to time and while I wouldn’t want to live in one all the time, having an apartment or house is nice. A nice bed, a kitchen, bathtub.”

“But most here don’t have the kind of building you own,” he said.

“I know. Well not everyone can kill monsters to make a good living, or find treasure in ancient ruins,” she said with a grin.

“Yes, doubt many here would survive more than a day even in the wilderness here,” Feyrair said.

“I know. But if they’re happy with their lives, I don’t see an issue. It’s not like they can’t join an adventuring guild to go out there and fight,” she said. “It’s just that few humans want that if another option is available.”

“No wonder few ever reach a reasonable level then,” Feyrair said when they reached the plaza, the fountain spewing water out of a massive stone bear’s open mouth.

Ilea made for the largest building, a defensible slab of stone. She noted that not a single mark of the war was visible on the walls.

“What’s your business?” an imperial guard standing next to the iron grate asked, looking at Feyrair.

Ilea summoned her badge and the note. “We’re here to see Officer Barren about this notice.”

“Another one,” the guard said and looked her up and down. “Well alright, if it’s Shadows, this may actually be resolved.”

“Such a tough job?” Ilea asked.

“Shouldn’t be, you’re right. But nobody’s returned so far. Hard to say who’s hiding in that burg,” he murmured, glancing away.

“What do you know?” Feyrair asked, taking a step closer to the man.

The guard clutched his spear but the elf wasn’t impressed.

[Warrior – lvl 68]

“Just… seems. The job should have a higher rating, is all I’m saying. There must still be high ranking soldiers and officers around refusing to surrender. Who knows who they side with,” the guard said in a whispering tone.

Ilea grunted, walking towards the entrance with Feyrair in tow. “Thanks,” she said to the guard as they entered.

They quickly found the officer, a man looking to be in his forties with graying hair. He wore his uniform while sitting at a large desk in the entrance hall of all places. Stacks of paperwork lay scattered on his desk, soldiers and administrative personnel rushing past from time to time.

“What is it?” he asked without looking up.

“Your slaver problem,” Ilea said, flashing her Shadow badge.

He looked at her now, glancing at Feyrair and back to Ilea. “Don’t remember asking a Shadow to help.”

“I’m here as a Medic Sentinel,” she replied.

He grunted. “I see. That new healing order from Ravenhall. Well, a Shadow being part of their ranks makes the idea of hiring them not quite as laughable as I thought. Talk to Paulson,” he said and pointed at a bored looking soldier sitting on a window sill at the other side of the hall. An imperial scout judging by his armor.

Ilea didn’t say anything, instead just walking over to the indicated man.

“How very arrogant,” Feyrair whispered. “For someone of so little power.”

She glanced at him. “Rank carries power too. If you were to bother him too much, you could offend the Empire itself. But in this case I’m rather sure the reason is a lack of sleep and stress. Two factors that can make you unable to see the monster in front of you.”

“And said monster would be you?” the scout said, glancing at her with his green eyes. He wore a hood that covered a part of his face, his armor light but padded, two straight swords hanging from his belt. He too wore the imperial light gray.

[Rogue – lvl 138]

“I always thought it interesting that Rogues can be part of an army. Doesn’t the name suggest a conflict of interest?” Ilea asked.

He sighed. “If that confuses you, miss healer, then I suggest you participate at the front lines in the next war.”

Ilea smiled. “I am the front line. We’re here to take care of this one,” she said and summoned the notice.

The rogue perked up a little when he saw the casual use of a storage item, glancing at the piece of paper. “Another one. Just the two of you?”

“I assure you, that is more than enough,” Ilea said.

“Who are you exactly?” Paulson asked, really looking at her for the first time.

“No one of importance,” Ilea said. “Can you show us where those slavers are hiding?”

He kept looking at her before his attention went to Feyrair. “Hiding? Oh they’re not hiding, miss. They’ve taken a military fort half a day’s ride west of the city.”

“And you’re not doing anything about that?” she asked.

He shrugged. “They’re bothering the villages and refugees nearby but they don’t have the men and resources to strike against Mothine.”

“And you don’t have the resources to deal with them?” Ilea suggested.

“No, we do. But it’s cheaper to hire someone else instead. Plenty of imperials have died in this war. I believe the Officer things to keep casualties low,” Paulson explained. “You’re the highest level ones to take the job, so that’s promising at least. Still… just two people,” he murmured while shaking his head.

“Where’s the fort then?” Ilea asked.

“I’ll bring you close. Tomorrow, it’s already getting late. Make your mounts ready, if you use any. We ride at dawn,” he said.

Ilea looked at the man before she turned to Feyrair. “I don’t think we should wait any longer. We can fly. Fast. We’ll carry you there.”

“And leave me stranded while you infiltrate their fort? No,” Paulson said.

“No, I’ll bring you back before we do that,” Ilea said.

He looked at her and smiled. “As much as I’d like to see that, we’ll ride tomorrow.”

Ilea sighed. “The curse of normalcy.”

__________________________

Paulson watched the woman turn and address the officer, a layer of ash spreading out from her back, quickly forming into a thick layer of lithe armor, a dull black reflecting little of the light in the hall.

“Officer Barren, I’ll borrow Mr. Paulson for a little while, is that acceptable?” the woman said.

“My soldiers are mine to command, adventurer,” Barren said as he looked at her.

A cold feeling suddenly went down Paulson’s back. He couldn’t breathe, the hair on his body standing up as he realized that the woman hadn’t been joking. From one moment to the next, she had changed from a high level healer to death itself, a monster he had no hope of ever defeating.

Paulson had seen many a creature and plenty of arrogant high level adventurers and even Shadows. Half of them were nobles or rich children who didn’t know what they were talking about, running into dungeons or military positions never to return. He didn’t know about the woman’s experience. She seemed young, careless, and cocky, but now he knew that at the very least she was different than most he had faced before.

A fear spell? No… it feels different, instinctual. She isn’t using my mind or fear against me, she’s just showing what she is.

“I came here to deal with Slavers, not to be sent into an inn by a lazy Scout. If those people really are as dangerous as some have claimed, I think it best for us to deal with them immediately. Wouldn’t you agree, officer?” the woman spoke.

Barren tried to speak but words failed him, the whole hall standing or sitting frozen with their eyes on the woman.

Paulson couldn’t help but be amused. Perhaps it was the first time most of these people have felt the presence of an overwhelming predator. It was a little hypocritical of course, he himself had weaseled himself into this position because it was well paid and safe, without a chance of encountering demons and beasts. But it turned out that he hadn’t been entirely correct.

The cold feeling of danger vanished just as quickly as it had come, but the ashen warrior remained. Well, ashen healer.

“Take him,” Barren said, throwing him to the beast as easily as he breathed.

Well, that was another thing he liked about this position. Barren was predictable. It just so happened that in this case, he got the shit end of the stick. “Well, I suppose you were convincing enough,” he said. “I can’t fly myself, so, to the roof?” he asked with a shrug.

The woman looked at him now, piercing blue eyes squinting lightly.

He found himself taking a step back, nearly hitting the wall.

“There is no need,” she said and the world shifted.

Paulson appeared outside, falling at about fifty meters in the air. He activated his enhancements and prepared for a hard landing. Might break my legs… ah that’s going to suck.

Something grabbed him under his shoulders, smooth black limbs flowing around him before he hovered in the air. “What?” he asked, looking up to find the ashen woman. Two black wings now adorned her back, moving slowly as a tail swayed in the wind. Her armored companion had his own wings, made of white flame that looked near invisible against the sunlight.

“I’m starting to feel like you’re overqualified for this job,” he said.

“Who cares?” the woman asked as she moved closer, easily keeping him in the air with a few of the ashen limbs coming out between her wings. “Where’s the fort?”

Flying really makes a massive difference… it’s like looking at a map, Paulson thought, pointing to the road leading west. “We have to follow the road for a few hours, see that heightened terrain in the distance? The fort is located at the highest point, surrounded by a small forest.”

The woman moved him closer, her wings starting to vibrate slightly as a few of her limbs went over to grab her slightly unwilling companion.

He smiled to himself, knowing that he wasn’t the only one carried by the ashen monster. And here I thought he was the stronger one of the two.

Paulson chuckled when the air was suddenly punched out of his lungs, his sight going dark as his body tried to push against the sudden acceleration. He felt his magic surge, screaming against the air that flowed into him.

His heart beat quickened and he struggled to breath until something warm flowed into him. He first through he had pissed himself but came to the conclusion that it was healing magic. It felt a little different than the one he had experience before but it was essentially the same. What a service. I wonder if I could hire her to transport me to Virilya for a few days off.

He would’ve asked but couldn’t speak with the constant flow of air.

“That the place?” the woman asked suddenly, pointing to the distant forest.

Paulson calmed down and coughed a few times before he rubbed his eyes. “Lady, I can’t see that far.”

“Is this the forest? There’s a fort standing on top of a hill,” she said.

He looked around to find that they were in fact in the right area. “Holy swords… you’re fast. Well I don’t know if there are any other forts in the area but I suppose that’s the one. May I go back now?”

“No,” Ilea said. “You come with us. Both as a witness and an imperial scout in case we need the authority you wield.”

Paulson sighed, gesturing to the ashen limbs and his general situation. “Authority?”

“Yes. I don’t know officer Barren, so you’ll come with us, just in case he acts brazen,” the woman said.

“Like you did?” her companion asked.

She pointed at him. “Exactly.”

The three suddenly dropped down, falling before their descent slowed and they landed in the forest.

Ground, how I’ve missed you, Paulson thought, on his knees as he touched the earth. “Alright, I’ll come with you. Might as well get some reputation and more pay out of this. Care to tell me who you are now?”

“Still no idea?” the woman asked.

“Are you famous or something? You’re not an ordinary Shadow, that’s for sure. A favor then? For someone who’s locked in that fort? Or a personal vengeance? I don’t think you’re a General of the Imperial army. Northern tribes or Baralia itself?” Paulson guessed. He really had no idea who the woman and her companion were. Neither did he know if it was a good thing that the mage snickered to himself.

“I’m Lilith, one of the founders of the Medic Sentinels,” the woman said.

Paulson nodded. “Lilith, great. Well, welcome to Baralia. It’s as fucked as you’ve surely heard.”

She sighed. “Yes, I know. I was here, clearing cities of Cursed, fighting alongside General Velamyr.”

“That makes sense, with that flying speed and level. Makes less sense why you’re here though,” he said.

Lilith started marching towards the higher elevation, laughing to herself as she passed him. “Let’s just go.”

“I like you,” the mage said and made a hissing sound. He had red reptile like eyes and glared at him with an almost predatory gaze.

“Just don’t eat me alright,” Paulson said. He noticed Lilith tensed up and glanced back at him but she resumed her walk a moment later. Careful what you say. Powerful people on a personal mission. Just keep your head down, get a few medals and a recommendation. Not an officer rank, but maybe I could be a Captain. Might be more relaxing than this kind of work.

The position in Mothine had been somewhat relaxed, most of the conflict after the war focused on the larger cities in the former kingdom. Mothine had fallen early and while the fighting had been fierce, afterwards it seemed clear that the town would simply become part of Lys. Few local nobles had remained nor were they unwelcoming of the imperial rule. But beyond that Paulson neither cared nor informed himself much.

He kept pace with the two powerful Shadows, Sentinels, monsters, or whatever they wanted to call themselves. As they neared the fort, he started to see familiar parts of the forest and he noticed that he was getting winded.

“Can we slow down a little?” he asked and pointed at a large boulder sitting in the middle of a clearing. “That’s where I brought the last groups who took this job.”

Lilith glanced at the boulder. “How many were there before and what were their levels?”

“Three adventurer teams… four to six people, first two were ruby teams I’d say, last one sapphire, but that one had a mage at level two hundred and ten. Pretty rare to see such a difference. They seemed experienced too,” he answered.

“Three teams took the job and none came back? But it’s still the same rating?” Lilith asked.

Paulson raised his hands and smiled. “Hey, I didn’t put up the job. Officer Barren didn’t change the rating. He did complain about the lack of courage and experience within adventuring teams… for way too long,” he said.

“What do you think then? A level two hundred mage was either captured, killed, or somehow persuaded to leave the fort alone,” she said.

“Yeah… I mean they’re adventurers. It’s possible they were paid off. The reward is good, hence the interest, but after the war… well I hear a lot of treasuries were empty, already broken into. Missing nobility and otherwise rich folk… just straight up assets gone or hidden. Baralia is probably full of treasure right now, and full of dangerous people,” he said.

Lilith scratched her armor where her cheek would be. “Yeah. Like a bunch of pirates.”

“I suppose so, miss,” Paulson said. “Though they do usually use ships.”

“Oh, do they now?” she asked, obviously not expecting an answer as she continued towards the fort, glimpses of the large structure now visible through the gaps in the trees.

Paulson wondered if he was walking into an easy promotion or into the den of a Hydra. The woman had proven to be powerful but while he knew she was strong, the spell she had used could be anything. They were both above his identify range but that too could mean many different things. Either way, he couldn’t get away, that much he knew. So he decided to just roll with the punches, help out here and there and hopefully get back alive and a little richer.

Chapter 601 Sneaking?

A note from Rhaegar

Author’s note: Hey everyone. I wanted to write a quick end of year thingy that so many content printers tend to spew out. So if that isn’t your thing, go on and read the chapter (or come back later for this).

First of all a massive thanks to everyone who reads Azarinth Healer and Leaves of Terranthir. I started out writing because I just really enjoyed doing it and your feedback and continued support has made me stick with it. I hopefully got better at it too but it’s difficult to judge your own work. Knowing you’re all still here is proof enough that I made something people can enjoy.

Since it’s become my job to do this, I could write far more than I would’ve likely ever done otherwise. Some arcs were crap, some chapters downright boring, but I’m proud of what it’s all become. Not a masterpiece or something that future writers will look to in their endeavor to learn the craft, but something generally lighthearted, fun, and just downright entertaining. It’s what I aim for, and what I love to write.

2020 was a conglomeration of raid bosses descending unto our mortal planes. For some they hit harder, for some less so. With everything on fire, I think it’s even more important to keep oneself sane. One way to do that is entertainment. Reading, gaming, writing increasingly angry comments on newspaper comment sections, or just working out and meditating. I think I always enjoyed stories in whatever form they came, because many of them give us hope. And I hope this raid is soon coming to a close, with battered tanks and empty healers. But we will emerge victorious.

I don’t like to talk about my personal life much on here. The main thing in relation to writing was the change with Leaves. And I think I explained my thought process at the time well enough. Now a few months later, I can confidently say that it did exactly what I had hoped for.

I’m excited for what’s to come for both stories and hope that I can keep it somewhat fresh and entertaining. I also plan to have another art contest in the future, so look forward to that.

In the end I can only thank you for reading, for leaving comments, rating, sharing, and for discussing mad shit on the discord community. A big thanks to Royalroad and Patreon too, though the people behind it likely won’t ever read this. Two platforms that both provide a shit ton of awesome content and with Patreon a way to make it a living for the people behind it all.

So yeah, that’s it. Cheers, happy holidays, happy new years or whatever. Fuck off.

Chapter 601 Sneaking?

Ilea glanced back at the scout, unsure how much he really knew and how much he was just acting. Was she annoyed that he didn’t know about her famous persona of Lilith? Was she annoyed that she might be annoyed about it? Maybe. Either way, she was pretty sure he hadn’t guessed at the nature of Feyrair at the very least. Bringing the elf into Mothine and close to the Officer had been a little test and so far everything seemed fine.

Paulson was definitely a liability when it came to their team and their combat effectiveness but while Ilea expected there to be some complications with this seemingly easy mission, she didn’t really think it would be that much of a problem. The only reasonable threat would be a four mark beast hiding in the walls of the fort but she assumed Paulson’s suggestions were much more reasonable.

A few Slavers and probably some Baralia nobility or military hiding away, maybe even amassing power to strike back at one city or the other, maybe even the Empire itself. She assumed there must’ve been many groups working on just that at the moment, especially around cities that were taken with extended battles and heavy losses.

“Any tracks or traps you can see?” she asked the soldier, knowing that Feyrair wasn’t exactly useful when it came to that. He too used her tried and trusted approach of literally just walking in there. With humans however, the problem of hostages was all too prevalent. And while she wouldn’t stop at such threats, she would at least try to prevent them from coming up in the first place.

“I’m not a tracker,” the man said. “And I doubt they’d put up traps in the middle of the forest.”

“But you’re a scout, are you not?” Fey asked him, the joy in his voice almost palpable. He really liked the rogue. For some reason. Maybe he really did want to eat him.

No

Eat

She sent the two words via her mind magic, knowing that the elf was at least able to receive them. His step lightened even more, a large grin surely plastered on his face below the armor.

“Yeah, well. It’s just a unit in the imperial troops. Trust me there are Scouts who wouldn’t know the difference between a horse and a demon track,” Paulson said.

Ilea smiled. She had met a few of them and her impression was that they were good at scouting and staying hidden but she understood that individuals didn’t necessarily have the spells and skills to make any of that easier. “You fought demons?” she asked the man, using her various abilities to check for any irregularities in the surroundings, both of physical, spacial, and magical nature.

“Ah, no. I was stationed in the eastern part of the Empire. Lucky enough not to face any of those, but I heard enough stories. I did fight undead ghouls before, they seem to match somewhat with the creatures I heard about. Except for the part where corpses start to rise as demons,” Paulson said.

“Where’s your team anyway? Don’t scouts usually work in groups?” Ilea asked, finding a peculiar runed stone hidden below a few large leaves. She held up a hand to motion them to stop.

The scout didn’t reply, scanning the surroundings as his hands hovered near the hilts of his swords.

“It’s just a trap, I think. Rune, looks like this,” she said and formed it with ash.

“That one makes a loud bang,” the scout said. “It’s pretty basic.”

“How do I disable it? I usually just let these things activate,” Ilea said.

“We can avoid it. Probably has a certain range where sufficient mana disturbance would activate it. A few meters I’d guess, if it’s hidden and small,” he explained. “Disabling is tricky, we’d need a rune mage, some way of mana intrusion, or a spell to essentially counter the effects. Barriers usually.”

Ilea formed a thin trail of ash, making it swirl around. “Think it would activate from that?”

The scout looked at the trail and shook his head. “Probably not. Barely registers to my sense and runes aren’t quite as nuanced as actual magic perception abilities. Usually.”

She extended the ash until she touched the rune, sending Storm of Cinders through it, hoping the time it took for the mana to reach the rune wouldn’t activate it. The rune didn’t fire, but she also learned that her spell was entirely too much for the problem at hand, the stone exploding into bits.

“I assume subtlety isn’t your forte?” the Scout asked.

Ilea looked at him. “No.”

“Figured,” the man said and followed. “Also we don’t always work in teams, but I’m not exactly supposed to share military formations and strategies with others. I would assume you figured that one out by my presence.”

“Sure, just that I met scouts before. Seemed more like a team effort thing,” she said.

“Most organizations use groups, except maybe assassins, though I hear they like to work in teams as well,” he said.

Feyrair scoffed. “No wonder you’re so weak.”

“You work in a group too,” Ilea remarked, knowing full well that Feyrair usually did his own thing even with Isalthar and the rest nearby.

“The goals justify the means, even if I may not agree with that,” he said.

“See, same applies here. The means of people dying somewhere in the middle of nowhere or in a forgotten ruin don’t exactly sound promising to most,” she said. “But I agree with you too. The issue is that people aren’t healers.”

“Too much focus on that,” Fey said. “It helps, but in the end it’s tenacity and experience that will get you through.”

“No, it’s resistances and being able to regenerate a missing heart,” Ilea rebuked.

“Both will help,” he compromised.

“I still think my interpretation is correct, but we’ll see how the Sentinels do,” Ilea said.

Paulson cleared his throat. “Erm, I don’t want to interrupt anything but I can actually see a few tracks here.”

Ilea looked down and found something too. “A wagon?”

“Seemed to be heavy too. Want to follow it? Leads away from the main road up towards the fort,” Paulson said.

“Cargo entry maybe? But why not just use the main road?” Ilea asked, following the trail.

They soon reached a camouflaged section in the rocky hill, Ilea seeing past the net covered in leaves and sticks.

Paulson checked and lifted the thing, the three people stepping inside. They found a dark tunnel leading inward. “Don’t know why?” Paulson asked. “Never had to operate the oversized gates of a city wall or a gate, I see.”

“I think I did actually,” Ilea said but she could understand how someone without ridiculous strength or body enhancements would feel about the situation. And she assumed the highest level people in a given group were usually not the ones taking care of cargo delivery. Depending on the cargo that was. “Silence now,” she added, focusing on the tunnel.

Ilea spread her wings by now, lifting up the scout and Feyrair, his bright fiery wings too visible in the darkness. Hers were far more quiet than walking, allowing them to move near silently through the tunnel until a stone wall blocked their way.

A steel gate had been set into the middle of it, a few enchantments brimming with magical energy within the wall. Nothing against space magic, Ilea found and displaced the three of them inside.

______________________________

Paulson appeared behind the enchanted wall, teleported against his will by either Lilith or the yet unnamed mage. “There were enchantments,” he whispered.

“Nothing against that spell,” Lilith said, glancing at the empty chair sitting behind the gate. “No guard.”

She continued the flight through the tunnel, the smell soon suggesting rot, sweat, and plenty of other unpleasantries. They came out into a rather spacious stone cellar, dimply lit by burning torches placed into wall sockets.

Lilith placed them down and vanished, Paulson looking around in the room while he tried to cover his nose with the shirt below his armor. There were crates, some with opened tops, others still closed. Next came cages, holding people mostly, either dead or close enough. He knew how starvation looked like and he knew a sadistic fuck when he saw one.

Lilith apparently wasn’t a stranger to such things either, currently having the man’s mouth stuffed with ash and his hands and legs bound with more of the element behind his back. Her attention however was with the slaves in the various cages.

“Check the exit Fey, make sure nobody disturbs us for a while,” she said. Something in her voice had changed, the casual tone gone entirely.

Ah, she’s one of them. Makes sense why she took this job then. Or it really is a personal thing… well it looks like it’s one now either way, Paulson thought and examined the rest of the large cellar.

Her healing would be more suited to help the people here, so he focused instead on the various crates, checking them for potentially dangerous valuables that may corrupt lesser men. He expected to find wine, food, and drugs but instead he found that and also plenty of weapons. The next crate held materials used in alchemy and enchantments. Dried herbs and monster pieces of either he could only knew a few.

It wasn’t exactly what he thought a group of slavers would hold within their storage rooms, then again many had just been merchants. He assumed they just made off with the goods they still had and hid it here. Or there really was a group ready to make a move on Mothine. Not that this here would be enough, but more people would die, which meant more paperwork and in turn a more grumpy Barren. Not a welcome prospect.

The mages, who was apparently called Fey had taken position near the exit at the end of a large stairwell leading up, casually leaning against the wall.

Lilith talked to one of the slaves in a whispered tone. She walked to the closed grate and grabbed two of the steel bars.

“He probably has a key,” Paulson said offhandedly, watching as the woman quite literally bent the steel away. “Or do that, sure.”

She walked out with the man in tow, his uniform quite obviously Baralia colors, marred with blood splatters that were decidedly fresh.

“Interrogation?” Paulson asked.

Lilith walked towards the stairs without a word. Her limbs suddenly jerked the soldier to the left, splattering the man against the stone wall, what was left of him smeared a few meters towards the exit before her ash let go.

“Or not, I suppose. That works too,” Paulson said. He glanced at the squashed remains of the corpse and quickly followed. He started to think that maybe he should inquire about this Lilith person once he was back in Mothine. “So what’s the plan?”

“They’re a group of both Baralia troops and slavers. The people down here were just the undesirables. Most of the slaves are still in the fort itself. Kill at your discretion. Fey, don’t kill the slaves please,” Lilith said.

“Oh, but of course not,” the mage said.

The mage’s words sent a shiver down his spine, something about the pitch. Or his magic. It was hard to tell. It felt just as natural as the spell Lilith had used back in the city. “May I guard this cellar?”

“The door is locked. And I will know if someone shows up down here,” Lilith said. “You come with me. Let me know about the ranks you see on their armor, I would like to avoid killing soldiers who don’t particularly want to be here. Anyone who attacks is fair game,” she said.

Paulson sighed but he knew he didn’t have a choice. Again he was teleported through the door. The mage was gone he found and Lilith stepped through the corridor with lithe movements. He decided now was the time to unsheathe his swords too, just in case.

They went from room to room, Lilith casually opening the sometimes locked doors with either a spell she used or by sending ash into the keyholes. He supposed subtlety wasn’t her usual approach but she wasn’t half bad at it. He certainly wouldn’t plan a heist with her, but stealing bread from the nearby baker? Why not.

Most of the rooms were empty, some had tied up or caged slaves in them, all of which Lilith freed. She vanished with the people before Paulson could reasonably do anything. He assumed she brought them into the cellar, but he did wonder how she would know anybody showed up there. Maybe she could communicate through the mind or something. He had seen weirder spells.

Instead he searched through the desk drawers, checking for important documents or incriminating evidence. He did find a pouch full of silver that he thought could surely be used in the coming trial of the slavers who took this place.

Paulson let go of the pouch and grabbed his swords, crouching when he heard steps. He waited, seeing the door handle move. He would be hidden for a moment as the entrance opened towards his side of the room.

Two men stepped inside, the first wearing formal clothing in a deep red color, his hair black and bound in a small bun.

[Mage – lvl ??]

Shit.

The man walked into the room and glanced at the empty cage before he turned towards Paulson.

He was already gone, appearing silently in the corridor and coming face to face with the second man. Plate armor without a helmet. A Baralia soldier.

[Warrior – lvl 125]

The warrior used a quick slash technique, his hand blurring to the sword sheathed on his belt before the steel rushed out. A common first move by trained fighters.

And one that Paulson had seen a thousand times before. He went in, using the sword in his right hand to deflect the blow upwards and past his own head, all the while thrusting his second one right into the man’s neck. It was his fault for not wearing a helmet and leaving such a glaring weakness.

Fleeing was the reasonable thing to do but turning his back to a warrior of that level wasn’t the smart choice. Not with both of them likely being able to teleport too.

He pushed the sword further into the man’s throat, locking eyes with him as the man grabbed the blade with his left hand.

Not enough, he thought, jumping back and slashing the man’s unprotected fingers. He felt the magic to his left, turning to find the mage standing in the hallway.

A gust of wind came at him before he vanished, appearing with his body sped up to counter the following attacks. He dodged a blade of wind before another gust slammed into him, one of his swords clattering to the ground as he rolled on the floor and got up again, feeling magic form behind him.

Something cut into his back and pushed him to the ground. Paulson tried to use his teleportation but the spell failed.

“An imperial scout. Now why don’t you tell me what you’re doing here and how many others have come in through the cargo entrance,” the mage spoke in a monotone voice, entirely uncaring. “Get over here and pin him down.”

Paulson tried to swing his sword in an attempt to get free, a blade of wind welcoming his strike and cutting through his arm.

He bit down hard, groaning in pain as he focused on his breathing, not about to lose consciousness. If Lilith showed up again, they might still have a chance, and he would support her to the best of his abilities.

“A veteran too. Impressive,” the man said, watching as the soldier grabbed Paulson’s shoulder and held him down. The man still bled from his throat, not speaking a word but looking down with anger burning in his eyes. “Now tell m-”

Lilith’s voice came from further down the corridor, interrupting the man. “Lord Velkan?”

Ah she revealed herself, Paulson thought.

“That would be me. And who might you be, intruder?” the man said.

Velkan? Wait that’s-

A flurry of moving ash appeared in front of him, the sounds of tearing flesh and splattering blood resounding as a few drops splashed into his eyes. He opened them again to find Lilith crouching in front of him, healing flooding into him before he looked down to find her holding his severed arm close to his stump, both ends quickly fusing together once more.

The injury on his back healed too and a slew of messages hung within his mind.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Disciple of the flowing Winds – lvl 232 / Chaos Blood Berserker – lvl 231]’

‘ding’ ‘Imperial Sword Dancer has reached lvl 139 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Scout Enhancer has reaches lvl 135 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Shade Step reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Enhanced Deflect reaches 18’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches lvl 3’

He turned to find an ashen limb pierced through the soldier’s arm, another one hovering in front of his face. “Not a sound out of you,” Lilith said, the man gulping in turn as he remained frozen and close to the wall, his eyes darting between the splattered flesh and the armored woman.

“You alright? Sorry for being late, I ran into some trouble,” the woman said.

Paulson stood up, checking his arm before he went to grab his weapons. “I’m alright. Didn’t expect a Baralia Lord to be hiding in here. I would make you responsible for my death however, you did bring me here,” he froze after he said the words, weapons in hand as he locked eyes with the woman who had just ripped apart a man on the level of a Shadow in less than a second.

“Yeah, that would be on me. But you witnessed it, which is good. Not much left of the man,” she said in a matter of fact tone.

Chapter 602 Jobbing

Chapter 602 Jobbing

Ilea turned to the terrified soldier. “What about him?”

“I have no clue. He did attack, but given the situation, I would’ve done the same,” Paulson said.

“L… Lilith… please… I surrender,” the man stammered.

“Ah well. Okay, you lead us through this place then. Shout, warn someone, or attack us and I’ll have your head, understood?” she said.

“Yes, of course. I don’t want to die,” he said. “I’m Rorge. Stationed in Mothine before we made our way west here when the imperials breached the walls.”

Shows your bravery, I suppose. Hopefully I’m scarier than the imperial army breaching the walls of Mothine, Ilea thought with a smirk. She had heard and seen enough of Lord Veltan to justify a rather… direct response.

“Show me to the sacrifice hall,” she said. Both the slaves and the few attendants she had ran into painted a rather decrepit picture of this fort and its current inhabitants. Desperate situations did apparently call for desperate blood magic. The good thing was that Veltan and his allies apparently didn’t have access to something quite as intricate as the higher ups in the Order of Truth.

“Of course, this way Lady Lilith,” Rorge said. “Those who didn’t follow the orders were used in the experiments too,” he added.

“Yes Rorge, please keep the sob stories to yourself for now. I’m sure we’ll find someone to listen at a later point in time,” she said, sure that an imperial judge could deal with that instead. Not that she heard much about their benevolent trials, but maybe the man had a chance, considering the war ended months ago. Officially that was.

They freed a few more slaves alone the way, Ilea teleporting their whole group through the corridors and to the cellar before going back up with Rorge and Paulson. She noted that none of the prisoners had reacted particularly shocked when they glanced the Baralia soldier. A good sign at least.

When they reached the sacrifice hall, Ilea left Paulson to guard Rorge near the door and simply walked inside. She stepped past the group of soldiers playing cards at a long banquet table and went straight to the hooded man standing near the improvised stone tub carved into the ground. A thin layer of blood still remained at the bottom, the smell quite strong.

She saw the naked and crying slaves in their cages a few meters away and heard the hooded man giggling to himself.

The soldiers had noticed her by now and scrambled up, drawing their weapons and shouting.

“What’s so funny?” Ilea asked, her ashen horns nearly scraping the hooded man’s brow when he turned and stumbled, nearly falling into the tub. She caught him by the throat and held him there. “Now, now, boys and girls.”

The soldiers stopped when they saw her holding the mage, weapons drawn and ready to fight.

He gurgled something before a whip of blood slapped uselessly against the side of her head. “I’m sure you’re aware that your king is dead. Lord Veltan is dead too and this fort has fallen. Now I’m going to give you once chance,” Ilea said when a blood spike slammed against her head, just as uselessly shattering. “Lay down your weapons and face trial, or die right here and at my hands,” she added, activating her third tier Deviant ability.

They immediately took a step back, most dropping their weapons with a few whispers of Lilith.

Only two of the soldiers remained hostile, one of them attacking one of his own. He quickly found himself vanishing and appearing at the top of the rather high reaching hall, falling before he broke a leg on the ground. The last soldier dropped his axe.

Her aura stopped and she nodded to the man she held up, his magic still flung against her head. “I assume this is the man who plans and executes the rituals?”

The soldiers all confirmed quickly.

She pressed her hand together, breaking the man’s spine and killing him before she dropped the corpse into the tub. Ilea displaced the soldier who had attacked the others and killed him too. “Leave your weapons and look for rope or something else to bind each other,” she said, going to the cages before she ripped the doors open.

Her ash spread to heal the captives but she found them in good health already. “Paulson,” she called out and cut apart a Baralia tapestry, handing each of the captives enough to cover themselves with.

The soldier stepped into the room, his swords held casually as he urged Rorge forward. “Yes?”

Ilea appeared next to him and marked the man. “Use this to call for me if any of them attack you. Wait here.”

“What if they kill me in a few seconds?” he asked.

“I’ll make sure to avenge you,” Ilea replied.

“Wonderful,” he said.

She punched his shoulder. “You survived Veltan. I’m sure you’ll be fine against this bunch. Rorge is the strongest after all.”

Ilea left for the indicated dinner hall upstairs and near the top of the fort. Flames still clung to the entrance and her sphere already told her enough.

“Enjoying yourself?” she asked, finding about fifteen corpses burnt and splattered throughout the hall. The long table in the center was covered with food and drinks, as well as limbs and intestines. Feyrair sat in the largest chair with his armored boots on the table, a human leg in his hand.

He bit into it with glee, ripping through the flesh and muscle with ease. He chewed and swallowed, blood dripping down his chin. “I’m wonderful, thank you.”

“Slaves and staff?” she asked.

“Do you think me an animal? I sent them away beforehand,” the elf said.

Ilea looked around the room before she glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, revealing her face just to get the gesture across.

“Hey, there are plenty for the both of us. I’m willing to share,” he said and pointed the leg at her.

“Anyone left?” Ilea asked, sniffing on a bottle of wine before she displaced a glass from a serving table at the side of the hall, checking it for blood before she filled it.

“This floor is clear. Only one way up, probably soldiers on the roof,” he informed her before he continued his meal.

“Anyone above two hundred here?” she asked.

He looked up for a moment. “A few, yes. Oh, two forty for one of them. They all immediately attacked though.”

“Ah whatever. Just don’t eat their faces if you can resist. Might be good for the imperials to know who was present,” Ilea said and walked towards the stairs leading up.

“Sure you don’t want any? It’s fresh!” Feyrair called out.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I can smell that,” she said and sipped on her wine. I really am more of an ale person. But I suppose if it’s here.

She found a few slaves or employees hiding in the kitchen and told them to go down to the cellar, her armor and the blood still clinging to it enough to prevent an argument. When she reached the roof, she found fifteen more soldiers, some of them mages and the rest armed with crossbows or normal bows.

One of them stared at her, unsure how to react as she stepped onto the roof with a glass of wine in hand, the bottle in the other.

She charged Monster Hunter and whistled, freezing the lot and repeating her offer. This time, they all dropped their weapons and looked around with fearful eyes.

“Alright, come on, down to the square,” she said, picking up everyone else on the way down. The door to the dinner hall remained closed. Feyrair would come when he was done.

About twenty minutes later, every human in the fort had come to the central square where the main gate to the fort remained closed.

“What do you think?” she asked the only imperial in the large group.

Everyone looked at them, the Baralia soldiers bound while the ex slaves exchanged clothing and food they had gathered.

Paulson sighed. “It’s getting pretty late. You don’t suppose we can continue tomorrow?”

“You just want to loot the place,” Ilea said.

He smiled. “Ah well that too, but I meant it. Can you bring us all to Mothine then?”

“It’s better if you get a few soldiers here, I’m sure Lord Veltan should be enough of a name to get Barren moving,” she said.

“In the middle of the night? That promotion is looking grim,” he murmured. “Don’t look at me like that, I’ll go of course. Can you keep some of the wine for me? And that bag of silver in Veltan’s office, doubt someone like you has much use for it.”

Ilea laughed, his behavior downright refreshing compared to everyone else in the vicinity. “Know what, sure. But only if you get them here in less than eight hours.”

“Ten?” he asked.

“Eight, come on, you’re not that slow,” she said.

“Plenty of monsters and bandits in the area,” the man murmured but went to get two horses anyway. “I’ll be here as fast as I can.”

“Do be,” she said and walked to the closed gate. She placed down her glass and bottle before she wedged her hands into the thick wood, pulling hard. The wood groaned as the mechanisms turned and the gate was lifted. She gripped below and moved it further up until it was high enough for the soldier and his horses to pass.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” he said with a smile.

Ilea let the gate fall when the man had passed, displacing the glass and bottle back into her hands. Now let’s see if we can’t gather some evidence in the meantime.

The sky was pitch black when the sound of riders came closer to the front gate. Ilea saw them with her sphere and went to open the entrance.

She used the same handholds she had created before, finding a group of two dozen imperial riders staring at her on the other side.

“Welcome,” she said, holding up the gate with one arm. “Do come in.”

Paulson was the first to get off his horse, walking past her with a smile on his face.

“What’s so funny?” she asked him.

“Just won a few bets, that’s all,” he mused and started to whistle.

The rest of the group followed quickly, a few of them immediately taking charge of dealing with both the prisoners and the refugees. Others went into the fort to investigate and collect evidence after receiving confirmation that the place should be clear.

Ilea stepped next to Paulson a little while later, sitting down on a crate close by. She wordlessly summoned a bottle of wine and a pouch full of silver.

“You’re lovely, did someone ever tell you that?” the man asked, gratefully receiving the gifts.

“Never. Might just have fallen in love with you,” Ilea replied.

“Ah no, please don’t. I know what I can handle, and you’re very… very far beyond that,” Paulson said.

“The weak bone structure of men,” Ilea sighed. “Well, we should probably report to Barren. Care to join us?”

“It’s not our bone structure that’s the problem,” he mused. “He’s waiting for us to come back, yes. Never seen him that scared before.”

Ilea waved to Feyrair and stood up, grabbing Paulson with her ash. “Then let’s get it over with.”

Ilea said her goodbyes to Paulson a little while later, Barren having been much more accommodating now that he knew who she was. She wondered if she should offer Paulson to join the Sentinels but decided he wasn’t exactly the best fit, nor would he be interested in the first place.

“I’ll be on my way then, to enjoy the wonders of Mothine with this honest pay,” the man said and patted the bulging pouch hanging from his belt.

“Careful with that, plenty of pickpockets running around,” Ilea said.

“Why I didn’t put it in my pocket,” the man said.

Ilea groaned. “Do enjoy yourself, it was good meeting you, Paulson.”

Feyrair smiled. “You’re not too bad, for a human.”

The man nodded slowly. “Well. I can’t say it was a pleasure. But I suppose it turned out well in the end. Though I do hope I won’t ever meet monsters like you again.”

“We’ll be back then, to hunt you down,” Ilea said, turning to Fey. “Right?”

“Of course,” the elf said, crouching a little bit as the temperature rose around them.

Paulson just laughed and walked away, waving at them in the process. “You may be strong, but you don’t scare me.”

“Foolish,” Feyrair whispered when the man was too far away to hear.

“I mean he’s not wrong,” Ilea said. “No reason to fear us, or is there?”

The elf rolled his shoulders. “You’re right. I’ve had my fill already.”

Ilea smiled and picked him up, spreading her wings before they ascended over the town and into the night.

The next flight wasn’t particularly long, Ilea following the main road northwards until they reached the first village about a day’s ride away from Mothine. Barren had directed them to the settlement when she had inquired about the job.

“I doubt it’ll be anything particularly challenging,” Feyrair remarked when they landed near the low stone wall. “Perhaps if they actually fought the beasts, they wouldn’t have to hire someone else to deal with their problems.”

“Yes, but then you don’t have tailors making comedic outfits for my elf friends,” Ilea said.

“That’s true, but you know, one can wear monster carcasses. It even sometimes manages to intimidate enemies,” Feyrair said.

“Also it stinks, rots, is unsanitary, and just generally kind of disgusting. Show me what you can do, I don’t need to see a dead monster you managed to kill to judge your ability,” Ilea said when they reached the wall.

The gate was closed, so she just displaced the two of them inside. Sunrise was still a few hours away, but with how much the job paid, she assumed waking someone up about it wouldn’t be seen as the worst possible crime.

The village didn’t have an inn and it seemed most people were fast asleep at this hour. They did see a few dogs but went past silently, not waking the animals.

Ilea chose the largest house and knocked on the door, seeing the sleeping couple through her sphere. She repeated the process with increasing volume until the woman woke up and rubbed her eyes.

A minute passed until she was down at the door, checking the locks before she opened it just a slit. “Who are you?”

“A Sentinel, here about the monsters,” Ilea answered.

“I see… explains the hour. Do you have the contract? And your badge please,” the woman said.

Ilea handed her the piece of paper and her emerald adventurer’s badge.

“Emerald…,” the woman murmured, looking at the thing before she unlocked the door fully and opened it. “Come on in. Can I bring you tea or ale?”

She looked to be in her forties, a kind expression on her face. She had long brown hair coming down over her shoulder and towards her chest.

“A tea would be wonderful. We did come to the right place then?” Ilea asked.

The woman handed her things back and walked towards the kitchen. “Hardly anyone here who doesn’t know about this one. We pooled together what little we had to pay for professional help.” She touched a rune on her stove and checked the kettle sitting on top, throwing in a few more herbs from a pot sitting on a nearby table.

Feyrair closed the door without a sound.

“My husband is still asleep. We can talk in the living room,” the woman said and gestured them towards a closed door to the right of the small hallway. “I’m Kaya,” she said and sat down on a large cushioned rocking chair.

“Lilith, nice to meet you,” she said and sat down on the couch, Feyrair joining her.

“Like the one in the songs?” Kaya asked with a smile.

“The same, yes,” Ilea said.

“I heard stories about you,” Kaya said. “But you don’t look like a monster to me.”

Ilea relaxed into the couch. “Looks can be deceiving.”

The woman chuckled. Not a joyous sound. “We know,” she said and went to get the tea.

“Will that be a problem? You’re not famous for killing their troops, are you?” Feyrair whispered.

Ilea didn’t say anything, thanking Kaya as she received her tea.

“The bards sing that you fought an army on your own, that you slayed monsters and freed slaves. Any of that true?” the woman asked as she stirred her tea, taking a sip as she relaxed.

“Does it matter?” Ilea asked.

“I’m just curious. I know you two are powerful. I can tell, even without the badge you showed me. But Lilith? I’m not so sure you are her. I’m not so sure she exists at all,” Kaya said.

“Why would she not exist?” Ilea asked in turn, tasting the liquid. A nice combination of herbs, none of which she could place.

“The bards like to sing of heroes and adventurers, but they also like to be paid. A healer that fights armies, frees slaves, fights the Order of Truth… well no offense but if I invaded Baralia lands, I would probably pay the bards to sing of someone similar,” Kaya said.

“You’re brave to say that to our faces,” Feyrair mused, taking a sip from his tea without revealing his teeth.

The woman sighed. “I’ve met my fair share of adventurers and soldiers from both sides. I think I’m not the worst at judging people. You two don’t strike me as easily offended and I don’t think you’re here to rob or kill us either. Far too strong for that. I do wonder why you’re taking a job like this one but you claiming to be Lilith, it fits. No better way to garner approval for the Empire than to send their hero to the rescue.”

Ilea smiled. “I can see the logic in that. But if I’m associated with anyone then it’s the Medic Sentinels and Ravenhall. But I suppose you could find a way to spin it into an Imperial effort either way. In the end it hardly matters, does it?”

“That is true. We just want the problem to be taken care of,” Kaya said.

Ilea didn’t try to convince the woman of where her own loyalties lay, instead quickly shifting the topic to the reason they were actually there.

Chapter 603 Quarry

Chapter 603 Quarry

“What do you think?” Feyrair asked, glancing at the corpse.

Ilea had crouched down to inspect the body. “Low level, definitely. Weak bones, barely any muscle, no signs of battle.”

“Shit himself too,” Fey said.

“Common when things die, could’ve easily happened afterwards,” Ilea said and inspected the wounds. Everyone in the village had either died or fled, the bodies left behind for fear of returning monsters. Their descriptions hadn’t been useful exactly, but neither were they trained monster hunters. Both had their fair share of experience, Feyrair likely ten times more, but neither already knew what kind of beast they were looking for.

“Claws of some kind. Long and thin. If it was just one wound I’d even consider a fine blade,” Ilea said.

“Nothing else? The missing head?” Fey asked.

“No. Some of the other bodies had their heads attached. A random hit I’d say. See this cut here?” she said and pointed at the thin cut below the man’s neck. “One of the claws. Judging by the furniture I’d say he tried to hide and retreated in the end, falling before he was struck in the side. Then his head came off. I’m also fairly certain the beast uses ice magic of some kind, though I’m not sure to what capacity.”

“Didn’t know you were an ice mage,” Feyrair said.

Ilea put her hand into one of the cuts and slightly spread the wound open to show him. “Turns out being injured constantly with magical perception and healing magic to check on myself let me analyze some of the effects certain magic has on a human body. It’s faint by now because the attack happened a few weeks ago but you can still tell.”

“The pooled blood?” Fey asked. “Doesn’t look this way when I cut into someone with my claws.”

“Yes, well that too. The muscle is slightly brittle, just like it looked when I was hit by particularly strong ice magic,” she said.

“Not that it helps us much,” Feyrair said. “Beast isn’t here, you even used your whistle.”

Ilea stood up and grabbed the body, stepping outside to add it to the pyre they had quickly prepared, using a few apple trees from a nearby farm. “I think we’re dealing with more than one beast. People escaped after all. If it’s fast enough to attack all those villages in the span of a few weeks, nobody would’ve escaped.”

“Guards could’ve stopped them?” Fey suggested.

“See any guards around? They barely had weapons,” Ilea said and put the body down.

“Doesn’t mean there’s nobody with powerful magic around, or a skill in battle,” the elf said. “But I suppose you’re suggesting they weren’t here at all?”

“Yes. Most would’ve been with the army, either in Nara or a military camp somewhere in the region. If any returned by the time these attacks happened, it doesn’t show,” she said and summoned her monster encyclopedia.

Feyrair glanced over her shoulder. “Your book doesn’t list anything powerful enough to be a danger.”

“To us,” she mused. “For normal humans it’s quite natural to be scared of something a whole team of adventurers would have trouble fighting.”

“Reasonable. Maybe we should make a book like that too,” he said.

“I’ve thought about it before. Just didn’t have the time nor artistic talent so far,” Ilea said and leafed through the book.

“What about that one?” Feyrair said.

Ilea read through the description. “Vile Prowler. The claws fit, that’s for sure. And I suppose there could be variants with ice magic, they have been seen to use water magic. But it doesn’t fit. It only attacks single travelers and avoids settlements. Plus it hunts to eat, not just to kill.”

“Maybe it got desperate?” Feyrair asked. “Or just stumbled in.”

“If this was an isolated incident, sure. Maybe. But there’s bound to be plenty of corpses and scattered refugees around to find an easy meal. I doubt it would attack a village,” Ilea said and continued, glad there was an index with various magical and bodily features that let her find creatures somewhat quickly. Maybe we should make a book like this. Would benefit the Sentinels in the long run, both for jobs and for treating people.

She opened the book at the indicated page and smiled. “How about it?”

The illustration depicted a floating humanoid creature covered by shroud like clothes. Its body looked like a corpse and its eyes glowed in a deep purple. The Camara it was called, a spirit of vengeance that could appear in areas where death, sacrifices, war, and blood magic were prevalent. A good fit, as was the ice magic that flowed through their thin razor like claws adorning their hands.

“Gotta be this one,” Ilea murmured. “It’s assumed they form from corpses left to rot, betrayed or murdered with joy. They tend to return to where they were killed, their weeping sometimes audible for several hundreds of meters. Hunt the people who killed them and their kin through what is assumed to be blood magic.”

“Lots of information on that one,” Feyrair said.

“Lots of wars and betrayal,” Ilea said. “Not like people could do much with this information. The creatures are above level two hundred and three marks have been sighted too, though the sources haven’t been confirmed,” she said and put away her book.

“What happens if they’re left alone?” Feyrair asked.

“They go away, leaving behind the corpse from which they formed,” Ilea said.

“So we’re supposed to deal with creatures born from the betrayal and murder these villagers or their kin caused? I’m sure there are hundreds of those creatures around,” he said.

“I’d imagine there would be thousands all around Baralia. Weird that I haven’t seen one yet,” she mused, wondering if the blood ritual in Nara had something to do with it. Otherwise the creatures would be far better known.

Feyrair glanced at the pyre and hissed.

“Come on, don’t act like that. You’ve had your fill, right?” Ilea said. “They deserve a ceremony at least.”

“It’s still a waste. I suppose if you don’t start burning Elven bodies, I won’t have an issue,” he said and set the pyre on fire, his magic quickly engulfing the entire thing.

“We still have to hunt the monsters to stop them from killing more people. Once formed, they often target others, even if those they hunted initially are dead,” Ilea said.

“And where do you suggest looking? Neither of us is a tracker exactly,” Feyrair said.

Ilea summoned her map of the region. “Settlements and large battlefields. Let’s just work our way through the area. If their weeping is audible that easily, we shouldn’t have much of a problem. Plus it seems the attacks left a trail towards Nara, which would support my idea that the blood ritual there had something to do with the appearing Camaras.”

The approach while simple turned out to be quite successful. Ilea and Feyrair followed the road leading north, the first sounds of wails audible just about ten minutes after they had left the abandoned village.

Ilea approached from above, flying over the plains until they came up on a battlefield. Well a once battlefield that was, broken weapons and corpses left to rot, wild animal corpses strewn in between. It hadn’t been a massive fight, she surmised, seeing maybe twenty corpses in total. A few of them didn’t wear soldier gear, likely the reason for the floating spirit amidst the carnage.

She slowly approached, her wings lazily moving behind her as she formed around twenty ashen lances. “Hey spirit,” she said, watching as the monster turned immediately, her wailing stopped as she brandished her claws.

[Camara – lvl 284]

The being started floating upwards but found itself pierced by five projectiles a moment later, dead instantly as it fell back down.

“Underwhelming again,” Fey murmured as he joined her. “But I’m learning how those Sentinels of yours could really make a difference in these lands. For the people that live here at least.”

“We face different threats than you Elves. Of course they’ll be helpful,” Ilea said.

“Should I burn it all?” Feyrair offered.

She was grateful for the gesture, motioning for him to take care of the field. Ilea watched as white flame took everything, turning the rotting bodies to ash and sending away what was left of the spirit.

She flew on without a word, their search taking them through the southern parts of Baralia on their way to Nara, glimpses of the distant city soon visible on the horizon.

Ilea wondered if the noble she and Hector had left there was still around but she didn’t care enough to go check. Instead they found and laid to rest another eight spirits, uncaring if their goals were fulfilled or not.

None of the creatures were above level four hundred and all fell before they could reach either of the two travelers.

They reached Nara when night set, finding a last group of spirits floating near a devastated farm close to the city. Bones and bloodied weapons told a story of their own, the spirits just remnants of the war, claiming lives long after whatever atrocities had happened here.

“That is the city then?” Feyrair asked when he flew up to her position. “Seems like they’re trying to settle in again.”

Ilea looked at him and then back to the city. She only saw a few hundred lights in the sprawling urban landscape. It would take a long time for Nara to reach what it had been before.

All because of one misguided Order, one blood magic ritual, she thought and turned away.

“Do you not want to report back?” Feyrair asked.

Ilea grabbed him with ashen limbs and charged her wings. “I’ll have a letter sent to inform them. I doubt the Camara problem is entirely dealt with but they need trackers for that.”

She assumed one of the Sentinel teams would be a better fit for the job and planned to suggest giving the job to one of them.

“I doubt you’ll get the coin they offered, not without any evidence or at least showing up yourself,” the elf said.

“I don’t care,” she said and sped off into the distance.

The last job on the list was taking care Cursed in a quarry near Mophis, another city that had been devastated by a blood ritual. The only contact turned out to be an imperial officer stationed in the city. The woman turned out to be quite forthcoming, quickly giving them a map and offering anything else they might need other than personnel.

Cleaning and rebuilding the city to what it had been before took all of the imperials’ time and resources.

With all the freed slaves now looking for a new place to live and employment beyond their previous predicament, the devastated cities offered both. A silver lining perhaps in the face of the destruction caused by the Order of Truth. Many of the buildings at least remained undamaged, the walls retaining their protective value.

Even now there were roots and patches of grass remaining in the city, left behind by the fractures and likely spread by the Meadow or simply caused by the mana flowing through from Erendar.

“It’s quite fascinating. I don’t know if an Elven blood mage could conjure up such a ritual,” Feyrair mused as they flew low towards the quarry.

“Would they even care? The effects weren’t enough to kill someone over level two hundred,” Ilea said.

“It’s impressive nonetheless, especially with lower leveled humans working together to create those rituals. Mages reaching more power through ingenuity, study, and cooperation compared to our way,” Fey said.

Ilea smiled. “Sure, now think of the wonders we could achieve if we went out of our ways to try that.”

The elf laughed. “No, we’re not scholars. I doubt you could ever come up with impressive ritual magic. Perhaps on accident. But you’ve already found a few powerful people you can support in their endeavors. I believe that is more than enough.”

They landed near the quarry. A valley between two hills, dug deeper by the people who worked there. Ilea already heard the familiar sounds from Cursed, having killed thousands when she had traveled with Hector.

“They’re just turned humans, so not very high leveled,” she said.

“You seem bothered,” Fey said, flying in the air next to her.

Ilea watched the shuffling masses moving closer still. Cursed left behind without a purpose, wandering through the quarry on their hunt for food or the living. She didn’t know.

I wonder how different this place looked before these monsters came here.

She imagined it to be one of the worst places to be at as a slave. “I am bothered. By the very existence of this place,” she said and looked at him. “How much stone can an Elven mage move in a day? Compared to a human slave at what… level twenty? Not even a mage.”

The quarry had massive support structures made of interlinked beams of wood, houses and barracks sprinkled in between, a small town made up of simple buildings standing at the forefront.

“I will deal with it,” Feyrair said and gently touched her shoulder, flying lower before his form expanded both in magic and size. “I’ll make sure nobody living is hiding here.”

Ilea watched as the dragon flew through the darkness, slowly floating past the buildings as he attracted the attention of the Cursed.

He continued on his way before he reached the end of the valley, turning around before he swooped down. Bright white flame lit up the night as his fires washed over the monsters and quarry alike. Feyrair burned the houses, Cursed, and the supporting structures, leaving it all crumbling down cast in fire.

The elf landed amidst the flames and turned back to his humanoid form before he waved for Ilea, several hundred meters away.

She couldn’t help but smile at his gesture. Nobody would work in a quarry here for quite some time. And if they did, they would be mages who chose to do so freely, their work hopefully more efficient and less costly in human suffering.

“Thank you,” she said, landing next to the elf and dissolving her wings. She ignored the heat around them and the flames licking at her back.

Feyrair smiled, looking at her for a long moment before he turned towards a wall of stone. “A cave in, or made to look like one.”

Ilea blinked closer. “There’s a tunnel behind. Maybe a mine? There are faint traces of tracks leading inside.”

“Something should’ve made the Cursed come here. Either that or they made a ritual here, just for the people working in the quarry,” Feyrair said.

“Let’s see if they’re alive or got away somehow,” Ilea said

Their search was quick, the mine only about as large as the one near Samethol. One of the lowest tunnels had broken into a natural cavern, a massive one with blue shining mushrooms growing on the ground and walls. The flow of water was distinctly audible.

Ilea started to pick up more recent tracks and traces of magic. “There were definitely people here,” she said and tried to follow the trail. It led them into another tunnel and finally a cavern where the remains of campfires and improvised buildings littered the ground.

Supply chests, wagons, and even training dummies had been set up in the area, all left behind what seemed to be months ago. Some of the tracks were definitely more recent but right now, nobody was there.

“Air coming in from that tunnel. An exit I assume,” Fey said, pointing to a dark cave entrance. The rubble laying on either side suggested it wasn’t natural.

“They got out,” Ilea said, looking through the camp with her sphere before she rushed to and through the exit. The tunnel sloped up until she came out in the middle of a small forest.

Feyrair came out a moment later. “They did indeed. Do you wish to follow the tracks?”

Ilea smiled. “No. Honestly, I don’t. Let’s just hope they escaped.”

“They could’ve been slavers and blood mages,” he said.

Ilea punched his shoulder lightly. “Don’t spoil my mood.”

“I was joking. No corpses in the camp, no cages, and no chains. I suppose I may be wrong,” the elf surmised with a smile.

“Let’s report back,” she said.

“Sure. The ball is in two days, what do you want to do in the meantime? I suggest we find something a little more powerful to fight than the creatures we killed in the past few days,” Feyrair said.

“We’ll be back to fighting Executioners soon enough, don’t you worry. Let’s just go to Yinnahall already. You can see the city and we can scout out who’s coming to the festivities,” she answered, taking to the air.

“True enough. If you want to give me a tour, I wouldn’t say no,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Not like I know the city well, but maybe we can just explore it a little.”

The two reported back to the officer, Ilea making sure her letter regarding the spirits would reach the relevant parties. Payment for the jobs would go to the Sentinels, as it did before.

They spent the rest of the night flying through the countryside on their way to Yinnahall, occasionally occupying themselves with a bout of one nature or the other.

The wildlife stayed far away from them, those lucky enough not to attract Feyrair’s insatiable appetite.

When they finally reached the outskirts of the many walled city, they slowed down and watched the suns rise over the large hill.

Feyrair’s eyes glinted with magic as he looked towards the city. “You know, for how weak most of your kind are, your cities do impress.”

Ilea smiled lightly. “Can’t wait to see what you guys built.”

The elf just hissed without giving anything away. A content sound as he kept his eyes on Yinnahall.

Chapter 604 Dressing for the Occasion

Chapter 604 Dressing for the Occasion

Entering the city turned out to be just as easy as the last time she had come here. A few uses of Displacement let them avoid any guard or soldier attention as they appeared within the inner wall.

Ilea even used the same basement she had the last time, making sure to check if there were any signs of recent guests to the downright theatrical torture chamber. It turned out that there were none. Additionally the hooks on the walls where chains had been fastened to had been removed, turning this place into a normal basement.

“Seems like this place at least changed for the better,” Ilea mused and put on leather armor. “Hmm… quite a few people know how I look like around here. Hey Fey, mind if I borrow your helmet for today?”

The elf opened a bottle of wine he found in one of the shelves, sniffing on it before he took a sip. He summoned the head piece and threw it her way.

Ilea made it vanish and appear on her head. She made sure to summon her war hammer, fastening it to her back with some stealthy ash magic usage. No normal leather strap would hold against the sheer weight of that thing.

“How do I look?” she asked, adjusting the plate helmet a little to be able to see through the slit a little better. She found the effort useless and instead pried the steel open with a precise usage of two ashen limbs.

Feyrair hissed, tasting the wine. “You’re destroying my helmet. Other than that, wonderful. Like a dull human warrior with an impressive hammer they’re too weak to wield properly. However the healer identification and high level will certainly turn some heads.”

“Most civilians won’t know the difference between a level one hundred and me or you. And I might just be an ex member of the Order of Truth, now looking to be an effective adventurer with my good friend powerful scale armor mage,” she said.

“Should I change too?” the elf asked.

“Hmm… I mean it does look comical. Why not,” she said and took off the helmet again. “This thing gets way too hot.” Instead she summoned a cloak and put the hood over her hair and brow, adding a kerchief to cover most of her face.

Feyrair switched into his wondrous human outfit and put on his helmet, his eyes shining through a little brighter with the enlarged opening.

“You don’t seem pleased,” he said.

“I’d just think a simple mask would fit you more, being a mage and all. Plus really fancy robes,” she suggested.

“I’m not fond of robes. Too constricting,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Let’s go shopping then. I’m sure we can get you an outfit worthy of a prince.”

“Ridiculous, but not unwelcome,” he mused with a hiss. “Lead the way then, Lilith, hero of humanity,” the elf added with an exaggerated bow.

Ilea smirked and teleported them both into a nearby alley. “Now, to find a tailor… but not just anyone.”

She walked on for a minute until she came upon a beggar. A piece of silver flashed to her hand before she crouched and held it out towards the older man.

He said his thanks in the Baralia tongue.

“Do you speak Standard?” she asked.

The man glanced at the piece of silver and smiled, showing surprisingly healthy teeth. “I do, miss.”

“Who’s the best tailor in town and where can we find them?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her for a moment and considered. “Tis hard to say miss… many may guide you to Vizo’s but I’ve seen the man’s work and between the two of us… it’s nowhere near as fine as he claims. I’ve always w…. I hear that Charlson and Elaina have some of the best quality in the higher districts,” he explained.

Ilea squinted at him.

[Mage – lvl 72]

“That’s a surprisingly detailed answer from a beggar, why is a level seventy mage on the streets in the first place?” she asked.

His shirt and pants looked worn but the quality itself seemed decent. The man looked at her and smiled. “I thank you for the silver, miss. But have I not been humiliated enough? If you wish to report me to the imperials, they already interrogated me,” he explained and leaned forward a little. “If at all possible, I’d like to not repeat it.”

Ilea looked at him for a moment before she spoke. “I’m sorry. That was a little too direct. I’ve just been dealing with slavers recently. No offense meant.”

He shrugged. “None taken. The High King has played his cards and lost. We too must now pay the price. I shall not let it conquer me.”

Feyrair took a swig from his wine and looked at the man. “You could become an adventurer. Your gift of magic would surely pay better than this,” he said and glanced at Ilea. “As far as I understood, anybody can join them?”

“They can,” Ilea said. “But not all would wish to fight monsters.”

The man gulped and looked away.

“Where can we find the shop?” Ilea asked.

He gave them somewhat precise directions and bid them farewell.

Feyrair finished his bottle and made it vanish, walking next to her in his ridiculous gear. “He has power enough to face most creatures that roam the wilderness here. And yet he chooses to ask others for coins. Would it not make sense for him to use his ability for his own sake?”

“I suppose it would,” Ilea said. “But as I said before, many people don’t want to put their lives at risk, even if it means begging for copper in the streets. He didn’t strike me as a fighter either, more a scholar or businessman maybe. Though I’m sure it’s not easy finding employment at the moment, especially as someone who was likely part of the previous nobility. That is, if you were on the wrong side,” she said as they passed into a much nicer looking area of the city.

“It’s all so complicated when he could just go out and face monsters. He would perish or prevail,” Feyrair said, ignoring the two women who walked past while giggling.

If only they knew, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“Should be somewhere around here,” she said as they came out onto a plaza. Several restaurants already served breakfast, the atmosphere noticeably lighter than the time she had last been here. It made sense of course, as she had been hunting nobles during a war. Now she was a tourist if anything.

She spotted the shop at the other end of the plaza, hidden by the leaves of a small tree.

Charlson & Elaina

The name was written in silver letters with artistic swirls. A little too much for her but she supposed it fit with a tailor shop. Dresses and formal clothing for both men and women was displayed in the two large store windows. They looked nicer than most everything she had seen before. Nothing comparable to Goliath’s armor design or even Earl’s drake scale model but perhaps more fitting for a ball.

“Seems good,” Ilea said and stepped inside. An enchantment flared up when she crossed the threshold, a chime sounding from near the counter. Show offs.

A woman stepped out from a back room immediately and glanced at the customers. She wore a well cut uniform with deep greens and even yellow mixed in, underlining her eyes that seemed to dance with the same combination. Long brown hair had been carefully bound with a lightly luminous ribbon. The woman was smaller than Ilea by quite a bit and probably a little younger too.

She stared at Ilea for a few seconds, her mouth opening lightly before she glanced at Feyrair, taking in his helmet, shirt, and finally his kilt. She did that take another time, her confusion building.

“Eh, hello,” Ilea said and waved at the woman lightly.

She blinked a few times before her eyes opened wide and she bowed. “Welcome to Charlson and Elaina’s. I’m Nassay, I’m sorry, what can I do for you?”

Ilea smiled. “Looking for outfits that look a little less thrown together than what we’re currently wearing.”

“We’re very busy at the moment, miss. I’m not sure if we can accommodate two outfits in the next week,” Nassay explained.

“Do you know who Lilith is?” Ilea asked, hoping for some sweet special local hero treatment.

The girl opened her eyes even wider. “Of course. The o… I mean, are you the same? I will need identification of sorts.”

Ilea spread her ashen armor and wings, summoning her Shadowbadge and showing it to the girl before she made it all vanish again. “That enough identification? Or would you like me to show you my birth certificate?”

The girl shook her head quickly and bowed again. “I’m fucking sorry!” she said before covering her mouth and running to the back, tears welling up in her eyes.

“You scared her away,” Fey mused.

“I don’t think so. What did she mean with that sentence she didn’t finish?” she asked.

He couldn’t answer as Nassay rushed back, dragging two people with her.

First a woman with ashen hair, a slightly bored expression on her face as she ripped away her hand and immediately looked over the two customers. She wore simple working clothes, slightly baggy and a little dirty. The woman quickly focused on Nassay again and whispered a few things in the Baralia tongue, apparently scolding her for one thing or the other, pulling at certain parts of the girl’s outfit before she touched her shoulder.

The man on the other hand had his full attention on the customers, a quick glance at Feyrair made him grimace before he turned his attention back to her. His deep black hair looked unnaturally glossy, his eyes the same black. He was clean shaven and dressed in black, various fabrics working together to create something akin to a military uniform and noble attire. He smiled and bowed slightly, not taking his eyes of Ilea’s. “Welcome, to our humble store. May I presume you are indeed who you claim to be?”

“What would convince you?” Ilea asked.

His smile grew wider. “A badge of your organization would be a start.”

“I don’t have a Sentinel badge myself, but it would look something like this,” she said and formed the one wing with ash, making it float towards the man who looked at it with curious interest.

“That would suffice, but I must indulge, my lady. I hear death itself is sent into the hearts of men who see the wings of ash fly past above,” he said. “My name is Charlson, and this is Elaina. We both own this establishment.”

Ilea rolled her eyes as she spread her wings once more, adding her ashen armor to the mix.

He clasped his hands together and shivered slightly. “Feral… vicious and efficient… the horned demon. Wonderfully apt description despite the usually overly dramatic disposition of the barden kind. Yes, you are her and a companion you brought as well, though I admit that while you dress plain, he is downright atrocious to look at, nigh to imagine even. Yes, whatever you need we will provide. Come, to my office, we shall discuss the details.”

“Greetings,” Elaina said finally, giving Ilea a light nod. “Maybe he should change into something less offensive or Charls’ skull might just explode. And I hate cleaning blood.”

“Hear that, Fey?” Ilea said. “Just armor is probably fine.”

The elf obliged. “Cleaning blood is quite easy, my dear,” he said to the woman and flicked a white flame alive above his palm.

“You have armor like that and choose to walk around looking like a blind mind magic victim?” Elaina asked with a deadpan expression. “Well, you do you. We’re all free now after all,” she added and followed Charlson, saying a few words to Nassay in the local language.

She glanced back at Ilea. “You don’t speak Jissu, do you?”

“Why? Did you order her to blow up the store?” Ilea asked, glancing at Nassay who took a few steps back, making a slight squealing sound.

[Tailor – lvl 83]

Though I doubt she could do something like that.

Elaina smirked for the first time. A very slight change before her lips leveled out again. “No, but it’s generally seen as rude to curse in front of customers. Not that I think you two care much for such noble gibberish.”

[Rogue – lvl 161]

Ilea smirked. “No, I do not. You’re pretty rogue like for a tailor.”

“That I am. It’s a shadier business than most would think. Plus all that experience helps me cut much better,” Elaina said and gestured them into the office.

“Flesh or fabric?” Ilea asked as she walked past.

The woman didn’t reply, closing the door when Feyrair had passed.

“Now, now. What do the famous Lilith and her companion like to drink?” Charlson asked as he opened a nearby cabinet with a collection of creatively crafted glass bottles. Various colored liquids suggested different types of alcohol.

“Something that burns,” Feyrair said. “And for her, ale.”

The man grabbed two small glasses and poured a dark near black liquid into one of them, the bottle shaped in the form of a fanged snake. He poured a clear liquid into the second glass before he glanced at Elaina. “You seem to be in luck, darling. Ale was requested.”

The woman vanished to the cellar, grabbing two horns she filled with liquid from a large barrel.

Ilea sat down on one of the large leather chairs, enjoying the comfortable cushion that came close to her own ash.

The office was rather spacious, decorated by both tasteful art pieces and a few dress forms standing prominently near the wall behind Ilea and Feyrair, currently holding no clothes or armor. Most of the building’s inside was made up of treated wood, gleaming lightly in the warm light from the magical lamp hanging overhead.

Elaina appeared again and handed Ilea the horn.

She took it and lightly tapped the woman’s half outstretched horn. Ilea had no idea if the gesture pleased Elaina or not, her face didn’t change.

Feyrair received the dark liquid and sipped on it, his eyes opening a little wider behind his scale armor. “Nice.”

“It would kill a lesser man,” Charlson said and raised his glass, taking a sip too. “Now I’m unaware of your interest in business. So far I have only dealt with an associate of an associate of an associate, though I must say the management seems to be in rather capable hands. Your hands?”

Ilea tasted the ale, finding it rather strong and surprisingly fruity. She liked it. “So I own this place?”

The man smiled before he giggled to himself. “Owning is a strong word, one we have learned to use a little less freely in these parts, as in part by your suggestion. You are however, the main investor and thus our employer. And I must say, the contract is extraordinarily fair. A sentiment that many business owners, or shall we say, managers, share in regards to your associates.”

“I do trust them to do a good job, and most of all to provide a comfortable work environment,” Ilea said. “But enough about that-”

Charlson clapped and stood up. “Yes! You’re here for the ball, I presume? And darling I won’t let you step into the presence of high nobility in rags like those. No, you will leave an impression as dangerous as that ashen gown you showed me but a minute ago. And for you, we will create something suitable too,” he said and glanced at Feyrair. “I already have eight ideas and will work out the first drafts.”

“I have a few ideas as well,” Elaina said.

The man looked over to her and smiled brightly, rushing her before a devastating hug nearly crushed the poor woman. He didn’t say a word but the approval was downright written on his face.

The chime resounded outside, not audible as the room was enchanted but Ilea saw the enchantment light up within her sphere, a man stepping into the store and greeting Nassay. He said something that made her laugh before he looked over to the office.

His eyes were focused right at Ilea, despite a wall being between them.

“Stay here,” she said to Fey.

She turned her head towards the man and cocked it lightly to the side, horn in hand before she vanished. “It’s not particularly nice to stare at women,” she said, standing about two meters away from him and drinking from her ale.

[Bard – lvl 275]

He wore a fancy two piece set or clothes, a dark red color with a gray piece of fabric covering one of his shoulders and going over his upper arm. Luscious wavy black hair reached his back. His face was well defined, a black mustache slightly twirled upwards adorned his upper lip and deep red eyes looked back at her.

The man didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, bowing lightly without taking his eyes off of her. “My apologies. Lady Lilith I presume? Your presence is not one easily ignored, I must have lost my manners.”

She expected a less dignified reaction. “Most people don’t react so smoothly when I appear in front of them.” It wasn’t just his words. She noted that his heartbeat hadn’t changed, no fear or discomfort visible to her senses. And his eyes looked interesting.

“I too enjoy the spectacle of power, from time to time. I did not aim to disappoint, lady Lilith,” he said and bowed again, this time in a way that seemed official and very much trained. “Nethaniel Varay,” he said smoothly. “Ambassador to Baralia, bard, and admirer. Here in fact, to pick up an order. Though I am pleasantly surprised to meet the famed ashen shadow.”

“Nice to meet you too. I won’t be bothering you any longer then,” Ilea said with a smile.

“I assume you are present to join the celebrations?” the man asked before he smiled to Nassay, the look alone calming down the frozen girl and jolting her into action.

“I will, though I’m not entirely sure what it’s about,” she said.

If the answer surprised him, he didn’t show it. “The liberation of our cities and our people. Not in small part thanks to you. And a dance of politics for future agreements and hostilities, as such is our purpose,” he explained and gratefully took the package Nassay handed to him. “My battle dress,” he joked and smiled at them both. “Apologies again for the intrusion. I will be looking forward to seeing you again,” he added.

“Same to you, and no worries,” Ilea said with a smile, watching him step out of the store. It’s just going to be that for the whole night, right?

Chapter 605 Drinks and Baths

Chapter 605 Drinks and Baths

Ilea joined the others once more and sat down casually.

“You seem bothered. Did he challenge you? Or me?” Feyrair asked.

“No. But I think this celebration might be a little bigger than I thought. If he’s a random noble who joins. Charlson, who’s coming to this ball?” Ilea asked.

“Oh darling. Everyone,” the man said before he sipped on his drink. “Everyone of import, that is. More specifically, governors, nobility from both Lys and the cities now part of the Accords. Generals and officers, important healers and business owners, and heroes of the war,” he said and paused. “Which means, that you have to be dressed accordingly. And I’m afraid you’d scare away any opportunities with that war dress of yours. I’m thinking of something just as fierce, but a little less unapproachable.”

“Generals?” Ilea asked.

“Yes of course. I hear General Gardt and General Ryse have already arrived. The Empress herself won’t be present but members of the Walker, Karrick, and Redleaf families should be here. I don’t know all however, the attendees are shrouded in secrets,” Charlson explained.

Ah fuck. If Velamyr is here, bringing Feyrair is not just a risk but a damn fucking ridiculous one, she thought and glanced over at the elf.

He gave her a look that said as much as it’s okay.

“You’ll still get that dress. Fancy balls suck anyway,” Ilea murmured. I did want to ride in on his burning shoulders. But I suppose that’s a little too irresponsible, even for me. Damn responsibilities and friends.

She smiled, already thinking about where they could have a party on their own, with space magic and Meadows.

“What are the Accords you mentioned? Some kind of peace treaty? I assumed the Empire just took over everything,” Ilea said, changing the subject back to the matter at hand. Too much attention on Feyrair would make these two suspicious, even though she already thought them somewhat trustworthy. The woman had shared ale with her after all.

“I was surprised as well. It seems the cooperation of a few powerful cities and their nobility, including Yinnahall, led to a less… should I say severe change of leadership in this former kingdom. Laws by the empire, taxes and reparations, many obligations and a near total change of hands when it comes to most kinds of wealth, but perhaps a few are left with a shred of dignity and a speck of power. The document is talked about in many circles but it has yet to reach common folk such as myself in its full entirety. The Varay Accords, they call them,” he explained.

Ilea raised her eyebrows and glanced towards the door, finding a smirking Elaina looking at her. She tried to hide the expression with her horn but found Ilea staring at her a moment later.

“Yeah, you just met the guy,” she said. “Annoying fellow, but even I have to admit he’s charming.”

If he saw Feyrair and knows what he is. No… I’m pretty sure even a schooled bard and noble would have some sort of discernible reaction to such a revelation.

Even she couldn’t see through his armor, nor could she differentiate between him and a human based on anything else. His magic felt powerful but not inherently different than that of a human. She assumed there were other ways, maybe his blood, or soul. But she was somewhat sure the noble just now hadn’t understood what her companion was.

Ilea hoped his comments on her presence weren’t exaggerated, but he surely took note of her companion as well. Someone like him wouldn’t miss that. Just a powerful friend. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. And if he accused me of cooperating with an elf, all he would do is doom his position. I have powerful friends and surely even Velamyr would back me.

She relaxed again and finished her ale, smiling when she found Elaina holding out her hand to give her a refill. “Thanks.”

“A brilliant negotiator it’s said. A shame that he was denounced to an unimportant role under the previous king. But enough talk about politics. Let us get back to the reason you’re here,” Charlson said with a broad smile.

The discussions done, mostly Ilea saying no to ridiculous suggestions, they left the store to find an inn to stay. The position of the suns suggested afternoon, the tree in front of the tailor shop providing some shade.

She sighed, glancing at Feyrair. “I’m sorry. I really thought it would be possible.”

The elf casually touched her lower back. “Ilea, I really don’t mind. If anything it would be difficult not to start a fight with the strongest humans around.”

“You’ll get an opportunity to wear that outfit,” she said.

“It’s not done yet, and I’m not quite as sure about mine as you are about yours,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “Ah come on, I prefer practicality too. But I can’t say I’m not excited to see what they come up with. Especially with my future ability to just make it all with ash.”

“Timeless clothes are hard to come by, I understand,” Fey said. “Now I hear they serve roast platters in the inn Elaina suggested.”

“Let’s check it out then,” Ilea said.

The inn turned out to be more akin to a five star hotel. A massive building with various enchantments of defensive and illusory nature. Ilea could see through the slight enhancements to the general cleanliness but found everything mostly spotless anyway. Talk about useless magic.

Instead of the usual common room, a large lounge opened up when they entered. Large sofas, footrests, bookshelves, and even a bar to the very left of the room. To the right lay a double door that led into a restaurant, only two patrons currently present.

“Welcome to the White Basilisk,” the clerk said when they walked to the counter.

Ilea smiled. “I don’t think they’re usually white,” she said. “We need a room for a night.”

The man smiled. “I’m afraid we’re booked out at the moment, miss. But the bar and restaurant are available if you wish to use them.”

Ilea sighed, thinking for a moment before she leaned onto the counter and whispered. “This place is not coincidentally owned by a person called Lilith?”

“I’m afraid I’m not allowed to share information like that with customers,” the man said, his professional smile remaining on his face.

“Even if it turns out that I am Lilith?” she asked.

“High level Healers are rare but I’ve heard of plenty trying to use the name,” he said.

Ilea spread her wings and summoned her Shadow badge. “Would that be sufficient proof?”

He didn’t even blink, gesturing her towards the bar. “Welcome to the White Basilisk, lady Lilith. I’ll ready the top floor suite for you in ten minutes. Please make yourself at home and enjoy a drink or meal,” the clerk said and vanished, whispering something to the barkeeper before he moved on to another employee in the restaurant. He appeared in a staff room upstairs and clapped, saying a few words to the people apparently on a break. They shot up and rushed out before he appeared again behind the counter, nothing about him suggesting he had ever left.

[Bard – lvl 85]

Lots of bards around here, Ilea thought with a smile. “So I assume we do have some stake in this business?”

“Indeed. Substantially so,” he said.

Ilea smiled, walking to the bar and gesturing Fey to follow. Getting a suite was nice but she was more excited about a certain mark that closed in on the city. Should I hide Feyrair? Hmm… probably not. I doubt she’d care much even if she knew.

She ordered the local ale and relaxed.

“I assume this is considered quite luxurious? Compared to the places we’ve visited before, it certainly is,” the elf commented before he motioned to the barkeeper. “I’ll take whatever you recommend. Try to impress me.”

The man got to work without a word, going so far as to summon a cube of ice he carefully placed into the drink.

The elf got another six drinks before the clerk motioned to them.

Does he know I can see him? Or will he actually call for us if we don’t react?, she thought and appeared in front of him.

“The suite is ready,” he said. “Stairs or teleportation?”

Feyrair joined them with his glass in hand.

“Why use stairs when we have magic?” Ilea asked with a smile.

The man bowed lightly before he vanished, Ilea and Feyrair following. They appeared in front of a closed door.

“The suite reduces any sound going out to nearly nothing. Any low level investigation and spying spells won’t work and anything else will activate an alarm. However I’m deeply sorry to inform you that we have no security measures in place against someone with such unprecedented magical power, nor their enemies who would surely be of similar standing,” the middle aged man informed and unlocked the door with a rune covered key, several enchantments going out when he opened the threshold for them.

He stepped in after them and gestured to a small bell standing on a small round desk. “If you need anything at all, simply ring the bell.”

“How does that work?” Ilea asked, looking around the massive suite. A large king sized bed stood to the left, two sofas and several arm chairs in the center, and a lavish bath to the right. A massive window spanned most of the wall facing outwards, a shimmering hue of magic visible through her sphere.

“Enhanced sound perception. It’s a skill many bards call their own. If you’re wondering about the windows, they’re enchanted to prevent anybody from outside to see into the room. Through conventional means that is. Eyes,” the man said.

Ilea tapped the glass before displacing herself outside and back in. “Impressive,” she said. “Did you manage this place before the war?”

“I did indeed,” the man said.

“Employ any slaves?” she asked, Feyrair glancing at the man now too.

If he was nervous, he didn’t show it. “Of course, ma’am. Optimizations were not only encouraged but expected. However none have left this establishment in the past year except poor Owyr. He would’ve been quite excited about the new contracts.”

“What happened to him?” Ilea asked, checking out the large bath. It looked like a fancy whirlpool tub with several runed devices ready to be activated.

“I hear he felt a more direct approach was necessary and joined a force to overthrow certain nobility in this city. Though his efforts were valiant, he found less success than certain others,” the man said.

“And you don’t mind the changes?” Ilea asked.

“Oh by no means. The White Basilisk will retain its reputation and build on it. That has been and will remain my goal. The new owners will make that endeavor much more achievable,” he explained.

“Good. As long as you’re all happy about the arrangement. Do file a complaint if such isn’t the case,” Ilea said.

“We were informed about the possibility. It is appreciated,” he said and bowed.

“What’s your name by the way?” Ilea asked.

“Meretin Gustave, at your service,” he said and bowed.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Gustave,” she said.

“If there is nothing else, I shall return to my post,” the man said and vanished precisely three seconds later.

Feyrair checked out the bar that occupied a part of the left wall. “I’m beginning to think that humanity is superior after all. In all but battle.”

“Enjoying your liquor?” Ilea asked, jumping on the bed as she switched to more comfortable clothes.

“You should try some too. The tastes are fascinating, though I’m not sure why they mix alcohol into everything. It’s diluting the whole beverage… or maybe that’s the point?” he said.

“It’s a strong enough poison to inhibit human senses. Just enough to be fun,” Ilea said.

He glanced at her in confusion. “Really? This?”

“Doesn’t work on me anymore either. But there are some who specialize in high resistance substances,” she said, thinking back on her tea and cake date with Helena. “Nothing with any lasting effects of course but quite interesting nonetheless.”

“More interesting than battle?” Feyrair asked.

“No. Of course not,” Ilea said. “We have time. Are you going to try all those bottles or are you going to join me?”

The elf looked between the bar and her before he grabbed a few bottles and appeared next to her.

Ilea enjoyed the restaurant’s menu, her full attention on the fourth plate. Beautifully marinated beef covered in spicy herbs. They would have to get their clothes from Charlson and Elaina later but she still had some time until the ball would start.

She smiled when someone entered the restaurant and looked around, the woman’s eyes stopping when they found her. “Here you are,” she said. “Didn’t expect an inn to have defensive enchantments.”

“Messed with your wind?” Ilea asked as she finished the plate and displaced it into the sink in the kitchen.

“A little,” Felicia said with a smile.

Ilea displaced them both into her suite. Feyrair was busy at the bar downstairs, apparently interested in drink making lessons.

“Fancy. You own the place, don’t you?” Felicia asked, stepping up to the window to enjoy the view extending over most of Yinnahall and the plains beyond.

“Think they’d let me in otherwise?” Ilea asked, starting to fill the tub with steaming water.

Felicia glanced at her, her black hair immaculate and her near yellow eyes accented by the warm magical light from the lamps. “You certainly don’t dress according to your status. The perceived status that is.”

“What’s the difference?” Ilea asked, noting that the woman wore an elegant imperial uniform. She looked official and somewhat dangerous.

“Well, one is that of an incredibly rich benefactor to many cities and businesses in the plains, a war hero, downright myth. The real one is just you. The much more terrifying option,” she said with a smirk.

“Tailor is working on something at the moment, don’t you worry,” Ilea said.

Felicia raised her brows. “Oh? Now that is exciting. I wish I could’ve come here as Felicia Redleaf and not Major Redleaf. Ah the joys of being an independent adventuring hero.”

“How have you been? It’s been a few months,” Ilea said and stored her clothes, using some ash to cover her body before she blinked into the massive tub. She breathed out and shuddered slightly as the heat enveloped her.

Felicia remained where she stood, glancing over to her for a moment before she turned back to the city. “Busy. I’m glad the war is over but the aftershocks will be felt for years to come. Greetings from Aliana and Maria.”

“How is your favorite void magic tool?” Ilea asked.

Felicia raised her hand to the window, a slight swirl of air around her finger before she touched it. “Providing evidence. Too many eyes on us in the capital. She can’t act too brazen anymore. Or she has to hide it better. Aliana is well. I think she likes it, took well to managing some of our properties,” she said.

“How’s your brother?” Ilea asked. “You’re free to join by the way,” she added with a slight smile.

“The ball is in a few hours. I’d rather not get distracted,” Felicia said.

Hmm?

“Edwin is… I’m not sure,” she said and shook her head. “Some days are better than others. At least he agreed to do adventuring jobs to pay for his excesses. He let me know that he’s happy to fight you in a duel again. I however ask you to refrain. He came back bloodied and cut up three times already. If he can’t even handle the monsters near Virilya, he’s no match for something far more dangerous.”

“He’s strong enough,” Ilea said.

Felicia huffed. “He’s an idiot. I’m worried about him. I know he can take care of himself but it’s been months and there’s no sign of him getting better. I just wish there was something that could give him purpose again. He doesn’t care about our House, the city, anyone.”

“Don’t know if I can help you there,” Ilea said.

“I didn’t ask for help. I know you don’t seem to care much but I remember what he did. You of all people should be happy about his current state,” she said.

Ilea put her hands on the rim of the tub and rested her head on them. “I don’t give a fuck about Edwin. But I don’t want you to worry. Hey, know what? Can I offer you a contact?”

“For what?” Felicia asked.

“To talk maybe. Trian Alymie. He has a… well not exactly similar background but he was a noble too. You know what happened and I find that he’s better these days. Maybe he could offer some advice. Just write him if you feel like it,” Ilea said.

The woman remained quiet for a while before she spoke. “I might. Thank you. And just in case you’re unaware, I wouldn’t mention his House’s name to anybody you don’t trust fully. While the Birmingales weren’t particularly influential, it’s generally frowned upon to slaughter entire noble Houses.”

“Noted,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“And I’m not sure what the survivors would do if they knew a head of the Medic Sentinels was responsible for the death of most of their House,” Felicia said.

“They know I was there,” Ilea said.

“Yes, but you’re downright untouchable at the moment. Your actions in Riverwatch and Baralia made waves, let alone the announcement of the Sentinels and their performance so far,” Felicia said.

“They’re that good?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“There are too few as of yet but knowing it was your organization, I kept myself informed. And others did too. So far nobody acted. A smart move to provide a service similar to the adventurers guild. They’re understaffed as it is. Little reason to obstruct you when you’re not stepping on anybody’s toes,” Felicia explained.

Chapter 606 Noble Things

Chapter 606 Noble Things

“I didn’t exactly plan any of that,” Ilea said before she laughed.

Felicia smiled lightly. “I assumed as much. You’re an absolute monster but I’m glad you have help when it comes to managing your wealth and influence.”

“Me too, holy shit,” Ilea said and sighed, pushing herself back into the water. The tub was large enough to allow for a very short swim.

“There will be a lot of questions and offers coming your way at the ball tonight,” Felicia said after a while. “Want me to prepare you a little?”

“If you have time,” Ilea said. “I didn’t know it would be that big of a deal.”

Felicia smiled. “Every ball is a big deal. Especially when Lilith doesn’t show up to any. Though I suppose the best approach is to direct any requests to Ravenhall. Both to underline your loyalties and keep a healthy distance. If that is acceptable to you? I don’t know how close you are exactly with the Council.”

“I’m a member,” Ilea said. “So I guess sending requests there would be appropriate.”

“Impressive. That is not common knowledge. Maybe don’t mention that either. Loyalties are fine but if such a direct stake became known, your enemies might target the city itself. The same is true about your Sentinels but from what I hear, they’re more than capable of defending themselves,” Felicia explained. “May I take something?” she asked, standing close to the bar.

“Make yourself at home,” Ilea said, tensing up slightly when Feyrair appeared in the room.

He was covered in his scale armor, looking around before he joined Felicia at the bar. “A friend?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ilea said.

“An honor to meet you,” Feyrair said and bowed lightly. “Feyrair Kaa.”

“Felicia Redleaf, the honor is mine,” the woman said with a peculiar look in her eyes. She made herself a drink before she sat down on one of the couches. “A traveling companion?”

“You could say that,” the elf said, very carefully filling his glass with a clear liquid before he opened another bottle. He cut himself a piece of cucumber and added some pepper before sniffing on the mixture. “Do you want privacy?” he asked the two.

“She’s just briefing me on the ball,” Ilea said. “You can stay if you like.”

“I must say,” Felicia said, taking a sip from her beverage with her eyes focused on the elf. “You are most peculiar.”

“How so?” Feyrair asked, sitting down opposite the woman.

“Your magic is like nothing I have ever seen. I can feel something almost instinctual telling me to run. And I feel like you’re suppressing whatever is causing that,” Felicia said.

Did she figure it out? Ilea asked herself, unsure how the woman would react to the news. As far as she knew, Felicia didn’t have direct history with Elves. Ilea trusted her but maybe not enough to outright share the nature of Feyrair.

“You’re not human, are you?” Felicia finally said. When neither Feyrair nor Ilea replied, she continued. “A being from the North? Or perhaps from another realm?”

“I’ll tell you if you want,” Ilea said and meant it.

Felicia glanced at her and back to Feyrair. “It’s alright. I don’t want to pry into your affairs more than I already do. You’re one of the few friends I have left. My political obligations and connections make it difficult to build anything sincere anymore. I didn’t come here to profit from your power and connections. I came here because I wanted to see you,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten the Felicia from back in the Iztacalum dungeon.”

“You fought the Taleen?” Feyrair asked.

Felicia dropped her drink, her eyes going wide. “Oh no… Ilea are you crazy?” she hissed, looking between the elf and her friend. “You brought an elf into Yinnahall?” she whispered.

“Ah, she figured it out,” Feyrair said and sipped on his drink. “Nice,” he commented as he looked at the beverage.

“He’s a Cerithil Hunter. Not associated with the Domains,” Ilea said. “And he’s not coming to the ball I decided.”

Felicia looked at her with wide eyes. “You planned to bring him to the ball?” she shook her head before she used a few spells, wind flowing around her and her eyes glowing for a moment as she looked outside and down before she finally sat down. She got up again and walked to the bar again, remaking her drink with considerably more scotch. “I have an idea what a Cerithil Hunter is. My father documented his findings well. Though it seemed he didn’t particularly like sharing any of it.”

“The Taleen have been hunting down Elves for millennia. They’re the few who enter the dungeons to fight them, the act of doing that causing them to be exiled from their Domains,” Ilea explained.

“Elves don’t enter dungeons. That’s known,” Felicia said. “It did confuse my father when he found his first Elven corpse in a Taleen ruin.”

“I met one in the North some time ago. Became friends over time and he became a Hunter. Now I’m helping their group fight Taleen Machines,” Ilea said. “And we’re figuring out their gates.”

“Father tried for decades, as did others. Did your new Class offer that much insight?” Felicia asked, downing her drink before she made another one. “Damn resistances,” she murmured.

“Remember Meadow?” Ilea asked.

Felicia held up a hand. “Stop. Nonono. I don’t want to hear it. Maybe in a few months, or a few years.”

“Sure?” Ilea asked, smirking as she looked at the flustered woman.

“Yes. I’m sure. I have enough things to deal with as it is. And what I learned here is already a little much to process. Ilea, Velamyr is here. And I’m pretty sure other members of the Lily are present too, let alone other high level officials and Generals. If I thought he seemed different, I’m sure others could figure it out with ease. More so if they’ve fought Elves before,” she said.

“We’re just here for another night. Don’t worry too much. What are they going to do? Accuse me of allying with Elves?” Ilea asked.

Felicia looked at her. “Yes… I mean yes. Don’t underestimate the hate some people have for his kind, no offense meant, but you did slaughter thousands of humans without reason. And not just in the past decade.”

“None taken,” Feyrair said.

Just Elves being Elves, Ilea thought and rolled her eyes.

He gave her a look but had the decency not to say anything.

“No I understand, Felicia. As I said he’s just here for another night and then we’re gone,” she said. “So, want to go over the topics I should most certainly not touch on?”

“Yes. First, Elves,” Felicia started.

Ilea looked at the mirror in front of her and smiled lightly to herself. Damn. That actually looks really good, she thought.

“Come and show us,” Elaina shouted from outside the changing room.

She didn’t really need the room of course, owning several storage items and having plenty of experience with summoning or swapping clothes onto her body.

The two tailors had managed to bring life to the plans they had discussed. The dress was mostly black, going down in a long skirt that just barely reached the ground. Various openings allowed for her ash to flow in and slightly control the fabric without her having to use her hands. Various layers to the skirt made it look wavy, as if on itself it was already moving. Her ash added to the illusion, the very similar colors working in tandem to create a downright eerie look, as if the dress itself was a creature of shadow and ash.

Ilea was impressed how well the dress mimicked her ash both in color and texture. Both the long sleeves and the upper part of the skirt were decorated with fine embroideries that nearly faded. It would be hard to catch any details when she was moving even slightly. The tailors had been quite liberal with what they put on the dress, going from monsters to wings, to ravens. All however tasteful and abstract enough not to be immediately recognized.

Her shoulders lay bare but the dress didn’t show any cleavage. Elaina had even given her black silk gloves to wear. The last piece was a mask to cover the upper half of her face, black of course and contrasting well with her eyes. Runes were carved into the mask in silver, nothing that would correspond to any actual magic but simply drawn for their aesthetics. Ilea checked.

The mask flowed seamlessly into her hairline, the color fading until they became one, her open hair flowing down her back. Ilea tried adding some ash to her look, making thin lines that trailed after her in a ghostly fashion. Perfect.

She blinked outside and twirled gracefully. “How do I look?”

Elaina smiled, drinking from a cup of ale while Charlson squealed, clapping his hands together once as his smile broadened.

Felicia sighed, straightening her imperial outfit a little.

“You look magnificent!” Charlson said.

“I have to agree,” Felicia added.

“Could quickly touch your military thing up a little,” Elaina suggested to her.

Felicia looked at the woman before she glanced to Ilea.

“We have another hour,” she said in a mysterious tone. “We could go as wind and ash.”

Elaina downed her horn and cracked her neck. “Let’s get to work then,” she whispered.

The ball had been set up in the main government building of Yinnahall, near the very top of the city. An imperial banner covered a chunk of the building’s facade, next to it a banner that was likely representative of Yinnahall itself. Bowls of steel were distributed around the courtyard, fire burning within to light up the area.

Dozens of guests were walking towards the building, wagons of various designs carried by horses, oxen, and even Drake like creatures arrived in orderly fashion. Some of the guests arrived by flight, Ilea and her companion being two of them.

Guards stood at the entrance, both imperial and from the city itself, quickly checking the invitations and letting people inside.

They landed gracefully, ash and winds vanishing as if they hadn’t ever been present, the elements living on in their dresses in a subdued manner. Felicia had received an upgrade to her skirt, as well as gloves that were more in tune with her magic element.

The surrounding guests paused to look at the new arrivals, a man dressed in a suit gesturing them inside. “Lilith, and Major Redleaf. Welcome.”

No invitations needed, Ilea thought and stepped inside, already a little annoyed about the attention.

Felicia grasped her arm and smiled at her. “I won’t leave you alone, darling. This is my world,” she said and pulled her into the expansive hall. “You’ll like the buffet,” she added with a giggle.

Art of various styles covered the walls, massive windows letting in some of the fire and moon light from outside, large curtains in gray and red colors remained to the windows’ sides. Chandeliers provided magical light from above, their glittering brilliance either an intricate trick or caused by light magic enchantments. Musicians played gently in the background.

“Lady Lilith, of Ravenhall,” an excited female voice called out from near the entrance, the sound traveling through the hall like a wave, carried softly by the sound magic she invoked. “Major Redleaf of Lys.”

Over a hundred faces glanced their way, some returning to their conversations more quickly than others. Felicia had informed her that it would be inappropriate for someone to come up to them immediately, which left them some time to position themselves in the hall and find a group to join.

Ilea spotted a few familiar faces. Velamyr being one of them, the General locking eyes with her for a short moment before he returned to his conversation. Benedict, the former Order of Truth healer was present too, bowing visibly when she walked past about ten meters away.

She smirked when she saw Nicholas, the divination mage she had saved from Maria. He definitely didn’t want to be there. Everyone looked official, proudly presenting their polished and sheathed weaponry and shiny embroideries. A few even wore medals. Ilea stood out more than she had expected with her near fully black dress. Only the imperials going for gray came close, most however making sure to add a bright dash of red into the mix.

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches lvl 20’

The notification was welcome, just another level needed to finally reach the second tier. And if she tried to identify every single pastry and beverage laid out on the massive buffet tables, she would likely be close already.

Felicia luckily led her exactly there, only a few people currently helping themselves to anything.

“It’s generally seen as a statement not to eat anything, both a declaration of wealth and power,” Felicia explained.

“But it’s warm now,” Ilea said and grabbed a plate, putting a few of the pastries onto it. “A terrible waste.”

“I doubt it’s going to be thrown out afterwards,” Felicia mused.

Ilea noticed one of the employees glancing at her, his whole body tensing up when she looked back. His gaze went straight forward. New rumors to spread. Well I don’t mind introducing actually eating from the buffet to nobility culture.

“Ah fuck,” she whispered, biting into a croissant filled with saucy bacon, her sphere spotting a familiar face.

The man didn’t yet approach but he glanced over for a split second.

“Not to your liking?” Felicia asked, taking a glass from the table and pointing to one of the wine bottles before an employee poured it for her.

“No, I just saw Michael,” Ilea said.

Felicia smiled. “He’s already here? That’s good.”

I still have his notes, Ilea thought. She had totally forgotten about them. “How is that good?”

“I haven’t seen him since then. I think another thanks is appropriate. He did save my life after all,” Felicia whispered.

“You just want to set up deals with Kroll,” Ilea whispered with a sigh, eating more of the pastries.

“Of course. I came here for fun after all,” Felicia said.

Ilea huffed. “Sure. I remember you talking about buying a farm and getting away from… well exactly this.”

Felicia smirked, sipping on her wine as she looked at her. “Oh, but Lilith. Back then I didn’t know the joys of seeing my enemies bereft of their assets and power. I was afraid of who I could be.”

Ilea swallowed, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the taste. “You just brought me here to be seen with Lilith.”

“A side benefit, I won’t lie,” Felicia said. “Coincidental however, though it made this endeavor much less dreadful than it would’ve been without you. And don’t worry, I’ll keep the vultures off your back.”

“Because you’re already clawed deep within it,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Exactly. I’ll screech at them with noble impunity,” Felicia answered.

The music slowly picked up when the first people approached the two.

“Lady Lilith,” Velamyr greeted. “I’m thrilled to see you well. My thanks again for your service to the Empire. Major Redleaf.”

“General,” Felicia said.

“The addition to your uniform suits you well,” the man said before he turned to Ilea. “I hadn’t expected to see you here today, but I suppose it makes sense. Your associates are quite capable in their dealings.”

Who Meadow, Claire, Isalthar, or Catelyn?

She assumed he meant Claire due to her being involved in the Yinnahall business. “They are indeed,” she answered. “I’m glad to know the war is over.”

“And many thousands of lives were saved through your efforts,” Velamyr said. “I shall leave you to your conversation. Enjoy the festivities,” he said with a slight smile.

“He wants you,” Ilea whispered when he had vanished into the crowd.

Felicia sipped on her wine again. “It would be a favorable alliance.”

“Oh don’t tell me you’re considering a relationship for political power,” Ilea said.

“There is no shame in a few misters, or mistresses,” Felicia mused.

Ilea rolled her eyes and continued to stuff herself with the terribly neglected baked goods.

Felicia protected her for the next two hours, Ilea forgetting dozens of names after seconds of conversation, the information simply irrelevant to her. All deals were referred to Ravenhall, all praise and thanks was received with a smile. It was surprisingly exhausting, Ilea finding herself using meditation and even healing. Felicia on the other hand seemed to get more lively as the evening went on.

“Fresh air?” Ilea asked after a while.

Felicia smiled and led her outside, her form cutting through the crowd like an icebreaker through the frozen hellscape of the Great Salt.

They arrived in the courtyard and garden, fire mages tending to the flames. The winds had picked up a little, making their job a little more active.

Ilea sighed, sitting down on a stone railing. “You saved me, oh brave knight,” she said, leaning back slightly.

“Sitting down on stone, not very lady like of you. I’m not sure if I will court you after all,” Felicia said.

“I think I can make the dress out of pure ash by now,” Ilea said.

“And be naked below? How scandalous,” Felicia mused.

“Verily,” Ilea said and summoned herself a bottle of ale, flicking it open with her gloved thumb.

“A sight to behold,” Michael said as he stepped up to them, himself wearing an overly golden doublet. “The legendary Lilith, sitting down and drinking ale like some common adventurer.”

“You’re not the real one, are you?” Ilea asked. She assumed Michael himself wouldn’t be quite that direct.

“Oh? Did I give myself away? I must’ve spent too much time among nobility. Dreadful, really. I would’ve much rather hunted down a beast or spent my limited days with research,” he said. “But I’m not here to waste your time and energy anymore than it has already been taken. A deal was made, I remember. Do you have anything for me?”

Chapter 607 Murders

Chapter 607 Murders

“Your copies all died,” Ilea said.

“An expected outcome,” Michael replied. “The question remains if they managed to document anything useful.”

“Do you care? As a copy I mean?” Ilea asked, genuinely intrigued. She knew they thought a little differently. And they were somewhat limited in their freedom.

“I am Michael as much as he is. I’m simply aware that I’m merely a construct, doomed to die. Soon. The news of your arrival in Baralia and subsequent travel to Yinnahall made me hope that my existence may be extended beyond this night. Which means that yes, I do care. Perhaps I may learn something more of value in this brief existence,” he explained.

“I’ll be honest, that spell sounds fucking awful,” Ilea said. “My condolences.”

“Magic is rarely achieved without reason. I pride myself knowing that this spell is ours. Perhaps not ours alone in the far reaches of this realm but certainly amongst our species. Were it not to exist, I would not be,” the copy explained.

Rational beyond self preservation, Ilea thought. “I did manage to find the research left behind,” she said and summoned the notebooks.

“Would you like payment in advance?” the man asked.

“I don’t think you’ll betray my trust,” Ilea said. “And I know it’ll be useful, which means it will be worth more after you checked it.”

“What was it about?” Felicia asked from the side.

“The events that transpired during and after the closure of the gate. The reason I know it’s important is because of how the remaining copy protected his notes,” Ilea said.

Michael happily received them. “The value might not be more than what I would’ve agreed on beforehand. I too would protect the documentation of such a colossal event with my life,” he said and made the books vanish. “Is there anything you would like as payment?”

“I’ll let my associates figure out the potential deals that could be made. There is someone I would like to ask you about however,” she said.

“I can’t say for sure that I’ll be able to give you any information outright,” Michael said.

“An assassin,” Ilea started, having thought about her approach in case it came up. “Not one with the Heavenly Sweets. She killed someone dear to me. I got close about two years back but lost her in Virilya. A master mind mage and illusionist above level two hundred. Very good at hiding. I believe she went after high profile targets both noble and otherwise. Coincidentally, one of her hideouts first made me aware of the existence of the Lily,” Ilea explained.

Most of it was close enough to the truth. Eve had indeed been dear to her and if she had been more open and trusting towards her team, she would likely still be alive today. She learned about the Lily from her, it was the reason she initially accepted Helena’s invitation after all.

“She targeted members of the Lily?” Michael asked.

“I believe so. Her last target was in Virilya itself. I did find the place. A mansion with an underground cavern. Overgrown with plants and grass. Plenty of blood, signs of a fight, but no bodies,” Ilea said. “I can point the mansion out on a map of the city. Maybe you can ask your contacts who her target was exactly. Or you could go to Helena directly, I’m sure she has information on this too.”

Michael looked at her for a moment before he spoke. “There is no need. I knew her last target,” he said.

What?

Ilea controlled her breathing. She had expected him to have contacts in the capital but this was more than she had hoped for. Helena was her real golden goose when it came to information on Eve’s killer. Claire just hadn’t managed to get anything substantial so far.

“A girl called Prim. Well,” he said and smiled. “I suppose she was an adult, though… she never really…,” he added and looked at her. “She killed poor folk in the capital, fed them to her plants or did rituals… nothing that had any purpose. I believe she was mad.”

“You were close to her?” Felicia asked him, either noticing that Ilea had tensed up or just curious herself.

“Her father. He was a dear friend for many decades. May he rest in peace. I tried what I could to help her heal, to give her a purpose but she never showed any interest. She even killed a healer who managed to talk to her a few times,” Michael explained. “I can see that this bothers you, but nobody of importance was killed by her. Low level humans, adults, nobody who would’ve achieved anything beyond their low stand.”

“This assassin killed her?” Felicia asked.

Michael smiled lightly. “She did. Perhaps… it was meant to be. And yet I hoped she would change in time. I learned of her death in the same hour, a flower she had left with me when she was merely a child. One that never wilted, until that night. I found the assassin, a young woman with short red hair. She was injured, the fight having taken much out of her. I would’ve not found the hideout if it hadn’t been for her blood.”

“You killed her?” Ilea asked in a surprisingly calm voice, her fists straining now. He’s just a copy.

The man smiled lightly. “You knew her, did you not?” he asked and looked at her for a long moment. “I’m the one you’re looking for. I see,” he said calmly.

“Did you kill her?” Ilea asked again, her deviant aura fanning out, only the two people close to her affected by it.

Michael’s smile grew wider. “I’m glad I got to see this. You are a monster like few others. Yes, Lilith, I killed her with my own two hands, her life for that of one I held dear.”

Ilea’s hand rushed out to grab his throat, the man not reacting in any way as she lifted him up slightly.

“My death… will… change… nothing,” he said. “He… will… know.”

She felt a soft touch on her arm, the wind picking up yet again. She found Felicia looking at her, her teeth gritted as she slowly shook her head. Ilea deactivated her aura but kept her hand around the gold mage’s neck. His copy that was.

“Hundreds will die if you go after him,” the woman said.

It didn’t matter. He killed Eve.

She squeezed, her eyes narrowing before Felicia pushed harder, wind magic moving around her.

“He saved my life,” Felicia said.

He did, didn’t he? Ilea thought, her hand slowly pushed down by the wind mage. She found only intrigue in the gold mage’s eyes, the copy more interested in the circumstances than being afraid. She let go. This wasn’t Michael after all. She had to think.

If she let him go, the original would learn of everything. He would hide or strike against those she cared about, kidnap them or worse. Onlookers had gathered by now, looking at the trio with varied expressions.

“I will remain at the ball, no matter your choice,” Michael said and bowed deeply, returning inside without saying another word.

Felicia grabbed Ilea’s hand an pulled her aside, finding a more secluded spot in the luscious garden. She made Ilea sit on a stone bench and sat down next to her, not letting go of her hand.

“I can’t tell if you’re about to explode or cry. Can you talk to me?” Felicia asked.

“I’m okay,” Ilea said.

Felicia brushed the hair out of Ilea’s face. “Good. Then listen to me. I know a thing or two about revenge. It’s hollow. Cold. Perhaps satisfying in a way but I’m still not sure if that’s true. I killed my own father. Fighting this copy would bring you nothing but problems. You’ve seen the man, fought alongside him. If you attack here, he will have to act.

“Killing him won’t be easy, let alone finding him in the first place if he knows someone like you is coming. He would have no difficulties hiding away for a century, his copies doing his bidding. And he’s not powerless. I doubt he could kill you, but he could aim at everything you’ve built, everyone you care about.”

“I know, Felicia. I know. But that doesn’t change how I feel,” Ilea said, focusing on her Meditation.

“Then I want you to think about it. The copy is still here, ready to negotiate. If he flees we can hunt him down. And if you choose to go after Michael, I will support you however I can. I know a few people who are very good at that kind of work,” she said. “But I also want you to remember that he helped us take down the Order of Truth, and that he saved my life. Perhaps all out of self interest but it doesn’t change the results. I don’t think he lied either.”

He could be protecting his original self. But he never struck me as an actor or politician. Eve did go after that woman then, killed her and nearly died herself. If she had been in a better condition, Michael would’ve never even found her.

She’s right. If I attack the copy, Michael would have to act. Maybe even the Lily itself. I doubt my outburst from before would warrant much. If I let him go, he will know about the whole deal but he would also know that I chose not to start hostilities. Would he strike at me or Ravenhall? I doubt it. He knows how it would end for him, no matter how much he would manage to destroy.

She looked at Felicia, the woman’s face stricken with worry. The same Felicia who had followed her brother for years, to strike back at their father. Ilea breathed in deeply before she hugged the woman. She pulled her close, quietly sitting there with her eyes closed. She didn’t find any tears. You’re gone, aren’t you? You’ve been gone for years, resting after your life of hunting and killing, she thought, opening her eyes and looking towards the night sky. I found out who killed you, and why.

“A life for a life,” Ilea whispered, still holding on to her friend. Would you be angry? Why didn’t you ask us to help. You didn’t explain what you wanted to do, why you joined the Shadows. I have to protect those I care about. I know you would understand that much.

“Thank you,” Ilea said, trying to let go but Felicia pulled her back.

“It’s alright,” the woman said.

They remained on the bench for a while, quietly contemplating.

He will prepare in case I come after him but he won’t act if I don’t. He’s not that stupid.

Ilea didn’t have to forgive Michael for what he had done but she could end it here. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if Felicia hadn’t been here but it may have caused a cascade of issues. She would have to inform Claire, Trian, and Kyrian if he was still alive. She wouldn’t forget it.

She quietly let go, Felicia doing the same.

“What will you do?” the woman asked with bated breath.

Ah sure, this could very well change up the political landscape. Relations of the Sentinels, Ravenhall. Michael likely has many alliances as well.

“Did I just nearly start another war?” Ilea whispered.

Felicia smiled lightly. “I wouldn’t go that far. Maybe.”

“A maybe is quite scary,” she said.

“Wars have been started for less,” Felicia said.

“I’ll try to avoid that,” Ilea said and stood up, offering her hand to the Redleaf noble.

“Are you asking me to dance?” Felicia asked.

Ilea smiled lightly. “No. I’m not in the mood for dancing,” she said and helped her up, the two returning to the building with looks and whispers coming their way.

The music inside had become louder, pairs of people dancing in the center of the hall.

Ilea found her target near the entrance, looking at the dancing pairs with his arms crossed in front of him. She stepped next to him and followed his gaze, finding the bard she had met a day prior dancing with a beautiful red haired woman. “I won’t pursue this,” she said.

“I appreciate your rationality. The circumstances will surely be considered in any future dealings,” Michael said.

“I didn’t just do it out of rationality. I did it because you saved Felicia. And because I want to avoid a conflict. We can both imagine the destruction,” Ilea said and walked away.

The gold mage remained, drinking from a glass of wine as he continued to watch the dancing pairs. The fact that his existence would soon come to an end gave her little pleasure.

She felt chills when she went outside again, Felicia still by her side. The decision to attack a single noble could cause so much chaos. Don’t force my hand, Michael.

Her marks were there and she could respond to any hostilities quickly but she assumed he would be smarter than others. He would prepare but he wouldn’t go so far as to invade Ravenhall. Claire will need to know either way. A counter for blood rituals of the scale she had seen here would have to be implemented. Hopefully they would just make their little deals and nobody would have to die.

Should I have asked him how it happened? If it was quick?

She looked up at the stars out in the courtyard. Did he take anything from her hideout? Any possessions on her or evidence that could be used against him or the Lily?

Ilea decided that she would have others look into his activities in the future. Eve had her reasons for going after her targets. This Prim wouldn’t be missed, not by anyone but Michael. The members of the Lily had their fair share of shady businesses but Helena had been right. Simply removing them all would cause even more chaos. Preventing conflicts like that was kind of the whole point of the organization. There were other options however, ones that weren’t quite as direct.

“I don’t assume you’re staying any longer?” Felicia asked.

“No. I don’t particularly care anymore,” she said. “Thanks again, Felicia.”

“Nothing to thank me for. I know you’d do the same,” she said and hugged her again. “Stop by in Virilya when you’re in the area.”

Ilea patted her back. “I will. It was good to see you.”

The woman let go and smiled. “Just wish we’d meet under less strained circumstances for once.”

“That would be nice,” Ilea said, spreading her wings as she switched to her ashen armor. She was done with the ball. “Stay safe, and don’t hesitate to call for me.”

“I will. Farewell, Lilith,” Felicia said and watched her ascend.

Ilea displaced herself into the inn, finding Feyrair at the bar. “We’re leaving,” she said.

The elf grabbed his glass. “Immediately?”

“Yes,” Ilea answered.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to cut it short then. A pleasure to have met you,” Feyrair said to the barkeeper and appeared at her side. “You seem unwell.”

Ilea didn’t reply, teleporting them outside and grabbing onto him with ashen limbs, her wings charging before they shot off southward. She only slowed down when they reached the southern mountain chain, letting go of the elf as she looked for the teleportation gate location.

“I’ve not seen you like this before. Is there someone we’re hunting?” Feyrair asked with a smirk.

“No,” Ilea replied. “I decided not to pursue it.”

“You’re backing down? I don’t know what this is about but it doesn’t seem like you,” Fey commented, the two appearing in the hidden facility.

“The situation and circumstances are a little more complicated than that. I do think it would help to hunt something. Let’s go,” Ilea said and pushed mana into the platform.

They appeared far in the north a moment later, finding the enchanters, Neiphato, and Meadow.

“Someone steal your food?” the being asked.

“Not the time,” Ilea replied. “How far are you?”

Iana smiled briefly but turned serious when she noticed the tone. “The locator is done. And we found a way to manipulate the Gate keys to breach their security. We don’t think it will work indefinitely but it should go unnoticed for a while at least.”

“That’s our hope,” Christopher said. “If the Taleen adapt to our interference, you could be stranded wherever you appear.”

The enchantress handed her both the Gate key and a sphere of metal covered in runes. Ilea activated the latter by pushing mana inside, the piece opening up a the top before a small arrow made of arcane energy manifested. “The closest key?”

“That should be the target, yes,” Iana confirmed.

“They figured it out nearly on their own,” Meadow said proudly.

“Good job,” Ilea said. “How does the gate key work?”

“You’ll have to find a working gate and insert it. Their network should then be visible, or at least all the nodes accessible from whatever gate you use it on,” she said.

“I have a specific one in mind. I’d like you to come as well. I have to find out where Kyrian was sent,” Ilea said.

“We can try. The key should allow us to look at the last used coordinates,” Christopher said.

“I do hope you intend to bring them back. Your requests have occupied most of their time,” the Meadow told her.

“Of course. I’ll bring them back when I’m confident to use the items on my own,” Ilea said. “I have to meet with a friend first. Prepare to leave in an hour. You too Neiphato.”

The elf looked up from his meditation and nodded.

“Going alone?” Fey asked.

“Yes,” Ilea replied.

He smashed his fists together and burst into flame. “Then I will face the tree.”

Chapter 608 Follow the White Rabbit

Chapter 608 Follow the White Rabbit

“Good luck,” Ilea said and stepped onto the platform once more. “Send me back please,” she said.

“I will. Do let me know if I can help in any way,” the Meadow said.

“I just need some time. I appreciate it but don’t worry,” she replied.

“I could try one of those hugs, but I’m not particularly warm or comfortable,” the being said.

The gesture made her smile a little before the teleportation spell manifested and sent her back to Ravenhall.

She quickly flew to the city and landed at the gate, her badge in hand.

The guards didn’t make a fuss, letting her in immediately.

Ilea teleported through the city, appearing in the Sentinel Headquarters and reaching Trian’s office. He wasn’t there. Instead she found him in one of the training halls, working with a group of Sentinels. “Trian. A word,” she said after appearing, a few previously fired spells crashing into her armor before they could reach the vampyr and lightning mage.

“Emergency?” he asked, gesturing for the students to stop.

“I don’t know. Kind of,” she said, her voice cracking before she burst into tears.

The man immediately hugged her. “It’s okay. Come on, it’s okay,” he patted her back and motioned the Sentinels to leave. “What happened?”

She shuddered, pushing him away lightly as her ash brushed away the tears. “I know who killed her.”

“Oh no. Did you tell Claire already?” he asked.

Ilea shook her head. “Wanted to get you on the way.”

“Then let’s go,” he said.

Claire tapped her drink, stopping her pacing before she sat back down. “I think it was wise not to attack the copy. Not more than you already did… but I think it will be clear to him that it was just a reaction in the moment.”

“The copy didn’t do anything anyway,” Ilea said, leaning forward as she sat in one of the armchairs.

“I can help with Orthan to set up defenses against a ritual,” Trian said.

“The walls should already do that much. But setting up more than one ritual wouldn’t be an issue for someone like Michael Elyse. Nor hiding it. We’re expanding fast. Detecting a high level intrusion like that is going to be difficult,” Claire said.

“I could bring Meadow here,” Ilea said.

“Out of the question. You said yourself that it needed a higher mana density. And as much as we trust you, the council isn’t ready to host an unknown four mark creature within our city. Your vote alone won’t be enough. I’ll prepare contracts. With what you told me and the little information we have, I doubt he will risk too much. Especially not outside of Kroll. If he attacked Ravenhall, he would have more than just you hunting him down,” Claire said. “I’ll ask Dagon to set his eyes on Kroll.”

“He saved Felicia. I already told him that I wouldn’t be seeking revenge. But that means little to you,” Ilea said.

“He had his reasons,” Claire said. “But I won’t risk our people or our lives for this. Rest assured that I will be aiming for him in legitimate ways however.”

“He will strike if he’s too desperate,” Trian said.

Claire shook her head. “Don’t underestimate a member of the Lily. From all that I heard, I doubt he’s overly emotional either. He will fight back but not directly and not in a way that would warrant a direct intervention of the Hand, the Lily, or Ilea. Not even when he’s left with only the gold of his armor. I’m fairly certain.”

“I will focus on Ravenhall and the Sentinels,” Trian said.

“What about Kyrian?” Ilea asked.

“He’s alive. But we don’t know where and we don’t know if he will ever manage to return,” Claire said.

We’ll see about that, Ilea thought, tapping her leg before she stood up. “I have to leave again. It was good seeing you.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for a while? Wind down a little. Maybe train with the Sentinels?” Trian asked.

Ilea shook her head. “I need a little more than that right now.”

“Just don’t do anything stupid,” he said and smiled.

“Do I ever not?” Ilea asked without the usual bite.

She was back in the North a few minutes later, looking at her group. Feyrair and Neiphato, clad in dangerous looking armor of scales and wood. Iana and Christopher, looking like proper adventurers too. Their low level meant they were a liability but for now they would manage.

Ilea glanced at Neiphato. He was still at level three hundred and twenty. She hoped he wouldn’t fall behind too much in the coming operations. He could however heal himself and contrary to Ilea and Feyrair, he wouldn’t rush in against ridiculous odds. It would do.

“Got everything?” Ilea asked.

Iana touched the storage ring Ilea had given her and nodded. “Ready to go, boss,” she said, her blue steel armor glittering with dozens of enchantments, rapier at her side.

Feyrair cracked his neck, spitting out a few bloody teeth before he glanced back at the Meadow and hissed.

“You’ve got a long way to go, little drake,” the ancient tree said.

“Next time we meet,” Feyrair said, hissing again. “So where are we going?”

Ilea stepped onto the platform. “A small Taleen dungeon on the Isle of Garath.”

“Good fortune on your journey, Ilea,” the Meadow said. “Return my pupils without damage, if you would.”

“I will,” Ilea said, the gate activating before it transported all of them to the counterpart near Ravenhall.

“Incredible,” Christopher said.

Iana cleared her throat and walked off the platform.

“Oh… oh no, what did we do? Iana… this is… embarrassing,” the enchanter said.

“Don’t look at it, just… don’t look at it,” Iana said as she already stepped into the small side room where a ladder led upward.

“What’s the matter?” Neiphato asked the man.

“We didn’t come back to enhance this side and well, it was what we could manage without the help of Meadow,” Christopher explained. “Let us just say that we’re lucky to arrive here without being ripped apart.”

“I was ripped apart plenty of times during the testing,” Ilea said, the sarcasm not really coming through.

The man gulped. “I didn’t-”

She waved him off. “Ignore me. I’m not in the best state of mind.”

Feyrair glanced at her but didn’t say anything.

“If you-” Neiphato started but the other elf hissed.

“Let her be,” Fey said.

Ilea touched his arm lightly and displaced all of them out onto the snowy side of a mountain.

“Space magic… did you learn that from Meadow?” Iana asked.

“No. Surprisingly not,” Ilea said and spread her ash. “Come on, I’ll fly the lot of you.”

Neiphato glanced at Feyrair with a questioning expression but didn’t comment on it, everyone quickly grabbed by ashen limbs before they were surrounded in protective cocoons.

Ilea spread her wings and charged them, shooting off northwards a few seconds later. She made for the ocean and followed the coastline as she had before. When we hunted Arthur. Nearly two years ago, before the siege of Virilya, before Erendar, and Iz. At least we know Kyrian is alive.

The latest paintings from Cless showed him clad in thick armor fighting unknown creatures in a mountainous or castle environment. It hadn’t been a known castle in human lands, nor were the mountains known to any cartographers or adventurers in Ravenhall. But the Taleen had spread their teleportation gates throughout who knows how much of the continent, perhaps even beyond.

But we’ll bring you back, old friend, Ilea thought, focusing on the task to mask the vile feeling she carried with her. We’ll bring you back.

The journey was quiet, storms raging on the eastern ocean, strong winds and rain plaguing most of the coastline, keeping away critters and beasts. Ilea made sure to keep her distance to any human settlements on the way. She spotted a few ships traveling southwards, unable to spot the flags as she entered the lands of Asila.

The group of isles was easy enough to find, the only ones so close to the coast in the area. She slowed down and opened the cocoons, Neiphato and Feyrair taking flight as she woke up the other two with healing magic, still holding on to make sure they wouldn’t plummet into the ocean.

“Where is the dungeon?” Feyrair asked.

“Under that fort. Seems like someone took over in the meantime,” she said. Don’t let it be pirates. I don’t want to see Hector.

“No flag on the ship or roof,” she added, approaching the isle with no intent to talk to any inhabitants. “Keep quiet, we’ll go directly to where we were teleported away.”

The bad weather helped in their approach, the heavy clouds and strong winds leading to low visibility. Ilea spotted a few people on the ship, working to take down the large sails due to the approaching storm. She displaced her group into the fort, the side wall still collapsed with nobody waiting immediately inside.

Humans, and they’re drunk, she thought, hearing the music from deeper within the fort. One man lay passed out to the side of a nearby stairwell, the smell of puke mixing in with the salt of the ocean. He wore simple clothes and was unarmed.

[Smith – lvl 38]

While the others are taking down the sails outside, she noted, displacing the group further down and into the dungeon itself.

Her skills suggested that nobody had entered here for quite some time, a few weeks perhaps. It seemed the reputation of the Taleen kept out even the people who now called this place their own.

Well it could also serve as a temporary haven for any cargo ships or pirates in the area.

She appeared with her group inside the same hall they had all been teleported out of. “Here we are.”

“There’s no platf…,” Christopher murmured before he gingerly touched the walls.

Iana joined him, her eyes glowing a tinge of blue. “Ilea, your intrusion key?”

She summoned the thing and threw it towards the woman.

Iana caught it, nearly tripping. “Don’t throw it! It’s not made of Ilea,” she chastised. “Months of work…,” she added in a murmur before she walked through the corridor.

“Transportation?” Christopher asked. “Why else would they build it like this? It’s less practical and has to be activated from outside its range.”

“Probably,” Iana said.

“Prisoners,” Feyrair supplied, pointing at a section of runes on the walls. “They used this to transport prisoners from the land into their cities. Prisoners or slaves, I don’t know.”

Iana walked over to him and looked at the section. “That one means guard?”

“Guards accountable for prisoners. Report upon arrival,” he said, moving his finger along the runes.

Neiphato joined them and looked as well.

“The control is here,” Christopher called out to them from where Arthur had stood the last time Ilea had been there.

“Then let’s see what we can do,” Iana said and walked over, manipulated key in hand. “First, activation,” she said and gestured the others to stand close by.

“Any chance of a few Executioners coming out from that corridor?” Feyrair asked as he glanced back.

“We never tested it on a real Taleen gate. Anything could happen,” Iana said in an excited voice, Christopher nodding next to her with big eyes.

The elf burst into white flame. “Perfect,” he said and crouched a little, likely grinning.

“Do it,” Ilea said to the enchantress who seemed to wait for her cue.

She smiled and inserted the key into the ancient socket, a pulse of mana flowing into the thing before the area seemed to glow a little brighter, only to magical perception.

Iana giggled like a madwoman, carefully considering the runes that now glowed a dull green on the same panel where she had inserted the key. “We’re in…,” she whispered.

Ilea expected green letters to come down from the ceiling but nothing of the sort happened.

“Feyrair, can you check the runes. I’m pretty sure I know them but I don’t want to make a mistake,” Iana said.

The elf appeared next to her. “Mana, destinations, activation, enchantment check, warning,” he read out.

Iana touched the rune for destinations, a small slit opening before a three dimensional light magic illusion flickered to life, hundreds if not thousands of dots spreading out in the immediate area.

“Here. We. Go,” Iana said. “Probably easier if we do it in the map device set within the locator directly, what do you think?”

“No way to extract it?” Christopher asked, magic lighting up within his eyes as well. “I see. We should figure out a way around that feature.”

“We will. But for now it’s enough,” Iana said. “No coordinates but we can infer that if we assume the naming is correct, specific distances won’t be needed with the locator’s range.”

“What are you guys doing?” Ilea asked.

“The key locator,” Iana said and stretched out her hand.

Ilea summoned it and gave it to her, watching more spells activate as the metal sphere flickered and hummed, runes lighting up before an opening revealed a small square.

“This is insane… how much land did they cover?” Iana asked.

“Do we have enough space?” Christopher asked.

“Should be fine. It’s just the first version anyway,” Iana said and elaborated before Ilea asked again. “We’re copying the layout of destinations with the related names. It will allow us to locate all the destinations on a conventional map including the names given to them in this device. We’re using a multilayered matrix of metal alloys to manually enchant the specific locations into a similar light magic illusion.”

“I don’t follow, but sure,” Ilea said, watching the two work, their hands and eyes moving as if they were plugged in straight into the internet.

“Are you seeing this?” Feyrair asked, looking over to Neiphato, the two elves hissing a few times without saying another word.

“A full map,” Neiphato murmured.

“And it turned out to be humans who did this,” Fey said.

“I would like to take credit for this but without the Meadow, we’d be stumbling in the dark for another few millennia,” Iana said, resuming her magic. “Now be quiet, we need to concentrate.”

Feyrair joined Ilea at the back and sat down on a chunk of rubble. “How do you feel?”

She shrugged, not looking at him. “It’s good to do something productive,” she said after a while.

The elf hissed affectionately.

“How long will you need for this?” Ilea asked.

“Another hour, maybe two,” Christopher said.

Ilea sat down on the ground, leaning on the wall as she closed her eyes and started meditating, trying to focus on her soul. It seemed so very small, just a wisp but she could feel the strength, could feel the scars left behind from her training, healed stronger than it had been before. She tried to change her perspective to the other side and found herself floating, as if she had left her body, her mind staring at her core and yet unable to see.

“Ilea,” the voice resounded, ripping her out of her meditative state.

She rubbed her eyes and looked up, seeing Feyrair glancing at her.

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 9’

“We’re done,” Iana said, the tiny cube floating back into the spherical key locator. The thin seams closed with a quiet sizzling sound, runes flaring to life before they died down. “The full Taleen teleportation network documented.”

“The destinations available from this gate,” Christopher corrected. He smiled and raised his hands when Iana stared at him.

“More than our kind ever managed,” Feyrair said before he laughed. “Well done, you two.”

Iana was already back at the controls. “We’ll want to copy this at some point, Ilea. Just leave it with us for another few hours whenever you can spare the time,” she said and activated another one of the runes. A new illusion flickered to life, the dull green light easily visible in the somewhat dark hall. The woman sighed. “Feyrair, I’ll need translations again.”

“As you wish,” the elf said and stood up, walking over as he looked at the hologram.

Ilea wondered if the Taleen stole this technology from the Ascended, or if they both just used something similar. Probably set up the gates long before they met an Ascended.

“This is what we’re looking for,” Iana said and pointed at a small list written in the Taleen script. “Last activated without a set destination, emergency mode, random locations chosen. There are three,” Iana said.

“Me, Zoy, and Kyrian,” Ilea said and stood up too, walking over. “I suppose we can look for the woman too if she’s lost out there.”

“We can’t tell who was sent where,” Iana said and touched a rune on the locator. “This one opens the map,” she said, showing Ilea and the Elves. “These four to go closer and move around. What do you think Chris, based on this gate… that’s probably Iz.”

“Neither of the others are anywhere near Karth,” the man confirmed.

“So we have… Izvanata, main gate it seems. And Iznakor, main gate. Both far in the north it seems, the latter far west as well,” Iana said.

“Far is an understatement,” Christopher said, gulping as he looked at the map. “To travel that distance… instantly.”

“Can we go back using the gate there?” Ilea asked.

“If we’re not detected, I don’t see a reason why not,” Iana said.

“Then let’s go, to the first one,” Ilea said.

“Someone has to activate it. This isn’t a normal gate,” Christopher said.

“And we need the key to get back,” Iana sighed.

“Where’s the closest dungeon? Let’s find another one then. I don’t feel like flying around for days collecting everyone again,” Ilea said.

“Good idea,” Iana murmured and moved the map closer to their current location.

“That one,” Christopher pointed. “That’s a high level dungeon south of Arntrop,” he said and continued seeing the confusion. “Southern city in Asila, the kingdom we’re in. We had looked at potential Taleen ruins in the area but that dungeon was deemed too dangerous and it wasn’t confirmed to hold a ruin. The reports were wrong it seems.”

“Or they never went deep enough to find it,” Iana said, pointing out the height. “Is it really worth it to go into an unknown dungeon just to get a gate we can all use?”

Ilea and Feyrair looked at each other and she couldn’t help but smile just a little bit. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 609 Ruins left behind

Chapter 609 Ruins left behind

Shawn focused on the flickering flame of his torch. How many days had they been down here? Ten? Twelve? The darkness was getting to him. Their rations wouldn’t last more than another few days.

An undead lay half frozen to his right, two arrows sticking out of its face. He aimed at the remaining monster and shot, his arrow striking the knight below his shoulder, managing to bite through below his plating.

Geoffrey deflected the undead’s sword into the nearby wall of the cavern, the creature stumbling forward when a spear of ice shattered against its back. A quick swing of their warrior’s sword cut into the undead’s neck. He ripped the sword out, dark blood splattering to the ground before he let go of his shield, striking the creature with a two handed blow and taking its head.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Forgotten Knight – lvl 230]’

Finally… those things are entirely too strong.

Geoffrey winced, grabbing at his shoulder. “I think it opened again.”

Philipa rushed over. “Let me have a look, don’t move.”

Shawn shot an arrow at a moving shadow, Geoffrey preparing his broadsword. Philipa shot a ray of ice in the direction of the movement, nothing to show for it.

They had known about the monsters of course, but undead were their specialty. The locals hadn’t mentioned anything else about the dungeon. The warning they had received back at the Guild didn’t seem quite as unwarranted anymore. Not just undead. There is something else here.

Shawn waited with another arrow nocked. These creatures were smart, more so than any undead they had faced before. Their group had faced Demons back in Lys, Cursed in Baralia, and now they were being toyed with by the creatures in this dungeon.

Vivian started crying, her magic flickering out before she fell to her knees. She sobbed a few times before she spoke. “I can’t… I can’t find a way out…,”

They were stuck. Somewhere in the Weysin dungeon. Already they had killed a dozen undead but it hardly mattered if they couldn’t get out.

Without Cris, their earth mage, they would’ve likely already died. She was asleep right now, regaining some strength while the others protected her. She was the only one who could effectively find the traps and hiding spots scattered throughout the treacherous mine shafts and caverns.

Vivian was usually well versed in mapping out dungeons, her divination magic allowing her to see threats long before they ever became relevant. Today it didn’t work. Something was interfering with her magic.

“We’re going to die down here,” Philipa murmured, tightening the bloody bandage around Geoffrey’s shoulder.

“Pull yourself together,” Geoffrey said, the heavily armored man looking battered, his plate showing scratches, deep cuts, even melted in certain sections. He was at the end of his wits too.

“We could go deeper, find what is lurking below…,” Shawn said.

“No… nonono…,” Vivian said. “That’s where death lies.”

“But we’ll die here too if we can’t find the way out,” Shawn replied, his hands shaking as he let go of the arrow, unsure if the undead was just waiting around the corner, motionless and silent.

He quivered when a creature of darkness stepped out from the pitch black cavern in front of him. Black horns and blue eyes full of scorn. He shot his arrow, watching as the being simply closed its eye, the projectile impacting with a dull sound.

“What the fuck are you doing?” a female voice asked, catching the falling arrow with her armored hand.

“Die undead creature!” Vivian screamed and cast her area spell, enveloping the whole cavern ahead in burning light magic.

“Stop that,” the armored woman said and walked towards them. “I’m not undead.”

“Leave us beee!” Philipa said and formed dozens of shards of ice around herself.

Geoffrey brandished his sword and shield. “Come then, demon!”

Shawn watched with bated breath as the woman walked over to Geoffrey and simply grabbed his sword and shield before she ripped both out of his hands.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

Another few monsters came from behind her, one humanoid drake and one woodland being.

“What are you?” Geoffrey demanded.

The woman looked around. “There’s something here… fear inducing mind magic. Subtle,” she said, tendrils of black matter flowing out from behind her back before they grabbed onto everyone of Shawn’s team.

Shawn looked around in confusion, feeling a warm sensation flow into him

“They need water and food,” the woodland being said.

“How long have you been down here?” the woman asked, summoning a bottle of water and a plate of delicious smelling food.

“I don’t know,” Shawn answered, too tired to stay defiant before the high level adventurer. He felt his mind clearing as he grasped the bow in his hand with renewed strength.

____________________________

Ilea displaced the whole group out of the dungeon, using the skill a few times in a row. She summoned more food and water. “Eat, drink, and sleep. Then go home.”

The man looked at her with wide eyes.

[Ranger – lvl 165]

“Good job surviving this long,” she said, seeing the man’s expression turn from fear to realization to shame in the span of two seconds. She vanished and joined her own team again.

Feyrair burned another undead, holding the creature’s throat with one hand as the white flames enveloped it.

“Level two hundred,” Neiphato commented.

Ilea gestured to the two enchanters. “Stay close to me.”

“These are peculiar. Someone is controlling them,” Fey said.

“I assume the mind magic is coming from the same place,” Ilea said, trying to taste the magic in the air. It came from deeper down in the dungeon. She displaced the group down, using her sphere to check for the many traps. A hundred meters further down, she stopped, rushing a robed undead mage who threw a fire spell at her.

She pierced the creature with a dozen ashen limbs, killing it instantly before she threw the body to the side, her ash barely affected by the scorching flames.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Forgotten Adventurer – lvl 264]’

Several traps were triggered when she reached another corridor, the walls here more even than before, definitely man made. Poisoned arrows, a splash of acid, and two large metal spears crashed into her, all breaking against her ashen armor.

“Come on, we’re getting closer,” Ilea said, feeling the fear based mind magic intensify. Her resistance was disabled, the effect just now starting to influence her mind. Her healing prevented her from turning back or being frozen in fear, her ashen limbs extending the benefits of her healing to the others. She could feel the presence now, just a few floors below, a few dozen meters away. If it was a being purely focused on mind magic, it wasn’t particularly impressive.

Two knights blocked her way but she simply walked on, their weapons deflected to the side with quick parries before she punched each of them once, her fist denting in their breast plates, throwing them back a few meters before they came crashing down.

“Greetings,” she sent to the being below, unsure if it had detected them already or if the mental attack was something it simply exuded. It didn’t feel particularly focused.

“One receptive to the mind. Rarely do those so talented seek these chambers,” a voice came back, a hushed whisper. “You are not welcome here however. Leave, or face the consequences.”

With contact established, Ilea could now talk freely. “I don’t care about you. Only about the ruin that lies below.”

“I have claimed this place, creature of the mind. All within is mine,” it said.

Ilea rolled her eyes and displaced the group down into the hall she now saw within her sphere.

Dimly lit, a few torches lined the walls and some candles sat on a large stone table at the center. Four armored knights stood near the walls, three robes mages nearby. In front of the table floated a skeletal creature with two bone arms and no legs, a deer like skull with two sets of antlers sprouting outwards. It wore a metal chest plate that looked like bronze, various enchantments shimmering with a dim light.

[Warythir – lvl ???]

Purple light flickered in its eye sockets. “Wait,” it spoke.

Ilea didn’t mind, gesturing for Feyrair to stand down, the elf already standing close to one of the knights, his flame nearly touching the undead creature.

A wolf corpse lay on the stone table, various opened tomes nearby.

“You have proven your capability, Deviant. There is no need for battle. What you seek lies below,” the creature spoke, all of them seemingly hearing it. The being did a double take. “Elves… fascinating. Long has it been. Cerithil Hunters I presume? Those they call the Cursed.”

“Yes,” Feyrair said. “You know our kind?”

“One came before you, seeking to leave the ruin below. I granted passage, for his tale,” the Warythir spoke.

“What do you do here?” Ilea asked, glancing around the room. Bones and various monster pieces hanging from the walls. Some human too.

“That is none of your concern, righteous human. This den is mine and those who enter come to disturb, kill, and loot. All know of the danger. They had decades to learn of it. Now leave, your presence taints this place of death.” the being said and pointed to a corridor with a stairwell leading down.

“Apologies for the intrusion,” Ilea said, glancing at the creature one last time. It seemed above level eight hundred and it reeked of death.

Feyrair summoned a monster carcass and placed it on the ground.

“I accept your gift, hunter. It is good to see the old rites have not been forgotten,” the creature spoke.

“And they never will be,” Feyrair said and joined Ilea.

“What was that about?” she asked when they reached the stone stairs. She noted that Neiphato seemed just as interested.

“A gift for passage, through the Nar el Ceroth, a place of creation. Few intelligent beings roam them and many wield dangerous magic. It’s a rite of respect for the places we supposedly defile, and just as much to make sure the beings let us pass without trouble. Not that I care much for either, but it seemed appropriate,” Feyrair said.

“I haven’t heard of it,” Neiphato said.

Feyrair smirked. “The first hunters thought themselves honorable, still clinging to the teachings of the Oracles, seeking to retain some dignity in spite of their curse. Foolish, but practical now. That being was dangerous within its domain and we had already offended it.”

“Didn’t think you’d say no to a fight,” Ilea said. She was glad of course. Protecting Iana and Christopher wouldn’t have been easy. Though she would’ve likely just displaced everyone away if the creature had been too powerful.

“Never fight a necromancer in his lair,” Feyrair said.

“Sounds like there’s a story behind that,” Ilea said. “What else are you supposed to do?”

“Burn everything down,” the elf said immediately.

“Makes sense,” Ilea mused, the group stepping into a natural cavern. It was cramped and she had to teleport the group a few times to get through.

They came out of the darkness and into a carved circular stone hall with a single entrance at the other side. Familiar dull green light shined from above. “The map was right,” Ilea said.

Christopher smiled, him and Iana exchanging a quick glance.

“You two stay back. They like their traps even more than that creature up in its own dungeon,” Ilea said and walked to the open stone door. She found a destroyed Guardian inside, deep cuts in its armor and the surrounding corridor suggesting wind magic or something similar.

They found more of the machines, pieces of dull green metal covered in dust, lit in an eerie green light. A few simple corridors led further into the complex, Ilea making sure to spring every trap. Spears and fire lost against her resilient armor, bent out of shape or simply running out of steam. The ashen limbs trailing behind her cut deep furrows into the walls, ripping out the mechanisms, never to be used again.

She assumed the elf who had once escaped this place had somehow arrived with a teleportation gate, the fact giving her hope that a functioning one had remained here. “How high do you think is the chance that they destroyed the platform?”

“There is a chance, always. But so far this doesn’t seem like a production facility or anything particularly important,” Feyrair said. “We’ll see.”

They reached a large entrance hall with counters, tables, and chairs, two large tunnels leading further in. “A city,” she remarked. From then on, no more traps plagued the way. She found the first working Guardian half a minute later, on the other side of the tunnels.

It turned towards her, six blades at the ready as its green eyes zoned in on her.

[Taleen Guardian – lvl 200]

She continued walking, letting the machine approach with its blades brandished. A single ashen limb rushed out and pierced its torso, lifting the destroyed machine up before it was flung to the side.

“Wow,” Christopher remarked quietly, glancing between the destroyed creature and Ilea.

Feyrair just chuckled. “Easy to impress.”

“I’ve seen whole teams struggle against these types,” the enchanter said.

The elf chose not to remark on that, his opinion obvious regardless.

“We should find the Great Hall, if there is one here,” Ilea said.

“This way,” Feyrair said, pointing down a road.

Homes had been carved into the stone here, much like in Iztacalum. Not a natural cavern but dwarven made.

Ilea glanced at the faded sign post and smiled. That would’ve made the first delve into one of these ruins quite a bit easier, she thought. If only she could read.

The group followed the stone road, green near ambient light shining on from above, magical lights set into the high ceiling. Only few Guardians showed, many more laying destroyed. Feyrair torched them the moment they showed themselves, sometimes before.

Soon they reached a bridge over a deep crevice. This time she could see the bottom, her eyes quite a bit better than last time. “Very imposing,” she commented, thinking the effort entirely wasted. However it was difficult to say how long a dwarven mage needed to dig out a trench like that. In a battle it would hardly make a difference, anybody who couldn’t fly or teleport over inconsequential against even a simple sword guardian, let alone a Centurion or Praetorian.

Ilea did wonder if the machines had gained higher levels at some point, much like the knights in Tremor. She assumed however that such wasn’t the case, the dwarfs wouldn’t have risen to the power they had come to call their own with weaker machines, let alone their ability to apparently face the Ascended.

The gate to the Great Hall was open, just slightly. “You two wait outside for a moment, just in case,” Ilea said and blinked through, now about to squeeze herself past the tiny opening.

Neiphato remained with the enchanters while Feyrair followed her inside.

“Familiar sight,” she said, looking at the turning Centurion twirling its spear.

“Ah and here I expected something a little more challenging,” Fey said.

Ilea glanced over at him. “Really? Here?” she asked, deflecting the thrown spear with a flick of her hand. “Do you want to destroy it?”

He took a step back and gestured for her to go on. “I believe if someone has the need to destroy something, it’s you,” he said with a smile.

Ilea shook her head lightly and walked towards the machine. “I need a little more than this thing,” she said and sped up, closing the distance before she dodged a thrust, sliding past the blade. Her fist slammed into its core, denting the steel and digging in. She spread her fingers and dug deeper, finally ripping out the core as it cracked in her hand. Ash formed to cover the thing before it exploded, the sound dulled as the blast broke through the small ashen barrier.

Ilea absorbed the heat from the flames sticking to her arm, the fire dying down before she shouted. “Clear.”

Feyrair stepped next to her and looked at the large gate before them. It remained closed.

“Throne room?” she asked.

“Yes. The gates should be this way,” Fey said, pointing at one of the closed stone doors.

“Want to see what they have in store for us?” Ilea asked.

“Praetorians at most,” the elf said.

“I might enjoy Praetorians,” Ilea replied, her armor bursting into flame as heat started forming in her core. She quickly distributed her sixty five remaining stat points into Vitality and Intelligence, the latter getting fifteen. Just in case there was something more dangerous waiting for them.

She walked up to the large gates and touched the thick steel. Enchantments, she thought and charged up Absolute Destruction. Her fist slammed into the gate, a ripple of mana flaring out from the impact, destroying every magical charge that had clung to it. Another punch resounded, followed be several more.

She finally broke through, digging her hands in before she pulled with all the strength she could. Steel groaned, sliding over the stone floor before the large gates were flung open, sparks flying as they skidded over the ground and finally slammed against the walls.

Ilea walked through, her white flames leaving a trail on the ground.

“Nothing against teleportation, let alone space magic,” Feyrair remarked with a smile.

She didn’t reply.

The throne room was smaller than the ones she had seen before, the ground opening regardless. A single Taleen Praetorian climbed up, whatever mechanism was supposed to push the platform upwards apparently broken.

“The throne room is breached,” the machine said, brandishing its scythes when it had reached the ground floor.

“It is indeed,” Ilea said and rushed it.

Chapter 610 Search

Chapter 610 Search

Ilea sighed when the core explosion rushed over her, destroying the stone throne and parts of the hall. It had ended too quickly.

Another gate key was hidden in the hall. She displaced it into her hand and walked towards the exit, finding Feyrair casually leaning against the wall. He followed without a word.

She ignored the staring enchanters and went for the closed door leading to the teleportation hall. A single punch cracked it open, rubble flying into the stairwell beyond before she descended.

A few more hallways and halls later, some with Guardians, others with traps, Ilea came into a spacious cavern that seemed more natural than the rest of the ancient underground town. Water poured in from an opening in the cavern wall, flowing into a pool where ivy and other vegetation had taken over half of the hall.

The floor itself was perfectly even, at the center of the room a single teleportation gate, the location of the control mechanism suggesting they could all use it.

“Here you go,” Iana said, walking past to check out the panel.

The rest went onto the platform, ready to fight in case anything came out after the activation.

The enchantress inserted the key and grinned when the same runes lit up again. She selected the destinations and chose Izvanata, glancing at Ilea to confirm.

“Go for it,” Ilea said.

Iana smiled and removed the key, touching the rune for activation. Mana and light enveloped the group a moment later, the space around them shifting.

Ilea made sure not to miss the process, as usual trying to figure out how the spell affected space itself. She looked around to find a stairs leading up in one direction. More interesting however was the opening in the wall to the left. Sunlight poured into the room, a familiar sight visible in the distance.

An arcane storm.

They were high up, somewhere in the side of a mountain, with a cliff going down immediately outside.

“I thought you needed to leave the key inside,” Feyrair said as he looked around the hall.

Iana moved the key outside of the platform’s circle, the gate powering down immediately. “Once activated you can take it with you through the gate. Took us a while to figure out how they did it but they were paranoid if nothing else. Wouldn’t have worked on the gate on that isle because the controls were so far away from the actual platform… or well, corridor in that case.”

The elf nodded, obviously not quite as interested as his question would’ve suggested.

Ilea stood next to the opening, brushing her hand past the wall. “This is pretty precise.”

“Cut by a blade,” Feyrair confirmed. “We’re in northern lands. Any idea where?”

“We know where,” Iana said and activated the gate again, selecting the destination and gesturing to the map.

“Relative to anything else? No. I can’t tell if I’ve seen those mountains before,” Ilea said, looking out at the sprawling landscape. “So let’s see if we can find anybody. Nothing in this room,” she added and walked to the stairs.

A quick search of the facility turned up destroyed Guardians and Centurions, not a single Taleen machine left in working order. All were cut apart by blades, precise cuts having taken their limbs, dents and scratches suggesting the wielder had used two not overly large weapons. The dungeon itself was small, only a little more spacious than the one on the isle of Garath.

“So we’d have to look for someone who came here two years ago and left through that hole in the wall,” Iana said. “Do any of you have any skills that would help with that?”

Ilea had used Sentinel Huntress with both Kyrian and Zoy in mind, neither turning up anything. The blades suggested that Zoy had been the one to come here, Kyrian simply using a different fighting style.

“I don’t think this is worth pursuing for now. Maybe with Seithir or specialists from Hallowfort,” Ilea said.

“Let’s at least check the other location before we make a decision.” Neiphato said. “Is this Zoy person important to find? I believe you mentioned the other one more.”

“Not at all. Just thought we could give her a hand if she’s stuck in a Taleen dungeon,” Ilea said.

Iana inserted the gate key and checked the destinations. “Second location then. Let’s see what we have. It’s very far out.”

The spell activated once more and they found themselves in the familiar dim green light of Taleen making.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Iznakor dungeon’

“Salt,” Ilea said, sniffing the air. “We’re near the ocean,” she said, her eyes opening wide when she turned around.

Someone had carved letters into the stone wall near the exit.

Do not leave during daylight – Arcane storms.

Do not stay low at night. Avoid the Mists.

Do not fly high or over the ocean – Bluetails hunt at all times

Member of the Shadow’s Hand stranded on Isles – Find me within the Keep, do not attack chained creatures. Food and shelter available.

“How does that sound?” Feyrair asked.

Ilea stood there with a smile, walking closer to the wall before she brushed over the letters. No dust or signs of wear.

She checked the room but found nothing else of interest, stepping out into the corridor.

Exit →

“Helpful,” Neiphato said.

“A trap perhaps?” Christopher remarked.

“Let’s find out,” Ilea said, her mood slightly improved. She followed the signs through the corridors, the facility already larger than the place Zoy had been teleported to. Much like in Izvanata, the corridors were littered with destroyed Guardians.

Feyrair crouched down to inspect the first few they encountered. “Spears, and small cuts,” he said. “Seems like he extended his battles beyond the direct way to the exit,” he added and pointed to the end of a corridor where a dimly lit hall extended beyond, signs of Centurion explosions and more destroyed Guardians barely visible.

Neiphato motioned to the others, pointing at a destroyed machine. “This one seems different.”

“Heavy spiked weapon. Near fully crushed. It reminds me of Ilea’s punches, just about thirty times larger,” Feyrair said.

Ilea walked over, seeing the dented in torso of the Guardian, its head entirely flattened and pushed into the steel below. The metal had been punctured in a few places, each hole large enough to suggest a war pick. Seems like you weren’t idle.

“Wind coming in,” Feyrair noted a few minutes of walking later, the group following the exit markers to a fault, any trap or machine on the way already destroyed entirely.

They found an elevator shaft with a few runes carved into the wall. The Exit sign suggested to go up.

“This shouldn’t work,” Iana said, touching the runes.

Feyrair leaned into the shaft and chuckled. “Yeah, the platform is in pieces, down at the bottom.”

Ilea spread her wings and grabbed the enchanters, flying up and out a few dozen meters later. A large hall spread beyond, the scent of saltwater now much more present than before. Fresh air came in from somewhere.

She set the others down, the Elves joining them. “A fire to cook,” she said and walked over to the small camp. There were several simple beds with old blankets.

Feyrair sniffed the air and walked over, opening one of the pots. “This was cooked a week ago,” he said, taking out a fried fish.

He ate it.

“That’s Taleen steel,” Neiphato said, holding up a plate. There were other utensils lying around, all made from the dull green metal.

It was possible Kyrian had found it all but Ilea had another idea. “He’s a metal mage,” she said, looking around. She found a map with their location marked, all of it precisely carved into a stone wall. Steel needles, she thought and quickly copied the thing into her notebook.

Feyrair joined her, still eating as he summoned a booklet too. He stepped a little closer to the sketch, likely because he had a good view of Ilea’s creation.

She didn’t mind.

“It’s well seasoned,” the elf said, crunches resounding as he ate the fish’s head.

“He’s a good cook,” Ilea said with a smile. Did he stay here? Why three beds then? Shelter for someone who could come through the gate?

She opened the large double doors marked with Exit, a breeze of ocean wind immediately flowing through. “Fey, let’s check. The rest should stay because of the potential storms.”

The stairwell led to another closed gate, this one significantly heavier but just as old. The wear really showed on the other side, where the water and salt had worked on the stone entrance. Light broke in when they opened it, the suns low on the horizon. Waves crashed into stone just ahead, the ocean beyond extending in its infinite reach.

A loud crash resounded a few hundred meters to the left, Ilea turning her head to find familiar dark clouds hanging to the side of a high reaching mountain side, purple lightning crashing into the stone below, leaving a mark as chunks fell, some splashing into the ocean.

They were at the very bottom of a high reaching cliff side, Ilea unable to spot what was on top or how far it reached due to the angle. The isle was larger than the map had suggested. If the written note hadn’t mentioned an isle, she would’ve simply thought to be on a larger land mass and near the ocean.

She looked at the map again before she searched the three visible mountains until she found the massive keep.

“It seems the storms don’t reach that height,” Feyrair remarked, having followed her gaze. “That’s a long walk.”

“And a short flight,” Ilea said and walked back inside. She hadn’t failed to notice the many flying creatures in the distance. Winged with two legs and what looked to be dragon like heads, blue in color. Wyverns of some kind. “We’ll fly low.”

Feyrair smiled. “Below the storms.”

“We found the keep where he called us but the environment seems somewhat dangerous. Neiphato, you can’t survive the northern storms yet, right?”

“I haven’t tried lately,” the elf said. “But you two go. We will wait,” he added with a smile, giving her a nod.

“Make sure the gates are closed and if the mists flow inside later, retreat to the gate room. And should there be any Taleen coming for you, use the gate. Iana you have my mark too, just call for me,” Ilea said.

The woman crossed her arms. “We’ll manage. Now go find your friend.”

Ilea looked at the three for a moment before she stepped back outside, making sure the gates were closed shut. A cloud had formed above the ocean nearby, purple light briefly illuminating a section of water.

“The storms seem to move towards the land. Nothing further out,” Feyrair remarked, spreading his wings.

Ilea did the same, turning towards the keep in the distance before she ascended.

The land was barren, any plant, tree, or even soft earth devastated by who knows how many years of arcane storms. Mostly stone and rubble remained, a few crevices had remained or perhaps formed from the abuse. Ilea spotted signs of living creatures at the base of the narrow fissures but if this place worked the same as the rest of the northern lands, whatever they were, they would have to deal with Miststalkers at night.

They took note of the high reaching mountains as they approached. The most interesting part aside from the massive stone keep proved to be the treeline that went around the mountains almost like a halos. A rather thin line where the trees could live. Anything below was plagued by arcane lightning and everything above was either too steep, simply just stone, or perhaps even too cold, snow and ice in parts reflecting the low hanging suns.

“Do you think he built that keep?” Feyrair asked.

Ilea glanced at him.

“What? Such a ridiculous question?” he asked.

“He was here for a few years, no a millennia,” she said.

“You should see what some high level stone mages can do,” Feyrair said with a smirk. “Should I hide my elvishness?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Possible that he attacks, I don’t know if he ever had encounters in the past. But I doubt he would hate your whole kind, especially with someone as diplomatic as yourself,” she said.

He laughed.

“What?” Ilea asked. Now she was the one who saw the way he looked at her.

He didn’t say anything though and just smiled to himself, the two approaching fast with their separate flying magic.

A few of the blue Wyvern like creatures were flying near the mountain on which the keep was located but either the two hunters flew too quickly or their size simply didn’t interest the creatures. Ilea simply didn’t entertain the idea that they couldn’t see them, especially with Feyrair’s fiery wings.

The keep itself looked to be carved into the mountain itself, jutting up and outwards with obvious extensions. The stone was darker but she found it had mostly to do with how the light broke against the more even and smooth structures. Some higher parts of the mountain showed a similar shade. It was absolutely massive, a massive grated steel gate blocked the entrance, no visible road leading up to it. In design it looked more like a military structure than anything built for aesthetics. Rough and imposing but obviously weathered. All the towers had remained however and Ilea wouldn’t have been surprised if they were perfectly functional inside.

There was no visible courtyard but a rather spacious terrace where they landed, a few doors leading into nearby towers and one larger gate that led into the main structure.

Ilea used Sentinel Huntress once more and now she picked up residual magic. She wasn’t sure if it was from Kyrian as there were a few different kinds. Some parts of the terrace were covered in ice, the altitude already far past the treeline.

She went to the gate and displaced the two of them inside.

“No light,” she murmured. It wasn’t an issue for her of course but she assumed her former teammate would at least light some candles.

“Can you hear that?” Feyrair asked.

She stopped moving. “Yeah. Farther down. Let’s see what it is,” she said and blinked down, the elf following right after.

It turned out there was a courtyard, just near fully walled off on all sides. Light came in from a small visible part of the large grated gate. On the other side there was a tunnel entrance leading into the mountain. The gates there were only partially closed.

“Over there,” Feyrair said, the two walking over to a closed door.

“Chained. Don’t attack,” she said, seeing through the stone walls with her sphere. The door was made of steel and seemed to be locked. Nothing a use of displacement couldn’t breach.

[Vrayar – lvl 268]

“Now this is interesting,” Feyrair said. “He breeds his own food. Smart man.”

Ilea looked at the creatures. Feathered birds, brown or gray in color, each the size of an eagle. They took note a moment later, a few of them turning their heads, gray beaks opening as they screeched at the unknown intruders. Ilea cocked her head to the side a little, locking eyes with one of them, near fully white eyes staring back, a thin slit like black pupil looked back.

She felt a ripple of magic as the spell manifested. A subtle and terrifying feeling spreading over her. She grinned, knowing the familiar sensation. “I don’t think they’re food,” she said, seeing the chains around their ankles. There were bones lying around and one of them looked rather frail.

“Why keep animals like this? Especially when they use soul magic of all things,” Feyrair asked, looking around the room.

The creatures had all turned towards them now, their shrieks growing more frantic.

“We’re scaring them. Let’s leave,” Ilea said and blinked back outside. Soul magic birds. Why don’t I have that?

Feyrair appeared next to her and looked around. “What now? Should we wait here?”

“He keeps them as pets,” she said, answering his earlier question before she walked towards the tunnel leading into the mountain. “And I found a trail.”

“Not entirely useless your tracking spell, I see,” he said.

“Hey, it’s the same one I use for my marks. One of my most important abilities,” Ilea said.

Feyrair glanced at the back of his hand. “This little thing? I suppose it makes sense,” he murmured.

Whoever had built the keep had dug rather deep, rooms, halls, even an armory visible to her sphere as they walked through the dark tunnels. The magic she felt became more noticeable as they continued, leading them through many pathways until they came into a long tunnel, a closed gate at the end of it. Faint light broke in through the thin slit between the two stone doors.

“He went out this way,” Ilea said as they walked closer, about to use her blink when she saw the gates open.

Light flooded in from outside, a trail along the side of the mountain leading away from the exit. Steel chains had pushed against the gates, massive bloodied mace like chunks of steel floating in the air in front of an armored man.

Kyrian looked larger than she remembered, his armor obviously full plate but less covered in spikes than the last time she had seen him. There were a few hooks and spikes jutting out but they seemed to serve a purpose other than aesthetics or intimidation. A few were dripping with blood, a piece of flesh still hanging from one of them. His eyes were entirely hidden, the man casually dragging four more chains behind him, taking with him a dead Wyvern surrounded by chains and pierced by savage spiked chunks of metal much like the two floating in front of him.

Ilea felt the familiar curse, more powerful than ever before, a tinge of blight welling up within her. She rushed the man with a hug, a dull noise resounding when her ash covered body crashed against his steel clad form, the impact not moving him a single inch. “I found you,” she whispered.

Chapter 611 Catching up

Chapter 611 Catching up

Ilea smiled, feeling his curse waver before it vanished entirely.

The man nearly stumbled as she held on, his hand reaching around her back before he hesitated.

She didn’t care, giving him the time he needed after all this time he may have spent entirely devoid of human contact.

He breathed in sharply before his hand came to rest on her back, and then his other. He hugged her back, his head coming to rest on her shoulder before a sob went through him.

“It’s okay,” Ilea said, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m glad we found you. I’m glad you’re alive,” she murmured.

“It’s … it’s really you,” Kyrian said after a while, his voice dulled by the heavy steel plate around his body. He had let go of the chains in his right hand, the large steel links simply floating in the air behind him.

“It’s me,” Ilea said and moved the ash away from her face.

“Ilea… I knew you would find me,” he said, his voice cracking a little before he hugged her with renewed vigor. “I didn’t know what to do… I,” he said before he turned around, letting go of her to grab the chains again. The Wyvern carcass had started to slide away. “I’m… I’m sorry.”

She watched, fascinated as the four large chains tightened around the massive body, the two remaining chains quickly spinning around it too before he pulled, Kyrian’s body itself floating up before he moved closer to the tunnel. Ilea identified him in passing, following him inside as Feyrair made space for the two humans and the corpse.

[Mage – lvl 412]

You definitely haven’t been idle, she thought, grinning as she saw the look in Fey’s eyes. “He’s human, just in case you didn’t know.”

He hissed and crossed his arms before he started to laugh.

Kyrian let go of the chains when the body was secured, glancing at the elf before he turned to Ilea. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Nobody on the isle?,” Ilea asked.

He shook his head lightly. “No. Nobody I could… find. Plenty of monsters,” he added and laughed awkwardly, glancing at Feyrair before he stopped. “I was… alone,” he said and nodded to himself a few times, glancing back at her a few seconds later, the chains rippling slightly as they pushed against the Wyvern’s skin. “I was alone here,” he said again and touched his shoulder.

“I’m sorry. For taking so long,” Ilea said and walked over to him, carefully touching his arm. He flinched at the contact. “For leaving you alone.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Kyrian said. “I never blamed you. I did blame Arthur… I did blame him,” he said.

“Arthur is dead. Felicia was the one to kill him,” Ilea said.

That seemed to do something, Kyrian stumbling back before he sat down on the bloody Wyvern corpse. He laughed, a wave of curse magic flowing out before he repressed it again. “I’m glad it was her,” he said finally, his voice deep and in control. “I’m glad it was her.”

He sighed deeply, shuddering slightly before he talked again. “Oh and I did blame myself. At first. For not being able to help. I was afraid you had died… can you believe it? You? Die?” he didn’t laugh this time. “But I moved past that. There was only one thing I could do. But I failed at that as well.”

“You didn’t fail at anything,” Ilea said. “You survived. Even if you had just hidden, scavenged, there would be no shame in that. But well… you went with the Shadow way,” she added and gestured to the dead monster.

He grunted. “Tough ones, these. Northern Bluetail. Wind and Water magic, especially deadly close to the ocean. Would’ve thought they’re better fliers but I won’t face one of them underwater again until I get a major evolution,” he said with a chuckle, slightly patting the dead creature. “I do hope you saw the warnings. You came through the gate? Or did you fly here?”

“The gate,” Ilea said. “What’s their level range?” she asked, not able to keep her interest at bay.

“Still the same Ilea. I’m glad you didn’t change. But I did have a small hope to have grown stronger than you. Stupid, now that I think about it. Can’t imagine what kind of monsters you fought when I think back on the years I spent on these isles…,” he said and quieted down, shaking his head lightly.

Ilea smiled. “I’ll tell you all about it. When’s the last time you had a good meal?”

The steel mage looked at the Wyvern for a few seconds before he sighed. “They don’t taste good. Fish is better.”

“I can imagine,” Ilea said before she pointed to the elf. “That’s Feyrair by the way. A Cerithil Hunter I met on my travels. He’s an elf who fights Taleen machines.”

Kyrian looked him up and down. “Not how I imagined them. Welcome to the Krahen Isles, Feyrair. I’m Kyrian.”

Feyrair removed the armor on his head and bowed lightly. “It’s good to meet you, Kyrian, friend of Ilea, and hunter of the Northern Bluetail. I too would be interested in knowing more about these creatures.”

“I can see why you like him,” Kyrian said. “Some are as low as six hundred, others… I’ve fought a few four marks even, but those are rare. Farther out, deeper down.”

Feyrair glanced at Ilea and grinned.

“A meal sounds… good. The Vrayar must be starving too,” Kyrian said and stood up, grabbing his chains before he started pulling the creature down the tunnel.

“What happened when you came here?” Ilea asked, walking next to him, the elf a little further back.

“When I came here… when I came here. I was confused. Of course I was. I understood what had happened. Arthur had somehow teleported us into a Taleen dungeon, though I was alone so I assume you resisted, or you were moved somewhere else,” he said.

“The latter,” Ilea said.

“The girl make it? She was close by,” he asked.

“Maybe. She got stranded in the north, not quite as hard to escape from as this place, seeing your level,” Ilea said.

He snorted. “Yeah.” He paused for a moment. “Well the platform was there so I knew there was some way to operate it. But I didn’t have a way to even activated the damned thing, and I tried. A lot. I tried a lot. But I had to get food too, shelter, needed to know where I was, how to get back. If the gate wasn’t an option, more conventional travel had to do. Well you being with a Cerithil Hunter, was it? You both know the machines well. I do now too,” he said and snickered. “I do.”

“Did you clear out the dungeon?” Ilea asked.

“Not until… half a year ago maybe? A little longer perhaps. Praetorians were hard to crack, but once I had my third Class it became quite easy. A little disappointing to be honest, but by then the machines weren’t particularly impressive anyway,” he explained.

Ilea grinned, glancing at her teammate. “You got a third Class? So you killed a level seven fifty creature and survived battling three four marks?”

“Wish it was just three,” he said. “Four marks that is. There are a lot of them here, especially near the volcano and down in the depths, let alone the ocean. I would’ve reached the mainland a year ago if it weren’t for the Bluetails.”

“But you had to kill one too, or contribute to a kill, right?” Ilea said.

“Got lucky. You know the monsters here don’t all work together. There are clear hierarchies, and they think I’m at the very bottom. Not that I belong there. Not anymore. But we’re small, and I suppose for most humans it would be true,” he explained and glanced back at Feyrair. “Not sure about Elves. I hear you’re strong.”

“They start at two hundred or something,” Ilea said. “Not particularly impressive either.”

Fey hissed.

“You know it’s true,” she added.

“Third Class gave me a lot more regeneration. I guess I got inspired by you,” he said with a chuckle. “And I got a teleportation ability finally. Not sure how I survived without that beforehand. Made everything much… and when I say much, I mean a fucking lot, easier.”

“Yeah, it was the main reason I didn’t die in my first month here,” Ilea said, thinking back on her early Drake fights, the thugs who had kidnapped Alice, and getting away from that elf below Riverwatch. She glanced at Fey.

“What?” he asked.

She hissed.

“Congratulations on the third Class then. I don’t think a lot of people get it that early to be honest. Do you have third tier General skills too?” she asked instead.

“I don’t think a lot of people are teleported to a set of isles with this many high level monsters, let alone a seemingly ceaseless supply of Miststalkers. With nothing else to do but getting stronger,” Kyrian said. “No… I haven’t gotten those yet. Would be interested in how it works.”

“I’ll explain it to you,” Ilea said. “Some resistance training and you’ll be there in a few months, I’m sure. Now that you can heal yourself, it’ll be even easier. How’s your Pain Tolerance?”

The man shuddered. “Oh… second tier. I’m glad for that one. One of the reasons I’m still alive. And I don’t heal, I just regenerate quickly. It’s not quite as precise or useful as your spells, but it does the job, especially coupled with my curses. I did get many resistances, some even at the end of the second tier by now,” he explained.

“So you didn’t clear the Taleen until half a year ago?” Ilea asked, bringing the conversation back to the previous topic.

“The Taleen provided a good challenge but when I came out of that town and found where I was. Well the lightning and the mists were… disconcerting. I remembered your stories from the demon realm… thought I might not even be in the same realm anymore. But I adapted soon. Trained with the Miststalkers for months, working on my skills and resistances until I could slowly overwhelm them. The Taleen coupled with the Miststalkers provided good levels and when fishing became the most dangerous activity of my day to day life, I moved on to explore the isle. Turned out there were a few more.

“The Bluetails nearly killed me many times. That was before I got my third Class too of course. I wandered around and fought. I fought and fought. But many of the creatures turned out too dangerous to face and I had to retreat many times. I couldn’t just go at them directly either. Only the Miststalkers and non Praetorian Taleen were things I could directly face at that point. The returns weren’t good anymore however, barely a trickle despite me fighting them alone.”

“How did you fight them then?” Ilea asked.

“Not your way,” Kyrian said and snickered. “I prepared traps… entire areas covered in curse runes, steel chains, spikes, spears. Everything I could think of with the skills I had. And then I waited. Bait turned out to be more effective, so I used that. Large fish, birds, the rare creatures I managed to hunt. Few on these isles… but some manage to survive here. I remember the first Bluetail I caught. Level seven hundred. I would’ve fled had I known its power. But it never found me, hidden away just a few dozen meters above the laid out traps. A slow decay. Three days I meditated, drained, and cursed the creature until it finally died.”

“No others came to help it?” Ilea asked.

“They’re not exactly bright. Even the ones I catch hardly ever attack the runes or chains directly. They’re more confused if anything. Confused and furious, that someone dared ground them. After that it just became easier. Some escaped of course, their magic too much for my steel back then to handle for prolonged periods of time. Some were just too strong to begin with. But I could gain a few levels with each one I managed to take down.”

Feyrair hissed, shaking his head.

“Had I treated them as opponents, I would’ve died,” Kyrian said with a shrug. “So I treated them as prey. Quite effectively I have to say. Their corpses attracted more of their kind, sometimes seven or eight dying in a row, trying to feast on their brethren.”

“Could work with your kind too,” Ilea said, looking at the elf.

“Says the one whose species sets pyres alight to send off their dead, gathering dozens more around the beacon. How very effective to avoid predators,” Feyrair said.

“Stop bickering,” Kyrian said. “I simply did the most effective thing I could think of. This has no connection to funerals or eating habits.”

“We’re just messing around,” Ilea said.

Feyrair hissed, in an affirmative way.

“I knew you would come for me at some point. I just knew it. The Divination cast on me made sure I never forgot. It was Cless, wasn’t it?” he asked.

“It was,” Ilea said.

Kyrian laughed. “I knew it. I knew it. That wonderful spirit. I knew you would come, but I didn’t want to be rescued, didn’t want to be useless. So I fought. I killed. I trained. I did what I had to to survive and to advance. The caverns below proved treacherous, any creature ready to fill the tunnels with fire and lava, or simply collapsing an entire section when it felt too threatened. Most of them can burrow too.

“It was during one of those cavern dives that I came upon two competing Wyrms. I had seen a few before, two times barely getting away with my life. No teleportation. I watched them battle, for hours, the heat and magic palpable from hundreds of meters away. Monstrous beyond anything I had seen. No offense,” Kyrian said, gesturing to Ilea.

She just blinked her eyes.

“One of them was badly injured after the fight. It fled, barely managing to reach its burrow where it simply fell asleep. Can you imagine? A massive creature of fire and lava, just sleeping,” he explained.

I can. Yes.

“It never woke. I did the same as I had with the Bluetails. Prepared my runes within its very burrow, my magic and life likely so insignificant it either didn’t register me or it was far more injured than I thought. My chains were there but I doubt they would’ve done much had it woken up. But it didn’t. It just slept as the curses took hold, as I drained it of mana and health. I nearly died just staying as close as I did,” Kyrian said and laughed again.

“Humans,” Feyrair said and hissed again.

“We do make use of the opportunities we are given,” Kyrian said and chuckled to himself. “If you think less of me for that, Feyrair, then so be it.”

“I think you did really fucking well,” Ilea said with a smile. “I had to get my third Class to kill my first solo four mark. I did fight it somewhat directly though.”

“You’re as powerful as a four mark?” Kyrian asked.

“Not exactly. Fought it for ages, and I had to recover my mana constantly. A long battle of attrition, but I came out on top. Mostly because it was stupid,” she said.

He nodded. “Seems to be the only way we can stand up to true power. For now that is. You’re close to five hundred. And you have a third Class too. We will get there,” he said. “What kind of magic did you get?”

“Space,” Ilea said. “Met a few more Fae, the little guy we once rescued back with our team,” she said and paused for a moment. She had yet to bring it up. Later, she thought. “So now I can teleport even more effectively, and got some other cool shit.”

“Cool shit,” Kyrian mused and snickered. “Well things became easier after that. Teleportation coupled with the other direct improvements and higher regeneration allowed me to hunt the Bluetails more effectively. I didn’t have to resort to trapping them. I could face them. And that’s been what I did since then. Some exploration here and there but the Iznakor dungeon offered little and the keeps strewn throughout the isles are far more dangerous than simply fighting Miststalkers, while offering fewer rewards. I do still wonder who built them, and why they were abandoned. The Golems and Gargoyles are impressive too. Perhaps not as much as the machines of the Taleen but certainly better than anything else I’ve ever seen. The caverns below are far more dangerous compared to just fighting Bluetails, so I mostly avoided them after I managed to kill the Wyrm. I would’ve escaped in time. But now that you’re here… well I’m not sure. But I’m glad,” he said.

“You can figure out what you want to do in your own time,” Ilea said. “A lot happened in the past two years. Plenty to talk about first, to give you some perspective.”

“I’m more interested in that meal right now,” Kyrian said when they reached the keep again.

Ilea watched as the flail like chains rippled with magic, unwinding from the massive Bluetail corpse before they slammed down on it, ripping away chunks with sheer brute force. Blood and guts splattered onto the stone ground as the metal mage continued to devastate the body.

“They can’t handle the tough scales,” he explained before walking to the locked door where the birds were kept. “You two can handle a bit of soul magic?”

“We met them earlier,” Ilea said.

“Are they bait?” Feyrair asked.

Kyrian chuckled as he walked inside, the chains on the birds falling away as he went to one knee and hugged the approaching creatures. “Hush, yes, yes. Food is here. Don’t be greedy, James!”

“They’re not,” Ilea said, crossing her arms as she watched the blood of the Bluetail pool out onto the cold ground.

Chapter 612 A Hunter must hunt

Chapter 612 A Hunter must hunt

“During one of the battles I had with a Bluetail, we ended up crashing on a mountain side. I saw one of the Vrayar protect its nest, using its soul magic to scare both me and the Bluetail away. Not particularly effective of course,” Kyrian explained as he watched the eagle like birds rip into the flesh. “The mother died.”

“You took them in?” Ilea asked.

He nodded to himself. “I tried before… fostering some kind of pet. None of them stayed, or just never stopped trying to eat me.”

Ilea summoned one of Keyla’s meals and handed it to him. “Do you want to eat here?”

“Why not?” he asked and sat down on the carcass, the steel on his head moving away to reveal his face. His hair had the same black color, short now and roughly cut, a short beard covering the lower half of his face. He had the same gray eyes, not quite as inhuman as Elfie’s but they were certainly unique. Ilea wondered if it was just her imagination but she felt that they looked colder.

The man formed a fork with steel from his gauntlet and started eating, closing his eyes a moment later as he ate faster. He made a few questionable noises before he was done.

“More?” Ilea asked with a smile, summoning another bowl and displacing it with the empty one he was holding.

He glanced at her and ate again. “Thank you,” he got in between bites.

“Sure, plenty more where that is coming from. Maybe I can get you a storage item too. It’s really quite a god sent when you can summon your favorite food in the middle of a months long dungeon dive,” Ilea said.

Kyrian finished and wiped at his mouth before his helmet closed again. “I found one here. Plenty of really old clothes, weapons, books, and the like in the keeps. Problem is, I can’t read the language,” he said and summoned a book before he made it vanish again.

One of the eagles flapped its wings and landed on his shoulder, gray beak dripping with blood, some clinging to its feathers.

Ilea felt the soul magic as the creature watched her. “They’re pretty cool.”

“They are,” Kyrian said and looked at the Vrayar. “You are, aren’t you?” he asked in a dry tone, tapping the beak of the creature. “The magic doesn’t bother you? I’m pretty sure it’s not meant as an attack.”

“It’s some kind of perception. Just invasive,” Feyrair said. “Seithir could offer more insight.”

“A soul mage Cerithil Hunter,” Ilea explained.

“That would be useful, sure,” Kyrian said. “Thank you for the food, Ilea. I can’t wait to fill my ring with everything I can get my hands on back in Ravenhall… the city IS still around? Or did someone summon more demons?”

“It is,” Ilea said, her smile gone now.

“What is it?” he asked.

Ilea walked up next to him and sat down on the carcass, one of her ashen limbs cutting out a bit of flesh and feeding it to the closest Vrayar. “A few… days ago. I found out who killed Eve.”

He turned his head forward, remaining silent for a while.

Ilea could see his curse aura flare up again, lashing out before it was subdued, the birds croaking and flying away before they landed on nearby ledges, window sills, or the ground.

Kyrian took a deep breath in and let the air out slowly. “I’m sorry,” he said and turned towards her, his body floating to close the distance before he hugged her again. Again, they remained for a little while before he lifted his head. “How are you feeling?”

Ilea turned her head when he let go of her, looking at the ground as the birds approached again to resume their feast. “I don’t know.”

“Come, let’s go somewhere a little more comfortable than this cold courtyard. Whoever built this at least knew about furniture and hearths,” he said and stood up, holding his hand out to help her up.

Ilea looked at it, swallowing empty. Didn’t I come here to save you?

She smiled finally, tears in her eyes as she grabbed his hand.

The hall he had brought them to was made for kings. Ancient tapestries hung from the wall, all color long faded, much of it eaten through by moths. A massive hearth had been set into the center of the wall, a long banquet table standing in front of it. Much of the table was missing.

Kyrian’s arm extended into an axe like form before he brought it down with a quick swing, throwing the chunk of wood into the hearth, adding fuel to the bright fire.

Ilea felt cold, despite her resistances and powerful body. She didn’t feel like using Heart of Cinder, instead sitting in a half rotten chair near the hearth.

Feyrair sat nearby, holding a large chunk of bloody Bluetail meat while he shooed off one of the Vrayar.

She patted the closest bird on its head, feeling the rough feathers against her skin. Higher leveled than most Shadows, she thought, looking at the creature before she turned back to the flames.

“I’m glad the war is over,” Kyrian said, choosing to stand with his arms crossed in front of him.

He looked tall. Powerful. Like an experienced hunter. This place had given him an edge Ilea felt more naturally than identify could ever show. And yet when he moved and spoke, he seemed vulnerable, much like the Kyrian she knew.

They had spent the last hour talking. First about Eve, about Michael and who he was, why Ilea had chosen not to go after him. She talked about the war, the Lily, Erendar, and Meadow. About the Sentinels and what they meant, about Claire and Trian, and what they were up to.

He sighed, tossing another chunk of wood into the flames. “A lot seems to have changed since I was teleported away.”

“Not as much as you think,” Ilea said. “Even though Ravenhall is independent now, you’ll hardly find it different than before. Few people know about Hallowfort yet, let alone Meadow.”

Most of the news had been good. A prospering Ravenhall, alliances with powerful cities, a space magic tree that would help them if need be. The end of the Baralia war.

“What are you thinking?” she asked the man, his gaze focused on the flames as she looked at him.

Kyrian turned towards her before he glanced at Feyrair. “I… I wasn’t there, you know? I was lost here. And now you’re here. You can take me back, but what then? I’m not a Sentinel, not a Hunter. I’m a Shadow, if even that,” he said, the last words whispered.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Ilea asked, standing up from her chair.

He remained where he stood but turned his head to the fire.

“Why do you think I came here?” Ilea asked.

“We helped Edwin and Felicia. You came for me because it was part of the mission,” he said.

Ilea stepped in front of him so that he would’ve had to move to avoid her gaze. “I came because of you, Kyrian. Because we’re part of the same team. Because we fought together, because we bled together, because we trained and laughed together. I didn’t come here because of a mission that is long past. You didn’t need my help either, you would’ve escaped on your own. Maybe in a month, maybe a year,” she said and tapped his chest with her index finger. “I came because I was worried.”

“I see… I’m sorry,” he said.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Ilea said. “Whatever you want to do, we’ll be with you. Yes, Claire is mostly managing Ravenhall, but she hasn’t forgotten about you. She was the one to ask Cless for paintings of you. Trian found something in leading and training the Sentinels. If you want to join him in doing that, he’ll be happy to work with you, I’m sure. And if you want to travel with me, you can do that too.”

She flicked his metal forehead, the sound dull as neither her finger nor his head gave in. “Kyrian, you’re one of the most powerful human beings I know. You can do whatever the fuck you want. And we’ll be there.”

He remained quiet for a while until he cleared his throat.

“I think I want to visit Ravenhall. I want to see the others… I want to… listen to music again, want to see the sunlight without arcane storms and blizzards raging past. I want to feel the warmth, want to sleep in a comfortable bed, and I want to fly, past the mountains of the south, the forests of the west,” he said, raising his hand slowly before he flicked her forehead instead.

She felt the impact slam into her skull, his finger stopped just like hers had.

“And I want to hunt. I want to kill every last Bluetail, every last Wyrm, every gods forsaken Golem and Gargoyle on these damned isles. And then, I want to hunt those responsible for stranding me here. I did not… have a good time,” he said, his voice shaking as it reverberated through the hall.

Feyrair appeared behind the metal mage, steel spikes instantly extending to keep the elf at bay. He casually put his arm around Kyrian’s shoulder and grinned, sharp canines visible. “You, my friend, need to learn about anger.”

“Take your hand off me,” Kyrian said, his aura flaring up.

Feyrair spun away, sliding to a stop with a grin as his armor formed.

“Don’t,” Ilea said to him. “You’ll have enough time to beat each other’s skulls in.”

Ash flowed out from her back, covering her body in a thick layer of armor, horns sprouting from her head as wings formed on her back. “I think. We need something a little more, satisfying. And I just happened to have heard so much about a certain Northern Bluetail.”

The elf hissed, white flame bursting from his body as his eyes glowed with magic.

Ilea displaced the three of them up and out into the open, her wings moving slowly to keep herself in the air. The suns were setting in the distance, a deep red coloring the skies.

“Your friends are waiting, are you sure you want to go out now?” Kyrian asked.

“I’m sure they can occupy themselves for a little while,” Ilea said. “So where can we get a few but not a whole swarm?” she asked, looking around.

There were four mountains she could see on the isle from the elevated position of the keep, including the one they were on. “Where’s the volcano you mentioned before?”

Kyrian floated in the air nearby, pointing to the peak of the mountain. “You can’t see it from here. Come, I’ll show you,” he added and shot off.

Not using his spheres anymore. Is he just straight up hovering his armor?

The three reached the top in less than a minute, Ilea landing next to the metal mage. “Oh shit,” she murmured, seeing the line of isles that stretched into the horizon, some having kilometers of ocean between them. The largest one consisted of a single broad mountain, not quite as high reaching as some of the others but simply massive in size. More importantly, it had lava pouring down its side, smoke rising from its top.

“The Krahen Isles,” Kyrian said.

Ilea saw the swarms of Bluetails in the distance, a group of about twenty diving for the water, vanishing a moment later. The mountain tops were covered in snow, dark clouds still clinging to the lower parts of the isles, their arcane lightning flashing in the evening light.

“Come, I set up a trap close by,” Kyrian said.

“I thought you could fight them head on?” Feyrair teased.

Kyrian laughed. “It’s about attracting stragglers. How I kill them has little to do with it. If you want to rush into a swarm, feel free to try. I’ll tell your story in the next inn I visit.”

He rushed down the mountain, his flying speed surprising Ilea a little. She wondered if he was faster than even her if he really tried.

They quickly reached a plateau on the side of the mountain, stone rubble, steel chains, and fallen trees in the vicinity. The metal mage landed with a heavy impact, walking to the center of a runic circle before he summoned his chain flails. They moved out, dragging over the ground, clearing away all the rubble and even tree trunks with a swift motion, dust and chunks of stone fanning out from the gesture.

“You don’t have to hold the chains at all?” Ilea asked.

The man glanced her way as he summoned a few steel spheres that split into thousands of needles. They rushed out in a flurry, scratching into the ground to repaint the large runic circle that may have been damaged. “No. But I can apply a stronger curse if I do. And just add momentum to more physical attacks.”

She watched him work, the complex curse circle reminding her of the blood rituals in Baralia. He just set it up alone and in a matter of seconds. How fast could Michael do it? I do wonder.

“Just in case we attract a dangerous one,” he said. “Are you two ready?”

Ilea saw how he scanned the skies, settling on a small group of about six Bluetails. She thought about using Monster Hunter but that would likely attract more than one.

Did he get another General skill for that? Or what is he going to do.

“I’m ready,” Ilea said and ascended, watching the metal mage do the same. His chained flails floated close to him.

Feyrair was still burning, hissing his affirmation.

“That’s a yes,” Ilea clarified.

“I figured,” Kyrian said in a dry tone as he grabbed one of his chains and started swinging it with one arm. The massive flail end swung around, at least eight meters away from where he held the steel links.

No wonder he destroyed those Guardians. That end bit has like a one meter fifty diameter.

She just watched as the momentum increased, the massive object creating an eerie sound as it pushed against the air.

And then he let go, the main chunk flying off with a rattling chain pulled behind.

“I don’t know what I expected,” Ilea murmured, watching the thing fly into the distance. A hundred meters, two, five. She wasn’t about to question the sanity of her friend but he had been alone for several years.

And then it happened. She barely saw the tiny flail when one of the flying birds was suddenly snapped out of the air, its wings twisted up as it twirled and fell. “Holy shit.”

“Impressive throw,” Feyrair said, his excitement palpable. “Now we go to where it lands?”

Kyrian raised his right arm, a pulse of magic rushing out before the flight direction of the Bluetail suddenly changed. It came straight towards them.

“Won’t the others come for us?” Ilea asked.

“I think they’re very competitive creatures. Sometimes a few come check, but usually they’re more than content leaving a few of their own behind,” he said. “Not that they won’t swarm you if you get too close, because they will. Now let me do my work before you start obliterating everything. This one is mine.”

Feyrair laughed. “What if it’s a four mark?” he asked.

“We would already know,” Kyrian said, grabbing two more chains before he started to swing them much like he did that first.

Ilea saw the creature better now, the flail embedded in one of its wings as it flailed in the air, the chain around its body preventing one of its legs from moving freely. She could already see the familiar sight of air blades, a torrent of water rushing out from the creature’s maw.

Kyrian threw the two remaining chain flails, the weapons entirely wrapping around the approaching Bluetail a few seconds later, a few of the spikes piercing. “Caught a weak one. Close to six hundred,” he said, spreading his arms as his remaining three weapons convulsed in the air unlike anything steel should really ever do. Sheets of the material wrapped around his body, adding layer after layer of both weight and metal, his form now at least half a meter taller and broader.

[Northern Bluetail – lvl ???]

Ilea knew he had been right. “Six thirty or so.”

“How do you know?” Kyrian asked, his voice barely audible under all that metal.

“It’s the third tier of Veteran,” she said and winked.

“Hah,” the mage said as he slowly raised his hand, bringing down the caught creature, the ball of furious Bluetail and steel coming down hard, sliding on the side of the mountain before it all came to a stop a few dozen meters away from the curse circle.

I don’t think he’ll need that one, Ilea thought as she watched him float closer, stopping about fifteen meters in front of the monster’s massive head.

It screeched, the call doing nothing to intimidate its captor. Instead it formed a spell, a stream of highly pressurized water rushing out to hit the mage.

Ilea could feel the power gathering in Kyrian’s form.

He lifted his arm, a wave of curse magic rushing out to meet the creature’s ability, the stream’s integrity suddenly wavering before the water splattered to the ground without even reaching him. His steel armor twisted, a single wedge forming at the whole front of his body. And then he vanished. Or seemed to.

Ilea could barely keep up as Kyrian flew straight into the monster’s maw. The result was an explosion of gore, blood, and bones. He came to a stop at the other end of the Bluetail, having near entirely split it apart. Nothing was left of the head as the remains fell aside, one wing flapping one last time before it hit the ground.

The man teleported out of the large carcass, steel peeling off and reforming into the previously used weapons as he recalled his other three flails.

Feyrair clapped. “Wonderful presentation.”

“Have to agree. I did similar things before but it just seems better with steel,” Ilea said. “I’ll have to explain to you why a drill is far superior to a wedge though.”

“So who wants the next one?” Kyrian asked as he started to twirl one of his weapons.

Chapter 613 Wyverns

Chapter 613 Wyverns

“Why don’t you do the honors,” Ilea said, looking at the elf flying near her.

She started charging Heart of Cinder, feeling the heat build up within her core. Kyrian had exceeded her expectations, but she wouldn’t let herself be outdone.

What an interesting set of isles, she thought, watching the next chain fly off into the distance. Might be a good idea to train here for a while. If I can hunt these overgrown Drakes in groups, it’ll be more effective than even Hunter Praetorians.

Feyrair flew past them, spreading his arms wide to welcome the Northern Bluetail.

__________________________

Kyrian focused on recalling his metal. He couldn’t manipulate the steel at that distance beyond pulling it towards himself. The Blutail struggled against his hold, stronger than the last one but not by much. About level seven hundred. If he had to battle it directly, the fight would take some time.

The curse circle remained prepared, just in case it would be needed. Feyrair was close to level four hundred, just seventeen levels lower than him but the confidence the elf exuded was on an entirely different level.

He had his reservations of course. Plenty had been said about Elves and he knew of the atrocities they had committed in the independent cities of the west. Nothing close to what humanity did to itself but it was always easier to put blame and anger on someone different. Feyrair was just one of them however, and Kyrian wouldn’t judge the elf by the actions of his people.

He perceived that Ilea didn’t seem to be bothered at all either, her confidence in the elf about as high as his was for himself. Feyrair would be trustworthy at least, otherwise Ilea wouldn’t have brought him with her.

For them it’s not a struggle, something to be overcome each and every day. It’s what they thrive in, he thought, watching the excited elf increase the power of his peculiar flames. Ilea too was preparing some kind of spell, either to help him if need be, or for when she would face one of the Bluetails herself.

Kyrian would have to lie if he said he didn’t find at least some enjoyment in these fights. Exploring caverns, fighting more experienced Bluetails, some with different magic tricks than others. Or just facing off against the Golems left behind in the various keeps, the battles coupled with traps scattered through the halls proving quite challenging as well. He knew how powerful he had become, he knew what he could do. And he trusted his abilities. In that way he had become more confident than ever before.

And still. He had doubted his friend again. Of course she came for you. Why would you insult her like that?

He shook his head lightly. This train of thought wasn’t helping, in any way. It would just take time to adjust again. Meditation had helped, as did the Vrayar, but these past years had taken a toll. One difficult to pin point.

Kyrian threw two more chains and added as much spin to them as he could through magic. His curse was already spreading through the creature, making it slightly sluggish. The added Blight would help too, especially against the Bluetails. One last pull brought the monster crashing down into the mountain side, a satisfying shriek resounding.

He grinned lightly, remembering all the times he had nearly been killed by these damned birds. Four days prior was his last near death encounter if he recalled correctly. He pushed the chains down, adding weight to them as he let the flails dig into the ground.

The Bluetail pushed away, ripping one chain free before the thing snapped around its body once more.

Kyrian felt a surge of heat and magic, the elf expanding into what looked like a winged Wyvern. A dragon? he asked himself, watching as the creature came down hard on the Bluetail.

They were about the same size, Feyrair’s red body exuding white flame. “Set it free,” he said, his voice a gravelly whisper.

Kyrian didn’t mind, removing his chains with a quick motion, the metal returning to him. This time he had the links attach to his armor, just in case the elf failed to restrain the beast and he needed a little more strength to his steel.

___________________________

Ilea watched as Feyrair tackled the Bluetail, claws and teeth digging into scaled armor as their magic clashed.

Which dragon creature wins this one? she asked herself. The Bluetail had the level advantage. Its movements were quicker and it hit harder too. But Feyrair regenerated quickly and he was vastly more experienced. Where the Bluetail had likely hunted far inferior prey throughout its life, Feyrair was the opposite.

He dodged the more precise attacks from the creature, using the constant heat and fire of his body to slowly injure the being. One claw attack managed to lodge itself into the Bluetail’s neck, the damage itself not substantial but it allowed Feyrair to use his breath attack in a direct and continuous manner while avoiding retaliation.

The monster’s eyes were burnt before it managed to get free. But now that its perception was impaired, it had difficulties responding effectively.

Feyrair disengaged, circling the roaring monster, occasionally rushing in to deliver a strike with his burning claws, ripping out scales and flesh before he retreated once more. White flame clung to a large part of the creature’s body, slowing regeneration and continuously damaging it.

The Bluetail sent waves of air and torrents of water at the dragonling, its attacks now too inaccurate to provide more than a slight deterrent.

It’s not trying to flee either, Ilea thought, wondering where on the spectrum of monster and animal the being really was. The definition wasn’t really clear but to her, monsters attacked no matter how injured they were, whereas an animal would likely prioritize its own survival, or that of their young.

The creature roared again, rushing Feyrair directly, without using any magic.

Ilea smiled, knowing the elf would take the challenge head on. Wise? Maybe not. Impressive? Also no. But it was expected. She hoped he wouldn’t die against the frenzied monster.

The two tumbled down the side of the mountain, spells flaring up, fire, wind, and water splashing over the half frozen stone ground as their claws and teeth ripped into scales and flesh.

“Should we intervene?” Kyrian asked.

“Oh no, he’s very hard to kill,” Ilea said, just giving him a quick glance before she focused back on the fight. Just in case she actually did have to intervene. But the Bluetails didn’t seem to have regeneration on par with an Executioner. More importantly it seemed Kyrian was right and the Bluetails really weren’t the brightest.

“He turned into a dragon,” Kyrian remarked as they flew a little closer to the two large brawling creatures.

Both showed plenty of injuries now, only the Bluetail however unable to heal them.

“He did. But to be honest, for how old he is and how he fights, it’s surprising that he’s not long past level six or seven hundred,” Ilea said.

“He didn’t strike me as particularly old,” Kyrian said.

“I mean it’s not like I’ve seen his birth certificate,” Ilea said. “But I suppose if you fight the same creatures all the time, you’re not going to advance quite as quickly.”

“No. You stagnate. Only the highest level Bluetails I could manage still made me level in the last few months,” Kyrian said. “I assume you mean the Taleen?”

“Yes. They do have higher leveled machines but they’re supposedly quite rare,” she said. “Not that I can attest to that based on the last few months.”

Thousands in Iz, just as many in Izla.

Feyrair finally managed to grapple the injured Bluetail, biting deep into its neck as his flames expanded. He jerked his head to the side and tore off the Wyvern’s head with a loud ripping sound.

The elf returned to his normal form, wounds and armor regenerating as he stumbled a few steps.

“These creatures are fantastic!” he exclaimed as his wings spread again.

Are we the baddies? Ilea asked herself as she looked at the bloodied and tore apart corpses. She sighed, reminding herself that these weren’t some random animals grassing on a peaceful meadow. They were Wyvern like monsters attacking without provocation, if Kyrian’s words could be believed. And if she trusted anybody to tell the truth, it was him.

“You don’t seem pleased?” Feyrair asked.

“You didn’t even nearly die,” Ilea murmured, flying a little higher.

“That was a level seven hundred Bluetail,” Kyrian murmured.

Feyrair laughed. “What do you have in mind then?”

Ilea watched the distant group of Bluetails, four of them remaining now. They were flying closer to their mountain but didn’t seem to be interested much in the fires that had flared up due to the fight. Instead they were flying lower and towards the ocean.

She charged up Monster Hunter and cupped her hands in front of her mouth, roaring a challenge towards the beings.

“I hope you two are ready,” she said and activated Phaseshift.

The Bluetails swerved towards them as soon as the sound had reached them, their screeches and roars reverberating on the mountain side as they came to meet the challenge.

“We don’t know their levels,” Kyrian said. “Unnecessary risks.”

“You’re not alone anymore,” Ilea said. “I believe the risks are more than mitigated with our presence.”

“If they’re all close to seven hundred, let me try alone,” Ilea said with a wide smirk.

Kyrian and Feyrair gave each other a look in the same moment, their expressions hidden behind scale and steel armor but some kind of mutual understanding seemed to have been reached. They both floated back, making some distance between them and the flying creature of ash.

Nothing but a dick measuring contest, she thought and sacrificed tens of thousands of health to boost her auras.

The Bluetails quickly closed the distance, their flying looking almost aquatic in a way.

____________________________

Kyrian knew Ilea had always been the strongest of their group back in the Shadow’s Hand. Even when she had difficulties catching up with a quickly moving Trian, or when she couldn’t breach Claire’s shields during their bouts. What she lacked in versatility, she made up with speed and tenacity. Her sustain and resilience were absolutely ridiculous. It really hadn’t surprised him that she had managed to face down a four mark creature at her comparatively low level.

And now she was close to five hundred. Things had changed in the past years. Both for him and for her. While he could do more now, he still preferred a certain approach. Facing the creatures of these isles made it impossible to avoid insane risks but while for him it had been an unwanted yet ultimately favorable circumstance, his healer friend seemed to seek out specifically those kind of battles.

Ilea returned from her slightly transparent state, her form lighting up in bright white flames and auras so powerful, Kyrian could nearly see them with just his eyes. Burning ash spread on her back, her wings set alight as eighteen ashen tendrils fanned out in a way to welcome the approaching monsters.

The Bluetails flew close to each other, the first one forming a torrent of water that rushed towards the solitary target a split second later.

Ilea raised her arm, energy flowing from her core and out of her palm an instant later, a broad cone of fiery light flared up and engulfed the first two Bluetails.

The spell ended, the closest Bluetail gone entirely, as if it had never existed. The one behind showed burns on nearly its entire body, one of its wings gone. It failed to keep in the air and twirled to the ground, hitting the mountain side hard before it stood up, screeching up at the floating being.

She didn’t stay back, instead rushing the creatures with quick moving wings, dodging around their maws and talons as her limbs ripped into their scales, leaving streaks of white flame and sometimes deep bleeding gashes. Wind blades vanished and appeared below to hit the injured Bluetail. Ilea sunk her limbs into the neck of the weaker creature, her fists slamming down on its skull with visible mana surges spreading into its head. A spray of burning ash set the whole back side of it alight before she was swatted away by a stream of concentrated water.

Kyrian watched as the second Bluetail fell, unmoving as the flames still clung to its body. Lances of burning ash slammed into the injured creature on the ground as Ilea stared down the last of them, her auras weakening a moment later.

“We might want to take that one together,” Ilea said, her voice sounding excited as a gust of wind pushed her back.

___________________________

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 684]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 721]’

She knew the injured one was close to death as well, the weakest of the group. Her focus shifted to the leader of the pack, or murder, however a group of Wyverns was called.

[Northern Bluetail – lvl ???]

“It’s close to nine hundred,” she said. “What do you think, Kyrian?”

The man appeared next to her, steel flails attached to his back and hovering close. “With the two of you? We can try.”

Feyrair rushed past, his form expanding once more as he roared at the flying Wyvern.

“Your circle works?” Ilea asked.

“It’s not obstructed,” Kyrian said. “Yes, it will.”

“Perfect. Let’s try without first,” Ilea said and followed the dragonling, displacing large blades of air, some already having cut into his wings. She just sent them down to the injured Bluetail, glancing down to see it fall apart as it was struck by one particularly potent blade.

She landed on Feyrair’s back, sending spears of ash forward as the bird rushed them in turn. Ilea blinked into the torrent of water that came their way, her high resistance pushing the element aside as she braced the powerful spell. She teleported behind the Bluetail right before it reached her, the open maw instead crashing into fiery claws behind her.

Two flails twirled around the monster’s legs, binding them together to render its talons less useful. The other four swung around its wings, Kyrian holding on to them as he tried to pull the creature away from Feyrair.

Ilea could feel the powerful curse magic flow into the creature through the steel chains. She displaced herself onto the monster’s back, using the distraction from her team to focus solely on her offense. Punches and ashen limbs sent her mana pool into the creature as destructive waves, her ash alone not quite able to pierce its densely packed and resilient scales.

An explosion of air pushed away all three combatants, Ilea back in an instant with her blink, Kyrian still holding on to his chains and Fayrair simply using the opportunity to spread fire with his breath. They all showed injuries but Ilea determined all of them not to be in mortal danger, her ash spreading far now, allowing her to check her allies with ease.

The Bluetail realized that the situation wasn’t going in its favor, rushing forward and tackling Feyrair before it moved down to the ground. The impact sent Ilea flying, the creature breaking through the chains on its legs. Talons clad in wind magic ripped into the pinned dragonling, cutting through his defenses and getting stuck.

“Go!” Ilea shouted, using monster hunter to enhance her voice before she formed a gate behind the large Bluetail.

Feyrair grabbed on to the talons and stood up with a surge of heat and fire, pushing the monster through the gate.

Ilea shut it, Feyrair’s clawed arms pushed back when the connection was removed, the Bluetail appearing in the circle Kyrian had prepared.

He was already there, floating above as the creature struggled against the chains. Bright green energy flared up as the runes came alive with power, a cone of light rushing up beyond where Kyrian floated.

Ilea flew next to Feyrair, healing his injuries as she watched Kyrian float down, the chains moving up to him before they connected to his armor. Energy rushed into him, destructive power in turn going down into the Bluetail that struggled more to move with each passing moment.

“Come on,” Ilea said and rushed to the circle, burning ash spreading onto the being a moment later.

Feyrair added his breath a moment later, with far greater results.

They didn’t stop their spells until the ding resounded within each of their minds.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 872]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 477 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 471 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 426 – One stat point awarded’

Feyrair turned back and fell to one knee, blood still dripping from a gash on his chest but it was healing.

The circle of curse magic flickered out, Kyrian floating down to join them. “That was fast,” he remarked.

“Took quite some time actually,” Ilea said. “Your curse managed to keep it from flying away?”

“They’re easily confused. The blight added more to that than any other effect of the spell,” he explained.

“You can get stuck in a lose rope if you’re drunk enough,” Ilea remarked with a laugh.

Kyrian glanced at the being before he looked at her. “Something like that.”

“That was… refreshing,” Ilea said. “A bit more of a challenge would have been welcome but it’ll do.”

“There are a lot more dangerous creatures here than Bluetails. Or you could try to fight them underwater?” Kyrian asked.

“I’d rather not,” Ilea said. Although for my fear resistance, it may just be helpful.

Chapter 614 A simple spell

Chapter 614 A simple spell

“I’m sure we’ll get the chance to see what else these isles have to offer,” Ilea said. “But I don’t want to keep you here.”

Kyrian laughed. “I’ve been here for a long time… another few days wouldn’t make a difference,” he said.

Ilea just looked at him before she flew towards the Taleen dungeon on the same isle. “Come, I’ll introduce you to the others.”

“The ones who managed to use the gate?” Kyrian asked.

“They’re here too. Talented bunch who worked tirelessly to get this done,” Ilea said.

The man gulped. “I hope you didn’t do that just for me.”

“I would’ve hired them to do it just for you. But as it happens, there were other reasons as well. I don’t have to explain the benefits of having a long range teleportation network on our hands.” she said.

“No, you don’t. But that doesn’t mean using the existing Taleen one. I would assume there are many measures in place to prevent outsiders from doing so,” he said, the three of them flying towards the rocky coast.

“Hence the other reasons, mostly to do with the Cerithil Hunters,” Ilea said. “When you were teleported here, I instead was moved to Iz, the once capital of the Taleen. When I was hunting with the Elves recently, we came across another portal that led there which let me use the various marks I left on people to find out where it was.”

“The capital?” Kyrian asked. “So that means you know where we are right now? Based on those marks?”

“Not just that. Iana and Christopher managed to copy the map of all accessible destinations within the Taleen teleportation network. We’re far northwest, very far. I don’t even know how close the continent is. Maybe there’s another one that’s closer, maybe we’re in the middle of a massive ocean,” Ilea said.

“Would’ve been a difficult flight,” Kyrian said and chuckled to himself. “I’m glad you came before I left.”

Ilea smiled. “Me too.”

“Now you’re using the gates to attack Iz?” he asked, looking at Feyrair.

The elf hissed. “Iz… it’s too dangerous as we are now. Even Isalthar, the strongest among us, could not face the armies.”

“That too. Which means we’ll have to get stronger ourselves. Mostly me, Fey, and Neiphato. The others are training too, but… well one does need a certain… character, to do what we do,” Ilea explained.

The man huffed. “Yeah,” he looked at them and laughed.

“Are you insulting me?” Feyrair asked with a hiss.

“I suppose I understand you a little better now, Ilea. And you, Feyrair, I will face you when I return,” Kyrian said and turned to look at the dragonling.

“Return?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. After I visit Ravenhall, take a vacation for a week or two. I certainly deserve it. But I won’t let you destroy the monsters of these isles all alone,” he answered.

“You’ve fought enough, you don’t have to help j-” Ilea started but he raised a hand, shaking his head.

“Please. I can make my own choices, Ilea. I won’t let you be the only Shadow to reach level five hundred. And I will help with Iz, if your group will have me,” Kyrian said.

“Are you sure? After everything you’ve been through?” she said.

He sighed. “I must look more fragile than I thought,” Kyrian said. “I told you, I want to get back at the creatures here who took me for prey to play with, I want to get back at those who set up these fucking gates. And if I reach the next evolution, maybe I’ll get something that would prevent a situation like this one in the future.”

“I get it. And sure, I told you, I’d be happy to have you travel with us. But take at least two weeks off,” Ilea said.

“You promise not to kill everything here in those two weeks?” Kyrian asked.

She smirked. “Can’t make promises like that, old friend,” she teased. “I’m kidding. We’ll focus on the Bluetails for now, get used to them. And I’ll show you to Ravenhall first.”

He grunted his approval. “Anywhere where I can bring the Vrayar? I don’t want to leave them here.”

“My house? They can’t teleport through doors or attack through walls?” Ilea asked.

“Neither. They don’t attack anyway, as long as they don’t feel threatened. I think they don’t know how to hunt because of me,” Kyrian said.

“Domesticated. Good, wouldn’t want the tigers to die because of them,” Ilea said.

“Ah yes, I remember, in the nearby cave. Surely grown up by now?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea smiled. “To be honest, I haven’t checked on them in a while. We’re more just neighbors.”

They reached the dungeon entrance, night having fallen by now. The mists flowed down the mountains and onto the lowest altitudes.

Ilea spread her ash into the miststalkers dancing closer, their tendrils of magic draining her health and mana.

The creatures turned to mist themselves when her reverse reconstruction overwhelmed them.

“You can’t kill them?” Kyrian asked.

“Oh no I can, but they’re hardly a drop in the ocean of experience I need for any levels,” she said.

“I see. The same applies to me,” Kyrian said and turned around near the entrance, looking at the field of mist flowing onto the ocean, the water winning out a few dozen meters out. “They have a serene beauty to them, don’t they?”

Ilea suppressed the joke sitting on her tongue and followed his gaze. “They do. But I think I like the storms more.”

“Of course you do,” Kyrian said and laughed, turning to the entrance where Feyrair already waited.

The rest of the group was waiting downstairs, Iana and Christopher tinkering with enchanted steel plates. Various tools and materials were spread out across several workbenches, a few tables covered in notes and large blueprints adding to the scene. Neiphato sat on the ground, wood growing around him in what looked like a miniature meadow.

Guess I’m not the one with the future Meadow evolution, Ilea thought, looking at the beautiful elf who opened his eyes in turn.

“Welcome back,” he said and slowly floated up, the roots around him spreading out as he did so. “You must be Kyrian. It’s an honor to meet you,” he said and curtsied.

“Good to meet you. Another Cerithil Hunter?” Kyrian said as he turned his head to the elf.

“Indeed. And an ally to Ilea,” he said. “I’m glad you survived.”

“As am I,” Kyrian said.

Iana glanced over and waved. “Hey Kyrian. Knew you’d make it.”

“Iana, good to see you. It’s been a while,” the man said.

“I see you made some modifications… oh, it’s not even the same steel anymore,” Iana said and giggled. “Balduur won’t be too happy.”

Kyrian just grunted, chuckling to himself a moment later. “And you are Christopher.”

“Yes. I eh… I heard you helped… against Arthur. We didn’t meet but… thank you,” the enchanter said.

“Arthur? How is that related?” Kyrian asked.

“I was working for him… not entirely by choice. Well now I’m working for Ilea,” he said.

“Not entirely by choice?” Kyrian asked, his voice sounding entirely serious.

“Don’t scare him,” Ilea said, tapping his shoulder. “He can stop whenever he wants.”

Christopher chuckled awkwardly. “I… I don’t think I can stop.”

“Not with all the progress we’re making,” Iana said.

Ilea summoned the key locator and displaced it close to Iana. “Speaking of which. You can have it for a while to copy the map. I’ll show Kyrian to Ravenhall.”

“You do not intent to search for the keys?” Neiphato asked.

Ilea glanced at Kyrian, the man looking between the elf and her. “Found something in Iz that requires a bunch of ancient Taleen keys. That thingy there helps us find them. And Neiphato, I doubt looking for those will be any easier than surviving in Iz, or at least facing several Executioners. I think it would be best to train on these isles for a while. You have plenty of ways to get stronger here too.”

“I will give you a tour when I’m back,” Kyrian said. “Can you heal?”

Neiphato nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. Then the keeps would probably be best to level your skills, or are they already all in the later third tier?” the metal mage asked.

He’s taking over, Ilea thought with a smile.

“Can’t believe this human has a higher level than me. How old is he? A hundred, two hundred?” Feyrair whispered.

“Mid twenties?” Ilea suggested.

The elf just hissed. “Isles with all kinds of perfect high level monsters to fight. I see you’re not the only human with that kind of luck. Perhaps that is the inherent power of your species, instead of the magic we inherit.”

“Eh, there would be more like us if that was the case,” Ilea said.

“I was joking. I’m merely envious of his opportunities,” Feyrair said.

“Instead of crawling through ancient and empty Taleen ruins?” Ilea asked.

He hissed.

Ilea laughed. “Well, his opportunities are yours now. And mine. So we better make the most of it. Don’t want to be a burden to Isalthar the next time we go to Iz.”

“We won’t be,” the elf said, his flames flaring up for a short moment before they subsided once more.

“Finding ancient keys. For what purpose exactly?” Kyrian asked.

“There’s some kind of being within Iz… a machine maybe, or a really old dwarf, who knows. The keys allow us to get more information, maybe something that would help us stop the Taleen on their unending attempt to destroy all Elves,” Ilea said.

The man just nodded to himself.

“Alright, let’s leave this place for now. Kyrian can you get your birds?” Ilea asked.

“Will do,” the man said and vanished.

“What a presence…,” Neiphato murmured, hissing a moment later. “I could feel his magic, suppressed and waiting to be unleashed.”

“Did you feel my presence too?” Feyrair asked.

“You are hard to miss, Feyrair,” Neiphato said with a smile.

The dragonling hissed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Stop bickering,” Ilea said. “Iana can you two do the copy while I’m in Ravenhall?”

“We will return north,” Iana said. “You can get it there when we’re done. Should be just a moment with Meadow’s help.”

“Alright,” Ilea said, blinking outside to shoo away the closest Miststalkers before they started draining the Vrayar. She waited in them mist, seeing Kyrian approach in the distance.

He slowed down and landed, the birds following him and landing on the nearby rock, one on his shoulder, one on his outstretched arm.

“We really have to have a race at some point,” Ilea said. “I remember your flying wasn’t exactly… perfect.”

The man petted the bird on his arm. “Yeah, but now I have a skill for it. Plus the metal manipulation helps.”

Ilea walked inside, holding the gate open for him. “I met a few metal mages in the meantime, all specializing in silver, gold, or obsidian.”

“I can only control iron in various forms,” Kyrian said. “But most steel works well too. Much more resilient.”

“I see. I’m sure Goliath has some cool stuff for you to check out as well,” she said. “He’s a smith in the north.”

“I’ll gladly meet him,” he said.

Ilea stopped on the stairs, extending her ash to wrap around his arm. “Kyrian.”

He turned and looked at her.

She grabbed his arm. “Can I mark you?”

“Mark me?” he asked.

“It’s a spell I can use. I’ll be able to find you. And you can call for me if something happens,” she said. “I don’t… I don’t want to lose you again.”

“I don’t want to get lost again,” he said. “Mark away.”

A few moments later, the whole group stood in the entrance hall to the Iznakor dungeon. The workbenches and tools were gone, returned to Iana’s storage ring. “Ready?” Ilea asked, mostly for Kyrian.

He glanced at his birds and nodded lightly. “Do your thing.”

Ilea activated her third tier of blink, charging up the spell as the runes formed below her, the fabric of space breached to connect her to the anchor left behind in her living room. When the time came, she connected the group with displacement, her magic shifting space before she looked around and found herself back in her house.

“Welcome back,” she said.

Kyrian remained quiet, his birds screeching as they jumped onto the furniture. He teleported to the balcony, resting on the railing as he looked out onto the dark ocean.

Ilea checked the birds quickly, but finding nothing wrong with them despite the lower mana density. Granted, the difference wasn’t huge, nor were they particularly powerful.

“I will join the enchanters,” Neiphato said.

“Me too,” Feyrair added. “I have more ideas how to beat Meadow.”

“Do you now?” Ilea asked. “Well I’ll get you later, a few hours probably.”

“You don’t want to stay with him for a while longer? We don’t have to rush,” Feyrair said.

“I don’t think he needs a babysitter,” Ilea said. “Safe travels to you all,” she added and walked towards the balcony. Blinking outside, she joined the man and looked out onto the ocean. “Want to be alone?”

He remained quiet before he glanced her way. “I don’t mind.”

Ilea relaxed, leaning against the glass door behind her as she summoned some ale. A storm raged in the distance, her eyes picking up what would’ve just been darkness a few years ago.

“It’s amazing,” he said.

“The ocean?” Ilea asked when he didn’t add anything else.

He chuckled. “That too I suppose. I spent years on those isles and you just moved everyone here with a single spell. Just like that. An insurmountable distance, thousands of monsters in between.”

Ilea smiled. “That’s space magic for you. It’s how I got Meadow to this realm as well. Otherwise it would’ve remained there. Or maybe I would’ve trained and leveled until I could do something about it.”

“To make this magic available to everyone… it would let us build settlements… anywhere. Trade and military support would change entirely, let alone adventuring. Most of the time we spent on our missions, was just travel,” he said.

“Well, the frontier will remain, no matter what,” Ilea said.

“All I did was kill things, and taking care of some birds,” Kyrian said and sighed.

“I mostly just killed things. Just happened to find and loot treasuries on the way, and I met powerful beings that helped me out. You have the power now to do pretty much whatever you want. Even the members of the Lily won’t be able to stop you, those I met at least,” she said.

He looked at his hand and made a fist before he relaxed it again. “It’s true, isn’t it? I’m probably stronger than some of the Elders of the Hand,” he said and laughed. “It’s strange. All it took was a few years. Countless battles… dancing on the edge of death, every day, but in a way I feel like I don’t deserve it.”

“Does anyone deserve anything? We get dealt the cards we have and play them as we see fit. With ability and luck, we might succeed, or we might not. Not that the definition of success is standardized in the first place,” Ilea said.

“What you said about me is true for you as well. What do you plan to do with it all?” he asked.

Ilea just shrugged and sipped on her ale. “This.”

“Drinking ale on your balcony?” he asked and chuckled.

“Saving my stranded friend, funding people who can crack ancient technology for our use, fighting interesting monsters on isles so far removed from settled lands people don’t even know they exist. Seeing where the next adventure will take me, exploring the magic I have,” she explained.

He sighed. “It doesn’t sound quite as daunting when you put it like that.”

“It’s good I think, to know what we can do. To feel some amount of responsibility. But in the end, we are still human. I don’t think we’re made to serve a greater purpose, nor do I think I owe anything to anyone. We can do all that, but it’s a choice we make, one we can make on a daily basis. Just so happens that for people as powerful as we are, those decisions carry more weight. Maybe the life of another, or the fate of an entire city,” she mused.

“You’ve given this some thought,” Kyrian said.

“Well, I didn’t have the luxury to be stuck on an island for a few years,” she said with a smirk, winking at him when he glanced back.

“How lucky I’ve been,” he said in a dry tone. “Got anything without alcohol?”

Ilea summoned another bottle and used her poison resistance to eliminate the effects. “Should be non alcoholic now, not that something like this would have an impact on you anyway.”

He took the bottle and opened up his helmet, just revealing his mouth. Kyrian sipped on the ale and shrugged. “Not too shabby. Healing magic?”

“Poison Resistance in the third tier,” she said.

“Ah,” he mused and drank more.

“Ask Trian about resistance training. The Sentinels will be able to get you there. Thirty skills and ten of them maxed out,” she said.

“I’m pretty close already,” he said with a smile.

“Don’t like to reveal your face?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her and moved away the metal. “Habit. Lots of vulnerable parts in the head.”

“I know, but it feels nice. The wind, the salt.”

Kyrian smiled, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“What is it?” she asked, seeing the uncertainty on his face.

“I don’t know if I’m ready. So many people, shops, noises.”

Ilea touched his shoulder with an ashen limb, forming a hand at the front. “You can also stay here. But it’s the middle of the night. There won’t be quite as many people. I’m sure Claire can get you a quiet house somewhere too.”

“Giving away houses. Does gold have a meaning to you still?” he asked.

“Sure. I can change someone’s life or pay people well for the work they love doing. Best of all is that Claire manages all that,” Ilea said.

“Sounds exhausting,” he retorted.

“Right? She’s a saint.”

Chapter 615 Tour

Chapter 615 Tour

“We can go if that’s okay,” Kyrian said after a while.

“Sure. Oh and feel free to stay here whenever and however long you want to. There are plenty of rooms below the armory, just change things around as you want. Or just sleep in my room when I’m not around.” she said.

“You’re very generous. I’ll get enough wealth to get my own secluded spot in these mountains. Higher up though, and not this close to the ocean. But for now I’ll take you up on that offer. Only because of the Vrayar. Can’t exactly just leave them in the wild or in Ravenhall,” he said.

“Yeah, level two hundred birds won’t be something the general public feels comfortable with,” Ilea said, displacing the two of them outside.

“Will I gain Space Magic resistance if you keep doing that?” Kyrian asked.

She smiled. “I’d think so, yes. But we can work on that at a later time,” she said and spread her wings, flying up and towards Ravenhall.

Kyrian followed, keeping up with her as she pushed for speed.

Ilea didn’t charge her wings yet, not about to become the one to be wrapped in a metal cocoon for the next long range flight.

“When I want to join you, should I just dissolve the mark?” Kyrian asked when they landed in a snow covered field near the city.

“That works, yes. I’ll get you afterwards,” Ilea said and blinked towards the gate.

The guards prepared their spells and weapons as they saw the use of teleportation but quickly relaxed when they recognized her. “Don’t scare us like that,” one of them said with a sigh.

“Glad to see you’re prepared at least,” Ilea mused, glancing at the disappearing barrier in front of her, seeing the various enchantments that lit up close to the wall. More guards already rushed to the gates, even two squads with various flying abilities. “Might have overdone it a little.”

Kyrian stepped away from her, his arms spread in a placating gesture.

“Lilith,” a grumpy guard said, the woman arriving with crossed arms. “Is there an emergency?”

“Not really,” Ilea said. “Just wanted to get here quickly.”

“I… see,” the woman said and glanced at Kyrian before she waved them inside. “Have a good stay.”

Ilea smiled at her and waved for Kyrian to follow. “Thanks!”

“She… didn’t even scream,” one of the guards whispered to another. “They won’t believe it.”

“That’s Lilith we’re talking about, even Murray won’t risk offending her,” another guard whispered before he received a glare from the aforementioned woman.

Kyrian looked around as he followed her. “New enchantments. Guards look different. And your alias isn’t just a joke anymore,” he said and snickered to himself.

“After the demons it was necessary,” Ilea said. “Claire improved them even more. They’re the Shadowguard, employed by the city itself and trained by Shadow instructors. And yes, it’s both a curse and blessing.”

“Lilith,” Kyrian mused. “Maybe I should take on a fancy new name too.”

“Sure, what about Iron man?” she suggested as they passed the second wall.

He shook his head. “No. Something a little more original.”

“What about Bluetail?” she asked.

“Not the worst idea,” Kyrian said, flinching when a passerby brushed against his arm.

The woman apologized, bowing before she moved on quickly, not to garner the Shadow’s ire.

“You alright?” Ilea asked. “We can fly the rest of the way if you want to.”

He nodded, floating up before she followed. “I’d prefer that,” he whispered.

They quickly reached Claire’s office, Ilea displacing them into the hallway before the administrator’s door.

“Come in,” her voice called out.

Kyrian tensed up a little when he heard the voice.

Ilea ignored it and went inside. “Hey Claire, got another guest today.”

“Who did you bring this t-” the woman started, dropping the pen in her hand when her eyes came to rest on the armored man. “Ky… rian,” she stammered out, nearly stumbling as she got up.

The man entered, closing the door behind him with floating steel. “Hey, Claire. You… look good,” he said and glanced at Ilea before he focused on the ground.

Ilea grinned, stepping aside as she watched the administrator walk up to the man before she hugged him, tears in her eyes. She opened a bottle of ale and sat down on one of the armchairs.

“You dumb, fucking, idiot,” Claire said before she let go of him. “Two years!”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“Don’t apologize!” Claire said again. “Did you get Trian already?” she asked and looked at Ilea, summoning a small tube she put into an opening in the wall behind her desk, choosing a specific slot. She pushed the thing inside when she saw Ilea shaking her head. “Can I see your face?”

Kyrian obliged, revealing his visage, a slightly awkward smile on it.

“Don’t push him too hard, he was alone for two years,” Ilea said. “Sorry Kyrian, thought I’d say something before she starts dissecting you.”

Claire gave her an angry glare before she sat down on her chair. “I wasn’t about to do anything of the sort. Take a seat, grab a drink, or do you want something to eat instead?”

Trian burst into the office, fully armored with red lightning crackling around his body. “Emergency?”

The woman just pointed at the now sitting man, his massive armor barely fitting into the chair.

Trian looked at the man, blinking a few times. They just stared at each other for a few seconds. “You survived?”

“Yes,” Kyrian said.

“Well done.”

“Thank you.”

“Seems like you’re the strongest now too,” Trian said.

“She’s stronger,” Kyrian said, pointing at the ale drinking Lilith.

Trian made his helmet vanish. “I didn’t count that monster,” he said and laughed.

“It’s wonderful that you’re back,” Claire said as she walked over. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” she added with a smirk.

Kyrian glanced at Ilea with a pleading look in his eyes.

“You’re a big boy now, I’m sure you can protect yourself against a few lowly Shadows who haven’t even reached level three hundred,” Ilea said.

“Some people have responsibilities beyond punching monsters,” Trian said, shrugging slightly.

Claire didn’t even comment on it.

The vampyr sat down next to Kyrian. “And don’t worry about her. I’ll take the day off and show you around, how does that sound?”

“Sounds good,” Kyrian said.

“I do want to hear about your adventures. Knew you’d make it back eventually,” Trian said. “How was the trip back?”

“We used Ilea’s spell,” he said.

“How did you even find him?” Claire asked.

Ilea sipped on her ale. “Chris and Iana cracked the Taleen gates with the help of Meadow.”

The woman blinked a few times, starting to stutter out a few words.

“We’ll leave you two to it then, see you around, Ilea,” Trian said and nodded to Kyrian. “Come on, you’ll like the headquarters.”

“Hey I wanted to talk to him as well!” Claire said.

“I’m sure he’s got time. Do you have time?” Trian asked.

Kyrian shrugged. “A week, two maybe.”

“Perfect,” Trian said and walked out while waving.

“Two weeks, what then?” Claire asked but they were already gone.

Ilea focused on her ale when she noticed the woman’s attention shift back to her.

“And you. You just bring him here like that? Out of nowhere? No enemies following him? Is he okay? Where was he all that time? What did he do? How did he get to that level? I can’t even identify him. Is he stronger than you? What about the Taleen gates?” Claire shot out.

Ilea didn’t say anything, just drinking her ale as she waited for the woman to clam down.

Claire flung the door shut and ran her hands through her hair before she sat down and summoned herself a drink, downed it, refilled it, and downed that one too. “Message received.”

“Good. He was in a taleen dungeon far northeast, no I don’t know where exactly. Bunch of really dangerous isles, his main option was fighting the creatures there. He’s a bit above level four hundred, so quite dangerous. Got himself a few pets too but yeah, he’ll need some time to readjust to people. I’m glad Trian seems so enthusiastic though,” Ilea explained. “Oh and yes, the gates. They’re working on it still. I don’t think the Taleen network is safe to use at all, so don’t get your hopes up. I’m sure they’ll get a working prototype ready soon enough though.”

“Fuck, I didn’t plan for this to go so fast. Alright, no more sleep for the next two weeks,” Claire said and summoned books and papers. “I’ll talk to him later then,” she said and looked up. “Thank you, for saving him.”

“Man didn’t need saving,” Ilea said and got up, brushing off her armor. “He just needed a lift.”

“Least you’re useful for one thing,” Claire said. “How are your dancing skills coming along?”

Ilea flinched. “Eh, not at all. Buuut, I’ll work on it after reaching level five hundred and destroying all Taleen machines.”

“Great. I’ll have time for lessons in about two weeks, so don’t rush,” Claire said before opening a few books.

“Thanks for the confidence,” Ilea said with a laugh. “Take care of him.”

Claire glanced up. “I will. Thank you.”

Ilea left, displacing herself through the city before she left through the gates. Not even an hour, she thought and flew to the prototype. “Couldn’t resist, could they?” she murmured, seeing the changes the enchanters had done on this side of the gate. They’re monsters of their own, she thought and stepped onto the platform, pouring in her mana before the spacial fabric was shifted around her.

“You’re too early,” Iana immediately said, the two of them working on the map.

“Apologies,” Ilea said, watching Feyrair’s dragon torso being flung against the cavern wall.

“Your blood shall serve as a wonderful deterrent,” Meadow said. “Ilea you’re back. You seem better. I’m glad.”

“Got worried?” she asked.

“Yes,” Meadow replied.

She nodded to herself. “Thanks. Sorry I left so quickly.”

“There is no need for apologies. A friend once left in a hurry and didn’t come back for eight centuries. Not even a card,” Meadow said.

Ilea smiled. “How do you even know what a card is?”

“I read. Maybe something you should try to learn too at one point or another. However, my analysis of your biological mass has left me wondering if there is any space left within your muscled skull for information storage,” the tree said, once again flinging the regenerated dragonling against the wall, literally splattering him.

“Tough wall,” Ilea remarked, ignoring the comment about reading. She was surely too rich and famous to be lectured on her lacking education, especially coming from a talking tree.

“Reinforced of course. That creature would burst through even steel without being damaged. More resilient than even you, but alas, it’s regeneration is lacking,” Meadow said.

“I’m Feyrair Kaa! Not some creature you found in the wild!” the dragonling roared before being promptly splattered again.

“I hope you’re not learning to like violence,” Ilea said.

“And here I thought you wished to spread your ideology,” Meadow said.

“Not to a level two thousand space magic tree,” Ilea said.

“I don’t normally enjoy it. You and this common monster are exceptions. So very durable,” the Meadow mused.

“Fey! Feel like doing something a little more productive?” Ilea called out.

“What could be more productive than facing this monster!” Feyrair said.

I’m beginning to understand how this imbecile was stuck below three hundred for so long. And he seemed so reasonable and smart back in Baralia.

“You’re not using mind magic on him, are you?” Ilea asked.

“I wish. He has his reasonable moments. It could just be the blood loss,” Meadow replied.

“How long do you need for the map?” Ilea asked, glancing at Iana.

“Half an hour or so,” she said.

“Can you help them out?” Ilea asked.

“I could, I understand what they’re trying to accomplish.Rudimentary but effective,” Meadow replied.

Ilea walked over to the enchanters. “Can the Meadow help quickly?”

“Of course,” Iana said.

She watched as the small cube suddenly started floating, thousands of tiny enchantments lighting up and fading again in the span of a few seconds.

Iana smiled. “And we’re done, here you go,” she said and handed the modified key back to Ilea.

“Thanks. Are you not mad that it didn’t help before?” Ilea asked, whispering.

“You know that I perceive everything for kilometers. I can hear your mind forming its tiny thoughts, your stomach digesting the liquid you drank earlier,” some unimportant being said.

Ilea kept her voice low and leaned in. “Could’ve saved you hours!”

“It guides when guidance is required. It intervenes when necessary. The Meadow has not led us astray,” Iana said.

“It doesn’t like being called a god, just saying,” Ilea whispered.

Iana giggled. “Not a god, Ilea. A teacher. One with more knowledge and experience than anyone I know. It’s very humbling to work in its presence.”

“See, some people actually possess manners in this wretched place,” spoke the Meadow.

“Eh,” Ilea replied.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” the creature said.

“Figure it out, thousand brain,” Ilea replied and winked towards it. “Fey, Neiphato, come on, we’ve got birds to hunt.”

“He can’t possibly face them,” Feyrair said as he appeared close by.

Neiphato hissed.

“Finally growing a spine?” Fey asked, hissing back. “Good.”

Neiphato glanced at Ilea and rolled his eyes.

“Tree wreck your brain?” Ilea asked.

The dragonling smiled and cracked his neck. “More than once. Some damage is difficult to heal.”

Ilea nodded slowly. “Pride damage, I understand.”

“Not enough that two humans have a higher level than me and more Classes. Can’t even fight a monster tree,” he joked.

“Yeah, better to train first before we face the Meadow. Ready?” Ilea asked, opening the map to find a suitable Taleen dungeon. “Where are we exactly?”

Iana walked over and pointed at empty space between a few glowing dots. “Here.”

“Perfect. Thanks and good luck on your projects. Wonderful work so far,” Ilea said.

The enchantress bowed. “We’ll do our best. Now go hunt your birds.”

“We will,” Ilea said. “Meadow, a lift?”

“As you wish,” the ancient being replied.

_______________________________

“Northern Bluetails, you’re nearly as crazy as Ilea,” Trian said.

The man led Kyrian to the outer walls again. It still felt overwhelming, all the people, the magic in the air, the smells, the sights, the noise. His last evolutions had changed up some skills. They had proven invaluable of course but he just wasn’t used to this.

“Are you okay? Anything I can do to help?” Trian asked.

Too easy to read, even with my helmet on, Kyrian thought. “Can we fly? The city is… a lot to take in.”

“Can also run along the rooftops, might be a good way to slowly get used to it,” Trian suggested.

Kyrian nodded, following the mage who appeared on a nearby house. “Won’t the guards interfere?”

“And here I’d thought living in the wilderness would make one care less about authority,” Trian joked.

“I just don’t want to make trouble for you,” Kyrian said.

“Don’t worry. A Shadow wouldn’t have had a problem doing this already, but we’re not exactly just random Shadows anymore, you included,” the man said.

A squad of Shadowguards rushed towards them in that moment, stopping at a reasonable distance. “Important business?” one of them asked, looking between Trian and Kyrian.

“Yes,” Trian said.

“Understood. A good day to you, Head Administrator,” the man said, the squad leaving a moment later.

Kyrian glanced over, seeing the proud grin on Trian’s face. “I thought Claire had that title now.”

“She has the city. I have the Sentinels,” Trian said.

“Ah,” Kyrian nodded, taking a deep breath as he tried to focus his senses. He had to hear every little noise in the past years, had to feel every bit of magic, see every movement. This really would take some time to get used to.

“There’s a little less going on inside,” Trian said and pointed at a building ahead.

It didn’t seem particularly impressive. As they got closer, Kyrian realized that he couldn’t pierce through the walls. One of very few enchantments he had seen so far that prevented such. Claire’s office had one, and the walls of course.

“Welcome to the Medic Sentinel Corps,” Trian said as he opened the door. “Ah and don’t mind Aki, he’s got the body of a Taleen Centurion now.”

“He… what?” Kyrian asked. “Ilea’s… dagger?”

“The same,” Trian said with a laugh.

All the sounds and smells were cut off when the door closed shut, enchantments snapping back into place.

He breathed out, relaxing a little as he instead looked at the floors below, the people sleeping, training, and eating. Still plenty of noise but more manageable.

“Let’s go to my office,” Trian said and walked towards the large spiral stairwell leading down at the other side of the hall.

Kyrian followed, looking at the paintings in the entrance hall, seeing both depictions of monsters and various landscapes. Nobody manned the reception but a small enchanted bell sat on the counter.

“Few visitors,” Trian said.

“The door is shut,” Kyrian remarked, having seen the enchantments and locks.

“Helps with having too many visitors,” Trian said and laughed again.

A group of armored healers and mages walked towards them, all slightly above level two hundred.

Shadows? Kyrian wondered, the group each greeting Trian and looking at Kyrian with curious eyes.

“Who’s that?” one of them whispered very quietly a little farther up.

Another one shushed him immediately and looked at Kyrian through the walls now in the way. “Apologies, sir.”

“No worries,” Kyrian replied, not looking at him, seeing three of them perk up, the one who had asked the initial question wincing.

“No wonder you’re having issues in the city, with that hearing,” Trian said and held open a thick wooden door.

“You heard them too?” Kyrian asked, walking into the large office.

“No. But I saw the curious looks. And I know my students,” he said and closed the door. “Tea?”

Chapter 616 Fear

Chapter 616 Fear

Ilea appeared alongside Neiphato and Feyrair. “Finally,” she murmured.

“You could’ve found something closer,” Fey commented.

She hissed, displacing the group outside. The Miststalkers were dancing around mistily. “Who the fuck knew that dungeon would be so far underground? Doesn’t matter. We’re here,” Ilea said and looked around. Bluetails, bluetails, bluetails. Plenty of groups around.

“We will want to hunt alone,” Feyrair said.

Ilea went to Neiphato and grabbed his hand. “I’ll leave a mark on you too. Call for me if you’re about to die.”

“What if You are about to die?” Feyrair asked.

“Against a Bluetail? Worst that can happen is them ripping off my head and eating it,” she said.

“You don’t die from that?” Neiphato asked with a straight face, looking at the mark on the back of his hand. “Thanks.”

“That’s not even a scratch for her,” Feyrair said. “But seriously, don’t be too arrogant.”

“Too Elvish you mean?” Ilea asked.

He smiled. “Exactly. Come Neiphato, I will show you the spot Kyrian used in his hunts. I will hunt nearby too.”

“Good luck you two,” Ilea said.

“Where will you be?” Feyrair asked.

She looked around as they ascended, moonlight illuminating the mists below, dark swaths of smoke rising from one of the distant isles. She gulped and nodded to herself. “Gonna have to face my fears if I want to get stronger.”

“What could you possibly fear?” Feyrair asked.

Ilea looked at the waves crashing against the stone shore, ripples going through the mists form below. Plenty of things, my dear Elven friend. We’re not all blessed with a draconic ego.

“Good hunting,” she said and moved her wings, her body carried towards the ocean.

Oxygen repository will help, Harmony of the Drowned as well, she thought and summoned the Drowning Bear ring she still had. Displacement if I get caught in pressure similar to Hector’s. That should lessen the risks somewhat. And I have a third tier water and wind resistance.

Ilea still would’ve preferred to go face the high level creatures in the caverns below some of the other isles that Kyrian had mentioned. Getting stuck under a few metric tons of falling rock may be more difficult to get out of than water, but she still very much liked the idea more. It just felt more grounded.

The mists parted where she dove into the water, her wings retaining their magical ability to propel her through the liquid, her water resistance allowing her to move nearly as if she was in the air. Her Light Magic Resistance allowed her to see in the darkness of the ocean, pretty far actually when coupled with her Eyes of Ash.

It didn’t alleviate the fear she still very much felt but that she tried to lessen with her constantly active Meditation and healing. Her mind would simply be hammered by magic, not allowing her to fully experience the unknown.

For a few minutes, Ilea simply drifted in the water, feeling the coolness around her, observing the currents and spying for Bluetails. Her body wouldn’t have issues without air for quite some time. Indefinitely, according to her Oxygen Repository, though she would supposedly be weakened significantly, however that would manifest. Either way, she didn’t exactly plan to stay down here for days on end.

No creatures showed.

She sighed, a few bubbles of air floating up from the gesture before she looked down to the darkness, the depths an unending abyss even to her heavily enhanced sight. Fuck it. Want to improve? Then you have to do the work.

Ilea slowly descended, her wings nearly floating in the water as she felt the pressure build. She wondered when her ears would pop, already she was dozens of meters deep. Perhaps it wouldn’t happen for another few kilometers, her body simply too strong at this point.

How would I compare to a submarine? I’m probably faster.

She turned her head when she noticed movement. A single Bluetail. Large. Ilea locked eyes with the creature, the reptile smoothly flowing through the water, even faster than she had seen them flying before.

It circled her a few times before it stopped, opening its beak.

Ilea couldn’t see the spell itself but she saw the ripples in the water. When it reached her sphere, she could see the magic like a bright underwater freight train barreling straight at her. And she remained, crossing her arms and wings in front of her as she waited for her precognition to activate. When it did, she grinned slightly and remained, letting the wave push her back.

She felt her wings and body tense up, nearly buckling against the immense pressure. Ilea coughed, her blood floating in the water ahead of her as she opened up her wings again.

The Bluetail swam in smooth small circles, its eyes on her at all times.

My turn.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 14’

Ilea sped up, using her wings as if she was flying through air, the pressure on this depth barely noticeable now that she was in motion. Her spells would be just as damaging, except perhaps Heart of Cinder, but she would try nonetheless, already charging up heat.

[Northern Bluetail – lvl ???]

Eight fifty. A worthy opponent, she thought, hoping it would do more than send a few waves of water at her. Grapple and kill.

___________________________

Kyrian tasted the tea, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth spreading through his body. He really did appreciate Ilea’s storage ring she had gifted him a few years past. Everything he had stored in there came in handy during his long time on the Krahen Isles, but well, everything was cold.

“Like it? I assume you didn’t set up an herb garden on your island,” Trian said.

Kyrian sighed, twitching slightly at the taste he didn’t realize he had missed that much. “No talent for gardening. Especially when the ground is frozen and made near entirely of stone.”

The mage smiled, putting his boots up on the table as he crossed his arms. “Understandable.”

Still the noble after all, Kyrian thought.

“What is it?” Trian asked.

Kyrian wasn’t wearing his helmet anymore. He knew he had always been somewhat easy to read but after years without human contact, everyone might as well have been mind weavers.

He looked down, moving the metal spoon with his magic to stir the reddish liquid. “Just thought… that you were different. Last time I saw you…,”

Trian lightly tapped the table with his heel. “After the Birmingdales. Yes. I was… lost in a way.”

“Did it help?” Kyrian asked, his gaze moving up to meet his friend’s. “Killing them.”

He remained quiet for a few seconds, the smile gone from his face now as he pondered the question. “It felt right. Back then. It was the only thing that mattered,” he said and paused. “I don’t think it was wise. We killed people who probably had little to do with what happened to my family… and yet it’s difficult, to care. To regret it. I know I should, but I don’t. What they did…,”

Kyrian grunted, sipping on his tea. “I wanted to kill him. Arthur.”

“Redleaf?” Trian asked.

He nodded. “I had agreed to help… I blamed myself, sure… but it was his fault, his spell, the Taleen gate. I know it’s not comparable, I know. I’m… I don’t know.”

“You’re pissed that you didn’t get the chance to stomp his face in?” Trian asked.

Kyrian looked at him. “Maybe. Yes.”

“Isn’t it poetic to know his daughter was the one to kill him? She had her reasons too,” Trian said.

“It is. Of course. And I’m glad they resolved the matter,” Kyrian said.

Trian started laughing. “Oh don’t give me that look. I get it. You promised to help, you were sent away and they still finished it. Without you there. And then you’re stuck on an island for several years.”

“Isles.”

“Isles, sure,” Trian said. “And now there’s nobody left to aim all that anger at. You know… I’m not sure if it really helped, doing what I did. What I do know is that I was still angry. I was still bitter. I looked and looked, to find someone responsible, a person, a system, something to punish for what I had experienced.”

Kyrian just looked at him.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but no, I didn’t find anything. Well that’s not true entirely. I realized that what had happened to me, happened to others too. I realized that in the war alone, so many people lost their families, loved ones, their sons, daughters. And why? Because a faraway king they didn’t know needed a war to keep his country from falling into a civil war. The king never knew them, never cared for them. It’s just some sick twist of fate.

“Maybe they died to a monster attack on the way to a safe haven, maybe they were even killed by Imperials, deserters who chose to rob their own instead of fighting in the war. Or they blamed the Shadow’s Hand, who summoned the demon plague whose few survivors happened upon their camp of refugees,” Trian said.

The two men remained silent for some time.

“The one you could’ve blamed is dead. And killing him wouldn’t have given you back the years you lost. Killing them didn’t…,” Trian said, his voice getting stuck for a split second before he continued. “Didn’t bring them back.”

“What did you do?” Kyrian asked, his hands shaking ever so slightly.

“I meditated. I cried. I wrote down my thoughts, focused on my magic, trained, and thought some more,” Trian said and laughed in a bitter tone. “I hated it. Hated every day. But with time, my anger lessened, the guilt I felt… lessened. There was no sudden change, no easy solution. It just took time, and work. Claire set up a few things for me to do, and as the months went by, I got assigned more duties, then we founded the Sentinels. I still have days… where it feels suffocating, when something reminds me of them. And I don’t think that will ever stop. I don’t want it to stop. But I want to live too. I’m proud of what we built here, I’m proud of what Ravenhall has become, I’m proud of my own progress, and I won’t stop there.”

Kyrian chuckled. “I’ve been waiting for two years.”

“You didn’t just wait. Look at your level,” Trian said.

Kyrian just snorted.

“If you were Ilea, I’d suggest a good hunt, maybe on the very isles you were stranded on. She’s probably there now, taking on the strongest of the beasts she can get her hands on, losing her head over and over,” Trian said, the last words a murmur before he refocused. “There’s power in self improvement, be it working on skills and Classes, or just learning about what you enjoy, learning about tea.”

“You suggest I should cultivate herbs?” Kyrian asked.

Trian shrugged. “Why not? Plenty of space in the Haven. Plenty of mages ready to show you the ropes. But not just that. You’ll be among people. You can even start here, with the Sentinels. We have Classes on Alchemy, enchantments, monsters, and various training exercises. I don’t think it’s herbs you need, I think you just need to be with people, and let time do its thing. And write a journal,” Trian said.

A journal. She did teach me to read, didn’t she? Maybe I should try.

“And tell your story. Tell of the monsters you have fought, how you did it. Show the Sentinels what a member of team thirty four has to offer,” Trian said with a grin.

“Ilea was here too, wasn’t she? I’m not exactly impressive compared to her,” Kyrian said.

Trian laughed. “You’ll know how impressive you are when a team of level two hundred Sentinels have fought against you. When did you last fight another human?”

“I’m not interested in a bout against your students, Trian,” Kyrian said.

“I wasn’t talking about a bout, Kyrian. They stand no chance against you. I stand no chance against you. I doubt the whole council of Ravenhall could do much to stop you, not the way you are now,” Trian said with a dark smile. “I see that you don’t exactly believe me. And that’s okay.”

The man removed his boots from the table and leaned forward a little. “So, Kyrian. I can offer you a room here, food, and company. You can enroll in whatever Classes you like, train with the students, or teach them if you like. And of course you can come and go as you like.”

Kyrian thought about it, relaxing in his chair as he finished his tea. “I’ll go back to the isles.”

“I told you, you can come and go as you like. But you should stay some time at least. Lest you turn into another Ilea,” Trian said.

He smiled. “I fear what I will find when I return.”

“I stopped trying to imagine it. I’m just pleasantly surprised whenever she returns and tells of her exploits,” Trian said.

“You don’t mind… how strong she is? We were in the same team. You, me, Claire, Ilea, and Eve,” Kyrian said.

The vampyr smiled. “We all excel at different things. And we all make our own choices,” he said and paused for a moment. “The only thing we can’t forget, is that we’ll have each others’ backs. You know, Ilea wasn’t the only one looking to get you back. But while me and Claire have considerable resources, we didn’t exactly have a way to use the Taleen teleportation network.”

“Thank you. I didn’t mean to waste your efforts,” Kyrian said.

“No efforts were wasted. What’s important is that you’re back. Alive,” Trian said. “So, a few weeks with the Sentinels? Maybe some visits to the city if you have a good day?”

Kyrian nodded slowly. “I’ll have to take care of my birds.”

“Sure,” Trian said with a smile and stood up. “Great, let me show you around then. Or just to your room if you want to be alone?”

Kyrian snorted and stood up too. “Trian… thank you,” he said and looked at the ground.

“I’m glad you’re back, friend. Let’s see what Classes are coming up and what rooms are available, come on,” Trian said and walked to the door. He didn’t react when Kyrian reformed his thick helmet, the emotion on his face likely not lost to the high level mage.

___________________________

Ilea sunk her ash in even deeper. Her right wing was reforming, all her focus on the injured and struggling Bluetail. Its blood flowed past, mixing with hers as she tasted both. They were deep now, the pitch black ocean around them dark, the sinking duo alone illuminated by white flame clinging to both.

The pressure slowed her movements but she knew the same was true for the monster. It had dragged her down in a hope to get rid of her, its spells and talons ineffective against the constantly regenerating human clinging to its armored body. Many of the scales were gone now, deep cuts showing on the being that healed only slowly.

Ilea didn’t dare let go. Not because the creature would flee, she knew it wouldn’t, but because she didn’t want to be down here without reason. She knew deep down that the end result would be the same but for now she ignored it, focusing on the next punch, the next strike of her ash, her constant flow of destructive mana that continuously overwhelmed the creature. Or so she hoped.

It was difficult to tell, all sound muted, their battle frantic as the Bluetail swerved from side to side, twirled and formed spells of water and wind, sometimes both at the same time.

Ilea lost parts of her armor many times, her organs ruptured by the forces summoned by the creature. It didn’t matter. She clung onto it with everything she had. Her ash kept her close when her hands slipped, her wings readjusted her when the creature cut through her magic limbs. She felt no pain, could recover from most injuries in seconds, and she absorbed mana from whatever spell the monster threw at her.

Her resistances and healing made the fight possible in the first place, the powerful magic still enough to deal significant damage to her body. But nothing the Bluetail could do was enough. It couldn’t pierce her skull, or it simply didn’t attempt to do so. It couldn’t destroy her brain, not in a way that would stop her. And it didn’t understand that its spells were fueling hers in turn.

As time went on, Ilea could tell the monster’s movements were slowing even more, its magic packing less of a punch. The fight was almost over. She didn’t relax, didn’t slow down, her ash and magic continuing to pour into the creature with all the might she could conjure. Until finally, the creature went still.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 862]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 478 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 479 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 472 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 473 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 427 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 428 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

Ilea tried to calm herself, ignoring the messages floating somewhere in her mind. She still clung to the creature, the two now floating nearly motionless. Her flames subsided, leaving her in darkness. She couldn’t hear anything and closed her eyes. Her body tried to breathe but no air came into her lungs, making her hyperventilate for a moment before she managed to stop herself. No water entered her lungs either, her ashen armor preventing it from flowing into her mouth.

Up, she thought, opening her eyes. Where’s up?

Before she started to panic, she remembered her marks, focusing on Feyrair and Neiphato’s as she started to teleport as quickly as she could.

Chapter 617 Slice and Dice

Chapter 617 Slice and Dice

Ilea burst out of the ocean before she landed on the shore, rolling onto her back as the mists swirled around her. She coughed up water, her ashen limbs lashing out to slice open her chest, a splatter of blood and water landing on the ground before the wound closed again.

She controlled her breathing as she finally tasted air again, taking deep breaths before she coughed once more. The fight had been messy, her lungs filling with water because she couldn’t keep her armor sealed at all times.

A few miststalkers started to dance closer, their tendrils of magic draining health and mana from the prone figure who had flopped onto the shore.

Aw man, she thought, welcoming the familiar feeling of the creatures’ drain magic. She sat up when the first mist blades dug into her armor, unable to pierce or pass through her. Her ash lashed out, cutting through the creatures until they vanished, likely to reform at some other point on the isles.

Ilea hugged her knees, shivering as she let the heat within her chest dry her body, white flames erupting on her to help deal with the water. She wasn’t cold of course, it would take an Ice Elemental to let her feel that.

Two levels, she thought, focusing on the numbers in her status. More than effective for what? An hour’s work, two? She didn’t know exactly how long she had been down there.

Before she could think of the darkness again, she slapped her own cheeks, a few of her teeth flying through her mouth before they reformed. She spit them out and stood up, cracking her neck as she stretched. “FUCK YOU!” she shouted and threw a few burning ashen spears into the ocean.

Ilea started walking along the coastline, flying onto some of the large boulders as she kept her gaze on the waters. Stars shined above, storms raging in the distance, normal ones at least. Her theory had proven true. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t have gained as many levels if she had fought the same Bluetail out in the open. And she had gained several levels in Fear Resistance, one of the few resistances she couldn’t level easily.

A few minutes passed, two of Keyla’s meals stress eaten, Ilea prepared to jump in once more.

Unending depths.

I’ve faced the Daughters of Sephilon, Taleen Praetorians, the Demons of the Great Salt. I won’t show you my fear.

_____________________________

Kyrian had filled his plate again, sitting down at one of the empty tables before digging in once more. He absolutely loved it. In fact, he didn’t remember if he had ever eaten something this good. And I thought I was good at cooking? Laughable.

He had attended two of the Classes, surprised the Sentinels had Classes in the middle of the night, but then again so did the Shadow’s Hand. Most of the students weren’t above level two hundred, but with what he saw of them, he knew they wouldn’t take long. Many of them at least.

Kyrian hadn’t asked Trian many questions, though he certainly was interested. He just didn’t want to bother the man too much. Already he had offered so much.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” one of the Sentinels asked. The man had dark skin and short brown hair.

Most of the Sentinels Kyrian had seen were walking around in Leather armor, likely made for training. Some just wore simple clothes in various styles and colors. This man however wore armor similar to the set he had seen on the first squad that walked past him and Trian back when they arrived.

A well fitting design, mixing steel and bone to create a fierce looking armor. It had small horns similar to Ilea’s ashen defense.

Kyrian had stopped eating, his gaze on the helmet next to the healer.

[Battle Healer – lvl 128]

The man sat down, tapping the helmet he had set on the table with a smile. “Sentinel Armor, first generation. Does as wonderful job at keeping you alive.”

Kyrian looked at the thing before he felt at the steel in the man’s armor. “Lots of repairs.”

He laughed. “Of course. It’s not quite as good as ash. I’ve not met you here before, I’m Luke.”

“Kyrian,” he answered, continuing to eat as he looked at the helmet again.

“Looks fierce, doesn’t it? I love the design,” Luke said as he leaned forward a little. “Almost makes me feel like I’m Lilith.” He smiled and started eating as well.

“It does look like her,” Kyrian said right before two more healers joined them.

Both were wearing armor too. The man showed scarred tissue on his neck, likely caused by fire. He gave Kyrian a vary look before he spoke. “Do you mind if we join you?”

Kyrian gestured them to join, continuing to eat as he looked at the group.

The third one was a woman with short blond hair and a smirk that instantly reminded him of Ilea. “You’re the new mystery guy. Are you even a Sentinel?” she asked, sitting down and starting to eat. The amount of food on her plate reminded of Ilea as well.

“I’m not a Sentinel,” Kyrian answered, continuing to eat as he locked eyes with the woman. Neither of them looked away as they ate, like wild beasts protecting their catch while eyeing the competition.

“I’m Nathan, nice to meet you. What brings you here if I may ask? I saw you took part in the beginner alchemy class,” the other man said.

Kyrian glanced at him. “I’m Kyrian. I… know Trian.”

“What kind of shit answer is that? I know him too,” the woman said. “I’m Celeste.”

Nathan glared at her. “Don’t start a fight again.”

“I won’t fight her,” Kyrian said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Celeste asked. “Think you’re so much stronger?”

Nathan tried to intervene again but Kyrian didn’t mind. He knew the way she looked at him very well. She wasn’t offended, nor did she question his ability. She hoped he was stronger, hoped to get a challenge.

“I do,” Kyrian answered and continued eating. “But I’m sure you have enough people to train with. And you’re wearing your armor, so I’d think you’re about to leave?”

“Can’t share Sentinel secrets with an outsider,” Celeste said before biting into a steak.

“Training mission,” Nathan supplied. “How do you know Trian? I’m curious.”

Kyrian wasn’t sure what he should share with these people. As if he was some senior considering what to tell the group of teenagers who played near his home. Funnily enough, he was pretty sure they were about his age. Maybe a little younger.

“We were in the same team once,” he said. Technically they still were but none of them actually did work for the Shadows anymore. Not directly at least.

Celeste glared at him now. “Wait… Holy shit… you know Lilith? Like… know?”

Kyrian ate another piece of steak, looking at her again as he nodded once.

“Who… what?” Luke asked.

Celeste hushed him before she spoke in a whisper. “They were Shadows. Lilith, Trian, and a few others apparently. I just heard rumors about them but if…,” she said and turned back to Kyrian. “I… I’m sorry.”

Kyrian chuckled. “Now you’re sorry? I don’t mind. Ask away if you’re interested. But I won’t share anything personal.”

“Is she still alive?” Celeste asked immediately.

“I would hope so. I saw her earlier today,” Kyrian said.

“She was here?” Celeste asked.

“In the city, yes. She can travel… fast,” Kyrian said and continued eating.

Celeste beamed. “Can you take her in a fight?”

Kyrian laughed. “No. But we haven’t trained in… some time.”

“She forgot about her food,” Nathan whispered to Luke, glancing over at Celeste’s plate.

“I might too,” Luke said, his eyes on Kyrian.

“She trained us, you know? At first… it was horrible. The pain… I don’t even want to think about it. But somehow it didn’t matter, her healing was… special, unlike anything we can do. She’s amazing. I wish I could meet her again,” Celeste said, starting her usual ramble about Lilith.

Kyrian ate in silence, listening to the healers Ilea and Trian had trained. She definitely left an impression, he thought. Of course she did.

_____________________________

Ilea finished the last Bluetail, the group of five hardly a challenge compared to the first one she had killed underwater. Their levels really differed greatly, most of this group below seven hundred. It still took time to take them down but even an Astral Spirit put up a better fight than this bunch.

Finding the Bluetails in the vast ocean proved to be more difficult than she had expected. Monster Hunter didn’t travel quite as well in the water, and she couldn’t see as far, let alone with the scales of the creatures that made them more difficult to spot.

Ilea swam up to the surface and poked her head out of the water. The closest isle was a few kilometers away by now but the marks on her elven friends helped her cope with that fact. She knew the more danger she was in, the higher the rewards.

Looking around, she found a distant group of three Bluetails, even further out on the ocean. The most numerous groups were closer to the isles but she already knew that those were mostly the weaker ones. Her wings moved out of the water, propelling her forward close to the surface. Her high speed passing left a trail, her eyes focused on the three flying birds.

She found they were quite large, the scales slightly reflecting the moonlight. No need for stealth with them… not in the skies.

Ilea herself was barely visible, her armor black above the dark ocean, the stream she left on the calm waters the only identifiable thing she left behind. This time she didn’t have to call for the creatures, one of them turning to face her when she was a few hundred meters away. She locked eyes with the Wyvern like creature, seeing the others turn too when it screeched.

Here we go, she thought and charged her spells.

She flew at the beings, swerving above the water to dodge the torrents of wind coming her way. Her sphere let her perceive the incoming waves of magic before she used either displacement or blink to avoid them, the former spell not able to grasp the large attacks. Ilea didn’t mind dodging either however, twirling as she flew around another attack, watching the descending monsters.

Two of them dived into the water while one approached from above.

Ilea watched as the creature screeched, the air vibrating with power before thousands of small wind blades rushed at her. Finally, she thought with a grin forming. Ilea quickly put her remaining thirty three stat points into Vitality as she rushed into the incoming torrent, many of the spells homing in on her.

Phaseshift activated before the spells flew through her with no impact. She sacrificed all the health she could as the remaining momentum brought her closer to the Bluetail.

[Mature Bluetail – lvl ????]

So you just need to grow up to become a four mark? Some things are just unfair, aren’t they?

Ilea returned to her normal form, bursting into bright white flame as she aimed her hand at the flying creature. She saw the other two birds burst out of the water in that moment, jumping at her with their talons ahead. Heart of Cinder activated, not aimed but in a sphere instead, enveloping the two creatures and vaporizing a sizable chunk of water.

She turned her body in mid air, sinking her ash into the Bluetail that got the closest, hanging on as it breached the water yet again, its scales slightly scorched by her spell. She knew the two she had hit were lower in level, closer to eight hundred. The mature one was at around one thousand and one hundred. Manageable, if it wasn’t much smarter than the others.

It already showed far greater control of wind magic but so far Ilea wasn’t particularly impressed. First, this one, she thought, pumping her destructive healing into the Bluetail she had clung onto. Her ash scratched against the hard scales as they descended deeper into the ocean, water flowing past as the creature twirled to try and get her away. Its attacks weren’t particularly well targeted but broad enough to hit her anyway.

Ilea could take it, healing the damage from the highly concentrated water pressure. Her various resistances really pulled their weight, allowing her to absorb some of the shock, coupled with all her main abilities increasing her resilience. Her ash moved around the creature’s neck, pulling her with it when the second Bluetail started with far better aimed attacks, trying to push her away from the slightly injured creature.

She didn’t mind much, her sphere enough to inform her of an incoming attack, especially coupled with her slight precognition. Ilea just focused on her target, knowing that she had to take down the weaker ones one by one to get to the four mark. White flame clung to the being as she punched and ripped, focusing on slowly prying off single scales to actually wound the creature. Her mana intrusion would overwhelm it in time, that much she knew already. The creatures didn’t possess a major regeneration ability after all. She could outlast them.

Ilea looked up when she felt a powerful magical pressure, seeing the same torrent of wind blades form in the water, a turquoise hue shimmering around each of the blades, none of which impeded by the water, somehow even enhanced. The benefit of seeing them didn’t exactly fill her with confidence, their sheer number a spectacle challenged only by a starry night sky.

The silhouette of the four mark was barely visible behind the shining projectiles, the torrent coming over them a moment later.

She had hoped to use the Bluetail as cover but the blades just moved past, circling around to get back at her. Ilea once more activated Phaseshift, letting the spells go through her. A few of them dug into the side of the Bluetail, the creature crying out as it descended away from the now slightly translucent healer.

The magic dissipated after going through her body, taking with it a chunk of health.

Ilea healed against the damage, keeping an eye on her declining health as she focused on the mark left on the Bluetail below. She still thought it unwise to approach the four mark with two other creatures nearby. A trail of blood was left behind where the blades had cut into the Bluetail’s side, maybe not enough to seriously injure it but the way was now free for her ash to do its job.

She returned to her normal form when the spells finally stopped, not able to put any health into her auras. Her mark guided her to the descending Bluetail, a few uses of teleportation closing the distance before she dodged a torrent of water, her ashen limbs spreading out before she once more grappled onto the being.

It struggled and continued to use its powerful magic in retaliation, a laughable effort compared to the four mark likely following the now spiraling duo. Ilea was glad for the constant magic attacks, her healing and attacks steady as she continued to rip open the gash left behind by the turquoise wind blades.

Ilea saw something light up in her sphere before her left eye suddenly went dark. She couldn’t move anymore either, seeing her ash float past. The Bluetail in front of her fell apart in the next second, its wings and legs floating away as its head split in two. Blood started seeping into the water a moment later, the remains of the creature slowly spreading out.

She could feel her arms and legs again, her eye returning as her third tier healing regenerated her body. Ilea swam back and saw the rest of her, arms and legs separated from her quartered torso, her skull split, one lifeless eye staring back at her as her corpse floated downwards.

Concerning, she thought, quickly spreading out her ash and storing her body, not about to leave a corpse one the ocean floor. Her brain had stayed intact, Ilea regenerating from there. The Bluetail hadn’t been as lucky in its magic abilities.

What the fuck was that. My precognition and sphere barely noticed the spell.

Time hadn’t slowed down, which meant at least that she could take the attack didn’t deal exceptional damage. Her abilities luckily helped a lot with the issue of getting cut up like that. Broader spells were simply more effective against her.

She finally spotted the large Bluetail, right before it tried to sink its talons into her. Ilea dodged to the side, her ash failing to gain purchase on the tight sitting scales, leaving her spiraling in the wake of the fast creature’s passing. She wondered where the other level eight hundred Bluetail was.

Did it decide I was worthy prey after all? she thought, trying to spot the fast moving Wyvern in the black depths. She sent out burning ash to illuminate the surroundings, only spotting the descending remains of the cut up creature, a mist of blood now clouding most of its parts.

Gotta mark it with my next attack, she thought and prepared her abilities.

She saw the spell coming this time, her sphere picking up the bright lines that came upon her near instantly. The burning ash was parted, the flame of creation itself separated as if it was a log of wood being split. Ilea activated displacement and appeared a few dozen meters away, finding the spell had been too late. Her lower half was gone, cut so cleanly she didn’t know if her body ever had a lower half.

The wounds closed and her legs regenerated before everything could spill out into the water. She assumed the spell had some kind of way to cut through her ash instead of impacting it directly, the line too thin to be stopped, a similar effect as the void magic blades the Executioners used.

Now fucking show yourself, Ilea thought, using monster hunter to lure the creature closer.

She was rewarded with several talons ramming into her chest, the claws sinking deeper into her ash as she marked the being with Sentinel Huntress. A grin came to her lips as she started to pour reversed healing into the powerful being.

Chapter 618 Grant us Eyes

Chapter 618 Grant us Eyes

Ilea felt her bones bend under the pressure of the talons, her lungs entirely crushed. Her ash failed to gain purchase on the scales but she didn’t displace herself yet. Heart of Cinder was reaching its peak as she grabbed onto the closest claw, the thing as large as her entire arm. Her sphere let her know the exact position she was in, letting her pull herself up.

She felt the claw pierce through her back as she did so, the elevated position allowing her to reach the Bluetail’s body. She sacrificed a few thousand points of health and used Heart of Cinder, aiming for a specific set of scales below the creature’s right wing.

Bright light erupted as her spell manifested, flowing out of her with all the heat and energy she had gathered. It burned into the creature, eliciting a screech as it shook its leg to get her off.

Ilea still grinned, watching the being turn its head back before the water in front of her turned into a pressurized beam aimed at her head. Her skull rocked back as her armor and face were shaved away, the remaining muscles on her neck pushing against the spell until it subsided, her right fist charging up Absolute Destruction all the while.

Her face reformed, her skull only slightly smoothed and healing near instantly. Empty eye sockets were covered once more by skin, eyelids blinking to reveal icy blue eyes now gazing at the creature’s own. Reversed healing poured into the creature as white flame started to cover its body, her burning ash moving surprisingly well through the water around them.

It tried to shake her off again, descending now as it flailed, digging its claws even deeper. Ilea felt something slip and punched, aiming at the same spot she had targeted before. She hadn’t been able to charge Destruction for long but the wave of mana it sent into the creature seemed to bother it slightly, a muffled screech sounding out, dulled by the water.

Another crack resounded as her rip cage was ripped out, leaving her floating as the Bluetail moved away, vanishing in the absolute darkness around them.

Can see in the dark? I feel cheated, she thought, feeling her rips crack and her lungs once more begging for air, her chest closing up with both skin and ash. The sight issue didn’t matter however. Her mark was set. And she was the hunter.

She sped up, and rushed at the being. Her precognition and sphere showed the lines of wind coming at her, slicing so delicately through the water, the motion was barely noticeable even with all her advancements. Ilea displaced herself forward and past the attack, appearing in front of yet another spell. This time she used her blink but the result was the same.

It may have been the same thing as with the Queen of Rot, but this time she saw the previous spells vanish behind her, meaning this was something else. She adjusted her body just slightly, several lines coming at her as she moved, twirling before she was sliced up, her bones the only thing that showed even a remote resistance to the powerful spell.

Half her torso and her head came out on the other side, still connected. She used her next displacement to summon the cut off pieces from behind her, Sentinel Reconstruction connecting the tissue near instantly. Her eyes were focused on the floating Bluetail, her body lit up with the flame of creation.

The creature sent a few torrents of water, like beams of light flashing past, invisible to the naked eye but bright within her sphere.

Ilea dodged with minimal movements, the attack laughable compared to the wind it had used before. Can’t use it constantly, she thought and reached the being, dodging a tail strike before she tried to grapple its body. She failed to grasp the main part, the being rotating in a fast motion. Her arms and ash slipped before she managed to twirl her limbs around its wing. She was flung downwards from the sudden change of momentum, holding on as she pushed against the forces of both its strength and the water around her.

More of her limbs moved around its wing before she secured herself onto it like a climber to the side of a wall. Her fires and mana spread once more, the rest of her limbs trying to hit the same spot she had damaged before, her fists occasionally hitting the side of its body before she was whipped away again.

The surroundings lit up when thousands of wind blades came to life, each flowing towards her with increasing speed. Free resistance training, how nice of you, she thought, keeping up her attacks as she activated phaseshift. A few dozen of the blades hit before her spell manifested, stopped and slowed by her ash before they started penetrating, leaving shallow then deep wounds in her back.

Phaseshift activated and the fabric of her form changed, the Bluetail leaving her behind as her grasp was lost. She watched the blades fly past, her health steadily going up and down, the powerful spell coupled with her high resistance enough to pay for both her recovery and then some. Every excess point in health went into her auras, the cost of her Phaseshift increasing with each passing second.

She kept her eyes on the Bluetail, barely seeing its silhouette in the deep waters as it circled back and came for her instead. Her form returned to the material, pushing away the water that had taken her spot. This time she displaced herself right on top of the being, her ash quickly moving around its wings to stabilize her on its back.

Lowering herself down, she punched onto its spine, Destruction and Storm of Cinders flaring up as her mana was sent through its natural armor, some of it resisted but not all. Ilea was whipped to the side when the Bluetail turned, twirling with increasing momentum as magic gathered around its form.

She felt the attack coming, displacing herself as far away as she could. She watched as the creature lit up, a bright sphere of light and air expanding from the twirling monster. A powerful torrent started pulling on her, her wings unable to resist the stream. She blinked and displaced herself, the first spell not working as the water itself seemed to be in the creature’s grasp. Her spell could move her far but the sphere was expanding and with every wait between displacements, she was moved back closer. The forces alone were making her dizzy, her body resisting the incredible flows.

The magic began to subside, but not before she entered the sphere. There was no water, the air itself having turned into a grinder of a million tiny needles, each cubic centimeter filled with hundreds of compressed and serrated spikes.

Her ash was brushed away, then her skin, muscles, and her bone, the last much slower. Displacement activated before she was pulled further in, half her body gone and quickly reforming when she appeared in the lessening torrent. The light in the sphere receded as the Bluetail slowed its movements, swallowed once more by darkness.

Ilea resisted a last pull, water rushing back to fill the space occupied by the monster’s spell. She cracked her neck with a satisfied expression, looking at her resistance gains. A few more teleports moved her past the grid like lines of wind magic before she was sliced up again by the third wave. She healed herself the same way as she had before. This time her bones had resisted noticeably more. One minute had passed since the start of their engagement. Time is ticking, my friend, she thought, a manic grin on her face as she rushed into the darkness, the mark shining in her mind.

Ilea kept grappling and hammering the monster, her resistance growing over time. She found its intellect to be a tiny bit higher than the rest, its approach changing from time to time but never in a substantial or surprising way.

When she reached her maximum damage reduction, the spells didn’t stop her quite as effectively anymore, her movements and spells optimized against the abilities of the Bluetail. She knew how long it had to wait for another set of wind lines, felt the pressure of its sphere spell before it even activated, and she distanced herself successfully in the last few attempts.

The lines she simply dodged backwards, allowing her more time to position herself on the third mesh. By now her bones only received deep cuts, her ashen armor and body slowing the magic enough to let her come out without having to use displacement to heal.

Her offensive paid off too, another few uses of Heart of Cinder finally damaging the scales enough to let her ash cut through. And once she did, her intrusion against the spot became more effective too. She realized the creature was trying to protect the area, which ultimately allowed her to focus on other parts, repeating the same steps until the monster was bleeding from several wounds on its body, scales scarred and ripped through, destructive mana flowing in freely.

Ilea advanced again, seeing the Bluetail slow down, its spells used less frequently by now. She sliced through its weak points, her ash sending in her mana as the white flames lingered on large parts of its massive body. Once again it started to charge up its sphere spell, Ilea landing another three hits before she blinked away, displacing herself further before the torrents started to pull on her.

She knew exactly how far away the creature was, using her teleportation another four times without ever reaching the central spot. When the pull weakened, she advanced instead, slamming into the being even before the water refilled the spherical vacuum.

Her grapple became more effective, the monster looking back to hit her with a spell when she moved past its wing, obstructing its view as her ash ripped out chunks of flesh, blood continuously seeping into the waters. She knew the Bluetail had adequate regeneration at its disposal but not enough to slow down the crazed ashen healer.

She continued to literally work her ash through the creature, pulses of mana flaring up in lines of cinders. Her fires illuminated the waters around them, mixed with blood and tissue.

With a last effort, Ilea moved all her limbs into the barely moving Bluetail, sacrificing a chunk of health before she pushed, her ash ripping the creature apart from the inside. Chunks of flesh, burned scales, wings, and talons flowed to the side, trails of blood left in their wake.

Ilea floated in the depths, suppressing her body’s need to breathe. Several noises resounded somewhere in her mind as her gaze froze up. The adrenaline slowly faded as she calmed her body.

The chunks of burning Bluetail had moved away, one particular piece unable to illuminate its surroundings. Something absorbed the light.

Ilea watched an eye open, the yellowish organ as large as the Bluetail she had just killed. The last of the fires went out and she was left in darkness.

[Flesh stricken Leviathan – lvl ????]

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 1’

She froze up, her body unable to move for a full second before she displaced herself up, her only focus the marks left on the isles. Her wings moved as fast as she could push them, her teleportation pushing her onward as terror gripped her very soul.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 18’

A scrambled thought reached her mind. Neither malicious nor hostile. A weird thing, hard to decipher. Ilea didn’t stop to analyze it all, only getting a vague sense of amusement.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches lvl 20’

She came out of the ocean, her wings pushing her upwards into the sky before she charged them and shot towards the isles, landing hard against the side of a mountain before she rolled onto her back, rubble tumbling down around her.

Ilea closed her eyes, opening them again when the image of the eye came to her mind. She meditated and healed herself, only slowly able to rip herself away from the impression. She checked her body, mind, even her soul, for something that was wrong, her breathing quickening. She found nothing.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

You have overcome something truly terrifying to you. Your ability to deal with non magical fear is increased.

2nd stage: You have experienced true terror, your very core shaken many times. You overcame or at least survived. Even when your instincts are overwhelmed, you will find your mind calm enough to analyze the threat, your body warned but not paralyzed. Remain vigilant in the face of terror.

Her breathing slowed, her heartbeat following. She kept her eyes open and focused on the dancing mists far below. This was the last time she went into these waters, no matter how beneficial it was to hunt Bluetails in their preferred environment.

What was that.

It was just an eye I saw, wasn’t it?

And yet it felt like more. More than just an eye. Something she should not have seen. Something she could never wipe from her memory. Her healing continued, focused now on her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

She knew there had been no mind magic attack. This was something else. Something more fundamental. The only thing coming remotely close was her experience seeing the Fae, its true form. The Fae however had not been hostile.

Was this thing? It didn’t seem to care at all. It didn’t attack. Did it try to communicate?

For once she didn’t feel like talking to some eldritch creature. Not down in the dark depths of the ocean. She focused on her messages instead, trying to distract herself from the memory within her mind.

Identify - 2nd lvl 1

You can grasp general information from someone or something.

2nd stage: Ascertain more details with Identify.

Not exactly explanatory. But the base skill is kind of the same.

She would just have to try it out. A quick glance at a nearby stone offered some insight.

[Rock] - [Hard]

Yes. Useful. Very.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mature Bluetail – lvl 1108]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 480 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 487 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 474 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 481 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 429 – One stat point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 438 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 12’

...

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated a Mature Bluetail in its preferred environment – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have seen a Leviathan and lived to tell the tale – One Core skill point awarded’

She sighed, hugging her knees as she read through everything. Progress, but she didn’t exactly feel like celebrating. Ilea stood up and spread her wings, flying to the peak of the mountain before she looked at the various isles. That one seems appropriate.

Of course she chose the one with the broadest somewhat flat area, as far away from the ocean as she could get. It wasn’t as large as the volcano isle but an extensive valley between two rather shallow hills provided some cover. She wouldn’t tumble down and fall into the water if she fought there. Plenty of Bluetails flying around too.

The mists and daily storms would provide some additional danger. She just hoped the monsters wouldn’t avoid her because of a tiny bit of arcane lightning.

She distributed her new stat points into Vitality, Wisdom, and Intelligence, bringing the first two to 1500, the last to 1450.

Ilea landed safely within the valley, mists flowing away at the impact, the first stalkers already on the way. She had seen white flames cling to a sizable section of forest on another isle when she flew over, Feyrair’s mark corresponding with the location. Neiphato remained near the spot where Kyrian had first introduced them to the blue birds.

She took a deep breath, enjoying the air for the first time since coming out of the water. Her ash moved out to slash through the draining creatures, heat and power gathering within her as she charged up Monster Hunter. Hunting Bluetails on land wouldn’t be quite as effective, she knew as much, but if she got a few higher leveled ones, it wouldn’t matter. Hope you’re enjoying your vacation, Kyrian, she thought, watching a group of five Wyverns rush towards her location.

Alright, let’s see what we have.

Chapter 619 Bird food

Chapter 619 Bird food

Kyrian steeled himself before he knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Claire’s voice resounded. She smiled at him when he entered. “I thought you had forgotten about me.”

He froze up for a second, looking at the painting girl sitting near the office window. He scratched the back of his head and focused back on Claire. “Apologies. I was busy with training.”

“Taken a liking to the Sentinels. I could’ve expected as much. Trian already offered you a position?” Claire asked. “Ah what am I talking about, go talk to Cless. She missed you.”

Kyrian remained where he stood, watching the girl paint for a moment before he smiled. “She’s grown.”

“She has. Quite talented that one. Snarky and annoying too, because she knows. I’m just glad she paints so much,” Claire said.

He hesitated. “She missed me?”

“Of course she did. You took care of her after all. Painted you plenty too, in addition to the times I asked her to,” Claire said.

Kyrian smiled and sat down on one of the armchairs. “I don’t want to disturb her. Is it alright if I wait for her to finish?”

Claire smiled. “It will take some time. But I don’t mind, no.”

“Thank you,” Kyrian said. “And no, Trian didn’t offer a position yet. He told me I could ask once I’m ready.”

“I’ve got plenty of jobs too, mostly in case you want to take a break from fighting. I assume you’re staying with the Sentinels? Ilea owns plenty of nicer houses, one I kept empty for your return,” Claire said.

“I’m flattered. But the room I have in the headquarters is perfectly fine,” Kyrian said. “Luxurious even.”

He had lived in an entire keep for the past years but it was company he lacked, not space.

Claire nodded lightly. “Fair enough. Can I ask a few questions in regards to your adventures?”

He gestured for her to continue.

“You didn’t happen to come across large amounts of gold you’d need someone to manage?” she asked.

Kyrian sighed. “No. I think whoever built the keeps left in an orderly manner. Few valuables. Even very little rotten food.”

“Either that or they didn’t have any use for such items in the first place,” Claire said. “But with your level as it is, and your potential adventures, just know that I’m happy to manage whatever you come across. I’ll invest it in a manner according to your wishes. Another thing, I know you, but things have changed somewhat since we went on Shadow missions together.”

“A bit of an understatement,” Kyrian said with a smile.

“Exactly. You are known to be a Shadow, or a Sentinel. If neither had been the case before, now it is. Your actions will somewhat reflect back onto Ravenhall. So if you’re planning to start any wars, execute nobility, topple governments, I implore you to talk to me first,” Claire said.

Kyrian looked at her and started laughing. He wiped away a few tears before he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry that Ilea scarred you so.”

Claire looked at him with a deadpan expression before she rubbed her eyes. “I haven’t slept in a while.”

“I’m not offended, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to consider the political and economic impacts of my actions, and I will consult you or others before taking drastic actions. But I don’t plan to do anything like that for now,” he said, scratching his chin.

“Don’t scare me like that. You almost sound like you will,” Claire said. “Please, not another one.”

“I understand that Lilith’s actions have helped cement Ravenhall as the independent power it is today, but that’s not what you’re talking about. I just don’t know yet where exactly I want to go, what I want to do. It will take some time and I don’t want to give you a promise I may not be able to keep,” Kyrian said.

“Good. Would you agree to meet the other council members at least? Some you know already,” Claire said.

“I don’t know if I want to make decisions of that magnitude,” Kyrian said.

“I didn’t suggest you join the government. But you might be more powerful than even the Elders of the Shadow’s Hand. Can we count on you in an emergency?” Claire asked.

“For you, always,” Kyrian said immediately.

“I’m sorry,” Claire said, rubbing her eyes again before she summoned herself a bottle of water and a glass. “I’m focusing too much on your power. I know.”

“I’m aware of the position you’re in,” Kyrian said. “Don’t worry.”

Claire downed her water and stood up. “No. Come on, I’ll take a break. Are you hungry?”

“I don’t need much food anymore,” Kyrian said.

“You didn’t answer the question,” Claire said.

“I could eat, sure,” Kyrian said.

“Good. Remember the Golden Drake?” she asked and walked over to Cless, a few enchantments flickering away. “Girlie, you didn’t eat lunch yet, right?”

Cless turned her head, her gaze moving past Claire as if she didn’t exist, her eyes settling on Kyrian before she blinked a few times. Her brush fell to the floor as she rushed the man, hugging him as she giggle cried.

Kyrian awkwardly patted her back, leaning down a little to reach her. “Hello Cless, it’s okay.”

Claire smiled as she crossed her arms, putting the brush back near the canvas, taking a glance at the work in progress before she walked over.

“I know you kept an eye on me,” Kyrian said. “Thank you.”

The cries intensified, the girl looking up with tears streaming down her face before she started laughing. “I knew you’d come back!”

“Thanks for believing in me,” Kyrian said, lifting the girl up before he placed her on his shoulders, eliciting a giggle.

Cless pointed towards the door like he was some kind of horse.

“What?” Kyrian asked, seeing Claire’s stare.

She shook her head and chuckled. “Nothing. Come on, I think Keyla just changed up the menu again.”

________________________________

Ilea sat on a mountain of corpses. Well not a mountain, a mound maybe.

Purple lightning sent splatters of blood and bits of flesh upward, the valley of death flowing red with blood and bones.

She didn’t need Monster Hunter anymore, the stench and flesh attracting plenty of beasts. The lower level Bluetails got injured by the storms but many still braced the danger for some more or less fresh meat it turned out. They also had some way of telling when the lightning would strike near them. Not so much when they had an Ilea sized ashen maniac grappling them with deadly intent but the birds were too stupid to understand as much.

“Your isle makes it difficult to find Bluetails to hunt,” Feyrair said, landing nearby. He caught a flying chunk of meat and started eating.

“Plenty of birds on the other isles,” Ilea said, watching the few creatures eat the remains of their own kind. Two screeched at each other, apparently not satisfied with the heaps of corpses to choose from. They were all below level seven hundred, hardly worth the effort with how well she knew their species by now.

“Not an option,” Feyrair said.

“Too far away in case Neiphato gets into trouble?” she asked. “Don’t hiss at me, I know you care about him.”

“So what if I do?” Feyrair asked.

“Hey, you’re the one judging yourself, I’m all for it,” Ilea said. “But I promise you I’ll protect him if he gets into trouble. He has my mark.”

“Until you get distracted by a four mark and dive back into the ocean. It wasn’t wise, Ilea,” he said.

“Wasn’t wise… coming from the elf who faced a dragon,” she murmured.

He looked at the sky, his right arm scorched when a bolt of lightning came down on him. “A glorious day that was. Also not wise.”

“See, both our endeavors were worth it in the end. And I told you I won’t go there again, not for some time,” she said.

“Good. We’re land creatures, maybe sky creatures. But not made for water,” he said.

Ilea watched another two Bluetails land in the distance, their size and movements suggesting they were just as inexperienced as the others. “From an evolutionary standpoint, I think you’re wrong. But I get where you’re coming from.”

“Did you evolve to gain aquatic abilities or water magic? Didn’t think so,” Feyrair retorted.

Makes sense in context I guess, Ilea thought, not about to consider the formation of this realm and its species when there were Leviathans in the water and dragons in the skies.

“You killed a lot of them,” he said.

“Useful for a while,” Ilea replied.

“Now you’re waiting for more Mature ones?” he asked.

She stood up with a smile on her face, stretching as she was struck by arcane lightning, the strike energizing her. “Speak of the devil.”

“That one? Are you sure?” he asked.

“Maybe, look at the talon length. Ah but its wings are not large enough. Still, close enough,” she said and vanished.

[Northern Bluetail – lvl ???] - [Hungry/Male]

_______________________________

“I’ll think about it,” Kyrian said.

“I’m sure you’d do well as a teacher, but just as much as a squad leader, or a solitary Hunter,” Trian said.

Kyrian smiled, drinking from his tea. “I don’t think I’ll hunt alone again, for quite some time.”

“The others will feel inadequate next to you,” Trian said.

“Then they better catch up quickly,” Kyrian said.

The man smiled. “I’m sure they will. Sure you want to go back to those isles? Now that you’ve been here for a few weeks?”

“I’ve stayed too long already. I’m sure Ilea is getting bored of just fighting Bluetails. Plus, I have some unfinished business on those isles. And a promise to keep,” he said.

Trian sighed. “Very well. I’ll make sure the Vrayar are fed and healthy.”

“Thank you.”

“I bet Cless wasn’t happy when you told her,” Trian said.

Kyrian scratched his cheek, catching himself and stopping. “She was worried. But once I told her I’d bring back a real Bluetail claw, she was ready to send me away with the next caravan.”

Trian laughed. “She reminds me of my younger self.”

Kyrian snorted. “I wonder why.”

“How dare you offend nobility like that. I will have you know that my childhood was full of hardship. Different outfits to choose from, dancing lessons, harsh instructors,” Trian said.

“It sounds horrific. I wish you could’ve grown up searching for metals below the Asila dungeons. Sunlight and affection are entirely unneeded anyway,” Kyrian said.

“I don’t know if I like this confident you. I was taught to be witty, can’t have a peasant speak to me like that,” Trian replied.

Kyrian stood up and spread his arms. “Who knows, maybe I’m the last living son of an assassinated former king.”

“You’ve been reading too much,” Trian said.

“Ilea has a good library. Already collecting dust. Least I could do was offer those stories some attention,” Kyrian said. He found himself smiling. “Thank you, Trian. Really.”

“Go on, praise me more, peasant,” Trian said, the look in his eyes saying more than the words coming out of his mouth.

Or Kyrian believed so anyway. The man had brought him back to life, he and the Sentinels. It felt good. Around them he thought he was a different person altogether. Confident, smart, and capable. He almost started to believe that he had become one of the most powerful humans in the region. Almost.

“Don’t get lost again,” Trian said.

“I’ll do my best,” Kyrian answered, cracking his neck. “Wish me luck, I’ll have to face a likely bored Ilea.”

Trian grimaced, watching as Kyrian raised his hand, revealing the dissipating mark. “That’s the worst kind. Should’ve done that somewhere far away from the city. I don’t want to end up as collateral damage.”

“You’re the reason I did it here. I’m sure she won’t go overboard if her precious Sentinels are close by,” Kyrian suggested.

“Just hope for Lilith and not Ilea,” Trian said.

Kyrian smiled. “I was thinking the other way around.”

He glanced back, finding an ashen figure standing in front of a closed door, wings flowing away as icy blue eyes stared at him. Kyrian could smell blood, both old and fresh. He turned around and spread his arms, a thick helmet of steel closing over his head. Just in case.

“Three weeks,” she said.

Three and a half technically.

She sighed. “Do you still want to come or not? You don’t have to.”

He deflated a little. “I’ll come.”

“If you need more time…,” Ilea said.

“Don’t,” Kyrian answered. “I’m ready,” he said and walked over, touching her shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t call for you earlier. I just…,”

“Don’t apologize. There is no need. I could’ve come as well. Just… didn’t want to pressure you,” Ilea said.

And I didn’t want to interrupt you, Kyrian thought. “Thank you.”

Ilea scratched her cheek, looking at the nearby wall. “I… we… might’ve done some work on the Bluetail population.”

He just laughed. “They reproduce like rabbits. Just give it a month.”

“They’re not born of mana?” Ilea asked.

Kyrian shrugged. “I didn’t look for their nests. I just know their numbers always recovered.”

“We have to hunt even more then…,” Ilea murmured.

“I doubt it’s possible to defeat them all. I have a few other interesting places in mind anyway. I’m sure you’re up for a change,” Kyrian said.

Ilea nodded to herself. “Only got three four marks. A change would be nice.”

Three. Four marks.

Kyrian schooled his expression, remembering that he was wearing a helmet once more. “Poor you.”

“Do I detect sarcasm?” Ilea asked, nodding to Trian before giving him a thumbs up.

The lightning mage smiled before he pointed to the door. “You’re wasting time. Now leave my office.”

________________________________

Ilea obliged, displacing herself and Kyrian out through the headquarters, bringing them to the city gates where they left normally.

She glanced at the metal mage, surprised when his helmet peeled back again. He looked more calm. Handsome.

He actually looked at her, making her smirk. “What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Woman things. You wouldn’t understand,” she said and spread her wings. “Follow me.”

They quickly reached the gate prototype leading north.

“A taleen gate this close to Ravenhall?” Kyrian asked.

She smiled. “Nope. This is human made. Mostly.”

“What do you mean mostly?” Kyrian asked, the spell activating.

The two appeared within Meadow’s realm, Iana and Christopher focused intensely on a stone platform filled with runes.

“Oh, hello there,” the Meadow spoke. “Still no evolution. Why are you stalling, Ilea?”

“Fuck you too, tree,” she said.

“And you bring another interesting human. Can you hear me?” the tree asked.

“I can, yes,” Kyrian said and bowed lightly. “Nice to meet you, sir tree.”

“Is he mocking me? I can’t tell,” Meadow said.

Ilea glanced at Kyrian and back to Meadow. “I can’t tell either.”

“I’m glad you found your friend, Ilea. Do you require a lift, as you like to call it?” the Meadow asked.

“Yep, closest Taleen dungeon with a functioning gate,” she said.

“Ah yes. I did analyze the map,” the Meadow said. “Show me yours, I will point it out to you. Based on the location and likely altitude, it should be a small facility.”

Ilea did as it asked, the tree sending them on their way a few moments later. “Thanks.”

“Meadowspeed,” it said right before activating its spell.

“This fucking tree,” Ilea murmured when they appeared in a crevice close to the Taleen dungeon.

Kyrian laughed.

“Don’t encourage it,” she said.

“Can’t say I dislike that creature,” he answered and flew up and out of the crevice. “This way, right?”

She followed, the two of them rushing through the raging arcane storms without a care in the world, Kyrian occasionally hit, his armor deflecting the lightning without even leaving an impact.

“Jealous?” he asked.

“Don’t get cocky now, metal boy,” Ilea said.

“Ah, envious is the right word. Apologies, I’m still working on my reading,” he said.

“Enjoyed your time, didn’t you?” Ilea asked in a dry tone.

“Very much, yes,” Kyrian replied. “Can’t wait to fight more Bluetails.”

“Same,” Ilea replied, scrolling through the advancements she had made in the past weeks.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 821]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mature Bluetail – lvl 1029]’

...

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Northern Bluetail – lvl 956]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Mature Bluetail – lvl 1003]’

She had found two Mature ones, in addition to several dozen eight and nine hundred ones. Also hundreds that were lower still. The challenge however wasn’t close to the same as the first four mark she had bested. Ilea knew all their moves, had an answer to all their spells. The only reason she still deemed it more than valuable to fight the monsters was the ridiculous level difference.

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 488 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 496 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 481 – Five stat points awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 489 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 439 – One stat point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 450 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

Compared to her first kill, the many hundreds of high level Bluetails provided greatly diminished returns for her levels. And yet she still advanced faster than she had on Erendar. At first she thought the levels of the beings more than exaggerated but watching Feyrair and Neiphato fight the creatures, she came to the conclusion that her skill set just fit the enemy very well.

The dragonling could kill the monsters more quickly, but he simply couldn’t face any above eight fifty, his regeneration and mana not able to keep up, despite comparable resilience. It was certainly interesting to watch the Elves from time to time.

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Water Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

Her skills grew less from the countless battles than from the single four mark she had fought under water. She did wonder how much of it had to do with the fear and danger she was in back then, and how much was simply based on the fact that she got continuously more familiar with the creatures. Both likely played a role.

Chapter 620 Seal

Chapter 620 Seal

[Metal Mage – lvl 412]

Ilea looked at the man as he dispatched the few Centurions in the small dungeon with simple punches.

“Can’t believe you killed three Mature ones already,” Kyrian said. “Your Classes are stupid.”

“You’re free to pick up a healing Class too,” Ilea said.

“I have one that helps me regenerate. I’m still not crazy enough to face one of them,” the man said.

Ilea walked past him, putting the key into the slot before she looked at the destinations. “Then maybe get crazier,” she said in a deadpan tone before selecting the Iznakor dungeon.

The spell manifested before they appeared on the Krahen Isles. I wonder if we were detected already. How many more times can we use this key? she thought, looking at the wonderful tool before she stored it again.

“I’m content with the level of my madness,” Kyrian said.

____________________________

Kyrian followed Ilea out and to one of the smaller isles. His eyes opened wide when he saw the absolute carnage left in the valley. He glanced at his friend before he took another look.

“You…,” he started, failing to find more words.

“Three weeks, Kyrian,” Ilea said.

“Three weeks indeed,” he repeated. Kyrian had never seen that much blood. And he seriously doubted he ever would again. Most of the corpses were devastated, half eaten or ripped apart by arcane lightning. The ground itself had turned a dark shade of red, limbs, bones, and chunks of flesh littering nearly the whole valley.

The dragon like elf flew towards them, hissing when he arrived. A pleasant hiss, Kyrian surmised. “Welcome back, to the Valley of death.”

“Wasn’t it valley of blood?” Ilea asked.

“Valley of carnage might be more fitting,” Kyrian said.

“It’s a feast,” Feyrair said, looking at the corpses with a pleasant smile on his face.

You eat that?

“Neiphato?” Ilea asked.

“Waiting,” Feyrair said. “Are we finally allowed to fight something else? Queen Ilea, ruler of the Krahen Isles?”

“You haven’t even killed a level nine hundred Bluetail,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed instantly. “Don’t.”

Kyrian really couldn’t tell if the elf was joking or if the fact that he couldn’t kill a monster more than double his level truly hurt his pride. Perhaps it was both?

“I’ll get him,” Ilea said and vanished, leaving the two alone.

Kyrian remained silent for a moment, finding the elf staring at him. “She… eh… really did that, hmm?”

Feyrair turned to look at the valley of misery. “Wonderful, isn’t it. I knew I had to travel with her.”

Not sure if inspiring Elves is a good thing or not, Kyrian thought as he grunted in approval.

“Here we are,” Ilea said, appearing with the other elf in tow.

Kyrian liked him more.

“So, where to?” the woman asked, a broad smile on her face.

He glanced at the massacre once more before he looked at her. The same person did that.

“There was a large keep. Full of traps. It was built within range of the storms, leaving a lot of the entrance destroyed but I always wanted to know what was inside. Then there are the caverns within the volcanic isle. Not sure if that is safe for all of us,” Kyrian said, looking at the Elves. He elicited two individual hisses, slightly different in meaning. “There are a few more dungeons and one keep that is underwater.”

“Not the underwater one. Do you think there are monsters in the trapped keep?” Ilea asked.

______________________________

“Probably,” Kyrian said. “There were always golems and gargoyles, though their level was usually nowhere near the stronger Bluetails.”

“Doesn’t matter, if they provide a challenge,” Ilea said. “Let’s check it out.”

She was done fighting the damn birds. Bored out of her mind. Not because they lacked power. What they lacked was creativity and intelligence. She followed Kyrian, the group flying towards the distant isle while she reminisced about her fight with Queen Zaiked. If only she could face her one more time.

“There it is,” Kyrian said, pointing to the cliff side of the isle.

The group advanced with Kyrian at the front. The entrance to the large structure had been carved into the stone itself, a few outcropping stones suggested a landing area or dock had once been part of the area, long destroyed by the many arcane storms moving through. It was a wonder the entrance itself was still visible, some of it collapsed.

“How do you know it’s a keep?” Ilea asked.

Kyrian gestured for her to enter through the still sizable entrance.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Krahen Keep dungeon’

Ah

The inside opened up after the initial debris, a large hall made of stone, all built in the same style as the keep Kyrian had stayed in.

Here too there was old furniture, colorless tapestries and empty frames, where paintings had once decorated the walls.

“You talked about traps,” Ilea said.

“Not here,” Kyrian answered, pointing at the open double doors leading into a corridor.

No frames down there, Ilea thought, not even seeing hooks for torches or anything of the like. “And the traps were dangerous to you?”

“I haven’t tried in a while,” Kyrian admitted. “But yes. Getting crushed by several tons of stone isn’t good for my health, and I doubt that has changed much.”

Ilea smiled and walked into the corridor. “Stay back until it’s safe. You too Fey.”

_______________________________

The elf hissed. Of course he did.

Kyrian watched as dozens of enchantments lit up at once, hundreds of spears coming out of the walls, most of them bent and destroyed already. Those that weren’t, were stopped by Ilea’s ash armor, the metal giving way.

“And you were scared of this?” Feyrair asked.

He didn’t say anything, deciding to let the traps do the talking.

Ilea’s ash fanned out, ripping the traps out of the walls before she walked on. Another set activated, the healer looking up before the ceiling descended with enough force to push aside the air.

Kyrian expected her to teleport out of the way but she just remained where she stood.

Her knees bent as she struggled against the weight. Finally, the block of stone went back up, Ilea glancing back with near glowing eyes.

Ah but there’s more, Kyrian thought, watching as the stone came back down, knocking her prone before it tried to squeeze her under its weight.

“Why does she not teleport out?” Kyrian finally asked.

“And let the boulder defeat her? You have much to learn,” Feyrair said.

A dull cracking sound came from the trap, increasing in frequency until fissures formed on the side of the stone. Ilea had started hitting the block from below, the stone unable to resist her continued abuse as bits and pieces were flung to the side. Four ashen limbs moved through the cracks and pushed outwards, ripping everything apart with a smooth motion.

Feyrair clapped as Kyrian watched in disbelief. Not because he couldn’t believe her strength. He had just expected some more, subtlety? Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t sure why he had expected anything different.

______________________________

Ilea continued through the corridor, breaking every trap, most of them on the physical side. She assumed Kyrian could get through here without much trouble, the man simply having a different idea of risk management.

It took about twenty minutes to get to the other side, a few last poison darts failing to penetrate her armor before they fell to the stone floor. “It’s clear!” she shouted and displaced one of the darts into her hand.

She looked closely before she slammed the dart into the palm of her hand. A familiar feeling came from the location. One she hadn’t expected down here. The smile faded as she flung the dart aside, the blood manipulation in her palm quickly subsiding due to her resistance.

But this place looks nothing like I’ve seen from the Ascended. Maybe they just have a similar poison here? She stored the darts in her necklace.

“Stay focused, we might have intruded in an Ascended facility,” Ilea said when the group arrived.

“How do you know?” Kyrian asked.

“Blood Manipulation agent in the poison darts, it felt very similar to what I encountered before,” she said.

“It pierced your armor?” Kyrian asked.

She glanced at him. “No, of course not. I injected it.”

“Ah, I see,” he deadpanned, considering for a moment to say something else before he decided to remain silent.

“Just keep your distance, there might be more traps,” she said and walked on, down a long flight of stairs and over a tiny stone bridge above a natural cavern, water flowing into the place from somewhere.

The facility opened up again on the other side, various stone hallways leading away, two broad flights of winded stairs leading into a hall. Two humanoid creations stood at the center, Ilea looking at them as she leaned onto the parapet.

[Krahen Golem – lvl 521] - [Active / Stone]

[Krahen Golem – lvl 530] - [Active / Steel]

Thick layers of metal fused together to form sturdy and broad armor. They were nearly three meters tall, wielding no weapons. Neither had fingers, one having stone stumps, the other ones made of steel.

“Should we go around?” Kyrian asked.

“Why? You fought them before? Their level isn’t particularly high,” Ilea said.

“Might take a while, they’re very durable,” he answered.

Feyrair jumped down, turning into his dragon form as he filled out a third of the hall. He roared as the golems started moving, their forms slowly walking towards him.

Ilea watched as his flames enshrouded them.

The golems didn’t stop moving, magic forming as steel spikes shot out of the metal one, stone pikes punching out of the ground around the other. Neither managed to breach Feyrair’s scales but they seemed just as uninhibited by his flames.

“Impressive… a Bluetail at the same level would’ve already been incinerated,” she said.

“Told you they’re durable,” Kyrian said.

“Let’s see if mana intrusion works better,” Ilea said and joined the fray.

A few punches already showed a reaction, the creations not heavily protected against her type of damage. They flailed around trying to hit her, using area spells in between.

Ilea didn’t even avoid anything, steel glancing off her armor and stone breaking against it.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Krahen Golem – lvl 521]’

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Krahen Golem – lvl 530]’

“I hope there’s something a little more dangerous down here,” Ilea said.

“Don’t summon demons,” Kyrian said. “But honestly… I agree, this was underwhelming.”

“Letting us do the dirty work,” Ilea said, looking at him.

“Didn’t expect you to complain about that,” he answered, jumping down to join them.

“I’m just kidding,” Ilea said, kicking open the large double doors at the other side of the hall. “They really like their stairwells.”

“There is powerful magic ahead,” Neiphato said, looking into the depths.

“Agreed. Barrier? Or blood..,” Kyrian said.

Ilea didn’t feel anything quite yet. “Let’s find out what it is.”

The deep corridor was faintly lit by a shimmering light a few dozen meters ahead. It spanned the entire width of the area, another hall visible on the other side.

“The walls are enchanted,” Neiphato said as they approached the light.

Ilea felt the power from the barrier. Impressive, but nothing she couldn’t deal with. “Should I take it down?” she asked.

Feyrair stepped forward, kneeling before he brushed away some dirt. “These are Taleen runes.”

“Anything useful?” Ilea asked.

“Stay away. Danger sealed within. Stay away,” the elf read and stood up again.

“Danger sounds good,” Ilea said.

“Danger sounds dangerous,” Kyrian suggested.

“Exactly,” Feyrair added with a joyous hiss.

“You lads flee if you get seriously injured, don’t want to collect your corpses afterwards,” Ilea said as her ash spread onto the glowing barrier. Her reverse healing and white flames flowed into the magic a moment later, slowly disintegrating the construct.

She heard noises the moment the barrier opened up. Whispers, coming from the hall ahead.

“Kill them. Fight them. Don’t let them through,” a male voice said, repeating the same thing a few seconds later.

Ilea walked past the threshold, a rotten stench hitting her. “Several things died down here,” she murmured, seeing pieces of dull green rusted metal. Guardians. The whispers had stopped.

She reached the railings looking down into the hall, rotten chunks of furniture littered the ground amidst dozens of destroyed and dented Guardians. A few small craters suggested Centurions had been here too. Dried up bones were visible amidst the carnage. And the source of the whispers.

A single human, bloodshot eyes staring at Ilea as he opened his mouth, revealing long fangs. His chest was bare, showing various scars and seams where someone had likely operated on him.

“Kill them. Fight them. Don’t let them through,” he said in the same tone and then he vanished.

Ilea moved back, seeing the attack come at her. Her hand moved out to deflect the punch when she felt something peculiar. Mana intrusion. A pulse had just flashed into her. Something she felt was very familiar.

[Frenzied Battle Healer – lvl ???]

Battle Healer, Ilea thought, trading blows with the man who matched her in both speed, strength, and technique. He didn’t just match her style somewhat. He used the same.

She was pushed back when he landed a direct bow against her chest, a surge of destructive mana flowing into her.

The man rushed forward when a large flail slammed into his bare chest, piercing his skin before both crashed into the nearby wall.

Azarinth, Ilea thought, looking at the level six hundred being. She knew the moment he looked at her that there was nothing human left within him, that he had been taken by the dungeon at one point or the other. His skills however, remained.

“Keep him pinned!” Ilea shouted, blinking close when the man pushed the steel away and vanished.

She saw him appear next to Kyrian, the metal mage dodging the first punch before Ilea displaced herself next to the healer, the hole in his chest already gone.

The Elves joined in too, fire and wood rushing at the man who dodged and blinked between the attacks within the tight corridor, occasionally trying to get close to the mages.

Ilea had more teleportation uses but the man simply matched her technique, unable to shake her off but adding a downright feral quality to his punches. They traded blows, vanishing and appearing between flying flails, roots, and spells as their fists clashed, mana exchanged in destructive doses. He managed to grab her leg and twirled her around, only for Ilea to displace herself behind him, using his momentum to grapple him.

“His head!” she shouted.

One of Kyrian’s flails came down with a wet thud, everything above the man’s ribs squashed entirely, blood and bits slapping against the floor.

“Keep it there,” Ilea said, the flail having scratched past her armor. She kept pushing destructive mana into the healer, knowing he would regenerate the moment the flail was removed. “Fey, burn us. Kyrian, curse.”

She waited, letting the flames brush past her armor as the three slowly overwhelmed the healer’s recovery. It took several minutes, the body twitching as it was burnt and cursed, healing the damage as it was dealt.

A noise finally resounded, signaling the end of the peculiar fight.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Frenzied Battle Healer – lvl 621]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 497 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 490 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 451 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea was surprised the group kill had rewarded a level to all of her Classes. Perhaps she had just been close.

“That was… familiar,” Kyrian said, looking her way.

“He used Destruction,” Ilea answered. “This guy had an Azarinth Class.”

“That’s the one you have?” Feyrair asked. “No wonder he didn’t care about anything hitting him.”

“No you don’t get it, I haven’t met anyone with this magic. They’re supposed to be long gone,” Ilea said.

Kyrian retracted his flail, looking at the corpse. “This one was long gone too. He just happened to still be moving.”

Ilea considered for a moment that something like that could happen to her too. But she quickly dismissed the thought. Someone had done this to the healer. Someone the Taleen were fighting? Or did he use some kind of Azarinth Berserker Class?

“More coming,” Neiphato said.

She moved her gaze away from the corpse, walking towards the steps. Three people.

One appeared next to her, a battle axe coming at her with a horizontal swipe.

Ilea displaced herself past and punched the warrior’s chest plate in, her second punch breaking his neck before her ash pierced through both his armor and body.

[Frenzied Axe Warrior – lvl 538]

She used his body to block the incoming sphere of fire, the explosion rocking the walls around them.

Kyrian rushed past, a fiery wave engulfing him before loud impacts resounded where he landed.

The last of the three looked to be a rogue, daggers flashing as he cut through the expanding roots of the wood magic elf. A beam of fire burned into the man’s head, leaving him tumbling before a set of roots skewered him, more of them punching through his thin armor a moment later.

Ilea kept funneling destructive mana into the axe warrior, his weapon uselessly crashing against her armor until her ash ripped away his arm. He stopped moving shortly after.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Frenzied Axe Warrior – lvl 538]’

The dust settled as she walked back to the railing, leaving the corpse behind.

Kyrian stood amidst thousands of floating needles, his flails gone as the remains of a robed mage fell to the ground, the entirety of his blood seeping out onto the floor. The metal mage looked up at the two large gates when they heard a muffled wail.

Chapter 621 Terror of Krahen Keep

Chapter 621 Terror of Krahen Keep

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the wail of a powerful creature – You resist its effects’

Ilea put her remaining stats into Intelligence and Wisdom, preparing herself for battle.

“That didn’t sound right,” Kyrian said as the group joined him on the lower floor.

“It is beyond these doors,” Neiphato said.

Ilea walked ahead and pushed the gates open.

An expansive cavern spread out beyond, water dripping from the high ceiling. Hundreds of Taleen machines littered the ground. The pieces that remained. The craters suggested not just Centurions had fought here but Praetorians too.

More bones were mixed in between, rubble and rusted armor remaining from whoever had fought here.

Amidst the long forgotten battlefield moved a single creature, as large as a Praetorian. Four legs carried the main body, one with a human foot, another with hooves. A flesh like torso grew from the main body, two large arms extending outwards. A goat like head sprouted from the being’s shoulders, two horns reaching upward, one eye squashed and the other a milky white color. It dragged a heavy mace over the ground, shoving around the steel and bones.

Its whole body showed seams amidst the chunks of flesh, rusted chains fixed to its legs flickering with golden magic light as it shuffled over the floor.

It wailed once more, suddenly slamming the mace down onto the remains of a Taleen machine.

[Terror of Krahen Keep – lvl ????] - [Frenzied]

Didn’t have to tell me that, Ilea thought, whispering to her group. “I’ll attack and you guys stay at a distance. Is it alright for you all if I kill it alone?” she said.

“If you can,” Kyrian said, his flails floating close to him.

The Elves hissed, both approving.

“Join in if I become incapacitated but don’t overextend. It’s not far above one thousand,” Ilea informed them. “Retreat if you are wounded badly, I’ll try to keep its attention on me.”

“Good luck,” Kyrian said.

Ilea grinned, looking at the flesh abomination as she walked towards it.

The Terror stopped moving, turning her way before it wailed, spittle and blood flying her way before it rushed forward. The chains ripped instantly, the old magic not enough to hold it back any longer.

Ilea barely managed to blink out of its way, the massive being moving through the cavern with booming steps.

It rushed her the moment she appeared again, its mace flying past as she dodged backwards, forced to displace herself when the monster brought the weapon around with incredible speed.

She didn’t think it was time magic, nor was it anything like the Noro, where momentum hadn’t seemed to apply. No, this creature used body enhancement spells, powerful enough that the massive mace became something akin to a rapier, its expansive form not holding it back in the slightest.

Ilea tried getting close, charging heat as she spread white flame onto the large creature. She was forced to dodge again when her leg got chipped by the mace.

The single moment of imbalance let the Terror strike her directly, displacement activating just before the weapon came down on her.

__________________________________

“I don’t think she can handle that,” Kyrian said, Ilea dodging past thirty attacks in the time he said the sentence, occasionally getting hit by the monster’s weapon. It moved around like a beast one hundredth of its size, its attacks flailing and unpredictable.

“It probably can’t fly, let’s go higher. Prepare that circle you used before. Neiphato, try to slow it down,” Feyrair said as his wings spread.

The cavern was somewhat high. Enough that they could stay at a relatively safe distance. Kyrian watched Ilea appear when the mace crashed against her head, one of the spikes digging into her skull.

Fuck.

He sent his flails at the creature, the Terror bringing its mace down on the ground, landing four direct strikes onto the incapacitated Ilea. Her ash and body were squashed and destroyed, her organs flung aside, nothing recognizable remaining.

“Focus, she’s fine,” Feyrair said, turning into his dragon form as he charged his flame attack.

The fires came down, the Terror jumping to the side before it looked up, jumping with enough force to reach Feyrair in mid air, Kyrian’s maces failing to reach it in time.

The elf blocked the first attack before his massive arm was snapped aside, his head deformed and reduced to pulp with the next hit.

Kyrian made his flails explode into thousands of needles, the storm rushing at the massive being now falling towards the ground, Feyrair returning to his Elven form.

He was about to go for the elf when he saw the body vanish, appearing close to Neiphato who hovered further away.

“Heal him!” Ilea called out, fully recovered as she hung from the monster’s back, her ashen limbs digging into it as it flailed and tried to hit her.

_______________________________

How dare you, she thought, displacing herself when the mace came for her head again. Burning ashen lances shot at the creature, digging into its flesh as it wailed. Her attacks injured it, but the Terror didn’t stop, it came at her with the same momentum as it had before.

She started teleporting higher distances, spreading her ash into the air before she set it all alight, the white flames clinging to large parts of the monster’s body. For now she needed to stall for time. Getting close might not be possible as she was now, but if the others could use their magic, they might stand a chance.

The storm of needles was a good start, thousands of them digging into the creature’s flesh and spreading Kyrian’s curse into it. So far it had no discernible effect but she knew it simply took more time.

When she saw the wounds from her spears heal entirely, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

Focus, keep on it, she thought, a beam of fire burning into the monster’s side a moment later, making it stagger. Feyrair was back up.

Roots broke out of the floor, failing to grab the jumping creature, its ascent allowing everyone to send their ranged attacks at it.

Ilea appeared close by and used Heart of Cinder, the beam of fire enveloping the goat like head, melting its skin before it started regenerating again.

Healers really are the worst, she thought, watching the being land before bright green runes lit up on the floor, a beam of cursed energy rushing up towards the ceiling.

The Terror wailed and staggered back, Ilea’s ash and fire crashing into it with white beams singeing its legs all the while.

Wooden roots snaked around its legs, ripped away with an angry stomp.

It rushed away, focused once more on Ilea. But the curse was starting to take a toll.

She dodged the mace more easily, three of her ashen limbs cutting its arm as it passed before she was forced to displace herself again.

Ilea used monster hunter when the Terror turned to face Kyrian’s floating form. It hesitated for a moment before jumping at the curse mage anyway.

Motherfucker.

Kyrian waited for the last moment and vanished, appearing on the other side of the cavern. His mist of needles had cleared most of the bones and metal from the ground, several circles already drawn. One of them activated as the Terror came down, the creature stumbling to the side as it tried to avoid the powerful magic.

Feyrair used the moment to change into his larger form, his breath attack enveloping the monster before he turned back and vanished, the Terror flailing before it hit the wall, trying to put out the fires.

Ilea didn’t waste the opportunity either, rushing past the moving roots grasping the creature from below before her limbs pushed all the mana she could muster into the massive body.

She could see the needles dig into its flesh as a hundred of them drew a runic circle below its very feet. This time the wood held for a mere second, the curse flaring up a moment later.

Ilea remained in the energy, her resistance and healing counteracting the effects as she continued to let her ash do its work, her fists delivering Absolute Destruction against the wailing monster.

It finally jumped out again, its mace rushing past Ilea’s head as she dodged backwards and pressed on, steel needles flying next to her before a fiery beam flashed past, searing the monster’s injured side.

The tides had turned in the span of about eight seconds, the creature now flailing its mace around in an imprecise manner, Ilea moving past as she continued her assault, blinking around the creature as she focused on its leg joints, her punches hitting hard before she teleported to the other side, the monster considerably slowed.

Wooden roots flowed around its legs when Ilea’s fist broke through, the joint on one of its knees snapping. An instant later, bright flames roared in from above, Feyrair back to his dragon form.

She jumped away, avoiding a blow to her side as her ash continued to cut into the monster, another curse circle finishing in that instant.

Come on, Ilea thought, releasing Heart of Cinder once more.

The Terror fell forward, its legs twitching as it tried to stand up, its back scorched by fires, sides cut apart by ash, its whole body riddled by steel needles filling it with a destructive curse.

Ilea watched as wooden roots started to envelope the lower part of the being, digging into wounds to keep it in place.

It flailed around, its mace hitting the growing wood as its body burnt.

Ilea displaced herself onto its head and started slamming her fists into its skull, the spells of her allies supplying her with more mana.

Feyrair’s flames subsided, the elf turning back before he floated away, breathing hard as he hissed.

She would soon be out too, the enemy not supplying her with sufficient mana to keep up an all out attack. Her fires kept burning, the spell only requiring health, the ability slowing down the beast’s regeneration.

A last punch cracked the monster’s fragile skull, its whole body going limp. “Kyrian, how long can you keep this up?!”

His circle subsided. “Takes most of my metal to keep it slowed!”

Fuck, Ilea thought, her limbs trying to cut into the creature’s opened skull, the flesh regenerating faster than she could get there. “Fuck the needles, take its head!”

Kyrian appeared behind her, all the needles moving out of the monster’s body before they flowed to the man, forming a horizontal wedge in front of him, his armor thickened as mana gathered around him.

Ilea grabbed onto monster’s horns with her ashen limbs, jumping down before she pulled.

Its neck was exposed, Kyrian’s form vanishing in the same instant, a splatter of blood, bits, and metal exploding outwards when he flashed through its head. He crashed into the stone wall behind.

Ilea moved her wings, spreading ash over the whole of its body, white flame erupting in the same moment.

A stream of flame joined in form above, stripping flesh from bone with each passing moment.

She glanced back to see Kyrian standing up, six flails forming from the chunks of his deformed armor. He floated up as he began to twirl all the chains, blood dripping from his brow. His weapons slammed down into the body, crushing flesh and bone alike. He left them sitting there, activating the circle again.

Ilea pushed her remaining mana into the creature, Destruction and Storm of Cinders flaring up dozens of times as she focused fully on the offensive, each pulse rupturing through the monster’s insides.

She jumped up when she only had a few hundred mana left, into the curse and fires. Her hands grabbed onto the exposed and charred spine of the creature, ashen limbs flowing around to further secure it. A few thousand health went into her aura before she pulled with everything she had.

With a series of cracks, a chunk of its spine ripped out. Ilea tossed the piece aside and flew straight into the open wound, her ash wreaking havoc before Heart of Cinder flashed out in a sphere, burning through flesh and bone alike.

She displaced herself out of the creature and her friends’ spells before she fell down to one knee, breathing hard as she focused on her regeneration.

Feyrair continued breathing his flames, the curse circle remaining active while wood dug deeper into the Terror from all sides until the flesh finally stopped regenerating.

A ding resounded within her mind, followed by many more as she fell backwards onto the bloodied ground.

“Are you alright?” Kyrian asked as he landed next to her, looking down at the healer. “Oh. Congratulations,” he added with a chuckle, turning back to the monster. “Take your time, we’ll destroy the remains. Wouldn’t be surprised if it got back up.”

Ilea slowed her breathing, closing her eyes as she tried to ignore the horrible smells around her. Ash spread out and pushed away any blood and guts in the immediate vicinity. She deliberately sat up, crossing her legs as she watched the Terror’s remains burning away, Kyrian congratulating Neiphato, the wood magic elf sitting on the ground as well.

She looked at the messages before Feyrair could ruin the moment, brushing the sweat away from her brow with moving ash.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Terror of Krahen Keep – lvl 1098]’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 498 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 499 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel has reached lvl 500 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 491 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 492 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 493 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 452 – One stat point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 456 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 20’

Ilea summoned herself a meal and some of Walter’s ale. The sights and smells could have been better for a moment like this but in a way it was fitting. Killing monsters was what got her these abilities in the first place.

She put the rest of her stats into Intelligence and checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent Core skill points: 80

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2085 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Azarinth Sentinel – lvl 500

- Active: Absolute Destruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Blink – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Sphere – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Fighting – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Perception – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Azarinth Reversal – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 493

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 456

- Active: Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 21

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 4

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 6

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 5

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 16

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 1

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 14

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 13

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 6

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Perception – lvl 9

- Teaching – lvl 6

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 20

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 20

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

Status:

Vitality: 1500

Endurance: 450

Strength:515

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1536

Wisdom:1570

Health: 22412/27690

Stamina: 2108/4500

Mana: 821/31400

She smiled, looking at The Azarinth Sentinel. You were a wonderful companion. Now let’s see what you can become.

Chapter 622 Ceaseless Discharge

Chapter 622 Ceaseless Discharge

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Monstrous – lvl 1

Monstrous – lvl 1

You have achieved level 500, reaching the realm of true monstrosity. Those of your kind may not find it easy to accept your newfound nature. You can choose to mask your power to those considerably weaker than you [250 levels below your highest Class level]. Specialized abilities or enhanced Identification may breach this ability.

Ah, forgot about that… is that the three mark thing? Did I just become a fucking three mark? Ah fuck it, let’s go!

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes Monster of the North. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

You have lived among monsters. Leveled at least five Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed at least 3000 higher leveled beings in the North alone. Has cleared out a Blue Reaper nest. Has survived in the Northern Storms. Has delved into the Descent. Has the Veteran skill at the end of the second tier. Has killed 100 Miststalkers. Has a Class at level 500.

Leaving behind her past in the Human Plains, the Monster of the North has come to conquer and kill. Devastating fighting skills supported by high regeneration will make you impossible to stop. The corruption of both mind and blood have become your allies, wield them with impunity. None shall stand against you.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [Monster of the North]?’

Not even unique. E w. If I could summon myself a few fire foxes, then maybe. Blood manipulation and mind magic just isn’t my thing. Next please.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Azarinth Savior. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

You are the light. Leveled at least six Azarinth skills to the end of the third tier. Azarinth Reconstruction is at the end of the third tier. Has fought and survived against 10 four mark creatures. Has saved a settlement of at least 5000 inhabitants from destruction. Has healed those below their social standing without ulterior motives. Has risked her life to save another. Has killed a level 1000 being. Has an Azarinth class at level 500.

One revered and known for her actions. A hero to the downtrodden, a menace to those who would seek absolute power. She is a paladin of righteousness, a saint of healing and recovery. Thousands would feel her healing touch, to soothe their minds and bodies. She is not a mere healer, but a force of nature, standing in the way of contempt and corruption.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Azarinth Savior]?’

Okay.

Moving on.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Astral Inquisitor. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The Cosmos awaits you. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has fought and survived against the Daughters of Sephilon. Has killed 1000 Astral Spirits. Has the Astral Magic Resistance at the end of the second tier. Has the Oxygen Repository skill in the second tier. Has visited at least three realms. Has flown beyond the atmosphere of a planetary object. Has killed a level 1250 being. Has a Class at level 500.

A rare human wielder of Astral Magic. Resilient and resourceful, the Inquisitor will move through realms and space itself. Unending is her hunger for the depths of magic, unending her desire to face those deemed gods of their worlds. Go forth beyond the horizons.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Astral Inquisitor]?’

Interesting. Getting a bunch of non Azarinth stuff finally. Astral magic just seemed kind of boring. And there’s no mention of regeneration. Ah… the no skills will be lost thingy is missing. Let’s see what else there is.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes Flesh Destroyer. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Flay and crush. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has fought and killed a Terror. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the second tier. Has the Sage of Torment skill in the second tier. Has Pain Tolerance in the second tier. Has recovered from a thousand deadly wounds. Has killed a level 1000 being. Has a Class at level 500.

A path of blood, a rain of flesh. The Flesh Destroyer wields her body to the utmost of its capabilities, regenerating herself without equal. A master of flesh magic savoring both pain and fear, the damage done to you returned ten fold. Terror is wrought into the hearts of your enemies, death coming for them, their only hope a swift release. No pain or magic will stop your grand whims and perverse desires.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [Flesh Destroyer]?’

Why always with the gross Flesh classes? What the fuck do you want? At least it doesn’t seem to put me in a certain direction… except the path of blood, but let’s be honest here…,

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Sentinel Matriarch. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Foresight and Wisdom shall guide your path. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has fought a four mark creature and survived. Has the Sage of Torment skill in the second tier. Has founded the Medic Sentinel Corps. Has the Teaching skill. Has taught at least fifty people and put them on the path of the Sentinels. Has at least thirty General skills. Has a Class at level 500.

The revered Lilith, matriarch of the Sentinel corps. She wields her Azarinth magic without equal, her wisdom and wealth pushing her organization towards continental influence. Already she is known for her power and valor, her students looking to her for guidance and inspiration. Consulted by kings and emperors, her choices will define the future of millions. Her Sentinels will roam the world, her name known at its very edges and for all of history.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Sentinel Matriarch]?’

Unique and tailored to me? Hmm, honestly seems like something Trian should get. Not Matriarch I suppose, but maybe The Sentinel Godfather. Hah!

Could keep my Azarinth magic the way it is, which may be nice. But it sounds like I’d actually want to manage the Sentinels directly. And all of that influencing, wars, kings stuff is just not for me.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Warrior Queen of Ravenhall. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

A peerless Warrior. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the third tier. Defended the Alliance of Ravenhall against en entire army. Is known and feared among enemy troops. Has at least five songs written and sung about her. Has killed the Queen of another country. Has taken on the crown of a Queen. Has impressed even the most veteran Shadows. Has fought an Elder of the Shadow’s Hand. Owns at least half of Ravenhall. Has killed three level 1000 creatures. Has a Class at level 500.

Martial rule will bring prosperity. A hero to her people, feared by those who would take their lands. The Warrior Queen will not back down, her body indestructible and her fists unrelenting. Armies will falter against her alone, a true monster of the battlefield. Your reign will last until the day you die. An unlikely prospect with healing on your side and powerful organizations to back your claim. Nations shall fall to your whims, kings will bow to be spared.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Warrior Queen of Ravenhall]?’

Would I? Probably not. I know how annoying being a King or Queen is from Maro and Elana. And I most definitely don’t want to end up like Zaiked or the Queen of Rot. Thanks.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Arcane Eternal. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Unwavering power. Leveled ten Azarinth skills to the end of the third tier. Has 25’000 mana and 1500 Wisdom. Has visited at least three realms. Has absorbed magic from thousands of spells. Has unlocked third tier resistances. Has the Arcane Magic Resistance skill in the third tier. Has come to enjoy the Arcane Storms of the Northern regions. Has killed a level 1500 creature. Has killed three level 1000 creatures while alone. Has befriended at least three ancient creatures. Has an Azarinth Class at level 500.

The Arcane Eternal has evolved from the teachings of Azarinth Magic. A master of body enhancement to a degree few will ever think possible. Healing and Destruction go hand in hand, your ability to outlast even the most ferocious monsters in battle is unmatched. Enemy spells are merely fuel for your own near limitless mana, your body nigh indestructible, your attacks devastating beyond compare. Those you deem enemies will be no more. Choose your path, eternal.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Arcane Eternal]?’

Mana focused… and Body Enhancement plus healing talk. Highest requirements too so far. It claims to evolve Azarinth magic too… plus no ruling or savior talk.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes Cerithil Huntress. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

For life itself. Leveled at least six class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed at least 10 Taleen Praetorians. Has killed a Taleen Executioner. Has befriended the Cerithil Hunters and has fought alongside them. Has killed a level 1000 being. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill. Has a class at level 500.

Few choose the cursed path of the Hunters, fewer even are not of Elven descent. You have proven yourself to the ancient species, have garnered their respect, and may now call yourself a Cerithil Huntress. Your magic will serve you well, regeneration and intrusion the abilities of an experienced hunter. A terror to the Taleen and those you call your enemies.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [Cerithil Huntress]?’

Only thing missing is that I’ll turn into an Oracle. Nope, as far as I know I’m already part of their little club. No need to get a non unique Class to prove it. Hey which might mean there are others? An Oracle maybe? Or wait… don’t tell me Zoy is actually part of their order…

Maybe the uniqueness of a class isn’t determined by the name anyway. This one just doesn’t sound particularly special.

No reason to ponder these questions right now.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Knight of Meadow. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

A studious student and fervent warrior. Leveled at least nine class skills to the end of the third tier. Has befriended the Meadow. Has a Class corresponding to one of the magic schools wielded by the Meadow. Is deemed righteous by the Meadow. Is deemed barely adequate by the Meadow. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has a class at level 500.

The true knight of the Meadow, righteous wielder of sword and shield, hero of the plains. For centuries she has studied under the glorious guidance of the great tree, perfecting her magic to the best of her abilities. For a mere human, she is truly, somewhat impressive.

Would you like to evolve your class [The Azarinth Sentinel] to [The Knight of Meadow]?’

Barely adequate? Somewhat impressive? Okay man.

Did the Meadow actually influence my evolution options? I mean it’s obvious but was that intentional? Maro would collapse from laughter… have to make sure they never meet. Ever.

Ilea got out her notebook and quickly jutted down the various options.

Monster of the North – lowish requirements

Azarinth Savior – Healer priestess, nope

The Astral Inquisitor – Maybe, Astral magic might be boring? Also space is scary

Flesh Destroyer – Weird shit

The Sentinel Matriarch – Already have a guy for that

The Warrior Queen of Ravenhall – Don’t want to be Queen – otherwise maybe

The Arcane Eternal – Mana and Body Enhancement all the way, no mumbo jumbo.

Cerithil Huntress – Already am

The Knight of Meadow – no, go away Meadow

There was a lot of diversity, even a glorious knight option. But Ilea didn’t ponder long on the decision, a grin on her face as she selected her choice.

‘ding’ ‘Class change: The Azarinth Sentinel becomes The Arcane Eternal

Vitality +50

Strength +15

Dexterity +15

Intelligence +100

Wisdom +200

Body enhancement magic is improved by 400%

All healing magic skills are improved by 300%

Natural health regeneration is increased by 1% per minute

Food, water and sleep needed to sustain yourself are no longer required

You do not age

Your mana capacity is tripled

“Hold the fuck up, I do not age… tripled?” she whispered to herself. “Holy shit.” She checked and the bonus applied after the one coming from Meditation. Which meant she could currently hold 105’000 points of mana. That’s eternal for fucking sure.

Skills changed by The Arcane Eternal

[Absolute Destruction] becomes [Archon Strike]

Active: Archon Strike – 3rd lvl 30:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every attack using your arms, fists, fingers, legs, feet, or head. Your Intelligence stat enhances the damage potential.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 1000 mana per strike. You may charge each strike with 1000 mana per second to a maximum of 5000 mana.

3rd stage: You may choose to use Archon Strike as a non intrusive attack, instead sending a wave of destructive healing onto your enemy. Due to the healing nature of Archon Strike it partially ignores protection against Mana intrusion.

Category: Healing

Ilea read through the description, her eyes going wide when she reached the second tier. From a hundred to a thousand? And am I getting this right, I can charge it whilst moving now?

The wave change of the third tier would have to be tested but she welcomed the versatility. With the hundred percent to healing, she would pack a ridiculous punch with Archon Strike. Or a ridiculous finger, apparently.

She giggled to herself, eliciting stares from her companions searching the cavern, still burning the remains.

[Blink] becomes [Transfer]

‘Active: Transfer – 3rd lvl 30:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between transfers is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between transfers. Upon arrival, you may use up to 500 mana to create an arcane explosion damaging enemies and disrupting magical constructs and spells.

3rd stage: You may set three destinations you touch. You may change each destination once per week [32.43h]. You may travel to each destination once every day [4.63h].

Category: Teleportation Magic’

“Hah, I’m becoming an explosion mage after all… can I couple that with Displacement somehow?” she murmured, taking some notes. That’s a fucking upgrade… the five hour timer is still annoying but I can go north without using the gates now. Wish I had that a few years back. Or in Erendar. Ah well, better late than never, she thought with a smile.

[Sentinel Sphere] becomes [Arcane Dominion]

Active: Arcane Dominion – 3rd lvl 30

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the dominion reaches.

2nd stage: Arcane dominion opens your senses to the arcane. A paramount skill both on and off the battlefield. Elements and spells you control within your dominion have increased harmony.

3rd stage: You may use Sentinel Reconstruction on all beings within your dominion.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

Ilea whistled. That third tier, damn. Hard to say how the harmony change will be in practice. Can’t say I used the previous third tier much. Hmm, was somewhat easy to heal people with my ash already but I suppose it’s helpful nonetheless.

[Azarinth Fighting] becomes [Eternal Brawling]

Passive: Eternal Brawling – 3rd lvl 30:

You have adapted the fighting style of the Azarinth school to something you now call your own. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 110% [990%] higher. Your arms, fists, fingers, legs, and head deal a slight amount of arcane damage with each strike.

2nd stage: Getting used to fighting in close quarters, your reaction time is increased to accommodate your increasing speed and control. Your bones are steeped with mana, increasing both their weight and resilience two fold.

3rd stage: Eternal Brawling consists of more than offense alone. A true brawler knows when to stand and let an enemy strike. You gain knowledge about sustained injuries and damage from incoming attacks as they happen.

Category: Body Enhancement – Arcane Magic

A slight amount of damage? What the fuck does that mean? Stronger bones is nice too, but the weight is getting more and more ridiculous. I don’t ever want to use scales again.

[Sentinel Huntress] becomes [Eternal Huntress]

Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

Huntress turned Eternal. Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings as well as the ambient mana to find clues about your target’s whereabouts. Perceive the trails of dangerous prey.

2nd stage: You gain a sense for the distress in the people around you. Amplify this by sacrificing mana. You gain a sense for the arcane, feeling even minor spells around you. As you practice to differentiate these spells, you will learn of their intent.

3rd stage: Through Azarinth magic, you may mark an enemy or ally with the Eternal Mark. Allies may use the mark to send a short message to the Arcane Eternal once per day. The Arcane Eternal can send a short message to each non forcefully applied mark once per day. Each level in the third tier adds two additional marks that can be used. Marks forcefully applied have a limited duration.

Category: Body Enhancement

Interesting. So I can tell when someone is starting to cast a spell? Better than just my sphere, I mean dominion? Oh… the part about dangerous prey might be worth a closer inspection. Are all my marks now Eternal Marks or do I have to reapply them?

[Azarinth Perception] becomes [Eternal Sight]

Passive: Eternal Sight – 3rd lvl 30:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body, the Arcane Eternal has to control it.

2nd stage: Eternal Sight spikes for two seconds, should you be about to receive a blow that would take 50% or more of your health, or should your mind be incapacitated with an incoming blow. This can happen only once per hour.

3rd stage: Your resilience and speed is doubled during the spike in perception. Increases usage to thrice per hour. Spend at static 25% of your mana to increase the effect of Eternal Sight by one second.

Category: Body Enhancement

Didn’t know I wanted this, but I do. Got my brain smashed again today. Next time I might as well know before I get smashed. Or is it just for mind magic stuff? The requirement has changed too, seventy five percent to fifty. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, though even the four marks I fought recently didn’t activate it.

[Azarinth Reversal] becomes [Arcane Circulation]

Passive: Arcane Circulation – 3rd lvl 30:

You have learned of Archon Strike and Sentinel Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Archon Strike will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Archon Strike’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Sentinel Reconstruction will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

2nd stage: You may have both the original and reversed aspects activated at the same time. When an enemy partially or fully resists either Archon Strike or Sentinel Reconstruction, you absorb the dissipating mana.

3rd stage: Healing, power, resilience and speed. All requires balance. Your respective Destruction and Reconstruction spells have their potency increased by a static 25% of your lowest stat. [112.5%]. You may channel health in addition to mana into the respective offensive uses of Archon Strike and Sentinel Reconstruction.

Category: Body Enhancement

No clue how much the second tier will change but the health aspect is powerful. Will the cost be the same? I suppose I could pack more of a punch with a few attacks but my resources are quite different by now.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated the Terror of Krahen Keep – One Core skill point awarded.

Ah I missed this one before. Thinking of core points… did anything change there?

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has reached level 500 or has unlocked an additional class beyond the limitations of their race.

Additional options have been unlocked

Core Skill Points available: 81

[3 rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Locked]

[Skill Enhancement]

[Locked]

[Derivative General Skill]

[Locked]

Oh, that’s a bunch. Damn, just two more unlocked?

[3rd tier Class Skill Point] – [Advance a Class skill to the third tier – Cost: 1]

[Stat Gain] – [Gain 50 stat points to distribute freely – Cost: 2]

[Skill Boost] – [Increase the level of a skill. Subdued effects at higher skill levels – Cost: 3]

[Skill Enhancement] – [Enhance a fully leveled third tier Class skill by resetting it to 3rd lvl 1 – Cost: 5]

[Derivative General Skill] – [Learn a General skill based on frequently used Class techniques – Cost: 3]

That’s a lot to test and think about, she thought, glancing at Kyrian.

The man waved and walked over. “Done?”

The Elves joined as well.

“Three question marks, can’t say I’m not envious of that,” Feyrair said as he clapped.

“Done for now,” Ilea said and stood up. “Can we take a breather? I need some time to process all of this,” she said.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent Core skill points: 81

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2088 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 500

- Active: Archon Strike – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Transfer – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Arcane Dominion – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Brawling – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: Kin of Ash – lvl 493

- Active: Armor of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Aspect of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: True Ash Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Heart of Cinder – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Storm of Cinders – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ash and Ember Unity – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eyes of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Keeper of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 456

- Active: Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 21

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 4

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 8

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 5

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 16

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 1

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 14

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 13

- Monstrous – lvl 1

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 6

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Perception – lvl 9

- Teaching – lvl 6

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 20

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 20

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

Status:

Vitality: 1550

Endurance: 450

Strength:515

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1601

Wisdom:1750

Health: 30070/30070

Stamina: 4500/4500

Mana: 6103/105000

Chapter 623 Arcane Power

Chapter 623 Arcane Power

Ilea felt the power settle within her as she stood up, stumbling slightly as she took a deep breath. The weight change wasn’t substantial but she noticed it nonetheless. She could feel magic settling within her bones. Like some kind of enchantment, she thought, trying to see what had happened with her evolved Arcane Dominion spell. No way to pierce through myself. And my healing isn’t helping either. Everything is fine apparently.

She sighed and stretched, grabbing her ale with Displacement before she turned towards the stairs.

“Well? You’re going to leave us in the dark?” Feyrair asked.

Ilea glanced back and smiled. “There will be time to show everything off, but I think I’ll take a small break first.”

Kyrian cracked his neck. “I’ll go hunt in the meantime. I will match you in no time,” he said and gave her a thumbs up.

Isn’t that Fey talk?

The elf hissed, realizing he had let his curiosity get the better of him. “Take all the breaks you need. I won’t waste any time either,” he said and vanished with laughter.

Kyrian waited a few seconds before he sighed. “There he goes. Come get us when you’re ready.”

Ilea giggled. “That wasn’t necessary, Kyrian. But I do appreciate it.”

“I’m glad we made it,” he said, looking back at the large cavern. “Sure you don’t want to look through the rest?”

“Bunch of rub…,” Ilea started, looking at the chunks of stone left behind on an evened out section at the back of the cavern. I know those runes.

“Found something?” Kyrian asked.

What does that… it’s not the exact same but…

“Maybe. They’re all destroyed now anyway but the runes here. I found something similar below Ravenhall. Gates of some sort. Guess now it’s clear that they’re not Taleen creations,” she explained.

“I see. Krahen or Ascended maybe?” Kyrian suggested.

“Maybe. I’ll collect it all just in case,” Ilea said and used transfer for the first time. She felt the new addition to her spell, a part of her mind tugging. Had she wanted to, an explosion of arcane magic would’ve flashed out when she arrived near the stones.

She knelt down. Definitely the same runes. Does that mean there were Ascended down below Ravenhall? Taleen? Krahen? It has to be connected somehow.

A quick swipe with her ashen limbs summoned everything with runes into her necklace. Fifty units, ah well, won’t hold onto this stuff for too long.

“Nothing from the Terror?” she asked as she walked back, inspecting the scorched ground.

Kyrian shook his head. “It’s mace is still there.”

She rolled her eyes. “If anybody’s going to use that, it’s you.”

“I’ll have a look, but it doesn’t seem to be particularly special,” he said, his steel extending before it moved around the mace, pulling it closer.

“Can’t just move it with your magic?” Ilea asked.

“Too heavy. Only so much metal I can control effectively, and the flails and armor I have already fill most of that capacity,” he explained.

“Hmm, at least you can store it all within your ring,” she said.

“I’d rather be a creator like you two,” the metal mage said, glancing at Neiphato.

“Grass is always greener,” Ilea murmured, walking towards the exit. She grabbed the remains of the Azarinth healer as they returned, storing the corpse within her necklace.

Neiphato motioned to a nearby tunnel they had previously ignored. “That’s where the Taleen came from.”

“Figured,” Ilea said. “Even the great trap makers wanted to avoid the ones laid out here.”

The tunnel had been collapsed, thoroughly.

“I’ll leave this here for now,” Kyrian said. “As I mentioned, come get us when you’re done. And take your time. The gap has widened if anything.”

[Metal Mage – lvl 417]

And I only got three levels for that fight?

“I will, thanks,” Ilea said, watching the man fly out of the half collapsed entrance.

Neiphato glanced at her and smiled, hissing joyously. “Congratulations on your advancement, Ilea.”

“I appreciate it,” she said and sat down on one of the old benches, resummoning her ale.

[Wood Mage – lvl 342]

Coming along nicely too, young elf, she thought, taking a sip.

“Do you want company or someone to test with? Otherwise I will resume my hunting as well,” Neiphato said.

“I don’t, but thanks. I’ll get you all in an hour or so, have fun,” she said with a smile.

“You too,” Neiphato said with a brilliant smile before he too vanished.

She looked at the ale in her mug. Hmm… alone on a set of exotic isles with my three hot companions and a bunch of dangerous monsters. Maybe coming to Elos really was just an elaborate reality tv gig after all. I hope that Leviathan isn’t the camera man.

She ditched the bench and formed an ashen armchair, enjoying the ocean breeze coming into the hall as she relaxed for a moment. Hmm, maybe a test subject wouldn’t have been that stupid. Ah well, can check that out later.

First things first.

Ilea focused on one of her marks, all of them still very much visible when she thought of the spell. The new part came to her much like her skills usually worked, downright instinctual.

“Violence.” she sent.

A few moments passed, a gust of wind passing into the hall.

“Violence!” the answer came.

She grinned, their daily quota used up. But what more was there to say really?

The spell worked, Ilea even checking the hall to see if the little bugger wasn’t hiding somewhere, having followed her throughout her adventures. Alas, he wasn’t there. Just like telepathy. Feels the exact same.

So what’s the limit exactly?

For the next mark, she tried to use up the whole quota.

“I have transcended you old tree. Now bow before me!” she sent, finding the limit to be ten words.

The answer of course came immediately. “Lousy spell. Fit for imbecils. Go and evolve again. Monkey.”

Rude, she thought with a smile, giggling to herself before she drank from her ale. I can annoy it every day now! How glorious.

Hmm. Mark communication ten words per day now possible. Sent, Ilea. That should work.

She quickly sent it to everyone who had a mark and wasn’t on the isles.

“Noted, good luck on your journey!” Claire sent.

“Get out of my head, you monster,” spoke Walter.

“Understood. Sent, Dale,” the guard captain sent.

“Congratulations in order? Proud of you. Take care of Kyrian,” Trian answered.

“May the winds carry you. I hope you are alright,” Felicia sent.

“Useful tool. Hallowfort growth steady. Meadow helpful. Visit sometime. Catelyn,” sent the fox.

Elfie just sent an appreciative or congratulatory hiss. It remained unclear how many words exactly had been used for that.

“Will want to analyze that spell for enchantment. Iana,” the enchantress sent.

Of course, why don’t we just add telephones to the shit I fund in Elos.

The rest of her marks were her three companions whom she would inform later. So next thing… Core points. Meadow mentioned skill enhancements so I guess this is what I’ve been waiting for. But I should wait until I have all my evolutions, just in case there are requirements. Hmm… on the other hand, I might actually unlock new requirements having enhanced skills.

She thought about it for a moment before deciding not to spend any points yet. She would lose a lot of power even resetting one of her skills to the start of the third tier, power she could use against the monsters on these isles, in order to even get the other evolutions.

No reason to weaken myself now. I can train them up again after I get Kin and Faen to the next stage.

Standing up, she walked over to a stone wall. Mug in hand, she flicked the wall with her finger.

A wave of arcane energy flashed out, leaving a small crack.

Hmm.

Now let’s try with Archon Strike. Wave form.

Her finger hit the wall, an explosion of arcane energy wrecking through the stone, sending chunks to the side as a shock wave of air and mana expanded with thunderous cracks.

She looked at the crater with joy. Quite different to that initial spell down in the Azarinth temple.

Ilea stepped away and sat back down, debris and rubble still falling from both the ceiling and wall itself. So technically…

She tried to use Archon Strike with all her fingers but failed. Using them one after another worked somewhat however. Same frequency as if I would use both my fists. Makes sense I suppose.

Charging the spell worked as advertised, her finger flicking into the air, all the mana used returning to her as she hadn’t hit anything with the attack. That is actually pretty nice. I wonder how effective this will be against an actual creature.

Ilea used her health to charge the attack instead, finding it limited to five thousand points much like her mana, reduced again by Sentinel Core of course. Stacking both allowed her to double the effective resource use to ten thousand. She looked at her finger, feeling the energy brimming within. Now if that isn’t the nuclear fucking option. How many absolute destructions is this? One hundred? All just sitting in my finger.

She giggled like an absolute madwoman before she canceled the spell, downing her mug of ale before she refilled it. Marvelous.

Can’t test Dominion without subjects. I hope I can heal and damage selective targets at the same time, she thought and stood up, transferring into the same wall, an explosion of blueish arcane energy extending outward in a sphere around her, the energy reaching a radius of about two meters. More of the stone got destroyed but the effects weren’t as impressive as her Archon Strike.

Guess I should try it against an enemy spell. Could maybe even go into an area effect like Kyrian’s curse, deliver one or two blows and going back out, she thought and charged up an archon strike, using transfer again before she delivered the blow. It worked without issues, except for the degrading integrity of the Krahen keep.

One last thing, she thought and linked transfer’s usage to displacement, moving herself and a bunch of chairs through the room. The arcane explosion extended, but only from her. Worth a shot I guess.

Ilea teleported out of the hall and into the open, twirling in the air as she smiled. It felt good. She felt good, mana brimming within her. Ready for some applied testing.

Her wings charged before she flashed away, towards the valley of death.

Ilea looked at the Bluetail with her arms crossed.

The creature screeched, rushing her before it retreated again immediately, having stepped into her Arcane Dominion.

“It’s working,” Kyrian said.

Ilea briefly used the destructive spell on the man before she healed him again immediately. Selection works. Awesome.

The spell packed even more of a punch when she supplied it with health as well, canceling out all but her third tier healing for more power. Enough to startle away the level six fifty Bluetail now circling her with angry screeches. It’s like I can touch everything within my dominion… with reconstruction that is.

“That it is,” she said whilst checking her nails, her middle finger charging up Archon Strike.

_________________________

Kyrian watched Ilea vanish, her form appearing next to the bird’s head. She extended her arm and flicked the creature.

He remained calm when its head flashed up with blue ripples before it burst like an overripe fruit, splatters of bone and blood flying away from the arcane impact to join the decoration of the valley.

The rest of the bird flapped its wings one more time before it flopped to the ground.

Ilea glanced back with joy in her eyes before her expression changed.

“What?” Kyrian asked.

“What? You don’t look sufficiently impressed, that’s what,” she said in a smug tone.

He smiled. “I didn’t expect anything less. I do believe I should wait with a bout until I too have reached the next set of evolutions.”

“It will be glorious,” Ilea said, whistling with the sound spell she liked to use.

I’m sure it will be. I’m sure it will be, Kyrian thought, looking around himself to see a storm cloud moving closer.

“Ah perfect,” Ilea said before she flew towards the lightning.

His gaze followed her form, showing her vanish upwards, a blue sphere of arcane energy expanding before a bolt of lightning slammed into her, sending her tumbling in the air.

“Okay, maybe I should try with something a little less powerful,” Ilea said when she appeared nearby again. “It should be able to disrupt spells.”

“Ah,” Kyrian said as he looked back to the storm. Yes, maybe you should try with something a little less insane.

He laughed, shaking his head

___________________________________

Flick test successful, Ilea thought with a grin as she flew up and over the clouds. Neiphato couldn’t deal with the lightning quite yet after all. The two Elves joined them a few seconds later, having heard her Monster Hunter. The Bluetails who had responded were just now landing in the valley, distracted again by the feast laid out for them.

Are there more already? Or am I imagining things? Ilea thought as she saw more birds descend.

She turned back to the group and looked at Feyrair.

[Beast Warrior – lvl 408]

“We can move on, and look for new monsters,” she said, trying to use Eternal Huntress to spot anything with her new supposed ability to pick up the trail of dangerous prey. She did actually spot a few bits of old magic residue, likely from high level Bluetails that had flown through here or used their spells.

Awesome, she thought. “Where to, tourist guide?” she asked, glancing at Kyrian.

“Eh,” he said, scratching the back of his helmet when everyone looked at him. He just pointed to the largest isle, the one with smoke rising from its top.

Feyrair hissed. “Finally. I’m not fond of water.”

“Me neither,” Ilea said, looking at the trail of lava flowing down from the top of the mountain, splashes occasionally sent into the ocean by arcane lightning cracking down.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do about cave ins though,” Kyrian said.

“I can teleport you out, and as long as you’re in my dominion, I can heal you,” Ilea said.

The metal mage nodded lightly. “Good. I’m less concerned about getting crushed and more about getting stuck. Can’t teleport into solid rock.”

“I’ll use my long ranged one in that case. Don’t worry,” Ilea said. “Oh, before we go,” she added, removing her ash armor from her head and shoulders. “Would you kindly smash me?”

“Excuse me?” Kyrian asked.

“Like you did that Azarinth healer,” she said and smiled.

Kyrian summoned one of his flails, twirling it a few times in the span of a second before he brought it down on her head.

Ilea watched the spiked steel slow down, her movements lighter as she flew backwards, avoiding the strike entirely. Everything returned to normal. “Thanks. It works.”

“You sped up,” he said, his weapon vanishing once more.

“I can do that a few times per hour now, if I’m about to get incapacitated,” she said.

Feyrair hissed. “Is there even a way to kill you now?”

“Not for you, dragon boy,” Ilea teased.

She doubted the possibility that Kyrian’s flail would’ve taken more than fifty percent of her health with that strike. Her ash would’ve slowed it down past her neck. Ten to twenty percent at most.

“Alright, let’s fly,” she said.

“To new dangers,” Feyrair said with a hiss.

Neiphato joined in.

Kyrian remained silent, flying alongside Ilea. He spoke up a few seconds later. “Don’t get overconfident in there.”

“Just a little,” Ilea said, showing her index finger and thumb close to each other.

The man shook his head and laughed. “A little is fine.”

Ilea looked made sure to be aware of the water as they crossed between the various isles, just in case some massive Leviathan shot up to grab them. None of the Bluetails bothered them on the flight. She noted that not a single one of them flew close to the volcanic mountain. “Any clue why they don’t go close?” she asked, looking at Kyrian.

“I just think it’s the heat,” he said. “They probably don’t like it.”

“And what are those goat like creatures?” she asked, pointing to the side of the mountain. “They look pretty normal to me.”

“Can’t be normal if they survive on these isles,” Kyrian said. “They’re above level three hundred, and they spew lava. Though that’s the only thing I’ve ever seen them do.”

“You fought them?” Ilea asked.

“I fought most everything to be found here,” Kyrian said. “And lava magic resistance is required if you want to go in there.”

“I assume you both have it?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t yet,” Neiphato admitted. “But if you deem it unsafe, I will train with the goats.”

Kyrian glanced at Ilea with a questioning look.

“Trial by literal lava? I can heal everything within my sphere. Just be careful,” Ilea said. “You should be fine otherwise.”

“Optimistic,” Feyrair murmured, looking at the rising smoke.

“Can’t gain anything with being perfectly safe,” Neiphato said and hissed. “I will stay by your side. Know that I do not blame any of you should I perish.”

“We’re all here by choice,” Ilea said. “I’ll do my best to keep you alive.”

Kyrian led them to a small plateau where a large entrance led into a cavern, natural by the looks of it, or at the very least not built by mages who cared overly much for safety or symmetry.

“So let’s find out what the Bluetails like to avoid,” she murmured, looking into the darkness with her enhanced eyes.

Chapter 624 Lizards

Chapter 624 Lizards

Ilea went in first, her dominion already picking up various magical residue, Eternal Huntress informing her that some of the sources were dangerous creatures, even to her. White flames burned on her armor, illuminating parts of the cavern, all her companions aided by one or the other kind of magical sight.

They remained quiet as they entered the volcanic caverns, the heat already reaching heights where a low level resistance would surely be required. Ilea held up a hand, signaling for the others to stop when she felt a tremor go through the ground. Her dominion didn’t pick anything up, nor did anything attack them.

“Common,” Kyrian mentioned.

“I see,” Ilea said and continued onward. The light resided soon, leaving them with their skills and fires, Feyrair now too clad in flames. She came upon something peculiar a few dozen meters further. An irregularity within the cavern walls, magical in nature. “Any creatures hiding in the walls?” she asked, glancing back to Kyrian.

“Plenty. Burrowing, stone itself, shadow creatures. What do you see?” he asked.

“Unsure. Let me see if I can get it to come out,” Ilea said and sent reversed healing into the spot, smiling when she got an instant reaction.

The wall itself shook and trembled, boulders falling down before they reformed into a vaguely humanoid shape made of rock. The pieces themselves weren’t directly connected, arcane energy filling the gaps according to Ilea’s sight.

It roared and fell down to all fours, stones reorganizing themselves to form two more arms before it ran towards them in a frenzied dash.

[Stone Specter – lvl 528] – [Hostile]

“Who wants to have the honors?” Ilea asked but the two Elves had already vanished.

Neiphato appeared in front of the running creature, his wooden armor growing roots before the monster crashed into him, the elf pushed back several meters before he managed to stop the creature. More roots grew, some into the ground and walls behind, more into and around the creature he was slowing down.

The Specter used a similar approach, Neiphato’s feet slowly sinking into the ground as spikes shot out from the ceiling, some deflected while others pierced into his armor.

Feyrair jumped over the elf and aimed his hands downwards, two thin beams of white energy flaring up in the darkness before he landed in a roll, turning around to see the Specter fall apart.

“Not dead yet,” Kyrian said, standing next to Ilea, his arms crossed.

“He burned the connections,” she answered. “Pretty big weakness if you ask me.”

“I don’t think it’s a common ability. Being able to damage magical constructs,” he said.

She looked over. “Really? I have two Classes now that can do it.”

“I wouldn’t exactly categorize you as common. Nor that elf,” he answered.

Ilea watched as a prison of wooden roots grew around the stone chunks trying to reconnect themselves, the pieces trembling against the wood.

Feyrair leaned against the wall and watched, not interfering further with the locked struggle between the wood creator and his prey.

Neiphato won out finally, the chunks of rocks crushed by the continuously thickening roots, thorns brimming with magic now adorning the growth. His own armor closed again, much of it stained with his own blood. Wounds he healed himself, the elf not having shown a reaction to the injuries.

Ilea knew he had some kind of general Cerithil Hunter Class next to his arguably more powerful wood creator one. She could feel the body enhancements he used. While he wasn’t particularly skilled with the blades he used to wield, he was incredibly tough. Perhaps the closest to her main Class in likeness from the present group. It was hard to say if he was anywhere near as resilient as Kyrian or Feyrair, both of them with insane defensive ability. But with the healing from his wood magic class, the elf had a good chance of survival at the very least.

His offensive just kind of sucks, Ilea thought. The wood was versatile, yes, but against higher level enemies, even this Stone Specter, it proved difficult to apply. She thought it comparable to her ash if it was slower and couldn’t deliver any mana intrusion spells.

The elf breathed hard when the monster had been dealt with, a triumphant hiss coming from him before he refocused. His gaze was aimed at the dark tunnel ahead, likely avoiding a potentially mocking look from Feyrair.

“Well done,” the dragonling said instead. “Next time I won’t lend a hand.”

Ilea walked past, tapping the wood mage’s shoulder before she took the lead again. We need a separate level calculation system for this group. He hardly even lost an important organ, and just a few liters of blood, she thought, glancing back at the wet spot on the ground.

Crevices and cracks in the walls soon started showing, some opening up to new sections of the caverns behind. Ilea focused on the largest tunnel, assuming it would lead somewhere. Half an hour later, they hadn’t come across any larger caverns or anything else to fight.

“This seems to just go in random directions,” Ilea murmured, feeling another tremor somewhere deep below. “Let’s just go in here,” she added, kicking into the wall to her right with a wave of arcane energy.

The small crevice exploded, revealing a large open cavern behind, rocks and debris tumbling down into the dark, hitting more stone a hundred meters farther down.

She spread her wings and entered the darkness, landing on a nearby ledge where she noticed a few creatures within her dominion. They were small, about the size of her head, and they reacted to her presence, jumping off the walls with flapping shade like wings.

“Incoming,” she said as the rest of the group landed close to her.

The few creatures had turned into a few hundred, the walls swarming with them as they started to circle their group. It almost looked like the shadows themselves had turned alive, one of the critters flowing into the next near seamlessly.

[Winged Shade – lvl 504] – [Shadow/Disturbed]

Both kind of obvious, identify, Ilea remarked. And yet more creatures that seem kind of useless for me to fight.

She glanced at Kyrian with a bored look on her face, hidden behind her armor.

“Patient, little huntress,” he said, his confidence mixing somewhat with slight guilt it seemed.

The winged critters didn’t wait any longer, advancing towards them with an eerie unity.

“These are mine,” Feyrair said as his form expanded, his body slightly curled to protect the group before his breath lit up the cavern. His fires hit an expanding darkness that formed in front of the flying swarm, breaking through a moment later, the magical flames engulfing hundreds in the first split second, the rest of the swarm trying to move away in a desperate attempt to dodge his attack.

Some few hundred managed to survive, flying into and somewhat through the dragonling.

Ilea brushed one of the bat like shades with her arm, feeling some of her health drained with a vicious pull. Feyrair’s health was alright, his resistance or regeneration handling the damage well. Another torrent of fire reduced the remaining creatures to nothing.

“Good thing they attacked from the same direction,” Ilea remarked. Wouldn’t have been an issue for my dominion or Kyrian’s curses anyway.

She pointed down to the distant floor and jumped, landing after having accelerated further with her wings. The ground shook slightly, small indentations visible where her ashen boots had cracked the floor. Gods I love doing this, she thought. It felt even more effective with the added weight from her evolution. I hope my Ash one gives me another few hundred kilograms.

The others landed, looking around in the dark ravine.

“This way… something strong moved past… recently,” Ilea murmured, leading the group through the broad valley. A large fissure in the wall led them further down once more, the trail she had picked up feeling more recent with each step. Thing didn’t move quickly, she thought, not picking up any actual tracks. A flying monster perhaps, or simply one that wasn’t particularly heavy.

They came into an expanding cavern, the other end only barely visible to Ilea.

She noticed too late when a projectile came flying at her burning form. The chunk hit her head, bending it back a little too far, ashen limbs hitting the ground to prevent her from falling. One of her eyes had burst, regenerating as she looked forward just in time to see another chunk flying past.

This one hit Feyrair, his form sent flying as the piece of rock hit his stomach, leaving a trail of spittle and blood. She knew he would be fine.

Neiphato had started growing a protective shield of roots, Kyrian adding edges to his armor in an effort to deflect incoming projectiles.

Hmm, why did I never do that? Ilea thought, another chunk coming at her. Now that she knew what to expect, she simply held her ground and used her ash to support her. The chunk hit, digging into her armor and pushing her limbs further into the ground, the attack largely ineffective. She caught the chunk and looked at it, her armor reforming. Just normal rock? she wondered, glancing at Kyrian who took a stabilizing step to the side after a rock had glanced off his armor, slamming into the wall a few dozen meters away.

Ilea hit the next chunk with a punch, rubble exploding outwards with a wave of arcane energy.

“It’s hiding close to the wall, about two hundred meters away,” Kyrian said, pointing at a specific location.

Feyrair hissed as his form expanded, the dragonling rushing forward with flapping wings, only to flutter to the side when one of his wings was pierced by a flying stone.

Ilea tried to follow Kyrain’s gaze and finally found the monster. Well, no wonder. It looks the fucking same as the wall.

She followed the dragonling, the continuous impacts slowing him down, however unable to penetrate his scales. That changed a moment later when a stone lance pierced the elf’s chest, his form crashing to the ground as the lance was pushed further out of his back.

Kyrian appeared in front of the downed warrior, his metal expanding to form a wedge in front of him. “Go have a look,” he said. “I’ll protect him.”

A whined hiss came from the small red dragon as he stumbled up, ripping at the lance within his chest.

Ilea was already gone, crossing the distance in mere moments with her teleportation abilities and wings. When she appeared a second time, her body was pierced by three fast flying spears of stone. They just barely managed to get through her ash, leaving wounds in her chest and stomach.

[Rubble Guardian – lvl ???] - [Startled]

Startled? After it attacked us from several hundred meters away? she wondered, her ashen limbs ripping out the spears. Hmm, close to nine hundred though. Maybe even worth fighting.

She could feel her limbs move, twenty now thanks to her harmony bonus from dominion. They moved in unison as she approached, a few quick steps bringing her to the large lizard like monster. Ilea saw the attack come, teleporting to avoid the spears shooting out of the ground, her limbs scratching against the side of the being, leaving nothing but shallow scratches. Scratches that smoothed out a moment later.

The lizard swiped its tail her way, a thousand pebbles appearing with it, flying as fast as pellets from a shotgun.

Ilea crossed her arms in front of her, the impacts sending her back a few meters, pieces of stone falling out of her armor as it recovered. She took a deep breath and rushed forward, Archon Strike charging in her right fist as she watched the creature turn its massive stone head her way.

A pulse of mind magic went through her, Ilea’s body locking up for a split second as spears shot out of the ground, most of them breaking against her form, a few penetrating. The sudden stop pushed them further in, the stone breaking against the armor on her back as she remained hanging in the air.

She looked at the lizard, its body resembling a cliff or mountain side, edges and irregularities jutting out of its massive four legged form, the location of its mouth and eyes difficult to discern on the many angled face. A thin spear gleaming with magic shot from its mouth, straight at her head.

Ilea used displacement on the projectile, grinning when the spear slammed into its back. The guardian didn’t react, Ilea blinking forward despite the magical stone still piercing her. Her fist crashed against the monster’s head, several thousand points of mana flowing into it with the heavy attack. A vein like pulse of blueish magic spread through its head, hissing with power.

The lizard stumbled to the side lightly, more spears coming from the ground and even ceiling.

Ilea let them come, activating Phaseshift as she charged her fist again, this time with both health and mana, her third tier healing quickly recovering the lost five thousand health before her body returned to normal space, the stone in her occupied space shattering as her body won out against it. Another blink got her close, her fist slamming into the monster’s side with a heavy impact, arcane energy flaring up in vein like patters as her attack crashed into stone.

The lizard slapped her with one of its hands, Ilea tumbling away as she healed the slight damage, having absorbed most of the shock.

A quick one, are we? she noted, watching the monster jump back several dozen meters with a single smooth movement, neither skidding nor heavily impacting the ground. She knew it wasn’t that light.

It jumped again, avoiding the steel lances that shot its way.

Can’t control them from that far, Ilea noted, seeing the distant form of Kyrian floating in the middle of the cavern. Feyrair had advanced too, still in his dragon form and healed. It seemed the bright flames around his form were more enticing than Ilea’s smaller ones as the lizard turned his way again.

Fine with me, she thought and displaced herself, appearing at the monster’s side. More lances shot out of both the ground and its body, deflecting her strike and pushing her aside. Her wings turned her in mid air, ashen limbs merging into four larger extensions as they broke through the stone holding her back, her feet landing several kicks on its back with devastating impacts, blue energy lighting up as the fires of Storm of Cinders started to spread, slowly ripping away its defenses.

Kyrian’s lances flew back to him, the Rubble Guardian focusing back on Ilea as it felt the mana spread through its back.

She blinked, the explosion of arcane energy shattering the forming lances, Ilea unleashing a series of punches with a thousand mana each flashing up within the monster’s form. She didn’t let up as it stumbled to the side, displacing behind it when it jumped to get away. She charged her punch with both health and mana, sacrificing more health to boost her auras as her healing pushed her numbers back up. Another volley of pebbles coupled with spears came her way as she charged, everything vanishing into a large fissure in space, hitting the monster from the other side.

Her charge complete, she released her third tier displacement and went forward, her fist crashing into the monster’s head with an explosion of bright arcane energy, the wave spreading over its body as the impact ripped a chunk off its head.

She saw the damage regenerating as a series of spears dug into her armor. Intrusion is probably better, she thought, ignoring the few spears that managed to pierce her defenses, the creature using another wave of mind magic to slow her down. That won’t last for long, she thought, her eyes focused on the monster as her next attack was already charging. She still had plenty of mana.

White flame engulfed the monster in the next moment, the dragonling finally reaching its form without being stopped by one projectile or the other.

The lizard jumped away again, only to find several metal flails twirling around its neck and legs, pushing it down as a curse spread through its form.

Ilea vanished, her legs and ashen limbs grappling around the monster’s neck before she unleashed a series of slow punches, magic flaring up with each impact as the creature was brought lower, finally hitting the ground, with all efforts to stop her ceased. She doubled her reverse healing to slow its regeneration, one last punch flaring up before she got the kill notification.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Rubble Guardian – lvl 908]’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 494 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 457 – One stat point awarded’

Feyrair landed nearby, his breath attack enveloping both Ilea and the remains.

“It’s dead already,” she said, standing in the fires as she absorbed mana from her ally, her ash slowly stripped away.

He roared once more before he stopped. “Killed like a common beast,” he hissed, returning to his Elven form. It seemed like he couldn’t decide between being proud of her or being angry at the monster for injuring him.

“I suppose we won’t help you with the next one,” Kyrian said when he arrived, collecting his steel again.

“No, I suppose you shouldn’t,” she said, wiping away the nonexistent dust from her armor as she landed next to the monster’s head. She inspected the four flowing limbs on her back, the ends petrified into heavy spiked weapons. Seems appropriate.

The battle hadn’t attracted another beast, quiet returning to the cavern as they looked for a way out. A quick search confirmed that it was a dead end, the group returning to the broad valley that lead further down into the mountain. Ilea smiled to herself, her mana already topped off again, ready to face the next monster hiding within the trembling mountain.

Chapter 625 Furnace

Chapter 625 Furnace

Ilea sat with her arms crossed, a small stone ledge giving her a good view of the field below. Dozens of Stone Specters had gathered, fighting the three mages with stone magic and boulders. A nearby stream of lava slowly flowed down from above, illuminating the spectacle.

She saw Kyrian swing his flails through eight of the creatures, his weapons punching through the creatures with little resistance, bits and pieces of stone flying to the side.

Feyrair sent small beams of white flame through the monsters, melting rock as his fires enveloped them entirely.

Some of the Specters were larger, their spells more intricate as they reached levels up to six hundred. Neiphato had the most problems, keeping the enemies at bay with his roots from a defensive perimeter he had created himself. They would have difficulties getting to him but it would take time for him to dispatch them.

She glanced at the sea of lava expanding behind the battlefield, a cascade flowing further down into a deeper section yet. The rising gases and growing heat demanded much from the wood magic elf. For the others it simply reserved a part of their regenerative powers.

Ilea coughed, summoning a meal that instantly burst into flame. Ohno, she thought, storing it again immediately. Need me some volcano proof food and ale.

I wonder if Helena would be able to provide something like that. Literal lava cake, or maybe soup?With added noxious gasses. Have to ask her the next time I see her.

Ilea wondered if she should wait until she could hide her three marks from people above level three hundred, or if the benefits would outweigh the potential dangers. Now that I think about it… isn’t it possible that other humans have hidden their level from me before? Gotta make sure I trust my instincts instead of relying on identify.

A few moments passed as she watched the fighting group, her eyes narrowing when she spotted something in the underground lake of lava. Another Rubble Guardian? she wondered, her wings spreading behind her back, just in case she had to interfere quickly.

She watched as a large clawed hand emerged from the lava, molten rock pooling onto the stone ground as the creature lifted itself out of the thick liquid. Not a rubble guardian, she thought, charging Monster Hunter as she started to descend.

“Retreat,” she sent to her three companions, feeling the hairs on her back stand up as she looked at the single reptilian eye looking straight at her. Her aura activated, a whistle resounding as she watched her allies retreat. Even Feyrair heeded her call, if only to allow her the first try at the beast.

The monster slowly pulled itself up and out of the lava, its body dripping with the burning rock. The creature was only halfway out and already reached a height of nearly twenty meters, dwarfing everything in the vicinity. Black rock like scales covered the entirety of its body, jagged and ancient. Its form made the air around it vibrate, with both heat alone and magical power. Its head resembled that of a drake, its jaw alone however larger than one of their kind. Loud grinding noises resounded when it opened its mouth, the motion slow and strained, chunks of black stone falling to the ground before it roared.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the roar of a powerful creature - You resist its effects’

Ilea felt her body tense up, her wings pushing against the magical force emanated by the cry. The ground shook, rubble falling from the ceiling as the Specters fled. She landed among the fleeing monsters, covered in ashen armor and brimming with arcane power. A speck compared to the presence of the monster now fully moving out of the lava, prowling to the side with a predatory litheness.

[Scorching Wyrm – lvl ????] - [Armored]

The Wyrm had six legs jutting out of its body, the creature now reaching about thirty meters in height. Its whole form was covered in the black scales, its tail splitting into six thinner protrusions that seemed to float in the air as it moved.

“I don’t suppose you’re friendly?” she asked, raising her brows at the panther like movements of the stalking creature. You know I can see you. Everyone with any sensory organs can. You’re massive.

“Peace?” she sent the thought, trying to establish a connection with the creature. Veteran informed her that it should be around level one thousand and two hundred. Higher than the Bluetails she had killed, higher than the rot Queen. But not quite as strong as the Trakorov, likely the closest comparison she could draw. While she knew that levels didn’t say a whole lot about a monster’s abilities, Ilea could tell that she was about to bite off a little more than she should chew.

She cracked her neck and knuckles, four ashen protrusions moving out between her wings as she grinned. Maybe I am mad. But it just feels so very right.

The monster answered her question, its eye glowing a bright fiery color before a beam of heat and fire enveloped her form.

Ilea stood her ground, only teleportation fast enough to dodge the formation of the spell anyway. But she wanted to know what exactly she was dealing with. Precognition was one thing, experience another. She found the beam to be similar to her Heart of Cinder. Heat, energy, and fire combining into a devastating spell. Her ash was burned away in seconds, her skin and organs erupting as her insides were brought to a boil.

She teleported away when most of her skin had melted, her brain functions slowing as the organ could no longer resist the incredible heat. Her third tier healing recovered the lost health and healed the heavy damage. She watched as the Wyrm moved its eye, the beam coming with it near instantly. Ilea still grinned, her body covered in flames she had gathered with her third tier Heat Resistance. The Lava equivalent had let her gather enough heat to fully charge Heart of Cinder.

She knew the spell would be borderline useless against the monster, releasing it in a sphere around her to disrupt the incoming beam. A direct use might even heal the creature or empower its attacks much like her own absorption abilities. Ilea shot off the ground, her wings moving quickly to stay out of the monster’s sight. While she failed in the endeavor, she noticed the beam lagging behind ever so slightly, the energies taking a few hundredths of a second to reach her. Enough for her to avoid a direct hit.

She laughed, flying through the expansive cavern, occasionally exposing herself to the continuous beam in an effort to train her resistances. Ilea prepared when she saw a pulse of less focused energy flow through the beam, transferring away when she felt the eruption coming.

A wave of heat and fire flashed up behind her, the arcane explosion around her counteracting some of the spell’s effects. She had teleported far enough away to avoid most of the damage, glancing back to the melting stone near where she had just been, a new crater added to the cavern. Her armor recovered from the wave as she looked at the creature, its eye focused on her, its spell however gone.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

“Surprised?” she asked, flying through the air as she kept her gaze on the monster, its jaw opening again as it produced a guttural clicking sound.

The noise turned into a roar as it turned its body towards her, heat gathering within its rock like throat.

Now let’s see how you compare to my friendly Elven ally, she thought with a smile, watching the cavern light up with the river of flames extending outwards. Ilea didn’t bother with any additional defenses, spreading her arms as she welcomed the flames, her own fires burning away at the monster’s magic as it washed over her tiny ashen form.

Her ash burned away, her body heating up time and time again as she used her Lava Magic resistance to counteract what she could, releasing whatever she managed to absorb in spheres of fire. She could see her skin and muscle burn away, healing magic turning mana into flesh in a constant regenerative cycle. Her smile came and went, always within her mind but often lacking muscles, lips, or even an entire jaw. The same was true for her vision, her whole focus on her mind as she fought to keep her brain protected, the mana now within her bones adding another layer of defense she was thankful for.

The beast empowered the torrent of flames with a last stretch of effort, displaying its overwhelming might and ancient natural power. An Apex Predator within its domain, challenged by a mere human less than half its level. Flames born of magic set fire to a hundred square meters of cavern walls, the stone itself melting as it joined the ever growing pool of lava. Nothing should come out unharmed against such a cataclysmic display of fire magic.

And yet, when the fires finally subsided, Ilea spread her wings once more, her arm raised with fingers stripped to the bone, protecting her head where little skin remained. Flesh grew once more, muscles and skin covering the blackened bone in instants, followed by ash itself. Blue eyes reformed within the shaking air, their focus once more on the enemy eye.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

I think it’s high time we find out how your regeneration stacks up in this competition, she thought and rushed forward, transfer bringing her close to the creature before a charged punch of Archon Strike smashed into a part of its head. Ilea felt the impact shake her whole body, most of the mana used in her attack returning to her.

A teleport brought her in front of its eye, her punch hitting the hard surface without a discernible reaction, a heated beam of energy rushing past as she dodged away.

Intrusion ineffective. Eye is a nono too. Still plenty of ideas.

She flew past the monster’s swiping arm, targeting a section on its side with another archon strike, aided by Storm of Cinders. Fire and arcane energy exploded on the dark scales, ever so slightly damaging the material. Her ashen limbs rushed out, adding to the deterioration of the strong material.

Ilea braced for the incoming attack, a wave of heat extending around the creature a moment later. She was pushed back a few dozen meters, a part of her ash gone and recovering. She glanced to the side where the monster’s tails moved through the air, the ends barely broader than a whip. Her dominion picked up magic but she couldn’t tell what kind exactly.

Transfer brought her past the tails and the beast itself, her ashen limbs splitting up again into twenty as she focused entirely on Storm of Cinders, weakening the section of scales against mana intrusion. Her Archon Strike wouldn’t do a lot against the thick stone scales. A waste of mana for now, Ilea thought, instead choosing the much cheaper and dedicated spell. She stretched out her hand and sent out all the heat she had gathered from just being close to the creature, the flash of light and energy burning into the scales without a visible impact.

Guess we’re both made for each other, she thought, her wings turning her sideways to avoid another beam attack.

The Wyrm had turned its neck, looking back at her before it jumped to the side, the impact of its landing sending tremors through the ground, its beam cutting into the stone as the ashen healer advanced, laughing as she circled around the spell.

She transferred into the expanding heat, some of the impact disrupted. Ilea heard the beam attack cease behind her as she sent storm of cinders into the back of the creature, dodging past the fast moving tails. One of them flipped to the side, hitting her leg and making her tumble.

A use of displacement brought her away when she felt weird magic spread from the slight cut on her leg, the tail having managed to get through her armor. Some kind of corruption? she asked herself, pushing against the effect with her healing. The magic only seemed to slow slightly, Ilea looking down to see her skin turning to stone. Oh.

So petrifying magic is a thing after all, she thought with a smile, watching the stone taking over. She looked at the creature, seeing it charge another beam attack. Might as well optimize my resistance training, she thought, letting the attack hit her before she turned and stretched her leg towards the flames.

Her stone skin was stripped away entirely, her bones as of yet unaffected by the magic. Maybe due to the magic within? Or they’re just more resistant in general.

She teleported out of the beam, healing the massive burns. A quick use of her ash ripped away the previously affected leg, just in case. One second later, she was back at the creature, her ash lashing out, her higher mana pool allowing her to attack without restraint, even if she wouldn’t be able to absorb a part of the Wyrm’s spells.

Ilea occasionally got hit by the unpredictable tails, sometimes on purpose. Her ash simply ripped out the affected parts of her body, mostly her arms or legs. She didn’t exactly know what would happen if the petrification spread over her whole body but she didn’t plan to find out. She dodged another few tails and flew below the monster, her ash sending more magic into the scales before she teleported out, the massive creature trying to crush her below its form.

She was pushed back by another use of its area heat spell, watching as the creature started brimming with magic. That’s a new one, she thought, retreating as the Wyrm stood up.

Its claws dug into the ground as its eye focused on her. And then it dashed forward, an explosion of air and heat pushed aside as it reached her near instantly.

She teleported away before the massive creature reached her, turning in the air to see the Wyrm crash into the cavern wall. The magic around it remained as it dug itself out, chunks of rock and rubble falling away before it jumped off, a shock wave exploding where its claws had been.

She simply teleported again, easily avoiding the large mass before she braced herself for the wave of air and heat pushed away from its passing. The ground shook when the Scorching Wyrm landed, steam rising from its mouth as its one eye looked at her.

“Annoying, I know,” she said.

The Wyrm growled, once more digging its claws into the ground but this time it looked upwards.

Ilea felt the cavern cool down, mana gathering within the Wyrm as it charged its spell. Did that piss you off? she wondered, choosing to remain for now. The light dimmed as a part of the lava lake froze over, the liquid turning back to stone, robbed of all its heat.

A challenge, is it? Ilea asked herself, landing on the ground and forming ash as she watched the creature’s open maw.

The air seemed to stand still before everything was pulled towards the Wyrm.

Ilea braced herself, ashen limbs digging into the ground as the black mist around her grew. She checked her marks and glanced towards Kyrian, the man barely visible to her over a kilometer away and hidden in the darkness of the cavern. The others were close to him.

Something flickered to life within the Wyrm’s throat, a bright light forming where only darkness had been before. The pulling effect was reversed, an extensive wave of heat flowing out from the creature. Pebbles and air alike were pushed aside.

The ground shook again, a tremor that seemed closer, its cause unlikely to be the Scorching Wyrm. Ilea couldn’t see anything within her dominion and focused back on the enemy at hand, the flickering light now stabilized, a three meter large sphere of concentrated flames. It looked like a miniature sun.

Hmm, maybe not good, she thought, feeling sweat drip down her brow. All the ash around her formed walls aimed towards the sphere, Ilea peeking past to see what was happening.

The sphere floated up and away from the Wyrm, stopping about sixty meters above ground, with the same distance between Ilea and her adversary. When it came to a stop, the thing started spinning ever so slightly.

Ilea felt the emanating heat increase a hundred fold, then more. She saw the Wyrm lie down on its belly, closing its one eye as it moved its legs closer to its body. And then the world, turned to fire.

She couldn’t even scream, ash itself set alight. Ilea fell to her knees, simply because the muscles keeping her standing were no longer there. She could feel her body burn away, her healing barely managing to keep her form together. Don’t retreat, she thought, seeing the melting cavern ahead of her. You can take this. Trust in your magic, your mana. You’ve had worse.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

The edges of her vision were going dark, her healing pushing back time and time again. Her perception slowed a few times. Just your mind going out, she thought as short glimpses lit up in between the darkness. The ground had started flowing, bright fluid dripping from the ceiling, raining down on them. Her ash was gone. Her flesh too.

Another glimpse, only bright light somewhere to her left. Everything felt so very warm. She wanted to breathe but the air itself was on fire. She fell unconscious again.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

She woke again, breathing in literal lava. I’m in the lake. Or did the whole mountain turn into a lake of lava?

The sphere was still there, she could tell. Time must have passed, her healing now able to keep her brain active, some of her muscles back where they should be. Her wings formed before she transferred out of the water.

Bad idea, she thought, the heat worse with each meter closer to the sphere. Her form splashed back into the lava, an ice cold lake as far as she was concerned. Eyes gone again. Great. Why even have these weak ass organs?

Chapter 626 Snêk

Chapter 626 Snêk

Kyrian kept his eyes peeled. The distance was too far for any specifics but he would be able to spot a human.

The sphere still burned but it seemed to slow down finally, the air where they stood already cooling down.

“Do you see her?” Feyrair asked, the elf walking in circles, his own eyes not quite able to see the distant happenings.

The burns on his body had healed already, mostly thanks to Kyrian’s interference when the dragon had charged forward in an attempt to help. He might’ve been more resistant to heat but Kyrian doubted even that. What he didn’t doubt was that his regeneration was worse than Ilea’s.

“Not since she appeared above the lake,” Kyrian answered. And there wasn’t much of her there.

Feyrair checked the mark on his hand, murmuring something to himself in another language as he once again walked closer.

“She’s survived worse,” he said, not because he knew but because he wanted to calm down the elf. Ilea wouldn’t be happy if the dragonling died trying to save her. He grinned to himself. Well, I’m pretty sure she Did survive worse. Fire and heat is kind of her thing, just as much as it’s that Wyrm’s.

“Why didn’t she teleport out?” Feyrair asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe she felt like she could take it,” Kyrian said. “You heard her. She’s killed four marks before.”

He hissed, likely because he knew he wouldn’t have survived this.

Kyrian thought about saying something to encourage the elf but he had no idea what the dragonling wanted to hear, so he kept quiet. He didn’t know what it felt like to have one’s pride hurt after all. He was just hoping Ilea would survive.

Neiphato had retreated further back when the spell had started to form, the heat pushing his healing too far. Wood didn’t quite fit as well against this spell as ash did.

The darkness returned to their section of the cavern, the sphere vanishing into nothing, its effects finally gone. Much of the ground solidified again quickly, small mounds of lava still glowing as the Wyrm slowly stood up.

Now, now, Ilea. Don’t keep us waiting, he thought right before he saw a blueish arcane explosion rip through the ground, the ashen healer jumping out with a smooth motion. “There she is. I told you it’s just the way she trains resistances.”

The elf glared at him for a moment before he grinned. “You’re not human either.”

Kyrian shrugged. “Deviant actually. Same as her. Don’t lump us in with those meatbags,” he said and focused back on the small ashen form.

Feyrair hissed with joy, crossing his arms.

Now get that thing, girl.

________________________________

Ilea locked eyes with the Scorching Wyrm, spreading her arms before she curtsied, a grin on her face. “Nice sun, asshole.”

Her Heat Resistance had reached level twenty in the meantime, most of the latter part of the spell spent trying to find the best spot for efficient training. She was thoroughly annoyed that she had to stay under lava, unable to fully take the monster’s spell. Next time, she thought, cracking her freshly grown neck.

The tremors returned, much stronger now.

The Wyrm stared at her with its one eye, perhaps in some way failing to comprehend how this little creature had survived its creation. Or it tried to figure out a way to deal with the ashen being. Communicating, it did not.

Ilea spread her wings, her ash fanning out into twenty separate extensions. Back to shredding those defenses, can only be a matter of d-

Her thoughts were interrupted when the cavern wall exploded outwards with an ear shattering hiss, an orange scaled snake the size of a city wall bursting forth. Bone spikes jutted out between its scales, white eyes focused on the turning Wyrm.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the hiss of a powerful being – You resist its effects’

“Looks like I’m not the only one you pissed off,” she said, watching in awe as the snake was slapped aside, its form quickly winding around the Wyrm’s body with bone spikes grinding against its thick scales.

The claw marks on the snake’s head were already healed up when it reared up, opening its mouth further and further, its teeth elongating to a ridiculous degree before it bit down on the Wyrm’s neck.

Ilea didn’t wait any longer, joining in on the fray with a quick move of her wings. She flew past a part of the snake’s body, continuing where she had left off. A quick glance to the right showed a heated beam searing a part of the snake’s side.

Hold on now, don’t get yourself grilled already, she thought, using every second the monster gave her to weaken the Wyrm’s scales.

[Horned Tunneler Serpent – lvl ???] - [Blind/Livid]

Got woken up, hmm? Three mark but at least above nine hundred.

“Friends,” she sent, both the word and the closest representative feeling she could manage to piece together.

Ilea had no idea if the snake understood but if it chose to fight her too, she would gladly take the additional levels.

The creature constricted around the Wyrm, its bone spikes dealing little damage to the scales, some breaking off while other just slowly ground themselves down.

The Wyrm finally managed to rip itself free of the Serpent’s teeth, its searing beam burning into the three mark’s mouth, the back of its head exploding in a gory mess showering the Wyrm’s back and Ilea.

She grinned, ignoring the red liquid when a fully charged Archon Strike crashed into the set of scales, the now brittle stone breaking as a wonderful set of blue veins flowed into the roaring creature. A wave of heat pushed her back before she returned with teleportation, her fists slamming into the stone as she worked her way through the thick layer.

Waves of heat now washed out as the Wyrm turned, rolling on the ground with the Serpent still locked around most of its body.

Ilea laughed when she heard another hiss, the snake twitching before it resumed its assault, her short lived healing hopefully appreciated. Dominion coupled with teleportation easily brought her back to the weakened spot, each punch sending a thousand units of destructive healing into the being, her reconstruction both healing herself and the serpent, the reverse component slowly eating away at the Wyrm’s likely insane amount of health.

With its focus on the larger and more restricting enemy, Ilea just punched away, quickly emptying her massive pool of mana into the monster. She was glad when the Wyrm started another breath attack, the flames engulfing a large part of the serpent, Ilea herself bathing in the fire while sucking up every bit of mana she could.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

With each level, Sentinel Core could absorb even more. She teleported into the beam attack aimed at the scorched Serpent, taking in a bit of the damage before she moved away, distracting the Wyrm from its initial target.

One healer is annoying. One healer and a regenerating super snake? That’s just plain unfair, she thought while laughing, flying around the creature before she let the beam hit her again. A glance at the snake showed petrified skin falling off where the Wyrm’s tails had managed to pierce the Tunneler’s scales. Already has a way to deal with that. How useful. Maybe I should learn how to shed as well.

When the Serpent bit into the Wyrm’s neck again, Ilea vanished, the beam searing past the walls and ceiling of the cavern, leaving a burning line of glowing rock.

She resumed her punching, chunks of the thick scales now falling away as a thick trail of red boiling blood flowed out, allowing her four large ashen limbs to cut deeper. Should’ve become a healer, she thought with a grin, her armor covered in blood as she dug into the wound, waves of arcane energy now ripping through the monster’s insides, chunks of flesh torn to shreds or entirely vaporized.

She barely heard the roar come from the Wyrm, feeling the weight shift as it threw itself against a nearby wall with its dash spell. The Serpent hissed, a part of its body bludgeoned but continuously regenerating, helped a little by Ilea’s dominion.

Her efforts didn’t slow, arcane charged punches destroying the monster’s insides as she waded through its body, until she found its beating heart. Shitty for you that I’m not the best surgeon, she thought and charged up her middle finger. She pushed health into the spell too, adding some to her aura for just a bit more punch.

“Fuck you,” she said and flicked the heart with her fully charged Archon Strike.

Arcane magic surged into the organ, rupturing it from within before it welled up and exploded.

Ilea spread her arms, her armor entirely red by now.A ding resounded within her mind, followed by several more noises as she felt the Wyrm crash to the ground, sliding to a stop a few seconds later.

She used displacement to get out of the monster’s chest. Her wings flapped once, blood splattering to the ground as she landed.

The Serpent slowly unwound itself from the Wyrm, its jaw opening to show dozens of bleeding spots on the armored creature’s neck.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Scorching Wyrm – lvl 1238]’

“I wasn’t exactly alone though, was I?” she said, leaving the blood on her armor as she looked at the snake, its eyes white as it slithered around the massive corpse.

Ilea gave it a nod. “Friend,” she sent again.

The Serpent hissed a long, exhausted hiss before turning its attention back to the corpse, its teeth elongating again as it started to rip on the monster’s neck, biting away freely. With the Wyrm’s life and magic gone, the process became a little easier.

She watched the snake wiggle around with its teeth deep inside the Wyrm’s neck, the violent movements making the ground shake slightly. With a final pull, the Tunneler managed to rip away the other monster’s head, throwing it to the side before it sunk its now only two meter long teeth into the bleeding wound where the Wyrm’s throat used to be.

“Enjoy the meal,” Ilea said, herself more interested in the discarded head. She tensed up slightly when the snake revealed its now bloodied maw again.

It slightly whipped its head towards her, a chunk of fresh Wyrm meat landing a few meters away. Expectant blind eyes stared in her direction.

Ilea laughed, shaking her head as she walked towards the chunk of meat as large as her entire body. She crouched down, the armor on her hand extending into a blade before she sheared off a piece. “Thanks,” she sent and ate the Wyrm meat, blood dripping down her chin as the Serpent watched. It tasted much like raw meat.

The creature hissed before it returned to its own meal, sinking its head into the neck as it ripped away scales, discarding the armor to get more meat.

Ilea spotted a Rubble Guardian in the distance, walking along the cavern walls as it looked towards the Wyrm corpse. A few Stone Specters were returning too, though likely uninterested in the remains. She transferred closer to the massive head, touching it carefully. Hmm, the scales might be one of the toughest materials I’ve encountered before. Especially against fire.

Kyrian landed nearby. “The snake dangerous?”

“Not to me. Just don’t disturb its dinner,” Ilea said.

“Exceptional fight. I was afraid you had died,” Kyrian said.

“Dancing on the edge, as always,” Ilea mused. “Though it’s becoming quite difficult to kill me,” she added with a smirk.

Feyrair landed too, looking around. “Not quite a dragon,” he said. “But impressive nonetheless.” He hissed, bowing lightly. “Did you get your next evolution?”

“Yes. I’ll wait until we’re somewhere a little less crowded,” she said and hissed towards the Rubble Guardian prowling a few dozen meters away, her voice enhanced by Monster Hunter.

The creature took a few steps to the side but seemed to consider still. That was until the Serpent added its own thunderous hiss, the Guardian running back to the cavern wall, watching instead from a distance.

“Appreciate,” she sent to the snake. Fucking idiot attacks the one who just killed a Wyrm. How dare you.

She almost wanted to punch the creature a few times for its insolence. A mere level eight hundred monster!

Feyrair hissed, apparently agreeing.

“Go play,” Ilea said with a smile.

“I will… but first,” Feyrair said and walked to the head. “May I partake?”

“Meat? Sure. Either you or whatever monsters walk these caverns,” she said.

Kyrian watched the serpent with his arms crossed. “I always wondered who made the tunnels.”

“I like her,” Ilea said, jumping onto the massive head before she crouched near the eye. The thing looked to be around twenty centimeters in diameter. Thought it was bigger… guess the beams and magic added to the impression.

She tapped the orange red eye, the material reminding her of glass. Kinda want this, as a memory if nothing else, she thought, trying to pry the thing out with her ashen limbs.

“Seems to be wedged between the scales,” Kyrian said. “Let me help.”

The man summoned his metal, a small drill forming that dug into the head from the exposed neck, vanishing inside the meat.

Ilea looked on as the eye started to move, the whole thing sucked away a moment later. Metal floated out of the neck once more, carrying the eye before it was dropped into her open hands.

Holy… that’s heavy.

[Scorching Wyrm Eye – Draconic Quality] – [Focus your flames]

She whistled. Draconic… awesome.

Ilea stored the item, having a vague idea what it did but not about to test before she evolved her ash Class. “Kyrian, can you carve away the scales? I’m pretty sure armor made of that stuff would be pretty insane.”

He got to work without another word, his steel separating into sharp blades sliding into the neck, separating scales from the flesh below.

The individual ones were luckily small enough to be stored in her necklace.

[Scorching Wyrm Scale – Draconic Quality] – [Fire resistant]

Gotta get this to Goliath, she thought. And my necklace is nearly full.

“Got everything you need?” Kyrian asked.

Feyrair roared in the distance, trying to grapple the fast moving Rubble Guardian in his dragon form.

“Yeah, think so. I don’t know how the Serpent would react if we approached now. Don’t want to disturb it,” she said, spreading her wings. “Neiphato is waiting?”

“Near where we entered, yes,” Kyrian said when they saw a swarm of Winged Shades descend from near the ceiling, flying past the Wyrm’s corpse with a hissing Serpent trying to bite at them.

“Then let’s go,” Ilea said.

“Feyrair?” the man asked.

“He just saw me fight a Wyrm. The least we can do is let him kill that Guardian uninterrupted,” she whispered, flying off towards Neiphato.

Kyrian chuckled as he followed. “Making even Elves insecure about their power.”

“Oh? Am I making you uncomfortable, metal man?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“No, I’m surprisingly confident in my own ability. No reason to compare yourself to others anyway,” he answered.

“A healthy attitude. I’d feel insecure too, knowing both Meadow and Icy,” she said, the two landing near Neiphato.

He had prepared a bed of roots, a defensive perimeter in case anything came to attack him.

“And she returns unscathed,” the elf said and hissed.

Ilea smiled. “Plenty of scathing going around. I just heal it all. Unlike some monsters.”

“A fortunate circumstance,” Neiphato said. “Was it enough?”

She looked around, sitting down on an ashen sofa she conjured up, absorbing the heat from her surroundings to finally have hear meal. “Yes, let me have a look.”

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 501 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 502 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 503 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 504 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 505 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 495 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 496 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 497 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 498 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 499 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash has reached lvl 500 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 458 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 459 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 465 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked a 3rd tier General skill point’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General Skill – Petrification Resistance – lvl 1’

Petrification Resistance – lvl 1

You have encountered petrifying magic. Its effects are difficult to counter but yes, simply cutting away until there is no more stone works. Extended study and preparation could’ve helped but hey, you do you. It’ll be even easier next time.

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 4’

Ah, maybe we should check out the tails later. If the serpent doesn’t eat them.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated a Scorching Wyrm – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Semblance of Light spell – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have found common ground with the notoriously irritable Horned Tunneler Serpent – One Core skill point awarded’

Alright, let’s see what we got.

Chapter 627 A satisfying drink

Chapter 627 A satisfying drink

Ilea poured some ale, sighing as she tasted the wonderful creation. Kin of Ash, here we go.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes The Rotten Gravedigger. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Death itself. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed at least 10’000 living creatures. Has the Rot Resistance and Death Magic Resistance skills at the end of the second tier. Has killed a level 1000 creature. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill. Has the Soul Perception skill. Has been hallowed as an omen of death. Has a Class at level 500.

Rot and death follow in your path. A silent abomination of rotten flesh, walking the world of the living. All those who lay their eyes on you shall find terror in their hearts, the inevitable end of all things having come for them. Permanent body enhancements mar your undead body, making you a master of death and rot. Bury those who fall to your will and summon their spirits when the time has come to bring ruin to your enemies.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [The Rotten Gravedigger]?’

Death itself. Probably super powerful this one… but I don’t really want to become undead… or a silent abomination of rotten flesh. The smells alone… ugh.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes Poison Queen. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The unseen. Leveled at least four Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has founded an organization of powerful mercenaries. Has infiltrated the governments of various cities and countries. Is part of a secret order. Knows military Generals, master assassins, and master blood mages. Has the Poison Resistance skill at the end of the second tier. Has killed a level 750 creature. Has ingested poison for pleasure. Has a Class at level 500.

Feared and hidden. Only whispers speak of your presence, only those in power knowing of your existence. Your influence has reached the hearts of desperate criminals and the halls of kings alike. Poison is far from your only weapon, the power you wield over your subordinates far more effective in the pursuit of your unparalleled ambitions. Rule from the Shadows.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [Poison Queen]?’

Here we go again, with the constant royalty suggestions. And here I thought kings and queens were either crowned from marriage, conquest, or born into it. Not that I couldn’t conquer a city or two by now. With both gold or force alone. But what’s the point of all this power when you end up with administrative work and thousands of people to take care of? Breaking out of the cage just to be shackled onto the top of it.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes Corrupted Lunatic. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Plip Plop, Plip Plop. Leveled at least six Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has fought ten four mark beings. Has killed a level 1000 creature while alone. Has killed thousands of living creatures. Has defied a once divine being. Has fifty Resistance skills. Has the Pain Tolerance skill in the third tier. Has seen unfathomable beings of primordial times. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the second tier. Has a Class at level 500.

Burn them all. Rip them to shreds. Kill. Kill. Kill. Look to the moons and scream. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Pain, so much pain. Focus on the blood, do not fear the unknown. Embrace it, drink it, revel in it. For you too, will ascend.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [Corrupted Lunatic]?’

Not sure if I should feel scared or insulted.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes The Firedrake Charger. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Summon the elemental flames. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed three level 1000 creatures. Has the Heat Resistance skill in the third tier. Has incinerated hundreds of enemies. Has fought Drakes, Wyverns, and Wyrms. Has flown at the speed of sound. Has a thing for dragons. Has a Class at level 500.

Fire answers to your beck and call. Whole cities will burn at your wrath, no walls or barriers enough to stop the magic you conjure into existence. The next step on your path to understand the ancient nature of dragons. Those you face will question your humanity, remembering the whispers of untold winged horrors. There is no subtlety in your existence, your journey one of subjugation and conquest.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [The Firedrake Charger]?’

Alright. I don’t have a thing for dragons. Maybe I have a thing for fire wielding Elves, but not dragons. The logistics alone… no thanks. Hmm, so purely fire based… problem is I don’t see body enhancements or anything. Eternal provides both healing and defense but my ash stuff has been such a staple for my continued survival. I don’t think I should trade that in for offensive fire magic, no matter how powerful.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes Volcanic Elementalist. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Unprecedented destruction. Leveled at least eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed a level 1000 creature. Has the Lava Magic Resistance skill in the third tier. Has found comfort swimming in lava. Has trained with a Trakorov. Has melted down to her very bones, several times. Drank lava. Has a Class at level 500.

You have seen the power wielded by those born within the ancient seas of molten rock, have endured the fires and heat to now wield them yourself. You become a living natural disaster, capable of destroying entire cities with your earth and lava magic. Inferior creatures will melt away as you pass, your name joining those of legend.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [Volcanic Elementalist]?’

Okay that’s pretty fucking cool. Dunno why I like this one more than the fire one. Maybe I have a thing for Trakorovs instead.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes The Ashen Titan. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Indestructible, unrelenting. Leveled ten Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed a level 1000 creature while alone. Has killed five level 1000 creatures. Has the Heat Resistance skill in the third tier. Has ten Resistance skills in the third tier. Has faced the most powerful spells of her adversaries without fear. Has burned up from within to deliver more powerful blows. Has killed thousands of creatures with heat alone. Has endured ten thousand enemy spells. Has an ash related Class at level 500.

You have faced the fires of creation, have endured heat beyond comprehension, your body tempered by the spells of your enemies, their ultimate death inevitable. Your armor is that of a titan, your body forged for battle, magic burning through your veins, enhancing you beyond human capability. Heat forms within you, embers are left in your path. All shall burn and perish to the blows of the titan, your control of ash and embers instinctual, a connection forged through endless battles. Charge, titan of ash and cinders, into the blades and magic of your enemies, and emerge victorious.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [The Ashen Titan]?’

Finally some more body enhancements. And more defensive stuff. Would just be nice to have a focus on punching. Lava or fire might not combine well with my Eternal Class. I hope this one wouldn’t make me five meters tall or something… aren’t titans supposed to be large? No mention of height though.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes The Ashen Meadow Knight. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The Dark Knight. Leveled eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed a level 1000 creature. Has befriended the Meadow. Is deemed ashen by the Meadow. Is deemed in dire need of evolutionary assistance by the Meadow. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has an ash related Class at level 500.

You have seen true injustice, have suffered through pain and hardship. The burden you carry upon your oversized pauldrons is overwhelming, and yet you push on. You save the deserving and slay the enemies of justice. You are a dark knight, wielding the banner of the Meadow. The corruption of the world will be cleansed by your black steel sword, and thought the people will deem you unjust, you will sacrifice everything to save them.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [The Ashen Meadow Knight]?’

Ilea groaned, her two companions glancing at her.

At this point it’s just stealing a better option. My pauldrons aren’t oversized… they barely even qualify as pauldrons in the first place. Fucking tree.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for class evolution: Kin of Ash becomes The Cindered Octopus. Be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The art of evasion. Leveled eight Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed three level 1000 creatures. Has the Harmony of the Drowned spell. Has fought a level one thousand being while under water. Has killed a thousand monsters with limbs made of ash. Has evaded ten thousand spells. Has evaded one thousand attacks that would’ve led to heavy damage. Has an ash related Class at level 500.

You have fought in a thousand battles, using body enhancement spells to efficiently evade incoming spells and physical attacks. The octopus won’t be seen nor heard as it moves past enemy lines, ashen limbs ripping through hordes of monsters before they notice its presence. Attacks will be deflected or entirely avoided, every move you make steady and perfectly calculated, your ash turning your body into a deadly weapon that cannot be stopped.

Would you like to evolve your class [Kin of Ash] to [The Cindered Octopus]?’

That actually sounds pretty fucking good too. But evasion is just not my style. A necessity if anything, she thought and noted down the possibilities on the next page of her notebook, smiling when she saw the options from her Sentinel evolution. Now let’s see.

The Rotten Gravedigger - silent stinking undead

Poison Queen - Become Helena

Corrupted Lunatic - Thank you arcane healing

The Firedrake Charger - Full on fire mage (better than Fey?Pride damage)

Volcanic Elementalist - Same but Lava.Cool but no body enhancement or defense mentions :(

The Ashen Titan - Armor of a titan, heat stuff?Resistances too.

The Cindered Octopus - Full on ashen limbs.Too roguey, no intrusion?Requires sneaking?

Now, do I want to become a fire or lava mage? Yes and no. Yes if it’s from another Class or something… but even then, it would be stupid not to choose body enhancement stuff or more healing. I just got a massive boost to my offensive capabilities, more defense is what I need if I want to continue growing… without dying that is.

I guess my ranged and area attacks won’t be nearly as good as those of the Firedrake Charger or Volcanic Elementalist but should I really prioritize that? Today I was saved by healing, resistances, and resilience again. The same shit that’s been helping me since I became an Azarinth Healer. Kind of a no brainer, isn’t it? Let’s hope I don’t grow to five meters.

‘ding’ ‘Class change: Kin of Ash becomes The Ashen Titan

Vitality +200

Strength +50

Dexterity +20

Intelligence +20

Wisdom +15

Body enhancement magic is improved by 400%

All Ashen magic skills are improved by 200%

All fighting styles using hand to hand combat are more refined

Your will is ash and embers

You cannot be stunned by enemy attacks

Your bones and muscles have increased density

More Vitality is always nice. Another hundred for Body enhancement… and Ashen magic. I think the stunning effect is something I have anyways thanks to Flare of Creation, but I guess now I don’t have to use the spell to get the benefit. Even more weight… well at least I didn’t grow. Sadly no triple health. Incredibly unfair.

[Armor of Ash] becomes [Mantle of the Titan]

Active: Mantle of the Titan – 3rd lvl 30

An armor of hardened ash protects you. Stronger than steel and forming to your will. The Mantle increases your resilience by 160% [1920%].

2nd stage: The strength of your Resistance skills also benefit from Mantle of the Titan. The Mantle is a part of the Titan’s body. It benefits from natural regeneration. You can feel through your Mantle and you can heal it.

3rd stage: Increases the defensive capabilities of all ash and ember you control. Increase the ash used to form your mantle by up to a static 300%. The additional ash used requires conscious manipulation.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Oh wow. Wait, the base went up by… twenty five percent? The second tier is… crazy. Does that mean I can recover my ash with my third tier healing? Ah I hope I can at least move it to my back or something when I want to walk around without my armor.

I assume the third tier means I can control fewer limbs or spears while the effect is active. The weight and proportions will be interesting to see. Oh and all the light armor restrictions are gone… here I come super heavy scale armor!

[Aspect of Ash] becomes [Titan Core]

Active: Titan Core – 3rd lvl 30:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, Strength, Intelligence and Dexterity by 70% [700%]. Your learn how to generate and store heat within your Titan Core. This effect has a separate mana requirement.

2nd stage: The longer you fight with Titan Core active, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% more power to the skill with a maximum of 150%.

3rd stage: Familiarity with the skill removes its upkeep. You can choose to increase your weight by 10% [100%] for each passing minute to a maximum of a static 500%, increasing your natural health regeneration and heat generation by the same factor.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Same value… oh, more heat. Can I stack that with the heat generation from Heart of Cinder? I hope so. The storing part probably means I can hold even more without taking damage, but I guess that remains to be seen. Costs mana though but heh, have enough of that anyway.

Getting heavier in exchange for health regeneration and heat generation? Not sure how effective that will be. I suppose it effectively reduced the cooldown of an effective Heart of Cinder usage. Nice against slow enemies or those whose attacks I can take. Which should be a lot more with that Mantle change.

[True Ash Creation] becomes [Origin of Ash and Embers]

Active: Origin of Ash and Embers – 3rd lvl 30

Create ash and embers in a certain radius around you.

2nd stage: You can control the density of the ash and the heat of embers to an extent.

3rd stage: You have proven your dedication. Ash and embers move to aid and destroy at your whims.

Category: Ashen Magic

Eh? This is just the same skill isn’t it? With embers? I hope it’s better in some way at least. But fuck it, it’s a useful skill either way, even if it’s just a name change.

[Heart of Cinder] becomes [Embered Heart]

Active: Embered Heart – 3rd lvl 30

Increase the heat in your body and release it in a blast around you.

2nd stage: The embers run deep. The heat you may reach is only limited by your very life. Your resistance to heat held within your body is doubled.

3rd stage: Focus on release to change the blast into a cone of destruction sent out of either arm. You may store heat within ash you control, the more ash used, the higher its potential to hold heat. Ash not connected to you releases its stored heat upon a strong impact in a blast around it.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

More storage. I guess that just depends on how fast I can charge it. Wait… does that third tier mean I can throw ashen spears filled with heat? That would explode on impact? Testing. Required.

[Storm of Cinders] becomes [Tempered Seal]

Active: Tempered Seal – 3rd lvl 30

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers or release the attack in a burst of fire and cinders.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through or on them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect. When using your arms, fists, fingers, legs, feet, or head, you gain the ability to send pockets of heat within your enemies alongside the initial surge of heat and embers. Activate these pockets to cause a violent explosion of fire within the affected targets. Can be activated three seconds after pocket formation or until heat is lost.

3rd stage: Tempered Seal burns away all that stand against it, damaging mana intrusion capabilities of defensive enchantments, natural- as well as manufactured armor. You may add heat to existing heat pockets or form more.

Category: Ashen magic

Hot pockets. Delayed damage? I wonder how much I can stack this… might be helpful against regenerating enemies or if I want to make someone’s head explode especially hard.

[Ash and Ember Unity] becomes [Authority of Ash and Ember]

Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 30:

You are one with Ash and Ember. Allies rushing to your aid.

2nd stage: Your understanding grows, allowing you to create greater change in ash and ember. Imbue mana into your creations. Ash and Ember you imbued retains its form until the mana is used up.

3rd stage: The elements themselves become an extension of your body, an extension of your will, for as long as they stay in physical contact with you. Ash not connected benefits from passive abilities enhancing your body. You may imbue simple commands into ash and ember you have imbued with mana.

Category: Ashen magic

Simple commands? Okay that could mean a lot. The second tier alone is pretty good… could build traps or defensive perimeters before starting a fight. If that’s how it works… but hey, I’ll forget to do that anyway, won’t I?

[Eyes of Ash] becomes [Vision of Ash]

Passive: Vision of Ash – lvl 3rd lvl 30

Increases your perception by 65% [780%] when fighting.

2nd stage: Opportunity calls, you notice possible critical weak points on enemies with more ease. You can choose to see through ash and embers.

3rd stage: Your eyes are vastly improved. Great distances and a lack of light won’t pose a problem to you anymore. You can control ash and embers that you can see.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Wait… that third tier… without a distance limit? I can just send a spear out… charged now with heat…

She grinned to herself, already thinking of possibilities as she went on to read the last skill change.

[Keeper of Ash] becomes [Embered Form]

Passive: Embered Form – 3rd lvl 30:

You are one with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted is 85% [850%] higher.

2nd stage: Adds density to your bones, muscles and skin to increase strength, speed and damage. Base body weight is doubled. The abuse your body takes from your own strikes and their feedback is reduced.

3rd stage: Reduces stamina consumption by a static 35%. Mana intrusion attacks formed or charged within your arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or your head can instead be converted into a purely physical damage increase to the executed attack. Be aware that this increase will be heavily demanding for your body.

Category: Body Enhancement

Does that mean any mana I use for Archon Strike and Tempered Seal instead just make me hit harder?

She imagined her arm would straight up explode from the energies released by that combination. But as with all the other skills, it needed some testing. She finished her plate and checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 68

Unspent Core skill points: 86

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2104 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 505

- Active: Archon Strike – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Transfer – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Arcane Dominion – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Brawling – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 500

- Active: Mantle of the Titan – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Titan Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Embered Heart – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Tempered Seal – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Vision of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Embered Form – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Faen Valkyrie – lvl 465

- Active: Phaseshift – 3rd lvl 21

- Active: Flare of Creation – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Displacement – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Space Shift – 3rd lvl 20

- Passive: Body of the Valkyrie – 3rd lvl 26

- Passive: Space Awareness – 3rd lvl 4

General Skills:

- Dancing – lvl 3

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 10

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 6

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 16

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 1

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 14

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 14

- Monstrous – lvl 1

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 6

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Perception – lvl 9

- Teaching – lvl 6

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 21

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 20

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 9

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 22

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Petrification Resistance – lvl 4

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Wood Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

Status:

Vitality: 1720

Endurance: 450

Strength:535

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1601

Wisdom:1750

Health: 28613/35363

Stamina: 4500/4500

Mana: 32827/105000

Chapter 628 New toys

A note from Rhaegar

Ello there.

Quick updates. I'll take a week off on Februrary 15th to February 21st. Likely no chapters during that time.

Second thing: I'm doing another art contest. Theme: Monsters and Beasts of Azarinth Healer. Anyone can participate (patreon only voting). Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/art-contest-and-47321160

Chapter 628 New toys

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked three unique Classes – One Core skill point awarded’

A little late, are we?

Ilea finished her meal, refilling her mug with ale as she relaxed on her ashen sofa. She tried imbuing the construct with mana, finding the process as instinctual as the creation itself.

Guess I can’t exactly give commands to a couch, she thought and formed a sphere instead. The little ball looked smooth, like black glass or cast metal. It’s not just ash anymore though, is it?

She focused on the space next to the floating sphere of ash and instead formed a ball of embers, the fiery sphere bursting to life with radiating heat and glowing light. She moved it into her hand and looked at it, felt it. A moment later she fused the two spheres together, lines of embers breaking up the ashen surface. She tried storing heat within but failed. What she could do was increase the heat from the embers themselves, her creation and manipulation allowing her some manner of control.

Embered Heart generated heat within her core, so that wasn’t the issue. She extended a tendril of ash to the floating sphere. The connection established, she managed to pour heat into it. I see. So no wireless heat transfer. A little less utility but I suppose it hardly matters.

The small sphere quickly started to show cracks, the embered lines glowing brighter. She could feel the structure struggle against the heat she tried to store. Ilea stopped the process and sent the sphere flying, the little ball impacting against the cavern wall, bursting into an uncontrolled wave of energy and fire. Hmm, not quite as smooth as my own sphere. The heat just bursts out where the sphere breaks first. Like a grenade or something.

“You can store heat within your ash now?” Kyrian asked, the man standing nearby as he watched her.

Neiphato glanced at the sofa instead. “Imbued with… stability?”

“Yes to both,” Ilea answered and formed another sphere. This one she imbued with mana, trying to give it a command.

Move in a circle around Kyrian. Dissolve when he says bird.

Ilea had no idea how much was too much. This wasn’t exactly a simple command but the instructions were somewhat clear. Her ash would have to hear what he said, if such a thing was possible.

“Can you say bird?” she asked him, watching the sphere float in a circle around him.

“Bird,” Kyrian said.

Nothing happened.

So no communication, she thought and took control of the sphere again.

Float around Kyrian as fast as you can. Dissolve when he claps his hands together.

“Now clap your hands,” she said, watching the sphere swirling around his armored form.

He did so and this time, the little ball dissolved.

How far can I push this, she asked herself and made a copy of herself. Out of ash of course. She added a few burning cindered lines as an aesthetic touch before she imbued the ash with her mana. She could tell that with her current abilities and harmony, she could maintain just about five such copies. Many more limbs, spheres, or spears of course, but an actual humanoid made of ash would be quite a bit more versatile than a sphere.

Protect Kyrian. Dissolve when he claps. Do not defend him again me. Do not attack me.

She watched as her copy jumped back, moving close to Kyrian.

“Are you controlling this thing?” the man asked, touching the ash carefully. “This thing is dense… sure you’re not some kind of golem maker at this point? It’s basically an armored copy.”

“I’m testing how complex of a command I can imbue them with,” Ilea said and stood up. She walked up to Kyrian, finding her copy moving between them with its fists going into a fighting pose. When she took a step back, the ash clone relaxed its posture again. “I’ll attack you,” she said and sent a sphere of ash at her friend, aiming for his shoulder.

The ashen Ilea hovered to the left, deflecting the projectile with a decisive move. Then it attacked, charging Ilea with a few quick steps, its punch coming short when Ilea took control again.

She looked at the clone in mid punch, walking around it. So that was too much. Maybe the attack didn’t count as me attacking him because I used my ash? But it attacked me… ignoring the last command too.

“Can you clap again?” she asked.

The clone dissolved when he did so.

So they take up manipulation capacity… but I can leave them behind somewhere or send them scouting into an area. Not that they could report anything back to me. Or can they?

The next twenty minutes she spent fiddling with her commands, both for spheres, ashen mist, humanoid copies, and spears. Once imbued, the creations couldn’t change form again. However all of them could float, much like if she controlled them directly. Ilea found it difficult to figure out the exact limit of her commands. Complex things like Help Neiphato or Annoy Kyrian both worked surprisingly, though the results were a little unclear.

Helping someone who couldn’t explain what they needed help with was difficult. She felt like her ash did the closest of what she had in mind, or the closest of what she would do at the time of imbuing. It couldn’t use any skills of course but the copy helping Neiphato moved to locations where the elf pointed it to. It also managed to collect pebbles for him after he showed the action himself, pointing at more pebbles and then to his hand where he held a few already.

The copy tasked with annoying Kyrian jumped around him, poked his armor, and chucked little rocks at him. All without success. Then again, Ilea didn’t know how to annoy the man either.

“Seems like they try to the best of your knowledge,” Kyrian said.

“Yeah… it’s a little problematic that I can’t further specify these commands… other than one additional condition,” she answered, forming another copy.

Train those who challenge you. No killing.

The copy stood, waiting until Ilea stood in front of it and got into a fighting stance. It mirrored her.

When she started to circle the copy, it moved as well, its foot work eerily similar to her own style, likely imbued to an extent with her experience and abilities. She attacked, getting into a hand to hand battle with the ash. A few decisive blows let her take the fight rather quickly, her own speed and finesse far superior to the being made entirely of ash and embers.

“It’s surprisingly intelligent,” Kyrian said.

Neiphato hissed approvingly. “With creation, the element you make is always formed from your mana. A part of you. It will retain some understanding of what you are, what you want, and what it is itself.”

My ash did protect me before, moving even without my own command.

“It’s pretty awesome either way. Can you charge it with heat too?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea formed an ashen spear, imbuing it with mana and pushing heat inside at the same time.

Search the cavern and hit the closest monster. Do not injure allies.

Tipped off with heat, the spear shot away, hovering through the air as if it was moved by her will.

Ilea followed it, moving her wings as she watched the spear descend on a Stone Specter, striking the creature directly before a flash of fiery heat and energy exploded outwards, shattering whatever held the floating stones together.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Stone Specter – lvl 508]

“Guided missiles…,” she murmured, returning to her couch. “This is pretty ridiculous,” she added and made a small sphere.

Go find Claire.

The ball immediately shot off, flying out of the cavern and into the tunnel they had used to come here.

Oh? Know where you’re going little ball?

Ilea didn’t see the thing anymore, nor did she feel where it was. She knew it was somewhere, a small part of the ash she could control used up. While she couldn’t give it a new command or make it move, she could let go. Due to her true creation, or now origin spell, the ash itself remained, its command however was gone. It would remain as a sphere until the magic within was used up, a process she knew would take quite some time. A few days perhaps.

Would it know the direction of Claire’s mark? And then? How far would it travel to find her. Forever? Like some simple drone left with its one purpose? As long as I keep it active. What if the mana runs out but the command and my will for its existence remains?

Ilea assumed the ash would collapse nonetheless, unable to sustain itself without more mana. She let a sphere swirl around herself in a ten meter radius to test, imbuing it with particularly little mana.

Now, how about my armor, she thought, summoning her bone set before she moved her ashen armor to near her neck. She could still move it around. The same was true for deactivation, though Ilea saw little reason to ever not use her Mantle. One of her limbs rushed out and tried to cut into her arm, however it failed to penetrate.

Oh no… can’t get through my own defense anymore. That might be troublesome. Ah wait…

She moved the armor away from her arm, storing her bone set once more before her limb once again cut into her. This time just her flesh. And it managed to penetrate. The others looked on as a frenzied ashen limb cut and shredded through flesh and muscle, the tissue regenerating just a little slower than the damage being done.

More muscle density? That’s more of a difference than I expected, Ilea thought, her ash finally ripping off the lower part of her arm, near her elbow. Her mind removed the Mantle’s restriction to cover her arm before she healed the injury. Bone, skin, muscle, and ash reformed at the same time, her hand forming a fist. It’s like the ash isn’t even there, she thought, looking at her hand.

Before it had usually felt like a glove. Her sensitivity differed greatly depending on what exactly she did. Now however, her ashen mantle felt like her very own skin, the near black material smoothly covering her moving hand and fingers. I wonder if an Executioner can get through this just as easily.

She activated the new addition to her Mantle, more ash quickly forming on top of her current set. The layers each took the same time as her initial armor to form, adding the same thickness until she reached the maximum three hundred percent increase. Four sets basically, she thought, feeling the weight and bulk of her new defense. Each layer required some focus from her Authority, using up the equivalent of about two ashen limbs.

Her spears and spheres required considerably less focus, except when she wanted to do more than shoot them at an enemy.

Ilea stood up slowly, catching herself when she took a step forward. This will take some time to get used to, she thought.

“You grew?” Kyrian asked.

“More ash,” Neiphato said. “Just her armor. Though it seems… more in tune, with her real body.”

“It’s smoother too,” Kyrian added.

“It’s pretty heavy,” Ilea said, her voice coming out rather muffled.

The man nodded. “You’ll get used to it. Just train with it often.”

I will, she thought and kept the armor extended. She focused on her various skills, transferring away a few dozen meters where she floated in the air and formed heat. At first she only used her Embered Heart, feeling the heat rise up. Faster than it had ever before. Then she added mana, using Titan Core to generate heat at an accelerated speed. Hundreds of points of mana turned to heat with each passing second, skyrocketing her production into unprecedented heights.

She felt the air around her shift as the heat exuded from her increased. Her wings moved her a little farther away. A smile on her face, she formed twenty spears, moving them all close to her back, all connected to her body. The heat she had formed within filled all the spears to the brim near instantly.

Ilea pointed at the ground, her spears moving out around her before they all shot down. The gesture of course was unnecessary but it felt better that way. Her smile only widened when she watched the cascade of explosions expanding through the dark valley below her. They didn’t look like spheres at all, just wild fiery energies surging out of the ashen spears, ripping the element apart from within to deliver the brimming heat stored within.

Guess I did get an effective area attack after all, she thought, quite happy with the insane heat generation increase.

Ilea formed an ashen spear and shot it towards the large area where she had fought the Wyrm. She watched the projectile fly into the distance, her control still present. When she could barely see the small spear, she made it turn to the right.

Her ash reacted just as quickly as if it had been next to her.

The distance made it difficult to actually do something specific with the spear but just the added control would make it harder for enemies to dodge a long range attack. Especially if they’re charged with heat.

She tried to imbue a few of her spears with the command to hit the cavern walls, finding herself unable to command more than ten of them. No massive swarm then. Still useful of course.

Ilea grinned when she felt her wings starting to struggle slightly, a few uses of teleportation bringing her back to her companions. Feyrair was still engaged with the Rock Lizard somewhere near the massive lava lake.

She landed, the impact resounding as her knees bent. Her arms felt heavier now, the effort required to lift them considerably higher. The increased weight hadn’t turned her into an immobile chunk of flesh and ash but the added density would impact her speed considerably. My defense should be higher too. More weight should equal more density.

It took her five minutes to reach the highest point of her Titan Core weight increase. The heat she could now generate seemed downright absurd. She started laughing as she stretched out her arm and released a massive beam of wild fiery energy, burning the very air it passed.

Now let’s see if this thing is worth anything, she thought and summoned the Wyrm’s eye. She tried to hold the thing in one hand but found it a little too bulky. Instead she formed ash around her arm, placing the eye into an extension that reminded her of some kind of cannon. The palm of her hand now rested on the back of the monster part, ash extending around it. As if to form a barrel, she extended her ash a little further and held her occupied arm with her other.

“Get some distance before you blow us up,” Kyrian said, crossing his arms.

Ilea displaced herself and charged up heat, her teleportation luckily unchanged by the massive weight increase. She charged up and aimed, Embered Heart released from her arm.

All the energy and heat rushed into the Wyrm’s eye, a focused scorching beam flashing out on the other side, digging into a distant wall with devastating power.

___________________________

Kyrian watched his mad companion flap her wings as she tried to keep herself afloat, her laughter reaching far and wide as she sent beams of concentrated fire and heat into the cavern walls.

“Are we sure the Wyrm didn’t win and somehow took her form?” Neiphato asked as he watched with a wary expression.

“I know her. That’s her,” Kyrian said, allowing himself a smile. “I’m more worried about the explosions she rained down onto that crevice. That will allow her to kill hundreds of monsters in the span of a few seconds.”

“You don’t trust she will use her powers wisely?” Neiphato asked, raising his eyebrows as he looked at him.

Kyrian chuckled. “No. I mean yes. I just hope I get something just as powerful with my evolutions. I feel like she’s learned to be more responsible with her power.”

They watched the woman burn through walls, laughing manically as she charged up a few dozen ashen spears, tremors reaching even their position from the massive heated explosions.

“Are you sure about that?” Neiphato asked.

The metal mage chose not to reply.

______________________________

Ilea still giggled as she shot her last beam, releasing her ashen cannon extension around her arm. She held the still glowing Wyrm eye, feeling the residual heat burn into her ashen mantle. “Wonderful… my precious,” she whispered, storing the thing once more. Could also nestle it within my ashen limbs to shoot the beam without giving up an arm.

She couldn’t quite decide which option was cooler but both would always be available. As long as she managed to hold on to the eye.

Ilea summoned it again and tried to somehow apply her flame of creation, the fires however unable to enter the eye effectively. Bummer. Only the ashen flamethrower remains.

Bits and pieces of the white flame had spread from the heated projectiles she had shot into the ground and walls. Another option to weaken her enemies from a distance.

Thinking of distance…, she thought and created another set of spears, sending them away. When they had flown a few hundred meters, pushed forward by her authority, she made them burst into a thin mist of ash.

Her flame of creation failed to take hold of the faraway ash, a limitation she hadn’t previously encountered. Well, already burning ash exploding is plenty of utility. Though a sweeping mist of burning ash would’ve been awesome. At least I have my carpet bombing.

Chapter 629 Priorities

Chapter 629 Priorities

“Quite the new arsenal you have available,” Kyrian said when she landed.

Ilea felt her weight slowly subside, the magically added density reducing at the same pace as it had built. She grinned, looking at her friend before she glanced at Neiphato.

“What’s the plan?” the elf asked.

She sat down on a nearby rock and summoned a bottle of ale, absorbing heat from the surroundings to keep it at an acceptable temperature. “Good question.”

“This was the goal, right?” Kyrian asked with a chuckle. “Your evolutions.”

“Not just mine. You and Feyrair are close too. Neiphato maybe, if you’re getting one at four hundred,” she said.

“Possible, but unlikely,” the elf said.

“We’re a hundred levels away still, Ilea. It’s not going to happen anytime soon. And neither of us can kill four marks,” Kyrian said.

“Not yet. But you can kill level six, seven, eight hundred monsters, maybe even higher if you take more of a risk. That’s not the point though. These islands are wonderful for training but there are plenty of other places too. You should probably get your third tier resistances and work on them for a while before facing stronger monsters with the respective magic types,” she said.

The man grunted. “What about the keys you mentioned?”

“What is waiting in Iz can’t be defeated by what we are now,” Neiphato said.

“Yeah, that too. Even if the keys give us some kind of edge, I doubt we’ll get around fighting those hordes anyway. And I’d rather be prepared to do so. There’s no specific time limit anyway,” she said, glancing back. “Got your prey?”

Feyrair’s armor looked undamaged but his gait alone suggested the fight hadn’t been quite as one sided as he had likely hoped for.

“There is no fixed time limit. But the longer we wait, the more our enemy might learn of us,” the dragonling said.

“Only if we use the key or attack their dungeons,” Ilea said. “I doubt they have a network of informants and spies out to sabotage our mission.”

“Don’t underestimate them. Plenty of traps have been set for our kind over the years,” Feyrair said, rolling his shoulder.

“Not enough to get you,” she said. “I don’t think we’re ready, that’s all I’m saying.”

“I agree,” Neiphato said.

The dragonling hissed but it didn’t sound like he disagreed. It just annoyed him.

“So you get your third evolution and we storm their capital?” Feyrair asked.

“I have to work on my skills first… one of them especially will probably take… quite some time. Next we have to find the keys. I doubt that will be simple either, if all are even still in this realm,” she said.

“What if they’re not?” Kyrian asked.

“Then we just don’t get to find out what they are and what we can do with them,” she said. “In the end we’ll storm Iz once we’re ready. With the keys or without.”

“I don’t know if we should remain here with you gone,” Kyrian said. “Just in case we walk into something we can’t defeat or escape from.”

She drank from her ale and smiled. “Don’t you worry metal boy. I’ll set one of my teleportation points on these isles. I can be here in a few minutes.”

“You got more then? That changes things… a few minutes sound manageable,” the man said. “Though resistance training will take time.”

“No way to lower your resistances?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head. “Hardly needed with the monsters here. I’d like to take a day off every week. How often can you teleport around?”

Ilea summoned the modified gate key and handed it to him. “I can use them several times a day each. Take the key though, just in case I can’t come back for some reason. Think I’ll ask the enchanters to make another one anyway. So I can scout the locations of the keys already.”

“You’re not exactly a scout,” Feyrair said with a grin.

“Flying and enhanced eyes will be enough. I won’t storm any dungeons without you, don’t worry,” she answered.

“Good luck in that case. I will be back to hunting. How limited is the communication through your mark?” Feyrair asked.

“Ten words once a day,” Ilea replied. “Is the Serpent still around?”

“It left a few minutes ago,” the dragonling said.

“Just wanted to get the tails. I’ll be gone after that,” she said. “We’ll be in touch through the marks. Good hunting.”

“To you as well,” Kyrian said.

The Elves hissed in approval.

Ilea vanished, flying towards the Wyrm corpse she and her temporary ally left behind in the cavern. Already she saw several monsters gathering around it. A swarm of winged shades sat where the Serpent had eaten its full. A few stone specters tried to cut away pieces of the thick armor, three of them gathered near the tails.

She walked up to them, ignoring the monsters as she started to cut into the thin tails with her ashen limbs.

Two of the specters noticed her and started chucking rocks her way, summoning spikes that shot out of the ground.

Ilea looked their way, hissing with monster hunter as their spells shattered against her armor. “Go away,” she murmured, displacing the creatures when they didn’t stop. She finally got through the tails when the specters came crashing down, slightly disoriented from the impacts.

[Scorching Wyrm Tail – Rare Quality]

She took five of them with her, one already quite damaged. The ash around her hand either protected her against the petrification magic or the effect was gone now that the Wyrm itself was dead. A quick check revealed that the effect remained, Ilea ripping off her arm after letting the magic spread onto her skin.

That will be useful, she thought and started teleporting through the cavern, quickly returning to the tunnel they had used to come down. The others had left at that point, staying somewhat close together in case they required help from one another.

Stay safe friends.

Ilea returned out into the open, looking around to find a few groups of Bluetails in the distance. She flew to another isle, somewhat close to the volcano but in reasonable distance to the valley of death as well. Seems like a good place. So, thirty two hours to change each destination. A little more than four and a half hours to teleport to each.

She chose the destination, standing atop an otherwise unoccupied hill, her anchor set within the fabric of space itself. And the third one will probably just go to Meadow’s lair. Can’t be bothered flying to the teleportation gate all the time.

The spell set, she activated her third tier of transfer, now with two destinations available to her. The activation time by now took a little more than thirty seconds, likely due to her increased mana. It still used up half of her maximum mana anyway.

With the runes formed, the spell manifested, transporting her to the living room of her seaside home.

Ilea stretched, yawning as she turned around to face the balcony. She winced when she heard the wooden floor crack. Better not walk around here, she thought and transferred herself up to her room, not about to take a swim after her recent experience. She let her armor recede, her wings spread to keep her from touching the floor before she very carefully landed on the bed.

This is ridiculous, she thought, sinking into the mattress to a degree she hadn’t thought possible. I need some legendary feathers or something. This stuff doesn’t cut it anymore. How much did my weight change from those evolutions?At least that means my punches will only hit harder.

She grinned, teleporting outside before she flew along the cliff side, a light shower of rain brushing against her armor. The suns hadn’t quite started to rise, the horizon slowly brightening up. She smiled at the rain, actually feeling the drops roll down her ashen mantle.

Her limbs slammed into the stone wall, keeping her steady against the steep cliff as she charged up Archon Strike within her right fist. Hmm, maybe I should start a little lighter.

She dismissed the spell and simply struck the stone with her uncharged Archon Strike, the energy converted into physical damage instead. Her arm seemed to vibrate before her fist came down, a loud boom resounding as her limb dug into the stone, a wave of force sending chunks and pebbles down into the ocean below.

Light bruises. That’s quite a fucking punch. Might actually need to heal myself if I use this with more than a thousand mana.

Ilea couldn’t really think of an application where purely physical damage would be better than her mana intrusion, or just an arcane wave. It felt good however, to just have the option available. Her wings spread, taking her up and towards the valleys leading to Ravenhall.

Still have some stat points.

She put forty nine into Intelligence, leaving her with nine that she chose not to distribute at the moment.

Ilea had planned to go straight to the Meadow for some help with her third Class skills, and to gloat a little of course, but now that she was so close to Ravenhall, she simply couldn’t resist going in for a quick visit.

Monstrous – lvl 1

You have achieved level 500, reaching the realm of true monstrosity. Those of your kind may not find it easy to accept your newfound nature. You can choose to mask your power to those considerably weaker than you [250 levels below your highest Class level]. Specialized abilities or enhanced Identification may breach this ability.

So everyone above two fifty will know my real level? That’s hardly anyone…

_____________________________

“Still haven’t found anyone for your team?” Nathan asked, sitting down on their table.

“No,” Phoebe replied and glanced at Mila. She sighed, looking at her empty plate before she locked eyes with the man. “Look, Nathan. I know you mean well, but we’re fine. Your attempts to get friendly are starting to become a little annoying.”

Mila winced, the small woman quickly gobbling up the last bits of food on her plate.

Nathan just smiled and stood up again. “Message received. Just let me know if anything comes up,” he said.

Acting like he’s some kind of founder just because he was part of the first generation.

She gulped down her opinion, only because she really did think he was one of the good guys. Most people here were, but most kept to themselves or their groups, not constantly meddling. She welcomed silent support and help during training or lectures, but she wasn’t here to make friends or join a happy adventuring team just to lose everyone in the first mission.

“What’s on your mind?” Phoebe asked, looking at her sole companion. They were one of only a few Sentinel teams with just two people in it. Not an optimal setup, they knew as much, but neither of them wanted to work with people they deemed incapable, beyond or below their own ability, people they couldn’t fully trust, or those who simply didn’t fit.

“He means well,” Mila said in a whisper. The girl barely ever spoke out against anything anybody did, to her or others. Only with Phoebe she seemed to have the courage to disagree.

“Are you falling for him?” Phoebe teased, enjoying the blush on her companion. “I know he’s just being nice. I just think he’s being a little too nice. As a being.”

Mila slowly blinked her eyes. “I don’t understand. What’s bad about being nice?”

Phoebe sighed. “It can be exhausting, you know? Also remember what I taught you?”

“People who are nice to you usually have an ulterior motive to do so,” Mila repeated.

“Exactly. With him… I don’t actually think that’s the case. I think that’s just how he is,” she explained.

“And that is annoying to you?” Mila asked.

“Yes. His comments suggest that we’re doing something wrong, or that we need help,” Phoebe said.

Mila thought about it for a while, pushing her plate aside. “I think you’re interpreting too much into his behavior.”

“Probably. Told you he seems genuine. It still annoys me,” she said, following the distracted Mila’s gaze until she found Trian standing in the mass hall. He seemed a little tense.

“Everyone who joined in the last month, please gather in training hall eight in the next fifteen minutes. Lilith wants to meet you,” he said and vanished.

“Lilith?” Phoebe asked, turning back to Mila as the hall erupted into chattering.

The woman smiled. “We can finally see her.”

Oh no, please not you too, Phoebe thought, stopping herself from rolling her eyes as she stood up. “Let’s get it over with then,” she said. Compared to the Healing Orders she had tried to join in the past, Lilith was the only thing that seemed obviously dangerous when it came to the Medic Sentinels. The others had long initiation processes, no ability to choose the temple, downright cult like requirements, and no easy options to leave.

Phoebe wasn’t rich or particularly powerful, but she had traveled her fair share, and she had talked to plenty of people, plenty of healers. She wanted to learn the magic, wanted to be able to mend the wounds of others. She wanted to help, wanted to prevent… more shit, from happening. That goal seemed difficult if she had to stay in one temple for years or even decades at a time, in some city where hardly anybody truly needed a healer. All while a war was fought with thousands of casualties, people losing limbs and bleeding out in the field.

What the Sentinels offered seemed entirely too good. Which is why it had taken her some time to get comfortable with the idea of even going to Ravenhall. After talking to a few members, she finally let Mila convince her to at least talk to the faculty. It had never been a question of her getting a spot. The question was if she wanted to join them or not.

The stories and reports had all turned out true, almost to a terrifying degree. Something had to be wrong and by now, the only thing she could think of was Lilith herself. Maybe she was a powerful mind mage somehow creating a personal army of battle healers, maybe she was a demon left behind after the attack. All the songs and tales were almost unbelievable, even after she had seen the faculty and higher level Sentinels.

The ones she dared to question either got offended or dismissed her worries, stating that she just had to meed the woman and make up her own mind.

Her reputation is that of an unquestioned monarch, an overpowering tyrant that controls what the bards sing and her employees tell of her. Either that or she’s just genuinely nice. But when does someone like that ever get to a position of power?

She hadn’t been mistreated by the Sentinels, all the resources, equipment, knowledge, and even Classes were taught and given to her in an efficient way. No questionable fees or anything else. It reminded her of a military unit, just that they were fighting monsters instead of people. And nobody was forced to stay. Supposedly.

“Are you okay?” Mila asked, lightly touching her hand as they walked towards the training hall. “You’re… tense.”

“How could I not be. We’re about to meet Lilith. The one and only,” she answered, not looking at her friend. People either revered Lilith or they were scared shitless. Though in Ravenhall, the majority seemed to be in the former camp. Phoebe wouldn’t back down now. She would face the beast and stand her ground. “Promise me to run, if there are any signs of mind magic or some kind of blood ritual.”

Mila looked forward. “Lilith was there. In Baralia. She wouldn’t do that.”

“Just promise me,” Phoebe said. She knew the stories but right now she had to be pragmatic. Too many people were influenced by high tales and reputation.

“I promise,” Mila said.

They reached the hall, the doors open.

A few people had gathered outside, none so far having the balls to enter.

“Why are you waiting?” Phoebe asked.

“Trian isn’t here yet,” one of the Sentinels said.

“He said Lilith wants to meet us, not him,” Phoebe said and walked inside. She immediately focused on the single person standing at the other side of the hall, a woman clad in an ashen veil. People could mistake her for Lilith, but the same was true for any female Sentinel with ash magic, and some of the men.

Phoebe smiled, noticing a tense Mila following behind her. No fear.

She stopped a few meters away from the woman.

“I think we have to get better materials for these training halls,” she said, turning around to face the two.

Phoebe looked at the two piercing blue eyes, her voice stuck in her throat as she blinked, unable to process what she had just seen.

[Healer – lvl ???]

“Lilith,” Mila said and went to one knee.

The woman took a step back and waved her hands in front of her. “Oh no, please don’t bow to me. I’m just a Sentinel like the two of you.”

She’s kidding, right?

“Are you stupid?” Phoebe blurted out, her hands immediately going to her mouth as her whole body cringed in a weird combination of embarrassment and fear. Am I stupid?!

“Stupid? I wouldn’t say so. I’m definitely not the sharpest mind but I’ve seen some pretty stupid fellas. I haven’t seen you before. How long have you been with the Sentinels?” the woman said, a bowl of food appearing in her hand as she sat down on a chair made entirely of ash. Her legs crossed as she started to eat, her eyes focused on the two women.

Chapter 630 Broadening Horizons

Chapter 630 Broadening Horizons

Ilea couldn’t help but giggle at the utter and pure discomfort she saw in the young woman standing before her. Older than me probably, she thought with a smirk, most of her face covered by ashen armor, just her mouth revealed for her to eat.

Many of the Sentinels knew how she looked but she liked that there was some mystery around her person. If only to have some privacy when exploring new places and visiting cities. Now that some Sentinels were already traveling the lands, she didn’t want too many to spread information about her. Especially not to bards.

“What are you?” the woman said after she had gathered her courage.

I am, the destroyer, the ashen knight of the Meadow, Ilea thought, giggling even more. I bet those Classes were actually the best available. Ah but fuck using a sword. What am I? Some basic ass hero?

“I’m Lilith. One of the founders of the Medic Sentinel Corps. And who are you?” she said, the woman even more wary by now. Ilea noted that she had stepped between her and the other woman. Protective, are we?

“That is who you claim to be. I’m asking you if you’re one of us,” the woman said.

“One of you? What do you mean?” Ilea asked in turn.

“Human, of flesh and blood,” the Sentinel said.

[Battle Healer – lvl 80]

Ilea revealed her right forearm, an ashen limb whipping out from her back before it dug into her skin, pushing until blood flowed from her skin, dripping to the stone floor. “I’m as human as you and her.”

The woman gulped.

“Pain Tolerance in the second tier allows you to ignore pain. I assume you learned that already,” Ilea said, her limb receding before both the wound healed and ash formed on her arm again.

“We have. Why does it say that you’re a three mark? Are you using an illusion?” the woman asked.

More of the Sentinels were joining by now, nearly twenty now in the hall.

Trian wasn’t kidding. The interest is huge… makes sense with the good reputation and powerful classes. Just hope he’s not skimming on the background checks.

She stood up stored the empty bowl. “I told you my name. Isn’t it customary among humans to share their own?” she asked, not able to stop herself from channeling her inner Meadow knight just a little bit.

“Among… hu…,” the woman said and took a step back.

“I’m Mila,” the other one said, her black hair and eyes rather cute, especially with the freckles on her face. She was rather small and quite thin but nothing too out of the ordinary.

“Nice to meet you, Mila,” Ilea said, ignoring the other woman for now. “Where are you from?”

Mila glanced at her tense companion before she clasped her hand, eyes still focused on Ilea. “From Baralia. I was a slave there and fled south when the empire attacked.”

______________________________

Phoebe saw the change in the monster’s eyes. Something akin to empathy, sadness. How could a monster like that feel? It’s feeding on our emotion… that must be it… our very humanity. An Ash Elemental that will consume everything.

She wanted to teleport away but Mila’s hand prevented it. Turning her back would make the creature eat them both immediately. How do they not see it? she thought, looking around herself in disbelief.

The other Sentinels were joining them now, walking closer to the ashen monster who claimed to be human. Are they not seeing the three marks? What is wrong with everyone?!

“I’m glad you made it to Ravenhall. And to the Sentinels. I’m sure you will find a home here. If anything is bothering you, let me or Trian know, okay?” the monster spoke, already infecting Mila with her poisonous words.

“Thank you. I’m happy to be here,” Mila said and bowed her head.

Lilith appeared in front of the woman, Phoebe immediately punching her with all her auras and spells active, her strike sending destructive healing into the ash creature.

The monster didn’t react in the slightest, touching Mila’s chin and pushing it up. “You’re a Sentinel now, Mila. You bow to no one.”

Phoebe remained, if only to protect her friend, her heart beat quickening when the monster turned to look at her.

“You could’ve just asked for a bout if you wanted to test your strength against mine,” it said.

“Run away, Mila,” Phoebe said and teleported away, only to find that her spell didn’t work at all.

The terrible blue eyes sparkled. “It seems this young woman wants to have a bout with Lilith. Anybody else interested? I’m happy to train a little with you all, part of why I’m here are resistances, though I doubt any of you have what it takes to injure me.”

_____________________________

Ilea grinned, looking at the group of Sentinels, nearly all of them preparing for battle, ashen armors forming around their bodies, a few with other elements instead.

She jumped back and twirled, spreading her arms. “Then come at me, with everything you have.”

The group silently charged, spreading out as they formed ranged attacks. They were young, their levels all still below one hundred but it seemed they had learned quite a few things already in their short time with the Sentinels.

To be fair, I’m sure most of them have trained and fought before joining, she thought, simply letting the ranged attacks hit her. She formed ash behind her, the material condensing into three clones of her that she quickly imbued with mana. Break a few bones… in an educative manner. Don’t kill anyone.

The clones rushed out, quickly engaged in hand to hand combat with the enhanced and teleporting ashen battle healers.

Two broke through to attack Ilea directly.

Now… don’t kill them on accident, she thought, catching a fist with her hand before she squeezed, the ash, flesh, and bone squashed to a meaty pulp, the man stumbling back as he screamed. Not quite done with his pain tolerance training, I see, she thought and glanced at the other one. A woman.

She had attacked with a few punches, mana intrusion moving past her ashen defense without much of an impact. The sheer difference in magical prowess was downright astronomical. Ilea smiled, seeing the look in the girl’s eyes. Someone who had no idea what they should do.

I’ll help you out, Ilea thought, stopping her ability to teleport before she quickly advanced, lightly body checking the woman. She watched the Sentinel fly off, bending over before she hit the ground and rolled a few times. The woman twitched and coughed up blood.

She blinked to the girl and checked her quickly. Twenty broken bones… concussion, lungs crushed, and half her organs. A little more than I planned to do.

“Think you’re fine without help?” Ilea asked, crouching down next to the bleeding girl.

She spat blood onto the ground. “I… m… fine.”

“Great work,” Ilea said and lightly patted her head, checking again just to make sure she wasn’t making shit up. Their healing isn’t bad.

When she stood up again, she saw around fifteen Sentinels on the ground, bleeding and broken.

Whoops

______________________________

Phoebe teleported through the halls, tears in her eyes as she called out for help.

“What is it?” Trian asked, the man wearing his armor and helmet, having appeared in front of her.

Sidney and Aki rushed towards them from down the hall. “Situation?” the former asked.

“Li… Lilith… she’s killing… the students…,” Phoebe got out, focusing as much as she could, the terror still deep within her heart. The monster had summoned ashen copies of herself, the creatures slaughtering her fellow Sentinels.

Sidney opened her mouth but Trian held up a hand. “Come, let’s see what’s going on,” he said and whispered to Phoebe. “Think you can come back with us?”

She brushed away the tears and looked up. “Mila refused to come. We have to go now.”

The man touched her shoulder, the group teleporting towards the training hall together, Aki running after them.

Phoebe noticed that he didn’t seem tense at all, Sidney even with a smile on her face, the one she usually had when she beat up the students. We’re safe now. You won’t die, Mila.

Trian walked into the hall, looking around before he sighed.

A few of the Sentinels were still moving, all of them with broken bones, some even missing limbs entirely.

“I said play with them, don’t fucking slaughter them,” the ash monster spoke, looking at the group of ash copies.

Phoebe appeared next to Mila, checking her with her healing magic. She’s alive! she sighed, glaring at the monster.

“Ilea, is this how you greet new students?” Trian asked, his arms crossed as he walked towards the creature.

Ilea? What is he doing…

“Don’t engage her!” Phoebe shouted, eliciting a giggle from Sidney.

“I’m sorry,” the warrior said when Trian glared at her. She left the hall with a hand covering her mouth. “Holy shit…,”

Aki rushed in as well, seeing the slaughter.

“They’re fine. First ones had it much worse,” the monster spoke, dismissing her copies.

One of them seemed to look towards Phoebe before it vanished, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Yeah, they had your mental healing. You could’ve at least checked them, some seem to be bleeding out,” Trian said, crouching down next to one of the students.

“Didn’t know you had turned into a healer,” the ash being said before she sighed. “Alright, alright. I hope you’re not being too soft on them, Trian. You know what’s waiting for them out there.”

Phoebe had managed to stop the bleeding, some of the internal damage quite complex to heal however. She felt an overwhelming power expand suddenly, filling her with warmth. Her mind calmed, her breathing slowing. She watched as her friend’s bones mended, the bleeding stopped immediately. A glance to another Sentinel showed his arm reforming in seconds.

“His treatment is important,” Aki said. “Don’t worry, Lilith, the combat instructors don’t share his father complex.”

“I don’t have a father complex,” Trian said as he looked at the Sentinels.

“Whoa, that was insane,” one of them murmured.

“I was dead before I could make a move,” another one said before they both laughed.

“They wanted a bout, so I took them on,” the ash being said.

Could it… actually be? Phoebe thought. No… no I couldn’t have… gotten the Headmaster involved for no reason… screaming for help…, she was glad her ashen armor covered her surely beet red face.

Mila sat up and looked around. She giggled. “Now that’s what I expected! Did you see that Phoeb?”

“I… did,” Phoebe said, her eyes firmly locked onto the ground.

“You know how dangerous it is to train with humans at that level, especially when there are this many. I do hope you extensively tested those copies before sending them against our students,” Trian said, stepping closer to the being that may or may not have been Lilith.

“You’re not seriously comparing Sentinels to normal humans, are you? I kept an eye on everyone’s health, don’t worry too much. Though that girl over there did nearly die,” the woman said, pointing at one of the Sentinels.

The girl jumped from side to side, punching the air a few times. “Good as new. And I was nowhere near dying!”

“No bouts against more than one of the students from now on,” Trian said.

Lilith sighed, rolling her eyes. “Even if they’re above two hundred?”

“Especially then. Do you have any idea how many people I have to turn down because they think you’re some kind of deity? Don’t make it worse,” the Headmaster said.

“Yeah, yeah. Hard to believe though. I’m obviously just human, right everyone?” Lilith asked.

The Sentinels looked at each other.

“Of course. You’re just insanely strong, is all,” one of them said.

“Yeah, remember when we watched Gael fight? Didn’t seem human either,” another one said and laughed.

They can’t be serious. After what they just saw?

Phoebe felt confirmed in her belief when she heard Trian’s sigh.

“Just… yeah, no more group fights, alright?” he asked.

Lilith gave him a thumbs up. “Sure,” she said with a grin.

“And maybe hide your status. I know you can,” he added.

“How did you know?!” Lilith asked.

He pointed at her. “Now I know. So please do,” he said and rubbed his brow. “This alone will lead to a hundred more applications, I can already hear the stories,” he added and looked at the Sentinels. “Please refrain from talking to outsiders about what you saw here. I have enough work as it is.”

I’m sure that will stop them, Phoebe thought. She could tell that he knew that just as well when he glanced her way.

“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” said one of the most powerful humans in Ravenhall, leaving the training hall like a defeated father who failed to reign in his rebellious child.

“Lady Lilith, may we see the ashen warriors again?” one of the Sentinels asked.

Lilith laughed. “Of course!”

Fuck, she really is a child, Phoebe thought, looking at the woman when she suddenly glanced her way. Adult. Powerful, all knowing, Lilith, praised be her name.

“She’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?” Mila asked, grabbing her hand again.

“You know you don’t have to hold me,” Phoebe said.

“You were scared. So I held you,” Mila answered, not caring for any weird or judging looks from the others.

Phoebe realized that there were none however, all the Sentinels either talking to each other or watching Lilith with their own thoughts and opinions. Now that she had calmed down a little, she noted that a few seemed reserved as well, likely not sure what to make of the legendary founder.

“I have to speak to her,” Phoebe said, trying to take her hand back.

Mila didn’t let go. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

“You want to come with me? Holding hands?” Phoebe asked.

The woman nodded with a bright smile.

Phoebe felt her heart skip a beat, clearing her throat before she walked over to Lilith, pushing past a few Sentinels.

“It’s a later stage addition to my ash creation spell. I’m sure some of you will get something similar in time. I told them to break a few bones but not to kill anyone,” Lilith or Ilea explained.

She looked at Phoebe when the two had walked close enough.

“You have a question?” Lilith asked.

“I’m sorry,” Phoebe said and bowed her head lightly. “I’m Phoebe. I’m sorry for thinking you a monster.”

“Always trust your instincts. When you’re not sure about someone or something, it’s better to just fuck off and get a clear head, information, or training. I just recently found a Leviathan in the deep ocean… warning to you all, don’t go too deep. That thing scared the everliving crap out of me. It’s eye was this large,” Lilith said, turning around and forming a mist of ash with pupil like features. “Everything told me to run. And so I did,” she said and turned back to Phoebe. “You did well, getting help from those you thought capable.”

She stepped closer and whispered in her ear. “But it wouldn’t have made a difference.”

Phoebe felt the hairs on her back stand up, unsure how to take the comment when the woman started laughing.

“You’re evil,” Mila said, squeezing Phoebe’s hand.

“You’re a good team,” Lilith said before she answered a few other questions, the Sentinels speaking over each other to get anything out of her, be it about their magic, her magic, monsters, the songs, or anything else.

Phoebe came to the conclusion that Lilith, or likely Ilea, was really just a human. And she learned that humans could become more powerful than she had ever imagined. Beyond even the monsters in stories told to ill mannered children. She really thought she had met humanity’s best before. Scouts of Lys, Shadows of Ravenhall, or the Sentinel faculty. Now she wasn’t so sure anymore. The possibilities had just broadened significantly.

Some day… I’ll pay you back for this, even if I was the idiot, she thought with a smirk, listening to the ridiculous fairy tale about a talking tree.

________________________________

“Absolutely insatiable,” Ilea sighed, sitting down opposite Trian before she summoned a meal.

“I don’t remember giving you permission to breach my anti teleportation measures,” he said, leaning back as he activated a heating plate to warm some water.

“Get better enchantments,” she said.

He sighed. “Why has fate placed you in my path?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, sparky. I’m the best thing that ever happened to you,” Ilea said with a grin. “But seriously. Sorry for scaring you like that. I really did have it under control, I’m not a lunatic.”

“I’ve hurt people on accident before. You spend a lot of time fighting unimaginable monsters, battling alongside elves and magic trees. Just be aware that the people here are only human,” he said.

She smiled. “I know. You think I’m a monster too now?”

He turned around and added dried leaves into the now boiling tea pot. “Oh absolutely. You’re the most monstrous monster I’ve ever met really. And I’ve fought Mind Weavers.”

Ilea waved him off. “They’re hardly worth a mention. You should’ve seen the Daughers of Sephilon. Now those… those were monsters.”

The man chuckled to himself. “I’m sorry. Dealing with everything… I can get a little tense.”

“No reason to apologize. I’m happy you take it seriously. Though I do hope you get out enough? When’s the last time you fried a monster?” she asked.

Trian sighed, leaning back a little. “Few weeks? Lots of work here.”

“Maybe take a break sometime, let the others take on a few responsibilities, or hire more help. I’m sure there’s plenty of people who would love to work in the administrative part of the Sentinels,” Ilea said.

He nodded slowly. “I’ll set aside some time… and will talk to Claire about it.”

“I don’t know if she’s the best person to consult in regards to a healthy work life balance,” she said.

“You’d be surprised. She’s been taking a day off every week. And one additional day she goes out on training missions with me or the Sentinels. More the latter recently,” he said.

“Hey, that is actually surprising. Maybe she can give me more dancing lessons if she has free time,” she said.

Trian snorted. “Oh no. You misunderstand. Her free time is just as organized as her work. You’ll have to schedule an appointment either way.”

Chapter 631 Orders

A note from Rhaegar

In case you missed it - Art contest link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/art-contest-and-47321160

Chapter 631 Orders

“I think she already offered me a slot,” Ilea said with a grin.

Trian poured himself a cup of tea, raising an eyebrow her way.

“I’d love a cup,” she said, displacing the one he held into her hand when he suggested she take it.

“Such useful abilities,” he murmured. “Kyrian is still alive?”

“He is, yes. Training with Fey and Neiphato,” Ilea said.

“The Elves, yes,” Trian said, sipping from his own cup. “Anything special about being a triple mark now?”

Ilea shrugged lightly. “Not really. I mean it’s cool, but I haven’t gotten my third Class there. Getting the skills to the maximum will take some time as well. Otherwise… I mean I got some really nice upgrades but nothing life changing,” she said and looked at the ceiling. “Wait no. I literally can’t age anymore, so I guess that’s life changing technically.”

“You’re the first immortal I meet. I expected more, to be honest. You’re just an enthusiastic fighter,” Trian said.

“Healer,” she corrected.

“Berserker,” he said. “Let’s be honest here.”

She smiled. “Fair enough.”

“The communication change to your mark was quite surprising too. It helps… knowing that we can call for you at any time,” Trian said.

Ilea winked. “Just let me know when you have a bad dream. I’ll tell you a bed time story of ten words or less.”

“I mean it, Ilea. I’m glad to call you a friend. Thank you,” he said and smiled.

“You’re making me uncomfortable,” Ilea said. “But you’re the one leading the Sentinels, so if anyone deserves a thanks, it’s you.”

“Let’s do both,” he said.

“Both is fine,” Ilea said and rolled her eyes.

“So, any other reason you came? Or did you really just want to scare the newcomers?” he asked.

She thought about it for a moment. “Hmm… resistance training would be nice. How many Sentinels are Hunters already?”

Trian summoned a book and leafed through. “Twenty three students between two and three hundred. Eighty four are Medics, between one and two hundred. The other forty seven are Apprentices.”

“That many already… what’s the rank for above three hundred? Gael must be getting close I’d wager,” Ilea said.

“Not quite. His growth has slowed down considerably in the past months. He’s been primarily taking jobs in and around the former Baralia. Few of the monsters there provide enough danger to get him higher. A good thing too. I think he needs experience more than levels right now, lest he die to the first really dangerous thing he comes across,” Trian said. “The rank for after three hundred is Veteran.”

“And after that?” Ilea asked.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here,” the man said with a smile. He sighed and crossed his arms. “I’ll have to get out there too, you’re right. Can’t be the headmaster of the Sentinels if I’m not going to be among the strongest.”

“If they start a mutiny, I’ll be there,” Ilea said with a grin. “And if they’re stronger than me by then… well, they fucking deserve it.”

He chuckled. “That’s not how an organization stays effective. And we make sure to teach them that too. There’s more to leadership than power.”

“Did they teach you that as well? In nobility school?” she asked.

“There is no such thing. My parents did teach me more than just magic, if that’s what you mean,” Trian said. “Though the Alymies are one amongst many. Were… one amongst many. I’m sure you saw enough from your time with the Redleafs.”

“Sorry for bringing it up,” she said.

He just waved her off. “It’s okay. In regards to your resistance training. You’d be a massive help to the Sentinels around, and I’m sure they’d benefit from seeing you and training with you too. But for your personal power… I’d think it would be more efficient to find a four mark in the wild to play with,” he suggested.

“I know a few already,” Ilea said.

Trian didn’t even blink.

My friends are getting to used to me, she thought and squinted her eyes.

“Ilea, you’d need to become a literal dragon to surprise me at this point.”

She pointed at him. “Careful what you wish for!”

He poured himself another cup and raised it towards her. “To your dragon evolution then. Just don’t forget where you came from.”

“Earth?” she asked.

“I always forget that you’re not a native. Even more impressive to see your growth… or maybe less so. Who knows,” he said. “I was always warned from people in the northern tribes. Not the north you know, the northern plains. Growing up in harsh conditions and constant struggle, it’s a good way to get stronger.”

“Earth wasn’t exactly that. Not for me,” she said.

“Would you go back?” Trian asked.

“If I can keep my magic? Sure. For a visit. But this is my home now,” Ilea said. “And you are my family.”

“No siblings, cousins, parents waiting for you?” he asked.

“Parents,” she said.

“Doesn’t sound like you care. Well, whatever your relationship was like, maybe it’s worth giving it another shot. Take it from someone who can’t anymore,” Trian said.

“You know, I’ve been trying not to think about it too much. Maybe I will, if I get the chance. But I sure as hell won’t risk anything I’ve built here to work on the barely existent relationship with my parents. If they’re even still alive,” she answered.

“I understand. I wouldn’t want you gone either, if there was a choice involved,” he said.

“I’ll think about helping the Sentinels a bit. My main focus will be on my skills though, especially Space Awareness,” Ilea said. “I’m sure I’ll be bored soon enough.”

“Doors are always open to our generous founder and benefactor,” Trian said with a smile.

“Doors can hardly stop me at this point, Trian,” Ilea said. “Anything else I could help with while I have time?”

Trian summoned another book and opened it. “Don’t want you to steal work from the others. You’re beyond overqualified for most of the jobs we get anyway. Or entirely too dense.”

“I am very dense,” Ilea admitted. “In a physical sense.”

“Maybe it makes it even worse, your brain more and more compressed by muscle,” he murmured, flipping through the pages.

“You’re starting to sound like Meadow, old friend.”

“I’m sure we’ll understand each other very well then. I mean there are plenty of areas you could be helpful in. Dangerous dungeons, unknown creatures attacking settlements, cavern exploration, enchantment testing on a downright indestructible human. I’m sure the Shadows and adventuring guild have more than enough jobs too, if that’s what you’re looking for,” he said, looking at her now.

“Hard to say how long those take. And the ones in Baralia were pretty boring, I won’t lie,” she said.

“Perhaps when the gates to the north are established, you’ll get more exciting work. Another thing I have are invitations to the various healing orders. Addressed to the founders of the Medic Sentinel Corps,” Trian said, summoning a few letters, the seals already broken.

“You didn’t go? What do they want?” Ilea asked.

He sighed. “No. I didn’t. The pressure they put on Lys wasn’t enough considering Ravenhall’s independence and the deals the council managed to establish. It was obvious that the orders weren’t happy about a new player in their little game but with recent events, it hardly matters.

“The Corinth Order is struggling to regain their footing, their resources reduced greatly due to the rebellion in Dawntree. The Order of Truth is gone, whatever will come from its fractured remnants either irrelevant or firmly on your side, mostly due to your interventions with the blood rituals. The Sanctuary healing order from Stormbreach vouches for us, which leaves a few smaller ones I can deal with and the Order of Balance.

“Corinth and Balance sent invitations, the former more likely to be a trap. It’s hard to say what either really want.”

Ilea looked at the letters. “I’ve run into plenty of Corinth healers and their associates before. Bunch of absolute shits.”

“They’ve waged wars before over new healing orders trying to establish themselves. Unchallenged in the west, before the devastating Elven attacks. I assume they would either try for an alliance, or something stupid. Like kidnapping or killing us,” he said.

“You don’t seem particularly worried,” she said.

Trian smiled. “Well. I won’t ever visit any of their temples and as they are now, they won’t dare a strike on our headquarters or Ravenhall. No, actually they might, but it will end badly. If you go and visit, I’d assume it would end even worse.”

“For all they’ve done, they still provide healers to the local populace. As much as I’d like to slap around some arrogant fools monopolizing healing magic, I don’t know if it’s for the better,” Ilea said.

“They provide healers, yes. But at the same time, they prevent others from providing services in their territories, let alone learn healing magic independently. I’d wager they’ve killed more healers in their time than they have trained,” he said. “And in time, they will make a move. The council is aware of the situation of course and Ravenhall obviously has our back.” He tapped his desk a few times, looking at her.

“What are you thinking?” Ilea asked.

He paused for a moment before he stood up and walked over to a cabinet, opening a bottle of scotch. “I hadn’t considered it. Mostly because you dislike these sort of affairs. But the way you are now…,”

“You want me to go? Stir up some trouble?” Ilea asked.

He poured himself a glass and looked at her. “You could just go and see what they want. You presence and obvious power alone will send a message. And I’m sure you will act in the interest of all healers, should you discover something… let’s say, ethically questionable. Before we continue on this talk, you’re positive that there is no danger to you from one of the oldest healing orders that is still around?”

“With what I’ve seen… I think I could fight the entirety of the Lys imperial army. That is, if unknown parties haven’t stayed hidden until now. Which is certainly possible. I could fight all the Lily members I’ve seen so far, likely without much issues, but there could be more, let alone the founders. The same could be true for any faction, really,” she said.

“No… the Lily considers you an ally. The same is true for Lys. Either that or someone they’d rather have an unproblematic relationship with. They’re aware of the destruction that would be caused should a direct conflict happen. The Corinth order however… doesn’t much care for destruction and death. And little makes them more angry than independent healers. If they had unknown veterans hidden away, by now I think they would’ve made a move,” he explained.

“Even if they do, I’m pretty sure I could escape at the very least. But you’re right. If they had someone as or more powerful than me, they would’ve already destroyed this place and slaughtered everyone,” she said.

He took a sip of scotch. “You’re terrifying.”

Ilea grinned. “I can be, when I need to be.”

“Good thing you can be manipulated with good food and interesting monsters,” he mused.

“Better that than a wish to become the Empress of womankind,” she said.

Trian sighed. “Might not be worse than what most people get right now. The way there though, that’s a lot of death and suffering.”

“That title is the last thing I’d ever want,” Ilea said.

“Makes you an even better candidate,” he pointed out. “But we’ve moved away from the point. Here’s the invitation. Their now main temple in Halstein. I should point out that disproportionate application of violence and destruction will create tensions with the kingdom of Kroll, an important trade partner.”

“I’m sure we’ll figure it out, should it come to that,” Ilea said.

“Of course. Claire might be getting bored without any diplomatic incidents anyway. Do be careful anyway, should you visit,” he said.

“Sure,” Ilea answered, storing the letter. “What about the Order of Balance?”

“Less problematic. They’ve backed and worked with various smaller Orders in the past. I assume they’d want to establish territory definitions and trade for information. They mostly focus on the local population, their healers doing little to no adventuring work, let alone direct monster subjugation. As long as we don’t compete with their temples, I doubt major tensions should arise. Even if we did, I doubt they would take direct action… though it might create entirely new issues with Lys and Nipha. For both us and Ravenhall. Not necessary, nor the goal of our organization,” Trian said.

“Live and let live. I can meet, I suppose. Don’t think we should trade away knowledge on our Classes. Not with the difficulty of obtaining them. Would be an issue if they forced people down the path of a Medic Sentinel or Ashen Medic,” she said.

“I wouldn’t worry. They have surely found plenty of Classes requiring high pain tolerance, resistances, and death. The requirements needed for Medic Classes are impossibly high to ever be achieved by an unwilling party. Otherwise there would be plenty of similar ones around already. People have tried, with varied success,” he said.

“They require training by the Sentinels or me personally anyway,” she recalled.

“Wouldn’t make a difference. Another requirement will be used instead. The Class name might be different, but it would likely remain similar in essence. Which is also why I doubt they would even want to trade for that. It’s not a secret that high risk and danger will provide good results. We however could surely benefit from the collective healing magic and medicine knowledge they have gathered over the centuries,” he explained.

“Why haven’t we established trade yet if that’s the case?” she asked.

“Wasn’t needed. We have plenty to work with. But as we expand and might train non combat oriented healers too, less extreme methods would be beneficial. If we plan to go that route,” he said.

“Local independent healers or more within the guard would help the city. And we wouldn’t need the help of any other Orders,” Ilea suggested.

“Sites in Riverwatch, Morhill, and eventually Hallowfort would let us expand as well. The north especially will be an interesting prospect. The various governments will be more inclined to allow our presence if we directly help the locals, instead of just sending in high level battle healers on the premise that they will fight monsters in the area,” Trian said.

“Sure. Whatever gets more healers out there, preferably the monster killing kind,” she said. “I’ll meet them, establish contact and see what they’d want for Class information. Maybe they’re using elixirs too.”

“Ancient Orders like their elixirs and their rituals. You won’t get either of that, but basic healer classes and spells would already be plenty,” Trian said.

“I’ll see what I can do. You mentioned Stormbreach too?” she asked.

“The Sanctuary Healing Order, yes. You must’ve left an impression,” he said with a grin. “The Lady of Benevolence… sent her regards.”

Ilea smiled. “The old blood spirit. How are they doing?”

“So that story is true. Claire mentioned it. They’re doing well. With help from Riverwatch and Ravenhall, both politically and with resources. Plenty of refugees are looking for a new beginning. An established settlement with houses to fill under the protection of an established healing order is enticing. I assume the Corinth Order failed to destroy the Order due to the spirit itself. Is she that powerful?” he asked.

“Good to hear they’re doing well. She’s close to three hundred. Not exactly impressive, but I suppose she’d be more than capable of fending off a halfhearted attack by some lower level humans,” Ilea surmised. “Or she had deals and backers, who knows.”

“I see. I’ll keep an eye on the situation. I’m sure Claire is already digging her claws into the potential ally. Same with Dawntree,” he said.

“I wonder if Alice stayed,” Ilea mused.

“Alice Forkspear? She’s there, yes. Claire mentioned her in one of the council meetings. One of the few nobles who neither fled the city nor opposed the rebels,” he said.

“Still around…,” Ilea mused.

“What is it?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Ah, suppose I had hoped she’d go a different path. Away from all the crap that got her into the position I found her in.”

“Easy to fall back into the roles we were raised for,” Trian said, finishing his drink.

“You’re not in Lys though,” she said.

“I just said it’s easy, not that everyone has to follow that pattern. And… the position I’m in… well, it’s not exactly the complete opposite of what a nobleman would do,” he said with a grin.

Ilea nodded, thinking back to the girl on her back as she ran through the eastern part of the Navali forest. Her only concerns back then were Drakes and bandits. Quite a small world it was.

“Her butler still around? Jaime?” she asked.

“I have no idea,” Trian said, summoning a stack of documents. “Eighty three… no four… Dawntree, let’s see. Leadership… associates… here it is. Jaime, yes. He’s the only known ally to Alice Forkspear, both mentioned to be of little danger. Reported by Levi Walken, member of the Shadow’s Hand.”

Loyal to a fault. Good man that one, Ilea thought. She narrowed her eyes. “Wait, the annoying leaves mage?”

“I don’t know him, nor his magic,” Trian said.

“Pretty sure it’s him, yeah,” she said. “Any news from the Lily, while we’re at it?”

“You’d have to ask Claire. Though nothing was brought up in the last few meetings, so I assume it’s quiet on that front,” he said. “No news on Michael either. Speaking of which… it might be good to inform Halstein of your coming beforehand. Or he might suspect an attack.”

“Can you do that for me? I’ll go there at some point in the next few weeks,” she said.

“I’ll have a letter written and delivered. That might get other interested parties involved too, just as a warning,” he said.

Can never just be a quick and easy thing with humans.

Chapter 632 Enhance!

Chapter 632 Enhance!

Ilea left through the gate prototype after saying her farewells to Trian. She planned to be back soon enough anyway.

“Hey tree,” she sent, waving in the general direction of eldritch energies.

“Still disappointingly human,” Meadow said.

“Welcome back,” Iana said with a smile. “We’re nearly done with the security measures for our very own gate!”

“That’s wonderful news,” Ilea said. “Sorry to say this now but I’ll probably need another modified gate key. Gave mine to Kyrian.”

The woman waved her off. “I already modified the other one you gave us, here you go.”

Ilea displaced the key into her hand and stored it. “Awesome. Thank you,” she said with a smile.

“No worries. I knew you’d either lose it or gift it to someone,” Iana answered and gave her a thumbs up.

Is that an insult? I’m unsure.

A space giggle went through the vicinity.

I guess I know what Meadow thinks. If only you weren’t so cute, Iana. If only.

“You gained weight,” the tree said, unnecessarily.

“Well observed, all seeing god,” she answered.

“It’s good. You’ll be able to face larger enemies more efficiently,” it said. “You don’t seem to be in a rush for once. What has driven you to this secluded spot in this beautiful realm?”

“Yeah, I’ll probably be around a little more in the coming weeks or even months. I need to max my third class skills,” she said so that the enchanters heard her too. A glance to the side showed her a group of Dark Ones waiting a few hundred meters away.

“They occasionally bring gifts for the great tree, or ask for guidance,” Iana said.

“They could come closer, no?” Ilea asked.

“I keep them away. Lest they be tempted to find out what my apprentices are working on. They can communicate just as well from there,” the Meadow said. “So you’re here again… crawling back to the only true space magic teacher who could ever hope to elevate your measly spells.”

Ilea rolled her eyes and transferred closer to the tree, feeling the mana density increase ten fold. “Do you have some time to spare. I’m sure you’re very busy.”

“You know, I actually am. But you’re hardly asking for anything substantial. About ten human sacrifices per day should suffice as payment,” spoke the Meadow.

“Can I just leave bodies of myself here? I can even do twenty. If you just want the blood,” she suggested.

“It’s the souls I need,” it said.

“You don’t actually mention that, you know? You just ask for humans,” she said.

“Why would I deceive a mere mortal like yourself?” Meadow spoke.

“I’m immortal now. Age wise at least, so I’m getting close to morphing into a tree myself. Either that or a dragon,” Ilea retorted, seeing the space around her change, bits of rock forming in familiar and new patterns. Her training had just resumed.

“Oh are you now? Well, I suppose even a creature like you can achieve minor feats like that,” it said.

“You can add in some resistance training while we’re at it. What do you think would be more beneficial, earth magic or wood magic? I don’t want to use both third tier points,” she asked.

“That entirely depends on subjective opinion. In Erendar, I would’ve suggested the former. Here… well there are a lot of trees. In the human lands at least,” the Meadow said.

“You’re right. Earth is the safer bet,” Ilea sent and selected the resistance. The fact that she had trained with the Meadow allowed her to bring the skill to the third tier, though she assumed the Rubble Guardians would’ve had the same effect had she not met the magic tree.

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The earth trembles as arcane beings bend its nature to their will. You have found stone and earth to be a worthwhile opponent yet stood unmoving in its destructive path. This skill will help you negate more of its damage.

2nd stage: Your skin and bones harden, adapting more and more to the element that threatened your life again and again.

3rd stage: You have faced true masters of Earth magic, gaining a better understanding of its substance. You are able to traverse through earth and stone far more easily than before. This effect is reduced with magically created or controlled earth and stone.

“Guess I can burrow now,” she said. “So yeah, hurl a bunch of rocks at me between space attacks.”

“As you wish,” the Meadow spoke, a shower of pebbles crashing against her armor with little impact. “You’ve grown more dense.”

“Do I have to find a stronger tree to train with?” Ilea asked.

“Don’t joke around like that,” the Meadow said, its voice entirely neutral.

Scared or ridiculing me? Whatever it is, maybe you’ll change your opinion in another thousand levels.

Ilea remembered her encounter with the Daughters of Sephilon. She knew her magic wouldn’t quite be comparable to the Meadow’s for quite some time. At the same time she knew that her magic didn’t have to be comparable to win a fight. The Wyrm was proof of that, as were many other monsters before.

This one can think though. I wonder what it would take to win a bout. Ah wait… it’s a healer as well. Nope. I don’t think I’ll be able to do it. Bummer.

“What exactly are you thinking about? The look in your eyes has changed,” the tree spoke.

Ilea smiled. “Just battle fanatic stuff, nothing you should concern yourself with. I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

“Thanks. Now that I’m at five hundred, I can actually enhance my skills. I waited so far because they’re reset to the beginning of the third tier,” she explained.

“And now that you’re working on skills anyway, you thought about enhancing a few?” the Meadow said. “I don’t see the downside. That is if you don’t expect to need those twenty nine levels in the respective skills for some time.”

“That’s the question… isn’t it,” she mused. “I can only enhance each skill once? What does it do exactly?”

“So far I have only learned of the one enhancement, yes. Though again, you’re human. I am not, nor are any of the Awakened I have shared information with on this topic. The effects can vary depending on the skill. A stronger effect or an added effect to the third tier only. Nothing is fundamentally changed as far as I know, unlike with evolutions,” the Meadow explained.

“So it’s always better,” Ilea said.

“It should be,” the Meadow answered.

“I got another option called Derivative General skill. What does that one do exactly?” she asked.

“You did? Interesting. I have only met two creatures who have received that option so far. I suppose it makes sense with humanity… you are versatile and adapt more quickly than others. Of course only because you’re so very bland and weak to begin with, but that is besides the point,” the Meadow spoke.

“It is indeed,” Ilea answered.

“It will create general skills based on techniques you frequently use and have mastered to a degree. In your case… hmm. The ashen things on your back, you use them a lot but I have found them to be weaker than your flesh limbs. Are they a separate skill already?” it asked.

She shook her head.

“Then perhaps that would be an option. As to the actual benefits of the skill, it is hard to say, though they are not quite comparable to your Class skills,” it explained.

“So just another enhancement?” Ilea asked.

“A specialization more than an enhancement,” the Meadow said.

“Will I get options once I choose it or is it random what I get?”

“That I do not know, young healer,” spoke the ancient tree.

“Guess I’ll have to try that out too… so, which skills should I enhance?” she mused, looking through her list.

Archon strike is my main damage output at the moment. I think that would be too risky right now. Plus I’d probably have to kill things to level it effectively. Or risk killing them at least. Don’t want the Class levels quite yet.

Sentinel Reconstruction… might be an option. No evolution with Arcane Eternal and with all the other regeneration and defensive boosts, this might be the time to actually risk it. The third tier will still be there anyway. And I’ll have forty levels in the skill still. Leveling it only requires me fighting strong enemies and getting hurt, so that one’s easy.

Azarinth Awakening… the base effects would tank a bit but that one will take a long time to level anyway. With my recent two hundred percent to body enhancement skills, I’ll hardly feel a difference to before my evolutions. Also a good candidate.

Transfer… I’d rather not change. Though… would the cooldowns… no, they’re static. So it wouldn’t really matter. Just the distance I can teleport would be affected. With Displacement around, I could easily enhance it now.

Dominion. Kind of want to keep the range how it is. It’s such an important skill, I’ll probably do that one later.

Sentinel Core I could level well, but do I want to reduce the numbers? At the same time, even a small bonus could be insane with how good the base skill already is.

Eternal Brawling is possible but with the other options available, maybe not yet. Plus I’d have to fight stuff to level it. Huntress not yet either because I want to keep the high number of marks. Sight seems fine the way it is. Not sure I even want to invest five core points into that third tier. It’s good to have but I should be able to get away from pretty much anything as it is.

Arcane Circulation is another possibility but again, might take a backseat to other skills.

So that’s one Class. Plenty of possibilities… at the same time I don’t want to burn all my core points. If I do five per Class it’s fifty already. Let’s see the Titan Class first.

Mantle is my main defense next to Reconstruction. I don’t feel comfortable lowering both skills at the same time, even if it would be way more efficient time wise. Emergencies can come up at any time and I can’t just reduce my defense by such a large chunk. With the recent evolution I think I’ll prioritize reconstruction.

Titan Core… well I kind of want to properly try it out before I enhance it. Origin… not sure. It’s been so vague, might just add more vagueness. But I have to enhance it at some point. Maybe once my third Class is at five hundred. Right now it’s still a really important asset in pretty much every battle. Embered Core I want to properly get a grasp for first, same with Tempered Seal. Both offensive skills too so hard to level without killing things. Authority… is an option. Definitely easier to level without killing anything then the previous ones, still harder than a defensive skill.

Wings are a good option. With transfer I have a good way to travel long distances and I think at the beginning of the third tier I was already pretty fast. I’d lose to Kyrian for sure though… but if I don’t invest now… he might win once he’s at five hundred. Can’t let that happen.

Vision is more offensive again. I’d rather go for Avatar of Ash. Most of the important bonuses are static there as well. That leaves Embered Form, which is entirely too offensive to level for now.

So we have Reconstruction, Awakening, Transfer, Sentinel Core, Circulation, Authority, Wings, and Avatar as good options. Should be able to level all of them without having to kill anything or even attack it in the first place… as long as I get hurt. Sounds acceptable. Eight skills, so forty core points.

“Did your mind deactivate?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea looked up, ignoring the space and earth magic crashing into her. “I looked through my skills… I’ll try advancing a few. Give me a minute.”

She chose Avatar of Ash first.

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Increases your reflexes and speed by 50.5% [606%]. Your ability to avoid damage to your vitals when dodging increases.

2nd stage: Your muscles grow more dense. For each Resistance skill your body becomes tougher. First tier Resistances equal a static 5% increase, second tier equal a static 10% increase, third tier equal a static 15% increase [550%].

3rd stage: You can choose to allow magic damage to bypass your related resistance skills. Effect is canceled automatically upon reaching 50% of your health. Each Resistance skill in the second tier or higher increases the potential density of your created ash by a static 5% [205%]. Each Resistance skill in the third tier increases the speed of your ash projectiles by 5% [80%].

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

Faster projectiles… for five core points and a need to level the third tier again. Hmm. It really is a straight upgrade though. And I have to do it at some point anyway.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remains, your Sentinel Reconstruction will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself! Health loss and critical blows are recalculated due to the nature of your healing.

3rd stage: You have healed your body time and time again, knowing every cell and where it belongs. Sacrifice a large amount of mana to rush your healing to unprecedented speeds. Lack of knowledge about your body may result in heavy damage. Effect can be used on allies.

Category: Healing

Now that’s more like it, she thought with a grin. Her healing was already good, now she assumed she was close to what a high level cleric or priestess of an Order could do. Coupled with her dominion bonus, an enemy would have to more or less kill an ally within a second or two. The mana cost will be crazy too though, depending on how many there are to heal. And I suppose I should get familiar with their anatomy beforehand.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Your body glows with the power of Azarinth, increasing your resilience, speed, Intelligence and Strength by 70.5% [705%].

2nd stage: Your sight, hearing and sense of smell is also affected by Azarinth Awakening

3rd stage: You are one with the Azarinth. The skill’s upkeep has been removed. Instead you may overcharge it with your life’s energy. The amount depends on both skill level and health used. Excess health regeneration and healing beyond your full health can instead be used to overcharge Azarinth Awakening.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Ilea immediately felt the increase in power when she activated the effect, her regeneration alone providing a noticeable benefit. With her healing active too, she felt like she already matched the level thirty benefits from the previous version of the skill. Might even be a bit stronger, she thought with a grin. It would only last until she took damage and had to actually heal herself. Any health sacrifices could just be stacked on top however, which made the skill even more useful.

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

‘Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Immediately appear at a distant place. Distance based on the level of the skill.

2nd stage: The time between transfers is reduced greatly. No ground contact needed between transfers. Upon arrival, you may use up to 500 mana to create an arcane explosion damaging enemies and disrupting magical constructs and spells.

3rd stage: You may set five destinations you touch. You may change each destination once per week [32.43h]. You may travel to each destination once every day [4.63h]. Cast time is reduced by a static 50% for destinations you have already transferred to.

Category: Teleportation Magic’

Two more, yes! And another cast time reduction. So down to less than twenty seconds. From like half an hour at first, hah!

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Your body was changed by magic. All pain is reduced greatly. Your body is 40.5% [526.5%] more durable. You heal even fatal injuries without help of healing magic. Your natural Health regeneration is improved by 120.5% [1566.5%].

2nd stage: The magic of Azarinth settles inside your body. Your resistance to magical damage is increased by a static 25% [325%] and your bones are three times as heavy and dense.

3rd stage: Your body was battered and forged by magic. You absorb mana from enemy spells that hit you. Efficiency is determined by enemy mana used and your resistance to the type of magic. Mana cost for all skills reduced by a static 25%. Your body can absorb ambient mana. Amount dependent on availability and harmony.

Category: Healing – Body Enhancement

Ilea tried it out, gathering heat and channeling her healing to reduce her mana a little. Alright… hmm. Pretty good, but I guess that’s because of the Meadow density around here. Still nowhere near close my regeneration but any additional mana absorption is nice.

“What did you do?” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea blinked her eyes, looking at the tree. “What? I enhanced a skill and can absorb ambient mana now.”

“Marvelous… you really are an interesting species. You’re not dependent on it I hope?” it asked.

“Says nothing about that. Just an additional way to get mana. I still regenerate normally too,” she said.

“Good,” it spoke.

“The enhancements are nice. Not sure if they’re worth this many core points if there will be better options once I reach whatever requirements they have,” she said.

“They are direct benefits to your main abilities, which form and define your power. Whatever else there may be for a human like you, I suggest enhancing everything you can,” the Meadow said.

“You’re right,” she murmured telepathically.

Chapter 633 Glowing Eyes

Chapter 633 Glowing Eyes

Still have a few skills to go, Ilea thought and continued with her enhancements.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

You have learned of Archon Strike and Sentinel Reconstruction. Now you will learn of their Reversal.

Upon activation, Archon Strike will send a part of the struck enemy’s mana into yourself. No mana will be released on impact, rendering Archon Strike’s offensive potential to zero.

Upon activation, Sentinel Reconstruction will send a destructive force of channeled mana into yourself or an enemy you touch, the healing aspects are reduced to zero.

2nd stage: You may have both the original and reversed aspects activated at the same time. When an enemy partially or fully resists either Archon Strike or Sentinel Reconstruction, you absorb the dissipating mana.

3rd stage: Healing, power, resilience and speed. All requires balance. Your respective Destruction and Reconstruction spells have their potency increased by a static 25% of your lowest stat. [112.5%]. You may channel health in addition to mana into the respective offensive uses of Archon Strike and Sentinel Reconstruction. Health cost to activate effects is reduced by a static 20%.

Category: Body Enhancement

A reduced health cost? Meaning I have to sacrifice only four thousand health into Archon Strike to get the full five thousand effect? Only for the health part… another incentive to use that aspect I suppose. But with the new bonus to Azarinth Awakening, I might want keep health usage to a minimum. I guess I only use it against enemies that can hurt me anyway.

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

You are one with Ash and Ember. Allies rushing to your aid.

2nd stage: Your understanding grows, allowing you to create greater change in ash and ember. Imbue mana into your creations. Ash and Ember you imbued retains its form until the mana is used up.

3rd stage: The elements themselves become an extension of your body, an extension of your will, for as long as they stay in physical contact with you. Ash not connected benefits from passive abilities enhancing your body. You may imbue commands into ash and ember you have imbued with mana.

Category: Ashen magic

No change? Wait… the simple part is gone. So I guess I can give my ash a little more complex commands?

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

‘Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Your understanding of ash allows you to form wings from ash and ember. Strike your enemies from above and close the distance to deliver your wrath.

2nd stage: Your wings become more dense and tangible, able to help you defend and attack.

3rd stage: Ash Creation and Unity prove you are above the rest. Shape and form your wings to your liking, now directly affected by your control. An added tail shall make you one with the skies above, not a mere human imitating flight but one who revels in it. You may charge your wings with mana and stamina to dramatically increase your flight velocity at the cost of heavily reduced control. Your resilience is increased greatly during a charged flight.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

Kind of expected that one, she thought with a grin. I guess my ash noticed how much I liked the way Kyrian cut through that Bluetail.

“Done,” she sent.

“Some useful benefits I hope?” Meadow asked. “Do you believe you are ready to face your last nemesis?”

“You’re not my last nemesis, Meadow. Also no. I’m not delusional,” she answered. “But I have plenty of things to try out and a punching bag would help immensely to figure things out.”

“So you want to fight me in addition to your skill training?” the creature asked, a gust of wind flowing out as the mana in the air increased to a near visible level.

“Calm your leaves,” Ilea said and sat down, focusing on the space magic puzzle still floating within her dominion. “There are a few creatures here who I want to remind of my existence.”

“I understand. If you can, leave them alive,” the Meadow spoke.

“The Elemental and Trakorov for sure. The Griffin? Well I don’t want the experience right now anyway,” she said.

“How very considerate of you, to leave these peaceful creatures alive,” it spoke.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Peaceful creatures that instantly attacked me when I first showed up. The Trakorov didn’t, alright, but I feel like that has more to do with my companion than anything else. Same with the Lightning Elemental. I just want to train a little.”

“You want to make yourself feel better, now that you can actually face them?” the Meadow asked.

“That too,” she said with a shrug. “Anything wrong with that?”

“It’s very human of you. Though I suppose finding monsters to train your skills against is an important goal,” Meadow spoke.

“It is. And even if it weren’t, I’d still do it,” she said.

“How very predictable,” the being said.

“I never claimed to be hard to figure out, ancient tree,” Ilea answered with a smile. Forty seven core points remaining. Don’t have enough for all my skills anyway… might as well try.

‘ding’ ‘One derivative General skill unlocked’

Available Derivative General skills:

[Spear of Ash]

[Ashen Limbs]

[Bulwark of Ash]

[Drill]

Ah shit. I want all of them.Twelve points… fuck it.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Spear of Ash – lvl 1

Spear of Ash - lvl 1

You have mastered the ability to form and throw spears made of ash. Damage dealt with ashen spears is increased by 20%.

Worth a measly three points.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Ashen Limbs – lvl 1

Ashen Limbs - lvl 1

You have mastered the ability to fight with limbs made entirely of ash. Required manipulation is reduced by 25%.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Bulwark of Ash – lvl 1

Bulwark of Ash - lvl 1

Many times have you used walls of ash to defend yourself and your allies. Resilience of ashen walls is increased by 20%.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Drill – lvl 1

Drill - lvl 1

You have used your body and ash to form what is essentially a human powered drill. While quite silly, the devastating attacks showed results. Drills spin 50% faster.

Definitely worth it. I wonder what else I could unlock if I try things out. The copies I tried out are sure to become an option at some point. Or the focused eye beam.

“You’re distracted,” the Meadow spoke. “You won’t be able to level your skills if you’re not focused.”

“Sorry… I got a few general skills with core points,” she said. “You mentioned before that once I enhance all my Class skills, I should get a fourth tier option?”

“You’re far from even enhancing all your skills, Ilea. Let alone getting them to their maximum level again. Once you get there, the option should present itself. It did for me,” it spoke.

“What’s your fourth tier spell?” she asked.

The Meadow laughed. “Curious, as always. I will show you, once you manage to win.”

“Win what?” she asked.

“Do you have to ask?” the Meadow spoke.

A bout?

She pouted a little. “That’s not possible.”

“Then you better find a way to do the impossible,” it said.

“Wait… you have one for every school of magic… or am I wrong?” she asked.

The tree remained silent, with a smug air flowing through the area.

Ilea wondered how she knew the air was smug but she supposed her space awareness just wasn’t quite there yet to determine the exact reason.

“I’ll find out eventually,” she said with a grin

“Of course you will,” it spoke and lightly pat her head with an invisible force.

Ilea tried to see the spell formation instead of reacting in another way. The Meadow was right, she should focus on her training.

A few hours passed without meaningful progress, Ilea’s concentration lapsing as she fell on her back. “This sucks.”

“Dancing lessons at some point?” she sent to Claire.

A few seconds passed. “In three days. Sunrise. My office.”

Ilea grinned, already looking forward to something a little more grounded than literal space magic.

“You’re not quite as driven as I remember,” the Meadow spoke. “What’s wrong?”

Ilea looked at her hand, rolling in the black grass before she looked at the tree. “Last time it felt more urgent,” she said. “You don’t mind me being on the grass by the way?”

“Perhaps I could give you an ultimatum. You reach the end of the third tier or I destroy this world,” the Meadow said.

Ilea just rolled her eyes. “You’re not a good liar.”

“How would you know anything I said so far has been the truth?” it asked.

“A hunch,” she mused.

“Humans and their hunches. You place way too much trust in your instincts and feelings, disregarding crucial evidence. But I suppose I should be thankful. I wouldn’t be here otherwise,” the Meadow spoke. “And no, I do not mind. Here I do not need to restrain my form to a dedicated area within a temple or to hide myself from mana starved beasts.”

“We definitely do, you’re right. But I suppose it’s what makes us human. Or a part of it,” Ilea said. “Do you know Goliath by the way? Dark One smith living in Hallowfort. He came back after the Elves attacked me.”

“A curious creature that one, yes. One of few who have been able to communicate with me directly,” it spoke.

“You talk often?” Ilea asked, sitting up now.

“No. Goliath is not a talkative being, nor one that wishes to be disturbed. Features I can appreciate deeply. A stark contrast to you. Because you ask a lot of questions, and you constantly come to me for help and training,” it said.

“I get it,” Ilea answered and stood up, cracking her neck.

“Unable to figure out your own skills, trying to get an easy way to power, abusing me for teleportation,” the Meadow continued.

“I said I got it,” she repeated.

“Share your godly secrets, Endless Meadow. But you don’t even bring gifts or sacrifices,” it continued yet again.

Ilea leaned forward a little and smirked. “And that’s exactly why you like me, you dumb old piece of landscape. Can you beam me up to his smithy?”

“After that insult?” the Meadow asked.

“Yeah,” Ilea said.

A laughing wind went through the vicinity before she vanished, her resistance disabled to allow for a direct teleportation.

“Hello there,” Ilea said, looking at the smith, his golden eyes focused on a delicate construct of interlinked steel wires.

“Welcome, being of the arcane,” Goliath spoke and looked up, the shape of his eyes suggesting joy. “Have thou come for a request, or to seek counsel?” he asked, his whisper like voice reverberating through his smithy.

Ilea leaned against the burning hot forge and summoned the Wyrm eye. “Ever seen anything like this?”

“That is an interesting object,” the Meadow said.

“Don’t spy on me,” Ilea answered.

“Just because your vision is limited to a ridiculous degree doesn’t mean I’m spying when I don’t reduce mine to a similarly stunted field of view,” it said.

Goliath came closer, taking the eye after a questioning gesture. “You have… fought this creature?”

Ilea nodded.

“A journey it must have been,” Goliath spoke. “I have not the tools nor the skill to use this as raw material. If you wish to embed it within armor, I could do so.”

“I’m not sure yet. I can use it with my ash anyway and I think it might be safer if I just store it inside my necklace when I don’t need it. I’m more interested in the quality. Any idea what it does?” she asked.

“Draconic. Indeed. Born of flame… it should be resistant to most damage. More so against everything that is fire and heat. And I believe… yes, it shares the regenerative characteristic of timeless objects,” the smith explained.

Ilea crossed her arms. “Really? The Wyrm didn’t seem to regenerate… at all.”

“Those of draconic origin… are old. Truly, ancient. It will recover if damaged. How much time such a process will require? I do not know,” Goliath said.

“Hope it’s not a human lifetime,” Meadow said. “Better not damage that thing if you want to use it.”

“I figured,” Ilea answered and summoned the Scorching Wyrm scales instead. “Think you can make me a set of armor from this?”

The smith looked over the material. “This is… most impressive. The durability. I won’t be able to forge this. Not here.”

“What do you need?” Ilea asked.

“I would require… a forge more durable than these scales. This is not made of metal, nor stone… this material is unique to the Wyrm it belonged to. I would have to summon heat enough to shape it,” he spoke.

“What could be durable enough to hold that amount of heat?” Ilea asked.

“Endless Meadow,” Goliath answered.

Ilea sighed. “Why is that tree always the solution?”

“Because of my incomprehensible beauty and splendor,” the Meadow spoke. “I shall help. I’m interested in that material as well. Creating that amount of heat however…”

“That, will be my task, with the help of thee,” Goliath said and pointed at her.

“Sure,” Ilea said and grinned. “And we have the Trakorov backup plan.”

“It may not be inclined to help,” the Meadow said.

“Why do you think so? It helped with the Elemental,” she said.

“I doubt that creature would heed any call. It mostly just sleeps and hardly answers my attempts at communication,” it said.

“Well, that’s just your lacking charisma. I’ll figure it out if it comes to that. Maybe my heat will be enough… focused through the eye if needed,” she said. “You have time later?”

Goliath bowed lightly. “I shall join you, at this moment.”

She waved her arms in front of her. “No, no. Finish what you were working on. I’m not in a rush. Just remembered something else anyway.”

“I will call for п̸̤̟͕͖̬͘͜о͢͝͏̨͓̠̱̮̣̭̹̩͇̠̞ͅͅн̷͟͞͏̼̺͖̤͓̼̮͍̱̮̜̳͖̕и҉̨̞̞͔̣̖͎м̴̛̕҉̠̞̻̝̭а̴̻̱̯͎̦͍͚̣̹̦̤̫̗̥͝н̶̡̣̦̖̪͈͍̤̰̰͚̝̦͢͠ͅͅи̧̨̪̣̦̹̞̳͕̪͘ͅе̡̩͉̳̼̠͍ once I have finished my work,” Goliath spoke.

Ilea blinked a few times, trying to figure out what she had just heard. “Did you…,”

The Meadow grinned within her mind. “Curious. I told you.”

Curious indeed, she thought before Meadow teleported her back.

“Iana, Chris, you two should probably have a look at this as well,” she said and summoned the runed rubble she had gathered on the Krahen Isles, right after their fight against the Terror. “I found the same runes below Ravenhall. The distance equals what the Taleen could do but I doubt it was them who set this up, mostly because it seemed like they had tried to storm the keep on Krahen.”

The enchanters paused their work, crouching down to check on the runes. A few started floating.

“Unknown to me. Blood magic, I’d wager,” the Meadow spoke.

“I’ll let you guys check it out. Let me know if you find out more. And don’t accidentally bring the world’s end,” Ilea said.

“We’ll try not to summon anything,” Iana said, scribbling some things down into her notebook. She blinked a few times, looking away from the runes. “Powerful, these.”

Ilea felt as the Meadow healed the woman.

“I will have a few of my eyes on them,” it said. “Already bored?”

“I don’t feel like sitting here solving puzzles all day. I’ll be back later. Not like you’re running away,” she said.

“Movement is relative,” the tree spoke.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ilea asked.

“Solving these riddles will bring you closer to the answer. Perhaps one day, you too will find understanding,” it said.

“Wonderful. Can you teleport me to the tenth layer, oh Endless Meadow?” she asked.

“At your service, Lilith,” it said, moving her to the cliffs.

Ilea spread her wings immediately, stopping her fall before she looked around. She felt the winds, stronger than most everything usually present on the northern surface.

She slowly descended, landing on a plateau of rock, various sections fractured, crevices leading further down. Now let’s see if it’s still up for a fight. Would surprise me if it isn’t. She charged monster hunter, pausing for a moment before she looked up. Hmm. Something’s missing.

“Violence. Training in Descent. Lightning Elemental. Join? Violence,” she sent the message.

“Violence!” came the reply.

Ilea smiled, releasing monster hunter in a whistle that reverberated against the walls, reaching far through the cavern despite the strong winds.

A screech resounded from below, blue sparks flowing through the air when a large blue bird shot out from one of the many cracks, twirling in the air before its glowing eyes came resting on the intruder.

“I’m back. Remember me?” she said with a grin, waving at the creature.

[Young Lightning Elemental – lvl ???] - [Bored/Hungry]

“What do you even eat?” she asked. The bird was close to being a four mark but she had no idea how long it would take the creature to get there, if it was possible at all.

The elemental didn’t reply, instead charging a massive lightning spell.

So that’s how it is, she thought and added layers to her armor, increasing its durability to the highest possible degree. Her azarinth aura started glowing, enhanced by her healing and regeneration. The ash she could control was reduced somewhat because of her enhanced armor but she found the impact to be much less than creating copies.

Heat started to form within her, both Titan and Embered Core working in tandem to quickly increase the broiling energy within. She grinned at the incredible charge, reaching in seconds what had taken her half a minute before her evolutions.

Blue light flashed, a bolt of lightning zapping through the air and entering her dominion.

Ilea burst into white flame, her smile widening when the attack crashed into her outstretched hand, much of it absorbed both in heat and mana. A part of it was destroyed by her flames and the rest burned into her ash, unable to get through her thick armor.

“I hope that’s not all that you have,” she said, cracking her neck.

Chapter 634 Old Acquaintances

Chapter 634 Old Acquaintances

Ilea and the young elemental both remained motionless for a moment, lightning pulsing around the creature while fire clung to the human.

Ashen spears formed touching her back, quickly charged with heat as the Elemental started circling her, sending out bolts of lightning that crashed into her with little reaction.

She made the spears move, surprised at the increased speed. A few crashed into the wall behind the dodging bird, exploding in showers of heat and flame. Ilea managed to veer the rest to the right, her eyes on the elemental as she slowly turned, keeping the spears locked on to the bird.

A few lightning orbs formed around the flying creature, shooting out and crashing into the spears, static, flames, and heat exploding out where they impacted with her projectiles.

Should’ve expected it to have some kind of anti guided missile technology, she thought and summoned her Wyrm eye, ash spreading around her right arm, forming the cannon like extension with the draconic artifact set within. “Dodge this.”

A beam of flame shot out, grazing the elemental’s wing.

My aim sucks, she thought and slowly increased her weight, heat charging as she watched the elemental tumble lightly, turning her way with glowing eyes.

Yeah, just stay there, she thought and formed a small crosshair made of ash at the front of her cannon. She leaned her head against her arm and released the heat within her.

The beam flashed out and crashed against a bright blue shield, sparks flying to the side before the defense shattered, the elemental screeching as its body was enveloped by flame.

Ilea watched the dull blue spot on its chest when the magical debris had cleared, sparks flowing in to cover the section once again. “Like that?” she asked, sending another wave of heat, this time using her left hand, the chaotic beam spreading out to envelop a large part of the plateau they stood on. She grinned when the elemental teleported away, its form condensed to a small spark before it expanded beyond the range of her beam.

“Seems like our roles have reversed, doesn’t it?” she asked, sending heat charged and burning ashen spears at the creature, smiling as she watched it dodge through the continuous bombardment.

“You do like to gloat,” Meadow spoke.

“Let me have my fun, old tree,” she answered, sending another focused beam at the creature, burning one of its wings.

The Elemental tumbled through the air, flying down into one of the cracks.

Ilea grinned, starting to run with her still increasing weight, heat gathering within her as she absorbed ambient mana, her auras pushing her stats and abilities further. The ground shook as she ran, each step sending tremors through the rock, a few cracks forming where the plateau couldn’t support her weight.

Three smaller birds made of lightning shot out from below, rushing towards her with increasing speed.

Ilea didn’t use displacement, nor did she try to burn the creatures, running through as they impacted her form. Lightning coursed through her, each bird ripping a chunk of armor away, the ash reforming near instantly before she jumped off, her wings unable to keep her afloat. She charged them instead, waiting until she found the Elemental hiding in a nearby crevice. She aimed her cannon when the monster released its prepared attack, their magic crashing together to create a shock wave of heat and sparks.

The healer came shooting out on the other side of the debris, her wings pushing her heavy form forward, a drill of ash spinning ahead of her, seemingly part of her body. She activated space shift when she got close, preventing the elemental from teleporting.

It barely managed to dodge aside, one of its wings caught as ash and white flame dug into its defensive layer of magic. The creature only managed to resist for a split second, Ilea’s weight and momentum pushing her through, sparks turning to splatters of blood as she drilled through the wing, ripping up the monster’s tissue before she dug into and through the stone, coming to a stop about twenty meters later.

She heard the descending screeching. Music in my ears, she thought and reformed the drill into two of her copies. Tank its clones, she imbued and turned around, walking through the small tunnel as her copies rushed forward, stopping the smaller birds that came flying towards them. Each managed to survive one, the ash dissipating on the second.

Ilea came out of the tunnel, looking down where she saw a glint of blue light, a beautiful beam coming at her. She jumped down, taking the attack head on as she healed her dissipating mantle, finally slamming down on the stone nearly a hundred meters farther down.

Her legs dug into the ground, a quick use of displacement getting her out. “How are we doing?” she asked, looking at the Elemental floating ahead of her, its blue eyes leaving a trail behind as it slowly moved up and down, its wing apparently back to normal. Glad you’re not entirely useless as a training partner, she thought with a grin.

“I apologize for the interruption. There is a creature here who claims to be your friend,” the Meadow sent.

“Hold on,” Ilea said and turned away slightly from the Elemental. “Call,” she said in an apologetic tone and touched her temple. “Yes, a friend? What’s their name?”

“It calls itself violence. A Fae,” Meadow sent back.

“Ah yes, I called for it to come,” Ilea answered.

The Meadow didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Are you still there?” she sent. “Sorry, just a second,” she said to the Elemental who had landed.

[Young Lightning Elemental – lvl ???] - [Excited]

No longer hungry? Figured. You eat mana. Just like me.

“I am… why would you want to bring that creature here?” Meadow asked.

“Because he’s my friend? And I found it here, first time I explored the Descent,” she explained. “Can you beam it down here?”

“But… Ilea, I was tasked with the protection of Hallowfort, by you. I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring a being such as that into this territory, even if it is merely a small part of a whole,” Meadow said.

“Are you scared of the little fellow?” she teased. “Really? Old ancient Meadow?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It could wipe this entire settlement away on a whim,” it replied.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “So could you! Good thing then that you’re both friends, so don’t be rude to our visitor and beam it down. Please,” she said.

“I will want to have a talk with this one… at a later time,” the Meadow said.

Vi o lence! the baron sent when it appeared next to her, twirling as it extended its small arms in joy.

“Hey little man,” Ilea replied, extending her ash in greeting. “How’ve you been?”

The Fae twirled around within the ash, giggling before it came to a stop. It held its head for a moment before shaking it, getting rid of the confusion.

Stronger!, it said, pointing at her.

“Indeed. New evolution. I’m just testing it a little against our friend here,” she said.

The Fae giggled again, near manically this time around.

Domination.

Not

Testing

“Well,” Ilea said, scratching her armored cheek a little.

Violence, the Baron said.

“I suppose you’re right. Care to watch?” she asked with a smile.

Show

Magic!

“Sure,” she said, lowering her weight again as she turned back to the Elemental. “Just keep your distance. It hasn’t gotten any less dangerous,” she said and ran forward, her dominion pushing destructive mana into the bird as soon as she got into range.

This time she displaced a few beams, letting the last three hit as she formed a few ashen copies. Hunt that bird. Don’t kill it. Stay careful, she imbued, watching the three ashen beings run off, circling the Elemental who split into several copies as well.

Ilea vanished, appearing next to the Elemental, her fist moving out to hit the creature when a sphere of concentrated lightning flashed out, scorching the ground. She pushed through, the first two layers of her ash healing when her fist connected with the being.

It floated away from the impact, no wound or negative reaction showing.

She was sure her intrusion had easily gone through its defensive layer but if anything, the bird seemed more energized. You’re kidding me right? she thought, shaking her head as she laughed. “Guess I’m not the best one at absorbing damage, hmm?” she asked, locking eyes with the creature which seemed to have a smug expression on its lightning beaked face.

The bird shook lightly when its side erupted, flames surging out from where the mana pockets had exploded in fire. It screeched, stabilizing itself as a sphere of lightning spread out, disintegrating two of the ashen clones who hadn’t been able to distance themselves in time.

I wonder if I can overwhelm its absorption with charged strikes. Nah, wouldn’t want to kill it. It has to reach true Elemental status after all. Can’t do that when it’s dead, she thought and rushed it again. She smiled when the bird barely moved away to avoid her, Ilea’s fist crashing into its chest with pure physical force. Her wings pushed her forward as ashen limbs moved around the Elemental, keeping it close while she punched against its chest, shock waves going through the monster’s flying body until a sphere of lightning burned away Ilea’s limbs.

She released space shift, stopping her attacks as she watched the Elemental crash against the stone ground, its chest looking dented, blood evaporating when it touched the lightning.

Ilea herself felt her healing take care of the soreness in her arms, the slight internal bleedings and ruptures already taken care of during the continued magically enhanced pummeling. She looked at her hand and formed a fist, back to full power again besides the mana she had used.

The Fae giggled, floating behind Ilea when the Elemental glared at it, standing again with its chest recovered.

That creature is nearly a four mark. And I just fucking destroyed it, she thought, watching the young elemental bow its head. “Don’t bow to me, I don’t like it,” she said but the creature remained.

She felt a pulse of mana from the Fae now sitting on her shoulder.

The Elemental looked up and spread its wings, screeching before it flew closer.

“Can I feed you with my reverse healing?” she asked the Elemental before glancing at the Fae.

It just shrugged.

Try

She did.

The bird screeched at first but seemed to calm down again a moment later, its form pulsing just a little more, the change visible within her dominion.

“I thought it’s just destructive healing magic,” she said.

Arcane.

“Yeah, I suppose,” she answered. “Though I guess I could overwhelm it anyway. Just need enough. Same as that Wyrm did to me with fire.”

“Hey Meadow, can we get a lift to the fifteenth layer?” she asked.

“Already done with the Elemental?” it asked.

“I’ll visit again for sure, but right now I want to see how far I can go. You might have to show me those fourth tier skills sooner rather than later,” she sent.

“I’ll be looking forward to it,” the Meadow said and teleported both of them down to the staircase leading into the fifteenth layer and where the Storm Griffin had resided.

Ilea sat down near the entrance, looking out onto the tundra either created by the Ascended or somehow forming naturally down here. Might be the creatures summoned, put here, or born of mana influenced the area after some time had passed?

п̸̤̟͕͖̬͘͜о͢͝͏̨͓̠̱̮̣̭̹̩͇̠̞ͅͅн̷͟͞͏̼̺͖̤͓̼̮͍̱̮̜̳͖̕и҉̨̞̞͔̣̖͎м̴̛̕҉̠̞̻̝̭а̴̻̱̯͎̦͍͚̣̹̦̤̫̗̥͝н̶̡̣̦̖̪͈͍̤̰̰͚̝̦͢͠ͅͅи̧̨̪̣̦̹̞̳͕̪͘ͅе̡̩͉̳̼̠͍

strong.

“You think so?” Ilea asked. “You’re talking about Meadow, right?”

Meadow.

Maybe.

“Tree thingy with a thousand eyes. Eldritch abomination, space mage, and local protector of life,” she said.

Yes!

Violence!

“No, it’s kind of a pacifist actually,” she said.

The little fae looked to droop a little.

She patted it on its head and formed an ashen copy of the little creature.

Play with it, she imbued.

The Fae looked at each other, one entirely black and the other close to. Her ash didn’t come quite close to the near absolute darkness inherent to the magical creature.

She watched the two taking a few steps to one side, the fae lifting a hand and her ash copying the movement. Violence giggled, her ash copying the gesture but failing to produce any sound.

Friend!

“Sure,” Ilea said. “It’s part of me, so I suppose it should be your friend as well.”

The little fae hugged its new ashen friend, taking its hand before it walked next to Ilea.

Violence? it asked, looking up at her.

Ilea smiled, seeing her ash being nearly in exact sync with the Fae. “It’s right there,” she said, pointing up at the distant ceiling of the layer. “Can’t see its eyes but the way its body is positioned, it might’ve already seen us and is just waiting to strike.”

Protect Baron, she quickly imbued into the ash before forming another clone, this one of her. She imbued it with the same command. Just in case. She knew the little fae had adequate protections on its own, even against a four mark attack.

“Think you’re stronger than Meadow?” she asked. The true Fae had a higher level, that much she knew, though when it came to actual fighting prowess? She had no idea how things stacked up. Both beings were sapient, just like her. And Ilea could fight non awakened beings of twice her level.

Stronger?

Baron put a hand to his chin, thinking carefully.

Older.

Maybe.

Fight

Unnecessary

“Because you don’t have an issue with it?” she asked.

The little Fae nodded.

Pacifist

“You’re not a pacifist though,” she said with a smile.

Violence.

Yes.

Fae

Less

“Less violent. Yeah, I mean it didn’t kill or eat me when I visited. I’m training with the Meadow at the moment. Would you be up for some help with that? I’m working on my Space Awareness, I’m sure you have plenty of ideas on how to get me to understand the intricacies,” she said.

Violence looked at her and put a hand to where its heart would be, if it were human.

Honored!

She laughed. “Thank you,” she said and copied the gesture. “Sure you don’t need to be doing something else? I didn’t take you away from an important task, did I?”

Exploration

Dangerous!

Exciting.

“That sounds more interesting than watching me fail at comprehending space magic,” Ilea admitted.

Maybe

Friend

Help

“I appreciate it. Know that you can call for help anytime as well, if you’re ever in need,” she said. “Just use the mark.”

Appreciation!

Violence? it asked again.

Ilea stood up, cracking her neck as she checked her armor. Her ash capacity was at about two thirds with her improved armor and the copies protecting Baron. “Getting impatient, are we?” she asked, stepping out into the open.

Her wings spread, her tail forming as she ascended. The weight from her armor layers alone was hardly an issue, minimally slowing her down but it was nothing compared to the five hundred percent increase from her Titan Core third tier or even just the straight density increases her evolutions had provided.

Titan core doesn’t actually increase the limit of my heat storage, just its generation, she thought, looking at the still unmoving Griffin in the distance. I wonder if I can reach that thing from here.

“Just need to charge a spell,” she said, using her core abilities to form heat, embers appearing around her from which she absorbed heat with her third tier Lava resistance. The latter was a minimal bonus but everything would help. I’m fucking resistant to heat now, holy shit, she thought, feeling the power within her.

She looked down to find a few dried up blades of grass catching fire. How long until the ground literally melts at my presence?

It took about half a minute to get her heat generation to overwhelm her healing, sweat dripping down her brow. Flames clung to the ground around her.

She formed her cannon, with an added crosshair. Looking through, she frowned. That’s way too fucking far away. Four maybe five hundred meters. I need an actual scope or something. And something perfectly aligned to the eye within. My hand is just resting on it right now. No clue if the beam comes out straight.

“Oh well,” she whispered, pushing a few thousand health into her aura and releasing the heat.

The chaotic torrent flowed into the eye in less than a second, focused by the body part she had taken from the Wyrm and released in a beam of heat and energy on the other side.

She found the distance to be far enough for her to see the beam advance. It traveled fast. Faster than her charged flying speed at least but not quite something unavoidable. Downside of not being a light mage, she thought, adjusting her arm slightly in the near second it took for all the heat to be pushed through the focus.

Ilea saw the Griffin drop when she stored the eye again, a trail of fire visible where her spell had cut into the ceiling, fires clinging to the creature as well, its path down more a fall than a controlled flight.

Now that’s some range, she thought with a grin. Without the eye, Embered Core reached an effective range of forty to maybe sixty meters. The heat would burn up everything beyond for maybe another thirty to forty meters but against the kind of shit she hunted at this point, that hardly mattered.

Let’s see how you’re doing, she thought and rushed off, her wings moving as she roared, copying a Cliff Wyvern, whose level seemed close enough now for Monster Hunter to imitate their call somewhat convincingly. To her ears at least. Even though I could disintegrate one of them by now.

The Griffin sent its own call, obviously more than a little pissed.

“Aw don’t be like that, I was just the one to attack first this time,” she said and pushed onward.

Chapter 635 Eye of the Storm

Chapter 635 Eye of the Storm

Ilea slowed down when she saw the first wind blades enter her dominion. For now she refrained from teleporting away.

Last time they cut me apart, she thought, raising her arms to soften the blow from the first spell.

The blade whisked past her, a mist of ash stirred up where the spell had cut into her defensive layers. Not quite enough to reach her skin.

Ilea used her authority to pull the ash back, her armor healing when the next attack hit her, followed by a dozen more. Really pissed you off there, she thought, landing on the ground with her wings cut apart, blood dripping as her flesh and mantle recovered after the volley of attacks. The injuries were minor at best, most of the spells only cutting through various layers of ash.

She ran the rest of the way, closing the distance with the low flying Griffin, a grin on her face as she locked eyes with the eagle head. Her wings charged as her ashen spears rushed out, deflected by a whirlwind manifesting around the monster.

Ilea pushed through, coming close to the creature before a surge of air pushed her to the side, redirecting her flying form away from the Griffin, a few of her limbs scratching against its strong hide. She pushed destructive mana into it through her dominion, transferring back as she slowed down. Ilea dodged in the air, moving her tail and wings to avoid the homing wind blades coming at her.

A few of them grazed her, more of them deflected as she circled around the flying creature, its eyes on her at all times, not showing a reaction to the constant reverse healing going into it. She didn’t hold back, the enemy spells easily restoring whatever mana she was using. A blast of heat rushed out, hitting a wall of air that formed out of nowhere.

The wall pushed against the heat, ultimately reaching Ilea. She could feel the pressure as she was sent flying back, her wings unable to withstand the spell until she hit the ground, her limbs digging into the stone to keep her there. She watched the Griffin advance, pushing the wall forward until she vanished, teleporting twice to reach it. Her fist lashed out, stopped entirely by visible air moving slowly around the monster.

Ilea released the heat within her in a circle, pushing against the defensive layer before she vanished again, this time grappling onto the creature’s back. She could only remain for a moment, air pressure pushing her away a moment later. Using her third tier resistance, she went with the flow, coming back around where the spell’s influence didn’t reach. Her limbs scratched against the layer of wind before her fist finally landed, sending thousands of mana and health into the Griffin with a single strike.

This time it screeched, flying up to try and get away from her.

She saw a few hundred wind blades form, flying straight ahead as she activated Phaseshift. The blades past through while she stacked health into her auras, white flame erupting a moment later when she returned to normal space. Her hand reached out before she blinked, a wave of ash igniting as it spread over the monster’s defenses. She teleported to the other side of the Griffin, using Archon Strike and Tempered Seal to send waves of mana into it. Another wave of heat and energy crashed into the sphere of wind she had felt coming with her precognition.

The Griffin was on the defensive now, flying up and away as it sent spell after spell against the ashen healer.

Ilea displaced, tanked, or shifted through the attacks, her teleportation repeatedly bringing her close, each moment she had in close quarters allowing her to send devastating waves of destructive mana into the monster, the seals gathering more heat with each strike, still residing within the being.

She stopped in the air, ignoring the wind blades impacting her armor, some cutting through where only one or two layers remained, digging into her flesh and drawing blood. A nuisance at best, and more importantly mana returning to her. Each strike cost her several thousand, forcing her to stay at a distance for a little while to recover. The Griffin had stopped moving quite as quickly, favoring its right wing. A few stains of blood showed on its side.

Ilea teleported back when she felt a large amount of mana gather close to her sparring partner. She grinned, looking at the gathering storm around her. Already pushed you this far? she thought, moving her wings lazily as she regenerated her mana, Azarinth Awakening flaring back up when her health reached its maximum, each second creating more heat within her.

She looked up to see clouds form out of thin air, a maelstrom of air whirling around as the tip of a tornado broke out of the clouds, moving down until it enveloped the Griffin. The pressure increased as the storm spread out, chunks of stone already ripped out of the ground and brought up into the fast moving wind. Her wings strained against the power, her spell and resistances unable to keep her steady.

Ilea started spinning around the Griffin, the storm now reaching her as her vision was reduced to her dominion, her body tumbling as debris broke against her armor. She could see the tiny blades of wind moving chaotically through the air, her precognition unable to determine their flight paths. Dodging turned out to be impossible anyway, Ilea unable to maneuver through the pressure, teleportation the only thing that allowed her to evade an incoming attack if necessary.

She felt her armor slowly ground away by a thousand cuts, much like the four mark Bluetails had managed in the ocean. Here however, she persisted, her defenses holding up thanks to the additional layers and her healing. She laughed, the sounds drowned out by the raging storm as she tumbled, crashing with chunks of stone the size of cars, leaving pebbles and dust in the winds, mixing with ash and blood where the velocity had managed to pierce her defenses.

The impacts hardly bothered her. It would take more to break her bones, Ilea’s mind focused as she healed through the abuse, the spinning making her a little dizzy, Flare of Creation and Titan of ash however preventing her from getting stunned. Another use of transfer brought her out of the storm, the perfect calm in the air confusing her for a moment as her wings and eyes adjusted.

Not out of the storm, she thought, seeing the towering whirlwind move around her, a pillar remaining within its center. She could hardly believe how still the air here was, as if she had come to a sealed off room without any windows. And yet she could feel the presence of the storm, not just magically but instinctual. Ilea felt the hairs on her back stand up, the sheer power around her pushing her to seek shelter.

She smiled at the idea of sheltering inside the ongoing whirlwind against the perfect stillness around her, her eyes finding the Griffin as it moved down to her height within the pillar. Its wings had stopped pushing against the air to keep it afloat, they moved slower now, almost in an ethereal manner. Her dominion was alight with magic, everything around her part of the very spell woven by the creature.

Transfer didn’t work. Just as I thought, she mused, unraveling the ever changing fabrics around her. Displacement would bring her somewhere, though she was sure the magic nearby would influence her destination. Ilea let it be for now, not about to back down against this spell until she had no other option but to do so.

She felt the pressure increase to ridiculous degrees, her body pushed together as she tried to press against it. The air within her lungs left with a gasp, Ilea’s eyes popping a moment later as her body shook, her blood vessels rupturing as her ash was pressed into her skin. Her dominion remained active, reversed healing still entering the Griffin, its body trembling as it seemed to breathe a little harder.

Ilea’s own healing kept her alive and focused, the enhanced blades and spears of air now cutting into her dealing massive damage to her ash and skin, some even destroying organs. None managed to get through her bones, displacement preventing any of them from reaching her brain. Too stupid to focus on my mind it seems, she thought, her face locked in a grin as her muscles struggled to move against the pressure. If you can’t kill me, she thought, her ash and body cut up and healed again a hundred times over. You will lose.

Barely half a minute passed when she felt the pressure lessen, her arm straining as it moved up, aiming to point towards the Griffin. Her eyes healed, this time resisting the pressure. She finally managed to get her arm high enough, her hand shaking before her auras glowed brighter for a moment, all the heat gathered within her sent out in a chaotic beam of energy and flames. The heat within the Griffin ruptured its insides in the same moment.

She grinned, seeing her attack brush away the disrupted defensive air around the Griffin, setting its form alight as it screeched and retreated. Ilea flew after the descending creature, the storm around them breaking down as rocks and debris was flung all around, impacting the ground and walls with clouds of dust and showers of rocks.

The Griffin landed, half its body scorched as it stumbled to the side slightly.

Ilea landed a few meters away, a wave of air pushed aside by her abrupt impact, a single teleport bringing her close before her fist impacted the monster’s beak. The physical force of a charged Archon Strike ruptured her arm, cracking the Griffin’s beak at the same time. She charged again, watching as the monster stumbled backwards, its talons alone keeping it from falling.

She stepped closer, an upper cut slamming into the monster’s jaw. Ilea felt the flesh and muscle on her arm explode, stripped away by the sheer force of the attack as she dislocated her shoulder. The Griffin’s head whipped up, a crack resounding as something in its spine broke. It slumped to the ground immediately after, not moving anymore.

Ilea breathed out, grabbing her shoulder before she pushed down hard. A crack resounded as she balled her right fist, her ash receding for a moment to let the stripped and dead flesh fall to the ground, fresh muscle and skin already forming below.

“You’re a tough motherfucker,” she said, crouching down to check the beast. It was still breathing, despite all its wounds and the broken neck. A good training partner, she thought and looked at a nearby slab of rubble, jumping up the three meter high rock before she sat down and summoned herself a meal. Ilea kept an eye on the Griffin’s health, trying to figure out its anatomy with her dominion. Helping it heal didn’t seem necessary, so she let it be.

VI

O

LENCE!

The Fae appeared on top of the downed monster’s head, jumping up and down before it stomped a few times. It shied away when the body twitched, teleporting behind Ilea’s head.

She laughed, nearly choking on her food as she saw her ashen copy and the dark Fae rushing towards them, unable to keep up with the excited Baron.

“Did you enjoy the show?” she asked, continuing her meal as the Fae looked at her food with curious white eyes. Ilea offered it some but the creature just looked at her.

Show

Good

Strong!

“The storm spell was pretty impressive,” she said, checking her messages quickly.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Blade Tempest spell, one Core skill point awarded’

Solid for a quick and easy battle, she thought, trying to feed the Fae some rice.

No

Food

“It’s good though,” Ilea said and continued eating. Her ashen constructs had reached them again, the little ash Fae hitting the real one on its head with its arm.

Confused

“It’s because you didn’t wait for them. It’s dangerous to just come here, there is still some debris falling,” Ilea pointed out, though what fell now mostly came from the ceiling where heavy impacts left quite a bit of damage.

Safe

Ilea pointed to a several meters large rock crashing into the ground, a wave of dust and wind spreading out from the impact.

“Safe?” she asked, raising her brows.

Safe.

The Fae nodded, avoiding eye contact.

Both of them glanced back to the Griffin when the creature slowly got up, disoriented and slowly moving its wings.

Ilea charged up monster hunter but a tap to her armored cheek stopped her.

Violence

Talk

“I’m not sure more violence will convince it not to attack again,” Ilea said.

The Fae tried to make her eye explode but failed to destroy the resilient organ. It made a few annoyed noises as Ilea giggled.

You’re missing a few thousand more of your kind to get the job done, she thought and watched the Fae float forward a little, establishing a mental connection with the Griffin.

The creature looked up, its eyes focusing as it glared at Ilea and the Fae. It remained motionless for a moment before it lowered its head, sitting down with its wings spread to the side.

“What’s happening?” Ilea asked.

Submit

Acknowledge

Stronger

“It’s submitting to me?” Ilea asked. “Or to you?”

You

“I see. So it’s not hostile anymore. That’s good. Can you ask if we can train sometimes when I’m around?” she said.

Yes

A few seconds passed before the Griffin stood up again, shaking its body before it looked at her.

“What does it want?” she asked, eating more of her meal.

Command?

“Command? Is it my pet now or what?” she asked.

Pet?

No.

The Fae touched its chin, thinking about something.

Submit

Servant?

“Servant… yeah, I don’t really want any servants,” she said. “Hey Meadow, the Griffin wants to be my servant or something? Can you maybe talk to it. Maybe it’s willing to cooperate with you. No servitude of course, just deals for food or something. I don’t know how smart it is.”

“What? You… how??” it asked.

“Ask Violence. I didn’t do the talking,” she said. “Can you ask if it can work together with Meadow?”

Tree?

Okay, the Fae said and shrugged.

“Your little friend is…,” the Meadow sent.

“Is what?” she asked. Nothing came back. “Didn’t expect you to have the capacity to be speechless.”

“You lack the brain size to understand what your so called friend has accomplished here and how it did so,” the Meadow explained.

“So it’s my fault you can’t explain shit? Alright,” Ilea sent, focusing back on her food. She didn’t care much about the Griffin but if it could help her train, she was all for it.

“Ilea… I have a request,” the Meadow spoke.

“What is it?” she answered.

“Can you ask the Fae if it’s willing to… teach me?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea burst out laughing, storing her empty bowl as the creatures around her looked on.

“I don’t think there is anything comedic about the situation,” Endless Meadow said.

She couldn’t stop, brushing away tears.

“There is no shame in asking for help. That creature has knowledge gained through millennia of study. It’s only natural for me to acknowledge its expertise,” the Meadow sent, embarrassment and confusion mixing into the mental communication.

Ilea calmed down slowly, looking at the little Fae before she grabbed it and held it up high, the creature giggling at the gesture. “Oh ancient Violence! Unmatched scholar! Share thy knowledge with this puny human.”

BOW

BEFORE

VIOLENCE

“Have mercy on this poor woman, space god,” Ilea said and laughed. “Sorry, Meadow. I couldn’t help it.”

The tree remained silent.

“It’s just… this little guy? Really? He’s so cute,” she sent and hugged the creature close, its form nearly vanishing against her ash.

Warm

She formed some heat, smiling as the Fae snuggled against her ash. She added a small blanket. “I don’t have any magic crystal cookies sadly.”

Ash

Fine, the Baron sent and somehow started consuming a part of her blanket.

“Hey don’t eat the blanket, I can just make more ash,” she said, creating little spheres she filled with mana and some heat, the Fae consuming the gifts quickly.

Happy

“Glad to hear that,” she said and patted its head, smiling to herself. “Meadow asks if you can teach him by the way.”

Meadow

Friend?

“Yes. You can trust it,” Ilea said.

Violence

Help

“Thanks,” she said and made a bit more food. “You don’t have to stick around by the way, I’ll be back again to fight,” she said, looking at the Griffin. She quickly used monster hunter, whistling to the being, trying to say thanks.

The Griffin looked up and spread its wings, calling out one last time before it flew off, likely to return to a spot near the ceiling.

Ilea looked at its flying form. “Violence will teach you,” she sent.

“Thank you,” the Meadow sent.

“Don’t thank me. And don’t thank him yet. I have a slight inkling that it’s not going to be exactly what you’re wishing for,” she said.

“Ilea, unlike you, I have patience. Getting to talk to a part of the Fae’s consciousness is a valuable step. Another thing to thank you for because it may not have agreed otherwise,” Meadow said.

“Well, finally something I can do for you after all the help you’ve provided,” Ilea answered.

“I appreciate it. Really,” the Meadow spoke. “I’ll rip you apart extra hard later.”

Ilea just smiled and shook her head, knowing that any answer to that would just be met by feigned ignorance or an even worse line.

Chapter 636 Forgery

Chapter 636 Forgery

“Had enough?” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded, floating up to sit on her shoulder, its ashen companion joining it a moment later.

“Did the creature awaken your human maternal instincts?” the Meadow asked.

“Who knows?” Ilea replied, dissolving her ashen copy. Just the ash Fae would be enough. Not like either managed to stop the creature from joining her after the battle. “How’s the Mirage doing?”

“Solving my puzzles, as usual,” the Meadow said. “I doubt your presence would further its awakening.”

“Is that an insult or a scholarly observation?” Ilea asked.

“You decide,” Meadow answered.

“The first then. What about the Enavurin? Still asleep?” she said.

“Yes. And I suspect it will be. For some time,” the Meadow said.

Ilea looked at the two Fae on her shoulder. “Well. I have an ancient magical being sitting on my shoulder playing with an ashen copy I made and imbued with my will. All the while I’m talking to a living Meadow that may as well be a god. Maybe try talking with it through dreams or something.”

“Of course. I try every so often, but I’m a novice still and my mind magic is very limited,” the Meadow said.

“That was supposed to be a joke,” she said.

“Dreaming is simply another state of the mind, one with a lot of potential. I have met awakened with the ability to control them, to an extent. My methodical approach is limited in conjunction with this type of mind magic, especially with a creature as versed in its use as the Enavurin, as you call it,” the Meadow explained.

“Twentieth layer?” she asked, not about to try and comprehend any musings the Endless Meadow had about dreaming.

They appeared in the waste, bits of glassed sand still visible where they had fought the Elemental. Where Trakie fought the Elemental. As I am now, I could’ve contributed more than a bit of healing and distraction.

“Thanks,” she sent to the Meadow, spreading her wings. “Feel like visiting our lava friend?”

Violence?

“Some maybe, I always need more resistances. And few can melt my heart quite like our friend here,” she answered.

Let’s

Goooo

Ilea giggled, speeding up towards the Trakorov’s lair. They reached it quickly, the entrance open with waves of heat coming from within. “It’s sleeping I think.”

They found the massive creature rolled on its back, legs resting to the side as it breathed slowly.

“Maybe we should let it sleep and come another time,” she said.

Violence vanished, appearing near the monster’s absolutely massive head before it teleported a few nearby rocks, sending them flying at one of the creature’s eyes. With enough velocity to kill a low level human.

The Trakorov made a few noises, finally opening its eyes and roaring, a wave of heat washing over them, the Fae already back behind Ilea.

She watched in awe as the massive being rolled over, puffing out waves of fire and heat as it slowly turned to find the intruders.

Did it get fatter?Probably shouldn’t bring this up, she thought, waving at the monster. “Hey, been a while,” she said, roaring with monster hunter imbued with the same sentiment. “Hello,” she sent telepathically as well. So many ways of communication. Can’t even imagine how many ways someone like Meadow or Violence have. How do they even find the right channel to send on?

The Trakorov puffed, resting on its stomach as it looked at them.

“Care to burn me up a bit?” she asked.

Burn!

Burn!

Burn!

“Yes, Violence,” she said, patting the little creature.

The Trakorov just puffed again.

Ilea got a general bored vibe. How dare you wake me up for this shit. Is that what you’re saying?

Trade?

“You suggest a trade? What could it want from me?” she asked, creating spheres of ash, imbuing them and letting them roll towards the creature. It seemed disinterested. “Okay, let me see what else I have.”

She summoned a few astral spirit corpses. “Space meat from another realm?” she asked, displacing them closer.

The Trakorov sniffed the bodies before it opened its large maw, munching on them a few times before it swallowed. The look in its eyes changed a little and then it fell asleep once more.

“Oh well. Can’t say I didn’t try,” she said. “The heat here is quite comfortable though.”

The Fae didn’t seem done with the attempt however, touching its chin as it looked between Ilea and the large monster.

Human

Flesh

“You want me to feed myself to it?” she asked.

The Fae shrugged.

Yes.

“What about Fae meat?” she asked, glancing at the floating creature.

No

meat

only

space

“Ah. Of course,” she said, raising her brows as she started cutting off a few arms, making a messy pile on the ground.

Truth

No

Meat

She just nodded, continuing her bloody sacrifice. I’m really just giving it some of my mana. Fascinating… how versatile this resource is.

Eat

See, Violence said and held out its little arm to her mouth.

Ilea felt inclined to actually bite but she just smiled instead. “I’m just joking, little guy. I wouldn’t rip you apart to feed a Trakorov. Don’t you worry.”

It appeared on her shoulder again, touching arms with its ashen copy.

“Think this is enough for a snack?” Ilea asked, the pile of bleeding arms now reaching her chest.

Maybe

“Maybe is fine. Let’s see,” she said and used Embered Core to set the pile alight, pushing it towards the Trakorov with an ashen plow.

They waited in anticipation, nothing happening for a few seconds until one of the creature’s nostrils twitched.

It once again opened its eyes and maw at the same time, taking in the whole pile. Bones crunched for a few seconds until it swallowed.

“Now up for some training?” she asked.

The Trakorov gave her a nod.

“You understand me?” she asked. This time she didn’t get a response. “Oh well, just burn me up with a few lava spells.”

The Fae giggled and vanished, seeking refuge near the top of the expansive lair.

Ilea on the other hand stared into the open maw of the Trakorov, watching as lava lit up within, her arms spreading before she was showered. Compared to the Wyrm’s sun spell, the intensity wasn’t exactly there. “Pump it up a notch,” she said, gesturing with her melting hands.

The monster obliged, her blood soon boiling, as her skin melted. She sighed, relaxing in the molten rock as the massive monster sent the occasional burst of flame over her. Nobody could ask for a more accommodating spa experience, really.

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

No heat resistance, she noted, getting up to leave when the Trakorov went back to sleep, either seeing its obligation as fulfilled or simply sleepy. It had been a few hours after all. She glanced around quickly before contacting the Meadow. “Violence with you?”

“It is, yes. The violence you provided apparently wasn’t particularly interesting,” it answered.

“And yours is?” she asked.

“It has not requested any so far, opting to mess with your humans. Its runic knowledge is as impressive as I had expected,” it said.

“What do you mean? Can you beam me back too?” she asked.

Ilea appeared near the Meadow. “By the way, mind if I set one of my transfer destinations here?”

“Of course not. What I mean is that Violence messes up key runes in easy to miss ways. They haven’t even realized why their design has performed less efficiently in the past half hour,” the Meadow explained.

She rolled her eyes, setting her third destination marker. “Violence, stop messing with them.”

Boring

“Is Goliath ready?” she asked the Meadow.

“Yes,” the tree replied.

“Great. Violence, we’ll do some forging stuff. Want to watch? Maybe Goliath can make you something too if you’re nice,” she said.

The smith appeared a few seconds later, far enough away from the Meadow to not be bothered by the mana density.

He bowed to the tree, greeting the humans before he looked around.

“How much space do you need?” Ilea asked, walking towards the floating smith.

“This space should be sufficient,” he said, having floated about twenty meters closer to the cavern wall. The smith turned and squinted, his eyes opening wide a moment later. “Is that?”

“Violence. Meet Goliath, best craftsbeing I know,” she said. “Goliath, meet Violence. Part of the local Fae collective.”

The little guy waved, floating closer to the smith.

“Spirit of old, I greet thee,” Goliath said and bowed. He summoned a pouch and emptied its contents onto the ground. “Welcome to our abode, honored guest.”

The Fae giggled, floating to the ground before it vacuumed up the glittering dust.

“What did you just feed him?” Ilea asked.

“A customary gift. Ground mana crystals. Long have I hoped to meet a traveler such as you,” he said, his eyes indicating happiness.

Friend!

“Indeed,” Ilea said, watching the Fae appear on top of Goliath’s head.

I should get some mana crystals to feed random powerful entities I meet, she thought. “Got any crystals for sale?”

“Not for sale, but you may have these,” the smith said and summoned a few medium sized crystals.

“I appreciate the gift,” she said and displaced the crystals, storing them inside her necklace.

“Here is the design, Endless Meadow,” Goliath said and rolled out a plan on a stone workbench that formed below the smiths’s arms. “It is appreciated.”

“Simple enough,” the Meadow said, creating several walls around their area, essentially building a simple house. “Wouldn’t want things to start burning.”

“Not like you couldn’t put out a fire,” Ilea said.

“I dislike the smell of burnt flesh,” the Meadow said.

A large forge formed from the ground up, the stone cracking as its density increased. The creation had several layers and openings, the top reaching nearly three meters in height.

Goliath continued showing plans to the Meadow, additions connected to the forge forming all around the central unit.

“And a mold of her armor,” Goliath said.

“Don’t you have one already?” Ilea asked.

“That one would melt if we tried to use it here,” he answered.

“I see,” Ilea said, watching stone form around her. She left one layer of armor on as the Meadow created the first part of the mold. She breathed out when the stone moved away once more.

“Perhaps I should employ your services more often, Endless Meadow,” Goliath joked.

“I shall assist you whenever you require such,” it answered.

The smith laughed to himself, the sound changing towards something devious at the end.

I think you just signed a contract that you may regret in time, Ilea thought.

She sat down in her ashen chair, the Fae running around with its ashen copy. Ilea raised her brow when the Fae ran closer to the Meadow, teleporting around as it giggled, finally hiding behind the crystal tree as the ash copy floated after it. Well it’s used to high mana density after all.

She just still thought it peculiar that something so powerful wasn’t even at level two hundred. Her instincts didn’t scream at her either whenever she was close to the creature but she assumed that could just be familiarity, or because the Fae was inherently not very threatening.

Even the hive was more confusing than threatening. Though it could’ve likely removed me from existence with a single thought.

Goliath chucked a third of the massive Wyrm scales into the forge, stone closing around the opening as he explained some changes to the mold, the Meadow responding instantly.

“Now we only need something to burn,” Goliath said.

“Wood should suffice, if it comes from me,” the Meadow said, roots forming near the forge and growing into the openings.

“Perfect. Being of ash, I believe you should have some heat or fire spells at your disposal? With enough time, we should be able to reach the required temperature,” Goliath said.

Ilea already formed heat within her. “Meadow, can your stone take my heat spell?”

“Test it here,” the creature said, creating a set of walls nearby, the stone cracking as its density increased.

She increased her weight, holding out her arm towards the walls before she unleashed a fully charged chaotic beam of fire and heat. The flames broke against the wall and flowed to the side and above, dissipating to reveal glowing stone with a slightly runny surface. The wall still held however.

“That is ridiculous for something at level five hundred. But then again, you have killed four mark creatures before, so perhaps it is justified,” the Meadow said, adding another layer to the forge and all surrounding walls. “Over time it may actually melt through the walls.”

“I appreciate the compliment,” Ilea said with a grin. “I’m quite proud of my melting powers.”

Goliath just giggled to himself, rubbing his hands as he went and touched the still glowing wall. “Marvelous. Truly… spectacular. There is much… I may ask of you two. May I… set up a residence here, ancient one?”

“You may reside in that section of the wall. Shall I make a copy of your workshop?” the Meadow said, a nearby root pointing at the section it had indicated.

“That would be most generous, weaver of space, mother of earth, and giver of life,” Goliath said and bowed again. “Master of heat and ash, I shall ask of thine assistance, whenever you are here.”

Ilea smiled. “You’re just charming everyone with your compliments,” she said and walked up to the smith, taking his hand. “I’ll give you a mark too. You can contact me using ten words or less whenever you need help with something. Works once a day.”

“I am, honored,” he said, his golden eyes suggesting joy. “Now… may we begin?”

“Sure,” Ilea said, her boots digging into the earth as she walked back.

“What exactly did you eat?” the Meadow asked.

“It’s a skill. I get faster heat generation in exchange for more density,” she explained.

“One positive for another positive. I fail to see the downside,” the Meadow said.

“Speed is the downside,” she said. “Evasion.”

“You hardly require either with space magic and healing,” the creature said.

“Which is why I’m getting some heavy armor now,” Ilea said with a grin. “Think you can upgrade the Armaments of Lilith with the scales as well?”

Goliath glanced at her and shook his head with a sad expression in his eyes. “I’m afraid not. But as you train with it, such may not be necessary. It is… impossible to say.”

“The living quality, yes,” she said and summoned the armor. No restrictions to heavy armor anymore, she thought and tried to get her Mantle to spread around the massive armor. The spell failed to take hold, only normal ash capable of surrounding the Armaments. She sent a spear into the thing, damaging its shoulder before she tried to heal it back with her third tier. A chunk of steel was flung out, dents forming where the damage had been present before. Hah. It works.

She assumed she simply didn’t know the armor well enough yet to heal it effectively with her third tier. But if Goliath thinks it has the potential to reach something close or even better than the Wyrm scales, I should probably spend some time training inside this thing as well. With my increased weight, the slow movement won’t be such a downside anyway.

Ilea summoned the Wyrm eye and held it with the massive hand of the Armaments, sending a beam of heat into one of Meadow’s walls, the focused energy managing to burn about ten centimeters into the hardened magical stone.

“What in the name of all gods am I looking at?” Iana said from about twenty meters away, her and Christopher watching the scene with interest.

“Goliath’s creation,” Ilea said, her voice dull and barely audible inside the thick living plating.

“What?” Iana asked.

“The Armaments of Trials, armor made with the heart of a mithril vein. Only time will tell, what may come of it, time and the trials the ashen one will face within it,” Goliath explained.

“That’s more of an explanation than I got,” she said.

“You wouldn’t have appreciated it anyway. The present beings are all scholars and creators, unlike the barbaric destroyer that you are,” the Meadow spoke.

“A bit bitchy today, are we?” she sent, crossing her massive arms before she put away the armor once more. “I’ve been thinking. That eye… the range is pretty nuts but I can’t exactly aim it well. Maybe you could use some of the scales to make me a weapon of sorts in which I could place the eye. One with an actual scope,” Ilea said and formed a few rifles out of ash. “Large enough to be held by the Armaments.”

“Interesting design… did you encounter such creations in your travels through the wilderness?” the smith asked, the others looking on with interest as well.

“No, that’s from my home realm. We didn’t have magic but these were called rifles. Combination of a steel barrel, gunpowder and steel bullets. A small explosion would propel the projectile out. I’d prefer if we didn’t make them though, the world would’ve been a better place without their existence,” she said.

“Except for the one you just requested,” the Meadow said. “Though I can see how dangerous such an instrument would be against those untrained in magic or wearing powerful armor. Similar to crossbows or siege weapons I have heard about.”

“Without the eye and my spell it would be useless anyway. I just need a focus with which I can aim and shoot the heat through my ashen limbs inserted into it. And speaking of weapons technology, I’m actually surprised with how little large scale magical shit I’ve seen so far. Most runes were set into walls, defensive in nature,” she said.

“There are plenty of offensive creations,” Iana said. “It’s just too expensive to make for most low born individuals. And higher level adventurers and mages prefer to use the magic and skills they’ve trained with.”

“Just comes down to mass production then. If you can arm a few thousand level thirty humans with rifles equaling the spell power of a level two hundred adventurer, you could make quite a force with little training,” Ilea said.

“Nobody in power would want that,” Iana said.

Ilea grinned. “Ravenhall and Hallowfort might like the idea of armed guards, but yeah, it’s probably better if we don’t start distributing dangerous weapons anybody could use to kill high level adventurers.”

Chapter 637 Paths

Chapter 637 Paths

“The training and hardship required to reach higher levels of magic tend to contain valuable lessons, both about responsibility, death, and pain. Tools and magic circumventing such can lead to individuals who cannot understand the value of life, let alone the might they wield,” the Meadow said.

“Not like those who trained it can’t be assholes though,” Ilea said. “Elves for example are born at level two hundred. Literally kids with magic guns.”

“Of course. Individuals are just that. Suggestions are not rules and experiences rarely have the same impact, though patterns can be observed. The highest level dark ones in Hallowfort are those who start the least fights for example. Though I have only observed them since my planting here. The same is true for the Feynor who have roamed the outer parts of my perception. Officers tend to be more careful, considerate of the life around them,” it explained.

Ilea sighed, crouching down near the forge. “Power can get to your head though. I’m sure my self from three years ago would be horrified by the things I’ve done.”

“And yet you consider these decisions. Burdens you will carry for the rest of your existence, lessons learned. Only when you stop valuing life outside of yourself have you lost the path,” the Meadow spoke.

“What path? You’re starting to sound like an actual god,” she said, charging her heat.

“The path of life, of continued existence, growth. All other paths will lead to death, destruction, and the end of all creation,” Meadow said.

How did we go from armor to existential questions? Ilea asked herself.

Fire, the Fae spoke, appearing on her shoulder.

“Don’t get to close, you might get burned,” she said.

Armor!

A set of stone armor formed around the giggling Baron, its arms outstretched, eyes barely visible behind the small slit of its knight helmet.

Thank

“You will be protected,” the Meadow said. “Not that I believe it necessary.”

Armor? Violence asked, pointing at the ashen copy climbing up Ilea’s back.

Stone formed around the ash as well, done when it sat down next to the Fae.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 12’

Yeah, this situations is pretty fucking weird, Ilea thought with a smile, sending a first beam into the forge. The stone closed up to make sure none of the heat escaped. She continued sending in beams every couple seconds, the wood within burning up as new fuel formed. The openings provided by the Meadow were now only small enough for her hand to reach in.

“It’s heating up,” Goliath said, touching the forge from the outside.

“Touch the stone before I open up,” the Meadow said.

Ilea did just that, her hand sinking into the stone, her spell released into the forge before she took her hand out again. “Damn,” she murmured, healing her burnt hand, her armor unable to stop the whole thing. “Can I stay inside? This seems like good resistance training.”

“Heat generated by yourself, no enemy or danger present. Bothering the Trakorov seems like a more reliable option,” the Meadow said.

She continued sending in heat. Right.

“The scales are melting,” Goliath said about fifteen minutes later, his voice vibrating through the vicinity, the smith speaking faster than he usually did.

“It’s just going to be rock sludge. Are you sure you can fill a mold with that?” Ilea asked.

“I have not worked with the material before,” the smith said.

Fireee, Violence exclaimed, dancing with the ashen clone on Ilea’s shoulder.

“Are you trying to summon a flame elemental?” she asked.

“Please don’t. Everyone here except Ilea and me would die instantly,” the Meadow spoke.

“Eh, you could just make barriers for everyone,” she said.

“That depends on how fast everyone will burn up. It’s a risk I would like to avoid,” the tree said.

Goliath touched the drain connected to the forge. “Open it.”

Ilea saw the liquid Wyrm scales flow into the mold through her dominion.

“Goliath, if you’re hanging out around her anyway, can I dump some materials here that might be interesting for you? My storage items are a little cluttered,” Ilea said as she stepped over to the smith’s workshop. Meadow really just made a copy of the entire thing. Could’ve saved the gold I paid those architects.

“I am always interested in rare materials you find on your travels, embered healer,” the smith said, barely focusing on her as he downright hugged the outer part of the mold, his head pressed against the stone.

The Fae had started battling with its ashen copy, stone armor protecting each as they fought with wooden swords and shields.

Eldritch daycare, Ilea thought, going through her necklace.

Cliff Wyvern corpses, Varass drowner corpses, Basilisk egg shell pieces, kinda want to keep my arrows still… though I could try ashen ones now. Hmm… barely a need to use the heavy bow with my spears and homing capability. Kinda sad. I’ll still keep it just for the flair points. Haven’t used my warhammer in some time either.

Ah, yes, she thought and summoned one of the Wyrm tails, touching her arm with the petrifying body part.

“May I study that after you’re done turning your body to stone?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea summoned another one and displaced it towards the creature, the tail appearing in the air and staying there. “You can have it.”

She summoned one of Popi’s cakes, looking at the entirely absorbed Goliath. “Is Catelyn busy at the moment?”

“She is in her shop, creating… oh no… why… no don’t use wyrdroot with a shell crystal… it says it in the description of the potion…,” the Meadow said, sighing a thousand sighs. “She is in her shop.”

“Alchemy,” Ilea murmured, remembering the potions the fox had in her Hunter’s Den. “Can you teleport this cake up to her? And give her my greetings.”

“I shall do so,” the Meadow spoke, the cake vanishing. “Oh… is that?”

“You sound confused,” Ilea said.

“I am merely… sexual experiences do normally require the use of genitals, do they not?”

“What is she doing with that cake!?” Ilea blurted out.

“I don’t think anything unusual. It’s gone already. Very… aggressive. Perhaps you should not enable her in this… whatever it is,” the Meadow said. “She extends her heartfelt thanks and offered a potion in return. I have disposed of it for you.”

“It might’ve helped with resistance training!” Ilea said.

“No. Except if you have some sort of taste resistance. I don’t want to clean up your puke,” it answered.

Puke! The Baron exclaimed, parrying its ashen brother before its sword was deflected by stone armor.

Ah, speaking of offensive tools, I never used the explosive devices Claire made for me. Doubt I’ll need them at this point. With displacement and Embered Core, she thought, going through the rest of her necklace before she continued with her bracelet.

Shade shredder shell pieces, she thought, dropping everything onto the growing pile.

Ilea grinned, her wings spreading as she flew up over the nearby stone walls, a heavy bow appearing in her hands before she summoned an arrow.

Can Chekhov’s bow kill a god?

The arrow shot out, vanishing a moment later.

“What are you doing?” the Meadow asked.

“Trying to pierce your plot armor, Meadow,” she said.

“You’ll need more than that bow for that. Since when do you read anyway? I thought it was beyond your capabilities,” the tree said.

“Hey I know my letters, all twelve of them,” Ilea answered.

“Maybe we can teach you another two or three in the coming decade,” the creature said.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here,” Ilea said, looking at one of the tunnels leading into the Meadow’s extensive lair. “Did you summon him here?”

“I did not. He usually resides in the fifth layer. I took the liberty of informing the local wildlife of his intentions, though most did not mind his presence either way,” the Meadow said.

“He talks to you?” she asked.

“Hardly. Believes me a figment of his imagination,” the Meadow said.

The Elder walked closer, waving when he reached the group. “Greetings, Ilea. A long time it has been.”

“Lucas. Nice to meet you. How’ve you been?” Ilea asked, landing near him.

“Well… very well. The Descent is a treasure trove, I tell you. I’m not sure about the tree that appeared here however. Peculiar that you would choose this spot to do… is that a forge?” he asked.

“It is. The Meadow and Goliath are making some gear for me,” she said.

“Hmm, I felt the burning of wood and thought I’d investigate. You didn’t remove trees from this region I hope, you know how difficult it is for vegetation to grow here,” the elder said.

“No, Meadow made some for us,” Ilea said.

“Who is this Meadow you speak of?” Lucas asked.

Ilea pointed at the crystal tree and black grass.

Lucas’ eyes widened. “It’s… real?”

“Yes,” the Meadow spoke.

“It is. I brought it here from another realm. Would appreciate it if you don’t share that knowledge with others,” she said.

The old man sagged down to his knees, tears welling up in his eyes. “A god… of creation… so close, and I ignored its presence. How foolish could I… of course, I shall guard this secret. And I shall work to expand the forests within the Descent, as an offering to the great Meadow.”

“Great,” the Meadow said to her.

“Hey that wasn’t me,” Ilea answered. “It’s not my fault you’re so goddamn powerful.”

“I don’t remember damning myself,” it said.

“See, some people don’t get sarcasm when they’re faced with incomprehensible magic,” she answered. “No wonder you were declared divine before.”

“Are you, its acolyte? A speaker for the great tree of life?” Lucas asked.

“You can speak with it directly. You heard it say yes just now, didn’t you?” she said.

“It would… deign to speak to me? I thought the voice an imagination. I am truly blessed. I shall pray to it. Good luck with your… endeavors,” he said and stumbled away, dazed by the whole experience.

“You just gained a follower,” she said to the Meadow.

“Do I have to entertain him?” the Meadow asked.

“I’m not your boss, Meadow,” Ilea said. “Do what you want.”

“I help your allies and friends,” it spoke.

“He’s not a bad guy. Just keep an eye on him and help out where you can, if you feel like it,” she said.

“I will do so,” the creature spoke. “He’s been expanding the fifth level forest. A dedicated wood mage. Though I wasn’t sure about him as he ignored my communication so far.”

“Not that weird. I’d have questioned it too if a new voice suddenly appeared in my head. Not anymore of course,” she said. Thought he would’ve experienced that before. Then again the range of Meadow’s telepathy is insane.

Ilea watched the Elder leave, a globe of light floating ahead of him. As long as he’s doing alright. Didn’t even comment on my three marks. Either he doesn’t care or was so overwhelmed by the Meadow he forgot to identify me.

She shook her head and returned to the forge. At least he didn’t comment on the Fae, she thought, looking at the ongoing battle, both warriors covered in dirt, dents in their armors. Ah Meadow, you really are a good kindergarten teacher.

“The mold is done…,” Goliath said. “It will take a few days to cool down and harden. I will work on a design for the… rifle tool you requested,” he said, going to his new smithy. “Endless creator, I require a few of my spacial storage containers from my abode.”

“Just tell me what you need and I’ll move it here,” the tree answered.

“Thanks for the work, you two,” Ilea said, creating an ashen blade before she joined the battle of the Fae. They teamed up against her of course, Violence wielding its blade with surprising technique. Though she questioned the reach of its arm.

“To challenge a Fae in battle. Your bravery truly knows no bounds,” the Meadow said. “I shall write down this glorious adventure for the generations to come.”

“Please do, it’s downright mythical,” she said, deflecting a few blows, teleporting away only to be caught by the Fae where she appeared.

She stopped a few minutes later, returning to her space awareness and resistance training. The Fae occasionally floated nearby, pointing at certain floating rocks or pieces of wood, giggling whenever she was hit by projectiles, most of them displaced and set alight with her third class skills.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 5’

…

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

“That’s enough for today, I think,” Ilea said with a sigh, glad she had gotten a level out of the frustrating training. She didn’t really feel like she had made significant progress with her understanding but the skill had gone up nonetheless. “I’ll be in Ravenhall for a while,” she informed everyone.

Leave?

“To Ravenhall, yes. I’ll train a bit with the Sentinels there,” she said.

Sentinel?

“Healers in the organization I helped found,” she explained.

Violence?

“Probably, but nothing quite as spectacular as the four marks around here. They’re mostly below level two hundred.”

Join?

“If you want to. But you’ll have to stay hidden until we get to the headquarters. Don’t want you to get captured by someone,” Ilea said.

Violence

Behave

Ilea squinted her eyes at the creature. No you fucking won’t. But I have my mark. And I’m Lilith. “Alright, get on my shoulder,” she said and activated her third tier transfer.

The Fae appeared on her shoulder, sitting down before it started dangling its legs.

Murder!

“No, no murder,” Ilea said.

The Fae looked at her.

No

Murder

“Just training. Maybe some broken bones,” she said.

“I will be perceiving you later,” Meadow sent, the others absorbed by their work.

Ilea appeared in her home, displacing herself when the wooden floor cracked slightly from her weight. Her wings spread as she slowly started to get rid of the additional weight.

Fat

“You little shit,” she said, her wings unable to keep her afloat before she transferred herself out of her house, her hands digging into the cliff side as she slowly slid downwards, pieces of rock falling to the ocean below. It seemed to be early morning.

The Fae appeared behind her, giggling to itself.

Ilea switched into casual clothes and leather armor, summoning a hooded cloak she put over her head. “Take that back.”

Apology

Weight

Good

“Why do all non humans think that way?” she asked.

Mass

Power

Ilea moved the ashen Fae into her hood, suggesting the Fae do the same. “Don’t call me fat again.”

Apology, it sent, drooping a little.

“I know what you’re doing, stop it,” she said, squinting her eyes.

Violence giggled again, vanishing into her hood.

Ilea blinked her eyes. What?

She knew the Fae was there but it wasn’t at the same time. “What did you do?” she asked, feeling its presence with both her dominion and space awareness, the latter input more confusing than anything.

Secret

“Alright then,” she said, her weight now down enough to allow for comfortable flight again. “If you ever feel like it, I’m sure an explanation could help with my space class. Thanks for that one by the way. It’s literally called the Faen Valkyrie.”

Valkyrie!

Violence.

“It’s battle focused, yes. But did you really expect anything different from me?” she asked, flying up towards the snow covered valleys of the southern mountains. “Let’s see if we can do anything interesting with the Sentinels that you’d enjoy. At the very least you’ll be able to make some eyes explode.”

Yes!

“Just ask them first, okay?” Ilea said.

Yes

Training

“Exactly. With you there… we’ll be able to help provide space magic resistance to a bunch of Sentinels. Might be helpful. And if they meet you, they might get space related classes too. You adorable eldritch god creature you,” she said, flicking her hood.

The Fae giggled, the sound moving through the hood as a few ashen hooks kept the clothing in place against the winds.

____________________________

“Headmaster… I know you mean well, but me and Mila don’t need to work with others. We’re fine on our own,” Phoebe said as she followed the man to one of the lower training hall levels.

They stepped aside when Aki rushed past.

Phoebe couldn’t help but look after him. They learned about the Taleen machines in their lessons but seeing a Centurion move past is just something else than looking at drawings. War machines made to fight Elves of all things. Insanity.

“You’re free to take the Hunter exam alone, with Mila, or in a four to six Sentinel team. Are you ready for the Hunter exam?” the mage asked.

Phoebe looked forward again, seeing the Headmaster waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. He had started to grow out his hair, the short beard in combination really suiting him. In her opinion that was. She could believe the rumor that Trian refused any advances from fellow Sentinels and wasn’t about to add to his plight. How can people even think about that when we’re monster hunters who might die on every mission.

“I’m not,” she answered truthfully, knowing what would follow.

Trian smiled, choosing not to lecture her today.

As long as you’re within these walls, you will take advice from your teachers. No matter your background, previous status, or level of power.

She knew there were always ways around rules, especially ones so arbitrarily applied. But Trian meant well, as did the other teachers, most of the time. Phoebe chose not to complain, glad he respected her enough not to go into a monologue.

Chapter 638 Bonding

Chapter 638 Bonding

Phoebe had seen the girls before but she couldn’t recall their names. Mila was already there, waving at her with a smile.

“Trian, her? Really?” one of the two said.

The girl looked like she was in her late teens, one of the younger Sentinels around. Long black hair fell down her back, slightly curly. Freckles and deep black eyes made her face easy to look at.

Phoebe couldn’t quite gauge the complaints. “What’s the issue?” she asked.

The girl looked at her and grinned. “You’re a cold asshole.”

“Isn’t that something an asshole would say?” Phoebe asked. At least she’s direct.

“No, that’s something someone observing an asshole might say,” the girl said. “I’m really nice. Right, Ember?” she added and poked the healer next to her.

Ember had her hood up, covering a part of her face as she nearly stumbled to the side. Green eyes looked at the ground, a single brown braid coming out from the hood and resting on her leather armor past her shoulder.

“I g… guess you are,” Ember said.

The other girl rejoiced, raising her hands in victory. “There you have it. Plus you didn’t say you’re not an asshole, so either way I’m right.”

Mila walked over to Ember and grabbed her hand, whispering something to her.

Phoebe glanced over, her eyes resting on the two hands touching before she looked back at the smiling girl in front of her.

[Fire Mage – lvl 22]

Ember is level fifty… and I think she’s got the Medic Sentinel Class like me.

“You shouldn’t insult people who could win in a fight against you,” she said.

The girl pointed at herself. “We haven’t fought. How would I know if you’re stronger?”

One of those, Phoebe thought and rolled her eyes, glancing at Trian. I can see your smirk, old man. You can’t hide it.

“This is Willa,” Trian said after clearing his throat. “Willa, meet Phoebe. Ember and Mila you both know already. None of you have agreed to join a team of more than two, which again, is perfectly acceptable. I won’t repeat the benefits of working in larger groups however. You all know them. All I ask is that you train together for one day.”

Willa sighed. “Ilea doesn’t work in a team either.”

Why would you bring up that demon?

“If you’re as strong as Ilea, you won’t have to listen to my lectures anymore. Though trust me, I still try to lecture her,” Trian said.

“You’re just jealous that she’s stronger than you,” Willa said with a smirk.

Phoebe looked at the Headmaster with wide eyes. Too daring. You’re level twenty.

“Envious is the word you’re looking for,” Trian said. “Ilea has the wisdom to listen to the people around her. People with backgrounds and knowledge she might not possess. She trained with people and learned from them, fought and befriended beings most others wouldn’t even consider talking to. Arrogance was not what led to her power.”

And now she’ll get angry and leave us the fuck alone, well done Headm-

Willa bowed her head. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to work with them.”

Phoebe glanced between the two. The girl had changed entirely from a confident and snarky warrior attitude to that of a meek and subservient student. She is quite young. Maybe she’s just a little dense, if she really hadn’t considered the arguments he shared just now.

“What are you looking at?” Willa asked, glancing over.

“I’ll try my best to work with them. For today,” Phoebe said, ignoring the aggressive girl.

Trian nodded, glancing at the other two. “Is that acceptable, Ember?”

She nodded lightly. “It is. Thank you, Trian.”

Who do they think he is? Their father?

Phoebe reminded herself that many of her peers didn’t come from a normal background like herself. She had started seeing violence and war once she decided to become an adventurer but it had been her choice, the path she wanted to walk. Not many get a choice at all. She smiled to herself, thinking of her parents.

“Mila, you’re fine with it too?” Trian asked.

“Of course, Headmaster,” the woman said and bowed respectfully.

“You don’t have to address me that formally, we’re you’re teachers,” Trian said.

Mila smiled. “Which is a position deserving of respect.”

Phoebe stared at her friend, her freckles seemed to shine in the magical light coming from above. She’s so graceful. Like a queen.

Willa giggled to herself, looking at her.

“What?” Phoebe snapped, staring at her.

“Oh, nothing at all,” Willa said. “Should we start then. I suggest Pain Tolerance training.”

You enjoy that torture?

“And I need you healers to take care of me, otherwise I’ll die,” the girl added.

Weren’t you here ages ago? How are you still at level twenty?

“Got anything to say?” Willa asked.

“Yes. You’ve been here before I even joined. I’m a Medic Sentinel and at level eighty two. You should have gotten your Class long ago if you’d done the normal classes and training sessions,” Phoebe answered.

Willa grinned. “Because I don’t want to become a Medic Sentinel. Do you really think a Class based on Lilith’s teachings will be able to surpass her?”

“You want to surpass… Lilith?” Phoebe asked. The notion seemed ridiculous to her. After that display. She must’ve never met her. She just smiled lightly.

“Same look as everyone,” Willa said and giggled.

“At least you don’t seem arrogant about it. Though I doubt you really understand how daunting that task really is,” Phoebe said.

“I’ll leave you to it th-” Trian said before he froze in his tracks. He looked back at the group, raising one eyebrow before he smiled.

Phoebe thought she detected an expression she hadn’t really seen on him before. Malice? No, it couldn’t be. Not Trian.

“Is anything wrong?” Willa asked. “You’re not leaving.”

“I will. Just give it a minute. Someone else is joining your training,” he said.

“Why would you need to wait then?” Willa asked.

Phoebe glanced at Mila, the two meeting eyes at the same time. Oh no.

“Oh yes,” Mila said.

“What?” Willa asked, looking between them. “Tell me.”

In that moment, a winged Sentinel appeared behind Trian, her wings vanishing as she landed on her feet.

Phoebe took a step back, trying to control her breathing as she averted her gaze.

Trian stepped over to the newcomer, whispering to her in a tone everybody with a Sentinel Class would easily hear. “Don’t kill them. Don’t torture them beyond anything they expect, don’t give them gold or dangerous items, don’t do anything inappropriate, and don’t feed them anything weird.”

No wonder some of them think he is a father figure.

“Trian, who do you think I am?” the demon queen said, an innocent smile on her face, piercing blue eyes looking out from below the hood. She wore simple leather armor and casual clothes below, looking like an adventurer at maybe level one hundred.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

How inconspicuous, Phoebe thought, catching herself staring before she focused on the ground again. Don’t take your eyes off the enemy, she remembered and forced herself to look at the monster.

The Headmaster lightly punched Lilith’s arm before he made for the exit. “Enjoy yourself, students.”

Leaving us with the monster so he doesn’t have to deal with it. So that’s how it is.

Phoebe glanced over to Willa and smiled. Now you’ll understand.

“Hey, Ilea. Been a while,” the girl casually said, waving at the founder.

“Oh, Willa. You made it in after all. Congratulations. No Class yet? Are you slacking?” Ilea asked, walking closer as she squinted her eyes.

“I’m working on my resistances, and I’m trying to get an ash related general skill. Gonna get the best Class in the Sentinels,” Willa said and gave her a thumbs up.

“Commendable. But don’t wait too long to fight monsters. Otherwise you’ll end up an ancient witch dying of old age in her tower because she wanted to optimize her first Class,” Lilith said.

Willa waved her off. “Just because you rush into things doesn’t mean I have to make the same stupid mistakes.”

Don’t insult her…, Phoebe thought, her hand slightly reaching out towards the girl.

“True,” Lilith said, smiling to herself as she looked at a nearby wall. “Well, whatever. So you all have to train together for a day because you’re loners? Oh hey Ember, glad you joined as well.”

Ember bowed. “It’s good to see you’re safe, Ilea.”

They all fucking know her??

Phoebe ignored the grin plastered on Willa’s face.

“I can see there’s some tension in the room,” Ilea said. “But don’t worry, a bit of good old broken bones should help you release all that. Works for me at least.” Two ashen copies of Lilith formed next to her, the creatures rushing away before they closed the large gates to the training hall. “Can you four keep a secret between the five of us?”

“Of course,” Willa said immediately. Ember and Mila nodded.

“What about you, Phoebe?” Lilith asked.

“I… yes,” she answered, annoyed that she got flustered.

“Great,” Lilith said with a smile. “I brought a friend with me today. Violence, you can come out now.”

Phoebe watched as a creature as black as the night stepped out of Lilith’s dark hood, floating in the air as it held on to what looked like an ashen copy of itself. Its eyes were pure white, like two magical lamps. Six small wings moved on its back, two short arms and legs formed a vaguely humanoid shape, all entirely black and otherwise featureless. She had heard about the creatures in one of the classes.

[Fae – lvl 103] – [Excited / Violent]

Violent? Phoebe asked herself, confused at the mention. She knew the Fae were apparently somewhat harmless travelers and part of a whole. If they got stuck or need help, one might get rewarded in the future for rescuing them. Information that certainly wasn’t common knowledge. She had read enough monster manuals and talked to plenty of adventurers before. Now we know where that knowledge came from, she thought, staring at the creature.

“It’s so cuuuute!” Willa shouted and rushed towards the floating thing, hugging it close to her.

A giggling resounded from the location but Phoebe couldn’t quite place the sound. Mind magic? Or is it something different?

Violence! a voice resounded in her mind.

Telepathy… harmless, but I should be wary of the creature. My resistance is low.

“Violence will support us with our training today,” Lilith said and sat down on an ashen chair that formed behind her. A meal appeared in her hands before she started eating.

“Can I have some too?” Willa asked, patting the Fae on its head.

“No,” came the answer.

Phoebe didn’t dare walk closer, Mila and Ember definitely braver than her as they joined the founder.

“Of course you can,” Willa said with a smile. “Ilea is here, so just don’t over do it, okay?” she said and lifted the Fae up high.

Phoebe looked on, the little creature giggling as the girls smiled. She took a step forward. Maybe it’s oka-

Her thoughts froze when Willa’s eyes exploded outwards with sprays of blood and tissue.

She jumped back and activated her armor, the women looking at her with confused expressions. Willa’s eyes reformed.

“What?! I’m the weird one??” Phoebe blurted out.

Lilith started laughing.

“You can’t get Space magic resistance from just anyone!” Willa exclaimed.

Ember nodded.

“It’s true,” Mila said.

You too?

Her arms slumped down before she felt someone grab her hand. “Mila…,”

“It’s okay. Come on, Violence seems nice. It’s just excited,” the girl said and pulled her towards the monsters.

“Those who have ash magic, try to injure me,” Ilea said. “Aim for my face, I don’t want to waste another set of clothes and armor.”

We’re a healing order after all, Phoebe thought, looking at the Fae as it floated up to meet her face. “Knock yourself out,” she said.

Violence! the creature exclaimed before her vision went dark.

_____________________________

Ilea sat in her ashen armchair, patting the Fae’s head as she watched around sixty Sentinels writhe on the ground, her mind keeping track of their health.

“I thought Trian didn’t allow for group training anymore?” Sidney asked, the woman sitting down on the armchair she had brought.

“You brought a chair to watch?” Ilea asked, looking over at the Shadow and teacher.

“It’s good if they associate pain with me. Just being around will help,” she said.

“You’d be more suited for this then,” Ilea said. “He agreed because everyone pestered him when they heard I was around.”

“Your arcane healing. I can see that,” Sidney said. “Pain Tolerance training is… difficult. To process,” she said. “Normal healing helps but it’s nowhere near yours.”

Demon

Lord

“No, I’m not,” Ilea said. “I’m just helping out.”

Pain

“Controlled pain so that they can endure or ignore it when they’re in a real battle,” Ilea said, stopping her reverse healing on a few guys who were screaming especially loud.

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 8’

“The people who joined early on benefited a lot from your personal training,” Sidney said. “Me included.”

“It does help,” Ilea said, wondering how much easier all of her resistance training had been over the years, compared to people without arcane healing readily available. After the second tier of Pain Tolerance was unlocked, the difference should be minimal but it could leave psychological scars to see one’s body ripped apart time and time again. “No mind mages who can help with that?”

“None willing to work with us. And the contact you have in Riverwatch apparently refused to consider it,” Sidney said.

“Really? Why?” Ilea asked, glancing at the woman. She let go of Violence, the Fae going around destroying eyes and teleporting people around. She had decided not to hide the little Fae after all, mostly because it didn’t sit still within her hood.

“The beauty of pain should not be disturbed, something along those lines. I agree in a sense. If pain leaves no mark, it fails to teach caution,” she said, giving her a look.

“Some truth in that,” Ilea said with a smile, displacing groups of people at a time.

Sidney nodded towards the Fae. “Not worried someone might talk about it?”

“If someone does anything to Violence…, let’s just say it wouldn’t end well,” she said. “Not sure why anybody would care anyway.”

“Exotic being, telepathy, space magic. Plenty to be interested in,” Sidney said.

“They can just ask him then,” she said and whistled, sending a charged use of Monster Hunter through the hall, most of them locking up for a few seconds.

“Still can’t believe I held my own against you during your Shadow evaluation,” Sidney said, immune to the call’s effect.

A student tapped the ground, Ilea stopping her reversed healing immediately. She healed the student, focusing on his mind as he sat up and sighed. He gave her a thumbs up a few seconds later, resuming the training.

“You can have a go at it now,” she suggested with a smirk, resting her head on her hand as she looked at the woman.

“I don’t need to lose anymore confidence. Facing the higher level Sentinels already does enough damage,” the teacher explained.

“Hmm,” Ilea mused, looking back at the Fae, the creature flying around the hall with its ash copy in tow.

One of the Sentinels behind her collapsed, the woman’s legs broken by one of Ilea’s ash clones.

Not even a complaint, she thought, watching as the Sentinel teleported away, bending her legs back as the flesh connected again. I do hope we’re not dooming humanity by training these people.

“What are you thinking about?” Sidney asked.

“Consequences,” Ilea answered.

The woman chuckled. “I train with them every day. Humanity needs this power if we plan to survive, and there has never been a group as suited to hold it than the Medic Sentinels.”

Ilea smiled. “Which is exactly what every group ever said about themselves.”

“We try out best,” Sidney said.

“That wasn’t meant as criticism,” Ilea said. “It’s just human nature. I’m far from perfect, others will be as well.”

“Compared to you, they’ll have an education,” Sidney said.

“I’m getting more and more interested in a bout with you. Just to see if this combat instructor is suited for the job,” Ilea mused.

“Misusing your power to abuse followers and employees. The issues with that are covered in one of Trian’s classes. Maybe you should find time to take it,” Sidney said with a smirk.

“I’m sure a few exceptions from time to time are acceptable,” Ilea said, smiling back as she stopped her reverse healing. “That’s it for now everyone. I can only take your screaming for so long.”

“Aww, really? I can gag myself!” one of the students said. “Or we just destroy our throats?”

“Yeah, this is so much better than fire,” one of the girls said and shuddered.

“I think ice is the best to be honest,” another one said, rolling his shoulders as he joined the fray, eight students each fighting one of Ilea’s clones.

“James, do you want to meditate together later?” one of the women asked, running after a guy.

Meditate, sure, Ilea thought, looking at the Sentinels finding their friends and returning to their teams, each heading off to their classes or training, some forming a half circle around Violence to receive more Space magic training, others joining up with the ashen clones.

“You alright?” Sidney asked.

“Huh?” Ilea said, looking at the woman.

“You seemed lost there for a second,” Sidney said.

“I did? I guess, yeah. Just kinda wish I could’ve experienced the student lifestyle for a while,” she said.

The woman laughed. “You wanted to be a student? I doubt you’d be the one sitting in classrooms for longer than a few weeks.”

I suppose that’s true as well.

“You should be proud of what you built here,” Ilea said.

“Thank you. I am, as is everyone else. Don’t discredit yourself either, none of this would exist without you,” Sidney answered. “Will you be around for a while?”

“I’ll be back in the coming days but I want to check on something,” Ilea said, getting up from her chair before she cracked her neck. “Violence?”

The Fae appeared on her shoulder, an ashen copy forming next to it.

Chapter 639 Steps

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Art Contest submissions: https://www.patreon.com/posts/48365490

Chapter 639 Steps

Ilea sped over the mountains, soon reaching the forested plains. She flew low in an effort not to attract any monsters, the marks in her mind guiding her way.

Fast!

“It is,” she said, her words lost in the winds but likely picked up by the Fae nonetheless.

When she saw Karth in the distance, she slowed down, using her non charged speed to fly the rest of the distance, teleportation allowing her to go through the forest instead. This spot is probably fine, she thought, standing atop a small forested hill overlooking a part of Riverwatch. Magic lit up within her dominion as she set her fourth Transfer destination. Close enough to both the city, Karth, and the necromancers.

Karth, she thought, looking at the high reaching mountain. I wonder if Isalthar is already trying to find a way inside. How many Cerithil Hunters can you gather? How many are there even?

She rushed past the city, moving through the forest with teleportation. Can’t believe this distance took me several days of running, she thought, appearing in front of the Azarinth temple. Ruins, long forgotten in the eastern Navali forest. Her dominion now reached far below the structure, a single use of transfer bringing her into the very chamber she had been stuck in for months.

Her magic perception picked up some power coming from the walls, none of the grass actually grown back but she hadn’t expected anything different. It was supposed to be a rare elixir after all. Even if there was any Bluemoon grass, the limitations would make it useless anyway.

Plant? Violence asked, moving out of her hood.

“Yeah. You don’t happen to be an expert vegetation mage?” she asked, her ash carefully cutting into the wall, taking a piece of it out before she made it vanish.

No.

Space.

Not

Plant

“I figured. Good thing I do have a plant friend,” she mused, activating her third tier transfer ability.

She attached the Fae before they vanished, appearing within the domain of the Meadow. “Hey,” she spoke and summoned the chunk she had just gotten. “Can you cultivate this plant? It’s called Bluemoon grass, some kind of moss. I ate it which made my body change to something that allowed for arcane healing.”

“And you wish to use it on others?” the Meadow asked.

“Preferably in a way that doesn’t kill anybody. As it was, humans had a pretty high chance of dying after they consumed it. Felt fucking horrible for me too,” she explained.

“I understand. I can work on it but I’m not very well versed in this realm’s vegetation. Would it be acceptable if I asked the human Lucas for help?” the Meadow asked.

“I don’t see why not. Surprised you need help at all,” Ilea admitted.

“I do not question my capabilities. But you humans always want results in unreasonable time frames. It’s simply more efficient to get the insight from a local. Perhaps some of the Dark Ones working to produce food on the first layer may be helpful too,” the tree said.

“Just make sure nobody gets their hands on the current version. It’s dangerous,” she said.

“And it may give them a powerful arcane healing class,” Meadow said.

“Which is a good thing. I would’ve rather not used the grass at all but the mental healing aspect my spells provide is super helpful in training, especially with Pain Tolerance,” she said.

“Did you not consider it a lesson to learn from hardships?” Meadow asked.

“You still experience the pain. You’re just not scarred long term by the experience. It’s a little different I think,” she said.

“Perhaps. Either way, I shall try to figure out a safe way for this to be grown and consumed, hopefully retaining its effects on the human body,” the Meadow spoke. “I can tell you already that something like this will only work on lower level humans. As the body gets used to more powerful magical Classes, it rejects change to this degree.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Ilea said. “It’s really just for the mental healing aspect.”

“Did you torture your students?” it asked.

“A little,” Ilea admitted, reforming the ashen Fae when Violence started to hover in circles.

“And you think the mental healing your own ability provided helped you get to where you are?” the Meadow asked.

“Yeah,” she said.

“I think you would’ve reached the same heights anyway. But perhaps you wouldn’t be the exact same person that you are now,” the tree said.

She sat down and closed her eyes, focusing on the stones that started to float around her. Maybe you’re right, she thought.

A few days passed, Ilea working on her Space Awareness with the two eldritch creatures, all the while training her others skills with both the Sentinels and the high level creatures down in the Descent.

Goliath called out to her when she stood up, ready to leave for Ravenhall.

“The armor, is finished,” he said.

Meadow made the mold vanish, a black set of armor revealed below, all of it hovering in place. It looked rather massive. Not nearly as large as the armaments of course but broader than anything Ilea had worn so far. The surface wasn’t smooth as she had expected but instead looked to be themed after the creature whose scales it was made from.

“Why make it look like scale armor?” she asked.

Goliath’s eyes seemed to signal confusion. “Because it is.”

Okay, Ilea thought. She didn’t mind, the set looked positively terrifying. Additional edges protected the weak spots near her neck and joints. Compared to her moderate horns, the heavy scale armor had ones reaching nearly twenty centimeters in length. The helmet had a moderately large slit for her eyes, enough to see comfortably even without her dominion. The range of motion would likely not reach her lighter sets but this wasn’t armor made to evade.

She stepped around the creation with a smile. “I’ll look even more like a monster.”

“Which is what you are,” the Meadow spoke.

“Eh,” Ilea retorted.

Monster, Violence supplied, appearing inside the helmet, white eyes staring out from the slit.

She watched as the armor’s hands moved up into a fighting pose.

And here I don’t even know who’s doing this, she thought, identifying the gear.

[Heavy Scorching Wyrm Armor – Draconic Quality]

Hopefully a little more durable than my Eternal Guardian armor is at this point.

Her bone set simply couldn’t keep up with the spells a four mark creature could conjure up. Ilea knew that the problem didn’t exactly lay with the armors themselves. For most people it wasn’t exactly feasible to fight monsters that shredded through hundreds of sets of armor, and the flesh below. If the scales had anywhere near the durability the Wyrm showed, she might’ve just gotten her first set that could withstand the rage of a four mark being.

She made the set vanish and summoned it around herself, the gear not made to be individual pieces someone could get on, but a connected set summoned around one’s body. Her hand closed into a fist, the fingers each covered by what seemed to be individual scales moving into each other as she opened her hand again. “It looks natural. If I didn’t know how the scales looked before, I might think this was a part of its body.”

“It is a part of its body,” Goliath said.

Obviously, she thought.

“The creation of this armor set may not be so different than the birth of the creation these scales have come from,” the Meadow added.

“Really?” Ilea asked, looking at the Fae appear on her hand.

Large.

“It is, right?” she said. “I hope it can withstand all my spells.”

“It will recover, should it be damaged,” Goliath said.

“Care to test quickly, Meadow?” she asked, displacing herself closer to the tree.

It formed a few walls for her to hit, Ilea using her mana intrusion abilities, changing her punches to pure physical damage and sending waves of arcane and cinders over the stone creations.

The integrity of the gauntlets didn’t seem in question, the material not showing the slightest signs of wear. Well it was insanely durable when I attacked it, she thought, releasing heat into one of the walls, the energy forming right above her armor, much like it had with any other sets she had worn before.

Flare of Creation manifested the same way as it would on her ash armor. Overall she seemed to be able to use her abilities without any downsides. The movements were just a little bit limited and she could feel the bulk more so than the weight being something to get used to. With an added four layers of ash armor.

“Let’s see how durable it is on the defensive side. Meadow?” she asked, a large stone spear forming a few meters in front of her.

The projectile impacted her, breaking against the scale armor. The next one was deflected to the side, the one after that making her stumble slightly. Each came with a significant increase in speed. The fourth spear made her slide back a few meters, the tip of the spear sticking inside the new set, not penetrating all the way to her skin however.

“Seems pretty good,” she said, the next spear punching through her chest, stopped by the back side of the armor. “Was that necessary?” Ilea asked as she ripped the projectile out, tossing it to the side.

“We need to test the regeneration,” Meadow said.

“Of course we do. I don’t need it to tank attacks from creatures at your level,” Ilea murmured.

“You keep using the word tank. I know what you mean but was it something from your home realm?” the creature said. “Regardless, you have long proven that you need your defenses to withstand attacks of any creature. Even those as powerful as I am.”

“It’s a military vehicle that’s supposed to be heavily armored, why later on the word started to be used to describe the ability to take damage. Along those lines anyway. Look, it’s already recovering!” she exclaimed.

“Perhaps because it is much thinner than the original scales,” Goliath mused.

“It’s too slow for a real battle of course but I don’t think it’s much worse than the bone armor I used before,” she said. “Iana can you enchant it as well?”

The woman looked up from her work and sighed. “Contrary to these two, I’m not some ancient enchantress. That material is more powerful than anything I’ve worked with before.”

“I suggest you try. I will help guide you,” Goliath said and bowed lightly.

The woman scratched her cheek. “I can try. But it might not be very useful in the end.”

“Should be fine. Durability or something would be good,” Ilea said. “Now that I think about it… Goliath did you add something for my mana intrusion? I didn’t feel a resistance when I used the spells.”

“Of course. The scale material on your fists is aligned to allow gaps. I thought about it before but because the material has to endure the power of the spells moving past, it needs to be incredibly durable. The heat required just to melt this… it should be fine. And if it isn’t, it will regenerate in time,” the smith explained.

“Works for me,” Ilea said, angling her fist to see the gaps. Only relevant for mana intrusion, I suppose.

She displaced the armor set close to Iana, the whole thing floating in mid air. “That’s your doing right? The armor doesn’t float on its own.”

“Who knows?” the Meadow mused.

Ilea smiled.

“The… rifle tool, requires another day. But I am confident about this version,” Goliath said.

They had tried two versions already but using her ashen limbs to deliver the beams into the eye placed within the tool hadn’t been a smooth experience. If anything it made the spell worse than just using the eye in her hand.

“I’ll be around then. Thanks all and see you later,” Ilea said. “You coming?”

The Fae shook its head.

Return

In

Time

“You have something more interesting to do?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Yes

Important

Work

Ilea squinted her eyes. Sure you do. You’re just bored of teaching me.

Violence!

“Violence to you too. Come around when you feel like it, I’m sure you’re always welcome,” Ilea said with a smile.

Friend! the creature exclaimed and vanished.

“Magnificent… instant long range teleportation… untraceable… perfect manipulation. It’s almost like… no… I’ll have to see it again,” the Meadow murmured.

“You’re never quite as interested in my long term teleportation,” Ilea said.

“Child’s play. Compared to the Fae. This realm is truly blessed,” it said, magic surging up as it seemed to do its own testing.

“I’ll see you around then,” Ilea sent and activated her third tier transfer.

She quickly checked her messages while flying to Ravenhall.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 7’

“Did you gain weight? It seems like your balance is off,” Claire said, one hand touching her chin as her eyes pierced through the bumbling ash healer.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Does everyone have to point it out?”

“Just don’t jump. You’ll damage my floors,” she said and walked closer, taking both Ilea’s hands into her own. “One, two, three, four…,”

The window to the office was open, a group of musicians playing outside.

“Isn’t that a little much?” Ilea asked, glancing at the window as she fucked up a step.

“Focus, darling,” Claire said. “I thought you were a high level warrior. This should be simple to you. I’ve employed them before. It sometimes helps with headaches.”

“You can just ask someone to heal you… wait can you even get headaches?” Ilea asked.

Claire closed her eyes for a moment. “Headaches aren’t only a physical condition, Ilea. You would know as much if you had to read through dozens of reports per day, written by utter imbeciles.”

Ilea chuckled. “If I were a normal human, that grip would’ve broken my hands.”

Embarrassment flashed on Claire’s face before she squinted her eyes. “You’re hardly normal. My explosions couldn’t break your hands.”

“Who knows,” Ilea said and twirled, led by Claire’s hand. “We haven’t tried in a while.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, you’ve been near indestructible on our last mission together. You’re a three mark now. And I’m sure the weight is not just for show,” the woman said, catching Ilea as she leaned back.

“Is this where we kiss?” Ilea whispered.

“You wish,” Claire whispered back, pulling Ilea back up. “Hardly enough skill to swoon me,” she judged.

“I can do other things,” Ilea said, her ash forming a field of floating roses.

“Charming,” Claire said. “But I know a barbarian when I see one.”

“Harsh,” Ilea retorted, focusing back on her steps.

They continued for a while until Claire asked for a break, sitting on the window sill as she looked out over the large central plaza.

Ilea leaned against the wall, looking out as well. The musicians were still playing. They used primarily string instruments. The singer wasn’t half bad either. A few adventurers had stopped to listen, joined by various workers and merchants. The suns would go down soon and while night didn’t mean no activity in Ravenhall, it would be somewhat reduced.

“You chose a nice place,” she said.

“Not enough time to enjoy the views. Don’t look at me, I’m putting time aside for these things as well. The employees are getting to a usable level at this point,” Claire explained.

“So they’re expert administrators?” Ilea joked.

Claire just waved her off. “Lives depend on the work we do. They need to be good.”

“Fair enough,” Ilea said with a laugh. “I hope you’re doing okay, with all the responsibility I mean.”

The Head Administrator looked over, smiling before she glanced back outside. “We’ve had this talk before, Ilea. This is more than I ever hoped for.”

“Sorry,” Ilea said. “It’s just that…,”

“You would hate the job?” Claire guessed with a smirk.

“Pretty much, yeah,” Ilea admitted. “I’m just glad I have you guys taking care of these things. I don’t think any of it would’ve come to be otherwise.”

“We’re a team after all,” Claire said. “Even if it’s not exactly the intended Shadow formation anymore. But with you and Kyrian, we hardly need more muscle.”

“Good that you two have all the brains then,” Ilea said. “Speaking of what you built. I was wondering, now that the Sentinels are somewhat established and official…,”

“Trian, can you come to Claire’s. Not very important,” she sent to the Headmaster.

“Called for Trian, let’s see if he shows up. I’d want to have his input as well,” Ilea said. She saw an armored man appear near a distant roof, wings of lightning spreading out as he advanced towards the central square. A knock resounded a few seconds later. “Could’ve just flown in.”

“Some people have manners,” Claire said, waving her hand towards the door.

Trian entered when the entrance opened up. “Lilith calls,” he said with a smile, stepping to the bar and pouring himself a drink. “Needed a break anyway. How are things?”

“In control,” Claire answered.

“Making new armor in the north. It looks fucking scary,” Ilea said. “Scale armor made from Wyrm scales.”

“You’ll manage to get it destroyed anyway,” Trian said. “Are you fighting naked under your ashen armor by the way? I’ve been wondering.”

Ilea smirked. “Keep on wondering, Sparky.”

He chuckled, moving one of the chairs a little closer. “Nicer view than my office,” he murmured, the sky taking on a near purple color, light reflecting off the distant snow covered peaks.

“Maybe you could hang one of Cless’ paintings. She made some good ones of me,” Ilea suggested.

Chapter 640 A tense welcome

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Art Contest submissions :): https://www.patreon.com/posts/48365490

Chapter 640 A tense welcome

“You’ve fought some magnificent creatures. I wouldn’t say no,” Trian said.

“I’ll show you the collection later,” Claire said. “Though it might not help with your ongoing issue of Lilith.”

“What issue?” Ilea asked.

“Your reputation,” Trian said with a sigh. “I’m glad you’ve been around a little more lately. The Sentinels might even believe you’re human. The citizens of Ravenhall however? Maybe not so much.”

She just waved him off. “I don’t see the issue. Let them believe the mystery.”

“You won’t say that once they actually start to form a cult and do things in your name,” Trian said.

“We’re keeping an eye on it,” Claire said. “Plenty of people are employed by Lilith and there’s enough known about you that most people understand the less mythical background. But some opinions can’t be changed.”

Will I have to deal with the same shit as Meadow?

“As soon as the gates are ready, I’ll just send them north,” Ilea said.

Claire glanced at her but chose not to say anything.

“So why did you call for me?” Trian asked.

Ilea displaced herself a bottle of local ale from Claire’s bar. She gave the woman a questioning look and opened it once Claire nodded lightly.

“Thanks. Well… I had another idea. It’s not particularly spectacular but with the funding we can provide, it might actually be helpful. The Sentinels are better than I hoped, especially after such a short time. Obviously we can only take people in who are ready to brace the training, only those who have a clear goal to become healers or adventurers.

“Now with how much people restrict information about magic and Classes, I thought it nice to have a magic school or college here where people could learn, mostly for free.”

“That’s a massive undertaking,” Claire said. “More trained mages of all kinds would benefit Ravenhall as a whole, that much is obvious. Gold isn’t an issue either. Not with how things have progressed with both Ravenhall and Morhill. Let alone if the teleportation gate project is as promising as it sounds.”

“Neither me nor Claire have time to set it up however,” Trian said.

“William maybe?” Ilea asked. “He knows a lot of shadows and has experience giving lectures.”

Claire shook her head. “He has his hands full too. With the Shadowguard, Shadows, and even Sentinels. He will be a good resource to ask for contacts, teachers, and organizational structures. Dagon and Elise will be able to supply a lot of teaching materials. Sulivhaan will be happy for some Shadow funding too. Your wealth and influence has been growing. I think a bit of balance there might be good for everyone.”

“Don’t think Kyrian would be interested either,” Trian said. “He might want to teach Sentinels but with how powerful he is now… his talents would be wasted on lower level Classes. Finding teachers won’t be an issue either. Plenty of adventurers look for ways to retire. Teaching is somewhat easy, just not very well paid usually. We can change that.”

“I have an idea already as to the building we could use. I’ll get in touch with the librarians and William,” Claire said.

“So we just need a good match to take over the project,” Ilea said with a smile. “Noble or ex military would be nice. I’ll think about who could be interested. Let me know if you find someone as well.”

“An academy providing free magic knowledge and training will create an uproar with nobility in the plains,” Claire said.

“More so than a healing organization?” Ilea asked.

“Nobles care for their secrets and the balance of power,” Trian said. “They don’t care about a few new healers. Well, they will once they understand that Sentinels aren’t exactly comparable to a conventional Order healer. I don’t know if it would be quite as difficult as you think, Claire. As long as we don’t share knowledge and training noble houses claim as their own.”

“Difficult to say. I’ll run the idea by the other council members and hear what they have to say. Sulivhaan will agree, knowing him. Dagon might not be a fan of sharing all that knowledge with everyone but as long as we pay him the requested fee, he won’t complain,” Claire said.

“I’ll send a few letters to Virilya. Maybe I can gauge a possible reaction,” Trian said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Is it alright if I think of ways for the Academy to pay for itself? Without the students having to pay basic fees of course,” Claire asked.

“Academy. I like it,” Ilea said. “Of course. Just don’t keep knowledge away from them. Honorary titles or donations maybe. But I guess we need a reputation first for that to work.”

“We have plenty of reputation to throw around,” Claire said with a smile.

Ilea nodded absentmindedly. Maro? No, all he wanted was to be free of responsibilities. I wonder where he is anyway. Guess I’ll find out when the cults he forms spread far enough through the lands.

Lord Harken or another Baralia noble? Eh… don’t really want an ex slaver to be part of Ravenhall’s decision makers.

Could… might be worth a shot.

“Got someone in mind?” Trian asked.

Ilea waved her hand sideways. “Shot in the dark,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll find some people though. No time constraint anyway.”

“Well if we know anything about you, it’s that you can conjure up allies from the most unexpected of places,” Trian said with a laugh.

“Think I’ll visit Halstein first though, see what kind of trap they set up for me,” Ilea said and stood up.

Claire sighed. “Not a week without a diplomatic incident.”

“No wonder you haven’t gotten bored yet,” Ilea said, jumping out of the window.

_____________________________

Donnavon looked at his reflection in the small mirror, the warm candle light casting shadows on his face. Your age is showing, he thought, brushing his long white hair back before saying a short prayer. He cleaned his hands and sighed. Today could very well be the most important day of his life.

He checked his gown and slipped into his comfortable shoes. One of the few luxuries he allowed himself. There were no rules against such, especially being a High Cleric, but he thought it hypocrisy. To pray to Friede and live a life of luxury. Do not judge your brothers and sisters. They are as devoted as you.

Donnavon had thought that perhaps the latest struggles the Corinth Order had gone through were merely a test. A sign that they had left the ways of Hella and Friede. It was not his position to judge them. The gods would guide their way, one way or another. He would trust their guidance. May you protect me from the evil of this world, he murmured, one hand to his heart as he closed his eyes.

A knock on the door signaled that it was time.

“High Cleric, may I enter?” the voice of a young man came from the other side. One that made Donnavon smile.

“Come in Bryce,” he said.

The young Paladin entered gracefully, all his movements a testament to his power and expertise in battle. The heavy white plate armor hardly seemed to bother him, long blond hair falling down his back. He went down to one knee as soon as he had entered.

[Divine Paladin – lvl 305]

Donnavon felt pride swell up in his heart. “Stand, Bryce. You do not need to kneel before me. It is you who goes into the wilderness to battle the creatures who would seek our death. I am merely a servant, healing those in need and tending to this temple.”

Bryce looked up and smiled. “You are far too humble. I’m only giving you the respect you deserve,” he said and stood up, closing the door behind him. “You know why I came.”

“The fateful meeting. Yes,” Donnavon said.

“You don’t have to be the one to meet with her. Let me go in your stead,” the warrior said.

Donnavan touched the man’s shoulder and shook his head. “It must be me. Let me show her the heart of our Order and what we stand for.”

“What if the rumors are true? What if the songs hold merit? What if she truly is a monster corrupted by evil, selfishly purging those she deems unworthy or unjust?” Bryce asked.

“Those are not the full truths of what I learned of her. Has she not helped free Ravenhall of the demonic plague? Has she not fought in Virilya, alongside the imperial army? Her exploits in Baralia do not tell of a monster, not entirely at least,” Donnavon said.

The Paladin gave him a doubtful look. “Songs can easily be bought, information spread by those who won the war. You know how much influence her gold has bought. It reaches all the way to Riverwatch. The Inquisitors whisper that even in Dawntree, she funnels in her wealth.”

And how often have we done the same? I wonder, Donnavon thought. He had faith in his brothers and sisters in the Order but it couldn’t be denied that he was kept out of important discussions, their demeanor colder by the year. He wondered if it would be different, if Wurt were still alive.

“If we are to meet her, it has to be with an open mind. And if she truly is the monster so many in our Order deem her to be, we need you to be ready. You and everyone else. Her influence cannot be understated. We cannot allow a monster to lead an order of healers. We both know this, but we must prevent further bloodshed. So many of our own have died already,” Donnavon said.

Bryce put on his helmet and gave him a nod. “Hella be with you, Donnavon. I will pray that our intervention won’t be needed.”

Donnavon smiled. He didn’t miss that Bryce had failed to mention Friede. Today he chose not point it out. The principles of devotion and sacrifice carried a different weight before meeting a monster after all, especially the latter.

“Will you meet her here?” Bryce asked, turning back once again.

“In the eastern temple. Her welcome has been prepared. These grounds have been deemed too plain to welcome someone of her reputation,” Donnavon explained. He was surprised the Paladin didn’t know about it.

“Bryce? Trouble in the north. Break in. A few wounded and culprits on the run,” a female voice said, the heavy steps of another Paladin resounding in the hall.

“Naomi. Lower your voice,” Bryce said. “We’re on holy grounds.”

“Of course, apologies High Cleric,” the woman said, bowing to Donnavon when she saw them step out into the hall.

Bryce turned to Donnavon one last time and touched his shoulder, not saying another word before he left towards the open gate.

Naomi looked after her fellow Paladin before she glanced at the High Cleric. “I…,” she started, looking at the walls before she turned back to him. “May Friede and Hella bless you today.”

Donnavon bowed his head lightly before he followed, only catching a glance of the Paladins as they spread their wings, flying northward. Paladins of the Corinth Order hunting after petty thieves. They could be doing so much more. It was a battle for another day, Donnavon thought, greeting the Inquisitors waiting for him.

He prayed for his protectors. None would have dared lay their hands on a healer of the Corinth Order even ten years ago but times were changing. Refugees from the west and now Baralia had flooded Halstein. Desperation pushing people to do unspeakable things. It was these people that needed help the most but he would not deny reality. Other members have already been abducted, either to work for criminals or be forced to join a team of adventurers quickly leaving the city. It was why the Orders had been formed, why healers needed to be part of one.

The walk was swift, Donnavon healing a few people who noticed his white gown. His guards didn’t interfere this time, though not open for conversation either, as per usual.

“Lilith has arrived!” a young teen shouted to one of his friends, the two running off to see the legendary healer.

Never has she set foot into this city and yet the people think her a savior, Donnavon thought. Did she come to answer our summons? Or to bring her influence and power down onto our weakened Order?

He had hoped the creature would not arrive for a few more weeks, though perhaps it was a good sign for her to arrive so quickly. We’re not just an afterthought to her.

They arrived at the eastern temple ten minutes later, Donnavon looking at the high reaching building of marble. White and red banners had been hung, a rich carpet rolled out all the way onto the street. Inquisitors and Paladins patrolled the area, sending away those seeking help. All for a pretentious welcome, Donnavon thought, gritting his teeth as he deliberately avoided the carpet.

His temple was plain but what they did to this building seemed almost preposterous. One might think they were a military order, and not one meant to heal. He endured it, if it was to receive an important guest whose cooperation may be vital to the future of their order. He had volunteered, as had others but it was him the Speaker chose.

“Welcome, High Cleric Donnavon,” Emilia said, most of her face covered by the white hood she wore, her hair hidden below.

“Greetings, High Cleric Emilia,” Donnavon said, bowing lightly. He wondered why none of the other High Clerics had come. Perhaps it was a security concern. Though surely, with all these guards? Nobody would be foolish enough to start a battle here.

A few of the present paladins were above level two hundred after all, a might even a group of Shadows wouldn’t want to challenge. He looked up to one of the banners, sunlight reflecting off the perfectly white fabric. What if it’s all true? An army could not stop her. Who are we to stand against her?

He closed his eyes in prayer, feeling his heart waver at the unknown.

“Ridiculous, isn’t it?” Emilia said. “Are we not beyond these petty displays of wealth and power?”

Donnavon looked at her and smiled. “We must speak in a language those around us understand. If this is what is necessary, then so be it.”

“I hadn’t expected you of all people to give up on our principles so easily,” the woman retorted, giving him a look of pity. “I shall pray for your safety, High Cleric. May you pave a way for our continued prosperity.”

They bowed to each other, the woman remaining near the entrance as Donnavon entered the temple. He was still being escorted by the inquisitors, the two leading him through the halls and down to the extensive basement. Paladins and Inquisitors alike nodded his way as he passed, some saying short prayers or words of encouragement. He could feel the tension in the air. Obvious of course, considering the guest.

I wonder if there was any prosperity in the last few decades, he thought, entering the large windowless room, a luxurious wooden table and two leather chairs standing within.

“Any reason this meeting isn’t happening on the ground floor?” he asked one of the Inquisitors.

“I’m afraid it would be a security concern, High Cleric. Should… Lilith be hostile, our chances will be significantly better with her down here. Defensive enchantments protect the whole temple, but especially this room,” the man explained.

Donnavon sighed, sitting down in the chair. He could faintly see the magic flowing through the walls. There hardly is a more dangerous place to face a monster. Friede, be with me.

He meditated for a while until a Paladin entered, setting down a tray. A tea pot rested on a heating plate with two mugs next to it.

“She will arrive shortly,” the Paladin said.

Excited for battle? Donnavon thought, unsure how he should categorize the inflation in her voice.

He waited, the Paladin’s steps soon replaced by those of several people walking along the hallway.

“Your conversation will of course be secure. Various enchantments were placed in the room. I’m sure you would understand the precautions,” Emilia said, her voice coming closer.

“Of course,” a female voice answered, the tone almost sounding bored.

They stepped inside a moment later, Emilia followed by a woman dressed in normal black cotton pants and a white shirt. She neither wore armor nor did she show the horns and wings mentioned in many songs and stories.

Donnavon was a little taken aback by just how normal this woman looked. He wondered for a moment if they had sent a lookalike but the idea seemed utterly ridiculous to him. And they would’ve done checks.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

He smiled, knowing that she was well over level three hundred. Higher than Bryce by at least ten levels, maybe even more. She was the real one. Lilith. Black hair fell down her back, open but orderly.

“If you require anything else, just knock on the door,” Emilia said with a smile and stepped out, the heavy stone gate closing shut a moment later.

Lilith turned around, brushing a hand against the door as she looked at the walls. She finally plopped down on the chair in a casual manner and smiled, piercing blue eyes focusing on Donnavon.

“Welcome to Halstein, Lilith, of the Medic Sentinel Corps,” he said, copying her smile. This was not at all what he had expected. If anything she looked like a young rural woman, visiting Halstein for the first time. “I do hope your trip was safe.”

“You’re not aware, are you?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.

“What do you mean?” Donnavon asked.

Lilith’s smile broadened. “Oh no. I mean I heard you had a goddess of sacrifice or something but this just seems cruel.”

Chapter 641 Negotiations

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Art contest submissions :): https://www.patreon.com/posts/48365490

Chapter 641 Negotiations

The woman glanced around the room again. “My trip was fine. It’s really not that long of a flight,” she said. “Tea?”

Donnavon chuckled. “Am I not the one who should offer?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t want you to get up for no reason,” Lilith said, the two cups suddenly appearing on the table.

What. She teleported them. It’s true then. Space magic.

“You seem surprised,” she said and poured the hot liquid into both cups.

“It’s a rare talent. I had speculated that it may be part of one of your Classes but it seems confirmed now. Space magic, am I right?” he asked.

Lilith drank from her mug, closing her eyes as she first sipped from the liquid and then downed the whole thing. “Tasty,” she exclaimed. “Yes, it’s space magic.”

Donnavon smiled, thanking her as he took the mug. Most adventurers had Heat Resistance abilities. For someone at her level, boiling tea would hardly pose a threat. “I will be honest with you, Lilith. I expected something different,” he said and drank from the tea.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Silk womb spice -328 health per second for one minute’

“What… what’s the meaning of-” Donnavon said and coughed. He started healing himself but felt his mind wavering, his vision blurring. Why would… did she?

His mind suddenly cleared as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown onto him, a tide of incredible power flowing into him from all around. “What…,”

“You really didn’t know. No change in your heartbeat and you didn’t even hesitate drinking that tea,” Lilith said.

“No… it couldn’t be… it was you… with your space magic… you poisoned the tea,” he murmured, stumbling up as his chair fell down.

“Calm down,” the woman said, her head resting on her hands. The words flowed out with magic attached to them, the sounds reverberating in the room as if shouted.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith – You are paralyzed for five seconds’

“Why would I poison you? Come on. I agreed to come into this room because it was such a laughably obvious trap. You’re the only reason I haven’t slaughtered everyone waiting outside yet,” Lilith spoke. “Sit down.”

Donnavon gulped, the chair that fell down back where it had stood before.

“Gods, you’re still unsure? Can you not see all the enchantments placed in the walls. Reinforcements, Anti teleportation, even anti space magic, though those are fucking laughable. You should get better enchanters. And plenty of explosion things as well, remind me of the runes a friend uses. Plus a bunch of stuff I don’t know. All seems tied to an attempt to teleport or break out. I guess in case the poison didn’t kill me first. At least we really seem to have privacy. I’m not sure who they wanted to prevent from hearing us talk,” the woman said.

It all clicked for Donnavon, his heart beat racing as his hands started shaking. The guards, the temple, the absence of the high clerics, the basement. But why? He gritted his teeth. He knew why. It was just as obvious as the rest had been. “Please, Lilith. You have to listen to me. Don’t start this battle. I beg of you,” he said and bowed as deeply as he could while sitting in his chair.

The woman grinned. “I already told you. I came in here because it seemed interesting. Honestly, I expected more from the Corinth Order. But to be fair, the experiences I made with your healers should’ve been a precedent. Also, you already started the battle. Technically… by poisoning this tea. I doubt you would’ve known about my preferences in that regard. It’s way too weak.”

Donnavon’s mind raced. So far she seemed calm but he could tell that his woman wasn’t joking. She had downed the poisoned tea, apparently knowing what it was. She was perfectly calm, knowing that all those Paladins and Inquisitors were waiting outside, ready to fight her. She can kill them all. The stories were all true. And we just doomed our Order by dealing the first strike.

You have to calm down. She is still here but who knows how long she will stay. Hella, I pray you are by my side.

“I didn’t know,” he said. “It was obvious all along now that I sit here but…,” he gulped, trying to control his shaking hands. “I had never thought. A betrayal like this. It’s… our leadership is not acting in the interest of our principles. Not anymore.”

His eyes darted around as he tapped the desk. “This is an attempt on your life. But not just yours,” he said.

“Yeah, I mean they don’t seem to particularly like you either,” the woman said and laughed.

“How can you stay so calm in this situation!” he blurted out. “We could die!”

“You could die,” the woman stated. “I’ve not seen anything troublesome so far. Maybe if Michael was the one to orchestrate all this but he knows this would hardly be enough.”

Michael Elyse? How is he connected to this? Donnavon thought and shook his head. “It’s possible that they knew as well. The High Clerics are not here. Emilia either didn’t know or she left immediately after closing that door. No… it’s an attempt to kill you, but more so it’s to kill me.”

“Seems like they could’ve done so with a less convoluted plan, no offense,” Lilith said as a meal appeared in her hands.

I can’t. What are you doing?!

Donnavon forced himself to calm down, meditation and healing coursing through him. “Bryce, the head paladin of our Order. He listens to me… how devious. They wanted you to kill me.”

“So that he attacks me? What’s his level?” Lilith asked between bites.

He ringed with his thoughts and emotions. His principles were clear however. Evil must be defeated and so far Lilith had given him less reason to believe she was the enemy than his so called brothers and sisters. Those who had planned this terrible plot at least. “He’s above level three hundred,” he admitted finally. Perhaps he hoped his honesty would persuade her, or he hoped it would intimidate her, though the latter he thought unlikely.

“Like close to three hundred? Or much higher?” she asked.

“Close to,” Donnavon whispered. I betrayed you, Bryce.

“Sounds pretty boring then,” Lilith said. “You don’t have something higher? Some hidden leader who’s a four mark?”

“This is… ridiculous… our Paladins can challenge Shadows,” Donnavon deadpanned.

“Not exactly a testament of incredible strength. Why not retake Dawntree then? Sounds like you had the necessary people,” Lilith said.

What is she planning? If I reveal more… no. She has not lied yet, I’m sure of it. I mustn’t break her trust. It’s the last hope I have.

“Bryce chose to retreat to protect the survivors. We lost many in the chaos. The Paladins are the reason we made it to Kroll. There are discussions going on about an assault but some of the High Clerics and higher level Paladins are against it. We don’t have the numbers anymore. It’s paramount that we rebuild the Order here, instead of losing more people in a pointless war. Though it all depends on the Speaker,” Donnavon explained.

“Speaker your leader?” Lilith asked.

How does she not know this?

“Yes, Speaker Nathanael. Important decisions are voted on by the High Clerics but I’m sure he could push through near every decision at this point,” he said.

“Like an attempt to kill me, you in turn, and get the people still on the fence on his side? With a war against Ravenhall and the Sentinels?” Lilith suggested.

Donnavon nodded slowly. “It seems that is the case. Please, Lilith. I wish to find a way to prevent bloodshed. Too many Corinth healers have died already.”

“They tried to kill you too. Aren’t you a little angry? If you tell me where they are, I can take care of them right now,” Lilith said, her voice calm.

“I… was prepared to lose my life today. This is just… different than what I had expected. Those responsible must be found and judged but please… if you go out there and start killing, you will play right into their hands,” Donnavon said.

“Thought I’d open my maw and eat you?” she asked with a slight smirk.

Donnavon looked at the table. “Yes.”

“Well, now that you know I’m not a monster, maybe we can start over. Please call me Ilea,” she said with a smile.

“Start over? Start over what? This is… a diplomatic incident… Kroll could be brought into a war with Ravenhall. Surely Nathanael didn’t plan to just use our Order in this ordeal,” he murmured.

“I apparently have a tendency for creating diplomatic incidents. But right now we’re still just in this room. I’m sure your friends out there will wait for a while before they either manually activate the enchantments or check if we’re still alive in here,” the woman said. “You seem like a mostly decent fellow. I assume I’m talking to the new Speaker of the Corinth Order right now. Congratulations on your promotion.”

“The Speaker is chosen by the High Clerics,” Donnavon said slowly. But she’s right. If a war breaks out and I chose to side with her, I’ll likely rise in influence after this is over. If she manages to win and with everything I’ve seen, she’s at least fully confident of being able to do so.

“Well I don’t think there will be any left opposing this decision once we’re done,” Lilith or Ilea said.

“Even if that is the case, shouldn’t we have this talk after this situation is dealt with?” he asked.

Lilith shrugged. “Why? It’s going to be chaos one way or the other. It’s calm here, we have poison tea, enchantments threatening to blow you up, and about a hundred tense fanatics waiting out there for an emerging monster.”

Donnavon sat back, taking in a deep breath. “We’re not fanatics.”

Lilith just pointed at the surrounding walls, pouring herself another mug of tea before she sipped on it. “You were saying?”

______________________________

“Not all of us at least,” the man corrected himself.

“Good. So I received an invitation from your Healing Order. To be honest, I expected something like this but it turned out more productive than I thought,” she said.

“What did you expect then?” the man asked, nearly holding his breath.

[Pure Healer – lvl 204]

Many of the warriors waiting above were around his level, about half below two hundred. She had been surprised that nobody managed to pierce Monstrous, or they simply didn’t show a reaction.

She liked him. His long white hair, the wrinkles, his modest clothes, the tragic way he was betrayed by his fellow brothers and sisters. For the situation he was in, he remained pretty calm. Well his hands were shaking and his pulse was all over the place, but that was the least to be expected. He had come in here ready to die, killed by the monster he thought she was. And even now he wasn’t asking her to spare him, he was just trying to prevent a slaughter.

“A slaughter,” she answered. “But I’m glad I got to talk to one reasonable person before things went to shit. Without you here the outcome would’ve been very different,” she said and laughed. Your plan backfired spectacularly. And now I have an inside man ready to spill the beans while pressured to find a diplomatic solution. Reminds me of a certain Truth related Order. Let’s just hope they’re not quite crazy enough to sacrifice the whole city.

She refilled her mug and took a sip. “So what exactly is the problem you have with the Sentinels?”

His emotions showed on his face, warring opinions and thoughts surely going through his mind. “If you were a monster, it would be unacceptable to tolerate your existence as a healing order.”

“Organization,” Ilea corrected.

“Organization then. Have you murdered fellow humans? Innocent people?” the man asked, his eyes hard.

Brave, are we? she thought, leaning back. “I’ve killed dozens of soldiers, likely just following orders. I’ve killed people who attacked me, even thought they posed little danger to me. I’ve killed slavers, because they were cruel to their subjects, and I’ve killed nobles who upheld slavery. I’ve killed many creatures, High Cleric, and I don’t think I regret any of it.

“But if you’re asking me if I go around killing people for fun, torturing them because of sadistic tendencies, or if I plan to sacrifice entire cities to fuel blood magic rituals, then no. I don’t condone anything like that. There is a possibility that I’ve killed creatures more intelligent than I thought they were, monsters close to their awakening or simply living peacefully in a dungeon until an unknown invader came into their home. With creatures that can’t communicate in any way and attack at first sight, it’s kill or be killed,” she said.

The man looked at her for a long moment before he sighed. “You don’t seem entirely lost.”

“Wonderful. I’m glad I have your moral validation,” she said between sips.

“There is no need for your mockery,” the Cleric retorted. “I’m aware of the irony in this situation. But as you don’t seem to be bothered by the current circumstances, I will treat this as the meeting I was sent to have. As I understand, the Sentinels are meant to be battle healers?”

“Indeed,” Ilea said.

“Ridiculous,” he murmured, shaking his head.

“What are your Paladins then?” Ilea asked.

“Warriors of our gods, trained from a young age and sent out to kill monsters, both human and not,” he said.

“Well, for starters we don’t brainwash children. So that will have to stop if you plan to keep any semblance of power. Plenty of older volunteers who would love a chance to become righteous Paladins or healers, I’m sure,” Ilea said.

“I thought we were negotiating,” he said.

Ilea downed the tea and relaxed in her chair. “Donnavon, I like you. But you seem a little… let’s say, stuck in your ways. So either we find a middle ground somewhere, or I fly into the royal palace, explain the circumstances of my visit and then I massacre every single idiot who planned to foolishly assassinate me. And those who try to stop me.” she said. Ilea was sure they could find a more diplomatic solution but he needed a bit of a reality check. “No children trained to be killing machines. Orphanages are fine but be careful what you teach them. It’s the reason something like this has happened,” she added and gestured around them.

“You generalize,” he murmured. “But I agree that there are plenty of people ready to join either way. It will be difficult to ascertain their sincerity and intent but we can handle that.”

“I’m sure you can,” Ilea said. “We do the same and it’s a possibility that people slip through anyway. I still think brainwashed kids are a far greater danger, no matter who does the brainwashing and what you put in their heads.”

“What is the goal of your organization?” Donnavon asked, leaning forward as he sighed.

“Have them kill monsters, join adventuring teams, teach healing magic and medicine where possible. Hopefully not place them behind walls. Plenty of Orders for that already,” she said. “As to your comment on battle healers being ridiculous… you did identify me right?”

He chuckled to himself now, covering his face with both hands before he relaxed a little. “You’re right. I simply didn’t expect it. Perhaps it’s because of what I was taught, and what I’ve been teaching for the last few decades. Healers and warriors should not intermingle. You’re proof that we were wrong. And if those are truly the goals of your organization, I don’t see an issue, especially because your… battle healers can take care of themselves.”

“I’m curious,” Ilea said. “Why weren’t battle healers considered? I assume your Paladins have very limited healing abilities.”

“Tradition,” Donnavon said. “Generations of Clerics and Speakers teaching the ways of the Corinth Order.”

“Ever heard of the Azarinth Order?” Ilea asked. No obvious reaction.

“I can’t say I have,” he said, thinking on it for a moment.

“They were battle healers once. Powerful enough to fight alongside the Taleen and Elven domains. Or so it goes,” she explained. “I wonder how much their influence affected the Healing Orders coming after.”

At least the Ascended would’ve likely not wanted more of them around. Same with the Domains if they took more of an interest in human affairs back then. The Taleen as well.

“May I ask? Are you one of their members? I had thought you young, but appearances are often deceiving,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “I’m not part of their Order. I don’t think it’s still around, though it’s not impossible.”

She decided not to share anything about her previous Classes. If anybody would tolerate a high death rate to get powerful healers out of it, it was an Order doing the work of their Gods.

“Your organization may not be directly competing with ours, but your fast growth will put pressure on all of our members,” Donnavon said, returning to the topic at hand.

Ilea just shrugged. “Good. Maybe that pressure will help you innovate and grow. We’re happy to trade various resources and information. Now it’s my turn to ask, beyond the vague goal of purging monsters and evil, what is it the Corinth Order intends to do?”

He smiled. “Is it not enough to stand up as humans and choose to fight the fate bestowed on our species? To heal those in need? And to find salvation in prayer?”

“Seems like you’re fighting more humans than anything else,” Ilea said.

“A regrettable state of affairs,” Donnavon admitted. “Affairs I’m sure could be changed if those corrupting our ranks from within could be removed.”

“You don’t condone the killing of humans?” she asked, raising her brows.

“Traitors to our very gods, ready to start a war where hundreds could die, for what? An inflated ego? A misguided wish to purge what they see as evil? No. They will be judged, and sent to the gods they claimed to believe in,” he said and sighed. “I came here to judge if you indeed are the monster we believed you to be. But the enemy has been walking by my side all along. I’m deeply ashamed, Ilea,” he said and paused. “I was informed that you are part of the Shadow’s hand.”

“I’m still a member technically,” Ilea said.

“Good. I’m sure our Order can manage to pay a single Shadow,” he said.

“It’ll be a premium fee,” Ilea said with a smile. “What’s the job?”

Chapter 642 Trust

Chapter 642 Trust

Donnavon wasn’t sure if she would bite but if he wanted to prevent what the Speaker had planned, Lilith’s involvement had to be minimal. And they had to make sure the crown was informed. If he was honest, it wasn’t just about Nathanael’s plans, it was a matter of pride.

“If we cannot purge our Order of corruption, what legitimacy do we have?” he asked, looking up at the calm Shadow.

“So I assume you don’t want me to break out of here and kill everyone?” the woman asked.

“As much as it would seem to delight you, no. You made a comment about the lacking space magic runes placed on this room. Am I right to assume you have a way to get out unnoticed?” he asked.

She smiled. “You still think me a monster. Oh well. Yes, and you’re a very very lucky one. I can get both of us out of here. Though my perception is cut off, at least that they managed. You will have to guide the teleport.”

“I know the area. There are plenty of houses, cover. Though the Inquisitors might detect us. How far can you move us?” he asked.

“Far enough,” she said and looked around. “I assume you have a plan beyond just getting out of here?”

“I have to find the Head Paladin. Bryce. With a High Cleric and the highest level Paladin on our side, we can at least make a convincing case. But most of all I want to prevent bloodshed. And for that we need to inform not just people in my Order, but the Kroll government as well,” he explained.

“Do you have a way for us to talk to royalty?” the woman asked.

“Not a concealed one. But Bryce might be able to help with that. I know he regularly trained with Joel Fiore, a member of the royal guard,” Donnavon explained.

“Alright, then let’s go find this Bryce character,” the woman said and stood up. “Close your eyes.”

Donnavon did as she asked without question. She was both his only chance to get out of this room alive and to prevent a potential war involving the remaining Corinth Order members, whoever they managed to get to their side in the government, and Ravenhall. He heard something rip into flesh and winced at the sound. “What are you doing?” he dared ask.

Lilith didn’t speak for a few seconds. “You can look again,” she said.

He staggered back, his eyes opening wide as he glared at the body parts in front of him. It was her, remains of the same clothes she had worn before still showing in places. In her place now stood two horned shadowy creatures. “Hella, receive this servant without prejudice, your name-” he stopped, seeing the same blue eyes stare at him. Only one has eyes… they’re… ash.

“Not going to finish your prayer?” Lilith asked. “I hope these traps are enough to burn away my skin at least.”

“You… cut them off? This kind of healing… do you not feel pain?” Donnavon asked.

The woman didn’t reply. “Another set of clothes gone… oh well. Think it’s believable that my limbs were separated?”

“They will know you didn’t die. If there’s a head… but that’s impo-” he said, seeing a mist of ash form in front of him, Lilith revealed a moment later with a head in her hand.

She casually placed the bleeding body part onto the pile. “Still a bit unsettling, after all this time,” she murmured. “I don’t suppose you want to add a few limbs?”

Donnavon touched the wall with his back, holding his breath. “No… I… I can’t… regenerate… my head,” he stammered out.

“Shame,” Lilith said and added some ash to the pile. “So where to?”

“What’s… that… one for?” Donnavon asked, pointing at the ash warrior standing next to her. He failed to identify the creature. Pure ash?

“It will activate the enchantments by attacking the walls if someone tries to open the entrance. Or in three hours if nothing happens, just in case,” she explained.

Donnavon gulped. “You’re very open about what you can do…,” he said. “I appreciate your trust.”

“Yeah, just don’t talk about it with everyone. Not that it would matter much,” she murmured. “So where to?”

“There is a large store about… sixty, maybe seventy meters to the west… the store rooms should be large enough to make teleportation possible,” he explained, the view in front of him shifting as he blinked his eyes.

“This the one?” Lilith asked, picking up a glass jar with a brown sludge inside.

“Y… yes,” he stuttered. She moved me instantly… I didn’t even feel the spell. How powerful exactly is this woman?

Space magic was incredibly rare and not well understood. Of the practitioners he heard, none could simply move people in the blink of an eye. Perhaps if they had more time. But even then, he should’ve been able to resist partially, same as when facing void or blood magic spells attacking the body or its integrity.

“Any idea where we can find this Paladin of yours?” she asked, now wearing a different set of clothes and a hood covering most of her face. The ash creature she had conjured had remained within the temple cellar.

“They were… looking for a thief in the northern part of the city. That’s all I know… seeking him inside of his quarters may be difficult. I have a suspicion that he was kept away on purpose. Perhaps he is being watched,” Donnavon said.

“No tracking spells?” she asked.

He shook his head.

“Got anything of his in your possessions… stupid question, you’re wearing robes,” Lilith said.

“He… touched my shoulder before. A little more than an hour ago,” he said, nearly stumbling when the woman came closer and inspected his shoulder. Is she sniffing it? he wondered and looked away. Donnavon could feel her presence now, the power hardly contained in the close proximity. Are those just body enhancement spells? She’s not using any external spells.

He felt the hairs on his back stand up, instincts that he had forgotten about in the last decades pushing back to the surface. A monster had come to their city, and it stood right next to him.

“Hmm… faint aura. You can guide me to the northern part of the city to check it out. Maybe I can find a trace of him,” she said and stepped away.

Donnavon nodded. “Stairs are this way,” he said and pointed.

“My perception works again, don’t worry,” the woman said.

His view changed a few times, various damp cellars appearing and vanishing around him as he closed his eyes to not get nauseous. It was exactly how he imagined teleportation to be like.

“You okay? You seem a little off the rails,” Ilea said.

Donnavon felt his mind clear, magic flowing into him. “Stop using your spell… is it mind magic?”

“No, just healing,” she said. “We’re in the northern part now. Think you can dress up a bit so that your friends in the Order won’t notice you this easily?”

“I’m not sure if you noticed, but I don’t have a spare set of clothes with me, nor do I possess a storage item,” he answered.

Brown pants, a shirt, and vest appeared in the woman’s hands. “Should be about your size.”

He couldn’t help but smile at the ridiculous situation. He had known enough adventurers in his time to know that even for them, this would be confusing. “Do you just walk around with dozens of sets of clothes in case this happens?”

“No, there’s a clothing store on the street opposite this cellar,” she answered.

“Space magic… I see. Can’t say I approve of you stealing from the local population,” he said.

She laughed, shaking her head.

“What is there to laugh about?” he asked.

“Thought you wanted to prevent bloodshed and a war. Borrowing some clothes is hardly comparable. But if you insist,” she said and summoned a single gold coin, flicking it upwards before it vanished. “Right into the store owner’s pouch. Now you owe me a piece of gold.”

He looked at the clothes before he started putting on the pants below his robes. Hardly worth a piece of gold. The wealthy and their disregard for coin.

Lilith sat on a nearby crate, whistling a tune to herself as she waited for him to dress, jumping up when he was done. “Take this one too,” she said and handed him a cloak.

“Like I’m some kind of rogue…,” he murmured with a frown.

“Exciting, right?” she asked, a broad grin on her face.

____________________________

Ilea found a trace of the Paladin a few minutes later, the two shady companions walking through the northern part of the city as she kept her senses focused on the faint magic she had felt from inspecting the Cleric’s shoulder.

“They went down here it seems,” she said, pointing at a set of stairs leading into the sewers.

“The culprit must’ve tried to flee,” Donnavon said as he glanced back to see if someone was following them.

Ilea smiled, looking at the man until he glanced back at her.

“What?” he asked, obviously quite stressed about the whole situation.

“You know, I’m not the best at hiding, but you’re acting awfully suspicious,” she said and chuckled to herself, walking down towards the entrance.

A few teleports later, she held up her hand and watched a scene unfold through her dominion. Voices resounded from a few dozen meters away, dulled lightly by the bending tunnels in the way.

Two heavily armored warriors were standing in front of an enchanted wall, one of them crouched. “We have to get an inquisitor down here,” a male voice said.

“Not now. We should wait until the meeting with Lilith is concluded. More important than finding out whatever this is. Probably just a smuggler stash,” a woman replied.

“That’s Bryce,” Donnavon whispered.

Ilea rolled her eyes, looking at him with an annoyed expression. She didn’t react when the Paladin appeared close by with his sword drawn.

“Hey there,” Ilea said with a wave.

“Identify yourself,” the man demanded, his eyes going wide.

The woman rushed to his side, her weapon drawn as well.

“Naomi, stay back,” he said immediately, his voice tense.

[Divine Paladin – lvl 305]

[Veteran Paladin – lvl 215]

“Bryce, it’s me,” Donnavon said, taking a step forward as he pulled back his hood.

Ilea kept her eyes on the woman, using space shift to prevent a teleport. Just in case.

“What’s the meaning of this,” Bryce demanded. “Are you being held captive?”

“Quite the contrary. Lilith may have saved my life, and many more in turn. But only if we can figure out what is happening,” Donnavon said. “Can you trust her?”

Naomi winced, taking a small step back.

“We trained and fought together for decades. I trust her more than the monster by your side,” Bryce said.

“My name is Lilith, and if you call me monster one more time, I’ll show you just how right that description is,” she said. Hey wait. Ah well, whatever.

“Bryce,” Donnavon said and walked a few steps closer to the man. “The High Clerics or even the Speaker put me in a room below the eastern temple… for the talk with her. They tried to poison us, and put enchantments in place to keep us locked in there. Coupled with traps that would kill us if we tried to escape.”

“Ridiculous,” Naomi said.

“Go on,” Bryce said, ignoring the woman by his side.

“I suspect it was a ploy to put the blame of my death on Lilith. To kill her too if possible and start a conflict with Ravenhall… or just the Sentinels,” he explained.

Ilea chuckled at the mention of her death. You’re being arrogant, Ilea, a part of her thought but she had a hard time listening to the voice. If anybody is being arrogant, it’s the Corinth Order.

Bryce seemed to agree, glaring at her with apprehension. He remained surprisingly calm. The Paladin was likely the only one here who knew she was a three mark after all.

“Did you meddle with his mind? Tell the truth, creature,” Bryce said to her. He didn’t sound condescending, merely stating what he thought she was.

Ilea wondered if he specifically didn’t call her a monster and smiled. “I’m not a mind mage. You identified me Bryce, right?”

He didn’t reply but the look in his eyes made it obvious.

“Then you know I have little reason to fear the inquisitors and paladins stationed near the temple. The High Cleric here is the only reason there wasn’t a massacre. Yet,” she explained. “We would both appreciate it if it stayed that way.”

“What does she mean?” Naomi asked. “Is she that much stronger than you?”

Bryce lowered his sword, sheathing the weapon a moment later. “I trust you Donnavon, you know that. I pray to Hella and Friede that I’m not wrong about this.”

“I’ve been wondering,” Ilea said. “The gods you pray to. Are they around?”

“What are you talking about?” Naomi asked.

“I’m not aware of physical manifestations,” the High Cleric answered.

“I see,” Ilea said, a little disappointed.

“Are you a god yourself?” Bryce asked, taking off his helmet to reveal his luscious blond hair.

Ilea smirked. “No. We’re trying to avoid that branding. But surely you’ve been mistaken for a god before, with your power.”

Bryce actually smiled at that. “You seem grounded, despite your incredible strength.”

“I mostly fight because it’s fun, not because I want to gain more power,” she said. It was mostly true, though to protect her friends and allies, she had good reasons to reach for more as well. It allowed her to talk to level three hundred paladins instead of getting cut up the instant she showed up too, which was nice.

Naomi glared at the other Paladin with a questioning look.

Donnavon didn’t seem to be quite as bothered by the whole conversation, either glad that Bryce listened or simply because he had seen some of her abilities before.

The Paladin gave Ilea a questioning look.

She shrugged.

He smiled. “Lilith is a three mark. She’s above level five hundred, and the strongest human I have ever seen.”

The other Paladin opened her eyes even wider, Donnavon saying another prayer to himself.

“Enough with the wanking, I thought you wanted to prevent a conflict?” Ilea said.

The High Cleric shook his head. “Your language could use some reform. But yes. Bryce, I believe we have to gather our allies, and speak to the royals before the responsible people present their own version of the story.”

“I…,” Naomi started, looking at the ground. “I suspected… that something would happen to you… High Cleric.”

“What do you mean?” Bryce hissed.

“I heard… conversations, between high ranking members. Donnavon is not well liked. I thought it was possible they wanted to send you to the m… to Lilith. To die,” she explained.

“And you didn’t think to tell me about this?” Bryce asked, taking a step towards her.

“We all knew what was expected of me,” Donnavon interrupted. “But we were blinded by our fear of the unknown, that we missed the traitors among our own. Now let us not waste anymore time. We need to figure out who we can trust and how we can find those who have corrupted our Order from within.”

The Paladin turned towards the Cleric and sighed. “What’s your role in this?” he asked, looking at Ilea.

“Came here to see if any relationships could be established with the Corinth Order. Didn’t expect much but it’s shaping up to be quite interesting,” she answered and smirked. “They did technically try to kill me, so I’m happy to help with the cleanup.”

“Like you did in Yinnahall,” Donnavon whispered.

“Exactly,” she answered.

___________________________________

Emmanuel tapped his chair, looking at his advisors.

“She’s been in there for over two hours,” Julianna said. “With dozens of high level Inquisitors and Paladins surrounding their temple. Even our spies can’t get through.”

“Nothing suspicious so far,” he said. She wore her hair in a braid today, like she often had during their adventuring days. I wish we were alone right now, without this annoying business.

“I don’t know what they’re planning. The Speaker has been vague. His warnings about the Sentinels were dismissed but I’m worried about how far they would go,” the Queen answered.

“The Head Administrator wouldn’t want a conflict, nor would Ilea. Everything we learned about them suggests that,” he said.

“If they succeed in a brazen plan and civilians die, we won’t be able to deny assistance,” Katarina said.

“Not without an explanation,” Julianna answered.

“What do you think, Lady Veyer?” Emmanuel asked. Perhaps it had been a mistake, not to intervene in the meeting.

His mother in law smiled lightly, her inquisitive eyes looking at him with interest.

“The current Speaker of the Corinth Order is rather young. Inexperienced. He will make a blunder,” she said. “He thinks himself invulnerable. Lilith has faced armies, and creatures beyond our understanding. She will not be defeated by the Corinth Order.”

How strong is she really? The Paladins have a member at level three hundred. Powerful enough to challenge everyone in this very room, he thought with a sigh. If the Corinth Order can’t stop her, what can we do?

He already dreaded the negotiations with Ravenhall. The first letters have been sent, mundane trade suggestions so far but it wouldn’t remain that way forever. They had to be prepared. And they had to prevent a war at all costs. If the Shadows joined the field, their armies would be slaughtered.

Kyrie appeared next to him, on one knee. “Your majesty, Joel Fiore has sent an urgent request for an audience.”

“Who is it?” he asked.

“High Cleric Donnavon and Paladin Bryce of the Corinth Order, and Lilith,” the man whispered.

Lady Veyer smirked to herself, in an almost predatory manner.

“How did our spies miss them?” Julianna asked.

“My brother did warn us,” Katarina said. “She’s a space mage among other things. There is no reason to doubt his word anymore,” she added, gritting her teeth.

“Where are they now?” Emmanuel asked.

“They are waiting in the Kingsguard training dome,” Kyrie answered.

Julianna stood up. “That area is off limits for civilians. How did they get in there?”

“Your majesty, it doesn’t matter,” Kyrie said. “I identified Lady Lilith. She showed three marks.”

Emmanuel groaned and stood up. “Of course she did.”

“You don’t intend to meet her right there?” Katarina asked. “I implore you, invite her into the throne room.”

Emmanuel smiled. “I believe the time to feign strength has passed. Let’s meet her and find out if our extensive espionage funding has indeed paid off.”

If she really is the Ilea I read about, there should be no issues at all.

“Inform the cooks to prepare a feast,” he added as he walked out. “Anybody who would like to join me is welcome to do so.”

Chapter 643 Royalty

Chapter 643 Royalty

Everyone joined of course, too curious to meet the downright mythical healer that has come to so much wealth and power in the past years.

“Go on ahead, I will catch up with you,” Cecila Veyer spoke, the older woman gesturing forward.

Emmanuel didn’t react. He chose to show weakness by meeting with Lilith instead of letting her come to him, but neither did he have to rush. “We will meet her together. If she is cooperating with the Corinth Order, we’ll have a better chance to respond. Kyrie is gathering the remaining Kingsguard as we speak.”

Don’t ruin this Joel, he thought and suppressed a grin. Perhaps they were in luck. He may even make a good impression on an important guest for the first time in his life.

The nobles walked together, some of them veterans who had fought together. Julianna was by his side, allowing herself a quick squeeze of his hand. A three mark human, he thought, memories of the creatures they had slain going through his head. What kind of beasts has she slain to reach that power?

They reached the outer part of the royal palace, the dome just beyond the marble corridor they were in.

“Fighting,” Katarina said, magic starting to flow around her.

“Stop,” Emmanuel said, staying as calm as he had been before. Just as we expected, he thought, glancing at his wife. You’re gorgeous.

She stared at him, likely telling him to focus for once in his life.

He wanted to ask her if she remembered the abomination they had killed in the southern mountains. She had looked at him the same way back then.

Emmanuel Eilhart couldn’t help but feel just a little bit anxious as he turned the corner, his fears immediately gone when he saw the tense spectators. Joel Fiore, the arguably strongest member of the Kingsguard and a long time friend of his laughed as he fought an ash clad warrior wielding an obsidian warhammer.

They reached the dome together, exchanging glances with the two Paladins of the Corinth Order, a High Cleric wearing civilian clothing, and two entirely absorbed trainees of the Kingsguard.

Nobody interrupted the duel, everyone watching the impressive display of Joel’s magic. He rushed forward, a broad grin on his face, blue lightning flaring up on his body as his speed built. He vanished three times and appeared close to the ashen warrior, his charged fist rushing forward.

He’s not holding back. At all.

Lilith instead seemed casual, her stance barely suggesting that she was in battle, the obsidian hammer casually held with one hand. She stepped to the side, her horned head turning slightly to look at Joel. Lilith swung her hammer as if it were a mere toy, the heavy handle impacting Joel’s chest with a direct blow.

The armored man was flung backwards, rolling on the ground a few times before he skidded to a halt. His enchanted breast plate had a massive dent in it. Joel loosened the straps and ripped it off, spitting blood onto the thin layer of sand. He crouched low and charged his magic.

“Joel,” Emmanuel spoke up.

The man sighed, standing up as his chest healed, the deformation visible under his shirt. “It was just getting interesting.”

“You were about to get killed!” Julianna said and walked over to him. “Why can you not just sit out one fight!”

Joel raised both his arms. “I challenged her, and she accepted.”

Lilith turned towards them now, her ash armor receding to reveal a good looking young woman with long black hair and blue eyes, a cloak resting on her back. She wore casual clothing.

Emmanuel didn’t miss that the clothes seemed straight out of a tailor’s shop. Storage items, he thought, glancing at the necklace and bracelet, both partially hidden. She kept the hammer out, why, he didn’t know. Lilith fought with ash, her body, and mana intrusion. Not a warhammer. Another demonstration of power. She’s not even using her magic.

“Welcome to Halstein, Lilith of Ravenhall,” Emmanuel said.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

The woman seemed unsure about what to do, glancing over to the Kingsguard she had just fought. “Joel, what’s the process here? I’d like to avoid another incident.”

The man walked over, ignoring Julianna. “Bow deep, face touching the ground. You’re addressing royalty!”

Lilith rolled her eyes. “Even I can tell you’re fucking with me. Now tell me or I’ll beat the shit out of you again.”

“You’re reading my mind,” the man answered, spreading his arms as lightning cracked around him.

“I believe formalities are not necessary in this case, Lilith. Or should I say, Ilea?” Emmanuel asked.

The woman looked over. “Glad to hear that. Ilea is fine, if you already know that much. I assume you’re the King?”

She seems disappointed? Well I’m not a three mark after all.

“Indeed. Emmanuel Eilhart. I had hoped to invite you after your meeting with the Corinth Order. But it looks like that didn’t go exactly as you had intended?” he asked, gesturing to the Order members. “You may join us,” he said, addressing the three.

They looked tense, more so than the last time he had seen them. Was it just because of Lilith’s presence?

“You must be the Queen then?” Ilea asked, looking at Lady Veyer.

The older woman had a complicated expression on her face, one Emmanuel didn’t remember ever seeing.

“Interesting… magic,” Ilea said and smiled lightly.

“I’m the Queen,” Julianna said and joined Emmanuel. “Julianna Veyer. It seems our inquiries managed to uncover the truth after all.”

“Inquiries? About me?” Ilea asked. “Didn’t think I’d be that interesting.”

“No need to humble yourself. It would be wonderful to welcome you in our palace officially. Our cooks are preparing a feast as we speak,” Julianna said.

Lilith smiled. “I hope you have better poison than the Corinth Order.”

Katarina grumbled something under her breath.

“Maybe you should introduce yourself as well,” Emmanuel said to the others.

“Katarina Elyse. I believe you know my dearest brother,” the woman said, not making a secret of her dislike of the man.

“I’m familiar,” Lilith said, her voice cold.

Emmanuel felt his instincts scream for a moment, a cold feeling going down his back. It seems like Katarina isn’t the only one who has an issue with Michael. Never one for social skills.

“Cecila Veyer, at your service,” Lady Veyer said with a warm smile on her face.

“Nice to meet you. Are you interested in a spar Lady Veyer?” Ilea asked.

Why single her out? Emmanuel wondered. She was an experienced and powerful mage but there were stronger fighters here.

The woman chuckled and waved her off. “My prime is long past, young healer. I’m sure you’ll find more formidable training partners in this very dome.”

______________________________

Dangerous, that one, Ilea thought and smiled back.

[Druid Healer – lvl 240]

She looked unassuming, wrinkles on her face showing her age, her long hair a pale gray. She carried a gnarled wooden walking stick or perhaps a staff of some kind, her back bent a little. Simple black robes covered her body, various pockets added for easy access of whatever items were within.

Something about her bothered Ilea. Identify suggested level two forty, Veteran told her the same. But when she looked into the woman’s small eyes, she felt something more hiding within. A worthy foe perhaps. Hiding from both of my skills? Maybe she has some kind of intimidation skill… but she’s acting the part of the old woman. Well, if she wants to hide it, that’s her choice. Just have to be careful around her.

The King and Queen looked young, around thirty. Looks were deceiving however. All it meant was that they reached the two hundreds in their early thirties.

[Fire Mage – lvl 265]

Emmanuel Eilhart looked good, she wouldn’t deny it. A chiseled jawline, short black beard, a well styled haircut and deep brown eyes. He seemed to be well trained too, an experienced warrior if the few movements she had seen suggested anything. The man wore a fancy gambeson in a deep forest green, golden embroideries decorating the chest and arms. He wore a few golden rings on his left hand and none on his right, a thin circular crown resting on his head.

She thought his title fitting. The Queen on the other hand looked glacial. She wore an armored black dress, linings of silver going through everything, forming complex designs and runes. Ilea could see the power flowing through the metal. Enchanted or she’s a silver mage.

Her hair was blond, a single perfectly done braid going down her back, her skin pale. The Queen’s green eyes seemed downright piercing due to the contrasting colors.

[Silver Mage – lvl 248]

Guessed right, she thought with a smile.

The last woman seemed to have a perpetual frown on her face, her black eyes cold as they stared at her. She wore a fine silk dress, black just like her hair.

Michael’s sister apparently.

[Metal Mage – lvl 242]

Seems to run in the family, I wonder if she dislikes him because he got gold, Ilea thought. Or she just acted out the comment before to get on my good side. I’m meeting nobility after all. Let’s hope to keep this as short as possible. At least they’re preparing a feast. Maybe I should hire a few bards to sing songs about my food and drink preferences.

Joel she had already met, the lightning mage at level two eighty, so far her favorite person in Halstein by a long shot. Direct, brawler, well trained, handsome in a rugged kind of way, knows what he wants. She nearly didn’t have the heart to show him more than a bit of her power, though she an inkling that his spirit wouldn’t be beaten down so easily.

“We had heard about your arrival, and subsequent meeting with the Corinth Order. The tense expressions on your companions suggest something unexpected may have transpired. You mentioned poison?” the king asked.

“I’m an outsider,” Ilea said. “It seems someone may have wanted to use me in their schemes. I think it’s best if the Head Paladin and High Cleric explain our presence here.”

Delegate responsibilities, she thought with a smirk and stepped aside.

The three Corinth members bowed deeply.

“High Cleric Donnavon, Paladin Bryce, and you are?” Emmanuel asked.

“Paladin Naomi, your majesty,” the woman replied.

Ilea only listened to the conversation absentmindedly, making sure they weren’t spinning a new tale as she twirled her hammer, winking at Joel.

He joined her a moment later, garnering a glare from the Queen. “Sure you don’t want to start a brawl? They’ve been sitting around with their politics for decades. Barely remember the last time his bloody suit got any dirt on it.”

“You know him well?” Ilea asked.

“We were adventurers at one point. Well nobility too, but it’s good to get real experience. Lets you appreciate all the fancy crap you grow up with. Being in the Kingsguard isn’t half bad, don’t get me wrong. I just wish there were a few more monster attacks around the city,” he mused.

“Could take a vacation. I know a really nice spot, few islands in the west,” Ilea said with a smile.

“If only. Can’t be gone for more than a few days at a time,” he sighed.

Well if only there was some kind of teleportation network available to solve this issue, Ilea thought, smiling to herself.

The conversation was growing more tense, Donnavon apparently sharing sensitive information with the royals, naming loyal followers of the Corinth doctrine. A bunch of armored warriors and mages had arrived in the meantime, a respectful distance away from the talking group, most of them looking at either Bryce or her.

She spotted the rogue who had been training with Joel when they had arrived. “Looks a bit like you,” she said, the rogue looking away when he noticed her stare.

“Kyrie is my brother. What do you think?” Joel said.

“Handsome lad. Seems very reserved. Devoted to his duty?” she asked.

“I’ll take the compliment,” Joel said. “Don’t get me wrong, Ilea. We will both fight you if you try anything.”

I could kill everyone in this room. Except maybe that Druid. But who knows. She seemed uncertain too.

“I’m not here to start a war, Joel. I very much dislike participating in them,” she informed him.

“Expected a less serious reply,” he said. “Care for a tour of the city later? I know of a few wonderful spots.”

“Intriguing. Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer, brave Kingsguard,” Ilea mused.

The Queen walked over a moment later, a tense expression on her face before she smiled. “Do you prefer Lilith or Ilea?”

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Ilea said.

“Lilith then. I’m aware that you came to meet with the Corinth Order as a representative of the Medic Sentinel Corps, but perhaps you would be interested to talk about potential agreements with the Kingdom as a representative of the Ravenhall council?” she said.

Even know about that one, hmm? Well, I do talk to much.

“I’m not in a position to make such arrangements, I’m afraid,” Ilea answered. “I suggest you contact the Head Administrator.”

“Claire, was it? We have already been in touch. Meeting in person is however my preferred method to talk about such matters. It’s easier with a few bottles of wine and good food,” the Queen said.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sure you’ll find an arrangement that works in due time,” Ilea said. And stop bothering me about trade deals.

“She doesn’t seem to speak your language, Julianna,” Joel said.

The Queen glared at him for a split second before she smiled again. “I’m sure we will, Lilith. I hope to have you join the feast regardless, and I apologize for the lack of hospitality shown by our countrymen.”

“I’ll be happy to join,” Ilea said with a smile.

Joel breathed out when the Queen had returned to the others.

Attempt at my life equals a lack of hospitality? Fancy that.

“We can leave now if you want to? You may as well have told her to fuck off,” Joel said.

“I’m somewhat invested in this whole Corinth business,” Ilea said. “A lack of hospitality is somewhat offensive after all.”

The man huffed. “Understandable.”

_______________________________

Emmanuel looked at the growing plate of Lilith, a thin limb of ash moving around the table, adding more as she ate with abandon. He allowed himself a glance at Julianna, her smile wavering slightly when she noticed his look.

She’s envious. I should’ve known. I’ll get you a personal feast later.

He was pretty sure the best approach to Lilith was acting more natural around her but he couldn’t allow himself to do so too much. Joel had a certain reputation and this time it was very much in their favor to have him meet an important guest first but it wouldn’t make for a very royal sight if they behaved like adventurers. Lilith wasn’t the only person in the hall after all.

I hope their claims can be proven by the guard.

Several teams were already investigating, Bryce and Donnavon suggesting targets and potential allies for their Order’s sake. Removing corrupting elements was always beneficial, and cooperating with the side that would come out on top would strengthen their devotion to the crown. Favors for favors. And luckily for today, the balance rarely tipped as overwhelmingly towards one side.

A plot to start a conflict with Ravenhall, the Head Paladin supporting a High Cleric, and most importantly. Lilith, the three mark monster.

The news of an independent Ravenhall was surprising but very much welcome as soon as it was revealed that their leadership wasn’t simply an uncoordinated rebellious group like the one in Dawntree. Lys accepted their independence and lost a lot of influence in the southern plains. Of course the territory they gained in Baralia more than made up for that but with the geographic location, Kroll might actually be able to apply more pressure on the Empire in the coming decades.

“I heard of your exploits in the south,” he said, looking at Ilea.

She glanced at him, cleaning her mouth with a napkin.

“There is a rumor going around, that you found and freed Queen Lumian,” he said. The crown returned. You faced not only the Abominations.

He remembered the Specters protecting the lower parts of the dungeon. Creatures their whole team couldn’t face. Even for training it was deemed too dangerous. If one had followed us up… we wouldn’t be sitting here.

“You heard about that?” Ilea asked.

“You’re hailed a hero in the southern regions, though I hear the people only dare whisper your name,” he said.

She glanced at him with a questioning look, drinking from her ale.

“They say you terrorized a group of adventurers and that you abducted a young girl as payment,” Emmanuel said, a few people on the table tensing up. He knew she wouldn’t be bothered by any of that, and he knew none of it was true. Well she may have scared the locals, but even with his power, it happened before. He couldn’t even imagine what low level humans thought of her, when they saw her use her magic. I do wish to see it too. Ah the downsides of kingly manners. Perhaps we should organize a tournament.

“Sophia talked? Maybe I should visit her again,” Ilea said with a grin. “As to the girl. It was her choice.”

He smiled, enjoying the looks on the nobles sitting at the long table almost as much as she surely did. “Where is she now?” he asked, to avoid potential incidents and pointless discussions with people lacking the ability to detect sarcasm. Something he had to learn the hard way.

“She’s training to become a Sentinel,” Ilea said, luckily not pushing the joke any further.

Chapter 644 A monster’s feast

Chapter 644 A monster’s feast

“I’m proud to hear a citizen of Kroll has managed to join your prestigious organization,” he said. Apparently they were very clear on it being an organization instead of an Order. He thought it understandable considering the reputations and different intents.

“I’m sure she will do well,” Ilea said with a smile, resuming her extensive lunch.

“I’m curious as to your relationship with my brother,” Katarina said a while later.

Emmanuel was interested too. There was very little information about it but they apparently had an argument at a ball in Yinnahall. In a way that suggested familiarity. Michael Elyse provided important research and resources to the military and other sectors of Kroll. Many of his projects demanded a certain level of discretion. The chance of outside actors interested in his work had always been a possibility, as was an attack by certain parties, some sitting at this very table.

A loose relationship between the crown and the Elyse noble was what his father had deemed the best approach and he continued in the same manner. Michael was no threat to Kroll, as long as he could be blamed as the sole perpetrator of his methods. His sister obviously didn’t like it but she never openly opposed or obstructed him either. Criminals to be executed could be used for more than just fertilizer after all. Emmanuel suspected that Michael wouldn’t stop at that however but a large scale investigation into his activities would only result in more bloodshed. Lady Veyer had suggested rituals as seen in Baralia were the least of his capabilities.

Ruling among monsters who simply have no interest in such matters, he thought, looking at Lilith. Is she part of their little Order as well, I wonder? They must’ve set their eyes on her long before we even realized how powerful she was.

“We worked together in the Baralia war,” Ilea said, the look in her eyes making it clear that this was to be the extent of her elaboration.

Katarina understood too, leaning back in her chair.

It will be interesting to know what she learns once she gets her alone. If she chooses to share it with us.

“I heard you have traveled to the chaotic northern regions?” one of the other nobles said.

Emmanuel didn’t have any illusions. He grinned lightly, looking at the twenty or so people sitting at the long table. All respected nobility or high ranking members of various institutions important to Kroll. Some he was sure had other important business to attend to but they chose instead to come to Halstein as soon as the news of Lilith’s arrival reached their ears.

Hawks, the lot of them, Emmanuel thought, suppressing a broader grin when he looked at Ilea. Most of these people grew up with incredible wealth. They had guards at the age of three, protecting them from the common folk roaming the streets of whatever place they ruled. Now matter how much education these people had received, they couldn’t possibly understand the stranger sitting among them.

An unknown. Most certainly low born, or perhaps an exiled bastard left behind with secrets and elixirs to allow for a faster growth. Involved in various expeditions as an adventurer, Taleen dungeons no less. Joined the Shadow’s hand after an incredibly fast climb to level two hundred, and she hasn’t stopped. A few years and suspiciously timely investments pushed her into leagues comparable to the crown of Kroll. If not beyond.

What these people don’t understand, is that she’s an adventurer at heart. She has no interest in political games, her body language alone suggests as much. Either that or she is the most capable manipulator I have ever seen. A rather low probability. Too many blunders just in the last three hours.

“I did,” Lilith answered. “Arcane storms rage during daytime, and magical mists descend at night.”

He had read the reports. Kroll had invested in expeditions northwards during the last few centuries but the territory was deemed too dangerous for settlement and too treacherous for exploration. A country’s gold could be spent more wisely. Single high level adventurers however, they could surely benefit greatly. Perhaps her wealth came from the treasures found within a northern dungeon. He wondered what she had seen in her travels, what kind of creatures she had met and fought.

“Did you find any signs of civilization?” Emmanuel dared ask. He was genuinely interested too, it just so happened to be information that could justify funds invested into future explorations.

“Yes,” Ilea said quickly, eating a few bites before she downed her sixth mug of ale. “Ancient ruins of different civilizations, much like the ones that can be found in the plains.”

She’s being vague, he thought but didn’t press. “Would you be interested in future collaborations to map the north?”

Ilea looked at him. “Not me personally, no. I’m sure there would be Sentinels or Shadows interested in that though.”

“I’ll make sure it’s mentioned in the letters, thanks,” Emmanuel said. He ignored the glances he got for his informal behavior. As expected. No hostilities towards us.

Kyrie appeared next to him, whispering in his ear. “Your majesty, we received word that the Corinth Order has been attacked by Lilith, one of their High Clerics has been confirmed dead.”

Ilea grinned, resuming her meal.

Excellent hearing. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if she can read minds. Can you? Ilea?

She didn’t react.

“Representatives are waiting in the throne room, ready to present their case,” Kyrie added.

“Let them join the feast. I’m sure Donnavon will be glad to have three people convicted so early,” Emmanuel said. As am I. A healing order failing to confirm the death of a victim. How quaint.

“With all due respect, your majesty,” one noble spoke up. An older gentleman below level two hundred. “How can you be sure that this women is indeed who she claims to be? If Ravenhall has indeed dared make a military strike against our kingdom, we should not be sitting here feasting.”

Today is getting better and better.

The man had at least not shared any information on this feast, though the more likely possibility was that he simply couldn’t, in the short time he had. He may have publicly questioned Lilith but he didn’t dare side with the Order.

“I confirmed her identity myself. As have my advisors,” Emmanuel stated before looking at Ilea “Do you have a way to disguise yourself?”

The look she gave him didn’t seem to suggest she did.

“Would you allow an illusion in that case? It will simply hide you behind a layer of magic. You will still be able to see beyond,” he asked.

“I don’t mind at all,” Ilea answered. “I’m always interested to see new spells.”

A scholar? Or merely for resistance training?

The reports hadn’t surprised him terribly. Adventurers often subjected themselves to various levels of danger and magic, often on purpose too. With enough potions or healers close by, the training was mostly safe and any resistances would help immensely in battle. Though the kind of training Lilith underwent suggested some level of madness. Either that or she possessed the second tier of Pain Tolerance. To undergo such torture. Was it merely for the benefit of her power? She didn’t seem broken. A way to heal the mind. Perhaps. Or she truly is not human.

Kyrie cast his spell, standing next to the woman’s chair as he covered both of them in a shadow that vanished a moment later, leaving behind the illusion of an empty chair.

“Shadow magic?” Ilea asked.

Emmanuel gestured for Kyrie to talk freely. The man took his job very seriously, despite their shared past. The King appreciated it.

“Yes,” Kyrie answered.

“I’d love to get the resistance. Must’ve missed it along the way,” she said.

A few of the nobles murmured amongst each other.

Subjecting oneself to pain. Not something people consider who haven’t faced a monster in decades.

He wondered if a conflict wouldn’t benefit Kroll in the long run. The constant tensions between Lys and its northern neighbors forged the Generals and soldiers of their armies. He dismissed the thought. Prosperity and peace were valuable assets on their own. Ones that required protection. Emmanuel had long known that his court would provide little actual might in a conflict.

“It would be an honor to train with one such as you,” Kyrie said.

A few people gasped at the exclamation. Even Emmanuel found himself a little conflicted. He understood the notion as an adventurer himself. But to admit such as a member of the Kingsguard, amongst the nobles of the country. He glanced at the man, locking eyes with him, the illusion not covering his angle. A risky play, Kyrie. Even for you. Who knows if it will pay off.

The gates opened, two guards escorting the trio of Corinth Healers. Two of them wearing Inquisitor armor, the last and most important member being High Cleric Mateo.

Emmanuel had met the man a few times before, his build supporting his past as a Paladin. A few scars showed on his face, likely from his childhood. Before he would’ve benefitted from the Order’s healing.

[Veteran Paladin – lvl 228]

The Inquisitors were both above level two hundred. Perhaps meant as a show of force.

“Mateo. Long has it been. Please share your accusations. I hear the matter is quite pressing,” Emmanuel said, his voice sincere as he leaned forward a little, gesturing for the man to speak.

“Indeed. As you may know, the monster Lilith… who claims to be the head of a healing order in Ravenhall has answered our invitation to discuss potential cooperation,” he paused for a moment, gritting his teeth as he furrowed his brow. “She attacked and killed High Cleric Donnavon in a savage strike.”

Emmanuel could see the veins pop in his forehead, the man of faith not blessed by extensive hair growth. His reaction seems genuine.

He glanced at the Queen who gave him a slight nod.

“Has she escaped?” Emmanuel asked.

“No,” the man answered, sighing deeply as tears came to his eyes. “The battle was fierce but decisive. We recovered her remains and will burn them at a later time. This strike is not why I’m here… it seems Lilith has not been alone in her schemes.”

“Go on,” Emmanuel said.

“An adventuring team that arrived just about a quarter hour ago has shared information on demon sightings southwest of Halstein,” he exclaimed.

“Impossible,” one of the nobles said. “There hasn’t been a demon sighting in nearly a year. The threat has been dealt with.”

“Our Inquisitors and Paladins are preparing for battle as we speak,” Mateo said.

“How many?” Emmanuel asked. He didn’t look at Ilea. Convenient. If she had attacked, the demonic threat would immediately be linked to the Shadow’s Hand. Some of the nobility here seems to agree despite her presence. To think they would go as far as summoning demons. At the very least they had the decency not to do so within our walls.

“Hundreds, your majesty,” the High Cleric answered.

“Are you suggesting Ravenhall has declared war on our country?” Emmanuel asked the man. Silence spread through the room.

The Cleric glared at him now. “The presence and reckless murder committed by Lilith confirm our suspicious about her nature. The Shadow’s Hand has proven their ability to summon these creatures,” he said and paused. “However. No Shadows have been seen amongst the creatures. Whatever threat we’re facing, I suggest that we prepare for war.”

“How long until these monsters reach our city?” Emmanuel asked.

“Less than two hours, your majesty,” Mateo said.

They can clean up the mess they’ve made. There is no reason to sacrifice any of our soldiers to this ploy.

A sliver of doubt remained within the King. A convoluted plan, Healing Orders conspiring to overthrow governments, clerics willing to commit treason to support the will of their gods. He could see several ways everything connected but one piece always failed to make sense. And that was the woman sitting to his left, concealed by shadow magic and still silently eating. To the annoyance of Kyrie, he realized.

Lilith was undoubtedly a three mark creature. Likely human, and likely capable of killing everyone in this room and perhaps even in the entire city in less than an hour. He had seen monsters at that level fight. A human with a keen mind and the variety of two Classes, perhaps even more, was something entirely different. She had been capable of fighting an entire army, and that was years ago.

“Have you seen the body?” Emmanuel asked.

Mateo nodded. “Burned flesh and bone. Ash spread out through the halls of our holy site. The Inquisitors who had been part of the battle managed to take her head. I saw her skull.”

More people to add to the list. I doubt they would fail at such a simple task. Ilea can survive being beheaded. How do you kill a monster like that? Her heart? Destroy her body entirely?

“It’s quite the tale you bring to us today, High Cleric. One that may push us towards war with the independent city of Ravenhall and its Shadows. You know what that would mean,” Emmanuel said.

He watched the man closely, as did everyone else.

Mateo nodded lightly, a deep frown on his face. “I too wish to avoid such a conflict. But our Order can’t take such a direct attack without retaliation. I simply won’t accept it. Should I be the only one who feels such, I will charge at the enemy alone.”

“I commend your bravery,” Emmanuel said. “And I believe you are sincere. However there are a few flaws in your story.”

“Please enlighten me, your majesty,” the High Cleric said, obviously annoyed with the apparent play.

Emmanuel had shifted his attention to the two Inquisitors next to the man. Their faces were covered by helmets but their body language, breathing, and heartbeats would likely offer enough.

“You see, earlier today me and my advisors entertained a few rather incensed guests. Most of whom you should be familiar with,” Emmanuel said. “High Cleric Donnavon is very much alive. He came here with Paladin Bryce and Paladin Naomi to inform us of a rather devious plot.”

“Impossible… he was… killed,” Mateo said, looking at the Inquisitor to his right.

The woman didn’t visibly react but her heart beat increased, her body tensing as she shifted slightly. The other Inquisitor had a similar reaction, though more subdued.

“Inquisitors,” Emmanuel started. “If you value your lives at all, I suggest you lay down your weapons and submit to the guard. If you resist, you will be executed for treason.”

The woman hesitated.

The man vanished.

“Kyrie,” Emmanuel said, watching the rogue vanish too. Two guards followed as well. Just to be sure.

Two more went to the woman who had raised her arms.

“Please, I had orders,” she said, turned around as magical cuffs were put around her ankles and wrists.

“Orders… from whom?” Mateo asked, a greatsword in his hand now, confusion apparent on his face.

What do you intend to do with that?

The High Cleric glanced over to the now occupied seat left of the king, his eyes blinking as he looked at the casually dressed woman eating to her heart’s content.

Perhaps not human after all, Emmanuel thought.

“Indeed. It was Lilith who saved the life of your fellow High Cleric,” Emmanuel said.

Ilea drank from her mug before she waved. “Hello.”

Hello?

How many of these situations have you been in?

“But… that’s… impossible… the Inquisitors… why would they… I saw, your bones,” Mateo said, his greatsword starting to glow lightly. “Demon.”

Ilea remained calm, piling another few items onto her plate. “You’re a pretty shit healer if you think most of a body is proof of death. Also I’m not a demon. Think about what you do now. You’re in the presence of your king.”

Emmanuel glanced at her before his eyes met Mateo’s. Is she just being respectful? Or did she just delegate this problem to me?

His adventurer background suggested the latter.

“What is going on?” Mateo asked.

“Donnavon and our spies are trying to figure that out. In the meantime I suggest you join the efforts. And prepare for the demon attack. I will hold the Corinth Order accountable for any damage these creatures inflict on our lands and its people,” Emmanuel said.

“I can take care of it,” Lilith said.

Emmanuel looked at her with inquisitive eyes.

“I get that some of you think Ravenhall sent them. I hope me taking care of that problem will ease your minds. A small token, towards our future cooperation,” she said, glancing at the king and then Mateo.

“There are hundreds. How could you possibly face them alone. Level two hundred monsters. You were there in Ravenhall, when the Shadows retook their city, were you not?” Mateo asked, still doubtful and certainly angry. It just seemed he didn’t exactly know where to direct his anger.

“Then come and see,” Ilea said. “You and your warriors of Hella.” There was no mockery in her voice, but the challenge was obvious.

Mateo remained quiet, a testament to his experience. Her unidentifiable status certainly helped but the people present with combat experience exchanged glances.

There had been no hesitation, no change in her breathing or heart beat, no fear. She was either mad or believed hundreds of demons to be nothing even worth a mention. Rats breeding in a cellar. Vermin to be exterminated.

Emmanuel felt the hair on his arms stand up, his gambeson luckily covering everything. For the first time today he truly realized that he was in the presence of Lilith. The monster who had braved the north, who had fought alongside General Velamyr Ryse, who had faced and defeated the army of Lord Harken, single handedly.

He decided he would go, and see.

Chapter 645 Demon

Chapter 645 Demon

“Everyone is here, High Cleric. Those who answered the call,” Bryce said.

Donnavon looked at the armor clad members of the Corinth Order. Paladins and Inquisitors ready for battle. Healers for the rear line, ready to put their lives on the line to protect their brothers and sisters.

Mateo touched his shoulder, fury in his eyes. And guilt.

“You didn’t know,” Donnavon whispered, trying to reassure the man.

High Cleric Peterson was still not to be found. High Cleric Wyssa had been arrested, her devotion to Speaker Nathaniel unquestioned despite the evidence and word of her fellow Corinth healers.

Many of their Order still seemed doubtful, those surely involved had tried to flee once word had spread. Many of the warriors near the eastern temple had simply been warned of a coming battle, to be vigilant should Lilith show any hostility.

Emilia had been questioned but provided evidence of her lack of involvement. Donnavon wondered if perhaps she had known. And chose to remain silent.

His heart ached at the betrayal, his trust broken as he looked into the eyes of warriors of Hella. Righteousness, devotion, sacrifice. Values he believed they all shared but today proved their Order was more corrupted than he had ever deemed possible. It would take years to evaluate everyone, to collect all the evidence they could, to never allow for anything like this to happen again. The remaining high ranking members of all factions within their Order had voted to rescind the rank of Speaker.

The Inquisitors would be next, Donnavon knew. He would take time to grief, to pray, and hopefully, to heal. The High Cleric standing next to him didn’t seem to share this sentiment, nor did the Head Paladin riding on his white steed with his sword drawn and wings extended.

“Brothers and sisters! Today we are tested like never before. Our home was taken, our members left for dead, murdered by those they had healed for decades. Halstein should have been a new beginning, but the roots of corruption had already gripped the heart of our holy cause. Nathaniel has betrayed what we stand for. Those who chose to stay by his side have forfeited their lives. I stand here before you, not as the Head Paladin of our Order, but as a mere follower of our gods. Friede. And Hella.

“I ask you to search your hearts, brothers and sisters, to rip out any doubts and malice you may harbor. We have suffered, at the hands of human and beast, but we cannot allow ourselves to become savages in turn. What happened today is a disgrace, one that we must remember, one we must repent,” he paused and rode past the ranks. “Remember what we are. Remember what we stand for and grip it with all that you are. The demons brought upon us by those we thought our own are coming to this city. The city we swore to protect. Let us remember who we are and repent through battle. Let us destroy the evil we brought upon this world,” he said and raised his sword, a bright shimmering glow added to the reflected sunlight.

“For our gods, for our fallen brothers and sisters, for the honor of the Corinth Order!” he shouted, voices echoing back, weapons drawn as warriors mounted their horses, healers shouldering their packs, fighters saying their goodbyes to the relatives nearby.

Onlookers had gathered near the gate. City guards, adventurers, and civilians.

The speech wasn’t only for the Corinth Order, but for everyone who listened. A politician might call it a calculated decision but Donnavon knew every word from Bryce had been sincere. He too felt the shame and a wish to repent.

Donnavon too got on his horse, looking at the gathered warriors and healers. The might of the Corinth Order had been reduced to a mere expedition force and yet he felt hopeful. Hopeful for a future on the right path.

They rode, southwards and to the rocky fields of Garahill. To face the demon horde their own had brought. Why, Nathaniel?

Donnavon looked up when he heard a horn to the west, a hundred riders joining their flank, royal banners flapping in the wind as the heavy cavalry arrived. He moved to join them, along Mateo and Bryce.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the Paladin asked.

Emmanuel Eilhart smiled, his polished armor reflecting the sunlight.

A king joining the field. I pray he does not overextend himself.

He knew the king had ample magical power but he doubted his experience. Donnavon admitted that he himself hadn’t seen battle in many years, let alone against monstrous demons.

“The army shouldn’t risk themselves against these creatures,” Bryce added, the leaders joining together.

Donnavon smiled when he saw the Queen.

“We will take the rear and protect your healers, should your line be broken,” the King spoke. “I’m doubtful that will happen however.”

“Where is Lilith?” Mateo asked. “Did she not offer to come?”

“She is presently still… occupied with… the feast,” the King said. “Though she should join us momentarily.”

“It matters not,” Bryce said.

“Scout report, head paladin,” one of the Paladins said. “Around three hundred demons are currently crossing the Garahill fields. The villages have been warned. Horns seem to work in drawing the demons towards us. They have not spread out yet. Most are likely close to level two hundred.”

“A recent summoning then. Good work. We ride for battle,” Bryce said, a horn next to him resounding as the formation picked up speed.

“You know of Nathaniel’s location?” the Queen asked.

“Those imprisoned spoke of Fort Kalwart. I will lead a group to ride south after the demons are dealt with. To apprehend him,” Bryce spoke.

“What if he resists?” she asked.

Bryce looked up. “We are prepared to do what must be done.”

They rode for half an hour, pushing forward until they reached the hills overlooking the fields of Garahill.

The higher level Paladins got off their mounts, checking their swords and bows, groups of mages preparing spells. Healers readied their equipment and took their positions, surrounded by heavily armored knights and trained combat mages.

“Now we know what Virilya saw when the demons descended unto them,” the King said, joining the clerics with the Queen in tow.

A few nobles had joined the ride, mostly those holding ranks within the Kroll army.

“Monstrous creatures indeed,” Mateo said. “They move quickly.”

“They are deadlier than their level suggests,” the Queen said. “Those they kill will rise as demons themselves. We have to thin their ranks before they reach your lines.”

“What about our horses?” Donnavon asked.

“Look closely, they can outrun them,” the king said.

“The demons will reach us in a few minutes. Prepare for battle,” a nearby Inquisitor said.

Many of the healers said prayers, spells flaring up in the front, the slope allowing them to see everything below.

“She didn’t come,” Mateo said, looking back. “I had thought her sincere.”

“She seemed… disinterested. In our affairs. Even when she learned that her life had been in danger,” Donnavon said.

He didn’t miss the smile on the King’s face.

“Come and see, she said,” Emmanuel Eilhart spoke.

A whistling sound came from the north, many of the fighters looking up. Donnavon covered his eyes against the sunlight, finding a dark winged figure fly towards them. The sound became louder as the being passed overhead, slowing down as it descended to about a hundred meters.

Donnavon recognized the form now. “Lilith,” he whispered.

They looked on as she spread her arms, dozens of dark spears forming, glowing lines of fire covered her armor now, the spears moving in close as they too took on the embers. Lilith flew closer still, her wings moving slowly as she descended, ahead of their defensive lines.

A horn resounded, the signal to charge.

And so it starts, Donnavon thought, watching the foremost Paladins spur their horses, the savage demon horde advancing on them with open maws, dead eyes and bloodied claws.

A high pitched whistle interrupted the charge, everyone stopping in place as the powerful magic reverberated over the hills.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of Lilith. Do not be afraid – You are paralyzed for five seconds’

Donnavon had experienced it before. He knew she had this power. And yet he couldn’t believe his eyes. Not only their own had remained where they stood. The demon horde had halted, entirely frozen in their tracks, as if a mere painting of the horrific display.

The charge of the Corinth Paladins against the monstrous demon horde, captured perfectly by a master artist.

Donnavon felt his heart beat faster, a primal anticipation building, for blood and battle. He watched as the serene painting was interrupted, whistling spears of burning ash coming down from the heavens. He blinked, bright light flashing up where the projectiles entered the ground, flames exploding outwards in a rain of fury. He felt the ground shake, a loud whistling picking up in his ears as he was deafened by the impacts.

He watched in awed fascination as the demon horde was disintegrated, those close to the blasts incinerated instantly, the creatures farther away sent flying, ripped apart as limbs and entrails clashed in the air, only to be burnt by the next impact. Hundreds were gone when they started to move once more.

Donnavon took a deep breath and gulped, watching Lilith land ahead of the front line. The grass around her caught fire, horses shying away despite the distance. His hearing returned, healing flowing through him.

Nobody moved as they watched the remaining few dozen monsters charge at the ashen healer. Nobody dared interrupt.

Ilea raised her hand, a bright beam of fire and heat flashing out.

Donnavon could feel the heat despite the distance, horses near the front now panicking as they backed up into the line behind them, those at the flanks trying to run away.

The spell had enveloped all of the demons, a cone of fire and death. Nothing remained of the beings, a deep furrow in the ground joining the dozens of deep smoldering craters.

The High Cleric found that it smelled faintly of roasted pork. He smiled and started laughing.

To his surprise, the king next to him joined in. Nobody else did.

Lilith turned around, the armored monster taking in the gathered army, her eyes almost bored as a few of the troops shied back a step or two.

Donnavon had calmed down, glancing at the icy look of the Queen, not meant for him but for the now serene looking King standing next to her.

Their army was silent, all eyes on the monster now walking towards them. Horses and Paladins stepped aside, letting her pass.

This is the slaughter she meant back in the temple, Donnavon thought, a wry smile on his face. He gulped, thinking about what could’ve happened today, had he said something different, had he acted in another way.

“All yours, Paladin,” Ilea said when she passed Bryce.

The man stayed silent, taking a look at her before he turned his head to the battlefield.

________________________________

Ilea grinned, looking at the terrified faces of the Corinth Order and Kroll soldiers. With her armor on, she didn’t have to pretend.

“You heard her, kill any survivors, burn what remains,” Bryce said and moved towards the corpses.

There were no survivors. Ilea had made sure of that. It had been a nice speech. Regaining the honor they had lost. But she wouldn’t make it quite that easy for them. They did try to kill her after all, even if the attempt had barely been worth a mention.

“Enjoyed the show?” she asked when she reached the King.

“No wonder you ate that much,” Emmanuel said, leaving whatever he wanted to add at the cold stare of his wife. “The grand tales of your battle in Riverwatch don’t seem quite as grand anymore. Was it just as one sided?”

Ilea didn’t reply. Facing demons and human soldiers wasn’t comparable to her. She had done things much more noteworthy than kill a bunch of people following Lord Harken to the bitter end.

“Now that I lured you all out here,” she said, turning her head towards the king, Kyrie appearing in front of him. “We can do some shadow magic training,” she added with a smile, feeling the tension in the people around her.

“You risk much. A joke like that would cost someone else their head,” Emmanuel said, obviously the only one very much amused by the whole situation.

She tilted her head. “Good thing I’m not someone else then. How about it, Kyrie?”

The man glanced at his king, the latter nodding.

“What’s the plan from here?” she asked, looking at Donnavon.

The Cleric smiled. “Speaker Nathaniel seems to have retreated to Fort Kalwart, located in the southern mountains. The Head Paladin will lead the charge himself, accompanied by a team of high level Corinth warriors.”

“I see. Guess I’ll be joining them then,” Ilea said. She noted the conflicted looks in the present High Clerics but didn’t much care. She wanted to find out why the man had tried to have her killed, and just because she thought both Bryce and Donnavon alright didn’t mean she trusted the Order as a whole. Who knew what would happen at Fort Kalwart. “I won’t keep him long then,” she said and vanished, Kyrie appearing close by a moment later.

“Impressive display,” he said. “Charged heat, right?”

“How did you know?” she asked.

He nodded lightly. “I have faced many fire mages and creatures of the element.”

“Hmm,” she mused, teleporting a few times to get some distance to the gathered troops.

Kyrie followed. “I don’t assume I should hold back.”

“No,” Ilea answered, her armor receding to show her head. She kept it active for now, just in case. “Aim for the eyes, they’re a little more vulnerable.”

“To so easily share your weaknesses,” Kyrie said, the area dimming visibly as his magic spread. “What you showed today… it was only a fraction of your true power, wasn’t it?”

“You’re the experienced warrior,” Ilea said. “I’m sure you have an idea of my capabilities.”

“Honestly? I don’t,” he said and smiled. “Exciting in a way. It will be interesting to see how your endeavors impact the balance of power.”

“More healers and more people with opportunities,” she said.

“And fewer of your enemies alive,” Kyrie said, his shadow spreading until it seemed to grasp her in place, constricting around her armor until she felt pressure on her head.

“You don’t have to hold back,” she said.

The man chuckled. “If you were a politician, I’d commend your deep cutting insults. This spell has crushed opponents close to my own level.”

[Shadow Mage – lvl 262]

“But I am facing a three mark creature,” he murmured. “I had not expected anything different.”

Ilea dismissed her mantle of ash, feeling the effects of his spell increase massively. Blood started trailing from her nose and ears, the pressure nearly managing to pop her eyes. “Movement restriction too,” she noted, slowly getting her shaking arm up to her face.

“Spells like that are massively undervalued,” Kyrie said.

“Maybe you should tell people about it,” Ilea said, her voice subdued as her jaw had to fight the pressure to talk.

“Those who realize usually die a few moments later. I’m sure it will be valuable information to your allies,” he said.

Not exactly a revelation. Though I admit I haven’t seen something similar used against me many times before. Ascended and Hector. But those weren’t exactly everyday adventurers.

“You could very well be among them soon enough,” Ilea said.

“After your display today, Emmanuel has everyone on his side. Any cooperation he deems responsible will be approved by the nobility. If only in fear of your wrath,” Kyrie said.

“And you explain these plans to me?” Ilea asked with a strained smirk, healing her face against the shadow magic.

He looked at her and released the spell. “I need a break. I told you that because it’s as inconsequential as you telling me about your weakness. And I believe if we are to establish more than mere trade based on fear, mutual trust is the only way towards that goal. Not that it will be easy. There are plenty in this country who would rather have a war than side with Ravenhall.”

“Why’s that?” Ilea asked, ash moving across her face to get rid of the blood.

“Personal vendettas, history with specific shadows, economic interests, competition, independence. Many reasons. But none of that matters if the key players side with our king. And I believe you just gave him a strong argument,” he said.

Ilea didn’t much care, as long as it meant everyone would benefit in the end. She didn’t mind a few angry nobles if they could avoid a potential conflict.

“If I may give you some advice,” Kyrie said, looking at her.

She shrugged.

“It may be better to let the Order deal with their former Speaker. Who knows what else he has up his sleeves,” he said.

“That’s exactly why I’m going with them. Some of them were obviously manipulated into this stupid play. It would be a shame if they died,” she said.

The man looked at her for a long moment before he smiled ever so slightly, resuming his magic.

They joined back with the Corinth Order half an hour later. The Kroll representatives and soldiers had already left.

“They left the cleanup to you,” Ilea said when she found Mateo, the man dragging half a demon corpse into a growing pile of burning flesh. He didn’t seem bothered by the smell.

“It is us who caused this incident. And so it should be us who deal with it,” the man said, turning towards her. “You shamed us greatly today, Lilith,” he added with a frown.

“You were the ones who tried to kill me,” she answered.

“I didn’t say we didn’t deserve it,” the High Cleric said. “I have no right, and yet I ask you. When the time comes, to face Nathaniel. Let it be the Corinth Order to deal with him,” he said and stepped closer, various people nearby listening. He continued in a whisper. “Let it be us, I beg of you.”

Chapter 646 Speaker

Chapter 646 Speaker

The flight to the southern mountains took longer than Ilea had expected. I’m too used to my own awesomeness, she thought, having to slow herself down behind the flying formation.

Around her flew about two dozen Paladins and Inquisitors, some carrying healers, others more warriors. A large part of the higher leveled members of the Corinth Order were here.

“What do you think?” Kyrie asked, flying close by.

“I don’t know these people. You tell me,” Ilea answered.

Joel grinned, sparks flaring up on his lightning wings. “The Speaker is strong, but he’s not a fighter. The Inquisitors he got on his side are who they should worry about.”

“There are too many unknowns. Bryce had to choose a frontal attack if they want to save the honor of their Order and any resemblance of pride,” Kyrie said, his shadow wings barely moving.

“Frontal attacks work,” Joel said. “Lilith just showed as much.”

“The Speaker isn’t a mindless beast. He knows about everyone here and he knows this is not a fight he can win,” Kyrie said.

“His plans failed. The longer they wait, the longer he can prepare,” Ilea said.

“Yes. And yet a risk remains. I’m worried about the cards he has yet to play. Nathanael will be desperate. He isn’t a man known to lose,” Kyrie said.

“Ah, you worry too much brother, as always. Bryce will slaughter anything the Speaker can throw at them,” Joel answered.

“Soon we’ll see,” Ilea said. “How long until we’re there?”

“Twenty more minutes at this pace,” Kyrie said.

She rolled her eyes.

“You didn’t have to come, you know?” Joel said with a smile. “But to be honest, you’re the reason I’m not worried in the least.”

“Why are you two even here? Shouldn’t you be protecting the king? What if this is all a massive diversion and the city is being attacked instead?” Ilea suggested.

“It isn’t,” Kyrie said. “Should there be a danger here to Halstein or Kroll, we will take care of it. And if we can’t, we have the highest chance of getting out alive.”

“And someone has to keep these lunatics in check, right Bryce?!” Joel shouted, laughing when the Paladin didn’t react.

“I thought you trained with him before,” Ilea said.

“He’s usually not that tense and serious. That man was so ready to slaughter those demons with his group of holy warriors until you stole the moment. Brilliant fireworks by the way, maybe we should hire you for our next festival,” Joel said.

“I charge exorbitant rates,” Ilea answered in a dry tone.

“We’ll just pay you in food. I hear you ate up half our coffers worth,” Joel replied. “Wish I would’ve been there for the betting.”

“Betting?” Ilea asked.

“How much you would eat. I hear Kyrie lost a month’s worth of pay,” Joel said happily.

His brother frowned but didn’t comment.

“Why weren’t you there then?” Ilea asked.

He grumbled something and Kyrie replied in his stead. “He’s banned from any event involving general nobility. For good reason.”

“It only happened twice,” Joel said, shaking his head.

“What about Jeanne?” Kyrie asked.

“Ah yes… Jeanne. Okay three times. No reason to be so strict. I’ve already missed dozens of events,” Joel said.

“We’re not allowed to participate anyway. You had your fair share in the kitchens, I’m sure,” Kyrie said, his words figuratively cutting his brother apart.

Ilea smiled. “You’ve been at this for a while, hmm?”

“Our first battle was in our mother’s womb,” Joel said.

Kyrie just groaned.

The lightning mage grinned. “I won.”

“Your poor mother,” Ilea said.

“Yeah. She died,” Joel said, dodging the knife thrown by his brother. “Decades later, in her own bed. Don’t act like that Kyr, you know she despised us.”

“And here you are, confirming her opinions,” Kyrie answered. “Enough of this. Focus, we should expect an ambush.”

The three were flying at the rear of the loose formation, Bryce in the middle and now gesturing for the troop to land.

“Attack on foot?” Joel asked.

“They will expect an aerial strike,” Kyrie said.

“Just send in Lilith and be done with it,” Joel grumbled.

“What could one helpless woman ever do?” Ilea asked.

The man chuckled to himself.

They all landed in the lightly forested area, mountains rising up in the distance, the chain that separated the plains from the Isanna desert to the south.

Ilea smiled, taking in the fresh air after being in the city and stuffed halls for a while. Her armor active, she stalked the group of fast moving holy warriors, the same who would’ve likely tried to kill her had the plan of the Speaker worked out. Space magic to the rescue, she thought, watching both Joel and Kyrie move to the side and farther back, their own orders likely suggesting they don’t participate in the thick of the coming battle.

Ilea herself didn’t have that restriction. She had shown her might against the demons, a part of it at least but based on the fear she saw in the warriors’ eyes and the discomfort she felt all around, it was more than enough. They knew not to mess with her or hers, both Kroll royalty and the Corinth Order itself. To think they were the ones going as far as hunting healers not associated with an Order, she thought, looking at the backs of the armored people.

They didn’t seem particularly impressive or dangerous to her but she knew her views were a little skewed. Based on her talks with Donnavon, Mateo, and Bryce, she could see the Corinth Order becoming a more progressive part of human society. No healer would have to fear them or any other Order anymore, not with the Sentinels around. Gael could likely take on Bryce already, and time would only increase their might.

Still have the Order of Balance to visit. But they seem less problematic overall compared to all the shit Orders I’ve met so far. The Azarinth weren’t exactly anything more than just powerful either.

The Corinth warriors at least seemed disciplined and experienced, even those who couldn’t fly not making a lot of sound as they rushed up the slope.

_____________________________

Naomi couldn’t help but glance back from time to time. The royal guard had long distanced themselves from the loose formation but Lilith was right there, easily keeping up. She looked so different now. When she had first met her in the sewers, the woman seemed cocky and bored, a pretty normal adventurer besides the respect she somehow managed to instill in Bryce and Donnavon. Entirely justified of course, as she learned just a few hours earlier.

Her eyes weren’t particularly focused, her entire body covered in the dark ash armor lined with now dulled embers. They had seemed brighter before, when she used those fire spells to slaughter the demons. A few of the Paladins who had faced the creatures before had warned the others of the savagery and resilience of the creatures. Naomi wondered how this woman managed to get the power she now wielded. A pact with a powerful creature? Some ancient class that allowed her to bypass dangers in battle? There had to be something. Some reason why the gods allowed for this to happen.

Perhaps she herself was sent to us by Hella herself? To guide us? To let us see the corruption within, to unearth the horrible plans of Nathanael? Is this what a god looks like? she wondered, glancing back again to see the blue eyes looking forward, almost bored. Of course she would be bored, dealing with us mere mortals.

Lilith’s steps were loud. Her armor must weigh quite a lot, and yet she kept up without any discernible struggle. Naomi hadn’t heard her complain or breathe louder at all.

Bryce signaled to hold.

Naomi stopped behind a tree, looking up at the steep slope, no obvious path leading up to the fort visible a few kilometers away. She had seen it before, but only inquisitors trained within its halls.

Lilith stopped in the middle of their formation, not hiding at all as she looked up to the fort, her eyes moving slightly as if she was scanning the walls.

“Eight people patrolling. They will see us approach,” she said.

Bryce looked back as if the woman didn’t just claim to see people that far away. “Understood. The plan was never to attack without being seen. This angle will make it difficult for their spells to benefit from broad impacts. Highest levels to the front, prepare for battle, brothers and sisters.”

Naomi unsheathed her two handed sword. She could tell that Lilith’s earlier presentation had taken the wind out of their sails, even Bryce not sounding quite as boisterous as before. It is our own we will face, she thought and steeled herself for the coming battle.

“Prepare for anything. Try to disable and capture where you can but don’t hesitate to kill. They are traitors to our gods,” Bryce added, his own sword in hand now. “Lilith, what will you do?” he asked, turning towards her.

Everyone else glanced at the woman. They knew what she was capable of and yet it was they who had to fight this battle. To prove that the Corinth Order wasn’t entirely without honor. Naomi would understand it if Lilith simply ignored their wishes. She had no reason to cooperate, and yet it didn’t look like she was particularly worked up.

She shrugged. “I move with your formation, and take care of enemy spells.”

Bryce nodded lightly, looking up towards the fort before he turned to her again. He seemed to consider before he turned back forward. “Warriors of the Corinth Order. Today we prove our worth. A time for grief will come, but not today,” he said and paused, stepping out into the open with his sword held high. “Charge.”

Naomi rushed forward, spells flaring up within her, strength and speed surging as her steps crashed against the stone. Magic flared up within her weapon, a dull white glow visible as she advanced, wings of magic appearing on her back in case she needed to dodge upwards. To her left and right her brothers and sisters ran, no shouts and screams announcing their charge. There would be no glory today.

Magic lit up on the distant and high walls of the fort, spheres of fire coupled with large chunks of stone rushing out to hit their position.

“Brace!” a few people shouted.

Naomi was ready to dodge when the projectiles stopped in the air, flying back towards the fort instead. What?

She looked around, still running. The other warriors were just as confused. Her eyes fell on Lilith, her black wings moving silently. Was it her? Who else could it be? The kingsguard? Did someone get a spell she didn’t know about?

It didn’t matter, Naomi allowing herself a smile. The gods were with them, one way or another.

____________________________

Ilea displaced a few more rounds of spells flying towards the group, her aim on the return fire not particularly good. Practice makes perfect, she thought, watching a few fireballs and stone projectiles impact the still distant walls. She couldn’t see the people atop the defensive structures particularly well, but their red armor stood out enough for her to make them out.

She considered sending a few ashen spears at the defenders, blasting their entire fort to bits with her gathered heat but she stopped herself. The way Bryce had asked her to let them fight, it had been desperate. Hopeful. A chance to redeem himself. Yes, they had tried to kill her, but the Paladin himself had nothing to do with that. She would respect his wishes. As far as they were informed, their group vastly overpowered the defensive side, making the choice for her far easier.

Let’s just help prevent unnecessary deaths here and there, she thought, keeping herself in the middle of the formation.

They reached the Fort less than a minute later, the high leveled humans pushing forward with magically enhanced bodies and wings on their backs.

Paladins carried Inquisitors, all landing on the walls with their weapons and spells at the ready, clashing with the defending side as blasts started to impact the Fort from within. Steel hit steel as people shouted and screamed.

Ilea caught a warrior who had taken a fiery blast against his chest right when he had landed. She healed the confused combatant and threw him back, watching him land with a practiced roll before he slashed into the mage who had gotten him before.

He looked up and saluted her way before he jumped down into the yard below.

Both sides had their own healers, not direct participants in the battle but taking care of the injured. It seemed neither side targeted them. Not intentionally at the very least.

Ilea appeared in front of a young woman clad in a white robe trying to heal an Inquisitor’s severed arm.

The healer looked up and nearly stumbled back when a large boulder impacted Ilea’s back, deflected to the side before it crashed against a set of stone stairs.

She checked the people around her with her dominion, but found it unnecessary. Bryce’s force entirely overwhelmed the defenders in a matter of a few minutes, most of them severely injured and captured, some even laying down their weapons when they saw the Head Paladin charging towards them.

He really was a different beast compared to everyone else present. Moving faster, hitting harder, white lightning spells disabling entire groups of Inquisitors. Bryce didn’t hesitate, giving orders here and there as his paladins dismantled their foes.

Mostly Inquisitors, Ilea noted. Few of them were above level two hundred, and those who were, Bryce took out with quick teleports and flurries of attacks. They knew their own, and who would pose a danger.

Ilea saw a hooded figure appear below them, within the storage halls of the Order’s installation. She transferred herself down and grabbed the man’s hand, stopping his attempt to set something alight with his torch.

“No… you mustn’t!” he shouted.

Ilea looked at the crate next to her and found it covered in dark powder. “Explosives I assume?” she asked.

“Friede, welcome me within your arms…,” the man murmured as magic gathered around him.

They both appeared up in the yard in the next split second, a surge of fire flaring out of the man’s left hand, aimed at where the crates would’ve been a moment earlier.

Instead the flames enveloped Ilea, a flick to his head knocking the man out as his body slapped backwards and against the stone ground.

“Bryce, explosive powder below the yard. Expect the worst,” she said, loud enough that the Paladin would hear her.

He nodded her way. “Gather the prisoners. The ten highest Veterans with me, everyone else retreat to the treeline!”

The warriors followed his orders immediately, gathering up all the survivors and healers before they rushed to jump over the walls.

Bryce moved towards the large double doors leading deeper into the structure, charging at them with his shoulder forward.

A loud impact resounded when the gates exploded inwards, wood splintering and crashing against the stone walls within.

Ilea followed the remaining paladins, staying behind them to make sure they wouldn’t shit their pants at her presence alone.

She felt the attack coming when she passed the threshold, turning her head back.

Oh.

The entire stone yard exploded upwards, fire intermingling with wood and stone as debris and heat shot out.

Ilea displaced their entire group down the hallway and deeper into the structure, deflecting incoming stone bricks and half a stairwell with ash where they appeared.

The paladins stumbled and caught themselves, a few of them unfazed by the experience as they checked the hall for threats.

“Entrance is sealed,” one of them reported.

“No shit,” Ilea said, looking at the ceiling that seemed to hold on to structural integrity with its dear life.

“Move,” Bryce said, the group rushing forward and deeper into the installation.

Ilea remained for a moment, hearing dulled impacts as half the Fort came down onto the mountain side and whatever remained of the structure itself. Wish I could’ve seen that from outside, she thought, wondering if she had just seen black powder in Elos.

A few teleports brought her back behind the Paladins who methodically checked every room.

They soon reached an expansive carved out hall deep in the mountain, what seemed to be the last defensive line of Nathanael’s Inquisitors waiting for them. And perhaps the man himself, standing behind a loose line of twelve warriors.

He wore the white robes of the High Clerics, a short gray beard covering his chin. His blue eyes immediately fell onto Ilea, despite the large armor of the Paladins ahead.

“Just as I preached. The demon has turned our brethren against us,” he said, his voice deep, laced with disappointment. His eye twitched as he turned his attention to the Head Paladin. “Bryce. Has her magic poisoned your mind?”

“You have conspired to murder High Cleric Donnavon, to kill Lilith, and spark a conflict with Ravenhall. To think you would steep so low as to summon demons,” Bryce said, his eyes focused on the man. “Former Speaker. And Inquisitors. Lay down your weapons and be judged before our gods. Or forfeit all that you swore to be,” he said and readied his sword.

“We stand with you, Speaker,” one of the Inquisitors said, the warriors ready for battle.

Ilea noticed the Speaker was looking at her again, the battle erupting as both sides clashed. He remained where he stood, still focused on her.

[Pure Healer – lvl 258]

One of the Inquisitors appeared next to Ilea, his rapier stabbing at her eye.

The attack failed to penetrate, confusion apparent on his face as she grabbed the weapon and threw it to the side, watching him retreat before he suffered a deep wound to his leg by one of the Paladins.

“Truly, a monster like no other,” the Speaker said in a quiet voice. He grabbed the top of his robe and ripped it open to reveal his chest. Carved runes covered his flesh, pieces of steel stuck deep within as magic surged around him. Two inquisitors died, keeping the Paladins away from him, the rest either injured or dead by now.

Nathanael kept his head high, looking at Ilea with tired eyes. “You murdered my daughter. May the gods strike you down.”

Magical power flared up as the Paladins jumped back, the Speaker’s body bulging out as silver plate armor formed on his now two meter high body. Powerful muscles showed below, claws and teeth resembling a wild beast growing out as the creature howled. The Speaker no longer had eyes, all but his extending maw covered in smooth silver, his hands gripping a spear of the same material. The tip of the weapon flared up with radiant energy similar to the lightning Bryce had used beforehand.

[Vengeful Beast of the Corinth – lvl 382] – [Frenzied / Dying]

“Lilith,” Bryce said, appearing in front of her. “This is our battle.”

I murdered his daughter? she thought, watching the Paladins charge at the howling monster.

Chapter 647 Paladin

Chapter 647 Paladin

Ilea tried to remember any members of the Corinth Order she had fought and killed. She considered the woman who attacked her after the Basilisk encounter. She couldn’t remember if she had indeed been part of the Order. The only other person she could think of was the healer working with the Riverwatch smugglers. Ilea knew she had been part of the Corinth.

But she helped them torture guards, showed no remorse, and spewed threats until the last moment.

Everything that happened today was because of that healer? I don’t even remember her name.

She thought back to the Speaker’s look. The fury in his eyes. There had been regret too, the man so consumed by his revenge he would sacrifice himself in a last attempt to take her down with him. Ilea watched the battle unfold, the Paladins circling the creature, attacking its back whenever it focused on one of them. All were experienced fighters, calm as they probed the monster’s defenses.

Ilea wondered if she should intervene, if she should face the Speaker herself, as he had intended. If only to prevent any of the Paladins from dying. She didn’t owe the man anything, nor did she regret what had happened. And still she respected his grief, his wish for vengeance. He hadn’t sent anyone to kidnap or kill people she was close to, nor did he seem lost. Just a father who sought revenge, willing to sacrifice his own life to fight her. But with that low of a level, I’d slap him dead with a single strike.

It just didn’t feel right. Not with the people here who had been betrayed, itching to prove themselves, to get their own revenge and perhaps some sort of redemption.

She chose to stand back, watching as the silver spear pierced the armor of a Paladin, the woman stumbling back before she fell, clasping the wound. Ilea displaced her behind herself. She chose not to heal her for now. The Speaker had betrayed all of them. He seemed willing to forsake his entire Order to get his vengeance.

Ilea would leave the Paladins to their battle. And if it came down to it, she would finish the job. If she could prevent their deaths, she would. But they weren’t exactly her allies either. So far the Corinth Order had always caused issues and even now, the only reason they were somewhat cooperative seemed to be her overwhelming power. Not exactly a precedent for fruitful cooperation. Saving lives indirectly would help more than killing the Speaker herself.

The future could be different, depending on the actions of Bryce and the High Clerics. Another two Paladins got hit by the spear, the surging energy within throwing them to the side, blood splattering to the ground as one of them tried to get his entrails back into his stomach.

Ilea teleported them behind herself, giving the man a hand before she healed the wound itself, all color gone from his face as he fell on his ass, looking at her with shame in his eyes.

She didn’t comment on it, remembering her own battles against higher level creatures back in her two hundreds. Plenty of limbs and organs had been lost, though it seemed the Paladins’ healing was simply inadequate. They recovered fast, but not fast enough to take hits like that in an ongoing fight.

Bryce deflected a blow that would’ve taken the head of one of his comrades, saving Ilea the use of her space magic.

The former Speaker had dozens of dents and cuts in his armor by now, thick blood flowing down from the wounds below. He hadn’t slowed down much but the Paladins were pressuring him. Eight remained.

She raised her hand when one of the injured warriors tried to rejoin the battle. “You had your go.”

The woman looked at her with furious eyes below her helmet. “You want to watch them die?!”

Ilea glanced back, keeping her attention on the fight through her dominion, displacing a Paladin who had lost both his legs, her healing preventing him from bleeding out in the coming seconds.

“She saved you, listen to her…,” the man whose stomach had been cut said.

She had known the battle was over as soon as Bryce had exchanged blows with the being. He was capable of perhaps even facing it alone. With the others there to distract and damage it, the creature was dead.

The monster managed to pierce one of the warriors though his chest, energies spreading before the body vanished and appeared next to Ilea.

Her third tier healing restored the Paladin’s heart in an instant, his shoulders and thighs rupturing because of her lacking familiarity with his body. Everything else seemed to be in order however, the man grasping at the hole in his chest plate.

Close one, that.

Bryce used the opening to slice through one of the Speaker’s arms, his blade flaring up with power as he painted the hall with blood.

The others were more cautious by now, only moving between the monster and Bryce when an obvious opening presented itself.

Slowly, they overwhelmed the creature, injuries mounting as it slowed down more and more, its spear now swiping aimlessly from side to side.

Ilea watched the warriors closely, but none of them grew overconfident, their approach even more cautious now that the monster was close to death’s door.

Bryce stepped into its range and deflected an obvious blow, his sword lighting up with bright magic before he sliced through the Speaker’s neck. A clean strike, his eyes focused on the spear as he jumped back to assess the creature.

“Dead?” Ilea asked.

“Yes,” one of the Paladins behind her said.

She checked the body through her dominion, just in case there was a trap hidden, a rune that would cause an explosion of blood upon its death or something. But the corpse was just that, a corpse.

Bryce swiped his sword to the side, blood splattering to the ground as the blade heated up, burning up whatever was still stuck to it. He took off his helmet, his eyes focused on the removed head.

“May you find rest,” he whispered, a fist to his heart. “The Speaker has fallen.”

The other Paladins didn’t celebrate, instead tending to the surviving Inquisitors while looking out for more enemies.

“Well fought,” Ilea said as she walked past the Head Paladin.

“A mindless beast,” Bryce murmured. “Thank you, Lilith. We will not forget it. Not this, nor your many interventions to save lives.”

“Make sure it’s not wasted,” Ilea answered, going for the hallway beyond.

Bryce started giving orders to his team a moment later while she started checking through the various rooms with her dominion.

There wasn’t much of interest to her. Weapons, armors, some valuables, but nothing she bothered with after checking.

“Done with your inspection?” Bryce asked when she returned. A few of the Paladins had started searching through the rooms as well, others trying to clear a path back up through the rubble blocking the entrance.

“Nothing much of interest. I assume they’ve been staying here for a while,” she answered.

The corpses had been covered by sheets of white cloth.

“We will study the runes placed on his body. To think Nathanael would go this far,” he said and shook his head lightly. “He mentioned his daughter before his change.”

“I heard him, yes,” Ilea said. “Did you know her?”

“I did. Her name was Pan. She didn’t return from one of her missions a few years ago. Riverwatch apparently. I had little interest in investigating further, though I’m aware of a team being sent out by the Speaker directly. May I inquire about her death?” Bryce asked.

“So it was her. She was hired by a group of smugglers. They traded slaves and tortured people. She helped. Threatened me a few times, invoking the name of the Corinth Order. I killed her in the end,” Ilea said.

Bryce listened and sighed. “She enjoyed… a special status, given her father. Though I won’t pretend that she was the only one who worked with scum. Nor will she be the last.”

“You’re the Head Paladin. Why have you turned out different? The impressions I got from your Order before coming to Halstein weren’t good, I’ll be honest,” she said.

“Dawntree happened. I… and others… had to ignore orders to save people, instead of slaughtering civilians. They called them rebels and criminals. Many of them still hold positions in our Order, though they’re no longer quite as vocal. I hope the humbling experiences from the past years have shaken their arrogance,” Bryce said.

“Doubt it,” Ilea answered.

“I said I was hopeful. But with Donnavon and Mateo at the top, we have a realistic road to sustainable change. The healer hunts will stop either way. A waste all along but now we barely have enough people to defend our own,” the Paladin said. “Nobody will be able to justify such actions.”

“You stayed in an Order that hunted healers? Why?” Ilea asked.

“They tolerated it, more than ordered. You know how easy it is for someone of our power to kill without consequences. Who would ever learn of a murder that happened in an unknown village? Who would report it, or seek justice? Those who did were silenced, with gold or worse. An open secret long before my time and an accepted evil to keep our position before the rebellion. Some even thought it a holy cause.

“Healers are always in high demand, the Orders know as much. Either they join one or they join the military forces of whatever country they’re in. Demand remains high and both power and wealth comes to those who can supply. With the Order of Truth splintered and Baralia taken by Lys, the Corinth driven out of Dawntree, weakened to this degree… only the Order of Balance remains. No smaller Order will stand in your way,” said Bryce.

“You don’t paint a very grand picture of your own Order,” Ilea said.

“I grew up within the temples of the Corinth, trained and learned from their members. I look up to many of them. Some did good where they could, others thought they were doing the same. I will not give up on the Corinth. This is our lowest point, and only here is where our millennia old Order can find fundamental change. I killed the Speaker with my own two hands. There is no way back, only the road forward,” he said.

“You’re the most reasonable out of the Corinth I’ve met. I hope you’re right. Because if I find out your members are killing or threatening independent healers, I’ll come knocking,” she said.

“And I will join you. Let us hope it does not come that far. Today brought many lessons. I believe anyone with a even a speck of wisdom will have a lot to think about in the coming weeks and months,” Bryce said. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing your Sentinels work. If they’re anywhere near as impressive as you are, the coming decades will definitely be interesting.”

“They most certainly will be,” Ilea answered with a smile, thinking about all the projects currently under way. The alliance between Ravenhall and a northern settlement of non human beings alone will likely send waves through the kingdoms of humanity, let alone the introduction of a teleportation network and high level healers joining adventuring teams. The things you can do with gold and ancient god like creatures on your side.

“There is a lot to do. Will you stay?” Bryce asked.

Ilea smiled. “No. I’ll explore Halstein a little, I suppose. I’m sure we’ll get the chance to talk again once your Order is in a less chaotic state.”

“You will always be welcome, no matter how much some of our members will hate it,” Bryce said, smiling slightly.

She rolled her eyes. Even after all that work. Not that I expected anything different. Well, Bryce and Donnavon seem reasonable enough. And if nothing else, my demon presentation left a lasting impression.

“I don’t suppose…,” Bryce said, looking at the Paladins carrying away rubble from the caved in entrance. “You could help with that?”

“Can’t smite your way through?” Ilea asked, walking towards the tunnel.

“It would take longer than what you can surely do. If you want I can pay you,” Bryce suggested.

Ilea waved him off. “A nice feast next time I visit,” she said and displaced the working Paladins away, a large drill of ash forming in front of her before it started spinning.

She straight up walked into the rubble, pulverized rock and wood collecting behind her as she made her way through the remains of the Fort.

Ilea broke out on the other side, finding a devastated battlefield. That explosion did quite some work. Claire would be proud.

She tried to find a barrel or crate in the underground with her spherical perception but everything seemed to be gone. Her ash armor receded, clothes still clean as she stepped out into the open, finding not only a few Paladins but also Joel and Kyrie waiting for her.

A Paladin rushed out from within the tunnel, taking a wide berth around her before she joined up with the other members of her Order, relaying Bryce’s commands.

Joel grumbled something, handing a pouch to his brother.

Kyrie remained silent, nodding to Ilea with a grateful expression.

“What was the bet?” she asked, joining them as she stretched. “I don’t suppose you have the formula for whatever alchemical agent caused this explosion?”

“I thought you disliked the discussion of trade,” Kyrie said.

“You’re right. I’m sure your Queen can work something out with Ravenhall. Let her know interest may be there,” Ilea said. “The bet?”

“You’re the first one out. Not a drop of blood on you,” Kyrie answered.

Ilea glanced at Joel. “You thought I’d get hurt?”

The man smiled. “No. I said you would teleport up. Kyrie suggested you would help the others out.”

“I just can’t help my selfless heart,” she said.

“I’m sure I would do a lot of good too with that kind of power,” Joel said.

“No you wouldn’t,” Kyrie stated.

Joel looked at the tunnel. “Yeah, probably not.”

“I really can’t be bothered with more political shit or training today,” Ilea said. “Care to give me that tour you mentioned?” she asked, looking at the kingsguard.

Joel looked at her, a smirk on his face as he shook his head lightly. “I’m afraid one of us has to remain to make sure the Corinth don’t summon more demons.”

Ilea looked between the two brothers. She was pretty sure one of them would very much hate that job, which made the situation a little confusing.

Until Joel punched his brother and walked past them. “You did win the bet after all.”

Kyrie leaned back a little, a slight smirk on his face as he looked after his brother. “I would gladly give you a tour, if you would have me.”

I see, Ilea thought, seeing Joel roll his eyes within her dominion. “I’m not interested in a political marriage.”

“A shame. I would’ve hunted the courting gift myself,” Kyrie said in a dry tone. He walked closer and stopped by her side. “I’m sure you’re aware of my capabilities. Perhaps you’d be interested in a tour of our capital involving the creations of its highest level cooks.”

“I’m aware of your investigations. Bribing me with food isn’t going to work more than once,” she said and turned to look at him.

“I was hoping it would work. I lack a few hundred levels to impress you with magic, I’m afraid,” Kyrie said. “Though I do know some beautiful spots in Halstein.”

Ilea smiled, extending her hand. “I suppose I could be convinced if a nice view is involved.”

Kyrie spread his wings and gently took her hand.

She smirked, her ashen wings spreading as well. “I suggest you hold on tight.”

The man didn’t hesitate, holding onto the spreading ash and her arm as he braced himself.

“Try not to pass out,” she said, her wings vibrating with power before they shot off towards Halstein.

________________________________

Joel looked after the flying pair, cloaks fluttering as a wave of wind rushed past. Always going for the most dangerous prey. I suppose they have that in common.

“Are you interested in that monster too?” Naomi asked, the Paladin joining him to give an official report of what happened inside the Fort.

“How could I not? She could kill me with a single strike,” he mused.

The woman shook her head. “Men,” she murmured.

“You don’t seem disinterested either, with that look on your face,” Joel said, lightly punching her shoulder.

“Joel, stop it,” Naomi hissed before she looked around.

They stepped aside, letting the Corinth Order get to work. A lot of cleanup had to be done after all. They would probably be here for the better part of today, much longer if they ever wanted to use this Fort again.

“She’s dangerous. I hope you know that,” Naomi said when they had sat down, Joel sharing some of the food he had stolen from the feast.

He bit into some poultry, watching one of the Paladins talk about the monster they had fought. “A true demon, that’s for sure. Couldn’t be happier that she’s Lilith. Can you imagine if one of yours had that kind of power?”

Naomi sighed. “Wouldn’t be much better in Eilhart’s hands.”

“He wouldn’t be the worst. But for once we actually agree on something,” Joel said and grinned. “There’s a village half an hour eastward. Why don’t we find a comfortable inn to get that report done?”

“Weren’t you tasked to oversee our problematic Order?” Naomi teased, leaning back a little.

“Bryce is here. His sense of duty is plenty for all of Halstein. I’m sure nobody will complain too harshly,” he said.

“Only if you promise not to think of her,” Naomi said.

“Didn’t think you’d care,” he answered and stood up. “Let’s see if they have enough ale available for the both of us.”

Naomi brushed off her armor and joined him. “She may have been sent by our gods. I’d feel… a little conflicted.”

Joel started laughing, dodging the punch coming at his face. He dodged a few more times as he retreated, the two ending up in a tumble. “The inn,” he said, his face close to hers.

“The inn,” Naomi repeated and flew upwards.

Chapter 648 Sightseeing

Chapter 648 Sightseeing

“It’s said that fourteen craftsmen worked on it for seven weeks,” Kyrie explained, his eyes on the fountain below them.

Ilea closed her eyes, enjoying the food an armored and hooded figure had delivered to them a few minutes earlier. She could certainly get used to this treatment, though her storage items made the whole thing kind of obsolete.

“It certainly looks lifelike,” she said after swallowing, looking at the two winged stone creatures engaged in endless battle.

“I’d hope so. It’s from one of the most prominent restaurants in the city. The fountain on the other hand was made by a drunk adventurer couple a few years back. Emmanuel liked it enough to keep it there. He may have had some issues with the nobles whose seventh residence had previously stood here,” Kyrie explained.

Ilea rolled her eyes while smiling. “What happened to it?”

“The house was removed to protect the mysterious artwork that had cropped up overnight,” he said.

“Understandable,” Ilea commented. “One of them was a water mage?”

“No. I suggested the fountain idea,” he said.

Ilea ate the rest of the meal, watching the busy streets below. The city was quite extensive, spreading over the hills with monumental structures towering over the otherwise quite simple stone buildings. A single high wall protected the residents against potential monster attacks from the wilderness, broad and well patrolled. While the capital couldn’t quite match the extensive size of Virilya, the differences visible in various districts, both in their layout and architectural designs hinted at Halstein’s wealth and age.

They stayed silent, enjoying the cool breeze flowing over the terrace of the high government building Kyrie had chosen as their first destination.

“The sunsets are quite lovely from here,” he said in a quiet tone.

“I can imagine,” Ilea said, thinking of the ocean view from her house. Wings really gave her a different appreciation for the vastness of the world. It also helped that most of the plains consisted of uninhabited wilderness. You could pretty much have a wonderful view wherever you were. Preferably with some elevation.

“Can you see the building over there?” Kyrie asked, pointing towards the northwestern part of the city.

“The complex with walls of its own? And a bunch of trees… people fighting each other I think,” she answered.

“Your eyes are incredible,” Kyrie said. “They look fascinating too.”

“Too much,” Ilea said with a smile.

He waved her off. “You’re just insecure because they’re your only weakness. What you see is the Halstein school of magic. Where young nobles learn and train alongside the children of wealthy families from all over the country.”

“Didn’t know you had a magic school. But I suppose if it’s just for the wealthy, it’s mostly a prestige thing? Virilya nobles have their own training facilities I think,” she said.

“Only the most powerful ones. Lys has the… well I wouldn’t call it a benefit, but here we are… the benefit of far reaching international conflicts. Nobility learn to fight and work together in their esteemed military. Our nobility had to find other avenues,” Kyrie explained.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “You’re aware of just how much of a propaganda take that is, right?”

The man laughed. “Well, should a conflict arise in the future, it’s better to be prepared. Training with powerful peers, sharing knowledge and experiences is what builds the foundation for the many alliances forming the web of power within Kroll. Some even go on to become adventurers for a time after they graduate. Which I feel is a necessity to temper the bonds made in the school of magic.”

“No warriors allowed?” Ilea asked with a smile. She assumed him and the King shared the bond he mentioned. The group did seem a little informal at times. Especially the Queen and Joel.

“It’s just a name. Though I admit most wealthy families prefer magic related classes,” he answered.

Ilea leaned back. “Hmm… I wonder why that is. Magic resistances make a huge difference. No resistance against a spear through the heart.”

“Just because you’re a caster doesn’t mean you can’t use a spear, and make it even more powerful with your magic,” Kyrie said, a thin curved blade appearing in his hand before it vanished again.

Ilea had to admit that she too used mostly spells to deal damage. She still felt the most dangerous enemies to her personally were purely using physical damage, though that was likely just the case because of her insane magic resistances and mana absorption.

“I do believe a part of it is the ranged aspect. Few people choose bows and the like, but being able to attack enemies from further away than the length of a sword is comforting to most. Especially when they simply train out of obligation or to reach a certain threshold for a longer life and guaranteed wealth. You must know that most nobles or wealthy merchants have hardly ever fought a monster that could genuinely threaten their life,” Kyrie said.

“Most nobles in Lys seemed quite capable at warfare, but I suppose I fought alongside a prominent bunch,” Ilea said. She admitted that most of the nobles she fought in Baralia seemed to have trouble facing an experienced fighter like herself.

“It’s a dangerous balance. Wealth brings resources and opportunities but the most capable warriors and mages I’ve fought were almost always adventurers. Little that prepares you better for battle than fighting monsters that can rip you apart with a single spell,” he said.

Makes sense that they all think Shadows are crazy. Despite their levels generally being close to those of higher nobility.

“I agree,” Ilea said, checking her marks to find that Kyrian, Feyrair, and Neiphato were doing alright. She hoped they were progressing well.

Kyrie chuckled. “I don’t have to tell that to Lilith. I’m glad you’re not a pure noble, wielding dangerous spells without ever having been on the receiving end.”

“I don’t think you can reach even level three hundred without staring down death at least a few times. Not in a reasonable time frame that is,” she said.

“People live long once they reach level two hundred, some even before that. A slow and steady progress is usually preferable than a quick death. You just happened to slip through,” he said.

Ilea didn’t deny the argument. She could’ve been dead hundreds of times over if she had missed a dodge here or failed to teleport there. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Being able to heal a beheading certainly helped, but she felt like she had earned that privilege.

“I told the faculty that I’d be visiting this afternoon, to train with the students willing and give some pointers. Perhaps you’d be interested to join me?” he asked.

“Free resistance training while scaring the shit out of some upstart nobles? What better way is there to spend an afternoon?” Ilea asked with a smile. She could think of a few better ways actually but right now she didn’t feel like fighting another four mark. Something a little more light seemed preferable.

“I thought as much. My duties generally prevent me from visiting but me and Joel received orders to look after both the Corinth and Lilith. I do believe it would do the students good to fight someone like you, if only to show how insignificant their current power truly is. Most of them may never get that opportunity until it is too late, or they’re smart and form an adventuring group. Even then however, the first time they encounter a formidable monster could be their last,” he explained.

“It’s a valuable lesson. I agree. I’ll join you, but here I thought my company was more to you than just orders,” Ilea teased.

Kyrie smiled. “I’m merely being transparent. Joel wasn’t happy when I suggested a trade of duties, but he has always been susceptible to gambling. Only Bryce’s presence at the Fort made me even consider leaving my brother there to… look after the Corinth Order. I’d be surprised if he’s still there,” he said and stood up, offering a hand. “I didn’t mean to insult you. I very much enjoy your company, Ilea and I chose to be here.”

She rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. Ilea noted the tension in his legs and arm as he helped her up, neither his face nor posture betraying his slight struggle. A gentleman, unlike a certain Baron.

“I still didn’t get a Shadow magic resistance,” Ilea said. “Perhaps you could indulge me on the way?”

“Certainly,” Kyrie said. “There are a few wonderful architectural marvels if you’d prefer to walk?”

“Sure,” Ilea said with a smile, the two jumping off together, slowing their fall with separate sets of wings before they landed gently.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 1’

Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 1

A sub school of light magic allowing for a highly specialized set of tools to both incapacitate and kill. A more subtle approach and finesse is required to bring this magic to its true potential. You have faced and survived encounters with masters of its use, making you more resilient against it.

Ilea enjoyed some ice cream. She was pretty sure the flavor was nowhere near as sweet as ice cream back on Earth but sweets here generally shared that characteristic. Perhaps it had to do with a lack of processed sugar. I’m sure they have a way to produce something similar here, just with magic.

Her thoughts were interrupted when they reached the grated entrance to the premises of the magic school. Can’t imagine how pissed the nobles will be when we open the same but for everyone, she thought with a smile. Gotta have tournaments too, to rub it in even more.

“Lord Fiore,” an armored mage standing behind the gate said before he fueled a nearby enchantment that opened the entrance. The man bowed when they entered, giving Ilea a long look.

She just wore casual clothes, eating her ice cream as she glanced at his gear.

[Time Mage – lvl 208]

“That’s a rare one,” she mused with a smile. Ilea noted the ten fancy throwing knives and two daggers on his belt. Already have that maxed for now and I doubt this one will push me to the third tier.

“Should I inform the principal of your guest?” the man asked.

“No. I’m sure Lady Lilith can introduce herself to the students,” Kyrie said and walked ahead. “Thank you.”

The time mage and Ilea locked eyes as she ate her ice cream. She couldn’t resist using her Deviant aura for just a split second, watching the man stumble back, his eyes wide open.

Kyrie had his blades drawn, armor covering his body as he turned around, ready to face the monster he felt. “Was that… that was you, wasn’t it?” he asked, glancing behind her to see if he hadn’t missed something.

Maybe I shouldn’t do shit like this if even the Head Kingsguard of a major kingdom nearly gets a heart attack from my presence.

“Yeah, sorry it slipped out,” she said with a smile.

Kyrie looked at her before he resumed his walk, his armor vanishing again as she joined him. “A lesson is important. However I’m not sure how beneficial deep mental scars will be to the future leaders of our kingdom.”

Ilea smirked. “Getting nervous?”

“I brought you here. And to my surprise, I trust you,” Kyrie said. “But it’s easy to forget the ashen creature who slaughtered a horde of demons when you walk around with ice cream of all things.”

“Just use identify to remind yourself,” she said, nibbling on the cone.

“How can you mask it anyway? And why doesn’t it work against me?” Kyrie asked.

“Trying to get state secrets out of this date? I see where your heart lies, Kingsguard,” she said as they walked past a few large buildings, muffled magical impacts audible beyond.

Grass and trees decorated most of the complex, cared for by a few nature mages, one of them checking a nearby tree.

Kyrie smiled. “I like to be efficient. And who knows how many spies are following us. I can’t be too self serving.”

“Oh poor you,” Ilea said as they passed the closest building, a four story structure with rich decorations of marble, large windows on the ground floor suggesting an extensive hall beyond. Blue tiles covered the roof, smaller terraces built into the side.

A few groups of students had started looking their way, some of them glancing down from the windows or terraces, wondering who the woman with Lord Fiore could be. One young man suggested it was Lilith but he received a few mocking insults for the ridiculous proposal.

“Though I’m sure you can imagine the reactions nobility will have on this date, if you would call it such.” Kyrie said.

A politician after all, Ilea thought. She was starting to lose interest in the man. Too many considerations and ulterior motives seemed to be mixing in due to his position and background. She didn’t blame him for it of course, she herself wasn’t exactly just an everyday normal girl after all. If anything the situation made her appreciate her friends back in Ravenhall, Hallowfort, and the Krahen Isles even more.

Feyrair couldn’t give less of a shit about her status. To the Meadow she was barely intelligent enough to be considered awakened, and her team has known her for so long, they just thought her antics silly. She smiled, thinking of Kyrian who would surely find himself in similar situations soon enough.

“The training fields,” Kyrie introduced, gesturing to the extensive pit filled with trees, boulders, and even a small pond. The entire area seemed to be deliberately crafted, allowing for ambushes, defensible positions, and exposed elevated areas.

Ilea wasn’t terribly impressed, but she had enjoyed the ridiculous training ground of Eregar’s Haven. This felt too sterile somehow. Exactly what an academy would provide. Most of the battlegrounds she fought on were just boring caves or empty fields. Then again, her approach didn’t exactly require tactical consideration.

What’s the point of cover when both me and the monster can blow it all up in an instant?

“The faculty expects us in about half an hour but perhaps we can garner some interest already,” he said.

“Let’s see what they can do then,” Ilea said and jumped down into the training area. About a dozen students were already present, some hiding as they waited to ambush their foes, others comparing spells.

She quickly donned some leather armor on top of her clothes, her ash mantle still present near her neck due to the events of today. Ilea hardly assumed there was any danger to her here but being overconfident was usually a mistake. “What’s the deal with that druid healer who was with the king?” she asked.

“Lady Veyers? She’s been part of Kroll nobility for… a long time. And an important advisor to the King,” Kyrie said, his voice taking on a more calculated tone.

“She seemed like an experienced mage. To a notable degree,” Ilea said. She wouldn’t try to explain what she felt from the woman, she hardly understood it herself after all.

Kyrie didn’t react in a suspicious manner. “I assume her age is responsible for that. I’m sure you’re more perceptive than others. I have never thought her especially striking, though I don’t presume to compare myself to you.”

“I see,” Ilea said, looking at the two young women who had noticed the newcomers.

They bowed, their entire focus on the man next to her. “Greetings Lord Fiore. We heard you might visit this afternoon,” one of them said with a bright smile.

Popular, are we? Ilea thought, glancing at the man.

Both of them wore clean and well cut battle garments, lightly armored and lined with bronze and silver metals. It seemed the materials were chosen for harmony and style rather than defensive quality. The colors matched their respective hair.

“Greetings. Joanne, and Helia, was it?” Kyrie said with a smile.

Ilea could nearly grasp the joy lighting up in the girls’ faces as he got both their names right. Let’s see if you get the guys right too, or else you might risk plummeting my opinion.

The man gestured to Ilea, forcing their attention away from himself. “May I introduce you to Lilith.”

“Lilith?” one of them asked. “As in, the real Lilith?”

The other woman bowed lightly. “Greetings, Lady Lilith. I’m Helia Waad, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise,” Ilea said.

[Water Mage – lvl 83]

[Light Mage – lvl 112]

She wondered how absolutely the two girls would get ripped apart by a level fifty Sentinel. It made her proud and a little terrified of the monsters they had set upon the world. Maybe I shouldn’t judge them before I’ve seen them fight. Who knows, I might be surprised.

Ilea doubted it, but they’d get a chance to prove her wrong. And she would happily admit it if her judgment had been false.

Helia at least seemed nice, the other woman obviously quite annoyed that someone had taken away a fraction of her deserved attention. If looks could kill. Well, she was a light magic user, so that was likely closer to reality than it was an idiom in this case.

“Tom, Green, Valot,” Kyrie greeted the group of men joining them.

Charming after all, Ilea thought, smiling to herself which somehow seemed to annoy the light mage even more.

The three men had curious expressions, each wearing high quality light armor without a blemish on them.

Do they not fight each other here? Or did they just get out the fancy dresses for Kyrie?

“You must be Lady Lilith,” one of them said and bowed lightly, his peers barely containing their snickering.

Was I like that back when I walked onto the university grounds? They barely seem older than twenty, the same age as some of the Sentinels.

The difference was striking, not just in their attitude but in everything they were.

All of them hovered around level one hundred. She would have to be very careful not to accidentally kill them. No sudden movements, Ilea.

Chapter 649 Lessons

Chapter 649 Lessons

She smiled at the group. “Is that the usual way you treat unidentifiable adventurers?”

The man seemed to be caught off guard a little, his joke likely born of a bet that perhaps didn’t seem like the best idea in hindsight.

“I meant no offense, Miss,” he said with a charming smile. “We had wondered who would walk by Lord Fiore’s side. It seemed appropriate to suggest Lady Lilith, as there were rumors of her visit to the Corinth Order today.”

“Just to be clear,” Kyrie said. “This Is Lady Lilith, founder of the Medic Sentinel Corps.”

The guys seemed shocked.

Now you believe it? Not when you see a two question mark battle healer? I guess it’s just my getup. Should just walk in with my new Wyrm armor and destroy a few buildings in my wake to be true to my reputation.

“I wanted to show her the school of magic, and introduce her to some of the young talent honing their skills here,” Kyrie said. “Now that you’re already here, maybe you’d be willing to show off a little?”

Ilea glanced over to the shadow mage. Oh you.

“Are you sure?” one of the men asked, looking at her.

“It’s a bout then? What exactly are the boundaries and who wants to join?” Ilea asked.

“Everyone here against Lilith. I suggest you start over there,” Kyrie said, pointing at a set of strategically placed cover. “And you start here. I would suggest no killing,” he said to Ilea and smiled.

“All of us? Isn’t that a little unfair?” one of the men asked, rolling his shoulders as he winked at her.

Ilea at least gave credit to the other two, one just slightly unsure but the last one terrified as he looked at her. I’ll kill you last, she thought and smiled at him as sweetly as she could.

“Lilith has powerful defenses. It would surprise me if you could injure her severely,” Kyrie said and stepped aside. “The fight is over when one side is incapacitated.”

The five students gave their assent without further questions, likely having hoped Kyrie would suggest a bout when they had heard about his visit.

Ilea watched them take position, waiting in her spot with her arms crossed in front of her. More onlookers had joined by now, discussing with each other or setting up bets. Those too far away to identify her made some terrible miscalculations.

“I’m ready when you are,” Ilea said.

Kyrie snapped his fingers and the students attacked.

Magic flared up behind their cover, projectiles and beams flashing out towards her. Ilea raised her brows, impressed by the intensity of their magic. Good Classes for their levels, she thought, smiling when she saw Helia hesitate with her condensing water beam, after Ilea had remained stationary.

She displaced the spells to the side and started walking to the side. Her flat hand stopped the water beam now shot at her, a chunk of stone slapped to the side with her wrist. Wonderful. They’re even weaker than I thought.

Ilea stopped near a large tree and sunk her fingers into it, a limb of ash forming a scythe like blade before it slashed past the bottom. She casually turned to the group. “Here you go,” she said and threw the tree in a horizontal sweep.

They all covered behind their cover instead of dodging or teleporting away, one of the guys straight up staring at the incoming log until his friend dragged him down.

She looked up at Kyrie and shrugged. I don’t even know what to say, she thought and turned back to the students, slowly walking towards their cover as they scrambled to get their spells aimed at her.

Ilea whistled, freezing everyone in the vicinity. Playtime was over. If Kyrie wanted them to get a lesson, she would oblige. Ilea displaced the five students close to her and grabbed each one with a few growing ashen limbs. She didn’t have to use her Deviant aura to terrify them. “Some monsters above your own level can paralyze you with just a screech or roar,” she said, watching them start to writhe when the effects wore off. “Your teleportation won’t work once their bodies or magic touches you. Generally speaking.”

Ilea considered breaking a few bones but decided against it. The Sentinels knew what they signed up for and they could heal themselves. This felt more like torturing puppies. Arrogant noble puppies.

Instead she just teleported them up about thirty meters, watching them fall as they screamed. She caught them a few meters before they landed. Only two of them looked ready to make a non lethal landing. Panic and fear clouding their minds.

“What do you do, when you’re faced with a beast that can kill you in a single strike?” she asked, stepping up to the guy who had already been terrified before. Surprisingly he seemed a little more calm now.

“You… run,” he said.

“Exactly,” Ilea said and threw him to the side, the man hitting the ground with a pained yelp before he stumbled up and ran towards a slope leading out of the pit.

“When you see an enemy stand still at the might of your magic. What could it mean?” she asked the remaining group.

“That our magic is… inconsequential,” Helia answered.

“Or they’re terrified of your might,” Ilea said. “Though I suppose both may warrant a pause to consider. The least you should do is make some distance and observe. But I suppose it can already be too late at that point.”

“Why are you doing this?!” Joanne shouted. “Do you get enjoyment out of it?”

Ilea walked over to her. “You agreed to a bout, did you not?”

She remained silent.

“You identified me and learned that I’m far above your level. You heard that I’m Lilith, but you didn’t believe it, even when Kyrie said as much,” Ilea said. “You’re lucky I’m not an actual demon, because then you would long be dead.”

Joanne grit her teeth but remained quiet.

Ilea looked into her eyes and doubted the woman would get something valuable out of this. If this isn’t going to teach her anything, only the real thing will manage. But somehow I doubt she’d ever join an actual adventuring team.

She let them go and addressed the onlookers. “Anybody wants to test their spells and abilities, I’ll provide what pointers I can give.”

It took a few seconds for anybody to react, Helia being the first to walk up to her. “Can I just test my spells on you?”

“Go ahead,” Ilea said.

“Sure?” Helia asked again as water formed in front of her hand.

“You can’t hurt me,” Ilea said. “I’ll even bet ten gold pieces on that.”

The challenge incited a few of the onlookers, some jumping down into the pit now.

“Lady Lilith? Does that wager apply to everyone?” the man asked, lightning crackling around him as he approached. He was at level one twenty.

“Of course,” she answered, layering her ash armor.

“Are we just going to take that, Halstein?” the man asked as he circled her, addressing the growing student body.

What is this? A high school recess brawl?

It certainly felt that way when people started shouting, joining in as mages started forming a loose circle around her.

Ilea positioned herself in such a way that nobody would be directly behind her. She didn’t trust them not to injure each other.

Time to humble some people.

Ilea walked to the next student, watching him circle around her as a few dozen spells impacted her side. She maneuvered him against the side of the pit where she grabbed his arm, his ice flower spell exploding in her armored face, pieces of sharp frozen water hitting her eyes and shattering in the process.

“Got you. Well done aiming for my eyes,” she said with a smile, looking at the terrified young mage before she threw him away, his body impacting the ground four times before he came to a stop. Bruises… oh he broke a rib. Let me fix that, she thought and healed the injury.

She looked at the large group of students running around to reposition, blood on some of their faces, ash and dust covering their armor. Most were panting, groups of two or three getting the injured out of the way. They’re almost starting to look like actual adventurers.

Ilea could’ve used Monster Hunter once more to freeze them in place, she could’ve sent ashen limbs or copies after them, or use her heat spells to incinerate all of them at once.

However for this dangerous group of individuals, she needed to think with next level tactics. Evolved so to say. After about twenty minutes, most of them had been running on magical fumes for quite some time, having shot their load early in a pride boosted effort to take down the surely not as impressive as the songs walking myth of Ravenhall. A valiant effort for sure. Perhaps they’d be enough to stop one or even two demon spawn.

Her exceeding experience however shocked even them, as she changed from a brisk walk to a light jog.

She giggled to herself as she saw the terrified expressions, the fear near palpable in the air. All of them had seen dozens of students roughly thrown around, some even going unconscious. The sound of breaking bones coupled with pained yelps and screams had really changed the feel of this bout, Ilea however still enjoying herself as much as at the beginning.

Their confident grins had turned to despair, more so with each passing minute. Spells impacted her again, less frequent and less powerful than at the start. Perhaps an impressive display to a local Ruby rank adventurer but to someone who regularly faced ancient monsters capable of summoning miniature suns or tempests, they may as well have been children throwing rubber toys.

She waved to the faculty members now watching outside the pit with Kyrie, only the latter lightly waving back.

Have they never seen a Shadow? They’d slaughter this bunch, she thought, seeing some of their faces. Though it was impossible of course to discern their actual thoughts.

The students scrambles, some of them rushing up the slopes to leave the pit and surrender. Her jog really was quite terrifying it seemed.

She would’ve liked to just teleport them back, to really instill the terror of facing an ancient beast. Have I accidentally become an Ascended? No… once I’m at four marks, I’ll shred that thing to bits with a mere thought.

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 9’

This is hardly worth a mention compared to the Sentinels, she thought, hearing a yelp when she threw an armored student to the side, a loud oof resounding where he hit a tree. She checked to find his arm bruised but not broken. I’m getting better at this.

Ilea thought it funny that throwing around these level one hundred fighters required more finesse than dodging a four mark’s continued attacks. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so useless after all.

She could tell Kyrie itched to jump in, as did a few of the teachers, most at least close or slightly above level two hundred. None did however, for understandable reasons. Dignity. Ilea herself wouldn’t be bound by such lowly standards. If a stronger person appeared, she’d happily get beaten up to learn about her limits. Even better if she didn’t have to hold back at all. Guess that’s the Meadow for me.

“Thanks for training. Must be hard not to squash me,” she sent to the creature, catching the hood of a robed void mage. They have such rare powers and yet so little experience.

“Surprisingly durable. I only hold back ninety-nine percent,” the Meadow sent back.

Liar. I know it’s at least two percent, she thought, throwing the mage back and over her shoulder. Her slow approach wouldn’t have worked on a large field but the small pit allowed her to outmaneuver the students even with her slow speed. She caught another one a few seconds later, the remaining fighters exhausted, bleeding, and out of mana.

She lifted the woman up, watching her squirm. Hmm. Maybe not exactly. I would catch them eventually, once they’re exhausted or need sleep. Or at worst when they die of old age. I’m immortal after all, she thought and smiled brightly, tears streaming from the girl’s face.

“Please…,” she squirmed.

“Aw,” Ilea mused and put her down, smiling when her precognition kicked in. She caught the girl’s hand and broke her wrist, the metal spike she had controlled falling to the ground. “Good. Honor doesn’t help when your survival depends on it. Use what you can.”

She healed the girl and threw her away, teleporting when she saw her flight angle. Ilea put a foot between the metal mage’s chest and the ground, her knees slapping against the earth with two loud thuds. “Careful now,” she said and rolled her around with her heel. “If you land like that you might break your neck.”

The young woman whined, her perfect blond hair and cute face absolutely ruined. “It… hurts,” she whispered.

“Astute observation,” Ilea said and looked around to find no healthy students remaining in the pit. The jog really broke their spirit. Maybe I should use less powerful attacks, like Absolute Destruction.

She walked over to a young man, coughing as he woke up. “You should get that waistguard checked out, a few straps came loose. Shouldn’t happen from a throw like that.”

He looked up at her and smiled lightly. “Hardly matters now, does it?”

“Not against me, no. But your next battle may not be quite as hopeless,” Ilea said and helped him up. “Seems like your friends abandoned you.”

He sighed, waving off a group of three more or less apologetic men sitting above the pit. “I’ll reevaluate my alliances,” he said. “Want to be friends?”

Ilea raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t know you, kid.”

The man shrugged. “Worth a shot. My mother always said that befriending powerful people is the key to influence.”

“It’s the key to resistances, that’s for sure,” Ilea said. “Now fuck off or I’ll throw you again.”

“Yes ma’am,” the student said and saluted, running away as fast as he could.

Good on you. I’d have caught you on a lighthearted jog.

“Nobody else want to join?” she asked, looking at the exhausted onlookers.

Kyrie appeared a few meters ahead of her. “I think that’s enough for an afternoon,” he said with obvious amusement. “Don’t you think?”

“Sure you’re not up for a brawl? Showing off your mighty power to the impressionable student body,” Ilea said in a quiet tone.

“I believe Halstein has embarrassed itself quite enough for one day,” he mused. “May we?” he asked, gesturing upwards.

“Sure, but I think that’s enough of a tour for me. Thank you, Kyrie,” Ilea said, spreading her wings and ascending next to the man.

“Can’t say I expected to keep you here. What are your plans now?” he asked.

Ilea smirked. “I believe that’s my business.”

He chuckled. “Of course. I was merely curious what day to day business a person like you may have,” the man said, flying up next to her, the two soon hovering about sixty meters above the school grounds. He looked down and breathed in deeply. “To think what you could do to this place in mere seconds.”

“I’m not a madwoman, Kyrie. I’m sure there are enough dangerous people in Kroll you can worry about,” she said. “And monsters,” she added, remembering the whale creature flattening a large section of Ravenhall with a single spell. She wondered what the miniature sun spell would do to Halstein. Best not think of those scenarios.

“I’m not thinking of you, Ilea. I know you’re not our enemy,” Kyrie said with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I bid you farewell then, may our paths cross again, in similarly favorable conditions.”

“And to you. Greet Michael if you get the chance. Tell him he still owes me. Oh and thanks again for the feast, it really was delicious,” she said and started charging her wings.

_______________________________

Kyrie smiled. “I will deliver your words, Ilea.”

He felt the magic build within her wings before she shot off, a wave of air pushing him back as he lifted a hand to protect his face. The ashen healer was already just a small dot to his eyes, vanishing entirely a few seconds later.

He sighed, cracking his neck as he flew down to inspect the damage on the students. He was glad she had restrained herself to this degree, not even injuring any of the fighters. Of course he could already hear some people whining about unnecessary force and threats to talk to parents, uncles, or the king himself. Most of the students however seemed either awed, thoughtful, or downright hopeless. An improvement in Kyrie’s eyes, compared to their confidence before.

They can be angry at her all they want. Nothing they do or say will mean anything to her. They learned of their place in the world, unmistakably.

He hoped they would take the experience in stride, humbled and eager to grow. Most of these students were already powerful enough to face common beasts in the wilderness but they had to learn about what could be out there. Confidence was helpful, but it would only go so far.

Kyrie said a few encouraging words to the most downtrodden students before he joined the faculty. They know she did more for them in one hour than they may have done in the past few years.

He knew the teachers, their reactions both obvious and in character. The few who were both pragmatic and truly cared for the well being of their students seemed more than happy about the impromptu lesson. Interesting. It seems some of you may have needed the reminder too, he thought, preparing to leave. Well, we do tend to forget about the dangers of the world, protected in our walls by those we deem inhuman monsters.

Chapter 650 Reputation

Chapter 650 Reputation

Ilea used her third tier transfer as soon as she had flown a few kilometers out of the city, finding a bush to hide in for the use of her spell. About twenty seconds later, she appeared within the Meadow’s lair.

“Hello,” she greeted the enchanters, floating smith, and unspeakable horror tree.

“Your visits are frequent, human. Have you perhaps missed me?” Meadow asked.

“Very much, my love. How are the children?” she replied, looking around.

“If you’re open to reproduction experiments, I would not say no. However I’m fairly certain that I lack the necessary organs,” the Meadow spoke.

“I’m sure someone with your otherrealmly brain can figure something out. Plenty of magic after all,” she said.

A breeze went over the black grass of the Meadow. “I was talking about reproduction, not pleasure. We’ve done the latter many times already.”

Ilea raised an eyebrow. “We did? I fail to remember.”

“We’ve trained hundreds of times, Ilea. Perhaps you can’t recall because your brain was destroyed so many times. Or because you enjoy being ripped apart so much,” it said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Have you been reading smut?”

“I assume you mean written depictions of the pleasures of the flesh? Yes. Iana lent me her collection. For research purposes only,” the Meadow explained.

Explains this conversation. Can’t wait for this thing to gain all the knowledge of humanity. Its sarcasm will destabilize the entire realm.

“You’re a charming piece of landscape, but I think I’ll stick to humanoids,” Ilea said instead.

“How quaint. And here I thought you truly awakened,” the being said.

“It’s not you, it’s me,” she answered. “I’m sure you have a type as well.”

“I’m a scholar of magic, not an animal driven by primal instincts,” spoke the Meadow.

Ilea looked at the tree and smiled. “I’m sure you can find beauty in romance nonetheless. It’s not all about sex.”

An otherworldly sigh flowed through the grass. “If only there was an equal to my infinite brilliance.”

“What about the Fae? You seemed thoroughly impressed,” Ilea said with a smirk, sitting down to figure out the appearing puzzle of floating stone within shifting space.

The Meadow remained quiet for a while. “I could never… the difference between it and I is as vast as the gulf between you and me.”

“You really know how to charm a woman,” Ilea said while rolling her eyes. “It conversed with me, I’m sure it would be open to have a conversation at least. Or ten thousand of them, at the same time. I don’t know what kind of minds you two have.”

“Ah… truly, a gift it would be to learn more from one such as they,” the being spoke. “I shall try, young healer. Perhaps I will meet one of its kind again in a few decades. Enough time perhaps to think of a question.”

“Don’t rush it,” Ilea said in a dry tone. She noted that Iana was still working on her armor’s enchantments, Goliath fiddling around with various materials from spacial containers now down in Meadow’s lair and his new old workshop.

I really wasn’t gone for that long, she mused, thinking about the events of the day. The Corinth Order would likely not pose a threat in the foreseeable future and she had made an impression on the royals, including people close to them. They’d at least think twice about an extensive conflict with her allies, knowing what she brought to the table. That or they’d try underhanded methods but the king seemed reasonable enough. He’d likely prefer the benefits of cooperation and trade to whatever he would gain otherwise.

Training for the night I suppose, and the next healing order tomorrow. Let’s hope they’re a little more reasonable or at least have poison capable of raising my resistance.

“The mists are retreating to the morning light,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea looked up, blinking a few times as she stopped focusing on the space around her. With her enhanced senses coupled with dominion and space awareness, the increasing variations and layers the Meadow conjured for her training let her downright sink into some sort of otherworldly space pocket. Her ability had increased to the extent where she knew that her mind was barely even scratching the surface.

She knew rationally how truly powerful the Meadow was but it was simple to think of higher leveled magic users as simply packing a harder punch. With her space awareness, she was learning to glimpse into the bottomless depths of its capabilities.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

“Thanks,” she said and stood up, brushing away some dirt below her ashen dress. It covered her up without the insane defensive capabilities of her armor, allowing for more efficient resistance training without ruining clothes and armor. “You’re really quite terrifying,” she added, looking at the tree as she cracked her neck and knuckles.

“You lack the perception to grasp my primal form,” the Meadow said.

“Oh really? Are you creating an illusion to prevent everyone around you from going mad?” she joked.

“Yes,” spoke the tree.

Ilea blinked her eyes, unsure if the being was just fucking with her. Either seemed perfectly reasonable to her. Maybe it’s both.

She laughed at the idea of its presence alone literally killing her on the spot.

“Can you show me?” she asked.

“I’d rather not undress in front of you,” the Meadow spoke.

“Understandable,” she said and activated her long range teleportation. “Might be back again later. Thanks for the training.”

“I’ll be here,” the being spoke, the enchanters waving her way offhandedly.

Ilea appeared on a forested hill overlooking Riverwatch, looking up at the birds chirping away. Didn’t even notice me, hmm?

The sky was mostly clear of clouds, the morning light shining over the forested plains and against the vast mountain of Karth. Carts and groups of adventurers were leaving the city below.

She summoned the Order of Balance invitation and looked it over. Minister Genesis. Ominous name. Western section of Virilya.

Not a lot to go on but she assumed the person in question was important enough to be found rather easily. The letter itself looked official enough, with a few signatures and wax stamps. With a lot of imagination and considerable space awareness use, one of the scribbles could be identified as the name Genesis. Ilea assumed a similar handwriting sickness to befall the healers of this land much like the one plaguing doctors back on Earth. With the magically enhanced lifespan, the effects would likely get exponentially worse.

To a point where I might be able to actually train my space awareness with this, she thought with a smile and spread her wings.

Her flight path took her near the walls of Riverwatch, Ilea glancing over the busy independent city, seeing a few flying mages and guards going about their own business. Some of the guards on the walls waved her way, likely recognizing the familiar armor and wings.

They may think I’m just another Sentinel.

The thought seemed comforting in a way. She hadn’t considered it so far but the more Sentinels managed to get to a higher level, unlocking some kind of ash armor and wings, the less recognizable she herself will become. Before people thought her just another Shadow, which granted, she was. But now with her reputation, pretty much everyone who heard the songs or stories could put two and two together.

Until my own reputation will mix in with that of the Sentinels, Lilith becoming the legendary founder that may or may not truly exist, she thought with a grin. Ilea could certainly see how people would start to believe Lilith was more than one person. Especially with her flying speed and long range teleportation. The journey from Halstein to Virilya would take weeks for normal people, and still probably a few days for Hunter rank Sentinels.

She charged her wings and focused on the mark on Felicia, the location somewhere towards where Virilya should have been. A moment later she shot off into the distance.

None of the monsters or people she saw on the way managed to react to her passing, most likely not noticing anything until the sound would reach them. Her high Wind Resistance ability reduced that effect as well however.

She slowed down when she saw glittering light reflecting off the capital lake’s surface, landing in the wilderness a few kilometers away from the distant walls.

Been a while since I visited, she thought, remembering the empty streets and siege weapons between the Baralia invaders and the hunkering Imperials. Back then it had almost seemed like a stalemate. By now she couldn’t really think of a way for Baralia to have pushed through. Calculated probably. The Empire surely knew about the political situation in Baralia and thought it more effective to wait out the siege.

It must’ve taken some iron willed commitment and control of the nobility to allow for a one year shutdown of the capital. I wonder what the Empress is like. Maybe she’s a secret three mark?

Ilea ran the rest of the way, now wearing a set of casual clothes. She reached the city walls a few minutes later, the guards letting her pass immediately when she showed them her Emerald adventurer badge.

“Looking for the closest Order of Balance temple,” she said to one of the guards.

“Half an hour in this direction. Too many alleys, just ask on the way for specific directions,” the woman said, pointing southwards.

“Thanks,” Ilea answered, walking through the streets as she took in the sights. Some of the building had people working on them, others being painted anew. There were beggars on the streets but not more than any other time she had visited. Hardly seems like there was a war.

It had been a while since the siege had happened of course, and Lys was likely the most powerful country in the plains. They had thousands of mages to throw against any problem or infrastructure issues that may crop up. And probably thousands of mages more from Baralia.

A few minutes passed as she continued on her way, healing anybody with injuries she saw within her dominion, distributing some silver to the beggars she saw and buying some street food.

Ilea soon found a temple of sorts, a line of people queuing outside. She could tell that everyone had a malady of one sort or the other. Those she could heal she did, likely robbing the temple of a significant part of their work. Or their business, but she hardly cared. “Is this the Order of Balance?” she asked an older gentleman sitting on a nearby bench, a tree providing him shade.

“Hmm, yes. Indeed,” he said, looking at her. “Are you going to join?”

“I don’t plan to,” Ilea answered, glancing behind when she saw something flicker at the edge of her dominion. She just barely managed to see the line of the teleportation spell. Watching me? Well, we are in the capital. Probably one of the Lily’s goons, whichever member found me first. Or an imperial?

She didn’t particularly care, turning her head when she found a cloaked figure staring at her through a distant window. The man opened his eyes wide when she cocked her head to the side a little, staring right at him. He vanished too.

A group of adventurers walked by in that moment, their body language somewhat tense and angled towards her. None of them made a move however, simply passing through and entering a nearby store.

“Is that her?” one of them whispered.

Ilea listened to the conversation, concentrating to focus on the subdued voices in the sea of noise.

“Can’t be… she looks too normal,” a woman said.

“Don’t let it fool you. Her description matches. We’ll keep an eye on her and inform the captain if she does anything suspicious. Don’t engage under any circumstances. You know what she can do,” a third voice said.

So much for anonymity. Maybe I should wear plate armor and carry my hammer. Next time I guess, she thought and entered the temple.

Ahead of the line stood a healer wearing dark gray robes, a sheathed short sword hanging from a belt around her waist. She seemed a little confused, checking the man in front of her with a healing spell. Some of the people in the queue were already leaving, thanking any nearby Order members for the help.

The woman looked around before her eyes fell on Ilea.

“Greetings,” the Shadow said, waving as she ascended the stairs. Most of the temple inside was made of stone, simple and sturdy. She assumed few if any had been destroyed in the war. The doors are super sturdy too, and enchanted.

“Greetings. I assume you’re responsible for this?” the healer asked, gesturing to the leaving people.

[Pure Healer – lvl 112]

“You think I just healed about sixty people?” she asked.

The healer looked at her and nodded lightly. “You are quite a high level healer. So yes. I ask you not to interfere with our business any further than this, though I suppose I can’t stop you.”

“I thought healers were supposed to heal,” Ilea answered.

“They are. But compared to you, I can’t heal fifty people in the span of a minute. It’s valuable experience and I can earn some additional coin. What can I do for you?” she said.

Ilea considered the answer and found she didn’t really care. Healers would find work easily enough, even if she healed literally everyone in this city. Maybe then a few more would actually join adventurer teams.

She thought about the prospect, covering the entirety of Virilya with her dominion and healing every person in it. The idea seemed both impractical and like a bit of a waste of her time. Maybe once the teleportation gates were around, the Sentinels could do a sweep through large cities every few months. Would piss off the Orders though.

“Are you still there?” the healer asked, not having received an answer to her question.

“Ah, sorry. I’m looking for Minister Genesis,” she said, noticing a few glances her way when she said the name.

“Minister Genesis? What business do you have with her?” the healer asked, obviously a little suspicious. “If you want to join the Order you can do that with Minister Veer, he’s in his office down the hallway.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” Ilea said, summoning the invitation and handing it to the woman.

“Y… w…,” the healer stuttered, gulping as she looked between Ilea and the letter. “Ye..s let me… I’ll bring you to her.. immediately. Apologies,” she fumbled and bowed. “I meant no offense, Lady Lilith.”

“Calm down,” Ilea said and took the letter back. “Just tell me where I can find her.”

“The main western temple, overlooking the lake. It’s really no issue. I can show you there,” she said.

“What’s in it for you?” Ilea asked, making the letter vanish. More healers had gathered around them, murmuring to each other.

“I… I’m an… admirer. It’s… an honor to meet you!” the woman finally got out, her whole body language coupled with the shade on her cheeks having morphed her into an entirely new character.

“I… see,” Ilea said. “Alright then, show the way, I guess.”

She watched the woman downright squeal in glee as she walked down the stairs. “Is it true that you met General Ryse? And that you fought the monsters in Seyna? I heard you infiltrated the Order of Truth before they could cause even more damage to their own cities.”

“You heard a lot of stories,” Ilea said, walking next to the woman who led her westward through the city.

The healer smiled. “Everything I could find… oh I’m sorry… this must be kind of uncomfortable,” she said and laughed awkwardly. “I just… when I heard about the Medic Sentinel Corps… I was overjoyed!”

“You could always go an try to join,” Ilea suggested.

“I… I don’t think I can go through that kind of training. If the rumors are true. And I’m already in an Order. We’re not supposed to just switch. I’m Julia by the way, I don’t think I’ve mentioned that yet. The training with the Order of Balance was already exhausting. I don’t know if I could go through that again… and actually fight each other… and monsters… no. No that’s not… not for me. I like the songs though! And I love to hear about your stories. Did you know that a few writers in the city have started to collect tales about you from front line soldiers and adventurers?”

Please, god.

Julia bit her lip and looked to the ground. “Hmm. I suppose it’s impossible to tell if the stories are actually true. Not if you don’t confirm or deny them. But you’re probably very busy so it wouldn’t make much sense. We have to go left here,” she babbled, leading them towards the walls.

“It’s just outside the wall, where the fishing port is. Did you really fight a demon horde right outside the southern gates?” Julia asked.

“I took part in a battle like that, yes,” Ilea said.

Julia squeaked, both her hands raised to cover her mouth. “I knew that one was true! And then you rallied the Shadows in the city to go and retake Ravenhall, didn’t you?”

“I had information from Ravenhall, but it wasn’t me who rallied them,” Ilea said. She didn’t mind answering some of the excited woman’s questions, if she actually led her to the Minister.

Julia smiled knowingly. “No need for modesty. I know it was you. Either that or you pulled strings from the shadows. The battle in Ravenhall must have been incredible. I heard there were tens of thousands of demons. Even creatures as large as our walls are high!”

Scouts must’ve shared that story. Or some of the Shadows who took part. I suppose it’s understandable to take some credit after being part of that battle.

Ilea had simply experienced things by now that entirely overshadowed the battle for Ravenhall. She would certainly not share them with the young woman next to her, already entirely overwhelmed by her presence. She checked her surroundings but only found two rogue types following them. No sign of Maro. Don’t pass your cult curse onto me.

Chapter 651 Balance

Chapter 651 Balance

The temple was located outside of the main city walls, nestled between hundreds of buildings squished into the narrow line of land between the massive walls and the lake. Plenty of buildings reached onto the water as well, stone pillars and wooden beams supporting the structures with dozens of piers in between.

The lakeside part of town narrowed further towards the north until water touched the city walls. To the south the space broadened instead, a less impressive wall protecting the packed multilayered town against monster attacks. With how massive Virilya truly was, this portion outside its main walls could’ve been an entire settlement of its own, the walls comparable to those of Riverwatch. And because of the limited space, it seemed the builders had to go vertical instead. There seemed to be a specific height where they hadn’t been allowed to continue however, likely to prevent an easier entry past the city walls.

Ilea watched as a few dozen fishing boats sailed onto the expansive lake, a few hundred in total visible from the stairwell she stood on.

“Have you not visited this part of town before?” Julia asked, waiting a few steps ahead.

“No,” Ilea answered. “I’ve seen it from a distance. I’ve not stayed in the city for longer than a few days at a time.”

“Too busy fighting the enemies of humanity,” Julia mused.

I wonder what excuse she’d come up with for the Elves.

The Temple looked more like a military fort, other houses of stone and wood built against the stone walls of the Order structure jutting out of the bustling fishing area.

“Why build this temple here instead of inside the walls?” Ilea asked.

“For the view, I suppose,” Julia said with a shrug. “No way to see the lake from inside the city.”

How many people sign up for the guard just to stand on those walls then? Ilea thought, turning around and looking up. It still seemed imposing to her, despite her ability to fly and everything she’d seen. A testament to magic itself. And yet a Trakorov could burst through them with a single charge.

Then again there surely were dozens of enchantments placed on the walls, reinforcing them ten fold or even more. Perhaps it really was enough to stop a four mark creature. Ilea would certainly be interested in stress testing the walls of Virilya and Ravenhall, just to see who would do better. She couldn’t see a way for either to stop her Archon Strike coupled with an ashen drill, but there was a chance she’d be surprised. Might ask Claire about that. She might be interested too.

“Wall enchantment stress test? Build test wall if interested,” she sent to the woman, turning back to Julia and gesturing her to walk ahead.

The fort itself had a large wooden gate, currently open with two imperial guards standing out front. A yard of stone opened up within, dozens of people talking to the healers, some negotiating and moving on to others.

“Like a market for medicine,” Ilea said.

Julia glanced back and smiled. “I suppose it is. And a lot of that money goes back into training new healers or building temples in less wealthy towns all over the Empire and bordering countries.”

“You’re present in all of them?” Ilea asked.

“Most, though mainly the Empire. I suppose our influence here prevents rapid expansion elsewhere,” Julia suggested.

“Makes sense,” Ilea said, greeting a few healers who had done the same to her. Most were below level one hundred even, none of them giving her the impression of an experienced fighter.

They went up a few sets of stairs, Julia leading her into the upper part of the fort where more imperial guards now actively stopped them.

“Don’t have your own guards?” she asked, looking at the healer.

“No reason to be a smart ass,” one of the guards said.

Julia glared at the man. “You’re insulting Lilith, watch your mouth.”

He glanced between them.

“Apologize to her,” Julia demanded.

Ilea waved her off. “It’s fine. I was being a smart ass. So why don’t they have their own guards?”

The other man replied. “Order pays ‘lenty o taxes. An healers can’t exactly protect ‘emselves, can ey?”

[Halberd Fighter – lvl 85]

“I guess they can’t,” Ilea said, blinking a few times as she looked at the man. “Good thing they have you to protect them.”

“Aw piss off, go inside then,” he said and spat on the ground. “Nobilihy.”

“I’m not actually noble, but sure. A good day to you two,” Ilea said and displaced their weapons onto the roof.

“Wha… where,” one of them stuttered, looking around before he left his post in search of his weapon.

Julia giggled next to her. “Shall we?”

She looked ready to fight that man with her bare hands, Ilea thought. “I think I can find the way myself now. Thanks for getting me here, Julia.”

“Oh… alright. Well, good luck in that case. I hope to hear more from you… ah… before… do you maybe want to get lunch later? I know a few good restaurants!” the woman asked, her face taking on a shade of red.

Ilea smiled. “That’s sweet, but I’ve got other business to attend to afterwards. Thanks for the invitation, and good luck with your healing.”

The woman nodded, deflating a little before she straightened and smiled. “Goodbye, Lilith. It was an honor to meet you,” she added and bowed.

“Nice to meet you too, Julia,” Ilea answered and entered the temple. Well that was awkward.

She didn’t want to take advantage of the starstruck healer, hoping this wouldn’t become a normal occurrence. Go Sentinels, get stronger quickly.

The halls within were mostly empty, one healer walking past but ignoring her after a confused glance.

Ilea found a woman sitting at a desk within the largest room, windows angled in a way that would let her see the lake beyond. She assumed that was the Minister.

A knock on the door made the woman look up. “Yes.”

Ilea looked in from a half opened door. “Minister Genesis?”

“Indeed,” the woman said and locked eyes with her. “And you must be Lilith. Come in.”

Ilea closed the door behind herself and looked around. A few shelves lined the walls, covered not only in books but trinkets, potions, and items giving off various magical auras. A large brown fur of some kind of bear was laid out to the side of the room, a door leading out to a terrace overlooking the port and lake beyond.

[Barrier Mage – lvl 285]

The woman herself looked to be in her fifties, which only meant she reached a high level at that point in her life. She could’ve been hundreds if not thousands of years old. Gray hair bound in a single bun adorned her head, a slightly armored dark gray robe with silver embroideries covered her body.

Ilea assumed based on the slight armor, higher level, and her body language that the Minister at least had some real battle experience. Her face was schooled but the slight tension in her body suggested at least some awareness of the monster in front of her.

“Lovely office you have here,” Ilea commented, breaking the eye contact to look outside. “And an even better view.”

The Minister smiled. “The lengths I went to for this view,” she said and shook her head lightly. “I’m glad you could make it. Claire informed us of your coming but I hadn’t expected you so early in the morning,” she said and gestured to the comfortable looking chair in front of the large wooden desk.

Ilea accepted the invitation. “I’m sure neither of us needs a lot of sleep anymore.”

“And yet it’s still such a wonderful thing, isn’t it? If only there was less work and more competent people to assign it to,” the woman said. “I heard of your plans to visit Halstein. Perhaps it’s too late, but I should warn you about the Corinth Order. Their reputation and current state suggest motives that may endanger both you and your allies.”

“I appreciate it,” Ilea said. “But that’s already been dealt with.”

If the woman knew about her planned visit, she would surely be informed of what happened in Halstein within the week.

The Minister blinked and nodded lightly. “I can offer you five gold pieces for any information you’re willing to share on that subject.”

“I’ll let Claire decide what exactly my information should be worth. If you’re willing to accept that trade?” Ilea said. If the Order of Balance wanted to make gold with healing, she would just deflect their attacks at her most efficient shield and weapon. Claire Russel.

The woman smiled and leaned back. “Tea?” she asked, summoning a kettle.

“Gladly,” Ilea said.

Two cups appeared on the desk, the woman filling them with meticulous care. “Brewed perfectly. Curious how some storage items manage to keep such things frozen in time.”

“It’s a great benefit,” Ilea said, using some ash to get the cup. Maybe one day I’ll be able to understand what’s happening within them.

“I can assume then that any discussion of specifics will be left with your southern ally?” the woman asked.

“Depends on what specifics exactly. She doesn’t speak for me, and I don’t speak for her. But if you mean assets and trade, then yes,” Ilea answered.

“I understand. I’ll have to find time for a visit then. Both to talk to her and the Headmaster of your Sentinels. Can I assume your announcement to focus on adventuring teams and hunting monsters to be sincere?” the woman asked.

“We don’t train healers to stay behind walls. But I can’t speak for all Sentinels. For now I think all of them would find that prospect both boring and a waste of their time. And I don’t think that will change with future recruits,” Ilea said. “Your name is curious. How should I address you?”

“Genesis is perfectly fine. Is Lady Lilith acceptable to you?” the woman asked.

“Just Lilith is fine,” Ilea said.

“Lilith then. I’m glad to hear it from you personally. Then I believe there won’t be any major issues between our Order and your organization. And should any arise nonetheless, I’m sure we can solve them through various agreements and non violent ways,” Genesis said.

Ilea smiled. “I’m sure we can. As long as you don’t hunt healers or let people die because they can’t pay for your services.”

Genesis looked at her for a moment. “Curious. I hadn’t thought you a humanitarian. No member of the Order of Balance can speak for all the healers trained and associated with us. There surely has been death and suffering caused by those refusing services. Though most people who choose to become healers don’t do so for monetary gain alone. Internal rules forbid such actions but it’s impossible to survey everyone at all times, I’m sure you understand that.”

“What did yo think of me then?” Ilea asked, curious to hear what someone in the woman’s position had to say about Lilith. “And of course. If you don’t promote such actions or actively ignore them, you’re already worlds ahead of others.”

Genesis sipped on her tea, keeping her light blue eyes on Ilea. “What did I think of you… well I didn’t think you’d be interested in an old Minister’s opinion. Many who choose the path of adventuring don’t care for much other than themselves, let alone those who manage to join the Shadow’s Hand. There are outliers of course, and you are one of them, in more than one way.

“There are many stories and songs about you. Bardish drivel, tales to propagate one thing or the other, paid for by interest groups unknown to me. Or perhaps all true, understated even? I thought many things, but I knew nothing until you entered this very room. Now that I see you… that I perceive the magic flowing through your veins. Well, let’s say I doubt the three marks shown to me by my skill are an illusion. Which makes me think the stories are but a fraction of your true exploits.”

Ilea smirked, sipping on her tea. “Delicious mix,” she said. “You don’t seem to be bothered much by that fact. Can I assume you’ve seen other three marks before?”

“Thank you. It’s a past time of mine. Sadly much of the city’s reserves were plundered or burned down during the siege. It takes years and years to cultivate some of these herbs,” she said and sighed. “To answer your questions, no. I haven’t, though I wouldn’t share that information with you for free. My lack of mindless terror stems from the fact that you seem a human being with the capacity for thought and communication. Quite unlike some of this Empire’s high ranking nobility, as well as some Ministers of the very Order I find myself a part of.”

The woman leaned back and sighed, closing her eyes as she took another sip. “To an extent it’s refreshing. It’s been a long time since someone made me feel this way. No matter what I would do, it feels like I’m standing in front of a creature entirely beyond my own ability. So far so that this conversation lacks entirely in tension. We both know the position we are in, from a more primal and magical perspective. You chose to adhere to the rules set by our societies and morals, I thank you for that. A lot of unnecessary suffering could’ve been prevented over the centuries if humans of high power had chosen to do the same.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m not a monster, despite the numerous allegations. Nor am I a god or queen for that matter, and I never will be.”

“It usually depends on perspective, though I must admit that I’m impressed. You must have something in your heart that prevents the corruption brought by power,” Genesis said, looking out onto the lake.

A love for good food, Ilea thought, not entirely sure she hadn’t been corrupted in some ways already. But she supposed if she didn’t start slaughtering entire populations on a conquering march for Sentinel dominance, she shouldn’t be too hard on herself.

“What keeps you from turning into a mindless beast?” Ilea asked, following the woman’s gaze.

“Order. Love. Tea. Not entirely in that order. I once fought creatures in the wild. Everyone close to three hundred did. It’s a rush, one that could take over quickly back within a city’s walls. Why should orders matter when they come from someone far below one’s capabilities? Why should laws be obeyed when the entire guard of a settlement could not stop me? I fear the day when someone with no purpose or reason but their own self reaches heights such as yours,” Genesis mused.

“There are those who would intervene,” Ilea said.

“Like we intervened in Baralia? How many tens of thousands died?” she asked, both remaining quiet for a while. Genesis sipped from her tea again before she spoke once more. “Apologies, Lilith. I assure you I don’t normally bore my guests with such thoughts. But sitting across a being such as you, it didn’t seem to matter. Thank you, for not ridiculing an old woman. Even though you may very well be older than me. I accept the terms then, whatever information you have on the Corinth Order, I would like to hear it. And we will compensate your organization in turn. Or Ravenhall itself, if that is your wish.”

Ilea waved her off. “Just mention it to Claire,” she said and quickly outlined what had happened in Halstein.

“The Speaker… is dead. That may change things. With Donnavon and Mateo in a position to make decisions. I have only little information on Bryce but if what you say of him is true, it may be incredibly beneficial,” Genesis said. “Thank you.”

“Beneficial for whom?” Ilea asked with a grin, leaning back as she finished her cup of tea.

“For us of course. And every healer in Elos. But mostly us. The Corinth were the main reason our Order hasn’t managed to expand much in Kroll or the independent cities in the west, though the latter hasn’t been much of a problem since the Elven attacks,” she said in a dry tone.

“Few options to expand into ruins. Riverwatch, Stormbreach, and Dawntree should be doing fine however,” Ilea said.

“Riverwatch prefers to train their own healers. Though not to the benefit of their population. Perhaps we can come to better arrangements now that they’re so closely connected to an independent Ravenhall. Dawntree won’t accept another Healing Order within its natural walls for a generation or two, and Stormbreach… has their own Order,” she said.

How much does she know, I wonder?

Ilea didn’t know which she thought more beneficial, the Order of Balance or the Order of Benevolence. “I was wondering why there weren’t more adventuring healers if you don’t actively prevent yours from joining any teams,” Ilea asked.

“Convenience mostly. Healers who join our Order have to work within our temples for many years. Lucrative positions, mind you. Most find it difficult to let go of the prestige and comforts that come with being a healer,” Genesis said, gesturing around herself to underline the point. “And those who don’t either die in one dungeon or the other, join the guard or military, or they return after seeing a little too much violence and death.”

“I admire your wish to support adventurers with capable healers, and to train healers that can hold their own in the first place. But I can’t imagine the gold you invested into this endeavor. I hope it doesn’t turn out a massive failure,” the woman said.

Ilea couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did I offend you?” Genesis asked.

“No, no. I like your bluntness,” Ilea said.

“Is my suggestion so ridiculous then? We have both seen the creatures out there, you to an extent I could likely not even comprehend,” Genesis said.

“You haven’t met a Sentinel yet, have you?” she asked.

The woman shook her head. “I’ve only heard of a few individuals taking on missions already.”

“You might understand it once you meet them,” Ilea said.

Chapter 652 Acquaintances

Chapter 652 Acquaintances

Ilea discussed a few more topics with the woman, but nothing else of true importance. They both seemed content with future coexistence and an exchange of knowledge and other resources, though Genesis made it clear that she couldn’t speak for the whole of her Order. Some other Ministers in Virilya alone had spoken out against cooperation with the Sentinels, for very different reasons.

She knew they’d cave in as soon as her organization became well known not for the name of their founder but their own reputation. Shadows and Sentinels, Ilea mused, leaving the temple with a smile. The tea really was quite excellent. She had gotten a pot as a farewell gift, however only after she had proven her own storage item could keep the brew at the required state and temperature. One of Keyla’s meals had convinced the woman. A steep price but perhaps a fair trade for her best chef’s creation.

“In Virilya. Do you have time for a visit?” Ilea sent to Felicia as she stepped out into the large port district.

“For you, always. Will need a few hours. Redleaf Estate,” Felicia sent.

Does that mean I should go there in a few hours? Or now? Ilea wondered. Well, I’m not only here for her. Might as well have a look at their House’s house they took back from Arthur.

She summoned a silver coin and gave it to a nearby beggar. “Any clue where the Redleaf estate is?”

“Thank ye. Very generous, miss healer. Redleafs… hmm… eastern part within the walls I’d say. Don’t know specifics. ‘pologies, miss,” he said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and left, going back through the large gate and into the city proper. She teleported up the largest nearby building, holding on to a spire with an extending wing as she had a look around. The mark on Felicia suggested the woman was in the central district. Not where I want to be, Ilea thought and jumped off again, her wings preventing damage to the street and her self-confidence.

Mass is a good thing. Trust the millennia old monsters. Humans don’t know anything, she reminded herself, ignoring the glances from passerby people.

Compared to smaller towns and villages it seemed displays like the one she just gave weren’t exactly unheard of. Most of them went on with their business immediately after making sure there was no actual danger to their lives.

She still had her tails, more now than before. “Leave me alone,” she said, whistling with Monster Hunter before she vanished, teleporting a few dozen times before she emerged again in a busy side street. Her eyes closed as she took in the delicious fragrances intermingling with the usual city smells. Jackpot.

A few copper pieces lighter, and several thousand calories richer, she continued on her wandering way through the sprawling capital. And Feyrair is confused how humans can stay within walls. There’s enough to see and do here for a hundred lifetimes.

Street performers sang and juggled, their tricks made more impressive by practiced use of martial skills and magic spells. Bards strung their varied instruments, both advertising nearby shops and simply entertaining.

A jingle resounded when Ilea walked into a leatherworking store. She quickly chose a set of light armor made of dark brown leather lined with thin plates of dull steel. She added a cloak and went to the broad counter.

“That’ll be one gold and fifty eight silver,” the man said after inspecting the wares. “Will you need a pack to carry it all?”

Ilea summoned the coins and made the armor vanish, changing her outfit in the blink of an eye before she pulled the light brown cloak over her head, obscuring some of her features.

The leatherworker grinned and gave her a slight nod. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

Ilea summoned another few pieces of silver and placed them on the counter, nobody else currently in the store. “Can you tell me where the Redleaf estate is located?”

“About two hours walk east I believe. Close to the main eastern road. Between the glass working and eastern alchemy district. They have more than one estate, but I believe their main one was there. Don’t count on this though, I believe the Head of their House has passed away some time ago,” the man explained, not yet reaching for the coin.

“Thank you. Can I count on your discretion?” she asked, pushing the silver towards him.

“Certainly. We have never met,” he said, still with a light grin. “Miss… before you go.”

“Hmm?” Ilea asked, turning back to face him.

“High level healer, black hair, blue eyes, looking for High nobility… you couldn’t possibly be Lilith, could you?” he asked.

“Why would it matter?” Ilea asked.

“I’m merely curious. It would be quite an honor to know Lady Lilith wore the armor I myself have made. The relatives of a good friend of mine were saved by your actions during the siege.” the man explained.

Ilea quickly spread her ashen mantle over the leather armor, only covering half her body before she made the spell recede again to her upper back.

“In… credible… thank you… and good fortune!” the man said.

“To you as well,” she said and left the store, with a better idea of her destination.

Ilea tried some dishes on the way, being vigilant to the folks within her dominion. She wouldn’t really mind having a few of them tailing her but bringing them to Felicia might be a nuisance for the woman.

In the end, her new outfit coupled with some caution prevented any more people from recognizing her. High level healers in Virilya probably weren’t that uncommon with the presence of the Order of Balance.

She found the districts about an hour later, occasionally teleporting to nearby roofs to get a better idea of where she was exactly. Most of the people she asked for more specific directions were rather helpful. Normalcy has definitely returned.

Ilea entered a rather broad street, lined with luscious trees on either side. There was enough space for a carriage to comfortably turn. At the end of the road stood a mansion, parts of it covered in ivy, a tree growing adjacent resting a few branches on the right side of the tiled roof. A grated fence prevented outsiders from entering without climbing or wings, large bushes behind forming a natural wall. All of it seemed somewhat abandoned and decrepit.

Based on the instructions however, Ilea was pretty sure this was the place. Must’ve looked wonderful before the war. And with Arthur still around. I wouldn’t be surprised if Felicia let this place crumble in a deliberate manner.

There was no way to inform anybody inside of her coming, nor would anyone see her waiting outside. And so she simply jumped over the grate, landing in the stone yard where grasses and flowers had started growing through some cracks. Ilea winced when she heard the loud impact resound below her, looking down to find yet another few cracks. Shouldn’t have jumped that high.

The door to the manor burst open, a familiar face walking out, her eyes landing on the sole intruder as magic flowed around her.

“I thought we were done with… Ilea?” Aliana asked. Her brown hair was short and well kept, the woman wearing an apron over a set of gray and red light armor. It looked custom made and not quite like anything Ilea had seen the Lys military use.

“Yes, hi there,” Ilea said and waved lightly. “Sorry about the floor.”

Aliana looked down. “I’m not sure what you… oh no worries. Wait you did that?”

“I’ve gained some weight,” Ilea answered with a slight frown.

The woman grinned. “Wonderful. It’s good that you’re getting fed properly! Now don’t stand there and come in, I’m preparing lunch. And you’re invited.”

“Thank you,” Ilea said with a smile. “I assume you were cooking for Felicia? She knows I’m in the city.”

“Am I not allowed to prepare lunch for myself?” Aliana asked, leading Ilea through the downright ancient manor. Many of the windows were open, flowers and plants placed in front of various walls where it seemed paintings would’ve hung at some point.

Ilea could still see a bunch of nails in the walls. She thought it charming, the fresh vegetation taking away some of the weight the dark wood had on the atmosphere. “Of course you are. It’s been a while Aliana, how have you been?”

[Water Mage – lvl 208]

“Simply wonderful, Ilea. Do you want to wait in the banquet hall or join me in the kitchens?” she asked. “Been a while since we had a guest I actually cared about.”

“I’ll join you. But I haven’t really increased my ability to cook since last time,” Ilea admitted. “You get a lot of guests here?”

“I never took you for a cook. Someone who can value the worth of food however, that you are. And I always appreciated that,” she said and led her into an extensive area in the back of the manor.

Ilea could see four walls caved in, some of the wood still sticking out. Whatever the rooms had been before, now everything was covered in enchanted cooking equipment. Various ovens, heating plates, and storage containers lining the elongated back wall, sunlight streaming in through several large windows. A luscious garden with flowers, herbs, and trees growing expanded behind, giving the impression of a country village instead of a bustling capital city. The whole district was rather quiet, adding to the serene atmosphere.

Dozens of hooks lined the walls above the windows, pans and pots hanging from them with the occasional knife sticking out of the wood itself. Crates littered the hardwood floor, a pile of bones sitting in a steel tub to the side, meat hooks hanging from above, currently empty.

Aliana checked a few pots, lifting lids, and stirring. A fragrance of various cooking vegetables and herbs filled the room after she did that, the woman turning around and resting her behind on a nearby cabinet. “Not a lot of guests here. For good reason,” she said and gestured to the general state of everything. “Felicia meets her notable contacts in another mansion owned by her, not previously associated with the Redleaf family and quite a bit more… modest. Though she returns here in her free time, which hasn’t been a lot I’m afraid.”

Ilea nodded, grabbing a nearby chair and carefully sitting down. The wood creaked a little but held. Aliana raised an eyebrow. “So this is where the political prisoners end up?” Ilea asked to distract her, nodding to the meat hooks.

The woman laughed. “Ah, not at all. She’s not her father after all,” she said and smiled. “No, Edwin and his… pupil, often bring back one carcass or the other. At my request of course.”

“I thought he was drinking,” Ilea said. “And he has a pupil now?”

“Oh he is. And well… yes and no,” Aliana said. “It’s a little complicated.”

Ilea shrugged, smiling as she rested her elbows on the top of the chair, her head resting in her hands. “Tell me all about it. I’m sure we have time, you haven’t even started cooking meat yet. High time we caught up on things.”

Aliana rolled her eyes. “I’ve learned plenty about you from Felicia and the songs. Lilith, savior of Riverwatch, member of the Liliy? And you fought alongside Velamyr Ryse, let alone Michael Elyse. Quite an impressive change compared to your adventures in Taleen dungeons, threatened by a young Redleaf noble to help in his plots,” she said and paused, taking in a deep breath as she closed her eyes. She looked back at Ilea and continued. “It’s quite enjoyable, I’ll be honest. They helped me out, you see, but it was Felicia who always wanted me there. It was her presence that kept me there. I didn’t like how he treated you, but I suppose you enjoyed the benefits instead. I haven’t heard of anyone growing in power as quickly as you did in those few weeks.”

“It was quite helpful. Any resentment I’ve had towards him is gone by now,” Ilea said. “And don’t believe the songs and stories. I’m the same woman I was back then. Mostly.”

“That’s good to hear. You might even see him if you stay long enough. I have no idea when they come back usually but it’s been three days already. I can’t say I’ve stayed exactly the same. Taking care of a drunk noble I think has changed me, as did the classes I’ve been participating in,” Aliana explained.

“Classes?” Ilea asked.

Aliana waved her off. “Ah various things. Felicia thinks it paramount that I learn to express myself in different languages, understand the political intricacies of the city and Empire, that I can manage trade and various other things a high noble should know. It’s interesting, don’t get me wrong, but this,” she said and gestured around herself. “This is where I love to be.”

“She cares about you,” Ilea said. “You could tell her, you know? If you didn’t feel like taking on those responsibilities or learning about topics you’re not necessarily passionate about.”

“I will be by her side for as long as I live, Ilea. And if I can improve my value to her, I will. I know she would let me go the moment I asked her, and that is precisely why I’m staying. She’s not just a friend to me, she’s my sister,” the woman said.

“I can tell,” Ilea said with a smile. “So Edwin is your brother?” she joked.

The look on Aliana’s face changed, her face distorting lightly before she forced a perfect smile. “It’s good right? Can you believe I took a class just for that?” she asked, returning to the grimace.

“It’s quite scary,” Ilea said.

“Schooling one’s face is apparently very important because in politics, everything you give away can and will be used against you. It’s tiring, I tell you. But necessary. As to your question, no. I respect the drive Edwin once possessed. He’s one of the main reasons Felicia and me are where we are now. Arthur is dead because of his efforts, your help and ours definitely helping, but he’s been at it for years and years. We would’ve been lost without him and I’ll never forget that. But since our return… well… I had thought it impossible for maturity to go backwards. And yet that seemed to be what happened to him. He’s become irresponsible, unable to part from his liquor, reckless… well he might’ve been reckless all this time, for a good reason before, whereas now he only creates more issues,” she said with a sigh. “It’s been difficult to deal with him. And while Felicia was busy trying to establish herself as the new head of the House, I dealt with him.”

“That does sound rough. Sorry you had to go through that,” Ilea said.

“Don’t mention it. It’s nothing to the time before. Or back in Baralia,” she mused. “At least I doubt now that I’d ever want children.”

Ilea laughed at that. “Understandable. So how come he’s got a pupil now? Because it doesn’t sound like he should be going on adventures.”

“He shouldn’t,” Aliana said immediately. “But it was worse for him to stay here and rot away. You know how tough he is. The jobs nearby shouldn’t be too dangerous for him. Not very lucrative either for someone at his level, but power and gold is not what we’re looking for. I thought you an intruder before… there were many. Natural with the state this manor is in. It’s gotten a little better but the influx of refugees brings the occasional opportunist or thief into our yard. Jyraiu was one of them. A performer from the west who failed to get work here.”

Jyraiu. Did I hear that name before?

“Edwin killed a few intruders when he got to them before I could, or when I wasn’t here. That one, for some reason, he spared. Talked some nonsense about training the man and going on adventures. I really have no idea why he got that idea into his mind. But here we were. Jyraiu was obviously terrified, lying through his teeth, but I thought it a good opportunity. Edwin could go out, maybe clear his head a little, and who knows, actually do something else for the world than consume expensive liquor. It’s good that Felicia invested early into a few distilleries.”

“So the guy is still here because you threatened him?” Ilea asked, a little confused at the story.

Aliana shook her head. “Not anymore. At first, sure. He’s grown a liking to Edwin. Either that or the fair pay he receives. Plus whatever they manage to get from the jobs they finish. Though that isn’t as much as you’d think. They’re either terrible or get very unlucky quests.”

“Sounds like an adventurer thing to do,” Ilea mused. “Where did you say he was from? Jyraiu I mean. The name rings a bell somehow.”

“Pyro enhancer from the western cities. Apparently he did fire magic shows. I saw some of it a few months back in our yard. We had drank a little too much but it was quite beautiful. Guards interrupted but he certainly knows what he’s doing, especially that drunk,” Aliana explained.

“Pyro enhancer… ah… the fire wings guy!” Ilea exclaimed. “From the Riverwatch tournament. Ah, that didn’t go well in the end, but I guess he made it out.”

“Fire wings?” Aliana asked.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah, he inspired me to get a fire magic class. I do have wings now, but I suppose they’re a little less flashy.”

“But a hundred times more recognizable. Ash demon, Lilith,” Aliana said in a teasing voice. “Did your appetite grow just as much as your power?”

Ilea grinned and leaned forward, catching herself when the two wooden legs of the chair splintered. She displaced the chair out and away, brushing off her legs while avoiding eye contact. “Exponentially so,” she murmured.

“Wonderful. And don’t worry about the chair. Just don’t punch anyone, I don’t want to clean up again,” Aliana said, putting a few skillets onto heated plates before she summoned a bottle of oil, whistling a tune all the while.

Chapter 653 Banquet

Chapter 653 Banquet

Jyraiu tried to get some distance between himself and Edwin. After all this time they had worked together, Edwin still didn’t spare a single thought towards appearances. And nobody even knows he’s a member of the Redleafs.

Aliana’s offer had seemed too good to be true. Jyraiu knew plenty about shady jobs, both as a performer and occasional adventurer. It’s not like he really had a choice. Aliana might’ve let him go, if he thought about it in hindsight. Edwin however, that he wasn’t so sure about. Now he understood very well why the woman had hired him.

She’s just as unknown to the public as he is at this point, he thought, glancing at the mud and blood covered man walking a few meters to his right, a bottle to his mouth as he walked with his eyes closed. He had made inquiries of course but Jyraiu hardly had any meaningful contacts in the capital, or Lys at large. Edwin was known but generally seen as exiled, dead, or missing. The circumstances to any of those assumptions varied widely.

“Those Mudward were hardly worth the silver,” Edwin muttered, glaring at a guard walking past.

“They did manage to injure you, and they nearly killed me,” Jyraiu said, sighing as he looked at his hands. How many times had he jumped into danger now? A mundane adventurer, just like so many others. He had to bide his time. Compared to thousands of others, he had an incredible opportunity at his hands.

Edwin waved him off, throwing aside the empty bottle, the glass breaking against a nearby wall.

“Apologies,” Jyraiu said to the nearby people, opening his pack and getting out a small container. He started picking up the largest pieces with gloved hands. Armor doesn’t suit me, he thought. But it does have its uses.

“Ah fuck off, you just didn’t want to get dirty. How can you focus on something that stupid while fighting creatures close to your own level? You’ll never reach the two hundreds if you keep your priorities like that,” Edwin said.

That’s not the goal, now is it? Besides, I’ll get there in time. There’s no reason to rush anything, Jyraiu thought, ignoring the man.

“You should’ve seen the Taleen Guardians I fought. Now those were monsters. They would’ve sliced you up like a pig ready for slaughter,” he mused.

And there he goes again with his stories, Jyraiu thought, suppressing a sigh. Edwin was tipsy right now, and even drunk he was more perceptive than most people walking around Virilya. If he wanted to talk about monsters, perhaps he should be looking at himself. A level two hundred sword master with body enhancements and blood magic. There were hardly any combinations Jyraiu could think of that were more deadly. Only nobility and the military managed to reliably get specialized Classes like that.

“You should’ve seen how Maria and Ilea fought. It’s not a surprise they’re both feared all around the plains,” the noble added with a grin.

And I was the one to train them! They would be nowhere without my help! Dead in a dungeon I say! Jyraiu mused, having heard the same at least fifty times before. But he couldn’t be too annoyed. Today he had actually tried to teach him again. And he intervened much earlier than he did just a few months back.

“We should clean up before we arrive,” Jyraiu said, trying to interrupt the ceaseless arrogant reminiscence. Maria was supposedly some famed assassin feared even by high profile nobility in the capital. He could perhaps believe that much based on the status of Edwin’s House, but Ilea? Supposedly known as Lilith, the Ashen Shadow. Ramblings of a drunkard with illusions of grandeur. He pitied him, he really did. And he hated him at the same time. For he was still here, trying to get him back on some kind of path.

Nobles get everything shoved up their asses. Gold, opportunities, beautiful and talented entertainers to help them get purpose in their meaningful lives!

Compared to Edwin, Jyraiu was nobody. He had to work for his fame and the damn Elves took that from him. He was treated like some unknown refugee in this city. But he had started from scratch, he could do it again.

Edwin waved him off. “Aliana’s magic hardly gets any use these days. Should’ve seen her boil those slavers,” he said and laughed.

Jyraiu sincerely hoped that story was made up. Edwin didn’t talk about her much. Only Felicia he talked about even less. Either perhaps only in moments of lucidity, but those weren’t good for anything in the vicinity. He had seen plenty of people with furious tempers but Edwin had something much deeper within him. Something only a driven man could have had, and yet it seemed there was nowhere to direct it to.

Something about his father, he thought, sure of his conclusion but unable to prove anything. Arthur Redleaf had died, killed by his own daughter some say. Killed by mercenaries, others claim. Lost in a Taleen dungeon some whisper. It was more difficult to get reliable information in this city than it was to get a pay raise from a tournament organizer after signing a contract.

He followed the noble as he was ought to do. At least Aliana refrained from drenching him as well if he stood far enough away from Edwin when they arrived, if he did manage to stay somewhat clean.

Their bath was rudimentary compared to the luxurious installations in Salia. May they rest in peace, he murmured in his mind. And yet he was thankful to have a warm bath at least. Some of their jobs took weeks to complete after all.

The two soon arrived near the mansion, the building still looking pretty much like when he had broken in. A year? Longer?

He had been at his lowest. To think Jyraiu of the West would stoop so low as to break into a mansion. He shook his head and followed Edwin inside, making enough noise to notify Aliana. She would be cooking at this time, and he wouldn’t risk Edwin walking inside with all this mud on him.

Aliana opened the door a moment later, squinting at Edwin.

Jyraiu stepped aside graciously as a torrent of water slammed into the warrior. He did wonder why Edwin never teleported out of that. Perhaps he really meant what he said about her magic.

“Welcome home,” Aliana said, looking at the both of them. “I’ll expect you to take a bath as well.”

“Of course, ma’am,” Jyraiu said and bowed with as much grace as he could summon.

She didn’t seem impressed.

It annoyed him.

She simply lacks the required education to appreciate a Dawntree art school bow.

Edwin vanished into the mansion, likely restocking on the liquor Aliana had hopefully set out for him.

“Any issues?” Aliana asked.

Jyraiu walked closer, keeping enough distance to make sure his scent wouldn’t summon another torrent. “No. He told more stories. He intervened when I was close to getting injured, showed me a few evasive maneuvers and explained my failure in using the terrain to my advantage,” he said and got out a small booklet. “Sixteen bottles. And he ate three times, from the stew I made. Third one I didn’t even add liquor.”

The woman nodded lightly. “Good. Thanks for the report. And your diligence. Are you staying for lunch?”

How could anyone refuse her cooking? he thought. “Gladly, Miss Aliana. I will inform you about the next job later today.”

“He seemed to be doing alright. I think a break of a day or two is acceptable,” the woman said.

Jyraiu blinked. In a good mood today?

His working conditions weren’t exactly high standard but he could leave whenever he liked. But he wouldn’t be employed again by the Redleafs if he did. By now he wasn’t sure if that was really true, but he wouldn’t push his luck. The adventuring with Edwin wasn’t half bad anyway. He could work on performance ideas, songs, poems, and other important business while they traveled. The fighting itself was a mere fraction in most weeks. More than enough by his standards anyway.

“Thank you. I’ll go take that bath then,” he said.

“Ah, there’s a guest eating with us today. She’s heard of you apparently,” Aliana said and walked back inside, to her slaughter hall.

She didn’t even complain about the lack of kills we brought.

Jyraiu found himself intrigued by a guest visiting this mansion. Few ever came here, and only those closely trusted. Which also meant that he had to present his very best. Those close to the Redleafs inner circle were highly influential themselves. And she knows me? Someone with a sense of taste. Marvelous.

He heated up the water to his precise preferred degree and bathed thoroughly, getting rid of the stench of travel and battle clinging to his very essence. Back in his comfortably large room, he chose a set of fine clothes loaned to him by the very House he worked for. They had lots of clothes and only Edwin to wear them. The man of course preferred his absolutely run down set of light armor. Only a House like the Redleafs could pay for smiths to maintain the state of that absurdity.

Jyraiu looked at himself in the slightly cracked mirror and smirked. A little rugged, he thought, touching the short beard he had grown. It suited him. But then again, what didn’t?

Ready to impress, he went to the dining hall. By now it seemed at least somewhat orderly. Edwin was nowhere to be seen, but he usually went out after they came back, on whatever business a level two hundred blood mage noble went about in the capital of the fucking Empire.

Aliana was spreading out various dishes on the long banquet table, enough food to nourish an entire band of starving adventurers. Nothing new there.

What was new however was the woman piling dishes in front of her, a grin on her face that rivaled that of a monster. She was so entirely absorbed in her lunch that she didn’t react to his arrival in the slightest.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

A battle healer. With black hair and blue eyes.

No.

He simply refused the idea, sitting down on a random chair opposite the woman. He grabbed a plate himself and relaxed. “Enjoy the food,” he said. “She’s a wonderful cook.”

“Spare me your flattery,” Aliana said.

He ground his teeth a little, glancing at her before he found himself staring into two freezing blue eyes. He gulped, the hand going for his fork unable to move. Something felt wrong. He shook the feeling and smiled, focusing back on his food as he started eating.

“I will. And I know,” the black haired woman said, starting to eat herself. “You’re Jyraiu. I remember you more… fiery.”

He couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve enjoyed one of my performances?”

“In Riverwatch. Years ago. I really liked your wings,” the woman said.

Is she interested in me? No. That sounded more like a monster about to kill its prey.

“I appreciate the compliment,” he said.

The woman smiled. “I’m being rude. It’s nice to formally meet you, Jyraiu. My name is Ilea, and I too have wings,” she said as two large appendages made entirely of ash manifested on her back. Their form looked smooth and durable, nothing like what the few ash mages he had met could conjure up.

He gulped. “Edwin has… mentioned you. Is it true that you’re… Lilith?”

The woman smirked.

He double checked, but it seemed like everything the drunkard had told him was true.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

Jyraiu had to draw on all his experience to stay calm. His breathing still increased and he knew she would be able to tell. He knew she could smell his fear. She can even read your mind, he thought, trying to get himself back under control. Three marks. Three marks.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

What… no. I didn’t imagine that. I refuse. An illusion? She’s eating as if nothing has happened. Acting like her status is not worth a mention.

“I told her about your adventures. And how you got the job,” Aliana said.

He gulped.

“Must’ve been pretty shit to lose the western cities. How did you escape when the Elves attacked?” Ilea asked.

Is she testing me? What if she doesn’t like what I have to say?

He wished to be back in Riverwatch, facing down the monstrous smiles of ancient Elves, just to escape this conversation.

___________________________________

To think I’m scaring this guy shitless. The same man who seemed like a god of fire to me just some years ago. What a truly magical place.

“Ilea!” Edwin said, holding out both arms, holding a bottle in each. He laughed.

“Edwin. I won’t hug you, if that’s what you’re suggesting with that gesture,” Ilea said and started eating.

He waved her off and set down his bottles, slapping Jyraiu on the back as he sat down next to the man. “See, told you I knew her. Who’s the drunk idiot now?” he asked and downed one bottle in the next fifteen seconds of silence.

“I heard you’re an adventurer now,” she said, working on her third plate. Aliana was a good cook. She wouldn’t dare compare her creations to those of Keyla. The battle would be horrific.

“Moving up in the world. Hunted noble, murderer, and now adventurer,” Edwin said. “You’re moving up too. Naive opportunist, Shadow, and now what? Some kind of Ashen God?” he asked and laughed, coughing a few times.

Ilea displaced a plate in front of him. “Wouldn’t want to offend the cook, now would we?”

The man looked at her and frowned. He shrugged and started eating. “So, what’s true? You do seem like you could kill everyone in this room with the snap of your fingers. I can feel danger from you… like nothing I have ever seen before.”

“What more would you need to know?” Ilea asked, focusing back on the food.

“Ah. You see this fellow here, Jebediah,” he said and put an arm around Jyraiu’s shoulder. “He’s a performer, an artist! A great creative spirit. I’m sure he would be interested in your exploits. Those that are true at least.”

And what about you, Edwin?

Aliana sat down too, staring at the man as she started to eat. “Try this one,” she said and put a piece of slightly fried fish on Ilea’s plate.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and ate the piece.

“All that schooling, and that’s the result. Maybe we should cut the funding for your education. It’s obviously not doing anything,” Edwin said, looking at Aliana before he turned back to Jyraiu. “Are you not interested in her? She’s good looking, influential, rich, powerful. She could make you famous in a single day. Lilith… I hear you grant wishes to poor folk and slaves lost in the wilderness. Is that true?”

Ilea displaced the man a few dozen meters up and outside into thin air. “The fish is excellent, Aliana,” she said and smiled at the woman sitting next to her. “Perfectly fried.”

The woman smiled at her, eating a piece herself as a man flew past the large half overgrown windows, a dull crash resounding a moment later.

“Is he doing that on purpose?” Ilea asked.

“I’ve thought about it before. He definitely has enough reasons to feel some guilt. Though he doesn’t ever talk about it. Perhaps he will open up a little with our new friend here,” Aliana said.

Jyraiu looked like a death spirit staring down two Ice Elementals.

“I didn’t mean to intimidate you,” Ilea said, using her healing on him to calm him down a little. He hid it well but her status and the stories about her definitely left an impression. Now that she got a better look at him, listening to his heart beat and seeing his tense body language, he didn’t strike her as a particularly experienced adventurer.

[Fire Enhancer – lvl 158]

“Don’t mention it. It’s not every day that one gets to meet a living myth. I was simply struck by your presence,” he said smoothly, the sweat rolling down his back betraying his demeanor. “And I’m sure he will improve,” he added, looking at Aliana.

Edwin stumbled in with a laugh, brushing away a bunch of leaves and dust, not a single injury visible. “Nice trick. Reminds me of Maria. She coming for lunch too? To finish the reunion. Why not invite that quiet metal mage of yours too. I’m sure he could nod along rather well as you speak.”

Ilea burst out laughing, the man joining in while Jyraiu tried to get some distance between himself and the noble.

She calmed down and continued eating. Not a single reaction. He didn’t try to provoke me. He just doesn’t care anymore. And here I had hopes for you. Ah well, I suppose it all lies with you, little fire wings mage, Ilea thought, glancing at the blood magic warrior who gave her the first real taste of what a level two hundred human was capable of. And even now he’s more capable than half the Shadows I know. It’s a shame really.

“Did he come back?” Aliana asked quietly.

“What?” Ilea asked, looking at her.

She seemed a little taken aback. “Kyrian of course. He was… teleported away.”

“Ah, sorry. I just thought about him meeting Edwin now. Yeah… we found him,” Ilea said with a smirk. “He’s… he’s doing okay. It’ll take some time for him to… adjust.”

Aliana smiled. “I’m glad,” she said and paused. “He was kind.”

Aha. Yes. I remember, Ilea thought with a smirk.

“What?” Aliana asked, seeing her expression.

Ilea just continued eating, smiling from ear to ear.

“Stop it,” Aliana said and sighed. “Ah, I won’t be able to visit him anyway.”

“We’ll see,” Ilea said.

Chapter 654 Growing Awareness

Chapter 654 Growing Awareness

“You fought an Elemental? I find that hard to believe,” Edwin said, shaking his head.

“You didn’t even know they existed a minute ago,” Ilea said and laughed.

He just waved her off. “Well, I for one saved the village of Verlan from a mud monster infestation in a nearby pond,” Edwin said, pushing his elbow into Jyraiu. “Tell her about them, they were nearly level one fifty. Hardly ever felt my heart pump that fast. The adrenaline was overwhelming.”

“I can believe that,” Ilea said.

“It really wasn’t worth a mention,” Jyraiu whispered, his soul trying to flee all on its own.

“Maybe I’ll be able to offer you an interesting position in the future, Edwin. Something that fits your abilities a little more than fighting mud monsters,” Ilea said.

The look in his eyes changed, his smile turning predatory. “So that’s why you came. And here I thought you’d just want to meet my dear little sister.”

He’s still there after all, Ilea thought and smirked back, Jyraiu trying to get even further away. Aliana ate happily all the while.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Of course I came for her. It’s been a while since we prevented extensive blood rituals together in Baralia, effectively saving tens of thousands of human lives,” Ilea said.

“Ah, you’re a paladin now? Did the flattery of your mindless followers and admirers get to your head? Perhaps I should’ve taught you humility when I still had the chance,” Edwin said. “I also hear you slaughtered half an army in Riverwatch.”

“You don’t even begin to understand the beings I’ve faced. I don’t need a lost noble to teach me humility. I live with the choices I made. Maybe you should start to do the same,” Ilea said.

And that wasn’t half. Not even close, she thought, remembering the soldiers she had killed back then. It had been so easy. She shuddered, losing her appetite for a moment.

Edwin didn’t rebuke her this time, instead opening another bottle before he drank angrily.

“What a merry group of characters,” a new voice said, Felicia stepping into the room before she grabbed Edwin’s bottle, taking a few swigs herself. “And still so, so much better than what I just came from,” she said, throwing the bottle behind herself where Edwin appeared and caught it. Felicia smiled, looking at Ilea before she went to get a plate herself. “You should’ve heard General Gardt rant about incompetent Scouts when it was reported that you vanished within our very capital.”

She sat down and laughed. “Do you have some time? I’d love to hear about your adventures for a while, it’s been so very busy.”

Ilea smiled, still amused at Jyraiu’s presence, the man managing to hide in plain sight. Perhaps a shadow magic class would’ve fit him better.

Edwin looked between them, his eyes focusing on Felicia for a few seconds before he glanced at Ilea and left without another word.

“You don’t have to stay if you’re uncomfortable,” Aliana said, looking at Jyraiu.

The man took in a deep breath, closing his eyes as his heart rate increased. He opened them, a spark of flame visible within. “I would love to hear a few more stories, Lady Lilith. If you would have me.”

“I don’t mind. Just don’t spread it to the bards,” Ilea said. She wouldn’t mention the Elves or anything else controversial or grand. Felicia didn’t seem to be looking for that anyway. “I visited Halstein for the first time,” she started, soon enjoying another round of freshly prepared dishes conjured up by Aliana.

Ilea checked her armor and grinned. It felt good. Actually usable.

“Thanks, Iana,” she said.

“Now try this,” Goliath said and handed her his creation.

Iana smiled. “Let me know if you want any changes,” she said and joined back up with Christopher, continuing their work on the gates.

[Heavy Scorching Wyrm Armor – Draconic Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 6 / Mana Flow 3]

This thing should be hard to destroy even for a four mark. As long as I survive within it.

Ilea put the armor into her necklace before she summoned it around herself. The weight was immediately noticeable but with all her buffs she didn’t mind it too much. She wouldn’t use this set in any battles where evasion was paramount anyway. Her ash simply formed on top of the wyrm scales, layering until she was covered in several sets of defenses. Ilea wouldn’t be performing any surgery in this armor but for punching, it was just right.

She looked at the prototype Goliath had created before she grabbed it. Ilea knew a rifle normally had several parts put together for everything to work. She didn’t know the details but this prototype was nowhere near anything that could fire an actual bullet. It had two massive grips without any triggers, one near the middle section of the rifle’s length, the other closer to the back. Its length was mostly smooth, a few openings allowing her to insert her ash.

Near the middle of the rifle was a large inset for the Wyrm eye itself, the rifle extending into a barrel beyond that. The width reminded Ilea more of artillery than anything a human would carry. On top and close to the shoulder stock was a long scope without any glass or tech inside. A simple tube, but with her enhanced eye sight it would serve its purpose. At the front of the barrel she could see a front sight that would help her align the whole thing.

[Scorching Beam Cannon – Draconic Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 6 / Heat Resistance 2]

“I love it,” Ilea said as she aimed through the scope. She had never actually fired a rifle, or a gun for that matter, but a focus for her Embered Heart was very much welcome. She summoned the eye and displaced it into the inset, charging heat as a few ashen tendrils moved into the openings on the side of the cannon. “Can I get a wall, Meadow?”

The being obliged, creating stone that likely outclassed any defensive walls humans could produce.

“Think you could add a magnifying glass, Goliath?” Ilea asked as she released her spell through her ash, the heat extending into the wyrm eye before it was sent out through the barrel, a bright beam burning into the stone wall for a little over a second. She didn’t use a lot of heat but the result proved impressive nonetheless.

“I lack the knowledge and tools to create what you seek,” the smith said.

“An impressive tool,” the Meadow admitted.

Ilea looked at the scorch mark on its wall and put down the large focus. “You know, it’s mainly my magic.”

“Of course,” the being answered.

Why do you sound sarcastic?

“Let’s get back to the puzzles,” she said, storing her new toys before she appeared on the black grass.

The Meadow obliged without another word, likely busy with fifteen other tasks that demanded more of its attention.

Ilea spent weeks with the ancient creature, often returning to Ravenhall to air out her head a little. She could help out the Sentinels with her arcane healing after all, and in turn they tried to help with her resistances. To varying degrees of success, even with her ability to disable them entirely.

As time went on, Ilea found her intuitive understanding of space magic increase, allowing her to progress faster with the various puzzles presented by the Meadow. By now most of it seemed abstract at best. Concepts she simply felt more so than truly grasped. And still, she could find the solution, the missing links, the irregularities, and the hidden pockets.

The realization that struck her the most was when Baron Violence returned one day. His Faen form didn’t look quite as simple anymore. Where it had been an abyss like darkness before, it now gave her an immediately healed headache just looking at him. There were so many layers and shifting parts, she quickly made it part of her training to simply observe the creature whenever it graced them with a visit.

She spent plenty of time fighting the Griffin and Young Elemental in between, occasionally bothering the Trakorov as well.

Claire informed her about the progress on various projects during their rare dancing lessons. Ravenhall had extended the trade agreements with both Kroll and Lys, slowly bringing the nations closer both in regard to economic interests and diplomatic ties.

Trian all the while started his negotiations with the Order of Balance, thought neither the Sentinels nor Ravenhall as a whole had an interest in increasing influence of the Order within the southern mountains.

A Fae copy rushed after the original, several Knights of Lilith trying to keep up. One of the ashen forms wielded Quiet, the warhammer, another two wielding swords and shields of ash, one even wearing Ilea’s bone armor.

The Meadow sometimes interrupted the ongoing battle with sets of obstacles made of roots or stone, while the rest worked quietly on their own projects.

“You look lost,” Ilea said, right after solving the latest question posed by space itself. Or perhaps it was the Meadow who had asked. It had become more difficult to separate the two entirely.

Kyrian glanced at her and smiled lightly. Once more he took off his helmet around other people. Humans at least. “A little.”

“Hmm,” Ilea mused, summoning a dish before she started to eat.

They remained quiet as the horde of ashen beings rushed after the Fae. Ilea ate and looked through the many notifications she had managed to unlock.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 24’

…

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Flare of Creation reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Body of the Valkyrie reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 28’

Ilea was sure that the massive jump in her third Class abilities were directly connected to her increasing Space Awareness. Everything felt connected. Well, everything except Body of the Valkyrie, which luckily only had a few levels to go and the creatures that had remained within the Descent were more than capable of pushing her to level thirty. Some with a little help of a disabled resistance and an unwillingness to evade.

She was glad to have achieved her awareness only after befriending the Meadow. With what she could perceive now, she wasn’t sure their relationship had formed quite the way it had back in Erendar. Where she had known intellectually that the creature wielded magic beyond most she had met before, by now she could see a part of the truth. The Meadow had been seen as a god, and Ilea started to see why. Not based on understanding but quite literally her sight.

“And here I thought staring was considered rude,” the being said.

Ilea looked away. “Sorry. I’ll get used to it in time. You’re just… a lot to take in.”

“The burden of being the most beautiful being in existence. Don’t feel guilty, human. It’s only natural to fall for me,” the creature said.

Ilea ignored the suggestions and read through the rest of her notifications. The group from the Krahen isles needed to push themselves a little more and asked for her help. That had been a week ago, and she felt like she was finally ready to risk some Class level ups once more.

To think I would postpone it all to work on my skills. Maybe I really am fighting creatures that are entirely too powerful. But those in my level range are just so very boring.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen limbs reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen limbs reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 8’

Her derivative skills leveled throughout her training, the level ups making each specialization just a little better. Monstrous gained a level, apparently by simply having people identify her while it was active. Either that or the skill just gradually leveled as long as she hid her three mark status.

Ilea finally accepted that her ability to help the Sentinels train their Pain Tolerance and resistances outweighed her teaching capabilities. She would have to trust the faculty to do a better job there.

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

It hadn’t come as a surprise to her that some of the Sentinels had learned from Orthan, the Alymie instructor being a capable bone magic user.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

...

‘ding’ ‘Lava Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

“You fought the four mark Bluetail before?” she asked.

Kyrian glanced over. “Yes. I just need to know you’re nearby in case I get caught in one of its high level spells. Even with the assistance, it should be enough to get me a few levels, and achievements for my evolution.

[Metal Mage – lvl 441]

Feyrair had apparently caught up a little but neither were incredibly close to their next evolution. Not if they didn’t start fighting four marks soon, and preferably alone.

“I’m surprised you can even take the cutting winds,” Ilea said.

“All depends on the angles. I can deflect them mostly, though it took me many tries to get it right. Training with the lower level ones for all this time helped,” Kyrian explained.

“And Feyrair plans to take on a Wyrm,” she said with a sigh.

“You think that less reasonable than the Bluetail? His resistance to fire and heat is incredible. Especially in his dragon form,” he said. “I’m less sure about his ability to damage the creature. Even you had difficulties getting through. But I suppose it’s worth a shot if he takes on one of the considerably weaker ones. He found a few of them already.”

“Still four marks?” Ilea asked. “I doubt he could survive that sun spell.”

“Not all of them, no. He’s working on his resistances as we speak. And what better way to do that than facing the devastating magic of a four mark monster,” Kyrian said.

“I know I do it all the time. Guess I’m just worried about you guys,” Ilea admitted. She knew all of them could regenerate their injuries. Perhaps not quite as efficiently as she did, but they could survive quite a lot more than most.

Kyrian chuckled to himself. “Well, I told you I’d get to five hundred. After that we’ll see, I suppose, but if my evolutions are anywhere near the ones you got, four marks won’t be quite as frightening anymore. Low level ones that is. The Meadow is still terrifying.”

“You have no idea,” Ilea answered.

“You two know I can hear you?” the being asked.

“Yes, of course,” Kyrian answered.

“Mhm,” Ilea mused.

“Maybe we can try to fight it together,” the metal mage suggested.

“Nope. That won’t change a thing,” Ilea said. “What we need is more levels and high resistances against all of its magic schools. Only then can we force it to use its strongest spells.”

“What about an ambush? Does it not sleep?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea shook her head. “No. The Meadow is all seeing, always awake, its mana damn near limitless.”

The man nodded. “A worthy opponent for you in that case. I wish you luck.”

“And there he goes, abandoning you,” the Meadow said as a giggle rushed over the field of dark grass.

Ilea glanced at Kyrian and smiled. “No, you misunderstand. He just believes in me.”

“The future you. As you are now, there’s no way you could face that monster. Not that you wouldn’t try,” he said.

“I try every day,” Ilea said and bit her lip. “I’m sure I’ll succeed eventually.”

“The score is four thousand eight hundred sixty two to zero,” the Meadow informed.

“You keeping score just means there is a chance for me to win,” Ilea said with a grin. “Now give me the next puzzle. I’m itching to fight some more reasonable four marks again.”

They had yet to receive news from Isalthar, or any new findings from Niivalyr’s group. And yet Ilea felt like they would be ready soon, to both collect the other keys and start pushing into the capital of the Taleen.

Chapter 655 Intruders

Chapter 655 Intruders

“He’s doing well,” Feyrair admitted, his arms crossed as they watched Kyrian fight a four mark Bluetail in the valley of blood.

The group had extended the slaughter in the weeks they’d been here, mostly killing the one species. One that didn’t seem to be exhausted quite as much as Ilea had thought based on the present corpses.

She watched her friend closely. His approach seemed methodical, all his movements and teleports the same based on the monster’s body language. Kyrian reacted before it could even cast its spells.

It’s like a better form of my precognition. But I don’t think he has a spell like that, Ilea thought. What he showed could only be achieved with continuous fighting against a single monster type. It reminded her of her battles with the Taleen Guardians. By now she could predict most of their attacks before they could even start them.

He wouldn’t be receiving quite as much experience in this battle as Ilea had for her first four mark Bluetail kill but it was important for his evolutions. He had already gotten lucky with the Wyrm he finished before they found him but this was proof that he could face a four mark all on his own.

The creature used its deadly wind blades but he had already prepared his position, metal plates hovering in thin air as the blades arrived, cutting through the steel but weakened enough to be deflected by the next layer.

Kyrian didn’t move a single step during the barrage, focusing fully on his metal. The second volley he deflected too, before the third managed to cut through one of his arms. He didn’t wince, simply catching the limb before he retreated, holding the bleeding body part to his shoulder.

Compared to Ilea, he didn’t have to get in close to overwhelm the creature. He simply had to keep it enraged and focused on him while his curse and steel slowly burned away any defensive measures and health the being had.

Ilea thought it quite a boring way to fight, but the results were obvious. It was how humans hunted large and dangerous prey back on Earth. Traps and exhaustion.

The creatures of Elos often had many more tools at their disposal than say a bear, but Bluetails weren’t exactly the most intelligent of beasts. Even a Drake would’ve likely tried to flee at this point in the battle. A more intelligent beast would perhaps understand that Kyrian fought defensively, not overextending. If one could force him to become the aggressor, he would likely make mistakes.

If he’s capable of making those, Ilea thought with a smile. She watched his every move, the mage entirely outclassed by the creature in both speed and sheer magical might. He remained calm through it all, his every move calculated and precise. It had been the fourth attempt of his at killing the creature, in only one of which Ilea had to intervene to get him out. They had retreated and regrouped, the two Elves, Kyrian, and Ilea discussing what had gone wrong.

Compared to her, Kyrian couldn’t allow himself quite as many mistakes. Nor could he simply outlast the creature as it sent barrage after barrage after him. He lacked the ability to absorb enemy spells and heal himself to the same degree as she could. His curse did allow him to steal mana and his third Class allowed for some insane regeneration, but those were simply necessary to even face the creature alone at all. The question was if he could push through and actually overwhelm it.

“If he doesn’t fuck up again, he might actually win,” Ilea said, summoning her cannon before she aimed at a nearby Bluetail that seemed interested in the ongoing battle. No you don’t, she thought, a beam of energy flashing out, cutting the creature apart. Burning pieces of smoldering flesh fell to each side as a ding resounded in her mind. Kyrian was still in there.

“You weren’t entirely idle,” Feyrair said. “A weapon or a focus?”

“Focus,” Neiphato said.

[Beast Warrior – lvl 430]

[Wood Mage – lvl 368]

“Neither were you,” she said, her eyes on the fight as she smiled, seeing Kyrian dodge an entire set of volleys.

“These isles provide wonderful training grounds,” Feyrair said. “Though I must admit, it is getting a little boring.”

Ilea chuckled. “Says the elf who’s been fighting Taleen for how many centuries?”

“They adapt, learn. Different versions and dungeons provide different experiences. And there is a goal, compared to this,” he said and spread his arms. “It’s but a mindless slaughter of stupid beasts.”

“Mindless slaughter that provides much more levels. Maybe you should’ve done this for a few years or decades instead. Would’ve allowed you to fight the Taleen more efficiently,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed. “Opportunities do not present themselves so easily. But I won’t ignore this one.”

Kyrian ultimately felled the beast on his sixth attempt, another intervention of Ilea necessary on the fifth, but considering the difference in levels alone and the available spells, he still did incredibly well.

The same could not be said about Feyrair’s attempt at facing a Wyrm.

While Kyrian was methodical, Feyrair was reckless. The metal mage knew when to retreat and regroup, to learn from his mistakes. The elf simply pushed harder, missing half his limbs and burnt up.

Needless to say, Ilea saved him many times. The lessons both her and Kyrian seemed to think obvious had to be learned over extended periods of painful fighting. Feyrair would’ve died at least fifty times in the few days they tried if his body wasn’t just as stubborn as his mind. More so perhaps. What he lacked in regeneration and healing, he made up in sheer resilience.

Neiphato proved much more adaptive, his approach downright cautious for an elf and his magic quite suited for ambushes and traps. He was the only one who didn’t need saving, though neither did he face a four mark. He simply lacked Classes powerful enough to be up to the task.

Ilea summoned her tracking device, not getting a signal from the surroundings. The arrow pointed towards the closest key, somewhere to the east. At least it’s not on another continent entirely.

With her marks positioned throughout the north, the plains, the Krahen isles, and the Isanna desert, she had a pretty good idea of where she was.

They had avoided using the gates excessively so far but with her main Classes above five hundred, she felt confident enough to start her exploration. Her allies still needed time to gather strength and Hunters, but when the time to strike came close, she wanted to have at least enough keys to learn more.

If they’re as easy to get as the Tungsten one, we’ll be done in no time, she thought. Ilea wasn’t sure what she was getting into. She hoped for the best and was prepared for the worst.

“You’ll be off again then?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah. I’ll map out some of the gate locations and try to locate the keys, or at least the direction in which they lay,” she said. If the Taleen interfered or prepared traps for her, she would have the best chance of escaping due to her space magic and long range teleportation.

The metal mage nodded, rolling his shoulders. “Can you take me to Ravenhall?”

“Now that you’re getting so close?” Ilea asked jokingly.

“I don’t think I’ll get there on these isles. Don’t expect of me what you can do,” he said. “Hunting them is getting easier, but the experience is slowing down just as much.”

“You don’t think it’s enough?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head. “Feyrair thinks the same. But compared to him, I have yet to fight the Taleen. I will gain a sizable boost from them. If I don’t die trying.”

“Nice death flag. I won’t let you die,” Ilea said.

“Ah you mentioned that I believe. I thought I would die many times on each day during the past years. And that hasn’t changed with your presence. There is a reason we both have the Deviant of Humanity skill. We tread on paths beyond our species. It’s only natural for there to be risks,” he said and smiled lightly.

Ilea wanted to tell him that it was alright. To settle down, to stop. But she knew the thought was selfish. He had made his choice and he would see it through, just as she would. And who was she to stop him?

I’ll be looking forward to your progress.

“I met up with the Redleafs a while back. Aliana asked about you,” she said.

“Aliana,” the man mused. He looked up to the cavern ceiling, sadly wearing his helmet. “She still remembers me? I’ve been gone for so long, and we barely knew each other.”

“Must’ve left an impression,” Ilea said with a grin. “Maybe you can ask Claire to send a letter? Or I can bring you to Virilya right now?”

He raised both his arms. “No… no no. That… won’t be necessary. I think. The letter does sound, more reasonable.”

“I’m pretty sure she’s still very much interested. But take all the time you need. Just know that not everything waits forever,” Ilea said.

“You’re sending mixed messages,” he said with a growl.

Ilea shrugged and laughed, activating her third tier Transfer. They appeared in her house, Ilea instantly spreading her wings as she avoided the wooden floor.

Kyrian wasn’t quite as heavy, his focus however just like Ilea’s on the two guests sitting at the dinner table.

“Finally,” one of them murmured, taking a drink from a large jug. A woman who looked to be in her mid twenties, her skin tanned and scarred in many places. Long curly brown hair fell onto her bare shoulders, a thick steel chest piece covered her torso, the dark red color scratched off in a few places. A red fur loincloth padded with leather covered her waist and parts of her legs, thick fur boots dirtying the floor with mud.

[Flame Berserker – lvl 342]

Ilea had seen her before, though not from up close. Verena Quil, Elder of the Shadow’s Hand.

Next to her sat another woman, her eyes wide as she stared at the two newcomers. Blue just like Ilea’s. Her skin was pale to a near unnatural degree in Elos, her hands currently holding a piece of raw meat, blood dripping onto a plate below. She was considerably smaller than Verena. Where the Elder looked the part of a Berserker, the muscles on her arms rivaling some male warriors, this woman looked downright fragile. Her hair was straight and long, falling freely to her back.

She wore a pale blue summer dress, well made and richly decorated with both embroideries and inlaid jewelry.

Ilea knew without identify that this was a trained warrior just as much as herself or Verena.

[Lightning Mage – lvl 318]

The woman stood up, throwing the piece of meat behind herself as she extended her arms, lightning crackling in her hands as she grinned widely, her eyes squinting in joy. The quick movement flicked a splatter of blood onto Verena’s cheek.

“Welcome home, Lilith! Or should we say, Ilea?” she said and giggled. “I love fake names like that, did I mention that?” she asked, looking at Verena. “Hey, you got blood on your face. Let me get that,” she said and walked over, trying to touch the Elder’s face.

Verena slapped away the woman’s hand, leaving the blood where it was.

“Anyway, welcome! We’ve been waiting for hours. Super boring. And she didn’t even let me kill the cats in the cave! Can you believe it? Dangerous creatures so close to your house and we’re right here?! Ah well. Who is he?” the woman asked and licked her lips. “Oh… you’re powerful too. Just as expected from the mystical figure of Lilith. I assume he’s already taken?” she asked, glancing at Ilea with a downright lecherous expression.

Ilea tilted her head to the side a little, her wings slowly putting her down. The landing made the ground creak just a little bit. “Excuse me, who are you? And what are you doing in my house? How did you even find it?”

The woman curtsied, the movement rather cute. Her whole demeanor made her seem younger, thought Ilea thought her to be in her early thirties. When she had reached the two hundreds that was. For all she knew the woman could’ve been centuries old.

“Dragonkiller Pierce, Elder of the Shadow’s Hand and exiled daughter of House Pierce of Nipha. We wanted to finally meet you and I decided we could invite ourselves here because let’s be honest, you would’ve probably done so anyway. Also fucking with the enchantments seemed fun at the time,” she explained. “As to your last question, the guards said you usually came from this direction so we went and looked. This place isn’t exactly hidden. I know a few good builders that can make underground dungeons nobody will eeever find, if you’re interested. Also by the blood of womankind, you’re a three mark? How?”

“That’s a lot to take in. You wanted to meet me, why?” Ilea asked, a little unsure about the whole situation. Pierce seemed… a bit volatile. The presence of Verena put her at ease a little, partially because of her stoic behavior. The blood was still on her face. And she’s supposed to be the berserker.

“I was in town. Not often this far south. Felt Verena was here too and we hadn’t seen each other in…,” she trailed off before she refocused. “So here we are! I heard you fought off demons and went to the north! Have you been north north? Like up there, where even the lightning doesn’t reach?”

“I… I’m not sure what you mean,” Ilea said and slowly approached. “Have you taken my food?”

“We wouldn’t dare!” Pierce exclaimed. “I hunted this myself. It’s deer. Do you want some?” she asked and walked back to collect the now slightly dusty piece of bloody meat. She used her cute shoes to clean up the blood, mostly just spreading it out a little more.

“I’m good right now, just ate,” Ilea said. “What about your reasons?” she addressed Verena.

Pierce walked past Ilea, taking a good look at Kyrian. “You’re new,” she said and tried to get closer, the metal mage taking a step back. “Shy too… how interesting. Can you not speak?”

Ilea left her friend to his terrible fate, looking at the mud and blood in her living room. She sighed and sat down opposite Verena.

“She wanted to meet you. I’m impressed you managed to reach level five hundred before all the Elders. Congratulations,” Verena said, drinking from her jug. “I will clean up when we leave. The enchantments, I can’t repair. She never holds back, and gets frustrated easily.”

“Thank you,” Ilea said, unsure where to go from there. They had arrived to two Shadow Elders in her house. Without much of a reason to be there other than meeting her.

Kyrian had reinforced his armor, engaged in a slow battle with the much smaller woman as both took calculated steps. Her to corner him and him to escape. A hunter and her prey.

Ilea thought it valuable experience for him. With his status and soon surely wealth too, he would have to be able to handle this and more. Better to do so in a safe environment and with someone he would likely not accidentally kill.

“You must’ve fought some strong creatures. Four marks too. You have a third Class, no?” Verena asked.

“I do. And yes, among others. I was lucky with some high level creatures available in abundance,” she said.

“That’s how it goes. Most of the threats I hunt are no match for me, or lack the numbers to provide a climb like yours,” Verena said and drank. “Don’t tell me about the third Class. I’ll figure it out myself when I get there.”

“Sure, it’s kind of self explanatory anyway,” Ilea answered.

Verena grunted. “Pierce, leave him alone. You’re making him uncomfortable. We’re guests here.”

The woman turned on her heel and smirked. “You’re no fun. Have you ever seen a man of his level? With so little… experience?” Pierce said and walked over, lightly brushing Ilea’s shoulder as she passed and sat down on one of the chairs. “I suppose if he fought with you, it’s no wonder. You made quite the waves in the plains. Lilith this, Lilith that. I was sure you were some kind of beast masquerading as a human adventurer. But here we are. You’re flesh and blood, just like us. I can’t say I’m not at least a little envious. Your healer thing must’ve really worked out for you.”

“It’s quite powerful, yes. I was lucky,” Ilea said.

The woman waved her off. “False modesty. Luck is always involved. Even in being born. We all have opportunities and while they may differ, you have certainly proven yourself. To be here, capable of… killing both of us… with a mere afterthought,” she said and shuddered slightly. “It’s… exciting.”

“You’re freaking me out a little,” Ilea said.

“Ah, yes. I do that to people. Not many have the balls to say that however,” she said and laughed, leaning back in her chair. “It’s so fucking enjoyable to behave like this surrounded by stuck up nobility. But you wouldn’t get that. You’re low born, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Ilea admitted. “You’re related to Elisabeth Pierce then?”

The woman grinned. “The little bitch? Yes. Somewhere along the family tree. But nobility come and go, most poisoned or killed in their sleep. And yet they call me the monster. It’s lovely.”

Ilea couldn’t help but smile. It was just so very absurd. “Certainly sounds like a lovely way to grow up.”

Pierce blinked her eyes before she shook her head. “Ah no no, my parents did wonderful work. I’m not this way because of my family, may they rest in peace. I was always… a little different. So, what are you up to? What kind of monsters is the three mark Lilith, ruler of Ravenhall and the southern mountains, terror of Baralia, and savior of Hallowfort up to?”

Chapter 656 Treasure Island

A note from Rhaegar

Heyo, friend released a litrpg book :). Check it out and give it a buy if it sounds interesting: https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08XP2FS67

Chapter 656 Treasure Island

“You know Hallowfort?” Ilea asked. Maybe not wise to admit that I do know it too, she thought, having found herself too surprised to not ask.

Kyrian sat down opposite Verena, as far away at the table from Pierce as he could. He nodded at the quiet Elder.

She nodded back.

“Think you’re the only one who ever went north? Most die in the storms or to the Miststalkers, but once you understand the dangers, it’s quite a lovely place,” Pierce said.

“It is. I quite enjoy the storms to be honest,” Ilea said.

Pierce smiled. “Me too! Well I’m a little privileged with my magic. But I suppose with your power, you can just ignore them anyway. Makes me shiver, just to feel your presence. I’m so glad you’re not some stuck up asshole,” she said with a smile. “Are you attracted to women?”

Ilea gave her a long look, choosing not to reply to that question for the time being. She wasn’t necessarily not interested, but the Elder came off extremely strong. And she seemed a tad too chaotic. Not in this house. Nothing would be left.

“So you are. Well, I’m here. Just let me know. You came here with long range teleportation? That’s so lucky. I haven’t gotten anything like that yet. Can’t believe both you and Verena got that first. I worked so hard on my teleports too!” Pierce said.

Ilea gave the other Elder a look.

“Highly limited. I’m interested in your current objectives too. Maybe we can be of service. I want to see you fight,” Verena said.

“I see. You mentioned Hallowfort?” Ilea said, trying to veer the conversation back.

“Yes. Lovely place. It’s been… a long while. I sometimes think of Catelyn… ah… that creature had a way with fire,” she said.

Ilea opened her eyes a little wider. No. Please don’t.

“Descent was a little too dangerous so I let that one be. But there are lots of dangerous dungeons up in the north. Ancient ruins and all. Did you know there were once humans who lived there?” Pierce asked. “Freaked me out when I found out. As if everything we were taught was a lie! Inferior species my ass, we were far more powerful then. Doesn’t matter much anyway. I love the expression on an Elf or Feynor’s face when they realize I’m not the pushover they thought me to be,” she added, licking her lips.

“You do remind me of Elves. Just missing the hisses,” Ilea said, getting a look from Verena.

Pierce giggled before she hissed, lightning cracking around her. “Ah, I wish I could convince one of them at some point. But all they want to do is fight fight fight, kill, and eat.”

Ilea was confused for a moment before she smiled to herself.

“NO!” Pierce said and stood up. “No you didn’t!”

Ilea didn’t say a thing, avoiding eye contact as she glanced at Verena, the woman slightly squinting at her.

“You are on our side, I hope?” Verena asked. “You are still a Shadow, and I have seen your Sentinels, know what they stand for.”

“Of course,” Ilea said.

“Difficult that. Convincing someone to work with Elves,” Verena said. “I never tried. But I only met a few Hunters myself. Never friendly.”

Pierce dug her hands into her hair as she sat down again, her whole form sinking into the chair as she seemed smaller yet again. “You win… on all fronts… Lilith, Lilith, Lilith.”

Ilea used reconstruction on the poor woman.

She glanced up immediately, her eyes wide. “Ah… it’s you. Pleasant. Arcane healing. How rare. What was that healing order called, Verena?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Verena said, looking between them.

“Something with rin. Rin rin. Balarin? No. Corinth?” Pierce said.

“Azarinth?” Ilea suggested.

Pierce smiled. “Yes! That’s the one. Maybe.”

“You met one of them? What do you know about the Order?” Ilea asked.

Pierce looked up, lost in thought for a moment. “Foundation. I think I read about them there. Ah and I found one of their temples at one point. Their blue elixir grass too, but hey, it was too late for me to eat random and dangerous elixirs. Who would do that anyway, half of them kill you instantly,” she said and laughed.

Ilea smiled a wry smile.

Pierce looked at her and laughed even harder. “Hah, you damn idiot. No wonder you’re so strong. Half a brain means half the fear, I say!”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Ilea said.

“You always have a choice. We just don’t like the other option,” Pierce said, her voice more serious.

“Do you remember where the temple was?” Ilea asked.

“No. But I destroyed the elixir, if that’s why you’re asking. Just creates trouble,” she said. “So you stumbled into a temple and got the Class. At least it was good for something then. Hope you didn’t share it around.”

“Just one girl. She survived too, luckily,” Ilea admitted.

“Good. So what are you up to?” Pierce asked.

Ilea looked at Kyrian, and then the two women. Both were intently focused on her. What the fuck should I tell them? They broke into my house.

“What did you say your name was again?” she asked instead.

“Dragonkiller. To be. I haven’t yet been successful, sadly. They’re… quite something,” she said and laughed.

Verena just rolled her eyes.

“You two are Elders, are you sure you should be sitting here with me? I’m sure you have more important business to attend to,” Ilea said. Or so I would hope, but I suppose it’s better than summoning demons into Ravenhall. They’re adventurers that fit very well into the Shadow’s Hand, that much is true.

She looked at them, waiting for an answer.

“She’s deflecting,” Dragonkiller said.

“She is,” Verena added.

And you have no right to ask anything of me, Ilea thought. They are Elders of the Hand. Hmm. Adventurers at that. Maybe I can get their voices on my side.

“Which means you’re not just wasting your time. You have a purpose, a mission. Some grand quest perhaps? Come on, out with it, we’re all adventurers here!” Pierce said.

“You put in Claire. We have no responsibilities other than killing monsters. Not anymore. Thank you for that,” Verena said.

Ilea wasn’t sure if the woman was annoyed or grateful.

“Pretty much. Adam the idiot betrayed us and left, Lucas is who the fuck knows where in the north, Urn is dead, and now we have a council and independence. Sulivhaan and Claire got more done in a few years than the previous Elders did in centuries. No offense, Verena,” Pierce said.

Verena shrugged. “I just managed the Order.”

“I always thought the Shadow’s Hand would’ve done a better job handling Ravenhall. But now you have a bunch of laws and the Shadowguard anyway. Disappointing really. Could’ve been the first truly free place for people like us,” Pierce said and shook her head lightly. “Never mind, tell us. Either you tell us or I destroy your lovely house here.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ilea asked, heat gathering within her.

“Ah, see, now it’s getting exciting,” Pierce said. “Come on, spill it,” she added and hit the table with both her fists, a broad grin on her face.

“I’ll rip out your limbs and feed them to you if you so much as break that table,” Ilea said calmly.

Pierce just waved her off. “Empty threats. We both know a lack of pain makes that barely worth a mention. And I’ll have at least a moment to wreck this place before you kill me!”

“Are you sure about that?” Ilea asked with a smirk.

“Ask Claire to vouch for us,” Verena interrupted.

“You’re so boring today. It’s very unlike you, Verena,” Pierce said, deflating onto her hands.

“I’m actually interested. And your threats push her away. You’ve been rude from the start,” the other Elder said.

“Fine,” Pierce added.

“Got Pierce and Verena here. Can I trust them?” Ilea sent to Claire.

“I’m sorry. Yes. Shadows to the bone. Talked to both,” came the answer.

“Alright, I suppose I can trust you. To an extent. For now I’ll tell you that I’m looking for treasure. Not to get it yet but to scout out the locations,” Ilea said.

“A treasure hunt in ancient dungeons, protected by… a dragon perhaps?” Pierce asked with a smirk. “That sounds interesting enough, let’s join Verena.”

“We know the lands well, have fought many beings. We can guide you, or help you into cities and vaults,” Verena said. “If that sounds acceptable.”

“Sure, but again, why exactly do you want to help?” Ilea asked.

“Missed you the last few times I came back,” Verena said and shrugged.

“We’ve fought plenty. If we die, we die,” Pierce said. “Now let’s go. I haven’t killed anything in ages.”

“Didn’t you kill that deer?” Ilea asked.

“Ages I tell you,” Pierce added and stood up. “You coming too?” she asked Kyrian.

“No,” he answered in a court manner.

“Shame, well off then with us. Where to, Lilith?” Pierce asked while she pointed to the sky.

Verena got up and started cleaning.

Ilea used her ash to clear off the blood and mud. “It’s fine,” she said.

The woman nodded and disappeared, appearing in front of the door.

“Think you can find the way yourself?” she asked Kyrian, displacing the two of them outside after Pierce had vanished too.

He glanced over, his helmet covering all of his face. “I’ve walked these mountains, just as you have. I think I’ll find my way around.”

“Enjoy your time off, and greet the others for me,” she said and summoned the locator. “Call for me when you need to get back.”

The map flashed up when she activated the related rune.

“Flashy. What’s that?” Pierce asked, flying over with two wings of blue lightning, still wearing her dress.

“Call for us if you need help,” Kyrian said as he ascended. “And good luck.”

Ilea ignored the woman floating around her, looking at the device and the map with large eyes.

So, these are either going to be buried in random Taleen dungeons, or they’re in the pockets of an Oracle, Elemental, or Ascended. Maybe an Elemental Oracle. At least that would be interesting to see, she thought.

Nothing showed up in the vicinity, the arrow pointing to the north east. Out towards the ocean. Wonderful start. Kraken ate it?

“That looks Taleen,” Pierce finally said.

Verena joined them, fire burning on her skin as she hovered over.

“It’s Taleen artifacts we’re looking for after all,” Ilea said. “What do you know about them?”

“Interesting to fight. Ancient peoples like so many others out there. Hardly worth a mention to be honest,” Pierce said. “They built their machines and vanished. Or so it goes. Probably part of the dwarven kingdoms now.”

“Teleportation gates,” Verena said, looking at the map before it vanished. “You unlocked it, found a way to access them? That could be useful. Dangerous too.”

“Countries will slaughter each other to get that technology,” Pierce said. “But with what I heard about you, you’re just going to rent it out for cheap. Or just give it away for free. The latter option is certainly more interesting, but that Administrator working with you will likely prevent that.”

“She manages the contracts,” Ilea answered, not saying anything to their speculation. “Arrow points out into the ocean. Any idea what’s out there?”

“Islands. A few. High level monsters,” Verena said. “Beyond that. Death.”

“How high level?” Ilea asked.

“Three, four hundred, maybe more,” the woman answered. “I didn’t go far.”

“What if it points to another continent?” Pierce asked. “I don’t want to fly over the ocean for weeks.”

“I didn’t ask you to come,” Ilea said.

“No, no. I’ll come. I’ll come,” the woman said with a few defensive gestures.

Verena shook her head. “If it is another continent. We should turn back. Or let her go alone. We aren’t ready.”

“You went to another continent?” Ilea asked.

The woman shrugged. “So have others. Perhaps you of all people could survive. But I do not suggest it.”

“There is surely more than one other landmass than this piece of work,” Pierce said. “You’re being too pessimistic.”

“There’s more than one artifact that I need to find. I guess we can try the islands. Let’s follow the locator,” Ilea suggested.

“Follow the locator!” Pierce exclaimed, her wings flaring up with mana.

Ilea moved her own, flying out over the waves crashing against cliffs far below. Her own wings charged up as she looked at the arrow. “About there I suppose,” she said and pointed before she put away the device, spreading her ash mantle and layering it.

Pierce whistled, flying around her in a circle. “So that’s your getup. A little barbaric, but manageable. I like the tail, and it seems like your manipulation is at a refined degree. A bit shit that you’re using ash. Metal is just straight up better, but I’d guess you have some other benefits. It does explain how you’ve reached your power so quickly. Can’t have an ash mage that isn’t at least somewhat reckless.”

“Lots of Sentinels are ash mages,” Verena remarked.

Pierce smiled. “Well chosen individuals then,” she said. “Let’s see if you can keep up with me.”

Verena sighed. “You two just make sure to wait for me.”

“I can mark you guys, if you like,” Ilea said.

“That’s such a Lilith thing to say. What next, you turn us into slaves with your mind magic?” Pierce said. “Just start throwing some fire around if we’re too far ahead, Verena.”

“Never underestimate the ocean,” Verena answered.

Pierce just waved her off, a shock wave extending from her wings as more power flowed through them. “Just don’t go under.”

A split second later the woman vanished.

Ilea could barely follow her, a line of blue flying into the distance as an explosion of air resounded a few hundred meters ahead. The Dragonkiller had just broken through the sound barrier.

“How is she only at level three hundred?” Ilea asked.

Verena shrugged. “More responsible than she seems.”

“I suppose so. Sure you don’t want that mark?” she said.

The woman raised a hand. “I appreciate it. And I trust you, Ilea. You’re honest, I can tell. But no foreign marks.”

“Understood. At least fly ahead so I can see if you need a lift,” Ilea said.

Verena shot off without another word, considerably slower than Pierce, or Ilea for that matter.

She quickly caught up with the burning form, a few ashen limbs going behind her back before her wings charged and pushed them forward. Ilea had no way of catching the Dragonkiller, even without carrying Verena. Lightning seems to be the way to go when it comes to flying.

Ilea wondered when Trian could manifest speeds like that, though she did wonder how maneuverable Pierce was in this form. She already had difficulties with her ashen wings. Just as she had the thought, a bird exploded against her chest, everything that could’ve been left behind already gone when she noticed the impact. At least she could trust her defenses to overwhelm the risks that came with this kind of momentum. She hoped the same was true for Pierce’s dress.

A streak of blue lightning flashed from ahead, going around far on the stormy ocean before it joined up with Ilea.

They stopped together, Pierce now covered in form fitting dark blue armor, lightning flowing on it as if she was some form of conductor. The metal flowed aside to reveal a broad smirk. “One win for the Dragonkiller.”

“I suppose so,” Ilea said, not much caring for the competition. All she wanted was to stay faster than Kyrian. Pierce first had to kill a few four marks and reach the four hundreds before she would even consider her a worthy opponent.

“Maybe I can convince you to show me your hunting grounds… I will come for you in no time, you lucky lucky healer,” the woman said and twirled in the air, a pulse of lightning flowing out from her armor in a seamless manner.

Lightning struck a few kilometers away, dark clouds now covering most of the horizon. They had already traveled far, and yet not particularly long.

“Where does the pointy thing point to, treasurer?” Pierce asked, watching Ilea summon the device.

They adjusted course a few more times, flying over the open ocean on their approach to something that at least seemed to be getting closer, based on the course corrections they had to make.

A single island came into view about twenty minutes later. Mostly just an outcrop of rock, not a single tree or other vegetation visible on top. A large chunk of it looked wet as well, suggesting a submerged state at least in stormy weather. It was only a few kilometers in diameter, the jagged bits and deep shadows reaching below the water only hinted at its true size.

“I have not been here. Further out than the islands I meant,” Verena informed.

“New territory!” Pierce shouted. “Sense anything, girls?” she asked and crouched in mid air, looking around like some kind of hunter listening for predators.

“Nothing,” Verena said.

“I can call and see if something shows up,” Ilea suggested.

Pierce wagged around her hands. “Nononono, bad idea. Not out here, are you crazy? Any idea how well sound travels through water? You’re going to wake some things that have been sleeping for millennia. Do that when you’re a four mark, or later.”

Ilea tried to assess her level and power but she really seemed to just be a level three hundred human. Nothing about her gave her a weird feeling, except for her words from time to time. Guess I really was lucky with Erendar and the Krahen isles.

“Should we land?” Ilea asked.

Pierce teleported down onto the surface, several hundred meters far.

And here I thought I was the space mage, Ilea mused. No long range. No competition.

When the other two landed, Pierce had started smashing a metal pole into the stone, a black flag with the Shadow’s emblem in white attached to the top. The wind blew it around as the cracking of stone resounded, the Elder finally stepping back and admiring her addition. “Another frontier, claimed by humanity.”

“I wouldn’t say claimed. We barely just arrived,” Ilea said and looked around, trying to use Sentinel Huntress and her dominion to see if anything had been here recently. No magic, no droppings. Just a rock.

The locator arrow twirled, finally pointing downwards when she tilted the device to the side.

“A magnificent piece of land. So, where to?” Pierce asked, now wearing a sailor’s uniform and extending a telescope.

The Union of Dubious Dames II

A note from Rhaegar

Read chapter 1 by the lovely Jiwa: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/26675/a-journey-of-black-and-red/chapter/656179/that-one-time-i-was-involved-in-the-summoning

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Candle, a girl who definitely has a soul and might be part-dragon

Enjoys: flying, her friends staying alive, chocolate.

Dislikes: Undead, necromancers, cold iron.

Elaine: a healer and part-time gold-colored flamethrower.

Enjoys: healing, the sun, mangoes, mango-based desserts.

Dislikes: hurting people, sexism, ants. Scared of dragons.

Ilea: a battle healer that mostly battles and heals little.

Enjoys: gourmet food, gourmet battles, making the world better.

Dislikes: politics, songs about her, child-killing death robots.

Ariane: Master vampire.

Enjoys: blood, the hunt, high-yield explosives.

Dislikes: the sun, pigs set on fire, being set on fire.

Evelia: Goes by Eve.

Is on a Legendary quest for a loaf of bread; cannot complete it. Her main skill set includes running fast, hitting things hard, and witty banter.

Enjoys: Strawberry scones, exp, fancy dresses--not that she ever gets a chance to wear them, ale, banter, puns

Dislikes: Poppyseeds, falling on her face, illusion magic, the stench of cities, puns

Broccoli: a good-natured battle bunny.

Enjoys: making all the friends, seeing them grow, and go on adventures together!

Dislikes: bad things!

The Union of Dubious Dames II

“We’re heroines! Ah… but now I have to save two worlds already,” the bunny eared girl exclaimed, counting two fingers with a worried expression. She seemed to dismiss the thought entirely a moment later and walked to the portal, giggling before she promptly jumped in.

“Why do these god-like beings keep bringing me to these unreasonable places. Did I die again?” one of the women said, looking at her palms where golden spheres of radiant burning light came to life.

Ariane stumbled to the side, hissing loudly as she hid behind the familiar black haired ashen warrior. “Radiant orbs…,” she murmured, her eyes slightly unfocused.

“I don’t think you died. Can you tone down the sunlight magic? She’s a vampire,” Ilea said, pointing behind herself. She gave Ariane a curious look through her spherical perception. “What?”

“It’s a secret, you know?” the blond haired vampire whispered. “You’re so careless,” she added with a sigh. “If only your blood wasn’t so very… intoxicating.”

“You’re drunk,” Ilea said, attempting to take care of the issue with her healing. Her eyes opened wide when she inspected the vampire. “Guess something doesn’t want you to be healed. Interesting.”

“I’m Elaine,” the sunlight warrior said, any trace of her magic gone as she watched the interaction between the two women. “How do you know I didn’t die?”

“Well you’re here, aren’t you?” Ilea asked and looked around. “Seems to be some kind of spatial construct we’ve been put in… doesn’t look particularly well made. Maybe they could ask the Meadow to help construct their next meadow. It’s deteriorating.”

“De… teriorating?” Elaine said.

“Yeah. Let me look at the portal,” Ilea said and walked over to the large construct.

“You all seem… calm, about all this,” another woman said, glancing between Elaine and the vampire.

Ariane grinned, her eyes wandering over the women before she settled on the dragon.

The girl turned winged draconic creature crouched within the shallow waters, her massive form preventing any sort of stealth to be successful.

“I see you,” Ariane whispered.

“Don’t provoke the dragon,” Elaine said in a careful tone, giving the winged creature a side glance.

“Of course not! I merely wish to get better acquainted with someone of such excellent taste,” Ariane said with a predatory expression.

Ilea meanwhile poked her head through the gate and came back out, walked over to the vampire and grabbed her by the collar of her practical battle dress. “I think you’ve had enough to drink,” she said, ignoring the hisses of complaint.

The vampire used her deadly claws to swipe at the woman kidnapping her, trying to sink her teeth into her arms in a drunken frenzy. “You dare! Unhand me, you uncivilized ash… you are going to toss me again...” her complaints were cut off when she was thrown through the portal.

The two remaining women and dragon looked at Ilea with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

“There’s no sunlight. And there are snacks,” she said and looked out to the stars. “Ah, maybe she can’t eat those. I better go check on her, you’re right, you’re right. No need to judge that harshly,” she added and rushed through the portal herself.

The two women looked at each other, Elaine glancing back at the dragon that tried to crouch even more.

“I’m Eve,” the other woman said, turning around to address the dragon. “You were a girl before, right? No need to be afraid. This must have something to do with our quests. Maybe the Questing Stones brought us here.”

“You guys have quests?” Elaine asked, side eyeing the dragon still.

“I’m Candle,” the being said, looking at Eve.

“Nice to meet you, Candle,” Evelia answered and smiled. “I don’t think you’ll fit through that thing like that.”

The dragon nodded slowly, shimmering light illuminating her scales before she returned to her human form. She looked down, avoiding eye contact.

“I like your eyes,” Eve said. “Come, let’s join the others. The sooner we leave this place, the sooner we’re done. I just hope we can return to where we came from,” she added, murmuring the last part.

“I hope so too,” Elaine said, looking at Candle with a little less apprehension. She didn’t know if all dragons could transform, but the girl in front of her looked so terribly non-threatening, she felt bad for fearing her.

“Did you know any of the others?” Eve asked.

“Nope. But that blue-eyed woman and the vampire seemed to be acquainted,” Elaine said, stepping through the large interdimensional portal without worry.

She blinked her eyes when she was through, finding herself in the same convenience store they had been shown by the weird godlike shapeshifter. It seemed those creatures just didn’t respect the time of mortals.

Ariane sat between various opened packets of crisps, ripped open chocolate wrappings, and various cleaning products. She sniffed the air and rushed to another shelf with frightening speed, her claws ripping through the coffee section of the store. Clouds of brown powder and beans exploded outwards, a shiver going through the vampire’s back as she roared in joy.

The window front of the store showed that it was night outside, an entirely oversized and empty car park with a few houses beyond suggesting some rural town in the states.

Elaine wondered if this was her Earth, or if it just looked similar. Her magic still worked, the vampire so distracted by the coffee cloud that she didn’t even notice the quick bright light coming from her spell.

Eve came out from the portal, followed by the timid blue eyed girl.

Their eyes widened in wonder, looking at everything around them.

“You’re not from Earth?” Elaine asked.

“Earth? Is this it?” Eve asked, grabbing a hair brush from a nearby shelf before she flicked the plastic.

“It’s… weird,” Candle whispered, looking at something moving past. Nobody else seemed to notice.

“They probably don’t have mangoes here,” Elaine murmured, looking for the produce section but not finding one.

Noises resounded from behind the counter, the bunny eared girl rejoicing with a triumphant gesture.

Ilea sighed and moved aside. “Your turn, Larry.”

The clerk and apparent champion of good blinked a few times as he looked around the store, rubbing his eyes as he murmured something about tripping.

Elaine joined them, vaguely noticing Eve and Candle sticking to her, occasionally looking at some of the many products while the vampire rampaged further back.

A small CRT television likely meant for the single camera hanging from the ceiling flickered with a game Elaine had heard about. Something from the nineties and entirely distorted by the video quality of the tv. And still it resonated with her.

“You’re from around here?” Ilea asked her, the woman leaning against a nearby wall. She straightened when the thick wooden building strained under her weight. She coughed to try and offset the obvious.

Elaine chose to ignore it. Pointing out weight was a delicate issue, even with close friends. And she really didn’t want to upset someone with that kind of mass.

“Wow you’re heavy,” Eve said. “Maybe that’s what will happen to me if I manage to find and eat that bread.”

“It’s useful in battle,” Ilea said, but it was pretty clear how she felt about the whole thing.

“I’m from Earth, yes. But I don’t know if this is the same one,” Elaine said.

Ilea smiled. “Me too, so is Brocoli,” she said and pointed at the bunny eared girl. “And I think Ari too, but from the past? And with… well vampires and magic, I suppose,” she added with a shrug.

Elaine wondered how the woman could be so casual about all this.

“Also there’s bread over there if you want some,” Ilea said, pointing at a nearby shelf.

Eve turned when an electric current flashed up from a nearby microwave, the entire bread section bursting into flame.

“I figured,” Evelia murmured as a nearby vampire hissed something about fire.

A mist of ash formed out of thin air, covering the flames and extinguishing them in the process.

“What’s that about, Eve?” Elaine asked.

“I… I might have some effect on… nearby bread,” Eve said.

“Eve,” Ilea murmured before shaking her head. “Some kind of bread related magic? That’s interesting. Is there a resistance?”

“Resistance?” Eve asked.

Brocoli jumped up, pumping her fist to the air. “I win!”

“Damn, you’re good at this. Who are you guys anyway?” Larry asked as he looked at the group. “I’m not supposed to let anybody come behind the register.”

The women looked at each other before glancing at the half destroyed store, coffee, crisps, and ash covering half of it.

Ariane appeared between them, her torso, hair, and face covered in brown dust, a toothy grin the only white pushing through. Her eight fangs were obvious.

Larry chuckled. “Nice cosplay, miss,” he said and gave her a thumbs up.

“Cosplay?” Ariane asked, looking at her coffee covered hands. It seemed she was sobering up slowly.

“It’s really good,” Brocoli said in a whisper. “All of you are, except you, Ilea,” she said with a giggle.

Ash started to cover Ilea, horns jutting from her helmet as wings spread behind her. “How’s this?”

“Hmm. Too gloomy. Not bad,” Broccoli said.

“Everyone’s a critic,” Ilea sighed.

“Are you a dragon?” Candle asked in a shy tone.

“Not yet,” Ilea answered.

“I advise against that kind of thinking,” Elaine said.

“Having wings is the main deal anyway, and I have those,” Ilea said with a shrug. “Larry seems alright. What should we do about this whole business? I could bring you all to Elos, a realm of magic and monsters, but I’d guess you’d want to return to your own places?”

“I would like that,” Eve said.

“Me too! But we’re still friends,” Brocoli said with a serious expression.

“So we’ll play along with that second rate eldritch shifter,” Ilea said.

“Three days isn’t long,” Ariane said, her smile gone as she looked thoughtful. “A reconnaissance mission is in order, but how could we find our quarry? You are not restricted by sunlight. I will need a detailed list of your abilities and your knowledge of this world to devise a plan. If we can find the location and manage to travel there, we could perhaps manage an aerial attack with the help of our winged members. I’ll need a lot of gunpowder, and a workshop. Larry, you will assist me in this, you’re a merchant after all.”

The man smiled. “Sure, there’s a gun store down the street.”

“What about military bases? The technology in this world seems advanced. I’ll be interested in the kind of weaponry they possess here,” Ariane said. “But first, what do we know about Maximilian?”

“Found him,” Elaine said, sitting at the nearby computer. “An island nation state called Manellia.”

“What is this… tool…” Ariane murmured, stumbling over as she looked at the screen. “That is the man! What magic…”

“It’s called the Internet,” Ilea said, finding a few confused stares looking back at her. “Physical tubes connected all over the globe, delivering information through electricity or light.”

“Marvelous… what an invention… mages would be entirely obsolete… do you know about the state of weaponry too?” Ariane asked.

“Yeah, we better not go there, vampire lass. I don’t want you to start dropping nukes,” Ilea said.

“Nuke,” the woman whispered, licking her coffee-stained lips.

“What have you done?” Larry whispered somewhere in the background.

Broccoli pointed at the screen. “Oh that’s the man the nice space person talked about!”

“What are nukes?” Elaine said, glancing around the group. “How far away is it?” Ilea asked.

“Just checking. Hmm… they don’t use google here. The search engine is called Zenthuron. Doesn’t look like Earth either. Not quite,” she said, looking at a map of the globe. “Here’s the island.”

“An island nation. It’s good we have flying warriors,” Ariane said. “Can you search for their political structure, societal norms, resource imports and exports, military strength, and allies?”

“Calm down there Dracula,” Elaine said as she checked the search engine for Manellia. “Their main export is…,”

“Mangoes!” Broccoli said, reading the text as she giggled. “I would like some, let’s go there and talk to this evil evil man. We will convince him to be friends with poor Larry.”

“Why poor?” the man asked.

Elaine joined the others again and sighed. “It’s a pretty long way there. What do you think we should do?”

“I don’t want to attack them just like that,” Candle murmured.

“Me neither. Just because someone told us they’re evil doesn’t mean that’s the case,” Eve said.

Ariane whispered to herself. “Intercontinental nuclear warheads…,”

Ilea sent an ashen spear through the pc sitting below the table, destroying a part of the floor in the process.

“No! Machine, tell me more! Surrender your secrets!” Ariane exclaimed, shaking the blackened monitor.

“No nukes,” Ilea said.

Elaine nodded. “They would destroy all the mangoes.”

Ariane stood up and looked at Ilea with a calculating gaze. “A compromise then. There was a section about a so-called agent Orange,” she said with a grin.

“Oranges are nice too,” Broccoli said with a nod, her ears bobbing along.

“Let’s check out the gun store first,” Elaine said.

“Ah yes, lead me there, Larry,” Ariane said, slashing open a nearby bottle of water before she dowsed herself to get rid of the coffee.

Ilea glanced at the Radiance mage and gave her a light nod. “She’ll be happy with a few anti material rifles and a bunch of machine guns, I’m sure.”

“I hope you’re right,” Elaine said, the group following the enthusiastic vampire out into the night.

A note from Rhaegar

Read chapter 3 by Selkie :): https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36299/beneath-the-dragoneye-moons/chapter/656182/chapter-the-coven-of-fabulous-witches-iii

Chapter 657 Drilling

Chapter 657 Drilling

Hey, I could use that for my cannon, Ilea thought, looking at the telescope.

“This isn’t part of another continent, is it?” she asked, looking at Verena.

The woman looked around. “Don’t think so. Cavern entrance over there,” she said and pointed.

“Good eyes. What we’re looking for is down,” Ilea said.

Pierce clicked her telescope together and made it vanish, her clothes entirely soaked in the stormy rain. “Wonderful. I am drenched,” she said and walked towards the indicated location.

The others followed.

“Is she always like that?” Ilea asked, watching the dark blue armor appear once more on the Elder’s body.

Verena nodded ever so slightly.

Ilea glanced over. “Known her long?”

“We joined the Shadows in the same month,” she said.

“How old are you two?”

Verena looked up. “I think a little over seventy. Not sure about her. Probably similar.”

“Wow, you really are Elders,” Ilea commented.

Pierce glanced back and hissed. “I heard that young lass! You’ll pay once I’m strong enough. Just you wait six hundred years!”

“We are. Lucas and Adam are older,” Verena said. “Lots of changes before. Shadows die often.”

“Too confident when you’re at this age. Gets easier and easier to make a mistake, I tell you,” Pierce said. “Complacent. Most give up the adventuring lifestyle either way. Pansies. I hope you will die a glorious death in battle, Ilea.”

“I’m immortal,” Ilea said.

“You better be,” Pierce answered. “You’re a healer. If I don’t see you come back from disintegration and loss of heads, I’ll be disappointed.”

“Dungeon. Quiet now,” Verena said as they closed in on the entrance.

Ilea was surprised to find Pierce quiet down immediately, all three of them reaching the large fissure in the dark jagged stone. She could see the bottom from the edge and jumped down, followed near instantly by the others.

No dungeon notification showed up within her mind. Did they just bury this one somewhere out in the ocean? I suppose you certainly wouldn’t find it here without a device to locate it.

“No signs of monsters. Continue or leave? You said you need to scout, not recover,” Verena said.

“I did say that, yes,” Ilea answered quietly. “But, I think we can push on a little bit further. If you think it’s too dangerous, you can stay up there and wait.”

“We know how much more powerful you are, Ilea. Know that we have escaped plenty of four marks. You don’t get to this age as an adventurer otherwise. Not at our level,” Pierce said and touched the stone nearby. “This is natural.”

“No way down either,” Verena said.

“Then we dig,” Ilea said, ash spreading in front of her, the vague image of a drill forming within the dark mist.

A few seconds later, they were pushing down into the stone, Ilea’s ash progressing rather slowly against the hard stone.

“You could just let Verena deal with it,” Pierce said. “This will take a while.”

“It’s quieter,” Verena said.

Ilea glanced over. “You have something like this too?”

The woman summoned two black axes lined with slightly glowing embers.

“Ah, I see,” Ilea said with a smirk.

Pierce looked at her and smiled. “That’s all she does.”

“It’s effective,” Verena said.

“I punch,” Ilea said. “Well I do a little more than that but at the end of the day, I punch.”

Verena gave her a long look and nodded slightly.

“What do you do?” Ilea asked Pierce. “Dragonkiller.”

An arc of lightning flowed over her armor. “Lightning. I always enjoyed it. Since that assassin came for me when I was eleven, ah… memories.”

“Sounds like a rough childhood,” Ilea said, their voices entirely drowned out by the drilling sounds but none of them had a problem hearing each other talk. She displaced the larger stone chunks up and away, making sure none would tumble into the ocean. Lest she wake something.

“Ah it was fine after that. I left my home on that day. My twelfth birthday was much happier. Me, Kevin, the wolves,” Pierce said.

“Do I want to hear that story?” Ilea asked.

“Nothing too peculiar. Kevin was a lightning mage too, and a goblin. We met in the wilderness and immediately understood each other. I don’t think he was much older than me to be honest, but it’s hard to tell with goblins. They’re incredibly stupid. Assassins never found me in the tunnels we dug together. Never even found out who sent them. Probably been killed themselves a year or two after all that happened,” the woman explained.

“You lived with a goblin mage in the wilderness? That sounds pretty exciting,” Ilea said offhandedly. She really wasn’t sure if any of that was true but with this world, she wouldn’t disregard the possibility.

“Unlikely, but yes. He was an outcast, like me. They’re not fond of humans otherwise. Not at all. Ah glorious was the day when we burned down his tribe together. He taught me much,” Pierce said.

“Is he still around?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t know. He wanted to go to the highest peak, to see the source of lightning. A bunch of superstitious shit, but that’s goblin education for you. I showed him the way north a few decades later and that was that,” Pierce said. “I’m sure he loved the arcane storms.”

“What was his level at the time?” Ilea asked, starting to see something within her dominion. They were coming up on familiar territory. “Taleen facility ahead.”

“Your perception goes far,” Verena said.

“Fifty? Something like that,” Pierce answered.

Ilea blinked her eyes. “Level fifty? And you sent him north?”

The woman laughed. “That Goblin had a dream, I tell you. He really wanted to go, and who am I to stop a friend.”

Sounds like you sent him to his death, Ilea thought but she didn’t know Kevin nor did she know about Pierce’s situation back then.

“Maybe someone in Hallowfort knows if he came through,” Ilea said.

“Doubt it. Finding that place is damn near impossible up there. I only got there because of the scavengers I stumbled upon more than a week’s travel eastward. Good thing too, I was about to enter Feynor territory,” Pierce said. “Unpleasant, those.”

“I’ve met them,” Ilea said.

“Managed to talk? Didn’t seem to me they like anything not resembling a dragon,” she said.

Your name doesn’t help.

“No. Well there was some talk, but they just came to kill and kidnap. Catelyn that was, and plenty of dark ones. I met Lucas there actually. An old Rhyvor city where Dark Ones took over,” Ilea said.

“They moved against Hallowfort? Seems like things are getting a little more tense up there. Maybe I should visit sometime,” Pierce said. “Nice to see that someone else knows about the ancient kingdoms in the north. Nobody wanted to believe me.”

I wonder why, Ilea thought.

“Is Lucas alive?” Verena asked.

“Yes,” Ilea said, not elaborating.

The woman nodded. “Good.” She seemed lost in thought for a moment before she talked again. “Maro. He said something about Rhyvor.”

Ilea perked up, looking at her.

“Who’s that?” Pierce asked.

“I met him in Asila. He learned that I was a Shadow and offered gold to kill monsters,” Verena explained.

“What happened?” Ilea asked, trying not to betray her connection to the man.

“A cult he stumbled upon summoned dangerous creatures. Like bats. But large. I killed them,” Verena explained.

Why would he care about a cult. Wait. Of course. And he didn’t even clean up himself.Just don’t start that shit in Ravenhall.

Ilea ignored the small thought in her mind that a cult of Lilith could very well be the next actor in another demon summoning. For whatever mad reason they come up with. Claire, protect our city.

“Breaking through,” Verena said, the group quieting down when Ilea’s drill punched into the square room below.

They all appeared inside.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izacanum dungeon’

The familiar green light shined on dimly from above, ivy growing nearby and covering parts of the wall and ceiling.

Ilea’s ashen drill vanished, leaving only a small opening above. They had gone deep. Did they come from below? she wondered, checking the nearby rooms and hallways with her dominion.

“A few guardians,” she whispered, summoning her locator before she silently continued through the door. The nearby machines collapsed before they could reach them, her reverse healing taking them out silently as her destructive mana flowed through the cracks in the doors and walls.

“What is that spell?” Verena asked in a quiet voice, her hands gripping her axes as she walked next to Ilea. Pierce had taken the rear.

“Reverse healing,” Ilea answered.

The woman nodded to herself. “Arcane… different options, I see. Good. It’s silent,” she whispered.

Ilea found that the locator pointed to a location far from the only hallway they could currently access, but she wasn’t too concerned. This wasn’t a production facility, nor was it built by machines. There were ancient beds, furniture made of stone, dark green metal plates with dried out remains sitting on tables.

They continued in silence, trying to follow the locator as they went from room to room, Guardians taken out before they could register the intruders. Soon they came into an expansive hall, once decorated with tapestries and fountains, now decrepit and forgotten. Ancient gears still turned and clicked within the walls.

Ilea saw two Centurions stand about thirty meters away, their spears at the ready as they saw the approaching trio. She didn’t use her reverse healing and instead just looked at them. Could’ve tested here with Aki. Gotta go grab him later.

She still had a location ready for her long range Transfer but decided against using it here. It was a Praetorian she wanted to get him after all. Or something even better.

“Are you telling us to take care of them?” Pierce asked.

Ilea summoned her cannon, charging just a bit of heat as she aimed. She looked at the wall left of the first machine, releasing her heat as she whipped the rifle to the right. The bright beam illuminated the room for a split second, burning a deep furrow into the stone walls and leaving the Centurions to collapse, their cores molten and their bodies sliced in half.

“Those are level three hundred creatures,” Verena pointed out.

Pierce giggled. “What did you expect?”

Ilea smiled to herself as she walked towards the still glowing metal. Yeah, this is fun.

“Pointing straight forward,” she said, putting away the locator once more. The long hallway she looked at was full of traps. Normal Taleen ones she had seen many times before. Her ash armor layered, she paused and reconsidered, instead summoning her heavy wyrm armor.

Pierce whistled. “Now that… is something. How much for that piece of art?”

“I don’t plan to sell it,” Ilea answered, walking into the corridor with her ash armor moved to her back, steel spears shooting out of the walls, flames spreading out and bolts clattering against the wyrm scales without an effect. The mechanisms set within the walls mostly gave in, both the steel traps and her armor winning out against the construction.

It felt like wading through mud more so than walking through solid traps made to incapacitate or kill intruders. The flames didn’t even register, the heat gathering within her outperforming the traps by a long shot.

The Elders didn’t seem particularly impressed, simply following in silence as they walked the path prepared by her.

If they found a key down here, she would likely reveal quite a bit more about her current objectives but Ilea found herself not caring much. If anything it may help to get the input from two old adventurers firmly on the side of the Shadow’s Hand. She trusted Claire’s judgment, especially coupled with her own impression. Pierce had been right. With teleportation gates, there were a lot of uncertainties and possible political nightmares in the making. The same was true with a cooperation with Elves and an extensive conflict with the Taleen.

Bringing the attention of these ancient powers onto humanity, even if it was just her, could spell unprecedented trouble. They could use more allies and advice. Against nobles and the Golden Lily just as much as the larger factions.

They came out in a room that looked familiar to Ilea. Twelve pedestals stood spread out in a half circle, various chests and shelves lining the walls.

“Treasure,” Pierce said, not making a move to take anything.

Ilea looked around, her dominion piercing the many containers. There were a few hundred gold pieces, taleen weapons, armor, but most importantly a golden triangle lined with hundreds of enchantments sitting on one of the pedestals.

That’s too easy, Ilea thought and looked around, trying to find any traps. The only thing she found was the pressure plate the key itself sat on. She quickly made an ashen copy of the key and increased its density before she made it hover next to the pedestal. Displacement failed to bring the key to her so she walked over herself, taking the artifact before she moved her ash in place.

The mechanism hadn’t been triggered by the fast switch, Ilea weighting the artifact as she added more density to her ash, finally infusing it with mana and letting it sit there.

“That’s what you came for?” Pierce asked, walking over as she looked at the item.

Ilea noted that neither of the women had touched a single thing in the room.

“Yeah. I’ll just take the gold. Feel free to loot the rest,” she said, identifying her find.

[The Brass Key – Ancient Quality] – [Enchanted]

She glanced around, her heavy armor now covered in ash.

“You seem anxious,” Verena said, looking at a taleen war axe before placing it back down.

“Didn’t expect it to be this easy,” Ilea admitted, storing the key with a considerable chunk of mana.

“Feel like telling us what that was?” Pierce asked, sitting down on a nearby chest.

Ilea displaced the gold onto a bed of moving ash, storing everything through her connection with the element. It came out to about three hundred and forty pieces. Not too impressive compared to her wealth. To a normal adventurer however it would be an exorbitant sum.

“I’m not entirely sure if I can trust you two with that information,” Ilea answered, herself now looking through the artifacts, mostly searching for interesting magical items. She didn’t find anything. “You’re aware of the Cerithil Hunters?”

Let’s see how they react to a few pieces.

The two looked at each other. Verena answered. “Yes. They are Elves that go into dungeons. I met one that did not try to kill me.”

“They’re the only ones that don’t attack humans on sight. I’m pretty damn sure about that,” Pierce said. “A good thing too because many many more would’ve died in the numerous conflicts if we didn’t have the dungeons to hide in.”

“The Taleen built the Guardians and more advanced machines to hunt and kill Elves. At this point it doesn’t seem like the dwarves are still around, but the machines haven’t stopped. On the contrary. More invade the Elven domains every year,” Ilea explained.

Pierce glanced at her and smirked. “So it’s true,” she murmured. “You’re working together with them.”

“I’m helping out a few friends. They just happen to be Elves,” Ilea said, gauging their reactions.

Verena took in a deep breath, the grip on her axes increasing before she relaxed again.

“Even if we wanted to stop you, we can’t,” Pierce said. “I’m highly curious though… to meet these creatures who think so little of our kind. So little in fact that they do not even invade our lands.”

“They invaded enough,” Verena said.

“Ah we talked about that many times, Verena. You know they could wipe us out entirely if they so wished. Or so I think?” she said, glancing at Ilea.

“I was attacked by a Monarch. The male leader of the Sky Domain. He was a four mark being,” she said.

Pierce whistled. “Yeah, that’ll do it. I alone could wipe out a few cities. A four mark… that’s entirely different,” she said and laughed.

“Don’t joke about that,” Verena said.

“Ah, you take these things too seriously. There are forces in the world we don’t understand. Not yet. Nor is it wise to challenge them. Can you kill the ones you’ve allied yourself with?” Pierce asked.

Ilea considered. “I trust three of them fully. There is one. One I’m not sure I could kill. But I’m working on my ability to challenge not just him but the Monarchs too.”

The woman giggled. “Do you at all feel a responsibility that comes with bringing their attention onto our humble lands and peoples?”

“It’s not certain what will happen. The Monarch hasn’t come to kill me yet, nor have there been Elves invading our cities. But if my actions lead to something like that, I’ll do what I can to stop them,” she said.

“Hah, she’s like you,” Pierce said, glancing at Verena. “I just want to meet them because it sounds intriguing. Elves. There are records that tell of alliances in the past, did you know that?”

Ilea nodded. “I’ve heard of one, yes.”

“And what could bring such ancient and beastly creatures to ally themselves with humanity?” she asked, the tone of her voice suggesting a rhetorical question.

“Bigger monster,” Verena said.

“Probably. Either that or we were more powerful in the past. Hence the northern kingdoms. The Elves would’ve spread and taken our lands by now if they reproduced quite as diligently as we do. Perhaps it’s the Taleen that keep them form expanding. Or they need more mana density our lands can’t provide. So what’s the goal of those friends of yours?” Pierce asked.

“To stop the machines. That’s what the Cerithil Hunters have been trying for centuries,” Ilea answered. They don’t seem too opposed.

“Now that… is interesting,” Pierce said with a wide grin. “How extensive is the danger these machines pose to the Elven… Domains you said?”

Ilea thought about it. “Honestly… I can’t really see even an Executioner killing that Monarch. But according to the Elves I know, a lot of their young are killed by the Taleen.”

“Oh… yes. The chaos that would ensue… from the removal of this threat… ah I can see it,” Pierce said and spread her arms. “Wonderful. Ah, and here I thought the teleportation gate idea would shatter our status quo… but this… this could ripple far beyond humanity alone. Verena, what do you think?”

“It’s dangerous,” the woman said, a slight grin on her face.

“Two Elders of the Shadows Hand, fighting alongside Lilith, the hidden queen of Ravenhall. Ah how the bards and historians will write and sing of our deeds. If they’re still alive to spin their tales at all. Ilea… I think it’s fair to say that I’m interested in this endeavor. It may prove a wonderful stepping stone towards my dragon hunt. Even though we can’t offer much to you in battle, as you are quite… ludicrously powerful, we do have friends and favors ready to be collected, all throughout the human lands.”

Chapter 658 Search

Chapter 658 Search

“You’re really focused on that dragon,” Ilea said. “And here I thought people didn’t even want to say the name.”

Pierce waved her away, crossing her legs as she sat on the chest. “Superstitious folk. We both know every creature out there has its limits. I’m still young and I’ll get me a dragon skull before I retire.”

Ilea smiled. And I’ll get me one to ride. Probably have enough gold to bribe one already. If they’re anywhere near what the fairy tales make them out to be.

She rather assumed the local ideas would turn out true, meaning dragons were creatures so destructive and mighty, people would rather avoid even mentioning them. In fear of summoning one.

“Any clue as to their level?” she asked.

“I’ve only seen three of them. Only one in battle… far north. The ground shook with each of its spells, fire so hot I could feel it from kilometers away. As if the very fabric of our realm was burning,” she mused, a broad grin on her face.

Ilea chuckled. “Doesn’t sound like you want to kill them.”

“Ah, you would understand if you had seen it,” Pierce retorted.

I’ve seen fire.

“What did it fight?” Ilea asked.

The woman shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably something that isn’t alive anymore.”

“You mentioned our realm. Have you been to others?” Ilea asked.

“No, but she has,” Pierce said and pointed to Verena.

The woman didn’t seem inclined to talk about it.

Ilea didn’t push. She had been to several herself after all.

“So what exactly do we do to help the Elves?” Pierce asked.

“I’m collecting these artifacts. There are more like it. And it’ll take a while,” Ilea said.

“I’m happy to join you for a few years, if I get to meet actual real Elves,” Pierce said.

Verena crossed her arms. “I want to know more about the Domains, and the relationship between them and the Hunters.”

Ilea elaborated for a few minutes, explaining what she knew of the societal structures of the Domains and its people.

The women listened intently, asking the occasional question. Both remained silent for a good two minutes after Ilea was done.

“Now I’m even more excited to meet these Hunters,” Pierce murmured. “Hmm, yes, yes, yes.”

“Don’t start with politics again,” Verena said.

“I won’t. I promised, didn’t I?” Pierce answered. “But these Domains… are so much more diverse than I thought. And with their Oracles… ah I want to meet one of those… women being in power. As it should be. Did you meet one, Ilea? Are you one??”

“No, and no,” Ilea answered, summoning a meal, already sitting in her ashen armchair. “What did you mean with the politics comment?”

Verena shook her head.

“I ended two wars, just wasn’t pretty,” Pierce said. “Involved parties blamed some things on me, which made everyone happy.”

“You murdered a lot of people,” Verena said.

Pierce sighed. “Are you arguing they didn’t deserve it? Or that you would’ve done anything different?”

Verena remained silent.

“Getting involved at all was the issue,” Pierce said. “With the stories I heard, you made the same mistake a few times already,” she added, looking at Ilea.

“It’s messy,” Ilea said.

The woman grunted. “Lys is doing better now, same with Asila. But no intervention can change the core root of the issue,” Pierce said.

“Do you know the Destroyer?” Ilea asked, reminded of the man. Their names were suspiciously similar too.

“The pirate? Yes. We were… involved, a few decades back. A little dull though, sailing so much. I needed more space,” Pierce said. “He didn’t take it well. Maybe that’s why the name finally stuck.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Ilea said, looking at Verena.

The woman just shrugged.

“You met him then. So you know of the Lily too… well it makes sense with your power and wealth,” Pierce said. “Helena is the only one keeping all these idiots from slaughtering each other. More than they already are.”

Verena huffed.

“Ironic, yes. With her business,” Pierce said. “But sometimes a good killing is the only thing preventing more killing. Why I enjoy the wilds so much more, don’t you agree, Ilea?”

Ilea smiled. “I suppose that’s one thing we have in common.”

Pierce stood up, clapping her hands together. “What are we waiting for then, we have more strange artifacts to collect! Can you teleport us out of this place? You brought the man to your house with you, didn’t you?”

“Hmm, might be able to use something a little better. My long range ability is limited too,” Ilea said.

“The Taleen gates,” Verena said in a thoughtful manner.

“Of course,” Pierce said. “Ilea, do you actually plan for people to be able to use these gates?”

“You don’t sound like you approve,” she answered.

“No, I’d welcome it. Me personally. I’m just curious,” Pierce answered.

Ilea looked at her for a moment. “It’s not my decision alone to make. We’re working on adapting the technology, instead of using the existing gates. The locations I teleported to so far were far too dangerous for most people, even adventurers. And we can’t control them freely.”

“Connecting cities and countries will already have an unprecedented impact,” Pierce said. “On everything,” she added, whistling a joyous tune. “Any idea when they’re ready?”

“No,” Ilea answered. She assumed it wouldn’t take that long but Pierce didn’t have to know that. She stood up from her chair and spread out her mantle. “So, let’s find out if they have a working gate here.”

The trio continued the exploration of the small Taleen dungeon, its design rather vertical, similar to the Centurion facility, though admittedly far less extensive. There was no throne room, nor any production lines. No Praetorians showed up either, only a few more Centurions providing little resistance against her magic. Should I take a few spares for Aki? she wondered, deciding to put a few into her necklace. Just in case.

Luckily the machines only took up a single unit per piece, Ilea taking three.

“These normally explode, don’t they?” Verena asked, looking at the unmoving machine resting in front of a closed entrance.

Ilea activated a rune near the stone door, having recognized the writing above. “Not if you disable them fast enough,” she said, the entrance sliding open.

“They’re not exactly the pinnacle of the Taleen, but defeating one is no small feat either,” Pierce said.

Ilea didn’t comment on it. She would’ve agreed a few years back but Centurions weren’t worth a mention to her. She wondered how she would fare against an Executioner at this point, with her main Classes evolved. They were dangerous foes but her advancements were substantial. I don’t have to worry. But the army that came for us back in Iz…

She dismissed the thought, walking into the large hall as she inspected the Taleen gate. Ilea checked the control panel and inserted the second modified key, selecting the destination map right after.

“We can theoretically go to any of those places?” Pierce asked. “Where are we now?”

Ilea pointed to a vague area in the floating map. “Somewhere here. This should be close to Dawntree,” she added, pointing at another section.

Pierce whistled, Verena remaining quiet.

“Maybe I underestimated their importance,” Pierce said. “That’s more than twenty times the area humanity claims as its territory,” she added and laughed.

“Doesn’t mean they controlled it all,” Verena said.

“Bold of you to assume humanity controls the plains,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“Fair enough,” the woman answered.

“Teleportation might help us with that. Easier to transport goods. Stone for walls, people to work fields,” Pierce said.

“Adventurers to fight monsters,” Ilea added.

“Your Sentinels,” Verena said.

“And your Shadows,” Pierce added with a smirk.

“They’re not mine, nor is Ravenhall. Please stop suggesting I’m some kind of shadow queen. It’s the exact opposite of what I want to be,” she said.

Pierce giggled. “No fun. Don’t state the obvious, Ilea. It’s boring.”

“I’m sorry that me presenting the map of the entire Taleen teleportation network didn’t amuse the Highness,” Ilea answered.

“Ah don’t get me wrong. You have my attention, for decades that is. And I know you don’t mind too much, or you would’ve already killed me,” Pierce said.

“I don’t kill people for a harmless joke,” Ilea answered.

Pierce puffed. “Respectable.” She sounded serious.

“Where do we go?” Verena asked.

“Good question,” Ilea said. Krahen is too far. Maybe half way? Would probably bring us into Elven territory. Likely within a dungeon that is.

She could see the many destinations in Iz. The plains were sparsely dotted, as was what she thought of as the northern territory. The desert south of Ravenhall had plenty of locations too, coupled with a few locations east and either below the sea of on other landmasses. The west seemed far less densely packed with destinations, most of them bordering what she thought to be the Navali forest. No wonder nobody knows about the Elven plight. The machines are teleported into their very lands.

Though similar to humanity, she had learned that Elves didn’t exactly control the lands they claimed as their own. Either they didn’t want to or there were creatures too dangerous to deal with prowling the wilderness. Based on what Ben had told her, she assumed it was a mix of both. High leveled Elves would likely have no interest hunting down every single monster that could be a threat to their young.

“Help me compare,” she said and activated the map on her locator. The arrow pointed back towards the direction they had come from.

The Elders joined in without a comment, the three comparing the maps to see if any more locations were accessible from this gate compared to the one Iana and Christopher had used as a base for the map.

“This section,” Verena said after a while, pointing to the area near Karth.

Ilea had come to the same conclusion, twice.

“Does that mean…,” Pierce said.

“New gates are being built,” Verena said. “And added to the existing network?”

“Not just built,” Ilea said and pointed to a few specific dots. “Destroyed too. Or disconnected for some reason. Most of them close to Elven territory.”

She wondered if the differences just meant the Isle of Garath had other destinations available. But why would they be restricted from that specific gate and accessible from here?

It seemed far more likely to her that they were indeed new destinations.

“A lot of new ones in the north too, and in the Isanna desert,” Pierce said.

“They did say each year is getting worse,” Ilea said. Even if they had a few thousand level five hundred hunters. They’re not fighting against a static enemy. If these are really all new locations… it may be an impossible task.

She imagined Niivalyr and his group in the southern Praetorian facility, the dots connecting to it so very small on the maps floating next to her. There were dozens of new locations. Hopefully not all Praetorian factories, but it mattered little.

“Are the machines making more of themselves?” Pierce mused, more to herself than the others.

Maybe if I get another key, I’ll be able to find out more, Ilea thought, smiling to herself.

“All the gaps. I assume Elven lands,” Verena said, pointing to the locations in the west. “No new gates are being added here,” she said, pointing to an area far northwest of Karth. Closer to the Krahen Isles even than the human plains.

“Nothing there at all,” Pierce said. “Doesn’t look like there are advance positions either. The gates just stop and continue again beyond.”

Ilea looked at the sizable area, not finding a single dot. It hadn’t seemed suspicious before because of the close proximity to other similar areas likely to be within Elven territories. But now with the changes they had managed to discern, it did seem a little weird.

“Maybe they’re hiding something there?” Pierce suggested with a smile. “No Elves likely to be there.”

“Or they’re destroying all new gates,” Verena suggested.

“As good as any location really,” Ilea mused, selecting the gate closest to the open area. “Last chance to stay behind. I have no idea what waits for us on the other side. Executioners are level eight hundred, can run on air and have void magic blades, if you need an example of what may be there.”

“You’re joking, right?” Pierce said. “You’d have to render me unconscious or dead to prevent me from staying on this platform. Though I may not be incredibly opposed to the former, depending on your creativity.”

“My interest remains,” Verena said. “But if you insist, I will return.”

“I don’t mind you two. But we’re intruding in a teleportation network that isn’t ours. And I just might not be able to protect you, if we’re detected or stopped,” Ilea said.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t remember asking you for protection,” Pierce said. “If it comes to it, let me die with my pride intact.”

Ilea smiled wryly, knowing she would’ve likely said something similar if the positions had been reversed. Though she didn’t think herself prideful enough to refuse protection. She took the key and activated the gate. Let’s see if there’s an Executioner waiting.

The gate brimmed with magical energy, shifting space to bring them to the desired destination.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izculen dungeon’

Ilea looked around, finding most of the surrounding walls overgrown with vegetation, grass and flowers pushing through the cracks on the stone floor, roots breaking through the brittle construction all around. The gate itself must’ve been of better make, or enchanted to endure the passing of time and strains of nature.

She noted an absence of the familiar green light she associated with the Taleen, instead finding rays of cool white light pushing through large cracks in the ceiling and past the thin seams of the closed stone door ahead.

“Crystals,” Pierce said in a whisper. “This seems familiar.”

Same as in Hallowfort, Ilea noted, feeling the increased mana density compared to the previous dungeon. They were certainly in the north. It just usually wasn’t quite this green.

Maybe it’s like the Penumra dungeon? she wondered, checking to see if she could find any living creatures within her dominion.

There were plenty. Insects, a few birds, even a squirrel like being that rushed away a moment later. The remains of the architecture looked decidedly taleen, though more brittle than most other dungeons Ilea had visited before.

She could hear the sounds of flowing water push in through the cracks, Ilea transferring through door ahead and onto a bridge leading towards an open space. Her eyes opened wide as she took in the surrounding environment.

Verena and Pierce followed. “Wonderful,” the latter exclaimed, her voice full of wonder.

The had found themselves in an underground dungeon, a vague cylinder like open space leading down into the earth. Roots and plants clung to the circular wall surrounding the deep descent, thousands of trees growing from stone outcrops or the walls themselves, impossible angles showing the strength and deep reach of their roots.

Crystal growths lined the ceiling and large parts of the walls, their light reflecting in the hundreds of waterfalls flowing out from cracks and tunnels, glittering mists forming where the water fell into the depths below.

Ilea wondered if the Ascended had constructed this place, however seeing signs of Taleen architecture push through the ivy in various sections, angular stone broken and bested by trees and water, hundreds or thousands of years of nature pushing back against the imposed control of civilization. She turned her head to see two blue Wyverns take flight, their auras having frozen a small stream, icicles breaking off as the warm flow from above slowly broke the magical influence.

The sounds of shattering ice were lost in the myriad of sounds, flowing water mixing with the calls of a dozen creatures, large and small.

Pierce had a broad smile on her face and sat down at the edge of the brittle stone bridge that cropped out a few meters into the open space, the abrupt end suggesting a violent destruction. The other end was barely visible on the other side of the expansive cavern, a stream of water flowing out from the open entrance, quietly flowing out over the outcrop.

Verena didn’t seem quite as serene, quickly getting over the first impression as she scanned the many openings for creatures.

Ilea leaned against the railing and looked for creatures as well. Everything looked natural here, nothing obvious suggesting that an Ascended or similar being had molded this space but she couldn’t help feeling slightly uneasy. Something about it seemed decidedly… dangerous. She blinked, seeing a deer stared down at her from a ledge a hundred meters above, the creature bowing down to eat some grass. A sparrow landed on a tree nearby, feeding its young with worms it had gathered.

“Are we still in the north?” Verena asked in a disbelieving tone.

Ilea wondered the same. The diversity here didn’t seem right. Especially the many mundane looking animals. “We’re far west too. Maybe the storms and mists don’t reach this far?”

“Won’t know until we go up to the surface,” Pierce said.

“Almost feels too perfect,” Ilea said, checking her mind for any intrusion but not finding anything both obvious or subtle. She couldn’t discern an illusion either, the environment feeling as natural and serene as the forests around Riverwatch. The Wyverns reminded of the actual location, as did the ruins and deep reaching descent, but Ilea couldn’t help feeling safe. And that in itself made something deep within her uneasy. The north simply shouldn’t be like this.

“There are a lot of places we haven’t been to. Maybe this is just the one where everything worked out throughout the years?” Pierce suggested.

“You’re too idealistic,” Verena said. “I suggest we tread lightly.” She looked down into the misty depths. “And don’t kill anything.”

“Again?” Pierce groaned.

“This place is serene, in a territory we have to assume is the very opposite. It won’t cost us much, but if something keeps it that way, we don’t have to challenge it before we know what it is,” Verena said.

“Or if there even is anything,” Pierce said, looking down now too.

Chapter 659 Suspicions

Chapter 659 Suspicions

“I agree,” Ilea said. “Not sure what my instinct is telling me exactly, but there’s something about this place.”

“We do not belong,” Verena whispered.

“We don’t belong anywhere in the north,” Pierce said. “Stop acting like pansies. You two are the last women I’d expect that from.”

“You don’t sound particularly experienced right there,” Ilea pointed out, summoning the locator. It pointed down and to the other side of the cavern. And it was active. There is a key nearby. What are the fucking chances?

“None of us here have the abilities to sneak up on a perceptive creature. What we can do is escape should we find ourselves outclassed. We shouldn’t waste time on pointless endeavors and focus on our strengths, Ilea. So let’s go find the next artifact. We can just teleport to the next location and see if something’s close,” said Pierce.

“No need. There’s one here. In this dungeon,” she said.

“Of course there is,” Pierce said, giggling to herself. “Lilith, finder of treasures, fighter of perfectly opportune monsters. Are you sure you’re not a true deity playing at being a mortal? Pulling the strings of fate with your very own magic?”

“Deities are just powerful beings with enough followers that believe they are in fact, gods,” Ilea said.

“You’re not helping your case,” Verena said with a light smirk.

“You two are just envious of my incredible deductive capabilities,” Ilea said, having chosen the destination pretty much randomly.

“Verena suggested the location,” Pierce reminded her. “But I’m envious alright. Let me profit from your godly powers, oh mystical Lilith, slayer of demons, freer of slaves, Mother of Sentinels.”

Ilea huffed out some air, the last bit amusing her at least somewhat. Birthing out little ash adventurers.

She didn’t quite see her ash copies as her children but maybe she simply wasn’t eccentric enough. With her reputation, she should at the very least get some weird ass pet. Ah wait, I already have Violence. So maybe I’m already there.

Ilea spread her wings and jumped off, enjoying the cool breeze within the cavern. It felt downright rejuvenating. Her eyes opened wide before she teleported to reach the other side, hiding in a broad fissure with the Elders appearing nearby.

“What is it?” Verena asked.

“Healing magic. Faint, but it’s there,” Ilea answered.

“Ah that was that feeling… I wasn’t sure,” Pierce said. “In the air itself.”

“An artifact? Some kind of plant? Or perhaps a being,” Verena suggested.

“It’s extensive to say the least,” Pierce said, flying out into the open. “Here as well,” she said, summoning an obsidian dagger to cut into her hand. “The effect is stronger than my regeneration,” she mused.

“How quickly do you regenerate?” Ilea asked.

“Quick,” Verena said.

“What a perfect place to train,” Pierce said.

Just go to Meadow’s lair, Ilea thought.

“Depends on what exactly is causing it,” Ilea mused, following the locator as she jumped down, teleporting or using the trees and roots as steps to get closer.

“Here we go,” she said, entering through a hole in the ancient broken wall. The air was fresh even in there, vegetation growing despite a lack of light. Roots had broken through most of the buildings but the Taleen great hall was still recognizable to someone who had visited a few of them.

She led the group towards another tunnel, following her locator when a humanoid creature stepped out from a nearby entrance.

Oh.

Pierce had already vanished, lightning flowing on her armor as she appeared behind the Mind Weaver, her arms spread wide as if to embrace the creature.

Ilea appeared between them, extending a hand towards the now much larger Dragonkiller, her armor thicker even than Ilea’s heavy Wyrm set. She could feel the lightning flow through her, most of the power absorbed as it slowly traveled through her armor and body.

Pierce jumped back, landing with a heavy impact. “They have mind magic,” she said quickly.

“I’ll kill it if it attacks you,” Ilea answered, turning around to face the calm demon. The black abyss like lack of eyes stared right into her soul, the scrawny being moving its thin hands, long claws clicking together with unnerving sounds. “Greetings,” Ilea sent, initiating telepathy.

Verena had remained where they had started, her axes ready, the woman looking at the weapons with some confusion.

“YoU spEaK a TonguE. AnD ThRouGh MinD noT sOUnd!” the demon said, its shoulders rising slightly.

[Mind Weaver – lvl 228]

Ilea didn’t feel particularly threatened.

“Indeed. You’re too loud. When you talk to humans you shouldn’t be this intense. Talk like in a whisper, faint and calm,” Ilea explained, now able to send more complex thoughts.

The mind weaver hadn’t attacked so far, not even touching them with mind magic.

Ilea had fought plenty of them to know that they threw around their magic on a whim. Even Weavy still sometimes used it without reason.

“Like this? I apologize, traveler. I have not met your kind, nor do I know your purpose here. And yet I can feel, the mind of a master. One that may not wield our magic but one well versed in it,” it said and bowed, the gesture well executed, only slightly diminished by the rags it wore. “You may call me Hereven, though my true name I shall retain. You have arrived here in Izculen, may I inquire about how you did so?”

“I’m not sure I can trust you with that information, Hereven. I’m Lilith,” she said, remembering that Weavy had gone on about true names as well when they had first met. By now she was somewhat sure it was just a superstition that Mind Weavers seemed to believe in. No magic or skill she had seen had suggested true names really had any sort of power over someone. And still, she couldn’t help but use her moniker. “Have you come here from the Great Salt?”

Hereven reeled back. “You know of… my hOmE! WonDrOuS… apologies… you do not look like our kind. Are you perhaps one of the Old Ones?”

“I’m not. But I’ve visited your realm before. And I’m friends with one of your kind,” Ilea explained. “What is this place? And why are you interested in how we got here?”

“Yes… yes. You do seem powerful. It is only natural that you have braved the Great Salt. This is Izculen, the home of Audur and those she shelters,” it explained, hesitating for a moment as it took a step back, its claws nervously clicking together. “Are you… servants of Audur?”

“We’re not,” Ilea said. “Why don’t you tell me about this Audur?”

“Ash it is you wield… yes… you would not be. Forgive my inquiry… the great being Audur, Guardian of the West, rests at the bottom of this cavern deep below unforgiving lands ravaged by arcane storms and walking mists. I cannot leave, for the Guardian does not take kindly to those that dare abandon her generous care,” Hereven explained.

“Sounds to me this Guardian is a bit of a shithead,” Ilea answered.

“Shit… head?” it mused. “You would dare… insult? The winged giver of life?”

“Yeah, if she’s forcing people to stay somewhere? Sure, I’ll insult her,” Ilea said.

“What’s going on. You two have been staring at each other for minutes,” Pierce said, walking a little closer. “Did it get into your head?”

“We’re communicating telepathically,” Ilea said.

“Figured. Just wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have to escape a brain dead Lilith,” the woman answered, laughing to herself. “Ah…,” she mused and shook her head. “That wouldn’t be fun at all. No, no it wouldn’t.”

Verena joined them too, looking between the being and Ilea. “My fire is subdued,” she whispered, giving the demon a wary side glance.

“Audur, does not condone the burning flame,” it said.

Verena touched her head. “I don’t like telepathy.”

“I don’t think it can communicate in a different manner,” Ilea said.

“I cannot. But I can hear your words, and may fathom their meaning,” Hereven said and turned back to Ilea. “You are brave to insult her. A foolish bravery it may be but one I welcome wholly,” it said. “What would it take for you to free me from this prison? All I can offer, but servitude and my life itself.”

“I’d want to get to know you a little. But I suppose if you don’t just randomly attack sapient creatures you’d be welcome in Hallowfort,” she said. And the Meadow would step in anyway if it goes too far.

“I have learned much about this realm since my summoning many centuries past. I merely wish to tread freely. I will not use my magic on creatures that did not provoke or attack, not beyond my need for nourishment,” the demon explained.

“I’m sure we can figure out the specifics. Shouldn’t be an issue to get you out of here once we’re done. First, I’m looking for an artifact shaped like this,” Ilea said and formed an ashen copy of the Taleen keys.

The demon hesitated. “I… advise you… not to take from Izculen, that which is not yours to take.”

“I’m afraid it’s not negotiable. And I know where to find it. Do you know of additional traps or dangers on the way?” Ilea asked.

“There are no such things,” Hereven said and pointed to one of the open entrances. “That which you seek, will surely lie within. I will guide you,” he said and rushed ahead, floating slightly.

“What did you learn?” Verena asked, still looking at her axes.

“A being called Audur rules this place, and it will stop creatures from leaving apparently. Hereven here at least. We are in the north, there are supposedly arcane storms and mists up on the surface,” Ilea said.

“What kind of creature is this Audur?” Pierce asked, addressing the demon.

“The winged guardian rests at the pinnacle of magic, her will alone having formed this dungeon,” it explained.

“Be more practical. Is it humanoid, two legs, two arms, armor, weapons, what kind of magic does it use?” Pierce said.

“I understand. The magics of life… and wood, I believe it is called. She is… four legged, with two wings sprouting from her back. Scales, green like leaves protect her form from all that is and will be, slitted eyes of gold see all within and out of her domain. Horns larger than yours adorn her head,” Hereven explained.

The three women remained quiet for a moment, walking silently through the corridors of overgrown Taleen ruins, every section where traps would’ve once been, were broken and destroyed.

“Seems like you might get your chance sooner than you thought,” Ilea said, winking at Pierce.

The woman gulped, a wry smile on her face as she addressed the demon. “Is Audur a dragon?”

“I do not know that word. Audur is Audur. There is none like her,” Hereven said.

“Dragon cult,” Ilea mused. “They are supposed to be vain after all.”

“Says who?” Pierce asked. “Nobody knows a damned thing about these beings.”

“I have my sources,” Ilea said with a smirk.

“I have seen… the hunters in the Great Salt, the beings that rest below the endless waves. None of them would challenge her. I am certain,” Hereven said.

Ilea wasn’t quite that sure. And even if what he said was true, she had helped kill a rather large demonic being flying above Ravenhall. Back when she had been considerably weaker. There was really nothing the present group could offer her to help her gauge the power of Audur. A part of her hoped the being would find them. Would be a shame to lose these three in the process though, Ilea thought. Guess I’ll just have to teleport them out if it gets too dangerous.

Hereven may be from the Great Salt but with his level, Ilea doubted he had seen creatures comparable to the Daughters of Sephilon, the Meadow, or the Fae. Time would tell of course, and right now they had to focus on the task at hand.

“You said she can see everything. Do you think she will come here to stop us?” Ilea asked, the group entering a decrepit Taleen hall. She glanced back behind and found that the hallway looked decidedly large, parts of it smashed because of the traps but some of the damage seemed unnecessary.

“I do not know her intentions, whims, and desires. Rarely have I seen her move from deep below, surrounded by lakes and monuments,” the demon answered.

“You’ve been down there then?” Ilea asked.

“Indeed. All those who have found their way here or were taken meet with the Guardian, or so it is said,” it said.

“Meaning you’ve talked to her? Identified her? Four mark I assume? What did she sound like? What did you gauge about her power?” Ilea said, the group following Hereven and the locator, both leading to the same direction.

“Four uncertainties. She spoke… the tongue of the Salt. The tongue of my kind. Her words seemed well chosen, the language though fluent, unpracticed. She spoke to me the way I speak to thee,” it explained. “What I felt from her…,” Hereven paused for a moment. “I felt… unworthy.”

The demon seemed almost ashamed at admitting it. “It was… overwhelming. To find this realm, to be summoned. I had many things to explore, to learn, to experience. The gift of earth, water, untainted by salt, the light of the suns, plentiful creatures to hunt and eat. How could I not be awed?”

Ilea nodded to herself. Their realm seemed like a pretty rough spot to grow up in, no matter what kind of being you are. When even the North offers so many benefits in comparison.

Pierce glanced behind herself, pausing for a few seconds before she turned again. “Was she the one to summon you?” she asked the Mind Weaver.

“No. A spirit of dark magic living in these parts sought knowledge from our realm. They were powerless against my magic. And yet I was stranded, in a place I did not know, that held so many riches,” the demon explained.

“Maybe you wouldn’t have ended up here if you hadn’t killed that spirit immediately,” Ilea said.

“Yes. Indeed. I have had time to reflect, Lilith, and I had come to the same conclusion. I regret my actions but they were reasonable at the given time. My only desire for decades upon decades had been the escape from the cursed lands of my ancestors. Freedom is what I sought, not cooperation, servitude, or imprisonment. Strife is all I knew. For the concepts taught to me by Audur, I am thankful, but she sees not her own domain as imprisonment, whereas I do.”

“A reflective demon, who would’ve thought,” Pierce said, again checking behind herself.

“You’re making me nervous, woman,” Ilea said.

They came into a large hall, tables and walls only barely recognizable in between the roots, plants, and rubble. No light reached into these sections of the dungeon, a few more hallways leading deeper into the once Taleen facility.

Ilea recognized metal pieces on the ground and in the walls, pieces from Guardians and Centurions. She paused, displacing a large chunk of Taleen out from between a few roots. “Hmm…,” she mused, looking at the piece that landed on the ground with a dull clank.

“Machines, well someone must’ve cleared them out. Audur probably,” Pierce said.

“This is part of a Praetorian,” Ilea said.

“You fought them too, did you not?” Verena asked.

She nodded slowly. “Yes. They’re level six hundred. Have you guys defeated one?”

“No,” Pierce said.

Verena shook her head.

“They detonate, much like Centurions. This part here is from a section close to their core,” she said.

“It’s entirely undamaged,” Pierce observed.

“Yep. Which means it was taken out faster than its self destruction could activate,” she said. Could I do it at this point? With my evolutions? Fully charged Archon Strike at the right time and with the right buffs. Probably.

With the state of this hall however, Ilea didn’t consider it a deliberate attempt to disable the machine. It looked more like overwhelming power.

“This way,” Hereven said, pushing them deeper into the complex.

Ilea followed.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Pierce said, her armor much lighter again as she walked close to Ilea.

“Remember when you called us pansies?” Ilea said.

Pierce remained quiet.

“Do you know about the effect on my flames?” Verena asked the demon.

“There is little you can do, in the presence of Audur. She does not condone those of death, fire, and ash,” Hereven said, looking at the Elder before it turned its head to Ilea. “I suggest we leave the way you came once you have what you desire.”

“Audur sounds more interesting by the minute,” Ilea admitted. “I might go meet her either way.”

Pierce blinked her eyes as she looked at her. She sighed and bit her lip, opening her mouth and then closing it again. “Annoying,” she whispered, flicking her own cheek before a helmet formed to cover her face.

“What is?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Pierce said and crossed her arms.

“I can see why you inspire bards and fighters alike,” Verena said.

Ilea grinned. “I do remember you jumping at that massive demon back in Eregar’s Haven.”

“Ah, yes,” Verena said, scratching her cheek. “No other choice at the time.”

Ilea waved her hand sideways. Not so sure about that.

“Someone had to stop it. I had the best chance of the people down there,” Verena said. “And I guess it seemed interesting to fight. Not stronger than other things I’ve tried myself against before.”

Unreasonable but not quite THAT unreasonable, is that what you’re trying to say? Kind of what I thought I was to be honest.

Chapter 660 Audur

Chapter 660 Audur

“You know quite a lot about this realm. Your own research or did Audur teach you?” Ilea asked after they had walked for a while.

Every new hall or room they came into showed signs of a long past battle, not a single working machine remaining, nor anything more than a few small pieces.

“I have learned from the Druned. What little they know, they share with those who ask,” Hereven explained.

“The Druned. I have not heard of them,” Verena said.

Pierce seemed occupied with checking their surroundings.

“They’re stone golems, but I didn’t know there were any this far north,” Ilea said. “I’d be interested in meeting them too.”

“Many of those who live here are not born of this environment,” the demon said. “Though few find their fate limiting. They are safe here. Protected. Predators hunt prey still, but compared to the lands above, Izculen is peaceful. I too have shared these views for many years,” he explained.

“Did you try to leave then? Or ask Audur about it?” Ilea asked. “She seems intelligent enough to come to a similar conclusion. Especially if she’s protecting the creatures here.”

“As I have explained. Audur is above all. A wish to leave her side is seen as either betrayal, lacking self preservation or missing common sense. I have offered my wishes and based on her reaction to similar situations have to assume that I only am alive today because she thought me inept, unable to understand the dangers of this world and the extent of her generosity,” Hereven explained, his tone drifting more into sarcasm.

“Doesn’t sound like she’s particularly grounded,” Ilea mused.

“She is winged after all,” the demon said.

I like this demon, Ilea thought. “At least you tried. Maybe she’ll understand it at some point.”

“The issue does not lie in understanding. Her superiority is not imagined. It is fact. Based on my limited experience on the surface, I have to agree with her logic as well. But… it goes against my…,” he paused, clicking his claws together.

“Your dreams, feelings, your passion,” Ilea supplied.

“Yes… perhaps those words are fitting, though their meaning partially eludes me. You too seem unreasonable for coming here,” the demon said.

Ilea chuckled. Yeah, probably. “I’ve done some things that could be considered unreasonable.”

Verena laughed.

“Quiet it down a little. Please,” Pierce said.

“Yeah, you’re right. Sorry,” Ilea said as they walked into an spacious unlit hall, shattered tables and shelves littering the floor, pieces of destroyed machines nearby similar to the rest of the dungeon. The locator pointed at the pile of metal near one of the walls.

There were Taleen swords and hammers, pieces of machinery, and even armor. No bones, Ilea noted, looking through everything within her dominion. There you are, she mused, finding the key at the back of the pile.

“Do you hear that?” Pierce asked, checking the main entrance to the hall, two more leading out to each side.

Ilea moved a few ashen limbs into the pile and got the key. She blinked her eyes a few times, unsure why the gesture had felt different. Almost like my ash moved through water.

“There is no noise,” Verena confirmed in a whisper.

She’s right, Ilea thought, turning around with the key in hand as she listened intently. The insects and birds were gone, some still visible within her perception but unmoving, as if frozen entirely. She stored the key and activated her third tier transfer, but the runes refused to form. Focusing on a random sword in the pile, she used Displacement. The spell failed to move the weapon.

“Hide,” she said, layering her mantle and forming two ashen copies as she rushed to a nearby pillar. She imbued the ash with commands to hide and help if necessary, both her or her allies.

The others followed suit, Verena crouching behind a large chunk of rubble and Pierce downright melding with the pile of metal, her armor changing shape to something non human. Hereven found a pillar for itself.

Ilea had started to form heat within her core, just in case. She could feel the mana density rise in the next moment, a wave of magic flowing into the room in a near visible manner. The color of the air changed within her dominion as a lithe being stepped into the hall, its form crouched as it passed through the large entrance, expanding its body when it was no longer constricted.

She checked the others, finding them tense but calm. The presence of the creature would not outright kill them at least. Ilea knew the mana alone outclassed the Meadow. By how much, she couldn’t tell. She noted that the animals and insects in the vicinity didn’t die however, either resistant or protected in some way.

The creature itself had four legs ending in claws, its whole body covered in scales that shimmered with light within Ilea’s dominion. Its head looked similar to a Drake or Wyvern, scaled with two long horns jutting out from its skull, angled backwards and rather straight. Its maw remained closed as it glanced around the hall with inquisitive eyes, a tail sliding out of the entrance as the being moved down the set of steps without a sound.

Its wings remained tucked on its back, the creature still reaching a height of nearly five meters, about three times as long, more with its thin tail.

“I can see you,” it said in a whispering growl, its eyes looking straight at Ilea. “Who intrudes, with ash and fire?”

Ilea could feel the air vibrate with the words, the sound waves visible to her dominion as if spells flowing through the air.

“Tell the others to flee when the chance presents itself, I’ll try to distract it. You too,” Ilea sent to Hereven, stepping out from behind the pillar, her helmet retracting to reveal her face. If the creature disliked ash, perhaps she could show that she wasn’t made entirely of it. Her wings spread out to allow for quick movement, her teleportation still restricted. She focused on her space awareness to try and decipher whatever ability it was the creature used to prevent teleportation.

“I’m Lilith,” Ilea said. “Greetings, Guardian of the West.”

[Audur – lvl ????]

No further information showed as she identified the creature, its eyes like molten gold, its scales a dull green. Powerful muscles were visible below its scales, though there seemed to be little tension in its body. Veteran failed to discern the creature’s power, its level beyond that of the Meadow.

“A human. So far north, so far… west,” Audur spoke.

Ilea could feel a wave wash over her, something brushing her instincts. More subtle than a roar. An aura, just barely visible within her perception, but she knew it to be there, among another set of more prominent spells, her own abilities like drops in the ocean before her. She refused to budge, remaining where she stood with a slight grin still on her face, her focus mostly on unraveling the space magic restriction.

“Rare it is, for thine kind, to reach into these heights. With endless greed, you push on. And here, in a land thou do not know, thine end will come,” it spoke. “Lilith,” it said, as if tasting the name.

She’s a talker, Ilea thought. That’s good.

“You’re the first Dragon I meet,” Ilea said.

“Dragon… your kind once used that name. Long past. Tell me, deviant corrupted by ash, what did you seek within these halls?” Audur asked.

Audur’s gaze was on Ilea, but she didn’t doubt the dragon could see or perceive the others in the hall. Ilea had a hard time even grasping what was interfering with her teleportation. The dragon had several sets of auras, each doing different things, each periodically changing. She found that a part of it influenced her ash, the parts not close to her body.

Ilea considered lying but something told her that was a bad idea. She couldn’t win against this creature in a straight up fight, that much she had known from the instant it had stepped into this hall. She didn’t know if she could flee without her teleportation, let alone the allies still hiding nearby. Time would be of the essence, which meant she had to keep a conversation going. Let’s hope she’s bored out of her mind.

“I came to find a Taleen artifact,” Ilea said, walking a few steps to the right, in the hopes to get just a tiny bit more distance between herself and the others. It was a faint hope that the dragon relied on its eyes alone to see, but even if it brought but a split second, it was worth the shot. “I assume you’re the one who cleared out the machines that had remained within Izculen?”

“Naturally,” the dragon replied in its whisper like tone, slight impatience lacing her words.

“Perhaps you’d be willing to trade? Both for the artifact and my life,” Ilea said. “I can bring you gold, cake, metals, dresses?” she said, none of the words provoking a reaction in the slightest.

The dragon growled quietly. “Thou hast a commendable grasp on reality,” she spoke.

Ilea saw the attack coming, sidestepping the root breaking out of the ground in an attempt to pierce her chest. Ash covered her face as her wings took her upwards. “I assume that means you’re not interested in negotiating?” she asked with a smirk.

“Fight to the end, human. I shall free you of that dreadful magic,” Audur spoke as a hundred wooden spears formed and shot out.

Ilea couldn’t avoid them all, instead covering her body with wings and ash. “Run!” she shouted, her ash shaved off with each glancing blow, the spears infused with magic. Four more volleys came at her as she perceived flashes of fire and lightning going for separate exits, the Mind Weaver rushing out at a much slower pace.

The second volley pierced her armor, the wooden spears digging into her flesh before they splintered, exploding in a flash of fragments. She could feel time slow down, her speed increasing considerably as she managed to avoid a thin projectile coming at her eye. Ilea used the doubled resilience and speed to move forward, her wings shredded and healing, same as her mantle.

Her hand extended as she charged Archon Strike, dozens of roots breaking out of the ground to meet her fast descent. Embered Heart released in a bright cone ahead of her, hitting an invisible force that blocked and consumed the fires and heat, snuffing out the spell in an instant.

Ilea’s third tier healing remade her body and mantle in the time her speed remained doubled, allowing her to avoid more of the spears. She tried again to teleport but failed to activate either spell. A part of her considered fleeing right now but even with the boost it was questionable if she could even get out of the hall. Audur’s focus was on her.

Not close to what the Meadow can do, she knew, which meant the dragon was still toying with her. She could gain more time to figure out the auras. Ilea decided not to increase the length of her ability spike, to make sure she could use it again later. Instead she burst into white flame, pushing her reverse healing into the creature as she circled around as fast as she could, dodging projectiles and sending back burning ash where she managed a window of opportunity.

A few spears had shredded through her chest and stomach, a dozen more ripping her apart in the next wave. She could see the damage being done, each splinter fighting against her tough ash and muscle, scratching the bones below before she was flung aside.

Ilea couldn’t move, a large chunk of her skin and muscle gone, some of her bones showing scratch marks as white fire burned on her ash and skin. She coughed, her third tier healing regenerating all of her organs, flesh, and ash, the layers once more protecting her as she stood up, looking at the dragon who had ceased its attacks.

She cracked her shoulder, her reverse healing still pouring into the creature as she used the time to form more ashen spears, infusing them with heat and setting them ablaze with the fires of creation.

“Abomination,” the dragon said in a vibrating tone, spears of ash exploding in bright heat and white flame against a force like barrier of mana. The flame of creation remained, burning away the source. “Ash. Fire. Arcane reconstruction, and the flame of creation. Thou hast no regard for the natural order,” Audur whispered with increasing power, her words shaking the stone hall as more roots broke out of the ground. “Your species was not meant to reach thine power. Die now, Lilith.”

Ilea jumped back, forming several sets of ashen walls as her fires spread, embered heart flashing out in a sphere when the roots reached her, the spell pushing them back for the fraction of a second. She evaded in the air, flying as fast as she could, now aiming for one of the exits. Roots formed instantly to block her way, large lances of wood hitting her back, three glancing off against her armor, another six piercing through, one punching out of her chest.

An ashen copy jumped in to block the spear coming for her head, deflecting the projectile just enough to save her.

Two… one, Ilea thought, still flying towards the mesh of wood now in her way, more roots forming below to catch her slowing form. The lances still piercing her body splintered with flashes of energy, one of her legs torn away as her flesh was ripped through, her lungs and heart squashed in an instant. Phaseshift activated when she reached the exit, the rest of her momentum taking her through the wood. Thank fuck, she thought, seeing the barrier pass as she entered into the hallway beyond, deactivating the spell as fast as she could, her body healing while she remained in her phased form.

Audur had moved the barrier aside, sending another barrage of wood towards the exit. Most of them moved through Ilea without an impact, the last few dodged when she returned to normal space. One took her shoulder, nearly making her fall.

She didn’t pause, her wings moving as her mantle reformed, all her speed pushing her through the corridor and away from the dragon much too large for this passage.

“Commendable,” the creature mused.

Ilea felt an absurd amount of mana form behind her, coalescing as she pushed forward. She formed ash behind her, Phaseshift still on cooldown as she tried again to teleport. Fucking aura. She didn’t glance back. She could see the magic come either way. Healing.

Bright green flames filled the corridor, rushing over her flying form like a cool breeze. Time slowed once more as she watched her ash evaporate instantly, the walls around her growing grass and flowers as her flesh bloated and melted, her eyes exploding as she fell into a run. Her legs gave out under her, one eye regenerating to show the blurred image of her skeletal arm. She used it to drag herself forward.

There was no pain, no hesitation, her mind going blank for a moment as the fires reached her brain. Ilea’s dominion returned, her third tier healing pushing against the remains of the green flame as she stumbled up, her ash barely managing to form in the presence of the remnants. She ran instead, on bone and muscle, then on flesh, slipping before she managed to stand again. Her leg didn’t feel right, nor did her right hand. It didn’t matter.

“Run, little human. There is no escape,” whispered Audur, her voice calm once more.

Ilea glanced back to see the dragon’s tail slip away in the direction of the main entrance. She glanced down to see her leg covered in blisters, her foot angled the wrong way. She cursed, removing the leg with an ashen limb before she formed a new one.

Ilea stared at the green flames flickering on the walls, running forward until she rushed into an open room, coming down with a crash, her vision blurring again.

Verena was by her side in the next moment, groaning as she turned Ilea onto her back. “Something’s on you,” she said, a flicker of flame above her palm lighting up the room before a torrent of fire washed over her.

Ilea reached up, pushing away the Elder’s hand and her spell. She could see half her face missing, her own healing still regenerating newly forming injuries, her left eye was gone again. “Step aside,” she murmured, ashen limbs moving above her as her weight increased, heat forming within her.

Verena made some distance as Embered Heart released onto Ilea herself, flashes of fiery light illuminating the room time and time again as she burned away the foreign magic, stone melting below. Flare of Creation got rid of the last bits as it flashed up on her skin.

“She’s not following,” Verena said from the entrance, her gaze towards the hall they had come from. “I can’t teleport and my fire is weakened still, can you move?”

Ilea sighed, blinking her eyes as she checked her body. “I’m fine. Let’s hope she stays in a playful mood,” she said and tried to teleport, the spells still not manifesting. She hissed, sitting down to meditate.

“You have a plan?” Verena asked.

“Can’t fight her. Need to get through her aura,” she said and closed her eyes.

“Dragon aura blocking space. Ideas? Wood and Healing,” she sent to the Meadow before addressing Violence. “In a bind. Help get us out? Dragon with aura.”

She had the key. There was no other reason to stay.

“Violence Knight. Come. Rescue!” the Fae sent back.

Ilea smiled to herself, refocusing on the aura still permeating everything around them.

“Give me that mark you mentioned. I will find the others,” Verena said, holding out her hand.

Ilea looked up and obliged.

The Elder burst into flames. “Good luck,” she said with a light smile, and rushed off, heavy impacts resounding as she ran.

Chapter 661 Prey

Chapter 661 Prey

Ilea looked through the mesh of magic, trying to find rhyme and reason within the chaos. She could see bits and pieces, and then it all changed again.

“Dragons unfamiliar. Auras, enchantments, runes. Space same. Open your eyes.” the Meadow sent.

She grinned, the answer both unhelpful and calming at the same time. Either she had the tools to find the answer, or she would die. Unacceptable, she thought. To die to the first dragon she encountered. More annoying was that Audur wasn’t even a proper one! Green healing fire that made eyes explode and skin melt just didn’t fit with Ilea’s idea of a dragon fight. She wanted what Pierce had advertised. Not meant to reach this power? I will show you what I can do. You. The Ascended. The Monarchs, and everyone else who wants to be a pain in my fucking ass.

Ilea forced herself to calm down, her entire focus back on the mesh. She sent out a few ashen copies, telling them to stalk the halls and scout out everything. She wouldn’t learn anything but if it occupied Audur for a few more seconds before she decided to find and kill her, it was well worth her time.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Phaseshift reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked one third tier General skill point’

Ilea immediately invested it into wood magic resistance. She would’ve used her emergency point anyway, considering the circumstances. And of course there’s no resistance against healing. Even if it melts your face.

She smirked to herself. Ironic.

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

A connection made from a mage to nature allowed for this talent to take root. Facing the force of nature you grow more accustomed to its effects, your body more resilient to the magic of the forest.

2nd stage: Magic of life and nature. It is concerning how much you have enraged the usually peaceful creatures and mages using this school. Through painfully learned understanding, your body can now absorb a fraction of the life used.

3rd stage: You are a being of death and corruption, having invoked the wrath of Audur. Wood spells and conjurations are less effective and much more costly once they come in touch with your flesh.

‘ding’ ‘You have challenged Audur, Guardian of the West – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have fought a Dragon – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Cleansing Flame – One Core skill point awarded’

Maybe I should fight more dragons, Ilea mused with a wry smile, getting up when she saw a wooden bird fly down the corridor. A fully charged blast of Embered Heart burned the creation, the charred bird falling to the ground. Can’t even fully incinerate this tiny thing, she thought, looking at the smoldering walls all around before she burned the bird away with another blast.

She could see Verena’s mark move further away. “You can send me a message. Once day, ten words.”

With everything she had seen, Audur either enjoyed a good hunt or simply didn’t care about the others. Must be boring to be the center of the fucking universe for hundreds of years. That’s how self important she sounds at least, she thought, moving through the corridors in an effort to both map out the place a little and meet back up with the others.

I wonder if we just made too much noise.

She wondered what else it could be, her eyes opening wide. Hereven found us too. My mental resistance? A bright shield to anyone that attacks it. Fuck, I never checked if it could be detected by anyone with a smidgen of mind magic to their name.

It was a gamble. If she disabled the resistance, she could very well be taken out instantly by Audur’s mind magic, if the dragon possessed as much. On the other hand, she couldn’t be located by the same means, if that was a thing at all. Still have one more use of Eternal Sight, so I guess the risk is manageable.

She disabled the resistance, moving on silently, her space awareness mixed with her dominion taking in every change in the auras permeating the whole area. Leaving the range would be the easiest answer, but it’s also what she would be expecting. Either that or she thinks we will go back to the gate. I doubt she would leave it here without ever destroying it for no reason.

There was plenty she didn’t know, but Ilea deemed her best course of action to be her Space Awareness. Nothing else than long range teleportation offered an easy out. Somehow she doubted even Pierce could outpace and escape a motherfucking dragon.

Ilea felt the mana density increase again, her wings stopping her as she twirled and flew into a nearby room. She activated Phaseshift and let herself sink into a stone bed, her body floating down before it was pushed up again slightly when she reached the ground. Good, didn’t float through.

She could see her mana tick down, the cost increasing with each passing second. Ilea could feel the mana increase yet again, several times over now, Audur slowly prowling past the large corridor where she had been in just a moment earlier.

She watched the dragon sniff the air, her sharp claws not leaving a single scratch on the stone floor as she moved.

Audur’s head poked into the room, her shoulders too large for more than that to enter. She growled lightly as her golden eyes scanned the room. Two seconds passed, Ilea holding her breath despite her phased state.

There it is!

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 29’

The pattern had repeated. She was sure of it. Her perception turned to unintelligible mush again, Ilea back to deciphering the new set of combinations. She tried to burn the imagine into her mind. Its repeated appearance meant the Dragon wasn’t a master of space magic like the Meadow, unable to create an infinite set of puzzles but using a set few on repeat, likely an automated process by the spell connected to its aura.

The dragon glanced around one more time, checking the adjacent room before it left, rushing out of her dominon’s range in mere moments.

Ilea disabled her spell, her body pushed out of the solid matter before her wings caught her in the air. She checked the hallway and found no trace of the dragon, the mana density returned to merely heavy. Even when she was close… nowhere near what the Meadow produces. And yet the source… is so much brighter. Is she trying not to kill the creatures that live here?

She could see the many beings move around, insects mostly within the dark and damp corridors of the Taleen facility. Her wings moved quickly, her eyes on the mark in the distance. They went quite far. Good.

It took her the better part of a minute to reach Verena through the many corridors, broken walls, and down several floors.

Both Pierce and Hereven were present, the former badly injured.

“Don’t heal me,” Pierce immediately said.

Ilea noted that the woman didn’t have any visible wounds, but she was in a rather rough state.

“You survived! But… your mind? What happened?!” the demon spoke.

“I disabled my mental resistance in an effort to hide my presence. She went the other way but she’s quick and I don’t know how long she’ll keep this up,” Ilea said.

“Until she has finished her hunt,” Hereven said.

“We should move, towards the open space at the center. I’ll be able to avoid her spells easier, and maybe get us out,” Ilea said.

“I can sense the vibrations if she’s coming towards us,” Pierce said. “She’s fucking silent for her size.” Her voice shook slightly, the woman gulping as she checked the surrounding corridors. “She’s coming back.”

“Stay calm,” Ilea said and healed her mind, feeling that Pierce’s presence within her dominion was barely visible, magically that was. “Focus on the vibrations. Tell Hereven where she is, and you relay the information to us. Or can she spot telepathy?”

“I do not believe her capabilities to be quite as masterful. It was good for you to disable your resistance. I believe she lacks the ability to find you through its presence, but we should not underestimate Audur,” the Mind Weaver informed, the group now on the move again, Verena leading the flying companions.

“Teleportation still not working,” she informed the others through Hereven.

“Fire subdued. Nearly unusable, fire woman,” Hereven sent. “Dragon coming, three hundred meters back. Hide. Lightning woman.”

Everyone spread out, spells extinguishing. Pierce molded with a dark set of stones, her armor flowing out. Hereven chose a dark corner and pulled Verena with it, a simple visual illusion shrouding them in shadow. Ilea sank into a piece of furniture in a separate room. She absorbed mana from the vicinity, meditating to keep her regeneration high.

Three seconds later, Audur prowled past, sniffing the air a few times.

Ilea watched her glance at the room Pierce hid in, her eyes glowing with power as she growled lightly and moved on.

She stepped into the next room over, ignoring the corner in which Hereven and Verena hid, both floating and holding their breaths.

This time she moved a clawed arm, cutting through the stone wall preventing her entry as if using a sharpened dagger on a piece of paper. She moved in and sniffed the air once more, her claws moving past the various pieces of stone furniture before they came to rest on top of a large slab of stone, Ilea hiding within.

She was phased within the storage unit, compartments within the slab destroyed and empty. And still it seemed the dragon was set on her location.

Ilea didn’t have time to contemplate, watching the patterns come and go as the creature’s aura shifted time and time again. Her claws scraped against the top of the slab before she pressed down slowly, cutting into the stone.

She could see the magic in the dragon’s claws and knew they wouldn’t just pass without a trace. Come on. You trained with a fucking sentient tree. Focus.

The patterns moved, Ilea waiting with closed eyes and approaching claws before she smirked, opening them again as the claws cut through stone. Ilea however had appeared one floor above, having used one familiar set of patterns to slip through with Displacement.

She could see the dragon’s slightly confused look, the beast growling to itself as it moved on, entirely ignoring Pierce and the others, or having failed to detect them.

Ilea now had the issue of a floor between her and the others. “I’m above. Continue towards the center. I move here.”

“You teleported. You fucking escaped from a dragon! Lightning woman,” the Mind Weaver relayed.

“We haven’t escaped. Fire woman,” came the reminder. “My shroud should hide us. It’s simple in nature. Simple enough to fool her enhanced perception. I believe she looks for complex spells, though I do not know how she spotted Lilith.”

“Not lightning anymore, Dragonkiller. Yes. I will remember the name. Though perhaps you could stop hiding and show the power of your name,” the demon said, its voice starting to sound a little anxious.

“Wood in the way here,” Ilea said, coming up on a wall of roots glowing with magic.

“Do not touch it!” Hereven informed. “Our way is blocked too. She will know we are here if we try to move through.”

Ilea sat down and started meditating. “Stay where you are. Don’t move.”

A few seconds passed, Ilea watching the aura move and turn, the magic weaving through the fabric of space and everything within. She breathed out slowly, shivering slightly as she started to unravel a little more, understanding growing of what this foe had conjured up. It was a stroke of luck that Audur was not in fact a master space mage, and still, Ilea considered the possibility of a deliberate way of escape. It would be too convoluted. Or she will come and crush us at the last moment when we think ourselves safe. No. Don’t overthink it. It’s the only way.

‘ding’ ‘Space Awareness reaches 3rd lvl 30’

Displacement activated, the group appearing beyond the wooden barriers. Ilea saw a flash of magic flare up within the wood right as they passed, her spell activating again to bring the group further away. A roar resounded from deep within the Taleen facility right as they appeared within the open caverns.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard Audur’s roar – You resist its effects’

Ilea allowed herself a grin, forming an ashen copy as she dropped her own mantle and wings entirely, her Titan Core disabled and heat generation ceased. She sent the copy to the gate room and displaced the group down to where the Dragon’s lair was supposed to be located.

They fell, Verena following suit as her fire ceased, nearly all magic gone from the group a moment later.

Ilea grabbed on to the falling demon, its body locked in the roar induced paralysis. She used her spell a few more times, bringing the group into a crevice near the bottom of the caverns, mists covering a set of light blue lakes. Statues and monuments were present on islands of stone, creatures of the same material working on various new creations.

“Let’s hope she takes the bait,” Ilea sent and activated her third tier Transfer. She wondered for a moment if she should attach one of the Druned as well, very much interested in learning about them. They want to be here, she reminded herself, remembering what the demon had said. The runes continued to form when they heard a heavy impact far above.

Two seconds later, her ash had vanished. Another roar resounded, this time from farther away.

Ilea sighed, knowing that the plan had worked out. She smiled when the spell took hold, the fabric of space shifting before the group appeared near the Valley of Carnage.

“Come to the Taleen gate on Krahen. Now. Emergency,” she sent to Feyrair and Neiphato.

The two weren’t far off, the flying dragon form of Feyrair already visible as Ilea charged her wings and grabbed the others. “A short detour. Just in case she can locate us through my spell. Two allies will join us shortly. Don’t attack anything.”

Do not underestimate dragons, she told herself. Especially not when they have anti teleportation auras.

The group shot off towards the dungeon, Ilea getting the key ready when the two Elves appeared nearby.

“What… who?! Another dragon?!” Pierce exclaimed.

Feyrair hissed as he returned to his Elven form.

Neiphato bowed respectfully to the two women and the demon. The latter remained paralyzed still, all moving into the dungeon.

“No time to explain. Get on the platform,” Ilea said and put in the key, selecting a random destination somewhere in the north, far east of Audur’s domain. She activated the gate and removed the Krahen Isles from her available Transfer destinations.

The gate came to life and moved the entire group into a dimply lit Taleen dungeon.

Hereven stumbled forward, falling to its knees as it made a few gurgling sounds. “I’M FREEEEEEEEEE!!!”

Verena and Pierce raised their hands to their ears, Neiphato hissing at the sudden sound.

“Quiet, demon,” Feyrair said as he looked at the group. “Are we safe now? I was in the process of hunting a four mark,” he explained and spread his arms in an annoyed shrug.

Ilea summoned a meal and sat down in her ashen chair a few meters away from the gate. “We were fleeing a Dragon. You tell me if we’re safe.”

The dragonling hissed, glancing at the group before he turned to the gate. “We should destroy this.”

“She’s too large to use that t-” Ilea said with a stuffed face when the gate came to life once more. “You’ve got to be shitting me,” she said and stored her food. “Run away, all of you. I’ll hold her back.”

She displaced the whole group as far away as she could, blinking her eyes when she looked at the being standing on the platform.

[Pursuer Praetorian – lvl ???]

The Praetorian variant was smaller than an Executioner, its silver carapace shimmering in the dull light. “Intruder detected,” the creature said in a distorted mechanical voice, its eyes glowing a bright green as it aimed two cannon like extensions at Ilea.

“Oh thank the fucking gods,” Ilea sighed, her body blasted away by a steel projectile the size of her head. She twirled in the air and landed on her feet, her Wyrm armor appearing around her as her mantle spread to cover the large form. Heat gathered within her as her weight increased. “Welcome to…,” she said and checked.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izlental dungeon’

“Izlental,” she finished and ran at the machine.

Chapter 662 Wormholes

Chapter 662 Wormholes

“Nice to meet the two of you,” Neiphato said, stone breaking a few dozen meters away.

“She’s not been on edge quite as much against even the Wyrm. You really fought a dragon? Is she really that stupid?” Feyrair asked as he addressed the two human women.

“Nice to meet you, Cerithil Hunter,” one of the women said, her body clad in fire, simple armor covering her legs and torso.

“You know our kind? That’s fortunate. I hear it’s difficult to form relations with humans because of our rather… problematic pasts,” Neiphato said, trying to smile in a disarming way. It seemed to have the opposite effect. “I’m Neiphato.”

“You’re an actual elf… a real life elf that isn’t gurgling up some bullshit about killing and eating me? How interesting,” the other woman said, all but her head covered in dark armor that occasionally had lightning traveling over its surface.

“Get away from me human, or I will,” Feyrair said, pushing the approaching human back.

“You dare talk to Dragonkiller Pierce in that tone, young elf?” the woman said, a broad smile on her face as she showed her teeth.

Feyrair hissed, white flame flaring up on his body.

“Stop it,” Neiphato and the burning woman said at the same time.

“You’re no threat to me, let alone a dragon,” Feyrair hissed. “But you can try, human.”

“Oh, I think I will, elf,” the lightning mage said and vanished, appearing a few dozen meters away in the expansive hall before she beckoned Feyrair closer.

The elf obliged, jumping up as his flames spread out.

Neiphato glanced at Ilea’s burning form, a beam of heat and energy enveloping the fast moving Praetorian variant he had never seen before. He knew she would ask for help if she needed it. The being was only a three mark after all, same as her. The demon seemed to be crying, touching the stone floor with its clawed hands but currently not using its mind magic to attack anyone. And it had appeared here with Ilea, so he assumed she somehow managed to befriend it. Feyrair and the Dragonkiller woman were in a full on battle, the latter using her fast speed and teleportation to keep up with the much higher leveled elf.

The woman next to him cleared her throat. “I’m Verena. Elder of the Shadow’s Hand. Good to meet you, Neiphato, was it? I hope your friend isn’t going to kill mine.”

He looked at her now, hissing embarrassingly. “Ah, I hope he doesn’t.”

She squinted at him.

“I’m sure she will be fine. You two seem to be capable warriors,” he said and raised his hands in a placating gesture.

“Will she be fine?” Verena asked, glancing over to Ilea.

“Ah yes. I’ve seen her fight a Scorching Wyrm. I think she could take a few Executioners alone by now. We should just be on the lookout if her head gets pierced again,” he said, scratching his chin as he watched Ilea fight. “Her new armor seems well suited for the job.”

“Didn’t know it was new,” Verena said, stepping next to him to watch the fight. She summoned a bottle and started drinking. “Ale?”

“Ah, the human brew. If you are willing to share, though I have nothing to trade with you,” Neiphato answered. He received the bottle as his eyes opened wide. “There is something,” he said and formed a white flower surrounded by a spiral of wood. “It would fit your hair and tanned skin, I believe,” he said with a bright smile.

“Th… anks,” the woman said, her fires gone as she received the flower with a complex expression on her face that Neiphato couldn’t discern.

The lightning woman laughed in a wild manner, streaks of blue light flashing up behind them as Feyrair joined the laughter, his white flames cutting through stone.

______________________________

Ilea circled the Taleen machine, the variant as quick as the Executioners but considerably more cautious, trying to keep the distance as it used its cannons to shoot at her.

She displaced herself behind it, punching the machine a few times with Archon Strike and Tempered Seal, her abilities burning into the already weakened shield, its regeneration unable to keep up with her massively enhanced mana intrusion.

Ilea watched the cannons charge, purple energy flashing up as chunks of metal were shot out. She charged forward, the void infused projectiles hitting her mantle, ripping out chunks of her ash and lightly damaging her wyrm armor below but failing to slow her down.

Loud steps resounded as she ran, a grin on her face while she jumped. Embered Heart released in a sphere when the Pursuer jumped away, stepping on fields of mana hovering in the air as its shield shattered against the powerful surge of heat.

Ilea stopped her pursuit, her weight lessening now as she continued to charge heat. She stored her heavy armor and looked at the creature, dodging two fast moving projectiles that tugged at her mantle in passing, her void magic resistance much too high for them to leave any considerable damage. She felt space magic manifest to her right and turned, displacing the next few projectiles coming at her into the nearby walls as she watched the wavering fabric.

Her smile broadened when she felt the mark move within her perception.

Baron Violence appeared clad in dark armor, white eyes shining out from the visor in his mismatched helmet, a sword of black steel held in his hand as he floated towards the Praetorian with the point of his blade aimed forward. A small white cape fluttered in non existent wind on his back.

Ilea dodged two more projectiles with quick side steps and laughed, waving at her friend. “You’re late.”

Late.

No.

Dragon.

He said and pointed at the machine.

Blind?

“I’m not blind. We escaped already. This one appeared afterwards. Feel like joining in? I think it just realized its ranged attacks won’t work on me,” Ilea said.

She watched as the cannon arms on the Pursuer molded themselves into blade arms much like those of the Executioners, the machine using the lull in battle to regenerate its shield. Yeah, that should be quite a bit more dangerous, she mused. I wonder if it can still pierce my armor quite as easily.

Violence appearing on her shoulder.

Danger?

“No. We’ll be just fine,” she said, walking towards the machine as her wings spread and a dozen burning spears formed behind her. Much more comfortable than a fucking dragon.

The two rushed at each other, explosions of heat and fire slamming into the machine’s shield as its blades cut into her armor.

Ilea laughed, letting the variant strike her. She moved her body to prevent serious damage, the void blades cutting deep into her mantle but failing to even reach her skin. She got in close and punched the being several times, its shield already overloaded again. She remained where she stood, healing the cuts in her ash as she watched the machine jump back, looking at her with unfeeling green eyes.

“It does feel good to be on top again,” she murmured to herself, summoning her focus.

The Pursuer switched its blades to cannons, charging its own attacks when a bright beam of flame and heat slammed against its shield, fire spreading to the side as the ground started to light up. The shield shattered in brilliant purple fragments of light and magic, the remainder of Ilea’s spell burning into the machine’s chest. It jumped back when the beam had subsided, silver metal dripping to the ground, a small part of its core exposed, the damage already regenerating slowly.

Ilea aimed and sent another beam at it, trying to follow the fast moving Pursuer as her spell missed. She displaced the void metal projectiles coming at her back at the creature. It dodged those too.

The Pursuer was about fifty levels above a normal Executioner but aside from its ability to shoot projectiles, it didn’t seem vastly different.

Maybe it can use the gates inherently. Or was it sent here by the One without Form?

Finish? Violence asked.

“Already bored? I’m just enjoying myself a little,” Ilea said, hoping that Audur didn’t suddenly show up to spoil her fun. “That dragon took me apart.”

Understand.

“Do you know her by the way? Audur was her name,” she said.

Audur.

Maybe

Ask

others

“I see. She was pretty far west, so maybe you’ve not been there yet. Do you know if dragons can find me through space magic?” she asked.

The Pursuer was back on the offensive, rushing her only to be pushed back by a chaotic blast of fire released from her outstretched hand.

At least the being seemed focused entirely on her and didn’t start to attack her allies.

She glanced over and smiled. They’re doing a good enough job of that themselves. Pierce will lose again, she thought, seeing Feyrair play with his prey. Maybe he’s more dragon than he lets on. Ah who am I kidding, Elves do that too.

A glance at the charging Pursuer made her chuckle. As do I. We’re all arrogant idiots in the end. As long as we can be.

She wondered what would’ve happened if they had killed a bunch of creatures in Izculen before meeting Audur. Would the dragon have killed them all instantly? Was it Hereven’s presence who made her hesitate and talk first? Was she confused because there was more than just ash around me? Or because I’m a human. Ilea doubted she’d get any answers anytime soon, if ever.

Find

No

Without

Mark

“That’s good. Can you check if she left one? I can’t see anything with my perception,” Ilea said, appearing close to the Pursuer to deliver a fully charged Archon strike, explosions of flame rattling through its shield from her earlier tempered seal, white fire spreading onto its now unprotected silver armor. She used her ash to try and cut into its legs but failed to get deep, instead using physical archon strikes to demolish its limbs.

The machine was made to attack and push, its evasion in close quarters wholly inadequate against a small target like Ilea.

Her arms ached, ash and flesh stripped from her knuckles as she raised her arm at the immobile piece of machinery slowly remaking its heavily dented limbs. One of its arms morphed into a rapier like extension and rushed at her eye, Ilea turning her head slightly to deflect the point, her arm raised before another blast of heat burned away its head and torso. Ashen limbs reached in to pry out the core, Ilea’s continued Embered Heart pushing against the melding metal.

The core had another shield protecting it but for now she just moved it away from the silver metal on the ground, most of it losing its form as soon as the core was sufficiently far away. She couldn’t displace it but a simple jump coupled with her wings brought the same result.

No

Mark

“Good. How high do you think the chance is that our escape made her so angry as to attack humanity as a whole?” she asked. The worry didn’t seem entirely reasonable, considering they had taken an artifact left behind in a mostly unoccupied part of the dungeon, not from a treasure pile the dragon had sat upon. And they had taken Hereven with them. Surely her pride wouldn’t have her come down to the plains.

Low, the Fae said.

Human

Lands

Low

Mana

“Right. But she could go there if she really wanted to?” Ilea asked.

Yes

Painful

Slow

Death

“Okay. So don’t piss off a dragon to the point where it would accept its own slow and painful death to exert revenge. Got it,” she said.

The Fae giggled and hugged her face from the side.

Happy

Survived!

Ilea smiled, sending a wave of fire over the newly forming silver, making sure not to detonate the core. “I’m glad too. Another close one, but my space magic pulled through. And I didn’t have to worry, you were on your way anyway.”

Truth!

“Sorry for calling for you in such a dangerous situation,” she said. “It was a bit reckless of us to stay after we learned about Audur.”

Violence

Reckless

He shrugged.

Fun.

Caution

Boring

“Partially agree. But normally creatures don’t have an anti space magic aura that prevents my escape. But maybe I’ve grown a little complacent,” Ilea mused, checking the few messages she still had pending.

‘ding’ ‘You have escaped Audur’s domain – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Displacement reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 29’

Ah come ooooon. Just one more skill level. It would’ve been so perfect, she thought, blasting away the silver.

“Ilea, can you make sure he doesn’t kill her?” Verena asked from a few dozen meters away.

Feyrair stood over a charred Dragonkiller, her murmured insults failing to inflict the damage she hoped they’d do. He looked downright triumphant.

“He won’t,” Ilea said, reading through the rest.

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

Just for escaping that thing. I guess it really was quite close. If she wouldn’t have fallen for that ash copy trick…

She didn’t finish the thought. They would’ve had to find another way to escape. Ilea thought she herself could’ve maybe even managed. The others though, she doubted it. They likely wouldn’t have had the necessary resilience and regeneration.

Don’t dwell in the past. You learned that you’re not ready for a dragon yet. Who would’ve fucking thought.

More importantly, Ilea had found the third key.

She summoned it, finally inspecting the thing.

[The Silver Key – Ancient Quality] – [Enchanted]

And the One without Form helpfully let me know that three keys would make me a real Key Warden. Which might answer a few questions. And surely pose some new ones too.

She stored it again, a chunk of mana used to make the key find its place within her storage necklace.

Intricate

“Yeah, it’s from the Taleen. Same as this thing here,” Ilea said to the Fae, pointing at the sphere held up by forming silver metal, the skeletal Pursuer once more burned away by her spell.

Destroy?

“Hmm… that’s the question, right?” Ilea mused. “There’s something I’d like to try.”

She once again tried to displace the core, failing in the endeavor but not entirely without progress. Using the spell a few more times, she could discern the enchantments preventing her from moving it. Somewhere etched into the core, but not overly complex in its nature. Certainly nothing that changed as frequently as Audur’s aura.

Compared to figuring out the dragon’s spell, this puzzle proved rather manageable. The fact that she didn’t have a monstrous creature hunting her definitely helped, not that Ilea easily panicked, with her high level meditation, experience, and constant healing.

“Hmm, think someone could track this being?” Ilea asked the Fae.

No

“I see. Guess I’ll trust your expertise,” she said and glanced at the others. “Come gather round, children. We’re leaving this dreadful place behind.”

“No more of the artifacts around that you sought?” Verena asked.

“Good point,” Ilea answered, summoning the locator and activating it. “Nope, just a direction.”

“Not quite as lucky this time,” the woman said with a light smile. “What level is that thing anyway?”

“Eight fifty,” she said. “Keep some distance. The detonation when its destroyed is quite… extensive.”

She sent another blast of fire onto the regenerating silver, her eyes opening wide as a realization hit her. This was exactly the way someone would have to transport her, if they managed to destroy her brain somehow. And it would be so easy to kill it at this point.

“Verena, why didn’t you save me?” Pierce asked, her lightly charred form joining them, the woman wearing half burnt rags.

“Dress yourself,” Verena said with a hiss.

“My state of dress reflects my tragic loss. Elven kind really is superior to my weak self,” she said, her body language suggesting frailty.

Nobody seemed to fall for it.

“Where is it you would take us?” Hereven asked, now joining them too, the tone in its voice suggesting it had missed what had transpired earlier or it simply hadn’t cared.

The unfazeable, Ilea thought. Guess if you live near a dragon for that long, it’d become hard to care.

“I didn’t plan for you all to meet already, but I think it’s fine at this point,” she said. Verena and Pierce had worked together with her, the former even helping out when her life was on the line. And now they had met the Elves and behaved, better than expected. “I need some time to breathe, and there’s only one place I’d feel at least somewhat safe right now.”

“I hope you don’t mean your house. Those cats aren’t going to help against that monster,” Pierce said.

“There’s no reason to believe she can track us, nor that she would go to the human plains. Dragons shouldn’t have the best time in that kind of mana density,” Ilea explained and activated her third tier transfer once more.

“You don’t want to explore this dungeon?” Neiphato asked.

“I don’t think so,” Ilea said. “At least not now.”

She connected everyone to her transfer, including the regenerating Pursuer core that was so helpfully given into her care.

Pierce was back in her black armor, lightning flowing through her as she sighed. “What a downright humiliating day.”

“I told you about the risks,” Ilea said.

“You’re beyond madness. But true, you did warn us. Let’s hope tomorrow brings a few more creatures like that, my skills haven’t grown like this in years,” the woman said.

“Who are you anyway?” Feyrair asked.

“I told you. Dragonkiller Pierce. Elder of the Shadow’s Hand and your undoing. In a few decades that is,” she said with a toothy grin.

The elf hissed. “In your dreams, human.”

Ilea glanced at the two and sighed, her spell manifesting after the runes had fully formed. She did have to admit that they made a rather fetching pair.

Chapter 663 A short rest

Chapter 663 A short rest

A group of unlikely companions materialized from thin air within the domain of a crystal tree. Awe filed faces looking around at the present beings.

“A whole gaggle. Wonderful,” the Meadow spoke. “I’m glad you made it out. Pursuers?”

“Just the one,” Ilea said, holding up the core. “Can I leave it in your care for a little while. Don’t damage it too much, just get rid of the metal forming around it from time to time. Or you have a hostile level eight fifty machine at your hands.”

“What a curious find, I will take great care of it,” the Meadow spoke, moving the core closer with its space magic.

Flexing, alright, Ilea thought. “Verena, Dragonkiller, Hereven, meet the Meadow. A good friend of mine, scholar, charismatic teacher, and protector of Hallowfort.”

“Calm again?” Feyrair asked her. “Care to tell us what happened now?”

Iana and Christopher joined them too. “A mind weaver?” the woman asked.

“Indeed… yet you do not need to fear me,” Hereven said.

“I don’t,” Iana said, glancing over at the Meadow. “What’s that sphere?”

“She already noticed it. Noisy enchanter. They lose respect so quickly,” the Meadow spoke.

“Can you inform them about everything?” Ilea asked, looking at Verena with a tired expression.

“Of course,” the woman said. “Go take a moment.”

Ilea smiled, displacing herself closer to the Meadow. Only Feyrair would be able to come that close but he was already listening to Verena’s retelling of today’s events.

“That close?” the Meadow asked when she leaned against the tree.

She sighed, summoning a meal.

“You’re safe here,” the tree said.

“She was stronger than you,” Ilea sent. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it.”

“You will meet more creatures like her if you continue on the path you’ve chosen,” the Meadow said.

“And one day I might not be able to escape,” she mused. “We only got out because she underestimated us,” she sent and paused, eating a few bites. “I know the risks… I’ve known them since I went back into the forest after finding Riverwatch. But if a creature I fight comes and destroys everything I’ve come to love…,”

“Not all those you meet will be your enemies,” the Meadow reminded her. “You brought me here, did you not? The Baron will be by your side as well, and so will the people of Hallowfort.”

“I know. I just need a moment to calm down,” Ilea said. How do you even fight a creature like that? It just nullified my charged beam, stopped me from teleporting, slowed my healing, and all that in what seemed like a playful hunt.

“Take all the time you need. My eyes are open, my magic is prepared,” the tree said.

She looked at the shimmering silver sphere, the metal forming at a faster pace now, likely due to the high mana density close to the Meadow. Barriers around it prevented it from taking form.

Violence appeared nearby and floated over, glancing at her before it came to rest on her hair.

They remained there for a few minutes, Ilea slowly finishing her plate before she stored it. “She called me an abomination. Because I use both ash and healing, fire and the flames of creation.”

“I don’t see a reason why you shouldn’t,” the Meadow spoke.

Strong

Combination, Violence confirmed.

“I hope the next dragon I meet isn’t that prejudiced,” she mused.

“A lot of power can bolster one’s self image. It takes a lot of wisdom and reflection to remain grounded, and beings that remind one of their standing in the world,” the Meadow said.

Dragon

Bitch

Ilea patted the Fae on top of her head, giggling to herself before the creature joined in.

Violence jumped down, landing in her palms before he pointed at her, still wearing his cape and armor.

Ilea

train

stronger

slap

dragon

“I guess I have to, now that you asked me,” she said with a smile.

Not

ask

ORDER!

VIOLENCE!

“Yes, sir, General Baron,” Ilea replied to the giggling creature. “Where did you get that armor from anyway?”

Nice

Smith

“Goliath, that is nice of him,” she said. “It looks good on you.”

“Everything does, to be fair,” the Meadow said.

The Fae looked up at the tree, tilting its head to the side.

“Your attempt remains ineffective,” Ilea mused, sliding down a little with her back to the tree. “I’m glad I met you two.”

The Fae appeared on her shoulder and hugged her face.

“I’m telling you, this tree wasn’t here the last time I came here. How could I have missed something that obvious?” Pierce asked.

Feyrair shrugged. “Your eyes are probably not the best, being human and all. I wouldn’t expect you to notice the obvious.”

“Shut it elf,” she said as lightning flared up around her.

The Meadow moved them both into a dome barrier, all the sound cut off as they went for it again.

“Just make sure to give them some privacy once they start fucking,” Ilea said, joining the group again with Violence in tow.

“Ilea, good to hear that you survived. So can we look at that core? And I assume you already know who’s missing?” Iana asked, Christopher nodding along next to her.

“I’ll get Aki shortly, don’t worry,” Ilea said.

“You recovered two additional keys,” Neiphato said.

“Yes. But I’m not quite ready to go to Iz yet. I’d like to finish up my third Class first. Maybe we can meet up with Niivalyr’s group and work through the Praetorian facility,” she answered.

“Or we could look for more of them. It will take time either way, and I’m told you’ve fought hundreds of Praetorians already. The experience won’t be as effective,” Verena said.

Ilea looked at her for a moment. You’re rather well informed, she thought and sighed. Oh well, she’s seen more than even Claire by now.

“Right, but I don’t plan to use the taleen gates for a while. Not just because of Audur,” Ilea said.

Neiphato hissed. “The Pursuer.”

“Yeah, and there could be more traps. If they decide to send a whole army after us, it won’t be quite as simple,” she said. “We know at least that our usage of the gates hasn’t gone without notice.”

“We can modify the key. But there is no way to make you completely invisible. We don’t control the network after all,” Iana said.

“I think we can just fly around for now, preferably alone. When I find something, we can go in together,” Ilea said.

“Reasonable,” Verena said. “Thank you, for not leaving us there.”

Ilea gave her a nod.

“Which means the Krahen Isles are off limits now?” Neiphato said. “You think this Audur, will be able to find it?”

“Who knows what she can do,” Ilea answered. “But I’m sure we can find a few more dungeons where you guys can train. Maybe even where the other keys are located.”

“Should we try to contact Isalthar? Or do you think it’s more reasonable for you to go to Iz alone?” Neiphato asked.

“We don’t really know what will happen. Always good to have backup. I suppose you could inform him of what’s been happening. Do you have a way to contact him or Seithir?” Ilea asked.

“Not quite as impressive as your marks, but we can leave messages in designated dungeons within the Navali forest,” Neiphato explained.

“Good. You need a lift?” she asked.

The elf smiled, his sharp teeth showing. “The gate leading to the outskirts of Ravenhall will be fine, but if you have something closer to the forest, I would not say no.”

“Sure, I do have one. But I want to make sure I can come back here, which will take a few more hours. I’ll get Aki too later on, Iana,” she said, addressing the woman.

“I shall train in that case,” Neiphato said and walked closer to the Meadow, roots forming around him in a sphere like constellation.

“Is this, the place you have mentioned?” Hereven asked. “I am inclined to offer you my services for the life you have saved and returned, though I mustn’t.”

“How about reasonable work then? When the time comes, you could help train some people. For fair compensation of course and only if you’re interested. I’ll leave the Hallowfort immigration to the Meadow and whoever is responsible upstairs,” Ilea said.

“Compensation?” the demon asked.

Ilea tapped her lip. “Hmm, yes. Currency or something else like food and a safe place to stay and to call your own. With currency you can buy most goods.”

“It sounds. Acceptable,” Hereven said. “And yet what could I offer to one such as you?”

“Not all humans are like me,” Ilea said. “Very few actually. Mind Weavers are masters of Mind magic. I’d love it if the Sentinels had a mental resistance trainer.”

“You would have me… attack those that serve you?” Hereven asked.

“I see there’s some explanation necessary,” Ilea said and quickly detailed what she meant and to what extent the demon would be employed.

“I will inform Hereven about other opportunities to obtain currency, and about the local laws, expectations, and societal structures,” the Meadow informed in the end. “It will be simple, with someone receptive to my speech.”

Ilea couldn’t quite read the demon. He had just escaped Audur’s domain, and came straight into a new place with yet another unreasonably powerful creature at its center, or so it seemed.

“Can you make sure she won’t be able to track the demon?” Ilea said to the Meadow.

“I already checked. And the Baron has confirmed. None of you carry marks we may perceive, other than those given by you,” the tree replied.

Ilea sighed. “Sorry. Guess the experience hit me harder than expected.”

“To have one’s space magic taken away is to be blind and crippled. I understand better than you might think,” the Meadow said.

“You had something similar happen to you?” Ilea asked, looking towards the tree.

“No, but I can empathize,” the tree said.

Ilea squinted at it but chose not to say anything. Just not good enough yet, eh? she thought with a smile and sat down near Neiphato, meditation fully flowing through her as she focused on everything but dragons.

The den of the Meadow had grown in the past months, black grass slowly spreading through the extensive cavern between Hallowfort and the Descent. Massive pillars had been erected to increase the stability of the structure sitting about two thirds down within the massive statue carved into the stone cliff below the northern stormscape.

The view wasn’t quite as impressive as from Hallowfort itself, the town sitting at the very top of the cliffs and only about a hundred meters below the cavern ceiling, and still it was impressive to behold. Crystal light flowed into the large opening the Meadow had added, its magic permeating the very walls as it slowly became a part of this territory.

And where the place had been an empty field of black grass and pillars, it had become quite lively. Goliath worked on his creations near one side of the den, his smithy sprawling out with new additions even compared to a few days prior. His ideas were mostly limited by concepts, space and durable stone easily provided by the ancient tree. Most of his work would likely not provide much practical use, but it seemed both the Meadow and the Fae could appreciate something in his art that Ilea simply couldn’t comprehend.

Perhaps she was just too human to get it, or just not old enough.

Iana and Christopher had gotten a rather extensive set of rooms with various furniture, tools, and items brought in from Ravenhall. The woman surely made use of her storage ring. Their domain was located near the wall opposite Goliath’s, both still quite a ways off the center of the Meadow, marked by its crystal tree. The intricate designs and shapes added to the housing seemed inspired by various paintings hanging on the walls inside, Ilea able to perceive them through her dominion.

There was one room she couldn’t peer inside but considering the location and lack of beds in any other areas, she could imagine what was inside, and why the enchanters chose to impose some magical privacy. She didn’t remember a time when they hadn’t been working, but she hoped the bedroom would get at least some use, if only for sleeping.

The barrier dome with Feyrair and Pierce remained active, the Meadow providing a considerably large space for them to create a continuous bloodbath.

Ilea could tell Feyrair was holding back, but she wasn’t sure how much help his dragon form would be against the ludicrously fast moving lightning and metal mage.

“Can you make runes or enchantments that create barriers like this?” Ilea asked. She wondered if they could be used for city defense purposes much like the one she had seen in Virilya. And to a lesser degree as training areas for people at above level three hundred. The fight would’ve already severely damaged one of the underground training halls in the Sentinel Headquarters.

“Not quite as durable as what I can make within my domain, but suitable perhaps for defensive purposes. Or to lock something inside,” the Meadow spoke. “Though because barriers are magical constructs, the power they require far exceed structural improvements to existing matter. Barrier mages are more efficient than any other mage at fueling such runes, but they seem rare, in Hallowfort at least.”

“I’d have to check with Claire. Can you not create mana crystals or something that we could fuel? You certainly have the excess power,” Ilea suggested. “Or maybe a way to harvest the mana here in the north.”

“The conditions for such creations are extremely delicate. Nor would they be stable enough to provide the mana required. For offensive purposes perhaps, as a short burst of energy, but even then, they would likely be empty very quickly,” the being explained. “You simply need to befriend another few of my kind.”

“You don’t suppose you know a nephew or four who live nearby, looking for a job or fifty?” Ilea asked.

“Let me send out a few riders to the stars, I’ve been meaning to get in touch with them. Our family reunions can be a little awkward however,” spoke the Meadow.

Ilea huffed with a smile.

“At least we have your expertise to fall back on. Claire will want to discuss her barrier and enchantment setup for Ravenhall too, I’m sure,” she mused. “Don’t want to overwork you either, just let me know if I’m asking too much.”

“How cute,” the Meadow said, in the most condescending tone it could manage. Which was very condescending. Perfection really.

I feel like that warrants some Mental Resistance experience, Ilea thought, shaking her head. “How could I ever question thine magnificence, oh wondrous tree of life.”

“You mammals forget easily,” it stated.

“I’m sure that’s the issue,” Ilea mused. She was pretty sure her cooldown to return to the den of the Meadow was back up and ready. “I’ll use the gate,” she said and walked over to the functional creation amidst a few new gates similar in design.

“You’re much further along than I thought,” Verena said as she joined her.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah. They’re working on it tirelessly.”

“You won’t need the Taleen network,” the Elder said. “Where does this one lead?”

“Near Ravenhall,” Ilea said. “Though we’ll avoid building any within actual cities.”

“There will have to be some,” Verena said. “For reinforcements in case of enemy attacks.”

“And if they compromise the gates?” Ilea asked.

“True,” the woman said. “It will be paramount to place them strategically.”

Ilea nodded. “Which is why I won’t be making those decisions. I’m sure the various councils will figure out where to put them.”

Verena gave her a thumbs up. “Smart.”

“And you wondered how I reached the five hundreds,” she said and tapped her skull.

The Elder didn’t seem entirely convinced, glancing at the literal thunder dome before she joined Ilea. “Pierce seems busy.”

“Indeed. Ah wait, Neiphato, you wanted a lift, right?” Ilea asked.

“If it’s not too much trouble,” the elf said, glancing at Verena.

“We’ll have to fly south for a few hours,” she said, looking at the Elder. “Or you can go ahead.”

“I don’t mind,” Verena said.

“Perfect, then let’s go,” Ilea answered, activating her third tier transfer as she waved at the various creatures, most of them not even noticing their departure.

“Safe travels,” the Meadow sent.

Violence was nowhere to be found, the mark on it unclear.

The group appeared on a hill overlooking Riverwatch, a few birds taking flight at the sudden manifestation of magic and sound.

Ilea looked to the sky, breathing a sigh of relief when no winged being showed itself. Only a few guards and mages, she mused, looking at the busy streets in the distance.

“They strengthened the walls,” Verena observed.

Ilea looked at the fortifications. “Did they?”

A little higher maybe? she thought. “They should, honestly. Riverwatch may as well be the frontier of our kind by now. Next to Dawntree.”

“The northern tribes deal with more monsters,” Verena said. “Not as dangerous as Elves, but not by much.”

Neiphato looked away and sighed.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” the Elder said quickly. “Few humans can fight Elves.”

“I understand,” Neiphato said. “I’m sorry, for whatever it’s worth.”

Ilea shrugged. “You didn’t do anything. Let’s hold the people accountable that actually come and fuck with settlements. Not a species of diverse individuals.”

“Right,” Verena said. “Old prejudices. Didn’t think I’d ever meet an Elf who’s different,” she added, scratching the back of her head.

“I hope your optimism is founded in reality,” Neiphato said and hissed, bowing to the two women. “Thank you, for your trust. I will call for you when I have sent the message.”

“Or when you run into trouble,” Ilea said.

The elf smiled, his sharp teeth showing. “I will try to be careful,” he said and turned away, leaving a moment later.

Ilea glanced at Verena and smiled.

The Elder still gazed at the elf’s back until she noticed Ilea’s stare. “What?”

Chapter 664 Upgrades

Chapter 664 Upgrades

The two flew southwards, Verena easily resisting the high velocity.

Now that I think about it, I still didn’t see her take an actual hit. How tough is she? Pierce seems mostly focused on speed and teleportation, coupled with her thick armor. Verena even shows skin, and her magical armor is just a bunch of fire.

“You’re a berserker, right?” Ilea said, slowing down as they reached the southern mountains, her charged wings not exactly providing an environment for a leisurely chat.

The woman just looked at her.

“I just… haven’t seen you fight at all, and you’re not wearing any fancy armor. Despite your level and access to smiths,” she said.

“I’m not as impressive as you,” Verena said. “Getting injured. Helps,” she added as a form of explanation.

Ilea smirked, wondering if the woman had the third tier of Pain Tolerance already unlocked. Considering the age difference and varied creatures she had surely fought, there was a high chance. But she assumed there were other skills as well, skills within her Classes. “To be honest, you just don’t strike me as the berserker type.”

“Hmm,” the Elder mused, a light smile on her face as they flew past a distant Morhill, the city once more bustling with life.

Haven’t visited Balduur in a while, Ilea thought. But I suppose Iana can come here through the gate whenever.

She wondered if the enchantress ever did as much, with how focused she was on her work.

They reached Ravenhall a few minutes later, merchants and travelers glancing up at the two flying adventurers with interest.

The two landed in the snow a few hundred meters away from the city, a general courtesy towards the guards and their high level teams who would have to intercept flying arrivals. And whatever alarms Claire would receive if they rushed past magical sensors likely put in place even far above the walls.

“You think it’s enough?” Verena asked as they tread through the snow, quickly reaching the well traveled road, the ground here merely mud and ice.

“The walls you mean?” Ilea asked. “Not against that dragon,” she mused.

“Another Meadow would be helpful,” Verena said. “But they would not accept it, even if we were that lucky.”

“Probably not, I agree. Let’s hope the low mana density keeps monsters away, as it apparently has for a long time. Otherwise all human cities would just be rubble at this point,” Ilea said.

The Elder laughed. “Probably.”

“Lilith,” the guard at the gate greeted. “Elder Quil,” he added, a smile on his face as he gestured them into the city. “Welcome back.”

A few people around them started murmuring, looking at the two nondescript adventurers as they joined the flow of people in the outermost wall.

Ilea transferred into the headquarters, the door itself locked.

Two Sentinels appeared a moment later, clad in stonehammer steel and bone armor, looking at her when Verena appeared next to her.

One of them removed their helmet and smiled. “Lady Lilith. Welcome back,” the young man said and bowed lightly, his colleague mimicking the gesture.

[Battle Healer – lvl 152]

[Battle Healer – lvl 143]

“Nathan, Ford. Good to see you. Impressive progress too,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Formidable,” Verena said. “When I saw the first of them, I knew the Shadows wouldn’t remain the most respected name from Ravenhall.”

“Thank you. Not quite as impressive as yours, I’m sure. We’re supposed to register any guests that come,” Nathan said.

“Elder Quil, of the Shadow’s Hand,” Ilea informed them as she walked past. “Is Trian around?”

“He should be in his office, Founder,” Ford informed her.

She saw them through her dominion as they walked down the stairs, watching them grin at each other while putting on their helmets once more. They slammed them against each other like some kind of horned animals, resuming their posts in a guard room covered with enchantments and devices, and a game of cards on a small table.

Fucking idiots. I love them.

The few Sentinels they saw greeted Ilea and her guest. She felt pride well up as she watched the high level healers go about their daily business, training and eating together.

Verena smiled lightly when they reached Trian’s office door.

“Have you met him already?” Ilea asked, knocking.

An enchantment lit up within her perception, opening the door through a magical charge.

Verena looked into the room, the two seeing Trian sit behind his desk, a few documents vanishing as he smiled and glanced at the guests. “Trian Alymie. I had my suspicions. After what happened in Virilya. And knowing he was part of your team.”

Kyrian walked in from a side room, a cup of tea in hand. “Is Pierce here too?”

“She’s found someone else to annoy,” Ilea answered.

Verena sighed. “Ah, now it makes sense. Team thirty four.” she mused, looking at their shifting expressions. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Ilea said and sat down opposite the Headmaster. “Some new findings, some new potential issues, good that you’re here too Kyrian.”

“You were only gone for a day. What did you do this time?” he asked, a slight grin on his face as he summoned himself a chair.

The two took the new information in stride, Verena being the most surprised at their lacking reactions, if anything.

“I saw you posted guards,” Ilea said, pointing upwards.

“Yes. The interest for our organization is mounting, not just potential new students, but opportunistic adventurers, thieves, and spies. Two mid level Sentinels are enough to handle them usually. Not everyone has to know we have a working… Aki, on our side,” he said.

“You can trust her,” Ilea said.

“You trust too quickly,” Kyrian said. “No offense meant,” he added, looking at the Elder.

She just shrugged.

“I’m actually here because of him. He’s still around I hope? Or did he want to go on missions?” she asked.

Trian sighed. “He’s taking out his frustration on the students. Aki did enjoy stalking and intimidating intruders, maybe the machine itself is influencing him.”

“No, that seems like something he’d enjoy,” Ilea said.

“You knew him before… the Sentinels enjoy the rougher treatment anyway. Which means I’m the only one left to make sure this doesn’t turn into a cult,” he sighed.

“More than it already is,” Kyrian said. “It’s good that you showed your face, and that you’re human.”

“You took the job?” Ilea asked.

The man looked down. “A bit of combat training and curse resistance. Not much yet. I do want to relax while I’m here, before it’s back to the Isles,” he said and rolled his shoulders.

“Yeah, about that,” Ilea said and scratched the back of her head. “It might not be safe anymore to go there.”

“The dragon… you think she could follow your teleportation?” he asked before he nodded slowly. “Better be safe, you’re right. It doesn’t matter if she can or cannot follow.”

“Exactly. I’ll go see Aki then,” Ilea said and stood up. “I assume it’s fine if he’s gone for a while?”

Trian waved her off. “I’m here too. And your monster healers are already more of a threat than that single machine.”

Ilea grinned. “A good time for an upgrade then,” she mused.

“I’ll join up in a few days,” Kyrian said.

“Sure, just send me a message,” Ilea said, leaving with Verena in tow, the woman giving the two men a nod. “Speaking of message, I can remove the mark if you like. I’m pretty sure you can too.”

The Elder looked at the rune on the back of her right hand. “It’s useful. While we work together. Aki, he’s a Taleen machine?”

“Not really?” Ilea said. “Kind of? You’ll see,” she added, checking through the training halls with dominion until she heard the familiar steel impacts, seeing the fast moving spear wielder run after a few teleporting Sentinels, their missing limbs regenerating.

“No wonder they’re already so strong,” Verena said. “This would be incredibly risky, even with healers nearby.”

“Being one yourself is the best way to know what to fix, and how to do so,” Ilea said. “He’s not going for lethal blows.”

“The device in its neck, I assume that’s what you meant,” Verena said.

“Perceptive,” Ilea answered.

“The core… I see. Not quite another Meadow, but your working hard to add terrifying beings to your allies. What’s your end goal?” she asked.

“World domination, of course,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“Hmm,” the woman mused, mostly ignoring the comment.

“Fresh meat, I see,” Aki said with glowing green eyes, twirling his spear as he looked at the two newcomers.

The sentinel squad paused, using the time to heal up and spread out in a tactical manner.

“We will continue later,” the Centurion said, dismissing the group.

They greeted the two women and vanished.

Aki deflated a little when the large double doors closed behind the group. “I’m telling you, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up. I wish I could go on hunts as well, to fight and kill monsters.”

“Can you not?” Verena asked.

“I don’t think we’ve met. Who might you be?” Aki asked.

“Verena Quil, Elder of the Shadow’s Hand,” she said.

“You can trust her,” Ilea said. “Maybe there’s a solution to your problem. It’s why we’re here.”

“You managed to disable a Praetorian?” Aki asked, his eyes glowing just a little brighter.

Ilea grinned. “Something like that. Do you mind coming north for a little while? Iana and Chris are there too.”

“As long as I don’t have to leave the entire defense of our headquarters to these young imbeciles for longer than a few days,” he said. “Trian is busy enough as it is.”

“I can bring you back whenever,” Ilea said and activated her third tier transfer, moving the three back into the Meadow’s domain.

It seemed Pierce and Feyrair had settled their animosity, both currently getting ripped apart by the Meadow. Its healing made sure neither would be overwhelmed by the damage.

“How gruesome,” Aki remarked, looking at the unfamiliar environment.

“You brought him!” Iana exclaimed, rushing over. “How have you been, everything working fine?” she asked, her eyes glowing a deep blue as she checked the enchantments on his body. “You’ve been using them a lot it seems. Don’t overcharge them, they’ll break if you do it too much.”

“I’m sorry,” Aki said. “The Sentinels are growing quickly, and I have to keep up somehow.”

The enchantress grinned ear to ear, leading the machine away and a little closer to the Meadow. “Our teacher will help us figure out the next step in your evolution,” she said, pointing at the silver sphere floating towards them.

“What is… a Pursuer Praetorian? I haven’t heard of them. What level is it?” he asked.

“You’ll see,” Iana said with a smile. “Ready for some testing?”

“Of course,” Aki answered, eyes flashing a little brighter as he gazed at the sphere.

“How did you meet him?” Verena asked as the enchantress got to work, magic flaring up a few times before she carefully removed Aki from the now limp Centurion.

“Found him in a Taleen dungeon. Below Dawntree,” Ilea said.

“Any idea what he is?” she asked.

“Iana tried to figure it out but nothing conclusive yet. To me he’s a person like everyone else. Species, dagger,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Aki is not a living being,” the Meadow informed her.

“What exactly constitutes a living being? He seems to have his own thoughts,” Ilea said.

“He produces no mana. The creation of this object is… intricate. I will need some time to decipher what it means. Far more complex than the gates produced by the same makers,” the Meadow explained.

“So the Taleen definitely made him?” Ilea asked. Iana had mostly confirmed as much but the evidence hadn’t been conclusive as far as Ilea had understood.

“Yes. It’s highly unlikely that someone other than the makers of this Pursuer have created the being you call Aki. But there is no… essence, no life. Not truly. I believe the enchantments… yes… it seems to be… a mind, of sorts,” the Meadow explained.

“That much is obvious,” Ilea said.

“You misunderstand. It’s far too complex to be random. Either that… no. If the same makers created the Dagger of Akelion, their battle machines would be far more intricate and dangerous. They found a way to analyze the mind, translate it. To go that far. Dangerous,” the Meadow mused, starting to be a little more absorbed.

“What do you think?” Iana asked.

Ilea assumed the enchanters could comprehend the Meadow’s speech by now. Either that or they found some other way to communicate other than floating writing.

“Aki is a mind, similar to those of the beings present. He will not be influenced. You were right to disable the enchantments that aimed to do such, Iana. Some remnants remain but they are harmless. His make is perfectly interlinked with the enchantments making up this Pursuer core Ilea has brought us. Of what I have glimpsed from its design, only simple commands could rest within. There should be no issue simply connecting the two beings,” the Meadow explained.

“No safeguards?” Iana asked.

“There are many, though none against this mind. It should disable everything, more efficiently than even I could ever hope to do,” spoke the Meadow.

“Hear that Aki, you’re perfect for this new machine,” she said with a smile. “Should we do it then?”

“Better let the tree handle it, in case something goes wrong,” Ilea said.

“A reasonable suggestion,” the Meadow spoke, both Aki and the core floating closer to its tree. “I will first disable the shield,” it said, the sphere vibrating as magical pressure built around it.

Ilea could see the fabric of space shifting around the two objects, the Meadow using space magic to break the defenses.

They all watched with bated breath as the thin shield shattered, the dagger instantly slammed into the core.

“Wouldn’t that damage whatever tech is inside?” Ilea asked.

“The Pursuer possesses an advanced self repair function. It should apply to the core as well,” the Meadow spoke as the sphere grew a tiny bit. “It already adjusted to the foreign object, and yet it doesn’t reject it. As expected.”

A set of large barriers formed around the floating sphere, silver metal growing around it, soon reforming the same Pursuer that had fought Ilea. Aki was now somewhere inside, protected by the same shield that covered the core.

Green eyes flickered to life as the creature stumbled lightly, looking around as if confused. “It seems…,” a mechanical voice said. “To have worked,” it said, the voice changing slightly as it made adjustments. “Thank you.”

“Is that you, Aki?” Ilea asked.

“Yes… oh, you’re tiny… things move so slow, and I can see… farther, is that magic?” he said, crouching down a little in his larger form. “This will take more getting used to, but it’s not too different, from the… what is this,” he murmured, void magic lighting up within his cannons. The light flickered out as his arms changed shape. Dull blade like extensions that reminded more of a Dali painting formed and reformed, finally shifting back to the initial cannons. “More to figure out,” the Pursuer said. “I have a shield now too!” he hit his own body with one of the cannons, the magical defense flaring up visibly.

“Nice,” Ilea said. “Well done. Appreciate the help,” she sent to the Meadow.

The enchanters rejoiced, welcoming the stumbling Aki back as Iana instantly started looking over its shield and carapace.

“I’ll have an eye on him for now. But it seems my understanding wasn’t flawed. There is no need to thank me, Ilea. Even you could’ve done this,” the Meadow said.

She huffed. “Sure. But it would’ve been a blind guess. At least you know why it’s working.”

“That doesn’t change the result. Knowing you, you would’ve tried either way,” it said.

“Yeah, probably would’ve. I mean the Centurion worked already, why not this one?” Ilea said.

“Iana must’ve done that, because with that smaller machine, it would’ve required specific placement and preparations on the body. It lacks the same adjustment capabilities,” the Meadow explained.

“Alright. Glad it worked either way,” Ilea said, not too interested in the intricacies of Taleen machinery. Aki was a friend and fellow Sentinel. It was the least she could do to provide an upgrade when possible.

“I’ll leave him to you then,” Ilea said and summoned the locator. “More searching?” she asked, looking at Verena. “I’d be up for a few bouts too on the way, need one more level for a third Class skill.”

The woman nodded.

“I’ll join you as well,” Feyrair said, appearing close by. He healed the remaining wounds on his body and burst into flame, burning away the blood on his scale armor.

“You sure? You know what dragons can do,” Ilea said.

“I would’ve gone back to the Krahen Isles, but someone wasn’t very considerate in her teleportation choices,” he said and hissed with a smile.

Pierce appeared as well, a frown on her face as she glared at the Meadow. “Merciless monster,” she murmured before switching her attention to the group, a bright smile on her face as a large pack appeared on her back. “So we’re leaving again?”

“Is that supposed to be an explorer look?” Ilea asked.

Pierce’s eyes opened wide. “Ah right,” she said, a brown hat appearing on her head, a blue feather sticking out from the accessory.

“Much better,” Ilea deadpanned.

“I know, right? I love putting these together. I’d make a Lilith one too but you’re so dreadfully boring. Maybe you should get a personal tailor or something? I’m sure it would help your reputation,” Pierce said. “You lack the natural grace of an elf.”

“I’m not so sure about that. Haven’t met an Oracle yet after all,” Ilea said.

“How do they look, Fey dear?” Pierce asked.

He hissed, raising a burning hand towards her. “Don’t call me that.”

“Ah you’re so easily irritated, dear,” she said and vanished when a bright beam of white light flared up, hitting a glowing barrier a meter farther back.

Ilea smiled, turning around to see Hereven painting something into a leather bound book.

He twitched slightly when he noticed her gaze. “Apologies, mistress. I am merely observing and taking notes. The interactions between the various species here are quite, fascinating.”

“Sure,” Ilea sent back, looking at the two idiots chasing each other again. “Come on Verena, they’ll join us or they won’t. Shift, Meadow?”

“Do not anger another dragon,” the being said as Ilea disabled her space magic resistance.

Chapter 665 Tombs

Chapter 665 Tombs

They appeared in the crevice leading to the Penumra dungeon, Feyrair and Pierce joining them a few seconds later, no longer fighting.

Both were clad in armor and seemed calm and collected.

Professional idiots, Ilea mused, smiling to herself as she glanced at the locator. Nothing nearby of course but they had a direction to go on.

Two Elders and a Cerithil hunter, Ilea thought, looking at the waiting group.

“Where to bosswoman?” Pierce asked.

“Follow the arrow. How’s your lightning survivability? I know Fey and Pierce can manage,” Ilea said, glancing at Verena.

“I should be able to manage. Let me get used to it,” the woman said, flames spreading over her form as she ascended towards the cliff side above, dark clouds moving past above.

“Will she be fine?” Ilea asked.

Pierce chuckled. “Ah the young and unfaithful. If you didn’t exist, I’d say she’s the toughest human I know.”

“Not exactly an accomplishment,” Feyrair said, ignored by both women.

Ilea appeared above, spreading her wings as a bolt of arcane lightning struck her form, the energy slowly spreading through her body without leaving any lasting damage, the light burns healed in moments. She watched as Verena hovered upwards, energy gathering in the clouds before she was hit directly.

Her chest burst open as half her torso burnt up, gurgling noises resounding as a tinge of red mixed in with her fiery flames. Muscles flexed as the burnt and torn tissue regained its color, knitting itself together by what looked like sheer will.

“It’s quiet a gruesome sight, I think that’s why she doesn’t show it to too many people,” Pierce said. “Also I guess she has to get naked, kind of.” She glanced over at Ilea. “Are you turned on by this?”

Ilea glanced between Pierce and the regenerating Elder, another strike hitting the burning and flying form, this time leaving considerably less damage in its wake.

“I don’t think so, no,” Ilea said, watching pieces of flesh splatter against the stone ground below.

“Would have been fitting, but I suppose not all heroes can be legends,” the woman sighed.

“Effective,” Feyrair commented as he joined them, burning wings on his back.

Verena flew over a few seconds later, dull red runes now visible on her body, most of her features somewhat obscured by burning flames. “I’m good to go,” she said, her voice slightly deeper, with a distinct whispering backdrop.

“Now that’s pretty hot,” Ilea admitted, glancing over at pierce as she refocused on the locator.

“Breaking news, Lilith sexually attracted to burning tattooed women. Well I can’t blame you, V, you look downright smoldering,” Pierce mused.

“Are you done?” the elder asked in a calm voice. It had not been the first time she had to deal with Pierce.

“I’ll take these two, or do you want to carry us all?” Ilea asked, looking at Pierce.

“What an honor, alas my ability will not allow for such feats. My flight is rather, delicate. Balancing four people, especially people of such… political… weight, would pose an issue,” she explained.

Ilea grinned. “Then I’ll carry these two,” she said, her ashen limbs extending as she charged her wings, aiming to stay somewhat low in the northern landscape, hoping to avoid whatever creatures dwelled far above the storms and clouds.

A moment later, they shot away, Pierce a mere streak of lightning forging on ahead, the group shooting over the barren northern landscape with incredible momentum.

Ilea kept an eye on the locator, adjusting the trajectory, occasionally going higher to avoid extensive outcrops of stone or outright mountains. No local creatures they saw braved the northern storms, either unable or not interested in the small and fast moving prey. Despite the fast travel, the group was struck by occasional arcane lightning, Ilea simply flying through the clouds as she was both unwilling and unable to dodge with her charged wings. Her resilience was supposedly increased greatly anyway, and in the worst case, she had displacement and phaseshift to figure something out.

About half an hour later, Ilea started to see distant magical impacts within some of the crevices, unlike what most of the wild creatures in the area tended to use in their hunts. She slowed down to observe, her eyes barely able to make out the distant spells.

“What do you see?” Verena asked, her body still clad in the same flames and covered in runic tattoos. Whatever her spell, it didn’t seem to be short lived.

“Sapient beings I think, fighting or hunting something,” she said and paused. “Fighting. Both sides, if there are only two, are using targeted spells.”

“Want to butt in?” Pierce asked.

Ilea checked the locator, which led them further north east. “No, just thought it curious.”

She grabbed the others again and continued the flight, assuming they had stumbled upon a battle between the forces of the Dark Protector and the Feynor. Either way, they had their own reason for being here and continued to follow the guidance of their derivative Taleen technology.

Night soon came over the northern landscape, mists forming on the ground and flowing down into the many fissures and crevices. Ilea slowed as she watched the serene dance of the Miststalkers resume, the locator now pointing behind them and to one mountain between dozens more. Nothing about it seemed out of the ordinary. In the north that was, the jagged edges and occasionally charred surface a staple amidst the storms, both for landscape and fauna.

“Down there,” she said, leisurely crossing the rest of the distance as she kept an eye out for any monster or Feynor ambushes. This was farther north than Ilea had ever been, excluding perhaps her short visit in the home of the Fae, but that mountain peak could’ve just as well been a separate realm for all she knew.

The others fanned out a little, their own abilities surveying the environment as they made landfall near the mountain. No pools of mist reached their location, the distant beings entirely uncaring for the group of adventurers.

“No entrance on this side, not on the surface,” Verena said, her eyes scanning the shadowy mountain side. She whipped her head upwards.

Ilea followed her gaze, seeing a small group of Famine Crows fly past, their attention attracted by the bright light of both Feyrair’s wings, and Verena’s form.

“Let’s try not to attract too much attention to this place,” Ilea said and rushed off, heading straight at the swarm with spreading ashen limbs.

The large birds had a body reaching about one meter in length, their wing span four times that. Leathery skin covered their gray forms as they started teleporting towards their perceived pray.

Ilea impacted the group, space awareness coupled with her precognition allowing her to see where they went with each use of their magic. They didn’t stand a chance, eight of them sliced apart and falling before they had properly circled the ashen form. She teleported through the largest clusters, her ash alone enough to rip through their wings and bodies, screeches resounding as the bulk of their numbers scattered, rushing away from the surprisingly blender like human.

She continued to teleport through their retreating ranks, occasionally preventing some of them to use their skill as she observed her own ability with space awareness. Ilea had stopped her slaughter, simply using the quickly moving and teleporting birds as a source for some space shift training, her only remaining third class skill no yet at the end of the third tier.

“Those are close to four hundred,” Pierce remarked.

“Not worth killing,” Ilea murmured. “Yes. It’s annoying that most monsters just don’t understand what they should and shouldn’t attack.”

“Humans of our power are rare, how would anyone know,” Verena said, the group now flying again, the elder soon pointing out a small crevice leading into the mountain.

Ilea went in first, the locator ahead as she plunged into the darkness, quickly navigating the ancient cracks and tunnels, likely natural or made to look that way. She didn’t much fear tight spaces, but any apprehension she would’ve had evaporated with the existence of her spherical perception, and the knowledge that she could teleport out in most situations. Compared to her companions, she at least had her space magic at her side.

“No traps,” she murmured, letting herself fall into a broad tunnel, her embers the only source of light in the vicinity.

The others joined in the next minute, all finding their way down with more or less issues.

Pierce was the first, having teleported through most everything. “Ominous,” she murmured, a few sparks of lightning traveling over her armor. “Third tier light magic resistance?”

“Yeah, among other abilities, you?” Ilea asked.

“Similar. My lightning travels over surfaces. And I can see nearby mana sources, you for example,” she explained, glancing up. “Already here?”

Feyrair jumped down, hissing at the woman as he looked around, his eyes downright glowing in the dark, wisps of white flame clinging to his armored form. “I believe the last time you rushed into the unknown, you managed to anger a dragon of all things.”

Pierce waved him off. “Ah, that’s so far in the past, it’s hardly worth a mention.”

Verena hovered down, her eyes on fire. The tattoos from before were gone by now, as was the fire covering her whole body.

“This way,” Ilea said and lead them through the darkness, everyone walking through the tunnel as if the sun shone on from above.

“Looks made by something intelligent,” Verena murmured.

“There are a lot of sapient creatures hiding within the northern lands,” Pierce said. “Let’s hope they’re weaker than us.”

“We negotiate if they have a key,” Ilea said.

“Ah yes, the holy Lilith. What if they decided four hundred years ago that the key is the very embodiment of their god?” she asked.

Ilea tilted her head back a little, glancing at the woman. “Then we borrow their god for a little while.”

“How considerate,” Pierce said. “Praise be Lilith, the merciful.”

“No signs of anything living?” Ilea asked instead.

“Quiet. Empty,” Pierce answered.

“Weird,” Ilea said. “There’s an entrance coming up,” she added as they rounded a corner, coming towards a few old sets of stairs leading up to a rather large stone double door.

“Feynor,” Pierce said immediately.

“How… ah, yes,” Ilea said, looking at the carvings in the stone. Front and center was a prominent four legged winged being flying upwards, smaller horned distinctly Feynor creatures knelt near the bottom of the carving while kneeling in prayer.

She couldn’t see any living creatures within, no light coming through the doors either. Nor were there any enchantments or traps preventing entry.

“Let’s see what this is about then,” she said and opened the gates.

The air inside was stuffy, with a faint hint of death. Ilea stepped inside, ready to be assaulted by whatever necrotic abomination claimed this place as their own but nothing came rushing at the intruder.

Beyond the entrance lay a small stone platform with a dark abyss beyond, a suspension bridge made of metal and wood led into the darkness about fifty meters away, Ilea already seeing the pyramid like stone buildings hanging from the cavern ceiling like carved stalactites. Only few windows adorned the structures, their barren forms desolate and imposing in the lightless cavern.

“Feynor alright,” Pierce whispered and glanced down.

“Death in the air,” Verena added.

“Can’t feel anything. Undead have mana too,” Pierce informed.

“This place creeps me out, let’s get the key and fuck off. No unnecessary teleports,” Ilea said and flew to the other side, carefully inspecting the air through her dominion, just in case there were any auras or enchantments in the way.

The others followed behind, the group silently landing on the other side and coming up to an open entrance into the connected structures. “Why build like this?” Ilea asked, stepping inside as she inspected the walls. There were a few defensive runes in place but none were active. Dust covered the floor but she couldn’t find the source of the smell.

“Creatures in caves rarely fly,” Verena said.

I guess Hallowfort was built high up too, she thought, impressed with the architecture. The inside seemed rather simple, but comfortable, granted with the hearths burning and other light sources present, coupled with the smell of food and sounds of people. As it was, it reminded more of a tomb than anything else.

But they had yet to find the dead.

Ilea led the group deeper into the structures, the combined size of the buildings enough to house enough people for a small city. They had built vertical more so than horizontal, to make the most of the space they had down in this natural cavern. Ilea wondered if they carved the pyramids into the ceiling or if they somehow added the stone with magic. Their weapons and spells didn’t seem behind anything else she had seen, the warriors who came for Catelyn more than capable.

She did think it a little weird that a group of beings worshiping dragons built their settlement so far below the earth. Might just be my false expectations. Audur lived underground after all, she mused, the locator leading them into a temple of sorts, various shrines depicting winged creatures of various sizes and distinct qualities. Ilea checked to see if she could recognize the Guardian of the West in any of the pieces but failed to find her.

The locator pointed at a large wooden chest sitting in front of a dragon coated in silver.

Ilea went over and opened the container, finding a few silver coins of various make, a few chunks of unrefined silver ore, and the pyramid like Taleen Key. “It’s here. I suggest I take it and we teleport out immediately.”

“We could loot the place, there’s plenty of treasure still around,” Pierce said.

Ilea sighed. It was tempting, but after her experience in the Izculen dungeon, she felt a little uneasy.

“They just left all this here?” Feyrair asked. “Their dragon gods are what they care about. I don’t think they would just leave these relics behind for no reason.”

“They’re stupid idiots. Maybe some kind of mind magic creature walked in and ate them all? Maybe they formed a new belief system and decided to move out? We can only waste time guessing, or get started looting,” Pierce mused, yet not having touched anything so far.

[The Stonehammer Key – Ancient Quality]

Ilea grabbed the key and stored it, waiting to see if something would happen. No enchantments came to life, no monster came to get them. “Alright, let’s see what we can get. But we stay together at all times, and everyone, communicate if you perceive even a sliver of something suspicious.”

“Not scared you’ll offend any dragons?” Verena asked as Ilea started looking through the various chests and cabinets.

“I already have one who wants to kill me for little reason. Why not add a few more?” she asked. Bunch of oversized drakes anyway.

Feyrair hissed joyously as he looked at the beings. He stopped near one of the meticulously crafted statues and grinned broadly, his hand raised before a beam of white flame burned through the length of the dragon, its head falling to the stone floor with a thud.

“What’s that about?” Pierce asked.

“Garonoth,” the elf hissed. “Next time we meet, I will win.”

“If he’s anywhere near Audur, you’re gonna have a bad time,” Ilea mused, leaving most of the clutter behind, focusing on gold alone, finding about a hundred and fifty pieces in total, distributed into various plates, chests, ornaments, and ceremonial armor.

She grabbed a dragon like helmet and put it on. “Hmm.”

“Very stylish,” Pierce said, grabbing one herself. “Might get a few looks at the next ball I won’t go to.”

“They’d ask about which esteemed smith made it,” Ilea murmured.

“You. Yes. Me, they’d ask what creature I slaughtered to get the skull,” the woman said.

“How did you get such a wonderful reputation?” Ilea asked.

“They don’t mean it in an admiring way,” she mused, making the helmet vanish. “These are made for rituals alone, barely worth looking at.”

“Might seriously wear it to a ball,” she murmured. “But I guess I can just replicate it with my ash.”

“Not that color,” the woman said and walked away, checking the sheathed swords fastened to the propped up armor.

“Treasury somewhere?” Verena asked.

Ilea shook her head lightly. “Not in the vicinity. I guess this is it, if they have one. Very central too.”

“I suppose,” the Elder said. “Shame they don’t like painting.”

“Some of the doors have nice carvings,” Ilea said, pointing at one of the exits.

The Elder considered before she walked over and ripped the thing off its hinges. She held the thick wooden door with both arms and smiled. “A souvenir at least.”

Ilea watched her hack away the sides until she could store it.

She sent out a few ashen birds, a little inspired by her recent dragon encounter. They would return to her if they found anything worth checking out.

When the ash had circled around the set of structures, Ilea motioned to the others. “We’re done here,” she said and spread her wings, flying towards the exit. The others followed without complaint, Ilea looking down into the abyss as she passed the suspension bridge. Nothing showed up to interrupt or attack her, which only made the slight feeling of unease worse.

She held her breath until they reached the exit again, leaving the mountain tunnels in exchange for the northern surface. Ilea didn’t feel like dallying in the area, checking her surroundings for anything suspicious but failing to perceive anything. She looked at the locator which pointed northwest, collected her allies and flew off towards the next target.

Chapter 666 Stormy Weather

Chapter 666 Stormy Weather

The journey brought them even further north, the winds picking up as they advanced. Ice started to form on the group, despite their heat generation and fire magic. It hadn’t reached Ice Elemental levels but Ilea wondered how anything below level five to six hundred could feasibly survive in an environment like this.

They took a break in a small cavern above a mountain outcrop, Feyrair producing a flame that provided warmth.

None of them would be in any danger of actually freezing, but the comfort was appreciated. Ilea shook the ice off her wings and shoulders, her own heat generation not currently active. “Shit weather up here,” she murmured.

“Lightning will still strike here. We’re not past that height yet,” Pierce informed. “Gets more dangerous there, if you can believe it.”

“Of course, that’s where all the creatures live who can claim a place in the suns,” Feyrair said with a smile.

“Have you been there?” Ilea asked, sitting down and summoning some food.

“A few times, yes,” he said and hissed. “Dangerous, for someone below level three hundred. More so for those above.”

Verena nodded to herself. “Worthy prey.”

“Elves are not the only ones interested in hunting,” Fey said with a grin. “But of course that dragon vastly underestimated me. I was about to win that battle when he decided to retreat.”

Pierce started laughing, dodging a fire beam that burned into the cavern wall.

“Stop it children,” Verena said. “You will attract attention,” she added, looking at Ilea.

“You want to go alone instead? None of you is particularly geared for stealth,” she said.

Feyrair waved them off. “Ilea’s space magic easily offsets her lack of stealth. She escaped a dragon after all. Not quite the same feat as challenging one, but it’s impressive enough to travel north from here.”

“She did challenge it,” Verena said. “To save our lives.”

“How did you fare?” Feyrair asked with a toothy smile and glowing eyes.

“About as well as against the Meadow? And I know both were holding back,” Ilea answered.

“I can still hear her frustrated roar before you moved us out of there,” Pierce said and giggled. “I owe you one for that experience. Whatever you want,” she added and grinned.

Ilea looked at the woman before she glanced at Feyrair. Hmm.

There was nothing quite as good as an enjoyable fight after a near death experience, but some things came close. “As long as we’re all in the clear that this is strictly casual.”

The Elf looked at her, raising one eyebrow.

Pierce blushed lightly, a broad smile on her face as she covered her mouth with both hands. “The elf… and… Lilith?” she muttered.

Verena sighed. “I’ll be waiting outside. Don’t take too long.”

“Interrupt if something shows up,” Ilea said.

“No I won’t,” the Elder said in a matter of fact one, vanishing from the cave.

Feyrair grinned, looking at her as he rested his chin on one hand. “There wasn’t even a fight to get me excited,” he complained.

Ilea appeared in front of him with a fist to his face, bones cracking before he slammed against the wall behind. She heard a hiss as his face and skull reformed.

“Is... it always like this?” Pierce asked in a purring voice as her metal armor flowed away.

“The fighting usually takes longer,” Ilea said, appearing behind the woman, her arms coming to rest on her chest as a spark of lightning flowed through her. “Now, do you want to try me too?” she whispered, her ash spreading through the cave.

Ilea sighed, rolling around in her bed of ash with two defeated monsters by her side. Despite her many prejudices against this experience, she had found it rather exciting, and surprisingly enjoyable. I suppose as long as the relationships are clearly defined, nobody gets hurt.

She stood up, her mantle layering over her body before she stepped out into the blizzard. Some of the ground inside still glowed, the cave certainly looking a little rougher than it had before.

Ilea found the Elder sitting on a boulder about ten meters away, ice and snow covering half her form as she meditated. She glanced down at the woman and smiled, joining her as she formed heat within herself, creating a small shield of ash against the blizzard.

Verena opened her eyes and looked over, accepting the bottle of ale Ilea handed to her.

“Not everyday you can share a cold one in a blizzard,” she said.

“What does that mean?” Verena asked, removing the cork of the bottle.

“My attempt at a joke,” Ilea answered. “Sorry for taking so long.”

They clinked their bottles together, Verena waving her off. “I hope you’re not insulted that I didn’t join.”

“Why would I be?” Ilea asked.

“Pierce was always annoyed,” she said and laughed. “But I should stop using her as a baseline.”

Ilea chuckled. “You really should,” she said. Lightning wasn’t only made for flying, she mused, feeling considerably more calm. She had never visited The Root again, but she imagined the experience would be a little underwhelming with her enhanced body.

“It’s nice,” Verena said after a short pause. “To feel nature, as well as here.”

“Not easy to find climates this extreme,” Ilea said, her bottle nearly glowing with the heat her body put out, Verena’s literally on fire. Just for the liquid to stay, well, liquid. “If we’re back in Hallowfort later, you have to try a lava bath by the Trakorov, it’s the laziest four mark monster you’ll find. Great for resistance training too.”

“Hmm, that sounds lovely. After this. A monster though, won’t it just eat me?” she asked.

“Not if I’m there,” Ilea answered. “Wait, you know Helena, right?”

Verena nodded lightly, the ashen shield moving a little to adjust for the changing winds.

“She makes poison cake. And other insane foods that only high level people can even survive,” Ilea said.

Verena smiled. “I see. My interest is limited, knowing what she likely uses them for on a daily basis.”

Ilea sighed. “I think she has less extravagant ways to conduct her, business. She struck me as somewhat practical.”

“That she is,” Verena said. “Just so we are clear, I don’t think there’s a better alternative than Helena, but that doesn’t mean I have to like her.”

“Maybe one day, her business won’t be needed anymore,” Ilea said. I’m still unsure if it’s needed right now.

Verena chuckled and finished the bottle. “You’re awfully optimistic,” she said and threw the glass into the storm.

“Didn’t think you’d be one to litter,” Ilea mused. “Throwing trash into nature,” she clarified.

The Elder smiled wickedly. “What other way do we humans have to leave our mark in these hostile lands?”

Ilea considered the words and smiled. It resonated in some ways. Back on Earth, they had been the Apex predator, the beings controlling everything. Here however, they were lucky to have a territory of their own. She looked at the bottle and threw it into the storm, wondering if another intelligent being would ever come across their unforgivable crime.

Pierce joined their side, hugging Ilea with her metal armor and giving her a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, darling.”

“You’re making it weird,” Ilea deadpanned but smiled right after, seeing the woman give her a wink before her helmet formed as well.

Feyrair stepped out from the cave and transformed into his dragon form. He spread his wings and roared into the storm, most of the sound lost rather quickly within the fast moving winds and snow.

“Men will be men,” Pierce said.

“Elf,” Verena said and stood up.

“It’s not the teeth and ears that make a man,” Pierce replied and laughed when she saw Verena’s tired expression.

Ilea summoned the locator and turned around. “Alright, last chance for a pee.”

They continued their flight through the freezing blizzard, the strong winds and ice slowing them down considerably, even Pierce now carried by Ilea as her own flight wasn’t exactly made to handle this kind of weather.

Ilea could only trust her dominion and the locator, the visibility in the storm even with all her advancements only around three meters in all directions. She had to adjust their height a few times as the environment seemed to lead further up. So far she didn’t notice any difference in the air but she had a few skills to help with that. The mana density certainly increased, however not as quickly as down in the Descent or near high level creatures.

They broke out of the storm an hour later, coming to a stop on a frozen over ledge above the chaotic clouds below. Ilea could see flashes of red inside the freezing storm a few dozen kilometers west, a set of ice crystals flashing out and towards the sky, moonlight reflecting off the shards before they shattered in a spectacular set of ice magic explosions.

“We just barely missed whatever is fighting in there,” Ilea said.

“That storm isn’t natural?” Pierce asked.

“It should be,” Verena answered.

Ilea sat down on the ledge, summoning a meal as she watched the storm. “The scale alone could suggest an ice elemental, or something close to that power.”

“Well, we probably made it past the storms,” Pierce said and looked around. “And it just goes further up,” she added and spread her arms.

Ilea looked behind herself, seeing the mountains reaching up towards the sky. She shivered, the air crisp but not the reason for her reaction. She felt small, the endless northern lands spreading below, white specks showing large masses of collected mists, hundreds of white lines showing the cracks in the land. And above them loomed mountain ranges that rivaled the Himalayas.

She savored the breathtaking sights, almost considering to set a teleportation point here to have a bottle of ale and a meal every morning with this ludicrously beautiful view.

“That’s why I love this fucking place,” Pierce said and twirled while giggling, suddenly in a summer dress that froze near instantly. “Ah shit,” she murmured and stored it again. “Hope that’s salvageable. Ah well.”

“Just have to use your element,” Ilea said, moving her mantle into a copy of the dress she had worn at the Yinnahall ball.

“Yeah, hah. Let me just make a dress out of metal,” the Dragonslayer complained.

“And here I thought you said ash was inferior,” Ilea mused.

The woman glared at her. “You’re above level five hundred, woman, of course your shit is better.”

“Levels have nothing to do with that,” Ilea answered. “It’s just superior. Audur focused on me too because of it,” she said with pride. “Which means I’m special.”

“You’re special alright,” Pierce said and sent a bolt of lightning at her.

Ilea just let if hit her face, the sparks flowing through her as she grinned. “It adds to the dress, thanks.”

The Elder growled and stomped the ground, walking away as she grumbled something about ash abominations.

Ilea checked the locator and smiled. “And we have a reading too. Something nearby.”

“Here?” Verena asked, looking around. “Inside the mountain?”

“Doesn’t seem to be pointing down that much. Maybe one of the Key Wardens liked the view and got eaten by a dragon,” she said and scanned the skies. There were no dragons. No visible ones at least.

She finished her meal and stood up, walking along the ledge as she tried to pinpoint the location of the key with the locator. “Might still be a ways off,” she said and spread her wings, the others joining her as the group flew along the side of the mountain and towards the indicated location.

Ilea slowed down about ten minutes later as they were getting closer, a rather spacious ledge covered in snow, ice, and rocks spreading below with the angle of the arrow changing downwards.

“There’s nothing here,” Pierce stated.

Ilea took a step forward and stopped, focusing on the wisps hanging in the air. “There’s a barrier,” she said. “Right in front of me.”

“I can’t see anything,” Pierce said.

“The same,” Verena added.

“It’s mostly space magic. Pretty well made too,” she mused.

“Maybe it’s Audur’s brother, Audor,” Pierce suggested.

Feyrair actually hissed in amusement.

Ilea suppressed the groan, knowing it was exactly what the woman had aimed for.

“Someone has kept this key hidden,” Verena said. “How extensive is the barrier?”

Ilea flew along the length, out over the cliff side and back towards the stone reaching higher still. “Large. Probably something that needs to be maintained, but I don’t know much about enchantments. It doesn’t feel like an active spell someone is using. There’s almost no change.”

“Which means you can get us in,” Pierce said with a grin.

“Getting in isn’t a problem, no,” Ilea murmured. “I just don’t know how good of an idea it is. Last time there was a dragon.”

“You can come back after you finish the training you mentioned before,” Verena suggested.

Ilea looked at her and shook her head lightly. “You misunderstand. I’ll go in there anyway. I’m questioning if I should leave you three outside.”

Feyrair hissed. “I should’ve trained more, instead of coming here.”

Pierce groaned. “Come ooon, we survived last time, didn’t we?!”

“It’s the least we should do. You can send for us with your mark, right?” Verena asked, showing the back of her hand.

Ilea checked the barrier. “I don’t see why not… but if whoever made this is in there, they might have a way to stop my messages.”

“Fifteen minutes,” Pierce said. “Then I come inside.”

“They will be alarmed as well, if you don’t slip through perfectly,” Ilea said. “But alright. Fifteen minutes sounds appropriate to find out more. I’ll come back if I find something or contact Verena.”

“Acceptable,” Fey said and sat down in the snow, staring down the invisible barrier with his reptilian eyes.

“And if the mark vanishes, you get the fuck away,” Ilea said. “Just in case.”

Verena gave her a nod.

“It’s impossible to rid the world of you,” Feyrair said.

“Cult follower of Lilith?” Pierce asked, summoning a comfortable chair next to him, the thing immediately freezing as she adjusted her back with an annoyed expression.

“Ash,” Ilea whispered her way and winked, vanishing into the barrier with her next breath.

She checked the field of complex enchantments, not seeing any reaction to her passing. I’m getting better at this, she thought with a grin and looked around. The ledge itself looked more or less the same, the snow still getting through after all. What she saw however was a rune covered gate leading into the side of the mountain, about three meters high and two wide, made of solid steel.

Her dominion cut off at the entrance, unable to penetrate the set of enchantments. She tried to decipher them but there were quite a few, including more anti space magic ones. It took her about a minute to figure out the defenses and displaced herself inside, ready to leave the moment she stumbled upon something far beyond her capabilities.

She appeared within a rather spacious entrance hall, the ground, walls, and ceiling made of steel just like the door behind her. The hall however wasn’t barren, various richly decorated carpets on the ground, armchairs, sofas, and shelves strewn about, seemingly of human make. Human or anything humanoid, she thought, her wings moving slowly as she kept herself afloat, just in case there were enchantments on the ground. She checked and noted that there were.

Someone’s extra paranoid, she thought, the steel obviously reminding her of the Ascended facility down in the Descent. Everything else seemed wrong however. The lighting was warm, intricate near artistic magical lamps adding to the homely atmosphere, various doors leading further into the complex made of wood and beautifully carved. She could smell the tea they drank in various human cities that smelled suspiciously like coffee.

Ilea didn’t remember if her dominion had ever been quite as restricted, every single room protected by more enchantments. She waited for another minute, simply observing the hall and the various barriers nearby. She smiled when the entire set changed, a new mesh now protecting the facility. This set however was easier than the previous one, at least to her. She had spent days upon days figuring out whatever the Meadow could throw at her after all. If anybody could get into this place without using brute force alone, it was her.

No signs made the navigation easier, Ilea floating over to one of the shelves where she checked the tomes resting within. Advanced Barrier Appliance II, The secrets of vegetation magic, Advanced Healing – Order of Balance, Ilea read a few more titles, finding various sources familiar at least based on the locations or organization.

She chose a random door and displaced herself through, appearing in a long steel hallway. Paintings on the walls depicted various beings. Humans, Elves, dwarves, all in different situations, a general focus on magic it seemed. She moved on, down a few sets of stairs before she appeared in a dimly lit hall, dozens of glass containers showing vaguely humanoid creatures frozen within. She couldn’t detect any life from them, but there was magic flowing into the containers from within the walls.

Of course it’s a fucked up research facility, she mused, wondering in whose home she had stepped this time. She left the bodies for now, unsure if she would reveal her position instantly if she started destroying them or removing the humanoids inside. The containers themselves felt cold even as she flew past.

Displacing herself out of the facility brought her into another hallway, another set of paintings depicting various beings. She did a double take and stopped near one of them, seeing the familiar outline of a humanoid made up of interlinked steel plates. The well depicted magical glint and glowing white eyes brought a smile to her face.

Chapter 667 Gods

Chapter 667 Gods

Ilea knew her time would soon be up, pushing farther into the expansive complex as she looked through the confusing mesh of interior design choices. She was about to send a message to Verena when she appeared inside a large study. Like many of the other rooms, it was well furnished, carpets covering the steel floor and a hearth crackling away behind a huge wooden desk.

Behind the table floated a large humanoid currently hunched over a set of books and papers. The fiery light of flames danced over its steel surface, an intricately designed and decorated white robe covering most of its torso and legs, two eyes shining with dim white light. An Ascended.

The being didn’t react at first, murmuring something to itself as it turned a few pages, taking a note inside of a massive tome.

[Nature Mage – lvl ???]

Ilea could tell it wasn’t the same creature she had met before, not only because of the identification. The interlinking metal plates looked similar but not exactly the same, the design flowing in a different way as if a separate armor model made by the same smith. Its head lacked the same adornment the other Ascended had, instead wearing some sort of half ring set atop its steel scalp. It seemed a little more slender, but Ilea wasn’t sure if she remembered the other one well enough to be sure.

“And who might you be, curious human?” it spoke, producing sound instead of using telepathy, the steel in its face moving slightly to suggest cheekbones and jaws. Its voice sounded distinctly female, the being yet to use a spell.

Ilea watched it, making sure to keep an eye on the mesh of enchantments around them. She was still thinking of a reply when the Ascended spoke again.

“I would prefer, if there were no battle. There is research here dating back millennia, its destruction a loss to all beings alive,” the Ascended spoke. “I am sure, we can find some sort of agreement.”

“That sounds acceptable,” Ilea answered after a moment. It was not the same Ascended after all, or so she assumed at least. If a fight could be avoided, she would certainly accept. And if it turned out to be inevitable, she would only benefit from more information. “I didn’t expect an Ascended here in the north,” she said, her wings moving lazily, her body tense to allow for a quick departure.

The creature looked at her for a moment. “Does that mean you did not come for me?”

“I didn’t. But now that I found you, I’m certainly curious. I don’t plan to destroy your research, but if you attack me, I’ll make sure to leave nothing but ashes behind,” Ilea said.

“I am well aware of your capabilities, human. There is no need for childish threats. We have established our position,” it said and paused. “I must warn you, there is one more within this facility, a human much like you.” Its eyes glowed a little brighter before it spoke. “Have you killed them?”

“You’re the first living creature I have found,” Ilea said honestly. She decided to risk it and sent a message to Verena. “Stand down for now. Do not attack until I call.”

The Ascended made a whistling sound. “Amusing. One able to traverse the mesh, without notice. You are a space mage then, a capable one at that.”

Another person materialized next to the Ascended in the same instant, the mesh around them vibrating with power.

Ilea didn’t move, seeing the person and smiling slightly as she charged her heat and Archon Strike, just in case.

He was human, just like the Ascended had informed, wearing a long sleeved buttoned black shirt and pants, his black hair rather long and open, with gray streaks visible. His near golden eyes looked almost reptilian, glaring at Ilea with power vibrating around him. Several spells seemed just about to be cast but he held them, for now.

[Barrier Mage – lvl 442]

“Long time no see,” Ilea said with a grin. She ignored the slightly confused expression in his eyes and addressed the Ascended instead. “I didn’t come for him either.”

“Who are you? How did you get in here?” the man asked.

Ilea sighed. “I left that little of an impression. Albert, was it?” she said, remembering her talk with Elana and Maro. She decided not to mention any of that quite yet. The present tension was quite obvious.

Recognition seemed to spark in his eyes. “The ash mage, with the Shadows. You made me relocate,” he mused, with a slightly annoyed tone.

“Those traps killed plenty of people,” Ilea retorted.

He touched his chin lightly, clean shaven now. “I faintly recall telling you that it wasn’t me who built that place,” he informed. “How is the girl? Cless.”

Ilea smiled. “She’s doing well. Busy with lessons and painting. Who knows, she might just be sketching the both of us right now.”

He breathed in deeply, most of the tension in his body leaving as his eyes softened a little. “Even if she advanced at a pace as ludicrous as yourself, her divination would not be able to penetrate the barriers in place. You on the other hand, slipped through. Which means you did more than advance your ash and healing.”

“A little,” Ilea said. “I expected another tomb or dungeon here…,” she mused. “There are so many things I wanted to ask you, and you for that matter,” she said, glancing to the Ascended. “Remember when you cut off my limbs in an attempt to stop me?”

“I did what had to be done,” he said.

“I fought better barrier mages than you and no, you could’ve easily done something else. I was at level two hundred,” she said.

The Ascended sighed. “You really are a Shadow. Come, let us move into the lounge, we hardly ever use it these days. I’m sure your tensions will be settled with some tea and baked goods.”

“No need to patronize the flesh beings,” Albert said.

“Shush, go on, and disable the barriers while you’re at it,” the Ascended said.

Are they? Ilea thought, glancing between the two as Albert gestured for her to go through the door. She did offer baked goods.

Both of them followed her to the sitting area she had seen upon entry, Ilea not concerned by her walking ahead due to her dominion. If anything it would be a good test, to see if they would use a perceived advantage to attack. What the hell is this guy doing up here with an Ascended?

She really hoped they wouldn’t just teleport away or try to fight her.

“Here we are,” the Ascended said and summoned a few plates holding various cookies, the dough still warm. A chocolaty smell spread through the vicinity, Albert’s stomach growled. “When have you eaten last?”

He sat down in one of the armchairs, displacing one of the cookies into his hand.

Ilea blinked her eyes at the spell. “Why not just do that instead of cutting me apart?” she asked, sitting down opposite the man and moving a cookie too.

“What do you mean? I can’t move living creatures. Which means you can… what kind of Class did you get? You don’t strike me as a studious type. In so little time… who are you?” he asked.

The Ascended sat down too, her arms and legs crossed as she did not summon a cookie.

“Ah to be trapped in a steel shell, unable to appreciate their own culinary wonders,” Ilea mused, biting into the doughy chocolate chip cookie as she made eye contact with the Ascended, ignoring the enjoyable confusion coming from the old mage. The very old mage, she mused. What did you do for so many thousands of years, not even a three mark? Or is there some kind of spell preventing me from seeing?

None of her skills suggested such.

“What’s that look for?” he asked.

“Please, why don’t you tell us who you are, and why you are here,” the Ascended said.

Ilea ate another cookie and smiled. “I’m Lilith, associating with Ravenhall, the independent one, and Hallowfort in the north. There is something here that I need, but I’m not quite willing to tell you what it is.”

“The only thing intricate enough to be tracked through the barriers is that damned key,” Albert said. “I told you we should’ve just left it somewhere in the ice. We’re lucky a human of all things came to look for it.”

The Ascended ignored his complaints. “Why do you seek the Copper Key?” she asked.

“I thought we were sharing,” Ilea said.

The being paused. “I am Nes Mor Atul, Navuun of Kohr and a former member of the great Unity, Olym Arcena. You may know the Navuun as Ascended, though I do not abide by that name,” she explained and gestured to Albert.

“Albert. We’ve met before. I don’t feel the need to explain myself to an intruder on a treasure hunt,” he said.

“It’s good to meet an Ascended, or Navuun, that doesn’t attack me instantly,” Ilea said. “I’m interested to learn about your kind.”

Albert chuckled. “What could you possibly know, Lilith? I have heard your name, heard you rose to power in the plains, that you fought armies and monsters. You are no different from the thousands that came before, and will come after. If you want the key, I’m sure it’s as safe in your hands as it is in ours. Perhaps even safer.”

Ilea looked at the man. Safer? Than here? Why? Were they protecting it? Hiding it? From the Elves?

On the one hand, she assumed she could have an interesting chat and be on her way with another Taleen key, but if she was honest, she knew terribly little about the war and the conflict with the Ascended. With what she had learned in the Descent, she deemed their kind far more dangerous in the grand scheme of things than a few Taleen machines or perhaps even all of Elven kind.

Not to mention it annoyed her, to be treated like some upstart teenager on a scavenger hunt.

“What could I possibly know?” she mused, smiling as she savored the annoyance in his eyes. “I can tell that you just want to get back to your research, Scipio.”

Ilea made sure to burn the moment into her memory, his utter shock and confusion far more entertaining than most things she had experienced in the past days. And there had been quite a bit.

Nes Mor Atul glanced between them and snickered, using her hand to cover her face in a decidedly human gesture.

“And while I might be here to get another one of the Taleen keys, I’d also like to know how and why your kind took a sun from this realm,” Ilea said.

Now it was the Ascended who was silenced near instantly.

Ilea gauged their reactions, the now somewhat self satisfied smile on Scipio’s face, aimed at Nes suggesting they weren’t currently planning to take another sun. Or so at least Ilea interpreted his reaction.

“It seems we both underestimated you. Gravely. Something that surely happens to you on a daily basis, being a healer and far above most humans in magical power. I suppose it’s funny in a sense, that the two of us would be surprised with not your might, but your knowledge. I apologize for treating you without respect, Lilith,” the man said.

“It makes sense that you would be interested, knowing what you know,” Nes said. “What you learned of the Navuun you met, I hope to correct. Our peoples are split, those who remain seeking their own destinies throughout the realms.”

“Your realm, what did you call it?” Ilea asked.

“Kohr,” the being said quietly. “A barren land of ice and water. Mon… sters walking the surface. Nothing remains there.”

“So it is the demon realm. The Great Salt, the mind weavers call it,” Ilea said.

Albert grinned. “We understand. You have learned much.”

Ilea poured herself some tea, taking a self satisfied sip of the hot liquid. “I’ve been there. Because some fuckwit of an Elder summoned a bunch of demons to get there. Still don’t know why he did that.”

“Demons,” the Navuun whispered, folding her hands as she glared at the table.

“I heard about the summoning. Rather extensive. I was sure the southern mountains were gone, including whatever remnants were left of the Hand,” Scipio said. “How did you learn my name? It’s such an unlikely thing, I assume you actually found it here in a book somewhere.”

“Well, good thing we went back and retook our city,” Ilea said. “And if something similar happens again, we’ll slaughter those creatures before they can lay a hand on any of our people.”

Nes tensed up slightly, the steel links creaking a little as she looked at Ilea. “They’re not… just some creatures.”

“Have you seen them recently?” Ilea asked. “They slaughtered an entire city and turned the people into more of their spawn. I killed thousands of them because it was the only thing left for them. They were beasts, and nothing more. The humans they were before were gone. And so were whatever beings they had been before.”

“May we speak in private, outside?” Scipio asked quietly, standing up as he gestured to the steel gate.

Ilea stood up and displaced herself through the exit, waiting in the snow as she looked out onto the distant mists below.

The barrier mage appeared in the snow about half a minute later, walking to her as he glanced up to where the others were waiting, outside the barrier and unable to see inside.

“You didn’t come alone. Is that… Elders… and…,” he stood still before he sighed, walking to her side. “You’re working with the Cerithil Hunters. I could’ve expected as much. But I suppose it’s still better than the alternatives. You are aware that even if you find all keys, you won’t find the source. None have succeeded in all these thousands of years since the Taleen have vanished.”

“What source?” Ilea asked.

“The twelve keys open that which holds the source, that which was taken. Few of the Ascended know of this, and it’s better that way,” Scipio explained.

That which was taken, Ilea thought, her eyes opening a little wider. “The sun,” she said. “The third sun,” she said and laughed.

“All we know is that the dwarves took it, and vanished with it,” he said.

“How did you get a key then? And how do you know they used it with eleven others to lock away the sun?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her and smiled, a tired expression on his face. “Alliances are forged and crumble, but trust is not as easily built, nor is it quickly forgotten. I have known Taleen before they even knew about the Navuun.”

“You know what it’s used for then, don’t you?” Ilea asked.

“The machines they make still, at least that’s what I assume. Nothing else suggests a similar scope, especially if the assumption that they’re truly gone is correct. A weapon aimed at Elven kind, wasted against the Monarchs and Oracles in their domains,” he said.

“Not against their children,” Ilea said, not particularly surprised at his extensive knowledge.

He looked at her and smiled, remaining silent for a little while as they both looked out onto the ruptured north.

“We are more alike than I expected,” he said.

“They were Navuun before, weren’t they? The creatures we call demons,” she said.

He nodded lightly. “They figured out how to harness the power of the sun. Tens of thousands of years ago, the brightest minds of the Navuun, in their never ending pursuit for knowledge. They managed it. They ripped from the sky what they once deemed a god, perhaps becoming gods themselves. Kohr did not have the luxury of three suns, their lands going through a change far worse than what happened in some parts of this realm. Their cities were destroyed, their people changed.”

“To be fair, it doesn’t sound like the most reasonable thing to do in the first place,” Ilea said.

“As Nes would have me know, the decision wasn’t quite as unanimous as it sounds in hindsight. Nor did this happen with a single vote or lacking preparation. The sheer fact that their ruling class survived the process, their bodies changed long before but on their own volition. It should tell you what kind of a civilization they were,” he said.

“You admire them,” Ilea said.

“How could I not? They are walking gods. As are you for that matter, to many in the plains, I’m sure. But I do not believe in gods. They reached their capabilities through strife, work, and study. As did you,” he said.

“So they came here to take another sun? As a source of energy?” Ilea asked.

“They went to many realms, an accomplishment perhaps as impressive as their previous. But where wills and voices were divided before, well, you can imagine their great Unity after their entire realm was near fully destroyed, their people turned into monstrous creatures,” he said.

“I met one I think was called,” Ilea said and summoned her notebook, flipping pages until she found the name. “Vor Elenthir. At least the implication was there that it was his name.”

“Vor Elenthir. You were lucky it was him. He has little interest in the beings of this realm. What he seeks however, is the source. Or so we think. He was part of a fraction hoping to restore Kohr. We were prepared to fight him, if he ever showed up in search of the key,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “No offense, but you’re not even at level five hundred. Vor’s a four mark.”

“Have you not fought four marks before? I assumed you did. I have as well, though likely not quite as successfully. When a species pushes far beyond their norm, they can get surprisingly dangerous,” he said.

“And the Ascended are born close to being a four mark?” she asked.

“Ascended are not born. Navuun are born. Or were born, for that matter. The bodies of the Ascended are forged, thought Nes decided not to share the intricacies of their make, and I have come to accept that,” he said.

Chapter 668 History

Chapter 668 History

“Would be cool to have that tech,” Ilea mused. “But I do like my fleshy body.”

“It’s rather traumatic apparently. Much is lost, and much is gained. Not likely a process our species could provide with the resources we currently have. I doubt even the Elves could match it,” he said.

“So Vor has been looking for the keys?” she asked.

Scipio crossed his arms. “I don’t know. I don’t know what he knows, or any other Ascended for that matter. Other than Nes. It’s been a very long time, since the sun was taken.”

“You don’t think any of them would continue the war?” she asked.

The man raised his brows. “There was no war, Lilith. Those who invaded Kohr were merely scavengers thinking themselves participants in a war. Underestimated, certainly, but had they faced a united Olym Arcena, not one would have returned, or so I believe. The sources were only taken thanks to those working to prevent further destruction.”

“Wait, sources?” Ilea asked.

The man remained silent for a few seconds. “So you don’t know everything at least. I hope you understand the implications.”

Now there’s more of them.

“How many?” she asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, making it clear that he wouldn’t share anything else on the subject.

I suppose that’s true, she thought.

“I have told you much, Lilith,” he said. “May I learn how you know my name?”

Ilea smiled. “I don’t see why not.”

Rhyvor and her story with the royals shouldn’t have much of an impact on the other issues at hand. They suspected the Ascended had something to do with the more powerful monsters appearing in Rhyvor, but neither Maro nor Elana know anything definitive.

“These were your lands once, weren’t they? Human lands,” she said.

“A frontier, then and now. Though not quite as dangerous when we started building settlements,” he said.

“Rhyvor. I stumbled upon the Tremor dungeon in my travels,” she said.

He glanced at her. “I see. The capital remained in some form. Then you must’ve found records of me, or a portrait perhaps?”

Ilea paused, looking at him before she smiled. “No. I found Maro, and Elana.”

“Their graves? Why would there be a mention of me?” he asked.

“No, they’re alive and well,” Ilea answered.

He blinked his eyes a few times, looking out onto the north and back to her. “WHAT!?” he exclaimed, lifting a hand and pointing at her. “You… you’re fabricating this.”

“Maro Invalar, king of Rhyvor. He sacrificed himself at the end of some local war, taking over the dead kingsguard and most of the dead knights of Rhyvor, fighting off the invaders and defending the capital,” she explained.

“You need more proof than that to support such a ludicrous story,” he said.

Ilea tapped her cheek. “Hmm… something personal then. Maro didn’t actually want to be king, but he was just super charismatic. Not that I really get that part, he can be kind of an ass. Elana was the one really ruling. He was often off on adventures or similar shit. He gave me this,” she said and revealed the Legacy of Rhyvor. “But I suppose I could’ve just looted it somewhere. We investigated the Soul rippers, powerful monsters that came into the local dungeons, the same happening in many areas of Rhyvor. Based on runes I found later, I think the Ascended were responsible for their summoning.”

“That’s… true, all of it,” Scipio said. “But I still find it hard to believe. Thousands of years… and they did nothing?” he asked.

“Well Maro was stuck in the machine controlling the knights, which were later taken over by the city turned dungeon. A bit unfortunate I suppose, but I don’t think he expected to actually succeed. Elana took care of him and managed to sleep through most of the time,” Ilea said, not mentioning that the woman may or may not have lost a few of her marbles along the way. “How do you feel about them?” she asked instead.

“It’s been so long, I barely remember their faces,” he said quietly. “But a part of me… would like to see them again. We were adventurers together, a very, very long time ago. When we were all still young, so full of stupidity and idealism. I parted ways with them and Rhyvor many years before that idiot was declared King. I knew immediately it was Elana,” he said and laughed. “She was just too cold for our peoples, but I’m sure in time they understood, and came to accept her.”

“Have you been to Hallowfort?” Ilea asked.

“You mentioned it before. A settlement of Dark Ones in the north, is it not? I have heard whispers but have yet to find its location,” he said. “Is it within the Dark Protector’s domain?”

“It’s independent,” Ilea said. “And Elana joined their council.”

He smiled lightly. “She did always advocate for other species. A woman before her time, I suppose. Maro is by her side, I assume?”

“He’s… no. I have no idea where he is. Asila some time ago, but who knows where now,” she said.

“You’re aware of how dangerous that could be? That man has a way of influencing people,” he said.

“It’s weird right? Some kind of hidden Charisma stat,” Ilea mused.

He nodded. “I was sure he wasn’t human. Some kind of mind magic creature hiding in his skin, but I never found conclusive evidence.”

“You could find him and ask, maybe he’s mellowed out a bit after all these centuries,” Ilea said.

“No. Never. Not with everything on the line,” he said. “Maro can’t keep any secrets, nor would he want to be involved in the things I know.”

He looked up at the waiting group, Verena and Feyrair ready to storm inside the moment Ilea called. Pierce was juggling with daggers.

“The fewer who learn of us, the better,” Scipio said. “Even if you may trust them, it would mean a lot if you kept our presence here to yourself.”

Ilea did trust them, but this had became a little bigger than she previously thought. She trusted Feyrair, especially after what happened in the Praetorian facility, but she didn’t know how he would react to what she learned here. If anything, he didn’t seem like someone capable of keeping secrets for extended periods of time. Nor was she, if she was honest.

What she definitely wanted to avoid was the Elders learning about everything here. She decided to talk to Feyrair later, and in private. Right now they were all working together, perhaps in a pursuit of a future alliance, but with the knowledge she had gained here, she wasn’t entirely sure anymore. Before it had been about stopping the Taleen, but someone would get the source. And she didn’t know if Isalthar would leave it to them.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to tell a convincing lie about what happened in there,” she said. “But I can try. I suppose it depends on what you’re actually doing here. There were tubes with humanoids inside them, and all the Ascended research I’ve seen so far was rather… problematic, for all living creatures on Elos.”

He chuckled. “I understand. I suppose after everything they’ve done, it’s only natural to think them our enemy. Especially after so much time has passed. I guess nothing but the truth will do. I don’t know if I could stop you, nor do I want to risk myself and Nes to try. Too much is on the line. Come, let me show you.”

Ilea followed him back inside, teleporting past the quickly deactivated anti space magic field.

“I will show her around. It’s going to be fine,” the man whispered to Nes who still sat in the same chair, her glowing eyes looking at Ilea before they focused back on Scipio.

She followed him down into the cellar where she had found the containers before. Nes remained upstairs.

“Navuun,” Scipio said. “The ones saved before their sun was taken.”

“They’re dead,” Ilea said.

“Not quite. Not yet. What your magic fails to perceive is the genetic material and tissue present. No longer able to sustain themselves, they were put into a near perfect stasis. What you see here is what we believe to be all remaining Navuun. And we aim to bring them back to life,” he said.

Now that’s a risk, to tell me that, she thought. “Commendable, I guess. But why here?”

“You don’t deem them a danger to mankind?” he asked in a curious voice.

“If you don’t implant their minds with some kind of terminate all humans command. I befriended a Mind Weaver, Fae, fire fox, and a tree of all things. I think it’s safe to say I don’t really care,” she said.

“I have several new questions, but regardless, that is our cause. I have learned much about their physiology and they require a lot more mana in their environment than humans do. The north is appropriate but the conditions have to be perfect, especially upon their waking,” he explained.

“They’re gonna have a shock when they wake up after all those years, that much is sure,” she said.

“These are children, Lilith. Young enough to remember very little. It was the only way they could ensure their survival. Nes tells me the adults died upon entering the stasis,” he said.

Ilea didn’t know if he was speaking the truth. If he was, she didn’t see a reason to reveal their location to anyone or to hinder them in any way. The Navuun had the same right to survive as everyone else. Those not directly responsible for the sun removal that was. The fact that Nes hadn’t immediately attacked or insulted her was nearly enough to convince her already. And the way she reacted when Ilea had mentioned the demons. She wouldn’t take any of it back. They slaughtered near all of Ravenhall, but she could empathize with Nes’s view point. To an extent.

“What were you doing with Cless? I don’t think you being in the same dungeon was a coincidence,” Ilea said.

“It wasn’t. I look for fissures in this realm, connections and shifts. You should understand if you can see the fabric. It has always fascinated me, but now it’s more than that. Anything could come through, worse even than Ascended. And sometimes reasonable beings from other realms show up, willingly or more often, not. Cless could not share any world changing research with me, but I was happy to save her in a place unknown to her, and to teach her some things that may help her on her journey,” he said.

“What if we hadn’t shown up?” Ilea asked.

“You are aware of the concept of an orphanage, I hope? A gifted child like her would have a better chance than most others. In her realm, she benefited from education far beyond what a child her age would receive in even a noble household,” he said.

“Any clue how she got here? I don’t think she’s a capable space mage who tore through the fabric,” Ilea said.

“There are many possibilities. I can share my research on the topic with you, if you are interested. In regards to Cless herself, it is as you say, she lacks any perception of the fabric. To her, she simply appeared here, much like many I found before,” he said.

Nothing new here, Ilea thought, a little disappointed. “Can you go to other realms?” she asked instead.

“I fail to understand what this has to do with the work we’re doing here, or your secrecy,” he said.

“I thought we were done with that already,” Ilea said. You didn’t attack me and you saved Cless. What additional evidence do I need?

He blinked his eyes a few times. “You are far more trusting than I dared hope.”

“Yeah, that’s why I have multidimensional friends,” she mused.

He walked back towards the stairs. “As to your question. Yes, as can you. If you’re asking if I can form a fissure myself, the answer is no. There are theoretical ways but they require a lot of energy, the sacrifice of essence, as is the case in blood magic, or simply an unfathomable amount of preparation and perfect execution. As there are always two or more realms involved, including the fabric that connects all, the conditions need to be perfect. The story changes when you have access to two realms, or a magically ingrained location in the fabric. Two anchors in two realms are not so different from two points in the same one, though more energy will be required to travel between. I have developed ways to detect shifts and fissures, one of the most reliable ways to travel to unknown realms still a simple occurrence of chance, as infuriating as that is to accept. Though I suggest you have an anchor here, to not get stranded, should you ever choose to follow such a trail. I have seen worlds filled with creatures perhaps equal to the very Dragons that rule the skies far north of here.”

I poked his passion topic, Ilea thought, looking at the Navuun staring back at them.

“You have learned of our purpose then?” she asked.

“I did. I even know some people that might be able to help,” she said. Can’t keep this puzzle from the Meadow. Not after everything it’s done for me.

“I will not underestimate you again. Who would know more than us and be willing to help?” Scipio asked.

“My friend, Deus Ex Machina. The Meadow. It’s entire raison d’être is to help creatures awaken. I’m pretty sure it would gladly assist your cause,” Ilea said. And it could figure out if there was anything fucky going on. Just in case. And only because you sliced off my legs, Golden Eyes.

“I will meet this Deus Ex being, and see if it truly is worth our time,” Scipio said.

Ilea looked at him and laughed.

“What?” he asked in a hissing tone.

“Ah yes, I’m sure it will be honored to meet a master space mage like yourself,” Ilea said in a mock encouraging tone.

“I’m ready to be humbled, Lilith, if that is what you think will happen. But I prefer to make my own impressions instead of trusting your judgment. Your extensive knowledge is the only reason I’m even considering it in the first place,” he said.

“Sure,” Ilea said, still smiling.

He squinted at her and crossed his arms. “Is Deus Ex the one who taught you about space magic?”

“I was joking before. It’s name is just the Meadow,” she said. “And I did learn a lot from it, but I suppose the Fae was more detrimental in the actual Class acquisition.”

“You mentioned it. But the ones I encountered did not communicate, nor did they seem interested in me in any way,” he said. “How did someone like you… no offense… manage to gain their trust?”

“Offense taken,” Ilea said. “Maybe you just weren’t violent enough.”

“They were some of the most peaceful creatures I encountered in my travels,” he said in a confused tone.

“Shame. Their realm really was quite unforgettable,” Ilea said.

“You… how did you get there? What did you do? Tell me?” he said, getting louder and closer, touching her shoulder at one point before he retreated, tearing at his hair.

Ilea laughed, finding Nes joining in.

“Long has it been,” she said when they had calmed down, Scipio merely grumbling to himself. “Since laughter filled this hall.”

Lovely marriage it seems, Ilea thought. “Maybe take a break and go on a date sometimes,” she said.

“Do not worry for us, dear. We find the time, but not here,” Nes said and gently touched her arm.

“How do you, you know?” Ilea whispered to her.

The Navuun put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, you already know his name. I shall not share any more of his secrets, Lilith. He is a private man.”

“Great, now I’m even more interested,” she said.

Scipio ignored them, murmuring about the Fae. “How. How do you contact them? Do you have a way? To return?”

“If you meet the Meadow, you might run into Violence. Ah if you hurt or use the little guy, I will hunt you down to the end of the very fabric of reality,” she said with a smile.

“Every creature with more than two cells in their brain understands the fallacy of such an action,” he murmured.

“Then Vor apparently lacks a brain,” Ilea said.

Scipio looked up in shock. “He did. Good to know. We might be able to use it against him if he ever finds us here. Making enemies of creatures in the realms of Dragons and Fae is the very downfall of the arrogant.”

“Eh… do you know Audur, per chance?” Ilea asked, scratching the back of her head as she laughed a little.

“The Guardian of the West. I have heard of her. Best avoid her domain entirely, she is apparently very easily angered and is known to hold on to grudges for millennia,” he said.

“Shit,” Ilea said.

The man stared at her for a full five seconds. “Well. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Ilea mused. “I just have to reach a suitable level before she finds me.”

“If anyone can do it, I’m sure it would be you,” Nes said in a confident tone. “Despite your weak magical affinity, I was always fascinated with the drive and adaptability humanity showed.”

“It’s really just healing and resistances,” Ilea said. “And a bunch of luck.”

The Navuun chuckled lightly. “There is no need for false modesty. You are among people who know what it takes to get past level three hundred.”

“Speaking of levels, what would the Navuun be? They are mammals I assume?” Ilea asked.

“Pregnancy takes much longer than what you humans require, and it is, rare. Most were born at close to level two hundred, with high affinities for mind magic, space magic, and other variations depending on the parents’ genetics. The body you see before you is not that of a Navuun however, and we did not have to fight the same struggle to reach the power we wield, though I suppose as a civilization, the pursuit of technological advances is a struggle all on its own,” she explained.

Chapter 669 The lore man cometh

Chapter 669 The lore man cometh

“I guess so,” Ilea answered. “I doubt the Taleen reached levels close to those of their machines either.”

“They’ve been growing more powerful too, I believe,” Scipio said. “Or at least their high powered machines have become more numerous. Simply based on the glimpses I’ve seen when close to Elven lands.”

“There are thousands, yes,” Ilea said.

Scipio looked at her. “What will you do if you succeed?”

“With what?” Ilea asked.

“If you succeed in finding the source. Securing it. The Taleen, however you may view their continued attacks on Elven territory, have managed to protect it for thousands of years, against anyone that would’ve had an interest,” he said. “After our conversation and what I’ve glimpsed of your power, perhaps there is a chance that you will succeed where everyone else failed. I simply hope that you have a plan for what happens after.”

“There are many places and beings I’d rather see with that power source than the Taleen, but in any case, it won’t be a decision we’ll make lightly. The main goal will be to keep it concealed and hidden from the more dangerous interest groups. Of which I know of a few, but perhaps you could enlighten me as to who else may be interested. Who else would even know about it?” Ilea asked.

“The Navuun of course. Every single one of them would have hundreds of uses for a source. The Elven Oracles… I doubt would be particularly interested, but I’ve been wrong about them before. Their motives are as variable and changing as the weather in the plains. They follow some sort of logic, but I believe it to be magical in nature, and have yet to grasp it. Not that I invested much of my time and resources to learn about them,” he said.

“The Olym Arcena had difficulties setting up the various installations near and within the Elven domains. The Oracles never pursued us as enemies through the realms or outside of their domains but entire groups of even nobility were wiped out in their entirety when they set up preparations near them,” Nes added.

“More natural forces then. I wonder how they felt about what happened in the north, and generally when a sun was taken,” she said.

“It was the only time Elven males allied themselves in large numbers with not only other domains, but other species too, though I don’t know if that had anything to do with the Oracles themselves,” Scipio said.

“You mentioned before that the Navuun couldn’t have possibly lost the conflict, but I’ve seen an Elven Monarch fight, and I’m pretty sure he would’ve had a chance against Vor Elenthir,” she said. “Even if the latter held back considerably against me.”

“In a direct battle, as you would most likely conduct, perhaps you are right,” Nes said. “But the Navuun were not warriors like your kind. Magic is merely a tool, to create other tools. The bodies we granted ourselves are only one such creation. A war would never be fought in a direct manner. It is foolish, to waste energy on such matters when more efficient solutions exist.”

“Sounds pretty fucking boring, but hey. Hmm… do you have weapons like that still around? Or can you build them?” Ilea asked.

“I understand your wish to strengthen your allies, but I cannot allow creations that have already claimed thousands of lives to fall into any hands at all,” Nes replied.

Ilea smiled. “You misunderstand. I agree with you. What I want them for is resistance training. If there are Ascended out there not quite as open to talks as you are, I’d rather be prepared to face even their nastiest tricks.”

The Navuun seemed confused, glancing at Scipio who sighed.

“You can think about it. Maybe it could be part of a deal for me bringing you in touch with the Meadow,” Ilea said. “Oh and I’m sure my allies would be interested in any purely defensive technology, like shields, reinforcements, stronger materials for walls, or anything like that. For most humans, the monsters roaming the wilderness are plenty of danger, and a single high level creature could easily breach most city walls and kill thousands.”

“It’s a reasonable request,” Nes said. “We shall consider it.”

“Wonderful,” Ilea said and smiled.

“As to the key you sought to find here,” Nes said and summoned the item into her hands. “I believe a simple trade will be enough?” she said and looked to Scipio.

“I’ll be glad to be rid of it,” he said.

“What do you want? I doubt you’re interested in gold or cake,” Ilea said.

“Indeed not. We too have to consider enemies that may still be on the hunt, of my kind, yours, and others. The conflict between our two realms may be long past, but many beings age little, and forget less. And not all welcomed the changes brought to this realm by our interference. You are, a being of strife, are you not? One that finds enjoyment and purpose in the pursuit of… meaningful battle?” Nes asked.

“You make it sound like a bad thing,” Ilea answered. Let people have their hobbies, man.

“I admit, it is a philosophy I cannot truly comprehend. And yet perhaps it would align with what I wish to ask of you. Should we be found by our enemies, whoever and whatever they might be, I would ask for your assistance. In a more practical manner. A shield, and sword,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “Sure. Once you can call for me, and I’ll come.”

“Thrice,” Nes said.

She shrugged. “Alright, thrice. But I’ll make my own judgment. If you sacrifice half a species for some insight or experiment and the other half comes for you, I won’t be fighting on your side.”

Nes looked at Scipio. “Perhaps we shall revisit your concerns as to our current reputation.”

“She’s one of the few humans who even knows you exist,” he said. “I assure you, there is no reputation that remains.” The man glared at Ilea with an annoyed look on his face.

“Hire some bards. I didn’t even hire them and I’m known throughout half the plains as some kind of ash monster,” she said.

Nes nodded slowly. “Minstrels would surely be helpful. But it is a consideration for the future. I will add it to the plans for the next two centuries.”

“Then it is decided,” the Navuun added, a branch of steel growing out of her hand to deliver the key.

Ilea welcomed it with an ashen limb, quickly identifying the object as soon as she touched it.

[The Copper Key – Ancient Quality]

“How will we be able to contact you?” Scipio said. “And how will you arrive in time?”

“I suggest marking one of you. I’ll be able to track you and we can exchange ten words between each other every day,” she said.

“I’d prefer not to be tracked,” Scipio said.

“I do not mind such a mark,” Nes said.

“I’m sure you two can figure out a way to suppress the tracking. I honestly don’t care where you go, if you don’t invade my home or follow me around,” Ilea said. “As to how I can get here in time… let that be my concern.”

Scipio squinted his eyes slightly. “If you plan to set any anchors, do so outside of the enchantments placed on this facility. Better do it a reasonable distance away, in case someone finds it or looks for you instead.”

Already knows what I plan to do. Well I guess it would be obvious to another space mage.

She didn’t exactly want to set up one of her two remaining destinations for them, but the location provided a lot more options than just fulfilling her part of the deal. This was the north north after all. The supernorth? Meganorth? The real north? There was another north after all? Is there yet another north further north?

Ilea dismissed the thought and smiled. “Yeah, I’ll be here within a minute or two I guess. If something wipes you out faster than that, I doubt I’d be able to make much of a difference.”

“Yet,” Nes said.

“Someone has high hopes,” Scipio mused.

“It’s perfectly observable evidence. You’re aware of her young age too. If anything your pride blinds you, and here we both believed our kind the ones more prone to that failing,” Nes answered.

“A devastating blow,” Ilea murmured.

“You’re supposed to think your thoughts within your mind,” Scipio said to Ilea.

“What’s this golden eyed dickhead on about now? I should ask Nes for the cookie recipe, they were really quite delicious. Should I tell them that dragon can track my location at all times? I’ll better leave before it arrives,” Ilea murmured.

Scipio didn’t react.

“Here is the recipe,” Nes said and formed a thin sheet of steel, engraved within the ingredients and a descriptions as to the making process.

And so woman was given the holy recipe, Ilea mused, receiving the Ascended artifact with great care. “I shall treasure it.”

She stood up to leave, wondering what she should tell the waiting group. “Hmm. Ah one last thing, you mentioned Eregar before? I was just curious.”

“The founder of your Shadows,” Scipio said. “When their selection in new members was a little more expectant than a simple level.”

“And you both knew him?” she asked.

“In passing,” Scipio said. “Most human factions of any resemblance of power were involved in the conflict during the perceived war.”

“The Azarinth Order?” Ilea asked, sitting down again.

“Ah, yes, now I remember. That’s where I’ve seen your magic before. Though I’m glad you’re not an actual member,” Scipio said, Nes nodding in a thoughtful manner.

Ilea grinned. “How can you tell?”

“I assume you’ve met some of the Healing Orders currently in power?” Scipio asked.

“A few,” she answered.

“That should resolve the questions you had,” he said.

“Not fully, no. They were super strong no? With their healing classes I’d assume they’d be able to take on most other groups in the plains,” she said.

“And they did,” Scipio said. “But the human lands were more vast at the time, both in the north and south. The Isanna desert hasn’t always been quite as far reaching or uninhabitable as it is now. There has been a decline in humanity’s power, since the bordering lands have become this hostile. Any undertaking to push out is unreasonably expensive and dangerous now, where it had been a simple thing for any group of adventurers back in my younger years.”

“I mean you were still just humans though,” she said.

“Yes. And if we’re good at anything, it’s digging ourselves into dangerous territories and multiplying faster than most local beings. Walls might be crude but they work, just not against a lack of food or the arcane storms now ravaging the north,” he explained. “The human armies of this age would hardly be accepted as allies by the ancient Taleen or Elven males. Perhaps they’ve grown complacent.”

The man didn’t sound accusing, merely observant.

“With the Elven attacks in the west, the demon summoning in Ravenhall? Blood rituals in Baralia?” Ilea asked.

“All within the last century. Humanity has enjoyed long lasting peace for millennia, excluding wars amongst themselves, but you would know how little that benefits the overall strength of our species. We have perfected life within walls, most humans today not even seeing a level two hundred monster in their lifetime. A lifetime that could be so much longer, if only they would dare reach out for more. But stability and safety are powerful arguments,” he mused.

“I don’t blame them,” Ilea said.

He smiled lightly. “Oh neither do I, Lilith. I merely observe and theorize.”

“Do you know what happened to the Azarinth order? Why they’re not around anymore, or if they really aren’t around anymore?” she asked.

“They, much like other factions who invaded Kohr lost many of their members. You know the environment if you’ve been there. Now imagine the occasional Ascended defending against the invaders, coupled with Elven mages and Taleen with little regard for collateral damage. Everyone hoped to scavenge the technology of the Navuun. The bloodbath only grew more intense as the remaining Ascended retreated or left,” he said.

“The Azarinth were healers? Arcane in nature I believe,” Nes said. “I remember a battlefield outside a facility owned by Sehl Naroth. Thousands of humans, elves, and dwarves were slaughtered by his creations and traps. Like many of our kind, he scrambled to gather his research and possessions before leaving to a realm of his choice. I was surprised not by the slaughter but the ensuing battle after he had left and his weapons were no longer a danger to the gathered forces. They instead fought each other to obtain what he had left behind, or so I believe.”

“And you watched all that?” Ilea asked.

“There were those of us who were invested in more than our possessions and knowledge, not ready to leave behind our home realm at the mere sight of inconvenience and a broken Unity,” she hissed. “As little as remains within Kohr, I still deem it an important place, though my home now is here. Partially because I did not merely consider the species coming to claim what was taken from them as unworthy creatures invading our lands.”

“Sounds like a pretty eventful time,” Ilea said with a smile. “Kohr seemed pretty desolate when I was there.”

“It is,” Nes said. “The surface is barely able to sustain life, and the waters are near devoid of nutrients. Only high level creatures of magic remain in the depths.”

“The conflicts starting in Kohr spilled back into Elos once the Ascended were deemed defeated,” Scipio said. “You’re aware of the ongoing conflict between the Taleen and Elves, but while most of humanity has forgotten that long past era, their factions and countries were not without struggles. I’m sure more lives were lost in battles between natives than to the beings of Kohr.”

“Except for the sun of course,” Ilea said.

“Of course. All of Rhyvor was destroyed, including several other nations. Other species too,” Scipio said.

Ilea nodded. “I’ve been wondering. Nobody in the plains seems to remember the sun’s taking. It seems reasonable to assume that at least some records would remain.”

Scipio glanced at Nes. “Strange indeed.”

“Are you responsible for that?” Ilea asked.

The man chuckled. “No. I believe knowledge should not be destroyed. It should be preserved if anything, nor do I see a reason why anyone would care about humanity remembering the disappearance of a sun.”

“Yeah, but you’ve noticed the same thing?” Ilea asked.

“I still remember the event. Nobody who had experienced it could ever forget. But while we do write down many things, knowledge does get lost. One magic is deemed heresy, one king has a grudge against a certain hair color, a librarian dislikes women, or men, a hero turns out to be all but heroic. It takes effort and time to gather and preserve knowledge, and so very little to destroy it,” he said. “You’re right however, for the extent of the event, there is little knowledge that still remains. The same however is true of the northern and southern kingdoms.”

“So you’re saying it’s just chance? Erosion over time?” she said.

“I don’t know,” Scipio answered. “But while perhaps strange, I haven’t looked into it enough to say for sure that it’s unnatural.”

“I see,” Ilea answered. “How likely is it that any Ascended would take more suns from this realm?”

“This one, unlikely,” Nes said. “It’s known, with too much history. And the beings of this world are not as blind to our presence and technology as they had once been. Elves, dwarves, and humans would be the least of an Ascended’s concern should they wish to restart the process,” she said.

“We swerved off before, you mentioned other factions that would be interested in the source. The same could be true about the technology to obtain one itself,” Ilea said.

“On this continent, Elves, Humans, and the Vampire courts in the northwest, beyond the dead patch of frozen land. I doubt the Feynor would care to learn about Navuun technology, nor would the Mava, or the Orcs. As to the Dark Protector, I’m not sure, but if any faction besides the Elves has members that remember what happened, its the Dark Ones in the North. Though most did not come into existence before the sun was taken, the environment not as favorable for their kind before,” Scipio said. “Any individual high level sapient being would surely be interested. Dragons, Fae, Unicorns, and the like, but I doubt any would actively pursue a search. Or they would’ve long since succeeded, or wiped out enough people for someone to take note.”

“Unicorns,” Ilea murmured and chuckled.

“I suggest you hide or flee. When the Fae are peaceful, Unicorns are the very opposite,” the man said seriously. “And I say that having seen Dragons.”

“Note taken,” she answered. “So the source is basically some legendary tier magical item that every creature with a brain or without would like to have, if they had the chance. Good to know. Sorry for all the additional questions, I do appreciate the information from you two. I’m sure the Meadow will be able to compensate your time ten fold. You mentioned other continents as well? I’m interested in that too.”

“Of course you would be,” Scipio said, his voice taking on a bit of a smug edge, much like at the beginning of their conversation.

Yes, golden eyes, you’re old and knowledgeable. Now share more of it with me.

“I’ve ventured east, where I encountered storms similar to the northern territory. The mists there reach much higher and are vastly more dangerous. I was forced to retreat when the first creatures I encountered already near caused my death.” he said.

Ilea noted it down. “Sounds like a nice holiday destination,” she mused.

Chapter 670 Ice

Chapter 670 Ice

“In the west lie sets of islands, some as large as entire nations, the ones I visited varying greatly in climate, species, and danger. Few of the islands were hospitable, fewer even with sapient locals, let alone ones willing to communicate with me,” he said. “I have made it a habit not to travel over the open ocean for too long, but I’m sure there are other landmasses in the south as well.”

I wonder if the Krahen Isles are part of those western islands, Ilea thought. “Thanks, suppose I’ll have to explore that part of the world myself. Not like I’ve been to most places on this continent anyway.”

She stood up again. “Thanks again for all the information. May I?” Ilea said, holding out her hand towards Nes.

The mark set, she informed Scipio of Hallowfort’s location based on Tremor, various landmarks, and the Penumra dungeon. The Meadow would likely make contact anyway, or he would have to figure something out to do so himself.

“Just mention Lilith,” she said and walked towards the exit. “Now… what do I do with the others.”

“Do you need a few spells to chase you?” Scipio asked.

“No, no. I think I’ll be fine,” Ilea said. “That’s goodbye then, for a while. Hope you succeed with your work.”

“As do we,” Nes answered. “You are welcome here, Lilith.”

“Appreciate it, see you around,” Ilea said and vanished through the enchantments. She continued onward, appearing next to her allies. “We’re leaving,” she said and moved them away, teleporting a few times up the mountain before she stopped and turned around, looking down towards the way they had come from. “Got the key, but I might’ve woken up whatever was guarding it. No, we don’t want to fight it,” she said.

“How boring,” Feyrair and Pierce said at the same time, glancing at each other, both likely annoyed that they would say the same thing.

Ilea used the moment to set her third tier transfer destination before she summoned the locator.

“Nothing seems to be following,” Verena said.

“Good,” Ilea murmured. “The closest key is north,” she added, looking towards the high reaching mountains. She caught a glimpse of a set of wings between two mountain peaks before they vanished behind the snow covered stone. “Up for it?”

The three gave their assent, Ilea taking the lead as they traveled northwards.

“You okay?” she asked, looking at the two elders after a few minutes of flight. They were covered in ice, their breathing more strained.

“I’m fine,” Pierce said.

Verena burned a little brighter. “Trying not to attract attention,” she said.

Ilea stopped. “We’re here anyway,” she said, the locator pointing down towards solid stone. She couldn’t see anything in her dominion either, forming an ash drill before she started digging.

Pierce formed a metal dome above once they had enough space in the hole, shivering as lightning flowed through her. “Much better,” she murmured, Verena and Feyrair on fire close to her.

Ilea decided no to comment. She had noticed the colder temperatures but after her experiences in Erendar, the ice here hardly bothered her. It’s still quite a ways off, she thought, checking the locator as her ash shattered and ground stone.

“How many more do we need anyway?” Pierce asked. “We found four already.”

“You don’t seem particularly invested,” Fey commented.

“All we found were either empty ruins or unreasonably powerful enemies. I thought I’d get to join some epic battles, not loot abandoned caves or be chased by literal dragons,” she said.

“If you were a higher level, it could’ve been us to chase the dragon,” Ilea mused.

The woman huffed. “Even you couldn’t fight that thing, how am I supposed to keep up?”

“You have a couple decades of a head start,” Ilea said. “I assume that would provide you with enough time to train.”

“Ah, but you assume all I do is fight, but not everyone lives such a sad and lonely lifestyle,” Pierce answered. “You probably lack any understanding of the arts.”

“Oh d-” Ilea stopped herself, the ground breaking open into a bright underground tunnel, one she hadn’t perceived within her sphere. “This place didn’t show up,” she whispered, looking down into the light blue environment.

The others quieted down, Ilea trying to figure out why her dominion couldn’t pierce through. There were no enchantments she could discern, just a faint glow of magic now that she focused on it more actively. The density in the area was high in general, hiding the space from her previously.

“It’s even colder down there,” Pierce said.

“You can wait here if you like,” Ilea said and jumped down, her wings spreading in the perfectly rectangular tunnel she had found herself in. Blue streaks of light flowed through the partially see through walls made of what looked like ice.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the City of Glass dungeon’

She set down onto the ground and touched the wall, ice spreading onto her ash before her body fought back, preventing further freezing. “It’s a dungeon,” she said. “Good place to level ice resistance if you three don’t have that maxed out yet.”

Ilea didn’t plan to push her resistance to the third tier, only having one point currently available.

Verena jumped down, landing on the ground where her boots instantly started freezing over. Her fires intensified, keeping the frost off her but not managing to melt any of the floor.

Feyrair didn’t seem to be bothered at all, Pierce simply deciding to float with constant lightning flowing over her armor to keep the cold air from damaging her.

“Further down,” Ilea informed, following the corridor until they came up on a set of stairs. Her dominion could only push through the weird magical fog for about two meters before her perception blurred slightly. Her eyes however worked normally.

They came into an expansive hall, mists of magic flowing through the air and walls, statues of ice depicting various monsters and people distributed throughout the area.

Ilea checked them with her healing and dominion but found nothing indicating that they were still alive, or in anyway constructs that would suddenly attack as she very much expected. They scanned the hall, looking for whatever creature had frozen these beings or at least sculpted them.

“New prey… invades our halls,” a whisper flowed through the area, a block of ice falling down to block the entrance.

Ilea appeared near the block and punched through with Archon Strike, tempered seal exploding a moment later as her fists cracked the entire block, the others preparing to fight.

“Nonono, please don’t leave already!” another voice said, still with a whisper like quality but less distorted.

“We will kill you all, or you can choose to stay,” the first whisper said.

“A gauntlet. You stay and entertain, and you reap the rewards!” a third voice said, this one a much higher pitch.

Ilea turned around, finding the three figures floating above the field of statues, humanoid wisps of blue light and freezing air. They glowed with magical energy that reminded Ilea of Maro, just quite a bit more intense.

[Frozen Lich Fragment – lvl ????]

[Frozen Lich Fragment – lvl ???]

[Frozen Lich Fragment – lvl ????]

The first two were close to one thousand, the third a few hundred levels higher. She could barely tell them apart other than by their levels, the first one floating with crossed arms and shining blue eyes, the second one a little slumped, its eyes dim, the third one smaller than the others and occasionally hopping up and down.

Ilea noted that the damage she had dealt to the entrance had already reformed, the wall perfectly even like the rest of the hall, her memory alone informing her about where the entrance was.

“Who are you people?” she asked, stepping past her comrades who were prepared for battle, the Elders a little more apprehensive than Feyrair who seemed excited to start.

“Hmm yes, I like that one, the elf. Flames of creation and dragon touched, fortunate, strong, a good elf,” the smallest of the three said in its high pitched tone. “You will walk the path of the owl!”

“We’re not going to walk any-” Ilea said, Feyrair already gone including the smallest of the three Lich fragments.

“You two look scared. I too was scared. You will walk the path of pain, and I shall tell you of our cursed fate, follow me,” the slumped being whispered and activated its spell, the two elders vanishing. “Please, don’t interfere with the paths not destined for you, ashen healer.”

Ilea held on, not allowing the creature to teleport when it vanished nonetheless. She attached herself to it, appearing in another hall with dozens of paintings on the walls, writing set in frozen plates in front of the museum like exhibits.

“Please. You were not invited here, but perhaps after you finish your own path, I may tell you of our fate,” the slumped being said when the other one appeared next to it.

“You are suitable,” the last one whispered in a quiet tone. “For the Path of Death,” one more teleporting Ilea back into the first hall where they were before.

A museum? she wondered. Maybe they won’t need my help after all.

“Again, who are you?” she asked the floating lich fragment.

Ilea could hear ice cracking as she glanced over to one of the frozen statues, blue eyes opening within the solid confines, their focus on her.

“Your death, lost wanderer,” the lich fragment whispered before it started laughing, the sound echoing through the room, all the statues cracking and opening their shining blue eyes, bodies starting to move.

She displaced herself next to the floating creature, embered heart flashing out in a sphere, burning through the flying form of the whispering lich fragment as it wailed in pain. Ilea watched a shadow fly into the frozen walls, the two shining blue eyes staring at her from within.

“Good, you do not hesitate, and strike at the heart. Now show me, wanderer, what you can do,” it said.

Ilea sighed, unable to pierce the ground with displacement or her dominion, the distance to the next open area likely too far, or the magic kept her in the room. However her space awareness suggested the distance was simply too far, no aura or spell that she could see working against her abilities.

Guess I’ll play along, she thought, looking at the beings.

[Undead Wyrm – lvl ???]

[Undead Warrior – lvl 248]

[Undead Python – lvl 218]

[Undead Blight Summoner – lvl ???]

Her body set alight with the flame of creation, she rushed through the beings, her burning ash ripping through the weak monsters like steel through paper. She used her valkyrie skills as much as possible, though not letting the creatures hit her more than they managed on their own. Ilea simply doubted the close to level five hundred beings would be able to deal any significant damage.

The snakes were sliced apart into chunks, the blight summoner, a large ooze like flesh monster with several eyes moaned as it was eaten alive by white flames, the warrior was punched a few times, all of its bones broken and splintered, its form still moving but unable to attack or even walk, and the undead wyrm simply couldn’t keep up with Ilea’s flying form. Her ashen spears broke through its scale armor, heat exploding within the death magic creature far smaller than the Scorching variant she had fought on the Krahen isles.

Barely a minute had passed and the nearly a hundred creatures in the entrance hall were sliced apart, white flame clinging to their remains as the ashen warrior landed amongst them. “Did I win the game?” she asked with a smile, her marks informing her that Feyrair was progressing slowly, several kilometers deeper in the mountain, the elders still at the same place they had been before, the museum hall. Either would surely call for her if they were in enormous danger.

Ilea expected another set of creatures coming out of the walls, ground, or ceiling, or that the Lich fragment would attack her directly.

The creature on the other hand worked its way out of the ice wall, pushing with some difficulty until it plopped out with a cracking sound. “Wonderful! That was a demonstration like few I’ve witnessed before!” it whispered. “My name is death, it’s a pleasure to meet you, wanderer. Ah it will take many years for me to fill this hall again with other wanderers… come, come, to the next challenge!”

Ilea smiled lightly, seeing the creature’s enthusiasm. “Do the others have to fight monsters too?”

“I do not care about the other paths,” Death said.

“I see. What about survival rates?” Ilea asked. “You do this to everything that finds your dungeon I assume?”

“Of course. It’s rare enough! Everyone on the Path of Death dies,” Death said. “Much better than what the others manage, I should say.”

“You must be proud,” Ilea said. “But really, everyone? I’d expect this place to have some really tough residents.”

The being seemed to scratch its cheek as a block of ice melted away near one of the walls. “There were three, who survived. Three champions!”

“And they could leave?” Ilea asked.

Death did not reply.

Figured. Guess you’re the last monster I’ll have to fight, she thought. “What will I win if I survive until the end?”

The being shrugged. “A prize? There are some treasures lying around, but I care not for them.”

“I think fighting you would be prize enough,” Ilea said.

“Ah, a wanderer who can enjoy the true pleasures of the unlife, you will surely be a threatening foe to future wanderers! But first, you must die, so come, and face your next foe!”

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Wyrm – lvl 628]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Python – lvl 218]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 466 – One stat point awarded’

“Gladly,” Ilea said after checking her messages. “I hope they’re a bit more of a challenge than the last ones,” she added. “I plan to cleanse this whole dungeon of undead after all. Don’t hold back Mr. Death.”

The creature laughed, its eyes flashing bright as it lead her into the next hall, a massive chunk of ice standing in the center of the hall, the frozen remains of an enormous Wyvern within.

“I only use this room for the especially annoying or smelly wanderers. But today you get the honor of facing this champion,” it said and cackled. “You have asked for a challenge, and you shall receive!”

Ilea smiled. “It’s at least large, but it doesn’t look particularly strong,” she said.

“Oh? Then you have fought one of its kind before? I will observe your struggle, do not die quickly, or I shall massacre the wanderers who came with you! Yes, that’s what I would do,” it said, as if remembering something.

“That’s no good at all. You’ll have to fight and kill me first before you fight them. It’s only fair,” Ilea said.

It nodded. “Yes. You speak the truth, wanderer,” it said, its eyes glowing once more as the ice cracked.

Ilea watched the Wyvern’s eyes open, blue like the undead she had fought before. Its body was covered in black scales, bloody remains hanging from its large mouth.

Purple flames spread within the ice, the confines cracking and bursting out as the being roared.

[Winged Death of the North – lvl ????]

They caught a four mark? she wondered, finding it close to one thousand, and seemingly just as stupid as a Bluetail as she watched it charge at her without a second thought.

She charged Archon strike and welcomed the open beak about her body’s size with a heavy punch.

The creature didn’t stop, arcane energy sizzling through its head as Ilea dodged above and onto its back. An explosion of heat vibrated through its head as she punched into its neck, charging heat all the while. A bed of ash fell onto the monster, set alight by the flames of creation a moment later.

Ilea was sent flying by a burst of death magic, a few layers of her ash decayed away by the magical blast. She moved her wings and landed about thirty meters away, sliding to a halt on the clear ice floor.

The flames were gone from its back as the creature turned and looked at her with dead eyes, its movements more apprehensive now before it formed a dozen small spheres of purple flames.

Ilea could see them come, stepping aside when the first sphere vanished and appeared behind her. The explosion cracked the ice, heat and death magic flashing out as she twirled and stopped, a bit of ash moving away from her shoulder and taking the brunt of the flames with her, the rest consumed by her own fires.

If only my death magic resistance wasn’t maxed out yet, she thought and glanced towards the two blue eyes within the walls. “I hope that’s not all this thing can do?” she taunted.

A giggling sound came from the wall as the rest of the spheres vanished.

Ilea simply crouched, her wings covering her front as the explosions flashed out around her. Blood dripped down and mixed with the melting ice as she stood up, her wings reforming, the wounds on her back and face healing. She grinned, the insides of her mouth visible. Slowed healing from the death magic? she wondered, appreciating the slight challenge before she dodged to the side, having felt the beam of purple energy come at her.

It expanded, turning into a downright torrent the creature could hardly control.

Ilea avoided it, teleporting past and closer to the creature while holding out her arm. She watched it bring the beam back towards her when Embered Heart released in a bright cone towards the Wyvern’s open maw. Heat and flames burned into its dead skin, as their spells collided, a bright explosions sending the creature back into the wall, Ilea reeling back as some of her mantle was brushed away, ashen limbs digging into the ground to stop her.

She pushed herself forward and smiled, her eyes focusing on the creature slowly standing up, its jaw hanging down where her beam had melted its skin. Arcane energy gathered in her fist as she walked towards it.

Chapter 671 Gauntlet

Chapter 671 Gauntlet

Ilea rushed past the beam, moving into it for the last few meters. She could feel her ash getting stripped away, her skin hit by the death magic and slowly decaying. Her fist came in an uppercut, hitting the monster’s barely attached jaw and slamming it upwards, its mouth shut as the rest of its spell burst out through from the sides, its head punched upwards.

She spread her ash and set it alight, her wounds slowly recovering as she changed her strikes to purely physical attacks. Her next fist sent splintered teeth flying to each side, Ilea jumping up before she aimed at its eyes.

Flesh was squashed and bones were broken, each strike sending vibrations through her arms as she felt her own muscles ripping and tearing, the injuries healing faster than the ones caused by the monster’s spells.

Ilea jumped back when she got a confusing feedback from her precognition, her head cocking to the side as she watched the creature’s eyes glow with purple flames. Dark blood dripped down from its mangled jaw.

She prepared to attack when she tasted blood in her mouth, some of it dripping down to the ground below her. Hmm, she mused, seeing a magical connection within her dominion. “Now what’s that about?” she asked as the monster charged at her, purple flames forming on its whole body.

Ilea watched her mantle decay, her skin fighting against death magic that gripped her from all around. Suppose there’s no way around it, she thought with a smirk and charged.

She dodged under the partial jaw, her fist slamming into the monster’s massive chest before she vanished, appearing above it where her own chest dented inward slightly. She coughed up blood and sent her charged flames onto its back, feeling heat and death burn into her own. A few seconds passed as she healed with her third tier, the effects slowed down considerably but still enough to deal with her injuries as she dodged the frenzied attacks of the creature. She laughed when she noticed its own injuries not healing.

Now that, she thought and came down with her charged fists, purposely not aiming for its head with any of her attacks as her physical hits slammed into its spine. Is a fatal flaw.

A few more strikes landed, finally splintering its spine below the purple flames. Ilea’s hands were stripped of flesh, her own spine refusing to shatter as she continued her relentless strikes, hitting dozens of times until the monster fell forward, unable to move its legs or wings anymore. She bathed in the flames, healing herself as she absorbed every shred of mana she could gather up.

Ilea sat down on the monster’s neck, her mantle reforming within the flames of death, her white fires spreading out and slowly overtaking the heavily injured enemy.

“What terrifying might!” Death spoke, slapping to the ground after it managed to get out of the wall, slowly floating up before it spoke once more. “Now finish it, wanderer, destroy that which failed before you and claim victory!”

“I’m burning it down,” she said, healing herself against the still transferred damage, her flames of creation pushing against the purple fires as the creature was slowly weakened.

It was barely alive at this point but its pure magical might was still above hers, which made the undeath struggle a prolonged conflict. Ilea just wanted to focus on her third Class to get the most experience for it out of the battle. By now she was pretty sure the others weren’t in immediate danger, and they could still call for her.

“Why do you put creatures that invade your dungeon on these paths?” she asked after a while of burning.

The lich fragment had crossed its arms by now, its eyes flickering with swaying blue light. “To see them fight of course, to see them struggle, and to see them die. There is nothing more glorious, and meaningful in life, and death.”

“You’re not annoyed that I destroy your undead creatures?” Ilea asked.

“They are not alive. No more. True purpose can only come from those living,” it said.

“Depends if there’s a will and mind remaining. As with you. Would you say your existence has no purpose?” Ilea asked, cutting into the creature below her with her ashen limbs and spears to speed up the process.

“I reached for immortality, and was confined here. Would you not say that is punishment for my arrogance? And yet… when I see those of life… struggling against their fate, it brings back something,” it said and laughed, the sound turning into a mad cackling.

“How long exactly have you been down here?” Ilea asked, a ding finally resounding within her mind.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Winged Death of the North – lvl 1008]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 504 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 501 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 467 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 468 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘You have effortlessly slaughtered a four mark creature – One Core skill point awarded’

We’re at that point now, Ilea thought with a grin.

“The passing of time has no bearing on me, I am immortal after all,” the lich fragment answered after it had stopped cackling.

It had lead Ilea onward into a broad corridor of ice, various enchantments now instantly noticeable to her. Bunch of traps, she thought, not spotting any creatures or signs of anyone having ever set foot into the area.

“What am I supposed to do, just walk through?” she asked, already walking.

“Indeed,” the being said and resumed its cackling.

She felt a few of the enchantments activate, the ice cracking as mists of cold air flashed out, leaving frozen patches on her mantle. Ilea quickly discarded the damaged parts, healing her defenses as more spells activated around her. Her eyebrows quirked up as she noticed a familiar feel from one of the explosions near her. She decided not to dodge, instead analyzing the soul magic that flowed through her.

A lich, could’ve expected as much, I suppose, she thought, looking inward to see her essence slightly damaged. The pain was still there, an instinctual wrongness she’d likely never be able to shake. Her training with Seithir helped her deal with it however, the feeling wrong but familiar.

She couldn’t exactly heal the damage but it would recover in time, and maybe she could get a few more levels to her resistance before she had to face the Lich fragment itself, if it really came to that.

Ilea side eyed the floating humanoid being, continuing her walk through the increasingly chaotic field of magical explosions. She made sure to leave no enchantment dormant, occasionally even sending an ashen limb into the ice to get the last ones out.

When she arrived on the other side, she had a slightly damaged soul, coupled with a bit of mana yet to be recovered due to her healing and reforming of her mantle. None of the spells managed to get through her defenses entirely, besides the soul magic of course.

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

She could tell the Lich’s enchantments were of a different quality than Seithir’s spells but she lacked the understanding to differentiate the specifics. They enchantments had felt more chaotic, but with the explosive application, that seemed obvious.

“I did it,” she said in a monotone voice, turning around to face the being.

“Indeed. Splendid defenses you possess, wanderer. But I suppose it was a little underwhelming after your fight with the Winged Death. And yet, this hallway leads to the next battle on the Path of Death. All wanderers are required to go through,” it said.

Probably where most of them die, Ilea thought, remembering her first encounter with soul magic. She was glad it hadn’t been here.

What followed were eighteen battle halls with increasingly dangerous undead monsters and humanoids taken from the northern regions, all interlinked by trap laden hallways. Ilea was mostly just surprised by how many creatures the Lich fragment had captured over the centuries, making sure with each kill that there was not a lot of connected physical matter left to raise the creatures once more, though she had no idea how much of an undead was truly required to raise them again. Perhaps just the soul was enough and mana would fill in the rest. She hoped not.

As time went on, she got increasingly confident that the Lich fragment could somehow raise the monsters again, mostly due to the progressively higher level of the beings. If a single level six hundred Star Chaser arrived here, it would easily shred through the first ten or more halls that had been presented to her, excluding the four mark she had fought near the start.

Most of the creatures had only a few abilities and not many had answers against her healing or space magic, none had anything against both. All of them were overwhelmed by her mana intrusion at one point or the other. Some monsters she had to avoid, getting in hits with well timed teleportation while recovering both mana and health between strikes, others she could simply approach and punch until they were nothing but a lifeless pulp of bones and flesh.

“You have been most impressive, wanderer,” the being said when she finished the last level nine hundred Wyrmling, its head snapping to the side when she finally managed to overwhelm its continued regeneration.

Ilea herself had lost a good chunk of her mana in the fight, her wounds healing as she looked at the Lich fragment, checking her messages quickly to see how far she had come.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead hallowed beetle – lvl 628]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Glacial Wyrmling – lvl 913]’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 502 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 469 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 470 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 476 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Space Shift reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blight Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Flesh Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Smoke Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

“You had quite the repertoire here, care to raise them all again for another round?” Ilea asked with a smile. Some time had passed and while Feyrair had moved quite a distance through the underground, the two Elders still remained in the very same place as they had several hours prior.

Really good for levels too, she thought, especially glad that Space Shift had finally reached the last level in the third tier. The fact that the Lich had so many creatures under its employ, willingly, or without possessing a will, meant she could try herself against a wide variety of unknowns. None had used magic entirely unfamiliar to her, or at least to her resistances, which made the whole process smoother than it could’ve been.

“You have proven your capabilities, wanderer. There is no need to redo what you have already accomplished. But now awaits your most dire task. A monster so gruesome none has slain it in all the time the paths have existed,” it said with a vibrating whisper, the ground before them opening up to reveal a deep shaft of ice, changing to stone farther down.

Ilea noted that they were now quite a bit below the others. “You can’t summon the creature in this area here?” she asked, using Eternal Huntress to see if she could see signs of a dangerous creature. The very air coming from the darkness below seemed to light up.

“The last battlefield is down below,” Death said.

Oh really?

“You’re not coming down with me?” she asked.

“Indeed not. There is no ice. It’s… uncomfortable,” it answered, crossing its ethereal arms.

“Aha,” Ilea mused. Her instincts informed her that whatever was waiting down below was considerably more dangerous than the creature hovering in front of her, though she didn’t think it a pushover either, mostly due to the soul magic it wielded.

“And what’s stopping me from just attacking you here and ending the path of death?” she asked. The main thing she thought suspicious was his sudden lack of interest in the battle he deemed so glorious before.

His eyes glowered as he spread his arms and cackled lightly. “Not a mere brute? Your… allies, friends, whatever they may be to you. I will hunt them down and kill them, while you fail to navigate theses corridors to come and stop me. You possess defenses that may be enough to survive a sustained battle with me, but they do not. And you know this. Go into the cavern, slay the monster, and be on your way, with your allies unharmed.”

“You overestimate your spacial abilities,” Ilea said, pretty sure she could just latch on to his teleportation.

“And you underestimate my destructive potential. I know your kind. You would risk much to protect your allies. And are you not interested? In the being that has kept even me at bay?” he asked.

Concentrated busts of soul magic could take the Elders out. Probably. No idea if they have resistances against it or not. But what about the other two fragments? Do they simply not care? Or would they fight us too if this one deems us enemies?

“I’m interested in good fights, sure, but I don’t like being threatened into them,” she said.

The fragment moved both hands to its head and bent over, producing a maddening screech. “So long…. So long…. So long… have I waited!!” he shouted, pointing at her. “And you! You are one that may succeed, where all others have failed. Regeneration, a mind to think, instincts honed in countless battles. You would jump down to face the monster. I knew it to be true. Why do you choose to mistrust when it’s all so close, so close to grasp?!

“If I.. present… the essence of those you hold dear… to be kept here forever, or released… I will have to kill them,” he murmured and floated away.

Ilea prevented his teleport, causing him to look back in annoyance.

“Let them go now and I promise that I will try to fight whatever is down there. If I fail, I’ll come back when I’m stronger,” she said.

“You would have me abandon this path for a mere promise?” Death asked, eyes flickering.

“You said you knew my kind. Either you accept and get a chance at me fighting that thing, or I will kill you right here. And trust me, if you harm any of my allies, I will carve out this entire mountain to find and destroy everything that is a part of you,” she said, their eyes locking.

The Lich fragment considered for a moment. “Very well. I accept.”

It moved them both into the room where the Elders resided.

“… it is her whom I loved, and her for whom I chose this path of darkness and treachery. My choices I regret in every waking hour of this cursed existence, and yet my love for her will keep me sane, until the day I will finally find rest.” the other fragment finished with shaking whispered words, tears of blue light rolling down his ethereal form.

Ilea could hear teeth grinding from the fragment next to her as she looked at Pierce wiping away tears. Verena too seemed burdened, listening to the lich with a pained expression.

“These two will be released,” Death said.

“They are saved?” the fragment asked, glancing at Ilea. “A wind of hope flows through these ancient halls. Very well, I shall see them off,” the Lich said and vanished with the Elders in tow.

Ilea could see them appear far above before she latched on to the fragment that called itself death, appearing in a long hall filled with burning rocks, wooden bars and poles, ice splinters on the ground, and angled walls. An obstacle course, she surmised.

Feyrair dangled from one of the walls, his hand trying to reach a nearby crevice before he jumped and caught himself, giving off a joyous hiss.

The nearby fragment jumped in the air. “YES! You fucking did it! Well done ELF!!!”

“I know. I’m the best,” Fey mused.

What is even happening here? Ilea thought, glancing at the yet more annoyed fragment next to her.

“He is free to go, bring him out,” Death said in a commanding tone.

The other fragment glanced over. “Now that’s an interesting change of pace. Tired of killing?” it asked, giggling to itself before it vanished, Feyrair going with it.

“Why go to all this trouble?” Ilea asked when they were back in front of the hole.

“You do not need to know,” the being said. “Now go and slay the beast.”

“Care to give me some more information about it? If you want it dead, I might benefit from some clues,” she said.

“Reasonable. It’s at a higher level than I, it uses void magic, mindless but its instincts and ability to adapt are above what most monsters display. The area will be dark to your eyes, but the creature can see,” the being explained.

“Alright. Now you better not go back on the deal. I’ll check it out and if I can’t win, you’ll help me train,” she said.

“That was not part of the agreement,” the creature said.

“You want that thing dead, don’t you?” she asked.

Its eyes glowered, while it ground its invisible teeth.

Chapter 672 Sphering Voidening

Chapter 672 Sphering Voidening

Ilea invested her stats into Vitality, to get a little bit more of an edge against anything that waited for her down in the dark cavern below. She checked the locator for a moment and found that it pointed in the same direction. Because of course it would. What if the Fragment wants the same thing I want?

She tried not to overthink it. As it stood, she expected to fight the lich either way. It either believed itself invincible against her or was simply too focused on whatever it wanted from the death of the void creature. A creature it couldn’t slay on its own, a level one thousand sapient lich fragment. In the end it had blackmailed her, threatening to kill her allies if she didn’t do its bidding. A bidding that seemed to be a win win situation but Ilea would make sure its actions had consequences. Something the creature must’ve forgotten in its undead life dwelling in its northern dungeon.

“Will you go then?” the fragment asked in a strained voice.

“You’ve waited how? I might die if I rush it and you can wait another thousand years for the next suitable candidate,” she murmured absentmindedly, spreading her wings and layering her mantle as she gathered heat within her chest. Maybe I can even ally myself with whatever is down there, she thought with a smirk and jumped.

Her wings made her float down slowly, her dominion spreading out again below as she left the influence of the icy walls in the City of Glass dungeon above. The environment turned to stone, more jagged and natural than what the liches had surely created or altered. Her enhanced eyes let her see even in the complete darkness of the cave.

Ilea noted the lack of space in the area, seven small crevices leading deeper into the stone with dozens more spreading out like the roots of a tree. She saw occasional spheres of stone missing in the area, easily explained by the void magic mention.

So far she couldn’t find a creature waiting for her, so she instead used her locator to find where the key would be. It was the only reason they had come here after all, and now that her companions seemed to be safe up above the dungeon, she could do pretty much whatever she wanted. Ilea planned to fight the monster either way, now or whenever she was ready. If only to fuck with whatever the lich was planning to do.

She listened for anything in the vicinity, checking with Eternal Huntress to see if she could find trails of a powerful being. She did.

Well, very informative, she thought, her skill letting her know that there had been a creature beyond her level somewhere within these caverns. She smiled to herself, wondering if that part of the skill would ever truly be useful. Pretty much everywhere she went had monsters that outmatched her in pure magical prowess. Me seeking out dangerous places doesn’t help, she thought, climbing deeper while mostly using her teleportation. She didn’t exactly want to bruteforce her way through with her ash. Everything seemed somewhat unstable. Nor did the skeletons of various creatures currently stuck between chunks of stone instill a lot of confidence in the structural integrity of this den.

Gods I would’ve slapped myself back on Earth if I ever even considered going cave diving. Without a lamp, rope, a radio, a team to get me out if something happens, or enough space to move through stuff.

Ilea just hoped half of it wasn’t full of water but so far that didn’t seem to be the case, the temperature even so far down into the earth still incredibly cold. Her dominion skill made any considerations for claustrophobia entirely irrelevant. Coupled with her teleportation and sheer physical might, there was simply no rational reason to be scared of confined spaces. And Ilea never had that fear to begin with, one of the common ones she understood on a logical level.

Same as deep waters, she thought, shuddering as the eye of the Leviathan flashed within her mind. Aftershock mind attack I suppose, she thought, trying to discern where the water creature was located in the surrounding space. She hit her head when she found a single eye staring back at her. Not the Leviathan’s but that of a mostly humanoid creature hanging on a wall deeper in the cavern.

It had a single head with a single eye, its body thin and elongated, its rib cage open to reveal a gaping maw that followed most of its torso’s length. Four thin and bony three jointed limbs with long clawed fingers kept it on the side of the wall as it looked her way, waiting.

Ilea couldn’t shake the instant familiarity, the being reminding her of the Soul Rippers from Tremor in a more than uncanny way. The way its spine pushed up through the skin, barely ten kilos of meat on the two meter long creature, and most of it was arms and legs. Can it see through the stone, she thought, the creature still a few dozen meters away from her.

“Hello,” she sent, in an effort to find a diplomatic solution.

The creature didn’t react, remaining where it was without making the slightest move.

Not a communicative fellow then, she thought, checking her locator to find the key deeper still. She teleported once more and found the pupil of the being following her, its body remaining in the same position.

Yeah, that’s very soul rippery. Did you get summoned here by the Ascended too? she wondered. Next she used monster hunter without any changes to it, trying to see if there were more of them or other creatures. But again, the thing remained motionless.

Don’t mind me then, Ilea thought and teleported past, going for the key. As soon as she had passed the height of the creature, it moved, its arms quickly pushing it through the crevices with practiced and instant motions.

Ilea couldn’t help but feel a little creeped out, watching the thing approach through her dominion at a far faster pace than seemed both logical and possible in these cramped and dark crevices. When it reached a ten meter distance, its eye started glowing within her dominion.

She could detect several auras, one expanding past her and currently eating away at her mantle at a concerning pace, another one closer to the being and seemingly only reaching about the ten meter radius around it. She knew it would do something to her teleports but compared to Audur’s preventive aura, this one seemed a purely defensive one. The being stopped when Ilea didn’t move, remaining about seven meters and just as many nooks and crannies away from her.

Hmm, void huh? she thought, watching her mantle in a constant battle of destruction and reformation. Pretty impressive stuff too.

Ilea teleported up a few times to see if the creature just defended its lair, but she found that it followed now, its destructive aura similar to her own dominion coupled with reverse reconstruction. Well, we can see who has better recovery, mr void, she thought and sent destructive mana towards it in turn.

The creature didn’t react at first, not even flinching at the reverse healing capable of destroying Taleen Guardians damn near instantly.

Ilea could feel the fabric around her changing, corrupted in a sense as she watched the wisps float away, pushed instead of guided. She was about to teleport when she saw the spherical field of magic around the core of whatever spell the being was casting. Something would happen if she passed through with a skill, but she didn’t yet know what. Deciding to avoid the ability in a more direct sense, she simply crossed her arms in front of her, added a few ashen spikes and slammed into the stone.

Barely a moment had passed since she first sensed the creature’s spell, her armored body crashing through several sets of stone walls, everything behind her collapsing before it all vanished. The larger magical sphere had manifested in the fabric, closing in on the core and taking all matter with it. A loud noise resounded as the nearby air filled in the void, some of the stone pulled away too.

Ilea had managed to avoid the area mostly, her left wing healing from the much stronger effects of the concentrated spell. Her Eternal sight hadn’t activated, likely due to her third tier Void Magic Resistance. She wouldn’t vanish like the stone and air. I wonder where that matter goes, it can’t just vanish entirely. Maybe just made into mana? Or sent to some general pocked dimension? Maybe there’s a space in the fabric always available but just empty?

It hardly mattered, Ilea now teleporting next to the creature to finally get a read on it with her identification skills. Thought as much, she mused, appearing a few meters away from the being just where its aura ended. Can’t teleport into matter after all, or what is perceived as matter.

Another sphere formed where she stood, Ilea risking the activation now that she saw what had happened before. She teleported out, her spell interrupted where she passed the field, all the void magic flashing towards the breach instead of the previous center. She didn’t wait for it to reach her, instead using her second teleport to try again. The field was gone and neither was she interrupted once more but it meant she had to use both her spells on one of the spheres to escape.

Where she appeared, another sphere formed. Her first skill would likely be ready once the sphere closed but she simply pushed forward, not quite able to break through the walls as well as on her first attempt, the void magic ripping everything around her into nothingness, a part of her mantle dissolving and her flesh and bone below shaken by the flash of dense magic. She coughed up blood, half her body destroyed by the spell and healing quickly. She didn’t lose any limbs or organs but everything felt wrong, her third tier healing working hard to recover everything.

Before she could do anything else, the next sphere appeared, this time coupled with three more.

Ilea didn’t hesitate, her mantle flowing into an ashen drill before she pushed onward, her healing recovering her armor as she punched through the dense underground breaking walls and stone, barely slowing down within the caverns as spheres of void magic caught the falling debris and sent it into nothingness. Might as well have that thing remove its whole lair, she thought with a grin, back at full health as she circled around.

The creature still rushed after her, ignoring the falling chunks of stone hitting its body as its eye flashed time and time again.

Ilea started adding sharp turns to her repertoire, noticing the creature placing spells ahead of her to catch her off guard. A few of its many spheres hit, leaving her defenses vulnerable and her body injured but the main issue was part of her drill dissolving. Her body twitched when she had slowed down due to a partially missing boring tool, four spheres hitting her near instantly before she teleported out with both skills, appearing closer to the creature and in the tunnel of spheres it had created by now.

She spat out a chunk of bloody flesh, healing her wounds as she got her first glance at the creature running towards her at the ceiling of its own void tunnel.

[Void Lord – lvl ????]

Ilea estimated it to be at around one thousand one hundred, just a bit higher than the Lich fragment that sent her down here. She wasn’t surprised that it hadn’t been able to fight that creature on its own.

It rushed towards her with its arms in impossible angles, sending itself flying with continuous pulls, its skin the same purpleish color as the Soul Rippers, another indicator that they might have been from the same realm. Its head had small thorns coming out of it in what seemed like completely random patterns, the main feature its one eye that stared at Ilea no matter where she was. Of course that one was purple too.

An instinctual hunter, Ilea thought, flying through the tunnel and away from the being as she reformed her drill and mantle, breaking into stone when its spheres appeared in front of her. I’ll make this whole mountain collapse if I have to, she thought and summoned her beam cannon, aiming at the creature via her sphere before she sent a near fully charged Embered Heart towards it.

The spell burned through the stone walls as if they were paper, reaching the creature before the energy seemingly vanished, appearing on its back and flashing outwards in an uncontrolled manner, the redirected beam cutting into the ceiling and walls where tons of rock started to tumble and fall.

She had to avoid another set of spheres on her continuous flight, the echoing sounds of stone falling drowning out any other noise as dust and debris filled many of the crevices. Ilea turned away from a near solid formation, the lack of air pockets between too much for her to keep up the same drilling speed.

Some kind of field around it that redirects any magic? she thought and started spreading out ash behind her, most of it would dissolve from the continuous void magic but she hoped some of it would remain. Ilea thought it too dangerous to approach the creature in its preferred terrain, not knowing what other tricks it had up its void sleeves. Luckily it didn’t seem particularly intelligent, happily helping her hollow out the mountain with its inexhaustible spells.

What’s even the point of these creatures? Can’t exactly eat what you void away, she mused, caught again in an area too dense to quickly get through. This time she used a charged Archon Strike in an external wave to shatter a large section of stone, her drill reforming as she entered the space and pushed forward.

Most of the debris was gone in the next moment, vanished by the Void Lord rushing after her on all fours.

Quite a terrifying sight, she thought as she watched its movements in her dominion, trying to analyze the space around it with her awareness whilst she continued to send destructive mana into its body, if any of it actually arrived. She didn’t use her full power, requiring her healing to keep herself alive. But not quite a Leviathan, are we? she thought with a grin. Just another powerful monster left behind in no man’s land. And I’ll gladly rid the world of you.

She sent a cloud of burning ash at the flying creature, finding it stop before a sphere made most of it disappear. Oh? We don’t like that, do we? she thought, checking her resources before she started teleporting away and back to the entrance of the deep caverns. The creature tried to follow but lost her due to its lack of teleportation and the thin crevices in the way.

Ilea burst out into the city of glass dungeon, finding an expectant Lich fragment waiting for her. She didn’t say anything and landed, healing herself as she recovered her mana. Wouldn’t want to get caught like that after I actually defeated that monster, she thought, looking at the Lich. “I’m working on it. It’s strong but pretty stupid too.”

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 9’

She hadn’t even noticed the lack of air down there, the fact simply not presenting a more pressing issue than the falling tons of rock coupled with the Void Lord hunting for her.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

Ilea would only get better at dealing with it and for once, she wouldn’t actually care much if it managed to hunt her beyond its lair. “Can I lure it up here?” she asked directly.

“It won’t come. I’ve tried before,” the fragment answered. “The environment presents a challenge on its own, I’m sure you’ve noticed. Based on the noise, I’m sure you don’t concern yourself much with the integrity of this place.”

“The more shit that falls onto that thing, the better,” she said. “Why again do you want it dead?”

The lich ground its teeth. “It has something that belongs to me.”

“Didn’t look like it was running around with a purse,” she said.

“Deeper in its lair, it has collected what it deems treasures, or so I think,” he said.

“I could just get it and bring it here,” Ilea said.

“I fear it would follow. No. That creature needs to be gone,” the Lich said.

Well we agree on that one, she thought and summoned some food. It didn’t provide any mana but after battles like this one, she always got hungry, no matter the state of her magically enhanced body.

Her mantle cleaned away all the dust and debris on her before she started eating.

“What are you waiting for?” the Lich asked.

“Strategic planning,” she lied. “I need time to think,” she lied again. There were a few things she had to figure out, and the least she had to do was stall enough for her soul to heal. Every little bit would help and somehow she enjoyed the growing annoyance emanated from the being in front of her. It felt like her boss giving her an annoying task on her last day, not that her boss in fast food had been such a dick, but she could imagine this Lich as some kind of difficult middle manager in the local dungeon company. You have no power here, old man, she thought with a grin.

Chapter 673 Absolutely Nothing

Chapter 673 Absolutely Nothing

Ilea really, really took her time with her meal, going back in long after her mana had topped off, her soul recovered, and her palate satisfied. The Lich had remained with her during it all, either not trusting her enough to leave her out of his sight or simply too impatient, now that something was finally capable of facing the Void Lord.

She of course would find out what it was he so desired, still a little confused why he didn’t just teleport past the creature. Would he get caught and killed? She doubted it would be that easy, he was a four mark too, they should’ve at least been at a similar power level. The Lich definitely didn’t strike her as an adventurer or fighter, more just someone used to command others to do their bidding, be it monsters it controlled or well, monsters that looked like Ilea, lured by interesting fights and kept there with threats, a horrible mistake that one.

Ilea once again jumped down into the dark, teleporting a few times until she was once again beset by the void magic monster. This time she simply moved past, using her skills in tandem to make more distance. She summoned the locator occasionally, assuming the location of whatever treasure the creature was hiding to be the same place where she would find the key.

About ten seconds had passed since she had entered the cavern before she found a spherical area illuminated by various glowing items, the makeshift storage room stacked with shiny stones, crystals, and various other trinkets, mostly notable in their color alone. She instantly found the key among the other treasures, its design prominent among the mostly natural ore. Ilea stored it and started identifying the rest, an eye out for the creature that was still on the hunt for her.

[Silver ore – High Quality] – [Metal]

[Crystal – Common Quality] – [Not metal]

[Lich Phylactery fragment – Timeless Quality] – [Enchanted / Fractured]

“Ah, I’d guess the lich wasn’t looking for some silver ore,” Ilea mused, looking at the faintly blue glowing enchanted sphere. She grabbed the other two as well, both hidden between the various likely less valuable ores. Three pieces, three lich fragments. If only I knew a necromancer to figure this one out.

Ilea teleported away when she saw the Void Lord approach again, their battle continuing as she lured it towards the section it had already started clearing out. She wanted to try and figure out the field it produced in its immediate vicinity but thought it too dangerous to do so in the confined space, especially with the teleportation traps it set with its spheres. First, she needed an actual cave, not this field of nooks and crannies.

She thought about what to do with the phylacteries in the meantime, pretty sure they were what Death was looking for. The Void Lord was a good source for void magic resistance and she was sure it would use even more dangerous abilities if she managed to push it a little. So far the only damage she could deal was with her reversed healing and even that was questionable.

It took the two of them about half an hour to hollow out a large enough section of the underground for Ilea to confidently engage the monster in battle. As the area became larger, she found it easier to dodge the spells with her wings and occasional teleports, but the damage alone was still nothing to scoff at.

She persevered, the experience similar to her previous four mark encounters and other battles of attrition against monsters far beyond her magical prowess. Ilea checked the few messages she had gotten in the process before she rushed the monster in the darkness.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

She was surprised her continued efforts didn’t reward any levels in Veteran or Deviant but she supposed it really wasn’t that special after all. The Void Lord wasn’t the first eldritch creature she had fought in complete darkness and it would surely not be the last.

Ilea sacrificed about fifteen thousand points of health into her flames and aura as she reached the creature, avoiding the void magic on her approach. Her ash fanned out, the white flames lighting up the makeshift cavern of perfect spheres, latching onto an invisible field of magic around the one eyed monster.

A flash of void magic fanned out in a sphere around it, getting rid of the flames before more came in again.

Ilea sent low charges of her fire beams at the dodging monster, the energy vanishing whenever it reached the being. She watched the space around the creature as the spells reappeared in random locations in a radius around its body. None actually reached it and she came to the conclusion that none ever will, not if she attacked in this way. Ilea had an inkling that it wouldn’t work but had to try regardless. She rushed the being and tried to punch it, her fist ringing with a magical force before her spell connected with something. The stone exploded a few meters away from her.

Figured, she thought, her eyes having seen her fist connect with the body of the Void Lord but the result was the same. A series of void blasts pushed her back, her mantle whittled away more with each blow before she managed to heal it back up again, flying wide in the artificial cavern to make sure the being couldn’t hit her as easily.

Ilea continued to observe the space around the creature as she started to experiment with heat charged ashen spears, first simply sending them at the creature and watching them reappear, then using her own spacial manipulation skill to displace them to a different location before they entered the field or once they reappeared. After several dozen attempts, she got in a hit.

The Void Lord was sent stumbling to the side, an explosion of heat and fire engulfing its side, ash and white flames clinging to its skin as more burning spears came flying through the darkness, accompanied by the laughter of an invading battle healer.

Ilea started to unravel the defensive field but found the creature could manipulate it rather well, her attempts remaining somewhat random with an occasional hit she knew would happen. She charged up her core, only using negligible energy within the spears to continue to annoy the being as she herself dodged its void magic while enduring its constant damaging sphere.

There it is, she thought with a grin, seeing one of her burning spears vanish. Ilea aimed her rifle about two meters away and above the fast moving creature, a chaotic stream of heat and energy burning into the wyrm’s eye before a beam of concentrated heat slashed into thin air.

She watched the beam vanish just before it would’ve hit the ground, the monster set alight as a glowing fiery line showed up on its body. For the first time it opened the mouth on its chest, several tentacle like extensions moving within as it screeched in a low pitched tone.

“Didn’t like that one, did you?” Ilea said, charging up her next beam. She kept an eye on the glowing injury, the scorched skin not healing immediately. Wonderful, she thought when an incredible burst of mana spread out with the being at its center.

Ilea didn’t notice the change with her precognition, the same teleportation trap present which kept her in place instead of risking an early activation of whatever this was. She noticed all the sound had vanished as soon as the sphere had engulfed her, her dominion couldn’t perceive a single thing either. Not the ground, the ceiling, or the creature itself. The previous remains of her fires were gone, no source of light remaining as she felt an oppressing force of void magic burning into her defenses from all around.

Her flare of creation fought back as she healed her mantle, staying calm despite her rapidly declining defenses. She would be overwhelmed in time but Ilea had experienced a literal mini sun burning her alive. This was manageable. Nothing in my dominion, light doesn’t travel, enhanced eyes can’t see anything, she thought, floating through the dark space as her wings kept her going. No air, she noted. No gravity?

It all felt wrong, the fabric itself entirely different than anything she had seen before. And yet there were wisps here still. Displacement and transfer worked both but she arrived in the same darkness of the void, her defenses still being burned. She was down to the last layer of her mantle by now, more already dissolving as her third tier healing reformed layer after layer, the surrounding magic simply too much to handle for her alone.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

She still had her lifeline of a third tier transfer but with the trap still in place, she didn’t know if it would work, or if she wanted to risk it. The only thing she could perceive were the wisps. I solved the Meadow’s puzzles and escaped from a bloody Dragon, she thought, using her dominion to map out everything in the area. She sent spears of ash flying, moved her wings and ashen limbs to see how everything behaved, if the projectiles flew in a straight line or disappeared.

She smiled, feeling her ash move through the darkness, her eyes following the zigzag. She formed spheres instead, sending them all around the space as she teleported from one to the other, moving them out and back, finding dozens of void magic fields that simply lead to another space. When she started to figure out the layout, her skin started to dissolve. If my brain fails, I’ll be fucked, a part of her thought, her body teleporting through the expanding field of ashen spheres until she had figured out a large enough part of the space to realize she was in a spherical space far larger than what the creature had created in normal space.

Ilea had a theory that phaseshift could bring her out if she timed it correctly and reached the border but where was the fun in that? Instead she focused her whole mind on finding the center of it all. Where she knew the Void Lord was hiding, controlling everything in the area around it. She didn’t know how the void interacted with the fabric of space to create this field but what she knew for certain was that while this thing was active, the protective magic around its body could not exist.

Her hair was gone, her muscles burning away when she appeared above the center. The mesh here was complex but the being wasn’t the only one with a few space tricks at the ready. Ilea added her third tier displacement gate to the mix, between the mesh and her target, her body moving through before she slammed her fist down, a fully charged Archon Strike coupled with her tempered seal and a spherical blast of her Embered Heart flashing out for a split second. Her fist impacted something.

A pained screech resounded as the darkness fell apart around them, void like darkness replaced by stone Ilea could see, the floor and cavern appearing in a multitude of angles, directions, and distances, much of it falling apart as she noticed deep cuts appearing on her whole body too. She moved her head to avoid a split into her skull, only her neck deeply sliced instead.

The oppressive mana was gone when she slapped to the ground, landing on one knee with her whole body skinned and reduced to half her muscles, her third tier healing quickly working to overwhelm the remaining damage field of the creature as her mantle formed above bleeding flesh, skin already reforming her face as the dozens of cuts were closed.

She found the creature reeling on the ground, hands on its face with burns all over its form. Ilea vanished, finding the defensive field disrupted. “Welcome back to reality,” she said as her fists came down with white flames, blue and fiery flashes lighting up as her mana intrusion penetrated through its thick skin. Its claws and mouth uselessly scraped against her ash mantle, her punches only growing in power and frequency as she simply ignored the void spells flashing up time and time again. The battle had been going on for long enough to reduce its damage by half, and she knew how much power each of its spells held by now.

More so, she knew when a monster got desperate. And so she stayed, her ashen limbs pinning the creature down and her onto it, explosions resounding through the makeshift cavern until most of her mana had been dumped into the being, a ding resounding in her mind.

She jumped back and waited, watching as she recovered her mana and listened for the Lich coming down or the Void Lord getting back up again. Neither happened.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Void Lord – lvl 1103]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 505 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 506 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 507 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 503 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 504 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 505 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 477 – One stat point awarded’

...

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 486 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 27’

I’m about to become the ultimate Veteran, she thought with a smile, standing silently in the dark as she healed and regained her mana. It would take some time but she assumed the Lich wouldn’t come down immediately, not with how scared he had been before.

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

She put her forty new stat points into Wisdom and checked the last message.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Maze of Emptiness spell – One Core skill point awarded’

I suppose I did, she thought, somewhat proud of the achievement. For once it wasn’t just her resilience alone that allowed her to survive a four mark’s special ability. She checked the body for loot but didn’t find anything within her dominion, nor did she plan to rip apart the somewhat humanoid horror to find anything useful. She did store the corpse at least, thinking the Meadow, Fae, or her new contacts in the north would perhaps be interested in the remains.

She summoned the key she had found earlier and identified it briefly, a slight blue sheen on its heavily enchanted and reinforced surface.

[The Cobalt Key – Ancient Quality] – [Enchanted]

Another one down, which makes six.

She could already get more out of the One without Form with the keys she had found thus far, but she assumed more couldn’t hurt. Would be annoying if the last one is guarded fiercely by something I simply cannot pass by, beat, or convince, she thought, not letting the pessimistic thought get the better of her. I’ll get myself a little sun with these, she thought and stored it away again, summoning a meal as she did after a good battle and lit up a bit of wood she had in her necklace. She sat down in an ashen armchair and watched the flames flicker in the dark cavern, her mana steadily recovering as she waited for the Lich to come down or for her resources to top off.

The surroundings looked like someone came through with a pair of reality shears, cutting chunks of stone out of the ceiling and floor, the spherical incisions still visible between everything gave the place a downright alien feel, especially knowing that they were below a frozen dungeon and the mountains of the north.

Maybe I should go check further down if there are any runes similar to the ones near Tremor, she thought, enjoying her meal to the last bite before she smothered the flames with some ash and stored the parts of the wood that were still good. A few uses of teleportation brought her deep into the mountain, the crevices giving way to solid rock after a few hundred more meters, the quick search not bringing any results.

“Ah well, guess I’ll find out how the Lich is doing,” she murmured, checking her marks to find the others now waiting far above and outside the dungeon. Can’t contact Verena again. Hmm, it should be fine either way.

“Found key. Will confront Lich. Come if high soul resistance,” she sent to Feyrair and teleported back towards the entrance, finding it after a minute of searching.

She appeared back in the same hall with the floating being waiting for her with crossed arms, the other two Lich Fragments now present as well.

“Did you succeed?” Death asked.

Ilea smiled. “Killed it,” she said and grinned, giving them two thumbs up and a wink.

“Do you have proof?” the Lich asked.

She dropped the corpse for a second and put it back into her necklace. “That enough for you,” she asked.

The Lich’s eyes glowered before he flew past with surprising speed and into the hole. Laughter resounded as he descended.

“So, did I just doom the world?” Ilea asked the other two, neither quite as excited about the news. He’s gonna be mad in a few minutes, she thought and smiled to herself.

Chapter 674 Rebirth

Chapter 674 Rebirth

“Ah you made a mistake there, young woman,” the high pitched lich fragment said and giggled. “And here I managed to hide all three of them.”

The other Fragment looked over, its eyes glowering. “You… you were the one to… why…,”

“I believe I did,” the first fragment said, giggling to herself as she raised an ethereal arm to her face. “Sorry Pain, but I didn’t want to die. Nor do I want to die now, but I suppose it’s over.”

“He will combine the phylacteries and undo us,” Pain said. “You should flee human, if you do not plan to fight the creature you have just unleashed upon the world.”

“You two don’t want to stop him?” Ilea asked. “You’re at a higher level even,” she said to the second one.

The Lich waved her off. “I was never one for fighting. I’ve long forgotten who I was before but… not a fighter. Not then, not now. The transition will be painless, mostly. Or so Pain here claims.”

“Could you do it too then?” Ilea asked the first one. “Do the transition? I assume you need to combine the three phylactery fragments which then kills two of you?”

“Indeed. It is the only end for us,” Pain said, his voice sounding almost relieved.

“Really? Even if I defeat that guy he won’t die?” Ilea asked.

The fragment looked at her. “You would have to destroy the phylacteries and defeat his current form.”

“The same is true for the two of you, I assume?” she asked.

“Yes, though I would gladly find an end to this suffering,” Pain said.

“I don’t. So please don’t insist on fighting me. I would rather vanish than be killed,” Owl said.

“I see. And what happens when the three are combined?” Ilea asked.

The first fragment looked at her. “You have them, do you not?” he asked and paused, glancing towards the hole in the ground. “You risk much, human. Why?”

“Because he threatened to kill my allies,” she answered. “So tell me what happens.”

“The one bestowed with the fragments will ascend to the full status of Lich, and will no longer be bound to the limits we have been imprisoned in for millennia,” the first one said.

“How long would that take? And can you hide us from his presence while that is happening?” Ilea asked.

“I’m afraid that is impossible,” the fragment said. “It will take days to finish the ritual, and neither I nor Owl can escape this place. Death will find us.”

“What happens if I defeat his current form?” Ilea asked.

“He will come back to life, but it takes time, for the mana to collect, to reform what has been lost,” he answered.

“Enough to finish the ritual?” she asked with a smile.

“Perhaps… yes. But for you to defeat. No, you have slain the monster below, you are more than capable. And I shall help,” he said, his voice deeper, not wavering as it had before.

Ilea looked between them. “No way to save you both?”

“There is not. Nor is there a need. I have been yearning for this day, where my rest is granted. Those I loved millennia past I have forgotten. They are long gone. The only wish I have is rest, but if there is a way to give to Owl what Death has claimed for himself… yes…,” he said as power exploded from his body. “Then I shall assist you, with all I can do. And so should you, Owl. To survive, is to struggle, to fight. If you wish to claim this, you must now show your resolve.”

The other Lich looked at Pain, her head moving down before she glanced at Ilea. “I never wanted any of this…,” she said. “That much I remember.”

“Just do whatever you can do to support and protect us,” Ilea said. “You’re the highest leveled one here after all,” she added, seeing Feyrair progress through the dungeon. “And we have another ally coming our way.”

Pain looked up and vanished, returning with Feyrair in tow, the elf clad in white flames as he hissed at the two fragments. He turned to Ilea with a questioning look.

“Those two are fine. We need to kill the third one,” she said.

“Finally,” Feyrair said. “A fight.”

They heard a wail echo out from deep below, anger and frustration near palpable.

“He’s coming.” Ilea mused and started sacrificing health into her fire and auras. “We’ll show him who’s the one really trapped inside this dungeon. Let’s curb stomp that motherfucker.”

Death appeared before them, soul and of course death magic emanating from his form as he looked at the gathered people, fields of magic stopping his aura as he spread his arms. “You would betray me. Mere fools, standing in the way of greatness. You have no right to claim what is m-”

Ilea appeared before him, her burning ash rushing forward as she punched his chest with a charged set of spells. She ignored the pained wail and continued her assault, preventing his teleports as she tried to grapple his form with her ashen limbs. Six more punches landed before she jumped off, displacing herself to avoid the incoming flare of soul magic. She landed, Feyrair in his dragon form joining her as Pain formed additional sets of barriers hovering close to his two new allies.

“Y… you… BEAST!!” the Lich screeched, floating backwards as a dozen creatures formed from thin air, summoned at his will. “You have no aut-”

Ilea held up her arm, having sacrificed ten thousand health as a fully charged cone of heat and energy formed in front of her. The blast incinerated everything the Lich had summoned, his screeching form in the middle of it all as he tried to form shattering barriers in front of himself.

The two warriors didn’t hesitate, Feyrair rushing forward with the spell still ongoing, his resilient body taking the heat in stride, white burning claws slashing at the floating form two long strides later.

The ashen healer flew behind the Lich, once more preventing teleportation as their assault continued, shields shattered by arcane explosions and the flame of creation. The two avoided each others spells with practiced ease, simply ignoring the flames when they thought it reasonable.

“Why must y-” the Lich cried, arcane energy flowing through him as his words ceased. He tried summoning more creatures, both him and his creations burned by Feyrair’s continues fire breath.

Ilea avoided the soul magic spells while Feyrair seemed to just ignore them. She assumed his extended time with Seithir had something to do with that. Should’ve leveled more as well, she thought, giving a slight nod to the watching two Liches whose shields had allowed her to keep her aggression up for most of the fight so far.

She aimed her beam cannon at the Lich’s chest and sent her charged beam forward, snapping the barrel upwards to cut through his head as well.

The being couldn’t utter another word with the bombardment of continuous spells, her teleport prevention coupled with Feyrair’s claws keeping him there.

When the dragonling finally managed to grapple and push down the ethereal form with his flame covered claws, the fight was over. His breath came down in a continuous stream with Ilea increasing her weight to send beam after beam of concentrated heat and energy into the downed form, the frozen ground below shattered and melting.

They didn’t let up until a noise resounded in their minds.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Lich Fragment – lvl 1038]’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 487 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 28’

“That was a curb stomp alright,” she mused.

Feyrair turned back into his elven form, the ground around him cracked and still on fire. He went into a crouch and hissed before he fell on his ass. “That was beyond anything Seithir could conjure up,” he said in a tired voice.

“We could’ve taken our time,” Ilea said, joining him as she checked his vitals. Everything seemed fine, but she couldn’t exactly heal soul damage.

“The shields protected me. There was no need,” he said, giving a nod to the two waiting Liches.

Both of them twitched, floating a little farther back as he looked at them.

“Hardly even a fight,” she said. “Maybe I should’ve taken him on alone.”

Satisfying in its own way thought, she thought with a broad grin.

“You… massacred him,” Pain said in a shaking voice, raising a hand to his face before he burst out laughing. “SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT NECROMANCER SON OF A WHORE, LIAR, MURDERER!!” he screamed and appeared near where Death had ironically died, stomping the ground with his ethereal boots.

“And here I thought he’d be afraid of us,” Ilea murmured, sitting down next to Feyrair.

Owl still held her distance, her eyes moving between the combatants and the other lich.

“A lot of suppressed anger,” Feyrair mused, happily taking the meal Ilea offered.

“Wouldn’t happen to an elf, I’ll give you that,” she mused, eating a portion herself. It wasn’t necessarily a good fight but a cathartic one after the day’s events.

The Lich cursed a little more before he broke down crying.

Owl joined and awkwardly touched his shoulder, giving a wary glance to the two fighters.

You’re literally twice our level, Ilea thought with a grin.

“He didn’t teleport away, why? I know he has hundreds of creatures prepared for this very event,” Owl said.

“It’s a secret,” Ilea answered, summoning the phylacteries. “So you want to live, I take it?”

The Lich looked at her, eyes shining just a little brighter. “I do… yes.”

“Aren’t they undead?” Fey asked.

“Moves, talks, seems pretty alive to me,” Ilea said.

“I suppose you’re right,” the elf replied.

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Ilea said and handed over the items.

“J… just like that?” the Lich asked.

Ilea shrugged. “I got what I came here to get. And I don’t want that guy to come back to life. Seems like the best outcome of the situation is you becoming a full Lich.”

“I s… suppose,” Owl said and turned to the other fragment. “Are you sure, Pain? You’re the one who can do the ritual.”

Pain had calmed down a little by now, wiping away at non existent tears before he started summoning ice, with runes already scratched into it all. “There is nothing I am more certain of, now come. We have to use the time, he won’t be beaten so easily the next time.”

“I doubt that,” Ilea said, sipping from a bottle of ale.

“You shouldn’t be overconfident, human, despite the incredible power you displayed in your battle. Death has fought many powerful beings, for a long time,” he said, gesturing his fellow Lich to sit down on a specific spot on the growing ice formation.

“He didn’t seem like a fighter to be honest,” Ilea replied, not about to start an argument about it all. The Lich may have fought powerful creatures but he had high level soul magic and necromancy at his disposal. She doubted he had battled many creatures that could withstand his spells for extended periods, let alone ones that could break his shields so easily.

The Lich focused on preparing the ritual, a circle of floating pieces of ice expanding as he added piece after piece. “Death tirelessly studied the tombs and notes left behind by the order of necromancers we have long forgotten. The mending of our broken fragments is only possible if none but one remain.”

“Were you the same person before?” Ilea asked. “You look and sound a bit like humans.”

“I do not remember the species we had once been. But I do know we are three. It was how this came to be, a failed ritual, taking the essence of not one but three. And so we were trapped, our bodies strengthened but limited. The process is delicate as it is and while failure had surely been an option we considered, the results were likely worse than what we had imagined. I do not remember much of that time. Notes, and feelings, reminding me of what I was, who I once have been,” the being explained. “And yet it matters not. My life ended with that ritual, and finally I will find rest,” he said with a calm voice, continuing to work without pause as he set up the rest of the spell.

A few hours later, the being floated over to the three waiting humans and elf.

Ilea had gotten the Elders after her meal.

“It is done,” the Lich said. “Owl, all you must do is claim what is yours.”

The other lich looked over from its central position within the maze of ice structures and floating cubes. “What do you mean?”

“Connect yourself to the phylacteries, and fuel the runes you touch. It was nice, knowing you,” Pain said and turned to the group. “Thank you.”

“I won’t forget you,” Owl said, her eyes flickering before magic surged upwards from the lose circle, runes and ice alight with both soul magic and necromancy.

The waiting Lich moved his gaze upwards with his arms lightly spread, a serene atmosphere to his form despite his near featureless body. “Victoria,” he whispered as his body dissolved back into pure mana.

The Elders wiped away tears, Feyrair giving them a confused look.

Don’t get resurrected again, old man, Ilea thought with a slight smile, turning her attention to the focusing magic that swirled around the remaining fragment, her body glowing with power, all congregating around her until it flowed into her form.

Bright purple eyes shined at the center of the formation, chunks of ice sent flying to all sides as the walls of the cavern started to crumble.

Ilea slapped away a few hundred kilograms of ice, forming a protective zone around the others, Feyrair expanding into his dragon form a moment later, the chunks simply collecting on top of his wings.

A burst of death magic flashed out, sending cracks through the ground and walls as a humanoid being was revealed at the center of it all, its form of ethereal shadow like quality with glowing purple eyes and a purple line indicating a mouth.

[Greater Lich – lvl ????] - [Undead]

Ilea waved at the creature from under Feyrair’s draconic head, the Elders standing behind her.

She watched as the Lich raised its arm, the ice around them stabilizing, the walls no longer breaking apart. It glanced to the floor and made a small pedestal form from the ground up, a runed sphere at its center. “We should leave this place,” the same high pitched voice said, looking up. “I cannot stop the collapse.”

It raised a hand, grabbing the sphere before it used a simple space magic spell to move them up in the dungeon.

Ilea didn’t try to resist, appearing with the group in the entrance hall where they had first come across the Liches.

“You’re still in there, right?” Ilea asked, approaching the creature now at near level one thousand three hundred.

“I believe so… yes… Owl was my name, was it not? The one given to me by passing time,” she said before giggling.

“That sounds kind of ominous,” Ilea said.

The Lich coughed. “Apologies, I need to get used to this far different form.”

“Purple yes, instead of blue,” Ilea said, aware of some of the magical differences thanks to her various forms of perception.

“Exactly,” the lich said and pointed at her, the sealed entrance shifting aside as it lead the group through.

Ilea teleported them up and out the same way they had entered, quickly reaching the valley up top. “We should probably not stay here,” she mused, checking the locator that now pointed south.

“I… this is… the sun,” the Lich said, looking up to the glowing orb of flames.

“Indeed,” Ilea said and lightly touched her shoulder. “And we’re in the far north, which means there are creatures here even you can’t just escape from.”

“I… see,” the being said, glancing at the members of the group.

“Coming?” Ilea asked. “Or do you want to find your own way?”

“I… you did so much already… I don’t… I’m a Lich… a cursed undead being,” she whispered.

“I can introduce you to a friend. There’s a collection of… special… individuals there already. You’ll fit right in, trust me,” Ilea suggested, smiling at the creature before her mantle closed up.

The Lich appeared next to her. “If it’s really not a bother.”

“Not at all,” Ilea said and activated her third tier transfer.

The group appeared within the domain of the Meadow, Ilea stretching as she cleansed herself inside a cloud of ash, switching into casual clothes before she joined the slow moving machine currently floating a few meters above ground.

[Pursuer of Akelion – lvl ???] - [Self conscious]

“Hey there murder machine,” Ilea said, waving at the creature.

“A visitor or an ally?” the Meadow asked.

“She’s a little lost. Maybe you can reintroduce her to the world and help her figure out her abilities, body, and well… maybe help her show restraint with her power,” Ilea answered.

The being made a rumbling sound that echoed through its entire domain. “I’m not some daycare, where you can drop off your new friends and children!”

“Come on, Meadow. We both know you love it. And it’s not like I’m dropping any beings that aren’t at least somewhat interesting,” she said, squinting her eyes at the tree. “How do you even know what a daycare is?”

“You mentioned it a few days ago. You talk a lot,” it answered.

“Oh do I now,” Ilea said, waving to the Lich, everyone else already occupied with their own activities, half of them likely communicating with the Meadow. “You’re already talking to the tree I assume? It runs things around here,” Ilea said. “But of course you can leave whenever you like. I’d appreciate it if you don’t become some murderhappy monster running around killing everything however.”

“You already fill that role,” the Meadow sent.

“One is enough. Do you really want four mark lich Ileas running around in your carefully cultivated wilderness?” she asked.

“That sounds like you’re insulting my hobbies,” the Meadow replied.

Chapter 675 League of common humans

Chapter 675 League of common humans

“I… I am, it’s talking to me inside my head,” Owl said, taking a few careful steps despite her ability to float, looking around with her glowing eyes, arms a little stiff and to her side.

“You’re the most human monster I’ve ever seen,” Ilea said. “Look, that’s Aki.”

“I… yes. Some kind of metal… machine being? I think I… need to sit down,” she said, an ashen chair forming next to her.

“Hope you have a good time here. I’m not sure what species you were before but humans would probably freak out if they saw you, not that there are many who could pose a threat to you,” Ilea said.

“Ilea, welcome back. Do you have a minute?” Iana asked, side eyeing the Lich. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh… you look normal,” Owl said and smiled.

“She’s secretly a dragon,” Ilea said.

“No I’m not,” Iana said and rolled her eyes, leading her away.

“That’s exactly what a dragon would say,” Ilea mused.

“Don’t scare her like that. You know how much damage a four mark creature can do if it goes on a rampage,” Iana said when they had walked away a few dozen meters, the woman gesturing to the teleportation platform in front of her.

“She’s called Owl you know,” Ilea said. “And she’s not just a four mark creature. She’s… well I’m sure she’ll figure out what she wants to be.”

“Hopefully not what is commonly known about Liches,” Iana said in a casual tone. “This is it,” she added, looking at the gate.

“It? The finished prototype?” Ilea asked.

“No, the finished gate. There were over two hundred prototypes. This is the finished one. It’s incredibly mana efficient, or well… it will be for most humans. The stronger you are, the more mana will be required to teleport you. It’s a security measure too. So if say Neiphato would try to use it, the gate would simply reject him. We can add mana signatures to the network to allow for teleportation or use special authorization keys similar to the ones the taleen had but couple them with signatures to make sure your key for example only works if you are the one standing on the gate,” she explained.

“And low level people just get a key?” Ilea asked.

“Well depends. I think the best option would be to distribute keys to trusted individuals who then could activate the gate for other people of certain level classes. Some random guards in Riverwatch could authorize adventurers up to level one hundred to teleport to Morhill for example, but anything above that level, they can’t authorize. I suppose the intricacies would have to be checked with each country, city, guard, and organization. It’s just to show how much customization is possible. I’ll leave it to Claire and her teams to figure out the specifics there,” she said.

“That’s wonderful,” Ilea said, crouching down to inspect the tiny runes all over the gate. “This can’t just be copied?”

“No, not if they don’t have a Meadow too. And worst case, they get the technology but can’t connect to our network. It’s an upgrade to the Taleen ones in every regard,” she said with pride.

Christopher joined them too at that point, yawning as he glanced over to the purple glowing thing talking to Goliath. “New resident?”

“Owl, not sure if she’ll stay,” Ilea said.

“I see,” the man said and smiled when he glanced at Iana.

“Sleep well?” she asked.

“I did. Go on,” he answered, stepping next to her.

“That tree really is a scary thing,” Ilea said.

“I’m entirely harmless. Just a plant,” the tree said.

Ilea just nodded absentmindedly. “What about production? And cost? I mean we should have a fuckton of gold at our disposal but this stuff looks incredibly intricate and the materials don’t seem common either,” she said, touching the cool surface of the interlinked metal plates, some reflecting the light in slightly different colors.

“Goliath offered us a large part of his stock, and he traded what he could with the other smiths in Hallowfort. It should already be enough for about thirty gates, and while some of the metals are rare, few have a use in most human countries. I’ll talk to Claire for a coordinated buy up, to make sure they don’t realize someone is buying up all these materials,” Iana said.

“And here I thought you were a scientist, not a businesswoman,” Ilea mused.

“I’ve learned more than enchanting from old Balduur,” Iana said. “But if it’s alright with you, we’ll start coordinating with Claire. Production itself will fall to Goliath and the Meadow. It’ll be about ten thousand times more efficient than anything we can get done in Ravenhall. Plus we have other projects to look into anyway. I’d love to figure out more about Aki’s current form, and maybe study the rubble you brought as well. I doubt we’ll get anything out of either in the near future, so let me know if you have anything pressing for us to work on.”

“Do what you think is best. I’ll get in touch if I need something done,” Ilea said. “Otherwise go for it. The faster we have a secure teleportation network running, the better. Oh and make sure Trian and the Sentinels get involved early too. The north will be a great opportunity for them to learn and train.”

“Of course,” Iana said with a smile. “We’ll get to work then.”

“After you get some sleep,” Christopher said. “You promised.”

The enchantress rolled her eyes. “I can wait another day,” she said.

“Oh speaking of other projects, I forgot to drop all this stuff on you,” Ilea said and summoned the crate with Taleen prototypes from the Praetorian facility. “Found these but the gate was more important anyway.”

“Interesting, we’ll have a look as well,” Iana said as Christopher pushed her away.

“Sleep before I invoke the name of the all seeing tree,” he said and gave Ilea a thankful nod.

She smiled back, crossing her arms as she watched the two return to their underground home in the ancient tree village.

“Rather surreal, is it not?” a voice came into her mind. “To think two humans so ordinary would find peace and purpose in such a strange and chaotic place.”

“Hereven, how’ve you been?” Ilea asked, glancing towards the approaching Mind Weaver.

“Wonderful truly. It is… a paradox. Though I know my freedom is guaranteed, I spend my days here, observing and communicating with the beings that live both in Hallowfort and below. The same perhaps as my time in Audur’s domain, and yet the… feeling, is entirely different. I will have to think on this more,” it explained.

“Glad to hear you’re having a good time,” she said. “Knowing you’re free to go can change your mindset quite a bit. As would the contrary.”

“Such appears to be the case. A new visitor I see. A being powerful enough to challenge most and yet it seems… so very… harmless. I shall make contact,” it said and started hovering towards Owl. “It was a pleasure to see your ashen form, Lilith. The wings do suit you.”

“Thanks,” Ilea said, considering if the demon had just attempted to flirt with her. Owl won’t catch a break quite yet, she thought, turning away.

“Ilea, there is a space mage at the edge of my perception. He claims to know you,” the Meadow spoke.

“What’s his name?” she asked.

“I will ask. It’s Albert,” it said.

“Yeah, I met him yesterday, or earlier today actually. Impressive that he’s already here based on the little info I gave him,” she said and quickly explained the circumstances of their meeting and some of the backgrounds. She hesitated but decided to tell the Meadow about the suns too. If anybody did not have a use for such a device, it was the Meadow.

“What a useful device to take over the realm,” it said immediately after.

“Exactly, so I hope you can keep it a secret. If we manage to get it out, I’ll probably just hand it off to you. For safekeeping,” she said.

“Your trust in otherworldly beings beyond your simple brain’s understanding is baffling,” the Meadow spoke. “I shall invite him in, I doubt his presence here will be an issue. The gates will be revealed soon enough and based on your information he would not dare alienate our faction.”

“I only have one small brain to think too, and it’s really just one big muscle,” Ilea said. “It makes sense to me to trust something with about fifty,” she said.

A condescending laugh went through the domain, one that only Ilea could hear. At least she understood how the space magic behind it worked, the realization causing a smile to sprout on her face. She looked over to another space anomaly, one of Meadow’s spells, and locked eyes with Scipio, her smile turning into a grin. “Hello there.”

The man stumbled back, falling on his ass while looking at… well everything around him, his gaze moving past Ilea and towards Owl. “A… Lich…,”

“She’s probably harmless,” Ilea said as his eyes locked on Hereven.

“Mind Weaver…,” he murmured, shaking his head lightly before he forced his mouth closed, standing up and dusting off his pants. He walked a few steps forward before his gaze froze on the gate. “You…,”

“Yes. Not me though,” Ilea said. “We’ll distribute it soon enough. Fair conditions for all.”

“It’s…,” he started before he shook his head, resting his arms on his knees.

“Kneel before your god,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea rolled her eyes and glanced towards the Meadow. “No need to scare the man even more.”

He didn’t seem fazed by the remarks, looking up with a defeated expression. “It’s like you. Of course it is. To think something would shock me to this extent. You win, Nes.”

“Why does she win?” Ilea asked, eyebrows quirking up.

He steadied himself and walked towards the Meadow. “She knew this would happen. You and your feminine intuition. Unlisted stats…,” he murmured. “You’ll get your training, that’s for sure.”

Ilea didn’t react, leaving the space mage to his own devices as she joined her group again. Pierce and Feyrair were fighting in a dome again, Verena sitting on a rock nearby, watching the various beings interact.

“Ready to head out again?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. I’m glad we sought you out,” Verena said. “These past few days have been the most interesting and eventful since… since forever.”

“It’s not always that exciting. Sometimes I just kill the same things for months at a time,” Ilea said, glancing at Feyrair and Pierce. “They seem to understand each other.”

“Both not particularly well tuned, yes,” Verena said with a light smile. “And yeah, it’s just normal, when you’re at this level. Killing monsters.”

Ilea clapped her hands together, creating a loud sound. Oh, she thought, looking down at her hands. “Been a while since I tried that,” she murmured and glanced at the two people looking at her. “We’re leaving again. Wanna come?”

The dome vanished after they affirmed.

“You’re an efficient treasure collector,” Pierce said.

“Easy when you have a locator,” Ilea said. “And the speed of sound.”

“And teleportation gates,” Verena added.

“Yeah, that too,” Ilea said, the locator still pointing south even from here.

The Meadow saw them off a moment later, the group appearing in the air south of Hallowfort’s location, Ilea’s wings spreading out as she caught the elf and berserker, Pierce already ahead with her crackling lightning.

They flew for hours, Ilea occasionally checking the locator but generally seeing very little change. Seems like the rest of the keys aren’t located in the north at all, she thought, sure they would come up on the Naraza mountain chain in another hour or two of flying. She slowed down and came to a stop when the arrow turned to the west with a sudden motion.

“Got our next one,” she said with a smile.

“At this rate you’ll have all of them before you get your third Class to the next evolution,” Feyrair said, cracking his neck before he stretched and hissed a few times.

“Seems like high level monsters are more rare than hidden taleen artifacts,” Ilea said, a little annoyed about the fact that it might actually happen like he suggested.

They continued on towards the location, flying over mountains and crevices that looked the same as those hundreds of kilometers before. She was glad nobody had figured out to make a locator for these keys so far because without one it seemed entirely impossible to find them.

Some random ass dungeons and tombs in the middle of absolutely fucking nowhere, she mused, the arrow pointing towards a deep crack in the land leading towards a mountain, nothing about either remarkable in any way. She lead the group down and into the crevice, the locator informing her that the key was about eight kilometers ahead and down somewhere below. Hopefully some more four marks to fight.

“Tracks here,” Verena said, crouched and getting up. “Heavy boots and large. Dwarven war machines.”

“Probably a kingdom nearby,” Pierce said.

“You two have visited them?” Ilea asked, following the guidance of her artifact.

“A few cities, but they don’t let in anyone. You need some of them to vouch for you and even then it’s difficult,” Verena said.

“A bother is what it is. If you want to see them, just sneak inside,” Pierce said.

Verena shook her head. “Can’t do that with the ones I’ve visited. They really like building unconquerable fortresses deep underground. All enchanted too, and old. Some of these cities have been standing longer than any human settlements.”

Did they survive the changes in the north? Ilea wondered.

She could see the tracks now too, large imprints, most even bigger than those Terok would leave behind in his suit. Then again, didn’t he mention he built his for scavenging? I’d think they’d go more bulky with something meant to just fight monsters. Taleen went thin too though, hmm.

Her thoughts were interrupted when they came around a bend, only a small part of the cliffs above reached by sunlight. Her enhanced eyes allowed her to see the distant entrance anyway. A currently closed stone gate with carved in decorative runes, perhaps even functional. To each side were steel enforced bunker like extensions built into the high reaching stone walls. Jagged edges, bloodied spikes, and runes adorned the structures, likely meant as a warning to any creature willing to get too close.

She could just about make out a thin opening on each side that would allow someone to see through but her sight wasn’t enough at this distance to make out if anyone was actually inside.

“Guess we can just go and see if they let us in,” she said.

“If there is anyone still here. Could just be another ruin,” Verena said.

Pierce giggled to herself. “Hmm… yes. They do tend to dig out things they should’ve left far below ground.”

“Demons of the ancient world,” Ilea mused.

“I don’t think you’ll find demons very often in these parts,” Pierce said. “That Hereven fellow doesn’t count.”

Fey hissed in agreement.

Ilea continued onward, soon close enough to see the pairs of eyes waiting within the bunkers. One set actually closed, the person apparently asleep.

He jolted awake a moment later, another bearded person appearing and pointing towards the walking group.

“HALT!” a voice bellowed through the crevice.

Ilea did as he asked. “We’re friendly!” she shouted back. “Here to visit and trade!”

“ONLY WAR MACHINES AND DIVERS! THERE’S NO TRADE FOR YOU HERE! LEAVE ASH BEING!” the voice resumed.

Hmm.

“LEAVE OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!” came the warning.

Fey hissed, bursting into flame.

Pierce glanced at him and smirked.

“Wait, let’s leave for now,” Ilea said and turned around, tapping Fey’s chest.

“You would ignore such a foolish threat?” he asked with another hiss.

“They warned us. We’d be intruding their home,” she said, giving the Elders a long glance.

Pierce laughed, Verena at least avoiding eye contact.

“War machines and divers?” Ilea asked as they walked away. “Let’s get up and keep an eye on that entrance for a while. We haven’t taken a break in a while.”

“I’ve seen a few dwarves use suits of armor powered by their own mana or other sources they can include,” Verena said. “I believe they call those war machines.”

“There’s one in Hallowfort I know. Could go ask him if he knows the dwarves here,” Ilea said.

“Or you just use your space magic to go in and get the key,” Feyrair suggested.

“That’s the last option. Let’s exhaust the others first,” Ilea answered. She wouldn’t shy away from stealing the key if the dwarves proved entirely too stubborn but already they had given a warning first. More reasonable than most things I’ve met recently.

They sat down near a fairly hidden spot at the top of the crevice, occasionally hit by a few bolts of arcane lightning but otherwise undisturbed. Ilea could see the entrance and was somewhat sure the dwarves couldn’t see them from within their bunkers, likely more focused on the inside of the crevice with few things coming from above, especially during the day.

“Isn’t this just cute? Us common adventurers camping out here in the northern lands,” Pierce said with a happy sigh.

Verena groaned.

“Common, sure,” Ilea said, looking up as another storm came through. Lightning struck, hitting Pierce and flashing through her.

She moaned, laughing when nobody reacted.

Ilea glanced over the side of the cliff, hearing noises from below. About half an hour had passed since their denial at the entrance. She saw a single absolutely massive being made of steel, its pauldrons alone nearly as large as her entire torso, dust covered steel dented and showing more than a few scratches. It moved favoring its right leg, steadily advancing.

As it passed through below, she could reach the being with her healing through her dominion, finding its anatomy similar to Terok’s. A warmachine, she thought, her friend’s suit considerably leaner than this absolute bulk of steel. She took another look and smiled.

Chapter 676 Living Steel

Chapter 676 Living Steel

Ilea felt the weight with each step, her mana and heat fueling the living armor around her. She was sitting at her fully extended weight. Ilea simply didn’t see a reason not to extend it for more heat generation. With all this bulk and slowed down to a crawl compared to her insane speed and maneuverability, the added weight simply wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Her eyes were covered, over twenty centimeters of metal protecting her ash covered form, the mantle unable to defend the massive bulk of her armaments. She took a careful step, the magic flowing through the armor helping a lot with actually moving it all. Her strength would be enough but not quite to the extent of making the thing usable in battle.

“You’re a bulky, blind, armored, idiot,” Pierce said.

Ilea summoned her rifle, casually lifting it with her armored titanic hands before she aimed at a nearby boulder. Ashen limbs extended from the angled slits in her back into the openings of the rifle, which allowed the charged Embered Heart to be used, both in a controlled and more chaotic fashion. Five times the charge speed, Ilea thought with a grin, a beam of energy and fire punching through the stone a moment later.

Pebbles rained down from above as Ilea tried to jump back, the armor only lifting up by a few centimeters, still coming down with a loud crash. While her eyes were indeed entirely covered up, Ilea could see well enough with her dominion. It could be a problem of course if an enemy managed to stop her ability, but it would still have to get through the insanely thick plate of heavily enchanted dark metal.

“Point taken,” Pierce said, looking at the smoldering furrow behind the non existent boulder. “A ranged attack still, do you have anything for close quarters?”

Ilea didn’t reply, the others wouldn’t hear her anyway. Instead she moved forward, not quite running but a generous observer might describe it as a light jog. Her rifle vanished as she kept running, each step deliberate and calculated through her dominion. The impacts resounded through the vicinity as the armored Ilea built as much momentum as she could.

“Is she really going to?” Verena asked, the three adventurers following the two and a half meter titan with mixed expressions.

Ilea pushed on, her right fist crashing into a rock formation with a devastating blow. Her body followed. Chunks, bits, and pieces flew to the side as her weight and momentum barreled into the peaceful landscape. She got stuck halfway through, using her fists to progress until they couldn’t reach anything else, her right leg stuck in a small crevice.

“A true barbarian,” Pierce said.

“Give her a second,” Fey reminded.

Ashen limbs lashed out, a chaotic storm of several dozen bladed arms ripping through what was left of the formation. Ilea didn’t stop here, unleashing a near fully charged Embered Heart in a sphere around herself.

Chunks of stone crashed against the armored adventurers, Feyrair clapping a few times with Verena joining in.

“Slow, that is true,” Feyrair said. “But she’s not much less destructive.”

“But mobility is the main advantage we have against high level monsters,” Verena said.

“She won’t be fighting those in that armor,” Fey said.

Pierce flew a little closer. “Defensively it should be an upgrade too though, or am I wrong? Until it’s destroyed that is.”

Letters made of ash formed in front of the titan.

“Try. Mortal.”

“You’re just as human as I am, Ilea. Don’t you ever forget your roots, young woman, or I’ll befriend a dragon or something and get it to eat you,” Pierce said as lightning sparked around her. “Are you sure? I don’t think you want to go back for repairs.”

Ilea replied by forming ashen spears, aiming them at the flying woman. Her own wings here nowhere near enough to carry both the bulk of her armor and her own near as heavy form. The comments were mostly right of course, Ilea wouldn’t consider using this piece of equipment against an unknown four mark. It might’ve helped against the Wyrm’s sun attack, but generally she much preferred her mobility and more so her teleportation. Displacement after all wasn’t enough to move the whole armaments of Lilith.

She raised her arm against the beam of lightning, several bolts crashing against her shoulders, chest, and head but nothing made it through even a part of her layered defense. And I do have my mantle below, she thought, healing the slight damage of the armor. It wasn’t quite as quick to repair as it was to heal her own body but compared to a timeless property, the upgrade was substantial. To the point where she could repair her armor during battle, granted she wasn’t fighting anything beyond a certain weight class. The Meadow would rip this thing apart in seconds. Or would it? Maybe should’ve tested a bit more, the healing aspect too.

She didn’t mind too much, asking the other two to join in too as she occasionally sent out an ashen spear or ten to make them move at least a little. Ilea could’ve tried to burn them out of the air with her Embered Heart, the spell coupled with her defense, beam cannon, and the heat generation boost from her weight increase most certainly her main weapon while using the heavy suit of living armor. But right now she wasn’t trying to prove anything. Stomping a few level three hundred Elders of the Shadow’s Hand wouldn’t exactly be an impressive feat for her in the first place.

With her limited mobility and more importantly, her limited range of dominion, anyone with a few brain cells would stay at a distance anyway, abusing her weaknesses until they managed to overwhelm her. Not an easy thing either, she mused, seeing Feyrair’s flames burn into her massive arm, Pierce’s lightning not quite leaving a lasting impression either. Granted their elements aren’t really made to get through steel, she thought while repairing the damage.

She grinned when Verena entered her dominion, the woman rushing forward with both axes at the ready, her body glowing with magic before she vanished, several strikes hitting Ilea’s armored back. She tried to turn around, but the Elder simply moved away, her assault continuing, each strike hitting harder, the impacts resounding with dull notes.

Ilea decided to use her ash, a few limbs lashing out against the woman, cutting deep into her flesh before she was forced back to regenerate. Ilea could’ve simply used her dominion to push destructive mana into the Elder, but where was the fun in that? Her grin faded slightly when a dragon came crashing down about ten meters in front of her, the creature rearing back its head before a barrage of bright magical fire came for her.

Ilea formed burning ashen walls, the barrage colliding with her defenses as she formed more and more, quickly overwhelmed before she raised both arms, healing against he continuous damage from Feyrair’s breath. This is just ridiculous, she thought, watching her living armor melt, metal dripping to the ground as his white flame burned into and through her.

The plating was reduced by more than half before the dragonling rushed forward, his form towering even above her, albeit not by much anymore.

His burning claw came down, biting deep into her shoulder and a part of her head, his body moving forward as he tried to pierce the titan’s chest with his second set of claws.

Ilea laughed when his blow was stopped about three fourths of the way to her mantle, the angle not quite perfect. She moved her half molten arm and grabbed his, her heavily damaged armor repairing itself with the help of her healing.

The dragonling roared, using his massive form and strength to try and lift the titan, his efforts failing as his clawed talons dug into the stone ground. Instead he tried to bring her down, his claws still stuck inside the steel and slowly pushing deeper.

Ilea used her ashen limbs to help stabilize herself, her footing good enough to make his efforts an absolute joke. Feyrair was strong, even more so in this form of his, but there was a limit to how much he could move. Apparently it was her. Angling a few ashen limbs towards his extended arms, Ilea released a beam of energy, eliciting a roar from the dragon who moved his wings and jumped back, smoking bone revealed where her beam had struck.

Come at me then, she thought, taking a step forward with her right arm raised and gesturing. The cuts on her shoulder and chest were reforming, much like the Executioner machines she had fought before. I suppose this is how Aki feels right now. Just a lot faster, and even lighter.

Feyrair didn’t have to be taunted twice, the dragonling taking flight and moving back, power rushing out from his form before he rushed down and towards her, burning claws extended, with fire in his open maw.

Ilea took a step forward when the claws were about to reach. She ducked as well as she could, her massive knees bending as the ground slightly cracked. She could see the talons bite into her shoulder and brought up her fist, her aim perfect as she struck the monster’s skull, his breath exploding outwards in a bright plume of destructive white flame, to her side and into the northern landscape.

He turned his head, flames flickering in his throat when his eyes met an extended armored hand. His reptilian eyes narrowed before he turned back into an elf. “I need those evolutions…, why am I wasting time here,” he said and shook his head.

She appeared on top of her still regenerating armor, holding on to the large head while using its shoulder as a rest. “You don’t have to stay, you know,” she said and smirked, happy with her victory. Though she had to admit, without her evolutions she would’ve maybe even lost this one.

“You will use this thing… to get inside… but I won’t be able to join. Meaning yes, I think it’s best if I find something else to fight. There should be enough nearby,” the elf said and took flight.

“Sure. You have the mark. I’ll let you know when I’m done here or if I need help,” Ilea said.

“Good. May you be victorious, Ilea,” Fey said, a bit absent minded as he flew off.

“Great. Now you wounded his pride,” Pierce said in an exaggerated tone. “How will he ever recover from this??”

“Maybe he can put you down in a few more bouts,” Ilea said, healing the rest of the damage to her lovely toy. Suit of heavy living armor, not toy. Apologies, she mused, tapping its head. If you try to take over my body, I’ll rip you apart, she added. Just in case.

“Ahh,” the Elder moaned. “I wish. But he’s gone now. What should we do?” she asked, a storm cloud moving closer.

“I mean he’s right. I’ll use this thing to get inside, you two could just wait, or go explore a bit,” Ilea answered.

“We’re not quite as invincible as you are,” Verena said. “I think waiting is the best approach.”

Pierce groaned next to her, the first bolts of lightning crashing into the ground. “Can you not get us in too? We could be your armorers, your slaves, or some kind of deployed human warriors.”

Ilea noticed more lightning coming from above than usual, most of them hitting her armaments or close to it. She summoned it when the damage became more extensive. It could survive inside a storm with the help of her healing but she didn’t have to push it. Living lightning rod more like.

“I’ll see what I can do, bored Princess Elder,” she said and walked towards the crevice.

“Oh thank you, brave adventurer. I will trust in your expertise at handling these barbaric ruffians!” Pierce said, back in a lovely blue dress that got shredded by the next bolt of lightning. “Fuck… ah well, worth it.”

“Gladys won’t be happy,” Verena mused in a dry tone.

Pierce waved her off. “Ah that sellout can’t complain. Leaving Virilya to go south, just because this Lilith person offers this opportunity and that. A new market, the new center of commerce, blablabla. How sad, the influence of such a witch upon the civilized lands of humanity!”

“Are you done?” Ilea asked, jumping down with the two of them following.

Pierce changed into her armor and sat down on a nearby rock. “Yes, quite. No go off on your task, wild one.”

“Awe, I didn’t think the separation from your elven boy would cause so much grief,” Ilea said and changed back into her massive set of living armor. She took a knee, as hard as that was. “I will not fail you,” she formed with floating ashen words.

Verena’s laughter echoed through the cut in the land with Ilea making her way towards the protected entrance of wherever the next key was located.

She had pushed her weight to the limit and soon reached the same distance from the large entrance as she had before. This time however, nobody stopped her.

“Welcome to the Pit,” one of the guards said, looking through the thin slit of the right side bunker.

Ilea looked over and formed words made of ash. “Greetings.”

“A mage. Interesting combination, and that looks like a living warmachine. Quite capable too…,” he said and burst out laughing.

The dwarf next to him joined in.

[Axe Warrior – lvl 204]

[Shield Breaker – lvl 230]

Can’t pierce Monstrous, it seems, Ilea thought, checking the ones on the left but finding them at a similar level.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” another dwarf asked.

“No,” Ilea showed.

“Yeah, and you’re not dwarven either,” he said, his eyes glowing with magic now.

Ah, already discovered, she thought.

“Is that a problem?” she asked with ash.

The dwarf shrugged. “Probably not. Hit that wall over there to show that thing isn’t just a mighty nice looking piece of jewelry. We test everyone like that.”

Sure you do, Ilea thought and walked over to the indicated spot. She didn’t even pull back, simply slamming her armored fist into the stone. A heavy impact resounded, her hand half a meter deep inside a small crater before she pulled it out with pebbles and debris falling to the ground. She didn’t need to ask if they were satisfied, the smiles and laughter coupled with exchanged gold was enough.

“Seems to hold up at least,” the dwarf said, receiving a small pouch filled with coins himself. “You may enter. Don’t cause trouble,” he said which elicited another bout of laughter from the dwarves close by. He too had to crack a smile at that.

What the fuck is this place? Ilea asked herself and formed another set of letters. “May I bring in companions? There are two humans in my employ.”

“May I… employ? I’m starting to think you don’t fit in after all,” the dwarf said and shrugged. “But aye, two is fine.”

Ilea leaned down a little closer, raising her hand before a cone of heat and energy flashed upwards, leaving a furrow in the side of the crevice. “Appreciate it,” she formed, waiting for the others to join her.

“You’re puzzling,” the dwarf said, not visibly impressed like the others. “No voice module but a cannon like that. I suggest you check some of the stores. And don’t walk around without that on, wouldn’t want to get hurt. Except… well if you’re here to start fights, that’s fair. I suggest you apply for the Dome either way. Would love to see that thing in battle.”

Ilea gave him a steel thumbs up, the Elders teleporting through the crevice until they reached her side, both of them hiding their faces with cloaks.

The dwarf touched a nearby rune. Enchantments brought a mechanism to life, the double doors made of steel and stone slowly opening inwards. Dents and scratches were clearly visible on the entrance.

Pierce glanced into the slit and grinned. “You lot are supposed to stop a monster from coming in?”

Some of them frowned, the dwarf who had talked to Ilea laughed instead. “This isn’t some honorary guard, lass. We’re here because it’s the closest place to the shit out there. Just barely,” he said and made a gesture with his hand. “Barely better than execution.”

“Novel,” Pierce replied. “Take it this isn’t some high and mighty dwarven kingdom, is it?”

“This… is the Pit, now fuck off, I don’t get paid enough to answer stupid questions,” he said.

Pierce smirked. “I like you, dwarf,” she said and stepped inside.

Ilea followed with heavy steps, the gate more than large enough to let her pass.

“Strong bunch. How long will they last?” one of the guards asked.

“Depends where they go. And why they’re here,” another said.

“Two gold that they just want to go down for metals,” one said.

“Three gold that the big one joins the Dome, I have a feeling,” another said, the gates closing again behind the group, the noise from the mechanism drowning out the conversation.

They found themselves inside an expansive hall, perfectly angular. The walls were stone. The floor was stone. There were no stores or houses, just a bunch of armored beings sitting on a few benches some dozen meters away. Ilea saw a rectangular tunnel leading down into the depths, a somewhat steep slope to it and large enough to fit ten of her, including her armor.

Chapter 677 The Pit

Chapter 677 The Pit

“Greetins!” one of the beings said as he approached.

Ilea appeared on top of her armor to have a better look. The hall was lit by various magic lighting from above, a warm light filling most of the expansive area. She doubted her not wearing the armor would really be an issue.

The warmachine was piloted by a dwarf, a steel visor open to reveal a bearded face, hardly any skin visible in the tight space of his armored suit. “Name’s Malan, Nice to meet all of you. I can show you around if you like.”

“What’s in it for you, Malan?” Pierce said, looking around before her eyes came to rest on the other two beings. “You guys here to do the same shit?”

“Why are you like this?” Ilea asked, looking at the woman. “Maybe they’re just trying to be nice,” she said, half because she generally gave people the benefit of the doubt, and half just to annoy the woman. The whole feel of this situation reminded her of taxi drivers or local sellers fucking over tourists. Because they quite obviously were tourists.

“Now I understand why everyone loves you,” Pierce answered. “I think we’ll find our own way,” she said to the dwarf before glancing to Ilea. “Except of course, the goddess does not concur.”

“A guide would be nice to be honest,” she said. “What about you two?”

One of them didn’t react, Ilea hearing muffled snoring now that she wasn’t inside her own armor anymore.

“Fuck off,” the other one said.

“Let’s go with that one,” Ilea said.

“Yes, I approve,” Pierce said.

Verena sighed and followed.

“Are you daft?” the dwarf asked, his suit showing a variety of scratches and a halfway done paint job. His machine was about as large as Ilea’s, the pieces however not quite as close to his body.

Ilea could see dozens of weak points, one part near his legs even showing his actual body. Pathetic. I’m the far superior war machine, she thought. “Can you show us around? We’re gullible tourists.”

[Stone Warrior – lvl 200]

“I’d rather blast myself with a heat propelled steel piercer than play guide for you lot,” he answered.

“He’s the right choice,” Pierce said. “Go on, pay him.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the princess?” Ilea asked, sitting on her armaments again. She noticed the dwarf tense up at the mention of a princess. Hmm, curious.

“Yes, and I order you, with my royal power given to me through a history of violence and conquest, pay this poor dwarf,” Pierce said.

“You’re penniless… again?” Verena said, looking at the other elder.

Pierce’s eyes went wide before she crossed her arms. “Outrageous! Defaming accusations, I tell you. My finances are of no concern to a lowly plebeian like yourself.”

Ilea summoned a few gold pieces. “How much do you want?”

“How much do you have?” the dwarf asked.

She flicked two pieces his way. “Another two if you do a good job,” she said. Ilea wondered how valuable gold even was to them, the guards outside betting several pieces on seemingly casual wagers.

“Double it, and I’m yours for the day,” he said.

Ilea paid up, not even checking how much gold she had in her necklace.

“Great. That’ll pay for my crippling whiskey addiction,” the dwarf said as his machine came to life, the thing standing up. He stretched. More than one bone and piece of metal cracked as he did so.

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked.

“Bralin,” the dwarf said. “And we’re not getting friendly just because you paid me. You get that right?”

“Oh no, I was hoping your services were more extensive,” Pierce said and started towards the tunnel. “I assume it’s this way to the Pit?”

Bralin didn’t answer but followed along, his strides going quite far. “You should put that thing on, by the way. Humans aren’t exactly welcome around here, nor anything else not a dwarf,” he said and paused. “Even most dwarves to be honest.”

“I can’t speak while it’s on,” Ilea said.

“Really? Where the fuck did you get that thing then? I doubt you made it yourself,” he said.

“Why would you doubt her engineering capabilities?” Pierce asked.

The dwarf glanced at her, the slit in his helmet showing his black eyes. “Just a guess.”

“It’s made to kill, not to talk,” Ilea answered. “But yeah, you have something that solves that problem?”

“I do, well not me, but the people I work for. Somber Core smithy. They’re alright, not the best, not the worst. I can make sure you don’t get anything faulty, and ten percent of whatever you spend. But trust me, it’s still more expensive if you go there without me,” he explained.

“What’s one speech item going to cost?” Ilea asked.

“Thirty silver, around that. It’s not incredible but does the job. I suggest you take one that is battle approved. Wouldn’t want to have it break in the middle of your massacre. I do hope you’re not here for reasons of war?” he said.

“How come you think that?” Ilea asked with a perfect smile.

“You give me the shivers. These two are strong, but you… you’re some kind of monster. That living armor is the best I’ve set my eyes on for decades, if not ever. And you treat it like some kind of tool. Most of us here would murder to get our hands on such a machine,” he explained.

“We’re not here to kill anybody. But a Dome was mentioned,” Ilea said.

“Ah sure. I can show it to you, and help you sign up. So I can bet against whatever poor fool is standing across from you,” he said.

“What is it exactly?” Ilea asked.

“A dome. Well it was one at some point. Upside down… more a bowl really. Fights between war machines. Team fights, fights against monsters, tests of strength, durability, and the like, some to the death, some just until one gives up. But you won’t see any of the better machines in there, more shit like this,” he said, tapping his own helmet.

“You didn’t make that one?” Verena asked.

He grunted. “You seem surprised. You’ve been to dwarven cities I assume. The Pit isn’t quite as beautiful or pretentious. Most of those pissers haven’t ever had their chest plates dented in by a matured elf or a wartroll.”

Really? At level two hundred? Ilea thought and checked him with Veteran. Oh. I see.

It turned out Bralin was closer to three twenty. Why and how he hid his actual level from her was a mystery. “How are you hiding your level?”

“Ah… you noticed. Would appreciate it if you can keep that to yourself,” Bralin said. “It’s a skill related to my heritage. Nothing I could teach I’m afraid.”

“You’re hiding your level?” Pierce asked.

“I said keep it fucking down. Or you can find another guide,” the dwarf said.

“What’s he at?” Pierce asked Ilea.

“Three twenty,” Ilea supplied.

“Damn, higher than me. You suddenly became a lot more interesting, Bralin,” Pierce said and walked a little closer to him.

“I’m not attracted to humans,” he said.

“Shame,” Pierce answered.

“Why hide it?” Ilea asked.

He glanced her way. “You’re doing it too.”

“Yeah, but three marks is a bit different than your case,” she said.

“I have my reasons,” Bralin said and left it at that. “To get back to the topic, a lot of dwarves here don’t use war machines they’ve made themselves. If someone gets squashed in the Dome, it’d just be a waste to not sell the machine. Their main business next to betting actually.”

“What are the rules against using your own body to fight after the war machine is destroyed?” Ilea asked.

“None. Most would get obliterated even more. In your case… hmm. It wouldn’t be against the rules, but rules only mean something until they don’t. If you get what I mean,” he said.

“Gotcha, I’ll stay inside,” Ilea said with a smirk.

“Smarter, definitely. For everyone. You don’t strike me like someone who’d wipe out an entire settlement for no good reason,” Bralin said.

The hallway led down into the underground for several kilometers, the occasional war machine wearing dwarf walking or flying past them.

“Is there only one way in?” Verena asked.

“From up in the stormlands? Probably. Yes. But most of us don’t go there. Not with the pit,” Bralin informed. “The Pit is both the city and well, the pit. Was a former prisoner town ages past. Only goal was digging down, for whatever metals, treasures, and monsters they could find. It’s at a respectable depth now, the lower levels too dangerous for most. Are you here because of that?”

“It does sound interesting,” Ilea said. “What kind of monsters are we looking at?”

“Hard to say. Some have died over the years digging further down, entire sections are off limits and rarely entered. I’m sure you can imagine the kind of creatures lurking down there with your experience,” he said. “You are human, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Ilea reassured him. “How’s the settlement still here? If you constantly go down.”

He glanced at her and started laughing. “Yeah… well. There have been… incidents. And there will be more. But enchantments and various defensive measures, cave in options, and well… explosions. Explosions work well pretty much every time.”

“How reassuring,” Verena said from the side.

“I’m sure you three will be more than fine,” the dwarf said with a slight chuckle.

They soon reached a massively oversized gate, made entirely of enchanted steel.

Ilea looked up to see the top about thirty meters up. “This is ridiculous.”

“It really is,” Pierce said. “Boring design too.”

“And a waste of steel,” Verena added.

“You should wear your armor now,” the dwarf said. He walked past them and literally knocked on the massive closed gate, magic surging up from where he touched it, the energy rippling through the entire length of the entrance before the heavy doors moved forward. They stopped with a few meters of space in between.

Two war machines greeted them, both wielding halberds with a near four meter reach. “Those two?” one of them asked, pointing at the humans.

“With this one,” Bralin said, nodding to the dark set of living armor.

“Go on then, gate can’t stay open,” the other said, ushering them inside.

Ilea stepped into the space and followed Bralin to the side, a large smooth platform of steel expanding into what she assumed to be the city, an enormous stairwell nearly twenty meters wide led down from the center. When she thought to be far enough away from the guards by the gate, she transferred outside and in front of her armor.

Her eyes adjusted immediately, the darkness of her armaments giving way to warm magical light coming from massive devices built into the cavern ceiling. She blinked her eyes, looking at the even surface above, everything perfectly angular and lined with metal. Before her sprawled a city of lights, buildings of various sizes and forms sitting in a bowl like bed, many of them reflecting the magical light in different colors. While the structures themselves looked different from each other, it all seemed to follow a rather brutalist style. Everything was a combination of angles and flat surfaces. A lot of the stone buildings were simply rectangular boxes, the structures situated higher up on the surrounding slopes started to have more complex designs, some with several floors and balconies, others more pyramid like with various extensions. She even saw a few that looked like simple monoliths.

Ilea saw buildings made entirely of gold, silver, and bronze, or at least metals or alloys with a similar shine to them. There were some with a blue hue, others with a green one, some even entirely black, much like the obsidian that made up her hammer. The underground city spanned kilometers wide.

“Fitting name,” Pierce mused, even her voice not quite as mocking as it usually was.

“Right,” Ilea said with a smile, looking at the hundreds of meters wide circular abyss at the center of it all, metal extensions, railings, and war machines visible both near the top and on the side of the descending cliffs.

“Welcome to the Pit,” Bralin said, not sounding nearly as bored as he had back at the entrance.

“Please tell me you don’t have a gold house,” Pierce said, frowning at some of the closer structures made of shiny metals.

The dwarf chuckled. “No. I prefer something a little less pronounced. And a bit more sturdy.”

“Are those cannons?” Ilea asked, looking at the dozens of large tube like extensions mounted to the side of the round pit, the ends looking a little like barrels and aimed down into the hole.

“Good eyes,” the dwarf remarked. “Yes. There are a few things where everyone agrees to chip in, with metals, time, and most importantly knowledge. We’ve sent four marks back into the depths, not just scared but crippled and dying.”

Ilea whistled. “How much for one of those things to shoot me?”

Pierce grinned. “You’re mad. I want to see it.”

“That’s not a request I’ve heard before,” Bralin said. “Let’s get you that speech module first. I assume it’s clear who the influential people are based on the state of the housing. There isn’t a single ruler or government present in the Pit, various groups and mostly high level individuals have a say in whatever comes up. General rules include no stealing, no destruction of property, and most importantly, no match fixing.”

“What about killing? Basic rights? Healers? Work?” Ilea asked.

“You’re free to kill anyone you like. But make sure you’re prepared to deal with whoever will come for vengeance. There are few healers here, but there is a lot of work. And a lot to learn. But you’ll have to make your own way in the Pit,” Bralin answered. “The champion of the Dome generally has the most influence, but that’s not always been the case. The current one is Helwart Maulstroem. Not quite as dim as the last one we had.”

“What happened to the last one?” Verena asked.

“Crowned himself king. Killed and thrown into the pit. That was a glorious night,” he mused. “Two whole districts were leveled,” he added with a bellowing laugh. “Ah but it’s better when the fighting doesn’t get too extensive. My forge was destroyed entirely.”

“You have a forge? But are employed by a smithy?” Ilea asked, seeing a few war machines taking flight in the distance, one with fire coming out of its boots. The thing flew before taking a sharp turn and hitting a building, sparks visible even at this distance.

“Yeah, most of us have our own forges, or shared ones. A lot goes into making a working war machine, the tools and materials are neither cheap nor always easy to get. I can only manage general repairs in my home. Saves me plenty of silver,” Bralin explained and made for the stairwell.

Ilea followed, surprised her massive form had enough space on the broad steps, the Elders next to her like children.

“A lot of the war machines date back to the prison background. Older designs were simply made to carry more ore, and to let dwarves efficiently scale the pit. The tools and weapons help with digging too,” he explained.

“I’ve seen war machines in other dwarven cities too,” Verena said.

“Of course. It’s unclear when it all started but I’m sure more than one of us rock brains had the idea to make a powered suit out of metals. I’m more surprised other species don’t do it as often. But much of what I’ve seen outside of the Pit is made to look intimidating, entirely focused on strength, or defense. Ceremonial nearly. If the royal guard of Parior participated in the Dome, I’d bet my gold on one of our semi decent fighters,” he said.

“Lots of confidence,” Ilea mused. Royal guard of Kroll wasn’t particularly impressive though. So I guess I could say the same about the Shadow’s Hand.

“Well… either one of you could likely kill the entire kingsguard of any human nation. Last I’ve heard, they’re not particularly impressive,” he said.

“They’re really not,” Pierce confirmed.

Verena shrugged. “No wonder when most of them have been sitting around a throne room for decades.”

Ilea followed in silence, taking in the various buildings, pubs, restaurants, shops, and smithies. Smithies were really the dominating structure, or perhaps everything else simply had a smithy attached to it as well. Most of the people were dwarves but there were occasional lizardpeople, humans, and dark ones. Few were wearing a heavy suit of armor but there were enough to make their prevalence clear. She got plenty of looks and comments from the folks passing by, mostly impressed or envious. Some few were accusatory or belittling, suggesting whoever was piloting the armor wasn’t worth the materials and work.

She had a hard time disagreeing with the latter ones, Goliath being an insanely good maker and herself having spent very little time actually using the armaments. Ilea wasn’t a war machine pilot who worked her way up from simple designs she had made herself like Terok, to arrive at the powerful tool she had around her now. I just have better connections, she thought with a grin.

“Here we are,” Bralin said after a fifteen minute walk, leading the three of them into a silver monolith nearly forty meters in height and half as wide. “Let me get you what you need,” he said, stepping past crates and piles of scrap metal, his massive form not touching a single thing as he passed.

“You do look rather clumsy in that thing, now that we’ve seen the people here,” Pierce admitted.

I won’t disappoint you, Goliath. Don’t worry, I have the power of overwhelming recovery, fire beams, and ash on my side.

Chapter 678 Reputation

Chapter 678 Reputation

Ilea looked at the third device while Bralin looked over the mounted Armaments of Lilith.

“I like this one,” Pierce said, talking into a mouth piece. A deep vibrating voice resounded from the piece she held in her hand. “None shall remain.”

“You could come. Dwarven city here. Let me know,” Ilea sent to Feyrair, assuming she could get him inside with Bralin’s help. She saw his mark but didn’t receive an answer, assuming he had found something suitable to train with, not wanting to waste his daily message in case he ran into trouble.

She raised a receiver to her mouth and spoke through it. “I am your father,” said a deep whispering voice with a downright mechanical quality to it. “Think I like the one you have more,” Ilea said to Pierce. “I’ll take it,” she added, repeating the phrase with a giggle.

“Do you want to be a father?” Pierce asked with some confusion.

“It’s a reference from a place far far away,” Ilea said and showed the piece to the dwarf.

“Sure, throw it over, I’ll install the sending piece,” Bralin said. “We usually go for this part here,” he added, tapping the armament below its left arm where a human’s rib cage would be. “Generally hard to reach, let alone penetrate.”

“You want to put it inside the steel?” Ilea asked.

“Of course. It’s living armor. It will simply regenerate around the piece. Just have to make sure it’s not covered entirely,” he said.

“Wouldn’t that create a weakness of its own?” Ilea asked.

“Normally, no. This isn’t just a piece of scrap metal, it’s a hardened alloy with an enchanted core that receives and creates the voice from your mouth piece. Only works with a direct connection of the same mana. I’d say that in this case it’d actually be a weakness, seeing how well made your set is. Does that matter to you? I could also fix it to your shoulder or neck, but any random area spell or direct hit would likely rip it off,” Bralin explained, lifting the armament’s arm with some difficulty. “Can’t believe you have enough mana to power this thing,” he muttered. “What are the openings on the back for?”

“You’ll see,” Ilea mused, handing over the piece. “Under the arm is fine.”

“You’ll sound like some kind of undead lich,” Pierce said. “Were you inspired perhaps?”

“Hmm, well, being an ethereal wisp does sound appealing,” Ilea answered. “But being in an armor like this is better. Bralin, do you have something that could emulate sight?”

“There are various tools that have perceptive qualities but nothing like what I believe you’re looking for. I’m unsure why your set here didn’t create anything to look through for your eyes, but there must’ve been a reason,” he said.

Well yes, I don’t exactly need them, Ilea thought, wondering if her own mana, her subconscious, or the armor itself had weighted protection for her eyes higher than her ability to see.

“Easiest solution is to drill a hole and stick a tube in there,” Bralin said, grabbing a nearby tube to see if its length would be enough. “But your sight would still be very limited. It’s just too thick to allow for a reasonable peripheral vision. If you don’t just want to remove the helmet altogether, which is not something I’d suggest. With living armor… there’s a chance that it will adapt to your wishes if you continue to use it. Depending on how long you’ve actually fought in it.”

“I haven’t used it much,” Ilea admitted, touching the massive titan.

“A shame, really, but not uncommon with the best machines,” he mused, smiling to himself before he looked back at the armaments. “I’ll have to drill the hole first which might take some time. You three can get drinks on the house while you wait. There’s a bar one floor up.”

“Great,” Pierce said and vanished.

Verena walked off while inspecting some of the ongoing work, glancing back to Ilea.

“Give me a second,” she said, a small ashen drill forming as she walked past Bralin. Ilea grabbed the heavy steel arm and held it aloft. “About here?” she asked. The drill now touched the side of her armor.

“Yes,” Bralin said, hesitating as he raised an eyebrow at the drill.

Ilea made the thing spin and slowly pushed it into the steel. That is pretty durable, she thought, her hardened ash slowly going deeper.

“I’ll be upstairs too,” Verena said with a wave.

“Sure,” Ilea answered, pausing to remake the tip of the drill.

Bralin chuckled next to her. “With bloody ash.” He looked at her and back to the hole now large enough to fit the tool.

“Any other upgrades you’d suggest?” Ilea asked.

The dwarf considered but ultimately shook his head. “Nothing I can think of to make this more deadly than it already is. Most of the power comes from you, and the speech module is already creating a small weakness. I’ll tell you what… I will talk with the boss, and try to get a deal. If you win a single match in the Dome… which you will, if you fight, you’ll get replacements for that module until you don’t need it anymore.”

“I thought match fixing was the most important rule,” Ilea mused in a dry tone. She went into her armor with the mouth piece and talked. “I find your lack of faith, disturbing,” she said, turning her massive steel head towards the dwarf.

“I trust in steel, not faith,” he answered. “And your steel will make us a lot of gold.”

“I get half of the winnings,” Ilea said in her deep and vibrating voice, her intimidation gaining at least a few bonus points with the voice module.

“I suppose that’s fair. But only if you’re announced as a sponsored fighter by this forge. Otherwise we might run into trouble anyway if you want part of the winnings not bet by yourself,” he explained.

I’ll bet plenty myself, Ilea thought with a grin. Maybe not everything or I might cause the whole town to come after me.

“How much can I reasonably bet before I’m hunted instead of paid?” she asked.

Bralin laughed, now back in his own machine. “That’s a hard to answer question. I suggest you have your friends bet in your stead. When would you be up for a fight? And what would you like to be called?”

“I’m up now,” she said. “And let’s go with Lilith. Have to spread the name,” she said, as if it was inevitable.

“Lilith, that works,” he said. “Care to have a drink too?”

“I thought you weren’t attracted to humans,” Ilea answered, vibrating impacts resounding with each of her steps.

“I’m attracted to steel,” he said, just watching her for a moment. “Who made that thing anyway?”

“A friend. Who knows, maybe I can introduce them to you at some point in the future,” she said. “What’s the look for anyway?”

He shook his head and followed. “If you could move a little more naturally, I’d take you for some legendary flame butcher, or soul warden.”

“War machines of olden times?” Ilea asked, still sounding like some kind of A list villain somehow worse written than what most indie productions manage.

“Indeed. There are those that come close in this day and age, but there has been peace for centuries,” he said.

“You make it sound like that’s a bad thing,” Ilea answered, entering through an oversized gate and into the most spacious bar she’d ever seen. It looked more like a storage hall really, but the wood, warm light, and stools added a nice atmosphere. Stools both dwarven sized and well, war machine sized.

Bralin laughed. “Ah well. It’s not, but it’s less interesting, wouldn’t you say?”

Ilea sat down on a reinforced steel bar stool, the heavy pole under the seat groaning under her weight. She decided to tone down on the increased heat generation.

The barkeeper was in a war machine too, various tools and additions to his suit that belonged to the bar itself. He whistled when he saw her, his clean shaven and scarred face currently uncovered. A metal face shield hung from the top of his helmet, put aside for now. “Haven’t seen a beaut like aht n ages,” he murmured. “An not a dent on er.”

“It heals,” the deep void of the titan replied.

“I wan no trouble, misher,” he said. “What can I geh ya?”

Ilea ordered a few of their ales, hoping a hidden dwarven city based around war machines, arena fight, and digging an ever deepening hole to the very core of the world would have some capable brewers.

She transferred out of her armor and sat down on its shoulder, enjoying the looks of the few patrons and the barkeeper.

Her ale expectations weren’t just met but blown entirely to the moon. Each tasted incredible in their own way, the diversity surprising already but the fact that she loved all of them was the real shocker.

“You’re getting a lot of attention,” Pierce mused. “Ever been with a dwarf?”

Ilea smirked. “No. And I don’t plan to pick up someone that is drinking in a pub at…,” she glanced around, finding a mechanical clock on one of the walls. “Eight in the morning.”

“What does that say about us then,” Pierce mused.

“We’re excluded,” Ilea said. “Or do you still adhere to a normal sleep schedule?”

Verena chuckled. She had a wide grin on her face, swirling a whiskey glass around. “This is the best vacation I’ve had in a while. Thanks… Lilith.”

“The Pit has a lot to offer,” Bralin said as he relaxed on a massive bench, leaning his armored back against the wall.

“Speaking of which,” Ilea answered. “The massive hole, can we just go down there and kill a bunch of monsters?”

He shrugged lightly, taking a sip from his pint. “You can. But I suggest signing up with the guild first. If you happen to finish any jobs or find treasures, it’s a much simpler process to get paid. Granted, you’d make more if you had a lot of connections and sold everything yourself but you don’t strike me as someone who’d be interested in that.”

“Yeah, the guild sounds better. We can go there after,” Ilea said.

“I can take you there. It’s not far from the Dome registration,” Bralin said and downed his drink. “I’ll check with the boss and be back in ten, twenty minutes. Sound good?”

Ilea smiled. “It is… acceptable,” she said, speaking through her receiver. She sipped on her ale. “God I like this shit.”

Bralin laughed and walked off. “Drinks on the house, Grahn.”

The barkeep nodded. “Figured.”

Ilea summoned the locator when nobody looked her way and made it vanish again. “Hmm.”

“Where is it?” Pierce whispered.

Ilea formed words with ash, moving them onto the counter. In the town, they said.

“Hmm, still want to go down into the pit?” the Elder asked.

“Of course, I need to kill a bunch of powerful monsters, and where better to find them than in some ancient dwarven pit dug out for millennia?” Ilea said.

“You will doom this town,” Pierce said. “And I’ll be there to watch it happen,” she added, a lute in her hands before she played an exciting tune.

“You play the lute?” Ilea asked.

“Gods, not again,” Verena murmured and downed her drink, refilling with the bottle she had already gotten.

“Well, for all those lacking levels, I have to have at least something to show,” Pierce said. “Ah my fifties were quite… exciting. Just well, not in terms of dangerous monsters.”

Verena downed another drink.

“You’re immune anyway, what’s the point,” Ilea asked.

“If you think whiskey is just there to get drunk, you shouldn’t be allowed to drink it,” Verena said.

“Fair enough,” Ilea replied, enjoying her ale.

They didn’t have to wait long for Bralin to return, a few war machines following him into the bar. They were obviously wearing higher quality armor than him, but Ilea found none even close to his real level.

“So yer Lilith,” one of them said.

Ilea downed the last pint in a single go and vanished into her armor, the machine powering up as her mana and head spread through it. She found herself a little taller than the others. “I am,” the deep voice said.

“The V-830. A good choice. Though a mount would’ve been better if you plan to fight with it,” the lead dwarf said, glancing at Bralin.

“She knows about the weakness,” he replied. “Hence the replacement deal.”

“And what if she loses?” another dwarf said.

“He’s got a feeling. That’s why he’s shouldering half the risk,” the first dwarf said.

Ilea caught a grin on Bralin’s face. Smart move, she thought, hoping now that she wouldn’t disappoint all of them with a subpar performance. “Four days, that’s when I will go into the Dome.”

“Doesn’t matter when,” the head dwarf said and nodded. “Bralin, ye know I trust you. The machine is good, I’m just concerned about the pilot.”

Ilea appeared outside of it. “Hmm?” she mused, her voice freezing everyone without a second tier Veteran, which was, most of the patrons. Bralin and the barkeep could still move, as could a few others, but not the group in front of her. She spread her wings and slammed her fist into the thick steel plate without issue, lifting the heavy machine up for it to meet her eyes. “The machine isn’t what you should fear.”

She let him fall and vanished, her armaments heating up again. “Let’s check out the Guild,” she said, stopping in front of the group, all of them stepping aside to let her pass. Hah. I did the thing, she thought with a wide grin. I’m a cowboy now. Or something.

Bralin followed and burst out laughing when they came out onto the road. “Wonderful performance. Ah what a good day this is, what a good day.”

“Just wait until you see me get splattered by one of those cannons,” Ilea mused.

“If you manage to get into the higher ranks of the Dome… you know what, I’ll pull a few strings and make it happen. As absolutely stupid as it is,” their guide said.

“You’re still underestimating her,” Pierce said. “She’s like some kind of indestructible manifestation of my failings. Maybe she’s not real at all,” she added and touched the armaments, dodging the heavy arm that came for her.

“Do not resist me,” Ilea’s voice boomed as she took a step towards the woman.

“Please, ladies,” Bralin said, getting a glare from Pierce and a blank featureless face from Ilea. “Know what, I don’t care.”

“Good choice,” Verena said.

Ilea gave up quickly, the Elder simply too much to handle with her speed. Instead she just displaced her into her massive steel hands. “Now you are mine.”

Pierce opened her eyes wide and grinned when her body started to get crushed. She moaned, in an entirely exaggerated manner.

If anybody nearby hadn’t stared yet, they were staring now.

Ilea threw her at a nearby building, the Elder slapping against it like a piece of raw meat, her victorious laughter echoing through the street.

“You know I could’ve just snapped off your head?” Ilea asked a few streets farther down in the bowl like city.

“Ah, I wish,” Pierce mused.

“You cannot defeat her,” Verena said. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”

“Who are you people anyway?” Bralin said.

“Do you know the Shadow’s Hand?” Verena asked.

“The mercenary order, from the southern plains. Yes, but it’s rare to see members up in the stormlands. It’s been decades since I last met one of you,” he said.

“It’s a surprise that you’ve met any at all,” Pierce said.

“We’re Elders in that Order. And Lilith here, well she’s a little more than that,” Verena said.

“Heavier for sure,” Pierce said.

Ilea stopped walking. “No you didn’t.”

Pierce glanced back, crossed her arms and sighed. “Okay. I take it back. I’m sorry.”

Verena stared at the woman with wide eyes before she looked at Ilea. “A living deity,” she whispered. “That’s what she is.”

“I wouldn’t question it,” Bralin said. “As long as she can fight as well as her level suggests.”

The two Elders looked at each other.

Ilea huffed into her receiver, towering over the others with a smug air of superiority. “Ah by the way, I don’t plan to kill anyone in the Dome.”

“That works. Unconscious is a win too, or getting them to submit,” Bralin said. “It’s just much easier to kill someone.”

“I will, find a way,” the titan said, balling its metal fist.

“Those poor fools,” Pierce mused. “I’ll be cheering them on.”

“Why would you not cheer for me?” Ilea asked.

Pierce glanced at her. “Isn’t that obvious? To see their hope turn to ashes, as you demolish their machines and break their bones.”

“Four days. I can help you train if you like,” Bralin said. “To make sure you don’t look like a wobbling child piloting an advanced set of living armor.”

“I’ll figure that out in the pit,” Ilea said.

“You’re aware of the risks. Sure. Real experience is always better. Good luck,” he said and laughed.

Bralin led them into a large stone building, stairs leading up to it. Several massive gates were built into its rectangular side, all of them open. The war machine density was much higher here, dozens of the large armors sitting or walking around.

“Do we have to do a test or something to join?” Ilea asked, getting a few looks but nobody here seemed stupid enough to ridicule her.

Bralin huffed. “No. Just need to register. We don’t hand hold our adventurers like you lot.”

Ilea thought of the Sentinels and laughed. “Sure,” she said and walked up to one of the counters.

Chapter 679 Titan

Chapter 679 Titan

Ilea stood on the side of the descending cliff, a circular abyss below her with massive cannons and war machines all around. Her fight in the Dome would be in four days, their gold not yet invested to avoid others doing the same. Right now she was an entirely unknown new fighter, apparently taking on a promising young dwarf. She felt a little bad for him already, but it would surely be a valuable lesson.

The Guild had offered a few jobs but generally they just took everything the divers would find, to then categorize, organize, sell, and bring it to the various smithies in the town. One of the most interesting jobs was an ancient notice asking divers to investigate a deep part of the caverns, apparently called the Shining Caves. Few who went in there came back, and those who did were not quite themselves anymore.

Ilea assumed some high level mind magic to be at play. And what good war machine titan would let such a dangerous creature endanger the locals? The location was rather deep too, which would allow them to have a look at various dangerous sections of the pit on the way down.

“You have the map, right?” Ilea asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Verena answered, the three of them lacking any visible gear other than Ilea’s war machine.

A few of the machines walking past gave them curious glances, some muttering something about newcomers or fresh meat.

“Our first stop should be on this side of the pit. Four kilometers down,” Verena said.

Pierce whistled. “Now that’s depth.”

Ilea walked forward, her wings extending out of her armored back to keep her heavy falling form at least somewhat stable.

The others followed.

She felt a few impacts going down, seeing some old machinery and outcrops of rock shattered by her legs and back. “Sorry,” she whispered, using her wings to accelerate downwards. The descent would take minutes if they were only falling after all.

“We’re close!” Verena shouted through the wind, her body slowing down.

Ilea moved out her wings and turned around in the air, her steel hands and body slamming into the stone wall of the pit, ripping out entire chunks as she slowed her descent, most of the work done by her entirely overwhelmed wings.

“It’s here!” Verena shouted from above, Ilea leaving a line of destruction in the stone before she finally just stored her armor and teleported upwards.

She resummoned it once inside the large crevice leading into the stone. Okay don’t fall for several thousand meters. You cannot stop.

“Are these the shining caves already?” Pierce asked, looking over the cliff side and into the darkness that still went on for an unreasonable distance.

“No, but the tunnels could lead us there. This was a silver mine… two hundred years ago. They collapsed most of it when they came upon high level undead,” Verena informed.

“We will cleanse the cursed,” the titan said, its vibrating voice traveling into the depths.

Detonations resounded from far below, dulled and far away.

“They’re having fun,” Pierce said.

Ilea increased her weight and walked into the dark mine shaft. She actually fit. The dwarves who had built it must’ve been quite considerate of war machines. Easier to dig with these things too, for most people at least, she thought and formed and ashen drill on her right arm. She glanced at the two Elders behind her, their forms not quite small enough to finish her cosplay but she was close.

They came up on a collapsed tunnel about ten minutes later. Ilea prepared her drill and got to work, the sounds reverberating through the vicinity, pebbles and dust falling from above and into the darkness. Only Verena’s flames and the occasional sparks from Pierce illuminated the vicinity, none of them particularly bothered by the darkness.

“Another ten meters,” Ilea informed.

Verena stored most of the large stone chunks in her storage item before she teleported away to dump it all in another tunnel.

“Any monsters?” Pierce asked.

“Yep,” Ilea said and displaced one of the waiting creatures next to the woman.

[Cursed Undead Skinner – lvl 410] – [Hostile / Confused]

The creature looked a little like an elongated hyena, its face distinctly dwarven with thin hair sticking to its skin, unkempt fur covering the rest of its body. It screeched, its mouth opening wide. Sharp teeth lined its jaws as a venomous cloud spread outwards.

Lightning cracked in the darkness, blue energy burning through the wailing monster that tried to get to Pierce. It took a few steps when a massive steel arm slammed down on its back.

Ilea grabbed the creature and smashed it against the wall a few times. She finished it off by breaking its neck. Or so she thought.

The skinner continued to slash into her armaments with its sharp claws. It gurgled and spit an acidic substance onto her helmet.

Ilea aimed the undead towards the section she hadn’t dug out yet. A bright flash of flames and heat burst out. The dark tunnel was illuminated for a second, the undead entirely incinerated including a part of the tunnel wall. A ding resounded.

Pierce coughed, waving away the venomous cloud as her armor flowed out to cover her face. “Ugh… that’s vile. And now I’m poisoned. Great.”

“My child, do not fear the darkness,” the titan said, trying to pat her head.

The Elder dodged away. “If anyone’s a child, it’s you.”

“Then stop whining,” Ilea said, her drill bit spinning once more.

“We’re about to break through,” she informed the others. “Twenty of those things will come rushing in on us. Maybe make some distance.”

Both Elders vanished, appearing about twenty meters back the way they had come from.

“Knock knock,” the titan said and broke through with its drill.

Ilea watched twenty of the undead creatures crawl out with impressive speed, near instantly on her and spewing out their acid, clouds of venom covering the whole vicinity. She remained calm as her armor was scratched and eaten through, a sphere of flames flashing out a moment later.

Bits and pieces of undead were thrown aside, a smoldering sphere added to the tunnel system with strewn about creatures. Ilea was surprised some had even survived. She stepped over, lifting her foot above a slowly regenerating undead. It came down with a wet and heavy impact. An unrecognizable mush flowed away from her boot, her drill arm coming down on another creature. She displaced it back when it tried to avoid the attack. Her weaponized arm came down, the high momentum ash ripping apart the undead in less than a second, splattering the walls and Ilea’s armaments with black blood.

She stopped the spinning and used her other hand to move the bits that remained to the right of her drill. The titan stepped close to the wall where the drill spun again, the still living undead ground away between stone and ash.

She healed her armor in the process, walking onward where she could see another group of undead rush towards her from the halls of an ancient tomb.

Ilea made her drill disappear and clenched both her fists, lightning flashing past her as she changed into a slow jog. Her steps made the walls tremble. Dust and debris fell down as she alerted more undead further in the complex.

“Come to me,” she said, slamming down her fist on the first unfortunate critter. They were certainly fast and could see well enough in the dark to dodge her slow attacks. But what she had was mass. Ilea simple stepped to the side, slamming her massive form against the wall. Several creatures turned to mush, bones splintered and heads cracked.

Ilea finished off the ones close to death with her reverse healing, just in case they were actually suffering. Nothing she saw suggested any kind of intellect remained in inside their brains, but she wanted to be sure. She nearly stumbled after slamming herself into the other side of the tomb, her control still questionable.

The creatures did try to bring her down, some jumping on her chest or using their acid on her legs specifically. It was all inconsequential.

Ilea stomped those close to her legs and displaced those on her chest into her massive hands, squeezing until their bodies were broken chunks of flesh. Everything around her died, the next group of approaching creatures riddled by lances of ash. Ilea jogged towards them and tried to jump, falling onto the group of injured undead with a reverberating crash. Black blood splattered against the walls before she tried to push herself up with her hands.

She slipped and slammed into the mush again, nothing even remotely reaching her real form deep within the hunk of steel.

“Brutal,” Pierce said as she walked closer. “Do you need help getting up?”

“I am… the destroyer,” Ilea said with her destroyer voice. “I do not n-” she slipped again. “Help.”

Pierce checked one of the nearby graves. “Not like I could lift you anyway,” she mused. “These are all broken.”

“From the inside,” Verena confirmed as she joined in, her flames showing the true carnage of Ilea’s rampage.

“Are there more coming?” Pierce asked, another loud thonk resounding as Ilea slipped for the third time.

A bed of ash spread below her armor, cleaning both the regenerating metal and the stone floor. Finally, with a bit of a better grip, she slowly moved up her right knee while pushing herself up with both arms. Her movement stopped there however.

“You’re stuck,” Pierce commented.

“No,” the titan replied, pushing her knee further up as she tried to get the foot under herself. She finally just slammed it into the ground to get some leverage and pushed herself forward. Her left hand crashed through four empty graves. She stumbled her way up, managing to dig her right hand into the ceiling. The pull allowed for enough counterweight to let her lift her left leg, landing on both feet. “Beauty. And grace,” the deep voice thundered as pieces of rock fell from above and the walls around her.

Pierce clapped. “What will you do if there aren’t conveniently placed walls all around you?” she asked.

“One step at a time,” the titan replied. “And no, I think if there were any more undead nearby, they’d be here by now.”

“We pretty much just go down from here,” Verena said.

Ilea walked back the way they came, her ashen limbs rushing up and cutting into the ceiling. More of the tunnel collapsed, sealing the entrance once more. “We were never here.”

They continued through the maze of the tomb, not finding any more creatures until they came out into a spacious hall. It was dully lit by ancient magical lights, most of them out with a few still giving off a green hue. There were dozens of graves lined up on the walls. In the back and center of the hall stood a large stone table covered in runes, a dust covered skeleton lying on top with bones on the floor on each side. In front of the table floated a being radiation an aura of death and rot, thin strips of skin still clinging to its frail humanoid body, most of it covered with a tattered black robe. It wielded an obsidian staff and turned when the group entered its domain.

Ilea’s steps made dust fall from the ceiling as she watched the being through her domain.

It raised its staff. A pulse of mana rushed out, entering the graves all around.

[Priest of the Blight Chosen – lvl ???] – [Undead]

“It’s just above six hundred,” Ilea said. “I suggest you two be careful.”

“More dangerous things in the graves,” Verena informed, her body clad in flames as she jumped back, two burning black axes appearing in her hands.

Lightning flashed around Pierce, a large bolt rushing towards the robed figure before it impacted a shield of green energy. “Ah of course. Always with these pure mages,” she murmured and vanished.

Ilea kept a loose eye on them through her dominion. She ran at the priest when a roar resounded from one of the walls.

Two graves that had just opened up revealed a few Skinners crawling out, just before the wall behind them exploded into the hall. A massive humanoid being covered in rotten flesh and sickly skin barreled through the debris. It probably weighed about as much as Ilea with all of that fat. Below however, strained muscle could be seen.

A tank, just like me, Ilea thought with a grin reverse healing the dozens of Skinners coming from the many graves.

Pierce flashed in and out of existence around the Priest, lightning crashing with death magic shields and beams, Verena running through the hordes with her axes and flames cutting through both flesh and stone.

“God you’re disgusting,” Ilea’s deep voice bellowed. She charged the massive being with a grin on her face.

The creature did the same, its eyes milky and unfocused.

[Undead Flesh Titan – lvl ???] - [Heavy]

Yeah, I noticed, Ilea thought, her armored form crashing into the mountain of flesh and muscle.

Both of them were brought to an abrupt halt, their feet looking for leverage to push on. Ilea sent a heavy strike into the monster’s side. Flesh wobbled with the impact but the monster didn’t react at all, instead trying to grab her arm with both hands.

It coughed and retched, a mass of steaming flesh puked up from its mouth to cover Ilea’s armored helmet and chest. A sizzling noise came from the liquid as it ate through the steel at an alarming rate.

She healed against it, using her ash to wipe off what she could, her limbs cutting through the monster’s flesh and muscle without a reaction. She went for the head and managed to rip it off with three quick slashes, but the thing kept moving.

The Flesh Titan held on to her arm before its whole body started to bloat. The cuts on its body were already knitting themselves back together, a part of its head regenerated too.

Ilea could feel the massive amount of mana build within the level eight hundred creature, ripping her hand free with a last effort before she covered her chest and helmet. The sound that followed was downright revolting. A deep squelch.

Blood, guts, and flesh exploded outwards, splattering against everything in a near ten meter radius. The undead nearby were entirely covered, screeching as their bodies dissolved in the steaming piles of disgusting fat. The stone itself dissolved, the red mush turning a darker shade.

Ilea’s arms were gone, her real ones revealed below, two layers of her ash eaten through as well. Her steel chest had been reduced to less than half, her helmet just barely covering her face at this point. She could feel herself retch at the smell coming through. What she perceived with her dominion was more than enough.

Let’s not train Flesh Magic Resistance with this guy, she thought, already questioning her decision before the smell reminded her once more. You could just remove your nose and close your eyes. No. No, let’s just not.

Most of the monster’s body was gone, its skeletal legs barely keeping the fleshy remains aloft as it regenerated at an alarming speed.

“My turn,” the steel titan said, channeling her 80s action energy before a sphere of heat flashed out.

Whatever had remained around them was now entirely gone. And still, Ilea stood before her enemy. Its rib cage was all that remained, bone and flesh quickly appearing as its magic kept it alive.

She formed more heat within herself and extended a few ashen limbs towards the remains. Her armor healed at a slower pace than the undead, but in the end only one of them would remain. Embered Heart flashed out in a cone, stripping away the undying flesh. She raised her armored boot and brought it down on the scorched rib cage. Cracks resounded on the first strike. On the second, it crumbled entirely. Ilea kept on stomping, occasionally sending another blast of heat onto the small crater. Until she finally received the notification.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Undead Flesh Titan – lvl 803]’

A few more messages came up but she ignored them for now. She turned to the others, her steel still repairing itself with the help of her healing.

The two Elders had managed to somewhat reduce the number of Skinners but more were still coming.

Ilea watched the priest, seeing it still send pulses of magic into various nearby graves. Those are empty, she thought and watched as new Skinners formed from mana itself. “We have to kill the source,” she said and walked towards the creature.

It turned and sent a beam of purple death magic her way but the attack failed to stop the monstrous being.

Ilea let the death beam burn into her armaments until her fist came down on the priest. A thick magical shield flared up, sparks lightning up the surroundings.

Let’s get rid of that, shall we. She formed a dozen ashen limbs, all of them slashing into the shield. Tempered seal burning into the magic coupled with spreading white flames and delayed explosions. The shield cracked and she lashed out to grab the undead.

Her massive hand closed around its frail chest. She squished it and used her other hand to rip off its head. Neither managed to kill the being but the summoning of more Skinners ceased.

Pierce’s armor looked battered, a part of her face melted away by acid but her lightning still lit up the room as she flew by and scorched the undead running after her.

Verena looked fine, her body glowing with power in Ilea’s dominion, her wounds constantly regenerating as she slashed and cut into the horde of beasts.

“Can I get a beam!” Pierce shouted. She flew past Ilea’s shoulder with a dozen monsters at her toes. Only ash remained after a cone of flames enveloped them.

The woman landed on Ilea’s shoulder. “That was close. Thanks.”

“Get off my shoulder, mortal,” the titan boomed.

Chapter 680 Undying

Chapter 680 Undying

Pierce giggled and jumped off, falling to one knee. “As you wish, great lord.”

Ilea displaced a nearby Skinner into her open palm, squishing it with her massive steel fingers. She threw the remains to the side, like a wrung out rag. “Is she fine?”

Verena’s vitals seemed to be doing alright according to her dominion enhanced healing, but she was taking a lot of hits, and the acid constantly melted her skin. Most of her clothes were gone too, her body covered in blood and flames.

“She’s just getting started,” Pierce said, appearing on a nearby chunk of rubble.

Ilea kept an eye on the fighting Elder but decided not to interfere. She instead changed her attention back to the priest.

It was slowly reforming its missing head and injured torso, a heavy steel fist interrupting the process.

Ilea knelt down on one knee and just kept punching, each hit sending tremors through the ground. Cracks formed and stone was shattered. The undead was first turned into mush, then powder as its remains mixed in with the debris. Only then did Ilea receive a notification.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Priest of the Blight Chosen – lvl 608]’

She stood up and checked her arm, the steel neither dented nor scratched from the intense pummeling.

“You’re moving a little less awkward now,” Pierce said from the side, her armor back to normal as well.

“It feels… right,” the titan answered, her first raised.

“Hmmmmm,” Pierce exclaimed, giving her a look.

“Are you aroused again, mortal?” Ilea asked, spreading her arms.

“No… not exactly,” Pierce mused and turned back to the slaughtering Verena.

Ilea squinted her eyes despite the steel in front of her, looking through the messages she had received.

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 488 – One stat point awarded’

One. Need to find more of those fat titans, she thought, ignoring the fact that she was even heavier at the moment.

Verena sunk her axe into the last of the moving creatures, cutting it apart with eighteen more strikes until only a few pieces remained. She looked up with glowing runes on her burning blood covered body, a broad disconnected grin on her face.

Doesn’t seem fair to comment on that after my own performance, Ilea thought and walked towards the woman.

“Give her a moment,” Pierce said.

Verena turned and crouched. She looked at Ilea with hungry eyes, her axes at the ready.

“Friend,” Ilea said and spread her arms wide.

The woman looked confused and hesitated. Steaming black blood dripped from her body, most of it burning away. “Friend?” she asked herself, looking to the floor before she glanced at her axes. “Yes,” she added with a smile.

The others waited until Verena had cleaned herself with her flames, a fresh hide skirt and steel top appeared when she was done. “Ahh, that was good.”

“Got a level too,” Pierce said. “It’s so easy with this machine here to take out the most dangerous foes.”

Ilea grunted with a deep voice. She gestured to the others and continued towards the exit.

The tomb continued down into the depths, opened and empty graves lining the many corridors and halls, few of them holding and undead. Most seemed to have come up during their earlier battle. As they descended down moist stairwells and dark shafts, the group soon started to hear noises once again.

“Far enough away from the previous fight,” Verena said.

“Nothing in my sphere,” Ilea formed with ash.

They continued towards the noise for another ten minutes, Ilea’s armaments preventing them from moving particularly fast through the often cramped tunnels. She did feel like she was getting better at avoiding the ceiling and graves, only damaging every fourth one or so.

Ilea stopped the others with a gesture, starting to see groups of undead creatures at the edge of her dominion. “More spacious area ahead. Several titans,” she informed with floating ash, unable to make her voice changer particularly quiet. She took a few steps. “Priests too. And… something else. Looks more dangerous than any of the others.”

The Elders followed in silence.

“Cavern leading away,” Ilea formed, creating a rough copy of the tunnel layout with floating ash. Embers lit up where the three of them were located and then where the cavern seemed to lead out of the tomb.

“You’ll want to fight them,” Pierce said.

“Of course,” Ilea said after appearing on top of her armor. “But it might be too dangerous for you two. There are eight titans alone, and I’m pretty sure the Priests can heal the others with their death magic. Oh… one of the large ones just turned our way.”

“We’ll approach slowly once you’ve started. And we will get back and out of here if they’re too dangerous,” Pierce said.

“I’ll send you a warning if there’s mind magic at play that could take you out,” Ilea said, looking at Pierce. “Let’s get working then,” she added with a smirk, vanishing into her armaments.

“Go get them, titan,” Pierce said and stepped aside, a wide grin on her face.

“Don’t mind if I do,” the titan boomed and started towards the open hall full of undead.

Ilea saw magical lamps on the ceiling as she approached, the tunnel opening up into a spacious natural cave. The ground was laid with stone, a temple like structure built into the other side of the cavern. She could see nearly a hundred Skinners, eight Titans, and a few Priests, most of them barely moving around. The new variant of likely undead she could see were tall beings with thin elongated bodies. Their frail arms ended in clawed hands, their height reaching her armaments. They wore tattered cloaks covering their faces, the outline suggesting a barely recognizable mush of flesh below.

“Your reckoning has come,” her voice vibrated through the tunnel, the first rows of undead now turning her way, some already moving into a sprint.

Ilea came out into the open, moving past a few decrepit pillars and onto a balcony that overlooked the cave. Her legs smashed through the ancient stone railings without resistance. She spread her arms in the short flight, one foot landing on an unfortunate Skinner.

Its body exploded outwards with a wet sound. The titan above its remains stood up with a slow moving body. A rifle appeared in its hands as it aimed at the approaching horde.

The bright beam of flames cut into and through the mass of flesh, dozens of creatures falling apart, their limbs lost or bodies halved. The beam ended in one of the shuffling titans, a deep gash now spewing boiling fluids onto a group of undead and the shield of a Priest.

Ilea made her weapon disappear when she saw one of the large beings run to her, faster than anything its size had any right to be. Time magic, she saw, coupled with a spell that restricted her teleports. It would take some time to break through it, but she didn’t deem it the most difficult puzzle she had dealt with before.

The massive claws cut into her slow moving armor, digging several centimeters into her steel.

Ilea could see a few familiar schools of magic coming from the creature’s attack. Soul and… devour, she thought with a grin. This might actually get interesting.

[Devourer – lvl ????] - [Undead]

She tried to punch the creature but it simply moved aside with a fluid motion, the horde already closing in. Near level one thousand.

Ash formed all around her. Ilea set it alight with the flame of creation, sacrificing nearly twenty thousand health to empower the storm before she made it move out towards the undead horde. She held up her arm to block the clawed hands of the Devourer, its soul and devour magic not doing a whole lot with her outer defense intact.

The creatures screeched as the flames reached them, a chunk of them incinerated with a cone of flames that followed the burning ash.

Ilea watched a second Devourer run around the whole carnage before it dug its claws into her back. The third one joined half a second later.

“You will feel my wrath,” she said. Three spells at once. A reasonable puzzle. At least only one is a four mark.

Burning ash spread out, the large undead running back to avoid the floating element. Ilea crossed her arms when two Flesh Titans reached her, their bodies already showing burns when their skin started to bulge.

Why don’t you three come closer, she thought and displaced the waiting Devourers in front of her. Ashen limbs lashed out to keep them in place as the titans exploded with steaming flesh. Ilea sacrificed another chunk of her recovered health and cast Embered Heart.

The titans were reduced to scorched bones, new flesh already forming around their skeletons.

Ilea watched the Devourers reel back, their bodies burnt and melted but quickly recovering, much like the titans. She could see death magic in the air. The priests, she thought when a sphere of flame flashed into the cave and exploded among the largest cluster of the undead clerics.

Their shields flared up and the death magic ceased. Lightning bolts hissed towards them as their attention shifted to the unknown beings. Their staffs raised, the priests summoned more Skinners, a few of the creatures already running towards the tomb.

Ilea switched gears, her reconstruction reversed and pushed to the limit. She topped off her health and stopped healing herself. The armaments would hold out for a little while, even without her support. She focused her destructive mana on the high level creatures around her, staying close to the regenerating Flesh Titans with more of them on the way. The flesh bombs were beneficial if anything.

She watched the creatures approach when her body froze up. Her lips quivered as she felt suggestive mind magic come from the three beings close to her. Move, she willed her body, pushing against the combined effort to overwhelm her. The mind magic wasn’t guided or delicate, just a straight bombardment that suggested the enemy was terrifying.

It worked for a few seconds. The approaching titans puked their steaming flesh onto her armor as three Devourers dug into her arms and back. Parts of her steel limbs fell to the ground, the first claw on her back biting into her mantle of ash. She could feel the deeply unsettling touch of soul magic, a bit of her health devoured at the same time.

Ilea closed her eyes. I should flee. I should figure out their spells and get out… get the others and…, she watched the massive undead, their towering forms looking entirely too large. Their claws were cutting through her mantle now, more pieces of her armor missing, her steel chest and head melting away under the piles of burning flesh.

She could feel her heart beat. “No,” she forced herself to say, the deep sound vibrating through the damaged unit in her side. A sphere of heat flared out, all the flesh on her burned away. Flame covered ashen limbs came out of her back, steel regenerating as the undead were cut apart, each of their strikes answered with five of her own. Ilea’s weight was at the maximum, the next three uses of Embered Heart killing the five titans still close to her.

Her armor was near completely shredded through by now, her soul taking more damage. When her right arm had recovered to a usable degree, she summoned her rifle into it and aimed at the Devourer in front of her. She sent her spell into the Wyrm eye. The creature dodged out of the way, a field of space magic swallowing the glowing energy before it appeared next to the undead, its body sliced in half from its waist up.

She found the sequence and transferred out of her armaments, her weight decreasing once more. Ilea displaced herself behind the four mark Devourer and sent a fully charged Archon Strike into its spine. It wailed as the arcane magic wrecked through its body. Her burning ashen limbs cut into all three of them, more ash constantly forming and covering them in the flame of creation. Ilea’s heat generation slowed down as her movements sped up.

“I’m not afraid,” she said, still feeling the heavy pressure of their magic. “You are no more than the next horrors I will rip apart.” Ilea dodged backwards. Each evasion allowing her to avoid the devastating soul magic. She sent a cone of heat forward. Her wings spread as she flew up.

The Devourers started floating, following her with quick time magic enhanced movements. The one she had split apart knitting itself back together.

Ilea created a few dozen spears, filling them with the remaining heat within her. She sent them down towards the Priests and Skinners. The impacts resounded as she dodged the claws that came for her. A few strikes hit, biting into her mantle and damaging her soul.

You’re just giving me more resistances, she thought with a grin, her mind now pushing back against the pressure. The four beings flew through the cavern with increasing speed. Ilea got in more hits with each passing second. Her flames and reverse healing coupled with high level mana intrusion started overwhelming the regeneration of the three creatures.

Ilea kept an inner perceptive eye on her soul as she flew through the time enhanced strikes, her precognition and dominion allowing her to avoid most of the attacks. The ones that hit barely cut into her mantle. Their powerful magic was the only card they still had against her but she was past backing down. Body of the Valkyrie reduced not only their physical damage but all of their magic as well. Despite the Devourers’ magical affinity, time happened to be in her favor.

She appeared behind the lowest leveled one, six strikes hitting its spine before it could turn. Magic surged up and through its battered body. Ilea transferred past their teleportation blocking spells and behind the next of them. She saw the first Devourer fall, slapping to the ground fifteen meters down. No notification, she thought but focused on the others. Their mind magic turned out to be a welcome source of mana, Ilea not willing to risk more soul magic damage to use her Sentinel Core absorption.

The second one fell to her white flames, leaving only the four mark in front of her. She sped up and teleported past its claws, her fists striking its chest with expanding magic explosions. Tempered seal followed as her limbs cut into its arms, pushing them aside as it tried to attack. She moved her wings, swinging around its head as she held on to its hood. Stable and in the air, she struck down, her hand digging into its neck before Embered Heart released. The blast incinerated a part of its head, spreading out its torso. Smoldering flesh remained within, slowly knitting itself back together.

Ilea’s ash moved in, the whole creature now covered in white flames. She grabbed on to the two strips of remaining flesh and pushed down her ashen boot, ripping the whole thing into three pieces. No message resounded once more but this time she noticed a dull magical connection that flickered out, its source within the stone temple.

She landed amongst the corpses, pushing them together before she sent another blast of Embered Heart onto them. This time they were entirely incinerated.

The remaining priests and Skinners had moved closer to the tomb, their undead bodies shredded through by the ashen healer in mere seconds. She ignored the two slow moving Titans for now, their legs gone as they crawled towards her. Instead, she went to the temple. Her mark on Verena showed her higher up in the tomb, likely fighting their way back while chased by Skinners.

Ilea found an expansive hall with rotted wooden benches and chairs inside the stone structure. A single ceremonially placed grave on a central altar. It was empty. She ignored that one for now and checked the three closed sarcophagi. Bones rested within, powerful death magic forming close to their rib cages.

Ilea displaced the remains out into the open. She raised her hand above the pile and released Embered Heart.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Devourer – lvl 928]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Devourer – lvl 893]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Devourer – lvl 1020]’

More messages dinged in her mind, a grin spreading on her face when she realized they didn’t stop. She checked the room again, a little apprehensive at the empty grave but neither her Huntress spell nor her dominion picked anything up at this point. The two titans were the only sources of magic in the vicinity.

She cracked her neck and appeared outside. Her armaments looked battered. The left arm was gone entirely, most of the chest melted away, the head cut apart by hundreds of sharp incisions. It was remarkable that the thing was still standing. She transferred herself inside and started repairing it, heat and mana flowing through the living armor as her eyes locked on to the Titans.

Her weight increased, her sight cut off when the steel of her helmet regenerated. A shame you can’t seem to repair your legs, she thought and walked towards the creatures. Let’s finish this.

Ilea thundered through the tomb, each step sending tremors through the walls until she broke out into a broader room.

Verena stood covered in black blood on a mountain of undead corpses, Pierce lying nearby with rugged breath and the occasional spark of lightning flowing over her body. Her armor was ripped to shreds.

“Well done,” she said, realizing that the Elders didn’t hear anything. She transferred out and sighed. “Already broken,” Ilea murmured. She raised the heavy steel arm and looked at the entirely smooth metal below. At least the weakness is gone.

“Do we flee?” Pierce asked, her head slightly turned towards the massive chunk of steel.

“No. But I do need to take a break,” Ilea said, teleporting onto the armament’s shoulder before she summoned herself a bottle of celebratory ale.

Chapter 681 Fire

Chapter 681 Fire

“Oh, I see. Congratulations,” Pierce said. “Couldn’t be happier for that to happen inside of this welcoming tomb.”

“You’re free to leave whenever you want,” Ilea murmured and turned off her Pierce perception.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 508 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 509 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 510 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 506 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 507 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 508 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 489 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Faen Valkyrie has reached lvl 500 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Devour Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

Show me the options, Super Meadow.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Spirit Monarch. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Rule and conquer. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed 5000 Spirits while alone. Has killed ten or more spirits at twice or more of their own level. Has fought and killed a four mark spirit. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has traveled to three or more realms. Has unlocked the Soul Perception skill. Has the Soul Magic Resistance skill in the second tier. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has the Meditation skill in the third tier. Has a third Class at level 500.

A being of unquestioned authority. The monarch has perfect control over the spirits she summons. She wields powerful soul magic, to both destroy and rule. No army will stand in her way, no foe shall resist her hordes of untiring specters. No longer human, the monarch chooses her path, forging ahead through the unknown and realms none of her former kind have ever reached. Accept the crown, and have existence bow to your greatness.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Spirit Monarch]?’

“What are the options?” Pierce asked, standing next to her armaments.

“Woman. You get away or I’ll smear you onto the ceiling. This is a private moment,” Ilea hissed.

“I’m just int-” Pierce said when Verena appeared and dragged her away.

Ilea shook her head. Spirit summoner. The requirements are pretty high but I think I prefer fighting myself. Plus I already have my ashen copies.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Child of the Deep. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Embrace the unknown. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has met a Flesh Stricken Leviathan and retained their sanity, flesh, and brain. Has eaten the flesh of countless creatures. Has at least five songs written about her. Has traveled beyond the atmosphere. Has seen the depths. Has communed with a creature once deemed a deity. Has at least 100 beings believing them a deity. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has the Harmony of the Drowned skill. Has the Veteran skill at the end of the third tier. Has the Blood Manipulation Resistance at the end of the second tier. Has the Mental Resistance skill in the third tier. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has a third Class at level 500.

The depths are calling. Your first step on the path of divinity, a creature sung about in myths and legends. Feared and revered, you have traveled the lands, striking the hearts of man and beast alike. Return to the waters from whence you came. To find true understanding of all that lies in hazed shroud. Lay down your flesh and skin, to become more. The path to evolution and greatness will grant you power beyond all you comprehend. Space and Mind will bend to your will, fear itself the companion you sought to find. Open your eyes.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Child of the Deep]?’

Ilea felt the hair on her whole body stand up. The image of an all seeing eye flashed before her. She felt small and meaningless, shuddering at the sensation before she calmed herself with healing and meditation. She shoved the sensations away and read through the next option.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Harbinger of Cake. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Spread joy and sugar. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the second tier. Has eaten five cakes in one sitting. Has used cakes to bribe people. Is the primary owner of at least ten pastry shops. Has traveled through realms in an effort to find more variety in their cake journey. Has weighed one ton or more before but is not bothered by such circumstances. At all. Has turned their enemies into batter. Has enjoyed highly poisonous pastries. Has felt aroused by the experience of eating cake. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has the Poison Resistance skill in the third tier. Has killed three four mark beings while alone. Has a third Class above level 500.

The deceiver. Cake is the true meaning of life, the answer so obvious any child would understand. And yet it takes years of training and dedication to reach the devotion of a true harbinger. She lures her enemies with the promise of sugar, to see them dying in their own unworthy vomit. Her blood is poisoned and her favorite secret ingredient. To her friends she is the joyous pastry lover, to her enemies she is the unknown bringer of death. All is cake, all is batter. Bake the living flesh. Into delicious cake!

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Harbinger of Cake]?’

Ilea paused and sighed. I deny these accusations.

It certainly took a dark turn. Helena would surely be delighted to hear about this Class, she thought with a grin.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Dragonforged Flame. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

Unparalleled. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed 5000 beings with the Flame of Creation. Has fought an adult Dragon and survived. Has burned an adult Dragon with the Flame of Creation. Has escaped an adult Dragon’s wrath. For now. Has the Heat Resistance skill in the third tier. Has incinerated beings of fire. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has the Veteran skill at the end of the third tier. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has a third Class at level 500.

You are the flame of creation. A being of heat and fire, unquestioned in her nature, unparalleled in her control. Entire nations will burn at your will, shall you wish for such an outcome. The white flame has no equal, her existence an affront to the Dragons themselves, a being once human that dares to defy their rule. In time, they too will learn to fear her. For she is all consuming. A primal fire to strip away the very fabric of reality and mana itself. Become what shall be your path henceforth, Lilith the undying.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Dragonforged Flame]?’

She smiled. Hmm… yes. This one sounds… acceptable. A little too much mentions of Audur though. Ilea didn’t exactly like the thought of a class evolution based too much on one being alone. Not with all the ones she’s met, fought, and trained with.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Void Lord of Ravenhall. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The unseen protector. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has the Void Magic Resistance skill in the third tier. Has the Space Awareness skill in the third tier. Has killed a four mark being of void. Is known as Lilith to at least 100’000 beings. Has killed 1000 beings of Void. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has the Meditation skill in the third tier. Has met a true Fae. Has a third Class at level 500.

Death unseen. You are the true Shadow of Ravenhall, your chosen name both strength in the hearts of your allies and deterrent to the enemies of your home. Your plans for the future are vast. Ripples already travel through the lands of your kind, soon surely turned to waves as your influence and power shapes the future of all you choose to protect and those you will choose to rid from this realm. A being of space and void, not to be seen nor felt, but all seeing nonetheless. The fabric is yours to wield and bend, all those that dare to stand in your way will vanish without trace. Be wise, Void Lord, for you will be the shield of man.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Void Lord of Ravenhall]?’

Hmmmm. This one sounds pretty good too. The can’t be seen or felt part is a little spooky, but a fully void and space focused class is bound to be mega powerful. Ilea bounced between the dragonforged and void lord evolutions before she continued reading.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Primordial Arbiter. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The patron of immortals. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has befriended and learned from the Baron of Violence. Has befriended and learned from the Endless Meadow. Has befriended and learned from an Enavurin. Has befriended and learned from an adult Trakorov. Has befriended and learned from a true Ice Elemental. Has saved three or more species from extinction. Has saved the life of a Lich more than twice their own level. Has the Veteran skill at the end of the third tier. Has ten resistances in the third tier. Has the Space Awareness skill at the end of the third tier. Has the Flare of Creation skill at the end of the third tier. Has mastered two paths of magic seen by some as contradictory. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has a third Class at level 500.

An unexpected ally. Beings far beyond your understanding, power, and magic have found your genuine curiosity and unusual nature noteworthy. The Arbiter is neither follower nor ruler, but equal to those she deems her allies. She has approached and learned from beings most of her kind would consider horrors or simply monsters of incomprehensible power. Not as boundless sources of knowledge, but companions on her journey did she treat these primal beings of ancient times. Some she calls her friends, a sentiment perhaps lost or never known to those living at the apex of existence. She remains human, at the very core, the blood in her veins and the magic flowing through her both touched by the very beings she has met in her travels. A master of the fabric like none her kind had ever seen. An immortal, respected by the gods of old. Her will shall bend reality itself, the magic of her enemies but fuel to her power, the flame of creation permeating her very soul and magic. Your ancient peers will watch with pride as soon they’ll welcome you into their ranks of power. Go forth, Arbiter.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Primordial Arbiter]?’

Ilea whistled, leaning back as she nearly chose the change immediately. Holy shit that’s a chonker! Still human, space magic upgrades, magic absorption? And the flame of creation. Fuck dragons.

She focused and read through the last option.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Class evolution: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Trakoborn. No current skills or stats will be lost, be aware that other evolutions and skills may become unavailable -

The heated. Leveled six third Class skills to the end of the third tier. Has befriended and trained with a Trakorov. Has found great joy in lava baths. Has stored enough heat within herself to melt stone. Has ten resistances in the third tier. Has weighed over a ton while having a size of less than two cubic meters. Has incinerated 5000 monsters. Has the Gourmet skill. Has the Monster Hunter skill in the third tier. Has the Deviant of Humanity skill in the third tier. Has killed ten four mark beings while alone. Has a third Class at level 500.

Trembling steps of absolute destruction. The Trakoborn is a giant compared their previous form. Their skin is hardened stone, their blood is lava. All is set ablaze by their very presence. Capable of great destruction, the Trakoborn would rather choose to settle deep within the mantle of the world, sleep and rest the highest forms of bliss, only topped by scorched and crispy meat from beings that had wandered into their domain. In time they will grow, until a new lair shall be chosen, her fires heating up until they’ll break the very laws of reality. Slumber and eat, for life is joy.

Would you like to evolve your Class [The Faen Valkyrie] to [The Trakoborn]?’

Oh well. Not like I expected anything different, Ilea thought and chose her favorite. The Primordial Arbiter. Though she had to admit that a few of the options could’ve worked for her. Not the Trakoborn however, that one was just silly.

‘ding’ ‘Class change: The Faen Valkyrie becomes The Primordial Arbiter

The Primordial Arbiter

Vitality +50

Intelligence +30

Wisdom +50

Space Magic is improved by 300%

Resilience is increased by 500%

Body Enhancement Magic is improved by 100%

Flesh Magic is improved by 100%

Healing Magic is improved by 100%

Mind Magic is improved by 100%

Ice Magic is improved by 100%

Lava Magic is improved by 100%

Earth Magic is improved by 100%

Your Soul has been strengthened by the Flame of Creation

“What the fuck is happening?” Ilea murmured. Her body started heating up, white flames moving on her skin. She could see herself light up within her dominion. Her soul perception showed white fires touching her very essence.

Skills changed by The Primordial Arbiter

[Phaseshift] becomes [Primordial Shift]

Active – Primordial Shift – 3rd lvl 30

Expending a large amount of mana and health, you can temporarily shift the matter of your flesh itself. Absorb a part of all magic that touches you depending on your understanding and resistance. All regeneration and healing is doubled in this state. Your movements are impaired as your very form is rejected by the laws of reality that surround you.

2nd stage: Resilience bonuses from skills are doubled when entering the Primordial Shift. During the shift, you cannot be moved by anything but your will. Your weight increases ten fold while this spell is active.

3rd stage: The Flame of Creation wills itself into existence, your control and its power increasing dramatically while Primordial Shift is active.

Category: Space Magic – Flesh Magic – Healing Magic

Hmmmmmmmmm… okay. Guess I’m a flesh mage now. Not sure what I think of this with the lack of passing through barriers. But I suppose it has to be strong with the new categories and all the buffs I just got.

The heat still grew, but her ability to resist and store it overwhelmed the surge of power coming from the evolution.

[Flare of Creation] becomes [Fires of Creation]

Active – Fires of Creation – 3rd lvl 30

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. All of your spells and your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 75% [975%]

2nd stage: The pale flame settles within your core. The Fires of Creation now affect enemy health regeneration. This effect is higher for areas directly touched by the Flame of Creation.

3rd stage: Your experience with Fires of Creation allows you to infuse your magical constructs with its effects. For each level in the third tier, the skill’s upkeep is reduced by a static 25 [750] points of health per second and you may sacrifice an additional static 250 [7500] points of health per second to enhance the skill’s effects.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement – Space Magic

What’s the chan… wait all spells? Are you sure about that super meadow? she asked herself with a wide grin. She knew that a cost reduction of seven hundred and fifty should’ve made the skill entirely free to use but Ilea assumed the base cost had just shot up to infinity.

[Displacement] becomes [Fabric Tear]

Active – Fabric Tear – 3rd lvl 30

Shift space to your will, making objects or people appear somewhere else.

2nd stage: Magical constructs are now affected by Fabric Tear. You may change the orientation of the objects you displace.

3rd stage: You may choose two flat areas and connect them through space. At the time of marking an area, it has to be within the range of Fabric Tear. Areas have to be connected within one minute of activating the spell and cannot be further apart than a static ten kilometers. Three sets of connections can be upheld at a time with exponential costs.

Space Magic

The number limit is gone… so I can just move as many things as I want now? As is the cooldown for the third tier. Portals unlocked, and three sets at a time?

Remove the limiters baby, Ilea thought, checking to see if her hair had turned white. It had not, but she supposed the white flames clinging to her body counted to an extent.

[Space Shift] becomes [Reality Warp]

Passive – Reality Warp – 3rd lvl 30

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again three times as fast and you can travel ten times as far. You notice fissures between realms at a distance of 50 [200] kilometers. This distance can vary depending on the size and extent of the fissure.

2nd stage: Prevent enemy teleportation spells within a sphere around you at a radius of 50 meters. You cannot teleport while this skill is active.

3rd stage: Your understanding of space magic grows. You learn to latch on to ongoing teleportation spells with your own teleportation abilities. Long range and channeled teleportation spells have their range doubled and their cooldown as well as cost reduced by half.

Category: Space magic

Hey wasn’t there a number before for the cooldown? Would’ve been better if it stayed that way, but I suppose I should be able to out teleport most things already. The interruption is an aura thing now. Guess in the end I couldn’t escape becoming partial dragon anyway.

The heat had finally peaked, remaining at a constant burn as the flames continued to form.

[Body of the Valkyrie] becomes [Primordial Flesh]

Passive – Primordial Flesh – 3rd lvl 30

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 50% [700%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 12% [168%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 12% [168%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound. Your natural regeneration can heal any injury.

2nd stage: Your body has withstood incredible damage, endured the hardships of battle. The fires flowing through you have hardened your bones and muscles. Your health is increased by 20% [280%].

3rd stage: Your ability to adapt to your enemy grows. Continued battle against the same foe increases damage reduction against its attacks by 2% [28%] per minute to a maximum of a static 50%. The primordial flesh is released should you reach one point of health. Your remaining mana will be used to create both spatial shields and rapid growths of flesh to prevent death. This effect can only occur once per day.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic – Flesh Magic

Will you look at these multipliers? And the second tier doubled, didn’t it?

She looked through the rest of the skill and sighed. I suppose it helps, knowing that there’s a last thing that would prevent my death… even if it sounds fucking disgusting.

Ilea wasn’t sure if she had so easily chosen the class if the flesh magic aspect had been mentioned. From which one of the supposed teachers did that one come anyway?

She assumed it could’ve been everyone, except maybe the Ice Elemental and Trakorov.

One last skill remained.

[Space Awareness] becomes [Space Manipulation]

Passive – Space Manipulation – 3rd lvl 30

You have learned to see and manipulate the ever present spatial fabric. You gain the ability to move anything within the fabric with a mere gesture.

2nd stage: Further understanding of the spatial fabric allows you to manipulate its forces with greater ease and higher intensity. You learn to perceive even the tiniest ripples in space. In the case of active fissures, you find yourself able to peer into the other side. You gain the ability to anchor a spatial pocket to your very essence. Storage increases with the skill’s level.

3rd stage: You have peered through the fabric of space itself and have learned to unravel its intricate structure. You gain the ability to perceive and differentiate magical frameworks and how to manipulate them within your space without failure. You learn how to damage existing frameworks. Results may vary.

Category: Body Enhancement – Space Magic

I can move stuff? Ilea thought and found a random pebble, raising her hand as she willed it to move. She started laughing when the stone floated up into the air. Flicking her wrist, she made the small rock hit the nearby wall. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at a larger chunk a few meters away.

Her open palms gripped the framework as she focused and spread her arms. A crack resounded through the hall, the stone ripped in two.

I suppose the voice changer was foreshadowing after all, she thought and looked down at her hands.

Chapter 682 New Toys

Chapter 682 New Toys

Ilea grinned to herself, itching to test out all the new toys she had just gotten but there were a few more messages still waiting to be read. She was a little annoyed that they had killed all the undead in the tomb. She gave Pierce a side glance instead.

The woman narrowed her eyes, lightning flashing around her before she vanished.

“What’s happening?” Verena asked, looking at Ilea.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Ilea said, taking a sip from her ale.

“Done with the evolution?” the Elder asked as she walked over. She gave the split stone a glance.

“Mostly, yes,” Ilea said. “I’ll want to test a little afterwards.”

“Of course. I can help,” Verena said.

“Great,” Ilea said and smiled.

‘ding’ ‘You have reached level 500 in three Classes while being human – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked the General skill: Telepathy – lvl 1

Telepathy – lvl 1

You learn to communicate with beings through thought alone. Initiate conversations with anything that may be receptive to this form of communication.

Category – Mind Magic

Nice. So just a better version than my third tier of Mental Resistance. But wait… mind magic as a general skill. Does that mean?

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked the General skill: Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 1

Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 1

You have learned to form ice from surrounding sources of water and may manipulate it in a limited manner.

Category – Ice Magic

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked the General skill: Minor Lava Manipulation – lvl 1

Minor Lava Manipulation – lvl 1

You have learned to form lava from surrounding sources of stone and may manipulate it in a limited manner.

Category – Lava Magic

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked the General skill: Minor Earth Manipulation – lvl 1

Minor Earth Manipulation – lvl 1

You have learned to manipulate earth and stone in a limited manner.

Category – Earth Magic

“Interesting…,” she murmured. Does that mean I’m now some kind of elemental wizardress or something?

Ilea didn’t have illusions as to the power level of these spells. She opened her palm and focused on the three new manipulation skills she had, a small rock forming first, somehow sourced from the rock around her. Next to it appeared a speck of glowing lava, and last a piece of floating ice. Primordial Avatar more like, she thought and made the three pieces spin around.

“Three new elements?” Verena asked.

“No. General skills based on the evolution. Just minor manipulation,” Ilea answered.

The Elder smiled. “Just minor. You’re likely not aware of how long mages work to gain understanding of elements beyond their classes. But you’re Lilith after all.”

“Don’t say it like that,” Ilea said. A hundred or more people already think me a deity, she thought. And I could’ve taken a first step towards what this system here classifies as divinity. Me? Please gods no. Wait that sounds weird now too.

She checked her status instead of considering deities.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 44

Unspent Core skill points: 48

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2276 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 510

- Active: Archon Strike – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 9

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 7

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 5

- Active: Arcane Dominion – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 8

- Passive: Eternal Brawling – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 6

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 508

- Active: Mantle of the Titan – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Titan Core – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Embered Heart – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Tempered Seal – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 9

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 6

- Passive: Vision of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 7

- Passive: Embered Form – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 500

- Active: Primordial Shift – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fires of Creation – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fabric Tear – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Reality Warp – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Primordial Flesh – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Space Manipulation – 3rd lvl 30

General Skills:

- Ashen Limbs – lvl 17

- Bulwark of Ash – lvl 11

- Dancing – lvl 5

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 22

- Drill – lvl 12

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 7

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 16

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 2

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 16

- Minor Earth Manipulation – lvl 1

- Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 1

- Minor Lava Manipulation – lvl 1

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 14

- Monstrous – lvl 5

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 10

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 13

- Soul Perception – lvl 11

- Spear of Ash – lvl 19

- Teaching – lvl 8

- Telepathy – lvl 1

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 30

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 21

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 18

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 15

- Curse Resistance - 2nd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 10

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 11

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 23

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 10

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Petrification Resistance – lvl 14

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 4

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Soul Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 16

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 16

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 10

- Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Status:

Vitality: 1805

Endurance: 450

Strength:535

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1660

Wisdom:1820

Health: 68590/68590

Stamina: 4500/4500

Mana: 108983/109200

About as long by now as I am dense. Sixty eight thousand health.

She whipped out her notebook and put her Intelligence score to use, finally putting twenty nine stat points into Vitality.

Health: 69248/69692

Stamina: 4500/4500

Mana: 108983/109200

And people think me a deity. They’re gonna have a bad time if I ever get that far, she thought with a self satisfied smile on her face.

The first thing she tried of course was healing herself while infusing her ability with the Fires of Creation. Her insides were wracked by flames, as expected. Her recovery prevailed however, the result of the experiment a subdued healing spell. Not very useful. But maybe good for training Sentinels.

While the Fires of Creation were burning, her ash appeared already covered in flames. Her mantle burned as it had before. Ilea would’ve liked to set Pierce on fire through her dominion and reverse healing but the woman had distanced herself far enough away, hiding somewhere in the tomb. Ah, there will be enough opportunity to test. I suppose it’s just a massive power increase to my aura like death sphere. With added teleportation prevention if they’re close enough.

Ilea transferred. A sphere of arcane magic exploded outwards, now bringing with it a surge of white fire that set alight her close proximity. She slammed her fist into the nearby wall, her Archon Strike flaring out in a near turquoise color of both concentrated arcane healing and wisps of flame. Tempered Seal exploded in a similar manner, the fiery color a little closer to white. Ilea charged up just a tiny bit of heat before she cast Embered Heart, the sphere of flames now near white as it flashed out from her.

Ilea looked down at her burning hands. She focused on the heat and power, an entirely different feel altogether. Her health remained steady, her healing and the reductions of the third tier enough to keep her topped off but she could tell the evolved version demanded a literal shit ton more health to sustain. The results spoke for themselves however. She looked at the spreading flames around her, the fires eating through the walls of the tomb with frightening speed. They left nothing behind.

She waved her hand sideways, the flames disappearing all around. “Wonderful,” she mused and deactivated her spell. Let’s see what my new shift looks like.

Ilea could see the wisps around her float away. The fabric changed, both where she stood and close by. Mana and health burned away to start her ability, Primordial Shift activating with a short delay when her perception went haywire. What the fuck even is this?

She could see everything around herself, and not with her dominion alone. Weird bits of writhing space, flame, and flesh moved near her proximity, burning through the fabric itself. Parts of the phenomenon moved through the stone below with no resistance, other bits breaking off pieces instead. Her form remained unchanged and at the center of the spell.

Ilea could see the ground crack below her feet. She raised her arm, the movement slow and strained. It felt as if she had to drag it through mud. Her various perception skills told her that the interpretation wasn’t exactly far off. A mud of space and matter, she thought, looking at her palm.

The flame of creation came to life, a small sphere forming above her hand with brilliant white light that illuminated the vicinity in unnatural patterns. The heat reminded her of the Wyrm’s sun spell, her magic perception unable to determine how much power exactly gathered in the expanding sphere. It’s burning space itself. She dismissed the flame, some parts of her on fire by now. All of it vanished. She tried taking a step with the shift active, her leg going forward with a slow motion. It came down with an impact that reminded her of old monster movies. A boom resounded as a web of cracks spread outwards.

Verena looked on with wide eyes, her arms crossed when Pierce appeared next to her.

“Attack me,” Ilea said. Her voice traveled through what felt like an entire realm until it reached the Elders.

They glanced at each other and summoned their magic.

Spheres of fire and lightning flashed out towards the barriers of moving flames and writhing space, most them vanishing outright, others slowed to a crawl and dissipating with time. A few made it through. And yet most of their energy had been sapped before they reached the central form of Ilea.

She dismissed the spell, the upkeep rather ridiculous even with her high health and mana. Probably best against high level beings that can help me sustain the spell with their magic.

Ilea gestured for them to continue, forming a gate in front of her and one behind her back. The spells moved through and crashed against the damaged wall. Hmm… with three of them I suppose I could…

She formed six fields, covering herself in a space like cube while floating in the middle. This is stupid. Ilea wondered if she was simply invulnerable like this. For a time at least. The cost really did increase exponentially, both for having more than one field out, and for the upkeep. However now that the cooldown seemed similar to her first tier, she would be able to more or less displace any magical or physical attack wherever she pleased. In a certain distance of course.

“How are we supposed to even hit you like this?” Pierce asked.

“That’s the point,” Ilea answered and dismissed the cube. She tried a few more shapes that looked at little more interesting than a cube but found them act the same, other than the aesthetics of course. Ilea remained visible behind the fields but slightly distorted to a set of perceptive eyes.

“Can you try to teleport?” Ilea asked.

Neither of the Elders vanished.

“Space magic is stupid,” Pierce complained. “Now I don’t have anything left.”

Ilea raised her hand and gripped the Elder with Space Manipulation. “There is no escape.” She raised the woman into the air, her form restrained and moving closer.

“That’s… k… kind of… hot…,” Pierce murmured, her face a little flushed.

Ilea whipped her arm to the side and sent the woman flying. So a level three hundred human isn’t a problem for my manipulation. I mean it’s quite a gap to be fair. I wonder how effective it’ll be against a four mark. Does it depend on size? Resistance? Magic type? Weight?

She assumed it was a combination of everything. Even if I can just slow them down a little, it would help immensely. Same with any projectiles that come at me. Dodging will be easier, and if I can’t dodge, just set up a gate or teleport the spells instead. I actually feel like I could become a terrifying space mage. Everything close to me will just be destroyed. Can’t teleport, on fire, reverse healing, and against a self healing being that can barely be hit by anything.

She rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. “Feels good… oh it feels so good,” she said with a grin. “You can hear me right?” she asked, using her telepathy on Verena.

“Yes.”

Don’t need the voice module then either, she thought. Ilea decided to get a replacement regardless. Having a deep and booming voice was just cooler than simple telepathy.

Still have the space pocket to test.

She checked to see if there was something new, able to access the space instantly with her skill. Hmm… but where exactly is it… and how does it connect?

It took her a few minutes to find the tiny sliver within her soul perception. A bubble of space whose size she couldn’t discern at all. The same was true for her Essence itself of course, but the results left her with more necessary testing. She moved a few items from her necklace into the pocket. Everything seemed to work flawlessly. The same rules applied as with her other storage items. No living creatures, no spells, and there was a limit to the space. Ilea just couldn’t tell quite yet where that limit lay. It certainly provided more storage space than her necklace and bracelet. Combined even.

And it can’t be stolen, she mused.

She planned to analyze and test the pocket a little more before she could trust it enough for an entire switch. It would be interesting to see if the Taleen Keys could still be tracked while they resided inside, but by now she assumed they could. Simply because they were part of a set, and likely connected in ways that transcended pretty much all existing barriers and pockets. Much like anchors set by space magic in other realms.

Ilea played around a little more with her space manipulation, ripping out chunks of the wall or pushing against it. She could damage the frameworks in any way she wanted, able to rip apart chunks of stone or simply pulverize them entirely. Depending on how resistant the material was or how much she wanted to do, the spell took longer to manifest. It also cost more based on those factors. Compared to her ash unity, her new space manipulation required a noticeable amount of resources.

I wonder if the boosts to the various magic classes will increase my resistances too.

“I decided that I want a space magic class for my third one,” Pierce said, her envy near palpable.

“Didn’t you say you wanted a healing one?” Verena asked.

“That too. First healing then space,” Pierce said.

“I don’t even have four yet,” Ilea murmured, looking at the woman. I wonder if I could just pop her eyes…, no… don’t become Violence. Only destroy eyes with consent.

“Do you want to train your space magic resistance?” she asked with an innocent smile.

“Not with that look on your face,” Pierce said. “I’ll trust the Meadow’s expertise.”

“You said it was hot,” Ilea retorted, a little disappointed.

“No I didn’t,” the Elder lied. “Are you done then? Or do you want us to bow and praise the greatness of Lilith? Her new cleansing flames of divinity the salvation we lowly human souls have craved for all our lives?”

“No, I’m done. We can move on. I’m just excited about my evolution, can’t help mere mortals being awed,” Ilea mused.

Verena snickered to herself and started towards the hall.

“I’m sure you’ll get there too, Dragonkiller,” Ilea mused as she walked past the Elder.

One of Pierce’s eyes twitched before she summoned a stream of lightning onto the healer.

Ilea stretched and yawned, enjoying the slightly prickling sensation.

Chapter 683 Beings lurking in the Deep

Chapter 683 Beings lurking in the Deep

The three adventurers returned to the cavern where Ilea had fought the Devourers. A spacious tunnel led deeper into the mesh of underground caves and forgotten ruins.

Verena double checked the map she had gotten in the guild and confirmed that the tunnel should lead to the Shining Caves.

“Are you sure you want to go further?” Verena asked.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked from within her heavy suit of living armor. Now with telepathy of all things.

“You wanted to get your evolution. The key is in the city,” Verena said.

“Well yes. But we have a couple of days until my fight. And you two could use a few more levels too,” she said.

“We’re down here already. Might as well go a bit deeper and have her not be a complete embarrassment in the Dome,” Pierce said.

“Exactly. I don’t want to resort to my more dangerous skills when I fight other war machines,” Ilea said.

“Well I don’t think any of them will pose even a remote threat,” Verena said.

“You’re spoiling the fun. It will be a hard fought battle of giants,” Ilea replied. “And of course I will prevail… just barely. Or I could lose against an underdog opponent to pave their history.”

“You’re joking but with your influence and power, something like that would be easy. You could replace the fucking Empress of Lys if you wanted to,” Pierce said.

“Don’t give her ideas,” Verena said.

“She seems to be doing a decent enough job as it is,” Ilea said. “No need to create chaos and uncertainty for no good reason.”

“Good,” Verena said.

“I am a generous god,” Ilea said to them both.

“And here I thought the Meadow was like you. Maybe it’s the other way around after all,” Pierce said.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship. At some point we’ll morph into the ultimate being and bring the end of time,” Ilea explained.

Verena groaned. “In a good mood, are we?”

“Of course. I did just evolve,” Ilea said.

The group continued for a few hours, walking through the dark cavern while they shared stories of past exploits. Ilea had the most impressive encounters over the past few years but the elders had quite a large array of more personal experiences to share. Each had taken part in hundreds of conflicts throughout the plains and beyond, as mercenary, mediator, avenger, or just monster hunter. At first Pierce had complained about the slow pace and Ilea’s insistence on staying in her armor but as time went on she too didn’t seem too bothered anymore.

Ilea enjoyed the downtime for once, the past few days incredibly packed with dangerous fights and new revelations. Their encounter with Audur still felt like it had happened just yesterday. Her meeting and talk with the Navuun and Scipio still hadn’t completely sunken in, the implications enough to involve all of humanity in her presumed little Elven adventure. Of course she had known that fighting the Taleen would’ve left a void, but adding a powerful artifact like the source into the mix created a whole new set of potential dangers. Plus near every powerful party or species she knew about could get involved.

Let’s not think about that too hard. You can move and rip things apart with your mind now. It will help you on your journey, Ilea thought. She wondered how she’d fare against the monarch now. On the one hand he had gotten to level one thousand but on the other, he was a ranged mage. She was more concerned about his silent pole wielding murder guardian. Could I injure that arrogant mage? Was he just playing around with someone he considered too far below him to use any of his better spells?

Ilea didn’t think herself too high and mighty, but even she had held back plenty of times against enemies she had considered weaker. It may be true that humans couldn’t exactly be categorized anymore after level three or four hundred, let alone five, but the same would surely be true for Elves at twice her level.

Guess I’ll figure it out when I get there, she thought. For now I’ll just get as many tools and allies on my side as I can. If everything goes to shit, we’ll have plenty of ways to approach the potential problems, and if things go well, then that’s that.

She was content with her extensive planning for the future, happy to dump the monumental issues on the desks of Claire and Trian. They’d figure something out with the help of Catelyn and the Meadow. It just felt weird. Watching the Elders of one of the most feared and prominent human Orders walk beside her, telling of adventures past. By most humans, they’d be seen as unstoppable heroes, or terrifying monsters, and yet she knew they were barely worth a mention in the grand scheme of things. As was she for that matter. Maybe not anymore, really. I think I could face that Ascended. Even if he was using a fraction of his power, he was no fighter.

Audur would pose a threat but even before her upgrades, Ilea had managed to escape. As long as she stayed outside of the human plains, she wouldn’t pose the worst of dangers. Not for now that is. With how old she is, I’m sure she’s happy to wait a few thousand years to get her revenge on the human that dared resist her. And by then I plan to either be dead or powerful enough to slap her around as if she was a mere outraged lizard.

She smiled to herself. I didn’t even consider Aki or the Lich. Anything below four marks just seems irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, even knowing that a few level two hundred demons could wipe out an entire human city.

The Void Lord evolution had talked about her becoming the shield of man, and the more she thought about it, the more it seemed inevitable. Already she didn’t know of a single human that could match her in a fight. The Founders of the Lily were an option, sure, but she hadn’t met them. And even if they’re above five hundred, how many would there be? One? Two? Ten? I’d still be among the most powerful humans around.

Ilea found she didn’t really mind. What bothered her was the fact that a high level being could simply show up and kill thousands on a whim. Humans as a whole were just not strong enough to deal with the dangers that lurked in the lands beyond the plains, let alone in other realms. By now she could appear in Ravenhall and Riverwatch in less than a minute. Any creature that dared attack these places would have to deal with her, and she was more than willing to intervene. And yet the world seems to keep on growing. I hope I can keep up, and I hope the Sentinels can too.

“Still alive in there?” Pierce asked after the lull in their conversation.

“Ye. Just contemplating my divinity,” Ilea answered.

“I see. There is no meaning to anything. Just enjoy yourself until you die to some horror deep within the northern lands,” Pierce said.

“A compelling philosophy. But unlike you, I have friends,” Ilea answered.

“Give it a few decades,” Pierce said.

Ilea couldn’t quite tell if she was joking with that or not but she decided not to engage that tangent either way. She’s just mad I’m friends with a tree. And that I have mind powers now.

Her Manipulation sadly wasn’t quite enough to make her armaments float but she could improve her mobility by quite a bit. With the boosts to her body enhancement and space magic abilities, the skill would surely be quite fearsome. Can’t wait to pop some Faen eyes, she thought with a mischievous grin.

“Stop,” she said to the others and appeared on top of her armor. Light shined in the distance, stalactites visible with what seemed like a body of glowing water spreading out below. They were still over a kilometer away.

“Shining caves,” Pierce said. “Why stop here?”

“I can feel mind magic ahead. It’s subtle but there’s no monster close by, which means it’s quite the range,” Ilea explained.

“You want to risk it? We can also go back,” Verena said.

“Would explain why people either didn’t come back or not exactly the same as they were before,” Pierce said.

Ilea considered. “Hmm… I mean I doubt there’s anything out there that could invade my mind in an instant. My resistance is pretty high, and I’ve trained with an Enavurin. But there’s no need to be arrogant either,” she said and formed two ashen clones. Get me out of range if I lose it.

“You two should probably get some distance too, just in case I turn against you,” Ilea added, connecting her ash to the copies that now stood a few meters away.

The Elders teleported a few hundred meters back.

“Shout if you have a sudden urge to kill everything!” Pierce informed her.

Helpful, Ilea thought and walked forward. She couldn’t feel an instant push nor was there overwhelming power. No, the magic here was way more subtle. Beyond even what Eve could do. Might actually be close to what the Enavurin showed me back in the Descent.

“Hello? Anybody home?” she sent in the general direction of the magic’s origin. At this distance she couldn’t discern how powerful or far away the source actually was but if it could communicate, it would be close enough.

“A being capable of telepathy…,” came the answer, almost like a whisper. The words were spoken in Elos Standard but Ilea could tell the pronunciation wasn’t exactly right.

“Yes. And I’d appreciate it if you could stop trying to get into my head,” Ilea said, still feeling the tendrils of magic trying to get past her defenses.

“You have entered my domain. And those who enter, are susceptible to my presence,” the being said in a calm tone, as if it was explaining the circumstances to a child.

“I’m clearly not just food. And it might be dangerous to antagonize me like that,” Ilea answered.

“Your threats are confusing. If you possess such great power, why do you not remain in your domain?” it asked.

It sounds genuinely confused, Ilea thought, a little taken aback. “I don’t have a domain. I travel around the world. I’m sure you’ve come across beings like that.”

“Yes, but rarely ones receptive to the mind. If you truly are such a being, then there is nothing here for you. Leave or become nourishment,” it whispered, as if it was a choice between whole and low fat milk at the grocery store.

“Well, your threats don’t make much sense to me either,” Ilea replied and walked away. A few steps were enough to get her out of the creature’s mind magic range. The invasive spells stopped immediately.

“Find anything?!” Pierce shouted.

“I’m fine, there’s a mind magic being in there but nothing quite as ridiculous as an Enavurin,” Ilea sent. She appeared above her armor and glanced at the Elders coming her way. She dismissed the ashen copies. “It’s weird. I think it just attacks everything that comes into its domain, but I don’t think it’s moving around.”

“It attacked you?” Pierce asked.

“Yes. Become nourishment or leave,” she said. “Not exactly the broadest spectrum of options.”

“It’s clearly intelligent,” Verena said. “I’ve not heard of a stationary mind magic creature like that however. Do you know how far away it is? How large is its domain?”

“It’s pretty extensive. The range isn’t exactly on the Enavurin’s level but it’s impressive. I’d have to get closer to find the source even, which is something that hasn’t ever happened before,” she said.

“So you go in and kill it?” Pierce asked. “Do you think we can survive the magic?”

“You can certainly try. How high is your mental resistance?” she asked.

“Not as high as yours. It was one of the first general skills I got to the third tier, but I didn’t have many opportunities to train it. It’s pretty rare,” Pierce answered.

“Not in my experience. But maybe I’ve just been lucky,” Ilea said.

“Unlucky you mean,” Verena said.

“If you’re offering to help us, I’d love a bit of resistance training,” Pierce said.

“Unknown high level being… an arcane healer and space mage nearby. An acceptable risk,” Verena said.

“Sure, I’ll just work on my armaments and new abilities,” Ilea answered and vanished into her armor once again.

The two women entered the mind magic spell’s area and glanced around. “There’s no magic h-” Pierce started. “Oh… wow, that’s some advanced level mind magic. I don’t think I would’ve noticed that without your mention.”

“So you would’ve died here,” Verena said.

“No,” Pierce answered. “I don’t exactly need my mind. Neither do you, as far as I remember.”

“You’re giving secrets to whatever creature is listening,” Verena said.

The lightning mage shook her head. “Verena, she has a name you know. Just because she’s an absolute monster doesn’t mean you should call her a creature,” she said and glanced back at the massive armor. “She’s still… in a few ways, human. Maybe one or two. Her hair at the very least.”

Verena ignored the remark and sat down, beginning to meditate as her brows twitched from time to time.

Pierce instead walked from one side to the tunnel to the other, her eyes focused onto the distant light. An occasional burst of lightning flashed through her mind.

Ilea couldn’t quite make out what the spell did but the elder’s focus seemed to return whenever the spell hit. A perpetual wake up signal, I suppose. Verena is getting calmer with each passing minute instead. Her defenses are getting stronger.

She moved her massive arms around, keeping a piece of her perception on the Elders as she tried to repeat the few dancing steps she had learned from Claire. An ashen partner would’ve been helpful but the tunnel didn’t quite allow for two war machines of her size to coexist in a dancing manner.

The ground rumbled with each of her steps. Ilea felt her balance waver when she couldn’t quite turn her momentum in the right direction. Her hand turned, an invisible force pushing her shoulder forward as she slammed down with her left heel. She moved into a spin to finish the set of steps, her titan form spreading its arms in a graceful gesture.

Pierce had stopped her walking and instead glared at Ilea.

“To increase the difficulty. You’re not doing a good job. It’s getting in your head,” Ilea informed her and resumed her self imposed dancing lesson.

The manipulation is incredible. If I can even influence something this heavy…

Ilea tried no to rely on her space magic too much, her steps slowly improving in the span of the next few hours. She incorporated her gates to create an endless ballroom for herself and the wispy ashen form she had added after getting the idea, the two of them dancing through the gates with graceful booming steps. I wonder if Felicia would enjoy this kind of ball as well. An occasional use of Primordial Shift let her test the limits and weight differences between her various forms.

It would take time to get used to everything, which made her decide to postpone any skill enhancements at least for the time being. Each of her spells would additionally take quite a hit if reset to the beginning of the third tier. Probably should focus on my two main classes first, even though these skills are just so much fucking fun. Seeing the twitching eyebrows of Pierce with every single one of her heavy steps just pushed her joy to higher levels. Dancing had never felt quite this freeing. I’m sorry Claire. It turns out my heart is filled with spite.

What kept her going was the fact that Pierce would do the same to her if their roles had been reversed. Though I’d actually be grateful for the resistance training help.

For now they could take some time to train, but Ilea soon started to think about their options. She would go back to the Pit in a few days’ time, that much was sure. But simply leaving this mind magic monster down here felt wrong. It seemed mostly just a stationary predator that preyed on everything that walked into its domain but already it had killed dozens of dwarves from the settlement far above.

Then again if they knew about it, I could just mark off the area of its influence. It would continue to consume other monsters but that’s not exactly any different than what everybody else is doing.

She decided to check out the caverns on the next day, to see if she could at least recover any bodies or gear, and to have another chat with the creature so rudely trying to get into her mind. Maybe I can convince it to leave this place at least. Bring it somewhere north where the Meadow could prevent awakened beings from stumbling into its realm. Or maybe I could suggest a plant based diet. Wait, does it eat the flesh of beings or their minds themselves? This opens up so many more questions. Ah, let’s be honest, it’s probably not going to be more diplomatic than it was today.

The thunderous dance continued, debris falling from the ceiling as a web of cracks spread out wherever the massive being moved. Ilea couldn’t help but smile at the welcome pause from near constant battle. The only thing she missed was music. Not that there were instruments in Elos capable of competition against the one woman construction site of reinforced and living steel.

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 6’

Chapter 684 Master of the Mind

Chapter 684 Master of the Mind

“Hey, it’s me again. I’m just looking for some missing people that apparently went into your domain,” Ilea sent as she entered the creature’s mind magic range once more. Each of her steps resounded through the cavern as she advanced. No answer anymore?

The Elders walked next to her, Ilea keeping an eye on them with her healing but it seemed they were doing alright on their own already.

It’s so fucking subtle it might just manage to get into their heads if they stay long enough.

Both of them had abilities that would protect them in one way or another should the creature actually overwhelm them however. Ilea assumed it was similar to how her ash would likely protect her if her mind was taken over.

They walked for a few minutes, reaching the entrance to the actual shining caverns where fluorescent plants made the water shimmer with blueish light. Ilea could already see a variety of creatures lurking in the darker corners of the caverns, some hiding behind stalagmites, others crawling on the walls themselves.

“We’re going to have company any moment now,” Pierce said.

Verena looked around, her eyes burning with a bright flame. “They’re directly controlled,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked. She could see a few of the creatures in her dominion.

“Look at their minds. They’re not damaged,” Verena replied through telepathy.

Ilea checked them with her healing and came to the same conclusion. The mind magic influence was obvious but it differed from the damage she had taken in her training sessions. “What do you think?”

“Easiest would be if you took one of them outside of its range,” Pierce said. “And see what happens.”

“Could be they just die,” Ilea said.

“Yeah, but none of us is a mind mage. And killing the thing would probably have a similar outcome,” Pierce answered.

“Hmm. I’ll give it a shot then,” Ilea said and transferred out of her armaments.

The first creatures were screeching now, among them various humanoids and monsters, different kinds of magic flaring up among them.

Ilea watched as nearly a hundred beings advanced on them. She waited until they were in her dominion and used Fabric Tear, a chunk of mana used to move all of the creatures away from the cavern. A few spells were loosed her way before she used the spell again. She could see the mind magic connection fade when the beings were bunched up in the tunnel, now out of the monster’s range.

She watched them look around in confusion, a few of them collapsing immediately, others rushing away in a panic. Some were about to attack the beings next to them.

Ilea spread her arms and released a charged up whistle. Monster Hunter froze near everything in the vicinity, a few of the beings resisting the effect. “Do not be afraid,” she said through telepathy, her monster hunter spell relaying the same sentiment. “You were under the control of a mind magic creature. Don’t attack the beings next to you and leave this way,” she said and pointed away from the shining caverns.

Most of the monster like creatures rushed away in a panic, none of them above level five hundred. Instincts coupled with the confusion of escaping the mind magic after however long they had been trapped pushed them forward.

A few of the sapient beings prostrated before her, speaking in different languages, some of them using Common. Different names were spoken. Most were dwarves but there were quite a variety of Dark Ones too, awakened beings of differing species. Some started getting gold, weapons, or other gifts before presenting it all to her.

“No, please. I’m just an adventurer. I’ll deal with the mind magic creature, just go back that way and to the Pit, you’ll find your way back to wherever you came from,” she said.

“What year is it?” one of the less fazed dwarfs said, looking around at the assortment of survivors as he touched his dirty beard. He piloted a war machine that seemed much more awkward in its movements than most everything Ilea had seen in the Pit.

“I have no clue,” Ilea informed them.

“I serve Garl Heinhall, king of Erlen,” another dwarf said.

“Erlen hasn’t been a kingdom for two hundred years,” another said. “Kanner Miel was the Champion of the Forged Dome when I came down here. I would like to send that creature to the depths myself,” he said and turned towards the shining caverns.

“Kanner was the third Champion of the Dome. There have been seventeen when I was last conscious,” another dwarf said and started laughing.

A hiss came from a wisp like being at level three twenty. “You are in the presence of a Great One, bow your heads!”

“Aye, she’s great indeed. Got us out o this mess,” another said. “I’ll be off then, feels like I haven’t had a good drink in a few hundred years. Cheers lass.”

“No need to bow your heads,” Ilea said, addressing the wisp being. “Just go without a slaughter. Dwarves, maybe make sure the other sapients get out without being splattered by the cannons.”

“Cannons? They finally built them, hah,” one of them said and waved to the group. “Come then, I’ll pay for a round of ale for all of you. If gold is still worth anything.”

Roars resounded from within the cavern, lightning and fire flashing in the distance. “I should probably be off then. Good luck.”

“Wait! Ashen one, please, will you grant us the honor of your name?” a heavily armored blob with three sets of eyes asked her.

“Lilith, happy to have a drink when I’m back up in the Pit,” she answered, watching the group of about forty sapients start making their way back through the tunnel. “Ah the tomb is closed, you’ll have to break through.”

“We know our way around, don’t ye worry,” one of them said, patting a crying dwarf on his back. “Ya made it out, quit crying.”

“My king…” he wailed.

“You’ll find another,” a snake like creature said with a hiss, slithering past the two before it gave a slight nod to Ilea.

She noted that there weren’t any humans in the group, their armor the only indication of how much time each had spend down in these caverns. And all are above two hundred… probably had to be or they would’ve died of old age? Did the mind being sustain them somehow or did it make them eat and drink? Where did it get the food?

She shook her head, deciding not to think about it too much. Ah well, probably more down there to get out.

Ilea teleported a few times, appearing within her armaments less than a second later. Heat and mana flowed into the machine, much faster than her first activation as she looked around within her dominion. “Did you give them haircuts?” she asked, addressing the creature she knew to be there.

Pierce and Verena were engaged with five large rock worms at level six hundred, the beings slow and bulky, stone defenses preventing damage from the ranged spell attacks coming their way.

“Why did you take what is mine?” a voice answered.

Ilea faced the rock worms now all turning towards her.

“They are their own, I just set them free,” she answered.

She could tell the worms weren’t awakened based on her healing. It would take more than one Meadow to help them get there. Rifle in hand, a beam of near white flame and energy flashed out from the titan. Chunks of smoldering worms fell to the stone ground, some falling into the underground lake instead.

“Why do you fight?” the being asked, confusion eminent in its voice.

“I’m starting to think your intellect doesn’t quite live up to your mind magic abilities,” Ilea said and looked around. She couldn’t find any other enemies in the direct vicinity, the cavern quieting down with the last rock worm that died.

The creature didn’t communicate with her anymore, instead doubling down on its attempts to take over her mind. Now quite a bit more direct than before.

“I’ll retreat for now,” Verena said. “Call if you require help.”

Pierce ground her teeth and followed her fellow Elder, their defenses cracking now that the creature wasn’t trying for subtlety anymore.

“Suit yourselves. I’ll go see what this thing actually is,” Ilea replied. More tunnels and crevices led deeper into the ground, the healer simply following the mind magic constantly coming her way. “You know, you could just stop your attacks and agree to a few rules. I’d consider leaving you alone even with everything you’ve already done.”

The reply was even more mind magic.

Ilea actually had to start healing against the constant damage. When she reached a set of broad crevices, she could finally locate the source of the spells. Another group of controlled beings ambushed her when she jumped down.

This time she simply left her armor and raised her arms. Space Manipulation froze the thirty four beings in place. Ilea added Monster Hunter for good measure, noticing her control increase greatly at the sudden lack of struggles. She stored her armaments for a while and used her upgraded Displacement to move the creatures back up and away from the source. Once more, she stopped in the tunnel and outside of its range where she kept her manipulation active.

It seemed the beings here were even older and at a slightly higher level than the ones she had brought out before. I hope this thing didn’t leave any more permanent damage or control within their heads.

“I think you’re freaking them out,” Pierce said, eating a piece of cooked meat while sitting on a nearby rock.

Ilea glanced at the thirty sets of eyes staring at her with a mix of admiration, terror, confusion, and most concerning, reverence.

“Ah. I don’t feel like giving them the talk again,” she said and set them all down. “Don’t start killing each other. And go that way,” she said and pointed.

“I can take care of that,” Verena said and looked at the beings. “Some of you need a bath.”

“I agree,” one tall spindly humanoid with white skin said and summoned a sphere of water before drowsing itself. “Aaaah… finally.”

“Mind magic…,” another said. “It… it had us trapped… how long have we-”

Ilea waved and vanished, leaving the rest of the aaahs and ooohs to Verena. Like collecting a class of children in a dense forest.

A few teleports brought her back to her last position, her armor summoned again as she jumped down again. She came out in a mostly dark cavern, a few streams of partially fluorescent water flowing down on the walls.

Her dominion picked up a few moving beings. Larger than the ones that had attacked her a moment earlier.

A growl resounded from a dark part of the cavern, followed by a few more. A chill wind flowed past. Ice gathered on her ash.

[Glacial Frost Hound – lvl ???] - [Frenzied]

The creatures were as tall as she was and twice as long. Nearly pure muscle with four white eyes on their large heads. Spikes grew out of their pale blue skin, visible frost exuded by their presence alone.

Ilea could see five of the beings within her dominion, the creatures close to level nine hundred, their clawed paws freezing the ground they tread on. I might be dealing with a four mark after all, she thought and raised a heavy steel arm.

The hounds rushed her, mana gathering around them. They were slowed by her space manipulation. All five struggled against her hold, her arm slightly shaking as she tried to freeze them in place entirely.

She formed a gate in front of her, the second above the creatures when three of them sent white beams of ice magic her way. The spells left a trail of frozen stone in their wake before they vanished into the slightly shimmering space, appearing above the beings before they were struck by their own attack.

I could face a level two thousand creature of this intellect without trouble, Ilea thought and formed another set of gates, her left hand still raised to keep them where they were. Her ability to make them hover a bit helped tremendously. None of the hounds could get any resistance on the ground to push against her magic. More beams came, once more vanishing into the same set of gates. Ilea released Embered Heart where she stood, a good chunk of the energy flashing out into the gate next to her, the fires coming out on the other side.

She heard a sizzling sound when she deactivated her gates, letting go of the hounds as the strain on her mana became difficult to maintain. Ilea watched two of them roll on the ground to put out the white flames clinging to their bodies. The other three charged ahead, another set of beams shot out towards her.

Fabric Tear made both of them appear above them, the creatures struck by the spells they had just formed. She could see her armor freeze over by the sheer presence of the hounds. Ilea formed two gates just before they reached her, the three hounds vanishing into the portal before they appeared about fifty meters above. Ignoring the falling monsters, Ilea walked forward, her gathering heat getting rid of the ice as she formed a mist of burning ash. She froze the two still burning hounds again and covered them entirely.

Her reverse reconstruction activated now, all five of them within her dominion. The flame of creation burst out from their mouths and eyes, roars resounding in the cavern as spells were shot in random directions. Ice spikes exploded outwards from the five monsters. Three of them fell and slapped against the stone floor, their hide and bones protecting them from any damage.

Ilea increased her weight and gathered heat, burning ash continuously forming and covering the struggling creatures, her space manipulation pushing them down whenever they managed to stand up. She targeted their eyes specifically, getting better results than her previous attempt at simply ripping them in half. Aiming her rifle at the first creature she managed to blind entirely, she sent a beam of charged heat into its open maw. Glowing white energy punched into it before it exploded in shattering chunks of thawing meat.

This is even less of a challenge than the Bluetails, she thought and shot the next one. Three more and she was done, silence returning to the cavern. Space Manipulation is more than just a gimmick, and the gates are just as good as I thought they would be. Only their aura managed to even damage my armor. And even that was kind of laughable for a bunch of eight hundred beings.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Glacial Frost Hound – lvl 859]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Glacial Frost Hound – lvl 873]

Not even twice my level. You’ll need more to stop me, mind king in the dark. She wasn’t surprised to see not a single level up from the battle. Probably a good chunk of experience but the challenge just wasn’t there. Even with the constant mind magic.

“I do not understand,” the creature whispered, now much closer.

Ilea walked through the darkness until she found a small crevice in the cavern wall. Within she perceived what looked like a beating heart. The mind magic here was enough to push even her defenses. “What’s so hard to grasp?” she asked and aimed her charged up rifle, healing her mind as wisps of white flame floated around her armored form.

“You should not be this dangerous,” the creature said.

Ilea didn’t feel like waiting any longer, her defenses struggling against the continuous stream of mental bombardment. She sacrificed a few thousand points of health and released Embered Heart into the Wyrm eye within her cannon. The spell manifested and lit up the darkness. Something quivered inside of the crevice before it stopped moving.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Necaloph – lvl 609]’

The mind magic ceased instantly, the pressure gone and the shining caves now only that. Ilea checked the body with her healing but ultimately left it inside the crevice, most of it turned to ashes. She stretched, her eyes opening wide when she noticed her casual movement in the heavy armor.

Nothing about it had changed but she simply felt more comfortable using it. There were more tunnels leading down into the dark but she decided to return for now. Looking up, she frowned at the impossibility of getting back up with her armaments around her. Her wings tried, but even helped by her space manipulation, the efforts were in vain. Ah well, can’t have everything, she thought and made the set vanish before she flew up to rejoin the others.

Verena had managed to convince most of the survivors to leave by now, however not quite as effectively as Ilea had been. Three dwarves and two armored beings of shadow had remained.

“We must join the hunt of this ghastly creature. For centuries has it enslaved our very minds, it is unacceptable for us to remain here without our honor,” one of the dwarves said. His argument wasn’t helped by the ancient dried blood on his rusty armor coupled with his frayed and graying beard.

Ilea landed and summoned a meal, forming an ashen chair before she relaxed.

“Killed it?” Pierce asked.

“Yeah. Necaloph or something,” Ilea answered. “Pretty low level for what it managed to do.”

“That sounds familiar,” Verena said and gave her a look.

“True,” Ilea said with a smile and started eating.

“You already killed it?” the dwarf said, one of his eyes twitching.

“Yes, now go away, I’m eating. Good luck,” she said and made him vanish.

Chapter 685 Demons of the Ancient World

Chapter 685 Demons of the Ancient World

The Shadow beings looked at each other. “He was banished,” one of them said in a deep whisper.

Why is it always a whisper, Ilea wondered.

“Truly. She is touched by the Spirits of Old,” the other one said.

[Shadow Mage – lvl 283] – [Shade]

The other one was a few levels lower but otherwise the same. Both were mostly manifestations of shadows loosely gathered up within a set of armor somehow held together by their mist like forms. Two glowering dark eyes hovered between the slits of their helmets.

“Well, if the thing is dead, I’ll be returnin to the Pit as well. Come on Brand, let’s see what useless brat has taken over our smithy,” one of the remaining dwarves said. “Thanks Lilith, and Elders. Do come round if we manage to rebuild some of our reputation. I’ll give you a five percent discount.”

“S’pose that’s a way to travel through time,” Brand said, a steel covered hand touching the damaged chin of his ancient war machine.

“Five percent for saving someone’s life,” Pierce said and laughed.

“Not like we would’ve noticed if ya hadn’t,” the first dwarf answered with a smile. “Garlan Kornwatt’s the name.”

“He’s got us there,” Ilea said with a smile.

The two shades kept their distance. Based on their movements they were likely communicating with each other.

Verena crossed her arms and summoned an armchair, a meal appearing in her hands as well before she started eating in silence.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Pierce said, looking at the Elder. “I mean I know how much annoying people you had to deal with before this ash monster took over the Hand, but how do you stay so calm? The audacity of these fucks, acting like we didn’t just save their sorry asses.”

Verena looked over, her face entirely serious. “It’s good fuel for the next fight.” She switched her attention to the two Shades still floating ahead. “Anything in particular that you’re waiting for?”

“We wish to ask the ash touched a question,” one of them said after a moment of deliberation.

“You don’t need to be that formal,” Ilea said.

“Very well. Our apologies, being of the fabric. Is it merely an assumption that you came here in search of the Soul Forge?” it asked.

Ilea raised her brows. “No. I have no clue what you’re on about. What’s the soul forge?”

They glanced at each other. “She does not know.”

“She does not.”

“Has she unleashed the Wardens?”

“It is a possibility. The location is likely.”

“A creature of the mind, to calm those that rest below.”

“It was killed.”

“The path is free, but she does not desire what lies within.”

They both looked back at her. “Being of ash. There is a legend in these lands, telling of Khan Joggoth. A ruler of dwarves, a maker, and a master of essence itself,” one of them said.

“His armies lay defeated. Forgotten and destroyed. Though few remain, the danger they pose is great. Within the Soul Forge they rest. Waiting to return, and to rule where once they were defeated,” the other one added.

“A battle was expected, once, long past,” the first one said.

“And yet it never came. Defeated they were thought, but now we know. Subdued they were instead.”

“This guy and his forge are below the shining caves?” Ilea asked.

“The findings suggest such, yes. We may guide you, on the path we once sought, and teach of what we had learned,” one said.

Ilea turned her head to look down the tunnel and towards the Shining Caves. Something’s coming. She stood up and summoned her armaments. The others reacted to her but didn’t seem to understand what was going on.

“The ground is vibrating,” Ilea informed them.

“It has begun,” one of the shades said.

“We shall retreat, to the settlement above,” the second one added.

“Find us when the battle is over. May we all survive the wrath of the Soul Wardens,” the first one said before they bowed in sync, the shade like beings floating away with their dark metal armor.

“Soul Wardens. I think Bralin mentioned them as well. Some kind of legendary war machines,” Ilea said when she spotted the thing in the distance. It was even larger than her armored form.

The being looked entirely made of steel, full plate not even coming close to how armored it was. No eyes showed on its helmet. It ran with practiced motion, a massive near two meter double edged sword in its right hand, the blade lightly glowing with a pale magical quality. Installed on both its arms were extensions that looked to have barrel like openings in the front. Its steps started to boom through the tunnel as it approached, its two and a half meter form nearly as broad as it was tall.

I’m heavier, Ilea thought with a slight grin, already increasing her weight as she charged heat within her. Ash spread out nearby.

The Elders made some distance, floating back with their magic at the ready.

Ilea raised her hand when the being entered her domain. Her Space Manipulation gripped its framework but she found herself unable to stop it entirely. Her hand quivered as it pushed against her, both through a form of magic and by simply stepping on the ground.

Each of its steps seemed a struggle now, but it pushed onward regardless.

Ilea could hear a few more of them coming from the caves. She watched the magic flow around its form and raised her brows. The entirety of the war machine was covered in a thin layer of soul magic, its sword glowing with energies of both the death and soul variety. She watched it raised its arm when a projectile of green energy was shot out, displaced back to the sender by her Fabric Tear.

[Soul Warden – lvl 608]

She let go of her manipulation, unable to do more than slow it down. Burning ash flowed out and into the tunnel, filling its entirety with white flames. She heard a strange whistling sound. Interesting.

The being had raised its right arm, a shield of death and soul magic flickering within the flames. Its magic was continuously damaged but more fuel came from within the war machine. Most of its form was covered now by the fires of creation and still it pushed on.

Ilea watched as it pushed through the flames, its sword coming at her in a slashing strike from above. She didn’t try to dodge the fast strike, unable to match the speed of the Soul Warden.

The blade cut deep, biting into living steel with the help of magic.

Not just that, Ilea thought, having watched the blade bite into her armored neck. It was stopped but had managed a comparable depth to the claws of the Devourers. Perhaps even more. Ash limbs flowed out of her back, Embered Heart releasing in a chaotic beam from point blank range and into the Soul Warden’s head.

The tunnel lit up with magic, the near white flames brushing away what had remained of its shield and shimmering magic layers. The steel below was burned through. A deep indentation of glowing steel revealed itself where the beam had hit the being, heated metal dripping down its chest. The beam hadn’t penetrated through the war machine, nor was any of the tunnel damaged beyond what the fires of creation had already done.

Two more of the beings now entered her domain.

Ilea gripped the framework of the war machine’s blade with her right arm, pulling it out of her healing steel neck as she activated her healing to check its anatomy. Quite obviously there was none. Only steel. Steel and magic. Neither could she discern a core or enchantments similar to how the Taleen Guardians operated. Its insides weren’t hollow and the soul magic she had felt still remained, though subdued and pushed back by the white flames spreading over its massive form.

It’s regenerating too, she noted, spreading more of her flame to prevent that. Her space manipulation became less effective when the blade came out of her steel form, the being pushing back with its massive metal arm.

“My spells don’t seem to do anything,” Pierce said from the side, her lightning flashing out into the flame lit tunnel, crashing against the running war machines with magic shields extended.

“Go help the survivors escape to the Pit. I’ll join you there once I’m done. Collapse the tunnel after yourselves,” Ilea said with her telepathy, feeling more tremors coming her way from below.

The Elders didn’t hesitate and vanished.

“Good luck,” Verena sent right when a fiery explosion made the tunnel vibrate. Several tons of stone came crashing down behind the warring titans.

Ilea had reached her highest weight, another beam digging into steel. She could feel the grip on its sword slacken. She moved her hand and ripped it away with her manipulation, the burning steel clattering to the ground. Two deep glowing pits now showed on the being but it remained functional. Ilea pushed it back with her arms, watching it fall with a heavy impact. A bed of burning ash spread over it, quenching every bit of magic that dared come to the surface.

Her hand extended, a beam of bright energy flashing out into the tunnel, entirely disintegrating the shield of the first Warden. A burning dent showed on its shoulder as it marched on without respite.

The second one sent a few death magic projectiles her way. All of them vanished and reappeared in bright explosions against its back, the energy biting deep into its metal, the death magic spells almost acting like an acid. Large parts of steel were eaten through but the machine kept on moving, ever forward and towards the enemy titan.

Ilea felt the cut in her neck didn’t repair itself quite as quickly as she had expected. Same death magic, she saw, the remaining energies fighting back against her healing and the armament’s ability to self repair. She displaced the massive double edged greatsword into her hand and pushed her mana into it. Enchantments lit up along the weapon as its edges hummed with arcane energy, the entirety of the blade bursting out in white fire.

She laughed within her heavy armor, a ding resounding in her mind when whatever force had animated the steel being died out below her bed of burning ash.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Soul Warden – lvl 608]’

Tough fuckers.

“It’s just bad luck that you happened upon something worse,” she said and pushed the large steel body aside with a swipe of her arm.

_______________________________

Verena heard dulled impacts from behind the collapsed walls. She sent a few more explosive spheres against the ceiling as they teleported back towards the tombs.

“Didn’t she talk about dwarves unleashing ancient evils?” Pierce asked with a giggle.

She did, Verena thought, the two of them reaching the armored shades and a few of the survivors. “We have to pick up the pace. The Soul Wardens are coming.”

“Soul Wardens? Next you tell me there’s a dragon nest below these caves,” one of the dwarves said and laughed.

The others seemed serious instead. “Where to?” one asked.

“Through the tomb, we’ll have to dig or teleport through a section of collapsed tunnel but it will lead us out,” Verena said.

“Ah, they were right then,” the dwarf said, looking at a group of survivors already heading in the right direction. Some were still looking at what was left of the undead, a few inspecting the temple.

Pierce clapped her hands together, a thunderous sound spreading through the large cave. “Gather up people!” she shouted. “Monsters on the moooove.”

Verena gave her a nod and led the group upward as quickly as they could manage.

“Soul Wardens… so the curse of Khan Joggoth existed after all,” a dwarf said.

“Of course. None of these legends are made up. Just buried under metric tons of stone and metal,” Garlan said. “Ah if we could get our hands on their machines.”

“Magic, not machines,” one of the shades informed.

“Bound they lay, hidden in the depths of the Soul Forge.”

“Unleashed by burning ash,” the second one finished.

“Disappointing then. He was feared for a reason. My great great great great grandfather used to tell stories about the terror of the Soul Wardens. He did like to exaggerate but I’m glad that ash monster of a healer is dealing with them now,” Garlan said.

“More ways exist,” the first shade said.

“Out from the depths. Be prepared,” the second one added.

Some of the dwarves groaned, others gripped their weapons. “Centuries trapped and right back into battle,” one said with a tired voice.

“YES,” another added with enthusiasm, gripping the first dwarf’s shoulder as he walked past.

“Can everyone teleport through?” Verena asked as she pointed at the cave in where their group had entered the tomb.

“No,” a few of them said but it turned out not to be an issue.

Earth magic and heavy tools got rid of the natural barrier in less than a minute as heavy impacts made the tunnel shake, chunks of stone pulverized with support beams added to the structure.

Verena almost felt bad for collapsing everything again when they had gone through.

“We should’ve joined Lilith in her battle,” one of the Dark Ones said.

“You heard her whistle. You saw her, didn’t you. That thing wasn’t human, or dwarven, or like anything I’ve seen before,” one of the dwarves said.

Another laughed. “Aye. She’s there not because she wants to protect us, but because she wants to fight them.”

“Why did you come to the Shining Caves in the first place?” one of them asked, looking at Verena.

“To kill time,” she answered truthfully. Ilea already had her evolution after all. There was little reason to keep on pushing down into the depths. And now we have another thing to deal with.

She knew that Pierce would simply leave the dwarves to their plight. Perhaps the cannons and preparations up in the Pit would be enough to fight whatever ancient war machines they had unleashed, but she knew Ilea wouldn’t let it be. Their actions had unleashed these beings and their actions would end them.

They came out into the near endless pit through the crevice in the wall. Already dulled sounds of battle resounded from deep below. A few war machines were flying upwards, two with trails of smoke and missing limbs. “Soul Wardens comin up, better get goin!” one of them shouted and laughed as he passed.

Verena watched as the dark ones and war machines Ilea had rescued rushed past, many taking flight while others simply gripped onto the stone wall of the pit before climbing upward with surprising speed.

“What will you do?” Pierce asked as she stepped next to the woman.

Verena looked down into the depths. “Still some of them fighting.”

The lightning mage laughed. “Great. Good luck. I’ll go warn Bralin and his dwarven lot. See you on the fields of battle,” she said and saluted her way with a smile on her face. Pierce jumped out and flashed away, a streak of lightning that rushed up and past the slow moving war machines.

Verena sighed and focused, flames heating up on her skin as she cracked her neck. She activated her auras and jumped down, the sounds of battle like music in her ears.

__________________________________

Ilea swung her massive sword to the side, white flames splattering onto the destroyed wall of the tunnel. Five half molten Soul Wardens lay behind her, no more of them coming. Her own armaments had taken quite a few hits, due to her interest in their magic and mostly a wish to have a few flaming sword fights. With a warhammer skill and no related abilities or training when it comes to the blade.

I did not study the blade, truly, a failed being.

She waited for a little while to see if more soul machines were coming, using the time to fully regenerate her armor. Probably better if I regroup with the others, in case they went into the pit instead. I hope none make it to the plains. Ah well. I did unleash the mess by killing the unreasonable mind creature.

She turned around and looked at the caved in stone. Ilea stored her armaments and teleported through, quickly flying through the caverns, the tomb, and out to the crevice they had come from.

There were traces of the Elders still here. Verena’s mark suggested she was up near the settlement. Her dominion picked up several floating war machines coming from below, more already flying up towards the Pit. A grin spread on her face when she heard a booming sound, a flash of light slightly illuminating even the deep part of the pit she was currently at.

Hmm, can’t use my armaments while flying through here, she thought as she ascended, casually dodging the swords and projectiles of the nearby Soul Wardens. She had to teleport when one of them appeared next to her.

[Tuned Soul Warden – lvl ???] - [Soulforged]

The war machine looked mostly the same, its back adorned with a set of four canon like extensions aiming upward. The same soul magic flowed through it, likely what made it move in the first place.

So there are more dangerous ones.

She sent beams of heat at the creatures and covered all of them in white flame as she passed, quickly rising up through the circular pit dug out by the dwarves. Let’s hope they haven’t breached the city proper. Or this will get messy.

Ashen wings moved her onward when she saw the first chunk of smoldering half molten war machine fall down towards the approaching enemies. More impacts resounded now, the booming sounds of magic cannons filling her ears as her fires burned brighter.

Chapter 686 The Fires of Creation

Chapter 686 The Fires of Creation

“Sure the boss won’t notice?” Grahn asked. The barkeep of the Somber Core Smithy glanced around the dimly lit room. Three people were present, one passed out and two entranced within a deep conversation about sword enchantments.

Bralin downed his whiskey. He looked at the dwarf and grinned. “You know him. When have you last seen him working on his machine. He doesn’t know what half the inventory even is, and the rest he uses in downright offensive ways.”

Grahn huffed. He filled himself a tankard and sipped on it, leaning back against the reinforced wood. To anyway worth their steel, the dwarf would immediately stand out. The way he moved his old machine. Only someone with decades of experience could make it seem so casual.

The inexperienced dwarves either young or coming from outside often looked up to those with the most shiny and impressive suits. The problem with high quality machines was the fact that they did a lot for the wearer. Lilith is the same, Bralin thought. Living steel was some of the highest quality someone could get. He was most interested in the person who made that for her, more so than the suit itself. With her ridiculous level, she’d see it as a toy, but if he could get in tough with the maker. That would change things.

He only knew of one, maybe two people in the Pit who could make something comparable. Four or five perhaps with unlimited resources. But she looked like a child piloting the thing. If she fought anything worthwhile in the pit, things would’ve changed by now, the armor adjusting to her and she to it, but it would never be a replacement for decades of experience in a hard to maneuver suit. Ah I have to be honest. I’d love a suit of living armor.

A red light flicked on above the entrance, another near the restroom, and a third above the bar. Every dwarf in the room stopped their conversations. They looked around and got up, visors coming down to cover their faces.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if that was her,” Bralin joked, giving the barkeep a smirk as he too stood up to leave. He considered getting his actual machine but that would bring a lot of unwanted attention, and other long term issues. It would take another century to lose his reputation once again. He poured himself another whiskey and took the glass with him, Grahn walking next to him with his tankard in one hand and a massive hammer in the other.

He could hear the alarms now that they were outside, everyone at least at level two hundred would join the front line to defend the Pit against whatever creatures were unleashed today. Always a massive event but sometimes a little inconvenient. They active it a little too often as well, Bralin thought, downing the whiskey before he threw the glass away.

“On your tap,” Grahn said, taking a drink from his tankard.

Groups of war machines rushed past, heavy breaths audible from within their helmets. High end machines flew above, next to mages and Dark Ones only wearing normal armor. The first cannon was fired, the sound reverberating through the entirety of the bowl like Pit as the ground shook. If anybody had failed to receive the message, now they would know.

As much as the battles were usually quick and underwhelming, Bralin did enjoy the spectacle. Every time. It was one of the reasons he had come here after all. The life of nobility just didn’t appeal to him. The smell of heated metal permeated the streets now, smoke and fire rising in the distance. Explosions resounded. More cannons started firing. The two changed into a jog, both closing their visors as they activated their magic. A thick stone armor formed around the most important bits of Bralin’s suit, runes etched within. They glowed with power as his speed increased. “See you later,” he said to his friend and rushed forward. Each step propelled him through the smoke. He jumped and landed on a simple square stone building to get a better view.

His eyes opened wide when he saw a dozen flying war machines above the pit, their arms raised with green projectiles shooting out at both the cannons and defenders. He had seen them before, the design unmistakable. Not in person. Few alive still claimed they had. But the history books remembered them, mostly as a way to scare children and dissuade experimentation with both soul magic and necromancy.

“Soul Wardens!” he shouted, both as a warning an a call to rally. They wouldn’t beat these things with their usual arrogance and competition. He would organize the front and push them back. Fuck. And I liked my anonymity so very much.

Bralin ran and jumped again, several machines landing next to him, three at the front with heavy shields and four at the back with both magic and slug cannons.

“Damage their weapons. Anti soul and magic spells only. Defend!” one of them shouted as the first projectiles impacted the shields. Another five Soul Wardens had appeared, joining the rest of them.

Dozens of spells impacted the floating machines, the outer cannons now taking aim despite the damage they would cause in the town. Bralin heard the nearby cannon power up, energy brimming along the tubes before a one meter thick slug of enchanted steel was propelled and shot at one of the machines.

He saw the Soul Warden explode in arcane energy, both its form and the slug rushing off into the city, crashing through the homes and smithies of a few unlucky residents.

His stone magic wouldn’t do much, but if he could get close enough, some of his runes might do some damage. He instead focused on deflecting the acid like death magic shot out by the machines. Another one went down, falling as if invisible strings had been cut. We have to keep them here, Bralin thought when they reached the edge of the pit, hundreds of spells exploding above, three of the fourteen cannons already taken out.

Valves opened all around the pit, acid pouring out into the depths. Barriers formed and were shattered, most of the better runes already destroyed. There are too many.

Something white lit up the darkness far below, silhouettes of dozens of Soul Wardens visible. He paused as an acid bolt impacted his shoulder, unable to get through his reinforced and rune protected armor. Bralin formed a wall of stone to add to the perimeter, the dozen Wardens above reduced to four as another volley came from the outside cannons. Teams of flying war machines went after the damaged enemies.

“Keep them here! We must not let them roam into the city!” a dwarf shouted nearby, expertly dodging a bolt before he aimed his arcane cannon, a beam of red energy flashing out before it struck.

Each team that went to fight and hopefully finish one of them would weaken their position, but there was nothing else they could do. The shields had to hold. Already Bralin could hear the runes power up, hundreds of mages pouring in their mana, waiting for the signal.

He looked down into the depths again, another volley resounding from the cannons. A horn resounded. Immediately a shield of grayish quality came to life, covering the entirety of the pit as the last remaining Wardens above it were targeted with everything they had.

Flames, he thought and jumped in front of a damaged war machine. One of the Wardens had landed. Its sword had separated the legs of a now screaming dwarf, the only defender of a group of terrified mages.

Bralin shot a few heavy chunks of rock onto the machine. He raised the ground and pushed the injured warrior back and out of the way. “Spread out and aim!” he shouted and ducked under the horizontal swing of the enemy machine. His own suit was quite a bit smaller and not near as heavy but it didn’t look like an experienced or conscious dwarf piloted the cursed thing.

He dodged to the left, a blast of death magic missing him just barely as he formed a shield of stone, the enchanted sword cutting through like paper. It still gave him enough time to take a single step back, the tip of the blade leaving a deep scratch on his chest.

Several blasts impacted the Soul Warden, its attention diverted for a split second. Enough for Bralin to form and charge a heavy boulder. He let the spell loose, aimed at the machine’s right hand and sword arm. The blade was pushed aside but it hadn’t been enough to disarm the thing.

He made some distance when a human clad in flames appeared, twirling in the air before a kick impacted the steel hand of the Warden, ruining its already weakened grip. The blade flew away and clattered to the ground a few meters away.

Bralin covered it in stone and jumped aside when a projectile flashed past. “It’s other arm,” he said to the woman.

Blasts of flame impacted the Warden when another two of them landed nearby. Their section of the pit had retreated a few blocks back. “Cowards,” Bralin exclaimed with a broad smile. At least the mages had taken the injured dwarf with them.

The human grinned as well, landing next to him as spheres of fire formed around her.

“Where are your friends?” Bralin asked.

“Any moment now,” the woman said.

The Soul Wardens raised their arms, death magic gathering on their arm mounted cannons.

Bralin stepped in front of the human and formed a wall. He braced for the impact but nothing came. Moving the stone away, he saw the war machines were gone. He looked up to see a winged humanoid clad in white flame floating over the center of the pit.

“There you go,” said the woman next to him.

He looked at the flying being, squinting his eyes before he recognized her. Lilith, eh, he thought. “You seem pretty confident,” he said, noticing Verena now entirely relaxed.

“Just enjoy the show,” she said and walked to the edge of the pit.

Bralin raised an eyebrow and followed. When he looked up again, the white flame covered Lilith was gone. Their barrier usually took a while to activate because they had to switch out the enchantments against whatever magic type the enemy used. This time it took even longer, soul magic not something that came up more than once every other decade.

Bralin expected to see dozens of Soul Wardens cutting into the barrier from below but what he found instead were war machines covered in white fire, all trying to to hit three fast moving beings of ash. Copies, he noted. She’s beyond just Creation, he thought with a grin. Didn’t expect anything less from a three mark human.

“Are they… teleporting?” he remarked, seeing more of the Wardens appear below the barrier. Some mid swing and charging down before they looked around and joined the ashen hunt.

“That should be all of them within the city,” another voice said.

Lilith now stood next to them, her entire form clad in white flame, a smooth set of ash protecting her below. Bralin estimated there to be at least three layers. Her wings folded on her back, wisps of burning ashen limbs coming out from between the two extensions. Two horns grey from her head, the blue eyes barely visible between the moving flames.

Dozens of war machines had advanced again due to the lull in battle, many sections of the defenses never breached like the one they stood at. “How long is that barrier going to last?” Lilith asked.

“Not made to last. They will open up to let a few through, then close it again. Until the enemy is dealt with,” Bralin explained. “This one will be hard fought.”

“Ah well. Kind of our fault in the first place,” Lilith said.

A whistle resounded through the vicinity before she vanished.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard the call of a powerful being. Stand down’

Bralin saw bright white light flash up, the barrier shaking as a part of the spell struck it from below. More magic lit up. Heavy impacts resounded as the ground shook, the grayish barrier and flames below now shrouding visibility.

“She went past the anti teleport runes. To fight them alone?” he murmured, looking at Verena.

The woman had sat down to meditate, a few wisps of flame moving around her as she calmed her breathing. “We would only be in the way. Just keep that barrier up as long as you can.”

“Keep the barrier up!” Bralin shouted at nobody in particular.

The shout was repeated by a few others as some healers made their rounds, defenses set up and teams regrouping. The cannons were loaded and charged, aiming down into the pit with the barrier a few dozen meters further down, shimmering gray light with still spreading fires below. The entire vicinity was lit up from time to time, the impacts now less frequent.

“I didn’t know you were high ranked enough to give commands,” Verena mused, one eye open to look at him.

Bralin formed stone walls farther back, new defensive positions for war machines and mages. “I don’t. It’s all about confidence and logic. Nobody is in charge here.”

He could see the heavy suit of Maulstroem standing on a half destroyed stone house, a few other influential dwarves near him. They seemed just as happy as everyone else to leave this cursed enemy to whatever being had showed up to assist them. A grave offense with everything they could handle normally. But it seemed even the Champion of the Forged Dome would agree that the reemergence of the Soul Wardens was not something they wanted to take lightly.

Good thing that he’s more reasonable than the last few.

Bralin chuckled at the idea of them opening the barrier and storming down, only to be slaughtered in the crossfire. It would’ve been quite a glorious sight. But plenty of impressionable youth would’ve died as well. Always regrettable that, with shit leaders.

“Hey Bralin, make the cannons prepare to fire,” Lilith’s voice invaded his mind.

“Prepare to fire!” Bralin shouted with his voice a little deeper than usual. “Telepathy too?”

“Of course. Well it’s new,” she answered.

“Something coming through?” he asked, trying his hardest not to be fazed by the whole situation and the woman’s behavior. He had seen a lot in his many years, but a single flaming winged creature facing down the war machines of Khan Joggoth was not on that list. If anything he expected her to be a dragon, and yet he knew she wasn’t. The former would’ve been easier to comprehend.

Shouts went through the groups, the cannons charging up as the barrier wavered.

“I am,” Lilith answered.

Bralin heard the barrier shatter, a beam of near white flame rushing up and out of the pit. He was deafened a split second later when the cannons fired down into the burning debris. A high pitched noise remained in his ears as he walked towards the edge again. He looked down and waited for the dust to clear, all traces of fire entirely gone. A distant set of impacts resounded, but not as many as they had functional cannons. He grinned and shook his head before he walked to Verena. “No Wardens left. Come, before someone unpleasant starts asking questions.”

“I don’t have anything to hide,” the woman said.

“Yeah, but I do,” Bralin said. “And I’d rather not have them connect you lot to me.”

The woman smiled and vanished, appearing in a half destroyed stone house about twenty meters away. Bralin glanced around, wondering where the third in their group was. The telepathic connection was gone, and with it any trace of the mysterious flaming creature.

“Hail the wrath of King Valkor!” someone shouted, other cheers chiming in similar things. A few started praising one god or the other, but assigning this victory to the ancient King who had defeated Joggoth in the first place made the most sense in their euphoria of a glorious triumph.

“Quite something, that Lilith of yours,” he said after they had walked together for about half a minute.

“She’s rather ridiculous,” Verena said.

Bralin saw a war machine walk out of a nearby alley. Quite large and well made, dark steel enchanted to the very limits of the materials. He knew the owner too, or knew the name at least. Didn’t he use another model to fight? Something felt off about his movements. “Master Helm. Are you injured?”

The dwarf didn’t respond. Instead the visor opened to reveal a human woman, a confused expression on her face. “You must be mistaking me for someone else, young man.”

“You three are mad,” Bralin said and started laughing. “Make that thing vanish, I’ll help you make it unrecognizable later. You look like a noble child stuck inside a bloody war machine!”

The heavy armor vanished, a normal woman revealed and bowing.

“I must’ve missed the battle,” she said.

Verena grunted.

“She dealt with it, didn’t she,” the woman said. She giggled and slapped Bralin’s suit as she walked past. “Of course she did. See, and my financial situation looks much, much better now too for some unknown reason. First round’s on me.”

“As long as you spend your gold in our fine establishment,” Bralin said, checking behind them to see if someone had seen the spectacle. It seemed most people were either hunkering down inside of their homes or still near the pit. Celebrations would start soon but they managed to slip through.

They reached the smithy about ten minutes later, the few workers downstairs all gone.

Bralin found a black haired woman sitting at the bar upstairs. With the absence of any ash and fire, she almost didn’t look like a monster. “Grahn doesn’t like people serving themselves,” he said and walked behind the counter, doing the same.

“A special occasion,” Lilith said and raised her mug.

Chapter 687 Ingenuity

Chapter 687 Ingenuity

Ilea took a sip of her ale and smiled.

Verena gently touched her shoulder before she teleported behind the bar. She grabbed a whiskey bottle and appeared next to Ilea, pouring herself a glass. “Well done.”

“Thanks. I think they could’ve managed on their own anyway,” she mused. Ilea had done a quick check on the injured during her attempts to get all the Soul Wardens back under the impressive barrier the town had set up. It turned out that war machines were unsurprisingly quite durable. While she did believe the city would’ve had a good chance of dealing with the problem themselves, the losses would’ve been a little different. She had seen three healers among the hundreds of warriors, engineers, and mages. At least her dominion allowed her to check up on a lot of people with little issue. Just again shows how important the Sentinels or really any high level healers are. Even without me here, a few Sentinels could’ve made a massive difference.

And those cannons. Oh… the cannons, she thought, a warm smile on her face as she remembered the heavy impact that managed to cave in her chest despite her layered mantle. It was no wonder they could fight back against even emerging four marks.

“Hundreds would’ve died, if not most everyone,” Bralin said. “You’re the hero of the Pit, unsung as of yet.”

“And so it will remain, for a while,” Ilea said. “Enough people saw me that rumors will likely spread. But let it take a few days, weeks, or even months. Actually, it might be good if the name Lilith starts spreading at some point. Maybe you can help with that.”

“After your performance today, I’ll do anything to get into your good graces, oh goddess Lilith of ash and flame,” he said and raised his tankard.

“None of that god talk,” Ilea said.

“Oh?” Pierce mused, mixing herself a drink with fruits and a bunch of alcohol she got from somewhere. “The goddess does not like her devout followers?”

Ilea gave her a look and smiled. Don’t show your weakness.

Pierce stared back but returned her attention to her drink a few seconds later.

“I assume the Dome fight is off then?” Ilea said.

“Why? The attack was a little different than what we usually get, sure. And the unknown… as of yet, help, we received was strange, but if anything it will make the fights even more sought after. You’ll do just fine. If you’re still interested of course. People will know who you are once you show your powers,” Bralin said.

“I’ll keep it to my armor and maybe a few tricks,” Ilea said and summoned the massive sword she had taken from the first Soul Warden she had destroyed. The thing appeared in her hand before she laid it down on the bar. “It does look a little ridiculous without my armor on.”

[Blade of the Warden – Ancient Quality] – [Allows for magical infusions] - Enchantments [Mana Flow 3 / Sharpness 4 / Self Repair 2]

Bralin chuckled. “Yeah, plenty will be hunting for these now.”

Ilea glanced at him and smiled. “Hmm, if only someone had collected about sixty of them.”

“We’ll buy them, if you want to make a deal. First I want to buy one for myself. Will get you an idea as well for the price to go for,” Bralin said.

“I want one too,” Pierce said.

Ilea gestured for him to take the blade on the counter. “It’s yours. Pierce, you pay me. What do you think I can get for one, Bralin?”

“He gets one for free?!” Pierce exclaimed, spreading her arms as she nearly spilled a bit of her drink.

Ilea looked at her with a confused expression. “Of course, it’s Bralin after all. Long term not fucking annoying person in my life. And I didn’t see you anywhere near the pit, so you likely went looting. Did you get the key at least?”

Pierce scratched her head. “You know, I tried. I did. But your mention of the location was vague and the area was incredibly well enchanted.”

“So that’s why you’re here,” Bralin said with a smile. “I thought as much.”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Someone as powerful as you doesn’t usually show up somewhere without reason. Not without having ties to a place. There are quite a few powerful and ancient artifacts here, both that and knowledge guarded for millennia,” he said. “I’m not sure what key you mean, but yes… stealing might be your only option. That or…,” he said and smiled before he burst out laughing.

Ilea gave him a look.

He calmed down after a few seconds, drinking from his tankard before he talked. “Stealing or well… beating the Champion of the Forged Dome. Which hasn’t happened in… seven years now? Something like that.”

“Coincidentally, I’m signed up for my first fight already,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Weird right?” the dwarf said. “Ah I’m having such a great time. The last months were getting a little boring.”

“She does that to people,” Pierce said. “It mostly has to do with the insane risks she takes and luck to somehow get out of it all alive.”

“It’s called being a healer,” Ilea said and raised her mug. “People coming by the way.”

“Being a healer doesn’t even come close to what you can do, oh almighty Lilith,” the Dragonkiller said.

She didn’t miss it. Oh well, as long as I don’t get forcibly added to some kind of annoying pantheon with politics and responsibilities.I can still choose my own evolutions, and so far there always was a distinctly non monster or deity like option.

A group of dwarves and Dark Ones entered the bar, led by Grahn. They talked loudly, already boasting about their exploits in the short lived battle against the ancient menace of the Soul Wardens.

The dwarf went behind the bar and gave Bralin a meaningful look. He started filling tankards, handing them out to the dust covered and bloodied warriors, receiving cheers in return. The barkeep whispered something that most people would’ve missed. “Thank ye.”

Ilea smiled and raised her mug, cheering with everyone else who had participated in the battle. Glad I could clean up so efficiently.

“The Shining Caves are cleared but I kind of doubt that was the last you’ll see of the Soul Wardens,” she said to Bralin and the Elders.

“This telepathy thing is really useful,” the dwarf said.

“It is. I’ll still need a replacement for the voice module by the way,” Ilea informed him. “And we have another two days until the first arena fight. I’ll go down there again to finish off whatever is in that Soul Forge,” she added.

“The Soul Forge?” Bralin asked as he raised an eyebrow. He tried to look casual but the impact was obvious.

“I want my war machine first. Otherwise I can’t train,” Pierce informed.

“You got one too? Congratulations,” Ilea sent in a dry tone.

“If you wouldn’t mind someone else to join you, I’d love to accompany you three to the Soul Forge. There’s bound to be interesting treasure. And knowledge, that may or may not be best left undiscovered,” the dwarf added, just a hint of concern in his voice.

“I doubt it’ll blow our minds,” Ilea answered. “But sure, you’re probably tougher than the Shades and they said they knew the way.”

He seemed thoughtful after that and finished his tankard with a light smile on his face, the attention of the group returning to the celebrations and their drinks.

An hour later they retired down into the workshop, Pierce eager to get her stolen goods prepared for battle. Ilea didn’t exactly dislike the idea of not being the worst war machine pilot in the vicinity anymore.

“I’ll go look for the Shades,” Verena said and vanished.

“Thanks,” Ilea said to her appearing form within her dominion. She summoned her armaments and healed the remaining damage she had left untouched back down within the pit.

Bralin brought another voice module and went to install it.

“Not quite as large as mine,” Ilea said, looking at the war machine in front of her.

Pierce leaned against it with a casual look on her face, swirling the drink in her hand as she smiled. “Oh you know. The best pilots are the ones with the older models. You wouldn’t understand.”

“That is a high end machine. What Lilith has is simply beyond the normal standards,” Bralin supplied. He knew full well that she was joking.

“Taking the side of the goddess, well what else could be expected from an opportunistic dwarven noble hiding amongst the common plebs,” the Dragonkiller said before she sipped from her drink.

“On point observation,” he said. Bralin tapped the voice module and pushed it a little further into the side of Ilea’s armor. “Check if it works,” he added, handing her the sender.

“Best war machine around,” she said with the now familiar deep and booming voice.

“Probably,” the dwarf said and turned to the other machine.

Pierces, acquisition, was propped up by several steel beams, arms lifted to allow for better access. No other mechanics were inside the back hall, a few half finished machines standing nearby. Bright white magical lights with a hint of blue lined the high ceiling. Bralin walked around it, occasionally giving the machine a tap. “Been a while since this one got a proper maintenance.” He closed his visor and got out a few tools. “You ladies mind if I play some music?”

“Music? As in, recorded?” Ilea asked.

“Yeah. Not easy to make but quite popular in the Pit. I know most rich folk prefer live renditions,” he said and activated an enchanted box.

The sound of string instruments immediately resounded, a surprisingly fast pace compared to most music Ilea had heard so far in Elos. “I want this,” she said, carefully touching the device with childlike fascination.

[Voice Summoner – Rare Quality] – [Enchanted]

“It’s quite a nice device to have around,” Pierce agreed. “Can it be louder?”

“There’s a few gears on it. Feel free to fiddle around with it. What color did you want it, lassy?” Bralin asked.

“It’s been a while since someone called me Lassy,” Pierce said with an almost predatory grin. “Make it blue. Dark blue.”

“As you wish, princess,” he said and continued his work, occasionally humming with the music.

Ilea tried the different gears. One thing she noted was that the piece only seemed to allow for a single song to be captured, and its mana was used up rather quickly, meaning someone had to go recharge it after every single rendition. Not much of a problem with her extensive inner storage space and incredible wealth, but it would take some time to record the music. Ah I wish I had some epic themes for battles. But I’d have to first try and recall everything, give a musician my shitty rendition and have them copy it with actual talent.

“How much is one of these?” she asked. “Without a piece of music stored inside.”

Bralin glanced back at her, a part of his suit’s arm inside the other war machine’s back. He shrugged lightly. “Three or four gold pieces.”

“What if I buy a hundred,” she said.

He just shook his head. “Gods,” he muttered. “Ten to twenty percent discount.”

“Hmm, I can just have Goliath copy this,” she mused, hearing a tool clatter to the floor.

The music still played in the background with Bralin staring at her. “Did you say Goliath? As in, the legendary Dark One smith from Hallowfort?”

“Yeah, he made the armor too,” Ilea supplied.

“By Lilith,” he whispered. “You truly do not cease to surprise. He’s a fucking legend. A myth. Every year there’s another fool who goes north to find the settlement.”

Pretty sure we could add this place to the teleportation network at some point, Ilea thought.

“Any one of us ever make it up there?” he asked. “Out of curiosity.”

Ilea nodded lightly. “Yeah, there’s quite a few dwarves there. Mostly various Dark One species. Terok is one of them, if you know him.”

He laughed and got back to work. “Terok she says. I know about eighteen of the fuckers. A few of em went north too. Might just be he’s a distant cousin of mine.”

“Dwarves,” Pierce mused.

He pointed at her without taking his eyes off the steel plate he was checking. “You better watch your mouth, lots of things that can go wrong with a high power war machine like this one.”

“Just put in a remote detonator,” Ilea said. “Maybe then she might actually shut up.”

“Don’t give him ideas, I can only get so excited,” Pierce said before she groaned. “Ah it’s not the same knowing you’ve actually faced down a Dragon.”

Another tool fell to the ground. Bralin looked up and sighed. “Please. I’m trying to work here.”

“How long will it take?” Pierce asked. “I’m already bored.”

“We can go sign you up for the Forged Dome,” Ilea suggested. “I’d love to watch you fail.”

Pierce whistled. “You’re on, goddess. I’ll fight you to the bitter end.”

“A one second battle doesn’t sound particularly interesting,” Ilea retorted.

The Elder walked off, finishing her drink before she placed the glass on a nearby workbench. “Jokes like that aren’t funny when what you say is true.”

Ilea smiled. “They are to me. See you later Bralin, and thanks for the work.”

He hummed to the music and waved them off. “I owe you at least sixty gold pieces for that sword.”

“It was a gift,” she said, making sure Pierce heard her. They teleported out into the street, Ilea stretching as she breathed in the fresh air coated with a healthy layer of smithing fumes and metal particles. “I’ll give you one for eighty five,” she whispered to the Elder.

Pierce looked at her and huffed. “I will purchase your intriguing tool. Here, that should be sufficient,” she said and summoned a small chest with obviously dwarven runes on it.

Ilea checked the thing and made it vanish, a hundred gold coins richer. “You’re even worse with gold than I am,” she said and threw the woman one of the massive blades.

Pierce caught it with surprising grace, swinging it around before she made it vanish. A few people stared at them, one young dwarf rubbing his eyes.

“Gold retains little meaning to me, Lilith,” Pierce said in a fake haughty accent.

“Seems like Verena found the Shades. She’s coming back this way. Let’s meet her on the way, I wanted to try some of the local dishes anyway,” Ilea said and started towards one of the side alleys.

“Always thinking about food,” Pierce said.

“What else is there in life?” Ilea asked, soon with her first bowl of steamed vegetables and juicy green meat. The hint of metal added a unique taste to the dish.

Pierce of course joined in, a bottle of ale or a drink added to each plate or bowl.

The festivities had spread throughout the whole of the Pit, either that or it was just a normal thing at this time of day. A time of day Ilea couldn’t quite discern without a visible sun. Dwarves greeted them as they passed, many of them showing light bruises, dents or cuts on their armor, some even with missing limbs. The machines that were, not the people piloting them.

“You’re healing them, aren’t you?” Pierce said.

Ilea swallowed, her eyes closed as the enjoyed the taste. “Hmm. What? Oh, yes of course.”

“Have you no regard for the local healer guilds? How else will they make a living,” she said in a deadpan voice.

Ilea could see into most of the shops and smithies nearby. They weren’t near the wealthier areas in the higher sections of the bowl after all, where enchantments likely protected against that kind of intrusion. “They don’t exactly seem to have workplace safety laws,” she said, seeing a working dwarf hiss as he slipped and cut off one of his fingers.

He grabbed the finger with gritted teeth before he watched the thing regrow instead. Glancing at the severed and bleeding piece, he threw it into a nearby fire. The dwarf muttered something as he looked up for a brief moment and then got back to work.

“Hmm, this one is good,” Pierce said. “Forge’s Forge Ale,” she added, reading off the label. “If only everything didn’t have this slight taste of metal.”

“Might just be the air,” Ilea said. “Probably not healthy either.”

“Ah, you’re just blowing things out of proportion. Typical healer talk. A bit of metal in the air is perfectly healthy,” Pierce said and waved to the other Elder a few dozen meters ahead.

Verena was followed by the two familiar Shade creatures, their excitement near palpable. Both of them looked at everything they passed. One stopped to pick up a block of iron from a stall. The other one joined to add some comments as they both admired the piece.

“You really do internalize it all,” Ilea mused when she reached Verena. “Thanks for getting them.”

“They weren’t hard to find,” Verena said, choosing to ignore the other comment.

“This place is full of wonder,” one of the Shades said, a joyous expression on its mist like lack of face.

Ilea didn’t know how she could tell but chose not to question her sanity quite yet. “We wanted to sign Pierce up for the Forged Dome, care to join us?”

“Ah, yes! We have heard much of this fabled Dome,” one of them said, returning the slab of metal without a shred of interest left.

I wonder if they’ve already forgotten about the Soul Forge.

Ilea pondered the implementation of forges in pretty much everything around them as they made their way through the city. The building they sought wasn’t hard to find, but the problem was that most of it was gone. Hmm.

A lane of destruction went from their position to a distant cannon, the likely culprit of their current issue. At least it got the Warden too, she thought and turned back to the remains of the stone building.

Chapter 688 Forges

Chapter 688 Forges

A group of five impressive looking war machines crouched over a downed Soul Warden, discussing the steel and make.

“Can we sign up for the Dome with you lads?” Ilea asked them.

One glanced up. “We’re busy. Leave us be, human.”

She wore a set of casual clothes, her usual city exploration attire.

[War Machine Engineer – lvl 230]

Pierce looked at the dwarf and started laughing.

“Anything funny?” he asked, standing up now. His machine reached nearly three meters, the heavy steel dented and cut in a few places, one of the shoulders near fully melted. “We finished this one off, its steel is ours.”

“Keep the steel. Where do I sign up for the Dome?” Pierce demanded.

He huffed and nodded to the right side of the building.

“Appreciate it,” she said in an annoyed voice and walked past, the dwarf giving her a wary eye.

Ilea wondered what they’d even do with the soul warden. The steel itself hadn’t seemed particularly impressive. It was the regenerative qualities and their swords that made them formidable foes, especially for their level.

A small stone shack had been raised in a small yard to the side of the building, several dwarves sorting documents and searching through piles of dust and debris covered furniture. “Ah this won’t do, this won’t do. Why would they aim exactly here…,” the one at the center of it all murmured.

“It’s probably not the best time,” Pierce said. “But I’d like to register for the Forged Dome.”

The dwarf looked up and smiled. “Ah not at all. Registrations can be done at any time. A human, greetings to you all. I’m Marilla Brickhammer, administrator of the Forged Dome.” She wore a set of armored robes, sockets of various colors suggesting it was some kind of suit to be worn below a war machine. Her thick brown hair was braided perfectly, keen green eyes taking in the newcomers.

“Dragonkiller Pierce,” the Elder answered. “And my crew,” she added, gesturing to the others.

Ilea huffed at that and crossed her arms. “Sure,” she mused.

The dwarf raised a brow at the name but didn’t seem to mind terribly. “You’re all rather impressive. I suppose you’d have to be to come here as humans,” the administrator said. “Very well then. How would you like to join? Alone, as a group, against other contestants or against monsters?”

“Alone, against another contestant,” Pierce said.

“Good. Be aware that the fights can end in death, thought it’s generally seen as admirable to end the fight when the other party surrenders or when their war machine is taken out. You do have a war machine I hope?” she said.

“I do. Do I have to use it?” Pierce asked.

“The Forged Dome is to test the strength and power of its contestants, not their ability to avoid a fight and win through attrition. If you are judged to be avoiding a confrontation, you will be disqualified and banned from participating in the Dome. Now I don’t want to assume anything based on your species or preference not to use armored suits, but this isn’t the wilderness. Certain expectations will have to be met,” Marilla explained.

Pierce grinned. “I see. Then there won’t be any issues. I am allowed to continue the battle if my war machine is taken out?”

“Of course,” the dwarf said and smiled. She shook her head lightly and summoned a large tome. Her hands moved to flick it open. “When can you fight?”

“Two days was it?” Pierce asked, looking back at Ilea.

“Yeah,” Ilea mused and addressed the dwarf. “If she’s going to fight a newcomer… how fair is that fight going to be? I don’t think I’ve seen many war machines at level three hundred.”

Marilla allowed herself a slight grin. “I’m the only one who knows the levels, nor are they documented at all. And I… am impartial,” she said, her joyous demeanor making it clear that she must enjoy the obvious imbalances. It would surely make for an entertaining show, especially with boisterous young fighters facing down experienced veterans. “Two days. At the twentieth hour. Dragonkiller Pierce. Or should we announce you in a different manner?”

“Just Dragonkiller is best,” the Elder said with a grin.

“Perfect. That alone will attract hundreds. Just make sure people don’t find out who you are, or you’ll be having assassins on your back soon enough,” Marilla said. “Some powerful… investors, don’t take kindly to outsiders messing with their established champions.”

“You don’t seem too bothered by that,” Ilea said.

“As I said, I am impartial. Or as close to that ideal as I can be. Which is why I’m still here. And have been for centuries,” the dwarf said. “Now if that is all, I’d like to return to the cleanup. That cannon really did a number on our archive.”

“Of course,” Ilea said and stepped away, the others joining her as they walked back towards Bralin’s workplace. “Your fight is just an hour before mine,” she said to Pierce.

“And I expect you lot to cheer me on,” the woman said. “I want to have a moment of glory before this ash monster takes the stage and upsets everything beyond anything believable.”

Ilea smiled at her. “You give me too much credit, it’s not like I just finished off an ancient threat to this settlement on my own.”

“Keep gloating. Overconfidence doesn’t suit the living,” Pierce said.

“Hmm, you’re not wrong. But I don’t feel too bad acting like this in your presence,” Ilea said.

“Her arrogance is well founded,” one of the Shades said.

“Indeed. She is beyond all sapient beings we have met,” the other added.

“Not beyond the ones we met,” Verena said.

“Not even close,” Ilea confirmed.

The shades communicated with each other with exciting gestures. “We would very much like to meet said beings, should that be a possibility in the future.”

“Much can be learned from those of power, old and young,” the other one added.

“I’m sure there will be a way,” Ilea said. She wondered if the Meadow would become some kind of pilgrimage destination in the future. Just that well, it wouldn’t be a pilgrimage but a teleportation trip to the north. Visit the ancient tree and receive its guidance! Only fifty pieces of gold.

She assumed it would actually work. Her reputation as Lilith would already allow her to form a money sucking cult. Not that she ever planned to do something like that. Compared to her however, the Meadow didn’t exactly have a way to leave its domain. And yet nobody would be able to enter it either. Not against its will.

“How far away is the Soul Forge from the Shining Caves?” Ilea asked as they neared their destination.

“It should not be far,” one said.

“The being of mind would not have had the same impact,” the other added.

“Good, then let’s pick up your armor and leave,” she said, glancing at Pierce.

“Perfect. I’ll need every minute to train with that machine,” the Elder said.

Is she actually excited about this? Definitely sounds like it. Ilea hoped the woman would win her battles, she really wanted them to meet in the Forged Dome. The fated battle between the two emerging champions.

“Already back?” Bralin asked when they entered the extensive hall.

Pierce’s war machine looked a little different now. The helmet was thinner, the visor slit at a higher position. The entire plating had a blue sheen to it now. Moreover there were a few tubes added to the major joints at the elbows, shoulders, knees, and boots.

The woman whistled. She appeared close to the armor and admired it. “Yes… I like this very much,” she whispered.

“It does look quite impressive,” Ilea admitted.

“Shouldn’t be recognizable to anybody other than the maker and even they would have to get a very close look. Just don’t try to sell it and you should be golden,” he said, tapping the machine’s arm with his. “Now those are the shades you mentioned, I see. Greetings.”

“Greetings, maker,” they whispered in sync.

“Shadow touched. Rare to see your kind these days,” he said.

“We were freed,” one of them said.

“By the bearer of the white flame,” the other added.

“Oh, that’s a good title,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Careful, or it will stick,” Verena warned.

“Plenty do already, what’s one more?” Ilea said. “We’re looking to get to the Soul Forge before anybody else reaches it, and certainly before our battles. You wanted to join us?”

“Of course. Officially, I’m to search the pit for more of the Soul Warden swords,” Bralin said.

“I’m sure we’ll find a few more on the way,” Ilea said. “Ready to leave then? Or do you need to prepare things?”

“I’ve got everything in my storage amulet,” he said and tapped the massive steel chest of his war machine.

“Same,” Ilea said and glanced at the Elders and Shades.

“We may leave, when it pleases the ash touched,” one of them said.

“Do you guys have names by the way?” Ilea asked.

“Shadow Touched don’t claim names I believe,” Bralin said. “If I remember correctly.”

One of them floated a little bit closer. “Indeed not. We are but children.”

“Yet to awaken,” the other finished.

“Perfect, then let’s leave,” Ilea said and appeared on top of Pierce’s armor, sitting down on the shoulder.

The Elder vanished into her armor and powered it up. Her steps were slow and considerate. “Oh… this seems easier,” she said, her voice slightly muffled from behind the thick steel visor of her helmet.

“The added tubes should help you move. Weighs the whole thing down just a little more but with your level and mana it shouldn’t be much of an issue,” Bralin explained as he made for the exit.

“I will expect you to pay for the ride,” Pierce said as Verena appeared on her other shoulder.

“You got training wheels,” Ilea mused.

“What’s that?” Verena asked.

Pierce focused on following the dwarf, her blue machine shadowed by the two Dark Ones behind.

“Yeah, you guys don’t have bikes here,” Ilea added. “A support device for children, helps them learn to drive a certain vehicle.”

“I see,” Verena answered.

“Told you she’s not from here,” Pierce said in a muffled voice, wobbling a little to the right.

“Focus on walking, young one,” Ilea said.

They wobbled towards the pit. The massive war machine garnered more than a few looks, not only because of the two human women sitting on its shoulders. Pierce had luckily already improved when they reached the abyss like hole.

Ilea saw dozens of dwarves, most of them rebuilding the destroyed sections near the pit. Others seemed to be preparing for a descent, some already flying or jumping down.

“Did you come here deliberately?” Verena asked.

Ilea glanced over. “To Elos you mean? No. I became a space mage much later.”

“I’m sorry. It couldn’t have been easy,” the woman said.

Pierce snorted from below. “Look at her, she’s doing well enough.”

Ilea tapped the helmet with her knuckles. “It was… a change, to be sure. But honestly, I’m glad it happened. There is no magic where I’m from. And flying around with wings is just better than traffic. No, I won’t explain what traffic is.”

“I can agree with flying being awesome,” Pierce said. “Not that I’ll be able to fly with this fucking thing.”

“The climb down will take a while,” Bralin said. “I can’t fly with this suit.”

“You’ll be fine,” Ilea said and raised her arm. She tried to lift him casually, using her space manipulation and found his weight manageable.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a bewildered tone.

“Just checking,” Ilea said. “You’re a tough one though. You’ll be fine.”

“Why not just put the armor into your storage?” Verena asked.

“And leave myself defenseless?” the dwarf asked.

Verena just glanced between him and Ilea.

“Right,” he said, making his armor vanish.

“You two can follow I assume?” Ilea asked the shades.

They both gave her a slight nod in confirmation.

“What are we waiting for then,” Pierce said and walked forward and over the edge.

Ilea smiled and held on to the shoulder piece. She kept an eye on the others, seeing Bralin follow with shaking head and a grin on his face. The Shades followed without hesitation, flying after them with their magic. She held down her shirt as the wind made her clothes flutter, her hair flowing upwards.

Verena held on too, fewer wind relates issues with her armor.

Ilea raised her arm to adjust Bralin’s flight trajectory but found him doing so himself with just his limbs. Not his first jump, she thought and started laughing. She spread her wings when they were about to reach the entrance area to the tomb. Her hands raised, she used her space manipulation to slow everyone down. The only one she couldn’t quite grasp was pierce in her massive war machine but she knew the woman would be fine either way. She teleported the rest into the opening when they floated past and formed a gate below Pierce.

The war machine was swallowed by the field and spit out about fifty meters above. Ilea focused her full attention on the chunk of falling metal, both hands raised as she guided the armored woman into the crevice on the wall.

“You like that ability a little too much,” Pierce murmured.

Ilea landed on her shoulder. “You’re a little too envious, that’s all.”

“I have powerful spells too,” the Dragonkiller said, more to herself than to Ilea.

“Sure you do,” Ilea answered and patted her steel helmet. She started healing the woman’s mind when she didn’t reply.

“Stop that,” Pierce hissed.

Ilea laughed, eliciting another hiss. “You’re becoming more Elvish by the day.”

“Back in the dungeon,” Verena reminded them.

Ilea shut up. She knew the Elder was just annoyed about their bickering. Perhaps she had pushed Pierce a little too far as well, it was hard to gauge for her, not having known the woman for nearly as long. She decided not to apologize either, assuming that would just make things worse. Not that she’s wrong. She does have insane power. But there’s always another Drake, eh?

They reached the collapsed section again, Ilea forming a gate for them to walk through. It felt more fitting than just teleporting them all. Now that she could form the gates with a similar cooldown as her Fabric Tear itself.

“What kind of creatures did you fight here?” Bralin asked with bated breath.

“Bunch of undead,” Ilea said. “Flesh titans, priests, devourers,” she added.

“Devourers? As in more than one? They’re four mark beings…,” the dwarf murmured.

Pierce walked ahead with the other women on her shoulders, the three followed by Bralin and then the Shades.

“What seemed to be the main grave was empty,” Ilea informed him. “Any clue as to who it might’ve belonged to?”

The dwarf shook his head slowly. “No. But there are other tombs like this one in the pit. Mostly just shut immediately. The Flesh Titans are… dangerous against most war machines. Devourers even more so. And escape from them is near impossible.”

“I assume one came up to the Pit?” Verena asked.

“Ages ago, yes. A group of fast war machines managed to escape, their regeneration enough to keep them alive for the duration of their flight. Caught it in a set of barriers after it killed about three dozen people. Cannons ended it,” he recalled. “A glorious day it was.”

“Good thing they’re not the smartest things alive,” Ilea said.

“Most monsters aren’t,” he said. “Even I could likely do more damage to the Pit than the less powerful four marks coming up.”

“You can plan and hide,” Pierce said. “Of course you’re more dangerous. Some of those things can be baited with a piece of bloody meat. Not much more than animals fueled by insane magical power.”

“How do you think I’ve killed that many?” Ilea asked with a grin.

They reached the cave with the temple like structure and moved past, soon at the first collapsed section Verena had left behind on their retreat.

Ilea formed another portal for them to move through. The group stepped out on the other side and found a tunnel covered in molten steel shrapnel and the remains of several Soul Wardens. Some of them had limbs missing, others melted to near unrecognizable chunks of metal.

“What unsightly beast is haunting these caverns?” Pierce asked in a terrified voice from within her armor. She summoned her warden blade into metal hands, blue lightning flaring up along its length.

Nearly as good looking as my fire, Ilea thought as she watched the sparks move.

“You’re not wrong. Are you sure we should be here?” Bralin asked as he checked one of the machines.

Verena leaned forward a little. “It’s her. She killed them.”

“Oh,” the dwarf exclaimed, lost for words for a few seconds as he just stared at the carnage.

Ilea formed her mantle now before she jumped off and summoned her own war machine, warden blade in hand. “Lead us then,” she said in a deep voice, her helmet looking towards the Shadow Touched.

They both bowed before they floated around and past her.

“Do you not want the metal?” Bralin asked as the group continued.

“Think it’s worth hanging on to?” Ilea asked and made one of the steel bodies float up with a raised hand.

“It’s an alloy,” Bralin said. “But I doubt anybody in the Pit has figured out its make quite yet. You should show it to Goliath the next time you meet him,” he said and refrained from touching any of the metal.

“You can have these, I’m already holding on to a few,” she said. The remains of about sixty Soul Wardens resided within her space domain.

“Appreciate it. I’ll make a fortune,” Bralin said and started making the largest chunks vanish. “A generous god,” he whispered.

Chapter 689 Heavy

Chapter 689 Heavy

Ilea and her group of explorers soon passed the mind creature’s cavern without incidents. There were tracks left behind by various creatures, most notably the recent Soul Wardens coming this way. Eternal Huntress made the tracking quite simple, Ilea taking the lead as soon as she had identified the specific traces of soul magic that still marked the passing of the machines.

A crevice in the ground showed a decline leading further down, stone edges jutting out from the side, some broken off. This is the way, Ilea thought and jumped down, her armor taking a few more pieces of rock with it in her passing. She landed with a heavy thud, her knees fighting against her own weight as she took in the area with her sword at the ready. Nothing within her dominion seemed of interest. She teleported out for a moment and found light at the end of another decline, this one more a natural cave.

Pierce landed next. She stumbled and used her right arm to stabilize herself against the rock.

Ilea smiled and vanished back into her armor.

“At least I can see,” the muffled voice of the Elder resounded. Verena still rested on her shoulder.

Bralin came down through the crevice with practiced ease. He slid more than landed, rock armor layered on top of his mostly steel suit.

“We are getting close,” one of the shades said as they arrived.

Ilea went on towards the light. She stopped when the cave opened up into what seemed like a spacious area. Once again she teleported out and sat onto her armaments’ shoulders. Before her spread an open area several kilometers in diameter, the ceiling distant and lined with stalactites. Dozens of small waterfalls broke out from both the walls and ceiling, the liquid luminescent, giving off blue light. The water wasn’t quite enough to illuminate the entirety of the large cavern but it was enough to give an idea as to its expansive size.

Some of the waterfalls weren’t broad enough to reach the ground, instead creating bright mists as the liquid dissipated during its long fall. A few basins had formed over the years with creeks flowing out and away, some slowing down before ending in smaller ponds while others had managed to bore into the stone, leaving the cave to find another place to settle.

At the center of it all stood a square slab of dark steel, one edge burrowed into the ground and one nearly reaching the high ceiling, ending in what almost looked like a roof. The light from the water created an illusion of movement on the smooth surface. Ilea wondered why the creators hadn’t just put the thing on its flat side, but supposed it did look more ominous this way. Otherwise it would’ve just been a cube. Now it’s a geometrical marvel left behind by some ancient civilization.

She made an effort to spot creatures in the vicinity but other than a few harmless northern animals and monsters, she didn’t find anything particularly dangerous. The place felt serene. Quiet. Steam rose from some of the pools. Not all of them, she wondered as the others joined behind her.

“Quite a sight,” Pierce mused and walked forward before she made her machine vanish. The woman appeared above one of the steaming pools and fell inside, her armor gone too as she splashed into the water.

“Very cautious,” Bralin mused as he stepped next to Ilea’s living armor.

Verena flew over and landed on the free shoulder. “It’s surprising...” she said and tapped the metal.

“Weirdly comforting to sit on these,” Ilea confirmed.

“It really is,” Verena said and smiled.

“This isn’t quite hot enough,” Pierce said, her hair wet as she looked out from the pool. “Verena deary, I require some assistance.”

A bath would actually be nice. How long has it been since I didn’t just clean myself with ash? Ilea made her armaments disappear and joined the others. “Feel free to join in,” she said to the remaining trio.

“Being in liquid is… disturbing,” one of the shades said, cautiously floating closer to one of the pools. The other one looked up to the falling water. “We will have to avoid it.”

“Not the most surprising thing I’ve seen today,” Bralin said. He walked over and made his armor vanish, his clothes gone except for a pair of black shorts. His beard meshed with his chest hair, the only parts of his skin uncovered were old scars. He sighed when he lowered himself into the water.

Verena had removed her armor, still wearing her fur loincloth with flames heating up the water. She rested her head on the stone behind. Defined muscles and dozens of scars on her body.

Ilea moved her mantle to cover her sensitive bits, her Embered Heart helping with the temperature requirements. She didn’t go too far. Just because she enjoyed bathing in lava didn’t mean the others did as well. All were above level three hundred however, which meant at least some form of Heat resistance. It was the most commonly used magic among humans after all, and she assumed Bralin had his fair share of fire breather encounters himself.

Pierce was naked.

She glanced at the dwarf and smiled. “Hmm, you really don’t like humans. I thought you just pretended.”

Bralin sighed, relaxing as he opened one eye to look at her. “I’m not a fifteen year old lad, Dragonkiller. I know which battles I should fight, and which I should leave well alone.”

Ilea smiled. She summoned herself a meal and looked out to the two shades. They still tried to avoid the water, close together as they remained on a dry spot between three pools. “I assume that’s the soul forge?”

They both looked at her simultaneously. “Indeed. It resembles the notes of our source.”

“Who’s your source?” Pierce asked, cleaning herself with soap she had summoned. It gave off a faint smell of wood.

“An ancestor who has since ascended,” one of them said.

“Ascended to what?” Ilea asked.

They glanced at each other and communicated for a few seconds. Their floating forms turned back to her and answered. “A Young Shadow Elemental. Few ever reach this state, but they are held in high regard amongst our kind.”

“I can imagine,” Ilea mused. “Do they still retain their ability to think and speak like you do?”

“Some do. Some do not. Choices are made upon each evolution. What is given is never unwanted,” the one on the left said.

“I’ve met a few Elementals myself, but none openly talked to me like you do,” she said. “But then I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting a Shadow Elemental yet.”

“You would be interested in meeting them?” Bralin asked.

“You wouldn’t?” Ilea asked.

He considered the question for a few seconds. “I suppose seeing them is impressive. But if you’re asking me if I want to meet a force of nature itself, then no. I’d rather stay down here and work on war machines.”

“They’re great trainers for resistances. Especially when you’re in the third tier already,” she said and ate a few more bites.

“Please. Let’s enjoy the quiet,” Verena said, her eyes closed with flames on her skin above the water.

Even Pierce obliged, the four of them soaking in the heated bath of shimmering blue water. None of the nearby creatures disturbed them. Instincts keen enough for them to know not to approach the unknown monsters. Ilea finished her meal in silence. She enjoyed the soak for another twenty minutes before she finally stood up. Her mantle spread as she teleported out. She increased the heat in her core, all the water still on her skin evaporating in seconds.

“Shall we? Before more explorers make it all the way down here,” she suggested to the others.

They all dried off and donned their armor. A mere half a minute later, war machines once more walked towards the metal cube towering over the many ponds below the Shining Caves.

Probably still part of the shining caves, Ilea mused. She sat on Pierce’s shoulder as she wanted to see the cube and everything around it. The limited range of her dominion wasn’t quite enough for that. At least at the current distance.

She already spotted two Tuned Soul Wardens standing next to an absolutely massive double gate set within the steel. Dark metal stairs led up to the near ten meter high entrance, the guardians unmoving and vigilant. The uninitiated may mistake them for statues. The surface of their armor was mostly smooth, decorations and visors merely cosmetic in nature.

“Those are the high level ones. Around seven hundred and fifty. They can teleport and have some kind of explosive death magic they can shoot at higher ranges from their back. Same swords sadly,” Ilea informed the others. “I can deal with them if you lot want to stand back.”

“The strongest warriors are forged in battle,” Pierce said, lightning coursing through her sword and parts of her armor.

“In that case I think I’ll get out the big guns too,” Bralin said. His solid war machine was replaced by a model near twice the size. Thin indentations lined most of the near silver surface, stone forming within before it spread to cover most of his size. A massive one bladed axe appeared in his hands. Its full form was made of the same silver steel, runes lighting up as soon as the weapon touched his armored hands. Spikes of stone formed along the large axe head, that part alone about as massive as his armored chest.

Pierce whistled, looking up at the towering figure of dark stone. Few bits of silver still showed below, runes brimming with dark red energy shimmering through the few remaining cracks.

Horns of stone adorned his head. They curved halved a meter out and then forward.

Is that what the Trakorov Class would’ve made me? Ilea wondered as she smiled towards the dwarf. His eyes were barely visible behind the thin slits of his steel and stone visors. “You three take the one on the right then,” she said and jumped off the Elder’s shoulder. Her armaments appeared around her, the living set powering up with her heat and mana.

She too had to look up to meet the dwarf’s eyes but not by much. “Why not use that in the city?”

He looked her way and gripped the steel handle of his axe. “Only in the most dire of moments. Or when nobody is watching.”

Ilea smirked and turned back towards the Soul Forge. Where she knew it was. “Didn’t know I was nobody.”

“I suppose impressing a traveling goddess is also an acceptable reason to show off my most prized possession,” he answered.

“It will get damaged,” Verena said, her body bursting into flames as she flew off Pierce’s shoulder.

“A battle worthy for its presence then,” the booming voice of Bralin resounded through the cave, enhanced by several voice modules hidden somewhere in the stone. The ground shook lightly when he took a step, ripples moving through the nearby ponds.

“To battle then,” Ilea’s deep voice joined in. “May we be victorious.”

Pierce raised her sword and started towards the metal cube.

Booming steps resounded through the shining caves. Animals and monsters rushed to safety as three armed and armored war machines made their way towards the downright alien object at the back and center of the cave.

The two guardians of the Soul Forge woke from their eternal slumber, mana flowing through their forms as soul and death magic hummed to life around their blades.

Ilea didn’t see them yet but she could hear the familiar dull explosions of their long range artillery. One hand on her sword, she summoned a single large gate above their group, a second one aimed out and away. Heavy impacts resounded somewhere to their right a second later.

She moved into a light jog and soon saw the stairs within her dominion.

The Soul Wardens appeared closer and charged.

Ilea met them, Pierce close by with Bralin following behind. Her blade lit up with the flame of creation. She formed two gates to send the death magic projectiles back. Her aura already engulfed the beings, their teleportation subdued as long as they stayed in range. Her blade met that of her adversary, flames already spreading onto its form. Neither of them relented.

Two impacts pushed her back. Acid like death magic ate away at her shoulder as she pushed the being back with her space manipulation. A mist of burning ash engulfed its form. Limbs extended from her back, a charge of heat slamming into the machine’s left arm, the cannon on it burned away. She failed to deflect a blow, a deep slash leaving a furrow of molten steel on her chest. Ilea formed another gate in front of her, unable to bring her sword back in time.

The machine attacked through the lightly shimmering space and hit its own back.

She slashed at it when the gates came down, her heavy blows expertly deflected by the enemy machine. A step back brought her out of range, a hand held up to slow the being down. It was only a matter of time until it would succumb to her fires. Another beam burned into its sword arm, slowly working through the thick layered and magically infused metal. The thing could fly, which meant the only reasonable thing was going for its weapons.

Pierce had already taken a few hits. Her fancy armor showed five deep cuts already, one as deep as her body. Her left arm hung on by a sizzling thread.

Explosions of fire flashed over the tuned Warden, Verena circling it and charging in with her flaming axes whenever an opening presented itself.

Bralin charged from the side, his axe blocked as his blow pushed the Warden back nearly ten meters. He managed to block the first of the Soul Warden’s retaliating strikes, the next three cleaving out chunks of stone, one cutting into silver.

Ilea kept her flames going. She smiled and activated Primordial Shift. Her own armaments seemed to split and fracture within her perception. Her sword vanished into her domain, both hands slowly raised towards the creature. With her already increased weight and the armaments around her, Ilea didn’t even attempt to move her body. The flames lit up within her dominion, bright white light all around the enemy.

She formed a sphere of burning light between her hands and sent it into the struggling mound of steel. Its blade hit her armor but was blocked by something not quite flesh, not quite ethereal. The sphere exploded. A wave of flame engulfed the thing, its hands pushed back as its sword was flung aside, half melted. It still stood, steel dripping to the burnt stone ground as its life was slowly eaten away. She aimed her right palm at the melting remains and released Embered Heart infused with the Fires of Creation.

The beam formed within the fluctuating space, her own armaments slightly melting from the heat alone. White light took over her perception as the energy flashed forward and vanished. The Warden’s torso had vanished, what remained of its legs no longer infused by soul and death. A ding resounded in her mind as she looked at the cone of destruction she had left behind.

Primordial Shift ended, the space around her returning to normal as she summoned her blade. It lit up with fire. That’s one down, she thought with a grin and turned to the others.

Pierce had returned to her normal form, dark metal covering her body in a lithe design. She circled the Warden with Verena, their magic slowly wearing down its incredible defenses.

The machine’s main focus was on Bralin. Each of its strikes ripped out chunks of stone but it never quite managed to hit each spot twice in quick succession.

The dwarf took each slow step with deliberate care. He reformed the damaged parts of his enchanted armor and stayed defensive. For ten slashes of the Warden he attacked once, only using openings he considered safe. His axe managed to dig into the machine’s steel, but more so just pushed it away with its massive weight. The cuts were too shallow to disable its arms or legs. At least the Elders had managed to wear away its cannon.

Ilea shifted her attention to her armaments, feeling it demand more mana. She allowed it, her movements slowing down as she watched the changes. A few seconds passed, dozens of magical explosions hitting the remaining Warden. Burning axes cut into the back of its legs with increasing frequency, neither Elder stopping their assault.

A slit opened up in front of her. Ilea smiled, her eyes not as useless as they had been but a moment earlier. Now she could see the fight, not just perceive it in her sphere. She touched the part with her mana and it closed again. Neat. She opened it again and inspected the change that happened on her left arm. It seemed to have formed a chamber and a barrel of sorts. She didn’t understand the purpose until she filled it with burning ash. Aiming her arm towards a nearby pool, she pushed it through the thin opening. A stream of flame came out, coating the water in white flame. Not that I really need it, but I suppose I don’t have to focus as much like this.

She assumed it was more about aesthetics anyway. Her new flamethrower add on was certainly welcome. The cuts in her armaments finally closed entirely. She saw a last change in her legs. I wonder. Ash is the only thing that can reach that part.

Two limbs moved through her back and into the tubes leading to her heels. Tempered Seal hit the reinforced steel, heat packets forming until she released them a few seconds later. The stored energy escaped the only way it could, down and out of the steel feet. The resulting explosions propelled her upward, if only by the width of a hand. Gotta charge those more, she thought and rolled her massive shoulders. The weight and size remained. Everything else felt a little more comfortable in small ways and definitely more receptive.

Chapter 690 Puzzle masters

Chapter 690 Puzzle masters

Ilea found herself relegated to an anti teleportation magic item. She moved on top of her armor and summoned a bottle of ale. She patted the massive helmet with a smile, glad it now had a visor to look through. One that can be closed, so I can still use it in a purely defensive manner.

The flame thrower extension was really just a gimmick, but the jet boot addition made her curious. Her weight was downright ridiculous, especially when she added her heat generation to the mix. And charging it with Tempered Seal will take a shit ton of mana and time. Ah well… it’ll be interesting to find out how high I can manage to jump.

Beams of lightning and burning axes slashed into the Warden, its main focus still the largest target in the vicinity, Bralin. His machine that was, now showing dozens of cuts below the regenerating layer of stone.

The dwarf didn’t seem to be bothered by any of it. He easily adjusted to the structural issues caused by the damage. He switched his stance a few times in the span of the next minutes, still as defensive as he had been at the start. Many of the glowing runes lay exposed now as he changed to a smaller weapon. A one handed axe that still reached a ridiculous size but it allowed him to use a shield in his other hand.

The enchanted steel managed to reflect a few blows of the soul magic infused sword, the defensive tool however soon taking heavy damage too.

Ilea smiled, seeing the magic around their enemy dissipate. More spells hit its form but she knew the fight was over. They had won.

Verena landed on the falling war machine and struck down with her axes, a wild grin on her face. Pierce drooped down with her machine, a long and dulled sigh audible from within.

“We did it,” Bralin exclaimed, his weapons vanishing as he made his large machine vanish. He returned to the same war machine he had used in the town before he created a stone foundation on the ground, perfectly even. The dwarf proceeded to summon what seemed like an entire workshop.

His massive machine first, with supportive structures that seemed measured specifically for the large beast. There were crates full of tools, industrial grinders, a furnace he assembled with a set of summoned chunks and his earth magic. He checked the large machine and took note of all the cuts and dents. “Extensive…,” he murmured, put on a music box, and got to work.

Ilea sipped on her ale, enjoying the strange scene. And I can just heal my armor. Arcane healing really does seem like a shortcut to power and a life of leisure.

Pierce joined the dwarf, one of her machine’s arms held in the other. She didn’t say a word and simply stood next to the portable smithy platform.

“I’ll do yours after,” he said without glancing her way. “Mind heating this thing up, Lilith? It takes at least half an hour otherwise.”

“Just like with Goliath,” she murmured and sent heat into the forge compartments.

“A little less than that. You’re melting the forge,” the dwarf said. He looked at her for a long while and sighed, shaking his head. “I understand your envy,” he added.

“What’s that supposed to mean, dwarf?” Pierce asked.

Verena had sat down on the destroyed Warden and ate a bowl of noodles while meditating.

“Should we check out the cube while they’re doing the repairs?” Ilea sent to the two shades that had moved a little closer.

“It will be heavily enchanted against foreign entities trying to enter,” one of them said as they approached, wary of the downed machines.

“Do you know how to deal with that? I’m pretty good at destroying enchantments but I don’t think we want to cause everything to self destruct,” Ilea mused.

“Our research is incomplete. Already we can sense more than was mentioned,” one of them said.

Bralin finished pouring the silver alloy into one of the largest cuts in his armor before he glanced over. “I can have a look too. Seen my fair share of enchanted vaults and such. The maker of this thing was a dwarf too.”

“We’ll wait,” Ilea said and started floating around the massive cube with the Shades in tow. There’s so much shit going on here, she thought, simply looking at the walls with her dominion. There were plenty of anti space magic enchantments present too. None she couldn’t bypass with some time but considering the obvious paranoia, she refrained for now. There could be detection spells inside too, and the Shades were here to recover knowledge, not destroy the whole cavern.

Based on the nets of explosion runes that felt reminiscent of Claire’s thrown stones, she didn’t think such a result particularly unlikely.

Bralin finished his repairs and got Pierce’s machine to work as well.

“You don’t look quite as impressive,” Ilea said when she landed.

The dark blue war machine looked her way. “Scars of battle. Unlike your perfect living armor, mine has survived real combat.”

“Aha,” Ilea mused. “So, Bralin, what do you think of the defenses?”

The dwarf had been studying the entrance for five minutes. He shook his head. “Something is weaved into this thing that I don’t understand. It’s not just conventional enchantments, though there is enough of that too. After all this time the power should’ve lessened but it feels like this thing was set up just yesterday.”

“Soul magic,” Verena said. “Do you not feel it?”

Ilea walked a little closer. “There’s far too much different shit going on here,” she said. “But yeah, I suppose there’s some soul magic involved too. Fits with the Wardens I suppose. So what speaks against me just going past the space magic runes?”

“I don’t think that would work,” Bralin said. “Well it would work, but while you might survive the aftermath, whatever is left inside won’t.”

“So you’re telling me this is a vault I can’t actually crack?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Pierce giggled within her armor.

“It seems that way,” the dwarf surmised. “You’re a talented space and ash mage, but if you didn’t hide some high level soul magic in there, I don’t think this will work out.”

Ilea tapped her cheek. “High level soul mage you say…”

“You really want to bring her here?” Verena asked.

“If she wants to?” Ilea said. “And not just her…” she mused and set her last available transfer marker. The one previously occupied by the Krahen Isles. Hmm, cooldown will take a few hours. “Hey Bralin, you wanted to meet Goliath, right?”

“Yes,” he said and looked up. “Why?”

“I think I’ll just take all of you. In case there are more soul wardens. We’ll return in about five hours. Care to join us?” she said, looking at the Shades and Bralin.

“We would be honored,” the Shades said, knowing nothing about the destination.

“The trust of true believers,” Pierce said and gave them a mechanical thumbs up. “Hey, think Goliath can give me some cool upgrades to this suit?”

“If you ask nicely?” Ilea said. She knew the smith didn’t exactly enjoy mundane work. His art is beyond the understanding of mere monkeys like us, she thought and activated her third tier Transfer.

“How far are we going exactly?” Bralin asked. “Is this even sa-”

The fabric shifted and the group appeared in the familiar lair of the Meadow itself.

“-fe?” Bralin finished his question and looked around.

“Great. Another group of mortals,” the Meadow greeted.

Ilea smiled and initiated contact instead of answering. “Indeed, old tree.”

A whistling wind moved through the black grass in the vicinity. “The child speaks. Humans Do grow up quickly. Congratulations are in order I suppose?”

She laughed and bowed. “Indeed, maker of all, oh great Meadow. Speaking of which, I get your pain with the god thing now. I really do.”

“Do you now? Well, I suppose even you could impress some dim witted creatures of this realm. You have attained quite a powerful evolution it seems. I can feel something… quite familiar,” the Meadow spoke.

Bralin went to his armored knees. “This is…”

“War machines,” Goliath said, a hand held out to the kneeling dwarf.

Bralin’s visor was up as he stared at the Dark One with wide eyes. Ilea saw tears rolling down his face. “I must’ve died,” he muttered. “Are you the maker?”

“No, that’s the Meadow over there,” Ilea said and pointed. “Also you’re still alive, so don’t do anything stupid.”

“The p… pantheon of Elos…” the dwarf said, his voice shaking slightly.

Ilea noted the slight twinkle in his eyes. “You know what you’re doing, old man. Don’t add to my misery.”

The dwarf smiled and took the hand offered to him. “My apologies, Lilith. I couldn’t resist. And you must be Goliath, the flame touched. I can feel your aura.”

“Are you not healing everyone here against his life drain?” Ilea asked the Meadow.

“Nobody here requires such. Have you lost an elf?” the tree asked.

“He’s fighting somewhere on his own. Got a little salty after he fought me. Not that it’ll be any better now that I got my third evolution,” she said. “Here, I’ll show you some cool stuff. Would be nice to have your opinion.”

“Ah, Ilea. I’m so proud of you. Come then, and tell me about the things you learned in school!” spoke the ancient eldritch tree monster.

“Goliath, what do I have to sacrifice to get an upgrade to my armor?” Pierce asked, tapping her chest.

The smith juts sighed and waved them over, Bralin following like an excited puppy.

“I’ll go talk to Owl,” Verena said and waved to the being currently floating around Aki’s executioner form.

“How long until you’re not the most powerful here anymore?” Ilea asked with a glance to the high leveled creatures. She transferred over to the crystal tree, the mana density likely too much for everyone besides the four mark lich and Aki, maybe even them.

“You’ve already brought the Fae, have you not?” Meadow answered.

“Right,” Ilea mused and formed her three new elements. “An evolution that in fact mentioned both you and the Fae, including a few others.”

Roots formed from thin air, flowing towards the small sphere of ice before they stopped.

Ilea smiled. “Missing your friend?”

“Not at all,” the Meadow lied.

At least she thought it lied. Then again the tree said it sometimes didn’t talk to the Elemental for hundreds of years if not longer. “Need a hug?” she asked and hugged the tree without waiting for an answer.

“You know,” the tree said when she let go and stepped back. “I do appreciate your human concern for me. Perhaps like a human would the concern of their pet. But while the people here can be trusted, rumors already exist of our… involvement.”

“Us?” Ilea asked with a shocked expression. “But you’re into higher beings. I already fail the one thousand brain requirement.”

“I merely thirst for knowledge, and the awakening of life to said knowledge. Know that this circumstance won’t help your wish to remain mortal,” the tree explained.

“I’m already functionally immortal, Meadow. Look at this,” she said and moved a piece of rock with her space manipulation.

She smiled when the tree didn’t respond immediately. Just a teeny tiny bit delayed. Thought I wouldn’t notice hmm? But I did.

“A gift. Not from me,” it said finally. “Be grateful. Few have ever possessed this skill.”

“You do though, right?” she asked.

“Yes. In fact I do. But compared to you it required centuries of study. Just be careful with it when other space magic or realm connecting teleportation is currently active nearby. Someone with the capability but no underlying knowledge could cause… devastating complications,” it said, without its sarcastic tone for once.

“I appreciate the warning. Something like what happened in Erendar?” she asked.

“No. That was the controlled result based on all my capabilities. Your involvement could doom an entire continent,” it said.

Ilea suddenly felt the weight of the floating stone a little more consciously. “I’ll try not to interfere with anything major. What about this then?” she said and formed the fires of creation.

A giggle went through the vicinity. “Humanity keeps surprising me. Or dare I say life itself. To think a body born so bound to flesh could truly accept the flames of creation. Coupled with your element manipulation… well, I suppose if anybody could’ve succeeded, it would’ve been you.”

“Give yourself some credit,” she said, flicking the stone towards it. “Some healing and earth magic was involved too. And while the Fae is a powerful space mage, it’s not the Fae I trained with. It was you.”

“Humility. From Lilith herself. Your growth seems not entirely limited to magic after all,” it said as another flow of wind moved through the vicinity.

A space magic trick Ilea had seen many times before. She raised her hand and tried to replicate it. She failed.

“I will teach you,” the Meadow spoke.

“And I will learn,” Ilea answered. “Got more too,” she said and activated Primordial Shift. Space itself writhed around her, flesh and flames moving in lazy patterns, in and out of existence itself. She could feel something pulling and pushing on her, roots trying to grasp and chunks of stone vanishing when they appeared to reach her. “Are you testing?” she said and deactivated the spell.

“Ilea. I believe you did it,” the Meadow spoke. “You learned a spell no being I know of, nor I, could ever use.”

She twirled and bowed. “I’m amazing. I know.”

“If you understood but a fraction of what just happened, your human brain would eat itself. I fail… to grasp its entirety. It is… disproving several long standing theories. I would like to study it more, if you ever have time to show it to me,” the tree said.

Ilea raised her brows. “Really? That crazy? Sure, happy to help with the first thing of use I can do for you. Other than physically moving you around that is.”

“Appreciated,” the Meadow said.

She showed off her gates too but other than the lifted restrictions, nothing about them was different in a major way.

“I encourage you to train your new manipulation spells. They should be the key to more options in the future, both simply for your spells and for your evolutions. Though I do not claim to know a being such as you. With this, Primordial Shift, you have shown me, anything could be possible,” it told her.

“I’ll try to work on it. Could do that with you as well,” she said.

“I’m here, and you always have at least zero dot three percent of my attention, you know that,” it said in a loving voice.

“You’re such a great friend, Meadow,” Ilea answered.

“Ah, many years it has been since I’ve seen the work of Eranur herself,” Goliath exclaimed from his smithing area, the massive form of Bralin’s high quality war machine towering over the nearby forges.

“I’ll be back for more training then,” Ilea said and cracked her neck. “Will probably borrow some of the residents for an afternoon. Enchantment puzzle. I’d take you but well…”

“I have been looking into options, but so far no satisfying conclusion has presented itself,” the tree said. “A long range scrying spell would likely be the best but it’s proving a difficult puzzle.”

“Only divination mage I know is Cless. Just ask Claire for some resources once she’s here,” she said.

“The required gates will soon be ready. Iana informs me that the contracts between Hallowfort and Ravenhall are still in the make. Once that is done, they will move on to the next stage,” it said.

“Call me when the meeting happens. I want to see that,” Ilea said with a smile. The Council of Ravenhall meeting the Meadow and seeing the north was one thing, but Catelyn in Popi’s store, now that will surely be near palpable happiness.

“You will likely be required anyway. I doubt the tensions and prejudice between so many different species won’t cause any issues, even with a central link like yourself,” the Meadow said.

“I’ll make sure they don’t murder each other,” she answered. “But with all the possibilities, I doubt our allied factions would do something stupid. Everyone else will be the issue, but as long as the security on the gates is in our control,” she said.

“It’s amusing… how incredible a simple teleportation gate is to a species with your available level of magic,” the Meadow spoke. It sounded excited more than condescending.

Ilea squinted her eyes, imagining the tree to be the all knowing controller of a four x game. How far ahead in the tech tree are you. “Wait… you’re literally the tech tree.”

“Indeed,” the Meadow answered.

“Don’t act like you understand my thought process,” she answered.

“But I do,” it said.

Ilea nodded slowly. “Sure. Sure you do, Meadow. Why don’t I go talk to someone more reasonable than an ancient space tree. Like a lich.”

“Or a dwarven death machine controlled by by a talking dagger,” the Meadow said.

Much more reasonable. Yes.

“Oh, one last thing,” she said and teleported to Bralin. “Can I borrow your music box thing for a while?”

The dwarf summoned it without looking at her, nodding as he watched a liquid sphere of metal float between Goliath’s hands.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and moved it towards herself, vanishing right after. “Can you make something like this but with more than one piece of music on it?”

“An intriguing toy. I will have a thousand looks,” the Meadow said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and dumped the Void Lord corpse. “Might interest you too, no idea.”

Chapter 691 Can we get a zoom on that?

Chapter 691 Can we get a zoom on that?

The Meadow made the Void Lord corpse vanish. “Thanks for the meal. You have a personal spatial domain now too, I see.”

“Oh yeah, forgot to mention it. Think it’s safe?” Ilea stopped and asked.

“Safer than whatever else you’re using,” the being said.

“Good enough for me,” she replied and walked to Verena and Owl. She started moving the contents of her necklace and bracelet into her own spatial storage. The domain had a thousand units compared to the necklace’s two fifty and the bracelet’s one hundred. Could gift these to someone now I guess. “Hey Owl, getting used to the local characters I hope?”

“Greetings, Lilith,” she said and bowed lightly.

I feel like that’s the wrong way around.

“There is a lot to learn… but I feel, welcome. No longer trapped. The Meadow has shown me the local environment. The storms especially are quite fascinating. It’s difficult… to process all that I see, all that I perceive. You…,” she said and moved a little closer, one of her hands outstretched as if to touch her before she moved back again, fidgeting.

“What is it?” Ilea asked, squinting one of her eyes.

“Your… soul is…,” Owl said and looked away, her eyes glowing a little brighter.

“Ah yes, fires of creation I assume. You can see that?” Ilea asked with a smile.

The lich nodded. “It’s quite beautiful,” she said. Her hand twitched again.

Like a moth to a flame. “You can touch it if you can and not damage it.”

Verena gave her a look.

“Really?” Owl asked and moved a little closer.

“You know you don’t exactly behave like the Greater Lich you are,” she said and laughed. “Be careful though, you might get burned. It should be fine with your level though.”

The Lich didn’t have to be told twice, her eyes sparkling as she carefully pushed a hand into Ilea’s stomach.

Now that is fucking weird, Ilea thought. There was matter, she could tell, but somehow the Lich bypassed her clothes and flesh. Her soul perception showed a purely magical presence but nothing like a hand or fingers, just a mist like idea. Something that caught on fire as soon as it had entered the domain of her essence.

The Lich recoiled, her hand burning with the white flame of creation. The spell had brought the flame out with it. It started spreading on her arm as she tried to shake it off. “Hot,” she mused.

“Need help?” Ilea asked, white flames flickering atop her clothes now.

“No… the damage is… manageable. I wish to… observe, and learn,” Owl said and nodded towards the Meadow.

“Seems like you’ve got an attentive student,” Ilea sent to the being, her fires flickering out as she smiled.

“Indeed. There are many here actually. Apart from you and that one lightning mage woman. She’s even more unreasonable than you are. Though I must be honest. You’re an enjoyable student. I’ve not had a puzzle to solve as difficult as teaching you since the first eclipse I witnessed on Erendar,” the Meadow said.

“You now I gain another level for each insult you throw at me?” she asked.

The Lich burst out with bright purple energy. Death magic flared out in a sphere as Verena teleported back. Ilea simply stood there, her hair and clothes pushed back as she felt her skin decay just a tiny bit. Her regeneration healed the damage before she could tell how bad it was.

“Oh no… I’m so sorry!” Owl exclaimed, crouching down to Ilea with both hands raised. The white flame on her arm was gone.

“Hey, you did it,” Ilea said. She could see the Meadow’s barriers vanish, the creature having summoned a protective field in front of Verena. It turned out to be unnecessary but she couldn’t help but take comfort in its quick reaction. “Thanks.”

“While you are a child given power, she sometimes seems even less experienced. But she will learn, do not worry,” the Meadow spoke.

“I… did… but my power flared up again,” the Lich said in a disappointed voice.

“Well, you’re a four mark being. You wouldn’t normally have to be careful like that,” Ilea said.

Verena joined them again, seemingly unbothered.

The door to the enchanters’ home opened. Iana stepped out with somewhat disheveled hair. She yawned and looked around. “What’s the ruckus about?” she asked and rubbed her eyes.

“We found an ancient place called the Soul Forge,” Ilea said. “It’s mega enchanted. Soul, space, explosions, all sorts of fun stuff. My sophisticated approach of punching it until it cracks open didn’t seem particularly reasonable for once.”

“Sounds interesting. When do we leave?” the woman asked, a cup of steaming tea in her hand now.

“We can leave whenever but I’d like to be able to return here instantly in case something comes up, and the cooldown is still going. About four more hours,” Ilea said.

“Great,” Iana said, turned, and left. The door closed behind her.

“She hasn’t slept much,” Aki supplied from above. The Pursuer was standing atop near invisible fields of magic, jumping from side to side.

“I figured. You seem more comfortable too,” Ilea said as she looked up.

“He’s wonderful. Very athletic,” Owl said and clapped her hands. The gesture didn’t create any sound.

“One of the most dangerous murder machines at that level I’ve encountered so far,” Ilea said. “Think you’ll be able to protect the headquarters against a few thugs now?”

“Yes, although I’ll have to run on low efficiency. The mana density in Ravenhall is not sufficient to power the abilities of this body,” Aki said and jumped down. “I will simply have to train here. But even getting back won’t be easy. The Shadow Guard won’t exactly let me pass without questions.”

“Ah right. I didn’t really think about that when I got you. Hmm,” Ilea mused.

“Iana suggested a large box. I can make myself rather small after all,” said aki, the bladed extensions and six legs folding in on themselves, creating what looked like a deployable drone form.

Drop a few dozen of those onto a city and it’s a wrap, Ilea thought. It’s good the Taleen considered the Elves their only enemy.

“No way to get an energy core or something like that?” she asked.

“If that were such an easy task, more high level beings would roam your plains,” the Meadow supplied. “At least Aki won’t experience pain in the low density.”

“What about you Owl? Can you be in lower density or do you also require a shit ton of mana?” she asked.

“If I don’t use strong spells in quick succession, I should survive. For a few months, the Meadow thinks. I would be weakened however,” she answered. “Pain should not be a concern but it’s not a pleasant feeling. The Meadow simulated an area for me and it felt… very wrong.”

“The curse of being a Greater Lich,” Ilea mused.

“You know many actually consider it a curse. A funny coincidence I think,” Owl said and giggled.

I’m not sure that’s as funny as you think it is, undead. “Well, would you be up to have a look at the soul magic later?”

“I would be happy to help in any way I can,” Owl said. “Just know that my knowledge is more instinctual than based on theory. I am studying hard, but it will take a few decades to get a grasp of the basics,” she said and laughed, a hand going to the back of her head.

“That makes two of us,” Ilea said. “We’ll leave in about four hours then. I’ll work on a few skills too.”

“Good luck!” the Lich said and gave her an ethereal thumbs up.

“S… sure. To you as well,” she said and vanished.

“Did you just stutter?” the Meadow observed.

She appeared close to the tree, sitting down in the black grass with her mantle spreading. “She reminds me of a friend from Earth. Very… energetic.”

“Intriguing. What would you like to work on?” the Meadow asked.

“Hmm… now that we have enough keys. Seems like a bit of a waste to hold on to my core points. Nothing new showed up at my third evolution either, so I guess enhancing skills is my best option. Kind of wanted to wait until we got to Iz again but with the upcoming dwarven war machine tournament arc, it seems like that will take some time. And who knows how many Soul Wardens are still inside that bloody cube? Would be a waste not to get the levels for those fights,” she mused.

“It would merely be a temporary reduction in power. You did get your evolution. Can you enhance them all?” the Meadow asked.

“I have forty eight points. So nine skills I can enhance. Got a clue how I can get easy core points?” she asked. “You could show me your most powerful spells.”

“For such a simple purpose? The answer is no,” the Meadow said.

“Up for some fighting after I enhance them? Might be good to get a few levels despite your lack of murderous intent,” Ilea said.

“You know I’m always here to ground you,” said the earth mage.

“Hah,” Ilea exclaimed and went through her skills. Strike, Dominion, and Brawling are the better remaining skills in Arcane Eternal. Ah, should’ve done that before fighting all those Soul Wardens. What did I even get from those fights?

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

Should’ve let them hit me more. Weak ass machines. So for Ashen Titan… well, nearly everything. Mantle, Core, Heart, Seal, and Embered Form. That’s eight total. And I guess Origin, because that one will take some time to level. That’s already nine though… and I kind of want to add at least Space Manipulation into the mix. And the Fires of Creation. Hmm.

Guess Brawling or Embered Form can wait. So either Precognition or Stamina reduction and physical conversion. First seems more important. Let’s go then.

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Send a destructive pulse of mana into your enemy with every attack using your arms, fists, fingers, legs, feet, or head. Your Intelligence stat enhances the damage potential.

2nd stage: The amount of mana used per strike can be regulated with a maximum of 1000 mana per strike. You may charge each strike with 1000 mana per second to a maximum of 5000 mana.

3rd stage: You may choose to use Archon Strike as a non intrusive attack, instead sending a wave of destructive healing onto your enemy. Due to the healing nature of Archon Strike it partially ignores protection against Mana intrusion. You may heal allies with Archon Strike. If used as a wave, the range of Archon Strike increases by 5.5m.

Category: Healing

About time I can heal with that shit, Ilea thought. It’s category is fucking healing after all. And I get range on the wave form. Well… not exactly overwhelming for the fact that I have to relevel it to thirty.

“You’re sure this is worth it right?” she asked the Meadow.

“Stop whining. You’re less than thirty years old. Your skills will be back up there in no time,” the being said.

“Fine,” Ilea mused. For the elusive and mysterious fourth tier.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Perceive everything in a sphere around you while this skill is activated. The higher the level the further the dominion reaches.

2nd stage: Arcane dominion opens your senses to the arcane. A paramount skill both on and off the battlefield. Elements and spells you control within your dominion have increased harmony.

3rd stage: You may use Sentinel Reconstruction on all beings within your dominion. Your element manipulation skills are improved by a static 50% when used within your dominion.

Category: Aura – Perception Aura

Okay. Alright. That’s a pretty big fucking bonus. I do hope that applies to Space Manipulation too… ah why should it not.

She cold see the range of her dominion decrease with the skill change. The ash she created however felt considerably stronger. Ilea already started sending destructive mana into the Meadow.

“Done already?” it asked.

“No. I’ll let you know when you can rip me apart,” she answered.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches – 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

You have adapted the fighting style of the Azarinth school to something you now call your own. Damage inflicted with your own body and related skills is 95.5% [955%] higher. Your arms, fists, fingers, legs, feet, and head deal a slight amount of arcane damage with each strike.

2nd stage: Getting used to fighting in close quarters, your reaction time is increased to accommodate your increasing speed and control. Your bones are steeped with mana, increasing both their weight and resilience two fold.

3rd stage: Eternal Brawling consists of more than offense alone. A true brawler knows when to stand and let an enemy strike. You gain knowledge about sustained injuries and damage from incoming attacks as they happen. For each time you get hit by an incoming attack you see coming, the damage done to you by the respective being’s skill decreases by 1.25% to a maximum of a static 20%.

Category: Body Enhancement – Arcane Magic

Even more reduction. That’s actually pretty good. Does the percentage rise with each level in the third tier?

She assumed the answer was yes, based on the uneven number.

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

An armor of hardened ash protects you. Stronger than steel and forming to your will. The Mantle increases your resilience by 145.5% [1746%].

2nd stage: The strength of your Resistance skills also benefit from Mantle of the Titan. The Mantle is a part of the Titan’s body. It benefits from natural regeneration. You can feel through your Mantle and you can heal it.

3rd stage: Increases the defensive capabilities of all ash and ember you control. Increase the ash used to form your mantle by up to a static 500%. The additional ash used requires conscious manipulation. You may use Mantle of the Titan to defend willing allies. Amount of required ash dependent on size of the target.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

A two hundred percent increase in the third tier. Well, I suppose that nearly cancels out the fact that the resilience in itself dropped because of the level loss. And of course the main bonus… hmm. Shrouding allies in the mantle seems ridiculously strong. Coupled with my healing they’d be nearly as resilient as I am. If they’re within my dominion and for as long as the mantle holds of course.

Ilea wondered if her armaments or ashen copies were considered willing allies too. A quick test confirmed that yes, her living armor and ash itself could now be protected by her ash. For her armaments however, the entirety of her available mantle ash was needed and even then the layer remained quite thin.

Ash protecting more ash, Ilea thought and dissolved her armored copies. Two were the maximum she could make with her full mantle and limbs active at the same time.

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

Ember glows within you raising your resilience, speed, Strength, Intelligence and Dexterity by 55.5% [555%]. Your learn how to generate and store heat within your Titan Core. This effect has a separate mana requirement.

2nd stage: The longer you fight with Titan Core active, the deeper it roots. Each minute of fighting adds 15% more power to the skill with a maximum of 150%.

3rd stage: Familiarity with the skill removes its upkeep. You can choose to increase your weight by 25% [250%] for each passing minute to a maximum of a static [750%], increasing your natural health regeneration, heat generation, and resilience by the same factor.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement

Hmm, two fifty instead of a hundred. And the cap was increased too, oh and more resilience. Not sure how much that will make a difference with the already insane resilience bonuses I have. Ah well, a faster charge is welcome but the reduction on the main buffs is pretty shit. Down from seven hundred percent.

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Increase the heat in your body and release it in a blast around you.

2nd stage: The embers run deep. The heat you may reach is only limited by your very life. Your resistance to heat held within your body is doubled.

3rd stage: Focus on release to change the blast into a cone of destruction sent out of either arm. You may store heat within any ash you control, the more ash used, the higher its potential to hold heat. Ash not connected to you releases its stored heat upon a strong impact in a blast around it or when you will it.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen Magic

What’s the change exactly? She summoned her notebook and flicked past the pages. Here it is. Within ANY ash, that’s new. And the last bit, when you will it. Wait does that mean…

Ilea formed an ashen sphere about ten meters away and activated Embered Heart. It’s forming heat, she thought with a grin. To push heat into ash, she had to be connected to it physically. It seemed that wasn’t the case anymore. Coupled with my eyes. And I don’t need an impact anymore, so.

A chaotic explosion of heat and flame rushed out of the sphere. Oh… now this… is wonderful.

The range at which she could form heat inside her ash was still somewhat limited, but a minefield of floating ash just became a possibility.

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1

Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Burn the inside of whatever your body hits with a surge of heat and embers or release the attack in a burst of fire and cinders.

2nd stage: The flame burns on. Targets hit will have fire burning through or on them. Time and consecutive attacks will increase the effect. When using your arms, fists, fingers, legs, feet, or head, you gain the ability to send pockets of heat within your enemies alongside the initial surge of heat and embers. Activate these pockets to cause a violent explosion of fire within the affected targets. Can be activated three seconds after pocket formation or until heat is lost.

3rd stage: Tempered Seal burns away all that stand against it, damaging mana intrusion capabilities of defensive enchantments, natural- as well as manufactured armor. You may add heat to existing heat pockets or form more. You may add a static 500 mana to a new or existing heat pocket every second.

Category: Ashen magic

Hmm. Not quite as impressive as the 1000 mana for Archon Strike but it will make a difference in battle I suppose. Ah and it might help with my jet boot situation, she thought and smiled.

Chapter 692 Domain

Chapter 692 Domain

Ilea switched to her third class and selected Fires of Creation. Aw man, all those collected Core points gone in a few minutes.

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1

Active – Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Let the fires erupt, burning away your health in the exchange for devastating power. All of your spells and your body are infused with the Flame of Creation, dealing lingering damage to health, mana, and magical constructs. You are immune to stunning, fear, and shout abilities. Your resilience is increased by 60% [780%]

2nd stage: The pale flame settles within your core. The Fires of Creation now affect enemy health regeneration. This effect is higher for areas directly touched by the Flame of Creation.

3rd stage: Your experience with Fires of Creation allows you to infuse your magical constructs with its effects. For each level in the third tier, the skill’s upkeep is reduced by a static 25 [750] points of health per second and you may sacrifice an additional static 250 [7500] points of health per second to enhance the skill’s effects. The flames of creation return 2.75% of all health and mana burned away so long as the spell is active.

Category: Aura – Body Enhancement – Space Magic

As if I needed even more sustain, Ilea thought and laughed.

“What did you unlock?” the Meadow asked.

“Health and mana steal with the Fires of Creation,” she said with a smug expression.

“Oh? You didn’t have that already? Well, you did just get your evolution,” the being said.

It’s joking. Just ignore it. You’re a powerful goddess, Ilea, she reminded herself and went to upgrade her last skill with her remaining eight Core points when another message popped up.

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has reached level 500 in three Classes as a human. Has enhanced a total of at least fifteen Class skills with a minimum of one skill in each Class.

Additional options have been unlocked

Core Skill Points available: 8

[3rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Add Class Modifier]

[Skill Enhancement]

[Locked]

[Derivative General Skill]

[Locked]

Oh? What’s that.

[Add Class Modifier] – [Add a random additional Class modifier to an existing Class - Cost: 10]

As in… like a universal body enhancement bonus or something like that? Damn… that’s pretty fucking good. Or well… it would be, if it wasn’t random. Could be a bonus to Flesh Magic or maybe just a stat bonus? Who knows.

“Just got the ability to add class modifiers with Core points,” she said.

“I see. How much does it cost?” the Meadow asked.

“Ten points, and it adds a random bonus,” she answered.

“Good. Though I suggest you focus on enhancements first,” it informed her.

“I think so too. With it being random it might even be worth a thought to invest in stat points instead. Ten points is quite a lot,” she mused and enhanced the last skill on her list. But I guess an additional class bonus could be insanely good too. Like literally becoming an immortal.

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1

Passive – Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

You have learned to see and manipulate the ever present spatial fabric. You gain the ability to move anything within the fabric with a mere gesture.

2nd stage: Further understanding of the spatial fabric allows you to manipulate its forces with greater ease and higher intensity. You learn to perceive even the tiniest ripples in space. In the case of active fissures, you find yourself able to peer into the other side. You gain the ability to anchor a spatial pocket to your very essence. Storage increases with the skill’s level.

3rd stage: You have peered through the fabric of space itself and have learned to unravel its intricate structure. You gain the ability to perceive and differentiate magical frameworks and how to manipulate them within your space without failure. Charge simple manipulation attempts with up to 250 [3500] points of mana. Charge is limited to a static 500 mana per second. You learn how to damage existing frameworks. Results may vary.

Category: Body Enhancement – Space Magic

A charge hmm? Only for simple attempts. Gonna have to test that out thoroughly.

“Alright, I think that’s it… three core points left and a whole lot of new things to figure out,” she mused and stood up. “You don’t mind if I throw a bunch of stuff at you, right?”

“You’re not quite at the level of power where I would notice,” the Meadow informed.

“Because you’re a healer too,” she sent with a smile and burst into white flame.

Archon Strike charged before she switched into a stance and punched the air in front of her. A wave of near white turquoise energy burst from her fist, sizzling the black grass before it washed over the crystal trunk of the tree.

She repeated the spell, this time without her flames. The wave of blue arcane energy flowed past the being.

“Healing with your fists. And here I thought you couldn’t solve all your problems with punches,” the Meadow said.

Ilea shook her head. “You’re being ridiculous. I can kick too.”

Her lava, earth, and ice magic formed above her palm, the elements glowing in her magic perception with a noticeable increase in power. The dominion bonus is good for these too, she thought and moved the formed spheres with her space manipulation instead. Her control felt smooth, but her space skill had been reset to the first level in the third tier. I think it’s affected, but the skill definitely took a hit from the reset.

She charged up her space manipulation with a rather sizable amount of mana before she tried to do something with it. Moving the elemental spheres with the charged power didn’t seem to work, the limits of the added bonus instinctive as she considered the possibilities. I think I could use it to crush the tree… not that it would even notice. A push or pull seems possible too.

Ilea decided on the push and simply held up her palm towards the Meadow. A gust of wind flowed past the creature, or so it seemed, until the stone wall around sixty meters behind it shook. Ilea had her eyes opened wide, having seen the wave within her dominion.

“How very forceful. Little nuance in that use,” the Meadow said.

“Did you fucking see that?” Ilea asked, a smile blooming on her face.

“Yes. I suppose someone who enjoys punching a lot would like such a barbaric approach to space magic,” it spoke.

“Exactly,” Ilea confirmed. The charge does take a while I suppose. She formed a set of lava, ice, and earth spheres before she tested her charged manipulation a little more. The simple part in the description limited her use quite a bit but considering the power involved, she couldn’t really see it working any other way.

The wave of space magic she had summoned worked in various variations. From above to crush anything below, from the side to sweep enemies of their feet, or even from the ground up. She tried forming invisible spears or spheres with the magic but failed to keep them contained, the effect simply a smaller wave in the end. A strong pull or push focused on frameworks in a certain space worked too but with the charged power she couldn’t exactly select what to hit. So she simply pulled or pushed everything in the affected area. Compared to the wave, the damaging aspect was much lower but she assumed it could be used to throw even a large monster off balance.

The last use she tested was what she named the fruit press. It was the only way she could use her charged space manipulation in a focused manner against a single framework or even a smaller part of one. The word focused being used very liberally in this case. Anything around it would likely not be affected, but the chaotic overcharged nature of the spell simply squeezed something from all around. At some point something gave. So far she only tested it against her own elements but she could imagine what it would do to a living creature. It was really quite horrific, even for her. Ilea couldn’t wait to use it in battle.

“At what point do I talk to you about morals and the corrupting ways of power?” the Meadow asked.

“When I name myself Empress of Mankind and start to eradicate entire species of awakened beings,” Ilea answered. She formed her mantle with the full five additional layers. Hmm. My ash capacity rose with the dominion buff too. Helpful, she thought. With the full mantle on her, she hardly qualified for light or even medium armor. Her speed wasn’t reduced in a major way however, especially with her wings.

The third tier of Titan Core activated as she floated down to the ground, her weight increasing quickly. Heat charge is good, weight increases faster. The spell is indeed, gooder than before, she thought with a smile. A test perhaps to see if the Meadow could read her mind, but the obvious groan didn’t come. Your main class is actor after all, ancient eldritch abomination, she thought and squinted her eyes.

“What,” the being said.

Her eyes squinted harder.

“I’m ready to level some skills,” Ilea said and changed into her ash mantle only, ashen wisps moving through her hair to make a single braid. White flames formed on her body as she jumped back, wings on her back. “Show me thine power, Guardian of Erendar.”

“A title I have not heard in a long time, Lilith, immortal of ash. Let us see then, if you are ready to become my equal,” the tree mused, a dome like barrier thrumming to life in a fifty meter radius. Hundreds of wooden projectiles formed around the central tree, the ground shaking as the very foundation below them shifted.

She smiled, her body tense as she watched the pulses of magic, the fabric itself torn and bent. Ilea gulped as she sensed a part of her ally’s true power. She stood in the domain of the Endless Meadow.

_______________________________

Verena turned her head when she felt the barrier magic come to life. A surge of magic unlike anything she had felt before. Parts of her told her to run, others to go and fight. Her rational mind kept her standing where she was, eyes wide open and senses pushed to the limit. Her magic had activated, a feeble attempt to stand against the overwhelming power she felt from the barrier.

Few situations in the past years had made her remember her youth, when she had little to no power. When a simple level twenty Wisp had caused panic and fear to bloom in her heart. Audur came to mind but the Dragon had simply played with them, it had not been out for blood. Not until the very end. This was different. Every hair on her body stood up, the very air charged like lightning.

The Meadow had been an incredible creature to her, incomprehensible really, but peaceful, ally and friend to Ilea. Perhaps its joking demeanor, and the attitude of an all knowing teacher it liked to assume had blinded her to the true nature a part of her knew it to be. Verena had known, she had seen some of what it knew. She had failed to identify the being before, and yet until this very moment she had not truly understood.

The others had a similar reaction, all work and conversation dropped as they looked towards the shimmering dome of energy. Within floated a winged being of fire and ash, defiant against the very form of a god.

It felt like the world held its breath for but a moment, Ilea’s form floating ten meters above ground. Her wings moved.

Burning ash spread inside the barrier, a beam of near white light cut into floating stone walls, one broken through before the next blocked the power entirely.Hundreds of projectiles both wood and stone surrounded the woman before they all rushed her way. Verena wondered for a moment why she didn’t teleport away, but there simply was no space to go to. Something would hit her everywhere within the barrier. She walked closer to get a better look, her curiosity winning out against any instinct suggesting danger.

They had seen the dragonling elf try its luck against the tree, always close to getting in a good claw strike or fire breath, always deflected or blocked in the last moment. That thing was just playing around. Maybe even now…, she thought and watched. A blink of her eyes before she saw shimmering space form around the floating figure made of flame. Spears, splinters, drill like stone projectiles all lashed into her but the flow wasn’t right. There were no impacts, not on her. Instead the things hit each other, hundreds of stone pieces exploding into fine dust as they collided with wooden spears. For just one moment.

Verena didn’t blink. And then the world froze. The sea of chaos stood still in the very air within the barrier and then it all vanished. She gulped.

Ilea raised her arm, the shimmers gone when a chaotic beam of energy formed on her palm. This time it didn’t impact any walls but vanished. Wisps of white flame clung to an otherwise invisible gate in front of the single crystal tree. The spell came out ten meters above, flying towards Ilea. Again, it vanished.

“What the fuck is happening?” Pierce said as she joined with a smiling Bralin.

“For once in your life, shut up,” Verena whispered. Her eyes and head moved around as she followed the beam, gates opening and closing for the next few seconds, closer and closer to the respective beings themselves. In the end the light only showed up for a fraction of a second until it finally burned into the barrier itself. Light cracks showed for but a moment. And it’s whole again. The fires…, she thought when they died out.

“Their control is marvelous…,” Owl mused in a whispering tone.

Aren’t you supposed to be the four mark here? Verena thought but she didn’t take her eyes of the battle. A familiar aura entered her perception. There you are.

“Hmm… I felt something above. Did someone challenge the Endless Meadow?” Lucas asked, his voice carrying the same calm it always did. “Wait… that’s Ilea?”

Stone walls now flew through the arena. Dozens of them, all at least two by two meters large and flying at ridiculous speeds. Verena strained to keep up with everything. She pushed her auras to the limit, her health now burning but it was worth it. She raised her brows and glanced towards the tree. The Meadow was healing her.

Ilea spun and moved through the air with increasing speed. Each wall slid past with only centimeters to spare, some of them vanishing and appearing nearby, others shattering against the barrier or the black grass. She teleported, just once, forming gates around herself and occasionally sending waves of her arcane power or heat at the moving walls to change their course slightly.

Each impact resounded like thunder but the ground didn’t shake, the barrier didn’t waver. Even so it felt like the sound was dulled, not representing the forces unleashed within the set domain of their battle.

Not a battle, Verena thought. A lesson.

And yet it didn’t quite feel like the two were teacher and pupil. Perhaps friends, both interested in a certain game or style of fighting. Verena smiled, remembering her early adventuring teams. She had met some of them again after years and even decades. Some had wanted to test themselves against her. The results were never in question, cut in stone from the very start, but she respected the sentiment. The joy. The thrill.

“Don’t go in there,” Pierce said next to her.

The Meadow has set a barrier. None of us could ever get inside. Foolish Elder, she thought with a broadening grin. Much like with her old teammates, the result here was clear from the beginning. She watched the unending walls of stone, watched as Ilea tried to get closer to the Meadow.

She managed another teleport but not as far as Verena knew she could move. Another meter. Then she slipped up. The edge of a wall struck her shoulder and chaos followed.

Bralin groaned and raised both steel hands above his helmet. “Fuck…”

Pierce grinned and so did Verena.

The barrage of stone didn’t stop when the burning woman was struck. In the moment she was off balance about three dozen walls hit her floating form. Most creatures Verena had seen and fought would’ve been squashed by the second or third plate. But Ilea didn’t really fit into what she had come to expect. While her offensive power was something Verena envied, her armor was something entirely different.

Stone broke against her burning form, her limbs rocked to one side or the other, flames and ash ripped away as a cloud of debris formed around her. As fast as the chaos had come, it passed again. The dance resumed, Ilea’s form flying between the plates as she continued her approach towards the tree. Verena could’ve sworn she saw one of her arms snapping back from a wrong angle. The recovery wasn’t what surprised her. It was the fact that she was not only alive, but well enough to continue without pause.

“She did just get hit, or did I dream that?” Pierce asked.

“She did,” Bralin said. “Thought she liked the armor because of the plating… doesn’t look like that anymore.”

Lucas chuckled and sat down on a set of growing roots.

“Anybody up for bets?” Pierce asked.

“Ten gold that she doesn’t reach the tree,” Bralin said.

“That’s stupid. She doesn’t stand a chance. I say she gets to ten meters,” Pierce said.

“Twelve,” the dwarf answered.

Chapter 693 This chapter is sponsored by the Endless Meadow

A note from Rhaegar

Check out the Hedge Wizard, really enjoyable adventure vibes so far and an interesting magic system (some DnD inspiration): https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/43181/the-hedge-wizard

Chapter 693 This chapter is sponsored by the Endless Meadow

Interesting, that one, Ilea thought as she tried to decipher the next puzzle set around her. The walls were merely a distraction to keep her on her toes while she had to not only defend against the powerful space magic attacks aimed at her head and wings, but solve the field of magic coming from below. Anti teleportation, as usual. And yet the training had never quite been this intense. Nor this difficult.

Instead of small runed circles formed below her on a whim, the Meadow had made the entire dome into its playing field, with the tree at the center. The claustrophobic feeling that gripped her heart was nothing other than the overwhelming presence of charging space magic. All within the circle. And every time she managed to teleport, the entire thing shifted, losing just a bit of its gathered power. Without her enhanced space manipulation, she wouldn’t have known what exactly was happening but it felt the same as when she tried out her charges before.

Her skull cracked under the pressure of a dozen focused strikes. All her defenses and third tier space magic resistance kept her alive, the damage healed again in moments. She didn’t know what the runic circle was charging towards exactly but she knew she would lose if it activated before she reached the tree.

The Meadow remained quiet. It watched her, she knew, from all around. The knowledge alone coupled with her spatial perception nearly made her shiver. It was one thing to rationally know that the being was not only her ally, but a good friend too. It was something else entirely to believe any of those thoughts when reality itself moved in from all around, her death slowly charging up from below. The field of burning ash she had laid onto the ground didn’t burn through the regenerating stone fast enough, the runes below, invisible but thrumming within the fabric.

Her skills kept her focused, the healing power in her mind and body, the experience of all her battles, skills like Veteran and the Primordial Flesh. All worked together and it still wasn’t enough. Still she felt the same way as when she had first set eyes on the Sand Elemental down in the Descent. Something entirely beyond her comprehension, beyond anything a human could ever face or understand. And still she moved forward. She had faced the corrupted creature back then, and she faced this being now. She feared but her hands were steady, she was injured but her body healed, she was pushed back but resisted.

Again, she slipped, her chest crushed and her head nearly squished. A last ditch effort to push against the overwhelming fabric manipulation with her childish attempt at spatial control saved her consciousness. Her brain undamaged as stone slammed into her form. The impacts felt dulled, her resilience, armor, and earth magic resistance working in tandem with her healing. Her flesh was bruised, a few of her organs destroyed, unable to resist the powerful blows. She smirked and transferred. Another four meters closer, more than she had managed with the last one.

Her injuries healed quickly with both her third tier, the new absorption from her flames, and her regeneration alone. She met a wall of space magic in her way. Arcane power infused with the flame of creation lashed out. Burning ash spread from her body. A beam of energy slashed into the invisible force, letting her slip through the fabric with a twist of her body. The walls struck again, this time pushing her down towards the ground. Her wings were destroyed and reformed several times, her spine resisting the heavy impacts from above. A push of charged manipulation deflected a single plate and broke the series of impacts.

She got through and fought the ongoing grip the being had on her form. Each passing minute added to her defenses, Primordial Flesh, Titan Core, and Eternal Brawling working in tandem to make her more resilient. The formation clicked in her mind and she saw an opening in the torn fabric around her. Transfer activated and pushed her through. Again, the formation below lost a tiny bit of power but it was too late.

Ilea had ten meters to go to reach the tree when a strange spell activated all around her. All the stone walls stopped instantly, the air itself locked in place. Her eyes went dark as if someone had flicked off the lights. She couldn’t breathe. Her dominion was the only thing that informed her that she was in fact at the same place she been before. She perceived the stone, saw the ground, the Meadow, the magical light of the barrier. The power she felt from the ground reminded her of the battle in Erendar, the warring four marks, and the Wyrm on the Krahen Isles. While the sheer might of the spell was overwhelming, the calm of it all frightened her the most. There were no explosions, there was no heat, no sudden pressure increase from the being’s space magic.

It was just still.

Quiet.

As if the world had stopped.

Someone without Space Manipulation and her dominion might’ve thought the magic time related, or perhaps dimensional, the rules of this realm shifted to something different. None of the was the case. Ilea knew that all the spell did was amplify the control of the Meadow. Its control over the fabric and all that lay within.

She could no longer move, as the being did not permit such. Her flames were extinguished, as they were not allowed to exist. Her ash was dissolved. None of it happened instantly, her healing and resistances working against the magic but it was meaningless. She was merely a single framework inside a space of total control. She watched as the ash was willed away from her right arm, the flesh below separated as if cut perfectly by a hundred blades. No blood flowed out from the pieces that slowly floated away from her still body, her form hanging in the frozen air.

Ilea felt the pressure build now, her head about to cave in when her perception slowed. She couldn’t teleport, her ability not even close to anything that could break through this field, Audur’s aura a flimsy wooden box compared to this prison of perfect control. Her healing kept her alive but it remained inconsequential against the manipulation of her very form. The only thing she had left to try was break the very rules that bound her to this reality.

Primordial Shift activated. Ilea grinned when her head didn’t burst. She could still not breathe as the very air was locked in place. Nor could she move, every piece of reality around her a solid wall. But she found the Meadow’s control slip past her writhing form, as if she had escaped the fabric itself. And perhaps that was exactly what she did. Ilea wouldn’t know, both the Meadow’s magic circle and her own ability far beyond what she could truly comprehend.

The instinctual reaction of a being blessed with power. Trapped by a hunter who knew every piece of their tools, every intricate interaction of their runes, every weakness of their enemy. She had become the monster, so many of which she had killed before. A monster with one last card to play, only delaying the inevitable. For when the hunter understood her spell, the fight was over.

And so they remained, locked in place. Ilea’s mana and health dwindled with exponential costs but everything she absorbed kept her alive. She wouldn’t last much longer, but while she couldn’t understand the intricacies of the Meadow’s spell, she could downright grasp the mana used to keep it active. In the end the circle lost out, stone projectiles moving again as Ilea took a deep breath.

‘ding’ ‘You have resisted the runic circle of absolute control – One Core skill point awarded’

Primordial Shift ended, her being returned to the fabric. She spread her wings and floated back, watching as the stone around her dissipated. Is it out of mana? The thought was dismissed when she saw a forest of roots grow below her.

“Well done. Truly an extraordinary skill, coupled with all your other abilities. Know that even four marks have failed to escape this runic circle,” the being spoke.

“Thanks. It was quite… humbling to see. I appreciate you showing me one of your fourth tier spells,” she answered, the usual sarcastic tone left out for once.

A giggle floated through the dome. “That was no fourth tier spell, Ilea. But I suppose it could be equivalent to one.”

Her body once more healed and covered in burning ash, Ilea floated over the growing roots. “You just made that up? So you’re telling me Claire or Iana could set that spell up too?”

“Set up, yes, perhaps. However they lack the mana to activate it, nor do they have the ability to even remotely control it. Neither do you for that matter. Not yet,” the Meadow spoke. “Do you require a break?”

“My mana is pretty low. Let me get some of yours,” she said and formed a layer of burning ash that spread down onto the wood. She grinned. “Do You need a break?”

“I use runes because they require less mana than fourth tier spells. At a similar power that is,” the Meadow explained.

Ilea raised her brows. “Meaning you know rune combinations more powerful than your fourth tier spells?”

“Keep growing, and you might find out,” the being said in an amused tone.

“All the incentive I need, really,” Ilea said and let herself fall down into the burning roots. That way she didn’t have to wait until the Meadow had filled the entire bloody dome in wood. She landed with a sphere of Embered Heart, the flames pushing away the wood for a split second before it came back.

The Meadow’s approach to killing her was quite simple. Trap her with anti teleportation runes or space magic, and slowly break into her skull to disable her mind. After that it was only a matter of getting her regenerating health to zero. The attempts required continuous effort however as she wouldn’t exactly sit still to let the roots crack her skull. It seemed her new evolution coupled with the enhancements were enough to at least destroy some of the created wood, albeit at a slower rate than the Meadow could form it all.

“I’m wondering. Can you kill me in an instant with one of your higher level spells?” she asked, dodging through the field of roots, a set of ten wooden arms gripping her legs before she was pulled down. Ilea increased her weight and burned away the wood close to her. She summoned her armaments and formed a mantle of burning ash around its form.

“I have thought about that myself. Before your new evolution, I was fairly certain. Now, it’s difficult to say. There are many things going into health damage calculation and you’re incredibly elusive. It’s fair to say that I would likely use a less impressive method to kill you, if there is no need to end the battle quickly.” the being explained.

Ilea smiled. “Hmm… to think that even the great Meadow can’t instantly wipe me from existence.”

“The chance of success remains fairly high. It’s merely not certain anymore,” it answered.

“To think that the great Meadow can’t reliably wipe me from existence. Marvelous,” Ilea adjusted, speaking in the same tone.

_____________________________

Verena watched a little longer, Ilea now wearing her flaming armaments to counter the wood creator’s magic. Beams and spheres of flame cut through everything as she was struck by spears and roots, her armor ripped apart and regenerating a hundred times over.

The pressure from before was gone. And yet the barrier remained. A reasonable choice of course as the flaming beams were often stopped by the set up perimeter.

“She mentioned you were here,” Verena said as she turned around to face Lucas. “I haven’t heard from you in years.”

He raised his hands and smiled. “Yes. Hmm. Well, I thought… if I stay away for long enough, you’d get someone else to become an Elder.”

She rubbed her temple and sighed. “I was worried.”

His eyes softened a little before he looked down. “I… apologize.”

Verena just shook her head. “Have you kept up your training at least?”

Lucas didn’t reply.

She sat down next to him and watched the burning forest, dulled maniacal laughter coming from within the barrier as several logs crashed against the stumbling armor.

“Make sure to inform the Meadow from now on. About your whereabouts,” she said.

“I will,” he answered after a while.

“How long until we leave?” Pierce said as she looked over.

“She said a few hours,” Verena said.

“Feel like visiting Hallowfort? I don’t really feel like working on my skills while that monster is training nearby. No, not you Meadow,” Pierce said.

Verena looked at the woman for a few seconds before she stood up. “Sure. A bit of normalcy for once. And you come too, Lucas. When was the last time you’ve eaten a normal meal.”

“Light and water is plenty of sustenance,” he murmured, acting like an old man as usual.

And you were supposed to be the strongest, Verena thought, gently touching his shoulder. She looked towards the dome and smiled. Maybe we should’ve founded a council long ago. Instead of clinging to our ways.

“Meadow, can you get us up to the town?” Pierce asked.

“Certainly, lightning child,” the being replied to the three of them.

Verena felt the space magic manifest but compared to Ilea’s spells, she had no chance of resisting. I’ll have to face that creature at one point or the other. Maybe now… with Lilith and the Council, I’ll be able to focus a little more on myself.

They appeared in the town made of stone, set atop the ancient statue, the Meadow somewhere below.

“This might be the safest settlement in all of Elos by now,” Pierce mused as she looked around.

“Indeed. The Endless Meadow sees all,” Lucas mused.

“You’re more senile than I remember,” Verena said and walked to a nearby Dark One. “Greetings glaive master. Where may we find food and drink?”

__________________________

Ilea stored her armor before it fell apart entirely, her mantle soon pierced by a dozen lances of wood. She kept her weight at the highest point, Embered heart and Archon Strike keeping the encroaching forest at bay, a little bit at least. “Stop playing around. I want to actually test how viable this is compared to evasion.”

The ground shook and the crystal light from above vanished a moment later.

She smirked with a sigh and let lose one last Embered Heart before magic slammed into her from all sides. Her mantle held for a while but the first injuries soon manifested. The problem just like the many times before wasn’t the actual damage done by the piercing roots but the fact that they prevented her from healing her organs. She couldn’t exactly reform her heart around a wooden stake. The joke wasn’t lost on her either.

Compared to the last few times however, the Meadow couldn’t get through her defenses as quickly. Which allowed her to use her spells more often. Destroying the elements helped but it felt like using a bucket of water to fight a forest fire. A bucket now, after her evolutions. Before that it had been a tiny water gun.

She ignored the amount of blood and fleshy bits in the meat grinder, her pain nonexistent, no blow able to faze or stun her. “This reminds me of the vampire I killed,” she sent as Primordial shift activated. She healed herself fully and deactivated the spell again. Compared to Phaseshift, the Meadow failed to entirely fill her unoccupied place in the fabric with wood or stone, which made the entire affair a little more interesting than an instantaneous loss.

“Maybe we should work on removing your brain permanently. You would be unstoppable,” the Meadow sent.

Gates formed around her, the nearby roots vanishing into the pyramid she had erected around herself. The Meadow countered with its own gates, sneaking roots behind the portals without much trouble.

“I don’t know if you want a zombie Ilea running free,” she mused.

“Just another dangerous monster in the wilderness,” the Meadow said.

Ilea crossed her arms before her mantle was shredded again, her skin and muscles slowly bored through by rotating spikes. A sphere of near white energy burned away a part of the wood again, her injuries healing near instantly. “Come on, give me some credit. Ever seen a monster with regeneration this ridiculous? Arcane healing, mana intrusion, ash mantle, space magic, flame of creation?”

“Just another very dangerous monster in the wilderness then. Or would you like a special title?” the being asked.

“Lilith is plenty I think. But I’d probably be seen as some demon or godess. Maybe zombie me would actually go around healing things,” she said.

“It is said that Lilith appears on cloudless days, when the winds come from the east. Offerings of food will calm the being. All those brought to her with illness and injury will be healed,” the Meadow offered.

“Not bad. But if you attack her…,” she suggested.

“Her rampage usually lasts several weeks until she either kills everything in an area of fifty kilometers, or until she once more feels hungry,” it finished.

“So I’m some kind of natural catastrophe type monster you really shouldn’t mess with. Hmm, I can get behind that I suppose,” she mused with a smile. “Could’ve even happened with some of my evolution options.”

“You value your sanity too much for that to happen, but I’m sure there are already high level creatures that would love to have you as their instrument,” the Meadow said.

Ilea spread her arms, her entire form pierced by a thousand thin wooden spikes. “How would I be seduced by anything lesser than the Endless Meadow?”

The being giggled in the form of space magic. “I suppose a good meal would do the trick.”

Chapter 694 Lockpicking Mages

Chapter 694 Lockpicking Mages

Ilea cracked her neck, ripping out the last few spears stuck in her chest before she threw them aside. “Thanks darling,” she said, smiling at the tree. The last few liters of blood flowed into the black grass covered earth below.

“Of course, Lilith. Whatever it is you require,” the being said.

She looked at the ground. “Do you actually drink all that? Can’t say I’m thrilled about that.”

“What do you mean? Is that not the pact we made? Your blood for my endless knowledge?” the tree asked. “Many children will be born of your sacrifice.”

“You know I never know when you’re joking with shit like that,” Ilea said and stretched.

“I do use it to feed certain beings in the area, some unable to sustain themselves from time to time. I assumed you wouldn’t mind,” spoke the Meadow.

“I don’t. Donating blood is important. Happy to give some flesh too if it helps,” she said.

“I didn’t know you could shed,” the tree said.

Ilea huffed and rolled her eyes before she checked her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

“That one circle did more than this entire forest for the past hours,” she mused.

“I presume you hadn’t seen it before,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea summoned her armaments and healed the heavy damage it had sustained. “Sorry buddy,” she said, tapping the living armor. She glanced to the tree. “Can living armor actually awaken? Like develop its own essence, conscience, mana, or whatever else is necessary?”

“Your Primordial Shift is far stranger than the prospect you suggest,” it said. “However, I think it unlikely. But with you, that doesn’t mean much.”

“Breaker of reality and all, eh?” she mused.

“Quite infuriatingly so, yes,” the Meadow sighed.

“Says the eldritch being,” Ilea retorted.

“Just because you fail to comprehend something doesn’t mean it’s incomprehensible. Your spells are the same, but while I might make sense of it some day, you will already have new abilities,” it said. The being sounded excited, annoyed, tired, and hopeful at the same time.

Ilea smiled and walked towards the others. “And that’s why you like me. New puzzles.”

The Meadow sent a wave of space magic past her. Perhaps the equivalent of waving her off.

“We’re leaving everyone,” she said. Monster Hunter made her voice and intent travel through the spacious cavern. “Where are the Elders?”

“Verena says they are ready to leave in five minutes. Dragonkiller Pierce is currently locked in a card game with high stakes. It appears most of her accumulated wealth is in the pool. I estimate her chance to win at around two percent,” the Meadow spoke.

“Just don’t let her murder everyone once she loses,” Ilea said and smiled at Owl and the enchanters. She raised a finger to her cheek and teleported to the smith. “Ah… before I forget. Goliath, I have something for you. Maybe you can use it to improve my armaments. Also thought about it being useful to Kyrian once he’s back,” she said and summoned the Soul Warden machines and half the swords she had taken from them. “Those especially might be interesting to him, or at least whatever enchantment or power is within them. I can even use the flame of creation with the blades.”

A few of the blades and two machines vanished instantly. “Rent,” the Meadow said.

“Rent?” Ilea asked.

The smith didn’t react, wholly focused on taking in the heap of metal. “I will do as you suggest, mother of ash.”

“Mother of ash?” Ilea asked but shook her head before he could answer. “Forget it. Yeah, I’ll let Kyrian know about it.”

She focused on the mark and sent a message. “New metal at Meadow’s. Check with Goliath whenever. Hugs, Lilith.”

“Thanks. Will check in later. Don’t hug, it kills people,” the metal mage sent back.

Yeah, but not you hopefully, Ilea thought. Maybe I should give him a charged fruit press hug next time we meet, she mused, tapping her lower lip before she moved over to the gathered group.

The Shades bowed as they had before, not a word spoken.

“Stop it with the bowing please,” she said to only them before she glanced up. “Do you want to come as well by the way?” she added, looking at Aki.

The Pursuer jumped down from the wall and landed in a low crouch, the motion smooth before his bladed arms molded themselves into rapiers. “There is much I have yet to learn.”

“Sure, but you can continue afterwards. I doubt we’ll be there for a long time,” Ilea informed. “And you might get some actual combat experience, heaven knows you lack it.”

“If you think it reasonable, and myself not a burden, I shall accept,” the Pursuer said and bowed lightly.

Ilea laughed. “You’re literally past level eight hundred.”

“And you faced the Meadow,” the dagger deadpanned with glowing eyes.

“Fair enough,” Ilea said after a moment of consideration. “I am pretty awesome.”

“Hmm,” Aki mused as he moved closer with fast steps. “Perhaps I should travel with you again. It seems your growing power has infected your mind.”

“It’s just her Earth Magic Resistance,” Iana said with a yawn. “Prevents her from staying grounded.”

Owl made a weird noise, her eyes flickering with purple light.

“High Enchantress, good morning,” Aki said.

“Morning, Aki. Ilea, why do you have to scream like that,” the woman asked while rubbing her eyes.

“I forgot you were sleeping. My apologies, High Enchantress,” Ilea said and mimicked Aki’s bow.

“You better be,” Iana said.

How did she sleep through the entire battle before? Ilea wondered. Noise canceling enchantments probably. But Monster Hunter got through?

“Is it fair to assume that an outside party would consider this group… strange?” Owl asked, glancing between the beings.

Bralin joined them again, his steps nearly skipping. “Strange doesn’t even come close, Greater Lich. I’m nearly certain I’m dreaming, or dead.”

“Your essence is untouched and healthy, young dwarf,” Owl said in a joyous voice.

He nodded while taking in a deep breath. “Wonderful. Yes. Thank you.”

“Uncursed and blessed with youth,” Ilea mused.

“You shut it, goddess,” the dwarf said. “Oh wait… what…,”

“Hmm?” Ilea asked, tilting her head a little to the side.

He looked at her and squinted his eyes. “I just got a level in Veteran.”

She laughed. “It is indeed very brave of you to offend me, fool.”

Three Elders of the Shadow’s Hand appeared nearby, perhaps the most normal looking people in the group. Form a human perspective at the very least.

“Noooo! The next draw would’ve-” Pierce fumbled, her face red as she stepped over to Verena and grabbed her shoulder. “A small loan, please. I can’t leave like this!”

The Berserker stared back before she burst into flames.

Pierce held on for a few seconds before she stepped back. She gave a glance to Lucas and reconsidered, turning instead to Ilea before she vanished and appeared right in front of her.

Ilea displaced the woman as far away as she could and clapped her hands. “You made it. Lucas do you want to join as well?”

“I will return to my work. I’m sure that… whatever it may be… this group is more than suitable to deal with it,” he said as he looked at the beings.

“Probably, yes,” Ilea mused. “I’ll bring the kids back later.”

“Don’t lose any of them. You’ll be the one responsible,” the teacher reminded.

“Of course Meadow. But if I don’t get some practice in, how will I ever become a guardian of reality like yourself?” she asked and activated her third tier teleportation, connecting everyone except for Lucas.

The fabric shifted and a moment later they stood once more in the Shining Caves. With reinforcements to take on the Soul Forge’s defensive fields of enchantments.

“Wow… it’s beautiful!” Iana exclaimed, her and Christopher carefully approaching the cube as magic flowed through them.

Aki moved up through the air and checked the perimeter, two void cannons at the ready.

The others spread out slowly, Bralin and the Elders preparing for battle.

“Owl, care to take a look as well?” Iana said, looking back towards the Lich.

Ilea approached with her, the two Shades further back.

“First impression?” Ilea asked and sat down on the stairs, a meal summoned into her hands.

Christopher smiled. “It’s good that you got us before fiddling with any of this. It’s quite… extensive.”

“Comparable to some of the more complex meshes the Meadow showed us. Just that this one is nowhere near as stable. Any wrong tampering will set it off,” Iana said and got to work.

Ilea enjoyed her meal. She was impressed with the demeanor of the enchanters. Both had grown in level since she had brought them to Ravenhall, neither near two hundred yet but she knew they were at least not only working. That or they gained so much skill experience from the Meadow’s teachings and their experimentation that they had jumped twenty levels each.

They wore armor that looked similar to their previous sets but most certainly enhanced in some ways. She assumed the Dark One smith was responsible, either offering his work during their time in the north or they managed to trade something for some enhancements. The main thing she noticed was the calm both of them showed, not a speck of fear on their faces despite the dangerous magic they were about to play with. Nor were they overwhelmed by excitement.

Workbenches covered in tools, large books, and a single empty sheet of thick paper had been spread out before them. The two enchanters worked in tandem, dozens of runes noted down quickly as they deciphered the layers and connections.

Ilea finished her meal and spread her wings, floating over them to get a better look at the growing puzzle of symbols she didn’t know.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone decipher runes that quickly,” Verena said, the woman flying next to her.

“You understand any of it?” Ilea asked.

“Some. I learned about basic and advanced rune combinations when I became a Shadow. The more common systems are quite useful in ruins both in and beyond the human plains. A lot of traps can be disabled with some understanding and the right documentation,” the Elder said.

Ilea huffed. “Yeah. I prefer to just trigger them.”

“It’s been a while since I used them too. I assume most enchantments or rune traps that could actually hurt me are using languages I never learned,” the woman said. “They don’t seem to be as limited in their knowledge.”

“How complex are we talking? Is learning about advanced runes comparable to another alphabet?” Ilea asked.

Verena looked at her and smiled ever so slightly. “And here I thought I neglected my education.”

“That actually hurts a little, coming from you,” Ilea answered.

“I’m sure you’ll survive. And no, there are far more runes in a single system than most languages will ever need letters. Pronunciation isn’t an issue, nor is sentence structure. But as far as I understand it, runes can be linked and expanded with no theoretical limit,” Verena said.

Ilea could believe as much, looking at the connections drawn before her. There were already a few hundred, various sections marked and comments added. “I assume the more you add the more unstable it gets?”

“Practically, yes. The margin for error just gets larger. And I believe it becomes exponential with certain combinations. The same is true for the mana required to activate certain fields. Many devastating rituals are known to powerful people all around the Plains but few of them could ever actually activate one,” she explained.

“So the Meadow is pretty much working with perfect precision when it sets up those circles,” Ilea mused. And it puts them down near instantly. “Blood magic can substitute the energy needed. I saw it in Baralia.”

“Yes. Life, essence, mana. Heat can work too. Each form requires alterations,” she said and sighed, looking up. She smiled. “Not my favorite topic, to be honest.”

“You seem to know it quite well,” Ilea said, crossing her arms.

“Easy to learn a few words in a new language. But something like this requires perfect fluency, in more than a few languages,” the Elder said.

So they’re monsters like me, she thought with a grin. Just knowledge instead of levels.

They watched the two work for another ten minutes until they stopped sketching.

Iana sighed and looked at Christopher. “This won’t be an easy one to crack.”

The others joined them at the main workbench.

“Owl, I need you to confirm a few things,” Christopher said and motioned to the being. “Can you help me levitate?”

“I can make a flying copy,” Ilea said but the Lich had already grabbed the significantly smaller enchanter.

Iana gave them a look for a second but returned her attention to the mesh they had drawn. “Alright. Whoever set this up knew what they were doing. And they most certainly didn’t want anyone getting inside without their permission.”

“Is it possible at all?” Bralin asked. “There are vaults in the Pit I deem pretty much unbreakable.”

“Enchantments are not living beings. They are static,” Iana said. “Once you have physical access, there is a way through. Practically speaking… neither me nor Christopher could get in there. I doubt even the Meadow could do it, not without triggering at least a few of the defensive measures.”

“If the Meadow couldn’t do it…,” Ilea murmured.

“The Meadow would know how to get in, but without a high level soul mage and enough heat to melt steel, it wouldn’t get much farther than anybody here alone,” the woman explained.

“Let me guess, there are lightning magic seals too,” Pierce said from within her repaired war machine.

Iana glanced at her. “No. Nothing for Aki either, I’m afraid. But just because we have the tools doesn’t mean it will be easy. You’re an earth mage, right?” she said, looking at Bralin with the last note.

“Yes. Bralin is the name,” he said.

“Great. Bralin. I take it you’ve broken into sealed off areas before?” Iana asked.

Owl landed with Christopher in tow, the man adding a few more notes before they flew off again.

The dwarf glanced at everyone looking at him. He chuckled. “Don’t think I can lie here.”

“Perfect. How precise can you be with your stone magic?” she asked.

“I build and repair war machines. Precise enough,” he said with a confident tone. “How extensive are we talking?”

Iana grinned. “The whole thing.”

He looked up at the cube and mirrored her expression. “That’s a piece of work.”

“So we better get working then,” the enchantress said when Owl landed again.

“Just a few complications, but we should be fine,” Christopher said as he added the notes. “Are we using Ilea’s ash? Or have the Meadow set up sheets based on our measurements?”

“Bralin will provide the setup. As an explanation for the others, we have to build a cover to mark the specific areas where each problematic enchantment has to be disabled. Me and Christopher will prepare foci for each enchantment and then we just have to perfectly time everyone’s magic to crack this thing in the span of about a third of a second. Well, when I say everyone, mostly Ilea and Owl,” she explained.

Ilea looked at the Lich and gave her a nod. “Maybe we should work on our coordination for a while.”

“We’re going to need powerful attacks from the both of you. Train with that in mind,” Iana said as she summoned another sheet of paper. She summoned a few tools and started laying them out.

Christopher opened a notebook and started reading measurements, the woman following with a pen in real time.

Bralin chuckled to himself. “Professionals all around.” He summoned his own tools and nodded to Pierce. “Care to fly me around this thing? Always good to triple check the measurements.”

“Ask Verena. I need a bath after I lost all my gold,” the woman said and vanished into one of the basins.

“I can take you,” Aki said from above, stepping down with a few fluid movements.

Bralin took a step back, both arms raised. “Ah… sorry. Haven’t seen a Praetorian in a long time. Old habits.”

“I’m a Pursuer. It’s a far more dangerous model than the Praetorians,” Aki supplied, knowing full well what he was doing. His blades morphed into long fingered hands. “Ready?”

Bralin glanced to Ilea and raised a brow.

“He only sometimes loses control and kills allies,” she said and gave him a thumbs up.

He sighed and gave the machine a nod.

“Do you have any remaining information that may be important?” Verena asked, looking at the two Shades.

“We have already shared all with the enchantress,” one of them said.

“Direct observation is beyond the information passed down to us,” the other added.

“Great, so you prepare your thing. Call for me if anything comes up,” Ilea said and moved her wings.

Owl followed.

“You’re pretty quick with that hover,” Ilea said when they had gone a few hundred meters away.

“The acceleration is difficult to control. Far more powerful than it was before the ritual,” she said and closed her fist. “Perhaps a part of them lives on within me.”

“Do you have an urge to kill everyone you see?” Ilea asked.

“No,” she said and looked up with glowering eyes. “I do not.”

“Then I’m sure you’re fine,” she said with a smile and charged up her heat.

Chapter 695 Coordination

A note from Rhaegar

Important schedule info - This week there are only 2 AH chapters. I'm switching up one of the patreon releases for the new thing I'm working on next to AH. ALSO I'm taking next week off - starting 14th up to the 20th of June. Unfortunately, no chapter releases during that time.

Thanks for reading lads :).

Chapter 695 Coordination

Ilea and Owl soon came to the conclusion that using telepathy was far superior to coordinate than speaking. It was an easy thing to convince the impressionable Lich to turn their preparation into an impromptu session of skill and mostly resistance training.

Beams of soul and death magic burned into her, the former occasionally paused to make sure her core didn’t take too much damage. The Lich itself was struck by waves of arcane healing, beams of charged heat, and ashen spears.

Ilea looked inward with her Soul Perception, the flames moving around the central sphere like form she couldn’t focus on. The fires were there even when the skill wasn’t currently active, both protecting her form foreign influence and shielding her against attacks. The defense wasn’t absolute, especially against a four mark being like Owl. With enough hits and subsequent pauses, Ilea could tell that the damage repaired itself faster than before her evolution too. Either that or it had to do with the high level spells the lich threw her way.

“You should have quite an easy time against pretty much any creature that has a soul,” Ilea said, a death magic burst washing over her ash, a few layers gone before they healed and reformed at the same time.

The Lich flew around her stationary target, not perfectly used yet to her increased mobility. “The Meadow has said similar things. I will be careful.”

“Speaking of the Meadow, did you see its soul?” she asked.

“I get an idea of it when I look at the being, but to grasp it is beyond me. I believe there is something similar in place as your flames. More abstract however. Confusing to me. I couldn’t even grasp at its soul if I wanted to,” the Lich explained.

Another few spells struck her. Her death magic resistance was already at the end of the second tier but the Lich needed someone to practice with anyway. And she could level plenty of her other skills this way. A few ashen spheres formed in the air around her, heat gathering within before she sent them flying towards the being.

Near white explosions of heat and fire spread out from the fast moving balls, the Lich teleporting to avoid the blasts.

Ilea teleported the last two spheres and made them explode right behind the creature.

Owl was rocked forward, the back of her ethereal form covered in flames as she hissed in an unpleasant low pitched tone.

“Is that a warning or something? To those that dare attack you?” Ilea asked with a smile, a few dozen spheres floating around her, heat gathering within. She didn’t plan to move a lot with her weight increased to the maximum of seven hundred and fifty percent beyond her already high base.

Owl continued the hiss for a moment before a blast of death magic flared out around her, the flames sputtering out against the impressive field of magic. “It is merely the pain… or should I say, the unpleasantness of having one’s very form burned.”

“Do you have resistances anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Yes,” the Lich said and floated around her with apprehensive eyes, the small orbs darting between the many projectiles hanging in the air around the continuously burning woman. “Not very high leveled. Ice and Heat in the second tier, the rest below still. Not many of the creatures Death caught could even damage me,” she explained.

“But you do have general skills. I suppose you classify as a Dark One, or maybe even whatever species you were before… or just a Lich? How many Classes do you have?” Ilea asked out of interest. “Oh… let me know if you want to keep those things to yourself. I know people generally dislike sharing information regarding their magic.”

The Greater Lich waved her off. “Death thought like that, yes. That’s why I hardly ever learned anything useful. He kept most everything to himself. Let me see… I have one Class, ten skills.”

“One Class… I wonder. How much resources and stats do you have?” Ilea asked. “I have about eighteen hundred vitality, with various buffs that comes out at nearly seventy thousand health points.”

“Oh. I see. Surprising… hmm… I don’t have the vitality thing, or anything else. I can see my health though,” Owl said and looked to the ground.

“You don’t want to share?” Ilea asked with a grin.

“No… it’s just…” she said and fidgeted with her hands.

“I’m just interested. Haven’t ever asked something as high level as you,” Ilea said.

Owl glanced her way. “It’s… a bit above five hundred thousand.

“Oh,” Ilea got out and gulped. “That’s a lot,” she added and smiled. Hmm. No wonder it takes me so many spells to kill a four mark.

“Physical damage I take is halved… and from most magical attacks, a part of it only damages my mana. It’s kind of part of me,” Owl said and looked at her hands. “Ah yes, I have nearly eight hundred thousand mana,” she added, weirdly conflicted between embarrassed and proud.

Ilea whistled. “Damn. Not bad. I’m just above a hundred thousand. But I guess it’s to be expected from someone at your level. How else would you cast your fourth tier spells?”

“Ah, I don’t have one of those,” she said and smiled with the purple line on her ethereal face suggesting a mouth. “The Meadow said I would get one at some point if I get better with the ones I have. But they use up a lot of mana anyway. Thousands for each spell.”

“Hmm… I can hit for that much too. Mana wise that is, I’m sure our various bonuses are different,” Ilea said. Can I assume that I hit at four mark level then? I mean one strike powered with all my skills should take between a few thousand to nearly ten. Granted I have to charge them a bit longer than whatever she’s producing.

It made sense to her too, the last few battles against other four marks not lasting nearly as long as they had even a few months prior, before she had reached level five hundred in her first Class. But just straight health and mana wise I’m pretty far behind.

“How quickly do you recover your health and mana?” she asked.

“Health takes quite some time. I still haven’t regenerated the damage from your flames before. Mana is okay down here, but it’s faster near the Meadow, or in the City of Glass,” she said.

“Mana density I assume?” Ilea said.

“That’s what the Meadow says, yes. Another reason why it’s dangerous for me to go to low mana areas. My regeneration would be slowed a lot,” she answered.

“Makes sense,” Ilea said. Will I have that problem too at some point? But I’ve started as a classless human and basically level zero. I could survive even without mana, maybe that’s just what everything else has built on? She hoped her body wouldn’t start to require ambient mana. Already she could absorb some with Sentinel Core but the amount didn’t make much of a difference with her overall high regen. I might even outpace Owl if we’re simply tasked with filling containers with health and mana. Given enough time. She just has a higher total. And more powerful spells, despite the similar mana cost.

The being still hit like an absolute truck with each attack, but Ilea might as well work as a crash test wall at the truck factory.

“I haven’t really seen a four mark monster run out of spells before,” she mused.

Owl nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I wondered that too, because apparently many lower level beings have to be careful with their magic. My abilities can’t really use a very high amount of mana, and I can’t just use them all the time. The Meadow said that once I get a fourth tier skill, that one will cost a lot to use! Here I think I might run out at some point… if we continued for a long while. But in my old dungeon, I don’t think that could have happened.”

“The absorption, right,” Ilea said. Taking four marks back to the plains would be a pretty viable option to hunt them down then. More than I thought before. The pain they experience surely helps too, but no wonder the Dragons of Elos haven’t annihilated humanity already. It’s not just a lot of fucking effort, it also leaves them vulnerable. She grinned at the thought.

“Yes. I like your ash and your flames. You use them so easily! I wish I could make up combinations like that with my magic,” Owl said.

Ilea smiled at her. “I’m sure you’ll get there too. Just keep training, and ask the Meadow to help you out. I have a lot of skills to work with too, and three total Classes. Makes combining things easier.”

“I’ll try my best,” Owl said with a smile, a sphere of vibrating death magic forming between her hands.

Ilea shook her head ever so slightly, the beam pushing her a few steps back as her mantle was shaved away. She doesn’t even understand what kind of insane magic she’s wielding. Her eyes opened wide when she realized she was the one who had just easily survived the creatures attack, her own spells following her now, explosions of energy and white flame pushing the Greater Lich away. Maybe I should hang out with normal people again sometime.

She thought about the dinner she had with Willa’s parents. Normal humans. Of which she too, was one. Definitely. Most certainly.

Owl and Ilea worked for another hour to both train their magic and learn to synchronize their spells.

The whole ordeal seemed more beneficial for Owl, the training not quite as effective for Ilea as her bouts with the Meadow. She did however enjoy working with a new partner. With someone as high leveled as Owl, it really showed how important actual combat experience was in a real battle. Ilea assumed most fighters who could resist or avoid the Lich’s soul and death magic would be able to eventually win. Win or survive at least. Owl did have a one kilometer teleport range and could move through some non magical matter.

“You might be a good partner to train with the Sentinels,” she said when they flew back to the cube, the preparations done according to the flare signal shot up by Verena. “Once you’re a little better at tuning your spells. They’d get killed in a single blast otherwise.”

“Oh, that would be interesting! They’re all healers like you, aren’t they? With ash and all,” the Lich said.

“Mostly,” Ilea answered. “And your magic types aren’t exactly the most common. Well… I’ve run into death many times but I think that’s just my luck, or misfortune.”

“Will they be able to visit now that the gates are done?” Owl asked.

“Soon I imagine. Once the Ravenhall people have met the council in Hallowfort,” Ilea said and quickly checked her messages.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

Pretty good progress for a bout with a friend, she thought.

“Will they not think me…” Owl said and paused.

“Think you what? An undead monster far beyond anyone’s imagination?” Ilea asked.

The being looked her way. “I wouldn’t have said it that way.”

“Hah, don’t worry. Everyone will be blown away by Meadow and Aki. With them around, you won’t stand out as much,” Ilea said. “Plus my friends are pretty used to ridiculous beings at this point. Not so sure about the rest of the councils, but they’ll be fine.”

“I hope so,” Owl said.

They reached the cube and found it covered near entirely in stone. More or less smooth with dozens of markings scratched in. Steel plates, glass spheres, various gems, and a set of mirrors were all placed above or within the added layer.

“Alright, everyone’s here then,” Iana said, Aki floating in the air while holding both of the enchanters in his hands. “Owl, Ilea, familiarize yourselves with the marked sections. We noted the various elements you’ll have to use and in what way.”

Ilea floated around the cube, her dominion picking up every marked section, each with its own set of instructions. For her, arcane, space, and heat. Verena would help with the latter but one was specifically marked for her beam, a circle at the center of one of the sides.

“How long are we talking exactly?” Ilea asked, not having seen any mentions of time.

“All needs to happen within one point four seconds. That is if the first eighteen enchantments are destroyed simultaneously, otherwise we’re working with zero point six seconds in total. Based on everything we see and understand. In case something goes wrong or anything in the mesh causes a chain reaction, I suggest you get us out of here as fast as you can,” Iana explained.

Ilea carefully checked the sections. “And how will I know if something goes wrong?”

“You will know,” the woman answered.

I don’t think you understand how many high level spells I’ve seen. She didn’t voice the thought, assuming that if any defensive measures get activated, their intrusion had failed.

“This won’t be easy…” Ilea mused, setting up large ash spheres that hovered in the air around the cube. Each changed into a symbol related to the magic they had to use. “Owl, what do you think?”

The Lich still floated around the cube. “I can hit everything on this side… and here,” she said and teleported. “That still leaves three enchantments where I won’t be able to reach.”

Ilea used Fabric Tear to move the being. “Seems to work fine. So where exactly do I have to put you?”

Owl floated into position and aimed. “Here is good.”

“Verena?” Ilea asked.

“I’ll need one teleport to here,” the woman replied, floating on the other side of the cube.

Ilea spent another few minutes setting up her spheres, now moving them close to where the impacts had to happen. She could feel the location of her ash, knew the form it took. Spheres were added to the teleport locations where she would have to put her two teammates after their first two barrages. “Just a wave of space magic fine?”

“Yes,” Iana said. “Enough to disturb the fields in place. For you, not a lot.”

“I see,” Ilea mused and finished her setup. “Let’s try a few times without spells.”

“And let’s do it like this. We count one to five, two and four being the teleports. Roughly one second in total,” she said to the group.

“Understood,” Verena replied and appeared in her position.

Owl gave her a nod and did the same.

“Can we add a count before it starts too?” the Lich asked.

“Makes sense, so one two three, then one through five,” Ilea replied.

Both confirmed as most of the others made some distance. Aki remained with the two enchanters, ready to leave before they would go with the actual attempt.

Ilea started counting and they all did their thing.

“I messed up two of the gates,” Ilea murmured.

“Can you teleport me about half a meter further right and up?” Verena asked.

A few of the ashen spheres were moved before they tried again.

The group repeated the preparation another twenty times before they felt comfortable with their positioning.

___________________________

Iana watched the next thirty attempts with bated breath, the two high level humans and the Lich repeating the section to memorize their targets.

“What do you think?” Christopher asked.

She didn’t reply for a few seconds, instead focused on the three beings teleporting through space. One second.

“I would think it impossible,” she said. “But if anybody has a chance, it’s those three.”

A group of thirty high level mages would’ve been ideal but the more people involved, the harder it would be to coordinate.

“It’s worth an attempt at least,” Chris said.

“We’ve got the targets down, I think,” Ilea said straight into their minds. “Working on the timings now.”

Iana gulped. If any of the enchantments were damaged even a fraction of a second before planned, the whole thing would blow up. On the one hand, she really wanted to see how the defensive enchantments measured up against something Claire or the Meadow could set up. On the other, she really wanted to know what was inside the so called Soul Forge. The Shades were certainly interested enough.

“You know we won’t see the explosion. All we’ll see is defensive spells and burning ash,” Chris said.

“Ruining the fun,” she murmured. “Aki, get us to the others.”

“As you wish, Enchantress,” the dagger said and moved them through the air. He landed a few seconds later near the waiting group, Bralin already preparing a defensive perimeter with runed stone.

“Let’s add our own,” she said to Christopher and got to work.

Ten minutes later, everything was ready.

“Aight, got the timing down too. As best as we’ll ever be,” Ilea said. “Well, maybe not, but I want to crack this thing.”

“Go ahead,” Iana answered, her and Chris looking through their binoculars.

She held her breath, seeing a shimmering purple form in the distance, left of the cube. To its right side flew a winged being of white flame, and to the front, a humanoid clad in fire.

“Ready?” Ilea asked, her voice reaching them still.

“One two…” the count came, fast enough to fit five beats into one second.

Iana watched as beams of magic lit up in the distance, a light show of purple, white, turquoise, and fiery red. The angles changed within split seconds. And then it was over.

“Did they do it?” Pierce asked, looking through the slit in the enchanted stone wall ahead.

“Cube has calmed down. Magic output is much lower,” Ilea sent.

Iana breathed out and put down her looking glass. “They did it…”

Chris jumped up in joy before he hugged her.

Chapter 696 King of Souls

A note from Rhaegar

Check out The Trickster's Tale :) - https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/43288/the-tricksters-tale-a-bard-is-born-litrpg

Chapter 696 King of Souls

Ilea glanced between the massive cube and her two companions. “Looks like it worked.”

“Most of the power is gone, yes,” Verena answered before she flew over.

“Oh did we do it? I was so nervous!” Owl said, the latter half in a quiet voice. Her ethereal four mark hands were shaking slightly. She laughed. “I nearly missed the first two spells.”

“Good thing you didn’t,” Ilea said with a smile. “Guess we would’ve seen an interesting explosion. Ah well.”

‘ding’ ‘You have helped remove the defensive enchantments of the Soul Forge – One Core skill point awarded’

Nice. So we really did make it. She informed the waiting group with her Telepathy and landed near the entrance.

The others soon gathered too. A large part of the protective stone cover had been blown away by the many spells that had hit the enchantments in their coordinated effort. Bralin started removing the rest when he reached them.

“Perfect. Well done,” Iana said with a bright grin when Aki set the two enchanters down.

The Shades seemed just as excited.

“Kind of wanted to see what would’ve happened on a fail,” Pierce said from within her war machine.

“Yeah, me too,” Ilea said and glanced over.

“Just ask the Meadow to blast you away. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been more impressive than whatever it can conjure up,” Iana said. “Now who will have the honors?”

“Is that even a question?” Pierce asked, looking at Ilea. “She’s the most durable. Whatever is waiting inside, she has the highest chance of survival.”

“Still hoping for that explosion, hmm?” Ilea asked.

“Something along those lines,” Pierce mused and made some distance.

Ilea couldn’t perceive any major defensive enchantments anymore, her dominion still prevented from piercing the steel walls however. “Anything else we can do?”

Iana’s eyes had been glowing blue the entire time. She shook her head lightly. “No. The entrance is still locked but it’s purely physical.” She walked down the stairs to join Pierce. “And I agree. You have the best chance. Good luck.”

“So easily discarded,” Ilea mused.

Verena gave her a thumbs up and joined the others. Owl was the only one that remained by her side.

“What?” the Lich asked when Ilea glanced over. “I might not be as versatile, but I have more health than you. And more levels.”

“Not exactly, if we count all Classes,” Ilea mused as she charged up her space manipulation. “Ready?”

“When you are,” Owl replied.

She smiled and grasped the large double gates with her control, her hands closed into fists, each focused on one of the steel doors before she pulled with a charge.

Steel screeched and shook, the metal pulled outwards by an arm’s length before it gave against her invisible grasp. The thick steel doors were ripped out, hinges and all before they flew to the side. One impacted the ground with a loud crash. The other one sent a wave of fluorescent blue water splashing out where it landed.

“Nice!” Owl rejoiced. “Should we go inside?”

A mist of steam floated out from the open entrance. Her dominion could pierce inside now, instantly locking onto the many Soul Warden models, one especially. Most were the Tuned model but one was larger, metallic wings attached to its back, a spear in its hands instead of a sword. Its head was adorned by a steel crown. But the being wasn’t moving, nor did she feel any magic come from its form.

“Lots of inactive Wardens in there,” Ilea warned. “And one… creature,” she mused with a smile.

“What is it?” Pierce asked.

Ilea looked at Owl and gestured her to follow. “Let’s find out.”

The steam was neither toxic nor curse or death ridden, to Ilea’s disappointment. The innards of the cube were sectioned into rooms and halls, much like someone would design an underground research facility. It reminded her of Nes and Scipio’s home in the north in some ways. There wasn’t quite as much memorabilia as with their facility but a few rooms were definitely made to be comfortable. There was even a hearth in one, but Ilea didn’t understand where the smoke would go.

Most of the rooms however did seem to be dedicated to research and experimentation. She could see several libraries and four halls reminding her of Bralin’s smithy in the Pit. Those housed most of the war machines. Are they really war machines if they can’t be piloted? War monsters? Soul machines?

The central hall mimicked the external cube in shape, horizontal platforms built within suggesting that this was indeed the intended orientation of the facility. Within was what she assumed to be the main lab. Mostly because it was the most chaotic one. Tables and workbenches covered in tools and notes, tubes with dead beings strewn about. A few corpses lay dissected and below glass covers on enchanted steel tables. She saw dwarves, humans, even an elf. At the center of the main lab stood a four meter high apparatus made of metal, a dozen arms connected to it and aimed forward, various tubes and containers attached to it. Ahead of it was a platform equipped with various mounting supports similar to the ones Bralin had used to prop up her living armor.

Ilea teleported herself and the Lich in front of the closed entrance. She saw no enchantments but the door was closed. Unlocked however. “Don’t kill it,” she said to the being.

“I can perceive it now… and I’m curious too. I liked the other one,” Owl replied.

Ilea brought them inside with another teleport, her eyes falling on the single small being made of black abyss. Large white eyes turned her way as its head tilted to the side, a telepathic giggle flowing through their minds. She had found another Fae.

“Hello,” she sent with a smile and waved at the creature.

It moved its six wings of white energy, floating a meter up with a twirl.

Ilea watched, entranced by the complexity she perceived with her space manipulation.

The Fae spread its handless arms to the side before it spoke, its voice a high pitch and fluctuating in a confusing pattern. “Who intrudes THE KING’S domain?! You will die for this transgression.”

“Eh,” Ilea got out and glanced at the Lich next to her, both of them holding back their laughter. She knew not to underestimate a Fae, more than most. But the voice coupled with what it had said was a little too much to take seriously.

“How dare you, think to ridicule me!? The almighty KHAN!” the Fae exclaimed and moved its arms towards them.

Ilea tensed up, her body bursting into flame, her mind ready to teleport the Lich and herself. Her companion remained entirely calm, still apparently amused by the creature.

[Fae – lvl 112]

A burst of space magic rushed out from the Fae’s hands. The blast didn’t quite reach the two intruders, just barely sending a few pieces of paper from a nearby workbench fluttering down to the steel floor.

“What’s going on?” Ilea asked, the tension in her body gone too as her flame deactivated.

The Fae floated down a little, its arms to its side once more, the previous tension gone entirely.

Friend, the Fae spoke. The voice felt distinctly feminine. A feeling of calm followed with it, interest, trust, and some amusement coupled with the simple message. It paused and seemed to consider, floating just a little closer.

Arbiter

Creator

Greetings

“Greetings,” Ilea said, again. “Didn’t expect to meet one of you down here. What was all that about?”

The Fae seemed amused, tilting its head to the side as it took in both Ilea and the Greater Lich.

Unusual

Pair

“I suppose we are. You’ve been trapped in here then? Or is this your facility? You did just call yourself Khan,” Ilea said.

“This being… houses two souls,” Owl said. “It’s… confusing. Is this normal?”

Ilea shrugged. “You’re the soul mage, you tell me.”

The Fae giggled, a hand in front of its non existent mouth.

Abnormal

Soul

Remains

Not

My

Facility

Khan. Joggoth. Capture. Me. Die. In. Battle.

The being floated around the hall and motioned to the massive apparatus and then the large inactive war machine.

Unfortunate. It sent and paused. Another giggle. Accident.

“That was supposed to be his, I assume?” Ilea asked, looking at the massive steel creation.

Unknown, the Fae sent, very much in the know.

Ilea smiled. “Let me guess,” she mused and activated Fabric Tear, the machine switching places with the Fae. “Something like that?”

Accident

Reenactment

Accurate

Impressive

Arbiter

It nodded to underline its words, acting surprised at Ilea’s apparently boundless intuition.

“Ilea. I have the feeling that it wasn’t an accident at all,” Owl whispered to her via telepathy.

“Oh gosh jolly, Lich King, what do tell gave it away?” Ilea asked with an exaggerated expression of shock. “It’s a Fae. I’m pretty sure that capturing the little buggers for anything but a nice cup of tea is a baaaad idea.”

“I… see. I’m a little confused still. Its essence is quite beautiful. The other bit looks similar to that of your companions, but somehow… in there too. It’s confusing,” she said and shook her head as if trying to get rid of the image in her mind.

“I’m Lilith,” Ilea introduced herself. “I’ve met several of your kind before.”

Lilith, the being sent with a note of both interest and respect.

Beings

Similar

Yet

Different

“I’m not sure I get your meaning. I’m not exactly on the level of a Fae when it comes to mental capacity,” she said.

Self

Aware

Amusing

Different. Whole.

Mark. Similar.

Friend. To. Fae.

“Alright. Different… Whole? So you’re from a different cluster? Is that an issue?” she asked.

Coexistence

Always

Preferable

She knew the being spoke the truth. On a downright instinctual level. “Good. Do you lay claim to the stuff here or can I and my companions look through and take what we want?”

Knowledge

Gained

Long

Ago

Commence, the being spoke and floated closer.

Accompany?

“You want to accompany me?” Ilea spoke out loud.

Interesting

Being, it sent, just as straight forward as the Baron tended to be.

“Sure, I suppose. If you can explain what happened here and why you’ve got what I think is the soul of Khan Joggoth trapped within you,” Ilea said.

“Imbecile. I will grind your very soul down until nothing remains of what you were and ever will be,” the Fae spoke in a downright adorable voice, hands shaking in outrage before it resumed a calm stance.

Apologies

Outburst

Soul. Transfer. Initiated. On. Presumed. Death. Skill? Enchantment? Both. Likely. Joggoth. Cruel. Arrogant. Transfer. Interrupted. Soul. Fused. Control. Remains. Mostly.

“So you’re the one who defeated this legendary soul mage?” Ilea asked.

The Fae waved her off.

Amusing

Ilea failed to grasp exactly what the being tried to convey with the feelings and thoughts added to the sent word. “Alright then. If you don’t think you’re a danger to other creatures with that soul inside of you, you can travel with me for a while. You’ll have to stay back when it’s dangerous though, and I’ll have you hide occasionally. Not sure how that will work if you have those outbursts…”

Acceptable, the being sent with a thought of amusement.

“Also, this shoulder is already taken,” Ilea said and tapped her right one.

Envy

Of

Prime

Shoulder

“Primordial actually,” Ilea answered.

The Fae tilted its head and vanished, appearing on her left instead.

Left

Good

Too

Ilea glanced down at the creature that simply sat and observed, the wisps of the fabric moving around as if at its will. This one seems more mature than Violence for some reason. Would it even have talked to me if not for the mark the Baron has left on me?

“RABBLE!!” the Fae shouted in her ear in a high pitched voice.

“Yes,” Ilea said and patted the little being with an ashen limb. Maybe not the best idea. She observed the being for a few minutes with Owl floating around her. “Do you need help to get back to your cluster?” she asked after a while, neither her or the Lich able to perceive anything particularly dangerous about the creature. The Baron had incredible space magic at his disposal for his level and could survive attacks that would entirely remove a level one hundred human from existence but Ilea doubted the creature alone would be able to harm her, or anyone above level two hundred. She was pretty sure about it, mostly because she knew it was a deliberate choice. The Fae could simply move through the fabric with the entirety of its self, but it didn’t. If the Meadow thinks highly of their power and knowledge, there was no other explanation.

The second soul was concerning, of course, but both the Fae and Owl confirmed that the control of the body remained in the hands of the original owner, apart from the short outbursts.

Now

Free

Appreciate

Offer

Hmm, this one is more willing to talk in less confusing words too. Either more familiar with humans or well, less of a little shit than Violence.

She grinned, thinking of the little bugger. Hah, might as well. “Hey. Found other Fae. New friend or dangerous?” she sent the words to the creature.

The being on her shoulder looked up and away.

Ilea didn’t miss that the direction corresponded exactly with where she could feel the mark on her friend. Perceptive, are we? Even with everything she had, she couldn’t really see the messages sent through her marks. Other than a vague magical pulse to a random direction, easily missed in the ambient mana and the magic of her auras.

“Violence.” It was all the being sent back, the meaning as multifaceted and confusing as anything else it could’ve said.

She knew him somewhat by now however. There was interest in there, some joy, hope, jealousy, and a seething want for absolute destruction. Now I want them both to be on my shoulders like some kind of space combat drones.

“I don’t suppose you’re particularly interested in violence?” Ilea asked the being as she started towards the exit.

Not. Direct. Violence. Magical. Demonstration. Of. Power. Amusing. And. Consequences. Of. Actions, the being replied, each word sent separately.

“Any reason you can’t speak like when Khan takes over your form? I’m pretty sure you lack any voice organs but it still somehow works when there’s an outburst,” Ilea said.

Slowed. For. Your. Benefit. I. Lack. Power. To. Communicate. Adequate.

“I see. So how would you normally communicate?” Ilea asked.

The Fae tilted its head to the side. Sure?

“Yeah, go for it. I’ll feed you a couple thousand mana if it’s worse than anything else I’ve been subjected to,” she said.

A fast moving set of images, thoughts, and feelings invaded her mind, cut off after a split second when the Fae reeled back, holding its tiny head with one of its hands.

Ilea healed it immediately. “Sorry. I forgot to say I have a third tier resistance.”

Know. Defense. Perceived. More. Power. Than. Anticipated.

“I see. Well I didn’t expect your normal way to talk would be seen as a mental attack, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised,” she mused. “Guess you can keep it to simple words then, for the simple monkey. Ah, I’ve got a friend I’d love to introduce you to. It’s a massive fan of your species. I’d think it could handle your normal way of talking.”

Oh? Amusing. Acceptable.

So this one is just Amusing instead of Violence? Baron Amusing? Lady Amusing? I’m not sure about those yet. Needs more work. “Do you have a name?” she sent.

“I’m Khan Joggoth, and you will bow before me,” the Fae replied in a calm tone.

“Not you, the other one,” Ilea said.

Name. Meaningless. Choose. Human.

“I’ll have to think of something,” Ilea murmured as she stepped out of the Soul Forge, her head to the side as she looked at the Fae.

“Oh, it’s Violence,” Pierce said and waved.

“It’s not the same one,” Verena said.

“A… Fae? What?” Bralin added as the two Shades bowed in a fluid motion.

Aki stepped a little closer. “Another one. When will you end your ceaseless need to collect strange beings from ancient ruins?”

The Fae ignored everyone but Aki, simply looking at the Taleen machine.

“Found something amusing?” Ilea asked.

Hmm, the being replied, not offering anything else.

“So what’s inside?” Pierce asked. “Other than that small space thingie?”

Small? said the being to Ilea.

“She’s not a space mage. I know the concept of size doesn’t exactly apply to you,” she replied.

Simple

Mind

“Hmm, yes,” Ilea mused, the two of them looking at Pierce.

“What’s with that mocking look in your eyes?” the woman asked.

Ilea turned around before she gestured everyone to follow. “It seems safe enough in there. Plenty of research, inactive wardens, and machines I have no clue what to do with. We have time too so knock yourselves out. Our arena fights are another day off.”

“Treasure,” Pierce mused as she stored her armor and vanished.

Iana walked in after her, dragging Chris with her. “Don’t touch anything yet!”

“I think you can get up now,” Ilea said to the Shades, their heads still bowed. They didn’t react to what she said. “Can you tell them to stop bowing? They think you some kind of god,” she said to the Fae.

Am

“Great,” she murmured and heard a giggling sound within her mind.

The Shades lifted their heads a moment later, looking at the being before they floated past, bowing once more right when they went by.

“You don’t want to go in?” Ilea asked, looking at Aki.

The being walked closer, eliciting a response from the Fae who hovered towards it. “Someone should guard the entrance.”

Ilea formed two ashen copies, each receiving a layer of her mantle. “These should be more than enough. Go play.”

A note from Rhaegar

Reminder - I'll be taking next week off. No chappies sadly. More stuff on Patreon if you want to check it out.

Chapter 697 Free Real Estate

Chapter 697 Free Real Estate

The Fae watched Aki walk into the Soul Forge with cautious steps.

“Why are you so interested in him?” Ilea asked.

Magic

Imitating

Essence

New

Information

“You could tell from just a look?” Ilea asked. “What do you think about it?”

Intelligence

Real

Form

Irrelevant

She smiled. “Yeah, I think so too. One of our enchanters helped him stabilize a bit more too. I don’t think he’ll get influenced anytime soon, not more than anybody would be susceptible to mind magic or other spells.”

Caring

“He’s a friend. And even if he wasn’t, he deserves to have his independence just like everyone else,” she said.

Understand

“I’ve come to accept that I might’ve died a while ago, and this is the fever dream I came up with in my last waking moments,” Bralin said, his smaller armor on as he looked at the cube.

“Let’s see what kind of knowledge your subconscious thinks the great Joggoth has hidden in his Soul Forge,” she said and went inside. Ilea left the two armored ash copies where the Tuned Soul Wardens had stood before. The Soul forge is under new management.

She didn’t bother joining the largest group in the central hall, instead taking the steel stairs up to the fourth floor where she had seen a cozy room with a small kitchen adjacent. A glance through her dominion showed Pierce going through various storage rooms, picking up treasure as she went. Ilea used her fabric tear to save a few more interesting chests for herself. They were stacked up on the red velvet carpet in front of the cold hearth, coal the only thing that remained within.

Ilea raised her hand and moved some of the old wood into the opening. A bit of lava came to life a few meters away from her before it floated between the logs. “Any clue how we can get rid of the smoke?” she asked, looking at her floating Faen companion.

The creature moved towards the hearth before it touched the frame, tapping it a few times until something lit up.

A series of enchantments were activated within the vent. The smoke was pulled in and replaced with fresh air entering through a nearby opening, all likely intertwined with the magic mesh protecting the cube in the first place.

The rest of the room housed three comfortable leather armchairs, two large bookshelves filled to the brim with thick volumes, and a polished wooden coffee table with an artistic base of curved steel. Warm magical light came from a spherical orb connected to the ceiling by a thin strand of metal.

Ilea added some more lava to the logs and went to the small kitchen. The various compartments and tools were likely enough to create an absolute feast but she wasn’t exactly a master chef. Instead she checked the extensive selection of teas, smelling on each until she found something to her liking. A mix that reminded her of black tea with a hint of cinnamon. “How do I cook water?” Ilea asked as she checked the steel plates. This kitchen looks more modern and earth like than half the shit I ever had.

She looked up and checked the wall. Everything was clean, well sorted. Ilea watched the Fae fiddle with the stove until it jumped up, having stood on the plate that now started glowing.

“Thanks,” she said and touched the familiar water collection enchantment before she filled a small ceramic pot with a small crown on it.

“You would dare drink from MY TEA!?” demanded Khan.

Ilea looked at the Fae. “It’s not like you need it,” she said. “Is he just straight up trapped in there? Conscious and everything?”

No, the Fae replied before it thought for a few seconds.

Essence

Only

Echoes. Of. Memory. If. Outburst. Takes. Control. Cognitive. Function. Active. No. Outburst. Dormant. State. Lacks. Capability. Remain. Conscious.

“Hmm,” Ilea mused as she waited for the water to boil. She filled a spherical metal sieve with tea and put it into a black mug. “Still seems unnecessarily cruel. Can you not just kill him?”

Agree. Amusing. First. Century. Removal. Dangerous. Requires. Soul. Magic. Lich?

“Owl could probably help at some point, sure. But she’s not very experienced with her magic,” Ilea said.

Cannot. Return. Foreign. Influence.

“You can’t go home with the soul in there?” Ilea asked.

The Fae nodded.

“They’ll figure something out together. The Meadow will want to talk anyway, two birds with one stone,” she said and poured the water into the mug. She closed her eyes and smelled the strong scent slowly spreading through the room before she sat down in one of the armchairs. Flames had started consuming the wood, the fragrances mixing to create a downright Christmasy feel she hadn’t remembered in a long while.

‘ding’ ‘You drank tea from the famous personal collection of Khan Joggoth while the remains of his soul are within a Fae sitting on your shoulder – One Core skill point awarded’

How very specific, Ilea thought and relaxed into her chair. She summoned a comfy looking blanket from a nearby room before snuggling into it, her eyes focused on the crackling fire as the mug warmed her hands.

Relaxing, sent the Fae before it drooped down into the blanket.

Ilea patted it with a gentle touch, her perception still active to see the happenings within the cube. She displaced more of the treasures and artifacts Pierce was about to find, the pile next to her armchair growing in size. The enchanters and Aki were reading through the notes and books in the central hall, talking to each other with excited and energetic gestures.

Bralin in the meantime inspected the soul wardens, specifically interested in the large crowned model. The Shades had joined the group in the main hall, open books in front of them.

Verena seemed a little lost, the woman looking at some scientific tools before she sighed.

Ilea formed a gate next to the woman and one in the cozy room. “Tea?”

The woman smiled and stepped through the slightly fluctuating air. She appeared in the room and smiled. “Better,” Verena murmured and walked to the kitchen to check the various teas herself.

A minute later, she sat down in one of the armchairs, a mug in hand with steam rising from the liquid within.

The Fae glanced over but remained on the comfortable blanket.

“This place is pretty well equipped,” Ilea said after a few minutes of silence. She moved her hand to bring a few more logs into the flames, adding a little bit of heat to the present ash to strengthen the flames.

“The tea selection is exquisite,” the woman confirmed, closing her eyes as she sipped on the liquid.

“Hmm,” Ilea mused.

Verena glanced over. “What are you planning? A base down here?”

Ilea smiled. “No. Not exactly. The location will be found by the delvers of the Pit soon enough. And with the defensive enchantments destroyed, it might as well just be a chunk of metal.”

“Think it’s possible?” Verena asked after a while.

Ilea patted the Fae and shrugged lightly. “Plenty of geniuses around. And it would be nice, to have some facilities in the north other than a field of black grass.”

“You know, the Meadow could just build something. It did for Iana and Christopher,” Verena said.

“Yeah, but not something quite as… luxurious,” Ilea mused. “Not instantly at least. And well… it’s all here already. All we have to do, is move it.”

Verena smiled to herself but didn’t say anything. She raised a finger, a pulse of magic making the flames in the hearth flare up.

Ilea finished her tea and stood up. She moved a bit of ash through the mug to clean it before she displaced it into the cupboard. “Want to stay?” she asked the Fae still wrapped into the blanket on the chair.

It moved more of the fabric around itself, only half of its large white eyes visible.

Ilea smiled and teleported down into the main hall. She stretched and shuddered lightly at the sudden change in temperature. She did resist the temptation of forming heat within her, only to prevent important research to be set ablaze. “Interesting reading?”

Iana looked up from the notes in her hands, a serious expression on her face. “Yes. Very. What might interest you is the fact that Khan Joggoth had trade relations with the Taleen. Shared research projects and exchanged technologies,” she said and tapped her head with a meaningful glance to the Shades.

Ilea raised a brow. “Don’t trust them?” she asked, using telepathy.

“I do, with what we find here. Not with the conclusions. Khan and the Taleen worked together on something the call the Ascension Project II. And yes, it has to do with the Ascended themselves. Apparently they managed to gather quite a bit of knowledge and technology from their attacks on existing Ascended facilities. You don’t look surprised,” Iana said.

“Keep this to yourself, Chris, and the Meadow. Ascended are those of their species who managed to attain the bodies they now have. They were a biological species before. It’s no surprise that the Taleen tried to get their hands on that process. But it doesn’t look like they succeeded,” Ilea said.

“What makes you think that?” Iana asked.

“We’re not living under the rule of our Ascended Taleen overlords,” Ilea mused.

“It’s that dangerous… I suppose it makes sense, with what you’ve shared of your experiences. Well, Khan was a king, local, and not Taleen. He did his own research and obviously focused on the soul more so than anything else. That’s the machine that bound his people to their Warden models,” she said and nodded towards the large apparatus at the back and center of the hall. “A dangerous tool, and it seems like he succeeded at least in part. Ilea, the main thing I’m concerned about is the information he sold to the Taleen. Parts of it… remind me a lot of what I’ve seen on Aki.”

“A lot?” Ilea asked, raising a brow.

“I’m near certain he was created using a part of this research. There are locations mentioned too. Taleen research facilities hidden below ground. Khan never considered them allies, and he planned to take their machines by force once his armies had established him in the local area,” she explained.

“He failed? Bralin mentioned some king defeating him,” Ilea said.

“Well, a massive natural disaster killed most of his peoples, destroyed most of his lands, his research, and everything else. He writes of a last effort to establish himself during the chaos, but well, it seems he was defeated,” Iana said.

“The Fae might have something to do with that,” Ilea said and glanced at the crowned suit of armor. “Can you write down the names of those Taleen facilities? Maybe we can find them in the map. Might be useful to check them out.”

“I already did that. Three of them are listed,” Iana said. “The Fae was mentioned in the research. It had apparently found its way into the soul forge by itself, interested in the research. Once it understood more of it, the being chose not to cooperate with Khan, when he imprisoned it. He conducted… experiments on it, but… failed to gain understanding of its nature.”

“Of course he would,” Ilea said. “Thanks for the breakdown. I’m sure you’ll find more interesting bits. But I think we should go back to the Meadow as soon as possible.”

“We have to look through everything here, Ilea. This is ancient knowledge, from a time where these peoples had an incredible wealth of resources, connected through teleportation gates… underground cities humanity might’ve never even seen!” Iana said.

“I didn’t say we should leave anything behind,” Ilea said and broke the telepathic link. “What I mean is we should move this entire facility to the Meadow.”

Iana blinked a few times, Christopher and the others now looking at her as well.

“Either that or we gather what we can and destroy the rest,” Ilea said. “Except you have a better idea.”

“I support the destruction bit,” Bralin said. “If someone possesses this thing…” he added while staring at the large and silent Warden.

Iana sighed and crossed her arms. “So I understand you right… you want to move this entire facility… a cube with each side at a hundred and twenty meters, hundreds of tons of steel… where, to the lair of the Meadow? Hundreds of kilometers to the north?”

Ilea mirrored the woman’s smirk. “Precisely. Can you do it?”

The enchantress remained calm, the smirk straightening as she summoned a large tome. She was joined by Christopher who closed the book he was looking through and sighed.

“Can I do it? No, not in a thousand years,” Iana said. “But with the help of some very powerful beings, a group of high level mages, mana sources from a triple mark human, and two four marks? It will certainly be worth a shot. I’ll get to work immediately. Chris, you have the circles written down?”

“I do. We have the measurements already. Weight might be an issue depending on where it wants to put it,” he said and summoned another book. “Ah, there was an empty storage ring here. I took it to collect as much as possible before we leave.”

“Finder’s keepers,” Ilea said with a smile, still occasionally moving chests away from Pierce. “We might keep this place so stop the raiding,” she sent to the woman.

“There’s nothing here anyway. Fucking useless,” she replied.

Ilea disagreed, seeing the gold and magical glow from various items on the pile next to Verena.

“You can send ten words, is that right?” Iana asked.

“To the Meadow? Yes,” Ilea answered.

“We’ll write them down. If we’re going to move this thing we’ll need its help from the other side, and a massive push from this one,” Iana explained.

“Any way the Fae could help?” Ilea asked. “It’s probably the most knowledgeable space mage around.”

“Possibly, if it wants to help that is. I’d rather not have any wildcards in the mix,” Iana said. “And it will take some time to set up. Longer than what we did for the enchantments.”

Ilea smiled. “You really are monsters,” she mused. “We’ll go up to the Pit to fight in the Dome, there’s still another key up there. But I’ll leave a copy here, and you have both Aki and Owl. I still have the spatial anchor in the north, if that helps.”

“Good. And don’t worry. The Meadow is our anchor,” Iana said and bit her lip. “I really really want to continue looking through this stuff…”

“You’ll have all the time in the world to get through everything once we’re not in unknown territory anymore,” Ilea said.

She sighed, Chris gently touching her shoulder. “I know, of course I know. Alright, let’s get to work then. Chris, measurements. Hmm, with the time we’ll need. Ilea, can we get a lift back to the Meadow, with everyone who wants to stay there, and then back again once we’ve discussed everything necessary? I’d also like to move everything that fits into a storage item first. In case the whole thing fails.”

“Sounds like the safe bet, sure,” Ilea said. “I’ll help with the cleanup.” She teleported up to Verena and started storing everything not connected to the rooms themselves.

“Possible?” the woman asked.

Ilea smiled as she walked out of the kitchen, a mist of ash flowing over everything, only the two occupied armchairs remaining. She even stored the wood. “Probably. Iana likes to downplay their abilities but breaking through the defenses was already done pretty easily. They’ll take some time to set everything up, we can go to the Pit while they prepare.”

“I assume we’re storing everything in case it doesn’t work?” Verena asked.

Ilea nodded and glanced at the Fae, large white eyes taking in everything. “We’ll try to move the entire Soul Forge to my friend’s domain farther north. The two enchanters downstairs will set up a collaborative effort with said friend. I’m sure your space magic expertise would be an incredible help, if you’re interested of course. A few of us will be participating in some arena battles between war machines. A bit more action for that option.”

Amusing

Will

Help

Move

Mass

Ilea raised her brows. “Oh really?”

Surprise?

“Yeah, sorry. The Fae I know would’ve chosen to watch the arena battles immediately,” she said with a smile.

Outlier

Amusing

Meet?

“He shows up at the Meadow’s from time to time,” Ilea said.

Fun

“Indeed,” she said and finished packing up the floor. Ilea found herself able to carry larger furniture and soul wardens in her domain that didn’t fit into the storage items of her allies, or her own for that matter. “It was mentioned that you showed up here on your own volition?”

The Fae landed on her shoulder.

Yes. Interesting. Settlement. Fascinating. Research, the being spoke. Help. Refusal. Trapped.

“Your kind doesn’t seem to care much for the passing of time,” Ilea observed.

Age. Irrelevant.

“I suppose so,” Ilea mused, wondering how many of the Fae were stuck somewhere. “Do you have a way to find trapped Fae? I’d be happy to get them out of whatever magical prison they’ve found themselves in.”

Appreciate. Friend.

Many. Cut. Off. Find. Impossible.

“But you’re insanely powerful… I just can’t imagine that you couldn’t find your brethren somehow,” Ilea said.

Many. We. Find.

“Ah, so it’s just the ones hidden behind enchantments or the like?” she said.

Yes.

“And the ones you can find… what, you go in swords drawn? The full on cavalry?” she asked with a grin.

Amusing.

No. Helpers. Sent.

“Helpers?” Ilea asked, intrigued by what exactly constituted as a helper to the Fae.

Ally. Mercenary. Friend. Monster. Many. Ways.

She huffed. “Damn. I thought you’d have a group of Faen Valkyries or something. Ready to go out to get back the lost travelers.”

The being giggled in her mind.

Chapter 698 Magu

A note from Rhaegar

Update June 24th: I had a little accident and broke my shoulder. I'll be operated next week and will probably stay at the hospital for a few days after. Won't be able to write for the time being. I assume I can get back to work a few days after the hospital stay but have no clue about specifics. Might take a week or even longer. Apologies for the delay, especially right after the vacation. I'll keep you updated if anything changes/comes up. Super fucking annoying, my bones are weak.

Chapter 698 Magu

The group stored everything they could before Ilea gathered them up close to her. She left behind two of her ash copies to prevent anybody else from entering the cube. With non lethal force, just in case any adventurers managed to get there in the span of half a day. The distance to the Pit wasn’t particularly far and the survivors knew where the Shining Caverns were located at the very least. Now that the mind magic creature was gone, some of them surely wanted to come back and explore what lay beyond.

Transfer activated, Fabric Tear connecting the group to her long range teleportation before they were shifted in the fabric, all of them appearing in the domain of the Meadow.

“Sooner than expected,” the being spoke. “Greetings, traveler. Welcome to my humble abode,” it added, the words specifically aimed at the Fae.

Ilea could see a complex mesh of space magic form all around them, a demonstration that seemed to serve as a greeting. “What, you’re a peacock now? Feathers all spread out to impress the lady?”

“I am simply trying to converse. Ilea, I have no idea how these beings see the world around them. And this one has already said ten times as much to me than Baron Violence,” it said.

“Before you get entirely lost, we want to bring back a massive steel cube,” she said.

“The Fae has explained the circumstances, yes. The measurements seem reasonable. I’m already preparing a suitable section of my domain,” the Meadow spoke as stone began to shift in the cavern, a large section between the corridors that led up to Hallowfort and down to the Descent. “I assume you would like to claim the cube for yourself? Or the Sentinels?”

Ilea smiled, patting the Fae on her shoulder with an ashen limb. “The latter, though I guess I can reserve a room for myself. If the whole idea is alright for you of course. I don’t want to force interactions on you that you might want to avoid. Or put anything in your domain that you don’t want there.”

“I’ve been enjoying the life you’ve brought to this place. It’s… refreshing, to be seen as… something else than a god or monster. And I’m sure I can help teach your Sentinels more than a few things. I’m a healer myself after all. And even you managed to learn something, which means anyone can do it.”

“Hah. Well, I appreciate it either way,” she said. “I guess we can resume the training while you plan everything with the others. I’ve gotten enough Core Points for another skill enhancement too.”

“What is happening,” Pierce murmured. The group stared at the shifting stone, large slabs folding out of the massive cavern wall. The floating material dissolved to nothing. Behind it the imprint of a sideways cube was carved into the high reaching section of the Meadow’s domain.

“You may leave the furniture on the ground. I will take care of it,” the Meadow spoke, eliciting a few looks.

“You already got the measurements?” Iana asked, summoning her notes. “I see… yes. Let’s go over the runes again. We only have one chance or the thing will be torn apart.”

Ilea left the others to their own devices. The Fae remained on her shoulder as she sat down near the crystal tree.

“Truly enlightening,” the Meadow spoke. “Thank you, for bringing Twin here.”

“Twin?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, it appears Owl has nicknamed it due to the situation concerning its soul,” it answered.

“Twin, you’re alright with the name?” she asked the creature.

Twin

Acceptable

“Good, Twin it is,” Ilea said with a smile. Not exactly two of the same in there but I suppose it doesn’t matter much.

“The King demands an explanation! What is this outrage!?” the being spoke, the outburst over again a moment later.

Owl joined them, likely communicating with the Meadow in an effort to rid the Fae of its problematic state.

Hmm, one skill to enhance…

Ilea ignored the bursts of soul and space magic flaring up around her, the Fae floating up as runic circles appeared on stone plates nearby.

Let’s go with Embered Form, she thought and used five of her Core skill points to enhance the skill.

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1

Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1:

You are one with the fighting style of Ash. Damage inflicted is 70.5% [705%] higher.

2nd stage: Adds density to your bones, muscles and skin to increase strength, speed and damage. Base body weight is doubled. The abuse your body takes from your own strikes and their feedback is reduced.

3rd stage: Reduces stamina consumption by a static 35%. Mana intrusion attacks formed or charged within your arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or your head can instead be converted into a purely physical damage increase to the executed attack. Be aware that this increase will be heavily demanding for your body. Increases your base shock absorption by 5% [50%].

Category: Body Enhancement

Hmm, more shock absorption. Useful I guess. Ilea simply had no clue what her base shock absorption was and if the bonus she got from her Earth Magic Resistance was added afterwards, if any of it was multiplying or just in addition to each other. The change certainly wasn’t particularly exciting.

“Nothing good?” the Meadow asked, likely engaged in more than a few conversations at the moment. The cubical imprint it prepared was still under construction, more sets of runes cut into the stone walls with every passing second.

“No, it’s good. Just purely defensive. Shock absorption. Testing?” she said when a chunk of stone the size of her head appeared a few meters away before it shot forward and impacted her face. Her head won out, the chunk deflected and flying to the side before it hit the ground a few times and rolled to a stop. A bit of her skin was slightly scratched, already healed when she glanced at the tree. “Verdict?”

“A noticeable improvement. Your head barely moved,” the Meadow spoke. “I believe you’re more durable by now than most four marks I’ve seen. If we take your regeneration, healing, resistances, and mana absorption into account.”

“I mean I can kill them. But I’d love to be strong enough to just ignore their fourth tier abilities,” she said.

“You simply lack the base resilience and health for such a feat. But that will change as you level and increase your Vitality,” the Meadow said. “You might enjoy the fact that most four marks wouldn’t get away unscathed by the fourth tier magic of another similarly powerful being.”

“That does make me feel just a little better. Leveling will only become harder though. I can’t just make myself some high level machine to put my soul into or have a ritual turn me into something better,” she said.

“Well. Options would exist, I’m sure you’re aware of that. You simply cling to your human form. Something I very much support, it’s interesting to see your growth. And so far you’ve had no difficulties finding large amounts of high level creatures to battle. I’m sure that won’t change now,” it said. “At the very least you can work on your skills with me. While you collect more Core Skill points to enhance the rest of your skills.”

She cracked her neck and jumped back. “True. So let’s continue.”

Ilea spent the next few hours training with the Meadow until Iana and Chris were ready to go back to the Soul Forge.

She only managed to level a few of her skills with the intense and literal gutting experience.

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3’

Every level will help against Audur, she thought and cracked her neck. The enchanters packed up the prepared materials and made them vanish into their storage devices.

Twin suggested helping from the side of the Soul Forge, in case any of the space magic runes caused unexpected fluctuations. None of the mana suppliers had the necessary control to make sure the ritual would be perfectly stable after all, even Ilea with her Space Manipulation.

The Meadow had gathered and categorized all the collected materials, books, shelves, tables, and everything else from within the Soul Forge, ready to place it all back where it belonged. Granted they succeeded with the large scale transfer.

“See you later,” Ilea sent and activated her spell, connecting everyone to her long range ability before they vanished.

“Should probably get up to the Dome soon,” Ilea said and looked around the cavern. No adventurers so far.

Her copies were still standing guard close to the entrance, now aided by Aki and Owl. Or rather replaced. As powerful as they were, they wouldn’t be able to match the two high level beings.

“You’re coming up with us I assume?” she asked, looking at Bralin.

He nodded and joined her. “Indeed. Your precious tree prepared all the runes already. Nothing I could ever match with my humble skills,” the dwarf said and laughed.

“At least you’re not a tree,” Pierce said as she joined with her war machine.

Ilea chuckled to herself. Even with all her perception, she could barely comprehend a part of the Meadow’s form. The joke wasn’t lost on her and she did it often enough herself, but hearing the words out of Pierce’s mouth just sounded ridiculous.

“You’re part of its cult already,” the Elder said whilst stretching.

“Envious as always,” Verena said, crossing her arms. “Let’s leave them to their work, our banter isn’t helping.”

Iana raised her brows at that and nodded lightly.

The Shades remained with them, helping where they could.

“Call for me if something comes up,” Ilea said to the enchanters as she spread her wings.

“Will do. Enjoy your arena thingy,” Iana said.

“Good luck,” Christopher said with a thumbs up.

Ilea summoned her armaments. “Luck has nothing to do with the destruction we’ll bring,” she said in her booming voice before she made the thing vanish again.

The Fae giggled as the group departed on their journey back to the Pit.

__________________________

Bralin didn’t exactly know what he should think of his new companions. Perhaps even friends? Ilea had introduced herself with the name Lilith but her allies had quickly mentioned her apparent real name. Not that she seemed to care about it in the slightest. He had wondered if it meant something but in the end she seemed to act rather impulsive.

The fact that they even managed to get into the Soul Forge was one thing, what impressed him more was the short time it took the enchanters to prepare. And the three mages who took part in the enchantment disabling just casually learned the sequence in a few minutes. Talks to the Fae, and now she wants to move the entire fucking thing to wherever this god like tree being has its lair. What did you get yourself into, Bralin?

He watched the two humans run with their war machines, one stolen and the other made by none other than Goliath himself. Bralin once again bit into the side of his mouth to wake himself up from the delirious fever dream his life had turned into. Nothing happened and all the evidence suggested it was real.

Just roll with the punches. And you’re sure to come out on the other side with a few insane stories. The only issue he saw with that was that even the drunkest fuck wouldn’t believe half of the shit he had seen in the past few days. His eyes opened wide as a few memories came back to him, ridiculous stories told by people under the influence, tales of Dragons, Fae, and Unicorns, of bright shining Elves facing down flying Taleen war machines, and steel clad beings of space tearing through hordes of Shredders with single spells.

He shook his head. Was it all true? With what he had seen in a single day, he could believe it. Am I losing my mind? Did that mind magic creature they mentioned get me? Bralin had tried everything in his power. The only thing he had left was to simply believe the state of affairs. The world is bigger than I thought, he mused with a wide grin.

“Doing okay?” Verena asked, the woman sitting on his armored shoulder.

The space was barely sufficient for her but he didn’t think to dissuade her. “Just… well.”

“God like creatures all around?” the woman said with a smile.

He nodded lightly. “Pretty much. And I’ve seen a lot.”

Verena puffed. “I’ve been an Elder of the Shadow’s Hand for over half a century. She’s ridiculous, but there’s a lot of that out there. Maybe you should travel the realms a little more.”

“Realms. You say that like it’s just a Thursday afternoon walk,” Bralin mused.

“To some it is,” she said. “The Meadow isn’t native. She saved that thing from another realm.”

He glanced at her and kept on walking. “She? Saved the Meadow?”

“Hard to believe, I know. Easier to get back to your own realm than to breach another. And you’ve seen that she can take people with her,” Verena said.

“Finally here,” Ilea said, sitting down on a chunk of stone before the caved in tunnel. Her spell brought them through.

Bralin had gained a resistance a few hours earlier but it didn’t seem to make a difference at all. Not that he tried to resist her spell in the first place. Her casual behavior was disarming. He knew his own power, and he knew he could perhaps survive against either of the two women, but Ilea? How quickly could she kill him if she wanted to? Somehow it was easier to accept the Lich, the Pursuer, and even the Meadow. They were monsters, beings beyond anything a human or dwarf would ever reach. Or so he thought.

He summoned a bottle of Whiskey and took a swig. Bralin closed the bottle and put it away as ashen limbs moved out to gather everyone but Pierce.

Ilea waited for them to confirm that they were ready before she flew up.

The stone walls of the pit flew past, repeated teleports moving them up even faster. They slowed down after a few minutes, coming to a stop somewhere along the climb. “Let’s continue on foot. Bralin you can climb right?” Ilea asked.

He nodded, the stone extending from the wall until he could stand on it. He winced when Ilea landed on his other shoulder, his machine nearly brought off balance by her weight. What is that woman made of? He was wise enough not to ask, instead shifting his balance and quickly moving over to the wall before the stone bridge broke below them.

“Don’t want to reveal yourself?” Pierce asked when she appeared. “Cannons are ready but the celebrations seem to still be ongoing.”

“Directly to the Dome?” Bralin asked. They still had a few hours until Pierce’s fight but he assumed the Forged Dome was rather packed after the Soul Warden attack.

“Sure,” Ilea said.

“Are there any fights going on?” Verena asked.

“Yes,” Pierce said. “I had a look at the schedule.”

Bralin formed a thick stone platform and pushed up, the impromptu elevator moved them along the pit walls at an impressive speed. Nothing close to Pierce’s or Ilea’s flight speed but enough to get them to their destination in a reasonable time. It had taken him years to perfect this climbing method after all. Don’t start comparing yourself to what may or may not be actual gods, he reminded himself. A smile blossomed on his face as he took another swig from his bottle. And now you get to watch one of them demolish the fools fighting in the Dome. “It’ll be glorious,” he murmured to himself.

“Got another bottle?” Verena asked.

He summoned one and handed it to her. “Eighty years old,” he mentioned.

“I’ll get you something in return,” the Elder said.

“Don’t mention it. Just want you to give it the appreciation it deserves,” Bralin said, his platform sliding to a stop when a massive tunnel opened up before them. They were located a few hundred meters down into the pit, the Forged Dome set deep into the stone to make sure the fighting wouldn’t destroy their settlement ten times over. Already they could hear the cheers. Most of the tunnel itself was lit with magical lights, a few war machines on guard duty standing around and watching those walking past.

“So how does this work?” Pierce asked as she stepped off the platform, taking in the broad hallway.

Bralin walked ahead in his war machine, motioning the others to follow. He led the group towards the open gates at the end of the long descending tunnel.

More people landed behind them, shouts resounding as they poured each other more ale from the barrels they had with them.

“No entrance fee?” Ilea asked. There was no booth near the open gates.

“No. Gold is made through bets. Organizers get a percentage of it all. If there was an entrance fee, people would just find a random spot down in the Pit and fight there,” he said. “It’s more... based on mutual understanding,” he added as he entered with two women sitting on his shoulders. He might’ve felt good about that if it weren’t for the fact that one of them weighed what felt like a ton and was a near literal god besides. Verena he didn’t mind. Sadly, she was not a dwarf.

Chapter 699 S P O R T S

A note from Rhaegar

Back on track lads. Apologies for the delay.

Chapter 699 S P O R T S

Ilea watched the war machines near the entrance to the Forged Dome, their faces covered in heavy steel plate helmets. She would’ve been terrified to face one of them back when she had arrived in Elos. By now she couldn’t quite keep the smirk off her face, excited to join the Dome with her very own living armor. The performance wouldn’t be quite as much of an embarrassment anymore either. Both the nature of the armor and her high stats had helped get her to an acceptable level of control. And the sword would be a nice touch. She’d sadly have to leave her ash and fires of creation out of it for now, if she wanted to keep the somewhat lower status of a high level human and acquaintance to Bralin.

Their group was getting some looks, but not to the extent where it was a bother. Or worse even, cult like. She could fool near all of them with Monstrous, passing as a simple high level battle healer.

The massive iron gates opened up into an expansive circular space, the dome above carved into the cavern ceiling and made entirely of a dull silver metal. Steel supports went along the whole structure, the parts within her dominion shining with the magical light of enchantments. Simple stone stairs all around the near three hundred meter long arena provided space to sit or stand. While Ilea would’ve considered the stands and platforms simple at best, it seemed the dwarves of the Pit wanted flexibility more than provided comfort. Most of them had brought their own seats.

Ilea could see two dwarves in fine clothing, both sitting in old leather armchairs while smoking cigars. They were discussing something amongst themselves, not giving attention to the cheers around them or the battle below. Nearby she spotted a group of dwarves who had set up a mobile forge similar to what Bralin had summoned down near the Soul Forge. Two damaged war machines were propped up with a few people arguing, one of them tapping a damaged section before he raised three fingers.

Farther back were entire stores made of wood or stone, buildings added to the uppermost level of the stands. Many had tables and benches set up in front of them, barrels of ale and bottles of various liquor standing between the plates of roasted meat. Songs flowed into each other as various groups celebrated, others intently watching the battle in the pit below. The smells of fresh food and hot steel overshadowed the sweat and heat that gathered in the overcrowded Dome.

Ilea turned right when she heard the sound of bone breaking in between the shouts, cheers, and live music. Two dwarves were fist fighting each other with no shirts on, a loud circle of people around them holding up coins to a floating Dark One with an open book in its two hands, two additional hands taking notes with quick and precise movements.

She spotted Pierce among the mob. The woman added her bet, holding up several gold pieces with a broad grin on her face.

“I thought she was broke,” Ilea mused with a glance to Verena.

The Elder had poured some Whiskey into a small glass, a light smile on her face as she took in the sights. She took a sip and looked at the bottle. “Not bad.”

“She won a bet earlier,” Bralin supplied from below, his face shield open.

Ilea nodded to herself. “So when we’re up? I assume we can just jump down?” she asked, not seeing any doors or areas that would suggest changing rooms or really anything associated with a serious sports arena back on Earth.

“Yeah,” the dwarf said. “Just looking for a spot.”

“I can see well enough from up here,” Ilea said, tapping his shoulder as she turned her attention to the pit.

Two dented and scratched war machines faced each other on the stone grounds. The fighting area was entirely flat, a few sections scorched and cracked. The close to two meter high machines circled each other, one wielding ice magic, the other a war hammer with a dented tower shield mounted to their left arm.

Ilea could tell from a glance that they were evenly matched, though she couldn’t identify their levels from the distance. The pit was about four meters lower than the stands, a low steel wall preventing the cheering people at the bottom from spilling over. She could see the detailed work right below the wall. “Barrier enchantments?” she asked, looking down at Bralin.

The dwarf led them through the crowds, navigating the sea of people and war machines with practiced ease. He said a few greetings to various people on the way, throwing banter at those who commented on the two women on his shoulders while he dodged questions. “Yes. With stronger fighters,” he said. “Plenty of accidents anyway, but the people close to the fighting grounds know the risks. Quite a lot of gold in that area too.”

“They bet more?” Ilea asked.

“No, bets about how many people will get injured in the fist few rows during any given fight. There’s also bets about how much ale is drunk, and pretty much anything else you can measure,” he explained.

“A lot of potential to forge the numbers,” Ilea said.

Verena puffed. “I thought you better than that.”

Ilea healed the woman’s mind. It was only right.

Bralin grinned. “That’s what makes the whole affair so very enjoyable. The profits can be good, but if you’re caught…”

“You say that like the risks are a good thing,” Ilea said.

“The thrill is half the benefit,” he mused, finally finding an open section with a good view. Another much larger war machine had just left, Bralin filling in the space with a smooth motion.

Ilea kept an eye on the battle. She assumed the two compared to humans at around level one fifty. The war hammer user was both stronger and more experienced but he failed to corner the ice mage.

Already there were some people booing the proceeding fight. The mage focused too much on defense, their demeanor mostly reactive and always at a distance.

“They’re gonna lose if they try anything else,” Ilea said, summoning one of Keyla’s meals before she started eating. Her domain luckily had the same benefits of keeping her food at near the same state as when it was stored. Otherwise she would’ve upgraded her necklace to a pure food storage item. I might do that anyway. Just for added comfort in case I have to stay somewhere for longer.

“It’s the name of the game. The Forged Dome does not pit assassins against each other, but proud warriors of the Pit. Many of the better Divers rarely or never participate here. Masters of evasion, trapping, explosives, cave ins, and stealth,” he explained.

Ilea gulped down a bite, watching the ice mage finally stand their ground, walls and spikes forming in front of their armor. “Would probably be some of the most interesting fights to watch though,” she mused.

Bralin puffed. “Agreed. But most of the rabble here wouldn’t be able to appreciate it, nor could they even comprehend what was happening. There are special occasions and funded battles with paid entrance only, but as is in the nature of things… people like that generally prefer to explore ancient ruins than showcase their abilities in the Dome. A shame, but direct battles between higher end war machines are quite enjoyable to watch as well.”

“You participate too? With your real machine I mean?” Ilea asked, using her telepathy.

“No. I’m quite content with the responsibilities and position I have. I’m done with the constant feuds,” the dwarf replied.

She smirked and opened a bottle of ale. “Understandable.”

A shield charge broke through the remaining barriers of ice, the war hammer impacting the armored mage first against its chest, then its head. They staggered back, before a third strike made them fall. A heavy impact resounded as the crowd first cheered, then went silent.

The downed mage raised a hand with two fingers pointing upward.

Cheers erupted again, cheers and curses as gold was exchanged between hundreds of people. The war hammer user jumped up onto the stands, welcomed by a group of celebrating dwarves.

Mages jumped down into the pit and evened out the few cracks left by the battle, earth magic easily getting rid of the indents.

Ilea kept an eye on the downed mage, their arm falling to the side before they sat up and removed their helmet. She laid her eyes on a female dwarf, blood on her brow as she stood up with staggering steps. She looked young, three braids of brown hair falling down into the neck of her war machine.

“No healers to check on them?” Ilea asked.

“Should be a few around, but they only go down there if it’s bad,” Bralin informed.

As usual, she thought while drinking her ale. “Is Pierce next?”

“Fifteen minute pause, there should be another fight before hers,” he said.

She leaned back, just barely stopping herself form forming an ashen chair. At least she had a shoulder, though she did note the strain her weight put on the dwarf. What a gentleman, she thoguht and slid off, sitting down on the stairs instead. A group of dwarves in front of her blocked the view but her perception provided more than enough range to show a few interesting things.

The amount of spells in the area was downright blinding. Infused war machines, weapons, small easily overlooked spells hiding cards or coins, manipulating dice. Fixing hmm.

“I’ll be getting some food,” Ilea said and stood up.

“Didn’t you just eat?” Bralin asked.

She smiled and vanished, appearing near the top of the stands. She found an empty spot on the long table and glanced at the dwarf behind the counter. “Can I order from you?” she asked, her telepathy cutting right through all the music, talk, and song.

He didn’t react too surprised, his brown eyes going over the customers before they landed on her. His brows raised, he nodded and pointed up.

“Your choice. Three plates,” she said. “And ale.”

The other dwarves sitting at the long table moved a full jug down until it landed in front of her, their conversation not interrupted by the gesture in the slightest.

She drank deep from the jug before she set it down and wiped at her mouth. A sigh escaped her as she smiled. Ilea definitely preferred a more quiet and personal restaurant experience but for one evening, she didn’t mind the change of pace. She could even see most of the fighting pit at her outermost position on the table.

Her food arrived when the cheers picked up again but she didn’t care much about the two war machine wielding mages that went at it like some of her resistance training partners. She supposed it looked impressive, but after her many encounters with four mark beings and her recent training with the Meadow, she certainly cared more about her food. A plate of greasy meat covered in spices, quickly devoured before the next one arrived.

“New in town?” a dwarf opposite her asked, fighting off his friend that tried to stop him.

Ilea looked at him and continued eating. She nodded as she finished the second plate and moved on to the third.

He laughed. “Haven’t eaten in days eh?” The dwarf at least had the courtesy of not bothering her again until she was done.

Good. My human brain is satisfied by this grease, fat, and salt, she mused. “Still going at it,” she murmured and finished her jug with one long swig.

“Too weak to join the battle against the Soul Wardens, so now they’re trying to show off here,” the dwarf said. “Hodir’s the name.”

[Explosion Mage – lvl 212]

“Ilea,” she answered, likely a better choice with the potential of her other name already being spread. “You were there?” she asked.

“Aye, tough machines. Saw the king meself, white wings of flame,” he said and drank.

“He was rather impressive. Even from a distance,” she said. “Glad he took care of the invasion.”

Another dwarf turned around from the table ahead, nearly bumping into Hodir. “Oi… twas a woman, I tell ya. Thick armor, but I saw the curves. Queen Nessa I tell ya.”

“Nessa was a water mage, you daft fucking shit,” someone else said.

Ilea smiled into her freshly filled jug.

“None of ya heard of em southern thing called Lilipf? Ash an all, fire too,” one misguided individual suggested.

“No white fire there, she’s using ash armor, dark, near black,” another voice chimed in.

“It was ash, I could tell,” Hodir said, now looking behind himself. “Who’s that Lilipf?”

“One with that name up to fight soon,” another said before drinking.

“Bards in the south sing of her. A human I think. Said she fought an entire army on her own,” one said.

A few of them laughed. “Army of humans.”

“Could you fight an army of fucking humans?” another said.

The dwarf in question raised his mug with a grin. “Bring me one and I’ll show you.”

Ilea was sure he couldn’t, but she commended his bravery. She nearly used monster hunter to see how quickly he would shit his pants but decided to keep to her subdued roll of high level healer human.

“Healer too that one, battle healer some say,” another said. “High level, none know what it is,” he added with a mysterious voice.

Hodir turned back to Ilea but he found nobody there. A few coins had appeared on the counter and one of the jugs was gone.

She enjoyed watching the ensuing chaos through her dominion, most of the dwarves laughing at Hodir who stood up and argued with them vehemently. She did note that some were on the lookout for her too, but a quick teleport and change of clothes would make it harder to find her. She added a dark green cloak and covered a part of her face.

“Good food?” Verena asked, still sitting on Bralin’s shoulder with a glass of whiskey in her hand.

“Greasy,” Ilea mused. She drank from her jug and watched two dwarves pry a screaming individual out of a half molten war machine, his injuries healed by a third individual who asked him repeatedly not to scream so loudly.

One of them had to give, she thought when an announcer called out the next participants.

“Now we have… is that right? Yes? Well… I suppose… a newcomer to the Forged Dome. Another one, but going by her name she must be pretty impressive. The Dragonkiller!” his voice boomed out through the dome, cheers and boos sounding out right after he had called the name.

Ilea noticed quite a few people remaining quiet within her dominion, some glancing around right after or sharing a whisper with others. She smiled, drinking a bit more ale. Suppose I’m not the only one who’s met a dragon.

“How does this usually go in the plains?” she asked Verena.

“Pierce is banned from most tournaments. I’m surprised she’s not known here,” the Elder replied.

The Dragonkiller appeared in the air about thirty meters up and above the stone pit, her armor blinking into existence around her before she fell and landed.

“She practiced that,” Ilea murmured.

Her armor crackled with blue lightning, her hand raised towards the ceiling when a broad bolt of blue energy slammed down. The spell died out in crackling wisps to reveal a blade of steel, lightning flowing through the length of the weapon as the woman swung it to the side.

The crowd burst out into cheers and shouting, some figuratively losing their minds.

Ilea checked to make sure they weren’t actually being attacked by mind magic but it turned out that she was just more used to showcases like that. But really? For Pierce?

The Dragonkiller spread her arms wide and turned around herself.

“Yes… impressive. It seems we have the first owner of a Warden’s blade participate in the Dome. Your opponent needs no introduction. Come forth! Grat the Destroyer!” the announcer shouted over the cheering crowd.

Ilea formed small beads of ash within her ears to dull the noise a little. She had enjoyed the magic shows back in Riverwatch much more than this testosterone filled brawl pit. Watching that was. She very much wanted to jump down there and rip apart the dark blue war machine of her friend.

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 7’

Did someone identify me? Or is it just because I’m around other beings? she didn’t show a reaction and quickly checked the skill. The new value showed at a hundred and ninety below her highest Class level. Which meant everyone below level three twenty couldn’t identify her. Without another spell or maybe the third tier.

There had been quite a few people in the crowd above two fifty. She assumed the lack of reactions were explained by her skill.

Grat the Destroyer looked the part. He jumped down with his enormous war machine, towering above Pierce’s already large armor by nearly two meters. His had a solid core with added bits and pieces that jutted out in rusted edges. In his arms he held an oversized mace ending in a solid ball of steel. His movements were slow and strained, the eyes within his helmet glowing a deep red as steam flowed out from a set of exhausts on his back.

“Is that really the speed he moves at?” Ilea asked.

Bralin had a broad grin on his face. “Yes,” he answered in an enthusiastic tone.

Ilea raised a brow. “You know he’s going to get ripped apart by her, right?”

“Yes. Lost me a lot of gold the last two times he fought. I bet a lot on Pierce. The rate was eight to one when I bet,” he said.

Ah right, I forgot to bet anything, Ilea thought. “What’s the rate at now? Or are they closed already?”

“Too late now,” Bralin said. “But if you want me to bet on your fight, I could still do that.”

Chapter 700 Bets

Chapter 700 Bets

“Here you go, all on Lilith,” Ilea said and took off her bracelet. She funneled in seven hundred gold coins, leaving seventy just in case. “How do I allow you to access it?”

“Need to touch me, then connect the mana flow with me,” he said.

She did as he said, the process mostly intuitive before she handed him the bracelet.

The dwarf rushed off as Grat the Destroyer greeted his rabid fanbase. He held up his mace to roaring cheers before he slowly turned towards his opponent.

Verena had left the shoulder, now standing next to Ilea. “So Class level is taken into account.”

Ilea nodded. “Seems like it, yeah. Can’t wait to find out who my opponent is. Kinda want to go against Pierce but she’d just leave her armor behind and annoy the shit out of me until I did the same.”

“You’re learning. Good,” Verena mused and sipped on her drink.

The dwarf returned thirty seconds later and handed back the now empty bracelet. “Back in time,” he murmured.

“Thanks,” Ilea said. “How are the odds anyway?”

“Ten to one,” Bralin said with a smile.

“They can pay that out if I win?” she asked, her brow raised.

“No. Probably not. But you’ll be able to get treasure, housing, or just debt with culminating interest,” he said.

Ilea nodded to herself as she watched Grat walk towards the Elder, each slow step menacing and supported by the cheers of hundreds.

Pierce seemed to be done with the games and raised her sword, a dozen floating bolts of lightning forming around her as she took flight, armor and all. Her speed wasn’t as ludicrous as without all the weight but compared to the large machine of her opponent, it hardly mattered.

She rushed towards him and slowed, moving to the ground where she landed with bent knees. Her bolts impacted the heavy armor, scorching a few bits as lightning dissipated.

Gravity, of course, Ilea thought.

Pierce had stopped entirely, her armor shaking lightly as she struggled to look up at her opponent.

Grat stepped closer and raised his mace. “Goodbye, Dragonkiller,” his voice resounded, the weapon coming down, pulled by gravity magic.

The woman stepped aside right when the mace impacted the ground, her movement still slowed but fluid. Stone was cracked and broken, bits and pieces flying out. Pierce touched the metal weapon with her armored hand. “Just kidding,” she said as lightning flared up around his mace, the energy traveling up and towards the large machine’s arm.

He let go before it reached him, taking a step back as Pierce advanced on his legs.

She evaded a stomp and cut into the steel with her blade. Flashes of lightning flared up, her laughter resounding as she increased the frequency of her strikes.

“I thought you were the berserker,” Ilea mused, watching the elder strip away steel from the machine’s leg bit by bit.

The crowd had calmed down, murmurs and complaints audible with a few now much louder cheers. Bralin was one of them, his voice bellowing through the vicinity, mixing in with the mad laughter of Pierce.

The leg nearly came off when the massive machine reached down with two swiping arms. He grabbed the smaller war machine and started pressing down, magic near visible around his grip.

Bad idea, Ilea thought as Pierce quieted down.

The Dragonkiller made her sword vanish, her arms restrained as she tilted her head to the side. Then her entire armored form burst into bright blue lightning. She pushed aside the hands holding onto her, the large war machine staggering back a step. Pierce raised her arms, all the energy around her now coursing through her own armor, bits of steel fell off, her entire form slightly squished by the gravity magic of her opponent. She raised her arms and brought them forward, a flash of blue light flaring up in a beam of lightning that cut into the chest of the large war machine.

She shrugged her shoulders, more pieces falling off. She flicked her wrist with sword in hand, lightning once more flowing through the steel as she advanced on the damaged machine. A single powerful strike severed the last bit connecting his leg to the foot. Pierce jumped on top of her falling foe and raised her sword towards the machine’s neck.

Grat raised both arms in response, one pierced by the sword and the other grabbing one of Pierce’s armored legs. Lightning coursed through him as he brought her war machine down on the stone ground. He flicked his wrist to get rid of the sword, the blade clattering to the floor as he turned around, unable to stand up due to his missing leg. He still held on to the lightning charged war machine. Raising his arm, he proceeded to slam her down into the ground. Again and again, more bits and pieces flying off.

Ilea looked to his shoulder and smiled. That probably won’t make you very popular, she thought, seeing the smiling Elder watch as her war machine got reduced to a crangled mess.

The woman waited until the large machine had worked down the stolen armor to an empty husk of bent and broken steel. She jumped up to his head and ripped the thing off with her bare hands. Lightning charged as he raised his arms, letting go of her armor’s remains before a bright burst of lightning burned down into the insides of his war machine.

Pierce stepped back onto his nape as the thing came crashing down with a loud clatter. She hopped off to boos and cheers alike. The woman grabbed the remains of her armor and dragged it along before she bent down and raised the massive sword without issue. She smiled as it once more flared up with bright and crackling lightning. Her armor vanished into her storage before she hefted the massive sword with both hands.

The crowd shouted obscenities as she proceeded to cleave off chunks of her enemy’s armor, with all the grace of an experienced butcher. Her sword vanished too before she reached into a cut open section and dragged out the body of Grat himself, a large and muscly dwarf. She threw him aside and raised her fist in triumph.

Bralin grinned, the show apparently just enough to change the overall mood of the crowd.

Healers jumped down to check the dwarf but Ilea had already made sure he was fine. They were in range of her dominion after all. And as it turned out, Pierce could be surprisingly moderate in her application of magic.

“She did well,” Bralin said.

“Her war machine was thrashed,” Ilea mused.

“Yes. It added to the show,” the dwarf said. “I might even get my winnings.”

All about the show, hmm?

The announcer started up again about ten minutes later.

“And now for another spectacle. A newcomer to the arena, one taking the name of a southern myth from human lands. Lilith herself,” the speaker said.

Most everyone just talked amongst themselves, sharing what they had heard or thought her to be.

Ilea couldn’t hear a single conversation suggesting that she was the one to fight the Soul Wardens. Just that hard to believe hmm?

She stood up and downed the rest of her ale. The jug vanished as she cracked her neck.

“Do you want to know anything about your opponent?” Bralin asked. “You just bet a ridiculous sum of gold on winning.”

“If they manage to beat me, they deserve the gold,” Ilea said and vanished. She summoned her armaments in the split second she appeared in. A few observant watchers would’ve surely spotted her hooded form but she didn’t much care. After this fight was over, the name of Lilith would likely spread one way or the other. And she planned to somehow get the Taleen key through these arena battles. Just gotta win until I beat the current Champion. That should do it.

“… will have the unfortunate task of facing none other than Omdir Stonewirt!” the announcer finished, the whole Dome erupting in cheers when the name left the sound enhancing enchantments.

Ilea looked around through the slit in her helmet. Her weight increased slowly as she prepared for the fight. She didn’t plan to cast any of the flashy spells she had used to fight the Soul Wardens, but if the guy managed to push her far enough to force her, she wouldn’t hold back.

“In celebration of the Soul Warden defeat, Omdir will once again grace us with his magic and expertise. The first battle of many, so make yourself comfortable and feast on the might that is living steel itself!”

Ilea watched as a dwarf casually flew down onto the stone grounds. He wore well made clothes but nothing flashy, emerald eyes taking her in as he landed. Long braided black hair and a trimmed but thick beard adorned his face. The dwarf nearly reached her height, muscles clearly visible despite his modest attire, scars on his face well hidden but present. The way he landed alone already told her quite a lot about the control he had over his body. His heartbeat remained calm, none of the loud cheering, the excitement of battle, or the opponent in front of him fazing the dwarf in the slightest.

“Lilith of the south, I greet you,” he said and bowed his head.

She did the same in her armor. “Omdir of the north,” she said.

The look in his eyes turned curious, then cautious. Changes so slight she could only tell thanks to both her enhanced eyes and her dominion. Feels like I can judge his expertise but he can tell which shoelace I prefer to tie first, she thought with a smile.

They were too far away from each other for identify as of yet but they both had learned quite a bit about the other already.

He spread his arms, a thrum of magic spreading out with him at the center. His eyes turned serious as dark steel formed around him. A creator. He floated up by a meter, the steel turning into arms and legs, a helmet. Chunks of enchanted tech appeared from a storage item of his, all of it incorporated into the growing form of a war machine three meters in height but somewhat slender in design. Compared to most others Ilea had seen so far at the very least. It reminded her more of Terok’s design.

The armor came together, links flowing into each other with perfect seams, his vitals covered in several layers of enchanted metals that glowed bright within her dominion. Before it was all covered by another layer of dark created steel.

He raised his open palm to the crowd. Everything went quiet.

Not just a dwarf. A legend, Ilea thought with a broad grin. What a perfect first stage, she thought, unable to crack her neck within her living armor but the thought was there.

The magical light of the Forged Dome reflected off his armor in mesmerizing patterns. Parts of it seemed to absorb the light entirely while others shimmered with brilliant flowing motions. He walked towards her with slow steps, his demeanor not yet suggesting battle.

Ilea mimicked his behavior, her steps slow and heavy compared to his light and downright nimble ones. Speed could be a problem. Him being a creator and all, his suit isn’t just plates of steel but comparable to my mantle. Ah well. It’ll be a good show anyway. And I can slow him down if it gets too annoying. Not like many would recognize let alone connect space manipulation to anything I did back with the Wardens.

They stopped a few meters opposite each other. His machine had no eyes, the helmet a design of links and plates.

[Nulram Steel Mage – lvl 330]

“Impressive,” she sent to him through her telepathy. “And you seem to be some kind of local legend.”

The crowd remained quiet.

“A three mark human. I didn’t dare hope you would live up to the tales. But it seems I was mistaken. Let us show them what it means to do battle, Lilith,” the dwarf sent back, his voice steady.

Is that a hint of excitement? She raised her arm and summoned her Blade of the Warden, the steel glowing with heat before lines of molten rock formed on the length of it.

“Ready when you are,” she sent.

The large war machine bent down and jumped back, landing with barely an impact nearly thirty meters away. Dense magic flowed around his arms as he prepared his spells, blades of steel appearing from thin air all around him.

Barriers flickered to life at the edge of the stands, finally connecting above to cover the entire field.

Guess we can let loose, Ilea thought and looked at her glowing lava blade. It wasn’t quite as impressive as her fire one but it would do. She considered using her ice and earth manipulation to send a few projectiles his way but seeing the dozens of blades floating in unison above his machine made her pause. She didn’t want to insult his ability. He knew she was a three mark.

And so she pointed her sword at him and started walking.

The crowd stayed quiet until Omdir raised his arm. A bright sphere of light formed in front of his massive steel palm. It glowed with a sun like radiance before a beam expanded outwards and struck her leg near instantly.

Ilea raised a brow. He was testing her defenses. How considerate, she thought with a smile. But you will learn, Omdir of the Pit. The spell he used reminded her of the Elven Monarch she had encountered.

His beam barely managed to leave any noticeable damage. He moved the ongoing spell to her chest and put more mana behind it.

She kept her steps slow, her healing now occasionally activating to repair the slight damage from the powerful sun beam. She watched him add his other hand, the intensity of the spell doubling. Ilea didn’t slow. Neither did she raise a hand or form a shield.

______________________________

“This one really challenged the current champion?” Verena asked. She swirled her glass and took another sip, a third of the bottle already gone.

Bralin nodded, his arms crossed in front of him as he watched the ridiculous display. Everyone around them was shouting and cheering.

The barrier barely obscured the fight, Omdir starting with his usual single beam against opponents he had not fought before. Anyone who failed against it would be deemed unworthy to be his opponent. Evading the spell entirely was nearly impossible, only a few in the Pit even capable of such a feat.

Bralin wondered if Ilea could dodge the spell with speed alone, without her armor that was and he had only seen her fighting without it once. The flying stone and debris the Meadow had summoned had certainly been fast but he was somewhat sure that light magic moved faster. It didn’t seem to matter either way, the living armor advancing with casual steps as the beam continued to intensify.

Some of the people around them were questioning her decision not to create or summon a shield of some sort, just to avoid a part of the damage.

They have no idea how terribly outclassed Omdir is in this battle, Bralin thought when the dwarf stopped his beam. His evaluation was done, Lilith was an opponent he would face with everything he had. The crowd knew it too, excitement palpable as everyone who had watched with a hint of interest now switched their whole attention to the fighting pit.

Ilea didn’t stop her approach, her opponent now moving too. He kept the distance between them the same as the flying blades above his machine started to glow with light. He sent them flying, dull impacts resounding a moment later when the projectiles clashed with the heavy living armor.

Some were deflected, but nearly thirty managed to gain purchase. None sunk in quite to the hilt but some managed to get about halfway there.

“Not bad,” Verena murmured. “He’s around our level you said?”

“Yes, but his blades are notoriously dangerous. Everyone who fought against him either evaded or blocked his steel with their own magic. Nobody has just… taken them in such a direct approach. Well, Halwart did... to an extent,” Bralin explained. The reaction of the crowd was amusing, but he couldn’t quite share the same wonder. Not after having seen her fight with everything she had.

Omdir raised his arm in an attempt to lift her up by the blades stuck in her armor but the effort seemed to fail. Ilea still walked towards him, her left hand now ripping out metal stuck within her. She threw them aside, the steel clattering to the ground before it started floating once more.

“What is she doing?” Bralin asked, watching as the blades now moved in horizontal patterns. The edges glowed with light, cutting into the living armor in a storm of steel. The whistling sound of hundreds of impacts was audible even through the barrier.

Verena glanced his way before she once again appeared on his shoulder. “He was testing her before,” she said. “Now it’s her turn.”

__________________________

Ilea ripped out another six blades, their power diminishing greatly once the light magic stored within was gone. She could absorb a part of it with Sentinel Core once they were close enough. None had managed to get to her mantle yet but she assumed it was just a matter of time. There were simply too many attacks happening at the same time for her to repair the whole of her massive armor.

Compared to the monsters she faced below, Omdir would go for the throat. He wouldn’t melt half her armor or try to cut through her entire helmet. He would try and get to her real head, heart, or spine. Already she recognized the concentrated effort to find weak spots as he cut away on her regenerating defense. But you’ll need more than that.

Chapter 701 Deals

Chapter 701 Deals

Ilea watched the storm of blades in her dominion, the image reminding her of a blizzard. Blinding not because of the light magic but the mana infused in all the moving parts. It was mesmerizing. The performance of a master mage, his dance of death, acted out with flying blades of light and steel. A rhythm flowed through it all, an overpowering might, inevitable death. He had her where he wanted her, had her where he would’ve thought an enemy to be at the end of their battle.

But her war machine still stood. It stood with a thousand cuts. The slit that allowed her to see was closed once more, his attempts to get in razor thin sheets of sharp steel wouldn’t do and her dominion had more than enough range to keep an eye on his moving form. He had never stopped, constantly moving to keep her at a distance and with enough space behind his back to maneuver.

Doesn’t that go against the whole idea of a direct approach? Or has there simply not been anyone left standing once this storm of blades actually reached their armor? She admitted he was better than Kyrian. Her friend’s attacks felt savage in comparison, but so did her own ash manipulation for that matter. A difference in sheer experience but ultimately inconsequential against her. Omdir simply didn’t have the required power to take her down.

She stopped moving and lowered her blade. His storm went on, shaving off bits of steel on her knees, neck, and shoulders. Weak spots he tried to capitalize on. Let’s make this a little more interesting then. The people want a show after all.

“Are you done with your games?” she asked, her booming voice echoing through the dome. The crowd quieted down after the first few words in an attempt to hear her. “Or is this the extent of your power?” she asked and raised her blade.

He reacted. Likely not because of her provocation but in answer to the waiting crowd. A spear of metal formed above his machine’s head, both arms raised as magic flowed into the creation. The tip had a drill bit added to it, the whole thing four meters in length and nearly thirty centimeters in diameter.

The projectile glowed within her magic perception. Ilea opened the slit of her helmet to see the creation, the storm around her still cutting into her defense.

“Are you sure about this?” her opponent asked through the present telepathic connection. “I do not intend to kill you,” he added, the words neither mocking nor full of pride.

Ilea layered her mantle below her armaments. She watched the spear as it started to spin, more mana flowing into it with every passing second. Her sword vanished. She spread her arms in a welcoming gesture. “If it gets through all the way, it’s your win,” she said.

He didn’t hesitate, the spear shooting out with incredible speed. A boom resounded when it reached halfway to her war machine, the drill bit penetrating her weakened steel defense with ease before it crashed against her mantle and came to an immediate stop.

“You know,” she mused and grabbed the spear, ripping it out as the steel reformed below. “I expected more punching when I entered this… competition,” she added, throwing the bent and broken piece away. “But it’s just the same magic tricks. Time and time again,” she mused. Her arms still spread, she used her space manipulation to push on all the blades around her. They spun out of their choreographed dance and clattered both against the ground and barrier above. Some people in the crowd jumped back in case the defense broke.

“I fight to win,” the dwarf said and jumped back yet again. Another spear formed above his head as he landed.

Ilea charged the open bit in her massive boots with Tempered Seal, adding heat and mana for several seconds. She aimed her left hand at her opponent, her sword appearing in her right one. Molten rock formed at the edge before two simultaneous explosions propelled her up and forward. She controlled her fall with space manipulation, as well as she could considering the weight. Just barely, she managed to land on her feet with a loud crash a few meters away from Omdir’s war machine.

The spear above him had charged up, spinning with increasing velocity before it shot down, aimed at her armor’s neck.

Her arm still raised, she used her charged up space manipulation to push against the incoming framework. A shock wave rushed out with a deafening boom, the spear stopped in the air and crushed into itself. It bent and splintered into several bits, Ilea moving past with faster steps than before, her glowing sword slashing upwards and into his right shoulder from below.

The impact lifted his war machine by a few centimeters but failed to cut through the entirety of his arm. He seemed slightly dazed from the impact nonetheless, enough for her to close her left fist before she punched. Her intrusion spells converted into pure physical power, the speed of her fist increasing several fold before it impacted his chest with a dull crack. Bits and pieces of metal flew to the side as his larger war machine was sent flying, impacting the stone below three times before he crashed into the wall of the arena with an explosion of sound and debris.

She walked towards the downed machine, checking his vitals with the crowd entirely silent. He had gotten injured, but his machine had taken the brunt of the force. His and her own. The converted mana intrusion attack wasn’t exactly made to be used from within a set of living armor. It strained both her body and the armaments around. The damage was healed before she had taken a single heavy step.

“Alive in there?” she asked.

He didn’t reply. Instead he coughed, the sound dull from below his many layers of enchanted protection. Several bits had broken from the single punch but he forced himself to get up, new layers already forming as the damage was repaired.

“Stop toying with me, Lilith,” he said, blades with glowing edges coming to life around him. He favored his right leg and one of his hands looked limp, despite the armor on top. It was still him who controlled the large monstrosity after all.

She stopped walking and raised her arm. A look up at the spectators was enough to make them part out of the way. “You don’t want that, Omdir Stonewirt.”

The blades came flying, all blown away when a wave of space magic shook the ground and crashed into the war machine, the wall, and a part of the barrier above. A part of it shattered, the stands behind shaking. Omdir was sent flying once again. He hit the wall right behind him, cracks sent through the stone. The dwarf was compressed within his own creation, his body about to give when he teleported out. Just before Ilea would’ve attempted the same for him.

He fell to one knee, coughing up blood as he stared at her. Metal formed around him before he was pulled towards the large machine, now once again unblemished, a thin slit revealing blue eyes below.

She caught the dwarf with one large hand and held the glowing sword to his neck. The heat alone burned his skin but he simply stared her down.

“Surrender,” she said, her booming voice moving through the silent dome.

The dwarf allowed himself a grin, his eyes locking with hers when a set of sharp needles formed right before her face.

Her precognition picked up the attack but she simply let it happen. The steel needles cut into her eyes, penetrating several centimeters as the dwarf formed moving blades and armor all around him, still held by her hand.

“Dirty tricks after all. Well, I don’t blame you,” she said to him.

His eyes went wide as her blade vanished, her right hand grabbing his leg before she slammed his form down into the stone. Metal bits went flying, the few blades he had managed to sent into her armor stuck and ignored.

She brought him back around and slammed him down again. This time she heard cracks, his leg broken at the very least. He remained conscious and it seemed pain didn’t much bother her opponent. Good. I don’t want to hear him screaming.

Another strike left his body messed up, the shock enough to render him unconscious. She let go of the leg, an eye on his vitals to make sure he didn’t die. He was only at level three hundred after all.

Ilea raised her lava sword to the crowd, the barrier coming down as the first cheers resounded, soon changing to a torrent of screams. Surprising, for a group who had just lost a shit ton of gold. It’s for the show after all, she thought and looked at her beaten opponent.

He twitched, two healers landing nearby, their area spells quickly stabilizing the bleeding dwarf. He would be fine. A headache maybe, but at three hundred he likely had plenty of skills and resistances to deal with that himself.

Ilea stored her armor, her cloaked form revealed to the masses as Omdir coughed.

“I’m fine,” he murmured to the healers, gesturing for them to leave with blood soaked and ruined clothes. They were replaced in a flash, the dwarf cracking his neck as he stood up, stumbling on a broken leg before he stabilized himself.

“Well fought,” she said and started pulling out the needles from her eyes. One by one they clinked to the ground.

“Who are you? And what do you want from us?” Omdir asked.

She smiled at him, pulling her hood a little closer to her nose. “What do you mean? I’m Lilith, and I came to fight in the Forged Dome.”

A set of impacts resounded behind her, a group of seven large and decorated war machines landing in tandem.

“She’s a three mark, Helwart,” Omdir said. He remained where he stood. Calm but ready to fight again.

“Aye, I can see that Om. And she beat the shit out of you,” said Helwart, the current champion of the Pit and its current leader. Or the closest thing they had to something like that. “Now get the hell out of this fucking pit or I’ll finish what she was too merciful to do.”

Omdir ignored the comments. “Well fought, Lilith,” he said and walked away.

“Don’t give me that cold fucking shoulder you git!” Helwart shouted. His war machine made the ground shake as he took a few steps after the dwarf. “If you kill your next opponents, consider yourself banned for a year!”

Ilea had taken a step to the side in an attempt to avoid the large leg of the machine.

Helwart piloted a war machine painted in dull orange, cuts and dents visible on dozens of parts. His was about as tall as her armaments and just as broad. “So, three mark. Ready for a fight?” he asked, turning towards her as a large mace of the same dull orange metal appeared in his steel hands. The head of the weapon housed seven saw blades still covered in dried blood.

She grinned. “Against all seven of you?”

[Saw Berserker – lvl 345]

“Not enough space for that here,” Helwart said. “Kall’s magic gets in the way too, and when I’m excited, you’ll need all six of em to stop me. Just me, Lilith. Just me. And none of that space shit. Just your fists.”

One of them sighed, two others looking at each other.

“You’re the Champion of the Pit, right?” Ilea asked.

Conversations had started again in the crowd, many still cheering. Her name that was.

“Aye, some call me that. But I don’t much care. Pit needs a strong head, these fucking idiots would start murdering each other in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for me. Not that I like the bloody job,” he complained.

“Helwart, you hardly do any bloody work,” a dwarf in a stonehammer war machine said in a defeated tone.

The champion shook his head. “See, just complaints. I do the fucking work when it’s necessary. Shit’s running well, isn’t it? Until the Soul Wardens that is,” he said, turning his head back to Ilea. “So? Up for another fight? Your living armor can regenerate eh? And I can tell you’re not satisfied at all.”

She shrugged. “I want one artifact from the city if I win.”

“Be specific lass, none of those political games. What do ye want?”

She looked at him for a moment before she gestured to the people around him.

“Leave us be,” he spat. “And move the schedule.”

The six other war machines voiced their complaints, three of them throwing insults at him that he countered with his own.

Ilea waited until they jumped, flew, or climbed up to the stands before she spoke. She didn’t use telepathy. She had an inkling he wouldn’t like that. “An enchanted key. Taleen made.”

“Ah. Been wonderin when that old thing would come in handy. One of the more obscure treasures lying around,” he mused.

“Come in handy? I was told I’d get it if I succeed in the Dome. Barely anything higher than a fight against the current Champion, is there?” she said.

The dwarf chuckled to himself, shouldering his large mace. “You destroyed the Wardens. Woulda been a good fight, but ye, many would’ve died. Yer a healer, Lilith. Helpin us, a choice many would not ave made. I respect that. Fucking stupid, but I respect it. And I appreciate you not stealin what you came to find. Plenty of high level pricks forget their manners. Elves’re the worst, but humans aren’t great either. Ramblin ramblin, I am. Iron key is yours if you beat me. Fair n square. I’ll be usin me magic and mace, you be usin yer healin an fists only.”

Ilea smiled at him. “No restrictions for you, and I get reduced to half my arsenal?” she asked in a dry tone.

The dwarf cackled. “Can’t exactly face a bloody fukken god, eh? White flame of old and space magic of all things? Give me a break. I couldn’t even reach ye.”

“Fair enough, I accept your terms. Only fists and healing,” she said with a smirk.

He pointed a finger at her. “No offensive healing either.”

“You’re no fun,” she said. “How did you even know I had that?”

“I do now,” he said and raised his mace, the saw blades within starting to spin as an armor of stone formed around his war machine. The whole thing grew by another meter, grinding sounds coming from the stone as it became more dense. “Now get this thing started!” he shouted through a voice module.

“The Champion has taken to the pit,” the announcer said, his voice a bit shaken. He did sound more excited than before. “I’m told he’ll be fighting Lilith herself. In a brawl to unconsciousness, death, or until one of them surrenders.” The announcer talked to one of the war machines previously behind Helwart. “Only personal bets on this one, as we’re starting right now.”

___________________________

The chaos started immediately. Everyone ran around to make high stakes bets with others.

Bralin would have to sit this one out. Already they had made a ridiculous sum on both Pierce’s and Ilea’s fights. He was already on very thin ice, with very heavy boots. If he bet on this one too, he would have a few assassins on his ass by tomorrow. “Where’s Toll?” he murmured and started wading through the frantic crowd of idiots.

“Is this normal?” Verena asked from atop his shoulder.

“Some high ranking dwarves interrupt the proceedings from time to time. Helwart can do whatever the fuck he wants. Toll!!” he said, shouting the last bit. He finally spotted the golden war machine in the distance. He had to make this one count.

“Willing to bet, you old fart?” he asked when he reached the dwarf in question.

“With you, always,” said Toll.

Bralin had lost the last eight bets against him, which would only play into his confident arrogance. He had to admit the dwarf was good with his predictions but today he had two things on his side. One, the absolute confidence Toll had in Helwart and two, his knowledge of what the fuck Lilith really was.

He made the deal, adding gold from the projected winnings of the previous two fights. A risk, sure. But what was life without risks?

“Are you guys for hire?” he asked Verena as they walked back to their spot. Ilea and Helwart still seemed to be talking, the barrier up again in preparation for the fight.

“No really,” Verena said. “Why?”

“Hmm. Gonna be a rough few weeks for me after this bloody mess is over. And I’ll be a whole lot richer,” he mused.

“Didn’t think you cared much,” Verena said.

He grinned to himself. “Dear, human. It’s not about what I have. It’s about what they lose.”

She smiled and poured herself another glass.

_______________________________

“Let em finish their bets or I’ll never hear the end of it,” Helwart said, using another voice module that was considerably less loud.

“Sure. Hey while I have you here. Interested in a potential alliance with Hallowfort, Ravenhall, and Riverwatch?” Ilea asked.

“Hmm. Human cities, those? Hallowfort I know. Don’t see why not, but the distance… ah. Hence the key. Ye figured out the gates?” he asked.

“You’re quick for a mace wielding berserker,” she said with a smile.

He laughed. “Ye ye, they all call ole Helwart stupid until I smash in their brains. No reasonable town in all of Elos would refuse a deal if it meant reliable long range teleportation. If what ye have is real, you got them allll by the balls. We’ll find an arrangement too. Pit owes you anyway. Heard ye saved a bunch of old farts too. Me great grandad came knockin. Never thought the fuck was still alive.”

“That’s why the Wardens attacked. Mind magic thing kept them down there,” she explained.

He nodded. “Aye. Explains yer quick return. Another minute?”

Ilea summoned her war machine and teleported up to sit on its shoulder. “A minute, sure,” she said and flicked open a bottle of ale.

Chapter 702 Brawl

Chapter 702 Brawl

Ilea finished her bottle before she teleported into her armor. She raised her fists in preparation, feeling the power of her auras flow through her. Whatever the Champion of the Pit would through at her, she was ready.

“Let us get this started then,” Helwart said through a booming sound enhancer much like hers. He raised his saw bladed mace and crouched slightly.

The crowd stopped their bartering and turned towards the combatants, the announcer giving them a short countdown in turn.

Let’s see what you can do, Champion, she thought and walked forward.

Her foe did the same, neither of their armors made to be exceptionally quick. The layer of stone around him broadened with each step, the mace coming at her in a horizontal strike when she stepped into his range.

Ilea felt the impact on her arm, the power not enough to throw her off balance but the weapon won out against her living armor, ripping into her steel with heavily enchanted saw blades. Sparks and bits of steel were sent flying as she closed the distance, destruction charging up before her punch rushed forward, crashing through several emerging walls of stone until finally crashing against his armor. The impact made the ground tremble, the crowd erupting into cheers.

Helwart used the momentum from the punch to make some distance, his mace coming at her leg this time. Too quick to dodge with her increased weight, the strike nearly took out the massive limb.

She stumbled to the side to stay on her feet. “That thing isn’t just a mace,” she murmured when another strike ripped out a chunk of her armored knee, Ilea going down to one leg as she healed the damage done to her armor. She could feel the magic around him, the power flowing through both his war machine and his mace, all connected and intertwined. He wasn’t using a tool, this was all him, as much in control of his armor as the metal mage had been of his.

He kept the distance between them but stepped to her side, the mace aimed at her chest with a heavy strike. A pulse of mana rushed out as the weapon accelerated, a boom resounding before it even struck, the impact itself a loud crash of steel against steel. It dug halfway into her armor and got stuck.

Ilea felt her entire body vibrate with the strike, cracks sent through the ground below her. Shock absorption coming in handy, she mused. The hit was comparable to anything she had seen before. It seemed Helwart had focused on two things only. His stone armor and how to hit really, really hard. Too bad I’m indestructible, Ilea thought with a smile. Her form remained unmoving, the heavy chunk of bladed steel stuck in her chest as she moved her hands up to keep it there.

She raised her brows when her opponent immediately let go of the weapon. He walked closer instead and punched her.

Another shock wave went through her, his next attack a hook to her back, then three punches into her neck. Booms resounded with each strike. Bits of debris were sent flying as her armor was pushed deeper into the stone below.

His fists started to leave dents in her living steel, the mana flow around him increasing.

She tried to stand up when a kick sent her stumbling. The mace was ripped out of her chest before she watched him twirl with the weapon, the momentum and magic in his body sending the thing straight into the same spot again, deeper this time.

Ilea felt herself lift up from the ground at the heavy impact, another shock wave pushed away before she landed a few meters away. Her knee had healed but her chest looked more than a little dented, deep cuts left from the blades added to his mace.

Helwart didn’t give her a moment, his movements more fluid than before, every step perfectly chosen and executed, the range of his chosen weapon taken into account before another strike caved in her right knee.

She could see what he was doing, his movements still rather slow compared to her non titan form but with her basic capability of controlling her living armor, she simply had no way to respond. His technique thoroughly outclassed her war machine expertise and with his higher speed and ability to take out her legs, she had no clue how to beat him in her armor. Three more strikes took out her leg entirely, leaving her stranded yet again. Ilea watched him spin with mace in hand, the dwarf finishing four turns before an insanely high momentum strike crashed through the arms she held up and into her half repaired chest.

Another few hits like that and he would be through to her real form.

She heard the crowd roar with each hit. Her eyes followed the massive machine through the slit in her helmet. Looking down, she saw her missing hands, regenerating with her healing but not faster than his increasingly dangerous attacks. Her form was pulled forward as the mace was ripped out. The next strike came from above. Her precognition informed her of the incoming attack pretty much as it happened, her metal helmet caved in with a sickening crunch, whirling steel blades ripping through the remnants of metal before they ground to a halt against her head.

Ilea didn’t cover herself in ash but her mantle remained active near her neck. She didn’t exactly count her defenses as the kind of magic she agreed to not use in this fight.

“You may surrender, before you die,” Helwart said as he ripped out the mace, his massive steel and stone arms raised for another strike against her chest.

Ilea grinned. “I did agree not to use my magic. But you know,” she sent through her telepathy and made her damaged armor vanish. “I didn’t agree to keep this a war machine only fight.”

Some of the crowd went silent but this time they didn’t dare boo or insult her like they had done with Pierce.

“You plan to teleport round and round, lass?” Helwart asked in a booming voice.

Ilea started walking towards him. “No. No, I agreed to keep this… physical.”

His mace came at her and impacted her raised arms, the blades grinding to a halt instantly as a wave of force pushed out behind her, her boots digging into the stone below. Her weight remained at the full increase but she could easily keep up with the massive machine now that she didn’t have to haul around over a ton of enchanted steel.

She raised one of her brows and looked up at the large being. “Aw, I appreciate it, Champion. But you shouldn’t pull your punches,” she mused. This isn’t even my final form.

The crowd had gone entirely silent, as if they didn’t quite comprehend what had just happened.

Ilea knew the unwritten rules against fighting without a war machine were really more there to prevent constant dodging. So she didn’t. Instead she charged up Archon Strike and let her enemy attack once more. The mace came from her left, Ilea twisting her body before her fist moved out, the charged attack coupled with Tempered Seal converted into pure physical damage. Was it cheating? Maybe a little. But she didn’t much care. This was more fun than the alternatives.

Her fist collided with the mace, the two forces striking together with an ear shattering boom, a crack forming in the stone below the impact. Ilea held on to her hood with her left hand as the air was pushed aside, the wave even impacting the barrier above. One of the blades in the mace had shattered, bits and pieces sent flying. She healed the internal damage done to her arm, the combined efforts of his attack and her own over extension bursting a few blood vessels. Ilea raised her hand as the mace moved away, the dwarf stunned from the impact, his arms shaking as a part of the force went through him. Blood dripped from the back of her hand, her bones intact with some of her skin torn up from the fast moving blade.

Helwart growled and went into a crouch, he raised his mace and struck down form above.

Ilea spread her arms as the heavy bit of steel came down on her head. Her body didn’t give, nor did the mace itself. Instead it was the ground itself that cracked, a wide berth of fissures going through the vicinity as she was punched down into the fighting pit. She felt the impact go through her, clothes ruined when the stone exploded all around her, flying debris hitting her unarmored form. She summoned her bone armor set, the slowly regenerating piece at least allowing for some decency. Until it too is destroyed, she mused, keeping her head uncovered.

She looked up at the armored titan and smiled, a trickle of blood flowing down from her head, the wound it had come from already healed seconds ago. I think you skipped some of my turns there, she thought and ran up the small slope his strike had created. The mace came at her but she simply let it strike, her heavy form moved a few meters with the impact, cracks on her bone armor forming but most of the force going through her heavily enhanced body. She reached the large stone covered form and started with a kick to his knee.

Her intrusion abilities were converted into physical damage. The thick stone was shattered with the heavy impact, pushed into the arena grounds before she kicked down three more times, the metal below bent and shattered.

Helwart let go of his weapon and punched downwards. His massive fist met hers, stone and metal devouring her arm as his defenses were cracked and splintered. She ripped out her fist and elbowed his other hand aside. Eight quick punches slammed into his armored stomach, bits of stone exploding away from his back as the force traveled through him. She looked down at her ruined bone bracers before she focused back on her foe, the massive being stumbling back with a ruined knee and one arm reduced to a stump.

He stopped himself as new stone formed around the damaged bits.

Ilea smirked when he roared, the sound muffled through the steel and stone, his sound enhancing tool destroyed from the impacts that had gone through him. She went into a defensive azarinth stance as the massive being descended unto her. A slew of punches slammed into her, Ilea’s body pushed back with each impact, the being finally grabbing around her entire torso before he threw her down into the ground.

She impacted the stone arena four times before she turned in the air and slid to a stop, not a bit of blood on her. Granted, the strikes had done some damage, but most of her enemies managed to injure her in one form or the other. What they couldn’t do was put her down permanently, and by now she doubted the dwarven Champion would come close.

I’ll let him try for a little longer, she thought. For the fans. She watched the crowd behind the barrier and smiled, Helwart rushing her with heavy steps, his speed increasing with each impact of his stone boots. A glance behind her revealed the close stands, people already clearing the area with the trajectory of the coming attack. Smart folks. Probably not the first time this has happened.

Ilea stood and waited, her weight increased and her health topped off once more. Her armor was the only thing that lagged behind in recovery, but she hadn’t used it in a while anyway. Wyrm one is next if he manages to fully destroy this one. Shame I can’t just use my ash to shield my decency.

Her eyes opened wide when the dwarven juggernaut came at her with a charged up kick. His reinforced steel and stone covered shin impacted her chest in a direct strike, much of his defense shattering in the process, his leg rebounded from the impact as if he had kicked a pole of steel planted in the ground.

Ilea was sent flying, her reinforced body crashing into the side wall of the arena, stone shattering around her as the barrier flickered above. She started clawing her way out when the dwarf reached her and slammed her back inside with a punch. He didn’t stop his attacks until the whole side of the arena had been turned to rubble, some of the stands falling down and joining the same fate.

Her head and body shook and twitched as the stone slabs hammered her into the now magically enhanced ground. It didn’t give as easily anymore, the force evenly distributed between his arms, her form, and the stone. A ringing started in her ears when he managed to blow out her hearing, some of her internal organs injured by the continued abuse. Her left eye burst after a set of strikes against her head.

Helwart’s started breathing heavily before he grabbed onto her comparatively small form and threw her back inside the arena.

She hit the ground and slammed her hand into the stone, sliding to a stop with a furrow left behind. Her bone armor was replaced by a set of simple leather armor. This really IS annoying without my Mantle.

“Done then, Mr. Champion?” she asked, blood flowing from her burst eye and her ears. The bruises on her arms remained as well, all quickly healing with her natural regeneration alone. She started decreasing her weight again, neither the regeneration nor her heat generation required for the fight. Her sight returned to normal when the dwarf had walked a few steps. He seemed to waver slightly, finally going down to one knee.

“Fought four marks less tough than ye,” he sent back.

She walked towards him as the crowd was silenced, hushed murmurs going through the Forged Dome as their eyes focused on the human.

Ilea stopped a few meters in front of him. “I’ve killed four marks less tough than you.”

He puffed. “A bittersweet compliment, Lilith,” the dwarf said and stood up, both arms raised. “Now let us finish this.”

“Gladly,” Ilea mused, her weight already reduced considerably. She met his attacks with her own punches, stone debris sent flying. A dodge let her avoid the arm grabbing for her, a kick to his right leg leaving the metal below exposed. Four more kicks left the thing unusable. She stepped around his back and sent a dozen strikes into the stone, each punch aimed to the side in an effort to destroy the stone more so than his spine deep below.

The large machine collapsed in front of her right when she started to wonder how to get him out without using her magic. A quick check with her healing revealed that he was unconscious, half of his organs destroyed and slowly regenerating. That works I suppose, she thought and stabilized him, walking on top of the downed giant in the process.

The crowd remained silent until she raised her fist, the barrier going down and a roar of cheers exploding from the stands.

She jumped off a moment later when the machine below started moving again. “Oof… aven’t been pummeled like that for years…” Helwart murmured as the stone around his steel feel away. Much of his war machine below looked battered, both his legs bent the other way.

“Enjoy yourself?” Ilea asked, her arms crossed as she watched him sit up.

He bent forward and tried to put his legs back into place but failed to move the metal. Instead he replaced his battered machine with a new one. It was smaller and looked considerably more expensive, the same orange visible in a few places. “That I did,” he said and laughed. “Normally can only let loose as much with monsters.”

She smiled. “So I’m the Champion of the Pit now? I wonder what kind of changes I’ll bring to the place.”

“Aye, I ye want the responsibility. Gonna be a tough one convincin the blockheads of a human leader. If yer human at all,” he said.

“Nah, I’m good. You’re doing an alright job, I suppose. And yes, I’m human, despite considerable rumors and evidence to the contrary.”

He laughed again. “Artifact is yours. I’ll have it brought back here while you celebrate,” he said.

“I think I’m good on that. Not particularly interested in the attention of a thousand sweaty dwarves,” she said.

“Hmm. Well then come with me,” he said and started towards the stands.

“I’ll wait outside,” Ilea said. “I’ll get the key and find you again later,” she sent to Verena and Bralin before she teleported into then past the celebrating crowd.

She waited up on the ledge of the pit, watching the massive cannons all around. Are they gonna make small action figures of me now? The one human to beat their Champion in a full on brawl. Impressive how much damage he managed to deal for his level. A chunk more sustain and regeneration and he’s going to be beating down four marks with ease. Healing Class for his third or something would do the trick.

Then again most of the creatures I’ve killed seemed pretty resistant against physical damage but maybe he could compensate with that mace of his. Blades on that managed to cut even me.

Helwart flew up with his entourage behind.

She got up and joined them, ignoring the remarks and questions of the others. Each with their own agenda it seems. “I won’t get involved with any of this,” she sent to the main dwarf.

“She’s not interested,” Helwart said and chuckled. “Leave us be, fuck off. Kerron you stay, believe you’ve got something in your vault that she wants.”

Chapter 703 Ripples in Space

Chapter 703 Ripples in Space

The dwarf Kerron agreed to lead them to his vault after considerable whining and complaints. He would receive compensation for the artifact from the Pit itself but it remained apparent that he didn’t want to part with the key.

“Why do you want it anyway?” he asked when he returned from the vault, Ilea and Helwart waiting in the large entrance hall of the dark blue steel mansion.

“I like collecting shiny things,” Ilea said and received the piece.

[The Iron Key – Ancient Quality]

Seven down and I still haven’t been to Iz, she thought with a smile.

“Taleen that one, one of me ancestors passed it down. Only thing she said was to never give it away,” Kerron said.

Ilea looked at him and made the artifact vanish. “Pretty easily convinced then,” she mused.

He waved her off. “You beat Helwart, hardly anywhere with whom it would be safer. Just hope you know what yer doin.”

“Mostly,” Ilea reassured him.

Helwart laughed and turned to leave. “Aye, gotta go make sure there’s no civil war in your name. See ya around,” he added with a wave of his armored hand.

“Let me know if I can help,” Ilea said. “I’ll be off then too, thanks Kerron.”

“I’m open to discu-”

She vanished, not particularly interested in whatever machinations he had in store for her. Whelp, now pretty much everyone here knows how I look like. Even if they didn’t make the connection between me and the flying fire being, they’d still be annoying anyway.

“I’ll be down near the Soul Forge,” she sent to Verena through her mark as she found a dark alley between highly enchanted buildings. She activated her third tier transfer and vanished, appearing a moment later in front of the massive cube.

Aki reacted instantly, taking aim with an arm cannon before he realized it was her. Owl didn’t notice her at all, the Lich floating through a section of heated luminescent water with glowing purple eyes.

“Tournament concluded already?” Iana asked when she noticed her.

“Yeah. The Champion challenged me after my fight. And I won the key,” Ilea answered as she spread her wings, the feeling incredibly freeing after hiding them away for a few hours. She dissolved her ash copies and floated down to join Owl. “Let me know if I can help with anything, otherwise don’t let me bother you. Take as much time as you need.”

She activated her mantle and stored the leather armor, her ash much more comfortable than most of her clothes. The water felt nice but not quite hot enough for her tastes. “Mind if I heat it up a little more?”

The Lich looked at her, the purple line where her mouth would be moving into a smile. “Ilea. Welcome back. This sensation is… strange,” she said and moved her hand through the water. There was some resistance but not quite as much as a human body produced. “I do not mind heat.”

“Good,” Ilea mused and started forming lava below her. She added some ice to make sure the natural pool wouldn’t fully evaporate. “How does the water feel for you?” she asked, her mantle remaining only as a bathing suit.

Owl cupped her hands together and raised them up, the water flowing through her ethereal form before it fell back to the pool. “Exciting,” she said and sat down a few meters away.

It took a moment for Ilea to differentiate the frameworks, both Owl’s form and the water itself flowing into each other to an extent. It was easier to see the difference with her magic perception than with her space awareness. “Still got a lot to figure out about your new form.”

The Lich giggled. “Yes! Though I think it’s not that different from my last one but the others never really offered to teach me anything. Pain tried a few times but he didn’t know much himself either.”

Ilea checked the few messages from the Dome escapades as she leaned back and enjoyed the building heat, the red glow of lava mixing in with the luminescent blue water, steam rising from their pool.

Not a single Class skill level. Ah well, not like I was in any danger during those fights.

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 3’

Hmm, at least some general skill levels I suppose.

She turned her head slightly and opened one eye towards the massive undead being. “How did you handle it? Being in the city of glass for what, thousands of years?”

“Hmm,” Owl mused, raising a finger to her mouth, water slowly flowing out of her arm. “You know… more has happened in the past days than in the last few centuries. I think… without… without sleep, food, some kind of routine, time quickly loses its meaning. I meditated a lot or just… floated around, tried to teach monsters to get through my section of the dungeon.”

“Meditation must’ve helped,” Ilea said. “I guess my healing would keep me sane too, if I got stuck somewhere for a few centuries.”

“I didn’t even get lonely. It just… didn’t matter? I know… humans have needs, expectations, dreams. But me? I’m just… undead. It’s nice to have more things to do though, and to learn. Like there’s more of a purpose than to simply exist,” she said with a smile.

“Aw. Kinda want to give you a hug now,” Ilea said.

The color of the ethereal lich turned a little darker, her eyes glimmering. “I… uhm. Sure, if. If you want to do that.”

Ilea looked at the fidgeting hands of the four mark being and sat back up, her eyes open. “Are you… wait. I thought you didn’t have any needs anymore?”

The Lich looked away. “Rude,” she murmured and sunk a little deeper into the water. “I know. You’re right… it just… felt… I don’t know.”

“Sorry, didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. Always up for that hug whenever you want one,” Ilea said.

“Thanks,” the Lich replied.

The two of them relaxed in the pool for nearly an hour, Ilea suggesting some resistance training afterwards.

Bralin and the Elders joined them a few hours later, the dwarf anxious to get away from the Pit for a little while due to the insane winnings from his betting. The fact that he could hide in the domain of the Meadow provided additional joy as none of the assassins sent to get him would manage to get even close. And by the time he would return, the whole thing should’ve been blown over. Or so he claimed.

Ilea received her share of the winnings. Not quite the seven thousand gold coins she would’ve won but three instead. In addition to a whole stack of ancient documents now stating that she was the owner of one or the other establishment or piece of land in the Pit. More things for Claire to go through, and another economic outpost established in a faraway settlement.

The enchanters finished their preparations after another eight hours, faster than expected due to the help of Twin, the Fae more focused on actual support than on making eyes explode.

“Ilea, Owl, we would be ready,” Iana said finally.

“Sure? You can take your time if you have to,” Ilea mused, flying in the air with Aki and Owl nearby.

“We went over everything seven times. If it still fails, it fails,” she answered.

“Optimistic,” Ilea said. “Chance of everything exploding?”

The enchantress smiled. “Always.”

“Wonderful,” Ilea replied and covered both Iana and Chris with a layer of her mantle, just in case. “Maybe some distance then. You said I just have to push mana into it?”

“Yes, with a punch of space magic,” Iana replied. “Owl and Aki will be providing the major part of the magic, and Twin offered to channel it so that we don’t have to explain the details to the three of you.”

“Nice of her,” Ilea mused, looking at the Fae that appeared on her left shoulder. “Thanks for the help.”

Enjoyable

Project

The being seemed pleased, albeit slightly exhausted.

“Sure you’re up for the channeling job? Worst pain I’ve ever experienced was related to something like that,” Ilea said, shuddering lightly when she remembered the deep layer in the Descent. She used her healing on the Fae.

Appreciate, she sent, drooping down a little on the shoulder as a small bed of ash formed.

“Take your time,” Ilea replied.

The Fae was ready a few minutes later, taking its position at an extension of the massive magic circle built around the Soul Forge.

The three high level beings followed the enchanters’ instructions and started channeling their mana into the prepared sections on the ground, all flowing past where the Fae floated.

Ilea kept her healing active, the Fae grateful for the support as the circle slowly filled with power.

Not even close to what the Meadow made on its own, Ilea observed.

The whole thing flared to life when a threshold was reached, magic spreading through the vicinity as the whole cube was enshrouded in wisps. It was, then wasn’t, a loud sucking noise resounding as the air filled in the empty space, white glowing runes on the ground the only suggestion of a spell having taken place. An empty triangular indent in the stone marked where the Soul Forged had once been.

Iana and Christopher walked past and started erasing the runes, Bralin raising the ground to get rid of the last bit of evidence.

“Impressive,” Ilea sent to the group.

“We don’t know if it worked yet,” Iana said.

I could ask the Meadow… ah, probably not yet. “We’ll find out soon,” she said instead.

The sight of the spell had been quite, underwhelming. Compared to what she had seen in Erendar, or just in her bout with the Meadow, it felt like a manageable spell. Four mark level, sure, but nothing too flashy. “How much could we theoretically move with this circle?”

Iana glanced up at her, finished with her side of the circle. “What do you have in mind? Moving people will be problematic. They’d be ripped apart by the forces, why the gates are as useful as they are.”

“Nothing yet. Just as a future option, I suppose,” Ilea replied.

“The spell is theoretically not limited in scope. The required energy grows exponentially however, and a large chunk of this one here was supplied by the Meadow. Both sides require near perfect execution,” the woman explained.

“I see. So you’re saying we could move entire cities,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Not with the mana you three can provide,” Iana said.

Not with the mana we can provide right now, Ilea thought. She let them finish their work before she gathered everyone around herself, Fae back on her shoulder, nestled in a blanket of ash.

“Buckle up, children,” she said and activated transfer.

Power gathered before the fabric shifted, the group appearing in the domain of the Meadow.

Ilea smiled and started clapping her hands, seeing the familiar sight of the Soul Forge perfectly set into the prepared section of stone. “You do not cease to impress, old friend.”

“With age comes wisdom,” the being replied. “For most.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I have nearly two thousand of that,” Ilea mused.

“It multiplies your base, Ilea. I’m afraid zero times two thousand brings you to the same result,” it answered.

“Already furbished?” Verena asked.

“Indeed, though my distribution may not perfectly mimic what it has been before,” the Meadow spoke.

The enchanters had already vanished into the ancient facility, with Shades in tow.

Bralin joined with Goliath, returning to whatever projects they had started.

“I think I’ll enjoy the hearth for a little while longer,” Verena said, Twin appearing on her shoulder after she finished.

“Look who’s got a Faen friend,” Ilea mused. The next Valkyrie? Who knows, she thought with a smile. “You’re keeping an eye on all the tech, right?”

“Of course, Ilea. All these gifts you have brought me to take over this realm. You will be my most feared Queen,” the Meadow spoke.

She sighed. “I don’t think you’d need any of that fancy tech. A few centuries and you’ll have enough of a following to do the work for you.”

“Don’t scare me with nightmares like that,” it said. “Got your key?”

“Yes. Still five to go. What time is it?” she asked.

The Meadow pulled on her with space magic, Ilea deactivating her resistance before she appeared in the northern lands, covered in lakes of mist, the moon obscured by clouds, non arcane charged ones for once. She looked at the cracks in the land, mist moving through as if rivers.

“I sometimes forget just how pretty it is,” she mused.

“Quite a sight. And so very full of life,” the Meadow spoke, the two remaining silent for a few minutes. The tree had of course remained down in its domain but its presence could be felt to those who knew what to look for.

Ilea returned with the help of the Meadow. “Guess we can train a little more until the morning.”

“Where do you plan to go?” it asked.

“Ravenhall. A normal breakfast would be nice. Any clue when the meeting between the different councils is planned? The gates are operational already, right?” she asked.

“They are indeed. Catelyn says five days from now would be an option, but they’d require confirmation from the council of Ravenhall. She informs me that your presence in the meeting is more than welcome,” it said.

“Council meeting with Hallowfort. In Five days? Will return tomorrow,” Ilea sent to Claire. “I’ll be here. Least I can do is see Dagon’s face when he sets his eyes on you. Can’t have any Elves here though if Sulivhaan comes as well.”

“Feyrair has yet to return,” the being spoke.

“I know, he’s at the same place. Deeper underground though,” Ilea mused. “Just tell them to stay away while the Ravenhall people are here. Most humans in the plains prefer to stay far away from Elves.”

“I’m aware of the history, though I’m sure adequate information in regards to the Cerithil Hunters would convince most reasonable state leaders,” the Meadow said.

Ilea shrugged. “Maybe. No reason to risk it here though. I want this thing to work out.”

The Meadow welcomed her with a series of wooden stakes, a barrier thrumming to life around them. “I’m sure it will,” the being spoke, punching through her defenses with moderate ease. “You know them well, and they trust you. Even Elana. And she doesn’t even trust me.”

“Of course she doesn’t,” Ilea sent, her body regenerating the damage as her fires spread all around.

“The anti divination and space magic enchantments she set up around her secret office are quire adorable. As is her plan to deal with me in case I turn out to be a danger to the people of Hallowfort,” it said.

Ilea would’ve raised a brow if she had a face at the moment, which she did not. “You could talk to her, you know.”

“She likes to be in control of her surroundings. Knowledge of my intrusion would push her away from my domain, which would make me unable to protect her in case of an attack,” the Meadow said.

“Gotta protect those foolish humans from themselves. Best to just lock them all in small stone cells,” she mused.

“Exactly,” the Meadow answered and did just that with her, a bright explosion of heat and white fire breaking through the small box. “The Feynor and the armies of the Dark Protector have reduced their activity in the area. Spies employed by the Council have tracked some of their movement but it seems they deem Hallowfort untouchable for the time being.”

“I didn’t expect anything less from the highest level seed brought in from another realm,” Ilea said.

The tree sent a sad emotion. “Is that all I am to you? The seed of a plant?”

“Space plant,” Ilea corrected as her body was slowly ripped apart, her flesh fighting to stay together until Primordial Shift activated and forced a connection once more.

“Five days works. Looking forward to your visit. Dancing lessons,” Claire sent back after a while.

“Just got the confirmation from Claire,” Ilea said as she flew circles in the massive barrier, dodging stones and spears whilst resisting the ever growing pressure from the fabric itself.

Did Helwart feel the same way when he fought me? she wondered, the Meadow giving her every advantage it could and she still felt incredibly outmatched. Hmm… probably not. Don’t think he really understood what he was up against, she thought, looking at the god like being all around her with her enhanced space manipulation. Only her meditation and rational mind kept her from running away at the unfathomable sights. She had thought she was getting more comfortable with what she perceived of her friend but every time she figured something out, new layers seemed to pop up.

Ilea did wonder if the Meadow was just messing with her, but a primal part deep within her knew it was her very own mind that sought to protect her sanity. Too much revealed in too little time may prove dangerous, but she would keep her conscious efforts up, and not just for the potential levels in Fear Resistance. It just felt right to try and see it.

“Maybe we could add some more buildings to the area, if you’re okay with that. An area below maybe? For adventurers, merchants, and others who would like to visit the north. With you as some kind of buffer in between,” she suggested after a while.

“The Council of Hallowfort has specific plans set up already. Those options are part of it. I also informed them that your Sentinels will be free to travel into and through my central domain,” the Meadow said.

“No complaints?” Ilea asked.

“Healers are welcome. You have left more than just a good impression on the peoples of Hallowfort, hero of the Descent,” it said, a metric fuck ton of reinforced stone crashing into her flying form.

Chapter 704 Brunch

Chapter 704 Brunch

Ilea appeared in her home at noon on the next day. A cool breeze came in from the balcony door when she opened it with her space manipulation. She smiled and walked out, seeing the signs of exposure on the stone floor. A quick cleanse from her ash returned the platform to its former glory, perhaps even a bit of it sanded off. Or ashed off in this case.

The skies were clear, far into the eastern ocean. She rested her elbows on the railings and checked the few messages from her training.

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

She put her remaining fifteen stat points into vitality and summoned herself a meal. When’s the last time I slept? the thought came to her when she saw her bed and bookshelves up in her room. She’s barely been here in months. In a way the Meadow’s domain felt more like home than this place did at this point. The initial idea of the house was supposed to be a quiet retreat near the ocean. It still was that but with her power and abilities, Ilea could pretty much experience the same calm in the middle of an arcane storm. Granted the loud impacts would be slightly annoying.

Just too much stuff to do. But I’ll get some sleep again soon, she said to herself, not quite believing the words as she enjoyed the food. Sleeping had always been such a joy, she wouldn’t have thought herself capable of sidelining the important hobby for anything. But here she was, training resistances with three and four marks instead. Like I’m some kind of pro kick-boxer. Ah well, I did get those hot spring baths in the last few days, and the tournament was somewhat enjoyable. Should probably move the library into the Soul Forge though, then I can take breaks in front of a hearth instead of half a continent away.

She blinked up into her bedroom and spread out her ash, storing every book inside her domain. Now it looks downright abandoned, she thought, looking at the sight. Kind of surprising that nobody ever broke in so far. Not like it’s too far away from Ravenhall. A quick flight. She raised her brows, realizing that not everyone had wings or her flight speed. Let alone the fact that most humans didn’t just go into the wilderness. Adventurers only, and they would more likely understand not to fuck with someone who had their house in this location.

Not like there’s a lot of treasure anyway. Maybe I should design a dungeon or something. Or take one over as the monster at the end of it. Hmm, not really my style. And the people who’d break in would be pitifully weak.

Fighting incomprehensible creatures in other realms still appealed way more to her than such a stationary thing. She considered it as a potential retirement plan in a few thousand years. Ilea appeared above her home and spread her wings, quickly checking the cats in the nearby cavern. All grown up now.

She couldn’t see all of them either. Moved out, definitely. Into a nice cave a few miles away. Her ashen wings moved, the slightly cindered form shot up towards the cliff’s edge. It was a little late for breakfast, but she decided to get brunch instead. Somehow the lack of sleeping had to be compensated after all.

Ilea landed near the restaurant she liked to have breakfast in. The terrace was somewhat busy, not reserved for her alone when she was out of town. She waited a few seconds until two squads of Shadow Guards confronted her, two of them quickly confirming that she was in fact Lilith.

“Can you inform the Head Administrator that I’m having brunch over there?” she asked one of the mages that looked at her for a little longer than the others, her hand pointing at the establishment.

The woman’s eyes opened wide and she nodded immediately, bowing her head as her face turned red. She left with the others, her movements a little delayed.

Telepathy. So very useful. Three marks just confuses people, a higher level just makes them cocky. But get into someone’s head with your voice and the stories all suddenly ring true.

A few seconds later, she sat down at one of the small tables on the terrace. She chose a spot at one of the corners, the view of the mountain range quite enjoyable. Ilea wondered for a moment if she should teleport her brunch north to Scipio’s location but decided to remain. It would take several hours for the location in her house to be available again.

The waitress was new, Ilea’s casual clothes and Monstrous preventing her from seeming like some kind of three mark monster. A welcome detail, only marred slightly by the patrons that had seen her land, or even her short interaction with nine Shadowguards.

The woman made larger and larger eyes as the order went on and on, slowly nodding as she wrote everything down on a small notepad. She did a double take when she was done, looking at Ilea before she looked down at the notepad again. “Are you… excuse me… are you Lady Lilith?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“I thought you’d be… scarier,” the woman said with a slightly nervous smile. “Thanks for the work you provide.”

“I don’t provide any work. I just paid gold to someone at some point. Say thanks to whoever manages this place,” Ilea answered.

“I eh… will. Thanks, I’ll have your order here as fast as possible.”

“No rush. I’ve got time,” she answered and watched the woman rush off. Still weird. Not like I did anything other than find a shit ton of gold in some Taleen ruin.

She sighed and leaned back on the comfortable chair, ignoring the creaking noise of the steel as she subtly reinforced it with some ash.

Now that I see it… they replaced all the chairs. Her eyes squinted at nobody in particular. Must be a coincidence.

Claire stepped out from the stairwell and glanced around, her eyes falling on Ilea before she smiled. Her black hair was open for once, flowing slightly in the wind. She wore a neat black vest and loose black pants with a dozen hidden pockets. A few rings glinted in the sunlight before she vanished and appeared behind one of the chairs. “There you are,” she said and sat down, facing the sun.

“You sound downright elated,” Ilea mused. “Good news?”

Claire closed her eyes as she leaned back in the chair, a sigh leaving her before she opened her eyes. “Yes. I finally have a good reason to leave my office for a nice brunch and some sunlight.”

“Almost sounds like you’re blaming me for you being a workaholic,” Ilea said.

Claire waved her off. “Just been a while. Important work is important work. I’m delegating more and more, but with the…” she said and looked around. “Project. You know.”

Ilea established a telepathic connection. “This is probably safer,” she said.

“Useful. Yes. The materials for the teleportation circles are coming along nicely, as are the contracts, the pricing, personnel, and preparations near Ravenhall and in Morhill. Can’t wait to get this thing going. We’ll have to expand Morhill in no time. We predict it to become an even larger hub of adventurers than even Virilya,” she said when the tea arrived.

Not quite coffee, not quite like any tea Ilea had back on earth. Weird herb water instead of weird bean water. Can’t have everything, I suppose, she thought and sipped on it before she bit into a croissant. Keyla and Popi took her off hand comments very seriously, testing various creations based on her layman knowledge of cooking and baking. Some of their creations had apparently spread through the city already.

“It’ll be nice to have the gates around,” Ilea mused. Talking with a full mouth wasn’t an issue anymore either with telepathy, a benefit she hadn’t really considered before.

“Not like you need them. But even for the Shadow’s Hand it should increase our efficiency ten fold if not more,” Claire said.

“A ten times higher chance to die fighting,” Ilea said in a dry tone.

“Not with a Sentinel or five around,” Claire mused. “They’re coming along well. Your dealings with the various Healing Orders left an impression. Trian is sailing smoothly and the healers are progressing faster than perhaps even you,” she teased and sipped on her tea.

“Good. Maybe the cults will form around them instead of me,” she answered. “Got a potential new city for negotiations. The Pit, dwarven settlement in the north. I fought their de facto leader yesterday. He seemed very interested in joining a teleportation network. Lots of smithies, the whole town is downright covered in a mist of steel.

“Very helpful,” Claire said. “Production is the major point where we can’t compete with the existing kingdoms and the Empire. That and their numbers, but we both know how irrelevant that part is in reality.”

Ilea smiled and moved on to the next plate. “Got gold and a bunch of properties there as well. We kind of… abused their obsession with betting. Maybe don’t be too pushy about that stuff for a while,” she said and quickly moved all the papers and 2800 gold into her bracelet. She touched Claire’s hand before she allowed her to access the item.

“That’s… substantial. Wonderful,” the woman said with a grin before she summoned one of the contracts. Two seconds she looked at it before it vanished again. “Old, well written, marked with several magical seals and downright beautiful in design. Whatever this Pit is, I already like it.”

“You should somehow get your hands on their cannon defense system. Enough power to blast away even four marks,” Ilea mused, remembering the impact, her chest tightening up a little.

Claire raised her brows. “That sounds promising. Our defensive measures are getting better every month but if we don’t have the people to fight the threat directly, all it really does is delay it.”

“But you have me,” Ilea said, eating a bite of a sweet jam filled pastry.

“We can’t build our whole security around your existence. You don’t want to be a goddess, I believe,” she said.

“No, and I’m not quite as stationary as the Meadow. But Aki alone should probably be able to defend the town against most reasonable threats already. He got an upgrade.”

“He did now? Again? Well, it’s not like the Sentinels have a bad reputation, and we can ignore the few Shadows voicing their issues with the influence your organization has on the city,” Claire said.

“You’re perfectly unbiased,” Ilea joked.

“Why would I be unbiased? They’re idiots losing what little control they thought they had, decades ago. And you’re providing reasonable progress on every front. There’s a reason our cities in the south are still seeing a large influx of immigrants both trained and high level, as well as untrained or refugees. And the Shadowguard is gaining a lot of experience in turn. The crime levels remain lower than in most other cities that have actual documentation on these statistics. Plus I’m sure they adjust their numbers.”

Ilea refilled her cup from the steaming pot. “You sound more like an Empress every time we talk.”

Claire grinned and filled her plate. “I trust you to dethrone me if the power corrupts me to that extent. Not that I could add more work onto my table as it is. I’m taking a week off after the gates are established. Maybe visit the North you’ve talked about so much.”

“Sure. You can probably get an office in the Soul Forge too,” Ilea said, receiving a questioning glance. A few minutes later, she had told the sad story of Khan Joggoth and what finally happened to his research facility.

“And you call me a workaholic with people like Iana and Christopher in your employ,” Claire said.

“Just because there are people worse than you doesn’t mean you’re fine,” Ilea said. “Maybe you could take a month off, work on other projects and ideas if you have any. Would be a good way to test if Ravenhall can handle all the work in case you get killed by some renegade Greater Lich.”

“You say that like it’s a distinct possibility,” Claire answered. “But it might be a good idea. After the gates. There are places I wish to visit, people I wish to talk to, all over the Plains. And beyond,” she said.

“Good,” Ilea said and checked the marks on Kyrian and Trian, both somewhere in the mountain range about forty kilometers to the southwest. Training mission, she assumed. “How are things otherwise? Elven attacks? Taleen incursions? Wars?”

“Calm. Some smaller conflicts in Baralia but that was to be expected. Empire is doing good work preventing them from setting up a coordinated force. The high level of independence most cities enjoy helps of course, but a large chunk of their labor is gone. Lots of crime. I hear many of the Sentinels are making a name for themselves there. What’s his name, Gael? Already a local hero. Not quite like the mythical Lilith but perhaps more personal. Graspable,” Claire said with a smile. “Relations with Kroll have continued steadily, though they’re more hesitant with their agreements than Lys. Understandable considering their resources and position. And well, you haven’t exactly shown your power to the Empress in a direct manner like you did with Emmanuel Eilhart.”

“Shouldn’t that make him more willing to cooperate?” Ilea asked.

“Not necessarily. He has to consider nobility. After your display, he has to make sure those under him believe him still in a position of power. If they act too fast or are too courteous in their negotiations, it will seem like they’re not in control. Which in turn would lead to unrest both in their nobility and peoples. But it’s clear they respect our power, more so even than Lys. Even though Lys has more of an idea of our overall capabilities,” Claire explained.

“They just see the benefits I suppose. Velamyr should trust me to an extent, and Felicia obviously, though I don’t know how much influence they would have on the Empress,” Ilea said.

“Plenty. She is known to listen to the right people at the right time. With no invitation for you or the Council to visit Virilya, she must have more than enough trusted information on everyone involved,” Claire said.

“Easy enough to acquire,” Ilea answered.

“I have an inkling that the Lily has a part to play in that as well. Helena takes you very seriously. As a potential threat that is, I’m unsure as to her more personal opinions,” she said.

“You think the Empress is part of them too?” Ilea asked.

Claire sipped from her tea and ate another bite. “We don’t know. I’m sure she tolerates them. Just like other empires and monarchies do.”

Ilea remained quiet for a while. The situation in the plains seemed to have stabilized somewhat, with King Baron gone. She noticed that most of the people around them had left by now, no new patrons joining them on the terrace. A waiter stood at the bottom of the stairs. More curious than that was the cloaked figure standing in an alleyway nearby, well hidden sound magic coming from the man. “How have you been?” she asked. Claire had leveled twice since she had last seen her.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Ilea. I enjoy the work on most days, and when I don’t, I love it,” she said with a grin. “We’re just different, you and I. Trian makes me keep the training schedule up, he’s been more pushy lately. Which is good. I tend to find solutions to problems I’ve been stuck on for days after I come back from a bit of fighting.”

“A bit of balance goes a long way,” Ilea mused. “Cloaked figure using sound magic to listen in on us with you by the way?”

Claire didn’t react visibly. “No. But we’ve been seeing more spies from pretty much all around the plains.”

“Mind if I play with him a little? Or would that constitute an international incident?” Ilea asked.

“Sure you’re not some monstrosity yet? I’d prefer to have him interrogated by the Shadowguard. If you can refrain from killing him,” Claire answered.

“I think I’ll manage. I hope you’re not talking about torture when you say interrogate?” she said.

“We know your stance on the matter. And others in the council agree with you. Imprisonment and simple talks can lead to a lot already. Torture will often simply make them to say what you want to hear. Ravenhall has the resources to make arrangements with talented high level individuals like that man surely is. They’re often working for more than one side,” she said and paused. “Non stationary information brokers, with a flair for danger. Are you sure this conversation cannot be heard by anyone?”

“Hmm… never actually asked that question. It’s a direct low level mind magic connection. I think I would notice if someone tried to connect to it. I’ve experienced some incredibly subtle mind magic, from creatures far beyond what most humans should be able to do,” she answered. “You mentioned dancing earlier.”

“Indeed. But it’s a bit early, and I’ll have to digest this brunch,” Claire said. “Sundown?”

“That sounds wonderful, yes,” Ilea answered. She looked down towards the man and smiled. His form vanished instantly. “I’ll be there,” she sent and filled herself a plate, leaving a few silver pieces on the table before she jumped down and followed the dissipating line through the fabric itself.

Chapter 705 Spy

Chapter 705 Spy

“Thanks for the time,” she sent to Claire, the woman gone from the terrace as well.

“Thanks for the food. I should eat more often,” Claire replied, her mark moving towards her office.

Could hunt this guy, or go visit the boys. Ah, I’ll let them have their fun. I’m sure they’re very impressive to the Sentinels with them.

She didn’t care much about the spy but it was just plain rude to try and listen in on a conversation between friends.

Eternal Huntress wasn’t the most potent tracking spell but Ilea managed, mostly thanks to her space awareness and broad spherical magic perception. It was just another puzzle, this time against a mind much less developed than that of the Meadow. Admittedly, the latter did dumb it down enough for her primate brain to understand. And here she had to find a single man inside of a city full of people. People, magic, enchantments, smells, and sounds. With her ordinary senses, even enhanced, she would’ve already lost him. Teleportation was just too good of a tool to make a quick escape, and so widely available.

To deal with it, one required something rare and powerful like space magic. It just so happened that Ilea was one of the few high level space mages around. At least she thought as much, the possibility of perfectly hidden space mages watching everything from some hidden pocket in the fabric an option she neither thought likely nor entirely implausible.

There were various lines in the fabric but only one that continued with a hint of sound magic. An aura perhaps. She followed and found herself on a busy market. More lines were visible here but nothing recent. Ilea appeared on top of a nearby house overlooking the square, plate in hand. She took a bite and watched over the busy area. Hiding stationary or in plain sight?

She teleported down and through the crowd until she found him in her dominion. His hood was gone and his clothes had been replaced by a set of worn plate armor, a helmet now covering most of his head. Same height, same calm movements.

There were a few other possible options but he felt like the one. When she moved closer, Eternal Huntress confirmed her suspicions. Same scent. And now I had a close look, she thought with a slight smile. His gait was the most prominent thing she noticed with her highly enhanced perception. And he nearly got away. Out of the five people she had noted among the hundreds around her, he had been the one not producing any magical effects. Someone trying to stay hidden.

That changed when he reached the other side of the market, another teleport moving him away.

Ilea simply latched on, herself appearing next to a wall at the proportional distance. She latched on to the next six teleports as well, seeing his clothes change with every move. He’s really going all out. I mean you really should, if you have the balls to spy on Lilith. Probably would’ve learned more if he had just sat down and struck up a conversation.

The man continued onward and entered a building. He greeted a kid playing with a wooden toy on the stone stairwell before he entered a small apartment on the second floor.

Ilea waited for him inside, gaze out through the window.

“And who might you be?” the man asked in a calm tone.

She could hear his heartbeat waver ever so slightly. Experienced, but even he hadn’t expected her to follow so easily.

“Lilith,” she said, a wave of monster hunter going through the vicinity. A grin spread on her face when she noticed his body did not freeze.

[Scythe Master – lvl 228]

A scythe master… not just a flair for danger but also one for the dramatic. Smart I guess, to keep your spy related class as the lower leveled one.

“The savior of Ravenhall. You must’ve seen me watching,” he said with a smile, taking off his hat as he closed the door.

“You weren’t particularly subtle,” she said, turning around to look at him.

Slight stubble, black eyes, black hair, muscular build. Nothing out of the ordinary, in any way. He could pass as a Shadow, a random adventurer, an officer of one army or the other.

“Are you a distraction of sorts?” Ilea asked, checking the marks nearby. Weird though, how would he have known I came back today.

“A distraction? No. I’ve been waiting near that terrace for a few months already. Been talking to people, looking for anything about you. Your alias isn’t exactly the most subtle, Ilea Spears,” he said.

“Should I be impressed?” Ilea asked. The benefits of an alias were good in a general sense but she had made it up on a whim, not to hide from powerful people looking for her. She had hardly been known by anyone just a few years ago.

He smiled and summoned himself a bottle half full of a light brown liquid. The man poured himself a glass that stood on the small wooden table, the only piece of furniture in the room besides the simple bed. “I had hoped for a little, I suppose.”

“Look, I’ll be honest. I just followed you because it seemed a little more interesting than the alternatives,” she said.

“A blow harder than any punch,” he said and sipped from the drink.

“But I’m less sure of that with every word you speak. Who do you work for?” she asked.

“I’ve been looking for an employer. But my previous one spent a lot of gold to make that quite difficult. So I came here. To the mystery called Lilith, the woman so untouchable, even the Heavenly Sweets seem to fear her,” he said and drank from his whiskey.

“So you waited for months to what… get a job interview?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t do job interviews. I talk to people. And if I’m interested, I offer my services,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “I see. And why should I be interested in you?”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re part of the council. As is your good friend and former team member, Claire. Dagon and Elise… they know a lot, but they’re librarians first. Sulivhaan is a paranoid old fuck. A smart one at that but he… can lose sight of the bigger picture. This city has gold, technology, the Shadow’s Hand, your Sentinels, defenses that could withstand the combined efforts of Lys’ military divisions and generals. What you lack is information. You have what you buy, and what is available to those who dig a little deeper, what you need is people like me, people who tell you who’s a threat before they even think of becoming one in the first place.”

“You want to spy for me? I’m not exactly paranoid but you’re not the most trustworthy person I’ve ever come across,” she mused.

He smiled. “No. Of course not. I want out. I’m tired… of running, of hiding,” he said and sat down. “This city. There’s an energy here, like nothing I have seen before. Hope. Perspective. Maybe I was infected during my stay. Refugees from all over the godsdamned plains. I don’t know why. Because the people who lived here were wiped out by demons? The Shadows? Or because of you?” he shook his head and paused. “I can teach your people what I know. I can teach them what I do. And in return I want to be paid, I want a place to stay, and I want those fuckers to know that if they kill me, they’ll have you on their asses.” He finished with a grin, downing another glass of liquor.

“And who would that be?” Ilea asked.

“Nipha. One of the more influential families there but I suppose Nipha would accurately describe my previous employer,” he said.

“Hmm. I don’t really care about Nipha. How important are you exactly? Would they start a war to kill you?” she asked.

“A war? No. I would be long dead if that was the case. Assassins usually. They might even try to buy me back, claiming whatever they would to convince you,” he said.

Ilea sighed. “Yeah, so either way I don’t know if I can trust what you’re saying. And I really don’t feel like spending days to figure you out,” she said and tapped her lip. Contacting Verena is still on cooldown. She focused on the Meadow instead. “Ask Verena and Pierce to come to Ravenhall. Need assistance.”

“It was worth a try,” he said. “City’s better than most others already. Affordable housing and food, thanks to you I hear, or was it the Head Administrator who championed for such measures? Miles better than whatever the previous Elders did with the town. But they had Adam Strand, which would’ve made me irrelevant. Now that he’s gone, the position seems vacant.”

“He was the spy master around here?” Ilea asked, thinking back to the man she briefly fought in the Great Salt. Kohr as it was.

“That he was. And he was good. Large part of the Hand’s reputation, at least in the last four decades. Brute force was always there too of course, Berserker mostly, but the Shadows would’ve long lost their pseudo independence without the efforts of Strand. Funny in a way, that you managed what he failed to do for so many years, but who knows, maybe that was part of his plan as well,” he said with a chuckle.

Ilea raised a brow.

“I’m joking. Nobody could’ve predicted you. Lilith. Shot up out of nowhere. Battle healer, indestructible, a hundred levels stronger with each story, more ludicrous feats added to her name with every song. At the right place, at the right time. Almost makes me take the people seriously who claim you’re some kind of god,” he said.

“What do you think I am?” Ilea asked, seeing the mark of Verena appear a few kilometers outside the city.

“I haven’t made up my mind. Many options are gone after this talk. What I know is that you care for the people here, that the Sentinels seem a genuine effort to provide the world with healers. Your actions in Baralia confirm that, though war is chaotic and I tend not to trust even the better sources. I don’t think you’re a god. What I think you are however, is not form this realm.”

Ilea smiled ever so slightly. “How come you think that?”

“Nobody just springs into existence. Even the least important peasant in the history of man was known by someone, left some traces of their existence. Traces that might vanish in time, but twenty years and more? Not a single soul knowing you? A level thirty healer that is found by a guard Captain of Riverwatch, panicked by the reality of battle. And less than five years later she’s supposedly a triple mark human, a very exclusive club. Elusive to the point where even I question their existence. So you’re either not human at all, or you’re not from this place. I don’t know what it is, but all traces and stories I’ve come across speaking of people from other realms show them shining bright with knowledge, strange magic, or technology that changed entire nations, none of course who would admit to such,” he said.

“You think that’s true? That there are people from other realms with strange magic?” Ilea asked.

“I don’t think it’s true, I know it is. Cless goes to various Classes with the Shadowguard and even some with the Shadows. William does his best but she remains a child. What she can do with her divination. It’s far beyond anything I’ve encountered. Both at her age and at her level,” he said.

“I don’t like you creeping on a kid,” Ilea said.

“I took Classes. I’m technically a shadowguard in training. And I talk to people, and I listen. And even if you don’t believe me, Cless is safe enough. A spy from Lys was killed trying to apprehend her a few months ago. I don’t know who protects her but they’re more than capable. But herein lies the problem. Ravenhall knows how to protect and intimidate, but your people don’t even know which country sent that spy and how she found out about Cless,” he said.

“So you think I’m some special realm traveler?” Ilea asked.

“I think you’re from another realm. Do I think you’re special? Maybe. The magic you wielded back in Riverwatch and Dawntree was certainly unorthodox but not unheard of. The Foundation has records on various mana intrusion healing from ages past. The Veliran, Alrumen, Azarinth, Percunir, to name a few. You’re very easy to read, Ilea. Maybe cover yourself in that ash armor when you talk to someone that might sell your secrets to people who could exploit them. There are ways to hurt you besides physical injury, which at this point I think rather impossible for humans,” he said. “Maybe you were lucky, maybe where you’re from, people wield magic previously brought to our realm. Whatever it was, you survived, and now you’re here. I believe we may have mutual interests.”

“Is there anything you don’t know?” she asked, genuinely impressed by now. He had done his research.

He smiled. “I don’t know if you joined the Golden Lily. I don’t know where you vanish to for extended periods of time. I don’t know what you plan to do with all the metals that are being bought up throughout the plains. There’s plenty I don’t know, but I can’t be everywhere at once. For that you need more people, and so far you have none.”

“Alright. You’re impressive, I admit it. I don’t think anyone has known as much about me without being a trusted friend. But that’s where we have a problem. I don’t know you. So I’ll have a few friends talk to you. They’re a little more experienced when it comes to people, or so I hope,” she said.

The man poured himself another bottle. “If you want me to talk to people, I will talk. And know that now, I’m interested in the job. If you are too.”

“What’s your name anyway?” Ilea asked.

“Friends call me Wayland,” he said. “No many of those left.”

Yes. We get it, Ilea thought and gestured him to wait. She teleported out and moved through the city, finding the two Elders already in the third ring. “Hey,” she greeted from a side alley.

“What’s so important?” Pierce asked. “I was just about to make a killing betting against the Meadow.”

Ilea was stunned for a full two seconds. “Okay. Look. I can’t even start to comprehend the idiocy of that statement. You two have time? A spy has asked to join my ranks and I’m obviously a little skeptical.”

“Kill him and be done with it,” Pierce said.

“We have time,” Verena said.

“Sure, guess I’ll get him to talk,” Pierce mused with a smirk, a bit of lightning flowing through her eyes.

Ilea squinted her eyes at her before she teleported the three of them through the city and finally into Wayland’s apartment. If that really was his name.

He raised his glass to the two newcomers and downed it, a magical shield forming in front of him when a blast of lightning slammed into it.

“Wayland! You sack of shit!” Pierce exclaimed as she charged up.

Ilea stopped her with space manipulation. “Please, Pierce?”

The woman struggled against it before she sighed, her magic dissipating. “I thought you were dead! Again.”

The spy shrugged, not a word of apology. “It’s good to see you.”

“Piece of shit. He’s the spy? Him!?” Pierce asked.

Ilea glanced at Verena.

“I don’t know who he is,” the woman said.

Pierce rolled her eyes. “I told you about him.”

“I don’t… always listen when you talk,” Verena said.

“He’s the fucking spy master of Nipha is who he is, and a fucking liar!” Pierce shouted.

Ilea noted the subtle sound magic that had spread through the room. Nobody outside seemed to notice the shouting.

“Was. Was the spy master of Nipha, though for the records, the position never existed,” Wayland said. “What I told you, I said to protect you.”

“I hardly need protection from the bloody fucking crown,” Pierce snapped.

“Not anymore, no,” he admitted.

The woman crossed her arms and looked at the wall. “Could’ve fucking sent a letter.”

“You would’ve looked for me,” Wayland said. “And you would’ve gotten us both killed.”

“So what,” Pierce said.

The words made him laugh.

Ilea wasn’t sure as to their relationship. She assumed they had a thing a long time ago. A past lover?

The man put down his glass and walked to the Elder. He raised his hand and patted her head, himself just a little taller.

Oh, bad move, Ilea thought but against her expectations, Pierce just stood there and didn’t say a word.

“You’ve grown. I’m proud of you,” Wayland said and hugged her.

Ilea glanced at Verena with a confused look when Pierce sobbed into his shoulder, the flame Berserker looking on with wide eyes, a light shrug suggesting she was just as confused. “We can leave you two be. You seem to need some time.”

“It’s alright,” Wayland said and gently moved the Elder forward. He wiped at her tears and laughed when she slapped his hands away with surges of lightning.

Powerful lightning too.

“No need to cry, little Dragon,” he mused as he dodged another strike. His voice didn’t sound mocking, genuine warmth in it despite the ridiculous choice of words.

Shadow magic, and no injuries. Ilea thought and checked with veteran. “Had me fooled. Three hundred on the dot. Or is that another hiding spell.”

He smiled. “I haven’t figured out a way to get around the third tier of Veteran. But who knows, that might be a lie too.”

Spirits seem up too, she thought. Good that I brought the only person from Nipha I could think of.

Chapter 706 College Life

Chapter 706 College Life

“You can’t trust him,” Pierce said finally, her composure calm again, tone more serious than Ilea had ever heard her talk.

“Of course not. That’s the whole point,” Verena said.

“I have detailed documentation on the attempts on my life, corpses of assassins hidden away in secret locations. You could confirm their identity and affiliation with Helena Pierrot but then you may as well tell her I’m alive, and who I’m working for. If you still had someone worth my skills, they could confirm my story, but then I wouldn’t be needed in the first place,” Wayland said.

“I’m not a fan of spies,” Ilea said. “Can’t we have the Meadow look into his heart or something?”

“I don’t think even the tree would know for sure,” Verena said.

Pierce remained quiet.

“So it’stelepathy. I was wondering what you and Claire were doing up there,” he said. “You should learn how to talk through the mind and with your mouth at the same time. It’s less obvious then.”

“I’m sure you noticed,” Ilea said. “But I’m not exactly one for subtlety.”

“Right. You’re not,” Wayland said and poured himself another glass. “What have I gotten myself into. The flame berserker too,” he muttered.

“Do we have a problem?” Verena asked as she summoned herself a glass and held it out towards him.

He walked over and emptied the bottle. “Always difficult to navigate you. Like an unpredictable monster. You single handedly destroyed a lot of schemes, killed a lot of good people,” he said and clinked his glass against hers before he downed half of his.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Verena said.

Wayland looked up for a moment as he swirled his glass. “Officer Nyle, around forty, forty two years ago,” he said.

Verena thought for a moment before her eyes opened wide. “That was Nipha?”

He nodded lightly. “Strand never found out, or he chose not to tell you. Thirty six years ago, the ale shortage.”

Verena sighed before she handed her glass to Ilea. Her fist started burning before she punched the man in his face.

He stumbled back and fell on his ass, blood trickling from his mouth as he resummoned his glass and stood up slowly. A red mark showed on his cheek, the slight burns visible.

“You caused a lot of death,” Verena said.

He didn’t deny it. Instead he looked at Ilea. “And now I can prevent more. That or you can wait until half your Sentinels are covert loyalists of Nipha, Lys, and Kroll, the other half blackmailed into silence. If you don’t want me with any direct control, let me teach people you trust. It’ll take longer but with monsters like you acting as deterrents, it might not be too late.”

“You should discuss this with the council, not me,” Ilea said.

“You’re the key. They would never approve of cooperating with the spy master of another country, even if they know someone like me is needed,” he said.

“I don’t know if I approve,” Ilea said. “Pierce, you know him, what do you think?”

The woman sighed and looked back, a smile on her face. She looked vulnerable. “I’ll keep an eye on him, and we’ll talk to the council. It’s true that he’s been hunted for a long time. I’ll have to check my sources in Nipha but it seems way too convoluted for him to be some kind of double agent. And if he is, then it’s not Nipha sending him. We’re gonna have a very long talk, Wayland. And I’m not looking forward to this,” Pierce said. “Let’s see if the Head Administrator is available, haven’t bothered her yet. Ilea, can you join for a minute to confirm the story? I’m not exactly seen as a trusted source of information.”

“Sure,” Ilea replied with a shrug, moving the group through the city until they appeared inside the central administrative building. “Claire? Found the one listening to us. Got time for a talk with them and Elder Pierce?”

“Sulivhaan is here, we have time if his presence isn’t an issue,” Claire informed her.

“Perfect,” Ilea replied. If anyone in the council would be against hiring a self proclaimed ex state spy master, it’d be Sulivhaan. Which means if Pierce and Wayland manage to convince them, they’d have some certainty of his motives. His loyalty would likely be questioned forever, but she supposed that was part of his job description. A use of fabric tear brought them all in front of Claire’s office. She didn’t want to make the anti space magic enchantments look bad in front of everyone present. “I cracked the new ones in four seconds,” she informed the woman and knocked at the same time.

The door opened, revealing the masked gravity mage and Claire, her hair up in an orderly bun by now.

“Been a while,” Ilea said, waving at Sulivhaan.

“Lilith, and Elders, good to see you all alive and healthy.

[Gravity Mage – lvl 281]

Not static, not exactly wiping out three mark populations in the north either, she remarked and went to the bar. Claire had added bottled ale from various local breweries. Ilea didn’t expect the same quality as from Walter but with all the refugees and professionals starting anew in Ravenhall, she’d be happy to give them a shot.

“And who would you be?” Claire asked.

Wayland entered and bowed, taking off his brown hat as he looked at them with his black eyes. He seemed neutral, the identification tag showing his real level at three hundred. The door closed behind him. “An interviewee for a vacant position in your rather young government. My name is Wayland, thirty years ago I quit my job as the spy master of Nipha. Today I came to offer my services,” he said. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Ilea left the group after the initial unpleasantries were taken care of. She jumped from one roof to the next, trying her best not to damage the buildings. They weren’t flimsy by no means, quite sturdy actually, able to withstand heavy magical impacts. Some even enchanted for more durability.

She knew they could’ve just walked, but Ravenhall had filled out again, the streets full of people. Smells of various foods, products, sweat, and even magics permeated the levels below, even worse in the growing underground of the massive southern city. Her enhanced senses didn’t exactly help, nor the fact that she simply wasn’t used to this anymore.

Verena didn’t comment on the slight cracks and pieces of stone vanishing due to random untraceable space magic fluctuations. She had no interest in sitting through the talks either.

“What would you be doing anyway? You don’t have to come to the talks with Hallowfort, you know,” Ilea mused as they traversed the city in an illegal manner. Nobody dared come closer than a few dozen meters.

“Are you kidding me?” Verena asked. “I’m not one for politics but we’re talking about an event that historians will write about in a thousand years. Least I want to do is stand in the background and see it all.”

Ilea smiled and sat down on the roof opposite the Sentinel Headquarter. “It’s just gonna be a lot of fawning over the magical tree. And all the other weird powerful beings in the north,” she said.

“You’ve just gotten used to it all. The North itself was something very few of us ever even saw. And most of the higher leveled humans don’t dare travel there. Or anywhere far beyond the plains. Shadows most often reach these heights, but they’re also the ones vanishing in unknown locations at one point or the other,” Verena said.

“Someone ever come back after centuries? Or even longer? Suddenly a three or four mark and ready to take over the world?” Ilea asked.

“No,” Verena said in a straight tone. “No, I think they all… just die.”

Or they just don’t care enough to do anything. Still waiting on that random baker who’s a four mark wizard in disguise. Would Veteran be able to get through his disguise? He would likely have other skills. I suppose I wouldn’t know until I destroyed every human city, forcing them to show themselves.

The plan didn’t seem viable exactly. Not only incompatible with her morals but who would know how such an old and powerful mage would even react? Maybe they’d just move on to the next town with a simple teleportation spell. “Just… seems unlikely. That I’d be the first.”

“That’s true. But we won’t know until they show themselves. Besides, someone has to be the first,” Verena said.

“Like I’m some kind of chosen one. I don’t like the idea,” Ilea said and jumped down. Trian and Kyrian were still out, but there were plenty of Sentinels to destroy within the Headquarters. At least Ilea knew the whole other realm idea of Wayland didn’t apply to her. She appeared without any magic after all. Maybe she appeared close to a powerful elixir for one reason or the other, but it wasn’t like the Azarinth were completely unknown.

I won’t know until I see the event happening with someone else, and even then I’ll only see one side of the space fluctuation.

She entered, her mana signature disabling the enchantments on the door before she stepped inside, gesturing the Elder to follow. Ilea considered checking the forest around the Azarinth temple at some point. She doubted anything remained, doubted anything had remained even a second after she had appeared in Elos. It still may be worth a look with her space manipulation.

One floating and currently meditating Sentinel opened his eyes and landed with a smooth motion. She wore the stonehammer and bone armor inspired by the looks of her Mantle. The woman bowed as ash moved around her. “Welcome, Lilith.”

Verena looked at her and then glanced at Ilea.

“Awesome,” Ilea said and clapped her hands. “Ten points for that performance, Hadley. The ash might be a bit too subtle for lower levels. Just go for it.”

The woman didn’t reply for a moment, scratching the back of her helmet. “T… thank you,” she managed to stammer out. “I… we have time thinking about how to welcome people when it’s guard duty. It’s incredibly boring,” she said and immediately covered her mouth with both hands. “I didn’t mean to say that!”

“I mean it is,” Ilea said. “Aki’s shouldn’t be gone for too long though, and I’m sure there’s a good reason for you to do this that Trian can explain better than me.”

The Sentinel just nodded.

Ilea walked past and touched her shoulder. “Keep the ehm… guard duty up, good job,” she said, immediately hearing the heart beat of the woman speed up.

God I suck at this, she thought when they walked down the stairs.

“You suck at this,” Verena mused, a slight smile on her face.

“How dare you insult the great Lilith,” Ilea answered.

“Right, especially at the heart of your cult,” Verena added.

“It’s a religion actually,” a passing through Sentinel said.

“What’s the difference?” Ilea asked the man.

“Wealth, goddess Lilith,” he answered with a shrug and a yawn. “I should catch some sleep,” he added with a murmur.

They reached the mess hall where four Sentinels sat eating, two alone and two together. Seems just as busy as the last few times I was here, despite the higher leveled ones being out on missions and at least one or two squads with Trian.

She saw a class of twenty listening to Lyza, the teacher cutting into a bleeding Stalker Hound with a sharp blade. The woman reached inside with her hand before she started searching for something. Which was when Ilea stopped paying attention.

Orthan was watching over a group of battling healers in one of the larger training halls, offering single word comments from time to time. He seemed content with their performance.

A large part of the present Sentinels were training with each other, meditating, studying, or working on their resistances. Two were having sex and one was masturbating. Details Ilea picked up within her perception, ignored like so many other things she saw whenever she was inside of a city. Ah, college. Drinking all night, waking up with a massive hangover and getting rid of that with some healing magic, setting yourself on fire at nine, getting stabbed at ten. Then alchemy, before being abandoned in a dangerous cave in the afternoon. The joys of youth.

Ilea got a plate and started piling on some food from the self service area.

“Can I take some too?” Verena asked.

“I don’t know. Probably,” Ilea replied. “I don’t even know if I’m allowed to, but I think I can handle Trian,” she said and walked over to a Sentinel she didn’t know. “Mind if we join you?”

The two sitting together ignored them, both close to level two hundred. They had some cold food in their plates and a slew of papers spread out on the table, one pointing down at a section depicting some kind of battle formation while the other listened intently. The last Sentinel, also sitting alone glanced at them. She stood up and gave Ilea a respectful nod before she returned to her meal and the notebook next to her.

The young woman gestured for them to sit down. “I don’t mind. I just won’t stay for long.”

“Resistance training?” Ilea asked as she started eating. The food was good, coming from high quality restaurants in the city but the menu was certainly cooked with energy taking the highest spot of the priority list. It was all kept warm and fresh with enchanted containers.

Verena sat down opposite Ilea, some distance between her and the Sentinel.

“Experimentation,” the woman said and avoided eye contact.

[Battle Healer – lvl 85]

She had brown eyes and wore simple training leather armor provided to the Sentinels. The thing that stood out most was her long blue hair, the color not something Ilea remembered seeing more than a few times in Elos.

“How did you get the blue hair?” she asked. “It looks nice.”

“The vails flower. It grows in the valleys to the east of the city. The process isn’t that complicated, you just have to collect enough and it takes quite some time,” she explained. “I’m Neireen. I don’t think I’ve seen you two before. Are you Hunter Ranks?”

“I’m not a Sentinel,” Verena said, pouring herself a whiskey.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to drink alcohol in here,” Neireen said.

“Better ways to train poison resistance,” the Sentinel sitting a few meters away commented.

“I think we can make an exception for her,” Ilea said. “I’m one of the founders, Lilith. She’s a friend.”

The woman sighed and continued eating in silence.

“What is it?” Ilea asked.

“You’re like the eighth person who’s said that since I joined. I get that you’re really strong, but it’s getting really old. Maybe find someone newer than me,” she said with a slight smile.

Ilea blinked her eyes before she started laughing, Verena joining in after a moment.

The young woman just shook her head.

“So what are you experimenting on?” Ilea asked after a short while, her plate already half empty.

Neireen glanced up and turned a little red. “I’m… trying to make poison that… heals.”

“Wouldn’t that just be a healing potion?” Ilea asked. She could tell the woman had heard that response a few times already. At least as often as people claiming to be Lilith.

“Sometimes I forget that all you’ve ever done is punch monsters,” Verena said. “Poison making is rather delicate. And an entirely different approach to healing potions.” She glanced at the woman sitting next to her. “You’re not the first who’s tried. But the only ones I heard of that succeeded were specifically made for one target. Once the target leveled up even once, the healing effect returned to something dangerous.”

“I’m surprised you’ve even heard of it. Even the Shadows I asked in the city didn’t know about it. Who are you again?” Neireen asked.

“You can call me Verena,” she answered.

“Verena. Can I ask you some questions? I’d love to hear more about what you know… and the people you mentioned succeeding,” she said.

“We can join you after?” Verena suggested, glancing at Ilea.

She shrugged. “Sure. Maybe I can help somehow by punching something really, really hard.”

Neireen sighed again.

Ilea made a fist. “Really hard.”

“She’s not wrong, you know,” Verena said, her face perfectly straight.

“Or I can provide funding, that’s the other thing I can do,” Ilea mused. Good thing that punching is such an effective way to gain power and wealth here. Plus more importantly, wings and food.

Neireen led them to a research room a few floors down after they finished their meals. She did give Ilea a few annoyed glances at the full plate the woman carried still. Either the high level or the fact that she wanted to talk to Verena made her not comment on it.

“You just get these rooms?” Verena asked. “That’s better gear than what the Shadows provide to their members.”

Ilea smiled. “State of the art,” she said and tapped a random distilling tool.

Verena gave her a look. “You have no idea what any of this is.”

“No,” she replied. “I punch stuff.”

Neireen opened her notebook and started asking Verena questions, pretty much sidelining Ilea completely.

“I’ll go check the fighting. Back in twenty or so,” she sent to the Elder.

The woman gave her a slight nod, focused on the notes of the much younger woman.

Ilea teleported through the halls and joined Orthan.

The man jumped with bones breaking out of his arms. “OH… it’s just you,” he murmured and cracked his forearms back into their fleshy containers. “Don’t give me that look, you do worse every day.”

“How would you know?” Ilea asked as he stepped back next to her.

“No other way to reach your ridiculous power,” he mused.

The group of Sentinels started sweating just a little more as they noticed the predatory eyes watching them increase to four, something in their instincts telling them to perform well. Very well.

Chapter 707 Gates and Wings

Chapter 707 Gates and Wings

Neireen couldn’t believe her luck. This woman had so many potential random sources directly or indirectly related to her research that she started to question everything. Who was she? Half the people she mentioned were supposedly already dead. She opened her eyes a little wider when Verena mentioned a Halas Bark. The same man quoted in one of the books she had found in a prominent library in Virilya. Dead on all accounts but Verena had known him. He’s been dead for like fifty years.

The fact that people beyond level two hundred didn’t exactly age much anymore wasn’t a secret within the Medic Sentinel Corps, mostly treated as an anecdote. Something most of them would reach sooner or later. An incredible fact to Neireen. And just another thing the people here somehow took for granted. Or they were simply too used to it. She was guilty of similar matters. Nowhere else would she have dismissed a high level healer like she had that woman before, but there were so many here, and no one really cared.

She still wasn’t sure if there was some kind of sinister plot at work here. A simple talk with Trian and an explanation of her goals had gotten her this room. Everywhere else she was ignored or yelled out, but here she got resources, despite her low level and little experience. Someone occasionally checked through her work but every teacher had expertise in their fields, providing her with feedback from their perspective.

The training was ridiculous of course but she would bathe in all the fire she had to if it provided her with these kinds of resources. The Class she got was powerful too. She would’ve never thought herself capable of fighting as well as she did, but it would come in handy, even just for finding rare ingredients in the wild.

“I’m pretty sure he just fiddled with this stuff for a few weeks or so. I remember him switching research and magical interests on the weekly. He died trying to seduce a Werewolf with the sound of a blood magic infused lute of all things,” Verena said.

“That… doesn’t seem like sound research,” Neireen replied. “I did not intend that pun, apologies.”

Verena breathed in deeply before she shrugged. “You would be wrong either way. I heard about his disappearance and investigated. The state I found him in… the signs of battle. Well… let’s leave it at that. I had his notes on the subject filed away in the darkest corner of Keywire’s library.”

“I… uh… see,” Neireen answered, fumbling with her notes before she got to some of her current problems.

“Other forms of healing?” Verena asked as she looked at the open page of the notebook.

“Yes. It would be helpful to see but they’re exceptionally rare. Blood healing might exist but other than a few unreliable sources claiming beasts in the wild had healed them, there’s not much to go on. Light magic can sometimes have healing properties but the potency is not particularly impressive and very few mages ever come across the option. Based on examples of other magic or even versatile warrior Classes, I believe that healing could be incorporated into most schools of magic. Poison is one of the go to examples but,” she said and trailed off.

“Why work out a way to heal with poison when you can just get a healing Class,” Verena finished.

“Exactly, and it’s frustrating to talk about. Sentinels at least take me seriously,” she said. But most don’t really care anyway. The Classes are good, we can both fight and heal. Why experiment with something so abstract. “But they don’t really get it either… even with Lilith supposedly able to use a special kind of healing.”

“Arcane I believe,” Verena said.

“You know about it? I guess with all the songs and stories… and you being friends with a high level Sentinel. It cures the mind somehow… makes pain resistance training much easier,” she said.

“Wish I had that,” Verena said with a sigh.

“Most of those above level one fifty have it in the second tier already. The rest was forbidden to train it specifically, and to wait for Lilith,” Neireen added. What did she mean by that?

“If you want to see some arcane healing, I can ask her to show you,” Verena said.

Neireen lit up. “You know Lilith?”

“I, do,” Verena said and looked towards the door for a moment.

The same Sentinel who had been with Verena appeared a second later. Ash flowed over her face to clear off blood. Not an uncommon sight during or after their regular training sessions.

“You needed me to punch something?” the woman asked.

Neireen looked at her for a long moment. Could it be? Her? But she’s so ordinary.

“She wants to see your arcane healing,” Verena said.

“In action?” the woman asked, glancing between them.

All Neireen could do was nod lightly. Her words were stuck in her throat. They are just messing with you. She thought and watched the woman dismember herself with two ashen limbs coming out of her back. Blood and flesh were enveloped by erupting white flames before they were turned to nothing. She watched as the woman’s arms regrew in seconds, as if flame summoned by a fire mage.

“Hmm… a bit fast probably,” the woman said. Lilith said.

“She just realized who you are,” Verena said with a slight smile. “One of the perks of being known. I do still prefer my obscurity.”

“How do you manage that anyway? You’re active in the Plains, aren’t you?” Lilith asked.

Verena shrugged. “I’ve been around for a while. People are less interested when you’re known and don’t get involved in their business as much as you do.”

Neireen felt a soothing energy flow into her mind, her eyes opening wide as she felt the same thing so many of her peers had described before. Arcane healing! In my head! She squealed a little.

Lilith laid her arm onto one of the work benches before she hacked it away. “Verena, some constant flame to keep the healing process visible?”

“This room would melt with the power I’d need to even try,” Verena answered.

“I’ll disable my resistance,” Lilith said.

“Too dangerous. She’s below level one hundred,” the woman said.

“She’ll be fine. I’ve done worse to the students… just a few minutes ago actually. It’s the power of arcane healing. Gets rid of all that trauma right away,” she said.

Neireen looked on when both of the women turned their attention to her. She had never felt this small in her life. “V… Verena… who… who are you?”

“It’s of no concern,” the woman said.

“She’s an Elder of the Shadow’s Hand,” Lilith said.

What.

“Why would you just share that? Do you know how hard I work to keep this from being general knowledge? I don’t want creepy bards writing songs about me,” Verena hissed, a growl going through the room at the end of it.

Neireen felt herself freeze up, her body trembling slightly. She might’ve peed a little.

“Who’s freaking out the student now?” Lilith asked. “Come on, she won’t tell anyone, right?”

Four eyes on her. Neireen wanted to pass out but that was literally impossible with the healing magic flowing into her mind and body. She felt healthier than she had ever been.

“Guess I’ll just keep hacking away,” Lilith said as ashen limbs flowed from her back.

Neireen gulped and tried to focus.

_____________________________

Ilea finished burning up the last arms, Neireen still murmuring to herself, writing down more notes.

The woman continued with scratching her head before she went over to another workbench and started gathering ingredients.

“Guess that was helpful,” Ilea said.

Verena grunted in an affirming way.

“Good luck with your research,” she said and left the room. Ilea cracked her neck and stretched. “That training kind of made me want to fight something.”

“Hmm,” Verena mused.

The Meadow is really spoiling me. To be able to go all out like that, whenever I want to. Just lacks the catharsis of winning, she thought. “We could check those Taleen facilities Iana told me about. Care to join?”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Verena replied.

“Alright. Let’s go back north then,” Ilea said and moved them up and back into the city. They continued on towards the gate and out into the valley. The teleportation gate activated half a minute later, bringing them to the correspondent counterpart in the north.

Ilea found Aki training with Owl, the two circling each other in fast moving patterns. He managed to keep up with his higher accuracy more than anything, their spells sending explosive waves through the vicinity, a near transparent barrier set up by the Meadow shimmering around them.

She quickly went into the Soul Forge and checked the cozy room in one of the highest floors. “Meadow, can you help me with some bookshelves?”

“Wood or stone?” it asked.

“Wood fits more with the room,” Ilea replied and piled up the books stored in her domain. She checked the adjacent rooms and found a suitable one a few floors up. “This one claimed already?” she asked, appearing inside. One of the walls was at a steep angle, the room rather small and used as a storage unit located at the edge of the cube. It was large enough to fit her bed however, and maybe another fireplace. Everything else she had in her domain or could simply teleport up with fabric tear.

“It is marked now as the room of Lilith. All letters and complaints will be redirected to this address,” the Meadow spoke. “May I look through your collection of books as well? I’m always looking for new material.”

“Sure,” Ilea replied, teleporting everything in the room into another storage unit. “Probably nothing too impressive in there.”

“I will form my own judgment,” the Meadow spoke. “The shelves are finished, and I sorted the books by genre and author.”

“Thanks. We’ll turn this research cube into a comfortable northern headquarters in no time,” Ilea mused. Gonna have someone buy furniture too. But I suppose we can’t go too overboard. Not with Iana and Train in charge. They’ll want there to be offices and research stuff as well.

She left the room as it was and left again. “Can you add a hearth at some point, and just generally make it cozy,” Ilea said. “If you’re going to help with the setup anyway.”

“I’m not sure my idea of cozy fits the same as that of a human,” the Meadow replied.

“Not perfectly human anymore, am I?” Ilea asked as she flew over to Aki.

“You’ll have your hearth. And some comforting spatial distortions. I have a liking for fireflies and creeks, perhaps you will enjoy that too,” the Meadow said and trailed off.

Wonder what the fuck I’ll come back to, Ilea mused and waved to the machine. “Aki, can we talk for a second?”

The two high level beings stopped their training, the machine walking over through the air before it landed with a graceful almost organic motion.

“You’re getting good at this, terrifyingly so,” she sent.

“Indeed. This body is quite… adaptive. I feel like I could shred through the entire Sentinel Corps controlling this,” the being replied, the two cannons flowing into sword like extensions before the tips changed into long fingered hands. Aki made a show out of the sharp tips, his hands turning around themselves as he looked at her with glowing eyes.

Ilea smiled and nodded. “That’s good. They could use the training.”

“You understand. And I agree. They’re getting cocky,” the machine replied. “What is it you wanted to talk about? I don’t want to waste your precious time with humorous conversation.”

Ilea rolled her eyes as she smiled. “Did you get a sarcasm upgrade with the new machine too? Besides, humorous conversation is never a waste of time.”

“That attitude is reflected splendidly within your productivity. But with your continued growth, maybe we should all spend some more on this. Perhaps it’s conversations like these that really provide levels and powerful evolutions,” Aki said.

“I did make some powerful friends with it. You included,” Ilea said. “Iana found some hints in the Soul Forge that suggest your tech is somehow connected to this place. At least in part. And we got locations where the Taleen might’ve worked to… well, create you? Birth you? Forge you?” she explained.

Aki’s eyes glowed a little brighter. “I haven’t given that much thought in the last few months. You wished for me to know this?”

“I mean you don’t have to. You’re perfectly fine as you are. Just thought I’d mention it and offer for us to go there together, see what they did. Maybe we could find your birthplace, so to speak,” she said.

“I’m sure you have more important matters to attend to than delving into my history. Maybe I could go there at some point in the future, with a team of Sentinels,” Aki suggested.

“I have a few days,” Ilea said with a shrug. “And I’d be intrigued as well. So if you’re interested, we can leave right now.”

The machine considered for a while. “If there is truly nothing else you’d want to spend your time on. And I should return to the headquarters again shortly. It cannot remain without my protection.”

“Taking your job seriously,” Ilea mused.

Aki remained quiet for a few seconds. “I. I enjoy… the feeling of purpose.”

Ilea raised a brow. “First time I’ve heard you speak in that tone. I’m glad you can find purpose in working with the Sentinels. They’re sure as hell glad to have you around, both as a terrifying protector and unforgiving instructor. Wish I could say the same, but you’re not exactly on my level anymore,” she said and winked.

Aki didn’t reply and simply stared at her.

“No witty remark? You’re starting to freak me out. Did some Pursuer remain in you? Telling you to kill me?” Ilea asked.

“This model is powerful, but I’ve seen you fight, Ilea. Your claims are as bold as always but compared to your early days in the Shadow’s Hand, now they hold true,” the being said in a somewhat serious tone.

“I’m not so sure about that. There’s always another Drake,” she mused with a smile, a glance towards the Meadow’s crystal tree in the distance.

“Soon it will be Dragons you slay instead of Drakes,” Aki said when Verena joined them.

“Dungeon exploration?” she asked, looking between them.

“Yep,” Ilea answered. “Gonna need to use a gate somewhere. Preferably in the north so that Aki doesn’t scare people.”

“How could I ever be perceived as a threat?” the murder machine asked, fingers extending into knife like ends before they grated against each other. Green eyes flashed as he tilted his head slightly to the right.

“Sure. Maybe speak in an Austrian accent to help with hiding the obvious,” Ilea said and opened the map on her teleportation key. “Probably should still avoid the one dungeon known to the Elven Monarch, hmm, how about this one? Doesn’t seem too far, and it’s to the south. Meadow, sendoff?”

“As you wish,” the being spoke and made them vanish.

Arcane lightning flashed a few hundred meters in front of them. Ilea spread her wings, her two companions simply floating where they appeared. She glanced at Aki and smiled. “Want to test those shields?”

“If you retrieve me should my core be exposed,” the being replied.

“You literally fought a four mark Lich a minute ago,” Ilea said.

The Pursuer stepped forward and through the air, speed picking up before he came to a stop inside the storm. A bolt of purple lightning flashed down and struck the being, his shield flaring up as the energy flowed over the spherical form, dissipating a moment later.

“See, easy,” Ilea mused, following with Verena in tow. “Make yourself small, I’ll carry you too.”

“I had not expected to be able to so easily survive the notorious northern lightning,” Aki replied and moved both arms and legs towards his torso.

“Notorious for normal beings, not for a level eight fifty killing machine made by ancient dwarves,” Ilea mused and charged her wings.

They shot off a moment later, towards one of the closest Taleen dungeons south of the Meadow’s domain.

The Meadow’s domain, Ilea mused, speeding over the northern hellscape. A being I took here from another fucking realm. And it’s already established a domain for itself. Can’t wait to see the Sentinels struggle against both the north and the Meadow. Maybe some of the myths around myself will be less impressive once they see the kind of shit that’s really out there.

The flight commenced without interruption, Ilea slowing down when they had reached the general location of the marked teleportation gate and Taleen dungeon.

“Let’s see what we have then. Production facility, ancient ruin, or just an outpost,” she said and floated down, open map in hand as she tried to triangulate their location with her marks. She sent a few infused spheres of ash down into the various cracks and crevices, with the task to find anything Taleen and bring her there.

“We’re planning to use their gates?” Verena asked.

Ilea smiled. “Yes.”

“Looking for a fight, I see,” the woman added.

“Last time we got that one,” Ilea answered, nodding towards Aki.

Her wings moved as she flew over the cracked ground, her dominion piercing the stone below to reveal any hidden tunnels, sources of magic, or potential entrances. The others followed, their own spells working to find what they were looking for.

Ilea stopped when a sphere of ash came flying towards her, the thing bobbing twice before it vanished once more. She turned and followed. “Found it,” she sent and watched the sphere suddenly fly straight down into a thin crack. Well. Whatever, she thought and formed an ashen drill aimed towards the ground.

Chapter 708 Hunters and Prey

Chapter 708 Hunters and Prey

Ilea didn’t drill all the way into the taleen dungeon, instead teleporting the group inside as soon as she could see the familiar structural design within her dominion.

Not a production facility, she noted instantly. Ivy had grown throughout most of the room, a single green light still active. It dimmed every other second. A mead hall spread out below them, the room reaching high compared to the surrounding corridors. Black wings brought her down to the ground.

“We’re not the first here,” Aki remarked as he stepped down through the air like a spider crawling down a wall.

Ilea wondered if he was trying to channel the fear inducing aura on purpose. Either way each of his steps looked downright deadly.

“Looks like it,” Ilea agreed, seeing the destroyed Guardians strewn about the hall. “But the gate should still be online according to the map, so let’s go and see.”

They made their way through the dark tunnels without another word, all of them flying or walking in the air to avoid unnecessary sounds. There was no great hall here, nor were there many houses built as of yet. What they did find were foundations. Stone carved out and corridors leading to dead ends, cracks and crevices suggesting nearby cave systems, and finally a simple room with a teleportation gate. Mostly untouched it seemed.

“Claw marks suggest beasts?” Ilea said, looking at Verena.

“Star Chasers most likely, probably a burrow nearby. They wouldn’t have attacked otherwise,” the Elder informed.

The wolves teleporting through the night. They fought Guardians?

She put the modified key into the control panel and selected the destinations, selecting one of the three mentioned by Iana. Izvelnaar. The location was northeast of Hallowfort. Ilea motioned to the platform and activated the gate, her space magic resistance disabled after the magic failed to grip her framework. She allowed herself a grin, quite proud of her ability to resist the ancient Taleen technology.

A moment later they appeared in a cramped dark room, dust and debris covering everything. Barely any air remained.

No dungeon notification either, Ilea thought, looking at the destruction left behind in this place. Her dominion reached far in every direction. She activated fabric tear and brought all three of them out into the open, the group finding themselves in what looked like a basin of sorts. The dungeon below had been trampled down into ground up stone and splintered wood. A bed of ash remained, hidden under a thick layer of sand. High reaching pillars of stone cast long shadows into the basin, their lengths curved as if fingers of a hand. It seemed the arcane storms did not reach here.

Ilea moved her wings and ascended about ten meters before she spotted a scaled form half burrowed in the sand a few hundred meters away. She could see its form rise and fall. Bits of scales jutted out from several sections of sand throughout the basin, a few long and curved horns coming out of the creature’s head. It looked like a combination of snake and dragon, six long teeth jutting out of its jaws, the top and bottom split vertically to create what seemed like four sections. It had six eyes in a circular pattern, all around its head. She could feel the magic from this distance, the very sands below them vibrant with infused power.

“Don’t move or touch anything,” she informed the others. “Stay afloat.”

She summoned her notebook and started noting down her estimates of the location. There was no reason to engage the sleeping creature, and while she thought the risk for herself minimal, she couldn’t say the same about her companions. “Only ruins left,” she send and stored her book. A use of fabric tear brought them back down into the cramped area, several tilted and half broken support beams had managed to keep a few small spots protected from the rampage that must’ve taken place ages past.

The being had been too far for her to identify but with the sheer display of dormant magic in the vicinity, she assumed it to be at least at the power level of an Elemental. She considered contacting it with her telepathy but decided against it, her instincts telling her that bothering the sleeping serpent wasn’t in the cards today. Plus it would really be against her principles, to wake someone for no reason. An aggressive response would be expected, a potential nice new friend brought to anger just because she woke it up.

Ilea chose the next destination and activated the gate a second time. This one brought them deep below the Naraza mountain chain, and this time into a dungeon.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izacanir dungeon’

A smile blossomed on her face as she looked around.

The gate was located at a central point of a massive cavern, a hundred meters in each direction flattened by earth magic or other tools. Railways led into a dozen mine shafts that had been carved into the walls, supported by beams of stone or wood. Not quite as high quality and standardized as everything else, she noted. As she flew up and looked around, Ilea could see skeletons of various beings strewn between mine carts, covered in dust, debris, or chunks of rock. Signs of battles long past remained, earth mages fighting people with crude tools and little magic.

The light of her embers reflected in shimmering bits of metal. Some of the stones were lined with it. She landed next to a thrown over mine cart and crouched down near the spread out pile of raw materials. This load had a slightly silver sheen to it.

The others joined her when the the gate activated once more. On it appeared a single large creature made of silver steel, four arms opening up from its torso. Green eyes shined in the darkness as it took in the surroundings. Its attention settled on the small group of people floating about twenty meters away.

“Intruders,” it spoke in a static whisper, a purple shield flaring to life and extending outwards.

[Pursuer Praetorian – lvl ???]

The creature had the same level as Aki. It moved off the gate and stopped, watching them with its eerie eyes.

“Should we go and attack?” Aki asked.

Ilea sent an ashen spear at the shield. The projectile was stopped instantly, a ripple of energy flowing over the magical surface. “Is it just trying to prevent us from using the gate again?”

“I don’t think so. You already destroyed one of these,” Verena said.

The gate activated once more, now within the dome of void magic. Four silver steel beings stepped out and away, Executioners with their eyes set on Ilea.

“Verena, Aki, I think it’s might be best for you to take a bit of a back seat,” Ilea said as she started charging up her heat. Another set of four Executioners appeared on the platform. “Careful with the core explosions. Get me out if they pierce my brain,” she sent and formed an ashen copy, infusing it with the same instructions before it rushed away, hiding in the shadows. Centurion variations, ranged Guardians, and a few Hunter Praetorians appeared on the gate next, the beings content with staring at her.

The group of machines now filled out the whole dome like protection of the central Pursuer. Its eyes flashed green, those of the surrounding machines doing the same a moment later. It moved up one of its arms, the others did the same, all in sync.

“Boy band on the hunt,” Ilea murmured. No reason to do that arm thingy other than to look intimidating. She glanced back and saw Aki and Verena had already retreated, neither of them offering any complaints. She assumed Pierce would’ve already been ripped apart by the first line of Executioners. At least the enemy takes me seriously, she thought and cracked her neck. Her full strength mantle formed on her body, white flame erupting a moment later as she floated up with burning wings. “This is exactly what I need right now. Thank you,” she sent to the Pursuer.

Its dome like shield vanished and reformed, now protecting only the central being. Everything else burst into movement. The machines spread out in a coordinated manner, circling her position with Executioners running through the air and ranged versions rushing towards the cavern walls.

I’m afraid you missed your chance, Ilea thought and raised her hands, all projectiles coming towards her stopping in mid air, invisible arcane arrows exploding in blue light. She twirled in the air before she sent waves of Archon Strike at the closest machines. She teleported to the cavern wall, her ashen limbs shredding through a normal ranged Guardian as if it was a wet tissue. She moved on to one of the retreating Hunters. No clusters of machines, they’re all moving with distance between them, never in a line, she observed and glanced at the Pursuer that presumably controlled everything.

A few strikes infused with her fires of creation broke through the Praetorian’s shield, a few more leaving its steel form dented. She turned her head to see two Executioners rushing towards her allies’ position, the core explosion next to her leaving the top layer of her mantle damaged. Interesting approach, she thought and teleported in front of the two running machines. Ilea tilted her head slightly as she looked at the now distant Pursuer, the machine having stepped up into the air to see the whole battlefield. Both Executioners ran past her, focused entirely on Verena and Aki.

Ilea floated forward and towards the machines spreading out. So very well prepared, she thought and activated fabric tear. All she could see within her dominion vanished and appeared in a tight sphere around her. It just so happened that the explosion of Embered Heart created a sphere too. And the range seemed just right. She didn’t break eye contact with the machine as her charged heat flashed out, the Centurions and Guardians burned away instantly, a few chunks of melted steel impacting the ground with heavy thuds.

Most of the Executioner shields held up but the remaining fires alone would be enough to break through in no time. She watched the machines jump and run away, regrouping as she smiled and chose her first target. You’re not the hunter here. She vanished. Three charged punches broke through the remaining shield of the Executioner, its form covered in white flame a split second later, its insides wrecked by flame infused destructive healing and heated cinders.

She could see other Executioners run towards her, rapier extensions at the ready. It didn’t dissuade her. To kill an executioner, one had to get to the core. And so that was what she did. More punches burned away the silver metal, waves of near turquoise arcane energy washed over the machine that tried to form shields on its hands until the core was sufficiently exposed. Burning ashen limbs moved inside as Ilea charged her space manipulation. Let’s see how effective this is, she thought, watching the shield around the core burn away.

Two Executioners had reached them, their charging forms vanishing into near invisible gates before they appeared on the other side of the cavern. Ilea raised her hand and formed a fist, watching as the core squeezed into itself, metal groaning before a void magic explosion rushed out.

A sizable sphere of the mine had vanished entirely, one mine cart halved as if cut by a high precision laser. Ilea floated in the middle of it all, the layers of her ash reforming as she turned and looked at the Pursuer.

Its eyes flashed before all the machines rushed towards it. The gate activated a moment later, taking the Pursuer and four Executioners with it.

Oh no you don’t, Ilea thought and teleported into the midst of the remaining machines. She could feel the energy around herself, the very air vibrating with magical energy. Ilea focused on the teleportation device below, forming six gates around it, both above and in the ground.

She braced herself with walls of ash before the self destruction commenced, a series of perfectly timed magical explosions wrecking through her flying form.

Ilea landed a moment later, her wings gone as she wiped blood from her nose and mouth. Her mantle reformed, the slight damage to her innards healing in mere moments. Her wings spread again, tail moving behind her. She raised her hand and slowed the falling chunk of stone, bringing it to a gentle stop at the bottom of the spherical imprints left behind by the core explosions. The gate remained within, undamaged.

Question is if it still works, or if they disconnected it, she thought and landed on the piece. “Let’s check the last location before this thing stops working,” she sent to her allies.

Both joined her in a few seconds.

“So that’s what would happen in a bout between us,” Aki said.

Ilea put in the key and selected the last of the three destinations. The gate sprung to life and made them vanish. Too confident? Or do they want to know where we’re going?

“Don’t be ridiculous Aki, you’re not comparable to one of those shit machines,” Ilea replied, looking around in the small hall they had arrived in.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izcural dungeon’

Should be the right one, Ilea thought and had a look with her dominion. She raised her brows and stomped down onto the gate, the attack enhanced with a physical set of spells. A series of cracks spread out in a web, the device powering down instantly.

“I thought you wanted more,” Verena said.

Ilea looked over. “I’m happy for more, but not in this place,” she said. “Kill all the remaining Guardians before they can destroy anything,” she added and vanished, teleporting through the facility and taking out the low level machines left behind. The spear of the Centurion scraped against her mantle before a charged Archon Strike exploded inside of it, the machine destroyed before its core could detonate.

Should be the last one, she thought, watching Verena finish off a set of Guardians.

Ilea appeared in the largest room, next to Aki. She glanced at him before she followed his gaze at all the devices. “Want me to collect everything? Iana can look through it with you.”

He looked down at her for a moment before he nodded without a word.

She opened one of the books but everything was written in the Taleen script. Instead she stored it inside of her domain. The present machines didn’t look exactly like those found in the Soul Forge but some inspiration was obvious even to her. The whole facility wasn’t particularly large, suggesting that it wasn’t exactly the main endeavor of the Taleen. Some of the diagrams showed machine like bodies with detailed core descriptions and runes. Humanoid in nature.

Did they succeed? Ilea wondered, looking at Aki. Why a dagger of all things?And why was he made to be influenced by his wielder?

She stored everything, including the machines, near entirely emptying the place out. “She’ll figure things out, I’m sure,” Ilea said, touching his back.

“I’m merely… curious,” Aki said.

“Of course. Understandable that you’d want to know about your origins. It doesn’t change who you are now, but maybe you can get some more perspective,” Ilea said.

“Thousands of years have passed in that dungeon… where you found me. My memories of that time are limited, the dagger unable to hold all the information I received,” Aki said.

“Are the machines helping with that?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. The capacity not just to store information but to think is exponentially better with this Pursuer body,” he replied. “And yet I fail to… process everything… that I…”

Ilea looked at him. “It’s alright.”

“I fear what you might think of me, once my origins are… revealed,” the dagger said.

She remained quiet for a few seconds before she talked. “You’re surprisingly stupid for all that supposed processing power. One of my best friends is a tree. Even if you’re some kind of complex enchantment, you’re Aki, a friend I found deep below Dawntree.”

“I am aware of that, rationally. You have said as much before. And yet I can’t help but… feel…” he said and paused.

Ilea flew up and bonked his metal head. “Being scared is okay. But we’ll be there for you. Iana, Chris, me, the Meadow, Trian, and your Sentinels. I guess it doesn’t make sense to tell a supposed artificial intelligence not to overthink something but well… try.”

Aki’s eyes glowed a little brighter before he slumped down just a little.

“Helps to take things one step at a time. Anything in life really, especially when it feels overwhelming. For now let’s just focus on getting this stuff back to the Meadow’s domain. Once that’s done you figure out the next step,” she said.

“I understand. A simple mind like your own has to section challenges into pieces to be able to process them,” he said.

“That’s my murder machine,” Ilea said and punched his side with a converted physical Archon Strike. She smiled as Aki was sent flying through the room, crashing against the stone wall with a heavy impact. The wall lost.

“I thought you didn’t want things destroyed,” Verena said as she joined them. “Cleared out now, didn’t find any hidden stashes, enchantments, or hidden rooms either.”

“Same for me,” Ilea said. “Teleport needs a few hours to charge up but maybe we can dig out of this place.”

“Where are we exactly?” Verena asked.

“Somewhere between Stormbreach and Salia. Deeeeep underground,” she answered.

“Gate near Ravenhall seems like the fastest option then,” the Elder said.

“Yep,” Ilea said and formed an ashen drill, looking up at the ceiling. “This will take some time.”

Aki walked over, his arms reforming into cannons, void magic glowing within. “I’ll help.”

Chapter 709 Impressions

A note from Rhaegar

Check out book 2 of MAD for some litrpg apocalypse :):

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08ZSQZBL1

Chapter 709 Impressions

The days leading up to the council meeting passed without any major disturbances. Iana and her crew studied the Soul Forge and its secrets, in addition to the findings from Izcural. Bralin got a home provided by the Meadow and learned what he could from Goliath. The rest of the more or less permanent residents spent their time fighting each other or experimenting with their magic.

Ilea mostly trained with the Meadow, but she found the tree wasn’t quite as involved as usual. She assumed it had to do with the curious Faen visitor in the form of Twin, her presence mostly made known by the occasional outburst of kingly attitude. Ilea made sure to get brunch every day. She spent some time helping the Sentinels with their pain tolerance in between training sessions, and had a few bouts with most of the faculty. With and without her armaments.

On the fifth day, Ilea sat atop a northern mountain and looked to the east. She ate one of Keyla’s meals and enjoyed the freezing breeze flowing through her hair. Lightning slashed into the landscape in the distance, a constant to the north she now found comfort in. Up here, very few creatures would bother her, and those who did were likely quite interesting beings. Beings she could fight. She remained within the Meadow’s domain, both so that she could be informed, but just as much to avoid an encounter with a certain Dragon.

The fact that she even thought of Audur while being up in the north was more than just annoying. And here I thought I could be content for a while with my evolutions. Ilea knew she needed quite a bit more than her enhanced spells to effectively fight the Dragon. Perhaps not the ridiculous amount of levels the creature itself possessed, but enough to at least comfortably fight the Meadow. And for that alone she needed a downright insane amount of high level monsters to fight.

Not that the Meadow would tell me where to find them, she thought, reminded of the continent to the east. Land of storms. Worse than even here. But I might just as well annoy something even worse than Audur. A different realm altogether would be the best. Not like many creatures could just follow me here.

First, train and enhance all skills. Maybe I’ll manage to befriend a dragon in the meantime to balance out the issues I have with the green ball of anger from the west.Or I could ascend and put my soul into some kind of high level robot body made by Goliath and the Meadow, approved by Nes.

She smiled at the thought but in the end, Ilea preferred to stay at least somewhat human. Giving up on food was not in the cards. She finished the plate and checked the messages from the past few days.

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

Ilea decided to use her available third tier general point to enhance the one resistance where her mantle and resilience didn’t make as much of a difference.

General skills available for third tier advancement:

...

Soul Magic Resistance

You have fought and killed a high level Lich Fragment and chose to expose your Soul to the harsh training of a Greater Lich. Are you sure you don’t want to become an undead yourself? Or perhaps you’re just incredibly scared of them. Skulls and stuff. Dark hoods? No?

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Soul Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The fleeting conscience of man and beast. Flesh, energy, motion and thought. The Soul stands separate entirely, yet intertwined all the same. Through hardship you have learned understanding, not through meditation and study. A brutal yet comforting truth, strengthening that which cannot be grasped.

2nd stage: Battered and cracked. Challenged and near broken. Your Soul has endured through sheer tenacity against that which meant to bring its end. A serene calm now sways through your very essence, changed and evolved, grounded and calm.

3rd stage: You have survived concentrated efforts to destroy your essence. Have fought and killed those that would’ve harmed your very core. Steady and entirely settled it remains. And so it shall remain. Your Soul cannot be destroyed nor can it be separated from your body. Injuries sustained will retain their effects.

The addition was welcome of course but didn’t change the unsettling feeling of having one’s soul damaged directly. Nor did it negate the damage that pretty much ignored her conventional defenses.

She felt the pull of space magic, letting go as she was realigned within the fabric. The Meadow’s domain came into view just as the teleportation gate activated.

Ilea found the entire council of Ravenhall present. Dagon, Elise, Sulivhaan, Claire, and Trian. Herself making the sixth member.

Claire and Trian gave her a look, the group glancing around with large eyes. Sulivhaan had several auras active around himself while Dagon rubbed his eyes.

“Might be best for you to deal with the introductions,” Trian said to her.

Ilea raised her brow, glancing at the additional people that had joined the group. Kyrian was one of them, as were Wayland and a group of armed and armored shadows Ilea knew as well.

____________________________

Navalis followed the group out of the city, her eyes focused on her target. Rock tried to get her attention but she ignored him. They had a job to do and chit chat wasn’t part of it. She could downright feel his excitement. Navalis felt tense if anything. How could she not?

Three days prior, their former team leader Sulivhaan, now council member of the independent Ravenhall, had asked them for a favor. More than just a favor, but she knew that all of them would have followed him to a realm of demons if he had asked. Which is why he never had. They had continued being Shadows, as they wished to be. His new position would’ve surely allowed for lucrative positions in the new government but none of them had plans to settle down. Joining the Shadow’s Hand was usually not a short term commitment, but a choice done for life.

They had already left for the next job when a high level Shadow brought them the summons. Sulivhaan had given them the information they needed. Wayland, a former spy master for another nation was taken in to do the same job for Ravenhall. A ridiculous idea but if she trusted anyone to weigh such a risk, it was Sulivhaan. They were to watch his every move, read every letter, listen to all of his conversations, and keep an eye on his magic. Not an easy task as it turned out, for he was a man of many talents. But they were three, and more than just experienced.

Navalis had yet to make her mind up about Wayland, but she appreciated his open communication and the logical explanations he offered for each of his actions. It seemed he either tried very hard to fool them or he genuinely wanted to stay in their good graces. Many reasons for either, but their task was to simply keep watch. Given the risks it made sense to put a whole team of Shadows on the job and it was an honor that Sulivhaan had asked them personally.

Twenty minutes prior, the man himself had joined them in the tailor shop Wayland had chosen as his base of operations, near the Sentinel Headquarters. They were to drop whatever they were doing and join him. The class of Sentinels had left without complaints, the mysterious healing order formed by Lilith even more shrouded in rumors than the Shadow’s Hand. Navalis welcomed more healers, especially ones that could fight.

She had long made the connection between Ilea and Lilith, but the stories seemed exaggerated, even for someone as strong as her. If she met her again, she would get her own impression. The short notice made sense, likely done to prevent Wayland from informing anyone, or perhaps done to bait him into a mistake. He had been accepted for the job by the council but his trial phase had only just begun. And they were his watchers.

Navalis didn’t know if they could take him in a direct confrontation, even with all three of them there. But considering the circumstances, that fact didn’t matter. Not with the regular reports. Even if he managed to somehow incapacitate all three of them, which she considered highly unlikely, he would be found out in less than twenty minutes. Not enough time to flee the city in an effective manner. His information would be leaked, but it seemed the council deemed the risk worth the potential benefits of his cooperation.

Senia wasn’t happy about her interrupted sleep, but when they had reached the meeting spot in the office of the Head Administrator, that annoyance quickly vanished.

Not only was the entire council present, but there was a man Navalis could simply not gauge. Stronger than anyone she had ever met, and yet so unassuming. He wore simple leather armor, his gray eyes avoiding eye contact whenever she tried to force it. She could feel the curse magic flowing through him, more powerful than anything she had seen in a human.

Everyone besides the man had donned their battle regalia, tension in the air as the Head Administrator informed them about a meeting that would take place in the next hour.

Wayland had shrouded them in shadow and sound magic as they held on to flying metal bars, controlled by the mysterious man Navalis tried to always keep in front of her.

They landed half an hour later, deep within the valleys of the southern mountains. A location that looked just like everything else in the area. She spotted the hidden entrance into the ground below the snow, but she might’ve missed it if she had simply passed through without stopping.

Claire, as she had introduced herself, opened a hatch, leading them down into a cellar of sorts. Their own group waited until Wayland had gone down and followed. The mysterious man entered last, closing the hatch behind himself.

The room was filled with high quality weapons, armor, ingots, and even a bit of gold. Suspicious, but not entirely unlikely. Forgotten perhaps, a smuggler’s hidden stash, or perhaps prepared as a trap. It turned out to be none of those options.

Claire activated a set of runes, the ground shifting to reveal yet another entrance, enchanted against all intrusion spells and perception abilities Navalis had at her disposal. An expensive endeavor. One I would’ve missed in almost all scenarios.

She kept her eyes on Wayland but it seemed the man was just as intrigued as they were. They’re not sure either. Only Claire and the curse mage seem calm.

Rock poked her but she didn’t react. Their task was Wayland.

“I’m afraid we have to jump,” Claire said and did as much, vanishing into the thin open shaft in the ground. She landed a few seconds later and shouted for the next person to go.

Navalis and the curse mage were the last to remain upstairs when she glanced at him and jumped.

She landed without a sound, stepping out of the way as she took in the surroundings. Magical lights shined on from the side walls, a single circular room opening up with a platform at the center. The stone was lined with metal, hundreds of runes visible on the surface. It all shined with magical energy.

The council members didn’t react but their group exchanged glances, even Navalis taking her eye off Wayland for a split second. The man had his brows raised, one hand raised to his jaw in a thoughtful gesture.

“Is that what I think it is?” Rock asked in a whisper.

Nobody replied. He had the tact not to say more.

A teleportation gate… in Ravenhall. What else could it be? But who would’ve built it? Who would it belong to? For how long have they kept this hidden? How did anyone even figure this out? Why now?

“We will now go into what has been described to me as the domain of the Meadow. Please be advised not to engage ANYTHING in combat. And be prepared for a lot of ambient mana exposure,” Claire said and stepped onto the platform. “Please step on the platform.”

Everyone did as asked, with the appropriate hesitation.

The curse mage stepped on as the last. “Try not to scream,” he said and Navalis thought she caught a slight grin on his lips. She realized his words weren’t meant for her, Trian rolling his eyes after they looked at each other.

Claire activated a set of enchantments on the platform and the thing came to life.

A spell activated a moment later, everything in her perception turning for a split second before she returned to solid ground. A bizarre experience, but not something Navalis could consider for more than a heartbeat. Her enhanced perception skills allowed her to see magic hidden to most others, allowed her to feel what others could not. But wherever she had appeared at, she had not been prepared. She had her bow in hand before she could think, her perception abilities disabled the moment she felt the nearby auras.

The impressions were overwhelming. To the point where her very mind seemed to blur with all her abilities active. So she disabled them, the action leaving her open to possible attacks but she had to trust her instincts. There had been an aura of death powerful enough to suggest a being far into the four marks and two beings of void and arcane magic close to that level. That much she could’ve handled, but everything combined with the downright all consuming aura coming from a field of black grass farther down the cavern, she had no choice.

“Might be best for you to deal with the introductions,” Claire’s voice brought her back.

Her eyes fell on the woman, a familiar face, clad in well fitting black pants and a white blouse that looked good as new. Her piercing blue eyes took in the arrivals, her gaze the same but entirely different than Navalis remembered. It was Ilea, no doubt, or something that looked like Ilea. She didn’t dare activate her perception skills again but even without, she could feel the hairs on her neck stand up. Something about her didn’t seem right, didn’t seem human.

“I kind of wanted to watch the whole thing as a bystander,” the woman replied.

The curse mage walked towards her and smiled. “Can’t delegate everything, Ilea.”

“Good to see you too, Kyrian. Staying for a while?” the woman asked.

“A few days. I’ll be here for the meeting at the very least,” the man answered.

They know each other. Were they Shadows together? Same with Claire and Trian, they seem more than familiar with her, though just as confused with the surroundings as the others.

“Alright then, glad you made it safely. First official use of our teleportation gates,” Ilea said. “Rock, Senia, Navalis, didn’t expect to see you today but glad you’re alive and well. I’m both Ilea and Lilith, if you didn’t figure that out already.”

“What?!” Rock exclaimed.

Ilea just smiled. “Welcome everyone, to the far north, the domain of the Endless Meadow, our newly established northern outpost of the Medic Sentinels, and the town of Hallowfort, whose council will join us shortly. You should all be familiar with the Elders of the Shadow’s Hand, those that remain and aren’t absolute dipshits, excluding Pierce of course.”

The Elders Lucas, Quil, and Pierce joined them, some of the people present exchanging glances. Navalis herself was simply curious how she could’ve missed the three humans.

“For the others… we should probably do this one at a time. Guardian of our Medic Sentinels, Aki,” Ilea said.

Navalis charged an arrow with power, aiming up at the slender silver form, familiar green eyes taking her in as it slid through the air on fast moving legs, coming to a stop behind and slightly above Ilea.

“Greetings,” a slightly distorted voice spoke.

[Pursuer of Akelion – lvl ???]

What did we get ourselves into?

Chapter 710 Introductions

A note from Rhaegar

Shoutout to Truth Seeker for some time loopey gamelit :). If you're into that kinda stuff.

Chapter 710 Introductions

Trian looked around the underground domain. The cube like structure set into the stone ground looked interesting, especially compared to the few stone buildings that were present as well. He had of course known about the teleportation gates beforehand but he hadn’t quite grasped the reality of it until he stepped onto the platform and appeared here. In the supposed North.

Aki’s new form wasn’t a surprise. It had only been a matter of time until Ilea would’ve found his colleague an upgrade to his previous form. Necessary too, the students were getting off too easily. He allowed himself a slight smile, looking at the large but slender form walk through the very air. Enormous power radiated from its form, a near invisible shield protecting the machine. He just hoped the other members of the Council didn’t think to convince Aki to work for them instead. He wouldn’t. He’s a Sentinel through and through.

The floating form in the distance talking to a dwarf didn’t stand out in the grand scheme of things. The smith Ilea had mentioned, he assumed. They had been informed about the various beings that lived here in Hallowfort, though the town itself would be located up above. He glanced at Kyrian and looked towards the black grass, a crystal tree visible a few hundred meters away. Pillars of stone rose throughout the vicinity, fireflies moving in serene patterns over the downright eerie meadow. Beyond, the cavern opened up, what he knew to be crystal light coming in from outside. The edge of a cliff suggested a drop, how far he didn’t know.

Kyrian glanced at him and gave him a slight nod.

He straightened and bowed in a respectful manner, ignoring the looks he was surely getting from both the present representatives, the Elders, and his friends. “Greetings, Endless Meadow,” he said in a clear voice. He waited a few seconds, almost starting to feel a little silly when he felt a magical presence connect to his mind.

“Greetings, young human. You are receptive. Do scream should this cause you any distress,” the voice spoke, undefinable to any standard. A voice, commanding power. Almost mocking, patronizing, but not arrogant. Simply knowing.

“It doesn’t seem to be an issue. And we have an arcane healer present anyway. I have heard a lot about you,” he said, used to telepathy by now with Ilea’s new acquisition. Ready to meet another friend of hers, he thought, squishing the feeling of being in the presence of a god. Just treat it like you would Ilea.

___________________________

Navalis glanced at the Headmaster who had greeted what she assumed to be the overwhelming presence behind them. She gulped as she watched him move towards it, the others too preoccupied with the Taleen death machine to react. Is he communicating through telepathy? She turned to Wayland but the man seemed focused on the Pursuer too, green eyes taking them in as the machine stepped behind the woman she had once known to be Ilea.

It irked her. She wanted to see, wanted to learn everything she could about this place and its denizens but she knew it was beyond her. Navalis ground her teeth when she noticed Ilea looking right at her.

“No need to freak out. Were you not informed?” the woman’s voice appeared in her mind.

Telepathy. She’s a mind mage too now? She had thought the arcane presence was her main magic, and with all the stories of ash, she assumed that to be her second. A general skill? Or another Class, if such a thing is even possible?

“You can reply you know,” Ilea said. “Come on, we fought Elves together, I’m still the same, just way, way more powerful.”

“Are you really? You don’t feel the same,” Navalis said, immediately regretting her words. It was so easy to slip with telepathy, the lack of air and movement of her mouth barriers not present. Her eyes opened wide.

“I’m above level five hundred. Don’t tell the others. Plenty of evolutions and a third Class. I’ll have to show you some of my magic later, the space stuff is super cool,” the woman said and smiled, winking at her.

She’s the same. No monster would be so nonchalant. Five hundred?

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

Is she hiding it then? Her magic feels closer to that of the Pursuer, maybe even beyond. She gulped again. “Sorry, it’s just a lot to take in. I didn’t know what we were going to do. Sulivhaan only spoke of a meeting.”

“Yeah, they were fucking with you,” Ilea said with a smile. “Though he seems just as freaked out as you are. Rock wants to fight it seems. Maybe you can dissuade him, I don’t want to shatter his self confidence.”

She’s genuinely concerned. Not a surprise with her power. The stories of Lilith were confirmed to her. Beyond even. Navalis assumed they were not exactly exaggerated, but more the opposite. Her acquaintance from a few years past had risen in power to the point where the entirety of the Shadow’s Hand would fall to her. She had seen her sustain and heal from injuries back when she had been at two hundred, she couldn’t even imagine what a healer at her level could survive.

The Elders didn’t react much to the introduction of the Pursuer, but Lucas seemed curious as to the visitors and the surrounding people. He’s not in the know, not like the other Elders. I thought he had died years ago, Navalis thought and bowed respectfully towards the three people.

Elder Quil nodded in response. Pierce seemed excited, watching the various people but mainly Sulivhaan and Wayland.

Does she know the man? Past dealings or an enemy? No, more the curiosity one would show to a friend, similar to how Kyrian watched Trian.

“Aki will return to the Headquarters soon, but we’ll have to figure out how to hide him throughout the city to avoid a panic,” Ilea continued. “He’s a three mark after all.”

So are you, Navalis thought.

“This cube thing is going to be the northern site of the Sentinels, Trian already knows about it. You can inspect it whenever,” Ilea said.

“I will, thanks,” the man answered in a slightly absentminded way. He had sat down on a nearby stone, a thoughtful expression on his face as he looked towards the distant tree.

“Over there is Goliath, the floating Dark One, and an excellent smith from Hallowfort. Claire, I’m sure you can figure out some projects that might interest him enough to actually work on it. Bralin is the dwarf next to him, he’s from the Pit, another settlement closer to the Naraza mountain chain. We can talk about that stuff later, their leader… well the closest they have to a leader, is interested in potential relations with us as well,” Ilea explained. “Don’t be alarmed by the various beings here, all should be awakened, meaning they’re capable of thought and communication. Let’s get this out of the way then, Owl?”

Navalis froze when she felt the presence of death intensify, the power overwhelming despite her lack of perception abilities. All she could do was fight against her instincts. A four mark wielder of magic. They had specific procedures in place whenever they encountered such a being. Standing in one place was not part of that. She saw Rock raise his hammer and immediately touched his back to try and dissuade him.

Senia gave them a glance before she looked at Sulivhaan but the man stared forward instead.

The presence appeared next to Ilea, floating a meter above the ground. Humanoid in shape but entirely different in every other way. Its body had an ethereal quality to it, a purple sheen to its form with two glowing eyes and a line that suggested a mouth in its head. Navalis held her breath, her hand shaking lightly as she resisted the urge to teleport away. She saw the hand sign Senia gave her, the woman as tense as she was. Teleportation restricted.

[Greater Lich – lvl ????]

Navalis could feel the fear now. Everyone present was a veteran, the only reason nobody had tried to flee the calm presence of both Ilea and the Elders. Claire and Kyrian seemed mostly unbothered as well.

“Uhm… hello everyone,” an ethereal voice spoke as the Lich raised a hand in a wave like gesture.

What?

Navalis watched the being glance at Ilea, the latter giving a reassuring smile and nod. Who… what…

“Hello Owl,” Claire said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The Lich seemed relieved by that, the tension broken in an instant.

Rock started laughing, Senia giving him an annoyed glare.

“How is this possible?” Wayland murmured, taking a step forward.

“Found her in a dungeon far north, some rituals happened millennia ago, killed a monster and a problematic undead, and here we are,” Ilea said and shrugged.

That doesn’t explain anything!

Wayland nodded to himself, turning around as he glanced at his three shadows. “This is real, right? You’re seeing this too?”

All Navalis could do was give him a confirming hand sign, one only her team would understand but she didn’t really consider it in the moment.

“Yeah, it’s real alright. Or some high level illusion spell… mind magic maybe,” Rock said as he looked around with his hammer in hand.

That thing won’t help you here, Navalis thought.

“There is nothing like that here,” Sulivhaan said in a calm voice. “Greetings, Greater Lich Owl,” he added and bowed. “Are you a representative of Hallowfort?”

“I… no… I just…” the Lich said and looked at Ilea, her eyes glowing a little brighter.

Aki stepped over and touched her ethereal back with his morphing silver arm, long fingers ending in spikes.

Navalis gulped at the sight.

“She’s just a resident. The Meadow teaches her to handle her overwhelming power. So that she doesn’t just kill people with her presence alone,” Ilea explained.

The Meadow… teaches a four mark? Navalis didn’t dare look towards the grass.

_____________________________

The edges of the domain were clear, usual travelers moving through the hidden crevices in the lands, lightning distorting the perception of the all seeing Meadow where it truck into the ravaged stone. The day had come like any other and yet it felt significant. More so than most others.

Life was brought into the world, and taken away. New beings would awaken, others forever gone, their chance at enlightenment snuffed out by the cruel hands of reality. Civilization as known to Elos would soon reach another stage, long range teleportation capable of bringing together species and peoples of distant lands. Their values and history would clash and grate, the comfort of their walls breached by the ways of the fabric. The fate of thousands lay on the scales of time, and the Meadow saw those at the very center.

The potential of endless wars and unprecedented death was a reality, and still it trusted the one being at the center of this new age. She herself neither considered the true significance of her character in the weave of relations nor did she want the responsibility that came with such a position. And precisely because of those facts, was she the perfect initiator. Those she had gathered around her were beings from different pasts, species of all kinds of make, beings that would fear and fight each other for a sheer lack of similarity.

Ilea had enjoyed the title given to her, the position of Primordial Arbiter, yet she failed to grasp the significance of its existence. Even the Meadow was impressed at the trust given to her, not just by itself but by the beings present in this historical event. An undead Lich, feared by those who had encountered such, cursed by others. A Taleen machine, accepted by Elves. Humans in the North, about to meet the Council of Hallowfort, awakened beings they would’ve considered monsters without the presence and significance of Lilith.

The Meadow couldn’t help but feel pride. To have come here, to be part of it all, to have helped her reach further understanding, as resilient to learning as she was. This world held promise after all, the beings full of hope and potential. It considered the wasteland of Erendar, the spirits of death and the sky, roaming long forgotten lands, civilizations of hardened warriors unable to survive the harsh existence of their realm. And yet their descendants had remained. Saved from extinction by Lilith herself. In all but power, it would seem the woman was closer to divinity than the Meadow itself.

Its eyes moved west, always on the lookout for her enemies. Should they choose the path of violence, the Meadow would respond in kind. Hallowfort would stand, against those who would seek its destruction.

At the same time it watched the frozen humans, fear and confusion obvious as they were introduced to creatures beyond their comprehension. The conversation with Trian had shifted to practical matters of the Sentinels, the man both polite and responsible, though a slight distance remained, the common fear or reverence present just like with most awakened creatures that came in contact with the Meadow. Instinctual perhaps, much like a young Star Chaser would avoid the Miststalkers of the northern night.

Few were entirely uncaring. Ilea of course, her immunity to risk and inability to sense danger most certainly correlating with her fast growth in magical power. Her ability to heal the mind was likely the only thing that had kept her sane, a foundation now to her grounded state. Human and yet so much more. Even the Meadow could not grasp the potential future of its… friend. Verena and the self proclaimed Dragonkiller were close in the way they treated its presence, though a deep seated instinctual fear remained. “Perhaps Ilea is really just too stupid to understand my true power.”

“Hey, I heard that. Your true power is fucking terrifying by the way, you’re like multi fucking dimensional,” the woman replied.

Amusing. A simple conversation of course, compared to the eighty three threads of thought it currently discussed with the Faen fragment that called itself Twin, and yet it couldn’t help but enjoy the simplicity of its human friend. A genuine connection, perhaps something deeply rooted before even its own awakening had fully come to be. Something it had fulfilled with the connection to traveling Elementals and beings of similar power. It considered itself a being of guidance, but there was enjoyment in the perceived equality it felt towards Ilea, though her assumption was preposterous. Never could she be as glorious a Meadow as itself. A part of it knew the day would come, and it hoped it would, for it if didn’t come to be, it meant the death of either one or both of them.

New possibilities opened up as the Fae explained in simple terms the complex weave of this realm. Its mind was limited still, and yet the Meadow remained its student. Still it felt pride in the fact that it could offer at least some considerations the being had not yet had the opportunity to decipher. A direct meeting with the true Fae would not come to be but perhaps a conversation, through the fabric itself. First it had to prove itself, to the boundless source of knowledge and magical power of the primordial being. Unlike Ilea, it couldn’t impress it with a few simple physical attacks, though perhaps that approach would’ve been more successful with the Baron. An opportunity squandered, but here it was, communicating with yet another of the ancient kind. It thanked Ilea once again for the opportunity, keeping a few of its eyes on the confused and overwhelmed humans, impressed with so little, entire new worlds opening before them as they were introduced to the beings living in its domain. Time moved, ever onward, life vibrant in all of its perception. It was a good day, under the northern suns.

____________________________

“I guess those are the strangest people around. Well Elana is gonna give some of you a few headaches too, but she’s at least human,” Ilea said as she looked at the group.

They were still a little overwhelmed but at least there hadn’t been any magic thrown so far. Likely because I didn’t yet invite the Elves. That can wait for another day I suppose, she thought. Ilea had refrained from healing their minds, she knew at least Sulivhaan would be offended at the gesture. He would want to process everything himself.

Enjoyable in a way, because while his mask prevented her to see his face, she could gauge quite enough with the rest of her perception. The team of Shadows was on guard, Navalis at least calmed a little with her telepathy. Rock was Rock, and Senia was ready to stab something, not that it would do her any good with her level in her mid two hundreds.

“When are the others coming down?” Ilea asked the Meadow.

“About twenty minutes,” the being replied. “I can inform them if the humans require more time.”

“I think they’ll be fine. The important ones at least,” Ilea replied. “Last and least important is the Meadow,” she said and gestured in the general direction of the being.

“Wouldn’t it be the most important?” Kyrian asked with a slight smile.

“We’re far too uninteresting for the multilayered eldritch being,” Ilea mused.

“Untrue,” the Meadow spoke, half the people in the group turning towards it, those capable of comprehending its telepathy trying to find the source. “Greetings, representatives of Ravenhall. I welcome you into this domain. Whatever the outcome of these talks, I guarantee your safety and a way back, should the corresponding gate not be damaged in the duration of your stay.”

A large stone plate with the same greeting scratched into it appeared before the group. “Should you have any questions or concerns, simply ask and I will try my best to satisfy your curiosity.”

Ilea snorted. “Very mysterious, well done,” she said and clapped slowly.

“I am merely trying to set them at ease,” it said to her.

“No mention of your world domination plan?” Ilea asked.

“It’s supposed to be a surprise, Ilea,” the Meadow replied.

Chapter 711 The Harbinger of Cake

Chapter 711 The Harbinger of Cake

Dagon watched as the group split up, Kyrian and Claire joining Trian, the rest of the council joining with the Elders and Ilea. Tables with snacks and drinks had appeared at some point, the ground flattened and shifted to create some sort of yard in front of the Sentinel site. Wooden ornaments grew out of the ground to decorate the vicinity, tipped with bowls of stone. White burning ash appeared above and settled in the stone cauldrons.

He clasped Elise’s hand as they watched the ground shift, elements created before their very eyes. Of course he was familiar with both storage devices and wood magic but the spectacle felt so very nonchalant. A demonstration of power, even after everything they had seen and perceived.

“Did you hear it talk?” Elise whispered to him, her eyes towards the black grass.

“Yes,” Dagon said. The knowledge this being must possess. All the beings here possess. He couldn’t fathom it all. “How old are you?” he asked through the telepathic link. He had dozens of questions. All wrestling with each other to be the first asked. He held his breath, unsure how much the being would truly answer but he had to try, had to know.

“Older than most,” it replied. “Is it not considered rude to ask such questions?”

“Apologies, Sir, Lady Meadow. How should I address you?” he asked, fumbling in his mind as Elise looked at him with curiosity.

He felt as if a giggle flowed through the very core of reality, the hair on his neck standing up.

“Just Meadow is perfectly acceptable, librarian,” it spoke. “If you intend to ask for a trade of information and books, I am very much interested.”

He smiled, barely able to contain his excitement as he grasped his ring, hoping it was still there. Dagon had brought a lot to this meeting. Whatever political and trade advantages this would bring to Ravenhall was secondary to him. The fact that they had traveled to the north, had the opportunity to communicate with beings that had never even been to the plains, could learn from them, learn about their history, their struggles, it was overwhelming. He respected the power these creatures commanded but they were allies to Ilea, and he would use that for all it was worth.

“I am,” he said out loud and squeezed Elise’s hand. “May I summon a table?”

The ground shifted as a sizable construct grew out from the stone, a well crafted table with various marked sections appeared and settled. “I assume you have brought paper and a way for me to put information down in a somewhat permanent way. Hallowfort lacks some of these supplies, difficult to obtain and far less useful to the people in these parts of the world.”

Dagon summoned stacks of paper, ink, and a variety of pens. “There is nothing more useful than the preservation of knowledge,” he answered.

“An admirable conviction,” the being replied.

Dagon tried to hide his shaking hands as he watched the provided supplies start floating.

Elise watched in wonder, a smile on her face that quickly distracted him from the absurd reality of their situation.

______________________________

“You look. Good,” Kyrian said. He held a plate with some snacks.

“You think so?” the machine replied, green eyes shining as they surveyed the mingling people.

“Very… deadly,” he said and bit into the pastry filled with meat.

Aki moved his long fingers and glanced at the pastry. “I suppose that’s good for a guardian. What does it taste like?”

“Salty,” Kyrian said and looked up at the being. “Dry on the outside but the filling is nice.”

“You don’t seem particularly versed in eating, no offense,” the machine said.

Kyrian looked at the crumbs that had fallen to the ground, some onto the plate. He glanced back at the machine. “I suppose. I didn’t consider manners much while living on the isles.”

“I can teach you, if you like. Whenever we have time between lessons,” Aki suggested.

He smiled at the machine. Not machine. He’s a colleague. Fellow teacher. Just about three times as strong than before. It had given him some confidence to know he was at least more powerful than most people in Ravenhall. From a purely magical perspective. Here however he felt a little lost. With just the Meadow, Ilea, and the various high level beings it wasn’t an issue but now it felt more like some kind of nobility event. “I’m uncomfortable,” he murmured.

“I noticed. The hooded Shadow keeps looking at you. Perhaps she is interested in a romantic way?” Aki suggested.

“You think so?” Kyrian asked, eating the rest of his pastry.

The Pursuer waved at the Shadow, the woman immediately taking a few steps back before she joined Sulivhaan’s side, the group currently talking to Iana. “I believe I scared her.”

“Maybe,” Kyrian said as he watched Ilea look at a wine bottle in her hand, a tendril of ash forming before her, piercing the cork and flicking it away. Produced in Eregar’s Haven.

She poured herself a glass and vanished. “Doing alright you two?”

Kyrian glanced at the woman now standing between them. “This is not my kind of event.”

“Yeah, I can feel your discomfort,” Ilea mused. “Let me get the smiths. We found some pretty interesting metal in the pit, might be worthwhile for you to have a look at,” she said and vanished again.

Goliath and Bralin joined them a minute later, a workbench appearing on the prepared platform as they continued their discussion. Kyrian joined their side without a word, more interested in their consideration of metals than the talk of gate security and applications he heard from Iana.

Aki apparently felt the same.

“Bralin can we borrow your music box?” Ilea asked, catching the thing when he threw it her way. “Thanks!” she said with a smile and vanished.

Does she even walk at this point?

He looked at Trian, the man joined by Verena as they walked towards the cube like structure, set at an angle into the stone below.

Kyrian looked up to see a new being floating above the workbench, white eyes looking down on the plans and metals before it glanced his way.

“Hello,” he said, assuming it was the Fae he had met before.

Hello. Human.

The voice sounded different, more feminine. She managed to find another one, he thought when music started placing, the volume adjusted until it faded into the background. Yet another technological marvel.

He focused back at the large workbench, ready to say very few words for the remainder of this meeting. And yet he still wanted to be there, a tense but excited atmosphere in the air, the significance of the meeting more than obvious to everyone present.

________________________

Claire tasted the wine, her eyes on the gate placed slightly above the stone ground. The drink wasn’t the best thing she’s ever had but she liked the taste. Red and heavy, much like blood. Not that she ever drank glasses full of blood. “They should arrive soon,” she sent to the Meadow, the being more than accommodating with all the questions and concerns she’s had. At least she had proof now that the creature was more than just a powerful four mark. She didn’t know yet if that was a good thing or not.

“Indeed. About three minutes, should no complications occur,” the being answered straight into her mind.

“Thank you,” she answered and sipped once more from her wine. Her gaze wandered to the floating undead creature engaged in mock battle with the hammer wielding Shadow. She was interested in the creature but more so in the barrier around them. Never had she seen anything like it. Claire doubted anybody else would’ve noticed but the Meadow was likely the most competent barrier mage that she now knew of.

“Doing okay? Nervous? Overwhelmed? Stressed?” Ilea asked when she appeared next to her, a glass of wine in hand, now wearing a flowing black dress that hinted at her ashen form.

“Why do you never wear that during our lessons?” Claire asked instead, looking her up and down.

Ilea twirled with a smile. “I’d stumble,” she answered.

“That means you’re not good enough yet,” Claire said. “Maybe you could get us one of those music devices.”

“The Meadow is working on it already. I plan to make a few for myself,” she said.

Claire smiled. “Can it hear us if we talk through your telepathy?”

“I doubt it, it’s not a mind mage. Unsure if we can trust the thing?” Ilea asked.

She swirled the wine and took another sip. “It’s less about trust… and more just the incredible power. Nobody could stop it. Nobody could defy it.”

“Just give me a few more years,” Ilea replied with a wink. “We wouldn’t have the gates if not for the Meadow. We wouldn’t have the Soul Forge. I’d hardly be the same space mage that I am without its tutoring. There’s so much the Meadow can help us with, it’s ridiculous. It’s not human, Claire. It doesn’t have the same desires as most beings I’ve met. And it’s proven to be trustworthy, time and time again.”

“All true. It just feels… like we’re not in control. At all,” Claire said.

Ilea puffed. She smiled and raised her brows. “Claire. We’re not. Humans have very little power in this world. The same is true for most Dark Ones. Even Elves would not dare oppose a Dragon, at least I doubt it. This here,” she said and gestured around them. “With this, we’re taking the first steps.”

“You’ve seen more than I have,” Claire admitted.

“If anything, the Meadow can prevent us from slaughtering each other,” Ilea added.

“You have a lot of trust in its judgment,” she said and refilled her glass. The alcohol didn’t affect her.

“I saw what it did in Erendar. I know what it can do, know what it asked of me. And I brought it back to this realm. Already it has prevented the Feynor from attacking this settlement. We need allies, Claire. In the long term. Adam Strand alone destroyed Ravenhall. There are people capable of blood rituals that can wipe out entire cities. We need an answer to that,” Ilea said.

Claire took another sip and paused, looking at one of the tunnels. A group of beings approached. It was time.

“I thought the answer was you,” she said.

“Not to everything. Neither is the Meadow. Everyone here is needed,” Ilea said. “We also have Nes and the Cerithil Hunters. And I’m sure I’ll meet more interesting beings in the future.”

“One world changing step at a time,” Claire said. “We can’t all evolve as fast as you do.”

___________________________

Catelyn walked in front of the group. The council members of Hallowfort were equal but she understood that her small size would place her at a lower importance to most humans. It was just how they thought, their perception more focused on the visual than the magical. Nor did she think her large form would cause anything but tension. They were here because of Ilea and the Meadow.

It had been ages since their entire council had agreed on anything without complaints. Haiden had known Ilea for quite some time. If the teleportation gates came to be, he’d get both new customers and resources. Doravin and No respected both the Meadow and Ilea for their strength, no convincing would be necessary for most everything the two would suggest. Catelyn was just glad they mostly stayed out of Hallowfort’s affairs. Good intentions without the necessary historical and cultural knowledge could lead to tensions in the town. Her early concerns with the Meadow had turned out to be unfounded, the ancient being of space and life more than just helpful, learning about them in the background and assisting where it could. She still sometimes worried about the sheer influence it would have in the coming centuries but in all her thinking, she had found no reason not to risk it. The benefits were simply too great.

Varahan unsurprisingly loved the idea of teleportation gates, her four wings fluttering almost in an excited way today. Catelyn just hoped she would adhere to the rules they had in place, and the likely new ones to be discussed today. For her sake.

The most skeptical of the bunch was Elana. Despite the early concerns of the other council members about her being favorable to humans specifically, she was the one to distrust them the most. Not surprising to Catelyn. She had dealt with the species enough to know they’d rather trust the arcane storms not to hit them than an unknown member of their own kind. Natural, for beings that have lived so long challenged mostly by their own people. The harsh environment of the north largely prevented such issues.

Catelyn hoped the gates didn’t promote the same problems within Hallowfort as she knew to exist in human cities. The Meadow will stay vigilant, she reminded herself. Its promise to protect their settlement was genuine. No corruption, Feynor, nor the Dark Protector will be able to invade. Not anymore.

She saw the black grass in the distance, the crystal tree reflecting the light coming in from the expansive cavern outside. The same she saw from her room in the Hunter’s Den. Though she felt little like a hunter in the presence of the Meadow. “Greetings, ancient one, bearer of the fabric,” she said through the already established connection. She bowed her head slightly, the beings around her doing the same. They had agreed not to treat the being for what it truly was, but power and reputation had to be acknowledged. Anything else would be beyond a lack of respect.

“Good day, Catelyn, bringer of flames. The representatives from Ravenhall are present. Ilea has introduced them to me and the beings present,” the Meadow spoke.

Good. Catelyn hoped their own forms, strange to most humans, would not be quite as surprising now that they’ve already seen the likes of Owl and Aki. Though they should be veterans in their own right, more familiar with strange beings.

The Elders of the Hand she had already met had once been monster hunters primarily, now comfortable with the idea of thinking and talking creatures they would’ve only seen as beasts in their early days of being adventurers. Except for the Lizardfolk that sometimes traveled through the plains, once likely Dark Ones themselves.

Musical sounds came from the gathered group, the people gathering to greet the newcomers. Some she had already met. Verena, Pierce, Lucas, no longer an official part of the Ravenhall government as she was informed, though their council would surely be considered. About the others they had learned from both the Elders and Ilea, not much, but enough to start.

Dagon the librarian, visibly anxious to return to the book covered table. Fallen into the hands of the Meadow already, as expected. Trian, friend to Ilea and Kyrian. He will likely focus on considerations related to the Medic Sentinels. Only a fool would oppose his demands, battle healers and the direct support of Ilea’s organization were a priority after all. The masked individual would be Sulivhaan, perhaps the counterpart to Elana on their side, his body language suggesting a similar skepticism. He would be difficult to convince but considering the benefits and pressure from everyone else, he will have no choice to accept. The actual work will be a long term one. Both of them would obstruct if alienated or given reason to suspect any foul play.

Three warriors at the back, with a man shrouded in shadows. Catelyn did not know who they were but she would find out soon. Ilea stood by their side, looking towards the approaching council as she swirled a glass with red liquid in her hand. The same woman that came to the Hunter’s Den and helped clear out the corruption from the Descent. The same woman that saved my life against the Feynor invaders. The Bringer of Cake. And yet she felt different now. Dangerous. To an extend Catelyn would’ve never expected. An ally nonetheless, and a friend she would never betray.

She only glanced at the cake on the table for a split second before she forced herself to look at the last and most important individual in the group. The Head Administrator of Ravenhall, Claire Russel. Much of the communication between their settlements had been handled by the woman, demands, compromises, plans, and administrative work which Catelyn mostly delegated to Haiden and Elena. A competent individual, praised even by the former Queen of Rhyvor. And a good friend to Ilea.

Without the battle obsessed ash creature, they would not be here today. The Meadow would not be here today, nor would they already know so much about the other.

Ilea walked towards them with a smile and wave, the gravity of the event either lost on her or of no importance. “Hey everyone,” she greeted. “Do you want like an ashen box or something to stand on? Wait you can fly, no?”

“Telepathy now as well. It’s good to see you, Ilea,” Catelyn said and started floating. A deliberate delay to show her ability.

“Good to see you too, come, we have food and wine,” Ilea said and pointed at the group of humans. “Council of Ravenhall with additions, Elders of the Hand,” she then pointed to Catelyn’s group. “Council of Hallowfort.”

Varahan made an annoyed sound. Doravin laughed, the large warrior walking over with his large axe before he addressed Ilea. “Do you wish to battle?”

Catelyn sighed, the only solace in his display the fact that some of the tension broke with his challenge. She saw one of the human warriors grin, hammer in hand. Catelyn locked eyes with the hooded woman next to the man, their shared pain one of experience.

She floated forward and addressed the opposite council. “Greetings, esteemed representatives of Ravenhall. I’m Catelyn, speaker for Hallowfort. Head Administrator, it’s good to finally make your acquaintance,” she said to the woman.

Claire Russel took a step forward and bowed in an elegant manner. “I’m delighted to be here, Catelyn, wielder of flame,” she said and addressed all the others with appropriate titles.

Catelyn took in a deep breath, seeing the wink sent her way by Ilea.

“And that’s where I fade into the background,” the woman sent.

“At least you had the decency to bring cake,” Catelyn answered.

Chapter 712 Arrangements

Chapter 712 Arrangements

Ilea watched as a circular table made entirely of wood grew from the stone ground, various detailed imagery at the edge of the surface depicting bits of history the Meadow had been informed or a part of in both Ravenhall and Hallowfort’s past. She particularly liked the depiction of herself carrying the tree away from the Daughters of Sephilon, the bit rather small compared to more prominent events.

Chairs appeared next to the massive table, each member of the respective council including the guests taking a seat as the negotiations commenced.

Ilea would’ve liked to have a phone with her to take a quick picture. Posting it in the Sentinel group would’ve surely been a hit amongst the students. She too took a seat, even though the buffet looked much more interesting than the stacks of paper, books, and folders appearing on the table. A glance to the side showed Navalis looking around with a bit of an uncertain air about her.

“Sit next to me,” she sent to the woman and repeated the same to Owl, the Lich floating between the buffet and the large circular desk. You’re a four mark Lich. If anyone’s invited, it’s you, Ilea thought. Looking at her own lack of notes, she knew her main reason for being here was her high level. That and the fact that she knew most of the people present, better than they generally knew each other.

The Lich and Ranger sat down, both sharing a quick glance before they focused on the details on the table.

“Nice touch,” she sent to the Meadow when Twin appeared on her shoulder. The left one.

A few of the attendees glanced over, mainly the representatives of Hallowfort looking at her for a long moment.

“I’ve done extensive research before this meeting. Unlike some people,” the Meadow answered.

“See, that’s why I appreciate you so much, darling,” Ilea answered.

“Important meeting. Join? Violence maybe later,” she sent to the Baron, giving a glance to Rock and Senia, the two Shadows sitting besides Wayland, both stressed enough they’d surely want to blow off some steam once this was over.

The music had stopped and relative quiet returned to the area, a cool breeze flowing in from the caverns.

Catelyn and Claire glanced at each other and opened their books at the same time.

The fox started. “Welcome everyone. To the first official talks between the representatives of Ravenhall and Hallowfort. As the members of each council were informed, we will go through the previously established sections first, by their importance as evaluated by both me and Claire. Endless Meadow will document all that is said for future reference and documentation,” she said, thin sheets of stone appearing in the air with the words written down as they were said.

I wasn’t informed. Tragedy.

Claire gave the fox a nod and stood up. “Claire Russel, Head Administrator and council member of Ravenhall, member of the Shadow’s Hand, am here in person, sound of mind and at my own will,” she said and sat back down, looking to her left where Trian had already started standing up.

This is gonna take fucking forever, isn’t it, Ilea thought with a sigh and glanced over to Navalis.

______________________________

Navalis could feel the attention of Lilith next to her, the gaze like the lazy look of a disinterested predator. She stopped herself from gulping and looked at her for a split second before she turned her attention back to the detailed etching before her in the wooden table. She’s obviously not very interested in the talks. I can’t take sides. Not disrespecting any of the powerful individuals including Ilea would surely prove difficult, but she would try her best.

As a Shadow and ranger, her specialty was hunting monsters, but she’s been a part of her fair share of social events. Nothing quite as important as this, but the other attendees would’ve often thought as much about their downright mundane matters. Compared to even just the woman sitting next to her.

To her left sat Senia, the rogue glancing between the various attendees, her main focus still on Wayland.

He would be a fool and instantly dead if he tried anything here, Navalis thought but she didn’t say or signal anything. Few movements in the face of dangerous monsters. The introductions commenced, all around the table with most of them repeating a variation of the words Claire had used.

Navalis didn’t particularly like the Fae sitting on Ilea’s shoulder, the creature sometimes giving her a look that made her feel like a child. It didn’t help that a second one of the beings appeared on Ilea’s other shoulder a few minutes later. The creatures looked more or less the same but even without her perception abilities, they felt like day and night. Only based on their body language and her instincts. Neither of them talked. At least not to her.

Ilea summoned one of the wine bottles onto the table and poured herself a glass, more appearing near some of the participants. Others had mugs with steaming liquids or entire bottles appear. Navalis couldn’t tell if everything came from the Meadow, Ilea, personal storage devices, or through some other magic. Nor did she know if any communication had happened before. Telepathy. She wondered if the people here had more conversations going on than just the ones talked out loud. It was easy to read Ilea’s expressions to know she was communicating with the Fae on her shoulders, Claire, Catelyn, and with the direction of the Meadow. She seemed the least serious of everyone present, the mood and now drinks positively affecting the others.

A deliberate effort? Or just something that came natural to her? Navalis didn’t know. She would’ve guessed the latter based on her previous interactions with Ilea but a lot had changed.

“… former Queen of Rhyvor. And I’ll want to know where this wine was made,” the woman called Elana finished, sitting down with a look towards Ilea.

“Maro approved,” the woman replied with a wink which seemed to both irritate and amuse Elana.

Hard to read that one. She’s obviously a noble but it feels like she simply doesn’t care about schooling her face. The training was there, both in her posture and the way she moved her hands. Just her face, and eyes. Navalis looked away slowly when the woman met her gaze. Look at the engraving. Yes, winged and many armed being fighting monster hordes. She knew it was Lilith. Depicted like some kind of deity. Was it how the Meadow thought of her? She hadn’t gotten the impression that Ilea would like that but people could put on masks.

“Ilea,” the woman said and stood up. “Or Lilith, whatever you prefer. Very resistant to mind magic, forced to be here by my good friends Claire, and Catelyn,” she added and sat back down.

“No titles?” Catelyn asked after giving a glance to Claire.

“I doubt the famous Lilith even requires an introduction,” the Head Administrator said.

“I want some credit in forcing her to be here too,” the Headmaster of the Sentinels added, writing something into a leather bound book before he glanced up at the ashen myth. He wore a vest embroidered with both the family crest of the Alymie clan from Virilya and the wing of the Medic Sentinels, neither of which Navalis remembered seeing on any clothing or armor before. His black eyes were focused, long brown hair falling to his back with a well trimmed beard on his face. She would’ve respected his presence, his obvious status of nobility, and the magical power he wielded at his high level, but today he simply paled in comparison to his surroundings.

“Trian receives no credit,” Ilea stated in a more formal tone than she used before, an amused look in her eyes as she glanced at the tablets of stone where the said was imprinted. The woman glanced at Navalis a moment later.

Shit. My turn.

Done with the introductions, the two administrators started with the first point of discussion. The mood seemed a little less tense now, though Navalis didn’t feel particularly more relaxed herself. An obvious outcome based on the incredible display of power all around her. She tried to activate some of her skills now from time to time, slowly getting used to the various presences. Still she couldn’t even glance in the direction of the Meadow, but the rest were fine. She could tell there was more to the Fae on Ilea’s shoulders but they either concealed a part of what they were or her abilities simply couldn’t comprehend the full extent of their nature. She assumed it was both.

Ilea herself definitely used something to hide her level. She felt like a being at the very least at level seven hundred, perhaps higher. Some of the information Navalis got from her didn’t feel like anything she’d dealt with before. Unconventional. Different. Might just be because I haven’t met a human at her level. Not knowingly or with my skills active.

What she knew was that Ilea could likely challenge most everyone here in a pure display of magic. Everyone besides the Fae and the flow of near endless power she felt from the direction of the crystal tree. She fits in with the monsters.

“The extent of our cooperation is based on the limitations our settlements and peoples will put on the use of the teleportation gates provided by the culminated efforts of the Meadow, Iana, Christopher, Ilea, and resources gathered and provided by Ravenhall. Every council member should be familiar with the preliminary draft of the agreement,” Catelyn stated. “Between the settlements of Ravenhall, Morhill, and Hallowfort, all teleportation will be free. Approval of teleportation shall be limited to the respective members of the Shadowguard, and the Guardians of Hallowfort. Each respective member shall receive a key tuned to their respective mana signature. Limits apply both in frequency and amount of people or goods teleported. Said limits are higher for members of the council and other important individuals as defined by the respective councils. Keys will deactivate every week upon which the respective authorities have to evaluate and reactivate the device,” Catelyn explained.

Claire nodded and continued. “Internal mechanisms document basic information of how many times the respective gates were activated, which key was used, and how much mana was expended. Iana, can you inform us as to the security measures?”

The enchantress stood up, her eyes glowing with a strange power Navalis had never seen before. “Of course. As you know, much of our first prototype is a mere imitation of what the Taleen had already built thousands of years ago. Improvements mostly based on what the Meadow has taught us have made this model more robust and easier to both build, maintain, and use. As to the security, we decided to simply exclude a lot of capabilities present in the Taleen model. It’s possible the ancient civilization never expected anyone to be able to intrude on their network but we won’t make that same mistake. Two respective gates are only linked to one another. A gate cannot lead to another destination than its twin. This will allow us to prevent an attack on our entire teleportation network.”

“What about the technology itself? Can it not simply be stolen once someone owns one of the gates?” Haiden asked, the cat like being purring lightly after it had spoken.

“Not without a mind like that of the Meadow. The Taleen believed intrusion impossible, for good reason. Their measures to prevent imitation were just as impressive, and we improved on that. With the twin setup we have additional measures in place that would require a potential thief to need both gates for a complete enchantment matrix. A task made more difficult by the internal destruction set to happen one hour after a connection between gates has been lost. Though perfect security is simply not possible. We will have to trust the guardians and measures in place,” Iana explained.

“Nor is it our only way to prevent theft,” Claire said. “Ravenhall intends to set up a gate hub in the town of Morhill, from where travelers and adventurers can reach destinations all throughout the Plains and beyond. The same will be true for the first layer of the Descent, below the very grounds we stand on. Deals will be reached with the various countries, settlements, and beings, with the goal not to profit directly from the gates themselves but from the emerging commerce and political influence we have with the control of said devices. Theft will still be attempted but political support and funding will be limited because of our mutually beneficial terms. At least in the human plains, the presence of quickly accessible Shadows, Adventurers, and soon Sentinels will be far more popular amongst the people than their wish to own the technology itself,” she explained.

Wayland cleared his throat. He received a gesture from Claire. “The emergence of teleportation gates will change up the entirety of the established flow of information. I suggest gathering everything we can on experienced enchanters, space, and void mages… everywhere we can. Watching those individuals move will give us a lot of insight into who is investing how much into the acquisition of this new wonder. How long until the talks begin?”

“After our contracts are signed,” Claire said.

The man nodded and summoned a set of books and papers, starting to write furiously.

“I understand correctly then, that the goal of this teleportation network is not to send reinforcements to settlements in times of need?” No asked, the leader of the guard in Hallowfort speaking with a deep and vibrating voice, full plate armor covering up his features.

Catelyn turned to the being. “The limitations of the keys will allow for plenty of reinforcements, should they be necessary. A limit to quantity is in our favor, even should our potential enemies take control of the gates.”

“The Meadow protects Hallowfort,” Elana said. “And Ravenhall houses the most powerful known institutions in the Plains. Any conflict directly related to our settlements will likely be lost already should the need for reinforcements arise.”

Navalis gulped, looking at the quiet group exchange glances.

“A few core teams of Shadows, Sentinels, Guardians, or single individuals like Ilea, Kyrian, Owl, or Aki will be more effective than whatever armies we could send,” Claire confirmed.

Navalis looked at the engraving again. The winged individual felt different to her now. She remembered the song about Riverwatch, Lilith challenging an entire army by herself. It hadn’t seemed outlandish at the time, she knew how powerful even a single Shadow could be against a group of lower leveled humans or monsters. But now, now that the reality of teleportation gates settled in her mind, she could only imagine the destruction a single high level being could bring. Destruction or protection, from a terrifying being traveling to distant lands in mere seconds.

Ilea alone could bring entire nations to their knees in the span of a day. She didn’t dare think of the possibilities with all the mentioned factions and beings. Navalis glanced at Sulivhaan, her tension lessening a little when she looked at him. Even with his mask on, she could tell more than enough. He was calm. Serious but calm. He must’ve given all this weeks or months of consideration. I never thought he would trust anyone quite as much as this endeavor must require.

“As our military agreements are purely defensive in nature, we will focus on reinforcing that aspect of our respective settlements. The same will be true for anyone that joins these agreements,” Claire moved on. “Which brings us to the next issue, unified law between the beings of Ravenhall and Hallowfort. Dozens of people from our respective towns have worked together to create a universally usable set of laws. The Meadow will now present the revised version approved of both myself and Catelyn.”

“We will go through every paragraph until every present member of each council is in agreement. The talks will be paused whenever someone requires sleep or sustenance,” Claire said as a large book appeared before her.

Navalis glanced at Ilea.

“That doesn’t include you,” the woman sent via telepathy. “Good for you. This is gonna take days.”

She thought the estimate rather optimistic but felt it dangerous to mention that to the tired looking woman, the Fae on her right shoulder tapping her cheek in an enthusiastic manner.

“It’s an important text. I don’t think anything like this has ever existed,” Navalis said.

Ilea shrugged. “Must have. I doubt the Taleen, humans, and Elves would’ve worked together without settling on at least some general agreements.”

The what?

Navalis tried to process that but just shook her head lightly. Elves? Working with humans?

She glanced at Sulivhaan before she listened to the fox like being talk. A defensive agreement between species, involving teleportation gates. Could we defend against an all out attack by the Elves? Is that why he seems so calm? A way for us to fight back?

She thought about asking Ilea but the woman was listening too by now, quite focused actually. Sure. None of this is new to her. And she did strike me as at least somewhat responsible. She must be aware of the power she wields, the importance of her presence here, and throughout the Plains. Could she alone defend us against the Elves? If the gates do come to be.

Navalis started to think about the enemies of Hallowfort instead, wondering what kind of monsters lurked in the lands around them. How far away were they really? How different was life out here compared to Ravenhall, Kroll, the Empire? Did they have regular wars? Her questions would have to wait. She just hoped at least some would be answered.

Chapter 713 History

Chapter 713 History

Ilea’s head would’ve probably hurt if it wasn’t for her constant healing, her high tolerance for mental exhaustion, her super human body, and high stats. In a way it felt wrong, to be so perfectly aware and calm after hearing so much articles of law. Granted, the wording wasn’t exactly as complex as what she’d seen back on Earth, but a lot of details and eventualities had to be covered. Most of it focused on Awakened beings, as defined by the Meadow in the first few articles.

“You outdid yourself,” Ilea mused, eating a piece of cake with her legs on the table. Twin had left at some point to talk with the Meadow, Violence sleeping on her shoulder. Some of the people had left to refresh themselves or sleep, teleported of course by the Meadow.

“I had a lot of examples to look through. Most of the considerations as to what to include was done by the others. I mainly focused on adapting it to all species,” it explained. “You’re the reason everyone is here. This wouldn’t be possible without you.”

Ilea puffed, eating a fork full of cake. “Says one of the main people responsible for the creation of the gates. We quite literally wouldn’t be here without you.” She didn’t miss the quick glare from Catelyn and addressed the fox. “You can take a break you know?”

“And devour a cake like some savage beast?” Catelyn asked. In a tone that suggested that yes, that was exactly what she wished to do.

“Can you help her out Meadow? Shield her from perception, bring a cake, and let her go ham,” she sent.

The fox vanished, including one of the cakes from the buffet.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Political considerations are an interesting concept. I’m learning a lot from this meeting,” the Meadow spoke.

“For your eventual world takeover,” Ilea mused, closing her eyes as she savored the sweet taste.

“Of course. Yes. That,” it spoke.

Ilea opened one eye as she looked towards the tree. “You seem distracted.”

“Twin is providing… stimulating concepts,” it explained.

“Hey, good for you,” Ilea said and pointed. “Just make sure to use protection.”

“Any resulting magical creation will be placed under great protection and examined until its safety is assured,” the Meadow reassured.

I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing, Ilea thought, guessing by the tone that the being wasn’t being a sarcastic shit for once, but truly mistaking her joke for genuine concern.

“Just let me know when it convinces you to kill all humans,” she said.

“Ilea, you know my nature. No being can change what I am, just like nobody can change humans at their core. Which is of course why they must all be killed,” it said.

“Good,” Ilea mused when Catelyn reappeared. The fox looked the same as she had before, but somehow more happy. “You’ll be able to eat those all the time when the gates are done.”

“I’ll have to consider that a manipulation of my mind,” Catelyn answered. “Well done. You successfully infiltrated Hallowfort.”

“Easy. We’re the same you and I. You just prefer sweets,” Ilea said and patted Violence when it woke up.

“I haven’t seen Twin sleep,” Owl whispered as she leaned in a little closer.

The Baron vanished and appeared on top of her head, spinning its arms when it started sinking into the ethereal being. A continuous giggle went through their minds.

Owl reached into her head and gently pulled out the creature with her large purple hands.

“They’re as different as they come,” Ilea said when Violence floated away, trying to find something with a little more action. He would succeed in the dome the Meadow had set up for Doravin and Rock, the two warriors already being observed by Pierce and Verena.

“When are we moving on?” Ilea asked Claire.

She looked up and smiled. “Just another ten articles and we’re done. The rest shouldn’t take as long. We’ll continue in half an hour.”

“You probably need a break too,” Ilea said and stood up. “Trian, you too. Let me show you something.”

“Meadow, can we get a teleport up, should be night right?” she asked.

“Indeed. Here you go,” the Meadow answered and moved them all up to the northern landscape, seas of mist all around them, moonlight shining down from above. A near cloudless night.

Ilea stretched and sat down on a chair made of ash, a cold bottle of ale in hand as she sat back and relaxed, two additional chairs forming next to her as she watched her friends frozen in awe, a smug grin on her face.

She let them be, until they eventually joined her.

“No wonder you like it here,” Trian said, refusing the bottle she offered.

“You should see it by day,” Ilea mused. “You might even survive the lightning due to your magic.”

“I understand it’s arcane in nature. I’ll try, but not without supervision,” he answered.

Ilea pointed down. “Still the domain of the Meadow,” she mused when a dome like shield flickered to life around them for a split second. “Nice, great timing. Proud of you.”

“Thanks. I think they’re suitably impressed. And a little terrified,” the being replied.

“I might be interested in some barrier magic discussions with the Meadow. At a later time,” Claire said, sighing as she sat down.

“What’s your feeling so far?” Ilea asked.

“It’s going really well. There’s less resistance from the more problematic members of both parties than we expected,” she said.

Trian smiled. “Good preparation and even better opportunities help smooth things over. Even the worst enemies would find a way to agree under these circumstances, and we’re not enemies. Far from it.”

“Acceptance from the citizens of our cities will be the more difficult task, and that of other countries,” Claire said.

Trian nodded. “Yes. But a suitable show of wealth and power will be convincing enough. And before they know it, the world will have changed already.”

Kyrian appeared next to them. His armor gave off a different sheen, similar to that of the Warden blades Ilea had collected after the battle in the Pit. “Leaving me out?”

“You’ve seen this before,” Ilea mused.

“Not with all of you,” the man answered and formed a chair made of metal.

“Sorry,” Ilea said.

He waved her off. “It is quite a sight. If you would’ve told me a few years ago that this is where we’d be by now…”

They were quiet for a little while, watching the endless dance of mist in the starlit lands of the north.

“Quite a journey,” Trian said.

“Hmm,” Ilea mused. “Team thirty four,” she said and looked behind herself, a part of her expecting Eve to deactivate her invisibility. But the woman remained gone. Her gaze went up. You would’ve loved the view, she thought and raised her bottle.

Kyrian touched her shoulder with one arm.

“So this is where you fought a Dragon?” Trian asked.

________________________________

The conversation in regards to the universal laws finished without a single major argument. Catelyn had expected at least some issues but their previous communication and the additions from the Meadow made the whole process rather smooth. Not as smooth as that strawberry cheese cake she had been given earlier. It had been a mistake. She had to focus on the tasks at hand. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve worked enough in the past weeks.

She stretched, sitting on her chair. The movement was lost on the humans, her small and strange form protecting her from the usual issues that came with political meetings. In regards to the body at least. Catelyn ignored the look from Elana, the woman always schooling her in these matters even though she herself didn’t adhere to those principles. Hypocrite, she thought with a slight smirk.

The woman smirked back before she changed her expression back to her usual face. Arrogant royal would describe it the best, or perhaps side lined protagonist. Catelyn wasn’t sure which one she’d choose. The latter had come from the Meadow. To be fair, Elana had plenty of lovely names for the tree as well. Perhaps in a way to balance out the near reverence the being received from most of Hallowfort’s denizens.

A reverence well deserved, she thought. Catelyn had met a few high level beings in her time, the Meadow being the most powerful of them, or perhaps the Fae, though she knew the ones present on Ilea’s shoulders weren’t their true form. Their motives perhaps misunderstood or differing from most awakened beings, she knew they were just that in the end, awakened beings. The fact that they wielded world changing magical power was useful but to call them gods? Creators perhaps, makers, protectors, destroyers. To think I would arrive at questions like that.

She glanced at Ilea, the woman on her own way to become something akin to a goddess. Would she consider her a god? If she reached level one thousand? When she can build entire cities made of ash? Probably not.

“What is it?” Ilea asked without looking her way.

All seeing, Catelyn mused.

“Want more cake?” the woman said.

All knowing. The fox smiled. “I’m satisfied for now. But once these arrangements are set, I will want to visit the maker,” she sent. For they are the only true god. The creator.

“Discussions went well. Unsurprising with my incredible additions,” the Meadow sent.

“Of course. Your intellect is unmatched great one,” Catelyn deadpanned. “It is thanks to you. Thanks to your protection, that we could focus,” she added. The arrival of the Meadow had been an uncertain time. Trusting Ilea’s judgment had been the right decision of course but even those who knew of her heroics in the Descent had reservations about inviting a four mark into their midst. A few days was all it took for the Meadow to convince them, a few weeks for some to nearly worship the creature. And now they knew peace like never before, both monsters and the factions in the area simply unable to get past its perception and magic.

“I’m grateful to be of help,” the Meadow said.

“As are we,” Catelyn answered. Peace like never before and now an opportunity to go to the southern lands, to see and live in places unharmed by arcane storms, cities built in the safety of low mana density, untouched by the constant threat of miststalkers, on the surface and below the very suns. They welcomed the opportunities. It would be somber to see them go. Warriors, smiths, brothers, and sisters. Survivors. Beings she had known for years, some for centuries.

She sighed, reminding herself that with the gates, she could always visit. And their town would flourish with new faces, young and old, adventurers looking to explore the lands of the north. She was especially excited to see the Sentinels. If they were anything like Ilea, the entire region could be affected. So many ruins, treasures, forgotten crypts, waiting to be uncovered. Catelyn glanced at Elana. She knew the former queen of Rhyvor had plans, not just for Hallowfort but for all the lands she had once called her own. Perhaps she will manage to revitalize a part of it after all.

“In case of war, all parties will attempt to help those under attack,” Claire continued, going through the details of their agreements. “An unlikely event based on just the present people but we all know there are beings out there even we cannot handle.”

“What happens after an enemy is defended against? Say the Feynor. They would retreat, regroup, and try again. A preemptive strike against their strongholds and holy sites would likely prevent a lot of issues in such an event,” Elana said.

“For scenarios like that we’ll simply have to come together and discuss. Universal rules for such matters make little sense. These treaties are meant to be joined by more than the present settlements but the extent of our cooperation goes beyond a simple defensive pact. We will build towards prosperity with trust,” Claire answered.

Elana rolled her eyes and puffed. “Do you know how many soldiers die when you delay war preparations by even a single day?”

“No. And I won’t need to know. Because we don’t plan to go to war,” Claire said.

“If I may,” Wayland said, receiving a nod from Catelyn.

She had been informed about his inclusion, a potential spy whose loyalty was as of yet in question. And yet it wasn’t him she worried about. Sulivhaan and some in her own council she considered more likely to undermine their talks. Transgressions they could handle in the future, once everything was signed. She hoped it wouldn’t come to that but reality had a way to disappoint.

“I would agree with the notion of former Queen Invalar, if we were talking about conflicts between traditional human nations. Resources and numbers are relevant mostly because the higher level nobility would generally not risk a direct confrontation with an enemy city. Not before they weakened it with armies or siege weapons. You may have heard about Lilith’s confrontation with Lord Harken’s army. I would imagine the results would be similar with her increased power,” the man explained.

“I’m not a weapon, aimed and fired at whatever army is causing issues,” Ilea said.

“No. But you could aid in the destruction of infrastructure, the apprehension of important individuals, or simple intimidation. If the intelligence gathered manages to convince you,” the man added.

Treading dangerous ground. She doesn’t like responsibility, Catelyn thought, giving the woman a glance.

“Look, I’m happy to defend a city under attack, but I don’t plan to get involved in anymore wars,” Ilea said.

The man nodded. “I understand. Apologies, Lilith. The point is, this potential alliance will not work with conventional means. Conventional rules will not apply.”

Elana gave him a considering wave of her hand.

So very condescending in nature, but she just manages to make it come off as an honor. Catelyn never really questioned how the woman had become a Queen.

“I believe with the defenses in place and the high level beings part of our alliance, we can allow ourselves a few days of consideration before we decide on a potential offensive strike. And in case of a worst case scenario, the respective individuals would’ve already intervened anyway,” Catelyn said. She noted the light nod given to her by Claire. “We do not want war.”

“What would constitute a worst case scenario?” Elana asked.

“Elven Oracles, Monarchs, or something like Audur,” Ilea said.

A few whispers were exchanged.

“At least the Meadow could show off its expertise,” she added with a smile.

To think she’s challenged a Dragon, Catelyn thought, remembering the first time they had met.

“We prepare for what we can,” Claire said. “Our resources aren’t unlimited. We don’t know when the next crisis will come or what it will look like but it’s my conviction that we have a better chance at surviving it together.”

Well said. “Already we have fought and survived,” Catelyn said, gesturing to the many engraved scenes in the table. The Descent, the demon summoning in Ravenhall, what had happened in Erendar. The two latter she had only heard of but knowing the dangers, it was certainly preferable to face them with allies.

“We will pause the talks for five hours in which I ask you to go through the full treaties again,” Claire said. “After that we will hold the vote.”

Catelyn turned to her council and gave each of them a glance, a few likely not very much in the mood to read through the treaties again. If only they knew the work it took to get them all set up.

They had to sign off on the teleportation gate treaty, a trade agreement, the universal laws, and the treaty in regards to cooperation, defense, and war efforts. Elana had called it a wonder that all of it had come to be in just a few months, a benefit of the small number of people involved. She had voiced her concerns early on in regards to that but as time went on it became clear that the people Claire worked with were more than just experienced. The former Queen being one of them.

More reading. But cake is nigh.

_________________________________

Ilea gave everything a read as well. She remembered some of the university registration process being more dry than this. Maybe it felt different because she was involved with it all. Not just meaningless text written for an administrator far removed, for scenarios that would never come to be. She had fought in the Descent, had trained with the Shadows, she had seen the benefits of long range teleportation, and she knew what the Meadow could provide for a settlement, even in a harsher environment than the north.

For the first time in these talks did she truly realize what this all meant. It was the start of something massive. Something that could shatter the foundation of the status quo. And they were at the center of it all. She remembered arriving in Riverwatch, a city that would surely join into this agreement soon enough. She thought of Dale, the expedition to the west, to Dawntree. The Elven attacks, her arrival in Ravenhall. Her journey to the North. The Ascended corruption left behind by an ancient enemy of this realm.

If they planned to survive monsters like the Ascended or even worse, they had to cooperate. The Azarinth Order was gone, but they had the Sentinels. The Elves remained in their domains, but the Cerithil Hunters fought on, in long forgotten dungeons. The Taleen were gone, but with the help of the Meadow and a few gifted enchanters, they would take and improve their ancient technology. Available to all.

She finished reading through, waiting for the rest to do the same.

“There will be time to discuss any additional agreements afterwards,” Claire said. “As the speaker of these first talks between Hallowfort and Ravenhall, I ask you all to speak your vote on the first treaty, the teleportation network agreement. I Claire Russel, head administrator of Ravenhall vote in favor.”

Chapter 714 Planning

Chapter 714 Planning

Ilea stood up and voted yes on the last of the four contracts, not a single person against any of the main resolutions.

“And with that, the main contracts are done,” Claire said. The physical papers moved past every council member by the Meadow, each adding a little of their mana as a confirmation.

“The question remains how this will all be announced. The peoples of Hallowfort will welcome the resources and opportunities this will open up, as surely will the Shadows and Sentinels,” Catelyn said. “But what about the rest of humanity?”

“Many will question our loyalties,” Sulivhaan said.

“The collaboration with a settlement of awakened non humans is problematic,” Elana said. “How much can you leverage the name of Lilith in the Plains?”

“Many consider her a hero, or at the very least a very powerful protector,” Dagon said.

“I don’t think Ilea would like more attention to her name,” Claire said and looked her way.

Ilea had thought about it too. “So, what do you say?”

“I still believe you’re focusing too much on me. It was you who brought everyone here. You’re the reason they trust me,” the Meadow answered. “But if you think it the best course of action, I will agree.”

“Thank you, friend,” Ilea said and stood up. “I agree, it would probably work with the name of Lilith. I know some high ranking generals, powerful hidden orders, and even the rulers of Kroll. But I think there’s a better way. More long term and wide spanning. The Meadow. Backed not only by myself, but by the Shadow’s Hand, the Medic Sentinels, Ravenhall, and Hallowfort. This treaty is not about Lilith, nor about any single settlement. We wouldn’t have the teleportation gates without its help, nor would Hallowfort have the same level of protection. I don’t know where I’ll be in five years, ten, a hundred. But the Meadow is millennia old, it will be here when I’m long forgotten.”

People exchanged glances before Catelyn spoke.

“The reputation of Lilith would still apply,” she said.

“And it’s a signal that this is something far greater than even her,” Sulivhaan said. “I have qualms about trusting the being called Endless Meadow with such a central position but I cannot deny the difference in sheer magical power and knowledge.”

“Would we not invite near religious devotion to a being most humans would never come close to comprehend?” Dagon asked.

“Even I have a cult following somewhere,” Ilea said. “So does Maro,” she added and glanced at Elana. “I don’t think that can be avoided with the kind of beings that are here.”

“A mediator more than a god,” Claire said. “The threat of its power would remain, a warning to all. It would mean our enemies do not only oppose our settlements, Lilith, the Shadows and Sentinels, but the Meadow itself. Once they learn who and what it is, opposition should seem like lunacy at best.”

“There will be many who would call us their enemies nonetheless. Perhaps especially because we chose to see a non human at our center,” Sulivhaan said.

“Then they’ll have to face me. Or change their backwards way of thinking,” Ilea said and glanced his way, his mask looking her way for a long moment.

“Anyone with any political or economic knowledge will understand the benefits,” Catelyn said. “We should not concern ourselves with those that fight us based on misguided hatred or a sense of superiority. The Feynor have fought the many awakened in the north for centuries. Showing courtesy to ignorance is not our way, and it never will be.”

“I agree,” Claire said. “It will open up the potential for other species to join this alliance, more so if they see it’s not only made for humans alone.”

Ilea watched the Ravenhall side of the council, but she couldn’t see more than a little bit of apprehension. Reasonable of course with the low power humanity truly wielded in this world. Something they had to get past if everyone was to thrive. And something the Lily doesn’t understand. It’ll be interesting to see how they react to this. Surely Helena would consider the greater good. Michael would love to learn more from the Meadow. Velamyr couldn’t deny the importance of teleportation gates. She hoped her considerations were founded in reality. It could very well mean an all out war if their convictions were deeper rooted than common sense.

“I will conquer all of you. Measly creATURES!” Twin exclaimed.

Ilea patted her head, looking at the large eyes. “Stop joking around, little one.”

A few of the attendees looked confused, some scared.

Apology. The being sent to everyone, including a sort of calm non confrontational emotion.

“We will stand behind the Meadow. More so if it helps with the acceptance towards any and all Awakened,” Catelyn said. She glanced between her council where everyone approved.

“As do the Sentinels,” Trian said.

Claire glanced between Dagon, Elise, and Sulivhaan.

The librarians nodded.

Sulivhaan did as well.

Pressured or convinced? Ilea wasn’t sure. Of course he had to agree in the setting and considering the circumstances. Most humans would likely agree, just to gain the ability to use the teleportation gates. But it would take time and effort to get actual acceptance. People discriminated against those from other countries or cities already, how much worse will it be with non humans? Or Elves. A bridge to cross in the future.

I suppose they managed to accept the lizardmen at the very least. And most humans at least know about dwarves.

“Any name suggestions?” Claire asked.

“The Meadow Accords,” Elana said.

Ilea smiled. “I like that one.”

“If none are in opposition, we will declare the official creation of the Meadow Accords, all members to be equal under the laws defined, all matters concerning everyone to be discussed and voted on here, in the domain of the Meadow, should it be reachable,” Claire said, the words written on the stone plates floating near the large table.

“Let’s hope you don’t get your god status back,” Ilea sent.

“You’re supporting me. If anything it will confuse your devout followers,” the being answered.

“We will prepare the appropriate paperwork,” Claire said. “For those in the Plains.”

“And we for those in the North,” Catelyn added.

“It won’t be enough,” Elana said. “The people need more than a vague political statement. They need a show.”

“What do you suggest?” Ilea asked.

“What else but a tournament? A show of power and wealth, potential glory and gold for the masses, and an opportunity to invite the representatives of potential allies and business partners. Festivities if you will, as excessive as possible,” she explained.

“A good place to showcase the teleportation gates as well,” Claire said. “Without excessive travel, the amount of people to participate should be unprecedented.”

“As would be opportunities for attacks, information gathering, assassinations, declarations of war,” Wayland added.

Trian smiled. “But we have you. The Medic Sentinels will provide security.”

“As will the guard of Hallowfort,” No added.

“I’ll be there too,” Ilea said.

Violence!

“You want to help? We could use someone to detect runes, spatial tampering, and stuff like that,” she said. Though I should be able to feel most of it myself.

“Would it be acceptable to host this event in Morhill?” Claire asked. “It has a lot of accommodation and we’ve been expanding for the future hub location anyway. Most humans would be uncertain about coming to the north, nor do I think it best to get them close to the Meadow. Not already.”

“Our people would want an opportunity to see the peaceful lands of the south,” Catelyn said. “I think it best, though the security of the event would be guaranteed with the presence of the Meadow.”

“As central as it is, it’s paramount we don’t stake everything on its existence. Our institutions are capable on their own, let’s have everyone know that,” Sulivhaan said.

“Ravenhall will carry the necessary costs. The benefits should more than offset any investments,” Claire said.

“Contracts for every Shadow available will be added too,” Sulivhaan said.

“I offer my services as a defensive measure too,” Aki said. “Though my abilities will be somewhat limited near Morhill.”

“More than enough to deal with anyone who would interfere,” Ilea said.

“I c… can help too,” Owl said.

Ilea glanced at her. “We’ll need some kind of disguise for you or people will freak out. Maybe a very large coat and a hat?”

“If you think that is enough?” Owl asked.

“It would be best to have Owl on standby,” Trian said. “In case anything comes up that would require a four mark Lich to interfere. Though as Ilea said, I doubt this would happen. We arguably have enough power present to oppose the armies of all the Plains.”

“Civilian casualties is what we want to prevent. Our enemies will want to sow chaos and mistrust,” Wayland said. “Lilith has proven to be virtually immortal. They will not strike at her, or any of the leaders.”

“Get the Pit involved then,” Ilea said. “They’ve been experts at defending their city against high level threats. They’re security experts if I’ve ever seen any,” she looked towards Bralin, the dwarf watching with Goliath from a distance.

“Perhaps it’s best to get more parties involved first, I agree,” Claire said. “Riverwatch is already deeply connected to us. If we can involve their guard, most people wouldn’t question the integrity of a Dark One guard, Aki, or the Sentinels. The preparations will take months anyway. If all are in favor, I will initiate contact with the Pit and Riverwatch, for their representatives to meet here and discuss their integration into the Accords.”

“Add Stormbreach and maybe even Yinnahall to that,” Ilea said. “And we can hire Healers from the Corinth and Balance Orders.”

“Are we not stretching ourselves too thin?” Dagon asked.

“No. You’re right but with teleportation networks, the distance becomes irrelevant. Even defenses can be built up quickly if materials and people can be moved near instantly. We will have to move around a lot to get everything set up,” Sulivhaan said.

“I’m pretty quick,” Ilea mused. “And I’m sure the leaders of those places wouldn’t be opposed to a gate near their settlements that would lead to Morhill, or even near Ravenhall. I assume there will be more than a single hub?”

“One official one,” Claire said. “But of course there will be hidden gates all around. Only Morhill will have gates inside the walls. It’s a risk but with the adventurer density we expect, and the additional security measures we’ll install, it should be the city best suited to handle an attack.”

“Then we shall start planning everything right now, announcements, plans, security, mercenary contracts, and all related measures. I suggest a rough draft before we meet with our contacts and return here again in two week’s time,” Claire said. She could barely contain the grin on her face.

“All in favor?” Catelyn asked and everyone confirmed.

“Let’s show the world who we are,” Claire said. “Meadow I need a presentation board.”

Ilea sat back and watched the show with a glass of wine. The poison was laughable of course but it tasted nice enough. She still preferred ale. Her tasks in all this would be the errand girl, both because most of the rulers knew her or at least about her, and because of her speed. She would bring Iana and Christopher including the materials for the connecting gates to the relevant cities and help them set everything up while she delivered letters to the people in charge. One of the simplest tasks really in everything that was being discussed.

They had added Bralin to the planning, the dwarf commenting on the extensive map of Morhill and the surrounding landscape presented in a three dimensional stone conjuration floating in mid air. He added his own rock to the Meadow’s creation, with comments on choke points, issues, the best places to build arenas and walls.

It became more and more clear to Ilea that most everything they discussed could be provided by the Meadow alone. At a moment’s notice even. Barriers, surveillance, teleportation, walls, enchantments. But of course the being couldn’t span the whole continent. Not yet at least, she thought and squinted towards the tree’s location.

The fact didn’t really matter however. They had so many potential allies and resources that she had a good feeling about the plans. At least it was unlikely for Audur to show up in the south, more so than here. Ascended and Monarchs they could potentially handle even without the Meadow, or so she hoped. I really just want to fight them again. Especially that arrogant ass elf. Just one punch in his perfect face to wipe that superior expression off.

Noro she was just interested to fight again, to see if she could hold her own now, with all the advancements since last time. I should probably fight some more monsters between now and the tournament. Just to get my skills back on track, enhance the rest of my skills, and get more levels. Iz seems like a good place to start.

She could feel Feyrair’s mark closer now. He had been informed by the Meadow about the happening and waited currently.

“You wanted some violence, right?” she asked the Fae on her right shoulder.

Violence?

Y E S

“Alright then,” she sent and stood up. A few of the attendees glanced her way but she addressed Claire. “I’ll get some fresh air and training in. Think I’m still needed here? Otherwise I’ll come see you once everything is ready.”

“Go work your magic,” the woman replied, an excited look on her face still, stacks of neatly organized documents and books in front of her. “I’ll contact you through the mark.”

“Great.” Ilea sent. “I’ll be taking my leave to work on my magic.” She expected a few of them to notice but every single attendee waved, nodded, or said their well wishes. Some of the Hallowfort representatives even bowed.

“And you still imply I’m the main figure in these Accords. I will say this, Ilea, I accept the official name, but personally I will call them Lilith Accords,” spoke the Meadow.

“All I really did was sign, but whatever pleases your god brains,” she answered. Twin had already left her shoulder upon her declaration, Violence holding on while dangling his legs.

“Whatever keeps your sense of independence satisfied,” the being retorted. “To the elf I assume?”

“Yes. To the elf,” she answered before anybody else could ask to join.

Ilea appeared a moment later at the outskirts of the Meadow’s domain, a Fae on her shoulder and black wings spreading behind her.

Feyrair sat on a large boulder, his red hair flowing in the wind much like it would in a shampoo commercial, his reptilian eyes glancing her way upon arrival, a slight smirk lifting the corners of his mouth. “Earlier than expected.”

[Beast Warrior – lvl 472]

“You waited for me? Also what’s with the level, weren’t you at like four thirty a few weeks ago?” Ilea asked.

“I enjoyed the quiet,” he answered. “And yes. The question is more what you’ve been doing in those weeks, barely a difference. Somehow you feel even a little weaker.”

“You’re evading the question. What did you fight? That might be useful for me as well,” Ilea said, tilting her head slightly to the side.

The Elf avoided eye contact as his scale armor formed to cover his face. “No.”

Ilea raised her hands. “No? What do you mean no?”

“I… would like not to talk about it. The… everything… is dead. No benefits left. Let us leave it at that,” he said.

She squinted her eyes at him, unsure what his strange behavior meant. Is he… embarrassed?

“Now I’m even more curious,” she said.

The elf shrugged. “That is not my concern. Has the faction meeting concluded to your satisfaction?”

“I’ll get back to this… at some point,” Ilea said. “And yes, it has. We’re already looking to expand on allies and an official announcement is going to happen soon. Teleportation gates and all. We haven’t brought up the Cerithil Hunters yet, Dark Ones alone are going to be difficult to accept for a lot of humans.”

“I understand. And so would the other Hunters. Whenever you deem them ready. I’m sure we could work something out, though I understand if the involved factions would prefer never to cooperate. We are exiles after all,” Feyrair said. “Why do your auras seem weaker?”

“We will work something out. Worst case you can have a base with the Meadow or Sentinels. Much easier to stop humans from attacking you than it is Monarchs,” she said.

Violence, the Baron confirmed.

“I enhanced some of my skills with core points. They get reset to the first level in the third tier. With some enhancements. Just gotta level them again, which is partially why I’m here. Audur is still around, as are the Monarchs,” she said.

“Can’t ever get enough,” the elf said with a smirk. “Well I’m getting closer to the third mark. I’m not going to stop anytime soon. Will the metal mage be joining us? He was promising.”

“I didn’t ask,” Ilea said. “Meadow, can you ask Kyrian if he wants to join too? Hunting monsters, exploring a bit, some Taleen stuff maybe. No pressure.”

“He expresses gratitude and says it is understandable if you wish to spend some alone time with your Elven friend,” the Meadow answered.

“Really? Get him out here,” she said.

“Hi,” Kyrian said, giving her a nod and waving at Feyrair.

“Cursed one,” Fey said and nodded back.

“What was that about alone time?” she sent to the man.

“I mean… you two… no?” the man sent back, already strategically covered in steel armor.

“Oh no, you’re right, I just wanted you to join,” she said, watching as he froze up in the air. He turned his head slightly and made a weird sound. “Join in training, because let’s be honest, the others couldn’t keep up with us.”

She expected him to remain confused for a few seconds but he was back near instantly.

“We can’t exactly keep up… dragonling… congratulations on the growth. Did you find a promising dungeon?” he asked.

“I will not speak of it,” Fey answered.

Violence.

“Yes, you’re right. We’ve been standing around for too long. Let’s find something to fight. Any suggestions?” Ilea asked.

Chapter 715 Looking for a Challenge

Chapter 715 Looking for a Challenge

Ilea flew ahead, her map out as she looked for a close Taleen dungeon. She didn’t plan to go to Iz immediately but teleporting through their network was bound to get them a few interesting battles. “Let’s bother some ancient creatures that hopefully aren’t Dragons,” she said, slowing down with the two others in tow, literally. “Violence, if you think we should flee from something, let me know.”

The little guy saluted in front of her and vanished back to his place on her shoulder.

“We’re not exactly the best group to track down high level monsters,” Kyrian said. “Except you got something new in the meantime?”

“I should be able to find signs at least but it’s not been super useful so far. I’m sure we’ll find something if we just teleport around a little. We’ll just avoid the western part of the north,” she answered. “Should be around here.”

They dug down together, the three high level beings ripping through stone with their destructive magic until they came into an unlit Taleen corridor. A small one, Ilea immediately noted. No working Guardians remained, only a few pieces suggesting there had ever been any in the first place. She saw the gate but decided the broken in wall on the ground floor looked more interesting. For now at least.

“Explore a little before we use it?” Kyrian asked, the group appearing in front of the cavern entrance, all three using their own teleportation spells.

Ilea grinned, glancing left and right before she flew into the darkness. Sure, there’s always another Drake, but we’re not so bad ourselves by now.

Kyrian was thrown away, the metal covered man rolling three times before he impacted the wall with a loud crash.

“You’re doing well,” Ilea said, Feyrair next to her shaking his head.

She raised her hand and caught the tongue of one of the large lizards before her ash slashed through the tough skin. The still moving muscle she threw aside, her ash mantle splattered by blood. Low three marks, she mused and looked at the screeching creature. “Well now you know, you fucking idiot,” she said to the being. They weren’t even defending a nest or anything, just monsters roaming in the darkness, waiting for prey.

“His speed is lacking,” Feyrair said.

“Well he can’t just turn into a dragon,” Ilea said when a ball of ash returned and circled around her head. “Nothing interesting farther down either. So I guess that’s this one. Kyrian, clean up, we’re going.”

The man stood up and cracked his neck, the new metal he used giving his body a somewhat green sheen, his curse magic flowing through everything. “Understood,” he said, the next tongue thrown his way finding not his slow hand but a thin piece of floating steel. He finished the creature with a single heavy spear, nearly splitting it apart entirely.

“How do you like the metal?” she asked when they appeared in the gate room up in the small taleen ruin.

“Not perfectly intuitive yet… but my magic flows… as if I’m touching them directly. It’s very useful,” the man answered. “Thank you.”

“Thank Khan Joggoth,” Ilea said with a wink.

Violence!

“Indeed. Hopefully something a little more interesting next time,” she said and activated the map on the locator device. “Where to now gentlemen? Southern desert? Elven lands? The Vampire Courts I’ve heard about? Though I don’t exactly know where they are,” she mused, looking at the many destinations.

“I haven’t been south very far,” Kyrian said.

“No me either. Both Elven and Vampire land could be dangerous,” Fey said.

“Aren’t we looking exactly for that?” Ilea asked.

“In a way that doesn’t create enemies on the hunt for your allies and yourself,” the elf said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “And here I thought you were supposed to be the irresponsible one.”

He flicked her forehead, avoiding her attempt to deflect him with ash. “We balance each other out.”

“Did you just flick me?” Ilea asked, raising one of her brows. “You’re awfully brave for a two mark.”

“If you want to stand here and flirt, I can go back to the frogs,” Kyrian said.

Violence.

Ilea selected one of the most southern destinations and activated the gate.

It worked and transported them.

They walked off the platform and waited for a few seconds. Can they track us every time? Or only after a few uses? Nothing showed up this time. “Maybe the pursuer just isn’t ready yet. Or this place isn’t a priority.”

Light came into the expansive hall, two dried out fountains were visible, faded banners and stone tables adorning the vicinity. Small piles of sand had formed where the cracks above were large enough.

“Close to the surface too,” she murmured.

“Well observed. And here I questioned your intelligence,” Fey said. “Maybe we should teach you how to read after all.”

“You’re being too generous,” Kyrian said.

The Baron glanced between them and then looked at Ilea.

“It’s true little one, I’m sorry. I’m stupid,” she said and flew up, crashing through the ceiling and sand beyond with her ash covered skull. Ilea twirled in the air with a giggling Fae on her shoulder, sand pouring off her ashen form, sent flying when she flicked her wings. Desert.

She turned around and found dark spots in the distance. More interesting.

“There are machines down here!” Kyrian shouted up.

“Centurions and a few Praetorians. Not worth your time,” Ilea sent. “Anything strong in that mountain chain?” she asked the Fae.

The Baron tilted his head to the side. Can’t

See

“I just assume you’re omniscient,” she said when the others appeared nearby, her ash already fanning out to collect them as her wings charged.

Fey looked up into the sun and sighed. “Wonderfully warm.”

“It’s too hot,” Kyrian said. “No, I don’t need more Heat Resistance, don’t look at me like that.”

Ilea shrugged. “I just look out for my friends.” She shot off a moment later, the others whipped into motion, neither of them bothered by the insane forces involved in the maneuver. I like them. They don’t break easily.

This place might as well be Erendar, she thought, not a single speck of civilization visible in any direction. Of course there could’ve been hundreds of ruins like the Taleen one hidden deep below the sand. The ones close enough to the surface the trio would find, Ilea deliberately flying low. Also in an attempt to get monsters to attack. If there were any even capable of catching her high speed form. Nothing did.

She slowed down near the jagged dark mountains, the group now higher above the terrain. “Let’s see if this helps.” Ilea charged up monster hunter and sent out a challenge. Her whistle echoed through the valleys of sand. She immediately picked up movement from various directions but most of it fled. “Come on, I’m just a three mark.”

“A three mark human,” Fey said with a wicked grin. “But look, one of them is not afraid.”

Kyrian gulped.

Ilea grinned.

A few kilometers away, a rock slide moved down one of the largest mountains, the entire mass of stone stacking up at the bottom. More and more was added to the mass, geometrical shapes starting to be visible in the growing form. The entire thing didn’t seem to have a cohesive structure, more just a floating set of shapes. Most of the pieces were simple rocks, natural in their form, others perfectly cut pyramids or squares.

“Looks like we angered a children’s puzzle,” Ilea said.

“You. You angered it,” Kyrian said and gestured her to go.

Where do you even begin fighting a creature like that. Is it even a creature or is there a high level earth mage hiding somewhere?

“What do you think, Baron? Violence or retreat?” Ilea asked. The moving form was entirely too far away for her to gauge anything about its level. The ground however shook and the creature’s approach itself was louder than a thunderstorm.

Violence, it answered, nodding slowly. Yes.

“Alright, if you say so,” Ilea said. “Maybe stay at a distance until I figure out how strong this thing is.”

“Way ahead of you,” Kyrian said, already flying back and up.

She advanced with slow moving wings. “Greetings,” she tried to send to the being, not exactly expecting a response. Her mental resistance protected her when she did. A jumble of confusing thoughts and concepts, the ageless stone, the change of time, the sun and stars, traveling past in the unending turning of celestial bodies. Shapes and numbers, thoughts either far too complex for her mind or maddening in nature. She didn’t know, just that she had to cut the connection. Either way, she saw a thousand projectiles shoot up from the ground, like artillery aimed at an enemy military position, or perhaps a pet trying to show off its toys. She didn’t know, and it hardly mattered. Ilea already knew that she was entirely in over her head, which was the entire point.

[Earth Elemental – lvl ????] - [Timeless]

Does that mean it’s unkillable? The shapes remained at the center of the half shambling half floating avalanche.

The Fae had remained with the others, watching at a distance as she started dodging the large chunks of stone, some as large as entire buildings.

Ilea opened her eyes wide when the few hundred tons of rock around her stopped in mid air, unmoving for a second before they exploded into a mist of tiny splinters. All she could do was protect herself with ash, her wings forming a cocoon around herself as the impacts reached her. The onslaught didn’t end, her entire perception full of fast moving splinters. Her defenses were ground away, layer by layer as she healed against it but even with everything she had, Elementals remained beyond her ability to simply shrug off. Especially ones above level two thousand.

Half her body was gone before she formed six gates around herself, healing herself as the stone moved through, impacting with itself for a split second before the entire flow changed, bits and pieces slammed together once more into shapes and forms that looked natural to her. The air around her returned to normal, her space magic gone. She looked towards the being with a smile on her face. Ilea felt the attack come. She let it happen, holding up her hand towards the near instantly forming stone lance as thick as her head. The projectile materialized a few meters in front of her, breaking through the sound barrier in the next split second.

Her attempt to slow it down with her space manipulation failed. The marginal slow down wasn’t enough to prevent the thing from crashing into her chest. Cracks formed on the stone when it came to a stop against her rib cage, slowed by her mantle and space magic beforehand. She started laughing, trying to rip it out with both her strength and space manipulation. Neither could compete with the remaining control the creature had over the lance. White flame snaked up the length of the magical construct until she her ashen limbs could finally cut through the weakened material, the remainder of stone within her chest expelled and the damage healed a moment later.

“What’s the goal here exactly?” Ilea asked, flying past the still shapes and rocks towards the avalanche that now remained entirely unmoving. More thoughts reached her mind. “Look I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. But if you feel like fighting for a while, I’m interested.”

She turned towards the Fae in the distance. “You have any clue what’s going on with this one?”

Concepts

Rational

Thought

Impossible

Communication

…

Difficult

“Even you can’t get through to it? I mean if it will help us train, I don’t mind,” Ilea said.

She used Monster Hunter when nothing moved, again infusing her voice with a challenge, this time to compete with their magic directly.

It seems ridiculous challenging an Elemental like this but I’ve trained with the Meadow, let’s see how far I can go, she thought and shot out towards the largest mass of stone, ashen spears infused with heat shooting out. They were met with spheres of stone, smothered as the prisons ground them down. She detonated the heat, white fiery cracks showed on the stone, most of it withstanding the energy.

Lances formed all around her, fabric tear, space manipulation, and her wings letting her avoid the projectiles that shot at her with ridiculous speeds. She wondered what the Elemental could do to a city, all the talk of reasonable defenses gone out the window when she faced the sheer magical prowess of this being. Another set of lances made her use her gates. This time the spears stopped right at the edges, instantly, the change in momentum sending shock waves out into the open air.

They came back at her when she deactivated the portals, teleporting away to avoid the attacks. Whenever she had enough heat charged in her ash, she would try and attack herself, slowly moving closer to the main mass of shapes much like she would try to get to the tree of the Meadow. She knew it was stupid to treat this encounter the same, not even the Baron truly comprehending what the intent and understanding of the Elemental truly was. And precisely because of that risk, she pressed on.

Soon she fell into a trance of battle, too much going on for her to focus on anything else but her spells and the magic around her. Despite all her abilities, the being manged to catch her several times, only her ability to separate herself from the magical frameworks around her keeping her alive through the endeavor. Several minutes passed, a large chunk of her mana gone to keep the fight going but she had more to show for it than resistance levels. Half of the shapes were on fire. She had managed to destroy some of the chunks entirely with both her Archon Strike and Embered Heart.

Her issue lay with the fact that destroying a bit of stone didn’t seem to have an impact on the being at all. Her healing didn’t help her with grasping its form, nor did it seem more defensive with any of its parts. The continued fires helped immensely with her ability to keep her mana up and herself in the fight, meaning she at least managed to burn away some mana. Her allies didn’t join the fight. A good decision, as neither of them would be able to escape the stone grasp of the Elemental once trapped. Space magic baby, she thought, starting to think that perhaps she could defeat the being if they fought for long enough. The magic she still felt from… well everywhere around her, suggested the battle would take days, maybe weeks, maybe forever if its regeneration was higher than the damage she managed to cause.

Her considerations turned out to be irrelevant when the shapes started moving once more, moving into the mountains below as if using an ability similar to phaseshift. Ilea could perhaps follow with her drill and third tier earth magic resistance but when she reached the ground, every sign of the being was gone. The last wounds on her body closed, her mantle reforming. She flew upwards.

“Did you kill it?” Kyrian asked, eliciting a chuckle from the elf.

“No. Maybe it got bored, or I did manage to hurt it,” Ilea answered with a shrug.

“Couldn’t tell with your healing?” the curse mage said.

She shook her head. “Couldn’t gauge it at all, nor the thoughts it sent my way. Just… strange.”

“Well, you might be the first human to try and communicate with an Earth Elemental, let alone survive a forty minute fight against one,” Feyrair said. “I heard of even Ancients dying against such beings. Makes more sense now that I’ve seen it fight.”

“Ancients?” Kyrian asked.

“Below the Monarchs, usually less powerful,” he said.

“Are you an Ancient?” Kyrian said.

Feyrair hissed in an amused way. “No.”

“What about Isalthar?” Ilea said, turning in the air to find more monsters.

“He might’ve been an Ancient, yes. But it doesn’t matter, not anymore,” Fey said. “Where to now? Back to the gate?”

“No. We wanted to go south, right?” Ilea said and grabbed them again.

The mountain chain soon gave way to more desert, sandstorms visible in the distance. Ilea considered the possibility of them being Sand Elementals, veering towards the phenomenon as she looked through her messages.

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

Just proof again that real danger and unknown enemies are just the best, she thought with a grin. Now I just need to find a few more high level Elementals in the wild.

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Spear of Ash 2nd lvl 1

You have mastered the ability to form and throw spears made of ash. Damage dealt with ashen spears is increased by 20%.

2nd stage: Ash formed into spear like shapes requires 50% less focus and harmony to maintain.

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘You have communicated with an Earth Elemental – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have challenged an Earth Elemental – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived an extended battle with an Earth Elemental – One Core skill point awarded’

Nearly enough for another enhancement. On we go.

Chapter 716 Access denied

Chapter 716 Access denied

Ilea landed in the sand, her wings disintegrating as her mantel retreated to reveal her face. A warm breeze moved over the group, hair flowing in the wind. “Quite the sight,” she mused, spreading her arms with a smile.

Waves flowed onto the sand. Behind them spread the desert, hundreds of kilometers of dunes and rocky mountains. Ahead expanded the ocean, as far as the eye could see, calm and endless.

Kyrian stepped next to her, his helmet on. He didn’t say a word as he took in a deep breath.

“I don’t like it,” Feyrair said.

“I don’t like to be in it,” Ilea said. “Looking at it from here is nice.”

He shook his head, eyes scanning the horizon. “Monsters lurking in the depths.”

“Trust me, I know,” Ilea mused. “Do you like it? The ocean?”

Dangerous

“Even for the Fae?” she asked.

Maybe

“Maybe? What’s that supposed to mean, Mr. All knowing creature?” she sent back. They hadn’t encountered much on the way here, the Elemental being the main interesting creature. Surviving in the desert wasn’t easy, even for magical creatures it seemed. Granted the mana density wasn’t anything to write home about. Higher than in the Plains but not quite like in the North.

The Fae did a twirl in response.

What happens if two unstoppable forces meet? The world’s end? Ilea mused. All all out battle between the Meadow and a few Daughters would’ve leveled more than just a city. Probably not an entire continent though. Not even the Fae. She wasn’t entirely sure. With rituals and enough preparation?

“We spent hours without fighting anything,” Feyrair complained. “Do you really wish to go into the waters? In that case I would very much like to return.”

“I’m not going in there without a good reason. Better than leveling my skills. We could go to Iz,” she said with a shrug.

“And fight the masses of machines? Neither me nor Kyrian are ready to face them,” the elf said.

“That would be good training. And I’m around, just call me if needed. You should at least be able to get away from an Executioner if they get too close,” she said.

The elf considered for a few seconds before he hissed. “What happened to me? Perhaps age has dulled my claws. I will join you, and reach the next evolution. It is time.”

“As will I,” Kyrian said.

“Really? You know you don’t have to,” Ilea said. “Wouldn’t want to see either of you die.”

The elf hissed again.

“Ilea, I can’t let you be the only three mark human when the tournament comes around. And if I can do it, any Sentinel can,” Kyrian said, his armor adjusting to a more aerodynamic design. “We’ll go for the lower level machines, and get you out if you get overwhelmed.”

“Even Isalthar couldn’t handle the sheer mass of that army,” Feyrair said.

“Yeah, but he was protecting us. And I didn’t say anything about beating them. Thinning them out maybe, or just… training a little,” she said with a smirk. I faced a godsdamned Elemental just a few hours ago. I think I can handle a few Executioners.

“To think you’re more risk taking than the Val Akuun,” the elf said and hissed.

Ilea puffed. “You’re kidding me right? The guy had hundreds or even thousands of years and all he managed was what? Level seven hundred? I’ll be there in another decade at most.”

“More likely you’ll be dead,” Fey retorted.

“That’s the trick, dragonling. You stay alive to avoid getting killed,” she explained, tapping her temple.

He didn’t reply but the Fae giggled into her mind.

“So how do we get there? Taleen dungeon somewhere here?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea checked the map and the key device, the closest one somewhere northwest of their location. “Not this far south. I guess they didn’t much care about sand.” She activated her third tier transfer, bringing them to her home.

She teleported out immediately, avoiding any further structural damage due to her high density. Don’t you dare little one, she thought, glancing at the Fae.

The creature looked away.

They made their way to one of the closest Taleen facilities. The search for a working gate turned out to be a success, a few dozen Guardians and a single Centurion enough to clear out what felt like an outpost.

“Fey you already saw what’s down there. Kyrian, expect an absolute clusterfuck of machines. Violence, you stay at a distance and hide until we leave again. I should be able to protect you during my teleportation spell with a few gates. Or I’ll just get us far enough away first. They’re quick, but nowhere near close to me,” she explained, selecting the central destination below Karth. There were dozens of gates. She picked one at random.

“We go in and start a fight immediately?” Kyrian asked.

“No. I want to talk to the One without Form first. See what I can learn now that I have all these keys,” Ilea said. Might even be able to figure out where the Source is.

“Reasonable. Let us find a defensible hiding spot upon arrival,” the elf said, an excited grin on his face.

“Itching for a fight?” Kyrian asked, looking at the Cerithil Hunter.

The elf hissed. “I will be the first to have visited Iz not once but twice. The heart of my enemy.”

“Don’t get too overexcited. We won’t be able to fight through what is down there,” Ilea said and activated the gate. “But we will try.”

The fabric shifted, the four companions moved to the selected gate on the other side, appearing in a dimly lit hall that didn’t look any different from all the other Taleen dungeons Ilea had visited.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Iz dungeon’

Back once again, Ilea thought, feeling the instant tension. Not a place she could just rush in without reason. An enemy strong enough to overwhelm her. Something exciting at last. And something she knew as well, not an unreasonably strong dragon or an interdimensional tree being from Erendar. These were Taleen. An enemy she had fought since her time in Dawntree. The only difference was that this was their stronghold. Or so she assumed.

Nothing came for them immediately, the group waiting in silence as they spread out in the hall with their spells at the ready. “I’m starting to think they can’t track us immediately,” she sent to her companions.

“Did the Pursuers only show up after a second jump?” Kyrian asked.

“I don’t think so,” Ilea said. “Maybe they’re giving us a false sense of security.”

“The gates can be deactivated. Many Hunters have been trapped like that before, me included. This one is still active,” Feyrair said.

“But you didn’t have modified keys. You’re talking about connections that were already established,” Ilea answered. “But never mind. We’ll get out with my magic anyway. Let’s find a place we can stay at.”

She moved to the single exit, finding a broad hall on the other side, a single long stone table at the center with adjacent benches. Faded banners hung from the walls. With wings spread and all her focus on her dominion, Ilea flew out, followed by the others.

They reached the large stone gate at the end of the hall, the entrance closed and enchanted. Ilea funneled a bit of destructive mana into the magic until it deactivated. “Two Centurions standing guard on the other side. I’ll move us up,” she said and teleported the group onto the high ceiling of the building.

They were at an entirely different part of the vast underground city. Hundreds of buildings spread out before them, the central near golden orb visible in the distance. Hunter Praetorians hung from the cavern walls hundreds of meters away, flying machines patrolling through the entirety of the city, the ground swarming with Guardians.

“I feel like that’s more than last time,” Ilea sent.

“It is,” Feyrair said.

“Must’ve freaked them out,” Kyrian sent.

“Either that or they’re just increasing production,” Ilea answered before she teleported them into a building within her domain. The process was much easier now, her spatial awareness and quick teleports coupled with her magic perception allowing her quite a bit of control over her surroundings. Instead of moving them closer to the center, she moved them away. Until they had an undisturbed area.

“This is our safe point?” Kyrian asked. He looked around the cellar, crates, bottles, and shelves lining the walls, somewhat well preserved for their age.

“As good as any,” Ilea said and formed an ashen drill, adding as much density to the creation as she could. The metal mage wouldn’t win out against her. Not that he seemed to care in the slightest. For once I’m the more competitive one, she thought, slowly digging into the stone to make as little sound as possible.

A few minutes later, they were already quite deep, chunks and debris moved away with the help of her own domain, space magic, the Fae, and her companions.

“You talked to that thing the last time you were here?” Kyrian asked.

“Yes. It contacted me once we got close enough I think,” Ilea said. “Because I had a key on me.”

The man nodded to himself, following in silence.

Violence?

“Soon. I need to talk to someone first,” Ilea said.

Friend?

“I don’t think so. Tried to kill me the last time around,” she answered and glanced at the small creature. “Let me know if you see anything interesting in the area.”

Eyes

“Yes. Eyes. I guess,” Ilea answered. She continued drilling into the stone, the process much smoother than last time. Fifteen minutes was all they needed to get close to the center, the descending hole now visible in her domain. They were too deep for her to see the streets above, learning from their last attempt.

“Weird. It hasn’t contacted me at all,” she said to the others.

Fey hissed. “It knows you now. Why would it contact its enemy?”

“No, no. It knew I was their enemy last time already. It contacted me because of the key,” she answered.

“Do you have them with you?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah. In my doma… ah I see. That might be the issue. Get ready to fight I guess,” she said and summoned the Tungsten key.

Violence appeared next to the triangular object, floating a circle around it.

Ilea felt an attempt to establish a telepathic link a second later. She didn’t respond yet, summoning the other keys in turn, all of them placed on floating ashen pedestals connected to her body. She wanted to get them back into her domain as soon as anything suspicious happened, though she had enough trust in her anti teleportation aura and space awareness to prevent anything from stealing them. Only when she had all seven keys out did she open herself to the connection.

“You return,” the being said, its voice the same deep and gravelly sound. “Key Warden, entrusted with seven of the twelve creations to lock the central sphere. Enemy of all that I am, once again bringing an Elf into the holy grounds of Iz. My Pursuers have learned much of you, human. Soon your flesh will be stripped away, until nothing but bones remain. How may I serve you?”

I’m afraid just skinning me won’t do much, she thought, not about to give the being more information. “One without Form. What can you tell me about the central sphere?”

“Key Warden. The Central sphere of Iz was built during the great war with the Ascended of Kohr. Ascended destroyed and stripped of their power, much like you will be stripped of all that you are. The efforts of all the Guilds and our most trusted allies were brought together to create a being capable of that which all Taleen failed to do. The destruction of Elven kind. And the destruction of those that would ally themselves with such arrogant creatures, born of corruption and misguided creators. You too are amongst them, and soon our machines will reach you, human. You will die here, lost and forgotten, like so many before you,” the being said.

“What can you tell me about yourself?” Ilea said, this time entirely ignoring the threats. She knew what was coming.

“I am said being. The One without Form. A name perhaps indicative of the intellect of my creators. Twelve keys were made to lock the sphere,” it spoke.

“What happens if I get all twelve?” Ilea asked. “Are you in the sphere?”

“Correct, all twelve keys are required to open the central sphere. I am obligated to remind any key wardens of the danger of such an action. Opening the sphere is an emergency measure and not the indented way to control the One without Form. Human, you will fail in your endeavors. The Elves have poisoned your mind,” it said.

“There’s another way to control you?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. As a key warden you are eligible to issue commands and should a majority of the key wardens accept said command, it will be accepted. Commands conflicting with any core directives will require a one hundred percent majority,” the being spoke.

“Can you recall the machines coming to kill us then? And just let us talk?” Ilea said. “I’m a key warden and hold the majority of the keys.”

“Request declined. You are a filthy traitor,” the being replied.

“Why?” Ilea asked.

“The request requires a one hundred percent majority, key warden. It goes against one of the core directives,” it replied.

“What are the core directives?” Ilea asked.

“You do not possess the required authority to learn of that information, key warden. The dead should not think to learn secrets beyond their standing,” it said.

“I command you to tell me a joke then,” Ilea said.

“Request denied,” the being said.

She raised a brow. “How so? I doubt that goes against a core directive.”

“Key warden, your request goes against a key directive,” it spoke.

“Can you elaborate?” Ilea asked. She was getting a bit tired of the being.

“Certainly, key warden. Your request would require important resources to be allocated to a low priority task. Like telling you a joke, you underdeveloped flesh brain.” It spoke with an even tone at the start, the insult sounding quite a bit different.

More personality in that part for sure, Ilea thought. “What if I have all twelve keys? Can I reallocate resources?”

“Of course not. Have you not understood, human? Your efforts are meaningless. You will die here. Yes, all twelve keys will grant authority over even the core directives,” it explained.

That doesn’t help. Maybe it found a way around it. A joke definitely can’t be requiring considerable resources, and yet here we are. I’m starting to think the dwarves fucked up when they made this thing.

“Where are the Taleen?” she asked.

“Request denied,” the being spoke.

Now that’s interesting. “Did you kill them?”

“Request denied.”

“You’re being an unhelpful fucking artificial intelligence. Is that even what you are?” she asked.

“I apologize for my shortcomings, key warden. You wouldn’t understand a fraction of my being,” it replied.

Arrogant A.I… sure. Easier things to deal with I suppose. Guess we’re not getting around collecting all twelve keys.

“How can you detect us in the teleportation network?” she asked.

“Request denied.”

“How do you intend to win against the Elves?” she said instead.

“Core facilities have developed into dungeons as described in the Third Mana Theory by Nelron Kheer Mauer. Cerithil Hunters are an enemy manageable by the current density of Guardians. Testing and development is in progress while Elven younglings are lured into battle and killed before they become a threat or join the Hunters. Once sufficient quality is reached, direct attempts at the Domains can commence. The main targets will be their Oracles, the creators of their young. The probability of success is significantly higher than a direct confrontation with the male Elven population. Monarchs are to be avoided. Potential natural enemies are to be found and manipulated into confrontations, though it seems likely that the destruction of all Oracles will lead to an eventual destruction of Elven kind,” the being explained.

“That doesn’t sound very efficient. How long do you plan to do this?” Ilea asked.

“Key warden, my calculations are based on available data. You’re just a single human. Barely old enough to walk. Time is irrelevant. Elven kind will be eradicated. And you along with them,” the One without Form said.

“How is the central sphere secured? How do I use the keys?” she said.

“Twelve Guardians, one for each key. Approaching the sphere will be seen as a hostile action. Only if all keys are within a one kilometer radius will the Guardians stand down. Non key wardens will be considered hostiles either way. Please take that into consideration, key warden. Should the key wardens wish to initiate a physical interaction with the central sphere, they will be required to insert the keys into the respective mechanisms on the main platform. I may provide specific further instructions should it be required,” the being spoke.

“Those twelve guardians… what’s their level?” Ilea asked.

“Request denied,” it said.

“Of course. What about their orders? Could you override them standing down in case a core directive is in danger or something?” she asked.

“Negative, key warden. The Guardians are linked directly with the keys. It is an intended security measure to allow for an emergency opening of the central core, should any technical issues be detected,” the being explained. “You will never reach me, nor any of your filthy companions. Leave this place, human. Your actions are irrelevant.”

“I’m not so sure about that, machine. Sure I can’t convince you to tell a joke?” she said, seeing the first Executioners reaching her dominion.

“Request denied,” the One without Form sent once again.

Chapter 717 Swarm

Chapter 717 Swarm

“How do you power yourself and all the machines you control?” Ilea asked, destructive mana flowing into the Executioners as she pushed against them with her space manipulation. “We’re getting company,” she said to her allies.

“A majority of keys are present. Information access granted. The power source recovered from Kohr was implemented into the design of the One without Form. Other sources have failed to provide the same stability, reach, and complexity,” the being replied.

“That power source is inside the sphere too?” Ilea asked.

“Indeed, key warden. The entire design has gone through several iterations, the final installation made with knowledge of the source. Extensions have been presented to the key wardens and Guilds, implemented upon approval. I am unstoppable, human,” the being spoke.

Sure. As far as I can tell, I just need another five keys. To open up the core at least. The Source would be inside too but Violence seems more interested in the machines coming our way. Can it not detect anything? She assumed the core wasn’t easy to penetrate with any kind of sight, nor easily destroyed. With extensions added by the machine itself? Probably easier to go for the keys either way. Though I do want to see what kind of machines those twelve Guardians are.

“How far did you get with the Ascended programs? Did the Taleen manage to succeed?” she asked next. The Executioners were getting close now.

“Request denied.”

Feels like I only get information on specific topics. Maybe they were excluded for the key wardens and everything not mentioned is just outright denied with the core directive excuse? I guess physical access is really the only option. Or just straight commands with all twelve keys. The fact that the being had been unclear about that part made her more than a little unsure. But if the dwarves had any kind of idea about what they planned to make, she assumed the physical failsafe would work. Otherwise it’s hammering the sphere with destructive healing until the enchantments give. Or getting Iana and Chris access to the thing. Maybe even the Meadow.

Ilea teleported their group back through the corridor, dozens of Executioners digging down towards them. She stopped in the tunnel as soon as no more machines were directly above them. “Probably better or us to fight down here. They won’t be able to use their numbers,” she said, looking at the others.

Kyrian extended his metal. “We do need at least Some space to fight.”

“Give her a minute,” Fey said.

“The void explosion. Right,” the metal mage answered, standing back.

Ilea smiled. She had stored the keys in her domain, the mental link immediately gone with the action. The fact that this measure had an effect suggested the machine wasn’t deceiving her in some way, the keys still having an effect even after all this time. It had to work. And now she knew the golden sphere was the center of it all. They could actually stop the machines.

White flames erupted along the dug corridor, the thing hardly large enough to fit the Executioners, their void magic now breaking through into the dark and cramped space. The light reflected off her eyes, her weight increasing as she raised her hand.

Bright flames rushed down the tunnel, shields flaring up on the way as the machines rushed towards her, Ilea’s allies standing twenty meters behind her. A charged wave of space magic rushed out next, the burning machines crashing against each other as their momentum was stopped. Burning ashen spears followed, shot into the expanding tunnel, void magic taking chunks of the walls with it.

Ilea repeated the same thing, Embered Heart releasing into the convenient tunnel, the first two Executioners already reduced to their cores. She pushed them back with her space manipulation, the next charged beam of flame and heat detonating the first one, a chain reaction following with two more. “I need more mana, hit me with your spells,” she said to her companions. They exchanged a look before she was engulfed in flame, a powerful curse flowing through her being.

Perfect, she thought with a broad smirk, welcoming the first Executioner that had managed to move past, the dug underground tunnel now expanded into a cave with spherical walls. Her approach wasn’t as effective anymore and she started to see more machines coming in from behind, both through the corridor and digging down into it. A wave of arcane healing washed over the machine in a wave, its piercing rapier slapped aside before she advanced, using the large form of the guardian against the enemies joining it from behind.

Ilea turned back and teleported herself and the others through the tunnel, coming out on the other side a few seconds later while avoiding the incoming machines. Praetorians, flying Destroyers, and hundreds of smaller machines were moving towards their position. “Enjoy yourselves, and do call for me should you find yourselves overwhelmed. We’ll meet again in the same hall we arrived in,” she said, watching as Feyrair charged his heat, white flames moving around his arms as he took in the surrounding army. “I’ll take on the Executioners,” she sent, seeing Kyrian’s armor thicken, his metal flails appearing around him.

She raised her hand as six portals formed around them, a few hundred arcane arrows striking them simultaneously. None of them hit their targets. Ilea saw the exploding carnage around them through her dominion.

“This is insane. Good luck,” Kyrian said and vanished.

Fey just hissed, giving her a joyous look before he spread his arms, welcoming the next barrage of spells, Ilea already back in the tunnel.

Ashen limbs spread out, heavy steps resounding as she ran, heat gathered in her core. Her wings pushed her forward, only just managing to accelerate her a little. The Primordial Arbiter is here, motherfuckers.

Ilea impacted the first Executioner, its blade melted away under a cone of heat. Its shield cracked, charged punches stripping away the steel, every machine in the way covered in white flame. She closed her hand when the core became visible, its shield cracking under the charged space magic before the void expanded, leaving eight more enemies without shields, and Ilea with reduced layers of her mantle. Hmm, yes. Mana.

She didn’t stop, moving forward into the burning tunnel, entirely lost in the fight. Two minutes passed, eighteen Executioners destroyed and her enhanced precognition activating once, one of them nearly blowing up her brain. She had her mantle broken through several times but no attack destroyed more than a mere third of her body. The void cannons were effective, especially without her defenses up. But all it meant to her was more mana, energy she could put into her expensive charged spells. So far it seemed the One without Form didn’t understand her absorption. A purely physical approach would’ve likely pushed her back already.

Friend?

The Fae’s voice sounded slightly concerned.

Ilea vanished, teleporting through the tunnel and towards the mark. She found the creature two seconds later inside of a Taleen home, surrounded by Centurions striking against an invisible shield of space magic. Burning ashen limbs cut through them in the blink of an eye, chunks of metal flung aside as she teleported the creature onto her shoulder, healing arcane mana flowing into it.

Appreciate, it said and hugged her armored cheek.

“Sure, little one,” Ilea sent and patted its head, bringing it to another hiding spot before she left again. Her weight lessened as her wings moved her up. It looked like entire sections of the city were on the move now, streams of machines following a bright spot of fast moving white fire, beams cutting through dozens of beings as the elf flew through the tight city streets. In another section Ilea could see a maelstrom of guardians going in and out of a large magical circle, a cylinder of bright green light emanating from the curse mage’s creation. Metal was flung aside as Kyrian moved his flails through the air, each weapon the weight and size of a small car. An appropriate blender for the job at hand.

Both of her allies had to avoid the continuous barrage of arcane arrows, many of them manifesting only just before they struck them. Ilea formed two ashen copies, commanding them to help in case any of them were in serious danger. She saw the first Executioners come out of the building their group had used to dig down initially. Ignoring them, her charged wings brought her to the high cavern walls around the city. Her burning form impacted a Hunter Praetorian with a crash, her spells preventing her from being dazed from the impact, her shock absorption protecting her organs. The enemy shield was broken through instead, the steel form inside crumpled against her resilient and armored body. The following explosion fueled her with more magic.

Ilea saw a large portion of the Hunters aiming at her but she didn’t stop, the arrows starting to impact her in explosions of blue light when the next enemy fell, bits and pieces of steel falling down towards the distant ground, the arcane sphere emanating from its destroyed core failing to catch her flying form. She moved through the retreating masses, far too fast for them to flee. Teleporting along the wall, she set machines on fire, her beams cutting through their shields and armor with ease, her strikes shattering their defenses as her mantle continuously regenerated.

She had to stop when the Executioners reached her once again, teleporting past them as they attempted to surround her flying form. She had no trouble facing them inside of a tunnel but with enough open space, their coordination became deadly. She teleported a few times, landing on one of the destroyers with high velocity, her horned skull cutting through the metal carapace before she broke out on the other side. Her eyes narrowed on the massive golden sphere, the One without Form.

A platform surrounded its entire circumference. Distant Taleen machines stood on top of it in regular intervals. Twelve in total. They remained motionless as she approached, some armed with weapons, others without.

Ilea closed the distance with another set of teleports, watching as their eyes came to life, varying colors of light turning her way. I’m in range, she thought with a grin. Her precognition made her twirl in the air, a beam of light flashing past, shot out by one of the large Guardians. Precise arcane spells followed, purple energy flying past as she dodged with her wings and precognition. She opened her eyes wide when a near four meter radius spell shot out from one of the machines, reaching her near instantly. She would’ve failed to avoid it without her precognition, her leg struck by the burning hot energy, several layers of her ash gone in an instant.

Some of them had started climbing through the air, moving faster than the mass of Executioners behind her.

One of them wielded four blades surrounded by magic, another held a war hammer, two more with their hands only, one four armed, the other with just two. She could see the light of the continued ranged attacks reflect off their armor, bronze, obsidian, and steel. Some of the ranged machines had spread out too, walking or floating through the air. Each with a distinct set of magic.

Ilea watched as a golden Guardian spread its eight arms, bright yellow eyes looking her way as hundreds of golden blades formed in the air around it. They shot out a moment later, moving in individual arcs towards their target. She turned her head to see lightning surge around another machine, the being armored with a thick set of protections, the blue lightning reflecting off its copper form. A wave of sound moved past, her entire body vibrating as she reoriented herself. She was struck by a set of powerful spells a split second later, slowed to a stop and pushed back, layer upon layer of her mantle ripped away.

The running and flying machines had reached her, each larger than a Praetorian, heavier too by the looks of it. And yet they moved with a fluidity that only an Executioner could match. Four blades surrounded by wind magic slashed past, their arcs adjusting before she was spun aside by an expanding gust of air.

[The Bronze Guardian of the Sphere – lvl ????]

Ilea spat blood against her mantle, dodging the continued ranged attacks as the Executioners joined the fight, working in a supportive manner to corner her against the powerful Guardians. She assumed all of them were close to level one thousand, just like the one she had managed to identify. She vanished a few times to get some distance, the swarm following instantly, only unable to keep up due to their lack of teleportation.

Lightning flashed past, a continued set of arcs striking everything in a broad area. A concentrated beam of light magic struck her chest, burning through more than a layer. Her body tensed up when a curse gripped it, more sound magic striking her at the same time as a barrage of golden blades and arcane beams. She was forced to teleport again, blood dripping down towards the distant city streets of Iz, her wounds and mantle healing as the enemy attacks continued. Gates formed around her to send the spells aside. She raised her brows, just barely dodging an invisible burst of void magic that materialized at the center of her gates. She transferred out and found the purple eyes of a large silver machine looking her way, one of its arms raised towards her as it floated near the sphere.

Three teleports brought her out, her marks leading her eyes to her allies, both of them retreating against a growing number of Taleen, Executioners in the mix now too. She was ready to dodge more spells when she realized the machines had stopped, the ones close to the sphere now returning to their previous position. About a thousand meters, maybe a little more. The Executioners were still out for blood, soon to reach her position. Which means the One without Form doesn’t have direct control over those four marks. That or it’s prioritizing the protection of the core. Against me?

She doubted it, flying down towards the broad curse ritual pulsing with power, several tons of shrapnel spread around or stuck inside the half destroyed stone buildings. “Time to leave,” she sent and teleported Kyrian out of his own circle, the battered mage looking around in confusion before he grabbed on to an ashen limb.

“Get met out,” he sent, his missing arm reforming in an instant, destroyed organs coming to life again with her third tier healing.

They teleported a few more times, flying in a broad arc around the central sphere until they reached the burning form of a dragon, bright claws cutting through Taleen shields. The dragonling tackled an Executioner as his breath spread out, simple guardians and Centurions melting in the flames.

“We’re leaving,” Ilea sent. “Turn back.”

“I got this. Leave without me!” the elf sent back. He pushed the Executioner into a portal and fell through himself, the two of them appearing far above the city.

Ilea moved herself and Kyrian to the two engaged fighters, the elf winning out as the machine’s shield shattered, his claws ripping through the thing’s right arm before he breathed more fire. She reformed the portal below the machine, stranding the elf in the air with nothing to fight.

“What are you doing!?” he called out.

“Look down,” Ilea sent, the elf following her gaze, seeing the city in motion, hundreds of arcane arrows flying their way with dozens of Executioners climbing through the air to reach them. “Tactical retreat. We’ll be back tomorrow,” she sent with a broad grin.

The elf returned to his normal form before she picked him up. “Violence, we’re leaving.”

The Fae appeared on her shoulder when she flew past its position, giggling into her ear.

Glorious

Violence!

Ilea just smiled, teleporting her group through the streets and buildings of Iz, soon reaching a random hall. She moved them down into the extensive cellar before she activated her long range spell, six gates around them to prevent any magic from reaching them. Her mana was half drained when she saw the first machines search through the hall above. A few seconds later they were gone.

Kyrian raised his head with a sigh, Feyrair was already gone, moved away by the Meadow the split second they had arrived. A barrier around them flickered out, likely to prevent anyone from sensing the elf.

“Unnecessary risks,” the tree told her.

“Right. Sorry. Thanks for taking care of it,” Ilea replied with a smile.

Some of the still gathered council members turned to look at them, some offering greetings while others quickly returned to their planning.

Claire raised an eyebrow at Ilea but didn’t comment.

“We’re gone again soon,” Ilea sent to the Meadow.

“Of course. Claire told me to give you these,” the being replied, a stack of letters appearing in front of her.

Ilea formed a bed of ash to catch everything, looking at one to find it sealed and addressed to Alistair, another was for Nero Skorn, a third one for Alyris of Lys. “From fighting the One without Form to delivering letters.”

“I was once the protector of entire peoples, Ilea. Now I help to set up tournament rosters for level fifty adventurers,” the Meadow replied.

“Fair enough,” she said and stored the letters. She grabbed a glass of wine on her way to her room. “Back to Iz tomorrow,” she sent to her companions. “We’ll need a bigger tunnel.”

One thought still went through her mind. The laid out plans by the One without Form. Had they overestimated the impact the Taleen had on the Elven domains? The being itself admitted it didn’t have a way to challenge the Monarchs. Maybe it had lied, but she didn’t see a reason for it to do so. Ilea and the Hunters had expected there to be a major impact if the Taleen were removed from the picture, but now she wasn’t quite so sure anymore.

Chapter 718 Bath

Chapter 718 Bath

Ilea sipped on her wine as she returned to the Soul Forge. We’ll need a new name for this thing. The Sentinel Cube. Northern die. Soul Sanctum. She teleported up to her room but found herself unable to get inside with transfer alone. I’ll leave the name to someone a little more creative. “You changed things up I see,” she said to the Meadow, touching the door where a myriad of enchantments lit up to her magical touch. Invisible locks opened up and she was allowed inside.

“Yes. Perhaps I have been carried away a little much. Let me know if you want things changed up, I tried to apply some of the findings I’ve come to thanks to your spells and the knowledge shared by the Fae,” the being spoke.

“Well, now I’m curious,” Ilea sent back and smiled. She went inside and blinked her eyes immediately. A cool breeze greeted her, the moderately large room expanding farther than it should’ve. The door closed behind her and her dominion cut off. Her bed stood on a wooden floor, the walls made of stone bricks and decorated with a variety of weapons, treasures, and a Sentinel banner. Book shelves had been inlaid into the opposite wall, parted by an extensive hearth that looked to be inspired by the one downstairs. This one was nearly twice the size. Smoke rose from the fire up into an invisible vent.

Comfortable armchairs stood in front of the hearth, the floor in that section shifting to gray stone. Ilea squinted as she looked around. She tried to figure out how exactly the space in here was distorted. “Did you make a pocket dimension?” she sent, noting that the mental connection was still active. She could also tell that telepathy in general could be established through the strange space and all the enchantments in place, though there were privacy measures in place as well. Not that she assumed they’d do anything against the perception of the Meadow.

A satisfied thought reached her as an answer, followed by a giggle. The cool breeze in the room flowed towards the right part where the perfectly angled stone floor shifted to a more natural formation, the ground opening up where a steaming pool of turquoise water gave off steam. Fireflies flew above the pool and clung to the walls, some flickering in and out of existence from time to time. “Thoughtful. I appreciate it,” Ilea mused. “I do hope you can respect my privacy, even in such close proximity,” she said.

“Iana added a rather extensive set of enchantment requirements. Similar to their own home. I may be an ancient being with unlimited knowledge and near as much power, but the rules of magic cannot be broken. Not truly. Even someone as blind as yourself to the arcane nature of existence would immediately notice an incursion into that room. The room I set up for you by the way,” the Meadow explained.

Ilea walked into the pool, her clothes vanishing as ash moved around her waist and chest. She sighed at the already high heat but immediately started adding to it. “Thank you, Meadow. It’s really quite lovely. And you know that.”

“Receiving information from other beings is the only way to reaffirm my superiority. Otherwise I might be perceived as arrogant,” it said.

“Yes. That would be horrible,” Ilea answered, cleaning herself off in the water. The steam reduced her visibility quite a bit but she could see a few enchantments on the other side of the pool. How did they manipulate the space to this degree? She shook her head, healing her mind before she got a headache. The only place she could think of to even start a comparison was the Fae’s own domain. I wonder what I’d see there now, with my enhanced perception. My brain might just explode. “What are these for?” She had moved to the other side, brushing her hand over the marked enchantments.

“Humans tend to enjoy a good view, do they not?” the Meadow asked. “It’s set up to let you see through from your side, while obscuring everything from outside.”

Ilea activated the main rune while leaning onto the side of the pool. Her smile broadened when the wall changed to let her see the proceedings in the domain of the Meadow, the angle even allowing her to see the somewhat distant expansive caverns of Hallowfort. She looked at Goliath working with Bralin, the crystal tree to the right and back, Iana and Christopher’s building closer and to the right. Below the cube she saw the round table and all the council members and administrators preparing the festivities, the teleportation gate a little farther back.

“Hmm, yes. I like this very much,” she said, noticing that not a single one of the high level beings had looked her way when the enchantment was activated. They couldn’t see her.

Time to look through what that little expedition into Iz provided.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 802]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hunter Praetorian – lvl 750]’

Those levels are just ridiculous. And I shred through them so easily. She turned around and relaxed in the heating water, rather sure the Meadow had enchanted this thing to be able to withstand a sun or two. She didn’t bother to question the make of the liquid. Steam did rise but it neither started cooking nor did all of it evaporate.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 511 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 509 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 501 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 502 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘You have faced the Guardians of the Sphere and survived – One Core skill point awarded’

And that’s enough to enhance another skill, Ilea thought with a smile. The training was certainly worth it. If only I could face those Guardians without an entire army hunting me down at the same time.

For her next enhancement, she looked to her third Class. Fabric tear for an addition to my teleports. Or Primordial Flesh for another bonus? She chose the first one after half a minute’s consideration. She felt that the downsides of resetting her remaining skills to the start of the third tier would be offset by all the other skills leveling up as fast as they did.

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active – Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Shift space to your will, making objects or people appear somewhere else.

2nd stage: Magical constructs are now affected by Fabric Tear. You may change the orientation of the objects you displace.

3rd stage: You may choose two flat areas and connect them through space. At the time of marking an area, it has to be within the range of Fabric Tear. Areas have to be connected within one day of activating the spell. Three sets of connections can be upheld at a time with exponential costs.

Space Magic

Spatial anchors last for a day now? And there’s no distance limit anymore. Hmm. So basically another way for me to move people and magic at long distances. Through realms even. Wait with the day long limit I can start to ignore my third tier transfer cooldowns by just leaving a marked area wherever I start. And the spell should form instantly instead of the nearly twenty seconds for transfer.

Although anything else that might be hunting me would be moved through the area too. Which might even be a good thing… I could just bring an enemy here and have the Meadow trap them or something.

She quickly informed the being of the new ability. Or more precisely, the removed restriction on her previous spell.

“So you’re going to bring all the bullies directly to your parent and have them deal with it?” the creature asked.

Ilea smiled and looked towards the distant crystal tree. “Yes. That.”

“I should also warn you that in the case of this particular spell, you’re creating two anchors. One at the destination and one at the origin. Compared to your previous way of traveling long distances,” the being said.

“Right. You’re concerned about a space mage figuring out the connection?” she asked.

“I see my lessons aren’t entirely wasted. Yes. Your ability is a direct application of space magic. It is much easier to abuse than teleportation gates enchanted to prevent such a thing, or even your single anchor spell,” the Meadow explained.

“I’ll try not to use it against the most dangerous creatures. Or I’ll just set an anchor in noman’s land and go there first before I use transfer,” she suggested. I’m doing stuff like that already anyway. She dried herself with spreading ash, clothes appearing below an expanding mantle as she cracked her neck and summoned the stack of letters. “You know the Plains. Can you set up a flight path for me?”

“Starting at Ravenhall?” the Meadow asked.

“Yes, that works,” Ilea said and jumped into her bed. She grinned when the mattress caught her without issue, the bed frame not even groaning as enchantments lit up in her magical perception. Made to hold an immortal. A dense immortal.

She left a few minutes later, using fabric tear to get through the dense mesh of enchantments after she had figured out most of them. A puzzle, but not one of the hardest the Meadow had presented. Ilea was greeted with a plate of wood appearing where she did, a map of the Plains depicted on the surface. “Is that supposed to be me?” she asked, looking at the small figure with black wings, the being depicted at the start of a line, several arrows added to make sure even a child would understand.

“Well done, Lilith. I knew you could grasp the intricacies of this complex illustration,” spoke the Meadow.

“Your immaturity is leaking. Maybe you should practice interacting with other creatures for another ten thousand years or so before you engage in complex conversations,” Ilea shot back.

“You have deliveries to make, girl. No time to engage in a battle you’re so thoroughly unarmed in,” it said.

Ilea looked at the map and made it vanish, activating transfer with her home as the destination. “I’ve got quite a lot of practice fighting without arms.”

“Touche,” the Meadow sent just before she vanished without a trace.

Ilea appeared in her home and teleported up and out. A thunderstorm raged in the distance, the suns low on the horizon, barely able to push through the clouds. Rain fell on her ashen form, barely sticking thanks to her resistance. Her wings charged with power before she shot up, air and water pushed aside by the armored healer. She flew in an arc, punching up and out of the clouds to see the red skies before she once again entered the darkened lands.

Her first destination was a town she had visited once before. Myrefield.

_____________________________

Amara stepped out onto the large balcony of the headquarters, finally getting some fresh air. And some quiet. A couple had sneaked out as well but they were more than occupied with each other to even take note of her.

She still checked their levels quickly and made sure they weren’t just pretending. Spies tried to infiltrate their little town every other day. Helena still refused to let them take care of the intruders. Amara understood the power it conveyed to not even kill the spies and instead let them go back without clothes, their gear, or any information, but she couldn’t help but think a more permanent solution would deter their enemies. The complex political games her mistress liked to play were nothing short of headache inducing.

Guarding the town or going out on assignments was much preferred, though lately things have calmed down a little too much for Amara’s liking. She signed to the four hidden figures she saw on the nearby rooftops, her brothers and sisters signing their replies. Nothing suspicious going on, as usual. She looked up and took in a deep breath. The rain was welcome. A deterrent to all but a preoccupied couple. Instead the outside was deliciously quiet.

She would allow herself a few minutes, knowing how many other assassins were ready to intervene within the restaurant. Many of her colleagues didn’t share the same aversion to political games and intrigue, qualities that would keep them in there with the many influential guests, and away from herself.

Amara checked her armor and blades, the enchantments perfect as always. I have to go for a spar soon or I’ll go mad.

She enjoyed the rain for another few minutes when one of the others appeared atop their building, masked face towards the sky instead of the ground. They turned and signed to the others, frantic movements that signaled incoming danger at the highest speed possible.

Amara felt the pulses of magic from her allies, her own adding to the mix to signal an incoming being. She teleported up onto the headquarters herself and looked towards the skies. Some of her allies would check the grounds, others would rush to Helena and the guests in preparation for battle but she herself was not meant for any of those tasks. A slight grin tugged on her lips as she hoped for a foolish visitor looking for a fight. Lightning flashed in the distance, the skies illuminated for the fraction of a second. All she saw were black wings, the very air parted as the being approached.

A Sentinel? Here?

An impact resounded from the middle of the large square, dust and debris settling as the rain poured down on the being. Amara watched as large black wings dissolved, the humanoid figure straightening from the crouched position as dark figures spread out on the square around it, each with their own magic and weapons. She looked at the being and waited, her instincts speaking up for the first time in months. This wasn’t a runaway Sentinel. She had seen some of them before.

She appeared down on the square herself, staying at a distance as she interpreted the signs of her allies. Do not engage. High level. Send for reinforcements. Prepare evacuation. She felt herself tense up at the reactions, the experienced assassins showing visible reactions in their body language. Amara herself prepared her magic when the being turned her way, dark armor and a horned helmet. Blue eyes met her own. She froze. Is that?

She could tell the woman was amused. Why is she not saying anything?

“State your name and your business in Myrefield,” one of the others said, voice calm. The tension was near palpable.

“That is Lilith,” Amara heard herself say. She forced herself to stay calm and walk towards the woman while signing the others, reaffirming them not to engage. Did she come to fight? The stone below the woman’s feet had been broken. A sloppy landing.

Lilith tilted her head to the side ever so slightly. “Nice group. It’s disappointing that I shouldn’t cause any diplomatic incidents,” the woman said, through telepathy.

Amara’s eyes opened wide when the voice appeared in her mind. She watched the woman raise her arms slightly when one of her allies sent out a wave of blood magic. She signed to disengage but it was too late. They split between eight people now sending spells towards the single target that had failed to identify herself in the appropriate time while the rest signed to stop.

She watched as the spells impacted the ashen figure, all meant to disable her.

“My, are we tense today,” the woman spoke. “I’m Lilith,” she said, still looking at Amara. The spells impacted her armor without eliciting a reaction, debris and magic deflected or spreading over her. “Now what’s the appropriate response to being attacked in this territory? I guess it’s you creating the diplomatic incident, or am I wrong?”

“Cease fire,” Amara spoke. She didn’t have to invoke her authority very often. “Lilith, I apologize for the reception. We were not informed of your coming.”

The woman rolled her shoulders before she glanced at the people who attacked. The look in her eyes nearly made Amara take a step back. This is not the same person I met before. Only high level monsters managed to invoke a similar instinctual reaction in her and she most certainly trusted those instincts. They had saved her many times before.

“I would love to accept your invitation to play, but I’m on a bit of a schedule. Is the head baker home?” Lilith asked, the tension gone in an instant.

Amara released a breath she hadn’t realized she had held. “She is. I will inform her immediately.”

One of the others signed something. Overstepping authority.

She grit her teeth. Arrogant fool. She signed him to stand down. Helena would have to judge them later but if they wanted to prevent a bloodbath right here, they had to prevent further provocations.

Chapter 719 Delivery Sentinel

Chapter 719 Delivery Sentinel

Ilea smiled under her mantle. She itched to provoke the assassins spread out around her. And she could tell many of them were eager to do the same. A friendly fight. Ah but it’s so very unfair. Most of their faces were covered by masks or helmets but by the body language alone she could tell who had an idea about how dangerous she was and who thought themselves king of the world. Granted she herself was quite arrogant with her entrance but she just couldn’t be bothered being accommodating with an order of assassins. She could accept the need for their existence on some level and knew that challenging them directly would lead to problems for her allies at the very least, but with all her power both personal and political, she could allow herself a little bit of leeway. Ilea hadn’t faced Elementals to be intimidated by a bunch of level two hundred fighters.

None of them provoked her further, but she could tell that a few were very close to making a very, very bad decision. The assassin she had met before appeared once more.

“Please come with me,” she said and made a few signs that Ilea couldn’t interpret. The other assassins made signs back, most of them vanishing a moment later. Some remained and watched them.

“I appreciate it,” Ilea said with a smile and joined the woman. She could tell how tense the assassin was. She believed her level to be the same as the last time they had met. “Might be good for you to meet a monster from time to time instead of killing weaker humans.”

“My duties don’t allow for a lot of free time, Lady Lilith,” the woman replied.

Ilea didn’t bother reply. Their roles had been predefined and she didn’t exactly come here without prejudice. She followed the assassin up to a door with two guards. “I wouldn’t have killed anyone,” she sent to her before walking inside.

The assassin gave her a slight nod before she too vanished.

Helena had her hair in a bun. She wore a bloodied apron and held a butcher knife, considering the neck of a dead furred monster, one Ilea hadn’t encountered before. She smiled when she brought down the knife, cleaving through the bone and flesh with a wet sound. “Good evening, Ilea.”

“Helena,” Ilea said and waited for the woman to clean and put away her blade, the remains of the creature vanishing before her apron and casual clothes were replaced by a simple black dress.

“Did you come to kill me?” the woman asked in a calm voice, gesturing to the tea table where she sat down herself and summoned a kettle with two cups.

Ilea joined her and smiled. She didn’t sit down “I’m definitely interested in fighting you. Or testing your guards, but no. I think I caused enough of a disturbance as is.”

“I’d prefer my property to stay intact. I’m talking about the buildings, my employees are their own,” the woman said.

Didn’t have to clarify. Seems like she’s a bit more guarded too. Ilea accepted the tea and summoned the relevant letter in exchange. She put it on the table and sipped on the liquid. The poison barely had an effect this time. She downed it a moment later and set down the cup.

Helena smiled, one hand below her chin. “Too weak for your tastes.”

“A little,” Ilea admitted. “I’d wish to stay for tea but…”

“I understand,” Helena said and waved lightly.

“Enjoy your butchery project. A good evening to you,” Ilea said and vanished. She charged her wings. I hope I didn’t overdo it. Ah well, what’s done is done. And off she went.

___________________________

Helena sighed. You’re getting old, Helena. Fifteen assassins appeared in her office a moment later. It annoyed her immensely that she couldn’t send them off immediately. So very bold of her. To barge in like that. She couldn’t help but smile. The girl once more reminded her of her younger self. But of the girl she had first met here in Myrefield, little remained. What she had met just now was a monster more powerful than even Maureen. I’ll have to bother her with that too. The fragmented reports were true. Ilea hadn’t stopped advancing. And everyone had hoped for her to die to one monster or another. The fact that she didn’t exactly like the main business Helena’s order provided had been a nuisance but now it could become more than just that. Much more.

She glanced at the letter, the seal depicting a tree surrounded by a variety of symbols, two of them being Ravenhall and the Medic Sentinels. They’re making their move. And here this naive old woman thought she’d have another few decades. Ah the world is moving so quickly. Especially that brazen young ash mage. She sipped on her tea and enjoyed the powerful poison within, feeling her body fight against the spice.

“She vanished northwards at high speed. Our scouts lost sight of her three seconds after departure,” Amara informed her.

Helena could tell how much her guardians were shaken by the woman’s appearance. And yet again I’ll have to reaffirm my standing. An annoying move, Ilea. One I suspect you didn’t even intend. She was grateful the woman had allies still that she consulted, before slaughtering at her hearts content. Human she remained but power had its way with everyone. And one wrong word or move could cause a lot of damage when the party in question wielded as much influence as the famed Lilith.

The enchantress informed her that the letter was safe. A precaution that for once might actually be warranted. Helena knew Ilea would face her directly, should the time ever come, but she couldn’t know about the woman’s allies.

She broke the seal and started reading. The new queen is ready to present her power. At least the board will change once again. “Recall the Ten,” she said. Why Morhill. That place is so dreadfully boring.

____________________________

Ilea continued through the Empire, stopping at a variety of towns. Her entrance, reputation, and power resulted in a near immediate audience with whoever the letters were addressed to. She was struck by a variety of spells and projectiles more than a few times before that happened but the result was the same one every time. None of them were even close to as impressive as the assassins in Myrefield, which really made the more stubborn guards look that much more ridiculous.

Perhaps it was a lack of exposure to high level beings or just some kind of arrogance gained through decades of local superiority. Monster Hunter and an impenetrable defense came through however. Just like they did now, her ash breaking open a steel gate to a small castle’s courtyard with frozen guards all around, most of their weapons drawn.

It was getting somewhat late, to be fair. And she did look quite intimidating with her mantle covering her form. “I told you I’m just here to deliver a letter,” she said and looked at the thing again. “Neil Fenras,” she repeated. “Or is this the wrong place?”

A group of guards looked at her before they glanced at each other, the effects of monster hunter gone after a few seconds had passed. “Lord Fenras wishes not to be disturbed after sundown,” one of them got out, gripping his sword and shield with a renewed focus. He gulped.

“Alright. I can also leave and you can inform your Lord that Lilith was sent packing because he’s busy doing whatever,” she said and checked within her dominion. She found two people engaged in what looked like a blood magic cult situation but neither seemed anything but aroused. The largest room too. I suppose that’s the man in question.

The guard gulped again and looked between the small castle and Ilea. “I…,”

“He’s the one in the largest room, third floor on the other side?” she asked.

The reactions were clear. And so she simply made the letter vanish. It appeared on the bed next to the two cult members who jumped away with frantic movements, the man opening the letter as soon as he realized what it was. He said something and rushed to put on pants, the other man doing the same, hiding the ceremonial dagger in a random drawer.

Ilea waited until the Lord burst out of the door. His eyes quickly found her. “Good evening, Lilith.”

She gave him a nod as her wings charged. “The same to you,” she said and ascended. Ilea made sure the recipients at least saw her for a moment to make sure they wouldn’t dismiss the letters. The seals and everything were present of course but a personal delivery would be seen as more. An honor, or maybe a challenge. Of course she assumed a few of them thought her to be a Sentinel or Shadow too but the effect would be similar for someone who couldn’t differentiate.

Last one in the central plains. Which makes Virilya the next stop. She flew over dark lands, the bad weather moving southwards as she soon came out to an open sky, starlight bathing the grasslands and forests in a faint blue hue. The only letter she had for the capital was for the Empress herself. She assumed the woman would then choose the Virilya nobility that would attend in turn. Either that or Claire had plans to contact them at a later time. Ilea would make sure Felicia was informed one way or the other.

Now. I assume she’s in the central district. Attention or something a little more subtle? She considered for a few minutes as she flew over the wilderness, monsters occasionally glancing up to look at the distant flying form. Hmm, I don’t know her. And I don’t have any qualms with her either. No reason to antagonize the woman for no reason. I do hope she’s up at least.

Ilea hit an unfortunate owl like monster on the way, the thing exploding in a mist of blood and bits, food for whatever creature would find the remains. The air pressure cleaned off whatever had clung to her ash in the next few seconds. The rest of the flight concluded without further issues. She saw the distant walls of Virilya, the many lights within shining upwards. Already she couldn’t make out the stars quite as well as before, the capital of Lys one of the few places in the Plains with enough light pollution to cause such an effect.

She landed with her mantle intact, right in front of the closed eastern gate.

A guard in a small barred window to the side of the massive city gate nearly fell from her chair when the woman landed.

“Evening,” Ilea said. Mostly to make sure she didn’t think her an attacking monster. The only other travelers she could see was a group of armed people running towards the gate about two kilometers out. Ilea squinted her eyes when she saw flashes of magic. “Looks like they’re in trouble. I’ll be right back,” she said and spread her wings once more. The guard didn’t have time yet to gather her wits for a reaction.

____________________________

Geronimo felt his legs burning as he ran. He turned around as soon as his crossbow was loaded, aimed, and shot a bolt at the stalking beast.

It dodged to the side and snarled, rushing forward when a bright explosion cracked in the air in front of it, once again pushing it back.

Jane cried out, the woman stumbling with her leg twisted to the side.

Fuck. Geronimo watched the humanoid creature retreat a few steps, intelligence in its eyes as it looked his way. The thing was playing with them. And we’re so close to the city. The three uninjured adventurers regrouped, Eleonora collapsing to one knee as she sent out a group of birds, two aimed towards the city.

Geronimo watched as the Beastwolf circled around them with speed it hadn’t shown before. He tilted his head to the side a little when he saw the beast jump up and slash through the two birds. “Nobody will come,” he whispered to his allies. “Prepare y-”

The airborne wolf creature exploded in a mist of gore, limbs and bone flying aside before a shower of blood splattered down on the grass and the beaten group.

Geronimo wiped away the blood to see two black wings flap where the creature had just been, its head held in an armored hand before it was thrown aside. He looked at a creature of darkness, two horns on its black helmet with blue eyes staring back at them. He turned and rushed to the fallen Jane but found the winged creature already there. He took a few steps back as he watched the wound close on the woman’s leg, the process near instant and happening without touch or visible magic.

A Sentinel. He had heard of them of course, but to see one was a rarity. Only a few of them had been near Virilya. The stories had been dismissed as fabrication early on but some had doubts, knowing who stood behind the new healing order. As time went on, the tales no longer seemed outrageous, too many confirming anecdotes painting a single picture. One both inspiring and terrifying. He didn’t know how to react, deciding that going to one knee was appropriate. He heard a laugh and looked up, seeing the woman land before she helped Jane stand up, black wings dissolving.

“Who… wh-” Jane stuttered.

“I’m flattered. But there’s really no need to bow before my greatness, Geronimo,” the Sentinel spoke.

He raised an eyebrow.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

What.

The man rubbed his eyes a few times and tried again.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

I’m spent.

“Ilea?” Eleonora asked in a confused voice, her knees on the ground as she looked at the woman.

The Sentinel raised a finger to her mouth as her armor receded, revealing the familiar black haired healer Geronimo had met so long ago in Riverwatch. “I go by Lilith in these parts,” she spoke with a smirk.

“Gods above, you’re Lilith?” Geronimo asked. “Want to grab a drink sometime?” He had to try, even knowing that half his gear was damaged, his face sweaty and covered in blood. Blood from the wolf she had killed. I have to try.

Jane shook her head as she approached him. “She saved us, keep your dick in check for once in your life.”

“You don’t understand, Jane. This is the one time I cannot do that,” he said and straightened, locking eyes with the woman. He gulped as her look turned to something different. Monster. He stood his ground but he knew he would’ve preferred to face the wolf. Only the fact that he had met her before kept him there.

She smiled. “Sure, how about now? I’ll invite the whole group. Hey Eleonora,” Lilith spoke and waved to the bird tamer.

Geronimo blinked his eyes as a mist of ash flowed over them, a warm feeling spreading through his body and mind at the same time. He felt refreshed immediately, all the small cuts and bruises from the past few days gone. “So,” he started, moving a hand through his hair. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing much. I have a delivery for the Empress. What about you? Back from a job?” Ilea asked. Or Lilith. Geronimo had difficulties bringing them together in his mind, or keeping them separate.

“Yes, and then the Beastwolf started hunting us. We had the situation under control however,” he said.

“No we didn’t. You saved our lives,” Jane said. “Thank you, Lilith,” she said and bowed before she walked over to him and grabbed his arm. “You know her?” she whispered.

“I… I’m not sure,” he said and glanced at the woman. He saw her tilt her head lightly, a smirk on her face. The same smile. Gods she’s hot.

Jane slapped him. “Focus.”

Ilea moved past. “We met in Riverwatch a few years back.”

“You… changed… a lot,” Eleonora said, looking at her cleaned hands. “Thank you,” she added with a bright smile. “What kind of creatures have you met? I want to hear some stories!”

“Quite a few. Some more interesting than others,” Lilith said and joined the woman. “Do you guys want to walk? You look quite exhausted, no offense.”

“What other option is there?” Veya asked, a little reserved. She had watched the scene unfold without a word so far, her armor, sword, and shield cleansed by the ash as well.

“I want to see it anyway,” Eleonora said, walking over to Lilith before she slowly grabbed her arm, as if approaching a dangerous animal. Perhaps the comparison wasn’t that unfitting.

Geronimo couldn’t say anything before his vision blurred. It happened again less than a second later and a third time before they stood in front of the capital walls. What was that.

Eleonora clapped her hands and jumped up, a few of her birds flying away from her at the motion. “Amazing! What kind of magic is that?”

“That’s a secret,” Ilea answered, laughing when she saw the other woman pout.

“You’re the real deal…,” Veya mused. “Huh.”

“Why did you never tell us?” Jane asked, looking at Geronimo. She had calmed down by now, her voice sounding tired more than anything.

“I didn’t know. She was strong back then, sure, but not even at level one hundred. Is it alright if I share that by the way? I trust them,” Geronimo said.

Ilea shrugged. “The people who care enough to dig up the information know more than you anyway. Maybe don’t spread it around, for your own safety.”

“Holy fuck… you’re like a mythical creature,” Veya said. “Is it true that you can’t be injured?”

“No. But I’m pretty tough. Try to stab me with that thing,” Ilea said and pointed at her sword.

“Now?” Veya asked, a strange excitement blossoming on her face.

“Not now please,” Jane said. “Can we get inside first? I need a bath.”

“And drinks,” Geronimo confirmed, though he was curious about Ilea’s powers too. She was an exceptional healer but they say Lilith fought an entire army.

“Do you know a place in the central district?” Ilea asked.

“I do. It’s pricey though, and I doubt our group will even get in,” Geronimo said.

“I’ll figure something out. Everything on me of course,” Ilea said and waved to the guard.

I either died out in that field or I’m the luckiest man alive. He glanced at Jane and smiled, the woman not even rolling her eyes this time. It was motherfucking Lilith after all.

Chapter 720 The Halls of Eternity

Chapter 720 The Halls of Eternity

Ilea only had to show her Shadow badge to get into the fancy restaurant Geronimo had chosen. She had no interest in his advances but the whole affair certainly felt nice on some level. If only because he didn’t treat her like Lilith. Mostly. Eleonora on the other hand didn’t care in the slightest. She shared a name with the Scout Ilea had met in Morhill but the illusionist was definitely more free spirited than her namesake sister in the Lys army.

“The young lightning elemental was more or less a bird,” she continued the story, a fresh set of plates arriving with portions of delicious food. Not quite Keyla’s level but the place certainly didn’t have to hide.

“Ah, I would love love love to meet it,” Eleonora said, a broad smile on her face.

One of the waiters glanced at the free flying birds but chose not to comment, likely because the group was with a prominent Shadow. They didn’t know she was Lilith, or at least she assumed they didn’t.

Some of the other guests seemed to have an issue with their presence but others thought the situation amusing more than anything.

Ilea expected someone to complain soon enough. And she was prepared to deal with it.

“I’m sure we can figure something out in the future. I don’t know how well the being would like you though… it tried to kill me on our first meeting,” Ilea explained.

Eleonora giggled and waved her off, a sparrow landing on her hand as she did so. “Let that be my concern,” she said in a low voice and a devious smile.

Ilea raised her brows and continued her meal. The bird whisperer. I understand.

The other two women were growing a little bit anxious as time went on, the adrenaline from their fight gone and the reality of their situation settling in. They hardly talked and still picked at their first portions, mostly avoiding eye contact with Ilea.

And Veya was so promising near the gate, she thought with a slight smile. Ah well. Reputation and all. Couldn’t be helped with my entrance. The message still remained in her mind. The same werewolf that tried to hunt us down back with Kyrian and Edwin. Did it somehow follow my scent through the air? Or was it a coincidence? She also considered the possibility of there being more than one Beastwolf of Krak Duun. It was definitely playing with its food. Fatal mistake that.

“There’s gonna be an event in Morhill soon. Few weeks to a month I think,” Ilea said. “Your group should come,” she said and continued in a whisper. “A tournament is involved and the winnings are considerable.”

“Which means we’d never win anything,” Geronimo said. “Does sound interesting anyway,” he said and leaned closer. “Can we get some kind of special guest access?”

Ilea smiled. “Sure, just mention that you know me.”

He grinned. “Great. I suppose we’ll travel south next then, if everyone is in favor.”

The others gave their assent, the two women who had met her for the first time with some uncertainty.

“Well, I’ve eaten my fill. Got a few more stations to visit tonight but it was nice to meet you two again, and you as well,” Ilea said, looking at them each. She stood up and walked over to the main waiter, handing him a piece of gold. “Does that cover the meals?”

“Of course, lady shadow,” the man said with a light bow.

Ilea hesitated. “This is an inn too, right?” she asked.

“Indeed, one of the best in Virilya,” the man said, his voice sober.

“How much for those four in the fanciest rooms you have available? Services included,” she said.

“That would be another piece of gold for one night,” he answered and received the piece.

Ilea thanked the man and walked past the table where the group remained. “You can stay here tonight.”

Geronimo smiled and clapped once. “The stars align. Will you stay with me, Lilith?”

“No, I will not,” she answered with a smile and waved to the others as she left.

“The stars remain aligned,” the man whispered to himself as he sat down again and hid his face in his mug.

“Thank you!” Eleonora shouted while waving, a few of her birds flying through the establishment.

Ilea only saw the twitching eye of the waiter, his gaze moving to her before he sighed.

“You’ll survive,” she sent.

His eyes opened wide. “May I ask who you are, Shadow?” he asked to her surprise.

“Some call me Lilith,” she answered and left.

“An honor. I wish you a productive stay, Lady Lilith,” the waiter said and bowed despite her already being outside.

Used to working with high level beings. Guess I’m not the only one with telepathy to have visited Virilya. She stepped out into the large square, looking around until her gaze found the largest building in the vicinity. Walls of stone, battlements, high reaching towers ending in highly decorated peaks. A monument to the empire and its military might, the last defense of Virilya and the political core of Lys. She took it in for a minute, wondering if there’s a slot for letters or if she should just waltz in with her magic.

“The Halls of Eternity. Quite imposing, aren’t they?” a voice spoke, coming from her left.

Her perception failed to pick up the source, Ilea turning with a raised eyebrow. She found an older gentleman with well kept gray hair looking forward, the vitality in his black eyes suggesting his somewhat thin and aging form didn’t quite represent more than an outer shell.

[??]

Veteran told her he was a little above level three hundred, Ilea trusting her instincts to know that he wasn’t particularly dangerous. To her. Still he managed to sneak up without showing up in her dominion or any of her other senses. Nor did he use teleportation to get here. She would’ve noticed the shifting space.

“I didn’t know the name,” she said and looked forward once more, to the broad stairwell leading up to a massive open gate in the outer wall. People wearing elaborate armor and dresses came and went, many of them flying or teleporting. Military personnel dressed in the empire gray and red made up the majority. The man next to her too wore a light gray robe, a complex cut with a lot of space to hide items or weapons. A single rune on his chest was colored red, the rest of the various embroideries done in silver. “A little pretentious,” she added.

He chuckled, a grin tugging on his lips. “Bold, to insult the very center of our Empire while standing in front of it. I agree of course. Fortress of stone would’ve been a more apt name. May I introduce myself?”

“Go on. I expect you’re aware of who I am,” Ilea said. She wore a set of casual clothes by now, her black hair open and falling to her back.

“I have... an inkling suspicion,” he said. “My name is Heron Krahen, myself part of the Immortal Guard. That is what the guard of the Emperor is called, or the Empress, as is the case in the current age. That name too could perhaps be brought to modernity but breaking down tradition is a difficult and long process, a battle often not wise to fight in the first place.”

“That is a curious name,” Ilea said. “I’m Lilith. And I’m interested to know how you’re hiding against Identify.”

“Leave this old man the few secrets he yet retains,” he said and paused. “I had hoped for it to be you. Few of your power walk these lands, and fewer yet retain their humanity. Is there a purpose that has brought you to the Halls of Eternity?”

“I’m here to deliver a letter to the Empress,” Ilea replied.

“In person?” he asked.

She glanced his way. “That’s the idea, yes.”

He looked at her for a few seconds and blinked his eyes before he laughed. A hearty sound, both hands on his stomach as he leaned back slightly. He calmed down a few seconds later, the smile remaining on his face. “I’ve heard much about you. It seems to hold true. A fortunate thing that is, both for my confidence in my informants, and this night.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun,” Ilea said, mirroring his smile.

“A ridiculous request. Let me help to grant it. Follow me, if you will,” Heron said and started towards the massive fortress.

He vanished a moment later, and so did Ilea, latching on to his teleportation spell. Shadow magic. Fitting I suppose. She appeared in darkness. A hall. Enchanted to prevent her from seeing out with her dominion. According to her marks she was now below the fortress, at least fifty meters deep.

“An ability granted by space magic? Or did you have another way to find me?” the man’s voice resounded a few meters ahead.

Ilea couldn’t see him. At all. “You’re really good at hiding,” she said, a thin mist of ash spreading out around her, white flame erupting to bring light to the vicinity. The radiance reflected off his eyes.

“The flame of creation. You are more than extraordinary. Most would fail to understand the significance. I too can only grasp at the very edge of understanding. Who was it that granted you this power?” Heron asked as he walked to the left, his steps not producing any sound.

“You’re asking a lot of questions,” Ilea said.

“And I hear you tend to answer, uncaring of the ancient ways of human mages. I always disliked the secrecy that surrounds our skills and Classes. I’m afraid I can’t share mine with you either. It might endanger the life of our Empress,” he said.

“Of course it does. I’ve met a lot of beings in my travels. Some have helped me train in a variety of magics,” Ilea said, all her senses focused on the puzzle that was the mage in front of her. An illusion maybe? Something like what Eve could do? But if that’s the case, his original isn’t in this hall.

She didn’t want to send ash through him to test if he was physically present but her dominion couldn’t perceive him, neither in a physical sense nor in a magical one. He did use a teleportation spell before.

“Do you intend to bring harm to the Empress? In a direct or indirect manner,” he asked, stopping in his tracks.

“No,” Ilea answered. “I’m here to deliver a letter.”

He looked at her for a few seconds before he smiled again. “I see. In that case please follow me.”

The man vanished yet again and Ilea followed, both of them appearing in yet another hall, this one smaller but lit by cool magical light. Everything was made of white marble, banners hanging from the walls, white stone statues lining a red carpet that led to a black gate made of steel. A scene of humans fighting a griffin was set into the metal. Ilea saw another set of gates behind them. They were a little above ground level now.

“Imposing decoration,” she commented, looking at the various statues in turn, each a master’s work on its own.

“Like most old seats of power. I would imagine you would prefer to build something a little more welcoming for yourself,” Heron said as he turned to look at her.

“I don’t want a seat of power in the first place,” Ilea said.

He chuckled. “And yet you have at least one already. Though I hear the Sentinel headquarters is not exactly made to be a palace.”

“Do I have to address the Empress in some special manner?” Ilea asked before they reached the black gates.

“Do you want to?” Heron asked with a smile.

“I don’t want to cause an incident. And I’m willing to compromise a little to prevent more work for my allies,” she said.

“I understand. You’re refreshingly honest. A rarity in these halls… of eternity. I shall return the favor. This is the first time someone meets the Empress on such a short notice. I believe the usual expectations can be ignored in turn,” he said as the gates opened and stepped inside.

Ilea followed, up the stairs and into the long hall. Marble was the material of choice in here as well, pillars lining the entire length, reaching from ground to curved ceiling. Murals above depicted a variety of grand battles, not all between humans alone. Closed doors on the walls led out, hundreds of enchantments visible in her dominion. The red carpet led all the way to the stairs at the end of the hall, a single throne of moderate size sitting on the raised platform. It looked neither small nor imposing, though delicately carved. On it sat a woman about as tall as Ilea, blonde hair weaved into a complicated braid, silver eyes taking in the two walking figures as soon as they had entered the hall. She wore a deep blue dress embroidered with silver designs. The Empress looked comfortable in her throne, interest in her eyes as she glanced between Heron and the visitor.

Standing spread out on the three broad stair steps were four people, their gear in the same design as the robes worn by Heron.

Ilea raised her brows as she looked them over. The first was slender, wearing delicate light metal armor with a white and silver mask covering her face. She had no visible weapons on her. The second was not a human at all, instead a lizardman wearing a set of heavy armor, his claws exposed as he stood with crossed arms and an intense glare from under his large forward curved helmet that covered the entirety of his long neck.

She wasn’t sure if he was smiling or frowning. Nor was she sure of his gender but the large build suggested male.

The third one wore robes and held a white wooden staff with intertwining roots at the top, air moving around the bit in an ethereal manner. Her hood was down, revealing long chestnut hair and eyes of the same color, a smile on her face as she looked at Ilea.

Last was a massive two meter thirty man in gray pants and a large shirt. He wore a simple imperial helmet but the blue eyes below were focused, staring at the visitor with an intense look. He opened and closed his gloved fists, muscles tense.

Heron stopped about five meters in front of the stairs, Ilea doing the same next to him.

[Wind Healer – lvl 370]

The masked individual tensed up, likely identifying Ilea at the same time as she identified her.

She can see the three marks, Ilea thought with a light smile.

[Claw Berserker – lvl 330]

The lizardman didn’t react visibly, his eyes still focused on hers. Ilea could tell that he was eager to test himself against her. That much she could gauge after having fought so many creatures. They clicked on a deep level. She gave him a light nod, her smile broadening.

[Storm Mage – lvl 314]

The robed guard wielding her staff, the weapon itself giving off a powerful magical glow in Ilea’s perception. The woman seemed intrigued but neither tense nor concerned.

[Bone Bruiser – lvl 405]

And you can see my three marks too, Ilea thought, looking at the massive man in clothes that seemed put on him in a failed attempt of concealment. Or perhaps a conscious threat. She assumed the former, his demeanor suggesting he didn’t exactly like the formal aspects of court.

And finally, the Empress herself.

[Empress – lvl 312]

Ilea raised her brows again. The lowest leveled one here. Even Heron should be higher, she thought, watching the man step a little closer to the stairs but remaining between the other guards and Ilea.

“I have the honor to introduce Lady Lilith of Ravenhall. Ilea Spears of the Shadow’s Hand, founder of the Medic Sentinel Corps and Council member of Ravenhall,” Heron spoke.

The robed woman spoke next. “Welcome to the Hall of Eternity. You are in the presence of Empress Alyris of Lys.”

No titles or anything.

“I have suggested to forego formalities due to the… unprecedented state of this situation,” Heron added.

The large man to the right sat down on the stairs, rubbing his knees as he murmured something to himself in a language Ilea didn’t understand.

“I appreciate it, Heron. As to our guest, I assume you agree to such a process? How should we address your person?” Alyris spoke, her voice warm and clear. She glanced to the large man before she looked back to Ilea.

“Ilea is fine, that or Lilith. What should I call you?” Ilea replied.

“Alyris is more than sufficient,” the Empress replied, eliciting raised brows from the robed woman. “I understand that you are here to deliver a letter, though I would invite you to dinner if you are inclined to join us. I’ve heard much about you and it’s truly a shame that we never had the opportunity of meeting.”

Ilea thought the woman genuinely interested. She had a casual feel about her, though her authority wasn’t in question, not with Ilea’s presence here or with the high level guards standing before her. Something to do with her Class? Or just natural charisma? The woman reminded her of Maro and Elana in some ways, different in others. One thing she could tell was that Alyris was a silver mage, a powerful one at that. She wouldn’t be surprised to see her fight off higher leveled individuals. Against herself, she assumed the challenge to be more than manageable.

“Who wouldn’t make time for the Empress of Lys?” she asked.

The lizardman puffed, the robed woman smiled.

“I know you’re not interested in this court, Ilea,” Alyris said and stood up. She straightened her dress and smiled. “But I’m sure we’ll find something intriguing to talk about. Over dinner. Let us relocate.”

The large man appeared by her side. He didn’t use a teleportation spell.

Ilea looked at him and smiled.

“If anyone is interested in a spar, you may ask our guest after we have eaten,” Alyris said before she started towards one of the closed doors.

The rest followed, Heron staying behind Ilea.

“You didn’t tell her that I came from dinner?” Ilea whispered to the man.

“If I’m sure about one piece of information about you, then it is your insatiable appetite,” Heron answered. “And the placating effect food has on you. The main weakness of the monster named Lilith.”

She puffed. “You’re not supposed to spell it out.”

The man smiled. “I told you. We’ve chosen to omit formalities.”

Chapter 721 Hidden Figures

Chapter 721 Hidden Figures

Ilea was led through a long hallway and through an inconspicuous door. Beyond was a large hall made of stone and wood, a massive hearth at the center where the lizardman went to start a fire. Oil lamps lined the walls and support beams. A wooden table stood at the center, various words, runes, and sketches carved into the top. Stone stairs led down to an open area with training dummies, heavily used targets, and a collection of simple weapons.

“One of the very few renovations I managed to push through the administrators of this seat of power,” Alyris said and sat down on a wooden chair, the table itself round much like what the Meadow had created in its domain.

“It’s quite lovely,” Ilea said and sat down to the side, not quite opposite the woman. She watched the others take their spots, most still somewhat tense with her presence. “You’re all quite impressive,” she added, leaning back in the comfortable chair. The wood creaked.

The lizardman growled, sitting down on a groaning chair. Another thing they had in common. “Do not mock us, three mark. We know of what you are.”

“And what is that?” Ilea asked, her grin broadening as she looked at the massive being. She was very aware of the tension instantly rising in the room, the muscles tensing on the large human, the placating gesture of Alyris herself. Magic permeated everything, mixing in with her own auras.

“A monster,” the brown haired storm mage said, an excited look on her face. Several spells around her staff were at the brink of being cast, her casual control a demonstration of her experience. Despite her comparatively low level.

“And a delivery girl,” Heron said as he plumped down into a cushioned chair. “Bringing a letter.”

“True,” Ilea said. “To both I suppose… I do try to stay human, but you know how it is,” she said, summoning the letter before she made it appear in front of the Empress. Ilea glanced behind the woman. Curious.

“Ilea helped considerably with the demonic mess caused by the Shadow’s Hand. She’s been involved in the defense of our capital against the invaders from the north and she’s saved countless humans in her efforts in Baralia. And that is just what we know of. General Ryse and Felicia Redleaf speak the highest praise, neither known to do so easily. Stand the fuck down before you cause the greatest international incident of our time,” Alyris said, her voice calm and steady through it all, her eyes glancing over the group of powerful individuals as she opened the letter. She looked at Ilea last and smiled. “Please don’t take their caution personally. Attempts at our lives have been growing more frequent of late.”

“I’m happy to indulge everyone who’s interested,” Ilea said, specifically looking at the lizardman.

He grinned back, sharp teeth showing as a slight magical hum became audible from within his throat.

“I don’t think assassins know what they’re getting into,” Ilea said as she glanced back to the Empress.

The woman smirked. “Desperate old crooks and crones, feeling the winds of change-” she paused, her eyes widening ever so slightly as she focused full on the letter.

Ilea didn’t know what exactly was written inside but there had to be some mention of the gates at least. The allure had to be great for important people to travel far, let alone accept an alliance between humans and Awakened creatures of the North.

“The Black Death, they called you,” the storm mage said and cocked her head to the side a little. “My name is Valarienne Lillian. And I am thankful for what you have done here. I wish it had been me, to be out in the streets, setting straight the barbarians participating in that meaningless siege.”

Ilea gave her a slight nod, unsure how to respond to the compliment. It hadn’t exactly been a pleasure but she would do it again. Now she would probably just rip apart the entire attacking army, given enough reason to do so.

Alyris made a hand gesture, the masked woman appearing by her side. She glanced at Ilea with a more serious expression, her silver eyes focused.

There you are, Ilea thought, seeing another fluctuation just behind the two women. She looked between them and made a connection.

“Greetings, traveler,” she sent, smiling when the space shifted yet again. Still she saw nothing but she was sure it had been there. It wasn’t the first time she had observed the spell after all.

A giggle reached her mind.

Friend?

“That depends on you, my dear. Those of your kind I have met, I call friends,” Ilea sent back.

“This… this will change everything,” the masked woman whispered, looking up to glance at Ilea. She brushed against her hood when an earring fell out from the motion, her hand shaking ever so slightly.

Ilea didn’t miss the rune etched into the small piece of silver. Her smile grew wider. This is getting more and more interesting.

“My name is Ilea. Are you friends with Alyris?” she asked the hidden being.

Friends. With. Empress.

Name. Ruler.

Heron glanced at her as he opened the door and received several plates of food he made vanish. The man went around and put them in front of everyone.

“That’s an apt name,” Ilea said out loud.

Alyris looked up, Valarienne raising a brow. Heron sat down again and glanced her way.

“What do you mean?” the masked woman said, her voice apprehensive.

The giggle once more reached her mind.

“Oh I’m enjoying it too,” Ilea said. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance,” she added and stood up, bowing as the fires of creation briefly flared up around her. “Ruler.”

Spells erupted around her, the lizardman and large human on their feet the moment she had spoken the last word. Two white eyes folded into existence behind the Empress and her highest level guard, followed by the six winged abyss like form of a single Fae. It floated around before it landed on Alyris’ right shoulder.

The woman sighed and tapped the creature on its head. “Another first. I shouldn’t be surprised. This knowledge I wished to keep to myself. This… is Ruler. A Fae.”

Ilea started eating, the people around her waiting with their spells at the ready, exchanging uncertain glances between themselves and the Empress. “Not the first I’ve met. How did you come to know it?”

___________________________________

Valarienne held her spell. It felt like the temperature in the room had changed, and for once it wasn’t her own magic. Alyris was on edge, something that hadn’t happened in years. Even Syrithis was tense. Whatever had been in the letter had unsettled them. It changes everything. She was intrigued. Had they found a way to enhance humanity? Had they found an ancient magical weapon? Or perhaps a way to manipulate time itself? Syrithis chose her words with purpose but now they had another issue.

Lilith had seen the Fae. Somehow. And Valarienne wanted to know how. The fires, the way she moved the letter. Her space magic is far more powerful than we anticipated. And she had met the creatures, perhaps even talked to them.

The guard was ready, even Alyris ready to deploy her armor. Their visitor remained in her chair, eating in a manner so casual it was downright condescending. Valarienne gulped. Did they stand a chance? She hadn’t felt like this since their time in the wilds. A monster they had called her but now for the first time she felt it too, down to her very spine. Her voice had changed too, the question about the Fae not a casual way to make conversation but a demand. Why it was important, she did not know but Alyris’ response would decide what happened next.

“In our travels. We had assaulted a ruin overrun by undead beings, a crazed dark mage from a nearby village had reached an evolution that affected his mind. He had brought the corpses of all those he had killed to the ruin and was preparing a ritual, perhaps affected by a dark god. The Fae we found trapped inside a magical contraption, its form injured and drained of power. We healed it and it left. A few weeks later it showed up again, more often afterwards until it chose to stay by our side. Most of the time that is,” Alyris explained, each word chosen with deliberate care. Only the truth.

Valarienne watched the woman eat.

She looked up and smiled. “That’s nice. They get trapped all the time.”

Valarienne breathed out, slowly letting go of the magic gathered in her staff. The tension was gone.

The Fae appeared in front of Ilea and twirled around.It liked to communicate through telepathy, but generally kept to the Immortal Guard and the Empress, its existence one of the most tightly guarded secrets of their group. And she just saw it.

“You asked me before, where I learned,” Ilea said and glanced at Heron.

The old man opened his eyes a little wider, a gentle smile on his lips. “I see. That is comforting. They are quite… elusive, and surprisingly wise.”

“The single ones can be hit and miss,” Lilith said. “Though I like the Baron quite a bit, I suppose the real thing is more impressive.” She had a big smile on her face as she watched Heron’s surprise unfold.

She’s just messing with you old man. What does she even mean, the real thing? It’s right there, Valarienne thought and glanced at the creature that tried to sit down on Lilith’s shoulders. First the right, then the left. It turned back and stomped the air in frustration before finally settling on her hair.

Friend, it spoke, to everyone in the room.

“Stay on your guard. We don’t know her intentions,” Syrithis sent.

“I don’t think we can handle her, old friend,” Valarienne sent back. “Why don’t we trust the little one. Its intuition is as good as Alyris’”

“Heron suggests she has learned from the Fae. Who is to say she hasn’t subdued them? We cannot risk losing Ruler,” Syrithis sent back. The lizardman nodded, his demeanor less playful by now.

“She relaxed once Alyris told her what happened. She was thinking the same thing,” Valarienne sent.

“And none of you is a space mage?” Ilea asked, interrupting their hidden conversation. She had finished her plate, a bottle of ale in her hand as she sat back in her chair, eyes on Alyris. “I would’ve liked to learn and compare with a human for once.”

“Are the Fae not worthy teachers?” Heron asked, the old man always out to gain every scrap of information he could. Valarienne liked that about him. Very much. And so far Lilith didn’t disappoint. She didn’t know if the woman was being foolish or if the truly powerful simply did not care. They all knew how tough Syrithis was in a direct confrontation, her healing a major boon. Facing a battle healer above level five hundred would be more than uncertain. The location was in their favor but the ace in their metaphorical sleeve was currently getting its wings stuck in their guest’s hair.

“Violence is a horrible teacher,” Lilith said.

“I find its lessons valuable,” Malkorn said.

The woman seemed confused for a second before she spoke again. “No, Violence is the name of a Fae I know. My teacher is the Meadow.”

Glances were exchanged in a split second, Alyris now with eyes wide open, all pretense gone. “You brought it back,” she said in a whisper.

Lilith grinned, sipping on her ale. “I’m a space mage,” she said and set down the bottle. “Don’t tell Velamyr, he’s gonna have a hissy fit.”

“The tree,” Syrithis spoke. “The ancient being from Erendar. You would risk taking an unknown of such power into our lands? General Ryse deemed it a threat to all of humanity.”

Ilea shrugged. “I trust the Meadow more than any of you.”

“You do not represent humanity… Alyris, we cannot stand by while this woman allies herself with unknown creatures,” she said, the air around her thrumming with power.

Lilith looked at her and started chuckling. She stopped and grinned, a predatory expression with sparkling joy in her eyes. “Then why are you wearing that ear piece?”

“You…,” Syrithis spoke, her magic flaring up as the table splintered in front of her.

“Stop,” Alyris said and stood up, both hands on her ally’s arm. “Syri, please.”

“If she knows…,” the masked being said.

Ilea sighed, a disappointed look on her face as she looked to the battle ready Malkorn. “If only you people weren’t so fucking important. Tell me then, why are you wearing an Elven rune?”

Syrithis looked between Ilea and the Empress, the latter giving her a light nod.

“If she brought back the Meadow… it explains the gates,” Alyris said.

“She will be the first to oppose us,” Syrithis said, her mental voice shaking.

“Ruler is sitting in her fucking hair. Trust me, Syri,” Alyris said, her voice gentle. She raised her hand to the trembling healer and touched her delicate mask.

They all waited. Valarienne glanced at Heron, the man watching with the same interest as herself, winking her way once. Well you’ll get out of it anyway. Old fart. She knew he understood.

Syrithis sighed, raising her hands to her face. Both secrets undone. Maybe her battle hungry persona is really just an act, Valarienne thought as she watched the woman, her reaction more important than what she knew her ally to be.

Enchantments came loose and the mask fell.

Valarienne grinned. She knew a battle could break out at any moment but she just couldn’t miss the moment. And then it passed. Lilith just sipped on her ale.

What.

A few seconds passed, the guard glancing between each other with nervous looks.

“Have you nothing to say?” Syrithis demanded. She sounded almost insulted.

Lilith raised her bottle and shrugged slightly. Then she hissed.

Valarienne tensed up, ready to cast her spells when Syrithis started laughing.

“What is happening?” Valarienne asked, looking at the Empress.

The Empress sat back down and sighed. “Lilith just greeted her… as an elf would.”

Valarienne could’ve sworn she saw the Empress blush ever so slightly, Syrithis just shaking her head until her brown eyes focused on Ilea. She pulled back her hood to reveal the white floating hair and her prominent ears, slightly curved upwards, just like her teeth were slightly pointy. Not quite as extreme as with a full blooded elf but decidedly inhuman. Her skin was pale, her features delicate. Valarienne understood why the Empress had taken a liking. Good for them.

“You know of what I am?” Syrithis asked.

Lilith finished her drink and made it vanish. “Honestly? No. You’re female… but you’re too weak to be an Oracle, or so I think. A half elf?”

Syrithis glanced to the Empress before she continued. “Indeed. My mother was human, and my father, is of Elven blood.”

“Life finds a way I suppose,” Ilea said. “You remind me of someone. With that hair, and your magic. Are you familiar with the Cursed?”

Syrithis opened her eyes wide. She continued in a whisper. “The Cerithil Hunters. Have you… met them?”

Lilith sighed. “This is not something all of my allies know. But I suppose if your highest level guard, advisor, and lover? Is a half elf, it doesn’t matter much. Yeah, I’ve met my fair share of Cerithil Hunters, and I tried to help them where I could. I’ve also met plenty of other Elves. Those were a little less… let’s say, friendly.”

“You… spoke of someone… with my liking,” Syrithis said.

It’s like she’s a different person. This turned out even better than I hoped for.

“He’s got white eyes and is quite a bit more powerful than you,” Ilea said.

“You…,” Syrithis spoke. “She speaks of Isalthar. My father.”

“Is he alive?” Alyris asked.

“It would take quite something to kill him,” Lilith said.

“Can you tell us his name?” the Empress said. “I, Alyris of Lys will personally owe you a favor if you do this for me.”

“Sure. His name is Isalthar. Some call him the Val Akuun,” Lilith said.

Syrithis took in a deep breath. Her body shook slightly. A hand from Alyris steadied her before Ruler appeared next to her face, giving her a hug.

“He’s your father, isn’t he?” Ilea asked. “Never thought him to take a human woman, but I suppose with that age, he’s been all over the world. I’ll have to tell Fey.”

“Uncle Feyrair?” Syrithis asked, wiping at her eyes.

Lilith looked down. “Oh no.”

________________________________

“He is well I hope?” the half elf asked.

Ilea couldn’t look at her face. This unlimited aging shit is freaking me out. Better not tell her about anything. What happens in the deep north stays in the deep north.

She coughed slightly. “He is. Well, I mean.”

The group seemed to treat the Fae well. The little creature had confirmed them to be friendly and quite nice. Its presence here and now the revelation of the half elf gave her more than a little confidence in the future relations with Lys. Alyris still felt like one of many rulers to her. Somewhat deceptive, very charismatic, difficult to gauge, at least her true intentions. But her care for Syri was real, as was her protection of Ruler. She could only imagine the confusion caused by the name. Lys won’t stand in the way of Hallowfort, not with all these beings here, at the very core of their power. Let’s find out if they’d be against an elven ally, the Cursed kind.

She summoned her bone helmet, twirling it on the table until it faced the Empress and Syri. The symbol carved into its cheek showed the same rune the half elf wore on her silver ear piece. “Who are you, and why are you by the side of the Empress of Lys?”

The half elf bowed. “Syrithis… Nauum, as my father before me. I was trained, and taken care of, by him, after my mother had died. Yet after many years of battle, I asked to live a human life, to travel and find my own purpose, one not bound to the Hunters of Cerith. Their cause is just but even amongst them, I was an outsider,” she spoke and raised her head. “I have found my place, by the side of Alyris. A human that would accept me as I am.”

The Empress blushed a little, decidedly looking away.

Gods they’re cute together. Ilea thought and summoned her key locator. It spun and pointed. As I thought. No capital without a hoard of treasures. “Sounds like a difficult childhood. Alyris, I do believe you mentioned a favor?”

Chapter 722 Taunting

Chapter 722 Taunting

“And what exactly do you need this piece for?” the Empress asked after Heron had placed the entirely black key onto the round table.

Ilea had wanted to follow into the treasury but after a short argument had decided to go there on her own time. There were sure to be some interesting trinkets, and thanks to her locator of the Taleen key, she had a good enough idea of where to look.

[The Obsidian Key – Ancient Quality]

“It’s part of a set, and I need it for later,” Ilea specified.

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Syrithis murmured.

“It’s to help the Hunters,” Ilea added. She wasn’t about to tell them about the One without Form. “And I doubt you had any use for it. I can pay for it too if you need me to.”

“It’s quite alright. Take it as a sign of our future cooperation,” Alyris said.

Ilea smiled and made the obsidian key vanish. Four to go. I swear to fuck if any of these have been thrown into another bloody dimension, I’m gonna lose it.

“I formally request to represent Lys in the tournament of Morhill,” the lizardman spoke, finally giving voice to his visibly growing frustrations.

“Some of the nobility will want to participate as well. I’m not sure formal representation will be an option in the first place,” Alyris said and looked to Ilea.

“I have no clue. I just deliver letters,” she answered.

“And unmask hidden secrets that have been kept from even the most tenacious spies,” Heron added.

“Well you don’t keep them very well,” Ilea said. “Any moderate space mage would perceive Ruler.

“We know that to be factually untrue,” Alyris said. “But it’s beside the point. You have proven to be trustworthy in many ways, Ilea. I do however hope that bringing the Meadow back from that ice covered realm will not cause harm to ours in the long run.”

“She knows what’s out there,” Ilea nodded to the half elf. “The Taleen alone could slaughter every single human on the continent. Why not get some allies that could actually help.”

“Yes. This coalition that is mentioned… who exactly is part of it?” Alyris asked.

Ilea smiled. “You’ll have to find out in Morhill, I suppose. Ah don’t look at me like that, I can’t tell you everything. The others will want to do some of the reveals themselves. I’ve had enough fun for one evening.”

“You do not wish to battle?” the lizardman asked.

“Ah no, I do. I mean like… reveal fun, not fighting fun. But I’ll be honest, you’ll need all the help you can get,” she said.

The large human growled.

“Yes, I do want to see you fight. Never fought a bone bruiser before, at least I don’t think so. And the Shadow magic you use is something I want to figure out. Why don’t you all fight me at the same time?” Ilea suggested.

“You know that isn’t possible,” Alyris said and rubbed her brow.

“Scared you’ll lose?” Ilea asked with a grin.

“Don’t push it, I have an army at my back,” Alyris said.

“I’ve fought armies before,” Ilea retorted.

“You’re at the center of our power. Every wall is enchanted to repel a force of hundreds,” the woman said again.

“I have escaped the clutches of Audur. You do not scare me, human,” she said.

The Empress looked at her with tired disbelief. Her face slackened before she laughed. “It’s been a while since I felt this way,” she said afterwards, grasping the hand of Syrithis. “It’s downright… electrifying.”

“I know what you mean,” Ilea mused.

The half elf hissed.

She hissed back.

“I’m interested, Ilea. Your Medic Sentinels… is there more to them? More than the objectives known to the public?” the Empress asked.

“Not that I know,” Ilea answered. “Is it so surprising to form a healing organization with the goal to help people?” she asked.

“Their… reputation, isn’t the most shining,” Alyris said. “I will believe you. And thank you, for adding this asset to humanity.”

“Thank my friend Trian,” Ilea said.

“The Alymie survivor,” Valarienne mused. “Unfortunate events, and within our very lands. I apologize on behalf of the Lys nobility, they can be more barbaric than the tribes of the north.”

The large man growled, this time aimed at the storm mage.

“Ah hush, you know it’s true!” the woman said and looked away.

“We will come to your tournament, Lilith. But know that the Lys nobility isn’t as unified as the people in this room. I hope those gates work,” Alyris said.

“They work. Better than the Taleen ones even. And it won’t be the only thing to sway opportunistic minds,” Ilea answered.

“It’s not the opportunistic minds I worry about, Ilea. It’s those chained to traditions and old power. Tell Claire and Sulivhaan they have to put a lot of weight on the Shadow’s Hand, it’s the one Order older than all my court, with a reputation that may even precede the very Empire of Lys. Are the Elders still lost?” Alyris said.

“We’ll get a few of them to be there. All but Adam,” Ilea said.

“The demon summoner,” Heron said. “I had never thought him to be tempted by such madness.”

He didn’t exactly seem mad to me, Ilea thought but chose not to mention it. The man was responsible for thousands of deaths, and if she ever met him again, he would not get away.

“I didn’t mean to have a pissing contest before, by the way,” Ilea said. “I assume it gets pretty boring for people of your power, sitting around, defending against low level assassins. When’s the last time you’ve been seriously challenged? I didn’t see you out there during the siege? You were coordinating from in here to be sure, too important to risk. Baralia probably hoped to bait you out.

“But I’m not King Baron… you know me,” Ilea said and grabbed the Fae from her head, holding it by its large head as it dangled in the air. She helped it flip before it landed in her palm. “I’ve been flying around the Plains all day. I’m bored. Please, Empress, indulge me.”

_____________________________

Valarienne was surprised when the Empress gestured for their opinion. A rare sight from back in their adventuring days. The storm mage immediately approved. She didn’t think the fight would be easy. A three mark human, especially a healer, but she wanted to see what Lilith could do. And what she had said was true. They hadn’t faced a direct challenge in quite some time.

Perhaps Alyris was annoyed about the mention of the siege. Five Generals had to convince her to stay inside the central district, and to keep her Guard close while her people were slaughtered in the streets. Ilea is not a ruler. It’s only natural that she would blame her. But Alyris blames herself most of all.

Malkorn approved of course. He perhaps was the closest to Ilea in character but Valarienne could tell with a glance that he would be ripped apart by her in seconds. Heron too approved. Has he truly not seen her fight before? Maybe you are growing old.

“Are you sure this is wise? She has faced the Taleen alongside some of the most powerful beings I have known. She is a three mark human. It will be a hard fought battle,” Syrithis said.

The Bone Bruiser growled and motioned his approval.

“She will not harm us. We might embarrass ourselves here, but when again can we test ourselves against a threat such as her? If anything, it will help us prepare,” Valarienne answered.

“My friends seem to be in agreement,” Alyris said. “I too must say that I’m interested in the myth that is Lilith. You must understand that I am a little rusty,” the Empress added, the silver in her dress flowing out to form a smooth set of armor, her face as of yet uncovered. The silver in her eyes glowed with magic, power far beyond her level emanating from her person.

Ilea smiled. “I’ll go easy on you, don’t worry.”

Malkorn growled, the sound deep and guttural.

“We will use the Hall of Ancients,” Heron said. “It should mask out battle to the outside world.”

The group stood up and started towards the door when Lilith snapped her fingers.

“Which direction?” she asked.

Heron raised a brow. Alyris gave him a nod. He pointed.

Valarienne saw blue eyes lock with her own before she vanished. They appeared in a dark corridor deep within the Halls of Eternity. Through all the enchantments. Us included.

Heron pointed again. “About another sixty meters.”

Once again they vanished and Valarienne could tell they tried to resist but all of them failed. All but Ruler, the Fae appearing a moment later, giggling into their minds.

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

Even a second tier resistance failed to stop her spell. They had trained with Ruler but the small creature couldn’t procure the same power as someone at level three hundred, and it generally disliked attacking them, even for the purpose of training.

“Your resistances are quite impressive,” Lilith said, still leisurely sitting in the chair she had brought from their hall.

“You’re trying to taunt experienced adventurers, Lilith,” the Empress said as she made some distance, magical lights flickering to life above and around them, the large hall enchanted to the brim. An ancient training facility for the higher nobility and Emperors that ruled Lys in the past millennia. A helmet flowed around her head before silver lines formed a winged skeleton behind her back. Spears flowed into existence, their tips glowing with radiant power, her eyes the only thing visible on her body.

Lilith gestured behind herself. “Seems to work on that guy.”

Malkorn walked with his claws poised, each breath rugged as he paced from side to side. He had the wisdom not to answer.

Heron had vanished entirely and Syrithis hovered a hundred meters off in the distance, the air around her vibrating.

“I should get some distance too then,” Valarienne said with a smile and started floating. She stopped around fifty meters away in the air and formed her defenses. She focused on a supporting role and on defending herself, though she assumed the woman would let them get in a few hits at the start. Let’s see if we can get her to take us seriously. Under normal circumstances, Valarienne would’ve thought the battle healer arrogant and naive, but with her reputation and all the reports they had at their disposal, it simply wasn’t true. She knew that. The others knew it too. Alyris may pretend that Lilith’s taunts had failed but they were here, facing her in a test of magical power. They had lost to her taunts before she had even arrived.

“What’s your name anyway? Do you even speak Common?” Lilith asked when the large man walked in front of her, his body now covered in half a meter of tough bone, four meter long horns on his savage helmet modeled after something in the middle of a boar and a bear. Valarienne was never quite comfortable seeing him, but she didn’t question results.

“My name. Is. Retribution,” he spoke, each word forced out as if they caused him incredible pain.

Lilith smiled. “Then show me what you can do, Retribution. And don’t hold back, I’m quite durable.”

Oh don’t say that to him, Valarienne thought, glancing towards the floating Alyris. Nobody interrupted, nor did she herself say or sign anything. They all wanted to see.

And so they saw.

The ground cracked and splintered where the large man had stood, one step enough to reach the single chair. His now near three meter form slammed into and through the chair, the bent form of a woman around his large bone and spike covered fist. They came down in a crash thirty meters beyond. His arms blurred as he slammed them down into the healer, the speed and power increasing. The shock wave of his fast start reached Valarienne. Splinters of wood now reached the stone floor, heavy impacts resounding in quick succession.

Bone cracked and splintered, blood splattered, and magic surged, more power flowing through the Bone Bruiser with each brutal punch. He wouldn’t stop. Not until he was called back. Is Alyris just gonna let it happen? Valarielle thought, unable to take her eyes off the spectacle. Was she taken off guard? Did Lilith underestimate him?No, she would’ve teleported away. She’s just letting this happen?

A smile grew on her face as she started weaving magic into her spells, dark clouds forming above her as runes started to glow on her arms. Incantations left her mouth in incomprehensible whispers as the ground shook with more impacts.

She was halfway through her third spell when the Bruiser stopped, his arm shaking as it was pushed back up. Valarienne saw the bloodied and broken form of Lilith stand up, her legs and arms snapping back into place as she held one mangled arm against the bone covered hand of her foe, the limb twisted around itself as a thick layer of ash flowed around her tattered clothes to cover her entire form. It formed around her head with two horns jutting out near her temples, aimed forward.

She looked up at the large form and sighed. “Good,” she said in a slightly raspy voice.

His left fist slammed into her side. The ground below her left leg cracked. She didn’t move. Bone spikes came into existence all around her much smaller form, pushing down and pressing against her armor. The grinding noise intensified as more bone came in from below, the woman entirely surrounded. A whirl of ash flashed out form her back, a dozen free moving black limbs cut through the bone with ease, the bits that had reached her already ground to fine powder, her armor left undamaged.

She took a few slow steps towards the slightly confused man, ducked under his punch and answered with her own fist. The impact resounded with a crack, a small shock wave spreading out over the ground as the massive form of Retribution was lifted off the ground, his entire chest armor cracked and dented inward as he flew through the air in a slow arc. He impacted the ground with a loud crash, coughing up blood a moment later.

“You’re a tough one, I’ll give you that,” Lilith said, shaking her hand.

Nobody said anything. Even large three mark monsters couldn’t just shrug off an all out assault of the level four hundred Bruiser, let alone send him flying with a single punch. Can’t be measured by monster level standards, as expected, Valarienne thought and kept watching. The woman had yet to attack any of the others and Retribution was far from done.

He jumped up in an instant, his bone armor reformed as he rushed her with a roar.

Lilith moved at the last moment, near fluid against his savage strength. Three hits landed on his side, sending him stumbling. She stepped to his back and kicked against his right leg. The impact made the ground crack, the bone inside his leg breaking through the armor around it. She aimed at his spine, three quick punches flashing through the man as he tried to turn. He went to his knees, power flowing through him as his magic pushed against the damage.

Ilea rushed forward and jumped past his head, her arms caught around his neck before she landed and pulled, a maneuver that normally required someone to be at least at a similar size and weight. And still the man moved, her momentum and strength pulling him forward by the neck, his legs raised above her before she brought his entire form down against the stone, shattering a large section in the process.

She took slow steps towards the groaning man and stomped down on his arms, then his legs, squashing the armored limbs as if they were those of an ordinary man.

“Good regeneration too,” she said. “But what if I rip off your head?” Ashen limbs moved above the man’s neck, forming into a single thick spike when Malkorn appeared behind the woman.

He stopped in the middle of his attack.

Lilith turned with one finger raised, the thick ashen spike turning to face the armored lizardman instead. He remained in the air, his muscles tense as he pushed against the force that held him.

“I had expected you to announce yourself,” she said, a blade of air striking her shoulder, followed by four more. They seemed to vanish into the dark ashen armor, creating thin mists of black before the thick defense settled once again. She flicked her finger and the lizardman was sent flying. He tumbled three times before he came to a sliding halt. His stance had changed.

Retribution was back on his feet. She had made her statement. They wouldn’t hold back.

_____________________________

Ilea tried very hard not to kill the weaker combatants. Malkorn’s technique was some of the best she had seen but he just didn’t hold up to her speed and destructive force. She generally just dodged and sent him flying with a single punch or space magic, as a courtesy to keep him in the fight. The Bone Bruiser reminded her of some high level undead she had fought. He could tank fully charged archon strike hits converted into physical force. She assumed he would burst like an overripe tomato if she actually used her mana intrusion but against physical attacks, he was more than a little resistant. His first barrage of attacks had nearly made her dizzy, the monster capable of dishing out damage equal to some four marks she had fought. Granted he had about the same finesse in his approach.

Syrithis and Alyris were careful with their ranged attacks, sliding them in whenever an opening presented itself. It was clear that they had a lot of experience fighting as a group but against her dominion, space awareness, and precognition, it simply didn’t matter. They had to overwhelm her, and they were holding back with allies in her melee range.

Let’s see what they can do then, she thought and vanished, spreading her wings and flying towards the half elf. There was enough distance between them that the mage had a chance to really show off her spells. Ilea hoped for something at least as impressive as the Storm Griffin, but maybe she should’ve dialed down her expectations. Come on, daughter of Isalthar. Show off a little.

Chapter 723 Demonstration

Chapter 723 Demonstration

Ilea felt a pulse of magic as she approached. The air pressure around her increased as her momentum was slowed. Her wings pushed against it but she failed to slip through. She turned her head when she felt the shadow magic form around her, the source an empty spot near the ground. He’s trying to stop me too… and… oh, interesting. The shadow mage had cast some kind of anti teleportation net around her, one that fluctuated in what felt like random patterns. It wasn’t overly complex but the fluctuations were something Ilea had only seen with the Meadow.

He’s changing it manually. That’s pretty impressive for someone without space magic. She let him have it, the only reason she could likely break out her extensive training sessions with the Meadow, not exactly a fair comparison. She wanted to see what they had planned.

Thunder roared above, thick clouds flowing into existence as the air started to move around her, a whirlwind of vibrant power, her vision already covered in darkness. The air pressure alone would be enough to crush most low three mark creatures but it failed to exert the same force on her due to her high resistances. The storm is cooling. Ice started to form on her ash mantle, her resistance preventing any of it to seep deeper into her body but her wings had difficulties against the cold and fast moving air. Lightning cracked and struck.

Ilea’s head whipped back as she smiled, the energy flowing through her as she pushed against the combined magical effort. Not quite northern lightning, she thought but found the effort frighteningly close. The storm mage. Wasn’t she barely above three hundred? What kind of spells has she made up? The storm picked up too, more lightning flashing out with each passing moment. All you’re doing is return mana to me, she thought with a wide grin.

Then the rain started. At first Ilea thought it strange but it only took a second to realize what was wrong. The droplets reflected the light from the magical flashes around them, they clung to her form as the whirlwind pushed them to the very center where her form resided, firmly kept in place by the various spells coalescing on her. A few seconds later she was covered in liquid silver, the lightning empowered as the acid like substance burned into her ash.

Ilea strained against the spells, managing to raise her arm to see the silver eat through her mantle. Her healing was slowed, crippled, and distorted. The first bolt of lightning hit her skin. Ice covered every bit of newly formed ash, burned away once more by the collecting silver.

“None have survived what you experience. Tell me once you wish to stop,” the voice of Syrithis entered her mind, calm and confident.

Ilea smiled, half her skin gone with her muscle exposed. She rebuilt her form again with her third tier healing, the effort costing her considerably more than usual, not an issue with the continued lightning and her massive mana reserves. She cracked her neck with considerable effort.

_______________________________

Valarienne continued to fuel her spells, ice to slow and lock, lightning to stun and damage, clouds to distort and hide. Syrithis and Heron did most of the work, their target so far unable to move or teleport. She glanced at the flying Empress, continuous droplets of silver floating into the large whirlwind of death. It was the pinnacle of their power, the combined efforts of years of experience and training. An answer to near all abilities they had found in wild monsters, and a last resort in case their combined efforts behind their melee fighters failed to overwhelm a target.

“So this is the power of the Immortal Guard,” a voice reached her mind. It wasn’t their own half elf but the woman stuck inside the storm. She sounded… excited. “Then let me show you, how I have survived the wrath of Elementals.”

A white glow appeared within the storm, spreading outwards as the very clouds were consumed. Revealed was the burning form of Lilith, twenty white flaming limbs moving on her back.

“She’s still stuck! Continue!” Syrithis sent.

Then the woman vanished. Valarienne found her near the ground, one hand extended towards nothing. A second later the form of Heron appeared in her flaming hand.

“Shadow mage,” Lilith sent to them all. The fires did not touch him. She raised her other hand and flicked his head, a burst mana visibly flowing through his form before she threw him aside.

The man landed and coughed, struggling to get up as blood splattered to the ground. He took in a wheezing breath, one of his eyes popped and leaking blood.

Lilith vanished yet again. She appeared in front of the half elf, her burning limbs lashing out against shields of compressed air. She advanced, ignoring the blades thrown at her, the two of them flying through the air with increasing speed until she gestured forward. Syrithis was pulled towards her, a punch sending her flying. Lilith landed at the same time as the half elf did, more shields shattered as she slammed her fists down.

Retribution and Malkorn ran at her, both of them vanishing through invisible gates before they appeared around sixty meters away. Silver spears vanished and struck the walls instead, the ground shaking as her punches now struck the half elf directly. Lilith stood up from her crouch and shook away the burning blood from her hand, the wind healer left to recover in a bed of shattered rubble.

She flew up and towards the Empress, dodging silver spears until she reached the retreating woman. The melee fighters were by her side a moment later when a beam of near white energy flashed out and cut off the Bone Bruiser’s legs, his torso falling to the ground as Lilith grabbed the lizardman whose claws had dug into her armor. She simply held him for a moment before she threw him aside. His body twitched before he tried to get up, unable to lift his form before he spat blood.

Lilith raised her hand as Alyris formed a silver shield, a spear in her other hand as she braced herself. An invisible force shattered stone in its wake, the Empress sent flying until she impacted the wall a few dozen meters behind her. She fell to her knees where a punch to her face sent her upper body backwards and once more into the wall, her silver helmet stuck in the stone.

Valarienne had tried to keep up, her lightning striking where the woman was and would be but all of her efforts were ignored, blue eyes appearing first fifty meters away and then right in front of her. She raised her hands and summoned a gust of wind. The magic might as well have been conjured by a child. “Is this really necessary?” she asked with a smile before something grabbed onto her leg. Oh well.

_____________________________

Ilea slammed the storm mage into the ground until she was unconscious, her vitals generally in an acceptable state. The Bone Bruiser had already recovered his legs and both Alyris and the Half Elf were regrouping. Healing magic from Syrithis helped with all their injuries.

“That was fun,” Ilea said and threw the mage towards the group. “You want to have another go?”

The Empress raised her hand. “I think that is enough.”

Brittle pride… there are so many resistance levels here for you.

She shrugged and checked through the few notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Silver Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Silver Magic Resistance reaches lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘You have single handedly demolished the Eternal Guard – One Core skill point awarded’

Useful little bout, Ilea thought and approached the group, all of them already healed up. She decided not to add her mental healing to the mix. Perhaps it was good to leave a memorable impression.

“You’re an absolute monster,” Valarienne said as she approached. “I was curious about your punches, some of them were fueled by magic and others weren’t.”

“You’re quite impressive yourself. I don’t remember anyone below level four hundred pushing me to this extent. Lately not even anything below eight or nine hundred, but awakened at our levels are exceedingly rare,” she answered. “I generally use mana intrusion spells.”

Maybe they’ll have some better defenses next time. “But I can hit hard in a physical manner too.” She gave Retribution a nod.

He nodded back.

“Awakened. You’re talking about non monsters? Beings capable of complex thoughts?” Heron asked. He didn’t seem bothered in the slightest by what had happened.

“Yes,” she said.

“I’m aware that you’re a capable space mage. May I ask of your opinion?” the Shadow mage added.

“Your spell was well done. Some of the most versatile I’ve ever seen. I assume it’s manually cast and not a simple spell activation?” Ilea said.

He smiled ever so slightly.

“There is only one I know who is better,” Ilea answered, though the difference was more than a few world’s worth.

“My silver did not slow your healing?” Alyris asked.

“No it did. Quite considerably. I just have really high resilience and resistances to most of the magic used. Especially wind, lightning, and ice. And I have some recovery options that are more extensive than simple healing,” Ilea said. Some information for a future ally. Or for an interesting fight once they choose to betray me.

“I have no idea how to stop you. You seem more difficult to pin down than even my father,” Syrithis said.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Though he never really participated in any fights. I doubt your little stunt could kill Feyrair though, and with Isalthar being a wind mage you’d be hard pressed locking him down,” Ilea mused.

“Indeed. But wasn’t Fey hovering around three hundred? Did he finally decide to take the time and evolve? He certainly enjoyed battle, and he had the resilience to face high level creatures, even alone,” the half elf said.

“Yes. I think my fast growth pushed him on a little. I honestly don’t know why he wasn’t already higher,” Ilea answered.

“He was afraid of the attention, Ilea. High level Elves are very competitive. My father is well known, even to the Monarchs. And he is hunted in turn. If Feyrair ascends to higher levels, he too will garner such attention,” Syrithis sent.

He did make some decisions back when we first returned from Iz.

“I think he’s ready now,” Ilea answered.

“We appreciate your candor. Is there anything else we can do for you?” Heron asked. “If I may, there is something I have already checked,” he added and looked to the Empress.

“Some silver and shadow magic resistance training would be nice, but I doubt either of you has the time to spare,” Ilea said.

“I’m afraid not,” Hector said after the Empress had signed something. “But if you are looking for more artifacts much like the one you have received here, there have been mentions of something similar in the Foundation of Glass. If you’re aware of the location?”

“I appreciate it. Yeah, I think I have an invitation somewhere,” Ilea answered, looking through her domain but giving up after a few seconds. Wasn’t there a letter?

“Good, then I wish you good fortune in acquiring what you’re looking for. We can’t convince you to share anything on said devices? The enchantments were some of the most complex we have ever encountered,” Heron said.

“I’m afraid you’d have to force me. But I’m sure there’s a lot you can learn during the tournament in Morhill, and from the Meadow once you meet it. That old tree is an insane source of magical knowledge,” Ilea said. She assumed the tree didn’t have a problem sharing his musings with others, especially those that could communicate with it.

“Long range teleportation gates, yes. You have secured an asset at great risk. I just hope it remains on our side,” Alyris said.

“You’re just scared because it’s ten times as powerful as your entire Imperial army,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Which means it’s a reasonable fear, don’t you think?” the Empress asked.

“Not to me,” Ilea answered. Because I trust that old eldritch creature more than I trust you. “And I find it quite amusing that you think of it in such a way, when you have a Fae in the very midst of your group.”

Ruler appeared and giggled, bolstering its moderate space magic in a non aggressive way.

My right shoulder will remain with Violence. You don’t even pop eyes.

“It is knowledgeable, yes, but in no way a threat,” Valarienne said, holding out her hand on which the Fae landed.

Ilea just smiled.

Heron ground his teeth. “You’re not willing to share that one either, are you?”

“Hmm… probably not. But I suggest you ask Ruler about it,” Ilea said. “Maybe it’s willing to show you what I cannot put into words.”

I do kind of want to visit again, with all my space awareness. Hmm. Might not be the best idea. I may even go mad. The Meadow already freaks me out plenty.

Heron glanced at the Fae with an interested look, touching his beard with one hand as he considered.

“I should probably be off then. More letters to deliver,” Ilea said with a smile. “Thanks for the food and the fight, I quite enjoyed it,” Ilea said.

“It was our pleasure,” Alyris answered. “To have hosted the mythical Lilith, and you did impress. Will we see you at the tournament?”

“I should be there, if nothing more important comes up in the meantime,” Ilea answered and waved her goodbyes.

___________________________

Lilith vanished after they said their goodbyes, ignoring both the enchantments of the hall and any security that would prevent her exit above.

Valarienne pat the Fae on its head. What secrets do you hold, my little friend?

“Malkorn, go and make sure she isn’t stopped or pursued,” Alyris said. “Return to our hall afterwards.”

The lizardman vanished.

“Heron, increase the threat level of Lilith to Catastrophic,” the Empress added.

“I already did that,” the man replied.

“She’s far beyond even the Lily,” Syrithis murmured.

“Maybe,” Valarienne said. “My mother did mention there was one more powerful than her.”

“Neither matters. They’re cooperative and so is Lilith. We will have to evaluate the Meadow and any other allies they bring to Morhill. Gather the nobility, we have a lot to prepare for. If the gates are as functional as Lilith believes, the entirety of human trade and warfare will change overnight. Lys needs to be prepared, and we need to reestablish our position with this new technology. I also suggest increasing the penalty for any aggression towards Ravenhall and its allies. We cannot risk antagonizing them, even less now than before,” the Empress said.

“We cannot bow to them,” Syrithis said.

“And we won’t. But while we fought our wars and increased our territory, they have developed technology and power that is beyond our match. I want a team of the best enchanters and engineers that can be found in the Empire. Heron, find me capable space mages. We need to work on our understanding and resistance to that magic,” Alyris added.

“Even I failed to contain her,” Heron said.

“Then we better get to work. Our defenses are outdated if a mere three mark human can teleport into the very heart of our Empire. Think of what would happen if a Monarch tried the same,” the Empress said.

Syrithis looked thoughtful. “I don’t know. She is not an Elf. We don’t know how they would match up.”

Valarienne smiled, tapping the head of Ruler. “Am I the only one who is glad humanity has a warrior like her?”

“I agree. She is more trustworthy than the unknowns we may face in the future. And she holds no interest in political power, merely rules she seems to have set for herself. We must find out what they are and adhere to them if we wish to keep her uninvolved. But if we do so, we may find an ally in her unmatched by any of our armies,” Heron said.

“I hope you’re right,” Alyris said. “Come then, we have a lot of work ahead of us. And I was looking forward to one day off.”

“Just think about all the travel time we’ll save with working teleportation gates,” Valarienne said. She smiled off the groan she received in response. Sore losers.

____________________________

Ilea stumbled upon some heavily armored guards on the way out but it seemed her casual demeanor caught them off guard. They let her know where she could find the exit before even realizing what had happened. The yells behind her were dulled after one use of transfer and silenced with another.

She sped through the city and stopped in an attic with a nice view of one of the central streets. Performers were showing off all throughout the night in the capital but she was more focused on the her map. Few cities west… and Riverwatch. Seems doable in an hour or two.

“Visit in a few hours? Midnight dinner?” she sent to Dale. Nothing came back for a few seconds until she spread her wings and started towards the western gates.

“You interrupted. I. Yes. Of course. At my place,” the man sent back. He sounded out of breath for some reason.

Wonderful, Ilea thought and sent a message to Claire. “Met Empress. Have Fae and Half Elf. Must stay allies.”

“Good news. Tell me more when you’re back,” the woman answered.

The night was clear when Ilea flew past the city walls, not a single squad of guards following her. She assumed it had to do with her little visit, Virilya had never slacked with their security.

Chapter 724 Third Dinner

Chapter 724 Third Dinner

Ilea made a few stops on the way, knocking on well made wooden doors and surprising quite a few confused nobles. It didn’t take her long to reach the most eastern parts of the Navali forest. I wonder if the Drake population has recovered by now.

She landed in a clearing, the skies clear, stars providing pale light. Back then it actually mattered. Now I can see in pitch blackness. Any creature with a shred of primal instinct stopped moving, either that or they ran away as fast and silently as they could. Ilea was by far the most dangerous predator in the surrounding forest. She hoped for some high level being to show up and fight her but her time in Elos would’ve likely been cut short already if anything like that was around.

A deep breath and her eyes opened again. Quiet. So much was going on. Teleportation gates, ancient dwarven relics, a living tree, meeting the Empress, beating her and her guard up in a brutal mock battle. It was a far cry from the simple exploration near the Azarinth temple. Azarinth. When’s the last time I’ve even thought of that name. She summoned a crate. Books, notes, letters, trinkets, and a variety of foods were inside. She teleported items in and out and found the relevant letter a few minutes later.

Evan Trayne. Wanted to talk to Dagon about Scipio’s whereabouts. Well I know where the latter is now. Is he the sand creator Elana mentioned so long ago? I hope he’s at a higher level than Scipio at least. She stored the letter again, this time separately. The chest followed. I heard about the Foundation in Riverwatch. Splicer was it? One of their Seekers of knowledge. I provided him with some books on the Azarinth order. Now I could share stories on the Navuun, the One without Form, Erendar, the true form of the Fae.

Ilea smiled. Getting close to this area always made her nostalgic. Four years maybe? Maybe one more or less. And ten times as much happened than in my previous life on Earth. The wonders possible through magic, wings, and teleportation.

If there really was a key in the Foundation of Glass, she’d inevitably wind up there. Sooner rather than later. But not quite yet. She was a delivery girl after all. The fastest one around. Charged wings vibrated before she shot off, leaving behind a slew of terrified creatures. A high arc brought her out over the forest, the imposing form of Karth in the distance and the comparatively small city of Riverwatch visible thanks to the many lights in its streets. Deep below she knew there was Iz, but that could wait for another day or two.

Ilea twirled in the air and slowed down before she reached the city, impacting the ground near the broad river. Her ashen boots sank into the ground before she moved on, her ash receding as fresh clothes appeared on her body. The Terminator has arrived, she mused with a smile. Just back from my fight with the Empress of Lys. The fight brought her more pleasure than she had expected, as did the outcome. Training with ancient beings of unimaginable power had a way to skew her perception of herself. Especially in comparison to the rest of her kin.

She teleported a few times until she reached the city gates, two alert guards on the walls twitching when they saw her appear. They had their weapons drawn in the next moment. “Good evening,” she said and spread her wings for a moment.

“Lady Lilith? May I see some identification?” one of the men said and held a Shadow badge in his hand a moment later. “That’s quite alright, welcome to Riverwatch. Let me know if we can do anything for you.”

Ilea summoned the piece again and stored it before she teleported through the enchanted wall. “I’ll be fine, have a good night.”

“You too,” the guard said. He looked to his peer and shrugged. “What?”

She didn’t stay to listen and instead moved through the city with her spells, not about to ruin any roofs or run through owls or worse. Not tonight. She appeared in front of Dale’s home less than a minute later. “Evning,” she sent to the man she saw inside, the parents up and working in the kitchen. Their daughter was asleep, the son likely off with his scouts. Or was it Hunters?

Dale came and opened the door, a smile blooming on his face when he saw her. “Telepathy too. I expect to see some horrible monster the next time I welcome you.”

“The options are there, trust me. I prefer staying vaguely human though. It’s good to see you, Dale,” Ilea said with a smile. “Sorry for the short notice, and for inviting myself. Thought I’d go for it if I’m in the area.”

“Don’t worry about it. I should say it’s an honor to have you here, but honestly, it’s just good to see you still alive. Come on in, it’s cold out,” he said and stepped aside.

“It is?” Ilea asked, looking down the street where two cats chased each other before they vanished into a side alley. She breathed in and went inside.

Dale closed the door behind her. “We’ll be done in a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Any of Walter’s ale around?” she asked. “He should’ve opened some breweries in the past year.”

“The bard? I actually do as a matter of fact, his brands have blown up in the guard,” Dale said and went into the kitchen. He kissed his wife and got three bottles from an enchanted cupboard. “Here you go,” he said and handed her one, putting down the others on the table.

“Go talk to her, I’ll finish up,” Abby said.

“Thanks,” he said with a smile and sat down opposite the mythical creature also known as Lilith.

[Knight Captain – lvl 163]

“You made some progress again, I see,” Ilea said.

“As did you,” he said.

Their bottles touched before she took a sip. “You can tell?”

He leaned back. “No. I just know you.”

Ilea deactivated monstrous. The man whistled.

“Did she turn into some magical beast?” Abby’s voice came from the kitchen.

“No. Better,” he answered and drank from his ale. “What level does it represent? I heard some say it’s four hundred, some five.”

“Five,” Ilea answered. “I’m a space mage now too,” she added and raised her bottle without touching it. Then she made it disappear and reappear. She smirked and formed two gates and dropped her ale into it. The bottle kept falling, accelerating until she teleported it back out and drank from it.

“Seems useful. I’d love to have those spells,” Dale said. He was good at seeming unimpressed but Ilea knew him well enough to be able to tell.

She could also hear his heartbeat, feel his distress, and notice the changing tension in his muscles.

“I don’t suppose you usually use it to move around bottles of ale,” he commented.

Ilea waved her hand sideways. “More spells from four marks.”

Abby joined them a moment later, setting down a large dark red pot before she took off the lid. A hearty stew simmered inside, dark brown intersected by colorful vegetables and chunks of meat. “It’s probably not up to your standards, Lady Lilith,” she teased.

“I may be a monster but I would never say no to your cooking,” Ilea said.

Dale waved his hand between them. “Stop it or I’ll have to ask you for a duel, and neither of us wants that.”

“Yes of course, knight captain,” Ilea whispered in a respectful manner as he scooped food into everyone’s plates.

“Want to hear what I did earlier tonight?” Ilea asked.

“Indulge us,” he murmured, breaking off a piece of bread before he started eating.

“Empress Alyris of Lys, heard of her? Ruler of some small country in the east,” Ilea said. She too started eating. Nothing better than third dinner. Pip and Merry would be proud.

“It’s a small Empire I hear, maybe an island?” Abby asked. She looked to Dale for help.

“Dear you now I don’t travel much. I haven’t heard of it Lady Lilith. You see I am but a simple guardsman in this western town,” he said.

“Sure. Well, I delivered a letter. And one thing led to the next, so I’m deep below the Halls of Eternity or whatever the fuck they were called, fighting the entire Guard and the Empress herself,” she said and leaned forward. She chuckled and smiled. “Lads actually thought they had a chance.”

“You wiped the floor with the Immortal Guard?” Dale asked in a deadpan voice.

Ilea chewed and swallowed. “Literally. Yes. Well they did make me bleed at first, but I kind of let them. They’re definitely strong. For humans that is.”

“I will use this story against my recruits,” Dale said. “If that’s okay?”

“Hmm… I’d actually prefer if that one stayed between us. Don’t want to piss her off, she’s kind of important,” Ilea said. “But you can tell them about the Earth Elemental I fought in the Isanna desert. Thing left after it failed to kill me, just straight up merged into the mountains. I would’ve overwhelmed it with unlimited time, I’m sure of it.”

“How does an Earth Elemental even look like?” Abby asked.

Ilea gestured with her hands before she just formed it with ash. “Kind of a weird collection of shapes.”

“Fascinating,” the woman mused.

“But enough about me. How have you been? We haven’t talked since the issues with Baralia,” Ilea said.

“Things have calmed down again. Plenty of refugees have come to the city but everyone is pretty settled in by now. The guard is stronger than ever and we’re getting a lot of defensive equipment and help from Ravenhall. Barely any monster incidents lately, it’s quite… peaceful. We’ve managed to push back most of the monster populations in the surrounding forests too, with the help of Stormbreach. Thousands of refugees moved there when the Sanctuary Healing Order reestablished contact with Riverwatch. Various expeditions went west to try and resettle the various cities left behind but I hear it’s been difficult driving out the monsters,” he explained. “Funny thing that… a group of… Medic Sentinels, as they call themselves, went west just a few days ago. They passed through and asked for maps and information on local monsters, healed every minor injury too while they were at it.”

“Wouldn’t know a thing about them,” Ilea said. She squinted her eyes. “They didn’t make any trouble, did they?”

“No, miss. Exemplary behavior. One could tell they wouldn’t want to piss of whoever is at the top of their organization,” Dale answered.

“Yes. I hear the Headmaster can be ruthless,” Ilea said and continued her meal.

“Relations with Nipha have been a little more difficult as of late but Alistair would have to tell you the details. It’s more than offset by all the refugees and others that once again wish to live in a frontier city, that coupled with the help from Ravenhall, despite the distance,” he explained.

“Makes sense. Well, distance won’t be a problem for a long time. I met a tree, took it back with me to this realm, planted it, long story short, we now have working teleportation gates. Long range, top security and controlled by an alliance of cities, which I’m sure Riverwatch will be a part of soon enough. I’ll go talk to Alistair about all that afterwards actually,” Ilea said.

“That’s good,” Dale said and finished near all of his bottle.

Abby patted his back. “Don’t drink too much, darling.”

“I’ll be happy to show you around in Hallowfort, and Ravenhall. Once the gates are set up of course. We’re preparing a tournament in Morhill at the moment. Well I say we, but I’m not exactly involved. Better at fighting than organizing,” Ilea said.

“You’re lazy is what it is,” Dale said. “But well, I suppose you are really good at fighting. Just know that if you had signed up to the guard, you’d know the basics by now.”

“I’m rich, Dale. I have people for that,” Ilea said, trying to do her best impression of the Empress.

“Gold is temporary, administrative skills are eternal. Nothing beats a well organized guard and a good schedule,” he said.

“Want to bet on it? I say I could beat that. With my fists,” Ilea said and raised her bottle.

“Adventurers,” Abby said and shook her head. “You always think with your fists.”

“Don’t bother, love. She never learned anything about the more sophisticated things in life. I bet she thinks bathing in blood keeps her young,” Dale mused. He got up and went to get a few more bottles.

“It actually does in a way. I’m literally immortal. Age wise that is. I can still die… technically,” Ilea said. “Thanks,” she added, opening the second bottle.

“We could take that vacation you mentioned a few months ago,” Abby said and touched Dale’s arm.

“I’d love to have you at the tournament,” Ilea said. “And if another demon summoning or something like that happens I’ll protect you personally.”

“We could take Alaina,” Dale said.

“No. Just us. We’d be chasing after her the whole time,” Abby said.

“Alright then. I’ll see if George can look after her for a week or two. She does like Verena a lot,” Dale said. “You’re gonna set up the gate soon? It’s safe I hope?”

“They’re safe, yes. Well they weren’t at first… those testing sessions were bloody I tell you. Lungs and guts all over,” Ilea said.

“Please, we’re eating,” Abby said.

“Right. Apologies,” Ilea answered. “But yes, they’re safe. We’ve got the best Meadows working on it. The stew is delicious by the way, thanks Abby.”

“A compliment by Lilith herself. I wonder if that will be part of an evolution if I ever get there,” the woman said.

“You joke but some of the Sentinels did have my name in their Class requirements,” Ilea said.

“It wasn’t a joke,” Abby said. “You show up with three question marks to Identify. That’s not normal. Not normal at all.”

“She is quite strange, isn’t she?” Dale said. “Well, know that you’re always welcome here. If everyone else kicks you out because of your ash and space magic tendencies.”

Ilea sat back and finished her plate. She sighed with a smile on her face. “I appreciate it, Dale. I really do. And you can call for me whenever you need me. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

“See, my inclination to help out has rewarded me with the help of Lilith,” Dale said to his wife.

The woman looked away. “It’s pure luck. It doesn’t count.”

He continued in a whisper and addressed Ilea. “She says I help too much.”

“You do,” Abby said.

“But it’s worth it,” the guard captain answered.

“Not when you’re home late,” she retorted.

Ilea quietly sipped on her ale. The Empress of Lys she could handle, but this, this was far beyond her powers.

“Let’s leave this for now, we have a guest,” Abby said finally.

“I agree,” Dale added. “So, teleportation gates. That’s quite exciting.”

“Indeed,” Ilea said. “But I’ve got some other stories too. I know it’s late of course…,”

“Don’t worry about it. I need less sleep with every level, and Abby can sleep in,” Dale said.

“I will excuse myself in an hour or so however,” Abby said. “No matter how exciting your adventures are, Alaina will still wake me up tomorrow.”

“Of course. So, can I talk about dragons in here or is it a forbidden word like in so many other places?” Ilea started.

She left a little over an hour later, wishing the two a good night after they’ve had a few more drinks. Less phased by the stories than last time. I guess you get used to it at some point, or they just can’t appreciate the difference between a Young Elemental and an actual Dragon.

Ilea walked through the somewhat quiet city until she reached the more central parts. A group of rough looking adventurers dropped their conversation when she walked past the alley they were gathered in and gave her a look. “Evening,” she said.

One of them took a step forward but was stopped by a much larger man. He shook his head and waved at his own neck. “Blue eyes, black hair, healer, high level. Don’t risk it,” he whispered after she had walked past.

“Smart man,” Ilea sent straight into his mind.

“Did you hear that?” he asked in a whisper, his friends looking at him with confused expressions.

Ilea decided not to fuck with them any further, maybe because she’d just had a nice dinner. That attitude is just… how do people like that survive as adventurers?

She soon reached the central government buildings and found Alistair in his office. The letter Claire had prepared for him had apparently been a little more extensive than the ones for the various random officials on the way. She waited with a drink as he scrambled to wake up and gather all the require officials to make major decisions in the city. Some of them gave her looks but most were more than respectful, either having seen her before or at least understanding what she had done for the city.

The decision was mostly about the installation of a teleportation gate before the festivities actually happened. They would have an easier time getting to Morhill than most others and could get to offered talks in regards to joining the Meadow Accords.

Ilea left less than an hour later, thanked by the man himself before she left the city. Her wings brought her towards Karth and the Calys mines. She was in the area after all.

Chapter 725 Cocks

Chapter 725 Cocks

Ilea visited the Vultures on the way, finding most of them asleep or busy. She did manage to tell Walter a few ludicrous stories but was on her way before long. His understanding of high level threats was a little more extensive than Dale’s but they quickly reached his limits as well.

Simple humans, level two hundred dark magic sorcerers living in a hidden necromancer hideout. “Downright mundane really,” Ilea mused as she moved her wings, flying through the darkness. The night remained clear, her visibility allowing for quick traversal between target cities.

Nipha was a territory she hadn’t exactly stopped to visit but the process of letter delivery was largely the same. Soon enough she was flying into prior Baralia territory, now independent cities or more likely vassals of Lys. Yinnahall received a letter and invitation similar to Riverwatch. Ilea assumed it had to do with her personal involvement in their seclusion of Baralia. Just as much as with her many assets that Claire surely increased over time. The officials were more than happy to agree to the creation of a gate outside their city walls, they pretty much immediately started planning a defensible position where such a contraption could be inlaid with relative safety.

The suns were tinting the horizon in a yellowish glow when Ilea flew past cities she had cleared out with Hector, the Destroyer. They showed activity, efforts of resettlement and rebuilding quite obvious. Alyris wasn’t letting these places fall into ruin. Ilea soon reached the first cities in Asila, repeating her letter delivery with the last few copies in her domain until she reached the capital.

No letter for the royals. Just Nero, she wondered, looking at the high walls in the distance. She stood atop an overgrown mountain ridge, the ocean far beyond the vicinity visible to her enhanced eyes. The cities in Asila were built to be defensible more than anything, thick walls with impressive enchantments protecting even smaller settlements that stood amidst the more rocky landscape, their location chosen with the same principles in mind. Or perhaps they were the only cities that still remained after centuries of monster and human incursions.

With nature mages and dozens of other magics at their disposal, humans hardly had to build cities in bountiful lands. Of course the likes of Virilya still had farms nearby, the demand growing in tandem with the city. Ilea wondered what was more difficult to obtain in the human Plains, an education in farming or a nature mage Class and respective training. She jumped off the ridge and spread her wings.

The flight was short, Ilea landing on the comparatively small road that led to the massive gates of the ancient looking city. Downright carved into a rocky outcrop, she thought as she looked down the road at the imposing walls. The terrain was decidedly difficult to navigate. For people without wings that was. Anyone attacking this city, both monster and awakened would have a difficult time even getting to the first line of defense.

Few travelers were around this early in the morning. A group of injured and spent adventurers suddenly perked up when their wounds closed instantly, their minds refreshed in turn. Ilea winked at one of their mages, the woman looking at her with confusion before her eyes opened wide.

They didn’t get a chance to introduce each other. Six level two hundred warriors and mages closed the distance from the city to the single traveler and stopped in a vague half circle ahead of her, three of them standing atop large overgrown boulders. One of them approached on the road and bowed. “Lady Lilith. Welcome to Arkamp.”

The group was clad in dark blue and gray armor, faces covered by masks or helmets.

Ilea had met them before, in Baralia. They were sent to support the small group Velamyr had gathered as an elite force to get into the war torn territory. “Greetings. I’ve come to deliver a letter. To Nero Skorn.”

“Certainly. Would you be opposed to us accompanying you to your destination?” the mage asked.

“If that gets me there faster,” Ilea said and glanced to the rising suns. She wanted to get in a session in Iz today. At least I managed all the letters. If this one doesn’t cause any major issues.

“That should be the case, yes. Please follow me,” the man said and started flying.

Ilea waved to the adventurers as she spread her wings. The members of the Dawn Company followed silently, all of them flying in one way or the other, all keeping a respectful distance. That or a distance they deemed safe in case she engaged them in battle. She couldn’t help but smile at their caution. I need to spend some time with the Meadow after this. To keep me grounded. Though I suppose the variety is what makes this all so interesting. Yesterday I felt like a somewhat powerful human in the world of monsters. Today it’s the opposite.

They flew over the city streets until they came up on the highest point of the settlement. A large stone palace reinforced to the brim with several walls, magical siege weapons, and two dozen manned towers. Salutes and gestures were exchanged as their group passed, landing on a terrace overlooking the valley below the city and a large part of its bustling streets and squares.

This place is probably more defensible than Virilya or even Ravenhall. Granted they seem to have fewer resources and their elite is likely at a lower level. She landed herself and glanced at the waiting figures in blue.

“Please wait for a moment. I will ask for an unannounced audience,” the same mage said and bowed to her before he vanished.

Ilea walked over to the edge of the terrace and leaned against it, the formation of warriors around her adjusting to her movements. It’s not gonna do you any good, lads, I’m a space mage. And you’re at level two hundred.

She remembered when that had been high. The famed Shadows Hand, only accepting recruits at such a ludicrous level.

“Nero Skorn is ready to receive you,” the mage said after he had reappeared.

“That was quick,” Ilea answered and walked past him, the man gesturing her to enter the building. Her dominion was cut off at the wall. Inside it spread out once more. Oh. Well.

The Dawn Company didn’t follow her inside but she could tell they stayed close. A single hallway opened up into a lavish room, more a hall really. Every piece of furniture would’ve bankrupted her back on Earth, every piece of art hung on the walls a statement of wealth. A third of the hall was occupied by a single bed, fifteen people in various state of undress either engaged or now turning their attention to the newcomer with interest in their eyes. Two of them left for a side room, laughing as they went.

It smelled of sex, alcohol, and a variety of burnt herbs she couldn’t quite place. Opposite her stood a man with bronze skin, currently filing two glasses with wine. He had full hair, black with gray streaks and a short beard. He looked to be in his fifties and wore a loin guard made of a dark blue metal and the fur of a beast, the two expertly interlinked. A courtesy, she assumed, for the guest. He wore nothing besides.

“Welcome, Lilith,” he spoke and turned with the two glasses in hand, offering one to her. “I am aware that you prefer ale, but you have to try this creation. A technique from a northern tribe was employed in its making. It’s quite… special.” Gray eyes took her in, a slight smile on his face.

“And you must be Nero Skorn?” Ilea asked, a little distracted by the moans and smells.

“Indeed. Are my guests disturbing you? I hadn’t expected your coming this morning, and I find it rude to send them away for someone unannounced. If you wish, we could talk on the terrace?” he said.

Ilea checked them to see if there was any indication of them being slaves. She didn’t find anything. “I would prefer that, yes.”

He chuckled and handed her the glass, walking to another door in the hall with a more private terrace and the same view she had seen before. Lavish couches were set up outside. A bar stood to the side, a well dressed employee bowing lightly when they passed.

“It does get a little stuffy inside, but I find such quite enticing,” Nero said as he sat down on one of the couches. He glanced at the view and sighed. “Wonderful, isn’t it?”

“You’ve carved out your piece of the world,” Ilea said and decided to lean against the stone railing instead of sitting down. She wouldn’t even trust the fires of creation to deep clean the present seating arrangement.

“Indeed. I hadn’t taken you for someone quite as conservative. Maro has told me much but someone with your power… know that you are welcome in my halls at any time you wish. I’m sure you would find my friends more than accommodating,” the man spoke.

“Excuse me… Maro?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. The former King of Rhyvor. He resides somewhere below, though he does visit from time to time. A man of exquisite taste, though his organizational skills are questionable. I’ll have you know he spent eighty seven pieces of gold in a single night. Not with rare wines and elixirs, but with the common people, within their restaurants, houses, and halls. Remarkable,” the man explained and looked into the distance with a wistful expression.

Ilea smiled. “Makes sense. You don’t quite match my expectations,” she said.

[Dust Mage – lvl 313]

“I enjoy surprising my guests, though I had no time to prepare for you. I assure you the festivities would have been spectacular. Before you ask, Lilith of Ravenhall, there are no slaves here. We believe that man and woman carves their own path, their minds and labor their own,” he said. “I am glad that we finally get the chance to meet. Long has it been that I have watched your exploits with interest.”

“You never reached out,” Ilea said.

“You are terribly busy. I tend to keep my focus on Asila, Lilith. It is where I was born and where I shall remain. Helena has suggested a meeting long ago, but I believed fate would bring you to our halls regardless. And here you are. What, may I ask, has brought you here?”

Ilea summoned the letter and moved it towards him on a bed of ash. “You don’t happen to be open for some Dust Magic Resistance training.”

He raised a brow and received the letter. “If it involves seeing a little more… of you. I’m sure it could be arranged, though I myself rarely mix magic with pleasures.”

“I don’t think we’re at that level of intimacy quite yet,” Ilea mused.

The man opened the letter and smiled. “Ready to shed mutual blood within the homes of her allies but sexuality is reserved for the few and far between. Some things from you southerners will never quite make sense to me.” He skimmed through the letter and nodded to himself, adding a few ahs and ohs in between. “Teleportation gates would be quite welcome. This deserves my full attention. I will have to bother the Queen. Thank you, for sharing this gift with the world.”

“It’s not my creation,” Ilea answered.

“So modest. I am certain your influence and power has shaped this opportunity, in one way or the other. But I will not press, it is honor enough for you to come and visit, and to deliver this letter in person,” the man spoke.

Ilea drank from the wine. “It does… taste special. I like the sparkles.”

He smirked. “Indeed. I failed to mention the light vear snake poison but I hear Helena has invited you for cake. And you remain among the living.”

“I didn’t notice,” Ilea said honestly. The poison hadn’t even registered. Which means I won’t even be informed about low level poisoning attempts? That’s both concerning and funny.

“A tournament in Morhill. Ah it will be cold,” the man said, scratching his brow. “I’ll have to find my winter gear. It’s been a long while since I ventured to such places.”

“Here you are. I brought the group I mentioned,” an entirely naked Maro said as he walked out onto the terrace, a woman in one arm and a man in the other.

“Not what I hoped to see today,” Ilea said. She did have a look. Maybe if I didn’t know him, and if he was gagged.

“Oh,” the king said and spread his arms with a charming smile. “Welcome to Arkamp. Skorn did mention he expected you at some point. Did you know he’s related to Walter? A funny coincidence that was. You did suggest I stay with them but this is close enough, I suppose,” he said and walked to the bar, gesturing to the waiter who started making drinks a moment later, unfazed by the happenings.

Ilea raised her brows. She stopped the naked woman walking towards her with a bit of gentle space magic. The two old men weren’t exactly helping the mood. She sipped on her wine and let the woman go.

Maro handed the drinks off to the two people he had brought and ushered them back inside, himself sipping from a small glass with an amber liquid. “You didn’t tell me to put on pants yet.”

“I don’t want to come off as rude. This is Arkamp after all. I have no authority to question your state of undress,” Ilea answered.

The man laughed before pants appeared on him. They were still rather tight. “How have you been?”

“Good. Busy,” Ilea answered. “Reached level five hundred. Got some new magic,” she added with telepathy.

The man didn’t visibly react. “That does sound like you. Probably fought more unimaginable beasts. I told you she reminds me of myself, in my younger days,” Maro said as he glanced to Skorn.

“I remember my days of blood quite well, ancient King,” Nero said with a thoughtful expression. “Though time settles even the most vengeful minds.”

“I’d call it a hobby more than vengeance,” Ilea said.

“Then you are lucky,” Nero answered. “Here,” he said and handed the letter to Maro.

“You have been busy,” he murmured. “I suppose Elana is going to be there too?”

Ilea nodded. “You don’t have to come.”

He sighed, the look in his eyes changing for a moment. To something more, gentle. Hurt. “No. I will be there. Just need to… prepare. Sober up.”

“I doubt many drugs have an effect on you,” Ilea said.

“It’s less the physical, and more the lifestyle. She can tell,” Maro said.

Hmm. I suppose it makes sense, Ilea thought. “Well, both of you are welcome. To participate in the tournament too of course.”

Skorn waved her off. “Leave the fighting to the young. We have proven ourselves on the battlefield, there is no further need.”

Ilea raised a brow to him but didn’t comment on his ridiculous views. There is always reason to have a good brawl.

“Well, I’ll see you then. Enjoy your… orgy, I suppose,” Ilea said.

“We will,” Maro answered and raised his glass while the other man just laughed. At least he had the decency not to invite her as well.

Ilea jumped off the terrace and flew away. Knowing Maro was staying with Skorn alleviated some of her concerns about the man. She remembered Hector didn’t think highly of him, but then the man wasn’t exactly the best judge of morality. What she thought of morals at the very least.

She found a secluded spot and teleported north. She had reset her gate marks during the battle below Virilya but her cooldowns were ready either way.

“Letters delivered,” she sent to her friend and joined the group of working people. The space had expanded, more tables and boards set up with various teams working together on organization and planning.

“Welcome back. I appreciate it. You mentioned the Empress?” Claire said with a slight smile.

“The elf has been bothering me. He’s bored,” the Meadow sent.

“Tell him I’ll be there soon. Back to Iz. Can you ask Kyrian too if he wants to join again?” Ilea sent back.

“Will do. You have… a scent about you, Ilea,” the being said.

“Ah, right,” She spread and heated up her mantle, getting rid of the permeating mark of Skorn’s hall.

Ilea quickly told her team about what happened in Virilya, Trian especially quite impressed with what she had managed.

“You somehow always end your fights with more allies,” the man said while shaking his head.

“Friendship fists,” Ilea answered, both of them raised. “But seriously most of the things I punch just burst into a mess of gore.”

“Yes. I know,” he replied.

“I’ll probably visit the Foundation too. There’s a Taleen artifact that might be there,” she said.

“You did mention those. Did you find out more about Iz?” Claire asked.

Ilea addressed her three team members only. “Well. Probably. Yes. You know how the Ascended somehow took one of the suns from this realm? I’m pretty sure it’s there.”

Claire sighed.

“This is beyond me,” Trian bowed out.

“I trust you to know what you’re doing,” Claire said. “Does anybody else know?”

“Not yet. But I owe an explanation to Feyrair,” Ilea answered. “I’m aware of how important this is. The Ascended invaded this realm to get that thing. I don’t know if anybody is supposed to have it. And I don’t think destroying it is possible or at all a good idea.”

“It may be best to leave it with the Meadow. Or with the Cerithil Hunters, if you trust them that far,” Claire suggested.

“You’re a few steps ahead. I don’t even know if we can get it in the first place. There are still a few keys missing,” Ilea said. “But I suppose if it’s been used to power the One without Form, maybe even all of the Taleen machines, the Meadow could think of something similarly impressive. Its plan of world domination might just come to fruition after all.”

“What now?” Claire asked before she nodded. “Sorry. Long day. The Awakened aren’t as prone to sarcasm as you are.”

Chapter 726 Some gates close. Some gates open.

Chapter 726 Some gates close. Some gates open.

“Ilea. Claire mentioned you were going south again later. Did Riverwatch and Yinnahall agree to the terms?” Iana asked after she had approached.

“They did. I assume I should carry the materials and you set the things up?” Ilea asked in turn.

Iana scratched her neck and looked away. “Pretty much, yes. Your space storage, high speed, and teleportation just makes this whole thing so much easier,” she said and clasped both hands together. “But once they’re set up, we won’t need you anymore.”

Ilea stared at her bright smile and nodded. “Encouraging. I’m glad I’ll be replaced by some enchanted groundwork. You know I’m happy to help, Iana.”

“You vastly overestimate your value if you compare yourself to the complexity of this magical technology,” the Meadow helpfully supplied.

“Thanks. Guess you can talk to the gates in the future,” she sent back.

“You know that’s not what I meant!” Iana said and shushed her. “Just let me know when you’re going. Everything on our side is ready.”

“I’ll go for a training session before. Probably this afternoon,” Ilea sent to her.

“You are a valued friend, Ilea. Remember that,” the Meadow sent, with a space magic pat that she swatted away with her own manipulation.

“Good, I’ll be here,” Iana said and paused. “There’s something else. I’d like to… talk to you about Aki. What you found in that facility.”

“Not here?” Ilea asked.

“Our place might be better,” Iana said and started towards the home.

Ilea followed, glancing at the large Pursuer standing amidst a group of warriors, all of them focused on a floating stone tablet with a map of what she assumed to be Morhill and the surrounding landscape.

The home of the enchanters looked rather simple from the outside. She found its walls as protected as the central district of Virilya. To be expected of course. The inside was much more welcoming, a warm and homely atmosphere created by fur rugs, paintings, and wooden furniture.

Iana led her to the expansive kitchen. A large wooden table stood in the center, covered in notes, tools, and books. At least it seemed the enchanters focused their mess onto that one piece of furniture. They’re not gonna have cleanliness as a priority, I imagine. Thank fuck for storage items.

The woman sat down, Ilea instead leaning against the reinforced wall. “You figured out the research?”

“Yes. Most of it. Meadow helped with the translation but we have a reasonable understanding of Taleen now too. It’s fairly similar to a few other languages, though I think they themselves would not have acknowledge that. They certainly believed themselves superior,” Iana explained.

“You got that from research notes?” Ilea asked with a slight smile.

“Yes. Exactly,” Iana said and sighed. “Well… where to start. You know that Khan Joggoth dealt with them. The device in the Soul Forge allows for soul transformation but it seems his dealings with the Taleen broke off before he achieved that feat. Not that he would’ve shared that knowledge with anybody else anyway. We have it now by the way. Claire suggested it may be an option to help people with permanent disabilities or birth defects, but of course it’s quite an invasive and… well, permanent change.”

“Our own Ascended so to speak,” Ilea mused. “I don’t think it’s the worst idea. Someone that can’t walk or is in constant pain might prefer having a war machine as a body. Though I’m sure that creates its own issues.”

“Yes. His research is quite fascinating on its own. Owl has helped us try and understand a lot already, and the Shades are knowledgeable themselves. But back to the main topic. The Taleen did their own research, and that specific facility went with a very… technical approach. One based on enchantments. And Ilea, they were far ahead of everything else I’ve seen. Before I met the Meadow that is. I don’t have to tell you how incredible their teleportation gates are but their Guardians are just as impressive, if not more so.” She paused for a moment and took in a deep breath.

“The process they developed in Izcural. It analyzes and maps the very Essence of a being, and then creates a copy, infused into steel,” Iana explained.

“So Aki is the copy of someone else?” Ilea asked.

“Someone who died. They never figured out how to make the process non lethal. The research looks… interrupted. Maybe they stopped receiving funding or support, or something else happened. They tested the process on various prisoners and monsters, only one imprinted into a dagger. Some sort of sick joke it seems. The details aren’t exactly plentiful but… Aki… or well the original, he was an elf from the Fire Wastes, one that was captured when he attacked Iztacalum,” Iana explained.

“A Cerithil Hunter? No, if he attacked when the Taleen were still around, their cities wouldn’t have been dungeons,” Ilea said.

“I doubt it, yes. As far as we understand, the Hunters didn’t exactly exist in that time,” Iana confirmed. “I assume he was quite young. The described measures to hold him are not enough to stop any of the Cerithil Hunters I have seen,” Iana added.

“Fuck… Aki’s the copied soul of an elf…” Ilea said.

“Yeah,” Iana said and tapped the table a few times. “I haven’t told him yet.”

“Whelp, could be worse I guess. He could be the copied soul of a bird or something,” Ilea said. “Should I tell him? I don’t mind.”

“I’d… I think I’d appreciate that, yes. I don’t know it’s just… cruel,” Iana murmured.

Ilea shrugged. “Eh, he meditated through most of his time down there. And now he’s got a Pursuer body. Better than most forms I suppose,” she said with a smile. “I’ll let him know.”

Iana nodded.

“Thanks for looking through all that, I appreciate it,” Ilea added and patted the enchanter’s shoulder. She left and addressed the machine. “Aki, can we talk for a moment?”

“Of course, Lady Lilith. What else could my time be invested in but to listen to your insightful thoughts?” the being said and moved over, decidedly slow.

“You’ve been hanging out with the Meadow too much,” Ilea said.

“The Meadow has been hanging out with me too much,” Aki replied when he reached her and crouched down.

“You’re moving differently. Trying not to freak people out?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. I love this form but it’s… very powerful, and it seems people have bad memories associated to Taleen beings,” Aki replied.

“Makes sense. Speaking of form… Iana figured out what happened to you. And what you are. Do you want to know?” Ilea asked.

The machine looked at her for a long moment, his eyes shining a little brighter. “How horrific is it?”

Ilea waved her hand sideways. “Could be worse. Could be better.”

“I’m listening,” the dagger said.

She nodded and explained the findings. He listened in silence, sitting with the knowledge for a while after. Ilea waited.

A sigh reached her mind. “Ironic, I suppose. Elf turned dagger… and now I’m in the body of a Pursuer, one of the most powerful Taleen machines,” he mused and started laughing, the sound echoing in Ilea’s mind. “I don’t hate it.”

Ilea grinned. “I thought as much.”

“I was saved and brought to purpose by you, Ilea. I am grateful. You uncovered my past… it’s less glamorous than I had perhaps hoped for but I think deep down, I knew. I am Aki, Pursuer of Akelion. Who I was before does not matter, whose soul I was molded from does not matter. I am the Guardian of the Medic Sentinels, and so it shall be. Neither Elves nor Taleen will determine my path,” he spoke.

“You’ll find your own way. Thanks for keeping the Sentinels safe, and helping out with all the work here. We’re there for you, whatever you will do in the future. That, I promise. Well, if you decide to murder all the kids in the world, I might take issue but you know what I mean,” Ilea said.

“The murder robot plan is a no then? That’s very sad. The Meadow had some other great suggestions however. One involves a haunted house, I quite like that,” Aki mused.

Poor Sentinels, Ilea thought with a sigh. “Stop being a bad influence,” she sent to the Meadow.

“Remedy from his exposure to you,” the being answered.

“We’re horrible parents,” she sent, shaking her head.

“I am the ideal parent,” the Meadow said.

“That’s exactly what a horrible parent would say,” Ilea sighed. “You know parenting is more complicated than helping creatures awaken?”

“I appreciate the reminder about my inability to conceive a child,” it spoke.

“Have you tried dropping a few crystal seeds?” Ilea suggested.

“I will complain to the Accords in my behalf. Your behavior is unacceptable,” the Meadow said.

“Feel free to make up and fill out a form. Good luck finding an enforcer. Besides me that is,” Ilea said with a grin.

“Then I’ll just have to make you punch yourself. Wouldn’t be the first time,” the being said.

I knew that was on purpose. “You absolute piece of shit,” she sent with a squint.

A giggle went through the vicinity, some people looking up at the strange phenomenon.

“Well, let me know if you need anything. And hey, if you’re up to it, maybe talk to Iana,” Ilea said to the Pursuer.

“I will. Thank you again, Ilea,” he said and looked at his long knife like fingers, the blades retracting before he closed his silver fist.

“Great. I’m around too… well back to Iz now. By the way, you don’t have a mark yet. Mind if I put one on you? We can share ten words once per day. And I know where you are,” Ilea suggested.

“Of course. It would be useful in case of an emergency,” the dagger said and received her mark. It appeared on one of his arms, the rune still looking distinctly Azarinth. “Thank you.”

“Sure,” she answered. “Hey Meadow, a lift to our frustrated Elven friend?”

“Kyrian too I assume?” the being spoke.

“If he’s up for more near death,” she answered.

A moment later she vanished, and appeared at the edge of the Meadow’s domain.

Feyrair was sat on a boulder. He looked up when she appeared, followed by the metal mage. “You know,” he said. “It does feel like I’m unwanted in there.”

“Aw hush, people are scared of your kind. Tell your younger brothers that they should stop with the genocide. I’m sure you’d be welcome in a few hundred years,” she said.

The elf hissed but he had a smile on his face. “Back to Iz then?”

“That’s the idea,” Ilea said. “Speaking of which… you know how the Ascended stole one of the suns from this realm? As far as I understand the reason for the ancient war in the first place. It’s probably inside that sphere in Iz.”

The elf looked at her. “I don’t care.”

“You don’t? In whatever form it is now, that thing was the reason entire civilizations went to war,” Ilea said.

“The reason people went to war is because of those that were lost. Because of an external invasion, because their power was challenged. Because their kingdoms were destroyed. If we have a chance to end what the Taleen have left behind, that is what I will work towards. Elves don’t much care for artifacts and devices, I’m not much different. I suspect you don’t plan to tell Isalthar?” Feyrair said.

“I would’ve left that decision with you,” Ilea said. “I won’t, but neither will I stop you.”

He smirked, sharp teeth showing before he hissed. “Yes. I believe you have proven more than trustworthy. With all that my kind has done, to both me, and all that were deemed cursed, I would rather have it with you. Not just the sun, if it really is something that can be acquired, but everything else we find as well. It is why I hoped to entrust the keys with you in the first place. It brings me joy, to know that perhaps a Monarch or two are seething with rage at the thought of a mere human possessing such power.”

“Thanks,” Ilea said and smiled. “I’ll try not to abuse your trust. And I’ll be there, when the time comes.”

“And it will come. But not yet. I want it to be decisive. And for that you’ll have to reach quite a bit more power. I will focus on catching up,” the elf said.

“You two plan on fighting the Monarchs?” Kyrian asked.

“He does. I mean I do too, the sky one at least, he’s a piece of glowing shit,” Ilea said. “And I want a rematch with the Beast.”

“The pole wielder. You mentioned him,” Kyrian said. “To think there’s someone out there that can demolish you like that.”

Ilea raised a finger. “It’s been a while. I’m much stronger now.”

“She is,” Feyrair confirmed.

“Of course,” Kyrian said and chuckled.

“What?” Ilea asked.

The elf hissed.

“I can tell it’s personal. I’ll help where I can,” the metal mage said and laughed.

“Remember when you were shy?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Your influence on people is quite remarkable,” he answered. “I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s an entire group of peculiar beings working together because of you. One of them being a Greater Lich.”

“Meadow Accords, remember. Not Lilith Accords, not Ilea Accords,” she reminded him.

“Sure. Sure,” he said with a smile.

“Don’t worry Fey, we’ll include you sooner rather than later. I met Syrithis last night, she’ll be key to people accepting the Cerithil Hunters. We just can’t rush everything. Hallowfort and all its Dark Ones is already going to be difficult,” she said.

“Ah, you did? She is grown now I imagine. Was she stronger than me?” he asked.

“Honestly? No,” Ilea answered. “But she’s not weak by any means.”

“Good. She’d never shut up about it. Enough talk, I’m bored. Let us depart. Where is the closest gate?” the elf said.

I guess revelations just don’t hit the same if you’re centuries old, Ilea thought as she summoned her key locator.

They found a nearby dungeon in less than half an hour, all machines already cleared out. Ilea put in the gate device and opened the map. “Oh.” She tried again but nothing changed. Her locator came to life and she double checked the map. “Well, shit.”

“What is it?” Feyrair asked.

“Iz vanished,” Ilea said.

“What do you mean it vanished?” Fey asked.

Ilea pointed at the holographic map. “All the destinations around Karth are gone. Fucker turned off the gates.”

The elf hissed.

Kyrian sighed.

“Guess we left an impression,” she said with a smile.

“Any other way to get there? Can you not teleport us in?” Kyrian asked.

“I didn’t really plan for this. But I mean we know where it is, more or less,” she said. “Care for some digging?”

“You remember the passages we uncovered, right?” Feyrair asked. “Hundreds of them died just getting there.”

“That just means there might be interesting creatures to fight on the way there,” Ilea answered. “I probably won’t be able to make the whole journey but my gates got an upgrade,” she said, having set one of the marks in the domain of the Meadow. “Just have to reset them every day so that we don’t lose any progress.”

“Down into Karth,” Kyrian said.

“Yeah. Fey cover your Elvishness. We’re going into human lands,” she said.

“You and your fear,” the elf hissed, his face covered by scale armor.

“Just choose a human evolution at five hundred,” Ilea suggested and activated her third tier transfer.

The group appeared near Riverwatch where Ilea set another mark for her gates. I’ll so forget resetting these. Ah well.

She tried to open them quickly. “Meadow?” she sent. Doesn’t seem to register. She put her head through the gate and tried again.

“There she is again,” the tree sent.

“You can’t see through?” Ilea asked.

“If I wanted to, but I decided not to interfere. For your self confidence,” the tree lied.

“Of course. But you can send spells through no?” Ilea asked. A stone sphere floated through the gate and out on the other side. “Great. So now I can summon heavy bombardment from you,” she said with a grin.

“I can’t exactly aim through that,” the tree answered.

“If I need you to hit something, I don’t need accuracy. We should figure out a signal. Three spheres of ash for full force bombardment. Two for a push of space magic? One as a warning that something is going to come through?” Ilea suggested, her head still through the gate.

“You intend to use me as some kind of garbage disposal?” the tree asked in return.

“You’d get blood and stuff,” she said.

“Well, it’s a deal then,” the eldritch being spoke.

“Great. I’ll send a few Dragons your way,” she said.

“Please refrain from sending four marks, or even opening a gate at all. I recognize the fluctuation but I cannot guarantee the safety of everyone here,” it said.

“Sure. Only for emergencies. Or just to show off. Or if it’s funny. Or if I want to show you an interesting creature,” Ilea said.

The Meadow was quiet for a long moment. “That is. Acceptable.”

“Great, see you then,” Ilea said and closed the gate again, with her head out of course.

“I understood that correctly,” Kyrian said. “You can open a gate directly to the domain of the Meadow?”

“Pocket Meadow, yes,” Ilea said. “For emergencies only.”

The elf and human looked at each other, Kyrian raising a brow. “Of course,” they said in sync.

How large can I make these gates. I’m sure throwing a few hundred tons of dense rocks would flatten pretty much anything. She considered the thought while getting concerned looks from her companions. Surely they simply didn’t understand greatness. “Don’t act like that. I’ll be stronger than the Meadow soon enough. This doesn’t make a difference,” she said, like a liar.

Chapter 727 Descent

Chapter 727 Descent

“These hounds caused difficulties for you?” Feyrair said as he crouched down to pet the terrified Stalker Hound.

“We don’t start at your level, Fey. They were great experience back then,” she said.

“Don’t kill it,” Kyrian said.

“Why would we, they’re not a threat, and they’re obviously smart enough not to attack us,” Ilea said. “They’d get hurt anyway, trying to bite through our armor.”

“Exactly. So where to?” Kyrian said.

They had entered the Calys mine and Ilea teleported them through parts of it, looking for a way down. She used monster hunter to look for a powerful being but so far there were no signs of anything. A few more teleports and she saw a deeper cavern within her dominion. They reappeared a moment later.

I suppose we’re out of the Calys mines, Ilea thought as she looked at the more natural cavern. Large bat creatures hissed and scattered.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Lower Karth caverns’

“Already lower. Where’s Iz at then?” she wondered.

“The even lower Karth dungeon,” Kyrian suggested.

“Sounds about right,” Ilea said and jumped down into the darkness. She hit the side of a cliff and rolled off, crashing into a few stalagmites at the bottom. Her weight and momentum won out.

“We could just drill down,” the metal mage suggested when he landed next to her.

Feyrair created a few specks of white flame, the magic bits floating out to illuminate their surroundings.

Ilea watched as the cavern expanded. She had her dominion but it wasn’t endless. “We could. But where’s the fun in that?”

“Exactly,” Feyrair said and started walking.

They continued at a slow pace for about half an hour, neither running or teleporting as they searched for ways down.

“The creatures here are weak,” the elf complained.

“We’re not exactly low,” Ilea said. “Let’s speed it up a little.” She spent the next few minutes teleporting the others through the darkness, simply ignoring the lower level cavern dwellers or the layout, appearing in front of a wall a few times. She mostly used her dominion for guidance but her spells were quick. They traveled quite a long way in the short time, her marks suggesting they had descended close to a kilometer. Iz was still a long way off but Ilea could tell the mana density was higher already.

She stopped and burst into flames, Feyrair doing the same. Kyrian’s armor showed signs of curse magic flowing through.

The ground shook ever so slightly, the group in darkness other than their own sources of light. The cavern was small but not exactly claustrophobic. Ilea turned her head to the side when the first creatures entered her dominion.

“Ah, it’s just Shredders,” she informed the others.

Her ashen limbs fanned out behind her, moving through the darkness covered in flame. The elf extended white flowing claws from his fingers, a set of blades with no handles appeared around the metal mage in turn.

Seven of the large armored monsters broke out of the stone walls, floor, and ceiling, converging on them with high speed and open maws. Their momentum pushed them forward, at an angle that would allow the creatures to surround and attack the group. They reached the group’s range where dense ashen limbs ripped through their carapace. Cursed blades of steel dissected the entire length of one Shredder.

Ilea remained where she had stood, chunks of meat and armor raining to the ground around her, her dominion showing the carnage behind her where Kyrian minced through a group of the monsters. Feyrair jumped off the walls, his claws extending before he rushed past one of the beings. The blades on its side hit his armor, unable to penetrate as his hand left a burning gash on its entire length. The creature stopped moving when it had passed him, bleeding out on the stone floor as silence returned to the cavern.

Ilea deactivated her flames, all the dark blood that had reached her already burnt away. She watched as Feyrair sent a burst of flame over the dripping metal mage.

“Thank you,” said Kyrian, his blades reforming into spheres before they vanished.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Deep Shredder – lvl 413]

…

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Deep Shredder – lvl 384]

“Bad move,” Ilea mused.

“They’re not particularly smart,” Feyrair remarked, shaking his hand, the claws vanishing in turn.

They moved on until Ilea spotted light in the distance. A dull blue glow. She stopped teleporting the group before they walked onward, the decline leading them farther downwards. She jumped off a ledge, landing about ten meters farther down with a heavy impact. Hmm.

“Poison,” Feyrair said.

“Looks like it,” Ilea answered. The glow came from mushrooms sprouting from the cavern walls, a thin mist visible to her eyes and dominion. “I’ll test it. Retrieve me if I pass out.”

“Impossible,” Kyrian said.

“Agreed. I wouldn’t even bet on it,” the elf added.

Ilea smiled. She hoped they were wrong. Another step and she breathed in with closed eyes. Disgusting.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Necriha Mist -0.048 health per second for four seconds’

“Oh no. It’s really powerful,” she said as she turned around and fell to her knees.

“She’s lying,” Feyrair said.

“Ilea, we know you would be overjoyed if it actually did that to you,” Kyrian added.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Necriha Mist -0.128 health per second for seven seconds’

She ignored their remarks and raised a hand. “Hold on, it might actually be good.” Ilea continued breathing. She tried to ignore the rotten taste but it didn’t exactly help.

“Should I test if it can be ignited?” Feyrair asked.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Necriha Mist -0.83 health per second for eighteen seconds’

“Come on, speed it up poison,” Ilea mused as she stood back up and walked deeper into the mist.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Necriha Mist -2.48 health per second for thirty seconds’

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Necriha Mist -2.32 health per second for twenty six seconds’

“Disappointing. And here I thought this could be interesting. Yeah, go ahead Fey,” Ilea said, standing amidst the poison spores.

A flame lit up behind her, the entire cavern lit up a moment later. Her ears rang for one second, her mantle covered in blue flame as debris hit her form. Chunks of rock fell on her, the larger bits vanishing to another section of the tunnel. “It’s ignitable!” she shouted back through the chunks now in her way.

A steel plow moved away the rocks, Kyrian waving at her with Feyrair in tow.

“Indeed,” the elf mused.

Ilea smiled and tried to teleport them through the debris, the group however appearing in front of everything. Not enough space in there. “Well go ahead, plow man.”

Kyrian moved past her, their travel speed considerably slowed. “One might think we’re on our first expedition.”

“Not easy to find a reasonable challenge these days,” Ilea commented. “The dungeons need all the help they can get. Let’s hope for some four marks.”

“They will be there,” Feyrair said.

Another half hour passed as they moved through the darkness, Ilea once more stopping as she felt the presence of powerful magic.

She gestured to the others and walked onward. Her eyes failed to penetrate the darkness unlike before. White flame erupted before her and moved ahead. It too failed to illuminate the dark cavern walls. “Looks like shadow magic,” she said, not quite certain with her dominion alone. The magic changed and shifted. It lashed out as she spoke the words, gripping her form with an invisible force. She gasped, restricted as she felt the spell push into her ash. “Quite… strong,” she said to the two others standing a few meters farther back.

“Do you need help?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea moved away some of her mantle, the shadow magic instantly reaching her skin, blood already dripping to the ground. “No.. this… is perfect.”

“I will train as well,” Feyrair said and stepped next to her, invisible magic ripping into his armor a moment later.

Kyrian joined as well.

Ilea kept an eye on them through her healing but so far the damage wasn’t massive. She watched as dark beings made of shadow stepped out of the walls and advanced with incredible speed. One raised its arm and grabbed her face, a pulse of dark magic slamming into her system a moment later. She felt another pulse, more of the monsters stepping out and advancing on what they surely perceived as their prey.

[Shade of Varuhn – lvl ???]

Just above six hundred.

The beings had no eyes nor any other discerning features other than their vaguely humanoid shapes, most of them elongated and partially melding into the dark walls. Their attacks continued for half a minute before the creature in front of her let go, its dark head moving closer to her bleeding face.

Ilea’s eyes reformed as she smiled. “Why did you stop?”

The creature moved its head back, more of the others retreating slightly as well.

“Should we kill them too?” Feyrair asked, a burning hand of his pulling away the shadowy limb that had gripped his head.

“Don’t think it’s worth the experience,” Ilea mused. “Maybe for the two of you. You should start, they’re not exactly smart but I think they’re starting to understand their mistake.”

Fey rushed past her with flames erupting all around, green glowing blades flying at the creatures from the other side.

Ilea checked her notifications while the others cut into the stone walls to get at the retreating monsters.

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Shadow Magic Resistance reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Wonderful. The others were already done, the cavern back to regular darkness with the last signs of shadow magic leaving her dominion. “Well done my minions. The way is clear yet again.”

“I think that’s the first time someone has called me an underling,” Fey commented with an amused hiss.

“I didn’t expect you to like it,” Kyrian mused.

“I would kill her for it, if she were mortal,” the elf said.

“How very insecure,” Ilea said. “That difficult to accept that a human a tenth of your age is more powerful than you?”

“Most events have been easier to comprehend, yes. Though it’s a motivation more than an annoyance,” he said with a hiss.

Ilea grinned.

“I can give you two some time if you need it,” Kyrian said.

“You’re welcome to join, metal mage,” Fey said. “Though we should have invited the Dragonslayer.”

“I’m quite comfortable without, thank you,” Kyrian said.

“Things going well with Aliana then?” Ilea asked.

“Oh? You have chosen a lover?” Fey said.

Kyrian didn’t reply, to their amusement.

They teased him for a little while as they flew through the darkness, descending further.

Ilea formed a small flame and sent it out, the others following her gaze. One of the adjacent tunnels showed a somewhat rectangular entrance. Shaped by something more intelligent than most monsters. “Awakened maybe?” Ilea wondered.

“Dwarves more likely, in these parts of the land. The Taleen weren’t the only ones digging into the depths, forming settlements where none would reach them,” Feyrair suggested. “Though this is particularly simple. No runes either.”

“Is that weird?” Ilea asked. “The Taleen don’t have runes on their entrances either.”

“The Taleen were not exactly welcoming. Many other dwarves would lead their allies or those seeking shelter to safe places in the deep. Especially smaller factions,” the elf said.

“You know a lot about dwarfs,” Kyrian commented.

“Before this ridiculous woman came along, we had to actually scour the caverns of this world for the ruins left behind by our enemies. We fought more Taleen machines in the past year than I did in the last century,” the elf said.

“So let’s see what this place is about,” Ilea said and started towards it. She stopped when a whisper reached her mind. Words she didn’t understand, some slowed, others sped up. Everything was laced with curse magic, far more potent than anything her present companion could conjure. It went as sudden as it had come. “Did you get that too?”

“Yes. I’d like to see that curse,” Kyrian said. “Expect this not to be an easy fight. If it’s a moving creature creating the magic.”

“If felt the power too,” Ilea said.

“Come. Flesh. Thine awakening awaits,” Feyrair said.

“Have you been compromised?” Ilea asked.

“It’s the translation. The dialect is strange, not something I’ve heard before but the words themselves are clear. It’s a language I don’t think is still spoken,” Fey said.

Ilea smiled. “I suppose someone has to be the scholar in the party. I’m certainly not it.”

The elf hissed and joined her side. “Go on then. If I’m the scholar, you’re the front line.”

“Gladly,” Ilea said and walked into the tunnel. She noted the simple rooms that had been carved into the stone walls. No furniture showed within, the ground uneven and the walls chipped. Scratches showed on the stone. Dried blood started to show up as they went deeper into the underground complex. Not drawings exactly but it seemed there was some kind of intent. “There is a flow to this blood.”

“It’s been dried for ages,” Feyrair said. “But I agree. It leads inward.”

“I can feel the curse,” Kyrian sent to her.

Ilea continued until they came into a broadening cavern, the blood now both on the walls and the ground. The only light was their own. Her eyes widened as she took in the surroundings through her dominion but it was really the smell and humidity that made the experience unpleasant. Corpses she had seen before, though perhaps not quite as putrid and mutilated as the piles gathered at the back of the large cavern. Blood and puss still seeped from the bodies.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Fey sent through the connection. “Everything else here hasn’t moved in ages but these dwarfs look like they’ve been killed just yesterday.”

Ilea sent the words to Kyrian in turn.

“The source of the curse is within that pile,” the man said.

Just when he sent it, there was movement. A head emerged from the fleshy bits, its skull split, dead eyes looking into nothing. It was elevated by flesh from below, muscles building and growing as it dissected itself from the corpses. Several arms and too many legs emerged, differing sizes all. Some parts showed healthy skin, others scarred tissue. Most of all however, muscle and slightly bleeding wounds were the prevalent surface area. The creature dragged a war hammer out of the pile, silver and inlaid with gems, held by three large arms. Two heads opened their mouths but produced no sound, the abomination reaching two meters in height, its torso unnaturally thin, the mass of its arms and legs far outweighing its core.

[Silent Malice – lvl ????]

“It’s not far above one thousand,” Ilea informed them, rather confident as she stepped forward to meet the horror.

The creature moved at the same time. And it didn’t just move. Pulses of magic suggested time and blood manipulation. The entire cavern lit up with a curse that made the dried and wet blood pulse with power.

Ilea saw the attack coming but she failed to react due to the sudden grip of the curse. It closed the distance near instantly, the hammer striking her head with the full force of three muscly arms. Her skull whipped back as she slid on the ground for half a meter, various destructive magics trying to get past her defenses. The damage was healed, Ilea dodging the next strike with a timed teleport. She felt a little groggy from the impact, her limbs and fires spreading over the creature as she struck back, Archon Strike flaring up and into the flesh before she was sent flying with a backhanded hammer strike.

Metal and fire impacted the monster from her companions as she slid to a stop, coughing up blood. Her Mantle held up but the combined kinetic force and intrusion like curse magic and blood manipulation pushed even her highly resilient body to its limits. She teleported behind the burning creature, this time staying to its left to avoid the hammer. Kyrian and Feyrair did their best to teleport through the hall and keep the distance to the monster as far as possible.

Ilea sent in a few more punches as she gathered more heat, two teleports avoiding a strike each before she dodged the next one. A fourth she blocked with an extended arm, destructive mana flowing into the limb as she felt it go slightly numb. Her bones held but everything else burst, and healed again a moment later.

She raised her other arm and released Embered Heart, the beam of concentrated heat burning through the torso of the creature with ease. Ilea didn’t stop to watch its skin pulling itself back together and instead sent waves of Archon Strike into the vaguely humanoid shape, its entire form in flames and skewered by steel.

“Sever the arms. The curse is in the hammer,” Kyrian supplied, trying his best with the blades and flails he wielded in the small space.

The creature dodged and blocked as best it could, the hammer remaining firmly in its many hands.

Ilea refocused her ashen limbs on the creature’s arms, the change in her approach pushing it to the defensive. She watched as bone started to cover the flesh, more muscle and mass shifting from the main body to the arms. The thing couldn’t quite keep up with their combined efforts however, the fires of creation slowing down its healing and regeneration too much. Ilea noted that the curse was weakened too, Kyrian’s own magic working against the monster’s efforts.

Beams of white flame and ashen limbs finally cut through the first arm, the second and third following quickly thereafter. Ilea healed the damage she had sustained from the few hits she had taken to accomplish the task. Her flames covered the hammer, slowly burning away all the flesh that remained on it. The effort took several minutes, until nothing remained. Ilea kept it on fire for good measure, Feyrair currently setting alight all the flesh in the back while Kyrian crouched down above the piece of curse inducing equipment. No notification had resounded so far.

I wonder if I can wield it to level some resistances. Does that mean it’s already in my head? She squinted at the silver hammer, its form largely unaffected by the continuous stream of white flame.

Chapter 728 Pieces of the Puzzle

A note from Rhaegar

Just a quick thanks to all of you for reading :). It's been awesome to write this story. Hope you enjoy it still!

Chapter 728 Pieces of the Puzzle

Ilea stared at the hammer and stopped her flames, the flesh all around the cavern now turned to ashes.

“This was the creature?” Feyrair asked, looking at the hammer.

[Silent Memory – Divine Quality] – [The wielder’s intent will be unbroken]

“So does that mean I can wield it with a new intent or will it still have the one before?” Ilea asked. “Four mark is gone too and we didn’t get any kill notifications. Kind of a scam really.”

“Why don’t you grab it?” Kyrian asked. “There’s still curse magic coming from it.”

“Think I can take it?” she asked.

“You did when it struck you,” the man said.

Ilea formed two ashen copies and infused them. Get the hammer away from me if I turn mad or something. She activated her fires of creation and teleported the framework of the hammer in front of her, holding it aloft with her space manipulation for a few seconds. “You don’t speak, do you?”

Nothing replied. Nor did she feel an established connection in the first place. So she braced herself and grabbed the handle. Immediately she felt a powerful curse flow into her, blood manipulation burning into her arm while serrated silver ropes grew out of the handle and around her arm. Ilea shook her head, shaking the arm as she heard whispers in her head. Nothing concrete, just a jumble of mad suggestions. Far less original than some of the mind magic she had encountered. “I don’t think this will work, Mr. Hammer,” she said and started pulling the thing off with a few of her ashen limbs.

The others watched as the thorns ripped out chunks of her flesh, scraping against her bone before half her arm was ripped off with the hammer in turn.

‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

Hmm, Ilea left the hammer to dangle in the air, held by her ashen limbs while silver roots tried to gain purchase. “You’re like some angry eldritch creature. Calm down.”

The roots whipped out against her armor, some specifically aiming for her eyes.

“It looks like it can hear you,” Feyrair suggested.

The hammer moved all its silver roots to the ground and tried to leap at the voice but Ilea kept it firmly in place.

“You’re only allowed to do that to me,” she said and gripped it once more. “Wish some of these resistances were in the third tier. I could go with curse, I suppose. A high level one would be fairly annoying. No hammer, you don’t count.”

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Curse Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Curses are seldom cast and even more seldom survived. You are one of few individuals to tell the tale. Not a pleasant one to be sure but with this skill you might be able to survive it again should the need arise.

2nd stage: The duration of curse effects is halved.

3rd stage: You must be the arch nemesis of several ancient cults, orders, and gods themselves. Curses meant to empower the effects of other magics on you now fail to apply such. Curses meant to inhibit your movement or teleportation now fail to apply those effects. You understand the basic ideas induced in a curse if it has been cast in the last week or if you analyze it for extended periods of time.

“Guess we’re spending some time together,” she mused, immediately noticing the bone magic and blood manipulation weakening. “Ah don’t be like that. You’re not the only thing alive with anger issues. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.” She started pulling out silver threads from her arm where the metal had pierced her mantle and skin. The thing was surprisingly durable. Even just getting through her armor meant the thing would absolutely shred through most normal humans. Bits of flesh and blood splattered to the ground with every bit she pulled out, the steel going right back at it, unable to overwhelm her regeneration, nor did it manage to pierce her bone. She assumed that would be bad with its bone magic present but as it stood the hammer was more just a resistance training buddy. “Maybe we’ll both benefit from this,” she said and tapped the top of the thing with her hand, the entire limb pierced by a set of thorns.

She set herself on fire and ripped off her arms, burning the remaining flesh before she resumed her training.

“Sure you don’t want to bury that thing somewhere? Or destroy it?” Kyrian asked.

“Karth is Mount Doom now?” Ilea asked. “No, young human. The hatred in this hammer is not something defeated with the mere magic of our group.”

“Your mana intrusion would eventually crack it,” Feyrair said.

“Yes. It feeds on your blood and mana,” Kyrian added.

Yes. Feed. Become stronger for more resistance levels, she mused and looked at the thing with a broad grin.

Fey glanced to the curse mage. “Are you sure she’s still unaffected?”

“It’s hard to say. On the one hand, she’s cradling a cursed hammer that’s ripping her arms to pieces, but on the other hand, that’s entirely something she would do,” Kyrian answered.

“Exactly. So let’s move on,” Ilea said and tried to store the hammer in her bracelet. The thing vanished with quite a bit more mana used than she usually had to invest. She summoned it again a moment later. The spells were more potent this time. “So you’re actually feeding. Good to know.”

The two men glanced at each other but didn’t dare say anything.

Yes, indeed. Be very careful now.

“One more place cleared of curses and beasts, let’s move on,” she said and continued teleporting them through the relative darkness.

They continued for another half hour before Earth Spirits tried to lock them all in stone, moving tunnels and chunks of rock working against the quickly teleporting group. Ilea moved her group through to the other side, the spirits leaving them alone when they were out of their territory. They found marks of ancient burial grounds but neither were there any undead nor anything else that attacked them. Perhaps one of very few non contaminated resting grounds in all of Elos. The crypt did look reasonably creepy at least.

Soon they started to hit dead ends more often than not. Ilea still refrained from simply digging down into the depths. She was reasonably confident in her ability to find Iz that way, mostly because of how truly massive that cavern was. But digging tunnels was a necessity, a need to an end, most certainly not her preferred method of travel. Little but dirt to discover when you just cool aid your way through the depths.

A few hours later Ilea finally managed to find a cavern that led down deeper. They broke into the dimly lit underground, lava flowing from a few cracks in the walls, a bright red river visible in the distance.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Depths of Karth’

“There you go,” Ilea mused and scooped some of the lava from a nearby wall. “Here, maybe that will calm you down a bit. Always helps me,” she mused and leaned into the stream with her new hammer in hand. The training had been quite fruitful.

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

“I think this is far enough for today,” she said. “We’ll go deeper tomorrow.” Ilea set one of her gate marks and dried the lava off her hair. The hammer she just shook lightly, its form unaffected by the molten rock, as expected. “I’ll take you out again later. Don’t misbehave inside the pocket space,” she said and put the hammer into her bracelet. Ilea was pretty sure it couldn’t interact with anything else in her domain anyway but she wanted to make sure.

“Fey, where do you want to go? Riverwatch is pretty close to the Navali forest,” she said.

He had his face covered by scale armor. “The north is better to level. The chance of meeting a high level elf is lower too.”

“I beg to differ,” Ilea mused. “Give me a second, I’ll open another gate to get you out.”

Space shifted and a gateway to the domain of the Meadow formed. Ilea stepped through and requested the being send her to the edge of its domain. She set another mark there and connected it to the gate below Karth.

“You can come,” she said with her head poking through the fissure.

Fey and Kyrian came through.

“Contact me when we’re going deeper. I will look for a place to train,” the elf said.

“Will do,” Ilea answered. “Good luck.”

“Meadow?” she sent, both her and Kyrian appearing in the being’s domain.

“I’ll help with the preparations for a while,” he said and gave her a nod, the man walking over to Trian.

“I’m ready,” Ilea sent to Iana.

“Wonderful, we’ve got everything over here,” she answered and appeared to the side of her home.

Ilea joined the enchantress and looked at the absolute pile of stone and metal. “I expected gates, not an assembly kit.”

“It has to be assembled at the location and we have to add the finishing touches,” the woman said. “But with your space magic, it’ll be easy. You can just store it all and then teleport the pieces to the right place.”

“If you’re around to guide me, sure,” Ilea said.

Iana summoned a few large crates. “Can you fill this pile into the first one?”

Ilea used fabric tear to move the chunks, filling all the crates with the materials indicated by the enchantress before she stored the crates themselves. They were indeed quite large. Even larger were the outermost pieces of the gates. Those she stored separately. “Is it not relevant which ones these belong to?”

“They’re marked as well, don’t worry,” Iana said and waved over Christopher.

He smiled as he joined them. “Is it time?”

“Yes. Let’s connect the human Plains,” the woman said with a broad smile.

“Excited are we. Where do we start?” Ilea asked.

Iana shrugged. “Of course we are. We start in Morhill.”

Ilea noted the large platform the Meadow had added to its domain, on the way to Hallowfort that was and a few hundred meters away from the Soul Forge and everything else central. She assumed it had to do with the mana density. That and potential security concerns.

She teleported the group to her home, then out above. Ilea spread her wings and grabbed the enchanters like she had before. “It’ll be a short flight.” She didn’t wait after her wings had charged, the group shooting off towards Ravenhall, past it and to Morhill.

They haven’t been idle, Ilea mused as she slowed down a kilometer away from the town. The nearby mountains made it a rather well defensible location. Against non flying combatants and monsters. The walls looked more sturdy. Reinforced with enchantments and patrolled by Shadowguards. She spotted a squad on a rooftop close to the wall ready to intercept her. The town was covered in snow but its streets were busy, smoke rising from various kitchens and forges.

“So where do we place it?” Ilea asked. “Outside the city?”

“No. Morhill is going to be a main hub. Everything in it is set up with that in mind. Just get us into the city. I’ll lead from there,” the woman said.

Ilea did as she asked, the squad of flying guards escorting them in as soon as they saw them up close.

Iana landed in the snow, a map in her hand before she walked off.

Ilea gave Chris a look and followed with a smile. She saw dozens of buildings she knew hadn’t been there before. The whole town looked much more densely packed than before. She followed the enchantress into a large stone slab of a building, dozens of magical defenses placed on its walls. The double gate opened with a touch of Iana’s hand, shadowguards to the side giving them a nod.

Inside was essentially a waiting hall. Benches had been set up all around, a broad stairwell at the center of the structure leading down at a steep angle. She noted various enchantments and mechanisms in place that would block off the way down in case of a breach. They finally came out into another hall. A round central platform stood elevated at the back, three steps leading up in a circular manner.

“Less security than I thought,” Ilea commented.

“That was a long discussion, yes. Claire wanted them each separated and even farther below ground, permanent walls in the way and destructive enchantments in place to destroy each gate in case of a breach. Most of the other council members thought that unreasonable, even Sulivhaan. The security of the gates is inherent in their technology and the keys needed to activate them. The goal is to have Morhill used as a public hub, not restrict and slow down the use of the gates to a crawl. This was the compromise. A bit of both. Additional connections between the various involved allied settlements will be added in secret of course. It also makes the city a reasonable target. Not an easy one but if any factions decide to attack, they may think Morhill a good place to strike. Which is intended,” Iana explained as she stopped near the large open socket at the top of the platform.

“It’s a show of trust too in some manner,” Christopher added.

“Don’t think any major power would be stupid enough to jeopardize their relationship with the people who have teleportation gates,” Ilea said. “But I’ve encountered some insanely stupid factions. Or well, just insane factions. Each gate is in one of these buildings and below ground?”

“Yes. We have thirty two set up for now, all separated but less than ten minutes from the center of the town. Shadows and Shadowguards will be present at all times and automated responses are in place to shut down a breach should one occur. I deem that highly unlikely,” Iana said.

Ilea summoned the crates and side pieces, the enchantress pointing at the ones she needed for this one. “If a four mark of some kind appears through one of these gates, a few enchantments and guards are not going to stop it.”

“Not stop. Slow down, distract, mislead,” Iana said. “Evacuation procedures are in place too. And don’t forget… this one here will lead to the domain of the Meadow. One guard or message sent through and we’ll have a four mark Greater Lich to come and help.”

“Owl agreed to that?” Ilea asked.

“She was delighted. Her training with the Meadow will continue for a long while, and she’s set up permanent residency in its domain. Though I’d imagine she won’t get near as much combat experience from this as she’s hoping,” Iana said.

“She’s set up residence? Like a ghost castle or something?” Ilea asked.

“It’s proven… difficult, I believe. She doesn’t really have a use for most mundane equipment. A bed, walls, things like that. But I believe she’s figuring things out with Goliath and the Meadow. A heated debate as I understand. Her home looks more like an art gallery right now,” Iana said.

“Interesting topics but we’re here to set up a gate,” Christ said.

Iana nodded and started to point at the first pieces.

Ilea teleported them out of the crate and made them float with her space manipulation. They were already done a few minutes later, everything fitting with a satisfying precision.

“Praise to the Meadow,” Iana said.

“Don’t make it a god again,” Ilea said, rolling her eyes.

“My next evolution could allow for divine enchantments. That’s rare, Ilea. Just haven’t convinced the tree of their potential yet,” Iana said.

“That doesn’t sound like something you’d be interested in,” Ilea said.

“Not interested in using. I’m interested in learning from them. To siphon power from a god like creature into preset enchantments. Understanding how that works could solve a lot of problems inherent in the limitations of enchanting,” the woman said and summoned a key. She stepped over to a small control panel and inserted the device. Magic flowed from her into the ground as the gate hummed to life.

She removed the key and stepped onto the platform. “Fellow teleporters, please enter the designated space.”

Ilea couldn’t help but smile back, her enthusiasm infectious. Thousands will experience this in the coming years.

“The first official teleport between Morhill and Hallowfort,” she spoke before kissing Chris.

All three of them vanished a moment later, the space magic smooth and non threatening.

Ilea couldn’t help but marvel at the ease at which the fabric moved, their position changed until they were no longer in the southern plains but far north and in the domain of the Endless Meadow.

“Welcome back,” the being spoke. “Not exactly a step for my great self, but a monumental leap for the species of Elos.”

“How do you even know that quote?” Ilea asked.

Iana and Chris separated, both smiling at each other.

“I just made that up, Ilea. But your language has so few words and such a limited scope, I’m reasonably sure everything that can be said with it has already been spelled out,” the being answered.

“Fair enough. Can’t all have a set of eldritch brains,” she answered and addressed the enchanters. “Where to now?”

“Riverwatch,” Iana said immediately.

And so they moved through the lands, Ilea’s gates and long range teleportation allowing them to set up the first teleportation gates within the Plains and beyond. Riverwatch had already set up a structure outside the city, the gate inlaid and its counterpart added to one of Morhill’s halls. A few hours later, Yinnahall was connected too.

Ilea grinned when they reappeared in the north, using only the available gates and their own mana to power them. “It’s all coming together.”

“Yes. That’s the whole point. I’m glad you finally understood it too,” the Meadow mused.

She ignored the comment, more than happy with the progress.

Chapter 729 Desert

Chapter 729 Desert

“The first gates are set up,” Ilea said to Claire.

“Wonderful. We’ll send representatives to the three cities immediately,” the woman answered. “Do you have time for another flight?”

“Depends where,” Ilea said.

“The Pit. Bralin helped us with the communication and already suggested various trade agreements. He’s surprisingly knowledgeable about the town’s resources for a mere mechanic,” she said.

“Hah, yeah. I suppose he is,” Ilea mused. “I’ll deliver the letter to their current Champion. I’ll make sure we can get there faster as well.”

“If that’s a possibility. We didn’t plan to involve them for another week but the faster we can get everything rolling, the better,” Claire said with a smile. “Everyone is excited. I also drafted something for the Empress, that’s less of a priority though. With their resources, they’ll be ready in a few hours at most.”

“Ready to receive a gate of their own?” Ilea asked.

“Indeed. Their use is impossible without the tuned keys of course, and I’d like to have a guard or two present to make sure they don’t already take it apart,” she said.

“Well, they have a Fae… so I wouldn’t be too sure they can’t figure it out,” Ilea mused.

“That’s why we bought up the entire stock of several rarely used metals. Even if they happen to have a few of them stored, it would take them years to set up their own network. And I would imagine they’d start with their own Empire and Baralia. A plan for such is already offered in the letter, with us providing the gates of course. I doubt the Empress would refuse, not after what you told me about your meeting… and subsequent spar,” Claire said with a slight smirk.

“Didn’t expect you to move so quickly with them,” Ilea said.

Claire shrugged. “A half elf and a Fae change things considerably. We might not think much of those secrets but the Empress knows what kind of damage their revelation could cause within their nobility. As does our own Council.”

“I do hope you’re not threatening them,” Ilea said as she received the communication.

“Not at all. But I can’t remove the unspoken implication. The mere fact that you found those secrets gives us a lot of leeway when dealing with Lys. I’m very grateful for that, even if Alyris has been very accommodating so far. Our dealings should be even more smooth now, and I’ll make sure to play fair,” Claire answered.

“Make sure you do. Wouldn’t want to see you turn into another powerhungry ruler,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Right hand you mean. Of the powerhungry ruler I decided to serve. The Meadow that is,” Claire said.

“I see it’s infecting everyone’s minds already,” Ilea mused.

“Well I’m sure you had nothing to do with its behavior,” Claire answered.

“And you’re even blaming me. What has the world come to,” Ilea said. “I’ll go deliver your letters.”

The flight to the Pit was rather quick from the starting point of Riverwatch, the settlement considerably closer to the Naraza mountain chain than Hallowfort. Ilea stopped just above the entrance and summoned her war machine. Its weight pulled her down until she impacted with a majestic boom. Her own weight certainly didn’t have anything to do with it. It was all the machine.

Spells were readied as the dust settled, her booming voice resounding through the crevice. “I’m back.”

Cheers came from the poor sods burdened with guard duty, the gate opened immediately upon her declaration.

Ilea made her way inside and down to the settlement, training her boost chambers in her legs to get down to the entrance. Her head caught on the ceiling with the first try, her entire form flipping once before she impacted the ground with a heavy strike. Getting up was a task in itself but she managed thanks to the boosters and her space manipulation. The next try went better but she still fell another four times until she arrived, covered in dust and debris, the guards with weapons drawn and their war machines at the ready.

“Welcome, Lilith,” one of them said as he checked behind her. “Did a monster get inside?”

“Just me,” she answered with her deep voice. “I’d like to meet the Champion.”

“Aren’t… you, technically the Champion?” the other guard asked.

“No. I’m most certainly not,” Ilea answered. She didn’t want a ruling position. Not here, not anywhere. A veto right perhaps, at most. Just to make sure nobody would suddenly declare fascism or slavery a fun new trend.

“Please enter, we will inform the Champion of your arrival,” the first guard said and stepped inside.

Ilea followed and waited near the entrance, the view of the entire town still quite impressive. She set one of her gate marks. Just the one left, and I need it to connect to the others. She could remove the one in Riverwatch or the one at the edge of the Meadow’s domain at any time but for now she didn’t see a reason to do so.

It didn’t take long for Helwart to arrive personally, his large war machine landing near her. He tapped his helmet.

“Scared someone might listen?” she asked.

“Yer back earlier than I thought, Lilith. Gossip spreads faster in this town than a wildfire down in yer human lands,” he spoke. “You wish to stay or is it something urgent?”

“I bring news from the Meadow Accords. I did mention a potential alliance,” she said and summoned the letter, teleporting the thing into his large metal hand.

The dwarf made it vanish.

His armor counts as his body? Ilea wondered. That’s at least how most storage items worked and she hadn’t detected any active space magic.

“Hmm. Yes. This is workable. We would like to meet these Councils. I’ll need a day to convince the proud folks of our proud former prison,” the dwarf said. “Do you wish to stay? I’m sure your journey was long.”

“I’m fine,” Ilea said. “I’ll be back in a day.”

“Wonderful. Also… a working teleportation gate will be more convincing than anything I can present,” he added.

“I think seeing the Meadow and our allies will do the trick just fine,” Ilea said with a smile. “Until tomorrow, Helwart.”

She made her war machine vanish and stepped through a thin fissure, vanishing from the Pit.

“Madwoman,” the dwarf sent just before the fissure closed.

“That’s one of them,” Ilea mused, stretching as she walked towards the soul forge. Riverwatch is probably the closest to Virilya. Until the gates are active that is. All that saved time. She watched the people work, walls and buildings added to the domain of the Meadow. Paved roads now led down towards the Descent and up towards Hallowfort, a large defensible building now located where the gate to Morhill had been placed. “I hope you declared the borders. Wouldn’t want you to feel cramped in your own home.”

“Physical space is hardly a concern, Ilea,” the Meadow replied.

“Good. But still, make sure you don’t let them walk all over you,” she said.

“Not all of them can fly,” the being answered in a matter of fact tone.

Ilea smiled and addressed Claire. “The Champion of the Pit is ready to meet the council in one day. I assume with the most important people in the city.”

“That’s good news. We will be ready to receive them. If a gate is required for them to come, we can provide one,” Claire answered.

“No need. I’ll get them here myself. You can discuss the gate then,” Ilea said.

“Wonderful. Thank you, Ilea,” the woman said and nodded her way, back to her previous discussion a moment later.

To Virilya then, Ilea thought and opened a fissure to the depths of Karth. The mark reset, she continued to Riverwatch, doing the same there.

The flight to Virilya turned out uneventful. She didn’t even land near the gates but simply flew past the wall, her path intercepted by a group of flying guards.

“Welcome, Sentinel. May we see your badge?” the leader said, a respectful distance between his form and hers. The other guards stayed near him, their posture not suggesting aggression.

Ilea summoned the small winged badge and threw it his way. No longer immediately Lilith, she mused. Even with her mantle and wings. Doing a wonderful job, my little healers. I’ve got to visit them again to train a little… show my appreciation. She noted that one of the guards tensed up a little. Did that get through… how very perceptive, she thought, watching the woman squirm a little.

“That’s alright. Welcome to Virilya, Sentinel. Do contact the guard if there is anything you need,” the leader said and threw the badge back.

Ilea caught the thing and made it vanish. More respectful than they are to the Shadow’s Hand. Curious. She wondered how much of that had to do with her very recent battle below the central district. “Thank you, captain,” she said with a smile, glancing at the woman to the right. The last word she infused with monster hunter, just for the fun of it. She didn’t stay to watch the frozen guards, though she did note that the leader remained unaffected. Experienced, that one.

He had been just above level two hundred, which meant he had faced quite a slew of high level creatures. Maybe the others just got a level or two as well.

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 18’

Oh come on, how is this torture? You should see the Sentinel headquarters.

She deactivated her mantle and landed near the Halls of Eternity. Others did the same as she arrived, walking the rest of the way to their destinations. She simply waited, her arms crossed.

Heron stepped next to her a moment later.

“You’re still invisible,” she noted.

“One small win for the Immortal Guard,” he mused. “What brings you back so soon?”

“You sound thrilled to see me,” Ilea said and summoned the letter.

He received it and made it vanish. “You work fast.”

“Long range teleportation,” she sent with a grin. “I’ll be back in a day, for whatever correspondence you’ll have.”

“We appreciate it,” Heron said. “A safe journey to you.”

“That’s the opposite of what I want. I’ll see you around,” Ilea mused and spread her wings, a few people nearby glancing their way.

Heron vanished as she ascended. A few minutes of flight brought her out into the wilderness, far enough away from the city to be sure nobody was around. Ilea landed in a clearing, sitting down on a large rock that overlooked a nearby pond. A breeze moved through her hair, the suns shining down on her. About noon, I suppose.

“Esteemed librarian of the Shadow’s Hand, Dagon Keywire

I have been informed that you have inquired about an individual named Scipio. I would like to invite you to discuss his whereabouts in person.

Regards,

Evan Trayne”

She read through the letter. It’s been a while. I wonder if this invitation is even still valid. It’s not exactly for me either. She summoned her notebook and put the letter inside, flipping pages until she got to a rough map of the known human lands. The Foundation was marked at the very bottom, in the middle of the Isanna desert. Let’s see what that place is all about, and if they really have a key.

Ilea spread her wings and charged them. The flight would take a few hours, even at her speed. She stored her notebook and shot off into the distance. The desert itself she would find with ease. And if the Foundation had a key, she’d have no trouble finding it too.

When she crossed over the last mountain chain of Kroll, Ilea summoned her locator. She floated in the air and watched the arrow move. It stopped aiming towards the south, the middle of the desert.

I’m glad I don’t have to make that journey on foot, Ilea thought. She looked up, straight into one of the two suns. Her irises resisted the damage its light would’ve dealt to a weaker human. Or without Heat and Light Resistances. She smiled and once more charged her wings.

A moment later she was gone.

Ilea stopped every half hour to check the locator. The dunes looked endless and unforgiving, even with her enhanced sight. An occasional outcrop of mountains showed in the distance, barely recognizable in the heated air. A few hours later, she found the arrow pointing eastward. I passed it. She checked the angle and flew off, soon making out a group of high reaching mountains in the distance. Five in total, one reaching perhaps a kilometer in height. She slowed down and circled around the distant landmark, her locator confirming that the key was there.

Splendid, she thought. A glance down revealed the top bit of a monster vanishing back into the sand. Aw, didn’t want to come take a bite? She descended a little and landed in the sand, hoping the creature would show up but it seemed the thing could tell she wouldn’t be easy pickings.

This place should be pretty fucking hard to find, let alone get to. And yet it’s well known within the human Plains. She flew low over the dunes, stopping a few kilometers away from the walled off valley entrance. Are those palm trees? She squinted her eyes and indeed saw lush green colors between the rocky exterior. An oasis armored by literal mountains. She twitched a few dozen meters later, ready to dodge an attack when she realized what she saw was the reflection of the suns. No neighbors to complain about it I suppose. She wondered if this was the way to find the Foundation in the first place.

Her approach was stopped a few hundred meters before the wall, a group of sand mages approaching through the desert as if on skies. They formed a half circle about twenty meters away from her, all wearing bone armor, all of them masked.

[Sand Mage – lvl 229]

They all had similar Classes. Specialized it seemed to the Foundation.

One of them signed to another, the latter rushing back to the mountains. The first approached on foot, her demeanor casual. She took off her mask to reveal bronze skin and green eyes. Three distinct scars were visible on her cheek, black hair going down her back. She stopped a few meters in front of Ilea and bowed. “Greetings. Lilith of Ravenhall. Welcome, to the Foundation of Glass.”

“Nice to meet you,” Ilea said, a glance to the fast moving guard that had left.

“To announce your arrival. Our walls are open to all, but for an individual such as yourself, we may make arrangements. May I ask the purpose of your visit?” the woman said.

“Sure. I wanted to meet Evan Trayne. We received an invitation some time ago in relation to some… inquiries. Perhaps he would be inclined to meet me instead?” Ilea said and summoned the invitation.

The woman approached. “I will not read what is within. That I swear.”

“No need to swear on it,” Ilea said and handed over the letter.

The woman gestured for another and handed him the thing. She signed something with her hands and the man rushed off. “May we escort you to the Foundation? I will inform you as soon as we know more about the status of your invitation.”

The pleasures and problems with being famous. Ilea would’ve liked to explore the place in her own pace. She’d be closer to her actual goal here with the help of these bone armored sand mages but it just sucked the fun out of it. “Can I just go in myself? I’d much rather explore a little. I’m sure you’ll find me once you have any news.”

The woman looked at her for a few seconds before she bowed. “As you wish, Lady Lilith.” She signed something to the others and they left. And that was that.

“Oh,” Ilea mused, now once more standing alone in the desert. They actually respected it. She grinned and spread her wings. This time she didn’t charge them and instead leisurely flew the rest of the distance. The mountains to each side of the valley were dark and jagged, high reaching like the tower peaks of Victorian architecture. The sands ended just in front of the twenty meter high walls of stone. If she hadn’t seen what lay beyond, she would’ve thought it an abandoned dam.

The gates were slightly ajar, a group of level two hundred guards in bone armor standing nearby. Three of them had set up a table and were playing cards, two more engaged in a heated debate, speaking a language Ilea didn’t understand. It all seemed rather lax. Her dominion revealed their tension, each one of them ready to jump up at a moment’s notice, each glancing at her when she didn’t look their way. They didn’t fake their card game, nor was the debate made up. What she gathered from the scene was experience beyond anything she had seen with human city guards. They reminded her more of Shadows or high level adventurers.

Beyond the gate, the heat immediately dropped. It hadn’t bothered her, but then again she enjoyed lava baths. A paved road led up to a long stairwell, steep mountain walls going up on each side. Ilea noticed more than a few enchantments, both in the wall and beyond. Claire would be proud, she mused and started walking up the stairs.

She reached the top a few minutes later and found an expansive space between the high reaching mountains. Trees of various species stood between meadows lush with flowers. Creeks rolled down through the landscape, forming into a lake to her right. Birds, frogs, and fish moved in the waters, a few water mages meditating near the scene with spheres of liquid floating near their sitting forms. Buildings made of stone, sand, and wood stood interspersed within the landscape, the trees growing more dense to her left, houses made of wood set between the highest trunks.

Stairs led up to where she had seen the bright reflection, monuments of glass visible despite the steep angle. Symbols she didn’t recognize. She took in a deep breath and smiled, the air clear and warm. She looked around and aimed for a stand. Now to try the local foods.

Chapter 730 Founder

Chapter 730 Founder

Ilea finished the last skewer as she walked up the broad stairwell set into the mountain side. She looked at the glass monuments on top, their surface almost glistening with light. Probably some kind of runes. They weren’t a set she was familiar with but she wasn’t exactly an authority on runic or linguistic knowledge. Didn’t even learn Elos standard myself.

She reached a plateau about halfway up the mountain, no stairs leading further up. The space looked natural but a skilled earth mage could’ve likely achieved something similar with enough time and care. No vegetation decorated the space, instead she saw steaming pools of water, interspersed by gravel walkways and glass arches. Such a peculiar style. She looked at the large building at the back, set against the mountain side itself. Spires reached up towards the sky, at least twenty meters in height, various floors with lavish balconies and massive windows intersected the design, all of it in a silver like tint. The glass surface made everything almost see through but never quite enough to actually recognize what was within, even to someone like Ilea.

Light broke in mesmerizing patterns, each step closer entirely shifting the angles. Ilea assumed to someone without high light magic resistance, the entire structure would change shape, parts of it vanishing and others appearing with every meter closer. The changes were too extreme not to be deliberate. It was more a castle than a burg. There were no battlements or walls. She would’ve thought it a tourist attraction or fancy hotel, maybe even a ludicrously expensive art installation. The size of it all gave her pause however, the entire structure several hundred meters in length.

People wearing light brown robes or bone armor came and went, some in entirely different styles and colors much like in the oasis below. She got a few looks but none lingered.

Silver gates of thick glass rested against reflective walls, the entrance open to all it seemed. No guards stood to its side.

Ilea strolled into the building, noting the drop in temperature. The floors and walls inside were made of glass just like the outside, magical light coming from orbs fastened to the ceilings and walls. It seemed almost dark until she realized the mere absence of bright reflections. Nearly more impressive than the outside. Eh, who am I kidding, it’s not.

Corridors led away from the entrance hall, doors and stairwells visible all around. Ilea walked to the counter at the back of the hall, a brown haired woman sitting on a glass chair, reading a book with a bored expression on her face.

She wore a light brown ensemble. Not quite a dress and not quite robes. It looked custom made to say the least. Legs crossed, she looked up when Ilea approached. Her book closed with a careful motion. “Welcome. You must be Lilith.”

“Did my incredible charisma give it away?” Ilea asked, still looking around until she focused on the woman.

“I was informed. Evan Trayne is ready to meet you, whenever you are inclined to do so. I can give you a tour or you can explore yourself if you wish,” the woman said.

[Librarian – lvl 279]

Impressive level for a librarian. Even Dagon isn’t that high, Ilea thought. “If he’s ready, I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“Certainly, please follow me,” the woman said and vanished, appearing next to the counter where she turned and waited.

Ilea joined her and was led through glass corridors, up a few stairwells, and finally out onto a terrace near the top of the structure.

“If you have any questions, feel free to find me,” the woman said and left.

“I will, thank you,” she said and walked towards the open space.

A man in sand colored robes sat on a blue carpet, magical runes depicted on the fabric. He had his back to her, his eyes closed and breathing steady. Black wavy hair fell down his back, his skin near as dark. The clean shaven face gave her the impression of a man in his mid twenties, maybe even younger than her.

[Sand Mage – lvl ??]

Ilea walked a little closer when she raised her brows. Two marks? That doesn’t make any sense. Veteran seemed confused as well, the ability gauging him at a level similar to hers but it failed to pin point anything. Her instincts told her he was powerful, but nothing like a four mark. His clothes coupled with the calm demeanor didn’t suggest a three mark mage but then she herself often preferred to present such an image.

She didn’t say a word and walked past him, leaning against the glass railings and looking over the Foundation below, the oasis, mountains, and finally the endless sands. The view in Arkamp had been nice but this was something entirely different. It felt like looking out onto the ocean. One unmoving and burning with the suns. It was calm. Entirely so. Ilea took in a deep breath and closed her eyes.

For a few minutes she remained silent, simply enjoying the calm space. Soon she started to take in her host, her dominion grasping at his magic, his heartbeat, the breaths he took. He seemed entirely calm, relaxed, as if part of the scenery. She turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his as he opened them. A deep green.

“May I offer you some tea?” he asked, his voice deep.

Ilea watched him for a moment. “Sure, I’d love some tea.”

He smiled, eyes closing with the gesture as he stood up. He wasn’t much taller than her.

She followed him into a gazebo like structure made of glass, tables and chairs set up within. Ilea sat down after he gestured to a set. She watched him work, the man activating runes to summon a small flame. He filled a round kettle with water and set it down, preparing leaves and spices from a variety of jars and containers.

He finally turned around and waited, looking at her.

“I expected you to be more talkative,” she said after a while.

He smiled. “I am a keeper of knowledge,” he answered, pouring two cups through a thin sieve. He set them down and sat opposite her. “Though I make exceptions. You don’t think me rude, do you?”

“You offered me tea. I don’t think someone I’d consider rude would do such a thing,” Ilea said.

He took a sip and sighed, savoring the taste for a moment. “The leaves and spices we grow ourselves, here in this quiet garden at the end of the world. A long time has it been, for a guest quite as interesting as yourself to arrive here.”

“You’re a three mark, aren’t you?” Ilea asked.

He waved his hand.

[Sand Mage – lvl 548]

“Not many know of this. I offer this to you as a gesture of trust, though I understand you are one to do so easily,” he said.

“Perhaps too easily,” Ilea admitted and drank from the tea. His reaction to the brew had been adequate. She deactivated Monstrous.

The man paused for a while, drinking from his tea in silence as he watched her. “Why is that?”

Ilea thought about it for a while. “I had little reason to distrust people when growing up. And now… well.”

“Now, it would be unwise to deceive you. The great Lilith,” he said and spread his arms, no mockery in his tone. “There are questions I have, though should you be in a hurry, we may focus on the reason you’re here.”

“You’re aware of that reason?” Ilea asked, her brows rising.

The man laughed. “We know many things, but not all. There is much one such as you could learn from the Foundation of Glass. I understand you were looking for an individual named Scipio some time ago? Perhaps your search has led you here after all.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” Ilea admitted. She drank more tea.

The man leaned back. “Then you do not seem to be in a hurry. I’m curious about your upbringing. You had little reason to distrust people. Perhaps an understanding house of nobility, in a secluded corner of the world?”

“Is that how you think I grew up?” Ilea asked. She was deliberately difficult with her information, just to see how much the man knew. He was a three mark after all, and perhaps as old as Scipio himself. If he was indeed the original founder.

“No. I believe you are a realm traveler. On purpose or on accident. The latter I assume, due to your fast rise in power. Early reports suggest you learned of the Azarinth Order in one of the ruined temples, came to Riverwatch and trained to be an adventurer. It’s fortunate that you survived the ingestion of the Bluemoon Grass,” he said with some barely concealed disdain. “Azarinth magic will have catapulted your growth. It’s quite a powerful Class, in the right hands.”

“Your assumption is right. I grew up in another realm. In a country where crime was relatively low. People had little incentive to deceive a teenager or young adult, and if they did it was hardly life threatening. You sound like you knew the Order. Are they still around?” Ilea said. She knew that this conversation was an exchange of information as much as a pleasant afternoon tea.

“You were fortunate then. I too have arrived here in these lands without choice. My brothers and sisters, lost in the lands of my forefathers. They thought me dead, I’m sure,” he said though his voice held little emotion. A retelling of history.

“I’m sorry,” Ilea said.

“Don’t be. This has happened a long time ago. And what I felt then was guilt, more than anything. These lands are forgiving. Lush with water and food. With life. I don’t remember much, of the realm where I was born, but I do remember the sands. Endless much like these,” he said and gestured outwards. “I know of one that remains once of the Azarinth Order, though he does not consider himself one of theirs. Perhaps some of his followers have survived until now but I deem it unlikely. It has been… a long time.”

“How long exactly?” Ilea asked.

He grinned. “You seem to have an idea.”

Ilea smiled back. “I have heard of a sand creator… one that went south, to found a library of sorts. The source on this is from Rhyvor. A kingdom most have forgotten,” she said and leaned forward. “I’m wondering if I’m speaking to that very same man.”

“Rhyvor,” he said, tasting the word. “That is not a name I’ve heard in a long time. Not until last year that is, when Maro Invalar showed up in the Plains, spending coin on drugs and mistresses. I was quite surprised… but you are indeed the missing puzzle to that confusing resurgence.”

“I got him out, yes. He was stuck inside a necromantic device that kept his city guard alive. Against an invasion that happened… four, five, maybe six thousand years ago,” she said.

“It shouldn’t have been much more than three,” the man replied. “Though it’s a shame, what happened to the north.”

Ilea grinned. “You are the same man.”

They remained in silence for a while.

“Who is he? The Azarinth healer?” she asked.

“I believe he called himself their First Hunter. Before…” he spoke.

“Before the war? With the Ascended?” Ilea offered.

“Indeed. You know much for someone as new to these lands. Most have long forgotten,” he said.

“But you didn’t. You mentioned the north as well. Which means you didn’t forget the third sun,” Ilea said.

He nodded silently. “I believe we should move this discussion to my office. Though nobody should be listening, one can never be too sure. The secrets you share so openly have been kept in the deepest of our vaults for millennia.”

“You know you can just say that you’re impressed,” Ilea said as she stood up.

“Concerned more than impressed. You are invoking names and events that perhaps no human ever should,” he spoke.

Oh? Did I just find the reason why nobody remembers any of this?

“Is that a threat?” she asked.

He stood up and looked at her with a smile. “No. Not at all. We are different, you and I, Ilea. We both seek to uncover the secrets held in ancient ruins. But you fight the monsters long forgotten, shake the foundations set by those who think themselves in control. I on the other hand, have remained here. I have taken this piece of the world that nobody else deemed worthy, and I have built on it. My goal is to learn and preserve.”

“I assume it’s been working out well,” Ilea said.

“I am still alive after all. You’re not the first to rise in such a way, and you won’t be the last. With the level you are at, you must be aware of the unimaginable creatures lurking in the dark. And you know that if you stay on your path, there will come a day when you die,” he said.

Ilea grinned. “And what a day that will be.”

The man laughed. “Indeed. I hope to hear the songs of bards. But I will be honest, most of the time people like you simply vanish.”

“Do you mean three mark humans? Have there been that many?” she asked.

“As always, too focused on these numbers. I have met Shadows that have reached the three hundreds in mere months. Some of my trainees have pushed far beyond what I thought possible. Neither remain among the living. Both you and I are proof of what humanity can accomplish. Your healer Class may keep you alive for longer than most,” he said.

“Is that what you hope for?” Ilea asked, following him back inside.

“I do not wish for your death, Lilith. The longer you rise, the more will be uncovered, and the more can be learned,” he spoke.

The man led her down into the depths, glass soon replaced by hard stone, all of it enchanted. They continued in silence as people walked by, many of them greeting the man. Finally they came upon a double door, Evan leading her inside before he shut the door.

His office was rather modest. Shelves with books, magical lamps much like the ones in the corridors outside, a desk and chair but nothing fancy.

Ilea assumed he didn’t remain here often. The enchantments were certainly impressive.

“You spoke of the third sun. What do you know of what happened three thousand years ago?” he asked and sat down.

“I’m interested in what You know about it,” Ilea answered. She sat down on an ashen chair instead of the less comfortable option.

“The Ascended came to this realm. According to Taleen records, much earlier than what most of the involved factions believed. Or believe. I’m not aware of all the hidden knowledge kept by powerful mages, factions, and nobility. Some likely still remains. They set up facilities to collect mana, deep within the depths of these lands. The process likely continued for hundreds of years until they were ready. We are unfamiliar with the specifics but a sun was taken from the very skies of Elos. This event led to a cataclysmic shift in the very fabric of the world,” he said.

“And the North was destroyed in the process. Arcane storms and Miststalkers instead of human kingdoms and a lush frontier,” Ilea added.

“Oh not just the north, Ilea. The Isanna desert was hardly worth the paint on a map before this event took place. And now it’s a desert larger than the Plains themselves. Everything was impacted, some places more than others. Why such differences were present, I do not know. The Plains remained mostly livable, though it took time for balance to return,” he explained.

“Why keep this knowledge hidden then? I don’t see the benefit,” Ilea said.

He scratched his chin and leaned back in his chair. “Fear perhaps? Hate? Do you know of the alliance and the war?”

“Elves, Taleen, and humans, all working together to invade… the Great Salt. To fight the Ascended,” she said.

“And yet are Elves not the most hated species by human kind? Times have changed. Though recent attacks have fanned old fires, there was a time the Plains only remained stable due to the fear of a common enemy,” he explained.

“Sounds like something the Lily would consider,” Ilea said.

“You have been contacted then. A reasonable possibility but no. The Lily is old but it formed after the war, and I do not believe the people involved would have gone after such knowledge,” he said.

“Another faction then,” Ilea mused.

“Perhaps. I have considered non human intervention too. You must understand that the Plains themselves weren’t quite as affected. Many thought it a natural disaster, and of those there are hundreds every decade. Generations over generations soon forgot, written records vanishing in turn,” he said and tapped the table.

“You seem to like a theory in particular,” Ilea suggested.

“Do you know how the war ended?” he asked.

“I know the alliance returned and split up. I know the Taleen and Elves had a war of their own shortly after, which suggests the Ascended were defeated. The Azarinth Order died out, and I don’t know what other human factions were involved,” she said.

“All those notable. To correct something, the Azarinth Order didn’t die out. They were eradicated. They grasped for too much power and were spread too thin. After the war had ended, the enemies they had made over the centuries used the opportunity to strike back. And they had made a lot of enemies,” he said. “Your knowledge of the Ascended… I’m curious as to the extent of it.”

“I don’t think they lost exactly,” Ilea said.

Chapter 731 Exchange

Chapter 731 Exchange

Evan looked at her for a while. “I’m certainly interested in your source. What makes you think the Ascended were not defeated?”

“Because I met one,” she said.

He leaned forward a little. “You did?”

“Yes,” Ilea said. “As to the reason why I’m here. Your Foundation is in the possession of a Taleen artifact. It should identify as a key of sorts. I would like to have it.”

“The Bronze Key. Indeed. One part of a set. Many have speculated on what exactly the keys open. I suppose you would know?” Evan asked.

“That is not information I’m willing to share,” Ilea said.

He considered. “And you’re willing to take this artifact by force, should I refuse?”

“I don’t need force. I assume you’re aware of my third Class,” she said.

“Space magic, it is said. Though you’re giving us too much credit. The reports on this are unclear. You just confirmed them,” he said. “Your Taleen treasure… where did you meet the Ascended?”

“In a dungeon called the Descent. You might be familiar with the facility. It existed when Rhyvor was still around,” she said. “It appeared at the very bottom of the dungeon, spoke of an intruder and attacked me. It didn’t take me seriously and I managed to escape, just barely.”

“It didn’t reveal anything about its presence in Elos?” he asked.

“Not exactly. And the facility was destroyed afterwards. He was a metal creator and he did mention the Azarinth order,” she said.

“Which means he was around during the war. This is concerning news. I had hoped they had given up on this realm but it seems some of them remain. As to my theory, I think it’s possible the Ascended have removed the knowledge of the event we have discussed before,” he said.

“For us to forget the threat?” Ilea asked. Nes said she didn’t think anybody still cared about Elos. What are the chances that she was wrong? The one in the Descent seemed mostly there to catch an invader into one of his testing labs.

“Potentially, though other possibilities exist. And even my Seekers cannot find or enter their facilities. It would require someone of your power to even just survive. Though finding them remains the main problem, and the Taleen are gone, their knowledge lost. Hundreds of years of searching,” he said.

Ilea wasn’t quite as convinced about an Ascended threat. Evan didn’t seem to have a direct Ascended source, nor did he even mention Khor or the Navuun. He assumed they didn’t exactly lose but he didn’t know about the internal conflicts. The main reason the forces of Elos weren’t entirely destroyed upon their invasion.

“You seem quite interested for someone that stays so far removed from the Plains,” Ilea said.

He sighed. “I am tired, of conflict. I have always been tired of it. I grew up trying to survive, trying to find a home, stability. I thought that once we could achieve such, that harmony would prevail. My arrival here proved such idealistic notions wrong. Immediately. I have no interest in the struggles for power, not beyond the documentation of history itself. So that future generations may learn, so that we may stay on the path. We have watched the balance of the world, have seen nations rise and fall, have seen monsters spill out of dungeons, laying waste to entire cities. I have seen… dragons, Ilea. Never will I forget their roars, the very ground shattering as they clashed in fury. And yet nothing has come close to that day, when the sky darkened and the very fabric of magic itself felt as if ripped apart. It affected all. Life itself in this very realm. An intrusion into the natural order so unholy, even the Elven domains moved, working with humans and dwarfs to fight this threat. And everyone agreed. For a time,

“Yes, I am interested. To know if this ancient threat remains, and to know if there is something we can do to prevent another event such as it was,” he finished.

“I’ll keep an eye out,” Ilea said. “But as you said, it’s not exactly easy to find these underground facilities. Even just Taleen dungeons are more something randomly stumbled upon than searched for,” she said.

“Indeed,” Evan said. “Though we have records of many of their facilities, should you be interested in that. Perhaps you could find further knowledge on the Ascended.”

“Are you hiring me as one of your Seekers?” she asked with a smile.

“I wish I could, though I believe you understand the potential threat. Your Medic Sentinels are proof that you are not entirely absorbed by power,” he said.

“Thanks. I’ll have a look at the locations you have,” she said. Maybe some are no longer part of their network or not accessible through it.

Evan motioned with his hand and one of the doors opened.

A man clad in the same sand colored robes entered, holding a chest with both hands. He set it down on the table and bowed before he left.

Evan opened it to reveal one of the Taleen keys. “I assume this is what you were looking for?”

[The Bronze Key – Ancient Quality]

“Yes, that’s one of them,” Ilea said.

“You offered me some things to consider. I believe we have nothing to gain from withholding this artifact, though if you will, I have some questions,” Evan said.

“Go for it, I’ll let you know if I know something or if I can’t answer,” she said.

“The metals Ravenhall has been buying in all of the Plains. The expansion of Morhill… can you tell me anything about that?” he asked.

Don’t see why not. “We figured out long range teleportation gates. Morhill is to become a hub of sorts,” she said. Good way to find out if his faction will get involved as well. “I’m sure your Foundation could be included as well.”

The man looked at her for a moment before he started laughing. “Oh… this is… even bigger than we expected. Secrets uncovered in the north?”

“Not really. I met a very powerful space magic creature on my travels. It helped us quite a bit in understanding the technology,” she said.

“The realm you entered from Baralia?” he asked.

“You know of it?” Ilea said.

“Rumors only. Lys is not easy to gain information from. And everything on this was top secret. Though I understand the gate was closed yet again, which makes me think a space mage was involved,” he said. “Or someone very versed in blood rituals. Michael Elyse was said to be, and I quote… furious, at the closure of the gate. I doubt it was him.”

“Well, it should be more or less public knowledge soon enough but yes. I brought back a powerful being from Erendar,” she said.

“That is quite a risk to take. And why we most certainly won’t be agreeing to a teleportation gate in or close to the Foundation,” Evan said.

“Understandable,” she answered. “I’m sure your Seekers have trained a long time to be able to navigate and survive the desert.”

“Indeed. Our location is one of our greatest assets, and the main reason we’re still around after all this time,” he said. “However, teleportation gates are certainly going to change things in the Plains. I assume other species will become interested too. As to my next question. What do you know of Elven kind?”

“I know they remain within their Domains most of the time. I know they have something called Oracles, which seem to be the highest ranked in their societies. I know the Elves that attacked and destroyed many of the independent cities in the west were young inexperienced idiots who don’t exactly consider human life worthwhile,” she explained.

“And how exactly have you come to this information?” Evan asked.

“I met an elf in the north. One that did attack me but was open for discussion once he failed to kill me. He… struggled, with his place in their society and the world,” she said.

“Does this artifact have anything to do with that?” Evan asked.

You already know the answer to that, she thought. “I’m not going to answer that question.”

He grinned and shoved the chest over. “If you are helping the Cerithil Hunters… I hope you understand the potential ramifications among your human allies. Wars have been started over less.”

He might not know of Syrithis then.

Ilea didn’t comment on his potential speculation, storing the key within her domain.

“Who is the Azarinth Healer that you mentioned?” she asked instead. He had deemed her information enough to hand over the artifact. They were even once more.

“He split off from their Order. I know they tried and failed to apprehend him, even their most experienced hunters unable to even locate the man. Not until he started taunting them. We received a letter… a long time ago, mind you. A letter stating that the Azarinth Order was no more, the last First Hunter putting down his title and declaring the end of their existence. He had won, it seemed, and he wanted it documented by the oldest library in existence,” Evan explained. “Where he remains or if he truly is still alive, I don’t know, though I’m rather sure the latter is a given. They were notoriously hard to kill.”

“I get that often,” Ilea mused.

“I was wondering if you ever found Scipio,” Evan said.

“I did, but if you know him, you know that he travels around a lot. I met a girl, from the same realm as the one I’m from. He had protected her, always interested in realm travelers,” she said. “I believe he was around back before the war as well.”

“And he was involved in it, as far as I remember,” Evan said. “More than I. If you ever meet him again, let him know I’d be interested in talking.”

“I will,” Ilea said. Though she didn’t think the man was particularly keen on meeting Evan. “Have you heard of Audur?”

“The name is not familiar,” Evan said.

“Self proclaimed Guardian of the West. A dragon. I had hoped you could offer some insight,” she said.

“Those who meet dragons rarely survive, let alone learn of their names,” the man said. “I appreciate your addition. Did you fight it?”

“Her, I believe. And I can’t exactly call it a fight. She was playing with her food. Wood and life magic were her preferred magics,” Ilea explained.

“Peculiar, though what we know of dragons is that they’re more individual than most other species. Their overwhelming power is documented somewhat well however. Even among four marks they hold a high rank, perhaps the highest,” he said.

“Yeah. I haven’t exactly seen something stronger,” Ilea said. She genuinely didn’t know if the Fae was as powerful as Audur. Neither had shown her much of what they could really do and both their levels were pretty much off the charts. “What about you?”

“I would love to say I have, but at that stage it’s difficult to discern or compare. Even with four marks of a similar level, the differences can be staggering,” he said.

“True. Evan, you’re the first three mark human I meet. I know you said you disliked conflict, but are you interested in a fight?” Ilea asked.

He smiled. “I had expected the question earlier, with your reputation. And I don’t consider training one’s magical ability to be conflict. It’s become more of a… let’s say pastime. And I certainly understand your frustration. It’s difficult to find someone worthy at this stage, and teaching students is not quite the same.”

“So you’re the one training the sand and bone mages?” Ilea asked.

“Well, I started. At this point my responsibilities are not quite as extensive as they once were,” he said and stood up. “Let us move to the desert. I doubt we can truly test ourselves in any of our facilities. Azarinth magic has a way with enchantments after all.”

“You seem to know it well,” Ilea said.

“Well, I studied it for a few centuries. I even possess a few skills that were… inspired,” he added with a smile.

Ilea raised a brow. “You do?”

“Their power was once notorious. I had sources that claimed the Elders of the order had access to Bluemoon Grass without the same potential consequences but chose not to use it on their students. A way to ensure that commitment met expectations. I believe exactly that fear led to their near cult like fanaticism. It’s surprising still that battle healers remain rare. Near unheard of in this age, up until your rise to bardic fame. Ancient healing orders that disdain the idea for reasons they themselves have forgotten or eradicated on purpose, only to spite the legacy of the Azarinth Order,” he spoke and opened the door.

Ilea followed him back up again, soon reaching the same terrace they had talked on before.

If what he says is true, the Azarinth could’ve pushed humanity way past what they were before but instead they caused their own Order’s collapse and a subsequent removal of battle healers. Bunch of idiots.

“The Sentinels are going to change that notion,” Ilea said.

“Yes. I heard of your communication with the various healing orders. Some more subtle than others,” Evan said and walked to the side of the terrace where his form dissolved into sand.

Ilea blinked before she spread her wings and followed the thin mist that floated as if carried by wind. She descended down from the mountain and landed on the sand, Evan sitting a few meters away. “Is that your preferred method of flying?” she asked him.

“I do find wings a little… mundane. But then I’m quite old, I do not mean to offend,” he spoke.

“Well I am offended. Wings might be the best thing I got in this realm,” Ilea said.

“Then perhaps we shall revisit the topic of flight in another few centuries,” he said and stood up.

“Are you calling me immature?” Ilea asked.

The man smiled. “I am calling you young, Lilith, which is what you are.” He pointed southwards. “That way,” he said and dissolved again. This time the sand simply landed on the ground, his presence gone entirely.

Now that’s more like it, she thought, trying to find out what just happened. No trace of teleportation, just a bit of sand magic when he dissolved but that’s obvious. None of her skills showed anything else. She had to trust the direction he had pointed to. Exciting. Finally someone that doesn’t rely on conventional teleportation. Maybe his opinion on wings is somewhat forgivable.

She flew off, soon seeing a dot in the distance. He vanished again when she got closer. A few minutes of flight later, the dot didn’t move anymore.

“I believe this is far enough,” he said when she landed.

Ilea looked back. The mountains were a tiny speck to her enhanced vision. “Probably. Yeah.”

“Normally… I would offer a wager of sorts, to entice my opponent. You’re not quite like my usual challengers,” he spoke.

Ilea cracked her neck and formed her full mantle. “Let’s just start slow, get a feel for each other.” She formed fists and walked towards him. Two humans who have killed four marks with their own power. “Let’s see if you hold up to my expectations.”

“And you to your reputation,” Evan spoke. Bone started growing on his limbs and chest, his entire body quickly covered by the dense material. Three horns grew from each side of his helmet, runes etched into the bone mask that covered his face. He didn’t look much different to the guards she had seen before. The man raised his hand where a rapier of bone grew from his palm. He gripped it and changed into a fighting stance.

A test of skill then, she thought and advanced. Ilea didn’t try to run and maneuver on the sand, instead using her wings to close the distance at a very low flight. Her opponent remained on the ground. She first tried with speed along, adding feints here and there to get past his thin blade, his other hand to his back.

He kept up with her, sliding on the sand as if on invisible skates. The man didn’t just keep up, he soon pushed back, striking at her armor as he used the superior reach of his chosen weapon.

The exchange continued for near thirty seconds until Evan made some distance. They were close when it came to speed alone but Ilea had to admit his technique was flawless.

“You have precognition,” he said. “Or is it time magic?”

“Why do you think I use either?” Ilea asked, flying with a grin on her ash covered face.

“You’re not fast or good enough to avoid my blade. Your movements are skill driven. You’re using force and crutches where your experience fails you,” he spoke.

“You did say I was young,” Ilea answered. “And I wouldn’t call myself inexperienced when it comes to fighting.”

“You obviously are not. But I assume you have fought monsters more than sapient beings. Nor would you have had much need to adjust or improvise. Your sheer power is enough to overwhelm most. With your surely superior healing, you’d be difficult to slow down,” he said.

“I can’t say that you’re wrong. But I suppose it’s a little unfair if we both fight so restricted. And you’ve had a few more years to hone your skill with the blade,” she said, ashen limbs forming on her back.

“I did not mean to offend. I hope that is clear. Indeed, with our age if anything, my own power is an embarrassment. Though I came to enjoy calm meditation and tea more so than seeking another challenge in the frontiers of this world. Let us move on then,” Evan said as the sands shifted, his form firmly planted on a growing wave.

Ilea grinned as she advanced, either of them yet to land a hit or use teleportation.

Chapter 732 Sand Creator

Chapter 732 Sand Creator

Evan didn’t use the sand to carry him, nor did he use it to attack her. It felt more like he was a part of the element himself. A synergy that reminded her of creatures like the Lightning Elemental or the Fae, a part of their very self connected to the magic that they wielded.

She herself had gone through a few experiences that solidified her connection to her ash. She trusted it like she would an ally, knew that even if her mind was cut, she would be protected. A last defense, or a last attempt to strike back at her enemy. But what she saw from Evan made her feel both awe and envy. She was good enough to wield her ash like an extension of herself and it had taken her years of fighting to get that far. The man in front of her was one with his magic. There was no control, no extension, no relationship, just one being.

Her ashen limbs struck out at him as she flew, her foe spinning through the air, moving back and pushing forward within the sands, his blade finding openings through twenty four limbs of moving ash. It was true, her precognition was the only thing preventing a first strike. The damage she knew would be negligible, but it was a bout, and a question of pride. She didn’t rely on her skills alone, and had spent long periods of time fighting to better understand and incorporate her magic, but her ascent to the third mark had been quick. She wasn’t in denial either, of course she couldn’t match the trained skill of someone with thousands of years of experience, however little he fought in that time.

The question was if another one or two hundred levels wouldn’t just be able to overwhelm him anyway. She thought it a possibility, but it hardly mattered. Ilea didn’t much care about what would be better, she was merely excited to see how much progress she could still make. If I could move with my ash like he does with his sand.

A last spin and his rapier tapped her stomach, their fight coming to a stop as they made some distance between each other. The blade of course failed to penetrate her armor.

“You’re the best swordsman I’ve ever met,” she admitted.

“Thank you. Do let me know if you find someone you deem better. I pride myself in my ability. Your limbs are interesting. Some I feel you control with a more direct will and others… seem to move on their own. You’re on the right path I feel. Know that even with the manipulation skills you possess now, there is still a lot of potential. But I suppose with your fast growth you’ll have new versions before that potential is fully realized,” he said.

“And you think that’s not the best way to approach it?” Ilea asked.

“It’s merely a question of preparation. You can hone your skills for a hundred years without facing a single monster. Or you can fight monsters that could kill you for one month with the same direct results to your power. At our level… I’ve found personal training to be more satisfying. My place is with the Foundation. I tend to avoid extensive adventures. With each step the beings we face become more dangerous. You should know, having faced a Dragon,” he said.

“Not just the Dragon. I’ve met a few beings that are downright ridiculous. But if you do it enough, you get really good at slipping out of their grasp,” Ilea answered with a grin.

He smiled. “I suppose you have an advantage with both healing and space magic. I hope it serves you well in the future. Now… I don’t suppose you mind some blood?”

“You’re good, but I’m not quite sure you understand how durable I am,” Ilea mused.

“I’m inclined to find out,” he answered.

“Here’s another small secret about me,” Ilea sent. “It’s a good way to make sure we don’t kill each other.”

“What a rare ability. You’re either the most talented mage I’ve ever met or incredibly lucky,” the man replied.

“I’ve made some really nice creatures. We fight, become friends, train together. You know how it goes. One thing leads to the next and you wield the fires of creation,” Ilea sent and burst into white flame.

“So it’s true. Well, then perhaps it’s your charisma that manages to convince these beings to share their magical secrets. I’ve heard some old legends about the white flames, but I have yet to face them. This is really… quite exciting,” Evan said.

“You sound surprised,” she said.

The man shrugged lightly, as if to apologize. “Well. Perhaps I’ve been disappointed too many times.”

“Then let’s find out where we stand,” Ilea sent and teleported right in front of him. She recognized the incoming magic but continued with her attack anyway. The man was quick to dodge but she didn’t have to hit him. A wave of burning arcane healing burst out from her fist, mixed with the burning flames of Tempered Seal. She watched bone spikes grow out of his armor, the sand below and behind him moving out, some of it hardening to pierce her armor, other parts simply moving to engulf her.

The wave hit him and his body was rocked back, vanishing into a cloud of sand as her own mantle was battered by his attacks, some of them piercing two to three layers.

“You’re quite confident, to charge into the domain of a creator,” he said.

She found his form below and within her dominion. Fabric Tear activated as she raised her arm and closed her hand around his appearing neck. “The fabric is my domain,” she answered with a smile and pushed her reverse healing into him. The flame of creation burst out and fought against the sand around her, a storm now that pushed against her wings. The man in front of her watched on, his armor too now covered in the flickering flames.

“Imposed teleportation… and the spherical perception of an Azarinth Class. Quite a terrifying combination,” he sent as his form turned to sand.

Ilea’s hand closed as her foe fused with the very sands around her. She was struck by chunks of bone, the pieces using the twirling sands to gain momentum. The spikes added to the projectiles were enough to pierce her mantle, his element just as dense as hers. She let it happen, mostly immune to the effects of heavy objects impacting her armored form. Ilea simply ripped out the pieces that pierced her body, the damage healed in mere moments.

Her dominion failed to perceive the man, flickers of magic showing where more spells were created.

“You’re quite durable,” he said. “I’ve fought four marks that showed more of a reaction to this level of attack.”

“It’s hardly worth a mention. I can take quite a bit more than this,” Ilea sent.

“That’s good to hear,” Evan said.

The sands around her stopped moving and instead congregated around her, finally slamming into her from all sides. The pressure built as the sand ground against her, the individual pieces hardened to a ridiculous degree. Her flames burnt away the element but there was simply too much of it there. She thought about using Embered Heart but decided against it. There was simply too much sand. It really does get everywhere, she thought as she healed her mantle time and time again. Bone spikes similar to a shredder’s attack soon joined the mix, massive spears and chunks impacting her with high frequency.

It wasn’t exactly the Meadow but her defenses would get overwhelmed in time. She assumed it had to do with her lack of third tier resistances against either of his elements.

“Are you expecting me to resign?” she asked, looking around to find him.

“I know it’s not exciting but this method is quite efficient. Especially against regenerating monsters driven by their instincts,” he answered.

“That makes sense,” she said and teleported out of the trap, appearing high above the local storm of sand and bone. “What about space magic monsters though?”

She didn’t receive a reply for a good thirty seconds. There wasn’t exactly a way for her to find him either. Evan was lost somewhere in the desert. Either that or he had a way to mask himself perfectly against her dominion. If she could touch him, she assumed her Eternal Mark would help but the first part proved to be quite difficult.

“You can teleport… while being touched?” he finally asked.

“Well yes. Of course,” Ilea answered. “You did the same before, didn’t you?”

“No. I moved into sand. I didn’t just ignore the most reliable way to lock down a teleporting mage,” he answered. “How did you do it?”

“We’re still fighting,” Ilea said.

“You can’t find me. Can you?” Evan asked. He sounded a little hopeful.

“Sorry to disappoint,” Ilea answered. “Then again there is a massive desert all around. I feel like I’m at a bit of a disadvantage.”

“A fair assessment. It’s one of the reasons why I chose the location. And why I’ve been able to defend it against enemies objectively more powerful than myself,” he said. “Did I mention that I can submerge the entire foundation in the desert?”

“The entire mountains? That’s absurd. I doubt even a Sand Elemental could do that,” Ilea said.

“Elementals have raw power. They don’t have the ability to prepare and execute plans. Or such is my current theory. You have fought a Sand Elemental?” he said.

“A corrupted one. But fair enough. I still won’t share how I did it. Now why don’t you come out and fight me?” Ilea asked.

“You’re more durable than enchanted metal, you can heal both your armor and body in mere moments, and you can teleport out of even the most elaborate traps I could conjure,” he spoke.

“Is that really all there is to the great Founder of the Foundation of Glass?” she asked.

The man appeared a few dozen meters away, elevated on a moving dune. “That depends on your experience with soul magic.”

“I’ve dabbled,” she sent back.

The man held out his arm where another bone rapier appeared, this one longer than the previous one, the color a little darker too, the surface not as perfectly straight. The handle looked naturally curved instead of formed to fit his hand.

Ilea squinted her eyes to see the weapon, summoning her rifle in turn before she aimed. Plenty of heat gathered. “How about your heat resistance?” she asked and fired at his legs.

Evan swerved to the left, the sand moving him as fast as Ilea could turn the beam, a line of glass left where the heated spell had struck. “An impressive focus. Not quite as fast as light magic.” He glanced at the glass in the sand. “I should be able to survive a direct hit, if you have more like that up your sleeves.”

“It works so well against monsters,” Ilea said as she stored the thing again and charged.

The man moved in tune with the sand all around, meeting her charge with his own.

Ilea noted the confidence in his attack. Her foe no longer aimed to evade her, he was ready to exchange blows. The two crashed into each other with a wave of sand and ash, limbs crashing into shields of bone, white flame expanding all around as burning ash mixed with sand. Reverse healing pushed into his form as his rapier found Ilea’s shoulder.

She kicked in tune, a wave of her spells spreading into him. A large chunk of the mana failed to penetrate his armor. The rapier cut through her mantle, several layers pierced before it was stopped. More impressive was the wave of soul magic emanating from the weapon. Not from him, she noted.

He removed the blade in a twirling retreat, the flame of creation clinging to the thin bone. It flickered out a moment later. “Soul magic defenses?” he asked with an impressed tone.

“It wasn’t pleasant,” Ilea said as she watched nine copies of him fan out from his central form. She couldn’t tell the difference between them. Even the blade seemed the same. She watched them all vanish into the sand before they reemerged. Ilea had no choice but to spread out her destructive healing, to get in at least some damage. “I thought we wanted a direct engagement?”

“If you don’t want me to hide and recover every few minutes, this is what you’ll have to deal with. I have trained much against Azarinth intrusion magics but there is only so much one can do against such destructive forces,” he admitted and circled her, blades advancing from all sides.

Fuck. They’re all just as good as him. Ilea spread her burning ash all around, her limbs going wild as she delivered punches in exchange for stabs. Few of the blades got deeper than two or three layers but the sand and bone projectiles wore her down as well. Every few seconds her true foe would strike after a calculated series of perfectly timed attacks, his soul rapier ripping through the weakened parts of her mantle and piercing her skin. Bone spikes shot out from the blade, cutting up her insides as soul magic ravaged her very essence.

She was glad for her fires of creation upgrade, the pain more than manageable and the damage not nearly as concerning as it would’ve been otherwise. Ilea ignored the damage to her insides for now, sending a few waves of her spells onto the Evan holding the blade. Sand and bone walls appeared in front of him, shattering into thousands of burning pieces as they swallowed some of her spells, the man ripping out his rapier at the same time and retreating into the sandstorm swirling all around.

Ilea smiled, her mantle recovering as she felt something quite peculiar. She teleported the foreign pieces of bone out of her body and transferred away to avoid another strike from the soul magic weapon, healing herself with her third tier. “You’re using intrusion healing?”

Evan didn’t let up, the storm around her a second later. She was fully healed again regardless, her soul the only thing showing slight damage. “You noticed?” he asked, his copies striking dozens of times, a few destroyed or covered in burning ash, half the sand in the vicinity clad in white flames. “It’s not quite as impressive as your version. Not by far.”

“Enough to kill most, I would imagine,” she said, waiting for his next strike. It came, and this time she sent her waves into his defensive walls, following up with a beam of chaotic heat sent from one of her ashen limbs.

The man let go of his rapier and moved away, his left side burned away, some of the armor gone entirely. The wounds on his arm healed already, blades of bone cutting away the burning flesh. His armor reformed in turn.

Ilea looked at him as the copies made some distance. She grabbed the weapon and ripped it out of her stomach. A wave of her hand and all the splinters were out, her body healed again. He did supply a lot of mana. She was ready for a week long battle. “What makes it so special?” she asked, inspecting the weapon as soul magic continued to burn into her.

“You’re the special one, being able to hold it at all. And yes, my offensive healing is more than suitable to kill, but I don’t have to tell you that,” Evan said and raised his hand towards the rapier. Nothing happened.

“Finally, you’re using teleportation,” Ilea said with a grin. She thought about destroying the weapon but killing him would likely be a much easier feat, knowing what her necklace had gone through without damage. Magical items. The soul damage wasn’t something she intended to endure forever either, so she threw it his way instead. “It’s quite a blade. Who made it?”

Evan caught it and paused, looking it over before he turned his attention back to her. “I did. With the wing of a dragon, who happened to wield soul magic, or so I presume.”

“Need me some soul gauntlets then. What’s the quality on it?” she asked.

“Because you managed to hold it… It’s Mythic,” he said.

“I don’t know what that means,” Ilea answered as the storm resumed. She sent waves of arcane energy into the approaching copies of sand and bone, dozens of projectiles glancing off her mantle without eliciting a reaction. Ashen limbs cut and pierced all while reverse healing burned into all of her foes.

The man struck once more, aiming for her eye this time around.

Ilea simply teleported him away, not about to waste one of her limited uses of enhanced perception.

“Did I just discover your weakness?” the man teased. “The theory is that an item can reach mythical quality once its wielder has accomplished suitable feats, in regards to said item of course. I have wielded this blade for over a thousand years, have honed my skill with it.”

I get it, you studied the blade.

“I suppose you could call it that,” Ilea asked. “What about you? Got anything against exploding head syndrome?”

“It simply wouldn’t happen. It would take a high level Elemental to crack my skull,” he answered.

Ilea charged a wave of space magic and raised her hands. She watched the approaching group and clenched her fists, the bone and sand crushed and broken. One of them remained mostly uninjured, merely stumbling to one knee. “Yeah, your bones are indeed quite dense.”

The storm around them calmed, sand falling to the ground to join the desert. Evan’s helmet receded before he spat out a bit of blood, his eyes bloodshot for a moment before they recovered. “As are yours. I’m out of ideas.”

Chapter 733 Monastery

Chapter 733 Monastery

Evan slowly stood up and made his weapon vanish. “You let my blade pierce but ignore its magic, my sand cannot catch you, your armor regrows faster than I can damage it. Even heavy impacts show no reaction, you are more durable than most monsters I have fought. And your bone… withstands my magic. I expected you to be powerful, Lilith, but that bit in the reports about your resistance training… I had taken it for a past time. Not a calling.”

Ilea smiled, her face revealed as well. “I do enjoy it quite a bit. Sadly the only thing I can get from you is soul magic resistance. At the moment that is.”

He can’t beat me. Shit is, the same is true for me. Dodges my spells and survives my fires. Plus in the end he can just hide again. His blade even got rid of my mark on him. Maybe if he didn’t have a healing spell himself but like this it’s just a battle of attrition. She trusted herself in that kind of battle but his soul blade gave her pause. She could teleport him away continuously but that would just prolong the fight and he would hide again. The only reason she got in hits was because he fought extremely aggressive. And everyone else he would just shred apart. Suppose the same is true again for me.

“Ah… you are exciting. Frustrating too, but it’s been a while, since a battle was quite as difficult,” he said. “I do not believe there will be a victor soon.”

Ilea smiled and looked up at the suns. “Yeah. I don’t think so either. But I don’t much care.”

His bone mask reformed over a broad grin, the sand under him spreading out once more. “Me neither.”

White flame covered a stretch of several kilometers of sand in a remote part of the Isanna desert. Onlookers might think it the result of a monster’s hunt or the battle of ancient predators. A good eye would reveal a single table made of bone, standing amidst the lingering fires. Two chairs, one of bone, and one of ash, stood with two people sitting down.

Evan poured two cups, setting down the kettle with a steady hand. He once again wore his robes, sitting opposite an ash covered Lilith. Her face was revealed.

“Thank you,” she spoke and received the cup, taking a sip before she sighed.

“I like to brew it fresh,” the man said. He looked at the brew with considerable suspicion before he took a sip.

“Storage items keep it at the same temperature,” Ilea said. “Well, most do.”

“That’s what I don’t quite believe,” Evan said. “Or perhaps it’s the act of brewing that I feel adds to the taste.”

Ilea raised her cup. “That I understand. Something about making things yourself. I’m not exactly the best cook or brewer though so I prefer to consume what others make.”

“You are young still. Plenty of time to gain expertise in whatever skills you may find an interest in. Not to the extent of a high level specialist but… close enough,” he said. “If that is, you continue to survive, and stop at some point.”

“Stop the fighting? I don’t know. Sounds boring,” Ilea answered.

“Well, either you die, or you run out of things to fight. Things that provide a challenge that is,” he said.

“Don’t talk about such a nightmare scenario,” she said. But I suppose I’d have to get another hobby if that turns out to be the case. Dancing seems alright. Maybe an instrument? Lilith, the legendary rock star.

“The suns will soon set. I will have to return to my affairs, and I assume the same is true for you,” Evan said with his eyes on the horizon.

Ilea sighed. “I wish you were wrong. But there are indeed things to do. Would you mind sparring again? I don’t have a training partner that could prepare me for humanoid sapients in the fourth tier.”

“You plan to face such beings in the near future?” the man asked, taking a sip from his tea.

“One never really knows,” Ilea answered as she stood up.

“I enjoyed our fight. I could offer you a few hours per week. Though I understand if the journey is not worth your time,” Evan said.

Ilea moved her fifth transfer mark to their current location. “That won’t be a problem.”

“I suppose a space mage would not need teleportation gates to move long distances,” the man said.

“Surprised?” she asked.

“No. It’s not unheard of, though near always extremely restricted. I would imagine such is not the case with you. Or not anymore,” Evan said.

“Speculations,” Ilea said with a smile. She stood up and stretched. “I’ll be there in a week or so.”

The man raised his cup. “Do not lose yourself in the dark.”

“I don’t need light to see,” Ilea said and opened a gate to Riverwatch. “It was good meeting you.”

The man gave her a nod. “Ilea.”

“Evan,” she said and stepped through the slightly shimmering space, closing the gate right after. Could use him to dump half a desert through a gate if I ever need one. Hey I can do that with water too. Pressure from the bottom of the ocean? Wait no… don’t want to open a gate to that hellzone.

She stood on the hill for a moment. Lava is too slow. Arcane storms are unreliable. Would gravity even apply? Or just momentum? A river could work but that’s not exactly going to be more than a shower. One with lots of water but if I want to kill level monsters I can do that with ash.

Either way she deemed the Meadow a more effective option. Magically enhanced elements were stronger anyway.

“What now. Still have some time until my meetings with Alyris and Helwart,” she murmured and quickly checked through the messages from her extensive battle with the Founder of the Foundation.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived an earnest battle with the Desert Chosen – One Core skill point awarded’

Survived? What do you mean survived? Just need another hundred levels and that tea enthusiast is toast. That or a thousand years of training… the blade.Ah shit I forgot to show him the hammer. He might’ve been interested. Well, next time.

Ilea sat down in the grass and changed into comfortable clothes, summoning a meal as she watched the suns go down over Riverwatch. She could see the teleportation gate building in the distance, an entire company of guards standing around with various mages putting additions and walls up against monsters or other attackers.

Way to paint a target, she thought but didn’t really mind. If this was how Riverwatch decided to go about their first gate, that was that. I wouldn’t even have questioned the existence of teleportation gates if they had been here upon my arrival. With magic being real.

She finished and summoned her key locator. The arrow spun before it focused northwards. North I can do, Ilea thought and stood up. She teleported towards the clouds a few times before she spread her wings and charged them.

She flew until the Naraza mountain chain became visible in the distance. Storm clouds hung over the edges, lightning flashing from time to time as the lone winged figure closed in on the landmark that spanned beyond the entire length of the human Plains. The arrow turned. Westward but still towards the mountains.

Interesting. Closer than I expected. She entered the storm about twenty minutes later, wind and rain clashing against her mantle. Ilea followed the many mountain tops lining the spine like barrier to the North. She slowed down in an empty valley, kilometers of nothing in each direction. Patches of wild grass grew where she landed, white flowers clinging to life in the harsh climate. Snow still covered the mountain tops she could see. She had left behind most of the storm clouds but it still rained lightly at the lower altitude.

A strong gust moved through the valley, the rain turned sideways and near frozen. Thank fuck for resistances and magic armor. She looked at the locator and found it pointed towards a small hill a few hundred meters away. Might as well check it out while I’m here.

The walk was brief and she soon came up on a strange field of magic. Barely noticeable and certainly not something she would’ve registered if the locator hadn’t brought her here. She put her arm through the field. The gesture caused no reaction, so she walked through.

At the top of the hill now stood a decrepit building that looked a little like a monastery, long stone walls lined with windows, a single broad door at the front. A statue stood at the top and back of the structure, winged and holding a sword. Any color the entire thing might’ve once been covered in had long faded, a single green flag flattered in the wind, connected to a small pole above the entrance.

Doesn’t look like the dwellings of a Dragon, Ascended, or a Monarch.

Ilea paused when she saw the three swords sticking out of the ground to the side of the hill, helmets placed on top. All were faded and entirely consumed by rust. Though she didn’t miss the dull green color. Let’s see if someone’s home. She walked up the slope and arrived at the door. Her dominion picked up a few peculiar things inside. She knocked. It had no effect on the one sleeping resident. Instead she opened the door and peered inside. “Hello?”

The hall was rather dark, a few magical lights giving the chairs and tables a green hue. Rusted piles of metal lay in various corners and to one side of the structure, only experience letting Ilea identify them as Taleen Guardians. A pot sat atop an assortment of runed plates at the back, the entire hall quite a bit warmer than outside. Behind the largest table sat a single dwarf. Broad shoulders, an enormous black beard with gray strewn within, a dark green metal helmet. A sword lay on the table next to a mug. He looked heavy.

[Paladin – lvl 240]

To his left stood a Centurion, missing two of its legs. A large dent showed on its head, much of its body sporting scratches and dents from long past battles. Compared to the destroyed machines it had no rust on it, one of its eyes dark with the other occasionally flickering. It propped up its body with the butt of its spear, taking a shuffling step forward when it spotted the visitor.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl 323]

Highest level base Centurion I’ve seen? Ilea wondered and waved carefully. Neither of them seemed quite up for a fight. She turned her head to one of the piles, realizing it wasn’t just a bunch of scrap.

Two green eyes stared back as a rust covered arm raised a spear.

[Taleen Centurion – lvl 327]

It threw the spear in a slow arc, missing Ilea by about four meters. The metal weapon clattered to the ground before it rolled around and hit a table leg.

“W… what is it,” a deep voice asked, the dwarf coughing a few times before he looked up with slightly dulled black eyes. He squinted before he touched a nearby magical lamp, the light intensifying. He scrambled up when he saw the intruder, sword in hand as the chair behind him clattered to the ground. “Elf! You stand on holy ground. Prepare yourself!”

Ilea revealed her face and gestured with both hands. “Calm down Paladin, I’m not here to fight. And I’m not an elf.”

He jumped over the table, the movement somewhat less impressive than it might’ve been a few hundred years ago. He pointed his blade. “Elves lie,” he spoke as the Centurion behind him advanced, using its spear as a crutch.

Ilea sighed lightly. She bit her lip and thought for a second. Then she summoned a small barrel of Walter’s ale. “Would an elf share ale with their host?”

The dwarf squinted at her but the question gave him pause.

She didn’t wait for a response and simply walked past him, her mantle gone as she sat down. There was no threat here. She cracked open the barrel and summoned two mugs, filling both before she started drinking. “When’s the last time you had anything reasonable to eat? Your stew smells… bland.”

He watched her and considered. “A human ye say? Yer not one of them Azerith healers are ye? Them teleportin nut jobs.”

“I’m not,” Ilea said. “They’re not around anymore anyway.”

He sighed. “Good to hear. See I don’t trust ye, but ale… and food… if ye have any?”

Ilea summoned a few meals. “Got plenty more too. Your Centurions don’t look particularly well. I assume you can’t do maintenance up here?”

He opened his mouth to say something when the smell reached him. Something in his eyes changed and he advanced, sat down, and started eating without a word.

Ilea was sure she heard a few sobs as he wolfed down three plates of restaurant food. She didn’t want to ruin his expectations with Keyla’s creations.

He sighed and leaned back, looked at her, then grabbed the mug and downed it in one go. “Good. Thank ye. A stranger comes at a last. Not what I had hoped for but here we are. Maintenance… yes. It has been… a few years? They’re hanging in there. I’m not a Builder ye see… no… I cannae share this with an outsider.”

“What makes you think I’m an outsider?” Ilea asked and showed her necklace. She summoned the Tungsten Key and set it down on the table. “I’m a key warden, and here to collect yours.”

He glanced at the necklace and then the artifact. “What’s that?”

“You… don’t know what this is?” Ilea asked. She blinked her eyes a few times and looked to the Centurion for confirmation. Its one green eye stared back.

He thought for a moment before he squinted with one eye. “It looks like… reminds me of a thing in the cellar. I think. Strange shape.” He scratched his head and leaned back, now taking off his helmet. “Yer with the Makers then? Necklace like that only belongs to them, though never thought they’d take in a human.”

Ilea found the key down in the cellar, inside a crate of scraps and tools. For now she was more interested in the dwarf however.

“It’s classified. But because I know you did a good job here… they trained some humans as a special operation team to infiltrate their ranks. Thanks to us we managed to destroy the Azerith Order,” Ilea said.

He pointed at her. “That. I did. It’s Azorinth.” He paused. “I think.” The dwarf looked at her with some clarity returning to his eyes. “What year is it?”

“When did you arrive here?” Ilea asked.

He considered but then shook his head. An awkward laugh. “Don’t know. Spose I’ve grown old. By Henel.”

“What’s your name?” Ilea asked. “I’m Ilea.”

“Ilea… what an unusual name for a human. I am Gretmoor Valarian of the Guards, Paladin of Henel and guardian of this sanctuary. Did ye bring a Builder? Or reinforcements? Me group has suffered casualties… a long time ago. Foul Hunter over there did two of em in,” he said and pointed to a large drake like skull hanging from an improvised hook at the back of the hall. “Buried em. Guardians didn’t make it. Twas a glorious battle.” He didn’t sound quite convinced.

Ilea listened and refilled both her and his cup. “What happened to the third? I saw three graves.”

He refocused and took the cup with a thankful nod. “The third… Mart, ye. May he fight on!” he raised his cup.

Ilea did the same. “May he fight on.”

Gretmoor grew quiet for a moment before he looked up. “Machine related accident.”

“What happened?” Ilea asked.

He downed his cup. “As I said. Accident, with the machines.”

“I see,” Ilea said. “Sounds… bad.”

“Twas,” he murmured.

“So you were stationed here to guard this sanctuary? A holy site to Henel?” Ilea asked.

“Aye, such were me orders. Haven’t heard anything since,” Gretmoor said.

Now that’s a paladin. He must’ve been here for… millennia. How is that even possible. “What do you do all day? Are there many attackers… or faithful… visiting?”

“Nay. Henel was never quite popular. Makers donae believe in the gods, and youth these days rather look to Praetorians for guidance,” he said and laughed. “No faithful here… besides meself, and me two Centurions. Few attacks too. Harsh climate, and I keep the enchantments working. Got some… maintenance manual somewhere. Hunting mice, hare, occasional birds. Tis a quiet life, but I’ve come to like it.”

Ilea smiled. She couldn’t help but like the guy. An artifact from a long past age, perhaps a little mad. His continued loyalty was both sad and inspiring, the former only because it seemed his people had abandoned him. That or it was incredibly unfortunate timing. The sheer fact that he survived all this time was downright insane. Guess that speaks for the life span of a level two forty dwarf. She didn’t doubt there were people capable of living alone in the mountains but his lack of social interaction most certainly showed. “Gretmoor. When was the last time you went on a vacation?”

“Can’t leave me post,” he said. “Not an option.”

“What if a Pursuer takes over for a little while?” she asked with a grin.

“What’s a Pursuer?” he asked.

“Newest tech. Stronger than even a Praetorian,” Ilea whispered.

He paused and looked at her with some suspicion. “Stronger than a Praetorian ye say?”

Chapter 734 Destinations

Chapter 734 Destinations

Ilea had him. Funnily enough, it wasn’t a conversation after centuries or the promise of finally seeing another set of walls that convinced the dwarf but instead the mention of a new version of machine Guardian.

He whistled as he leaned back. “Level eight hundred! Now that I won’t believe until I see it,” he said, mood visibly improved. He refilled his mug and downed it. “Ye were with the makers ye said?”

“Well, it’s a little complicated. A lot of time has passed and power has shifted,” Ilea said. “You might find yourself not quite at home if you go back to Iz.”

The dwarf suddenly paused. He glanced down at the table and fidgeted with his mug. Finally he looked up. “I never been.”

“Might be for the best,” Ilea said. “But you’ve protected this monastery for long enough,” Ilea said and stood up. She opened a gate to the Meadow’s domain and stepped through. Her eyes fell on Aki. “May I ask for your assistance? I found a surviving member of the Taleen. Could use your… convincing form.”

The machine stepped over. “Should I mention that my origin was of elven kind?”

“Funny,” Ilea said and stepped back through.

“What in the world… is that a new gate enchantment? Portable?” the dwarf asked, now standing with his battered Centurion at his side.

“Something like that,” Ilea said when the massive Pursuer came through the portal, unfolding like some kind of silver spider before he crouched inside the dark hall.

“Greetings,” he spoke. “I am the Pursuer of Akelion.”

Gretmoor spread his arms and laughed. He looked to Ilea with a broad smile. “And it speaks! Oh how far we’ve come!”

Yeah, about that, Ilea thought. She gave Aki a rundown of what the dwarf has been tasked with.

“An honorable duty. One that I see as fulfilled in this age,” Aki spoke. “Though I do wonder, if perhaps you were chosen as a guardian of a key instead.”

Ilea summoned the piece in question, looking it over.

[The Lead Key – Ancient Quality]

Ten down, two to go. She made it vanish.

“I had no knowledge of it being here, Pursuer,” the dwarf said, shaking his head lightly. “Perhaps I was chosen, though I wouldnae know why.”

“You’re loyal, to an incredible degree. I can see plenty of reason to choose you over someone else,” Aki spoke. “The world has changed while you were gone. The Taleen are not exactly how they used to be. Are you willing to learn and adapt? Or would you choose to remain here, guarding this ancient monastery?”

“What ye offer is tempting,” he spoke. “And tis true. Long have I guarded this place. And still, it has come into ruin.”

“I know someone who could help with your guardians,” Aki said.

“I have failed to keep them maintained, and I will bear the punishment,” Gretmoor spoke with a sincere tone.

“There will be no punishment. As I said, the world has changed. Please take a seat. There are some truths that will not be easy to accept,” Aki said. “I will tell him about the fate of his peoples, though not of the One without Form, lest he thinks it his new purpose to defend it.”

“I’d like to avoid antagonizing a faithful paladin,” Ilea answered. “I think you’re right. The way he’s looking at you, you may as well be his new god.”

“I wish to avoid such declarations of divinity, much like yourself. Factually however, it’s undeniable that both of us are in a very rare minority, when it comes to personal power,” the machine answered.

“Just ignore it, and let the Meadow ground you,” Ilea said. It has been her way of dealing with these kinds of thoughts. That and her very secret identity, the mythical Lilith. Most of her feats she could just push onto that growing legend, bard songs the least of her concerns at this point.

She checked her locator once again and found it pointing westward, neither north nor south. Problematic. The monastery was already located quite far west on the Naraza mountain chain which meant the closest key was potentially within Elven territory. Or beyond. Let’s hope for that.

“I’ll be off. It was good meeting you, Gretmoor,” she said with a smile.

“Good to meet you, maker! Thank you,” he spoke.

She did feel a little bad about lying to him, but with how dedicated he seemed to his cause and peoples, the dwarf would’ve likely just gone into a frenzy if she had told the truth. She could’ve let him here but now he had a chance to adapt, to not rot away in his ancient prison.

There was a lot they could learn from him about the ancient Taleen culture but she didn’t care too much. With punishments, arrogance in terms of their machines, a wish to exterminate elven kind. Well, they seemed like just another faction that may as well be gone forever. Just like the Azarinth. The few bits of conversation she remained to hear between him and Aki suggested he wasn’t exactly involved the the grand plans of his peoples.

She still wondered why the key was here. Sure, it made sense to put it somewhere inconspicuous, somewhere nobody would search for it, but as far as she understood, the keys also meant power. They weren’t just given to anybody, and with what they had learned down in Iz, the Makers weren’t exactly known to share their influence. A last ditch effort then? Where they pressured that much to get the keys away? If she had learned anything from the many rulers she had met in the past years, she didn’t dismiss the possibility of this being yet another way to weaken an enemy faction. Perhaps the Lead Key was supposed to go to someone in particular, and another deemed it better for the thing to vanish into some unimportant monastery.

Not like I’ll ever find out about it. The most important bit was that she had the key in her possession. She formed a portal for the group, the dwarf led through by the Pursuer himself. Aki held the second far more damaged Centurion in what looked like a princess carry. A rather bizarre sight.

The gate shut and she was left in the dark monastery. “Cold and moist,” she murmured, looking at the piles of ancient metal. “And he survived all this time. Bit of a screw loose but maybe the others can help him find some new purpose,” she spoke. Not like he can go to Iz for now, and all the other places he had once known are dungeons by now. That or ancient ruins.

So, what now. Two keys remain, she thought and teleported up and out. Her wings spread before she lazily flew along the partially snow covered mountains. Lightning occasionally lit up parts of the horizon towards the north, a purple tinge to the phenomenon. Forests spread to the south, far below the high reaching mountain chain that provided an impressive natural barrier.

Already she was past the latitude of Karth and Riverwatch, the locator still pointing west as the mountains lost some height. Ilea slowed down a few hours later, when a valley broke through the ancient barrier, reaching northwards with luscious forests and roaring rivers. Beyond, the mountains continued, the valley a mere dent in what looked like the spine of the world. She squinted her eyes as she landed on a large boulder, neither ice nor cold bothering her in the slightest.

What she saw was smoke. Not a mere column but what looked like a wide spanning weather phenomenon. Entire clouds that slowly moved in the wind, distributed into the forests all around. The territory looked to border the northern mountain chain. She saw a large section of the steep cliffs to be entirely blackened, likely years of ash collected against the mountain side.

Fire Wastes. She watched for a little longer, occasionally seeing tiny flashes. A glance down revealed movement in the distant forests, dull green forms speeding through the high trees. Explosions followed, a few kilometers away, beams of flame and light flaring up before the section stilled once more. A daily occurrence, she assumed. Machines sent through one of the many gates in the vicinity, more added with every passing day.

The gray blotch of land covered in dark clouds looked out of place. As if spewed up by a volcano in the vicinity. The forest retreated from the ash but the barrier wasn’t quite as decisive as she first thought. Smaller trees and other vegetation grew far into the territory, luscious leaves while others were entirely blackened, mere husks in a graveyard of vegetation.

Ilea considered. Her locator still pointed west, straight at the wastes. It was the first Elven domain she had seen, and the downright ominous look certainly gave her pause. She could handle young elves but fighting them wouldn’t be much better than simple murder. And she wasn’t keen on luring out the older generation, let alone the local Oracles. She was interested in fighting either but within their territory and the chance of them ganging up on her, she didn’t like her chances. Not with what she had seen from the Sky Monarch and his voiceless goon.

Circling around through the northern territories was the only option she saw, if only to find out if the key was indeed inside the wastes. But more importantly, her scheduled delving time with her two companions was coming up. Not a time to explore unknown Elven lands. Not with many of her skills still being quite a bit lower leveled than they could be. Couldn’t have been two more monasteries.

She opened a gate to the North and stepped through. Well, it’s just pointing westward. What the hell could go wrong?

Her allies collected, Ilea once more connected two of her portals. This time from the edge of the Meadow’s territory to the depths of Karth.

The light, mana, and air change was immediately noticeable, even with all her abilities to deal with it. She wondered how she would’ve felt down here a few years back. Sweaty was the word that came to mind.

Fey and Kyrian readied their spells and got into position a little behind her. She was the most likely to survive a direct hit from even high level four marks after all. Vanguard by experience.

Ilea knew that Iz was still a long way’s off. I got used to all these additions to my long range teleportation, she thought, quite excited to be back inside an extensive cave system. It reminded her of the Calys mines, the very dungeon they had entered at the start of their descent. The first cavern she had explored. Not exactly by choice either. And now I saw the Domain from where those Elves attacked.

She didn’t find herself particularly involved. Hating Elven kind or even just the fire domain just didn’t make much sense to her. She had known some of the people that had died, but not well enough to leave a deep rooted hatred towards what many considered humanity’s greatest enemy. The Elves she had met, she had fought. Likely individuals who made their own choices. Uneducated and unguided. Impulse controlled teenagers with the power to destroy entire cities. Beings that had known nothing but strife since their creation. If anything it made the Cerithil Hunters more impressive.

Ilea wondered if an appearance in the Wastes and a few fights would earn some respect for humanity as a whole, but she quickly came to the conclusion that more of them would likely come east to look for a challenge. A warning system and teleportation gates were definitely more effective to deal with the occasional Elven incursion. Up until a Monarch decided to lay waste to humanity. Any by then, she hoped to be ready. If the day ever came.

She stepped forward into the dark, the gate behind her vanishing. Distant lava streams glowed lightly, pulsing with heat. Ilea jumped down a few slopes. She slid to a stop a few dozen meters farther down where she locked eyes with a horned creature. One quite a bit broader and taller than her.

[Hadranim – lvl ????]

The creature reached nearly three meters in height. Humanoid with thick arms and legs, its skin a scorched armor like substance, near entirely black. Its head resembled more a goat than a man, two beady eyes taking in the dark. Massive horns extended from its skull, half a meter in length and curved forward.

“Greetings,” Ilea tried, in case the thing was a Dark One of sorts. Its level was close to one thousand.

The being crouched slightly, breathing out as veins of fire glowed on its body.

“Guess you’re not one for talking,” Ilea said before it charged. She raised her arms as the entire mass of the creature slammed into her. It raised her off the ground and ran on, finally crashing her into a nearby cavern wall.

Ilea looked up. “I hope you didn’t think that would take me out,” she said, when its large fists started to slam into her face and chest. She could feel the impacts but all her resistances and regeneration kept her body in mostly peak condition. The monster was fast, heavy, and so far used physical attacks. It was a four mark that wouldn’t exactly awe most that saw it fight, and yet to an experienced adventurer, the simple make would raise a lot of flags.

Ilea started blocking and parrying blows, using her experience against the simple creature that seemed more driven by instinct than anything else. She started to notice mana intrusion with its strikes, similar in nature to her Tempered Seal. It hardly mattered. She couldn’t be stunned, her heat resistance was in the third tier, and she could heal the damage done to her.

“I’ll play a little with this one,” she informed her allies, who quickly moved on to explore more of the cavern.

The Hadranim punched aside her arms and grabbed them, pushing one clawed foot into her armored chest before it pulled.

Ilea could feel her shoulders and arms strain but she just let the creature try. Nothing like a good stretch after a long few days.

It gave up when it couldn’t rip out her arms and instead swung her around, stone cracked as her form impacted the ground and nearby walls time and time again. It crouched above her and resumed the direct punches.

Ilea finally teleported out, the culminating damage from its attacks getting to her organs. The issue with a four mark monster using melee attacks wasn’t one of technique. The creature simply overwhelmed her own abilities much like a four mark’s magic would. Her fighting skills, even with precognition, couldn’t quite bridge the gap to the sheer mass, speed, and ferocity of her foe. Which meant it was a perfect sparring partner. One she would have to learn to overcome. If she didn’t just want to use her fires and spells to kill it. Reverse reconstruction alone could likely take it out, with enough time and dodging.

Seems pretty durable too though, the chap. Probably not as easy a kill as some others in the same ball park.

She watched as the creature opened its maw, a bright cone of flame spreading out. Ilea walked through the magic without trouble, a few of her punches crashing into its armored chest where most of her intrusion was deflected. She dodged the followups and blocked a few attacks before it once again overwhelmed her with sheer monstrous power.

Explosions and roars resounded from another part of the cavern but it didn’t much concern her, Ilea rolling through debris before she once more skidded to an upright stop. The fight reminded her of her kick-boxing days. It felt similar to facing a man with quite a bit of weight on her, anger issues, and not the best technique. Difficult, but not unbeatable. And compared to then, she had the durability of an armored war machine, and enough healing to count as some kind of saint.

The fight continued, Ilea soon avoiding more of the enemy blows. With how instinctual the creature fought, she didn’t assume it would adapt. If it did, that meant thought was involved and its movements would slow down. By now they were exchanging blows. Heavy impacts resounded through the vicinity, neither of the combatants any worse for wear. Sure, there was blood on the ground, a few teeth scattered here and there, but the two continued their punches.

Ilea had switched to purely physical attacks. She could tell the beast had considerable resistance against that too but to a lesser degree than against her mana intrusion. With that she could nearly match its strength. Punching close to the weight class of a four mark. She once again endured a burst of flame, the spell more than anything giving her time to heal the accrued damage to her organs.

“We killed another one of them. They’re rather weak against curses,” Fey spoke. “Do you wish to remain?”

“Of course. Just go and map more of the place while I take care of this one,” Ilea said, dodging four consecutive swings before she slammed her fist into his elbow. She twirled past his extending knee, avoiding the strike before she kicked at his calf. The creature stumbled which allowed for a few more strikes, this time aimed at its spine.

She had already forgotten about her team again, entirely entranced by the battle.

Chapter 735 Grinding Grounds

Chapter 735 Grinding Grounds

Ilea stood blood covered and burning with white flame above the unmoving remains of her foe. She took in a deep breath, stepping out of the gore a moment later. The Hadranim had proven a troublesome creature to kill, more durable than some higher leveled four marks she had met, and at least able to damage her. It had been a good fight. She shook off the bits and pieces still stuck to her, the fires of creation slowly getting rid of everything but unable to instantly wipe it all away.

“Are you two still around?” she sent to her allies through the still established telepathic connection.

“Finally done?” Kyrian asked. “We mapped out most of the cavern but had to retreat where we saw entire groups of those creatures.”

Ilea grinned as she stretched. “That sounds horrible. Where?”

“I’ll show you,” the man answered. “Also found fire lizards in the late eight hundreds. They like to hide and ambush. Less dangerous than the Sarguihn who seem to live inside of the lava. Four marks those but I don’t think you’d prefer them over the Hadranim.”

“We’ll see about that. Any connections that lead deeper down?” Ilea asked.

“Definitely,” Kyrian said as he landed near her. “You destroyed this entire section.”

“Well observed. Thank you. Do you know what time it is? I kind of lost track,” Ilea said, scratching the back of her armored head.

“I was busy trying to survive. Fey is trying to ambush the lizards in his dragon form,” he explained.

Ilea opened a gate to Riverwatch and put her head through. Early afternoon I guess. She went back and stepped into a nearby patch of lava, scrubbing herself clean. “I have to run some errands. We can continue later of course.”

“That sounds good. I would appreciate a break. And Fey needs one too, not that he would admit as much,” Kyrian answered.

Ilea gave him a thumbs up and submerged herself in the molten rock. The warmth was comforting. Welcoming, and all surrounding. It felt nice after a long and involved battle, though she was glad to have found another group of monsters against whom she could go all out. More importantly a type of four mark that wasn’t fifty times as large as she was.

Done with her lava soak, she collected her allies and brought them north. She herself summoned her armaments and created a large gate. “I’ll be getting the representatives of the Pit now,” she sent to Claire, Catelyn, and the Meadow.

“We will be ready,” the fox replied, both of the council members calling out to various people.

The sounds vanished and were replaced by distant hammering when Ilea stepped through the portal and behind the shut gates of the Pit. She made the fissure disappear and turned her attention to the waiting group of polished war machines. Did I stumble into some kind of cosplay convention?

Shifting heads, shoulders, and weapons. None spoke, their attention moving between Ilea and Helwart.

“Yer late,” he spoke.

“Sorry. I was engrossed in glorious battle. I’m sure you understand,” she answered.

He grunted. “Aye. However, more importantly, how exactly did you just appear here?”

“You don’t have an elaborate mesh of anti space magic protections set up. Not that I think it would help much,” Ilea answered. She could feel the discomfort in many of them, some starting to murmur amongst each other. “There are very few of us.”

“That doesn’t help,” Helwart said and laughed. “So, where is this meeting taking place?”

The tone in his voice was clear. Can’t keep them together for long eh. “Sorry for the entrance. I didn’t expect everyone to just stand there.”

Ilea made her armor vanish to seem less threatening. “Please follow me. The meeting will take place near Hallowfort. You’ll get a chance to meet the famed smith, Goliath himself.” The mention was enough to cause an enthusiastic wave of chatter to go through the group. She formed a large gate and stepped through, welcomed by the waiting council members that were still present. She walked to the side and sat down on a chair, smiling when she saw Helwart come through with his saw bladed mace at the ready.

He paused, taking in the scenery before he walked forward, his weapon vanishing. He had moved just fast enough to avoid the next set of war machines about to stumble into him. He glanced towards the smithy but instead focused back on the group of waiting people.

“Welcome to the North, Helwart Maulstroem,” Catelyn said with a light smile.

Ilea raised her brows when she saw the dwarf bow, his massive war machine groaning at the motion.

“It is an honor to meet you, flame touched hunter,” he spoke. “And to… finally see Hallowfort.”

The fox grinned. “This is the domain of the Meadow. Hallowfort is located above, but I’m sure there will be time. You have heard of me then?”

“Ancient tales, legends. Much like what we know of Goliath,” Helwart admitted as more and more of his allies stepped through the gate.

Move it, you’re using up all my mana. Ilea tried to spot Bralin but the dwarf had unsurprisingly hidden away in the small home the Meadow had added for him. Someone she did spot instead was Terok, his lean war machine standing behind the council members with a few others from Hallowfort, all whispering amongst each other.

“Ancient tales are likely quite a bit more exciting than reality. But as informed by Lilith, there are certain things we can offer that perhaps come close to legend,” Catelyn continued. “May we invite you all for lunch?”

“I never decline an invitation,” Helwart said and walked towards the waiting group, followed by the influential individuals from the Pit.

Ilea finally closed the gate when the last of them had come through. Down to a tenth. She glared at the dark green war machine, the dwarf trying to stay unnoticed but it seemed he could feel the eyes of a predator on his form, the tension obvious in his every move.

She let her mana recover as she watched the meeting transpire, the amazement of the gathered dwarves not focused on the Owl, the Meadow, or the gathered council, but more so on the Soul Forge, Goliath, and Aki.

Their excited murmuring soon turned into conversations, diplomatic ambitions thrown aside as they couldn’t help but ask questions about the present wonders.

“Not getting all of the attention for once,” Ilea sent to the Meadow. She watched a group of dwarves gathered around the close teleportation gate connected to the outskirts of Ravenhall, voices rising as they insulted each other, laughed, quiet again as they whispered in disbelief. Iana’s appearance to answer questions didn’t particularly help.

“Indeed. They should all bow to me,” the Meadow spoke. “Helwart seems a capable leader. The group is incredibly diverse, both with their interests and demands.”

“Former prison,” Ilea informed.

“You say that as if it explains something,” the being answered.

“Does to me,” Ilea said and stood up. She wasn’t full on mana but she had some time on her way to Virilya. Stepping through a portal, she came out near Riverwatch. A few teleports got her into the air, her wings spread and charging before she shot off towards the capital of Lys.

Once again the guard was informed about her, as respectful as they had been the last time around. Finally, treated like the Queen I never wanted to be. She landed near the Halls of Eternity.

“Lady Lilith,” a waiting guardsman spoke as he approached, full plate armor with a gray helmet covering his head. The man stopped a few meters away. Ilea couldn’t tell if he was scared or simply being respectful. He hid it well if it was the former.

“That would be me, yes,” she answered.

“The Immortal Guard has asked me to escort you upon arrival. Lady Syrithis is waiting for you,” he said.

Ilea smiled. “I’ll follow,” she said, looking at his calculated movements. She assumed he had been a military man most of his life.

[Sword Master – lvl 218]

Hasn’t faced any really dangerous monsters, I suppose. “What’s your name?” she asked as they entered the Halls of Eternity.

“I’m Major Luwin Karrick, Lady Lilith,” he answered.

“Karrick. The adventurer guild family right?” she asked, trying to remember what Claire had told her about them.

“Our family manages many of the guilds, yes. We pride ourselves on our adventuring experience before joining the ranks of the Lys military,” the man explained as they reached an enchanted door at the end of a well lit and decorated corridor. Every inch of the ancient halls was a monument of wealth and power.

“Sounds reasonable. Shadow’s Hand offers quite a lot of options too. Never done learning,” Ilea said. She didn’t mean it as an insult, more an offer to someone that may or may not feel stuck in their current position. She could imagine plenty of nobles who enjoyed exploring the wilderness were instead sitting behind desks or discussing politics in a court.

“If the circumstances allow for such in the future,” the man spoke. “Though I would be more interested in the Medic Sentinels. My great granddaughter has been talking about them for some time.”

Ilea smiled. “You don’t sound convinced.”

“With all due respect, Lady Lilith, my opinion on Healing Orders has not changed in quite some time, and for good reason. I understand that your organization prides itself in being different, but I will remain cautiously pessimistic,” he said.

“I appreciate the honesty. Funny how they’re already being talked about in the Virilyan circles of nobility. The training is quite hard but I’d think for a noble born the most difficult part would be being admitted,” she explained.

They stood in front of the door still, the man crossing his arms.

“You dislike the addition of educated youth? Capable of critical thinking and with the backing of influential families?” he said.

“I know what you’re trying to suggest,” Ilea said as she leaned against the wall. It was structurally enhanced with magic. “But we’d rather have people join who have the heart to become a battle healer, ready to delve into the most dangerous dungeons the wilds have to offer. Nobody who’s not committed would endure the training regime. But if your granddaughter wishes to try, she is welcome to apply.”

“It was good meeting you, Lady Lilith,” Luwin Karrick said as he knocked on the door. “Lady Syrithis will welcome you now.” He stepped away as the door opened.

“I’ll see you around, Mr. Karrick,” Ilea said and stepped inside, the door closing behind her. His granddaughter. I wonder how many nobles have to fight with their offspring to prevent them from joining the Shadows or the Sentinels. It’s not a phase dad! I want to fight dangerous monsters for a living, you wouldn’t understand!

“Is my office amusing to you?” Syrithis asked, the half elf sitting at a broad oak desk, carved from the trunk of a single tree. The floor and walls were made of marble, furs combining well with the fireplace providing warmth.

Ilea looked up, seeing the masked half elf stare at her with obvious annoyance. “Why? It’s super simple. I like the desk.”

“I’m not here a lot,” Syrithis said.

“Why so pissed? Annoyed that I know your secret?” Ilea asked as she sat down on the large leather chair opposite the white desk.

The half elf waved her off. “You wouldn’t…” she started, then hissed.

“Frustrated. That’s what that hiss means. At least I’m pretty sure about that,” Ilea said.

“You spent a lot of time with the Hunters if you know that much,” Syrithis said.

“Yeah, been hanging out with your uncle just an hour ago,” Ilea said.

The half elf tensed up slightly. “Doing what?”

Ilea shook her head. “What do you mean? We fought monsters. Well we were in the same area, fighting monsters. Didn’t exactly do it together, worse experience that.”

Syrithis remained silent for a long moment. “I see. The letter you brought. Alyris has suggested a few changes to the contract, but most of it was acceptable.” She summoned a sealed envelope and held it out towards Ilea.

Fabric tear brought the thing to her, stored in her domain a moment later. “I’ll make sure to deliver it.”

“You have all this power… and yet you… fly around, delivering letters,” Syrithis said.

Ilea smiled. “You don’t quite understand the exact distance.” She stood up and stretched. “Plus once these gates are set up, I’ll be out of a job. Finally. Back to hunting creatures.”

“Good,” Syrithis said.

Ilea raised a brow. “What did I do to piss you off so much?”

The half elf looked to the side.

“Oh? Too much attention on the ashen healer? Half elf suddenly not quite so much of a novelty anymore?” Ilea suggested.

A wind blade slashed into her skin, the Empress Guard standing up immediately with a placating gesture. “I’m sorry… I didn’t m-”

Ilea waved her off. “You fucked up there. Instigated a war and all. I’ll be destroying the city now. Do you need an official declaration or is this fine?”

The half elf sat down again and buried her masked face in her arms.

Ilea laughed. “I’ll see you around.” She vanished through the anti space magic enchantments and out into a nearby inn. Her gate opened inside of an empty room before she stepped out into the domain of the Meadow.

“New letter from the Empress,” she said and handed the thing to Claire.

“Wonderful. Thank you,” the woman said and immediately opened it. “Yes… hmm… acceptable… that one’s pushing it a little… well, let’s see,” she murmured as paper and a pen appeared in front of her.

Ilea looked at the approaching Pursuer, his request for a spar gladly accepted. Will have to hold back a little after that Hadranim fight.

The next two weeks passed quickly. Ilea trained and killed many of the creatures down in Karth, the trio exploring more of the caverns at a steady pace. None of the appearing monsters proved too much for them to handle, especially after Feyrair broke through the five hundreds himself.

Her training bouts once more included the elf, the two more or less at a stalemate again. Ilea felt it was less balanced than with Evan, the lack of time they were willing to invest into their bouts however leading to draws more often than not. Feyrair’s scale armor got some ridiculous upgrades after all.

The constant battling with four mark monsters, the elf, and her weekly bouts with the sand creator pushed her skills back to comfortable heights, each increase adding to her power. The rest of her time was filled with continued deliveries, the setup of gates, and even some construction work in Morhill.

Ilea floated in the darkness of the Karthian depths, dead creatures all around as she checked her status.

She had leveled enough to enhance yet another skill. Ilea chose Primordial Flesh now that her main aura skills were catching up again.

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive – Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

The flame of creation flows through your veins, increasing your resilience by 35.5% [497%]. Increases your physical damage resistance by 9.1% [127.4%]. Increases your magic damage resistance by 9.1% [127.4%]. You won’t be fazed anymore by heavy damage or powerful sources of light and sound. Your natural regeneration can heal any injury.

2nd stage: Your body has withstood incredible damage, endured the hardships of battle. The fires flowing through you have hardened your bones and muscles. Your health is increased by 14.2% [198.8%].

3rd stage: Your ability to adapt to your enemy grows. Continued battle against the same foe or species of monster increases damage reduction against their attacks by 0.55% [7.7%] per minute to a maximum of a static 50%. This effect will remain even after a battle has ended. The primordial flesh is released should you reach one point of health. Your remaining mana will be used to create both spatial shields and rapid growths of flesh to prevent death. This effect can only occur once every six hours.

Category: Body enhancement – Space Magic – Flesh Magic

The addition of monster species meant that Ilea didn’t have to build up the damage reduction against each Hadranim, instead gaining the full fifty percent against each and every one of them from the get go. Nor did the effect drop between battles. Her fifty percent against Feyrair remained, even if they didn’t have a bout for half a day between.

The flesh growth death prevention cooldown being reduced from a day to six hours was welcome too, but Ilea had yet to experience it, nor did she plan to ever have it activate.

The levels were considerable too, her skill increases and ability to adjust to the Hadranim and Sarguihn didn’t quite bridge the gap between their levels. Though she did notice a slow down of levels gained after the first week, despite her increased kill count in the second one.

Her stat points she invested into Vitality, Wisdom, and Intelligence. Every point allowed her to fight for just a little bit longer, both in terms of mana, and required healing.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 2

Unspent Core skill points: 3

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2392 Total skill levels]: 1

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 535

- Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 16

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 20

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 15

- Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 15

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 533

- Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 21

- Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 14

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 14

- Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 16

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 15

- Passive: Vision of Ash – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 20

- Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 15

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 522

- Active: Primordial Shift – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 16

- Active: Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Reality Warp – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 6

- Passive: Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 13

General Skills:

- Ashen Limbs – lvl 20

- Bulwark of Ash – lvl 14

- Dancing – lvl 7

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 27

- Drill – lvl 13

- Elos Standard language - lvl 6

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 8

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 16

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 2

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 17

- Minor Earth Manipulation – lvl 4

- Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 3

- Minor Lava Manipulation – lvl 5

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 15

- Monstrous – lvl 15

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 11

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 18

- Soul Perception – lvl 15

- Spear of Ash – 2nd lvl 2

- Teaching – lvl 10

- Telepathy – lvl 7

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 30

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 23

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 15

- Curse Resistance - 3rd lvl 6

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 9

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 11

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 11

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 25

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 3

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 11

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 7

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 3

- Petrification Resistance – lvl 14

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 2

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 13

- Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 12

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Soul Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 12

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 11

- Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

Status:

Vitality: 1920

Endurance: 450

Strength:545

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1730

Wisdom:1920

Health: 57284/60057

Stamina: 3820/4500

Mana: 83299/115200

Less health than before. Well. I’ll get there again soon enough, she thought and watched the red dragon charging her way. It didn’t exactly feel right anymore to call him dragonling. Young dragon might fit. Or drake. Then again he does have four arms… hmm. Beams of white flame formed out of nowhere, cutting into ash armor as Ilea held her ground, the stone wall behind her cut through, molten rock glowing as the flame of creation spread.

The dragon vanished and appeared above her, a sphere of heat and fire expanding to envelope everything in its range.

Ilea’s head whipped back, several of her ash layers gone before she answered with a charged blast of heat, the attack leaving a glowing spot on her foe’s chest. She vanished, a charged kick slamming against his massive snout, the physical force creating a shock wave as his head was slammed downwards.

She decided his upgrades to limit mana intrusion weren’t her fault. If anything, the elf had chosen to take a class specifically countering her most powerful abilities. At least her reverse healing still worked.

Kyrian watched from the sidelines, most of the cavern illuminated by white flame. The local ecosystem had long been obliterated, two maniacs and a curse mage had made sure of that.

Chapter 736 Definitely not a cult gathering

Chapter 736 Definitely not a cult gathering

Willa joined the throng of people with a mug in her hand, the cold tea balanced as she rushed down the stairs of the headquarters. She smiled at the Sentinels around her. Many she had never talked to or even seen before. Entire teams she couldn’t identify, small marks on their stonehammer and bone armor identifying them as Hunters.

Above level two hundred, and they passed the exams. She couldn’t help but stare. They were the elite of their organization. It didn’t help that many chose to wear their helmets, ash armor, or face obscuring hoods, even down here in their home base. The faces she did see were as diverse as the people she saw on a daily basis. Some were smiling, poking each other with jokes and gestures, others entirely silent, perpetual frowns on their faces and death in their eyes.

Dozens of excited talks made it difficult to focus on anything in particular, people constantly greeting others with joy in their eyes, hugging or punching each other. Some had been out on jobs for months, only coming back to get new assignments.

The past few weeks had been quite hectic, their regular training interrupted for some construction work and monster extermination down near Morhill. Rumors had been going around that Hunters weren’t getting new jobs, instead asked to stay here for an event that would soon take place. The rumors soon became a well known fact when the headquarters filled up more and more, new rooms created to accommodate some of the Sentinels. Many chose to stay in various Ravenhall inns instead. Willa even heard that some were living out in the wilderness, preferring the quiet nights to the bustling city.

She wondered what that felt like. To be powerful enough to sleep in the forests, to survive the chill, to fight off the monsters and continue sleeping. Soon she would reach that point as well, having finally unlocked her classes. One even as a first among all the Sentinels. All her early resistance training had payed off, just as she had hoped.

Ash Huntress proved to be quite different from the usual medic classes, the nuance in its manipulation spells giving her both more things to figure out and fine tune, but more options as well. Coupled with her Ashen Medic Class that she chose for her second one, she would surely overtake even Lilith in power. A few years at most, she speculated. Maybe longer, because she worked in a team. A restriction that Lilith herself didn’t have, and the only reason she was as strong as she was.

Willa heard a hush go through the crowd, many of the conversations stopping as the crowd parted to let through a large man covered in ash.

His silent form moved past with confident steps, some of the present Sentinels giving him respectful nods.

She head whispers of the name Gael. Her eyes opened wide at the mention. The first Veteran. Level three hundred.

There were a lot of rumors going around about various members. The joke to introduce oneself as Lilith to new members was getting old, which meant people started to instead introduce themselves as various high level members, some even going as far as using Trian’s name, which admittedly didn’t make much sense. And still, the tradition stuck. People started to spin stories about their exploits, which led to conversations and inquiries amongst the students. They had songs about Lilith, but how powerful was Gael? How strong were Vienna or Chana? Plenty of members had shot past the two hundreds and many were out for months at a time, only back to eat and sleep for single nights, some only for a quick visit to the Headmaster’s office. The brave ones asked questions but it was difficult to say if the high level members answered truthfully. And so it became a bit of a game. Legends were born, stories attributed to people that had happened or not.

Much of it was proven wrong, mostly just dismissed by the members themselves when asked about it. Gael however, had songs about himself. Songs that had even reached the inns of Ravenhall. His monster exterminations near the former Baralia were well known by now. They told of the Ashen Butcher. He refuted few of the stories.

She could hear the stairs groan under his weight, his eyes sharp as he watched everyone. Like some monster in an unknown environment. She gulped. Some rumors had said the man was insane. He was one of few who refused a team entirely. Willa didn’t think any of that was true. He looked intimidating, but so did others. The man had chosen to become a Sentinel. The hair on her neck stood up when he walked past her. She smelled blood. Maybe he’s just not very sociable.

The crowd reformed behind the man, chatter resuming now that the novelty of his presence had passed. They soon streamed into the main training hall where dozens of Sentinels were already waiting.

A few groups were standing around people engaged in battle, others showing off various magical skills and abilities. Some were using the opportunity to gain new resistances or more levels in certain rare types that few Sentinels wielded. People shared stories and songs. A few tables had been set up with food and drink being shared, card games and instruments adding to the atmosphere.

To Willa it looked a lot like the inn she had visited so many times back home. With a few choice differences. Everyone here looked similar for one. Ash armor for those at a higher level who could sustain it indefinitely, stonehammer and bone armor for those that came from recent jobs. The rest was dressed in the leather armor sets or clothing provided by the Sentinels. Very few members had clothing of a higher quality when they joined, nor would they have wanted to wear it. It was an honor after all, to be part of the Medic Sentinels.

Another thing Willa missed compared to the Rotten Inn was an often present tension. Something that had just lain in the air. A feeling she had learned to discern. Frustrated adventurers who had been injured or pushed back in the Caverns of Rot. People looking for a fight. Drunkards at the end of their wits, the dungeon more dangerous than merchants or guilds in Utach had advertised.

People were outright fighting here, some beating each other to bloody pulps, others watching, offering advice or healing. But there was no real tension, no conflict. They had all gone through the same, had trained to reach similar goals, had learned from the same teachers.

Lastly, Willa felt an awareness here that she had only started to notice a few weeks prior. Something downright instinctual that came with a lot of combat and training. The way people stood, sat, the way they moved. She could tell they were experienced. Fighters each and every one of them, in tune with their bodies and their magic, some more dangerous than others. And I am one of them, she thought with a grin, spotting her little group standing with a few armed Sentinels.

Phoebe was talking to a Hunter, asking questions about a beast they had encountered.

“Hey all,” she greeted, both her team and the other four, all but one not particularly interested in the conversation. Their armor had some visible dents and scratches, none of them wearing their helmets. “Back from a job?” she asked a woman that looked a few years older than her, near white hair with three scars across her neck.

[Battle Healer – lvl ??]

She had learned in the inn that it was generally not the best idea to strike up a conversation with someone you couldn’t identify. For more than a few reasons. Within the headquarters however, that hardly ever applied. Best case, they’d take the time for a bout, and people were encouraged to do so. Both by the headmasters and Lilith herself, the latter always open to train people when she was around. Worst case, they would neither be interested in a conversation nor training.

“Yes. We came back late last night. Six weeks in the forests near Stormbreach,” the woman explained. “Morhill looked different. Does this have something to do with the tournament?”

Willa grinned. She knew something they didn’t. A glance to her team showed a scared Ember, disinterested Mila, and entirely focused Phoebe. Hah, can’t stop me now. She moved closer to the woman and sat down on the bench next to her. “We helped build some of it. It’s not just a tournament, but a demonstration too.”

The woman turned her head with one eyebrow raised.

Of course Willa and her team hadn’t just helped set up arenas and stands. They had done their own scouting. The newly added buildings covered in enchantments were especially interesting. Mila had offered quite an interesting theory. “Long range teleportation,” she whispered.

The two remaining disinterested members now perked up too, one turning her way, green piercing eyes taking in her form. She could feel magic move over her but couldn’t place it.

“Well… it’s a theory. But it makes sense, with how the new buildings are positioned. The enchantments are set up to contain what is within but nothing suggests they’re a prison or supposed to hold monsters,” she explained rapidly. “Well there are enchantments to keep people out too but that just makes sense.”

“And you came to the conclusion that someone figured out long range teleportation?” the woman said.

Phoebe and their last member had stopped their talk as well, the former glaring daggers at Willa.

Willa stuck out her tongue. It’s fine. They’re all Sentinels.

“You never know with Ilea,” the woman who had talked to Phoebe said. Her set of armor had three deep elongated dents across her torso.

“She’s been busy too,” the green eyed man said. “Heard she’s not been here often in the last few months.”

The white haired woman smiled. “Well, we’ll learn about it soon enough. Not much of a point in speculation.”

“I’d just like to go back to work,” their last member said, his voice a near whisper. “Trian is wasting our time.”

“Our reputation is as important as our capabilities,” their supposed leader said. She crossed her arms and looked around the hall. “They have a good reason for keeping everyone here.”

A hush went through the Sentinels in that moment. Dozens of them tensed up, with auras coming to life in twice as many. Conversations and music died out as the attention shifted towards the entrance.

Willa stood up to see but she quickly realized that wasn’t exactly necessary.

It had taken mere seconds for the entire hall to be silent, the only sound now a clinking of metal against stone. Silver legs moved over the well used battle grounds, a familiar form walking past the waiting Sentinels. Green eyes flickered in an angular insect like head towering over the human healers. Two elongated arms clinked with blade like fingers, the machine turning its head to the side before it spoke in a familiar voice. “Is this how you welcome your favorite teacher?”

Willa couldn’t help but grin, some of the Sentinels going as far as cheering. Talks erupted all over as many rushed to the machine’s side, asking rapid questions or challenging it to a bout.

The quiet man in the nearby group appeared on the bench. Willa hadn’t seen him leave.

“Pursuer of Akelion. Three mark but the magic feels far beyond five hundred,” he remarked in the same whisper like tone.

Willa didn’t miss the slight excitement she heard.

Pursuer. That’s fucking awesome. “I want to fight him,” she whispered.

The white haired woman laughed.

“You’re not the only one,” their leader spoke, another hush going through the vicinity when Gael stood up from where he had sat meditating. Everyone made space, tables vanishing and previous circles disrupted.

“I’m afraid it will have to wait for after the announcement,” Aki said, addressing the large ash covered man. “But you’ll have quite a few very interesting beings to train with. If they are willing.”

A slew of people appeared in that moment. One of them was Trian, the man wearing his usual outfit. Next to him were Kyrian and Lilith, nearby the other faculty.

Willa watched in amazement as Gael bowed to the woman with one hand to his heart, vanishing to join the ranks of the waiting Sentinels.

“Wow, I can downright taste the need for battle,” Ilea said as she looked around. She was clad in her ash armor, her face revealed to everyone.

Kyrian chuckled.

Trian clapped his hands together. “Can someone close the entrance?”

Lilith raised her hand and the gates shut with a crash.

Yes. Exactly that, Willa thought with a wide grin. She glanced at Phoebe who gulped. Her team leader at least smiled a little bit, but she always feared for the worst. A trait that had probably saved their lives a few times already. Not more often than their healing.

“I’ll make this quick. I know many of you are eager to go back out and I apologize for the delays and lack of communication. As many of you know, both me and Lilith are part of the Ravenhall council and thus entitled to vote on major decisions regarding the city and its allies. The tournament and planned events in Morhill involve not only our own city but various factions throughout Elos,” the Headmaster spoke.

Throughout Elos?

“We will be around to answer questions afterwards so please hold on to them for now. Lilith, in one of her adventures, managed to save and bring back a being from another realm. The Meadow, a high level four mark creature capable of various advanced magics. Iana and Christopher worked together with Lilith to find a way to replicate the Taleen teleportation gate technology. Involving the Meadow made the technology a reality far faster than we expected.”

“I knew it,” Willa whispered to herself.

“Oh did you now?” a voice spoke into her mind.

Her eyes whipped around until she found Lilith glancing her way. She gulped, unable to formulate a response.

“I’m sure you understand the implications of long range teleportation. An alliance was formed with various settlements throughout both the Plains and the North, involving awakened beings of species most of you have likely not encountered before. Hallowfort and the Pit are the current northern allies. The Medic Sentinel Corps too has entered the Meadow Accords. You’ll receive detailed documentation on what that entails. Should any of you not agree to such terms, you are free to discuss with us and in the worst case exit the Medic Sentinels. However based on what I know of each and every one of you, I don’t see much of an issue,” Trian said and paused for a moment.

“We offered to provide security and healing in the festivities around Morhill. The city will become a teleportation hub for both adventurers and travelers. You too will benefit from those installations. Travel times to many parts of the world will be shortened. Current frontiers will be reached in mere seconds. Any participation is paid and of course not mandatory. Should you be interested to join the tournament itself, we merely ask the higher leveled members to reconsider. It wouldn’t be the best look if all the winners are Medic Sentinels. A few might be good however. We have some time until the festivities start, which means an internal set of discussions and bouts could be held here to determine who wishes to take part,” he explained.

Willa glanced at her team. They could participate. We’re too low to be guards at such a prestigious event. But against others of our level… we will absolutely dominate!

“Teleportation gates,” the other team leader murmured. “Still think it’s a waste of time?”

The man didn’t reply.

“We will guard this event,” the woman added. “In favor?”

The three others instantly made the same gesture.

“Good. I will talk to Trian in an hour. Clean up and get your repairs done. Briefing in two hours, Harpy’s Inn,” the woman said, two of her allies vanishing instantly.

The white haired one remained, both hands behind her head as she leaned back.

“You should clean up too,” the leader said.

“Gael is eyeing the machine. I want to see,” she said with a smile.

“I want to see too,” Willa said, hands on her thighs as she tried to follow the woman’s gaze.

_______________________________

Ilea watched the Sentinels that approached, Trian handing out copies of the Meadow Accords and answering questions to the best of his abilities.

Gael had stood up and glared towards Aki.

“Might want to go show off a little. Reestablish your dominance,” Ilea said to the machine.

“What do you mean re establish?” Aki asked, one of his eyes sparking. He moved over to face the single Sentinel as movement returned to the hall.

Many of the higher leveled ones had already left, some still discussing various options in their teams. There were nearly two hundred of them now, about a fourth above two hundred. With them all being healers, Ilea didn’t exactly know how to gauge the gathered power. She gently brushed her hand against Trian’s shoulder, smiling to herself as she watched the heated conversations. The clash of steel against ash resounded in the same moment, cheers resounding as Gael rammed his large head against the high level Pursuer.

That’s going to be one chaotic as fuck tournament, she thought when a group of ten battle healers approached.

“Lady Lilith, we e… while you’re here… maybe you c… could help with some pain tolerance training?” one of them asked, urged on by the others. None were above level one hundred.

“Sure,” Ilea said with a smile. “I’ll be in the city for a while. Trian, do you need me here still?”

“Expected you to take part in the bouts,” he said.

“We can half participate. Just need a corner of the hall for them to lie down in horrific pain,” she said and gave him a thumbs up.

Some of the Sentinels gulped.

“Don’t worry. That’s the good part with my healing. No permanent damage,” she said and tapped her temple.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Kyrian said in a dry tone. He deflected a chunk of stone that had flown towards their group, Gael’s roar reverberating through the hall right before his legs were ripped off.

Chapter 737 Visitors

Chapter 737 Visitors

Cold water collected on the stone ceiling, drops forming before they fell to collect in tiny unseen puddles. A single torch flickered, held by a man in a red robe, his face hidden behind a bloodied mask.

Millis watched from her dry corner. Her own face was covered too, not that she assumed anybody took note of her.

“We would like to see the demons,” the red robed man said to the woman standing opposite.

She wore two blades on her back, a brown duster protecting her against the cold southern climate. Her face was covered by a simple bandana.

Rogue. Millis hated them. Outlaws, deserters, cursed healers. Not for long, she told herself.

Two large men in plate armor opened a grated iron door, enchantments vanishing with the gesture. Scratching sounds came from within.

“Your rituals,” Rogue demanded. It was the name she had chosen for herself.

Millis was the Soldier. She had fought for Lord Harken in many battles, had waited for the scouts to return with news of their triumph but instead the army had been defeated. By Ravenhall and Riverwatch, by the creature that called itself Lilith. She accepted that the being was powerful, but she hadn’t been there, had not been subject to the illusion the other soldiers must have seen. The mind magic spells that affected Lord Harken himself. She had left that den of madness as soon as she understood the corruption their enemies had sewn within. And some came with her.

They had built what they could in Ravenhall and Morhill, had gathered all the information that was available. Yet they lacked the strength to strike against the Shadow’s Hand, or reveal themselves with an attack on the Medic Sentinels. She didn’t like the idea of using demons but the ploy made sense. With the upcoming tournament, thousands would be there. Chaos, to dethrone the shadowqueen of the south, to bait her out, and to kill her, and her followers.

But demons weren’t their only weapon. No. Against someone as powerful as Lilith, they had to employ everything and everyone they could find. It hadn’t come as a surprise to find out about other groups such as themselves. The Rogue had led a group of bandits near Riverwatch, her leader murdered by Lilith herself. She had sworn revenge on that day. The Faithful, wearing his red robes, had been part of the Order of Truth. The lies spread about their rituals made them hunted in their own lands, driven into the dark corners of the world, into exile. They have returned now, and they were prepared to show the visitors of Morhill what true blood magic looked like.

Various nobles and business owners that had been driven out by Lilith’s influence had joined their side, supplying them with mercenaries, weapons, plans, and information. Millis had seen better fighters in the slums of Wynehold but who remained to stand against the might of the south? Their corruption had already spread across the Plains. She herself had been instructed to form squads, choose officers, assign resources, and organize their logistics. What she had been doing with her troops already, now simply with the new additions brought into the mix.

“They’re in good health,” said a female voice. The Healer.

Millis doubted she had been from Baralia. The accent suggested something from the west. Dawntree, if she had to guess. There had been rumors about Lilith getting involved with the Corinth Order. She assumed it had something to do with them. Healers were always an asset of course, and they had been welcomed with open arms.

“The Shadows have dealt with demons before. How can we be sure they’re even a danger?” the Faithful asked.

“What do you mean? Have you seen one of them fight? These are near level one hundred and thirty. They will kill dozens of travelers, even adventurers, each one in turn summoned as one of theirs,” the Rogue said and spat into the darkness. “Horrible creatures.”

“Have you set up your rituals?” Millis asked.

The red robed man hissed and turned her way. “Our agents report that our runes are found and dealt with. It seems Ravenhall has learned from their summoning. It matters not. When the blood starts to flow, our priests will be unstoppable.”

“Quiet,” Rogue said and looked up.

Millis unsheathed her daggers without a sound, listening with her auras active. There was nothing. Nothing. She looked towards the ceiling and saw another drop collect, the water falling before it impacted into a dark puddle only visible to her enhanced eyes. It produced no sound.

She was about to call out when a swirl of motion moved through the room, a large scythe like blade glinting with reflected torchlight until darkness consumed all. Her body was tense, her magics active. She was hidden, her eyes seeing all three of her allies fall into pieces, blood spurting from severed arteries, all of it in perfect silence. The perpetrator she could not see, their form wreathed in shadow. Unfocused and unmoving. A dripping noise resounded, the scratching returned.

“Why don’t you take care of the demons,” a deep voice called out. Steps followed, a massive six legged being of nightmare rushed past on the ceiling. Something hit flesh a moment later, the scratching sounds gone.

“Four demons, all below one thirty,” a distorted voice spoke, green eyes flickering in the darkness, its hands moving with bladed fingers. It left a moment later, each step sending shivers down Millis’ spine.

She counted her heartbeats.

“I bet you’re wondering why I left you alive,” the deep voice said a few seconds later, turning to Millis as his form was revealed.

He saw me.

The man looked ordinary. Black hair, black eyes, muscular. Just like…

He smiled. “Yes, Millis. I’m really sorry,” he said and actually frowned. “I’m not really a former Baralia soldier. You didn’t do a half bad job organizing this thing but I must ask you about all the safe houses. I’m not sure if I got them all.”

“Who…” her voice was gone when something heavy impacted her chest.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, now standing above her form.

She couldn’t breathe, her daggers gone as a ringing came to her ears.

“Look. Lilith hates torture. So we’ll make this brief. I also understand that you were just a soldier in Wynehold, angry with what happened. One woman destroying an army, all that. Must’ve been tough. Hard to swallow. Now please cooperate. Your pathetic crew of thugs won’t do any serious damage but I have a reputation to uphold,” the man spoke and raised her with one hand to her skull.

____________________________

“All I’m saying is that we could’ve brought a change of clothes if you had told me where we were going,” Jyraiu complained. He put both hands on his knees to get some rest. “Food and water’s been out for half a week for fuck’s sake.”

The noble just waved him off with the usual dismissive gesture. “Yadda yadda yadda, can you not shuuut up for one fucking hour. Edwin please, we have no water, Edwin, I need to pee, Edwin, I’m bleeding out, Edwin my fire is meant for performing, not for fighting roving groups of goblins. If I didn’t know better I’d think you some bloody princess.” He spread his arms, the empty bottle he held flinging out of his grip with the gesture. It shattered on a nearby rock. “This is a fucking adventure!”

“There were enough fucking adventures near the capital,” Jyraiu said. Felicia had instructed him to keep them close. Not that he had any tangible control over the swordmaster.

“Yeah,” Edwin said and held up a finger. “True.” He paused. “Yeah, that’s true. But a tournament!?” he smiled now and twirled around. “A tournament to celebrate the south, the independence of Ravenhall, all the trade they provide, all the allies they have. The goddess they look up to. All hail… Lilith,” he said and bowed.

“You’re still shit at bowing. How were you even educated?” Jyraiu asked, regretting his choice of words as they came out of his mouth.

“Beaten into me, in dark fucking cellars. Facilities made to toughen up the unwanted youth. A great noble fucking life that was, I tell you,” Edwin spat before he put down his pack and started rummaging through the pile.

Jyraiu didn’t hope for anything. Edwin mostly carried bottles. Fewer now, admittedly, but for this long journey he had prepared.

“Come. We got two days left or something. It’s still a way’s off,” the noble said.

“Do you even know where we are?” Jyraiu asked. There was no road anymore, just a slope leading up to a bunch of hills. A small patch of forest to the side, and a group of Drakkenboars staring them down. He froze instantly and continued in a calm voice. “We might… have a problem.”

“What do you mean?” Edwin asked.

“Drakkenboars. They’re about to ch-” Jyraiu said and spread his fiery wings.

One of the critters crashed into the noble, shattering his entire bottle collection and leaving the man rolling down a nearby hill.

Shit. If he dies I’m gonna be in trouble, he thought and looked around. His fire wasn’t enough to deal with the monsters. They were near Edwin’s level and had high resistances against common magics.

What should I do. He saw the silhouettes of wagons in the distance and decided to call for help. A bright plume of fire spread from his hand up into the sky. He waited for a moment, still unsure if he should help the noble directly or not. The man was too heavy to carry efficiently and he stank. At least it seemed they were going the right direction, snow covered mountains rising up in the distance.

Nothing came from the wagons which meant he had to do something himself. He landed near the boars who had ganged up on the noble, continuously slamming their skulls and tusks into his rolling form.

“I’m fine,” Edwin groaned as he raised himself up, only to be struck down again, his first sword clattering to the ground.

“Hold still, I’ll distract-” Jyraiu spoke when four people landed. Black wings, black armor. Ash. “Wh-” he nearly jumped when one of them appeared next to him, a warm feeling flowing through him before the being vanished once more.

The group spread out and attacked the boars with kicks, fiery magic spreading through the critters. One of them outright exploded. One of the armed ashen figures appeared next to Edwin, holding out a hand towards his crouched form.

“I said, I’m fine,” the man exclaimed. “Oh not you ag… now there’s four of you?”

The last two boars were dealt with and the group checked the vicinity.

[Battle Healer – lvl 104]

Jyraiu checked the others and found them at similar levels. Wait. Those boars were near two hundred!

“We’re Medic Sentinels tasked with assisting travelers on the way south. Are you on your way towards Morhill?” one of them asked.

“We’ll get there ourselves,” Edwin said.

“We are, yes. And we appreciate the help,” Jyraiu said quickly.

“Good. You should be… fine,” one of the Sentinels said. “It might be good to get back on the road. There’s a large caravan we just met only about an hour’s walk east. With your levels it should be easy to catch up with them. They have guards.”

“And soap,” another one said.

Edwin grabbed for his swords but they were somewhere on the ground. “Careful,” he said instead, raising a finger. “I’ve trained your beloved fucking Lilith. You have nothing to say to me.”

“Of course,” the Sentinel said in a mix of confusion and pity. “They’ll be fine, let’s move east and raise the distance. Push those wings,” the man said and shot up, followed by the others. A few seconds later they were mere dots in the sky.

“Damn,” Jyraiu murmured.

“Don’t say a damn thing,” Edwin grumbled, collecting his treasured weapons. “Of course they use the same stupid fucking ash, and intrusion spells,” he murmured and spat. “It’s like she made little copies of herself, even more righteous and annoying.”

Jyraiu chose not to mention that it was Edwin’s decision to come south for the tournament. “Come on, old man. Let’s find some soap.”

“I don’t need it,” he said.

“I know,” Jyraiu sighed. “I know.”

___________________________

Dale looked at the guards. Some of them he had trained himself. It would’ve been easier otherwise. “Sure this is safe?” he asked again.

“People went through. And came back. All in order, Captain,” one of them said. Though it was clear the young man was a little skeptical.

“What’s the holdup?” someone asked outside of the entrance.

Dale sighed, a reassuring hand touching his shoulder. He looked up to see Abby.

She smiled. “What is it?” she asked in a near whisper. Some of the guards damn near snickered.

He glared at them.

“She said it’s safe, right?” Abby asked and stepped onto the platform.

“Lungs, was it?” he asked in a dry tone as he joined her.

Benerick held a magical device and put it into some sort of pedestal. “Ready, Captain?”

He nodded and closed his eyes.

“Lungs,” Abby repeated. Then everything went white. Magic surged, then calmed.

Dale opened his eyes to see the inside of a stone hall, steps leading away from a platform much like the one they had just stepped on. Guards clad in black stood nearby, various people sitting on benches, some holding their stomach. He recognized some of them from the queue outside Riverwatch.

Magical light burned from above, a hand grabbing his. He looked to the side and saw Abby, the red hair and green eyes as captivating as the first time he had met her. The same smile too.

“Let’s see where we are,” his love said with a bright grin and skipped off the platform, dragging him along.

Dale glanced around the room as he followed along, his gaze stopping on a massive man in full plate armor. No eyes, he wondered, something about the way the guard stood gave him pause.

The large man nodded when they reached the door. “Enjoy your stay,” he spoke in a deep whisper like tone unlike anything Dale had ever heard before.

Abby giggled. “That’s a mighty voice! Is it magic?”

The guard didn’t visibly react. “My voice? Mighty? Thank you,” he said and bowed, the large obsidian axe on his back visible. “One blessed by flaming hair and emerald eye. Welcome, to Morhill,” he said and opened one of the large steel double doors.

Sound instantly flooded into the hall, throngs of people walking past outside, some glancing inside to see the newcomers. Music rang in the distance.

“Thank you. One blessed by mighty voice and heavy armor,” Abby said with a smile as she dragged Dale outside.

The guard gave them a curt nod and shut the door.

Dale saw the stone buildings rise all around, simple in design, gray tiled roofs half covered in snow. Buildings made to last, to withstand the cold. Two stories at most, windows closed and murky.

“Look!” Abby called out, her voice near instantly lost in the chatter and cheers.

He too followed her gaze, his eyes landing on a snow covered mountain reaching up into the skies. It wasn’t Karth. He knew Karth.

Dale stood there for a long moment, just taking in the different backdrop. Sure, it didn’t look like Riverwatch, but that had somehow not exactly been enough to convince him. A mountain though?

Teleportation gates, he thought and shook his head. He watched the hundreds of people flooding the streets, the stands and stores open to welcome the influx of tourists, wares stockpiled for the festivities. And at the center of it all was the healer he had found a few hours outside Riverwatch.

“Are you okay?” Abby asked, getting closer, her hand still holding his.

“Yeah,” Dale said and kissed her. “Let’s see what this place has to offer.”

They both smiled and joined the hundreds of people. Dale spotted well placed guards, all around. Atop houses, leaning against walls, or sitting at the edge of the small squares they passed. Most of them in black but there were differences. He had heard of the Shadowguard but few of them were supposedly above level two hundred. There were too many in that level range, and most of them wore full plate armor and were large for men. Ilea’s friends from the North then? he wondered.

The people he saw in bone and steel armor weren’t quite as stationary. They moved around with purpose, staying atop buildings or to the side. Focused eyes took in everything, the healers occasionally vanishing or checking on tourists. Dale watched one of them when the man made eye contact, the only thing revealed by the guardian’s horned helmet. Sentinel. He gave the battle healer a light nod and received one in return.

Their level ranged from fifty to beyond what he could identify, but even the lower leveled ones moved through the crowd with ease, a light tension in their bodies that reminded him of experienced adventurers. He would take one of them over a higher leveled guard whose last battle had happened two years prior any day of the week. Dale felt the hair on his arms stand up when he watched them. Intermingling with the crowds. He assumed the healer tag was what kept them at the back of people’s minds because to him, they were absolutely terrifying. Knowing their strongest member didn’t exactly help.

They spent the next hour walking the streets, soon reaching the walls where massive banners informed them about the arenas and stands located outside of the city proper. Didn’t have space for everything, I see.

Leaving the town didn’t exactly lead to the wilderness however. Instead there was another set of walls, showing considerably less wear than the main city defenses. The walkways here were much broader, lined with stands that had been set up in the past weeks. Goods from all over were being sold, Dale even spotting some Riverwatch specialties. Beyond that towered a variety of round structures, some larger than others, a few even covered in a dome.

“Feeling the urge to compete?” Abby asked as they walked past one of them, the details of the respective tournament explained in large black letters near the entrance.

It seemed every arena had its own competition.

“I think watching these will be more interesting,” Dale said. “This is a vacation after all. No need to work,” he added with a smile.

Chapter 738 Concentrated Power

Chapter 738 Concentrated Power

Navalis stood to the side, her magic at the ready in case anything happened. Not that she expected someone to be quite that stupid.

Two squads of Sentinels protected the main city hall overlooking most of Morhill. Added to that were a group of war machines, fifty Shadowguard, and twenty high level Dark Ones from Hallowfort, all in full plate armor. Neither dwarves nor Dark Ones had been revealed yet to the general public.

She guessed some of the higher leveled adventurers were aware of things being a little strange but they would be distracted by the many available competitions and ludicrous winnings. She might’ve thought about competing herself if Sulivhaan hadn’t asked for their assistance. And she hated tournaments. Might’ve even had a chance with the bow one.

The need for at least a few actual Shadows to be present was obvious. Trusting Ravenhall’s teleportation gates was one thing, but to see the Sentinels, war machines, Shadowguard, and Dark Ones painted a quite unfamiliar picture. Most people in the Plains, nobility included, still thought of the Shadow’s Hand as the most powerful and prestigious order of paid adventurers and mercenaries. Their presence here brought some stability and trust. Something to cling to before they truly lose their minds.

The city hall had certainly been upgraded. Colorful banners, flower arrangements, magical lighting, red carpets. And yet all of it couldn’t perfectly hide the utilitarian stone structure itself. Built to govern a frontier town in the southern mountains. A town that didn’t benefit from the business and reputation brought by the Shadow’s Hand. The builders certainly didn’t expect the Empress of Lys to ever set foot into this hall. And yet there she was. In the flesh.

Navalis had seen her about a decade prior, but that was from afar. A few months ago she may have actually been impressed. Now everything here dulled compared to what she had seen in the North. These people are awed by teleportation gates. And yet it’s just a way to lure them in. To show them the truth. Four mark liches, taleen killing machines, and ancient space trees. Brace yourselves, humans of the Plains.

A small weight landed on her shoulder. Nothing she could perceive in any other way but she knew it was the tiny creature that had often been close to Ilea. Violence was its name. And it looked quite cute. Navalis however couldn’t shake the feeling that the little Fae was more dangerous than everything she had seen, even the Meadow. That didn’t mean she minded its presence. On the contrary. Knowing the Fae was on her shoulder calmed her down immensely. None of these rulers, guards, or high level adventurers really mattered in the grand scheme of things. She too was just one Shadow. What had once been thought to be the pinnacle of humanity, but those horizons were expanded too. The masked Empress’ Guard alone was not someone Navalis could identify.

They were welcomed by the Accords, the entire hall set up in a ball like setting, gentle music drifting past the many guests. No thrones or platforms. Catelyn and Helwart were probably the main attractions. Rulers and nobility had come from all over to attend these events. The gathered power and the amicable behavior from various very influential individuals made the event quite smooth, though it wasn’t hard to spot some who were very much against alliances with Dark Ones, dwarves, and ancient trees.

Navalis couldn’t help but smile. Insignificant nobles who don’t understand in whose presence they are. She glanced at Ilea, the woman wearing a black dress of ash that left her shoulders bare, her blue eyes downright striking as she approached the Empress and her guard.

She alone could wipe out half this hall. She felt a pat on her cheek. Yes. I shouldn’t stress out.

The royal family of Kroll was present, same as with Asila. Nipha sent nobles and merchants.

Navalis couldn’t place most of the people present but many seemed familiar with Lilith, or each other. I wonder if these people have ever been gathered in a single spot. If anyone wanted to weaken the Plains or start a war, this is the place to do it.

And yet she knew how foolish that would be. Ilea had destroyed an entire army on her own. The Shadow’s Hand had retaken a demon infested Ravenhall. That alone would dissuade most potential perpetrators but Navalis knew there was so, so much more. She had seen the Sentinels, their healing and fighting style similar to that of Lilith but compared to her they worked in teams. She didn’t know if killing at team of battle healers was even possible. One would have to overwhelm them entirely. And then there was Aki. Out there somewhere, with that spy. She didn’t know who terrified her more. At least the Pursuer didn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. She shuddered at the thought of its blade fingers.

She focused her magic and listened in on conversations to distract herself a little.

_______________________________

Ilea was glad for everyone else in the hall. They took some of the attention off her. She had already seen Emmanuel Eilhart, Julianna Veyer, and most of the Kroll nobility. Michael had come as well. In the flesh even, if she hadn’t lost the intuition she built back in Erendar. Claire had been right. The benefits of this alliance far outweighed any past grievances or even the fact that she had brought back the Meadow. With the teleportation gates alone, they were now a major player. One that couldn’t just be dismissed or wiped out.

Representatives of the so called independent cities from the former Baralia were present too, as were high ranking members from the various Healing Orders. Allistair was present of course, as were other important figures from Riverwatch. Dawntree had sent a few officials too, despite their quite young government. As did Stormbreach. Ilea didn’t spot the Lady of Benevolence herself but she hadn’t exactly expected her to show up in the flesh.

Ilea smiled at the Empress and her guard as they moved on to talk to the council of Hallowfort. She addressed the next group, some of whom she knew personally. “General Ryse. It’s good to see you in good health,” she said, quickly glancing at Felicia who stood to his side.

“I can’t say I share the same sentiment,” the General spoke, though his words lacked passion. He looked tired. “You brought that dreaded thing back.”

“Please don’t talk about my good friend in such a manner,” Ilea said with a bright smile. “You know I don’t exactly care about diplomatic relations.” It wasn’t exactly true but she assumed beating up a General wouldn’t immediately cause a war. Not after her meeting with Alyris and her guard. Not with the teleportation gates and the Meadow Accords.

He grit his teeth but chose not to provoke her. “I hope for the best, Lilith. I shall mingle,” he said instead and walked off.

The other nobles and military leaders had a variety of reactions, likely based on their previous opinion of the man.

Ilea didn’t care. “Major Redleaf,” she said and walked a little to the side.

The woman had chosen to wear her armor to the event, her black hair propped up with red pins, near yellow eyes taking in the various guests. She grabbed a glass of wine from one of the waiters and joined Ilea.

“You’re so very blunt. That dismissal just offended half the Lys nobility, and your favorable treatment of myself will cause me quite a bit of trouble. And opportunities. At least your talk with Ryse will balance things out,” Felicia said, the two finding a window sill at the side of the hall, ignoring the chairs and benches. The woman waved her hand. “Apologies. I just spend so much time around nobles.”

“Still don’t know how you do it,” Ilea said. “Just looking at this hall makes me want to go out and punch something.”

“Yes. I can tell,” the woman said and sipped on her wine. “How have you been?”

“Good, I suppose. Been training a lot. Some interesting new partners,” she said.

“Sleeping around, are we?” Felicia asked.

“Hush. You know what I mean,” Ilea said.

“I do. I’m just not sure which one would be more intimate to you,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “It’s really not that simple of a question.”

“Maybe you’d indulge an old friend with a spar then, sometime in the future,” Felicia said.

Ilea grabbed a glass of wine as well. She sipped on it, avoiding eye contact with the woman. “I will think about it.”

“This is really quite an unprecedented event, but then what’s new with you. Michael is here too. Are you fine with that?” Felicia asked.

“What am I gonna do? Start a war for his revenge? He saved your life,” Ilea said.

“You don’t sound convinced. But I agree. You wouldn’t like the outcome of a conflict. And I’m sure neither would she,” Felicia said.

“I wouldn’t exactly know,” Ilea answered. Eve hadn’t been the most open person she had met. At least the man didn’t come and talk to her about the Meadow.

It was definitely a little strange, to see influential humans interact with Catelyn and her crew. If they knew about her cake obsession. Will have to introduce her to Popi finally. Quite a lot of potential introductions to be made.

She wasn’t particularly interested in the current setting, mostly there as an additional deterrent if anyone decided to do something outrageously stupid. Her name had a certain weight attached to it, even if Kyrian could likely do just as well dealing with whatever could occur. A part of her did wonder what would happen to the Plains if everyone in this room would be removed in an instant. Half the Lily was there too. The members she knew at least. Nero was talking to a group of nobles and Helena had taken an interest in Elana. Guess that’s the next member.

Ilea assumed the secret organization would happily bend the rules if the potential benefits were present.

“I have to go talk to some of the others, lest the world starts to think we’re an item,” Felicia said and stood up, bowing in a respectful manner.

“Do enjoy yourself,” Ilea said. She watched the woman go and turned her attention to the window, the bustling town with its massive festival extensions reaching through the valley beyond.

“You look miserable,” Kyrian said as he joined her.

Ilea puffed. “Well. Yeah. You never struck me as someone who would enjoy a setting like this either.”

The man sat down on the sill and looked at the crowd. He wore clothes for once, instead of his metal armor. He touched the fabric close to his hands constantly. “What do you mean? I had an entire court back on the Krahen Isles.”

Ilea checked Heron for a reaction but she was either too late or he hadn’t listened in. She assumed everyone was listening to everyone in here. She just didn’t want to bother censoring herself. People now knew about the Meadow, at least in theory. Soon those who wished could visit Hallowfort.

“Court of birds?” Ilea asked.

“It’s not that different,” he suggested.

“I don’t even want to hear your reasoning,” she said.

“At least I’m not the famed Lilith. I’m surprised at how few of the guests have approached you,” he said.

“They’re watching each other. Gauging who has what kind of connection. This might as well be a battlefield. Just one where they can’t brutally murder their opponents, so they talk, mingle, make deals. Approaching me is a risk, a declaration,” Ilea sent.

“A declaration of what?” Kyrian asked.

“I have no clue. Look, I’m not good at it. But I can see some of the patterns. And it’s exhausting. That’s why I leave these talks and negotiations to Claire and Catelyn. As long as everyone benefits far more than they lose, I’ll hope that peace is possible,” Ilea said.

“And if it isn’t?” Kyrian asked.

“Then it isn’t,” Ilea answered. “But I don’t see anyone that could stop me. Or you. Let alone the combined forces of the Meadow Accords. It’s a good start. Conflict is in nobody’s favor, not with long range teleportation on the line.”

“It is quite an asset to have,” Kyrian admitted. “When are we going back to Karth?”

Ilea smiled. “You get me.”

“I’m just as bored as you are. By the way… I… actually had a reason to talk to you, other than well… your state of misery,” he said.

“Oh? Do tell,” Ilea said and hugged her dress covered knees.

“Aliana is here. In Morhill. She came through the Virilya gate with Felicia,” he said.

Ilea grinned. “Good for you. Is that why you want to get out of this hall?”

He shrugged. “One of the reasons. But I was wondering… kinda wanted to surprise her. Keyla Aranoth… the cook of the Golden Drake. She’s a good friend of yours right?”

“Yes,” Ilea said. “She set up the Golden Goose here in Morhill. I hear it’s quite… popular.”

“Not just popular. It’s become kind of a competition to get a reservation. I sadly don’t happen to be a rich noble, king of a country, or quite as famous as you,” he said.

“I’ll check with her and come back to you,” Ilea said. “Today?”

“That would be best. It’s the premiere of the new menu,” Kyrian said.

“Didn’t know you were that interested in food, let alone high class dining,” Ilea mused.

The man scratched his cheek. “Well… Aliana does like cooking a lot. And the culture is quite established in Virilya.”

“Very cute,” Ilea said.

“What do you mean cute?” Kyrian asked, brows rising.

“Very cute, mr level four hundred metal curse man, surprising his love with a thoughtful gift. I approve,” Ilea said.

“Oh, if I have Lilith’s approval, that certainly means something. The famous brawler who happens to be a healer too, obsessed with food and downright suicidal monster hunts,” he said.

Ilea downed her wine. “Who is this brawler you speak of? She sounds lovely.”

______________________________

Navalis stuffed herself at the buffet after the guests had flowed back out into the city. Teleportation gate presentations and visits to the domain of the Meadow had been offered to everyone. She assumed the next few days will be filled with a lot of paperwork, risk assessment, and budgeting. For the smaller nobles that was. Navalis knew that with deals this large, the big players had already signed their deals days or weeks prior.

A few waiters and Shadowguards remained, eating from the buffet and talking to each other. Four dwarves were tasting various leftover wines, commenting on the quality, or lack thereof.

“They’re finally gone, eh,” Ilea said, suddenly there and piling food onto a large plate.

The weight was gone from her shoulder a moment later.

“Hey there,” Ilea murmured. “Didn’t know you came south too. How do you like it, Navalis?”

“The festival you mean?” she asked.

“The festival, the buffet, the previous gathering of the most powerful humanity has to offer,” Ilea said, biting down on a filled pastry.

“It’s strange. Having seen the Meadow. Owl, and Aki,” Navalis said. “You as well.”

Ilea swallowed. “I’m just an afterthought. That’s good,” she said and continued eating. “Are you getting paid for this by the way?”

“We’re helping out Sulivhaan. Pay is not expected, but he’s likely going to do so anyway,” she answered.

“Good. This thing has cost an absolute fortune as far as I understand,” Ilea said.

“The gates will bring that back in a hundred fold,” Navalis suggested.

Ilea smiled. “Maybe. I have no clue. It will be way more convenient to travel, and deal with monster incursions. Or other conflicts.”

“Indeed. Prices for Shadows and adventurers will drop too, with travel times reduced to mere hours, potentially even less. But It will probably take years to set up a large network,” Navalis said.

“Not really,” Ilea said. “They massively reduce logistics too. With the ability to teleport materials, setting up new gates is trivial. Enchanters will have to do extra work, and their guards will have to deal with a bunch of would be thieves. But with everyone that was here today… it’ll be a competition to see who gets the most gates working the fastest. I’d imagine that in a few weeks, you’ll be able to travel from Virilya to Ravenhall, to Halstein, and back in the span of a few minutes.”

“It sounds quite surreal,” Navalis said.

A man wearing a luxurious silver dress joined them. The slightly wild gray hair suited him, deep green eyes taking her in. He piled some food onto a plate before he grabbed a glass of wine. “I don’t think people realize how much of an impact these gates will have on the world.”

“Maro, this is the city hall,” Ilea said.

“Indeed. And the ball is over. This stuff is lukewarm. Better eat it now,” the man said.

“Didn’t you want to meet Elana?” Ilea asked.

He raised his glass and winked at them. “All in due time, my dear savior.” He walked backwards towards the large exit and twirled, his glass raised high. “All in due time.”

“Who was that?” Navalis asked.

“Old friend,” Ilea said. “I think he’s been around Nero for too long. That or this is who he really always was. I wonder.”

“If he’s happy,” Navalis said.

“I suppose,” Lilith said. She ate a piece as they looked out towards the exit, bits of the highest reaching arenas visible with snow covered mountains spreading in the back. “Taking part in any of the tournaments?”

“No,” Navalis said. “The prices are incredibly though.”

“The Meadow Accords flaunting their wealth,” Ilea said.

“What about you?” Navalis asked.

“The tournaments? Probably not. Doubt it would be very interesting. If a worthy competitor shows up, I can always ask them for a bout afterwards,” she said.

“I remember you asked about archery when we initially met,” Navalis said.

“I do have a bow,” Ilea mused.

“There is a bow tournament,” Navalis said and looked over at the smiling woman. “You could join.”

Chapter 739 Card Tricks

Chapter 739 Card Tricks

Lily woke up when the cart came to a sudden halt, the roads more rocky now that they had reached the southern parts of Lys. Forests were fewer here, as were lakes and rivers. She didn’t like it. The trees could hide her and her pack more easily. They allowed her to hunt.

She glanced at her father, bald now with a thick beard. She supposed it suited him. He still refused to wear a shirt, the scars from his youth on display for everyone to see. It created some issues. Last week she had to bribe one of the drivers to let them join the caravan, the guards not wanting a level one thirty berserker to join, not with the way he looked. And smelled. The latter should really bother her more but with his occasional nightly disappearances, she could at least find him easily.

The cart had stopped entirely. We shouldn’t be there yet. She checked the black knife fastened to her makeshift leather belt. Then she grabbed the Alpha Hound’s trinket wrapped around her arm and used it to bind her wild black hair. The length was becoming a bit of a problem but it grew so fast she didn’t bother cutting it. Lily assumed it had to do with her canine tamer class, the transformation far more powerful since her evolution at level one fifty. As were the changes to her body. Her nails were growing faster too, and people noticed. A good thing, she supposed. In the end it hardly mattered how the two of them looked. With the right amount of coin, they could manage. And stealing from the extra rude merchants was not only exciting but cathartic as well.

The nice beige shirt and pants she had bought in Vihal were already getting dusty but it would be enough to enter the tournament without issue. Adventurers were attending after all, and many of them didn’t exactly look ready to enter a king’s hall. Plus beggars aren’t close to level one seventy.

She heard voices outside, guards calling out with an uncertain tone. She stood up and kicked her father’s leg. “Roland. Wake up. Something’s happening.”

The man grunted, his eyes opening wide before he took in his surroundings. He grabbed for the axes usually fastened to his belt but found nothing there.

“Guards… right. Do you want to go see?” he asked.

Lily ignored him and jumped out the back of the wagon. She looked around before moving into the shadow, coming out behind a cart. The suns were high on the horizon, ocean air mixing with dust. She climbed up the back of the cart to see, a group of guards gathered to the left of the thirty wagon long caravan.

Just two men. Look rough, she thought, checking the surroundings to see if there was more to it. They didn’t look like bandits, nor would she think anyone stupid enough to attack this close to Morhill. There were bound to be military escorts around, perhaps even Shadows.

“I told you, I’m Jyraiu, fire sage performer. We’re on our way to Morhill,” one of the men said. He wore battered leather armor and looked both tired and dirty. He smelled the part too.

The other one looked worse, and he was a drunk. Something about him put her on edge. Black hair and eyes, two swords strapped to a belt, barely hanging on. The blades didn’t look sharp and the man staggered just trying to stay upright. And still, her instincts told her he was the most dangerous one around.

“Eight silver coins if you want to join,” one of the guards said. “Bale, you got space right?!”

Lily sighed. Wagon of rejects it seems. The smell is gonna be horrible. She glanced to the side and jumped off, moving through the shadows once more before she teleported into a merchant’s wagon. The one who had hired the laziest guard. Joyre was his name and he was currently asleep with his head resting against a large chest. At least he’s protecting that. Lily didn’t want to bring attention to herself or her father, and too much stealing would quickly lead the guards to suspect them. So she took a single bar of soap only.

Back out, she returned to their wagon, the thing half filled with potatoes. Covered by a tarp, to protect the vegetables of course. Why Bale thought Morhill was in dire need of potatoes was a question she didn’t dare ask. It was the cheapest cart after all, and the only driver who accepted them. She threw the soap to her father who caught the thing and looked at it. “A welcoming gift to our new traveling companions.”

He raised a brow and leaned back against the wooden bar.

No comment. Nothing. She didn’t mention it. At least he wasn’t slowly degenerating anymore. Still, she was getting tired of taking care of him. Is that why I’m here? She shook her head. She was here to join a tournament, to fight people that could teach her something, to win coin. To buy equipment, from a smith she could trust.

Chatter came from outside, the two men she had seen before led towards the cart.

“They’ll give your swords back once we’re there. Come on, do you really want to walk all the way?” one of them said, the same she had heard talk before.

“Eight silver for that distance is ridiculous, and there’s no need to take my weapons,” the other said.

A guard appeared, a tired look on her face as she gestured for the two to go up. She glanced at Roland. “You’re getting two more. It’s just another six hours or so.”

“That’s fine,” Lily said instead. She grit her teeth at the woman’s look. Pity. Little she hated more. A growl resounded as her shadows threatened to attack.

The woman’s eyes opened wide as she took a step back.

“Shadow summoner. Nice Class, girl,” the weaponless drunk said as he climbed up without a care in the world. He plumped down at the back and nodded to Roland. “What’s with you?” He turned to her. “Mute?”

“Doesn’t talk much,” Lily said and shifted away from him. He knew something about her magic. Few did.

“Sorry for bothering the two of you. We had a…” the other man said and sat down next to Roland. “Rough journey,” he sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Gods I’m glad we’re finally close.” He looked up to see Roland hold out the soap. “You must be knowledgeable in divination magic. Thank you, friend. What’s your name?” the man said and took the soap. “Now to find water. I’m Jyraiu by the way.”

“Roland,” her father said.

“There’s an old woman three carts down. Low level water mage. She takes pity on people who look like you,” Lily said.

[Fire Mage – lvl 166]

She glanced at the other man.

[Sword Master – lvl 226]

No wonder he seemed dangerous. Adventurer?

“I don’t need a fucking bath,” the man said.

“Yes you do,” Lily said and stared at him.

He quirked up his brows and stared back. “Tough one, are you?”

She didn’t reply.

“Don’t glare at her,” Roland said, his teeth grinding.

“Berserker going to be mad? She your slave? Your daughter? Picked her up on the road out of pity?” the man asked.

“Stay out of it,” Lily said. Stop defending me. Stop protecting me.

Roland looked down.

The drunkard whistled.

“Edwin. Please. You stink,” Jyraiu said and held out the soap.

“Fucking Alyris’s shiny ass, you absolute pansies,” Edwin growled and grabbed the soap. He jumped out and nearly fell under the horses pulling the next cart.

“You stink too,” Lily said.

“Oh I know. Trust me I was looking for that soap,” Jyraiu said. “I’ll go after. Sorry about him. He’s an absolute shit.”

“Why travel with him then?” Lily asked.

“It pays well. And certain… opportunities may come up,” the man said and gave her a hint of a grin.

Lily didn’t get it. Nor did she care much. So she stayed silent.

“Joining the tournament as well?” Jyraiu asked.

“Oh by the gods,” she murmured.

“Alright. Not one for conversation. I get it. Crowds these days are not the same, I tell you,” the fire mage said with both hands raised.

Soon it was his turn to go clean up.

Edwin dripped with water when he came back. He didn’t speak a word and just watched Roland.

“You look angry,” Lily said after a while.

“I thought you didn’t like talking,” he said.

You heard that?

She didn’t add to what she said.

The man glanced at her and whispered. “You’ve been snooping around. I’ve seen your kind. Know if anyone has Amber Pearl?”

“I don’t know what that is,” Lily answered.

“Dark red bottle, round, three snakes on it. From Virilya,” he said.

“Haven’t seen it,” Lily said.

“Country merchants, fuck,” Edwin said and looked back at Roland. “What the fuck happened to us. Huh? You want to fight?”

Roland leaned forward, his muscles tensing.

Why

Jyraiu jumped in and wedged himself past between the two men. “I got some soap left. They lady was really nice. Thanks for the suggestion. I also bought a card game we can play.”

Roland was back to his apathetic self.

And Edwin had a new target. “You don’t have any coin to bet.”

“Don’t need coin to play a game of cards,” Jyraiu said as he shuffled, the cards moving in a mesmerizing way as he smiled and glanced at Lily. Sparks of flame started to dance around the deck but his magic was cut short when Edwin slapped his hand into the spectacle.

“Why are you all like this?” Lily asked and vanished. She could walk the rest of the way, or run. Miserable. Old. Fucking. Men.

__________________________________

Ilea watched the approaching caravans. The main road leading up into the mountains was chock full of travelers. And that with the festivities already started. The tournaments wouldn’t begin for another day. She glanced at a group of black winged Sentinels in the distance, landing to fight off a group of Harpies. Having so much fun against such weak creatures. Ah how I miss the day.

She looked around, Morhill on the other side of the mountain, the distant city bustling with activity. No four marks had come to attack so far. No demons had been summoned. No Elves had attacked. And Ilea feared it would stay that way. Well. At least nobody will die. Except some in the tournaments if they go too far. She sighed. Going back to Karth wasn’t really an option for now. The food was good but the streets were a little too packed for her comfort. She was looking forward to watching the tournaments but that would take some time.

A Sentinel landed nearby. “Lady Lilith. The Head administrator has summoned you.”

“For what?” Ilea asked.

“A resistance training event,” the Sentinel said.

“Really?” Ilea asked.

“It’s… what I was told,” he said. “The main arena.”

Ilea sighed with a smile, spreading her wings and flying off towards the grand structure. She landed a moment later, seeing Claire with a large group of adventurers.

“Did you read my mind?” Ilea asked.

“I saw you in that hall. No wonder so few approached you. Come, we have to test the dwarven barrier dome. The rune combinations are interesting but it requires a lot of skill to pull that off. Also we will dance at the ball in two days. I won’t accept a no,” Claire answered and waved to a war machine in the distance.

He activated a set of runes, a yellow tinged barrier forming above the sand covered stone grounds.

“Alright, have fun everyone,” Claire said. “I have to get back to deal with requests. It’s gonna be a long week.”

“Thanks for all the work. And for providing this. I’ll be happy to show off my shit dancing skills,” Ilea said.

“If it can stop a few of your attacks, we’re good,” Claire added and gave the dwarf a thumbs up.

The crowd looked at her before they started murmuring amongst each other.

Ilea whistled, freezing most of them. “Alright. I’m your target. Don’t hold anything back,” she said as her ash armor receded slightly.

______________________________

The suns had vanished behind the mountains when the caravan finally reached its destination. Half the slope was full of wagons, people arguing about where to set down their carts and where to move their wares.

Lily didn’t care about that. She had already left behind the caravan and walked towards the walls a few hundred meters ahead. They seemed to protect most of the valley. Not what she had heard about the city at all. She turned around and sighed. “Why are you following us?”

“Does there have to be a reason?” Jyraiu asked.

“It’s easier to get in as a team of adventurers. Fewer questions and no individual names,” Edwin said.

“Two people is still a team,” she said. Roland was of no help of course.

“Miserable cunts might work as a name?” Edwin suggested.

“Come on, I did win most of the games,” Jyraiu said as he smiled at her. He glanced at Edwin for a long moment and opened his mouth, closing it again.

“Don’t be such a shit. You two are downright feral. How will you even get a room?” Edwin asked.

“I won’t. I’ve slept in the wilderness for years,” Lily said.

The man simply ignored her. “Come on. Let’s call ourselves the Amber Pearl.”

Lily opened her mouth and stared at the man, watching his back before she turned to Jyraiu. “We’re not g-”

The man got close and crouched down to meet her eye. “Please. I don’t know what it is. But he… he hasn’t acted like this since I met him. I’ll pay you. Well. If you just play along. You still get to go to your tournament and everything.” He got out a pouch of coins and handed her five silvers. “Just for today.”

Lily squinted her eyes at him, then grabbed the money. “I will kill you two if you try anything strange.”

“I’ll kill him first if he does,” Jyraiu said, then bobbed his head slightly. “I’ll need your help though, I think. If it comes to that. He’s very durable.”

She sighed and waved to Roland. “We’re going with them.”

Her father looked at the dark horizon for a while before he turned her way, then nodded.

Guards in black stood at the gate, two dozen of them in various gear. Battle healers were present too. Sentinels. They checked the newcomers and let them pass, groups of them gathering around certain people from time to time. Lily and the others waited behind Edwin.

“Amber Pearl, adventuring team out of Virilya,” he said when they reached the front. “Been a long journey, Shadowguard.”

“You’re quite a bit higher than the others,” the man said.

“Hard to find reliable people these days,” Edwin said with a sigh. “What they lack in power, they make up in being reliable.” He glanced around and nodded to some of the other guards. “Good formation. I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

The guard grinned. “Yeah. Well, good luck in the tournaments.”

“How’s the competition?” Edwin asked.

We’re in. What are you doing?

“I won’t lie. Your chances don’t look good,” the guard said in a more quiet tone. “And you can’t join the pre two hundred one with you in the team.”

“That popular, huh. Everyone heard of Lilith, it seems,” Edwin said and laughed. “We’ll try anyway. Might get a few eyes on us.”

“Good luck either way,” the guard said and motioned them through.

“Thanks. Any inn suggestions?” Edwin asked as he walked past.

The man laughed. “For that you’ll need more than luck.”

It turned out Edwin didn’t need luck.

He teleported past a cellar door and opened it from the inside. “Come on. Better than outside.”

Lily glared at him but Jyraiu pushed both her and Roland into the cellar, the door closing behind them.

There was no light inside, not until a flame erupted from the man’s fingers.

“I hear people above,” he said.

“Yeah. But they don’t use their cellar much,” Edwin said, moving his hand across a dusty shelf. “Let me go talk to them.”

“Why?” Jyraiu asked in a terrified voice.

“Because those fucking mini Ileas are going to see us down here. What do you think. We’ll need permission to stay, and I’m not sleeping in the fucking snow,” Edwin said.

Ileas?

“Who is Ilea?” Lily asked.

Edwin looked at her and raised a brow. “Interesting.”

She took a step back.

“I don’t care that you know her. She’s always been naive and open,” he said.

“She saved our lives,” Lily retorted. “And she was nice to me.”

“Good for you,” Edwin said. “I’ll get us permission.” He vanished.

Jyraiu found a lantern in his pack and ignited some oil within. “You met her then? Lilith I mean.”

“I don’t think she called herself that back then,” Lily said and sat down on an old wooden chest.

Roland sat against the stone wall and closed his eyes.

“Edwin met her too. Helped her train I think. He claims she was weaker than him back then,” Jyraiu said.

“Don’t think he could train anyone,” Lily said. She could believe the latter part. Ilea hadn’t been much stronger than her father when they first met in Riverwatch. She had known as much. A few months later she had shot past him in power. And now she was known throughout the Plains. As Lilith, but to her it wasn’t much of a conclusion to come to. You don’t forget people like her.

“They want silver,” Edwin said.

“We’re not going to have much left,” Jyraiu said.

“Then go bother my sister. She’s in the city too, I’m sure,” Edwin said.

His sister? Is that… the opportunity? Lily glanced at the fire mage.

“She won’t be happy to see me,” he said with a sigh.

“Then bother Aliana for all I care. Or ask the great Lilith who’s happy to help everyone,” he said, glaring at Lily for a moment.

“Fuck you,” she said and walked out, slamming the door behind her. Now where do I sign up for these tournaments.

Chapter 740 Dinner

Chapter 740 Dinner

Cless smiled, sitting on her high chair just behind the entrance to her atelier. The counter nearly hid her entirely.

She clapped her hands together when more people entered. They looked at Rock and Charles standing in the hall but came in regardless. A woman with a blue dress and lots of jewelry approached the smaller of the two men.

“Excuse me… this is the Cless Michaelson gallery?” she asked.

“It says that on the sign,” Cless said from behind the counter. She sat down and crossed her arms. People were frustrating. She had learned in her classes with the Shadowguard and Sentinels that people were able to read but maybe the ones wearing jewelry were different?

She had drawn the sign herself.

A giggle resounded in her mind.

“Not now, Violence. We have visitors,” Cless said and walked out from the counter. “All of my works are displayed. If you’re interested in buying one, there will be an auction in two days, before the grand ball.”

“In… deed,” the woman said, glancing between Cless and the Shadow. “I suppose we can have a look.”

The man who followed her rolled his eyes, giving Cless a stare.

Rude. She stared back until he stopped.

The gallery was set up as a roundabout, the entrance to the right and exit to the left of the entrance hall. She was quite proud of the progression in her art, the oldest ones coming first and her most recent pieces at the very end. She had called it The Journey of Ash, though there were quite a few pieces that didn’t have anything to do with Lilith.

She had never thought a gallery would be possible, especially with Claire putting her works away. But it was something she had wanted to do since seeing her first gallery in Ravenhall. Everything had suddenly happened after she had told her friend about it. The little Fae knew a lot! And it even got the paintings from Claire!

_____________________________

The Golden Goose was inside one of the older buildings in Morhill, located on the slope that led up to the main governmental buildings and mansions of once influential families before the demon incursion. It had been decorated with various banners and entire bushes of flowers, all in a deep red. A carpet was laid out far into the square with a dozen guards standing at the ready. High level ones too, Dale noted.

It was one of the few four story buildings he had seen in the city, not that its towering presence was necessary to get a good view of the town and valley beyond. Its location was enough for that. No obstructing structures were in front of its large windows but he supposed the display of wealth was entirely on purpose.

Not only Shadowguards were present. He spotted a few Sentinels as well, and more individual guards armored or dressed in black, their Shadow badges displayed for people to see.

“This seems very exclusive,” Abby said in a hushed whisper.

“It does,” Dale said. He didn’t feel particularly comfortable but Abby seemed more than a little excited. Ilea had mentioned the best cook in the south after all.

Nobody stood in the queue but as they approached, a group of well dressed people landed, being led inside after a short talk with the waiter.

“Are we dressed appropriately?” he whispered to Abby, looking down on himself. Dale preferred his armor to formal clothing.

“We might stand out a little, but that’s fine,” Abby said. “We’re here for the food and atmosphere after all,” she winked at him and pulled him forward. His worries washed away with the gestures.

“Abby and Dale Langston, from Riverwatch,” she said to the waiter dressed in black.

Even he has a nicer set of clothes, Dale thought.

“Indeed, descriptions and levels match. A table on the fourth floor has been reserved,” he said and bowed lightly. Some of the guards looked at them now, previously uninterested.

The waiter rang a bell and a woman appeared next to him, dressed in a similar manner. He pointed at a line in his book of reservations.

“Welcome to the Golden Goose. Please follow me,” the woman said and curtsied.

Dale noticed the sound from outside vanishing as soon as they entered the hall. Instead he heard occasional laughter, the clinking of glasses and cutlery. A faint smell of roses remained in the entrance hall.

“I was told to inform you of a few things,” the woman said.

“Go ahead, darling,” Abby said.

The young woman continued without being fazed. “First, you have been invited by Lilith herself. Everything and everything you order or receive is free of charge. You will be dining on the fourth floor. We wish merely to inform you that very prestigious guests are present. Please refrain from starting any unnecessary fights or large scale battles. Such displays of magic would disrupt our ability to provide the experience you came here for.”

“Of… course,” Dale said.

“Does that happen often?” Abby asked.

“Not normally. However with guests present from various nations and factions, the head cook and owner deemed the notice necessary,” the waitress explained.

“I understand,” Dale said before they were lead up the stairwell and finally out onto the wood floor.

Oil lamps bathed the wood beams and walls in warm light, giving the restaurant a welcoming atmosphere.

Dale tried not to stare at the various present guests but he could feel the magic in the room. When they were sat down next to a broad window, he started breathing again.

“Are you okay?” Abby asked, touching his hand lightly.

He nodded and focused on the sights. Hundreds of lights were visible from the high elevation, the walled town sprawling before them, arenas and stands spreading out beyond. Dark mountains towered behind, the evening sky clear. Dale leaned forward. “She wasn’t joking with the prestigious guest bit.”

He didn’t know any of them but they were certainly eccentric. Most everyone he could identify was beyond his range. I could even identify the Shadows outside. The atmosphere however didn’t feel oppressive or tense. Nor were there a lot of conversations. People were focused on their food it seemed.

A waiter appeared a few meters from their table and walked the last few steps. “Welcome to the Golden Goose. Are there any preferences to consider or are you open and capable to try everything?”

“I don’t think there’s anything we wouldn’t try,” Abby said with a smile.

“Wonderful. Then we start with an appetizer. Glazed wyvern tail in a sauce of honey and herbs,” he vanished and reappeared with another waiter, the two putting down the plates before they came again and filled their glasses with wine.

Dale glanced at Abby. He understood why there was no tension in the room as soon as he started eating.

Eight courses later, Dale leaned back and sighed. He couldn’t do anything else but stare forward. When was the last time we talked so little during dinner?

Abby opened and closer her mouth a few times. She was about to talk again when the waiters reappeared and set down a plate with various sweets.

“Courtesy of Big ass Pastries,” the man said with a straight face as the other one refilled their glasses. Both vanished a moment later.

“Oh I’ve heard about that one… it’s a store in Ravenhall,” Abby murmured, though she was already looking at the various creations. Spheres of white, black, brown, berries cut into triangular shapes, fruits neither of them had ever seen.

“So this is the prestigious. Golden. Goose,” a deep voice resounded from near the stairwell.

“Sir, please follow me to your table,” the same waitress that had brought them up said to the man.

Dale looked over, as did some of the guests.

The man spread his arms and started laughing. He wore a dark leather coat, his chest near covered in belts. A red feather sat on his enormous leather hat, blue eyes taking everything in. Black rolling hair fell down his back, a twirled mustache below his nose, a thick beard going to his chest.

[Water mage – lvl ??]

“What happened to you all? Did the great Lilith cut off everyone’s balls?” the man asked in a challenging tone. He looked around before his eyes fell on a woman in a light blue dress. She didn’t look his way, instead focused on her food. He curtsied nonetheless. “Empress. How quaint. And her dogs are here too.”

He took a few steps and stopped before a table of two. A black haired man with gray eyes looked up from his plate. The short haired woman sitting opposite him had a worried expression on her face. She avoided looking at the tall man.

“And who… are you?” the water mage said.

“I could ask you the same. Please leave us alone,” the sitting man answered.

Dale glanced at Abby. He was ready to jump up and shield her. More people had interrupted their meals by now.

“Sir, please follow me to your table,” the waitress said but was ignored entirely.

“My name has gotten lost it seems,” the leather clad man spoke. “I’m the Destroyer. Scourge of the sea,” he said and looked up. “Uneducated rabble. Helena, why don’t you tell them who I am? You, Cecila? Or any of the Generals?”

Nobody spoke.

“Nobody cares about your shit tales, old man,” a woman said. She wore a blue dress, her eyes the same color, long black hair falling down her pale skin. “Sit down and enjoy the food like everyone else.”

“Stay out of this, little Dragonkiller,” the man spoke. He didn’t look at her.

She growled.

Power flooded the hall in an instant, magic emanating from the Destroyer himself.

Dale grit his teeth. He stood up and shielded Abby.

“Sir. I will have to ask you to l-” the waitress said when he whipped his hand at her, water flowing around her head.

Three Shadows appeared at the same time, aided by four Sentinels.

“We would appreciate it, if you stopped this,” one of the Shadows said. “And leave this place.”

Loud laughter echoed through the hall. “Why don’t you make me, Shadow boy. I haven’t had a good fight in what feels like years.” He grinned as more water formed around his arms.

The guards and Shadows were tense but hadn’t yet attacked.

Dale watched as a masked woman appeared next to the waitress. She held up a hand as visible air flowed around the water, all of it removed in mere moments. “Nobody is interested, Destroyer,” the woman said. “Now leave.”

“Yeah, fuck off!” the same woman from before said, lightning now sparking around her form as dark blue steel grew on her body. She jumped up and crouched, a grin on her face just before it was covered.

Her dining partner stood up too. She cleaned her face and summoned two black axes, her entire form erupting in flame a moment later.

Dale felt a heavy weight land on his shoulder. Looking up he saw a Lizardman clad in armor.

“If this starts, you get her out,” the being said. “Do not engage.” His form started to radiate a red mist.

Dale nodded. When he looked back, there were more people. An armored man wielding a scythe, another two teams of Sentinels, one of them quite a bit larger than the others, crouched with ash claws extending form his fingers.

A dozen more of the guests had stood up, various powerful magic emanating from them. Some few remained seated, glancing at each other instead. They seemed calm. Entirely unfazed.

“I will tear this whole place down with all of you in it,” the Destroyer spoke.

Dale felt a sudden surge of strange magic, both himself and the lizardman next to him wobbling slightly as they adjusted to the strange pressure. Everyone turned to face the origin, some of the previously seated people now standing and clad in armor.

“My name is Kyrian. You asked. And you will leave this place, Destroyer,” he stood now, covered in savage black metal armor, spikes and edges moving as he raised his arms.

“Now that… is the opponent I want,” the Destroyer spoke.

“I won’t fight you. I merely ask you to leave,” Kyrian said.

A dull thud resounded from the ceiling, the walls shaking ever so slightly. Some of the people looked up.

“Well I wont lea-” the Destroyer said when he vanished.

Dale turned when a distant impact resounded. He looked out the window to see Kyrian blocking a beam of water before it struck a nearby house. The metal mage appeared inside again and sighed, sitting down opposite the short haired woman. Another impact resounded, this one farther away.

Most of the people had sat down again, resuming their dinner, back in their dresses and vests. The masked woman gently helped the waitress, asking her if she was alright. The Sentinels and Shadows were gone.

One of them appeared again a few seconds later. Dale hadn’t even sat down yet. “Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. It seems an avalanche of rock and snow has been triggered. If any ice mages are present to deal with the latter, we would be in your debt.”

A gray haired man stood up from a nearby table.

“William,” the Shadow said with a light nod.

The old man just sighed. “I’ll be right back,” he said to the trio sitting at the table. “Uncivilized, rude, barbarian,” he growled and vanished.

“Oh, I’ve rarely seen him that intense,” the lightning mage woman said, back in her dress. She seemed quite a lot less threatening, a casual smile on her face as she resumed eating.

“Nearly killed a man who was rude to a waiter once,” the woman opposite her said.

The lizardman gave Dale a nod and returned to his table.

Wait, Empress? Dale glanced at the table where a blonde haired woman sat. She looked around the room and finally glanced at him. Silver eyes. He looked away. And sat down a few seconds later, not quite stable on his legs.

A waiter appeared a moment later. “Are you alright, sir?”

“Yes. Just. Need a moment to breathe,” Dale said with a genuine smile. He shook his head and started laughing a moment later.

Some people smiled. He didn’t care. “Fucking Lilith.”

“Hush, don’t curse in this company,” Abby said with a warm smile.

“I love you,” he said.

“You always get like this after a dangerous thing happens,” she whispered, a smirk still on her face.

A group of waiters appeared, plates in their hands. One of them tapped a glass. “An improvised addition by the head chef. Crushed velra clam in black powdered halmer shell. The Golden Goose apologizes for the interruption. We hope your experience will not be marred by such an unfortunate display of discourtesy.”

Some approving murmurs went through the room as everyone received their plates.

The next half hour went through without any major events. Until heavy steps came from the stairs.

An ashen form reached the floor, still dripping with bloodied water. She took in a deep breath and sighed. “The Destroyer will no longer interfere. However, I’ve been informed that he has signed up for the main tournament. If any of you were still on the fence, perhaps facing him is worth the trouble. I won’t be participating myself,” she said and tilted her head, hitting the other side to get rid of water in her ear. “I’ll throw in a small favor. If you take him out of the competition. That is all. Enjoy your dinner.”

She walked back down with a bed of ash cleaning up behind her.

Murmurs erupted right after, quite a few people soon talking in excited voices.

“She started something,” Dale said.

“That, she did,” Abby answered and ate a piece of clam.

________________________

Edwin stood in front of the painting. People came and went but he couldn’t take his eyes of the canvas.

It depicted a woman clad in ash, wings on her back, resolve in her eyes. She stood atop a monster’s head, enormous black horns growing out of its skull. Sand was all around them. The scale of it all was shocking, displayed in such a lifelike manner he may as well have been there himself. The heat. The anticipation. The magic.

But I wasn’t.

He had been ready to mock the so called gallery. A little girl supposedly the artist. And yet with every piece he laid his eyes on, he felt smaller. More insignificant. He had known her, had he not? The woman depicted in many of these incredible works. Ilea, the healer. He had fought her, had given her pointers. Inexperienced and instinctual she had been, naive and blind to the truth of this world.

He ripped his eyes from the canvas and walked into the next hall. He looked around to see the many visitors commenting on various pieces. Most treated it like some legend, a tale spun by the local bard. He knew the truth. Deep down he knew, that all of this had happened. He grit his teeth and walked to the one person in the room he knew.

“I thought you wanted to sign up for the tournament,” he said, stepping next to the young woman. Why do I even care?

“Doesn’t he look lonely?” Lily asked. She wiped at her face and focused back at the large canvas in front of her.

Edwin looked. A dark castle, covered in snow. Dark clouds seemed to move below, purple light pushing through. The ocean, unending, flowed into the distance, the last light of day coloring the single mountain in an autumn hue. He sighed, finally spotting the single figure standing on the peak, black flails lying in the snow behind him. He was unfocused, a mere smudge in the vastness of the world.

“He’s waiting,” Edwin heard himself say.

“For what?” the girl asked.

For what indeed.

Chapter 741 Humanity

A note from Rhaegar

Check out Wizard's Tower by Allanther :).

Chapter 741 Humanity

Helena straightened her dress before she stood up. The reputation of the Golden Goose didn’t disappoint. It could hold its own with the best of Myrefield or Virilya. Mostly thanks to its Breed head chef, the nature of whom was not known to many. Fitting, she supposed, with all the monsters that were now walking the streets of Morhill and soon Ravenhall.

Another glance through the room revealed that most of the previous guests had already left, replaced by unimportant nobility, high ranking officers, and adventurers rich enough to think they could participate in the games of their betters. Hector’s appearance hadn’t been a surprise. What had surprised her was the fact that he couldn’t, well, destroy anything.

Whenever that man took an interested in anything, it ended in something quite excessive. Usually in a violent manner. An event as widely advertised and well attended would not slip his attention, even with his blood fueled raids and expeditions. It had been no wonder that few knew his person. It was lizardmen and island dwellers that were really the main targets of his lunacy. In the past century that was. Perhaps the coastal human towns just lacked a challenge.

Helena gave the gray eyed young man a last look and left, thanking the waitress and waiters wishing her a favorable night. Curse magic like nothing I have felt before. She nearly shuddered. It had been beautiful. One of Lilith’s team mates in the Hand, though this one seemed not merely elevated by her ridiculous power and wealth. And she had hardly heard of him before. Which meant his surge was recent. Another monster at the side of this dangerous piece.

Lilith was beyond her now. She had survived. All the trials and tribulations she had endured to reach power beyond what Helena had thought possible. And her momentum had not waned. The entirety of her collected allies were dragged with her. It irked her. To see these upstart and unimportant figures offer contracts and pledges suited for centuries old Emperors. And yet she couldn’t deny their competence.

Ilea didn’t organize this event, nor did she write any of the legislation now a part of the so called Meadow Accords. And least of all did she contribute anything but her own resilience to the creation of these teleportation gates. An eye for people. Distributing resources where she deemed fit. That or Claire is even better at her job than I had anticipated. She grinned, now out in the street, her guardians close by but far enough to be inconspicuous.

The rise of Lilith reminded her once more of her own ascent to power. Though through different means and a different scale. She was not delusional enough to deny her own feelings of envy. Worst of all the woman didn’t care. She did what she loved and just happened to come into one of the most powerful positions in the Plains. Well played, Ilea. And yet you wouldn’t care nor even acknowledge my congratulations. My defeat, such as it is.

She knew Hector well enough to know that his stupid, idiotic display, was his own. And yet Ilea had plucked him away like some child, throwing a tantrum. The same way she could have plucked away anybody else in that room. The Empress. King Eilhart. Or herself. At least others with incredible power had never been space magic users. Monsters in their own right but overwhelmed by numbers, caught in traps, or blackmailed with the help of their loved ones. Lilith was different.

Dale Langston had been present, enjoying dinner with his wife. Yet another insult thrown at the powers of the Plains, the presence of the low leveled and unimportant captain not dare or trap, but a declaration of victory. She hadn’t even been surprised when Wayland showed up, the revelation of his involvement just another piece to add to Lilith’s overwhelming set. Underhanded methods and silent intrusion would be challenged too, and not by someone that lacked inexperience. Helena assumed the pirate’s tantrum had been chosen as the perfect time to reveal himself to the present guests. I am alive. I am protected. I am the one you shall face.

She grit her teeth, walking through the streets of the once noble district of Morhill. Towards the location she had been given. Like some rabble. People came to her. Visited her town, to plead, to talk, to hope for scraps. She took a deep breath. She hadn’t made any mistakes after all. Her businesses were firmly planted and already she had favorable contracts with these emerging powers. More potential came with the gates, for all her endeavors, and with the new business partners in the north. She just wished she could’ve put up more of a fight.

Is this how my enemies felt? The gray haired and wrinkled ancient men and women I killed and had killed? And now I am left with my domain, my baking. No longer a player but reduced to a mere piece on the board? A part of her didn’t hate the idea. Retirement in a sense. To let this young alliance spearhead humanity into the next era. Her magic surged, windows cracking as she walked. Was her fire gone so much? What was left of the Helena she had been? The Helena that lay coated in the blood of those who had opposed her, injured and crawling, surviving. Always. To finish the job.

She did finish it. Ages past. So long she hardly even remembered all the details. And then she ruled. Her little part of the world, as she had always wished for.

Helena smiled when she reached the newly built hall, one of the many structures that held one of their precious teleportation gates. There were many questions, issues, and annoyances born from the actions of one woman. Her allies, and those she supplied with boundless resources. But one thing Helena could not deny. It had been forever, since she had felt the blood in her veins so clearly. Morhill was pulsing with life and soon the entire continent would be infected. Chaos, possibilities, uprisings, heroes and villains born and killed.

Perhaps she had bathed in her own self satisfied ego for too long. Now that it had cracked and injured, she felt once again alive.

Helena showed her invitation and stepped into the hall, joining none other than the rulers of the Plains and their nations. Mingling with creatures from the North, dwarven barbarians in their machines of war, survivors from a savage land. Lilith herself did not even deign to show up.

“Even you could not deny the allure,” a familiar voice spoke.

“Heron,” Helena said.

“So very cold. And here I thought this whole affair could rekindle the flames of your youth,” the man whispered, laced with the same magic that kept his voice out of everyone else’s ears.

You know me too well, old friend.

“Have you been given leave to mingle?” she asked with a calm voice, looking at the various gathered people. Quite an assortment. The main representatives of all the power humanity could present. She had made sure the Meadow Accords were not out to strike them down but the idea was entirely ludicrous. And still, worthy of investigation, if only due to the abnormally high potential impact.

“Oh? Perhaps I was wrong,” Heron retorted, the edges of his mouth moving up ever so slightly. “It is beginning,” he added. “I must return, to protect what I hold dear.”

Helena joined the group as well, the first set of people vanishing on the platform. She looked on with slight suspicion. How easy would it be, to murder us all. Her old friend had been right however. The allure was far too great. Like mice, entranced by blocks of cheese. Beggars, lured with coin. And yet we fall just like them. She stepped onto the platform with a group of others. Now let us see, what all the fuss is about.

Magic flared up, some of her mana used to power the complex set of enchantments placed into the metals and stone below her. A bright white light came and went, the hall replaced by a high reaching stone cavern, the familiar cool light of deep underground crystals illuminating some of the vicinity. Helena took a deep breath, her eyes closing for a moment as she appreciated the dense mana. She nearly armed herself out of sheer instinct.

They were most certainly not in the same place anymore. Where exactly and how far they had traveled, she did not know. Everyone else looked around with varied ability to shroud their amazement. She had displayed an adequate reaction, though her true excitement to see this place lay well hidden for only herself to see.

Catelyn took the lead. “Please follow. The gate is placed a few hundred meters away on purpose.”

Helena looked at the expanding cavern, pillars of stone reaching up to support the distant ceiling, an entire section at the back open to let in the crystal light. A flat stone road led towards the strange assortment of buildings, some few simple stone structures, a set of forges, and an entirely out of place slab of metal. A cube set into the ground at an angle, stairs leading up to a broad and open entrance. Beyond the buildings and among the pillars lay a field of black grass, golden light shimmering in floating bits, vanishing mere split seconds later.

She caught glimpses of a crystal tree behind the pillars, perhaps three meters in height. Few branches moved out from the central trunk. No leaves adorned it. She couldn’t help but feel mesmerized by the glittering reflections, something about the tree making her blood pump. A strange sort of anticipation. A sleeping beast. An ambush. The promise of blood. She felt as if back in her early days, back when she killed monsters on the daily.

The procession stopped on a broad stone platform, inscribed with a variety of decorative swirls.

“Welcome to my domain, rulers and guardians of mankind. I am the Endless Meadow,” a voice resounded in her mind, followed by a gentle wave of magic. She felt chills go down her back, all her experience necessary to stay planted where she was. Some few failed that task. She did not fault them.

Helena schooled her expression, the grin plastered on her face a failure unlike anything she had done in decades.

“I am eager, to meet and discuss with all of you,” the Meadow spoke.

Helena heard laughter, turning her head to see Michael shake his head with a smile on his face. His hands shook before a chair and table appeared.

The imperial guard had gathered before Alyris, as had the other respective guardians before their rulers.

She took a step forward, tried to sense the creature. Now that the telepathic connection was present, she could almost grasp it. Her hand extended, as did her magic. She gasped, her hand shaking as she perceived a glimpse of the being. Her eyes widened as she focused on her breathing. She could feel its attention. Its sight. Its eyes.

“Do not be afraid.” the voice spoke into her mind.

She was terrified. A primal fear she had not felt, perhaps ever before. Entirely frozen, she stood. Until the feeling waned, the attention of the being gone, the connection it had established cut. For my benefit, she realized. Like a god, whose presence had frightened a child. She was not angry, nor frustrated. It was a fact. Reality. She was grateful for its consideration, for she could breathe again.

Everything this new alliance had presented faded into obscurity. Even long range teleportation paled in comparison to the presence of this being. The Meadow. And so casually had they spoken of it. She gulped.

“I apologize,” the being said. “You are… unusually perceptive.”

She opened her mouth and closed it, raising her head to see. Once more she averted her eyes, shutting them like the child she was. “Please. I need time.”

The presence vanished.

“Food and drink has been prepared within the northern Sentinel outpost. Those who wish to meet a few more of our denizens and later move on to visit Hallowfort are welcome to join, whenever they are ready,” Catelyn said and started a casual walk towards the sideways cube.

Helena didn’t fail to see the glance the fox gave her. Concerned and caring. Not smug and triumphant. That fact should’ve made her furious, but she found herself calm. These people were not beyond her. Those who stood with interest or walked without fear in the presence of a god were merely blind. She turned towards the cube and walked with unsteady steps. Had she ever felt so small? So insignificant? Their confidence and growth was no surprise, with the Meadow at their back.

She took a deep breath when she entered the cool hall of the supposed Sentinel outpost. Few of them were present, standing to the side whilst keeping an eye on the few that joined the fox.

Catelyn jumped onto a high chair and moved food with her tails onto a plate.

Helena did not feel like food. She just needed distance, and she knew that was exactly what the fox had offered. She spotted a familiar face sitting at the table, back slightly bent.

The man ate a filled pastry, closing his eyes as he savored the taste.

He’s been here?

She sat down next to him, some of her composure back. Her hand shook slightly when she tried to reach for a glass, instead deciding to wait.

They were the only ones on that section of the long table, others sitting down, some silent and with wide eyes, others talking with enthusiasm.

“You have made the journey,” the old man said. He didn’t look at her.

Lucas had once been a stable voice for the Shadow’s Hand. A calm mind among them, neither inexperienced nor consumed by his own ambitions. A pleasure to negotiate with. She had wondered if he had still been alive.

“What have you seen?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Helena answered truthfully. She could appreciate his maturity. There was no mockery in his voice, there was no mention of her obvious fear.

“I too have felt it. To my very bone. It will fade in time, though what you have seen, will not,” he said.

Helena hugged her own chest. She didn’t speak for a long while. Nor did she drink or eat. She simply sat. Helena didn’t notice the gasps, nor did she look up.

“Are you okay?” a gentle voice asked. A woman.

Who would dare insult me in such a manner, Helena thought and turned her head. What she saw was a face of ethereal quality, the only discerning features two glowing purple eyes and a glowing line that suggested a mouth. The entirety of its head was made of magic itself, as was its floating body, crouched to meet the sitting human.

She turned away and grabbed the glass she had reached for earlier, downing the contents in a single gulp, whatever it had been. Now she saw the fox smiling her way, though more amused than anything else.

“Owl,” Catelyn said. “One of the denizens of this domain. She was introduced to the others outside.” The fox said and stood up to leave.

Helena turned again.

[Greater Lich – lvl ????]

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” the being said and retreated a little.

“What kind of… circus…” Helena murmured. She had the sudden urge to slap Ilea, damned be the consequences. What in all of existence did you do in these past years? There are rules… limits… structures.

She watched as the four mark monster refilled her glass with wine. “Thank you,” Helena said and downed it again.

The Lich smiled and moved on to talk to someone else.

“Welcome to the North,” Lucas said in a dry tone.

_____________________________

A single fox like creature looked up to a humanoid being of ash. Blue piercing eyes looked down, a grin on the woman’s face. The night was well under way, and yet the streets of Morhill remained active, the recent festivities persisting with no sign of slowing down.

“That’s such a cute pet!” a young woman exclaimed but quickly retreated at the stares of the two powerful beings.

“So this is it?” the fox asked a few seconds later.

“He moved it to Morhill for the festivities,” the human said.

“Popi… you say?” the fox spoke.

“Indeed,” said the woman.

She walked with the fox following, into the shop. A nod towards the group of women.

“I’m sorry everyone but we’re closing for an h… a few h… tonight,” one of them said with as gentle as smile as she could muster.

Complaints by the customers quickly died out when they saw the ash clad monster standing in their midst, horns and unmoving wings marking her as one of the renowned Medic Sentinels.

The doors shut with the last customer gone, three women waiting with tense expressions.

“She wants to meet the baker,” the Sentinel spoke and locked the door.

The fox looked at the women. They stared back.

“You’re really cute,” one of them said.

The fox growled, the sound deep and threatening.

A plate appeared before her, swaying on the floor until it stopped, the piece of decorated cake now right before her.

The growling stopped, drool forming on the fox’s mouth before it evaporated, flames now burning on its fur.

“Can I touch her?” one of the woman asked, now crouching next to the fox with a strange expression on her face.

“If you want to risk it,” the ashen woman said.

She did and the fox did not care. For it had entered heaven.

Lilith herself stood guard before the famed establishment. What transpired that night within the Morhill site of Big ass Pastries would not be seen nor known by anyone but the staff. Public image after all, had to be maintained.

Chapter 742 Drinking

Chapter 742 Drinking

“She came to save us, back in Salia,” Lily said. She watched Edwin, his eyes focused on the large fountain before them. “Elves had attacked the city… killed nearly ever-”

“I know,” Edwin interrupted. He looked at a small rock he had taken from the ground, moving it around his fingers before he threw it into the water.

Nobody else occupied the stone benches around the fountain. People still walked through the square but there were fewer than during the day. Lily made sure to keep a watchful eye on the figures, many of them adventurers. She didn’t miss the guards either, Sentinels and Shadows moving through from time to time, some on the rooftops.

And here he goes again, she thought, seeing the man’s eyes lose focus. She grit her teeth and stood up.

“Why do you want to fight?” he asked.

She looked at him. “What do you mean? I need gold. For me and Roland.”

“No you don’t,” he said. He looked at her now.

Lily took a step back. She had to remind herself that she knew him. Do I? He looked at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. Something she hadn’t experienced in a long time. He looked at her with scrutiny. “Fuck off,” she said and walked away.

“You’re lying to yourself,” he said.

Sure. The miserable shitbag drunkard tells me I’m lying to myself. Her eyes opened wide before she moved into the shadows. She came out a few meters away, her pack at the ready, dagger drawn. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Edwin stood where she had just been, the back of his hand where her neck would’ve been. He swayed a little before he shook his head. The man ground his teeth, looking at her with hard eyes. He didn’t say a word and walked past her.

“What was that? Why would you just attack me out of nowhere? What’s wrong with you? Did you lose your goddamn mind?” she said, her arms wide as she stared at him but the man vanished a moment later.

A few onlookers stared at her, some making comments.

She glared back and growled, her canines growing in size. Stop it, idiot. She walked away before anyone gave her too much attention. It took a few minutes for her to feel reasonably safe again, continuously checking the movements of the nearby guards. Looking up, she saw a black winged figure fly past with incredible speed. Lily grit her teeth, her mind going back to what the man had said. Lying to herself? In what way? Why was she even considering him? She shook her head. The tournament would start a noon. She had to get some sleep before that.

_____________________________

Edwin teleported into the store, staying quiet as he crouched and looked through the various shelves. No Pearl. This will do, he thought and grabbed a dark bottle. He broke off the top and started drinking, ignoring the sharp glass edges pushing against his chin. The bottle done, he threw it away and grabbed another.

Five bottles later, the trap door to the damp cellar opened up.

“Who’s down there?” an angry voice called out.

Edwin grabbed another two bottles and teleported out, immediately stumbling into a nearby wall. The world spun from the impact but he just staggered back a few steps, shrugging off the dull pain. He looked down and saw shards of glass fall from his hand, a few cuts already closing up. Dark liquid mixed with his blood. “Fuck,” he murmured, looking at his other hand instead. There he still had a bottle. That was good.

He cracked it open with his injured hand and started drinking, the angle of the world changing again. He saw boots and heard something. His head hurt. Just a little.

Someone crouched down. Ash armor.

“Fuck oooff, Illea,” he slurred out, rolling onto his back before he raised the bottle to his mouth. Nothing came out. He let go of it.

“Does he know her?” a voice asked.

“Doesn’t matter. He stole a bunch of bottles. Look at him,” a woman said. “And he stinks.”

Edwin felt something warm and opened his eyes wide. “NO!” But it was too late. His world refocused. He was back. “You fucking… pieces of shit,” he said and went for his blades.

The four people moved as one, teleporting the short distance before they grabbed his arms and weapons, held him there with moving limbs of ash.

He strained against their hold but found himself unable to move. “Let… me… go,” he growled.

“You stole those bottles and you will either pay for them or you will have to come with us. Conscious and uninjured, or not,” the ash covered healer said, his voice calm.

[Battle Healer – lvl 185]

“You don’t know who I am…” he said through gritted teeth.

“You heard what I said,” the healer said.

Edwin strained against their hold again and failed to get out. He closed his eyes and sighed. His arms went slack. The four jumped away at their leader’s signal, making some distance. He glared at the man and slowly drew his first sword. He looked at the thing. The metal had a red sheen to it, light from a nearby lantern reflected off the blade. A few onlookers had gathered, quickly shooed away by two Shadowguard that now secured the exits from the alleyway.

Redleaf blades.

The pride of our glorious House.

He glanced at the pommel, the scratched out family crest unrecognizable. “I didn’t ask to be healed,” he said and threw the blade on the ground. The metal clattered. “Give that to the owner,” he said in a dry tone. He slowly unsheathed his other blade and threw that one down as well. “With that. You get me a crate of those bottles.”

“We don’t have time for this,” one of the Sentinels said.

The leader looked at him for a long moment. “The name you said before…”

Edwin looked at him and shook his head. “Just get me that fucking crate, man.”

“Nathan…” one of them said. “You’re not seriously going to help this guy.”

“I get you that crate. You don’t break into more establishments?” the man asked.

“Sentinel promise,” Edwin said and showed him both middle fingers.

He expected a punch to his neck but instead the man started laughing.

“Fucking lunatic,” the woman said.

“We should move on,” another man said.

The Sentinel crouched down and looked at the weapons. He grabbed them and stood up. “These are well made. Worth more than a crate of booze.”

Edwin just puffed.

The man signaled something to the others. All of them vanished a moment later.

Took the blades.

Edwin looked up and sighed. The stars were visible. He saw one of the constellations he had often used to navigate the wilderness. The coiling snake. “Degenerate Ash fanatics,” he said when he heard a dull sound. He looked down and saw the Sentinel stand up again, a crate of bottles set on the ground before him.

“You don’t look well,” the man said and crossed his arms.

Edwin stared at him. “You don’t get to tell me how I look, boy.”

The Sentinel chuckled. He looked at Edwin for a few seconds, considered, then vanished.

Edwin crouched down and grabbed the crate. He teleported a few times until he stood in the cellar with Roland and Jyraiu, the two engaged in the most depressing looking game of cards he had ever seen.

He cracked open a bottle and started drinking.

“Where have you been?” the fire mage asked. He glanced down. “Your swords?”

Edwin didn’t reply. He drank and stared at Roland. Bald piece of shit. He cracked open another bottle.

Twenty minutes later and a sixth bottle done, he threw the empty thing at the man. It missed, instead shattering against the wall, drops of liquid rolling off the damp surface.

Jyraiu glanced back. Annoyed and scared.

Like he always is. Too fucking scared to do anything. To fucking scared to leave and live his fucking life. “Why are you sstill here?” he asked.

Jyraiu looked at him. “What do y-”

“I’m not taalking to y... you… I’m talking…” he said and stood up, nearly dropping the crate. He focused and set it down on the ground. He came up, his head swimming, vision going dark before it refocused. He pointed at Roland. “I’m talking to you. Bald shit.”

Roland glanced up but he just stared back. There was nothing there.

Edwin ground his teeth. “Berserker… what are you dooing? She’s your daughter, isn’t she?”

No response.

“And you’ve beeen dragging her… along. Having her care for you… like some old fucking man,” he said.

“You don’t know me,” Roland said in a quiet voice.

“I doon’t? NO?” Edwin asked, leaning forward a little. He had to steady himself against a shelf that shook lightly under his weight. “Killed everyone, didn’t they? Long eears… your wife? Children?”

Roland stood up, the cards falling from his hands.

“Edwin, I don’t think th-” Jyraiu said, stepping to the side.

Yes. Go h... hide.

Edwin walked a step closer. “And you did nothing. All of them slaughtered. And you’re still doing nothing.” He felt a dull impact to his head and staggered back. Edwin grinned and raised a hand to his chin. He tasted blood.

“Don’t talk about them,” Roland said, his fists raised and shaking.

“What? Why not? Have you k… killed any elves since it happened? How much stronger are you?” he demanded. Lilith fought beings we couldn’t even imagine. What did you do? “The least you could have done was avenge them.”

Roland growled and charged, his fist coming forward.

Edwin grabbed it and tripped the man, throwing him through the wooden door of the cellar and out against the stone stairwell. He walked out and kicked down on the berserker’s skull. The impact cracked something.

Roland got up with a push, slamming Edwin against the side of the entrance. Mana flowed now, a red aura around the man’s form as his fists crashed into Edwin. He punched six times, four hitting the noble’s head.

Edwin deflected the last punch and struck back. He stumbled sideways, his ears ringing. Up the stairs and onto the street. He watched the berserker rush up, like some wild animal. Edwin laughed, dodging backwards to avoid the swing of the small axe. “You’re weak,” he said and rushed forward, deflecting the savage strike before he punched Roland in the stomach, lifting him off the ground with the impact.

Roland growled while in the air and slammed his axe down on his opponent’s shoulder. The blade dug through the battered leather, biting into the flesh.

Edwin grabbed the handle and threw the man off. He ripped the thing out of his shoulder and threw it aside, just when he was tackled by Roland.

They fell, Edwin hitting his head before fists started to slam into his head. He blocked a few strikes but the impacts were growing stronger, his attempts to throw the wild warrior off failing. The stone cracked with another impact until it suddenly stopped. He could barely see anything, his left eye entirely gone and his right one covered with blood. He spat out a few teeth and cracked back his flattened nose, stumbling up before he fell back down.

He still heard growls from Roland, finally feeling warmth flow through him again. His vision cleared, the dull pain from his shoulder and face receding as his mind cleared in turn.

Roland was being held down by a large Sentinel, with one hand. A few more had gathered.

Edwin closed his eyes, still lying on the ground. What am I doing?

He rolled to his back and looked up at the stars, lanterns burning lazily at the corners of his vision. The coiled snake.

“Pent up anger?” someone asked. It was the same Sentinel that had given him the crate.

Edwin closed his eyes. “Fuck off.”

He heard the man sit down. “That was one shit fight.”

Shut up.

“Barely worthy of a level one hundred brawler,” the man said.

I said shut up.

“Let alone a level two hundred sword master. Tragic really,” he said.

Someone lightly kicked his side. “This shit again?” a woman asked. “Nathan, you’re wasting our time with your constant want to save people. This guy is lost.”

Nathan chuckled. “Exactly.”

The woman groaned and stepped away. “By fucking Lilith.”

“Just let him do his thing. We stopped the fight,” another man said.

“Gael stopped the fight. We didn’t do shit,” the woman said.

“What the fuck do you want?” Edwin asked when the man still didn’t leave.

Nathan stood up. “No. Edwin, the question is, what do you want?”

He groaned.

“You would normally have one option. We kick you out of the city. If you return during the festival, we’ll have you imprisoned. If you resist, you will die. I will offer you a second one. You participate in the main tournament,” Nathan said.

Edwin opened his eyes and glanced over. “How do you even know who I am?”

The ash covered man looked down at him. “You asked me before didn’t you? You don’t know who I am, you said. I didn’t. So I had someone ask around, had your blades checked, followed you and listened to the conversation you just had. Just because you hate us doesn’t mean we’re incompetent.”

“I don’t have my weapons,” Edwin said.

“I’m sure that’s not an obstacle for a man of your reputation. Gael will see you to the registration booth,” Nathan said and walked a few steps before he glanced back. “I suggest you show up to your fight sober. I’ve been told your sister is in town. I’m sure she’ll be watching.”

“You fucking piece of-” Edwin got out when the dark behemoth appeared above him.

The large man raised him up with one hand, his entire form shrouded in spiked ash, his eyes uncaring. “Tournament, or over the wall,” he said in a deep growl, an ashen limb pointing in the direction of the walls.

Edwin looked at the man for a few seconds, the ash around him. He was outclassed, and he knew it. Even her fucking cult.

“Tournament,” Edwin said through gritted teeth.

Black wings spread and he was in the air a moment later.

______________________________________

Lily watched the Sentinel fly off, carrying Edwin by the neck. She stepped back into the shadow of the alley she had chosen to sleep in, sliding down against the wall. He would’ve killed him. And she had watched. She had watched, unable to interfere. Did I come to sleep here to protect Roland? In case he was attacked?

She shook her head. Why did I come here? To get silver, for us? For him? For that man?

A shell of her father. A shell of the last thing that reminded her. Every day.

Wolves stepped from the shadows. They moved close. Protected her while she hugged her knees.

She stayed like that for a good twenty minutes, quietly crying. She hissed at a Sentinel that asked if she was fine. He left.

Her sobs finally turned into laughter, the voice stuck in her throat before she rubbed her eyes. She took a deep breath and shuddered. One sign of her hand and the wolves stepped back into the shadow. I can’t do this anymore.

Lily stood up and walked to the cellar.

Inside, she found both Jyraiu and Roland, playing cards as if nothing had happened. She steeled herself.

“I’m done,” she said with a weak voice. Then louder. “I’m done.”

Roland looked up. He didn’t say a word.

“You’re here now. You’re safe. As safe as you’re going to get. I will join the tournament, and then… I don’t know. I don’t know what I will do… but it won’t be with you,” she said and gulped. One of her ears started ringing.

The man who had been her father stood up.

“W… what do you mean? Lily… I… how… I have to protect you,” he said.

“By killing other people? By playing cards? By wasting our silver? By losing yourself to your magic? By-” she stopped, her eyes wet, her words growing faster, more frustrated. She took a deep breath and raised her head. “I’m Lily… Lily of Salia, daughter to Samantha. Daughter to Sophie. Daughter to George. And daughter to Roland. They all died… a long time ago in the city that I loved. And I will find my own way,” she said and waited. The man in front of her just stared. With the same look in his eyes. With the same slack shoulders. She vanished.

Lily teleported through the city and ran. She ran as fast as she could, as far away from that cellar. From that man. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her lips quivered. She felt light. So very light.

Chapter 743 Contestants

Chapter 743 Contestants

Ilea aimed for the chest. She pulled back the string, her enhanced eyes showing her the details in her target. A steel plate armor held up by a metal base, filled entirely with straw.

The crowd was silent, waiting in anticipation as she prepared her shot.

She let loose, the string vibrating as it came to a sudden halt. Ilea watched the arrow fly and strike its target.

A loud boom resounded as an explosion enveloped the entirety of the dummy, heated steel shrapnel flying in all directions.

“Yes!” she exclaimed and raised her fist to a roar of cheers and applause.

People chanted her name in unison, the archers gathered nearby looking on with varied expressions. None of them met her eyes.

That’s right! she thought with a grin under her ash armor.

“Is that allowed?” one of the judges asked in a whisper. An old ranger with quite a majestic beard.

“Technically… it is a bow,” the woman sitting next to him answered. She smiled towards Ilea and waved.

“Yes but the arrow…” the third judge said. She didn’t finish her sentence when she locked eyes with Ilea. “I’m sure it’s fine. The latter targets require accuracy anyway.”

Triumphant yet again. All enemies slain, Ilea mused in her mind, raising the massive greatbow to the cheering crowd in the admittedly quite small arena.

It should’ve been the least popular tournament next to the weapon throwing one but word got around that Lilith would be participating. And so the stands were packed. A few other tournaments were going on at the same time, including preliminaries for the main ones. Apparently a lot of people had signed up.

She watched a few of the archers take their shots at the newly set up targets, clapping whenever one of them managed a good shot. It seemed she was the only one present who didn’t have an actual archery Class. However what she did have was a massive ass bow. And exploding arrows. That had to count for something.

Ilea stored her bow and teleported out, using the skill a few more times until she arrived in the main arena. She had agreed not to bypass the anti teleportation enchantments set up around the main viewing terrace. Doing so may invalidate the defenses set up by the Accords, and it would piss off a bunch of the dwarves.

The Shadowguards and Sentinels guarding the entrance let her through without issue, Ilea joining the nobility of the Plains. She realized that many of them weren’t particularly interested in the fights themselves, instead using the opportunity to talk with other important figures. Ilea was just there because it was the best view, and she didn’t want to take away any attention from the participants by sitting on the walls of the coliseum like structure.

She summoned herself a meal and leaned against the stone railing. A team of adventurers was facing off against a group she near instantly recognized. So they did it. Guess they were out until today, she thought with a wide grin on her face. The three people were clad in battered stonehammer and bone armor.

One floated above ground with ash wings spreading from her back, a bow made of ash in her hand as she aimed for one of the remaining targets. Her red hair flowed freely, falling down her back, green eyes taking in her surroundings. She looked more focused than Ilea had ever seen her. Dany’s hand was calm, waiting as the dust clouds moved through the arena. She let loose an arrow right when an opening presented itself.

The full plate wearing adventurer from the other group staggered back, blocking the projectile with his shield when the arrow exploded into a mist of heated ash. He staggered back, roaring as a sphere of fire pushed out to get rid of the dust and ash.

Ilea raised her brows as she watched Cornelius reform in the cloud next to the adventurer. He floated a few centimeters above ground and moved his hands in a calm manner, the entire dust around them condensing into a small storm. His magic entirely enveloped the man, chunks of armor ripped away with flesh and blood joining soon. He stopped the spell when his opponent collapsed to one knee, coughing up blood, both his axe and shield falling to the side. What was left of them.

That might just be enough to help my resistance, Ilea thought and watched him turn into a cloud yet again. Even worse than sand.

Their last opponent was a void mage, teleporting around to avoid both projectiles and clouds of magic.

Roots broke out of the ground a split second later, catching the legs of the void mage. The whole arena shook as more of the ground exploded, chunks of debris flying to the side with heavy impacts. From the crack stepped a three meter tall and broad creature of wooden roots and ash. It moved its arm, pulling the mage closer. Void explosions flashed out but she was enveloped nonetheless. Her movements stopped right before she was slapped against the stone floor, several bones breaking in the process.

The crowd cheered at the demonstration of power.

“And with that, we have the last group to join the main team tournament. Raphia, Cornelius, and Dany, representing the Medic Sentinel Corps in this category!” the announcer said, her voice booming through the enchanted device.

Not quite the clumsy team of optimistic adventurers anymore, Ilea thought, sipping on her ale before she ate a little more.

Raphia downright grew out of her wood and ash powered war machine before she jumped down to heal the woman she had just brutally splattered onto the stone floor. “I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed as she knelt down with her hands extended towards the barely breathing adventurer.

Ilea could see the woman stare back, the pain soon relieved as she closed her eyes.

Dany did the same, healing the two adventures that had been downed even before Ilea had joined to watch. Cornelius just waved towards the stands, a slight smile on his face until he looked towards the terrace. He grinned and waved when he saw Ilea.

She waved back. “Well fought. You’ve grown considerably.”

Cornelius raised his brows but quickly adapted. “Y… yes. A lot has happened. The reputation of the Sentinels and their training is… underrated.”

“I hope you weren’t treated badly,” Ilea said.

“Not at all. It’s just that your training seems like a comfortable afternoon bout compared to what we went through,” the replied. “I think the results speak for themselves.”

“That they do,” she said and waited for them to leave into the facilities reserved for the participants. Ilea finished her meal and left the terrace, teleporting through the arena until she came out behind the group of Sentinels that had just fought. “You didn’t think you could get away so easily, did you?”

She spread her limbs to envelope them all but Cornelius turned to dust. Dany and Raphia she managed to gather in a bit of a messy group hug. “Good to see you,” she said, letting them go.

“Il… I mean Lilith!” Raphia exclaimed and jumped up as soon as she was freed.

“It’s good to see you too,” Dany said. “We heard a lot about your adventures. Some of the songs were hard to believe.”

“I’m still not convinced they’re not all entirely made up,” Cornelius said.

Ilea grinned. “Just as your expectations of the Sentinels, I assure you, young dust mage, they don’t even come close to reality.”

He looked at her with a doubtful look but didn’t retort.

“I heard you’re taking part in the archery tournament,” Dany said. She had a bit of a smug smile on her face.

“Yes,” Ilea said and summoned her greatbow.

Dany smiled. “That’ll do it.”

“And explosive arrows too,” Ilea said with a wink.

[Battle Healer – lvl 163]

[Dust Mage – lvl 168]

[Wood Mage – lvl 156]

“No interest in ash, Cornelius?” Ilea asked.

He locked eyes with her. “Dust Sentinel. First of its kind,” he said with a bit of the element swirling around him.

“I’m sure you’ll get far with that,” Ilea mused.

“I will,” he said.

“I’m sure you will,” she said.

“Further than you,” he said.

Ilea raised her brows and deactivated Monstrous. “Better catch up faster then, boy.”

“Ooooooh! That’s three!” Raphia exclaimed. She jumped up and pointed at Ilea. “Three!” she showed three fingers to her team mates.

“Yes. We can see it too,” Cornelius said through gritted teeth. “You must’ve gotten lucky, again.”

“Of course. It’s my hidden stat,” Ilea said. “Have you guys eaten anything?”

“I’m starved,” Dany said. “We arrived earlier today and Trian said we had to join the team tournament because most everyone else signed up for guard duty.”

Raphia nodded to herself. “Conscientious. But we will represent the Sentinels well!”

“Using big words again?” Cornelius said.

A wooden root slashed through the man, two dust clouds reforming into one right after.

“I can read, unlike some people,” the wood mage said. She shook her head.

Ilea teleported them out and towards the Golden Goose. She grinned when all of them spread their wings. Well all but the dust mage. He just straight up floated.

“We’re not even at two hundred. Which means we won’t get far. Not with the competition that’s supposedly around,” Dany said.

“Trian isn’t stupid. We’re the perfect group to show off. We can handle low two hundreds, maybe even higher if they make mistakes. Seeing how powerful even we are will lead a lot of credibility to our organization. And the nobles will note that we’re not putting our best in the tournaments while we’re supposed to protect the events. It’s just another way to show off power,” Cornelius explained.

Ilea nodded. “Sounds plausible.”

“You’re not involved in that kind of planning, I’m sure,” he said. “Too busy fighting things as dense as you are.”

“I didn’t remember you quite as bold,” Ilea said.

“I’ve seen everything, Ilea. You don’t scare me. Not anymore,” he said.

“Ah, I see. Why don’t you have a look around and come to the Golden Goose via teleportation gate,” Ilea said and opened a portal to the domain of the Meadow. She used her space manipulation to push the man made dust cloud through and closed it again.

“What was that!” Raphia exclaimed, flying around the area where the man had vanished.

“Space magic,” Ilea said with a smile.

“That’s very nice,” the woman whispered, nodding to herself. “I wish I could do that to him.”

“Who knows. Maybe he learns some manners before coming back,” Ilea said as they landed near the restaurant in question, a queue present despite the start of the tournaments.

Dany snorted. “You underestimate his stubbornness.”

“And you underestimate the Meadow,” Ilea said.

Two waiters appeared nearby and bowed. “Lady Lilith. Are you here with guests?”

“Yeah, us three for now and a fourth one in… let’s say fifteen minutes,” she said.

“Excellent. Please follow me,” the woman said and vanished.

She teleported in and brought the two Sentinels with her.

“This is rather strange,” Dany admitted. “To be teleported against one’s will.”

“It’s pretty rare,” Ilea said.

They got a separate room, the waiter having summoned a table for four with the respective chairs and tableware.

“Drinks and appetizers to start?” she asked.

“That would be great, thank you,” Ilea said and smiled at her before she sat down. Enchanted wood inlaid with steel. All four of them. Well played. They prepared.

The soon received the first drinks and plates, Ilea sharing some of her adventures with the two wide eyed Sentinels. Their time it seemed had mostly been occupied by harrowing training and dungeon explorations guided somewhat by the faculty and sometimes even higher leveled Sentinels. Whoever was available.

“Some of the dungeons are off limits at the moment,” Dany said.

“Yes, because we killed nearly everything in them,” Raphia said and continued eating.

“Well not us specifically. Just the Sentinels,” Dany. “I hear it’s been a bit of a problem finding new training grounds in the area. At least there has been a sharp decline in travelers being attacked by monsters.”

“Don’t think that’s a problem anymore, honestly,” Ilea said.

“The gates. Yes,” Dany commented before drinking a sip of wine. “I’ve been wondering how it tastes.”

“From the haven, right?” Raphia asked.

“Yes. I think some are made with techniques from an ancient civilization,” Dany mused, swirling the liquid in her glass.

Their Queen and King are in the city, Ilea thought with a slight smile. She hadn’t seen them on the terrace earlier but she assumed they were around somewhere.

The door opened slowly, the three occupants glancing over at the noise. Entering with slack shoulders did the previously banished dust mage. He took a deep breath and looked up, the previous arrogance gone entirely.

“Forgive me, Lilith. I doubted you,” he said in a slightly shaking voice, then bowed.

Dany raised a brow, glancing between him and Ilea. Raphia just kept eating with a happy expression.

“We’re all just little drakes, living in a world of dragons,” Ilea said.

The man walked to the table and sat down, taking in a deep breath before he sighed. He wanted to pour himself a glass of wine when a waitress appeared and did it for him. She waited for him to down the glass and refilled it. Thrice.

“How’d the meeting go?” Ilea asked.

He didn’t reply for a few seconds. He raised his hand but lowered it again when he realized it was shaking. “I have a lot to learn.”

“What did you see?” Raphia asked, moving closer to him with a broad smile. “Tell me.”

“A being beyond anything… I thought possible,” the dust mage spoke.

“The Meadow is nice though. There are worse things out there,” Ilea said. “On the other hand, I’m not sure if there’s anything more sarcastic out there.”

“How is that relevant?” Dany asked.

“You will understand once you meet it,” Ilea said.

“I see,” the woman replied.

“And the Lich… how… why?” Cornelius asked, looking up from his plate.

“I was looking for an artifact. That was funny… interesting void creature I fought there,” Ilea started, retelling the story while omitting certain bits, mostly about the companions with her and the artifact in question.

Lunch went by quickly and the group had to prepare once more for their next fight. Ilea too would have to prove herself once more in her chosen competition.

______________________________

Lily had chosen a lone bench near one of the corners of the large hall. She made sure nobody could sneak up on her, and she made an effort to check the other contestants. These were still just the preliminaries for the pre two hundred singles tournament but there were plenty of people she considered capable.

Some were casually talking to others, confident and calm, others were scouting out their competition just like her. Nobody revealed anything about their magic or abilities, though many were carrying weapons. She knew not to judge someone’s skills based on the quality of their equipment. She was her main example.

Lily looked down at her knife, the blade in its makeshift sheathe, the original one long gone. She had seen better ones. Harder metals, enchantments to enhance the sharpness or durability of the blade. But it still worked. Still did its job. If she ever changed to something else, it had to be a major upgrade, and for a good reason too. The first things she would get were a place to stay somewhere in Morhill, then more comfortable and clean clothing, light metal armor, and finally she would think about weapons.

“The next fight will start in three minutes. Contestant Geronimo and contestant Nelson please enter through the gates. Remember, killing an opponent will lead to instant disqualification. Good luck,” an excited voice said through an enchanted speaking device.

She had seen something similar before but never with a quality quite this crisp. Lily assumed it had to do with the Accords. A lot of the technology around seemed strange and new. The teleportation gates she had heard about of course, but not just that. She had seen people in magic powered suits of armor, walking around with ease despite the massive weight. She had listened in on a conversation between three adventurers who said the suits were so called war machines, operated by dwarves.

Lily had wondered about what to do after the tournament but the more she learned about these southern cities and the true reason behind these festivities, the more options presented themselves. For now, she planned on becoming an adventurer. With the teleportation gates in Morhill, the choice was obvious. She could easily explore large parts of the Plains, go from city to city, and take whatever jobs took her fancy. Other options existed of course. Once she reached level two hundred, she could join the Shadow’s Hand, but the fee to become a full member was quite hefty. And she would likely be pushed towards joining a team. Not something she was too keen on at the moment.

She had considered the Medic Sentinels as well, but with every snippet of information she picked up, she thought herself less fitting. Lily wasn’t interested in the torturous training they went through, nor did she see a reason to become a healer to help other adventurers or random villages and towns. She already had a healing spell for herself and her pack. That was all she needed.

She allowed herself a slight smile, watching the combatants walk towards the gates. For the first time in years she felt excited. The tournament was just the first step. I can do it. I don’t need anyone. She looked at her knife again and squeezed the handle.

Chapter 744 Wolf

Chapter 744 Wolf

Sunlight illuminated the sand covered stone grounds, various targets lying in burning splinters. Anticipation was written on the faces of the silent spectators, sweat dripping from their brows.

Ilea shot her third arrow but it was already too late. She hadn’t been fast enough, the enormous weaponry simply not made to be shot in quick succession. The arrow missed its target by more than a meter, exploding against a barrier that flared up to protect the spectators.

“Fuck,” she murmured, squinting her eyes at the last round target. I could crush you so easily.

You dare defy me?

The target did not respond. It did however seem more than a little smug.

She realized some of the other contestants sighed breaths of relief. She had gotten into the top twenty but it seemed this was her limit with both her skill and equipment. The crowd was silent. Ilea could swear she saw tears on some of their faces. Definitely tears. She too was devastated at the loss. “Whelp. Good luck everyone, it was fun!” she exclaimed and waved at the people, many now standing up to clap. “Enjoy the tournaments!”

Some of the other bowmen and women clapped as well, others congratulating her on getting this far.

“And that was contestant Lilith. A considerable effort, though I believe her equipment held her back. What do you think Charles?” one of the announcers spoke thought the voice enhancer.

“Vera, I can’t say I’m surprised. Lilith is known for her prowess in fighting unbelievable creatures in the wild. An explosive greatbow like the one she likes to use is certainly effective against a horde of demons, but in a contest of speed and accuracy, it may just not be the best choice,” the man explained.

Ilea didn’t much care about their commentary, already back in another arena. This one had adventurers throwing things at various targets. She settled down on a random spot between spectators and summoned herself a bottle of ale.

“Did he just throw eight axes?” she asked the man sitting next to her.

He smiled and shook his head. “I couldn’t follow that at all. Most of them move too fast. There are eight axes in the targets though… so yes. I think those were all his,” he said and squinted his eyes to see the sand covered grounds.

Right. I remember when I was blown away by fire wings. Those Elves were absolute killing machines too. Don’t think any of those would pose much of a threat to these events.

She watched a woman throw a few spears in quick succession, the projectiles piercing through the entirety of the plate armor targets. Nice.

______________________________

Lily stood up when her name was called out. She took a deep breath and looked at the man that stood up on the other side of the large hall.

He was quite a bit older than her, some gray hairs already visible. He wore light armor made of leather, steel bits visible to protect his vitals. Her opponent wore no weapons in a visible manner, his black eyes finding her, a light smile coming to his face but his expression remained serious enough.

Mage. Or someone rich enough for some kind of storage enchantment or item. The former is more likely. He looks down on me but it doesn’t seem like arrogance. He’s experienced. She saw the light damage on his armor too, fixed as well as could be done but the signs of battle were there. He had no scars that she could see but that didn’t mean much. If a healer was reached in a few days, they normally didn’t form. It did tell her some things about his preferred work environment. Closer to settlements, large ones too. He didn’t take risks. That or he never got injured badly enough to form a scar on his face.

[Fire Mage – lvl 187]

That’s high.

She was at one sixty eight herself. Nineteen levels were not a massive difference but he was nearly as strong as a Shadow. Lily touched the dagger on her belt. Calm down. You have your pack. You’ve fought monsters and people at a higher difference. And you have your second tier Heat Resistance.

“You’re quite young,” the man said when they stepped through the gates and onto a platform. He didn’t sound condescending, more just making a statement.

Lily didn’t know what he was trying. So she didn’t reply.

The platform started moving upwards. The ceiling opened up, sunlight streaming in with some sand falling down onto the stone elevator. Chatter and cheers resounded form outside.

Lily could feel her heart beating in her chest. She was used to fighting. She was used to surviving. But there was usually nobody watching. The sounds made her nervous.

“I didn’t mean to insult you. Just letting you know that I won’t hold back. Make sure to signal when you want to give up. I know how painful fire can be,” the man said.

“I know that too,” Lily said in a calm voice, her eyes focused upwards.

“Good luck,” he said when their heads reached the ground level, the platform moving farther up until it lined up with the grounds of the arena. A loud click resounded when the elevator stopped.

Lily stood unmoving. She watched the expanding stone, lightly covered with sand, at least fifty meters in every direction. It was a massive space for just two people to fight in. Beyond that was a near five meter high circular wall, magical runes etched into the surface, all of it glowing lightly with power. Above expanded the stands, seating for hundreds if not thousands of people reaching upwards all around. All of the seats were taken.

She gulped, turning around herself as she heard the heartbeat in her ears, one of them starting to ring. It was hot. And loud. She wanted to run away, wanted to hide. Wanted to find Ro- No. Lily closed her eyes and gripped her dagger. She let it go and uncoiled the Alpha Hound’s trinket from her wrist. The motion was automatic, something she had done a hundred times before. She raised it up and grabbed her wild and unkempt hair, moving the metal necklace around to bind it. Lily checked and knew it would hold.

“And for round eighteen in the pre two hundred single preliminaries,” a loud voice called out from various sound devices.

Lily was sure they were mounted to the very top of the arena. It sounded strange hearing the sounds from near the center of the circular fighting grounds. As if a dozen voices all came together.

“Jeremia of Nipha, part of the sapphire adventuring team Silver Hawk, will be facing his black haired opponent who chose to remain anonymous,” the speaker said. “Remember the rules. Prepare yourselves. Show the best of what you can do, and prevail, warriors of Elos!”

Lily took a few steps, each one with more confidence. She glanced up to the terrace looming above the rest of the stands. Sunlight reflected off of shiny armors and bright white dresses, the very elite of the Plains, watching those who had chosen to partake. She couldn’t see her, but it didn’t matter. Lily looked instead to her opponent, the man now about fifteen meters away from her. Her world became smaller as she focused, magic flowing through her body.

She could feel her nails sharpen, her canines growing out. Already she was in a light crouch. She could smell him. His sweat. The sands. She could hear his steps, could see the focus in his eyes. Prey.

“Let the fight… begin!” the loud voice called out but to her it sounded dulled.

Jeremia moved immediately, his hands flicking forward with bright spheres of fire coming to life.

Lily stepped into the shadows, moving to the side before she came out into the open, the spheres exploding into bright flames where she had stood. She looked at her opponent as the crowd cheered, a long slightly curved blade now in his hands, the steel erupting in fire.

She grit her teeth and unsheathed her knife, pushing off the ground and running towards him. She jumped and twirled to the side, a large sphere of fire rushing past, slightly singing her hair. Three of her wolves stepped out of the shadows, fanning out to distract the sword wielding mage. She teleported past another sphere, coming close to his range. Lily watched him swing, the angle too wide. Her instincts screamed and she ducked, something moving past above.

He vanished just before she reached him.

Lily turned, her three wolves slowing down as she looked at the mage a dozen meters away. That was his sword. It suddenly sped up.

Jeremia smiled before he raised his blade, crouching down in a stance.

Lily did the same and rushed forward yet again. She watched as he swung his long blade, lines of fire flaring up and rushing to meet her. She dodged long before they would’ve reached her, one of them speeding up about halfway towards her. He’s manipulating the speed? Time itself? But I’m not faster. It’s just him or his magic.

More wolves rushed out of the shadows, two of them cut through by a swing of his sword, the man forced to teleport when four more wolves were about to reach him, one already leaping. Lily watched and teleported to where he appeared. She struck at his vulnerable side with her dagger, the man spinning with an unnatural motion before his flaming sword collided with her weapon.

She jumped back but found him following with fast steps, his arm raised where a torrent of fire erupted outwards. Lily raised her arms to take some of the heat, her pack rushing at the man until he teleported yet again. Breathing hurt, her arms red and her hair on fire. She used her healing to deal with the damage as her shade like wolves formed a circle to protect her, all ten of them out now.

She looked at the man now. This isn’t working. He’s way too careful. Once again he was using his ranged attacks to push her to action. She dodged and ran, teleporting when she couldn’t get away from the strangely fast moving spheres.

Let’s use the ace. She circled him and rushed forward, straight at him. A teleport brought her behind one of his flame slashes but not close enough to force him to teleport. A surge of mana flowed through her when she activated her beast form, muscles bulging as her hair grew out in a split second. Broad claws clashed with the burning sword as her form expanded, her large wolf maw biting down towards his shoulder before he sped up and rushed away, just barely dodging out of the way.

Lily followed, on all fours now as she and her pack moved as one, the wolves dodging the blade and spells as they pressured the opponent. She felt the air pressure with every powerful step. Lily reached his form, ignoring the blade that cut into her side as she used her speed and weight to slam into him. She heard the crack of bones and stayed behind his rolling form, slashing down with her claws. She growled with joy when she felt the resistance, blood now coloring the sands with red. Her spell wavered before she returned to her human form, collapsing to one knee. Her opponent had already teleported away, staggering slightly with one hand to his bleeding side.

The man hissed, fire around his hand as he seared the wounds shut.

She looked at him with a grin, her vision blurring slightly. Too long. She steadied herself and took a deep breath, two of her wolves returning to the shadows when they blocked the incoming spheres of fire coming at her.

Lily crouched and vanished as the rest of her pack rushed at the man. She appeared in front of him, tilting her body to the side to avoid the torrent of flames he sent out from his hand. His blade came down and she deflected it with her dagger. One hand only. She stepped forward, just when one of her wolves bit into his leg. Her dagger flipped in her hand before she slammed it into his side, another dose of her paralyzing agent flowing into him. The knife came out bloodied, just in time for her to teleport away from his second swing.

She whistled in a low tone, her wolves rushing the man without regard for their own safety. She had a few seconds at most until he shook off the effects. Lily watched as two of her shade like animals were cut apart and vanished, one of them biting through the bracer protecting his right arm, burned away when he moaned and sent a torrent of flame over his own limb. Two more were biting into his legs, the man stumbling forward and falling to his knees. He blocked one of the wolves going for his throat and skewered a second one.

Lily waited for the start of his next swing and stepped into the shadows. She came out right behind his kneeling form and reached around. One hand grabbed his hair and ripped back his skull, the other one stabbing her blade into his throat.

Sound returned to her ears, the crowd entirely silent. She heard the pained moans of her foe and kept her dagger in place.

Three people in black appeared around them.

“He’s alive,” Lily said.

One of them chuckled, a Sentinel. “We know. Leave the blade in and step back.”

[Battle Healer – lvl 245]

Lily didn’t want to let go of her weapon but she didn’t think she had a choice in the matter. She stepped back.

The Sentinel walked up to the man, holding a piece of wood out towards his mouth. “Bite down. This will hurt.”

A collective groan went through the crowd when the Sentinel ripped out the dagger, healing the screaming man right after.

Lily watched. It was the first time someone had survived what she had just done. Normally she went for a slice instead of a stab. Killing wasn’t allowed after all.

Jeremia collapsed on the ground and held his throat, the wound already gone. Tears fell to the sand.

“Well fought. Both of you,” the Sentinel said and threw the dagger towards her. “Need a heal too?”

Lily caught the thing. “No,” she answered and used her own ability. It wasn’t as effective as what the Sentinel had just done to the man but she didn’t want the help if she could fix it herself.

A Shadow crouched down next to Jeremia. “Can you stand? I can carry you.”

The man raised a single finger.

The Shadow left him alone.

“And the winner is our anonymous black haired fighter! The savage wolf!” the announcer’s voice roared through the arena, quickly followed by applause and cheers.

“Savage wolf. Fitting, I suppose,” the other Sentinel said, looking at her with her piercing green eyes, ash armor covering the rest of her face.

[Battle Healer – lvl 238]

She looks so similar.

“You’ve grown,” a voice resounded in her mind.

Lily tensed up and took a step back.

“No need to be afraid,” the woman in front of her said in an amused tone.

Lily ignored her and looked at the cheering crowd, her eyes coming to a stop at the terrace. Dozens of people were watching from there.

“Do you mind if I join you? You can reply through the mental connection,” the voice resounded again. A voice she hadn’t heard in a long time.

Did she mind? Was she allowed to refuse at all? Was it the same woman? Or was it Lilith, the monster she had heard of in the many songs spreading through the plains? Lily looked at the dagger in her hand. A gift, given without asking anything in return. “I don’t mind,” she said, with her mind alone. A strange sensation, the words coming easier than when she spoke normally. She didn’t know if she had said them if not for the strange connection. Lilith coming down to meet her would bring attention. Lily couldn’t yet decide if it was a good idea or not, but a part of her didn’t care. It was Ilea, one of the few people that had been kind to her after the destruction of Salia.

She watched the terrace when one figure jumped out, black ash spreading from her back. The woman flapped her wings in a powerful motion, flying down towards the sand covered grounds as the cheers continued.

Lilith landed a few meters away, the impact audible. She straightened as sand still flowed away, her large wings dissolving into nothing. Her armor looked smooth and savage at the same time. Perfected over the years and hundreds of battles. Horns grew out from her ash covered temples, bending forward in a sharp angle. Her every movement flowed with weight and magic.

The purely visual difference between the Sentinel in front of Lily and the woman she had once known was minimal, but they were worlds apart. She wanted to take a step back, wanted to run. Her instincts warned her of a monster unlike anything she had ever felt before.

“You look good,” the woman said, her blue eyes both terrifying and amused. “A little burnt. The long hair suits you.”

The Sentinel stepped away and bowed to the woman in a respectful manner. She gave Lily a considering look with her green eyes and joined the other two who tried to help the grumbling Jeremia.

Lily gulped. She had known that Ilea was here, had known about her reputation. But now that she stood in front of her. She didn’t know what to do. Her instincts and magic told her that the songs were all true, but it wasn’t fear she felt. She heard herself sob. Just once. The reaction was so surprising, she took a step back and wiped at her eyes, her vision blurring for some reason. Why.

“It must’ve been tough,” Ilea said.

Lily felt strong arms enveloping her, her wolves stepping out of the shadows to protect her but their growls and bites were ignored. She felt her arms growing weak. It was warm. She was pressed against the woman’s chest, crying for the second time in the past two years.

It was nice. A little confusing too. For a moment, she felt like the little girl she had been back in Salia, running around through the streets and sewers. But that wasn’t who she was now. Not anymore. She took in a deep breath and shuddered, pushing at the indestructible ash armor with a weak hand.

Ilea let her go and took a step back. “It’s good to see you, Savage Wolf.”

Lily looked up and grinned.

Chapter 745 Introductions

Chapter 745 Introductions

Ilea smiled back, though her face still covered with her mantle. The moniker given to Lily didn’t just fit based on the fight she had just seen, her look made an impression too. The blood and singed parts of her clothes meshed well with the wild black hair bound together on her back. The main two factors however were her red eyes and pronounced canines. Almost looks like a vampire, Ilea thought. Not quite like the one she had seen in the Descent but more the idea she had from pop culture back on Earth.

“When’s your next fight?” she asked.

Lily shrugged. She was still smaller than Ilea but the girl had shot up in height compared to the last time they had seen each other back in Salia. She was thin, her muscles defined. A testament perhaps to the lifestyle she had lived since the Elven attacks. “I just qualified. I’m not sure when the next one is.”

Ilea glanced up to the terrace. “When is her next fight?” she asked Verena. The Elder was somewhat involved with the tournaments.

“Three hours from now,” Verena replied. “I won’t tell you her opponent or switch things around.”

“I didn’t ask you to cheat for me, Verena,” Ilea said and squinted.

“You wouldn’t be the first,” the elder said. “I’m taking notes.”

“I hope you’re not going on a murder spree after this thing is over,” Ilea said.

“Me? No. I’m past that age. However economic troubles and sudden loss of reputation can be quite devastating,” she answered.

“Alright,” Ilea said, raising her brows.

“People shouldn’t attempt to break rules. There are consequences, noble or not,” Verena said.

Ilea cut the connection. Guess there are reasons why she was the only elder around for a while. “Three hours. Got anything planned? I can show you around,” Ilea said.

Lily looked a little guarded. “I don’t want your help, Lilith.”

“I’m not trying to help you, Lily. I just saw you fight. I’m asking you to spend a few hours with me, to catch up. For old time’s sake.” she sent.

The girl considered for a moment, still looking a little suspicious.

“Heard of the Golden Goose?” Ilea asked.

“That famous restaurant for rich people?” Lily asked.

“Yeah. I know the owner,” Ilea said.

“If it’s just food…” Lily answered.

Got her. Just like you would lure a savage wolf, Ilea thought with a grin. “Ever flown before?”

The girl shook her head, more conscious now of the hundreds of people watching all around. She gulped.

“Let’s get out of here,” Ilea said and spread her wings, casually moving her arm around the girl’s back. She ignored the growls coming from the shadows, almost inclined to growl back. How protective, she thought and moved her ash.

They ascended, quickly above the arena itself where Ilea hovered for a moment. She didn’t miss the accelerating heartbeat and wide eyes of the girl, nor the grip she suddenly had on Ilea’s arm. Soon they were flying above the near mountain peaks, the arena and city below almost looking like the drawing on a map.

“I remember when I got my wings,” Ilea said. “Maybe my favorite piece of magic that my Classes provided. Wanted them since I saw a fire mage perform in Riverwatch. Do you want to see some of the valleys?”

“Yes!” the girl replied.

“I’ll go fast. Try not to pass out,” Ilea sent.

_____________________________

Lily held fast, she looked up at the woman, her breath caught in her chest. Ilea was no longer covered in ash armor, her black hair moving in the wind. She wore black pants and a simple white shirt. She looks just the same. It somehow reassured her, despite having talked to her already. Knowing that even with all the power the woman had accrued, she still just wore these normal clothes, no crown, no glittering jewels, no fancy high quality armor.

She could feel the magic vibrate, Ilea’s black wings pulsing with power. The next moment they shot off. It took all of her strength to fight against the forces she felt, her jaws shut and her eyes tearing up. She saw green, white, and gray moving past at incredible speeds. Her vision started blurring when warm magic flowed into her. Healing. Something about it was different. It soothed not just her body, but her mind too. The motion slowed and she could breathe again. Lily couldn’t help but start laughing.

Ilea did the same, her wings moving as she brought them down into the unknown forest. She landed with a heavy impact and set the girl down.

Lily walked over to a nearby fallen trunk, shaking legs until she sat down and took a deep breath. This forest smelled different to the ones near Karth. High reaching needle trees resistant to the cold compared to the leaf covered variants that were more familiar to her. She could make out tracks of beasts she had never seen before. This was mostly untouched land.

“You seem more comfortable here. Compared to the arena,” Ilea said. The woman leaned against a tree, the wood slightly groaning.

How heavy is she? Lily gulped. “I… yes. I try to avoid… people.”

“I get that. Wings help. I think you’d love the North,” Ilea said, looking at her with an amused expression. “Maybe once you’re past two hundred.”

“The… paintings. With the storms… was that?” Lily asked.

The woman raised her brows. “Paintings? What do you mean?”

“The gallery in Morhill… about you. From the young painter,” Lily said.

Ilea looked thoughtful. “Oh.” She smiled. “I’ll have to see that myself. So you spent a lot of time in the wild then?”

Lily nodded. She didn’t feel comfortable talking about herself to others but Ilea wasn’t exactly a stranger. She didn’t really know her either but at the very least she owed her.

The woman looked at her for a while. “Hey, want to see something cool that only the most important people in the Plains have seen so far?”

Lily looked at her. Was there a catch? But she’s so upfront with her intentions. And with her power, why would she fuck with me? She nodded.

Ilea grinned. “I’ll introduce you to a very good friend of mine. It helps me train a lot, maybe it could help you too. Wait… maybe you won’t be able to hear it. How’s your Mental Resistance?”

“I trained with a frog species we found in a cave,” she said with obvious pride, then looked down with some shame.

Ilea leaned forward and looked at her.

She could feel her cheeks heating up. Mind frogs. Why would I mention that to a normal person.

“What was their level? Always good to have monsters around to train Mental Resistance. I’ll pay you for the location. The Sentinels should work on theirs,” Ilea said.

What.

Lily looked up. “Are you serious?”

“Of course. We do have Weavy and Hereven but they don’t seem particularly interested in training a bunch of battle healers. Monsters are always best. They just attack, attack, attack,” she said. “Especially helpful if they’re weak enough not to make your brain explode instantly.”

Lily opened her mouth and closed it. She spoke in a whisper. “There are monsters that can do that?”

“Well. I don’t know. I usually kill them first,” Ilea said, two dozen ashen limbs spreading out from her back in an instant, sharp edges at their tips as they remained entirely motionless.

Lily gulped, watching the ash dissolve a moment later.

“But that’s good. Maybe you can hear it then,” Ilea said and pushed off the tree. “Have you met a four mark before?”

“A f… twice…” Lily said. She didn’t see a reason to keep that knowledge to herself. Both experiences had been terrifying.

“Really? What kind?” Ilea asked.

“I saw… at night… I woke up and there was mist all around. I didn’t move and hid… a few minutes later I saw a cloaked being float through the mist. It had no legs, only darkness in its gray hood. Dawn Shade it said when I identified it. I just waited until it was gone but I don’t think I could’ve moved anyway,” she said.

“Interesting. Where was that?” Ilea asked. There was a strange hunger in her voice.

She wants to… no… maybe? She wants to hunt it? “Somewhere south of Stormbreach but I don’t know where exactly. I’m sorry.”

“That’s fine. Plenty of four marks around. Could be an achievement to get my mist magic resistance to the third tier,” she said.

Third tier resistances? Plenty of four marks? Lily gulped and focused on the initial question. “The second one was a high level Wyvern we found in the southern mountains. There was a blizzard out so we went into a cave. When I woke up, Roland was gone. He sometimes does that, I think he dreams and his auras activate, so he gets up and needs to kill something. I followed the monsters he had killed. The cavern went deeper than most, reaching into other systems. I found him engaged with a large Wyvern like creature, you know, the winged drakes… when we killed the thing and I got him out of his state, we heard a roar from deeper down and hid. It didn’t take long for a green scaled wyvern to fly through the cavern, almost like it jumped from pillar to pillar. It had no eyes and four wings instead of two. I couldn’t identify it but… I could tell… you know, sometimes it’s obvious.” She realized she had been rambling, unsure how Ilea would react. When was the last time she had said so much? Did she endanger herself and Ro… no. She had to think of herself. Sharing things about the monsters she had seen wasn’t an issue, except when people thought she was bragging. Ilea would understand.

“That sounds like an interesting fight… but I’ll leave that one to you,” she said with a grin.

Lily shook her head. “Fighting a four mark?”

Ilea shrugged. “Why not? You’ll get there. In time. And trust me, fleeing from a four mark is usually much easier than killing one.” She paused and seemed to consider something, then just smiled. “So you won’t be too overwhelmed then. Owl and Meadow are the two below Hallowfort, a settlement of Dark Ones, awakened monsters, in the far north. I would assume a teleportation gate will be available but… if you can, try to get there yourself. It’s a nice journey.”

Lily watched the woman raise her arm. She felt a pulse of magic but nothing happened. She squinted her eyes and moved her head to the side. Something was not right. As if the air shimmered just a little.

“Step through, if you dare,” Ilea said.

If I dare? “I’m not a child, Ilea.” Lily said and crossed her arms, staying where she was.

The woman rolled her eyes. “This is a long range spatial fissure that leads to the north. I’m using hundreds… now thousands of points of mana to keep it open. I’ll take you back. Promise.”

A promise from Lilith. And an offer to step through a spatial fissure. What could go wrong? Lily would’ve refused if it had been anybody else. Even with Ilea she would’ve refused, if not for what had happened in the past few days. She had to make her own decisions. Seeing a place only the most important humans had stepped foot in? Meeting four mark beings? Friends of Lilith? Yes. That was something she was interested in. And so she walked through the phenomenon, without pause.

Lily came into an expansive cavern and immediately felt the mana density. As if she had entered a dangerous dungeon, though she heard no noise in her mind. Steps behind her indicated Ilea having come through as well.

There were high reaching stone pillars, strange buildings, and a steel cube set into stone, as if dropped onto one of its edges. She saw glowing metal, a floating creature made of a black material, and a suit of armor much like the ones she had seen in Morhill. Lily had already unsheathed her dagger. She turned away from the two figures when she realized they hadn’t even noticed the newcomers. Instead she looked towards the strange black grass that started to grow about twenty meters ahead, between the pillars. Glowing wisps of light floated around. Some type of firefly, she noted and blinked when she watched one of them teleport. Another vanished entirely, and a third split into three of its kind.

She rubbed her eyes.

“If you want to test your Arcane Magic Resistance, just walk towards the grass,” Ilea said. “The Meadow said it’s fine.”

The Meadow said?

Lily looked around. She saw figures moving near the distant cube but Ilea was motioning towards the grass. She gulped and took a step forward. Then another. She could feel it, the pressure. Her breathing picked up. It was beyond most things she had felt. Walking around a pillar, she froze up, her eyes fixated on a tree made of crystal. Light reflected strangely off the form. Her pack came out but they didn’t growl. They whimpered.

She too took a step back, feeling a hand steady her back.

“Pretty impressive for your level,” Ilea said. “Though I don’t really know. Maybe once the Sentinels are here more often. I’m sure they’ll make a challenge out of it.”

Lily tried to calm herself. She used her healing but it didn’t really help. The mana was everywhere, and it wasn’t natural. It came from the tree, the grass, the fireflies, the small creeks flowing through.

“Can it try to talk to you? It might freak you out. But I’m here to heal your mind in case you can’t take it,” Ilea said.

Lily stared at the tree. A part of her wanted to run away. She saw Roland, standing there, without a reaction, in the sad little cellar they had chosen to stay in. Lily nodded. “Yes.”

“A brave little soul,” a voice resounded in her mind.

She could feel the pressure. It hurt a little, but it had been expected. “Hello,” she sent back.

“Fearless, I see. I do hope you have regeneration to back that up. Ilea wouldn’t have survived without. Call me Meadow,” the being said.

“I’m Lily. And I won’t tell you about my abilities,” she said.

“Then you’re already far more intelligent than the brute that brought you here,” the creature said.

Ilea raised her middle finger.

“And far more polite too,” the Meadow said. “I understand you’re old friends?”

“Ilea saved my life. We haven’t met in a long time,” Lily said.

“She has a tendency to do that. Don’t worry too much about the time difference. I doubt her small brain has the capacity for development,” the being said.

“Don’t talk about her in that way. She’s nice,” Lily said.

The being remained quiet for a moment. “I’m just joking, Lily. Ilea too perhaps saved my life, in a way. She brought me to this realm after all, where I can meet beings such as yourself. If you have questions or require training. I’m happy to help.”

Lily looked at the tree, though she understood the being encompassed the entire area. “I will find my own way. But it was… impressive… to meet you.”

“Indeed. Shall we meet again,” the being spoke.

“You left an impression,” Ilea said. “Apparently you’re far past me in both wisdom and intelligence, but I suppose with its opinion of me that’s not exactly an incredible milestone.”

Lily looked at Ilea and followed her out of the black grass, her breathing calming down as the mana lessened quickly. She didn’t really understand what kind of relationship Ilea had with the Meadow creature. What they said suggested different things. Lily felt a little strange. Out of place perhaps. Not because there were powerful beings around her, she mostly slept in the wild after all. What bothered her was her obvious lack of social skills. Should I wave? Or say goodbye? But now it’s too late, isn’t it? Every step made the decision more difficult. Her worries were discarded when Ilea introduced her to the next pair of beings.

“Goliath, Bralin, meet the Savage Wolf,” she said and pointed between them to indicate who was who.

Lily felt herself turn a little red again at the mention of the strange name the announcer had given her. Without asking. How dare he. She wondered if she could hunt him down, maybe rob him or set his house on fire. No. I should still keep a low profile. A lot of people know me now, and they know I’m connected to Lilith in some manner.

“Nice to meet you,” she said to the floating form of black metal, glowing near golden eyes taking in her form with interest.

[Master Smith – lvl 214]

[Stone Warrior – lvl 200]

The other person was the one wearing a suit of armor, though this one didn’t seem very impressive. There were dents and scratches.

The smith bowed while floating in the air. “Greetings, young human wrought in shadow, friend of Lilith. I am Goliath.”

“Nice to meet you, Savage Wolf? Is that some kind of joke name? Though you do look rather savage,” the other one said.

She glared at him.

“A wild one, I see,” the being said and chuckled. “Your student?”

“Not exactly. She’s self taught,” Ilea said. “And I think she wants to remain that way.”

Ilea looked at her. “I saw you’re still using the knife I gave you. Goliath is kind of the most famous and capable smith around. If you want an upgrade. If you have time for a dagger, Goliath?”

“For the ashen guardian. Always,” the being said. “Even if the truth remains, a dagger being one of the least interesting shapes to make. Young hunter, is that your choice?”

Lily looked at the three beings and instinctively grabbed her weapon. “I don’t want it.”

Ilea smiled. “Almost thought as much.”

“If I can come back… at some point. To pay for it,” she said.

“A curious human. To refuse a gift, though your decision I respect. However gold is of no interest to me beyond the metal itself. Should you wish for a creation, you may bring me something of interest, and a design that is more intriguing than that of a mere dagger,” the being spoke.

Chapter 746 Blades

Chapter 746 Blades

Ilea smiled, seeing the girl think.

Lily nodded. “I will do as you say… master smith,” she said.

“She’s becoming my new favorite human,” the Meadow sent.

“She’s handling all this very well,” Ilea sent back. “I wonder what happened to her father.”

“You knew them both? Saved them both, I assume,” the being spoke.

“I knew them, yes. I’m not sure about saving. Elves had attacked a city, they were hiding. A shadow team was nearby anyway, I don’t know how much of a difference my presence really made. But I was there, and I found their hideout,” Ilea said.

“I understand. I can tell she came here only through the trust she has in you,” the Meadow said.

“I think she might like Owl,” Ilea said.

“More than me?” the Meadow asked.

“You’re a tree and some grass. Owl is a floating purple mass of death itself,” Ilea answered.

“People like trees and grass,” the Meadow said. “Though I suppose it may be different for a savage wolf.”

Ilea grinned. “She hates that nickname already. Good thing I chose Lilith myself.”

“Savage wolf is much better. Descriptive too. What does Lilith even mean?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea ignored it. Her second name had accumulated enough fame to gain meaning in itself. “I’ll introduce you to a good smith in Morhill, if you’re interested. Him you can hire for gold.”

The girl considered before she nodded.

“That old fart won’t offer you anything for free either. Might even make it more expensive if he knows you know me. Scratch that. Just go look for Balduur on your own,” Ilea said. “What are you two working on anyway?”

“It would take the better part of this afternoon to explain. Except you have some background in smithing that I was unaware of,” Bralin said.

“I do not,” Ilea answered. “Have fun then, come on Lily. You have to meet Owl before we go back.”

They entered the Soul Forge and found the two shades standing close to the Greater Lich. All three turned when they heard the newcomers.

Boss monster of the area or what? She waved while Lily froze in her tracks. “Hey, this is Lily.”

Owl approached without a sound as the Shades bowed.

The Lich floated down and leaned forward while at a reasonable distance. “Hello.”

Lily looked up, glanced between Ilea and the creature. “Hello.”

“Oh… someone that isn’t afraid! That’s exciting!” Owl said and spread her arms, her eyes glowing with pure death magic. She covered her mouth. “Oh… I’m sorry. Did that scare you?”

Lily shook her head.

“I told you,” Ilea sent.

“Well they do seem similar in some ways. Very different in others,” the Meadow answered.

“Why don’t you two get to know each other and I get some food from the Goose,” Ilea said.

Lily glanced at her before she looked at the large form of Owl.

“You’ll be fine. She’s nice,” Ilea said.

“That I am,” the Greater Lich confirmed, one hand towards her incorporeal chest.

The next few hours Ilea spent with Lily and the Lich. She didn’t show the northern landscape to Lily, hoping the girl would explore that bit of the world herself at some point in the future. Now that she had an idea as to what a four mark could do, the girl didn’t seem discouraged or terrified like so many of the representatives that had visited. Instead she seemed fired up.

Ilea brought her back through the gate before her next fight started.

Lily looked up when they arrived in Morhill. “That was… fun. Thank you.”

Ilea refrained from patting her head and instead just smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you ever need anything, just let me know.” She had offered one of her marks to the girl but Lily had refused. She would find her own way, without a piece of magic to summon Lilith. Some might say the young adventurer was taking on unnecessary risks but Ilea understood her. After all, it was independence that she wanted.

“Good luck in the rest of the tournament,” Ilea said.

“I don’t need luck, Ilea,” the girl said.

“Oh?” Ilea said, raising her brows.

Lily just walked off the platform with a smug expression on her face.

Healthy self confidence. I probably shouldn’t tell her that there’s a Sentinel in her category. “I’ll see you around, in the world. Savage Wolf.”

Lily didn’t look back. “Thank you, Lilith. For everything.”

Ilea touched her shoulder and vanished, teleporting twice and spreading her wings before she flew and landed in the main arena. She entered the viewing terrace, back in the den of lions. The terrace provided the best view. And there was catering.

She received a glass of sparkling wine and sat down on the stone railings at the edge of the terrace, nobody foolish enough to claim the space she had occupied since the start. Power does come with certain privileges. She watched the earth mages repair the broken ground and flatten out craters, dwarven enchanters checking on the shield runes to make sure they weren’t damaged. With people above level three hundred participating, they had to make sure nothing went wrong.

Ilea nearly choked on her drink when she saw the next contestants come out through the elevator opening. She looked over and found Felicia sitting at a table talking to Julianna Veyer, the Queen of Kroll. “Sorry to interrupt. You might be interested in the next fight,” she sent when Felicia finished her sentence.

Ilea focused back on the two people. One of them was a middle aged warrior wearing medium plate armor, the gray and red of Lys rather obvious. As was the perfect condition of his gear. He had a family crest on his kite shield. One of the big ones, but Ilea didn’t remember which one it was. Either Karrick or Anderson. Claire will get mad if she finds out I forgot everything already.

The man had a perfectly trimmed beard, a hard face, and short gray hair. A longsword was sheathed at his belt while he held a helmet under his arm.

His opponent was a man wearing shoddy leather armor, his black hair and beard unkempt. Two blades were sheathed on his belt. He stood in a casual manner but his eyes seemed focused.

He’s not drunk. What a surprise, Ilea thought.

Felicia excused herself and walked over.

Did he lose his swords?

The woman stopped next to her and sighed. “Oh dear.”

“You don’t sound particularly surprised,” Ilea sent.

“Well. Everything else I was excited for… this… I had hoped wouldn’t happen. I assume he’s just here to annoy me, or to cause a scene,” she said.

“Think so? He looks sober,” Ilea said.

The woman considered for a moment. “You’re right. Strange… maybe they ran out on the way here. And he’s facing Major Warren Karrick. What is he planning?”

“Who’s that again?” Ilea asked.

“One of the older members of the Karrick family. Warrior and lightning mage at around two thirty five last I saw him. He’s one of the more outspoken members of his House, quite proud of their power and heritage. Know that everyone is glad General Brandon Karrick remains at the top of their House,” she said, touching the railings.

Ilea watched her for a few seconds. “You seem worried.”

Felicia glanced over before she looked down. “You know what we did… Edwin… Maria… when we returned to the capital. The nobility doesn’t like people below their perceived status meddling with the status quo. I replaced my father and gained powerful allies within the army, have built my reputation and influence, but Edwin… all I can do for him is prevent an outright assassination.”

“Think the Karrick lad will try something?” Ilea asked.

“He’s proud and stubborn. But I don’t know how much he knows, or how much he was affected directly,” Felicia said.

“Does he even know Edwin though? He looks… rugged,” Ilea said.

“I don’t know. I hope not,” Felicia answered.

_______________________________

Edwin looked at the ridiculous arena. Thousands were watching. Do they not remember the demons? He shook his head and sighed. Perhaps it would’ve been better to be thrown out of the city after all. He looked at his opponent and raised his brows. Warren Karrick. He remembered the man had been an acquaintance of his father. Not one of their targets back in Virilya but he supposed few if any would miss the man. It was obvious he had no idea who Edwin was, the quick look he had given him, the obvious disdain. No more than adventuring rabble.

And he is representing the noble Lys army, he smiled to himself. I need a drink.

Had he gone too far? Edwin wasn’t sure. Seeing those Sentinels, especially the one called Gael, it pissed him off. Same as the paintings, which too pissed him off. As did the viewing terrace overlooking the arena. The elite of the Plains, most of them only here to get a piece of the Lilith baked pie. He glanced up and saw them at the left hand edge. Edwin sighed. Felicia he could spot from hundreds of meters away, and the casual way the person next to her sat on the railings, it could only be her. All that, next to the most powerful men and women of the human lands. Another thing that pissed him off.

He grit his teeth. His sister was watching. Ilea was watching. The nobles of Lys were watching. Right now he was nobody. Just another man here to win glory. He stepped aside, hands going to the handles of his blades. Blades given to him by the annoying Sentinel. They were nothing special, but they were steel. It felt strange. He had fought with his own blades for as long as he could remember, even as a child training with the then heavy swords. And now he was armed with adventurer steel.

That didn’t piss him off. On the contrary. He found that it felt right. He took in a deep breath when the announcer listed the title and name of his opponent, the man now putting on his helmet and raising his sword to the cheering crowd. No blemishes on that armor, no dent on that shield. When was the last time you have fought an opponent that pushed you?

“The opponent of Major Karrick too came from the Empire of Lys. Former noble, turned adventurer, Edwin Redleaf!” the announcer shouted through the sound enchantments.

Edwin glanced at the man in front of him, ignoring the cheers from the crowd.

“Edwin… Redleaf?” Warren asked, his sword lowering lightly.

He shrugged. “Warren. It’s been a while.”

“Why are you here? At this event? You dishonor your father’s legacy, you bring shame to Major Redleaf. Everyone is here, watching. Have you not done enough to damage the Empire?” Warren nearly spat the last words, making it quite obvious which of the listed things he cared about the most.

Edwin didn’t reply. He wasn’t here to argue about his actions, his father, or the bloody fucking Empire of Lys.

Warren glanced up to the terrace. “A drunk. An exile. A murderer. You were weak when I first met you, and you remain weak. You were never fit to be a Redleaf.”

I did not ask to be born into my House.

He didn’t answer the man’s words. The noble didn’t matter.

It’s my fault. Isn’t it?

The announcer declared the battle started.

“I will end this quickly, in honor of the late Arthur Redleaf,” Warren said, lightning sparking on his blade, the entire length clad in blue light before he dashed forward.

Edwin sighed. He closed his eyes and stood there. Why did I come here. He could feel the attack coming, aimed at his neck. His eyes opened and he activated his teleport.

“You’re just delaying the inevitable. Face me, drunkard,” Warren said.

In honor of Arthur Redleaf. He repeated the words in his mind. The honorable Arthur Redleaf. His father was dead. Killed not by him, nor by Maria. It had been Felicia. Felicia and Aliana.

And I lost it. Didn’t I?

He dodged a few times, stumbling on the third slash, the longsword cutting into his arm. Edwin barely felt the pain, jumping back as the lightning burned through him. His opponent was a Lys noble through and through. Trained from a young age, with all the privileges gold and power could provide. Powerful Classes and monsters delivered to him. Plenty of bouts and battles against the sons and daughters of other noble Houses, perhaps sent to Baralia to slaughter the remaining slavers in their lost cities.

And what did I do? Hide? Drink?

And now you’re here? What? To prove yourself?

Three more slashes left him staggering with bleeding wounds on his chest, his armor barely holding together. He could feel the warmth of his own blood, could feel the power flowing through it. How long had it been? Edwin looked at the man in front of him. It may as well have been his father. Just another nobleman, entirely blinded by power.

Prove myself? To you? He remembered the many times his father had tested him, had watched from the sidelines as he was beaten and cut, failed, and failed again.

“Let this misery end,” Warren said.

He is gone.

Arthur is dead. He had little reason to remain. A part of him wanted to accept his opponent’s offer. To be done with it. Edwin Redleaf was dead already.

But I’m still here. The sword came at him and he crouched, both his blades flashed out of their sheathes before he deflected Warren’s strike. He took in a deep breath, activating his auras. Already he felt the wounds heal, but the blood remained.

“Finally willing to fight?” Warren asked. “To redeem your honor?”

Edwin started laughing. He smiled and charged, his blood pulsing with power. Three strikes pushed the man back, his sword deflected before Edwin struck his shield and jumped back, twirling as he avoided the next slash he had predicted. He entered Warren’s range and struck with one blade, cutting through the weak bit below his shoulder. A teleport brought him out when a burst of lightning exploded outwards.

His blood magic followed, rupturing the right shoulder of the man just as Edwin charged again.

This time he went for the knees, blades scraping against metal before he jumped back. Blood ruptured once more.

Warren fell to one knee, his sword clattering to the ground as he turned and raised his arm, bolts of lightning flashing out.

Edwin deflected them with his blood magic covered weapons. I have faced worse than you, Warren Karrick. Nowhere near what that monster faced since I had my first bout with her… but I won’t be ridiculed, not by you.

He rolled aside when a beam of lightning flashed out from the man’s outstretched arm, his shield too pulsing with power.

Edwin found he didn’t much care about Ilea. He still remembered the smile on her face when she had fought the Taleen monsters, a woman so captivated by battle, the outcome had always been clear. Him meeting her didn’t matter. She had helped with Arthur, but not for him. And he too was now fighting, neither to prove anything to himself, nor to Ilea.

The only person that mattered was watching from the terrace.

The only person that had ever mattered.

She had been the reason he had ran away. Edwin had hoped Felicia would one day realize her dream. A simple life, somewhere where nobody knew who she was. Things didn’t exactly turn out the way he had planned.

If she wants to keep the Redleaf name, so be it. If she wants to rebuild the power of that House, so be it.

But I won’t die here, ridiculed by Warren fucking Karrick while my sister is watching.

He rushed forward, dodging the bolts and teleporting when the shield exploded in a flash of lightning. Edwin didn’t stop. He pushed the man and followed his teleport, chipping away at his shield until one of his swords cut deep. He ripped the defense to the side and slashed through the man’s arm in turn.

Warren screamed and staggered back, Edwin kicking the shield and arm off his sword before he kept going.

“I yield!” Warren shouted, falling on his armored ass.

Edwin was close to just cutting off the man’s head, standing over him with his bloodied blades.

You won. What now?

He glanced up at the terrace as Shadows and Sentinels appeared nearby, one of them grabbing the severed arm.

There is more to come, isn’t there? For me.

He stood there for a moment, the cheers of the crowd a dull noise in the background. Edwin smiled, eyes focused on the two people at the edge of the terrace. He sheathed his swords and walked to the elevator, soon stepping out into the hall where more people were waiting for their fights. He heard a voice when he left the building.

“You did it,” a black haired girl said, her canines visible as she smiled. Her attempt to hide her obvious excitement were downright laughable.

Edwin decided not to be an insufferable shithead for once. He smiled. “I did. Now it’s your turn.”

The girl grinned in a nonchalant manner. “I’m not worried about myself. You better fix that armor before your next fight.”

“I will,” Edwin said, looking past her and at the two women waiting for him.

Lily followed his gaze and made big eyes before she gave them a nod and vanished.

“Felicia. Lilith,” he said.

His sister clenched her fists and walked up to him. She punched him in the gut with unreasonable power, the air magic lifting him up before he landed on his knees. He coughed up blood before he felt her arms around him.

“You absolute idiot mess of a brother,” she whispered.

He hugged her back, looking at Ilea after a while. “Don’t suppose you can get me a set of armor? Oh great and mighty Lilith.”

Felicia stood up and looked at him. She sighed. “We have plenty of gear with us. Aliana might even have one of your armors still.”

Edwin raised himself up and looked at her. Really looked at her, for the first time in a while. “You look good. The colors suit you,” he said.

Felicia glared at him and shook her head lightly. “What has gotten into you?” She sighed. “I’ll get Aliana.”

“Don’t bother,” he said and glanced at Ilea. “I think I’d prefer something new.”

Chapter 747 Art

A note from Rhaegar

Congratulations to Selkie for his one year anniversary of Beneath the Dragoneye Moons :). Check it out if you haven't already: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36299/beneath-the-dragoneye-moons

Chapter 747 Art

“It’s blue,” Edwin said, a frown on his face.

Ilea raised her brows, her arms crossed in front of her.

“And the shoulders are roses?” he continued. The man sighed. “This looks horrendous,” he whispered.

“What do you mean, it’s specifically designed for you,” Ilea said.

He sighed again and sat down in a nearby chair, both of them ignoring the chuckles from Balduur in the other room. Edwin just looked at her.

“Well blue, to show that you’re rebelling against your father,” Ilea said.

“He’s dead. I don’t need to rebel against anything,” he said.

“Well, true. The roses… turning a new…” she said.

“Don’t say it,” the man growled.

“Alright. Balduur only agreed if it was something interesting. This was what we came up with. He’s a busy man you know, and this thing would still sell for… I have no idea, how much is a very high quality set of light metal armor?” Ilea asked.

“You sound like a fucking noble,” Edwin said.

“No, that’s you. Being an ungrateful shit when you get free gear,” Ilea said in a calm tone.

He was quiet for a moment. “Fair enough.”

“So you want it? I could make an entry as the blue knight,” Ilea mused.

“I’m not refitting it!” Balduur shouted from the other room.

“I have other smiths, I don’t need you anymore, old man,” Ilea answered.

“So cold. So easily discarded. No respect in today’s youth, no loyalty,” the smith murmured, continuing his work.

“I’ll take it,” Edwin sighed. “Rose petal blue knight. Whatever, fuck. At least it will piss off the nobles even more.”

“Assassins are a good way to train poison resistance, you’re thinking ahead. Good on you,” Ilea said.

“You’re a lunatic,” he said and considered. “A very rich, very generous, and forgiving lunatic. But a madwoman nonetheless.”

“I’ve been called worse by far more important people,” Ilea answered.

“I appreciate you taking the time, and resources, Queen of humankind, oh great Lilith,” Edwin said.

“Refreshing honesty. Maybe you should go back to being drunk and passed out,” Ilea suggested.

He nodded and walked over to the armor, starting to take it apart. “It’s easier, I agree. Less irritating. Less… everything.”

“Sounds dull,” Ilea mused. “Might actually change something if you feel irritated.”

“Right. I tried to change things once. A lot of people died,” Edwin said.

“Yes. Very dramatic. Get dressed Ocean Rose. You have a fight coming up,” Ilea said and went to talk to Balduur as the man got dressed. She produced a supply of bone for more Sentinel armors in the meantime.

Her arm regenerated when Edwin stepped out from the back room. Balduur roared with laughter. Ilea herself just shrugged. “It’s not that bad.”

Metal spikes looking like thorns went around his neck and the leg guard resembled a downward facing rose.

“If you didn’t slouch and actually owned it, it could look great,” Ilea said. “Once you’re fighting I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“It’ll keep you alive,” Balduur said.

“Well, not for long,” Ilea said. “He’s in the main tournament. Soon you’re going to face absolute monsters. But I suppose that’s one silver lining.”

Edwin looked up. “I suppose I deserve this.”

“From what Jyraiu’s been telling me, yes. You certainly do,” Ilea said.

“You talked to him?” Edwin asked.

“He’s waiting outside, yes,” Ilea said.

His eyes went wide before he crouched ever so slightly.

“Edwin,” Ilea said and walked a little closer. “You can’t just teleport with me here.”

His eyes went dull as he sighed. “I thought you got your revenge already.”

“I did. But not him,” she said and moved them both outside. “Thanks Balduur!”

“Anytime I can make a noble look ridiculous, I will,” he answered.

Jyraiu turned and looked at the two people. He stared at Edwin for a long while, a contemplative look on his face. He raised a hand to his chin and nodded lightly. “Not for you, no. Not at all… but the design… is intriguing. Who was the smith again?”

“Balduur. I’m sure he can make you something flower themed too at some point. Now go back to fighting,” Ilea said, looking at Edwin.

“Might just resign if it’s you saying that,” he said.

“No you won’t,” Ilea answered.

He shrugged. “Suppose you’re right. Come on fire wings.”

Jyraiu nodded. “I’ll watch. What do you plan to do after you lose?”

“I have no idea. Thanks for the armor, Lilith. But I suppose it’s not you I should thank,” Edwin said.

“No. But don’t lose too early, I want the legend of the blue rose to be born now,” Ilea said.

“I’ve seen some of the participants. Can’t guarantee it,” Edwin said and waved at her as they started walking towards the arena.

“Do come by when you’re ready. I might have something interesting for you to consider,” Ilea said. “It’s perfect for someone like you.”

“How so?” he asked.

“Because it will piss off most of the established nobility,” Ilea answered.

“Color me blue. Which is the color of interest,” he said.

Ilea smiled. She didn’t really know what to make of him. Something had changed since the last time they had met, that much was obvious. And seeing Felicia this relieved and happy was more than worth a set of armor and his snarky comments. She did prefer this Edwin to the miserable shit she had met back in Virilya. Now, what did Lily say about a gallery?

It didn’t take long for her to find it, some Shadowguards knew about it, as did a few adventurers she asked on the way. While using monstrous, casual clothes, and a hood of course. When she reached the building in question, Ilea was confronted with an interesting set of space magic. She raised her brow, knowing only three creatures capable of such a feat.

“Violence…”

Nothing answered.

“Baron, I know you’re there.”

Defend

“What do you mean defend?”

Intruder

“I haven’t intruded. I’m standing in front of your… entirely disproportionate walls,” Ilea said.

Gallery

“Yes. That’s what I heard, which is why I’m here. To see what this is about,” Ilea said. “What exactly did you do?” She saw people walk in and out without issue, the complex defense meant specifically for her it seemed. Set up on the fly too I think… even one part of the Fae is that impressive. She sighed, reminding herself that the god like being was really just a little shit that liked to pop other people’s eyes.

Cless

Wanted

Gallery

“I didn’t even know you knew Cless. When did this happen?” Ilea asked, more intrigued than anything.

Divination

Magic

Source

“She painted you?” Ilea asked.

Attempt

“Right. So you went to look for her, I assume?”

Yes

“And you made friends?”

Yes

“That’s great. I hope you didn’t try to teach her your violent ways or something.”

No

Responsible

Fae

The creature now appeared in front of her, apparently invisible to everyone else around them. A giggle went through her mind.

“Responsible my ass. Can I go in and see? I promise I won’t stop whatever it is,” she said.

The Fae considered for a moment. Acceptable

You little shit, Ilea thought. She watched the changing space defense. The complexity was easily up there with what the Meadow had shown her but the Fae’s power was limited. She walked inside and found Cless talking to a few well dressed individuals, all of them rather excited.

The girl ducked when she saw Ilea, getting out her book and flipping through the pages.

She appeared next to her and grabbed her arm. “Don’t you try to run now. I’m not here to stop anything.”

Cless looked down. “Really?” she replied in a natural way, not at all surprised by the telepathy.

How long have you been talking to her, Baron?

“Excuse me, what do you think you are doing? We were talking to Miss Michaelson,” one of the men said.

“You are being very rude, let go of her,” a woman said.

Ilea sighed, looking at the two Shadows that had approached as well. She whistled, freezing everyone in the room. Now you know who I am and can shut the hell up. She looked back to Cless and smiled. “Yes. Really. Why didn’t you come to Claire or to me about this?”

The girl shuffled her foot and kept looking away. “Claire hid all my paintings… I didn’t want to ask… she said it would be bad for you if people saw them… but Violence told me it was fine… it said you are stronger than everyone.”

Ilea sat down on the ground next to her. “I see. Well I don’t think most of the paintings are an issue. Are any Elves in them?”

The girl shook her head. “No. Violence said that they want to stay hidden,” she said and nodded with a smile. “Most of them are you! I wanted to show them… a lot of people are here because of you.”

“Really?” Ilea asked.

The girl beamed now. “Yes! You’re really famous! Like the Queen! But you have wings… and fire!”

Ilea smiled and roughed up the girl’s hair. “Well I’ll be even more famous now, thanks to you.”

“Is that bad?” she asked, her hands touching as she slouched slightly.

“I’ll manage,” Ilea answered. “So… I don’t think I’ve seen all of them. Care to give me a tour?”

The girl looked up smugly. “Personal tours are ten silver coins!”

“You’re making money off of this?” Ilea asked.

“Violence said we have to pay the Shadows… and rent too. It’s all very complicated. We had to prepare for a long time,” she said, pride mixing with some residual confusion.

A girl and a Fae try to rent out a gallery space. Why not.

She summoned the ten silver coins and handed them to the girl. “One guided tour then, if you would.”

“Thank you,” Cless said and took the money. “I have to check for a date and time.”

“Can I just walk around and look?” Ilea asked, holding out her hand. “I’d like the money back please.”

Cless frowned but handed the coins back. All but one. “That is the entrance fee.”

“Do I not get something for being the model of most paintings?” Ilea asked.

The girl considered then looked to an empty space in the room. She nodded, then nodded again, then wrote something down. “We never signed a… pact for royalfees but… you can enter for free!”

Ilea looked at her with raised eyebrows.

Cless was silent for a few seconds.

“And! You can come to the auction! For free,” she said, then looked to the empty space. “There is… nourishment, there.”

“Nourishment you say?” Ilea asked. “I see the Fae has learned quite a bit about non violent negotiations.”

Cless handed back the silver piece and smiled. “Enjoy the gallery!”

Ilea sighed. She didn’t now how to argue with a literal Fae chosen child. “Violence, I’ll try to explain this to Claire but I better hope your space pockets can keep you hidden.”

Invisible

“Not quite,” Ilea said, though she had to admit even for her it was near impossible to tell where the critter was. If she hadn’t known it was close by, she would’ve never spotted it. And even now she only noticed something abnormal about a specific section in the space around them.

“Thanks Cless. I will,” Ilea said and walked past the silent group of people that had watched the two nod, shake their heads, and exchange coins back and forth. Another story waiting to be told, she thought and entered the circular hallway. She felt something settle on her right shoulder but decided not to glance over.

Apology

“There’s no reason to apologize, Violence. But you could’ve just asked,” she said.

Mission

Interesting

It giggled.

“Stealing the paintings from Claire you mean?” she asked.

It sent an affirming thought.

“Well, I can kind of see that. And to be honest… these really are too good to stay hidden,” she said, looking at a depiction of herself fighting a group of Undead Rose Knights. Tremor. Dead and left behind, buried below the northern stormscape. Elfie was still a little shit then, and Maro was stuck in his necromancy machine. How long would Elana have been down there I wonder.

Humble

“I’m not talking about the subject. Though to be fair, I do look incredibly cool and sexy,” she said.

Cute

And

Pretty

“We have different views on my person. Probably just the age difference,” she mused, moving on to the next painting. That one had her fighting hordes of corrupted creatures down in the Descent, the first layer overrun and on fire. A large burning fox was visible in the background with a dozen Dark Ones engaged with creatures of the depths.

“Oh… I like this one a lot,” she mused.

The painting depicted herself standing in front of an expanse of black grass, a crystal tree at the center of the ceremonial hall. It felt strange to look at. Uneasy. She noted that few people remained to look at this particular canvas. As if… it feels similar. Far less intense, but there is something there that manages to capture the true essence of the Meadow.

Ilea remained in front of the painting for a few minutes, admiring the strange colors. She realized after a while that the depiction itself seemed slightly magical in nature. There was no magic generated or emitted by the colors on the canvas but as she walked closer, she could see the magic emanating from her own body strangely affected.

Not enchanted. It’s something else.

She shook her head after a while and continued down the hallway. A familiar figure sat in front of a painting of the Krahen Isles. He had remained unmoving since Ilea had entered but she had expected to run into him at one point or the other during the event. Lily was in the city after all.

Ilea chose not to sit down on the flimsy stone bench and instead stepped next to it.

Roland didn’t look at all like she remembered him. The top of his head was shaved now, a beard adorning his face. He looked… tired. It was the best way she could describe it. Something she had seen in some of the people she had met on her journey. And you were so alive back then, she thought, remembering the man who had painted her long before the first piece in this hallway had been created.

Journey to Salia. And everything that happened after. She was glad none of the pieces reflected what had happened in the western cities. What had happened to the man sitting next to her.

“It’s been a while,” she said and looked his way. “You look like shit.”

Roland only looked up a few seconds later. He barely even saw her before he nodded ever so slightly and turned back to the painting.

Ilea could’ve asked him a lot but just looking at him answered a lot of questions. He only had one axe left, the top bit coated in patterns of blood, some older, some more recent. His leather armor looked battered. It may have even been the same one she had last seen him wear. Old and new blood clung to it much the same, though attempts at cleaning were obvious. Not for the new bits.

“You want to grab a drink?” she asked.

He didn’t respond.

“Watch the tournament?” she asked. “Lily has another fight soon.”

That got a reaction. Roland looked up with slightly panicked eyes. “A fight? What do you mean?”

“She’s in the latter rounds of the pre two hundred tournament. And she’s been doing well,” Ilea said.

He shook his head. “No… she’s…” He looked at his hands. “She can’t… she’s just a little girl,” he whispered, as if he had to remind himself.

“Oh boy,” she murmured, scratching her head. This is not my thing. “Any suggestions Violence? You’ve surely studied the human mind for millennia.”

Violence

“I expected no less from you. Might actually not be the worst suggestion. Maybe if he sees her fight,” Ilea sent back. “She’s not a little girl. Not anymore. Come, I’ll show you.”

“Ilea… I can’t. What if I… lose it?” he asked, fear in his eyes now. He sighed. “It’s been… difficult… to control.”

“What do you mean? Your berserker stuff?” Ilea asked. “You’re aware most of these paintings are about me, right?”

He looked at her and blinked his eyes.

“You didn’t?” she asked. “Did you even identify me?”

He shook his head.

“Well whatever. I can take care of it if you lose it. Trust me,” she said.

“How could you? Even with your healing, I-” Roland said before they appeared in the air outside, Ilea gently grabbing him with her space manipulation while her wings spread and kept them in the air.

“Like this? For example?” she said.

Roland had wide eyes, trying to stretch his arms and failing.

“You saw the monsters in those paintings right? I did kill most of them,” she said with her brows raised, her mantle spreading to cover all of her. She set them down in the street and let go of him. “Sorry about that.”

“No… I. If you… if it’s not a problem, I think I’d… like to be there,” Roland said.

“I mean that was the idea. Lily can take care of herself, Roland,” she said and teleported them through the city. She stopped in front of the arena and quickly found the ticket booth, more to find empty seats if any were available.

“The Savage Wolf fight? Yes… only twenty three left. That’ll be one silver coin each,” the man said.

Roland sighed. “That’s expensive.”

“I’m inviting you obviously,” Ilea said and handed over the pieces, receiving small pieces of paper in return. Good thing photoshop and printers aren’t a thing here. Who even makes these? Paper mages?

She didn’t stay to consider, motioning Roland to follow her up the stairs and into the arena.

Chapter 748 Competition

Chapter 748 Competition

Ilea watched both the fight and Roland, the man constantly getting up when Lily got close to her opponent.

The girl faced an experienced barrier and fire mage, the man using similar combinations as Claire did, though with an admittedly less destructive outcome. He lacked the same methodical approach and planning but tried to make up for it with legwork and teleportation. It didn’t quite work out.

Ilea watched the girl get trapped inside a dome, fire erupting inside. She felt magic surge next to her, everyone around scrambling to get away but she just put a hand on the Berserker’s shoulder. “She’s fine. I’ve seen her take worse,” she said straight into his mind.

The man gripped his axe and ground his teeth. He stood up but found his arm held back by Ilea.

She just let him attack her, slapping away his strikes with one hand while holding him back with the other. “Look, she’s already back out, and he just used up a bunch of mana,” she sent, looking between the man and his daughter.

Roland kept striking her but his eyes wavered, finally focusing back on the girl with slightly burnt skin, once again rushing after the teleporting mage.

“What is…” he murmured, finally snapping out of it.

“It’s fine, sorry everyone,” Ilea said to the guards that had gathered around them and the people looking between the fight and the calming Berserker. She helped him sit down again, his entire body tense and sweat covered. He was heaving for air.

Ilea considered healing him but she could tell he was fine. His lungs weren’t the issue, nor was there anything else wrong that she could see. Her grip on his shoulder softened. “We can leave at any time.”

She kept looking at him for nearly half a minute, the battle changing to a desperate hunt between an injured Lily and her continuously more exhausted prey. Roland kept watching.

His aura flared from time to time but he didn’t lose it anymore. Not entirely at least. Ilea relaxed when he sat down and kept watching, the tension leaving his body until he nearly slumped.

The fight played out, Lily finally catching her opponent after an ill chosen teleport destination. The exhausted mage could do little to defend against the wolves that now bit into his arms and legs, Lily ending the fight by holding her knife to his throat.

“There you have it,” Ilea said as the announcer praised the Savage Wolf.

Roland watched in silence as Lily raised her knife and bowed to the cheering crowd.

Ilea wondered if the girl actually had a chance to win the pre two hundreds. “Can I introduce you to a friend? He might be able to help you out.”

Roland looked at her before he turned back towards Lily. He wiped at his eyes and took in a deep breath, nodding ever so slightly.

“And we can figure out a place for you to stay in the area. Looks like you could use a break,” Ilea said and touched his shoulder. She teleported them towards the terrace and left Roland to get Trian.

“Hey, do you have a moment?” she sent to the man.

He sat with Catelyn, a glass of wine in his hand.

“Of course,” Trian said and excused himself, teleporting over.

Ilea quickly explained the circumstances and the limited knowledge she had on Roland and his background.

“And you thought I could help?” he said and raised a brow.

Ilea raised her hands. “Well… yes. You have this… calm about you. Like if I was dealing with something, I wouldn’t mind talking to you.”

“Sure. I mean. Now that you mention it, a lot of Sentinels do come and talk to me about their worries,” he said and scratched his short beard. “My father used to do that with me. Listen, in a way where I never felt judged. I think it left an impression.”

“Sounds like a wonderful father,” she said.

He nodded lightly. “He had his good sides. Yes. I will talk to your friend.”

“Should I bring you out?” Ilea asked.

“That would help,” Trian said, all three of them vanishing a moment later.

“Roland, this is Trian, headmaster of the Medic Sentinels and a good friend of mine,” Ilea said.

The man barely looked at Trian.

“It’s good to meet you. When’s the last time you visited a bathhouse?” Trian said and walked up to him, lightly punching his shoulder. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

Ilea smiled as she watched the two men leave together. He would be a wonderful cult leader. Wait… fuck.No. A very shit cult leader. Absolutely unusable. Administrator yes, cult leader, no.

She shook her head and went back into the arena, just in time to see the elevators rise up for the next fight. She grinned when sunlight reflected off blue roses.

__________________________________

Lily made herself comfortable in her seat, a plate with various grilled meats and corn on her lap as her pack kept the interested onlookers at bay. She didn’t mind the cheers when she fought but people knowing who she was made her feel strange. Not as bad as she previously assumed. Compared to the suspicious looks she usually got from guards, adventurers, and townspeople, here she got smiles, encouraging nods, and what she thought was admiration.

As if fighting and winning down in the arena was different than fighting and winning in the wild. Maybe it is. Because of the rules? They might feel safe here, even though that is just an illusion. Well the guards are stronger here but I could still kill someone before anyone could react.

She came to the conclusion that the crowd around her was used to cities, and they had a lot of trust in the people that were supposed to protect them. Her thoughts were interrupted when the elevator brought up the next contestants. The fight she had wanted to see. Her earnings were already substantial, but spending over a silver coin to see someone else fight felt wrong to her. Wrong in a strangely good way. Another thought to analyze at a later time.

A heavily armored lizardman came up from the elevator, a rare sight in the Plains but if seen, usually part of an adventuring team. Lily heard they were always around when there was a fighting competition of any kind. This one looked different from the few she had seen before. He looked larger for one, and entirely calm. She remembered Lizardmen walking through Salia, suspicious and tense, obviously in an unfamiliar environment. He raised a clawed and partially armored hand, cheers resounding with the gesture.

“Malkorn!!” a man next to her shouted, entirely overwhelmed by excitement.

She was more interested in the other contestant. Edwin, who she had met a few days prior on the road to Morhill. He wore what looked like expensive armor, no scratch on it, and well fitting. The strange thing was the design. His shoulders looked like roses, the waist area looking like an upside down flower, and spikes went around his neck. What is he doing?

Lily didn’t understand why he would choose something that looked quite as… loud. Maybe Jyraiu chose it. I suppose for an arena fight with spectators it doesn’t matter. But if he wants to hide with that in a forest… that won’t work.

“And now we have two fighters that have moved through the rounds with little to oppose them. Malkorn of Lys, and his opponent, Edwin… though it seems he has chosen to change into something… blue,” the announcer said. “The blue Rose will now meet the Claws of the Empire! Begin!”

Edwin immediately rushed forward, his blades drawn. He closed the distance then jumped back, raising his weapons in a defensive stance.

Lily’s eyes went wide when she tried to follow Malkorn’s movements, the lizardman nearly vanishing before his claws clashed with Edwin’s swords. The man was sent a few meters back from the impact but landed with practiced ease. He deflected a few more strikes but the overwhelming power was clear. Edwin was outmatched.

And I thought he was strong already.

The lizardman now emitted a red aura. He didn’t let up, pushing Edwin back until the man teleported. Malkorn followed, his next strike shattering one of the swords.

Lily stayed seated as the crowd around her erupted in cheers. She watched as a flurry of strikes ripped through the blue armor, chunks of it flung to the side. Edwin barely managed to deflect more blows as he moved backward. She could tell he made the right decisions and remained focused but Malkorn was both better and far stronger. Another strike shattered the second sword, the Lizardman grabbing Edwin’s arm before he smashed him down into the ground, claws at his neck and one massive leg pushing down on the man’s stomach.

Sentinels and Shadows appeared near the two fighters. “A demonstration of skill and prowess! Malkorn moves on to the next round, the blue Rose not quite able to withstand the Claws of the Empire!”

Malkorn helped the slightly injured Edwin up, the two exchanging a few words that Lily couldn’t make out. The lizardman slapped Edwin’s shoulder before the two parted, Edwin returning to the elevator while Malkorn basked in the cheers of the onlookers.

He didn’t stand a chance. Lily suddenly didn’t feel quite as confident in her abilities anymore. Sure, she had seen the beings in the North, had seen how fast Lilith flew, but she hadn’t seen them fight. What else can they do? It didn’t seem like Malkorn was showing everything either.

She considered and decided to invest a little more of her winnings into seeing high level fights. She could learn a lot from seeing their magic and fighting styles. The fighters were too far away to identify of course but just knowing what people were capable of would remind her to be careful. And I might see ways to escape from or counter powerful individuals.

She teleported through the masses and walked down the stairs and back into the entrance hall for the fighters. Her next fight wasn’t for another half hour but she wanted to know a few things.

Lily found Edwin and Jyraiu. The warrior was sitting on a bench, bending pieces of armor away and ripping out bloodied shrapnel that had ended up inside of his body. He spat out blood while the fire mage watched with his arms crossed.

“It’s unlucky. I hear he’s one of the strongest participants,” Jyraiu said but Edwin didn’t seem particularly receptive to the silver lining.

“He demolished me. If I had better swords…” Edwin said.

“You would’ve still lost,” Lily said as she joined them. “He was faster, stronger, better… in every way.”

Edwin grinned and took off his shoulder piece, the flower on it cut apart. It looked better this way. “Just because you’re confident doesn’t mean you’re right.”

“How am I wrong? You’re the one who sounds arrogant,” Lily retorted.

“I’m not questioning my chances to win, Lily. Malkorn is above level three hundred. He’s part of the Immortal Guard. If he wanted to, I’m reasonably sure he could’ve killed me in a few strikes. The thing is, he didn’t. He was arrogant, played around, gave me a chance to show what I could do. And all I did was have my blades destroyed,” Edwin said.

“That’s not true. You deflected nearly fifty attacks before he got through,” Jyraiu said.

“It’s still humiliating. But you’re right… it kind of was just a matter of time. An Elder of the Hand is participating, and a high level Sentinel. Plus there’s that water mage calling himself Destroyer. Running into any of those would’ve likely been the end. But maybe I could’ve done more…”

Jyraiu puffed. “First time I think I’m seeing you disappointed.”

“Shut it, fire man,” Edwin said. “We’re staying in the city for now. I want to see the gates, and then we can look for some jobs. High time we worked on our skills and classes.”

“I’ve been doing that since I met you,” Jyraiu said.

Edwin smiled. “Hardly. I’ll get you to two hundred in no time, then we can travel to more dangerous areas.”

Above three hundred, Lily mused. How does that feel like I wonder? Two hundred is getting closer. She considered asking the two if she could join them after the tournaments were over but decided against it rather quickly. Levels were far easier to gain when fighting without others around. She knew that much, her own fast growth prove of it. She had gained a few resistances over the years and her healing wasn’t half bad. The risks were both manageable and more than worth it.

“Stop smiling in such a smug fucking way, girl,” Edwin said suddenly, his whole demeanor different from before.

Lily was so taken aback she didn’t come up with a response.

“Your were smooth sailing so far but I’ve seen some of your potential opponents,” Edwin said.

“You don’t think I can win?” Lily asked.

Edwin grinned. “I don’t think I could win. Especially against that Sentinel. Whatever Ilea is feeding those creatures, it’s nothing normal. If even nobility can’t produce child soldiers more effective than those monsters…”

“Free will,” Jyraiu said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Edwin answered. “I understand how it works. What I’m saying is that the Sentinel training facilities won’t be something those healers will forget anytime soon.”

“If they’re there on their own volition, what’s the problem?” Lily asked.

Edwin looked at her for a moment. He chuckled to himself and smiled. “My pride.”

“You’ve become surprisingly honest,” Jyraiu said.

“And if you keep pointing it out, I’ll go back to being drunk. Now come on, let’s see if that smith is willing to repair his horrific creation. I don’t think I’ve ever used an armor of this quality,” he said and stood up, shoving a pile of blue metal pieces into Jyraiu’s hands. “And we can get you something too with the winnings. First though, my swords. Good luck in your fights Lily. Don’t get too cocky.”

“I wont. I’ve seen Malkorn fight,” she said.

Edwin glanced at her as he walked past. “You didn’t. Not really. I suggest you watch the latter fights in the main tournament. It should be a valuable lesson for someone so confident in her skills.”

“I planned to do that, yes,” she said.

“Good. Try to overcome the fear, and use some of your skills if you can, to see how it feels with those monsters nearby,” the man said and waved her way. Jyraiu did the same, a smile on his face.

“Always happy to play a round of cards!” the fire mage said.

She didn’t plan to answer that call.

“Contestant Lily and contestant Celeste, please prepare to enter the arena. Once again, killing your opponent will lead to an instant disqualification and ejection from the city. Good luck,” an announcer called out into the hall.

Celeste, Lily watched the others as she stood up, hearing a few whispers. Her eyes opened wide when she saw someone in bone and metal armor stood up, a horned helmet on their head. The Sentinel.

She made her way to the elevator, keeping an eye on the woman who would be her opponent.

Her helmet was designed to look a little like a mask, the bone chipped in various places, a large mark showing where it had been burnt. The horns made her look like Lilith. She wore two belts, one around her waist and one going around one of her shoulders. Both held over a dozen differently shaped sheaths. Dark metal chains wrapped around the woman’s armored arms.

The woman looked at her, black eyes the only part of her face that was revealed. “The wolf girl,” she said, amusement in her eyes.

“The Sentinel,” Lily said, smiling at her.

“You’ve caused quite a few rumors amongst my peers. Lilith coming down to hug you. I didn’t believe it but too many people confirmed,” the woman said.

“I didn’t ask her to do that,” Lily said.

“A proud one, I see. You know her well?” Celeste asked.

“What is it to you?” Lily said.

The Sentinel laughed. “A bet. Fifteen silver to be exact.”

Lily shook her head while grinning. “I met her a long time ago. She saved my life.” She saw no reason to lie.

“Fuck,” the woman said and sighed.

“What did you bet on?” Lily asked, curious to hear what kind of options had been available. The elevator started moving now, the two contestants in the round of sixteen taken to the battleground.

“I assumed you were her child,” Celeste said.

“What!” Lily shouted. She shook her head. “Are you kidding me?”

“Sorry,” the woman said and shrugged. “I mean she’s nice to people but it was apparently quite an emotional moment. And she didn’t fight you right after, which seemed strange.”

Lily looked away, her face a little red. “Is that what she usually does?”

“I mean she’s called the Queen of Torment by some. Though I prefer Black Death, it’s a more obscure one, that,” Celeste said. “You going to join us soon? I saw you fight early on. Not bad. You’d become very dangerous with one of our Classes.”

“I don’t need the help of a Healing Order,” Lily said.

“Organization. And you’re showing how little you know if you think it’s help. Getting my Sentinel Class was the hardest thing I ever did, and I once killed a bear with three kitchen knives in the heart of winter,” Celeste said.

They were at the top now, the cheers still sounding strange to Lily. Though she was more used to the attention by now.

She walked away from the Sentinel and turned her way. “That comparison depends heavily on what kind of bear you killed, and at what level you were.”

“Prowl Bear, level twenty three,” the Sentinel answered.

“They’re hardly dangerous,” Lily said. She had seen a few herself. They usually didn’t get stronger than level fifty.

“It’s how I got my first Class,” her opponent said.

Level twenty three… without a Class? “How old were you?”

The woman waved at the crowd, looking up to the terrace. She glanced back at Lily. “No idea. Six, seven? Those wolves shadow magic?”

Lily unsheathed her dagger and crouched. “Does it matter?”

“To my resistances, yes. And how easily I’ll let them bite me,” Celeste said and grabbed two knives herself.

Chapter 749 Knives and Noodles

Chapter 749 Knives and Noodles

The announcer called out the two fighters, Lily preparing her spells and auras to respond to the Sentinel. She felt her heart beating in her chest, the words from Edwin fresh on her mind.

“Begin!” the sound reverberated through the arena, mixing in with the cheers of the enthusiastic crowd.

Lily looked at her opponent, the Sentinel vanishing an instant after the battle start, her knives flashing in front of Lily’s face as she dodged backwards. She deflected two strikes but couldn’t keep up with the two weapons of her foe. Instead she used her pack, the wolves pouncing out of the shadows and towards Celeste.

She teleported again, avoiding the wolves before she threw the knives instead, forcing Lily to move into the shadows herself.

She came back out a dozen meters away and found one of her wolves cut apart, another one stabbed in its slightly ethereal head. Lily rushed forward with more of her wolves moving out, recalling the last one engaged with the Sentinel with a whistle. It jumped away when Celeste whipped forward her right arm, the chain coming lose before it wrapped around the wolf. A thrown knife entered the creature’s head, the being quickly dissolving into nothing.

Lily grit her teeth as she and her pack approached in a formation, three each moving to the left and right, one staying right in front of her. She watched as Celeste sheathed the one knife she held and twirled, sunlight reflecting off the metal bits of her freshly polished armor.

Two chains whipped out with quick motions, moving in unpredictable patterns one high and one low. The Sentinel walked forward, meeting the charge with moving steel. She took two quick steps and moved sideways, the chains whipping out with blinding speed, one ripping through two wolves in a single strike, the other taking out one on the other side. She twirled again to regain the momentum, the chains now past the approaching wolves and Lily.

She’s won’t stay there. Lily whistled, her wolves rushing out and away, only the one in front of her still running towards the battle healer. Lily herself waited until the last moment, watching the Sentinel disappear as she had expected.

Celeste appeared a few meters back and to the right, her chains whipping through where the wolves would’ve been, missing them by an arm’s length.

Lily ducked under the second chain and teleported forward, stabbing her knife at the woman’s neck. Her foe tried to block with her left arm but found herself unable to move it, two wolves pulling on the chain they had caught. Her blade found a space between the shoulder piece and helmet, biting into the flesh below. Lily didn’t let go, her wolves rushing forward when Celeste kicked her.

All the air left her lungs as she lurched backwards, still holding on to the blade.

Three wolves jumped the woman when she moved her shoulders, the chains falling to the ground before she grabbed for two more knives. She met the jumping wolves with her blades, one of them stabbed in its upper jaw and the other grazed on its leg. Two still bit down, one on her calf and the other on her right wrist.

Lily let go of the blade and transformed, her form growing larger until she pushed down the woman, two wolves still biting her calf and arm while Lily herself pushed her massive claws into the Sentinel’s shoulders. She opened her maw around the woman’s helmet and bit down, finding resistance in the form of one of her arms. Bone and metal groaned under her jaws and teeth, the helmet now gripped as well. The strength she could use was reduced by the blocking arm but she still managed to break through.

Her claws found purchase as well, biting deep into Celeste’s shoulder until the combined effort of her wolf and her claws managed to rip off her right arm.

The crowd winced as the bloodied bit was pulled away by the monstrous wolf, Lily’s large form still pushing down the struggling Sentinel with her claws glancing off her armor, teeth grinding against bracers and helmet. She did all she could, letting go once before she bit off the woman’s hand instead, ripping on the second arm with her claws cutting down on her shoulder. She couldn’t quite rip it off but the fight was over regardless. She moved her head to the side and lifted the woman off the ground, slamming her down with a spray of blood splattering against the thin layer of sand with the sand of shattering bones. Her wolves were rushing at the Sentinel again as Lily let go and jumped back, her own form returning to normal.

She went to one knee and coughed up blood, sweat pooling on her brow. Too long. She could feel every muscle in her body ache, whistling to send her remaining wolves at the downed woman.

Her eyes opened wide when Celeste vanished. She appeared next to her arm and kicked away the nearby wolf. A groan escaped her as she bent down with her injured leg and grabbed the piece of mangled flesh. She placed it against her bleeding shoulder socket and huffed, cracking her head in the process. Her other arm turned and cracked as bones realigned, the hand Lily had removed already back.

How.

Three knives were thrown at the wolves, two more in the Sentinel’s hands as she rushed at Lily once again.

Lily looked at the black eyes now taking her in. The casual demeanor was gone, instead she looked at a hunter.

Her knife came up to block the strikes but Celeste now moved without regard for her own health, simply ignoring the counter strikes that glanced off her armor or left shallow wounds. Lily felt the first stab in her arm, the next biting deep into her stomach. She winced at the pain, two more stabs sliding in past her ribs, the blade remaining inside. Another two stabbed deep into her shoulders, her arms slumping down. She fell to her knees and looked up, seeing the Sentinel back with her chains, whirling the heavy links in the air above her. She felt the air whistle when one of the chains whipped past just above her head, her jaw shutting with a quick motion as her vision blurred. It hurt. Everything hurt. She looked down and saw blood pooling below her. Lily tried to grab the bloodied black dagger but couldn’t move her arm far enough, then she fell forward, barely feeling the impact of her head on the sand.

A loud voice resounded but she couldn’t hear anything, a strange feeling spreading through her until the pain suddenly eased. Warmth flooded her, the familiar feeling making her add her own healing with the little mana she had left. Metal clang to the ground as the blades were removed from her body.

Lily rolled onto her back with her eyes open, taking in fast breaths as the phantom pain made her grit her teeth.

“Not bad. Pretty nasty that monster form. Just have to prevent a teleport and you can go to town,” the voice of Celeste came from the side.

Lily turned her head and found the woman crouching next to her. “Your armor is shit. And you should get that pain tolerance sorted… though I know it’s near impossible without… help.” She glanced up to the terrace and returned her attention to Lily. “Don’t think about it too much. For me it helps to have another fight right after, makes you focus on something else. That or drinking.”

Celeste offered a hand and Lily took it, the woman easily pulling up the savage wolf before she slapped her shoulder. “Don’t know how I would’ve fared without my armor, I’ll be honest.”

“How did you… ignore all that… your arm… your face,” Lily stuttered out.

Celeste just looked at her. “What do you think we do all day?”

“Rip off each other’s arms?” Lily asked in a borderline mocking voice. She shook her head lightly when the woman didn’t reply. She repeated the question in a more serious tone.

“Usually it’s cutting. It’s important to learn how to deal with that kind of injury. Plenty of monsters can do worse than what you just did in even less time. It’s damn near impossible without healing, but you do have a spell. Maybe work on that more, might come in handy,” the woman said. She started collecting her daggers and knives, some of them looking like they belonged in a kitchen.

Lily watched her, more people in black armor standing nearby, giving both of them a few looks. She felt more healing magic before the other Sentinels left, the two people she assumed to be Shadows gave each other a look and left as well.

She sighed and glanced up to the terrace. More to think about and consider. I’ll definitely watch her other fights.

_______________________________

Cless finally shut the door to the gallery. It had been a long day. Only the nice compliments had kept her going!

The big Shadow men had made themselves comfortable on chairs they had brought in. Their task was to protect the paintings at night.

She wrung her hands as she looked their way.

“Something wrong?” Charles asked. The man was nice and he liked to talk more than the other one. A light floated above them, magic conjured by the man.

“Is… is it okay?” Cless asked. She felt the little Fae sit down on her right shoulder. The right shoulder was always the best one. She knew that.

Charles smiled. “We were paid until after the auction. Don’t worry. At this level we don’t need a lot of sleep or anything else.”

“Okay.” Cless smiled at him and waved to the two. Charles waved back. She knew many Shadows by now and they were all hard workers, and very strong. She summoned her magic book and started sketching with the blue ethereal pencil appearing in her hand. Her hand moved quickly, the depiction exactly as she remembered. She activated her spell and felt the magic flow through her. She could tell that Baron Violence came with her, the two of them appearing in front of the large building Keyla had chosen as her restaurant during the festival.

She ran up the stairs while giggling, the guards letting her through, some of the people waiting in line giving her strange looks. She stuck out her tongue and ran faster so that nobody could catch her. Cless nearly collided with a woman dressed in black, the waitress dodging to the side.

“Cless,” she said, her tone cold.

She froze and turned around, her eyes focused on the ground.

Fear

“I told you not to run inside,” the woman said, her arms crossed.

“I’m sorry Miss Veria,” Cless said, feeling her heart pounding. A hand came to rest on her head a moment later.

“No go. And no running or you can eat somewhere else,” Veria said, a smile on her face as Cless looked up.

She nodded, smiling too before she nearly ran again.

No! The Baron’s voice stopped her.

Cless took in a deep breath and forced herself to walk slowly, big steps taking the stairs until she found the entrance to the kitchen.

The chefs were rushing around as she waited near the door, knives cutting through vegetables and meat faster than she could follow with her eyes. Magic lit up here and there, fire mostly but also ice and water. She even saw one of them use smoke. Keyla stood at the center of the moderately sized room. Her reptilian eyes darted around the room as she occasionally shouted an instruction. She herself was handed ingredients, plates, and pans, making adjustments or giving her approval. She had long spotted the girl waiting near the door. “Cless, close the door.”

Cless did as the scary dragon woman said. Veria was to be respected but Keyla was to be feared. She was the monster of Ravenhall. Both she and the Baron knew. But her food was so so good. She waited without saying a word, knowing that if she interrupted the cooks she wouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen for a whole week! It had already happened four times.

Garret turned her way with a focused expression. The cook was always serious. He handed her a plate with yellow noodles and seared meat, green herbs and bits of mushroom sprinkled on top. He raised a small can and poured a dark liquid on top with a practiced motion before he grabbed a fork from a nearby shelf, spinning the weapon between his fingers and finally stabbing it into the noodles. “Enjoy the food, little one.”

Cless bowed her head. “Thank you!” She opened her book and grabbed a set of gloves before she took the hot plate and rushed out, Violence opening the door with his magic. “Let’s go!” she said through the connection, feeling the space magic before they vanished and appeared on the roof top of a nearby building.

She giggled to herself as she sat down, her legs dangling off the edge. She was only allowed to do this when Violence was around, otherwise the Sentinels said it was too dangerous. Falling down would hurt her. Not a lot but a little. She didn’t like to get hurt. Cless understood that some of the other students did it on purpose to get stronger but she didn’t understand why. How could getting hurt make one stronger? It just hurt.

She forgot what she was thinking about when the wind changed and she smelled the food in the plate she still held with her gloves. A moment later she dug in, nearly crying at the incredibly nice taste. Cless had no idea what it was but it was nice.

Violence sat on her lap and held up a single noodle, inspecting the thing before a part of it floated into its body, another bit simply dissolved as the Fae tilted its head to the side, small hands grabbing for another bit of noodle.

“Do you like it?” Cless asked with a stuffed mouth.

No.

Long.

Unwieldy.

The Fae tried holding up the noodle with its two stubby hands but it simply drooped down and fell, floating back up with the power of space magic, rejoining the quickly dwindling noodles on the plate.

“You don’t like noodles.” Cless nodded. She understood, slurping up more of the food. It wasn’t easy to eat, especially when it was this delicious!

She finished the food, the Fae returning the plate before it appeared again on the rooftop.

“What do you want to do? Watch the tournament?” she asked.

Night

No

Battles

“Oh. That is sad. I’m sorry, Violence,” she said and patted the creature’s head. It felt so nice. Like her teddy, but that one was still at home and she couldn’t get back for some time. At some point she knew she could do it. She had to show off her paintings, and her magic!

The small creature drooped down a little before it raised a hand to its chin.

It looked up.

Visit

Friend?

“You want to go?” Cless asked.

Come

Too

“I don’t know. Claire said I shouldn’t leave the city,” she said.

Ask?

Cless looked at the creature and nodded. “We can ask her.”

Office?

Cless opened her book and drew the stairwell leading up to Claire’s office. She couldn’t get inside the room directly, because of magic in the walls. Her spell manifested a moment later.

Walking up the stairs, they knocked but nobody replied. “She’s not here.”

Violence floated up and crossed its arms.

It pointed to itself.

Search

Cless

Wait

“Okay,” Cless said, watching the creature vanish.

She sat down on the stairs and opened her book, looking through the different sketches and spells she had inside. William wanted her to train with the others sometimes. It was fun to use magic but fighting was exhausting! And she sometimes got hurt or hurt others. That she didn’t like. Painting was nicer. Or exploring.

Violence came back a few minutes later.

Allowed!

“Allowed?” Cless asked.

Allowed

The Fae nodded and pulled on her hand before it appeared on her shoulder and pointed.

Morhill!

She smiled and sketched the gallery. The Fae led her through the city after that, through several slightly crowded alleys until they came up on a large building. She could see the magic inside the walls. Two guards stood at the entrance, both wearing black, very large, and their faces covered my metal.

One of them glanced down at her but didn’t say anything.

“Can I go inside?” she asked as she looked up, straining her neck to see the steel helmet.

“I’m sorry, little one. Only a select few are allowed into this building,” the man said.

Violence appeared in front of her and floated up.

The two guards went down to one knee at the same time. “Greetings, revered Spirit of old.”

Friend

It pointed at her.

“I understand. Please enter,” the guard said and opened the thick metal door.

Violence giggled and led her inside.

“Are you sure this is allowed?” Cless asked.

They were in a large hall, four guards standing near the walls, two glancing their way. They focused more on the floating Fae than on her.

Violence led her to the center of the hall where a stairwell led down into another room. More guards were there and a round platform stood at the center. She rubbed her temple. There was a lot of magic here.

Meet

Friend!

They stood on the platform when magic flowed through the surroundings. The walls changed. Teleportation. Cless now saw an expansive cavern, pillars reaching up to the distant ceiling. Violence teleported her again until they stood on strange black grass. She touched her head. The magic was very strong here! It was so strong that she had to sit down.

“Greetings, little artist,” she heard in her head.

Cless looked up and saw a sparkling tree in the distance. “Hello,” she sent back.

Violence giggled and pointed. Friend!

Chapter 750 Warmth

Chapter 750 Warmth

“She’s doing what?” Ilea asked.

Claire took in a deep breath. “Painting a portrait. Of the Meadow.”

“It’s a tree,” Ilea said.

“Yes. But also. No. I don’t know what to tell you. Just looking at the canvas from a distance makes me feel uneasy. I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Maybe you could check in with them,” Claire said. “If you have time.”

“Sure. Fights start again in the morning. I’ll have a look,” she answered and opened a gate to the north for both of them. Claire had come back to Morhill to check with her.

“Meadow. Are you corrupting children now?” Ilea asked.

“The young artist is quite talented. I have not met someone able to paint my liking quite as well,” the being replied.

“You think so? She’s already managed to capture some of your eeriness through divination alone,” Ilea said as she walked up to the girl, Fae, and canvas.

“Oh? Well, I’m not surprised. Though Violence agrees that divination is no substitute for sight,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea stopped behind the canvas. She looked at the intersecting colors, shades of red and purple moving within a harmony of incomprehensible depths. She felt lost entirely, struck by confusion, fear, and awe before she shook her head and refocused. She tasted blood in her mouth and realized she had a nosebleed too. “Yeah. That one won’t go into the gallery,” she said, watching the girl paint as if in a trance, power emanating from her hands as she held an ethereal brush and her magic book. The one she claimed Scipio had given her.

“What do you mean? Is my liking not to your tastes?” the Meadow asked.

Tastes. Violence repeated, apparently part of the conversation.

“We don’t want people to die or flee in terror when they see what you are,” Ilea said. “Or a part of it at least… she’s not quite at the same stage as what I see… and I doubt that’s all there is to your insanity, but it’s more than enough.”

“It’s not insanity, it’s genius. And if people can’t appreciate that, maybe they should flee in terror,” the Meadow said and crossed a set of metaphorical arms, the gesture sent as a feeling.

“Sure,” Ilea said and looked at the canvas. There was something alluring in there. Something untouched. An artist’s sight and understanding. An objectivity. She looked up at the tree and back to the canvas. She knew the Endless Meadow, knew its character, trusted it, called it a friend. And yet the painting was different. It didn’t have the emotional connection but instead showed the cold eldritch truth. A hint only. A glimpse at the depths of knowledge, of possibility. “That way lies madness. I’d love to hang that in my room.”

“So now You want it,” the Meadow said.

Gallery

“No, Violence. We won’t have it there. People in general do not like their eyes popping out,” Ilea said.

The creature crossed its tiny arms.

“I’m flattered that you’d have a painting of myself in your room. I didn’t know you thought of me in that way,” the Meadow said.

“Yeah. Shows me what’s out there. What I need to be prepared for,” Ilea answered, ignoring the joke entirely.

“But I’m always here,” the Meadow said.

“Yes. You. Not something like you,” Ilea answered.

“I don’t understand. Am I not a terrifying entity?” the Meadow asked.

Very

Terrifying

“Thank you. You’re a terror too,” the Meadow said to the tiny Fae.

Ancient

Looming

Terror

Ilea patted the little creature that floated near Cless. “Of course you are. You’re both monstrous creatures. To be feared by all. How long has she been painting like this?”

“I have a few eyes on her magic, mana exposure and usage, and of course her health. She seems rather experienced. Strange, to focus on a skill like this but it seems she excels at it,” the tree said.

“What do you mean strange? She’s an artist,” Ilea said.

“Indeed. What I mean is her ability to convey what she herself cannot see nor understand. Cless is no ordinary human child, yet she is a child nonetheless. Were she to see me the same way you do, she would not remain sitting here,” the Meadow said.

“Interesting,” Ilea thought and looked at the girl. Almost like me with my battle trance like state. “What happens when she’s done? She’s gonna see the painting.”

“I don’t think she herself will be as affected. I feel the skill protects her somewhat, though I will make it vanish the moment she returns,” it spoke.

“Sure. Maybe introduce Owl to her once she’s done. I have a feeling she will like her,” Ilea added. “And keep the painting. I don’t want Violence putting it in the gallery.”

Boring

“It’s called being responsible,” Ilea sent back.

“A child chastising an ancient being behaving like a child,” the Meadow added unnecessarily.

Ilea gave them a look and smiled. “The word you’re looking for is Kindergarten.”

_____________________________

Lily decided to spend some of her earnings to sleep in an inn for once. Despite her loss, she had won quite a bit of gold in the tournament. Three to be exact, and sixty two silver. For a few days of sporadic fights and little real danger of death, the payments were ridiculously high. It was no wonder so many people had come to Morhill to participate. And tomorrow I’ll get myself some armor. She considered as she entered the inn and checked the crowd of drinking adventurers and tourists.

She walked up to the counter and glanced at the woman overlooking her domain. Lily too had made sure there was nobody too focused on her, or her gold for that matter. For the first time in a long while, she was actually worth robbing. It was a strange feeling.

“One room for the night,” she said to the woman.

“We’re fully booked,” came the reply. She turned and squinted her eyes at Lily. “Wait… you’re the Savage Wolf, aren’t you?”

Lily didn’t reply. She felt both caught and confused. Why would the woman bring that up? Was she out to exploit her?

“You can have a room for free,” the innkeeper said. “That was an incredible display today, and I made quite a bit betting on you in the first few rounds. Shame you had to go up against that Sentinel, but it was only a matter of time.”

“Don’t think I could’ve beat her?” Lily asked.

The woman scoffed. “You haven’t seen the half of it. When it’s a magic user or someone using a weapon, that madwoman just ignores it. That wolf form gave you an edge in weight and the small wolves prevented her from stabbing you. I was rooting for you.”

“That impressive… I didn’t think she was that dangerous,” Lily admitted.

“You should see the one in the main tournament. These Sentinels are a menace, I tell you. I suppose it’s good with them being healers and all…” the woman murmured the last bit, considering before she shook her head. “But you can have a room, here. Food and a bath too? You do look like a savage wolf after all.”

Lily looked at her with suspicion but she didn’t see a way this could backfire. A trap perhaps? But why? Maybe the woman was angry she had lost money on the fight today? I can still just run away if I have to. She took the key and nodded. “Food and a bath.”

She found the room and had her pack check first the hallway, then the accommodations themselves. Nothing seemed suspicious. She found no hidden runes or enchantments that weren’t supposed to be there. Lily looked down from the window and teleported to the alley, then back to one of her waiting wolves. It worked without issues. And there are Sentinels and Shadowguards around. If I scream or make a scene, they will at least investigate.

The heavy wooden door was already closed, locked with the key she had gotten and now held in her hands. She set down the simple bag she used, a little food and clothing inside. Normally she would wash her things once a week but now she was in a bit of a strange place. She could tell some people were bothered by her smell but it wasn’t wise to insult or challenge an adventurer over something so trivial. And there were worse ones around. Her nose was somewhat sensitive too after all.

Her low quality leather armor had even more holes now, her clothes below showing cuts and burn marks despite the robust make. It really was a bit of a stretch to even call them clothes at this point. More a somewhat connected set of cloth pieces, held together by faith and the leather pieces on top. Lily assumed the local tailors and smiths increased their prices because of the festival, but she kind of had to. Or I wait until the teleportation gates are usable to everyone. Which should happen at some point this week. Then I can go to another city and check the prices there. It sounded like a reasonable idea. Her other set wasn’t clean either but at least it showed a little less damage.

If I get a bath I can use the water afterwards. Maybe there’s even soap. She smiled, sitting down on the bed. It was soft. Very soft. And warm. She moved her hand over the blanket, feeling the fabric. An oil lamp hung from the wall opposite her, weak but warm light illuminating the room. A wood floor and walls, a simple table with a magical light set atop in case someone had to read or write. A thin fur was on the ground, both as decoration and to provide some variety. A few paintings hung from the walls, depicting forests and mountains, much like the panorama one would see looking out the window, if the suns were out.

She sighed. It was nice. Warm and comfortable. Her eyes opened wide, then she squinted, her pack once again searching through the room while she waited and listened. Lily unsheathed her blade and stood up when she heard the steps come closer. A knock on the door. She didn’t respond. Another knock.

Lily went to the door and unlocked it, moving through the shadows back to the bed, ready to face an attacker.

“Sorry! Your bath, miss,” came the muffled voice of a young woman. The door opened slightly before it was slowly pushed forward. A girl with blonde hair bound into a ponytail stumbled inside, huffing as she lifted the wooden tub. She sighed and cracked her back after she had set down the thing. She raised her hands towards the wood, a stream of water forming in front of her until the tub was half full. The woman glanced at Lily then filled it some more. “I’ll send Tammy up to heat it up as well. You’re not a fire mage are you?”

Lily waited, her dagger held behind her back, eyes following every movement of the woman. She was a low level water mage, nothing to be concerned about. “I’m not a fire mage.”

The woman nodded. “I’ll have her bring up your food as well.”

Lily was left alone until another knock came, a second woman entering, this one carrying a wooden board with both a plate of food, and a mug.

[Fire Mage – lvl 23]

She set the board down on the table and went towards the tub.

Lily watched her until the woman turned her way.

“Do you want to check the heat?” she asked.

Lily walked closer, each step deliberate until she crouched down, still ready for an attack. Her hand went into the water. She sighed, forgetting about the potential dangers for a few seconds until she looked up and found the black haired woman staring at her. She could feel her face flushing and whipped out her hand from the water, splattering some of it onto the floor. She took a step back, revealing the knife.

The fire mage smiled, looking at the blade and then her face. “You’re safe here in the city. Should sometimes come back to settlements, or you’ll forget how it’s like.”

Lily looked down at her weapon but didn’t say anything. She felt both embarrassed and threatened.

The woman didn’t move. “Should I make it warmer? You adventurers often have Heat Resistance.”

Lily waited for a few seconds before she nodded. It had already felt so nice. But warmer. Warmer would be better. She watched as the woman held out her hand, steam soon rising from the water.

The fire mage stood up slowly, her hands clearly visible before she stepped back towards the door. “Enjoy it,” she said. “And just come down if you need anything!” She left and closed the door behind herself. And that was that.

No assassination. No robbing. Just… an inn. And a bath.

Lily rushed to the door and locked it, taking the key out before she went to the bed. She checked the window and then suspiciously looked at the bath. The water was still steaming. The food was there too. She sent two of her wolves to investigate each. No poisons. Nothing wrong with the water. She knew as much half a minute later.

She waited for another few minutes just to make sure. Then she went and grabbed the plate and mug, sitting down on the soft bed with her legs crossed. Her dagger she held in her right hand, the spoon in her left. A stew with plenty of meat. It smelled nice. Better than what she could cook in the wild. She closed her eyes as she savored the taste, then sipped on the drink. It burned a little in her throat, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Lily could feel her body heat up, her stomach growling, demanding more.

She finished the food and drink, putting it back on the wooden board before she approached the bath in a crouch. Once inside, she would be more vulnerable. Without her armor. She looked down on herself and sighed. Not that much protection anyway. The steaming water invited her. It was very alluring.

Lily gave in a few seconds later, opening the straps and her belt before she took off her armor pieces and clothes, careful not to further damage anything. Slowly, she stepped into the wooden tub, the heat welcoming her before she submerged herself up to her head. She smiled to herself and started giggling. Her joy was interrupted slightly when she scratched the wood with her dagger, quickly turning it away before she relaxed. She checked the door and her surroundings ten times every minute but nothing happened.

Just a bath. Inside of an inn.

A hot bath. Nice food. The life of an adventurer. She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face, deciding to go with it instead. Lily submerged her head in the water and squeaked with joy. She could get used to this. But I shouldn’t. I have to stay tough! The water won out in the end. As did the soft bed and the warm blanket. Her dagger at the very least stayed out throughout the whole night.

Lily woke up with birds chirping outside her window, voices audible from the alleyways below. Sunlight drifted into the room and illuminated the pile of dirty clothes and wooden tub. She sat up with a start, clutching her dagger before she looked down on herself. She flushed again, quickly grabbing her second set of clothes before she smelled them and reconsidered.

The water in the tub wasn’t exactly clean anymore and it was cool as well. I forgot to wash anything! She sighed. If she did it now, it would never be dry. Or… could I? I have silver. It wouldn’t be that strange. She decided cleaner but wet was better than dirty and dry. Washing her second pair of pants and shirt took the better part of twenty minutes. She had luckily found a brush in one of the cupboards the past evening. Cleaning her leather armor pieces was much easier.

She got dressed and armored, water dripping to the floor. Sneaking out of her room, she made her way down into the hall where a few adventurers were eating breakfast. She got a few looks. Nothing that showing her canines didn’t solve. Lily was glad when she found the same woman who had heated her bath, now standing behind the counter. She walked up and grabbed her pouch. “Can you dry me?”

“Good morning. You look relaxed. Also… dry you?” the woman asked.

Lily nodded.

“I… suppose. Of course. Why not,” the fire mage said and gestured for Lily to come into the kitchen. She raised her hands before a stream of heat flowed out. “Say stop if it hurts.”

Lily didn’t really mind it. Most fire magic she faced was far more dangerous. This one didn’t even set anything aflame. A minute later she was already dry.

“If you’re looking for tailors or smiths, I can give you a few recommendations,” the woman said with a smile.

Lily looked at the missing sleeve of her right arm and the holes in her pants. Maybe. Maybe I shouldn’t be so stingy. “How much do you think a set of clothes would cost?”

The woman raised her brows and smiled. “You really should visit towns more often. No more than a few silvers. You can mention Tammy and they shouldn’t ask for more. If you don’t have the coin, I can get you something simple… without holes.”

Lily squinted at her. Few people helped like that without a motive. But then I did spend coin here. And if they’re nice I would suggest the inn to others. It’s just sensible.

Tammy smiled at her. “We can leave the kitchen now. Except if you want to try out as a cook.”

“I… no. I mean no, thank you,” Lily said and rushed out. She waved at the woman and left the inn before running back inside to get her dirty clothes from her room. This time she teleported down to the alley, with the names of a few tailors, and two smiths. She smiled to herself, checking her pouch before walking towards where the stores should be. First, check and compare prices! Then I can go and watch more fights.

Chapter 751 Remnants

A note from Rhaegar

Note: I'll be on vacation for a week starting on the 11th.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 751 Remnants

Aryvia felt the wagon rumble over the road southwards. She supposed the gold they had was spent on more important things than comfortable transportation. She did have it better than the chained up slaves sitting on the floor a few meters away.

She gave them a look and sighed. Poor things. Waste too, some of them look workable.

“Shame,” one of her travel companions said, following her gaze.

“It’s what we have left,” she said. The plan was simple enough, but they required blood. As much as they could get.

“We’re here!” someone shouted from outside.

Already. Aryvia moved out behind the other hooded figures in the cart. The sunlight blinded her as she landed on the ground. Trees? They had stopped on a clearing in the middle of a small patch of forest. She wasn’t particularly familiar with the southern Plains but this didn’t look at all like Morhill, or anywhere close to it.

“Why aren’t we getting closer?” she asked one of the higher leveled mages.

The man turned her way. “Sentinel scouts.”

“What do you mean? So far out? I can barely make out the mountains,” she said. What are we even doing so far away.

“We will hound them southwards,” the man said.

“Kind of defeats the point with causing chaos. If we’re just running alongside a bunch of demons towards their walls,” she said.

“I didn’t make the plan, alright?” the man said. “Grovo decided we’re stopping here, so we’re stopping here. Plus we’re not the only ones, not by a long shot. Dozens of cells will conduct their rituals and summonings. High chance we won’t even be noticed until we reach the city walls.”

“Then why not go closer now, if there’s chaos already?” Aryvia asked.

The man nodded. “Hold on, you’re right. Well I’m sure Grovo considered it. He’s not an imbecile.”

“Maybe you could bring it up with the man himself?” she suggested.

“Me? No. Bad idea. Last time someone made a suggestion they were fed to his pet demons. You can try if you want to,” he said, crossing his arms.

“I’m getting a bad feeling about this,” she said.

The man chuckled. “Largest operation the Red Blades have ever managed. This is our time to shine. Every influential figure in the Plains is watching.”

“Right,” Aryvia said. “Shouldn’t that be even more concerning? There will be some insanely powerful people amongst the crowd. Then you have the Sentinels, Shadows, Lilith herself.”

He scoffed. “You don’t really believe in those fairy tales, do you? Lilith is just made up by the Empire. She doesn’t exist. And Lys is on its last legs, considering deals with Ravenhall of all places. Just a demon destroyed ruin in the mountains.”

Aryvia raised her brows. She wasn’t so sure the man was right, but then it wouldn’t be the first time her information had proven wrong. Maybe this was one of those cases.

She watched the mages prepare the ritual. They formed a massive circular stone platform before they crouched down and started their rune etching work. It would take some time. Aryvia turned away when they started killing slaves to fill in the runes with blood. She just didn’t enjoy violence like some others in their organization. According to the screams and laughter, some were downright reveling in the process.

She didn’t mind it much. Since Baralia had fallen, their traditions were far more difficult to conduct. Slaves were harder to find and buy, they were more expensive, and their vitality left a lot to be desired. She had her own fun a few times but her preferences had little use in summoning or blood magic. Crossing her arms, she looked towards the distant mountains.

“That’ll be a long way. Can you control the demons for the entire distance?” she asked the same mage she had talked to before.

“Probably not. But they keep on running once they choose a direction,” the man said.

What happened to our well planned out rituals back home? She sighed.

“Can you be a little more positive?” he asked, a slave screaming behind them before she was silenced. “Maybe smile a little, or put the hood up so that we don’t have to see your frown.”

“I just like our cave more,” she said. “Doesn’t feel like we’re as prepared as we could be.”

“Well well well, Miss Aryvia knows best. I’m sure you could’ve done a better job in the little time we had since this thing was even announced. Weeks of travel, a wonderful ritual circle, live sacrifices, even hostages,” he said, spreading both arms. “It is how it is. Can’t always be a perfect fucking operation.”

She sighed and rubbed her temples. “Yes yes. I know. I’m sorry. I’ll be more positive.”

“Good. Before Grovo sees you. He’s in a foul mood,” the mage said.

“Isn’t he always?” another man said as he approached. “We.. eh… need some blood from you two as well. Not enough slaves if we want to keep some hostages.”

Aryvia groaned, the mage giving her a glare. “Alright. Sure. Yes. Blood,” she said and showed him an incredibly forced smile. She got out a ritual dagger and started slicing into her arm, hissing at the pain. She hated providing blood herself. That’s what they had slaves for. Damn the fucking Empire and their backwards laws. All our cities will be overpopulated soon enough.

“Where do you want the blood?” she asked.

A hooded figure appeared next to her with a cauldron. He huffed before he set the thing down. “Heavy,” he said and laughed.

She nodded. “Yeah. You know you don’t have to use a cauldron.” Aryvia held her arm out over the thing and looked away. The feeling of her own blood rolling down her arm was enough. She didn’t have to see it.

“I’ve had the best results with cauldrons. I know it’s not proven or anything but if you read the old scriptures of Benjamin Greyson, he clearly has a preference for the unwieldy containers. I saw the word cauldron sixteen times in the three hundred pages of his first book,” the man explained.

“Look Davis, I don’t care,” she said.

“Right… right,” he murmured. “More one for… sexual theories.”

She glared at him.

“Sorry,” he said and turned away slightly.

Grovo appeared in the center of the ritual circle, crouching down next to one of the corpses before he put his hands into the deep wound on their neck.

Aryvia looked away. Disgusting.

He walked over and smeared the blood into his hair before he took in a deep breath and smiled. “What a wonderful day for a summoning! Don’t you think?” he looked at the two of them.

“Yes, indeed. A great day, Grovo,” Davis said.

“Wonderful day,” Aryvia repeated.

He tapped her shoulder with his bloodied finger. “I don’t hear the enthusiasm. Look, I know the journey was long… and arduous… poor Jester… didn’t stand a chance. I still hear his screams sometimes when I sleep,” he said and pointed at his head. “Anyway. Just pull yourselves together, for me, for everyone, alright? It’ll be worth it. And we can go drink together later, maybe even an orgy,” he said and pointed at them with both his index fingers and a charming smile.

Aryvia smiled back. He did have a way to get to them. Maybe that or it was the unspoken threat of being skinned alive. His sudden outbursts were well known among their group. It was just one of those things one had to deal with. He wasn’t the worst team leader she’s had. And she had to admit that the parties he organized were really quite something.

One of the mages appeared nearby and whispered something to Grovo.

The man in question clapped his hands. “Alright then, hurry up everyone! And keep those knives on the hostages. We might get company sooner than expected.” A wide grin spread on his face as he took off his robe and shirt, dozens of scars visible on his torso, with the occasional tattoo in between.

Let’s get this over with and go back home. I’m tired.

___________________________

Ilea watched Kyrian finish his ritual circle, power vibrating through the arena as the barriers struggled to keep his magic contained.

Pierce sagged down to one knee, spitting out blood as another flail came her way. She wouldn’t last much longer.

“Lilith,” Wayland said as he appeared next to her.

“What is it?” she asked, establishing a telepathic connection.

“Cult in a forested patch northwards. Mid scale summoning ritual. Demonic. Hostages prevent us from moving in effectively, levels unknown. City on high alert due to it being a potential distraction,” he answered.

Pierce was flung aside, her armor dented in and reforming as she stumbled in the powerful curse. She laughed like a maniac, charging the floating form of Kyrian with an appearing blade of lightning.

“How likely is a ritual or attack right here?” Ilea asked.

“Unlikely, but I won’t disregard the possibility. It could be one of the groups we cleared out before the festivities started. There were leads that suggested more connections. An attack from anyone here would be nothing less than a declaration of war. Based on the information I have I deem that highly unlikely,” Wayland explained.

“Where exactly?” Ilea asked. “Call me through the mark if anything happens here.”

“Only in an emergency situation,” he said. “Follow the Shadow.”

Ilea found the man in question and vanished.

The shadow was masked and hooded, giving her a slight nod before he jumped up, flying with wings of dark energy.

She followed.

The two stayed low on the ground, quickly moving down the side of the mountains and out onto the Plains. She spotted a ground of Sentinels flying in the air, two with dark wings, one being carried, and a fourth one with what looked like wings of ice.

The Shadow didn’t slow down, circling around before coming to a stop on a small hill overlooking a small forest. “They’re in there. At least twenty three people. The likely leader is a shirtless fellow. We found them too late to stop the killings. I believe they spotted one of our scouts and are now continuing with the threat of killing the hostages.”

Ilea sighed. Can’t escape the lunatics. “Why are they even here?”

“Excuse me?” the shadow asked.

She looked at him but just shook her head. “Can’t people just… not sacrifice slaves or something?”

He nodded slowly. “It would be… preferable. Yes.”

“Alright. Tell me exactly where you saw the hostages. I’ll take care of it.” Ilea cracked her neck and formed a few ashen copies. “Let’s get back before the finals.”

The Shadow nodded slowly, looking at the ashen forms.

____________________________

Aryvia watched the mages work. She smiled when the ritual thrummed to life. It was always an exciting moment when the runes aligned. This thing was far bigger than what they usually did as well. They won’t know what hit them.

The very fabric of reality screeched as the blood magic took hold, a connection with the demonic realm established in mere moments. She watched the sphere of dark red energy float up as the first demons came out. Their mages used their mind magic and necromancy spells to push them towards the distant mountains.

The sight sent shivers down Aryvia’s spine, the sheer savagery of these creatures, the death and chaos they would cause. There was little else in life that came close to this sensation.

The ritual came to a crescendo as the sphere grew larger. Birthed from it and slapping to the stone platform came a creature so massive and vile, the stench alone sent Aryvia reeling. She watched as it loomed forward on a dozen long legs, its torso a collection of claws and teeth.

Mages shouted as their efforts focused entirely on the beast, pushing it forward and towards the mountains.

She felt the power emanate from it and shivered. If it breaks free…

[Slithering Claw Demon – lvl ???]

A three mark, she thought and forced herself to stand her ground. The others wouldn’t let her live it down if she ran.

The creature turned towards the mages but then whipped its torso forward and rushed into the underbrush, far faster than she had ever seen anything move. Out and towards the mountains.

She breathed out, feeling her heart beat in her chest, sweat on her brow.

Grovo stood on the platform and laughed, the last bits of blood magic dissipating as a rain of red drops fell on his naked chest.

“The hostages!” someone shouted with a panicked voice.

Aryvia turned, annoyed that someone would interrupt this perfect moment. She raised her brows when she saw all the hostages gone, the people who had held them looking around with confused and panicked expressions, their weapons still drawn.

She turned and saw the corpses on the platform gone as well. What.

Grovo looked around with a grin on his face and blades of blood forming on his hands. “Everyon-”

Something black flew past, a mist of blood and bones flying up and out from where Grovo had stood. The wind hit Aryvia a moment later, drops of blood and bits of flesh splattering against her face as her eyes widened. She staggered back and looked at the still black winged form, horns of ash on the intruder’s head.

The figure slowly stood up from their crouch, wings spreading out behind her back, flapping once to discard the bits of flesh still stuck to them.

“Lay down your weapons. Lie down on the floor and please… for all that is holy, don’t try to talk,” a female voice resounded in her head.

Grovo. Realization hit. But the demons. Why…

She watched on as most of her allies charged the ashen form.

“Your choice,” the woman said again, deflecting three simultaneous blows before she struck back with lightning fast punches, bones snapping and faces cracking inwards. She kicked through the leg of one charging warrior before she turned his blade around and stabbed it through his hooded head. Bolts, mist, and explosions of blood magic crashed against her armor, the ashen form neither staggering nor stopping as she looked around.

She raised her arms before every mage who had sent out an attack vanished and appeared in a group before her. The being brought their arms down as an invisible force slammed down from above, everyone in the group breaking against the ground as if they had fallen from a cliff. Screams resounded and were silenced, bodies downright exploding when the brunt of the force slammed into their forms. A mist of white flame spread out over the bodies, burning away in mere moments what was left of their corpses.

One mage had survived, her leg flattened as she crawled away. She glanced back to see the slow moving ash creature approach. It grabbed her good leg and flung her screaming form against a tree, the sound silenced instantly.

The being stopped and looked around at the few survivors, Aryvia one of them. She twitched when the blue eyes moved over her. Run.

She teleported away and started running through the forest, uncaring as to the direction. Her entire body moved with a primal fear she had only felt a few times in her life. Sounds of battle came from behind, silenced mere seconds later. The trees made way for a meadow, Aryvia not daring to look back as she rushed up the small hill and teleported again. She slowed down when she saw the demons running a hundred meters ahead, towards the mountains.

A figure clad in black armor and a layer of ice landed onto one of the creatures, glittering claws ripping off the creature’s head before they moved on to the next enemy.

More of them were around, some flying, some on the ground, each taking out demons faster than she could even make them out. The clawed demon they had summoned was at the center of it all, screeching as the dark figures moved around it, deep wounds already visible in its sides. Most of its legs had been cut away.

Aryvia’s lips quivered as she watched the figures teleport and fly past the large creature, slicing it apart as if it was a mere wolf in the wilderness. The stories…

She heard a noise behind and turned. Bolts of blood magic formed in front of her as she staggered back, looking at the ashen being. It had the same form as the one she had seen before, but something wasn’t right.

It’s eyes were entirely black.

“What are you?” she demanded, shooting her bolts forward at the waiting creature.

The thing dodged to the right with a strange floating motion, rushing forward before it gripped her neck and turned.

Aryvia saw her shoulder from a strange angle, the world turning as she fell, her vision going dark.

______________________________

Ilea landed near the last of the cult members, already killed by one of her copies. She had instructed them to keep track of those who ran, attacking if they remained hostile. The impacts in the grass and collected blood suggested the woman had done exactly that. She looked at the body and dissolved her copy, setting the ash aflame and moving it on top of the corpse. Ilea kept it there until nothing was left, watching her Sentinels rip through the small group of demons sent out to attack Morhill.

I hope that was the last of them. The only good thing about this situation was the fact that they could rescue a group of hostages. Former slaves from Baralia. Maybe I should go visit at some point. Help the Empire enforce its rules. She grit her teeth and sighed. No. That’s not my job. And before long I’ll be breaking down doors of innocent people based on incomplete information.Maybe just Wayland and his information network. He could provide high value targets, if any remain after this mess.

Chapter 752 Twenty Eight

Chapter 752 Twenty Eight

Ilea left the cleanup of the bodies to the Sentinels. She glanced at the corpse of the large demon that had been summoned. Don’t think I’ve seen one of those before. Was that once a Navuun as well? Or something different? Like an animal or monster that lived in Kohr?

Nothing remained of the cultist woman her copy had killed. And she won’t be missed. An insignificant blip on her radar, a group of rogues trying to cause harm to her people. She was done playing games with groups like that, or consider the deep moral issues. At this point she had killed for less, and she didn’t exactly regret it. If even with her insane reputation, and the organizations currently present in Ravenhall, a group like that would still show up sacrificing people and summoning demons, her resulting answer would be the same.

She spread her wings and teleported up, glancing at the group of Sentinels handing out new clothing, food, and water to the scared and exhausted survivors. Hostages. Ilea grit her teeth. She decided not to clean off the mist of blood still sticking to herself. Let them add to my reputation. Let them know what I will do to my enemies.

The flight back was quick, the guards still on alert when she slowly flew past above. No demon would reach the city. And if more were summoned, they would be killed all the same. She landed at the entrance of the terrace, the guards avoiding eye contact as they stepped aside. She could feel their fear, even without a skill. Stepping inside, she returned to her part of the railings, ignoring the short glances or attempts to hide interest by the many present influential people. Many of them had seen her fight, more so had heard stories. Few had seen her in a serious capacity.

Michael and Velamyr mostly. And her allies of course. Ilea didn’t exactly count the show she presented back in Kroll. Way too easy to summon fucking demons.

Two Sentinels were helping Pierce reattach mangled arms to her body down on the fighting grounds, the woman complaining about the small space the arena provided and the annoying barrier.

Kyrian had won. Unsurprisingly. She had seen them both fight. The man wasn’t the tame Shadow Ilea had met in Ravenhall anymore. Can’t wait for him to reach five hundred, she thought with a grin below her bloodied mantle.

“You might want to eat something,” Catelyn said as she approached. “And get rid of all that grime. It stinks.”

Ilea glanced at her, locking eyes with the fearless fox. They glared at each other for a few seconds. “Maybe you’re right.”

“May I?” Catelyn asked.

Ilea affirmed, orange flames flowing over her a moment later. She could’ve dealt with it herself but if Catelyn wanted to make some sort of statement, she didn’t mind. “Letting them know you have me under control?” Ilea asked.

The fox’s eyes sparkled with flame as she jumped up to relax on the railings next to her. “Letting them know they’re not getting murdered in the next two minutes. But I suppose it underlines our alliance. What happened?”

“Cult, summoning demons. Sacrificing people to do so,” Ilea answered.

“It is the way of things. It sends a message that you took care of it personally. To those fighting for you. While many of the present nobility will prefer to rule, you lead,” Catelyn said.

“You know I don’t want to do either,” Ilea said.

“Do you think I wanted to become a council member?” the fox asked and glanced at her. “I wanted to do this.”

“Watch tournaments and bother your grumpy friends?” Ilea asked.

“No. Lie down. Enjoy the suns,” the fox said.

Ilea raised her brows. “The suns. With arcane storms raging?”

“I had my ways,” Catelyn said in a self satisfied tone.

The fox followed Ilea’s gaze to the sand covered grounds, mages still repairing the damage done by the previous battle. “The second finalist.”

“Yeah,” Ilea said.

“You don’t like that the Destroyer won against your Sentinel,” Catelyn said.

“I don’t like Bob. Period. He had more than a hundred levels on Niram, It’s incredible that he got this far in the first place,” Ilea sent back.

“A testament to their power. But knowing you, it wasn’t a surprise to me. Many of these participants would do well to live in Hallowfort for a time, to survive the harsh landscape instead of being coddled by your luxuries and safety in the Plains,” Catelyn mused.

“The Sentinels will be happy to explore the northern lands as soon as the gates are opened to everyone. I would imagine plenty of others will try their luck as well,” Ilea said. She didn’t disagree. Comparing either warriors from Hallowfort or the Pit to human fighters just wasn’t exactly fair. The dwarves had in the end accepted their lack of tournament participation, but not without a lot of arguing. With their experience and downright home turf in the barrier covered arena, most adventurers would’ve been absolutely destroyed by even a mid level war machine.

They had agreed in the end due to the potential political damage, and due to future winnings once people started visiting the Pit. If everyone got crushed now, they wouldn’t ever consider going into the Forged Dome.

“We will be happy to accommodate them. Though you do have that cube already, and the Meadow will surely add buildings for them as well,” Catelyn said.

“Bold of you to assume a Sentinel needs a place to stay,” Ilea said, smiling to herself. She had spent plenty of nights in trees or caverns. Though the weak wooden branches would likely no longer be able to keep her up there. Another great loss due to her overwhelming power. Well. Not that great. I do have fantastic beds now, any my ash is probably more comfortable anyway. Wait. When’s the last time I’ve even slept?

She tried to remember but was interrupted by the announcer.

“What a brilliant fight! I’m still out of breath at that incredible display of magical power. An Elder of the Shadow’s Hand, beaten by a Shadow of her own order. Later today we will be seeing the finals play out. The Cursed against the Destroyer. And now everyone, we’re getting to the finals of the team competition. Please welcome the two groups that have made it this far.” The announcer got louder with the last few sentences as the crowd started cheering. The ground opened up as the groups were raised onto the level of the arena with the enchanted elevator.

“Semi-finals for the main tournament, winning the pre two hundred tournament. And finals in the group competition. I thought the idea was that the Sentinels don’t get quite this far,” Catelyn said.

Ilea couldn’t help but grin. “Everyone else is just weak.”

The fox rolled her eyes.

“Hard to win against a healer in a competition where killing isn’t exactly allowed. They have a massive advantage. I suppose it will show the importance of healers. Plus most of the powerful people in the various human countries are either having meetings in the city, in Hallowfort, or they’re on this very terrace. Not exactly smart for a kingsguard or General to participate in a tournament and show off all their abilities to a group of potential enemies,” Ilea said.

“And yet they still do. Not all of course. I understand what you mean. Most of the participants are adventurers and Shadows,” Catelyn said.

“It would be more interesting, admittedly. To see how well Ryse would do. Or what the deal is with Cecila Veyer,” Ilea mused.

“You felt it too. Indeed. I don’t think she’s human at all. Or not anymore,” Catelyn said.

“Think she can take me?” Ilea asked, watching the participants greet each other. She was familiar with both groups.

The Sentinel group was comprised of three Hunters, one of the few teams made up of less than four members. The first ones to take the Hunter exams as well. Some people assumed the group was chosen because of them being only three, as a way to either show off or give others a chance, depending on who one asked. Ilea knew they just played a few rounds of cards between the teams that wanted to represent the Medic Sentinel Corps in the group tournament. Vienna’s team happened to win. That of course caused a few friendlybouts and discussions as to cards deciding instead of actual fights.

Even if the group was just comprised of three people, they had proven to be incredibly well coordinated and very deadly. A few of the fights they had against high level adventurers were decided in under fifteen seconds.

Vienna was their de facto leader, clad in a misty ashen armor. Her Ashen Sentinel Class had evolved into an Ashen Warden variant, both focused on healing herself but with various additions specifically aiming to improve her teamwork with others. Instead of choosing a Sentinel Class to replace her second Class, she had worked on it with the goal of a related evolution.

With her Ranger Class reaching the two hundreds, she became the first Huntress of the Corps, not to be confused with the rank of Huntress upon passing the exam. She held up her hand where her signature ashen bow formed from thin air.

Next to her stood a somewhat small but muscly woman with long brown and braided hair. She waved at the cheering crowd with a bright smile on her face before she glanced at one of her foes, her neck straining as she tried to meet his eyes. She wore the usual bone and stonehammer Sentinel armor but her set looked more battered than most, and there seemed to be more bone added to it. Her broad arms were partially uncovered as well.

Chana disliked wearing helmets, claiming that her skull was harder than any other material. She did usually cover it with stone during battles, if only to satisfy her team leader. The girl’s main Class was called Bulwark of the Sentinels, mostly working with resistances, shock absorption, strength, and high regeneration. Her second one was related to earth magic and enchantments, similar to what Ilea thought Brolin’s Class was.

Chana wasn’t close to meeting the size of a war machine, but if there had been any participants in the tournament that could be compared to the dwarven creations, both of them were now standing on the battlegrounds. Ilea heard some of the dwarven enchanters and guards had already invited her to fight in the Forged Dome.

Last in the team was Elias, the young man floating a little to the side, covered by both ash and air armor, his eyes taking in the opposing team. He was the first Medic Pursuer, his second Class being Wind Executioner. High self regeneration, wind magic with intrusion properties, and an uncanny ability to adapt to enemy abilities and tactics. The man could’ve been the team leader of any other squad, both Shadow or Sentinel, but with Vienna in the group, they had decided she should take the lead.

Ilea had only seen them fight a few times and never in a particularly serious manner. The tournament however had made it clear why they had advanced to the finals. Their levels hovered at around two sixty. Impressive, but lower than some of the teams they had taken apart.

Each of them alone is an absolute monster.

Catelyn took her out of her thoughts. “Veyer? Take you in a fight? No. I get the feeling she’s dangerous. Dangerous to me as well, but it doesn’t feel the same as when I try to gauge you.” Both returned their attention to the fighters.

Opposing the Sentinels was a Shadow squad Ilea had faced some time ago near Riverwatch. In a series of bouts that was. Two of them she had known for longer, Charles and Petra two of the Shadows that helped defend Virilya against the demon hordes charging at the gates. The former used sunlight magic and devastating explosions, the latter a defensive brawler with lava magic as her preferred ability.

They were close in level to the Sentinels, older and more experienced but also lacking the same high recovery of the other team. Capable Shadows but not quite enough to get to the finals of such a prestigious tournament.

Ilea smiled at the absolutely massive beast of a man now crouching down to look at Chana. He wore battered metal armor that looked more like an assortment of random heavy plates. His arm alone had more muscle and mass than the entire form of the Sentinel smiling up to him and waving.

Miller. A monument to strength, and muscle. Ilea remembered his fighting technique was surprisingly refined, using both brute force and a lot of grappling style maneuvers.

Last in their group was the woman floating at the back of the three other Shadows. Half her face covered by a black mask, she wore a set of light plate armor, raven hair falling down her back.

Ilea heard the woman had breached the three hundreds and it seemed she had taken their bout seriously, the higher focus on defense obvious. Rivka had worn a blue dress back when they had their bout after all. In the entire tournament, her astral magic had proven incredibly devastating.

Ilea wondered if anyone besides her even had a resistance against her type of magic. Let’s see if it’s enough to get through the defenses of a well coordinated Sentinel team in the mid two hundreds.

The teams made more distance between each other as the announcer called out each one of them, not a single one with their real names.

Ilea noted that more of the high level nobles and leaders were now moving closer to the railings to see the fight. For most normal spectators, a fight at this level meant mostly shock waves, flashing lights, and loud explosions. Only experienced warriors and mages would be able to follow what was happening on the battlegrounds. And even then the magic used often obscured visibility, people taken out in split seconds because of single mistakes or powerful spells.

They made sure to warn the spectators about those facts but the stands were still full, many of the previous participants watching as well.

Ilea relaxed when the announcer shouted for the fight to begin, the crowd cheering as the Sentinels and Shadows spread out, their magic flaring up in an instant.

Chana’s body was covered in stone from one step to the next as she started running at Miller.

The massive human barreled forward with bellowing laughter.

Petra and Charles moved closer together, the former covered in lava while the latter sent beams of concentrated light at the two airborne Sentinels.

Vienna dodged the insanely fast spells before they had even been cast, stepping through the air as a set of arrows shot out from her bow, exploding in ashen mist. She vanished when a beam of astral energy broke through the clouds. Wind blades and arrows flashed through the air, lava projectiles, beams of light, and astral energies answering in turn.

The two charging brawlers crashed into each other with a boom, the ashen mists around them pushed aside as they exchanged dozens of blows, charges, and throws. Chana teleported around the massive man and aimed for his legs, not reacting in the slightest to his large fists impacting her head and armor. He growled with an excited sound as mana flowed around his body, his movements picking up speed.

Chana was punched into the ground, the floor cracking before she burrowed and broke out between his legs, a heavy kick eliciting a groan from the people who could perceive their speeds.

Miller didn’t seem to care, instead falling backwards with a twirl to catch the small woman. He slammed her into the ground seven times with growing spears of stone cutting at his hand and arm with every impact, the summoned magic ground down by his body with each impact.

Chana managed to rip one of his fingers back and broke it, spinning free as a spear appeared in her hand. She shook her head lightly and staggered back a few steps before she charged, the blade of her weapon slashing into the man’s wrist as she danced around his fast and calculated steps.

The magical battle in the air was growing more desperate in the meantime, the Sentinels unable to hide themselves in the small space against the high level Shadows. They charged through the little ash that remained in the air, the five contestants casting a dozen teleportation spells in the next few moments, appearing in different places while the melee fighters duked it out on the ground. Magic flared up all around the arena, some spells cutting into the ground, others exploding against the barriers. Miller and Chana dodged or ignored the ones that came their way, Petra protecting Charles with her likely higher defense, the two working together nearly as well as Vienna and Elias.

Sixteen seconds had passed with dozens of hits landing on the flying mages, the three Shadows showing cuts and dents on their armors but holding on. Another set of teleports happened with Rivka getting a perfect timing, a bright beam of astral magic slamming into the ashen defense of Vienna, burning through the armor and wiping away the flesh of her legs, burnt bone visible below. She didn’t hesitate and continued her attacks while the Sentinel vanished, her legs regenerating as explosions rang out around her, Elias moving in to defend the woman with well chosen spells and positioning.

Chana had managed to get through the legs of Miller, dozens of cuts finally reaching the bone. She stabbed her spear into his throat and ripped it out, two fists slamming into her armored chest in turn, pulverizing the rock before she landed and reformed her defenses. She vanished and appeared before Vienna to block the beam of astral energy aimed for her injured teammate.

Walls of stone formed and were burnt away as she screamed, defiant against the magic that burned away her armor, skin, and muscle. Elias and Vienna moved behind her, all three of them healing each other as the spell intensified and finally wore off.

Nearby Sentinels had entered the field of battle to make sure the three wouldn’t die but none had used their magic to help, which would’ve ended the fight then and there.

Chana collapsed to one knee as her muscle reformed. She looked up with regenerating eyes when Miller reached her with stumbling legs and a hand to his throat. Three arrows slammed into his chest before explosions of light and lava sent all four of them flying.

Rivka appeared above the still regenerating Vienna with glowing eyes and power flowing around her raised arm. She shook her head and the Sentinel closed her eyes, laying back down.

Elias continued, his flight stabilized as he deflected and dodged a dozen beams of light and lava projectiles. The explosions pushed him back until he vanished, sending a slew of wind blades at the two mages after him. Rivka soon joined them, the three slowly overwhelming the man with their combined attacks, more and more of his armors stripped away.

Miller in the meantime hammered his obsidian knuckles into Chana, the girl moving into the earth after a dozen punches had struck her burnt form. She broke out a few meters away, rolling on the ground with stone covering her bleeding and regenerating body. Remaining hidden in the ground wasn’t allowed after all.

Spear in her hand, she rolled once more when the man landed next to her and grabbed her leg. She was slammed into the ground but managed to slash at his eyes and throat as she was moved through the air.

The man stumbled back as she landed on her feet, looking at her second teammate that was forced to surrender, Petra grappling his injured form while covered in lava, the other mages with their beams at the ready.

Chana twirled her spear and vanished, rushing instead at the three mages that now turned her way and teleported out and away. She followed Rivka, a spherical blast of astral magic striking her stone armor right when her spear scratched against the woman’s plate armor. Light magic burned into her back before Petra appeared and grabbed onto her arm. The two tumbled to the ground where the injured Miller was waiting.

This time he tried to break the woman’s other arm, straining against her strength before a loud snap resounded, the limb ripped off at the shoulder. Chana managed to stomp his right foot into the ground, hitting Petra’s face with her other arm after letting go of her spear. She stumbled forward where she met a beam of astral magic. Chana vanished but Rivka simply raised her other arm, the first spell replaced by the second. The stone covered form was pushed back, her defenses burned away as light magic joined in.

She burrowed and appeared next to Miller, the two exchanging four more blows before she was surrounded entirely, the two melee fighters once more grappling onto her one armed form. She still resisted until the two mages appeared in front and behind her, their magic close enough to burn her hair and eyebrows.

“Twenty eight seconds,” Ilea remarked. Based on what she had seen from the two groups, she had expected the result, though both Rivka’s team and Vienna’s had improved vastly since the last time she had fought them.

Chana sighed before she went to collect her mangled arm.

Miller followed her and was about to punch when the girl raised her arm. She pointed towards the nearby mountains and the man nodded. A nearby Sentinel was chosen and made to fly them away.

The others went to talk as well, shaking hands as they exchanged words. Likely congratulations or pointers.

“She’s going to get very popular with the Sentinels,” Ilea said, looking at Rivka.

“Her magic. Haven’t seen anyone else use something like that. Astral, is it?” Catelyn said.

“Yes. It’s insanely powerful,” Ilea said.

“They would’ve lost without her,” the fox said.

“Yeah. I was afraid Vienna’s group would actually manage it. If Rivka had made a single mistake in that fight…”

Catelyn glanced at her. “You didn’t want your Sentinels to win?”

“Learning experiences are more valuable here. Winning only matters when life is on the line. Let them know they’re not invincible,” Ilea said.

“Rich. Coming from you,” the fox said.

“Just because I’m one of the founders doesn’t mean they have to be as stupid as I am,” Ilea answered.

Chapter 753 Finals

Chapter 753 Finals

“A battle to the death would’ve likely ended differently as well,” Catelyn said as they watched the two groups leave together.

Shadows and Sentinels, Ilea thought as she watched the nobles return to their discussions within her domain. We have both firmly on our side.

“Healers tend to be good at surviving,” she said to the fox.

Catelyn glanced at her with dancing flames in her eyes. “Indeed. I have seen it first hand.”

“You’re not quite so bad yourself, fire fox,” Ilea replied.

Ilea leaned back and summoned a meal for herself, the fight having served as a bit of a distraction from the events out of town. She hoped for no more annoying little surprises, at least until Hector faced Kyrian in the finals. The man seemed like someone who thrived on causing annoying surprises. She watched the performance of a dancing and juggling group as she ate, the pauses between fights longer now as they reached the end of the tournament.

________________________

Lily stayed seated, having bought tickets to the last few fights of the day. She was silent as the performers danced through the sand with expert movements, music playing through the enchanted devices in a manner that she hadn’t heard before coming to Morhill. It wasn’t what kept her still however.

Not even a minute.

She had barely been able to follow the fight. Three Sentinels fighting against four Shadows. Their levels were high, yes, but she had defended herself against Edwin, had fought against a near level two hundred Sentinel herself. The finals of the pre two hundred tournament were nowhere near what she had just seen. It did make her feel a little better about her earlier loss that Celeste went on to win.

These groups however had been in an entirely different league altogether, teleporting around, coordinating spells, timings, angles. What she had managed to grasp was incredibly impressive, and the rest was simply too fast, or obscured by the various spells they used.

Absolute chaos. But they stayed focused until the end. Maybe not the pinnacle of single humans or users of magic, but certainly the pinnacle of coordination. She felt bad for the dancers that had to follow up that fight. Their movements seemed almost crawling. As if slowed down, now that she watched them. She glanced up to the terrace, most of the people already gone and returning to whatever they had been doing up there before. She did spot Ilea sitting at the corner again. The woman had left at some point earlier, though she didn’t know why.

She ordered some food to eat while the performers continued to entertain the crowd. More showed up later, some doing magic shows with various elements. The duo using burning smoke and water to cut through the various clouds looked the most interesting to her but Lily really just wanted to see the finals.

The suns slowly moved over the horizon, shadows moving over the arena, cast from the mountain tops closest to Morhill. She drank from her new canteen when the announcer finally started.

It was time for the main tournament finals. Lily had to stand up to see something, the people around her starting to talk and cheer, getting up to see the contestants. She had seen the Cursed fight before but not the Destroyer. Both of them she had seen down in the preparation hall but neither were there for long or spoke with anyone.

She watched them step away from the elevator, the Cursed clad in heavy metal armor, perfectly linked together without a visible weakness. A few choice spikes adorned his helmet, shoulders, and thighs, the look alone more intimidating than most monsters she had faced. It wasn’t just that however, something about how he moved. It made her feel on edge. As if she watched a dangerous four mark… one that was far more intelligent than the ones she had seen.

The Destroyer in comparison walked around in an almost aloof manner, twirling once as he spread his arms and looked at the crowd, quickly losing interest and focusing on his opponent. The spectators went quiet when he started talking. “You’re the one from that restaurant,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “No Lilith here to save you now.”

The Cursed glanced up to the terrace and then pointed. “She’s right there.”

“You know what I mean,” the Destroyer said and sighed. “You’re no fun. Come on, let’s show these poor fucking people what true power looks like.” He spread his arms, water flowing onto the ground from seemingly nowhere.

His opponent didn’t reply, but instead started floating, six flails appearing around him. They exploded into shards of steel, his hands raised as the storm of needles flew out, entirely ignoring his opponent.

Half the arena ground was already covered in liquid, the Destroyer raising one hand before a broad torrent of water shot out with blinding speed.

Lily took in a deep breath. It looked like the man had just summoned an entire river. She watched the water slam into the floating armored mage, most of it crashing into the barrier a few dozen meters behind. The torrent became smaller, more pressurized, finally as thin as a beam of light magic from the previous fight. A dome of water exploded out from where the spell impacted the shields of steel.

She looked at the ground, the entire arena now covered in half a meter of water, the metal shards having moved down below, sometimes reflecting bits of light as they cut into the stone ground. She knew the curse mage used runes to cast some of his spells, but under water?

The pressurized beam stopped, all the fluid still in the air around the Cursed floated and encased him in a sphere of water.

Lily watched it slowly get smaller, the Destroyer moving his open hands closer together as he himself was elevated by a wave, to be at the same height as his opponent, a broad grin on his face and his eyes glinting with joy. She could see the curse mage’s movements slow down but his metal didn’t seem to be affected in the slightest.

His head cocked to the side ever so slightly, a pulse of magic released from his imprisoned form.

The Destroyer looked around, moving his arms to his chest before he too was encased in a sphere of water. Green light pulsed from below the now meter high water covering the entirety of the fighting grounds.

Lily fell back into her seat when a wave of curse energy slammed into the barrier covering the arena, the pressure pushing her back despite the defensive measures. Most everyone else watching experienced the same, green light now shining from the runic field covering the entire floor of the flooded space. The Curse mage moved his arms, splinters of steel returning to him before they formed rotating plates around him, pushing against the water until he was freed.

The Destroyer grinned within his sphere, torrents added to the floods as he sent beams of pressurized water to the ground in an effort to get rid of the runes. An effort which didn’t seem to make a difference. The runes still glowed, even with stone being cut through. He looked to his left where a massive chunk of spiked iron slammed into his defensive barrier, the thing was held by a chain connected to the Curse mage. It was slowed but not entirely stopped, three more flails entering the sphere and slowly pushing in, towards the center and where the Destroyer was hiding.

Metal spears shot out at the sphere but failed to get more than a few centimeters deep into the water. Instead they returned back to the Curse mage. His armor moved as metal was added to it, a wedge of steel forming in front of him as magic surged around the floating man.

Lily saw a group of Sentinels land behind the barrier where the Curse mage would likely move if he could get past the Destroyer. They talked to the spectators and started moving them out of the way.

They’re scared he’s getting through the barrier? Lily watched as a single form clad in ash appeared next to the Sentinels. Lilith. The woman waited in a relaxed manner, the few people who had remained vanishing instead.

______________________________

Ilea planted herself against the ground. Kyrian wasn’t the best at aiming his wedge attack and if the Destroyer dodged away, she didn’t know if the barrier could keep him inside.

Her friend rushed forward but of course the pirate didn’t budge, his sphere of condensed water split as the metal mage was slowed down, his flails pushing further inside as Hector’s defense was pushed to the limits. Torrents of condensed water pushed against the approaching curse mage as the energies flowed through the entirety of the arena, the barrier already vibrating with his magic.

Bob finally flowed away, gritting his teeth as he teleported to avoid the unstoppable force coming his way.

Kyrian slammed into the barrier with a loud impact, a shock wave flowing over the slightly yellow defense. His eyes met Ilea’s as his metal flowed away.

She smiled below her armor as he turned and rushed out again, his flails moving through the air in wide arcs, slamming into the defenses of the Destroyer. Half the arena was under water by now, the barrier keeping the element inside. The curse runes remained between the cracked ground, pulsing with green light and imposing magic. Ilea now teleported too, staying in the trajectory of her friend who stopped holding back, knowing he wouldn’t smear entire groups of spectators in case he broke through the barrier.

Ilea used her Fabric Tear to get the people further away, the announcer explaining the measures as the people were bunched up, some annoyed, some afraid, most of them excited and cheering.

The pirate now moved through the cursed waters with a black metal mage following in turn, all the pressure and spells unable to stop him entirely. Of course Kyrian was prevented from teleportation but his curse did work too, the man not showing any wear from the constant spells of the Destroyer.

Hector frowned and raised both his arms under water, the dome like barrier now filled nearly to the brim. Magic surged before a thirty meter long black eel rushed out, three meters thick, its maw opening with meter long teeth, lightning flowing along its smooth form. It impacted the metal mage as blue lightning surged all around, the barrier sizzling with the energies.

Ilea watched as metal flails changed shape into scythe like extensions, the man moving through the large eel with blades circling around him. The monster was reduced to chunks of black flesh, blood seeping into the green pulsing pool as Kyrian resumed his charge. He turned his head and looked at Ilea, giving her a nod.

“What is it?” she sent.

“Get me more barriers. Curse,” he sent in a calm voice.

Ilea looked up to the terrace. “Claire? Anti curse barriers?”

The woman appeared a few seconds later, a group of mages moving closer. They floated around the barrier and added five more layers in a variety of shimmering colors.

Kyrian looked around and nodded, his blades splintering and spreading out on the ground, adding to the already glowing formation. He spread his arms as pressurized water slammed into his armor, cutting through the outer layers of his defenses. He opened his eyes as a pulse of magic flared out, slamming into the first barrier, all the water around him pushed aside for a moment before it rushed back to envelop him.

Hector watched with wide eyes and a broad grin as the spell manifested, a pillar of green light flashing up, the first barrier shattered with a loud crash, the second and third gone a moment later.

The water burned away as if consumed by the destructive energies, Hector’s sphere around him reduced moment to moment as he glared at his opponent. “Well played.” He took a last look around before the remaining water around him slammed against his body, the man gone with it.

Ilea saw the teleportation, a flash in the fabric as the spell manifested. Towards the coast. Fancy that. She wondered if the spell worked through different realms, the next barrier shattered before the energy of the massive spell dissipated.

Silence returned to the battleground.

Kyrian landed in the middle of the arena with his metal once more gathering around him, reforming into floating flails before they vanished. Of the water that had previously filled the entire arena, nothing remained.

She smiled as the other barriers came down, the mages still floating nearby. Ilea started clapping, the spectators soon joining in before loud cheers resounded all around.

“Well done,” she sent to her friend.

Kyrian waved at the crowd in a reserved manner. “Well, he was more than a little rude to that waitress. Anyone would’ve done the same.”

“Sure, Kyrian,” she said. “I did promise a favor for the one that beats him but you know you can ask me for anything anyway, at all times.”

“Maybe save me from this attention?” the man asked as Sentinels and Shadows landed near him, nobles and rulers joining in to congratulate the winner of the main tournament.

Ilea smiled. “Sure.” She appeared next to him and spread her wings, charging them as she grabbed his arm and flew up. “Where’d you leave Aliana?”

“She was watching in the crowd,” the man replied, now flying next to her.

Ilea formed an ashen copy and sent it back down. It returned about ten seconds later with the woman in question. “That peak over there has a wonderful view,” she said and pointed to one of the mountains northwest of Morhill, overlooking the Plains that spread out below.

“I appreciate it,” Kyrian said and turned to Aliana, his armored hand outstretched.

Aliana glanced between Ilea and the man, a hunger in her eyes.

“Enjoy yourselves,” Ilea said with a grin and let herself fall down. She saw them close in and kiss before she twirled in the air and spread her wings, slowing her descent until she landed on the half destroyed battle grounds of the main arena.

“You can’t just steal away the winner!” one of the Lys nobles complained, arms spread.

Ilea just glared at him until General Ryse himself came and touched the man’s shoulder.

“She did anyway,” he said and gave her a look. “I appreciate your efforts to protect the spectators.”

She gave him a light nod and watched him leave with the noble.

A nearby earth mage scratched his head as he looked at the entirely shattered and cut apart ground. He glanced up and looked at Ilea, sighing slightly before he got to work.

Chapter 754 Dancing Spells

A note from Rhaegar

Vacation for a week starting on Monday. Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 754 Dancing Spells

“When did anyone decide this would be such an important event?” Ilea asked. She looked around the townhall of Morhill, everything remodeled to be a ballroom. At the moment however, there were rows of chairs set up with a main stage at the end of the near thirty meter long hall. People dressed in well cut suits and lavish dresses occupied the seats, magical lighting set up to dim the back and focus all the attention on the stage, a single painting of a dark winged fighter atop the partially visible head of a Trakorov on display for everyone to see.

Ilea stood at the very back, near one of the large windows overlooking the town below. The evening light still illuminated most of the buildings in the distance.

Claire smiled. “Well, word spread and a few confirming stories… including your own presence at the gallery did lead credence to Cless’ little gallery. I don’t really understand why Violence would get involved in this but here we are. Who could expect a Fae taking from a heavily enchanted vault in my office.”

“I expected you to be at least a little annoyed,” Ilea said, looking at the girl in question, dressed in a long black dress and standing near the wall of the room, both nervous and proud. William and a Shadow stood next to her.

Claire sighed. “I wouldn’t have denied her if she had asked. I mean look at her,” she said with a smile. “Plus the Fae did leave out some of the more problematic works. He is smarter than he lets on.”

“The thing literally talks in one word sentences because it would melt our brains if he would talk normally,” Ilea reminded her friend. “Suppose a few more stories about me won’t matter much. It does feel a little strange… to have depictions of myself hung on the walls of some random noble in the Plains.”

“The subjects depicted will get a commission. As does the city. And Cless of course won’t be able to spend all her gold as she wants, not until I decide she’s old enough. Or if she can argue about whatever she wants. She already mentioned ponies,” Claire said.

“I don’t see the issue with ponies,” Ilea said.

People started raising small plates with numbers written on them. The auction had begun.

“The issue is that she shouldn’t be too spoiled. She likes the attention. It’s on us to keep her grounded. Her Classes are quite remarkable and she will grow up to become a powerful divination mage at the very least,” Claire said.

Ilea touched her arm lightly. “Come on. She’s already taking Classes with the Shadowguard and Sentinels. They won’t let her turn into a twat.” Ilea glanced at the people entering the hall, more to join both the auction and the latter ball and festivities. Catering had already been prepared, the staff of the Golden Drake present with the cooks having relocated into a spacious back hall added by a group of architects, earth mages, and enchanters. Drinks and some starters were already being served. Light music was played by a group of musicians standing on a small stage at the right side of the room, all but the main stage remaining in dim light.

Alyris and her entourage walked by, a few of them giving the pair near the window a look or nod. Malkorn whispered something to the Empress before he walked over, bowing to Ilea and Claire.

“Apologies for the interruption. May I have a word?” he asked. His claws twitched ever so slightly, the lizardman still a little tense, his sharp teeth grinding slightly.

“Of course,” Ilea said and smiled. “Do you want another bout?”

He looked up. “Against you? No. I was looking for the Curse mage, I believe you two are acquainted?”

“We are. I haven’t seen him though,” Ilea said, glancing around the hall to check for Kyrian. Probably still with Aliana.

“He will be here for the ball,” Claire assured.

“How do you know?” Ilea sent.

“Trian and Kyrian know they are supposed to be here for the ball,” she said, her neutral expression not changing in the slightest.

Fear resistance reached the third tier. Or maybe Divination magic resistance? Both probably, Ilea thought, looking at the woman.

“What?” Claire asked.

“Oh, nothing at all,” Ilea answered with a smile.

“Thank you, Head Administrator. A pleasant evening to the two of you,” the massive lizardman warrior said before he returned to the Empress, the group receiving chairs from a few attendants.

Ilea did notice Syrithis turning her head in her direction, her arms crossed as she remained standing.

The monsters below Karth are far easier to read. And deal with.

The auction progressed with more people streaming into the hall as the sunlight moved over the valley, magical street lights soon turned on in the streets below the town hall.

Ilea was glad when the last painting had been sold, the hall brightening a little as the music picked up. Some of Cless’ creations sold for several hundred gold, the event of course turning into some kind of dick measuring contest between the various rulers and nobles in the Plains. They may not have a Meadow but they certainly had funds.

Alyris herself bought a painting depicting Ilea fighting a group of Rose Knights, her half elven companion not particularly amused at that fact.

At least she understood now why the wind healer had an issue with being here.

Ilea smiled at her when the chairs were being removed, the groups splitting up with some attendants wrapping up the paintings to be delivered at a latter time.

“Why does that Empress’ Guard look like she’s going to rip you to shreds?” Claire asked.

Ilea waved at the half elf. “I assume because I might soon be hanging from her bedroom wall.”

Claire nearly choked on her drink, turning away before she masked her smile with coughing.

“You’re responsible for this!” Syrithis said, establishing a telepathic connection.

“I am irresistible, what can I say,” Ilea said. “I’m open to an invitation,” she added with a wink.

Syrithis froze in her tracks, magic surging around her for a moment with a few guests nearby making distance. She shook her head. “You’re insufferable!” She shouted into her mind and walked out of the hall at a brisk pace, the red dress she wore nearly flying over the ground.

Alyris walked past right after, following the half elf outside. She glanced over to the tow women with sparkling silver eyes, her look lingering on Ilea for a little longer than necessary.

Claire made wide eyes. “No. No you didn’t!”

“Not yet,” Ilea mused.

“Don’t sleep with the Empress of Lys!” Claire said. She considered and downed her wine. “I mean… the more I think about it. It could be politically beneficial.” She tapped her glass. “If you’re so eager… I could make a few more suggestions,” she said and looked around the room with a different look in her eyes.

“You’re losing yourself,” Ilea said and spun, her armor replaced by a flowing black dress made entirely of ash. Her shoulders were bare, the misty material moving through the air with a dangerous lightness. She extended her ash covered hand to the woman in front of her.

Claire refocused on the woman in front of her, herself wearing a somewhat conservative blue dress. She tapped the side of her waist when a few runes lit up, the bottom part of her chosen attire flowing out, revealing more than a little of her left leg.

“Daring,” Ilea commented as her friend put a hand into hers.

“Lilith, I assure you, it’s merely a necessity to dance,” she said. “Perhaps this one time, I won’t turn this into a lesson.”

“How very gracious of you, godqueen of Ravenhall,” Ilea replied, leading the woman onto the extensive hall where a few pairs were already moving in tandem to the slow music.

“I’m rather sure that title is reserved for you,” Claire said.

Ilea ignored the people looking at them, focusing entirely on the steps she had spent quite a bit of time learning. Her aura flared up as she followed the music, the movements controlled and in tune, far slower than what she had to deal with fighting a four mark. And still, there was something magical about it. She smiled as they moved, soon mostly focused on Claire as the steps came on their own. Nothing quite as impressive as the team competitions or the professional dancers performing between the fights but maybe that was precisely why she enjoyed it so much.

The ballroom filled slowly, more pairs joining as the music grew louder, the main focus changing from conversations and mingling to dancing. Ilea noticed herself adding a mist of moving ash into the mix after a while, her manipulation and domain allowing her to add mesmerizing patterns to her own movements, increasing the challenge a little in turn. She smiled when shards of ice joined in, William dancing past with Philly, his eyes locking with Ilea’s for a split second, a curt smile on his face.

Flames and lightning soon joined, some of the lower leveled individuals organically moving to the edges as wind and moving silver joined ash at the center. “Now’s the time to add your explosions,” Ilea remarked, twirling her partner before they slowed down, the piece coming to an end.

Claire laughed and finished with a few steps.

Ilea stepped back as both herself and Claire moved into the well paced crowd, all partners switched out. She found herself looking at a grinning Dragonkiller, sparks of lightning flowing onto Ilea’s arms as they touched.

“Wonderful idea. Makes the whole thing more exciting,” the Elder said. “A taboo in such company but I always knew we thought alike.”

“Just remember, it’s not a fight,” Ilea said. If it really was a taboo, she didn’t much care. Why shouldn’t all these insanely powerful and experienced mages show off their magic a little?

Pierce moved in close as the dance started, the woman taking the lead. “Oh but it is,” she said in a whisper, a broad grin on her face as she started to move.

Ilea was swept along by the obviously experienced dancer, spun time and time again as the music became more frantic and fast. Pierce tried to throw her into the air, her arms straining before she changed the move in a perfectly smooth transition.

The piece came to a crescendo of violins, flowing into a calm set of notes as the Dragonkiller moved in close one last time. “Seems I have to increase my Strength,” she mused and let go, flowing into the mass of dancers, dozens of spells in the air, elements mingling in mesmerizing patterns, people showing off with their control rather than their brute power.

Ilea turned and came face to face with a familiar masked individual.

The half elf extended her arms in a casual manner, the music resuming as they moved in close.

Air and ash flowed around them as they spun and spun, the earlier aggression gone from the half elf, felt without a word spoken.

As the piece moved on, Ilea grinned at the woman. “Daughter of Isalthar. Why don’t you show off a little?” she asked as ashen wings formed on the back of her dress, mist like and ethereal as she willed.

Syrithis raised her head a little, the air around her changing as she pulled on Ilea’s arm, the two flying up, twirling with the music as black wings flowed in a gust of changing winds. They moved from side to side, flowing over the crowd and soon joined by other brave pairs, some fairing better than others.

Ilea found herself turning forward, their dresses adjusting in mid air before they came to a perfect halt with the last note of the music.

A barely audible hiss came from the half elf before she vanished into the crowd.

She smiled to herself, the satisfied hiss not something the constantly fighting and brooding Elves she knew produced very often.

Her next partner was a well dressed brown haired and bearded noble, red lightning flowing around him as he bowed. “May I have this dance?” he asked with a serious expression, the hint of a smile tugging on his lips.

“I like the shirt,” Ilea said, letting Trian take the lead.

“Thank you. I will refrain from complimenting you in company of all these important individuals, Lilith. Lest there be rumors,” he said as red lightning spread from his back, the man leading her into the air with a confident and smooth motion.

Ilea was reminded of the bouts they had early on, her hunting him down with both of them teleporting through Eregar’s Haven, through the forest in the southern village, them flying together through the Great Salt, the realm of Kohr. They twirled and spun, the familiarity with each other allowing them to try more difficult maneuvers, adjusting on the fly as they flew, ashen lightning surrounding them.

They twirled down to the ground hand in hand as the piece came to an end.

“Thank you,” Trian said in a whisper, staying close for a moment before he moved away, his eyes locked with hers.

Don’t make me fall for you, Ilea thought as she watched him flow into the crowd. She looked up to see another lightning mage opposite her. Oh thank fuck.

Joel Fiore smirked, extending his hand towards her.

Ilea smiled back. There goes my faint feeling of romance.

The dance continued for over half an hour, some in the outer circles soon moving out and watching from the walls, people returning to conversations and laughter, others choosing a more relaxed manner of dancing, farther apart from the magical spectacle at the center of the large hall.

Ilea was about to take a breather herself when she came face to face with two yellow eyes, flowing black hair, and a perfect smile.

Felicia wore a flowing black dress, her pale skin revealed at her shoulders and arms, hands covered in black gloves. She moved closer and extended her hand.

Ilea suddenly felt the heat from all the spells around her, the music flowing into the background as they came close. She could feel the breath of her dancing partner on her shoulder, Felicia’s lips parting lightly. They remained on the ground as many others flew back up. Air mingled with ash in an intricate dance, more instinctual than controlled.

“Scandalous, to start such a spectacle,” Felicia said in a whisper, her face still quite close as she started, the noble taking the lead.

Ilea followed, unable to formulate a response. She felt herself going through the motions, entirely focused on the eyes of her partner, her neck, her shoulders, arms, the hint of legs below her flowing dress, the powerful magic flowing all around them.

The music ended, their hands still linked, neither of them letting go.

“I could use some air,” Ilea suggested.

Felicia opened her eyes further, smiling a little wider.

They vanished a moment later, appearing above the structure. Ilea moved them out into the wilderness before she activated her third tier blink, the two moving a little closer together as the magic manifested below and around them.

The fabric split and realigned, the two appearing in a familiar living room. Ilea’s arms moved around the woman as she felt Felicia doing the same, a crack of wood interrupting them for a moment.

Felicia moved her head back a little and raised her brows. “I don’t know if your house can take it,” she said in a whisper, breathing in before she gulped.

“I don’t care,” Ilea said as she moved them up to her bed, ash flowing out and away from her body, reinforcing the bed frame and floor. Their mana intermingled as their faces moved in closer. She paused for a moment, their eyes closing before they kissed. It felt as if a spark of lightning flowed through her.

Felicia moved away with slightly cloudy yellow eyes. “You know this will cause… quite a few rumors… I don’t want to take advantage of you, Ilea… I just-” she was interrupted by Ilea pulling her closer, both of them quickly beyond caring about the political implications and their somewhat complicated relationship.

Ash moved away from her body, Ilea carefully moving behind the woman, looking for a way to get rid of the dress.

Felicia turned around with a smile, moving her arms around Ilea’s neck. “It’s made with storage items in mind.”

Ilea felt Felicia’s legs brushing against hers a moment later, their bodies meeting as they kissed again. Intimate, eager, perhaps the first time she felt vulnerable with a partner since arriving in Elos. And yet it felt right. The low suns lent dim light to the underused home, hushed breaths intermingling as the giggling pair fell into the bed.

Chapter 755 Era

A note from Rhaegar

Check out Steamforged Sorcery by Actus :) : https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/46638/steamforged-sorcery-a-steampunk-litrpg

Chapter 755 Era

Ilea craned her neck, biting her lips as a light moan escaped her. She started breathing faster as she grasped the sheets with her hands, her legs twitching slightly before she felt her muscles flex.

Felicia held her legs, looking up a few seconds later, a sheepish smile on her face. She moved up, stopping with her face above Ilea’s.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Ilea said in a whisper, trying to turn to the side.

Felicia put a hand on her shoulder, stopping the movement before she went down and kissed her neck. “Not so beastly anymore,” she whispered.

Ilea looked back with a grin, ashen limbs moving out from her back.

Felicia sighed, both of them lying next to each other, utterly exhausted. “We should probably get back… the suns will set soon.”

“So very responsible,” Ilea mused but the bite wasn’t there. She wasn’t entirely focused. “I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” the wind berserker said and stretched. “Do you have a bath in here?”

“I usually use the ocean,” Ilea said as she slowly sat up. Her legs were still shaking. “But I do have a bath… yes. Might be nicer.” She moved them both down and past the enchantments, the tub filling up with heating water a moment later. She helped it along with Embered Heart.

They soaked in the heat for a few minutes, Ilea relaxing her head on a perfectly shaped pillow of ash. She opened her eyes. “Let’s go raid Keyla’s kitchen. She’s in the town hall.”

Felicia sighed. “You want to show up there together, like some ravenous beasts?”

“Exactly. We might not even miss the ceremony,” Ilea said.

“I’m sore,” Felicia murmured.

“If only you knew a healer,” Ilea mused and used her spell on both of them, quickly bringing them back to life. They stayed in the water for a few more minutes before she stood up and stretched.

Yellow eyes followed her every movement.

Ilea smiled and went down to kiss the woman, teleporting both of them out in the next moment.

“Ilea! At least warn me,” Felicia exclaimed, covering her chest before a set of armor appeared over her body.

Ilea laughed and moved in close, herself still not wearing anything. “Who’s going to see? The swordmouth tigers?” she asked, turning to the cave. Black wings spread on her back as her mantle formed in the shape of her dress. The same design she had gotten in Yinnahall, with a far more comfortable and durable material.

“Do you ever wear anything below that?” Felicia asked as she took flight as well, not wearing a helmet but otherwise ready for battle.

Ilea looked at her as she moved her wings. “That’s non of your business, Redleaf,” she said with a smile.

The woman rolled her eyes and followed, the two soon flying over the patches of forest in the valleys of the southern mountain chains.

Morhill was cast in shadow by the nearby mountains when two hungry women entered a busy kitchen near the town hall.

“Code black,” Keyla said after taking a single glance at Ilea.

All the cooks tensed up and finished what they were doing, resuming their work in a sped up manner.

Ilea got her first plate thirteen seconds later, sitting down on the kitchen floor with the armored Felicia next to her. She wolfed down the seared fish fillets in seconds as Keyla approached.

She crouched down. “I can set up a table or something too. Are you okay?” She glanced between the two of them.

Ilea nodded, both receiving another plate by one of the cooks. “I am, thanks Keyla. I love you.” She chose telepathy due to her occupied mouth.

The dragonlike woman laughed before she patted Ilea on the head, one of very few people allowed such a gesture. “You two eat your fill,” she said with a toothy smile, looking between them, her reptilian eyes lingering on Felicia for a few seconds before she stood up and got back to commanding the kitchen staff.

“Code black?” Felicia asked between bites.

“No idea. That’s her,” Ilea said.

“Suppose you have to have an emergency plan for a hungry Lilith,” Felicia mused.

Ilea didn’t reply. She didn’t care, entirely absorbed by the continuous stream of marvelous dishes. Twenty minutes later she sat in the kitchen with her entire system focused on digestion, her mind dulled and happy. I should fund some restaurant award system here in Elos. Keyla wins everything.

Someone opened the door to the kitchen and found the two women sitting on the floor. Claire took in the sight with one raised brow. “Took my advice to heart, did you?” she commented. “Greetings, Lady Redleaf. The ceremony starts in a few minutes, central town square. Would be nice to have both of you there.”

“I just ate,” Ilea said, looking up at the woman.

Claire crouched down slightly and offered a hand. “I can see that.”

Ilea grasped it while grumbling, Claire straining as she helped the woman up.

“You’ve grown again,” Claire said.

“More dense, yes,” Ilea replied. She offered a hand to Felicia, helping up the Imperial Major and head of House Redleaf.

“You should be there too,” Claire said to Keyla but the cook waved her off.

“Have to prepare for the next round,” Keyla said. “I have a reputation to uphold. Unlike some people.”

“Yes, yes,” Ilea said and straightened her hair, checking herself through her domain. She looked fine. “Let’s go then,” she said and teleported the four of them out, including all the cooks.

“Ilea what are you doing!” Keyla gasped.

“Just blame me if someone complains. Lilith sanctioned closure, for an hour or two. Come on, you all did a wonderful job the past few days, and before,” Ilea said.

Keyla sighed. “Very well. Everyone, suits and dresses,” she handed her storage ring to the group of cooks, each one in turn changing into a well cut outfit in their own style, the ring making the process incredibly quick.

The head cook herself changed into a set of light scale armor, black and yellow complimenting the beige colors of her own scales.

Ilea smiled, watching it all. “Wait, what about the wait staff?”

Keyla whistled towards the town hall, a group of fifteen people rushing out a moment later. They joined the waiting group with a casual demeanor, as if everything was planned.

Sentinels and Shadows, not at all the true beacons of power in the south.

“Where do you find staff like that?” Felicia asked.

Keyla gave her a look. “You train them yourself, pay them well, listen to their complaints, and provide the best working environment that you can.”

Claire chuckled.

“Should’ve seen that coming, noble,” Ilea said, touching her neck with a brief motion. “To the festival!”

“I do most of that too. Don’t have the time to train anyone myself,” Felicia muttered to herself as they walked towards the distant flashes of magic. Music soon joined in, various groups of musicians standing atop rooftops with Shadowguards or Sentinels nearby.

The central square of Morhill spanned over a hundred meters in both length and width, a large circular fountain set at the center. Near all the space was packed with people, small pockets open where performers showed off their magic tricks, illusions, and element manipulation. A wooden platform had been added to one side of the square, various representatives of the Meadow Accords, Ravenhall, and Morhill already present.

Their group joined the mass of people moving into the square, Ilea soon spotting a familiar fire mage in her domain. “I want to check this out,” she sent to the others.

“Kind of have to be up there, I’ll see you later,” Claire sent and vanished in the next moment.

Felicia followed and stopped when Ilea reached the edge of a performance pocket. “The Imperials rented a balcony for the occasion. I should join them.”

“Of course,” Ilea answered, looking at the woman next to her with a smile. “We should do that again sometime,” she added with a smirk.

Felicia’s cheeks flushed a little, her heartbeat increasing in turn. “We…” “We, yes. We should. You know where to find me… but I suppose with teleportation gates it’s a lot easier for me to go places too…”

Ilea grabbed her hand amidst the crowd. “I’ll show you the north sometime. I know some very good spots.”

“That sounds wonderful. Yes… oh, I think some of the officers have spotted me. I’ll stay in touch! Thanks for… the evening,” Felicia said.

“The same to you,” Ilea said, considering if she should kiss the woman despite all the people nearby but she didn’t want to make it into some kind of declaration. Them leaving together already implied enough. She was sure Felicia could somehow turn it into an advantage within the politics of Virilya but there was little reason to add fuel to the fire.

The woman gave her a last smile before she vanished towards the balcony occupied by the nobility of Lys.

More than a few of them glanced down at Ilea but she was more interested in the pyromantic performance of Jirayu, the mage twirling in place as his flames appeared in flying birds around him, each moving in a distinct pattern. Compared to the dancers, it was clear the man had thought about and trained his routine. Lines of fire joined in as the birds started moving in more erratic patterns, some touching the lines and exploding in small but controlled bursts of flame, Jirayu himself dancing in place, rhythmic movements adding to the performance.

Ilea clapped when he came to a stop, many of the nearby crowd cheering as coins were thrown his way.

The man bowed with a smile, quickly collecting everything as the circle around him closed, his performance no longer demanding people to stand aside.

“Quite impressive,” Ilea sent his way.

Jyraiu looked around in confusion but refocused on the coins. “Collecting copper like some second rate performer. I should’ve been in the arena.”

“Could’ve asked me, you know,” Ilea said.

“You could’ve… wait… fuck…” his groans were muffled by the chatter around him, the performer punching the ground as he realized the missed opportunity.

____________________________

Helena glanced at the parting women. Claire Russel, former nobility of Kroll, head administrator of Ravenhall and one of the most powerful people in the Plains. Keyla Aranoth, head cook of the Golden Drake, experimental and dedicated. One of the best cooks in the Plains. Felicia Redleaf, new head of her House, quickly rising to importance and widespread respect within the capital due to her competence and her actions in the war. And she’s refrained from using her connection to Lilith to the extent I would. Always seemed like she wanted that part to stay hidden. Old friends perhaps? Helena smiled. She remembered the times when sentimentality prevented her from taking advantage of a situation. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Lilith herself she didn’t exactly consider, the woman focused on some pyromancer’s performance. Just another adventurer at first glance.

“You look particularly unpleasant tonight,” Heron said as he relaxed, leaning against the balcony railings.

Helena looked at the drink in her hand. “I rented this space to think. And I don’t remember sending out any invitations.”

“You’ve failed to have me assassinated in the past. Don’t act so cold. I can tell when you’re not in a good mood,” he said.

She looked at the set up stage. Nothing grand. Wood, a few banners here and there. Something one would find in a town like Morhill. And yet she was here. The Empress of Lys was here. Half the Lily was present. She had even seen Maureen watch the tournament disguised as an adventurer.

How could I be in a good mood? The world was about to change and everyone was celebrating. Long range teleportation, brought to us by some creature from an unknown realm. A being that could wipe out half of humanity if it used its magic against them.

“You cannot stop it anymore,” Heron said as he walked next to her, a light smile on his face. “Whatever our chances, whatever the risks. Things are now in motion that neither you nor me have seen. The next decade will be quite interesting.”

She didn’t disagree. A part of her looked forward to it. Helena was bad at losing. She knew as much, and wanted to have this balcony as some sort of solitary space to be miserable. Heron’s uninvited presence cut through that but she was too proud to send him off as well. He knew her too well and could use it against her in the future.

How dare you make me excited again without my permission, she thought, looking down at Lilith, the incomprehensible woman walking through the crowd with hundreds of eyes on her, uncaring for anything but the next mundane performer. “Infuriating.”

“Did you eat dinner?” Heron asked with raised brows.

Helena whipped her head his way and glared.

She had of course, otherwise the square would be coated in blood. Then again she didn’t know how she would fare against entire groups of Sentinels. The tournaments had proven they were remarkably tough, even more so for their respective levels. She mostly scoffed at the catastrophic failure of the other Healing Orders. If they had such powerful Classes as an option, why had they never chosen to train their people?

“Welcome, citizens of the Plains,” a voice rang out from the many enchanted devices set up around the square.

Helena already tuned out the speech, the presence of all the rulers here more courtesy than interest. They already knew about the Meadow Accords, about the teleportation gates. She watched the various groups speak, the fox and her council introducing themselves to the stunned and excited crowd, followed by the dwarven war machines. What a quaint little circle, she thought with gritted teeth, looking down at her swirling drink. When did I get so old and bitter?

She smashed the glass in her hand, the sound entirely drowned out at the cheers of the crowd. Heron remained in calm contemplation.

“… teleportation gates available to everyone for use. Through Morhill you will have access to the frontiers of our lands. The Isanna desert, the North, the cities of the west. Monster attacks will be repelled by adventurers, Shadows, and Sentinels.”

Get on with it.

“Various gates are already present in the city. From this moment on, they’re open to the public. Depending on the countries and cities involved, there will be a fee to pay but it should remain more than reasonable compared to the physical journey. The safety of the gates has been tested by Lilith herself. May you find your way through the Plains, merchants, travelers, and adventurers.”

The speech ended in a decidedly neutral stance, as if the potential conflicts and tensions weren’t clear to the speakers. Well chosen, Helena supposed. If any large scale struggles arose, it would be blamed on whatever country or settlement involved instead of the Accords.

And everyone will want their hands on that piece of magical technology. Helena wondered who would figure it out first. If anyone did at all. The Taleen ones had been around for long enough and nobody had managed to duplicate anything remotely similar. However now there were human mages around that could be made to share information. There was documentation to be stolen, and there were much safer environments to study the gates compared to a Taleen dungeon. Plus now they knew it was possible for humans to produce. At least that was the assumption. That or the Meadow provided everything.

I will have to face it again. Or have other people go interact with it. She schooled her face, hiding away the slight smile that threatened to break out. She was afraid. Terrified even. Finally.

Helena was aware that there were monsters out in the wilds she could go face tomorrow but it always struck her as madness to engage in such activities when they simply weren’t a necessity. And her entire order would fall apart, devolving into petty squabbles and bloodshed until one of her underlings gained control. No, she was right where she needed to be.

Cheers, music, and excited conversations drowned out her thoughts, the celebrations fanned once again by the various announcements she had already known about. Merchants would be scrambling to change their entire businesses, nobles will be pushing for regulation or bans to prevent losses, guards will be looking for more favorable positions in remote towns once teleportation becomes more widespread. The implications and possibilities were many, too much for anyone to ignore. Helena had plenty of considerations to worry about herself.

“And so a new era begins,” Heron mused.

“The era of prosperity? Of teleportation? Or the era of the Meadow?” she asked.

The man smiled. “Only time will tell. I shall return to my Empress. May you find favor in the coming chaos,” he said and bowed lightly.

Helena mirrored his gesture, a new drink in her hand as she watched the celebrations. She finished it and vanished. To work then. Six of her assassins appeared close to her as they made their way to the Virilya gate. Investments to get a gate near Myrefield had already been made. Far enough away to remain somewhat safe of course but they couldn’t ignore the benefits. Nobody could.

Chapter 756 Scrambled Eggs or something

Chapter 756 Scrambled Eggs or something

Ilea sat on a mountain peak with Claire and Trian. Various Shadows and Sentinels had chosen the same mountain for the close vicinity and wonderful view of Morhill. Most of the nobles had chosen to remain in a less adventurous environment to watch the closing fireworks.

Impressive displays of pyromancy and alchemy as Claire had informed. And an apparently particularly wasteful manner to throw out rare ingredients.

Ilea didn’t really mind. They looked nice, and something enjoyed by thousands of people couldn’t be an absolute waste. What she did instead was compare the displays to various spells she had seen from monsters in the wild. She judged them lacking, but there was something nice about not having to dodge everything or worry about one’s life. From time to time.

“What are your plans now?” Claire asked as she looked over from the rock she was sitting on.

Ilea glanced at her before she returned her attention back to the yellow sparkling light exploding above Morhill. Now would be the perfect time to attack, hmm. She knew that Wayland and plenty of high level individuals were taking care of security. She assumed seeing all those devastating rituals and summonings left more than just an impression.

“Further into Karth and I still need two more keys. I hear there’s an entire committee planning the distribution of gates. To get the most efficient coverage. I suppose I can help with that too, it’s going to be a busy time for a lot of people,” Ilea said.

“I wanted to ask if you could lend a hand. I assume once a few important gates are set down, others can take over. It should save us weeks or even months if you’re the one placing those with Iana and Chris. A few Shadows could at least try to match your speed but we can only trust people so far,” Claire replied.

“Talking business again? Why don’t you two relax, at least for one evening,” Trian said as he swirled a glass of wine.

“You look like a noble,” Ilea said, adding ash to the rock she had chosen to make it far more comfortable.

Trian shrugged. “Can I get some of that too?” He gestured to the ashen rest supporting her back.

“Sorry. Old noble,” Ilea corrected as she added to his seating situation.

“You’re ruining the entire point of being in the wild. It’s supposed to be uncomfortable and cold,” Claire said, another set of fireworks exploding above the town below.

“You’d need a little more to make me feel either uncomfortable, or cold,” Ilea said.

Claire waved her off. “Can you even feel cold?”

Ilea nodded slowly, remembering the Ice Elemental. She had changed since then, that much was true, but she still assumed the being could affect her form. At least to the extent of her feeling cold. Might take most of my body being frozen though.

“Where’s Kyrian?” Trian said. “He’s not been around since you flew off with him.”

Ilea smiled, summoning a bottle of ale. “He’s fine.”

“It sounds like you know more than that,” the headmaster said.

“He’s probably with Aliana,” Claire said.

“Oh? Ah right, she was around,” Trian murmured.

“Well informed, you two, aren’t you?” Ilea commented.

“He’s mentioned her before. Once or twice, maybe ten times,” Trian said. “It’s either that or his birds. Only two things he seems to enjoy talking about.”

“Well you go on and on about your Sentinels,” Claire mused. “I do wonder when you’ll finally fall for one of them.”

“That is not a consideration. Besides, a lifestyle like that is far too dangerous for my liking,” Trian said. “Plus my entire authority would be shattered.”

“What about Sidney?” Ilea asked, a smile on her face.

“Far too obsessed with battle. Our conversations die beyond combat evaluations and strategy,” he said. “She’s competent, but as far as romantic interest goes…”

“Wasn’t there another one in the faculty?” Claire asked, looking at Ilea.

“Lyza, yeah. She’s a little… hmm… direct and… unorthodox,” she said. Crazy would’ve been the word she had chosen but then who was she to talk?

Trian remained suspiciously quiet.

So that’s how it is.

“Did she reject your advances?” Claire asked.

“She… there were no advances,” Trian said.

“Doesn’t sound like that’s everything to the story,” Ilea mused. “Noble.”

“I have made… attempts. To show my interest in courting her. We always have wonderful conversations but I believe she is not exactly interested,” Trian explained.

“Describe the attempts,” Ilea said.

“Why?” he asked.

“She’s… well let’s just say she reminds me of myself a little. In some ways. Depending on what you did, she might’ve just not been able to pick up on it,” Ilea said.

“I see. But… isn’t it obvious if I wear deep red colors in her presence? And we shared harniss tea, which is seen as a sign of deep affection in the…” he slowed down as he explained, eyes locked with Ilea until he glanced away. “Yes. It seems. I have made some miscalculations.” He stood up and straightened his vest. “I… will see you later.”

“Good luck,” Ilea said with a grin.

Claire waved and the man vanished.

Ilea looked at the woman as she shook her head. “Anyone you fancy, besides me of course.”

Claire leaned forward, supporting her chin with both hands. “Who could match up with Lilith? But no, I’m not looking for anything at the moment, however there are a few Shadows I would take an interest in, if I made the time. Right now, it just doesn’t fit into my schedule.”

“Workaholic,” Ilea commented.

“I have my ways to relax and take time off, Ilea. Don’t you worry about me. I’m not the one out there, fighting unfathomable creatures,” Claire said.

“Right,” Ilea mused.

Claire looked at her for a few seconds. “You’re thinking about them, aren’t you?”

Ilea looked away. “Maybe.” She didn’t know if her interaction with Felicia had released stress or if it had excited her more. A bit of both probably, but she could tell seeing all those fights in the tournament made her itch to get out there again. To find a suitable challenge, or ten.

She stayed until the fireworks came to an end, until the suns rose on the horizon and the visitors started to leave through the teleportation gates. Many were hesitant at first but as more people came and went, the benefits soon outweighed the prospective arduous journey. Some of course couldn’t be convinced that the magic was safe. Still, the queues in front of the teleportation gate buildings reached far into the road, a system soon added where people could reserve spots for specific times. Many remained in Morhill for the better part of the day or even another night as the stalls continued to sell food, one group of Shadows even managing to organize their own tournament.

Ilea heard about some Sentinels gathering adventurers for resistance training, a practice that would surely become more common as the battle healers started to move out into the world more and more. The successful festival, reveals, and tournaments already lent them a whole lot of credibility, the nobility from the large countries and cities now familiarized with the organization. Trian apparently had to deal with dozens of requests for Sentinels to join high level Shadow and adventuring parties. New applications weren’t scarce either.

She wondered how many Sentinels would actually join up with another team in the end. The ones who decided to stay alone did so for many reasons, working in a team suddenly would kind of defeat that. However she could see the benefits of a Sentinel joining a group for a particularly dangerous dungeon or exploration. Priority offers for expedition spaces were already coming in as well.

All of it meant a lot more work for the administrators of the organization, next to everything else they had to manage. Trian however was in a great mood, for various reasons.

The gate to Hallowfort currently had a requirement of level two hundred, same as the Shadow’s Hand. At least until knowledge of the areas there spread more and adventurers realized how much more dangerous the north was compared to most of the Plains.

Merchants from all over were scrambling to adapt their businesses and products, selling off their carts and renting out store rooms and potential production facilities in previously uninteresting remote towns and villages. Hundreds of offers from both nobles, merchants, and even various military officials came in for gate connections, but they were all refused, as was previously discussed within the Accords and with the rulers of the various countries. Once finished, the teleportation network plan was shared and approved. Complaints and change suggestions were of course plenty but only those which improved trade or accessibility were considered for now. There were enough veterans of more than a few wars and battles within the Accords to quickly realize when a suggested gate offered nothing but a military advantage to the country it resided in.

Three days in, there were already reports of thirty nine attempts to steal, blackmail, or otherwise extort information about the gate technology. The corpses soon reduced Wayland’s work, likely to pick up again once the larger players started their schemes. Most of the early attempts were independents smelling a particularly lucrative opportunity. They either ended up with fees, in prison, banned from the territory of the Accords, or outright killed if they tried something more direct than breaking into a teleportation hall.

The new buildings and arenas in Morhill were to be extended over the next months as adventurers and travelers would use the hub to both visit the south or stop by to prepare for their journey. Other hubs with in country connections would be added to the various capitals, each gate of course still only connecting to one other corresponding platform.

Some very aware individuals now sold their store of metals and materials used to create the gates, at an absurdly increased price of course. Others straight up looked for and opened mines to gather the required ores.

A rippling shift of possibilities and interests moved through the Plains and beyond as everyone scrambled to adjust or get their piece of the cake. Small scale conflicts flared up here and there but with how well informed and prepared the various rulers were beforehand, nothing escalated to substantial levels. At least not officially.

In the coming weeks, Ilea and her group of enchanters traveled through the Plains at ridiculous speeds, adding core gates from where other groups would embark to connect more remote locations. Morhill continued to expand, both above and in the underground. Smiths, tailors, tanners, inn keepers, brewers, courtesans, and all kinds of merchants scrambled to rent out or build more space in the growing hub of the new central adventuring town. Connections to all kinds of frontiers led away from the city, with potential unknown dungeons, monster parts, untapped resources, and undiscovered lands waiting to be found. The entire risk and cost calculations changed with weeks and months removed from the journey. Injuries, deaths, and disappearances increased sharply in turn, not something that managed to dissuade many adventurers.

Hallowfort soon saw their first entire groups of adventurers from the south, Shadows and high level teams, traveling nobility or high level people hired to buy and sell goods. Most Dark Ones coming south preferred to stay in Morhill or Ravenhall, the high amount of adventurers and general acclimation to powerful individuals letting them blend in near seamlessly. The same was true for the frontier cities in the west and near the northern Plains. It would take time for particularly safe cities in the central regions of the Empire, Kroll, or Nipha to get used to the presence of the Awakened. Many were still being stopped or outright attacked by guards, soldiers, and even local adventurers. Not that the experienced northern survivors had much to fear in terms of a dangerous fight.

As Shadows started to explore the north, Awakened started exploring the southern wilds, the first mixed party forming only forty two hours after the gates were opened to the public. After a drinking contest escalated into a fist fight of ridiculous proportions.

It didn’t take long for the first new settlements to spring up on the various frontiers, some simply there to accommodate the adventurers that chose those gate destinations, others founded by parties or brave settlers that discovered favorable locations, either due to an abundance of resources, lucrative dungeons and ruins, or simply for the potential defense capabilities. What had taken hundreds of people and just as much gold to organize just a few weeks prior now required a few determined souls. Material and people could be transported through the gates, meaning a single person could buy a load of bricks, transport them to Morhill, then to the Frontier, sell them there or transport it further to wherever their new camp, home, settlement, or lair would be. All that before they could return and sleep in a warm bed in Morhill, Virilya, or wherever they chose. The fees were low enough for most everyone to be able to use the gates several times a day, or even paid for entirely by the involved countries themselves.

The Accords assumed the first territory claims by existing or newly founded cities, countries, or even individuals would soon lead to small scale conflicts. The frontier gates themselves and a certain area around them were however declared neutral ground by all parties involved. Morhill and the Accords of course profited the most due to said gates only being accessible from the southern city.

The Forged Dome went from an unknown, to one of the most sought after entertainment venues in a matter of weeks. The many tournaments and competitions in Morhill didn’t let down either, soon connected to allow participation in the Pit if certain rounds or fights were won in Morhill. The technology and gear from the Pit of course spread into the Plains like a wildfire, the first imitating war machines cropping up about one and a half months after the festival, the creations of course leaving much to be desired.

Ilea spent her days bringing the enchanters to where they needed to be, her own gates allowing her to get back to Karth or the Meadow in between, training both her skills and Classes. The frontier gates started helping her with resistances as well, dozens of different monsters she had never encountered before near the locations. The issue remained of course that most surface dwelling creatures in the Plains, even near the frontiers, didn’t have the necessary power to severely damage her. One such frontier was the same stretch of forest she had arrived in, north of Riverwatch. The area was mostly designated as such because it technically belonged to the Navali forest, most humans unaware that the main forest was located far west of Karth and that few Elves cared to make the trip. The risk of encountering a young fighter from the Fire Wastes remained of course, though the chances were rather low.

The delve into the depths of Karth was slow going, the group fighting through copious amounts of dangerous creatures, most of the caverns leading to dead ends, territories of four mark creatures living in the dark or within the lakes of lava. They discovered a new section after Ilea had dived through one particularly large body of molten rock with the depth of nearly one kilometer. Of course not without being interrupted by a dozen four mark eel like creatures made near entirely of lava themselves. That pool alone took nearly two weeks to clear.

Of course her focus wasn’t entirely on Karth. The weekly bouts with Evan continued, as did some help for the Accords, occasional monster infestations at gate locations or recovering a lost team of adventurers in a newly discovered dungeon. When she was in the area that was, and had the time.

Felicia became another focus, Ilea not exactly considering them an item but she did visit more than a few times. With all their projects and busy schedules, both were glad to spend some time together in between. Ilea learned exactly which nobles in Virilya were supposed to go fuck themselves, were dimwits, imbeciles, incapable, incapable but nice, capable, too capable, arrogant, and too controlling. She was happy to listen to some drama after long hours in the wilderness or fighting monstrosities below Karth.

The last thing she invested time in was her search for the last two Taleen keys. It didn’t prove easy, one of them uncomfortably close to what she considered Audur’s potential domain, and the other deep within Elven territory. The former at least was below ground, her ability to hide from the Dragon likely increased due to that fact. However it added yet another unfathomably large underground system of cracks and crevices for her to search through. This one in the northern lands.

The Fire Wastes themselves, she found didn’t stretch quite as far as she had expected. Barely the size of a small country, she moved along the edge and far above ground on the Naraza mountain chain, always westwards as the key locator guided. Ilea observed more than a few large scale battles between Elves and Taleen, some between Elves themselves, and others between Elves and monsters from the forest, the creatures fighting back against the ash and fires. The surface of the wastes didn’t offer any insight into the Elven dwellings, some black mountain like shapes visible in the distance from time to time but along the northern edge, she couldn’t find any discernible structures. Burnt husks of trees, blackened bones, and entire stretches littered with dull green steel.

It was a relief when she found the locator still pointing westward after she had passed the domain of fire, past Audur’s domain northwards and soon past what she could see of the Navali forest itself. High reaching mountains surrounded her on all sides as she checked the locator. She was in what she considered northern territory, but farther west than she had ever traveled. Besides the Krahen Isles of course. Ilea considered if the key was within Vampire territory when she reached a mountain peak, looking down on the largest valley she had ever seen, a serene mist covering its entirety. Veins of ice occasionally broke out, climbing up the nearby mountains like roots of a tree looking for purchase. She could see her breath, the suns unable to warm the surroundings against the cold air coming from the Still Valley. The Domain of Ice.

Chapter 757 Super fucking busy

Chapter 757 Super fucking busy

Ilea glanced at the key locator again, teleporting back when she saw a group of flying creatures in the distance. She crouched low and moved to the edge of the peak, looking down at the fast moving group. Humanoid, sunlight glinting off their armor. They flew into another valley, vanishing from her sight. She still felt the cold air, lying down now as she looked at the mountainous landscape. Arcane storms were faintly visible to the north, none of them however close by. The frozen valley itself lay in perfect serenity, not a cloud floating above, nothing moving to disturb the mist.

That’ll be a risk, even for me. She reset the gate location and opened a connection to the Meadow’s domain. Stepping through, she rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. Exploring the western lands stressed her out. Dangerous monsters she could deal with any day. Elves potentially as powerful as that Monarch she faced were a different story. As was Audur, though the green dragon she assumed she had managed to avoid, that gate position now deep below ground, the key however deeper still.

“Need a bath,” she sent to the Meadow, deactivating her space magic resistance. Her gate was located near the black grass, most visitors unable to get this close to the tree due to the high mana density. The domain however had become quite a lot more busy since the festival in Morhill three months prior.

“Welcome back, Lilith,” the being spoke and moved her into her room.

She sighed, activating the runes to fill the bath as she stepped over to one of her walls, cleared to allow for a massive plate of thin stone. She looked at the large map and walked closer. Two small key like pins remained, the one furthest to the west she moved another slight bit to the left. The other one she let be.

The Plains were near the bottom right of the four by four meter map. Far to the North was Hallowfort, even farther north a variety of landmarks Ilea had labeled. One being the City of Glass dungeon where she had found Owl and her Lich companions. Obviously there to mark the location of Scipio and Nes Mor Atul. West and at about the same longitude as Hallowfort was Audur’s domain, labeled very liberally. West of the Plains were the Navali forest and the various Elven domains she had mostly just heard about. Only the Fire Wastes of Ash were depicted in any detail.

“I found the Still Valley,” she informed the Meadow, using her earth manipulation to make a small figure. A snow flake, or something close enough. She wasn’t nearly as good with earth as she was with ash. Ilea embedded the symbol far northwest of Karth, beyond the Wastes and west of even the little dragon head she had made. She stepped back and crossed her arms, sending a few spheres of ash into the water to heat it up.

“So you were right, the key isn’t in the Fire Wastes,” the being spoke.

“It isn’t. I’ll go back in a few days and see if I can fly around the valley. Let’s hope it’s not there either,” she said.

“Elves in the area?” the being asked.

“I saw a group, yes. Don’t think they spotted me,” Ilea answered, cracking her neck again as she got rid of her mantle and walked into her pool. She sighed immediately, taking in the rising steam as the heated water welcomed her.

“You will face them sooner or later,” the Meadow spoke.

It was unclear if the Elves had taken notice of the newly present teleportation gates as of yet. Even if they did, according to her Elven friends, the Oracles would hardly care. It was the males, primarily the ones of the Fire Wastes, she was worried about. Some of the distant explosions and lights she had seen suggested more than a bit of fire power. Even if they could respond near instantly with the gates, a high level elf could deal devastating damage to a human settlement in less than a minute.

It didn’t help that people had already started pushing into the west again. Not just south of Karth. Riverwatch had always been at the Frontier but now that it could be reached through the gates in a manner of half an hour, mostly due to queues and security checks, more adventurers were willing to explore the eastern Navali forest.

Ilea had taken her time with the keys to focus on her training. The Source in Iz was still a consideration, but so was the continuously more real prospect of removing the Taleen threat. She wasn’t the protector of humanity, but if her actions had a direct impact on such large scale events, Ilea felt at least some responsibility. Few of her friends knew about Iz and Karth, let alone about the Source. Some were in the know when it came to the Elven hierarchy, but none had faced a high level elf. Most humans thought she was a monster. Now that a gate lead straight in front of the Hallowfort bridge, more people were starting to realize that she was just one of many.

“Stressed?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea looked over the edge of the pool and out of her enchanted one way windows. Various new buildings had cropped up near the Soul Forge, mostly occupied by wealthy or state sponsored scholars dealing with the Meadow. Diplomats were around too. Most of the people she saw walking through the streets were Shadows and Sentinels embarking on exploration or training missions, others returning from the same. Finding treasures in the North was far more likely than in the Plains, dozens of ancient city ruins lying deep below the barren surface. With Elana they had a source of quite a few points of interest, some of the cities of course long taken by tribes of Awakened, the Dark Protector, Feynor, or monsters that have made it their home. Others remain mostly untouched, though a silent ruin often harbored more dangerous things than a few Star Chasers or Famine Crows.

“It’s been a busy few months,” she sent back. “I suppose I have. Despite all the distractions.” She smiled, biting her lip.

“You’re spending too much time with her,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea raised her brows as she pushed away from the wall, submerging herself in the water before she spun and came back out. “Envy? From a being such as yourself? Am I not spending enough time here for your liking?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just concerned. What if you suddenly reproduce. Such an occurrence changes the behavior of humans in unpredictable manners,” the Meadow said.

“You know we’re both women,” Ilea mused.

“You underestimate the adaptability of humans. Life will find a way, and if it cannot, it will evolve to do so,” the Meadow said.

“You weren’t concerned about Feyrair,” she said.

“He did not affect you. As your absolute best friend, I feel it is my responsibility to warn you in case I notice your cognitive abilities being affected by someone in your life,” the being spoke.

“You don’t sound like yourself, Meadow. Here I thought I didn’t have a brain at all,” Ilea replied. “Plus, haven’t you been spending quite a lot of time with Twin?”

“That isn’t the same at all. I constantly check for magical intrusions into myself. You seem to actively invite them,” the being spoke.

“Of course. It helps build resistances. I’m afraid I wasn’t born in the perfect form of existence like yourself. I have to actually work to get stronger,” Ilea said, a smile on her face.

“You keep using the same arguments. Just because you struggle, doesn’t mean you’re better. It’s cute in a way though, I’ll admit that much. Seeing all the Awakened around me, toiling away day by day. I would suggest you join the scholars from time to time and actually study. All that damage to your skull isn’t improving your intelligence,” the being spoke.

“And that’s where you’re wrong,” Ilea mused. “Thanks for the talk. Helps take my mind off things.”

“Just let me know when it gets too much. I’m here if you need a few thousand tons of stone to splatter you into near nothingness,” the Meadow said.

“You know just what to tell me, darling,” Ilea mused, relaxing near the back wall where she looked through her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Unspent statpoints: 3

Unspent Core skill points: 4

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2594 Total skill levels]: 3

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 570

- Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 26

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 22

- Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Eternal Huntress – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 24

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 568

- Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 27

- Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 2

- Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 25

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 22

- Passive: Vision of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 2

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 27

- Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 553

- Active: Primordial Shift – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 24

- Active: Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 18

- Passive: Reality Warp – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 18

General Skills:

- Ashen Limbs – 2nd lvl 5

- Bulwark of Ash – 2nd lvl 2

- Dancing – lvl 10

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 30

- Drill – lvl 15

- Elos Standard language - lvl 7

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 11

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 18

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 3

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 18

- Minor Earth Manipulation – lvl 16

- Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 14

- Minor Lava Manipulation – lvl 19

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 18

- Monstrous – 2nd lvl 3

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 14

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 18

- Soul Perception – 2nd lvl 2

- Spear of Ash – 2nd lvl 8

- Teaching – lvl 10

- Telepathy – lvl 10

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 30

- Warhammer Mastery – lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 26

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 21

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 18

- Curse Resistance - 3rd lvl 10

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 13

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Divination Magic Resistance – lvl 15

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 10

- Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 2

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 27

- Ice Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 6

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 4

- Petrification Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 6

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 19

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 5

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 20

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

Status:

Vitality: 2000

Endurance: 500

Strength:545

Dexterity:450

Intelligence:1900

Wisdom:2000

Health: 65920/65920

Stamina: 4989/5000

Mana: 113283/120000

The increases were quite formidable, the variety in monsters providing a slew of resistances, the four marks below Karth adding to her Class levels. Her extended exploration and survival added a few core points too, allowing her to enhance three of her Class skills in total. For her General skills, she refrained for now, deciding to focus on the skills she could work on for the time being. Her bouts with Kyrian, Fey, and Evan helped her get used to the changes rather quickly.

Her stats she used to increase her resources and Intelligence, for once investing into Endurance as she did dip below half a few times.

Various skills reached the second tier as well.

Ashen Limbs 2nd lvl 5

You have mastered the ability to fight with limbs made entirely of ash. Required manipulation is reduced by 27.5%.

2nd stage: Increases the speed at which you can form ashen limbs by a static 25%.

Bulwark of Ash - 2nd lvl 2

Many times have you used walls of ash to defend yourself and your allies. Resilience of ashen walls is increased by 31%.

2nd stage: Required manipulation for wall like structures made of ash are reduced by a static 20%

Monstrous – 2nd lvl 3

You have achieved level 500, reaching the realm of true monstrosity. Those of your kind may not find it easy to accept your newfound nature. You can choose to mask your power to those considerably weaker than you [230 levels below your highest Class level]. Specialized abilities or enhanced Identification may breach this ability.

2nd stage: You may choose to reduce the effects of your magical presence to those around you. People actively considering your presence will be able to pierce this veil.

Soul Perception – 2nd lvl 2

Through sheer luck and naivete, you have achieved enlightenment. A part of it that is. And perhaps not really enlightenment. Others might call it that but it’s really just the ability to perceive your soul or essence. It’s a dubious skill that might help philosophers understand a piece of life’s puzzle but for you it will be mostly useless. Congratulations regardless. A skill that didn’t require killing and blood to unlock. Marvelous.

2nd stage: You are able to gauge the presence of Essence in other beings, should they not be shielded against your perception.

Petrification Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

You have encountered petrifying magic. Its effects are difficult to counter but yes, simply cutting away until there is no more stone works. Extended study and preparation could’ve helped but hey, you do you. It’ll be even easier next time.

2nd stage: Your natural regeneration can now fight petrifying effects, slowing it down or stopping it entirely.

Ilea finally revisited the gem magic dungeon, though the process of leveling her resistances proved quite difficult. The golems were simply not quite powerful enough anymore. She had to gather all of them in one spot and turn off all her defenses.

The first skill she enhanced was Eternal Sight.

Passive: Eternal Sight [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 4:

Increases your perception and reflexes while fighting. To keep up with your faster moving body, the Arcane Eternal has to control it.

2nd stage: Eternal Sight spikes for two seconds, should you be about to receive a blow that would take 50% or more of your health, or should your mind be incapacitated with an incoming blow. This can happen only once per hour.

3rd stage: Your resilience and speed is doubled during the spike in perception. Increases usage to thrice per hour. Spend a static 25% of your mana to increase the effect of Eternal Sight by one second. You gain the ability to gauge enemy mana usage and may learn how strongly a direct hit of a spell will impact you. Increased ability to gauge incoming damage depending on your familiarity with the respective magic type.

Category: Body Enhancement

The new additions let her gauge the gathering magic of enemy spells and abilities, including how dangerous they would be if they hit. Another incredible tool for resistance training, allowing her to remove her defenses to the point of taking the optimal damage. Of course it allowed her to be more aggressive as well, the ability similar to her precognition but not only helpful immediately before the enemy attack struck her.

Active: Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 2

Create ash and embers in a certain radius around you.

2nd stage: You can control the density of the ash and the heat of embers to an extent.

3rd stage: You have proven your dedication. Ash and embers move to aid and destroy at your whims. The amount of ash and embers you can create is vastly increased.

Category: Ashen Magic

The second skill she enhanced was her ash creation. Despite the set back to the beginning of the third tier, she could already create an additional copy of herself, the new bonus rather straight forward in its benefits.

Passive: Vision of Ash [Enhanced] – lvl 3rd lvl 2

Increases your perception by 51% [612%] when fighting.

2nd stage: Opportunity calls, you notice possible critical weak points on enemies with more ease. You can see through ash and embers.

3rd stage: Your eyes are vastly improved. Great distances and a lack of light won’t pose a problem to you anymore. You can control ash and embers that you can see. You gain the ability to see heat. Heat you can see may be absorbed into nearby ash.

Category: Body Enhancement – Ashen magic

The last skill she could enhance was Vision of Ash, the new bonus allowing her to activate a sort of heat vision, the more important benefit being her ability to absorb heat around her into her ash. The bonus allowed her to use Embered Heart more frequently in hot environments, which the depths of Karth most certainly were.

All in all the three months she spent fighting and leveling were perhaps some of the most productive since her arrival in Elos. Teleportation gates and a set of powerful monsters and people to fight against and train with pushed her forward. And yet she wished she would grow faster. They had delved deep and Iz would soon be getting close. Ilea would not flee again.

Chapter 758 Feast

Chapter 758 Feast

Ilea leaned back in the bath and closed her eyes, realizing she didn’t remember the last time she had slept. And here I thought my sleep schedule would be negatively impacted from my academic life. She smiled to herself and sighed in a relaxed manner.

She got up about fifteen minutes later and dried herself with Embered Heart, clothes and her Mantle appearing before she teleported outside. “See you,” she sent to her eldritch friend as she made her way to the teleportation gate, now within a guarded stone building. Ilea was let through instantly, arriving inside with a group of Shadows.

“Until next time,” the Meadow spoke as the gate activated, transporting the entire group on the platform through the fabric.

They appeared in Morhill a moment later, Ilea nodding to the Shadows before she left the building and teleported through the city, soon reaching the gate for Ravenhall. She took one look at the queue and spread her wings. The guards still had to follow protocol when operating the gates, which meant they couldn’t just fill the platforms and send everyone through time and time again. Money had to be processed and people had to be checked. Most weren’t allowed to simply go to the Meadow’s domain but the gate to Ravenhall was open to all.

Ilea teleported up and flew out of the busy city, spotting another wall being set up farther into the valley leading towards Ravenhall. Dozens of buildings were already cropping up within the new added territory, bored looking adventurers and guards protecting the mages from potential monster attacks.

The road to Ravenhall was mostly empty, one duo of dark armored individuals flying by at a lower altitude, Ilea unsure which organization they belonged to. She reached the city gates a few minutes later, the queue leading up all the way to the teleportation platform located a few hundred meters away from the city walls.

One of the guards waved her in and gestured above the wall.

Ilea flew past the defenses, seeing a ripple in the magical barrier. She spotted a few other flying people before coming to a stop above the Sentinel Headquarters. Teleporting down, she waved to the two card playing healers on guard duty. They scrambled to hide the game but she just gave them a look. Didn’t know there was a rule against that. Trian the strict Headmaster. She found Kyrian in one of the training halls, the man watching two groups of healers fight.

“Hey,” she sent, establishing a telepathic connection. Her arrival immediately caused a few mistakes in the fight, Kyrian frowning at that and taking some notes.

“You’re distracting them,” he said.

“Yes. A good demonstration then. Maybe they can learn from it,” she said.

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 11’

Really? Now?

“Today’s the day?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah, Evan let me know he should be able to spend a few hours with us,” she said.

The man nodded. “I’ll be right there,” he said and motioned to the Sentinels, getting their attention before he gave them each a few pointers.

Some of them glanced her way as they left.

“New faces,” she sent.

“Both groups are promising,” Kyrian said as he made his notebook vanish. “It’ll depend on their resilience. We’ve had quite a few recruits quit in the last months.”

“Festival led a lot of people to our doors,” Ilea said.

“Right. Some with noble backgrounds too. Trian makes sure they understand the training process but it’s not the same as actually experiencing it,” he said. “Should we go? Gates?”

“The Foundation doesn’t have any gates,” Ilea said and activated her third tier transfer, one of the destinations the desert south of Evan’s secluded oasis library.

The spell manifested and moved them to the sands, a dry wind blowing through, suns shining down with unrelenting heat. Neither of them really noticed the change.

Evan sat meditating in the sands, half covered by what had been blown onto him.

“One way to tell us we’re late,” Ilea said with a smile. A necromancer might’ve just set down a skeleton… hey, I could do that. Just have to take off my head first, burn away all the skin. No, too much effort for a joke.

The man opened his eyes and smiled. “It was not my intention.” He waved his hand, the sand moving away in a smooth arc. “You arrive as we have discussed. And you have brought the curse mage. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kyrian. Little is known about you.”

The man in question gave a nod. “Is that a compliment? I know little about you as well.”

Evan smiled as he floated up with the sands around him. “I’m in the business of knowing things. Perhaps we can spend some of this time to get to know each other. Now, Ilea, today we are not to fight but to examine an item you have uncovered in your journey?”

Ilea made some space between herself and the two people, summoning the silver hammer into her hand. Metal thorn whips instantly sprouted from the handle and bore into her mantle, whipping around to gain purchase or find another target. “Seems angry,” she said. “It’s called Silent Memory, a divine quality object.”

Evan took in the violent hammer with his deep green eyes, a contemplative look on his face.

A wave of curse magic flowed out of the thing, the sand mage’s robes moving with the expelled magical force. He nodded slowly, the sands moving him around Ilea, covering him as he moved closer. The silver whips slashed into his defenses until he was close enough, his outstretched hand touching the top bit of the weapon. He whipped his arm back. “Blood manipulation, and potent bone magic too. This is quite an intricate creation. Its erratic nature is no wonder with the magical powers stored within. This much should not even be possible, but such is the fate of divine creations.

“You mean you’ve seen something similar before?” Ilea asked.

Evan glanced at her as he retreated. “I cannot share too much on this. However the design is reminiscent of Sanguerrihn’s creations. A revered dwarven smith that lived within the Naraza mountains. The designs are described and categorized within dwarven literature. He was found to have turned into a creature of the depths, his artifacts sought after by the followers soon worshiping him as a god of death, or rebirth. Some both. Entire cities have fallen to possessed cult members over the last few thousands of years. It is said his artifacts are encased in lead and cobalt, buried in the deepest caverns or thrown into the seas. It is unknown if the creature itself is still lurking, though the few who have claimed to have seen it called it a mad, whispering shade.”

Ilea and Kyrian looked at each other. “You remembered all of that?” she asked.

He blinked. “I have my ways, Lilith.”

“Very mysterious,” she commented. “So you’re telling me I have to have it encased and thrown out? Can I not just destroy it?”

“A difficult task. You may try. The safest option is the encasing, then burying it in a random location far away from any settlements. I suspect many divine creations or cursed objects are hidden just like that. Its magical aura resonates with living creatures. It should not be easily detected,” he explained. “However… there is another option. One more dangerous, but you seem to be unaffected by its powerful set of magics.”

Ilea looked at the red gem embedded into the thick chunk of silver metal, a thorn whip lashing out at her eye, unable to pierce the membrane protecting her organ. It did sting a little. She grabbed the thing and wrestled with it, the whip curling around her arm trying to bite into her armor. “Fuck off. You piece of shit.” More whips lashed out at her.

“Divinity comes with a cost. And items with such power normally require some form of attunement. That or a trial, ritual, or a blessing. However the chaotic nature of this item… I believe a simple attunement should be sufficient,” he said.

“You Do know a lot of things,” Kyrian murmured.

Evan gave him an acknowledging nod.

“What do I do then?” Ilea asked.

“You use the hammer,” Evan said. “You let it expel its magic into you. At some point… maybe… something will change.”

“Terribly helpful,” Ilea said as she looked at the thing.

Evan smiled. “To anyone else I would suggest not trying to use a divine item, let alone one as obviously dangerous as this. But you’re Lilith after all.”

“Guess I’ll give it a shot then,” Ilea said. Between all the training I have to do anyway. Wielding a highly dangerous multi-magical cursed death tool sounds like a grandiose idea. “Thanks for the information, Evan.”

He bowed lightly. “Our Seekers more than appreciate your teleportation network. And the Meadow is certainly… an interesting being.”

“Not exactly my work, but I’m glad your information gathering is going well?” Ilea said.

“We only seek to preserve, Ilea. You need not worry,” he said.

“Yeah, sure. I’ve trusted people far more shady than you. Kyrian do you want to come back?” Ilea asked.

Evan looked at the man. “I would invite you for a conversation, if you are interested. I’m very curious about your history.”

“How far away are we from Ravenhall?” Kyrian asked.

“Took me a few hours of flight last time,” Ilea said. “Maybe half a day for you?”

“Can I call for you when I’m done?” he asked.

“Sure,” Ilea said and summoned a gate to below Karth. “I’ll see you in a few days, Evan.”

“A bountiful hunt to you, Lilith,” the man said.

The gate closed behind her, eyes immediately adjusting to the darkness. Her heat vision activated as she looked for sources around her. Seems like another dead end. Well, let’s keep mapping. She summoned her notebook and flew through a few stalagmites, soon attracting the first Hadranim in the area. Ilea summoned her divine hammer instead, quite familiar with the creatures by now. Enough to risk using the artifact. She assumed it would take some wear and tear until something would change. Better get to work then.

Ilea finally made her way back west a few days later, appearing on the mountain peak while covered in her ashen mantle. She checked her surroundings with her various skills, domain, far sight, heat vision, and Sentinel Huntress. Nothing suggested the passing of any powerful beings, nor did she see any movement beyond the serene swaying of needle trees near a distant mountain side to the south.

Summoning her key locator, she spread her wings and flew northwards, keeping an eye on the arrow as she flew low and fast. She reached the mountain range overlooking the Still Valley a few minutes later, arcane storms to the far north, high mountains all around. She kept a few kilometers away from the mist covered valley. Ten minutes later she sighed, seeing the arrow turn left. Twenty minutes and it pointed straight to the south.

Well. Fuck. It’s in the fucking frozen valley. She scratched the back of her armored head and reset her gate location. She opened another one to the Meadow and flew through. A few teleports later she stood in her room, the taleen map open on the locator device. Should be around here, she crouched in front of her map, trying to figure out which gate would be the best to get to Niivalyr. She needed elven advice. She decided to avoid using the taleen network but there were a few of their own gates already placed near the Isanna desert. Far away from the Foundation but the desert was its own frontier after all.

Alright. She vanished and used the network to get to the desired location, a small village built onto the side of the southernmost mountain in the Ravenhall territory. She arrived at the destination to the deep bow of an armored Dark One. Stepping outside, she already heard the sound of construction. Magical mostly but people still liked to use nails. And for that they generally had to use hammers. A wall had already been built, few buildings standing but the foundations of five more had been set into the somewhat steep decline.

Some people glanced her way but soon continued working.

Three adventurers stumbled out of an inn, nearly falling as they stepped onto the steep ground. Two of them held up their hands to get shade from the sunlight, another taking off his heavy coat.

“Fuck, tis hot here,” one of them said with a slight slur in his speech, glancing up to see the ash covered being. “Greetins Sentinel, eh.”

Ilea gave him a nod. She walked down the main road that had been added, more a stairwell than anything else. A main square seemed to have been chosen on a natural plateau, about twenty armored people gathered with tables and maps, the heavy packs and lizard like pack animals nearby suggesting an expedition. She even spotted a single Sentinel, the man nodding her way as she passed.

“Good luck,” she sent him and spread her wings.

“And to you, Lilith,” the young man replied, more of them now looking her way as she flew up.

Her wings thrummed with power before she shot southwards, quickly leaving the mountains behind as she entered the unforgiving desert. She made small adjustments during her flight as she focused on the mark left on Niivalyr.

A few hours later, she arrived, the location entirely hidden below the dunes. An ashen drill formed in front of her before she dug down into the endless sands. Her resistance helped and she soon transferred into the Praetorian facility.

Ilea twirled in the air, shaking off the sand clinging to her mantle before she landed, her wings dissolving into nothing. She blinked at the bright eyes of a group of Cerithil Hunters, gathered like feral ghouls around the carcass of a monstrous looking creature. Their faces and hands were half covered in blood, Ben quickly standing up as a chunk of meat slapped to the ground, his hands hidden behind his back as he used ice to clean his blood covered chin. Not very successfully.

He bowed and looked at her with a smile, sharp teeth blood covered and vicious, pale green light reflected off his blue eyes.

[Ice Mage – lvl 329]

“Greetings, Ilea. We were… unaware of your coming,” the elf spoke in a confident voice.

“You don’t have to hide what we are,” Elfie said as he stood up. “Dinner?” he asked, offering a chunk of bloody meat.

“It smells pretty rancid in here,” Ilea said, looking at the pile of bones in one corner of the room, chunks of green steel in another. Fraternity Elves it seems.

Three hisses resounded.

“She judges our ways,” Farthorn said as he extended his claws.

“Yes I do,” Ilea said, bursting into white fire.

“We won’t stand a chance,” Asay sighed. “But then I suppose I’m interested in a welcoming bout too. If it is, the reason of your presence allows for such.”

Ilea shrugged. “It’s been a while. Why not,” she mused. Elfie and Farthorn had made considerable progress, the former now at three sixty and the latter at three fifty one. Asay had only gained two levels, now at four fourteen. Not much compared to her own progress but the Elves did fight the same beings time and time again, machines they had likely faced thousands of times already.

Magic erupted all around, sending splatters of the dead creature flying, the elves advancing with fast teleportation, all their attacks crashing against her armor with little impact.

Ilea could gauge their magic now, dismissing their attempts as she advanced on her first opponent. She ignored the void magic and smashed her flame covered hand through the pathetic shields, grabbing Farthorn by his armor before she slammed him into the ground. Fabric tear ripped Elfie out of his protective dome, a knee to his groin and a punch to his face the greeting she decided on. She finished by breaking his leg, his hiss more annoyed than pained as he was thrown to the side.

Lances of ice struck her armor as a continuous beam of arcane energy burned into a hovering shield of ash. She hissed in a joyous manner, sending a few heat soaked and burning spears through the hall, explosions of near white flame reducing both their dinner and the nasty pile of bones to smoldering remains. Mom is here to clean up the mess.

She advanced on Ben, the poor elf unable to teleport against her aura. She grabbed his leg when he tried to slide away on a track of ice, twirling his body before she set him alight. Her hand raised, she kept him in the air with her space manipulation before she pushed him away with a wave of space magic, his form impacting the upper corner of the large hall.

Ilea summoned her rifle and aimed, using a few layered ashen shields to protect herself against the arcane magic coming from Asay. He wasn’t weak by any stretch but her resistance was more than adequate. All the flames in the room vanished, consumed by her ash and brought to her, Embered Heart lighting up a moment later. The beam lashed out and cut through the Elf’s barriers, coming to a stop on the last defenses held up by his hands.

The arcane magic shattered before he was sent flying.

Ilea reached him, twirling in the air as she grappled his form. The hall shook when she impacted the ground, Asay’s face first to reach the stone of course.

She breathed out and smiled, cracking her shoulders as she looked at the slightly dazed group. “Your teamwork sucks.”

Elfie cracked his nose back to the normal position, his own blood mixing with the one from the beast they had eaten. “You’re not Taleen.” His leg was already healed.

“Right. I forgot that working together against anything else just doesn’t work,” she deadpanned.

“It does, but we don’t have to do it,” Farthorn said, a slight limp in his step.

“You guys are lunatics,” Ilea said, spreading her flames once more to clean out the disgusting hall. “It’s good to see you.”

Chapter 759 Keys

Chapter 759 Keys

“I do apologize for the state of our affairs,” Ben said, now sitting in a white garden chair. “Neither sanitary nor welcoming.” He poured some steaming tea into a cup, porcelain all, a matching table summoned too.

“I’m just fucking with you, Ben. I don’t really care how you live down here,” Ilea mused. “But I do appreciate the tea.”

“She burnt our dinner,” Farthorn murmured.

“That she did,” Elfie confirmed.

They stared at her, barring their sharp teeth.

Ilea summoned a few plates of food. It really was unlike her to destroy someone’s food, but the definition here blurred just a little bit. “Here is something better than questionably fresh meat.”

“Humans and their need to tamper,” Elfie said and grabbed a plate nonetheless. “I suppose some change is fine, from time to time.”

The others did the same, elfing down the food with varied success at masking their enthusiasm.

“Any word from the others?” Ilea asked, sipping from her tea as she leaned back in the creaking garden chair. Very well made indeed.

The elf shook his head. “Nothing yet. Isalthar is preparing for an assault on Iz. Young Hunters won’t do and those who could help are neither easy to contact nor to convince. However the location should help with the latter.”

“I thought he was kind of important in your community, can’t he just call for the others?” Ilea asked.

Ben shook his head and hissed. “It’s not that simple. There are Hunters who would see him dead, for what he has done. Others begrudgingly accept his existence, and yet others see him as competition.”

“How many of you are out there anyway?” Ilea asked.

“It’s impossible to know. Surviving in the Taleen network isn’t something done easily,” he said. “And we’re not the only ones informing young Elves. There are those who choose this way on their own.”

I would’ve hoped for them to organize themselves a little more, with a base of operations, shared knowledge, training and all that. He could just not be telling me everything but maybe they really just do things differently. More instinctual?

“I found the location of one more key,” Ilea said, looking at Ben. “I do recall you said you were born in the Still Valley?”

He sipped on his tea with his eyes focused entirely on her. “That I was.”

She nodded slowly. “It’s there. Somewhere in the middle of the territory.”

Ben set down his cup and crossed his arms. “Are you sure?”

“Largest valley I’ve ever seen, covered in a white mist as far as the eye can see. What looks like roots of ice growing up to the surrounding mountain ranges. Arcane storms to the north,” she said.

“That does sound like my birthplace,” the elf said in a whisper, hissing strangely.

“You want to go into the Still Valley to retrieve one of those keys?” Elfie asked, leaning back now that he was done with his food. Farthorn hissed.

“How important are those keys anyway?” Asay asked. “The risk is… considerable.”

“That is a grand understatement. No invader has ever left the Still Valley,” Ben said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Sure. None you know of. None they would’ve told you about. I’ve escaped from the domain of a dragon.”

“Space magic might change things,” Asay admitted with a thoughtful hiss.

“Space magic remains to be just that. Magic. The guardians of the Still Valley do not tolerate those who would invade their realm. The mists are one thing… the forests another, but if their attention falls on you, the very mana flowing in your veins will be frozen,” Ben said. “I perhaps could find a way to resist but the mists will not let me go, nor could I hide from the Elves inhabiting the frozen forest.”

“I can get a third tier Ice Resistance,” Ilea suggested.

“An absolute requirement. If you wish to go in there,” Ben said. “I would dissuade you but you have eclipsed my power and that of many Elves. I believe it is impossible now, to determine the true extent of your abilities, human that you are.”

Ilea selected the resistance, still a few points left.

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Ice Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

You have endured the biting cold of ice and lived to tell the tale. One of the deadliest climates and magics will now be less dangerous to you with this skill.

2nd stage: Freezing temperatures no longer affect your body. It is not advised to jump in front of flying ice lances or to anger the spirits.

3rd stage: You have faced creators that bend and shape the laws governing the very state of freezing cold. Your existence has evolved to bypass such limiting laws in turn. Learn to move when there is no room for movement, learn to breathe where there is only frozen air, move through frozen water as though it was liquid.

“Should probably train it up a bit before I make an attempt though,” Ilea mused. “I can now move through ice… and apparently bypass certain… limiting laws?”

“It is why no predator has managed to invade the Still Valley, not even Elves at the height of Monarchs. The Elves of the domain of Ice may not match the sheer brutality of those in the Fire Wastes, or the magical prowess of the Sky domain, but within our lands, none shall live,” Ben explained. “How is your Soul Magic Resistance?”

“Soul mages around too?” Ilea asked.

“No, but the Essence of living creatures acts strangely when ice magic of such authority is being cast. It would do you well to be resilient in all aspects of yourself,” he explained.

“Third tier. I don’t think my soul can be destroyed,” Ilea said.

“Good. You truly are quite… tough,” Ben said as he leaned slightly forward. “If you wish, I can try to help with your ice resistance. And I will tell you of my birthplace. A treacherous land, barren, and cold.” His voice had a tinge of nostalgia as he spoke, a thin smile on his lips.

“I’d appreciate it. A map of the place would help too, even though I have the locator,” Ilea said.

Ben looked at her for a few seconds before he spoke. “You will need more than a map. And I would not trust any magical locator within the Still Valley. Others have tried. It may be beneficial even for you to familiarize yourself with ice magic itself.”

Ilea formed a sphere of ice above her palm, a wide grin on her face as the Elves hissed.

“How?” Ben whispered. “A Class?”

“Benefit from an evolution. Got these too,” she said and showed her Earth and Lava manipulation skills in turn.

“Humans,” Asay murmured whilst hissing.

Farthorn complained in elvish.

“It’s remarkable. To wield this many different schools of magic is… at your age. I would’ve thought it impossible,” Ben said.

Ilea put both of her hands below her chin and smiled. “Well you lads don’t go out much. The world is changing. We have teleportation gates now too. I did want to ask what you think the Monarchs and Oracles will do once they find out about that.”

Farthorn left, still hissing. Elfie grinned before he started laughing.

“I would like to see them,” Asay said.

Ben considered, looking at the other Elves. “What do you think? I don’t see a reason for any Oracles to get involved.”

“No. Some of the males might get offended or annoyed, but that depends entirely on how far into the west you will build these gates,” Asay said.

Ilea smiled. “I’ll let them know about the risks… but you know humans like expanding, and settling in whatever places they deem hospitable. But it sounds like Elves won’t be a problem for a while just because of the gates, not more than they were before.”

“The machines have kept the Fire Wastes busy for the past few years. Though large attacks and the subsequent destruction of Taleen armies creates lulls from time to time. Lulls that allow young Elves to travel and explore. A great time for us to recruit new Hunters, but the species living in the surrounding territories are usually not quite as content,” Ben said.

Entire cities wiped out, yes. And that’s just from a lull in battle. We’ll have to prepare the western cities and everyone who would protect them. She sighed. Which would only make them more attractive as a target.

“Isalthar promised our support, should we reach a conclusive victory in Iz,” Elfie said. “Elves who would encroach on your territory should not be the same as those ruling in their domains.”

“Ben did not finish his explanation,” Asay said in turn. “Three centuries ago, the destruction of a large Taleen army and subsequent years of lacking warfare supposedly led to three Chosen being killed in the Fire Wastes. The rulers of the domains have remained largely unchallenged. The Taleen armies have certainly contributed to that.”

The one without form might have done better just not attacking at all, with how bloodthirsty and anti organization most Elves seem to be. Guess you don’t get to that idea when you’re made by dwarves with pretty much the opposite kind of societal structure.

“We have to consider Elven attacks anyway. With or without Taleen. Not just Elves either. There are plenty of dangerous beings out there, capable of destroying entire cities in mere minutes,” Ilea said. Another large scale demon summoning in Ravenhall would be shut down near immediately, but the same couldn’t be said about Riverwatch or Dawntree.

She paused and considered. “I will train with you, and learn what I can about your domain, if you would have me.”

Ben smiled. “Of course, Guardian of Cerith. Show me then, how much you understand. Of ice, and frost.”

Another regular location, added to Ilea’s growing schedule, and yet another reason not to sleep.

A few days later, she made some progress with the second key, the first one off limits until Ben judged her capable of surviving the Still Valley. Unable to reach the depths indicated by the locator, Ilea used her drill to simply dig down. It took nearly a day in total but she finally reached a familiar surface blocking her way.

For once it wasn’t of Taleen make but instead dull gray metal. Same as in the Descent. She couldn’t feel any enchantments on the surface of the metal or within, however if it was anything as the one in the Descent, it would take some time to get through.

Ilea set down the tip of her burning drill, already seeing some change in the top layer of the metal. Not quite the same anymore as I was back then, hmm? Her tool started spinning, the loud grinding noise accompanying her for the next twenty minutes as she burned and drilled through the thick layer of metal. Her domain perceived through into the simple rooms beyond but she decided to make a physical entry, just in case her teleportation would be restricted at a latter time. Either due to enchantments, traps, or an Ascended alerted to her presence. This time she didn’t have a Fae with her. Nonetheless she felt much more confident, both in fighting one of their kind, and in escaping.

Nowhere near the Meadow after all. Or so I hope, she thought, finally breaking through. A messy tunnel led up to the stone, kilometers of digging necessary to reach the underground facility. Metal glowed with a dull red color, some of the white flame still flickering in the darkness.

Ilea spread her wings as she entered the facility, everything in perfect darkness. Her flames were enough for her eyes to sustain visibility, even now that she dismissed them. Coupled with her domain, she wouldn’t miss much. Looks like a research facility. Smaller than what I’ve seen before. The air was stale but there was no dust, every surface spotless, most of it made entirely of metal. Hundreds of runes were engraved into panels, metal tables, and floating spheres.

I could show this to Nes and Scipio, she thought, slowly floating through the halls. She noted the high ceilings and broad entrances, though not surprising with how large the Ascended were that she had met. Ilea decided not to touch anything, more likely to trigger a set of traps or alert someone than to find anything useful. Just strange that this thing is down here. Her sphere pierced the walls but so far she found no indication that the facility was connected to any cavern. It was hot too, as far below ground as it was, perhaps even deeper than Iz.

Not a dungeon either. And at least three times the size of the Soul Forge. She examined the various rooms in the darkness, no magic seemingly active in any of the runes. She knew even Iana had little knowledge of the magical language the Ascended liked to use.

Her locator out, Ilea found the item in question in the central hall of the ten story structure. Various artifacts were stored floating above strange metal pedestals, weak sources of magic pulsing from the steel. She could place only one of the five items in the room, looking at the familiar triangular shape of the Taleen key. This one looked golden to her, though it was difficult to say without any residual light. Another piece looked like a black sphere, swirling with dark energy. She could feel a powerful source of soul magic coming from the piece, though it felt strange, subdued in a way.

The third item was a splintered silver metal spear, seven pieces floating above the pedestal with the leaf tip at the very top. It too emanated power, though she couldn’t place the school of magic. It felt more visceral than anything she had seen before. The closest thing was the devour magic used by the mantis queen but it fell short compared to the shattered weapon in this hall.

Next was a pulsing black heart, veins of white moving along the length of the artifact. Ilea instantly felt a connection to the item, the magic not only resonating with the fabric but it felt much like the fires of creation themselves. It was undoubtedly connected to the Fae, perhaps taken from, or created by them, the entire feel more than a little familiar to her.

Last was a simple amulet, metal with a yellowish crystal connected to the links. It hardly looked impressive but the magic resonating from it made clear why it remained in such company.

Ilea looked around in the room, back to the items, and the runes lining the pedestals and parts of the ground.

She was sure there were defensive enchantments in place. Something that would trigger once one or several of the items were removed from their stands. The question was if the place was some sort of underground vault left behind, maybe used as a base in Elos or just as a research facility, or if it was an active trap. Why would they leave behind these items? And make sure they would still be floating like that?

One thing she was sure about was the presence of some defensive mechanisms, magical in nature but not comprehensible to her due to the rune language. This could be really fucking dangerous, even for me.

One the other hand, when have I let some traps dissuade me? I’ve survived a literal Dragon. The artifacts were there and even if she managed to convince Iana, Nes, or Violence to come down here and examine the traps, she would rather face the dangers alone. Not like they could make a guess at my chance of survival anyway. Let’s find out what this is about.

Hands outstretched, she left the room and focused on all the items at once, using Fabric Tear to rip them from the pedestals. Magic surged instantly, all around as walls lit up with orange red lights and steel beginning to shift. The items appeared near her, stored within her domain the instant they appeared. Ilea could feel a powerful spell manifest around her as she tried to teleport out, her ability failing to manifest. The fabric was already shifting. There you go.

Bright light now shined from all around, the ten story structure shifting, twisting, and turning as the ground rumbled. Ilea tried her spell again but it failed, instead now focused on the shifting magical barriers. She stood with her senses focused on the patterns, not exactly surprised that she had found another capable space mage. Her gates failed to manifest as well, though she had yet to try her third tier of Transfer.

The trap itself was a beautiful creation, the other floors and walls having shifted into rings now floating around the central platform. A dozen barriers had lit up the moment they had arrived, behind the shimmering lights a massive steel hall with surging orange red light floating from ground and ceiling towards the central point, the magical prison sphere summoned to this unfamiliar place.

They were in another realm, though Ilea did not know which one. She dismissed the possibility of the barriers messing with her marks, knowing how they behaved under the Meadow’s tampering. This was different, perfectly aligned with what she had experienced in Erendar. And the architecture. She looked up at the ceiling, ready to place a bet that she had just arrived in Kohr, the Great Salt, and home to the Navuun, Demons, and Ascended.

Chapter 760 Thief

Chapter 760 Thief

Ilea stood within the prison, spheres of barriers all around, magic flowing from the distant walls of the grand hall, entirely empty beside the streams of magic set within straight lines of dark metal, orange red light pulsing with the energy, all of it powering the moving rings of steel and potent barriers.

An automated trap? Or perhaps an invitation? She smiled to herself as she continued looking at the patterns, soon realizing that they weren’t quite as mesmerizing as the Meadow’s, though still impressive. It would take some time for her to get through. Far from an impossible task. Question is, do I want to?

A rematch with Vor Elentir was not something she had planned for the day but she wouldn’t say no either. If only to find out if and how much the being had held back the last time they had met. She cracked her shoulders and knuckles, trying to find anything besides the space magic patterns to focus on, to get an edge. If nothing would show up, she would simply have to escape, though not after setting a gate location within this realm. Already she set one down within the sphere, though she didn’t plan to leave it in there.

Her attention shifted when she perceived an incoming teleportation spell. Not through her cut off domain but her awareness of space itself. She didn’t react immediately, not about to offer too much knowledge about her own abilities. Still she was focused on the patterns, impressive but not manually created. Finally, she moved her eyes to the being now floating about five meters away from the barriers.

A near three meter body, links of metal joined together near seamlessly, faint glowing white light the only indicator of their existence. A line of four vertical white eyes took in the winged being covered in layers of ash. Its four arms were joined behind their back, two legs, torso, and shoulders broader than similar beings Ilea had seen before. A cloth of white fabric covered most of its body, wrung around its form with intricate patterns. Eight spheres of steel orbited the being in a slow moving pattern, its head shaped like a medieval knight’s, two horns of steel curved up from its temples, going behind its head and finally down towards its neck.

She looked at it now, slightly tilting her head to the side, both flying in a casual manner. “Hi. Impressive trap.”

“Peculiar. The goal was to find out which item an intruder would choose, but you took all of them. A faint relation…” the Ascended spoke with a deep voice, pausing for a moment. “Relation to the Azarinth, though their Order is no more. A remnant perhaps, looking to find the Azarinth Star? You have succeeded, thought at a great cost. Who are you?”

Ilea crossed her arms. “I’m not with the Azarinth Order. And I don’t know if I should introduce myself to someone who keeps me locked in twelve layers of barriers,” she said and moved closer, touching the first one. The magic sizzled slightly. Azarinth Star? One of the items?

[Metal Mage – lvl ????]

The Ascended was just above level one thousand, at least according to Veteran.

He moved one of his four hands to his chin. “Precautions, I’m sure you understand. Those who would find what you have sought have not arrived here on accident. A human, I believe? Though one of your level… a rarity, to be sure. Perhaps I will entertain you.

“I am the keeper of this sanctum, Ker Velor. Welcome to Kohr, though you seem far too calm for any of this to be entirely unknown,” the Ascended spoke. “Perhaps we were not destined to be enemies, if you truly are not part of the Azarinth Order.”

“I’ve met and been attacked by one of your kind before,” Ilea said.

“Yes, though you should not be surprised, if you seek and intrude facilities that are not your own. Your kind has a tendency to be rather disrespectful of the belongings of others, though it would be hypocritical of me to claim I was different. Which item have you sought? And who are you?” he spoke.

Safest bet might be the Fae. No way can he do anything to that monstrosity.

“Speak, I have no patience for the games of your kind,” said Ker Velor.

“The Heart,” Ilea said. “I’m reclaiming it for a friend,” she said, neither lying nor telling the truth. She would certainly ask Violence about it, and return it if it belonged to them.

“Azarinth magic… and yet you come for the Heart of Verivyen. Your realm has changed indeed, so quickly do your species move, adapt, evolve. And still you fall prey to such obvious traps, flocking to the light like simple creatures. You have only answered one question,” he said.

“Some call me Lilith,” she said, guessing that with her description and his correct guess at her species, he would find out about her quickly if he inquired in Elos. “Why do you set traps for long past enemies?”

The Ascended considered for a few seconds. “You know more than most, though with your power, it is not a surprise. And yet you are still bound to flesh. It was… not entirely disappointing to meet you, Lilith, but I’m afraid I have no time to waste on your person. Your death shall be quick,” he spoke and bowed in a respectful manner.

The rings started spinning faster, magic gathering all around as the Ascended watched with its four eyes.

Ilea did the same. She had figured out the patterns by now but Nes had talked so much about Ascended magic, she really wanted to find out what all the fuss was about. Looking up, she could see the spell glowing, more energy flowing into it as the rings kept spinning. Her enhanced perception let her gauge the spell. Impressive, surely, but mostly light and heat, two of her higher resistances. She would survive.

The rings stopped, now all of them aligned and aimed downward, runes shining on their edges before the bright sphere of light hanging twenty meters above burst into a beam of concentrated heat, flowing through the barriers without issue. For one second the entire hall lit up, the stone platform within the spheres gone in an instant.

Between the rings floated a smoking human, flesh burnt and blackened, stripped in parts to the bone. Her body and ash reformed in mere moments, dissolved wings reappearing in turn. “Not bad. Can you turn it up a little?”

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 7’

Ker Velor remained quiet, summoning a small device and what looked like a pen before he started writing something down. “I’m busy. But I suppose data is data,” he murmured the latter bit. “And yes, that was thirty percent. What most monsters at a level of one thousand one hundred can manage if they’ve matured. How did it feel?” He looked up, his pen ready.

Ilea looked at his eyes. “I don’t feel pain.”

“Yes. Of course. Even those who remain in imperfect forms have ways to adapt. Let’s try seventy percent,” he said.

Ilea put a finger to her mouth and looked at the barriers. “It does sound fun, but I don’t like being caged.” She teleported out and in front of the being when the room lit up again. That one she would not have survived as easily. Point taken Nes.

This time the Ascended reacted, spreading his arms as his tools vanished. “A space mage… the Heart… of course.” He flew backwards. “You are part Fae then? Or evolved to imitate their kind?” His eyes glowed a little brighter. “You would prevent my magic? In my domain?” He sounded confused more than anything.

“Oh, you wanted to teleport?” Ilea asked, flying around him in a lazy manner. “Mad, now that the fly in your trap escaped?”

He looked up and followed her form with his eyes, arms stretched out and at the ready. “I am intrigued, human. You show promise. Perhaps…” He slammed two hands together, the grip of space magic crashing into her.

Ilea felt her eyes nearly burst, healing them as she rolled her shoulders. “Please,” she said and charged her own space manipulation, focusing on his form before she squeezed.

The Ascended shook for a split second. He recovered just as quickly and again he clapped, just once this time. “Marvelous. Truly! Show me more, Lilith!” he spoke in an excited voice now, several hundred spheres of steel materializing around him, each one surrounded by a strange red glow.

Ilea watched the projectiles swarm her from all around but she simply let them come, her mantle now erupting in white flame. She could feel the blood magic before the first projectiles hit, the impact creating a shock wave before two dozen more struck her flying form. Blood magic erupted from the touch, seeping into her armor and flesh before rupturing her form. She found the effort a nuisance more than anything. She waved her hand, using fabric tear to move away the closest spheres. Already they stopped coming.

“Feedback on Blood Magic. I have not encountered such in centuries. You have survived a great deal, human. On purpose perhaps? Or due to your likely Azarinth magic?” the Ascended asked, raising one arm. “Will this give you pause?”

Ilea raised her own arm, a beam of near white energy and heat lashing out at the flying being.

Walls of steel immediately formed, three burst through before the fourth managed to divert the energies. The Ascended answered in turn, once more with a familiar school of magic.

Ilea nearly rolled her eyes when she was engulfed by soul magic. Potent but she had trained with a Greater Lich. Her fires of creation burned bright as she let the spell flow through her form. It itched.

Ashen walls moved with her, a dozen spears at the ready as she advanced on the being, white flames flaring up before she teleported away, a beam of bright light slashing through the air from the center of the hall.

The orange red energies spread out from the dark lines of metal, thousands of runes activating as new spheres moved out of the walls.

“This is not a battle, Lilith,” the Ascended spoke. “Though both your resilience and tenacity have managed to garner my attention. You do remind me of her.” He considered while Ilea took in the massive hall coming to life.

She tried to move closer when a hundred small beams of light forced her back yet again.

“The Unity was broken… who is to say a human source cannot be considered?” he murmured before he floated closer, arms spreading out. “Would you not consider joining me? To be reborn, in perfection. Your power would be unmatched, rid of your flesh stricken form.”

“Why would I switch to anything else?” Ilea asked. “You probably can’t even eat.”

“Eat?” the being asked with an annoyed sound. “You would let your instincts govern your decisions?”

“Yeah, I might’ve thought about it for a second longer if you hadn’t tried to kill me a few times already,” Ilea said. “Why would I ever trust you?”

“Trust… food. Your vision is… limited, Lilith. You could rule by her side. You would be a god! Unlike any other human. Ascended!” Ker Velor spoke, as if to a student that failed to understand the most basic concept.

Ilea just stared at him. “You sound like a madman. I like this form.”

The Ascended touched his face with one hand, his entire form shaking slightly before he calmed down. “A foolish notion, to consider a species such as yours. My apologies. I have wasted both our time. Now leave this world and return what you have taken.”

The hall exploded in light, hundreds of beams burning into her mantle, her teleport bringing her away from the Ascended and towards a distant exit. Her gates refused to form, another set of defenses preventing her magic. Shit. Primordial Shift activated when the large beam fired once more, splintered reality illuminated by distant light and fires, moving flames and flesh entangling with the external source of power. But a moment, before reality returned, Ilea teleporting through the patterns laid out by ancient enchantments, landing on the other side of closed metal gates.

She spread her wings and once more tried to summon a gate, half her body burnt and regenerating. Once more it failed but she could feel the magic all around. As if dampening the very fabric. She could use her spells in here but she would not connect to anything outside. Got to get out of this place. The gates behind her opened, this hallway too erupting into motion, metal striking out to catch her, thin spears trying to pierce her skull.

Another teleport brought her into the next hall, three more letting her navigate through the massive facility. She saw a distant throne in darkness, the ceiling so high she couldn’t make it out, square and triangular shapes made up the entirety of the likely underground structure. She passed the hall in several teleports, all cold metal. Out, she found herself in a labyrinth of corridors, hundreds of rooms, some with life creatures. Ashen limbs broke locks in passing, extended arms ripping away steel bars and fists slamming through protective glass. Some of the monsters tried to attack her instantly but she didn’t give them time, moving through the facilities whilst aiming upwards.

She reached a ceiling but found another set of enchantments working to stop her space magic. This time she simply used Destruction, her fires and arcane energy exploding upwards with drills of burning ash and beams of heat in turn. Light enveloped her as the first metal spheres slammed into her back but the ascended was too late. She broke through the thick metal barrier, crashing into rock as explosions resounded around her. A wild ashen drill pushed her up and through the stone, heat laden spears sent back inside, the explosions dull and distant. It only took a few minutes for her to break out of the ground, nothing following her anymore.

She landed on salt rock in a crouch, waiting for a few seconds for the Ascended to follow. He did not.

“Coward,” she murmured, not missing the fact that she had to flee his facility. If that counts I can use the Meadow’s domain as my home base. Let him try to escape that.

Her magic was no longer restricted and she had secured a bunch of items, yet she didn’t want to leave already. Her gate location was still within the prison deep below but with all the enchantments present, she neither wanted to go there again, nor did she think it was possible in the first place. Let’s just change it to here. Can always drill down and break in again if I have to.

“Ker Velor,” she mused, hearing a bunch of familiar screeches nearby. Three Demon Spawn charged her. Two ashen limbs lashed out, chunks of meat slapping to the ground with blood spraying onto white stone.

Another Ascended. With a trap left in Elos. I’ll have to look at those items but he seemed pretty well informed, and he was right, couldn’t have found his vault without a locator. How many people did he catch with that? And a realm traveling trap in the first place? Complex barriers and anti teleportation and space magic? With a damn light beam powerful enough to kill even me? At least he doesn’t seem keen on following me immediately. “Because you would die without those machines,” she murmured, though not entirely sure. He had shown some of his abilities but surely not everything.

‘ding’ ‘You have escaped a facility designed by Ker Velor – One Core skill point awarded’

Enough to enhance my last Arcane Eternal skill. She had hesitated so far because of the marks but it was time. Once she was back. Will have to talk to Nes as well. She might be able to explain some of what he said. Become an Ascended? Probably doesn’t offer that to someone every day.

She was tempted to go back down, to just probe the facility and destroy what she could from without. None of the beings she had seen in the cells seemed intelligent, nor did anyone call out for help. He’ll have to slaughter or catch them all again.

Ilea considered for a moment. Fucker nearly killed me. Least I can do is wreak some havoc. “Piece of shit is going to regret treating me like some research animal.”

She teleported up a few times and charged her wings, flying off into the distant night of Kohr, dark clouds above with occasional glimpses of moonlight illuminating the barren lands, hordes of demons on their endless hunt.

Far enough away, she checked her surroundings and summoned a gate, catching a glimpse of something massive moving through the distant clouds, long tendrils of flesh extending down and towards the ground.

“Meadow. Can you check me for any space wumbo jumbo? Just fought a four mark Ascended,” Ilea said and flew closer to the tree, the gate closing behind her.

“A strange air has entered my domain… where did that gate lead to?” the being asked. “I do not detect any magic, mark, or locator on you.”

“He was a soul mage too,” Ilea added as an afterthought.

Owl appeared nearby.

“Owl, Ilea requires assistance. Are there marks on her that were not there before?” Meadow asked.

“No. No foreign mark would survive against the fires raging to protect your essence,” Owl said. “Though I can tell you have been recently struck by soul magic.”

“Good. Thanks you two. Owl, why don’t you stay here for a moment,” Ilea said. “Can you get Iana and Chris? I have a few items I’d like to have a look at. They might be dangerous. If any of the Fae are around, that’s be great too.”

“Violence is playing in Hallowfort. Conducting important research I mean. I will call for him,” Meadow spoke.

Chapter 761 Myths

Chapter 761 Myths

Doing a sneaky author's note here hah. Sorry RR readers. I saw another writer on the site do it and thought it a cool idea. So there are some people out there making websites that just straight use scripts to copy paste content like this which is freely available on Royalroad.com (my chosen hosting site as the author next to scribblehub and patreon) to put it up and get ad revenue.

We can talk about piracy and I have my own views on that but taking already free content and just reposting it is kinda whack. It's here and it's free, plus I take the time to write and post it. So if you read this and you're not on Royalroad, why not check out the site where I actually uplaod this stuff :)? It has a great dark mode, dope reader settings, works well on mobile browsers and is just overall nice. There are tons of other cool stories here, a community to interact with, and links to my patreon if you feel like supporting me directly and/or getting 20 ahead chapters. Here ya go https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/16946/azarinth-healer

Either way, thanks for reading the story :)! Hopefully enjoy the chapter.

Ilea first summoned the Taleen Key. “Make sure to check this stuff for trackers too. I guess this thing has one anyway.” A variety of barriers had already formed all around, the Meadow protecting them from interested eyes and ears in its domain. She assumed at least one copy of Michael to be around as well. “And let me know if an Ascended shows up anywhere. Big metal guy, nearly three meters, four white eyes, metal, soul, blood, and space magic, maybe more.”

“I am. Watching.” the tree replied.

She grinned at that. Right. That you are.

[The Gold Key – Ancient Quality]

“It seems to be the real thing,” the Meadow said.

“Agreed,” Ilea replied, feeling Violence land on her shoulder.

The creature touched her cheek.

Help?

“With something, yes,” Ilea said and stored the key. Just one to go then. Though I suppose the location is a tiny bit of an issue. “I got a few more items from that vault, one being this.”

She summoned the black heart, the thing much larger than that of a human. It pulsed with energy, the fabric around it distorted a little.

[Heart of Verivyen – Faen Quality]

Ilea glanced at the little Fae. “Faen quality? Any clue what it is?”

Violence shrugged.

Heart

“Yeah. I mean yes. But what is it? Who does it belong to? What does the quality mean?” she asked.

The Fae shrugged again.

“Likely a gift given from a Fae to someone. Violence let me know that he wouldn’t necessarily know about gifts given by others. It can be a rather personal affair. As to the effects of this item, I have an inkling, at least partially. There is a lot of magic stored inside that artifact, including wood and life. It could serve as a way to grow things, though none other than the recipients would be able to use it efficiently,” the Meadow explained.

“No recipient address listed I assume?” Ilea joked.

Owl raised an ethereal hand. “Hmm… there… is, something like that. I think. Cute brown tails, it says.”

“That doesn’t exactly narrow it down,” Ilea said and stored the strange heart again. “Violence, can you maybe ask around in your cluster? If it was a gift from a Fae to someone else, it’d be nice to return it.”

The Baron gave her a thumbs up with no thumbs.

Next came the spear, broken into seven pieces. Ilea expected the bits to fall apart once summoned but they hovered close to each other, wind magic keeping them connected.

[Splintered Spear of the Black Leaf – Mythic Quality]

“Mythic, damn,” Ilea mused.

“A powerful artifact indeed. Wielded by an impressive figure. It would take someone at least as impressive to rejoin the pieces,” the Meadow said.

“Goliath?” Ilea asked.

“A wielder of the spear is required in this case, not the hammer of a smith,” it spoke.

An impressive weapon I guess, for someone else. “Let me know if someone comes up.”

She stored the splinters as one and summoned the strange black sphere.

[Crystal of the Veiled Ithom – Ancient Quality]

Owl and Violence moved closer the moment she summoned the thing, making an effort not to touch it with anything but her ash. Even Ilea could now perceive the essence, her perception still limited to very close sources. A strange whisper resounded from the near head sized sphere, the darkness near void like.

“A powerful soul has been trapped within this… terrible creation,” Owl said and shook her head.

Monarch

“What?” Ilea said, turning to the Fae.

Violence pointed at the sphere.

“A king? Like within Twin?” Ilea asked.

No

Monarch

Nelras

Ithom

Angry

Very

Violent

Ilea glanced at Owl.

The lich shook her head. “I cannot communicate with the soul within. I have no idea how the Baron is managing that. Very impressive, Violence!” she said and patted the giggling creature.

“Can we get it out somehow? Would be interesting at the very least. Maybe they can tell us something about the Ascended,” Ilea suggested.

“The device found within the Soul Forge should be more than capable. However I’m unsure if you would wish to move an unknown… apparently angry soul into a war machine or anything of the like,” Meadow said.

“Monarch. Wait, you mean an elven Monarch?” Ilea asked, her eyes going wide as she looked at the giggling Fae.

It nodded.

Monarch.

“Shit,” Ilea murmured, looking at the sphere. “Don’t suppose we have a toaster with a speech module or something?”

“What is a toaster? If you’re looking for a device capable of speech but with no combat effectiveness, I’m afraid not. However based on the Soul Wardens I’m sure Goliath, Owl, and me can figure something out. Something safe. To communicate and find out more about the Soul stored within. Violence can only perceive surface information, or so he claims,” Meadow spoke.

“Nelras Ithom you said,” Ilea said and wrote it down. She added a section of things she remembered the Ascended saying, including his name. “We’ll figure something out,” she said and sent as well, aimed towards the sphere before she stored it. “This is some absolutely insane stuff.”

“Who exactly did that vault belong to again?” the Meadow asked.

“Ker Velor,” Ilea said.

None of them reacted in any way.

“Yeah. I’ve got no clue either. I’ll look into it though,” she said. “Last item, this one has to do with the Azarinth somehow.”

The necklace appeared in her hands, the yellow crystal flowing with magic. She felt strange touching the thing, a connection similar to the heart, but different at the same time. It’s my aura.

[The Azarinth Star – Mythic Quality]

“What do you think of that?” she asked.

A giggle moved through the black grass. “Not a spear. You should try to infuse it with your healing magic, Azarinth Healer.”

“Sure it’s safe?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Absolutely,” the Meadow answered. “Not only used by someone with similar magic to your own, but I can feel a familiar school in this one too. It should prove useful for you too, granted you study and learn.”

She sighed. Even more shit to figure out. Reconstruction flowed into it, the necklace floating out of her hand and moving around her neck. It remained a few centimeters away from her body, Ilea looking at the tree, the Fae, and Owl.

Iana and Christopher arrived now too, as did Goliath. “What’s happening?” the woman asked, whistling when she saw the floating necklace. “Holy, is that a mythic item?”

“How do all of you know about that stuff?” Ilea asked, instinctively letting the necklace move around her neck and close. It settled on her skin, a surge of magic flowing into her.

“Legends mostly?” Iana said.

“Yeah, I thought it was all made up until just now. Answers some questions but opens up a lot more,” Chris added as he moved closer to see the thing.

‘ding’ ‘You have bonded with the Azarinth Star’

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill [Mythic] – Azarinth Barrier – lvl 1

Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – lvl 1

Channel your mana through the Azarinth Star to form healing infused golden barriers of arcane magic around you.

Ilea tried it out immediately, a number of large near golden shield like barriers appearing around her. She could move them around too. They followed as she took a few steps back but she could leave them behind too if she willed it so.

“I mean sure, but I doubt they’ll be very useful compared to my ash,” she said when a wooden root broke out of the ground and slammed into one of the barriers. Golden sparks were sent flying, cracks slowly forming as the root pushed more and more. Ilea wasn’t pushed back in turn. Three rock spears slammed into another one of the barriers, all of them deflected.

“There is a reason mythic artifacts are seen as fabrications by most of those standing near you,” the Meadow spoke.

“You hardly used your full power on that. We’ll have to test more,” Ilea said and used her own ash to attack the barriers. She broke through eventually but the resilience was ridiculous for a level one ability, let alone a non Class skill without any bonuses.

Which means Ker Velor found or took this thing from an important Azarinth Healer. Did he set it as a trap for Order members looking for the item? Would it be important enough for them to go and look for it in the deep north? If they even had a way to locate it. But didn’t he know that the Order was no longer around?

She moved a hand through her hair. At least he should assume I went back to Elos, I showed my ability to use space magic after all.

“This Ker Velor knows what I look like. He knows I’m Lilith,” she said. “The last Ascended I fought didn’t come looking… so far, but I have a feeling this one won’t just let me keep all of these items,” she explained to the others. Although he did say he didn’t have time for me. She tapped her leg a few times.

“We will inform the relevant people. And you, in case he shows up again. How dangerous is he?” the Meadow asked.

“Four mark, close to one thousand. The way he fought… similar to the last Ascended I faced. Almost in a way to test me. He didn’t seem vicious… instinctual… not like a warrior who’s been in constant strive for years on end, more just someone wielding a tool. Or in his case several tools. I don’t know how I would do against him outside of his enchantment covered facility, but I don’t think it would be quite as one sided,” she surmised.

“Enchantment covered?” Iana asked.

“I’ll go back later, but nobody is coming with me. It’s far too dangerous,” Ilea said. “If I find anything, I’ll bring it back.”

First, I need to talk to someone.

“No trackers? Other than the key?” Ilea asked. She wondered how much Ker Velor knew about Iz and the One without Form. Did he care? Did he set the trap to find someone who had more keys? Was he looking for the source? He would be, or someone would be. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be too hard for a four mark being to go out and look for the keys, creating a locator device and finding them all.

The fact that most of them remained in ancient ruins strewn about Elos made her think the Ascended might not know quite as much as she assumed.

“Nothing I could detect,” the Meadow spoke. “Your domain is a well protected space, Ilea. No second rate space mage could breach it, perhaps not even me.”

“Good,” she said briefly. “I’ll be back later. Things to check.”

“Be safe,” the Meadow sent as her third tier transfer activated, aimed for the far north, and the hidden facility belonging to Nes and Scipio.

She trusted the Meadow, Fae, and Owl, including her own perception abilities and space magic knowledge to make sure the Ascended couldn’t just find her in the wild. Her allies would be informed soon enough. Worst case, she would have to face an Ascended with the help of Owl, Aki, Kyrian, Fey, and potentially Nes and Scipio. She hoped her own abilities already dissuaded the Ascended from seeking a fight, though she worried nonetheless. The damage he could do was catastrophic.

A few teleports and a short flight brought her to the hidden area, Ilea pounding on the gate three times before Scipio showed up a few meters away.

“You’re not supposed to show up unannounced,” he said with his arms crossed in front of his chest, his golden eyes taking her in, a long sleeved black shirt covering his torso.

“Might be important,” Ilea said. “I just fought an Ascended. In Kohr.”

“You… what?” the man said and looked around, casting a few spells to check the fabric. “You didn’t come here immediately, did you?” His voice was agitated now, turning from annoyed to serious.

“Made a stop at the Meadow’s. I wasn’t fleeing exactly. Well I was fleeing his facility, but he didn’t follow me to the surface,” she said.

“An Ascended facility in Kohr… how did… come in first, I can’t detect anything worrisome,” he said, the mention of the Meadow visibly calming him down.

The gate shifted, opening for them to enter. “No more space magic until you leave again,” the man said.

Nes was already waiting. “An emergency?” she asked, looking at the two of them.

Ilea gave them a quick rundown of the vault, the activating space magic, and the resulting arrival in Kohr. “He called himself Ker Velor.”

Both of them looked around the hall, another set of spells activating as they scanned everything. “He is alive,” Nes spoke.

“You assumed as much,” Scipio said.

“I had hoped he chose some other realm and stayed there. His presence in Kohr is worrying,” Nes said.

“He would’ve come here already if he could,” Scipio said.

“We should move the facility nonetheless. The risk is too great,” Nes said.

Ilea stood between them. “Who is he?”

“Ker Velor, the Architect, one of the key minds behind the creation of the first Ascended and one of our fiercest adversaries after the Unity was broken. Did you learn anything of his dealings?” Nes said.

“He wasn’t particularly interested in me until I survived his light beam and escaped his barriers,” she said.

Scipio glanced at her. Nes made a gesture with her hands. “To escape a trap of the Architect. Even a fellow Navuun would be impressed.”

“You can praise her later,” Scipio said.

“He called it his sanctum, offered to turn me into one of you, I think,” Ilea said.

“A human? Ker Velor?” Nes asked, her confusion obvious.

“Yeah, he didn’t seem keen on the idea but he mentioned the Union breaking. I suppose if there were any rules against that he doesn’t care anymore,” Ilea said with a shrug.

“No. There is more to this. Did you fight him? Or did you flee?” Nes asked.

“I fought him for a little while. He used blood and metal magic, then soul. I survived and fought back, until his enchanted beams became too much,” she said.

Nes shook her head slowly. “Do you remember what he said? Why he offered to make you into one of us?”

“Become gods, yadda yadda, perfect form, he was annoyed about me liking food for some reason, oh he also mentioned something about becoming gods ruling by her side. I reminded him of someone too apparently,” Ilea said, now looking at the few notes she took back with the Meadow. “Data is data he said, but apparently he was too busy to deal with me.” She realized Nes had stopped moving, the Ascended staring at her with glowing white eyes.

“You are… certain,” she said after a few seconds. “That he said… you could rule, by Her side?” Nes asked.

Scipio glanced between them.

“Yeah. Who’s her?” Ilea asked.

Nes paused before she sat down on one of the armchairs in the entrance hall. Scipio sat down next to her and touched her arm in a gentle manner.

“Ravana Vor Itar,” the Ascended said, every word laced with venom, her white eyes not looking at Ilea. “The first Ascended.”

Ilea sat down as well. “Yeah, I can tell that this is all very big news for you two but I have no clue who these people are. Is there any significance to her being the first?”

“She was chosen by the Architect himself. An exemplary Navuun. Intelligent and ruthless. A warrior and mage beyond compare. She was turned into what many thought of as a god. For a time, until others were made Ascended. Ker Velor has always looked at her with a certain… pride,” Nes said.

“So she was your ruler?” Ilea asked.

“No. Ravana believed in the Unity, and in our principles. She was among the ones to conquer the last frontiers of Kohr. Capable, even going as far as improving on various magical principles and devices, a driving force behind the fabric stabilizer. Yet she was… cold. Beings of flesh were mere beasts to her, to be controlled and used, herded, and killed if no need was found for their existence. It was not a strange set of views within the Unity but I always found her exceptionally… efficient.”

“Sounds like a fun lass,” Ilea said and summoned herself a bottle of ale.

Scipio shook his head lightly.

“What? I fucking fought the guy and nearly died,” Ilea said. “And I’ll go back and fuck up his precious facility.”

“You have a way to Kohr?” he asked, standing up as he stared at her with wide eyes.

“Yeah. I set down a gate, not that I should tell you about that,” Ilea said. “Why? I assumed you guys had ways to get back if you needed to.”

“Ways exist, though they are not easily hidden, nor easily achieved,” Nes said. “Without anchors, it is exceptionally difficult to travel through realms, even the stabilized Kohr. I would forget your debt for the information and Taleen artifact we have given you, if you instead bring us there. For a time. There are things I require.”

“Is it worth the risk?” Scipio asked.

“Lilith was attacked. Perhaps she could be convinced to protect us for a while?” Nes asked, her steel face changing into something akin to a smile.

“I told you I was going back anyway. And with the two of you, I’m even less worried about Mr Architect,” Ilea said. “Anything else I should know? Otherwise we can discuss it on the way. Don’t think we should waste any time.”

Nes slowly stood up, powerful magic surging around her form. “Perhaps one thing. Ravana Vor Itar was destroyed. I saw it with my own eyes. But Ker Velor does not entertain impossibilities. He has repaired her, or has a way to do so.”

Chapter 762 Flesh

Chapter 762 Flesh

“Dozens have died in an effort to destroy her,” Nes spoke, shaking her head. She balled her fists.

“We can try to stop him,” Ilea suggested.

Nes shook her head. “It would take the Unity, and even then it would not be certain. These are not events that run on the scale of human time, young Azarinth healer. What the Architect has set in motion, is rarely something that can be interrupted.”

“You were looking for yet another key in that vault?” Scipio confirmed. “What else did you find?”

Ilea smiled. “Fancy necklace,” she said and opened up her ash.

“The… Azarinth star…” he murmured. “It was lost…”

“You two know a lot more than you told me last time, hmm?” Ilea said.

“Of course,” Scipio said. “What else?”

“You know I don’t have to tell you that,” Ilea said and went on. “Some Faen heart thing, but I’m keeping that. A sphere, keeping that too, and a splintered spear,” she said, looking up as she counted off her fingers.

“None of those sound familiar,” he said with a thoughtful expression.

“The spear,” Nes said, her voice sounding tired. “May I… may I see it?”

Ilea looked at her and summoned the thing. Nes hadn’t seemed interested, instead she seemed lost.

As soon as the splinters floated in front of Ilea, the Ascended shook lightly, her hand extending ever so slightly. A strange motion, followed by her arms going to her face.

Is she… crying?

“Marva… of course,” Scipio whispered. “Perhaps you can store it once more,” he added, looking at Ilea before he checked on Nes. “This is a lot. We can focus on moving the facility first, take our t-”

“No,” Nes said in a loud voice. She composed herself and touched his arm before she looked at Ilea.

“You can have it, if you like,” Ilea said.

Nes made a strange sound. “Y… you would give it… what would you want in return?”

Ilea shrugged. “Seems like it’s important to you, and I have no clue what to do with it, not like I use spears.”

“It is… the spear of the Black Leaf,” Nes said in a baffled tone, as if to confirm.

Ilea nodded slowly. “Yes. Despite the name, I prefer fists, and sometimes hammers.” She summoned the thing again and used her space manipulation to move it over to the Ascended. “It’s fine. But we shouldn’t dally. I have a feeling the more time we give someone called the Architect, the worse of a time I’ll have fucking with his lair.”

Nes raised her arms towards the broken weapon, carefully receiving it. She looked at it for a few seconds, lost in thought until Scipio cleared his throat. “Yes… of course, apologies,” she said and made the spear vanish. “I… words fails me, Lilith. Let us… move on. I will get back to you,” she said and gave her a light bow.

“Don’t mention it,” Ilea said. “Wait, maybe you two could share some info with me once I need it.”

“Of course,” Scipio said. “If you bring us to Kohr, there is little I will even try to hold back from you. I give you my word.”

“We should probably get somewhere else first, he could find this place otherwise,” Ilea said and spread her wings. “Let’s fly.”

They left the hideout and flew down towards the northern lands, the ancient beings beside Ilea.

Nes broke the silence after a few minutes. “He didn’t know you.”

“Hmm?” Ilea mused as she turned her head to look at the being.

Nes’ form was carried by the winds. “He would not have compared you to her. You are so much more.”

Ilea felt the weight of the words but she had no way to relate them. I have no clue who this Ravana person is. She just gave the Navuun a nod.

“Busy… he said he was busy,” Nes murmured. “He would not waste a chance to dissect someone like you.”

“Don’t want to sound rude, but I do believe he tried,” Ilea said. “I’m not an Ascended but I have a few tricks up my sleeves.”

“I don’t question your ability, Lilith. I have seen the Azarinth at the prime of their power, and I’m sure you’re beyond even that. I merely question the words and actions of the Architect, why he seemed so eager to be rid of you,” she said.

“He was not happy when I refused his offer,” Ilea said with a grin.

“That makes you smile?” Scipio asked from the side.

“Yeah,” Ilea said. “Just something fun about telling ancient assholes to fuck off.” She gave him a meaningful glance.

He looked back. “Fair enough.”

Hmm.

“I believe we are far enough away to make it unlikely that someone will find our facility,” Nes said, flying towards the arcane storms on the ground.

“I agree,” Scipio added.

Ilea landed last. “If he’s there, let me have a go at him alone.”

“I’m both a space and barrier mage, and I have fought Ascended before,” Scipio said.

“This is not about our capabilities, Scipio,” Ilea said, looking into his eyes as white fire started to burn on her ash. “I don’t like to be treated like a research animal.”

Nes touched the man’s shoulder. “We will stay out of it. Call for our help, and we will be there.”

“Sure, let’s see if this even works,” Ilea mused and opened the gate to Kohr. Space shifted just like when she opened a gate to another location in Elos. She flew through and found herself just outside the Ascended facility, chunks of scattered salt rock still indicating her rough exit. Bits and pieces of demons lying nearby.

Nes and Scipio followed behind, the latter now clad in black armor, golden seams flowing through the strange fabric not quite metal, leather, nor cloth. He wore an elaborate helmet modeled after a stag, though the antlers weren’t quite as pronounced as the set Ilea was more familiar with.

“I see you take after your king,” Ilea said.

Nes glanced at the chunks of flesh, averting her eyes a moment later. The gate vanished behind them.

“Let me remember a time long past, for no one else will,” he spoke.

“Elana is literally sending out expeditions to uncover your cities,” Ilea said, seeing him raise his brows at that. “I’ll keep this connection active,” she sent to both, once more eliciting a visible reaction from the duo. Never gets old. She grinned and dived down into the drilled out tunnel, quickly reaching the metal wall she had burned through before. The makeshift entrance was shut, steel present as if it had always been there.

“He shut it again,” she sent to the others. “Stay back while I break in.” A touch revealed several powerful enchantments protecting the facility. Same ones as before, just repaired, she surmised, spreading her flames onto the steel before she started punching, Archon Strike and Tempered Seal flashing up as the enchantments were shredded apart. The vaults in Baralia were nothing against this but Ilea wasn’t quite the same anymore.

Defensive enchantment destruction crew, has arrived. A bright flash of magic flared up when the connections were severed, her domain once more reaching into the facility below. “Hello. I’m back,” she murmured, her burning ash drill creating a shrill sound as she set it against the steel. It didn’t take her long to get through.

Ilea moved past the slightly glowing tunnel and into the still lit facility, orange red light mixing with bright and cold magical lamps.

She poked in her head and looked around. “Might as well.” She charged heat as her ash spread into the hall beyond. When her healing started to struggle against all the energy in her core, she spread it out through her ash and turned away, plugging her ears more as a gesture than due to an actual need before the entire hall exploded in a flash of bright flames and heat.

The walls were on fire, much of it dented, all the lights broken and gone. “I’m good, that’s one hall done,” she mused and started charging heat once more. Let’s check on the imprisoned monsters. Her wings moved, bringing her down into the burning hall.

Her domain cut off the moment her form had entered past the steel, a mesh of space magic flaring up in intricate patterns on the walls. Ilea had no time to think, bright light gathering all around as metal shifted, spheres covered in runes floating out of the ground, walls, and ceiling. Her perception of time slowed.

She could tell it was light magic, and she could tell it was too much. Her gates failed to find a connection, her teleports bringing her only to the metal walls, spheres floating out from all around.

Well. Shit. Ilea raised her arms, forming as much ash as she could, burning walls connected to her form. The Azarinth Star shimmered with magic, shields coming to life all around as the fabric splintered, Primordial Shift activating just as everything turned white.

Ilea barely managed to perceive the next split second, light burning into her eyes as a wave of magic hit her walls, the flame of creation burning with a storm around her locked form, her body not quite part of the fabric but not quite gone either. Tendrils of flesh and space mingled with light and heat before she could feel it, a strange sensation, all enveloping.

Her flesh was gone. Her bone was gone. The fabric moved, bits and pieces of her flesh remaining within the overwhelming spell of light, consciousness replaced by a strange understanding. Magic flared up as the fabric itself came to life around her, spheres of wisp like energies exploding out to counter the external pressure, the bits and pieces that remained of her strange self exploding in unnatural growth. Limbs of flesh moved out, blinding pain mixing with an unfamiliar overpowering strength as two dozen eyes opened to see the dimming lights, barriers of space itself fading away.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived – One Core Skill point awarded’

Primordial shift ended, all eyes seeing as the ground came closer at a rapid pace. Ilea landed with a wet impact. She wanted to scream, closing all her eyes as she focused on recovering mana. Any mana. All of it went straight into her healing, the core bits that remained of her bursting out from within the large sphere like chunk of flesh. Her brain was back, ash cutting through her own protective growths to sever the connection to the maddening organs. Her domain came to life, her skull and spine reforming within the flesh before she broke out on top, ripping free of the bloody chunks. Lungs reformed and were sealed off. Now she screamed.

Ilea opened her eyes, gritting her newly formed teeth as her mantle slowly flowed around her blood covered and regenerating form. “Where. Are. You.” Her voice was raw. She looked up, an ashen limb slapping away a massive chunk of falling rock. All around, the walls were crumbling. All of the metal was gone, burned away by whatever spell the Architect had prepared for her return. His entire facility was gone. Turned to nothing. Moonlight shined down from the glacial skies of Kohr, loud impacts resounding hundreds of meters away, the crater stretching farther than the facility had reached.

Nes appeared nearby, her arm raised before powerful healing slammed into Ilea.

She just glanced at the Ascended, ripping her leg out of the horrific spell that had saved her life. “I don’t need your healing,” she murmured, cracking her neck before she balled her fists, ashen wings spreading as she instead absorbed a chunk of mana from the spell used on her. She couldn’t find him.

Scipio appeared as well. “We shouldn’t stay,” he said.

Ilea hissed. “Then go.” She flew up and towards the center of the crater, checking every bit of the remains, the skies beyond, the ground below. Her domain scanned everything, heat vision, Eternal Huntress. There was nothing. This place might as well not have existed at all. You piece. Of fucking. Shit.

She shuddered, the feeling of her spell still lingering. Primordial flesh indeed. Motherfucker. A few teleports brought her back to the pair now flying near the top of the crater, entire cliffs having formed from the powerful detonation.

“How in all that is holy did you survive that blast?” Scipio asked. He shook his head. “Never mind… we should leave this place.”

“Why? He just destroyed his only advantage,” Ilea said, looking at the devastated landscape.

“You’re more confident than I am,” he said. “But I’m not worried about the Architect for once,” he added, pointing to the distant skies.

Ilea saw the writhing mass, several somethings moving closer at a concerning speed. Screeches resounded from close by, though those she assumed were normal demons. “Those might be good experience,” she said, though her confidence wavered slightly when she felt their magic flowing through the vicinity, as if antennas of void itself. Four marks, and not on the level of a Bluetail. “I can come back when I’m recovered.”

Nes watched the strange creatures in the sky, most of their large forms shrouded in dark clouds. She moved when Scipio touched her shoulder.

“Where to?” he asked.

“I… away. We will have to cast spells to locate our facilities,” the Ascended spoke.

Ilea gave the creatures a last glance as they flew upwards, demon hordes flowing over the wild landscape of Kohr like waves of an ocean, guided to the light. Thousands.

I guess now it’s personal, she thought, glancing at the expansive crater before she followed the two waiting people, the first flying demons already rushing their way, projectiles hitting barriers as they sped up.

They quickly left the pursuers behind, landing in the middle of nowhere, which to be fair was everything in the wasteland of salt and stone.

Ilea ignored the skill level notifications for now, grinning to herself at the fact that Ker Velor now likely knew his trap hadn’t killed her. Either that or he didn’t even know the trap had activated in the first place.

“Well,” she said with a smile, summoning a meal as she landed near the others. “I did fuck up his facility.”

Scipio glanced up, thin barriers moving around him on the ground to etch runes into the stone. “Technically, he did that himself.”

“Don’t provoke her,” Nes said. The Ascended looked at her with bright white eyes, her arms crossed.

“What?” Ilea asked, her mouth full. Keyla’s creation quickly reduced her anger to slight annoyance. The Architect would get his due, but first, food.

“Are you sure you’re still human?” the being asked.

Ilea opened her mouth and closed it again. She shrugged.

Nes put her arms down and started to snicker.

Scipio smiled, shaking his head as he continued drawing his runes. “Nobody should’ve survived that.”

“It wasn’t pleasant,” she said. Shouldn’t trigger another trap like that for six hours, hmm. I’m sure the Meadow would’ve like to see that. Wait fuck, I should’ve taken that chunk of flesh with me… no, but I should’ve burnt it. Disgusting. She shuddered again, focusing on the food to get her mind off the sensations. Freaky. Fucking freaky.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Yeah.

They spent the next few minutes in silence, Ilea recovering from the experience as she healed her mind, the others slightly shaken too, both from the blast and her survival.

She watched the man work, assuming he had anchors in Elos, so getting stranded here wouldn’t be as much of a problem as it had been for her and Trian.

“Any clue what that spell was?” Ilea asked.

“Not one spell,” Nes said as she glanced over. “Thousands. Overcharging mana cores to create an effect greater than the intended use of an item allows. Self destruction in other words, and those were neither simple constructs nor were they charged with little mana. Either he was worried about your return, which I question if you say he made you flee with the intended use of his defensive constructs, or he left his facility behind. Either to prevent you from finding anything within, because he had time constraints, or because he no longer had a use for it.”

“Could be anything. I don’t even know if he was there when I arrived. You guys have teleportation gates too right? Realm spanning even I assume,” Ilea said.

“No. Though there are Ascended with anchors in various realms. I myself am not a space mage, though I can return to Elos with extended preparations. Or if I find a working transporter. Devices allowing travel to previously breached and connected realms. Returning to Kohr is the difficult part however,” she said.

“I might’ve used one of those before,” Ilea said. “Wait… breached… realms?”

Does that mean?

“Yes. Only realms found by the navigators are available. You have seen another familiar realm?” Nes asked.

“Maybe,” Ilea said. Does that mean the Ascended went to Earth? “These navigators… when they find a new realm, what happens to that realm?”

“It is merely added. Scouts may enter the realms and create reports on available resources,” Nes said.

“Any… side effects possible?” Ilea asked.

“It’s a theory,” Scipio said. “So yes, you might’ve arrived in Elos due to Ascended tampering.”

“I’m sorry,” Nes said.

“But I’m not sure about it. The fabric is fickle. I’d still consider the chance higher that it was a random shift, especially with you not being older than me. I assume,” he said.

“I’m definitely younger,” Ilea said. “You’re fucking ancient. When did you figure out I’m a realm traveler anyway?”

Scipio just shook his head in confusion. “It’s… obvious.”

Ilea just glanced at him. I suppose it is?

So they did know about Earth, or at least found the realm at some point. Question is… do I want to find out more?

She didn’t quite know the answer, summoning a second meal with healing still flowing through her mind. At least she leveled her Light Magic Resistance.

Chapter 763 Master of the Fabric

Chapter 763 Master of the Fabric

Golden light flared up when the small runic circle activated, Scipio sitting in the middle, floating with his armor on.

He does look pretty cool, I’ll admit that much. Not as good as an eye covered meatball though. I have that on him.

“The realm you hail from then, has it been invaded by my peoples?” Nes spoke.

“I don’t know,” Ilea admitted. “I could see… my home, through the device that brought us back from Kohr, to Elos. I saw many other realms too.”

“We could find out what Olym Arcena had planned, if there had been anything at all,” Nes said.

Ilea shook her head. “I… don’t know.” She had built a life in Elos, her friends, allies, entire organizations. She knew she didn’t want to go back to her old life, that much was clear. But what if the Ascended had already invaded Earth? Could they even win? Against fighter jets, modern bombs? Or would they just bury deep into the ground and build some facilities to study us and our technology?

Her eyes widened. Or take our sun. She shook her head. “What do you think?” she asked, looking at the Ascended.

Nes tilted her head to the side a little. “The Architect is aware of your existence. There are many realms, Lilith, many realms the Olym Arcena has found, most of them left untouched. Should you investigate, it is possible others will take notice. However I will support you, should you wish to find out more. You have seen it in the transporter, which means there might be a weak anchor left within your realm, a connection, perhaps due to your birth. The first step would be finding the name we have given your realm, and for that we would require a working transporter.”

“I’ll think about it,” Ilea said. “Thanks Nes. Maybe you can tell me where the transporters where before. I’ll come back here… soon.”

“You do not know the location of the one you have used?” the Ascended asked.

She shook her head. “No idea. Everything here looks the same.”

Nes looked up to the moon, clouds shrouding the light a moment later. “It has not always been like this. Life once flourished in Kohr.” She shook her head, looking to Scipio.

“Any moment now,” he said, a thin needle of golden magic flickering to life above his palm. He grinned. “There you go. Your connection worked.”

“What are we looking for exactly?” Ilea asked.

“You do not have to accompany us, Lilith, though I will not deny you. There are materials, tools, technology, impossible for me to build on my own, all hidden within facilities left behind, locked, or perhaps breached. Some of them my own. We could not ignore the opportunity,” she said.

Ilea looked up, cracking her knuckles. “I don’t see how that will benefit me to be honest. Except you have something tangible for me.”

“You have proven resilience beyond that of an Ascended. I do not believe there is much I can offer you, Lilith. Not yet. I will look for a transporter, and depending on how much is left of my facilities, I might be able to offer suitable training for your resistances. Some at the very least,” Nes said.

Ilea glanced at Scipio before she looked back to the Ascended. “You have my mark, Nes. Though I will enhance that skill soon. I’m not sure if they’ll stay… you two have a safe way back then?”

“Yes,” Scipio said. “Though it will be difficult to create a reliable anchor here in Kohr. Perhaps we will once more require your help in the future, Ilea. For suitable compensation of course.”

“If you find anything on Ker Velor’s location or plans,” she said and stood up. “I’d love to know it.”

“You will be the first to know,” Nes said and gave her a nod. “Thank you, Ilea. Should you ever require my help or assistance, in battle or without, I am at your service.”

Ilea smiled. “Well, I won’t say no to that.”

Nes’ face moved into what seemed like a grin before she glanced over to Scipio.

He sighed. “Sure. Me too.”

“You’re not quite as impressive,” Ilea said.

He shrugged.

“I’ll see you around,” she said in a thoughtful manner, summoning a gate back to the Meadow’s domain.

“Good fortune, on your travels, wielder of the Azarinth Star,” Nes spoke as Ilea stepped through the gate.

It vanished behind her, Ilea taking in a deep breath before she sighed.

“That bad?” the Meadow greeted.

“Well I did tell you about that enhancement… flesh growth?” she sent back, tilting her head to the side.

“Well. You did survive. Again,” the Meadow spoke. “Have you fought the Ascended?”

“No. A trap left behind. Light magic. I’ve never felt anything like it, not even from you,” she said and walked towards the Soul Forge, ready to take yet another bath.

She gave the Meadow a quick rundown of the events and newfound knowledge from Kohr, most of it to be distributed to the Accords. Perhaps it would push for even more investments into defensive structures, detection, and enchantments. Though with what she had seen, Ilea simply didn’t know what her and her allies could do against such destructive power. The Ascended would’ve killed her, had she not enhanced that one skill. Well, that’s not entirely true… every bit of resilience helped me survive that.

Ilea sat in the water, brooding.

“I had a dozen eyes,” she sent.

“An improvement for sure. Did it open your mind to new possibilities?” the Meadow asked.

“The contrary,” Ilea said. “Freaked me out like nothing… like few things before.”

“I understand. Perhaps one day you will see the light,” it spoke.

Ilea looked up from the water and rolled her eyes, the two of them she had.

“What do you think about Earth?” she asked.

“Do you feel a strong connection to your realm?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea laid back. “I was born there… but it’s no longer my home. This is. I would visit maybe… if I wouldn’t lose my magic.”

“Your magic is yours,” the Meadow spoke. “No matter how little ambient mana a realm offers. You are born human, and you remain so. Mostly. But it seems you are more worried about losing your own magic than you are concerned about your realm.”

“You’re right. I mean Earth has such a diverse history, so many countries, billions of people. If I’m honest, I care about it the same as I care about the Nipha Empire or Kroll. I do care about the few friends I have there… but they probably think I’m dead. It would cause a ton of issues if I suddenly showed up, though seeing Mark’s face would be funny. Straight up punching through walls.” She grinned at the thought and stood up, her mantle forming as she cracked her neck. “I’ll look into it if Nes finds a transporter. Until then, I have skills to train.”

“To everyone. My mark might disappear. Will reset,” she sent to everyone with one of her marks.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive: Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Huntress turned Eternal. Your eyes are unmatched and so is your nose. Perceive the smallest irregularities in your surroundings as well as the ambient mana to find clues about your target’s whereabouts. Perceive the trails of dangerous prey.

2nd stage: You gain a sense for the distress in the people around you. Amplify this by sacrificing mana. You gain a sense for the arcane, feeling even minor spells around you. As you practice to differentiate these spells, you will learn of their intent.

3rd stage: Through Azarinth magic, you may mark an enemy or ally with the Eternal Mark. Allies may use the mark to send a short message to the Arcane Eternal once per hour. The Arcane Eternal can send a short message to each non forcefully applied mark once per hour. One hundred marks can be maintained. Marks forcefully applied have a limited duration. You may use any long range teleportation spells in your Arcane Eternal Class to teleport to a being marked by Eternal Huntress.

Category: Body Enhancement

She closed her eyes and sighed. Good. That’ll help. “Okay I didn’t lose anything. And I can travel to marked people with my third tier transfer.

Ilea wondered how the cooldown on the ability worked. Could she travel to each mark every few hours or was there something separate? Transfer itself didn’t change and mentioned nothing. For now, she assumed it was limited in the same way the other destinations were, which would still offer her a great deal of destinations, mostly within Ravenhall.

Even more time to save. She thought about fighting the creatures in Kohr right away but perhaps a visit to Felicia was in order first. Ilea considered waiting five hours to get her space flesh ability back in case the Architect somehow followed and prepared another trap but she went with her gut in the end. She would make every hour count. And when I find him, I’ll be ready.

Ilea checked in with her allies more frequently in the coming days, constantly expecting an Ascended to pop up near one of their cities. Her time she spent with training, her newfound ability to teleport to marked individuals helping tremendously with her efficiency. The marks all had their individual cooldowns, which allowed frequent changes of her location, and her complete disconnect from the teleportation network everyone else used.

A few weeks came and went. Any responsibilities she still had with the Accords were gone by now, the network expanding through the Plains at a rapid pace. Entire settlements were built and grew as Ilea and her allies pushed farther into Iz.

She looked at the expansive cavern, no light present, the lakes and rivers of lava long left behind kilometers farther up above. She could sense powerful magic in the vicinity, far beyond the already high ambient mana so deep below Karth. They had fought hundreds of monsters, most beyond four marks. For some it took entire days of battle to breach through their regeneration or high defense.

A white flame moved forward into the perfect darkness, as if to call for anything that hid within. It was snuffed out a moment later.

Ilea squinted her eyes, unsure of what she had just seen. Void? Something had made her flame disappear entirely. As if taken from the fabric. She felt the magic then, right next to her. The fabric was torn, as if moved aside by whatever forced its way.

A four armed being with a head but no face came out from the void itself. Its skin was dark and barely visible, strange scales covering its entire form. Half its torso came out of the darkness before a mouth opened on its face, a dark substance spewed out from within.

[Karthian Lurker – lvl ????]

Ilea raised her brows as she gauged the magic, a single vibrant golden shield appearing in an instant, the dark ooze splattering against the creation of the Azarinth Star. Silent Memory appeared within her other hand, raised before a set of silver thorns lashed out at the monster, just three of them going around her arm to bite into her ash.

The void swallowed everything, the creature returning into nothing.

She grasped at it with her space manipulation but found its form strangely slippery, as if her spell could simply not find purchase on its body. She assumed it was in the mid thousands, more powerful perhaps than the Trakorov and Corrupted Sand Elemental she had fought. The highest level being they had faced in the Karthian Depths. Fey and Kyrian were fighting more familiar monsters a few kilometers back, the two only moving on when Ilea found a new path to delve deeper.

She checked all of her perception, walking farther into the expansive cavern as her ash and fires spread outwards. She could sense no heat beyond the one in the very stone itself, could sense no essence apart from her own, nor did she find anything awry within the fabric.

“Can you hear me?” she asked, repeating the question with her telepathy. “Why don’t you come out to play again?”

She twirled the silver hammer in her hand, a new golden shield now hovering just above her arm. The black ooze had fallen to the ground, all that it touched vanishing into nothing, the substance itself gone after it had consumed a chunk of the ground.

Ilea whistled her challenge, monster hunter flashing out in a magical ripple, reverberating from the walls as she waited.

An arm appeared behind her back, ashen limbs lashing out but unable to strike. A golden shield appeared as she turned around, the black arm blocked by the barrier. She could feel the void grip at her, a powerful spell manifesting all around. Her ash, skin, her very bones were pulled towards the arm but she resisted. Nothing would move her against her will, not even the Meadow. And this creature was no Meadow.

Her wings spread when the ground turned to black ooze, followed by the very air. She teleported out, some of it stuck to her form and weapon, the void slowly consuming her defenses. “This won’t be enough, you know?”

“Th...en..lee..a.ve...m..me….bee.” The voice resounded in her mind, strange and alien. It vibrated with an intense calm, confusing sensations flowing into her in turn.

“Why don’t we talk?” she asked, receiving a pained screech in response.

“I...seek...rest..you..leave...p..please,” it spoke again, the voice shaking a little more, anger mingling with the calm, more ooze spilling out from nowhere.

“Alright, alright. Sorry for the disturbance,” Ilea sent, her shields absorbing most of the ooze around her, parts of them outright consumed. “Do you know a way farther down?”

“L...eave!” it screeched now, drops of darkness falling from the cavern ceiling.

Ilea teleported out, the cavern a dead end as far as she could tell. She understood how annoying it would be for someone to just strut into one’s home, especially when one was resting. The attacks were obvious and the Lurker only communicated with her once it couldn’t consume or kill her. Ah well. Not like I want to get sucked into whatever void like place it lives in. Killing sapient four marks was not on her list, not if she didn’t have a good reason to do so.

“Let me know if I can help you somehow, if you need that,” she sent, adding a similar intent with another use of Monster Hunter before she left the cavern, receiving no response from the creature.

She wondered what it was. A Dark One? Partially or fully awakened from a powerful void creature that lived down here? An elf or human that chose this existence as an evolution? Something controlled by a cursed item? Perhaps she would return at some point, with Violence. The Fae had a way to communicate with and befriend all kinds of creatures after all.

Her schedule was packed as it was however. She looked at the hammer in her hand and smiled, the few silver threads flowing in a serene manner, two of them still moving around her arm, biting into ash. The Silent Memory felt calm to her. Ready. She knew now that the hammer had some strange kind of intent. She didn’t think it was quite consciousness but more, a temperament. Evan hadn’t been wrong about her need to prove herself to the divine item. The Azarinth Star was far less moody, the mythic skill both reliable and incredibly powerful. And it improved at an incredible rate, likely due to her constant exposure to powerful spells, and her liberal use of the item.

She just wished there was a way for her to train with Icy. Ben’s magic was strong but she assumed the Elemental could’ve pushed her far faster. Iz was getting closer and he still did not consider her ready to invade his home domain.

“Anything interesting?” Fey asked, blood covered and battered. He sat down on a chunk of rock, his fires returning as he regenerated the damage done to his form. He cracked his neck and spat out a set of teeth. “That damn brute… bone magic enhanced strikes.”

“I know the feel,” Ilea said as she leaned against the wall of the cavern, her ashen limbs having cut away enough stone for the two of them to comfortably stand around. Kyrian had left for the day, for what he called an important appointment. She would’ve just called it fucking but he was easily flustered.

“You do?” Fey asked, a hand in his mouth.

Felicia is so, so much better, she thought. “Yes. And no, just some void creature that doesn’t want to be disturbed. Couldn’t catch it.”

“Well if you couldn’t catch it, it’s gone,” he mused.

“I wanted to ask you something,” she added.

“Oh no, what ancient secret did you uncover now?” he asked, leaning back against the stone. They were both quiet for a moment when a slithering creature moved past a few dozen meters above, gone as quickly as it had appeared.

Ilea had seen them before, three mark creatures that looked like worms. They fed on essence.

“Are you familiar with the name Nelras Ithom?” she asked.

The elf looked at her for a while before he hissed in a thoughtful manner. “Ithom… I have heard that name before. I believe there are some that hail by that in the domain of light, the Sava desert. Though I’m not familiar with one such Nelras Ithom. Isalthar might know.”

“I could go bother them,” Ilea mused.

“To ask about an elf from the Sunlight Wastes? Is it that important? I don’t know how the others would react to your presence,” the elf said.

“They’re all Hunters, aren’t they?” Ilea asked and summoned her bone set, the rune still etched into the timeless material.

“Just warn Neiphato before,” Fey said. “Done for today then?”

“Yeah, come on, I’ll get you north,” she said and formed a gate.

Dedicated Post

Hello everyone.

I'm not quite sure how to start this.

A good friend of mine wrote a book. Like me, they're not a massive fan of marketing. It doesn't come as a surprise then, that the book hasn't exactly exploded on amazon.

Note that they didn't ask for this shoutout.

I think it's good shit. And I think you should check it out. Every one of you.

It's about a tragic and badass female lead finding herself usurping a ritual to become a Lich. Fantasy, slice of lifey, dark, bloody, and incredibly atmospheric.

Here's a small excerpt:

"The moon rises, casting pale shadows across the land. Somewhere to the west a wolf howls, mournfully, the sound mingling with the swish of the wind through the dusky boughs. As we travel further north, the scent of the forest changes from loam and flowers to resin and dust.

Fey lights twinkle in pockets of deep darkness, wisps whisper and call to me as we pass. I do not fear them. How many times had I walked these forests after dark, my heart thumping as I hurried home in the night? And now I stride with ultimate confidence, knowing there is nothing out there more terrible than me. My eyes pierce the gloom and I bare my teeth at the slinking shadow of a wolf. It growls softly and then runs away on its belly. Sensible."

If any of that seems interesting to you, do go check it out, get it, get it for your friends, leave a rating, and review :P.

Link: https://geni.us/LichesStitchesDerby

If the above one doesn't work (if you can't click either see the below author's note): https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09GNRMHVR

Thanks for reading and have a good week :)!

A note from Rhaegar

Link: https://geni.us/LichesStitchesDerby

If the above one doesn't work: https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09GNRMHVR

Chapter 764 Gathering

A note from Rhaegar

Go get Liches, it's great :)! It's about a tragic and badass female lead finding herself usurping a ritual to become a Lich. Fantasy, slice of lifey, dark, bloody, and incredibly atmospheric.

Chapter 764 Gathering

Zoy felt the warm breeze move through her hair. It was definitely rare for a Cerithil Hunter to stay in a ruin so close to the surface. She could feel the moss covered stone with her hands, perceived it within her magic. She felt bits of sunlight break through the ancient ceiling far above. Some of the others were within her range but most elected to stay at a reasonable distance. Humans were not welcome among the Hunters. She had learned as much in the few interactions she’s had, though there were always outliers.

“Have you eaten?” Neiphato asked, the wood mage approaching with the carcass of an animal. Six legs and a beast like head. A predator, though not as dangerous as an elf.

She shook her head ever so slightly. Hunting she could do herself, though the elf who had called them here wanted secrecy. A gathering within the ruins of Elvator, deep within the Navali forest. She grabbed for the animal. “Ter valras,” she spoke, a few hisses resounding from those who had heard her. A saying of thanks, enough to inspire hostility. She hissed back.

“Your Elvish is good,” Neiphato said as he gestured to the bit of decrepit stone wall next to her.

She didn’t react, instead using a hunting knife to cut away a chunk of skin. She bit into the flesh right after. When Inarulis had found her, the raw meat used to give her stomach aches, or worse. Not anymore.

“I did not expect to find a human here,” the elf said.

He was the first to make conversation but she would much rather prefer he stare in silence too, or fight her. “Why are... you talking... to me?” she asked between gulps, blood rolling down her chin.

[Wood Mage – lvl 370]

The elf was among the weaker ones here, as was she. Zoy had learned early on however, that humans were different not just in looks and customs. She could hold her own against many of the present hunters, though most she didn’t know.

“I’m bored,” the elf said.

She raised her brows and hissed.

“You know, I spent some time traveling with a human. A few ones actually. And our group of Hunters wasn’t quite as… difficult as the ones gathered here,” he spoke.

Zoy remained quiet, eating more of the fresh meat. Hunters talking to humans, traveling with humans? A few decades prior the thought might’ve made her angry, knowing what she had been through to even be accepted here. Now, she would have to lie to say that she wasn’t at least a little bit intrigued.

“Well no… we were probably even more difficult. But she more or less beat the others into submission. Hard to argue with strength,” the elf continued. “Then they betrayed us, betrayed Isalthar, and everything we chose.” He shook his head in a solemn manner.

“Savir e nave,” she spoke. Hunters and prey, a saying Inarulis liked to use.

The elf smiled and hissed. “Indeed, though I wish they would’ve thought beyond that. It’s one way to look at life but I’ve learned there is more nuance.”

She remained quiet, watching as another elf stepped out of the dark and into her perception. She had heard his approach, had made an assumption based on his weight, his gait, and the grinding of his teeth. Veratin. The elf from the Fire Wastes did not hide his disdain for her species, though he respected Isalthar enough not to outright attack her. A challenge he did not issue, though Zoy assumed that was just another insult.

She didn’t much care. He would likely kill her if it came to a fight, and then she wouldn’t be of any help in fighting the Taleen. Illogical, she thought, though not unexpected. A gathering like this was strange in the first place.

“Young Neiphato. Why do you talk to this creature?” spoke Veratin, the elf adding a long hiss to underline his words, spoken in Elos Standard as a show of disrespect.

“She is a Hunter, like you and I,” he said.

A mistake, Zoy thought.

Veratin remained quiet for a few seconds before he hissed, magic flowing around him as he looked at his claws with orange red eyes. “Are you ready to prove those words?”

“No,” Neiphato said, eliciting a few more hisses from the nearby Hunters, some having moved closer now, others discussing amongst each other in whispered voices. “But our visitor might be willing to come here a little earlier than planned,” he added, looking lost in thought for a moment before he refocused. “Yes… she is… willing.”

“She?” Veratin asked.

Zoy perceived as a being appeared next to the wood mage, her form entirely clad in a magical armor. She nearly winced when the woman landed on the ground. That weight.

She knew her too, the same woman who had came and fought her near the isle of Garath. The woman who claimed to have fought Praetorians in the past. But she was different now.

[Battle Healer – lvl ???]

A three mark human. Why did she come here?

“I heard someone wants to fight?” the woman said. Zoy tried to remember her name but she came up with a blank.

Veratin hissed. “Who are you, to interrupt this conversation?”

“Lilith. A friend of the Hunters,” the woman said. “But I might reconsider if you’re here to represent them. Then again, you’re not quite on his level.”

He hissed once more.

Lilith ignored it, glancing over to Zoy. “Found you,” she spoke, her demeanor casual and relaxed.

Zoy felt trapped, feeling the attention of the predators around them shift from Lilith to herself.

“Didn’t expect you here,” Lilith said again before she turned back to Veratin. “If you want a fight, I’m happy to indulge you.”

The elf grinned, showing his sharp teeth as he hissed in an amused manner. “What could a human know about battle?”

“Yes, yes. Come on, less annoying talk and more fighting. Show me what you have,” Lilith said and spread her arms, magic flaring out from her form.

_________________________

To his credit, the elf charged her right after her challenge. And here I thought he’d go on and on about humans being inferior or something. His clawed and burning hand slammed into her layered mantle, Ilea making no move to block or evade the attack. She tilted her head a little to the side. On the one hand it was comforting to know that the Hunter wouldn’t outright kill her in a single strike, on the other it was insulting that he would underestimate her that much.

She burst into white flame, a few hisses resounding from the onlookers. About twenty elves had gathered in the ruins. Cerithil Hunters, all of them.

“I said show me what you have,” she repeated, summoning a few golden barriers around herself as she charged heat within herself.

The elf grinned, his body outright exploding with magical power, the fires intensifying as his magic fought the flame of creation stuck to his arm. His legs bent before he rushed forward, reaching her near instantly. This time his attacks were deliberate, claws reaching for her throat and eyes, flame exploding against her shields when they moved in the way. He circled her, dodging ashen limbs as he kept his aggression up, the first shield shattering on his fourth strike, the others unable to follow his velocity.

Ilea slapped away his hand, her own auras flaring up as they started to exchange blows. He deflected four of her strikes, dodging two more with swift movements of his torso before he laid into her. She mostly let him, using the openings created by his attacks to strike back. Most of her attempts unsuccessful. Six seconds passed before they disengaged, neither of them visibly worse for wear.

She hadn’t expected anything less from a level six thirty elf. And she could tell he was holding back, if only to prevent this dungeon to fall even further into ruin. The same was true for her of course.

“You are inexperienced,” he said finally. “But I won’t deny your strength.”

Ilea glanced at Neiphato, the elf shaking his head ever so slightly. Getting the respect of the Hunters would require a little show. It all worked out as he had planned. But a part of her wanted to go on.

“Maybe we can test ourselves more. Some other time,” she said with a hiss.

The elf grinned back. “Indeed. Human.” He hissed too, a few more hissed coming from the others.

Accepted by the monster cult, Ilea thought with a smile, locking eyes with the powerful armored elf before he turned his back to her. “Nice preparation,” she sent to Neiphato.

“I hadn’t even thought of it,” the elf replied. “He does not like humans.”

“Figured,” she mused, looking at Zoy. “Where did you find her?”

“I don’t know. She was here when I arrived. Isalthar said she was a Hunter, and that was that,” he said.

Ilea sat down next to the woman and looked at her.

Zoy didn’t meet her eyes but she did turn her head towards her. “You have grown.”

[Sword Master – lvl 340]

“So have you,” Ilea said with a smile. “Care to resume our little fight?”

Zoy raised her brows. “That is not why you came.”

Ilea looked away. “It isn’t, no.” She summoned herself a meal and started eating, a few of the Hunters nearby giving her strange looks.

They remained in silence for a while, Neiphato sitting down nearby while looking at her.

“The Praetorians,” Zoy started. “Did you destroy them?”

Ilea remembered telling her about the machines below Dawntree. She smiled and swallowed. “Yes. Some time ago. Moved on to Executioners and Hunter Praetorians.”

The woman nodded slowly. “You are… very strong.”

“Thank you?” Ilea said.

Zoy went quiet again.

“How did you become a Cerithil Hunter?” Ilea asked, this time initiating telepathy. Even she could tell the others were watching and listening. There was some strange kind of tension in the area, and by now she didn’t think it had to do with them being human, not only that at least.

“Telepathy,” Zoy answered. “Who are you, Lilith?”

“Ilea is my actual name. Lilith is kind of a joke name I used but it stuck. Good too because people in the Plains generally know me by that. Would be weird to have bards sing about Ilea,” she said with a smile, realizing the woman hadn’t exactly asked about her name. “I was an adventurer, joined the Hand, traveled north, fought a lot of monsters. That’s pretty much it. I did meet an elf on my travels there.”

The woman moved her head up a little at the mention of an elf.

“He hadn’t been a Hunter then but was unsure about the teachings of the Oracles, especially because they actively prevented Elves from facing the root of the Taleen threat,” she explained. “We became friends in time. I learned about Elves and he learned about humans. How about you?”

“I…” Zoy started. She shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone.”

Ilea waited, continuing her meal.

“I was a child, living in a village in the west. A small village. Newly formed. Elves came one day, demanded we deliver the Cursed,” she explained, her breathing picking up.

Ilea used her healing.

“What is this… magic?” Zoy asked, looking up and around.

“Arcane healing,” Ilea said.

“Inarulis found me. Killed the Elves that were hunting me. He spoke of a debt and took me with him. He taught me to fight, and to survive,” she spoke.

“The Hunter they were looking for?” Ilea asked.

“Maybe. But I never blamed him. It was their choice to come. And they paid for their actions,” she said.

“So he made you a Hunter? Didn’t expect an elf to do that to be honest,” Ilea said.

Zoy shook her head ever so slightly. “No. He taught me to survive. And when he deemed me ready, he brought me back to human lands. Years had passed, all those I had known… were gone. I followed him, with the skills he had taught me, and I fought by his side against the strange machines he sought to destroy.”

Ilea could feel the weight with which she spoke. The Hunter was likely no longer alive, but she didn’t want to ask. Zoy was here now, amongst the Cerithil Hunters. “Why come here? You were working with Arthur, right?”

“He studied the gates, and I needed to find more dungeons. If I could learn of the gates, it would help with my goals. You interrupted that,” Zoy said with a bit of annoyance. “Though he did use the gates to teleport us away.”

“Yeah. I found the place in the north. But you weren’t there anymore. Speaking of gates, we figured them out,” Ilea said.

“What do you mean?” Zoy asked.

Ilea considered. “The taleen network. We found a way to use their gates. We have a map, and we found their capital.”

“You were the ally…” Zoy spoke. “Isalthar talked about an ally that allowed them to find Iz. To travel there.”

“Did you know him?” Ilea asked.

“No. Inarulis taught me many things. He did not like to cooperate with other Hunters, but he regularly went to a dungeon in the forest. Every half year we would travel there. He said that when the time came, I would know what to do,” she said. “A message was there when I went. Left by the Val Akuun. The enemy was found.”

“Messages left in ancient dungeons,” Ilea mused. “You guys should really work on your organization.”

Zoy hissed.

Ilea raised her brow before she chuckled. She’s a Hunter alright.

“The ally has arrived,” Isalthar’s voice interrupted their conversation, his form flowing down from a nearby moss covered building. “I was informed you wanted to talk.”

Some of the elves hissed, others standing up with magic flaring up around their forms, some drew their weapons. Others watched with amused expressions.

“A human?” one of them asked, a broad and armored fellow in dark red colors, two massive curved blades on his back.

“Indeed. A Guardian of Cerith, as she was called by some of our kind. And I see she has yet again proven to be resourceful,” Isalthar spoke. He landed nearby, all eyes on him.

Ilea didn’t miss the different reactions, nuanced hisses, and facial expressions. Suppose they had a long time to build opinions and hold grudges. He was the source of the tension. But just as much was he the reason for their presence.

“Greetings,” she sent to the elf. “There were a few things I wanted to discuss.”

“A way to communicate without anyone listening in. However I must ask you to refrain.” he said and continued speaking normally. “There may be history between myself and the present Hunters, but I trust them all with my life.”

A few hisses resounded, most in an affirming manner.

Ilea nodded slowly. “If you trust them, so will I,” she said. With the information I would share with you. “We went back to Iz with more of the keys. A few things came up.”

Isalthar sat down on a chunk of rock a few meters away, some of the Elves moving closer.

“The One without Form has turned off the gates in Iz, or at least prevented us from going back. It should be possible to attack the core once we have all the keys,” she said.

“Who holds these artifacts?” a three mark elf asked, though likely weaker than her based on his level.

“I do,” Ilea said.

More hisses.

“The Taleen would not recognize one of our kind as a key warden. That is what you were called, was it not?” Isalthar said, looking at her.

“Yes. And I’m missing only one of the keys. It’s within the Still Valley,” she said.

Glances and hisses were exchanged.

“Nobody escapes,” the same elf that fought her said.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve escaped worse,” Ilea said.

“Do you have proof of such claims?” the elf asked.

One of the elves hissed. “Have you grown blind in your age, Veratin?” The elf had gray hair. His face looked young, his eyes a deep blue. His form looked frail compared to the others, wearing gray robes that seemed to flake with ash.

Ilea nearly got lost in the depth of his eyes as she glanced his way. Nobody made a sound.

[Crystal Mage – lvl ???]

He was at a higher level than even Isalthar, slightly above eight hundred.

“She wields the flame of creation,” he spoke. “This human is touched by the Fae, and she is marked by them. I recognize her as a Guardian of Cerith.”

He saw the mark? Ilea wondered how he did it. She hadn’t felt any soul magic. Then again, the mark was meant as something others could perceive.

“A space mage?” Veratin asked, now looking her way. He hissed in an acknowledging manner.

“But do you have the resilience?” another elf asked, this one with a rather thin physique and near white armor, his eyes silver.

[Ice Mage – lvl 483]

“I’m working on it,” Ilea said. “But try me. And don’t hold back. I have met an Ice Elemental before.”

The Elves once more exchanged glances.

“I am Maratas Veyun, and I will accept your offer,” the elf said and stepped forward.

Ilea teleported to an open space in the area, a cold wind of frost enveloping her a moment later. She endured, not using the Azarinth Star as the cold air turned into a continuous torrent, growing more powerful by the second. Her fires kept burning, her mantle protecting her as heat gathered within her core.

A minute passed before she waved her arm, breaking the crystals that had managed to cling to her armor. White flame burned away the ice on the ground, the very air heating up with her burning ash. “I expect more within the Valley.”

The elf bowed. “As you should, Guardian of Cerith.”

“And I don’t plan to go there before I am deemed ready. Perhaps you could help with that too,” she said, looking at the elf.

“If my assistance is required, I shall provide it,” he spoke.

Chapter 765 Golden Eyes

Chapter 765 Golden Eyes

Ilea walked back to the others. “We are working to get to the capital, but it will take more time, and we have to be prepared. There are four mark guardians protecting the core. And an entire army controlled by the One without Form.”

“We have fought Taleen armies long before you have heard of their existence,” Veratin said, the elf hissing at her.

“Good. That’s good,” Ilea said and gave him a thumbs up, the visible confusion on his face bringing her more than a bit of joy. “So none of you have an easy way to get the key in the ice domain?”

The Elves remained silent.

“You should leave the keys with someone else before you go,” Maratas said.

“I will,” Ilea said. She didn’t plan to die but she understood his concern. If a level eight hundred elf wouldn’t offer to invade the Still Valley, maybe Ben’s fears weren’t quite unfounded. Not that she assumed as much in the first place. “And I’ll let you know once I have all the keys.”

“Once you do, we will be ready,” Isalthar said. “And we will move to delve into Karth ourselves.”

“I can just teleport you there,” Ilea said.

He raised his brows before he bowed lightly. “That would indeed save time.”

The gray haired elf chuckled to himself.

“I wanted to ask something else. Fey didn’t know about it. Nelras Ithom, do you know the name?” she asked, looking around.

The chuckling elf choked before he started coughing.

Isalthar hissed. “A monarch. Of the sunlight wastes. He lived before my time but I know their domain fell into centuries of chaos after his demise. Hundreds of Elves lost their lives in the wake of his death. How have you heard of his name?”

“Stumbled upon an artifact that had to do with him,” she said.

“May I see it?” the gray haired elf said.

Ilea glanced his way. “No.”

He hissed, hand closing into a fist. “Very well,” he said and leaned back, his interest gone already.

Guess if you’re that old you don’t hold onto things for very long. She watched him for a moment before returning her attention to the others. Before even Isalthar’s time. Was anyone here even there in the war? I suppose they would’ve had little need to be Cerithil Hunters before the Taleen started to send out their machines. Their cities wouldn’t have been dungeons in the first place.

“Secrets kept from Elves, by a human of all things,” Veratin mused.

Ilea was about to hiss when he continued.

“I like that,” he said. “Yes. Perhaps you were right to bring them here,” he said, glancing at Isalthar before he stepped back to his brooding spot in the moss covered ruin somewhere deep within the Navali forest.

“What was your name again, child?” the gray haired elf asked.

“Why don’t you give me your name first, grandpa?” she replied.

Some of the elves hissed.

He just smirked, the expression a little disturbing with his obvious age but youthful face. “I am Carthaan Oris, at your service, young human.”

“I’m Lilith, nice to meet you, Carthaan,” she spoke with a smile. “Can’t wait to fight you.”

He laughed, a fit of coughs wracking through him a moment later. “It will be nice to fight by your side, Lilith.”

“Long has it been since I have fought alongside an Azarinth Healer,” his voice reverberated in her mind.

Ilea cut the connection before establishing a new one with her own skill. “You’re a funny one, old elf.”

He huffed.

“I’m not of the Azarinth however, even though I use their magic,” she said.

“I’m not blind. Those lunatics are gone. Good riddance. Know that Nelras Ithom has fallen to the Ascended, brought into their realm like the idiot he was. He had a good heart, and who knows… perhaps he would’ve been by our side today, had he survived.” he said.

“Did you know him personally?” Ilea asked.

“I fought him a few times. I think… who knows… time and memory, is fickle,” he spoke, his eyes dimming for a moment before the strange blue depth returned. “Those… shields you formed. Have you found that mythical item?”

“The Azarinth Star,” Ilea said. “Yes. I found it recently. What do you know of it?”

He nodded to himself. “Bothersome. Very bothersome. It’s good that you have it, and not one of their Elders.”

“Didn’t you just say they’re gone?” she asked.

“Gone?” he looked at her with confusion. “Yes…” He nodded to himself. “The Azarinth? Your magic feels familiar, indeed.”

Isalthar gently touched her shoulder, giving her a look with his white eyes.

“What’s with him?” she asked.

“He is old. Older than most, and his mind has taken… much. If it’s agreeable, I would ask you to let him rest,” he said.

Ilea nodded. “Carthaan. Would you mind if I healed your mind?”

He glanced up. “An arcane healer. Long has it been. Indeed, I would not deny such an attempt.”

You can’t anyway. Healing magic, hah. She focused on his mind and activated her spell, seeing relief in his eyes before he closed them.

Guess I’m a caretaker for old elfs now.

Isalthar watched the scene before he gave her a nod. “Is there anything else you came to discuss?”

“Zoy, if you’re looking for some human interaction, let me know. Or if you want to meet someone else besides Elves. I can bring you back again too,” she sent to the woman.

Zoy turned her head towards Ilea and gave her a light nod.

Guess that’s a maybe? She shrugged and turned back to Isalthar. “I’ll just return for resistance training. With some others here too, if that works for you.”

“Most of the messages have been sent, though some of us seek Hunters still. Those who are here will be of service to you, should you be able to convince them,” he said.

“You can start then, if you’re around for a little while,” she said.

“Of course,” Isalthar spoke. “Let us descend deeper, lest we alert the young ones who hunt in these forests.”

“They can’t enter anyway, no?” Ilea asked, spreading her wings to follow the wind mage and healer.

“They would not enter, however magic may still destroy this place from outside. We do no longer adhere to the rules of the Oracles, though there is sanctity in the Nar el Ceroth, the place of creation, or dungeons as you call them,” he said as they descended.

“Sure,” Ilea said with a smile, another location added to her training roster.

Days turned to weeks, another two months passing in a flash as Ilea prepared for her visit to the Still Valley. The Hunters gathered around Isalthar provided powerful magic for her resistance training, Ilea switching between locations to optimize her routine.

The light was dim, distant chatter and the sound of squeaky wagon wheels signaling the early morning hours in the capital of Lys. Ilea kissed the tired yellow eyed woman lying next to her.

A hand brushed against her hair. “Leaving again?” Felicia asked.

“You know the drill,” Ilea said with a smile.

“How can you keep up with it all? I’m still tired from this week and I’ve worked half as much as you did,” Felicia said. “When did you even sleep last?”

“I’ll sleep when I’ve dealt with the keys. That ice valley is taunting me, I tell you,” Ilea said, touching her lip. “As is Kohr to be honest.”

“You’ve gotten so much stronger. I’m sure there’s no horror out there capable of defeating you,” Felicia said, grabbing Ilea’s arm before she pulled her down. She moved close to her ear and continued in a whisper. “Except for me of course.”

“Except for you,” Ilea said and kissed her.

She left an hour later, behind on her schedule but more than ready for the day ahead.

“The preparations are done,” the Meadow sent into her mind just as she was about to cast her third tier transfer to join Ben for their early morning ice magic session.

“Can’t make it right now, Ben. Might be there later. I’ll let you know,” she sent to the elf. The enhancement to Eternal Huntress increased the message limit from ten to twenty words, in addition to the teleportation benefits.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” she said to the wind make with a smile, teleporting out of the estate and falling into an appearing gate. She landed on the other side, now within the domain of the Meadow.

“Welcome,” it spoke into her mind. “The others are ready.”

“Let’s get started then,” she sent and teleported past the enchanted buildings now crowding around the outer parts of the domain. Just far enough away for the mana not to be troublesome for the researchers and visitors. Most of the people the Meadow had mentioned were interested in magical theory and not the divinity or nature of its existence.

The Soul Forge had become some kind of refuge within the northern domain, though nobody besides Ilea and the Fae were allowed close to the crystal tree either. Her daily baths had become a staple however, and today the cube itself was locked, most of the enchantments previously set up by Khan Joggoth repaired by Iana and Christopher.

She knocked on the gates but transferred inside when she had figured out the daily puzzle set by the enchanters. They weren’t exactly on the level of the Meadow.

“Two seconds,” Iana said when she saw Ilea.

“It wasn’t bad today, seen a few similar ones before,” Ilea answered, looking at the few Sentinels present. They were mostly there to make sure nobody from outside broke in while they conducted their work.

Owl was there too, and they remained within the domain of the Meadow.

“The vessel is prepared,” Goliath spoke.

Ilea walked over to the device now standing where they had initially found it. A strange apparatus. She scratched her head. Soul transfer technology. Freaky stuff. She felt Violence settle on her shoulder. “You’re here too?”

Interesting

Magic

“Sure,” Ilea answered. “Or are you hoping for a soul to be ripped apart right in front of you?”

The being giggled, looking away in an oblivious manner.

In front of the machine stood a war machine, obviously based on the design of the Soul Wardens but quite a bit smaller, smaller even than Ilea. And it had no weapons. They did decide to make it otherwise similar to a humanoid being, working limbs and all. It seemed cruel to move the trapped soul from a sphere into essentially another object where it could be interrogated. Like this they could likely prevent the ancient soul from causing too much damage if it was overly hostile.

“Get Fey in here too,” she sent to the Meadow, the elf appearing a few seconds later.

The present Sentinels she trusted, all of them around for some time and above level two fifty. Claire and Trian suggested exposing a few trusted people at a time to a few of the Cerithil Hunters instead of doing a big reveal to everyone of importance. Humans were still very much suspicious of the entire species, for well founded reasons.

Some of the Sentinels tensed up just a little, but all of them here had faced horrors at least as bad as the dragonling.

The elf spread his arms and hissed.

“Fuck off, Fey,” Ilea said, looking at the prepared war machine. Entirely black and made of niameer steel, its innards constructed by Bralin and Goliath with added enchantments from Iana and Chris. The soul vessel within its chest was the most difficult thing to construct, a team effort from everyone mentioned including the Meadow, Owl, and Twin, the Fae offering help with its experience of having two souls within its form.

“You’re destroying millennia of reputation by not taking me seriously,” the elf said and hissed.

One of the Sentinels chuckled.

Fey pointed at the woman. “I’ll eat you first.”

“Try me,” she said.

He hissed.

So did she.

They grow up so fast.

“You’re a bad influence. Elves more immature would take that as a grave insult. We can have a bout later and I’ll show you that such actions are a mistake,” Fey said.

“I hope those are not empty words,” the Sentinel spoke.

Ilea ignored them. “Why didn’t Twin want to come?”

“Twin is certain of the success of the vessel,” the Meadow spoke.

“Yeah, but Violence is here. Think he tampered with it?” she said and glanced at the being on her shoulder.

“No. Though the complexity of the project coupled with our relative inexperience results in a certain risk. I believe it negligible, as do the others,” the being sent.

“Still kind of strange that it’s not here,” Ilea said. “Think it’s safe, Violence?” she asked. “With Twin not being here, I mean.”

Twin

Busy

“Busy?” Ilea asked.

Flowers

Blooming

The Fae spoke the words whilst bobbing its head up and down, turning back to the war machine as if everything was explained.

“Alright. Sure,” Ilea said. “I think we can start then,” she added.

The sphere appeared near the machine, given to the Meadow for storage after its study and the subsequent construction of the new vessel.

Fey stepped next to her as everyone took their positions, various barriers appearing in the main hall of the Soul Forge.

“Resurrecting yet another ancient king,” Ilea murmured. “How many of them are out there.”

“You seem to keep finding them,” Fey answered.

A pulse of soul magic whipped out of the device, striking the perfectly placed black sphere before another beam struck the war machine. No major display of magical power, the process done in mere seconds.

Ilea didn’t know soul magic well but Owl assured her that the device was some of the most delicate appliance of essence manipulation. The lack of overwhelming power was required to prevent damage, which made the process even more difficult.

They all waited for a few seconds until glowing golden eyes flickered to life within the black helmet. The war machine looked at the gathered beings before raising its arms, looking down at them before making fists.

“He can hear us right?” Fey asked, his face revealed.

The war machine glanced up again, its eyes lingering on Fey, it then moved on to look at the Fae on Ilea’s shoulder, then Ilea, then Owl.

“Where-” It spoke with a deep mechanical voice, pausing in consideration before it took a step forward. “Where is. Ker Velor?”

The voice module was delicate, the vibrations suggesting various emotions.

Ilea took a step forward. “I’d like to know that too. For similar reasons probably.”

“Where is… this?” the being asked.

“The war has ended. Sometime over three thousand years ago. You’re in the north currently. I found a sphere that had your essence in it, stored in a vault that belonged to Ker Velor. Do you remember who you are?” Ilea said.

The being paused, taking another step forward before it looked at its metal hand. “Niameer… I am… Nelras Ithom. Monarch… no. This means I have died. I have lost the battle. It was dark… three thousand years you say.” His voice shook lightly before he staggered and went down to his knees with a heavy impact. He still looked at his hands. “What have… why.” He looked up to Ilea.

“You were stuck in this before,” Ilea said and moved the sphere to her hand, showing it off to him.

A hiss came from the war machine, the sound strangely distorted. “You should have destroyed it.”

“Very pessimistic. Do you not want to get revenge?” Ilea asked.

He chuckled. “With this?” he asked, a flicker of magic coming to life in his hand, the light vanishing a moment later. “My form was destroyed. This is… humiliating.”

“We apologize,” Iana said. “But we weren’t sure how you would react. To everything.”

“We didn’t now if you’d lose it immediately,” Ilea said. “Or on whose side you were on.”

“Side? Time has passed… if you speak the truth, healer, then my understanding of sides is outdated. And yet you know of Ker Velor. What reasons do you have to seek him?”

“He nearly killed me. Twice,” Ilea said. “What’s your reason?”

The machine slowly stood up, the movements careful. “The Ascended sought to take our light. And… it seems you are more difficult to kill than I was. Though if you too seek the destruction of Ker Velor, my current understanding is, that I’m on your side.”

“You don’t mind me being a human?” Ilea asked.

“You stand next to an elf. You are accompanied by a Fae. A being of death hovers in this hall. There are healers present, and I feel… a powerful presence,” Nelras spoke, looking towards the shut gates. “No Oracle would accept this form of mine, and I lack the strength to reclaim my title. If you have given me this… body, in order to destroy the Ascended, then I will do what I can to support you.”

“Sounds pretty good to me,” Ilea said and gave him a thumbs up, the fae mimicking the motion.

“You’re far to trusting,” Feyrair said. “A monarch… trapped within a level one hundred war machine.” He grinned and hissed.

Nelras glanced his way. “You are permitted your victory, young dragon touched warrior and wielder of the flame of creation. Though I am monarch no longer. Perhaps not elf at all. Yet my will remains, and I know secrets of our common enemy. What is your name, healer who has faced the Ascended?”

“I’m Ilea. It’s good to meet you, and I’m glad you didn’t lose it. Man, if I woke up in some low level war machine, I’d probably be pretty fucking pissed,” she said.

“I have wandered a haze like darkness, though my anger remains. This form is limiting, though once more am I back among the light. Tell me, do the sunlight wastes persist?”

Chapter 766 Enhance

Chapter 766 Enhance

The present people in the Soul Forge sat down around the large table set into the main hall. Nelras Ithom, or the war machine now housing his soul joined them.

“His ability to adapt to this situation is impressive,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea nodded lightly. “I agree.”

The makers of the war machine asked a bunch of questions in regards to how the vessel and machine felt. He would likely not be the last one to go through the process.

Ilea wondered if her soul, even if trapped within a marble, could be moved that easily. She did have her fires protecting her essence, so she assumed it would at least damage the transfer machine.

Feyrair confirmed a few questions from the former Monarch, mostly about the well being of his people.

“Do you know what happened after I was defeated?” Nelras asked, looking at Fey.

“I was not alive then, nor do I know the secrets of your domain,” the dragonling said.

“I’ve been told that there was basically a civil war after your defeat. Centuries of bloodshed, I assume to find out who would follow as the next Monarch?” Ilea said.

Nelras hissed in a joyous manner. “Good. I would not have it any other way. I hope to find out who has claimed my title, after all these years. But it is secondary, and too dangerous. The Ascended remain.”

“Kind of,” Ilea said. “Their Unity was broken. As far as I understand, they had an internal conflict too. The factions that managed to invade Kohr declared their victory and returned.”

“I did not invade Kohr. I was taken there, by a powerful space magic spell,” Nelras said.

“Same as me,” Ilea said. “A trap laid, maybe for someone that would seek your essence.”

“Did you seek it?” the being asked.

“No. I found you among a few other artifacts. This thing here too,” she said and pointed at the Azarinth Star around her neck.

“Indeed. Though it seems the threat is gone, Ker Velor remains,” he said. “And one of the suns has been taken. It would’ve been a blow against our entire domain.” He shook his head.

“How did the Elves get involved anyway? The Oracles don’t seem to care much. You have Elves defying them and going into dungeons because the Taleen machines are doing so much damage,” she said.

“Taleen machines? I… elves would choose to defile the places of creation?” he asked.

“You seem more shaken about this than knowing your soul was trapped for thousands of years, or knowing that the war was over,” Ilea said. “You guys are fucking indoctrinated.”

The former Monarch considered for a moment. “It is… fundamental. We are made of mana, Lilith. It is only natural for us to follow the guidance of the Oracles, though to think that some would defy them. It is… confusing. Heresy, though impressive in a sense. Perhaps inspiring even, though had I my former body, I would hunt them down.”

“Surprisingly honest,” Ilea mused.

Fey hissed.

“You disagree?” Nelras asked, looking at the elf.

“I do. I’m a Cerithil Hunter myself, one deemed Cursed by most of our kind,” Fey said.

Nelras laughed. “Amusing. Why then, tell me, young warrior, did you choose to defy the Oracles? To fight the Taleen? To protect the young? Those unable to fend off an attacker?”

“I agree, they have to learn to fight for themselves. I fight at Isalthar’s side because our species is stagnant. Humans adapt and improve, they build homes, create technology, study the theory of magic. Dwarves have created teleportation gates, have made machines to fight for them, have burrowed deep below ground to protect their own. It feels… wrong… sometimes… but I wish to, not be guided by instinct alone,” Fey spoke.

“Fleshy form, controlled by instincts,” Ilea murmured.

Fey glanced her way.

“Apologies,” she said. “I get where you’re coming from.”

“I… must say, I expected myself to reject such ideas,” Nelras said. “Though I find myself… intrigued. I will have to think on this.”

Did we just create our first Ascended? Ilea wondered. “Meadow… Ker Velor told me something similar. He was annoyed about my want to eat, to sleep.”

“You don’t exactly sleep,” the Meadow said.

“Beside the point. How much could Elves be guided by their instincts and biology? The Monarch so easily accepted these ideas…” she spoke.

“He could simply have considered such before. He is older than most here,” the Meadow said. “Even before his soul was trapped.”

“It’s possible. Just think it’s interesting. What if we for example moved the essence of a demon or monster into one of these war machines?” she asked.

“Awakening is not something that can be forced in such a manner. I have considered such before but both Owl and Twin confirmed that such an attempt at awakening would destroy the soul,” the Meadow spoke.

“Sure… but what if… I mean the Navuun were awakened beings before whatever happened to them in Kohr. Not even worth an attempt?” Ilea asked.

“You have killed thousands of them, have you not?” the Meadow asked.

“They attacked me. Just because there might be someone hidden below that monstrous nature doesn’t mean I should be considerate, if anything I freed them from that horrendous existence,” Ilea said.

“So easily reasoned away are the ethical implications by a killer,” the Meadow said.

“I won’t deny that,” Ilea said.

“To return to the matter at hand. The Ascended are reliant on energy sources, most of their more powerful spells are prepared and executed with runes,” Nelras said. “A language I had not been familiar with, nor one our Oracles knew.”

“We’re aware of that,” Iana said.

“I assumed as much. Though I have spent years studying their runes. I require steel, and something to etch into said steel,” Nelras said.

Iana stood up. “Steel… of course… how could we miss that!” She rushed away.

“A being with knowledge of the Ascended runic language. That… is interesting,” the Meadow spoke, everyone looking up.

“So there is a being here… I was not wrong,” Nelras spoke. “Your god?”

Ilea started laughing.

“A king of sorts?” the monarch asked, a little confused.

She kept laughing.

“Why is she laughing?” Nelras asked, looking at Fey.

“Her… relationship with the Meadow is… complicated,” Fey said.

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Nelras said.

“I am neither god nor king, young elf. Merely friend and guide to those I now choose to protect,” the Meadow spoke.

“A being of your power… deciding to ally itself with… humans,”the monarch spoke.

“Unfathomable,” Ilea said with a grin.

“Yes. Which makes it intriguing,” Nelras said. “Though I have heard much today that has been… new.” He didn’t sound disappointed in the slightest.

Iana rushed back inside, thin sheets of metal at the ready. Her hands shook lightly.

Chris handed the war machine a thin knife, Iana setting down the sheets.

Nelras took the tool and glanced at the steel. “Vel rath itor nevelia. Art vekuhm.” He spoke the words in a whisper and started etching the first rune.

“What did he say?” Ilea asked Fey.

He smiled. “To destroy those who would shatter the balance. May the light shine on us all.”

“Sounds like he’s on board,” Ilea mused.

“The latter part I believe is a saying common in the sunlight wastes. The former is something Elves recite before they fight and kill Cerithil Hunters,” Fey said.

“Well. That sucks,” Ilea replied.

“Unfortunate circumstances,” Fey added before he went quiet, watching the war machine etch runes into the steel plates with deliberate consideration.

Ilea left them to work, returning to her room, soon sitting in her bath.

“Will you return?” the Meadow asked.

“Was it today?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Your progress has slowed down below Karth. It is a risk, to return to Kohr, but if you wish to keep advancing, you will have to fight more powerful monsters,” the Meadow said.

“Another Drake hmm?” Ilea sent before she once more looked through the messages she got during the past three months.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hadranim – lvl 1034]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Sarguihn – lvl 1108]

Thousands of creatures, many of them below the four mark stage, though the Depths of Karth did not disappoint.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 571 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 572 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 595 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 569 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 570 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 593 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 554 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 555 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 581 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea was closing in on six hundred, though the returns from the Karthian monsters were slowing down rapidly. Mostly from levels that was, the Hadranim were still a wonderful source to grow her skills, mostly due to their reliance on physical fighting, but their toughness and speed helped too. She even got a Core point when she killed the hundredth of their kind. Enough with her level gains to enhance her last two Class skills, both of them in her third Class.

And still, she was fighting creatures nearly double her level once more, a trend that has helped her improve faster than most throughout her fast growth in Elos.

Her training with the various powerful individuals helped tremendously with her skills, especially the bouts with the higher level Cerithil Hunters and Evan, the latter still keeping up with her despite all her advancements.

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Active – Primordial Shift [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Expending a large amount of mana and health, you can temporarily shift the matter of your flesh itself. Absorb a part of all magic that touches you depending on your understanding and resistance. All regeneration and healing is doubled in this state. Your movements are impaired as your very form is rejected by the laws of reality that surround you.

2nd stage: Resilience bonuses from skills are doubled when entering the Primordial Shift. During the shift, you cannot be moved by anything but your will. Your weight increases ten fold while this spell is active.

3rd stage: The Flame of Creation wills itself into existence, your control and its power increasing dramatically while Primordial Shift is active. Greatly reduces the activation time of Primordial Shift. The longer Primordial Shift remains active, the more powerful its effects become.

Category: Space Magic – Flesh Magic – Healing Magic

It was the first of her remaining two skills she enhanced, the newly added reduction to the activation time allowed her to more frequently employ the skill during battle. Though against most of the enemies she faced, it wasn’t required in the first place.

The latter bonus only became noticeable during her training sessions with the Meadow, no other being in her routine capable of pushing her to such an extent.

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Passive – Reality Warp [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 1

Space wields easier for you, allowing you to unravel its mysteries. Teleportation abilities can be used again three times as fast and you can travel ten times as far. You notice fissures between realms at a distance of 50 [200] kilometers. This distance can vary depending on the size and extent of the fissure.

2nd stage: Prevent enemy teleportation spells within a sphere around you at a radius of 50 meters. You cannot teleport while this skill is active.

3rd stage: Your understanding of space magic grows. You learn to latch on to ongoing or recent teleportation spells with your own teleportation abilities. Long range and channeled teleportation spells have their range doubled and their cooldown as well as cost reduced by a static 100%.

Category: Space magic

The cooldown reduction went up from fifty to a hundred percent, meaning her long range spells could be used even faster. Coupled with the somewhat recent upgrade to her marks, the ability allowed her to move even faster through the lands. In addition the ability to latch on to ongoing teleportation spells was enhanced to include recent spells, which meant any teleportation spells Ilea still saw within the fabric. Depending on the mana used and the distance traveled, it could be a few seconds or as long as several hours, though the latter was based on a powerful spell the Meadow prepared. She didn’t assume many could even cast that kind of space magic.

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Archon Strike [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

...

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

Her main fighting abilities profited from the constant battle, though she was glad to see Eternal Huntress grow as quickly as it did, mostly due to the constant use of her mark teleportation. By now she had a constant idea of where she was within Elos due to the marks spread throughout the lands, some far more distant than others. The rigorous schedule prevented her from trying to teleport to Violence so far, though she had an inkling that the little Fae had some way of blocking her. Or it would bring her into some deep inescapable void, just for the fun of it. The temptation was building however.

It also seemed that enhanced skills still capped out at level thirty in the third tier. The potential of a fourth tier kept her going however.

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

…

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

…

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Tempered Seal [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

…

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

...

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 19’

…

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

…

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 19’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 21’

Ilea conceptualized a few ideas with the Meadow to train her lower leveled abilities, some of them not fully focused on combat alone. It would still take time but with a high level creature like the Meadow and all the options she had due to her many available destinations and monsters to fight, she could certainly optimize and focus her training.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Minor Earth Manipulation – 2nd lvl 1

You have learned to manipulate earth and stone in a limited manner.

2nd stage: Your ability to shape and accelerate earth and stone is increased greatly.

Category – Earth Magic

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 3’

Minor Lava Manipulation – 2nd lvl 3

You have learned to form lava from surrounding sources of stone and may manipulate it in a limited manner.

2nd stage: You may substitute some of the required sources with heat and flames found in the environment or generated by magic. You learn to manipulate larger quantities of lava.

Category – Lava Magic

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 4’

Warhammer Mastery – 2nd lvl 4

You have learned to use the Warhammer to an adequate capacity. This skill will let you handle the heavy weapon a little more easily. Your swings will move with just a little more weight and your balance will improve significantly.

2nd stage: You learn to bring your entire body, strength, and momentum into each swing, making any warhammers you wield into an extension of your body.

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Blood Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Dark Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

...

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Petrification Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 11’

Chapter 767 Wasteland

Chapter 767 Wasteland

Ilea stepped through the gate with most of her skills active, heat gathering within her core when she arrived in the desolate lands of the Great Salt. The fabric behind her normalized as her manipulation dissipated. She could see it now, how powerful the anchors really were, and how much effort was required to breach another realm without them present. She knew she couldn’t do it. Not yet at least.

She looked around to see the massive crater still present. The light magic blast leaving a mark on the land. Months ago it had been, though now it was just one of many landmarks, something that might as well have happened ages past. Ilea found no demons in the vicinity, a few single monsters running over the salt stone platforms hundreds of meters away, unaware of her arrival in their realm.

She checked her status, having invested the stat points from the levels she had gained during her intense training.

Status:

Vitality: 2000

Endurance: 530

Strength:545

Dexterity:500

Intelligence:2000

Wisdom:2100

Health: 67600/67600

Stamina: 5283/5300

Mana: 125922/126000

Ilea looked at her fist before she opened up her hand, the skin covered by several layers of smooth ash, white fire flowing over the surface in serene patterns, wisps of ash moving through from time to time.

She remembered the first time she had come to Kohr, confused and in the ocean. Unfamiliar with the creatures that roamed these lands, unfamiliar with the history. Despite the knowledge, and the obvious dangers, she felt it made the place more graspable. Ground she could stand on, not a strange alien place full of monsters and forgotten treasure, but the lands of the Navuun, of the Ascended. And she herself wasn’t a random Shadow that followed the perpetrator of a horrific ritual, no, this time she was here to hunt. And she felt ready.

Ilea cracked her neck and spread her wings. The two broad limbs moved, pushing her heavy form off the ground and up towards the skies. Dark clouds moved, not a drop of rain falling, not a single sign of lightning in the endless expanse. She saw glimpses of the moon as she flew above the landscape, unsure if it itself produced the pale light or if it reflected the light of a distant star.

She didn’t have to search long for her prey, her eyes picking up the feelers reaching out of the clouds kilometers away. The creature was massive, larger even than the whale like being they had fought above Ravenhall. Most of its form was hidden within the dark clouds.

Ilea charged her wings and flew towards the being, her spells at the ready. She slowed down when she felt the magic in the vicinity. The same void like presence she had felt after the blast, when she had first seen the large creatures. She circled the being floating within the dark clouds, using her various perception abilities to try and gauge its size, power, and magical abilities.

A new sensation was added to the void like presence as she approached. A pressure within her mind, complex and powerful. Something strange and maddening. Ilea resisted it with her Mental defenses, but the presence unnerved her slightly. Not quite as strange and alien as the Leviathan she had seen but this creature certainly had things going on within its mind or minds that were not meant for a human to even begin to comprehend, and it spewed it all out into the vicinity, like some mind magic vomit.

Ilea wondered if the magic simply couldn’t be contained by the being, if it was some side effect of its immense power like the high mana density around the Meadow, or perhaps meant as a self defense mechanism, some kind of aura to get rid of pests. Demons that would think it dinner, instead finding whatever was left of their brains fried by the powerful mind magic.

She decided not to use Silent Memory in this fight, on the off chance that it somehow latched onto and took control of the creature. The combination might spell trouble. Not until she had full control of the artifact.

The pressure was immense, though as was the void magic now that she was a few hundred meters away from the large creature, its fleshy tentacles covered in bone like spikes, sometimes lashing out towards the ground where entire swaths of demons were sucked into nothing, vanished or consumed by the massive creature. Both her resistances to the respective magics were particularly high, though she planned to simply approach for now, to train the skills in case the being turned out to be too powerful for her to face.

The primal fear she felt at the sheer existence of her prey didn’t dissuade her, instead it pushed her onward. A dangerous and unknown foe, after so many beings she now knew in and out. When she got closer still, Ilea could feel a spell build up, recognizing the source somewhere within the cloud. Her precognition picked up the attack. She slowed down and summoned three round and golden shields in front of her. A beam of pure arcane energy enveloped her in the next moment, two of the barriers shattering instantly, the third holding for a split second longer before three layers of her ash were burned away in an instant.

She could see the single purple eye from where the spell had come, the clouds closing in once more to shroud the organ in darkness.

Her ash reformed as she sent a greeting with Monster Hunter, establishing a telepathic connection a moment later.

Ilea shook in the air, holding her head as she canceled the connection again. Her ash opened up before she retched up blood and vomit. Bad idea. Got it. She wanted to rip out the bits of her mind that stored whatever the fuck had just been sent by the ungodly creature. “That’s nasty,” she murmured, wiping away at her mouth before her mantle closed again. She transferred when another beam lashed out at her, the source different this time. Two more beams slammed into her in the next split second, more golden shields blocking most of the first before she was hit by the second.

Ilea tumbled in the air, a series of lights flickering to life behind the clouds, the tentacles now turning towards her as the entire thing moved, not hovering but somehow gripping to the air and clouds itself. She gauged the power of the spells and activated Primordial Shift, the flame of creation flaring up as she was anchored in the fabric, dozens of bright beams striking the strange area where flames and flesh mingled with the fabric, arcane energy absorbed, destroyed, and burned away.

The damage was substantial but she had too many tools at her disposal for it to matter. Sentinel Reconstruction brought her health back in mere instants, Ilea coming out of the shift with more mana than when she had entered it.

She summoned her beam cannon and aimed, vaguely into the cloud. Her beam of near white flame and heat seemed almost comical compared to the light show she had just witnessed, albeit from within her strange affected space. One small human fighting an eldritch abomination whose presence alone would turn most people mad. Her beam cut through the distant clouds, into what lay beyond.

Ilea braced herself when she saw and felt the shock wave come, a pulse of magic the likes only monstrous four marks could summon. The ground below shook, wayward demons thrown aside or splattered against stone. A screech unlike anything she had ever witnessed. Emotions too confusing for her to comprehend, a pressure that battered against her mind and skull. She healed against it, bleeding from her ears and nose as she grit her teeth, her eyes exploding a moment later, just before the wave had passed.

“Gross,” she said, using her ash to clean away the blood and bits of eyes. New ones had already formed, not that she needed them overly much with all her perception skills.

‘ding’ ‘You have heard ч̼͔̭у̹̘̫̻ж͎̞̘̖͢о̧͕̜й̳̗̹̜̥̣ͅ. You resist its effects’

Yeah, that’s about how it felt like, she thought and shuddered.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘You have resisted the ? of ч̼͔̭у̹̘̫̻ж͎̞̘̖͢о̧͕̜й̳̗̹̜̥̣ͅ. One Core skill point awarded’

For something that easy? She smiled to herself, firing her cannon once more. The shock wave hadn’t affected the clouds at all, meaning she aimed in the same vague direction.

Ilea watched the beam vanish into the darkness, storing the tool in her domain as she watched the creature move towards her. It sped up, clinging to nothing as it pushed its form through the clouds. Glimpses of eyes, moving flesh, spike covered tentacles, and dozens of mouths were visible as the thing crawled the hundreds of meters in a split second, appendages whipping out at her with speed enough to break through the sound barrier.

Ilea teleported out of the way, seeing the shock waves as her ears popped. She appeared and formed three shields, one spiked arm already next to where she appeared. The mass of a city wall impacted her with a velocity that was faster than sound itself. The shields slammed together and broke, her world spinning after she was struck.

Her organs, bones, and flesh strained against the impact as she was flung aside, flying several kilometers through the skies before she impacted the ground, a furrow of salt stone exploding outwards as she twirled, getting herself upright before she slid to a halt. She went to one knee and spat out blood, a grin on her face as her injuries healed. Incredible.

The mantle of ash reformed as she straightened, watching the creature crawl through the sky, reaching her in mere moments. Twenty beams of arcane energy were released at her solitary form standing on the ground.

She removed her gate near Riverwatch and instead set it right in front of herself, another one aimed at the creature. The beams vanished and reappeared, another screech resounding as the being was struck by its own powerful spells.

“Fuck you,” she sent in a one way message, forming a drill in front of herself as she charged her wings. Ilea shot out a moment later, speeding up as the shock wave went past her, mind shaking as she teleported past the fast moving appendages. More beams enveloped her, the golden barriers shattering before she impacted the flesh. The violent rotations and dense burning ash created a wild whirlwind of flesh and blood, a large chunk of matter ripped away and set alight before a tentacle reached in with blinding speed and grabbed the burning ashen form.

Embered Heart released, the explosion of heat and near white flame burning away another few tons of flesh, the tentacle itself retaining its firm grip as her form was squished, muscle tearing and organs squashed. Bones ground against each other as she was compressed, a teleport bringing her out of the grip far later than she would’ve wanted. As soon as she had reached the being, the frameworks became more than a little confusing.

[ж̧и̪̫̦̺̫͖͠з̻̻͍̰́н̠̼͠ь̩͔ - lvl ????] - [?]

Ilea teleported once more, her bones cracking back into place as her organs reformed. She remained too close to the creature, several of the tentacles striking at her. She managed to dodge four before one of them got her. This one from above.

She was sent straight down, the impact resounding through the vicinity as she was partially splattered. She coughed up blood and bits of her lungs, seeing with one eye as more beams were fired her way. She redirected them the same way as before, unable to smile yet with her splintered jaw. Not a priority for her healing. A split second later she teleported away, one of the large as a house appendages slamming into the ground where she had just lied.

“So very aggressive,” she murmured, touching her jaw as her mantle reformed once more. She watched the screeching creature of flesh in the pale skies of Kohr, its tentacles whipping through the air as it moved in incoherent patterns, ripping out chunks of its own burning flesh to throw aside.

A beam of Embered Heart lashed up and enveloped an incoming appendage. It hardly stopped before it struck the ground, Ilea already gone, more of its form now covered in the fires of creation.

She formed a set of thirty spears, setting them all alight before she sacrificed a few thousand of her health into the flames. Sending them out, she watched as the appendages slapped away the projectiles, some blasted by arcane beams, her ranged attack easily deflected.

Ilea dodged a few more appendages, the impacts sending large chunks of rock flying, debris still in the air from the previous strikes. She could feel the void pressure manifest all around her, the spell sucking inwards as she tried to teleport away, only managing to get off center by a few meters. A strange sound reverberated as the entirety of the area was sucked into nothing, the power rippling through her form as she was flung aside, impacting a nearby outcrop of stone before a large tentacle swatted down. This time she could teleport, right back to where a large sphere had been ripped out of the ground.

Impressive power, she mused, flying backwards as she tried to stay away from the ridiculously fast moving appendages. The creature wasn’t above level two thousand, but it was higher leveled than the corrupted sand elemental at least, one seven or one eight. Which meant she could now at least survive against creatures in the leagues of the Daughters of Sephilon. Ilea grinned as she teleported through the many attacks and beams, sending some back at the screeching creature. The void attacks continued sporadically, the sheer force of the combined attacks ripping through her insane defenses with ease, and yet she recovered. Time and time again.

I’ll come for you soon enough, Meadow, she thought, yet again drilling her way into the innards of the large monstrosity. This time she even managed to rip through an eye. She tried to avoid the tentacles coming in to get rid of the invader but other than sending out a bit more burning ash, she couldn’t avoid the fast moving limbs.

Once again she was crushed before she escaped, one of her ribs sticking out of her throat when she appeared yet again. She simply showed it back in, the wound closing right after, her organs settled once more, those squashed healing quickly. Limited body of flesh my ass. Ker Velor would already be bits and pieces of metal if he faced that thing.

She circled the being in a wide arc, most of the cloud now gone as it trashed around and screeched, beams of arcane energy flashing up as it crawled through the air, Ilea twirling and dodging, teleporting, and redirecting, some of the spells enveloping her, golden barriers and ash eating up most of the powerful beams. She was flung aside with another surge of void magic, the air sucked out of her lungs as she was sent twirling through the air. She teleported when a limb lashed out towards her.

Then again, why would a mere Ascended fight something as powerful as this being? She grinned and formed another drill, heat charged within her as she sacrificed her health to increase the power of her flames. She charged her wings and space magic, flying into the thing with gates and teleports to avoid its flailing defense, the pulses of void and mind magic barely slowing down her approach. Golden shields shattered, defending against the beam of arcane magic right before the eye exploded in a gory mess, ripped through by the violently spinning ash drill. A beam of heat and energy burned into the creature from within. Ilea raised her hand and made a fist, the space magic gripping a random portion of flesh before it was squished with a squelching sound, blood and innards violently shaken before she was removed from the massive form.

Her perception of time slowed as her brain was about to burst, Primordial Shift activated as she was stabilized, powerful fires enveloping the limb of flesh and bone around her.

The monster screeched, a dozen strikes of sound breaking flesh walls slammed into the immobile being of space, flesh, ash, and white flame. She remained anchored in the fabric, even the surge of void magic unable to rip her away into nothingness.

Ilea refused. Thousands of times had she faced these types of magic. Even the Meadow could no longer displace her without difficulty. What was a monstrosity of flesh against what she had trained for? Just a beast. A tumor born of magic, left to roam the nothingness of Kohr, to kill and consume. The bits of flame and flesh vanished, Ilea teleporting back and away as she let her mana recover from the costly spell.

She bathed in the beams of arcane energy, absorbing a large chunk of the mana as her form refused to be eradicated. Just another Drake. She grinned, excited for the hunt for the first time in weeks. Her eyes reflected the bright flames now enveloping a fourth of the enormous creature, its large wounds only closing slowly, many of its tentacles occupied with ripping out the burning flesh, unable to extinguish the fires of creation that brought her a constant stream of health and mana. She took in a deep breath and smiled, Monster Hunter coming out in a challenging roar, the sound rippling over the devastated landscape of Kohr, no demon or mind weaver with a shred of self preservation answering the call of Lilith.

Ilea watched in awe as a massive spell formed around the being of flesh and void, its entire form twirling before it was sucked away into nothingness. The remaining clouds and air nearby was sucked in, the sound louder than her roar. She smiled and flew closer, serene stillness returning to the region. Oh, dear monster, only I am allowed to do that. Ilea saw the very fabric, the thin and weakening line remaining before she grinned and latched on to the recent teleportation spell. You won’t escape Lilith, wielder of the Azarinth Star.

Chapter 768 The Fires of Creation

Chapter 768 The Fires of Creation

Ilea appeared in relative darkness. She looked down and saw the glow of white fire drifting deeper into the depths. She couldn’t breathe, her own fires illuminating the vicinity. She looked up but couldn’t find another source of light, bubbles of air floated up when she breathed out slightly. So that’s how you think you can escape?

She considered for a brief moment before she squinted her eyes and followed the descending monstrosity, dark shades of limbs moving alongside the burning creature. Her wings picked up the speed.

The creature sped up too, swimming in the depths of the ocean with its tentacles slithering behind its form.

A beam of heat and fire lit up the darkness in a flash, Ilea aiming her cannon at the creature, a line of white flame set alight on what she perceived as its back. Steam rose from the line of heat, a whirl following as the waters broke.

The monster stopped and floated, its many limbs spreading out in a wild motion as it focused its eyes on her. Two dozen spots lit up with arcane light, the flashes pushing through the dark waters with perfect precision, only slowed marginally by the heavy pressure of the depths.

Ilea used her wings to swim closer, teleporting through the whirls and dodging past the fast moving beams of magic. Void magic surged up around her, the waters vanishing as her from was wracked by the spell. She watched the surrounding liquid close in on her but decided to vanish instead, another beam cutting through the whirl right after. A drill formed before her, her wings charging before she sped through the waters. Once more she dodged the limbs but the forces were too much here, the waters crashing into her with explosive pressure. Swirls all around, she was flung aside, struck several times by the creature as comfortable in the depths as it was in the air.

The burning spears she shot out were lost in the vortex, exploding in heated flames to illuminate the darkness. Strange eyes stared back, more arcane beams flashing out to strike her twirling form.

Ilea stabilized herself and teleported, three times until she was far enough away from the creature’s limbs. The impacts had wrecked her innards, healing spreading through her as organs, flesh, and muscle was reformed. She watched the creature move its limbs, the strange form now reminding her more of a squid or jellyfish, perhaps some mixture.

She sent out another beam, more of the flames now extinguished or removed than when they had arrived in the ocean. And it’s healing. Damn, she grit her teeth, feeling the pressure of the water all around her. It wasn’t quite as strong as what Hector could produce with his magic but it slowed her down nonetheless. And wind pressure was far easier for her to deal with than water. She sped up again, getting closer to the creature before she teleported, this time using Fabric Tear and Transfer to close the distance instead of trying for a drill attack.

Her burning ash spread out but much of it was simply washed away by the wild flailing of the beast, herself included. She spun in the darkness until she could once again stabilize herself, watching the distant creature float with hardly any flames remaining on its form. She could tell the wounds were closing too, though not quite at a pace comparable to hers. Then again the thing was much larger, it likely recovered more mass per second than she could.

This isn’t getting anywhere.

A vibration came from below, a beam of white light flaring to life several kilometers away. The cone moved with rapid motions before going up, taking in the large form of the strange creature Ilea had fought until now.

She watched as the source of the light approached, the other being immediately swimming up and away at a rapid pace, its form twirling before it vanished once more.

Ilea formed a gate behind herself as the cone turned to look at her, strange whispers in the light. She still saw, but all was white. Pushing back, she came out on the surface of Kohr with a stream of water, the gate closing behind herself.

‘ding’ ‘You were seen. One Core skill point awarded’

She sat up and rubbed her eyes, everything still white. Her dominion still worked. The whispers were growing louder. Hell no. Ashen limbs bored into her eyes, destroying the organs before new ones formed, her sight returning with them. The whispers were gone.

Ilea slapped back on the ground, taking in the pale light of the moon. She shivered, drying herself with her heat generation as a curious demon approached. This time she just moved the creature with her space magic, into the crater where it wouldn’t be able to climb out to get her. At least not anytime soon.

What the shit was that?

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Heart [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – 2nd lvl 1

Channel your mana through the Azarinth Star to form healing infused golden barriers of arcane magic around you.

2nd stage: Form a powerful barrier in the shape of either a dome or sphere with you at the center. Movement is considerably slowed while this spell is active.

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of ash reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Divination Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Be it seers, oracles, or madmen. Undeniably there are those gifted with the ability to pierce the veils of space and time itself. You must be important enough to warrant special attention, leading to a resistance to such magic. If anything, this new ability will increase said attention but at the very least, your most private moments might not be so easily perceived.

2nd stage: You have been the target of powerful divination magic. Know that much can be learned of someone when the right spell is used. You are far more difficult to grasp and gauge with divination magic and you gain a certain sense to feel when the unseen eye is upon you.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

Okay this isn’t getting better. What the fuck is this?

“Hey, saw a strange creature underwater in Kohr. Lots of Divination resistance levels. Any idea?” she sent to the Meadow, not wanting to jump through a gate right away. Just in case.

“Open a gate to my domain if you can and are safe. But do not step through,” came the answer.

Ilea did as the being asked.

Through the gate floated Violence, the little fae tilting its head to the side. It floated closer and tapped Ilea’s brow with its hand.

Safe

Now

“What do you mean safe now? Was I not safe before?” she asked.

Seen

“Please. You’re being cryptic. I got the message too, I was seen. But by what and what does it mean?” she asked.

Old

Being

Primordial

Maybe

Effects

Unknown

Safe

Now

Removed

Mark

Ilea sighed, grabbing the little creature and hugging it close. “Thanks,” she murmured, not entirely sure what to make of the experience. “It didn’t attack me. Not instantly… but then the other being fled immediately.”

Effects

Unknown

“Sure. I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry,” she said, reforming the gate to send the Fae back through. It however teleported to her shoulder.

“Violence, this place is really, really dangerous,” she said.

It just looked at her with big white eyes, tilting its head to the side a little.

“Fine… wait no… I just fought a creature close to level two thousand. With arcane beams and insanely fast tentacles,” she said.

Violence.

Came the obvious answer.

“Alright. Fair enough. Violence. Maybe you can help me prevent them from teleporting,” Ilea said. “Or you can find out if they’re intelligent in some way, but my attempt at telepathy was… unpleasant.”

Small

Mind

“Yes, yes. I know you’ve been hanging out with the Meadow a lot,” she said. “Where was the mark set anyway? My soul?”

Soul

Protected

“Where then? I have super high resistances,” Ilea said.

Face

“So if I had removed my head and grew a new one I’d have removed the thing?” she asked.

Yes

Skinning

Good

“No it’s not,” she said. “But good to know. If there’s a next time.”

She spread her wings and flew up again, ready to find more of the large creatures. Next time she planned to use her anti teleportation aura to prevent them from teleporting. An underwater battle didn’t seem feasible anyway, though she still considered the skill levels more than worth it.

It took her a mere twenty minutes to find another one of the flying creatures, her enhanced flight and high wind resistance skill allowing her to cross a ridiculous distance through the wasteland. She watched as the large appendages grabbed groups of demons from the ground before bringing them up into the dark clouds.

“Any clue what it is?” she asked the Fae on her shoulder as they approached.

Stupid

Fat

Fish

“That’s your elaborate summary of that ancient creature?” she asked with raised brows.

The Fae nodded.

“You seem a little grumpy. Everything alright?” she asked.

The creature glanced up at her before it crossed its arms and looked forward.

Expected

Primordial

Only

Fish

He pointed forward as if to illustrate his point.

“Right. You want to go back then?” she asked the sulking Fae.

It didn’t reply.

“Sure you don’t want to see some major violence?” she added, poking its cheek of absolute darkness.

The Fae ignored her.

“I’m sure to get splattered. Should’ve seen me before. Gore all over,” she said.

A short giggle escaped the creature before it raised a hand to where its mouth would be were it human, a strange sound very distantly resembling a cough exited in way of telepathy.

“Sure. You stay here then and observe,” she said. “And call for me if you need help or want to go back early.”

She left the creature behind, checking all around to make sure no Ascended was sneaking up on them. The Fae had her mark however, she could get to it.

It turned out the monstrosity was indeed quite similar to the first one she had fought. It used the same beams of arcane and the same fast attacks with its appendages. Things changed over an hour later when she watched its burning form start to twirl. Instead of letting it happen, she closed the distance with her own teleportation and activated her aura. To her surprise and joy, the massive spell dissipated, entirely interrupted by her small aura.

Her space awareness allowed her to perceive the thing too. Like throwing a wrench into an industrial power plant and watching it fail instantly. She grinned before she was splattered against the ground, unable to teleport due to her aura.

The fight continued largely without any more surprises, Ilea whittling down the massive being with her fires, drill, explosions, and space manipulation. There were no massive mistakes to be made, her speed unable to match the many appendages and the overwhelming power of the creature. Her defenses were breached time and time again, her body smashed and splattered so often she lost count. And yet it didn’t matter. She always stood back up.

Baron’s interpretation of the thing being a bit of a stupid fish turned out to be somewhat correct, its tactics in the battle not changing in the slightest. It simply lashed out with its ridiculous power.

Like some lobotomized flying Meadow. She compared the thing to Demon Spawn, though the prospect of someone controlling them was vastly more terrifying than the small humanoid ground bound critters. Not that demons weren’t a threat in the first place, and she knew there were plenty of other types around in Kohr. She had even spotted a few three marks running around, some as large as a village. All flesh, bone, teeth, and claws. That they had in common.

Ilea watched the creature burn as she recovered some mana, its tentacles flailing around in an effort to reach her. She stayed at a distance, flying and teleporting to make sure she could react if it tried to flee again. It did not.

Instead it spread out all its limbs, a pulse of void magic flowing through the vicinity.

Ilea could feel the spell build, preparing walls of burning ash. Primordial Shift activated a moment later, the azarinth star glowing with power as a sphere of golden light formed around her flying ashen form. She could no longer move, barely seeing the black sphere flickering to life about thirty meters away from her. Time slowed.

An instant came and went, the ground shaking below.

Ilea came out of Primordial shift, her eyes reforming for her to see the debris falling from the sky, a spherical crater in the ground spanning more than a kilometer in width visible below. Boulders as large as houses fell from the sky, a whirlwind of wind flowing in where the previous air had been a mere instant prior. Most of her fires were gone from her body, Ilea just now realizing that half her bones were sticking out of her torso and legs, some of them broken for the first time in a long while. Many of her organs were gone, some just now sliding out of her. New ones reformed below, soon covered by muscle and skin.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Sphere of Nothing spell – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

Fourth tier spell then, I guess, Ilea mused. She wasn’t particularly impressed with the effects it had on her but she couldn’t deny that the massive crater below gave her pause. The first chunks of rock now started to impact the ground, loud crashing sounds as entire hills fell onto the surface of Kohr.

“Guess I am pretty durable at this point,” she murmured to herself as her bones fused back together. Unsure what’s more impressive. The spell or me surviving it. Fuck, it’s healing. She returned to the fight, watching as the creature continued to remove burning tissue from its massive form. The battle was far from over.

Three hours later and seven more fourth tier spells plus several teleportation attempts later, she did it. Ilea watched the large form of the creature slowly descend towards the fractured landscape it itself had created. What remained of its massive form was wreathed in flames, its limbs slow now, many of them not moving at all. It came crashing down into one of the craters, another heated beam cutting into it, followed by a swarm of burning spears, the ash spreading out as soon as it reached the creature. Now that it stopped using its magic and limbs, she could simply cover it in burning ash from a distance, slowly working her way through the endless mass of flesh.

A ding finally resounded in her mind, marking the end of the long battle.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [ж̧и̪̫̦̺̫͖͠з̻̻͍̰́н̠̼͠ь̩͔ - lvl 1738]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 596 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 597 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 607 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 594 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 595 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 604 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 582 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 583 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 596 – One stat point awarded’

Ilea floated in the air. No evolutions hmm. Oh well. Not that I expected one after what happened at four hundred.

Violence appeared in front of her and bowed in an extravagant manner, Ilea leaving the skill notifications for later.

Congratulations

“Thanks,” she said with a smile. “It’s the highest level being I managed to kill alone.”

Fat

Fish

Hunter

Ilea shrugged. “It’s more a jellyfish really.”

The baron raised both its arms.

Fish

Is

Fish

“I suppose so,” Ilea said and looked to the pale horizon of Kohr. “Don’t think anyone will mind me cleaning up a little in this realm. What do you think?”

Violence nodded before he appeared on her shoulder, one arm on her cheek and the other pointing forward.

Violence!

“Eloquently put,” she said, flying to a nearby outcrop of salt stone. “But food first.”

Chapter 769 In time of need

Chapter 769 In time of need

Ilea looked through the skill notifications while enjoying one of Keyla’s creations. She smiled to herself as she smelled the spices, glad her abilities allowed her to bring incredible food into a wasteland like Kohr. It made the whole experience just that much more enjoyable.

This time she ate a stew with beans and various vegetables, the taste hearty and warm.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Embered Form [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

Not bad. She took her time to finish her meal, trying to share some with Violence. It touched a piece of carrot but decided it wasn’t up to its Faen standards.

“High noble,” Ilea spoke.

Peasant

“Mhm,” she replied with a nod, looking through the last messages in her mind log.

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has enhanced ten or more skills as a human. Has fought and killed a being above level 1500 while alone and while below level 750. Is known by name or alias to at least 100’000 beings. Is seen as a god by at least 1000 beings.

Additional options have been unlocked

Core Skill Points available: 6

[3rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Add Class Modifier]

[Skill Enhancement]

[Locked]

[Derivative General Skill]

[Mythical Title]

Oh no. A thousand already. Ilea looked at the little Fae and frowned. And I’m not even doing anything. She hoped the Sentinels would keep up. If she fought primarily in Kohr or remote locations in Elos, her legend wouldn’t exactly grow. If it wasn’t for someone spying on me and selling the paintings.

[Mythical Title] – [Unlock the option to add a mythical title to your status. You will identify as such to all beings without specialized skills to gain more insight into your being. Provides additional benefit depending on title chosen. Titles can be changed once per week – Cost: 10]

Ten points. That’s quite a lot. But changing what I identify as seems like a really nice benefit. Could make me mostly anonymous again if it’s something different from battle healer or just healer. Then again she assumed the titles would stand out on their own. Switching once a week at least allowed her different options, if they were available. There was no way for her to see what kind of titles she’d be able to choose at all.

The requirement to kill a one thousand five hundred creature is insanely high though. Or is that something expected for a human at what, level seven fifty? I guess I’m a little ahead then. She smiled to herself. None of the humans she knew bar maybe Evan could even attempt what she had done, and it really depended on how he would deal with the arcane beams and void magic. He was good at evading things but these were abilities she couldn’t exactly match in sheer power herself. Not yet.

Maybe in a desert, he could at least try.

Ilea wondered what the additional benefits would be. Adding another Class modifier or simply getting stat points felt way more tangible, but the high requirements to even unlock this option allured her. Especially now that she had all her skills in the enhanced stage.

“Should I get a mythical title, Violence?” she asked her friend.

It looked up at her.

Yes

Myth

Good

“I see,” she murmured. I guess that’s settled then.

The little Fae landed on her hand and drooped down a little.

Violence?

“I’m done in a minute,” Ilea said and finished her stew.

_________________________

Nathan watched the fight, shaking his head when Celeste lost her second arm against the fast moving Pursuer. Too bold.

The woman jumped back and grit her teeth, the wound on her arm already closing, quite a bit of blood still splattering to the stone floor.

Aki stabbed the severed limb with a silver spike like arm. “Arrogant. Still,” he said. “The last three steps were too bold. You should’ve stayed in range of your chains.” He flicked his arm, the limb flying towards Celeste.

She caught it with her chin and made it slide to the side, her other arm already half done with healing. The limb connected to her shoulder and she wiggled her fingers a few seconds later. “It’s boring,” she complained.

“Boring lets you survive,” Aki spoke.

“In the wild. Against things that will actually kill me. Not against you. Against you, I can try stuff,” she said and smirked.

“It’s a dangerous thing. Don’t make a habit of it. One wrong step and you could be dead,” the machine spoke. “Next.”

Nathan stepped up when the magical lights in the hall turned off, replaced by a deep red glow. That’s. He didn’t think about it, their entire team including Aki rushing out of the training hall and up towards the canteen.

Trian stood waiting, two dozen Sentinels gathering nearby, more appearing every second.

“Scouts and guards from various cities have reported Taleen machines moving close or attacking human settlements. Those of Hunter rank and above may participate in defense operations, anyone below will focus on healing and support. Nobody is obligated to participate, these are dangerous machines. Praetorians have been sighted,” the Headmaster spoke.

Nobody left.

“A state of emergency has been called out from Riverwatch, Stormbreach, and Dawntree,” he said and split the groups into three vague sections as he spoke. “Scout reports and reports on changing circumstances to me in Riverwatch. If the gates are cut off, act at your squad leader’s discretion. Now go forth, Medic Sentinels, and show that we are not without power!” He was clad in armor now, lightning sparking around him. “Aki, to me.”

Nathan signed to Luke and Celeste before they vanished, rushing up and out of the Headquarters. He burst into flame and spread his bright wings, watching the broad shouldered Luke spread his ashen wings with Celeste latching onto his arm. A moment later they were flying out and towards the teleportation gate in front of Ravenhall.

Why are they attacking?

Adventurers and Shadowguard soon followed as word was spread, orders shouted. Walls were mounted, enchantments and magic flaring up around the city with the Sentinels flying past the walls, people stopping in their tracks to watch the healers.

Nathan wondered if Ravenhall was under attack as well but Trian wouldn’t have sent them away if that had been the case.

Their squad landed near the third gate, the one directly leading to Riverwatch. Two teams had entered before them, already gone when Nathan and his group were let in by the Shadowguards at the gate. They stepped onto the gate.

The nearby guard gave them a nod and put an artifact into the control panel. Light flashed up a moment later, Nathan seeing a similar room appear in turn. Rushing out of the structure, they went past a distraught set of Riverwatch guards, the city itself visible just a few hundred meters away. They flew up and above, just like the other Sentinels nearby, more appearing at the gate platform behind.

“No machines in sight,” he said, flying past the city gates and towards the flashing light conjured by a mage at a large central square. Tables had been set up, maps covering them. Guards and officers arrived from nearby streets and houses, some halfway into their armor, others with their weapons drawn.

Luke set down Celeste and made a gesture. He would keep an eye out from above.

Nathan teleported to a group of Veteran Sentinels, another group of Hunters arriving at the same time. Celeste followed him.

“… scouts reported the machines moving through the forest north of the city. Estimated arrival is… about eight minutes if they keep the same pace.”

The ash clad veteran signed to his team. Forest. Ambush. Move. They vanished.

Nathan signed to Celeste as well. They would stay at the wall, fighting the machines that got through. He knew the others would fall back if they were about to be overwhelmed, and while their own team had recently reached the two hundreds, if Praetorians were coming, their presence could do more harm than good.

The Riverwatch officer glanced around, seeing the vanishing Medic Sentinels, more people arriving at the square as Captains organized their units.

Nathan spread his wings and flew up a few meters, prompting Luke to join him once more. “We’re at the northern part of the wall. A few minutes until they’re here. Grab Celeste.”

The man nodded and flew down, Nathan and his team standing atop the defensive structure half a minute later. Guards arrived nearby, joining ranks with the others as they readied their weapons and magic, uncertainty and fear in some of their eyes, others calm, some excited.

Nathan looked at them, feeling some of their eyes on him. He stood clad in flame covered ash armor atop the city wall. Next to him was the large form of Luke, heavy maul in hand. Celeste moved two chains around her arms, the dent in her stonehammer and bone helmet from earlier that day not yet repaired. A glint of joy was in her eyes.

They’re looking to us. He saw other groups of Sentinels farther down the length of the wall, most of the guards looking to the treeline about fifty meters to the north, flat earth and stone rubble between. He smiled. Medic Sentinels, hmm? I didn’t expect this when I signed up.

“They are machines only. Made for war. Their arms are swords and cannons, their bodies thin and nimble,” he started to speak, his voice growing louder with each word. He gulped, clenching his fists. “Cripple their legs and destroy their cores. If you see shields, focus your efforts on one machine at a time. Stand your ground, defenders of Riverwatch!”

“If you are injured, call out for a medic!” a woman shouted from a distance somewhere to the left before she repeated Nathan’s words.

“We will stand!” one of the guards shouted.

An explosion erupted a few hundred meters ahead, smoke rising a moment later.

Nathan glanced right when a large war machine flew over the wall, landing with a heavy impact on the field. Three more followed. He saw a floating spirit clad in shadow fly up to join the guards, two of them glancing at each other when the being summoned spheres of darkness.

The sounds of battle came closer, rustling leaves, fast moving steps. Green. Glowing eyes between the trees, followed by moving steel. Metallic green machines rushed out and towards the city, some crawling up the trees, projectiles fired with dull sounds from cannons in their arms. Shields flared up in response, a few guards struck immediately, lower level Sentinels rushing to their aid, some too late.

A dozen, then hundreds of machines rushed out, some larger and holding spears, most fanning out their six blades.

They can climb the walls.

“Hold your ground!” he shouted while signing for his team to attack. They teleported down to the field as one.

He could see others doing the same, mostly those armored in black or covered in ash. It was time to fight.

Fire spread on his armor, his fists covered in bright flame before he rushed forward, fire wings pushing him into one of the approaching Guardians. He spun past the blades and impacted the running machine with a heavy punch. Mana flowed through him as his fire exploded, the chest part of the thing dented as he spun around with his momentum, holding on to its head before he pulled. The thing collapsed as he teleported up. A sphere of fire formed as he held up his hands, spells and arrows rushing past, exploding in the horde of green metal. He dodged a flying spear and released his spell, teleporting back down before his sphere impacted the hordes.

Nathan dodged and punched, keeping his eyes on the line around him, some of the machines moving past and towards the walls. He heard his spell explode as he slammed his burning fist into and through the steel plating of a Guardian. He turned and watched a war machine flattening three of the machines that had gotten past with a heavy mace, the laughing dwarf clashing with a spear wielding Centurion that answered his call.

The line was no more, as chaos came to reign, spells exploding all over. The first cries of Medic came from atop and beyond the walls. Nathan teleported up and deflected a Centurion’s spear about to pierce through a disarmed guard. He dodged the attacks and flew into the creature, his momentum sending them both back down into the fray. They came crashing down, explosions of fire flaring up as he punched into the green metal, the Centurion flinging him off a moment later. Nathan rolled on the dirt before he heard a loud explosion, the being destroyed by someone else.

The core explosion sent him tumbling before he came up with wings of flame, flying up as he looked for his team mates. He found them back atop the wall, joining after he sent another sphere of fire into a group of Guardians circling a single sword wielding Shadow, the latter using the moment to slash through three of the machines.

Nathan appeared with a flaming punch against a Centurion’s head, chains keeping its hands and spear in place before a heavy strike of Luke’s hammer dented in its chest. Luke signed upwards and Nathan followed, grabbing onto the dented machine before he pulled, the chains loosening before he was about ten meters above the wall. Layers of ash formed between him and the machine, Nathan teleporting right before the thing exploded, his ash gone as he was pushed aside, shrapnel digging into his burning armor before he rushed back down.

The first Praetorians had joined the battle.

He spotted the Headmaster circling one of the large scythe wielding machines, bursts of bright red lightning burning away its shield as dozens of spells rained onto the thing from atop the walls. More Guardians still came from the forest, some he saw were crawling on the ground, others missing arms or partially burnt. He joined the battle on the wall, destroying the last few machines atop before he helped heal the injured not yet tended to.

He stabilized a dying woman when a Guardian’s blade struck his shoulder, scraping the ash before he sent it flying back down onto the field with a burst of flame. His team joined him before they jumped down, the growing numbers of war machines and Dark Ones having reformed a line as they fought the Praetorians and Centurions to a standstill. Sentinels flew above and around, bright beams of light and lightning burning through entire groups of the machines.

Slowly they pushed back, the first bright explosion of a Praetorian core sending war machines crashing against the city walls, the energies spreading as orders were shouted. Nathan deflected a Centurion’s spear while Celeste used her chains to keep its arms in place. Luke broke through one of its legs, then another. A bright sphere of fire spread over the machine before its core burst.

All three of them teleported, Nathan not quite far enough away. Shrapnel punched through his armor. He ripped out the pieces, blood flowing out as his wounds healed, the bleeding stopped as he coughed.

Luke appeared nearby and gestured. Wall, breached. West.

They moved as one, past the slow moving war machines, burning shrapnel, and splintered trees. Nathan saw a robed man land among a group of Guardians, their forms flattened instantly. The man looked up, a mask covering his face before he vanished, appearing near a mace wielding Praetorian. They reached the section Luke had mentioned, seeing three war machines in the breach, fighting dozens of the Taleen creations. Some had already gotten through and into the city.

He signaled to the others, doing a double take when he saw a nearby crawling machine. Half its form was covered in white flame, the green lights flickering out as it stopped moving.

They rushed into the city, finding a trail of destroyed machines. Screams resounded from nearby houses. He signaled again before they rushed in, teleporting into the rooms where Guardians had entered. Nathan appeared in front of a family protecting their child, the blades slamming into him before he pushed himself and the machine out and through the wall, landing in an alleyway. Three strikes destroyed the thing before he checked behind himself. Not collapsed. He saw the mother staring at him with wide eyes.

Silver.

A flash. He teleported, appearing down the alley. Aki?

The large machine moved. Too fast for him to react. Something impacted his side right before a thin blade could pierce his skull. He saw the armored form of Celeste standing next to him, the woman deflecting the thin blade with one of her daggers before the other arm of the large machine sliced through her stomach.

Two blades came for their heads.

And stopped.

Perfect golden barriers shimmered with power, the silver blades unable to penetrate through the magic.

Nathan took in a deep breath when he felt the familiar presence appear next to him.

Celeste cried out when her entrails and spine were connected once again.

“You are not welcome here, machine,” the new arrival spoke in a cold tone as her ashen wings spread, thrumming with power. She shot forward and impacted the being, pushing it away and upwards.

Nathan took a step forward to stabilize himself against the pressure of the wind, blood running from his nose. He saw them swerve up and to the left, gone from his vision in less than a second.

He checked Celeste when Luke jumped out of a nearby house.

“I’m fine,” she said.

Clear, Luke signed.

Wall. Nathan confirmed with a sign as they moved back out towards the battlefield. They had survived. And now she was here.

Chapter 770 Hunt

Chapter 770 Hunt

Ilea flew with the Pursuer ahead of her out of the city. A void explosion was the last thing she wanted behind those walls. She ignored the blades cutting into her ash, void magic flowing around her defenses before they impacted the ground together. Trees splintered and broke as they came down, a furrow of earth, wood, and stone left in their wake before she released Embered Heart, breaking through the machine’s shield with a single strike before she melted a part of its metal.

Burning ash flowed around its entire form, eating away at its regenerating shield and metal. Ilea watched it raise a flowing arm, a void cannon charging up with purple magic. She slapped the thing away in the split second when it fired, a row of trees disintegrated to their left. Arcane power flashed up as she slammed her fists into the being. She charged her space magic and pushed down from above, its legs giving way as its large form was crushed against the ground. Burning ashen limbs reached into the melting metal, ripping out the core before she struck it with several charged Archon Strikes.

The shield was done away before the core cracked, Ilea already gone when a spherical chunk of forest was removed in its entirety, the flash visible to her as she flew back to the raging battle.

Just three days after going to Kohr. Fucking shit robot. Couldn’t stay down there and wait, could you?

______________________________

Dale slashed his sword into the leg of a Guardian, blocking two of its blades with a third scraping against his armor. A shield bash pushed him forward, the machine stunned for a moment. Just long enough for him to ram his sword up and through its head.

He ripped out the blade and watched the lights of its eyes flicker out, the metal being hitting the ground with a clatter. One of hundreds, it seemed. He waved to a group of guards nearby, one of them with a limp arm, bleeding heavily. “To the stairs!” he shouted, leading them to a section of the wall, a fire spell exploding against a nearby building, glass shattering as the force rushed through the home.

He heard a ringing in his ears when he reached the top, two machines sliced apart by a spinning woman in black robes, strange orange and purple blades flashing with magical light, flames reflected off her mask before she rushed forward, clashing with one of the larger spear wielding beings.

Dale checked for his men, yelling to another group nearby to form a line on this section of the wall. He saw a dark armored healer appear on the stairs, helping the injured with their magic. One of their own healers joined from ahead, wide eyed as he glanced at Dale. The man’s lips quivered but he didn’t say a word. “Get down!” Dale shouted, pulling the man aside as he blocked an incoming metal projectile with his shield, the thing deflected and impacting a nearby roof, tiles exploding outwards.

Out on the field there were dozens of battles going on, the small machines still moving towards the city, though their numbers seemed to dwindle. He glanced left when a bright flash came from above, a near white beam of fire lashing through the enemy lines, disintegrating all variants alike.

He saw a large scythe wielding machine defending against a group of black armored individuals, its shield shimmering with the spells all around it. Looking up he blinked his eyes against the sun, finding the source of the beam.

The small winged form flew down and towards the scythe wielding being, shattering the shield and impacting the machine behind, the momentum denting the creature’s torso as it was pushed to the side near thirty meters. By the time it came to a halt, the metal had been entirely sliced apart by the many burning limbs moving on the woman’s back. The remaining chunks appeared far above before an explosion rang through the vicinity.

When Dale’s eyes adjusted again both the woman and any machines nearby were gone, a few Sentinels and war machines rushing away from the impact zone to find more targets.

“This section is clear! Eastward!” Dale shouted, leading his men and women to where they were needed, Sentinels appearing here and there to stop people from bleeding out or to reattach limbs. There were dead, those whose heads were blown off instantly or those whose bodies had been halved or damn near flattened by the powerful machines.

Dale focused, shouting for his guards, one of them puking down into the city. “The battle isn’t over! Stand your ground! Keep moving, stay focused!” He deflected another set of projectiles before he pointed. “Mages, fire!”

A dozen spells rushed out from both behind the wall, on top of buildings, and from the people around him, all aimed in the general direction he indicated. Trees were ripped apart by fire and ice, chunks of metal falling out, unmoving. Someone raised their spear and shouted, others mimicking the call.

Burning spears rushed down into the forest beyond, explosions ringing out right after, the bright form of Ilea flying far above. She had stopped moving.

Dale watched something large appear in her arms before she aimed down. He followed the line of sight and saw a large shielded machine break through the treeline. The bright beam was focused this time, thin and fast as it sliced through the shield and machine in turn. There was no explosion, the glowing bits of metal falling apart in the next few seconds. The woman was gone when he looked up again.

“Lilith,” a nearby guard stammered.

Yes. Yes, we get it, Dale thought. “Focus,” he reminded the man, though didn’t assume there were a lot of machines left with Ilea already gone from the vicinity. A Sentinel flew past with burning wings, watching the guards before he moved on to another section of the wall. Dale saw a massive Dark One walk through the battlefield below with a ridiculously large hammer on its shoulder, a floating spirit following the being.

“It’s already over…” someone murmured.

And it’s good that it is. Without all of them here… He didn’t want to think about it. Though he had a suspicion the machines didn’t exactly attack for no reason either. Had they angered them with the teleportation gates somehow? Had they pushed into the wilderness too far? There were a few new settlements north of Riverwatch by now but it would be too dangerous to check on them at the moment. He assumed the worst.

“Return to your units and officers,” Dale said when nothing else came out of the forest for a few minutes. War machines were already looking through the spoils, some of the shrapnel still glowing, smoke rising from entire sections of the forest, reaching kilometers to the north.

We didn’t even see the real battle. He gulped and took in a deep breath, glad to live another day. I do wonder what crazy story she’ll get out of this one. Taleen machines attacking Riverwatch. He shook his head and started giving out orders. Many of the new recruits were bumping into each other. Most of them wouldn’t sleep tonight. He had to make sure they’d be back and ready for the next shift. “Get a move on. You heard me!”

__________________________

Ilea flew far above the city, checking for any moving bits and pieces in the forest. She teleported down and landed in the central square. “Can’t find anything else,” she said.

“We’ll handle the rest then,” Trian said, Alistair giving her a nod. “We received a report that Stormbreach is clear as well, but no news on Dawntree yet.”

“I’ll be there,” Ilea said.

“Second gate to the right,” one of the nearby Shadows informed. “Lilith.” He added with a respectful nod.

“Appreciate it,” Ilea answered before she vanished, flying the short distance to the wall before she landed in front of the gate.

The group of adventurers and Shadows split to let her through, some of them saying her name as she passed. She joined a group of somewhat uncomfortable looking fighters and mages before the gate moved them through the fabric. Immediately upon arrival, she transferred out of the enchanted bunker and glanced at the mountain town. There were no spells, no Taleen, nor did she hear any fighting. Strange.

______________________________

Alice set down her last runes before she stepped back behind the defensive lines. The banging was getting closer, the last few walls they had set up at the entrance to the Root being broken through by the emerging Taleen creatures.

“Why now?” Jaime asked. “They never came up from the depths.”

“Who knows,” Alice said. There were sometimes problems with dungeons too close to settlements, monsters coming out to attack when they didn’t have enough space anymore. This however felt different. It had been sheer luck that an adventuring team had spotted the approaching machines, rushing back through the tunnels and caverns they knew well, to warn the city guard. Well known and trusted enough to be taken seriously too.

A defensive perimeter had been set up in the city. The damage to the buildings would be substantial, and potential non combatants dying was an option, but their chance of winning the fight was higher out here. Their advantage of flying and longer ranged spells would make a massive difference against the machines.

She had never faced them herself, but she could heal at the very least. Alice gulped, looking at the Sentinels who had taken positions at the front lines, itching to get into battle. She focused forward and to the massive stone wall blocking the tunnel down into the caverns of Karth. She may not have become like her. She may have failed at times, in character, and in ability, but she was here. And she would fight.

Ziva rode to the front of the formation, the woman raising her greatsword, sunlight reflected off the blade. Heavy plate armor covered her form, perfectly polished, a few dents and scratches visible. “Whatever may come through these walls! Stand your ground!” Her shout echoed through the lower part of the city as she turned her horse towards the encroaching enemies.

A leader through and through. Alice had once been envious of the woman, the way she talked to people, the way her presence demanded respect and authority. Now she strove to mirror the qualities she saw in her.

Shouts echoed from the warriors and mages, magic lighting up as spells were being prepared. Enchanted cannons aimed downward from the high buildings of the former ruling Houses of Dawntree.

Alice took in a deep breath before her shout joined the others.

A heavy impact resounded, a single arrow fired before they realized the walls hadn’t yet broken. Instead a figure clad in ash had landed next to Ziva. Black wings spread out as the woman straightened.

She cracked her neck and glanced back, blue eyes looking at Alice.

“Well contained,” she heard the familiar voice in her mind. “I’ll take care of it.”

“Our defensive line is here, Lilith I assume,” Ziva spoke, her horse stepping forward to block the woman’s way. “We can’t let anyone go in there, it’s too dangerous. Besides, there are enchantments in place to block teleportation.”

“I’ll make sure to be careful,” Ilea said as she walked past the horse and woman without a concern in the world. Ziva tried to follow when Ilea’s form burst out with white flame and she vanished.

“Where… she got past?” Ziva asked.

The sounds changed instantly, the heavy impacts gone and replaced by more frequent but weaker vibrations.

Ziva jumped down from her horse. “We can’t let her face that horde. There were hundreds!”

Alice took in a deep breath. “She’ll be fine.”

“Alice?” Ziva asked, the woman glancing her way.

She had rarely offered a contrasting opinion, mostly in agreement with what the experienced Paladin did and said. But if she knew one thing better than Ziva, it was Ilea. She had gone and fought Taleen monstrosities long before her name was known throughout the Plains. Alice only had a glimpse at the power of Azarinth magic, and yet she was one of the more powerful fighters in the council, despite their higher level.

If the stories were true, and she had no doubt in her mind that they were, it was not Ilea they had to fear for. It was whatever stood in her way.

More fighters joined their line in the next ten minutes, some telling of a large scale battle in Riverwatch, others hailed from Stormbreach. Why so many had come to their aid was as of yet unclear. Dawntree had dealings with the Accords but they were not yet a part of it.

Alice assumed there was a reason Ilea herself had come to deal with it. Perhaps she had roused some ancient evil deep below the mountain, or one of her dungeon delving adventures had released a set of ten thousand machines. She didn’t know, though she would be lying if she said she hadn’t been glad to see her.

She tensed up when the wall broke inward, the stone crumbling with chunks flying into the tunnel.

Out walked Lilith, her form covered in ash before she spread her wings, the last signs of white fire dying down in the tunnel behind her.

“All clear,” her voice resounded in Alice’s mind before she flew up and away, teleporting out of the city and towards the gate bunkers.

Alice looked down the tunnel, a few magical lights flickering to reveal the bits and pieces of dull green metal left behind. The entire floor was covered. Some machines hung from the ceiling or walls, half embedded, their bodies dented, heads flattened or melted.

“She seemed angry,” Jaime said.

Alice glanced over to the man before she looked back down into the devastated tunnel, an entire wiped out Taleen army littering the depths. “You think so?” she said, raising a brow.

Ziva motioned for them to move forward, her sword raised as she called for light mages to help illuminate the tunnel.

“Don’t half of those explode when you destroy them?” a nearby Sentinel asked as she and her team walked down towards the entrance.

“Not if you destroy them fast enough. Mana intrusion destroys some of the enchantments,” another said. “I’ve done it before.”

“No you haven’t,” their third member said.

“I would’ve shown you, but you see, our enemies are already dead,” the man said again.

“Shut it,” the woman said and made a few gestures with her hand, the team quieting down instantly before they moved down into the depths as one, alongside groups of adventurers and guards.

_____________________________

Ilea returned to Riverwatch, joining up with Trian, Sulivhaan, Alistair, and plenty of officers, administrators, and people associating with the Accords.

“Yeah. I think it’s time,” she sent to Trian.

“Did you do something with those keys you’re collecting?” Trian asked.

“Not in a while, no. Maybe they just figured out who I am, or where they could find me. At least it seems likely that this has something to do with me. I doubt they suddenly consider all humans their enemies,” she said. “How many died?”

“I’ll spare you the numbers,” Trian said as he looked at her. “They defended their home against an invader. It’s not your fault.”

Ilea took in a deep breath. “I’ll finish the job.” She gave a nod to the others before she activated her third tier transfer, appearing next to Ben a moment later. “It’s time.”

“I… what happened…” He considered her for a moment before he hissed. “Never mind. Then let us be on our way,” he answered, hissing once more as he joined her.

A gate formed next to them, the two stepping out on a mountain overlooking the Still Valley. Ilea summoned her locator and looked at the arrow coming to life as she activated it. “Nobody has escaped before?” she murmured the words.

Ben remained quiet for a few seconds, a thoughtful expression on his face as he regarded the expansive valley. He looked at her. “None I would know of. But then you are human.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ilea asked.

“I know none like you,” the elf said with a smile.

“Not the time to hit on me,” Ilea said. “Any last suggestions?”

“You know what I know, and you learned from the Hunters. I don’t suppose wishing you good luck will benefit your chances of survival,” he said.

“Been lucky enough to survive thus far,” Ilea said. If it’s a hidden stat I might as well have it at the max.

At least the last few days in Kohr had provided a chunk of levels for both her Classes and skills. She had managed to fell four additional floating mind magic void tentacle island fortresses of flesh.Enough to get to level six twenty one in her main Class.

Might as well use the core points then. And see what I can do with it.

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked [Mythical Title]’

Right. So what’s available? And how do I choose?

‘Available titles for [Mythical Title]’

- Wanderer [You may go unnoticed when in places unfamiliar to you]

- Giant Slayer [Large beings may fear and avoid you]

- The Seen [Your aura instills madness over time]

- Realm Traveler [You learn languages in other realms at a 100% increased rate]

- The Beheaded [You do not experience fear. You instill it.]

- Friend [You may seem more friendly to other beings]

- The Survivor [You gain 15% more resilience]

- The Enduring [You gain 1% additional resilience for each resistance skill you have unlocked]

- The Immortal [You gain 2% additional resilience for each resistance skill you have unlocked]

- Queenslayer [Rulers are more wary of your presence]

- Deviant [You may learn to understand previously incompatible magics]

- Gourmet [You learn to spot ingredients that would suit your tastes]

- The Violent [Beings will know what will happen if they piss you off]

- Living Flesh [You may seem different. Strange. Eerie.]

Chapter 771 Mist

A note from Rhaegar

Friend wrote and published a thing :). Litrpg base building if that sounds interesting to you: https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09FY3YCDV

Chapter 771 Mist

Ilea wasn’t sure which one to choose. Immortal was the best one for straight up battle. The Beheaded was similar to her second stage of Pain Tolerance. A benefit in some situations but fear had a good reason to exist. For her current task she mostly considered the Wanderer title. She didn’t have any stealth abilities after all.

Only works in places unfamiliar to me, which I suppose the Still Valley would be. Not incredibly useful otherwise, but I suppose that’s the point. She wondered what going unnoticed actually meant from a magical perspective. Was it some kind of illusion? Light or Shadow magic? Or something that made her movements more quiet?

Friend is an interesting option too. Wouldn’t anyone seeing that immediately be suspicious of a title like that? Then I suppose any of these would raise questions and concerns. Deviant seemed like a good option too, if only when she was interested in learning new abilities. She already had three sets of magics she would’ve liked to focus more time on. All surely useful abilities for the future, or nice to have for potential evolution options. And yet here I am.

She selected the title and checked her status.

Name: Ilea Spears

Mythical Title: Wanderer

Unspent statpoints: 0

Unspent Core skill points: 1

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [2790 Total skill levels]: 4

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 621

- Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 28

- Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 4

- Passive: Eternal Sight [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 12

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 28

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 618

- Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 28

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 11

- Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 24

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 28

- Passive: Vision of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 9

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 611

- Active: Primordial Shift [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 10

- Active: Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 29

- Active: Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

- Passive: Reality Warp [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 5

- Passive: Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 19

- Passive: Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 23

General Skills:

- Ashen Limbs – 2nd lvl 12

- Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – 2nd lvl 10

- Bulwark of Ash – 2nd lvl 14

- Dancing – lvl 10

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 30

- Drill – lvl 20

- Elos Standard language - lvl 7

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 12

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 18

- Heavy Archery – lvl 11

- Identify - 2nd lvl 4

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 20

- Minor Earth Manipulation – 2nd lvl 1

- Minor Ice Manipulation – lvl 18

- Minor Lava Manipulation – 2nd lvl 3

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 21

- Monstrous – 2nd lvl 6

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 16

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 18

- Soul Perception – 2nd lvl 6

- Spear of Ash – 2nd lvl 11

- Teaching – lvl 11

- Telepathy – lvl 13

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 30

- Warhammer Mastery – 2nd lvl 4

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 30

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Astral Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 22

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Corrosion Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Crystal Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Curse Resistance - 3rd lvl 15

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Divination Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 10

- Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 20

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 4

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 1

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 29

- Ice Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 16

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 15

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 19

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 4

- Petrification Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 6

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 19

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 9

- Sound Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 19

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 20

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 26

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 17

- Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 11

Status:

Vitality: 2000

Endurance: 530

Strength:545

Dexterity:500

Intelligence:2181

Wisdom:2200

Health: 69840/69840

Stamina: 5291/5300

Mana: 130018/132000

I suppose not having my Ice Resistance higher means I can level it more now, Ilea thought. The title didn’t make her feel any different but she supposed she was somewhat familiar with this mountain already. “I’ll be back,” she said to the elf standing next to her before she jumped down into the depths.

One thing the elves from the ice domain were adamant about was that she had to enter at the edge of the territory. Flying over it was practically suicide. That was if one couldn’t face the collective might of an Elven domain. This time she had a reason to be here. Testing herself against a domain could come later.

She flew close to the mountain side, a massive growth of ice visible to her right, the thing clinging to the steep incline like a limb grasping for stone. The air was already cool but as she descended towards the mist, Ilea could see ice crystals trying to form on her mantle. Nothing quite remained due to her resistance. She gasped when she reached the actual mist. A strange sensation of various magics, soon changing into a perfect stillness.

She felt more than heard whispers as she descended, her very soul fighting against the strange sensation. The feeling receded a little when she landed on the snowy ground. Her weight pushed her deep into the crunching bed of white, the mist still present and preventing visibility for more than a few meters. Her eyes couldn’t pierce it.

Ilea took in a deep breath, in the snow almost to her hips. Her lungs cooled before she breathed out, the air just barely visible as a seeping cold settled in her body. She could move and survive, but the resistances were more than necessary, both ice, and soul. Strangely, she felt the mist itself was packed with magic too but her perception was somewhat affected. In more than one way it felt like she was cut off from the outside world.

She couldn’t perceive her marks. Or not quite the same. In Kohr they were simply not present. Here she could feel a faint calling but the distance and directions were impossible to determine. By far the strangest phenomenon she perceived was the fabric itself. The wisps were present, but she had never seen them quite so static. Maybe with Icy. She wasn’t entirely sure. Her ability had improved vastly when the skill had evolved. Though she wouldn’t have been surprised to find an Ice Elemental in the vicinity.

Looking at the locator, she found the direction had changed. To the right instead of forward. Not particularly surprising. She couldn’t perceive the mountain side that should’ve been behind her. This place was certainly strange. With what she had seen, Ilea would’ve described it as some kind of middle realm. Connected still to Elos but in a much less tangible way than most other locations she’d been to. No wonder people can’t escape this place, she thought and looked up. Ilea assumed just flying up wouldn’t exactly bring her back to where she entered, but it wasn’t the time to test such theories.

The locator hadn’t led her astray so far, and she definitely trusted the taleen enchantments more than her own sense of orientation. Especially with how the space here behaved, neither her eyes nor her other sets of perception much of a help in what seemed like a wasteland of snow. For now, she refrained from generating more heat, the environment not affecting her much beyond a constant strain on her self regeneration and soul. The pressure on the latter was negligible with her high resistance and the fires of creation.

Ilea tried to teleport a few meters ahead but found her spell failing. Not failing. Freezing. She could see the remains of her attempt in the fabric, the connection stopped halfway through. She wondered how it affected other magics but decided not to bring more attention to herself than necessary. Her ash she could generate and move around, but everything was much slower than usual. Not so her own movements. She cut into her arm with some ash and healed the wound, her blood keeping the cold away as she recovered. It was slowed to an extent but not in a way she deemed problematic.

She spread her wings and pulled herself out of the snow, flying low over the landscape as she tried to see with her dominion. The mist certainly obscured everything, but she couldn’t quite make out how much of the effect was in the mist and how much of it was the cold itself. Perhaps there were even other spells woven into the environment to cause the effect.

Ilea flew slowly, not only due to a conscious choice. The arrow pointed in the same direction still but she felt the surroundings themselves played tricks on her mind. Perhaps they were changing but she assumed it was just a simple mist magic effect. One she could understand if used by simply another mage but this was an entire territory.

A few minutes later, she saw something in her dominion. The first thing besides snow she had seen, unmoving and without discernible magic emitting from its form, though she didn’t quite trust her perception to that extent. Still, she was curious. Ilea waited for a minute but nothing happened, so she moved closer. And found a large Wyvern like creature covered in flakes of ice and snow. It looked unhurt, legs deep in the snow, wings cradled around itself and eyes closed. She could tell it was very much dead, her healing magic able to discern as much despite the ice and mist.

Food stored for later? Or did you just fly in here on accident? She assumed the elves living here ate meat too, just like Ben did. But if a Wyvern type creature can’t escape, then I suppose that answers the flying out question.

She continued for more than an hour, flying through the cold mist. She found the occasional creature frozen in place, though nothing that struck her as particularly interesting. Perhaps a few years ago she would’ve thought differently, but then she’d likely be thinking of how to escape this place instead of admiring the powerful frozen beings. After fighting the strange flying monsters in Kohr, it took a little more to impress her.

When the hour had passed, she noticed a change, the even snow leading down into some sort of decline. Not overly much but it was noticeable. Another twenty minutes later, she could feel a change in the surroundings too, an icy wind picking up. Less than half a minute passed before the entire surroundings were taken over by a powerful blizzard. The effects of the mist were increased in the strange phenomenon. Ilea assumed it wasn’t a strictly natural occurrence, now generating heat within herself to fight the effects of the cold.

She didn’t stop however, the locator pushing her forward through the storm. Her wings were slowed even more, but she reached a milestone soon after. The decline opened up into some kind of underground, though the top was mere ice. An entrance to the domain.

Which meant she had managed to cross the wasteland protecting the Still Valley itself. She flew down into the opening, out of the frozen storm and into the strange new environment. The ground was a few dozen meters below. Glittering ice, reflecting light from sources she couldn’t make out. Between ground and ceiling stood trees of ice, roots and crowns near indistinguishable. There were hundreds she could see, in every direction.

The storm was gone from her perception in mere moments as she descended, the surroundings entirely quiet. The only things she could hear were her own heartbeat and the movements of her wings. She didn’t land, instead keeping herself afloat as she generated heat. The fabric remained unmoving, the space around her near entirely still. There were no animals, no insects, no monsters, no leaves rustling in the wind. Just ice.

She followed the locator, keeping her eyes open for any elves now that may be hiding. Ilea was fully aware that she could already be hunted, but she trusted her ability to avoid a sudden attack. A few minutes of flying later, she spotted something hanging from a tree a few hundred meters ahead. The form was half grown into the ice tree itself but the shape was decidedly humanoid. A sleeping elf.

Sleeping, meditating, waiting, whatever he’s doing, she thought and made a detour to avoid the being. Soon she found herself seeing another set of elves, then three more. They were all in similar positions, though none of them particularly close to each other.

Soon she had to fly past some of them, closer with every passing minute. Already she had seen a few dozen Elves, though she never went close enough to identify them. Maybe they’re dead. She glanced at one of them when she saw their eyes open.

Ilea flew around one of the massive trees and listened.

She heard cracking ice. Then a hiss.

Did he spot me? She waited for a little while, soon seeing the elf fly by within her dominion. Not towards her but simply past. Managed to avoid that one, she turned and looked straight at a set of blue eyes a few hundred meters away. They were focused on her, a curious expression on the elf’s face before he stepped into one of the trees, and appeared a few meters away from her, walking out of the ice in a manner that defied the laws of the fabric. Ilea knew there was no space magic involved.

“Nar vestaar?” the being asked, floating in the air. The elf had braided white hair, his body clad in white armor that looked like something between wood and ice. Runes and images adorned it, intricately carved or magically added. His skin was near as pale as his defense, sharp teeth in his mouth and piercing blue eyes that seemed to flow like water.

[Ice Mage – lvl 712]

“I’m afraid I don’t speak elvish,” Ilea answered and hissed a greeting.

The elf raised his brows and grinned before he hissed back. He remained in the air, perfectly still other than his eyes and mouth.

The elf looked up and focused, his eyes squinting a little before he opened them wide. “What. What are you?” He spoke with a strange accent.

Ilea wondered if he simply hadn’t spoken Standard in a long while. She considered before she answered, the elf not seeming in a particular hurry. None of the others had broken out of their ice yet. “I’m a wanderer.”

“Wan… derer,” the elf considered the word. “You are… not of this place?”

“I’m just passing through,” Ilea said and smiled.

He considered for nearly ten seconds. “I think I like that. Nas arin Wanderer,” he spoke and hissed with amusement before he floated back into the ice.

Ilea hissed. “Nice to meet you too,” she said and flew onward. He didn’t attack. Not yet. What a strange interaction. She attributed it to pure luck, both the ice domain elves she had talked to quite adamant that a human was most certainly not welcome to travel through their home. And yet every elf was an individual. Perhaps she had chosen the right words. What if he hadn’t liked them? What if I had moved differently, or had summoned magic?

The elf had ninety levels on her but she still thought she could’ve at the very least survived. Then again teleportation was vastly limited down here. If a ranged caster of similar power fought her here, she might actually be overwhelmed. Granted if they could move through the ice like that elf did.

She kept on flying, an eye on the various elves hanging off the trees. She almost missed it when one of them opened his eyes, two small black pupils focusing on her before he broke out of the ice.

He hissed, decidedly hostile, powerful magic gathering around him as thick ice armor formed, two curved near invisible blades growing from the handles in his hands, a thin mist left behind where the weapons moved.

[Ice Warrior – lvl 541]

Guess I’m not getting through this without a fight.

Chapter 772 Sea

Chapter 772 Sea

Ilea considered charging her wings but without teleportation she would hit more than a few trees on the way her locator indicated. She hissed in response, a greeting instead of hostilities but it was entirely too late.

The elf jumped off from the tree, landing on another before he jumped off again, the misty trail of his blades visible as he twirled and attacked.

Two golden shields flared to life where she saw his magical weapons, the blades stopped immediately as she rushed him. She ignored the somewhat surprised look on his face as her fist came at him. She struck a wall of ice that appeared from thin air, Archon Strike rushing into the material enhanced by the fires of creation. She pushed through the shattering ice, burning ashen limbs lashing out towards him. Three were cut but a few struck his ice armor, setting bits and pieces aflame and biting into the material.

“I’m not here to fight,” she said with a hiss and used a charged blast of her space manipulation, blowing him away. She turned back and looked at the locator as the elf struck one of the nearby trees, spinning before he struck another, finally coming to a stop on a third one with a heavy impact. So I guess space manipulation still works at least. She flew off towards the location, glancing back to see more beings breaking out of their ice. And so much for stealth. Well… they’re elves, might just fight each other instead.

Several impacts followed a few seconds later. She glanced back to see several spells exploding in the distance. Wonderful. Ilea just barely dodged a thin arrow coming for her neck, the projectile fast enough to require her precognition. She didn’t look back, instead flying between the large pillar like trees of ice to avoid more shots coming her way. Expected at least a few to come for me.

Ilea saw a flash to her right, finding two black eyes staring back at her. They belonged to an elf with flowing black hair, his body covered in smooth armor made entirely of bone, or a material that looked as such. In his right hand he held a smooth white bow, the string glowing with a strange silvery light. He looked at her with a wide grin on his face, flying with his blueish wisp like wings, keeping up with her in his effortless style of flying.

[Ice Mage – lvl 658]

She hissed her greeting, knowing he had just fired at her.

His grin became wider before he hissed back. A greeting too, though there was a strange edge to it.

Ilea watched him fly ahead, the effortless grace with which he flew through the air something akin to a butterfly, though he outpaced her by a large margin. She didn’t even know if her charged wings could beat him. Her golden shields flared up when he spun and shot a set of ten thin arrows at her, the movements of his hands and arms nearly too fast for her to see. Two of her shields shattered, though she managed to block the arrows at the very least. Another set of ten came before she could resummon her defenses.

This time she veered to the right, avoiding most of them before the last shield took the few that got through. One of the arrows did pierce and struck her armor, exploding in a strange blast of ice, partially getting past her mantle. Intrusion, she realized, ignoring the blast as she kept going in the direction her locator had indicated.

“Impressive, human,” the being spoke in a smooth tone, though his accent seemed a little strange as well. “Long has it been… since I have hunted one of yours, so worth-”

Ilea decided to interrupt his speech with a beam of Embered Heart.

Several ice barriers formed as he slipped away, the defenses shattered and one of the trees blasted through.

“And so… temperamental,” he mused, spinning back out from another set of trees. The elf licked his lips, bowing lightly as he annoyingly kept up with her. “Ilynvares. Whom do I have the honor of hunting?”

Ilea sighed, still flying in the same direction.

“By the way. It is not a wise choice to go that way,” he said. “Death awaits you there.”

“Why?” Ilea asked. “I assumed you wanted to kill me too.”

“Oh I do,” he said and hissed, firing another set of arrows at her, the Azarinth Star taking the entire volley. “But in battle. And I promise to eat you afterwards. All of you.”

Oh boy. “You’ve been down here for a long while,” she said. “You could use a refresher on how to talk to women.”

The elf looked confused. “I do not understand, human. How does gender play into this conversation?” More arrows, this time not aimed at her but in the general area. They exploded in blasts of ice, temporarily freezing her wings, some of her mantle lightly damaged.

She twirled shortly, slamming into one of the trees and digging in with her limbs. Now she saw the group of elves following them, a set of five, spaced out and sometimes attacking each other. Mist, ice, arcane, crystal, and something she couldn’t see. Each wore a different set of armor, though the colors were somewhat fitting for the ice and snow, various whites and hues of blue. Bits of metal, bone, fabric, and even leaves adorned their attire, the magical power apparent in the flowing elements around them. Ilea caught glimpses of more moving figures to the side as well as farther back.

Her ashen wings were back and she continued on her way.

“Indeed. You should not dally, though most are not quite as quick as you are,” Ilynvares said. He dodged to the side when a set of burning spears rushed his way.

Ilea spread out the ash and made it follow him, his form too fast to keep up but his attacks were slowed ever so slightly under her pressure. She flew around the trees, trying to keep them between herself and the fast moving elf, sacrificing some of the distance she had to the other elves. More woke up in their wake, though few seemed particularly interested in her ashen form.

“Leave me alone. I’m not here for you. That’s my last warning,” Ilea said as she twirled to dodge the incoming projectiles.

The elf hissed in an amused manner. “But I am here for you, wanderer.”

She sent out another set of ash spears, raising her hand before she used her space magic.

His form was caught in her invisible grip, his armor splintering as one of his eyes burst in a red spray. Burning ash enveloped him right after, the elf screeching with inhuman wails.

Ilea flicked her hand, sending him into one of the trees, though she could tell her grip was waning already. He does have some resistance. The move bought her a little bit of time however, her wings working hard to get her through the endless forest.

She sighed when a group of four elves intercepted her from the right, though the spells they fired at her she quickly dismissed as inconsequential. The blasts of ice and water crashed against her golden shields as she sent out spears of burning ash, the explosion ripping through the armor of two elves, one use of her space magic blasting two more aside. She tried to hold back a little, as she was in fact invading their domain, and the weak spells that came for her gave some indication as to their levels. Their sneers turning into pained expressions was rather satisfying however. The last one managed to reach her, but she simply slapped away the ice spear in his arms, then she slapped his face, several bones breaking in the process. He was below three hundred. None of them followed, though the time it took to deal with them let her more dangerous pursuers get a little closer.

She moved on, dodging a few long range spells in the next few minutes but otherwise able to increase the distance between herself and the elves hunting for her. She couldn’t spot any other elves hanging from the trees by now. Her movements slowed further, Ilea summoning the locator to double check the direction. She was on course, and she was getting slower.

A glance back revealed that none of the elves were following her anymore, the creatures either having given up, or perhaps deciding to fight each other instead. She deemed either option unlikely, having met plenty of elves before. She would have to worry about some of them looking for her in the Plains to get revenge or to get a proper fight in the first place. If she did manage to escape. Short range teleportation proved to be an issue, but she had no reason to believe her anchors were unreachable for her long range abilities. But nobody else who came here had an ability like that? I doubt it.

She assumed the stories were overblown. If she could escape Audur and the trap of the Architect, Ilea believed an elven domain wouldn’t prove much of a challenge. She hoped she was right.

The air remained still, her wings occasionally cracking as they moved, bits and pieces of frozen ash falling to the ground. A trail she dissolved as she went. The soul magic pressure had built slightly, though the pure cold was more dominating. Ilea however had survived the presence of an Ice Elemental with far fewer skills and resistance levels. She generated heat within her as she advanced through the underground forest of ice, finally coming out into an open space.

She stopped in the air, looking out onto frozen plains. The ground was a vivid light blue, far more colorful than the forest had been. White cracks were visible below, some moving on for hundreds of meters until she lost sight of them. Ilea turned her head when she heard a deep cracking sound, followed by strange clucking. It sounded both kilometers away and right next to her.

Freaky. She glanced at the locator, the thing still pointing forward and onto the frozen plains. A lake perhaps, or a sea. She had a hard time gauging the dimensions, the wisps here unmoving, her eyes not seeing far enough to discern anything other than the line of frozen trees behind her.

‘ding’ ‘You have seen the Sea of Truth – One Core skill point awarded’

Right. I feel terribly enlightened, she thought, still looking at the apparent sea with some suspicion. At least she assumed she couldn’t reach the depths of this one and find another strange eldritch creature. Everything seemed frozen after all.

The ice ceiling was gone too, changing gradually to the same strange mist that covered the entire valley. It wasn’t dark however, the frozen ground providing illumination in the same light blue hues. Ilea glanced back again but nobody had followed her. The annoying one did warn me.

But the locator pointed her forward and she was here to get the last of the Taleen keys. More Drakes, deep within the Elven domain of ice. She smiled to herself. The infiltration had failed, because of course it did. And yet she had pushed through, survived the elves hunting her. Not just survived. She had considered fighting them in a more direct manner but there were higher leveled ones around, and she didn’t want to garner the attention of the local Monarch, wherever he may be.

And so she moved her wings and flew out onto the sea of truth, her spells at the ready, prepared for whatever would stand in her way. Nothing showed up however, an hour of slowed flying passing by. The trees were gone now, lost in the distance, the frozen grounds the only visible thing in all directions. Occasional sounds came from the depths. Ilea assumed they were caused by ice moving, forming, or breaking deep below.

Half an hour later she finally saw something else. Kilometers ahead she spotted strange floating bits of what she assumed was ice. Hundreds of shards perfectly frozen in the air, some larger than entire houses, others thin and long. The blue light from below reflected off the magical phenomenon in strange and mesmerizing patterns, light flickering as she approached.

The locator pointed to the center of it all.

Ilea could now feel the already freezing air getting colder with each passing meter. When she was just a few thousand meters away, she could barely move her wings. A hundred meters later, she had to land, the limbs constantly freezing over, bits and pieces breaking off as she tried to move them. Her core was now generating heat constantly, fighting off the cold around her. Looking down at her hands, she could see layers of ice forming on her ash, breaking away, then reforming. She left behind a trail of water, more added with every step she took on the freezing sea.

She was glad her eyes still worked. Cracks resounded as she walked, bits and pieces of frozen ash falling to the ground and reforming on her body, the fires of creation now added to fight off the magical climate.

Freezing temperatures no longer affect your body, my ass. Ilea squinted her eyes, feeling the oppressing magic flow through everything in the vicinity. She was getting closer to the source, whatever it was. A wave of ice magic came through, freezing half her form and pushing her back a few meters. She tried to use fabric tear, the space magic barely getting out of her before it froze. Instead she broke out with her fires and strength, some of her fingers and her entire right arm snapping off as she did so. She didn’t feel any of it, the missing bits already reforming.

She looked at the healing arm, the process downright crawling compared to her usual speeds. She pushed with the third tier, the magic still not quite as quick as usual but it did the trick, her arm back when she saw another wave of magic through her dominion. Her second tier golden barrier formed around her, walls of burning ash right behind.

The wave came and went, the golden magic not shattering but frozen instead, the cold seeping through and moving through her ash. Her mantle was mostly unaffected this time. She deactivated the barrier, half of it still floating in the air, shimmering with a strange blue and golden hue.

Freaky.

Ilea walked onward, using the same combination of defensive skills to endure the invisible waves of magic. Her precognition and dominion allowed her to react in time. As she was struck by more of the ice magic, she felt her defense strengthen. At the same time she was sure the attacks were becoming more powerful, though the frequency of the waves remained the same.

Ilea soon passed some of the first shards, hundreds of them hanging in the air without movement. When she passed a large piece of ice, she saw what she knew to be the source of the ice magic waves.

A humanoid figure hanging in the air, its form blurred and unfocused. Two arms were raised to the side, the legs hanging without motion. Two bright dots were set within its head, though Ilea couldn’t discern if they were blue, white, black, or any other color. Each was like an abyss, taking her in with infinite depth. Something akin to hair flowed from the being’s head, and yet it was perfectly still.

Ilea kept her eyes on the being, healing her brain as blood froze near her nose. She wanted to retch at the sight of the being but felt calm at the same time. What she felt wasn’t primal terror at the sight of an ancient predator, but a pure and utter lack of comprehension. The only experience she could compare it to was the act of trying to comprehend powerful magical runes. She was looking at a magical phenomenon, one that overwhelmed every bit of her perception and ability to think.

She couldn’t move her jaw very well, and so went with telepathy instead.

“Greetings,” she sent, another wave flowing over her barriers and ash. She wasn’t sure what to expect. The locator had pointed at this being, which meant the key was in its possession or somewhere behind.

“Words. A language… ancient, changed and adapted. Once spoken by few, now… by many. It is… human… that thou art. Thou hast come here… seeking, what.” the being answered, its voice a whisper, barely audible even within Ilea’s mind.

“A Taleen artifact, that I believe you have,” Ilea sent.

The being was in front of her now. It hadn’t used space magic to achieve the feat. Ilea had no idea how it had happened, she only felt a powerful magical source within her dominion.

[Oracle – lvl ????]

She tried to breathe in but couldn’t. Ilea knew now that the being had a lower level than the Meadow. Her instincts however told her to run, the feeling more visceral than anything else she had experienced in a while. And at the same time she felt safe, as if embraced by someone who loved her.

“Guardian of Cerith. Friend… of the Fae. Azarinth Healer. Key Warden, and… traveler of realms. Thou hast come… far… in thine journey, Wanderer,” the being whispered. “Gifts exchanged. Show us. The fires… of creation.” The being moved its arm, the limb dark and light at the same time.

Ilea could focus on it but failed all the same. She could see something flicker, the triangular shape of the Taleen Key visible for a mere moment. It was held out towards her, offered.

Chapter 773 Shift

Chapter 773 Shift

Her fires were active anyway, so she slowly moved her arm to take the key, trying to spread the flames throughout the vicinity with her ash, hoping the Oracle would see her part of the bargain fulfilled. Her arm moved closer to the key and yet she found herself slowed down as she got near, more and more as the aura of the being became stronger. Ilea could find no wisps in the area, her strength unable to push through the strange phenomenon.

Her fires should’ve touched the Oracle by now, her arm only a few centimeters away from the strangely blurred hand, key held within. And yet the white flame seemed unable to touch its form. The pulses of ice magic had stopped by now.

“Thou art not kin,” the being spoke in a whisper, as if it had come to a conclusion.

Ilea felt the aura around its form strengthen, her arm going numb as the freezing magic spread into her. If I can’t get the key in this space, let’s try something else.

Primordial Shift activated, wisps moving as strange flesh like appendages writhed around her. Warmth spread through her as the fires of creation erupted, far more powerful than what she had summoned before. Her arm recovered instantly, Ilea watching from within the powerful spell as the Oracle stepped forward.

Floating shards of ice hovered around her body as the fires enveloped her. The being raised its arm and watched with entirely black eyes as her pale skin was covered by the fires. Ilea thought she could see wrinkles on the being’s face, her features shifting. Long ears parted snow white hair. A smile. Her teeth were sharp.

Ilea found the expression both kind and terrifying, more so the latter because the Oracle could somehow step into the space her Primordial Shift had created. She had no idea how. What she realized however was that the frameworks had returned. The Oracle was graspable to her space awareness now, despite the fact that neither of them were truly part of the fabric in that moment. It meant as well that the Taleen Key was there for the taking. Ilea used her manipulation to gently lift the thing out of the being’s hand, its pyramid like shape floating through the summoned magic before it vanished into her domain.

The Oracle reached out to her but found herself stopped by the magic protecting Ilea, shards of ice moving in a circle as her entire being was now burning. A pulse of magic erupted from the elf, fanning away some of the flames but not enough for her to continue. Her skin now reflected some of the light of the flames, ice forming on her body, removing the fires as her form returned back and away from the Primordial Shift.

Ilea deactivated the spell, the fires still burning in the vicinity as she looked at the Oracle. Once again she couldn’t make out any details, the features she had grasped of the ancient elf gone and replaced by the being of magic. A part of her wondered if what she had seen had truly been reality, or perhaps some idea presented by the Oracle.

“I thank thee, wielder of the fires. A most… peculiar demonstration of ancient power I shall not possess. Thou may not be of elven kind, though child of magic that you are,” the whispers spoke.

Ilea remained where she was, the aura powerful but nothing she couldn’t deal with. “How did you step into my spell?”

The Oracle remained unmoving. “Thine ability… to wield and understand the cold is far away from reaching comprehension.” The whisper was soft. Kind. That of a mother speaking to her child.

Ilea assumed her ice magic was just that impressive. The light explosion trap the Architect had prepared for her managed to pierce Primordial Shift as well, which meant a sufficient amount of magic could get through. Though this felt effortless, as if the Oracle moved past instead of blasting away the defenses. She was stopped in the end and pushed away, but Ilea didn’t exactly understand her own ability well enough to propose an explanation. Maybe I should start there instead of asking this Oracle for advice. She smiled to herself at the thought.

“You know of the Keys. Why do you not interfere? Why have you not sent the males to stop the Taleen?” she asked.

“The balance… of magic, is so very delicate, young friend of the Fae,” the being spoke.

That doesn’t really answer the question, Ilea thought, trying a different approach instead. “Why do you let your young die? Why do you let those who want to help be seen as Cursed, hunted by other elves because they entered dungeons?”

The being remained quiet for a time. “Thine concern… for the living. It is… delicate. Though life is merely part of our journey all, as is death, rebirth, the end of all, and the beginning.”

“You’re speaking in philosophic terms when real conscious beings are being killed for no reason,” Ilea answered.

A pulse of magic flowed out, breaking through the golden shields and freezing half her body.

“Do not, young healer, presume to judge our grief,” the Oracle spoke, the whisper harsh, near hissing. “All of Cerith is to be protected. New life flourishes, where old life withers and dies,” it added, the whisper calm once more. “Conflicts of the nature you wish to alter arise and vanish within time, yet change they bring, to all existence.”

Ilea considered for a while, still close to the being and remaining within its domain. She wanted to talk to the ancient elf for as long as it was interested in her. She had broken out of the ice while the Oracle talked, her body healed already.

“Why did you send out the males then? Three thousand years ago. Against the Ascended,” Ilea spoke.

A hiss. Power emanated, so pure and terrifying, Ilea took a step back. An outburst only, not an attack aimed at her.

“All of Cerith is to be protected. It is to be cherished, seen, felt, fought. Death as you presume is not the opposite of life, but it is part of it. Our realm was shaken, young Wanderer. The balance was shaken. Threatened. By the whims of children with tools they do not understand to wield,” the Oracle spoke.

Meaning they just don’t see the Taleen as an issue at all. Or all the young elves that die. I’d call her a neglectful parent but with that outburst before it might not be the best idea. I did get what I came for.

“Can you help me train my ice resistance? Or my ice magic?” she asked instead.

“Thou hast ample opportunity within this domain. Gifts thou hast given, and gifts thou hast received. Now leave this frozen sea, for I have purpose,” the being spoke.

One way to tell me to fuck off, I guess.

“Thanks for the key. And the talk. Would you mind if I visited again sometime?” she asked.

The Oracle did not respond.

How very cold. She immediately frowned at the accidental pun her own mind had conjured up.

“I’ll fuck off then. Enjoy your purpose, old one,” she sent and walked away, summoning her shield and ashen walls when a wave of ice magic slammed into her back. It felt like a slap, to punish an ill-mannered child. Problem was, Ilea had enough defenses to shrug it off. Ancient generation parenting, she thought and shook her head. Wait, why do I even consider her a parent? Let alone mine?

She glanced back but found both the oracle and all the floating shards gone, the same frozen sea in every direction. Ilea wriggled her fingers. “Mysterious. Very impressive,” she said and clapped her hands a few times. She looked around and tried to form a gate, the spell failing to manifest. Hmm.

“Let’s try this then… can’t be bothered flying back through that battle hungry elf infested forest,” she murmured to herself and cast her third tier of Transfer, focused on Ben. She couldn’t place his mark but it existed, that she knew.

The magic took longer to manifest, the runes etching itself into reality before the space magic took hold. Ilea felt herself being pulled through the fabric, at first slowly, then faster and faster. Finally, she appeared on a mountain near the Still Valley, and next to Ben.

Freaky. As if the fabric itself couldn’t really grasp me. She looked at her hand where a small bit of ice formed with her manipulation. Might be worth working on in the future. Wielding that kind of power would be awesome. Plus I could go in there and maybe send a slap back. Considerations for the future.

“You returned!” Ben exclaimed, his voice echoing through the vicinity.

“Great. Well done,” Ilea said and formed a gate, pulling him through with her before every elf in the Still Valley came to answer his call.

They appeared below Karth, her flames erupting once more to provide some light.

“A… apologies, I…” Ben spoke before he hissed in a joyous manner. “I didn’t expect for you to return!”

“Thanks for all that trust,” Ilea said and summoned the key she had gotten.

[The Titanium Key – Ancient Quality]

Last one.

“You succeeded… most impressive,” Ben spoke.

She made the thing vanish again. “To be honest, one of my long range spells worked. So I assume there were others that escaped the Still Valley. Not that there’s too much to be found in the first place. The Sea of Truth was interesting… but ultimately just a frozen wasteland.”

Ben opened his eyes wide. “You… did you… you went to the Sea of Truth?”

“The Sea of Truth, yes. Who even chose that name? It’s stupid,” she answered.

“The… the Oracles of course. Was it hidden there, left behind? Encased in ice?” he asked.

“No. One of the Oracles had it. She was… how should I describe it,” she said and tapped her lips.

Ben grabbed her arms with shaking hands. “You met one… you… you a human… met… I… where are we?” he spoke, looking at her before he glanced around. “Wait… you?” he said and focused back on her. The elf was sweating.

“It’s okay,” she said, pushing some healing magic into his mind. “Calm down, alright?” She wasn’t even the weirdest thing I saw this month.

“But… an Oracle. This is… unprecedented,” he murmured.

“You think?” Ilea asked. “Doubt no human has ever encountered an Oracle.”

Ben hissed. “Maybe. But none that I know. Tell me everything!”

Ilea sighed, but she couldn’t deny the excited elf. “Sure. While we’re digging.”

“Digging?” he asked.

She formed an ashen drill and aimed it down towards the ground. “The One without Form has made its move. It’s time we made ours.”

She told him of the Oracle while descending into the depths, off handedly looking through the notifications she still had pending in her mind.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Fires of Creation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 2nd lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ice Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘One third tier General skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have conversed with an Elven Oracle – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have exchanged gifts with an Elven Oracle – One Core skill point awarded’

No point for getting figuratively smacked on the back of the head? Ilea shook her head while she drilled into the Depths of Karth. The marks were back now, her position below the mountain suggesting she had quite a bit of ground to break through until they breached the underground cavern holding the dwarven capital.

“Any more attacks in the past few hours?” she sent to Trian.

“Nothing. Cleanup is underway and the Accords work to reinforce Stormbreach and Riverwatch. Sentinels and Shadows stationed in each,” the man answered a few seconds later.

Sounds good. “Ben, we’ll have to collect the Elves soon. Can you go and prepare everyone?”

“I… I don’t know where we are, Ilea,” the elf said.

“Yes. Of course. I’ll teleport you, first to Niivalyr, then to the others. Sounds agreeable?” she asked.

“It… yes. I’m just wondering if you’re not rushing too much. We’ll have to prepare for an assault,” he spoke.

Ilea sighed. “People died today. Likely because I got close to collecting all the Taleen Keys. I’d like to avoid another engagement if at all possible. We have to push towards Iz so that the One without Form has no other choice but to answer on our terms.”

He moved a hand through his hair and took in a deep breath. “Very well. I will inform them of what has happened.”

“Taleen have attacked human cities. I will get everyone to below Karth in five hours. Pushing for Iz. Let me know if you are not ready,” she sent to Neiphato and Niivalyr. “I gave them a heads up,” she said and reset her gate location to the deeper point, the tunnel angled in a way that wouldn’t allow a creature to simply fall down from above. She focused on Elfie’s mark and used her third tier transfer, bringing the ice elf with her.

“That was faster than expected,” Elfie commented, the group engaged with a group of Praetorians.

Ilea ignored the magic coming her way as she appeared. Might be helpful if the One without Form somehow thinks I’m here. She glanced at the green eyes of a Praetorian.

“I’ll get you as soon as I can. Finish your business here,” she said.

“Ilea,” Elfie started, defending against a scythe coming his way.

Ilea summoned a golden shield to block the attack and sent a beam of Embered Heart through the shield and the metal behind, destroying the Praetorian instantly.

He glanced over but continued without much of a fuss. “Isalthar will not want us there. Asay perhaps but the others… we are far too weak.”

She smiled, hissing in a way that imitated the usual arrogance she had come to associate with elven kind since she had first met them. “Really?” she asked. “I knew Fey and Neiphato had a high opinion of the Val Akuun. But are you really going to let that white haired wind mage stop you from participating in the battle for Iz?”

He remained silent.

“I remember you a lot more driven, Elfie. Like that one time you entered a dungeon against the rules of the Oracles. Fighting Praetorians at the side of a human. Or when you-” she said.

“Yes yes,” he sent and hissed. “Fine. I’ll be there, Ilea. It’s been… I’ve had a lot to think about in the past months. Perhaps I should’ve traveled with you instead.”

“You’re far to noisy for that,” she said.

He sighed and nodded slowly, a grin coming to his face. “Let us stand together then. One last time.”

“Oh no, you’d be paste in two seconds if you fought right next to me. But you can support the others from a distance, maybe fight some of the Guardians on the ground,” Ilea said and grinned back.

“I remember now that I hate you,” Elfie sent, the others having finished the few Praetorians with the help of Ben.

“Good motivation to train then. I found some interesting things to fight in Kohr. Whenever you’re ready to face four marks,” she sent and gave him a thumbs up.

“You incomprehensible… being,” he said with a sigh.

“I’ll get you soon. Be ready,” Ilea said and gave him a genuine smile. “And as poetic as that sounded, don’t get killed down there. We’ll have plenty more opportunities to fight alongside each other.” She waved to the others and stepped through her gate, back to drilling.

Ilea worked as fast as she could, contacting the next one on her list.

“You probably heard about the attacks. I’m drilling towards Iz,” she sent to Kyrian.

“I’ll get to Riverwatch. Open a gate when you’re ready,” he sent back.

Been a while since I’ve seen him. She knew he had reached his next evolution, just like Fey had a few months prior but she had yet to see the actual changes. Fey himself she informed in turn, the elf somewhere in the north according to her mark.

She stopped the drill a few hours later, the fires dying down in the darkness. Ilea reset her gate location and teleported to her house. A short flight out onto the ocean later, she dumped the rubble she had moved into her domain. Lilith tunneling service. I should charge someone for this.

Ilea followed up with a flight to Ravenhall, informing Claire about the happenings before she made a short stop at the Sentinel Headquarters. For once she had to decline the torture seeking battle healers, soon ready to move on as she stepped through a gate and into the domain of the Meadow.

“I heard about the attacks. The last key?” the being asked.

“I got it. And saw some interesting magic in the process. We can discuss that later. Is Iana around?” she asked and was moved into the soul forge. Let’s get this over with.

Chapter 774 Wall

Chapter 774 Wall

Ilea appeared near Riverwatch, her preparations done. She found her friend resting against a nearby tree, the location of her gate marker known only to a select few. It was early evening, a few clouds visible on the horizon, the suns casting long shadows into the forest ahead.

“You look stressed,” the man said as he glanced her way.

[Metal Mage – lvl 508]

“You’re not the only one who was busy,” Ilea answered. “Besides, you did hear about the attacks.”

Kyrian motioned in the direction of the city, the cleanup still very much going on. Smoke still rose from the distant fires caused by the extensive battle.

Extensive for the standards of Riverwatch.

Ilea remembered the elven attack after her arrival in Elos. It had been chaos, entire sections of the city destroyed, hundreds dead, more injured. The results here would’ve been far worse, were it not for the gates, all the people arriving due to the Accords, and her own involvement.

Salia fell to a few groups of young Elves. With the gates alone, something like that was far less likely to happen, and still she felt tense. This was nothing compared to what she had seen in her travels. Even for the Taleen it had been a small army. Not a single Executioner, few variants, and fewer Praetorians. The Pursuer was the main danger, but she assumed it had been hunting for her, or someone that knew more about her.

And the same might happen with the Architect, once he actually wants to bother with getting back his artifacts. She didn’t assume him to be someone who would simply forget about an incursion like that. Especially now that he had tried and failed to take her out, sacrificing an entire facility in doing so.

They had to be prepared. She had to be prepared.

Ilea didn’t plan to live in fear of what may or may not come to hunt for her or her allies. She wanted to be untouchable, not an Oracle, Monarch, Pursuer, Meadow, or Ascended able to threaten her.

She could just choose a home, a domain of her own. Where she could rest up between explorations, where she could build something and study her magic. But her ties had grown and whilst she could understand some of the Oracle’s arguments, she didn’t buy into their approach. Riverwatch was proof that her actions had a tangible impact on people. She had both perhaps caused the attack but had prevented a massacre in turn. Her and the people she had brought together.

Collecting the keys was an effort to help out the elves in the first place. And now she had all of them, and a way to perhaps stop the being that caused millennia of warfare. The Oracles wouldn’t care, she had suspected as much before but now she knew. The males would react in different ways. Some would look for those responsible, others would simply continue with their lives, unaffected by the machines in the first place. But plenty would get a chance at living, perhaps a little longer than their current situation allowed.

Death may be part of life, but with enough Vitality and healing, that life would last far longer.

“Had an annoying conversation too,” she said. “With a being far to old to retain any kind of influence.”

“You’re not friends with the Meadow anymore?” the man asked as he summoned two meals, moving one over to her on a tray of metal.

“Not the Meadow,” she said. “We should move on, more attacks could happen.”

“And we’re here to stop them. Sit down and eat,” Kyrian said.

Ilea raised a brow, taking in a deep breath before she grabbed the food and sat down, the tree creaking slightly as she leaned against it.

A single bite revealed that she wasn’t Keyla’s only customer who kept some of her creations in their storage items. He got an upgrade too, she noted, seeing the steam rising from the curry style dish.

“The world has changed quite a bit,” Kyrian said after a while, their plates empty as they watched the busy western city.

“That it has,” Ilea said.

“I visited some of the northern cities in the past week. Have you had a chance yet?” he asked.

“I’m not sure which cities you mean. In the northern plains?” Ilea asked.

“No,” he said. “North of Hallowfort. The Dark Protector managed to establish a few more stable settlements. They came out on top in a few important battles against the Feynor. And they’re more favorable now towards Hallowfort. Due to the Meadow and the Accords,” he explained.

“I haven’t had the chance to travel too much in the past months,” Ilea said. The main relaxing thing she did was visiting Felicia, and even that has been more rare in the past weeks. The woman was rising in Virilya, more work piled onto her desk every time Ilea visited.

“You should relax a little after this,” Kyrian said. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. I can tell. You get… different.”

“Feeling the weight of my power you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. I know how it feels. While I may not be the myth that is Lilith, my impact on the world could be… a lot,” he spoke.

“A lot?”

He looked up at a cloud. “Yes. In whatever way I choose. I would rather stay with Aliana for some time, ignore all the monsters in the wild, all the dangers, all the dungeons to explore, and all the conflicts between factions of sapient beings.” Kyrian smiled, glancing her way now. “But I do care. And so do you.”

“At least I’m not the only one who deals with this,” Ilea said. She reinforced the tree with ash, seeing some of the roots pushing out of the ground.

“You’re not. Nor were you, or will you ever be the only one. But thanks to the Meadow, Hallowfort is stable. Trade is flourishing throughout the plains thanks to the Accords that mostly you brought together. And I’m not stuck on an island somewhere in the west, going mad as I continue to eat Bluebird meat,” Kyrian said.

“Thanks for the pep talk,” she said. “Just feels strange. Sitting here, and talking.” She looked over at him. “I just met an Elven Oracle.”

He raised his brows. “You did? How was it? Did you fuck it?”

Ilea threw a rock at him, enhanced with quite a bit of space magic, and some fire. It glanced off his skull, cutting through a nearby tree before it dug into the earth. “I didn’t fucking fuck it.”

“Would’ve made for a good story,” he said with a smile.

“You’re talking big now. I remember the stuttering man in my bed,” she said.

“Well, yes. That was me then. This is me now. As impressive as the tales?” he said.

Ilea leaned her head against the tree. “More so, maybe. I don’t think the level it… she? Was at, really did her justice. I could barely use space magic. No teleportation for dozens of kilometers. Well not none at all but nothing short ranged. She looked… strange, as if she lived in her own little dimension. I think I caught an actual glimpse when she got close during Primordial Shift.”

“Ice magic I assume?” he asked.

“Yes. But nothing like I’ve seen before… well… the Elemental was probably up there. But Icy had a more… on hands approach to magic. The Oracle was just freaky. Slowed my healing, and at one point her aura just froze my arm. Entirely, with a third tier resistance and all my healing. Broke into pieces as if I was some low level rabbit struck by a Shadow’s spell.”

He smiled. “I would’ve been dead in a heartbeat.”

“Who knows. You got your evolutions too. I can tell,” she said.

“Yeah… but again, I’m no mythical… Wanderer,” he said.

“Oh right. Title. You’ll have to kill a one five creature before hitting seven fifty,” she said. “I’ll tell you guys about the requirements at some point.”

He laughed. “Don’t think that will be a concern for some time. Unlike some people, I can’t just move between realms to find dangerous beings.”

She raised a finger. “Not yet.”

“I don’t plan on it. But maybe I’ll find a few Fae in my travels like you did,” he mused.

“Could ask Violence for some help. Or the Meadow could train you,” she suggested.

“I’m quite happy knowing where I am,” he said. “But who knows. If we live to a hundred, that’s a lot of time. We might even reach five hundred.”

“A thousand years of battle,” Ilea said.

“Sounds exhausting,” he replied.

“It sounds awesome. Issue is with finding worthy things to fight. Sooner or later I’ll be bedding Oracles and fighting Dragons,” she said and stood up, cracking her fists and neck.

“Why not bed Dragons too?” he asked.

“Don’t get cocky, young curse mage,” Ilea said. “You’re talking to the legendary Lilith.”

“All I see is a Wanderer,” he spoke.

Ilea smiled and transferred to the waiting Feyrair, the Elf having contacted her half an hour prior. She found him meditating within an arcane storm.

“Very cinematic,” she sent upon arrival, using telepathy mostly because of the very loud impacts. One bolt struck her a second later, unable to get through even one layer of her mantle.

“Welcome to the North,” the elf sent back. He ignored her use of Earth words, used to her random comments by now.

She watched a bolt of arcane lightning slam into the elf, the ground around him cracking as the energy moved through him. He took in a deep breath. “You seem ready,” she said.

“As do you, little human,” Feyrair said as he stood up. His evolution had indeed made him a little taller, and bulkier.

She teleported the two of them out of the storm and then formed a gate, not about to have arcane lightning get through to Riverwatch. Even some debris flying through could cause substantial damage.

“Here we are,” she said and pushed Fey into the next gate that opened up. “And there we’ll go.” She motioned for Kyrian to get through, the man bowing before he did. She followed after, the space magic vanishing behind her. She was glad the heat from deep below Karth didn’t set the forest in Riverwatch on fire.

“We’re digging now,” Fey commented.

“Yes,” Ilea said and formed a drill, Kyrian in turn gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

“May I try?” he asked, metal seemingly flowing out of his skin, the man growing larger until he was near three meters tall and two wide, his entire form covered in smooth black metal. A slight green sheen was visible all over the surface, though mostly through magical perception only. He turned his head to look at the two, his face entirely covered. Two sets of runes started glowing in dull green light where his eyes would be below, the shapes even resembling the organs.

“You may,” Ilea said.

“Your eyes look Taleen,” Fey murmured.

“I can’t change the color of curse magic,” Kyrian said, his voice slightly dulled, metal pooling below him as a drill was formed to fill the tunnel. It started spinning, Kyrian landing on the round central bit before a pulse of magic sent them down into the earth with thunderous sounds.

Ilea glanced at Fey before they followed, flying behind the fast moving excavation mage. She occasionally moved debris out of the way with her space magic but the sheer weight and momentum he conjured with his steel and magic was enough to pulverize or push away anything in his way. It left the tunnel with a surprisingly durable structure.

“A little to the right… yes… bit more. Got it,” she sent after a while, adjusting the path according to the many marks spread throughout the Plains and beyond.

They continued for a few hours, Ilea soon adding her own ash to get additional push, Feyrair using his pure strength instead.

“We’re getting close. Should probab-” Ilea sent when a glowing field appeared in her dominion, the drill hitting a magical barrier a moment later. The impact sent a shock wave up and through the tunnel, the entire vicinity shaking. Debris fell, a broad crack forming on one side of the shaft.

Ilea flew down to the others, Kyrian’s metal spreading out to clear away the last bits of stone covering the barrier magic. Golden light shined below, undisturbed by the heavy impact of magically infused metal.

“What…” she murmured, flying down until she reached the thing. Ilea had seen more complex barriers, but she wasn’t sure if she had ever seen magic as potent as what she perceived through her dominion. “You guys are seeing this, right?”

“This is… impossible,” Feyrair said as he approached.

“Don’t touch it,” Ilea said and slapped away his hand.

“We already crashed into it,” he said.

“Which could be anything to whatever detection it has included. Or at worst it knows Kyrian’s magic,” she said.

“This is… Ilea,” Kyrian said as he looked between them with the green runes on his metal helmet.

“He knows,” she said. “And yes. We should still be a sizable distance away from the capital… with how insanely powerful this barrier is… and how far it should span. What else could power such a thing?”

“The Source used to power a barrier?” Fey asked.

“Why not?” Ilea said. “Should be easy enough to set up with all the machines, knowledge, and time the One without Form had available. It might even be an ancient defense mechanism by the Taleen.”

“Can you get us through?” Kyrian asked.

“With force alone… no. Never. This is far, and I mean far beyond what even the Meadow can conjure. But where the Meadow is a grandmaster space mage, whoever designed this… was only a master. I’m almost tempted to show this to the tree somehow,” she said.

“Meaning you can get us through,” Kyrian sent.

“It will take time, and the enchantments are changing, though not at a pace that would be impossible to figure out. Though once we’re in… it may be difficult to get out. And while unlikely, there is a chance that it’s a trap,” she sent to them both.

“We’re planning to attack the capital of the Taleen. Whatever trap it may be, we are prepared,” Feyrair sent.

Ilea watched the bright golden barrier, wondering if the Azarinth Star had something in common with the conjuration before her. It looked similar, but she wasn’t a barrier mage by any means. Maybe Elfie can figure something out. Thinking of which.

“I think it’s time we got in the reinforcements, maybe dig out a perimeter. I do believe there were a few Earth Mages in that dilapidated ruin the Hunters chose as their meeting point. Probably best if you two come with me, just in case there’s more to this barrier than we can tell.”

“I would like to try and destroy it,” Fey said.

“I mean, me too. Obviously,” Ilea said. “But we don’t know what happens if we attack. Let’s have Niivalyr check it out at least. And all the other Elves. Then we try to smack our heads against it.”

He hissed in stubborn approval.

Ilea set the new gate location, making some distance first in case the barrier reacted to her space magic. Nothing happened however and she activated her third tier transfer, adding Fey and Kyrian as she focused on the mark left on Ben.

They appeared in the Praetorian facility soon after, interrupting a bout between Asay and Elfie.

The latter looked over and hissed. “The time has come.”

“Our purpose will be g-” Farthorn started when Fey hissed.

“Shut it. I want to hit a barrier,” the Dragonling said, receiving a hiss in return.

“They’re getting excited,” Ilea said.

“Another human,” Asay commented as he floated closer. “Curse magic… interesting. It will be good to have you on our side, stranger. I am Asay Veer. Cerithil Hunter.”

“Kyrian,” the man replied. “Shadow.”

“Not a man of many words, I see. We shall learn of each other through battle, Shadow Kyrian,” the elf spoke while the others were hissing at each other.

“Stop it,” Ilea said, monster hunter echoing through the hall. “We have more people to gather.”

They vanished once more, this time appearing in the Navali forest.

Several dozen Elves hissed at their sudden arrival.

Ilea raised her brows, looking around at the gathered warriors and mages. Many she had seen the last time she had come but there were more now. All waiting, all armored and prepared for battle. Though she supposed one branded as Cursed had to be prepared at all times anyway. Her notice was short too.

Isalthar himself arrived a few seconds later, the elf accompanied by a few other high level Hunters.

“You have arrived,” he spoke.

“Yes, and I have a gate ready for us to go through. Not quite as close as I would’ve liked however,” she said. “The dwarven capital is protected by an expansive barrier. We’ll likely have to get through with space magic.”

“No barrier can stand in our way,” Veratin spoke before he hissed, plenty of the others adding to the sound.

“We will investigate it first,” Isalthar spoke.

“And set up an area for potential retreat. All we have right now is a tunnel,” Ilea said.

“I will see to it,” a somewhat burly elf said, his green eyes taking in the new group with interest. Scale armor protected his form, the elf identifying as a level six hundred earth mage.

There were more high level elves present now, most of them Ilea hadn’t seen before. A few she gauged to be stronger than even Isalthar, excluding Carthaan, the crystal mage she had already met. Few of them were speaking to each other, though she couldn’t be sure they weren’t using telepathy or some other way of communication.

It hardly mattered now. They had a common goal. At least for now.

Chapter 775 Barrier

Chapter 775 Barrier

Ilea looked around the ruins. “I can’t keep the gate open for very long. You’ll have to rush through.”

“And who is to say that we can trust this… human?” a whisper said, coming from an elf sitting atop an overgrown cathedral. He vanished and appeared a few meters away. Tall, flowing blonde hair and pale skin. He wore a well made suit, quite different to the more practical armor most of the present warriors sported. A black jacket over a red shirt, black pants and what looked like dress shoes. All perfectly fitted. A silver necklace hung around his neck, eyes of the same color taking in the group that had arrived a minute prior. He leaned forward slightly and squinted.

[Sound Mage – lvl ???]

Ilea gauged him to be just above eight hundred.

“I do,” Isalthar spoke, eliciting a few hisses and glances.

“As do I,” Feyrair spoke.

“And me,” Maratas spoke, the ice mage not one to speak much but they did get more comfortable with each other in the times he helped her train her resistance.

“I don’t need you guys to vouch for me,” Ilea said with a smile. “I wish to destroy the Taleen. What does it matter that I’m human?”

The elf grinned, taking a step closer as he regarded her. “I do not question your species, human. I do question your intent.”

Ilea smiled. “Then I suggest you step through the gate and find out where it leads. If I wanted to harm you, I’d do here and now.”

“That is a bold statement. And I don’t think you’re lying. Very well,” the elf spoke and hissed in approval.

Others hissed in a similar manner.

Dick measuring contests with lots of hissing. And I thought human politics was fucking annoying. This might actually be worse.

“Anyone else wants to introduce themselves and their gigantic power? Or can we move on and destroy some machines?” Ilea asked. She saw a few grins and opened the gate, stepping through herself. Kyrian and Fey followed immediately, then Isalthar, Elfie, and plenty of others.

They spread out in the tight tunnel until the first earth mages appeared, stone cracking and shifting as their magic took hold.

Ilea raised her brows as she watched them work, the tunnel quickly expanding into a hall. She smirked at the fact that some of the mages added decorations, chairs, side rooms with stone doors. The earth mage who had talked to them even added a fountain, though it seemed a little strange to do so without a source of water.

The hole in the ground where the shaft had been was expanded. Railings were added as one elf spent a ridiculous amount of effort and mana on perfecting the circle, getting rid of any edges.

In less than two minutes the claustrophobic jagged underground tunnel had been transformed into a hall worthy of kings, a hundred meters in each direction with the circular entrance at the center of it all, stairs leading down towards the stone railings, light from the barrier shining up from within.

A dozen rooms had been added to the various walls, though it seemed strange. Like an imitation.

“What do you think?” the same earth mage said after he appeared next to her.

Everyone had arrived in the new space by now, Ilea’s gate long closed. She could see some of the elves standing in groups, others claiming a bench, some a table, others sitting on the circular stairwell at the center. A few used their magics to create small domains of their own. It was dim in the hall, the sources of light various magical spells conjured by the warriors. Just about eighty of them in total, all above three hundred, many of them far more powerful.

Elfie and a few others were standing close to the railings above the barrier, discussing in whispers and hisses.

“It’s very impressive,” Ilea admitted, looking at the green eyes of the burly elf.

“But?” he asked with a smirk, sharp teeth showing.

“It’s fake,” she said. “None of you need a hall like this. Tables to eat at, benches to sit on. A fountain, rooms. You don’t require shelter. You were born with the ability to survive in the wild.”

He raised his brows. “And that prohibits us from building a hall? From appreciating architecture? From seeking shelter?”

“Of course not,” Ilea said. “You can do whatever you want. And it is a nice hall. It just feels a little strange, I suppose. Because it’s not a way to flaunt wealth or power either… or at least it doesn’t feel like that.”

“How so?” he asked.

Ilea looked at him. “Your presence alone is far more imposing than a hall ever could be.”

He hissed in an amused manner. “I am Jomraa Irathim. You flatter me, Lilith. Though I suppose you are right, and yet it seems you have forgotten that most lower level beings fail to comprehend the power we truly wield.”

Ilea thought back to the slavers outside of Ravenhall. She nodded to herself and sighed.

“You do understand then,” he said. “Then again there is no reason truly to build this hall down here, where none such ignorant being would ever tread. And yet… I do enjoy it, and so do others.” He gestured to the three other earth mages, one of them still adding intricate patterns into the walls, another creating a mural on the ceiling.

“Artists more than fighters then?” Ilea asked.

Fey had joined the others at the center, Kyrian listening in silence. As did the blonde elf who had joined them mid conversation.

She didn’t mind, pretty sure everyone in the hall heard every conversation they were interested in. She blinked her eyes when she saw the ancient Cartaahn within a throne of growing crystals, the elf resting his head on his hand as he sighed, closing his eyes a moment later.

“Battle is… a part of what we are. But none shall claim we cannot be more. Or would you disagree? Lilith?” Jomraa asked.

“I don’t think battle has to be any less worthy than art. Magic is expressive in many ways,” she spoke and formed an ashen chair to sit in.

The blonde elf hissed. “I understand now why Isalthar likes you.”

“She does enjoy battle,” Kyrian said, the man still covered in armor and glowing slightly with curse magic.

“How else can you even befriend elves?” Ilea asked her friend before she glanced at the blonde one. “Most of those I meet attack me as some kind of greeting.”

He grinned. “You may call me Zorithanael, human. And those attacks are neither greeting nor a playful bout. Most of our kind simply see other species as inferior, because when it comes to magic and battle, they usually are.”

“Zori is fine I suppose?” Ilea asked, getting an annoyed hiss in response. She grinned.

Jomraa hissed in turn, amused at their short interaction it seemed. “And that arrogance has led to stagnation. The Monarchs bask in their superiority, squashing anything that would question the status quo. I have learned more from human, dwarven, and vampire literature than I would’ve in the domain I was born in. Most of them can’t even read, and that is a shame.”

“It pains me to say that I agree,” Zori said.

“He was regarded as a far more important individual within our former domain,” Jomraa explained. “Yet now we are both Cursed, the lowest of the low. Unworthy even of life itself.”

“Good thing you got out then, sounds like a shit environment to live in,” Ilea mused, summoning herself a bottle of ale.

An armchair appeared behind Zori, the elf sitting down with a smooth motion. “It isn’t as lowly as you think. Jomraa sees our origin and instincts, our physical selves, as mere hindrance. A way to control what we do, by those who have brought life to our selves. I do not believe such. There is joy in the hunt, there is joy in battle, in killing, and I believe there is purpose in joy.”

Jomraa rolled his eyes and hissed. “We have had a variation of this conversation a hundred times. He simply likes his own voice.”

Zori smiled. “That I do. I am so… very eloquent.”

Ilea noted the joyous look on his face when he heard Jomraa’s annoyed hiss.

Old friends indeed. Or perhaps even more.

“You have been to Iz before. What will we expect?” Jomraa said, changing the topic.

“Back when we were there… an army of Hunter Praetorians, Executioners, and everything else the One without Form can bring to the table. Now? With that barrier in place? I have no idea,” she said.

“More of the same,” Kyrian said. “Overwhelming numbers.”

“Each and everyone here has destroyed thousands of them before,” Zori spoke. “Some few have destroyed entire armies.”

“Not an army of Executioners,” Jomraa said. “But yes. A gathering like this is… unprecedented. We could even face a domain.”

A few hisses resounded.

“Careful now,” Zori spoke. “We are here for one reason only.”

The earth mage sighed. “We are all too old. Too set in our ways.” He glanced at the humans and bowed lightly, leaving to join the elf working on the mural.

Isalthar landed near them and looked at Ilea. “Our goal will be to destroy every Taleen machine within Iz. We will attack the core, but with a barrier as powerful as this one, it is possible we will not be able to break through. They keys will remain with you. If you can find a way to influence or destroy the One without Form, I trust you will do so.”

“That’s the plan,” Ilea said. Now that I have all the keys, the central guardians shouldn’t attack me anyway. She summoned her Taleen necklace and put it on, moving the keys from her domain into the artifact. Just to make sure they could sense them.

“There is… a favor, I have yet to collect. Yet I am not certain if it is feasible,” Isalthar said.

“Can I help with that?” Ilea asked.

“That depends. Are you familiar with one Evan Trayne?” the elf asked.

Ilea smiled. “Right through here,” she said as she stood up, summoning a gate to the southern desert.

Isalthar smiled ever so slightly, floating through the gate before Ilea followed.

The elf looked up at the suns. “I am not welcome in his domain. But he will know my name. Tell him, that the time has come.”

“I’ll have a chat if he’s around. Give me a few minutes,” Ilea said as she charged her wings. She was off towards the Foundation a moment later, flying high until she was intercepted by a group of Seekers. Some of them knew her, Ilea quickly let through.

She found Evan in a library she hadn’t been in before, the man downright buried in tomes. He didn’t look up when she appeared in front of him.

“Your presence here means several death sentences,” he said in a calm voice, still reading.

“Good thing that I can’t read,” Ilea answered.

“You are testing my patience, Ilea. But it’s you. So there’s not much I can feasibly do,” he said. “What is it that you want?”

“I’m so terribly sorry, ancient librarian. It’s not about me though. Isalthar asked me to get you. He says it’s time. Or well, the time has come,” she said, the last bit with a dramatic undertone.

Evan closed the tome in a calm motion, standing up before he smiled at her. “Full of surprises. Very well. I will need a few minutes to prepare. What will stand in our way?”

“The most powerful barrier I have ever seen, aaaand a few thousand Taleen probably, maybe more. No… definitely more,” she said.

“I did not expect anything less from him,” he spoke. “Please wait here. And… don’t touch anything. Please.”

“I’m not a child, Evan,” Ilea said.

He looked at her for a few seconds before he nodded ever so slightly.

Motherfucker.

She picked up one of the tomes with her space magic, moving it into her hands before she opened it. Ilea didn’t know the language.

She frowned, swapping the book with another one. Yet another language. She gave up when the third one was entirely written in runes.

Well played, Evan. Well. Fucking. Played.

He arrived a few minutes later, any obvious self satisfaction hidden behind his ancient and perfected control of his body and face. The energy however, was there.

She squinted her eyes, looking at the battle regalia he wore. “Nice armor.”

It was a combination of bone and black scales, the design rather knightly despite the materials used. “Thank you, Ilea,” Evan said, bowing lightly.

She could feel more magic about him now, likely from various items he had equipped for the trip. Ilea summoned a gate in the midst of the library. “This way,” she said and walked through and into the desert a few kilometers south of the Foundation.

Isalthar floated in the air, looking like some ancient magical spirit. He raised his brows at Ilea.

“You’re pissing me off,” she said. I need to fight something.

“I understand, young healer,” the elf spoke.

Just. No.

Evan walked through the gate in turn, the connection severed a moment later.

“Isalthar. Var elin na…” the librarian started.

Ilea stopped listening the moment she realized they were conversing in elvish. Because of course they were. She glared at the man and formed another gate without comment, stepping through to join Kyrian. Finally. Someone not ancient and all knowing.

The two others followed before she shut the gate, Evan showing quite a bit of surprise when he saw the gathered people. They quickly moved on to the barrier.

“You’re so easily irritated,” Kyrian said.

Zori smiled.

“They’re doing it on purpose,” she said.

“Of course they are,” Kyrian answered.

“You will get to battle soon,” Zori spoke.

Ilea sighed. I hope so. She ate another meal before she joined the group near the barrier, back to study the flowing space magic restrictions.

“What do you think?” she sent to Elfie.

He stood next to a few other Hunters studying the barrier below the central circle in the hall.

“It is enormously powerful. To an extent I wouldn’t have thought possible… but I have not seen all the world has to offer,” he sent and glanced her way. “It once more puts into perspective what we face. Facilities are one thing but this… is a force of nature.”

You might be closer than you think, Elfie.

“There are enchantments in place that prevent teleportation, space magic even. Though it is taken into account that someone might be able to get through regardless. Once we do… and I do assume you have a way to manage such, they will know about the breach, and about where it happened. I don’t see a way for us to break through with conventional means, nor does anyone else here. Of course many still want to try regardless. It is quite vexing, to know the Taleen have put up a barrier we cannot breach with brute force,” he sent, hissing to himself. He seemed a little bit embarrassed.

“I get the sentiment,” Ilea sent. “I want to try and break in too. Haven’t had a barrier I couldn’t get in yet. If anything it’ll be a nice test.”

Ilea of course knew what powered the barrier. Or she assumed as much. If it really was the source, the reason the Ascended had once come to Elos, then she didn’t see a way for a bunch of magic wielders to break through a barrier that was literally powered by a star.

“I’ll get us through regardless. And once we’re in, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Ilea sent. “I wanted to ask something else. The item I have. The Azarinth Star. You saw me use it a few times when I trained with Ben.”

“The golden shields? You’re thinking it could be related?” Elfie asked.

“Any thoughts on that?” she sent.

“Not much. It is a powerful item, and the barriers are pure, but infused with healing both and arcane energy. This one here is far more basic in nature. It is the sheer power that is overwhelming. Though I suppose anything more intricate would shatter with mana this potent,” he explained.

No connection then, Ilea thought. She hadn’t really expected anything, but it was nice to know.

Elfie listened to the people next to him talk in Elvish, adding a few words himself. Evan and Isalthar added more from the other side of the circular hole.

“We are reasonably sure that attacks on the shield are not registered. A breach of course would alert our enemy but testing our strength will not be an issue, nor are there any measures in place to defend against attackers,” the elf explained.

The shield was incredibly bright, but Ilea could still see through it. And on the other side was stone. “If you want me to bring you through, I’ll need open space on the other side. Enough for everyone here.”

Isalthar spoke a few words in Elvish, the Earth mages interrupting their work before they started moving towards the walls. Stone opened up before the mages walked into newly formed corridors.

“They will search for a space such as what you have described, Lilith,” Isalthar spoke.

“In… the meantime,” another elf spoke. This one wore green leaf like armor, a bird like mask covering his face entirely. Long black hair flowed out of the back, his hands twitching a few times as he spoke. He was crouched. “You c… can… you can… try,” he said and giggled to himself before he hissed a few times in a row.

Some of the other Elves hissed in turn, magic flaring up as they prepared to attack the barrier.

Chapter 776 Immune. Immune. Immune.

Chapter 776 Immune. Immune. Immune.

Ilea stepped back when the Elves started tearing open the ground, some of them hissing at each other. She assumed they were arguing about who got to go first. That nice railing. And it’s gone.

She watched the masked elf move closer to her whilst everyone else either stepped away from the entrance or tore away the stone. The elf downright moved on all fours as he got closer, looking up at her before he straightened.

[Wood Mage – lvl ???]

She gauged him to be close to eight hundred but not quite there. He had a strange feel about him. “Hi,” she sent, establishing a connection. Somehow she felt like it was the right approach.

He tilted his head to the side, his hands raised before he clapped once and hissed. A hiss like nothing she had heard before. It sounded, joyous in a way. Not only amused but happy.

“Hi,” he sent back and giggled. “Human. Healer. Lilith. Space mage. Why ash?”

“Why not?” she asked.

He recoiled, taking several steps back as he went back into a crouch. He raised a hand to his masked face and looked down to the ground. “Why not…”

“Why wood?” Ilea asked in turn, getting his attention back.

“Wood. It’s everywhere, all around. Not here, deep below, but some roots reach far,” he said as he twirled, roots sprouting from his hands with leaves and flowers growing out in various shades and hues, a few even glowing to illuminate his form.

The first heavy hitting magic reverberated through the hall, the entire structure vibrating slightly as the more eager elves started their attempts to break through the barrier.

Ilea didn’t like their chances but she would have her go as well. Until then she wanted to learn more about the strange elf.

“You’re wasting your time, human,” Veratin commented as he walked by.

She assumed the fire mage wanted to have a go at the barrier as well, his magic downright palpable.

Envious about my attention, are we? She wasn’t sure. Either he was interested in her or he just had a lot of disdain for the wood mage. He would certainly not be strong enough to challenge the crouching bird elf. Few here would be, herself included. Maybe.

“What’s your name? I’m Lilith,” she said.

“Names. I am known as Naradan. But I am the one who moves through the forest. The one who breaths the air of life. I am the hunter, and I am the hunted. Who are you?” the elf answered, glancing at her as he leaned forward in anticipation.

“Interesting… hmm… I am known as Lilith. The one who fights. The one who heals. I am a Sentinel. Free and flying, a being of ash and embers,” she said. It could use some work but she felt it was close enough.

The elf giggled. It was a strange sound coming from an elf in the first place. He bowed in an exaggerated manner. “Thank you, Lilith. For introductions.”

“The same to you, Naradan,” she said with a smile. More explosions resounded, bits and pieces of stone flying through the hall now as dust fell from the ceiling. One nearby hunter slapped away a falling chunk of rock.

The wood mage glanced around before he vanished, appearing near the ceiling. Roots grew from his legs as he watched the Hunters below whilst upside down.

“I like that one,” she sent to Kyrian.

“Did he want to eat you?” Zorithanael asked, looking up at the wood elf before he glanced at her, silver eyes taking her in.

“Who knows?” Ilea mused, forming an ashen chair to join the group. She heard the familiar roar of Feyrair’s dragon form and glanced over, seeing him breathe in, a torrent of flames rushing down into the bright barrier a moment later.

“Who knows indeed,” Zori said, watching the dragonling as well. “The flame of creation. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Ilea smiled. “It is.”

Kyrian chuckled from behind them, his arms crossed, still covered in metal.

Ilea hadn’t removed her mantle either. It just felt right to be armored around so many unknown elves. Beings most humans would consider monsters. Some of them seemed close enough. She wondered what would’ve happened if she found this room at level one hundred. Would they have killed her? Just for being a human? Or for being too weak? After her short delve into the Still Valley, she really felt like some of the elves acted purely on instinct, or just on a whim, their moods more important than reason. Was it just due to their education? Or was it really their nature?

What would humans do if they just lived in a wasteland of ice trees? No need for food either really, just hunting for fun when prey comes wandering in, or perhaps going out on some fun adventures. She had compared young elves to children or teenagers before but maybe her perspective wasn’t exactly right. “Which domain are you from, Zorithanael?”

The elf glanced at her, a wave of sound magic lashing out at a one meter broad chunk of rock that came his way, stopping the thing in its tracks entirely. It fell to the ground with a heavy impact.

“The Domain of Dark, young human. In the western mountains of Vannok. I have not been there in… a long time,” he sent. “Where do you hail from, Wanderer?”

“Domain of Dark. Caverns I assume?” she sent. “I’m not from this realm.”

“A wanderer indeed,” he said with a toothy smirk. “By choice?”

Ilea shook her head.

“A rare thing either way. It is fortunate that you have found your way in these strange lands. My former home… yes. It was warm. Dark. Quiet. I feel comfortable in the depths. I did not see sunlight until after I had joined the Hunters,” he spoke.

“How did you even learn about them?” Ilea asked.

“There are those of us who learn. Those of us who talk. First you share stories. Perhaps you learn to write from someone else. Gifts exchanged. An Oracle might take interest or pity, may teach you of the world, of sunlight, the sea, the northern storms. I have learned from ancient kin. Perhaps you have seen the raging fires of the eastern Wastes, the metal armies of unfeeling machines moving through the Navali forest on their hunt for elven kind, but as they move on the surface, they move below. Thousands, from caverns, cliffs, and cracks they come. To hunt. Unending in numbers and unwavering in their purpose,” he spoke.

“Did you meet many Oracles?” Ilea asked.

He paused, looking at her for a while. “What about you?”

Ilea smiled. “Only one. Recently.”

“Did you speak?” he asked.

“Yes. We… exchanged gifts, I suppose.”

He smiled. “Indeed. You are quite strange. Yes. I have met a few in my time, though all of my domain. They live in the darkness, deep below the earth. The very magic around you feels… alive, when they are present. I myself have felt… insignificant. Perhaps due to my nature. Have you felt the same?”

Ilea thought about it for a while, watching bright fires explode down into the barrier, half the hall gone again now that the elves were trying to break through. Hissing and taunting comments had already faded into background noise for her.

“She was certainly powerful. A being of magic… very strange, and ancient. But I felt similar with the Elementals I have encountered. I think it’s just a matter of pure magical prowess,” she said.

“Elementals… yes. The few I have seen were, more a natural force. Though with Oracles there is more intent. A being of thought,” he said.

“Maybe. But you know… when I first encountered elves, I was barely level fifty. They were monsters to me. Everyone around me ran for their lives. We could barely escape one, even in a group of fifty. And you are beings of thought as well,” she said.

“I… am sorry. That you have suffered at the hands of our kind. You call us beings of thought, but I sometimes question that statement,” he said and gestured to the hissing mages sending spells against each other and the barrier.

“Don’t overestimate the average human,” Ilea said with a grin.

“In which domain did you meet an Oracle? Or did you see one in the northern marshes?” he asked.

“The Still Valley,” Ilea said.

He hissed, amused at her answer. “I knew one could escape. Even more amusing that it’s a human. No offense.”

“None taken. I thought the same when I heard about it. But it’s dangerous. Space magic and teleportation in general is barely usable down there. And the Oracle’s ice magic affected me despite third tier resistances and a shit ton of healing, heat, and regeneration,” she said.

“Yes. They are powerful beings. As are you, though I know of no human who has reached such levels. You may very well be stronger than I,” Zori said.

“We could test that,” Ilea said with a smile.

“And I am to live in shame after demonstrating my inferiority to everyone present? No. There is enough talk about me as it is,” he said with a smile. “Besides. We are here for a purpose, despite the downright bestial performance of my kin and fellow Hunters.”

“Right,” Ilea said. She wasn’t particularly disappointed. They could have a bout whenever. And she’s fought higher leveled elves. The one she wanted to fight wasn’t in this hall after all. “You mentioned marshes? That’s not a Domain I’ve heard of.”

He rested his head on his right hand, watching the magic spectacle at the center of the hall. “Because it isn’t one. The marshes span far into the west. South of the Frozen Wasteland and west even of the Mountains of Vannok. Once home to the Druned, monsters now roam those treacherous lands. It is said that ancient Oracles have wandered into the northern marshes. It is said that they remain there, to this day. Beings perhaps, who have lost their wits. Some suggest it is exile of sorts, most do not speak of it at all.”

“Have you been there? Seen one?” Ilea asked.

He smiled, the expression wistful in a way. Tired. “I have shared a lot with you, Lilith. You are more interesting than I dared hope. But this, shall remain with me.”

“I understand,” Ilea said. So he did go there, and then had a tragic romance with an ancient Oracle. She nodded to herself.

“Whatever conclusion you have come to, I assure you, it’s wrong,” he sent.

“Certainly,” Ilea said, summoning another bottle of ale as she momentarily shifted her attention to the arcane beams that lashed into the golden wall below. “You’ve traveled a lot?”

“May I have one of those drinks? It’s been a long while since I tasted it. Ale, beer, or what was it called?” Zori asked.

Ilea summoned another bottle and displaced it in front of him.

He caught it and flicked it open, smelling on it before he took a sip. “Interesting.”

“Not a fan?” Ilea asked.

“I said, interesting,” he repeated.

Ilea glanced over at the wood mage who had appeared again. “Do you want one too, Naradan?”

He looked up at the ceiling. “Yes. A trade, as humans do,” he said as a large black flower grew from his palm. It had thorns and black leaves, the top looking almost like the maw of a wild beast, though it remained delicate. “It’s you, as a flower.”

“Yes. I got that,” Ilea said with a smile, summoning another bottle before she displaced it towards the elf.

He giggled and took the thing, the flower floating towards her in turn.

“Thank you,” she said.

He was already gone, now stuck to the wall at a ninety degree angle.

“He is quite peculiar, even for our standards,” Zori said. “I have not offered anything in return for your gift,” he noted.

“A bout, sometime in the future? Or you could show me an interesting place you found in your travels,” she said.

“Perhaps I will,” Zorithanael spoke. “Though I believe it difficult to impress the Wanderer.”

“I have seen some impressive sights,” she said. “Will you try yourself against the barrier as well?”

He hissed. “I may consider myself a scholar of sorts, but I am still of elven descent. Of course I will. As will you I presume?”

“Sure. I have to one up Fey’s weak flame of creation after all,” she said and set alight a flake of ash.

His eyes opened wide before he grinned. “Yes. Interesting indeed.”

“Don’t fall for me now,” Ilea sent as she stood up.

“Oh please. You are far, and I have to empathize, far too young for me,” Zori said. “Besides. I do prefer males when it comes to sexuality.”

Ilea smiled as she glanced back. “I did wonder about Jomraa,” she said, receiving a strange hiss in return. There was annoyance there, and something else. Can’t speak elvish, but I am getting better at interpreting their hisses. She spread her wings and flew the twenty meters towards the center, a high level elf currently freezing over the visible barrier, others watching, some flying, some on the walls, a few simply standing there. They didn’t seem particularly impressed.

“May I have a go?” Ilea asked, monster hunter enhancing the last word, a few of the elves tensing up slightly. None were frozen. To be expected with experienced fighters.

The ice mage hissed, floating in her way as he formed a lance of ice aimed at the barrier.

Ilea watched as the magic struck down, splintering into a thousand shards without a visible impact. She walked closer, displacing the hissing level five hundred elf. She repeated the spell when he charged at her, the ashen mantle covering her body flaring up with white flame. She enjoyed the reactions, some of the hisses impressed, others annoyed, some downright shocked. Heat formed within her core as she slowly descended towards the golden barrier.

Her weight increased as she felt the heat build, burning ash spreading into the vicinity. The barrier was already covered by her magic. She raised a hand and sacrificed twenty thousand points of health, her fires flaring up with a bright flash before she released Embered Heart. The chaotic beam rushed down and parted the fires and ash, impacting the shield with a thrumming sound. She waited and watched. Ilea found the barrier slightly discolored at the top, the damage repaired in mere split seconds. Closer.

Her weight increased more as she floated down. She ignored the Elves and charged up Archon Strike. Her fist slammed down five seconds later, Tempered Seal released at the same moment. Bright turquoise and near orange light flashed up as her spells were sent into the barrier. Burning limbs of ash expanded out of her back before they started thrashing down into the golden light, each releasing Tempered Seal with every single strike. Her left palm aimed downward, Embered Heat released again, her right fist raised and charging Archon Strike.

Powerful magic flared up time and time again as she slowly worked her way into the golden light. Ilea found herself making slight progress when her mana ran out. She watched the slightly darker part of the barrier lighten up again in less than a second as she lessened her weight again and moved her wings.

“A testament to their defenses,” Zori’s voice reached her mind.

She noticed a lot of eyes on her, a few hisses resounding. It was difficult to discern the specific ones.

“I ran out of mana,” she sent back, shrugging slightly as she flew past the well dressed elf. She glanced up and teleported next to the upside down Naradan.

“Hot,” he said and hissed in an approving manner.

“Yeah, heat is one of my main things,” she said. “Will you try too?”

“Wood… is not very good against barriers,” the elf answered. “Maybe. Watch.”

She glanced down and saw Zori floating above the defensive measure. Runes lit up in the air around him, blue, near purple as they formed a circle. He closed his eyes and pointed downwards. A single note resounded, followed by a wave of pressure. It impacted the barrier with a shock wave emanating through the hall, the very stone shaking at the power. More runes appeared, a second circle forming around the first one. Zori spoke, though his mouth produced no noise. This time the sound was visible. Or rather, the split air, as a pressurized line formed and dug down.

Ilea could see the slight surface level crack, more than what she had managed. His focus is insane.

The damage had repaired itself when a third circle of runes had formed in the air. This time the attack wasn’t as focused, but far stronger instead. The damage however seemed less. Zori frowned and hissed in an approving manner before he teleported back and away.

“Found your match, hmm?” Ilea sent.

“A most impressive conjuration. I have never seen a barrier this durable,” he sent.

“Among the Cursed, a mage of curses walks,” Naradan murmured, leaning forward whilst upside down.

Ilea smiled when she saw Kyrian appear near the barrier. His three meter form floated as he raised his arms to the side, a pulse of curse magic flowing through the hall. Cloaks fluttered and the walls shook ever so slightly. A strange whisper came from her friend, though she couldn’t say if he produced the sound with his mouth. It felt like a tongue that should not be heard.

A complex glowing rune circle appeared on the ground, ten meters in width. Another glowed ten meters above, floating in the air. Kyrian brought his hands together in a slow motion, his thumbs and index fingers touching. Curse magic broke out in a torrent, the circles connecting as a beam of green light appeared, the hall illuminated for the next five seconds as his spell endured.

The onlookers remained quiet when the magic waned, the barrier repairing itself in mere moments.

“Not bad,” she sent to the man who floated up to join them.

“Barely a dent,” he sent.

“Well. I’m pretty sure now what’s powering this thing,” she answered. “So let’s see if we can get a combined effort going.” She smiled, looking for the earth mages who had gone to search for a better spot. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll try to space us through.”

Chapter 777 Assault

Chapter 777 Assault

Ilea considered asking the Meadow for help with the barrier, the ancient being able to throw a metric fuck ton of stone and wood through her gates and directly onto the defenses. For now however, she deemed it a bad idea. The tree was her hidden ace after all, in case everything else failed. She didn’t feel like revealing the power of her ally to all the Hunters and potentially the One without Form. Not without exhausting all other options first. She twirled the dagger in her hand before she made it vanish, checking to make sure that all the keys were stored in her Legate Guardian necklace.

“We have found a suitable location,” Isalthar said as he approached. “The barrier reaches through an extensive cave system, the other side very likely unoccupied.”

“You don’t think we should try and attack together?” Ilea asked.

“We will. In the same location,” he spoke. “If the barrier is sufficiently damaged to get through with any teleportation, we will do so. And advance upon Iz.”

“We should test my space magic. In case we have to retreat,” Ilea sent.

The old elf looked at her for a few seconds. “I understand your concern, Ilea. However. You have gathered the keys. Our enemy is in Iz, and it is on the defensive. This is our time. The battle we have worked towards. The battle we have waited for. There will be no retreat, not without a revelation that would warrant such. We will fight. Until the last of the Taleen, are destroyed.”

Ilea took in a deep breath. She looked at the many Cerithil Hunters within her dominion. They had one thing in common. Everyone was calm. Ready. They had all fought thousands of the machines before. And now all that stood between them and the capital of their enemy was a golden barrier powered by what she assumed to be a star. That and however many thousands of machines the One without Form had gathered to repel a potential attack.

“Right. But if shit goes south, I’ll try to get people out. I don’t care about your downright zealous dedication,” Ilea said. She understood in a way. A purpose they had taken themselves, one that branded them as Cursed. It wasn’t exaggerated perhaps that for some of them it had become their entire selves. But understanding their background didn’t mean she would just let them die if she could prevent it.

“I admire your courage. Though you know that such actions will lead to hostilities from our kind. It is all I will say. Common purpose has brought us here, but we are no Order of humans. Each shall do as they will. I trust you will do your part,” Isalthar spoke as he floated towards one of the earth mages, the other Hunters readying themselves, gathering, and moving towards the prepared corridor.

Ilea smiled. “I think I pissed off the One without Form a little too much. There’s no turning back.” She gave the elf a nod before she glanced at Kyrian, the two humans moving with the group of elves deep below Karth. “Ready?”

The massive steel form glanced her way, a dulled chuckle resounding from within the confines of his defensive layers. “I haven’t survived the Krahen Isles to be scared of some machines. And I know the same is true for you.”

She grinned in response but didn’t reply. Of course he was right. She had after all just recently fought a bunch of flying abominations far more powerful than anything they were likely to find down in Iz. Other than perhaps the being in control of all the machines.

“Let’s just hope Fey doesn’t do anything reckless,” Kyrian sent.

“Right,” Ilea mused. And with all the other Elves here, they’re probably going to try and one up each other with dangerous maneuvers. Even just their walking and flying figures gave off an air of unnecessary style. Floating coats, shifting armor, glowing weapons, and glittering spells. The latter entirely unnecessary, knowing that most of them likely saw perfectly well in the dim light.

Ilea felt the shifting space on her right shoulder, not reacting in a visible manner when the creature stayed hidden. “Changed your mind?”

Violence

Sneaky

Hidden

“Did you get an item or something? You seem more shrouded than usual. Scared of the elves?” Ilea asked.

Secret

Lilith

Reputation

Violence

Hidden

“Whatever suits you,” Ilea said. “Just stay safe.”

Indestructible

“I know I am,” Ilea said.

The Fae tried to pop her eye, failing to do so.

“Proving my point, little one,” she sent as they entered into an expansive cavern, light glowing from crystal growths on the walls. Water dripped down from hundreds of meters above, small creeks flowing down, either vanishing into the depths or pooling at the barrier. Crevices were visible above, some shrouded in darkness, others illuminated by glowing mushrooms or more crystal. She spotted small critters rushing away at the sound, larger ones glaring down with sets of four deep blue eyes. They did not approach.

The barrier thrummed with incredible power, a near sixty meter section exposed in the open space of the natural cavern. Golden light mixed with the pale illumination of the crystal growths. It was difficult to see through the defensive spell of Iz but Ilea knew it looked different at the very least than the area they had seen before. She could probably get them through here.

Isalthar didn’t speak when everyone had arrived. The Hunters did not take a formation. They each chose a spot and remained there, either standing, flying, or hanging. And still they waited for his signal. The time to show off their powers was over. The Cerithil Hunters had gathered, here at the outskirts of Iz, and they were prepared to fight.

The Val Akuun raised his left arm as magical power gathered, the very air trembling at his will. A spear thrummed to life, ghostly and incorporeal.

Ilea felt like the world was taking in a deep breath. She grinned and cracked her neck, glancing at Kyrian and Feyrair. Then she found Niivalyr and nodded his way, the elf putting on a mask as his magic came to life.

We’re here.

The spear flashed forward, crashing into the bright golden barrier with a shrill sounding impact. And a storm followed with it.

Ilea’s dominion lit up with magic as the gathered elves unleashed a torrent of destruction. Four marks she had battled but she could not fathom a way for many of them to stand against the combined efforts of the Cerithil Hunters. The entire cavern shook as the fires of creation roared to life, arcane beams and waves of sound slashing through each other and into the conjured barrier. The shock waves did not seem to stop as a constant pressure came from the central point Isalthar had aimed for at the start, the residue magic in the air enough for Ilea to recharge a portion of her mana.

She too sent concentrated beams of Embered Heart into the midst of the chaos with her Wyrm eye cannon, adding burning ash into the mix to light up the entirety of the visible barrier. Impacts resounded like the combined artillery efforts of an entire modern army. Ilea felt the hairs on her neck stand up as she spread her wings, watching the central barrier give way, slowly pushed aside by the powerful spells. Hmm. This is shaping up to be quite fun.

The last bit was pushed through, leaving a sizable hole in the barrier.

Isalthar hissed, the sound reverberating through the shaking cavern as rock and crystal fell from above. A savage sound. A sound to frighten not just children but grown men and adventurers alike. Not the arrogant hiss of a hunting elf, but the sound of hatred, and war.

The others joined in with their own and pushed forward through the barrier, teleporting or flying.

Ilea appeared on the other side, the cavern dark and quiet. Tunnels extended into the depths below, the sounds already audible. Fast moving metal steps on stone ground. She glanced back to see the last of the Hunters appear in the darkness, their silhouettes backlit by the golden light. The barrier closing.

Hissing resounded as elves lit up with magic, fast moving bodies rushing forward into the dark and towards the green eyed hordes of silent machines. Spells zipped past, spheres of complex magic. A split second later the darkness was pushed back, explosions of fire and arcane illuminating the armies of machines, dozens of Guardians ripped apart by the blasts, Centurion cores exploding with Praetorians moving past, their spells sent out as bows were drawn, the first Executioners rushing past above, clashing with the incoming Elves in a tumble of steel and magic.

“And so it begins,” Feyrair said as his form transformed into that of a dark red dragon.

“That’s not your line,” Ilea answered. But I suppose it fits. She summoned her silver hammer into her right hand, a single strand of thorned metal snaking up her arm. The Azarinth Star glowed with power as she fueled it with magic.

Clad in her mantle, she lit up with the fires of creation. Time to join the party. Her wings charged before she rushed into the masses, metal bending around her form as she twirled, near thirty burning ashen limbs lashing out around her, silver thorns joining in as barriers lit up periodically. Heat charged, she raised her arms and focused on three Executioners, a push of space magic slamming into them from above.

She flew forward, slapping aside a group of Centurion variations with her limbs as the silver machines reached the ground. Fabric Tear brought them closer before her fires exploded outwards. Ilea teleported to the closest one, its shield already gone, half the metal blown away. Three waves of Archon Strike exposed the core, her limbs ripping the thing out before she clad it in her fires. A moment later the thing cracked, Ilea holding on to the other two stumbling machines with her Space Manipulation. She checked her dominion and teleported every Taleen creation she could see towards herself right before the void explosion ripped out a sphere of reality.

She remained mostly unaffected, the powerful blast not quite comparable to what she had recently dealt with in Kohr. The same could not be said about the machines now removed from the cavern. Ilea was left flying in the open space, the battle raging all around as she resummoned her hammer. A hundred more machines were already moving in on her position, beams of arcane energy sent out by flying variations.

She basked in the magic, her wings pushing back against the combined efforts as void blasts joined the arcane, all of it fueling her with more mana as she healed her slowly damaged mantle. Not quite the same as last time, she thought with a grin and teleported into their midst. A flurry of ashen limbs ripped through the nearest machines, sprays of burning ash moved out farther, Ilea teleporting to the highest level enemies as she left behind burning shrapnel and dented metal.

She watched as a blast of sound sent a hundred machines flying, flattening those closest to the hovering elf. Her wings pushed against the powerful magic, her hearing gone for a split second before her healing took care of the issue. She saw the elf move on to the next cluster and chose one herself, the enemy hordes unending.

You’re not the only ones who have faced entire armies.

She landed amidst the creatures and sent a blast of her charged heat into the approaching sea of green eyes. Her spell left a glowing furrow in both stone and metal, dozens of machines left to collapse as she shred through a hundred more. Ilea raised her arm towards a tunnel and pulled down, several tons of stone crashing down onto the Taleen rushing forward through the underground.

She flew up and glanced back at the expansive cave system. Dozens of spells lit up continuously, explosions reverberating through the massive cavern. The lower level Hunters had gathered to form a perimeter at the back, the flying group barely visible to her now other than the spells they conjured and the golden barrier behind them. Single high level Hunters were fighting the flowing streams of machines, thirty tunnels and crevices leading into the vicinity, a mountainous formation of stone splitting the cavern in two near the center.

Ilea sent another wave of space magic at the machines closing in, flying away as a few dozen of them crashed into those running behind them, a cascade of Centurion explosions ripping through more. She found Isalthar hovering above the central mountain, each of his gestures sending furrows of wind through the machines.

“We’re not getting anywhere,” she sent, rushing down into the fray to assist two Hunters against a group of Executioners, all of them damaged and the elves injured.

“To me,” Isalthar spoke, his whisper like voice audible even through the explosions all around them.

Ilea healed the Hunters, fighting in a sea of flying shrapnel as they took down the Executioners one by one, their cracked cores sent into clusters of Taleen with Fabric Tear. She glanced up and flew towards the wind mage and healer, flying variants of Taleen battleships crashing down with half their forms gone from Executioner core explosions.

Many of the others gathered, though just as many remained fighting, either unable or unwilling to join Isalthar.

“Lead us to the city. If you will,” the elf spoke, white eyes taking her in.

Ilea smiled. “It will be my pleasure.”

They all flew together, the lower leveled perimeter joining them as they came down with dozens of spells, shredding through the approaching hordes with beams of glowing magic. Shields flared up to stop or deflect incoming attacks, roots pushing away entire groups of machines. Ilea ignored the tunnels and simply formed a drill, Kyrian and a few others doing the same nearby. A second later they were digging down at an angle. Towards Iz.

Earth mages kept the tunnels from collapsing, barriers erected at the back as the high level Hunters fought off the Executioners breaking in through the stone all around, their void magic ripping out entire sections of the walls.

Ilea kept an eye on the elves, healing them where she could. There were others doing the same, including Isalthar. It took them a few minutes as an unending tide of machines came in from all around, the tunnels themselves doing little to obstruct the higher level creations.

Ilea finally broke out on the other side and was met with a sea of stars.

Shields flared up around her when she realized the lights were arcane arrows coming from Hunter Praetorians hanging from the distant walls and standing on the buildings of Iz. There were thousands.

The city was alive, hordes of machines moving over the buildings, so numerous they looked like waves of dull green water. Ilea saw the distant golden sphere hovering above the central abyss. She formed shimmering barriers and walls of burning ash as the arrows exploded, teleporting away as many of the projectiles as she could. The air was filled with them, dozens of explosions lighting up the central cavern of the dwarven capital. Hundreds if not thousands of flying beings were visible, beams of arcane energy flashing up in the distance.

Ilea flew ahead, spreading her ashen limbs as far as she could to take in as much of the enemy magic as possible, the silver strings of her hammer doing the same. Her wings and mantle were ripped through as she felt herself get fueled by the spells, healing the damage in turn before she sent a wave of space magic crashing against a few hundred incoming arrows. Everything she could see lit up with blue arcane energy.

“To the Core,” she sent to everyone she could connect to, moving forward through the exploding storm of magic as her shields flared up and were shattered.

She could see a group split off and fly down into the stone corridors below, the lower leveled Hunters unable to proceed with the Taleen assault. Thirty of them remained with her, moving forward as they sent beams and projectiles back at the machines. A drop against their continuous torrent. Most of their magic now was spent on dealing with the incoming barrage, the flying machines in range by now.

Ilea flew in an arc around the city and towards the core, followed by the high level Hunters that had made it this far. She watched roots the size of houses grow out of Naradan as he twirled with a joyous hiss and crashed into ten approaching Executioners, taking them down towards the city streets, an entire section of houses flattened by the impact. Trees grew around him as roots broke out of the ground. She flew onward, sending a beam through a group of flying machines, several cut in half as her spell left a line of fire in the city below, windows burst and walls exploding inward.

Isalthar and Zorithanael teleported to her side, their combined magic breaking through the shields of a dozen Executioners. Feyrair roared from above, a torrent of white fire flaring up before the magic focused into a single bright beam. He reared his head and moved the spell in a horizontal line, ten cores exploding with purple energy as buildings collapsed and streets were set aflame, every Guardian standing nearby left to burn and melt in the fires of creation.

Violence, the little Fae whispered straight into her mind.

Ilea didn’t have time to respond, twisting in the air as she dealt with the incoming arrows, the sheer number pushing their group back. Burning spears of ash flew through the distant flying machines, leaving two dozen of them to burn and crash before she gave up on controlling the ash, teleporting their entire group as a thousand homing arcane arrows turned in the air to follow them.

A wave of air and space magic set the fleet of projectiles alight, two spheres of fire and a wall of ice dealing with most of the remaining spells. Around a hundred still got through, Ilea moving in front of an injured elf to tank the blasts, healing the missing arm and chest of the Hunter. She felt herself be pulled, a gust of wind moving their group towards the city center, Isalthar flying ahead as invisible sound magic pushed back an army of silver machines. They were getting closer.

Chapter 778 Sphere

A note from Rhaegar

Heya. Been dealing with a medical issue for a few days now. It's nothing major but prevents me from writing.

Will have to cancel some posts this week. I'll keep you all updated :).

Apologies and thanks for the support.

Chapter 778 Sphere

Ilea could see a few of the Hunters split away, engaging with groups of high level machines or retreating into the city to heal their injuries, herself engaged with five Executioners rushing at her from all sides. She teleported and slammed Silent Memory into the closest one, the hammer flaring up with blood and curses, silver tendrils spreading out around the invisible shield before it shattered. She moved in and set the thing alight with white flame, teleporting out before the core exploded.

A wave of space magic pushed back against the other four as she flew on, pulled once more by Isalthar, the elf with a hole through his chest, the wound healing in mere moments as she joined her healing with his own. Feyrair twirled down with a missing wing and burst into bright light, a last wave of fire enveloping a horde of his enemies before he returned to his elven form, hundreds of arcane arrows following his fast flying form as he drifted away and into the streets below.

“Key Warden. Welcome to Iz,” came the gravelly voice through a familiar connection.

Right. I’m close enough now. Ilea sent waves of burning ash behind their flying group, enveloping everything that followed. She summoned a few shields for her allies and teleported a set of projectiles behind them.

“Key Warden. I fail to understand why you are fighting the Guardians,” the being spoke into her mind.

“Call them off then. Stop attacking anyone with the machines!” Ilea sent. “I have all the keys!”

“Indeed,” the being answered as they flew closer, the machines continuing their assault. “Key Warden. You have been deemed a threat to the core directives.”

“Then change them! Delete the core directives!” Ilea sent. She was thrown aside by a set of blasts, teleporting back to shield Zori, the elf charging up a spell with strange incantations, both of them pulled by the winds of Isalthar.

“Yes, Key Warden,” the voice sent. “Key Warden. Removing the core directives would go against the core directives. The core directives cannot be removed.”

Well fuck. Ilea teleported away a swarm of homing arrows before Zori cast his spell, the runes floating around him spreading out into a broad sphere. He breathed out when a whisper could be heard, a wave of sound rushing out in a sphere around them. The machines closest to them were ripped through by the spell, everything farther out damaged and pushed away. Entire buildings below them were flattened by the impact, the streets shaken, machines downright merged with the stone.

“Then turn yourself off,” Ilea said, looking at the golden sphere a few kilometers away.

“I cannot do that, Key Warden. Physical access is required for an emergency shut down,” the One without Form spoke. “Y… ou… donoooo not d… Key Warden. You may insert the keys into the respective sockets to open up physical access, should you wish to initiate an emergency shut down.”

Ilea continued towards the sphere with the others when she saw a glint of red light on the platform surrounding the sphere. She just barely managed to summon a shield in front of Isalthar when the arcane beam cut through, slowed by the shield and his defenses before it burned into his shoulder.

“Those are the core guardians,” she sent to the elves still with her, seeing the different magic light up in the distance. Some of them moving out to meet them. “I thought the Guardians don’t attack the Key Wardens?”

“Key Warden. The Guardians do not attack the Key Warden,” the One without Form replied.

She looked at the approaching spells and frowned. “Swarm out. They’re not attacking me,” she sent and flew closer, every spell with homing properties fanning out to strike one of the elves.

A few were struck, the rest continuing onward.

“We won’t be pushed back by Taleen creations,” one of the Hunters spat and flew towards the group of large machines.

Ilea slowed, summoning a shield to block the void blast sent by an Executioner. She watched as one of the Hunters slammed into the silver machine, both of them tumbling towards the city. The swarm didn’t stop, rushing her as she sent a broad beam of Embered Heart into their midst.

Isalthar appeared by her side as he deflected a few golden blades that reached him now. “We will hold them off. Did you find a way to stop them?”

“I will try to turn it off,” Ilea said. “If I can’t manage, just blast that thing away!” she sent and flew towards the core, feeling the waves of magic from behind her. She glanced down and saw Executioners running in the air far below the other elves, green eyes looking her way. Hundreds of blue arrows changed course and focused on her flying form.

Ilea watched the dozen or so elves that had charged ahead of her clash with the approaching core Guardians, their magic exploding as powerful shields flared to life around the machines. Blades flashed out and spells were cast, the Hunters pushed away with brutal efficiency. Ilea prepared to fight as she watched three of the weapon wielding machines come into her range.

They spread out and blocked the incoming projectiles. The Lead Guardian flew towards her before turning downwards, its dark eyes glinting for a moment with golden light. The machine was nearly five meters tall and near as wide, wielding only its two fists.

She glanced down to see two Executioners struck by the machine, their shields cracked and bodies squashed, the void explosions ripping into the surrounding swarm without leaving a scratch on the shield of the core Guardian. The machine destroyed entire sections of the Guardian army but it moved slowly, Ilea already past, with Executioners and arcane arrows close behind. She dodged, twirled, and teleported, summoning gates and shields where needed. The swarm charged from all directions now, all towards her. Towards the keys.

Near the core she saw the flying forms of the massive defenders. One set itself alight with green fire, twirling its scythe before a sea of flame came to life, flowing out and towards the encroaching swarm of Taleen all around. Thousands of golden blades were summoned by the machine glinting with the same metal. It moved its eight arms as the projectiles rushed out, more summoned instantly. Surging arcs of lightning destroyed entire sections of Taleen as the Copper Guardian laid waste with its massive bow.

Ilea dodged the flying Iron Guardian, the machine deflecting various strikes meant for her as it punched its four arms into Executioner shields with devastating strength. Each strike shattered a shield, the silver machines grappled and sent crashing into each other or the city below. Floating disks of sound magic came from the machine made of Brass, the razor thin spells cutting through hundreds of machines before they dissipated.

Quite the support to have, she thought with a grin, protecting herself with a set of barriers from the incoming arrows. The swarm seemed entirely focused on her, not attacking the defending Guardians. The large machines moved closer as thousands of Taleen creations rushed to stop her.

One of the defenders flew down from above, four metal blades clad in wind cutting through a group of Executioners ready to grapple Ilea’s flying form. It twirled in the air, leaving bits and pieces of silver metal falling down, void explosions resounding behind them.

Ilea reached the sphere, the four mark Guardians fighting the unending army all around. Explosions wracked the surroundings, dozens of arrows striking her barriers and mantle, much of it ripped away before it regenerated once more. She teleported away a group of machines when she saw the small golden gate in the mantle of the sphere, connected with a thin bridge to the platform reaching all around its form.

“Re.. treat. Leave this place… Key… warden. You are… not welcome,” the voice spoke. “Y..ou-”

Ilea teleported once more, a massive Silver Guardian stepping behind her.

[Silver Guardian of the Sphere – lvl ????] - [The Void]

The machine merely glanced at her, grabbing a charging Executioner out of the air with its large hand. It stared at the struggling machine before its void spell took hold, the Executioner gone in its entirety.

Seems straightforward, Ilea thought, looking at the twelve sockets set around the closed gate, each one marked with a name, luckily cast in the respective metals of the keys. She didn’t waste any time, summoning the keys and using her fabric tear and space manipulation to insert them into their sockets. It took mere seconds, the battle behind her intensifying as the core Guardians swarmed her position, dozens of Executioners and Pursuers trying to get through the wall of metal and magic.

“Y… ou… will die,” the One without Form spoke. “Why… would a human- Key Warden, all keys have been inserted. Use the handle to the right of the door to initiate an emergency opening of the Sphere.”

Ilea did as the being said, a sizzling sound coming from the door before she heard the turning of gears. Slowly, the entrance opened up, entire sections of thick metal pushed aside by mechanisms perfectly set into the structure. “What now?” she asked, as steam exploded out of the entrance. Her shields flared up, two of them shattered by the released air. She felt the heat too, absorbing a part of it, her wings set alight.

“Key Warden. Entering the sphere is not recommended. The current temperature is not suited for biological life. Y.. you… will die,” the voice resounded in her mind, the last bit distorted.

She dodged a silver blade, the Executioner ripped in half a moment later. Fuck it.

“Violence, time to leave,” she said but noticed the presence on her shoulder had already vanished.

Hot!

Survive!

The thoughts reached her mind as she stepped into the glowing corridor. Ilea took two steps before she slowed, one hand on the wall as her world turned to fire. She tried to cough but her lungs were already burning up. She couldn’t see very well, her mantle burning with not just the fires of creation but heat itself. She took another step, wobbling slightly. Ilea tried to teleport closer to the center but the fabric felt strange, erratic. Her magic failed to manifest. Something pierced her leg, the blade of an Executioner, the machine pushing into the corridor with all of its strength. She watched as its silver body melted, its shields flickering out and even its core glowing and flowing down onto the metal floor, no void magic taking hold from the puddle.

She tried to rub her eyes, her head pounding as she fell to her knees.

“Key Warden. Please wait until the sphere has cooled. The process will take approximately eighty three years. The control room will be accessible without danger afterwards,” a voice spoke into her mind but she hardly recognized any of the words.

Some of her mantle was gone, dark blots pooling below her. Was it ash? She felt hot. Really hot. And she was sweating. She didn’t remember the last time she sweat. A golden barrier flickered to life all around her, the defensive barrier shattering near instantly. Her skin turned red, her leg exploding in a red blot, the blood and her bones below on fire. She grit her teeth and struggled up, her third tier healing regenerating her leg, her eyes, and giving her brain a small moment of clarity.

Ilea absorbed all the heat she could from the surroundings and sent out a beam of Embered Heart, aimed behind her and towards the exit. She had barely managed to get five meters into the sphere, but she wouldn’t stop now. You got this far. Fire… is…

Her vision darkened before she blinked, gasping for air but finding only fire. Her healing kept her alive. She paused and sent out another beam, the heat exchange doing nothing to cool the red and glowing surroundings. Primordial Shift activated, giving her a short reprieve. Ilea watched as the fires of creation moved in strange patterns around her, the very fabric formed and moved by her spell slowly burning away. How can literal space burn?

She pondered the question for only a moment, deactivating the spell after she had healed herself. Her own fires pushed against the heat around her as she took the next step, and another one right after. Each movement took several seconds, her entire form burning away and regenerating several times in the process. Even her bones burned away slowly, but the heat and magic from all around pulsed with such intensity, she could not run out of mana, even if she tried.

‘ding’ ‘Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 30’

She ignored the message. One more onto the pile already in her mind.

“Where… is… the control… room?” she sent out through the connection.

“Key Warden, the control room is approximately one hundred and twenty four meters ahead of you. I must repeat the warning. The heat inside the sphere is not favorable for biological life,” the being spoke.

Ilea smirked. Or she tried to activate the relevant muscles, which she lacked at the moment. Not that being near fully burnt away was particularly new to her. Not favorable, hmm?

She couldn’t make out anything in her dominion, everything pulsing with bright magic. She had faced a four mark Wyrm’s sun magic spell before, wondering how comfortable that would be compared to this. Primordial Shift took hold again. She could still not breathe but it hardly mattered. Her ability to heal herself within her spell was comforting enough. Ilea checked briefly to make sure she really had her perception of pain disabled. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and dropped the spell, taking her next step on her one hundred and twenty four meter journey to the control room. It may as well have been a hundred kilometers.

One step came after the other, that’s all she knew. One step after the other. She had to go forward. Forward? Where? She looked up but did not see. Everything around her glowed. The walls were hot, her ash was hot. Her bones were hot. Everything glowed. Everything was on fire. A deep fire that burned her very insides. All but the white flame clinging to her form. She tried to giggle but no sound was produced. Her body healed, flesh and ash reforming, and instantly burning away. Slowly, but faster than any fire had any right to burn her. I am… resistant! She grit her teeth, feeling them melt away. Like gum. Strange. Teeth should be… hard? Or should they? Her brain was cooking, her consciousness fading for a moment before she was back, gasping for air but once again, there was nothing to breathe. There was only heat. Heat and fire.

An eternity passed. Only the speck of a thought pushing her forward. Forward. It was all she knew. All she was. Something strange wrapped around her and then she was cold. So very cold.

Ilea shivered, convulsing on the cool metal floor of a strange spherical room surrounded by a glowing blue barrier. She could feel. Her bones. Her fingers. Her skin. She could feel the hair going down her neck, could feel the blood of the tongue she bit off. It healed but she bit that one off too. There was no pain. No pain. But there was feeling. She shivered. So cold. Where is. Where am…

Her eyes were open. She could see. Had she always been able to see? Had she always been able to think? She had walked, had she not? Walked to a strange place. Walked through… heat. Warmth. She stumbled up and puked, blood and pieces of flesh released onto the smooth copper floor. Ilea stumbled back and looked to her left. Through the strange blue barrier she could see a glowing corridor. The end was not visible. It looked strange. Like an abyss. I don’t… no. She took a step back and away from the corridor yet she could not avert her eyes.

Meditation and healing flowed through her mind, Ilea falling on her ass before she hugged her knees. I don’t… where. The Taleen… the sphere…

She opened her eyes and stood up, making sure not to look into the corridor. Did she make it? She looked around and found herself in a rather large circular dome like room, clad in what seemed like copper. At the center she saw a single dark green pyramid, about as broad and high as she was tall.

“Have I reached the control room?” she asked but noticed the connection was gone. What else would it be? She moved closer to the pyramid, finding it covered in runes just like the keys. Tens of thousands of runes, barely large enough for her to read. Different sets of runic languages too, that much she could gauge. She identified the artifact, finding it cool to the touch.

[The One without Form – lvl ????]

“This is obviously a form,” she murmured. The barrier seems to protect against the heat outside. Well…

She summoned the dagger and twirled it in her hand. “Care to give it a go then?”

“You… made it inside,” Aki spoke. “As expected. Nothing could rid the world of your annoying self.”

“Not the time,” Ilea said with a slight grin. “Now look at it and tell me where to stab you down,” she added and moved the dagger over the artifact.

“This is… way to… wait… back. There, at the center. It’s similar… to the Pursuer. That section, though far more complex. Ilea… I don’t know if I can…” Aki spoke.

Ilea moved him closer to the section he had indicated. “You tell me what to do, Aki. I can destroy this thing and get out of here with you in tow. Or you can give it a shot. But we don’t have time to waste, the Hunters are fighting out there.”

“Hunters… yes. As was I, a Hunter. Turned enchanted tool, copied… Ilea, it was an honor to meet you, to fight by your side,” the dagger spoke and paused. “But I am no Hunter.” His voice was steady now, focused. “I am a Sentinel. And motherfucker, what Sentinel would stop here? Stab me down, mad healer. And let us see what happens.”

Ilea grinned. “The honor was all mine. Also, I’ll beat you up if you die,” she said and rammed the dagger down.

Chapter 779 Guardian

Chapter 779 Guardian

Ilea stepped back when the dagger was in, the metal of the pyramid hardly providing any resistance to the blade. There was no fancy magical pulse or anything lighting up in turn.

“Did anything happen?” she sent to Kyrian. She didn’t know how much time had passed in the corridor but the marks were still around. Distorted but somewhat near. At least the others were still in Iz.

No response came from the man after a few seconds had passed. Ilea wasn’t sure the message had even gotten out, the fabric itself distorted by the heat. She crouched near the dagger and watched as the thing was slowly absorbed by the enchanted pyramid. The surface was smooth a moment later. She waited another few seconds, thinking if she should leave and check outside.

Ilea didn’t want to consider the possibility of Aki being gone. I could still get him out. She crossed her arms in front of her when a message reached her mind.

It wasn’t Kyrian.

__________________________________

Niivalyr took a step back, reinforcing the main barrier in front of him. Several of the Hunters were hurt, Neiphato healing them as well as he could. Fire still raged in the streets, mountains of dented and destroyed Taleen machines littering the surroundings. They had been separated on their retreat, the eight of them finding an old smithy with reinforcement and defensive enchantments still in place. They just had to be charged up, one in their group a somewhat experienced enchanter.

The streets were quiet for the first time in over an hour, their own breathing and hisses audible to Niivalyr.

“Did it end?” one of the Hunters asked in a whisper, a gray haired elf wielding fire magic. He used the wall to support himself, one arm raised towards the partially broken entrance.

The machines hadn’t stopped coming previously, Guardians and Centurions mostly but there were stronger ones around too. Roaming every street of Iz. Niivalyr had seen most of them following the higher leveled Hunters that had gone towards the center of the large city. Plenty had come for them however, though luckily not too many higher level ones.

He tensed up when a silver form moved past the entrance, the lithe being stepping over the dented shrapnel littering the street, not even touching the ground. It stopped moving right as it had passed, Niivalyr reinforcing the barrier as he took in a deep breath. Executioner, he motioned to the others. They had to work together if they planned to live through this one. Maybe she was right, he thought, a grin coming to his lips. Not without a fight.

The machine slowly stepped through the shrapnel, metal creaking under its weight. It crouched down near the entrance and looked into the building with its glowing green eyes. Its shield flared up for a moment when a blast of fire spread over its defenses. The Executioner didn’t react, instead looking around the room.

Three of them hissed as everyone prepared their spells.

The Executioner’s eyes glowed before a voice resounded from its form. “Cerithil Hunters. I am not your enemy. The battle, is over.”

“What do you mean? Who are you?” Niivalyr asked with a hiss, his shield shimmering with bright magic.

“Your confusion is understandable, Hunter. I am the Guardian of…” the machine spoke and paused, looking up in a thoughtful manner. It refocused on them. “I am the Guardian of Iz. Protector of the Accords, and Sentinel of Akelion.”

What did she do? Niivalyr asked himself as he kept the barrier up, more hissing resounding behind him.

________________________________

“Your mark remains. It seems our plan has worked. No telepathy within control room. Clean up before you go,” the message reached her mind, the voice strange. Calm. Familiar and yet, different. It could’ve only been one.

The only mark she felt without distortion. Aki.

“You did it…” she murmured. “Well… we did it. I walked through that horrendous fucking corridor.” Ilea wondered if the One without Form was trying to trick her somehow. But in the end she could always walk back in again. Not that she wanted to. No, she did very much not want to do that. At all.

She burned up the puke and glanced at the glowing corridor behind the strange barrier.

Fuck, do I have to get out? She formed a gate but the spell failed to manifest. No. I’d rather wait however many fucking years that was… wait. Even the Still Valley couldn’t stop my mark teleport. She activated her third tier blink and focused on Kyrian. She couldn’t quite place him but she knew he was somewhere in Iz.

Her spell took hold, the runes glowing below her. Ilea looked at the pyramid with a slight smile. She was ripped through the fabric a moment later, feeling a strange sensation of heat before she appeared on a mountain of metal. Her wings spread as she looked at the surroundings. Hundreds of destroyed machines, collapsed houses, dozens of Hunter Praetorians, flying Taleen Destroyers, and several Executioners.

Amidst the carnage stood her friend and ally, covered in scratched up and dented metal. He was on one knee, runic eyes glowing slightly with green curse magic. He was facing one of the Executioners, or perhaps a Pursuer.

The machine stood unmoving, turning its glowing green eyes to Ilea a few seconds later. “You made it out. That is good,” the machine spoke with a slightly distorted voice. It closed and opened one of its hands, looking at the flowing metal before it glanced back at them. “Now before you break out in celebration or amused commentary, we have to secure the keys and close the sphere. The emergency opening is dangerous to the integrity of the entire structure.”

“And who exactly am I talking to?” Ilea asked.

“The Sentinel of Akelion,” Kyrian said, his voice sounding slightly amused. And tired.

“The one,” the Pursuer said. “Now please. The Cerithil Hunters are still destroying entire squadrons of Guardians. Guardians I would very much like to keep. They won’t listen to me, but they might listen to you. First, the keys.”

Ilea smiled, appearing next to the machine before she hugged it. She jumped off the metal chest and moved her wings. “You have full control? What about the One without Form? Ah and there are so many Guardians, a few thousand here or there won’t matter.”

“They matter to me. And… I’m not sure. I’m still figuring out how everything works but yes. The One without Form was merely… how should I explain this. It was part of the control room, part of the structure itself. Similar to the framework within this very Pursuer. I did not even have to fight it. I simply took over. But this body… if it can be called that… it is… different. Far more complex. There is… so much. So much that I can see. So much that I can use. The power I wield…” The Pursuer’s eyes flickered before it shook its head, glancing at them once more.

“I’ll get the keys then and close the door, before you have an existential crisis. Mr. god king Akelion,” Ilea said with a grin, hitting Kyrian’s shoulder. “The fucking dagger did it.”

“He did,” Kyrian said in a tired voice. “Took his time.”

“Have some respect. You’re talking to the Guardian of Iz,” the Pursuer spoke, one of its eyes flickering slightly. “I could send all these machines after you.”

“Big words from a baby god,” Ilea spoke. “Plus, there’s hardly enough here to deal with me.”

The Pursuer snickered. “That is true.”

“I’ll show you respect when you manage to beat me in a bout,” Ilea said and flew upwards.

“The Sphere Guardians will be able to provide ample opportunity for Resistance training, I’m sure. Now… the keys,” Aki spoke.

“Sure, Sentinel chief,” Ilea said, flying up and towards the sphere with Kyrian in tow.

“Ally took control of the One without Form. Stand down and stop destroying Guardians. Spread the word,” Ilea sent to every elf with a mark. Fey, Elfie, and Neiphato should’ve been better than her at convincing anyone. They reached the outskirts of the central area and were intercepted by a group of Hunters, Isalthar, Zori, and Fey among them. All of them looked exhausted, bloodied, their clothes and armor showing dents, scratches, holes, entire parts missing.

“You look fucked up,” she said to the group. “How long was I in there?”

“You went behind the sphere guardians maybe one hour ago. What happened?” Isalthar asked. “We tried to approach but couldn’t find you.”

“Well…” Ilea started, shrugging slightly. “I went inside the sphere. Nearly died maybe a hundred times, probably more. I wanted to shut down the thing but this option seems way more beneficial.”

“What option?” Isalthar asked, glancing at the hovering Taleen, the machines no longer attacking.

“Aki… is it?” Fey asked with a grin. “The copied soul…” He grinned and started laughing.

“A friend. Who happens to be able to take over Taleen machinery,” Ilea said. “Would’ve been kind of sad to see all of this go to waste,” she added, gesturing at the army of machines. Despite the mountains of destroyed Guardians, their numbers didn’t seem any different to her.

“You are in no position to make such a decision,” Zori spoke, his voice neither cold nor kind. His silver eyes took her in before he hissed.

Ilea smiled as she looked at him. “I did it anyway.”

“Who is in control of it then? You?” another elf asked, one whose name she hadn’t learned.

“I said a friend. Not a machine. Someone I trust and someone I hold dear. And perhaps someone far closer to you than I could ever be,” Ilea said as a group of Executioners approached through the air.

The machines stopped about ten meters away. “Perhaps now we may talk, Cerithil Hunters,” Aki spoke and bowed in the air, the other machines mirroring the gesture perfectly. “I am the new Guardian of Iz. And so long as I remain, will your lands and peoples no longer be pursued by the machines of the Taleen.”

“How… why would…” one of the elves spoke.

The Executioner glanced at the tall ice mage. “That was your purpose… was it not?” the machine spoke and looked up, as if to remember. “Zevara in Cerith, veera il anur. To protect life, I choose exile.”

Isalthar floated a little closer, some of the others hissing. “An old saying. Older than I am. How is it you know of it?”

“I know of… many things now, Val Akuun. This saying… it is interesting, that the Hunters chose it. It was not meant for them,” he spoke. “Feyrair, may I ask you to stop the individual named Veratin from destroying this city and its Guardians? He is southwest of here, about four kilometers away.”

The elf glanced at Ilea, then the others. He hissed in an amused manner and flew away.

“How is this possible?” Isalthar asked.

“I have… a lot to learn. And we will have time to discuss, Val Akuun. First it is important that we gather and inform every remaining Hunter. There are many more within Taleen facilities and cities throughout the lands, some of them have been trapped… for a long time,” Aki spoke.

Isalthar glanced at Ilea and looked at her for a few seconds, some of the other elves glancing between him and the machines. Then he closed his eyes for a moment and hissed in an affirming manner.

The Executioner hissed back.

Ilea smiled and raised her brows, amused by the confusion on the faces of the Elves. “I’ll join you in a minute, some cleanup left to do,” she said and teleported away, not giving any of them enough time to react. They were sufficiently distracted by Aki’s wonderful performance. Close the steaming sun corridor.

She reached the sphere a minute later, watching the large Guardians back at their posts. They stood down as she landed near the entrance. The entire platform was littered with destroyed machines. She looked up at the Silver Guardian, the thing turning its head to glance at her.

“Thanks for before,” she said with a smile.

It gave her a slight nod and looked back out onto the burning city.

God you’re cool. Wish I was that cool. She looked out towards the buildings, seeing large Destroyers spraying mists of water onto the fires, swarms of Guardians stabilizing buildings, others cleaning up the debris.

She turned towards the entrance and watched the glowing corridor. Here you go, she thought and turned the handle with her space manipulation, if only to stay as far away as possible. Instantly the gears started turning, remains of several Executioners spilling out as the sections closed one after the other. The final chunk of metal shut with a satisfying clunk and the turning of gears.

“Well done. Now my rule is complete. I’m joking. Just to make sure,” Aki spoke through the mental connection from the Sphere.

“You’re not entirely wrong there, Sentinel of Akelion,” she mused, removing the keys before she stored them all in her domain.

“So, you changed the core directives?” she asked.

“No. They do not exist anymore. I’m not a simple creation like the previous Guardian of Iz. I am closer to a true mind,” Aki sent.

“Closer? So you’re not a true mind?” she asked.

“I have yet to determine that,” he answered.

“Fair. So with the keys someone can still give you commands?” she asked.

“No. The keys were tuned for the One without Form. They remain the only feasible way to open the sphere, and the Guardians around you are connected directly to them,” Aki explained.

“So you lied about the resistance training? Or can you control them?” Ilea asked.

“I cannot. Not beyond defensive measures aimed at anyone not recognized as a Key Warden. However you as the Key Warden… you have a little more freedom. And after a set of enchantments and ceremonies that I have yet to fully figure out, you should be able to give more complex commands to them yourself. Nothing that would betray their core purpose, but enough to suit what I believe you’re looking for.

“For now the keys do not matter. I have plenty of information on the battle that just transpired and other than yourself, none of the present elves or humans will be able to traverse into the control room without thoroughly dying.”

“You’re saying I’m the toughest one here?” Ilea asked.

“The most resilient. Perhaps more so than even the Guardians of the Sphere. Toughest however… who knows,” Aki sent.

She smiled and tapped the metal sphere with her fist. “I’m glad you’re still around old friend, after that stunt.”

“I’m glad you made it too. I believe even the One without Form did not consider the possibility of your survival. A tremendous feat,” Aki spoke.

Violence!

Ilea twitched at the sudden shout into her mind, grabbing for the invisible cunt. “You fuck,” she murmured, teleporting the creature out of its space hideout before she squeezed it slightly.

“Welcome back to Iz, Baron.” Aki sent, presumably to both of them.

The Fae waved towards the sphere, trying to squash one of Ilea’s eyes at the same time.

“So what’s the plan now?” Ilea asked.

“The Hunters remain… agitated. For good reason. I have yet to earn their trust. I suggest you join them,” Aki spoke.

“Sure. I can hang out around here for a while,” Ilea sent as she started to fly back towards the group of Elves. “You don’t want to hide anymore?” she asked the Fae.

Violence

Over

The Fae sent as if that explained anything.

Several more hisses resounded when she arrived with the Fae in tow.

“Did the Taleen capture a Fae?” Zori asked as he glanced over, most of his attention remaining with the Executioners and Isalthar.

“No. Violence has been around for a while,” Ilea said, putting the being onto her shoulder where it plopped down and held on to her ash.

“The main Guild hall seems like an appropriate place, to discuss further,” Aki spoke through one of the Executioners. “It was once… the main seat of the Taleen. And it would bring me… quite a bit of joy, to welcome the Cerithil Hunters into its halls. A few of my machines are already hunting, to prepare a feast.”

“That’s what I need right now,” Ilea said.

A few of the elves hissed, in agreement of course.

Ilea looked over the capital as they slowly flew towards one of the largest buildings near the center. Entire sections of the town had been destroyed in the battle but with the overall size, the damage wasn’t too extensive. Though it wasn’t easy to tell, thousands of machines still moving through the streets.

One of the Executioners glanced back at the group. “The elf by the name of Naradan has agreed to cease hostilities, yet will remain in his newly grown forest,” Aki said as they flew.

“Ilea, there are a few things we’ll have to discuss. Preferably with the Accords. Things have come… to light,” Aki said.

“Sure. I can get them whenever. Where do you see yourself anyway?” she asked.

“What do you mean exactly?” Aki asked.

“I mean you’re in control of the Taleen now, aren’t you? Are you a faction of your own?” she asked.

“A faction of my own. I suppose that wouldn’t be too strange, would it? With all of these machines,” Aki spoke and paused. “But I have told you before, Ilea. I am a Sentinel, and I have been appointed to be the Guardian of the Medic Sentinel Corps. I intend to fulfill that role. Perhaps even more.”

“More?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“I’m still thinking on the name. Guardian of the Accords perhaps?” Aki suggested.

“How about Guardian of Cerith?” Ilea said with a grin.

Aki remained silent for a while. “A little excessive perhaps, but I do like the sound of it.”

Chapter 780 Meat

Chapter 780 Meat

Ilea landed near the massive gate of the supposed main Guild hall. The connection to the Sphere remained. “So… there’s really a sun in that thing?”

“A Source. Calling it a sun is… both wrong, and simplified. I’m still deciphering the information I have available, on everything. The nature of the Source is not a priority, nor something I will be able to grasp quickly. It seems even the High Makers did not truly comprehend what they found in Kohr. The Ascended are… terrifying,” Aki spoke.

“Seems like you’ve got your work cut out for you then,” Ilea said. “Hope you’re not angry that I put you into a supercomputer.”

“I’m just overwhelmed, Ilea. Even with everything here, it is a lot to take in. I’m not a machine, not in practice,” Aki said.

“Right. You’re a dagger I found in an old dungeon,” she said with a smile, watching the Executioners push open the dusty ancient gates.

“Technically, yes. But you have a hammer now anyway. Perhaps that one will be in control of the next army of forgotten beings you come across,” the dagger said.

“Don’t joke about that. Silent Memory might actually be capable of that. Not in a good way though,” she said and followed the Hunters into the massive hall. Green lamps flickered to life on the ceiling, a few of them not turning on.

“The ancient halls of our enemies,” one of the elves spoke. “Forgotten. Left to ruin.” He hissed and sent a sphere of fire into a part of the table. Bits and pieces of stone exploded outwards. “None to pay for their atrocities.”

“That was always how it was supposed to end,” Isalthar spoke, moving closer before he touched the elf’s shoulder. “Thousands will live, due to our actions here.” He hissed.

“The Monarchs will not watch without action,” Zorithanael spoke. “A vacuum will be created.”

“We will deal with that, when the time comes,” Feyrair said with a joyous hiss. “Now let us feast.” He summoned a carcass and threw it onto the large table, the dead beast leaving a trail of fresh blood behind as it slid before coming to a stop.

Ilea opened her eyes wide as the elves started hissing, some of them summoning their own food, others simply slumping down onto the various stone chairs, exhausted from the battle.

Violence.

“Yeah. I suppose they do have a way with food,” Ilea said, moving her hand to stop a splatter of blood with her space magic. She chose one of the massive stone chairs and improved it a little with some ash, sitting down before she summoned her own meal. She chose a salad. Not because of the carnage around her, but because she didn’t feel like eating anything hot right now. Even warm was too much. Gummy teeth. Maybe I should drink smoothies for a while.

She relaxed in the chair and finally looked through the notifications from the battle.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 203]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 210]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Guardian – lvl 160]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Hunter Praetorian – lvl 753]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 805]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Taleen Destroyer – lvl 756]’

...

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Executioner Praetorian – lvl 806]’

I suppose the Sphere Guardians did fight at my side, she thought with a smile. It felt strange, to think that this was it. She had fought the green eyed machines since Dawntree, coming across the Taleen creations time and time again during her travels. And now. Well, in a way it felt fitting, to have brought an end to it with the strange dagger she had found in her first dungeon. While exploring with Lorcan. He still didn’t get that bow. Hmm. She smiled to herself as she recalled the battles, nearly dying against single Centurions, their core explosions enough to endanger even the highest leveled fighters of the expedition.

And now I’m eating in the Guild Hall of the Taleen, alongside the Cerithil Hunters.

Niivalyr entered the hall with a group of elves, Neiphato one of them. He dusted off his coat and sat down next to Ilea.

“You survived,” she murmured.

“Yes, barely,” he answered.

“I’m checking through my messages,” Ilea said, tapping her head.

“I’ll do that in a minute,” the elf said and sighed, slumping into his stone chair before he hissed in annoyance. “Who makes chairs out of stone?”

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 622 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 619 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 612 – One stat point awarded’

Would you look at that. A whopping three levels. She wasn’t surprised. Executioners were the only machines aside from the sphere guardians that provided some challenge, and even then she could deal with entire groups of them by now.

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

I suppose the corridor was good for something. Not that I’d repeat that.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mystic] reaches 2nd lvl 15

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mystic] reaches 2nd lvl 20

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 5’

…

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Astral Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

The power of the stars, harnessed and used to wreak unimaginable destruction. Few beings are able to channel this power through their bodies. It would not come as a surprise to find a human, of all beings finding a way to modify their weak vessel for its use. You should not let your encounters fool you, this school of magic is quite extraordinary and just as rare.

2nd stage: You have faced enough wielders of Astral Magic to warrant a second tier resistance. Your body is much less likely to disintegrate against this powerful school of magic.

3rd stage: Your body has survived immeasurable amounts of astral magic, adapting in turn to become considerably more resistant to any adverse effects of this magic. Your natural health, stamina, and mana regeneration is increased by an additional 1% when in the light or in the proximity of a star.

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 8’

Now that. Is interesting. A breakthrough without using a third tier point. And the benefits for my regeneration are nice to have. Most significant for my stamina actually, with all the bonuses I already have for the rest. Nice.

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

Not even enough for another void resistance level.

‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill – Star Touched – lvl 1’

Star Touched – lvl 1

The Human body is not normally able to channel or absorb the energy of the stars. Great change is required to even consider such a feat. You did it anyway, through sheer tenacity. And have learned to absorb and potentially channel some of the astral energies coursing through the void of space. Please stop.

We both know I won’t stop, Ilea answered with a smile on her face. So. Astral magic, without an evolution, elixir, or anything else. Maybe just the third tier was enough? Or me specifically absorbing the heat and energy in there and shooting it out? Just being in there for a while?

She didn’t particularly care for now. It was nice to have as an option, and for future evolutions it would certainly be a considerable achievement.

‘ding’ ‘You have walked through the fires of a star – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the fires of a star – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the control room of the central Sphere of Iz – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have exchanged the Guardian of Iz – One Core skill point awarded’

Reasonable. Wasn’t really me who replaced the One without Form though. But I suppose Aki got a bit more than just a few core points. Now… can I get a Mystic skill to the third tier?

- Azarinth Barrier [Mystic]

You have pushed the Azarinth Star to its very limits, protecting both yourself and your allies from harm whilst charging into battle. You may wield its full potential, should you will it so.

Why not. I have enough points. I will it so.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mystic] reaches 3rd lvl 1

Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – 3rd lvl 1

Channel your mana through the Azarinth Star to form healing infused golden barriers of arcane magic around you.

2nd stage: Form a powerful barrier in the shape of either a dome or sphere with you at the center. Movement is considerably slowed while this spell is active.

3rd stage: Channel your mana into the Azarinth Star to create an extensive dome or sphere like barrier with you at the center. You cannot move while this barrier is active. All beings within the barrier are healed by any excess mana channeled into the Azarinth Star.

So like a shield the size of my dominion, or larger? Gonna have to test that out. Could be pretty useful if the activation time is short. Not being able to move sucks, but maybe I can teleport away at least?

Ilea touched the necklace when a group of Executioners entered the hall, carrying large carcasses of dead creatures. They threw the bodies onto the large table.

“A gift, and a token. Given freely, and without asking anything in return,” Aki spoke, through one of the beings.

“I shall accept,” Isalthar said, walking over before he ripped out a piece of the large dead monster, its skin a deep blue. He ate the flesh, blood dripping down his chin as he chewed.

“What does that mean?” Ilea asked, glancing over at Elfie.

“An old tradition. Dead prey can be offered in an effort to start some kind of conversation. One preferably without ripping each other to bloodied pieces,” the elf explained. “Blood in place of blood, so to say.”

“I should do that too,” Ilea mused. “Then at least I get something out of it when someone recognizes me.”

Violence, the Fae confirmed.

“It’s about the food though,” Ilea said.

Boring

“You take that back,” she growled.

One of the Executioners stepped forward. “The remaining Hunters in Iz have agreed to join us. Those interested in the conversation. A few have already left.”

“Left? Iz?” Ilea asked.

“Indeed,” Aki replied through another machine that glanced over.

Ilea looked at Isalthar. “Why would they leave now? Wasn’t the whole purpose of the Hunters the destruction of the Taleen? The end of this war?”

The white haired healer looked back at her and smiled ever so slightly. “The war is over, is it not?”

“Yeah, but what’s the plan? Where are they going? Where are you going?” she asked.

“I am surprised to hear such questions from you of all beings,” Isalthar spoke.

Ilea thought about it for a moment. “Fair enough.”

“They will find their way. As will we,” Isalthar said. “However we remain exiles. Cursed and hunted.”

“You plan to fight the Monarchs?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her for a long moment. “That remains to be seen.”

Isalthar turned towards the Executioner. “Sentinel of Akelion. We have fought the Taleen for centuries, have crippled production facilities, and have destroyed entire armies. It is strange now, to see our enemies stand before us without hostility. What is it you intend to do with this army of machines?”

A series of green eyes looked at the Hunter, other elves now interrupting their meal to listen to the Val Akuun and the new Guardian of Iz.

Ilea glanced to the broad entrance where a few more elves arrived, the group soon finding seats at or near the extensive table.

“The One without Form… was limited, in its creation. The Taleen feared a more elaborate being in control of their armies would betray them, in pursuit of total power. A being like myself was never intended to be the Guardian of Iz. And yet I am here.

“I am a Sentinel, but I’m not bound anymore to one body. It will take time, for me to fully understand the extent of my capabilities and the reach of these creations,” Aki spoke as the Executioner glanced at a closing silver hand. “The Sentinels aim to defeat monsters in the wild, they aim to teach healing, and to protect adventurers in their endeavors. I was tasked with the protection of our Headquarters, but I believe the interpretation of my duties has to change. In accordance with this newfound power.”

“Then have you reached a conclusion already?” Isalthar asked.

“These machines were made for war, the One without Form created in a combined effort of fear and greed. I reject those ideas. With this reach, I shall guard not only Ravenhall, but all of humanity and its allies.”

“You will not hunt our kind?” Isalthar said.

“I will answer any aggression as I see fit. Elven, human, dwarvish, Dark One, and anybody else. I have no reason to hunt for your kind, Val Akuun,” Aki spoke.

“And how do we know you speak the truth?” another elf asked.

“I know what you are, Hunter. I do not speak deception. Cer areth akaar,” the Guardian spoke.

Hissing and whispers went through the attendants.

Elfie too hissed at the exclamation.

“What did he say?” she asked him.

“A vow… of sorts. An old one. I have only heard it spoken thrice, every time before a duel to death. It is not spoken lightly,” he answered.

“You are no elf,” another Hunter said.

“It does not matter. The Guardian has said the words,” another elf said.

More hissing went through the room but it seemed most of the present Hunters now had a respectful attitude towards the Sentinel. The entire air in the hall had changed.

Yeah, they do take that seriously.

“I will consider the best use of the remaining facilities and machines under my control. The Cerithil Hunters are welcome in all of them. You may remain in Iz or use the teleportation network of the Taleen to travel to a destination of your choosing, all of you,” Aki said. “I have collected the bodies of the fallen, so they may be consumed.”

Isalthar bowed his head lightly. “I thank you, Sentinel,” he said and turned to address the Hunters in an Elvish speech.

Elfie translated into Ilea’s mind. “You have answered my call, and I shall answer yours. Our duty is fulfilled, the ancient enemy that has plagued our lands defeated. Better, changed, a guardian to those who might become our allies. I do not ask of you more now but to consider the future. Too long have the Domains remained unchanged. We have found purpose in our exile, in our betrayal, and have been freed of the ancient rules. Those who would consider, I ask you to remain here.”

Ilea watched as some of the elves whispered amongst each other, many of them hissing. A few stood up and left, some of them showing respect in their departure, others leaving without a word or gesture. None were openly hostile.

She glanced to the entrance where a familiar sand mage landed and rushed inside, wide eyes as he looked at the scene, a tome appearing in his right hand and a pen in the other. He appeared by her side and started talking. “I… ca-” he coughed, bloodied sand hitting the ground. “I… finally… what’s happening? Don’t tell me I missed it!”

“You missed it,” Ilea said immediately. She saw his eye twitch and started healing his mind.

“I shall retell what I have seen, librarian,” Elfie said, a light smile on his face.

Ilea could feel the frustration in Evan as he glanced around the room, unable to even consider sitting down.

“Why did the machines stop?” he asked. “They talked to me!”

“Lilith went into the sphere,” Elfie said. “And replaced the previous Guardian of Iz.”

“You… did…” Evan murmured, looking at her before his eyes wandered to her shoulder. “Is that a… Fae?”

Violence

“I did not mean to offend,” Evan said and bowed lightly.

Manners, the Fae sent to Ilea before he tapped the side of her head.

“Can’t even squish my eyes, why should I bow to you?” Ilea asked. “Elfie can tell you all about it.”

“Elfie?” Evan asked.

“Niivalyr is the name. But I’m sure you’re familiar with Lilith,” Elfie said.

“I am. Now… please repeat what you said before. The Guardian of Iz was replaced?” Evan said, now leaning against the broad table with slightly shaking hands.

Ilea let the two have their talk, herself watching the remaining Elves mingle. There were still quite a few present, including of course the ones she knew. “With that offer, I guess it’s time to introduce the Hunters to the Accords,” she sent to the Sentinel of Akelion.

“I will try to smooth things over. Few of them should have more reason to reject the Cerithil Hunters than they have rejecting me. But we shall discuss the possibilities. Whenever you are ready,” Aki sent.

Chapter 781 Allies

Chapter 781 Allies

“The wreckage is cleared away, though there are some disputes between Riverwatch adventurers and the war machine pilots from the Pit. Some of the metals are apparently quite rare. Some of the merchants and smiths in the city are evaluating the materials right now,” the middle aged fire mage explained, the woman clad in a decorated light metal armor. The Riverwatch coat of arms was displayed on the chest piece, slightly marred.

Trian took a sip of his tea as he waited for the officer to finish her report. He had moved to Riverwatch for the time being, in case of another Taleen attack, and as a way to show how serious the Accords meant their support. Several teams of Sentinels, Dark Ones, and war machines had remained in or near the city.

“No functioning machines were sighted in the scouting efforts,” the officer spoke and looked to Trian, a few of the other present Riverwatch nobles glancing his way.

“That matches our reports,” he said.

“We have yet to determine the reason for their attack in the first place. It’s unprecedented,” one of the nobles spoke, a younger woman wearing a white two piece dress.

“The change in their behavior is not something we can possibly investigate,” another spoke.

“Is there any information you can share on that?” Alistair asked, looking at Trian.

“We are investigating the circumstances of the attacks ourselves. A split effort between protecting the affected settlements and finding a potential source of the attack. Sentinels are searching through the northern forest for Taleen ruins, though the information we have suggests there shouldn’t be one present,” Trian explained. He knew of course that Ilea was the most likely reason for the attack. She had started helping the Cerithil Hunters with the collection of the Taleen keys, and she had even attacked their capital. Alistair however had to consider his city and peoples.

He didn’t exactly look forward to the next weeks and months, depending on how many more attacks there would be. They could likely deal with the machines but every guard was on high alert, the entire city in lock down. With every passing day the political pressure would build, and Riverwatch would look to the Accords for a solution or an explanation. There would be no reason for him to dread these meetings but considering Ilea’s actions were the catalyst for the attacks, he would have to tread very carefully.

Mopping up after her adventures, he thought, suppressing a smile whilst under the scrutiny of the gathered nobility. They wouldn’t openly accuse Lilith or the Accords, but these could become seeds of discontent in the coming decades.

“Important talk, keep it somewhat under wraps. Meet me at Meadow, now if possible. Taleen are dealt with,” Ilea’s voice reached his mind.

Trian didn’t show a reaction, processing the little information she had sent as best he could. Dealt with?

“I need twenty minutes,” he sent back after some consideration. She did include if possible. Important but not an emergency.

The rest of the meeting concluded without any more surprises, the city remaining on high alert for the time being. Trian left towards the teleportation gates outside the town, changing into his battle armor just in case. He flew up and signaled for the Sentinel currently on guard duty. A young woman by the name of Heather. Light green feathery wings kept her in the air far above the bustling city, her yellow eyes taking him in.

“I will be away for a while. Act at your own discretion,” Trian said.

Heather nodded before she returned to her duty, Trian flying downwards and over the walls. He skipped the long queue to the Morhill gate and was let through by the guards without showing any identification. There had been a few teleports in the past week. He immediately made for the restricted gate leading into the domain of the Meadow. Most people going north would seek the Hallowfort gate, the requirements to use it far more relaxed than that of the Meadow.

Once again he was enveloped by white light, Trian moved through the fabric of space before he appeared on another platform, the mana around him instantly more noticeable. He could feel the presence of the ancient tree.

“Greetings, Headmaster. Ilea is waiting. May I teleport you?” the Meadow spoke.

“I told you, just Trian is fine. Go for it,” he sent back, still trying to get used to the instant long range teleportation and telepathy using beings of space. For the third time he was moved, his stomach lurching slightly but his high vitality preventing the sensation from lasting more than a second. He had heard the gates weren’t exactly the most pleasant experience for those below level fifty. Nothing comparable to a week long journey of course, but there were a few puke related incidents when the gates were first opened to the public.

It wasn’t enough to train space magic resistance, as many of the Sentinels learned in the days after.

Trian found himself standing next to Kyrian, Claire, and Catelyn. He saw Ilea leaning against a nearby pillar.

“He’s here. Care to tell us what this is about now? Either of you?” Claire asked, glancing between Kyrian and Ilea.

“Showing is better,” Ilea said.

“Why am I involved in this?” the fox asked.

“Because I trust both your opinion and that you won’t instantly attack everything,” Ilea said. “Through the gate,” she said, motioning towards the strange fluctuation of space she tended to summon.

“Again,” Trian murmured under his breath. His beard generally helped mask his whispers but he knew everyone here could hear him regardless. He sighed and stepped through after the smiling fox.

And came out on the streets of a Taleen dungeon. He hadn’t seen many of them in his time but the design was instantly recognizable. The magic behind them vanished the moment he stepped through. He looked at the ashen clad Ilea, the woman twirling before she curtsied, no dexterity stat high enough to mask her lack of training. She looked at them with her piercing blue eyes. Trian knew her well enough to know she was just putting on a show, but with her overwhelming magical power it was sometimes difficult to forget who was hiding behind the dense ashen mantle.

An even denser woman, he thought.

“Welcome to Iz. The capital of the Taleen,” she spoke.

Trian looked around and saw smoke rising behind some of the four and five story stone buildings. He heard sounds from all around, suggesting there were others here, though it all seemed metallic, some of it monotone. The street they stood in was cobbled and clean, pale crystal light shining down from above. He assumed it was a massive cavern, similar to the one containing Hallowfort. But the capital of the Taleen? Ilea had mentioned the city before, the swarms of machines, the keys she went to collect. Wait. Is that why…

“And do welcome the new Guardian of said capital,” she added, gesturing to a silver machine slowly moving over one of the nearby buildings.

The machine jumped down, landing in a smooth motion. It did not touch the ground, instead standing just above it. Green eyes looked down at the group, two silver arms extending in three fingered hands. It wasn’t a Pursuer, but something quite similar.

“You got him a new body,” Claire said.

Trian gulped and tried to look past the machine. He saw a group of smaller Guardians rush past into a side street, those not hovering but running on the ground with their six dull green metal legs. He glanced back at the green eyes that now looked at him. “Not just one. Or am I wrong?” he asked and allowed himself a slight grin.

“You are not,” the machine spoke. “I am just one of many, though commanded by the same mind.”

Claire raised her hand and rubbed her eyes before she walked aside and sat down on a small stone wall in front of a building.

Catelyn glanced between them all. “Ilea. Are you telling me the Taleen machines in Iz are now under Aki’s control?”

Ilea smiled.

“Not just Iz,” Trian said as he walked towards the machine. He stopped a meter in front of it and looked up to meet its eyes. “Does that mean you’re no longer a Sentinel?”

“Of course I’m a Sentinel,” Aki said. “And I will remain a Sentinel. There are some things we have to discuss. I believe the current group is a good starting point. Please follow me.”

Trian smiled as he turned back to Ilea, the woman touching Claire’s head with magic flowing between them. He glanced at the fox instead. “You seem largely unfazed.”

“That is because you humans have difficulties gauging my expressions,” Catelyn said. “What about you?”

Trian chuckled and joined the silver machine’s side. He wanted to think it was Aki, but he knew his friend was just controlling the being. Or was he all of them? It hardly mattered. “I’m just proud how far you’ve come,” he said, glancing over to the machine.

“This has nothing to do with me, Trian. I was simply given control,” Aki spoke.

“You were ready,” Trian answered.

The machine was quiet for a time before it nodded ever so slightly. “Thank you.”

“He’s been strangely cryptic about what he wants to tell us,” Ilea said, helping Claire get up. “I still think there’s a small chance of him trying to murder everyone. Oh most of the Cerithil Hunters are still around by the way. Just so you don’t attack anyone.”

“Elves and Taleen,” Claire murmured. “I’m feeling a pounding headache coming. It’s gone… it’s coming again.”

“I’ll keep healing you, don’t worry,” Ilea said. “Oh and look at this neat thing,” she said as the ash around her neck receded slightly, the yellow crystal amulet glowing with power.

Trian looked around when he noticed the shimmering barrier around fifty meters away, a golden dome covering everything.

“Can’t move while it’s active,” Ilea said. The barrier moved closer to about half the distance before it dissipated once more. “It’s pretty fucking durable too.”

“Where did you find that thing?” Catelyn asked.

“Ancient vault,” Ilea said, as if that specified anything at all.

“Not quite as impressive as an entire Taleen army,” Trian said.

_______________________________

Ilea crossed her arms. “Right. True. But it’s still very cool,” she said. The fact that she could activate and deactivate the barrier near instantaneously made her more than happy. There was a cooldown after using it, but the same was true for the earlier tiers of the mythical skill connected to the Azarinth Star.

“I do not plan to murder anyone,” Aki said as he lead them through the city. “And please refrain from drawing any Hunter attention. There is a reason I requested a small group of trustworthy members of the Accords.”

“Right, right. Sorry. Lots of adrenaline today, and near death experiences. Just glad I made it through,” she said.

“I take it the battle was quite extensive?” Trian asked.

Kyrian chuckled.

“Quite,” Ilea said.

“I’m not sure any measurements you utter have meaning in the normal world,” Catelyn said.

“Says the talking fox,” Ilea said.

“Humans… there’s more than your own kind out there,” the fox replied.

Violence!

“Exactly,” Catelyn confirmed.

“Stop trying to destroy my eyes,” Ilea said to the Fae, its form shrouded within space.

“No, you may not destroy mine instead,” Trian murmured.

“He likes you,” Ilea said.

“Violence is male?” Kyrian asked.

“I don’t think the Baron has a gender, or cares about it overly much,” Ilea said.

“So you’re saying men are more violent?” Kyrian asked.

“Let me see if arcane healing can cure your injured masculinity,” Ilea said, extending her healing to the mind of her friend.

“I think I’ll survive,” the curse mage said.

Aki led them down a flight of broad stairs and towards what looked like a set of steel double doors. It reminded Ilea of a bunker entrance more than anything else. A green magical light turned on above the gates before the heavy steel started moving, a seam opening at the center.

“Here we are,” Aki said, the silver form of the Executioner moving inside.

Ilea followed with the others, entering a large dusty hall with crates stacked up all over the place. She glanced back to see the gates closing again, structural and privacy enchantments flaring up as the gates closed. Green light flickered on above, the storage facility reaching several hundred meters far.

“It’s not the Guild Hall, but I suppose we have some privacy in here,” Aki said. “And we won’t have to talk using our respective limited telepathy.”

“I don’t think the Hunters are all too interested in your secrets, green eyes,” Ilea said as she tried leaning against one of the crates. Well made but the creaking sounds made her hesitate. She chose a stone pillar instead.

Catelyn jumped onto a crate and curled up slightly, resting her head on her front paws.

The others remained standing.

“You have a lot of trust in beings you do not know. Isalthar is an honorable elf, and I trust those you have known for some time. There are others looking through Taleen records as we speak, some few even looking for loot. One of them is Feyrair. He doesn’t count,” Aki said.

“No he doesn’t,” Ilea said. “But fair enough. I don’t know all of them.”

“The Accords will have to consider dealing with the Hunters while they are here. Gathered, and ready to negotiate as a faction, if they can be called that. I do not know what they plan to do, but what I’m learning about elves is that they don’t exactly like staying in groups. If the Cerithil Hunters are to become allies, it should happen quickly,” Aki spoke.

“I’m not sure most humans are ready to accept any negotiation with elves,” Trian said.

“They will if the Accords stand behind it. If Lilith and the Sentinels stand behind it. I suggest an announcement after my reveal,” Aki said.

“Reveal?” Claire asked.

“Of course. I am an ally to the Accords, and I shall guard it. And I shall guard every settlement that requires it. Mana density in the Plains will not allow for prolonged Executioner or even Praetorian presence, but Guardians are more than enough for most areas. I will require access to modern maps, monster density, known dungeons, resources, and Taleen ruin accessibility, but after that I should be able to protect most of the Plains,” Aki spoke.

“The Plains… the entirety of it…” Claire murmured.

“What about Hallowfort?” Kyrian asked.

“The Meadow is more than enough for a single settlement. I will talk to the dwarves of the Pit, but I expect their interest to be low to non existent,” Aki spoke.

“And you just plan to send out... entire swarms of Guardians into the Plains? It’s going to be chaos,” Claire murmured.

“Once everyone is informed. Yes. Guardians are highly complex machines, capable of fulfilling more tasks than just fighting. It’s just what they’ve been doing for the past few millennia. They can hunt, build, fulfill simple errands, provide combat training, and most importantly, they can transport goods. With the existing teleportation network you managed to establish, and a few additional contracts, the efficiency of logistics within human settlements should increase ten fold. At least. And I would have eyes and ears in every settlement that accepts Guardian presence. I estimate it will take three admittedly chaotic weeks for most people to not only accept but welcome these once feared Guardians,” the Executioner explained.

“You’re a few steps ahead with your planning,” Claire murmured.

“Indeed. And I have only scratched the surface. The archive stored within the Sphere is extensive. There is so much knowledge here that could prove useful. The Taleen technology and rune work is… fascinating. Far more intricate than everything else at the time… and even now. Only the Ascended were ahead. We have a second teleportation network available with the one already set up by the Taleen, and production facilities strewn throughout the lands. The One without Form was a waste of potential,” he spoke.

“Eyes and ears? Do you mean you can see through every Guardian?” Trian asked.

“No. Only some higher leveled machines can be directly controlled. But Guardians can be used to specifically look for certain things, to observe and report. They are not comparable to experienced Awakened spies, scouts, or rangers, but there are a lot of them. And when I say a lot… I don’t think you understand the extent of these resources. The previous Guardian had complete control over the Taleen resources, perhaps at the height of their power, or a few decades after. And all it did was build more machines. Build machines and send them out to destroy elven kind,” Aki said.

“Lunacy,” Kyrian said.

The Executioner glanced his way. “It was made for that purpose after all. And it tried to fulfill said purpose. It will take weeks for me to look through the ruins, cities, and facilities left behind. Much of what the Taleen have built has been lost to monsters or Hunters, but they did build things to last.”

“This is going to be a lot of work,” Claire said. “And here I thought we could sit back and relax for a little while. Now that the gates are set up and the Accords are known.”

“A time of erratic change. When else is there a better time to introduce an alliance with an ancient elven Order?” Aki said.

“You are adamant that that’s a good idea in the first place. Why?” Claire asked.

“You have not seen them fight,” Aki said.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah. Some of them might be close to as strong as me.”

“Ilea is being Ilea. The point is that I wish to protect humanity. The Cerithil Hunters have fulfilled their purpose with me replacing the One without Form. They can become a reliable ally to the Accords, or they can become an unknown of single elves, cursed and hunted by their own kind. Now that the Taleen threat is gone, it’s uncertain how the Domains will react. The knowledge, experience, and sheer power of the Cerithil Hunters will be essential in an effective response.” Aki explained.

Chapter 782 Io

Chapter 782 Io

“What do they plan to do then? Now that their main task is fulfilled?” Trian asked.

The Executioner glanced his way, its green eyes glowing a little brighter. “They are talking about that as we speak. And I believe the Accords should be a part of that conversation.”

“It may mean war with the Domains,” Claire said.

“I don’t think something like that is really possible,” Ilea said. “Not after meeting an Oracle. War with the Monarchs, maybe. Even then I don’t think the different ones will stand together.”

“And yet the danger is not unsubstantial,” Aki said. “I understand your concerns, Claire. Even the One without Form did not consider any direct attacks on the Domains and its defenders as likely to succeed. Being part of the conversation however doesn’t mean participating in an all out war with elven kind. What we need is time. If the Cerithil Hunters act too quickly, they might overextend. If only due to their nature and arrogance.”

“Sounds like some of the previous Guardian is still in there,” Ilea said.

“You have charged in here with them. I include you in that statement, Ilea. The assault on Iz has only resulted in this outcome because you had collected all of the keys and somehow survived the unsurvivable. It would be an unimaginable loss if the Cerithil Hunters attacked a Domain and were killed in the process. They have had no allied factions throughout their fight, and it will be difficult to convince them to accept any. But if they are ever open to such a conversation, it is now. I understand what that means for many humans, dwarves, and even Dark Ones, but I believe it isn’t just worth it, it is a necessity,” Aki spoke.

“Can we talk to them and see where everyone stands?” Catelyn asked. “We cannot speak for all of the Accords but we do have a lot of influence. If we plan to convince the respective Councils and city leaders, we have to know more.”

“I’ll introduce you to Isalthar,” Ilea said.

“It would be a start,” Aki said.

“More and more things to consider,” Claire said, rubbing her most certainly headache free skull. It was likely one of the healthiest skulls and brains around. Full of healing magic.

“Indeed. And I understand that this is a lot to process. However without my own creation and Ilea’s ability to get me into the Sphere we wouldn’t be here at all. These are all great opportunities,” Aki said.

“Of course. If you really have full control of all these machines and facilities, we’ll be able to achieve… I don’t even know where to start these considerations,” Claire said.

“I’m working on it,” Aki said before the machine chuckled. “But yes. The potential is enormous. Speaking of opportunities and potential. There is something else.”

Claire just sighed.

“Don’t act so mysterious, green eyes,” Ilea said, watching the lithe silver killing machine.

“Hypocrite,” Aki said.

“I’m human. Fallible. Weak flesh, and all,” Ilea said and winked.

“Understandable.” The machine winked back. “Enough time invested in humor. Ilea, you know about the core directive, and you tried to remove it. However destroying the Elves was only one of the directives. The other main one was the protection of the Taleen.”

“Doesn’t sound like the One without Form did a particularly good job with either,” Ilea said. “I’ve only met one surviving Taleen dwarf.”

“Well that is the thing. I’d argue it did a better job on that directive, though its interpretation is… questionable. Perhaps malicious, but it’s impossible for me to decipher how the One without Form developed in the past millennia, if it changed at all. It was highly complex, though artificial instead of something more akin to a copy. Perhaps it was the first of its kind… and the last,” Aki spoke.

“A better job?” Catelyn asked.

“Yes. To protect the Taleen, they were taken to a newly built facility deeper below ground than even Iz. Protected… so to say, by the very machines they had created,” Aki explained. “They remain there to this day.”

“Wait… what do you mean?” Ilea asked. “Remain. It’s been thousands of years.”

“And for thousands of years they have lived, built, educated, reproduced, and survived. Within what they came to call the city of Io. Under heavy surveillance and… security of Guardians. They remained protected, the core directive fulfilled to the very end,” the Executioner explained.

“That’s insanity,” Kyrian spoke.

“They wouldn’t have let that happen. The most powerful dwarves and most innovative minds? They would have resisted,” Claire said.

“And resist they did. The core directives prevail over single Taleen deaths. And so they were fought and killed. Those who were considered a danger to the core directives were executed, even if they did not resist at first. I could tell you the specific numbers of deaths, even the names of everyone killed, but I don’t see how that is beneficial in any way. More importantly, there are currently three hundred seventy three thousand five hundred and twenty eight dwarves living in Io. The entirety of the Taleen peoples, minus Gretmoor Valarian, the one now living in Hallowfort. Of course there is a possibility of others having survived outside of the influence of the One without Form, however it tried to fulfill that directive with the same fervor as it did trying to destroy Elven kind,” Aki explained.

Ilea whistled. “Now that’s fucked up.”

“Nearly four hundred thousand people,” Claire murmured.

“Indeed. And another potential ally. Ilea I know you don’t exactly like it but your actions did free an entire peoples. While I suggest the present members of the Accords should talk to the Cerithil Hunters, I think it best for Ilea to go to Io,” Aki said. “You do have a tendency to somehow befriend everyone you find.”

“Not everyone,” Ilea said, crossing her arms.

“Not everyone. Will you assist me anyway? I don’t think it should be the very machines that oppressed them to inform them of their freedom,” Aki spoke.

Ilea sighed. “Sure. I’m dodging every other responsibility after all.”

“Any other big reveals?” Train asked, looking at the machine with a smile on his face.

“Nothing that is relevant right now,” Aki said. “If you are in agreement with my assessments, we shouldn’t waste anymore time. Every minute could mean a major shift in potential outcomes.”

“No wonder you’re so stressed out if you constantly think about all the potential outcomes,” Ilea said before she stretched her arms. “So, Violence, ready to see the hidden city of Io? Or prison I suppose.”

Violence!

“Well let’s hope there isn’t much of that there,” Ilea said.

“They had quite a lot of freedoms. The One without Form came to the conclusion that total oppression could lead to a total rebellion, which in turn could endanger the core directive,” Aki explained.

“I don’t suppose the dwarves just accepted all of that for thousands of years,” Ilea said.

“No. In this past year there have been eighty six executions and six hundred twenty five prison sentences,” Aki answered.

“And you really think it should be me? Not someone like the Meadow? Claire? Catelyn? Sulivhaan?” Ilea asked. “Or even Alyris?”

“You freed them. And you want to see them free. Or am I wrong in those assumptions?” Aki asked.

“No of course I want them to be freed,” Ilea said.

“And while you are an important figure in many organizations and structures, you do not see them as a potential asset to exploit. That I believe is why you are the best choice to explain their new circumstances,” Aki said.

“Aren’t you considering them an asset to exploit? With all these considerations?” Ilea asked.

The Executioner’s eyes glowed a little brighter. “If you look at it in a cynical manner. Maybe. My goal is to protect the Accords and its allies. You suggested the name Guardian of Cerith. The Taleen are a part of that, and I believe there is potential for civil war, conflicts of them trying to retake their cities, conflicts with elven kind, conflicts with humanity, and the Accords. None of that would be beneficial to anyone. That is what I believe. And I believe Lilith is the best choice of a first contact with a peoples that has not seen anyone but their own in nearly three thousand years.”

Ilea grinned. “Primordial Arbiter and all.”

The Baron chuckled.

Friend!

“Yeah. Let’s hope they don’t try to catch and imprison you immediately,” she said to the little Fae.

“There shouldn’t be anyone there that you can’t easily defeat,” Kyrian said.

“Right,” Trian said. “Otherwise they would’ve long freed themselves.”

“They will ask for their cities and machines back,” Claire said.

“And they shall find shelter in what they had once built. However they have proven inadequate to wield this power. I shall remain the Guardian of Iz, if anything to prevent another three thousand years of conflict and imprisonment.”

“I doubt they’ll be happy when they learn about that,” Claire said.

“Better than the One without Form,” Ilea said. “They can do whatever they want now. Why cling to this old power? After all this time?”

“Power is desirable, and they know what the Sphere is, what it controls,” Claire said. “This won’t be easy.”

“No. It won’t. And a large scale conflict might just be inevitable, but I do not wish to slaughter an entire city of thinking beings in a mere preventive motion,” Aki said.

“That’s a lot of responsibility you’re putting on my shoulders,” Ilea said.

My

Shoulder

“Yes, Violence. You know what I meant,” she murmured.

“I cannot force you, Ilea, nor would I if I could,” Aki said. “But I do believe you are the best choice.”

Ilea interlinked her fingers and cracked them. “Yeah. Alright. I mean it’s not like I haven’t talked to Queens and Empresses before. Plus you’re there if I’m behaving exceptionally offensive. So… is there a gate that leads there?”

“There is. One that has been inactive for a long time,” Aki said. “It is now connected once more to the network.”

“Then let’s go. Can you lead me to the closest gate?” Ilea asked.

“Good luck,” Trian said.

“Yeah you too. The Hunters can be a pain in the ass. Call for me if they attack you for some reason,” she said.

“They won’t,” Kyrian said, his green runes slightly glowing.

“No. They won’t,” Aki confirmed, green eyes glowing in turn.

Did they just become best friends? Ilea smiled and left through the opening gates, an Executioner leading her to a nearby teleportation gate.

The platform activated as she closed in.

“The destination is set,” the Executioner said. “Enjoy the city. It’s certainly… something to behold.”

“You’re funny. Who exactly do I talk to once I’m there?” Ilea asked.

“The governmental body is at the very bottom,” Aki said.

“Great. I’ll see you there. Don’t take over the world while I’m away,” she said.

“I will first have to fight and defeat the Meadow,” Aki replied.

“Yeah. Good luck with that,” Ilea said and activated the gate.

The space magic took hold as she deactivated her resistance, the spell somewhat similar to the one their own gates produced. Ilea appeared in a somewhat spacious hall, two dozen silver machines standing near the walls, each one looking her way. Green light shined on from above, the walls, floor, and ceiling made of metal.

“Welcome to Io,” one of the machines said. “Now that you’ve arrived, I’ll be removing the Guardians from the city. The prisoners are being freed as I speak. A few Executioners will remain here, in case my communication is asked for or required.”

“Great. Thanks. I’ll call for you if I need anything,” Ilea said as she watched the large metal gate open up. Dozens of enchantments fizzled out when the steel parted, machines already moving into the room in sync. She spread her wings and flew over them, seeing Praetorians as well as Destroyers moving past, coming from a broad stairwell leading down. She could see dozens of traps within the walls, each one deactivated. The underground corridor was lit by the same green light, another set of metal gates at the end of it all.

According to her marks, she was somewhere in the North. Pretty far east but still quite a way’s off from the Naraza mountain chain and Hallowfort both. One thing was clear however. She was deep underground. Farther maybe than she had ever been.

And they built a city here?

She had her mantle and wings active, flying past the hundreds of machines that spilled into the corridor from below. Ilea turned to look at the masses, soon passing two more steel gates, all open now. And finally, she could see it. The light at the end of the corridor. Not green like everything around her but a warm orange. Then red, yellow, blue, and a dozen other colors, all intermingling until she flew out into the open. She slowed down, a Destroyer flying up and past her, then another three.

She was hovering over a circular Descent much like the Centurion facility she had visited with Elfie. Even with her enhanced eyes she could not make out the bottom. Every twenty meters down there was another floor, bustling with color and life. Shops and houses had been built onto the metal railings, magical lights of every color decorating the gaps between buildings. Enchantments flared with magic as they gave life to growing plants, many of them lush with fruits, oranges, blueberries, even something that looked like pineapple. She saw trees growing out towards the central open space of the city, roots clinging to the steel.

Platforms had been added, bridges of every kind of material connecting the layers or simply reaching to the other side. There were flying machines delivering parcels, others moving people. She saw a group of young dwarven kids use hooks to slide down a set of metal wires, sparks flying out around every ten meters. Hundreds were rushing to the center to see the Destroyers and Executioners fly or run up towards the top floor of the city. Ilea could see the confusion in their eyes. Fear, hope, and curiosity. She even saw plenty of dwarves returning to their own business.

This doesn’t exactly look like a prison, she thought as she moved her wings, flying downwards. A lot of eyes were on her as she passed the first layer. She waved, some of the younger dwarves mimicking the gesture.

Every layer had buildings reaching from the metal ground to the metal ceiling, tight alleys leaving just enough room for perhaps two dwarves to walk past alongside each other. There were balconies on many of the houses, some close enough to touch the ones on the other side. Enchantments were everywhere, the glow of magic downright overwhelming within Ilea’s dominion, even as she flew down the center where there were only bridges, wires, and the occasional platform reaching out into the open space.

“Who are you?” someone shouted.

“What are the Guardians doing?” another added but she was already past their level. More shouts came now as the people got over their initial shock of the changes. Some rushed to their houses, others up and towards where the machines were going, more yet went down and tried to follow the winged ashen being going down the center.

Ilea felt like a harbinger of some kind, her wings moving slowly as she descended. A Destroyer flew around her in an effort to avoid a collision. She saw Guardians and Centurions move through the layers as she passed, large metal stairwells occupied entirely by the machines. So far she saw no end to the torrent of Guardians. Hundreds of eyes were on her, some bolder individuals using the wires to follow her down, others using a flying machine or their own magic. The latter were rare.

Maybe not a skill the One without Form allowed? Or were most higher level dwarves who could fly killed due to the danger they posed to the machine?

Ilea came face to face with a young dwarf, the dark skinned girl looking at her with deep green eyes whilst sitting on a floating bowl like machine.

“Those are very nice wings,” the Taleen girl said in common.

Ilea smiled. “Thank you. I like the flying machine.”

The girl smiled brightly. “I made it myself!”

“Herin get back here!” someone shouted from the layer above.

“I have to go. See you!” the girl said and floated upwards.

“Sure,” Ilea said with a smile.

The food smells fucking nice. Strange spices, she observed on her descent, picking up speed now as she still failed to see the bottom. Ilea noted that the layers were more packed as she got deeper, fewer lights and more buildings, more platforms reaching out towards the center with homes on them as well, many were supported by more structures farther down.

It took her nearly twenty minutes to reach the bottom, in the end flying quite quickly. Still there were machines moving upwards, up until the last few hundred meters where the Guardians seemed to have already vacated the area entirely. There was no big square at the bottom but what she did see was a building that seemed at least partially inspired by the Guild hall Aki had invited the Hunters into back in Iz. A few dozen dwarves were watching her arrive, standing outside or looking out from windows and balconies.

I guess this is the place, she thought and landed a few meters away from the closest group, her wings dissolving as she waved. “Hey. Nice to meet you all.”

Violence! the Baron greeted, the Fae now sitting on her shoulder.

“No. No violence,” she said and flicked the little creature’s skull.

Chapter 783 Talks

A note from Rhaegar

Check out Breaker of Horizons (Monster evo with cultivation) :): https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/43958/breaker-of-horizons

Chapter 783 Talks

Ilea decided to move her mantle out of her face at least. She already had enough people thinking she was some kind of ashen god being. Rocking up in an isolated Taleen city with a Fae on her shoulder and ashen wings on her back probably wasn’t the first impression she wanted to put forth.

Then again, I should probably not try to come off as some random adventurer either. But isn’t that what I am?

She assumed the wanderer title would be received in a somewhat neutral manner at least. Ilea decided not to activate Monstrous. Three marks would mean she was at least worth talking to, no matter how casual she behaved. She stopped in the middle of the small square and watched how the dwarves would react.

A group of them walked forward and down a broad flight of stairs, the leading three a history of generations. First a young dwarf with short black hair and a clean shaven face. She had a neutral expression on her face, green eyes taking her in. She was the tallest of them at around one meter forty, her shoulders broad with defined muscles visible on her bare arms. She wore a dark metal chest piece that had a slight blue sheen to it, dozens of runes etched into it in barely recognizable enchantments.

The middle one was slightly smaller but quite a bit broader, the dwarf wearing silver plate armor with a large hammer strapped to his back. His brown hair was long and braided, the braids in his even longer beard quite a bit more intricate however. He glanced at Ilea before looking up, a slight frown on his face.

The last one of the three had a gray beard braided into something that may or may not be alive itself. Ilea assumed he would get a title for that if he ever unlocked those. The hair on his head was full, gray in color too, thick eyebrows adding to the already shrouded and wrinkled face below, two black eyes taking her in.

[Machine Engineer – lvl 215]

[Paladin – lvl 228]

[Machine Engineer – lvl 262]

I suppose I might’ve gone overboard with the three marks, Ilea thought as she watched the others approach, an assortment of somewhat strange classes. Smiths, hammer masters, cooks, various mages, and enchanters.

“In the name of the Guild of the Makers, I greet you, Wanderer,” the gray haired dwarf spoke.

“We would prefer no Violence too,” the youngest one said, glancing at the Fae with slight interest.

The middle one wanted to say something when a sharp gesture from the gray haired one interrupted him. Another frown, but he did not speak.

“I’m Lilith. And I suppose you are the leaders of the Taleen?” she asked.

“What is your purpose here?” the middle one now said, to the obvious displeasure of the gray haired one. His voice didn’t sound hostile but similar to how a guard might address an unknown intruder to their town.

I guess they would be a little on edge, hmm. “My purpose. To meet the Taleen, I suppose. I don’t know if you noticed, but you weren’t really around up there for a few thousand years.”

The youngest looking one smiled.

“I am Ormont, Guild of the Makers, of the Taleen. May we ask what is happening to Io and its protectors?” the oldest one spoke.

Ilea could tell he was considering his words carefully, if only by his heartbeat, the tension in his muscles, and the intense look in his eyes. “I suppose. Are you familiar with the One without Form?” She sensed the reaction. Not on the old dwarf’s face but through everything else. He knew the name. As did the others. Very different reactions. Interesting.

The Fae giggled.

“We are familiar with the Guardian of the Taleen, yes,” Ormont spoke. Again his words were slow and deliberate.

“Guardian? Well… I suppose, kind of. You weren’t allowed to leave… as far as I understand?” Ilea said. Again, she noted the differing reactions. Oh this will be quite a bit more chaotic than Aki assumed. She smiled.

The young one now outright grinned, raising her brows as she glanced away from the Paladin.

“We remain here, protected by the One without Form, until the holy purpose is fulfilled,” the middle one said.

“Holy purpose being the slaughter of young Elves and everyone else that might go against the core directives?” Ilea asked. She heard him grind his teeth, but he was smart enough not to say or do anything else. If only because of her obvious power.

“Then, have the core directives been fulfilled or changed?” Ormont asked. His voice was almost shaking, though barely recognizably.

“The One without Form has been relieved of its position as the Guardian of Iz. You are free to do what you like, but there are plenty of options me or various allies could provide. If you’re willing to have a conversation,” Ilea said.

“Relieved… this is… nonsense. The Guardian will remain, until the holy purpose is fulfilled,” the Paladin spoke, his eyes glancing between Ilea and some of the other dwarves. There were a few in the back with similarly confused reactions. Some seemed relieved.

“Do you have proof of those words?” Ormont asked.

Ilea summoned a few of the keys and made them float in a circle before she put them back into her domain. “Is that proof enough? Or do you need to see all twelve of them?” She didn’t want to get Aki involved just yet.

“The keys…” the old dwarf murmured. “What… Wanderer, do you… and the new Guardian plan to do with Io and our people?”

Ilea felt genuine concern in his demeanor. The emotion was barely hidden now, the dwarf wrestling with various at the moment. “I’ll be honest, I learned about half an hour ago that the Taleen were still around. Io is your city of course. And otherwise I’m not sure. You can probably do whatever you want… of course I wouldn’t suggest going on an instant invasion or something.”

“That… you didn’t even know,” Ormont said. “We do not plan an invasion or any hostile actions towards you, the new Guardian, or any faction associated with either. I call for a vote of the Guilds. Raise your hand if in favor.”

Most of the present dwarves raised their hands.

“Forty three in favor,” one of them said aloud.

Ilea noted that there weren’t that many people present. She assumed some of them had different amounts of votes, though she didn’t know the total.

“The motion is passed,” Ormont spoke.

“This is unacceptable,” the Paladin spoke. “We cannot make such a decision with so little information. She is a human, talking about replacing the Guardian of our kind!”

“Watch your words, Joori,” Ormont hissed, anger and frustration quite obvious. A plead too perhaps.

“I’m happy to provide more information. Maybe in a more comfortable setting? I can see some of you are cooks,” Ilea said, nodding to a few people standing on the far back.

They seemed a little confused, one of them bowing lightly.

“The Guild of Cooks is honored to provide a feast for the Wanderer,” one of them spoke, a gray haired dwarf wearing an enchanted black apron. He smiled.

Ilea raised her brows, seeing the reaction from some of the others. Not used to having the cook speak up in this kind of setting? Well I suppose they didn’t have this kind of setting in a long while. Not that most of them look a day over three centuries.

“I’m always up for a feast. And I did smell some very interesting spices whilst flying down here. How’s your brewing?” Ilea asked.

“The finest in all of Elos,” the same dwarf said with perfect confidence.

Ilea grinned. “Sure. I’ll be happy to try. Feel free to add some poison if you want to spice things up.”

“I… am not too familiar with that kind of cooking, I’m afraid. But maybe we can try. An interesting challenge,” the dwarf murmured and tapped the dwarf standing next to him, starting to whisper something.

“There will be no poison in any food,” Ormont spoke, slight confusion in his words as he looked at Ilea. “Except of course, you specifically… request it.”

“It’s fine. I’m happy with any food,” Ilea said.

Weird, the Fae sent.

“What do you mean weird? You don’t even eat or understand the concept of food.”

Understand

Weird

“Shut it or there will be some violence after all,” Ilea sent, schooling her face when she noticed some of the dwarves staring at her with uncertainty.

Try

Ilea ignored the provocations. For now. She turned to the Fae and squinted her eyes.

“Then we shall welcome you in our Guild Hall. As the first guest in a long time,” Ormont spoke. He gestured towards the entrance, the gathered dwarves splitting to either side of the stairwell to let them through.

“You were certainly busy,” she said as she followed them, noting the Paladin and a few others choosing to walk beside or behind her. She smiled at that. Ilea knew she could wipe them all out in mere seconds. And she knew they knew. Certainly a way to push negotiations forward.

“Io… has changed, from the time of its inception. Yes,” Ormont said.

“It looks like a Centurion manufacturing plant I’ve seen before. Is that a common design?” she asked.

He glanced at her, Ilea noting the various reactions at her mentions. “A good eye. Though it was not a common design, no. Perhaps the One without Form chose to make it one.”

“Maybe. You’ve been around since before all this happened then?” Ilea asked.

The old dwarf nodded ever so slightly, though he averted his eyes as he walked up the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” she sent to his mind, seeing him tense up slightly though he didn’t speak up. “I’m not sorry for some of the things your people have done. And the things your decisions have led to. But I’m sorry for what happened here.”

“Our failures are our own to bear,” the dwarf sent back as they opened the door.

The inside of the building was far more spacious than Ilea had initially thought, her dominion unable to pierce through the walls, pretty much every room heavily enchanted. Lamps of warm yellow light shined on from various strange designs. Enchanted blown glass, some of them resembling animals and monsters. The walls and floor were stone, though there were a few paintings displayed. Dwarfs standing with their Guardians and scenes of war.

Ilea stopped next to a large painting, ignoring the tense murmurs between the dwarves that walked ahead and behind.

The young dwarf that had stood at the front with Ormont and Joori walked over to her. “An alliance, struck between our kind and humans like yourself,” she said with a smile.

Ilea recognized the landscape, recognized the monsters. She saw the Praetorians, in the midst of battle. She saw the blue robes and smiled, a part of the painting depicting someone in close quarters combat. Using their fists. It was quite a piece of art, several meters in length.

“The Azarinth,” she said, noting the reaction in the people that heard her.

The dwarf looked at her. “Yes. Are you familiar with them?”

“A very safe question,” Ilea murmured. “They’re not exactly around anymore. The war in Kohr apparently weakened them enough for other factions to wipe them out. I hear they weren’t exactly liked,” she said with an exaggerated smile.

“I… yes. Indeed, though their power was well known,” the dwarf said. “I’m Hatta, of the Makers. It would have been rude to interrupt with a personal introduction.”

“That is fine,” Ilea said, noting that the entire committee of dwarves had stopped, now waiting. She gave the painting a last glance and moved on, establishing a telepathic connection with the dwarf. “Hatta. I do wonder where the Elves are in that depiction. I believe you were not the only ones to have fought the Ascended. Or am I remembering wrong.”

The dwarf gulped. “I… have heard of telepathy. Lilith, those words. Do not speak them lightly. There are those who would not like these truths to be known. I am… impressed, that you know of Kohr at all, though I do not know what has happened outside of Io since that time has passed.”

“You were there too then?” Ilea asked. She saw the hint of a smile.

“And here I thought I looked my age. No. But there were those who remembered. Some still do, and others choose to believe the lies of our Jailer,” Hatta spoke. Her heartbeat picked up as she spoke. She glanced towards a few of the other dwarves. “Is it true then? Are we free?”

“As far as I know. But it’s all very recent. I came here as soon as the new Guardian informed us about your existence,” Ilea sent.

“Why were you chosen?” Hatta asked. “You do not strike me as a conqueror, or a diplomat. Though you are powerful… beyond anything I have seen. Perhaps you could even face an Executioner.”

Ilea grinned. “Maybe because I’m the kind of person who has telepathic conversations about a painting, instead of whatever a diplomat would do in this scenario.”

Hatta chuckled to herself. “I’m very interested who those allies of yours are. And why they would take such incomprehensible risks.”

Ilea left it at that, following through the corridor and into a rather large circular hall. The ceiling was a painted dome, dozens of enchantments providing lighting to the hall that reminded her of a comfortable summer day. And here I thought they’d prefer the green lamps they used everywhere else. Or did they choose the different colors as some way to rebel?

Everyone took their seats around the circular space, four stairwells leading down to the round space at the center. It looked a little like the Forged Dome, just a lot smaller. Ilea supposed the battlefield in this case was meant to be one for words and not war machines.

Suppose I could be wrong, she thought with a smile, following Ormont.

He gestured for her to join the three Makers at the bottom.

“Don’t think they really got what I meant with more comfortable,” she sent to the Fae, the little creature climbing down from her shoulder and jumping into the hand she held out for it.

“Serious”

“Powerful”

“Civilizations”

Ilea could feel the quotation marks, the Fae’s mockery translated into her mind without trouble. “True. They don’t understand the beauty of popping someone’s eyes. Or being melted.”

Violence, the Fae sent and nodded in a sagely manner.

I guess we can talk here for a while until we move on to food. Maybe I should’ve gotten some take away on the way down. Hmm. Do they still use gold as currency? Oh shit, I basically jump started all of Claire’s investments with their money. Oh well. Not like they were doing anything with it.

“Lilith. First and foremost, I think everyone here would like to learn who exactly you represent,” Ormont spoke.

“Right. Well, most of them you wouldn’t know. Because they didn’t exist in your time. You know of Ravenhall and the Shadow’s Hand?” she asked.

“Ravenhall, yes. The Shadows… of Eregar?” he said.

“Yes. I don’t know what they were thousands of years ago but now they’re just a mercenary organization, dealing with monsters and the like. I formed a Healing organization recently too, based in Ravenhall. The Medic Sentinel Corps. Ravenhall, the Sentinels, and the Shadow’s Hand are part of a larger alliance between a variety of independent cities and peoples. Humans, dwarves, and Dark Ones. What we call the Meadow Accords. I suppose the new Guardian of Iz, is part of those Accords too now,” she explained.

“Can you speak for them?” Ormont asked.

The Paladin squinted.

“No. But I have a vote. And I’ll be the first one to tell them what I learned in Io,” she said.

“Any further questions on representation?” Ormont asked into the hall.

Joori cleared his throat. “Are there any elves in these… Accords?”

Ilea glanced at him and smiled. “Not yet. Diplomacy with elves isn’t exactly easy. And they don’t think too highly of humanity.”

He frowned but gave her a nod.

“You would consider relations with elves however?” another dwarf asked.

“This is not a question in relation to representation,” Ormont interrupted. “Now. Would it be possible for you to recount the events that lead to your… relieving of the One without Form?”

Now this one might be tricky. Oh well. If I withhold too much here, they’ll freak out later. Might as well go and see what happens.

“Sure. I’ll have to expand a bit on that though, if you haven’t learned much about the outside world?” she said.

“We have received reports from the One without Form,” Ormont said, giving her a meaningful look.

“Right. So I suppose it’s my word against its,” she said and shrugged. “The first time I met an elf… they attacked Riverwatch, a western independent city of mostly humans. I just barely escaped a massacre, and learned then that they don’t enter any dungeons for whatever reason. Now… the One without form had the directive to wipe out all of elven kind.”

“That is not what the Holy purpose was. It was to end the war,” the Paladin spoke.

“Well that is what the One without Form told me. I don’t really care,” Ilea said. “What it did essentially is use a shit ton of resources to build machines and hunt elves. Because you didn’t populate your cities anymore, many turned into dungeons. Now as elves can’t enter dungeons, that proved a bit of a problem for those of them that wanted to fight, seeing many of their young die to the machines you left behind. Long story short, I met one of those elves. Not yet fully convinced, but later deciding to join the Cerithil Hunters. A group of exiles, declared as cursed and hunted by their own kind. All in an effort to end the ancient war the One without Form kept on fighting,” she explained, gauging their reactions.

Some annoyance, a few seem angry, but it seems like most of them don’t really care too much about elves. I suppose it’s hard to stay angry for so many centuries. Or the One without Form was just shit at propaganda. Not that that would be a massive surprise.

Chapter 784 Conflict

A note from Rhaegar

I'll be on vacation next week so no chapters until the 21st or so.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter 784 Conflict

Ilea recounted some of her meetings with the Cerithil Hunters, and explained their goals. “I came across one of the Keys in my travels. With various enchantments we could track the others. It took some time to collect them but in the end it worked out. To the extent where the One without Form prevented teleportation to Iz, and sent machines to attack human settlements.”

“You used our teleportation network?” one of the dwarves asked. He looked just as old as Ormont, though with a considerably more chaotic beard.

“I know some very powerful space mages,” Ilea said, patting the Fae’s head.

The dwarf glanced down at the creature, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

“Which means you changed the directives? Or turned off the Sphere?” Ormont asked.

Quite knowledgeable. “I tried to remove the directives, yes. But the One without Form argued that would go against the directives.”

He grinned. “Yes. Of course it would,” he shook his head lightly.

“You were right,” another gray haired dwarf said and chuckled. “After all this time.”

“You cannot seriously consider her words the truth?” another old dwarf spat, his grimace furious for a mere second before he managed to control himself. His gray beard looked smooth, longer than what everyone else wore.

“Why not? The machines are gone. You have seen them leave,” the other one said. “And you have seen the keys. You have always been stubborn, Gorn. Our thoughts no longer have to stay hidden. I shut my mouth for thousands of years, and now I can say it. You were wrong. The One without Form was a mistake. And it would have been our last one if it weren’t for these brave elves and this human!”

Several people drew their weapons, a few spells flaring up at the same time.

Ilea teleported the projectiles and weapons into a nearby wall without a comment.

“Enough!” Ormont bellowed. “Is this how we are to behave! We are the Guilds of Io, the remnants of the Taleen.” His words were harsh, each one spoken with conviction. “We have brought enough shame upon ourselves. And we have remained. We have fought, have survived, and we have waited. It is now that we shall stand together, and move forward with this change. Be it Henel, fate, or mere probability, but the One without Form is gone. The machines have retreated from our city.”

“We stand defenseless,” Joori said.

“We did not stand. We knelt,” Ormont spoke, his voice a thunder now. “Do not speak to me, boy. You were not yet born when our people ruled the mountains of these lands, when we were feared, when we-” he broke off. And looked at Ilea. His eyes were tired.

“No, go on, that was cool,” she said.

“How is it…” the choatic beard dwarf started. “How is it you removed the Guardian? If the keys did not allow you to change the directives.”

“I opened up the sphere, and went inside,” Ilea said with a smile. She could see some of the dwarves tense up, only a few of the really old ones.

“Y… you said… the assault happened… today,” the dwarf said, stuttering lightly.

“Yes,” Ilea said.

“But… the heat. Even our tests we… no… I need my research. A nonsense, it’s all in Iz!” he stood up and sat down again.

“You went inside the Sphere using the emergency access?” another dwarf asked.

“I told you she lied,” Gorn said.

“I’m happy to have a conversation. But I won’t stand here while you call me a liar,” Ilea said, enhancing the last word with Monster Hunter, the fires of creation flaring up for a few seconds as many of the dwarves sat frozen. Not the one she addressed, but she didn’t mind. She could tell he knew what the flames meant. It seemed many ancient beings did.

Violence, the Baron said and nodded happily.

“She’s standing there with a Fae in her hand. I suppose it’s possible,” Borin said. “I would very much like to see that however. May I ask you to repeat that while we watch from a distance?”

Ilea shook her head. “Absolutely not. My teeth melted.”

Some of the people averted their eyes.

“Worse than dragonfire,” she said.

A wave of murmurs went through the Guild representatives.

Bragging, the Baron sent.

“A little,” Ilea sent back.

“So let us assume, you truly went into the sphere,” Ormont spoke. He was back to being somewhat calm, taking a few steps towards her.

Joori seemed a little more mellow now. He had been frozen by her call.

“How did you replace the Guardian? As far as I understand, the One without Form is integrated into the control room,” Ormont said.

“I won’t tell you that,” Ilea said. “Just in case you want to reverse it.”

“Any controller directly inserted would work,” Borin said.

“There is nothing complex enough to overtake the One without Form,” another said.

A few of the dwarves glanced at each other.

“There is. There are. Plenty of prototypes existed, and more could have been made in the time between then and now,” Ormont spoke. “It is truth I have not spoken since we were forced to hide in this city, but the One without Form was only one option.”

“The best option we had,” Borin said in a thoughtful manner. “As much as it annoys me to admit that.”

Gorn grunted. A small victory for the other dwarf.

Jesus fuck how long are these guys going to hold grudges?

“Why was it such a rush anyway?” Ilea asked.

Ormont glanced at some of the other old dwarves. He sighed and looked at her. “There were… Monarchs. Hunting for what we had found in Kohr. A mere accident. They should have never known.”

“They wanted it?” Ilea asked. She could tell plenty of the present people didn’t know what exactly they were talking about.

“I did not know their motives, nor do I now. However… that power. I do not know what being could resist its allure,” Ormont said. “Does the sphere remain guarded?”

Ilea smiled at him. “The Sphere Guardians are still around. As am I,” she said and gave him a long look.

He nodded slowly. “That is… good. I suppose.” He opened his mouth ever so slightly but closed it again.

“The Cerithil Hunters, as you called them. What claims did they bring forth? What have they mentioned of our kind?” Ormont asked.

“I don’t know. I think the purpose they shared is fulfilled now. If you’re scared if some of them will come to hunt you down… well, I can see that happening. You are in fact responsible for this whole shit. There were deaths in Riverwatch too, you know? But I’m not sure how much responsibility you really carry for that after thousands of years,” she said. Being basically imprisoned. Shown the failure of your creation. Every. Single. Day.

Ilea knew these had once been powerful dwarves. Tyrants maybe, benevolent rulers, creators. But whatever they once were, what she saw was a group of survivors. A group of prisoners. It was difficult for her to associate them with the actions of the One without Form.

Ormont raised his chin. “We were at war. Thousands were killed every week. Entire cities slaughtered. For nothing but bloodlust and sick joy. Uncaring killing and greed.” He paused and shook his head. “Ash now. Thousands of years past. It was our greed that led to it all. It was our failure… as makers. I have lived with that knowledge. With that shame. And yet I will not forget the dead. Should you wish to judge me, I will be found guilty. And yet still I will fight, for Io, and for our people. For them I prevailed. And I will continue to do so, until I am struck down. By you. By an elf, or by the very Guardian of Iz.”

Ilea locked eyes with him for a few seconds. Nobody else made a sound as he took in rasping breaths. “Well. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. You had a long time to consider the things you did. And I suppose you all have a chance now. To rebuild. How exactly that will look like… I think is mostly up to you.”

“I assume you lay claim to Iz, the Guardian, and everything we built?” Ormont asked, his breathing still somewhat heavy.

Ilea shrugged. “The Guardian lays claim to himself. The rest, I think is up for discussion.”

“Very well. And we shall discuss. I call a vote of the Guilds, to enter talks with the Meadow Accords. In an effort to create favorable terms for the security of Io and its people,” Ormont spoke.

Hands were raised before someone spoke out. “All votes in favor.”

“The motion is passed,” Ormont spoke. He tapped his head while looking at her.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Lilith. Should the Cerithil Hunters claim their revenge. I merely ask of you to tell us. So that we may fight. Little of our strength remains. Their victory is certain. But I cannot bear the thought of an unhindered slaughter, after all this time. The least I wish for is to die with my hammer in hand,” he said, raising his chin as he looked up to meet her eyes.

“Ormont. I don’t like what you did. I don’t like what the One without Form did. But if an elf reaches this city in an effort to kill innocent people born and raised in Io, I will put them down myself,” Ilea sent.

He looked at her for a few more seconds and nodded ever so slightly. “I thought them foolish. To send someone like you. I was wrong.”

“Way to insult me,” Ilea sent and smiled.

He looked at her and started chuckling, everyone else looking on in confusion.

“She has telepathy,” Ormont said.

“Well that just takes the fun out of it,” Ilea sent to everyone.

Violence! the Fae sent. Apparently to everyone as well.

“Right. I was promised a feast at some point,” she said.

“Of course,” Ormont said and gestured towards one of the doors. “We will feast. To celebrate this day of change. Be it for the better.”

I do hope so, Ilea thought as she joined the dwarves. There’s a lot of conflict potential. Aki was right. Let’s hope they prioritize the safety of their people. And let’s hope Aki can protect himself against any attempts to overthrow him in the future.

Then again I have the keys. And they’d have to wait decades to get in even if they had them. If they can’t get someone as resilient as me to do it. Aki is the least of my concerns.

She sighed.

“Exhausted?” Hatta asked as she joined her, the two entering a long hall illuminated with warm light. Stone chairs and a stone table stood at the center, everything prepared, a team of cooks waiting.

Ilea looked up at the lights before taking a random seat. “Yes, honestly.” She leaned back and rested her head on her fist. “What is it now?” she asked, looking at the woman.

“It… its fine,” Hatta said and sat down next to her. “I guess we should be flexible enough to have our seating order rearranged. Especially now that more guests will surely join us.” She made sure the nearby dwarves heard her.

“I took someone’s chair?” she asked.

“You really are not a diplomat,” Hatta said.

“No,” Ilea confirmed. “I can move somewhere else.”

“It’s fine. You sat down. You shall remain,” the Maker said.

“On another note, why stone? Nearly everything. In every Taleen place I came across,” Ilea said.

“It’s around. It’s durable. A little uncomfortable,” Hatta said.

“A little,” Ilea murmured, ash flowing down to create a comfortable cushion. “Why then?”

“Getting too comfortable leads to stagnation,” Hatta said. “It is the death of a civilization.”

“Should be the goal instead,” Ilea said.

“An interesting question. Subjective I suppose, to the person asking,” Hatta said. “But you did not come to that kind of power with being comfortable.”

“I’m often comfortable. I just happen to enjoy killing monsters. Incomprehensible ones that destroy your mind before you even reach them,” Ilea said.

The woman nodded. “I can imagine.”

Ilea looked at her for a few seconds. “No. I don’t think you can.”

Hatta considered and smiled. “Fair. Maybe I can’t.”

The cooks got to work now that everyone was seated, distributing plates of steaming food. Ilea was surprised to find the first dish already quite varied. Various roots and vegetables mixed with mushrooms and a brown sauce that smelled both earthy and spicy.

“I don’t suppose you have a lot of meat here?” she asked.

“No,” Hatta said and smiled. “But our diet is variable enough. Is it tasty to someone that came from outside?”

Ilea grinned. “Of course it is. It’s wonderful,” she said and continued eating, asking for more a few minutes later.

The dwarves started to seem slightly intimidated when she simply did not stop. At least the cooks were considerate enough to get the empty plates out of the way.

Not like they can’t count the plates I finished. Maybe I’ll crack their high score on my first feast. She drank from the large jug, downing the ale before she slammed it down. The gesture seemed to amuse some of the dwarves.

“This is hardly the best ale I’ve ever had,” she said, looking back at a group of waiting cooks. “Try this one,” she said and summoned her last barrel of Walter’s ale. It was high time for a visit anyway. “Can they join us?”

“If you wish for them to join the table. They shall,” Hatta said, raising her mug towards the cooks.

They looked around and at each other.

Some of the Guild representatives didn’t seem too happy about it, others downright snickering.

Ilea summoned ash to provide chairs for the others. “And I suppose here’s some food from my favorite cook, and a restaurant in Ravenhall. You’ll have to visit sometime.” She summoned a few dozen plates from Keyla’s creations. She could justify it as a diplomatic move. “A gift, I suppose. For the feast.”

“Is there poison in there?” one of the dwarves asked, getting a few glares from the others.

“I don’t know. Probably not. I’ll heal you if you start dying. Promise,” Ilea said as she cracked open the barrel and started pouring mugs of ale. Ah this youth and lack of power. Being able to get drunk off this simple brew.

The first cook took a sip and nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“Human made,” Ilea said, grinning.

“I’m sure it was inspired by a dwarven creation,” one of the cooks said. “Or they bought the recipe.”

“Fuck off,” Ilea said and laughed, refocusing on her food as the dwarves laughed and shared around the barrel and food. For a while everyone quieted down, eating what Keyla had created.

Shutting up the entirety of the Taleen ruling class. Or what I assume to be their ruling class. “You are the ruling class of the Taleen right?” she asked Hatta.

“The representatives here speak for their Guilds. And the Guilds are the governing body of the Taleen, yes. There were once kings in various cities, but the Makers stood above them, even then,” she explained.

“Good to know things like that when you plan to negotiate with said Taleen,” she said, glad she didn’t have to stop eating. Telepathy was nice.

“The three question marks make up for a lot of missing tact and knowledge,” Hatta said. “Though I find your approach refreshing.”

“Refreshing compared to what?” Ilea asked. “Or did you lie about your age?”

“Refreshing compared to what I learned. From books, and lectures. One doesn’t have to experience everything to gain some manner of understanding,” Hatta spoke.

“Not everything. But some things,” Ilea said. “Like flying.”

Hatta smiled. “My grandfather used to say the same thing. Maybe now I’ll get a chance to try it myself.” She swerved her mug around and looked at the liquid before taking a sip.

“Was he around before?” Ilea asked.

Hatta nodded. “Yes. And he taught me things that could’ve meant death. Even now… no. With the Guardians gone, there is no danger. And still it feels… like it’s there. Always watching. We tried to break out. Many did. Others accepted it. Some welcomed it. Entire generations in conflict.”

“Sounds fucking shit,” Ilea said, downing another mug. “Try this one,” she said and handed the dwarf a mug of Walter’s mead, from her second to last barrel.

Hatta drank from it and froze, wiping at her eyes.

“You okay?” Ilea asked.

“This is mead… isn’t it? Honey wine,” she said. “It’s so sweet. Sweeter than it says in the books.”

“There’s a lot more things out there,” Ilea said, realizing the noise level in the hall had picked up by quite a lot. They weren’t exactly singing and shouting yet but it was getting close. “Were you allowed to fight? To train your magic?”

“It was very limited,” one of the warriors said. “For exercise mostly.”

Ilea grinned. “I know the Guardian doesn’t like his machines destroyed, but maybe he can sacrifice a few hundred for a good cause.”

Joori growled at the suggestion but someone slapped his shoulder.

“When have you last used your sword?” someone asked.

“I didn’t need it,” Joori said.

“You will now,” Ilea said.

“Aye. I will. To protect the people of this city,” the Paladin said as he looked at her, drinking from his mug.

“If you want to use it on me, give it a shot. I survived the Sphere. I think I can take you,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Your provocations don’t-” Joori said when someone punched his shoulder.

“Joori!” one of the cooks shouted, others soon joining in.

“You don’t seriously think he can hurt me?” Ilea asked, seeing the somewhat worried look on Ormont’s face.

He glanced at her.

“You have survived in Kohr. I have been there to hunt,” she sent.

Chapter 785 Individuals

Chapter 785 Individuals

Ilea turned her attention to the Paladin, the look on his face suggesting he very much wanted to accept her challenge. The dwarves around them made space, moving away the food and drinks.

“We’re not going to fight on the table,” Ilea said.

“There is little space anywhere else,” Joori answered as he stood up, his sword lighting up with a slight blue hue. “Now face me, human. A Paladin of Henel, guardian goddess of the Taleen. May she stand by my side.”

Ilea remained seated. She glanced to her right and teleported a group of dwarves out of the way. Raising her left hand, she gripped onto the large table with her space manipulation before slowly raising it up. The dwarves watched as the heavy stone frame hovered to the side of the room before being set down with a light tap.

“Have you faced a three mark before?” Ilea asked as she stood up, looking at the dwarf a few meters away, his sword raised and pointed towards her.

“There is a first for everything,” the dwarf said as a helmet appeared on his head, the visor covering his whole face.

Violence! the Fae sent out, signaling the start of the bout.

Lights flickered as the Paladin charged, the short distance covered in the blink of an eye, his sword coming down in the next instant, power flowing through the length of the blade.

Ilea slapped the metal aside with a loud clang. She could feel some of the strange magic flowing into her. Mostly arcane, with a dash of light magic. She ignored the loud cheers and pushed the dwarf back with a very light wave of space magic. Creating a smear of paladin on the opposite wall wasn’t conductive to a diplomatic outreach after all. Nor did she feel he deserved that. Joori simply had no idea what exactly he was facing.

She let him land on his feet, watching him charge again, the dwarf more cautious than before. He came into range and feinted, going for her legs instead of her head. Ilea teleported beside his blade, moving along the length of it before she reached his form. She raised her arm in front of his face and used fabric tear to move his helmet away. Her space manipulation gripped the thing, her hand making a fist as the metal groaned and was crushed below her magic. She let go of the small crumpled up sphere, looking into his wide eyes.

He brought his sword back in a horizontal slash, Ilea stopping the blade with her outstretched hand. Ash swirled out from her arm and around the metal, gripping around the steel before she forced it to bend.

Joori let go of the groaning weapon before he staggered back. To his credit, he unsheathed a knife from his belt and crouched slightly. Ready to answer her.

Maybe I should give him Silent Memory to wield, she thought with a smile, her wings spreading behind her, followed by nearly thirty ashen limbs, all flowing out in slow patterns. Ilea held up her arm and formed an ashen copy of herself, infusing it with the command of knocking out her opponent.

She gripped the stone chair behind with her magic and moved it closer, sitting down as she teleported her mug back into her hand. Legs crossed, she took a sip and watched as her copy deflected the Paladin’s knife and punched his chest. The metal dented inward, the dwarf raised up as he exhaled whatever air he had left in his lungs. He landed with staggering steps, coughing up blood, the knife clattering to the ground. He looked up, the ashen figure upon him with its fist going for his head.

Ilea dissolved the creation, looking at the bent greatsword she had teleported into her free hand. She took a sip of her ale and watched Joori heal himself with a hand to his chest.

The Paladin looked at her with a combination of anger and apprehension. “You win,” he said in a raspy voice.

Ilea raised her mug, the onlookers breaking out in loud cheers.

A group of dwarves moved the heavy table back, loud scraping resounding as barrels of ale and more food were brought into the hall. A few of them had gotten out instruments, deciding on a merry tune after a few minutes.

Ormont walked over to her and leaned against the table. He moved in a deliberate manner, though his age didn’t exactly show. “I was not worried about you.”

A group of dwarves was helping Joori get out of the dented chest plate, enchantments flaring up a few times as they tried to pry it open. To his vocal discomfort.

Ilea nodded in response, drinking from her mug. Did he expect me to kill him?

She wondered how the Taleen handled their diplomacy. Did they walk into cities with the arrogance of a powerful empire? Or did they offer trade deals that others couldn’t refuse? The few sources she had heard from in the past years didn’t exactly praise them, but then she supposed others would’ve been envious of their technology and power. Doesn’t matter too much anymore. Not to me at least. What’s important is how they act from now on.

The positions at least seemed clear for now. The Guilds didn’t openly ask for their machines back. The leaders seemed more worried about their people. Something Ilea could very much respect. Joori would come to understand that the One without Form was gone. What he and dwarves like him would do with that understanding was something yet to be seen. Suppose I’m done here for the time being.

“I’ll return to Iz. There will be Executioners at the teleportation gate in the uppermost layer. Talk to them to meet the new Guardian,” Ilea sent to Ormont and a few others she deemed sober enough not to freak out at a voice in their head.

“We will,” Ormont spoke. “When will you return?”

“I don’t know. Few days maybe?” Ilea said. “I’m sure you’ve got enough on your plate with informing everyone.”

“Indeed. It’s going to be quite a change,” the dwarf said, smiling to himself. “Safe travels to you, Lilith.”

“See you,” Ilea said with a wave, standing up as she downed the rest of her ale. She teleported randomly through the structure a few times and summoned a gate to Iz. The magic vanished behind her after she appeared, her wings spreading as she took in the city. It seemed cold compared to Io.

Wouldn’t be the worst if a few hundred thousand dwarves came back to bring a bit of life into these ruins. She wondered if the city was still classified as a dungeon now that Aki had taken over the machines. Perhaps more awakened inhabitants needed to return before that happened.

Ilea flew over the city and towards the main guild hall, seeing the small forest that Naradan had added to the town.

“Back earlier than I assumed. Good news?” Aki sent.

“Probably. Met the dwarves. Plenty of different reactions but I think they mainly care about protecting their people. Ormont, Joori, and Hatta of the Maker Guild will probably contact you through the Executioners in the coming hours or days. They’re open for negotiations, worried about the Cerithil Hunters, and I think the ones who actually knew what the One without Form was are glad something else replaced it,” she said.

“That is a relief. Thank you for laying the groundwork. I’m sure you left an impression,” Aki sent.

Violence!

“It’s quite clear their magical power isn’t near where it was. And you basically took over their entire military,” Ilea said. “I just hope we can actually integrate them into the Accords without them trying to get everything back.”

“They are resilient and resourceful. These machines and teleportation gates may be impressive, but the Taleen are the people who built it all. They not only can but they will do similar things again, I’m sure of it,” Aki sent. “The competition will push others to rise to the challenge. Or so I hope.”

“Right. I guess it’s good that they weren’t wiped out or outright vanished. The elves will be a somewhat touchy subject for quite a few of them, but that’s to be expected,” she said, landing in front of the Guild hall, a few Praetorians turning her way. They bowed.

“Appreciate it,” she sent with a smile.

“I will make sure to try and keep the dwarves hidden for the time being. Until I have learned enough of each Hunter to make sure they wouldn’t cause issues,” Aki said.

“Sounds like a good idea,” Ilea sent as she entered the hall. Some of the elves were still enjoying their feast. She grinned at an ice mage cocooned to the ceiling. I guess old habits die hard. She wondered if the Ash Waste elves liked lava baths as much as she did, or if they preferred some other form of relaxation.

Claire and the others had joined Isalthar and a few of the older and higher leveled elves at the long central table.

“How’s it going?” she sent to Trian, the man not currently talking.

“It’s… difficult. They’re old, proud, and set in their ways. I think the only thing that keeps them here is the fact that they don’t know what they want to do themselves. Did you meet the dwarves?” he sent back.

“I did. A little more promising than what you’re saying,” Ilea said and sat down.

“Why should we form a Domain of our own? There is no Oracle with us, nor is there a need for us to stay in one place,” one of the elves spoke.

“Not a Domain. Just… a place, to stay. To find each other. To organize,” Jomraa said.

A few of them hissed.

“With no Oracle, I see no reason to have one. Isalthar has gathered us, has he not?” the same elf said.

“It took months,” Feyrair said. “Now that we can use the teleportation network of the Taleen, it would be simple to claim one of their old ruins as our…” He glanced at the ceiling. “Town? Hometown?”

More hisses.

“You would stay in these ruins, even now that there is no reason for us to do so?” another elf spoke.

“I would stay where the Monarchs do not dare enter,” Feyrair said. “The network will allow us to move quickly. The One without Form has set up hundreds of nodes near the Domains. Gates we used to destroy, but are now left intact. We can use them for our own purposes.”

“I would rather travel through the lands myself than continue to use this cursed magic,” the other elf spoke.

Fey hissed, as did a few others.

Ilea smiled, looking at a few of them.

Fey showed his teeth.

Her smile broadened.

“Have you a suggestion then, Lilith of ash?” he asked.

Plenty of them glanced her way.

“It’s just amusing,” she said. “You’re not exactly the organizing kind.” She thought for a moment, ignoring the annoyed hisses. “Why not something like the Descent. The lower layers have some powerful magic no normal elf could shrug off. Aki could add a few teleportation gates there, right?”

“The plans are available to me, as are the materials,” the Executioner at the table confirmed.

“The Descent?” one of them asked.

“Ancient dungeon in the north. Plenty of space, lots of layers with different magic and environments. I’m sure everyone here would find a comfortable area for themselves. You don’t have to stay inside of a city, and it’s within the Meadow’s domain still,” Ilea said.

“It is not of Taleen make,” Fey confirmed.

A few approving hisses came from the others.

“Those who would not wish to use the teleportation gates can just travel normally, though it’s close to Hallowfort.” Ilea said.

“What about this Meadow? Would it not require treaties like these humans and the Dark One have suggested?” one of the elves said.

Zori hissed. “Are you afraid of an old tree?”

More hisses.

“A safe haven of sorts, perhaps protected by the Meadow, and by the Hunters that are present,” Isalthar said.

“And what would we need protection from, Val Akuun? Are you not prepared to face the Monarchs who would hunt us Cursed?” one of them asked.

“I will face them, should the need arise. But I’m not sure… about the plans you have laid out. Attacking the Domains… more bloodshed now that we have removed the threat of the Taleen. What I know is that I wish to educate the young, in a more safe manner than taking them through the Taleen hordes. Perhaps such a place as this Descent would be beneficial to that cause,” Isalthar spoke.

Different hisses resounded.

“We should look at this dungeon,” Zori agreed. “And see if it is suitable.”

“It is an option,” Fey said.

“I do not think a treaty as you suggested is a possibility,” Isalthar said, looking at the representatives of the Accords. “Would this suggestion be reasonable? To stay in this Descent?”

Claire looked to Catelyn.

“I trust the Meadow,” Catelyn said. “Should the Cerithil Hunters choose to stay within the Descent, I won’t vote against it. As long as they don’t attack any of the delvers that choose to explore it.”

“We are territorial,” one of them said and hissed.

“Then you may communicate those territories so that any explorers know what places to avoid,” Catelyn said.

“What about prey?” one of them asked.

Ilea smiled. “Plenty. Worthy of a hunt. There are a few beings down there that I consider friends, but the Meadow will let you know about those. And otherwise… you’ll be in the north. Plenty of things to hunt.”

Violence, the Baron sent and nodded.

“And I don’t think adventurers will be too much of a problem. I assume the Hunters will stay pretty far down. Few would even get there,” Ilea added. “Plus you don’t have to stay together in one place. There’s plenty of room once you’ve culled the monster populations.”

A few of them hissed approvingly.

“And we are to stay in contact with this Meadow?” Zori asked.

“It is of the Accords,” Isalthar said. “Perhaps in time, we may find more defined ties a possibility.”

“I ask to be present too, to learn from the Hunters, and to share what I can,” the Executioner said.

“You may try,” Isalthar spoke. “You will be welcome in my territory.”

“And in mine,” Elfie said.

A few more hisses, some approving, others dismissive, a few outright hostile.

“Nar el Ceroth… for us to remain,” Zori said before he grinned. “Yes, I can accept that.”

“Then we shall share these plans with the Accords. No treaties will be signed, but we will discuss possible agreements and rules,” Claire said.

“Return when you’re ready,” Isalthar said. “We shall remain, for a time.”

Better get it done quickly, Ilea thought with a smile.

“Just so you know. Claire offered a similar suggestion before you joined. She was ignored,” Aki sent. “You left an impression on them.”

“I’ll make sure her headache doesn’t overwhelm her,” Ilea sent back. “And yes. I don’t think they give a shit about resources, political power, influence, territory, or levels. Just magical power, applied directly to the forehead.”

“It’s funny in a way. You may be the best diplomat we have to deal with the elves,” Aki spoke. “Well, I would be better, were it not for a history of these machines hunting their kind.”

“I’d argue that should actually help your case,” Ilea said. “Maybe if the One without Form had been more successful.”

“I much prefer this outcome,” the Sentinel sent as the members of the Accords stood up and prepared to leave.

“I’ll join you,” Ilea said and glanced at Isalthar. “Keep them here. The Descent is perfect for you. Forest, desert, poison swamp. What more could you ever want.”

“There is a poison swamp?” one of them asked with a joyous hiss.

To each their own, Ilea thought.

“It was an honor to meet the Cerithil Hunters,” Claire said. “Until we return.”

A few of the elves acknowledged her.

Ilea summoned a gate to the domain of the Meadow. “Care to join us too?” she sent to Aki. “Not like anyone would know you’re different to before.”

“It would reduce my travel time. Yes,” Aki sent, one of the Executioners joining the group.

They were out in the North a moment later, the space magic vanishing behind them.

“By the gods, what a disrespectful bunch of magical children,” Claire murmured. “Absolutely incredible. And here I thought nobody could top the diplomatic challenges of the northern plains.”

“They do not care,” Kyrian said with a chuckle.

“And you want them here? In the Descent?” Catelyn asked. She didn’t sound quite as convinced as she had before.

Ilea waved them off. “The Meadow can handle a few rowdy elves, right?”

“Of course,” the tree sent.

“I like that absolute confidence,” Ilea said with a smile.

“It is a first step,” Trian said. “There are reasons why any efforts to have talks with their kind have failed for centuries. Individual ties seem far more important. Shows of power. If we know where they are, we can approach, have bouts and talks. It will simply take time.”

“Will the Hunters join the Accords?” the Meadow asked.

“No. Ilea suggested they go live in the Descent, now that the Taleen threat is gone,” Claire said.

“The threat is gone?” the Meadow asked.

“No,” the Executioner spoke. “I am the threat.”

“Aki. You are different… and… yes. Congratulations. Have you replaced the previous controller? The plan succeeded then,” the Meadow said.

“Indeed. We have a lot to discuss, and a lot of blueprints to decipher. Do summon Iana and Christopher if they are available,” Aki said.

“So, how did your venture go?” Catelyn asked, looking at Ilea.

She raised her brows. “Ah. Right. The three hundred thousand dwarves.”

“The what?” Meadow asked.

Chapter 786 Power

Chapter 786 Power

“Dwarves. Lots. The Taleen were still around, protected or imprisoned by the One without Form, depending on who you ask,” Ilea explained.

“An interesting revelation indeed. And yes, Hunters in the Descent will be interesting. The current ecosystem lacks roaming predators. It will help many find awakening,” the Meadow sent. “What do you plan to do with the Taleen?”

“Their cities are still around, though I suspect many will choose to remain in Io. They have built their life there, though surely there are those who would wish to expand their horizons,” the Executioner said.

Iana and Chris appeared nearby, teleported by the Meadow.

“Aki?” Iana asked immediately, looking at the silver machine.

“It worked,” the Executioner said and bowed. “As you assumed.”

Iana jumped and pumped her fist towards the ceiling. She laughed and hugged Chris, kissing him before she ran to Aki. “Can we go to Iz? I need to see it. The Sphere, and the sphere guardians.”

“Can she approach without the keys?” Ilea asked.

“Not too closely, though the surface of the Sphere won’t be interesting. I have plans and blueprints however. We should discuss that first, but I promise I will answer all your questions,” the Executioner said. “And call in a meeting of the Accords. The Sentinel of Akelion would like to join your efforts,” he said with a glance to Claire and Catelyn.

“Of course,” Claire said. “I’ll arrange it. Can we use the soul forge to meet? There are too many people around outside.”

“Go for it,” Trian said.

“Thank you. Too much to consider. Cat, get your council,” Claire murmured before she vanished.

“Sure, sure,” the fox said. “Meadow? Can you get me to my den? I’ll see you all soon.” She smiled and vanished.

“I will check on Riverwatch and the Headquarters,” Trian said. “Ilea, let me know if the meeting starts and I’m not around. If you’re staying of course.”

“I’ll be here,” Ilea said, waving at the man.

“Great, see you then,” Trian said. “Oh wait, you have a gate to Riverwatch?”

She summoned it and pointed.

“Thanks,” he said and stepped through.

“I need a bath,” Kyrian said.

“Need a gate?” she asked.

“No. I’ll use the public ones,” the metal mage said.

“You want to be there for the meeting?” Ilea asked.

He looked at her and shrugged. “Kind of done with world changing events right now, but sure, let me know when it starts.”

“Will do,” Ilea said with a smile, walking towards the black grass of the Meadow.

Aki left with Iana and Christopher.

“Finally. Some peace and quiet,”Ilea murmured, patting the Fae that was drooping over her shoulder.

Violence?

Ilea teleported to the crystal tree and sat down, leaning her back against it. “Right. There has been a lack of fighting for a while now. Don’t think I’ll get back to it for a few days or so.”

The Fae looked at her with its large lack of eyes.

“You’re not a puppy. You’re a terrifying eldritch space being. Don’t try to look cute,” Ilea said.

Resistant

Find

Violence, the Fae sent and floated up.

“Good luck on your hunt, little one,” Ilea said, smiling as the Fae waved and vanished.

She could see the direction it moved to, the spell residing for a while. Might be interesting to follow it around.

“You’ve changed,” the Meadow sent. “I did not want to mention it in front of the others.”

“I walked through a pretty intense hallway,” Ilea said and summoned a meal. “Should I read you the skill description? Something about astral magic.”

“Ah, that would explain it. Arcane and now astral as well. Remaining relatively human through it all. It’s quite interesting. I did meet a human astral mage recently, but your change feels more subtle. Downright natural,” the Meadow spoke.

“You make it sound alright,” Ilea said. “I don’t feel too different. But I’m open to look into some training. Now that the Taleen are dealt with, I think I can focus on abilities and magic again. In between killing Kohr demons of course.”

“You don’t plan to slow down?” the Meadow asked.

“The Architect is still around. He hasn’t made a move yet but I don’t want to be caught at a lower level than I could be. Plus with the Hunters free of a purpose, it’s only a matter of time before some higher leveled elves make their move. And then there’s the Source. If anyone finds out about that, we’ll have to be ready,” she said.

“I thought you didn’t want to be some kind of guardian,” the Meadow said.

“It’s not like I don’t enjoy the training and fighting. Aki should be able to deal with most things now, if he’s accepted and all. Low level elven attacks, monster attacks, summoned demon invasions. At least if he’s as capable as I think he is,” she said.

“The Sentinels are getting quite a bit of work done too, as are the war machines of the Pit. I was surprised with their efficiency. Greed is a powerful motivator it seems, and quite a few of them are at least as risk loving as the Sentinels,” the Meadow informed.

“Oh really? I haven’t kept up with the reports to be honest. There’s so much of it,” she said, sighing.

“Of course. The teleportation gates dramatically raised both the efficiency of reporting as well as the efficiency of non space magic adventurers. They are all moving, exploring, and fighting,” the Meadow said. “I believe a meeting of the Accords was due anyway. A few major points added to the list to be discussed. As to the Source. Aki is sharing quite a bit of information with me and the enchanters right now. I believe it to be more than adequately guarded. The keys are the only reasonable way to challenge him.”

“Right, speaking of. Which metal do you prefer?” Ilea asked.

“I’m quite fond of iron,” the Meadow said.

“Great, here you go. I bestow to thee, oh great Endless Meadow, the Iron Key. May you keep it safe for millennia to come,” Ilea said and summoned the artifact.

“These are not only meant to guard the Sentinel of Akelion, they are also a sign of great trust. A diplomatic gift. Do not give them easily,” the Meadow spoke and made the artifact vanish.

“Of course not,” Ilea said. “I’ll put a lot of thought into who gets them. One for you. One for violence. One I’ll bury in Kohr. Some I’ll try to destroy, three for the elven kings, six for the dwarves, or was it more?”

The Meadow slapped her with space magic.

It wasn’t particularly effective.

“I’m starting to get resistant to your shit,” Ilea said.

“Maybe I should get up and hunt some monsters then,” the tree spoke.

“Please don’t. You’re terrifying enough as it is,” she answered. “Don’t think it matters much who I give the rest to now that you have one. If you fall, I don’t think Aki can stop whatever is coming.”

“I’ll be honest, burying one in Kohr doesn’t sound like the worst idea,” the Meadow said. “Perhaps within a device specifically made to interfere with the enchantments that allow for its detection.”

“Knock yourself out. You have one key to experiment on,” Ilea said.

“We will try. Beside the three dozen new projects Aki is suggesting. Modifying the Taleen teleportation network to meet our security standards is the first step, excluding the destinations near the elven domains,” the Meadow said.

“Why exclude those?” Ilea asked.

“Someone has to go there and modify the gate. It’s not a simple process. Aki’s Centurions can do it but it could arouse suspicion. We would like to keep the Domains in the dark about all of these changes for as long as possible,” the Meadow spoke.

“Sounds reasonable. I met one of them by the way. An Oracle,” she said. “I think you would like them. Their magic is… fucked up. But I don’t know if they travel much.”

“If you ever get the chance of setting up a meeting, though I don’t know how well I could contain such an entity here. If it impressed you, I would imagine their very presence could wipe out the people in this domain,” the tree said.

“Probably, yeah. Suppose you’ll get some interesting people to talk to anyway. More of them. Ancient elves and dwarves,” she said.

“Another step towards my total control of the realm,” the Meadow said.

“Your hearts aren’t in it,” Ilea said. “What’s wrong?”

“I… please don’t laugh…” the Meadow spoke.

“What? Of course I’ll laugh. What do you expect from me?” Ilea said.

“Then I won’t tell you,” the Meadow said.

“Out with it, old tree,” she said and knocked her knuckles against the crystal.

“Very well. Between all the beings around, all the questions, the conversations, the research of Twin, Owl, and now everything Aki is sharing… I believe I have… found my limits,” the Meadow said.

Ilea snorted. “Endless Meadow. More like… limited meadow. Vast expansive but not quite endless meadow. Off brand endless meadow. Ending Meadow,” she murmured, getting more amused with each idea. “Really just a normal Meadow.”

“I suddenly think you could use some more resistance training,” the finite being said.

“From you? The definable horror? You’re really just a scary tree, not the fathomless unknown I had taken you for!” Ilea said, looking up at the crystal branches. She could feel the winds move through the cavern, through the black grass. Her friend was annoyed. “I’m kidding, you know that, right?”

“I do,” the tree said. “And I… know that it’s a sensation you’re very familiar with. But I… have never felt this way before.”

Ilea smiled. “Good. Means you’ll learn something new. Maybe you’ll get a new skill or something out of it.”

“Hmm,” the tree sent, a complex emotion sent along with the sound.

“You’ll figure it out, I’m sure,” Ilea said, closing her eyes before she leaned her head against the crystal.

_____________________________

Navalis sat down on the chair. The meeting room in the cube was rather packed. The councils and various representatives of Ravenhall, the Pit, Riverwatch, Hallowfort, and the Sentinels were present. She had been teleported here by the Meadow, her detection skills unable to break through the Sentinel outpost’s walls.

The second major session of the Accords. It had been months but the teleportation gates already left more than just an impression. She didn’t know what exactly this meeting was about, and according to the expressions of everyone present, she wasn’t the only one. There were more Sentinels too, the outpost of course their base here in the far north. Too many interested eyes and ears were now present in the domain of the Meadow, making a secure hall like this an absolute necessity.

She glanced at the silver machine, feeling as if something was different about it. Previously it had acted as a guardian, but now it sat with Ilea, Claire, and Catelyn. She thought it impressive how the six legged machine managed to sit in the comparatively small chair at all.

[Executioner – lvl ???]

No longer a mention of Akelion?

“Everyone is here then?” Claire asked.

“Yes,” the machine confirmed.

“Then let’s not waste any time,” Catelyn said. “Aki, you may speak.”

The machine looked around the table with its green eyes, taking in every member of the Accords with voting rights. “Representatives of the Accords, I greet you. Some of you may know me as the Pursuer of Akelion, a magically manufactured mind that managed to control a Taleen machine. Similar to the one I am controlling right now. The Taleen Guardians some of you may have encountered, including the ones responsible for the recent attacks on western settlements in the Plains, were all controlled from their capital. Iz. Through events including Lilith, and a party not yet associated with the accords, we have managed to take over control.”

What.

Navalis shook off the confusion, seeing the faces of the other representatives. Some seemed shocked, most simply confused.

“I remain a member of the Medic Sentinel Corps. However due to this change, I suggest an integration into the Accords, in a more direct manner. As the Sentinel of Akelion, I shall guard and support the efforts of the Accords and every settlement that would accept the presence of my machines. I shall communicate with all of you separately on the specific integration of Guardians and higher level machinery, based on your requirements. For now I ask formally, to join the Meadow Accords.”

Navalis watched as people looked around.

“You may ask questions before we vote on the formal inclusion of the Sentinel of Akelion,” Catelyn said.

Helwart Maulstroem, the champion of the Pit moved his large war machine, ignoring the comments of the others behind him. “Sentinel. When you say control of the Taleen machines. What exactly do you mean?”

The Executioner looked at the armored dwarf. “Every facility. Every machine. I am still taking count.”

The dwarf seemed to slump down a little. “How… how is this possible? This is… it comes out of nowhere.”

“I’ve been working on this for a few years,” Ilea said.

“Who is this not associated party?” Alistair asked.

“We will get to that after the vote,” Catelyn said. “It is a separate matter to be discussed.”

“Very well,” Alistair said.

“How many machines are we talking about?” Sulivhaan asked, the man sitting next to Navalis.

“I am still taking count. At least five million machines, of various kinds. Though most are Guardians in the lower hundreds and two hundreds. The production facilities are currently offline until the inventory is completed and decisions are made as to the usage of these assets,” the Executioner said.

Five million killing machines.

Navalis gulped. She had fought them before. A few times. Ten Guardians were enough to challenge a team of lower leveled Shadows. And there were stronger variants. Far stronger.

“And you… have complete authority over this horde?” asked No of Hallowfort.

“Indeed,” the Executioner said.

Navalis felt the weight of the being change. The previous Pursuer had been a powerful asset, but this thing was just one of an unknown number that the Sentinel controlled. She was glad to be sitting already. Based on the expressions, quite a few others felt the same.

She had to close her eyes for a moment, not realizing how much time had passed.

“If no further questions remain, we shall vote on the inclusion of the Sentinel of Akelion. As a full member faction of the Accords, with all responsibilities and privileges that entails,” Catelyn said.

Navalis looked at the faces. She already knew not a single one would reject. It would be lunacy. How did they fucking do that? How did Ilea…

She looked at the woman.

[Wanderer – lvl ???]

Of course. I should really stop being surprised by these happenings. But to think these ancient machines are part of the Accords now. This is at least as impressive as the teleportation gates. She had to shake her head.

“The vote is over. Welcome to the Accords, Guardian of Iz,” Catelyn said, applause briefly sounding through the outpost of the Sentinels, many of the faces still seemingly in slight shock.

“Does that mean the attacks were a response of some kind?” Alistair asked.

“That’s probable. Yes,” Ilea said. She looked at him, tapping the table as she ground her teeth. “I’m sorry.”

“You were there to defend our city, as were the Accords,” Alistair said, giving her a nod.

“Why were we not informed about any of this?” Sulivhaan asked.

“That question brings us to the next point,” Catelyn spoke. “Lilith?”

“Yes. The party not associated with the Accords that played a major part in the finding and defeat of the Taleen capital is a group of exiled Elves. The Cerithil Hunters,” Ilea said.

Navalis glanced to Sulivhaan, his face hidden behind his mask but the tension was obvious. Plenty of others reacted in a similar manner, especially the human representatives.

“Please… explain,” Sulivhaan spoke, his hands forming fists on the table.

___________________________

Ilea watched the man, gauging the tension in the room. So far so good. No spells flying yet. She continued with retelling her meeting with Elfie, what she learned from him, her meetings with Isalthar, the Hunters, her first accidental venture into Iz. The One without Form, and the core directives. Just the one for now.

“The Cerithil Hunters are individuals. I would hardly describe them as a faction, especially now that their ancient purpose is fulfilled,” she said and looked to Aki.

“And each one is enormously powerful. It would be foolish for us to ignore potential ties, especially with the removal of the constant Taleen threat to the elven Domains,” Aki said.

“Meaning you expect more elven attacks?” Dagon asked.

“No. What we expect is change,” Aki said. “And as of now, we know very little of how the Domains operate, who their high level fighters are, and how they will react to the changes introduced by the Accords since their inception. The teleportation gates alone should create a reaction, in time. I would like to be prepared.”

“Elven invaders have slaughtered our people for centuries,” Sulivhaan said.

“Humanity has slaughtered our kind for longer,” Alistair said. “Would you dismiss our entire kind?”

“You don’t understand them. They are monsters,” Sulivhaan said.

“Not all of them,” Ilea said and looked at him. “We were there in Salia. You and me.”

“And you saw what they did,” Sulivhaan spoke.

“Yes. I did. And we answered in kind,” Ilea said. “I would do the same today. I’ve killed hundreds of monsters. Some of them were elves, some were human.”

He shook his head. “You know I cannot accept their inclusion. I trust you, Lilith. But I cannot.”

She nodded.

“The current suggestion is their relocation from Iz to the lower levels of the Descent. The Meadow would both protect them and make sure none of them moves against the Accords,” Catelyn said. “And while they’re here, we can learn from them, and perhaps build ties. That is the entire extent of our association. For now. Isalthar has agreed to consider this suggestion, and many of the Hunters seem agreeable.”

“Why don’t we just let them go wherever they want?” Helwart asked. “Let them find a purpose, fight their Domains. What does it matter to us?”

“The Monarchs are unpredictable,” Ilea said. “I’d rather have the Hunters on our side if they decide we’re a nuisance. Some of them I consider friends. I will not have them slaughtered just because of specism. What possible harm could they do in the Descent? If anything, we know where they are,” she said and looked to Sulivhaan. “The Meadow will watch over them.”

“The Domains may consider us their enemies, if we hide their Cursed,” he said. “The risk is too high.”

“I don’t fear the Domains. And neither should you,” she said and stood up. “I have survived the Sky Monarch, and I plan to meet him again. The Taleen hordes are on our side. We have a four mark Greater Lich, the war machines of the Pit, the Shadows and Sentinels of Ravenhall, and the Awakened of Hallowfort. I don’t want war with the Domains, but if it comes to a confrontation, they will learn that it is us they should fear.”

Chapter 787 Votes

Chapter 787 Votes

“You didn’t mention me,” the Meadow sent.

“Right. And we have the Meadow,” Ilea said.

“I consider the Hunters an incredibly valuable potential addition. If not as members of the Accords themselves, then as allies,” Aki said.

“I agree with that assessment,” Catelyn said. “They may not have a stable hierarchy or codes and laws we understand as of yet, but with the Meadow guarding over the Descent, I believe the risks are more than worth the potential benefits.”

“I agree,” Alistair said, eliciting a few raised brows.

“I suppose it would be interesting to have them in the Dome,” Helwart said. “What do you think?” he asked, looking behind him at the gathered war machines.

A few chuckles resounded. “Aye,” some spoke.

“Humanity has suffered at the hands of elves, most prominently from the Fire Wastes of Ash. But our situation has changed. Dramatically. We can respond to threats near instantly, and the military might of the Accords was considerable, now it may be comparable to the Domains themselves. If we can learn from the Hunters, we will know about a potential enemy we have previously been unable to even spy on,” Claire said.

“So we vote,” Catelyn said. “Those in favor of allowing the Cerithil Hunters to relocate to the Descent under the eyes of the Meadow, raise one arm.”

There were a few who voted no, including Sulivhaan. Though each faction total still accepted the vote.

Ilea didn’t consider it a huge thing. She understood the personal gripes some might have with elven kind but at least intellectually they should understand that the Hunters weren’t quite the same as the ones who had attacked their cities. She hoped they would come to accept the Hunters with time, or at least not go as far as to undermine the Accords. Even then she thought the risks worth it.

“I will keep an eye on the Hunters,” the Meadow spoke. “You will all find regular reports delivered to you.”

“What if they attack a member of the Accords?” Sulivhaan asked.

“The Accords will move to defend whoever is under attack, against any inside or outside aggressor,” Aki spoke. “As is declared. We are considering potential ties, which is difficult based on their lacking hierarchy, our understanding of their lifestyle, and perhaps even their nature. That does not mean we won’t respond in kind.”

“Aye,” Helwart said, crossing his arms.

“Now that the most problematic topic is dealt with for now, let’s get to the last major news before we discuss general points and suggestions,” Catelyn said.

“There’s more?” Sulivhaan asked, tapping the table with a finger.

Catelyn looked to Aki.

“Indeed. With the defeat of the previous Guardian of Iz, it was revealed to me that the Taleen are still very much alive and well. They have been relocated to a city called Io and have remained there under the surveillance of Guardians for thousands of years. Me being the new controller of said Guardians leaves them free once more,” Aki explained. “They were kept safe from outside aggressors, though very much against their own will.”

Helwart stood up, the knee of his war machine ramming into the table, lifting the thing up before the Meadow pushed down with its magic. “You’re shitting me.” He took off his helmet and looked at the Executioner. “Tell me this is some sick joke.”

“The Taleen remained hidden away for thousands of years?” Elana asked.

“You should be the last one surprised at that,” Ilea said.

Elana raised her brows but didn’t comment.

“Deep underground, those dissenting taken out and the rest left with no choice but to remain in their city. There were quite a few rules but compared to how the Taleen used to treat their own prisoners, it was rather comfortable,” Aki said. “Lilith has already established contact and managed to create favorable conditions for a possible diplomatic exchange. Though this will take the whole of the Accords to consider. Few remain from the ancient power, but much of their knowledge remains. Underestimating their faction based on their current relative might is a mistake.”

“Why not be rid of them once and for all?” Helwart asked. “They’ve been a pain in everyone’s asses all throughout history.”

“They’re a neutral faction. Not an aggressor,” the Meadow spoke.

“Right, right,” the dwarf said. “I’m not suggesting mass murder. Just maybe a relocation. Not that that would help if they know how to build teleportation gates. How many are there anyway?”

“About four hundred thousand,” Aki said.

“Yeah. Now that’s a number,” Helwart murmured.

“Do they wish to reclaim their cities and machines?” Sulivhaan asked.

“They are aware of their position,” Aki said simply.

“So we’re giving them a chance to build up their power until they can take back what was theirs,” another dwarf said.

Doravin laughed. “Let them try.”

“The Accords forbid an act of war against a neutral faction not engaged in any activities that would endanger any of the members. Even then it would require every faction to agree,” Catelyn said. “Which doesn’t leave us with a lot of other options to deal with this. We either let them build up their power, train and educate their youth to consider us their enemy, the thieves of their ancient power, or we integrate them. Each faction would benefit, and while some of their oldest generation will not like the outcome, they don’t have a choice. Not right now.”

“If they know we’re not going to wipe them out, they could simply refuse,” Sulivhaan said.

“One of them cried when she drank mead,” Ilea said and looked at him. “They’ve not been outside of Io. Most were born there.”

“We can offer them access to teleportation networks. To cities all over Elos. To their old homes,” Claire said. “To education and resources.”

“Pride is not something easily forgotten,” one of the dwarves said.

“Nor are bonds forged in battle, or kindness given freely,” Catelyn said. “They will be visiting cities throughout the Accords, will form adventuring parties, will fight monsters, and build homes. Just like we have. It will take time, but with their current strength, this is the best opportunity that we’ll have. The longer we wait, the more certain future conflicts will become.”

“All our organizations too. Sentinels, Shadows, Divers of the pit, Hallowfort Scavengers, guards, cooks, hunters. They don’t even have to travel to get there,” Ilea said. “I was not treated as an outsider. Not for long. They aren’t united against anyone.”

“We should move quickly then,” Alistair said.

The vote came and went, unanimous this time.

“I suggest a first meeting in Riverwatch,” Aki said.

“Why not here?” Helwart asked. “Or in the Pit. Let them see the technology we have built.”

“Those we have to convince are sure of their technological superiority. Or so I believe. However Riverwatch has many things they have not seen in thousands of years. Including sunlight,” the machine said.

“We’re dwarves. We don’t exactly thrive on it,” one of the other war machines said.

“But you do go out sometimes, even with the storms,” Helwart said, glancing back before he looked to the Executioner. “Machine has a point.”

“We would be honored to host such an event,” Alistair said.

“And the Accords will provide suitable security,” Catelyn said. “We should let them know we don’t have to rely on their creations.”

Bit of a difference between a few level two hundred guards and an Executioner, Ilea thought but she agreed with the point regardless. “Do they know how extensive your army really is?” she sent to Aki.

The Executioner didn’t look her way. “No. According to a series of sources stored within the Sphere, the Guild of the Guard were mainly the ones operating the machines. Few of them controlled more than three at a time. The One without Form had a lot of time to build and extend its reach. Were it not for the constant war with the elves, the numbers would be at least ten times higher.”

“The Hunters and Domains really did some work,” Ilea sent and nodded to herself, though she herself had destroyed at least a few thousand of their machines.

“Indeed. I have yet to fully comprehend the production capabilities of the Taleen network, but it is extensive to say the least,” Aki sent.

“Lilith, is it possible for you to deliver the request to meet in Riverwatch?” Catelyn asked.

“Sure,” Ilea said.

“I suggest everyone here participate. Alistair, how long do you need to prepare?” Catelyn said.

“A few days. With help from the Accords and associated factions, faster. Two days I think is suitable,” he answered.

“We will need at least that long to figure out the baselines,” Claire said, rubbing one of her temples.

“The Accords are growing quickly,” Helwart spoke. “The Sentinel and its Taleen army, Hunters, and now the ancient dwarves themselves.”

“Two days,” Catelyn said. “Prepare yourselves and your peoples as you deem suitable. We shall postpone this meeting until after the talks with the Taleen, except anyone wishes to discuss something else right now.”

Nobody raised their voice.

“Then we will see each other in Riverwatch,” she said.

_________________________

Nathan sighed as he looked over the valley near Riverwatch, the Sentinel sitting atop one of the larger buildings near the eastern part of the outer wall. The Shadowguard mostly ignored Shadows and Sentinels on the roofs, most of the buildings owned by either anyway. Today looked to be a particularly nice morning, the suns rising over the mountains, most of the valley and the nearby lake still shrouded in the morning gloom.

They had returned from Riverwatch, the threat of the Taleen apparently gone for now. Why that was the case, the Headmaster had yet to share with them, but he assumed it had something to do with Lilith. She had shown up after all. For now he just wanted to enjoy at least half a day off, before Celeste bugged them to get another mission. She just couldn’t sit still for more than a few hours, always more monsters to fight, always more places to explore.

He didn’t mind much. Well he was annoyed from time to time, but he liked that she pushed them to do more, to fight more. The world was growing larger by the day. He still thought about the war sometimes, the Baralia soldiers attacking his village. The reason he had come here, to Ravenhall. In search of something. Surviving at first, and then perhaps a purpose. Something he could do, to prevent others from experiencing what he had gone through.

He took a bit from his sandwich, though really more to appreciate the taste than for anything else. Ravenhall had the best food after all, and he had to get something while he was here. Food and sleep was growing less important with every few levels, he could tell. He got up earlier, and felt less tired. Ate less and felt more powerful. Nathan looked at his hand and closed his fist, smiling as the suns moved, rays of the second one now starting to mix with the first. A part of the lake started to reflect the light, near gray snow turning a bright white as the day commenced.

He did a double take, looking at the distant forest, squinting his eyes when he saw something strange. Is that. He gulped, standing up when he saw several groups of flying Sentinels and Shadows rush into the city, coming from the direction of the teleportation gates outside. One of them split off, letting go of the one that carried them before they rushed over the buildings. It was Celeste, a huge grin on her face as she jumped and landed on the roof he stood on.

“There you are,” she said. “Always lost in thought, missing out on everything.”

“What happened? Did you find another interesting monster to fight?” he asked, more bothered by the glimpse of silver he had spotted in the forest. He checked again but there was nothing.

“Aki is back,” she said. “He just visited Riverwatch.”

“I didn’t know he had left,” Nathan said.

“See, you’re missing everything,” the woman grinned. “Well he’s here too. Probably still waiting until the guards and shadows are informed,” she said and looked out towards the forest. “Though it would be funnier if he just moved in with a few hundred machines.”

“What do you mean?” Nathan asked, once again spotting a few glimpses of movement in the forest.

“Want to go check it out? You saw it too just now,” Celeste said, pointing to the thick line of firs.

Nathan could feel a strange energy come over the streets below, guards normally going about their patrols now running, talking in excited voices. Shadows landed on the walls, calling out to the guards stationed there.

She grabbed his arm. “Wings. We’re gonna find him.”

Nathan shook his head but activated his magic anyway, the woman holding on to his arm as they flew up. More people arrived from the direction of the gates, some flying, others jogging.

“To the forest, and don’t start chucking fireballs,” Celeste said, squeezing his arm as she giggled.

He raised his brows before he started towards the trees. Aki returned. Several hundred? What exactly is happening. He assumed he would find out soon enough, bringing them down right before the underbrush. Again, he spotted movement.

“Who is in there? Show yourself!” he shouted, not about to enter the dark forest when he could rely on backup from the city out here.

“Come and see,” a strange voice spoke from within.

Nathan glanced at Celeste before he looked back. “No.”

“You’re no fun,” the woman said as she walked forward, rolling her eyes.

“Why would we give up all the advantages we have out here,” Nathan murmured.

“You have always been a cautious one, Nathan,” the voice spoke, closer now.

Nathan heard movement a few meters away when he saw two green eyes shining out from the darkness. Another three sets joined the first one a few seconds later.

“I’m trying not to startle the guard. Though I believe it will happen regardless,” the familiar machine spoke.

He looked at it. A little different. It’s not the same body. And there are many. “Careful, Cel, those are Executioners.”

“Yeah, I know. Like the one that nearly killed me. Which means training with them will be particularly efficient,” Celeste said, smiling as she vanished into the forest.

“Pursuers remain more powerful,” the machine said. “And Nathan, do you not recognize your teacher?”

“But you’re not supposed to be more than one,” he said.

“Ilea can make ashen copies of herself. Why should I not be able to control more than one machine?” the Executioner spoke as it walked a little closer.

“More than one… I can see at least five. And there are more moving farther back,” Nathan said.

“Five is a good estimate,” Aki said as he stepped out into the open, the sunlight yet to reach this part of the valley.

Nathan watched as the machine straightened, its eyes towards the walls of Ravenhall.

“They will be a great addition to the city,” the Executioner spoke.

“I thought you were supposed to stay hidden. People might get the wrong idea about the Taleen machines,” Nathan said.

Aki looked his way. “Nathan. I have taken control. I am the Taleen Machines.”

He looked at the ground and back to the city, a part of it now illuminated. He nodded slowly. “I see. Well it’s Ilea we’re talking about.”

“It is,” Aki said.

Nathan crossed his arms, hearing impacts somewhere behind him. He assumed Celeste wasn’t quite able to hold her own. “This means we can do large scale exercises.”

“Indeed. I have several plans laid out already, including sieges,” the machine said.

“That sounds exciting. I have some suggestions too,” Nathan said as he looked up at the Executioner.

The machine glanced down, its eyes glowing bright. “It’s good to be back.”

_______________________

Dale listened in silence, a slight smile on his face as he processed the new information shared by Alistair. Not only were they expecting to host the ancient Taleen and the entirety of the Accords within their city, Ilea somehow managed to take over the entirety of their war arsenal. Machines they had fought just a few days prior, now supposedly in control of one of their allies, a new member of the Accords.

He really just wanted to go home and eat some of the stew Abby had made the day before. New spices from the east, much more affordable than they had ever been. Dale hadn’t seen her enjoy cooking so much in years, all thanks to the Accords and their teleportation network. He looked up and nodded, saying a silent thanks to Lilith as the people around him asked agitated questions, talking to each other in hushed voices, the excitement growing.

She’s probably already fighting the next incomprehensible thing. Who knows, maybe she’ll befriend the elves next.

“… in addition to the Taleen the machines they have left behind, a group of so called Cerithil Hunters will likely move into the Descent below Hallowfort. Talks are ongoing but I deem this unlikely to fail. They are elves who helped bring an end to the rule of the One without Form, the previous controller of the Taleen machines. Considered cursed, and exiled from their own lands and Domains, these elves have fought to remove the machines that have invaded their lands for thousands of years. The members of the Accords did not vote unanimously, and I understand any concerns you might have,” Alistair spoke.

There you are. What’s next? A dragon? Dale asked. I can feel you reading my mind, he thought and smiled. One day, I’ll get her. Or perhaps I already have and she didn’t respond. No. That’s not like her. She would appear out of nowhere and laugh, before inviting herself for dinner.

“Langston,” someone said, all eyes on him when he looked up.

“Apologies,” Dale said.

“I know it’s a lot to process. Will you be alright?” one of the officers asked.

You have no idea. She knows a little Fae she calls Violence, he thought and nodded. “I’m fine, sir. As you say, sir. A lot to process.”

Chapter 788 Rogue

Chapter 788 Rogue

Ilea stepped through the gate and appeared outside of Riverwatch, the small hill overlooking the town still very much the same as when she had first used it to take a nap. After reading some Fire magic books. She glanced up at the trees, knowing they could no longer support her. I’ve outgrown you.

She turned to the city and smiled, seeing the flying Sentinels, the war machines on the walls, wisp like Dark Ones and heavily armored defenders ready to repel any kind of attack on the city or the guests they were expecting.

The Taleen had agreed to meet with the Accords, unsurprisingly. Ilea just hoped they would consider the benefits of future cooperation instead of holding on to their ancient technology. She had no qualms about Aki taking over the Sphere and Source in turn. The Taleen had made their choices and these were just some of the consequences. At least Ormont seemed like he wants to do better.

She cracked her neck, wondering how the city would look with a few hundred or even a few thousand Guardians. I hope they can figure out reasonable deals with all the Guards, mercenaries, and merchants. Replacing all of that with efficient level two hundred machines will cause more than a few issues.

Ilea sat down on the ground and summoned herself a meal. Ah well, plenty of large minds on the job. Not like I have to worry about the economics of these things. As Helwart had said a few days prior, the Accords were growing fast. Ready to defend each other and help with trade and resources. Ilea was sure more would join after not only teleportation gates had entered the playing fields, but a literal army of ancient dwarven machines.

She assumed the addition of the Taleen themselves wouldn’t cause a large uproar, at least not within the human Plains. People barely even knew about the ruins they left behind, let alone anything about the people themselves. More dwarves, added to the ones from the Pit. The Cerithil Hunters could be an issue if the public knew about them, but she already had a few people in mind who could perhaps do something for the group’s image.

I’m sure she would like to meet her father again at one point or the other. Now that his main purpose is fulfilled, he should have time to do so.

Traveling was not an issue anymore either, Hallowfort reachable in perhaps half an hour to an hour if one had access to any teleportation gates.

And I can be there in less than a second, she thought with a smug smile on her face. Ah, first class space magic. She assumed the only better thing was literally being in more than one place in the fabric, perhaps something the Baron could manage. She herself was not quite there yet, but more than happy about her marks and the copious amounts of teleportation options available to her.

She glanced towards the small teleportation hub outside of the city and smiled, seeing the arrivals. People made way as Sentinels and war machines protected the entourage of Taleen dwarves. Just a random group of dwarves visiting the city for diplomatic talks.

Ilea wondered if the two days were enough for information to spread throughout the Plains. The various kingdoms and empires would surely be interested to participate as well, let alone the Lily. But it’s already too late.

Ilea spread her wings and flew up, finishing her meal as she watched the surrounding forests, the river, and Karth. She let herself fall before landing in front of the southern gate, waving at the group of dwarves and their protectors.

Ilea grinned at the barely concealed joy and excitement she saw in their faces, the older dwarves trying hard not to glare at the sky, trees, or the rushing water. Those born in Io were entirely lost. Ilea saw Hatta crouch down before she plucked some grass off the side of the road. “Welcome to Riverwatch,” she called out when they were in earshot.

“Lilith,” Ormont said, the dwarf blinking a little more than last time.

“Tears or bothered by the sunlight?” she asked.

“Both perhaps,” he sent back. “I do question how defensible this settlement is. Humans were never good at dealing with long range artillery and aerial attacks.”

“You grumpy old man. Forget the wars of old, or others might remember too,” she said, giving him a long look.

“I did not mean to offend, Ilea,” he sent back. “It’s just that…” he shook his head. “It is not easy to trust, after all this time.”

“That’s why there are written rules,” she sent.

“It’s all alive!” Hatta called out, some of the other dwarves making similar comments. She looked at Ilea and waved, uncaring for the childlike demeanor she presented, either that or simply too overwhelmed to consider her high status as a Maker of the Taleen.

Ilea didn’t miss the slight smile on Ormont’s face as he watched the others. He did not reprimand them. He didn’t even ask for order.

Passing adventurers and travelers smiled at the scene, some murmuring comments about mountain dwellers.

Ilea considered if the comment was racist in some manner but dismissed the thought when a part of the Accords came through the gates to welcome the dwarves.

Catelyn walked at the front, the fox still drawing some strange looks but generally because of her high level coupled with her appearance, not purely due to the latter.

“I am Catelyn of Hallowfort. We welcome you to Riverwatch. I hope the journey was not troublesome,” she said.

Ormont turned her way and bowed in a respectful manner. “It has been a long time since we have used teleportation gates, Dark One blessed by fire. I am most impressed that you have managed to adapt our technology to this extent.”

“There are talented enchanters among the peoples of the Accords,” Catelyn said. “Though more are always welcome. Please follow, we have prepared an estate for the talks, and for you to stay, should you wish to remain for some time.”

Ilea watched them go, nodding to the Sentinels at the rear of the loose formation, the team of four greeting her. She spread her wings and flew up, once again checking the forests, then glancing over the city itself. There were several hundred guards of various kinds, Shadows and even Shadowguards trained by Wayland himself.

Ilea flew down and checked her various sets of perception.

________________________

Eyan watched the streets from the tavern’s balcony. She had chosen the location for both the great view of the main road leading to the city center, as well as the wonderful selection of cocktails the barkeep offered. Truly a visionary. A warm breeze flowed through her near golden hair, untamed today to seem more like an adventurer. The confident Neria, solo adventurer, thief, and smuggler. She didn’t just pretend to be her, she was her.

“Enjoying the sights?” Jacob asked as he joined her on the balcony. The man moved a hand through his thick black hair, smiling her way with a hungry look in his eyes.

Neria liked him. He wasn’t anywhere near her power, but she did enjoy some company when moving through the cities. He didn’t mind confident and strong women, nor did he think himself anything too special. A good man, one she might consider settling down with in a few decades.

Eyan on the other hand found him suitable for her current purpose. Another part of her disguise, and a way for her to seem trustworthy to those frequenting the Westfront tavern. And today she needed her disguise to be perfect. Since the previous night had begun, and all throughout the morning, more people had arrived. Guards, warriors, Shadows, Sentinels, even the war machines from the northern dwarven town of the pit.

She had spotted several high level individuals searching through the city. Riverwatch was preparing for something, though she didn’t know how important the event really was. The Accords had copious amounts of resources, especially in their trained adventuring personnel. So far she didn’t consider the events enough to alert her contact in the city. The Heavenly Sweets would learn everything she learned in her weekly report.

Eyan had made the call in the morning, but by now she was getting a little restless. The guards had not stopped coming. It would be difficult to reach her contact without anyone at least seeing her. She spotted a group of high level Shadows moving past on a roof just a few streets away. Adventurers she had seen before during her stay in Virilya a few years prior.

Should I have informed them? It was too late to have doubts. All she could do now was learn everything she possibly could.

Eyan turned away and looked at Jacob, smiling a knowing smile as she sipped on her drink. She didn’t miss the group of Shadowguards on the opposite roof, using the glass balcony door to keep them in her peripheral vision. Did they spot me?

“Any idea what this is about?” she asked Jacob, turning her attention to the guards moving through the street below.

“There are more guards around than usual,” Jacob said, being very obvious as he leaned over the balcony railing.

Yes. Good boy. Nobody truly dangerous could be this oblivious, Eyan thought as she put a thoughtful expression onto her face. They’re not leaving. She felt something approach, nearly moving her head to the side when she perceived the presence. A mind. A warning. Someone with a powerful mental defense and presence. Stronger than anything she had ever felt before. She took a sip from her drink when she felt the presence stop in the air about fifty meters away. Don’t look up.

The presence vanished. Entirely.

Eyan took in a deep breath and looked to the sky. Her eyes widened when she saw the black wings move in slow motions. An ash clad woman floated in the air, blue eyes staring right at her.

“It did seem like you noticed me.” a voice spoke into her mind.

Eyan made herself stagger back and hit the railing, nearly dropping her drink before she stabilized the glass with both hands. She smiled and looked around in confusion before glancing up at the flying person. Her performance was perfect. “Me?” she asked, pointing at herself.

“Yes. Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. Are you a mind mage?” the woman said.

This is bad. Eyan

“I… yes, well. Kind of,” she answered. “But I try not to advertise it.”

She noticed my initial reaction. At that distance?

“Right. Well, have fun in the city,” the winged woman said before she looked to the group of Shadowguards.

Is it her? She had been too far away to identify. “Should we get a little more comfortable?” Eyan asked her companion.

“If I am what you desire,” he mused, swirling his glass.

Eyan narrowed her eyes and nodded towards the room, demonstratively looking at his ass while she tried to listen to the happenings around her.

“… of courses, Lilith,” one of the Shadowguard on the opposite roof said.

Her heart stopped for a second as she followed Jacob inside. It’s her. She’s here. In Riverwatch. What is happening?

She closed the balcony door and closed the drapes, turning towards the man before she moved closer. One of her fingers ran across his arm as she locked eyes with him. A pulse of her magic and he collapsed onto the bed. I need to inform them. She ran a hand through Jacob’s hair. Next time.

Eyan collected her things and checked her hair before she teleported out of the building. She repeated her teleports through the practiced route. Cellar, cellar, first floor, alley, attic, cellar. Ten more spells and she arrived in a damp room below the city. She positioned herself and used one last spell, appearing between a set of traps laid out in the sewers of Riverwatch. Walking towards the opposite wall while avoiding any of the triggers, she quickly pressed the hidden sets of enchanted bricks and waited for the entrance to open.

No perception spell would get past the enchantments. Up a ladder and into the art gallery of her contact in the city. She went to the table, making sure not to leave any prints on the ground. Her coded message was short and concise, left inside the hidden compartment of the desk. They needed more eyes in the city. Right now. Eyan rang the small enchanted bell and went back through the hidden exit, making sure to close everything before she went down the ladder.

Down at the bottom, she took a deep breath before she walked to the enchanted brick wall. A hunch perhaps, or paranoia, but she used her illusion magic to cast a vision spell. Some of the enchantments dampened the impact but she could still see through the wall. Her eyes widened when she saw the same woman who had talked to her outside of the balcony. Lilith.

She watched as Lilith carefully found and activated every single trap activation mechanism. The woman didn’t let the small needles and arrows strike her. Instead she caught them with her bare hands, and then slowly pushed them into her neck. What the fuck. Why is she…

Lilith looked her way, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Fuck.

She followed me here. My teleportation. The enchantments masked sound too. Eyan rushed up the ladder as fast as she could, reaching the top before she broke into a run. She activated a shrouding spell before she sneaked out through the hallway, making no sound as she stepped on the dark marble floor. She found an exit when she heard steps from beyond. Eyan froze and stepped to the side, finding a niche between the displayed armor of a knight and an intricately decorated vase.

“… of course, Alistair. It is an honor to offer my estate for a meeting of the Accords,” a woman spoke, the voice slightly raspy, dulled through the closed door.

“I apologize again for the short notice and the secrecy. The enchantments here are some of the best in the city,” a man answered.

Eyan cast her vision spell again, seeing none other than the governor of Riverwatch, clad in ceremonial black armor. He walked next to a woman wearing a conservative green dress, her slightly curly brown hair flowed free, long enough to reach her lower back. Eyan knew her. Miranelle Halfort. Her contact in the city and the woman she had just left a coded message for.

Miranelle laughed. “Yes, though I would have expected the Accords be able to match my creations. What with the teleportation gates and those strange sound recording devices. I would’ve…”

The sound trailed off as the pair walked into the estate.

A meeting of the Accords? Here? Why Riverwatch?

She took in a deep breath, keeping her magic active as she watched entire teams of Shadows, Sentinels, and Shadowguards enter behind the pair. Some she saw spread out. Eyan held her breath and dispelled her vision spell when someone opened the door and entered her hallway.

[Battle Healer – lvl 240]

The woman was clad in steel and bone armor, her black eyes taking in the hallway, moving over the knight, Eyan, the vase, and onward. She closed the door and walked down the hallway.

Can she inform the order? Or is she expected to stay here? The governor mentioned secrecy. They wouldn’t allow her to simply leave after something was revealed to her.

She had to find out more. Walking to the door, she watched through the wood until none of the guards looked her way. She silenced the frame, lock, and handle before she opened the door and walked out, still shrouded. Most of the guards were looking through the estate by now, or they had taken positions on the roofs and walls around. Another group she saw patrolling in the courtyard.

Lilith did follow me here. They will know to look for someone of my description. She moved behind a nearby bed of roses and crouched. Eyan looked up when she heard a loud whistling sound, a black winged form stopping in the air above the estate, the wave of air caused by the sudden halt flowing over the grass and flowers.

Now we’ll find out if she can spot me, Eyan thought with a slight grin. She prided herself in her ability to fool mages. Especially those with a lot of perception skills. Boons to be sure, but they tended to cripple someone’s ability to truly investigate a place.

Lilith moved her wings a few times as her eyes scanned the yard, then she shot off again.

Eyan breathed out, seeing the gates to the garden open.

In came what seemed like the entirety of the Accords. The Dark One Catelyn, Elana Invalar, Claire Russel, Trian Alymie. She moved already, not about to stand so close to the entrance with that many high level mages present. The chance of one of them being able to find her was too high. She kept an eye on the walking group, now spotting the dwarves at the back. They’re confused. No. Awed. Who are they?

Their clothes and gear stood out, yes, but all that told her was that they weren’t from the Pit. Are they the reason for the meeting? She froze when the curse and metal mage floated over towards where she had walked, his gray eyes scanning the ground.

[Metal Mage – lvl ???]

She gulped, continuing onward as she kept her spells in the perfect balance. Lilith left already. She looked at the curse mage following with his eyes. Kyrian was his name, and possibly one of the most dangerous humans in the Plains. Mesmerizing, Eyan thought before she vanished. She appeared and repeated the teleportation several times before she sneaked through the city streets, moving past groups of people as she started putting up her hair. Her storage necklace supplied her with different clothes, her illusion magic changing her eye color once again.

Strange dwarves at a high priority Accords meeting in the Halfort estate. She noted down the information, using the regular code as she made her way through the city. She didn’t look up when the dark winged figure flew past once again. Miranelle was occupied, but there were other options. Slower options, but they would have to do. The teleportation network was certainly useful for their little order of bakers.

“Do you offer springwood ale?” she asked the bartender in the tavern. Two drunkards were the only other occupants at this hour.

The man looked up, cleaning a glass as he raised a brow. “Springwood ale for the Miss. A rare drink, that,” he said and grabbed a dark bottle from the top shelf before handing it to her.

“My father used to work at the brewery, I wish I could find and contact him,” she said, the statement a lie.

He nodded and walked closer. “I have friends in the town. I could ask around.”

She handed him the coded message. “Thank you. Tell him Neria sends her regards.”

“I will,” he answered and bowed lightly.

Eyan took the bottle and left the tavern. The security at the estate was far too high for her to enter, but she could poke around at the edges, maybe talk to some of the Shadows. They usually liked her. A smile came to her face as she sipped on the ale.

Chapter 789 Signatures

Chapter 789 Signatures

Ilea flew above the estate, looking at the various alleyways all around before she sighed and landed in the extensive garden.

“Find anything?” she sent to Kyrian.

He was the only one of the Accords still standing outside, eyes scanning the flowerbeds, bushes, and exotic trees.

Ilea followed his gaze, frowning slightly as she smelled the copious amounts of different herbs and flowers. Dozens of different kinds, various colors and shapes, thorns, roots, pellets, and leaves of varying shapes and make.

“A hunch more than anything. But I didn’t want to destroy the garden,” he sent back. “Are you sure you saw someone?”

“I followed her here. Mind mage with illusion magic. She appeared in a secret entrance that lead into the estate. Behind a heavily enchanted brick wall,” she said, checking the space around her.

“And then you lost her?” Kyrian asked as he glanced at her. He raised a brow. “Really?”

“There were traps,” she said.

He just shook his head. Likely lost as to why that was relevant.

“With poisons,” she added.

“Ah. I get it,” he sent. “Anything interesting among them?”

“Probably quite advanced for the human plains. But no, not really,” she answered. “By the time I tested them all and realized something was wrong with the wall, the woman was gone. No more teleportation either. She realized I was tracking her with that.”

“Rare combination of magic,” he sent.

Ilea was quiet for a while, looking at the garden. A warm breeze flowed through, the leaves moving in the wind. “Yeah.”

“You don’t think…” he said, glancing her way before he focused back on the yard.

“No. I would’ve noticed. We talked for a moment. Her spells were different too,” she sent. “Just a coincidence.”

“I know,” Kyrian said before he sighed.

Wayland appeared nearby and walked over, his eyes scanning the surroundings. “Damn smells,” he muttered. “You saw a spy?”

“Yes. Mind mage and illusionist. Two twenty one. Experienced,” she said and added how she had met and followed the woman.

“They won’t know much more than what everyone saw on the streets,” Wayland said. “I’ll make sure there’s nobody hiding in the estate. Intriguing though. Managed to get away from Lilith.”

“She was testing poisons,” Kyrian said.

“Distractions, yes. That would be the most viable way to deal with her,” Wayland said as he glanced at Ilea. “I would’ve chosen a brewery followed by a feast, maybe some powerful monsters if available.”

“Would a spymaster really share his ways to deal with me, if he had to?” Ilea asked, looking at him.

“No,” he said with a slight smirk. “I’ll get to work then. The meeting starts in a few minutes.”

Ilea nodded, seeing him vanish as she returned her attention to the smells and sights around her.

Kyrian walked over and put a hand on her ash covered shoulder.

They stood in silence for a while, until he squeezed. “Come on. Let’s go.”

She nodded and lightly punched his arm. “Another meeting. Kind of want to go back to Kohr and fight some abominations.”

“They know you. Our presence will make things smoother. Let’s get dinner afterwards,” he said. “Somewhere in the city.”

“How about in a cave?” she asked.

“Got something specific in mind?” Kyrian said.

“Yes,” she said and focused on Walter’s mark. “Visit for dinner later? I’ll bring a few friends.”

“Of course. After sundown. I’ll prepare something,” came the answer.

Great, she thought and smiled. “Also, what do you mean Our presence. You don’t know them.”

“I’m a three mark human,” Kyrian said.

“Oh, sorry, Mr. Important,” Ilea joked, raising her hands in a defensive gesture.

“Cowering on the floor might make me forgive you,” he said in a dry tone.

Ilea smirked. “Aliana isn’t teaching you the proper manners, I see.”

He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “Oh, she is. But you’re not Aliana.”

“Cute,” Ilea said as they entered the large three story mansion. Dark marble made up most of the walls and floors, paintings, armor displays, and vases with delicate flora displayed decorating the entrance hall. Two sets of broad stairs led up to the first floor, an enchanted chandelier hanging down from above, illuminating the hall in changing patterns of blue light.

She could hear the sound from outside being shut out the moment the heavy wooden double doors closed behind her, various enchantments flaring to life as her sphere was cut off. Very wealthy, this one, she thought. “Why was this place chosen? If a spy knows a secret entrance, shouldn’t we go somewhere more trustworthy?”

Kyrian glanced at her as they walked past the stairs and into the large dining hall beyond, two Shadowguard standing next to the open doors. “The Taleen arrived in a public area. Every spy worth their gold will know about this meeting by the end of the day. I think it’s a display of power by the Accords, to do this in a known location. It might also be a way for Alistair to test the loyalty of a noble in his city. You could ask Claire, if you’re interested.”

“Not really,” Ilea said as she walked over to the expansive buffet. She smiled at some of the dwarves that were there as well, gingerly filling their plates as they tried not to look excited. “Try this one,” Ilea whispered to one of them, pointing at a baked fillet dish she had tried before.

“Thank you, Lilith,” the dwarf said with a smile, adding a piece to his plate.

People were still mingling, various small groups having formed with representatives of the various factions talking to the Taleen. Ilea stopped listening in when she realized the mundane nature of their conversations.

Politics.

“Feel like a bout?” she sent to Kyrian.

He smiled. “We’ve been here for less than two minutes. Grab some food and sit down.”

She rolled her eyes but did as he suggested, joining a few sitting dwarves before she ate in silence.

The meeting commenced soon, the doors closed now and enchantments in place to prevent information from getting out.

This time, she paid little mind to the talks. Compared to the meeting with the Accords, these were actual negotiations. Detailed deals were presented, modified, and accepted. Some only after lengthy debates between the various factions involved.

The main goal of the Accords were to provide a network of trade, resources, and security to its members. A lot of it was already defined, but the Taleen wanted more details to be added, both in regards to what they would be able to provide, and what they would receive in return. It was mostly Ormont and the older dwarves that talked, though it was clear most of the others would’ve accepted the initial deal already.

“This seems way more complicated than when the Pit joined,” she sent to Claire during a long monologue from one of the Taleen.

“Helwart had clear demands and they wanted access to the gates. The Taleen are not so easily swayed, and as you said, those who were around during their height of power are both adept in diplomacy and know what their people are capable of. This is not as one sided as most of our previous negotiations, even those with the Empire of Lys,” Claire explained.

Ilea rested her head on her arm, still occasionally teleporting some food from the buffet to her plate. Nobody complained. The benefit of being an influential figure. She wondered if anyone thought it disrespectful, or if they were just envious that she could eat during the frankly boring declarations of goods to be traded, metals to be provided, access to cities, mines, education.

The Taleen were aware of the value their expertise would bring to an alliance. Despite the fact that only the Accords could provide them with quick access to the teleportation networks, Ormont still pushed quite far, even suggesting negotiations with other available factions that would provide military support in exchange for their knowledge. The teleportation gates were even used as a way to pressure the Accords, knowing they could share their own technology with factions desperate to replicate what they had abbreviated from the Taleen.

“You’re a ruthless fuck,” Ilea sent to Ormont when one of the Builders was talking about materials.

He didn’t look at her but smiled ever so slightly. “It is a ruthless world, young healer. But I am still here, and I’m inclined to accept these deals. Know that your candor has played a major role in that.”

“Oh I’m greatly honored mighty Maker,” Ilea said as she ate another pastry.

“Perhaps I can sit back and enjoy some of this wonderful food your people have provided, once we’re done,” he said.

Ilea started to meditate as she stopped listening entirely. Lists of goods, requirements, education levels. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested at all, she was just tired of it. And she trusted everyone here to make better decisions on the matters than she ever could. Her presence was simply required as a form of respect. She hoped she didn’t go too far with her comments sent to the dwarf, but she assumed he understood her well enough. If anything they would confirm his assumptions about her.

She did just want there to be less conflict and war. She did just want their people to have nice food. And she did just want people to learn from each other. Ilea was just annoyed that talking all of that out took as long as it did.

Finally, after what felt like centuries, the parties got together and signed their contracts.

Ilea took in a deep breath and sighed.

“I’m surprised at the swift conclusion,” Catelyn said. “It would be more than acceptable if you wished to discuss these contracts in the coming days or even weeks.”

Ormont smiled. “I understand that we are both to profit from this endeavor. The Accords have been more than forthcoming in these dealings. We do not with to prolong the lack of opportunities for our people.”

Swift?

Forthcoming?

Ilea had more than four question marks floating around in her mind but she tried to distract herself with some potato salad.

“It is customary for the contracts to be signed in the presence of the Meadow. And we require a vote of every faction to include yours in turn. Is such a journey acceptable?” Catelyn asked.

“Where would the Meadow be?” Ormont asked.

“Far north, below the settlement of Hallowfort,” Catelyn said. “We may use the teleportation network but a more comfortable option exists. One that would allow you to return here quickly after.” She looked to Ilea. “If that is available?”

“It is,” she said. “Let me check to make sure a suitable barrier is set up.” Ilea stood up, still eating from her plate as she walked through a gate. “Heya. The Taleen and Accords want to sign their contracts here. Can you set something up? I’ll have them walk through a gate.”

“Of course. Give me thirteen seconds,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea bowed as she chewed and stepped back through, the gate closing behind her. “Thirteen seconds,” she said, the representatives waiting in silence as she ate and counted down the time in her head. “Okay. There you go,” she raised her arm and summoned the gate. “Move it up, the mana cost is insane.”

She set one of the gate locations in the mansion, occasionally recasting the spell to save on the exponential mana cost increase.

Everyone through, she went herself, arriving in a dome like barrier, flowers and trees all over with a circular stone platform and a large table at the center. “You transformed the entire area.”

“Yes,” the Meadow sent. “And I will transform it back after this is done.”

“Greetings, representatives of the Taleen, to my domain,” it spoke.

“Greetings, Endless Meadow,” Ormont spoke and bowed. “We have heard much, but I did want to see you myself.”

“Let us commence then,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea finished her plate before she sat down at the large round table, watching the others take their places. The extensive contracts floated now, moving past each of the representatives who left their signatures. She smiled at the barely concealed amazement in the dwarves. Even having known the One without Form, having made the very machines meant to face and destroy elven kind, they were still awed by the Meadow.

“The original contracts will be stored here, and protected. Every faction will receive copies,” the Meadow spoke when the last signature had been written down. “I welcome you to the Accords, Taleen of Io.”

“You never not impress,” Ilea sent to the tree.

“I understand they were not quite as forthcoming in their negotiations as some of the other factions. Three mark humans, teleportation gates, control of their ancient army, and myself… perhaps all of it was needed to even get them to the table,” the Meadow answered. “They are proud, and ancient. Let us hope they are honorable too, and provide just as much in return as they have claimed they would.”

“I mean it’s not like we’re strapped for resources,” Ilea said.

“Says the inventory manager of the Accords,” the tree sent.

“Fair. But Aki is part of it now too. I assume we’re doing pretty well,” she said.

“We are. Compared to every civilization I have the necessary data on for a meaningful comparison. However Aki tells me the Taleen weren’t exactly wanting either, before their imprisonment and even now,” the Meadow spoke.

“This concludes the signing, and thus inclusion of the Taleen into the Accords,” Catelyn said. “Thank you for the swift procedures, Guilds of Io. We shall commence with the meeting here to discuss the specifics of fulfilling your requests, including any other points that remained open during our last session,” she said and glanced at everyone present. “Those who do not wish to participate are free to leave, as is written. Your votes will be given to your chosen representatives.”

“That would be me,” Ilea said and stood up, stretching as some of the people looked her way. A few of the Hallowfort council got up too, as did plenty of the dwarves of the Pit.

Kyrian joined as well, as did some of the Guild members from the Taleen.

“As members of the Accords, you are now free to travel using our teleportation network. I advise you to remain within allied cities until the various kingdoms and empires of the Plains have been informed of your addition,” the Meadow informed.

“Those who want to get back to the estate in Riverwatch can join me now,” Ilea said. “I’ll be here again when the meeting ends to transport the rest if they wish.”

A sizable group joined her, those from Hallowfort vanishing with help of the Meadow.

The Taleen seemed excited now, the mood elated. Ilea could tell the only ones remaining composed were the old guard of the Taleen, those who were around before the One without Form. Not like they had much of a choice with their speedy decision. Not if they didn’t want to be overthrown. She could understand that much at least. Their offer was too good to be ignored, for anyone but a proud ancient empire. She summoned her gate and walked through, followed by the rest of the delegates that didn’t further participate in the meeting.

The gate closed as she took in a deep breath.

“The Meadow…” one of the Taleen muttered.

“Quite an impressive piece of wood, eh?” one of the war machines spoke before bellowing. “Now that you’re part of the Accords. What do you think of this?” He spread his arms as various compartments on his war machine moved, revealing hooks, weapons, and gears.

One of the younger Taleen walked over and squinted. “Some of us learned about war machines. The idea is older than our Guardians, but this is more advanced than what we saw. I’m part of the Guild of Builders, call me Marun. Is it possible to look at the enchantments and greenprints?”

“Greenprints? You mean the building plans? Of course… I own several smithies and war machine facilities in the Pit. You are invited, as is everyone else who would like to join,” the heavy machine said.

“I’ll stay here and look at the suns for a while,” one of the Taleen said, arms crossed as she made her way towards the double doors.

“Excuse me, Lilith?” one of them said, a young dwarf with piercing green eyes and long brown hair. She wore a white robe with a variety of metal runes embedded into the fabric. “I am Caria, Guild of Healers.”

Ilea looked at the dwarf and smiled, ignoring the conversations sparking up all around, plenty of people already forming groups, others leaving alone. Kyrian stayed with her. “What can I do for you, Caria?”

The dwarf smiled. “You are quite an impressive specimen. To reach the five hundreds as a human is… perhaps unheard of. I don’t think I have come across anything like it in our records, though of course the Guardian did censor quite a bit of information. I have seen and heard of your Sentinels, though only what I could gather in the little time we have been here.”

Ilea grinned. “Yes. I’m already booked for the rest of the day, but let me see if I can arrange something. Our Headquarters are in Ravenhall. I’m sure one of the faculty and at least a Hunter level Sentinel will be happy to show you around.” She walked outside and into the garden, followed by the Healer and Kyrian. “Vienna?” she sent to one of the Sentinels guarding the estate.

The woman appeared in front of her with one knee to the ground. “Lilith.”

“This is Caria, Taleen and part of the Guild of Healers. Do you have time to introduce her to the Sentinels and maybe some of the faculty in Ravenhall?” Ilea asked.

“It would be an honor,” Vienna spoke as she stood up and bowed to the dwarf. She signaled with her hand before her group appeared.

Caria gave her a look and smiled. “We have much to learn, it seems. It seems unlikely the Azarinth would have allowed for an Order such as yours to exist.”

“The Azarinth are gone,” Ilea spoke. “We can do whatever we want.” She smiled at the woman and turned to Kyrian. “Shall we?”

Chapter 790 Dinner

A note from Rhaegar

For you lads as well. I've been struggling a little with my mental health, see details here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mental-health-ah-60323530

Ongoing releases might be less frequent.

Chapter 790 Dinner

The suns were already rather low on the horizon, Riverwatch basking in the late summer evening light. Sentinels and Shadows still flew above the city, some of the local guard squads doing the same.

“How long do you think the meeting will take? We could get dinner together at Walter’s place,” she sent to Trian and Claire.

“At least a few more hours. I’ll contact you,” Claire sent back near instantly.

“Would be nice. No idea how long. The Taleen want detailed plans,” Trian sent.

“Detailed plans,” Ilea sighed.

“It’s good that you’re not the administrator, or Headmaster for that matter,” Kyrian said as he looked over the city. He wore a black long sleeved shirt and black pants.

“Yeah, I’ve been told similar things in the past few days. But you know, we wouldn’t be here without me surviving a sunlit corridor,” she said, leaning against a tree. This one was far thicker than the one that buckled.

“Not getting enough validation? Oh great Lilith?” he asked with a smirk.

She smiled. “Fuck off. You look good. I like the casual look. Got over your constant protection or what is it?”

“It’s been… I’m better. Yes. I can also store plenty of metal in some kind of space domain, or the Meadow says its one. Connected to my essence apparently, so yeah… easier to be like this when my armor is right there. The storage rings just weren’t the same,” he said.

“Right. I have something similar. But I can store everything,” she said.

“Of course yours is better,” he said with a laugh.

“My armor is a skill so I guess it’s different in the first place. Kind of strange that you can’t make your own metal yet,” she said. “We can fly a bit and then walk by the way. The others might join later.”

“Fair, let’s go then,” he said and followed, the two flying for a few seconds through the forest before coming to a stop, landing and continuing on foot. “I had choices for metal creator classes,” he said. “But they just didn’t seem as powerful as my main one. Infusing and empowering the metal I choose limits the amount I can control, yes, but at the same time it’s far stronger than anything I could create. At least it seemed that way from the descriptions.”

“Your metal is insanely powerful, yes,” Ilea said. “On par with what the Ascended threw at me.”

“Oh really?” he asked.

Ilea smiled. “Yeah. I think you’re a much better fighter than the ones I’ve faced. But I suppose they’re not exactly warriors.”

“I train with really good ones too,” he said and winked.

“Smooth. Now you can train with a bunch of Executioners. I still wonder if we can test ourselves against the Sphere Guardians. Not a priority for Aki right now, but yeah,” she said.

The forest got darker as the trees became more dense. They were already close to the mountain and the Calys mine.

“I’m more interested in facing all those elves, honestly. Far more natural fighters and they’ve been at it for centuries, maybe even longer. Their magic intrigues me as well. How do you even defend against something like sound,” he mused.

“You just let it hit you. Until the resistance is high enough,” Ilea suggested.

He laughed. “Sure. That’s your approach. Because you can just heal everything. Not everyone has that level of regeneration.”

“You’re pretty durable yourself,” she said.

“Yeah. But a level eight hundred elf?” he asked. “I don’t know about that. I’ll find out though, if they really come to the Descent.”

“Right. I’m happy to train with them too. Don’t see why they would refuse to come either. I bet Isalthar likes the chance to have the Hunters gathered in a central place, even though the Descent is pretty large,” she said as they reached the slope of the mountain, the trees more scarce here. She quickly spotted the hidden entrance, smiling at the lack of concealment. With all her perception skills and enhanced sight, it may as well have been a door. Walter needs to upgrade his shit. Maybe that lady from that estate can help.

“Just hope the Accords talk to them in time, but I suppose Aki is with them,” Kyrian said.

“Took two days to prepare. I’m sure there were some talks,” Ilea said.

“You don’t actually know anything?” Kyrian asked.

She shrugged. “I actually was in Io, you know? Preparing things.”

“For two entire days?” he asked, raising his brows.

Ilea teleported them into the cavern. “I also visited Felicia, alright?”

“Right. I might’ve been in the capital too.”

“So that’s why there was no fucking food in the Redleaf mansion,” Ilea complained.

“You have entire restaurants inside of your storage domain or whatever it is,” Kyrian murmured, looking away.

“Denying Lilith her food. You have some nerve,” Ilea said, knocking on the hidden entrance to the Vultures Den. This one at least was enchanted.

“Might get an evolution achievement for that. Or one of those titles you talked about,” he said and pointed at her. “You’re still a Wanderer. Did you get something new in the meantime?”

Ilea shrugged. “I forgot to check.”

“You just like the Wanderer one, don’t you,” he said. “And I see we’re seeing the Vultures.”

“Maybe. I might be able to switch it now, it’s been over a week since I got it I think. But I can do that at any point in time. If I really need it,” she said and checked the list. There were three new ones since last time.

- Sun Defier [You think you're tougher than the sun. Maybe you are. You take less damage from the heat of stars]

- Mediator [You have an aura of calm about you. Beings will know you seek the end of conflict.]

- Poison Enjoyer [A connoisseur. You taste and feel the intricacies of poisons in your body.]

Great. Well sure, if I walk into another sun corridor, I’ll fucking know what to equip.

“I got a few new ones. But nothing really better than what I already have. I’ll leave it for now until I need to do something else,” she said. “Or maybe…” she glanced at Gourmet and Deviant. Hey maybe that would help with my astral stuff.

“Deviant? Really?” Kyrian asked when he saw the change.

“Leave me alone. It might help me train things,” she said and read the description again.

- Deviant [You may learn to understand previously incompatible magics]

“A deviant. Wanderer sounded nicer,” he said when the door opened.

The ruby eyes of grandpa bones looked at them, his skull head glancing between Kyrian and Ilea. “Who is this one? Another three mark? Youth,” he spat. “Don’t tell me you’re married.”

“We’re not. I don’t see why that would be an issue though,” Ilea said. “You’ve even met him before. He’s Kyrian. Initially from my Shadow team, long time friend.”

“I don’t like married people,” the skeleton explained. “Good to meet you, Kyrian. How’s your digging?”

Kyrian shook his bone hand and smiled. “Can’t complain. Just recently dug into the capital of the Taleen.” He ignored the fact that grandpa ones seemed to have forgotten him.

The skeleton whistled. Somehow. “Now that’s some impressive digging. Come on in, Ethi… I mean Walter told us about your coming. He’s preparing food. Even have some of that fish the demon likes so much.”

Ilea smiled. Right. Forgot how crazy this little coven was. Den? Necromancer cult? Whatever.

“Vultures Brohterhood,” Ilea said to her companion.

“It’s beinghood now,” Granpa bones said as they walked down the stairs, Ilea shutting the door with a push of space magic. “It was personhood for a time but then Weavy isn’t really a person, is he?”

Ilea looked at him, raising her brows. You’re not exactly a person either. She chose not to bring it up.

“Beinghood. I don’t think that’s a word,” Kyrian whispered to her.

“You’re allowed to make up new words, you know?” she said as they walked through the damp and unsanitary corridors. She spotted several kinds of fungi growing on the uneven walls, unsure if they were meant for food or simply existed due to gross neglect.

Compared to the enchanted mansion they had come from or the domain of the Meadow, the place was certainly a downgrade. “The beds here are fucking shit too, if you needed to know.”

“I didn’t,” Kyrian answered.

“At least the common room is nice,” she said as they passed a few patrolling undead. The corpses wore battered leather armor, spears in their hands.

[Undead Warrior – lvl 95] – [Dead]

Nice.

“So, how are things down here?” she asked, glancing at the black cape around the skeleton’s back.

He looked back with slightly glowing ruby eyes. “Too loud.”

“I see,” she said. Not one for conversation.

They entered the common room, the smells and atmosphere changing instantly. From damp and dark dungeon like stone corridor to what one might find inside of an inn. The large hearth burned with wood, flickering flames and warmth welcoming any traveler that might find the underground den. Oil lamps added warm light to the hall, stuffed deer, bear, and monster heads adorning the stone walls. Wooden support beams intersected the assortment of tables and chairs. Stairs led down into the somewhat cramped but homely hall, the counter to the left extending near all the way to the back of the room.

Behind the counter, several shelves reached up and nearly to the high ceiling, filled with bottles and jars. Walter’s collection, far more extensive now it seemed. The brewery he set up in Riverwatch must’ve born fruit. Ilea saw the barrels stored in the kitchen, a cellar added below with more. She smiled at the discovery, very much inclined to buy the entire stock.

Walter stood in the kitchen, hugging Lucia as they prepared dinner for everyone.

Harthome showed off a steel hammer glinting with magic, the large man sitting opposite the three initiates. Celene and Weavy sat at another table, the woman listening to the demon talk about a rune he had etched into the table with his claws. She moved a finger around the top of a glass of wine, seemingly lost in thought as the demon talked.

Eyn sat next to Harthome, one hand rubbing his temple as he flicked through the tome of runes. He was the first to notice them, looking up to glance at Ilea. Indra it seemed, wasn’t around.

“Hello,” came the voice of the boy. He looked less scrawny, his hair still a mess but his eyes showed no fear. Interested and perhaps even calculating. Something about him felt wild to Ilea.

“Hey. Nice spell. Weavy hasn’t gone too far, has he?” she asked with a smile.

“Walter is making sure I don’t turn into a demon. I don’t really see the point, but whatever. You two are strong… wow. And what’s that in your mind… it’s like a wall. I’ve never seen anything like it!” the boy sent, closing his tome.

Harthome stood up and laughed, raising his hammer as he shouted. “Ilea!”

The initiates turned around and smiled.

Still initiates? I wonder.

“You might see the point in the future. Being a demon might be fun, but I get his point,” Ilea answered the boy. “The wall is my third tier Mental Resistance. You can try to get past it if you feel like it.”

[Mind Mage – lvl 158]

“Are you sure? Walter says it’s dangerous, even against high level people,” Eyn said.

“You have my permission. Only against me of course,” Ilea said.

He smiled and put both hands onto his tome, whispering something to himself as he closed his eyes.

Ilea felt the pressure hit her. Cute. She smirked.

“Harthome, it’s good to see you. Show me that hammer,” she said and stepped down to the others, waving at Lucas, Ellie, and Naiir.

“Of course, here you go,” he said and threw the thing her way.

Ilea caught it with space magic, moving it into her hand before she inspected the metal. “You’ve met Kyrian briefly before. He was in my shadow team, thought I’d bring him along. We just finished a long meeting with the Accords.”

“It really wasn’t that long,” Kyrian said. “Good to see you again,” he said and waved, stepping down to sit down at the table. “Weavy, Eyn, good to see you.”

The demon turned around. “Metal flesh. Yes. I remember you,” he hissed. “Mistress Lilith, you have returned for a visit. An honor, truly,” he added and bowed. “Deviant, you are. Indeed.”

“I unlocked titles, yes. This one makes it easier to learn magics I’m not familiar with apparently,” she said, looking at the various benches and chairs. “Nothing with metal?” she asked, turning the very light hammer in her hand.

“You can have it if you like,” Harthome said as he walked over and leaned against the bar, looking at her with an approving nod.

“Thanks, but I found a hammer already,” she said, summoning Silent Memory. “Behave, or I’ll store you again,” she said as the silver strings flowed out, one going around her arm with the rest fanning out. She watched them and waited.

Harthome staggered back, nearly falling on his ass. “Th… the… th… the si… si… Silent Memory!” he shouted and started laughing. A manic sound. Then he passed out, just for a moment. He took in a deep breath, rubbing his eyes before he sat up and looked at the hammer again. “It… not a dream. Ilea! What you have there is…”

“A divine artifact made by Sanguerrihn, yes. I’m aware,” she said with a grin.

“It is supposed to… bring the end of times. A most dangerous creation… madness. To wield it, to bring it here… what… where have you found it?” Harthome said, staggering to get up.

One thorned silver thread moved over to him.

“Don’t. They’re not to curse or eat,” Ilea said to the hammer as if it understood.

The thread turned back, all of them moving back into the hammer, all but the one around her arm. Ilea made it vanish again. “It took a while to make it less… angry, I guess.”

“Angry… yes. It is not supposed to be wielded. The Silent Memory is chaos… destruction. Madness wrought into metal. Best forgotten, left in the dark. And yet you wield it. Ilea…” he started cackling, receiving his own hammer that he simply threw behind himself. “This is childsplay. Tell me how you found it!”

Ilea chose to make a chair of ash, sitting down at the table. She noticed the creaking when Kyrian sat down on the bench. “Heavy bones, eh?”

“Not quite as bad as yours,” he answered with a smile.

“You’re quite heavy, boy,” Celene said as she looked over. “Are you human?”

“I do believe I am,” Kyrian said, looking her way.

She downed her wine. “Boring.”

Ilea snickered. “Right. Being a three mark just isn’t impressive enough.”

“Your defenses are strong. Wow,” Eyn sent before he stopped his attempt, blood running from his nose.

“You’re bleeding again, Eyn,” Ellie said and offered a napkin.

“Thank you,” the boy answered and cleaned off the blood.

Ellie smiled and looked to Kyrian. “You wield curses, right?”

“That I do,” Kyrian said. “But I don’t know if I can show anything here without killing someone.”

“You can curse me a little,” Ilea said.

“Maybe,” Kyrian said.

“Nobody is getting cursed,” came Walter’s voice. He walked out with a plate in his hands. “You damn monsters keep your magic to yourself. This isn’t some gathering place of Cerithil Hunters or whatever.”

“Oh right, I could’ve invited a few of them too,” Ilea said.

“NO,” Walter said as the plate vanished from his hands.

“I can take care of that,” Ilea said, summoning the prepared dishes from the kitchen.

“Aren’t we waiting for the others?” Kyrian asked.

Ilea looked up from the steaming finger food. “But I’m hungry.”

“The mistress is hungry,” Weavy said and nodded. “Nothing shall interrupt her feast.”

“Nothing,” Ilea whispered.

“Fine, not like I can stop you,” Kyrian said and grabbed himself a plate as well.

“Thanks, Walter!” Ilea shouted and started eating. “Oh, I want to buy some of your mead and ale! The Taleen really liked it!”

“The Taleen,” he murmured. “Okay. Let’s… right.” He shook his head and walked back to the kitchen before realizing every plate was already gone.

Lucia giggled and grabbed his arm, leading him out from behind the bar and to one of the tables. “Ilea, dear, can you get some mugs too?”

Ilea waved her hand, a dozen mugs vanishing from one of the shelves and appearing above them. She set them down with her space manipulation before summoning a barrel of ale.

Harthome laughed, ripping the thing open with his bare hands before he started pouring.

“I never really asked. How do you know the Vultures anyway?” Kyrian asked.

“She stumbled down here, exploring the Calys mine. What level was she? Forty or something?” Lucas said.

“Don’t say it. Makes me feel inadequate with my growth,” Naiir said.

“You wouldn’t feel so bad if you actually studied and went out there to kill monsters,” Eyn said.

“The way you talk about it, it sucks. You get hurt all the time, and you nearly died so many times already,” Naiir said, shaking his head.

“You’re just scared,” Eyn said with a smile. “You think she’s scared of anything?” he motioned to Ilea.

She gulped and smiled. “I’ve met beings that scare me. Trust me,” she said with a grin.

“Really! What?” he said and leaned forward.

“A… wait no. I don’t want to talk about it. Maybe it can somehow hear it and come here,” she said and shuddered slightly, thinking of the eye, then of the strange light illuminating her deep below the waters of Kohr. Maybe that one was just lost. No, fuck that.

“If she’s scared of it, I don’t want to even hear about it,” Ellie said and covered her ears.

“Covering your ears won’t do anything,” Eyn said.

“He’s right you know,” Ilea sent to everyone.

“You can do it too!” Eyn exclaimed with a bright smile. “See, I’m not weird!”

“You are,” Ellie said and looked away, blushing a little.

Interesting, Ilea thought with a smile. “Don’t be mean to her. I think she likes you,” she sent to Eyn. “See, that’s why Walter’s lessons are important.”

“What do you mean… she… she… always teases me,” he said, mind stuttering the answer. He looked down at his book. “I’m… strange.”

“Strange isn’t bad, kid,” Ilea sent. “Strange is just strange. I’m strange too, look at my title.”

Chapter 791 Drinks

Chapter 791 Drinks

“… the heat was so bad, I could barely even think. I’m pretty sure my magic protected me, both my ash and my space stuff. My healing just takes care of things anyway, always been like that,” Ilea recalled. Thanks Reconstruction, you’re the real mvp.

“The machine said it would take nearly a century to cool off?” Walter asked, sipping from his ale before he shook his head.

“What powered that thing?” Lucia asked. “I mean enchantments and machines can be powerful but what you describe is… incredible.”

Ilea smiled. “I know what it is, but I can’t share that information. It might literally cause a war or something.”

Kyrian smiled.

“Well now you have to share it,” Harthome said.

Ilea opened her mouth when Kyrian touched her arm. “Ilea,” he said, raising his brows. “She’s not joking you know. This is not information that should get out there at all.”

“I mean they’re mostly just dwelling down here anyway,” Ilea said as she leaned back in her ashen chair, drinking from the wonderful ale. “I’ll buy whatever you have,” she sent to the man in question.

“We can talk about that before you leave,” Walter answered. “The prices have gone up.”

Ilea smiled. “My accountant will be here later. I’m sure we can figure something out, Mr. Business.”

“Corridors to maintain, holes to dig,” he said.

“What’s with the mushrooms anyway?” Ilea asked. “And where’s Indra?”

“They add to the atmosphere,” Celene said.

“I told you they’re strange,” Lucia said, looking away.

“Not this again,” Walter murmured, glancing at Ilea with ire in his eyes.

“Want to fight, dark magic man,” Ilea asked, wisps of white flame flaring to life in front of her eyes.

“I liked you more below level one hundred,” he said.

Ilea smiled and leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “Oh? And here I thought you liked strong women.”

He broke eye contact and glanced to the side, muttering unintelligible words.

“Thought so,” Ilea said, seeing Lucia wink her way.

“We’ll talk about the mushrooms when we don’t have guests here,” Celene said and crossed her arms. “What do you think, Weavy?”

“I thought we would drop the conversation now?” Lucia said, glaring daggers at the woman.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Celene said.

“You have a new necklace!” Ellie said with a smile.

Ilea raised her brows. “Yeah. I found that recently. It’s called the Azarinth Star, a mythical item.”

“Mythical?” Lucia asked.

Somewhere, Harthome screamed.

“Yes, it can summon barriers,” Ilea said and summoned a few of the shimmering golden shields.

“Pretty,” Ellie murmured.

“How much?” Celene asked.

“Did you just ask Lilith to sell her mythical item?” Walter asked.

Celene shrugged. “Worth a shot.”

“Her wealth and power is beyond your understanding,” Wavy sent, for everyone to hear.

“That’s exactly what I meant. Insults like that,” Celene whispered in a slightly raspy tone, touching the demon’s arm.

“Gross,” Lucas said.

Ilea started laughing. “Right. So yeah, then I put Aki into the machine and here we are. You’ll probably see the impact soon, just imagine it. Taleen machines all over the human plains. Delivering goods, messages… well inside the cities, we have teleportation gates now too.”

“Monster attacks below level two hundred would become entirely irrelevant,” Walter murmured. “But… as would most adventurers and Shadows.”

“No,” Kyrian said.

“What do you mean? Aren’t the machines at least at level one fifty, most are at two hundred or even higher, you said so yourself,” Walter said.

“I’m a Shadow,” Kyrian said and pointed at Ilea. “She’s a Shadow.”

“That’s why I said most,” Walter said.

“They’ll just have to push themselves harder, find more dangerous monsters to fight. Now that the Sentinels are around to heal, with independent healers hopefully less stigmatized or even hunted, they should have an easier time,” Ilea said. “Plus all that traveling is done for. People can now teleport to a frontier or to a dungeon town near instantly.”

“I suppose, yes,” Walter said. “On the healer thing… why would they be less stigmatized now? Or hunted?”

“Because it was the Corinth Order who did that. Their management… has changed. And if I hear about a healer being killed or intimidated by their members, I’ll be the one doing the hunting,” she said with a smile.

“You’ve changed,” Lucia said as she looked at her.

“A little, I suppose,” Ilea said. “Power corrupts, to an extent. I’m not scared of the healing orders.”

“No, they’re scared of you now,” Lucia said with a smile. “How barbaric.”

“We made deals. I don’t consider it barbaric to push orders to stop hunting independent healers. Fuck that,” Ilea said. “Oh and I’m planning to get an academy running in Ravenhall at some point. To share knowledge and training on Classes and various schools of magic. Just need to find enough faculty.”

Walter chuckled. “You’re really pushing it. The nobles won’t be happy about that.”

“Then they’re free to challenge me,” Ilea said with a wide grin.

“I thought you didn’t want to be the Empress or whatever,” Kyrian said, tapping her temple with a loud impact.

“I don’t. This is just providing education and making the species in the Accords stronger. Hoarding magical knowledge is stupid,” Ilea said. “Some of this world is super progressive, other bits are just… medieval.”

“Medieval?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah, a historic thing where I’m from. My point is, why should magical knowledge not be shared, studied, and understood?” she said.

“No, I agree with you,” Kyrian said.

“Powerful people want to remain in power,” Walter said. “And there is an argument to be made that most people shouldn’t have access to that knowledge and power.”

“Why not?” Ilea asked.

He shrugged. “I’ve traveled far and wide in my time. And I’ve met a lot of people that… should not wield power.”

“Fair. I’ve met a bunch that did, and shouldn’t have,” Ilea said. “Magic is just a tool. People that would abuse that tool are why we have laws.”

“Seems like you push a lot of people around though,” Lucia said, fidgeting with her mug a little. She didn’t meet Ilea’s eyes. “Does someone like you have to adhere to those laws too?”

“I try to,” Ilea said. “I get what you mean though. And it’s not that simple. I don’t believe being perfectly lawful is the way to go. I don’t want to invade someone’s home, but if I see they’re housing slaves in their basement, you bet your ass I’ll kick in those doors. I must’ve broken several laws when we invaded Baralia, sneaked into their cities. But we stopped rituals that would’ve killed thousands. I don’t regret that, and would do it all again in a heartbeat.” She paused. “I trust my friends to tell me when I lose it or go too far.”

“There are always shifts in power,” Kyrian said. “I believe the Accords are a good thing for most. Every awakened species is allowed to live in their cities, every belief is allowed, every school of magic can be studied, as long as such study doesn’t break any laws. Homes and food is provided to all, regardless of wealth. Opportunities exist even for those not of noble blood.”

“Didn’t know you cared so much about the last bit,” Ilea said.

“I… I realized a lot of things since…” he said and turned a little red.

Ilea smirked. “Aliana, hmm?”

“Yes. I simply accepted some things from my past. And she’s told me about hers,” he said, drinking from his mug of water. “Fuck that. We have the power to change things, why wouldn’t we?”

“We would be ready to join,” came Claire’s voice.

“Speaking of nobles,” Ilea said. “Okay if I open a gate here?”

“We have a strict no gate rule,” Walter said in a dry tone.

“Really?” Ilea asked.

“No,” he said and motioned for her to go for it.

Ilea summoned the gate right behind her and moved her arm through, waving towards the gate.

The first thing that flew through was a little Fae.

Greetings

Mortals

“No violence?” Ilea asked the Baron.

It flew around before landing on the table, carefully inspecting Ilea’s mug.

Violence. It nodded.

Trian and Claire stepped through, the latter hitting her shin against a bench.

“Wha-” she exclaimed, shifting to the side as she looked around the somewhat cramped hall.

“Greetings,” Walter said and raised his mug.

Trian smiled. “Hello everyone. Ilea did mention you lot before. Hello Weavy,” he said and waved to the demon.

“Vampyr,” the demon spoke and nodded, the gesture a little strange still, not executed quite like a human would.

The gate closed.

“Is that a fae?” Ellie asked as she leaned forward.

Lucas and Naiir did the same, the trio looking at Violence.

The Baron turned around and spread his wings and arms, flying up.

Mortals

Listen

To

Ilea grabbed the fae and put it onto her shoulder. “Shut it, you megalomaniac.”

The Fae giggled.

“You say that like you’re not the reason the Accords exist,” Trian said as he found a chair and sat down. “I’m Trian, Headmaster of the Sentinel Corps, member of the Accords, and a friend of Lilith.”

“They know my real name,” Ilea said as she battled the small space mage with her own magic. “Like an annoying fucking fly.”

Slow

Dense

“You dare,” Ilea answered.

Kyrian touched her shoulder. “You’re gonna kill someone.”

She realized her fires were active. “Oh. Sorry.”

Violence!

The Fae landed on her head and nestled into her hair.

“And I’m Claire,” the woman said and sat down.

“You’re friends of Ilea, make yourself at home. Food and drink is on the house,” Walter said.

“We appreciate it,” Claire said.

The Vultures introduced themselves in turn.

“You seem tired,” Celene said, looking at Claire.

The woman nodded, drinking from her mug. “Oh this is good,” she said. “Do you have anything stronger?”

Walter smiled. “Yes, feel free to browse,” he said and motioned to the shelves with dozens of bottles.

“I’ll pay, don’t worry,” Claire said as she stood up.

“I assume she’s told you some things already?” Trian asked, looking at Celene.

“The machines, the Taleen, Accords, yes. She’s mentioned some things,” the woman answered.

“Yeah. Ilea left us to deal with the details of the Taleen integration into the Accords,” he said and rubbed his temples. “They’re far more obsessed with contracts than anyone I’ve dealt with before.”

“Still only took a few hours,” Kyrian said.

“Thanks to the Meadow, yes. And all the other insane minds. Plus we have plenty of contracts set up already, it was just a matter of adjusting and expanding things. The Taleen were prepared with their demands as well. The negotiations were short,” Trian said. “But intense. I do enjoy managing the Sentinels way more.”

“Not like this happens every day,” Ilea said, stuffing her face with bread, cheese, and cold cuts.

“First, you left after the initial meeting. Second, no it wouldn’t, if you wouldn’t constantly find new people to join,” Trian said.

Ilea shrugged. “Sorry, I go out and meet beings. While you sit in your office.”

“You were the one who asked me! The Sentinels were your idea,” he said, squinting at her.

Ilea offered him a cheese sandwich.

He took it.

“I’m just saying,” he said between bites. “You’re not exactly around a lot. I have to deal with everything.”

“And I appreciate that,” Ilea said.

“Do you?” Trian asked. “Last week I had to console a twenty four year old adventurer because his resistances weren’t growing as fast as those of his peers. Headmaster, it just hurts so much. Is this not for me? He asked me. I’m still thinking about that.”

“What happened with him?” Lucia asked.

“He joined the Shadowguard after we talked and I advised him. Not everyone is made for the gruesome training of the Sentinels, and that’s okay,” Trian said before he downed his ale.

Claire sat down with a sigh and a drink, herbs sticking out of her glass, a citrusy smell coming from the mixture. She put down a bottle too.

“You know your spirits,” Walter said with a smile.

“I’m not the head fucking administrator of Ravenhall to drink crap,” she said and took a long swig.

“Prominent guests,” Lucia said. “Trian, it seems like you’re doing a wonderful job with the Sentinels.”

“I do try,” he said and raised his mug to her. “See, that’s what I mean with appreciation,” he said, glancing at Ilea.

She offered him another sandwich.

“You can’t solve everything with food and punching,” he said.

“I disagree,” Ilea said.

Violence, the Fae said and nodded.

“Incredible wealth helps too,” she said and ate the sandwich herself.

“And apparently people that do the more complicated work for you,” Walter said.

“Yes, like dealing with Cerithil Hunters,” she said and winked.

“Exactly. Ben has been quiet,” he said. “I do hope he’s fine. They live such a dangerous lifestyle.”

“He’s doing okay,” Ilea said. “They’re moving to the Descent now.”

“The multilayered dungeon below Hallowfort?” Naiir asked.

“She’s told you quite a lot, hmm?” Trian asked.

“Oh yes,” Walter said. “I mean you know her.” He gave the man a meaningful look.

Trian looked back before they both nodded ever so slightly, each taking a drink from their mugs.

“With their main objective done, they don’t really have anything to drive them I guess. But they’re still considered cursed and are hunted by the elves of the domain, most of them at least. Oh, did I tell you about Nelras Ithom?” Ilea said.

“I don’t believe you did,” Celene said. “It sounds like an exotic name. Can anyone travel to the Descent to meet the… elves?”

“They’re not there yet. But I guess, sure,” Ilea said. “Maybe I can introduce you to some.”

“Please don’t,” Lucia said, rubbing her temple.

“You’re not my mother,” Celene said.

“It sometimes feels like that,” Lucia said.

“Not to me,” Celene said. “Who’s Nelras?”

“So, I found this orb, it contained the soul of an ancient elven Monarch… like a Monarch, not a monarch, I do think I mentioned that before. Super powerful in his prime, at least he claims as much. So we used a machine from the Soul Forge of Kahn Joggoth to move the soul into a war machine made by the Meadow, a few enchanters, and Owl,” she said.

Kyrian just looked at her and smiled, everyone else listening.

“Owl, the Greater Lich?” Harthome asked, the smith back at the table.

“The one,” Ilea said.

He nodded in understanding.

“So there’s a former elven Monarch, male leader of an elven Domain, within a war machine, capable of talking and walking around… somewhere in the north?” Walter asked.

“Yeah, I guess. I think he’s still teaching the enchanters and the Meadow the runic system of the Ascended,” she said, looking at the ceiling as she thought. “Maybe we should talk to him about the Cerithil Hunters.”

“We did that while you were busy,” Claire said.

“Anything useful?” Ilea asked.

“He wanted to fight the Val Akuun, cursing his powerless new form before he got back to work,” Claire said. “He did ask to meet you again.”

“Why would he want to meet me?” Ilea asked.

“Because you will probably consider the mad demands of an ancient elven Monarch, whatever they may be,” Trian said. “Unlike sane people.”

“Hey, if the ideas are fun,” Ilea said.

“The Meadow is around, don’t worry about it,” Claire said, looking at Trian.

“You say that like I’m unreasonable,” Ilea said, squinting her eyes.

“Said the woman fighting eldritch horrors in Kohr, for fun,” Kyrian said.

Ilea looked at him for a few seconds before she continued eating in silence.

Not

mad.

Ilea

violent, the Fae sent, patting her head lightly.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” she asked.

The

Highest

Praise

“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic,” Ilea sent.

Who

knows

“Speaking of new people to add to the Accords. What about your Fae cluster? Think you would be interested?” she asked.

Fae

Exist

Beyond

“That’s pretty arrogant,” Ilea said.

Yes, Violence replied.

“Okay,” Ilea sent.

The creature giggled.

“At least that means I don’t have to manage trading with the Hunters anymore,” Walter said. “Though I would like to meet Ben again,” he murmured. “An interesting being to talk to.”

“Their magic is really impressive too. Some of them are above level seven hundred, granted they did start at around level two hundred,” Ilea said.

“And the other factions involved were fine with all that?” Lucia asked. “I mean we’re still technically in hiding because of the magic we use, and the people that are here.” She looked at Granpa Bones.

He seemed to be sleeping.

“The risks are present, but the votes were cast,” Trian said. “The Hunters didn’t join the Accords, they will merely relocate to the Descent. So that any interested parties can familiarize themselves with the elves, learn from them, and maybe build ties.”

“Don’t know how easy that’ll be,” Ilea said. “I just didn’t want them to run off and fight the Domains immediately. Or all of them to fuck off and do their own thing.”

“Would they attack the Domains? They did choose exile to protect their own kind,” Walter said.

“I don’t think they decided on anything. I know a few that definitely want to change the status quo, some others have already left now that the Guardians are dealt with. Only time will tell, but at least with them in the Descent, we should know what they plan to do,” Ilea said.

“If they share anything with us,” Kyrian said.

“The Meadow is watching,” Trian said.

“The Meadow isn’t all seeing,” Kyrian said.

Ilea smiled, looking towards the mark she had on the being. “Is it not?” She waited but no snarky comment was sent her way. Guess it really isn’t.

“Limited Meadow,” she murmured.

Chapter 792 Ripples

Chapter 792 Ripples

“When is all this going to be announced to the public?” Walter asked, looking towards Trian and Claire.

“Some of it is happening as we speak. Aki is moving the Guardians into every city of the Accords, and deals are being prepared to offer machines to various allies. It won’t be as simple as teleportation gates, with how dangerous the machines actually are, but they should be allowed for various services like monster subjugation,” Trian explained.

“Like mercenaries?” Lucia asked.

“It really just depends on what the various countries and cities are comfortable with. They are controlled by a member of the Accords, which means most wouldn’t replace their guard with them, but they could fulfill a lot of tasks. For very little gold,” Trian said.

Lucia looked at Walter. “We could use a few of them here too. The undead are just too stupid for most tasks. And granpa bones’ skeletons only dig.”

“You should be able to order Guardians from any city of the Accords soon enough,” Trian said.

“I can’t imagine the chaos that will cause,” Walter murmured. “You’re replacing so many professions with one fell swoop.”

“The same was true with the gates,” Trian said. “More people will be able to pursue complex tasks instead, the study of magic, art, performances.”

“Cooking,” Ilea added.

“Yes, but you’ll have unrest, with machines replacing entire businesses,” Walter said. “And poverty, with thousands unable to work.”

“The Accords will provide basic housing and food to everyone that lives in their cities,” Trian said. “It’s necessary, and those who are no longer able to support themselves will have to either push their governments to provide the same, or move to one of our cities.”

“And you can provide… all that?” Walter asked.

“Easily,” Trian said. “Eregar’s Haven is an incredible source of food, nature mages providing more than enough already for nearly twice our current population. Parts of the Descent will be added to it, maintained by more mages and the Meadow itself. With the teleportation network, most of the required logistics fall away too. We already have prices of common foods dropping massively all throughout the Plains. And housing… well, Morhill is still growing, as is the underground of Ravenhall. The Meadow has been expanding on Hallowfort since its arrival, but most importantly, we now have access to dozens of Taleen cities, including Iz itself. Wealth or a sought after profession, maybe a position in the guard, studying magic, or being a Sentinel, will all provide more luxuries, but basic needs we can cover.”

He drank from his mug and took in a deep breath. “Yeah, even with thousands arriving in Ravenhall every day… they might have to wait for a few days or weeks, maybe in a dwarven city or in Hallowfort, but they’ll get a place to stay. Earth mages and architects will be more than busy in the coming months, I imagine.

“Of course we’re hoping the economic pressure will push other countries to provide similar things. Most should have benefited greatly from the gates, and if they employ Guardians for a few menial tasks, it will open up a lot of resources they could spend on their people. Not that all of them will of course, but the pressure remains. And we’ll happily take everyone in,” he said.

“It seems… very generous,” Walter murmured.

“We have the technology,” Ilea said. “Why wouldn’t we provide those things?”

Walter laughed. “There are plenty of reasons.”

“Oh, I know,” Ilea said.

“Walter, I don’t think you quite understand the scope of the Guardian army,” Trian said. “There are millions of machines. And thanks to the gate network, they can travel between cities in mere seconds. Housing and food provisions were merely added as a basic necessity. We’re discussing the removal of taxation for most individuals that live in our cities, free education in magics, free martial training. The gates alone have connected the Plains and the few settlements outside… it’s only been months and we’re struggling to invest the gold flowing into our cities. I have the feeling our resources were already comparable to the Empire of Lys, now we eclipse the entirety of human civilization.”

The barkeeper leaned back a little before he chuckled.

“You didn’t mention the production facilities,” Ilea said as she continued eating.

Claire rubbed her temples before she topped up her drink with liquor. “There is so much to do.”

“It’ll be fine. Aki and the Meadow are on the job,” Ilea said. “We can celebrate a little. Take a few days off.”

“No. How could I miss these pivotal days,” Claire said. “This evening is more than enough, after that it’s back to Hallowfort. There are treaties to be written, meetings to be attended… plans to be made.” She leaned down to rest her head on her hands and grinned.

“She’s lost,” Ilea said.

“I kind of get it,” Train said. “The world is changing. And let’s be honest, you’re at the center of it all.”

“Eh, I just survived some heat and put a dagger where it could do some good,” Ilea said.

“You also got a tree back from another realm,” Kyrian said as he raised his mug. “And me from those islands.”

“That too,” she said. “But stop it, I already have a fucking cult following.”

“And you managed to befriend not only the Cerithil Hunters, but the Taleen in turn. You’re basically a god!” Trian said before he laughed.

“Stop,” Ilea said.

“But yes, you’re mostly useful because of your incredible resilience,” he said. “Immortal god of toughness maybe? Invincible Lilith?”

“How about just Ilea,” she said.

“To a changing world then,” Celene said and raised her glass.

“To Lilith,” Weavy said.

“To the Accords, and everyone in it,” Ilea said, raising her mug before she downed the contents.

Lucia smiled before she tapped Walter’s arm. “Dear, it’s time. Get your lute.”

He smiled and stood up. “I wrote a few new ones. Might just be the occasion to show them off.”

___________________________

Syrithis sat motionless, taking deliberate breaths as Heron read through the official announcements sent out by the Accords. Rarely was she as glad for her mask as today. She could tell even Alyris was impacted by the news.

“… the Sentinel of Akelion, a member of the Meadow Accords and ally to the Medic Sentinel Corps has taken control of the remaining Guardians and their facilities. Any Guardian activity within the territory of the Accords and its allies is thus to be tolerated. Any attacks on such machines will be seen as an attack on the Accords. Potential additions to trade agreements and provided services will include…”

Syrithis balled her fist as a ringing came to her ears, the sound drowning out Heron’s words as her vision blurred ever so slightly. She took in another deep breath, feeling her heartbeat speed up. For once she didn’t care that the Generals and nobles of Lys saw more of her than the cold guise of an Immortal Guard.

Did they do it. Father… I… the Hunters. The Taleen are no longer in control of their machines. The Cerithil Hunters have fulfilled their purpose. She tried to wipe at her face but the mask blocked her hand, the tears rolling down into her armor. She took in a deep breath and shuddered slightly. Her vision cleared a little. She saw Alyris looking her way, the silver eyes of the Empress grounding her. Her hair was open today. She wanted to go over to her, wanted to kiss her, wanted to shout and laugh.

Later, she reminded herself, steeling her mind as she smiled to herself. Were you there in the end? Isalthar? Or was it Lilith herself who fought the machines, who defeated the previous controller?

“… currently yet to be public information includes the addition of the dwarves of Io to the Meadow Accords. They shall benefit from the same rights as other members of the accords as stated in article 18b of the general work treaty, article 28 of the open trade agreement, article…”

Dwarves of Io. Io. Syrithis tried to remember if she had heard the name before. She opened her eyes wide when the name clicked. A goddess of the Taleen. Her father had taught her about more than just the machines they had faced. A minor goddess, she remembered. One that stood for shelter. Shelter and survival.

“Alyris. The Dwarves of Io, I believe they are the remnants of the Taleen,” she sent to the Empress.

The woman looked at her, no reaction showing on her face. Alyris knew what Syrithis knew. They were perhaps the only two people in the room to understand the true extent of this news. The potential addition of the Taleen to the Accords was an unknown so far, little being known about the dwarves, let alone in recent history. They had to learn more. The Guardians however.

“How dangerous are the Taleen machines truly?” General Anderson asked. “I have not faced them in my travels, though I have read of them.”

“They are quite formidable,” General Karrick spoke. “Many are in the two hundreds, some reaching level three hundred. Though I have only visited two ruins that contained them.”

Children, Syrithis thought.

Alyris stood up, the gathered nobility quieting. She closed her eyes for a moment before she looked around the room. “We have to assume that this… Sentinel of Akelion, is capable of destroying the entirety of our Empire. Perhaps the entirety of the Plains.”

Others were standing up now, mutters and whispers offered in response.

Alyris slammed the table with a ring, a pulse of magic rushing out. “I declare a state of emergency until we have gathered every scrap of information that will provide a clearer picture. Activate every spy and spare no expense to find out… what the fuck, all of this entails. This meeting will not end until we have addressed every possible agreement, treaty, and outcome. Gather your allies and call in every favor. This might very well threaten the existence of our very Empire. Now focus, and get to work.”

Syrithis smiled and watched the hall explode into motion. The meetings during the siege of Virilya had been calm, the Empress rarely speaking up as the Generals decided on resource allocation. Never had she heard Alyris talk in this manner. And the message was clear.

“Syrithis,” Alyris sent through the established connection.

She stood up and stored the ceremonial robe around her armor. “I will find her.”

“Be careful,” the Empress sent.

Syrithis felt blood rushing to her cheeks, raising her head a little higher. “I will. For you. For our Empire.”

She turned to find Felicia Redleaf among the nobility, teleporting next to the woman before she bowed lightly. “Major Redleaf. I wish to speak to Lady Lilith.”

__________________________

Helena pushed her magic to the very limit, drinking another potion as she flew through the western forests. The night was clear, the moons shining down with pale light onto the lands of Elos. She wasn’t far off now, the distant outline of Karth visible through the lines of trees. Again, she checked her surroundings, finally slowing down when she heard the roaring river in the distance.

The third crossroads. She hovered in the shadow of a tree and looked out onto the quiet road, grass and flowers already growing where fewer boots were traveling as of late.

She raised a hand to her mouth and called out, the imitation of the hornwood owl only one of many calls the Sweets had to perfect in their training. Helena felt a shift in the shadows and looked down. She’s good. Even I couldn’t spot her.

“Mistress,” Eyan spoke, her hair dyed brown and put up in a braid. “How long have you traveled?”

“Three hours,” Helena answered. It was a risk, but using the Accords teleportation gates was more dangerous, considering the possibilities. She had read the words, had understood the implications. But she had to see it herself. For once she would not sit behind her desk and direct her spies. They had been losing ground, but the supposed addition of the Taleen machinery was not something they had ever considered a possibility.

The Accords were moving too fast, their power growing too quickly. Soon there would be nothing to stand in their way.

Eyan gulped.

“Tell me,” Helena said.

“H… hordes. Thousands… perfectly organized. They don’t just patrol the city, but have entered the surrounding forests, working together with the local guards and adventurers to wipe out monster populations. Some of the dwarves are already here. It is likely that they are indeed the descendants of the Taleen. I have sources that suggest there are survivors from their height of power,” the spy explained.

“The contracts?” Helena asked.

Eyan shook her head. “Lilith has met them. They arrived in Riverwatch and joined the Accords mere hours later. There was nothing we could do. Nobody even knew who they were.”

“Betrayal?” Helena asked.

“Not enough information,” the woman said.

“Your gut?”

“Those I saw were elated. To see the suns, to speak to the people of Riverwatch. They examined the gates, ate their food, shared their magic. They had been trapped or imprisoned, and the Accords have to do with their freedom. Perhaps directly linked to the takeover of the Guardians,” Eyan explained.

A debt of freedom. With time their loyalty will be unquestioned. The had to act quickly, had to offer alternatives, deals. But what was the alternative? If they undermined the supposed loyalty of the Taleen, they could not offer anything to gain their trust in turn.

“Anything new on the Sentinel of Akelion?” Helena asked.

“Unreliable sources. He is supposedly the Guardian of Iz, the capital of the former Taleen power. I believe the name is not merely suggestion. It seems the Sentinels are at least familiar with this being,” Eyan said.

A direct link to their healing organization. She shook her head ever so slightly, absentmindedly touching the tree next to her.

“I can no longer safely enter the city. Their spy master remains,” Eyan said.

“Wayland,” Helena murmured.

She nodded.

Helena assumed he was the sole reason their information wasn’t current. To think he’s so close to Nipha. The sheer audacity. Few people would both dare to and have the capability to obstruct the Golden Lily. Wayland, was one of those people. And we wouldn’t even be high on his list of targets. She ground her teeth.

“Mistress, do you wish to see the machines?” Eyan asked.

“Yes. Extend your shroud, and show the way,” Helena spoke.

She felt the magic move around her, the two assassins moving through the forest at a slow pace. Already she could spot several moving figures in the distance, some holding torches. Groups of Riverwatch scouts. Helena slowed, seeing the six legged machines moving alongside the armored humans, torchlight reflecting off the dull green metal.

Their eyes shined in the darkness, six arms ending in blades displaying their purpose as they moved with lithe precision. Mere Guardians, machines Helena had fought and destroyed in the past, though those were not the ones she feared. The reports from the battle of Riverwatch had been extensive, and the previously thought apex of the Taleen Praetorian was found to be eclipsed still.

The sound of rushing water grew distant as they walked through the forest. Eyan stopped, the two of them looking out from the underbrush. Torchlight shined from the walls of Riverwatch, six armed machines lining the defenses, green eyes visible in the darkness.

Helena looked up to see group of flying figures, dark wings contrasted against the moonlight. Following them, she saw a silver form, two armed and moving through the air as if running on the ground. It carried a metal box, larger than a wagon. The group was gone in seconds.

“They’re going towards the grounds I wanted to show you,” Eyan said.

“We follow them,” Helena said, remaining in Eyan’s shroud. “Keep your magic active,” she said and grabbed the woman’s arm, flying up and above the trees before she looked towards the winged human. She focused on the trace of magic, and followed.

Less than a minute, and the group made landfall, Helena landing close enough for them to see, the shroud coupled with her own hiding spells protecting them from detection.

A small area in the forest had been cleared of bushes and trees, machines standing guard. Dozens of Guardians.

[Sentinel Guardian – lvl 200]

...

[Battle Healer – lvl 258]

[Battle Healer – lvl 250]

[Battle Healer – lvl 254]

[Battle Healer – lvl 260]

[Sentinel Executioner – lvl ???]

“You already prepared the place?” one of the healers asked in a hushed tone, looking at the silver machine.

“Of course,” the large being spoke.

It moved the metal box and put it down with a dull and heavy sound. Helena watched as its right hand flowed into a new shape, parts of the strange fingers inserted into what she assumed to be locks. Enchantments sizzled and deactivated before the Executioner removed the top and started taking out massive pieces of stone.

What are they doing?

“I’ve seen that material before,” Eyan whispered. “In a Taleen dungeon.”

“Where exactly?” Helena asked.

“Their teleportation gates,” the woman answered, her eyes on the machine.

“I can feel something,” one of the healers said, turning in their direction. “It’s feint, probably a monster.”

“Let’s check it out,” another said.

Helena had already left with Eyan in tow, hearing the last of the words as she flew through the forest in perfect silence. There are gates in Riverwatch already. Which means they’re expanding another network. The ancient one of the Taleen.

“Resume your mission,” Helena said after they had flown for a while.

“I will. Good fortune, mistress,” the assassin said before she vanished.

“And to you,” Helena whispered.

Helena stood between a set of trees. Several three mark humans, war machines, the Meadow, Fae, and Liches. How is humanity to oppose such an overwhelming force?

She closed her eyes and sighed. Perhaps it is time I consult the Founders.

Chapter 793 Corpses?

Chapter 793 Corpses?

“So that means the entirety of the Taleen network is available to us?” Indra asked.

Ilea stripped the bone of the last bits of meat, accidentally biting off a chunk of bone. The crunch was nice, the taste not so much. She swallowed and put the thing down. “I’m not sure if it’ll be a public thing. Not as of yet at least, but if you have something specific in mind, I could ask,” Ilea said.

Indra looked unsure. He fidgeted a little. “Well the… this Aki, is it possible for it to come here? To communicate with us? It would be… invaluable, to study that machine.”

“How is a machine going to help a necromancer?” Kyrian asked.

“Boy, you wield curses, you do not even start to comprehend the intricacies of undeath,” the man said, rubbing his temple.

“I don’t know why you want him here,” Walter said. “Though I’d be intrigued to meet the Guardian of Iz myself. I do believe we have quite enough of the Accords here already. I don’t want us to be responsible for diplomatic delays of international scale.”

“Aki doesn’t work like that. He’s a little more flexible than us meatbags,” Ilea said. “I’ll go ask one, give me a minute.” She grabbed her plate and opened a gate to the outskirts of Riverwatch, walking through it before she looked for a nearby executioner in the city.

It was dark but with her enhanced eyes she could quickly make out one of the machines running through the air. Executioner or Pursuer. She closed the gate and spread her wings, flying close enough to establish a telepathic connection. Ilea ignored the guards and guardians below trying to get her to identify herself.

“Heya, Aki. Can you spare one of your Executioners? I’ve got a few friends who are interested to talk to you,” she sent.

The Executioner looked towards her. “Yes. Wait here for twenty three seconds,” the machine said, continuing on its way.

“Thanks,” she sent and waved, greeting the team of flying guards that now approached her. “I’ll be gone again in a minute.”

“Lilith, of course. A safe journey to you,” the team leader said before she signaled and returned to the elevated roof the guards had chosen as their impromptu watchtower.

A different executioner showed up soon after. Ilea hadn’t checked if it had been twenty three seconds exactly, but she didn’t exactly give a shit.

“I’ll be coming with you,” Aki said.

“Cool. And you don’t have to focus too much on the split consciousness kind of thing?” she asked.

“You have two arms and two eyes. I have a few more of both. It’s as simple as that,” the machine said.

“I expected some jab at my inferior physiology,” she answered, touching the machine before she activated her third tier transfer, focusing on Walter. “Oh can you compact yourself a little?”

The Executioner curled up both its legs and arms. “I’m no the Meadow, Ilea. But perhaps I can learn from it, now that I am in fact far superior.”

“There you go,” she said as they vanished.

The machine hovered above a nearby table in the Vulture’s den, slowly spreading out its arms and legs again as it found purchase, looking around with its green eyes while its form straightened.

“That’s an Executioner,” Ilea said. “Aki can talk through them.”

“That I can. Greetings,” the machine spoke. “With the current mana density, I can remain here for eight minutes before my functionality will slow.”

“Can I charge you up somehow?” Ilea asked.

“I trust you enough to touch the core, so yes,” Aki said.

“Whoa, what is this thing!” Lucia said as she stood up. “How…”

Harthome joined her, the two walking around the tables to reach the large silver machine.

“A Taleen war machine with a complex enchanted core, able to sustain itself through ambient mana absorption. This is the most complex model that could be mass produced,” Aki explained.

Lucia shook her head with wide open eyes. “Mass produced. This is incredible. At three marks too. What’s the level?”

“Most of the Executioner class machines are at or around level eight hundred, though I would classify them as more dangerous than most monsters in that level range that I have documentation on,” the machine said.

“That’s all incredible,” Indra said. “But you have access to the entire Taleen network, right?”

The machine looked at Ilea before it glanced at the necromancer. “Indeed, though it’s too dangerous as of yet to open the network to the public. Security concerns as well have to be addressed, Lilith and her allies have managed to use the network with little ramifications.”

“Then… well as I understand, the Cerithil Hunters have fought the Taleen for a long time. Do there… happen to be any corpses still around?” Indra asked, wringing his hands lightly.

“Indra,” Lucia said, shaking her head.

“I’m afraid the corpses are already claimed,” Aki spoke.

“What… why… by whom?” Indra asked, the necromancer taking a step closer.

“By the Cerithil Hunters that knew those who have died,” the Executioner said.

“Have you an idea of what they will do to them?” Indra asked.

“You’re being insensitive,” Ilea said. “They’ll eat them of course.”

The necromancer rubbed his temples before he sat down and started muttering to himself. “A tremendous waste of potential. What about other corpses? Is there anything interesting in the Taleen ruins?”

Aki looked at the necromancer for a few seconds before he answered. “There are. I had not considered the existence of a necromancer den friendly to the Accords. Perhaps this is an opportunity. I will discuss it at the next meeting of the Accords.”

“Soylent Green,” Ilea murmured, looking at her meal for a moment before she continued eating.

“What’s that about?” Kyrian asked. He seemed the only one interested in her rambling, the rest asking the machine more questions, mostly enchantment and metal related.

“It’s an old movie. I haven’t even seen it,” she said.

“What’s a movie?” he asked in turn.

“Like moving pictures, projected onto a wall… or inside of a screen. If you show pictures at a fast pace, it looks to the human eye as if the pictures are moving. Like you’re seeing a scene happening before you,” she explained.

“Fascinating… so all this could be a movie?” he asked.

“Well, yes. I hope it isn’t, because that would be weird. Fuck… now that I think about it, with all those enhancements, I can probably not watch movies anymore. They’ll look like a fucking slideshow,” she said, murmuring the last bit.

Kyrian drank from his mug before he set it down again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you feel sad.”

Ilea waved him off and teleported more food onto her plate. “Don’t worry about it. I prefer flying and space magic to movies. And I can still read stories if I feel like it, so who cares.”

“That is an interesting technology you just suggested, Ilea,” Aki said, the machine looking at her.

“Probably won’t work without electricity and photography, but maybe you can figure out some enchanted version. One that could work regardless of eye enhancements and however other perception other species have,” she said. “The projections used in the keys and the Taleen gate control panels are more advanced already, I’m pretty sure.”

“Light magic projections, yes,” the machine said. “Something like that would be interesting.”

“No, please don’t add security cameras to the Taleen repertoire, you’re already close enough to Skynet,” Ilea said.

“Another movie?” Kyrian asked.

“Yes. But these references are not supposed to be questioned,” she said and squinted at the man. “Just let me have my fun.”

“Fair,” he answered.

“Security cameras? Are you suggesting… light projections as a form of deterrent?” Aki asked.

“No. A recording device,” Ilea said. “But it’s not exactly needed when you have Guardians functionally doing the same already, with the added ability to react to what’s happening. It’s more a way to have evidence.”

“I see through the eyes of the Executioners. Recording however… that would be quite a challenge. I’m intrigued by these technologies. Would you be open to expand on these ideas?” the machine asked.

“We can talk about it, sure. I just don’t know enough about any of them for it to make a difference. Ideas wise, maybe, but recordings are just scrying spells in a manner. I’ll tell you about some of the technologies we had,” she said and continued her meal.

“I would appreciate it, yes. The resources at my disposal would allow for quite a lot of testing and production. With the individuals in the Meadow’s Domain, we could do virtually anything,” he said.

That’s true. I mean what could we use here though? Microwaves? Cooking isn’t an issue with enchantments. Heating is even more efficient here than on Earth. Any machine for construction is useless with earth magic around. I assume they have the equivalent of 3D printers already. Screens, sure, but it’s really just a less complicated form of the holograms we have. Powerplants, planes. All seems kind of useless as ideas with magic being a thing already. I mean Destroyers are basically better helicopters. Anything transport related is pretty much useless anyway with teleportation gates being a thing.

Ilea assumed she was missing something obvious but continued drinking instead. “Executioners seem pretty fucking good. Machines that can do pretty much anything.”

“Machines for sex?” Celene suggested.

“I’m pretty sure they can do that already,” Ilea said. “That metal is adjustable.”

“The fine tuning might be an issue,” Aki said. “This Executioner would kill you pretty much instantly.” He looked at Celene.

She smiled, giving Ilea a glance. “I mean we do have a healer here.”

“Just become strong enough so you can take it,” Ilea said and winked.

“The Meadow argues that supplying sexual stimulation to the species of the Accords through Guardian activity would reduce the birthrate of Awakened beings. I agree with its estimate,” the machine said.

“It would probably increase the overall mental health though,” Ilea said. “With everyone getting great sex.”

“We will evaluate this and discuss it in the next meeting,” Aki said. “Though specialized models would have to be constructed.”

“I volunteer for testing!” Celene said.

“Of course you would,” Lucia murmured, touching the silver metal. “The shield is inactive now, isn’t it?”

“Yes. There is no perceived threat nearby. This machine is in mana saving mode,” the Executioner said.

“Mana saving mode. That’s incredible. The technology to absorb ambient mana from the surroundings, achieved through enchantment… is it something you will share with the people?” Lucia asked. “It could change the entire school of enchanting.”

“It’s quite a well guarded and complex Taleen creation. For now it will remain within the Accords and its creations,” Aki said.

Lucia frowned. “And here I thought you would help out everyone?” She glanced at the other members of the Accords.

“You misunderstand. We will hire enchanters from all over the Plains and beyond. Even without that, I estimate our production capabilities to be far beyond the combined resources of humanity. The risks of sharing this technology at this time is greater than the possible benefits,” Aki said.

“Says you,” Lucia said.

“If you wish to be hired by the Accords, you merely have to sign an agreement. It is being drafted as we speak. The pay and benefits will be set at a comfortable minimum, increased depending on performance reviews,” Aki said.

“What the fuck kind of dystopian AI did I put into that sphere?” Ilea asked. “Do I have to encourage people to form unions now?”

“Any contracts are based on the principles of the Accords. Those comfortable with their existence are bound to be more creative, and most mundane tasks that require simple repetition can be accomplished by Guardians. We have discussed possible concerns already. It was one of the talking points with the Taleen. You would know about that if you had been present,” Aki said.

Ilea shrugged. “I get it, okay. You just sound like HR.”

“Do I need to know who this HR is, or is it merely another attempt at humor that will satisfy only yourself?” Aki asked.

She smiled, self satisfied.

“It’s another movie, isn’t it?” Kyrian asked.

“I’ll take you there at some point,” Ilea said. If it’s still the same. She realized she had been avoiding the search of a Transporter in Kohr. Guess I don’t really want to find out. She continued her meal, in a considerably less enthusiastic manner. The taste soon distracted her.

Walter smiled. “Realm travel? Are you capable of such a feat?”

“It depends which realm,” Ilea said. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This realm is perfectly fine.”

“Please, just stop,” Claire said, resting her face on her hands. “Technology, sex machines, movies, and realm travel. Can we not just be happy with the entirety of the Guardian army and all of the Taleen facilities?”

Violence! The Baron exclaimed.

“The world is full of possibilities,” Trian said with a smile. “However I agree, spreading ourselves too thin is not a good idea. Not before we have secured our cities to withstand four mark attacks. Awakened four marks.”

“How would you even test that?” Kyrian asked.

Trian glanced at Kyrian and then Ilea. “Well, you two need to train more. Obviously.”

“Right. I would love to do that, if it weren’t for these constant meetings,” Ilea said, giving him a long look. “Contracts here, plans there, treaties over in that corner… next thing I’ll be spying on the Lily or something like that.”

“It’s good you’re a lousy spy,” Kyrian said.

“There is something I’d like to discuss with you two, in regards to possible training,” Aki said. “It should concern you too, Trian.”

“Oh?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Once we’re back in Iz,” the machine stated.

“Ilea. The Accords left quite an impression. Well done. Syrithis would like to meet you. As soon as possible,” Felicia’s voice came to Ilea’s mind.

“Another meeting… it just never ends,” Ilea murmured as she stood up. Can’t bring the half elf here. “Meet me at the southern gate of Riverwatch. In twenty minutes.”

The lack of additional messages meant some flexibility was required. Ilea and Felicia agreed on ten minute waiting times. If one of them couldn’t make it, they would contact the other again an hour later.

“Did someone contact you?” Kyrian asked.

“Yes. Did the Hunters move to the Descent already?” she asked.

“They are still celebrating,” Aki said. “But Isalthar is informed that the Accords have agreed to welcome them, and that we are ready to discuss the specifics.”

“Good. Claire, how much of a political issue is an Immortal Guard visiting Iz and the Hunters?” Ilea asked.

“Why would an Immortal… oh… you mean her. I don’t see how that would be an issue. They know about the hunters,” she said.

“Thought as much. I’ll talk to her first. Maybe she just wants more information in regards to the declarations you sent out,” she said.

“Go for it. I’m tired,” Claire said.

“I will. Once I’m done negotiating with Walter,” Ilea said and squinted her eyes.

“How much do you want?” he asked, crossing his arms in a confident manner. He squinted his eyes in turn, dark magic making his pupils spread until his entire eyes were black. Magic sparks flickered on his arms.

“You don’t scare me old man,” Ilea whispered. “I want your entire stock.”

“My entire stock?” he said. “I will grant it for your entire assets in Riverwatch.”

“She doesn’t have the authority to trade that without me checking the contract and advising her. I advise against it,” Claire said.

“My advisor advises against it,” Ilea said. “I have a few hundred gold with me. How does two hundred sound like?”

“Deal,” Walter said.

“Perfect,” Ilea answered and summoned the gold, storing every barrel she could see within her dominion inside of her domain. “Claire, I spent most of my gold, can I have some more?”

“Yes, I saw. You really are an incredible negotiator,” the woman said and summoned a small box.

Ilea stored the contents. Exactly two hundred pieces of gold. “How rich are we anyway?”

“I’d prefer not to tell you, lest you offer even more next time around. I assure you the gold is invested according to your wishes. And certainly more efficiently than buying a few barrels of ale for two hundred pieces,” Claire said, though she didn’t sound like she cared much.

“If you’re not more annoyed then I’m actually kind of curious as to the amount we have,” Ilea said with a smile.

Claire gave her a look but didn’t answer the question.

“I’d call that a good deal,” Walter said. “We can buy proper beds now.”

“Finally,” Celene said.

“You could’ve just asked me,” Ilea said.

“I’d rather not rely on the charity of a friend,” Walter said.

“But getting her to pay two hundred gold for some ale is acceptable?” Kyrian asked.

“We’re talking about Ilea. She would’ve probably paid more,” Walter said.

“You know I’m here,” Ilea said.

Kyrian nodded. “You’re right. You’re being considerate if anything.”

“I can hear you,” Ilea added.

“That’s why she has me. And an allowance,” Claire said.

Ilea stood up and stretched, teleporting the Fae onto her shoulder. “I’m done being treated like a child. Come on Violence, we’re going to Riverwatch.”

Violence?

“I don’t know. More than here for sure,” Ilea said before she summoned a gate. “Nice to meet you all. Let me know if you need anything from me. You’ve got the marks.”

“A safe journey to you,” Walter said. “I welcome the business.”

Finally. Some good beds, Ilea thought, giving a slight nod to Celene, the woman raising her mug in an appreciative gesture.

The others said their goodbyes in turn, Ilea stepping through the gate and into the quiet hill near Riverwatch.

Chapter 794 Father

Chapter 794 Father

Ilea glanced up at the sea of stars and smiled, spreading her arms as the Fae floated away from her shoulder.

It looked at her with its white lack of eyes.

“Give me your power, oh stars beyond,” she murmured, closing her eyes as she kept her face towards the stars.

A slight wave of space magic pushed down on her, the earth below giving way.

She opened her right eye and glanced at the fae, ignoring its attempt at destroying the organ.

Mad, it sent.

“Why? Because I talk to the stars? Maybe I can befriend them. I did manage to befriend you,” she said.

The Fae crossed its tiny arms.

“Oh I see. You’re jealous,” she said.

The Fae looked away.

“That means I’m right. Hello, stars? Can you talk to me?” she said, looking up. I guess it would be kind of inconvenient if a star came closer to this planet. The thought made her give up on the halfhearted attempt of channeling astral energies.

She teleported the Fae into her hands and cuddled it close to her chest, spreading her wings before she flew towards the city gates. This time the Guardians and guards on the wall recognized her immediately when she landed. Two machines and three human guards stood in front of the open gates, checking the travelers, merchants, and adventurers entering the city. It seemed just as busy as during the day. The only difference Ilea noticed was the fact that people moved directly from the gate bunkers to the city gate, very much aware of the people and forests around them.

Secure travel, but also a way to avoid any and all dangerous areas in the Plains, she thought, walking to the side of the gate before she leaned against the wall. Nobody complained.

Wait? the Fae asked.

“Yeah. Ten minutes or so. They’re still in Virilya I think,” she said.

Bored The Fae appeared on the ground and kicked away a small rock lying in the dirt.

Ilea formed two ash copies of the being and infused them. She let them loose a moment later.

“No, can’t be,” an adventurer said to his colleague as their group approached. He wore leather armor, a greatsword strapped to his back.

Another man dressed in a thick gray robe nodded quickly, his face largely hidden by a scarf and hood. “It’s her. Identify her.”

“I can hear you people,” Ilea sent to them, all four in the team tensing up as they looked her way.

“Apologies, Lady Lilith,” the leader said, his face clean shaven, black eyes taking her in.

[Berserker – lvl 128]

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said as he approached.

Ilea smiled. “That’s interesting,” she answered and teleported them to the other side of the wall. A few guards jumped down from above immediately. “That was me. I moved them,” Ilea sent to the guards she saw in her dominion before summoning a cloak, pulling the hood up before she teleported down and closer to the river, leaning against the foundation of the city wall with a sigh. I’m literally famous.

“Come here, Violence. Or you’ll get abducted,” she sent, moving the three beings towards her with Fabric Tear.

Ilea still heard the people above come and go, gasps and excited voices resounding at the first sight of the Guardians. Most adjusted quickly. Ilea even saw a considerable amount of people going about their business as usual, already adjusted or simply uncaring for the new addition of the machines. Guess not everyone is going to give a shit.

She did see Executioners move through the air and towards the nearby forests at breakneck speeds. New ones arriving in turn. Ilea assumed Aki had to charge them up before sending them back through his own network. The dagger did mention his expansion of the current Taleen network. For now only outside Accords cities that accepted the presence. All of them did.

Felicia was early. Her mark moved through the Plains in a split second, appearing far away and in the south. A few minutes passed before she moved again, this time arriving in one of the gate bunkers a hundred meters south of the Riverwatch walls.

Ilea was glad she could ignore the marks when they weren’t relevant. With all this recent long range teleportation, she would’ve long needed her healing to be active to counter the growing headache.

A few seconds later she saw the duo walk on the street leading to the city, Felicia wearing her Imperial armor, followed closely by the masked half elf and Immortal Guard Syrithis. They drew quite a lot of looks but nobody was brave enough to talk to them.

Does that mean I just have more approachable vibes about me? Or was that specific Berserker just braver than most? Ilea wondered. “Hey, good to see you. I’m down by the river,” she sent to Felicia.

The woman smiled and started towards the riverbank, floating down with a casual use of wind magic before she landed a few meters away from Ilea.

Syrithis followed behind, landing before she looked at the three Fae like creatures battling each other with ashen swords and space magic.

“Hi there,” Ilea sent to them both.

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 15’

Thanks for reminding me that I should work on my skills, she thought, rolling her eyes at the message.

“Is that…” Syrithis sent.

“Syrithis, meet Violence, Violence, Syrithis,” Ilea sent.

Friend! the Fae exclaimed.

Syrithis jumped back, hands going towards her eyes as her wind magic flared up.

“It’s just a greeting,” Ilea sent.

“What do you mean? It nearly destroyed my eyes!” the half elf sent.

“Way to freak out over nothing. You could use the space magic resistance training it seems,” Ilea sent.

Violence knew not to attack Felicia, but the Immortal Guard was fair game. They were powerful enough to deal with a bit of eye opening space magic after all.

Syrithis remained at a reasonable distance. “I thought the Fae were peaceful creatures, exploring the lands.”

“Well not this guy,” Ilea said. “Violence has anger issues.”

The Fae turned towards her and somehow hissed, sending out a wave of space magic that thumped against the stone foundations. Her hood fell with the wave.

No

Issues

Violence

Fuels

Me

“Yes, as I said. Anger issues,” Ilea answered, squinting her eyes before she used her space manipulation to throw the small Fae into the river.

It plopped into the moving waters before being flushed away, occasionally resurfacing to throw space magic back towards Ilea.

“Is it going to be fine?” Felicia asked, following the small form with her eyes.

“Ah don’t worry about it, they might as well be indestructible,” Ilea sent and stood up, stretching when the Fae appeared on her head. It tried to rip out her hair, failing as the ashen copies flew up and restrained it. “Syrithis, how have you been?”

The masked half elf twitched when she heard her name. She shook her head slightly, watching the scene from behind the safety of her white and silver mask. “I have been well, Ilea. The news of your… acquisition has left an impression. It is why I’m here.”

“Yeah, I’ll let the others deal with all the politics and treaties. The Guardians will be a massive help. I assume you want to meet the Hunters?” Ilea asked.

“They… were there?” Syrithis asked, taking a slight step forward.

“Of course. We fought the hordes together. Isalthar is alive and well, before you ask. As are Fey, Ben, and Seithir,” Ilea sent.

The half elf remained silent for a few seconds before she bowed lightly. “I appreciate your candor. This is not information you had to share with me. I had hoped for an offer to meet them, but I did not expect it. There are other reasons too, that much I offer to you in return. Alyris wishes for me to find out more, about the current state of the Hunters, the Guardians, and the Dwarves of Io, whom I believe are the remnants of the Taleen.”

“We can go to Iz, I suppose. I don’t see a reason why you shouldn’t meet the Hunters,” Ilea said as she focused on Niivalyr’s mark. “Gonna bring a half elf and a human friend to you in a moment, alright?”

The confirmation came a few seconds later. “Do as you wish, I am in a side room of the Guild Hall, discussing with Evan.”

Ilea considered for a second if bringing Syrithis to Evan was an issue. She looked at the masked woman as the fae fought atop her hair. “You don’t have beef with Evan Trayne?”

The half elf shook her head ever so slightly. “If by having beef you mean if I have a dispute with the man, then no. However it’s been… a long time, since we met,” she said. “He knew my father.”

“Right,” Ilea said and activated transfer, connecting the beings around her to the spell when it activated, bringing all of them into a spacious room deep below Karth. Dull green light shined from above, a set of comfortable leather chairs standing next to a stone table. She saw the heavy stone seats in the corner of the room. Neither Elfie nor Evan seemed surprised. She assumed the elf had informed the sand creator.

The surface of the stone table was adorned by various runes and symbols, etched into it by its creators. A set of large tomes lay on top. Two cups filled with steaming liquid stood next to the books, a small tea cooking station set up in one corner of the room. Someone had even added candles, to break up the green light at least a little.

Evan leaned back in his leather chair and took a sip of his drink. “Lilith. And you, I presume, must be Felicia Redleaf.”

“Greetings,” Felicia said. “Evan Trayne, of the Foundation. I have heard some stories.”

He smiled. “I can imagine,” he said, glancing at Ilea before he stood up. “Syrithis, dear. You’ve grown,” he said, walking up to the half elf before he hugged her.

Syrithis returned the gesture. “Evan. It’s good to see you again.”

“Is it? You could’ve at least sent a letter,” he said. “It’s been centuries.”

The half elf looked away. “I was… busy. And then it became kind of weird. You were watching us anyway, and I had to consider… my allegiances.”

“Of course,” Evan said, a genuine smile on his face as he held her arms and looked at her. “And I have to say, I’m quite impressed with both you and Alyris. I’m glad you two found each other.”

“That…” Syrithis said and looked around. “Nobody knows about that! Who talked?”

Evan let go of her and went back to his chair, sitting down with a sigh. “Girl, I’ve known you since your were a child. Nobody talked. That doesn’t mean I didn’t know.”

“But then… the Foundation. You could’ve…” Syrithis said.

“I am not here on behalf of the Foundation of Glass. I am here as a friend to Isalthar. And the information I have on you, is that of a friend,” he said. “Now go and meet your father.”

“You… father?” Felicia asked, looking at the various faces, getting stuck for a few seconds on Elfie.

“I didn’t mention that?” Ilea asked.

“You did not,” Felicia said.

Ilea shrugged. “Anyway, this is Elfie. Or Niivalyr. Elfie, Felicia, Syrithis. Two high ranking people from the Empire of Lys.”

“I can tell what you are,” Elfie said, looking at Syrithis with mist like patterns moving in his dark gray eyes. He hissed in a welcoming manner.

Syrithis looked at the others and hissed back.

“That was awkward. How long since you’ve met any elves?” Ilea asked before she herself hissed, the sound much more pronounced.

“You’re getting too good at this,” Elfie said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ilea asked and squinted. “Hissing isn’t exactly the most complex of sounds.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Elfie said. “Just… the old superiority. It takes a while to work through that.”

“Yeah,” Ilea sighed. “Going to be difficult to break that cultural phenomenon with some of the Domains.”

“Some? All of them,” Niivalyr said. He sounded tired, shaking his head lightly.

“Time and effort,” Ilea said. “If that’s the goal. I sure as hell won’t convince anyone,” she said.

“You beating a few of them to death with your bare hands will sadly be more convincing to most than anything Isalthar has to say,” Elfie said.

Ilea rolled her eyes, glancing at Syrithis. “Isalthar. Right. Come on,” she said and led the two out into the massive hall. “I see the Hunters have demolished it a little more?” Ilea sent to one of the present Pursuers. The opposite wall showed heavy impacts, a crater at the end of the hall where a lectern had stood.

The Pursuer shrugged. “They’re manageable. I’m glad they have stopped destroying Guardians. For the most part.”

Most of the elves were lounging around. A few were sleeping, some encased in ice, others buried in the stone floor. Ilea spotted one inside of a monster carcass, happily snoring away.

“Bunch of existential crises happening all at once?” she sent to the machine.

“An understandable phenomenon, based on the circumstances. They have celebrated their victory. But now new questions arise. It will be intriguing to see where they all go from here. I am gathering a lot of information,” Aki sent back.

“You sound more like an artificial intelligence than before. Doing okay yourself? With all the changes?” she asked.

“It’s quite a lot to take in. I’m still not fully used to it. All the projects, treaties, and considerations are a great distraction from the void like dread of considering my own new existence. The Meadow has shared some quite intriguing words with me however,” Aki said.

“Oh it did?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“Yes. We are similar in a sense. Far reaching, far seeing, immortal, and laden with responsibility. It is quite fortunate, to have one such as it as perhaps a… peer,” Aki spoke.

“Well, I’m glad you have someone to talk to about your incredibleness. Just remember that at the end of the day the Meadow is a tree and you’re a dagger,” Ilea said.

“Yes. And you’re some sentient flesh inside of a bone prison,” Aki said.

“Precisely. So let’s to the best we can,” Ilea answered before she addressed the white haired elf near the entrance. “Isalthar. I brought a guest.”

He interrupted the conversation he had with a few other Hunters, glancing over before his white eyes landed on the masked Syrithis.

She hadn’t said a thing, merely looking towards the group of elves.

“A… guest. Indeed. I am… how did you know?” he asked, excusing himself before he hovered over to them.

“A human lover? For a Val Akuun?” Ilea said and winked.

Isalthar considered her before he smiled ever so slightly. “A long time ago, it was a human that managed to quell my anger.”

“She must’ve been quite something,” Ilea said.

He nodded. “She was.” Isalthar turned to the half elf. “Child.”

Okay. I guess if you don’t learn anything about being a father. Wait, fathers aren’t really a thing for elves at all.

“Father,” Syrithis said. “I… congratulations, on your victory.”

“Thank you,” Isalthar said.

Wow this is awkward. Ilea wondered if she should say something. “Need some help?” she sent to the elf.

“I… perhaps. But you are a female? Would you know of the father?” he asked.

“Jesus, Isalthar. You should’ve explored a little more with Ben. Or learned from the woman,” she said.

“Quariaa was a forest witch… she did not know of some matters. And perhaps I was not in a state to learn,” he said.

“Okay. So do you know what a hug is?” Ilea asked.

“No,” the elf replied.

“Fuck, okay. Well I mean I don’t know if you elves even have Oxytocin. I’ll show you,” Ilea said and moved back a little. She produced an ashen copy of herself and hugged it. “Do that to her.”

“I can see what you’re doing,” Syrithis said, turning around before the elf hugged her.

“Like this?” he asked.

The half elf stood there before she slowly raised her hands, closing them around the elf’s back. Her body shook, soft sobs resounding.

“Is this normal?” Isalthar asked as he looked at Ilea.

“This is the first time I see you freaked out. Wait how the fuck did you even procreate without knowing how to hug?” she asked. “Do I want to know this?”

“There was fighting… a lot of blood… I was confused at the time, Ilea,” he said. “She was not strong enough to hurt me, and she nearly died quite a few times. But with healing magic I-”

“Maybe not. Just hold her. It’s normal,” Ilea said. Is this Quaniaa related to Celene?

“If the elves move to the Descent, you two can see each other more reliably,” Ilea said. “And I’m sure the Meadow can teach you some things about human fatherhood. I suppose she knows plenty about elven culture already.”

“There are no fathers among us. She is one of very few half elves. They are hunted by both our kinds,” Isalthar said. “We thought it better for her to build a life amongst your kind. Her chance of survival was higher, especially after she had been a successful Hunter for years.”

“Makes sense,” Ilea said before she addressed Aki. “Hey, where’s Zoy?”

“Zoy is sleeping in a nearby home,” Aki said.

“Okay, kind of creepy that you know that but fine. I think it might be helpful for her to talk to Syrithis. She’s not a half elf but they share some… circumstances,” she said.

“A thoughtful observation. I will suggest such to the Huntress, and the Immortal Guard Syrithis,” Aki said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said before she addressed Isalthar again. “Do you love her?”

“I do. Of course,” he said.

“Are you proud of her?” Ilea asked.

“How could I not be?” he asked.

She smiled. “Then tell her.”

“But she surely knows this,” Isalthar said.

“Trust me on this. Just tell her,” Ilea said, brushing at her eyes with some ash.

Chapter 795 Curses

Chapter 795 Curses

Ilea let the duo have their small reunion, instead teleporting through the ancient city until she reached the Sphere. Before addressing Aki, she reset her gate location and checked on Felicia.

“Need a lift out?” she asked, finding the woman still with Evan and Niivalyr.

Felicia gave the elf a last look and nodded. “I would appreciate it.”

“I’ll see you later,” she said, opening a gate to Riverwatch.

Felicia smiled, a hand brushing past her arm before she stepped through.

Ilea took in a deep breath before she closed the gate and opened one close to the sphere.

Spreading her wings, she addressed the new Guardian of Iz. “The Guardians attack anyone that doesn’t have a key?”

“Not exactly,” Aki sent back. “They do not attack anyone that has the respective keys corresponding to their metal.”

She floated about fifty meters away from the sphere. “So why did they attack me then? Do you have some form of control?”

“I believe so, yes. They are quite intricate compared to even an Executioner… or perhaps more accurately, they are different. The One without Form was the lifetime achievement of the Makers. The Sphere Guardians on the other hand, were the achievement mostly of the Builders. To form and channel the spells they can wield… I’m honestly impressed, even with the perception and understanding I now have. But I don’t have to tell you, you fought them before.

“I cannot give them commands or control them the same way I do the other machines. But I believe there is a way for me to communicate with them, to tell them that you for example are an enemy. It has to happen continuously or they will return to make decisions on their own. If you were to attack the sphere directly, they would attack. At least those whose keys you are not carrying with you.”

“The keys are in my domain now. Can they track them?” she asked.

“I cannot, but then I’m not directly connected to the keys. I do believe they know you have them,” Aki said.

“Freaky. So even the space domain can’t hide them,” she said.

“They are two parts of the same whole. I believe even another realm would not stand between them. It is the same reason you can travel to other realms once an anchor is present,” Aki explained.

Ilea nodded. “How do you know about that?”

“I’m talking to the Meadow. Learning,” Aki said. “I intend to protect the Accords. From threats in this realm and beyond. Understanding the fabric is a key aspect of this goal.”

“So I just have to distribute the keys and then I can train with the sphere guardians whose keys I don’t have on me,” Ilea surmised.

“The issue is that I don’t know if they understand training,” Aki said. “But knowing you…”

Ilea grinned. “Perfect.”

“They will aim to destroy that which they see as a threat,” Aki said.

She looked at the large silver machine, purple eyes looking at her. She could feel the void magic from the massive sphere guardian. “Were the Executioners inspired by the silver guardian of the sphere?”

“Perhaps. Based on the limited information I have on this, I believe the choice for mass production was made due to the availability of metals and the complexity of core enchantments. The golden guardian of the sphere for example had seventeen iterations before one didn’t combust on activation,” Aki said. “There is a quote here from the then head of the Guild of Builders. I want swords. More swords. Flying swords. A sea of golden light. I believe she might’ve been… a little troubled.”

“Hey, she just liked swords. And they managed it in the end,” Ilea said, looking at the golden machine. “Think the Taleen could produce more four mark machines?”

“A lot of their knowledge was lost, no matter what Ormont claims. And even then, the problem is not necessarily the production, but powering such machines. The difference between an Executioner and a Sphere Guardian is extensive. The Source is the only reason these Guardians can be powered. They were not made with the goal of mana preservation. They were made to defend the Sphere, with as much power as could be put into them,” Aki said.

“They can’t roam outside of Iz?” Ilea asked.

“In theory, they can. But cut off from close proximity of the Source, they will deactivate quickly. And with the power they wield, a few spells would already be enough,” Aki said.

“So they’re like wired. Can’t unplug them,” she said.

“Wired… a direct connection. Perhaps, yes. The other variants may roam, though in the Plains, even Praetorians drain their resources quickly. Centurions too have to return periodically to offset the lack of ambient mana,” Aki said. “Before you start your unhinged resistance training, Trian and Kyrian have arrived.”

“Yeah, I can see their marks,” Ilea sent and looked towards a large downright brutalist stone slab in the distance. “New gates?”

“Near the settlements of the Accords, yes,” Aki replied.

She waited a few seconds for the duo to exit and fly towards the sphere.

“Is it safe so close to those machines?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah. They don’t attack if they or Aki don’t perceive us as a threat to the Sphere,” she said.

“It is good that you came. I appreciate your time,” Aki said. “To get to the point. There are thousands of gates in the Taleen teleportation network. Some purposefully deactivated. Out of those thousands, about half lead into either production facilities set up by the One without Form, or ruins left behind by the Taleen themselves. I am interested in both.

“Some of these places have been taken by monster populations or single beings that even my Executioners cannot deal with,” Aki said.

“Oh fuck yeah,” Ilea said.

“That is the part I knew Ilea to be interested in. However it’s not all. Many of these ruins have dungeons and monster populations in their vicinity, currently left alone by the Guardians. The One without Form had no use for them and neither do I. That however is not true for the Accords. Trian. I suggest a collaboration with the Medic Sentinel Corps. I have access to hundreds of dungeons with a staggering monster variety both in magical schools and power. Optimizing the danger levels will be key, but I believe with the data and options we have available, we could significantly increase the efficiency at which the Sentinels can be trained,” Aki explained.

“We’re doing that in the southern mountains already, but most of the dungeons are close to cleared already,” Trian said. “I’ll prepare the details and gather the Sentinels I can in the Soul Forge. You’re present in the domain of the Meadow?”

“Always,” Aki sent. “There are considerations for resource acquisition in these dungeons. It may be a risk to use Guardians but if the Sentinels train there anyway, they could expand on that, or at least scout out potential sources of metals and other materials.”

“We’ll discuss it,” Trian said.

“Good,” Aki sent before addressing Ilea. “As to the two of you. If you are interested, I have made a priority list of potential destinations. Though the higher priorities might not be the most beneficial to you.”

“I don’t care. If I can fight something the Executioners had trouble with. Not easy to find varied and dangerous monsters anyway,” Ilea answered.

“I’ll help, if we can clear out facilities for you or the Accords to use,” Kyrian said.

“Then I will prepare a gate for you to travel,” Aki sent, an Executioner arriving nearby. “I will lead you to the destination,” it spoke.

Ilea and Kyrian followed, soon arriving in a rather spacious hall, green light shining on from above with a few Hunter Praetorians standing guard around the central teleportation platform. The thing lit up with magical power when Ilea stepped on it. “I’ll let you know when we’re done.”

“Try not to die,” the Executioner said before leaving.

The gate activated, the fabric shifting before the two humans arrived. Ilea immediately knew they were somewhere in the north, far below the arcane storms that ravaged the landscape. A taleen facility, according to what she saw in her dominion. The flat stone floor and walls. The magical lights were present too, though destroyed beyond repair.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Izvarun dungeon’

“Feel anything?” she asked, glancing over at Kyrian.

It was pitch black. Her eyes had adjusted instantly but the hall was empty. Besides a few piles of metal. Destroyed Guardians she assumed.

“It’s strangely quiet,” he sent back.

“Think so? I mean it’s an underground ruin,” Ilea answered. Though she supposed he wasn’t wrong. Usually there were at least some insects she could hear, or in a Taleen dungeon some gears. “Let’s find out then.”

He nodded, the large form of his metal armor starting to float in perfect silence.

That does look cool. Ilea spread her wings with a smile on her face. Finally a meeting I want to attend. Her wings moved as she was lifted off the ground, the two adventurers flying past the remains of a few Guardians, craters showing in the hallway beyond. One large enough to suggest an Executioner had been destroyed. “This is all too boring and narrow. The One without Form probably set this up.”

“No furniture or anything,” Kyrian sent.

Ilea wondered why Aki had put this place on the priority list, flying out into the next hall. Her eyes widened at the plethora of craters. It reminded her of the battlefield she left behind in the City of Glass, the void creature protecting the phylacteries easily capable of producing something like this. Void void void. Everything is void. Did the Ascended infect this place with monsters too? On closer inspection, she found that the spherical indents were more likely explosions from various Taleen machinery. Bits and pieces of surviving shrapnel suggested as much.

“Ready?” Ilea asked.

“What do you mean, ready? There’s nothing here?” Kyrian asked.

“Not yet. I’ll use Monster Hunter,” Ilea sent back.

He glanced at her with his shining green rune eyes. “That will inform every single creature in the vicinity of a few kilometers.” He paused and nodded slowly. “Yeah. Let me prepare something first.”

“Let me know when you’re done,” Ilea said, floating in silence as metal appeared and split into needles, an entire swarm flying out to etch runes into the hall. What are we? Adventurers that actually prepare traps? She rolled her eyes at the novelty, looking at her ash covered hands before she charged up Monster Hunter.

“Done,” he sent less than a minute later.

“Great,” Ilea answered and released a whistle, the sound reverberating through the hall and out into every connected hallway. She could hear it echoing for a few seconds.

Nothing responded for a while. Then, something stirred in the dark.

A being appeared in the hall, leathery wings and no eyes. Twice as large as a man. It hung from the wall, six legs touching the stone. Its head moved with fast patterns before a strange set of mouths opened.

Ilea could feel vibrations when she saw a slight wave of magic ripple through the hall.

[Craw Listener – lvl ???]

More of the creatures appeared in the hall, a few first, then a few dozen. All at level eight to nine hundred.

“Greetings,” Ilea sent to the first one, using both her telepathy and her mind magic communication to try and inform the being of their presence.

The creature didn’t respond as more Listeners appeared in perfect silence, the walls now full of the strange insect like beings.

Ilea felt the attack coming, a bright golden barrier flaring up about twenty five meters away from their position. Immediately after the defenses were struck by a hundred invisible spells. “Ready?” she asked with a smile.

The hall shook, cracks in the barrier already forming.

“Sound magic,” Kyrian murmured as several flying flails appeared around him.

“Now you can level your resistance,” Ilea said with a smile. White flame flared up around her as she cracked her neck and knuckles. “Ah, I missed this.”

“We were fighting like… two days ago,” Kyrian said. “Never mind.” He chuckled.

Silent Memory appeared in Ilea’s hand when the barrier shattered, a small golden shield on her arm before she rushed forward. “Last warning. Run away,” she sent to the creatures, using another wave of Monster Hunter to send the same sentiment.

She hoped they wouldn’t.

A split second later, she was struck by a set of sound magic waves, unable to teleport them away or dodge. Still she flew on, her mantle only partially defending her against the strange intrusion. Her organs shook within her body, the creature she reached unable to teleport away due to her aura. She swung her hammer, the metal impacting with a dull thud, flattening half of the monster before silver threads lashed out and shred the rest of it apart.

Ilea teleported about thirty of the beings close to her and simply held up her hammer, the threads going wild. “Feast on their flesh,” she sent with a grin, her mantle splattered by blood and guts as the sound waves turned the gore laden air into a whirlwind of chaos.

She flew unmoved, having faced horrors in Kohr far more terrible than these dungeon dwellers. The fires of creation would not wield to such displays of magic. A beam of heat flared up, disintegrating a few dozen of the monsters. Ilea smiled, tasting blood in her mouth as she healed her shaken innards. Combined efforts. Impressive. Silent Memory had finished its feast of the surrounding creatures, the threads looking for more, the gem in the hammer head glowing, almost joyous.

Ilea teleported. She appeared in front of a wall covered in the sound magic creatures. Waves of magic struck her, the combined effort of nearly a hundred beings. She closed her eyes, feeling herself be pushed back ever so slightly, her eyes resisting, her muscles, skin, and organs shaking. Ilea raised her arms, the golden shields she conjured shattered in moments. She glanced at the hammer and let go, a silver tread wrapped around her arm as it let itself dangle down, landing in a flurry of threads, the red gem glowing with foreboding light. Death and Curses. “Go wild,” she sent, feeling her Space Manipulation charged to the highest point. Ilea savored the power, her palms held out towards the incoming sound magic and the beings that cast it.

Ilea smiled as she released a wave of pure space magic, the invisible power near instantly slamming into the dark wall before her. The enemy magic stopped. A smear of dark blood and pieces of flesh remained as a shock wave of air hit the ceiling and adjacent walls. Not a single one had survived.

She turned to see the hall lit by white fire and green curses, her friend floating past as his dark metal shred and flattened the creatures. Ilea teleported and healed him, the injuries not as extensive as she had expected. “Nice armor,” she sent.

“Sound is still difficult to deal with,” he answered, waving a hand as six flails flew past, spinning and impacting the creatures, one killed with each strike.

“You’re a terrific exterminator,” Ilea sent as she felt the heat in her chest charged yet again. She flew around, using fabric tear to collect another large group of the monsters, her aura activating right after to prevent their use of teleportation. Arms spread wide, a sphere of heat and fire expanded from her at the center, sound magic, flesh, and bone burned away an instant later. She glanced to nearby movement and saw her hammer move along the wall, threads of silver impacting the stone before it flung itself into groups of Listeners, waves of curse and blood magic flaring out, the threads cutting through the monsters like steel through paper.

“Is that a good idea?” Kyrian asked, a few hundred runes activating before green light flared through the hall, a few hundred flying monsters convulsing before the curse took them. “Letting it go off alone.”

Ilea raised a brow under her horned mantle, the hall returning to relative darkness. “You’re not allowed to ask that, after that spell.”

“Fair,” Kyrian said and moved on to the next group. Few remained.

“Besides. Silent Memory knows who’s in charge,” she said and flew closer to the hammer. “Right?”

The thing sent out threads, striking the ground before it flung itself towards her. Thorned silver threads spread out, one moving around Ilea’s arm before it pulled itself closer, the handle landing in her hand.

Strange. She felt a pulse, as if the hammer asked to use its power.

She hissed, feeling the power absorbed by the hammer. It thrummed with curses. With blood. Instinctual, she felt something touch her very core. A wish. A memory of death and bloodshed. A promise of power. She could feel the change it wanted to achieve, a burst of power. A gift. Though her resistances were too high to allow for it.

We could try, she thought, feeling the thorns move around her arm, magic flooding her. Bone, blood manipulation, and a sinister curse. She smiled, feeling the slow changes. Ilea had felt the corruption back in the Descent, had experienced death, blood, and bone magic before. This was different. An addition more than anything, the nature of the magic similar to what she felt when using one of her own spells. It felt right. She grinned and removed her resistances. Do your worst, hammer.

Ilea grit her teeth, her eyes opening wide when she felt her blood boil. Wings of bone broke out of her back, her ash moving aside to allow for the changes. She could feel her body shift and break, her bones cracking, extending, claws now where her fingers used to be, long like swords. The hammer had downright merged with her arm, Ilea flying in the dark as the white flame flowed over her ashen mantle. She could see herself in her dominion, three, near four meters large now, a monster of bone and claw, silver metal shimmering between the flames and ash.

The curse shook her very form. It spoke to her, whispers. A plea. One she was willing to answer.

“Should I run the fuck away?” Kyrian asked.

She looked at him with a grin. “I told you. I’m in charge,” she sent and sped up, crashing into a group of monsters, three of them splattered below her clawed legs. Silver threads moved out as she moved herself to the left, a clawed hand catching one of the beings, their teleports useless against her inhibiting aura. Ilea grinned as she squeezed, the monster squashed like an insect within her massive clawed hand.

Bone and ashen wings moved on her back in serene patterns as she healed herself against the empowering magic from the divine artifact. She looked up and addressed both her hammer and her friend. “Let us hunt.”

Chapter 796 Missions

A note from Rhaegar

Hello everyone (TLDR at the bottom).

I've been thinking about how to tackle all this but I suppose I'll just go with it.

You may or may not remember me testing the waters with Leaves of Terranthir, trying to produce a story beside Azarinth Healer to clear my head. I talked about various considerations like Ilea being insanely powerful, being a little burned with the constant updates and working on the same story.

Now I'm working on Infrasound, another side project to develop, to learn and understand more about the process of writing and storytelling. To set up a new world and see where it leads. The process has been fun and super rewarding, with both stories.

Beside the reasons I stated for starting these projects, one of the major ones was one question.

When does Azarinth Healer end?

And what would it mean for me? Was it all a fluke? Was I just lucky? Can I even write anything worth reading? Oh my god nobody will give a shit. I have to keep going, forever and ever.

Well, since I first asked myself those questions, I've learned quite a lot. About writing, about what I want to write, and about what I enjoy writing. When I used to read more progression fantasy, there was usually a point where things just got a little boring. The main character was fighting gods, or forever stuck building their village, maybe they got bogged down with too many side characters, too many political responsibilities, or they just ended up in an endless constantly escalating slew of tensionless battles.

I think some of that has happened already with Azarinth. I do think I continuously managed to get back to some of the main themes, the slice of life, fun fights, and the adventure. But at the same time I don't want the story to turn into a corpse of endless repetitive cycles.

Which is why, about a year ago, I started to consider and outline potential endings for the series. I'm not exactly a planner, and enjoy more to mostly just go with the flow, which meant this wasn't the simplest process and is still ongoing.

We're at a point now in Azarinth Healer where the current arc (on patreon) will be the final one of Ilea's story.

After nearly two and a half million words, and nearly four years of writing this adventure, I hadn't thought I would ever get here. The consideration of ending the story was strange. Impossible in a way. It was all I had. It's what I did. It had to continue. But I think I've reached a point where I'm confident enough in my skill to try and step into the void. Whatever comes, will come.

This is also one of the reasons why I was getting more stressed with chapter releases. As I come closer to the conclusion of the story, I'll have to take more time with planning and rewriting.

At the same time, I signed the series with Portal Books, a small publisher based in the UK. Now working with my editor Brook, we're editing (damn near rewriting) the series from the ground up.

It's been fucking painful to read through some sections of my early writing. And at the same time incredibly rewarding, to go back and fix many major issues both with characters, scenes, and certain plotlines. He's fixing up most of the technical issues that the early sections suffered from, adding descriptions, and clarifications, while offering developmental and characterization advice that has already been invaluable.

The first book will come out on Amazon when it's done (and an audiobook as well, hopefully).

If you're thinking of a reread, I wholeheartedly suggest you wait for the edited version. It won't be perfect, and it will remain the Azarinth Healer you know, but it's already shaping up to be quite a bit better than before. I'll be sure to pack in a few easter eggs here and there for those who have been around for a long time, whilst we remove most of the cringe and improve the reading experience overall.

I do have non definitive plans to work on Elos in the future, even after Ilea's story is done, there will be plenty left to discover :). While I considered having Infrasound be set in the same universe, I'm sure by now that it's an entirely new and separate thing. The skill percentages alone would make it a little lame if it were in the same universe as Azarinth.

As to definitive questions like at which chapter the story will end or how the release schedule will look like before and after, what projects I'll be working on, if I'll take a break, I don't know yet. I'll just try to keep you informed as I go and things come up. I hope I can bring the story to a conclusion in the next 3-9 months, but who knows, it might end earlier or later.

This series has always been an ongoing project for me, one that often meandered, with random adventures here and there, certain plot threads coming and going, and I love it for what it is. It's really quite weird to think about finishing Ilea's storyline, getting a proper edit done (which will take years for the whole series), and having a final and finished version out there.

It's been a ride, it is a ride, and I hope it will continue to be one, until I end it with a bang. One worthy of Lilith, the blue eyed girl who found herself in the lands of Elos.

TLDR: I have now outlined the ending for Azarinth Healer, and it's likely that the current arc we're in (on patreon), will be the last one for Ilea's story.

Chapter 796 Missions

Ilea rushed into the next hall, teleporting monsters towards her before her claws shred through them. A beam of heat disintegrated a dozen creatures. She vanished. A crushing wave of space magic flattened another group. She grinned and moved on to the next, a whirl of claws and spreading fires, the creatures cut apart and wracked through by intruding arcane magic.

She coughed up blood, ignoring the waves of sound hitting her large form. Ilea raised her arm, squinting her eyes before she let go, spikes of burning bone rushing out in a strange sensation. They struck the monsters but remain within her control. The curse told her to push and pull, to let chaos reign. She did just that, watching as the bone magic infected and took over the beings, their resistance unable to stop the combined efforts of herself and her divine artifact.

Bones broke and expanded, the monsters shred apart by their own skeletons as spikes of bone grew out from their own bodies. A few of them outright exploded. Chunks of bone flying through the hall while expanding spikes slammed into the stone walls, keeping the remains in place.

Delightful, she thought, feeling the wish to control the dead bodies. No, she answered. Ilea had no wish to become some fucked up necromancer with bone monsters. Well, maybe she did, but not these insect creatures. Instead she moved on to the next group, obliterating them with her claws in inhuman strength alone.

Eight hundred. What a joke. I want something stronger to test this on.

Golden shields appeared to block waves of sound, Ilea watching as her friend shred apart the last few groups of monsters.

She could feel the power wane, the red gem set in the hammer glowing far less bright than mere moments earlier. Ilea could feel the pain intensifying and focused, gritting her teeth as her bones were broken yet again, the claws receding and the wings breaking off. She heard them impact the ground just when her hearing returned, healed from the constant barrage of powerful sound magic. The silver treads receded until only a single one remained around her ash covered arm, her entire form returning to her normal height. She looked at the hammer and smiled. “That was fucking awesome.”

The red gem flickered with light one last time before it dimmed.

Kyrian cleared out the last group and appeared nearby. “You’re back. What the fuck was that?”

Ilea glanced at him and smiled. “Hmm. Guess I just went with the flow. I like this thing,” she said, twirling the silver hammer.

“You should’ve seen yourself,” he said.

“Oh, I did,” Ilea answered. “Pretty terrifying. The bone change felt weird, I tell you.”

He shook his head ever so slightly. “How could it even affect you, I thought you could resist the magic.”

“I can. It asked. I let it,” Ilea said. “Turned off my resistances to help as well.”

“Doesn’t sound like the best idea,” Kyrian said.

“Well, it’s good that I didn’t turn into some rage monster then. You would’ve not made it out,” she said and winked.

“That depends entirely on how well it could’ve used your magic, if at all,” he said.

“Fair,” Ilea said, checking her messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Craw Listener – lvl 903]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Craw Listener – lvl 852]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 623 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 620 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 613 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Sound Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 1

Intricate and difficult to master, used by both mages and monsters. You have withstood and survived sound attacks, making you more resistant to its effects.

2nd stage: Any defensive magic you conjure is adapted to be more efficient at resisting sound waves.

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2’

...

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the use of a divine artifact – One Core skill point awarded’

No skill or anything for the hammer stuff. At least a core point I suppose. So before that I wasn’t even using it? How far can it go anyway? It did need to charge up before. Hmm.

Ilea looked at the hammer before she made it vanish.

“Seems we’ve cleared it out,” Kyrian said.

“Maybe,” she said and looked at her status. Ten core points. All of her skills were already enhanced. I could add a class modifier for ten points.

She looked at the option for a little while before closing her status again, deciding to pile up more points for now. One option was still locked after all.

“Let’s check the place quickly,” she said before they flew through the facility. It turned out to be one meant to produce Guardians, though Ilea couldn’t figure out what version. She assumed Executioners due to the high priority Aki had given to this place. A large portion of the production machines were damaged or entirely destroyed however, perhaps due to the sounds or light they had given off, a target for the monsters that had chosen this dungeon as a dwelling.

They found a small cavern adjacent to the dungeon, Ilea using her fires to clear out the eggs in the monster nest. And not a single Queen in sight, she thought with a bored sigh. Well at least I got to transform into a bone monster. One upside to this dive.

“You seem angry,” Kyrian said.

“Angry? No. Frustrated maybe. I want to fight something more dangerous than these sound insects,” she said.

He laughed. “Sure. Yeah. You don’t have to do this either, just saying.”

“And let you find the hidden four marks? I don’t think so,” Ilea said as they flew back to the taleen gate. “Let’s hope the next one is a little more challenging,” she added and cracked her neck.

“For once, I agree,” the metal colossus spoke, curse magic flowing over his armor as the gate activated.

___________________________

Willa chucked another rock at the tree in the distance. This time it struck true. She smiled, using her ash to carve out another chunk from the ruined building. The top floor was gone entirely, the second one at least partially there. A warm wind brushed against her cheeks as she moved her arm back and threw again. This time she missed. Fuck. She summoned an ashen copy and had it shoot the tree with its bow instead.

“I’m boooooooooooooooooored!” she shouted, lying down on her back.

A cloud obscured one of the suns, the other one blinding her.

She rolled to the side. I need that second tier Light Magic Resistance. She tapped the stone floor and sighed, sitting up again. The village was empty. The people had either fled or been killed, as with many settlements in the former lands of Baralia. Strange monster attacks, from this direction. They had found tracks, sure, but nothing had shown up.

Willa had thought that with the teleportation gates, they could fight monsters all the time. To be fair they did fight monsters far more frequently, but right now they didn’t. And that was annoying.

Not like we’re even close to as strong as a normal Guardian. Shit. Shit. S h i t. She had her copy shoot another arrow, herself rolling over the floor.

Ember appeared on the first floor, yawning as she stretched. She scratched her cheek and looked at Willa. “You’re restless again.”

“And you guys sleep too much,” Willa answered.

“S… sorry,” Ember said, looking at the floor.

By the gods, Willa thought and rolled her eyes. She teleported to the woman and pinched her cheeks. “Stop. Apologizing. It’s. Annoying.”

“I’m s… s…” the Sentinel stammered out.

Willa rolled her eyes and let go, looking at a support beam that still remained. She squinted her eyes and ran, jumping up before she tried to land on the top. She hit the wood at an awkward angle, falling before she rolled to catch herself. Hmm. She ran again and jumped.

One the fifth try, she managed it, giggling as she balanced at the top of the beam.

“Stop fucking around,” Phoebe said from the village square.

“What? I can’t hear you!” Willa shouted with a giggle.

“We didn’t find any tracks,” Phoebe said.

Willa jumped down before she teleported. “Yes, I told you. The monster isn’t here.”

“You’re too close,” Phoebe said and pushed her away just a little.

Willa smiled and raised her brows. She’s blushing. How. Very. Interesting. And here I thought she only liked Mila. Guess she hasn’t made a move yet. Frustrated?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Phoebe asked.

She grinned. “No reason. At all.”

“Anyway. Should we go back to Ravenhall? We could train some resistances,” Phoebe said.

“Or we could explore a little more? Not here, it’s boring. Maybe there’s something interesting in Yinnahall,” Willa said.

“We’re supposed to have some time off,” Ember said. “Resistance training isn’t that.”

“I agree, so let’s see if there’s anything to do. Maybe some people need healers,” Willa said. “This village sucks.”

Phoebe shrugged. “You lead then, adventurer.”

Willa showed her tongue but signed with her hand at the same time. Agreement in this case.

They quickly moved to the closest town, not having found any trace of the monster that had attacked in the vicinity. If it showed up again, they might find more. Or a more specialized team was required to find it.

The town of Merina in the eastern part of the former Baralia wasn’t large. It wasn’t famous for particularly defensible walls or for an interesting geography. Nor were there any goods produced here that were sought in the Plains. And still it had experienced an economic surge in the past years. Willa understood it had to do with the war, Merina simply not interesting to any of the factions involved and thus mostly left alone. Mediocrity as a boon.

Empires come and go, but small towns and villages like this one remain. For thousands of years, she thought when they arrived, looking at the shoddy wall and the boring thatched roofs. The guard tower was downright falling apart, though recent repairs and a second tower showed the local leadership at least invested some of their growth back into the town.

“How long do you think a place like this will survive now that the gates are available even here,” Ember said.

“Why would they move away?” Willa asked. “They’ve been here forever. A gate won’t change that.”

“It might,” Phoebe said as they entered the town through the only dirt road in the area. High reaching firs stood on either side, birds chirping somewhere to their left.

Willa looked up at the clouds, the warm summer day mostly clear.

They soon appeared near Yinnahall. The gate buildings here were simple stone, light coming in from the open entrance of the dome like structure. There was grass on the ground still, the gate simply set into the earth.

“Shouldn’t there be guards?” Ember asked, looking around in the small building.

“To a gate that leads to Merina? You can go look for someone to activate this one, if you want to go back.” Willa said, shaking her head at the ridiculous suggestion. She stepped off the gate and out into the open. The air in there sucks. A look to the right showed her the city of Yinnahall, one of the more flourishing former Baralia settlements. The lack of blood rituals helped, as did their involvement with Lilith, and the preparation their new leaders had made before Lys actually reached their city.

She stepped back when a trio of Guardians rushed past, the machines running with steel contraptions on their backs, each one carrying nearly twice their size in goods. Metal impacted against stone as the six legged beings moved past. Willa watched them go, towards the city gates. She grinned, seeing dozens more of the machines on the fields outside of Yinnahall.

There were over twenty stone domes in the vicinity, all likely holding a gate, and those were just the ones Willa could spot. The main hub in the former lands of Baralia. Strong ties to the Accords had made Yinnahall the obvious choice. She glanced back to see the others following her out into the open. A few earth mages were working on improving the dirt paths leading away from the main stone road.

Shouts resounded from beyond a nearby set of domes, specks of activity visible as merchants went about their business. The initial idea of the gates being placed outside of the respective cities was a consideration of security. Willa grinned, watching most people that arrived move towards the tents and stands instead of to the city. Improvise and adapt, she thought, knowing that other cities simply forbid trade near the teleportation gates, though she herself had avoided some of those places before, simply to get what she wanted a tiny bit faster.

Willa was pretty sure there would soon be gates inside of big cities too, the economic pressure simply too much. Especially with the Guardians present as well. She didn’t much care. Either way they saw more of the Plains than any of the old adventurers she talked to ever did before. The world was different back then! she mouthed the words of one drunkard she had heard complain a few days prior. As if it’s been centuries. Now that high level adventurers were able to travel through the entirety of the Plains in mere seconds, many of the local jobs of backwater villages and towns were resolved within hours instead of the prior months.

Low level adventurers could simply not compete. They had to get stronger, take more dangerous jobs, or do something else entirely.

“Hey,” someone called out from between a few stone domes.

She turned to see a young man glancing around, a brown hood covering a part of his face. He wore weathered pants and no shoes.

“Miss, you’re one of em Sentinels, are ye not?” he asked.

“Do you need a healer somewhere?” Willa asked, walking a little closer as the others followed.

[Cook – lvl 28]

He kept looking around. “You’re one of em, are you not? The same as Lilith.”

“I suppose I am,” Willa said. “Now get to the point.”

He waved her closer.

She went, checking their surroundings to see if there was anybody hiding. His low level and Class didn’t exactly seem threatening, though his behavior made her hesitate just a little.

The man looked at their group and scratched the back of his head. “I… there’s something. Maybe you can help. You know of these lands, do you?”

“Yinnahall?” Willa asked.

“Baralia,” he answered. “It is said that Lilith removed the slavers in this city. That she fought to free the people.”

“We heard the same,” Phoebe said.

“What about you?” the man asked.

“Slavery isn’t legal here anymore,” Phoebe said.

He shook his head in a fast motion, looking to the others.

Mila stepped forward. “Kram ret erevak,” she spoke.

Willa saw his eyes light up at the words. For just a moment.

He glanced around again and stepped closer to Mila, whispering a few sentences before he stepped back and looked around again.

“Go. We will have a look. I promise,” Mila said.

Willa had rarely seen her quite as determined. Makes sense I guess. With her background.

Mila signed to them. Danger. Job. Quiet. “Let’s go for lunch.”

The others remained quiet, not reacting to the signs.

“Should we eat something here?” Ember asked.

“I want meatballs,” Mila said.

“Ravenhall has the best ones. The Black Bull then?” Willa asked.

Phoebe shrugged. “Sounds good.”

Willa checked a nearby map propped up by a wooden stand, finding the gate to Morhill before pointing the way.

Two teleports later and they were in Ravenhall, soon reaching the Black Bull.

Sitting down, Phoebe signed a question. Safe?

“I think so,” Mila said.

They all sat at the table, Mila leaning forward. “He told me there are still slaves in Nara.”

“That’s not possible. The city is under imperial control,” Phoebe said.

“Just because they supposedly control the city doesn’t mean they know everything that is going on,” Willa said.

“Then we should report this,” Phoebe said.

“Or…” Willa said and grinned. “Hear me out. We go there and find out what’s going on. Did he say anything else?”

“He told me one of the barkeepers at the adventuring guild in Nara might know more,” Mila said. “That was all.”

“I don’t know,” Phoebe said.

“I mean you’re the leader. But we were getting bored. And this is something we could actually help with. Everyone else is busy, and I don’t think a bunch of Guardians have the people skills to figure this out. If there are really slavers there, they would immediately hide. Nobody would be stupid enough to fight Aki.”

“We could get in trouble. If the people there are strong.” Ember said.

Phoebe opened one of her pouches and set down the enchanted cube they had gotten. Every Sentinel team now had one of them. “There should be Guardians around. Aki said he would be there near instantly, if we were ever in actual danger.”

Willa sighed. “I bet that thing is slowing down our growth.” She squinted at it.

“Just for when we’re not on training missions that the faculty hands out. You know we don’t have to carry it,” Phoebe said. “But in this case it seems like a good idea.”

“You really want to go there?” Mila asked. She looked down at the table.

“It’s important to you, and Willa is right. We have time. And we’re Sentinels. Ilea would do the same,” Phoebe said and smiled.

Chapter 797 Instant travel

Chapter 797 Instant travel

Ilea waved her hand to teleport away the crystal projectiles. She summoned a set of shields in the way of the largest two she couldn’t move with her space magic. “You doing okay?” she sent to her ally flying a few dozen meters away, himself deflecting a bright pink beam of energy with a metal shield of his own.

She saw the metal glow and shatter, just as her shields shattered against the massive weight and momentum of the crystal chunks. Ilea felt another spell of the creature manifest, this time at the top of her skull. The crystal spread quickly, breaking through her mantle right when she ripped it away with her hand. It continued growing, Ilea teleporting up to avoid the crashing projectiles. She used her limbs to cut through her arm, teleporting the affected part of her limb away. She looked at the large creature with squinting eyes.

Seven heads, atop seven necks, all connected to a moving crystal base the size of a mansion. All of it a bright pink, the thing reminding her more of a cheap house decoration item than the monster it was supposed to be. The fact that it flattened entire sections of the Taleen ruin by simply moving around didn’t really lend validity to that comparison. She moved her head to the side when a beam of pink energy rushed out from one of the heads, another one summoning a rain of crystal needles.

Ilea answered in kind, with beams of heat and waves of burning ash.

“Sure you don’t want to take that third tier resistance?” Kyrian asked.

She teleported close and smashed her fist into one of the heads, arcane energies flashing into the creature, rocking its head to the side, Ilea continuing her assault. She flew up to avoid another one of the heads biting down, a third one striking her with a summoned projectile the size of a car. Instantly she saw the crystal growing, pushing into her ash and eyes from the entire surface area, the projectile meanwhile flying to the other side of the Taleen city. With her in tow.

Ilea would’ve rolled her eyes, if they weren’t being overtaken by powerful crystal growth. “Okay, I guess I will.”

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Crystal Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

Crystals aren’t just shiny decorations to old ruins and caves. You have learned that the arcane scholars have found ways to turn the beautiful natural phenomenon into something quite a bit more deadly. Less deadly to you with this skill.

2nd stage: Your body adapts, crystal growth and transmutation now exponentially harder to achieve on your tissue.

3rd stage: You have faced extraordinary wielders of crystal magic. Your body learns to adapt against specific types of crystal magic. With time, you will find yourself more resilient against enemy crystal magic you have faced before.

Using one of my third tier points against something stupid like this, she thought, teleporting away when she managed to separate the frameworks. The task proved more difficult than she wanted to admit, the crystal instantly merging with everything it touched. She ripped out her eyes. Again. And healed them.

“I’m in the third tier now. Just stay at a distance and finish your rune setup while I distract it,” Ilea sent, watching the creature shake its form to get rid of the flame of creation. She didn’t remember anything that had dealt with the white flame quite as easily.

[Crystal Hydra of Izverat – lvl ????]

The creature wasn’t even far above a thousand five hundred. Ilea smiled and summoned her hammer. “Think you can handle this?”

She didn’t get a response, throwing the divine artifact towards the creature before she herself followed, ashen limbs moving out as she flew past the beams and projectiles, cutting out chunks of the pink material, shattering entire sections with her fists as her fires continued to spread. Ilea teleported to the side before a beam could slice into her, seeing at an angle how the silver threads of her hammer wrung around one of the long necks of the magical monster.

“Set up is done,” Kyrian informed, the mage floating around sixty meters away now.

“Give it a go,” Ilea sent, cutting off her leg where a set of crystals had started eating into her mantle. She teleported back when she felt the surge of magic all around.

Green runes lit up on the ruins and flattened stone below, more appearing in the air above and beside the enormous monster. A loud thrum resounded when the curse manifested, the magic released like a river flooding down from above, the runes shaking as the Hydra screeched with a strange cracking sound. A one hundred meter high cone of green light. The spell enveloped the entirety of the crystal being and yet when it subsided, the monster remained.

“This is going to take a while,” Ilea sent as her wings pushed her forward, a spinning flame covered drill of ash pushed ahead of her form.

______________________________

“We should wear normal clothes,” Mila said in a quiet voice as soon as they were done eating.

“Why?” Willa asked.

Ember smiled. “Oh I get it. So that we don’t seem like military or something. The Guardians are the army. We’re just healers,” she said and winked.

Willa followed Phoebe and the others to a local tailor, the group acquiring simple traveling clothes and brown cloaks before heading to the northern exit of the town. Clothing and teleportation wasn’t much of an issue. Even at their level, the pay for a Sentinel was formidable, apparently due to the high percentage they received compared to adventurers or even Shadows. Phoebe suspected it had to do with Lilith’s insane wealth but Willa assumed they were just better.

She frowned after they had changed, rolling her shoulders as she mimicked the motion of shooting a bow.

“You’ll be back in your armor in no time,” Phoebe said.

“Just feels wrong,” Willa said. “Kind of exciting too in a way.”

“Are you sure we shouldn’t tell someone before we go?” Ember asked.

“It’s more dangerous this way,” Willa said with a grin.

“We have the cube. You know how Aki is. He’s always so concerned,” Phoebe said.

“Barely even cuts through bones. He’s pretty soft for a machine made of metal. Or well, now an army of machines made of metal,” Willa said.

They arrived in the outskirts of Nara less than an hour later, the teleportation gate to Yinnahall far more busy than the subsequent one to their destination.

Willa tugged on her sleeves.

“They’re just normal clothes,” Phoebe said.

“Yeah, but we’re not normal,” Willa said with a frown.

“I agree with her,” Ember said, looking at her brown sleeves.

“What’s wrong, Mila?” Phoebe asked, looking at the pale woman, black eyes staring at the high walls of Nara.

“Did you come from here?” Willa asked, looking at the dead land all around. Nothing great would grow here without the help of a few nature mages. There were a few Guardians present near the gates but they weren’t currently moving anything. She followed her teammate’s gaze and saw the cracks in the walls, house sized boulders sunken deep into the dead earth near the worst damaged sections.

“No,” Mila said. “To the west… weeks of travel. We… we moved south. It took us months, just to get to the Empire.”

“Months?” Willa asked.

“There were slave hunters still. Collectors. Adventurers looking to earn gold, and soldiers…” Mila said and broke off.

“Sorry,” Willa said. She looked up, seeing the gray clouds move past. It had been sunny in Yinnahall, windy and cool in Ravenhall. Here it was just gray.

Mila giggled. “I’m fine. It’s just… strange. That we traveled the same distance just now. With just a few spells.”

“Do you not miss it?” Ember asked. She turned beet red a moment later. “Traveling I mean… not anything to do with your… you know. Your.”

Phoebe chuckled. “Do you miss it?” she asked Ember.

“I… guess. Maybe. We didn’t get to travel much, mostly moving from one temple to the other. I liked Halstein. But we were mostly in cities, temples… behind walls. With the gates…” she spoke.

“Yeah, no reason to go out there anymore. Not really,” Willa said. “But not for us. Because the monsters are out there, not behind the walls we built.”

“Well some monsters are behind walls,” Phoebe said, looking towards the ancient city. It lay quiet, some of the high towers visible beyond broken, signs of battle still visible even after all this time.

Willa nodded. “Like the Meadow. Or Aki.”

“I think she meant people. That are horrible,” Ember said.

“You did?” Willa asked, glancing at Phoebe. “But people aren’t monsters.”

“It’s a metaphor,” Phoebe answered.

“A what?” Willa asked.

“Forget it,” Phoebe said, shaking her head.

Ember smiled. “It means they behave like monsters but they’re still humans. No claws and stuff.”

“I see,” Willa said and nodded. “So we’re really just here to fight monsters. I like that.”

“No. We’re here to find out what is happening, we should try to avoid a fight if at all possible,” Phoebe answered.

“Yeah, yeah,” Willa said, though she signed her agreement.

A warm breeze moved through, the four now walking away from the lone teleportation platform about a kilometer outside of Nara. Nobody else had arrived, and nobody else was coming towards them from the city. Without the few Guardians near the gate and the small wooden guard shack with a sleeping attendant inside, one might’ve mistaken the site for an ancient and forgotten artifact of some lost civilization.

It didn’t take them long to reach the gate, the two large stone slabs remaining closed, though a nearby hole in the wall kind of made the immense entrance somewhat useless. A set of guards stood in front of the more obvious entrance, both clad in well worn plate armor, the dark red mostly scrubbed away but still noticeable, especially near the shin guards.

“Battle healers in Nara. Who are you?” one of them said, a spear wielding man with a deep voice. He seemed annoyed at best.

“Battle healers looking to help out where we can,” Phoebe said.

The guard paused. “Sure. Entrance fee is one silver per person. Half because you’re healers.”

“Why is this hole still here?” Willa asked, pointing behind them.

The man sighed.

The other one replied. “The runes to open the gate are busted. This is better. Hardly any monsters in the area anyway.”

“Even at night?” Willa asked. She had learned about some freaky creatures that roamed the northern plains in the darkness, many would surely come this far south. They weren’t too far away after all.

“Close it off at night,” the second guard said. He was a small man, a set of knives strapped to a belt that went around his battered chest plate. He seemed jumpy.

Willa smiled. “How?”

Phoebe paid the man and waved for them to go through.

“Big ass boulder,” the guard said. “Gorge is strong. Strongest man I’ve seen.”

“Who’s Gorge?” Willa asked.

“We’re going inside,” Phoebe said, signing for them to be careful.

Careful. Sure. Let’s be even more obvious. Willa thought as she waved to the guard and went inside.

Her eyes opened wide when they entered. Not because of the admittedly massive boulder set next to the hole in the wall. The city was in ruins. Hundreds if not thousands of buildings, all made of stone, layered on top of each other. Broken walls, destroyed foundations, some entirely collapsed. Roads she could see blocked by chunks of stone, roots remaining from the magic that had been summoned here from Erendar. Corpses at least she did not see any, though there were obvious signs of magical damage from the battles that had taken place here. In an effort to clear out the remains of the cursed residents.

The Sentinels had more information than most on the happenings in Baralia, but reading about it and seeing it were entirely different things.

Despite the people Willa could see on the large square beyond the main gates, the city seemed hollow. A husk of its former self. She gulped, imagining the blood ritual that had been cast here. The impact it had. The high towers now stood empty, the nobility that had inhabited them long gone, along with their most valuable treasures and their gold. It seemed even the Empire was not interested in this city, or they simply lacked the resources to take care of the extensive damage.

“Why are so few people here?” Willa asked.

“Nara didn’t have a lot to offer other than its high walls and population,” Mila said.

The slave trade. Right.

“I talked to some that had fled from here. Before the… ritual,” Mila said. “When the siege of Virilya demanded a lot of resources from the cities and the nobles. I would not have come back either. This city is cursed,” she said and spit on the stone ground. “It should be left to rot.”

“Would be an interesting training arena,” Willa mused as she followed Phoebe.

Their team leader looked around before she headed for a building on the large plaza. The few present people seemed like adventurers, perhaps former soldiers. None were above level one hundred, likely local to places that offered little work for them now.

One large man with three scars on his shaved skull growled at their group as they passed. He sat on a stone slab and twirled a knife in his hand.

“What the fuck are you growling for?” Willa spat, taking a few steps towards him and away from their group. “Go do something useful, you shit.”

[Rogue Bruiser – lvl 89]

The man shook his head before he spat to the ground. He looked at Phoebe. “Not going to rein in your bitch?”

“Why would I do that? You growled at us. And now you called her a bitch,” Phoebe said. “Not the smartest move, I’ll be honest.”

“I know the guard,” he said. “You have no authority here.”

Willa appeared in front of him and smiled. “I think you’re full of shit.”

He locked eyes with her, shaking his head a moment later. The man stood up, still looking at her before he started to walk away. “You’re not welcome here.”

Three others sitting nearby stood up and left with him.

“Cursed city,” Mila said when they were gone.

“That looks like the adventuring guild,” Phoebe said and pointed.

“Oh, that’s going to be a sorry lot,” Willa murmured.

“Lots of boulder clearing jobs probably,” Ember said.

“And who would pay for that?” Phoebe asked. “We’re not here to get a job anyway.”

“We could get jobs too if they’re easy. We could help out And make some silver,” Willa said.

“Not the worst suggestion you ever offered,” Phoebe said, the squad making their way to one of the larger structures bordering the stone plaza, a three story stone building with a flat roof and broad windows that looked mostly undamaged. It lacked any colors, much like the rest of the downright dilapidated city.

“To adventure,” Willa mused, mimicking the voice of Celeste, the Sentinel well known for her enthusiasm to find and fight new monsters.

“Until we surpass Lilith?” Ember asked in a teasing voice.

“Yes,” Willa answered and smirked. “Exactly.”

Chapter 798 Frontier

Chapter 798 Frontier

Ilea spread her arms and fell backwards onto the pile of crystals, bits and pieces shattering and flying to the side. She closed her eyes and sighed. The de facto corpse of the hydra wasn’t even that uncomfortable to lie on, with all her advancements.

A small impact came from her right, the little Fae who had been watching from a safe distance or from within an entirely different pocket space landed in the crystals. It mimicked the same way Ilea had fallen, though she was sure the being was quite a bit more theatrical.

To her left another impact resounded, a dozen silver threads spreading out as the hammer fell, its gem glowing with red light and magical power. She could feel the slight curse and blood magic emanating from the divine artifact.

“You need a break?” Kyrian asked as he flew closer.

“A few minutes. My mana is low,” Ilea said, checking through the messages.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Crystal Hydra of Izverat – lvl 1482]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 624 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 621 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 614 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Crystal Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 4’

“I’m telling you the monsters in Kohr are easier to deal with than this Hydra was,” Ilea murmured.

Kyrian landed nearby, grabbing a chunk of crystal. “You told me they mainly use void magic, and physical attacks. You’re more than used to both. And honestly, they don’t sound nearly as intelligent as this creature was. I feel like it might’ve evolved from a weaker being. Might’ve even been close to awakening.”

“Don’t make me feel bad for killing a monster that instantly attacked us. It wasn’t close, and I’m not sure if even the Meadow could’ve changed anything without us moving the creature to its domain,” Ilea said.

“It’s fine… I just… thought it might’ve been nice to have a crystal hydra on our side,” he said.

Ilea smiled as she sat up. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why ridiculous? You’re sitting next to a Fae and a divine hammer with a questionable level of consciousness,” he said, turning his attention to the unmoving artifact.

“Alright, you have a point. Next time we find a crystal hydra we’ll try to lure it into the north. Might just take a few weeks but maybe my copies would be enough,” she said.

“Why not use your gates?” Kyrian asked.

“Right. That’s an option. Well maybe not for that thing, it’s absolutely massive. Something smaller though… sure. Maybe. But what’s the point? A monster zoo for the Meadow?” she asked. “Seems cruel.”

“More cruel than killing them in their lairs?” Kyrian asked.

“Yes, in fact. Way more,” Ilea said. “But then I don’t know how awakening works and how long something like that would take. Just seems like a more natural progression would make more sense. Maybe we can chuck them into the Descent.”

“Then they’d just get eaten by the Elves,” Kyrian said.

“Sure. A diplomatic gift. And the Meadow can protect those it believes to be close to their awakening,” Ilea suggested. “I guess we can try if it makes sense. Let’s ask Aki and Meadow about it.” She spread her wings, creating a small cascade of crystals before flying up, the little Fae landing on her shoulder before she teleported and stored her hammer. “To the next dungeon.”

_______________________________

“Why do we still not have a storage item?” Edwin complained as they took another break. The wailing wood owl had been a disappointingly easy kill, though finding it had proven difficult. Weeks of tracking. And still it felt more meaningful than anything he had done in the past six months. It pissed him off.

He checked their surroundings, making sure no monster was sneaking up on them. They were quite a ways west from the closest human settlement. He covered his eyes, the suns bright and hot despite the canopy of green leaves above. The forest was dense and largely untouched by any civilized creatures, brown bark all around them, bushes and moss below.

Jirayu ignored him and looked away, the man knowing him too well to provide an easy target.

The rest of their team didn’t react the same way.

Colt didn’t react for once, but the incredibly bulky man was always up for a fight. He knew as much and liked the guy for it. A warrior focused on strength alone, looking at Edwin with the dim eyes of someone who just barely understood the concept of an axe, the ridiculous braided beard slightly coated in dried blood. At least his Intelligence was higher than Lilith’s, the man far enough in his development to understand how to use tools.

[Axe Warrior – lvl 168]

He’s going to need a formal trainer for his next evolutions. And some classes in either blood magic or something as powerful. Otherwise he’ll just die in some uncharted dungeon to culminating injuries.

Edgar didn’t comment, the dark skinned alchemist and earth mage crouched near a bush that looked quite similar to all the other bushes Edwin could see in their vicinity. He wondered if the clean shaven head would help Edgar level his Heat Resistance.

The man didn’t need his guidance, and both of them knew he was just here for some company. He could easily open his own shop somewhere or join one organization or the other. Edgar simply chose not to. His level didn’t matter. In time he would reach the two hundreds, though even now he was not a conventional adventurer in the slightest.

Edwin let go of the large monster corpse and stretched, careful not to touch the venomous claws of the massive owl beast.

“You could just ask your sister,” Sophia spat.

Edwin growled before he grinned at the muscly ice mage. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“She gave you that ridiculous rose armor. You didn’t whine about that, at least not since we picked you two sad shits up in Stormbreach,” she said, glaring at him with defiant eyes.

[Ice Mage – lvl 160]

The woman had grown considerably more unpleasant as soon as Jirayu had slipped and mentioned Edwin’s real name and his participation in the tournament of the Accords. He wasn’t sure yet if Sophia just disliked nobility, Lys Imperials, something about his perceived wealth, his power, or if it was something more personal. She was talented. Had a knack for magical battle, but she tended to be indecisive in the worst of situations. He didn’t think it was just a lack of experience either, based on the stories the group had told them. A deep insecurity of some kind.

“Felicia didn’t give him the armor,” Jirayu said, his eyes opening wide when Edwin stared at him.

“Another lie, then. From the Redleaf noble. What a surprise,” Sophia said, her voice laced with malicious joy. She grinned.

“Cut it out, Sophia. You’ll get a bath soon. We should reach the frontier gate before sunset,” Sean said.

Edwin gave the ranger a nod. At first he hadn’t been sure if the ranger had offered to team up because of their high level alone, or if he had felt sorry for them. By now he knew it had been both. Edwin had seen many like him. Somewhat experienced, some qualities as a leader, calm, caring for those he considered close. And utterly without ambitions. Sean lacked the resources and pressure of a noble, his reasons to be an adventurer simply to live an exciting life with plenty of comforts.

A part of him felt envious. Perhaps a life he himself would’ve liked to have at one point. If things had gone differently. If he hadn’t been born into the Redleaf House. If it hadn’t been for his sister. Though he didn’t try to delude himself. It would’ve never been the same. And by now, he didn’t know if he wanted it. The life of an adventurer. It got him out and away from all the things he hated, that at least he could appreciate.

And for the first time since his father died, he didn’t feel like drowning in self pity.

“Who gave it to him?” Edgar asked, him and Jirayu standing a few meters to the side.

“I can carry,” Colt said, looking at the dead monster.

“Half an hour, then we switch again,” Edwin said, stepping to the side to let the large man grab on to the creature. Despite the different size, Edwin remained the strongest in their group. By far. And during their battles, he mostly took on a supporting role, as he had discussed with Sean.

“It was Lilith,” Jirayu said.

“Really?” Sean asked, the man raising his brows.

Edwin didn’t mind much. Few would believe the story anyway, fewer would give a shit.

“Why would Lilith give you armor?” Sophia asked.

“Why the wide eyes? I thought the goddess of the Accords isn’t to be feared or questioned,” he joked, stepping aside when Colt started dragging the dead beast over the overgrown forest ground.

“We met her before,” Sean said. “It was quite…” He looked up to the leaves. “I’m not sure how I could describe it.”

“She’s crazy,” Edgar said. “Not necessarily in a bad way.”

“How are you connected? How well do you know her?” Sophia asked.

This seems rather personal. At least for her. Is she interested in Ilea? Or scared?

“We met a long time ago. She was an adventurer, traveling near Dawntree,” he said. “The armor… I suppose you could call it pity.”

Sophia snorted. “Pity? For a Virilya noble?”

“You don’t know me, Sophia,” Edwin said in a calm voice and walked ahead.

He ignored the few questions the others asked and instead let Jirayu share whatever he felt was reasonable. The man knew some things about Ilea but he certainly didn’t have the full story. And Edwin didn’t plan on sharing it.

It took them the better part of the day to reach Avaria. There were no roads yet around the new settlement. A gate had been placed here by the Accords, the forest in a sizable area removed before stone and other materials were brought in through the gate. Visible over the outer wall was the burg on the inside, highly defensible and partially enchanted. The venture would’ve been ridiculous prior to the teleportation network, even just hiring the earth mages required would’ve cost a small fortune, let alone enchanters.

Yet the settlement stood with two sets of walls, stone houses added, stores and inns set up to accommodate the adventurers, travelers, alchemists, and other craftsmen that were interested in the untouched lands of the west. The settlement was located southwest of Karth, near the Karthian Gulf visible from Dawntree. Little was known about the waters due to the danger of Elven attacks. Edwin had been surprised to see so many interested in actually living in such a settlement. He assumed it had to do with the novelty and perhaps a wish of adventure. It had never been so easy to build a home so far removed from the bustling cities of the Plains, or the old static villages and towns that sprinkled the lands.

And regardless, the pleasantries, culture, and equipment made in Virilya or Ravenhall were merely two teleports away, compared to months of dangerous travel through the monster infested wilderness.

Edwin squinted his eyes against the sun, more trees already cut down around the town. He frowned and hid behind a nearby trunk. “Get down,” he whispered.

The others followed suit, watching the city with their own abilities, if they had anything useful.

“What are those things?” Sean asked.

He ground his teeth. “Taleen Guardians.”

“Taleen? Aren’t they supposed to be down in ancient ruins?” Edgar asked, though he sounded more intrigued than anything else.

“They should be, yes. Be careful, the bladed versions are at level two hundred and they have specific attack patterns, you’ll be shred apart if you’re unfamiliar,” Edwin said.

Why are they here? Standing atop the walls?

“What should we do?” Colt asked.

“If the Taleen have somehow returned… to the extent where they have infiltrated the network of the Accords, I don’t think there is a lot we can do,” Edwin said. I have to get to Lys. There aren’t that many… maybe I can break through and use the gate. He needed more information but if the Taleen had invaded the town, everyone would already be dead.

“Why are you hiding?” someone said.

Edwin unsheathed one of his swords and looked at the trio of adventurers in affordable leather armor. He eyed them and shook his head, finding them to be below level one hundred. “Taleen Guardians, you should hide too, if you want to survive.”

They looked at each other before a female ranger spoke up. “How long have you been out there?”

“A few weeks, why?” Sean said.

“The Guardians are with the Accords,” the woman said. “They’re protecting Avaria. And quite a few other places. It’s been pretty chaotic in the big cities. Much more relaxed here. They hunt, help build and move around stuff. Pretty useful machines if I’m honest.”

The fire mage in their group sighed. “Kind of makes me feel inadequate to be honest. There’s hundreds of them and each is at level two hundred.”

“Some are lower,” the warrior in their group said, a young man wielding a mace and shield.

“Still stronger than me. Have you trained against them? They’re insane,” the mage said.

The warrior gulped. “I have. Don’t remind me.”

“They… train people?” Sean asked.

“Not just that. You can just request Guardians for pretty much anything. Some requests are denied but they can do quite a lot and it’s very cheap. I’m sure it’s going to be hard to find any monster hunting jobs soon,” their ranger said. “The guilds are apparently negotiating. Plenty of adventurers have offered their complaints. It’s already been difficult for teams at our level to find any reasonably paid work, with the gates around.”

“Exploring the frontier seemed like the best idea,” their mage confirmed.

The Taleen. How? Edwin ignored their rambling, his mind racing. There were thousands of the machines. He knew of the extensive teleportation network. Arthur had gone on and on about it in the past. He himself had fought Centurions and had seen Praetorians. “The Accords control the Taleen Guardians?”

The ranger shrugged. “Something like that. Sentinel of Akelion I believe was the name I read on the notice. You can check it out on the town square. A Sentinel Centurion is sometimes there to sort through the requests. I don’t think it can talk though,” the woman said.

Edwin shook his head. The teleportation gates were one thing. Though if they managed that. It isn’t impossible to imagine that they’d manage to take over the machines too. His father had many theories on the Taleen, but he always believed there to be more hidden in the depths. The funding he received and the reasons he stated to his allies and benefactors had always been the teleportation network, but Edwin knew his father had hoped for more. Perhaps this was it.

He couldn’t help but grin. Another failure, old man. “Can you three walk to the walls. I want to see what happens.”

“You… want to see what happens? Why don’t you go yourself?” the ranger asked.

Edwin sighed. “You’re going back anyway, what’s the harm if what you say is true?” Edwin said.

“The harm is, I don’t like to be told what to do by strangers,” the woman said.

“Just fucking go back to the town,” Sophia said. “He’s twice your level, and I’ve seen him kill for less,” she lied.

Edwin kept looking at the ranger, seeing her gulp before she motioned for her team. He didn’t give Sophia the satisfaction of a glance, instead watching the Guardians atop the walls as the trio of adventurers neared the wall. He saw them move past and towards the gate.

“They’re not attacking,” Sean said.

“Then I guess it’s true,” Sophia said and started towards the settlement.

Edwin saw Colt grab the dead monster, the others moving out in turn. He shook his head ever so slightly. These people have no idea. He understood on a rational level that they would remain calm. Few had ever faced one of the machines, fewer knew how many there were. Even he wasn’t sure the estimates he heard were even close to accurate. If the Accords had enough Guardians to spare a few dozen to a settlement like Avaria, then there had to be hundreds of thousands.

He ground his teeth and sheathed his blade in turn. This is ridiculous.

Edwin kept his eyes on the machines as they made their way to the gates. They didn’t attack, neither when they came out into the open, nor when they entered the town itself. He ignored the group and went to the square located in front of the burg that towered at the center of Avaria.

He saw the group of Guardians standing around a set of stone tables. There were enchanted boxes and some attendees, though he saw no Centurions in the vicinity.

“Why are there Taleen Guardians here?” he asked the closest of the people there. An older man wearing white robes.

“Didn’t ye hear?” a voice said from behind him. “Yer Accords took over our precious protector.”

He turned and saw a dwarf wearing enchanted armor, two flying machines hovering above his shoulders, strange gloves covering his hands. His face was half covered in a metal mask, dull green light shining from his one eye.

“Would’ve preferred for them to be destroyed,” he said and shrugged. “But can’t have anything. T’least I’m not rottin in a prison anymore. Ye know of our kind?”

“Our kind? What… is…” Edwin said. He blinked his eyes, shaking his head before he turned back to the attendant. “Just tell me what this is about.”

“The Accords have recently acquired two new members. The Sentinel of Akelion, including the Guardians. And the Taleen. It’s all quite recent and we don’t know a lot either. I suggest visiting one of their cities if you want more details,” the man said.

Edwin could vaguely hear the dwarf behind him laughing, someone calling out for him before he left, flying machines in tow. The Taleen are back as well?

“Are you alright?” the old man asked. “Should I ask for a healer?”

“No… no healers. I… have to talk… to someone,” he stammered out and left to find Jirayu. I bet this is her fault.

Chapter 799 Blood

Chapter 799 Blood

Phoebe had to adjust to the dark interior of the adventurer’s guild. The stone floor was cold, nor was there a hearth in the building where a fire could be had. Oil lamps were the only source of light in the large room. It felt claustrophobic anyway.

She felt Willa brush past her, the smirking woman ignoring the tense atmosphere, going towards the bar with confident steps. Ember and Mila entered as well, the heavy wooden door creaking before it shut, any fresh air that could’ve mixed with the stuffy sweat induced drunken mist masquerading as something breathable cut off from the interior of the old guild building.

Phoebe glanced at the patrons, a few of them passed out, one lying on the floor, occasionally twitching and murmuring something to himself.

[Axe Warrior – lvl 59]

She identified a few more, shifty sets of eyes meeting hers. Phoebe could identify them all. She didn’t assume anyone here was competent enough to have an ability to hide their level. Though she didn’t let her guard down, glancing at the wooden board where quests would usually be listed. There were no jobs there, either none available or everything already taken. Gesturing to the others, she joined Willa at the broad stone counter, colorful bottles of spirits set up on a wooden shelf fastened to the wall.

A burly man with gray hair and a deeply set frown steadied himself against the bar, his arms bare, a stained brown shirt covering his tanned chest. He was bald.

[Field Cook – lvl 42]

Is he the one?

Phoebe wanted to sign the others to check their backs but Willa already leaned against the counter with her back towards the wall. Always ready for a fight. She didn’t deny that her teammate wanted those fights as well, but it was nice to know that Willa didn’t overthink as much as she did. Mila stood close to her, Ember a little to the side with her eyes on the patrons as well.

Never seen a guild that was pretty much just a bar, Phoebe thought, wondering if perhaps this wasn’t the original guild in Nara. The city was far too large for this to accommodate their adventurers. Would they even have a need for a lot of adventurers? They’re just confined in their walls, perfectly protected from monsters, and few would travel to the northern plains from here, surely.

The cook said something, looking at her with black eyes. He obviously didn’t give a shit about them, but he didn’t seem outright hostile either. The problem was that she didn’t speak the language.

“I don’t speak Jissu,” she said. “Are you the manager of this guild?”

He took in a noticeable breath. “I am. What do you want?”

“A drink would be nice,” Willa said from the side. “Something that can cheer me up in this miserable shithole.”

There she goes again.

To her surprise the man huffed in an amused manner.

“You can pay, I assume? Half the lot here are just waiting for a good time to rob the place,” he said. “Preference?”

“Strong,” Willa said with a broad grin, a silver piece in her hand a moment later. “Surprise me.”

He took a dark red bottle from the top shelf. “Four?”

“Aye, four,” Willa said, putting the silver down.

Phoebe watched as he filled four small shot glasses with the red liquid. “What brings you to Nara?”

Willa took three of them, putting one in front of Phoebe. “Last one’s for you.”

The man nodded and downed the shot, Willa did the same. First one, then the second.

Phoebe sniffed on the liquid before she downed it. Nothing worse than the poisons they had tried in the Headquarters.

One of the patrons murmured something in Jissu, spitting on the floor.

“You have something to say?” Willa asked.

“He is drunk,” the barkeep said.

“We’re just here to help out,” Phoebe said. “If there is anything a group of Sentinels could help with.” She gave him a long look.

He didn’t react.

The patron said something else, more hostile this time.

Phoebe could feel the tension rise, some of the people in the room shifting. She glanced back when Mila stepped over to the man and answered, in the local language too.

Two sentences, sharp words. She slapped him, the man nearly falling out of his chair, an adventurer twenty levels below her.

Phoebe watched with raised brows. Mila was usually quiet and subdued.

The small black haired battle healer shook her head and looked at the other patrons, some of them flinching. She turned back and walked to the bar, sitting down on a stool. Her hand trembled slightly.

Phoebe walked over, looking at her before she touched her shoulder. She signed a question.

Mila signed back. She was fine.

The barkeep watched it all happen, taking another bottle, this one a dark shade of green. He filled a small glass and set it in front of Mila, saying two words in Jissu.

She didn’t answer but drank it, coughing thrice in turn.

He chuckled.

“There is no work here for you, didn’t you see the people outside?” the man said, leaning forward a little, both hands back on the counter.

“We’re here on the recommendation of someone we met recently,” Phoebe whispered.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he said.

Mila chuckled. “You don’t want any trouble? What did you do before the Empire removed your king?”

The man looked at her, holding eye contact. “I was a cook.”

“For soldiers,” Mila said.

He waited, then nodded. “Yes. For soldiers.”

She asked him a question, using the local tongue.

Phoebe could tell a few of the patrons twitched.

“What is done, is done,” the barkeep said. “You are free.”

Mila cursed, shaking her head. “We won’t find anything here.”

“Another drink?” he asked, looking at Willa.

She shrugged.

He grabbed the bottle, putting it on the counter. “There is nothing here for you. I suggest you go back to your spotless thriving cities in the south.”

“There are thriving cities in the north too,” Willa said with a grin, removing the cork from the bottle. “This one is the outlier.”

Phoebe glanced at the man’s hands when they came back to rest on the counter. She didn’t miss the piece of paper sticking out below his palm. For just a moment she glanced at him, the two of them locking eyes.

She reached over to grab the bottle, pouring herself another shot. “No need for healers in Nara,” she said, pushing the bottle towards him, their hands close for just a moment. Enough for her to take his message. Phoebe downed the shot and shook her head. “Until the drink runs out.”

Willa smiled, Phoebe shaking her head before she made for the exit.

“You didn’t pay,” the man said.

She took a piece of silver from one of her pouches, flinging it behind herself before she reached the door.

The first thing she did outside was take a deep breath.

“The air in that shithole,” Willa complained when she appeared a few meters away. “Fucking horrible.”

Mila cursed again.

“So what do we do? Cause some trouble? Pay someone?” Willa asked, hands on the back of her head.

Phoebe signed for information and stealth. “We could pay someone. But not here. People were way too tense. Let’s see who else we can talk to in this city.” She looked up at the walls, the suns already seeming low on the horizon despite the time. Like a prison for those living at the bottom. Looking to the left, she saw one of the towers, the round structure reaching far towards the skies, impressive in its height.

She checked the few people nearby and made for a random street. The sunlight soon didn’t reach as the stone structures grew in height. The open square near the entrance seemed more an exception than rule within the design of Nara.

Little noise came from the dark alleys, most of them entirely deserted. More a ghost town than anything else, she thought and gestured towards a nearby building. Phoebe checked behind them and teleported in, the others following a moment later.

It was dark inside, water dripping from the ceiling. Nobody had lived in here for some time.

“Whatcha find?” Willa asked.

Phoebe removed the small piece of paper from a pocket in her simple pants. She activated her main aura, vein like embers glowing on her arms as she unfolded the piece. “It’s in Jissu.”

Mila walked over. “The Bearclaw Den, with simple directions,” she said and grinned. “Kram ret Baralia,” she said. “Down with Baralia. This is it.”

“So we have a location,” Willa said with a smile.

“We investigate at night,” Phoebe said. “Quietly. Hidden. And without starting a fight.”

“We might not have a choice,” Willa said.

“In that case we call for Aki,” Phoebe said.

Willa sighed. “Come on. If we can take them, we can take them.”

“Don’t joke around. We’re not in a known environment anymore, with other Sentinels,” Phoebe said.

“Bold of you to assume our training excursions were in known places or controlled in any way. Other people will hesitate,” Willa said.

“And you won’t?” Phoebe asked. “Just because you’re a Sentinel doesn’t mean you’re ready for everything. Don’t get cocky.”

Willa opened her mouth and shut it, glaring to the side.

“Objections?” Phoebe asked.

There were none.

Night fell over the ancient city, the group of Sentinels stirring as they prepared to investigate the Bearclaw Den.

Phoebe took in a deep breath. She brushed away the sweat on her brow, the dense houses and high walls still retaining most of the heat from the summer day. She signed to the others, teleporting into a dark apartment on the other side of the alley. Her team followed.

She had the enchanted cube at the ready in case they were discovered or needed reinforcements.

The search was quick, the description concise and the location rather central. Of course the barkeep hadn’t specified what or who would be waiting for them at the Den, nor did they know if it was a bar, hideout, or perhaps even an established club of sorts.

The building looked like most other stone structures they had seen in Nara. The top half showed heavy damage, tree roots still remaining. Nobody stood at the entrance of the ground floor, the simplified drawing of a bear on a weathered wooden board hanging from above the metal door. There was no light in the alley.

Phoebe pointed up, the others following when she teleported. She pointed to the building across the narrow alley and vanished.

Willa, Ember, and Mila appeared by her side.

It was quiet. Phoebe signed for no more teleports, lest they appear between a group of unknown people. She activated her ash armor, the others following suit. “Quiet now,” she whispered. “Information only. If we’re discovered we activate the cube and run. Understood?”

The others nodded.

Phoebe signed again. Focus. She led the group forward and towards the damaged stairwell. Short teleports worked fine, as long as they didn’t go through entire floors or into rooms they hadn’t scouted out.

Ember and Mila checked the hallway at the same time, Phoebe and Willa stepping out a moment later.

They continued in their trained formation all the way to the ground floor. It took them a few minutes of searching to find the single door that led into the same area Phoebe assumed the Bearclaw Den to be in.

Ember signed for enchantments, the woman stepping up to the door before she crouched down, gesturing again at the entirety of the wall.

Phoebe waited, checking her auras as she listened. Something sizzled, Ember signing that the way was clear.

Willa signed for a teleport and rush formation, the others agreeing.

Phoebe counted down with three fingers before they appeared in a dimly lit hallway.

Snoring could be heard from ahead and towards the alley, the sound of metal cutting into wood coming from the same broad room. A bar or restaurant, Phoebe assumed based on the wooden tables and chairs, most of it rather haphazardly strewn about.

She could see the main entrance. The other way was a hallway leading to the back of the structure. She gestured towards it, the team moving with silent steps, covering each others backs until they came up on a stairwell leading down.

Willa took point and suggested a formation.

Phoebe agreed, following the woman down the stone stairs and into the cellar of the building.

What they found was old shelves, large storage boxes, and a lot of dust.

Their auras provided a little bit of light. Enough for them to make out the walls. Something had to be hidden.

Mila stepped to the back wall where a small shrine stood. She touched one of the small figures, a section of the wall lighting up before another hallway became visible.

They moved in with silent steps, finding a set of rooms on each side with various personal belongings and two sleeping mages close to level one twenty. Above each of them.

Phoebe saw the grin on Willa’s face as they passed into a more spacious hall. They froze and hid in a side room when voices resounded, speaking in Jissu.

A group of people, walking on the other side of the hall. They soon passed.

Phoebe glanced at Mila, seeing the woman’s hands tremble slightly.

“They spoke of… trade. Some of the words. It’s true. The wares are people,” she said.

“There you go,” Willa said, looking out of the room and in the direction where the group had walked.

Phoebe signed. Once again, information and stealth.

They moved out, ash armor and auras at the ready. Another hallway, this one with cells on each side. The last few were occupied.

Phoebe ground her teeth when she saw the people inside.

One young girl rushed to the steel grate and spoke in Jissu.

“Retreat,” Mila said, her eyes wide.

The word wasn’t easily said, Phoebe teleporting back into the previous hall with the rest of the team appearing next to her. She felt a magical pulse, turning her head to see blood explosions rupture through the hallway.

They teleported again when a group of people cut off their way, armor and weapons coated in magic, mages to the side.

She had no time to identify them when a pulse of loud noise rushed out and struck her. Her ears were blown out as she staggered, her balance gone. She teleported again, appearing near a wall, her orientation still gone as she grabbed the enchanted cube and activated it, her ears healing when something bright came flying from her left.

She pushed herself off the wall and skidded to a halt.

“… now the Sentinels are informed. Kill them and destroy everything,” a woman in black armor said, her face covered in a simple red mask.

Phoebe saw Willa teleport back, a man in gray robes appearing next to her. He ignored the ashen copies that appeared and grabbed onto her arm, pulling her closer when another pulse of sound originated from him.

Ember stumbled right after she appeared next to them, Phoebe rushing forward when a set of stone projectiles pierced her armor. She managed to dodge to prevent her heart from being pierced.

The sound mage grabbed onto Willa’s face, magic surging near his palm before his spell was released.

Phoebe teleported next to him and punched, her magic lashing into him before another pulse sent her reeling.

[Sound Mage – lvl ??]

She glanced to the side, seeing the heavy chunk of stone coming. Phoebe could just barely raise her arm before the thing sent her flying. She tumbled twice, landing hard on the floor before she coughed up blood. Her healing fought to keep her conscious, another teleport activating to dodge the three lances that came her way. She appeared to see the sound mage gone, only three people remaining beside a downed Ember.

Phoebe summoned an ashen lance but had to dodge when one of the people appeared in front of her, daggers slashing at her.

[Assassin – lvl ??]

She dodged four strikes before the woman rammed a dagger into her stomach. Phoebe blocked the second one coming for her throat with the palm of her hand. Dulled explosions resounded from behind.

The assassin ripped away her blades and vanished.

Phoebe could barely comprehend the message about being poisoned, her healing already overwhelmed with all the injuries she had sustained. Her vision blurred as she pulled herself forward on the ground. She teleported towards the downed form of her friend, blood from her gut mixing with the blood of Willa, her body unmoving. Phoebe shook her, her arms trembling when her healing told her what she didn’t want to believe.

She grit her teeth, coughing again as more explosions resounded. She heard shouts from above, finding Mila near one of the walls with her arms around Ember, face coated in blood. They looked so small. Her arms. Her vision went dark.

Chapter 800 Market

Chapter 800 Market

Fania appeared on the platform and teleported aside, nearly buckling as the pain rushed through her. She puked, retching up blood and what felt like bits and pieces of her gut. “Shit gates,” she murmured. Her breathing was fast as she shook off the side effects of the gate and adjusted to the magical light in the underground camp. Dozens of voices spoke and haggled, music coming from a few of the tents. It sounded wrong. Her vision was still slightly blurry.

She watched Kerthin appear next to the control panel before she initiated the self destruction of the gate.

“What are you-” the guard said before the tall woman struck him with a lightning induced slap, throwing him aside.

Kerthin didn’t say a word when the explosion reverberated through the artificial cavern. The tall woman kept her white mask on, still looking towards the now destroyed section of the ground, smoke rising from the rubble. “Kerom, Wayne, reduce the remains to dust.”

Wayne coughed, the sound mage charging his magic before he sent blasts down into the small crater.

Kerom did as he was told, a bit of puke dripping from his chin. His hands moved as the rock was ripped apart, boulders forming above before they smashed downwards.

Most of the merchants, guards, and adventurers in the vicinity looked at the scene with interest, some with fear. Others ignored it entirely.

Fania shook her head and summoned a few rags, cleaning her daggers off the blood. Sentinels. We killed Sentinels. She made sure not a speck of blood remained before she summoned an enchanted device, setting the fabric on fire. No blood magic or necromancy would be able to track her. She moved on to get rid of the puke and blood on the ground. “The girl is still alive,” she said, looking to Kerthin for a moment.

“I killed one of them,” Wayne said, wiping at his mouth with a piece of cloth.

“One. Other one alive,” Kerom informed them, the bald man looking to the ground where he had puked as well.

“It was only a matter of time. I’ll have to go talk to a few people,” Kerthin said. “You should’ve killed all of them.”

“Nobody below one hundred should survive the willow’s root,” Fania said, once again checking her daggers for specks of blood, the ground reasonably clean. And none of this would’ve happened if security hadn’t been so fucking lax in Nara.

“Resistances and healing,” Kerthin said. “Next time, you make sure. Or I’ll consider your employment.” She walked away with decisive steps, people avoiding her as she passed.

Wayne chuckled as he sent another blast of sound magic into the rubble. “Yeah, next time you make sure.”

“Those were Sentinels,” she said.

“Yeah, what of it? Scared of the Accords?” he asked and chuckled.

Fania shook her head, ignoring the man’s comments. She moved to the side of the cavern and leaned against the wall, activating her shadow magic to hide from everyone before she moved again. The Accords are just an alliance. She knew Wayne wouldn’t think the same if they had just killed a few members of the Order of Truth, but then he had never given too much of a shit about anything further away than his immediate vicinity.

She knew it didn’t matter. Kerthin was the one that had hired them, and she knew what this meant. Nobody really gave a shit about a few slaves. Sentinels however. That was different.

___________________________

Ilea looked into the massive dark corridor. Something was hiding at the back but she couldn’t quite make anything out. “Shadow magic I think,” she said to her companion.

Kyrian nodded. “Let me prepare a curse, then you lure it out.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Ilea murmured, twirling her hammer in one hand.

“Ilea. Sentinels dead in Nara. Require assistance,” the message reached her. From the Meadow.

She squinted her eyes, taking a step back before she opened a gate. “Sentinels dead in Nara. Priority,” she sent to Kyrian and moved. Rushing through the gate with her spreading wings and covered in her mantle, she deactivated her space magic resistance, moved instantly to the teleportation gate in the Meadow’s domain.

“Hey what is-” an adventurer said before he was teleported away.

Kyrian appeared by her side right when the gate activated.

They appeared in Morhill, several Shadowguards glancing their way.

“Closest route to Nara. Now,” she sent to everyone in the vicinity.

“Follow me,” one of them said and moved to the door.

“Don’t walk. Teleport,” Ilea sent, attaching herself and Kyrian to the woman’s spells.

“There is no gate from here to Nara. You’ll have to use the one in Yinnahall,” the woman said, gesturing to the entrance of the large stone building.

“Do you know where it is?” Ilea asked.

She shook her head. “No, you’ll have to ask someone in there, or in Yinnahall itself. There are plans-”

Ilea appeared in the building and saw an Executioner.

“With me,” the machine said.

She followed, the three of them appearing in Yinnahall before they rushed past the adventurers and merchants, the city busy despite the late hour. Six seconds later they stood on the gate to Nara, the spell activating before they appeared in the empty tundra around the city.

“What happened?” Ilea asked as they rushed up and above the walls.

The Executioner moved at its full speed, leading them into the city and past a set of damaged structures. “Sentinels found out about slave trade, tried to retrieve information and were caught. They called for help but I was too late. Two were dead before I arrived. One is dying.”

Ilea grit her teeth, rushing into the building and teleporting down into the cellar. She found two more Executioners present, a crying Mila sitting against the wall, holding Phoebe. Her healing instantly rushed into them, Phoebe stabbed in her gut and hand, her skull and some of her organs damaged as well. Mila had most of her ribs broken but it seemed the girl had already prioritized her teammate, all her healing still flowing into Phoebe.

She saw the corpses on the ground. One had most of her head missing. Ilea took in a deep breath, trying to exert her healing but failing. She was dead.

Mila still held on to Ember, but she too was gone, her entire chest and abdomen crushed.

Phoebe woke up with a start, coughing blood as she looked around, her aura flaring before she saw the Executioners and Ilea.

She screamed.

“They were connected beyond what we assumed possible,” Aki said.

“Anyone still alive?” Ilea asked.

“Please come with me,” one of the Executioners said.

Ilea followed. “Can you check on them?” she sent to Kyrian.

“Of course,” he answered, summoning a blanket to put over Willa’s corpse.

The girl from the Rotten Inn. Ilea’s gut twisted as she thought of the dinner she had with the girl’s family. Willa. And Ember, from Dawntree and the Corinth Order. Was it her fault? Not the time.

Ilea rushed through the facility, finding human remains, bits and pieces of bone, blood covering entire walls. A few dozen enchanted cages stood in the broad stone hall. Most of them contained corpses. Magic still lingered in the air but Ilea couldn’t find a usable trail. Taken out just out of spite? Or as a way to prevent information from leaking out?

“Through here,” Aki said, leading her down a set of stairs. A few traps activated, metal spikes glancing off Aki’s shields. He cut through the entire section of the wall with a quick slash. “Thought I got all of them.” His voice sounded different. Tense.

Another cellar, smoke in the air. Fires raged in the side rooms where the remains of furniture was visible in Ilea’s dominion. She checked everything but found nothing remained, some chests and drawers entirely blown out.

Aki pointed at a section of the floor. “Some runes remain. This was a teleportation gate. Not one of ours. Explosive runes destroyed it near entirely.”

Ilea checked the fabric and found a single thread moving out of the cellar.

“Get what you can to the Meadow’s domain,” Ilea said.

“Prepare everyone you have above two hundred. Send them through my gate once I open it.” she sent to the Meadow and latched on to the recent teleportation spell.

___________________________

Fania saw black wings appear above the smoking rubble of the teleportation gate. She rubbed her eyes, the space magic still causing issues. The Black Death. Ever since Virilya she had felt they would meet one day or the other. Nobody really cared back then, but she knew some of the soldiers that had met her. Some others she had killed. Most people she talked to thought the Sentinels different from the older Healing Orders but she knew that Lilith just had her own flavor of morality she imposed upon the world.

The songs and stories had only picked up, the woman by now more myth than anything else. And yet she was real. Everybody claimed as much. It wasn’t the first time now, that she saw hints of black wings, blue eyes in the dark. As if someone was hunting her, for the sins of her past. The choices of her present.

Fania watched as the people near the destroyed gate stepped back, some of them falling as they took in the white flames spreading on the ashen form. No. She’s not real. Why are you scared?

Magic flared up from a few dozen mages in the vicinity, others running away screaming. Some simply sat there with wide eyes.

No.

Fania saw the being of fire and ash descend, landing near the rubble as magic impacted her form. The ashen being didn’t flinch, her eyes searching the large cavern.

Kerom and Wayne appeared in front of the winged form, her arm raised towards them. They didn’t move.

Run away. Please.

She saw Wayne’s eyes widen, Kerom’s lips quivering. A beam of white energy flared up, her companions disintegrated in the blink of an eye.

Silver killing machines the size of small buildings appeared out of nowhere, a shimmering space in mid air now visible. Fania saw more and more machines rush out from the space, teams of ash covered healers following behind, Shadows, Dark Ones, and even war machines invading the cavern. A man clad in red lightning flew up to join the Black Death, a hand touching her shoulder as his arm was burnt by the white flames.

She didn’t have time to consider. It was real. And if she stayed there, she would die.

__________________________

Where are the others? What is this place? Ilea knew they were somewhere in the west. Nipha perhaps. The two men she had killed were the ones that had murdered Willa, and Ember. The magic she had felt around their bodies. It was the same.

“You’re burning me,” a voice spoke to her.

She looked to her left, seeing the familiar face of Trian. Her fires vanished. “Sorry, I.” Instead she healed him, watching through a slightly blurred vision as Sentinels and Guardians moved through the strange camp of merchants and adventurers. Many fought back and they were killed, others simply apprehended.

“What happened?”

“I found two and killed them. There were more,” Ilea said. “Poison and blood magic.”

“We’ll find them,” Trian said.

“Lilith, where are we?” one of the Executioners asked as he stepped up through the air towards her.

“In the west… somewhere, I’m not sure,” she said.

“This could be an issue. We’ll get everyone here out and to Iz. Do you have a way to get us there?” Aki said.

“Yes,” Ilea said. “Is Kyrian with them?”

“He is,” Aki said. “As am I. Ilea… I wasn’t fast enough. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head.

“Stop,” Trian said, his voice firm. “Both of you. You can help but the Sentinels are not children. They know what they sign up for, and they’re prepared to face dangers most others would never even see.”

“They weren’t even Hunters,” Ilea sent to him.

“They weren’t. But even you face dangers far beyond your power. We can’t always protect or save them, Ilea. What we do is prepare them for the world out there. We give them tools and power. For them to use.” He shook his head and continued aloud. “Don’t make them victims. They were battle healers of the Medic Sentinel Corps, and they were killed in battle.”

Ilea nodded. She knew this would happen one day, though the two being at such a low level and fighting against humans of all creatures, it was worse. Trian was right, and they were dead. Nothing could change that anymore. But she could feel the knot in her stomach. Sure, Sentinels would delve into the depths of dungeons, and one day or the other some would not come back out. But this, this felt preventable. She forced herself not to lash out.

Ilea had known the two healers, but she knew both Trian and Aki knew them better, had spent far more time with them, had taught them, seen them grow in power. A part of her wanted to wipe out this entire camp, wanted to find the people responsible for its existence, and rip them apart. But she knew her allies felt the same. Her rash actions wouldn’t get them anywhere. Already she had killed the two people who would’ve known the most, but even so, she didn’t regret it.

“We are in Nipha, and there are scouts in the area,” Aki said.

“They’re the ones who run this place?” Ilea asked.

“I’m afraid it seems more complicated than that,” Aki said. “Let us move the prisoners before this ignites a war.”

“They already mimicked the gates,” Trian murmured.

“It was only a matter of time, though I’m surprised at how fast they did it. Too many people are involved and the gates widely available to study. We’re collecting all the evidence that we can before we move out of here,” Aki said. “Ilea. I know you want to find the perpetrators, but there were more gates here, destroyed now but you might find where they lead through the same manner.”

“Show me where they are,” Ilea said. “And bring an Executioner each.” She changed her Riverwatch gate location to the camp.

Aki led her through the underground base, all the gates already destroyed. Some of them had no recent mark in the fabric, meaning nobody had used them since her arrival. Those that did however, she could latch on with Reality Warp.

Ilea appeared in a forest of firs, accompanied by Aki. She checked her marks. “Somewhere in the west of Kroll.”

“I will investigate as long as I can,” Aki said.

The destination gate had been destroyed too. Meticulous, Ilea thought. Had it not been for her ability to see and connect to recent teleports, all they would’ve found in Nara would’ve been a destroyed gate. Kroll is involved too. Of course.

She noted the line in the fabric left behind by the gates. It didn’t seem right. Not focused enough.

“Good luck,” she said and stepped through her portal, back into the base where the forces of the Accords were gathering the present people. Many were protesting, but she didn’t much care at the moment. Two Sentinels had died, and someone was trading people. In a country where the law didn’t allow for such. Of course they didn’t have jurisdiction, but teleportation gates complicated things by quite a bit.

Ilea was ready to leave this to the diplomats of the Accords, once they had gathered all the possible information about who else was involved in this.

She brought Executioners to a few more destinations, working faster as the remaining lines in the fabric were fading. Four led to underground facilities in the former Baralia, one even in its capital. Three locations were in the west, likely just hideouts in the wilderness. Ilea ignored the scared and confused people upon her arrival. Aki was there. She didn’t want to waste her time.

Two gates led into the Empire, one to Asila, two to the northern Plains. Four of them had not been recently used.

Nothing in Myrefield. Surprising, she thought, checking the gates once more before she had a look around the base. There were no obvious slaves present, no enchanted cages or anything of the like. And nobody could find them with the self destructing gates, let alone get proof. “Absolute plague,” she murmured as she passed into the main hall. She opened a large gate to Iz. “There you go, Aki.”

“Thank you. The Nipha scouts are staying at a distance,” he informed her.

“Throwing their own people to the slaughter,” she said.

“Either they are protecting themselves to deny any connection, or they didn’t have a way to deal with this,” Aki sent back. “Either way, we shouldn’t remain for long. Will you stay?”

“I’ll stay until everyone is gone,” she said.

“Wayland is at Meadow’s domain. He wishes to come through,” Aki told her.

“Sure,” she said, opening a gate.

Wayland stepped through, accompanied by a few more Sentinels.

He watched the machines move through Ilea’s gate.

She closed both gates when everyone had passed to Iz.

“I’m sorry,” Wayland said. “Aki informed me. I believe I don’t have much time.” The man paused and looked up. “I see.”

“You see what?” Ilea asked.

“I’ve been to this place before. It’s been decades, then just a small base of operations,” he said. “Seems it was turned into an underground market of sorts.” The man rubbed his hands. “Let’s get to work. Aki cleared out the obvious spots, go look for the hidden ones.”

Ilea watched the people get to work, a few Sentinels nodding her way, determination and anger in their eyes.

Might as well try and help. She spread her wings and flew through the facility, her limited detection skills mostly focused on finding recent teleportation magics and other anomalies in the fabric. There were quite a few of the former, though nothing that led her to anyone in hiding.

Someone involved in near every country. Humans trading forbidden goods and people, developing their own gates to cling to a sense of power. Her ashen limbs lashed out, slicing through the stone around her. The Sentinels were supposed to help people. The Guardians were supposed to help people. She took in a deep breath, very much wishing to be in Kohr right now, fighting unimaginable monsters of the void. But she was here now. And she had the power and influence to make something happen, from the mess that had just transpired.

Chapter 801 Shades

Chapter 801 Shades

Fania came out into the open, her mana strained as she kept all her spells active. She took in a deep breath. Crawling through the small enchanted tunnel had been more than a little annoying. She could feel dirt everywhere. Escaping like a roach.

She focused on her surroundings, the tall trees and nearby bushes providing cover, the moons painting the landscape of Nipha in a pale light. Staying in the hideout would’ve been a death sentence. The people that had searched the tunnels in the end weren’t quite as clueless as the army Lilith had summoned upon her arrival. It all happened so fast. Yet it made sense, of course it did. The Accords were the ones who gave the Plains teleportation gates, they would have a few other tricks up their sleeves.

Fania kept moving. She knew the landscape, had both memorized a few maps and traveled past to find potential ambush and hiding spots. Officially, they didn’t exist, though the hideout was certainly known to quite a few nobles and officers in Nipha. An operation like that couldn’t have been possible without enormous backing, though the Accords themselves had made it possible. Near free to use teleportation gates, incredible trade benefits to everyone involved, access to experts all over the Plains and more importantly, beyond.

Fania by no means considered herself average at what she did, but even at her level she could feel the impact of the gates. Accomplished assassins, spies, thieves, and black market traders could now travel through entire countries unseen. Someone killed in Virilya one day, a deal made in Dawntree on the same evening. It was a scramble, who would remain on top. And the Heavenly Sweets had been somewhat conservative in their adaptation, perhaps afraid of the Accords if they abused all their systems too much.

Kerthin had called them weak, but Fania could see the reasoning now. It was possible they just had more information on Lilith and the Accords. What seemed like an incredible opportunity could’ve just been a way to lure out people like them. Thorns in the eyes of the Accords. Slavers that could not bide their time, did not choose to set up safe operations and instead rushed into things. She had expected them to be found out by informants rather than the teleportation gates. They had to be thrice as concerned about spies just as the Accords and everyone else.

Maybe I should fuck off to the north and train somewhere. Plenty of dungeons around there.

The situation in the Plains was brewing up to something. The old guard split between those supporting and benefiting from the Accords and those that resisted the change, fearing both the gates and now machines. She knew plenty of racist and specist individuals too but most of them hated the poor, low leveled, other gendered, or even certain types of mages just as much. It was nothing new. With Dark Ones, dwarves, and peasants coming to their cities, things couldn’t be ignored quite as easily.

She smiled to herself, not making a noise as she floated through the forest. Fania checked behind herself constantly, the black winged shadow etched into her mind even more now. They died. And I survived. It reminded her of why she did it all. The rush. As if she defied the very gods. Stealing food at first, to prevent herself from starving. Killing her first man, to steal his gold for armor. Assassinating diplomats and infiltrating cities. Yes. Leaving now was not an option. Not while she remained connected.

Fania was on the losing side, she was quite sure of that. But she wanted to see it all unfold. How those in power fell, were killed, or how they grit their teeth, accepting deals they hated themselves for, rationalizing their own behavior for the primal need of survival.

It was all quite beautiful.

Even now she didn’t know if she wanted to find any Nipha troops. Easily they could be made scapegoats for the true patrons of this operation. She at least had her personal power. Killers and spies could always be of use, even now that they were more easily available. Kerthin was the one who had to consider her position. If she escaped at all.

She picked up speed about an hour out of the hideout, for now avoiding any torchlight or flying squads, all of them showing the blue and silver of Nipha. Far more pronounced than she would expect of their military on any given day. Of course she understood the implication. If the Accords were caught operating in foreign territory, it meant conflict. Nipha would have to pressure as much as they could, especially knowing they had tolerated this trade hub in the midst of their lands.

Cooperation with former Baralia nobles and merchants wouldn’t be well received from Lys, though the Empress could perhaps be pushed in their direction if it was clear the Accords freely invade other nations, without consequences.

All games. If the Accords were led by conquerors, the Plains would just be a stepping stone. She had seen Lilith. The Sentinels alone were already a fearsome force. But even knowing that, Fania wouldn’t have been convinced until she saw the Executioners. Not just knowing they were three marks, but seeing them move and use their magic. A few of them could overwhelm a small town, or they could devastate a larger one. Disposable machines even.

But they weren’t conquerors. Not how the High King had chosen to conquer. With blood and death. Instead they influenced through trade. Rulers would remain, countries still their own, but the people will be employed by the Accords, the enchanted armor and weapons will be supplied by the Accords, the teleportation networks will be controlled by the Accords. Everyone would become so dependent on their technology and machines, entire cities would simply crumble if their support was removed. And if single powerful rulers remained, oppressing their people, Fania didn’t doubt for a moment that Lys or the Accords themselves would choose to intervene. As saviors of course, and not conquerors. In the end the people would be given opportunities and wealth after all.

And now the only sizable operation we know of to fight back against any of it was half taken out in the span of an hour.

The problem weren’t the traders that had been taken. They would share their knowledge, but what could the Accords really do against forbidden goods being traded by independent people. Anyone would deny responsibility. Political and economic pressure would in time lead to that trade being pushed to another location, not an issue with teleportation gates. No, what would cause the most damage was the loss of their enchanters and scholars. Most of them people that did not care how their work was used, simply pushing to understand and advance magical technology. By any means.

The secrets they knew and the time it took to find and fund them was not something they could replicate. Not anytime soon. With the Taleen machines, the pressure to adapt had increased ten fold, but now the nobles of this world were truly in a bind. And desperate people, will look to desperate measures. Betrayal, defeat, murder. And Fania would be there to witness it.

Now I’m distracting myself from the fact that I fucking lost it when I saw Lilith. She sighed. At least your paranoia and fear had you survive in the end. She had felt like a girl looking at the form of a god. Even thought she knew Lilith was just a human. An incredibly powerful one, but one that could be manipulated, hidden from, perhaps even one that could be killed. Not by her. Not in a thousand years. But there would be ways. Surely.

She checked her surroundings again, waiting for half an hour before she finally checked the hidden stash between a set of rocks, previously discussed with the team. Kerthin was arrogant, for understandable reasons. And still she planned for most eventualities, the complete removal or destruction of their base of operations being one of them.

Fania looked through the notebook and found the measures. Traveling without gates and without pursuit to the town of Navetihin, with the symbol of a northern mountain eagle. The notes were written in code, and even if one knew it, the conditions were generalized enough for a correlation to become difficult. Not necessarily to prevent anyone from finding their location, but for them to be able to deny a connection.

She put the notebook back in case anybody else involved had survived or managed to flee, though she certainly doubted the possibility of the latter. The information in it was only applicable for one day after anything had happened. And I know Wayne and Kerom didn’t make it. May you rest in peace, Kerom.

The journey to Navetihin would take a few hours with her flight speed, but Fania stayed low and in the forests to avoid both Nipha troops and potential hunters of the Accords. Lilith herself could be following her after all, she was known to act on emotion or random whims, which made predicting her moves rather difficult. Nor did she care much for potential diplomatic impacts. She had the entire Accords to fix things in her wake after all, and realistically, even if she destroyed the entirety of Nipha, they could probably retain their treaties with every other nation in the Plains. More would scheme in the dark but that wouldn’t bear any fruits in a long time.

That desperate was their situation.

She pondered the possibilities and her emotional response as she made her way to her destination, finally flying out of the trees and onto the cleared out rocky terrain before Navetihin.

The city itself wasn’t particularly large, but built against a set of small mountains providing a natural barrier towards the north and west. The walls were thick, with dozens of guards visible atop. Large stone gates remained open, a paved road leading out towards the south, several large gray structures visible where the teleportation gates were kept.

Fania saw people come and go, the machine Guardians of the Accords not present in the lands of Nipha, though there were guards inside the gate structures. She knew most of the various groups, knew who she could pay off and who not to cross. The Shadowguard was interesting. A collection of adventurers, rejects, former military, former slaves, and people that didn’t quite bring enough to the table to be independent or part of a more powerful organization. Information from Ravenhall was somewhat scarce and difficult to come by, the higher ups rather loyal and well paid enough not to be easily persuaded.

Blackmail and extortion were rather direct and often not worth the risk. Guards were generally bored and Fania found it rather easy to get a general idea of the people involved. She assumed it had to do with the fact that she was genuinely interested in them. At first. Depending on their background, they could easily be persuaded to exchange services. Some more, some less. Gates to study were rather easy to come by, especially with the wide deployment the Accords provided. Their guard personnel wasn’t quite as well structured, though mostly because they were understaffed.

Shadows were surprisingly difficult to convince, their order more loyal to Ravenhall than most would assume, especially knowing they were mercenaries. Those open to sell information were well known in the organization itself, meaning they wouldn’t receive critical information anyway.

The Sentinel were an absolute no go. They were loyal to Lilith and the Accords, to a downright fanatical degree. Perhaps the organization Fania was most concerned about in regards to the coming years and decades. More so even than the Taleen machines.

Anyone else, she found, was fair game. Just as easily paid or coerced as anybody else. Dark Ones in Hallowfort, granted they had to be in another location due to the existence of the Meadow, and most importantly the dwarves from the Pit.

Fania assumed there was a possibility that the Accords would force Guardian guards now that they were both available and someone managed to create gates themselves. It was merely a possibility.

She checked the guards from a distance and made for the gates. Nobody would notice her, but she made sure to keep some of her spells active. The blurry form of an Assassin would perhaps unsettle a Ravenhall guard but Navetihin was a little different.

Ravenhall had its Shadows, Navetihin had its Fading.

Fania paid a fee and entered the city. Instantly she noted the putrid smell, a smile coming to her face. Nothing like home. She hadn’t visited in years. For good reason.

The buildings were made of stone, old and high reaching. Clothes lines created a mesh above as people talked and shouted. Everyone she saw walked with quick and confident steps, their faces hidden behind masks, helmets, or scarves.

She noted the shades, magical presences barely noticeable in her perception moving past on the house tops. The next generation in training. Fania felt a tinge of nostalgia and quite a bit of pain as she made for the western part of town. Not her chosen destination but she could handle it.

Now for that mansion. High flying eagles, and yet they’re all hiding behind their nobility. Ironic. Pierce, was it?

_______________________________

“It’s an incursion into the territory of a foreign nation,” Omdir spoke.

Ilea tapped the large round table with one finger. She had returned Wayland and the others, the Meadow, Aki, and a few others sorting through all the evidence they had found within the Soul Forge.

“The destinations were unknown. Nobody has anything to stand on, not without acknowledging that they were part of this operation,” Sulivhaan spoke.

“An operation, I wish to remind you, that managed to create lesser variants of our gate technology,” Catelyn said.

“Yeah, how’s that possible? I thought they couldn’t be copied? People certainly tried to get the Taleen ones… for ages,” Helwart spoke.

“The security measures have not been breached. The concept of teleportation gates is not quite as complex as you wish to believe. Your incompetence doesn’t mean impossibility,” the Meadow spoke.

“So far we know they tracked material purchases and transports, anyone involved with gate deployment, their connections, and possible ways to gain information on the technology itself,” Aki spoke through one of his Executioners. “They managed to study several gates from the time of their deployment. Cities involved will surely deny cooperation.”

“Do we have any evidence?” Sulivhaan asked.

“Some,” Aki spoke. “But there were enough gates in frontier locations that could easily be examined. Few guards would’ve been present.”

“Still doesn’t explain how they could manufacture a prototype this quickly,” Helwart said.

“After examining a variety of memories, I believe it possible that much of the required information was given to a set of previously thought unconnected individuals that have consulted me on a variety of topics, including enchanting and space magic. Limited information was also shared by Iana and Christopher, all within trusted circles of the Accords. Should all this truly be a connected operation, it still presumes the existence of one or several highly adept enchanters with at least some base understanding of space magic theory,” the Meadow spoke.

“There are two factions at this table that could supply such individuals,” Catelyn said. “And one of them has not been a part of the Accords for long enough to warrant an investigation.”

All eyes went to the Taleen and Helwart.

The war machine wearing dwarf laughed. “Hmm…” he grunted. “Combine the devious organization of humans and the will to improve enchantments… yea. I’ll investigate. And I welcome the Accords to do so on their own terms. No restrictions.”

Ilea noted the dwarves around him that reacted with tension, focusing on every slight change before she memorized the people. She told the Meadow, the tree confirming her observations with its own.

“You don’t seem at all regretful,” Omdir spoke. “A piece of important technology was stolen. For thousands of years we were the only ones wielding long range teleportation, and now in the span of less than a year, two additional factions wield it.”

Already talking like the Taleen have been part of this alliance for centuries. Plus you’re wrong. The Ascended had long range teleportation… probably long before you even thought up the concept.

Helwart answered with another laugh. “Cause you kept all your secrets to yerself, old man. Why you were stuck in that city for thousands of years. Just saying. If anything I’m proud of whoever managed to crack all this and build a semi decent piece of teleportation gates. I’ll have em work on my own war machine.”

“They provided tech to slavers,” Ilea said.

“I’m sorry, lass, but it’s not them. It’s you. Well, us. Technically. The Accords brought the teleportation gates to the Plains. And compared to the Taleen,” he said and glanced meaningfully to Omdir. “You lads didn’t shy away from sharing things. To the prosperity of all. Including slavers,” he spoke.

“While your argument holds merit, the accusations remain. The people involved have direct responsibility. If they weren’t forced or misled, which they could claim either way. The testing involved in the creation of their variant alone is reason for execution,” Catelyn said.

“And how did we test our gates exactly?” Sulivhaan asked.

“With me,” Ilea said.

“They didn’t have pain resistant and space aware healers at hand. Sacrifices were used instead,” the Meadow supplied. “Blood and death magic rituals remain a powerful tool, albeit more akin to a war hammer in this case than the required needle.”

Sulivhaan remained quiet.

“With all the nations that have taken part in this, how do we react?” Alistair asked.

Chapter 802 Dealings

Chapter 802 Dealings

“The gates aren’t exactly a competitive product to our own. Their range is limited and the use is highly dangerous to individuals below a certain Vitality. Healers need to be present for anyone else to even use them. Let alone the atrocious mana efficiency. It’s an insult,” Iana spoke, her voice agitated.

“They’re not supplying the same people,” Helwart said. “They’re supplying those we would not openly support. And I’m sure there’s plenty of those.”

“A widespread reaction, information gathering, executions, or even war would only push more potential allies to our enemies,” Aki said. “The funding of this operation has been kept meticulously clean. The names of minor nobility and merchants from all over the Plains that we have won’t help us get rid of the core issues at hand.”

“We could have them all killed. Send a message,” Helwart suggested.

“That would violate seventeen individual treaties. Nor is it in our long term interest,” Aki said. “We have the means to overwhelm these nations with prosperity, if they cooperate. In time those who conduct such operations will be removed by their own governments, with the necessary diplomatic pressure. Without hunting and murdering individuals. The Accords are not a crime syndicate.”

“How many treaties were violated by your invasion of Nipha and subsequent apprehension of all those prisoners?” Elana asked. “The trust in any treaties with the Accords will be damaged by those actions.”

“Treaties were violated by the systematic gathering of information on the gates. Laws were violated by the substance trade and slavery conducted by those responsible. Our reports will include the death of two Medic Sentinels, including Lilith’s reaction. The teleportation location being Nipha is a gray zone, but I suspect most will accept what we did as reasonable,” Claire said.

“Reasonable or not. If treaties were violated by us, then more could be violated. We’ll have to tread carefully,” Elana said before she looked at Ilea. “Your involvement has caused a devastating strike to an enemy operation, but I suggest you refrain from further rash actions.”

Ilea looked at her with a slight frown. “People were trading slaves. Be glad I didn’t kill everyone there.”

“You’re emotional,” Elana said.

“Yes. Of course I am,” Ilea said as white flame flowed over her armor. “Two Medics were killed by slavers. And we’re sitting here discussing diplomatic measures. I understand, but I’m allowed to be pissed off.”

“There is a lot to consider,” Catelyn said, giving Elana a look. “What we know is that this enemy faction has lost a major part of their operation. It is likely the related governments will ask for a return of these prisoners, and I suggest we oblige, with detailed reports of our findings. The treatment given to those individuals by the respective authorities will help us gauge our current diplomatic standing.”

“You want to just set them free?” Ilea asked.

“Slavery and the trade of various other goods is forbidden by law, not only within the lands of the Accords but all the involved nations. We do not have jurisdiction within Nipha, and you have killed those that have fled Nara. That perhaps is negotiable but we have to return the prisoners, to be judged by their own juries. Such is stated in the Accords. I believe the limited trade of illegal goods and even people without official decree from the respective governments is not due cause for war or conquest,” Catelyn said, looking at Ilea.

“What about their cooperative efforts to steal gate technology?” Sulivhaan asked. “I do not wish for war either, but these nations have either looked away or funded massive efforts to undermine the treaties they have signed with the Accords.”

“We lack sufficient proof,” the Meadow spoke. “What we do know is the location of several gates, and the people that have control of those lands. I’m sure their cooperation in our investigation will be sufficiently extensive.”

“They won’t sell out their own,” Sulivhaan said.

“No, but pressure is pressure,” Catelyn said. “This won’t be solved in the span of a week or two.”

“I request permission to extend our spy network, including formal requests to operate in various related locations,” Wayland said. “I know Nipha. They’ll allow us there, under supervision.”

“You won’t find anything,” Elana said.

“No. But I’ll make a lot of people a lot more paranoid. I still have a reputation in the Empire of Nipha,” he answered. “I intend to use that.”

“I believe such a request is reasonable. Any vetoes?” Catelyn asked, nobody objecting.

Ilea sighed to herself. A part of her wanted to ask Aki to just take over the Plains by force. “Why is all this shit so complicated?” she sent to Trian.

He glanced her way. “I think we can leave the rest to them. Should we join Kyrian?”

“This seems pretty important,” Ilea said, listening to the representatives discussing the next steps.

“To you? Or to the Accords?” Trian asked.

“I’m part of the Accords,” Ilea said.

“Yes. And they were set up with laws and principles. Cooperation instead of conflict. They can operate without you. Without any individual here,” he said.

“I could just go there you know? To Nipha. To their palaces. Find those responsible, or ask nicely for them to be found,” she said.

“You could. And perhaps one day, you’ll be asked to do so. But not until we have proof and due cause. I want to see them pay for what they allowed to happen, just like you do. We’ll need patience, and we’ll have to trust in the Accords. Blind slaughter will only bring more death and warfare,” he spoke. “If you want to go see Kyrian and the Sentinels instead of being here, we can.”

“I appreciate your concern. But I will stay. And listen,” Ilea said. “I’m a council member, just like you are.”

____________________________

Fania found the estate reasonably guarded. Not nearly enough to keep her out of course. Few places in the Plains had that kind of security. Way too expensive, when powerful people could just keep their secrets stored away in some ring or necklace. The world really wasn’t fair.

She appeared in the well adorned garden and flew towards the three story structure. Stone and wood aligned with middle sections between the continuously smaller floors. The roof was tiled and colored in a dark orange barely visible in the moonlight, moving up from all four corners and ending in a single point. With a little silver or gold here and there, perhaps a more striking color like red or blue, the mansion could very well be seen as a palace. Even so it didn’t fail to show off the wealth of whoever owned it, even more so when one felt the enchantments thrumming within its walls.

Nothing to keep out someone like Fania, but it would keep whatever was talked about between the walls very much inside. She didn’t bother with knocking or informing any of the guards of her presence, instead slowly floating past them with her magic up. They failed to note her presence. Operating in Navetihin had the side effect of both guards and everyone else adapting to the Fading. Fania had no illusions about their prowess. The Heavenly Sweets had the numbers, but within Nipha, those who trained in Navetihin had a reputation. The Accords were one thing, but she assumed there was quite a bit of conflict between competing assassin orders, now that the gates allowed for ridiculously faster travel.

A good thing that she wasn’t exactly part of any Orders anymore. I should contact them soon, just to see how things are.

She found the top floor to be the only one occupied, oil lamps lit along the outer corridors, nothing getting in or out of the central room. This time she did knock, a set of seven sounds in quick succession. A simple sign but one switched up every week. Kerthin and her closest mercenaries were the only ones who knew it.

The door opened, a large man in heavy silver plate armor taking her in. His face was covered by his horned helmet.

[Brawler – lvl 293]

He stepped aside, letting her past before he closed the door, the enchantments flaring up again as the runes were returned into place.

Oil lamps illuminated the room with warm light, the ceiling rather low, a single broad wooden table standing at the center. Two other people were present. One was Kerthin, the tall woman sitting on a chair with a set of documents spread out on the table in front of her. The other one was a man Fania had seen a few times in their base. Marcas. One of the scholars and a void mage.

She didn’t like the man, having heard some of the rumors.

“You survived. What about the others?” Kerthin asked, not giving her a look.

“Lilith killed them,” Fania said. She didn’t miss the increased pressure of Kerthin’s pen on the piece of paper.

“Hmm. Wish I would’ve seen it,” Marcas said as he looked up at her. He sat with one knee pulled towards his chest, the man rather scrawny, most of his hair gone despite his otherwise youthful appearance. It didn’t look shaved off either. His eyes were a strange black, almost purple.

[Void Mage – lvl 194]

“You wouldn’t be alive if you had,” Fania said.

He seemed to consider for a moment before he nodded lightly to himself. “Right. That could’ve been an inconvenience.”

“I hope you have your report prepared,” Kerthin said without looking up.

“I remember what happened, yes,” Fania said. She locked eyes with the woman for a split second before Kerthin returned to her writing. So used to authority she was confused when someone showed even the slightest bit of rebellion. Fania had worked with plenty of people like her, and she knew when she could push or ignore things. She was far too important for Kerthin, even more now with the others dead. An increase in pay would follow soon, though she wouldn’t start a negotiation right here. That would just be rude.

She took a seat and summoned herself a warm soup and some wine, if only to distract herself from the fact that Lilith could very well show up in this room at any given moment. She activated a few of her spells as she ate, just in case.

That woman really did a number on me. And today didn’t help.

She felt the heat travel through her body as she ate the soup. Coupled with the wine, she realized how tense she had been. I’ll need a few dozen men to help me recharge from this adventure. She thought about a few of her recent sessions, biting her lower lip before she refocused. All in due time.

“Are you concerned? You are hidden,” Marcas asked, looking her way.

How are you not? She didn’t ask him. The man was of little interest to her. She finished her meal in the next fifteen minutes, drinking a bottle of wine before the door opened again, the large man stepping aside to allow two people entry.

The first was a pale woman with fiery red hair, freckles accenting her face, brown eyes taking in the occupants of the room as she stepped past the large man. She wore an intricate near black leather dress made as it seemed for both traveling and attending balls. A single thin sheath hung form her brown belt. She raised her hand, several nondescript rings reflecting the warm light in the room. Magic pulsed from one of them before her eyes locked on to Fania.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t hide,” she said with a bright smile, though her eyes seemed slightly strange.

Wild in a way that Fania couldn’t quite place. She hadn’t seen many expressions like that in her life, and those that were comparable, she would’ve liked to have forgotten. She did as she was told, removing her magic as she poured herself another glass of wine. Elizabeth Pierce, she thought, taking in the woman she had only seen from a distance so far. Not one that concerned herself with assassins and trade. Or so she thought.

[Rapier Master – lvl 285]

The second person to enter was a young man with shifty eyes, his back bent a little and his hands wringing. He wore a fine set of leather armor, in the same dark brown and near black color as Elizabeth.

[Blood Mage – lvl 209]

Those are the people Kerthin dealt with?

The door was closed behind the two before they took their seats opposite of the survivors.

A tea set appeared in front of Elizabeth before she poured herself a cup. “Now. I just traveled several hours instead of using a convenient gate of the Accords. I take it you wouldn’t call me here if it wasn’t urgent, right Kerthin?” She sipped from her cup and smiled, almost lecherous but nothing quite sexual.

Fania avoided looking at her brown eyes. Two people to scare her on the same day. It really was an interesting time to be in her shoes.

“I’m done with my report,” Kerthin said and moved the papers closer towards Pierce.

“Assassin, tell me what happened,” Elizabeth said instead, looking at Fania.

“A group of Sentinels found and infiltrated a trade location in Nara equipped with one of our teleportation gates. We killed two of them and destroyed all the evidence, left via the gate after activating its self destruct sequence. We arrived and destroyed the other gate,” she said then gulped. “The Black Death appeared less than a minute later, followed by silver machines and teams of high level healers. I had already hidden, leaving as soon as the fighting had started.”

She could see Elizabeth’s right eye twitch before she slammed her fist into the well made teapot. Liquid and bits of porcelain spread over the table. She raised one finger and pointed it at Fania. “Ilea. Her name. Is Ilea. Not Black Death. Not Lilith. Not Head Sentinel. Or anything else. It’s Ilea.”

Fania just nodded. Oh, this one has issues. Better behave or I’ll end up skinned and dying in some hidden prison. The eccentric tea and theatrical shattering reminded her of quite a few powerful people she had met before. That combined with everything else she had seen of Elizabeth so far painted a dark picture. One she enjoyed observing, from a very safe distance.

“How did she follow?” Elizabeth asked a moment later, wiping her face with a white piece of cloth.

“I don’t know,” Fania said.

Pierce looked to the others.

Kerthin shook her head.

“It’s fascinating. She reveals new ways to be unpredictable yet again,” Marcas said before he snickered. He smiled at the frown on Elizabeth’s face.

Another lunatic.

“It may be possible, that she can somehow perceive space magic. Much like Danvarin’s awareness, just more advanced,” he said. “Seeing it may allow her to somehow find the destination.”

“She’s not a scholar. She’s just a brute. How could she even start to understand something like that, or develop such intricate skills?” Elizabeth asked.

“She has trained with the Meadow, and other ancient beings, all masters of their schools of magic. Even a brute like her will benefit from such fortunate tutelage. I myself have found new ways to see my magics thanks to the Endless Meadow,” Marcas said.

“Meadow here, Madow there. It’s a tree,” Elizabeth said and sighed. She planted her face down onto the table, crushing some of the porcelain pieces with her skin and getting more tea onto her skin. Both her hands moved up and slid away some of the remains. “Have they found our connections in the Pit?”

“It’s only a matter of time, now that they know about the gates,” Kerthin said.

“Annoying. Annoying. All these monsters,” Elizabeth murmured. “If we can’t use the gates to hide, then they’re of no use to us anymore. Kerthin, leak the information. Let everyone have fun with what we have developed. Maybe the other nations won’t be quite as easily swayed by the Accords if they can tinker with their own gate technology.”

“Are you sure? All of the funding… all of the work…” Kerthin said.

Elizabeth raised herself and shrugged. “Fucked. Fucking. Fucked. By Lilith. In the span of what? Ten minutes? Well those are the monsters we deal with. Humanity is at its end. Soon there will only be machines, Dark Ones, and dwarves.” She spat on the table. “Leak the information. And a few of the rumors we prepared. And I want some mayhem. Use every connection. Make sure it’s untraceable.”

“Any specifics?” Kerthin asked.

“Death. Injuries. Hit them in broad daylight then hide. Cities of the Accords. Their allies. Anyone that accepted gates. Some frontier settlements. Just… really… push them,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll fund what I can.”

“Eli, we’re going to run out of gold,” the man next to her said in a whisper.

“Either we will run out now, or we’ll run out in ten years from now, because everything we built, everything we OWNED, was taken by Ilea and her gang of freaks. I want them to suffer,” she said, the last bit in a whisper, once again cleaning her chin with the cloth.

Desperate people, pushed into a corner. Fania thought, keeping her expression schooled. Elizabeth was more powerful than she had thought, perhaps the main driving force behind the Pierce family. To see her fall will be a delight. Oh how she will scream and thrash.

Fania poured herself another glass of wine, pleased to be witnessing at least a piece of local history. Maybe I should write about all this at some point, like Synria suggested. She always liked to write.

“This won’t be pretty,” Kerthin said. “And we may just cause a war.”

“That’s the point,” Elizabeth said, pouring herself another tea from a new set of utensils. “Or are you getting scared?”

“Our homeland was taken from us. Baralia vak revin gash,” Kerthin spoke, spitting out the last words.

How patriotic, Fania thought. And here I thought she was more self serving than that. I suppose it’s honorable in some sense. But considering the people sitting at this table, perhaps she chose the wrong side after all.

She was quite aware of her own position, but everything she heard from the inner circles of the Accords was just a little too… boring for her tastes. Facing one’s fears, fighting an insurmountable adversary. It just felt exciting. After this is over, I’ll have to go hunt again. Can’t have her kill me the next time we meet.

Chapter 803 Remembrance

A note from Rhaegar

Just one this week lads, apologies.

Quick mental health / schedule update at the end of the month and for February/March. Missed a few releases in January but fewer than I expected tbh. Felt good to have put out the statements but this week's been a bit rough again, hence only the one chapter eh. For February expect more of the same short notice skips and note that from the 25th of February onward, I'll be taking two weeks off if Elden Ring releases on time and without major performance issues.

I did want to address a few things in relation to the announcements.

I want you to understand that my struggles with mental health over the past few months have not caused the decision to end the story. This has been a decision I came to over a year ago.

A large chunk of the issues and pressure I feel are instead caused by that very decision itself.

It's been stressful because I want the ending to be a banger. A meaningful culmination of everything I've built up. It takes more brain and time to write this section with all the stuff that is around.

It's been stressful because of some of the feedback. This is not meant as blame. I understand the situation and that it's a bit of a dilemma. I just hate causing negative emotions in other people and I understand that to some it may feel like something they like is being taken away from them. Emotional reactions to that are expected, but obviously it hits me too when people imply that I'm rushing things/don't give a shit/or am ruining everything. Hence my own emotional reaction/inability to write as consistently. Which then in turn causes more stress and so on.

It's been stressful because I don't want to let it go either, because I loved reading for a sense of escape, of wonder, and adventure, and I've found meaning providing that for others. I've invested so much into this story, regardless of quality and outside assessment, it means a lot to me.

Ending it hurts. But I know it's the right thing to do. Please have some faith in me. I've written 9000 pages of this stuff, I probably know one or two things about how to do that by now. You're still here after all ;). Just might take me a bit longer to get there.

I'm not shooting your cool aunt because she annoys me. I'm setting her on the path to Valhalla that she deserves, instead of seeing her die of old age. And trust me, it hurts me too. I made all of this, you know?

As I said, I understand your frustrations. They're valid. But so are mine. I do give a shit. And to be honest it's impacting me more than I thought.

When you put something up online that you made, I think most people come up with some sort of coping mechanism to protect themselves from some of the feedback. Mine was to take the piss out of my work and the success I've had with it. But ye, I suppose now it's biting me in the ass a little because obviously I love what I made and the prospect of this chapter of my life coming to an end is... something to process.

Thank you for reading it all, thanks for being here and of course for the insane levels of support from everyone over such a long time. It's what allowed me to get here, and how I'll be able to hurt you with Ilea slipping and getting eaten by Audur.

Chapter 803 Remembrance

Ilea arrived at the Halstein gate with Trian and Kyrian. She wore her Timeless set of bone armor. Kyrian in a less imposing version of his metal armor, and Trian wearing his own set of stonehammer steel and bone armor. They drew quite a bit of attention, a few guards already leaving to inform their higher ups.

Ember had her friends in the Sentinels, but she had been a Corinth healer before. While her time at the healing order had been difficult, she had still been trained by them, had formed connections and bonds. She had left those behind when she chose to flee Dawntree after the revolution, to go south and find a new future in Ravenhall, but the Sentinels thought it appropriate to inform and invite those of the Corinth Order who wished to attend the funeral.

The recent reports of the Accords would soon create tension within the Plains. Powerful people and perhaps even entire nations were involved in the collection of information on and production of the teleportation gate copies. An act that violated the treaties they had with the Accords. Investigations and diplomatic talks both within and outside of the Accords were still in process but none of the present three were adequate for any of the operations. Trian was the only one of them with formal diplomatic education, but he decided his position as Headmaster of the Sentinels provided some issues in regards to objectivity in this matter.

Ilea hoped herself and Kyrian wouldn’t be needed in the coming days and weeks, the only real benefit they provided was overwhelming force. The talks she had participated in made it clear that their discovery in Nara and subsequent actions could shift the current diplomatic landscape in the Plains. While the Accords agreed that a total war against all human nations of the Plains could be won with the help of the Taleen machines, the destruction of both infrastructure and lives would be unacceptable. Let alone the following political nightmare. Absolute control imposed by Aki would be the only long term solution in that case and such was against everything the Accords stood for. Cooperation between nations and peoples, progress through collaboration and mutually beneficial treaties.

Perhaps the fast presentation and spread of the machine armies had been a mistake, now pushing nations to work against the Accords due to the potential take over of their own land and peoples. The existence of lesser teleportation gates implied that the Accords and their technology wasn’t untouchable. Which in turn meant that future treaties and inclusion of the machines would perhaps be delayed or outright refused. It would prevent the same progress seen in cities and new settlements of the Accords but depending on what priorities the respective leaders had, they might choose power and independence over the benefits of working with Aki. Just as those behind the gates had chosen. Next to their wish to continue their trade of slaves.

Ilea led her two companions to the city gates where a fair number of guards had cleared the street, a woman in plate armor bowing towards them in a respectful manner.

“Greetings, Lilith, Headmaster Trian, and Kyrian. May I inquire about your visit to Halstein?” she said, aware of the mood though remaining calm.

Trian glanced at Ilea and took a step forward. “One of our own has lost their life in battle. They were once a member of the Corinth Order. We wish to communicate this to the High Clerics and Paladins.”

The woman gave him a considering look. “Of course. I’m sorry for your loss, Headmaster. Your Sentinels are well respected in Kroll. Their reputation is well deserved, it is saddening to hear one of them has lost their life. May I escort you personally?”

Trian gave her a nod. “Please do.”

Quite a few of the guards nodded as they passed, more than half raising their weapons with points and blades aimed towards the ground. Ilea raised her brows but didn’t comment.

“A gesture of respect,” the guard captain said after they had passed the gate. “One used for those fallen in the service of Kroll. I apologize in their behalf if such is cause for offense.”

“It’s an honor,” Trian said, the four continuing in silence until they reached one of the temples of the Corinth Order.

It seemed they had their own informants near the Halstein gates or near the city walls, a group of Paladins and Clerics already present. Ilea spotted Bryce walking towards them, his blonde hair in a braid, the heavy white plate armor he wore entirely spotless.

He took in the group and bowed. “Welcome, Lilith and company.”

“Bryce. It’s good to see you,” she said with a light smile.

“To what do we owe the attention?” he asked, focusing on her.

Trian repeated what he had told the guard before he continued. “Her name was Ember Hadley. She was based in Dawntree.”

“I understand. May Hella guide her way and may Friede receive her with open arms,” he spoke and summoned his greatsword, raising it as it started to glow. He closed his eyes and murmured a short prayer. All the other Corinth members offered similar gestures. Bryce opened his eyes once more and looked to Trian. “May we help in this regard?”

“We merely invite those who knew her to join the funeral. Tomorrow at the break of dawn, we meet at the eastern gates of Ravenhall. All are welcome,” Trian said.

Bryce bowed once again. “I will make sure those who knew her will know. And I will be there personally.”

“Thank you,” Ilea said, giving him a light nod.

He returned the gesture. “Until then.”

The trio returned to the gates and chose their next destination through the hub in Morhill. Utach, a mountain town in Kroll. It was the closest teleportation gate to the Caverns of Rot, many of the dungeons in non Accords nations not yet equipped with their own dedicated gates.

Ilea took in a deep breath when she looked over the mountainous landscape visible from the elevated location of the town. Trian put his hand onto her shoulder.

She spread her wings and flew up, followed by the others.

Their journey wasn’t long, Kyrian aiding Trian in the second half to speed them up.

Ilea led them into the small town and towards the building she had once dined in. It looked smaller than she remembered. The foundation was made of stone, wooden beams inlaid and a few murky windows letting through some light. Stairs led up to the second floor where another family had made their home. The air was crisp despite the time of year, though there was no snow covering the tiled roofs of the nearby houses.

She took off her helmet, deciding not to intrude on the home with her dominion. Trian and Kyrian were by her side. She stood in front of the door and raised her fist but hesitated. Fighting monsters was easy. Putting her own life on the line, it felt right, felt like the way forward. She loved it, thrived in it. But here she was, feeling as lost and afraid as when she had first arrived in Elos. Her healing would prevent lasting psychological trauma. Her pain tolerance removed the physical sensation entirely. Fear Resistance helped her overcome the feeling of indecisiveness.

She knew that Willa had wanted to become a Sentinel. She knew that Willa had chosen to investigate the slavers. She knew that she had fought with everything she had.

And still she felt the weight in her stomach, the actions and decisions that had led to this point. The doubt and guilt that wanted her to leave and find the next monster to fight.

But she wasn’t just a monster slayer. Ilea had helped found the Medic Sentinel Corps. She was part of the Accords. And she was Lilith. The myth that had inspired Willa to seek out more. To leave this town. To go on an adventure.

She knocked.

Seconds passed until the door opened. Briana had a cheerful expression on her face, a spatula in her hand with some flour visible on her simple apron.

Ilea hadn’t remembered the thick brown hair now up in a knot, she had forgotten the freckles on the woman’s face, the youth still present despite the wrinkles around her eyes. Eyes that now widened as she glanced at Ilea and her companions, her expression changing to one that mimicked theirs.

They remained silent for a few seconds, Andres joining them when the spatula hit the ground.

“What happened?” he said, his lips quivering slightly before he looked up and met Ilea’s eyes.

“Willa investigated rumors of slavery inside a former Baralia city. She was killed in battle. I’m sorry,” Ilea said. She felt her words were hollow. Meaningless. She didn’t know what else to say when Briana broke down with a wail, Andres raising his fist as his eyes watered.

He stepped towards her, his entire body shaking. “It was you…” he said in a quiet voice. “She followed you.” His voice cracked slightly. Earth magic emanated from his hand before he shook his head and went back to Briana, hugging her whilst whispering quiet words.

Trian stepped past Ilea but gave them time. A few minutes passed before he talked. “I’m the Headmaster of the Medic Sentinels. Both me and the faculty have trained Willa to the best of our abilities. She was a good fighter, quick and bold, never one to back down. She died protecting the Sentinels in her team. Two of them are still with us. Phoebe and Mila. Friends she made while being with us.”

He waited as Andres helped up Briana. The man glanced between Ilea and Trian. “Can you tell us what happened?”

“Everything we know,” Trian said. “May I join you? Or do you wish to remain alone for a time?”

Andres looked at his wife.

She nodded ever so slightly.

“You may join. All of you. I want to know what happened to my daughter,” he said and walked inside.

The next twenty minutes, Trian explained some of the training, the team assignments, the dungeon exercises, and ultimately how the four Sentinels came to learn of the slavers in Nara. How they investigated and how they were found and fought.

“The machines arrived less than a minute after the fight had started,” Trian said. “But it was too late.”

“Less than a minute…” Andres shook his head. “What kind of people could do such a thing?”

“Every Sentinel trains their resistances and has healing magic available to them, but even then, it’s not a guarantee,” Trian said.

“What about the others in her team?” Briana said.

“Phoebe and Mila survived. Ember succumbed to her injuries,” Trian said.

“How are they now?” Briana asked.

Trian looked to Kyrian.

“They are in the Headquarters, with other Sentinels there. I haven’t ever seen them this shaken,” Kyrian said.

“Is it possible for us to meet them?” Briana asked.

Andres glanced her way.

“They were Willa’s friends. I want to get to know them,” the woman said.

“The funeral works, but we can’t afford a longer stay,” Andres said.

“We can provide a place. And gold won’t be an issue,” Ilea said.

Andres shook his head. “We’re not looking for handouts, Ilea.”

“Handouts won’t be necessary,” Trian said. “Willa saved up a large part of her wages. One of her peers told me she planned to buy the inn here, once she was as strong as Lilith. She said you two could get a room there, or maybe a floor.” He paused and seemed to remember. “Just the first floor, because that one wasn’t as nice as the second, which would be hers.”

Briana smiled. “That does sound like her.”

“She wouldn’t have been there most of the time anyway,” Andres said before he rubbed his eyes. “Can you… leave us be, for now?”

“Of course,” Trian said and stood up. “Someone will come and get you tomorrow, if that is acceptable.”

Andres nodded, his eyes unfocused and towards the wooden table. Briana held his hand, tears welling up again.

Ilea stood and followed Trian out into the cool air, taking a shivering breath as Kyrian quietly closed the door behind them.

She followed you.

Ilea shook her head.

“Will you be okay?” Trian asked, looking at her.

Ilea summoned her mantle. “I think so. What about you two?”

Trian smiled. The man seemed tired, though it didn’t show much on his face. Just the way he held himself, the look in his eyes, Ilea could tell.

“With time,” he said.

Kyrian grunted. “Yes. With time. Now let’s go and see the Sentinels. Together.”

“Sounds like an idea,” Ilea said. “Been too long since I trained with them.”

“No better way to deal with stress and grief than fighting?” Trian asked with a smile. “Didn’t expect anything else from you.”

“I don’t know actually. I just know I should be there,” Ilea said and activated her third tier transfer, teleporting them to her home.

A short flight later, they arrived in Ravenhall, the three welcomed by the Shadowguard at the gates, soon in the Sentinel Headquarters where a set of young Medics guarded the stairs.

They found Phoebe and Mila in one of the training halls, accompanied by a dozen Sentinels. One Medic team was fighting a single Hunter.

“You should challenge yourself, not toy with your foes,” Kyrian said as he walked straight into the fight. “All of you, against me.”

“But that wouldn’t be a challenge for you,” one of them said.

“There is only one person in this room that would provide a challenge for me,” Kyrian said. “And I don’t think she’s in the mood. Yet.”

Ilea ignored them and sat down on the bench next to Phoebe and Mila, staying close but not saying a word. She didn’t know what to say after all, and it seemed like the two women felt the same. Ilea crossed her arms and watched the fighting. Maybe I needed to be here just as much as they did.

She watched the ash armored healers battle her friend, Trian sitting down next to her a few minutes later. Ilea summoned a barrel of ale and started to share it around. “To Ember and Willa,” she spoke, raising her jug.

“To Ember and Willa,” Phoebe repeated, as did other nearby Sentinels, the fighting reduced to two similarly leveled battle healers.

Ilea stayed for a few hours until Phoebe and Mila excused themselves.

“I have to interview a few potential new students,” Trian said as he stood up. “Can I leave you two alone?”

Kyrian glanced at Ilea. “I thought about going to Virilya.”

“Me too,” Ilea said. “I’ll tell her she should inform Aliana.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Kyrian said as they prepared to leave.

“If you’re around, I could use a hug. If you can, let Aliana know Kyrian is coming too,” Ilea sent to Felicia.

“Of course. We’ll be around,” Felicia sent back.

Ilea felt relieved. She hoped the political issues wouldn’t get between the two of them. It was nice with her. And right now, she could use some comfort.

The evening and night came and went. Ilea lay awake thinking on the past few days, weeks, and months. The teleportation gates had been around for a while by now, the Sphere and Aki’s taleen armies rather recent. Taleen dwarves in the Accords, Cerithil Hunters in the Descent. It was quite a lot. A lot of change, and a lot of power that she and her allies now had at their disposal. Conflict was bound to crop up here and there as they expanded and grew. This was just the first hurdle.

She sat up on the side of the bed and looked out onto the dark courtyard of the Redleaf mansion, one of the moons visible in the skies above. The world is growing smaller.

“Are you going?” Felicia asked.

Ilea turned to see her lying on her side, yellow eyes taking her in. “Yes. I don’t want to be late.”

“It’s going to go okay. And I’m sure it will help. At least a little,” Felicia said before she moved up and hugged her.

“It’s part of it. I knew that,” Ilea said.

Felicia tapped her nose. “Doesn’t mean it’s easy. Even with arcane healing.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Ilea said and looked back outside.

“I’m here, whenever you need me,” Felicia said.

Ilea raised her brows. “Sure. I’ll just snatch you out of imperial meetings.”

“To a reasonable extent,” Felicia said. “Alyris knows you, as do a few of the higher ranked nobles. They would understand. Or maybe they’d consider it a matter of national security to keep you happy, but that’s not exactly how I think about it.”

“I know the thought excites you,” Ilea said.

Felicia tightened her hug. “And I know it terrifies you.”

“Just a little. Sometimes,” Ilea said. “And only when I’m here in the Plains.”

“That’s why I’m glad you’re the one who holds such power,” Felicia answered. “Now go. Give them a send off worthy of ancient heroes. And celebrate who they were in life.”

Ilea kissed her before she stood up. “We will. Thank you.”

She found Kyrian waiting in the courtyard, the man sitting on one of the two small stone pillars at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“I am,” she said and activated her third tier transfer.

Chapter 804 Farewells

Chapter 804 Farewells

Ilea leaned against the high walls of Ravenhall. The suns wouldn’t reach above the nearby mountains for another few hours but the horizon was starting to take on color. Kyrian stood nearby. There was little snow at this time of year, mostly limited to the peaks of the nearby mountains. The valleys farther south would have more due to the lack of sunlight and even higher altitude.

A few minutes passed until the first Sentinels joined them. Some coming from the gates outside the city. All wore their armor, the atmosphere solemn. Ilea soon saw the healers and paladins of the Corinth Order move along the wall to join them. Both Donnavon and Bryce were with them.

Claire arrived with two Executioners and a few members of the Accords. Ilea took in a deep breath when she saw a Sentinel team join their growing procession with Willa’s parents.

“Where’s Trian?” she sent to one of the Executioners.

“He is already there, preparing everything. Phoebe and Mila are there as well,” the machine replied.

Ilea saw a few more people join, bringing them to nearly sixty. “Quite a few faces I’ve not seen before.”

“Indeed. There was outreach from various parties. Condolences and requests to be present at the funeral,” Aki informed her. “Representatives from various factions and countries being present here implies diplomatic ties and options.”

“I don’t like the idea of this funeral being politicized,” Ilea said.

“Me neither. But a refusal would’ve led to more issues. You have no obligation to participate in these matters, and none of them will expect you to. Or anyone else that had a connection with Willa or Ember in a manner beyond political ties with the Sentinels or the Accords,” Aki said. “They are here to show their respect.”

“We will leave now. Everyone who cannot fly, please find a Sentinel to help you out,” Aki said.

Differing wings sprouted from various backs, metal floating away from Kyrian as everyone prepared to leave.

Ilea flew up too, wearing her bone set once more to commemorate the Sentinels. One of the Executioners led the loose formation with a few groups of Sentinels. They flew for around ten minutes before landing near one of the mountain peaks south of Ravenhall. A plateau overlooking the surrounding valleys. Even the ocean was visible in the distance, the skies colored in a light red hue.

Two pyres had been prepared, the bodies laid onto them. Both were clad in their former armor, likely to prevent the visibility of Willa’s injuries. Trian and two Hunter Praetorians were already present, including six Sentinels.

Ilea landed near the man, taking off her helmet as she stepped a little to the side. She was joined by Kyrian and a few higher level Sentinels a few moments later. Cool wind moved her hair and brushed against her cheeks, the altitude removing a few degrees from the temperature.

She watched the people land before she turned her head to see the distant ocean. The skies were clear.

Phoebe and Mila stood close to the pyres, soon joined by Briana and Andres.

“Thank you all for coming,” Trian spoke once the people were settled. “We’re near the summit of the Verian mountain, a place that most Sentinels visit in some of their exercises. Both Willa and Ember had made their first ascent to this plateau just a few months back. It was the place their remaining team had chosen for this funeral. Today we say our farewell to these healers and Sentinels of Ravenhall. Fallen in battle, they shall be remembered by those that remain and those that will come after them.”

The winds whipped at Ilea’s hair when she saw two torches being lit by two Sentinels.

“Willa of Kroll,” Trian spoke, the Sentinel setting fire to the wood.

“Ember of Dawntree,” he spoke as the second pyre was set alight.

The fires moved in the wind, quickly moving over the wood, fighting against the cold air.

Trian waited until the fires had spread to the entire pyres. He raised his arm before a bolt of bright red lightning shot out.

A sphere of fire followed, ashen spears and arrows joining in.

Ilea watched the fires burn as she summoned her ash above. A torrent that moved in spirals towards the skies, set alight with white flame a moment later.

Curse magic flashed up and explosions thundered through the skies, the entire entourage adding their magic into the mix until the very air boiled and trembled.

Ilea looked up into the smoke and fire, colors flaring up time and time again. It reminded her of fireworks, though this was far more personal. It continued until the bodies were engulfed in fire, smoke rising from the pyres to join with the magic above.

May you fight on forever, if there is an afterlife.

The suns shined down onto the plateau by the time the pyres had mostly burnt away.

“Ilea, I assume,” a woman said, giving her a casual nod and a smile. “Sorry for your loss.”

“I’m not in the mood for talking,” Ilea said, looking at the bronze skinned and green eyed woman. Something about her was mesmerizing, though her open brown hair and face looked nondescript. She wore a brown poncho with yellow lines stitched into it, the fabric almost flowing in the wind. Black leather pants and thick boots finished the picture, a slight smile on her face with her head tilted slightly to the side as she took in Ilea.

[Wood Mage – lvl 672]

Ilea did a double take then locked eyes with the woman. “Who are you?”

“Just someone paying their respects,” the woman said and stepped next to Ilea.

She noticed Kyrian didn’t give her much attention.

“What can you gauge from the woman next to me?” Ilea asked him.

Kyrian glanced over. “Level two forty wood mage. Do you know her?”

“No,” Ilea sent back before she initiated telepathy with the woman. “Whoever you are, I hope you don’t plan to interrupt this procession.”

“So full of passion. You must be as young as Helena assumes,” the woman said, glancing at her for a moment, the same casual smile remaining on her face. “The Assassin leader and Lily member in question asked me to do something about your Accords ripping apart the sanctity of human civilization.” She rolled her eyes.

“You’re part of the Lily then?” Ilea asked.

“I’m part of many things, places, organizations. Just like you are. Medic Sentinels, Accords, what else was there? Shadow too I think, was it?” the woman said. “So, do your Accords plan to destroy the entirety of the Plains?”

Ilea shook her head in confusion. “Of course not. We’ve brought teleportation gates to humanity and now we can help build and expand settlements with the help of the Taleen machinery.”

“Ah, all that was you. Very proactive. Fun how you cracked all these secrets when he failed at that. Though I suppose it’s irrelevant now,” the woman said. “So it’s just Helena unable to deal with all the dwarves, Dark Ones, and probably other species you brought into the Plains?”

“How am I supposed to know what she thinks?” Ilea asked. “I just had tea with her a few times.”

The woman smiled, broader now. She looked to the sky. “Her poison cake is magnificent. I wish she would work on that more instead of worrying about power and influence all the time.”

“The poison cake is good, I agree. But again, who are you and why are you here?” Ilea asked.

“So stressed. You lost two people. It hurts, but you’ll get used to it, darling. Either that or you’ll be the one dying. The world keeps on spinning. Helena asked me to intervene. She knows I’m busy, so I thought this was important. Turns out she’s just having a crisis of some kind. I did think forming the Lily so focused on humanity could lead to issues. But oh well, we do need all the help we can get, wouldn’t you say?” the woman said.

“I have a lot of questions,” Ilea said. “But yes, compared to most of the species I’ve met, we have a bit of a difficult start.”

“But so much potential,” the woman said and scratched her chin. ”Ilea, darling, I’m afraid you’ll have to forget those questions. I’m retired.”

“You’re retired?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. Which means that I am retired,” the woman said. “You don’t seem like a threat at all, nor do your Accords. I don’t dislike the general ideas you outlined, though I suppose it’s just so very… productive. I do like the Endless Meadow. Quite an interesting conversationalist you brought to our lands. And so very terrifyingly handsome. Even at a distance.”

“The Meadow never mentioned you,” Ilea said.

“The Meadow doesn’t know me like this. It is loyal to you,” the woman said and tapped Ilea’s arm. “And even now I’d be annoyed if you shared my existence with everyone around. I worked hard to have everyone forget about me. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“You expect me to just go on and forget about you after you showed up here, out of nowhere? I’m pretty resistant to mind magic,” Ilea said.

“Oh no, not at all. I know of your battle prowess. I’ve heard some of the songs. Few are well made. One or two maybe. The child, what was her name… Cless. Her paintings are quite impressive for her age. Some otherworldly inspiration I imagine. No Ilea, I expect you to not mention me because if I’m suddenly bothered by agents of the Accords or other annoying organizations thinking me a piece on whatever game is fancied in those circles these days, some more Sentinels might die. Or other people that you care about. This is a threat, yes. You don’t need to ask. And no, please keep whatever you have to say to yourself, I’ve heard it all a dozen times before. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m not looking to use you, and I’m not looking to start a pissing contest. I came to check because Helena asked me to. I deem you and your organization a boon to humanity and will leave you alone if what you said turns out to be the truth. That is all, really,” she said. “You’re an easy one to gauge.”

“That’s a lot,” Ilea said before she sighed. “Maybe I should retire too.”

The woman looked at her and laughed, attracting some attention for the out of place sound. She didn’t seem to care. “You’re refreshing. Got yourself entwined with some busybodies, I see.”

“No. I’m just a little tired of the constant conflicts. I do think the Accords are doing a lot of good,” Ilea said. “And I’m proud to be part of it all. Not a fan of your threats, by the way.”

The woman waved her off. “You’ll understand when you get to my age. Though you strike me more as a bright burning star than my slow burning embers. Just don’t come hunting for me. I really just want to enjoy nature and what people create.” She paused and considered. “A word of advice. The conflicts don’t stop. Not ever. If you find yourself tied up, get out while you can. Or build a network you trust to handle things. Even now, you already have the Accords. You’re not exactly needed. Or so I would think. The man next to you is capable enough to deal with every court except maybe Lys’. And those silver machines look dangerous enough to handle most things. Maybe not a Monarch, but who knows.”

“You know the Monarchs?” Ilea asked.

“Retired. Again. I talk to much. You remind me a little of myself, darling. But… you’re better. I hope it doesn’t end the same way as it often does,” she said.

“And how would that be?” Ilea said.

“Death of course. Or you leave for another realm because people are just an endless headache. I suppose you have a little more possibilities with these gates and machines,” she said. “Say… the Meadow is loyal to you beyond the Accords?”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“I’d like to visit in person, but only if it doesn’t immediately inform everyone of my presence, background, age, and magical prowess,” the woman said. “It’s the first being I’ve met in ages that can appreciate the true intricacies of leaves.”

Ilea looked at her. She found the woman far too peculiar and laid back for her to be threatening. Even at the high level and with the literal threats she spoke. “The intricacies of leaves? And yes, the Meadow is a good friend. I think I could ask for a favor, but I’d want something from you in return.”

“Of course. We’re both human after all,” the woman said with a smile. “What is it you desire of me, great Lilith of Ravenhall.”

“I want to know who’s behind the deaths of Willa and Ember. I want to know who funded and who made the teleportation gates used by those slavers. And I want to know who you are,” Ilea said.

The woman considered. “Willa and Ember being those two Sentinels. Honestly, darling, this is the first time I hear about teleportation gates beyond those of the Accords. Kind of funny. Such a massive feat, and someone managed to copy that achievement in less than half a year. Humanity is capable of so much, if only they believe something to be possible, and put their entire energy towards it. I imagine you’ll have better luck asking Helena, or maybe Arthur. Didn’t he study the gates for a while?”

“Arthur Redleaf has been dead for quite some time,” Ilea said.

“He has?” the woman said then shrugged. “Not much lost. Perhaps something good will come of his corpse. A copper beech perhaps?”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Ilea asked.

“No, dear. I would not care if you or anybody else wiped out the entirety of Virilya with all its nobles, or any other capital. These matters are irrelevant to me. Don’t push me like Hector did, and we can continue to ignore each others’ existence. My name is Maureen, and relevant to you… is perhaps only that I am one of the founders of the Golden Lily. Again, nobody knows that I’m at this level, not even Helena. Few know my name or even that I exist, and I would like to keep it that way. I could pull some strings to find out who is responsible for those gates but I imagine your own connections and the allies of the Accords will yield results far faster than my rusty network, half of it probably dead or dying.”

“You don’t care about war and destruction. You don’t care about threatening people with the death of their loved ones. You don’t care about progressing human kind, despite your surely absurd level of power and wealth,” Ilea said. “What can you offer me then? I don’t need someone to help me train wood magic resistance.”

“Way to call out an old woman,” Maureen said, though it didn’t sound or seem like she cared in the slightest. “I don’t know what I could offer.”

“A favor then,” Ilea said.

“A favor for a favor. That does sound fair. Very well. You let the Meadow know about me and that my existence has to stay secret, and I’ll give it information on how to contact me. One favor. It cannot mean my death.”

“Works for me. We can go there in a few hours. Just hang around,” Ilea said.

“Didn’t plan to leave, with the Golden Drake so close. Keyla is a wonderful cook. Perhaps even in the top ten within the Plains,” Maureen said.

Ilea ignored the obvious bait. She was not in the mood for any of this. Had she not identified Maureen, she wouldn’t have even engaged. Hard to ignore someone at that level of power. So far she met few humans above four hundred. One a reclusive librarian, one a space mage hiding in the north, and now a retiree who would murder to keep her existence hidden.

“I’ll leave you to your grieving then. Wonderful Flame of Creation by the way, that spiral was quite a touch,” Maureen said as she walked over to a group of adventurers, not a care in the world based on her bearing.

“Is she a concern?” Kyrian asked when the woman had left.

“No,” Ilea said. “Just don’t engage or mention her to anyone. She’s willing to kill people to stay hidden.”

“An assassin?” he asked.

“No. Just a retiree. She’s not a threat,” Ilea said. I think.

One of the Hunter Praetorians walked over to them and gave Ilea a nod.

Does he want to know about her too? Ilea wondered if she could keep the woman’s secret. It felt strange. Maureen’s casual behavior and nondescript presence hardly incurred a threatening air but at the same time she didn’t doubt the woman’s words. It hadn’t felt like an attack, more like an annoyed veteran that was constantly pestered by young ambitious idiots. A bright star and not slow burning embers. I literally control embers, you old hag.

“What is it?” Ilea sent to the Praetorian, not even knowing if the Hunters had the capability of communicating through telepathy.

Apparently they did. “Ilea. Please don’t react to this in an obvious manner. In the last few hours we have received covert reports from Wayland, Alyris of Lys, Nero Skorn, and Emmanuel Eilhart that criminals, undercover operatives, and assassins have been hired for what seems like a coordinated effort to strike at settlements of the Accords. Without the number of reports and the prominent sources, we wouldn’t have classified this as a single strike. Additionally, detailed plans of the lesser teleportation gates have been sent to at least Lys.”

“As a response to what we did in Nipha?” Ilea asked.

“The timing suggests as much. One of the targets is Dale Langston. Someone wants to hurt you. And the Accords,” Aki said.

Ilea ground her teeth.

“The attack is to happen tonight. We cannot mobilize any obvious response or the attackers will know and delay. Be ready. I’m informing trusted members of the Accords only, and I’m preparing a wide spread defensive response of Executioners and Hunter Praetorians throughout the Plains. Who else would be a target? Claire and Trian are obvious, though I doubt they could be taken out easily.”

“The Vultures. Keyla, any Sentinels, Shadows that I know, Iana and Chris, though they’re in the domain of the Meadow. How big do you think this thing is going to be?” Ilea asked.

“Difficult to say. But aiming to kill people with the goal of hurting you directly is both personal and emotional. Claire suggests this is a noble lashing out due to us finding and destroying their gates. Expect a turbulent night.”

Chapter 805 Blood

Chapter 805 Blood

Ilea tried not to react, checking her marks before she informed Aki about those that required protection. There were quite a few of them. Ilea even considered having Felicia protected, in case their enemies had people near three hundred. Not that it would be enough to kill her. At least it shouldn’t be.

She crossed her arms, glancing at the guests. The procession was over. The first of them started to leave. Ilea took in a deep breath and looked to the skies, the last bits of smoke lost to the winds and carried to the valley and ocean beyond.

“I…” a voice spoke. It was Andres. He stepped next to her and looked to what remained of the pyres. “You can control ash. Is that so?”

Ilea glanced his way. “I can, yes.”

He nodded, quiet for a few seconds before he spoke. “I think Willa wouldn’t have wanted her ash to stay here, or to be put in an urn somewhere. These mountains became her home. I’m sorry, for what I said to you.”

“What you said was the truth,” Ilea said.

He opened his mouth and closed it again.

She understood why he blamed her. She knew that Willa had made her own decision. That didn’t change how they felt.

“Take some of the ash too, the four of you,” Ilea said. “We’ll scatter it together.”

Andres nodded quietly before he went over to his wife and the two Sentinels.

Phoebe walked up to her and smiled, tears in her eyes as she spoke. “Ember wouldn’t want to be left behind.”

Ilea nodded, shuddering slightly as she took in a breath. She watched Mila and Phoebe take a handful of ash from each burnt down pyre, the parents doing the same after the two Sentinels encouraged it. They stepped to the edge of the plateau, Ilea keeping her distance as she watched.

Clothes and hair flattered in the wind before it turned the other way, one of the other sentinels using her wind magic with a gesture.

Ilea raised her hand in turn, the remaining ash lifted before she moved it towards the ocean, letting it flow through the valley until she let go.

She let the group be and joined her own. Trian, Claire, and Kyrian. “You know of the coming attack?”

They all confirmed.

“Then get some rest and make sure you’re prepared. And don’t get assassinated,” she said.

“We trained enough with Eve,” Kyrian said. “We know their tricks.”

Ilea smiled. “I wasn’t worried about you, Kyrian.”

“What will you be doing?” Trian asked.

“Train a little with the Meadow. Meditate. Not like I’ll be able to focus on anything when I know this is coming,” she said.

“Then let’s hope we can avert a crisis,” he said.

“I’ve dealt with worse,” Ilea said. Though usually I just kill the monsters. Now the entire stability of the Plains seems on the verge of fucking up.

Ilea went to see the Meadow after saying her farewells. She found the domain as busy as ever, glad her gate was placed so close to the crystal tree. Few could even survive getting this close.

“Aki is prepared. He will inform me about any changes,” the Meadow said. “How was the funeral?”

“How was the funeral it asks,” Ilea commented. “Sad. Good. Some closure I suppose.”

“They have lived the lives they wished to live. It is as such that some will find rest before their time, though to be awakened is the greatest gift of all. May they return to the earth, soil, and magic, to once more find life in another form,” the Meadow spoke, its words spoken as if a prayer. No answer or comment was required.

Ilea sat down near the crystal tree and breathed in. “There was a person too that wishes to meet you. Someone that wants to stay hidden and anonymous. She’s threatened to kill people close to me if I told anyone about her.”

“And you communicated with a person like that?” the Meadow asked.

“She’s retired. I do believe she is dangerous, but… I think she would be annoyed if she had to actually go through with her threats. Know what I mean?” she asked.

“Someone that would threaten everyone, just in case. With enough power to do such even to you. Is she human?” the Meadow asked.

“I think so, yes. And she was interested in talking to you. Perhaps you could learn things from her. I assume she’s pretty old. A favor for a favor. I make sure you don’t leak any information on her, and she… well she’ll provide a favor once I need one,” Ilea said.

“And what could she provide?” the Meadow asked.

Ilea shrugged lightly. “No clue, but her power alone is worth the trade. Plus I imagine she’ll accidentally provide quite a bit of knowledge. Just seems like the type who doesn’t care about much. She did mention she had communicated with you before. Though not in the same form.”

“Hmm. Difficult to say who that might be. I have conversed with many a creature that traveled through or stopped to look my way,” the Meadow spoke. “Very well. A human near your level. I shall honor your suggestion, should she not endanger the Accords as a whole.”

“That works I guess,” Ilea sent. “And check carefully what you share.”

“I have learned to be more considerate with my answers, though it saddens me that the actions of few now limit what the many may learn,” the Meadow spoke.

“I get what you mean. But magical knowledge can be used as a weapon. I wish that we could just share everything, but that’s unfortunately not how the world works. An academy in Ravenhall will at least provide a lot of people with options, and you can still share most of your wisdom,” she said.

“It is already quite a miracle how many creatures live in my sight. Sometimes I forget that there is not mere wasteland beyond my confines,” the being spoke.

“We all learn as we go, Meadow,” Ilea said and opened a gate. She formed a rock in her hand and threw it in.

Through stepped Maureen, her body clad in wooden armor with a strange metal like sheen. Her eyes twinkled when she laid eyes on the Meadow. She wasn’t bothered by the mana density.

Ilea wanted to be there when she arrived, just in case she tried something funky. Not that she assumed the woman was even close to opposing the Meadow. But humans were crafty, that much she knew, and the Meadow in the end was quite amicable.

Maureen bowed. “My formal greetings, Endless Meadow.”

“And my greetings to you. The tree. Indeed, it is good to meet your true form, young healer,” it spoke.

“She’s a healer too?” Ilea asked as she watched Maureen step away and vanish.

“Indeed, though not one like you. Many who study wood magic will find its inherent healing prowess. This one has reached understanding in leaves specifically. She is the first I know who has come this far,” the Meadow spoke.

“You admire her,” Ilea said. She didn’t have to pretend. She was a little jealous.

“She remains a human, and not one it seems who wishes to push her limits any longer. That time for her, I believe, has long since past,” the being spoke. “Though yes. Few of your kind seem to reach your heights of power. She is one of them, and for that, I believe some respect is justified.”

Ilea raised her brows and smiled.

“You don’t count of course. Because you’re my friend,” the Meadow spoke. “Her disregard for living creatures has already irked me when her shrouded form sought to contact me. She will not disrespect my wishes here in my domain,” the Meadow said.

“Where did she go?” Ilea asked.

“This space is not meant for her kind, but for those I consider friends. A cavern beyond this domain will do for her,” the Meadow said.

Ilea couldn’t help but smile a little. “Thanks. I thought she’d be here all the time now.”

“I would make fun of you, were the situation different,” the Meadow said.

“Feels strange that you’re not,” Ilea said, though she admitted that her being so vulnerable towards a friend, especially the Meadow, wasn’t exactly normal either.

The next few hours passed quickly, meditation and space magic riddles occupying Ilea’s mind as she waited for the coming night.

Aki interrupted her earlier than expected. One of the Executioners appeared near the tree, its eyes glowing bright and its shield slightly visible. “Ilea. I lost Cless.”

She stood up immediately. “What do you mean you lost Cless?”

“She was supposed to stay in her room. Both Claire and I told her and she agreed. But now she’s gone and there’s no trace of her in Ravenhall.

Ilea stood up. “Show me where.”

“We can’t use the gates. They’ll know we’re coming.”

Ilea grit her teeth. Why. The one fucking person I didn’t have a mark on. I swear to fuck if she’s just teleporting around for fun.

“Is anybody there? Claire or Trian?” she asked.

“Claire,” Aki said.

“Anyone who can track?” she asked.

“I am getting you a team,” the Meadow spoke before a team of Sentinels, two floating sprite like dark ones, a dwarf, and a mantis like creature appeared. All were confused to an extent but focused quickly, likely being briefed by the Meadow.

Ilea checked her marks and activated her third tier transfer. “Coming in, hide somewhere,” she sent to the woman before both her and the team vanished.

They appeared in a well lit room, two large windows providing sunlight. Both were open. Large canvases littered the room, some with paintings, others empty. Claire was pacing.

Ilea found the traces in the fabric and latched on, connecting everyone else in the room with her. They appeared near a village, wooden houses and pine trees visible.

An old man nearly fell out of his chair as the team started to spread out, magic flaring up from all of them.

Ilea healed the man’s mind. “A little girl appeared here, not long ago. Did you see where she went?”

He opened his eyes wide. “Cannae tell ya, was asked to shut me mouth.”

Asked by whom?

She summoned a gold coin and put it into his hand.

“Someone is hiding,” the mantis spoke with strange clicking sounds between the words. It pointed towards one of the houses. Smoke started rising from the chimney.

Hiding mages, people told to shut their mouths. She was kidnapped.

Ilea threw the coin at the man and looked into the house, her anti teleportation aura active. There was nobody there. She charged her space magic and sent a wave into the general direction.

Stone and earth was raised, the wooden beams cracking inwards as the door was ripped from its hinges. The entire thing creaked and shook, the front wall broken in when she heard an impact from inside that sounded different.

Ilea appeared next to the sound, now noticing a strange flicker in her perception. Her ashen limbs lashed out and caught something. A spell hit her. Blight. She ignored it, her skin alone resisting the magic as she moved the invisible being closer. Feeling her way out, she grabbed the person’s neck. “Drop the spell.”

“Alright, alright, please don’t kill me I’m just doing what I was paid to do, please,” a young man spoke, his eyes and hair black, the latter slightly greasy.

[Illusion mage – lvl 204]

“Where is the girl?” she asked.

“The girl? That’s why you’re here? I thought she was just supposed to paint something,” he spoke.

“Where is she?” Ilea said again.

“They left into the forest,” he said. “I… I’m not from here, Lilith. I don’t know where they went.”

“Leaves, recently set alight. A signal,” a Sentinel spoke, looking up.

One of the sprites floated up, wind magic forming as it tried to disperse the smoke.

“Tracks. Fresh,” one of the Sentinels said from outside.

“Old man says there’s a castle out there. South east, about twenty kilometers,” the dwarf said.

Ilea started closing her hand before she grit her teeth and summoned a gate. She threw the man inside and teleported out.

“It is possible they have seen the smoke,” the sprite floating near the building spoke, its voice a whisper.

Ilea didn’t want to think about what the signal meant.

“Direction,” she said as her wings thrummed with power.

The Sentinel crouched, taking two seconds before she raised her hand and pointed.

Ilea shot off straight into the forest, teleporting as fast as she could past the firs. She could feel the wind whip against her face, her wings grazing trees and ripping through branches. A scream resounded then was silenced. She could feel her stomach sink. Her eyes squinted, two figures in the distance. Cless.

The girl was on the ground, the other person a hooded figure wielding a curved sword. They cut away roots grasping around their legs, raising their sword towards the girl when Ilea flew through the figure. Blood and guts splattered against the nearby trees, some still flying up when Ilea was next to the girl. A deep gash showed on her right arm and chest, she was crying.

“It’s okay now,” Ilea whispered, falling to her knees before she raised the rapidly healing girl to her chest. Cless’ pulse remained fast, tears rolling down her cheeks as Ilea pressed her close. Not another one. Not today. She felt her own cheeks warm as wet impacts resounded on the earthy ground around them. “Keep your eyes closed,” she said and kissed the girl’s forehead.

A minute passed, then two. A spell was lifted, the search team stepping into light as they joined the scene.

Ilea brushed away the blonde hair of Cless, blue eyes staring at her with tears still welling up. “What happened?” Ilea asked.

“Y… you’re not allowed here…” she said and cried again.

“It’s okay, Cless. You know me. I can help, what’s wrong?” Ilea asked.

“They said they would hurt Squiggly if I told anyone-” she spoke and burst out crying again.

Ilea felt a shroud of shadow magic form around them, one of the sprites casting its magic.

“They were bringing her to the castle,” one of the Sentinels said.

Ilea formed another gate to the Meadow’s domain, an Executioner stepping through, followed by Claire.

“Cless,” she cried out and rushed over.

Ilea let the woman take over, displacing all the bits of gore she could see in her dominion. “They told her they would hurt Squiggly if she told anyone.”

Some of the people present raised their brows.

“Her pet, a mind magic creature,” Claire said quickly as she stroked the girl’s hair. She looked at Ilea. “Thank you. All of you,” she added before hugging Cless close to her chest.

“If she doesn’t arrive at her destination, we might have a problem. These are almost certainly the same people behind the coming attack. If they’re informed, we will lose our advantage,” Aki said.

“Why even take her?” one of the Sentinels said.

“She’s close to Ilea,” Aki said. “But I suspect there is more to it. The illusion mage you sent through told us she was supposed to paint something. They prepared a canvas.”

Ilea shook her head. “I don’t get it. Why?” She checked her marks, knowing they were once again in the territory of Nipha. “We’re in Nipha.”

“Suggestion,” one of the Sentinels said. She brushed her brown hair out of her face to reveal green eyes. “If there’s nobody left to inform anyone, we can end this here.”

[Battle Healer – lvl 242]

Raka. Already so far past two hundred. The girl looked different than when Ilea had last seen her. She was quiet as far as she knew, usually in the background. Now she could see her lips tremble slightly, her jaw clenched.

“It’s the only real option, eh,” the dwarf said.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Blade Dancer – lvl 212]’

“The sword wielder was at two twelve. These people aren’t just random bandits,” Ilea said.

One of the Sentinels pulled something out of a nearby tree. “An insignia. Baralia military as far as I remember.”

“It is,” Aki said.

“We’ll have to strike fast, before anyone can get away,” Ilea said. “They might have teleportation gates.”

“We have people for detection,” Aki said. “We have organized another two Sentinel teams and a few trusted Shadows specialized in detection. Please open another gate to the Meadow.”

Ilea did as he asked, watching fifteen people come through, more magic instantly activating to hide the group.

“Are you going to save Squiggly?” Cless asked, sobbing.

“We’re going to try,” Claire said.

The mind magic beast, Ilea thought. Blackmailing a child and going for the kill when someone follows.

She looked at Aki. “You should check our cities for blood magic runes and ritual sites. Just in case.”

“I already did. But the cities are large, and I can’t attract too much attention,” Aki said.

“You know what could happen, if we miss a single ritual,” Ilea said.

“That’s why we have to get them all today,” Aki answered. “Please open a gate to Iz.”

Ilea did, Hunter Praetorians and Executioners exiting through the connection in the fabric.

“We have around four minutes. They’re expecting Cless to be arriving soon. Lilith, how many marks do you still have?” Aki asked.

“Enough,” she said, applying one to Cless.

“Everyone with magic to hide and obscure, get a mark and move in. Let us know what we’re dealing with. Then we strike,” Aki said.

Everyone confirmed, Ilea moving through and leaving her marks. “You can send twenty words to me, once per hour. I can respond. Don’t waste them. Four per team.”

“Now go,” Aki said.

Chapter 806 Silver Storm

A note from Rhaegar

Hey lads. New post finally. Sorry for the long pause. I put up a statement on patreon but basically had to make some distance between everyone, their expectations, my perceived expectations, my own expectations, and myself. I'm better right now and will try to stay aware of my situation. If it gets worse again, I'll just take another break :).

Thanks for reading.

Shout out: Dungeon shop story if you're into that sort of stuff :)  https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09RTXLP5S

Chapter 806 Silver Storm

Ilea waited for the signal. She crouched in the underbrush, fir trees all around. Sunlight broke through nearby, the machines in the shadows. Dozens. Hunter Praetorians and Executioners.

“Guards patrolling the forests and castle walls. No identifiable affiliation. Undetected approach uncertain,” one of the marks sent, a Shadow based on the voice she didn’t know.

Ilea relayed the information to Aki.

“Most optional approach through lake. Enchantments present,” another voice sent.

“Enchantments I could probably get around,” Ilea sent to Aki after relaying the information.

“With this many guards it may be the most reasonable option. No gates found in the surrounding forests. We have to assume they’re heavily guarding any room that would be reachable through the lake,” Aki said.

“They don’t have anything that could stop me,” Ilea said and looked to the team she had been with initially. “You come with me, hide me until we’re in the water and close to the castle,” she said. “Aki, you take out the guards and prepare another force in Iz. I’ll open a gate once I’m inside.”

“Agreeable. If you find any gates, leave them intact. Just prevent anyone from using them,” he sent back.

“Risky,” Ilea said.

“No. They will know that they’re under attack if they cannot teleport here,” he answered.

Right. “I’ll keep it in mind. Just make sure to have more machines at the ready, I’ll reopen the gate as I go.”

“Then let’s go,” Aki said.

“When you hear or see Guardians move in, you attack. Prioritize those who can hide or teleport far,” Ilea sent to two marks of each team. Then she waved to her own group, several spells activating to shroud them in shadow.

“One person gets through and the plan fails,” Aki said.

“No pressure, daggerspehre,” Ilea said as she moved out with her group.

She could soon see glimpses of the castle through the thicket. A splendid structure with a main set of walls and a second one higher up and to the right. White stone towers with pointy tips reached for the skies, sunlight reflecting off dozens of windows.

“Do we know who this belongs to?” she sent to Raka.

The woman glanced her way and shook her head. “Not yet. I don’t think public inquiries make sense at the moment. But we’ll know sooner or later.”

Ilea felt the tension rise as they saw the first guards in the distance. They circled around and soon saw the shimmering lake, bright blue water reflecting the sunlight. Green fir trees lined the shores all around, the castle itself built onto a small hill overlooking the lake.

“I’ll move us all into the water. Keep your spells up and hold your breath,” Ilea said. “On three, one, two-” She moved them all as deep and far as she could, the body of water large enough to prevent a visible change from the sudden additions to its marine life.

She oriented herself based on her marks, the light just barely piercing to the bottom of the lake. “This way,” she sent to the others and spread her wings, ashen limbs moving out to pull the others. She didn’t want to use any other teleportation spells in case there were hidden detection enchantments close by.

Half am minute later, they had reached the base of the hill, slowly moving through the reed with as little disturbance as they could manage, the occasional fish swimming past, no monsters attacking the shrouded group.

This is it. Now let’s not fuck this up, Ilea thought, pushing away the potential impact of failure. “Ready?” she asked her group.

They affirmed.

“And remember, don’t destroy any gates,” she said. “If we can stay hidden, we scout first.”

Ilea moved closer until she could perceive the enchantments flowing over the wall within her dominion. She couldn’t see past it. There were anti space magic enchantments present, and quite a few detection spells. Recently added too, she felt, but not comparable to what the Meadow had prepared her for.

Fabric tear activated and brought them all past the white walls.

And into a storage hall. Dozens of wooden crates littered the stone floor, some stacked, most of them closed up. Ilea instantly saw the animals, monsters, and people within some of the crates, near all of them alive. Her sphere was no longer restricted, allowing her a view through a large part of the castle. Behind them and where the lake would be were large rooms with guards present, a few of them playing a game of cards on a small table. She could see the same Baralia insignia on a helmet, one on a ring.

She couldn’t find any gates though it seemed they were still hidden. “One more,” she said and used Fabric tear.

They appeared in a spacious feast hall, a few naked slaves serving food to armed warriors and mages. There were four gates in the hall, all of them guarded. Dozens of people were present, most of them sitting at or standing near the long central wooden table, few were drinking, but everyone was armed and armored. Fire burned in two hearths at the other side of the white walled hall, a single blood red carpet stretching through its entire length.

Tricky.

Two mages looked towards their shrouded group.

“Time’s up, move in,” she sent to Aki and opened her gate. Fabric tear activated and moved every person she could perceive right under her gate to Iz, the first two Executioners rushing out near instantly, their thin blades slicing through the guards and mages faster than they could cast a spell.

Ilea’s aura prevented further teleportation as more machines rushed out, her team spreading out. Burning ash moved through the hall with spears piercing low level fighters before they could call out for help or rush to the gates.

Seven Executioners were through and rushing to the gates when Ilea teleported once more, taking two of them with her. She had perceived most of the outer castle by now, appearing in a large room where something prevented her sphere from seeing inside. The Executioners rushed out to either side, fast steps through the air before they sliced through three people.

Ilea herself spread her wings to reach the blood mage frozen with his knife posed above a gagged and naked woman. One of her wings sliced the level two hundred man in half, his teleportation failing against her aura. She reopened her gate, more Executioners rushing in as the first sounds of battle resounded. Too early. She ignored the large pool of blood and the near two dozen corpses required to fill it, continuing her teleportation up and through the castle.

She moved up and into the largest tower, finding a well furnished master bedroom, four naked men chained to the bed. She followed their gaze and moved her wings, flying into a side room where a gate resided. Ilea closed her hand around the woman’s neck when they both vanished.

She appeared inside a wooden pavilion, breaking the struggling woman’s neck with a violent motion as she felt a slight residue of space magic flow through her from the gate. Ilea checked the surroundings for a split second, seeing a luscious garden, her marks suggesting they were still in Nipha. Nobody else was there. She opened a gate to the Meadow’s domain and stepped through, instantly activating her third tier transfer as she threw the corpse aside, seeing the illusion mage sit in place with wide eyes.

Focused on the mark set on Raka, Ilea appeared amidst the battle, somewhere below the castle. She watched two Executioners tear through a dozen enemies, their formation broken near instantly.

Another teleport brought her down, still looking for gates but she found no more. The whole castle seen through her sphere, she chose to help in the fight but most everything was cleared out already, Executioners and Hunter Praetorians coming in over the walls, the gates protected by the silver machines in case someone appeared from the other side.

The Sentinels and Shadows quickly changed some of their gear to take over patrolling, in case any scouts looked at the castle from a distance.

Ilea appeared in the master bedroom where two Executioners were present, one moving the chains from the four men. She looked out the open balcony door checking the skies for anything that might’ve flown out. “She was the only one here?”

Two of the men immediately nodded, a third one looking at the silver Executioner, the fourth one staring at her.

The gates didn’t explode either, she thought, looking at the creation embedded into the room where an Executioner now loomed. “She managed to activate it. I don’t think I was seen, but who knows,” she sent to the machine.

“We will find out in about six hours,” Aki answered. “You will have to remain, or I won’t be able to resupply the Executioners.”

“I’ll make my rounds,” Ilea said. “Just tell me where.”

She looked around the room. Wooden shelves with nicely carved patterns full of leather bound tomes. A comfortable carpet, beast heads hanging from the walls. And paintings. Quite a few of them.

“That’s her, Miss. The master of this castle,” one of the men spoke, his skin was black, his eyes green. He looked to be in his early twenties, a muscular build but a low level. He nodded to one of the paintings.

All four of them were still on the bed, uncertainty in their eyes as more Executioners entered the room to protect the gate.

“We’ll get you out of here in a moment,” she said and looked at the painting. It depicted a pale woman with fiery red hair, wearing a dress made for battle, a sheathed rapier at her hip. “Who is she?”

“She never shared her name, Miss,” the former slave said.

“What is yours then?” Ilea said.

He looked at her. “I do not have a name, Lilith.”

“And yet you know mine,” she said.

“It is Pierce,” another one of them whispered, a pale man in his thirties. “I heard it once, from Yelan.”

“Pierce,” Ilea murmured. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain, Lady Lilith, I swear it on my life,” the man spoke.

“You can either stay here or be with the Meadow. I’m not sure what’s less of an issue,” Ilea said.

“Get me Wayland to the Meadow’s domain,” she sent to Aki.

“I already informed him,” the Executioner sent back. “First change is coming up, two minutes.”

“What about the gates?” Ilea asked.

“We wait. Once somebody arrives, we will have to infiltrate wherever the respective gates lead to, and repeat what we did here,” Aki said.

Now if that isn’t an annoying waiting game, Ilea thought, hoping she hadn’t already alerted someone on the other side of the bedroom gate.

“Wayland is there,” Aki informed her.

Ilea opened the gate and watched the man step through with two more groups of Sentinels.

“In case more places require to be infiltrated,” Aki informed her.

An additional Sentinel walked through the gate, a little larger than the others. Savage ashen claws extended from his hands as he looked around the room, his entire body covered in rugged black armor. He nodded her way and walked past.

[Ash Berserker – lvl 324]

Gael is ready to fight. As usual. At least his growth isn’t as ridiculous as the last time I’ve seen him.

“Elizabeth,” Wayland murmured. “Interesting.”

He stood before the painting of the pale rapier wielder.

“Elizabeth Pierce,” Ilea said, wracking her brain as to where she had heard the name before. Hector. She opened her eyes wide and addressed both Wayland and Aki. “She’s part of the Golden Lily. And one of those who might’ve voted against my own addition to their hidden Order.”

“She’s also one of the most influential current nobles in Nipha, though few know of her power. Elizabeth is self centered and power hungry. It would make sense for her to see you as a competitor, though I assume you were mostly irrelevant to her until the Accords presented their gates and made their presence known to the world,” Wayland answered. “She is dangerous. If not for her personal power but her ruthlessness. And now that a member of the Lily is involved, we should tread even more carefully.”

“I was led to believe that Helena is not a part of this,” Ilea said. “Do you think that’s a lie?”

“Impossible to say for now. The Heavenly Sweets have not sent a warning, and I doubt none of them have found out about the upcoming attack,” Wayland said.

“She’s alright with it then,” Ilea said.

“Though she will claim they have not learned of the attack. It truly is just an assumption. Our informant offered the plans in exchange for a large sum of gold, having recently gotten in dept due to a set of unlucky card games,” Wayland told her. “Which is irrelevant, but there is a slight possibility the Heavenly Sweets truly don’t know this is coming.”

“Convenient,” Ilea said. “Did we find Squiggly by the way?”

One of the Executioners glanced her way. “Pieces only. It seems some of the adventurers had various creatures fight each other in one of the cellars. I have informed Claire. She suggested we inform Cless that Squiggles escaped into the lake and now roams the lands of Nipha.”

Ilea raised her brows. “Let that be Claire’s decision.”

She opened a gate to switch out the Executioners, teleporting down to do the same in the feast hall before she returned to Wayland.

“You four are willing to testify?” he asked the men, handing out sets of clothing summoned from a storage device of his. Disguises he had used before it seemed.

All four confirmed.

Wayland cast a spell that masked sound before he spoke.

“Wonderful. We’ll have heaps of evidence then,” he said. “Enough to justify a war, if their attacks go through.”

“We won’t have a war,” Ilea said.

“No. Not if we can avoid it. But it’s always good to have options,” the man answered.

“Worst case I fly into their palace and grab their nobility,” she said.

Wayland gave her a long look. “That would solve the problem of Nipha, yes. But it would just heighten the legend of Lilith. This is our chance to show that the Accords are not just a collection of technology, but a well organized alliance. One willing to engage entire nations in warfare, if such is necessary.”

“You want to send a message?” Ilea said.

“They wish to sow chaos,” Aki said. “Now that we know of their plans, we can turn the tables.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m glad you’re around, Aki. Without you this whole thing could’ve ended exactly like they planned.”

“My existence may be the main reason this came to be in the first place. We should prepare for the night, and hope few or none of the gates will be used,” the Executioner answered.

Hours passed before the first of the gates was used, five rough looking adventurers appearing and immediately apprehended by a group of Sentinels and Executioners. The fact that they started to puke due to the shitty gate tech made the whole process quite simple. Late arrivals according to them, a team of specialized Shadows using the gate to check if their claims held up. They returned a few minutes later, the damage to their lungs and eyes healed by Ilea.

The gate led into a mountain range in the northern plains, the Shadows entering the small settlement and leaving without being seen. Raiders, hired by their enemies to participate in the upcoming fighting.

Ilea returned to the master bedroom, a layer of ash on the bed before she sat down and looked at the Executioners. “They didn’t even know about the Guardians,” she sent to Aki.

“I am not yet in every corner of the Plains,” he spoke. “You’ve been fighting these machines for years. Destructive even to the highest level Cerithil Hunters. Humanity does not yet know what the Taleen armies are capable of.”

“Your armies now,” Ilea said.

“The armies of the Accords,” Aki said when the master bedroom gate activated.

Ilea saw a woman appear, a simple cloak shrouding most of her facial features, two daggers on her hips, her leather armor well made but nothing obviously striking.

Her eyes widened before she started coughing. “Damn… illusions…” she retched before summoning a bucked, puking into it, her hood falling to reveal short black hair and bronze skin below.

[Assassin – lvl 272]

Ilea sat on the bed and leaned slightly forward, her anti teleportation aura present. “Hi.”

The assassin made the bucket vanish and rubbed her eyes turning around to see the Executioners, two of them with their blades next to her. She raised her hand and coughed again, touching the tip of a silver blade as her eyes widened. “Shit.”

“Who are you, why are you here?” Ilea asked.

“I…” the woman started, avoiding eye contact. “Y… you’re real, aren’t you?”

“I’m real, now answer the question,” Ilea said.

“I’m Fania. An Assassin working for a former Baralia noble. I was educated and trained in Navetihin and was a member of the Fading. I don’t want want to die. This is too early,” she said, the last bit with a little confusion.

“You didn’t fully answer,” Aki said.

“I’m here to check if the girl has been apprehended and if she’s ready to paint,” the assassin said. “I’m expected to report within the hour.”

“Why should we believe you?” Ilea asked.

The woman considered. “I know names. I know how many guards are in the mansion beyond this gate. I know you’re looking for Elizabeth Pierce, and Walton Pierce. You’re here… which means… it’s going to be a slaughter. Not the one Kerthin hoped for.” The woman smiled then giggled to herself.

“Wayland on the way?” Ilea asked Aki.

“Yes. Walton is part of the Pierce family, and Kerthin is the name of a former Baralia noble whose body has not been found, nor is she still part of any remaining city government. We should let her talk,” Aki said.

Chapter 807 Silver Storm 2 Electric Baraloo

A note from Rhaegar

Note that there is no longer a release schedule, neither here nor on patreon. I'm aware that this can be annoying for you but it's necessary for my mental health. I hope you understand :).

I'll just post/schedule how I see fit.

Thank you for reading.

Chapter 807 Silver Storm 2 Electric Baraloo

Ilea still sat on the bed, watching Wayland and Aki take in the Assassin.

“I have information on the attacks. Specific targets and locations. Not everything but I’m sure there is something in there that will prevent some people from dying. I also know where Elizabeth Pierce and Kerthin are, I can tell you about traps and enchantments on the way,” Fania spoke.

“What do you want in return? You’ve been a part of this operation, which means you broke several laws within Nipha,” Wayland said.

Fania glanced at Ilea. “I just want to live through this. The Accords have enough influence to make that happen. Nipha will look for scapegoats after this is over, and I don’t plan to go down in place of nobility.”

“What do you think?” Ilea sent to Wayland.

“Her life is not much to ask. She knows that, which means her information is either useless, she doesn’t plan to share the truth with us, or she really is this desperate. I think it’s the last option,” he said.

“Why?” Ilea asked.

“The way she looks at you. She’s terrified,” Wayland said.

“She could just be acting. She’s been a part of this, Wayland. They tried to kill Cless. Two Sentinels died,” Ilea said.

“I’m a good actor too. You underestimate your reputation and appearance. You’re aware that you’re wearing your ash armor right now? With wisps of it moving on the bed and on your shoulders,” Wayland said before he paused. “There were hundreds involved in this thing, perhaps thousands. We will never be able to hold everyone accountable. Her life versus those her information could save is not much of a price to pay.”

“I don’t like it,” Ilea said.

“Then you kill her here and now. Or you let her talk and then kill her,” Wayland said. “That or you bring it to vote with the Accords. We don’t exactly have the time now but you’re Lilith. Or we get the information she has, put her with the Meadow, and let her go as agreed.”

“What do you think?” Ilea asked.

“She’s given up immediately. This woman is not an enemy we have to worry about. She’s an assassin that happened to be hired by our enemies. If her information can save a single life, the answer is obvious,” Wayland said.

“Then tell her that. Her information has to save lives,” Ilea said. She was sure the woman had killed plenty, and she had stood by while people sacrificed slaves and kidnapped children. If she hadn’t arrived late, she would already be dead. How many more will she kill, let suffer, and die?

The man looked at Ilea and nodded before addressing the woman. “If your information helps us save lives, you will live,” Wayland said.

Fania looked at him for a few seconds. “That’s not exactly guaranteed, is it.”

“You claimed it would, so tell us what you know,” Aki said.

“This is the deal you’re getting,” Wayland said.

She sighed, considered, and nodded. In the next few minutes, Fania once more confirmed the time of the upcoming attacks and several additional locations, quite a few targets outside of the Accords as well, mostly focused on Lys.

Fania glanced Ilea’s way quite a few times, obviously on edge.

You should worry about the Executioners behind you, not me.

“Elizabeth and Kerthin are in a mansion about half an hour north from the destination of this gate,” Fania spoke. “They’re well guarded, the mansion itself enchanted against space magic intrusion, long range magic attacks, divination, and anything else that gold can buy.”

“Can this entire thing be averted if we find them before the time of the attacks?” Aki asked.

Fania shook her head. “The mercenaries are paid, the former Baralia soldiers and nobles know their tasks. Those at least will fight to the end, as will Kerthin. I don’t know Elizabeth well enough but I gauge that she is past the point of no return. This is her most obvious brush onto the canvas of history. One way or the other, she will stand amidst the flames.”

“Slaves, servants, civilians in the mansion and around?” Ilea asked.

“There were plenty, yes. But I didn’t keep track of everything. I was only there for a day. Escape routes I can give you,” Fania said.

“They won’t get away. But I’ll take them regardless,” Ilea said.

The Assassin asked for and received paper and pen, quickly sketching the layout of the mansion in detail, enchantments and the few patrols she was aware of.

“That is what I know,” Fania said.

“The Fading are not what they used to be,” Wayland spoke. “We will take you to the Meadow until the attacks have commenced.”

“What about after that?” Fania asked.

“If what you told us prevents more people from dying, you will be set free, though conditions as to the territory of the Accords and future incrimination may apply,” Wayland said.

The woman didn’t reply.

Ilea opened a gate and gestured for her to step through.

Fania did, and Wayland left with her.

The man returned a few minutes later after Aki had asked Ilea to open another gate.

“We have less than forty minutes until they expect her back,” Aki said.

Wayland nodded. “We expect Elizabeth Pierce to be present, including high level remnants from Baralia.”

“What are we waiting for then? Get a few teams together, you’re coming with us, Wayland,” Ilea said.

Sentinels and Shadows soon moved to the master bedroom, Ilea opening another gate to the Meadow’s domain where more people came through. War machines, Dark Ones, and another two teams of Shadows. She even knew a few of them.

Ilea smiled when she saw a four armed being wreathed in shadow float through her gate. He wore a black metal mask with two horns jutting out from his cheeks. There were no eyes. Four short swords were on his back.

“I thought you were guarding the first layer,” Ilea commented, meanwhile giving a side glance to the metal and light mage war machine she had fought in the Forged Dome.

The machine gave her a glance and a slight nod, landing in the room with a slight thud as Ilea returned her attention to the four armed being.

“I was called upon by the Meadow. The Descent is secured by beings far beyond my power. Here I am,” Ilas spoke and bowed.

“Infiltration?” a floating ant like creature asked, antennas twitching.

[Illusion mage – lvl 230]

“Infiltration,” Ilea said. “You probably don’t want to use this gate, lest the space magic will hurt you.”

“If I can survive, Omdir Stonewirt will use the device,” the metal mage war machine spoke.

“Your choice. I’m sure everyone here will survive it. Just unpleasant,” Ilea said.

They informed the groups, some of them refusing to wait in the domain of the Meadow.

“Nobody will escape,” Aki said. “I have Executioners ready for you in Iz.”

“One last change of guards then,” Ilea said, opening gates in the two areas of the castle where the non Accord teleportation circles were located. She returned to the top of the main tower.

“Four minutes until the next change,” Aki said.

“More than enough,” Ilea said and summoned Silent Memory into her hand.

She stepped onto the teleportation gate with a sizable group of various beings, most of them with some skill in infiltration and hiding. “Get me into that mansion without being seen. Don’t let anyone escape and inform our enemies.”

“Understood,” Ilas sent, the others affirming in their own ways.

Aki activated the gate, the group moved to their destination.

Ilea healed everyone as soon as they arrived, various spells activating instantly. She opened a gate to allow the rest of the groups through. Powerful illusions, shadow, and dark magic soon shrouded them before they moved. She teleported their party of nearly thirty beings from time to time, past the trees and to a set of open fields, the last bits of sunlight painting the growing grains in a golden hue. Already they could see teams of guards patrolling in the distance, torches lit with some spells visible. A few were even flying.

“We are taking note of their locations,” Ilas sent as they continued, some of the dark ones exchanging signs with each other, two people sketching maps.

They passed the first field and came onto a dirt road leading straight to a single point in the distance, Ilea spotting the first small buildings, still a few kilometers away. She spread her wings and urged the others to do the same or latch on, their spells still active as they flew over the road with increasing speed. The few guards they passed didn’t notice, their levels below two hundred even, their gear suggesting an affiliation with Nipha.

“Might be beneficial if you try not to kill everyone but instead apprehended them. I will come and collect everyone after. Do go for the kill if you can’t keep them there,” Ilea said, the large team reaching the main area of the estate, several smaller buildings and barns surrounding the lavish four story mansion at the center. A luscious garden extended at the back, parts of it visible to her as they took in the surroundings. The third and fourth floor were smaller, allowing a large terrace on the second floor, a few people visible on it.

One of them she recognized from the painting in the castle. “Let’s check for gates in the vicinity. Act at your own discretion.”

The assassin hadn’t mentioned one within the mansion but they didn’t exactly trust her.

Ilea teleported the group close to the entrance and checked the enchantments. The anti space magic measures were similar to the castle they had come from, likely even by the same enchantress. Ilea used fabric tear to get them all inside. Her dominion could pierce many of the rooms, some of the people around her fanning out to explore on their own, another teleport bringing them into one of the protected rooms.

She appeared in a dark room, a single chair at the center with a man chained to it. Ilea healed him and her own mind, her white flame spreading through the room as more of her entourage left on their own. The tools she saw were burned away, her healing now focused on the man’s mind. She didn’t recognize him. And she was glad for it.

“One of you stay here and protect him,” she said and opened a gate to Iz.

Executioners and Hunter Praetorians stepped through, walking through the air as they took in the surroundings.

Ilea closed the gate and teleported the remaining people shrouding her with shadow magic. She worked her way through the enchantment protected rooms and cellars, mostly finding private chambers or storage rooms. One of the cellar sections contained what looked like a blood ritual testing site. Ilea found two men standing above an altar, both wearing blood covered ornamental armor made of what looked like silver. She hesitated, seeing as they looked near exactly the same.

[Blood Mage – lvl 218]

[Blood Mage – lvl 213]

“You have an uncovered spot,” one of them said, smearing more blood onto the bald head of the other.

“Thank you. But we have company,” the first one said and turned to look at Ilea, blood magic surging all around.

“I’ll take care of these, and the terrace,” Ilea sent to the remaining four people around her, all of them teleported away by her before she activated her aura.

“And who are you to intrude the lair of the Shining Twins?” one of the blood covered bald men said.

Ilea looked at the mangled corpses in the hall before she charged her space magic and closed her fist. More blood added to this horrible scene. She wanted to burn it all but stopped herself, deciding that some evidence might be beneficial. Seeing how they were in Nipha territory.

No teleportation gates in here. Time to talk to the lady of the house.

A single use of fabric tear brought her onto the terrace, splatters of blood remaining on her black ashen armor.

She found a round table set atop the dark marble floor of the terrace, the guards immediately preparing their weapons as her anti teleportation aura spread out, Ilea checking the fabric to make sure nobody could escape.

A red haired and pale woman sat on one of the chairs, taking a sip from a small cup as she glanced at Ilea and smiled. Elizabeth Pierce. She remained calm and seated. “And what would you be doing here, Sentinel?” Several rings on her hand glinted with magic, same as her necklace, earrings, and her light blue dress.

[Rapier Master – lvl 285]

Ilea watched as the others stood up, one a young man with shifty eyes, his back bent as he staggered back, nearly making his chair fall.

[Blood Mage – lvl 209]

Third was a tall masked woman wearing blood red leather armor, sparks of red lightning forming on her body as she stood up, muscles bulging. She growled.

[Lightning Mage – lvl 304]

The guards spread out as magic flared up and weapons were drawn.

“It’s over,” Ilea said.

Elizabeth smiled and stood up, silver full plate armor appearing on her body, runes glittering with powerful enchantments. “A lost beast, on her way to slaughter. It is not over until I say that it is,” she said and drew her rapier, a surge of arcane magic rushing out and striking at Ilea’s eye. A golden barrier appeared in the last moment, the magic stopped.

“Nice aim,” Ilea said as she watched the young man transform into a beast, the red lightning wielding woman starting to hover as she prepared a spell, three of the guards rushing at her with flaring auras, battle shouts, and weapons swinging. The rest charged their spells, none of them fleeing. “Enjoy the meal,”Ilea said and threw her hammer.

Silver threads flickered in the sunlight and rushed out, blood and guts splattering against the marble floor and the large windows to her right as people were dissected, bodies pierced and slammed to the floor, one dragged through the windowed side of the mansion. Red lightning surged up and was silenced as more threads rushed out, curse and bone magic visible in her dominion. Several threads stopped the advance of the four legged blood monster that had grown out of the man whose back had been bent.

It screeched as its legs were slashed through, its shoulders and face cut into.

Elizabeth deflected the thread coming her way, her blade flashing with magic as she jumped back and landed with a heavy impact.

More color was added to Ilea’s armor as she walked forward, the large blood covered creature that had grown out of the blood mage reduced to a whimpering two legged cut up beast. Ilea sent an ashen spear into the monster’s skull, ending its life while chunks of flesh fell to the ground.

“You b-” Elizabeth said when the remains of the beast moved, the creature closing the distance to the woman, pierced by her rapier before it bit down on her armored leg.

She screamed before the beast slammed her against the marble floor, three times until the stone cracked.

Ilea summoned her hammer back into her hand, the threads still residing inside the dead blood beast receding. Its red gem glowed ever so slightly, nothing compared to when it had fed on the high level sound magic beasts.

Elizabeth crawled on the floor with her right leg twisted, cackling to herself before she talked. “Your Sentinels are d-” a beam of white flame burnt into her armor, the enchanted metal itself melting but withstanding the released energies for a moment. The body within however burst immediately, the blood burned away before a melted silver husk remained, half moulded onto the dark marble below.

Ilea saw Executioners rush through the fields, the torches in the distance snuffed out one by one. She gave the silver husk a last look before she jumped off the terrace and spread her wings, flying up.

“Check the corpses on the terrace for evidence, maybe storage items,” Ilea sent to one of the Executioners.

“Elizabeth?” he asked.

“She was among them, yes,” Ilea said as she flew higher, watching the groups as she charged her wings. Two flying guards remained, one hunted by an Executioner, the other pursued by a dark winged being. She shot off into the distance, three teleports coupled with her momentum enough to reach the man. Ilea stopped him with her space magic, a level one hundred warrior. She opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow and threw the terrified man into it, continuing onto the already captured guards after she failed to spot anyone else that was about to get away.

Embered Heart had likely alerted everyone in the vicinity, that coupled with the now present Guardians. Not long left until nightfall, she thought as she threw the next person to the Meadow. They gathered up a minute later at the mansion, Ilea opening a gate to Iz for Aki to replenish his Guardians with those already charged up.

“Thirty two seconds left on the Executioners at the castle,” one of them said.

“You’re pretty high maintenance,” Ilea sent as she flew up.

“We can handle the situation here,” Omdir spoke from within his war machine.

“I would’ve already added a gate to the taleen network but your presence is less problematic,” Aki sent back as she flew to the castle.

She landed near the gate and fiddled with the control panel until it activated, Ilea appearing back inside the master bedroom of Elizabeth’s castle. It took her four seconds to reform the gates and get Aki a fresh set of Executioners. “I’ve been degraded to your mobile teleportation gate,” she sent.

“Now that you mention it, we’re working on something along those lines with the Meadow. And you are in fact the inspiration,” the Executioner sent back.

“Of course I am,” Ilea said as she stored her hammer, white flame burning away the blood and bits of flesh on her mantle before she cracked her neck and once more sat down on the bed. A meal appeared in her hands as she resumed her wait.

Chapter 808 Orbital Strike

A note from Rhaegar

Zogarth just had the first chunk of his story published. If you haven't checked out Primal Hunter yet, give it a shot on amazon :) (or audio): Primal Hunter

Chapter 808 Orbital Strike

The Executioner looked up with green glowing eyes.

Ilea had finished her meal, the suns having set below the horizon.

“The Sentinels are ready. The trusted forces in the Accords are prepared. Lilith, It is time,” the machine spoke.

“Where do you need me?” she asked.

“I will let you know based on the chaos that ensues,” Aki spoke. The Executioner looked up about half a minute later. “It has begun, in Riverwatch.”

Ilea stood up and cracked her neck. She activated her gate to the outskirts of the city and stepped through, magical explosions already visible inside the city. Black wings spread before she vanished, appearing above the city with two dozen ashen spears to her back. She could see as clearly as if it were daytime, the rogues and mercenaries now seeking to bring death and chaos into the settlements of the Accords and their allies would do well to hide in the shadows.

Her ash burst into fire, the first projectiles striking targets running through the alleys and streets of the city, explosions and fires spreading throughout as Executioners and Guardians moved in from all around, mercenaries revealing themselves cut down in mere seconds. She teleported down towards the mark of Dale, two silver machines inside his home with several dead assassins, Dale himself guarding his wife and daughter, sword drawn.

Ilea gave him a nod before she moved through the street, hearing a nearby scream and teleporting into a home. Her hand was raised towards a near invisible blade, her space magic taking hold of the weapon and whoever wielded it, a small sphere of ash zipping out before a hidden head exploded, leaving the illusionist falling and dead, only after he had managed to kill two of the four residents. Ilea didn’t remain with the crying man who had been the next target, instead moving to the next location.

Blood magic surged as a large wood and stone inn exploded, nearby windows shattering as a red beam of light flashed up. Familiar sounding screeches filled the night as Ilea flew into the rubble. Silent Memory appeared in her hand, silver threads and ashen limbs intermingling as two dozen demon spawn were ripped to shreds. She turned her head when a larger six legged demon came barreling towards her. She braced herself and stopped its charge with a punch, a wave of arcane healing rushing out, destroying its insides before it fell to the ground, unmoving.

Ilea felt another surge of blood magic, enough to make the air tremble. She rushed to the source, a set of runes inside an abandoned mansion, a bright red shield protecting it all while a hooded figure cast their spell, more of them outside the shield. Three Centurions and a small horde of Guardians ripped through the hooded mages, arcane explosions rattling the building until five arrows crashed through and shattered the red shield, the mage within and all the runes disintegrated by arcane power.

Barriers lit up around the mansion before the chaotic stored blood magic flickered and flashed out in a red sphere, no longer channeled through the prepared runes. Ilea let the spell wash over her mantle, the normal Guardians punched aside and destroyed, the Centurions bracing against the impact, skidding on the ground and damaged, but still standing.

Another ritual was stopped a few kilometers eastward, according to the similar sounding explosion. Ilea teleported and flew the rest of the distance, finding a group of war machines and Sentinels finishing off the last hooded figures, two Hunter Praetorians atop the nearby buildings, supporting them with their arcane bows.

She looked northwards, seeing the first Taleen Destroyers fly towards the city, light green spotlights shining down onto the streets and houses, Centurions and Guardians holding on to the bottom parts of the scorpion like airships. Arcane beams charged and shot into the alleys, at targets Ilea couldn’t see.

The group that had stopped the ritual was gone when she looked again. She found them rushing atop the buildings as they looked for the next enemy.

“Virilya is under attack, whenever you’re available, we’d appreciate the help!” Felicia sent through her mark.

“How is the situation? Felicia asked me for help,” Ilea sent to a nearby Hunter Praetorian.

The machine turned her way. “The settlements of the Accords are secured. Go and help them. I have an army prepared in Iz, should they accept my assistance.”

Ilea nodded and activated her third tier transfer.

“Ilea,” Aki sent.

She looked his way.

“Make the gate large.”

She smiled as the runes took hold, her form appearing above the familiar streets and alleys of Virilya. Screams resounded in the night, explosions audible as flares of fire and red light were seen throughout the city.

Several spells were aimed her way as she spread her wings, one noble sending an arcane missile at her chest, the magic spreading over her mantle without causing any damage. She gave him a look, all color fading from his face as he started to stutter.

“I’m here to help,” she said to the unit of nobles, glancing at Felicia. “And I can bring more help if the Empire wishes.”

“Come with me, Lilith,” one of the older men said, turning before he flew towards the central district.

Felicia looked at her and nodded, smiling before she charged towards an explosion in the city below.

Ilea followed the man, the layout of the attacks very different from the devastating past invasion and subsequent siege from Baralia troops. This time, they were aiming to kill civilians and to destroy as much of the city as they could, the consequences of demon summonings and blood rituals entirely ignored. She landed near the Halls of Eternity, two dozen armored nobles present, including the Empress herself, the woman dressed in the imperial gray, her silver eyes darting towards Ilea as soon as she had landed, bloodied black wings collapsing on her back.

“The Accords offer their assistance, if you would have our Guardians inside your city walls,” Ilea spoke.

“Lunacy, we do not need their armies here,” one of the higher leveled nobles spoke, heavy enchanted plate armor obscuring his face.

“Can you guarantee that the Guardians will leave this city once this is over?” one of the nobles asked.

“They will be gone, I guarantee it,” Ilea said. “Now let’s not waste any more time. Civilians are under attack.”

Ilea ignored the obvious scorn coming from a few of the nobles, most of them showing support in their body language. A few going as far as nodding her way.

________________________________

Empress Alyris of Lys looked at the ashen healer, the one who brought together their now most prominent competitor in the Plains. Standing here amongst her nobles, all high ranking members of their ancient Houses and her court, asking to bring their armies into the heart of her Empire. They could deal with this attack. Virilya had survived the Baralian siege, they would survive the remnants of their enemies.

“Alyris. Listen to her,” Syrithis spoke, the half elf and her most trusted guard not one to speak up in such a time. She looked her way, seeing her masked lover fly above. “My father trusted her. And I shall trust her in turn. A Guardian of Cerith will not betray us.”

Alyris raised her chin. She looked to Syrithis, then back to Lilith. “Very well, Lilith. We will tolerate them here for one day. Summon your machines.”

Ilea’s blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She gave Alyris a nod before she vanished.

The Empress looked up as more of the nobles rushed away to engage in the ongoing chaos, she found the black winged woman flying a few hundred meters away, bits of glowing embers embedded in her ashen wings and armor. She saw the skies change, ever so slightly, silver rushing out from beyond a moment later, flying machines the size of houses coming down upon their capital, hundreds of smaller green machines holding on to their forms. Black winged healers accompanied the hordes of Taleen creations, large war machines falling down before fiery jets propelled them forward.

She knew they were here to fight the enemies of Lys, but the impression was made regardless. This was not a force they could challenge. “Spread through our city, and prevent further chaos and death. Go now, warriors of Lys!” she spoke, her voice raised as she steeled her will, eyes soon back to the ashen wings in the distance. Too long had they waited within their barrier, too many had died in the siege. It wouldn’t happen again, even if their pride would be wounded. It was a blow she was willing to take, for the sake of her people.

____________________________

Ilea stopped her gate spell, her mana reaching critical levels. “You really prepared to impress,” she sent to one of the Hunters as she flew down to help in the chaos.

“This is but a fraction of my armies, Ilea. You know that. They don’t,” Aki said.

“Now they do,” she said, appearing in a home where she found two people about to cut down an injured man. Their axes were raised as ashen limbs slashed through their bodies, the civilian left without injuries as Ilea moved on through the city. She landed on a square where stores and homes had been broken into, corpses littering the ground. She found a dying woman on the ground, grabbing her hand as she healed her.

Ilea locked eyes with the woman, making out the raiders within her dominion, a few of them already shouting as they failed to teleport away. A few brave men charged her as she activated her reverse healing. “Go and hide until this is over,” Ilea said to the woman as the attackers fell to her magic, their bodies hitting the ground in near unison.

Her wings spread before she shot up, flying along a nearby road while her dominion pierced the homes, stores, and workshops, hundreds of people hiding behind locked doors, some armed and armored, some looking out the windows to get a better idea of what was happening.

A Taleen Destroyer flew past above, shields flaring up when a set of explosive projectiles struck its side. Arcane beams were sent down in response, the machine turning as a group of Guardians rushed over the nearby roofs.

Ilea found a group of imperial guards hiding behind cover on a broad square, several attackers hunkering down in a storefront, spells impacting both sides as they tried to gain the upper hand. She landed with a heavy impact, the cobblestone cracking under her weight and momentum. She pushed off the ground, her armored body smashing through the frantically summoned shield and the remaining glass of the storefront. She continued on, smearing the low level barrier mage into and through the stone wall before she landed on one knee, her wings fanning out and slicing through two more attackers. She stood up and teleported the three fleeing individuals in front of her, one ashen limb slashing through their necks in one quick flash.

Ilea teleported to the survivors and healed those injured without a word. She looked at the dust covered face of a terrified guard before she teleported up and twirled. Her wings moved and she shot off to the next street. Ilea slowed and flew up, trying to spot more battles, rituals, or explosions. Already there were Destroyers flying around with their searchlights, Guardians, Dark Ones, Imperial soldiers, and city guards running on the roofs, through the streets, or flying above in search of the attackers.

She felt a powerful wave of magic when she saw a streak of red light shoot up from a distant set of buildings. A blood ritual far beyond what she had seen today. She was about to rush there when something lit up near the central district. Energy coalesced before a beam of bright arcane energy was released from the artillery cannon defending the city. The impact disintegrated several buildings, including the ritual and its casters. A bright explosion spread out as Ilea closed the distance, looking for those injured or dying.

She healed those who had survived, teleporting them out of the still burning arcane fires, blood magic remaining in the air. One hooded blood mage ran at her with a sword, his left arm broken from the arcane and blood explosions. He brought the steel down, striking her mantle without leaving a dent. Ilea grabbed the weapon by the blade and slammed it through his skull, leaving him to fall as she flew up again.

“Aki asked me to contact you. Ravenhall is secured. A large demon horde is approaching Yinnahall,” Trian sent.

Ilea turned and charged her wings, flying past the city walls before she found the teleportation gate bunkers outside the capital walls. She landed near the gate leading to Morhill, two dozen Imperial guards looking at her with wide eyes. “I need to use that,” she said.

“Y… yes, Lilith,” one of them said and rushed inside, the guards inside activating the gate for her.

A moment later she appeared in Morhill, the city swarming with Guardians and adventurers, though there were few fires here. Appearing on the teleportation circle to Yinnahall, she gave the guards a look and vanished as they activated the gate.

Ilea teleported up twice and spread her wings, flying up even farther as she took in the city on the hill, the market that had grown around the teleportation gates outside, the fields and forests beyond. Fires still burned within the city walls, smoke rising from within and without but she quickly found the reason Aki had called her here.

Red light flickered kilometers away in the distance, as if a lightning storm had been summoned. She could see the demons approaching. A horde the likes of which she hadn’t seen since the summoning in Ravenhall, larger than most groups even in Kohr. Above flew a massive demon creature the size of the void tentacle creatures she had faced in the past month. It looked different, elongated and more akin to an actual squid, the red lightning storm moving with the pale creature summoned from the depths of the forgotten realm of the Ascended.

An army of Guardians coalesced near the field, flying Destroyers and Hunter Praetorians gathering as they prepared to reap through the demon horde.

Ilea charged her wings and flew towards the monsters, stopping when she was about a kilometer above the creatures. It would take minutes for them to reach Aki’s line of defense. She formed three spheres of ash and opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow.

Ilea made the opening as large as she could and angled it down towards the encroaching enemy, sending the three spheres through.

The first chunk of stone appeared near instantly, an explosion rattling the surroundings as the sound barrier was broken through. Several tons of rock impacted the ground with devastating force, flattening a few dozen demons before the force of the impact ripped apart another few hundred. More chunks of stone followed, the sound of the impacts deafening her entirely as she watched the landscape be reshaped by the power of a god.

She sent another three spheres through, the bombardment stopping as fast as it had started. Chunks of soil, rock, bone, flesh, and tree still impacted the nearby lake, fields, and forests, some flying as far as Aki’s defensive line. As the dust cleared, she could see a series of deep craters, chunks of rock at their center. Most of the demons were dead but the flying squid like creature remained, protecting itself as it hovered outside the direct impact zone.

Ilea flew silently, hearing the creature cry out with a shrill sound, its anger directed at the unseen Meadow. She opened another gate right above its form, uncaring for its level as she sent for another bombardment.

The Endless Meadow obliged.

The first ten chunks of stone were deflected off the creature’s pale skin, tearing through the landscape as they reached the ground. The next set dug into its body with wet impacts, pushing it towards the ground as it moved its tentacles, red lightning spreading up and outwards, some of the stones exploding in flashes of light.

Ilea aimed her cannon and released a fully charged beam of Embered Heart, leaving a line of white flame on the being. She summoned spears of burning ash to cover the creature as more rocks came from the Meadow. One more burst of red lightning spread out, her precognition informing her about the incoming damage. She grinned, the lightning burning away several sets of her mantle in an instant, the rest flowing through her slowly, her healing pushing against it as she felt her muscles tense, her jaws locked before she cracked her neck and aimed once again with her cannon.

The next beam tore into one of the creature’s eyes, her fires spreading further as its body was mangled by the incoming rocks. At last it hit the ground, pounded into the earth as its flesh and bones were bludgeoned beyond recognition, the earth itself shaking, debris raised and flung aside.

‘ding’ ‘Your group has defeated [Б̻͔у̲̻р̱͔̗̺̳я̮ - lvl 1723]’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Titan Core [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 11’

She sent through another set of spheres as she watched the bloodied dirt rise into the air. She leaned through the barrier to find a bunch of wide eyed prisoners within a barrier. “I should use you more often,” she sent.

“I do hope what we killed was worth my intervention. I do not want to participate in the murder of living beings,” the Meadow spoke.

“That thing could’ve wiped out an entire city of awakened beings. I think you hold the moral high ground,” Ilea said. “And the literal high ground. That demon is absolutely wrecked.”

“I don’t like that grin on your face,” the Meadow sent.

“My face is covered in ash armor,” Ilea sent.

“I know when you grin,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea rolled her eyes and moved her head back through the gate, deactivating the spell as she flew down to check on the dead creature.

Chapter 809 A settlement needs your help

Chapter 809 A settlement needs your help

Ilea found the creature very much dead, its flesh mangled to the point where recognizing its previous form was difficult at best. She kept her fires burning, making sure little to nothing would remain of the being. A few ashen spears formed, rushing out to take out the demons she saw in the vicinity. While they weren’t particularly dangerous to her, they retained their inherent ability to turn whoever they kill into more of their own.

Wiping them out was a priority. She charged Monster Hunter and whistled, attracting another few dozen that had avoided the stone bombardment.

No levels from that one. Guess I didn’t exactly contribute a lot to that kill, she thought, using her dominion and reverse healing to kill the approaching demons. She flew towards the approaching machine army, the demons that reached them shred apart by a sea of blades, arcane beams and arrows ripping apart entire clusters of spawn.

Ilea wondered what would happen if she let Silent Memory tear into the remains of the squid like creature but decided one four mark creature was enough to deal with right now. She trusted the hammer, but not quite that far. Yet.

Might try that in Kohr. I’ll have to look for those kind of creatures, maybe they’re in the oceans?

She flew above Aki’s army, contacting one of the Hunter Praetorians with her telepathy. “Anywhere else I’m needed?”

The machine glanced up. “The territories of the Accords have been mostly secured. There are some areas in Lys and the former Baralia where we’re currently working with the local governments to clear out demons and other invaders. Kroll has sent word that they have lost two of their northernmost towns. Official and paid jobs to help fight the invaders and anything they have summoned. They have rejected my offer to send in Guardians and every Sentinel and Shadow that could help with the possible magnitude of such a task is already busy.”

“How do I get there?” Ilea asked.

“The related gates are cut off. But you can travel from Halstein,” Aki informed her.

“Why not. Tell them Lilith is on the way,” she sent and charged her wings, shooting off towards Yinnahall. She found the gate to Morhill well protected by both machines and local guards. She was let through without question, appearing in the teleportation hub. She had been in the capital of Kroll to inform the Corinth Order the day prior, finding the gate and appearing outside the city.

Accords and local guards stood at the enchanted stone structures protecting the teleportation circles, smoke rising from beyond the city walls. Even just seeing this much, Ilea could tell the attacks on Halstein weren’t nearly as extensive as those on Virilya.

The local guards reacted to her arrival with some confusion, many increasing the grip on their weapons, gulping when they saw her.

“You lost two towns in the north,” she said. “I’m here to clear them out.”

“I… will get someone,” the guard with the most elaborate armor said and rushed to the city walls.

“Are these attacks happening just here?” one of the nearby shadowguards asked, one of the four present to make sure the city wouldn’t break their gate treaty.

So much for that, Ilea thought. “They’re happening all over. Most of the attackers are already dead,” she said, making sure everyone present heard her. They knew there was at least one copied gate leading to Kroll, and she wouldn’t be surprised if anyone she had met at King Eilhart’s court had been involved, at least in some manner.

The shadowguard sighed. “That’s good to hear.”

The guard returned with a Paladin of the Corinth Order following by his side. “A volunteer, Lady Lilith. The capital remains our priority.”

“Two towns gone and you can’t spare a single guard?” Ilea asked before she looked at the woman.

“I’m Paladin Varya. I fought by your side at Fort Kalwart, I will show you the way to Bervom and Kait,” she spoke, armored head to toe in white full plate, dents and scratches visible with blood and dirt marring the well made gear. She held a two handed flamberge in her hand, blood and bits of flesh stuck to it.

[Paladin – lvl 124]

“Any gates that lead closer?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, follow me,” Varya said, briskly walking towards one of the stone structures.

“Your armor is damaged,” Ilea said, looking at the woman’s chest piece as they stepped onto the gate.

“It’s manageable,” Varya said.

They appeared in another structure where Ilea teleported the chest piece into her hands, ash moving out as the Paladin realized what had happened.

“What are…”

Metal bent and groaned as Ilea’s ash straightened the dents before she teleported the thing back onto the woman. “There you go,” she said, watching the Paladin open and close her mouth. “The towns,” Ilea said.

“Yes. Of course,” Varya said and stepped out of the gate. “We’re still about a five hours ride south of Bervon.”

Ilea spread her wings and grabbed the woman with a few ashen limbs. “Telepathy. You show me the way. Try not to pass out,” she said and charged her wings. She hoped the woman was more resilient to the high velocity of her flying compared to Iana and Christopher, the two enchanters even at a higher level. Let’s see what a low level Corinth Paladin can withstand.

“Understood, Lilith. I’m ready,” the woman said and grit her teeth, magic activating as she sheathed her sword and crossed both arms on her chest.

Ilea nodded before they shot off into the distance. The landscape rushed by, moonlight the only source of illumination as soon as they left the vicinity of Halstein. A few minutes passed before the clouds above shrouded the last bits of light, leaving them in utter darkness. Ilea didn’t mind, her sight was just as effective. She noted that the Paladin was still awake but certainly struggling. A few more minutes passed before she saw a glint of light in the distance, a part of the sky colored red, black smoke rising.

“That one of your towns?” Ilea asked.

“I… I cannot see. I’m sorry,” Varya sent back.

Ilea flew closer still, now seeing the walls of the settlement. Two rivers passed the town, one on each side of the square stone wall, dozens of small ships visible on the water, those meant for trading likely unusable by now thanks to the teleportation network of the Accords. A forest of beeches and birches extended along the northern river, extending out into the wilderness. Ilea hovered above a set of fields, many of them not growing a thing despite the summer season.

“Bervon…” Vayra spoke.

Ilea flew closer, seeing the fires raging in the town, a large section in the eastern part entirely alight. Explosions still resounded, small flashes of magical spells visible. She couldn’t see the red flashes of blood magic rituals however.

“So what’s the deal? It’s an official job, right? I go in and clear it out?” Ilea asked.

The woman nodded. “That is supposed to be it… I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Are you sure you alone are enough?”

Ilea watched the spells for another few seconds. “Yes. I’ll go clean up. Until it is done.”

“I have to be there. As witness. You will receive no rewards if I cannot confirm what happened,” Vayra spoke.

“I don’t really care. You’re safer here. I’ll grab you once it’s over,” Ilea said.

“I… want to be there. I want to help, where I can,” the woman said.

“Fair enough, let’s not waste anymore time then,” she said and flew down, teleporting a few times before she dropped the woman on a nearby two story house.

Ilea heard shouts, screams, laughter, and magic. Fires raging in the background. The sky was colored a red hue, black smoke rising from the small town of Bervon. Ilea summoned her ash and formed as many copies of herself as she could. Dealing with a problem of this scale would’ve been impossible for her back when she arrived in Riverwatch, but by now it wouldn’t be an issue, even if the attackers had been elves. But they weren’t elves, nor any kind of four mark beasts.

Just a bunch of low level invaders, overcome with blood lust and power. Go now, and kill them all.

Her ash rushed out and way, Ilea choosing a path where none of them had gone, no limbs on her back as she used up all of her capacity for copies. She flew through a group of raiders, from the northern plains based on their appearance. Barbarians clad in furs to shield them from the cold, wielding crude weapons made to kill large beasts instead of humans. Blood and guts splattered to the side, her wings slashing through the surviving trio, torsos ripped from their legs as she healed the few people on the square that still breathed. She didn’t stay, hearing more screams from ahead.

This is gonna take a while.

______________________

Vayra saw the battle healer rush away, her broad wings moving in the night. She saw ash materialize before horned humanoid beings of the dark material formed around the floating woman, each one of them rushing away into the city, the healer and her ashen creations gone a second later.

She steeled her will and unsheathed her weapon, the wave bladed sword heavy in her hands. Her body enhancement spells activated, her teeth gritting as she felt her strength and resilience increase. The flight alone had taken a lot out of her, but she would fight regardless. Looking down, she jumped off the two story house and landed with knees bending. She grabbed her weapon and rushed down the road, towards the smoke rising in the distance.

Corpses littered the streets and alleys, buildings set alight, homes broken into. Wanton violence the likes of which Varya had never seen. And she was alone, without the healers and Paladins of her Order. Just her.

She slowed when the realization hit her, all the confidence of Lilith convincing her that she could make a difference here, that she too was supposed to fight. The woman had used her ash to bend steel. We are not the same, she thought, raising her blade as she slowed, more aware of her surroundings now. She wasn’t attacking any invaders, she had chosen to be stranded in the den of monsters. A scream resounded from an alley ahead. She grit her teeth and walked forward, a brisk step as she listened and watched, stepping around the corner to find two large men, one of them holding up a struggling woman before he slammed her into the wall of a house.

Varya took in a deep breath before she walked into the alley. She didn’t identify the two people, lest she falter. Hella, give me courage. She used her rush skill to close the distance, her blade cleaving in a horizontal arc and through the neck of the first man. He raised his axe to deflect her blade in the last moment. It didn’t matter. Her momentum coupled with her strength pushed his weapon aside, her blade cutting half way into his thick neck. She gripped her blade and finished the arc, leaving him falling forward with his head barely holding on.

“Bitch,” the second man spoke, throwing the bloodied woman aside as he grabbed two small axes from his belt. He wore no shirt, his leather pants rugged, both clothes and skin covered in blood and ash. His eyes were full of mad joy, his hair shaved at the sides.

Hella, guide my blade.

She held her sword near her shoulder, the tip angled towards the crouching man.

He teleported.

Varya used her twirl skill, using all her strength to hold on to her weapon. Her arms shook when her blade cut through the man’s right arm, coming to a stop halfway into his torso. She looked at his wide eyes and let go of her weapon, feeling the pain in her shoulder, one of his axes wedged inside. Hella, give me strength. She felt the warmth as magic surged within her, her left fist impacting the man’s face, bones shattering as her gauntlet broke in his jaw.

He fell backwards, groaning before they impacted the ground.

Varya raised herself up, wincing as she tried to push herself up with her right arm. She used her knees instead, punching her bloodied gauntlet into the man’s face. Blood splattered to the ground, teeth mixed in with the gore, his skull finally giving in.

She heard the sound in her mind, informing her about the kill.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Axe Wielder – lvl 105]’

Not far below her own level, but not enough to grant her a level either. She grit her teeth and ripped out the axe from her shoulder, hitting the stone wall to her right with her back as she raised her arm to the mangled bit of metal. Her healing flowed into the wound below, stopping the bleeding as well as she could for now. She didn’t use more mana, finding her sword before she walked over to the woman. Still alive, she realized after crouching down. Varya checked her and healed her face and throat, the woman looking around with panic in her eyes.

“Quiet now. You need to hide somewhere,” Varya said. She saw the blood covered brown hair and the terror in the young woman’s face. “In there,” she said, pointing to a splintered door of a nearby home, wood on top of a stone base.

“Y… you killed them,” the woman stuttered as Varya moved her towards the entrance, listening before she entered the ground floor, little visibility inside the dark room. She searched the vicinity and found an entrance to the cellar, ripping open the lock before she opened the small hatch.

“I c… can’t… I can’t go down there,” the woman stuttered, her hands shaking.

“I can’t do anything else for you, I’m sorry. Go down there and wait through the night,” Varya said and pulled the crying woman down into the small room with her, helping her get settled for a minute. She found a blanket and put it onto the woman’s legs before she grabbed her shoulders. “I’m Varya, Paladin of the Corinth Order. You will survive,” she spoke. “May Hella guide you. Be not afraid. Help is on the way.”

An impact resounded from above, silence returning a moment later.

“I have to go,” Varya said.

The woman opened and closed her mouth, sobbing once more as Varya reached the top. She gave the survivor a last look before she closed the hatch, leaving the lock destroyed.

Varya prepared for another fight but found no enemies in the room with her. She closed the door to the home as well as she could, before she moved on, glad she had at least managed to regenerate some of her mana. She checked around the corner and went through an alleyway. Coming out on a square on the other side, she heard a familiar twang from above and used her rush skill to dodge, a crossbow bolt hitting the cobblestone behind her.

She rushed to the wall of a house and found cover, magic lighting up on the other side of the square where two people had hidden, one running towards her with two daggers drawn. Varya looked up to see a woman in leather armor aiming down at her with a crossbow. She fired but her arms had moved in the last moment, the bolt going wide.

The woman fell, her crossbow clattering to the ground before her body impacted the cobblestone with a wet sound. The back of her skull was split open, blood running out of the large opening.

Varya saw how the running attacker slowed and stopped, the mage behind shooting small bolts of fire at a target above her.

“What is that?” the warrior asked with wide eyes as a humanoid form of ash descended, his large sword dodged with an expert and fluid motion, the first punch breaking several bones as it struck his rib cage. The being grabbed his pivoting form, one ashen hand striking into his neck before it tore, ripping away his skull and a part of his spine with a sickening sound of tearing flesh. It let go of the remains and floated straight at the wide eyed mage.

Varya watched with her back to the wall, seeing the mage teleport away, the being of ash following after him, calm returning to the square.

She gripped her sword and took in a deep breath, looking at the severed head on the ground, the warrior’s eyes wide open.

A set of explosions drew her attention to the end of a nearby street, flames spreading over the houses as windows shattered. She saw a group of people rushing over the rooftops, one dark figure following them, this one with wings. Varya watched as all the men vanished and appeared in front of the being, a single wing cutting through them all in one motion. Lilith vanished before the first bits of flesh even hit the rooftops.

She watched the gore splatter down to the ground. I’m not needed here. She considered for a second then smiled to herself, looking at her bloodied sword. Then again, I’m a much more reasonable target to attack than Lilith.

She ran towards the opposite building and jumped, clinging to a window as she sheathed her sword. Once more she jumped, this time holding on to the roof with her hands. She pulled herself up and landed on her feet, crouching in case there were enemies nearby. Varya waved in the general direction where she had seen Lilith go to.

Chapter 810 Rip and Tear

Chapter 810 Rip and Tear

Ilea slowed to a stop, seeing two armed people search through a building, various survivors visible in three of the cellars of the surrounding homes. She teleported in just when one of the warriors opened a hatch. A golden shield formed above the covering people, cries resounding when the bolt struck the barrier.

“W-” one of them spoke before she smashed in his skull.

The second one slashed his sword at her, Ilea ducking before she deflected the blade with a slight motion of her arm, a fist slamming into his bare chest before a wave of arcane healing made his body explode in a shower of flesh and bone. She teleported out and through the streets, identifying more attackers before she sent reverse healing into them through her dominion.

People fell dead while she healed the survivors, more of them hidden away than she had expected based on the streets. There had been quite a few raiders here. A few hundred at least, maybe even a thousand. But the town wasn’t exactly small either and the attacks hadn’t started long ago. Interrupted them right after they killed off the guards and started their looting.

She flew up and checked through the streets, finding the Paladin waving atop one of the buildings. What does she want? She planned her route and flew back down into the streets, killing a few more people on the way before she reached the woman. “What is it?”

“Lilith. The invaders might consider attacking me if they see me, while they would try to hide from you,” Varya said.

“You want to be bait?” Ilea asked.

“Essentially,” the woman said.

Ilea dismissed one of her copies and infused a new one. Follow her at a safe distance and kill anyone who attacks her.

“This one will follow you around,” she sent as she continued her search.

Ilea felt the town was mostly cleared out after fifteen more minutes of rapid flying and killing, her copies doing the same through various sections of the town. She flew up, seeing a group of armed raiders flee northwards through the river and towards the forests. Summoning her wyrm eye cannon, she aimed and considered. They came here to kill and loot. Your choice, she thought and sent a beam out, cutting a horizontal line into the landscape, most of the running people dead instantly as the white flames spread. Ilea aimed again and finished off the last two, if only to end their suffering.

She flew down and opened a gate to the Meadow’s domain. Stepping through, she ignored the prisoners. “I cleared out one of the towns in Kroll but there might still be invaders there. Do you have any teams available to help now?”

“Let me check. Yes. A Sentinel team in Riverwatch according to Aki,” the Meadow answered.

“Let him know he should lead them to my gate location there. I’ll open it in a minute or two,” Ilea sent before she returned, searching for Varya. She found her half a minute later, the woman standing in a square with her bloodied sword in hand, several bodies on the ground around her. “You okay?” Ilea asked as she moved her mantle out of her face, dismissing her copies in the meantime.

The Paladin took in a deep breath and shuddered. She nodded. “This…” she said then shook her head.

Ilea raised her arm and opened a gate to Riverwatch, four Sentinels flying through immediately. Hunters.

“We will secure the city,” the leader spoke, giving Ilea a nod before their group flew up together.

“Thanks,” Ilea sent to them before she checked Varya. She healed her mind in case the experience had been too much for her. “Think you can help me get to the other city?”

“Kait… yes,” she said and shook her head, looking at the corpses before she turned to Ilea. “Apologies, Lilith. I’m ready to go. We need to go west. I think based on your speed, it’s fastest if we fly.”

“Then grab on,” Ilea said as she spread her wings, the woman holding on to her arm before a few ashen limbs formed to stabilize her. Teleporting them up, Ilea charged her wings and flew westward, leaving the still burning city behind, mostly cleared of raiders. She hoped they had gotten most if not all of them.

Fields and forests flew past, Ilea constantly checking the Paladin to make sure she didn’t pass out. Her body was tense, downright locked against the pressure of the speed and air but she made it. Now you can be an astronaut I suppose, she thought.

“Over there,” Varya sent.

Ilea slowed and looked, unable to make out anything in the vicinity.

“The lake to our right. The town is beyond,” the Paladin sent.

She squinted her eyes, able to make out a dark patch beyond the lake. Right. She charged her wings and flew towards their second destination.

Ilea flew above the town, already hearing the familiar screeches of demons. Fuck. She put a set of her mantle onto Varya, flying down towards the streets when she realized most of the monsters were rushing away from her and in the same direction. She followed, her eyes opening wide when she came to the central square of town.

Atop a literal mountain of demon corpses stood a large man covered in ash armor, his arms swinging wide, claws cutting through the demons jumping his way. Guts were ripped out, skulls split and ripped off. Gael killed three more creatures and roared. The demons roared back.

“W… who is that?” Varya asked.

“We’re too late. Let’s look for survivors and make sure no demons escape this place,” Ilea said, flying down to the streets as she checked her dominion. She glanced to the side, seeing the wide eyes of the Paladin. “He’s called Gael. I’m pretty sure he’ll pass even me. In five years, maybe fifty. But I doubt he will stop.”

“That roar…” Varya said and shuddered. “Are you not worried about his health?”

“Against a demon horde?” Ilea asked. “No. And it seems like there’s nothing bigger here.”

“Bigger?” Varya said, more to herself than to Ilea.

“Plenty of survivors still hiding too,” Ilea said, making sure the few demons who missed Gaels challenge dropped dead as she passed, reverse healing killing them in mere moments. She searched through the streets, checking the city gates and the fields beyond. She found a few demons running in seemingly random directions, taking them out with short bursts of Embered Heart through her wyrm eye cannon.

“Two towns in Kroll will be secured soon, please inform Aki. I’m available,” Ilea sent, this time to Claire.

She shot another two demons, flying in a wider arc around the town and into the lake to make sure none had escaped. As best she could at least. She heard coughing when she reemerged from the water. “Right. Sorry, kind of forgot you were there.”

Varya coughed again. “It’s fine. Don’t mind me.”

“Clearing remaining settlements. No further need at the moment. Thank you,” Claire sent back.

“What do you mean, no further need? That’s it?” Ilea asked. I’d join in with Gael but he seemed to have so much fun. The main reason was the fact that she could clear a demon horde like that in less than a minute. Faster if she used her third class and Embered Heart.

“The cities are secure?” Varya asked.

Ilea flew back over the town. “Seems like it,” she said, making a few more rounds just in case she had missed something before.

She hadn’t, Kait considerably smaller than Bervon. Guess this one’s yours, Gael, she thought and opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow, to both stay in the loop and be available in case anyone needed her to deal with something.

“Can I get a teleport to my room,” Ilea sent to the Meadow.

“With the Paladin?” the tree asked.

“Make it the lobby,” Ilea said and deactivated her space magic resistance. They appeared in the Soul Forge.

A war machine looked out from an open doorway, the only current occupant of the structure. “Greetings,” Nelras Ithom spoke.

“Hi,” Ilea said.

“Can someone tell me why everyone left all of a sudden? Are we under attack?” the former monarch asked.

We? Already that familiar? “It should be dealt with soon.”

“Elves or Ascended?” Nelras asked.

“Just human politics,” Ilea answered.

“Oh. Why bother me then? I have work to do,” he grumbled and returned to his metal sheets in the room apparently dedicated to the Ascended rune work.

You’re the one who came to bother us, Ilea thought and rolled her eyes.

“Who… what was that?” Varya asked in a quiet voice.

Ilea stretched. “It’s better you don’t know, trust me. I need a bath. Thanks for showing me the way and helping out.”

The Paladin bowed. “It was an honor. Is it… possible for me to leave to Halstein from here?”

“Sure. Just ask the Meadow,” Ilea said.

“Who is-” the Paladin said and paused. “Oh… I… I see. Yes. Until next time, Lilith.”

“See you,” Ilea said when the woman vanished. “Plucked from the fabric, just like that,” she sent to the tree.

“I hear the Accords have left quite an impression in Virilya,” the Meadow said. “The Kroll towns are clear?”

Ilea teleported up to her room, activating the enchantments to fill her large bath. “They certainly did. I’m glad Alyris accepted our help. The towns should be clear soon, Kait was swarmed by demons but Gael is taking care of it. Survivors hiding in their cellars and attics.”

“So much senseless slaughter,” the Meadow sent. “Hundreds of awakened beings, dead for pride and gold alone.”

“You know it’s more complicated than that. A message has certainly been sent, to anyone that would antagonize us,” she said and relaxed herself into the water, using her ash and heat to bring it to a boil. She sighed and closed her eyes.

“An emergency motion has been prepared by Catelyn, Claire, and myself. The respective leaders have already approved. There is cause for war. Demands have been prepared and will be sent to the Emperor. Aki will be sending an army to their western border to build pressure. Those responsible will be delivered, but we shall abstain from mindless slaughter. Now that the attacks have been averted, we have time to go over the books. All the books, both ours and those of Nipha,” the Meadow sent. “You retain your right to veto. Let me know if you wish to go over the details, otherwise the majority vote of the Ravenhall representatives will be sufficient for your faction.”

Ilea nodded absentmindedly. My faction. She breathed in deeply. “Sure. Hit me with the details.”

“I didn’t expect that,” the Meadow sent.

“I don’t feel like banter,” Ilea said. “But Meadow…”

“Yes, Ilea?”

“Give me the short version.”

She perceived a strange giggle, as if the fabric itself was amused.

Ilea soaked in her heated bath, soon full of lava, thanks to her minor manipulation skill. She sent a message to Felicia as soon as she could. “Give my thanks to Alyris. And an apology. I’m aware of the political implications but it wasn’t my intention.”

“I know, dear. I’ll let her know. Things are still a little chaotic here. See you later?” Felicia sent back.

Why not, Ilea thought, planning to surprise the woman when they were done with the remaining issue of Nipha. Though she didn’t expect any conflict to last particularly long. The demands were reasonable and both Wayland and many of their sources confirmed the Nipha nobility was already tearing itself apart because of the potential conflict.

Glad I’m not one of them right now, Ilea thought and summoned herself a meal, the food catching fire but she simply didn’t mind right now.

“What will happen with the prisoners?” she asked.

“Depending on where they’re from and possible treaties that will come to be, they may be transferred to the respective countries. I’ve been talking to frequently visiting scholars about the issue of imprisonment and the treatment of those incarnated. We might be able to work out a solution with Aki. With the resources available to us, we may find out why people were prone to commit crimes and how we can bring them back into society. Depending of course on the offenses they committed,” the Meadow sent.

“Another Io?” Ilea asked.

“No. We believe that keeping the prisoners in an environment where they are free to interact with each other without outside influence is not conductive to possible change. However I have little data so far,” the Meadow spoke. “The machine army has gathered, if you wish to join. Some representatives of the Accords will be present.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Ilea asked. “Wouldn’t there be too much focus on me?”

“The actions of Aki and other Accords factions in the past hours will be remembered, however Lilith is already a myth. I believe your presence could be beneficial to the outcome of the negotiations. As an additional warning, I suppose,” the Meadow said.

“Then I’ll go,” Ilea said and stood up, stretching as a shroud of ash cleared off the remaining lava from her body. She formed her mantle and cracked her neck. I needed that.

“Claire is present already,” the Meadow spoke.

“Thanks,” Ilea said and warned Claire with a message before she used her third tier transfer to teleport to Nipha.

She appeared on a hill surrounded by a sea of Taleen machines. Torches and magical lights had been set up nearby, an enchanted two story stone structure behind them, Executioners and war machines guarding the building, various mages standing atop.

“Quite a view, isn’t it,” Claire said, the woman standing out in the open, a dwarf excusing himself and returning to the stone structure when he saw Ilea.

Ilea looked eastwards, seeing the machines waiting in the darkness. Neat formations with Hunter Praetorians at the back, Guardian units led by Centurions at the front, Executioners patrolling through the lines with normal Praetorians standing in their own units at each flank. “How many?”

“Eighty thousand,” Claire said.

Ilea whistled. “That’s a lot of experience.”

“Not for you,” Claire said. “A reasonable amount for the task of intimidation. Aki has enough to spare.”

“They’re going to run out of mana out here,” Ilea said.

A nearby Hunter Praetorian glanced their way. “I added twenty gates to the Taleen network. Higher level machines are rotating through Iz.”

She nodded, silent for a while as she looked over the fields, Destroyers flying above with their floodlights illuminating parts of the near endless army.

“Why the formations? I’ve never seen the machines set up like that,” Ilea said.

“We’re negotiating with nobles and Generals. An unstructured horde will seem wild and unpredictable to them, whereas an ordered setup like this will seem both reasonable and dangerous. It has no influence on the battle effectiveness. If anything it would be lower in many scenarios,” Aki explained through the Hunter.

“I see you managed to teleport the Destroyers too,” Ilea said. “They seem a little too large for the gates.”

“They fold,” Aki said.

She shook her head lightly. That seems a little too simple. “How is Virilya? Do you need help getting the machines out of there?”

“Alyris agreed for us to use the gates to Morhill. It will take some time for the entire battalion to return to manageable areas but I didn’t want to bother you again,” Aki said.

“It’s really no issue,” Ilea said.

“It is. I am a part of the Accords, and aim to be an asset to its purpose. Requiring your presence to deploy large amounts of machines in a fast and reliable manner is a problem I aim to solve. The help request for Virilya was an emergency, and your gate allowed for an impressive entrance in addition to the instantaneous connection. Moving the troops out of Virilya is not an emergency,” Aki said.

“Fair enough,” Ilea answered. “I did enjoy my lava bath.”

They stayed outside for a while, a warm summer breeze flowing through the open plains the Accords had chosen for the showcase of their army. Ilea soon started to see torches in the distance, the torchlight reflected off the silver armor of the Nipha troops. Thousands marched towards their location but their hastily gathered troops seemed irrelevant compared to the machines standing before them. Even more so if one knew about the true power of a single Executioner or Hunter Praetorian.

The difference in power was laughable, but Ilea supposed that was the point.

“How many?” Claire asked after a while, the single torches growing into a sea.

“Around twenty four thousand. Fewer than I expected. Emperor Fallant should be present according to our scout reports, including most of the nobility,” Aki said.

“Good. It’s over in that case. Let’s get the formalities over with,” Claire said.

“How is it over?” Ilea asked.

“The nobility would not meet an army like this in the field if they expected a battle,” Aki said.

“So it’s just a dick measuring contest?” Ilea asked.

“Precisely,” Claire said and started towards the stone structure. “Care to join the procession?”

“Sure. I’m so ready to go back to hunting once this is over,” Ilea said.

“And so tremble the monsters in the wild, for Lilith will return,” Claire said, arms spreading as she grinned.

Ilea raised her brows. “Since when are you a bard?”

“It’s a quote. You should read some of the stories that have cropped up. On second thought… maybe don’t,” Claire said.

“Why not?” Ilea asked with a smile.

“Our enemies have aimed to use libel to defame your person and the Accords. Much of it has been caught and destroyed,” Aki said.

“I was more thinking about the sexual content,” Claire said.

Ilea grinned. “Now I’m even more interested. There’s porn about me?”

Chapter 811 The negotiations were short

A note from Rhaegar

Wanted to share a few things I found when I was feeling worse.

One a guide to mental health, with detailed explanations of what our brains do in certain situations. Fascinating and helpful. I watched most of the module on anxiety. Caught myself a lot just knowing what I was doing. Highly recommend (it costs money): https://www.healthygamer.gg/about/guide

Second and free option I've been trying for a while is Wim Hof breathing. Coupled with cold showers. He's a charismatic guy that sounds a bit like a salesman, but the product is free and trying it kinda blew my mind. The cold showers especially. His breathing thing takes 10 minutes. Both has lots to do with our stress hormones and how our body regulates things, and how we can influence it. Highly recommend to try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQ

Have a good week, and thanks for reading :).

Chapter 811 The negotiations were short

Ilea mostly stayed in the background during the talks, Aki keeping her informed about the happenings through telepathy, many of the discussions going over her head due to a lack of context or knowledge on the various laws that governed Nipha.

Most of the talking happened between the present nobility of the Empire, the initial pretense of a united front quickly faltering under the growing pressure. Some were likely ready to crack even before they saw the massive machine army. Seeing the Guardians and the various representatives including Ilea sped up the entire process of the negotiations.

The later presentation of evidence found within the storage items of Elizabeth Pierce and Kerthin Farey pushed them even further. The two hadn’t intended to protect anyone beyond their deaths.

Emperor Fallant sat leisurely in his silver throne at the center of his nobles, one hand propping up his head as he looked towards the Accord representatives with eyes continuously more glazed over. Thin gray hair grew to his shoulders, the silver crown on his head elaborately designed, often moved as if he didn’t exactly enjoy wearing it. His light metal armor was enchanted to the brim, as were the necklace and rings he wore.

Ilea sat into an ashen chair after half an hour, relaxing as she opened herself a bottle of ale. She smiled, watching the growing tension between the Nipha nobles, accusations and evidence being thrown around as the talks proceeded.

Emperor Fallant looked at her, glancing at her ale before he sighed. The man closed his eyes and reopened them, magic surging from his form. “Enough!” he called out, startling the nobility near and behind him, many of them apparently confused by the sudden outburst.

“Our armies are no match for the machines and peoples of the Accords. I tire of this charade,” he said and stood up, turning around to address his nobles. Some flinched back at his glare. “This is an embarrassment. Vultures in my own court, picking at scraps in the face of war, betraying each other to our perceived enemy.” He shook his head, much like a disappointed father. A ruler who had given up, or perhaps one who finally chose to take responsibility for his inaction.

“These attacks are despicable. If we cannot face our enemy on the field of battle, we are no more than an order of assassins. We will accept the machines and any agents of the Accords within our lands, to conduct a thorough investigation,” he said and grinned, glaring at the Executioner present in the tent before he took a few steps towards it. “Times are changing. I will not have our people leave for Lys or the Accords to seek a better life. I will not have our knights die to a foe we are too proud to negotiate with. Our scouts know that Lys is preparing an army to face us as well. You there, Lilith, tell them they are welcome to join these talks. Tell them they may send their agents into our lands.”

“As you wish,” Ilea sent before she checked with the Accords representatives. None had an issue with it. She informed Felicia and received the answer to get her in half an hour. “They’ll be here in half an hour.”

The Emperor smiled. “I failed to keep the corruption out of my court. Perhaps you will be more successful.”

Ilea smiled. “Not me. The Accords. I’m just who they send to fight whatever is threatening us.”

“We are willing to pay reasonable reparations for the damage and death sown by those organizing within our borders, ignored or tolerated, perhaps even supported by high nobility of Nipha. Contracts with your machines will be formed, in all sectors that are possible,” he spoke, quite a few of the nobles only now reacting. Some gasped, others grit their teeth.

He’s deciding to make enemies within his own court, Ilea thought, looking at the slight grin on his face. And he looks ten times more alive for it all.

“Let’s get this over with. Speak your demands,” the Emperor said and approached the table between them.

Ilea continued drinking her ale, later getting Felicia and about two hundred Lys soldiers and nobles to the makeshift camp at the Nipha borders.

Emperor Fallant was all too happy to accommodate both the Accords and Lys.

There was a break about an hour in, several people sitting together to draft the first sets of contracts.

Ilea left for a breather, taking a sip of ale as she looked at the moons above, shining within a sea of stars. It was a clear night, the climate warm across most of the central Plains. She watched the remaining machine army, constantly rotating to fuel itself with mana from whatever underground facility Aki moved them to. She flew to a nearby hill for a better view, sitting down on the grass as she felt a soft breeze flow past.

“Absolutely terrifying,” a familiar voice said.

Felicia landed next to her, the formal gray vest and pants she wore replaced by leather armor before she let herself fall onto the grass.

“I’m a stunning figure, what can I say?” Ilea said absentmindedly.

“All of it automated. I had nightmares about these machines, constantly looking for the right dungeon that would lead to our father’s prison. And now they’re here, in the open, controlled by a friend of the healer I nearly beheaded,” Felicia said.

Ilea smiled, remembering their first meeting. “You were a little different then.”

Felicia smiled. “A broken thing.”

Ilea moved closer and hugged the woman.

“Dealing with the horrors my House has put us through. With the vengeance of my brother. The people I murdered. You were a reprieve. A reminder of what life could be like. And now here we are,” she spoke.

“Here we are,” Ilea said, kissing her cheek.

“Your machines will have to work overtime to prevent a large scale civil war in Nipha, or at least localized fights between the noble Houses. Emperor Fallant has lost control of his court and now he shifts all of the responsibility onto both the Accords and Lys. I’ll be honest, our resources are spread thin as is, with the territory of Baralia and all the technology your factions has brought to the world,” Felicia said.

“You worry too much,” Ilea said, patting her head. “Look at it,” she said, the two watching the flying Destroyers, the thousands of Guardians. “We’ve discussed a potential war with the Elven domains, I think we can handle Nipha.”

“I just hope to prevent further bloodshed,” Felicia said.

“You did cheer me on when I deactivated all those traps. With quite a bit of bloodshed,” Ilea said.

Felicia turned red and pushed her away, not quite in earnest. “You got heavier again.”

“Scandalous accusations,” Ilea said. “Besides, more density is a good thing. All my friends say so.”

The Redleaf noble raised her brows and rolled once on the grass. She plucked a flower and twirled it between her fingers. “The opinion of Fae and ancient Trees do not concern me. You should listen to your human friends. How long until you crush me?”

Ilea rolled and stopped above her, feeling her hands sink into the soft earth. She grinned. “Then maybe you should work on your resilience. But remember, I’m a healer,” she said and moved down to kiss her.

Felicia giggled. “You’re ridiculous. Our factions are negotiating for peace and we’re out here… doing this.”

“Nobody is here. Other than the tens of thousands of machines,” Ilea said and looked up, considering. “Or the tens of thousands of knights, warriors, and mages from Nipha.”

Felicia tried to push her off but failed. She used her wind magic instead, with the same result.

Ilea smiled and rolled away.

“You’re too strong,” Felicia said, crossing her arms in front of her.

“You weren’t so bothered by that a few days ago,” she said.

Felicia tapped Ilea’s nose. “I do enjoy your power, when it suits me.” She grinned, going in for another kiss.

“We’re negotiating for peace, Felicia. Please,” Ilea said before the woman kissed her again to shut her up.

The wind mage laid back down on the grass and smiled. “I do like peace.”

“As long as there are monsters to fight, and magic to be trained. Bouts are fun too,” Ilea said, holding herself up on one elbow.

“They can be fun, yes,” Felicia said, touching Ilea’s neck. “And I’m sure there will always be monsters somewhere. Are you going back to Kohr soon? Or will you finally explore another continent in this realm?”

“I think I’ll stick with Kohr for now,” Ilea said. “Less chance of anything dangerous following me from another realm. I’ve nearly fucked up with the Caverns of Rot, and I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened to Hallowfort if we hadn’t destroyed that corrupted Sand Elemental.”

“A reasonable concern,” Felicia said, summoning a glass of wine into her hand.

“Drinking during a diplomatic mission? Perhaps I should inform the Empress of your irresponsible behavior,” Ilea spoke, before drinking from her ale.

“Feel free to write up a report. My… friendship with you has made me more influential in the past months than I ever hoped for,” Felicia said.

Ilea lied down, looking up at the moons. A few clouds had moved in to slightly obscure one of them. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. A part of me is hurt that your importance in the world is impacting the political standing of House Redleaf, but I knew that I would have to be pragmatic when I chose to take over what little my father had left behind. In the end, it doesn’t matter why others listen to my opinion, as long as the change I wish for is enacted,” Felicia spoke.

“It doesn’t sound easy,” Ilea said.

“Nobody claimed it would be. It’s why I wanted to leave it all behind.”

“You still could, you know.”

Felicia glanced at her, yellow eyes reflecting the moonlight. She smirked. “Virilya is a pit of snakes. And you know, I do sometimes still enjoy beheading others. But it’s so much more satisfying if they see everything around them crumble, their cruelty and greed turning to pain and regret. And I’ll be there, unbeknownst to them, picking up the broken pieces and adding them to my own little haven,” she spoke, her index finger tracing the rim of her now empty glass.

“Just don’t turn into one of them,” Ilea said, tapping the woman’s forehead.

“How could I? After everything? Nobody will suffer like we did, not if I can help it,” Felicia said.

They remained silent for a while.

“How are they?” Ilea asked.

Felicia looked at her before she sat up, hugging her knees. “Edwin is adventuring somewhere in the west, last I heard. He’s… a little better. Aliana is positively annoying. Chipper and in love. She hardly walks anymore, skipping everywhere and whistling happy tunes while she butchers her meat.”

“Does she still eat people?” Ilea asked, remembering the stares the woman had given her initially.

“I don’t know if she ever did, though I wouldn’t be surprised. We did kill quite a few humans in our time,” Felicia said.

“Well, most of the Elves I know would think her reasonable, for not wasting the meat,” Ilea said.

“She would feel right at home,” Felicia said.

“What about Maria?” Ilea asked.

The woman was silent for a while before she sighed. “She… sometimes still works for me, but most of the time I don’t know where she is, or what she does. Killings happen, people go missing. I sometimes ask myself how many of them are her. She’s… angry. I don’t know if she’ll ever find peace.”

Ilea took in a deep breath.

“I asked her once, back when we were hunting for father. When they would stop. When it would be over,” Felicia said and shook her head. “When all of them are dead, is what she said.”

“She might be killed at some point,” Ilea said.

“I know that,” Felicia said. “She has lost herself to vengeance. Too long did she rot in that dungeon. I hope one day, she will stop, find peace. In life, or in death.”

Ilea didn’t reply. She hadn’t known Maria for near as long as Felicia had. She just hoped her decision to let her go back in Baralia hadn’t led to the death of innocents. A part of her knew that wouldn’t be the case, but at the same time she couldn’t deny the part that wished for those abusing their power to be hunted down. She herself would not choose such a path, though already she had gotten involved in morally questionable situations. She remembered the corpses in the estate belonging to Elizabeth, the people chained and used. Ilea didn’t regret what she did. What they had done. But she was glad the Accords were around now, possibly enforcing systematic change through laws and the subsequent enforcement, instead of vigilante justice.

“That’s why I enjoy fighting monsters,” Ilea murmured.

Felicia smiled. “I know.” She moved over and hugged her again.

“We should go back soon,” Ilea said.

“A few more minutes. Once this meeting is over, I’ll be busy again for weeks, if not months,” Felicia said.

“So is the fate of the head of House Redleaf,” Ilea spoke, using her space manipulation to pluck a few flowers out of the grass, hovering them in the air before she tried to intertwine them.

“Yes. And I love it,” Felicia said. “And you probably won’t be as busy after this demonstration of power. Lilith is just one piece of the Accords, not its entirety. I think everyone who hadn’t known realized as much in the past week.”

“Let’s hope so. I don’t exactly feel like dealing with another underground group of slavers and kidnappers,” Ilea said.

“Yes, let others deal with them,” Felicia said. “We will have to show off as well, if we want to stay respected.”

“Hard to make a point in the face of Aki’s machines,” Ilea said.

“We don’t have to prove ourselves to the Accords, but to our people,” Felicia said. “Most of them wouldn’t know the difference between your magical prowess and mine.”

“Way to be a noble, calling the plebs stupid,” Ilea said.

“Less experienced, high level, and perhaps less educated. Those are facts, not arrogance,” Felicia said. “And I do try to rectify those disparities, as do you.”

Ilea let go of the woman and stood up, stretching as she looked at the stars one last time. “Speaking of which. The magic academy I mentioned. With Aki as is, and the gates, we’ll have plenty of teachers for all kinds of classes.”

“The one in Ravenhall,” Felicia said.

“Yeah. I still think Edwin could be a good fit. He’s just enough of a dick to push potential students,” she said. “Those sane enough not to join the Sentinels that is.”

“I remember a time when joining the Shadow’s Hand was the craziest thing an adventurer could feasibly do,” Felicia said as they started towards the stone building a few hundred meters away, clusters of soldiers and machines standing on each side, the former equipped with torches, the latter only visible due to their shining green eyes and the occasional floodlight from a passing Destroyer.

“You sound like an old woman,” Ilea said.

“Time isn’t a good measure for how fast things are moving,” Felicia said.

“An old philosopher,” Ilea said.

Felicia smiled and raised a finger to her lips, shushing her.

Ilea for once, shut the fuck up.

The remainder of the talks was cluttered with formalities, contractual details, responsibilities, and a long discussion on how much reparations have to be paid to whom.

Ilea healed her mind, trying not to snap at the entire present nobility for the fact that they were haggling over gold when hundreds had died, tens of thousands left to hunker down in their homes, fearing for their lives because a bunch of power hungry nobles decided to play their game. She knew the whole process would protect tens of thousand more, and would prevent something like this from happening again. Plus she knew neither the Accords nor Lys would slack in their investigations. People would pay for the decisions they had made, judged by Nipha or someone else.

And she wouldn’t have to be involved.

The most enjoyable part of the discussion came when Emperor Travir Fallant of Nipha asked Aki for a protective detail through Ilea’s telepathy, knowing he would be swarmed by assassins and nobles with nothing to lose as soon as he returned to his capital.

She left the decision to Aki and the Accords, getting a summary of the various deals and finding nothing majorly wrong with them. Politics remained politics however. But it was either this or a rule of power by Aki and the Accords.

She thought they could do better.

Ilea distracted herself by tracking her huntress marks in the last half hour of the talks, the skill lagging behind, being the lowest leveled one in the whole bunch. Kohr Kohr Kohr, how long will those disgusting void monsters still provide suitable growth? How many of them are even there? How big is the realm or planet anyway?

She shuddered, thinking of possible alternatives where she could find challenges. The large eye of the Leviathan came to mind, as did Audur, and the Monarch of the Sky domain. Though she had to admit the elf didn’t exactly compare to the previous two monsters. Let’s hope he remains in his domain until I can swat him away like a fly.

Ilea smiled, playing with a bit of ash as she waited. Nobody bothered her, nobody asked if she wanted to leave, and she remained informed about the proceedings, thanks to Aki’s uncanny ability to summarize complex economic agreements.

She stood up and cracked her shoulders when everyone prepared to pack up. Looking up at the stone ceiling, she knew she was ready for a hunt.

Chapter 812 Search

Chapter 812 Search

Ilea let her legs dangle as she sat on the cliff, eating a hot soup as she looked onto the landscape. She glanced down at the salt stone, hoping it wouldn’t break again due to her weight. It was one of the best views she had found in Kohr after all, in months of being here.

She could see the ocean to her left, still kilometers away and exactly where she wanted it to be. Away from her. The landscape itself was cracked and broken, the occasional demon rushing or flying past in the distance. Hunting. Always hunting. Just like her.

Ilea smiled, raising the bowl to her mouth as she slurped the rest of her third breakfast. Fighting four marks was exhausting. Well not really, not with her regeneration, mind healing, and the sheer joy it gave her.

“Found anything?” she asked, seeing the silver machine approach through the air.

“I lost another two hundred guardians to this place,” the Executioner complained.

Ilea raised her brows. “Oh, so that’s an issue now? I thought you had resumed production.”

“I did. But resources aren’t infinite. I’m questioning if this is worth the investment,” he said.

“A few hundred Guardians versus one or two levels for me. Of course it’s worth the investment,” she said with a grin. “Maybe you should send Hunters and Destroyers instead. They might survive a little longer.”

“You’re more than capable of finding four marks yourself,” it said.

Ilea sighed, summoning a bottle of cold water. With no salt. Salt annoyed her. Five months it had been, since the talks at the borders of Nipha. Five months of searching, fighting, training, teaching, fighting, and more searching. Mostly searching. She missed Erendar at this point, though even there she assumed there wouldn’t be unlimited Daughters of Sephilon coming to eat her.

“You know I’m looking for different four marks. Not the same types I’ve fought a hundred times by now,” she said. To think creatures a thousand levels above her own would provide single or sometimes even no levels to her due to sheer familiarity. It was ridiculous. A meat grinder just to get to the level she was at. Anyone in want to achieve the same would first have to find another realm full of four mark beings.

“We both know where to find them.” The Executioner’s green eyes lighting up for a split second.

“I’m not going swimming,” Ilea said. “It’s cold. And wet.”

“And scary. Lilith the brave. Lilith, war hero of the Accords. Lilith, savior and Sentinel. Scared of water,” the machine spoke.

“How are you even capable of all this banter? I thought the Sphere couldn’t reach here,” Ilea said.

“An Executioner has a surprising amount of brain power, so to speak. Annoying you isn’t taking up much of its storage,” the machine said. Truly a machine now, autonomous and not capable of complex thought. Aki let her take one to Kohr, in addition to a bunch of Guardians for her to command. Apparently she had complained about finding worthy opponents for too long.

“Simulated banter,” Ilea murmured.

“Don’t be sad, little human. As soon as I return, Aki will know everything I learned,” the Executioner said.

“Your Executioner is being a dick,” she sent to Aki. The real one. Violence only visited sometimes, and for most others, Kohr was far too dangerous. There were plenty of dungeons and dangerous monsters in Elos. She just thought it reasonable to use this place for as much training as she feasibly could. No danger of luring a monster to Ravenhall or any other settlement. No danger of causing any wars. Well perhaps inter realm wars but the Architect remained the only Ascended she had met in this realm, and only due to the trap he had lain. Nor did she expect any major issues from Kohr, the Olym Arcena, the Unity of Ascended broken millennia ago.

What surprised her more than the lack of new four marks was the fact that she still hadn’t found any major facilities. The few she had come across by chance were already scrapped, dismantled, looted, or entirely destroyed. Weavy had no clue where exactly she was in the realm and Hereven straight up refused to go back to Kohr. Nes was the main reason Ilea found any facilities at all but Ascended were secretive, and didn’t like their bases meddled with. Masters of enchantments and metal magic. In a few places she found hundreds of meter wide chunks of steel, entire underground dens reduced to scrap. A lot of it, but still scrap.

Talking to the locals turned out difficult as well. Sure, she could’ve offered them a trip to Elos but she didn’t exactly trust any of them not to start a murder spree and demon plague as soon as they arrived. And imprisoning or forcing them to share anything didn’t seem right. She wasn’t in a hurry to find anything. Ah the privilege of ethics, she thought.

“I had to leave some of that in there. Otherwise you wouldn’t know it was me,” came Aki’s response.

She smiled, stretching as she considered going back to Hallowfort for a bath. She would see Felicia in a few days and there was the bi weekly Accords meeting coming up.

Ilea had expected them to call on her more but the situation in the Plains had calmed down considerably. There were of course occasional issues but nothing the related governments or organizations couldn’t deal with on their own.

“Elves near Salia. Stalled by Shadows and Centurions. Report if available,” Claire sent to her, Aki’s presence allowing them to coordinate the hourly messages to Ilea.

Again?

“Sure, I’ll have a look. Be there in a minute,” she sent and opened a gate to Iz. “See you,” she said to the Executioner who went to hide in a nearby crevice.

“If I’m still around. Leaving me behind like so-” the machine spoke before the gate closed.

“Yes, yes,” Ilea thought as her wings spread. She teleported through the bustling city, hearing music and street vendors below. She saw mostly dwarves and Dark Ones, most humans not keen on living underground, even with how extensive the ancient capital remained. She couldn’t spot a single adventurer either, the depths at which Iz lay far too dangerous for near all of them, and one of the reasons no Cerithil Hunter had made it this far in the past.

She found a gate hall that connected to the dwarven network, a Praetorian already present with its key. “Cheers,” she said before the gate activated, Ilea appearing somewhere in the wilderness near Salia. She teleported up and spread her wings. Snow covered forests were all she could see, the sky gray, cold winds whipping at her ashen wings.

Aki was informed, his taleen network spreading just as much as the Accord one did, and an option for their people and troops to move without the same restrictions on the other gates. The risk was deemed acceptable, with some general additions from Iana and the Meadow. With rogue gate technology around and both independent and paid enchanters working to improve them, the Accords didn’t see a reason to prevent Aki from expanding even further.

She charged her wings and sped up, soon seeing distant explosions as the forests moved past. Ilea teleported one last time, appearing before a flying Shadow. She stopped the approaching Elf with her space manipulation, checking the surroundings. There were three of them, all hissing her way, all just above level two hundred.

Bored children, she thought. “Anyone injured?” she sent to the few Shadows around her. Two of the Centurions on the snowy ground were destroyed, an additional one damaged. Not bad for their level.

[Fire Mage – lvl 212]

She looked at the young elf in her grasp, his anger obvious despite her restraining him.

“We should be fine without additional healing,” the Shadow answered. Someone she hadn’t met before, his black plate armor obscuring his face and most of his features.

Ilea opened a gate and moved the elf through, the other two rushing her with their spells. Not the brightest ones either, she thought and opened the gate, this time right in front of them. One managed to avoid it but she instead teleported him into her hand and threw him into the opening herself. Not much value in talking to them, she had learned as much.

“Lilith, there were ranged light magic spells coming from that direction,” one of the flying Shadows said, pointing westward.

Ilea looked down, seeing an elf hiding behind a bunch of trees while looking towards them. He did attack us. Technically. She charged her wings and flew straight at him, his teleport not helping much as she simply used her own to track his spell. Two more and she caught up, Ilea grabbing the neck of his armor before she turned him around.

[Light Mage – lvl 217]

The elf was pale and thin, his white hair falling nearly to his lower back. “Hello,” she said with a smile as the elf slashed at her ash mantle with his claws. “Don’t injure yourself,” she said and healed the minor damage he had done to himself.

“Human monster,” he spat with venom, a beam of light shooting out at her face.

“Yes. I know. Are you done?” she asked in a bored tone, the magic failing to burn even into her eyes. Not quite a monarch. Though I suppose I’m glad for that fact. Just kind of.

“Kill me, I will not be taken prisoner by your kind,” the elf spat.

Ilea ignored him, flying up as she checked the surroundings before finally going through a gate herself. She found three separate barriers protecting the elves, their angry little faces staring at her as soon as she appeared. Hisses resounded.

She hissed back, enhancing her voice with monster hunter. Two of them froze.

“Oh, you are young ones,” she murmured.

“I won’t be able to protect them for much longer,” the Meadow spoke.

“I know. Lads I’m sorry, but I think this is for your own good. It’s going to hurt for a little while, but Isalthar does like his dungeon,” she said. “Do it.”

She deactivated her resistance before the five of them were moved down into the Descent. The tenth layer to be exact, and the home of a Young Lightning Elemental.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Descent dungeon’

Neither the Meadow nor Ilea restrained the elves as they took a few steps and started screaming, hissing, and collapsing. She focused on her mark but decided not to bother the elf yet. It would take about an hour for the group to recover.

She sat down on the ground and kept an eye on the misguided youth, healing both the terror in their minds and most of the damage in their bodies. Her magic couldn’t deal with the main issue however. That, they would have to get through themselves.

“Hello there. I know you’re terrified, very angry, and in pain. Know that at least the last bit will pass soon. I’ll make sure you don’t die,” she said and checked on the mark. Oh, he’s coming back anyway.

“Got a few young ones who attacked a settlement, they’re adjusting as we speak,” Ilea sent.

“I will be there shortly, Lilith,” came the answer of the Cerithil Hunter, his voice joyous.

Always so chipper. How Lutherian.

The comparison was perhaps not apt. What Isalthar was doing amounted more to people getting others out of cults.

Ilea only had to wait a few minutes until the elf appeared, followed by the Lightning bird that lived on this floor. She gave the bird a look. Never chose to hang out with me, but a white haired elf appears and suddenly you’re game to have adventures together.

The bird didn’t look at her, flying with its head held high.

I don’t need you either. I have Fae friends.

“I still do not understand your animosity, Ilea,” Isalthar spoke, looking at the ascending elemental. “It is such a peaceful creature. Truly beautiful.” He smiled and looked at the convulsing Elves. “So inexperienced. Where did they attack?”

“And I still don’t understand why you always want me to talk to them instead of the Meadow,” she said.

Isalthar approached in a floating manner, touching her shoulder as he hissed in an appreciative manner. “To be defeated by a human. It is humbling. It already shatters their believes and makes them more receptive to more.”

“How manipulative,” Ilea said.

“The goal remains to free them of the Oracles and the ancient ways. They should be free to make choices, but I wish to inform them adequately. Knowing their lack of power in comparison to one such as thee, it is a boon,” the elf spoke. “Thank you, for bringing them.” He bowed.

“Sure,” Ilea said. “They attacked in the west. Salia. A city that was destroyed years ago, by elves from the Fire Wastes. Or so I assume.”

“Salia. I remember, yes. Humanity is expanding quickly once more. It won’t be long now, until Chosen or Ancients will take notice,” he spoke and gave her a long look with his white eyes. “Though I see you have not been idle.”

Ilea grinned. “No. I haven’t. Though I wouldn’t say no to a good fight. You still don’t think an entire domain will move to fight?”

“It is unlikely, if you do not incite the Oracles. Though the closer you get to the Wastes of Fire, the more will be interested,” Isalthar said.

Elfie and Feyrair appeared nearby, closing in as they looked at the still convulsing Elves.

“I can see your smile,” Ilea said, pointing at the ancient elf.

“I had not expected this cooperation to be quite as fruitful, after our venture into Iz that is,” Isalthar spoke.

“Was that a pun?” she asked.

He raised his brows. “I do not know of what you speak.”

“Feigning ignorance, sure,” Ilea said. He wasn’t wrong. Kidnapping young elves from their territories was apparently not an easy operation. Not for the Hunters at least. For Ilea it was another story altogether. Of course she refused to just steal random elves from their domains. Even though they were living under ancient oracles, she didn’t wish to impose her own views on them, or those of the Cerithil Hunters. With the Taleen machines no longer a threat, the moral high ground they had stood on was shrinking as well.

What she didn’t have an issue with however, was transporting elves that attacked settlements to the domain of the Meadow, and subsequently to the Descent. If they chose to go and hunt much weaker humans, they were ready to face the consequences.

I am the consequences.

Ilea just wasn’t entirely sure if bringing them here was actually better than killing them on the spot. Horrible pain, followed by an existential crisis on a level she couldn’t quite comprehend. They were cursed as soon as they entered a dungeon, but in a way she thought of it as forced therapy.

At the end of the day, they had attacked human settlements. And now they had to either adapt, or die.

“Another four,” Fey said, glancing at Ilea. “Might be word is getting around.”

“Word of missing elves?” Ilea asked.

“Word of a worthy challenge to the east,” Feyrair spoke.

She would’ve long delegated the task of elven defense to the Cerithil Hunters but the common people living in the Plains had yet to learn of the elven presence. Most of them at least. Slow acceptance and change was required. Bringing any allied elves into the public remained a political nightmare.

“Yeah. I’m still waiting for a worthy challenge from the west,” she said.

Feyrair hissed. “I told you we could go and attack a domain. Plenty of high level elves just waiting to be challenged.”

“I don’t want to step on any insecure egos, Fey. The damage they could do is catastrophic,” she said.

He hissed again. “You’re not the same woman I met. Humans change so quickly.”

“You should see the monsters I fight,” she said with a grin.

His eyes lit up. “Bring me then.”

“I’m not going to babysit you, Fey. You’ve got enough challenges in the North,” she said.

He hissed, showing his teeth, more frustrated than anything.

I’m winning, she thought, glancing at Elfie, the barrier mage crouching down next to one of the mages she had brought.

“Thank you, Ilea. For saving them,” he spoke.

She gave him a nod, not about to start the discussion again. They had talked about it plenty. “Have fun trying to convince them of your ways,” she said.

He smiled, showing his sharp teeth. “Many have already listened. These here will learn to be free as well.” He hissed.

Ilea hissed back, supportive, though she was perhaps not quite as hopeful as he. “I’ll inform you when more of them attack.” She hoped the sky monarch wouldn’t take interest anytime soon. “Good luck with them.”

“Thank you, Ilea,” Isalthar said and bowed again.

“Pleasure,” she answered, looking up before she vanished.

The Meadow had brought her back to its domain where she pointed at the cube and vanished again, this time appearing in her room. “Thanks,” she sent as the bath started filling with water.

“Of course. Any success in Kohr?” the Meadow asked.

“The usual. I moved to a new area, will train a little in Iz before I go back though. Let me know if anything comes up,” she said with a tired sigh.

“Maybe sleep a few hours before. You look exhausted,” the Meadow sent.

“I told you it’s just the missing sun in Kohr. Doesn’t help that it’s winter here,” she answered, thinking if perhaps meeting the Sanvaruun wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. Perhaps he could provide some sunlight.

Chapter 813 Isn’t this why you’re here? Are you not entertained?

Chapter 813 Isn’t this why you’re here? Are you not entertained?

Ilea did eventually summon her bed, leaving the lava to cool off in the nigh indestructible stone bath provided by the Meadow. The molten rock provided some warmth in the room though she did send a bit of ash over to cover the light. Her bed she reinforced with ash as well, though she found the mattress itself nowhere near as comfortable as it had been in the past. Wyvern feathers, was it? I guess at this point I’d need Trakorov scales or something.

She slowly formed an ashen framework and put her bed away once more, the ash spreading out before it caught her. Could infuse it with the command of being comfortable. Hey, why not actually, she tried and found the ash changing shape to accommodate her wishes. Ilea smiled, pulling the ash blankets closer. The perfect bed.

The only problem remained that she wasn’t exactly tired. Yes, she hadn’t slept in a long while. Yes, she had fought to near death dozens of times. And yes, she had spent two entire months finding the most efficient ways to level Eternal Huntress.

Compared to eating however, she couldn’t just start to sleep.

So what else do I need to work on?So many things fought and killed. Almost feels like I’m cleaning up Kohr. As if it were some massive dungeon. She smiled at herself, wondering why none of the Ascended had done what she was doing. They were at a higher level after all, and with their preparation skills. Maybe they’re just not resilient enough to even risk it. Calling me a weak being of flesh, then having to defend against my attacks. Fucking pathetic.

Or it could just be because they can’t handle fighting the monsters they themselves created. What is left of the Navuun. She wondered if the massive void monsters were really made from Navuun. Or if their appearance had to do with the missing sun. I bet they’re just straight up too weak. Vor Elenthir defended against my attacks when I was at three hundred and I bet I could’ve pushed Ker Velor if not for his facility.

She did assume neither used everything they had, but then what was the point of a serious fight? If they hadn’t even taken her seriously, how would they advance their levels at all?

The thought of a four mark flying void monster absolutely destroying an Ascended brought her some joy as she absentmindedly scrolled through the messages from the past months.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ж̢͖и͚̮̹̮̙͙͕́͟з̴̶̺̱͎́н̢͉̖͖̤͘ь̳͔͎͟ – lvl 1662]

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [з͎̠͇̲̖͕͞͠а͇̬м̛͇͔͉̩̞͍͜ͅе͉͓́͜ч͚͎̞̗̬̤̀е̮̖̻͉̬͟͡н̢̘̟н̵̛̣̬͚̰̗ы̴̡͓̖̩͓̙̦й̘̫͈̯̀͟ – lvl 1820]

Ilea realized soon after starting her extended hunt that the creatures, while similar looking and equipped with similar magic, weren’t exactly the same. Not just the names were different but the way they fought. Some were more defensive, others ridiculously aggressive. All of them attacked her on sight however, and didn’t communicated in any way, leaving her with little qualms about her actions. Even Violence called them monsters, though she did consider the possibility of them simply being too strange for even the little Fae to understand. Something she assumed the critter would never admit to.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 625 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 626 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 736 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 622 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 623 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 733 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 615 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 616 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 732 – One stat point awarded’

Take that, Maureen. I bet it took you centuries to get to your level. She giggled a little, knowing she had an entire realm of high level creatures to herself. While they did offer fewer rewards as time went on, the fact that Kohr existed just made her excited to find other places like it. Monster infested hells just waiting for her. Fighting the same similar creatures wasn’t just less rewarding for her Classes and skills, it just became more boring. Though she had to admit that a hundred levels with no evolutions or any major changes to her skills only somewhat made the fights easier or less dangerous. She assumed the main thing she benefited from was simply her experience in fighting the creatures.

With all her teleportation skills, Primordial Shift, and her increased perception in dangerous situations, the Architect’s trap remained the most dangerous experience she somewhat recently had in Kohr. Of course she had fled from the underwater creature, unsure as to how much danger she had really been in. It had certainly felt terrifying.

Out of her whopping 1238 new stat points, she used 225 to get her Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity to six hundred each. The rest went into her three main attributes, leaving her with twenty nine remaining stat points she held on to for now. The growth was noticeable in her battles against the monsters of Kohr and her training with both the Meadow and the Core Guardians, though the progress had been slow and gradual, same as with her remaining skill growth.

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Transfer [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 17’

...

‘ding’ ‘Eternal Sight [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

Ilea’s eyes twitched when she came across the Huntress notifications again, all the marks in her mind suddenly much closer. She took in a deep breath and shuddered, meditating and circulating arcane healing through her brain. Never again. Please, please don’t let me get it to the fourth tier. I don’t want to.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 5’

She was busy focusing on her meditation and healing, simply ignoring the notification as she kept her breathing steady.

Reaching the end of the enhanced third tier in her Arcane Eternal Class hadn’t unlocked an option for the fourth tier, though Ilea assumed she was just missing some other requirements. It did give her a core point at least.

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 16’

…

‘ding’ ‘Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 28’

…

‘ding’ ‘Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Vision of Ash [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

Her Ashen Titan skills at least leveled organically during the often several days long battles with the landscape sized void monsters. As did the skills for the Primordial Arbiter. Those even leveled faster than the rest, the flame of creation one of the most important aspects in dealing with the eldritch creatures.

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 17’

...

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Shift [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Fabric Tear [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Reality Warp [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

…

‘ding’ ‘Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Manipulation [Enhanced] reaches 3rd lvl 30’

A few of her general skills reached the end of the second tier, Ilea choosing some of them to advance to the third.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 14’

…

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 15’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 3’

…

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 18’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Bulwark of Ash - 3rd lvl 1

Many times have you used walls of ash to defend yourself and your allies. Resilience of ashen walls is increased by 40.5%.

2nd stage: Required manipulation for wall like structures made of ash are reduced by a static 20%

3rd stage: Once every ten seconds you may use up to 5000 point of mana to instantly summon a set of walls in the orientation and form that you envision.

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 11’

…

‘ding’ ‘Dancing reaches lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Drill - 2nd lvl 1

You have used your body and ash to form what is essentially a human powered drill. While quite silly, the devastating attacks showed results. Drills spin 50% faster.

2nd stage: Any drills you use deal a static 25% more damage.

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Drill reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 13’

…

‘ding’ ‘Gourmet reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Heavy Archery reaches lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Minor Earth Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Minor Ice Manipulation – 2nd lvl 1

You have learned to form ice from surrounding sources of water and may manipulate it in a limited manner.

2nd stage: Your ability to increase the integrity and density of ice both formed by you and found in the environment is enhanced greatly.

Category – Ice Magic

‘ding’ ‘Minor Ice Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 4’

…

‘ding’ ‘Minor Lava Manipulation reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 23’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 8’

…

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Sage of Torment reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Soul Perception reaches 2nd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 12’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Spear of Ash 3rd lvl 1

You have mastered the ability to form and throw spears made of ash. Damage dealt with ashen spears is increased by 30.5%.

2nd stage: Ash formed into spear like shapes requires 50% less focus and harmony to maintain.

3rd stage: The penetrative power of any ashen spears is increased by a static 50%. Every ten seconds you may use a maximum of 5000 mana to instantly form one or more spears made of ash.

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Star Touched reaches lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Star Touched reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Teaching reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 10’

…

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 18’

The upgrades to Bulwark and Spear of ash were quite a boon. The damage bonuses they provided were additive as everything else, but her ability to invest five thousand mana every ten seconds to instantly form both walls and spears allowed for a noticeable increase in both her defense and offense. Mainly it allowed her to stay in the battle for longer, the walls letting her tank a single hit while her teleportation was on cooldown, usually without having to use her healing. And the spears were self explanatory. The more ash she could throw at the monsters, the faster they were covered in the fires of creation.

She hadn’t allocated much of her time to figure out Star Touched, enough skills and abilities to work on that felt like a higher priority. Still she earned a few levels by doing everything else, likely because at the end of the day, she was exposed to the light of stars during much of her time, at least in Elos.

Her resistances mostly benefited from the Core Guardians she trained with regularly. By now she was glad to be done with her Huntress skill, the guardians and many more of Aki’s high level machines responsible for the quick advancement of quite a few of her perception and visual skills.

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 9’

…

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Ash Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

...

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Curse Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

...

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 14’

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

...

‘ding’ ‘Earth Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Gold Magic Resistance reaches lvl 2’

…

‘ding’ ‘Gold Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 17’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 16’

...

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

…

‘ding’ ‘Sound Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

…

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 27’

…

‘ding’ ‘Void Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 30’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 12’

…

‘ding’ ‘Wood Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 18’

Ilea assumed her high divination gains weren’t just related to Cless. The enchantments she had on her room and Felicia’s mansion made her not give much of a shit about it. Though she did look into possible skills and abilities that could allow her to find and teleport to the various origins of the divination spells. Options supposedly existed, but not without changing Classes.

She could feel herself calming down as she read through the messages again, already getting to the core points.

‘ding’ ‘You have been reduced to at least 75% sludge 250 times. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived 1000 uses of a fourth tier spell. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have slain fifty creatures 1000 levels above your own. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have Enhanced and leveled all skills of one Class to the end of the third tier. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have slain one hundred creatures 1000 levels above your own. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have Enhanced and leveled all skills of two Classes to the end of the third tier. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have faced the Core Guardians of Iz for one continuous hour and survived. One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have Enhanced and leveled all skills of three Classes to the end of the third tier. One Core skill point awarded’

Fifty two total core points from both her level ups and whatever was considered exceptional. Points she held on to for now, just in case a potential fourth tier upgrade required a large amount of points. That and her inability to decide on which other use of the points would be the most beneficial.

Reading through her entire status novel, she finally drifted off to sleep.

Name: Ilea Spears

Mythical Title: Deviant

Unspent statpoints: 29

Unspent Core skill points: 52

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [3052 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 736

- Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 733

- Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Vision of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 732

- Active: Primordial Shift [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Reality Warp [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

General Skills:

- Ashen Limbs – 2nd lvl 15

- Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] – 3rd lvl 20

- Bulwark of Ash – 3rd lvl 1

- Dancing – lvl 14

- Deviant of Humanity – 3rd lvl 30

- Drill – 2nd lvl 3

- Elos Standard language - lvl 7

- English Language – lvl 15

- Gourmet – lvl 18

- Harmony of the Drowned – lvl 18

- Heavy Archery – lvl 12

- Identify - 2nd lvl 7

- Meditation – 3rd lvl 27

- Minor Earth Manipulation – 2nd lvl 6

- Minor Ice Manipulation – 2nd lvl 2

- Minor Lava Manipulation – 2nd lvl 12

- Monster Hunter – 3rd lvl 26

- Monstrous – 2nd lvl 14

- Oxygen Repository – 2nd lvl 19

- Sage of Torment – 2nd lvl 20

- Soul Perception – 2nd lvl 10

- Spear of Ash – 3rd lvl 4

- Star Touched – lvl 3

- Teaching – lvl 16

- Telepathy – lvl 17

- Veteran – 3rd lvl 30

- Warhammer Mastery – 2nd lvl 9

- Arcane Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 30

- Ash Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Astral Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 14

- Blast Resistance – 3rd lvl 23

- Blight Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Blood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 22

- Blood Manipulation Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Bone Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Corrosion Resistance – 3rd lvl 1

- Crystal Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Curse Resistance - 3rd lvl 20

- Dark Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Death Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Devour Resistance – 2nd lvl 8

- Diamond Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 6

- Divination Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 14

- Dust Magic Resistance – lvl 10

- Earth Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 30

- Emerald Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Fear Resistance – 2nd lvl 5

- Flesh Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Gold Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Gravity Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Health Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Heat Resistance – 3rd lvl 30

- Ice Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

- Lava Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 13

- Light Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 22

- Lightning Resistance – 3rd lvl 19

- Mana Drain Resistance – 3rd lvl 8

- Mental Resistance – 3rd lvl 25

- Mist Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Obsidian Magic Resistance – lvl 3

- Pain Tolerance – 3rd lvl 4

- Petrification Resistance – 2nd lvl 3

- Poison Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Rot Resistance – 3rd lvl 6

- Ruby Magic Resistance – lvl 18

- Sand Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Sapphire Magic Resistance – lvl 16

- Shadow Magic Resistance – lvl 19

- Silver Magic Resistance – lvl 6

- Smoke Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 7

- Soul Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 10

- Sound Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Space Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 27

- Stamina Drain Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Time Magic Resistance – 2nd lvl 20

- Topaz Magic Resistance – lvl 20

- Vine Magic Resistance – lvl 14

- Void Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 30

- Water Resistance – 3rd lvl 4

- Wind Resistance – 3rd lvl 20

- Wood Magic Resistance – 3rd lvl 18

Status:

Vitality: 2400

Endurance: 600

Strength:600

Dexterity:600

Intelligence:2500

Wisdom:2500

Health: 91200/91200

Stamina: 5982/6000

Mana: 149282/150000

Chapter 814 Brave New World

Chapter 814 Brave New World

Ilea finally woke up, rubbing her head before she turned off the annoying alarm clock.

Her room was still a mess, dirty bowls on her desk, the monitors turned off and slightly dusty. Light pierced through the blinds, making her squint her eyes before she turned around in her bed. Light shouldn’t blind me at all, she thought, looking at the wall. Weird dreams. Can you imagine? Being tougher than the sun. She smiled while rubbing her eyes.

Ilea rolled onto her back and raised her arm, the movement felt slow and clumsy. Of course I can’t summon any ash. Silly.

Something felt wrong however. A strange feeling of unease. I should be able to summon ash. It is part of me, part of who I am, of who I became.

Ilea shot up from her ashen bed, breathing hard as meditation and healing flowed into her mind, instantly calming her from the horrible nightmare she had just endured.

“Fucking hell,” she murmured, falling back down into the perfectly heated ash before she raised her arm, the movement lithe, fast, and powerful. Three spheres of ash formed instantly to her will. They spun and coalesced, forming a single flower, then a hammer, and finally a Taleen Guardian. Six legs and six arms.

“Fighting demons?” the Meadow asked.

“How long did I sleep?” Ilea asked. She felt refreshed, neither groggy nor tired. The strange feeling of the dream remained still, her arcane healing unable to get rid of the sensation. She knew it would fade in time.

“Thirty eight minutes,” the Meadow answered. “Quite a feat.”

“Quite a feat my ass. I wanted to sleep like twelve hours,” Ilea sent back, knowing that perhaps she would have to be content with lava baths and meditation, not that her mind or body needed much to stay healthy. Guess I’m suffering from being an absolutely super evolved life form.

“I’m afraid you are too advanced for that. Ascended so to say,” the Meadow sent.

“Don’t give me that stupid shit in the morning,” Ilea said, stretching her arms. There was of course no need to stretch. “I’ll hang out with Aki for a while, might distract me.”

“Give him my greetings,” the Meadow sent.

“You literally have Executioners here all the time,” Ilea said.

“Yes, but it’s not the same,” the Meadow said.

“Sure, sure, the fabric is all encompassing, physical location is unnecessary,” Ilea said.

“You Do listen to me,” the tree sent before a giggle flowed through space itself.

A gate appeared before her, Ilea stepping through into the heart of the former Taleen kingdoms. She spread her wings before landing on the golden platform going around the entirety of the Sphere. Ilea could see the entrance to the sphere behind her, trying not to think back to her experience in the corridor.

By now the keys had been distributed among the Accords and their allies. The Brass Key to Aki, Silver to Kyrian and Ravenhall, Stonehammer to Isalthar and the Hunters, Copper to Violence, Cobalt to Evan Trayne and the Foundation of Glass, Iron to the Meadow, Obsidian to Alistair and Riverwatch, Bronze to Catelyn and Hallowfort, Lead to Helwart and the Pit, and Gold to Ormont and the Taleen.

Ilea held on to the Tungsten and Titanium keys, planning to keep the former, both as a security but just as much as a memento to her travels, and the journey she had taken to get here. The Accords had decided who would receive the keys, the Titanium key not yet having found a new owner. Ilea had been registered by the Guardians of the Core as not only the holder of every key, but a ruler of the Taleen it seemed. Having them with her constantly was not a requirement, though it allowed Aki to have the machines attack her regardless of her perceived status. Something not possible if she physically had the keys on her, or stored within the necklace.

At least she could train with all of them if she stored the remaining two keys in her domain instead, the Guardians unable to recognize them in that case.

She summoned herself a cup of something akin to hot chocolate, deactivating her Heat Resistance to let the cup warm her hands at least a tiny bit. The streets near the center of Iz were occupied by machines only. A garrison of guardians in case anyone tried to attack the Sphere, though she knew it was likely one of the most protected areas in Elos.

Farther out, she could see plenty of activity. Many dwarves from Io were interested in traveling the world now that they had the option, often choosing to move to Iz first due to the somewhat familiar architecture and layouts. A starting point for their new lives so to say. Ilea smiled, seeing the colorful magical lamps and quirky flying robots, the zip lines now connecting certain sections, and the forest left behind by Naradan. More would be added in time, the population mostly consisting of dwarves and Dark Ones.

Interesting to see them come here in search of a safe haven, the environment nearby even more dangerous than the surface of the North.

She sipped on her chocolate like drink. It would take decades if not centuries for Iz to be reasonably populated once more, but she was glad the presence of Aki could finally provide the sense of security some of the Taleen had perhaps hoped for with the creation of the One without Form.

Ilea downed the drink and closed her eyes, making the cup vanish before she spread her wings. “Let’s get started then,” she sent and flew down into the hole below the sphere. Entire sections of wall were already missing from the numerous training bouts she’d had with the core guardians. Due to the proximity requirement and the security they provided to Aki, they had decided to simply extend the descending abyss at the center of the former capital. In a natural manner.

Ilea landed at the center of large chunks of rubble, all the Guardians with relevant magic abilities stepping through the air or flying to join her. She looked up at the beings, the various metals reflecting what little light reached down into the near hundred meter broad shaft of stone. Cracking her neck, she smiled and deactivated her mantle.

She spread her arms. The signal for them to start.

Green fire flared up near the Tungsten Guardian, the flames spreading out and rushing towards her, quickly engulfing her somewhat unprotected form as she grit her teeth. The beings were powerful enough for her to keep the resistance active. Deactivating her mantle was enough to make the training more than effective.

As soon as her fighting skills had been maxed, she had started working with the Guardians for resistances exclusively. The Copper Guardian added its lightning to the mix, soon joined by the wind blades send by the Bronze variant. Shields flared up nearby when the Cobalt Guardian landed and started using its astral infused melee strikes to pummel her into the ground.

Ilea didn’t block, the magic and impacts shredding away her skin and muscle, her bones clattering as she was punched into the ground. The stone below was pulverized with each strike, melting from the curse fires and reduced no nothing by the lightning and wind attacks.

She healed against it all, occasionally activating her mantle to make sure she didn’t go too low. Primordial Shift wasn’t beneficial in this case, she was trying to achieve the highest damage to her body possible. Ilea lost her eyes when the Stonehammer variant started with its light magic beams, the attacks instant and insanely powerful. By now, she understood why the Core Guardians had to remain close to the Sphere. The output from their magic was ludicrous. And so was her ability to survive it. In the most part even without her main source of defense.

‘ding’ ‘Astral Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 15’

About time, she thought, perceiving the world through her dominion alone as her body was destroyed by the four mark defenders.

She spent about three hours with the resistance providers until she signaled them to stop. “I’m done for now,” she sent up to Aki as the remaining spells around her slowly dissipated, the bottom of the shaft yet again a little bit deeper. Ilea cracked her neck as soon as she had a neck again, watching the Guardians depart upwards with her fresh eyes.

It smelled of blood and burnt hair. “Might want to send someone down here again to clean. Lest some cult uses all the blood to conduct a city wide blood ritual.”

“That’s what the Stonehammer Guardian is for,” Aki said as beams of light started burning away the blood that had splattered farther out.

“Right. Fair enough. Anyone free in Ravenhall?” she asked.

“Kyrian is available at the Headquarters. Trian is out near a dungeon, and Claire is negotiating with a group of architects,” Aki informed her. “Cless is running on the rooftops with her cats.”

“Thanks,” she said and sent a message to Kyrian. “Joining in?”

“Feel free,” he sent back.

Ilea waved at the Stonehammer guardian and in the vague upward direction of Aki as she activated her third tier transfer. “Greetings from the Meadow by the way.”

“I’m greeting it back,” Aki said right before she vanished.

___________________________

Galgan Brefort gulped, entering their modest home in Io. The radiant golden light illuminated the kitchen, various enchantments active to heat up yesterday’s stew and some water.

His mother turned at the noise of the stone door sliding open. She smiled when she looked at him. Different than she had the previous year. He even thought her wrinkles looked less prominent. “Galgan, you’re just right for dinner,” she said, checking the stew before she walked to their stone table. Her smile grew wider as she grabbed a small wooden box and tapped it. “Do you know what this is?”

He raised his brows, sitting down without saying a word.

“Gailroot Brood Leaves,” she said in an excited voice. “Varont brought it back, from a city called Halstein!” She opened the box and showed him, as if that would explain why she was so excited.

“I… I don’t know what it is, some tea?” he asked.

She frowned. “Galgan Brefort, did I not teach you about leaves? The plant only grows in sunlight. Your great grandmother always talked about it. A deep and rich flavor, as if one drank from the roots of a tree directly. Isn’t this wonderful?”

He looked at her. “I’m not sure if drinking from the roots of a tree is either possible… or particularly nice, though I would try for sure.”

Does one just dig down and grab the roots? Maybe some water magic is required. Or wood magic?

“You’re not yourself, Galgan. What’s on your mind, out with it,” she said, putting the box down before she crossed her arms.

“I…” he started, chuckling a moment later. “You’re far too perceptive.”

Her eyes went wide before she took in a sharp breath. “You made your choice.”

“That I did,” he said.

Her smile wavered, a sad expression on her face for a moment before she brightened up again. “Just like that fool Harrot. Vara tells it he left the moment Lilith came flying down through our city.”

He grinned. “You know I’m not the same. I thought this through. I saved up as well, and learned as much as I could.”

She sighed. “I knew this day would come. Garath!”

He could hear clattering noises from above, his grandfather appearing at the table, already sitting. Gray eyes took him in, the many wrinkles lost in a near white beard. “You’re leaving, boy?”

Galgan nodded.

“Hah! Of course. Instantly charmed by the humans with their strange magics and promises of prosperity. WE built all this! WE made the One without Form. WE made the teleportation gates! What did they make? Some cheap copies, I say,” he said and raised a finger. “Back in my day we wouldn’t need the suns. We would sit in our dark caverns, building machines to fight our enemies, many they were. You would seek a battle healer like her? Worse than even the Azarinth… ash,” he spat and shook his head.

Galgan just smiled. He had expected it, had hoped to get a reaction like this one. They would be fine without him, and he would return, with stories, magics, and strange foods and drink.

“I will seek whatever seems right,” Galgan said.

Garath squinted his eyes at him, the old dwarf snickering a moment later. “Then go. Fall on your head, young fool.”

“As long as I get back up,” Galgan said. “Like you did.”

“Aye. Like I did. But I didn’t fall in the first place. If we fell, we died,” Garath spoke, teleporting again to get himself some stew. “Gates… gates… gates. And we used to travel the old way. Caverns and tunnels.”

Geia walked over to him and smiled, touching his shoulder. “Be careful out there, Galgan. Just because the Accords are allied to us doesn’t mean everyone in their cities will be glad to see us there.”

“I know,” he smiled and fastened the straps of his pack.

“Where will you go?” Garath asked when he sat down again.

“Ravenhall,” he said without hesitation.

The old man glanced at Geia before grunting.

He hugged his mother and nodded to his grandfather. “Thank you,” he said and turned towards the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?” Geia asked.

He didn’t look back, knowing the decision would become so much harder. “No. I will eat what they serve,” he said and left, the enchanted stone door closing behind him. He took in a deep breath and smiled. Alright. Here I go.

Up and up he went, elevators and stairs, hundreds of dwarves coming and going, people speaking in excited voices. He glanced at a group of children sitting near a strange enchanted device that produced music. A nice female voice sang of the ocean, Wyverns, and the suns above. Galgan joined an elevator with ten other dwarves, three of them armored with enchanted plate, large warhammers on their backs and knives strapped to their belts. Like in the old stories, he thought with a smile, looking away quickly when one of them glanced his way.

“Be careful out there, boy,” the guard said, grabbing his shoulder with a strong hand as they left the elevator.

“Yes, sir,” he answered, watching the group go before he rushed to the next set of stairs, this one leading to the highest floor of Io, and towards the tunnels that lead out and to the teleportation gates.

“Galgan!” a male voice echoed through the street, huffed breathing coming from the dwarf.

He turned around to see Gort. His father. His face was red, the stink of sweat obvious even before he had closed the distance.

Galgan raised his chin.

“I… Galgan. I know I… I know I have not been… what I should have. I know,” he said, taking in a deep breath. “Garath once told me… that the time would come, when we return to glory. When the Taleen will break free of the prison they had made, and reclaim a place beside the gods. I never believed it. The old fool.” He remained silent for a few seconds before raising his hands, in them a helmet of Taleen make. Dull green metal, shimmering with enchantments, two light brown horns jutting out and upwards. The helmet of a warrior. “He gave this to me. On the day I turned twenty. Something to hold onto, for when the time came.” He shook his head. “I think… you should have it.”

Galgan looked at the helmet and breathed in. He held out his hands and received it.

[Legate Guardian Helmet – Rare Quality] Enchantments [Durability 5 / Hardening 3]

“I’m no warrior, father,” Galgan said.

“Not yet, son. But you will be. Wear it with pride, for I never could,” Gort said.

Galgan smiled, looking at the helmet before he turned in around. He raised it up and put it on, the guard protecting most of his face, the eye sockets large enough to let him see clearly. It smelled faintly metallic, the weight feeling right on his head. “I will. Good fortune to you.”

“Elven hells, boy, I’m your father,” Gort said and hugged him.

Galgan held his breath but hugged him back, letting go a few moments later. An awkward hug, and the first one they shared.

“Go and live your life, in freedom,” Gort spoke.

Galgan smiled and nodded, turning around before he walked to the large tunnel, dozens of dwarves coming and going, many of them equipped with armor and weapons he had never seen before, merchants transporting crates of exotic goods from all over Elos, monster parts and small animals in cages brought into Io from faraway lands.

He didn’t look back and walked towards the Silver machines that had terrified him in the past, guardians now of the Accords, and Iz. No longer the watchers of Io, and hunters of elves. He still tried not to look into their eyes, joining the line to the various gates above. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face, the weight of his new helmet almost forgotten as he watched entire groups of people vanish through the gates. First to Iz, then to Ravenhall.

Chapter 815 Opportunities

A note from Rhaegar

My good friend Melas just had a novel published on kindle and audible. Do check it out :)

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09PNTCB9Y

https://www.audible.com/pd/Lost-Soul-Audiobook/B09SVSQB6K

Chapter 815 Opportunities

Galgan breathed in the cold air. His eyes were wide open, staring up at the endless mountains. The expansive forests. Pines as far as the eye could see. A lake, glittering with light. He shuddered, feeling the cold winds whip at his warm cloak. And yet he smiled, feeling the warmth on his cheeks, his beard, his hands. The suns were more beautiful than he could’ve ever imagined. And they were bright! By the gods were they bright.

He had to squint just to get a glimpse, and now he could barely see anything. He blinked, looking at the lake, panic stricken for a moment as he considered the ailment permanent. Dots remained in his vision as the edges somewhat cleared.

“You’re in the way,” a grumpy voice spoke.

He saw someone clad in armor walk past, Galgan stepping aside as he heard a few chuckles from near the gates. Likely from the guards he had seen before. His vision cleared more and he made sure not to look at the two shiny orbs in the sky in a direct manner. The white stuff on the ground and on the mountains was bright enough as it was. Snow. Garath had told him about it a few times. When the surface was colder, snow fell from the clouds. Just water apparently, but in a different state.

Bowing down, he scooped up some of it into his hand, moving it closer to his eyes. He felt the cold. Galgan watched as the white flakes slowly melted, water rolling down his arm. He smiled.

“Welcome to the surface,” another voice said, a smiling woman dressed in dark green leather armor, a bow strapped to her back. She was tall, like many of the people here.

“Thank you,” he said, checking his helmet before he started towards the city walls. Machines designed by his predecessors stood atop it, their green eyes familiar to him. He gulped, stopping in his tracks for just a moment. It’s gone. They’re with the Sentinel of Akelion now. A deep breath and he continued, his smile returning as he looked at the massive five meter high cannons interspersed on the walls. Steel monstrosities, larger than an Executioner, surely filled with intricate machinery and enchantments.

He had heard about the technology in passing. From a few dwarves in Io. Stationary, which made them only useful in a defensive manner, but the power they packed was apparently strong enough to crack a Praetorian’s shield. And those were just the ones in the Pit. He had yet to hear that Ravenhall had added them to its defenses. Looking up, he saw the mountain side, squinting to see more of the cannons built into the stone.

Galgan joined the people walking towards the city gates, glancing behind and onto the snow covered field, the road leading down into a valley, towards Morhill he knew. For a moment he imagined the demon hordes streaming out of the city, mages and warriors of the Shadow’s Hand facing them right here. He imagined what these cannons would do to a horde of the monsters now, how well the walls would hold up against an army of Guardians, or even elves!

A hypothetical interest only of course. The defenses were there to protect the people inside the walls, and to caution anyone from attacking in the first place.

He couldn’t see past the adventurers before him, the group equipped with massive swords and hammers. But soon it was his turn, Galgan reaching the open city gates. He glanced at the Centurions standing guard at each side, five people dressed in black armor, some in leather, some in steel, talked to and checked the people going into the city. One of them motioned to him, an alert expression on the man’s face.

“Name and reason for entering Ravenhall?” he asked, no weapons on his belt or back.

[Light Mage – lvl ??]

“Galgan Brefort,” he said. “I… want to see the city.”

The man raised his brows. “Enjoy your stay. If you need anything, ask the guard.”

“I thought there was an admission fee?” Galgan asked.

“You’re Taleen. You’re part of the Accords,” the man said and gestured for him to enter.

Right, I’m holding up the line, he thought and moved past. “Thank you!” he called out, glancing at the guard who now smiled slightly.

Galgan felt the air change slightly when he moved past the thick city walls. He could feel the magic. Enchantments, thrumming with power. Looking up, he saw the back of some cannons, straight lines and edges. This time he stepped to the side, letting the busy people of Ravenhall pass by. He had to press himself against the wall of a house as a wagon passed, several wooden crates stacked on it. The smells were strange, overwhelming even compared to the city itself, though he wasn’t unfamiliar with busy places, loud chattering, and children running around.

It wasn’t so different to the confines of Io, though the light of the suns changed everything. That and the fresh breeze of cold mountain air. He flinched when a group of black winged people flew past above, so fast he wasn’t sure if he had really seen them. Sentinels, he thought, remembering the day when Lilith had flown down through Io. He had been lucky enough to see her descend, though only briefly. For many it had been a wonderful day, but he had been scared of what it meant, all the machines departing, and a being clad in ash descending towards the Guild Hall.

The Sentinels were one of the options. One of the places he considered. They would offer fantastic Classes for healing and fighting, but he heard few applicants were considered. The Shadow’s Hand only let people above level two hundred join. Galgan was very far off that threshold. Perhaps one day. He smiled, walking down a random alley as he tried to stay out of people’s ways. His stomach grumbled, reminded of the stew he had declined.

Walking through the city, he saw street vendors shouting about their wares, humans and dark ones cooking at their stalls with interesting smells intermingling. Few of the stone houses were colored but there were some. Still it felt to him the architecture was alive. He deemed the effects of sunlight had not at all been exaggerated. Soon he reached the second set of walls, passing without any of the guards taking note. Once more he felt the magic, once again he saw cannons atop the high reaching defenses.

The streets remained busy, but there were fewer stalls here. Restaurants and stores dominated the main road he was on and he quickly found a nice looking place with a few tables outside. The only other patron was a large dark one covered in full plate armor. He wondered how the being ate and drank but decided it would be rude to bother them. Instead he sat down, soon ordering something off the menu.

A hearty dish with potatoes covered in herbs, a sauce made of what he assumed to be cheese, and small bits of green vegetables he had never eaten before.

Full and ready to explore more, Galgan made his way to the most central wall, soon coming onto a massive square. He stepped aside when a group of armed and armored people landed, wings and magic vanishing as they started making their way towards a large four story building made of stone and wood. Letters etched into a long wooden board informed him that it was the local adventuring guild. He looked away when something shiny caught his eye. Three people were casting spells near the center of the square, illusion and water magic, sparkling light accompanied by music, chatter, and the sound of steel hitting steel.

Quite a few people stopped to watch, more simply passing by, towards one of the government buildings, the guild hall, or one of the many stores and smithies. Galgan watched the show as he passed, stopping in front of an open storefront. Weapon racks were set up, everything from daggers, to spears, to war hammers was present. Four adventurers and one woman dressed in black were browsing the wares.

“You look a little lost,” came a voice. A broad woman wearing a leather apron. Her skin was black, her hair long and gray. “Need advice?”

“I… I’m just looking,” Galgan said and smiled. “Thank you.”

She nodded. “Nice helmet,” the smith said and moved her gaze to someone else.

Galgan grabbed a shortsword and looked it over. Well balanced, he knew, though not the best for his height, and not what he wanted to use anyway. Not a sword. Maybe an axe. Or just magic. Magic never fails you. Weapons can be lost in a fight. He remembered the words of his grandpa. The smith hadn’t been wrong however. He was lost, walking aimlessly through the central part of the city.

He found a small park after ascending a few sets of stairs, sitting down on a bench before he looked out onto the rooftops. Leaning forward, he could see a large space cleared out, fresh earth and young trees covered in a light layer of snow. At the center of the space, he saw a large three story building, at least a hundred meters long and near as broad. Perfectly cut white marble made it stand out even more, each floor smaller than the one below. The roof was flat and he could see people standing near the railings. Glass windows lined the walls in regular intervals but he couldn’t see inside from the distance. Galgan squinted when he saw flashes of red light from one of the windows. Magic, though he didn’t know what kind.

He heard steps from the right, glancing over to see a group of three young humans sit down on a bench. One of them glanced his way and smiled.

“You’re Taleen, right?” she asked.

[Nature Mage – lvl 45]

He nodded. “Is it that obvious?”

“It’s the excitement on your face,” the woman said and pointed. She had bright red hair, like fire, her eyes green like the forest. She wore leather armor, a small curved knife strapped to her belt. “Dwarves from the Pit aren’t that impressed with Ravenhall, or the Academy for that matter.”

“I thought that was it,” Galgan said and glanced down at the building. The Ravenhall Academy. Another option. Perhaps a more realistic one. He was part of the Accords after all, and admission wasn’t expensive for those who didn’t come from a rich family. “Do you study there?”

The woman stepped over and sat down next to him. “I do, yes. About trees, grains, herbs, that kind of thing,” she said. “I’m Melina. Nice to meet you.”

“Galgan. The same,” he said.

“So, you came to study as well? Or will you join the Shadowguard?” she asked, an inquisitive look in her eyes.

“I’m not sure yet,” he said.

“A free spirit,” she mused. “I like it. Well, if you join the Academy, you can check out a few basic classes. Tons of people come and go, looking for the subjects and magic schools they actually enjoy. I’ve seen so many would be adventurers become architects or enchanters. Some even smiths,” she said.

“There are smithing classes?” he asked.

“Yes. There’s pretty much anything you could want,” she said.

“There’s no smoke rising, and I can’t hear any hammers,” he said, trying to find anything on the building that would suggest there really was a forge in there.

She chuckled. “Most of it is underground. I could show you around later, how about it?”

“That would be great, thank you,” Galgan said as he checked his helmet. He relaxed, knowing he didn’t have to make a decision instantly. There were a lot of opportunities around, he wanted to make sure he had a glimpse at all of them.

_____________________________

Ilea watched the fighting commence, spells flying all over the hall as the inexperienced students tried to handle both the stresses of a bout and the presence of Lilith and Kyrian. The higher level Sentinels didn’t give much of a shit anymore who was watching, only interested in testing themselves against higher leveled beings to get pointers.

“You can tell how excited they are,” Kyrian sent through the established connection. “It’s a different energy entirely to the other three new groups.”

“Right. There’s something… carefree about them. Reminds me of myself,” she sent, a smile on her face.

“Lots of applications lately. One thing many of the most successful Sentinels have in common is their background as refugees of some kind. The Baralia war and subsequent split, the demon summoning here, Elven attacks in the west. Anything that left them with little to lose,” he said.

Ilea looked at him. “Sounds like we’re some assassin order buying up orphans.”

“They found a new family here, and all of them came here with a purpose, something that pushes them through the grueling training and pain. Many of them have lost everything. Helping them find confidence in themselves and expertise in their magic is why I’m here,” he said.

“So what’s different about this bunch?” Ilea asked, seeing both dwarves and a few dark ones in the group of twenty four students, most of them watching from the sidelines.

“They just really enjoy fighting each other, fighting monsters, and training their resistances. Most of them don’t come from a background that pushed them towards more. They simply wanted to find excitement. The interviewing process was much longer however. Hard to gauge someone’s character if all they want to do is train,” he said. “We did base most of the admissions on how well we know you.”

“Me?” she asked.

“Yes. Trian calls them the Battle Unit,” he sent. “Really more inclined to fight and train than to become healers. But send one of them into a dungeon and they either die down there or clear it out.”

“Wonderful prospects,” Ilea said.

“You would know,” he said.

She thought about it and shrugged. “I suppose I would.”

“There’s something else I’d like to show you,” Kyrian said as he pushed himself away from the wall and vanished.

Ilea latched on to his spell, the two moving down until they came onto the lowest floor.

“If you would,” Kyrian said, pointing downwards.

Ilea raised her brows before she transported them into the previous research facility of Iana and Christopher.

The Core remained as they had left it, some mugs even still on one of the tables. The lights were out.

Kyrian touched one of the enchantments on the wall, light flooding the facility a moment later.

Ilea walked past the white halls, finding various large chunks of metal, crates with monster parts, herbs, metals, and dozens of other materials. “Did you take over?”

“Not just me. It’s a nice facility, and private. Claire comes down here sometimes, Sulivhaan and Dagon too. And some of the Sentinels if they need a well enchanted space to test something,” he explained. “Nobody here today.”

“So what did you want to show me?” Ilea asked, walking to one of the large metal slabs. She put the palm of her hand against it and pushed a little, lifting it off the ground slightly.

Kyrian walked over and summoned something into his hand. “This.”

Ilea let go, ignoring the loud impact as she looked at the root held out in his hand. The slight shimmer was familiar. The magic she felt from it was familiar. It looked a little like ginger, but with a blue tinge and much less voluminous.

[Bluemoon Root – Ancient Quality] – [Arcane Elixir]

“They did it,” she murmured. “Why did nobody tell me?”

Kyrian offered for her to take it. “There’s been versions before. The Meadow has been working with Lucas and Christopher. The problem with everything so far was that they couldn’t determine the danger it posed. This is the first iteration that should be safe.”

“Should be?” Ilea asked.

“That’s the thing. Testing it poses significant issues. Compared to the Healing Orders and nobles who have developed Elixirs in the past, nobody here wishes to test one on someone below level thirty,” he said. “The Meadow said it should be safe, but a risk remains, with everything that would incite change to the same degree you went through.”

“Why can’t I just eat it?” Ilea asked.

“You can. And it would be a mild poison to you at worst. For an elixir to take effect, the user has to be malleable. Weak enough to be affected. I got this one yesterday. You were out hunting, and I suggested I’d tell you about it myself. I talked to Trian a few hours ago. We’re… not sure about what to do.”

Ilea looked the root over. “We could just not use it at all. If there’s a risk.”

“There will always be a risk. Even the Meadow says so,” he said. “It’s not the Elixir itself, it’s the impact it has on someone’s body.”

“I don’t think either me or you should make that decision. Let’s meet up with Trian and the rest of the faculty to have a chat,” she said, handing the thing back to him.

Arcane healers. We’d basically be resurrecting the Azarinth Order, or at least the power they used to wield. She made a fist, feeling the magic of her auras flow through her before she teleported the both of them up and out of the facility.

They appeared in front of Trian’s office, the man himself still out on an exercise. She sent him a message through her mark, receiving an answer a few seconds later. “He still needs some time. Should we join him?”

“We can, if you’re teleporting,” he said. “Let me get the others.”

Chapter 816 Request

Chapter 816 Request

Ilea appeared in a dimly lit cavern, on a plateau overlooking a deeper section of the dungeon.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the Veilmark dungeon’

Trian wore his armor, glancing at them for a moment before he turned back towards the somewhat distant sounds of battle. He held up one finger.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” Ilea sent. “How are they doing?” She stepped forward, her mantle forming if only to shroud her a little in the dim surroundings. Jagged rocks jutted out from the ceiling and floor, the faculty of the Medic Sentinels activating their magic in the potentially dangerous environment, seeking some form of cover as not to interfere with the training of their students.

Ilea watched from a distance, seeing a group of battle healers face a four legged ice magic wielding creature with three heads. It vaguely resembled an oversized cat with next to no fur, four eyes on each head. Various injuries showed on its body, the spells it used obviously outclassing what the Sentinels could throw back but the five healers had surrounded the monster, slowly working to injure it further.

“Good. It won’t be long,” he answered, keeping his eyes forward.

Ilea leaned against one of the jagged rocks, stepping back when she heard an unsettling crack. She watched the Sentinels back off one last time before two of them rushed forward, one covered in rock armor, the other in ash, their kicks breaking the hind legs of the monster, eliciting a loud screech and a wild ice magic breath attack.

The others moved in and finished the beast with precise and calculated strikes, the creature left unmoving half a minute later.

One of the healers collapsed, Trian raising his hand when she was about to vanish.

“Don’t. They’re fine,” he said.

Ilea hesitated. “Are you sure?” She watched as one of them appeared next to the downed Sentinel, their palms towards their injured teammate before the latter shot up with a gasp.

They checked their surroundings before punching their own chests as a sign of celebration.

Trian turned around and gave her a glance. “They’ll find their own way back. With their trophy.”

He looked at the group of gathered people. “So what is this about?”

Kyrian stepped forward and summoned the root. “This.”

“I see. You talked about it already?” Trian asked.

“Briefly,” Ilea said.

“What’s that?” Sidney asked, stepping closer as the group gathered, no longer about to intrude on a Sentinel training exercise.

“The Bluemoon Root. An Elixir based on the one Ilea used to become an arcane healer,” Kyrian explained.

Lyza whistled and grinned. “Can I see?”

“Here you go,” Kyrian said and threw it her way. “We can grow it now. Takes some time and effort but with the resources and nature mages we have, supply won’t be an issue.”

“The risks,” Trian said.

“It would elicit a drastic change,” Orthan said. “Do we know how strong the effects are?”

“The Meadow deems it safe. As safe as an Elixir could get,” Kyrian said. “But we haven’t tested it yet.”

“I’m sure plenty of the new students would fight each other to be the first,” Orthan said.

“That doesn’t mean we should use it,” Trian said, giving him a pointed look.

“I understand,” Orthan spoke. He considered. “I understand, Trian. I know what nobility does with this kind of resource. We all do. But if something like the Meadow considers the risk minimal, we should definitely offer the choice. The group we just saw bested a creature eighty levels above their own, at least. Just because it seems more glorious to die against a monster doesn’t mean it’s any more meaningful than dying to the effects of an untested Elixir.”

“I don’t necessarily agree,” Ilea said.

“For new Medics, either would be a choice they make,” Orthan said.

“Arcane healing,” Lyza said. “The mental effects could boost resistance training massively, let alone any other benefits it may have. You’re not exactly around to test often, Ilea.”

“You didn’t ask,” she said.

“You have more important things to do,” Lyza spoke, twirling the root in her hand. “I think the choice is obvious. We offer it, informing about the risks. And we give them the best possible chance of survival. If the Meadow and Lilith can’t protect them from dying, then we’ll know it’s unusable.”

“I won’t have a Sentinel die to something stupid like that,” Ilea said.

Lyza glance at her. “Then make sure they don’t, or would you deny them the same choice you had once taken?”

“I had no choice,” Ilea said.

“But the risks were considerably higher,” Kyrian said. “Lyza is right. We shouldn’t withhold this opportunity. Not with all the risks they’re taking as is.”

Ilea opened her mouth but Trian raised his hand towards her.

“With you, the Meadow, and our Sentinels, we have the best medical support anyone could wish for. Elixirs are dangerous, but deaths are rare. If we can train arcane healers… we could help tens of thousands of people with ailments inside their minds, and the training itself… I can only tolerate the way it is because it is their own choice. Let us give them a choice.”

Ilea didn’t like it, though she understood that she was being selfish. Even if the death rate was the same thirty percent as the Bluemoon Grass had been, she knew many would want to take the risk. It was true that their dungeon explorations brought with them high risks as well, risks they not only tolerated but encouraged.

Ilea knew the risks were likely much lower than what the Sentinels went through on a daily basis but it just didn’t feel right to her. Eating a root and dying just sucked. Dying to a monster sucked as well, but the outcome wouldn’t exactly surprise anyone.

“If it’s someone we chose to join the Sentinel Corps, they’ll make it out alive,” Sidney said.

“Confidence doesn’t make a fact,” Ilea said.

“We should all be in agreement,” Trian said, looking at her. “And we should know that low level Sentinels could die because we offer this choice.”

“I say we give it to them,” Orthan said.

“Agreed,” Sidney said. “And nobody will die.”

“The benefits far outweigh the potential risks,” Lyza spoke. “I agree.”

Kyrian gave Ilea a glance and shrugged. “If I had the choice six years ago, I would’ve taken it, even with a higher risk. I know many would agree.”

“Healing the mind would be a major boon to any Sentinel. I don’t want to see them in danger, but taking risks is a major part of any Sentinel’s life. It will be a choice that may forge their will,” Trian said. “If Ilea and Aki agree, so will I.”

“I don’t like it. But I know I’m being emotional. Out of everyone I’m the last that should complain about taking unnecessary risks. So if everyone else agrees, I’m fine with it,” Ilea said. She opened a gate to Iz and put her head through. “Aki, can we get an Executioner down here?”

A silver machine joined them a few seconds later. It glanced at the root, Kyrian explaining the circumstances.

Green eyes glowed in the dim cavern south of Ravenhall. “I will not deny our Sentinels an opportunity for growth. Inform them about the risks, and let them take it.”

And so we start again. Let’s just hope the nature mages and the Meadow are not wrong.

“I’ll let you know when we have our first volunteers,” Kyrian said.

She nodded. “I’ll be there.”

“Ilea, a word,” Aki said.

“One second. Who wants to go back?” she asked the others.

After a quick confirmation and check in with Claire, Ilea teleported the entire group into the Head Administrator’s office.

The Executioner hardly had space in the room, crouching down to not scrape against the ceiling. Claire gave Ilea a look then waved everyone out.

“What is is?” Ilea sent to the machine.

“A job. If you’re interested. Agents of the Dark Protector have contacted us. Both as a warning and to seek assistance. The corruption found in the Descent has made its way out into the North, Feynor forces and worse apparently infected. Several settlements have already been lost,” Aki explained.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Of course they would take the corruption and fuck it up somehow. They don’t want your machines there?”

“My machines are scouting already. The Meadow has yet to see any corrupted creatures in its domain and will protect it, but we don’t know how far it spread already. My main objective will be the prevention of a large scale infestation, though agents to counter the corruption have been studied since Hallowfort has come into contact with it, more resources allocated to this task as of now,” Aki spoke. “We know the forces of the Dark Protector are scrambling to contain the infection themselves. This request is specifically for a force capable of destroying large numbers of corrupted, some perhaps at a high level. My machines could take on this task, but your insight and reputation may give us more knowledge on the situation.”

“I can check it out, sure. Think they would tell me more than you?” Ilea sent.

“Great. And yes. Your reputation in the Plains is extensive but names and legends have even more meaning to the long lived beings of the North. I believe the Dark Protector would value your participation. The agents are waiting in Hallowfort. In the bar called Abyss,” he said.

“I know the place,” Ilea said and opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow. “Cheers, Claire.”

“Bye,” the woman said with a wave, her eyes fixated on the documents before her.

The Executioner came through with her, teleported away by the Meadow instantly.

“To the Abyss, if you would,” she sent to the tree and local mid range teleportation provider.

“Of course, my lady,” the Meadow replied, Ilea deactivating her space magic resistance in turn. She appeared inside of the dimly lit bar a moment later.

Various heads turned her way after she had appeared next to the counter. Black eyes glanced at her, some fiery red, others with no eyes at all but strange antennas instead, feeling the air, or space itself, she didn’t know.

“Nice to see you here. It’s been a while,” Haiden said, his cat ears twitching slightly as he glanced around the room.

Does he think I need protection? Ilea thought but didn’t mention his reaction. “I’m afraid I won’t be staying for long. One mug of ale, please,” she said and summoned a silver piece.

He smiled and filled a mug using the tap.

Ilea turned around, leaning against the bar which for once didn’t elicit a groaning sound of straining wood or metal. Dim blue magical lights illuminated the space, wooden benches, chairs, and tables distributed throughout the establishment. Dozens of dark ones were drinking, some eating, some playing cards or dice. Coins and various glittering objects sat on a few of the tables, hooded or armored figures sitting or standing. Watching.

Slow music came from a group of beings, all of them holding curved string instruments in their limbs. It sounded traditional to her, though the slow beat gave it a foreboding and dark atmosphere. Perhaps fitting for what the adventurers or locally scavengers would do once they left here. A den of experienced warriors, thieves, and killers.

And yet she knew the most terrifying creature present was her.

Everyone knew.

She took a drink from the ale.

“Anything else?” Haiden asked.

“Yes. There are agents of the Dark Protector here. I’m here to meet them,” she said.

He grinned slightly, his canines showing before he pointed to a table in a corner of the room.

Four hooded figures sat at it, tentacles coming out from two of their cloaks, dark red eyes taking in the other patrons. The third member of their group was larger, their muscles nearly bulging through the cloak, a large curved blade made of a dark blue metal strapped to their back. The last one had no legs, its eight near white eyes shining out from under its cloak, towards Ilea.

“Thank you,” she said and established a telepathic connection. “How have you been anyway?”

Haiden didn’t visibly react. “It is far safer thanks to the Meadow. More patrons with the gates. Nothing much otherwise. I cannot complain.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ilea sent as she walked over to the group of dark ones, the music continuing in the same ominous manner. Not exactly jazz, but maybe the environment just begs for something a little more fitting. Dark caverns and all.

She sometimes forgot that the northern surface was generally not traversed at all by its inhabitants. Not without using the crevices and cracks in the landscape.

She stopped in front of the table and took in the four figures. Three remained without a reaction, tentacles moving slightly from within two of their hoods. The fourth and largest one turned her way, raising two thick and pale arms to pull back its hood. Below was a bald head covered in the same near white skin, two slitted yellow eyes taking her in. It had no nose, instead two small holes, giving its face a rather flat form, the skull however just as thick as its muscles.

It smiled and started speaking in a deep voice. “Greetings! You must be a Sentinel who took the job. You’re certainly strong, though I don’t know what a Deviant is. Were you informed adequately, or has your team not arrived yet?”

[Earth Mage – lvl 272]

“I’m Lilith,” she said and smiled.

His eyes grew wide before he stood up, nearly throwing aside the chair before he clutched it and hastily apologized to the table nearby, bowing slightly with his massive form, his words warm and joyous before he turned back to Ilea. His arms spread wide. “Lilith! The savior of Hallowfort herself. Ah, today truly is a blessed day. Forgive my stupid inquisition. They call me Bromot, the burrower. Or Bromot the mighty,” he said and leaned in closer, continuing in a whisper. “I’m sure some call me Bromot the tiny, or Bromot the insignificant. But you surely know the issues with fame.” He didn’t sound arrogant, instead genuinely empathetic.

Ilea smiled at him and sipped from her ale. “It’s nice to meet you, Bromot. I understand the issue is somewhat… currently happening, and surely escalating, given the nature of the concern. Should we move on?”

“Ah, but haste is the downfall of the powerful. Let me introduce those with me,” he said and pointed to the six eyed being Ilea couldn’t quite perceive. It wasn’t that it hid itself from her skills, the creature was simply not quite as present as the others. “Veisann. The one who will find our enemies.”

[Divination Mage – lvl 310]

The being blinked with three of its eyes in quick succession, whispering in a fleeting magic infused voice and in a language Ilea did not speak.

“It greets you,” Bromot helpfully supplied.

Greetings, Ilea sent to its mind with the appropriate thought associated.

The being bowed slightly, its eyes squinting slightly in what she assumed to be an amused manner, though she saw no mouth or other facial features.

“I am Devara, and this is Nitolsh,” the first of the tentacle faced beings spoke, their hoods remaining. “May we speak in private?”

She felt something familiar around it, but couldn’t quite tell what it was.

“Is this private enough?” Ilea sent.

His eyes widened slightly. “Yes. We are to scout out the closest settlement overrun by infected. And you will destroy them. That is the adventuring contract which is offered. Bromot, I, and Nitolsh will provide protection to Veisann.”

“Reasonable. May I ask what you know about the infection or how it got to the Feynor?” Ilea said.

Devara remained quiet for a few seconds. “Those considerations are not part of the agreed contract.”

“Fair, so let’s go and destroy some corruption, before it spreads further,” she sent. Not even blaming the Feynor directly. Did they play with the biological weapon left behind by Vor Elenthir?

Ilea didn’t much care for the why and how. The Accords would be interested, especially Hallowfort. And she could find out what she could, but mainly, she wanted to prevent another surge of corrupted creatures.

The group spoke amongst themselves in their language before Bromot looked her way. “We are ready to leave when you are. The journey to the border of the affected territory will take several days, except of course you have a faster way.”

“Do I have a faster way?” she sent to the Meadow, the link still established.

“That depends on which territory is affected,” the Meadow sent as a board of stone started forming next to Ilea, a map etched into it in mere seconds.

“Where are we going?” Ilea asked.

Bromot smiled, his eyes opening a little wider before he took a step towards her and pointed at a location on the floating map of stone.

“There are Taleen dungeons present but according to Aki, it would hardly make a difference compared to your flight speed. As the revelation of the Taleen network and its continued use is not certainly information the Dark Protector currently has, I suggest you fly,” the Meadow sent.

“Can you aim me in the right direction once we’re out?” she asked.

“Certainly,” the Meadow spoke.

“Perfect. We’ll fly. You are ready? We will vanish in five seconds,” she said.

The group stood up, glancing at each other and her as she waited.

Five seconds passed before they appeared floating above the northern landscape.

The group activated various spells, looking around for storms before Devara glared at her. “This is not safe! Why have you brought us into the open?”

“I know the direction. I’ll protect you from the storms, don’t worry,” Ilea sent as she extended her Mantle to each of them, finding only Devara resisting. She squinted at him and smiled, realizing now what had felt familiar. “You are a space mage,” she said.

“That is none of your concern, Lilith,” he spoke.

“Accept the mantle,” she said, summoning a small white flame onto her index finger.

Bromot gasped. “It’s true!”

The divination mage whispered something, moving a little closer.

Devara’s eyes widened as he looked at the flame, mesmerized for a moment before he looked at her. “Very well. I accept your protection.”

Aki wasn’t wrong about the legends. Some benefits at least. She charged her wings as she moved her ashen limbs around the group to get them closer. Let’s see how bad things are.

Chapter 817 Orange Juice

Chapter 817 Orange Juice

Ilea let the Meadow position her before she shot off into the distance. The arcane storms they passed were irrelevant against her shields and mantle, her fast speed flight kept up until Veisann spoke into her mind.

“We have arrived, wielder of the Flame of Creation,” the being sent, Ilea slowing down in turn.

The landscape looked the same as most everywhere in the north, black clouds rolling over cracked and jagged mountains, purple lightning flashing in the distance. Few crevices were visible to her. “Where exactly?” she asked.

The being pointed towards a set of massive boulders, a single thin crack just barely visible nearby. “We are entering a contaminated area. Be on your guard.”

“I’ve dealt with corrupted before,” she said, giving a side glance to the Dark Ones, leading them down towards the crevice. She slowed when her eyes picked up something strange. Remains of dark blood, bits and pieces of bone, burnt flesh. And barely visible against the sunlight, something orange. Ilea teleported them down to the surface, looking at her surroundings before she summoned a piece of bone. She turned it in her fingers as the others watched.

“That is-” Bromot spoke but Ilea had already touched the slightly orange remains on the bone, the corruption trying to make its way into and past her mantle.

Cute, she thought as white flame burned away the substance. Ash moved out, set alight a moment later as she got rid of the remains. A futile effort, I suppose, if the corruption is already on the surface of the north.

“The settlement is down there?” she asked.

“Indeed,” Bromot spoke, looking at the dissipating flames all around, nothing left of the corrupted creatures that had died here.

Ilea flew down into the crevice, the others following. The light dimmed, but her eyes saw nonetheless. Corpses, once corrupted. Whatever had fought and killed them either long gone or corrupted themselves. Cuts and craters in the stone suggested an extensive battle. She reclaimed her ash, layering her own mantle now that the danger of the storms had passed.

“Stay at a reasonable distance, then follow me in,” she said, her wings touching the high reaching walls before she moved into the darkness. Her eyes didn’t need to adjust, she saw well enough. Stone stairs led downwards, down and down for near two hundred meters. Ilea flew past in seconds, seeing no moving creature around, though there was corruption, and there were corpses.

She found two gates of black rock, outcrops of stone and ice keeping them shut. Water dripped from the ice, blood coloring bits of it in a dark shade of red. The trail led upwards, either to one of the dead or someone who had managed to get away.

“The way was shut,” Bromot spoke from behind, the group cautiously making their way in.

“Death. Is waiting beyond,” Veisann spoke into her mind, and those of the others according to the slight reactions Ilea could see within her sphere.

The hall was large, statues craved into stone remaining untouched, her sphere piecing through the gates where she found nothing but an empty hallway.

“Then let’s summon this death,” she said and raised her arm. Heat charged for a second before a blast of near white energy flared up, the rock, ice, and doors exploding inwards with loud thunderous sound.

“Not a stealthy approach,” Bromot commented.

“You’re an earth mage,” Ilea said as she walked into the tunnel, smoldering rock and white flames providing a slight bit of illumination. “Wall me in for a moment, will you?” Already she heard screeches and grunts from farther down the tunnel, steps coming closer. Hundreds of creatures, probably more.

“Of course, healer of ash,” Bromot spoke before he raised his arms.

Ilea glanced back, her fires the only remaining light in the tunnel. She was both surprised and impressed at the instant compliance of Bromot. Funny, I’m annoyed at people underestimating me, but when someone things me capable, I’m shocked too. She smiled to herself, taking slow steps through the darkness whilst avoiding corpses. Her ash spread forward already, smothering what little corruption had survived in the corridor that led out of the northern settlement.

She supposed the location wasn’t the worst for a breakout. The storms and landscape alone would deal with many of the crazed creatures, the corrupted likely not quite intelligent enough to avoid the surface.

Ilea charged Monster Hunter and whistled into the darkness. Might as well collect everything I can. Silent Memory appeared in her hand as ashen limbs spread out behind her, heat charging in her core as she prepared her space magic. Ten seconds later, she saw the first corrupted.

A horde. Humanoid mostly. Feynor, Dark Ones, and plenty of beings she couldn’t quite discern. Some of the monsters she had seen before, others she hadn’t. All shared one thing, the orange pus on their bodies. Hello old friend, she thought, setting down her hammer for a moment before she summoned her cannon. The long corridor was too much of an opportunity to pass up.

She waited until the first corrupted lunged at her, releasing the heat within her.

The tunnel lit up, the near white beam slashing a hole through more than a hundred meters of bunched up and crazed corrupted. Killed and controlled by the Ascended agent.

Ilea casually put away her wyrm focus and raised her hammer using space magic. She grabbed the thing and continued walking, silver threads or ashen limbs finishing whatever creature had avoided the beam, purely accidental. A tide of ash followed behind as her hammer consumed whatever flesh remained.

“Don’t get corrupted,” she said, though she felt no change in the hammer beside the red gem that glowed a little more with every few dozen creatures.

None had been above level three hundred, she noted, scrolling through the long list of notifications. She sent a bit of ash back through the tunnel, formed a wedge and broke through the wall summoned by Bromot. If this was the kind of resistance she was to meet here, there was little need to keep them away.

More corrupted kept coming, from as far as her whistle had traveled. Though she compared their fate to that of ripe fruit entering an industrial blender. Already she was disappointed, the mission out here likely not about to provide the challenge she had hoped for. Though the corruption had managed to take over a sand elemental. A real one.

If something similarly strong had succumbed to the orange goo, she hoped she would be the one to find it. Behind her ash and Dark Ones followed, the agents of the Dark Protector walking with caution and confidence at the same time. Ilea wasn’t sure if her display convinced them, or if it was really just the flame of creation.

She started humming a tune to herself as she continued, corruption fraught bodies throwing themselves at her as she was the only non infected target in the vicinity. This is even less difficult than dealing with Taleen machines. Demons, corrupted, Taleen. I’ve literally turned into an exterminator of pests.

A few minutes later she came into the city proper, another gate separating the tunnel from the stone buildings beyond, though this one was open and monsters still came out to challenge her.

Another whistle echoed into the caverns beyond, light now present from the common crystal growths on the sprawling ceiling. The buildings she could see were similar to those of other northern settlements. Diverse was the word that came to mind. Communities with creatures large and small, floating and crawling. With needs and expectations as differing as their species.

Most of the beings were dead of course, killed by those already corrupted, or by the corruption itself. Little danger to someone like Ilea, a single drop of the orange goo could destroy an entire town of lower leveled beings. For most human cities, it would be absolutely devastating. With teleportation gates leading straight into Morhill, the Meadow would have to be more than a little careful to make sure none of this stuff ever made it into human hands.

Ilea stayed at the entrance, using Monster Hunter to call for the creatures in the former settlement, her ash and white flame clearing out everything that came towards her. In a random dungeon or ruin, she would have likely ran into the fray, but here she considered the buildings and possible survivors. Destroying everything seemed both unnecessary and disrespectful. Burnt away creatures turned into new ash for her to use, hundreds of corrupted creatures cleared out with every passing minute.

The great four mark showdown did not come, despite the build up of more corrupted. If any had been killed and taken over, they were too far away for her Monster Hunter.

Even with the corruption rampant in the North, Kohr remains the far superior hunting ground. She considered for a moment if she should go farther north still, but while she could flee to another realm from anything she stumbled upon in Kohr, she really didn’t want to wake up an ancient Dragon or something akin to the true Fae, but hostile. Ilea was ready to fight most things she had come across, but not all of them.

After nearly an hour, she turned to the watching Dark Ones, not a single corrupted having shown in the past few minutes. “I think that’s it,” she said. “Or do you still sense death?”

The divination mage looked her way with all its eyes. “Death I sense, yet it is only you.”

Ilea smiled at that. Funny. “I’ll clear out whatever remains of the corruption,” she said, spreading her flames as she formed copies of herself.

“Your task is fulfilled,” Devara spoke. “You may leave.”

Ilea turned his way and grinned, moving her wings as she approached him, fires and ash parting before she hovered in front of him. “Oh is that so?”

He hesitated for a split second. “I-”

“I said that I will destroy the corruption. Which is what I will do. Or do you object?” she asked, her copies waiting for her orders.

The being gulped and nodded. “Do as you wish, though it is beyond what the Dark Protector has asked.”

“Then tell them I’m happy to fulfill my jobs beyond what was expected,” she said with a grin and got to work.

She knew the Dark Ones had plenty of corruption at hand, but that didn’t mean she had to leave anyone even more of it. Too many were killed already. “I’m clearing out the rest of the corruption. No major threats.” She sent to the Meadow.

“Understood. Aki has found and killed a few dozen corrupted beings. Blood agent unable to corrupt machines,” the Meadow sent back.

Great. Another benefit to the Taleen creations, she thought. Now, how long to clear an entire city. She frowned, wishing she could just summon a small army of Aki’s machines to do the work but showing off that ability to the watching Dark Ones may not be the best idea. Not until that information had spread from Virilya all the way to the north. Though she supposed the teleportation network didn’t help in keeping information local for very long.

She spent the good part of three hours to search through the town with her copies, burning every last bit of corruption she could find. “I’m done,” she said when she joined back with the group of Dark Ones.

They had moved into one of the buildings, Bromot having closed off the exits in case of more corrupted. A fire burned in the hearth, the large earth mage stirring broth inside of a cauldron. The smell wasn’t the worst, though it didn’t exactly compare to Ilea’s usual dishes.

“Faster than expected,” Bromot spoke as he started serving bowls, raising an empty one towards Ilea.

She gave him a nod and formed an ashen chair, looking at the simple home made of stone. A piece of art depicting a meadow stood out to her. To the resident it would’ve likely been something strange. An image they had never seen. There were of course some underground meadows in the North, mostly those cultivated by Lucas, but the chance of Dark Ones traveling that far was small. Based at least on the situations she had seen in the various settlements she had been in. Maybe they were adventurers, maybe even high level humans that chose to settle here, after fighting their way up through the North.

She liked the idea, though found little indication in the room that would support her imagined narrative. “Thank you,” she said when Bromot handed her the bowl, a steaming dark brown broth with both meat and vegetables bubbling inside. It tasted hearty, more spicy than she had expected. She deactivated her Pain Tolerance and found the sting it left on her tongue quite satisfying.

Bromot grinned. “Didn’t expect a human to like my cooking.”

Nitolsh chuckled, their face tentacles wiggling lightly.

“I’m not exactly a normal human,” Ilea said.

“Deviant, yes,” Bromot said.

“And I feel like I was a little overqualified for this job,” she said. She suspected one or two groups of Sentinels would’ve sufficed, though the battle would’ve likely taken longer, and some parts of town could’ve been destroyed.

“We were sent on this mission with the expectation to return in no less than a month,” Bromot said. “You’ve left us with a difficult decision.”

“We will return immediately,” Devara spoke.

“Of course we will,” Bromot said with a slight smile. “Others could benefit from our presence.” He sat down and started eating himself. “I am honored,” he said after a while, looking at Ilea. “To have met the one they call Lilith, the bearer of the Flame of Creation.”

“I’m not that special,” Ilea said, though rationally she knew that was a lie. She just didn’t like the attention. People being honored to meet her, or going as far as worshiping her, it was creepy. And usually didn’t lead to the kind of relaxed conversation she enjoyed.

He nodded. “I understand. But my words remain. You have done us a great service today. To the four of us, and to the Dark Protector.”

Ilea didn’t reply and kept eating her stew, looking at the being as she ate. Finishing up, she stood and cracked her neck. “I’ll be on my way then. I suspect you’ll be able to find your own way back?”

“Of course,” Bromot spoke. “Be well, Lilith.”

“You too. Thanks for the stew, it was nice to meet the four of you,” she said and teleported out, flying into the tunnel before she opened a gate.

“Done with the mission. They weren’t particularly happy that I destroyed all of the corruption,” Ilea sent.

“As expected. You took longer than I thought you would. Any challenges?” the Meadow asked.

“Searching through the city took the longest. Let me know when everyone knows about my gates and ability to summon Aki’s armies. Then I’ll have him do those kinds of jobs,” she sent.

“I’m sorry you didn’t find anything interesting to fight. The corruption remains a dangerous prospect for the Plains. If you agree to it, we’ll involve you on clear out missions if we’re asked to help again or find dungeons taken over by the agent,” it spoke.

“You know me and my abilities. Happy to help out whenever something comes up. Send in the Sentinels too, if you think they can handle it,” she said.

“Of course. Though a settlement of corrupted beings is not yet something they should take on alone, even the high level Hunters,” the Meadow spoke.

“Really? The fight was ridiculously easy,” she said.

“Ilea. You are fighting beings nearing my own level. The Sentinels are far from that. Very, very far. As are all other forces in the Accords, besides very few individuals, including myself,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea waved it off. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t give me the honor and special bullshit too. Promise me that, no matter how strong I ever get, you’ll treat me as a friend.”

“I promise, even if you merge with the fabric itself,” the Meadow spoke. “Except of course your existence doesn’t allow for it to be treated as a friend.”

“What do you mean?” Ilea asked.

“Well, if you keep finding higher leveled monsters, evolving in the process… even I cannot foresee what kind of being you will become. It is possible that the very concept of your existence will not allow for me to fulfill my promise,” the Meadow said.

Ilea rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know what I mean.”

“I wouldn’t want to anger the being you become.”

“Is that a mocking tone I hear?” Ilea asked, a smirk on her face.

“Oh no, great goddess Lilith, I would not dare!” the ancient godlike tree answered.

She summoned her hammer as a golden barrier formed around her.

“Have at you, fiend!” Ilea spoke as she saw several metric tons of stone materializing in front of her, the velocity and weight enough to perhaps squash a lesser being. A gate sent the thing right back at the Meadow, a large barrier thrumming to life as their bout began. A welcome change after she had dealt with the boring slew of corrupted.

Chapter 818 Wasteland

A note from Rhaegar

VoidHerald published Vainqueur as a webtoon :). Check it out here https://tapas.io/episode/2454114

Chapter 818 Wasteland

Cold winds moved over the salt stone of Kohr. The skies were clear for once. A rare occasion, one that allowed for sight of the moon, though even the celestial body seemed dulled and gray.

Adam shivered.

How long had it been since he had last seen the moon? A week? A month? Time seemed to pass at a different pace in this wretched realm. At first it had been a simple realization. His first week here enough to tell him about the lack of sunlight. By the end of the first month he had hated it. A simple thing to bear at first, but one that felt heavier with every passing cycle. Days, nights, whatever one wanted to call them. None had a meaning here in Kohr, the hellscape always the same. It looked the same. Smelled the same.

He set down the corpses, summoning Rosie, a spirit of fire he had found at the edges of the Isanna desert. A crooked smirk came to his cracked and dried out lips. How he had hated being in that desert, and now he wished for little more but to see the suns of Elos.

Rosie appeared at his command and set alight the mangled demon corpses. Spawn, he had learned. The weakest of their kind. Easily slain when in small groups, better avoided in larger ones.

The flickering flames caught his attention, the man meditating as he watched. It helped. Sometimes he watched Rosie, but it didn’t feel right. She was there to fight, to burn, not to be watched as some sort of distraction.

Distraction from the guilt he felt.

Distraction from his failure to fulfill his task.

He had betrayed his Order. He had betrayed Ravenhall. Thousands would have died, at best. He did not want to consider the worst. And yet he had. Many times.

Don’t give in to the thoughts. Don’t ever give in. You came here to find her. To save her. She has called for you, and she is out there still.

He took in a deep breath, the warmth of the fire welcome in the cold environment. Soon the demons would come, those who could perceive the light of flames.

Adam kept an eye towards the skies, in case one of the horrors came his way. Incomprehensible beings of the beyond. Worse than anything he could’ve dreamed up back in Ravenhall. He knew there were high level creatures out there, but seeing them, seeing what they could do. Humanity could do nothing but hide from this kind of being. Of that he was certain.

The Shadow’s Hand. A farce. A bitter memory. Humans fighting against what lurked in the wilderness, what hid below the surface. They were children, all of them. And he was the most foolish one.

Thinking to find his daughter in a realm unknown to him. A realm inhabited by monsters. Months it had been, since he had found the last Ascended facility. Little had he found but traps, enough to nearly kill him. And yet another friend had he lost. Few remained now, of the beings he had brought from beyond. New ones joined, all abominations. Demons, wretched bone and flesh.

All that kept him sane was the single thought of Octavia.

The daughter he had lost. Another failing, to add to the pile. Had he pushed her too hard? Had he kept her hidden for too long? He had only wanted to protect her, had only wanted her to… to. He sighed. Too long had it been.

And when she called for his help, how could he have refused?

Thousands died.

He shook his head. There had been no other way.

For years had he researched. For years had he planned. He would have killed everyone, if it meant for him to save his daughter.

You didn’t save her.

“I tried,” he said, his lips trembling.

You are lost.

Alone.

You will die here.

He didn’t even fight back anymore. But neither could he give up.

Not after everything he had done. Everything he had invested. He had come to the realm of demons, as Octavia had asked. The voice still fresh in his mind. A voice he had never heard, and yet he knew it to be hers. He had searched, but he had failed to find her.

How many times had he asked himself all these questions? He didn’t know.

Looking to the left, he saw the unending darkness. The deep, still, oceans of Kohr. He had seen, things. Things moving in the depths. Perhaps it was best to join them? He sighed, ripping away the leg of a demon. The flames were mesmerizing as he focused and meditated, the meat downright rotten. He gagged, hearing his stomach rumble. For fish… just to get some fish, he thought, glancing once again at the still waters. He felt the darkness pull him in before he ripped himself away, once again staring at the flickering light.

He finished as much of the meat as he could stomach, standing up before he summoned one of the flying demons he had killed and taken in. He did not give them names.

Stepping on its back, he commanded the creature to fly low, and not too quickly. Ambushes were common, especially with Mind Weavers. He had to be prepared, always. The direction he chose was random, any leads to find anything but more demons scarce, and all they led to, were dens of monsters, long forgotten metal ruins full of traps and technology he failed to truly comprehend. Teleportation rooms that led to nowhere. Imprisoned demons, most long dead. Corpses of a war millennia past.

Octavia had written about it. Had asked him to investigate, to look for books, for hints, anything. Hubris, he had thought, ages past. What would a child know of ancient wars not recorded by history, even Dagon stumped by her questions, by the runes she had shown them. He knew now that she had been right. About something. About this realm existing. About the runes, some of them he had seen in the metal ruins.

Adam did not know where she had found them, where she had learned about all this. If only I had listened. Too arrogant. Too focused on his own research, his own life and worries.

She was your daughter. And you weren’t there.

For days he flew, not a single being besides spawn visible on the fractured landscape. A good stretch, as no more dangerous horrors showed themselves, and at the same time he grew more frustrated. Nothing. This realm. The endless salt. The dark oceans. The single moon.

Where are you?

Where. Are. You?

“Adam,” a voice spoke into his mind.

He turned, moved his head in the direction he had thought the voice had come from.

A strange voice.

His own?

You mad old fool.

“Adam.” There it was again. A whisper. Quiet like the winds. Strained. Different. No accent he had ever heard.

“Adam Strand? You are him. Are you not? Eyes the color of the ocean when the moon is brightest. Pale flesh but pink, unlike spawn. Clothing made of delicate fabric. You are not of this realm,” the voice spoke into his head.

He turned but couldn’t make out the source.

“Answer me, Adam, and I shall bring you to the Teacher of Kasak Uruun,” the voice spoke.

“Show yourself!” Adam shouted through his mind, his eyes taking in the salt rock and stone of Kohr. A wasteland. A sign. Or a trap. “I am him you seek. Show yourself!”

He saw a single form float up from a crevice. A hooded being, dressed in rugged leathers. Its face was dark, two large spheres of nothing where its eyes should’ve been. A Mind Weaver. He braced himself for the mental attack, steeling his mind for what was to come, his own magic flaring up as he prepared to summon his allies.

Yet nothing happened.

The being floated and remained unmoving.

“What do you seek in the Great Salt, Adam, you who hail from lands of dirt,” the being spoke.

They never spoke. Not like this. Arrogant mind mages with the single purpose to kill and recruit into their personal horde. Adam had thought them monsters for nearly a year, until one of them had used its telepathy to talk into his mind. Intelligent monsters, but monsters nonetheless.

“I seek one like myself,” he spoke, tired, exhausted. Whatever this being offered, it was change. Something new. Whoever or whatever this teacher was, whoever this being was, it knew of his name.

“Then come, and follow me, before the great devourers find us,” the being spoke and turned, floating down towards the ground.

Adam watched. He shook his head with gritted teeth. Fuck. Will I follow a monster like that? It surely was a trap, the being somehow grasping his name through mind magic. And yet he found himself following the hooded figure.

Hope was a wretched thing.

Adam landed near the creature, several meters away, his black winged demon standing near.

[Mind Weaver – lvl 238]

Far below his own level, though mind magic was tricky. He was glad for the resistance he had, the highest in the second tier. And still, if more than a few of the creatures worked together, he was not sure of victory. He looked around to find the spawn, the other monsters it surely controlled. But there were none.

The Mind Weaver glanced at Adam before it walked towards a chasm in the salt stone.

He followed the being, down into a deep crevice, entirely dark. Adam summoned Rosie to provide some light, the spell alerting the being in front of him.

“The light is bound to attract those we do not wish to follow. If you wish to meet the Teacher, send away the being you have called,” the Mind Weaver said.

“And leave myself in darkness? I don’t trust you,” Adam said.

The being paused, glanced up and then towards the flames of Rosie. It seemed to come to a conclusion as it looked back to Adam. “This one’s name, is Varehn.”

Adam looked on, waiting for more, but that was it.

“Is that supposed to change something?” he asked.

Varehn made a strange noise, almost like grinding teeth. “Sharing one’s name, is a great sign of trust, Adam.”

“But you already know mine. Now we’re even. Who is the Teacher of Kasak Uruun?” he asked.

“The Teacher has called for you, and others. On this realm and beyond. By chance we meet, and while it pleases Varehn to find Adam,” the being spoke and paused, raising its head ever so slightly. “You are rude.”

Adam stared at the creature before he laughed. The sound was strange. Foreign.

He coughed and snapped his fingers, Rosie gone in an instant.

He had been an Elder of the Shadow’s Hand, once priding himself in the fact that he was no battle obsessed barbarian. He would not be called rude by a mind magic monster in the realm of demons.

“I apologize,” Adam said. The words came easy. He had wanted to apologize many times in the past years, to many people. Not that it would make a difference. Here perhaps, it would.

The demon made another sound and continued walking.

Dim light, but enough for him to follow. Still he pressed a hand against the salt stone wall, the ground uneven but he had a few flying beasts in case he got stuck or fell. He still thought about the possibility of it being a trap, but as they walked in silence, Adam realized something else.

He had been lonely.

The beings he summoned. They were at most pets. Simple creatures. Varehn was real. A thinking being, and he felt the telepathic connection remained.

“What are you?” he asked after a while, desperate for conversation just as much as information.

“I am Varehn. Mind Weaver of the Great Salt, disciple of the Teacher,” the being answered, the voice reverberating in his mind.

“You speak our language?” Adam asked.

“Many do, amongst our kind. As we do others,” the being spoke.

“How so? This is another realm, is it not?” he asked.

“And can knowledge of one realm not reach another? Written word is passed or taken from one to another, or given, from one to many. Language is but the code we use to express thought in voice. It is not my preferred way of communication, but it suits humans,” the being spoke.

“Is the Teacher a human?” Adam said.

“I believe so,” Varehn spoke.

Adam could feel his heart beat faster. There was a chance, at the very least, to meet another human. One of his kind. He gulped. Would they know of what he had done? Were they here to hunt him? Verena perhaps? She would be crazy enough to consider something like this. Not Pierce. That woman would hate being in a place like Kohr, even more than he did.

“Have you met many humans?” Adam said. As long as Varehn would answer, he would ask.

“Few,” the Mind Weaver sent.

“From the lands of dirt?” he asked, remembering the description Varehn had used.

“Some. Others not,” the being spoke.

Others not? Does he mean.

“You met humans from differing realms?” Adam asked.

“Is it so strange? The Great Salt, shifts in the fabric, its existence marred by the Old Ones. You too have found your way here,” it said.

“It wasn’t easy to get here,” he said.

“And it is yet harder, to leave,” Varehn said. “Many of my kind strive for that goal most of all.”

Adam gulped. If it was more difficult to leave than it was to come here, he was truly lost. Getting to Kohr had been a one way affair. He left anchors in Elos, as his research had suggested, but he was no scholar of space magic. He could not go back, not alone. It had never been a concern. Not with the words she had sent.

“The Old Ones… are there other names for them?” he asked.

“Tell me the one you use, and I will tell you if they are the same,” Varehn spoke.

Adam hesitated. What little he knew of the beings, he had learned from Octavia’s scribbles. “Ascended,” he said finally.

The Mind Weaver turned its head back for a moment. “The name some Old Ones called themselves, it is said.”

“Are they still here?” he asked.

“Perhaps. I have not perceived, nor communed with one such as them, though would a being such as they commune with one such as I?” the Mind Weaver spoke, a rhetorical question it seemed.

“You think highly of the Old Ones?” Adam asked. He knew Octavia had been interested in them. And she had asked for his help in fighting them.

“The Old Ones have left our realm in ruin. Our bodies, disfigured. Our minds, destroyed. Those few who remained had forgotten, but history is difficult to truly remove. I would curse them, if I could, for what they have done. For what they have chosen not to do. We remain here, in this wasteland, forgotten, abandoned, left to eat one another. Would you not condemn them?”

Adam remained silent. There were parallels in the words Varehn had offered that he couldn’t deny. Would I not condemn them? Of course I would. But I do not know their reasons.

“Perhaps they condemn themselves,” he sent after a while of silence.

The Mind Weaver made a strange sound. Laughter perhaps, but it could’ve just as much been crying.

Adam followed without another word, lost in his thoughts and guilt until they came into a cavern of sorts. The ceiling almost looked like ice.

“We are not far now. Come,” Varehn sent as it led Adam towards a dark tunnel, one of four.

He didn’t know how long they walked, but after several forks in the the tunnel system, they came out into an open space.

Adam had difficulties seeing, but just the sound of his steps made him aware of the vast space around them.

“We have arrived, Adam,” Varehn spoke.

“I cannot see.”

“If it is fire you require, then you may summon it. The Teacher accepts its presence,” the Mind Weaver said.

Adam focused on his spell, pulling Rosie before the spirit appeared, lighting up the cavern. A part of it at least. Not enough for him to see the ceiling or the walls. But he did see a few more beings dressed in leather cloaks, hooded and sitting. None looked his way, all of them facing a white tree about twenty meters ahead.

It was dead, branches withered. And yet it was the first tree he had seen in Kohr, larger than most even in Elos, reaching up beyond where the fire of Rosie illuminated.

At the base of the tree sat a person clad in white furs. Their head below a hood.

Adam took a step forward, his hand reaching out. He knew her.

The figure raised their head, flickering light reflected off of light blue eyes. A smile tugged on her lips, her mouth slightly agape, pronounced fangs visible.

He felt a connection to his mind before a voice resounded. A voice he had only ever heard once.

“Rosie,” she said.

“Octavia,” Adam spoke, the words reverberating through the hall as the Mind Weavers turned his way, black holes taking him in.

Octavia jumped up from the ground, floating for moment before she moved his way. “You have come after all, father.”

Chapter 819 Journey

Chapter 819 Journey

Tears welled up in his eyes. “Of course… of course I have. I’m sorry… I’m so-”

“Please do not speak aloud. It disturbs the others,” Octavia sent.

Her voice was so beautiful. A voice he could now hear, though she could not speak aloud. His lips quivered, a smile on his face as his emotions warred. He wanted to say everything at once, but her request had grounded him. The others. Mind Weavers.

“Your voice,” he sent.

The woman moved closer, hovering, the fur she was dressed in flowing, giving the movement an almost ethereal quality. His daughter. She had changed. Lost weight, the hair on her head, gone, the joy in her eyes replaced by something else. Calculation? Knowledge? He felt small before her, uncertain and lost in the wild lands of Kohr while she was floating amidst Mind Weavers as if she were one of them.

[Divination Mage – lvl ???]

“You are the Teacher of Kasak Uruun,” he said, more to himself. She had contacted him, from another realm, to seek help. But the person he saw did not require his help. What could he offer to someone as powerful as her? A three mark human. His daughter. “I’m proud of you.”

“I have become what I am not thanks to you, father,” she spoke. Her tone wasn’t harsh. Playful in a way, dismissive. A fact more than anything. “I can see you have sacrificed much to come here. More than I would have imagined.”

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches lvl 16’

His eyes opened wide. “Ravenhall… I…”

Her eyes widened before a shiver went through her. A hand grasped her brow, the mind weavers nearby looking her way though they did not move beyond that.

“What have I done…” Octavia spoke before she looked up, a pulse of magic flowing out from her. She took in a deep breath before she focused back on him. “The love of a father. I had hoped it would bring you here, despite the time, despite our past.”

He didn’t dare speak. She knew. Though he didn’t know how much. Whatever he could say, it would not change what he had done. She knew why he had done it, knew he would have stopped at nothing to find her.

“I had hoped it would be less.” She shook her head ever so slightly. “But what is done, is done. Let their sacrifice not be in vain. You are here now, and I need your help. Walk with me.” She landed on the cold salt stone before she walked towards Rosie. A sad smile tugged on her lips when she touched the spirit of fire. The flames did not hurt her. Octavia moved past the summoned being and towards a tunnel beyond.

Adam followed, glancing at the Mind Weavers as he fidgeted with his hands. He had found her. Finally. Though he felt conflicted. A part of him was glad, knew he would do everything to help. And yet the guilt he felt now that she knew, was worse than anything he had felt before. His cause had been just up until now, though his conviction had wavered.

“You said you hoped it would be less…”

She turned her head back towards him as she walked. A glance, one blue eye. “The ashes you feel cannot be redeemed. Nothing I tell you would bring redemption. It is I who called you here. A selfish request perhaps, but a necessary one. What happened to the peoples of Ravenhall, it is mine to bear, though you would not have it.

“Know that your actions now are everything that matters,” she spoke, leading him into a spacious dome like cavern, moonlight shining in from a small opening in the high ceiling. Runes drawn in blood covered the entirety of the ground and walls. Runes he did not know, interlinked and set up in intricate patterns, a magic circle more complex than most everything he had seen before. The work of years.

“Why?” he asked. The question had weighed him down. More as time had passed in Kohr. More as he had started to lose hope. Now that it was here, it was the only thing that kept him sane. “I have killed… thousands…”

“I know. And you will help save millions,” she answered. “What do you know of the Ascended?”

Hours had passed since Octavia had explained to him what she had learned. What had started in Eregar’s Haven, what had led her to the North, deep below the surface, into facilities long forgotten, and finally to Kohr. Adam believed her. For the first time he truly listened, all the memories of her childlike enthusiasm, her pleas to learn more about the past of the Shadow’s Hand, the secrets held deep in Dagon’s vaults, secrets only to be seen by the Elders themselves.

Of course he had checked, out of interest if anything. But he had found nothing. History past, boring sets of names and retold events that had nothing to do with what his daughter claimed. It was difficult to refuse her now. If only for her power, both the magic she wielded, and the position she held amongst the Mind Weavers giving credit to her claims.

It left a bitter taste. All of it.

He could help with what she needed, and he would. But to think he had not been aware of such a threat. His pride as an Elder of the Shadow’s Hand, thought shattered, suffered yet another blow. Oblivious, though he didn’t know who else would’ve known. About the Ascended, the ancient war, the missing sun. It was hard to believe, but he was in another realm. His daughter commanded mind magic creatures he had thought demons.

Perhaps he had sought judgment, but it was not judgment he had found in Kohr. What he had found was purpose. Something to cling to. Octavia was right. He could not change the past, but he would do all in his power to change the future. His influence in Ravenhall was gone, and in the Empire he would now be a fugitive. If the Hand had been defeated, he at least knew that Lys would’ve handled the demon threat. Perhaps his summoning had unwittingly prepared the Kingdoms and Empires of humanity for what was to come.

But while he was no Elder of the Shadow’s Hand no more, he had spent decades of his live traveling, had debts and favors owed to him. It would not be easy, but if he could navigate Octavia into a position where she could make her plea and wield her power, perhaps there was still time.

He looked at Arken, the young lightning elemental he had found long past in his travels through the southern mountain range of Kroll. Sparks arced around the being, some connecting to the runes within the cavern. “You will make this possible, old friend,” he spoke, a slight smile on his face as he looked at the being still a few hundred levels above his own. Something told him that Arken understood, more than any other of his summons. He remembered that he had felt the same, even before coming to Kohr.

He turned his head when he felt something connect to his mind. Beings clad in dark leather approached through the tunnel.

It was time.

Octavia was among them, joining Adam’s side as she looked at Arken.

“You seem joyous,” Adam remarked. Some of his own deep fatigue had faded, though he was tense.

She glanced at him, a smile on her face, the fangs she had not had visible. Likely caused by evolutions. “How could I not be? My kin will know the touch of sunlight, will know the scent of earth, the sound of birdsong.”

Kin, Adam thought as he watched dozens and dozens of Mind Weavers float into the hall, each taking up position on the runic circle, all without a word spoken, without a sound made. He thought the atmosphere serene. Divine even.

“Are you sure it will work?” he asked.

Octavia’s smile didn’t waver. “I know your magic well. I trust in your abilities, father. I trust in mine, and theirs,” she said, gesturing wide.

The motions stopped a few minutes later. The only sounds in the cave the lightning sparks of Arken. Adam knew there were over a hundred, close to two hundred. All of them the same mind magic wielders he had occasionally fought in Kohr. Their eyes like abysses, their forms thin and frail. They were monsters, looked like monsters, and yet Octavia floated amongst them, at the center of the magic circle. And he would help to bring them back.

His daughter. Himself. And everyone around them.

Summoning magic was complex, but what Octavia required was his ability to bring his allies along through teleportation. A skill any summoner at his level would surely possess, though few still practiced this rare school. Most preferred a more direct path to power. Body Enhancement or Elemental magics. But they would be limited by their own level, their stats, and the skills they wielded. All the while he could wield the power of half an army, as long as he managed to convince or force them into his control. The former he preferred. Companions instead of slaves, using less of his mana to command.

He formed the bonds. Temporary as he was not capable to hold so many for extended periods of time. All but his four remaining old companions he had let go. Demon spawn returned to continue their roaming of the unforgiving lands of Kohr, either that or corpses left to be eaten, no longer animated by his magic.

“I am ready,” he sent thought the established link.

“As am I. Tell Arken to start,” Octavia spoke as she cut the palm of her hand with a bone dagger. Blood dripped onto the runes below, her eyes closed as she started drawing into thin air with an outstretched finger, more runes appearing, glowing blue as they started to circle around her.

Adam gave the command, and Arken obeyed. The lightning being raised its two broad arms, bursts of blue light extending before a continuous stream of its magic flowed into the runes below. The blood neither burnt nor distorted but instead glowing in hues of red.

A thrum echoed through the caverns. Originating from Octavia. The sound reverberated in a strange harmony. Screeches resounded far in the distance above the cavern, demons feeling the magic taking hold. A chance to fill their bellies, to tread ground softer than the salt stone they had known for all their life.

Another pulse.

Lightning surged.

The runes trembled.

Adam opened his eyes, breathing hard. The air tasted different. Warmer. No longer did it smell of the sea. Instead it was dry. He smiled and fell, the connection to the beings all around snapping like splintered chains, only his four remained, Arken much smaller than he had been before, though he knew the elemental would recover.

They were in the cave where he had found him, high up in the southern mountains, territory either unclaimed or belonging to Kroll.

They had made it back.

To Elos.

Adam knelt down and touched the ground. Solid stone and bits of earth. He smiled as tears came to his eyes, sunlight entering the cave from a crack near the entrance. He scrambled up and jumped down, rushing to the light as movement came to the Mind Weavers around him. They followed him out. Out onto the steep slope descending down towards the Isanna desert.

He closed his eyes when he came outside, Rosie, and Arken catching up. The warmth made the hair on his arms and neck stand up. Reprieve at last, from the salt, the cold, and the darkness. What he had missed, the others had not ever known. Strange noises came from the creatures floating nearby, the dark abysses of their eyes staring towards the glowing orbs hanging on the distant horizon. The endless sea of sand expanding before them, mountains rising behind.

Laughter resounded and Adam turned, rushing to his daughter before he hugged her. He hesitated but she didn’t reject his embrace. The sound had felt so familiar, like the girl that had wreaked havoc in his office, the girl who had sparred against Shadows despite his wishes for her to stay hidden, the girl that had spent much of her time in Viscera and the Haven, sitting in on classes meant for Shadows.

He held her, like he should have done ages past.

And soon she raised a hand to his chest, gently pushing him away.

She was not that girl anymore.

She was the Teacher. A three mark. A divination mage evolved to bear fangs, wearing furs, surviving in Kohr, and commanding creatures he had thought demons, monsters. Yet still, she remained his daughter, and when he had failed her time and time again, they were both here now.

“We are here,” she sent.

He looked towards the suns, covering his eyes lightly. “We are.”

“Alone. Lost. With the kin that will be branded demons, abominations. The same will be said about me,” she spoke.

“I have destroyed my reputation. Few would even listen to me, but those few remain. Where do you plan to go?” Adam asked.

Octavia looked at him. There had been a time when she had shared everything with him. Her thoughts, her worries. That time had long past. He knew as much.

“The Golden Lily,” she spoke. “Though as I am now, I may be rejected, attacked even. But they are my best chance among humans.”

“The Lily,” Adam mused. “I hadn’t known.”

“They contacted me after my time with the tribes of the northern plains,” she said. “You seem skeptical.”

Adam looked out onto the desert. “I don’t doubt their power. But those I know who are part of their Order… I don’t know if they would listen.”

“Do you have any alternatives? It’s been a long while since I left,” Octavia spoke, looking to the south.

“The world does not change in a few short years,” Adam said and smiled. “There is an old friend that lives in this desert. Perhaps he would be willing to listen, despite everything I’ve done.”

“Who?” Octavia asked.

“A librarian,” Adam spoke and smiled. “He might know more about the Ascended.”

“The Foundation,” Octavia said, a slight smile tugging on her lips. “I’m banned.”

“Of course you are,” Adam said. “Will you remain here with your… kin.”

She looked at him, her eyes a little softer. “I shall wait for two days without venturing out. The Foundation will know about the current status in the Plains. Though after, I will… venture westwards.”

“West… what are you suggesting?” Adam asked.

“There are a people, living in a desert far from here. They will help,” she said. “But we need everyone we can convince.”

“Humans?” he asked, but a part of him knew the answer already.

She shook her head, ever so slightly.

“What are they?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“Mava. Tailed beings of fur and claw. Teachers once, friends, and kin,” she spoke.

Adam couldn’t help but sigh. He had expected something worse, though he ignored the demons floating all around them. “If you trust them.”

“That I do, though they will be less concerned about this threat. Their way of life is… different,” she said.

“I will go to the Foundation. Wait for me,” he spoke.

“I will. For two days,” she answered. “I promise.”

Adam nodded. He touched her shoulder, gently. She promised. She won’t leave again. She is here now. In this realm. Our home.

He gave her a light nod and turned, summoning his allies before he flew out towards the desert. Towards the Foundation of Glass.

The flight took hours, the suns unforgiving. How long had he longed for their presence? And already he wished again for shade. His wish was granted as the suns set, his journey continuing for another few hours, the sea of stars above reminding him that he was not in Kohr. Not in the lands of demons and horrors.

He used the stars to find what he sought, finally seeing the mountains in the distance. Adam summoned a thick armored coat. He covered his face and put up his hood. Nobody had seen him in years, let alone the Seekers would not recognize him in the first place. Few had ever seen him. He did not try to hide on his approach, though he made his summons vanish, lest they be recognized.

He landed in the sands, waiting for the group of defenders to approach. Sand mages all of them, gliding on the desert grounds as if they had been born in it. He would not challenge them, even now after he had faced Kohr. Most were in the two hundreds and though he had reached the three hundreds himself while in the Great Salt, his summons were exhausted, most of them destroyed in the past years. Perhaps he could fight his way through, but facing the Seekers in their desert was not a wise thing to do. And he was glad he didn’t have to.

“Traveler,” one of the Seekers spoke, approaching with purpose. “Speak your name, and your reason for approaching the Foundation.”

Adam summoned a small trinket, one he had gotten decades past. An inscribed silver plate, enchanted and stored within his ring. He held it up and placed it on the tray of sand that formed before him.

The Seeker inspected the plate for two seconds. “Come with us.”

He didn’t reply, following in silence, into the Foundation and up the many stairs. Adam found the library far more impressive at night, the starlight dancing on the glass surface. He sighed, entering past the large doors with the same Seeker leading him deeper into the structure. Past stairs and corridors. Soon he reached a single door, made of dark treated wood, the handle made of silver.

The Seeker nocked and entered, returning half a minute later. “You may enter, stranger.”

Adam looked at the armored man, his face obscured just like his own. He entered, closing the door behind himself.

The office looked the same as he had remembered. Shelves full of books from ground to ceiling, simple tapestries of deep red and yellow colors, a single painting that depicted nothing he could understand but made him feel longing, for what he did not know. The wooden desk was modest, as was everything else, more so considering the power of the man he sought.

The same simple sand colored robes. Black skin and hair. He looked young, but Adam knew better. Deep green eyes took him in.

“Evan. It’s been a while, old friend,” Adam spoke.

Chapter 820 Plea

Chapter 820 Plea

Adam knew the man sitting in front of him could kill him if he wanted to. He knew the man was aware of what he had done in Ravenhall. And still he thought him one of the few people who would listen.

“Adam Strand,” Evan spoke, his voice deep, considering. No magic flared up, no rapier was drawn. There was no smile on his face either. “You return. From the dead I had presumed, but you seem alive. Haggard and tired but alive.” The man stood up and walked over to a small table that stood to the side, tea leaves and a pot ready with cups. “Sit while I prepare some tea.”

Adam watched the man’s back.

[Sand Mage – lvl ??]

Still higher. He sat down on the large leather chair, sighing at the simple comfort. The room was warm. Warmer than any of the caves he had slept in recently. He moved a finger across the leather, feeling the material against his back. A fragrance soon flowed towards him from the silent man, boiling water audible. He felt calm. A quiet he hadn’t felt in years. The feeling was so overwhelming he had to focus to keep his composure.

Evan took his time, finally pouring two cups before he walked back to his chair, putting one down in front of Adam.

“Thank you,” Adam said and took the cup, feeling the warmth spread to his hands before he smelled the complex aroma. Cinnamon. He took a sip and closed his eyes.

Evan did the same before he talked.

“You have come to claim the favor that I owe, though you must understand that I have no obligation to protect you.”

“I am not here to seek protection, or forgiveness. More is at stake than just my life. I have found my daughter,” Adam said and looked at the man’s eyes.

“Octavia. I remember,” Evan said, a smile tugging on his lips.

“She had traveled to Kohr, the realm of demons, the realm of Ascended,” Evan said. “You remember what she was.”

“A divination mage. The reason an entire set of enchantments was added to our libraries. What news do you bring from that forgotten realm?” Evan asked.

“News of war,” Adam said. “And a request. Not for help, not from me. I only wish that she can speak and explain it all to you.”

Evan remained silent for a while, moving his cup in a swaying motion. His expression was unreadable. He took in a deep breath and sighed, taking a long sip from his tea before he spoke. “I had feared this day. Had feared they were not done with this realm. I will come with you to see her, and I will listen.”

“You know them. The Ascended, the war, the sun?” Adam asked, getting louder with each word.

“I am a keeper of knowledge, former Elder Strand. I collect, and keep knowledge,” he said.

“Then… then you know what this means, you know the threat. How did even the Shadow’s Hand not know of this?” Adam asked.

Evan remained quiet for a time. “You are young, Adam. You were ambitious, rose in power quickly. Even now after everything that happened, there is purpose driving you forward.” He stood up. “But you remain young. The threats lurking in the darkness, in the depths of the oceans, in realms unknown, they elude both me and you. And now perhaps, one such threat has set its eyes on these lands once more.”

Adam stood up as well, setting down his cup. “Do you think there is anything we can do?”

“Who knows? But the chances now are better than they have been for a while,” Evan said.

“What do you mean? Surely with Ravenhall…” Adam said, his voice stuck before he closed his mouth.

“Ravenhall was devastated, Adam. Due to your actions. A hundred thousand lives, snuffed out. But the Hand returned, retook what was lost. A lot has happened since you left for the Great Salt.” He paused and looked up at the ceiling before he looked back to Adam. “I will listen to Octavia, under one condition.”

“And what would that be?” Adam asked.

The man smiled for the first time during their conversation. “I will bring along a friend.”

___________________________

Ilea rolled in the bed, using her ash to pluck the grapes from the remaining vines. They were ripe despite it being winter. Magic is nice.

She ate them one by one, enjoying the busy sounds of an evening Virilya. The Redleaf mansion was not in a particularly busy part of the sprawling city, but there was enough going on to provide some entertainment.

The woman in question had already left. A meeting with the Empress and high nobility, probably more annoying than one of her own talks with the Accords. It had been nice, to have someone in a somewhat similar position, though they were annoyed about entirely different sets of problems.

Ilea mostly with the amount of information in regards to laws, new settlements, teleportation network expansion, material acquisitions, scouting reports, and more recently the quelling of the resurging corruption in the North. Aki was doing an excellent job as far as the Meadow’s reports were concerned, Sentinels downright fighting each other to help and gain experience.

Of course the ancient or newly made Taleen machines were more than capable enough to deal with the problem, the levels of Aki’s higher tier machines were somewhat static. At the moment, being an adventurer wasn’t exactly as lucrative a profession as it had been before the gates and Aki, but even a level three hundred human could challenge Praetorians. At level five hundred, they would likely be equal or more powerful than an Executioner.

Considerations the Accords didn’t forget. In case of threats beyond the capabilities of the Guardian of Iz, it was nice to have some capable individuals around, like herself. But the goal was that Ilea wouldn’t remain the only one to deal with dangerous four marks.

“Where are you! You’re here!” Edwin shouted somewhere in the hallway.

Hmm.

Ilea opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow. She considered for a moment and closed it again. She had avoided the man for months already, Felicia mentioning a few times that he had asked for her. Nothing important, the woman had assured.

She summoned some ash onto her body when the man stuttered in his step, visible in her sphere as his teleportation spell had been prevented. She frowned. “You should knock before entering a woman’s room. Anyone’s room really.”

“Ah don’t give me that shit, as if you knock at everyone’s door before rudely interrupting, space mage,” he sent back but did knock.

He knew she would just teleport him back out if he entered without.

“Yes,” she said, moving a few more grapes into her mouth.

Edwin entered, clad in his armor, helmet in hand. There was dried blood on it, his face and hair covered in sweat.

“It’s winter, why are you so sweaty?” she asked.

He looked at her and shook his head. “It reeks of sex,” he complained, walking to the window before he ripped it open, turning around before he leaned against the sill.

“You’re pissy today,” she said.

“Nobody fucking talks to me,” he said, pointing at himself. “For months now I’ve tried to reach you, or get anything out of Felicia. The Taleen? The dwarves? What happened?”

Ilea rolled on the bed before she moved to the edge, sitting up. “Oh that? Kind of old news really. Aki is now the Guardian of Iz, in control of all the Taleen machines, and their facilities. Have you not seen all the mass produced products? Sound boxes finally,” she said with a smile. “Though still not nearly as good as a smartphone.”

“The Guardian… of Iz? What does that mean? All Taleen machines? And the dwarves themselves… where were they?” he asked.

“You know, if you would become an instructor at the Ravenhall Academy, you’d get access to more information than just being an adventurer,” Ilea said.

“I’m the brother of Felicia Redleaf, for fuck’s sake! And I know Lilith, the Lilith, the great one, the revered one, the immortal, oh praised be her name,” he said and raised his arms towards the ceiling.

“I’m flattered,” she said. “And busy, as is your sister. There’s not much to know, Edwin. The world is moving fast. The Accords are uncovering secrets and forging new alliances. You should get with the times. Perhaps you want to join the Sentinels? Or train with Aki? Plenty of options in various cities.”

He calmed down, looking at the helm now held in both his hands. He shook his head. “I feel left behind.”

Ilea smiled. “Your self awareness is striking. Incredible really. Bravo,” she said and clapped her hands.

“Fuck off,” he said.

“I can,” she said and summoned a gate.

“No,” he said. “You know what I mean. I’m sorry.”

“If you want something, talk to Trian or Kyrian. They should be at the Sentinel Headquarters. Or I can get you in touch with Aki, if you want to train,” Ilea said.

He stared at his helmet before he sighed.

Jyraiu rushed up the stairs finally, puffing as he entered the room. “Apologies, Lady Lilith, I couldn’t-”

“I think I can defend myself from the ruffian,” she said. “Edwin, If you want to be in the loop, stop fucking around.”

He looked up and nearly growled. “All you do is fuck around.”

“Yes, but I’m the one who creates the loop you want to be in,” she said with a grin, her ash armor layering on her body before white flame flared up. “I can do what I want, Edwin. You should too.”

He just looked at her, his head slumping a little.

“Ilea. A request from a friend. Join me if you can, as fast as possible. Do not attack anyone,” a voice came to her mind. Evan’s. He had never contacted her through the mark before, though had agreed to carry one. Both for their bouts and for emergencies. Her involvement with the Cerithil Hunters and Isalthar specifically had earned her more than a little trust with the founder of the Foundation of Glass.

Interesting. And he’s asking me not to attack anyone.

“I just got a request,” she said. “More urgent than the two of you, I’m afraid. We can go drinking sometime, talk about our feelings and dreams. Sound alright?”

Edwin shook his head.

She snickered. “For old time’s sake, Edwin, deary. I meant it, you know. Trian is a noble, like you, and he’s gone through pretty rough patches. Talking to him might help,” she said.

“Like with Roland,” he asked. “Am I really that sad?”

Ilea shrugged. “Getting some help from time to time isn’t sad, it’s natural. Except if you have mind healing like I do,” she said and tapped her head. “Go talk to the guys, or stay miserable. Your choice.”

She activated her third tier transfer, glancing at Jyraiu who had tried very hard not to move during the conversation. “Hi,” she said with a wave.

“Hello,” he answered with a slightly awkward smile right before she vanished.

Ilea appeared next to Evan with a grin on her face. A grin that dropped almost immediately as she perceived the entire cavern through her dominion. Her eyes moved to the two humans, one in particular.

The disheveled man had lost some weight. His black and gray hair not quite as well taken care of as the last time she had seen him. His cheeks had lost color, and he slouched ever so slightly. He looked at her but recognition didn’t seem to pass his eyes.

Elder Adam Strand. The man responsible for the demon summoning in Ravenhall, and the subsequent deaths of well over a hundred thousand people. Citizens of Ravenhall, Lys, and even beyond. The man she had followed to Kohr, had fought alongside Trian. He was back.

[Summoner – lvl 338]

And he was stronger, though he did not look it. Not in the slightest.

His look somewhat quenched her anger, coupled with Evan’s request to not start hostilities. A part of her calm reaction was caused by the rest of the people in the cavern.

Near two hundred Mind Weavers, looking at Evan and her. And a single woman, blue eyes the same as Adam’s. She was clad in white furs, a cloak covering parts of her face. Fangs exited her mouth. She was thin but not frail, and she sat crouching, a dead animal in front of her. Lizard like, common by the looks for the outskirts of the Isanna desert. Her blue eyes tore into her.

“You should stop that, if you plan to live for longer than two minutes,” Ilea sent to her as soon as she felt the magic brush over her.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 15’

The incursion stopped.

[Divination Mage – lvl 512]

“You have come, thank you,” Evan said to her.

“It’s certainly an interesting party,” Ilea said as she took another look around, her eyes stopping on Adam. “Long time no see, Elder.”

His brows rose but he seemed confused.

“Nearly got you, back in Kohr,” she said. “But I suppose you’re here now.”

His eyes narrowed before he shook his head. “I… impossible… you couldn’t have…”

“What? Survived? You did, and you got stronger. I suppose we both had interesting journeys. Care to explain why you let thousands of people die to get to the Great Salt?”

“I am at fault,” another voice spoke. Through telepathy, and not through the link she had established. The woman clad in furs. “Great Lilith. You are difficult to grasp, but your power is unquestioned. It is I, Octavia Strand, who has called for my father’s help. I had not intended for the sacrifices caused by his method of travel. What is done, is done, and I shall atone for the deaths, and make right, what I can.”

“I think that time has long passed,” Ilea sent, to everyone as well.

“I grew up in Ravenhall. Many of those who have died, I would have known. I do not take this lightly. Should we live through all this, I will spend my time to help,” Octavia said.

“Why am I here?” Ilea asked, looking at Evan. “And why should I not kill him right now?”

“Because there is a greater threat,” Octavia said. “And Evan Trayne of the Foundation chose to include you. For your power perhaps, or the influence you wield, I do not know.”

“She is just a Shadow… only been one for a few years,” Adam spoke, eyes wide as he looked at her.

Ilea smiled though she knew her eyes didn’t show it. “You’ve been away for some time, Adam. I am Lilith of the Accords. What is that threat, tell me.” She glanced at Evan.

“I have just arrived,” he said.

“Beings called Ascended,” Octavia spoke. “They hail from the realm of Kohr and have been-”

“I’m familiar with the Navuun,” Ilea spoke. “And with the Spawn and Mind Weavers that came of them. What do you know?” A ripple went through the beings watching, movement introduced to the previously petrified watchers, their abyss like eyes familiar to her. Now who exactly are we dealing with.

Octavia remained silent for a moment. “You know much, Lilith.”

“Spare me the flattery and tell me who’s coming, and what they want,” Ilea said.

The woman moved her chin a little higher. “An Ascended they call the Architect.” She said and paused, considering her for a moment.

Ilea moved the mantle from her head, a grin coming to her face. “Ker Velor,” she spoke, the pitiful remnants of Elder Strand already near forgotten. The Architect was coming? “What did you learn of his plans? And how?”

Octavia remained silent for a few seconds, opening and closing her mouth a few times. “Is that his true name? How do you know him?”

“I fought him. In Kohr. Some time ago,” Ilea said.

“And yet you live to tell the tale. How can I be sure your claims are true?” Octavia asked.

“I’m not happy about it. His facility exploding nearly killed me. I have a debt to pay,” she said, giving Adam a glance.

He took a slight step back, the lightning elemental by his side moving forward.

[Young Lightning Elemental – lvl 523]

She just looked at the being. “Not quite as impressive as the real deal,”she said out loud.

“Then you consider yourself his enemy?” Octavia asked, ignoring the distraction.

“That depends,” Ilea sent. “You didn’t answer my previous questions. Why do you think he’s coming to Elos? What does he want?”

“The Architect wishes to finish what was started thousands of years ago. The realm is aligned, and two suns remain. Vengeance, opportunity, chance, I do not know of his motives but the signs were clear to me. It is why I went to Kohr, why I sought to learn of the Ascended, and where I discovered those left behind in their destroyed realm,” she said, gesturing to the Mind Weavers all around.

“Teacher,” a few of them sent, to Ilea as well.

“That’s quite a claim. Sadly somewhat believable. What’s in it for you? Why come back now, and not earlier?” Ilea asked.

“This realm is dear to me. The Mava, Humans, Dark Ones, beings I’ve met. I do not with for their demise. And with what has happened in Ravenhall, there is a debt as well. But… the beings you see here, Navuun once… I wished to bring them here, to show them this realm. A realm of life. A realm of grass, of trees, of sunlight. I do not with for another Kohr. It must be prevented. My father was to help, as was Evan, though he as brought you. We have the Mind Weavers you see here, and our personal power. I do not know of the Accords, or of you, Lilith. Is there anyone I could inform, allies that could help?”

“Well, you did talk to me,” Ilea said with a smile on her face. “It depends on the timeline we’re working with, but yes, I can think of one or two people.”

Evan exhaled audibly next to her.

“Maybe a tree and a dagger too,” she said.

Chapter 821 Octavia

Chapter 821 Octavia

“A tree… and a dagger,” Octavia spoke, confusion obvious on her face.

“I’ll have to show you. But first, when do you think the Architect will return?” Ilea sent.

“I have not grasped the specifics of his plans, merely that returning to finish what was started is a part of it. As is the return of an ally. Someone dear to him, though I do not know who. It has been years since I discovered this, and while I know the results of his success would be catastrophic, what I felt of him was meticulous calculation. He will not rush, nor will he stop. Except if someone interferes,” Octavia sent.

“No timeline at all? He could be back already or in a century?” Ilea asked, raising her brows. She had an idea of who the ally could be. The Ascended he had mentioned, the one Nes told her was likely Ravana Vor Itar. Octavia confirming that Ker Velor had plans for an ally to return lent some credibility to her claims.

“Soon was what I had grasped. Though for a being of his age… that could be a year, perhaps ten,” Octavia sent.

Ilea sighed. At least she doesn’t think he’s back in this very moment. “How did you learn all of this? And do you have any proof?”

“I will have to explain some of my background,” Octavia answered.

Ilea motioned for her to go on. The woman would have to explain everything to the Accords anyway but if the Architect didn’t return in the coming three days, Ilea wouldn’t call in a meeting for a divination mage with some vague ideas of a threat. She knew herself that Ker Velor was a threat. But so was Vor Elenthir, so was Audur, so was the Sanvaruun. And those were only a few she could think of. There were likely dozens if not hundreds of beings in and outside of Elos that had some interest in the realm or the territories her allies were living on.

“I grew up in Ravenhall, though my father thought it reasonable to keep me hidden. The daughter of an Elder could be a valuable target. A liability, which is what I was for most of my childhood.”

Ilea saw Adam’s eyes focus on the ground.

“I lost myself in study, and found myself enthralled with the happenings in Viscera. When I was eight years old, I first sneaked my way down into Eregar’s Haven. Soon I would go there every day, and soon I started to discover things. Shadows came there to train, came to fight the monsters in the low level dungeons, and left again.

“I lived there. I explored,” Octavia spoke and paused, glancing to her father before looking back to Ilea. “Do you know Dagon? Is he alive?”

“He is,” Ilea said. “But I doubt he’d be too happy to see him.”

Octavia smiled and Adam seemed relieved.

At least he’s not entirely lost.

Octavia continued. “I started to find runes. Enchantments. The underlying structure of the Haven. The teachers knew little, and the Shadows willing to talk to me just thought it another construct made in ancient times. Impressive, but nothing to be studied. They had all seen underground caverns near as or more impressive in their time. Due to my status, I had access to… and gained access to, the libraries in Viscera, both Dagon’s and personal collections. But all I found was dust. Some of the runes I described were unknown even to experienced enchanters, the make up of the Haven lost to history, the name the only thing with a clue. Those few who listened and invested some time to study what I had found came up with nothing. Undecipherable, not worth studying, technology unattainable for their levels and resources, similar to the machines of the Taleen.”

“Are you saying an Ascended made the Haven?” Ilea asked. She ignored the comment on the Taleen, if anything Octavia’s explanations confirmed that she hadn’t spoken to the right people to find out more about the enchantments she had found. Though to be fair, even the entirety of the Shadow’s Hand would’ve had nowhere near the resources of the Accords now, or even just the Meadow.

“Perhaps. At least there is some connection to what I have learned in Kohr,” Octavia answered. “Eregar is supposed to be the founder of the Hand, though there is surprisingly little known about him. Perhaps he was Ascended himself,” she said.

Ilea doubted it, though she didn’t voice anything. She remembered Scipio had told her both he and Nes had known the man. Nes might know more about the Haven itself then. If there is a connection to Kohr as Octavia claims. Kyrian had remarked on the metal in the Haven, and even he had noticed how old the enchantments were. Ilea opened her eyes a little wider. The connection to Kohr. Scipio talking of Sources instead of just a single Source. If she’s right… fuck.

The artificial sun.

And I wondered what the fuck could power it. There’s a Source. Right under Ravenhall. God I’m a fucking idiot.

She grinned to herself before refocusing on the conversation.

Octavia looked at her, curiosity obvious though she didn’t speak.

“We’ll have to check that story. Go on,” Ilea said.

Octavia nodded slowly. “Once I deemed myself strong enough, I escaped the city and traveled the lands, training and learning. I followed rumors and stories, trusted my skills. There had to be more out there, but the libraries of man offered nothing. And so I sought help from beings outside the Plains. I traveled west, beyond the Karthian Gulf, west further, past the lands of Elves. Have you heard of the Mava?”

“Fox creatures, yes,” Ilea said. “I know a being somewhat similar, but she’s a Dark One.”

“You are well traveled then. Most humans have not heard of their kind,” Octavia said.

“How did you get past the Elven Domains?” Ilea asked.

“Domains? Their territories, yes. I can feel threats. Machines of the Taleen still hunt their kind, and rarely did I feel a presence far beyond my own power near me. I stayed close to the coast, and only dared walk the edges of the Sava desert. I learned later that the Elves that live there rarely venture beyond their territory. Unlike the ones farther east, as humanity has learned.

“The Mava are… curious beings. Gifted hunters and even more gifted wielders of magic. Curious and playful, though more peaceful than most beings I have come across in my travels. They had known some of the runes I had shown them, which is when I learned of the Ascended. Beings from another realm. Strange monsters had been summoned, had tainted and taken over dungeons in the region, more than three thousand years ago. They had cleansed their lands and had found facilities made of metal deep below ground. Some runes I showed them, they had found, though they claimed the Ascended had been gone, that a war had been fought. A war that the Mava had not participated in.

I learned that an alliance had been formed, between humans, dwarves, and even Elves-”

Ilea interrupted her with a gesture. “I know all this. And that the third sun was taken.”

“Apologies,” Octavia said. “I had not expected anyone to know. But that means at least you, may believe all of this. After I had trained and lived with the Mava, I ventured out in search of what the Ascended had left behind. Partially for the sheer mystery of it all, but I felt that I had to, that my time in the Haven had led me to all this. My magic finally led me to one of the ancient facilities, where I learned some of the history you spoke of. And I learned of Kohr, though getting there proved rather difficult.”

Ilea narrowed her eyes.

“A connection established, through blood. Through a summoning. One I paid for with monsters, and my own. I labored for years to finish everything, and finally I could go where I felt destined to be,” Octavia said.

“Destined? In Kohr? Sorry but it’s not exactly an upgrade from Elos,” Ilea said. Why would she risk everything to go there?

Though she supposed with fewer connections in Elos, she may take up the chance to go to another realm. Easier said now, with her space magic and plenty of anchors here.

Octavia smiled. “I felt myself a hunter of history, an explorer that dared go where nobody remembered. To uncover secrets forgotten by most, if not all. And it had to be connected to the Haven. How could I resist? Though I was aware of the risks, of perhaps never finding my way back. I could speak of some higher purpose, of divination, of charity, to help the beings of Kohr, to prevent the plans of the Ascended, but all of it would be a lie. I didn’t learn about the Architect until I had been in Kohr for years already. After I had met the Mind Weavers, the remnants of the Navuun as I later learned.”

“You left for another realm, knowing you couldn’t come back?” Ilea asked.

“I did,” Octavia said and looked at her. “I feel that you understand, in some manner. You are an adventurer by heart, are you not?”

“I’ve taken some admittedly stupid risks. Maybe not as stupid as yours,” she answered.

Octavia grinned. “Then I win?”

Ilea thought about it and grinned back. “I’ve fought a dragon.”

“Even then, perhaps,” Octavia said.

Ilea didn’t feel like arguing, though a part of her was intrigued to continue this discussion. “So you learned of the Architect in Kohr?”

“I learned of many Ascended. The Old Ones as called by the Mind Weavers. I found some of their facilities through divination, others through trade of knowledge with Weavers who would communicate with me, though few there were. I learned of the Olym Arcena, and I found long rotten remains of familiar armors and machines. Remnants from an ancient war. The same war I had learned of from the Mava.

“The Mava had taught me to speak,” she said, a slight smile on her face. “Through telepathy. A boon in Kohr, as I managed to befriend Mind Weavers, and through them, find my purpose.”

“To fight the Ascended?” Ilea asked.

“No. To tell those who would listen of my home. To teach them what I had learned in Viscera. To tell them of a world of grass and forests. And to bring them back. I too found activity in one of the facilities, things had been moved, new machines and metal bits added. I watched with my magic, and learned what I could. Which was when I saw the Architect. He was well shielded against divination, and he came for me as soon as he felt the brush of my magic. Distance and my long survival in Kohr allowed me to escape, with some knowledge of his plans,” Octavia said. “I was conflicted. My work in Kohr was nowhere near done, though I had grown up in Elos, had cared for many of its denizens, and I knew how to get to Kohr. Leaving was more difficult.”

“How did you leave?” Ilea asked, not mentioning how she had left. The transporter she had come across with Trian and Weavy had been functional, though she assumed using it would’ve stranded them in another random realm without her anchor in her house near Ravenhall. But someone that had time to study the device, perhaps she had found and used one. Her own search had been unsuccessful so far.

“I taught, and I studied. The runes used by the Mind Weavers are part the same, part abbreviated from those used by the Ascended. And I had memories, connections, places in Elos. Returning would’ve been possible for me alone. Perhaps, but I would not leave the others behind. I needed spells I knew my father wielded, and I required energy, in the form of magic,” she sent, glancing towards the lightning elemental.

“So you don’t have proof? And Ravenhall was damn near wiped out for you to get these Mind Weavers back?” Ilea said.

“I regret what has happened,” Octavia said. “The threat however, remains. It is real, as real as the magic that allowed me to grasp it. And it is urgent that something is done.”

Ilea looked at her and shook her head ever so slightly. The massacre was in the past. She had not been there, had only seen the chaos ensue, and she had seen the end result. Retaking Ravenhall with the Hand had somewhat united the Order, and the city was prospering again. She had known few who had died, and even those only in passing. A statistic. A horrible event in history, recent history to be sure, but history nonetheless.

There was no vengeance Ilea wished for. Not personally. Not anymore. But she knew others would demand the deaths of those who had been involved. She wouldn’t mind either. Octavia had surely assumed the lengths her father would go to, to help her, but would she have assumed he would go as far as betraying his Order? Adam’s shame was obvious, but he had fulfilled his purpose, and it seemed like he had suffered for his choices.

Ilea pondered for a moment, standing with crossed arms as she tapped her mantle with an index finger.

“Do you trust them?” Ilea sent to Evan.

The man had listened in silence, not reacting in the slightest. To her perception at least.

“I know that her interest in the Ascended had been real. She tried to get knowledge not meant for her in the past. And I know what she said about her childhood is true. Ilea, I had feared this so called war had not been over. You said it had not been a war at all, perhaps it is time you reveal what you know,” he said.

She considered. “Alright. There are too many pieces here that make this plausible. Based on the level of this threat, I think you should speak before the Accords.”

“What does that entail?” Octavia asked. “This threat cannot go unanswered, and there are others I would talk to, should these Accords refuse to help.”

“I assure you, I’m taking this seriously. If the Accords don’t want to find out more, I will try,” Ilea said. “But I doubt they won’t. What you caused in Ravenhall remains however, which means I can’t let you go anyway.”

“I cannot risk being imprisoned,” Octavia said, the Mind Weavers reacting to that as an unseen pressure appeared at the corner of Ilea’s mind.

She smiled. “You brought them here. After all this time. Trust me when I say that you should tread very… very carefully.”

Octavia considered, though any semblance of a smile was gone. “You were joking before. How influential are these Accords. I believe the Mava are more powerful than the nations of humanity. Are you with the Golden Lily? Or the Empire?”

Should I just take them and move them to the Meadow’s domain? These Mind Weavers are nothing to me. She could see the tense posture of Octavia and Adam. Both had survived in Kohr, same as the beings watching her. “You spoke of the Taleen machines, right?”

Octavia raised her brows in question.

Ilea opened a gate to Iz. “Send me a few Executioners if you would,” she sent to Aki.

Three of them walked out from the gate, looking around with glowing green eyes. One of them took in Ilea, the other ones looked around.

“Adam Strand,” one of the silver machines spoke. “Care to tell me what I just walked into, Lilith?”

Ilea shrugged. “She will, before the Accords.”

Octavia watched the machines with wide eyes. “We will.”

“Great. I knew you weren’t stupid enough to attack me,” Ilea said with a wide smile. “Now let’s go North. Aki, there’s a chance that the Architect will return, possibly to take the remaining suns.”

“When?” one of the machines asked.

“No clue. A week, a year, a century. We better find out, and soon,” she said.

“I’m calling in an emergency meeting,” Aki said.

“Do that,” Ilea sent to him. “I have to speak to you and the Meadow, immediately,” she said and opened a gate to the Meadow’s domain. “I assume the tree is informed already?”

“Yes,” Aki sent back. “I will come through as well.”

“Wonderful,” Ilea said. “Please everyone, step through the gate. You’ll be welcomed by the aforementioned tree. Don’t bow, pray, or otherwise annoy it.”

She glanced at Adam, the man not resisting the Executioner that stepped next to him, walking towards the gate without a hint of magic, eyes cast down.

Octavia followed, as did the Mind Weavers.

“Want to participate too?” she asked Evan. “You know one or the other thing that may be helpful in all this.”

He smiled. “Of course, friend. Already you have played a major part in the defeat of an ancient enemy. Let this be the second we fight alongside each other,” Evan answered. “For this, I will risk all but the Foundation itself.”

“How did the machines of the Taleen…” Octavia spoke. “The Elves…”

“You’ll have time to learn everything. Focus on why you’re here, and keep your wits. Word of advice… don’t try to divine the Meadow,” Ilea said as she watched them all go, locking eyes with the woman for a moment before she walked into the gate.

Ilea went in last, events set into motion. Now, how the fuck does one find an Ascended?

Chapter 822 Allies

Chapter 822 Allies

Ilea ignored the mind blown Mind Weavers, Adam and Octavia, instead signaling to the Meadow for a teleport.

She appeared in her room. “Get Aki in here too.”

An Executioner appeared the moment she had finished the statement.

“Ker Velor, the Architect, still has plans with Elos. In the coming months or years, according to the three mark divination mage. Adam’s daughter. No matter what the Accords decide, Octavia’s claims seem reasonable to me based on everything I know. She has lived in Kohr for some time, learned from the facilities there, and from the Mind Weavers,” she said.

“We will start to devise plans,” the Meadow sent. “Both to prevent the Architect’s plans but to react as well in case we fail to do so.”

“Another thing you will deduct once she’s done telling you about everything. There’s a Source in Eregar’s Haven. We should find out how the fuck it got there, why, and what the Haven itself is supposed to be,” Ilea said.

“Another source,” Aki repeated. “I will discuss increased security within the Haven. Iana and Christopher will be interested. We will discuss possible options with them if the time allows. Anything else?”

Ilea knew both of them were already talking to quite a few people. She smiled. She could fight insane creatures from other realms, could face Elves, and even Ascended, but what Octavia had suggested, she simply lacked the options to respond alone. If Ker Velor had been a crazed maniac destroying cities with his personal magic, she could go and fight him, but she had no idea how to even tackle anything the being had planned here. She had no way to find any facilities, had no way to find the Architect himself, all she could reasonably do was wait, and train.

If she didn’t have allies that was. Entire factions would consider this threat and possible ways to tackle it. Both the Meadow and Aki were incredible resources, but they had plenty of other people as well. Thousands. Fighters, scholars, scouts, enchanters, and organizers to make sure preparations were running smoothly. If Ker Velor planned to come back to Elos to take the remaining suns, for conquest, for revenge, or to experiment with the local denizens, he would face everything they had built. Everyone she had gotten together. And she was nowhere near done.

“I’ll go talk to Nes. I’ll try to get her involved in the talks, she’ll be able to confirm stories and suggest ways we can deal with things. Evan was there, three thousand years ago. Scipio should know plenty as well. Look for Dark Ones that may have been around, I believe Goliath at least knows some things as well,” Ilea said.

She checked through her marks. “Violence. I might need your help. Potential of violence is high. Find me if you can.”

“Maybe you want to Involve the Hunters as well, Isalthar or other might remember some things,” she said.

“Verena, if you can, get the Shadow Elders and Dagon togheter, Adam is back, Meadow’s domain,” she sent, finally contacting Nes. “Got potential intel on Ker Velor returning to Elos to take another sun. May I join you?”

“Of course, I am here,” Nes replied almost immediately, before any of the others.

“Violence!” came the predictable response from the little fae.

If I can convince the actual Fae to help in this.

Ilea didn’t consider as of yet, not about to try and get to the Fae without knowing the threat was indeed real. The Accords would understand based on the potential risk, but she had a feeling the Fae might not care too much about some metal being form another realm and its plans, though she could be wrong.

“I’ll try to be back as soon as I can. Aki, if you start to think the possibility of the threat is real, please start scouting for dangerous four marks in the far north and far south,” Ilea said.

“You plan to ramp up your training?” Aki asked.

“I’m not exactly the best scout, nor an enchanter. But if they do show up, we’ll need someone who can take down a prepared four mark Ascended, one used to battle,” she answered, activating her third tier transfer to the mark of Nes Mor Atul.

Ilea was moved through the fabric by her spell, appearing in the lounge of Scipio and Nes, both of them waiting for her.

“Did he return?” Nes immediately asked, her white eyes glowing.

Ilea took in a deep breath and sat down in one of the leather chairs, summarizing what she had learned about Octavia, Adam, and the Architect. She paused and considered as the others too thought over what they had heard.

Nes was the first to speak. “As I told you before, the chance of an Ascended returning to Elos to take another sun is slim. Many of the facilities are destroyed, and the Olym Arcena is no more.”

“Why would that matter? Can’t Ker Velor do it himself?” Ilea asked. “Maybe he built new facilities? They’re required to take a sun? And they’re underground?”

Nes considered. “Yes, new facilities could have been added to collect mana, but it would’ve had to be entirely separate from the existing mesh of pillars and stabilizers. If he had planned to use the existing mesh, we would have known. Now for him to secretly build an entirely new one… I suppose it is possible, in the millennia since our Unity broke apart… if it is him. Though there are other realms out there, realms that know nothing of the Ascended, unprepared and unable to respond in any meaningful way. Ker Velor is a rational being, he would not chose Elos. Never.”

“Never?” Ilea asked. “Octavia seemed sure it was him, and she was sure he would come back. With an ally. You mentioned her to me before. The return of an ally, that’s what Octavia divined. It fits with what I learned as well, from my near death encounter.”

“Ravana… would she?” Nes said, remaining quiet for a time. “For her… perhaps he would…”

“There’s your reason then,” Ilea said. “If he revers her to that extent, he’s at the same level as a fanatic.”

“An entire mesh, by himself… It would take thousands of years, even with his ingenuity and power,” Nes said, the Navuun sitting down before her hands dropped onto her legs.

Scipio touched her shoulder. “We will stop him.”

“There is no stopping this,” Nes said. “The beings of this realm have tried before. They failed.”

“This isn’t the same,” Ilea said. “We have you. We have the Meadow, Aki, and a ton of other allies.”

“The claims remain… dubious, though plausible in theory,” Nes said.

Ilea nodded. “That’s why I came here. I want you to be there, at the talks. Octavia will present what she learned to the Accords. You’ll be able to judge it all yourself, and you can tell us what to look for, how to confirm that her claims are true. We don’t know how the Ascended harvest entire stars. You do.”

“There are secrets that are not meant to be known. Not by me, not by you. We have aimed to become gods, and it led to the desolation of our home,” Nes said, floating up again, her eyes glowing.

“You don’t have to explain the details. You just have to tell us how to find and stop Ker Velor,” Ilea said.

Nes shook her head. “If this is true… no… the realm is aligned already. It would be impossible to detect. If a new mesh has been created, there is nothing we can do but find and destroy it.”

“Then come with me, both of you. Tell the Accords what you know. Not all of it, but what we need to prevent this,” Ilea said.

Nes looked to Scipio, the two remaining silent for a minute.

Ilea assumed they were talking through telepathy.

She considered and spoke.

“I trust you to treat this information with the weight it deserves,” Ilea said as she looked at them, their attention back on her. Perhaps it was a gamble but after all this time, she trusted them enough to take the risk. Especially considering what could be at stake. “I made a connection with what Octavia told me. And I believe there is a source in Eregar’s Haven, powering an artificial sun, and perhaps more, down below Ravenhall.”

“One for the Taleen… and one for Eregar… who would have thought,” Scipio said with eyes focused on nothing before he burst out laughing.

“He would not have had the influence. The Azarinth were decimated, and the Shadows were not loyal to such a degree,” Nes said.

“Where would you have hid it? If you had been the one to have the Source. The remaining Ascended were scrambling to find the sun of Kohr but none had succeeded,” Scipio said.

“None that we knew of. I had assumed an Ascended had it, perhaps Elven kind, but the Shadow’s Hand?” she murmured. “After all this time.”

“He was powerful, you know. Even back then,” Scipio said. “Perhaps he survived, like we did.”

“You think Eregar is still around?” Ilea asked.

“Why not? I am, so is she,” Scipio said. “You’re still alive too, despite your ridiculous battles.”

“Offense taken,” Ilea said.

“Are you sure it is a source?” Nes asked.

“No. Not at all, but the connection of the Haven to Kohr, the fact that you don’t know where Kohr’s sun went,” Ilea said. “I’m sure we could arrange that you can investigate the Haven yourself. I’m happy with where the other source is, and how well it’s protected, but Ravenhall is… not exactly Iz.”

“It demands investigation,” Nes said. “Very well, Ilea. You have helped us, and you have shown us your trust. I will return this favor. To you, and to your Accords. Bring me to your meeting.”

Ilea grinned and opened a gate to the Meadow’s domain. “After you.”

Scipio frowned. “I hate that you have this.”

“Join me in Kohr and you’ll get your evolutions in no time,” she said.

“The fact itself that battle and violence is what provided you with such power is what frustrates me in the first place, Lilith,” he said.

“Blame the system. I’m just damn good at the game,” Ilea said with a smile.

She stepped through after them. “Scipio you know already. This is Nes Mor Atul, Ascended and Navuun of Kohr and the Great Salt,” Ilea sent to the various beings around, primarily the Meadow.

Two hundred mind weavers looked their way.

“Old one.” Whispers reached her mind, Nes bowing to the beings.

“Children, forgive us,” she sent.

Octavia glanced between Ilea and the Ascended, one of her eyes twitching slightly. She took in a deep breath and smiled, her fangs showing.

“Those teeth seem impractical,” Ilea sent.

“You have brought an Ascended here, why?” Octavia spoke.

“Because if what you say is true, we’ll need her help to stop it,” Ilea said.

“Scipio,” Evan said as he walked over. “It’s good to see you’re alive. Long it has been.”

Scipio glanced at him. “Her collection of ancient relics grows. Tell me, how did she convince the neutral observer?”

Evan smiled as more people appeared from the teleportation gate. It seemed the Meadow had cleared its domain, only trusted representatives and allies of the Accords allowed to be present. “She has a way with people.”

Scipio glanced at the crystal tree in the distance before he looked to a new group that appeared among the growing assembly. One floating with long white hair and white eyes, wind magic flowing around him as if he himself was exuding the element. Next to Isalthar stood the red scaled Feyrair, his eyes taking in the various beings, stopping on Nes. Elfie was present too, smiling when he saw Ilea. “She does indeed,” Scipio said.

“Elves as well,” Adam murmured, an Executioner still standing near him.

Ilea glanced over to the approaching elders, Verena and the Dragonkiller. Their eyes darted between the various beings gathered in the tree’s domain.

“Wow, now this is a fucking congregation of freaks,” Pierce said out loud before she laughed.

Verena’s eyes stopped on Adam, fire erupting around her as her axes materialized. She rushed forward near instantly, a scream resounding before a streak of fire lashed out against an appearing barrier.

“Adam Strand will be judged for his crimes. After the talks have ended,” the Meadow spoke.

“Says who?” Verena hissed, walking from side to side as she stared at the man behind the barrier.

“The law,” Aki spoke.

Verena slammed her axes into the barrier again when Neiphato broke off from the dozen or so Elves, walking over with calm steps. He simply stepped in front of her, smiling at the woman. She slammed one of her axes into him, finding growing would that slowly snuffed out the flame. The elf moved around her before he downright grappled her in a hug. “Let’s get you something to kill. Meadow, can we get to the sixteenth layer?”

The two vanished a moment later.

A few hisses resounded from the elves. Amusement. They mostly looked at the Mind Weavers and Nes.

Ilea saw the first representatives of the Accords appear at the gates.

“I apologize,” Octavia sent, the woman sitting on a rock and looking at Ilea. “Our arrogance nearly cost us everything. Please forgive me.”

Ilea just smiled.

“Your allies are diverse. Perhaps we may yet prevent a catastrophe,” Octavia sent.

“I hope we can get a few more on board. We can visit the Mava for one,” Ilea said when she turned her head to see a familiar war machine move out from the Soul Forge.

It walked over, looking around. “Well, well, well,” he spoke with a slightly robotic voice. “Ascended and Cursed. It seems fear will always hold you creatures back.”

Isalthar turned and moved over. He tilted his head slightly. “Who are you, to speak with such arrogance.”

The machine hissed, though the sound was strange, distorted. “I am Nelras Ithom, former Monarch of the Sunlight Wastes.” He glanced at Nes.

Her eyes glowed for a moment before she glanced at Ilea. “How is this possible?”

“Soul shit, a sphere or something,” Ilea said. She was aware that her words explained nearly nothing, though she was thoroughly amused by the reactions, despite the reason they were here. Like a bunch of acquaintances meeting finally.

“If only I had my real body,” Nelras spoke. “Such meaningless talks would not be necessary at all.”

“You did, and you ended up in a sphere,” Ilea said.

“I would not make the same mistake twice,” he spoke. “Ker Velor does not fight with honor.”

“Yes. That’s kind of the point. Otherwise I would’ve wiped the floor with him already,” Ilea said.

The machine chuckled, the distinctively elven body language looking strange on the war machine. A predatory crouch followed by a hiss. “At least you’re not entirely lost. Are you sure you’re not elvish?”

“I’ve considered the same,” Feyrair said as he walked towards the war machine. “Nelras Ithom. How was it, being a monarch?”

Another hiss, followed by more hissing.

Ilea rolled her eyes.

“I would be honored to introduce you to the Mava,” Octavia spoke. “Perhaps with some of your allies here, they could be convinced to lend their support.”

“It’s their realm too. I don’t see why they would stand aside,” Ilea sent back. She glanced to Fey who was engaged in a hissing bout with the former Monarch. “I’ll have to talk to you later.”

He glanced over to her. “Why?”

“Because you’re the closest thing to a Dragon here. Garonoth, was it?” Ilea said.

The elf disengaged and stepped closer to her. “After all this time? You would wish to meet him? Ilea, with all due respect, you are not ready. I don’t know if either human or elf will ever be.”

“When are we really ready for anything?” she asked him and hissed, garnering the attention of a few of the Hunters.

“There it is,” Nelras spoke and hissed again. “If I am still Elf, so is she.”

“She is a Guardian of Cerith,” Isalthar spoke. “And she is human.”

“Why should she be limited to such a weak species,” Nelras asked but Ilea ignored their discussion.

Instead she smiled, seeing her shadow team join the gathering.

“Welcome to the party,” she sent.

Kyrian focused on Nes, his metal armor covering him as he approached without a word.

Trian and Claire looked at Adam, joined by Sulivhaan, and Dagon.

He couldn’t look at them, his eyes boring into the ground, only lightly shaking his head, still behind the barrier summoned by the Meadow.

Sulivhaan looked between Adam and the Elves, glancing to Ilea. His body was tense but he didn’t speak.

Trian teleported to Ilea. “How are you?” he asked after stepping next to her, arms crossed in front of his chest.

“Surprisingly well. Can’t help but be excited to absolutely wreck an Ascended’s day,” she said, pausing for a moment as she watched the various conversations, groups interacting that would’ve not met without the existence of the Accords. Without her. “And I’m glad everyone’s here. It feels… it feels like this was the point.”

“The Accords. To grow and cooperate, to respond to threats unknown. I agree, and I’m proud to be part of it all,” Trian said as he touched her shoulder. “As will the Sentinels.”

Ilea smiled. For anything that was out there. Ascended, demon, elf, eldritch abomination, this is what would stand in their way, should they choose to invade Elos, or the territories of the Accords.

She cracked her neck. And I will be the front line.

Chapter 823 Extraction

A note from Rhaegar

VoidHerald released the first book of Kairos on Kindle :). Do check it out: https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09PNS8XBS

Chapter 823 Extraction

Ilea sat on her ashen chair, watching the central platform on the ground floor of the arena. Not an arena for fighting for once. With most of the representatives of the Accords present for the emergency talks, coupled with all the allies and Mind Weavers, they required more space to seat everyone in a reasonable manner. More a parliament at this point, Ilea thought as she listened to Octavia’s retelling of how she had gotten to Kohr, what she had done there, and what she had found out about Ker Velor, a name that most of the people present learned for the first time.

Octavia remained calm through it all, though Ilea didn’t miss the increased heartbeat and the sweat on her brow. Surviving in Kohr didn’t necessarily constitute to being a good public speaker, let alone to the assembled power. The Meadow, Aki’s Executioners, war machines of the Pit, the Guilds of the Taleen, the Cerithil Hunters, the Shadow’s Hand, the Medic Sentinels, and plenty of others. Perhaps the Mind Weavers would’ve been out of place in a meeting of Lys and Ravenhall, but here they barely stood out.

Whispers started after she had finished her recount, the first questioning glances and statements exchanged and thrown out when a powerful wave of mana flowed through the entire domain.

“Before questions arise, let us clear up a few things,” the Meadow spoke. “The accuracy of what Octavia Strand has divined from the being known as The Architect, or Ker Velor, will have to be examined, though I wish for a few members to speak up as to the potential threat this Ascended may represent not only to the Accords but to the entirety of this realm. Lilith.”

Ilea moved her head up from the hand she had rested it on. “I fought the guy, four mark. Not the strongest I’ve faced by a long shot but he was the only one who managed to nearly kill me with a trap he laid. I’m really more worried about his preparation and the potential of him snatching a sun from the sky, as stupid as that sounds. I’ve been to Kohr, we don’t want that to happen to Elos.”

“Nelras Ithom, former Monarch of the Sunlight Wastes and the Domain of Light,” the Meadow said.

The war machine looked around the gathered crowd and hissed at some of the reactions, questions raised once more before another wave of magic silenced everyone.

“I fought him before. I was invincible… the most powerful of the Elves. And look at my pitiful state now… almost as humiliating as being born human,” he spoke and glanced to Ilea.

She raised her brows. “Get on with it,” she sent to him.

He hissed again. “The only reason I talk to you here is because I want to see him destroyed. Him and everything he stands for, everything he has worked for, everyone who would ally themselves with him. I can confirm that what this divination mage has said about Kohr and the Architect is true. I do not know of his plans, but what Lilith has said about his power rings true. His personal power is no match for some of the beings present here, it is the technology he wields that should frighten us. A sunless Elos may as well be the end of this realm.”

“I now welcome Nes Mor Atul to speak of what we may face, herself of the Ascended, the Navuun of Kohr, guest of Lilith. She has personal knowledge of the capabilities both of the Architect and the technology of the Ascended,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea didn’t miss the frown on Ormont’s face when Nes floated to the center of the wooden floor. She bowed to the people all around, the gesture calm and practiced. “Greetings, representatives and allies of the Accords. I am Nes Mor Atul, former Ascended and former member of the Olym Arcena of my home realm, Kohr. I cannot ignore the past history shared by the Ascended and the beings of Elos. Beings are present that have suffered greatly at the actions of the Ascended. Know that what has transpired in Elos several millennia past has caused great diversion and what may be defined as a civil war amongst our kind. I regret the loss of life and loss of habitable land resulting from the taking of a Source.”

Her two white eyes shone bright as metal appeared from thin air, flowing like water and steadily building up a sphere that floated before her. “This is your realm. The continent we are located on is commonly known as Elos. For the purpose of this explanation, I shall refer to the realm itself with the same name. A planet set within a complex solar system of three suns, permeated for millions of years to the very core with what most beings here refer to as mana.

“After the devastating effects of the Source extraction in Kohr, the Olym Arcena placed extensive restrictions on the use of the process, all of which were voted and agreed upon. Centuries passed as we learned and grew, as we tried to rebuild and regrow what was lost. Many of our kind had already given up on Kohr and ventured out through the fabric, into realms unknown. One such Ascended discovered the realm of Elos.

“The unique position of both a thriving realm abundant with mana and the presence of not one but three suns rekindled questions of the process of extraction. Both as a way to document and study the process itself, but just as much as a way to humanely extract sources from other realms without causing widespread destruction and loss of biological and other life. By then, the wonders accomplished with the Source extracted from Kohr itself had to many in the Olym Arcena not only justified its extraction, but the extraction of sources beyond the realm of Kohr. Near unlimited energy. A single star capable of powering the most complex rune sets, enchantments, entire facilities dreamed up and built by the Ascended.

“While many disagreed, the majority wished to proceed, in the hopes that removing a single sun from Elos would not trigger the same cataclysmic events recorded in Kohr. Calculations and simulations could not come to conclusive results and as pressure grew, the notion finally passed, only twelve years after it had first been raised. Ker Velor and Ravana Vor Itar were at the forefront of those who wished to proceed. The Architect as I knew him back then was not a being of empathy, only one of cold calculation. He considered progress and evolution and contributed much to the knowledge of the Ascended. A brilliant Navuun, and one of the minds behind the very process that has made me into the immortal being you see before you.

“Sacrifices for the sake of prosperity. To answer the questions of mana and life itself. To travel the stars and other realms, to advance beyond the concept of gods. He would not waste an entire realm of beings for the sake of mere power, but it’s possible that the involvement of Elos in the destruction of Ravana Vor Itar has pushed him towards these actions. That or the Ascended herself. Contrary to him, Ravana held biological life in little regard. Subjects and tools for her to use. I believe the fundamental difference between their philosophies was that Ker Velor believed that the ingenuity and evolution of biological beings could lead to new understanding, while Ravana Vor Itar saw them as a potential threat to our kind. Competition to be wiped out before it was allowed to become a danger to our power.

“She was a young Navuun, chosen for both her brilliance and her resilience. Chosen by Ker Velor himself to become the first of the Ascended. While I believe that the being now known as The Architect is entirely incapable of empathy, he holds Ravana Vor Itar in a different regard to most other beings. Not as I believe as a ruler, a god, or even a daughter, but perhaps as the next and necessary step of our own evolution. I could be wrong in this assessment as I have not met Ker Velor in over three thousand years. The last time, on the battlefield. Ravana was destroyed, by our kind, the Olym Arcena fighting amongst themselves while beings from Elos invaded our realm in turn.

“I do not know if Ker Velor decided for himself to resume in Elos what the Olym Arcena had started, or if he was pushed towards it by the wishes of Ravana Vor Itar, or perhaps a wish for vengeance. I do not remember him to be an emotional being, though I have previously observed annoyance and anger. Should he return, the main concern, as stated by Octavia Strand, is the continued extraction of Sources. The remaining two suns of Elos.”

She moved her hands as the sphere of metal expanded, sections added to indicate underground facilities.

“The process requires extensive preparation within the respective realm. Calculations as to the position of the sun, the alignment of the realm within the fabric, and most of all an extensive amount of mana, gathered for centuries through underground facilities usually built near or within deep reaching dungeons, where mana concentration reaches the highest possible yield. Of course such extensive facilities had to be built over decades, back then by many of our kind, each with their own research and experiments to conduct secondary to the overall goal of extraction.

“A mesh was built and aligned to the smallest sun of Elos. Centuries passed with little discovery and impact from the species of the realm, most of the sapient beings residing on or near the surface while our facilities were set deep below ground. The extraction itself was successful, the Source itself delivered to Kohr in the prepared container. However any calculations and simulations done to predict the consequences for Elos itself were not quite... accurate. A delicate balance had been upturned, entire sections of land destroyed instantly, others changing fast, others yet showing a more subtle reaction.

“The collection of data for long term observation has discontinued due to the breaking of the Olym Arcena, though many of you have seen the changes yourself. The North is only one example of the wide reaching destruction and ecological disaster wreaked by the process of extraction. I believe Ker Velor claimed the sacrifices were acceptable for the knowledge and experience gathered, but to others, myself included, the process had to be banned entirely. A question of ethics that finally ripped the last strands that had held our now immortal kind together.

“I have taken measures to watch changes in some of the facilities left behind by our kind, as I’m sure have others in this realm. Many facilities were entirely destroyed, by those who had been involved in the invasion of Kohr, or simply by monsters and time. It is impossible to use the current mesh for extraction, though a new one could be built, aligned for another sun. If what the divination mage has said is true, then the Architect, with or without allies, has built a new set of facilities within the last three thousand years. Few of our kind, even back then, could achieve such a feat, but he would be one of them, as monumental a task it is.

“Building the mesh and collecting mana are the required steps the Architect would have had to fulfill, though it is unclear to me how long either would have taken. The locations of the prior facilities were chosen for the mana density in the regions. With three thousand years to both build and collect, there is little to no indication of where the facilities of the new mesh would be located. Depending on redundancy, the destruction of one or several such facilities would also not ascertain the prevention of extraction. With what I know of Ker Velor, he would prefer to wait a thousand years than risk failure due to external intervention.

“Once the mana is gathered and a sufficiently runed, enchanted, and forged vessel is prepared, the process can be initiated. Depending on the Source, the duration can vary extensively, though the more mana present in a star, the faster the process will be, due to various feedback loops. With the remaining two suns of Elos, the duration based on my knowledge from three thousand years ago, would last between one and seven hours.”

“Can the process be interrupted?” the Meadow asked.

“Any interruption would in theory lead to catastrophic changes in the respective sun,” Nes answered.

“What kind of changes?” Aki asked.

“The theoretical name for such an event was supernova. Essentially an explosion resulting in the death of every living being in the entirety of this solar system. Though while catastrophic, interruption of the process of extraction would theoretically require more than ten times the energy of the star itself. The entire process is built on redirecting the energy of the star itself, essentially using it to power the process. Some of the mana is lost, though even the Source taken in Kohr had powered every conceivable creation by the Olym Arcena.”

“Can both suns be taken at the same time?” Aki asked.

“Not by the same mesh, though I do not know if the Architect has applied any changes based on the data gathered in Elos. I deem in unlikely, though the same was true for someone returning to Elos to extract another Source in the first place. Finding and destroying the mesh, if one such exists, is the only way to prevent the extraction. That or destroying Ker Velor himself, though considering the resources available to him, centuries or even millennia of preparation, and his extensive paranoia, I deem the former more reasonable,” Nes said.

“What if we offer him a Source as bait?” Ormont asked.

“We have one of those?” Helwart asked.

Dozens of people looked to the dwarf, talking erupting all over.

“We took it back to Elos,” Ormont said with a sad smile below his beard. “I don’t suggest we give it to him, but perhaps we could lure him.”

“Ker Velor would’ve chosen to wait even if a Source had been offered to him the day after he had started his plans. He is meticulous. And he will choose a higher probability of success over potential risks, always. If you manage to destroy enough of his facilities, he may consider the option, but that is the only way I see where he could even remotely be interested. That or if he is pressed for time, which I deem unlikely. In that case I assume he would’ve come to look for the Source himself,” Nes said.

“Who’s saying he didn’t?” Pierce asked.

“Why should we even want to give him something that powerful?” Helwart asked. “And if we do have a Source ourselves, how come we only learn of this now?”

“Because I am powered by it,” Aki said, his eyes glowing a little brighter.

Helwart raised his metal arms to his hips. “That’s a bummer. Kind of need that machine army, don’t we?”

“I prefer to keep existing, yes,” Aki said. “But I agree, even if we were in the position to offer a Source to Ker Velor, the only reasonable consideration is to bait him out. However that is connected to a lot of risks. Risks we should not take until every other measure has been taken.”

“We’ve initiated the search for both Ker Velor and the facilities that would be part of this new mesh. I suggest the Accords set the prevention of another possible Source extraction to a high priority task. In the event of an extraction, we will have to prepare for the resulting events. I hope those here who have been present during the extraction three thousand years ago will remain to share what they had learned, including Nes Mor Atul,” the Meadow spoke.

“Of course,” the Ascended spoke.

Scipio nodded in turn.

“We will remain to discuss potential plans for prevention, response, and retaliation, including all factions within the Accords and without. Scavengers and scouts should be ordered or otherwise incentivized to look for unknown Ascended facilities while high level individuals will be sent to examine the known facilities for potential clues,” the Meadow spoke.

“Ilea,” the Meadow sent, apparently to her only. “With your previous encounter, you would likely play a part in the defeat of Ker Velor himself, and other possibly involved Ascended. Your plan to grow in power is reasonable and encouraged by both me, Aki, and the representatives I have talked to. However, I would like to encourage you to seek potential allies as well. Should the threat of Source extraction be real, every species living in this realm would be impacted.”

Ilea smiled. “I will try what I can, but I doubt the Domains or the Fae would move based on this alone.”

“I have communicated with Twin. They will not, but perhaps you will be more successful with Violence,” the Meadow said. “Or with the Mava. I suspect Octavia’s words can be trusted. And she claimed the Mava are difficult to move, though you have a way with such issues. We will inform you once we find suitable targets for you to fight.”

“Thank you, guess I should prepare myself for a trip then,” Ilea said.

“When you are ready, and once the Accords allow for Octavia to leave. You being with her would vastly improve the chances of such a vote to pass. I expect you to have about an hour until then,” the Meadow said.

“Perfect,” Ilea said and stood up. “You can summarize everything discussed later.”

“Of course. Until your return, Ilea. Good luck.”

She teleported out of the arena and opened a gate to Riverwatch, quickly flying to the bunkers and taking the gate to Morhill, moving on to Ravenhall right after. There was one thing she had to stock up on if she planned to meet a species of foxes. Even more so if she planned to convince them to help out.

Chapter 824 Westward

Chapter 824 Westward

Ilea smiled when she landed in Ravenhall. It had already been early in the night when Evan had called for her. By now she assumed the suns would rise again in a few hours, moonlight illuminating the square. The store was closed, but she decided to knock on the door anyway. Large metal letters above the storefront spelled out Big Ass Pastries. She didn’t check with her dominion, but Popi had been an adventurer past the two hundreds. She assumed he wouldn’t sleep quite as much as a human below fifty or a hundred.

As soon as she had knocked, she heard noise from above. Someone opened a window, creaking resounding before the wood shutters were opened. Popi looked out and yawned. He flicked his fingers when a flame appeared above his palm. “Good night.”

“Good night, Popi, long time no see,” Ilea said.

He nodded and grinned.

She mimicked the gestures.

“An emergency,” he stated.

The man understood.

“Yes. I will pay well,” she said.

He shook his head with closed eyes, armor appearing around him before he jumped out of the window with a fluid motion. He landed with a loud thump. “What do you need?”

“Cakes. Lots of cakes,” she said.

“Follow me,” Popi said before leading her into the store.

Ilea didn’t really know what to expect when she was ushered into a corner in the kitchen. Several metal tables appeared before him before he tapped them, cakes appearing in turn.

All of them had at least two layers, green, blue, red, some with fruits, others with bits and pieces of chocolate and caramel, most had decorations added with cream, sprinkles, and chocolate dust. Each cake seemed to have a theme of its own. Some were chaotic, bold and loud with intense colors and broad designs, others were subdued, calm and serene, almost reminding of ice sculptures. Ilea admired the artworks from her corner in the room, one of them reminding her of the Descent, not quite as many layers but just as diverse, seven different floors that flowed into each other.

She spoke when he looked at her with an expectant glance. “They’re beautiful, Popi. I’m not even sure they should be eaten. And that is not something I will say lightly.”

“Cakes. Should be eaten,” he said, raising a finger. “How many?”

“I’m going to meet foxes,” Ilea said.

His eyes lit up. “Like Catelyn?”

“Maybe,” Ilea said. Perhaps she should’ve inquired about what the Mava were like before coming here, but it just felt right. Who could possibly dislike cakes? They had enough condensed calories and sugar to light up the entire brain of any biological creature. Maybe that’s why the Ascended are causing trouble. Giving up cake is just suspect.

He nodded in a thoughtful manner. “Two hundred.”

“Two hundred cakes?” Ilea asked.

“Two hundred.” His words were final.

Perhaps it was excessive. Then again, she was beyond level seven hundred, and the Accords were throwing around armies of ancient machines to fight in whatever conflict that came up. And they could use the support of any species and nation with Ker Velor. Perhaps some excess was reasonable. Ilea walked towards the tables without a word and started storing the cakes, one by one as the baker summoned the masterpieces he had created. She didn’t want to ask how much time even a single one had required.

When they were done, Ilea started to summon gold pieces onto one of the tables but Popi held up a hand.

“Tell the foxes who made these,” he said. “That is all.” He yawned. “Sleep.”

“Right. Thanks, Popi. I’ll be sure to tell them,” Ilea said with a smile. She raised her brows when the large man hugged her tightly.

“Go and fight, small healer,” he said and patted her head.

Just because it’s you, Ilea thought before she waved and teleported out, her wings spreading. Small healer. I’m above average. And goddamn fucking Lilith. She couldn’t help but smile at someone treating her in a normal manner. For a split second she thought that perhaps the foxes would do the same, but the reason for her going there wasn’t exactly to blend in and explore their culture. Food culture to be specific. Damn these responsibilities.

She summoned a gate to the domain of the Meadow. At least they might set up a feast for an important member of the Accords.

Ilea appeared to an already expanding landscape, work areas set up with teams of people from various groups and species working together, maps laid out, chunks of metal, artifacts, and food. Many had created or summoned their own chairs, others sitting on the wooden sort provided by the Meadow. Many stood, talking in agitated voices.

It felt like she had stepped into a busy open plan office, but then she supposed the organization of an alliance like the Accords required at least this much. “I seem to have missed a lot. And I was just gone for half an hour.”

“The planning is underway. We’ve split everything into various groups and specialties, trying to tackle the problems from various directions. Information gathering and distribution, scouting and exploration, strike and response teams, defensible positions and evacuation, impact evaluation and risk factors, divination and locating, resource management and army deployment. Just a few broad sections, while Aki and I manage the communication between the various teams,” the Meadow explained.

Ilea summoned a bottle of ale and flicked it open, taking a sip as she watched the busy happenings. Hundreds of people by now, some of them interviewing the Mind Weavers. A few dozen beings stood around Nes, asking questions and occasionally rushing off with new key information for their teams or sections. The same with Scipio and Evan. Aki was everywhere, as was the Meadow of course. Having essentially a robot hive mind and an eldritch being capable of multi track communication made the organization quite a lot easier and streamlined. She assumed Claire was twitching with excitement. Not for what was to come but just the sheer efficiency of their organization.

“So this is actually happening,” she mused, strolling past the tables and towards Octavia, the woman sitting alone on top of a rock, hugging her knees while watching the busy scene.

“The threat is plausible based on our communication with Nes Mor Atul, Octavia Strand, and Nelras Ithom. Coupled with what we already know. The return of the Architect is not certain, yet the potential risk is too high to ignore. As it were, this won’t be the last threat the Accords will have to deal with. Nipha was just a test run, this here might be another, but the experience and optimization will allow us to face future issues with higher efficiency, and thus provide security for the beings of our lands,” the Meadow spoke.

Ilea raised her brows, glancing towards the tree as she felt a strange shift in the fabric. “Are you alright?”

It remained silent for an uncharacteristic amount of time.

“In… Erendar, I had resources, people that would listen, but nowhere near to this extent. Perhaps we could’ve changed the outcome. With the Accords,” the Meadow said.

“I’m sorry,” Ilea sent.

“Do not be. They fought until the end, and you saved their species. Here now they are, a part of Hallowfort and the Accords. I too have persevered and may once more help in the protection of those who are awakened,” the Meadow spoke.

“Always another Drake,” Ilea said. “All we can do is face the now. And try again, if we fail.”

“Poetic, from an idiot like yourself,” the Meadow sent.

“The most dangerous idiot you’ll ever meet,” Ilea sent back, pointing at her two eyes before she angled her index finger at the crystal tree in the distance.

A few people glanced at her but quickly continued their work.

“I suppose you’re done,” she sent to Octavia, walking the rest of the way as the woman’s attention fell on her.

“Indeed. The Meadow has tasked me to escort you to the Mava, to win them for this cause,” Octavia said.

“You don’t sound convinced,” Ilea said as she stepped next to her.

“There is a reason I aimed to contact humanity first,” Octavia said. “Should I brief you on the Mava?”

“Do they like cakes?” Ilea asked.

Octavia looked at her for a few seconds. Then she seemed thoughtful for another few. “I suppose they might.”

“Great, then that’s everything I need to know,” Ilea said with a smile.

Octavia glanced at her, squinting her eyes lightly. “You think in a similar manner to them. This may actually work…”

“Where do we go then?” Ilea asked.

“Where can we go? I understand the Accords have introduced a teleportation network to the Plains,” Octavia said. “I would’ve very much liked to have that available when I had been here. Do they work across realms?”

Ilea glanced at the ceiling of the large cavern. “You know, I never asked myself that.”

“Meadow, do the gates work through realms?” she asked.

“No,” came the quick answer. “And don’t try anything like that beyond your own abilities. There are beings lurking in the void that we do not want to lure anywhere near a realm of awakened.”

“Beings lurking in the void,” Ilea said to Octavia.

“I assume that means the answer is no,” the woman stated.

“How did the Ascended do it then?” Ilea asked, looking at the Meadow.

“There are many ways to breach through the fabric. The dangers lay in permanent connections and reoccurring travel, or so are theories I had, theories I share with the Fae of this realm,” the Meadow sent. “I will talk to Nes Mor Atul about the technology the Ascended have discovered. For whatever problems they have caused for this realm and for us now, their research is impressive.”

“High praise coming from you. How come you never warned me about the dangers of realm travel?” Ilea asked.

“Personal anchors and travel based on Class specific skills should not bear any risks,” the Meadow sent.

“Right. Lots of uncertainty there, old tree,” she said.

“As much as I downplay the power of your brain, your space magic capabilities and realm travel options are beyond most beings. Even I could not simply travel back to Erendar as easily as you go to Kohr,” the Meadow spoke.

“I’m special,” Ilea said, drinking from her ale.

“The worst kind of special. Wielding magic you do not truly understand,” the Meadow said.

“What can I say? I’m a natural,” she said with a smirk.

A spacial roll of many eyes occurred in the fabric all around. “There is a reason you so easily befriended the Fae. You may very well evolve to become one of them some day.”

“Only if I can still eat and taste food,” Ilea said as an Executioner joined them.

“I’ve prepared the closest gate location to the territory of the Mava, as detailed by Octavia,” the machine spoke, glancing between the two.

“Iz?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. If you would,” Aki replied.

Ilea opened another gate, gesturing for Octavia to step through before she followed the Executioner.

“The Taleen laid some ground work in regards to the gate network,” she said as her wings spread to keep herself afloat.

“You can use their network too then?” Octavia asked as she took in the former capital. She floated without any wings, the whole thing looking effortless.

“Yeah, but that’s not public knowledge,” Ilea said, following the woman’s gaze to the central Sphere.

“The Sentinel of Akelion,” Octavia sent.

“You can’t speak, can you?” Ilea asked. She had suspected it for a while now. The woman was sending out any random comments and musings that seemed to come to her.

“No. An unknown condition. Some people thought I was cursed. A baby that does not scream. I’m glad my father could see beyond such nonsense, but then he came with his own downsides,” she sent, her eyes widening slightly before she looked away.

“When did you learn telepathy? It was somewhat recent for me,” Ilea said.

Octavia considered for a moment, floating in the air.

“This way,” the Executioner spoke and started moving above the city, stepping on void magic materializing in the fabric for mere split seconds.

Ilea moved her wings, following with Octavia behind her. The divination mage didn’t reply as they made their way into a large temple like building, stone pillars both outside and inside the structure, the shrine within tended to by several dwarves dressed in dark green gowns. Aki led them past, Ilea nodding to the dwarves, most of them greeting her in turn. Her mantle covered her form after all. Aki led them past and into the back hall. A single gate stood at the center of the barren room, various Hunter Praetorians guarding the location as they surely did every teleportation gate in Iz.

They stepped on it before the Executioner walked over. “You’ll be near Elven territory, somewhere east of the Sunlight Wastes and south of where we assume the Sky Domain to be located. Be careful, and good luck,” Aki said before he activated the gate.

The space magic manifested as Ilea removed her resistance, the two moved through the fabric before they arrived on a moss covered teleportation platform. Moonlight shone past the clouds above as Ilea checked the surroundings. She heard skittering noises from various small animals, a larger winged being taking flight from the crown of a nearby tree. A dark creature with two heads and talons. Too far away to identify but she could tell the creature had noticed them, and had chosen to run. Or fly in this case.

She could not make out any elves nearby, the tree line far less dense here compared to what she had seen of the Navali forest. They were on the western outskirts of the far reaching landmark. Even the Still Valley was far east and to the north, according to her marks, though they were still far away from the Krahen Isles. Ilea crouched down, brushing away some of the moss covering the runed stone.

“You talk to me as to a friend,” Octavia said, interrupting Ilea’s thoughts.

“I am who I am,” she answered with a smile. “I don’t really blame you for what happened in Ravenhall. Adam was a colossal idiot. He knew what he was doing and made his choice.”

“If I hadn’t been there, he would not have come,” Octavia said.

“If he hadn’t fucked your mom, he wouldn’t have caused the massacre,” Ilea said.

“You have a strange way to look at things,” Octavia said.

“I suppose I’ve seen a lot of strange things. And I’ve made wrong choices before. We can talk for hours about why or why not you share blame. I share blame too, for a lot of things that have happened, some of it may or may not have been caused by my wrong choices, some of it acceptable within the scope of my personal morals, other things probably not. Things move fast, and people make mistakes. I think all we can really do is try to be better in the now,” Ilea said.

“Even when your choices have caused the deaths of a hundred thousand people?” Octavia asked.

“Probably more than that. You have to count all the people that died afterwards as well,” Ilea said with a dry tone. “And hey, our choices now might cause the deaths of millions.”

“I’ve tried to escape the pressure put on me by the position of my father. You’re not helping,” Octavia said.

“Well, you’re hardly one of the big hitters with your measly five hundred levels. Now let’s get a move on before a Monarch gets interested in two lost souls. I’ve got cake to deliver,” she said. “Where to?”

Octavia started to float, pointing westward. “How fast can you fly?”

“Just go, I’ll try to keep up,” Ilea said.

The woman glanced at her before a pulse of magic exuded from her form, blue glowing runes appeared in three separate floating circles around her before she shot off into the distance, a wave of air moving past. Leaves rustled in the nearby trees as a cloud of dust formed.

Ilea took a lost look around as her wings charged and she followed.

She quickly caught up but found Octavia accelerating once more.

A dark mountain range rose on their right, above the remnants of the Navali forest, higher than even the Naraza range far to the east. If it hadn’t been for the North, and the various other realms Ilea had visited, she would’ve thought it the most impressive set of mountains she had seen. Southwards to their left, the outcrops of trees grew more rare as time went on, rocky terrain taking over before the first signs of sand showed. Twenty minutes later, all she could see to the south was an extensive desert, a storm raging in the distance, near as high as the mountains to the north, any sign of grass, moss, and trees gone.

Ilea was impressed with Octavia’s flying speed, but then she was one of very few three mark humans she had met. And to survive in Kohr, one had to be capable. They remained quiet and close to the ground, no monsters or elves coming for them, though Ilea would’ve welcomed a small distraction. She hoped Aki’s scouting would bear some fruit in the near future. The real purpose of collecting all those keys was just to get myself a scouting network to find four marks. And the Meadow calls me an idiot. She shook her head, following the fluttering form of white furs as she considered what a bunch of foxes would think of Octavia’s attire.

Chapter 825 Gods

Chapter 825 Gods

Any sign of the forest was gone, dunes and outcrops of rocks visible all around. Strong winds blew, flying sand limiting visibility, even the mountain ranges to the north gone from Ilea’s vision. The temperatures were rather cool, sand and clouds above obscuring the moonlight, though she could see nonetheless. She flapped her wings one last time when she saw Octavia slow down at the crest of a high reaching dune. Ilea could see silhouettes behind, the angles suggesting some kind of structures.

“Did we arrive?” she asked when she came up on the fur covered and floating woman. She grinned when she reached the top, seeing the stone structures reach out of the sands. Towers, domes, some structures reminding her of cathedrals, others with angles and shapes that made no sense to her. High reaching angled bits with not roofs, feathers made of stone, tens of meters high and delicately crafted. There were stone spheres the size of entire houses, all of it scattered throughout the dunes but somehow connected and set up in a way that seemed planned to her. “Is this… an art installation?”

Ilea couldn’t see the entire thing, but the number of structures could easily be the same as that of a small town. Her dominion suggested the stone reached far under the sands.

“The Druned have a flair for… aesthetics. What they build for the Mava is not as practically inclined as the cities of humanity. Both are far beyond covering any basic needs,” Octavia explained.

“I did hear the Mava and Druned have some kind of relationship. Is this it? The Druned build for them?” Ilea asked.

“I suppose you could summarize it like that but their connection is far deeper, far older. Maybe your suggestion of an art installation comes closer,” Octavia sent and touched her chin in a thoughtful manner.

“There’s nobody here though, or they’re really good at hiding,”Ilea said.

“No. I don’t think there’s anybody here.”

“What do you mean? Is this just a ruin then?”

“The Mava do not settle in one place, Lilith. They move. And when they rest, the Druned will build. It is their way. This is as much ruin as it is a shelter,” Octavia said and looked up to the clouds. “How good are your eyes?”

“I don’t really have anything to measure them against. I can see pretty far,” Ilea answered.

“Can you pierce the sands and clouds?”

“No. Not yet,” Ilea sent back.

“Then we should find shelter here. Day will break in less than three hours. Enough time for me to prepare a few spells. Maybe I can find the direction of their current settlement,” Octavia said and started floating towards one of the more rectangular buildings.

Ilea followed, landing on the near twenty meter high structure. She found it was solid. Just a block of stone. Sitting in the sand. “Funny,” she murmured, sitting down on the edge with Octavia floating cross legged at the center of the plateau. She cocked her head back to look at the woman.

“You look curious. Ask your questions,” Octavia said.

Ilea smiled, turning back to look over the edge. Powerful gusts of wind carried sand to brush against the stone farther down. She could see the wear through her dominion and wondered how long this slab would remain here. A hundred years? Perhaps a thousand? How long has it been here already?

“I don’t have a question. I just thought you looked funny, floating cross legged,” Ilea said.

“How so?”

“Even if identify wasn’t a thing, I could probably guess at the kind of magic you wield.”

“Physiological training helps with focus. The control of one’s own body is a key skill taught to all Mava. I learned from them. Coupled with breathing exercises and the observation of mana within one’s body, and soul,” Octavia explained.

“Sounds like meditation,” Ilea said.

“Yes. I suppose the skill is similar in results, though using a skill does not mean one truly understands what is happening. These practices are meant to study magic, and oneself. Through that, understanding can be reached, and thus advancements in magic. Though that is more consequence than purpose.”

“Consequence?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. You will find the Mava do not much care for competition or their personal power, though they remain in this territory, after all this time. Consequence,” she said.

“What do they do all day?” Ilea asked.

“Hunt. Magic. Eat and sleep. They lounge, laze, and play,” Octavia said and looked to the nearby structures for a moment.

“So you’re telling me that I’m a Mava,” Ilea said as she smiled. And I guess they’re not too different from Elves either. Wait… maybe the Monarch was right.

“You are here on request of the Accords. I do not believe that is a type of behavior they would associate with.”

Ilea could see flickers of magic as Octavia moved her fingers through the air. No changes to the fabric, but she could see magic manifest. “How does it work? Your magic I mean. Divination.”

“Asking a mage for their secrets. You certainly are unconventional,” she answered.

“It’s been a while since someone told me off for asking a question like that. I feel like we’re beyond that,” Ilea said.

“I suppose that is true. My magic is broad, difficult to pinpoint and use. Compared to the magic of my second Class, many of the skills are less defined. It provides me with simple divination passive abilities like a feeling for dangerous beings nearby, for how beings near me feel. More active components allow me to intrude and gauge certain things. More specific if I have certain questions in mind, and if I know the being well. Much of it can be done instantly, though rituals with runeworks and extended casting allows me to extend the range and duration,” Octavia explained.

“Can you find people as well? I know a divination mage who can paint people she knows, no matter where they are,” Ilea said.

“I can find clues and I can get a general sense, though for it to be even remotely reliable, I’d need to be in the vicinity. The same city perhaps. But generally speaking, the more time I put in and the more specific the goal, the better the results,” she sent and paused. “And it helps with training others.”

“I see. So you could help with finding Ascended facilities or Ker Velor himself,” Ilea said.

“I will try. My magic is how I navigated the first facilities I have found. And how I learned of Kohr,” Octavia said. “May I ask you a question in return?”

“Sure.”

“You seem familiar with the Mind Weavers of Kohr. How so?”

Ilea looked up, the sky clearing a little to reveal one of the moons, sand brushing against stone below her. “I followed your father, back when he ripped open a tear to the Great Salt. Went through with a friend. We fought a lot of demons. One of them I spoke to. It wasn’t a pleasant experience but we finally convinced him to reconsider his behavior. Weavy. He’s a friend now, lives near Riverwatch.”

Octavia looked at her with wide eyes. “Near Riverwatch, how? Has he not been discovered?”

“There’s a somewhat hidden necromancer group hidden within Karth. I convinced them to take him in. I believe he summons fish for them, and he teaches one of the boys mind magic. He’s… decent, and learning some human behavior. Much better than the rest I’ve met,” she said. “I know another one too, but not as well. He’s in Hallowfort now.”

“If he manages to summon fish, he is quite a capable mage. They are difficult to grasp, though perhaps from this realm it’s easier. I’m glad you have found and saved one of them. Life in Kohr… is not easy. It often took weeks and months to convince even single Mind Weavers to join me. Without divination magic, it’s impressive you managed to get through to two of them, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, having seen all those beings in the North.”

“I’ve not been too fond of humanity for a long while,” Ilea said.

Octavia smiled, her fangs showing. “I understand.”

“Are you a vampire by the way?” Ilea asked.

Octavia cocked her head slightly, confusion apparent. “I’m not. I suppose you ask because of the fangs?”

“Yeah,” Ilea said.

“My body changed slightly after one of my evolutions in these wastes,” she sent and gestured to the dunes. “When you’re around other species for extended periods of time, I suppose those options appear. But you’ve probably seen plenty of those.”

“Some,” Ilea said with a slight smile. “Have you met any vampires?”

“From beyond the Frozen Wasteland? No, though I had considered going north.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I had reached the marshes, but my magic warned me of danger within the bog, far beyond my capabilities,” she said. “Going through the mountains proved too dangerous as well, too close to the domains.”

“Interesting. Think you could go there now? The marsh I mean.”

“I inquires afterwards, and even the Mava do not tread into the cursed marsh,” Octavia said.

Ilea grinned. “Now I’m intrigued. Any clue what’s in there?”

“Mava stories tell of ancient elven beings. Forgotten by their kind. Forgotten by the world. One of the stories… if I remember correctly, told of Oracles. Are you familiar with the term?”

“What do you know of them?” Ilea asked.

“Mothers. Female elves, more powerful than the men and more attuned to magic. To a point where some words in the stories I’ve heard suggested some of the Mava considered them gods.”

“What do you think?”

“Nobody I’ve met has seen or talked to an Oracle. The few stories I’ve heard that mention them could just be exaggerated legends, but there are many powerful beings out there in the realms. What have you learned of them? You ask as if you knew more.”

“I’ve met one of them,” she said. “You know, the Meadow has been considered a god before. If that’s the baseline, then I can imagine beings considering Oracles the same. I haven’t fought one before, but maybe going to those marshes is worth a trip.”

“You have met an elven Oracle… that is hard to believe, but with everything I’ve seen, I will have to accept it as truth. What was it like?” Octavia asked.

“Pretty overwhelming, but the same could be said about many of the beings I’ve met. It’s difficult to describe,” Ilea said.

“Do you remember it well?”

“Yeah, it was somewhat recent,” Ilea answered.

“If you focus on it, and I do too, I may divine an impression from you. If that would be acceptable,” Octavia said.

Or you could find whatever else you want to know, Ilea thought. Then again what would I want to hide from her? She didn’t consider Octavia incredibly trustworthy, but she didn’t fear her either. Ilea believed her stories about growing up in Ravenhall, about finding purpose in Kohr. She could empathize with her desire to help the Navuun, and she was here now, trying to prevent the plans of the Architect. Even if she could be wrong about everything, Ilea didn’t doubt her conviction. And there was something else.

“Do what you like with your magic. I’ll even turn off my resistance, so you can help me level it,” she said with a smile.

“I could do more than just help your resistance. Many have I guided before. If you would be open to such a thing.”

“What exactly do you mean by guidance. Telling my fortune? Divining my future?” Ilea asked.

Octavia smiled. “No such thing. I do not believe in fate or destiny. I believe we make our own, however there are insights to be learned. Knowledge we may already have, solutions right in front of us yet we are blind to see them.”

“Sure, as long as my resistance benefits.”

“You are easy to please. First however, the Oracle,” Octavia sent.

“Sure, go for it,” Ilea said as she thought of her encounter. The floating being, ice so cold it froze even her. Magic so powerful even the Primordial Shift moved aside in part. A true being a magic, a creator of the elves. The power of a god.

A pulse of magic emanated from Octavia, her eyes closed for a moment before she twitched and recoiled, her eyes wide. “Th… that… how did you… how.”

Ilea smiled, seeing the change in the woman’s eyes. And that’s why I like monsters more. They don’t judge me for being one of them myself.

“My disguise is good enough to fool even a three mark divination mage,” Ilea said with a grin. She didn’t care in the slightest how Octavia perceived her.

The woman remained quiet for a few seconds, then a minute. The look in her eyes remained cautious but it softened a little over time.

“I’m sorry,” Octavia sent finally.

“For what?” Ilea said.

“For not seeing you,” she said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I knew you were powerful, I knew you were connected. But you are so much more. To stand in the face of what others see as gods, some would argue it makes you the same. Though you are so very human, and your mannerisms, and words, seem contradictory,” Octavia explained.

Ilea grinned. “You’ve not met a lot of four mark creatures, have you?”

“No. Who would claim that they have?”

“Fair,” Ilea mused, thinking of the Trakorov and Violence. Though most four marks she met were monsters, incapable of thought, or unable to convey anything to another being. “Go ahead then, I don’t want to waste time.”

“Very well… I will tell you what I learn of you, and what insight I may bring,” Octavia said as she closed her eyes, glowing blue runes appearing in floating circles around her. Pulses started moving out, slow, fast, weak, and powerful.

“You seek danger. You indulge in it. The abyss entices you, like nothing else in the world. It looks back at you but you jump down to face it. You have fought… a dragon… you have hunted the great Devourers in Kohr… have… killed them. No longer do they prove a challenge. Though there are things you fear. Not the monsters of this world… to lose what you have built, to see those you love, taken from you. You fear the dark, the dread, the loneliness.

“Paths you have taken, resources you have allocated, to ensure the safety of those you hold dear, to ensure your own freedom. There are… many ways forward… though one that you avoid. One place you fear, and one place that you must go. One frontier you have yet to conquer.” Octavia opened her eyes, the look on her face terrified. She shivered slightly. “To rise once more, you have to delve into the deep. To seek those who have seen. Those who remain.”

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 16’

The magic ceased, Octavia slumping down slightly as she gasped for air. She looked exhausted, glancing at Ilea while biting her lower lip. She opened her mouth and closed it again.

Ilea watched her. The words had hardly troubled her, though it was impressive how much the woman could gauge with such a short use of her magic. Then again Ilea supposed she wasn’t the most complex being in existence. The deep. To seek those who have seen. She sighed. Had known the day would come, and it was true, she had avoided it. There were other paths to power, other creatures she could hunt. But there were monsters right in front of her. She just had to go and face them.

“What did you see?” she asked, extending her reconstruction to heal the mind of Octavia.

She sobbed once, collecting herself as her lips quivered. “Eyes… watching…”

“That doesn’t quite narrow things down,” Ilea said, though she knew where the deep was, knew what she had to do according to the divination mage. Dammit. And I know she’s right. She cracked her neck. Well if it’s for the return of the Architect, I should risk it.

“They are different. Otherworldly. One large eye in the deep. Hundreds of eyes, connected to roots. And light… light that calls to you.”

Ilea smiled, wondering if Octavia had understood that she had just seen a glimpse of the Meadow. The other two were likely not quite as conversational.

“Thank you. I think I’ll follow your lead,” Ilea said.

“Your magic… it’s helping, thank you,” Octavia said, visibly relaxing a little.

“Up to delve in again?” Ilea asked.

The divination mage looked at her and shook her head ever so slightly. “I… no. I don’t think so.”

Now that does make me feel a little smug. Well on my way to become an eldritch horror myself. Just trapped within a human form. As it should be.

Octavia soon started focusing on her runes again, setting up intricate patterns in the air around her, Ilea eating a meal in the meantime. Sunlight soon rose on the horizon, painting the dark sands in a golden hue.

The runes around Octavia set before they all lit up simultaneously, a pulse of magic flowing out before the runes faded once more. She floated up and opened her eyes.

“Got anything?” Ilea asked.

“A vague direction. Enough perhaps to find one of their skal,” Octavia sent.

“Skal?”

“A tribe, group, settlement, whatever you wish to call it, it is the name they have chosen,” the divination mage said.

“Skal it is. Fly off then, I’ll follow,” Ilea said, her wings spreading wide, casting shadows onto the sands below. The air was dry, the temperature cool but not cold despite winter. Let’s see what these foxes are like.

Chapter 826 Flame

Chapter 826 Flame

Dunes rushed past below as Ilea flew with her charged wings, following the fast moving divination mage in search of the Mava. Octavia occasionally adjusted the direction slightly but it seemed her spell had worked. That or she was just exceedingly confident in her ability to find the desert dwelling foxes.

The landscape changed slightly as they moved farther west. Outcrops of rock and small mountains visible between the sands.

They found two more ruins in the next few hours, each of similar size but vastly different in design. One was built against the side of a small mountain, platforms jutting out of the rock to allow beings to traverse the various angular buildings downright fused with the steep decline. The settlement reached to the very peak of the small mountain.

The second settlement looked like a bowl, built between four massive dunes. It was layered into three sections, each one deeper than the previous. Openings both holes and doors led below into an underground labyrinth of corridors and rooms. Ilea saw bones of various animals and even found a group of level two hundred rat like monsters residing in the otherwise abandoned settlement, though no sign of the Mava, no furniture, no writing, no paintings.

She left the monsters alone, following Octavia into the expansive desert. So far she had yet to receive a message from any of her allies. Ilea assumed the planning and communication used most resources available to the Accords. She saw Octavia slow down atop a nearby dune and followed suit, looking out over the vast desert when she spotted a single line in the distance. A slightly angled tower, reaching towards the sky. Distant, thin, and ridiculously high.

“I believe we have found them,” the woman spoke.

“That thing doesn’t look stable,” Ilea said, though she had noticed none of the settlements so far seemed to have been built with longevity or security in mind. At least not in the way she understood those words in connection with buildings.

“The Druned do not build for stability. They build for challenge.”

“Challenge to others or themselves?” Ilea asked.

Octavia thought for a moment, looking out into the desert. “I don’t know. It’s possible that both apply.”

“Wonderful,” Ilea mused. “So should we go say hi?”

“The Mava are curious. Signaling our presence is better than treading on their territory uninvited.”

“I see. And how do we do that?” Ilea asked.

Octavia smiled ever so slightly. “With magic, of course. Something that is visible from this distance, the more impressive the better.”

“Do you have anything like that or should I give it a shot?”

“I could provide something that may lead them here, but I have never been one for displays of flashy magic. I find that it attracts both the attention of dangerous humans and monsters alike.”

Ilea felt the heat rise within herself as a smile came to her face. “Yes, that’s kind of the point.”

She waited a few seconds before she raised her arm towards the sky, releasing Embered Heart in a chaotic cone like beam. The display lasted for less than two seconds. It was certainly impressive from where they stood. “Think they even saw it? We’re pretty far away.”

“That wasn’t just one spell, was it?” Octavia asked.

“It’s stored heat, released in a single blast and enhanced with the flame of creation,” Ilea explained. She saw something move in the distance. Small dots. Flying. Two were covered in fire, one of them with the same coloration as her spell. Kin, she thought with a smile, feeling a strange connection she hadn’t felt before.

“I can feel their presence. They have noticed us.”

“I know. I can see them coming,” Ilea said, the two of them floating above the sands, one with magic alone, the other with her wings of ash.

It took mere seconds for the beings to cover the distance, the lose formation the eight creatures had flown in at the start already broken when they were a kilometer away. Perhaps there had not been a formation in the first place.

Ilea squinted her eyes to see. Foxes, with a varied number of tails and other extremities. All but one were wielding visible magic. Their sizes were different as well, though none were close to as large as Catelyn’s fire form. Neither were any as small as her usual state. It was difficult to make out the color of their fur or skin at the distance, magic somewhat obscuring them.

Two had taken the lead, one looking more like a streaking comet, orange red fire covering it entirely, no wings on its back as it left a trail of smoldering flames in its wake. It seemed aggressive, direct. The second one had fur in the color of the sands, the winds carrying its form in wide arcs that were all but efficient, and still it easily kept up with the striking form of fire.

Ilea focused on them as the others tried to keep up. She soon locked eyes with the slitted red pupils of the flame bearing Mava, its fur rust colored below the blazing magic. She didn’t miss the manic grin and the large teeth, the creature about as large as she was, four tails moving behind and four legs adorning its torso. She smiled back and waved, her mantle erupting in white flame as she welcomed the enthusiastic greeting. Her precognition informed her of the incoming attack but she just couldn’t help but feel safe. She had learned to trust her gut around the elves and plenty of other creatures both in the wild and near Hallowfort. Creatures she couldn’t necessarily read, but she found magic itself said a lot more than twitching ears or hissing.

The impact shook her bones as the two flew back and tumbled in the air, finally hitting the dunes with heavy impacts. Ilea laughed as her wings moved them up again, sand strewn aside as the white flame stuck to both the ground and her adversary.

“Nice to meet you,” she established a connection to the creature as her fires mingled with his.

The being’s eyes burned, its head as large as hers, the teeth quite a lot larger than what Catelyn had in her snout. It closed its eyes as a whispering voice resounded, heat gathering before a bright explosion of fire emanated from its form.

[Fire Mage – lvl 384]

Ilea held on, a smile on her as the magic flowed over her ash, leaving her entirely uninjured. It seemed her own flames were burning away his with every passing moment. She grabbed on to one of its paws and twirled in the air, sending it down into the sand with a heavy thud, a cloud forming on impact.

A giggle resounded in her mind, the wind fox floating in a circle around them, silver eyes taking her in. “I was named Na Si, carried by winds. You wield the white flame, and ash at the same time. That is strange,” the being spoke. Her voice sounded quiet in Ilea’s mind, the words spoken quickly, with pauses between. Perhaps an accent or inexperience.

A roar resounded from below, the flame bearing fox stepping up before it shot towards Ilea.

She teleported it into the distance, the ongoing momentum leading it straight back into the sand.

Another giggle.

“I was named Ilea, wielder of ash,” she answered the being, summoning some ash as her flames dissipated. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice, yes,” Na Si spoke as she approached, carefully and never in a direct line. She was smaller than the other fox, three tails instead of his four.

[Wind Mage – lvl 448]

Na Si hesitated and teleported away when more of the Mava arrived, the fox hiding behind a nearby dune, her silver eyes looking towards Ilea with her ears perked up, tails moving in slow patterns behind her.

Number of tails doesn’t equal levels then? Or maybe the fewer they have the higher it is?

Two more foxes were now circling her. One had purple scales instead of fur, the ethereal wings of the same color on its back gave it a strange look. Six legs added to the differences, its black eyes taking her in. She thought it more an armored fox monster wielding arcane power than anything like the previous two creatures she had met.

[Arcane Mage – lvl 520]

Ilea quickly turned to the fourth one. It wasn’t the white fur that garnered her attention but the fire that moved over its form in more than familiar patterns. Its eyes were golden, four ears and seven tails adorning the four legged creature. It was small, though still larger than Catelyn.

[Fire Mage – lvl 639]

Her own fires flickered to life once again as she established a connection with the beings. “Greetings.”

“Greetings,” the female fire mage spoke, her voice delicate. “You bear the white flame of creation, human.” She approached, floating in the air with her four ears twitching, golden eyes wide open and her sharp teeth showing slightly. “It’s beautiful.”

“And yet you bear ash to these lands,” a deeper voice spoke, coming from the arcane being.

“Is that a problem?” Ilea asked, genuinely interested. She remembered Audur called her an abomination but she still didn’t exactly know why. Nobody else seemed to have an issue with her combination of abilities.

The feeling she got from the creatures so far was curiosity above all, thought she was slightly on her guard. The fire spell used by the first one was more powerful than what his level would’ve suggested.

“Ancient rules you would not know, though even I don’t remember who made them up,” the fox sent and snickered, the sound coming out in a wheeze. He followed it up with a cough.

“I am Myr Iva, blessed by the flame,” the white furred fox sent, close enough now for Ilea to touch her, though she didn’t approach further. “May our fires touch?”

Ilea raised her brows. “Does that imply anything?”

The fox cocked her head to the side, by nearly ninety degrees. “What do you mean?”

“Culturally, like a marriage proposal or a declaration of war or something,” Ilea tried to explain.

“It implies touching flames,” Myr Iva sent before turning her head towards the arcane fox behind her. “Do you know what she means?” The question was sent to Ilea as well.

“She is human. You remember what I told you about their kind?” the other being sent.

“They are cautious, greedy, and live behind walls. They are born weak and are thus often afraid of monsters. They don’t trust others,” Myr Iva sent then turned back to Ilea. “This one is not afraid.”

“This one is not weak,” the arcane one said, its snout moving up into a grin of sorts, most of its face covered in the small purple scales. “This one is not weak at all.”

Ilea once again teleported away the howling comet that was about to strike her when she saw the other four foxes walk on the dunes below with Octavia among them. Their levels reached from two to four hundred, two of them earth mages, one wind, and one more fire.

“There is no implication, human. You need not consider such things among our kind,” the arcane fox said.

Ilea smiled. “Sounds good. Sure, we can have our fires meet, though I’m not sure what that will do.”

The fox’s eyes opened even wider, her fires intensifying as she inched closer through the air, her tails moving in erratic patterns. Fires flickered and combined, seamlessly flowing into and through each other. Ilea felt the heat but she wasn’t injured. It felt strange, as if a part of her felt a deep connection to the fox. She moved closer too, carefully lifting the fox up before she hugged her to her armored chest. Myr Iva felt soft and warm, much like Catelyn, but so much more approachable. She felt the tails brush against her face and shoulders, felt the creatures beating hearts. Then she let go, her face a little flushed as they both floated back a little, the flames parting once again.

“I…”

The fox giggled and floated around her. “You are fun! And strong… how did you get the fires? Were you born with them like me?”

Ilea didn’t miss the amused glance from Octavia, and the curious looks of the other foxes. “No. I had to learn fire magic first. I think I got it thanks to the Fae that I met.”

“Fae? What is that?” Myr Iva asked, her head turning sideways again. This time the other way.

Ilea smiled. It looked cute. A level six hundred wielder of the flame of creation, looking like a cute fluffy fox. The juxtaposition was… familiar, to say the least.

“Some friends of mine call them Spirits of Old, maybe you’re familiar with that term?” Ilea suggested. She knew the Dark Ones had usually used that name.

Myr Iva’s eyes went wide. She looked to the arcane fox. “Did you hear! Ren Va, she is blessed by the spirits!”

“And marked. I have not missed the sign,” Ren Va spoke, glancing at Ilea. “One marked as friend. A rare honor to be sure.”

He knows and saw the mark? Some kind of soul perception then? Or is it something else?

“A friend. But it says Immortal!” Myr Iva said, looking where she perceived Ilea’s title.

Ilea considered changing her title to that of Friend, but she planned to fight more than a few high level beings in the coming week, which meant she wanted to keep the increase to her resilience.

She reached up her hand and teleported the approaching fire mage into her hand, holding its neck as the heat burned against her mantle, the white flame gone once again. She didn’t want to accidentally hurt the fox. “You should stop, with whatever you’re doing.”

The comet fox tried to push aside her arms with its paws, then it opened its maw and spewed fire straight into her face. Some of the other foxes snickered with high pitched sounds.

From hissing to this, Ilea thought. The fact that none of the foxes seemed concerned about her holding the Mava by the neck or its continued fire breath washing over her face made the situation rather curious. When most of her first interactions with elves had felt tense and aggressive, this felt downright comical. Even her bouts with Fey felt more aggressive. Not even the fox she held bothered her much. It was certainly annoying, but he reminded her of an incessant little kid constantly pestering her with questions. This one she could at least throw into the ground.

She glanced to Ren Va with raised brows. “What am I supposed to do with this one?”

He turned his head to the side slightly. “Hak Ro is young. He does not sleep and seeks to battle the strong. You have garnered his attention.”

“What now?” Ilea asked.

“Now he is your problem,” the being replied in a sagely manner, amusement quite clear in his voice.

She sighed and moved the fox closer to her face, ignoring his renewed efforts to burn her face. “You’re not strong enough. Bother me when you reach the seven hundreds.”

The fox stopped and looked at her, its teeth exposed. Then it closed its maw, ears drooping. “Please?”

“No.”

It burned her again.

Ash formed around the creature, slowly smothering him as she kept a look on his vitals. She stopped when he ceased his spell, glad he hadn’t trained his oxygen repository skill or something similar. The unconscious fox she teleported down to the four beings near Octavia.

“Oc Ta Via tells that you are an ally, and that you come with a request,” Ren Va spoke.

Ilea didn’t know how their hierarchy worked but he seemed one of the older ones. Seeing how everyone behaved, she decided not to get to the point immediately. What Octavia had told her about the Mava had already been confirmed in this short meeting. “Eventually. It’s annoying that I have to meet you under those circumstances. I’ve been interested in coming here since I was told of your existence.”

“Few humans know of us,” Ren Va spoke.

Nobody had reacted to the unconscious fox. One of the others had lifted him by the neck, with his mouth. Then Ilea supposed they didn’t have thumbs. It was either that, magic, or their tails.

“An elf told me,” Ilea said.

A few of the foxes perked up their ears.

“A Cerithil Hunter from the Still Valley. He knew quite a lot about the world,” she said.

“You wield the fires, talk to elves, and now you’re here. I’m curious about the request… but first, would you like to come to our home?” Ren Va asked. “I would invite you as my guest.”

“No! She is my guest!” Myr Iva said.

“I want to invited her too!” Na Si said, her voice barely reaching their minds. She was still hiding behind her little dune. By now she had burrowed herself a little in the sand.

Ilea felt a fluctuation in the space around her, then saw a small being within her dominion.

Violence

The voice reached her mind.

“You’re late,” she said.

Hunting

Moon

“You were hunting one of the moons?” Ilea asked.

Hunting

Moon

“I don’t understand,” she said but didn’t expect a further explanation.

The Mava nearby summoned their magics, different reactions from each of them. Some with wide eyes, some with narrow ones, some ears going up, others drooping down.

Violence?

“Later. I need to talk to the Mava. If you want to hang around, you’re welcome to join, but for violence, I can call you later,” she said.

Later

It

Is

“Before you leave. We might have an Ascended coming to this realm to take another sun, any clue if you guys could help with that issue? We need to find hidden facilities, if they even exist,” she said.

Hunting

Sun?

“Are you implying that you’re consuming the moons?” Ilea asked.

It shook its head.

Violence.

“Yes. Of course,” she answered.

I

Ask

The Fae touched its chest before a spell manifested.

Mana

Ilea helped it along before it vanished. She looked around at the scattered Mava. “Yes. I’d love to visit your home.”

Chapter 827 Snake Eater

Chapter 827 Snake Eater

Ilea hoped there would be no argument or fighting between the foxes as to whom would be allowed to invite her as a guest.

It turned out her worry was unfounded as the foxes decided in unison that she would be the guest of each and every one of them present. Even Hak Ro was included, though he couldn’t add his voice due to his continued lack of consciousness. A terrible weakness, she observed. Simply removing the air of a level three eighty being was enough to take him out. She found herself questioning his training, but then she knew not everyone spent ages just gathering different resistances and training them.

“They like you. Immensely,” Octavia sent. “It’s a good start.”

“Do you know them all?” Ilea asked.

“A few of them, not all. They move between Skal or go on journeys of their own from time to time,” she sent. “Two I had considered friends left on such journeys.”

“They take after myself,” Ilea sent. “After us, I suppose, with you going to Kohr.”

“Perhaps. Though I wish they would teach caution to their young, but it is not their way,” she said.

“Like the one that kept attacking me?” Ilea said.

“Yes. If you were not the way you are, that would have been his end,” she said.

“And the end of our negotiations. Or would they not have cared?”

“Oh no. They would have. I was afraid you would kill him,” Octavia said.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Ilea asked.

“I used my magic to determine the danger, and I found Hak Ro was safe.”

“Convenient,” Ilea said. Similar to my perception spike and general danger sense, but more versatile I suppose, and not passive. She assumed Octavia had plenty of passive benefits too, otherwise she would’ve likely not survived her journeys, not without any obvious hiding abilities, healing, high regeneration, and fighting prowess, though she supposed she hadn’t seen her fight. It was possible Ilea underestimated the woman. She was a three mark after all.

They flew towards the tower, layers and large windows visible now. There were balconies and platforms jutting out at each level, stairs and bridges connecting various bits that seemed to be near free floating otherwise. When she had questioned the stability of the structure based on the slightly tilted angle, now she was asking herself how it remained standing in the first place.

She heard whistles when the foxes ahead of her turned right. Hak Ro was woken from his slumber with a slap of a fellow Mava’s tail. They fanned out in the air as Ilea and Octavia slowed. “What’s happening?”

“A hunt. Something is coming,” Octavia answered.

Ilea watched as the foxes flew out and away, magic forming around them in elemental spheres, runes on their bodies, or in various projectiles. Myr Iva took a central position though it was difficult for Ilea to notice their coordination at all. Her attention shifted to the dunes where she now noticed three distinct forms moving below the sands. She smiled, thinking of the creature she had hunted back with her team in the Isanna desert.

The monsters that finally emerged looked quite different. Thirty to forty meters in length and nearly three meters wide. Chitin plating and no legs, their heads reminding her of a snake though they only possessed a single eye. Dark gray in color, the creatures broke out of the sands as bright spots gathered where their eyes were. Light magic, focused on the flying foxes ahead.

“Do you know those monsters?” Ilea asked.

“Sun crawlers. These must be hungry to attack a group of Mava. They are usually around level five hundred,” Octavia answered.

I see. No need to interfere then, Ilea thought as she tried to remember anything about the creatures from the various lessons and monster manuals she had read through. Nothing came up, though she knew these lands were rarely traveled by humans, let alone people that would be interested in documenting these creatures, and sharing the knowledge.

Various spells flashed up between the Mava, arcane energy surging from Ren Va as shields appeared before three of the creatures, enhanced by white and orange red flame. Beams of light were released from the monsters at the same time, striking the shields where the energy was blocked.

They’re absorbing it, Ilea realized, watching from a distance as small dots of light formed behind the intact barriers. Three foxes chanted in strange sounds, whispers in the winds when jagged rocks broke out in front of one of the snakes, breaking its momentum before raising it up. Between the rocks erupted fire, a screech resounding over the dunes as the monster was burned alive.

Ilea watched as a set of runes appeared before Ren Va, a large floating circle that erupted in white and red fire a moment later, winds flowing around it in what seemed like a coalescing maelstrom. The light spheres disappeared and appeared in front of the sphere. Several disconnected chants in a language Ilea did not understand overlapped with the next three sounds, creating a chorus before the prepared spell was loosed. The spheres spread out into a set of three lines, all of them bearing every element used in the ritual. They hovered in the air where Ren Va floated with his arcane wings. She could see his tails move before the lines shot off.

A flash only, dull fiery impacts in the sands several hundred meters away.

Ilea grinned as she watched the two approaching snakes fall apart, glowing bits of chitin and seared flesh below crashing to the sand as their massive bodies slowed to a halt. The three lines had left behind three burning streaks in the dune behind the creatures, each spanning dozens of meters in length.

The last snake remained propped up by the still growing rocks, unable to get away as it burned from the fires below. Light magic shot out into the skies, the creature unable to aim as another spell was prepared by the Mava.

This one was done in mere seconds, a lance of arcane, stone, and wind hovering above the snake’s head before it shot down, piercing its skull and killing it instantly. The massive head of the creature slumped down, hanging from the burning rock formation, no more light magic spells coming from its one now glassy eye.

Efficient, though I guess the monsters weren’t too impressive. “It’s like siege magic used by human armies,” she said out loud.

“Far more powerful. The versatility is unmatched, and the Mava can cast their unified spells while moving and fighting on their own. These monsters were not a threat,” Octavia explained.

Ilea remembered the large siege weapons used by the Empire, mages pouring their mana into runes to create high power effects. Similar to the cannons of the Pit but less efficient. Having that capability as a mobile formation could surely amplify the power of the otherwise individual mages. She didn’t think they would be particularly effective against a small and fast moving target like herself, but against large four marks, they may be more efficient than her. As long as the monsters didn’t get in a good hit.

“What are they doing now?” Ilea sent to the woman as she watched the Mava fly towards the snake, more spells forming despite their death.

“You kill to gain experience. You possess storage items, and the ability to return to your cities and restaurants. The Mava do not share in those luxuries. They have survived out here, on what little the land provides. Many may not require food or drink no longer, but their young do.”

“They’re going to harvest everything?”

“Not everything. There is only so much they can carry, and as far as I remember, the meat of the Sun Crawler is not particularly desired. However they do enjoy their festivities, and they use every opportunity to celebrate.”

“Killing these is such an opportunity?” Ilea asked.

Octavia glanced at her. “You came here wielding the white flame, a Spirit of Old came to visit you in the process. I believe having you as a guest is that very opportunity. You think too little of yourself, but perhaps that is not a bad thing at all. We know what can happen to beings that wield the power of gods.”

“A feast does sound like a wonderful way to welcome us. They certainly know how to treat guests,” Ilea mused as she joined the Mava, a few of them already cutting into the snake, removing chitin plating while others gutted the dead creature. The fires still burned, the smell of smoked meat rising in the vicinity. Ilea assumed there were a few tons worth of flesh being cooked, Mava expertly maneuvering through the flames, cutting into the dead creature. She noted two of the lower leveled foxes following Na Si as she used her wind magic to cut into specific sections of the snake, likely teaching them how to efficiently harvest the monsters.

Ren Va hovered above everything, his tails twitching from time to time as he watched the surrounding desert.

“Nice display of magic,” she sent to him as her wings moved.

“Thank you, Immortal. I know many humans work in groups as well,” he said.

“Groups, yes, but they don’t fuse their magic together like you do. At least most of them don’t. And I personally fight alone most of the time.”

“Great harmony is required for unified magic. I am not surprised at your words. I believe the life span of your species is to blame, or what do you think?” Ren Va asked.

“That’s one way to look at it. I suppose those who get powerful enough to not worry about growing old anytime soon are generally focused on their own growth and power,” Ilea answered, though she didn’t know everyone. Perhaps there were adventuring teams out there that had similar capabilities as the Mava, more likely military units that have worked together for extended periods of time. Though the lack of Shadow teams she knew who could accomplish such a feat likely suggested there were no humans out there capable of what she had just seen.

“Distrustful and cautious,” Ren Va spoke. “I understand.” He seemed amused.

Ilea watched the foxes finish their work, bright spells cutting through the massive amounts of flesh with incredible precision. Entire slabs were stored by Na Si. Less than ten minutes passed before the middle section of the snake was reduced to stripped bone.

“Do you have a lot of storage items?” Ilea asked. “Or skills that allow for the same.”

“No, young human. These treasures are rare and passed on through the generations. Few Mava are interested in the crafting and enchanting of equipment, though I am aware your kind enjoys covering themselves with various metal armor, using weapons forged in fire.”

“Right. For most people it’s beneficial,” Ilea said.

“You do not count yourself among them?” the Mava asked, glancing her way.

“My armor constantly broke. Though I did use some for a long time. By now my magic is just better. I do have a few tools though, including storage items and this necklace,” Ilea said, moving the ash around her neck to reveal the Azarinth Star. She summoned a barrier in front of her to let the fox examine the magic.

His eyes opened wider as he sniffed the air and moved a little closer. “Healing. That is quite an artifact you have there. I wonder who could have made something like that.”

“Me too actually,” Ilea said, moving the necklace between her fingers before she let go. “Oh and I use this one occasionally,” she summoned Silent Memory into her hand, the red gem glowing slightly as she twirled it around.

“A divine object, I can feel it,” Ren Va spoke. “The runes look like something I have heard of before. A story told by Ohn Ika. Perhaps he would be interested in seeing it.”

Ilea stored the hammer and smiled. “Is he your Elder? Or however you call your leader?”

“Elder? No. We do not care much for such things, Ilea. He is quite old, and a wielder of powerful magic, though he is best known for his knowledge, and his stories,” Ren Va said.

“Sounds like an interesting Mava,” she said.

He squinted his eyes slightly. “So it is knowledge you seek?”

“What do you mean? I told you I want to meet your kind, and I have a possible request,” Ilea said.

“Forgive me. The humans we have met in the past always had motives and ambitions beyond what they shared with their words,” Ren Va said.

“Yeah. I know deception isn’t quite as prevalent with most other species I’ve met. Might be a similar issue where we had to use other things than magic or brute force to prevail. I suppose we’re not as blessed as Elves or Mava,” she said. “It’s true, there is much I could learn from someone who has a lot of knowledge, but I would just as much enjoy a good story that doesn’t benefit me in anything but entertainment.”

The Mava looked at her for a few seconds before he spoke. “There is weight in your words. A burden?”

Ilea smiled. “I’m very powerful among humans. Which means I feel a certain responsibility.”

“I don’t understand. Power grants freedom, does it not?” he asked.

“That too, I suppose. But it also means that I could change things for the better. Or what I believe to be better. Not doing anything with the magic that I have at my disposal feels wrong,” she said.

The fox cocked his head sideways. “That is a strange way of thinking. Refreshing perhaps, though you seem to be shackled by… expectations? Pressure? Is it a spell, a cultural phenomenon, or simply a human trait?”

“Would you not help a fellow Mava if you found them injured and dying in the desert?”

“I would, but I don’t understand how that has anything to do with your feeling of responsibility… oh… I suppose you consider lacking conditions in an entire settlement something that you could change. That is interesting. Do you not believe other humans to be responsible for their own well being? They have been born, and they may choose to change their fate, do they not?”

“That’s a compelling argument. Though it’s also an easy excuse not to get off your ass,” Ilea said and smiled.

“Indeed. But even so, your wish to intrude in the fate of others may simply be a selfish consideration. I mean no offense, I do not know your heart,” Ren Va spoke.

“Right. It’s possible, but at the end of the day I do what feels right to me, and what makes me happy,” Ilea said.

“That, my friend, we can agree on,” Ren Va spoke. “Will you join the feast later?”

“I’m always up for a feast,” Ilea said seriously.

“It would be a pleasure to hear the story of such a powerful human. You must have fought incredible creatures to reach these heights,” he said.

“That depends on your definition of incredible,” Ilea said.

“You humble yourself. I respect this, especially from a human. What is the request you have of our Skal?”

“I’ll get to that in time, there’s no rush,” Ilea said. She meant it too, realizing right after she had sent the words that there was in fact a rush. But it didn’t feel right. If she tried to convince the Mava she had just met to help with the search of Ascended facilities, she might as well go around hiring mercenaries to do the same. These beings could be more than just that. That, she knew.

“Very well, let us return then. Na Si has finished her work.” Ren Va floated up, all the foxes turning once more to fly towards the tower.

Ilea did the same, joined by Myr Iva a moment later.

“He has taken a liking to you, human,” she sent. “As did I.”

“Are you going to cook and eat me?” Ilea asked.

The fox looked at her with her golden eyes, an expression of shock on her face. “That is not our intention!”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Sarcastic?”

“I find it funny. Presenting ridiculous ideas instead of the obvious,” she said.

The fox moved a little closer, eyes opening a little wider. “For what purpose?”

Ilea thought about the answer for a moment. “Being serious all the time is exhausting,”

“That is amusing. I will kill and eat you!” Myr Iva declared.

Cute.

“You’re free to try,” Ilea said with a grin.

The fox made some distance, her ears drooping. “I was not being serious!”

“I know, I used it again,” Ilea said and winked.

“Oh. I have much to learn,” Myr Iva sent and moved her tails in an intricate manner, the fur interlinking.

They flew for a few minutes without speaking a word, Ilea watching the approaching tower.

“Does it have a name?” she asked finally, realizing absentmindedly that Hak Ro had not attacked her again since their departure. One win.

“The tower? I call it the Desert Tail,” Myr Iva said. “But there are many names. I do not care much for them.”

“The Desert Tail. It doesn’t move though,” Ilea said.

“That is true! Perhaps it is amusing to me. Sarcasm,” Myr Iva said and moved her ears in an exciting manner.

A lot to learn, Ilea thought, wondering what was higher on her list of priorities, preventing the Architect from going through with his plans, or teaching yet another being the benefits of dry humor. She found it was about equal.

The suns were higher now, casting golden light upon the western desert, a long shadow emanating from the high reaching tower at the center of an empty sea.

Sundial, seems like a good name too. Not sure how accurate it would be with how crooked it is, she thought, smiling to herself as she saw the first beings moving along the platforms and layers of the confusing stone structure.

Chapter 828 The Tower

Chapter 828 The Tower

Ilea grinned as they approached the colossal tower in the middle of the endless sands. Its dozens of layers each littered with confusing interlinked stone stairwells, rooms, and purely aesthetic creations as far as she could tell. She wondered how exactly the relationship between the Mava and Druned worked, but was quickly distracted from the thought when she saw the first stone golems moving along the side of the tower.

Some of them she saw looked vaguely humanoid, with two stone legs and two stone arms, a few of them missing a head, others sporting three. Others had four legs and a single arm coming out of their torso, some yet floated, mere silhouettes more like modern Earth drones than anything else she had seen before. They all were various shades of gray, angles, scratches, and sharp edges defining their features. None of them had eyes, at least not any that Ilea could perceive. Some of their hands ended in stumps, others with many fingers or different tools.

They moved along the stone surface with their magic, either sliding along the gray surface of the tower or digging into it without leaving any blemishes behind.

Ilea landed with the Mava near her on a floor at least a few hundred meters above the sandy grounds below. She could feel the wind but not a single speck of sand reached this high, not right now. There were pillars and walls keeping the many layers above standing, a single slightly spiraled center coming up from the floor below and going up through the ceiling. The structure was even larger than she had assumed from a distance, reaching a near thirty meter diameter, though much of it was occupied with strange shapes and pillars.

She watched the Mava walk and float past and through the obstacles, some of them jumping atop the stone while others yet teleported away. Like a massive cat tree. The comparison immediately made her think back on the ruins she had encountered with Octavia. It made a little more sense now. She smiled when she saw two small Mava shoot spells at each other as they rushed through the maze, jumping atop stairwells before vanishing to the floor above.

“You must think us strange creatures,” Ren Va spoke as he landed on a nearby stone triangle, somehow balancing atop it with two of his legs. “To live in such a place.”

Ilea raised her brows and smiled. “Why do you think that?”

“Do you not build walls around your settlements, and square shaped homes to reside in?”

“I mean sure, but you don’t seem in need of much shelter, or walls to keep monsters out. If anything that would deter the hunt,” she said and laughed. “Maybe I should hire some Druned to build a settlement for high level humans.”

She thought of the Elves in the Descent, or just Hallowfort itself, neither providing perfectly reasonable living conditions for a low level human.

Ren Va looked at her for a while. “I might have to recheck my knowledge on humans. You are quite unlike what I expected.”

“Not the first to say that, I suppose,” Ilea sent as she flew over a few benches and an upside down stairwell that led into the solid floor. Landing, she watched two stone golems ahead of her, each vaguely humanoid. She could feel the earth magic as stone formed from thin air, thin layers added to the floor in a circular shape, intricate patterns with tiny spheres and pillars appearing on the base before another layer formed atop.

Three Mava watched her from behind a set of shapes, their eyes curious and focused on her wings. She let them. Word would surely travel fast and they could ask if they wanted something.

“Greetings,” she said to the Druned in front of her, receiving no reaction. She watched as the second one raised its arms, shapes appearing on the second layer. At least fifty different ones, before once again another circular stone layer less than a centimeter thick formed above. She waved at them but got no reaction.

[Earth Mage – lvl 300]

Both had the exact same level and description.

“Greetings,” she sent instead, targeting both of them with her telepathy.

They each turned her way, stone heads with no eyes, mouths, or noses looking at her as they remained in silence.

“I didn’t want to interrupt. I’m new here, a guest of the Mava. Ilea, it’s nice to meet you,” she sent after ten seconds had passed.

The creatures watched her for ten more before they resumed whatever they were doing.

No interest? Or do they not understand me?

She watched as the first golem started to use its magic once more, adding to the second layer of the growing structure. Looking through her dominion, she could see Octavia talking to a few Mava, Na Si stacking the snake meat chunks, and finally focusing on Myr Iva, who was obviously glancing her way a few times but tried to act uninterested as she lay atop a stone pillar, her tails moving in lazy patterns. “Can you help me with something?” she sent to the fox.

Myr Iva’s ears rose up instantly, her eyes opening wider before she turned her head towards Ilea. “What do you need help with?”

“Do the Druned not speak?” Ilea asked.

“Only sometimes,” Myr Iva sent.

“Sometimes… with everyone?”

“Sometimes, with some of us. I have spoken to them many times and only received answer thrice,” the fox replied.

“That’s curious. Any idea why?” Ilea asked.

“Ohn Ika says they will listen but dismiss most. You can try to find out if they will answer you,” Myr Iva sent and smirked slightly.

“Not very helpful. I’m sure you know more,” Ilea said, furrowing her brows.

“I might!” the fox said.

She smiled. “Very well. So it’s a challenge.”

Ilea sat down near the two golems, using her dominion and spacial perception to see if she could figure something out about them. She didn’t bother them with talk any longer. As time went on, the small set of platforms created by the two golems grew, ever upward. Soon they started to increase the diameter of the disks set atop the now hundreds of supports below. There were patterns, she noticed. Patterns and inconsistencies. The former in how the tiny supports between each disk were placed and the latter in the form of less magic used in the creation of some tiny support bits.

She opened her eyes wide and smirked. It’s a game.

The realization came to her right when the small tower started to topple. The golem to the right had won. They lacked enough discerning features for Ilea to individually recognize them in a crowd. Even the magical feel she got was downright the same.

So I could try to tell them something, or show them my magic. The Mava reacted to my fire.

She burst out in flame, though the only reaction she got came from the foxes that had been watching, two of them quickly rushing away while the last one opened its eyes wide. The Druned however, did not react.

Instead, they got rid of the toppled bits, not even letting it fall before the stone returned to magic, only the base platform remaining.

Her flames vanished again.

“I saw some of you in the domain of Audur,” she sent, but again, there was no reaction. This time the two didn’t even look her way.

Hmm.

I’m not giving up this easily.

She waited until the game was reset before summoning ash. A disk formed, about half a meter in diameter, including a few dozen tiny supports, all of which floated towards the prepared platform.

“May I play?” she sent.

This time the Druned turned her way. They waited. Ten seconds, twenty, then the one on the right answered.

“Your turn. It topples. You lose.” Its words were spoken deliberately, the voice deep and echoing. As if large drums played in her mind.

“Should we bet something?” she asked, placing her supports with the help of her dominion and spatial awareness.

The Druned watched her, then they turned to the small platform she had placed. Ten seconds later, the same one answered.

“No.”

She smiled, sitting with her legs crossed in front of the platform as the one who had won previously created a set of stone supports to place onto her circle of ash.

“Amusing,” Myr Iva sent.

“Did I do something culturally unacceptable?” Ilea asked.

“No. They always play, if you ask,” the fox replied.

“How is it so amusing then?”

“You’ll learn. In time,” Myr Iva said.

Ilea didn’t have to wait long. She took her time to analyze the supports her opponent had placed and set to add her own. Even before she could place everything, the tower started to collapse. Of course she could’ve tried to shift things around or to manipulate her ash to stop it but she had not seen the golems try such a thing before. She had lost. After one single platform.

What did I miss?

She heard the fox laugh into her mind and ignored it.

The Meadow had presented her with puzzles to train her space awareness and manipulation. And now she was losing in a game of stacking? She didn’t know how the game was called but stacking seemed appropriate.

“Again?” she asked the golem.

It didn’t reply but dissolved its stone, the other golem stepping aside before stone formed around it. Its humanoid shape was added to until a solid and smooth cube remained, sinking slightly into the tower platform before it remained at a slight angle.

Ilea watched the process with wide eyes before she tried to look at the surroundings, using all her senses. There was magic present, but not enough. Then again, the cube itself had changed. Did the golem move through the stone or deactivate somehow?

“Is the entire tower here made up of Druned?” she asked the remaining golem, not expecting a response.

It looked at her for about ten seconds. “No. That is silly.”

“I suppose it is. I don’t know your kind. Apologies,” she said. “You start this time.”

The golem didn’t reply but started forming stone shapes again a moment later, Ilea focusing more this time, her entire world reduced to the small platform.

She lost again.

Then again. And a fourth time.

The Druned never stopped playing, never seemed annoyed, nor did it offer any advice. It simply formed the supports and placed them.

Her awareness and magic perception helped, but it just wasn’t enough. There were too many facets, too many intricacies. At first she had thought it a simple game of balancing stone but as time move on, she started to see feints, offenses, defenses, ideas hinted at but yet to be executed. She was taken out of her focus when Ren Va spoke into her mind.

“The feast is ready, human.”

“Let me finish this one,” she sent, focusing back on the game. She lost again but the smile didn’t leave her face. Four platforms toppled. For the first time she had managed to keep the base stable, forcing the Druned to add its second platform. “I’ll have to join the Mava for now, thank you for the games. If I find time, I’d like to try again.”

She waited for the Druned as both ash and stone vanished into mana.

“Learning fast, human. I shall be here,” the Druned replied.

“Awesome. I’m Ilea by the way,” she said and stood up, bowing lightly to the being. It didn’t reciprocate the gesture but she hadn’t exactly expected it to do so. Shaking its hand seemed a bit too aggressive.

“I thought you foolish, but you got to four platforms in the manner of a few hours,” the fox said, a wide grin on its face.

She noticed now that there were a few dozen Mava watching her from various spots on the nearby stone. She squinted her eyes as wisps of white flame formed. Many of them rushed away. She didn’t feel like being watched like some circus animal.

“You say that like it’s impressive,” Ilea said, turning back to Ren Va.

“It is. Very much so. I have only managed to reach eight platforms twice. What you accomplished, few Mava have done, though I suppose fewer are interested in learning the game,” the fox spoke.

“I’ll try again when I find time. Feast?” she asked, sniffing the air but finding little proof of what the fox claimed.

Ren Va smiled. “Not on this floor, human. We must rise,” he said and started flying.

She did the same, spreading her wings before she glanced to the golem. “Do you know its name?”

“I do not, but I can lead you to this place again. They return to their favorite spots, generally,” he said, leading her out of the tower and then up, other foxes rising as well, many of them climbing instead of flying with magic.

“That’s good to hear. So what exactly is the deal between you and the Druned?” she asked.

“They build, and we let them build,” Ren Va spoke as they rose.

Ilea started to hear sounds by now and she saw spells firing out into the open. Music. Fast hisses interspersed with growls and the hissing of fire. “That’s it? Sounds a little too simple.”

“I thought the same, Ilea. We provide protection to them, we admire their work, we live in the homes they provide, rest on the stone they create, we appreciate them and so they appreciate us, but that is what I thought. What many of the Mava think. Though I do not anymore believe that the Druned are the same. It is not an alliance, a truce, or a treaty. It simply is. They build. And we let them build.”

“Simple,” Ilea sent with a smile. The connection between them seemed almost inherent. As natural as the cycle of mists and storms. She wondered when it had started. If there was some ancient Mava that talked to the Druned or if the needs and wants of their species simply happened to align incredibly well. The smell of roasting meat started to distract her, the newcomers flying up and into the wide open layer of the tower.

The same obstacles were present, though there were fewer than at the layer farther down. Several hundred Mava lounged about. Some were cooking with magic, others performing music on instruments summoned from their Classes, some were chasing each other, though most were simply watching, perhaps talking with each other through telepathy. There were all kinds of colors, all kinds of magic. Ilea’s perception was a bright mesh of different schools, what she felt suggesting many foxes in the three hundreds and above.

“Is that the entire Skal?”

“Those who felt like coming,” Ren Va spoke.

“When is the food served?”

“When it is ready,” the fox replied. “Enjoy yourself.”

Ilea grinned, watching the absolute chaos with delight. So many orderly meetings of the Accords. They don’t even have chairs here!

She drifted into the commotion with glee, watching the magic until one of them brought her a floating plate with seared meat on top, spices decorating the fine cut.

Ilea used her ash to take over, looking at the nearly yellow fox with red eyes. “Thank you. Here, something in return,” she sent and summoned one of the cakes from Popi. “Made by my friend Popi, a baker from the city of Ravenhall.”

“It’s beautiful!” the fox sent. “What do I do with it?” she asked a moment later, the cake floating atop a disk of ice.

“It’s food!” Ilea sent and bit into the meat, savoring the fatty taste and delightful herbs. The snake meat wasn’t tender by any means but it had been prepared perfectly.

“Food?” the fox asked as curious eyes wandered towards the cake and the ash covered human. He didn’t seem convinced.

“Trust me, try it,” Ilea said and used a tendril of ash to carefully cut a piece out of the cake, moving it towards the fox with her space manipulation.

It hesitated but curiosity and perhaps peer pressure won out as a few dozen foxes had started to watch them.

The Mava bit down. Then chewed. Mouth still full, his eyes opened wide, the ice holding up the cake shaking before it vanished. Ilea caught the falling cake with her space magic. The Mava gulped, tears forming on the edges of his eyes before his mouth opened slowly, sharp teeth showing as he floated up and forward, closing his mouth around the rest of the piece. Cheeks bulging, the Mava closed his eyes and cried in silence. He shuddered, then gulped, burning eyes opening before he rushed towards the floating cake.

What followed was a massacre. Tails moving out, ice shards embedding into the floor and ceiling, cake bits flung aside. A twitching fox remained, its movements slow, eyes upturned and whispers uttered.

Silence reigned until some of the Mava started to lick off the bits and pieces that had been flung aside.

“Is there more?” one voice reached her. Careful. Small.

“What is this creation?” another voice. Questioning.

“What is it?” This one was demanding. Aggressive.

“My name is Ilea. Let it be known, that Popi of Ravenhall sends his regards,” Ilea said, spreading her ashen wings as she ascended before the gathered Mava. White flame engulfed her. And then the cakes appeared.

Chapter 829 Heart

Chapter 829 Heart

The battle was fast but decisive. Passed out Mava littered the grounds, those still conscious hunting for scraps left behind.

Ilea sat amidst the carnage, eating more snake meat as she pondered the devastating effects of Popi's weapon of mass destruction. She didn't tell any of the Mava that she had only shared about half of the cakes she had with her.

A more devious woman might've considered the blackmail potential of her possession but then Ilea really didn't feel like becoming a cake dealing middle woman selling pastries to desert fox creatures.

“Your gifts are overwhelming,” Myr Iva sent, the fox lying on her stomach, her eyes half open. “Was this your plan all along, Ilea?”

She glanced her way and smiled. “I didn't think it would be quite this effective. Now I can kill everyone here and have my own feast,” She bit down on the piece of snake.

Myr Iva looked on in horror before her eyes narrowed. “I know what you're doing.”

Ilea just winked. Slowly the Mava recovered. Everyone got at least a taste of some cake and while the music and magical performances hadn't entirely stopped due to her presentation of gifts, the whole process had certainly slowed down.

“What exactly just happened?” Octavia sent, the woman floating closer as she took in the battlefield. “Did you cause a brawl?”

“I told you about the cake, right? Turns out my intuition was right,” Ilea sent. Then again she supposed it was sugar, egg, and flour. Any organism that used calories to function would likely enjoy such a meal. Like giving watermelon to turtles.

She assumed the foxes wouldn’t have any negative side effects either, mostly due to their generally high level. And even if they did, a bit of poison resistance wouldn’t hurt. She checked them with her healing but found the foxes weren’t damaged. Ilea assumed if a threat arrived, they’d be back up and fighting in mere seconds. Though she supposed they wanted to savor the newfound experience.

“Blessed be Popi and Ilea,” someone sent, others chiming in.

“I see you’ve made another impression. You really do have a talent for that,” Octavia said. “I tried to talk to a few of the Mava that I know but maneuvering the conversation to a serious topic is as difficult as it’s always been.”

“You got me here, that’s the point,” Ilea sent. “I like them.”

“I’m glad you do. I believe my time might be better spent using my divination magic to find Ascended facilities. I don’t doubt anymore that you were the one to bring the Accords together, which means the Mava won’t stand a chance against your cunning,” Octavia sent.

Ilea raised her brows. “Cunning?”

“Your act is impressive. But I know your motives in this case. Brilliant really, to offer gifts without asking anything in return,” Octavia sent, nodding to herself and giving Ilea a knowing smile.

What is she talking about?

“Don’t worry about it. But yeah, if you want to go help the others, I can send you back,” Ilea said.

“I will do my best to help in this endeavor, Lilith,” Octavia said and lowered her head. “May we stop the Architect. And remember, the deep.”

“Yes, sure,” Ilea said and opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow.

Octavia looked at her one last time before she stepped through, the gate closing right after.

The deep? The Architect? Political maneuvers? I was just having a good time. She sighed.

“What is it that troubles you, child?” a voice came to her mind. One she hadn’t heard before.

Ilea turned to a boulder like stone, vaguely out of place with all the more geometrical shapes. The closer she looked, the more angles she could see however, the large thing more an imitation of nature than natural itself. Atop it lounged a large silver fox with silver eyes, though it looked more like a wolf as far as she was concerned. Perhaps it was just the size. Nine grayish silvery tails were resting at its back.

[Silver Mage – lvl ???]

She found the fox at just above level eight hundred.

Ilea smiled. “Finally.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What is it you seek?”

“Silver Magic Resistance,” Ilea answered with a smirk. “I’ll tell you a secret, mr foxwolf.”

“And what would that be?” he asked, voice almost growling, ears perking up.

“I’ve got more cake,” she whispered. Perhaps she had no intention to leverage the sugary goods for political gains, but for resistances? For resistances she would feed them her own limbs. Granted they’d regrow.

“You’re aware that I cannot grant you resistance to my magic without inflicting a lot of pain,” the fox spoke.

Ilea rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her. “You really think I don’t know that?”

He considered. “You are the Immortal after all. Apologies for my assumptions. Very well. Per level of resistance, you will provide one of your so called, cakes.”

“One every five levels. It’s only at six in the first tier,” Ilea sent.

“Devious humans,” he sent with a growl. “Very well. When do we start?”

“Later?” she sent, stretching before she walked over to one of the well crafted fireplaces. Runes were etched into the ground, embers above still glowing to keep the snake meat warm. Her ash lashed out to cut off a chunk, a hovering ash disk bringing the food towards her.

“Later suits me. Did you not bring your cake just for this?”

“I have reasons to be here, but resistance training wasn’t really one of them. Not until I saw your silver magic, but I suppose there are some others here that could provide a few levels. Not that anyone is as powerful as you,” she sent.

“You are the one they call Ilea, are you not? The one wielding the Fires of Creation, a human. Few of your kind travel past the Elven Domains and so far west,” the fox spoke.

Ilea bit into the meat. The herbs were nice but she had to admit that Keyla had better seasonings available to her. Still, it felt right, in the desert, surrounded by magical foxes. She almost felt like she was taking part in some kind of summer camp. Might want to do that now. She reset the gate location she had near the Still Valley to the tower of the Mava. For now it seemed more important. There were Taleen gates near the domains anyway.

“I am. Who are you?” she asked in turn, teleporting up and sitting down on a comfortable arch near the ceiling of this layer.

“I am Ohn Ika,” he sent.

“I think you were mentioned. You’re an important figure?” she asked.

He smiled. “You are refreshing. The few that travel to these deserts from other species often think me the leader of this Skal. Or the one to talk to for trade or favors.”

“Well, you are the highest level Mava I’ve seen,” Ilea said. “I suppose it would make sense. Though I understand you don’t really have a fixed hierarchy.”

“We do not.”

“But you do train silver magic for cakes. So maybe the others weren’t that wrong to address you.” She held a piece of snake meat towards his direction.

“None were smart enough to bring cake yet. Precious metals, magical trinkets, artifacts, books, though the latter I do enjoy,” he sent.

“Oh right! Speaking of artifacts. There’s something I found that might belong to you,” Ilea said, summoning one of the artifacts she had found in Ker Velor’s hidden treasury or trap room in Elos. The Heart of Verivyen. The black heart pulsed with magic, Ilea holding it in one hand while she ate with the other.

Mava all around sprung up as if electrocuted, even Ohn Ika standing up instantly, a pulse of silver magic emanating from his form. “The Heart,” he sent, confusion and wonder in his voice.

“You know it then?” Ilea asked, storing it again. “Tell me what it’s called and where you got it from.”

“Why?” Ohn Ika asked, the Mava gathering up with her at the center, their eyes focusing and their magic coalescing.

Ilea wasn’t too worried. They were still talking after all. “To verify it’s yours.”

“To… verify…” Ohn Ika spoke slowly before his eyes opened wide. “You expect deceit, yes.” He started laughing, the sound a little high pitched from his snout. “We are not human, Ilea. We do not claim to own what is not ours. The Heart of Verivyen was a gift to our kind from the Spirits of Old. The story goes that a lost Fae was found amidst the desert sands. Injured and unable to move, hunted by beasts. Re Ya, an ancient Mava, found the Fae and protected it, bringing it to her Skal where the being was nursed back to health.

“In her travels she encountered two more Spirits of Old. Though not in such a perilous state, they required her aid nonetheless, and she gave it, without asking anything in return. One year after her last rescue, Re Ya was visited by one of the Spirits, and given the Heart of Verivyen, the Oasis of the Sava desert. It was burned and thought destroyed, millennia past. Yet you show it here… an illusion perhaps?”

“Sounds like something the Fae would do,” Ilea sent and summoned the Heart again. “I don’t know if it’s the real thing as I have never seen it. I found it in the facility of an Ascended called the Architect. I took it and was brought to Kohr, their realm. He tried to kill me there but I escaped. A faen friend told me something about cute brown tails.”

“Re Ya’s fur is said to be brown. Though I cannot comment on her being cute, as we have never met,” Ohn Ika said.

“Well if she’s around, you can give it back to her, otherwise I suppose it belongs to the Mava either way,” Ilea said and used her space manipulation to slowly move the artifact towards the large silver fox.

Dozens of bright eyes watched the floating heart in perfect silence, until the silver tails of Ohn Ika enveloped its pulsing form. “It is whole. And true,” he sent, all the foxes nearby rejoicing with both magic, laughter, and cheers. “We shall protect it, and once more set it down into the sands.”

He turned to Ilea, as did many of the others. “You are human. While you are similar to us, you say that you have come with a request. Say it now.”

“Ker Velor, the Architect, the one from whom I have taken the Heart, is said to return to Elos. We don’t know why exactly, but one possibility is the taking of our remaining suns. You do remember what happened three thousand years ago?”

“The rupture of the three. We remember,” Ohn Ika spoke. “Humans and elves sought to fight the invaders, but we knew it had been too late, knew their unity was broken. Only death and chaos awaited in their realm. What they had taken, could not be returned. You claim they are back?”

“I can get you in touch with one of my allies, to explain everything we know,” she said.

“And what do you seek of the Mava?”

“We need to find any Ascended facilities that we can, and I’m sure your kind has powerful mages like yourself who could be helpful in that task. And we have to find Ker Velor himself. I suppose in part it’s just meant as a warning as well. We don’t know what would happen if more suns were to be taken. It has to be prevented,” she sent.

“She speaks truth,” a one eyed Mava spoke.

Another three confirmed.

“So you know of this already?” Ilea asked.

“They do not know. They gauged your words, to find deceit,” Ohn Ika explained.

“She is marked by the Spirits of Old,” another spoke.

“Ker Velor has taken the Heart. He must pay for such treachery,” Ren Va exclaimed. Many voices joined his, howls and growls, followed by powerful surges of magic. “Inform the other Skal, the gift that was lost, has been returned, and an enemy to all Mava will return.”

“Thank you, Ilea. For returning what was taken,” Ohn Ika spoke. “I shall meet with that ally of yours, to discuss our involvement.”

She raised her brows. “That easy? I didn’t expect you to care much.”

“You do not know the value this artifact holds to our kind. And the grief its supposed destruction has caused. That offense will not remain unpunished. It must not. You eat and share like our kind. You are friend of the Fae, and wielder of the white flame. No prophecy I know speaks of your name or of the Heart’s return, and yet here you are, claiming that the invaders will return. We. Shall answer them.”

“Badass,” Ilea sent, smiling at the massive silver fox, his size larger than even Catelyn’s extended fire form. “There’s still snake meat left though, I hope you don’t instantly run off.”

Ohn Ika grinned. “It is no surprise that you are a friend of the Fae. Perhaps you carry their blood in your veins.”

Ilea nearly spat out the meat she was chewing. Her mom, with a Fae? Preposterous. They weren’t even hippies.

“Maybe their magic, I do have a Class that benefited from my connection to their kind,” she sent to quickly dissuade any additional thoughts. “My parents were human, I assure you. Neither of them of this realm even.”

The fox’s eyes widened. “A realm traveler. That may explain some of your demeanor.

“Met many?” Ilea asked.

“None of them human, and I believed they have perished by now. Few were prepared for the harsh environments of Elos, that I am sure of.”

Ilea wondered what that meant. Other species? She did know Evan thought this realm quite nice compared to his previous home. After having seen Kohr, she was inclined to agree. Though it was far more dangerous than Earth, the existence of magic added an incredible way to deal with said dangers. She was lucky enough to appear in the Plains. If she had come to the North or the desert here, she would’ve been dead damn near instantly. And even with it being the Plains, the wildlife proved dangerous. Had she not stumbled upon the Azarinth temple by chance.

Lucky me. She considered the possibility of some Fae or other powerful creature putting her in the right spot to give her a chance, but with what she’d heard of other realm travelers, she had just been lucky. Had she appeared closer to Riverwatch or Virilya, she could’ve become an adventurer as well. Her initial Class would’ve never been as powerful but with how evolutions worked, she could’ve reached the same heights eventually. Though her healing and early teleportation certainly helped. A lot.

“Yeah. I was lucky,” she sent. “The Plains are far less dangerous than most other places I’ve been on this continent.”

“It has led you here in the end, and for that I’m grateful,” the silver fox spoke. “Where must we travel to meet your allies?”

“I set up a gate here, so I can move you between the two places. It’s far northeast of here, where arcane storms reign during the day, and mists pool by night. Do you wish to go there right now?” she asked.

“I don’t see why we should delay. Is there anything else I or one of us could do for you?” Ohn Ika asked.

“Resistance training maybe. I’m also looking for dangerous four marks to hunt, or dungeons that contain them,” she sent.

“That, we can look into. How do we contact you? Or will you remain here?”

“I can put marks on a few of you, once per hour we can sent a message to each other with up to twenty words. I know where you are at all times, if not subdued by magic, and I can teleport to you a few times per day. That’s just a suggestion, I know that requires a lot of trust-”

“Done. Set your mark on me, Ilea,” Ohn Ika spoke.

“And me!” Myr Iva added.

“Me as well,” Ren Va spoke. A few others offered as well.

“I think three is sufficient,” Ilea said, not about to add the entire Skal to her Huntress skill.

She moved between the creatures. Ren Va’s scales were warm to the touch, Myr Iva’s fur soft but quite hot. Ohn Ika’s fur felt more like metal bristles, but with her high resilience and body enhancements, she didn’t mind. Even petting him would likely not be an issue but she felt weird doing that to a massive sapient fox creature. Catelyn didn’t count. She was cute.

The marks set, she opened a gate to the domain of the Meadow. “Those who wish to meet the Accords, follow me. Oh, and as a warning, there are a lot of different species involved. The Elves are Cerithil Hunters, and we even have an Ascended working with us, so don’t attack anyone or you’ll be sent back.”

“The Accords…” Ohn Iva murmured.

A few dozen Mava followed immediately, more of them considering until eventually the entirety of the present foxes moved towards the gate.

Of course they would. Ilea wondered if she should’ve limited her introduction to a few key members but then she supposed all of them were individual parts of the Skal.

“What about the Druned?” she asked, just before stepping through to the Meadow.

“The Druned will be the Druned. They are not the Mava,” Ren Va answered.

“Right,” Ilea said with a smile, taking a deep breath as she walked through to the current headquarters of the Accords. Around one day after leaving. Maybe Octavia is right, and I’m just somehow really good at this. She didn’t really mind, just glad to have met the Mava, and that she was able to convince them of the possible threat.

Chapter 830 Excavation

Chapter 830 Excavation

Catelyn looked over the evacuation plans once more. She understood the need for Hallowfort to act as a stronghold in case of a large scale attack or in case the plans of the Architect came to fruition. A need not because of their own resources, but simply because they were underground and because the Meadow was here.

However even with the tree and the resources available to the settlement, it would be a challenge to house all the people that could possibly arrive through the teleportation gates. New ones were being added to quickly move even thousands.

So far the Accords had designated five possible shelters for lower level individuals to weather through an attack from the Ascended. Or a scenario similar in scope, like high level four marks rampaging or directly hunting for them, other realm invasions, war with an Elven Domain, or anything similar.

One of those shelters would be Hallowfort. Underground, the northern terrain on the surface to provide a difficult environment to traverse, and the Meadow as a stationary defense force capable of stopping or displacing even threats that Ilea would have difficulties facing. The goal however was that even with the Meadow focusing its entire might on single high level attackers, Hallowfort would have to protect itself, while feeding, and housing those assigned to be sheltered here. A tremendous increase in scope and far beyond any expansions their council had considered for even the coming decades.

However, they hadn’t planned with the Accords in mind. Dwarven enchanters and builders, vegetation mages, earth mages, and the Meadow itself. All lending their expertise, magic, and time, to increase the expansion a hundred fold. And they had planners and administrators present that would optimize the space and resources they had available. The Meadow and Aki were overseeing most of it, the amount of data simply too much for any other individuals to handle. Instead they assigned teams to oversee various specific areas and let them loose within their limited space.

Hundreds of tunnels were being dug into the stone, supports setup, walls erected and enchanted. Entire halls were excavated and equipped with soil from the Plains, dug up by the Guardians and teleported through the Taleen network. Entire rivers were diverted from the underground lake below Hallowfort, and nature mages were assigned their work spaces. Food diversity would be limited for now but quantity would not be an issue.

Guardians were felling entire forests near Riverwatch and within Lys to supply carpenters for furniture, materials all over the Plains bought up by the Accords to provide supplies for their extensive projects. While Hallowfort itself remained the small town atop the ancient statue overlooking its massive crystal lit cavern, it already had become much more. The upper levels of the Descent, the domain of the Meadow, and extensive areas all around now dug out to provide new rooms and halls. All of it was now flowing together into one massive underground ecosystem.

Their projects were moving at a much faster pace due to the presence of the Meadow, but while the other strongholds couldn’t benefit from a four mark being of space, wood, and earth, they had started with a far more advanced setup. Ravenhall was already a massive city sprawling far both above ground, but farther still below. Their defenses were formidable, new turrets inspired by those employed in the Pit had been added to the many and well enchanted walls, Viscera and finally Eregar’s Haven providing both space for people to shelter and food to be grown. The latter had been expanded so much in the past years that Ravenhall already met its food supply goal in case of an emergency.

Housing was the main issue as they were already a sought after city. Their entire infrastructure was now focused on adding defenses both above and below ground, while including housing in the Haven. The landscape had previously been claimed by the Shadow’s Hand and had largely remained as a training ground for the mercenaries. Now however, it could serve a new purpose.

The Taleen were working hard to expand the underground city of Io. Now that the limitations of the One without Form were gone, they were free to dig into the earth, growing their already intricate system to provide potential shelter for thousands. The same was true for Iz, though with the Guardian’s presence, it was perhaps the most defensible stronghold next to Hallowfort. Catelyn didn’t know nor would she dare guess at which being could provide a safer haven. The Meadow with its incredible magic or Aki with his unending army of machines.

Iz itself had seen many new residents, though it remained largely empty. Much of its infrastructure was present, though food provisions had to be expanded upon. A task delegated to Elder Lucas of the Shadow’s Hand. Him and over a hundred hired nature and earth mages from all over the Plains.

The last stronghold would be the Pit. Their defenses would have to be increased to include threats coming from above, though the dwarves were progressing fast with their work, many of their residents working in other settlements to provide lacking knowledge and enchantments. It was definitely interesting to see teams of Pit and Taleen dwarves working together with Praetorians to work out efficient designs to be mass produced in the many facilities controlled by the Guardian of Iz.

“You look pale,” Elana said. The woman had remained stoic despite all the fast moving changes.

“What we had here… for centuries. This is it. It will never be the same,” Catelyn whispered. The arrival of the Meadow, the teleportation gates. It had felt like they still had time.

“You’ll still have your den. Just atop a sprawling underground city,” Elana said, a slight smirk on her face.

“And you plan to rule it?” Catelyn asked. She had always known the woman was ambitious. Not only because she was a former queen. There was a spark in her that none other in the Hallowfort council had. A spark she sometimes saw in humans. Ilea had the same, though with goals entirely different.

“I plan to provide what I can, with the abilities that I have,” Elana said, glancing at Catelyn. “You think me some all consuming monster, but I simply saw how incapable everyone around me was. That’s why I became the ruler of Rhyvor. I wanted to realize our potential. The Accords are entirely different. And we’re finally moving.”

“You are a monster,” Catelyn sighed. She looked at the dozens of tables, the machines, the beings of different species, all working together. She glanced at the map hovering above a central platform, made of light enchantments provided by the Taleen and populated by data from Aki. She could see hundreds of thin strands of light move outwards at a crawling pace where she understood Executioners, Destroyers, and Hunter Praetorians explored the lands. Expanding in every direction. On their search for resources, monsters to hunt, dungeons, and facilities of the Ascended. Many were digging straight down, equipped with void magic or enchanted drills already in mass production.

And still, it seemed small. Even just the distance between Hallowfort and Ravenhall looked astronomical. Despite the numbers, how much could they really cover? When an enemy could hide anywhere below ground.

New Executioners were being built but the materials were rare and expensive, the process complicated and time consuming. Normal Guardians, even Centurions would not last long in the wilderness, let alone deep below in the unexplored dungeons and caverns of the north.

Catelyn shifted her attention to a commotion near the black grass of the Meadow. A gate had opened. She’s back already?

Flying up and over, she could see her friend clad in her black ash, standing between beings that looked much like herself. They came through her gate and quickly moved through the domain, curious eyes taking in the new territory, spells flowing through the Meadow’s domain. Powerful spells, on par with what she had felt from the Elven hunters now living in the Descent.

The Mava.

Could it be? No. I awakened, I was not one of them. Not before, and not after. But they look so similar. She felt a connection to them, if only due to her form, and still, it was nice. To know there were others out there similar to herself. Others that were now here. Ilea had convinced the Mava to visit, to get to know the Accords. Perhaps to have them negotiate for some kind of deal, a trade of information.

The Meadow spoke to her in the next moment. “Please welcome the Skal of the Snake, Mava of the Sava desert. They are here to support us in the search of the Ascended facilities, and in the destruction of Ker Velor. We will work to integrate both their knowledge and resources.”

“What? I thought they were difficult to convince? Even the divination mage didn’t think it possible,” Catelyn spoke, looking at the tree before she squinted at Ilea.

“They apparently like cake,” the Meadow sent.

Catelyn felt her heart skip a beat.

“And Ilea returned a sacred artifact taken by the Architect. They have deemed him their enemy more than they have deemed us their allies, though they will forego norms and expectations if it means they can help stop him,” the Meadow added.

“I don’t know how she does it,” Catelyn murmured to herself.

“Is it really a surprise at this point?” Elana asked before she got back to work.

___________________________

“The machine is called Aki, maybe you’re familiar with the Taleen creations,” Ilea sent to Ohn Ika, the silver fox prowling around one of the working Hunter Praetorians.

“They were fighting elves for millennia, and recently it stopped. So these Accords are the reason for that?” he asked, sniffing the metal creation.

“We would be interested in any movements from the Elves that you have observed, due to our interventions,” the Meadow sent.

“More infighting, though what I know is not recent information. Few of us care to travel that far north and east, but the forests hold interesting beasts and foods,” Ohn Ika said before turning to look at an approaching fox. “Now who is this peculiar being. You are not one of us, are you?”

“Catelyn of Hallowfort. It’s nice to make your acquaintance,” she said, giving Ilea a look.

She smiled at the two and let them be. The Mava certainly had enough to explore at this point. She turned to a few Taleen machines and two enchanters, opening a gate back to the Sava desert before they could ask. “I do hope you checked with them?”

“Of course,” Aki said. “They do not object. Mainly due to the availability of pastries.”

“Fair,” Ilea sent, closing the gate behind them as soon as they had passed. She watched the Mava engage in conversation with the various beings present. Dwarves, elves, Dark Ones, a Greater Lich, machines, and a very confused former Monarch of the Sunlight Wastes.

“What could you have possibly offered them to come here?” Nelras asked as he approached her. He seemed wary of the fox creatures though he was largely ignored.

Ilea thought it interesting how easily the Mava seemed to integrate with everyone. They had something agreeable about them. Despite the powerful magic many of them wielded, she felt nobody was concerned. Except for the monarch.

“An old enemy?” she asked, her arms crossed as she turned her attention to the expanding light magic hologram map. Markers were present for settlements, dungeons, monster populations, and gate locations, both existing and planned. The culmination of all their efforts. The results of a single day. We might actually be able to deal with this.

“A pest,” the former elf spoke. Though perhaps he remained an elf, simply trapped within a dwarven war machine.

“Arrogant as ever. A few of them could hold their own again some of the stronger elves I’ve met. Perhaps they could’ve fought even you, if they worked together,” Ilea said.

The machine just made a disgruntled noise. He did however not deny her assumption.

Ilea assumed the Mava were bothered quite a lot by the Domains. Far more worthy opponents than the westernmost cities of humanity. Though young elves would be absolutely taken apart by the foxes. Perhaps they were.

“I have not seen them move in such force,” Nelras said.

“You’re not the only thing I found in that vault,” Ilea said. “What do you think?”

“They’re whimsical. Chaotic.”

“Like elves?” Ilea said.

He didn’t speak.

“If you’re annoyed that they’re involved and your Domain isn’t, I can bring you to the Sunlight wastes,” she suggested.

He hissed. “No. I’ve told you before that my kind would reject me. Nor would they seek to support a task such as this. Searching for cursed places below ground. Those are not our ways. We hunt moving prey, in the light of the suns.”

“Can’t do that anymore if the suns are gone,” Ilea said. “Well I suppose you could hunt in the light of the moons.” She didn’t mind the occasional moonlit battle in Kohr. The atmosphere was rather pleasant.

“It does not matter. I am not their Monarch anymore, nor would I go against the rules of the Oracles, even if I were.”

“And the Oracles couldn’t be convinced to change their rules?” Ilea asked.

“By you? You would burn away in their presence,” he spoke and laughed.

“I doubt it,” Ilea said. She meant it.

Nelras hissed. “You are powerful, which makes you arrogant. You have not seen what I have seen.”

“I fought Ker Velor and survived. You fought Ker Velor and were reduced to a soul marble,” Ilea said and raised her brows.

“I’m not comparing you to myself,” he said and considered. “I will tell you, when you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?” she asked.

“To visit my Domain,” he spoke.

Ilea smiled. “Not quite as monarchy anymore, are we? You’re aware that I’m human, right?”

“Our realm is at stake,” Nelras spoke, looking at his hands. “I am free once more, but stuck inside of this dwarven abomination. And still, I would seek the Oracles. If I believed there to be even a remote chance of success. You are human, yes, but I am not blind to what is gathered here. I am not blind to what you are.”

“We can meet them whenever,” Ilea said. She wouldn’t say no to seeing what a Light Domain Oracle looked like. The resistance training would be through the roof!

Nelras hissed and left her. “I will tell you when you’re ready.”

“A productive talk,” the Meadow sent. “He seems agitated. The addition of the Mava has already proven useful.”

“Whatever he means by being ready. I’ve already met an Oracle,” Ilea said.

“You survived the encounter,” the Meadow sent.

“You think he expects me to beat one in a fight?” she asked.

“Perhaps.”

“I better get to hunting then, any interesting finds yet?” she asked.

“Many dungeons, some four marks, though none that could seriously challenge you. I would suggest Sephilon if I had a way back, that or your Kohr.”

“No anchors left behind?” Ilea asked.

“None. The form in which you brought me here… it was a last resort. Hope perhaps, to find a better home,” the Meadow sent.

“And you did,” Ilea sent, taking a stroll past the many set up workstations, tables, magic projectors, and teams. The domain started to remind her more of an open plan office than anything else, though with enchantments to keep the noise limited to the various teams working together. She could see new tunnels that had been added, reaching deep into the stone with dozens if not hundreds of entries on either wall, each holding a room, another tunnel, or entire halls. She didn’t know. “Impressive work.”

“We are well under way, resources will be reallocated once Hallowfort is prepared. My might was underestimated,” the being sent, looking at its figurative nails.

“Yes, you are quite amazing. Though still limited,” Ilea said.

“You’ve grown too powerful. The monsters you face are not the norm. I’m surprised you don’t have a godslayer title yet,” the Meadow said.

“There is one like that?” Ilea asked. It sounded cool. She wanted it.

“I don’t know. Though there are beings considered divine, and killing them would surely be a monumental task. One perhaps worthy of such a reward.”

“Does that mean I have to fight and kill you?” Ilea asked.

“You’re not quite a challenge yet, little human,” the Meadow spoke.

“Just you wait,” Ilea said with a smile. “I wanted to check out the Haven with a few people, are they ready?”

“We’ve discussed the Haven. More will come with you. We need to learn as much about it in as little time as possible. They will go this afternoon, you should join,” the Meadow sent.

“If you’ve already discussed it, why am I needed?” Ilea asked, stretching her arms. She had kind of hoped to go right now, letting her put off what she had to do.

“You are needed because an Ascended will be in the proximity of a Source that we do not know anything about. We may be able to trust her intentions with the Architect, but not with this resource. You and Aki will be there. As a deterrent,” the Meadow spoke.

“Sounds annoying,” Ilea said. Though she wouldn’t put it past Scipio and Nes to get some stupid ideas. A Source was the reason the Olym Arcena broke apart, and the reason for a near realm wide conflict in Elos. They couldn’t take this lightly. And they had to secure this one as fast as possible. At least as securely as the one within the Taleen sphere. A good thing then, that the dwarves were part of their Accords.

If they don’t plan on building another One without Form. This will be an interesting excursion.

Chapter 831 Black Sea

Chapter 831 Black Sea

Ilea opened a gate. The busy scene of the Meadow’s domain was quite interesting, especially with the now present Mava, but she wanted to do her part as well. There were plenty of avenues open to her, both to gain personal power and expand her available magic, but just as much species out there that could be convinced to help with their endeavors, or at the very least be warned about the potential coming storm.

The Mava were one part, but she had a feeling they had been the easiest to convince. Still a few to go in the west. Her real goal however lay within the Domains, but Nelras was right. To the Oracles she would just be a child of magic. If she hoped to convince them, she needed more than words. She needed the power of a goddess.

“Violence,” she sent and the creature appeared before her, giggling before it settled on her shoulder.

She stepped through the gate and spread her wings, flying for a few minutes until she reached her destination.

“One drake at a time,” she murmured, looking down from the cliff. Down into the endless waters of Kohr. The depths she had appeared in so long ago. The depths she had followed one of the abominations into. The depths where she had been seen.

She shivered and sighed.

Arcane healing flowed into her mind as she focused on her meditation.

She opened her eyes and smiled. The being on her shoulder was shrouded. In the fabric and yet gone. The baron knew that this was not an ordinary hunt.

Let’s do this.

Ilea jumped off, her wings extending and her magic surging right before she entered the waters. There was no splash due to her resistance and she kept her momentum as she swam with her ashen wings. Her eyes could see well enough.

White flame burst to life. She was as ready as she would get. A beacon now, to anything looking for a meal. A meal or simply something to kill.

Monsters in the deep.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6’

A part of her wanted to flee. She could feel on a fundamental level that this was not her territory. Just a human. A human lost in another realm, drowning in the endless waters. And yet she pushed on. Going deeper still. Flashes of lights and massive eyes came to her mind, but her healing increased, heat gathered in her chest, and her flames burned brighter. Just memories. Primal instinct. Push past it. There’s no other way forward. Not if you plan to face the monsters born and made in this realm.

You can heal any injury. You can resist most magic. And you can flee, should they prove too dangerous still.

She spoke the words in her mind like a mantra. Something to focus on as she flowed down into the dark. The only source of light were her own flames. A single speck in the endless void. Ilea could feel the pressure increase as she went deeper, yet her ears didn’t pop, nor did she feel bothered. She simply held her breath, as if she had just jumped into a warm pond during a summer day. Signs at least that she wasn’t entirely unprepared for the environment.

Ilea could hold her breath for hours, and even if she ran out, the second tier of Oxygen Repository allowed her to stay alive even if she had nothing to breathe at all. Behind her she could see the trail of bubbles, burnt up by her flames and heat, another trail that would lead creatures towards her.

“How do you feel?” she sent through the telepathic connection she had up. Ilea could no longer sense the presence of the little Fae.

Violent

The voice comforted her. I’m not worried about the Baron at all. She realized. Her descent had slowed, the darkness all encompassing. She was an intruder here. She wasn’t welcome. No human should delve this deep into an ocean, let alone the ones in Kohr. She nearly let go of the air. Refocusing, Ilea closed her eyes and focused on her healing for a moment.

There are monsters here.

That’s why you came.

You’re hunting. You’re not being hunted.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7’

She opened her eyes, realizing that she had put off using one crucial skill. “I hope you’re safe in your little space pocket,” she sent to Violence.

Safe

“Very well. Here I go then.” She charged Monster Hunter and sent it out. “Here.” A single word, infused with the intent of a challenge. Sent by a human of all things that could have come to Kohr.

Demons summoned from this place were enough to wipe out a major city of humanity. And those were mostly just the surface dwelling monsters. What am I doing here?

A speck of light flared up in the distance.

A cone. Searching. Moving quickly before it became thin, then just a dot. Brighter then, with each passing second.

Here I go, Ilea thought as ash flowed into the water all around her, the heat in her chest and core at its height, all her buffs infusing her body with incredible power. She could feel herself tense, meditation and healing flowing through her in preparation of the coming battle.

The light became brighter, whispers coming to her mind. Strange words and concepts, pushing against the reality within her. She could feel it now. Something familiar and yet so distant. Everything was white, and then her vision was gone, eyes gauged out by ashen limbs, the sockets covered by all the layers of her mantle. The organs reformed, now unable to perceive the strange magic from the being that came closer still.

There was no message this time, as she had been seen before. Something about it reminded her of the puzzles she was presented by the meadow, but much more abstract. And colder.

She could feel something burn away at her ash. It wasn’t heat. It wasn’t acid, or something akin to silver magic. She felt the fabric itself was affected, as if something pushed against her very existence. The being, whatever it was, did not come into the range of her dominion. And yet she could feel its magic affecting her form. Light. Light and space. She could feel the power of the spell, could tell how much it would affect her, how much it would damage her.

Her resistances to both types were incredibly high. Some of the strongest she had. Both trained with Aki’s Sphere Guardians and the Meadow itself. She could face this creature. But to identify it, she had to see it. With her eyes or within her dominion. The former wouldn’t work, she knew as much, though not how exactly the spell worked that affected her eyes specifically. Is it attacking me? Or is it just a side effect of how strong this thing is?

She gulped and moved closer towards the source of the light. Slowly. The magic grew more intense. The barrier summoned from the Azarinth Star shattered. Her regeneration and healing pushed against the decay of her outer armor, the ash around her moving with her through the endless waters. Finally, the being came into her sphere.

[С̷͙͙̙̙̀к̗̭̥̫̯̰̦̺р̷̢̛ͅы̧̹͎̫̣͓͎т̻̞̟͡ͅы̧̨̘͙͈̭̝й̪̫͚ ̬̩̭̬̻̼͠и̶̢̬̦̘̠͠с̸̧̗̣̲͚̝͔̜ͅк̷̯̝а̸̣̥̱̠͇̱͎̲͜͡т̖̩̮̜͍͇̲̰̀͟е̲̭л͜͡҉̹̗͉̯̙̼̲ь͏̹̖ - lvl ????]

It was small for a four mark of its power, perhaps the size of a small house. Higher level than all the creatures she had seen in Kohr. Not quite as high as the Meadow but it wasn’t far off. A few hundred levels at most. Strange solid eel like tails flowed behind a slightly oval body, a single organ producing something bright. Bright.

Ilea could hear the whispers once more, the decay of her armor quickening as she tried to establish a mental connection to the creature. A task she found impossible to perform. The whispers grew louder and her dominion itself grew brighter, until she could not perceive herself or the being before her. She turned off her skill, leaving herself entirely blind to her surroundings.

All she could feel now was the magic impacting her form, and how much magic came from the being that floated ahead. She remained static, knowing that the longer it damaged her, the stronger her resistance against it would grow, the more damage she would deal with her spells. Before she could consider her next move, she felt the exuded magic skyrocket a hundredfold. Waiting for her precognition, Ilea teleported right when the surge happened, some of the light striking her regardless.

She appeared in the water as far away as her transfer spell could move her. Several layers of her armor had vanished. Not burned away or damaged, but removed from the fabric entirely. They regenerated as she opened her eyes to catch a glance of the creature. She could see it in the distance, a broad cone like beam of bright light shining in the darkness. A lighthouse piercing a calm sea. Seven dark tendrils moved in serene patterns behind the oval thing. Before her armor had recovered fully, it was gone.

Ilea closed her eyes before it turned her way. She felt a pull, a sudden rush of water as she realized everything within the cone of light had vanished, the pressure filling what was lost. Her wings and her resistance pushed against the vortex, let the water flow past her as a maelstrom was created deep below the surface.

If it was an intelligent being, it did not try to communicate. It tried to dissolve her. To kill her.

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’

Ilea felt a shiver go through her as she felt the magic. Not someone trying to find her but the monster before her. At least the whispers were gone, but she could neither use her eyes nor her dominion to see. Which leaves me one thing, she thought, feeling the magic once more on her form. She charged her wings and shot towards it.

Blind, she rushed through the waters. Much of the vortex remained but she found it didn’t matter. It was simply not enough to pull her away from the direction she was going. Ilea felt another surge of power. She raised her hand and aimed in the broad direction, sending out her charged Embered Heart in a cone of her own. Right before she vanished, up and away as the light and space tore at her own framework. An unpleasant feeling, she found. Not quite like anything the Meadow had done in their training. More akin perhaps to the Fae, making her eyes disappear, though back then she lacked her understanding of the fabric, and her perception of space.

She realized in that moment how terrifying the little Baron’s antics had really been, though she supposed her awareness had revealed a lot about the Meadow, the more powerful she got, the more it would reveal about the Fae.

Only one layer of her ash remained, the rest gone into nothing. Another surge of water rushing past began as her third tier healing restored her ash. She perceived no reaction from the monster, unsure if her spell even reached it, let alone hurt it in any way. Once more she charged her wings, aimed in the direction she thought the creature to be, and shot off.

She felt the water rush past, felt the powerful whirls all around, intermingling now as tons of liquid had been removed from the fabric itself. She had no time to wonder as she felt another surge. This time she vanished earlier to avoid it entirely, only to find the creature readjust and aim where she appeared. A use of her fabric tear made her vanish once more.

This time she opened her eyes for a split second, seeing through her ash and aiming once more before the cone of light focused on her once again. She rushed forward and repeated the maneuver, healing herself whenever she could. Ilea didn’t know if the third tier of Eternal Brawling was active as she did not technically see the attacks coming, but for her Primordial Flesh and Titan Core, it didn’t matter. Every second engaged in battle would increase her resilience against the monster’s attacks, and so far it didn’t seem intelligent enough to adjust to her.

She was swimming with her ashen wings, deep within the black waters of Kohr, engaged with an eldritch creature of horror, robbed of her sight both visual and magical. Ilea was terrified of the oceans, terrified of what might lurk within, terrified of the unknown. But now that she had seen the being, now that she had felt its magic, it was all the same. She was fighting a monster. And monsters, she could fight.

A grin came to her face when she impacted something solid. A split second. Enough for her healing to connect, for Archon Strike and Tempered Seal to find their marks, all the heat she had managed to store, rushing out in an instant, the fires of creation spreading over whatever they could find, ashen limbs lashing out, trying to cut into the monstrous creature. She could feel the impacts, dull against the thick skin of the creature, Ilea latching on with her ash, keeping the source of light away from her. The marks she tried to set vanished mere moments later.

She felt the incoming attacks, wishing she could laugh at the heavy strikes of the thick eel like tendrils, keeping the air within her lungs as each blow sent shock waves through the waters, her response in kind as she ignored the strikes of the four mark. Organs ruptured and were healed as the bludgeoning ripped away chunks of her ash, all the damage reformed as she healed herself and pushed destructive mana into her enemy. Where it had gone for the kill, the creature stopped after less than two seconds, instead grabbing onto her and flinging her away, but her ash latched on to its limb, the sudden stop of her momentum shaking her organs and brain, healing keeping her awake and focused, the fires of creation keeping her from getting stunned. She was hunting. She was not being hunted.

Light and space burned once more, forcing her to teleport away. This thing hit as hard as the Meadow, but instead of the tree, this one went for the kill. The pull of the waters increased as more and more sections went missing, the vortex growing more chaotic with each spell of the monster.

She appeared and resumed her swimming, a quick glance letting her aim before she shot off again. This time however, she did not hit the creature. Instead she felt its magic come from an entirely different direction. Not great.

Ilea teleported out of the beam, back to where she had expected the creature. Activating her dominion, she perceived the fabric all around her. And she found what she had been looking for. A single strand. Teleportation. She latched on and turned off her perception, eyes still closed when she appeared, ashen limbs extending before they scraped against the thick skin of the deep sea horror. She moved close immediately. Her fires surged as thousands of points of health flowed into the spell, heat and magic pulsing into the monster with white flame spreading on its form. She could tell the flames from before were gone. She didn’t care. There was more where they had come from.

She could feel a surge of magic. Her experience with space magic made her instinctively activate her anti teleportation aura but she found it only delayed the spell for a split second. The monster slipped past a moment later, breaking her hold on it and vanishing despite their touching frameworks. Almost as good as me, she thought with a smile, latching on to its spell with her dominion active for a mere split second.

She appeared, repeating her aggression, following its next escape and three more right after. Ilea found herself drifting in the waters, waiting for her teleportation cooldowns with the monster already gone. Maybe it’s actually better. She followed the spell as soon as she could, finding another empty space with her ash slashing through the waters. Her perception activated again but instead of finding the single strand she was looking for, she found bright spots all around. Pulsing. In the fabric.

A moment later she felt them in her precognition, and she felt the spell manifest. Ash formed in walls all around as her wings moved to envelope her. A golden shield wrapped around her. The surge that followed was immense. Only what she had felt in Erendar came close to what this being summoned. The pressure came a split second later, water boiling instantly and then turned solid, searing hot as the ocean all around exploded. A constant push of space magic locked Ilea between the expanding ice, unable to move and unwilling to teleport as her shield was shattered instantly, her ash pressed against her skin, blood boiling and organs rupturing as her bones ground against themselves. Three sources of pressure were nearby, she could feel the power flowing through them, could feel it build. Her legs and her neck bent, the bones snapping but her ash holding on, her body pressed into a shape that would’ve killed most other humans. She remained and activated her Primordial Shift.

Immediately the pressure lessened, tendrils of white flame, flesh, and space itself pushing against the incomprehensible magic all around. Most of her wounds and broken bones healed but her body remained locked in its twisted position, Primordial Shift growing in power as the seconds passed, the monstrous spell fighting against its equal.

Ilea didn’t know how long she remained in the stalemate. Two seconds, half a minute, or an hour, though the latter she deemed impossible due to the upkeep of her spell. She wished she could’ve seen it happen, could have perceived the monster’s spell, but she did not dare add to its power by giving in to mere curiosity. This was no simple Wyvern. It was one of the most powerful wielders of magic she had ever met, and she planned to kill it.

Chapter 832 About time

Chapter 832 About time

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Eyes from Beyond spell – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

Ilea was glad for her mana absorption, or she would’ve found it impossible to keep Primordial Shift up for as long as she did. The pressure around her vanished as fast as it had appeared, the sea remaining immensely dangerous as the water forced into a solid state was expanding with the explosive release of its trapped heat. Compared to the magic of the monster she was fighting however, Ilea could deal with it.

Her ash and wings reformed as her bones connected once more, her body snapping back into its intended shape. She cracked her neck as the turbulent sea burned and pushed against the newly summoned golden barrier that had appeared around her. Wings kept her in place, the water and heat creating cracks on the barrier but leaving her unaffected within.

“Violence, are you alright in there?” she asked.

Violence!

She smiled. Was he afraid? Or just more excited than usual? She wasn’t sure. Maybe he had finally seen something that actually impressed him.

Ilea opened her eyes when she didn’t feel any magic coming for her. Teleporting a few times to get out of the chaotic whirls, she found the creature several hundred meters away, floating, its light shining towards her but the magic too far away to affect her. She considered if it was resting from using such a powerful spell, if it thought her dead, or if it was stunned from the fact that she had survived at all. Not pondering the question, Ilea summoned her Wyrm cannon and aimed. Thanks for creating all that heat.

A beam of near white energy flashed through the dark ocean, striking into the center of the cone of light. She saw the being vanish and reappear a few hundred meters farther back, the tendrils behind it moving in an erratic manner, the white flame clinging to its form diminishing slowly.

Ilea aimed and closed her eyes, the rifle gone as her charged wings moved her forward. She felt the water give way to her passing, felt the pressure of her velocity. And this time she impacted something. The creature moved its limbs in erratic patterns, striking her as her ash, fire, and healing burned into its tough body. She could feel it now, in every movement of the monster. Fear.

You’re not hunting.

I am.

She felt it slip away once more. And Ilea followed. She had fought the creature now, for more than a minute, had seen its magic, had felt the impact on her body. And she had survived. The unknown of the dark had faded. She was fighting just another beast. Just another drake.

She was not afraid.

The tide of battle had turned. Ilea was now the pursuer, the creature trying to keep her away, using its magic to slow her down or get her off its form. The teleports grew more frequent, more erratic with each time that she appeared near her enemy.

Ilea appeared and opened her eyes when she didn’t feel the beast’s magic on her. She looked around but couldn’t find its light in the vicinity. The only teleport in the fabric that she could find led straight up. She latched on, and appeared where the creature had gone.

It felt strange. The pressure of the water was gone. Any pressure was gone, and yet she still couldn’t breathe. Ilea opened her eyes. She tensed up slightly, her wings moving behind her in serene motions. They found purchase. She was very glad for that, as there was no air around. Instead she could see the light of a thousand stars, a distant planet, its surface gray. She was in space. Ilea slowed her breathing and focused on the reason she was here. The location didn’t matter. Inside of a volcano, deep below ground, at the bottom of an ocean, or in space.

The monster was here. The cone of light focused on her and the whispers started once more.

Ilea removed her eyes. She covered her face with ash and shot off towards the monster, far faster than she had ever moved. No matter resisted her passing. Her magic could let loose without inhibitions.

She impacted the being and teleported when its light started to disintegrate her, appearing above it, ashen limbs slashing down into it. There were scrapes and wounds now. It couldn’t heal, or not fast enough to ignore the damage she inflicted.

Ilea smiled, her fists impacting the hard surface of the strange creature a dozen times before it vanished.

She followed.

Zero gravity had terrified her as a concept in the past, but her wings provided her with perfect maneuverability. And the lack of resistance in the way of water or air made the experience quite a lot more exhilarating than she had expected.

Ilea didn’t let up, slowly overwhelming the monster with her constant barrage of attacks, her own healing and the mana absorption provided by Sentinel Core kept her in the fight and on the offensive despite the creature’s higher level and pure magical power. It adapted to her in some ways but still it fought. She assumed it could escape her with the higher frequency of teleports, but it didn’t, instead only using its space magic to get back into a defensible position. Healing and precognition gave her the edge, though she felt the creature hat some of the latter as well, the reactions and its tail strikes too quick and adaptive. Then she didn’t know how it worked, it was a four mark monster from the seas of Kohr.

Black blood floated away with each strike of her ash now, the highly resistant skin no longer as efficient at keeping her mana intrusion at bay. Her destructive healing flowed into it without pause, her flames often still clinging to it when she appeared close.

Ilea didn’t let up. She knew that the fight wasn’t over until the monster was dead.

Bits and pieces came off now, Ilea finally ripping through one of the dark tendrils connected to the central part of the being’s form. She felt it shake as the chunk of flesh floated away into the void of space. The same size and weight as that of a car. A surge of space magic made her prepare to follow the creature when she was pushed away instead, the tendrils lashing out in wild patterns that battered against her shield, the golden light shattering before her armor was assaulted.

Ilea raised her arms as her limbs continued to impact the being, her healing pushing into it when she felt the pulse coming. A surge more powerful than even the fourth tier spell it had used before. She activated her transfer spell but found the spell failing, instead using her wings to move away from the creature. An invisible pull of space magic slowed her down. She didn’t dare open her eyes when the light and space magic started to disintegrate her defenses. She didn’t have to think twice to activate Primordial Shift.

Two creatures locked in zero gravity and absolute silence, one exuding light and space magic, so potent it burned through reality itself. The other wrapped within a spatial shift, wreathed in the white flame of creation, tendrils of strange flesh, and the fabric itself, kept alive through arcane healing and her sheer resilience forged through a thousand battles, trained by beings many considered gods, hammered into the hunter that she was.

Distorted and half burnt up, Ilea smiled. She felt the magic flow into her, absorbed through Sentinel Core, her body healed time and time again as she gathered much of the heat the monster produced through its insane magic. Her eyes were gone, the whispers sneaking into her mind lessened by her Mental Resistance. Light magic powerful enough to disintegrate even the flame of creation, space magic to stop her abilities and slow her to a crawl. Madness inducing mind intrusion.

A monster of raw magic. A terror of the deep. A being that now fought her in the void of space, far above Kohr itself.

Her prey.

Ilea screamed, golden barriers shattered as soon as they were summoned. Her body reformed and was burned away, her ash summoned and disintegrated, her flames flaring up and subdued. The stalemate went on for what felt like days, but she didn’t flee, didn’t waver. She grit her teeth whenever the bones were present, protecting her brain as she continued to summon her defenses with all the mana the creature provided.

And then it stopped.

Ilea moved. Forward, the bone of her right arm reforming, muscle sprouting from her shoulder and elbow to envelop the limb. Her skin was back when her fist impacted the monster, a wave of arcane energy released into its form. The residual heat of its spell burned her ash, her body below, but she had tread through the vicinity of a source. This would not stop her.

Ashen limbs latched on, cutting into the creature as Ilea moved around it, the weak bursts of light avoided one after the other, her destructive healing pushing into the monster with each passing second. White fire now enveloped its entire size, heat pockets exploding where she had punched mere moments earlier.

Ilea struck her hand into a deep cut and opened her palm, the fires of creation flaring up with a chunk of health sacrificed. The heat stored within her rushed through her arm, exploding in a chaotic maelstrom of fire and heat. One of the tails impacted her, the motion more a twitch than an intended attack. She moved her hand into the boiling insides and summoned ash as she went, expanding spikes cutting against the tough flesh of the monster until she gripped something solid. She steadied herself against the twitching form before she pulled. A second pull, then a third finally ripped free whatever she had grasped.

She opened her eyes to find a black eye the size of her head. It bled dark blood from two dozen cuts, twitching before it started to light up. Ilea clasped it between her hands and squeezed, the organ exploding in soundless gore, her armor covered in black bits and blood, more of it floating away. The whispers that had started in her mind vanished in an instant, a ding resounding instead.

More followed.

Ilea tried to take in a deep breath, finding herself choking on the lack of air.

She looked at the floating bits and pieces of the creature, all of it slowly fading away with whatever momentum had remained from her attacks. She shuddered. Finally, she realized how quiet it was. There was no motion. No air. No water. She was floating. In space.

The black blood slowly burned away in the fires still alight, Ilea looking down at the planet she assumed was Kohr. She couldn’t locate her marks, even that of Violence strangely distorted.

“You’re still around, right?” she sent.

Violence!

Safe?

Ilea smiled. “I suppose it is.”

Turning away from the planet, she looked out to the stars, wondering if they all belonged to this realm. Kohr. Or if the other realms she had been to were somewhere out there. The fabric was connected, she knew that much. Perhaps space magic was nothing other than a way to travel through the endless void of space?

It felt strange. The lack of resistance. The lack of matter. More so being able to move around with her magical wings. Ilea found the sensation new but not quite unfamiliar. Some of the void magic abilities she had encountered felt similar, though certainly more chaotic. She supposed it had to do with the fact that they were used in a space full of matter. Out here it felt almost serene, though her fear was only alleviated thanks to her ability to move, and her long range space magic.

The little Fae appeared on her ash armored shoulder.

It didn’t speak, watching the dead remains of the monster float through nothingness. It slowly raised on arm and tapped Ilea’s armored cheek.

Impressed

“I’ve come closer to death before,” Ilea said. Her weird flesh ball ability hadn’t even activated. Something she was more than glad for.

The Fae looked around.

Go

Back?

Maybe

Dangerous

Here

“Creatures lurking in space?” Ilea asked.

Feel

Fabric

She did as the being said. The wisps were there, as they always were. And yet she felt it all strangely loose. And light.

“Is Elos out there? Can you see the suns of your home?” she asked.

The Fae watched the stars and finally shook its head.

Far

Away

“I see,” Ilea answered, summoning a gate to Kohr. She would not tempt fate, despite the absolute nothingness all around her. She had just won a battle. The least she felt like doing was have a meal.

Checking her dominion, she quickly summoned whatever bits remained of the creature, and stored them all within her domain.

Flying through the gate, she stepped onto the salt stone. Her spell vanished behind her. A gate to space. Fucking crazy, she thought and found herself a nearby slab of stone. She walked over and sat down. The sky was overcast with dark clouds as was most often the case in Kohr. Ilea summoned herself a meal and started looking through her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Oxygen Repository reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches 2nd lvl 1’

Harmony of the Drowned – 2nd lvl 1

You have been submerged in liquid for longer than you should’ve survived. You crave to become a creature of the deep and have proven that you will go to any lengths to achieve that. While your biology doesn’t strictly allow for gills, magic has its ways. You can stay submerged in liquid for much longer.

2nd stage: The effects of deep water pressure are reduced as your body adapts to its surroundings.

Nice to have. Not that I really need it anymore at this point.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Light of Stars skill – One Core skill point awarded’

Two fourth tier spells? Or do I just get core points whenever I survive a sufficiently powerful ability?

‘ding’ ‘Star Touched reaches lvl 4’

‘ding’ ‘Star Touched reaches lvl 5’

I assume because I was literally in space. No atmosphere to impact the light. I hope my body can handle all that. I suppose I would’ve noticed by now. She checked with her healing just to make sure but didn’t notice anything strange. Though she supposed getting burnt up by fourth tier light magic was probably pretty unhealthy as well. Maybe more than being exposed to unfiltered sunlight.

She smiled at how ridiculous it all seemed. Finding an eldritch space and light magic beast in the deep oceans. Fighting it. Then getting teleported to space of all places. Continuing to fight. And winning. What the fuck has my life turned into?

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [С̷͙͙̙̙̀к̗̭̥̫̯̰̦̺р̷̢̛ͅы̧̹͎̫̣͓͎т̻̞̟͡ͅы̧̨̘͙͈̭̝й̪̫͚ ̬̩̭̬̻̼͠и̶̢̬̦̘̠͠с̸̧̗̣̲͚̝͔̜ͅк̷̯̝а̸̣̥̱̠͇̱͎̲͜͡т̖̩̮̜͍͇̲̰̀͟е̲̭л͜͡҉̹̗͉̯̙̼̲ь͏̹̖ – lvl 2072]’

Two thousand. She grinned at the thought. I’m coming for you, Meadow.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 737 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 738 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 754 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 734 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 735 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 751 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 733 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 734 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 750 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 16’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 15’

...

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 17’

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18’

…

‘ding’ ‘Divination Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 24’

…

‘ding’ ‘Light Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Space Magic Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 29’

She invested her stat points into Vitality, Intelligence, and Wisdom, the latter two each receiving one hundred points. I might get to three thousand on these. She would’ve thought her mana capacity ridiculous if it hadn’t been for the conversation she had with Owl. While she could hunt and kill four marks, her raw power output wasn’t quite there yet.

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has reached level 750 in three Classes while human. Has enhanced every available Class skill and leveled each to the end of the third tier.

You have pushed to the pinnacle of your magic. Fourth Tier Class skills have been unlocked.

Only one skill can be enhanced to the fourth tier per Class. Choose wisely.

One Fourth Tier skill point awarded’

Here we go. Certainly took a while. Now let’s see what we get.

Chapter 833 Choice

Chapter 833 Choice

Ilea leaned back a little. She had thought about the fourth tier before, but mostly she had asked creatures she met about how to unlock them in the first place. Now that she actually had a point, she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it.

Just one point as well. Not all three at the same time. She wondered how she could unlock more. Maybe it’s only one? No… there was a mention of one skill per Class, that limitation wouldn’t make sense if there was only one point.

She was already starting to think about her options when she realized a few more messages were left.

‘ding’ ‘Following requirements have been met. Has unlocked Fourth tier skill points. Has leveled at least five General skills to the end of the third tier

Additional options have been unlocked

Core Skill Points available: 60

[3rd tier Class Skill Point]

[Stat Gain]

[Skill Boost]

[Add Class Modifier]

[Skill Enhancement]

[4th Tier General Skill]

[Derivative General Skill]

[Mythical Title]

Shit. Even more choices!

[4th Tier General Skill] – [Unlock a single 4th Tier General Skill point. This option can be chosen only once – Cost: 100]

And I can only choose it once. Fuck. Choosing between ten skills is one thing. Choosing between dozens…

Ilea was glad in a way that she didn’t have a hundred points already. Though she knew they would pile up eventually. Has to be a pretty fucking good fourth tier skill to justify that cost.

She checked her titles as well, finding one new addition to the bunch.

- Godslayer [You hunt and kill those without equal. Damage sustained from beings above level 2000 is reduced by a static 10%]

Oh! That one is good.

Her Immortal title increased her resilience based on how many resistances she had. Certainly helpful, but nothing compared to a flat damage reduction against high level creatures. The benefit of the former was that the increased resilience worked against any source of damage, but while she had just killed one creature at two thousand, she didn’t plan to stop.

It sounds pretty cool as well. Not that Lilith needed another set of legends. I’m only choosing this because it’s helpful. Definitely. Just that.

Now. About that fourth tier.

Violence tilted his head to the side when she changed the title. Then it giggled into her mind.

Weak

God

“Yes. Look, I don’t plan to stop there. I’m happy to have a bout with your collective ass too once I’m strong enough,” Ilea sent.

No

Violence

Only

Me

The creature drooped a little.

“You can live out your desires through me,” Ilea said with a smile. “Now let me think. I’m getting my first fourth tier spell.”

So… Arcane Eternal. My first Class. Archon Strike is an option I guess. It’s been a staple for damage. I suppose a fourth tier would add an even bigger punch? Like depleting my entire mana with a single attack? Or just straight increasing all of my punches? Maybe it would affect other abilities as well… intrusion for my ash and everything. I suppose I won’t know until I actually choose a skill and upgrade it.

Then again, the monsters always had some big show of magic. How nuanced is this really going to be?

Ilea deemed Reconstruction a good spell to choose as well. It had after all been the main reason for her continued success as an adventurer. Without healing, she would’ve already died near the temple, before her adventure had even really started. Though she didn’t really know how a fourth tier would manifest for a healing ability. Would she be able to resurrect someone? Would it just make the healing more powerful?

Her aura was a staple too, but she didn’t feel particularly confident in choosing it. Same as Transfer, though the teleportation skill had been just as important as her other abilities. The only other ability in her first Class that she considered was Sentinel Core. It was an incredible skill all around.

Though should I even go for my arcane class? I could enhance something from the Ashen Titan. There were just as many options. Her Mantle protected her, Titan Core increased her overall power, Origins of Ash and Ember let her summon ash in the first place, and Embered Heart had become one of her most reliable ranged options. She found the passive skills weren’t as attractive as options. In general. Ilea assumed it just had to do with the nature of the skills. Her active skills were, well active. She used them consciously all the time while her passive abilities were just kind of there.

Perhaps the benefits of advancing a passive skill would be greater, but she just didn’t like the idea.

Primordial Arbiter had some good options too. The only Class where she truly considered a passive ability in her Space Manipulation. Though it wasn’t exactly passive anymore after it had upgraded from Space Awareness. The other option were her fires.

She scrunched up her face, her food growing cold.

This is difficult.

Her body heated up the rest of her dish before she continued eating.

“What do you think, Violence? One fourth tier point. Which Class should I choose?”

Violence.

The Fae nodded sagely.

They’re all violent though.

And there are good options with every one.

Realistically I’ll keep hunting and fighting monsters. My damage will only grow, and I can escape if they can out heal what I put out. But if I die, it’s over.

There were plenty of defensive skills but only one she felt comfortable choosing.

Sentinel Reconstruction had kept her from dying. Her mobility and teleportation helped, yes, as did the damage she dealt with her offensive abilities. But she couldn’t count the times her Reconstruction had saved her. Her and others.

She looked through her Classes one last time.

Name: Ilea Spears

Mythical Title: Godslayer

Unspent statpoints: 7

Unspent Core skill points: 60

Unspent 4th tier skill point: 1

Unspent 3rd tier General skill points [3080 Total skill levels]: 2

Class 1: The Arcane Eternal – lvl 754

- Active: Archon Strike [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Azarinth Awakening [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Transfer [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Arcane Dominion [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Sentinel Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Brawling [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Huntress [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Eternal Sight [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Arcane Circulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

Class 2: The Ashen Titan – lvl 751

- Active: Mantle of the Titan [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Titan Core [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Origin of Ash and Embers [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Embered Heart [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Tempered Seal [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Authority of Ash and Ember [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Ashen Wings [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Vision of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Avatar of Ash [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Embered Form [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

Class 3: The Primordial Arbiter – lvl 750

- Active: Primordial Shift [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fires of Creation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Active: Fabric Tear [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Reality Warp [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Primordial Flesh [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

- Passive: Space Manipulation [Enhanced] – 3rd lvl 30

By now she was a powerful fighter in many aspects, but it had started with healing. And she didn’t plan to stop now.

Would you like to upgrade [Sentinel Reconstruction] to the Fourth tier?

She thought about it for another second but found that it felt right.

Ilea confirmed the choice.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] reaches the 4th tier’

Active: Sentinel Reconstruction [Enhanced] – 4th tier:

Send a healing pulse of mana into yourself or your ally with a touch. This skill can be channeled.

2nd stage: Your control is increased greatly, you can now focus your healing on specific parts of the body. As long as mana and health remains, your Sentinel Reconstruction will restore your body. Lose your head and see for yourself! Health loss and critical blows are recalculated due to the nature of your healing.

3rd stage: You have healed your body time and time again, knowing every cell and where it belongs. Sacrifice a large amount of mana to rush your healing to unprecedented speeds. Lack of knowledge about your body may result in heavy damage. Effect can be used on allies.

4th tier: You have healed yourself thousands of times. Have regrown lost limbs, have reformed lost organs. You have healed and protected your mind, all in pursuit of greater power. Healing to shield you. Healing to allow an exchange of blows, with those you would not otherwise be able to fight. A core ability for the Azarinth Healer, a terrifying tool for the Arcane Eternal. You have grasped the nature of Reconstruction. Not the healing spell of a savior, but a necessity for the battle healer you have become. Through the fourth tier, you have enhanced this ability to the pinnacle. Once active, the arcane will surge within your body. Not to heal wounds you have sustained, but to keep you fighting whatever enemy you face. To overwhelm the foes no other could dare stand against.

Following benefits and changes will apply during use of the fourth tier:

- All damage sustained is dealt to your mana instead of your health

- The first stage of Sentinel Reconstruction will generate mana instead of health

- All mana generation and absorption is doubled

- Your body is pushed to the limits of arcane power, enhancing all of your abilities

- Your body sustains heavy damage from this flow of arcane power. This ability will deactivate when your health drops below a certain point [10% - Set value] and cannot be used again for twice as long as it has been active

- You cannot use the third tier of Sentinel Reconstruction on your own body

Category: Healing

Ilea read through the changes, raising her brows in the process. This isn’t what I expected. Not really about healing, but then the description isn’t exactly wrong. The Class is meant to be a battle healer, and I’ve certainly used Reconstruction to keep on fighting. Interesting angle. Not a healing spell of a savior, but a terrifying tool. Can’t say I don’t like that.

Damage taken to mana instead of health. Which… if I take the same amount, essentially just tripled my health. Well not health… I still need to use mana to cast spells. Though the first tier will generate mana too, and all generation and absorption is doubled.

Ilea considered the rest of the bonuses. The negatives as well. She would have to test it to really grasp the skill, but enhancing everything with arcane power had to cost quite a bit of mana, and she was wary of the supposed heavy damage to her body. The addition of a deactivation limit based on her health let her assume the only thing that would damage her health was using the fourth tier spell itself. And she wasn’t sure why her third tier would be unusable while she used the fourth.

Uncertain?

The Fae’s voice resounded in her mind. She glanced at it and stood up, her empty plate vanishing into her domain. “It’s not quite what I had expected. Give me some space. I’ll test it.”

She watched the Fae appear about twenty meters away. Closing her eyes, Ilea felt the power of her auras. Her enhanced senses, enhanced muscles, the weight of her body. Her breathing was slow. Arcane energies flowed through her as naturally as they always did. She didn’t remember anymore how it had felt to be without them.

Her mind focused on the spells she had available to her. Spells integral now to her very being. Archon Strike, Azarinth Awakening, Transfer, her Dominion, and finally her Reconstruction. She tested it, flowing the healing through her mind, then her chest, her limbs. It felt the same as it always had. Grounded. A feeling of security. Of knowing that no matter what damage her body would sustain, she could push through, could fight on, could survive, or overwhelm her foes.

But there was something new. Something that felt like a switch. Similar to her Ashen Wings, or the Primordial Shift. A new part of her spell that she could activate on a whim. And so she did.

Ilea gasped when she felt the surge of magic. She could hear a thrumming, sizzling sound, could feel her body tense and burn. Eyes opened where she could see the magic around her, the floating Fae, a well of strange power within in. She looked down to see the blue runes of her aura, glowing bright both below, between, and above her ashen armor. The light of her runes left a strange trail, flowing with her arm as she moved it. She grit her teeth, feeling the strong current of arcane power flowing through her very veins, her bones, her skin, and muscles. Enhanced to a degree where her body paid the price, organs decaying under the pressure, muscles straining, her skin burning up from the inside. It felt as if her very cells were being burnt. Burnt to fuel her. Burnt to push what she had become to the very limits.

Her health regeneration did what it could, but she still lost well over five thousand points per second.

This was the testament of what she had accomplished. She could’ve punched something, could’ve used her spells, but Ilea could only stand there and observe the internals of her body, the magic flowing within. Her resistance against arcane magic reduced the impact, as did all of her defensive abilities. All the skills she trained, the auras, her mantle, the Primordial Flesh. It all worked together to keep her alive. To somehow contain the overwhelming arcane magic that now enhanced her form.

She grinned, watching as the runes faded once more, leaving her with a body wracked by arcane energies. Not much unlike when the Baron had channeled the stored up mana below the Descent through her body. It had hurt then, more than most of what she had experienced. It had felt like she would dissolve, like she was a conduit about to burst.

This was different. It felt intoxicating.

Ilea knew that some considered her a goddess. For the first time, she knew what it meant to feel like one. She shuddered, her third tier healing surging up to restore her destroyed internals, a massive chunk of mana vanishing in an instant to heal what had been lost.

She felt drained. Exhausted for the first time in what felt like years. The cost had been described as heavy, but feeling it really brought the point home. Every fiber of her being felt frayed, even after she had healed herself. She could fight, could heal, that she knew, but the feeling was there. And the switch was gone, apparently for twice as long as she had used the skill. A ridiculous limitation. With what she had felt, she would’ve thought the skill incredible, even with a day, or a week required between uses.

Ilea raised her hand and made a fist.

The Fae watched her with its white eyes, no words reaching her mind.

She didn’t blame it. Ilea felt a little lost for words herself. Patiently she waited, a little more than half a minute passed, and her ability was back. Ready to be used once more, the frayed feeling all but memory. Reconstruction indeed. Holy fuck.

She gasped again when she felt the surge, her runes glowing, thrumming with the might of the fourth tier. Ilea took a step forward, then another. She ran three steps and jumped, a shock wave left in her wake, the salt stone cracked where she had tread. Her fist raised, she landed on the ground, Archon Strike impacting the stone where a ripple of blue energies lashed down and outwards, ripples and wide cracks spreading near instantly, splinters exploding in every direction from her at the source. The single strike had eaten up a chunk of her mana, regenerating faster than she had ever seen.

Ilea summoned her ash, the process as easy as ever, though she felt like she was pulling from a well instead of a pond. Huge swaths came to her call, and then they were alight with the white flame of creation, the fires burning bright as if enhanced by burning health. She spread her wings and shot up towards the gray skies, the wind rushing past, as if she had used her third tier. Then she did charge them, the thrumming a slow hum. Her heavy form floated in place and then she let them lose. Her perception wasn’t quite enough for her to keep up, forcing Ilea to stop the flight. She noticed the very air around her burning, a trail of distorted heat left in her wake. An explosion of sound followed.

She shivered when the spell faded, the runes losing their glow as she was returned to the frayed state of her burnt up form. Instantly, she healed herself back up, flying back to the mark of the Baron.

“Pretty cool, huh?” she sent. But even though she felt like talking shit, Ilea couldn’t quite shake the experience. Gotta get used to this thing. And I’ll have to stop it before I reach ten percent of my health, otherwise I’m left pretty vulnerable when it deactivates. Could even go for an auto deactivation at one percent. Not that it really matters. If I need the power, I need the power, for as long as I can have it. And in normal battles, I’ll have to stop it long before.

She switched the deactivation value to one percent. The lowest it would go. And worst case I still have Primordial Flesh activating at one point of health. Not that I plan to let things get that far.

Very

Violent

The Fae nodded thoughtfully.

Ilea could only agree. She pitied the monster who would first get to experience her newfound power.

For the hunt, had only just begun.

Chapter 834 Whispers

Chapter 834 Whispers

Ilea landed near the cliffs, looking at the endless oceans of the Great Salt. The feel had changed. She still felt apprehensive about the dark waters, but it wasn’t quite fear anymore. Respect perhaps. She had a new title, and her first skill in the fourth tier.

“How much time has passed during that fight anyway? Could you keep track?” she sent to the Fae. She did have an appointment in the afternoon, not that she could tell the time of day in Kohr. With no sun in the sky.

Two

Hours

“Means we got a few more to go. Thanks,” she sent back and smiled at the creature.

The Baron gave her a thumbs up and veiled itself into its strange spatial pocket atop her shoulder. Somehow still linked to her.

She watched it, trying to figure out the spell. It seemed simple, somewhat reminiscent of her Primordial Shift, but much less complex. Less complex, less powerful, and yet perfect in its simplicity. She shook her head when she felt a headache coming, the sensation fading as fast as it had appeared. Strange little creature. The things they could do, and yet they choose to travel and observe. I suppose it might be better for the world. There are plenty of monsters already.

She considered, watching the dark waters. Checking through her magical information, she found something new.

Fourth Tier skill points available: 0

Requirements to unlock your next Fourth Tier skill point: Has reached level 850 in three Classes while human.

She smiled and cracked her neck. A hundred levels. Simple enough.

Ilea spread her wings and flew down into the waters.

I like simple.

Once again she slipped into the ocean, flowing down into its dark depths with her white flame lighting the way. A new tool at her disposal. And a title to warn the creatures of this realm. A title that Ilea felt was adequate. Monster Hunter rang out when she felt she had reached suitable depths, the pressure still noticeable despite her new second tier in Harmony of the Drowned.

Maybe I’m much deeper than before.

She wondered how deep the ocean was generally speaking. Of course it would be different depending on where she was, but perhaps Kohr was different to Earth, and to Elos, not that she had explored much of the ocean in the latter. She had some mathematical idea of how deep Earth’s oceans reached but to be swimming in the dark, to feel the pressure, knowing and experiencing were vastly different.

This time, nothing answered her call. Ilea remained floating, swimming with her wings, forward and down, without an idea of where she was. Everything was water. No living creature was anywhere in her perception. Other than herself and the Fae, though the Fae wasn’t exactly present either. Even the surface levels of Kohr’s ocean were devoid of life, the lack of sunlight turning even the first meters into a void. All of it was cold, and still.

She swam for the better part of ten minutes when she felt something brush against her mind. Whispers yet again, but different than what she had perceived from the creature of light and space. When the whispers of the light had felt more like a byproduct of the powerful magic, this felt much more deliberate. A being wielding mind magic. And it was closing in, she could feel its presence now, a few hundred meters away. The mind she felt was absurdly powerful. Overwhelming in scope and presence, as if a magical ocean within the watery depths.

Ilea steeled herself, forming two ashen copies of herself, imbuing them. Come and get me out if my mind is taken out, hide for now. She saw them float away in the dark, vanishing a few seconds later when they exited the range of her dominion. Ahead she could see nothing, her enhanced eyes and the light of her fires letting her pierce the dark but there was nothing to behold where she knew the monster to be. Its presence only grew, Ilea now feeling the magical pressure even without considering its mind.

You are in the realm of gods, godslayer.

She smiled, though apprehensive. This creature was entirely unknown to her, and it was possible she had simply been lucky with the one before. A strange presence entered her dominion, though she could not make out a shape nor could she identify the being. But she knew it was there.

“Hello there, being in the dark,” she sent, trying to establish a connection. Just in case she was facing an Enavurin or something similar.

The connection was refused, the whispers in her mind increasing a thousandfold.

Ilea grit her teeth, healing flowing through her mind to keep the incredible pressure at bay. Distorted visions punched into her mind. She felt pain despite her negation, felt terror despite her resistances. Irrational, mind magic induced, she knew in some part of her but still she screamed, screamed in the dark oceans of Kohr, the remaining air leaving her lungs.

The pressure didn’t ease, building like a white noise in her mind for what felt like minutes. Ilea teleported as far as she could, finding respite for a mere moment as her third tier healing flowed into her brain. She shuddered, her lips trembling before the terrifying spell found and gripped her once again. She took in a sharp breath, water filling her lungs before she started coughing, the visions far worse than the sensation of drowning.

She kept teleporting, the short moments when the being searched for her mind enough for her to keep her sanity, healing flowing through her mind time and time again. She couldn’t see it but she knew it was there. Somewhere in the dark.

Ilea knew the longer she remained, the more she would resist its magic, the higher were her chances of finding and actually fighting it. If such a thing was possible at all.

Godslayer

What the hell am I doing?

‘ding’ ‘Fear Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 9’

Why am I hiding? Why am I running away?

Ilea slowed her breathing. She focused on her meditation, her healing. The terror felt overwhelming, pushing against her human mind, primal instincts demanding that she flee, promising that whatever this being was, she could not stand against it. A mere human? Fighting against this invisible terror. It was not something she could even consider, her senses were overwhelmed. And still she remained, floating without movement. Her eyes were closed, the visions flowing through her brain, growing worse by the moment.

But she refused to give in.

She was not the same human who ran and hid from the Elves back in Riverwatch. She was not the same human paralyzed by the sheer power of the Basilisk. She had seen the Daughters of Sephilon, had trained with the Meadow. And she had hunted four marks.

Godslayer.

That is who you are.

The voice resounded in her mind. Somewhere below and above the terror that gripped her, paralyzed her. It was her own voice she realized.

It was her.

And she was here.

Not fleeing. Not paralyzed in fear.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 26’

She was here to hunt.

Ilea opened her eyes, feeling now that her mana was being drained. She felt the water in her lungs but she knew she didn’t need any air to survive and fight. She could feel the terror in her mind, but she knew it was just magic. Just a spell, forcing its way into her head.

For a split second she felt calm, as her magic was drained and her mind was battered. She considered the switch and calmly flipped it.

Her magic surged, a shield in her mind now thrumming with newfound life. She felt it through her whole body. Her mind focused instantly. A chunk of her mana was gone but the drain slowed now, slowed as her fourth tier rushed through her. The terror was there but her mental fortitude felt hardened, as if layered now in pure arcane power. She shot forward, towards where she felt the source of mind magic. Nothing was there, not in her dominion, not in her vision.

And yet she impacted. Ashen limbs striking into a solid surface, invisible to her. Ash spread out and white flame took hold. Ilea felt the strength in her arms, the light of her runes flaring up when her fists impacted the surface, waves of force and magic exploding out in the waters, blue and white lines like cracks appearing in the dark. She felt her body burn away, felt her bones and muscles tremble with each dull impact.

Something felt wrong.

Her fires waned. The lines of her intrusion fading far too quickly. The waves of arcane energies exuded with each punch, gone in moments. Absorbed. She felt an attack coming, raising her arm when something impacted her. It was heavy and fast, the waves in the water suggesting a smooth limb, one of many. Ten strikes slammed into her, runes flaring up on her body as the dulled impacts resounded, deflected and blocked by magic and ash, by golden shields flaring up, now inlaid with a tinge of blue and the same runes visible on her form. Shock waves expanded with every hit, water rushing in to fill the gaps before being pushed away once more.

Ilea did not move. Swaths of mana were ripped away with every strike, meditation and her first tier healing regenerating what they could, Sentinel Core absorbing from the magic in her mind. She was losing, but she remained there, in the face of this being. Her spells were absorbed and so she stopped using spells. She dodged the strikes she could see coming, many far too quick and erratic to avoid without teleporting. Instead she punched back, with no magic, only her fourth tier enhanced body and the strength she could summon. With the second hit, she converted her intrusion spells into physical power with the third tier of her Embered Form. The shock waves rattled through her body, but she found the damage that her punches did to herself absorbed by her mana, and strengthened yet again by her fourth tier.

They exchanged blows for three more seconds, Ilea teleporting out when her health reached the half point. The arcane within her waned, the frayed feeling of her very cells set alight returning.

Her mana had taken a hit, more so now that she healed herself with her returning third tier of Reconstruction. But even the physical blows had only harmed her mana.

The pressure fell back on her mind, her teeth gritting once more but already it felt just a little more manageable. Known. The battle had not lasted long enough for her to resist the magic itself to a much larger degree, but just knowing the spell, having felt it, having seen the visions. Some of the unknown had vanished.

She had found the beast. Had exchanged blows with it.

Ilea focused on teleportation for now, sending the occasional ashen spear in the direction of the beast she knew to be there. She didn’t know if it could absorb the ash or the magic within but it hardly mattered with a creature as powerful as this one. She focused more on distracting it, unable to go in without her fourth tier for now as her resilience against the monster and its magic grew with every passing minute. When she felt her fourth tier return, she immediately teleported to the being and continued her assault.

This time she immediately focused on physical attacks only, the mana it drained from her directly would eventually poison it thanks to her third tier resistance. The surface she felt was solid. It would take minutes or even hours for her to harm it without her magic, but enhanced by the fourth tier, she could feel the impacts, could feel the vibrations and the movements of the creature whenever she punched it. The blows she suffered in turn would have been problematic but with the limitations of her fourth tier, she could not remain long enough to begin with.

With it active however, she felt like she was punching at least near the monster’s weight class. The questions remained if its resilience and regeneration were as great as hers. Something Ilea didn’t expect to find out in a mere matter of minutes.

Again, she broke away, preparing to teleport away as far as she could when she felt a new attack through her precognition. Not magical in nature. She teleported and deactivated her fourth tier, healing herself as she looked into the darkness. Sending out a burning spear of ash, she found a dark cloud where the monster had been. Through it she could see the silhouette of the creature, its physical form made visible by the black mist it had summoned. For just a moment she could see the sleek surface of the squid like creature, right before the magic in her flames were absorbed, and the distant scene went dark once again.

She had not felt any impending damage from the attack. Maybe it’s just ink, like from a normal squid? Who am I kidding. It’s probably acid or something.

Her mana was rather low, and with her fourth tier on cooldown for at least fifteen seconds, she would have to avoid the creature for the time being. Might even have to use it just to regain more mana. Those strikes eat up a lot.

While she regenerated her mana a lot faster during her fourth tier, she didn’t have the burst heal of her third tier, meaning the attacks continued to slowly dwindle down her mana. I’m probably going to get hit by that stuff sooner or later anyway, she thought and vanished to lessen the mental pressure for a split second. Sending out a beam of Embered Heart, the concentrated heat had a momentary effect, showing a spot of pitch black carapace where it struck. It didn’t start glowing however, the fires neither spreading nor punching through as the magic was quickly absorbed. The blemishes she could see near the spot were mended in turn.

Ilea teleported again. So it’s not just absorbing my spells and stealing my mana, it’s healing itself while doing so.

Suppose I’m getting hit by that cloud at one point or the other anyway. If it’s a defensive ability, I might as well find out-

A teleport brought her away when the creature sped up and reached her, both the mind magic intensifying and its limbs lashing out to strike her.

Might as well try to find out if I can stay in there to keep attacking.

Ilea vanished again, aimed at the area where she had first seen the dark mist. She could still see the difference with her enhanced sight, though her magic perception didn’t pick up anything in the area. Swimming through, she felt her body tense up.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by the Mists of Clarity – You are paralyzed for eight seconds. Your innards are melting. -1832 Health per second.

She found that her wings weren’t affected by the poison cloud. Only her actual limbs. The health loss alone wasn’t much of an issue but she felt her organs affected as well, leaving her perception in a slightly clouded state. She was struck a dozen times before she managed to teleport out, her third tier healing mending the internal bleeding, and the damage from the poison. She found she couldn’t neutralize it either.

Good, she thought, teleporting a few more times to avoid the approaching creature while the poison ran its course. Finally, a way to level my poison resistance even higher.

The effects finally waned after she was struck two more times in quick succession, the eight seconds feeling like an eternity with the two fast moving combatants. So I can survive, she thought, teleporting again before she activated her fourth tier. But the paralyzing effects are a problem. Especially against my mind. She appeared near where she felt the mind of the monster, striking it repeatedly with her arcane imbued body. Her ashen limbs didn’t manage to break through its invisible carapace, the gold and blue shields she summoned shattered with single strikes. Her ash mantle negated some of the damage but the blunt impacts rained into her just as her own punches sent shock waves through the creature and the surrounding waters.

Ilea once again felt the mists coming, her fires flaring up as the poison exploded outwards. Enhanced by the arcane power of her fourth tier, she managed to push them away, landing more hits as the creature whirled around in an attempt to strike back. One way to avoid it, just burn it all.

She grinned, pushing herself for another two seconds before she vanished, the arcane magic gone before she healed herself once more. She floated in the dark, alert when the mind magic pressure vanished. Instead she felt an incredible amount of mana coalesce near the creature.

Using your own ace, I see, Ilea thought as she braced for the impact, ready to use her teleportation or Primordial Shift to survive whatever was to come.

Instead she felt nothing, just the dark waters around her, calming fast yet again after the erratic battle.

A strange pulse followed, almost pleasant.

Chapter 835 Mind

A note from Rhaegar

Heya. Friend just had a new litrpg book published :). Check out the blurb and see if you're into it.

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B09S8QWGJD

Also available on audio: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Tricksters-Tale-Audiobook/B09YYZMNBL

Chapter 835 Mind

Ilea nodded along as Trian retold one of his adventures. She laughed when he mentioned eating the eyes of the four limbed being he had killed with his bright magic. The tentacles in his face writhed as he too laughed.

It felt nice. To be among friends. To know she was appreciated. How far had she come? To go out into the seas of Kohr, to fight monsters, to finally reach the fourth tier. A time for celebration, for relaxation.

Claire was there too, as was Eve, the friend she had thought dead. But of course she wasn’t. She had just hidden herself away, finally giving up on her wish to find and hunt the Golden Lily. Now they were all here, all with the Meadow.

But the Meadow isn’t here?

She looked around but it really was missing. Strange. Maybe it had learned how to move out of its domain. Ilea giggled, thinking about the tree walking around with crystalline roots, arcane lightning striking down from above as it looked for creatures to awaken.

Her ashen limbs lashed out at her friends but the attacks left no mark on them. That seemed right. Why would she attack her friends in the first place?

Violence?

A voice reached her mind and she turned to see the small fae, floating with its head cocked to the side.

Ilea wanted to greet it but her voice failed her. She used telepathy instead.

“I’m glad you’re here too,” she sent, a pleasant smile on her face as her friends tried to hug the Fae with their fleshy limbs.

It teleported around to avoid their touch. Violence did like to play around.

Mind

Trapped

Escape

“Your mind is trapped?” Ilea wondered. She worried for a moment, trying to heal the creature with her Reconstruction. But she found nothing wrong with it.

They all sped up for a moment, the surrounding darkness moving faster for a few seconds before they slowed again, coming to a standstill.

Your

Mind

“My mind?” Ilea asked, slightly confused. But then the Fae was often not too clear with its explanations. It seemed distressed however. “What’s wrong?” She asked. Her friends were here. They were safe in the Domain of the Meadow, protected from any kind of danger. But Violence was scared. Had she ever heard it that worried? Something was wrong, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Again her ash lashed out, walls around her forming and breaking for some reason.

Her perception slowed, she could tell the spike came from Eternal Sight. Which means I’m about to take a hit for half my health or my mind is about to be incapacitated. The thought was confusing to say the least, but Ilea knew to trust her skills more than anything. Her friends were in danger. She was in danger. And she didn’t know why.

Immediately, she activated the third tier of her Azarinth Barrier, the necklace glowing a bright gold but the shield didn’t form. In turn she activated her Fourth tier to take the incoming damage to her mana instead of her health, she healed her friends through the excess mana she channeled into the Azarinth Star and equipped them with layers of her mantle as fast as she could. Right before the spike of her perception ended, Primordial Shift activated.

The space around her distorted, the white flames flaring up when she saw the blue and gold barrier all around. The telepathic connection she had to her friends vanished, as did the healing magic going out from her amulet. Confusingly, her friends vanished entirely, as did the domain of the meadow. She saw a distorted dark being with a few dozen limbs all around, embracing the round golden barrier laced with blue runes. A confusing sight, one she found that hurt her mind. The arcane magic in her body was pushed to the limit by her fourth tier, the golden barrier cracking under the weight of the many limbs.

Ilea looked down on herself. She was hurt. Much of her ash was gone. She felt poison in her body, wreaking havoc. Her mind felt sluggish. Her right arm was missing, ripped off at some point.

Strange.

Her health was low, her fourth tier eating up more as its mana kept up the barrier and Primordial Shift.

Her headache built.

I should.

I should get out of here.

Something is wrong.

That thing is not my friend.

I’m dying.

The barrier shook and splintered into nothing, Ilea teleporting out right before the many limbs crashed down on her. The fourth tier vanished and healing flowed through her entire form, her missing arm regenerating as the headache vanished. She gasped, her lungs already filled with water. Her eyes opened wide when she found only darkness before her.

She was fighting the monster. In Kohr. Was she not?

“Violence!” She sent out, hoping the fae was still around.

She looked out to feel her ashen copies but they were gone. Did they try to get me out?

Violence!

Ilea

Safe?

“What happened?” she asked, teleporting to avoid the strikes of the fast approaching monster.

Spell

Ilea

Stopped

Fighting

“I was…” she tried to remember what had happened but she found her mind blank. The thought was strange. Didn’t I just?

She thought about leaving to catch both her breath and her thoughts but instead she grit her teeth. She wasn’t about to flee. The fight was still going on, and the longer she fought this monster, the better she could deal with its attacks. She had already figured out its magic absorption, and she had experienced its poison, several times it seems.

Her eyes went wide.

“Its fourth tier spell. Mind magic? Did it wipe out my mind in an instant? It didn’t target you?” she sent to the Fae.

Spell

Yes

Mind

Hidden

She calmed herself for a few seconds, teleporting continuously as her wings pushed her speed to the limit, the monster following in perfect silence, water parting for both of them as they moved in the depths. Two monsters. Close. This could have been the end. A wicked grin came to her face. And yet I’m still here.

“Neat trick. Both that spell and yours as well. Any clue on how I can avoid being knocked out myself?” Ilea asked.

You

Alive

“Don’t fuck with me now,” Ilea sent before vanishing again. She teleported twice to get more distance between herself and the creature. Its constant barrage of terrifying visions were a little more bearable now, almost like a background noise, albeit one she constantly had to counter with her healing and meditation. It remained painful, but at least that sensation seemed to trigger the third tier of Pain Tolerance. She was focused on the fight. “I might have survived but I don’t know if I can do it again. If you have any tricks, tell me.”

Only

Fae

Ilea dodged again. Her third tier would soon become available again, but she didn’t know if she should engage. How long until it can use the spell again.

“If I can’t use it, then I need to understand its spell. Tell me what happened,” she said.

Ash

Attack

Defend

Mind

Didn’t

Conscious

Tricked!

Ilea tried to make sense of the words. She knew her ash could act on its own when her mind was taken out. She trusted it, but she didn’t know what had pulled her out in the end. She remembered being in the Primordial shift, remembered the gold and blue barrier, the fourth tier. “Did you feel it, when it used its spell?”

Yes

“I see. Warn me next time, just in case. I don’t remember it,” Ilea said, forming several spheres of ash, imbuing them yet again. Circle around my head if my mind is taken out. There was a chance it wouldn’t help, but if the Fae thought she was conscious, maybe she would at least remember the command she had given her ash.

Ilea felt the monster charge. And this time she met it. Blue runes lit up to join her fires, a heavy impact sending water out and away despite the heavy pressure of the deep. She didn’t move, instead pushing forward where she slammed enhanced punches into the creature. Not being able to use her spells was a massive detriment, but she still had all her defenses. Knowing that the monster had used its poison cloud and even its fourth tier, she surmised it either really wanted to kill her, really enjoyed fighting, or that she actually pushed it. For now, she was fine with any of that. Least of all, she’d get some resistance levels out of it, experience against a powerful four mark, and experience with her fourth tier.

I’ve got a few more hours to go, Ilea thought with a wide grin, her next appointment scheduled for the afternoon.

Plenty of time to nearly die a few more times.

Her next three uses of her fourth tier came and went, her resilience against the creature rising with every minute. She marked it too, in case it would try and escape. At least that, the creature didn’t somehow absorb.

Dodging and teleporting, Ilea felt a powerful surge of magic from the being.

Is that it?

Spell!

The warning of the Baron confirmed it, Ilea immediately activating the Primordial Shift and her third tier barrier, flooding her mind with healing arcane healing. She felt something come and go, as if a pleasant breeze flowed through and past her.

She could see the white flames around her, could see the barrier, and she saw the approaching creature, its single main body smooth, dozens of limbs flowing below, behind, and above.

Ilea felt calm. Her head hurt for some reason. As if the Meadow itself was trying to crush her head with space magic. Something was wrong, but she couldn’t quite place it.

Did it have to do with the strange creature swimming towards her? She felt a creeping sense of unease. Its limbs now encircled the golden sphere. She had activated it, her mana still fueling it all. There probably was a point to that. Not that she really knew why. The creature was of no danger to her, or was it?

She watched it carefully, watched as it broke through the barrier, right before it slammed its limbs into the fires of her Primordial Shift. Her defenses writhed, her ash moving to intercept the fast moving limbs, each wider than her own body.

A voice tried to reach her mind. Several voices. She couldn’t quite listen, it hurt so much. And so she kept on healing her headache. Ilea couldn’t quite make up her mind about the being before her. It had somehow gotten through her barrier, and her ash was interacting with its limbs. Though it all seemed very confusing.

Maybe if I identify it?

She tried.

[Б͏̢̲̘͝е̣͢͠з̭̩͟д̠̙̺͜н̴̢̘͔̹͚̣͇͡а̫̬̪̘ - lvl ????] - [Friend]

Oh, that’s interesting. It’s telling me that it’s a friend, but I don’t know. It’s powerful though! Maybe it can help me train?

“Hello. Can you hear me? I’m Ilea. I’m sorry, my head hurts a lot right now,” she sent, trying to talk to the being.

A strange noise resounded in return, followed by a mist that sprayed towards her. It all burnt inside the fires around her. Fires and ash that protected her.

Ilea squinted her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth, considering. Her eyes darted to the side when a few small spheres of her ash started spinning around her head. Imbued ash. Ash she imbued with a command. Her command. What was it again?

Why are they spinning?

Around my head?

The headache somehow got worse, despite the healing going into her mind. She saw the limbs slowly get closer, pushing into the space of her shift, through the strange flesh, fire, and ash.

Spin around my head…

Spin around my head, if… if my mind is taken out?

Is that it?

But my mind is fine. I just have a bit of a heada-

Ilea felt a searing pain, a pulse within her mind. Something snapped.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 27’

She looked up at the monster before her, ignoring its attempts to get through her most powerful defense. Her mana was slowly eaten up by the exponentially more expensive shift.

You piece of shit.

Blue runes flared to life, healing turning into mana as her abilities were imbued with arcane power. She ended the shift, teleporting behind the monster before she closed the distance. She could see it now, could see how it slowly vanished. There were no features on its main body. No eyes. No mouth. Nothing. Instead, she latched on to one of the many limbs, focusing all of her ash onto the spot where it connected. She gripped it with both hands, pushing her heels down into the creature before she pulled. It felt like she was about to burst from the arcane energies circling through her. Heavy impacts crashed into her wings and mantle. Two more seconds passed when she heard a tearing sound. Her ash cut through, strengthened by her fourth tier, the beast’s skin stretched by the stress she put it under.

Ilea tried to scream, but there was no air in her lungs. And so they remained silent, the violent waters swirling around them as she pushed away, a dark smooth limb with neither joints, hands, nor fingers coming into view. A silver liquid leaked from the limb, and from the wound. She could see it now. The trail.

And she could hear an extended wail, the sound producing visible waves in the waters. Ilea didn’t brace herself. She let go of the limb and rushed towards the creature. Towards its mind and towards the silver blood floating out from nowhere.

She had wounded it.

Two more spheres of ash zipped away, the command the same as it had been before. She would be ready. Her hands and ash slammed into the wound, provoking a flurry of aggravated blows. Blows she took with her fourth tier redirecting everything to her magic alone. She gripped the dark flesh within the wound and pulled, her ash cutting as deep as it could, dealing more damage than it had before.

Ilea felt annoyed when she had to pull away. Her health was reaching thirty percent. She couldn’t risk it. Not now that she was so close to actually killing this thing. If it caught her with its strange mind magic right after she had depleted her health, it could turn out ugly. Uglier than it had already been.

She circled it now, the silver blood visible to her. Its mind and the mark she had left were clear. She watched it, watched as it sprayed its poison. Potent enough to near instantly kill most every human she knew. A four mark indeed. But I don’t really see it as a god. Just another monster, that happens to have potent magic.

But I suppose in this world, that’s all that’s needed to be seen as divine.

She decided to go with her own interpretations.

Ilea watched the silver blood, hoping that the wound wouldn’t heal in the time it took for her fourth tier to return.

It didn’t. Not without her supplying any magic to the creature.

Blue runes lit up once again.

This time she found another limb and ripped it out. Then another. The damage she took was less and less, the monster more erratic with every blow she struck. It had already lacked the thought and tactics of a sapient being but now it was reduced to mere survival instincts.

It didn’t take long until she had removed its every limb.

Ilea felt its magic coalesce, right before near thirty ashen limbs dug deep into the floating monster. Her runes brightened, the fourth tier enhancing her ash as she pushed, adding with it a charged use of her space magic to skewer the deep sea monster.

Primordial shift and her shield activated anyway, Ilea staring at the dead lump of dark flesh, silver blood seeping into the ocean all around. The waters were still now. Her head was clear. She knew what it was. Knew that she had killed a monster.

A ding resounded in her mind, Ilea giving her ash a last push, all limbs pulling away, the lump of flesh ripped into dozens of pieces. She had won.

Violence!

Fabric tear teleported every chunk of the creature that still remained, Ilea storing it in her domain.

“Just another fat fish,” Ilea sent, a smile on her face as she opened a gate behind her, dropping out onto the salt stone of Kohr with a few hundred liters of water. The portal closed as she coughed up all the water in her lungs, taking her first breath in quite some time. She coughed again, finally just ripping through her chest with a few ashen limbs. White flame lit up and evaporated the water still trapped inside of her, right before her flesh knit itself back together.

“Underwater fights are annoying,” she complained, slowly sitting up and cracking her neck. More messages followed after she had won, but she first took in a few slow breaths, then summoned herself some food.

“How long do we have left?” she asked, glancing at the giggling fae.

Not

Long

Ilea nodded, steam rising from the puddle around her, the heat she formed within taking care of her wet hair and ash. Another one down, and more will follow.

She didn’t know exactly how close she had gotten to death in the last fight. It felt closer than against the first creature, despite her fourth tier. Without it she would have perhaps had to flee. That or she may not have had the physical power to damage it.

Ilea knew the next drake was waiting. And she would be there. To hunt it down.

Chapter 836 Excursion

Chapter 836 Excursion

Ilea finished drying herself up and found a suitable rock to sit on. The Fae landed on her shoulder with a soft movement, touching her cheek before it nestled down into her ash. She continued eating, taking another deep breath before she started going through the new messages.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Gentle Serenity spell – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches 2nd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Harmony of the Drowned reaches 2nd lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Б͏̢̲̘͝е̣͢͠з̭̩͟д̠̙̺͜н̴̢̘͔̹͚̣͇͡а̫̬̪̘ – lvl 2100]’

Even higher than the last one. I wonder if I’m hunting eldritch gods or if they’re really just large fish that happen to have powerful magic and a want to eat others and their mana.

She looked up at the dark clouds of Kohr.

“Hmm. Maybe those two are really one and the same.”

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 755 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 756 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 774 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 752 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 753 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 769 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 751 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 752 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 768 – One stat point awarded’

Still pretty effective. Just glad I have this realm available to me. More levels for the Eternal, but then I did mostly rely on the fourth tier in this one. Hope I can actually use my magic in the next fight, I still want to see the effects of the fourth tier on my other skills in action, against something that can take the hit.

She grinned at the thought. A part of her wanted to dive right back into the depths. Now that she had all her class skills enhanced and at the end of the third tier, all she really had to focus on were Class levels. With the requirement of eight fifty for her next third tier point, she couldn’t wait to get there as fast as possible.

Ilea raised her brows. She felt a tiny bit embarrassed that her wish to advance had only little to do with the impending threat of the Architect. An additional motivator, she thought, quickly checking the rest of her messages.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 23’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 25’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 7’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’

‘ding’ ‘Identify reaches 2nd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 18’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 5’

‘ding’ ‘Poison Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

Close to another third tier point.

She put her two hundred and fifteen stat points into both Vitality and Wisdom. Lately she had considered her mana somewhat more important than her health, but now that it had a direct influence on the time she could use her fourth tier Reconstruction, the benefits were even greater. Still, her three main stats remained equally important.

Still quite a way’s off to eight fifty. And to a hundred core points. I wonder when the next evolution is. Might’ve expected one at seven fifty. Suppose it will happen when it happens.

Getting up, she stretched, the empty plate vanishing into her domain. “It’s a fucking mess in there by now,” she murmured to herself, unwilling to sort and clean up what she quite literally couldn’t see. Even after all this time. I guess I’m still me, she thought, happy about the annoyance her slight mess could bring to some people.

The Fae cocked its head to the side.

“Ready to go back to your realm?” she asked.

No

Violence

“I’ll be back to violence in no time, don’t you worry little one,” she said, patting its head as she opened a gate back to the domain of the Meadow.

Ilea stepped through and took in a deep breath. It was warm, the air not near as dry as in Kohr, the smell of salt gone. She smiled at the nearby groups, the occasional Mava already integrated, though admittedly the few that she saw didn’t seem particularly involved or interested. But at least they were there. Maybe their laid back attitude and focus on magic can provide a helpful perspective. We’ve already achieved insane shit through the collaboration of all these different beings.

“You seem upbeat. Murdered something big, Godslayer?” the Meadow greeted.

Ilea waved her hands slightly. “Not that big actually. Pretty large, but I’ve fought bigger. Not sure why I got the title now.”

“It must have been an impressive show of power,” the Meadow sent and paused. “There is… something else.”

Ilea smirked. “You can tell?”

The Meadow remained quiet for a few seconds. “Not magically… but you have this… aura about you.”

“An aura of power?” Ilea asked. “Of confidence?”

“An aura of smugness,” the Meadow spoke. “That’s what it is. More and more you’re turning into an Elemental. I wouldn’t be surprised to talk to a cloud of ash next time you return… a somehow smug cloud of ash.”

“You have returned, godslayer,” Ohn Ika spoke, the fox strolling past the busy engineers, administrators, and mages without a care in the world, curious silver eyes taking in the various plans displayed on their workbenches and tables with varied interest. “I surmise your hunt was successful.”

“Maybe I should change my title again. This is getting a little obnoxious.”

“Godslayer!” Myr Iva sent from a little farther back, the Mava bowing her head slightly.

“It feels like everyone is mocking me,” Ilea murmured.

“They’re in awe of your power,” Ohn Ika spoke.

Great

Respect

The Fae sent.

Ilea just glared at the two before she watched the little creature fade into nothing, a giggling sound fading through the air with it. She saw a few people raise their heads at the strange phenomenon, all of them quickly returning to their work when they saw her. Some did a double take, opening their eyes wide.

“That’s the proper reaction. Fear and reverence!” she sent.

“Careful, godslayer, with that kind of talk you may very well be on the way to become a divine entity yourself,” the Meadow sent.

“I’ll show you my power once I’m an ash cloud, tree god,” she sent and stuck out her tongue.

“You really are in a good mood. Show me,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea grinned from ear to ear. She nodded to Ohn Ika, the fox giving her a nod back before he returned his attention to the surroundings. Ilea vanished.

She appeared on the black grass of the Meadow, teleporting once more before she stood in front of the crystal tree. The Baron floated into existence once more, landing on the grass himself.

“You didn’t evolve, did you? I think I would’ve noticed,” the Meadow said.

“No. I would hope you’d notice something of that magnitude.”

“The fourth tier then. All your skills were enhanced. What else was needed?”

“Level seven fifty in all classes,” Ilea said.

“What did you choose?”

“I think it’s better to just show you,” she answered and activated it.

She gasped ever so slightly. It really was an intoxicating feeling. During the fight, she had needed it, had relied on it. A part of her knew, knew that she had never felt as powerful, that she had fought a being classified as divine, and she had matched it. With just one of her fourth tier abilities unlocked. Now that she was standing here, no need to fight for her life or optimize the time in this state, she once more just felt it. Felt the arcane energies rush through her veins, felt it enhance her every cell, every fiber of her being.

Ilea knew she was quite literally burning up, but she didn’t feel or see it as damage done to her. It was simply the cost of true power. It was necessary. Her fourth tier did nothing less than push her body to the very pinnacle.

She looked up at the tree and smiled, the spell fading when she willed it.

“Ridiculous,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea didn’t miss the slight delay in its reaction. For the unfathomable space being of many brains, yet limited, the delay may very well have meant an eternity.

“To think so much power could be cramped into such a small form,” it sent. “Perhaps even I have underestimated the resilience of your body.”

Dense

The Fae nodded sagely.

“I am,” Ilea confirmed. The weight and every little bit of her enhanced body was required for the feat she had just demonstrated.

“You fought with it too?” the Meadow asked.

“I did. But the monster I faced with it had an ability to absorb mana. I could test it against you, if you’re up for it,” she suggested.

“I considered it. But I think it may be more beneficial for you to experience your newfound power in the heat of battle. Without limitations. Or concerns,” the tree said and continued after a short pause. “I will be honest, Ilea. If you used that in a bout between the two of us, it may be possible that people in the vicinity could be hurt. As frail as they are.”

“Blaming it on their frailty? Not your questionable barriers?” Ilea asked. She was surprised more than anything. The damn tree thinks it can’t contain me?

She had expected to feel joy, but Ilea just gulped.

“I don’t think you would be a danger to me. But with your space magic and intrusion as well… a single misplaced or broken barrier could mean a dozen dead. Even someone at level three hundred could be endangered,” the Meadow sent. “I am being serious.”

“I’m not ignoring you. I guess it just kind of bothers me…”

“Was this not your goal? To become stronger?” the Meadow asked.

“You know power always comes with a bunch of catches,” Ilea sent. “But I suppose I’m already an important figure for the Accords. At this point it won’t really change much.”

“It won’t, godslayer,” the Meadow sent as a chuckle flowed through the fabric.

The Fae looked up and added its own.

Ilea sighed. “I appreciate you two. Guess it would be kind of lonely at this height.” She smiled and crossed her arms. “I’ll miss you.”

“What do you mean?” the tree sent.

The Baron glanced at her, trying to hide its concern.

“When I’m so far beyond you two that I can’t possibly associate with you anymore.”

“Of course. The cloud of ash plan,” the tree said.

“Cloud of ash conversing with literal stardust. Just you wait,” Ilea sent. “Delegation ready?”

“Delegation?”

“The delegation to visit Eregar’s Haven,” Ilea said.

“It’s more just… a group, but sure. We can add a fancy title,” the tree said.

Ilea shook her head ever so slightly. “Says the chief tree of the Meadow Accords. Violence, care to join? You might get to see a bottled up sun.”

Violence, it sent and nodded.

“Only if you promise you won’t somehow steal or fuck with it,” Ilea said.

It crossed its little arms and somehow managed to pout, even without any facial features.

“This is a matter of literal international security,” Ilea said. “You will behave.”

The Fae sighed.

Behave, It spoke.

“Good,” Ilea said and squinted at it. She didn’t believe a word but if she was honest, she was more worried about some of the others that were coming along. Aki and the Meadow were the only two beings she would reasonably entrust with a Source, if only because she knew they could keep it safe. The fact that one was likely located in the Haven itself freaked her out. It wasn’t just that Ravenhall would instantly become a massive target, the source itself could easily wipe out the entire city in an instant. After having experienced the hallway to the core of the One without Form, she was sure of it.

“Aki set up a temporary gate within the Haven. He’s waiting until you’re ready to leave,” the Meadow sent. “I’ll inform everyone.”

Ilea felt the space magic pull from the being and deactivated her resistance, appearing within a barrier dome. With her were four Sentinel Executioners, their green eyes taking her in.

“You’re progressing fast. As usual. I think I have some potential targets for you as well, once you’re done with yours,” sent one of them.

“Thanks. Don’t think I’m quite done with the ocean of Kohr,” Ilea answered while patting the fae now resting in her hand.

“The Baron is coming as well?” Aki asked.

“Yeah. I can leave him here if it’s a problem. He seemed interested,” Ilea said.

The machine considered for a moment. “No. You trust it. If anything it will be helpful.”

She smiled, giving the Executioner a slight nod.

Nes appeared in the dome and took in the group. Her gaze lingered on Ilea. “Soon you’ll be past even me.” The metal bits in her face moved slightly to indicate a smile. “I’m pleased.”

“Thank you. Still a long way to go,” Ilea said.

“You’re human. Already, I’m sure you could best me in a direct battle,” Nes said. “And regardless, I know you will not stop here.”

“Not if she gets herself killed while trying,” Scipio said, right after he appeared. He wore his black armor with golden seams, his stag helmet left in whatever storage item or spell he used. He looked focused and tired at the same time, though Ilea didn’t remember him ever looking any different.

Ilea smirked. “You’re just envious of my success. You have plenty of time to get there yourself.”

He looked at her, his eyes softening a little. “I am just aware of the risks. What I said was neither jest nor insult. Do be careful when you face… gods, apparently. And kill them.”

She gave him a nod. So serious. I guess I did nearly die quite a few times. But if he thinks that way, it’s no wonder he’s only in the four hundreds. At the same time I suppose he’s still alive. Compared to who knows how many people like me, who vanished after facing some abomination underground or in the deep North.

That’s why you need to be a healer, she thought and nodded lightly to herself. An arcane healer so that mind magic shit can’t hurt you either. Or at least less.

Ormont was the next to appear, the dwarf looking at the group, his gaze stopping on Nes. He huffed, arms crossed in front of him, face near fully hidden behind gray hair. “To think I’d be standing here, with both humans and an Ascended.” He sighed. “Can’t be helped.” The dwarf then looked to Ilea. “Godslayer. No surprise there. Did you really have to bring those damned foxes here? Their runic work is downright insulting.”

“Is it? They seemed pretty capable to me,” Ilea said, smiling at him.

He sighed yet again. “There are rules. Schematics. Clear documentation. I will not deny that they have original ideas and powerful base sets, but any integration creates more work than could ever be worth it.”

“That’s precisely why their integration will be valuable,” Aki said.

“How is more work valuable?” Ormont asked.

“It’s not the work that is valuable. It’s the fact that even the Taleen are pushed to adapt their work,” Aki added.

“He may just be too set in his ways to see that,” Scipio said.

Nes made a strange noise that sounded like a huff. She purposely looked away when the old mage glanced her way with his brows raised.

Ilea chuckled, joined by a giggle of the Fae.

“Wonderful party we have here. Should I get Isalthar and Ohn Ika involved as well?” Ilea asked.

Iana and Christ appeared in the next moment.

“Alright. Everyone’s here. Let’s not waste any time, I’m having a hard time even keeping track of all the things I need to work on,” the enchantress said, rubbing her temple. “Aki.”

“As you command,” one of the Executioners spoke, gesturing towards the gate at the center of their group.

“Good luck,” the Meadow sent.

The spell took hold, Ilea once more deactivating her resistance. She felt herself moved through the fabric, placed into it again less than a second later.

Interesting. It does seem like the gates take longer to send us through the fabric than Transfer coupled with Fabric Tear. Suppose that’s another reason why the Meadow is wary of using this stuff between realms.

Ilea wondered how she would experience a transporter from the Ascended at this point. There was no counterpoint in Elos. Just a one way ticket. That really does sound like insane technology. If even the Meadow couldn’t pierce to another realm for all the beings it tried to save.

She glanced at a passing butterfly, noticing the details on its wings. She could tell where it would fly next. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath. It felt fresh, as if she were out on a field somewhere in the Plains. It was warm too, more so than in the domain of the Meadow. Looking up, Ilea could see the artificial sun that both lit up the massive underground caverns, but warmed them too. I never even questioned it. Just some insane ancient technology set up by some powerful wizard. Well… that’s still kind of what it is I guess.

Chapter 837 Haven

Chapter 837 Haven

Ilea spread her wings and flew up about ten meters, the others following her, Aki helping the enchanters but they quickly denied.

The fields and hills Ilea had known from her training had changed. Much of the wild vegetation, the trees, boulders, and trenches were gone. Replaced by a well structured mesh of facilities, all of it exposed to the artificial light. Crates made of stone, held aloft by moving metal poles, dozens of layers stacked atop each other and filled with soil, plants growing from each and every one of them. Hundreds of people patrolled the area, casting spells where they saw fit. Entire platforms had been added, all built in a half circle around the sun, likely to capture the optimal exposure. Ilea could see bridges and stairwells, entire roads that led from one part of the facility to the next.

“The soil in the Haven has always been exceedingly fertile,” Aki supplied. “Now, with nature mages using this system developed by dwarven and human engineers alike, the results are quite staggering.”

A high reaching stone wall had been built around the lake. Ilea could still see the occasional demon spawn walk out of it, quickly taken out by any interested Shadow standing atop the defenses. Centurions and Hunter Praetorians patrolled the enclosure to make sure nothing could break through. A reminder from the day Adam Strand had summoned thousands of demons into the city. All to reach Kohr, and his daughter.

“Did anyone investigate it by now?” Ilea asked, looking at the lake. A connection to Kohr was one thing, and so far no larger creature had come through, but if there was a Source here, the lake could become more of a risk than it already was.

“Of course,” Aki sent. “Mages of the Hand tested the residual magic and found some of the runes had stabilized from the surge of blood magic that flowed into them when they were first used by Adam Strand. They’re essentially still summoning beings from Kohr, though the few that are present are in no way powerful enough to summon anything beyond lower level spawn. No Mind Weavers have come through so far.”

“Still seems like an unnecessary risk. With all those mages working close by,” Ilea said.

“The security is extensive. Claire made sure of that even before my inclusion. The enchantments and countermeasures built into the walls are vast. More effort perhaps than what the removal of the residual runes would’ve required. The Shadowguard and your very Sentinels use the demons for various training applications, and some Shadows too. A well controlled dungeon with known creatures is not easily given up,” the machine explained.

“I guess,” Ilea murmured, thinking of the monsters she had fought that morning. If one of those were summoned, the damage could be extensive. “How long will the runes last?”

“At this rate, the estimation is another year and eight months,” Aki sent.

At least it’s not here forever.

“You seem more worried than I expected? You knew about this lake for a while now,” the Executioner sent, looking at her with its glowing green eyes.

“I saw some things in that ocean,” Ilea said. “Just think it’s best if those kind of creatures stay where they are.”

“You cannot protect everyone, Ilea. And you shouldn’t,” Aki said.

“I know. Suppose that’s one of the reasons I’m not more involved,” she said with a smile. Seeing the Haven made her think of all the time she had spent here with her team. Eve, Trian, Claire, and Kyrian. The world had felt larger then, in a way.

“That is no Source,” Nes spoke, the Ascended floating next to her.

“You mean the big sphere in the sky?” Ilea asked, looking at it directly. The bright light didn’t bother her eyes, not like it used to. “It looks like one, but yes, the heat is nowhere near what it should be.” They were only around two hundred meters away still. The sphere itself appeared to be floating, at least a hundred meters in diameter. The warmth felt nice, and the thing obviously provided something to all the plants that were grown in the Haven.

“It is peculiar,” Ormont said, the ancient dwarf moving a hand through some part of his extensive beard. “It feels like a sun.”

“What would a dwarf know of such matters?” Scipio asked.

Ormont chuckled. “Oh. We know. For millennia we have tried to emulate something that could more efficiently grow crops, herbs, and trees. The Taleen do enjoy living underground, but we are living beings too, and not beings of death or dark. We tried, and if we failed…”

“Then there is nobody else who could’ve done it?” Ilea asked, with a slight smirk. “Maybe the Mava did this.”

“You are far too young to provoke me, Ilea,” he said with a smile.

Sun, the Fae sent.

Ilea looked at it. “Right? Could you do something like that?”

It considered, then shook its head. Slowly, the fae raised its hand towards the massive sphere of light and heat.

“You want me to fly into it?”

It looked at her with large white eyes, its many wings twitching.

“To see what would happen,” Ilea said, nodding slightly. She understood. They had to try.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Scipio murmured. “Why are we even here? This is a waste of our time.”

Ilea enjoyed his slight annoyance, spreading her wings.

“Come and look at this!” Chris shouted from below.

So close to greatness, Ilea thought. She turned away. “We’ll do it after,” she telepathically whispered to the Fae.

She followed the others down and landed near the enchanters.

They had dug a hole in the ground but she could see nothing at the bottom. Her dominion hit a wall farther down. Smooth, with magic permeating everything. An impressive display, but neither as powerful as anything she had felt from the Source in Iz or as complex as even the defensive enchantments she had found in the vaults of Baralia.

“Now that is interesting…” Nes murmured.

Iana smiled, her eyes glowing with the strange blue hue of her magic. “Looks familiar to you, doesn’t it?”

“It does. I had not expected a human to be familiar with our runes,” Nes said.

“Your runes?” Ilea asked.

“Ascended. There is metal below, the deeper enchantments masterfully hidden by reasonably complex layers of… well I wouldn’t say mundane…” Iana spoke. She shrugged lightly. “Layers of mundane enchantments. I wouldn’t have seen it if I hadn’t known what to look for. But it’s there, all over. This place was built by someone with knowledge of Ascended runes.”

“How has nobody realized that so far? The Haven is well studied,” one of the Executioners spoke.

“Well studied by humans. Humans that are not familiar with our work,” Nes said. “This one is,” she added, her white eyes taking in the woman. “Impressive. Even I might have missed it, if only due to my arrogance. It seems whoever set this up was familiar with both of our kinds.”

“Who would have knowledge of Ascended runes, and be able to set all this up in secret?” Ormont asked.

“Apparently a guy called Eregar,” Ilea said. “Or it could be built as a dedication to him? You said you knew him?”

Scipio shook his head. “In passing. There were stories about the mercenaries of Eregar, of Ravenhall. Shadows. Killers. Trained by ruthless men and women, humans forged to take on any threat of the wild. Your order still retains some of that reputation, but then… it was different. People did not rejoice at their coming.”

“What about the man though? Did he build the Haven?” Ilea asked.

“He took part in the invasion of Kohr, that is all I know. Him and many of his mercenaries, though I had not expected they would manage to steal a Source. It was him supposedly, to build this place, though I was not particularly interested, I’ll be honest. The side project of a powerful man, at the top of his Order,” he said and gave Ilea a meaningful glance.

“You’re right. I should build a pyramid or something. Well, have it built. Can’t waste my own time,” she said. “Ilea’s… hmm… grand library? No, that doesn’t fit. Lilith’s coliseum.”

“Grand coliseum,” Christopher suggested, to the annoyance of everyone else.

“Right, yeah. So we’re assuming Eregar actually built this thing? So he had knowledge of Ascended runes?” Ilea asked.

“That, or someone helped him,” Nes said. She touched her metal chin. “I just can’t begin to imagine who.”

“We know very little about this place,” Ormont said. “May we investigate further?”

“It does sound like the best course of action,” Aki said. “How do we proceed?”

“Can’t pierce the solid ground with my perception. There are enchantments in place,” Ilea said.

“Then we should find the entrance,” Iana said.

“Or make one?” Ilea asked, raising a questioning fist.

“No, the cascade of reactionary runes in place could destroy this entire facility, or worse,” Nes said, her eyes glowing a little more now, her gaze aimed towards the dirt. “It will take some time to decipher all of this.”

“We don’t have to,” Iana said.

“What do you mean?” Nes asked.

The enchantress smirked. “If there were humans involved in the construction of this place, I assume there is a physical access somewhere.”

“Why would there be one? Anyone with this knowledge could setup a short range teleportation array. It would include unnecessary weaknesses, would it not?” the Ascended said.

“Humans, especially those using a lot of enchantments, I just found that they like emergency exits. That don’t rely on magical power alone. Might be because we’re not born into all this knowledge. There is some, I’d say, healthy skepticism, even with our own work,” Iana explained.

“Peculiar,” Nes spoke.

“Doesn’t your hideout have a door?” Ilea asked, her brows raised.

“That…” Nes said. “That is a fair point. I did ask Scipio before, why he wished for it. What was your reason again?”

The man smiled ever so slightly. “Just to be sure.”

Iana mirrored his expression. “Exactly. Just to be sure. Let’s hope Eregar or whoever made this felt the same, otherwise we’ll be here for a few weeks.”

“So what are we looking for? A small shaft? Hatch? A door?” Ilea asked.

“No. We’re looking for patterns in the mesh that connects all of the runes below. A physical doorway would have to be inlaid. The setup of such a complex mesh would change significantly, and no matter how good they were, there are tells. Always,” Iana said, giving Nes a questioning glance.

The Ascended looked back, before she focused on the ground again. “Always.”

“I too confirm that assumption,” Ormont said.

“Proud old man,” Scipio said, activating his own spells to help with the search.

“Dwarf, not man. And I hear you’re as old as I am,” Ormont said, magic flowing from him, his eyes taking on a glint of green light.

“Aged better,” Scipio said.

“That is entirely subjective,” the dwarf said, the two ending their battle, both likely entirely sure of their own victory.

Ilea stood to the side, watching the five individuals spread out with their eyes and magic focused on the ground. She crossed her arms.

Violence? The Fae sent.

“I wish. I feel like a sixth wheel,” Ilea sent with a sigh. She glanced at the Executioners nearby. “At least you’re not particularly helpful either.”

“If that makes you feel better,” Aki sent.

Ilea didn’t miss the small movements of the Executioners. “You’re helping too, aren’t you?”

“Just a little,” the machine sent.

“I don’t even want to know,” Ilea murmured, finding a rock before she sat down. She glanced behind herself when she heard a strange thud, expecting to have found some hidden switch to reveal whatever lay below. Instead it was just the rock shifting due to her supposed weight. Alright. Alright. I get it. Not my expertise.

She summoned a bottle of ale and watched the others, remaining in case they did find something. And because she wanted to keep an eye on them. Ilea only truly trusted Iana, Chris, and Aki, but she couldn’t deny that the abilities and knowledge of everyone present would be helpful.

“What’s our plan if we do find something?” Ilea sent to one of the machines.

“That depends on what exactly we find,” Aki sent back.

“We could make another one of you, right?” Ilea suggested.

“That seems like an unreasonably risky option,” Aki sent. “If there was another source, our main concern is securing it. What the Taleen have created in Iz may just be an optimal setup, however any plans to include others in the construction of something like that is obviously going to be a tense prospect.”

“Yeah, everyone wants the suns,” Ilea mused. She drank from her ale as she waited, creating an ashen copy for the little fae to play with. When she was done with the drink, she teleported the creature onto her shoulder and stood up. Spreading her wings, Ilea looked up at the bright sphere. She focused. Streams of fire moving about. Bubbling heat. It looked nice.

“Ready?” she asked the Fae, receiving an affirmative giggle in response.

Her wings moved, her form rushing up with speed. The distance was short. She arrived near instantly. She held her breath right before the splash resounded. Fire enveloped her, bright and hot, though she found herself able to move through with ease, most of her surroundings apparently just flame. A few seconds passed before she popped out on the other side, a broad grin on her face as she laughed. Now that’s deserving of a title!

Her armor wasn’t even singed. The heat was enough to keep the Haven warm, but in no way even began to compare to the hallway leading into the One without Form. Neither was there some secret portal placed within. For there had surely been more than a few Shadows betting with each other to pass through the flames. I wonder why we never did it. Guess I’m the only truly crazy one in the group.

She smiled as her wings moved to keep her afloat, giggles resounding in her mind.

Violence!

And so she dashed through once again, this time speeding up. Should I?

I should.

____________________________

Cless balanced atop one of the crates. She was careful not to damage any of the plants. People always got mad when she stepped into the dirt. Not that she understood, there was so much of it! And they even removed her favorite tree. It was a travesty.

Not as bad as when Squiggly died, but she was annoyed. At least she knew that Squiggly went to heaven. Just like her turtle Nelke. Maybe they would play together? She wasn’t so sure about it. Nelke was slow and kind of boring, whereas Squiggly was fast and interesting! She squatted down, trying to see more closely. No bugs.

Something was wrong with all the plants here. Did the bugs not like them? Maybe it was all the people. She felt a tingling in her head. Her Warning spell. Summoning her book into her left hand, it opened at the page she needed. A thin paintbrush appeared in her right, Cless focusing for a split second before she drew a single vertical slash through reality itself. She couldn’t help but giggle when she heard the yell, jumping into the portal before the door closed behind her.

She landed on the red and silver carpet. The nice one she had borrowed from the noble council hall in the city. The people there didn’t even know it was missing! If they couldn’t even appreciate art, they didn’t deserve it! That’s what Merthan always said, the nicest guard at Claire’s office. He was old.

Looking around, Cless smiled at the many paintings displayed on the broad walls of her room. She had painted everything in here, and now it was there. But the carpet she took. It was easy with her Reality Grasp spell, though weirdly it didn’t work on any creatures or people. She really wanted to show her room to Claire and Merthan but it didn’t work.

Her spell activated, one of the kelnfruits from a nearby table appearing in her hand. She took a bite and watched her floating book. The pages moved as she wished, many paintings within. The Meadow’s domain, Claire’s office, the Golden Drake, Viscera, the Haven, even the Pit, though she was scared to go there. Everything smelled weird and people were rude.

She focused on another angle of the Haven and spoke the words whilst chewing. “Canvas step.” A mischievous smirk spread on her face when she appeared back in the Haven. She knew they wouldn’t be looking for her. Nobody could catch her.

And so she ate and balance on the annoying plant boxes, if only in memory of her favorite tree. She saw a strange light in the corner of her vision and turned to look. Near the big sun, there was something blue and black. Her eyes blurred slightly when she saw it. At first she thought it was a Sentinel but the way it moved, the way the magic flowed, it was Ilea. And she had something new, something she hadn’t seen before.

It was beautiful. Like a blue shooting star of magic. Bright and pure, more dense than most things she had seen before. A canvas appeared right where she stood, floating in mid air as she started to paint, the brush moving with fast and precise slashes, paint appearing where she willed it. Ilea moved too fast for her to capture, the blue streak going in and out of the sun, up and down, around, and back through the fires. And so she followed the light, her mana burning quickly as she strained the magic in her eyes. Cless had forgotten about the people that may be looking for her. She had to finish the piece, no matter what.

Archon, a part of her mind thought as she was in a trance of painting, imbuing the canvas with more and more of her magic.

Chapter 838 Barrier

Chapter 838 Barrier

Ilea slowed down when her health reached a third. She deactivated her fourth tier and looked at the streaks of fire slowly dissipating behind her.

Violence!!

The Baron’s voice resounded in her head in what felt like a shout, the little creature rocking its head back and forth on her shoulder, slowing its movement before it turned to look at her face.

Again

Ilea grinned.

“We’re attracting unneeded attention,” Aki sent. “If you’re bored, you can train in Iz while we look for an entrance.”

She sighed, appearing near the ground before she landed. “Alright, alright. I just wanted to fly around a bit.”

The closest Executioner looked at her for a few seconds. “That spell…”

“My first fourth tier ability,” Ilea sent proudly.

“Smart. Another deterrent in case someone thinks to mess with what we find here,” the machine sent.

Ilea raised her brows. “OH. No, you misunderstand. I just wanted to see how fast I can go. And flying through that thing is fun,” she sent and pointed at the massive sphere of fire and energy.

Aki just nodded once and walked away.

“Why is he pissed?” Ilea sent to the Fae.

The Baron shrugged. Again?

“Sorry, I was told to stop by my machine overlord,” she answered. “Not much I can do.”

Godslayer

Ignore

Rules

“Yes. I know. But it makes sense sadly. I have to be the adult of the two of us, I’m sorry,” she sent.

The Fae drooped a little on her shoulder, flowing down as if its body was a liquid.

“You’re being melodramatic.”

Melonofun

“That’s not a word,” she sent.

Fae

All

Knowing

“Yes, sure. You tell yourself that,” Ilea sent when she heard Nes call out, the others gathering around one spot of dirt in the landscape.

She appeared next to the group and looked at the ground and what was beyond, though all she could see within her dominion were more enchantments. Nothing about it seemed different.

“That is it,” Chris said. “Wonderful.”

“We’ll need this area freed up,” Iana said, glancing at the Executioners.

“As you wish,” Aki said, void magic gathering around the shifting blades of the silver machines.

Ilea watched as the machines started to dig out the ground with quick and precise applications of their magic.

Almost forgot how efficient these killing machines were, she thought. It had been a while since she had fought one of them, though by now she could likely rip them apart like wet tissues. She didn’t miss the complicated expression on Ormont’s face, not quite hidden by all the hair.

Must be difficult to see them. Pride and shame at the same time, Ilea thought. She didn’t envy his position.

Nes and Scipio watched with indifference, at least at the surface. Ilea didn’t expect them to make a move but she was certainly interested in how they’d do against the four machines. Scipio seemed like the more experienced fighter but both of them were ancient. And Nes, while she didn’t seem particularly dangerous to her, was still an Ascended, and near level one thousand.

Suppose it’s just not that impressive anymore, Ilea thought, her arms crossed as she watched the excavation. She wondered what a random Shadow would think, if they stumbled upon this scene. We are a peculiar group.

What would I have thought back then? Eh, probably would’ve walked up to them and asked who they were.

She saw a few people in the distance who had noticed them, but Aki’s machines were all over the place, and any interested parties were likely asked to leave them be.

Ilea focused back on the moment when she saw the solid steel foundation exposed. A mesh of enchantments laid atop and thrumming with magic. Below she could see the runes, carved into the steel and familiar to her. None of it would indicate anything beyond humanity, let alone the Ascended. All but the steel.

“Do you know if it’s conjured steel?” Ilea asked.

“No,” Nes said. “There is no way to tell, but it’s smooth, the runes carved with expert hands, or simply molded into it by magic. I would expect the latter, mostly due to what lies within the steel.”

“Ascended runes,” Iana said.

“The runic system of the Navuun, its foundations created long before the first of us was made Ascended,” Nes corrected.

Iana gave her a considering look, and nodded. “Apologies.”

“It’s quite alright, child. This is history long past, I will not bore you with my sentimentality. Let us decipher the defenses. There are plenty,” she spoke.

Ilea watched them work, everyone but her using various spells and tools to analyze the enchantments. They exchanged notes and comments, spoken in languages Ilea did not understand.

It felt nice, the focus entirely gone from her. At the same time she felt amazed at their capabilities. Years if not decades or even centuries of study, all leading to their expertise. She was good at keeping both herself and others alive. And she was good at destroying things.

The people she had helped bring together, they could build the layered farms she now saw in the Haven. They could create teleportation gates and organize trade. They could safely deactivate a complex mesh of defensive enchantments, without blowing anything up.

She smiled to herself, hoping that it would last. Wondering what they could achieve. While I sit back and enjoy some high quality ale, from atop my flying fortress equipped with the most lavish lava baths.

Joy? The Fae sent.

“Perceptive, are we?” she asked.

A giggle was her response.

A pulse of mana went out from Nes, the enchantments moving aside, the metal splitting at the center before a one by one meter shaft opened up. Leading down into the dark.

Still, her dominion could not pierce through.

One of the Executioners stepped forward, it’s form flowing as the mass of its metal moved around. “I will scout ahead.”

Nobody complained, the machine moving quickly down into the opened up entryway.

Likely an entry to a million different traps, Ilea thought, thinking back on the Descent and the facilities she had entered in Kohr.

“It seems safe,” the Executioner next to her spoke.

Ilea raised her brows. “Really, sure it’s not just because the defense activation enchantments haven’t detected your machine?”

“There may be a possibility of that, but it’s unlikely,” Aki said.

“Movement and mana sources are the main sequences,” Nes added. “Though there are more nuanced enchantments.”

“Then I’ll check it out next,” Ilea said, warning the Fae on her shoulder and giving anyone a few seconds to object. Nobody did, and so she jumped down.

Ilea fell for three whole seconds, her wings spreading when she saw a hall opening up below, stopping her in mid air to avoid any potential pressure plates. Though she saw the Executioner standing on the ground, green eyes looking at her in the dark. She could see statues nearby. Beings in battle. Checking for any mana sources or enchantments, she came up with nothing. Hmm. Expected those to come to life. Well, they may be using some other tech or magic. She watched them closely.

The hall was large but not overly so. About the size of the Redleaf mansion entrance hall. The walls and floor were smooth. Marble perhaps or another fancy cut stone. Not metal. Though there were enchantments laid within, ones she could not pierce. Lining the walls were the statues she had seen already. Rock and metal of various colors and make, depicting all kinds of beings. There were humans, clad in plate and leather armor, some in robes, wielding swords, staves, axes, and their spells conjured from their hands.

Nearby were statues with sharp teeth, claws, and aggressive body language. Plenty to know that they were elves. All expertly crafted or molded. She could see dwarves as well, some wielding hammers, others axes, others yet commanding the still replications of Taleen machines. There were Mava too, interspersed between the others, and large humanoids in plate armor, massive weapons in their arms, some with more than two limbs. Here and there she could see Feynor, and large humanoids with tusks growing out of their faces.

Interesting.

It all depicted a chaotic scene, but the different species weren’t facing each other. They were facing horrors from beyond. Creatures of nightmare. Bent forms with too many legs, all of it too long, too stretched, with joints in places where they did not belong. Instead of heads there were strange flowers, amalgamations of teeth and small tentacles. Some had eyes, most did not. A tide. She could almost feel them move. Unending, unstoppable. A gray mush of limbs that would end all that there was. They did not belong.

But they faced a united front. Plate wearing warriors and calm mages, beings of fangs and claws. Humans, elves, dwarves, mava, and dark ones. Even the Feynor were there.

The beings of Elos.

She walked closer to the statues, gently brushing her hand against one of them. She did not feel any magic from the stone sculpture, nor any enchantments or mechanical components within. There was no dust anywhere, other than what she brought with her. It was perfectly quiet.

A memory? Or a tomb?

The others joined, floating down or brought by Aki. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“No,” the machine replied and started towards the only hallway that led deeper into the facility.

More statues lined the walls there, however all of them were monsters, all of them moving towards the defenders in the entrance hall.

How valiant, Ilea thought as she moved on to follow the silver machine. She glanced over to Nes when an enchantment lit up where she touched.

“Just light,” the Navuun said as magical lamps lit up above, the light cool but not quite cold.

Ilea relaxed, realizing she was about to advance. A little jumpy.

“I’ll ask next time,” Nes said.

“Please do,” one of the Executioners said. “We don’t want any surprises.”

From anyone, Ilea thought as she walked into the hallway. The monsters she saw unsettled her slightly. More on a primal level than anything else. The closest she had fought were Soul Rippers, and those she had slaughtered in droves. “Does anyone know what these are?” she asked.

“We have faced similar beings. Before Io. Before Kohr,” Ormont said, the dwarf squinting his eyes at the monsters.

“Beings of the void,” Nes said as she touched one of the statues. “They hunger for all that is whole, all that has matter. Manifestations of magic, from where there is no soil, no sun, no life.”

“You brought them here,” Ormont said.

The Navuun looked at the statue before her, silent for a moment. “Yes. I understand that some civilizations in Elos were starting to interfere with the mesh. Creating chaos and distraction through monster infestation was an efficient way to keep those people busy. To keep you busy,” she explained, looking at the dwarf with her white eyes. “I’m sorry. For what our kind, has done to yours.”

Ormont did not reply.

“Beings of the void? Is there a realm of them? People here summon demons from Kohr to reach the same chaos and distraction, I guess the Ascended use this void instead,” Ilea said.

“Kohr is… different, than other realms. The connection is easier, though the void is everywhere, and nowhere,” Nes said.

“Just like the fabric itself. Layers of reality. I don’t think you can call it a realm as much as you can’t call the fabric a realm,” Scipio said.

“Yeah, but you can move through the fabric. It’s here. I can see it. I can’t see the void,” Ilea said.

“Some can,” Scipio said, his voice grave.

Ilea crossed her arms. “It still doesn’t make sense to me. Sure, I can imagine there being another layer around like the fabric. I can see that one and I can’t see the other, because I’m not a high level void mage. I’m not a void mage at all. But while there is surely a way to travel through the fabric, it just seems strange to assume there is a way for these monsters to reside within something similar. They have physical manifestations. You can touch them. You can kill them.”

“You would know that?” Scipio asked.

“Yes. I would,” Ilea said.

“They are creatures of flesh and blood. Different perhaps, but there are different monsters here too,” Ormont said.

“The categories in my records show varied creatures. Your kind studied what they could,” Aki said, glancing at the Taleen.

“Of course,” Ormont said, his chest rising ever so slightly.

“They are monsters, nothing more, nothing less,” Nes said. “Chosen because they could be ripped from the void with little expenditure of mana, and because of their destructive and powerful nature. Compared to necromancy or what became of the Navuun, they are the most efficient. Not the most powerful, mind you, nor am I aware of a way to control them once summoned, but if all you seek is chaos…” She left the rest unsaid.

“Throwing around monsters from other places to fight in your stead seems so terribly fucking boring,” Ilea said.

“You are a warrior,” Scipio said.

“Not a conqueror. Or a ruler,” he said and sighed. “I understand the necessity of such choices.”

“And yet perhaps it is those very choices that bring our downfall,” Nes said in a quiet voice, once more brushing her hand over one of the void creatures.

I suppose there could be a way to reside within the void… my items are within my domain as well.

“Is there a realm where these creatures come from?” Ilea asked the fae. She assumed if anyone here knew more about it, it was the Baron.

Void

Is

Void

“So there is no place where I can go to fight these monsters?” Ilea asked.

Yes

And

No

The Fae touched the lower part of its head in a thoughtful manner.

Will

Becomes

Manifest

Ilea looked at him for a moment, the creature acting like those three words made everything clear. “I don’t get what you mean.”

Stupid

“Go on.”

Theory.

No

Monster

In

Void

Only.

Will

Energy

Intent.

Perhaps

Will

Also

Manifestation

Of

Void

In

Fabric.

Or

Will

Already

In

Void.

Brought

Into

Fabric.

Will

Manifests!

Monster

Born

“So you don’t actually know, those are mere theories?” Ilea asked.

Yes

Fae

Fabric

No

Void

“Right, I guess that makes sense. So you’re telling me I should ask someone more acquainted with the void,” Ilea said.

Yes.

Ilea grinned. “To think the all knowing Fae is limited as well. This new title is giving me a lot of perspective.” She nodded to herself in feigned deep understanding.

The Baron crossed its arms and huffed, with no lungs.

She looked at the various depictions of strange creatures until they reached another hall. Still, there were no traps, no guardians, no machines or monsters to stand in their way.

There were statues here as well, reaching only up to the halfway point of the marble hall. Ilea stopped next to the green eyed silver machine, crossing her arms as she looked at the magic before her.

“Now that’s a problem,” she murmured. A golden barrier stood in their way. It didn’t shimmer, nor could Ilea see through it at all. It looked downright solid, more potent than what the One without Form had conjured around Iz. A single steel pedestal stood before the magic, with runes carved into it. None that she knew.

“There is a Source here,” Nes spoke.

Scipio scuffed. “I could create something similar, given enough time.”

“For how long?” Ormont said. “It does not waver. It is solid. Perfectly maintained.”

Iana walked past and stood before the pedestal. “Chris, isn’t this-”

“Masked Lysian. Strange choice,” the man said when he reached her.

“Those aren’t runes?” Nes asked.

“No. There are many theories as to why this language was even created. Mimicking something magical with the mundane. Each rune equates to a word in Standard,” Chris explained.

“There could be magical meaning you simply do not grasp,” Ormont said.

Chris nodded, opening and closing his mouth.

“Yes, but even after thousands of years, nobody has grasped anything magical,” Iana said. “You know the nature of runic symbols. Do you see any of it here?”

“No. Not right now, not yet. But there could be something hidden,” Ormont said.

“There is nothing there,” Scipio said, scratching his chin as he used a few spells to look at the pedestal. He squinted slightly.

Nes didn’t comment, but she did move a little closer.

“What do the words say then?” Ilea asked. She perceived no magic from the runes, so she assumed there was nothing beyond that.

“The path is locked and five seals bar the way. Turn back, for there is nothing here for you alone.” Chris was silent for a moment after he had read the words.

Iana watched the pedestal and the barrier with her magically enhanced eyes. The others cast a few spells in turn.

“Do you see it too?” Iana asked.

“It is not hidden,” Nes said.

“It could be a trap?” Scipio added.

“No. The activation leads to nothing else. It is plain to see, there is no deceit here,” Ormont said.

“Can you confirm that, Baron?” Aki asked, looking at the fae.

No

Violence

Boring

Ilea rolled her shoulders. “So, I have to go collect another set of keys?”

Iana slowly walked up to the barrier. She reached her hand up to touch it. A pulse of magic flowed into the barrier, five glowing white lines extending outwards, flowing into five complex runic symbols.

The enchantress took a step back and pointed at the first symbol. There were shapes part of it that Ilea had seen before. “Riddles. This one I can solve,” Iana murmured and pointed to the next. A lot of sharp angles and a complex mesh that seemed to repeat itself, Ilea finding a headache growing in her mind when she looked at it for too long.

Iana looked at Ormont.

He smiled slightly, and nodded.

The enchantress moved her arm to the next. Flowing shapes, ending abruptly. “Mava,” she said and went to the fourth one. This one looked the most varied, a confusing feel mixed with a strong sense of unity. “Runic languages used by the Dark Ones.”

She pointed at the last. A beautiful sense of purity, arcane deeply ingrained in the flowing shapes. An almost primal feel to it. “Elvish,” she spoke and turned around to look at Ilea with a smile on her lips, blue runes glowing in her eyes.

“No, Ilea. I think you already did.”

Chapter 839 Riddles

Chapter 839 Riddles

“Five seals? For five rune languages?” Ilea asked.

“Not just languages,” Iana said as she turned around and once more touched the barrier. “An entire history. Their magic itself, the blood running through the veins of all. Five civilizations. Five riddles. Five seals.”

“Mana shared willingly,” Scipio said.

They all looked at the barrier for a few moments, the slight golden light exuded by it entirely static, unmoving.

“So let’s open it up,” Ilea said.

“We need them here. Representatives, willing, and knowledgeable,” Iana said.

“They will want to know what this is, and perhaps they will want whatever lies within for themselves,” Aki said.

“Goliath could solve one of them,” Iana murmured.

“Isn’t his enchanting ability somewhat limited?” Ilea asked.

“Knowledge and heritage is more important here than mere skill, otherwise anyone present could solve each of these,” Iana said.

“Which leaves Elven and Mava,” Aki said.

“Myr Iva bears the flame of creation. It’s strange… but I’d trust her with this, even if she could somehow take the Source herself. Which honestly, I don’t think is possible with you here,” Ilea said.

“I don’t think we should be too worried about the Mava. But if you have someone specific in mind, that’s good,” Aki said.

“You’ll just go with whoever she trusts?” Scipio said and looked at her. “You seem a little too trusting.”

“And yet you’re here,” Nes said. “As am I. Welcomed despite of what I am.”

Ormont started chuckling before it changed to outright laughter. “A devious vault indeed,” he muttered after he had calmed down again, the others looking at him. “I would have rather died than work with an elf to unlock it.”

“I’m sure most humans would agree,” Iana said with a sigh.

“You can’t just open it up for us?” Ilea asked the Baron.

No

“That it?”

Yes

“Alright. Thank you for your extensive contribution,” she sent back. At least worth a try.

The Fae grumbled something in a language incomprehensible to her, crossing its arms before it huffed and turned away.

She flipped the back of its head, the tiny spatial shield it conjured up shattering with the strike.

“Myr Iva is alright. As to the Elven one. Any Cerithil Hunter is fine right?” she said.

“I don’t know many of them, let alone well. Isalthar could likely solve the riddle,” Iana said.

“Are Elves not generally quite uninterested in history and runic language?” Ormont asked.

“The Hunters are different,” Ilea said. “They’re not in the Domains.” She thought about it for a moment and then smiled. “I have one. And I trust him too.”

“I’m not sure how trustworthy they remain, now that their purpose is fulfilled,” Scipio said.

“I trust him more than you. Plus he was interested in history and I’m sure he knows his elven runes, with how decorated his barriers are. Though I suppose he could be into the aesthetics alone,” she said. “Do you need all of them here at the same time?”

“Yes. The seals have to be broken reasonably close one after the other,” Iana said.

“Alright, let me check then,” Ilea said and focused on her marks. “Myr Iva, can you help me with something? I’ll meet you near the Meadow. It’s a secret!”

“A secret? I’m busy eating all the humans, Ilea. I don’t know if I have time,” the fox sent back.

I see. At least someone else is taking the situation with the appropriate weight.

“Elfie, I need your help with something kind of secret. If you have time, meet me near the Meadow,” she sent to the elf.

“Of course, I’ll be there at once. For the supreme Queen, Lilith,” he sent.

Ilea smiled. Maybe I should introduce the two. He could teach her.

“Goliath, care to see something cool? Meet me near the Meadow. It’s secret,” she sent to the last mark.

“Godslayer of Ash, I shall arrive with haste.” The smith’s words sounded amused.

You idiot. Suppose word travels fast.

“I’ll get them. Can I leave you alone without anyone starting an international conflict and the destruction of the Accords?” she said.

Scipio crossed his arms. “No promises.”

“And here I thought you lacked a sense of humor,” Ilea said.

He stared at her. “I’m entirely serious.”

“Good one,” she said. “I’ll find and murder you if you do.”

He smiled. “Pretty good too.”

Nes glared at him with intensifying eyes.

“What?” he said.

“We are guests here,” she said. “You should show some respect.”

“She started it,” he grumbled.

“You have a few thousand years on her, perhaps you could try and be a little more serious, considering the circumstances,” Nes said.

Ormont sighed, shaking his head ever so slightly before he turned towards the barrier.

Ilea stepped through her gate, appearing in the domain. She teleported close to the tree. “Can we get a barrier?” The dome appeared instantly. “We need a few people to open three seals. I already informed Niivalyr, Goliath, and Myr Iva. Can you move them here?”

“Found what you were looking for?” the Meadow asked as the beings appeared around her.

“We’re working on it,” she sent with a smile.

“Ilea!” the Mava sent, white flame flaring up as she smiled, tails moving in tune with the fires.

Goliath gave her a curious look, his golden eyes brightening slightly.

They looked between each other, both bowing slightly one after the other.

Elfie looked between the others and nodded. “What is it you need the three of us for? I’m curious.”

“We found a barrier sealed by five seals. Each one apparently corresponds with both the history, magic, and runic language of a people in Elos. Mava, Dark Ones, Elves, those are the ones we are missing,” she said.

“I will help,” Myr Iva sent instantly.

“What is behind that barrier?” Elfie asked.

“A Source possibly,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed.

Goliath made a strange squealing noise. “Oh, now this is interesting!”

“Source?” the Mava asked. “I’m not familiar with that.”

“What is left from the process of Extraction. Essentially the energy of a star,” Ilea said.

“How does it look like?” Myr Iva asked.

“I’m not sure actually,” Ilea said.

“A round shape? Or a square one maybe? Or a bowl. Is the sun in there or is it imbued into something?” she said.

“I really have no clue. I guess you can come and see for yourself,” Ilea said with a smile.

Myr Iva squinted her eyes. She considered for a few seconds and then spoke. “I can do that.”

“Let us depart at once,” Goliath spoke. “Do not forget my aura, young godslayer.”

“Stop calling me godslayer,” Ilea said, not missing the amused hiss.

“Godslayer,” Elfie said, tasting the word and showing a toothy grin.

“Elfie, don’t,” Ilea said.

He leaned forward slightly, a glint in his dark gray eyes as he spoke in a whisper. “Godslayer.”

“I could kill you with a mere thought,” Ilea whispered back.

“Yes, I did not expect anything less from a godslayer. Slaying gods is a very impressive feat after all,” he spoke. “Right, being of the flame of creation?”

“It surely must be,” Myr Iva sent. “Most impressive,” she added.

Ilea didn’t even know if her reaction was genuine or sarcasm. She just rolled her eyes and teleported to her mark on Iana, connecting the others as her third tier Transfer formed.

They appeared soon after, finding no carnage or ongoing battles. She was almost disappointed. Instead everyone was busy studying the glowing runes. Almost offended by the interruption.

“Dark One, your aura is active,” Scipio said.

“I do not mean to offend, golden spectral,” the smith said and bowed.

Scipio smiled, raising his chin slightly. “Perceptive.”

“You’re not a godslayer though,” Ilea said.

Elfie hissed in amusement as he took in the gathered group. “Can you work with an elf,” he said to Ormont.

“I have little choice in the matter,” the dwarf answered.

“That’s good enough,” Elfie said as he walked closer to the barrier. “This is incredible.”

“Can you solve it?” Iana asked.

“I did not mean the runes. It seems complex, but whoever aided in this was not a master. No, this barrier,” he spoke and paused, hissing in awe when he moved his hand closer. “Even the Oracles…” He shook his head. “I’ll get to work,” he added, his voice a little more subdued as he summoned a leather bound book.

“The magic here is indeed welcoming,” Goliath spoke. “As is the company. Many here I had wished to converse with. The revered Nes Mor Atul,” he said with a floating bow. “It is an honor, to meet one of thine kind. Creators like few others. Perhaps none.” He turned to look at the dwarf. “Ormont of the Makers. The ancient guild, knowledge lost to time. A travesty that befell your people. It is most joyous, to see you still alive, and back. I have read as much as I could, of the knowledge you have shared with the Accords. The introduction of flexibility enchanted and tempered copper wires for mana transfer is fascinating. Many days have I labored to even comprehend the new possibilities all of your knowledge has provided.”

He chuckled with a bow. “Scipio, the Golden Spectral. Phantom of the North, it would be my pleasure to converse with you, if you would indulge an ancient artisan.”

“I’m sure we’ll find some time, despite the work,” Scipio said.

Goliath laughed. “Perspective leads to creativity. It is often the angle we are focused on, that most holds us back. Now let us see what we have here,” he spoke and floated forward, golden eyes shining as he looked at the runes. “These are ancient symbols,” he muttered, pulling something out of some spatial storage. “Shameful work too.”

“You’re familiar with it?” Ilea asked.

“Apprentices there have been aplenty. This one was, fire touched, devious, with priorities of material nature. A great loss, to see it pursue with such lacking focus,” he spoke.

“They’re still around?” Ilea asked.

“No. Not to my knowledge. Though many come and go, their fates not often revealed to one such as I. This however, I will undo,” he spoke. “If only to remove one shameful bit of my legacy.”

Ilea smiled, watching him get to work. Ormont seemed a little less grumpy, Nes’ eyes shining a little brighter, even the usually stressed and shifty Scipio had an air of confidence about him. Though she didn’t know if she was a fan of the latter.

Suppose these are genuinely a bunch of downright mythical figures, working together to solve a puzzle of similar proportions. Why am I here again? She ignored the literal Fae on her shoulder.

Her look of concern must’ve been perceived by the three mark Mava and wielder of the Flame of Creation. “Are you feeling alright? Your facial muscles seem in distress.”

“You don’t have to concern yourself with my facial muscles,” Ilea sent to the fox. “Can you help solve the Mava portion of the riddle?”

“It’s hard. But quite amusing,” she said and paused for a moment.

Ilea could damn near literally see the gears turning in the fox’s head. “You’ll get cake if you finish it.”

“That is not at all what I had intended. I am merely helping a friend, the bringer of the Heart, and wielder of the white flame,” the Mava spoke.

Lying, just like that. So easily corrupted. Popi, I worry about you. Maybe you’re the true Architect after all.

She crossed her arms and watched them work, a smile on her face. Twenty seconds passed in silence. “So. How long will this take? I kind of have other things in mind.”

“A few days at least,” Elfie said.

“I would expect four cycles,” Goliath spoke.

Something lit up at the barrier, everyone’s attention moving to the bright glowing set of runes shifting before it all settled. “I have fulfilled my work,” Myr Iva spoke, literal burning eyes turning to look at Ilea, the joy downright palpable.

Ilea summoned a cake and teleported it into the other hall.

“You’ll have to do that again when everyone is done!” Iana said, trying to reach the teleporting fox.

“No less than a week,” Ormont said in a somber tone. “I believe I know who has created this seal. Old Garrivan could not deny a challenge, no matter from whom.”

“He’s not around anymore,” Ilea said. More a statement than a question.

He shook his head slightly. “No. No, he died before he could see the One without Form. His work was pivotal to the keys and the Sphere itself. Perhaps it was for the best.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Elfie said after a short pause. “May he find what your kind wish for after death.”

The dwarf looked at him for a long few seconds, Elfie already back to work when Ormont nodded ever so slightly. He didn’t reply, instead repeating his words. “No less than a week.”

“I’ll get to hunting then, do call for me when you’re done. I want to see this,” Ilea said. “And let me know if the fox makes trouble.” She ignored the splatter sounds and growling coming from the other hall.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Aki sent.

“Thanks,” she said, tapping the bored Fae on her shoulder. It seemed even the presence of a Source wasn’t particularly interesting to the creature if it wasn’t in some way related to brutal violence.

“Back to Kohr?” the machine sent right before she summoned her gate.

“That was the plan, yes. I’m sure there’s plenty of creatures still down there,” Ilea said.

“I have something different. Could use your help but I’m not sure how beneficial it will be for you,” the machine sent.

“Something different than the unending dark depths of Kohr’s oceans? I’m not inclined to say no. What is it?” she said.

“Nes gave us supposed locations of Ascended facilities she was aware of. They’re difficult to find due to some of the changes brought on by the Extraction, at least those closer to the surface. Most of those I could find were ruins but there are occasionally artifacts and pieces of information left behind. One facility I found yesterday is proving to be difficult to enter,” he said.

“Difficult to enter?” she asked.

“Monsters roam what is now a dungeon, dangerous even for my Executioners,” he explained.

“I can check it out, sure. Let’s go then,” she said. “Collecting all those keys is finally bearing fruit.”

“Not like I ever did anything for you,” Aki spoke, his tone rather dry as Ilea appeared in the Domain of the Meadow, an Executioner finding her quickly.

“Nothing at all,” she answered.

“I am deeply hurt,” the machine said, leading her to a prepared Taleen gate, the destination set by the Praetorian standing next to it.

Ilea looked up at the large machine, remembering when she had feared them. She glanced at the Meadow and smiled, the magic of the gate activating before she appeared inside of a nondescript ruin. Ancient crumbling walls half overgrown with moss and ivy, streams of broken light let in through cracks within the ceiling. She heard dripping water, somewhere deeper. The overgrown rooms she saw suggested quite a small ruin.

“What was this place?” she asked, spreading her wings as she saw the lithe silver machine advance upwards and towards a more spacious opening in the ceiling, the familiar sounds of distant impacts of arcane lightning audible.

“An Outpost of the Taleen. Looking at the usual way they built these, I’m pretty sure it was deeper underground before the Extraction happened,” the machine replied.

Ilea took a last glance at the overgrown ruin. A nestling place for some creature perhaps, at some point in the future. Forgotten to most. As were the Taleen, until we brought them back. She wondered for a moment, about other civilization, entire peoples perhaps, hidden away deep below ground or up in the stars. The thought of other beings out there had crossed her mind from time to time in the past. She wasn’t big into sci-fi, and she’d rather watch a movie than lie awake considering existential dread. But now she knew. Realms located in the same fabric, connected through it all, or that at least was her current theory.

She focused on the now when her wings moved her out into the sunlight. The wracked and crumbling landscape of the North. Testament to the invasion of the Ascended. The might of their technology and magic. Rhyvor, just among the many who were lost to time, lost to ruin.

Ilea swerved eastward to keep up with the silver machine, her eyes not even adjusting to the change in brightness. She followed Aki through an arcane storm, the Executioner moving aside when a purple flash rushed downwards. Residual energy flickered over the slightly purple shield.

Ilea was struck directly. She didn’t even summon a barrier, instead taking in a sharp breath as she grinned, the arcane energies flowing through her, a meager trickle compared to the torrent she felt every time she used her Fourth tier.

“How long is the flight?” she asked.

“A few minutes, the tunnel entrance is nearby,” Aki informed, the Executioner running through the air.

She followed, the two moving over the landscape with the occasional bolt of arcane lightning impacting in their vicinity. Ilea slowed when Aki did the same. Before them, she could see a mountain range extend out from the rocky terrain, northwards and too high for the storms to reach. Snow tipped and jagged, the upper parts of the range far more smooth than the cracked and splintered base.

Millennia of storms.

Ilea wondered how long Hallowfort could remain without extensive barriers or some other solution against the arcane lightning. At some point the magic would surely break through.

She scanned the distant range, this side mostly cast in shadow.

“Down here,” Aki sent, the silver machine standing next to a round entrance.

Ilea flew down, glancing to the mountain range when distant thunder rolled over the lands. A storm was brewing beyond the high peaks.

Chapter 840 A relaxing afternoon break

Chapter 840 A relaxing afternoon break

Ilea found that her wings didn’t fit into the tight corridor dug by one of Aki’s machines. Dissolving them, she instead just jumped down. The tunnel went nearly straight down, her descent more of a fall. The occasional shower of sparks lit up the dark when her ash touched the stone walls rushing past.

She saw the ground coming, ashen limbs slamming out into the walls, digging deep and instantly stopping her momentum. Ilea didn’t even notice the shock. Disappointing. Gravity isn’t what it used to be.

Jumping down the rest of the way, Ilea landed as silently as she could with her relative weight.

Aki stood waiting, the tight corridor giving way to what seemed like a cavern at first.

Ilea quickly recognized the familiar spherical shapes left behind by various void magic spells she had encountered in the past. Not so much an underground cave, but a battleground much like what she had left behind with the Void Lord. She did recognize more rectangular shapes here and there, but there were few.

No light source other than herself and Aki was present. There were no noises at all that she could hear.

‘ding’ ‘You have entered the blood soaked caverns’

Ilea couldn’t smell any blood, but what she could see were rotted corpses. Most of the armored and humanoid, but there were plenty of Void Creatures as well. Dead ones, similar to what she had seen in Tremor. There were other versions as well, some smaller than Soul Rippers, others larger. The monsters were hacked apart, limbs cut through, deep cuts in their strangely shaped heads, those who had heads at all. Dozens of them littered the spherical shapes in the ground.

The knights didn’t look much better. Missing limbs, heads, and bowels. The injuries themselves suggested void magic.

“Any clue who they were?” Ilea asked, spreading her wings now that she had enough space once more. She flew over to one of the more intact corpses and crouched down.

“Humans. But these corpses are old. Ancient. Likely from before the Extraction,” the machine said. “There are faded banners, leaders among the knights. Farther in there are supplies and remnants of campsites.”

“Void monsters crawling around then?” Ilea asked.

“There is one. But most of the monsters here are human. Or they were human, once. Knights of Marahn. Records found in Rhyvor libraries suggest they were a neighboring kingdom to the north. The crest they carry shows their goddess Liria. They retain most of their abilities with their weapons, but they’re more bestial, faster, and more brutal than most humans I have seen. The range I encountered was seven to nine hundred.”

“More zombie knights. I know the kind,” Ilea said and cracked her neck.

“The sound of battle will attract more of them. A lot of teleportation and physical attacks, coupled with light magic. But the main issue is the one Void creature I encountered. It took out two Executioners in seconds. A flying creature, two wings of magic and a vaguely ball shaped main body, made entirely of writhing flesh. It can shoot beams that break through an Executioner’s shield instantly.”

“I thought you weren’t sure if there was anything interesting here,” Ilea sent back with a smile, standing up once more. “Both seem like fun monsters to battle.”

“You’re far more resilient than an Executioner,” Aki sent. “I didn’t want to get you excited when it could just be a mundane four mark.”

Ilea grinned. “A mundane four mark. Nice.”

“If you find more tunnels that look the same as the one we came through, my drill machines are going deeper, but they have yet to find anything worthwhile in this location.”

“The Ascended facility?” Ilea asked.

“That is the goal. There were signs in the caverns occupying the void creature.”

“I’ll be on my way then,” Ilea sent.

“Can you send this one back to Iz?” Aki said.

Ilea opened a gate. “I’ll report back when I have something.”

The Executioner’s eyes shone a little brighter before it stepped through the gate, the magic vanishing to leave her alone in the ancient corpse riddled cavern.

She took in a deep breath. “Bones and rot. Absolutely disgusting,” she murmured, moving her wings to fly over the uneven terrain. Her white flame flickered to life, flowing over the increasing layers of ashen armor as she looked for the first monster.

She didn’t have to wait long, hearing noises from an adjacent tunnel. Flying inside, she saw an armored humanoid. Rusted and dented metal protected the man’s back, the attachment on his helmet damaged, whatever had been fastened to it gone a long time ago. Any color on his clothes and armor had long faded. His arms and legs were protected as well, the full plate obviously made to stand the test of time.

Metal groaned slightly as the knight turned to face Ilea, her wings dissipating as she came to a stop. She watched the large two handed axe the knight casually held in one hand. There was no life behind the slit of his helmet.

[Knight of Marahn – lvl 820]

More impressive than those in Tremor. But I guess it could just be survival bias. Most everything here is dead after all.

She watched the knight touch the insignia engraved in the damaged chest piece. Magic pulsed outwards, every seam on the warrior glowing for a moment with golden light. He crouched, the greataxe resting on his shoulder as he prepared to charge.

Ilea smiled when the knight didn’t move. “Annoying right?” she said, her smile widening into a grin when the remains of the once human warrior charged.

He was fast, the bones below his armored boots crushed and turned to dust. His axe swing started halfway there.

Ilea watched the move, felt the pulse of mana, the power that animated this man who should’ve fallen millennia past. She saw the attack, felt the damage it deal to her. And she let it happen, raising her arm to intercept the heavy weapon.

The steel slab crashed into her hand, the blade of the axe more dull crushing weapon than made to cut after all this time. Her legs strained, her arm pushed back, jaw slamming shut as the force of the impact rushed through her. The ground shook slightly, pieces of stone falling from the ceiling.

Ilea grinned when the knight slammed his fist into her face. The impact rocked her head back, her neck straining not to snap. Again the knight punched her, raising his weapon once more before he brought it down from above.

She raised her arms and crossed them below the weapon, just in time. The ground shook.

Healing flowed to the sections directly affected, the bruises taken care of near instantly. The slightly damaged ash reformed, pushing against the steel. She dodged the next strike, kicking against the knight’s leg but finding him step aside. She closed the distance and feinted, her fist rushing past his raised arm, impacting his steel helmet with a dull sound.

The knight staggered back, catching himself before raising his weapon, a slight dent in his helmet.

Ilea shook her hand and smiled. Her fires receded, the only remaining light her bits of ember embedded into her mantle, and the residual golden specks shining from below the knight’s armor.

The advanced.

Steel hit ash, and ash hit steel. Ilea was faster. She found the knight experienced, but her precognition and perception overwhelmed him. She trusted her skills, her fighting ability. He could see most of her feints but it didn’t matter. Three strikes slammed into his chest, Ilea dodging the hilt of the axe, her elbow slamming into his face. She mirrored his backsteps, one, two, her arm pushed aside the axe. Another strike slammed into his face. She traded blows with the next, her nose withstanding the heavy impact as if it was made of hardened steel.

She didn’t use Archon Strike, didn’t use Tempered Seal. This was not a fight for survival. This was fun.

Ilea didn’t let up, the time between impacts shortening as she dented in his armor. She found his attempts to strike back growing more desperate, his tactics dirtier. He went for her throat and her eyes. She let him. Her ash was pushed back, her wind pipe cracked and smashed. She didn’t stop. He let go of his bulky weapon, unsheathing a rusty dagger. Ilea moved her head, the metal scraping against her ash, his other hand grabbing onto her face, a metal thumb pushing into her eye.

She held his arm with her right hand, then angled her left around his elbow and pulled. Her arms strained, his gauntlet pushing into her eye. She ignored his other arm, the dagger striking her left eye as he held her head in place. The steel managed to pierce, stopped by her skull a few centimeters in. Blood dripped down her ash but she smiled, a snap resounding when his right hand went limp, falling to the side.

Ilea grabbed on to the partially embedded dagger and crushed it, the old metal unable to endure the pressure. It snapped. Ilea moved her foot behind his leg when he moved, moving her knee up to unbalance the knight.

He fell, about to catch himself when she spun and slammed her heel into his chest.

The stone cracked when he impacted the ground, bits of armor and bones impacting the walls.

Ilea moved to his head and stomped down, the stone breaking with a heavy impact, the knight having moved his head in the last moment. She stomped again, sidestepped his attempt to grapple her leg with his working arm. The third stomp connected. The fourth one slammed in his visor, the fourth one brought the dull sound of crushed bone. She didn’t stop, not until the knight stopped moving.

She took in a deep breath and ripped her ashen boot out of the mangled chunk of metal and bone.

Fun.

And Aki had issues with that?

Ilea found herself curious as to why there was no notification for her kill. She checked her dominion and the fabric around her, realizing there was no anomaly near her shoulder. Guess the Baron was getting a little too bored with me. Or he needs a break from too much violence.

Whelp, he knows where to find me, she thought, taking a few steps back as she watched the insignia on the knight’s dented chest light up with golden energy. Lines of light flowed into and through the knight’s battered form, his mangled arm twisting before it was set straight, cracks resounding as his skull reformed. Metal groaned as his helmet bent back into shape.

“Hey, so that’s how my opponents feel all the time,” Ilea said, letting the knight recover. It didn’t take particularly long, but compared to her own healing, it wasn’t quite the same. Suppose if the knights of Rhyvor could’ve done that, I wouldn’t have been able to kill them at all.

She watched the golden insignia, the flowing shapes. Something was there. Magic far beyond anything she felt from the knight himself. Her eyes burned and her mind reeled but she kept her focus, felt the magic. “Who are you?” she sent, trying to form a connection with the strange energy she felt.

And then it was gone. Leaving her with a mostly recovered knight and the strange sensation. Not very unlike the light I saw recently. She wondered if there was a being nearby that kept these knights alive, or if it was something less graspable, hiding in the fabric, the void, or maybe some other place she hadn’t even heard of. Maybe I just saw the power of a god?

Ilea was woken from her thoughts when the knight once again slammed his fist into her face.

Right.

Blue runes lit up as arcane power rushed through her. Ilea’s hand rushed forward and impacted the knight’s chest plate, white flame extending on her mantle as her fingers punched through the steel. The warrior’s fists struck her head with no impact. Ilea closed her hand, and ripped out the insignia with a snapping sound. She looked at the symbol and stored it in her necklace, turning to the knight she had expected to crumble.

Instead he raised his arm, greataxe appearing within.

She took in a sharp breath, slapping aside the strike, the steel embedded in the stone wall with a thunderous impact.

“Rest now,” she said, her voice calm as she raised her hand. Ash formed around the knight, burning with white flame. She willed it, and what remained of the warrior was crushed and burned away in instants, the ash joining her own as her blue runes and fires dimmed, returning the ancient tunnel to near absolute darkness.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of Marahn – lvl 820]’

No Classes or skills leveled from the short battle.

Ilea summoned the piece of metal she still had, her ash spreading through the tunnel. Something about the light she had seen. A wish? Purpose and desperation. A strange connection she couldn’t quite place, but after having met the Fae, the Meadow, Icy, and plenty of other strange beings, she wasn’t particularly surprised.

There was no magic present in the symbol now. Just a piece of metal, but she thought she understood. At least in part.

Ilea closed her eyes, ash set alight in the entirety of the tunnel. “Go now, and find rest,” she spoke and saw the golden light. For just a split second as her fires consumed the remains all around.

She heard the noise from ahead and opened her eyes. The light on the symbol was gone. Instead she saw a dozen armored knights running her way, all within a single long tunnel, just broad enough for two of them to run side by side.

More appeared farther back, teleporting to the noise or the fire, she didn’t know. Some wielded large swords, others shields and swords, some sickles, and others yet war hammers or maces. They moved quickly, unable to teleport once they reached the range of her Reality Warp.

Ilea couldn’t teleport either if she kept the spell up, but right now she more than welcomed it. Holding out her arm, she summoned Silent Memory, the divine artifact thrummed with magic, silver threads moving around her arm as if in greeting. A golden shield appeared above her left hand. “We’ve got company,” she said to the hammer, a smile on her face before she charged.

She ducked below the first sword strike, her hammer coming up with a heavy swing, the impact bending the knight’s head to the side. Silver threads rushed out and cut into the next one, more golden shields deflecting or outright stopping the spears thrown at her. She gripped the hammer with both hands and took a step forward, slamming it down onto a staggered knight, bone and blood magic rushing through the man in a pulse.

Ilea let go of the hammer to catch the tip of a spear, pushing it aside before she punched the knight, his attempts to deflect her only working for the first three attacks. Her fist slammed into his chest, Archon Strike sending a pulse of destructive healing into whatever creature the once knight had become. She saw a glance of the same symbol on his chest piece. Ilea just smiled and moved on, her hammer rampaging behind her as she stepped forward, dodging and deflecting a hammer and sword, heavy impacts resounding with every punch she delivered. Metal dented and weapons shattered, she stood and pushed back, the momentum of the soon two dozen knights slowing, then stopping entirely.

She could see the injured knights behind her struggling to fight her hammer, the silver threads holding them back, cutting into the vulnerable slits of their visors and any gaps it could find within their armor. Bone and blood magic lit up within her dominion as she blocked a set of spears that stabbed forward from behind the knights she faced.

They stepped aside to try and surround her in the small space of the tunnel, unsheathing daggers to get closer.

“You want a fight?” she said, turning her head just in time to let a dagger scrape against her ash instead of her eyes.

Her runes it up once more. Her body burnt with arcane power. Her muscles tensed, and her breathing slowed. “Then let’s have a fight.”

Ilea rammed her elbow into the knight to her right, a pulse of arcane magic downright exploding into its form, the wall behind it cracked, the knight himself falling with its entire back ripped open. She turned and slammed her fist against the dagger coming for her face. Steel shattered against ash. Archon Strike and Tempered Seal released when her fist reached the knight’s hand, metal, bone, and flesh burnt and shred to nothing as he was spun to the side, his arm gone entirely. A golden shield appeared to her right as more knights pushed forward, Ilea slamming her fingers into and through the metal visor of her injured enemy before she ripped off its head and a part of its spine with a single pull.

Ah, I like this.

She smiled as the arcane energies wracked her every cell, pushed each and every one to the very brink of their limit. The golden shield came down. And Ilea charged. Every punch was deliberate. Slow. And methodical. She dodged the enemy strikes or used the Azarinth Star to deflect them. Archon Strike dented in chest plates, Tempered Seal leaving behind searing embers, the first explosions resounding behind her as she moved deliberately through the approaching plate armored warriors.

Fifteen were ripped apart when her punch broke the neck of the next. Her health was reaching sixty percent, the hammer behind her still engaged with the first few knights, some of those she had destroyed now shining with golden light, their grievous wounds knotted back together.

Ilea raised her hand and activated Embered Heart. Heat and arcane energies flowed together at the palm of her hand, her spell coalescing as the tunnel brightened. A torrent of light and fire followed, the chaotic beam burning through steel, flesh, and bone alike, the first few knights left with missing limbs and chunks of their bodies gone entirely, those farther back where the cone expanded were reduced to glowing cinders, their bodies mere shields for those still farther back.

She jumped back and held out her hand, a frayed feeling of pain and weakness spreading through her body when the effects of the Fourth tier waned. The Silent Memory let go of the knights and moved with erratic pulls and pushes of silver thread through the dark tunnel, the handle slamming into her palm, ruby glowing with ominous light.

“A little smaller this time, we don’t have a lot of space,” she said with a wide smile on her face.

Chapter 841 Will

Chapter 841 Will

Ilea felt the blood and bone magic take hold as the first enemy weapons reached her ash. She grit her teeth, feeling her canines extending. The shift was less extreme this time, her muscles tensing as pulses of powerful blood magic expanded through her.

“Not quite as good as my new toy, but you’re not bad either,” she sent with a smile. Silver threads rushed out as she slammed her claws into the first of the knights. They extended and punched through his back before she cut upwards, slowly grinding through the metal plating before she came away with a chunk of his skull. She grabbed the damaged knight and threw him forward, crouching down to avoid a strike before she body slammed another enemy. Bones cracked and metal thrummed, the walls shaking from the impact. She raised her hands and slapped them together, the head between exploding in a splatter of gore, much of it absorbed by the threads and spells of her divine artifact, now melded against her arm, the hammer head resting atop her shoulder.

The Baron will take issue with that, she thought and threw the corpse into the next enemy, catching and incoming sword before she shattered it with her magically enhanced strength. Several spears punched into her stomach, forcing her back slightly. More weapons glanced off on her mantle, the knights now all around her, the melee growing extensively chaotic as she jumped up to the ceiling, pounced down onto one of her enemies before her claws and tail of silver threads shred through armor and flesh below.

She came out on the other side when her hammer started to recede, the silver threads hanging on to her arm as the weapon flowed back into its usual form. The glowing red light had dimmed considerably.

“A little more formidable than what we faced last time, despite their level,” she sent and jumped back to avoid a slash. Her injuries healed, her ash recovering, she glanced at her weapon. “That was fun. But you should take a break now.”

The hammer vanished into her domain, Ilea watching the corridor of ripped apart and burnt knights. Golden light shined from more than a dozen, injuries healed by the strange power imbued into their insignia.

Enough playing around, she thought, the switch in her mind returning once more. This time her ash was set alight, burning with the white flame of creation. Two dozen limbs of black ash formed on her back, two wings spreading in the tunnel. She activated her fourth tier.

And rushed forward, a smile on her face as all of her spells were imbued with arcane energies. Every punch sent waves of magic slamming against steel and flesh, more yet intruding the very frameworks she could see within her extensive dominion. Ash and fire spread, faster and more destructive than she had ever felt it move before. Metal plating was punched through like paper, heads and limbs ripped off by the sheer force of her momentum. Embered Heart released in a sphere around her, blasting away ten knights and the very stone of the cavern. The ash flowed onward, like a torrent of burning fires, stealing health to heal her arcane form.

Ilea didn’t stop, mowing through the onslaught of knights with a flurry of fire, ash, and arcane energies. She laughed, spinning in the air as her wings sped her up. She felt unstoppable. She was unstoppable. Ilea once more reached the point in the tunnel where she had started off, impacting the last knight with twenty ashen limbs and a punch of Archon Strike to his chest. She slowed and turned in the air as bits and pieces of liquid glowing metal splattered to the ground. Little remained of the knights she hit directly, her wings bringing her back to the ground as the arcane power left her form.

Ilea took in a shuddering breath, her health sitting at just about half, returning to full in mere moments thanks to her returned third tier healing. She smelled burnt blood, hair, metal, and bone, watching the glowing hallway, white flames still flickering on the walls. Golden light emanated from two pieces of armor, humanoid forms shaped back into existence by the powerful magic, metal and weapons reforming as the knights once more prepared to fight.

I missed two, she thought and walked towards the first, the knight already charging.

Ilea blocked his sword with her ashen limbs, punching three times to damage the fully recovered knight with her intrusion magic. She pushed her destructive healing into him. Aiming her Embered Heart, she focused the little heat she had gathered and burnt away the center of the chest piece, the glowing heat burning deeper still. Her limbs had cut into his head by then, her flames consuming what was left.

The last of the knights she took down with her ash alone, a torrent of fire engulfing the advancing humanoid, burning away everything below his armor, the metal glowing when the knight fell to his knees.

Ilea focused on three of her limbs and cut into the chest piece of the warrior, ripping out the one remaining symbol in the bunch. Storing it away, she waited for the last notification to pop up.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of Marahn – lvl 848]’

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of Marahn – lvl 782]’

…

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Knight of Marahn – lvl 902]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 775 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 770 – Five stat points awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 769 – One stat point awarded’

Even got one level each for that. Cool.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 19’

Probably worth getting that to the third tier. Ilea pulled up the general skill third tier possibilities to check if her Ashen Limbs skill was even listed.

‘General skills available for third tier advancement:’

- Ashen Limbs

You have integrated ashen limbs into your fighting style long before even receiving this skill. It is no surprise that you have pushed it to the very limits of the second tier. More awaits, if you are willing.

Sure, three points to spend. Any little bit helps.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 3rd lvl 1’

Ashen Limbs 3rd lvl 1

You have mastered the ability to fight with limbs made entirely of ash. Required manipulation is reduced by 29.1%.

2nd stage: Increases the speed at which you can form ashen limbs by a static 25%.

3rd stage: Increases the Harmony of your ashen limbs by a static 25%. Imbue at total of one limb per level in the third tier with up to 500 mana to increase its durability and potential sharpness. Effect is lost upon destruction or removal of imbued limbs.

Ilea felt the change instantly. The control she had over her limbs felt sharpened in a strange sense. As if she was more conscious of their movements. Imbuing was downright instantaneous. Scraping against the stone walls with her limbs, she found the difference noticeable but not extensive.

A nice addition to my collection, she thought whilst cutting up the walls with her limbs.

Ilea stopped the movement and proceeded to burn away the remains of the knights, once more summoning the last symbol she had cut out.

The piece thrummed for a short moment, golden light flaring up when the last remnants of the knights were burnt away.

She looked into the light, tried to see with all her layers of perception.

“Godslayer…” The voice resounded in her mind. Echoing in a strange pattern, both close and far away.

Ilea felt shivers run down her neck but she ignored the feeling, familiar with feeling the presence of powerful beings. Instead she tried to gauge the magic, the capabilities, what the being was, and where it was located.

“What purpose hast brought thine coming?” the voice asked, echoing once more. As if hundreds of voices spoke at the same time. A harmony.

Ilea could see the magic move, as if specks in the air all around her. They gathered, as if pieces of a whole, coalescing close to the symbol and finally imbuing it. The glow was just a physical side effect. She could feel more specks float towards what she assumed to be a focus, though she couldn’t quite place the type of magic.

“I’m hunting monsters,” she sent back, deciding on the simplest answer. At least there was some type of being that wanted to communicate, though she knew it at least had to do with the knights getting resurrected. If they had come here to fight the void creatures as she assumed, Ilea was willing to lend a hand.

She watched the strange magic gather once again. The energy felt calm in a way, gentle.

“A creature most foul resides in the depths of this dungeon. Valiant knights you have slain, remaining to fulfill their sacred oath. Willst thou join their cause?”

“I don’t know what creature it is. I’ll have to see it first to decide, but if it’s a monster, I’ll likely take it on,” Ilea sent back.

“If thou willst it, I shall guide thine path,” the voices spoke, a chorus within her mind.

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind a guide,” Ilea answered, looking at the golden light engraved into the steel. “So, how does it work? You just tell me to go left or right? Or a golden arrow of light?”

Instead she felt a pulse of magic. Telepathy, but what was sent weren’t words but knowledge. She felt as if she knew to go back the way she came, then the tunnel to the right, and down.

“Neat. So who are you?” Ilea asked as she walked towards the indicated location. She didn’t expect a trap, but would certainly welcome one.

“I am not, and yet remain,” the voices spoke.

Ilea turned the corner and found the tunnel she knew to be there. She walked a few steps and looked down. “Here specifically, in this dungeon, or in general? I mean if you remain, why do you say that you are not? You obviously exist, in some manner.”

“Remnants of will. A reflection of what hast once been,” the voices spoke.

Ilea jumped down and landed with spreading wings. The fall was at least thirty meters, perhaps higher. More corpses littered the grounds here, the void spheres all around. She looked down at the insignia. “What’s it like being a reflection?”

“Fading. Remaining by the wishes of old. Souls long gone. Anguish and sorrow, persevered through hope and believe. The will ist all that remainst.”

Ilea hadn’t really expected an answer. She walked through another tunnel and turned right. “Sounds pretty exhausting. Do you have a name?”

“I… not here. No longer. These lands have forgotten.”

“You don’t know it anymore either?” Ilea asked.

“I do not,” the voices spoke.

Interesting. And still it remains here. For its will? Or for someone else’s will.

She came into an expansive cavern, her eyes scanning the dark. She found pillars of stone rising fifty meters high, connecting ground to ceiling, interspersed within a knee high lake of murky water. More dripped down from above and onto the hundreds of faded corpses, knights, skeletons, and monsters of the void. Ilea didn’t miss the more recent signs of battle, and the void spheres left behind by explosions she was more than familiar with.

“Did I come to the right place?” Ilea sent, but she found the connection gone. Suppose I did, she thought, spreading her wings to avoid the corpse littered waters. Piles of bones and ancient leathery skin mingled with rusted weaponry and armor. A constant drip of water sent tiny ripples over the otherwise undisturbed surface of the lake.

It spanned several hundred meters, dozens of pillars spread out in between. Ilea squinted her eyes to see the doorway made of steel, at the far side of the lake. That’s the entrance. No wonder there were void creatures here. Probably summoned by whatever Ascended built this thing.

She moved her wings, slowly making her way towards the distant doorway. The number of dead creatures was staggering. Thousands. An ancient battlefield. The last stand perhaps, of the knights of Marahn. The ones that were sent here at the very least.

Ilea felt a pulse.

Magic coming from ahead. Potent and of a familiar kind. She watched the still waters and saw something flow out of it. A round shape, a sphere, its surface made of seeping flesh, writhing like a living brain. Its removal from the lake did not cause a disturbance.

The sphere around one meter in diameter floated upwards in the dark cavern, two wings of purplish red each over ten meters long sprouted from the living flesh. They moved with a serene pattern. Magic glowed from the creature, coalescing.

Ilea could damn near taste the mana. Void of course, as Aki had warned. And she wasn’t disappointed. This thing was powerful, whatever it was. Enough to challenge and halt the Knights of Marahn.

Enough perhaps, to pose a challenge to a traveling godslayer.

Her own wings moved a little faster, though hers were nowhere near as large. The dark red illumination was not enough to truly show the floating shape, but with her eyes she could see it well enough.

Ilea felt the attack coming. Near as fast as some light magic spells. Her shield formed and was shattered a split second later, most of the powerful purplish beam burning into her mantle instead.

Her void magic resistance was at the peak of the third tier, and still she felt the impact. Three of her layers were gone in an instant. Another beam followed.

This time she teleported, right before it struck.

The sphere seemed to move with her, but the beam wasn’t as fast as Ilea’s movement through the fabric. Though it was close.

Four more spells followed, the fifth one struck home again.

Ilea tried to teleport longer distances instead, watching the stationary sphere as she healed the damage done to her ash. Mere moments passed as a few dozen beams came and went, her mantle reduced and recovering, her skin burnt away and healed. She found her flesh resisted the magic a little better than her ash, but the output of the creature was still rather insane. She wondered if it had been specifically summoned, or if it had simply been the last of the void creatures down here to survive. The one to stop the knights.

She got more used to the rhythm as the seconds passed, her resilience against the creature’s magic slowly growing. Forming a set of ashen spears with her third tier of the skill, she sent three of them towards the creature.

Ilea watched it move its wings, the creature folding into itself before it appeared a few dozen meters to the right, opening its wings as it appeared. She didn’t miss it. There had been no teleportation. The creature left the fabric, and returned in a different place.

Well that’s annoying, Ilea thought and sent out a few more spears, the being vaporizing them with another set of beams. It’s stupid enough to be distracted by a few projectiles though, she thought, teleporting a few times to avoid the next attacks. That’s an interesting ability though. I wonder where it goes. If not the fabric. Could I latch on? Would I want to latch on? My anchors are here, but what if the fabric isn’t connected at all, wherever this creature goes?

She decided not to test it, though she assumed the answer was nowhere. Similar to what she had experienced from the Void Lord’s spell. I suppose my third tier resistance will protect me either way. I can’t be ripped out of space itself after all.

Ilea summoned her wyrm focus cannon and teleported past the beams, sending out a few more spears before she aimed. Teleporting two meters to the right, she used her spell, a beam of near white fire flashing up, striking the ball where it writhed, a pulse going out and removing the white flame from existence.

“Have you decided godslayer?” The chorus of voices returned to her head, though she couldn’t see the insignia anywhere.

Ilea dodged a few more beams when the creature paused for but a moment. Even a monster in the two thousands couldn’t cast spells without breaks it seemed. Minuscule ones, but breaks nonetheless.

“If that ball is the creature, I’m already fighting it,” Ilea sent.

She teleported once again when she felt dozens of magical sources flare up all around her. She thought it a spell from the monster, but quickly saw the specks of golden light all around the lake, more coming from near the entrance.

The voices now resounded not within her mind but from all around, echoing through the caverns as the sphere started firing beams of void magic into the waters.

“An oath you have sworn. An oath to stand against all those who would defile our lands. I call you now to fulfill that oath. Stand for Marahn. Stand for Lavien. Let her golden light burn within your hearts. I bid you stand!”

A pulse flashed out and the golden lights dimmed once more. In their stead rose battered knights, their weapons overgrown, their armors worn and decrepit. And yet they stood, and then they charged, running through the knee high waters with their ancient weapons held high. No voices resounded, no charge was announced. A forgotten field of battle, once more alive with undying will.

Ilea smiled, watching dozens of knights rush at the creature, teleporting to avoid the beams. Ten had fallen already, most before they had even fully risen.

It’s a bit of change. But why not. Let’s fuck up that ball of flesh. For Marahn, I guess.

Chapter 842 Fire

Chapter 842 Fire

Ilea charged her heat as she watched the sphere of moving flesh. Its beams shot out in quick succession but the knights were many, and those it had taken down first were already rising again. Some of them at least.

A spherical pulse of void magic rushed out to remove the three knights who had closed the distance, golden light flaring up to protect them somewhat. Still they were thrown back, much of their bodies gone in an instant. Two more teleported close and the sphere moved its wings, vanishing from the fabric and appearing a few dozen meters back, beams shot out again.

So it either can’t or won’t use its area spell constantly. Good to know, Ilea thought and aimed, sending out the swaths of ash she had summoned in the meantime. Her spell flowed into the wyrm eye and shot out, met this time by a void magic beam in return. The two energies fought each other for a split second before Ilea’s magic vanished, the void weakened considerably before it dissipated ten meters in front of her.

Beam battles, how original, she thought with a smile, teleporting to avoid the next attack. A moment later the monster was focused on the knights again, their numbers still increasing.

Ilea moved her ash and set it alight, trying to catch the sphere with her mists and provoking a few relocations in turn. She started to see the issues Aki was having with the knights. More and more grouped up on the sphere, their teleports fast and their attacks powerful. The first hits started to connect, though the retaliation was swift and destructive.

But this time, you have me, Ilea thought with a grin. She had seen some of the monster’s abilities, but she wasn’t exactly the watch a fight from a distance type. The risks were exactly why she was here. Teleporting close, she was met with a beam straight to her chest. Her armor was vaporized, some of her skin gone as well. Her fist rushed out just as a slew of weapons moved in to strike the creature.

[Barren Sea – lvl ????] - [Void]

She managed to identify the monster just before it stepped away. Ilea noted that even if she wanted to follow it’s teleport, she couldn’t. There was nothing to connect to. For the split second when the creature moved between its previous location to its destination, it may as well have not existed. At least to her senses. Ilea formed a large golden shield to somewhat protect the knights swinging their weapons through empty air. The beam was broader this time but less powerful, the Azarinth Star taking much of the force before the knights were hit.

They’re allies. Might as well treat them as such, Ilea thought, using her reconstruction to heal the damage done to them. Compared to the golden light, she could not resurrect the knights, nor could she repair their armor, but she could keep them fighting for longer.

Shit, I’m not fighting this monster alone. She summoned another shield and flew closer to the void creature. Kind of annoying with it being just above two thousand, but then again, I guess it kind of feels right, she thought, charging with now near a hundred knights of old, beams of void magic impacting the teleporting group, Ilea helping some of them with her Fabric Tear when they could not use their own.

She sent spears of burning ash at the sphere and rushed in, pushing through the expanding sphere of void before her ashen limbs struck into nothing but thin air. Her barrier shattered, her attempt to dodge not quite fast enough in turn. This time only two of her ashen layers were destroyed. Slowly getting there.

She realized the knights had spread out in the extensive underground cavern lake. Small groups had formed to react wherever the ball of flesh appeared. It seemed they weren’t pursuing it directly anymore, leaving that instead to Ilea.

Smart.

She wouldn’t waste their efforts. Anything that challenged the territory control of the monster was a win in her book. Charging her wings, she aimed and shot off into the distance. Again, it reacted just in time. Ilea stopped and charged again, her barriers shattering as she prepared to strike again. She summoned her hammer and threw it into the lake. “Only the flesh ball, the knights are on our side this time,” she sent, hoping it would understand.

A second beam came her way when she shot off, knights ambushing the void creature from below. She watched as it used its sphere ability, her skin and ash reforming just as she impacted its form with a heavy strike, destructive mana unleashed into it from several spells, the physical force of the impact sending ripples through the monster’s flesh, though it did not move from its position in the fabric. Ilea wondered if it could at all. She struck again but found the creature gone, appearing at the center of the lake, near where it had first appeared.

A pulse of magic emanated, rushing through the darkness.

Ilea felt a pull. Not quite from up or from below. Not from anywhere in the fabric itself, but from someplace different entirely. She could see the knights floating up, unable to move or teleport, their bodies trembling and floating towards the dark red wings. Another pulse moved past, coming from the creature called the Barren Sea. Her body lurched and trembled, bones and organs quivering. Ilea couldn’t look at the wings anymore, her brain rejecting what she saw. She grabbed on to the knights that she could see, pulling with every shred of power her space manipulation granted.

Another pulse came and she had to let go, activating the Primordial Shift in turn. The pressure lifted somewhat, her fires burning bright. The cavern she had only just seen was gone, replaced by nothingness beyond her flames. Her dominion could not detect any magic. There was no fabric or any matter beyond her own creation.

“Do not despair, brave knights. Let the flame of Lavien blaze within your hearts,” the chorus spoke, from nowhere and from everywhere.

Ilea could feel the magic of the golden light, but she could neither see it nor make out where it was. The nothingness ate away at her fires but she pushed harder, with everything she had. The Fourth Tier activated, the white flame flaring up within the void, life burning bright within the emptiness. She was no god, and did not think that hope alone or Lavien would keep her alive. No, she had her magic for that. Her own fire, her own healing, her own resilience, that she built and trained, forged, and pushed to the very limits. The arcane flowed through her veins and through the very fabric she forced into existence.

A moment later, the cavern was back. Air was back. Magic was back. The fabric was back. She was returned. Many of the knights were not.

Golden light protected a few dozen, their bodies half dissolved, dropping down towards the water like falling stars.

She had not been removed into the void, but the void had been brought to her.

Not the most pleasant experience, Ilea thought as she charged forward with her arcane enhanced wings. She left a trail of flame and ash in her wake, teleporting to follow the disappearing monster. Arcane magic surged when her limbs lashed out, her fist impacting the unmoving creature from beyond, Embered Heart releasing in a sphere around her, white flame clinging to the deep red wings of void.

She would burn it away. She would bring it to the fabric, keep it here, and burn away everything it was or wasn’t. She was not a knight of old, a remnant of Marahn, nor was she a spirit or a goddess, clinging to an ancient will.

She was Lilith. Arcane Eternal. And she was here to hunt.

The creature left into the void and Ilea charged her wings. She saw the silver threads of her hammer, the divine artifact still there despite the monster’s spell. Knights started to rise when she shot off with a shock wave of heat and air. The monster sent one spell into her blue tinged golden shield before she struck it once again.

Ilea floated in the air, healing herself when the creature vanished in return. The arcane power was gone, leaving her with the now familiar frayed feeling. A beam of void magic impacted her quickly summoned shield, her teleports letting her avoid the next two strikes. Her ash healed, the impacts further lessened by her various abilities. She pressed forward, flew and dodged, sent spears and fire towards her enemy. Silver treads and teleporting knights ambushed from below, unable to reach the fast moving being but providing some distraction.

She slowed to a stop when she felt another pulse. Looking closely, Ilea could see dark blood seeping from the creature’s form, falling down into the murky lake below. The flesh pulsed and quivered. It was hurt.

She watched it, summoning her hammer before she stored it safely within her domain. Primordial shift flared to life when the second pulse flared out, the nothingness returning all around. Ilea felt her fourth tier returning and this time she pushed back. The arcane flared up within her.

Raising her arms, she pulled on her health and mana, fanning the empowered fires of creation, spreading them out and through the void, as far and wide as she could reach. If there was nothing to be set aflame, she would instead turn everything to fire. The arcane wracked her form within her own piece of the fabric. But she could see it now. Wisps returning to the void. Magic visible where nothing had been there before.

Cracks formed. In the very reality around her. A reality imposed by a monster of the void.

“I’m a monster too, you know? And I have fought ones like you before,” she spoke into nothingness, her fires spreading farther. “You will just be another one.”

Her fourth tier waned as she willed it, the reality around her crumbling, the fabric back and spreading. Wisps, light, and darkness returning, bringing form to all that was. White flame engulfed the very air.

Ilea took in a deep breath, her body regenerating from the heavy strain. She smiled, taking in continued breaths as she watched the red wings clad in fire, the writhing sphere of void at their center. Magic flared up and out, beams striking the ground in its attempts to rid itself of fire.

The creature succeeded just as Ilea aimed and sent a beam of heat and fire straight into its center.

It sputtered, a flare of void flashing out, failing to extinguish the flames that stuck to it.

Ilea stored her cannon and flew closer, sacrificing swaths of health as she summoned ash around her, the fires flaring up with added fuel. She stopped above the writhing mass of monstrous flesh, activating her third tier Spear of Ash. Her arm was raised as she watched the ash thrumming into existence, a spear as thick as the head of her hammer, six meters long, and as she willed, flaring up with fire.

She didn’t wait or consider, didn’t talk, or gloat. She simply sent the weapon down, before her prey could once more recover.

A heavy impact resounded when the spear struck home, the fires spreading as the sharpened ash dug deep, a whining sound echoing through the caverns as Ilea pushed the weapon down with all the harmony that she could muster. She charged her space manipulation and sent out the final push. Skewered flesh was ripped out of the air, finally moved from its static position, down and into the shallow lake. A dull impact, that sent waves through the still waters, the ash digging deep into the stone, the flesh unmoving, skewered and half submerged within the lake.

The two burning dark red wings slowly lost their color, faltering and fading as they slowly floated down.

A ding resounded in her mind, followed by a few more, Ilea watching from above as the three remaining knights approached the corpse.

A rapier, a lance, and axe, all bit into the dead flesh one last time, the knights sinking to their knees, their hands around the handles of their weapons, their oath fulfilled.

And so they remained, unmoving, the mana fading from their forms.

“Godslayer,” the voices sounded out once more, as if fading. “I thank thee. This ancient evil has been felled at last.”

Ilea raised her brows, still flying in the air. She crossed her arms and watched the scene. Yeah, but now it looks like they killed it. I mean it’s impressive that three of them survived at all, but come on, they were hardly even a distraction! She rolled her eyes and sighed, accepting that the whole knights fulfilling their ancient task thing was kind of cool. Not quite as tragic as the fate of those in Tremor.

‘ding’ ‘You have helped the Knights of Marahn fulfill their sacred oath – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have conversed with the remnants of Lavien of Marahn, and earned her respect – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the World of Nothing spell – One Core skill point awarded’

Suppose all that jazz wasn’t entirely useless.

‘ding’ ‘You have killed [Barren Sea – lvl 2032]’

Oh? No split with the others? Was their contribution so low or did they just not count as allies? Or because they died in the end? Or faded? She floated down a little and checked the beings with her healing. All of them were gone, but from what she could see, they had been gone for a very long time. I guess you can’t split experience with the remnants of a will. All the better.

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 776 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 777 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 786 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 771 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 772 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 781 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 770 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 771 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 780 – One stat point awarded – One Core skill point awarded’

Seventy three already. I’ll have to start thinking about that fourth tier general skill sooner than I thought.

She put all her new stat points into Vitality, if only to increase the time she could use her Fourth tier Reconstruction.

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 26’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 19’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 5’

Just four skill levels. That’s the issue when you’re too awesome already. Everything’s maxed out. She smiled to herself, floating close to the three dead knights and the remains of the void monster.

Should I burn it all? It looks kind of poetic. Almost like a statue. The smell didn’t quite speak for that interpretation but she didn’t think that fact would be an issue to anyone who would travel all this way.

Definitely worth coming here, for the levels alone. Ilea considered already reporting to Aki, but she didn’t want to bother the machine before she had actually found something worth mentioning. The massive steel doorway remained open, leading into the presumed Ascended facility.

I wonder when I get to fight one of them again.

She made a fist and opened it again, looking at her palm before she focused back on the large metal doorway. Her wings started moving. I’d like to see the Architect defend himself against my Fourth tier. Ilea enjoyed the thought, though even more, she wanted to get stronger. One ace up her sleeve could mean the difference, but she didn’t just want a difference, she wanted a landslide.

Chapter 843 Wind of Aveer

Chapter 843 Wind of Aveer

Ilea landed beyond the murky underground lake previously protected by the high level void creature. A smooth platform of steel touched the water, a triangular metal archway reaching up and above, nearly four meters high. It was open, the hallway beyond dark and empty.

She looked up and checked the present magic. Why do they always built this large? They’re tall, but two and a half meters are more than enough.

There were faded runes etched within the metal, no magic remaining within.

So let’s see what’s lurking in this one.

Ilea flew slowly, watching the runes in case they suddenly lit back up with power. She had less than a basic understanding of enchantments, even less when it came to traps that involved them. So far her approach of surviving any fire, spikes, moving walls, and trapped monsters had worked rather well, made her stronger even, more resilient. The Architect was the first in a long while who had managed to prepare a trap capable of killing her.

I wonder how well I’d do against that blast now. Slowed down, with my higher level barrier and Fourth tier.

Nothing sprung as she flew through the corridor, finding a thick steel wall at the end of it. Ilea once more could not spot any enchantments and decided to teleport through, into the open space she could see about five meters beyond.

What she found was a dark hall, extensive both in width and height. Metal beams reached across from one end to the other, large contraptions made of various bits of now rusted metals, broken glass, and dead runes littered the grounds, some reaching far up towards the ceiling, connected with extensive tubes and walkways to the walls or other machines. Everything lay dead, half overgrown with moss, water dripping from a dozen points in the ceiling. Puddles had formed, one large enough to be a pond.

Ilea could hear and see a few dozen creatures skittering to get away. Insects and monsters that liked the dark. Four legged beings with glowing blue eyes and three tails, rushing to get away from the powerful intruder. Her.

She failed to identify the creatures, but her perception of magic and her experience was enough to know that they were no match for her. Not in any capacity. But then most weren’t. Not anymore.

Well, I sure as hell won’t search through this entire half flooded thing in the hopes of finding anything useful, she thought, flying through the facility with her eyes open. Anything obvious she could report, but the rest she would leave to Aki. What she wanted to do was spring traps, and attract the attention of Ascended or other creatures that remained.

At least the facility isn’t untouched. And these creatures here either came to be within it, or they found a way inside that didn’t lead past that flesh ball.

Few of the doorways remained intact, others leading down into flooded stairwells. No creature chose to face her as she flew past, inspecting what she could. The runes she didn’t know. The purpose once inherit to the decrepit machines was lost to her. Was it just a testing facility? Was it one of the places required for the Extraction? Or something else entirely?

Could be an oversized soft ice maker for all that I know. The implication of such a consideration in regards to the Knights of Marahn was rather dark. Funny too, but dark as well. They probably just died to a distraction, for the actual plan of the Ascended.

And now we search and fight because of something seen by divination magic of all things.

“Maybe Ker Velor just wants his soft ice back,” she murmured, stopping before a massive steel doorway that lay partially open. A cool wind flowed into the hall from beyond. Ilea felt her hairs stand up slightly. Not because of her instincts, she found, but something near as familiar.

Lightning.

She moved through the opening and flew through another hallway, this one barely remaining with stone and steel alike breaking in through walls and ceiling. Cracks led out and away, far too small for Ilea to move through. The water would’ve reached her knees if she had been walking.

Ilea squinted her eyes when her dominion picked something up. Lightning, moving through the water before it dissipated. For just a moment. Again, a few seconds later.

She couldn’t determine the source, but she knew it was coming from ahead. Not arcane lightning either, she thought, having considered the northern landscape.

Ilea teleported past a set of boulders blocking the way, coming out on the other side. Another expansive hall spread out, this one not as littered with machines. Instead there was more vegetation. Trees lush with blue and pink leaves, roots breaking through the stone and steel on the ground, chunks of rock having fallen from the ceiling, now laying broken within or on top of the ancient metal. Light shone in from a few large cracks in the ceiling. The air was fresh compared to the putrid smell of the caverns before.

The dull sound of thunder rolled through the halls, the stone and metal shaking ever so slightly.

Ilea felt it better now. The magic all present. As if the air itself was infused with lightning. She didn’t much care for the facility around her, most of it surely lost to time and nature. What she wanted to see was the source of this lightning. It felt familiar.

A single broken steel doorway led out of the hall, light coming in from beyond. Ilea flew closer and landed. Whatever hallway or room had been beyond the door was long gone. Instead she found ripped steel and a drop of over ten meters, down into a valley.

Mountains rose on each side, snow covered at their peaks. Ilea saw a broken steel dome sat at the center of the valley, several hundred meters away. The runes she saw through the broken side reminded her of the dome she had seen in the Descent. Where the mana had been collected.

So this place was a part of the mesh, that or this piece was brought here somehow.

There was no arcane lightning in the area but as Ilea scanned the mountains above, she paused on the dark clouds moving in a serene circular pattern straight above. She wasn’t sure how high up she was by now, but if these were the same mountains she had seen upon her arrival in the area with Aki, then the arcane storms did not reach this altitude. Neither had she ever seen them move in such a pattern.

The sky lit up for a split second when a bolt of blue and purple lightning struck a mountainside to the east. The crack and impact echoed through the valley, snow rose up and splintered stone was sent rolling down the steep slope near a kilometer away.

The thunder followed.

Certainly ominous, Ilea thought and flew out into the open.

She wasn’t particularly surprised when she felt the air change and the spell coming. She took in a deep breath and teleported, the very air seared where the lightning had struck. Stone cracked where she had just been, metal glowing in a bright red color. She felt lightning flow over her mantle, even at the distance she was at by now.

Something stirred in the clouds above.

Her golden shield formed as she willed it, and lightning struck down. A single strike shattered her defense, the second one burning through the walls of ash she had quickly raised, the remaining energies flowing into and through her mantle. The third strike impacted her directly. Ilea clamped down her jaws, her muscles tensing as her healing pushed against the slow moving lightning. She gasped, seeing her skin, veins, and organs burning up at the sheer raw power. Raising her arm, she redirected what she could back out and up towards the clouds. A bolt of white blue lightning spread up and out, branches forming as she released everything that remained.

Smoke rose from her arm, her muscles burnt and healing.

I suppose this is what it feels like to be struck by lightning, Ilea thought with a wide smile, her burst left eye healing once more as she watched the stirring clouds. “Show yourself,” she sent, a single whistle rolling through the valley alongside the roaring thunder.

Her smile grew wider when she saw something move within the dark clouds.

Two wings of lightning spread out before they were shrouded once again, a flurry of powerful winds roaring down into the valley. Ilea strained her own wings to push against the pressure, her third tier resistance the only thing that kept her from being swept away. Rocks impacted the ground and her mantle, followed by a rain of pebbles.

She caught a glimpse of two bright blue eyes as arcs of lightning surged throughout the clouds above. Rain started to fall and the winds picked up. She watched as the clouds flowed down and expanded, the sky darkening above the mountains and within the valley.

The form of a humanoid flowed within the mists, itself made of dark fog, wisps following its trail as it moved down into the vale. It reached at least five times Ilea’s height, the blue eyes set within its wisp like head looking her way, the organs themselves the only well defined feature of the being.

“Nice to meet you!” Ilea sent, waving at the creature as the winds and rain moved around her, whipping at her wings and mantle. The loud noise drowning out any attempt for her to communicate with her actual voice.

[Storm Elemental – lvl ????]

That’s a new one. Not young either, and damn near as powerful as the Meadow. Let’s see how this goes. Ilea hoped that a being of storm had no access to space magic, and thus a way to keep her here.

It watched her as the winds and rains turned into a torrent. “I greet thee, human and Godslayer, wielder of ash.” Its voice resounded in her mind, deep and deliberate. Each word spoken with confidence. It seemed neither interested nor bored, but respectful.

Ilea bowed her head slightly. “And I greet you, Elemental of the winds, the rains, and lightning. I have not met one of your kind before.”

“Few have. Few of us are home to these lands, young Godslayer. You are brave, to come here, and to challenge me. But I shall face thee, as I have faced others. Prepare yourself,” the being spoke as the winds picked up. It raised its arms, blue light flaring up within the roiling clouds, loud cracks resounding.

“I’m ready to fight, but do we have to? I tend to not battle those capable of speech,” Ilea spoke as ash formed around her, white flame coming to life.

“Hast thou not slain the creature of void? Hast thou not slain gods to stand here now, before me?” the Elemental asked, slight confusion apparent.

“I have, but it left me no choice, nor did the others,” Ilea spoke.

Lightning surged above as the Elemental raised its arm. “Then neither shall I. Brace yourself, Faen healer.”

Ilea summoned her shields when the magic above coalesced, dozens of bright zigzagging bolts of lightning slamming down into the earth within an instant. The very air cooked as her barriers were shattered, her ash punched through as the stone nearby was splintered and burnt. Lightning coursed through her, released from her arm once again as more magic formed above.

She teleported this time, healing the heavy damage done to her internals, her mantle unable to keep all the magic at bay, her barriers nothing in the face of this godlike elemental being. “I still don’t get wh-” She teleported again, the lightning spreading out this time, impacting the ground within the valley as the winds turned into a whirling torrent strong enough to pull her with it, small blades of air scraping past her mantle. She raised her arms when a bolt impacted her appearing golden shields, shattering the magic and slamming her downwards, her form spinning in the air before she impacted with a flying chunk of stone, the boulder exploding in a shower of bits and pieces once more picked up by the winds.

Ilea kept her focus, healing the damage as she released the remnants of lightning, teleporting to avoid the continuous impacts all around. She saw the being follow her with its eyes, still floating at the center of the vale. “Why do we have to fight?” she asked, teleporting once again.

“Thou considers the morals and history of thine civilization, thine upbringing. Do not disrespect me with those foolish assumptions. Godslayer, thou hast come in search of challenge. And I have waited here, hoping for the same. Now let us fight, until nothing remains, but the now. As we have done since time immemorial,” the being spoke and the skies trembled.

Ilea’s eyes opened wide when she watched the clouds light up in bright blue, condensed energies beyond most she had ever seen nor felt.

The Elemental lowered its mist like arms and closed its eyes, and the world turned white.

Ilea’s perception slowed, the Primordial Shift activating at the same time as her Fourth tier came to life, barriers shattered by the maelstrom of flowing lightning that burned away everything in its path. Her fires flickered as her ash above was stripped away, her runes shimmering in bright blue light as her mana stood against the might of the Storm Elemental. It burned away despite her third tier resistance against lightning, her sentinel core, and her healing.

But then the spell waned, before she considered summoning a gate. Her Fourth tier left her body, the damage done by it healed as her mana regenerated further. The mountains had changed, a circular shape burned into everything but the Ascended mana collector at the center of the vale. Stone had vanished, the ground level lowered by several meters. Everything glowed with residual heat, flames flickering to life as the overwhelming spell faded. Sparks of lightning ebbed through the ground and air.

The Elemental hovered where it had been before, its eyes opening once more before its chest moved as if it took in a deep breath.

Ilea used every second to gain back mana, back to half but she knew her Fourth tier was essential in surviving that spell. She thought it a fourth tier ability, but there was no notification in her mind. Either she wouldn’t receive any core points anymore for surviving fourth tier abilities, or this was really just a normal spell.

She grinned at that, and understood the words shared by the Elemental. “I apologize,” she said as her ash burned bright with fire, the heat within her reaching the limits of what she could contain. Her wings pushed against the winds that once more started to pick up, rain sizzling against burning stone. “I have come in search of challenge. And now, I will meet yours.”

The Elemental did not reply with words, but with magic.

A wave of air as if a wall rushed towards her, stone shattering as the pressure moved past.

Ilea aimed for a nearby mountain side, now more a glowing cliff side, and teleported right before the air reached her, past the wall where she summoned her cannon and aimed. Lightning surged above when the mountain shook from the impact of the torrent. A beam of white fire and heat rushed out and struck a wall of wind, the fires spreading as the very air was set alight with the Flame of Creation.

Ilea saw the two blue eyes glimpse at her and where she had seen no emotion, now she thought that she saw joy. Golden barriers appeared when a set of lightning bolts flashed down towards her, black wings of ash pushing her through the cascade of magical bombardment and the pressure of the air, every shred of precognition and perception working in tandem to avoid the fast moving blasts. A set of three closed in and forced her to use a teleport, Ilea absorbing much of the surrounding mana. The very air was thick with it.

She flew towards the elemental, some of her fires still clinging to a reforming wall of air. Her fist rushed out, Archon Strike releasing in a wave of arcane power, the turquoise wave of fiery energies struck another wall as Reconstruction connected to the being, destructive healing pulsing into its form with every passing moment. Lightning came down upon her, forcing her back and away, but she kept the connection up, forming ash and adding what remained of the burning grounds to her arsenal.

“You bring honor to your kind, human,” the Elemental spoke into her mind.

Ilea smiled. The praise was unexpected, but she thought it genuine. “You’re not so bad yourself, Elemental.”

Its eyes pulsed slightly. “May I ask your name, before we bring this battle to conclusion?”

“Ilea Spears, and what is yours?”

“I recognize you, Godslayer Ilea Spears as my opponent, and I shall meet you, on this burning field of battle as the Wind of Aveer, that which rests atop the northern peaks,” the Elemental spoke, and the mountains trembled.

Ilea felt her instincts push her to flee, felt every hair on her body stand up as a flood of magic emanated from the being, her fires instantly pushed aside. She had questioned why the Elemental knew of the void creature and yet left it alone. Now she knew. There was no challenge in those caverns for this being now declaring her its enemy.

The Wind of Aveer understood. There were moral considerations and consequences to her continued growth in power. There were reasons why she had come here, explanations she would provide to those who did not understand.

An ancient Elemental, seeking battle, just like her. She was young still, and hopelessly outmatched against the magic that she felt. But Ilea wasn’t born an Elemental. She was not made an Ascended, nor was she elevated into the divine.

She was human, and she had fought and survived. Against wolves, Drakes, Guardians, and Wyverns. All of it to stand here, in this moment. To face the might of this Storm Elemental.

And to feel alive.

Ilea smiled as magic burned within her. She heard the skies crackle with the weight of magic.

And then she moved.

Chapter 844 Who we are

Chapter 844 Who we are

Ilea flew as fast as she could, towards the stationary form of the humanoid manifestation of lightning, wind, and storm. Burning spears appeared around her, shooting out and struck by lightning, sent astray by gusts of wind. Teleporting from a dozen blasts of blue, she summoned from the Azarinth Star a slew of golden shields, to protect her for just a moment.

Her hammer appeared in her hand before she threw the weapon, teleporting once again when a wall of air came from above, slamming down and shattering the earth. A beam of chaotic heat flared out as a silver threaded hammer was sent flying with sparks of lightning. The white flames struck an invisible wall, burning ash joining the assault against the insurmountable magic of her opponent.

The longer she fought, the higher her resilience would become. The best strategy would be to stall, to stay defensive, to let the creature think it was just as superior as it surely thought itself. But this was not a battle for survival. It had recognized her, had learned her name, and shared its own. They were two beings in this world, their battle happening within a nondescript valley far into the North. And yet it was everything.

She would not try and garner some strategic advantage, or get help to fight alongside her. This was her fight, and she would not hold back.

Blue runes lit up along her ash, the lightning striking down no longer stripping her of ash and burning through her flesh. Her body was pushed to the limit, all to match this monster before her. Ilea rushed forward, moving faster. She impacted the burning wall, her Archon Strike exploding against the magic before her, setting everything alight. A teleport brought her behind the being, burning ash and punches slamming into its defense. She didn’t stop, unable to put herself within the complex framework protecting the Wind of Aveer.

Once more her heat rushed out, air set alight as she withstood the torrents pushing against her flying form. A dozen lightning strikes came down, her runes glowing bright as she kept up her assault. More teleports followed, the being shrouded now, in a sphere of white flames. A pulse came, lightning rushing out from the creature at the center, Ilea sent flying through the air as she deactivated her fourth tier. Residual lightning traveled through her, released from her arm as she healed herself with her third tier Reconstruction.

She watched her fires push into the walls of air, the two eyes of the Elemental watching her from beyond.

Then she saw two broad wings of webbed blue lightning come into existence. They thrummed with magic, heat, and vibrant light. The Elemental flew up and then towards her, pushed by the very air around them, and brimming with lightning.

Ilea flew as fast as she could but the being was faster, catching up to her even when she made distance with her Fabric Tear. A blast of raw lightning came from its outstretched arm, shattering golden shields and ash, Ilea gasping when the energies flowed through her form. She raised her arm towards the being mere meters away from her, the lightning redirected back at it.

She felt her veins burst at the flowing energies, the Elemental slapping away the attempted redirection before it aimed at her again. It sent a gust of wind at the approaching Silent Memory, but the hammer vanished, appearing instead above, moved by Ilea’s Fabric Tear as she formed two gates. One in front of her and one next to the Elemental. Her mark in Iz was gone. She would not summon Aki to this battle.

Its next spell was sent through the fabric and back at itself, giving Ilea precious time to recover. She saw the silver threads struggle against the walls of air, lightning flowing in and through her adversary, with little to no impact. It reached up and sent the hammer flying with a blast of wind.

Ilea was gone, appearing as far away as she could, forming ash and heat, her wounds healed as she absorbed copious amounts of mana from the lightning spells and the potent magic all around.

The Elemental did not follow. Instead it looked her way. And time, slowed once again.

Ilea saw two walls of bright light within her dominion. One to her left, and one to her right. They reached far, both up and to each side. And they were already there, nearly touching her very form. She didn’t know if either of her teleports would move her far enough beyond the walls of air, and she certainly was not fast enough to go up, forward, or back in time to avoid them. Instead she summoned a gate right next to her, connected to where she had sent the Elemental’s spell just a moment prior. She wasn’t fast enough to actually move into the gate, but was pushed by the incoming wall. Her wings were severed and one of her legs was twisted as it hadn’t been positioned perfectly.

A boom resounded through the valley, a ringing coming to her ears before the shock wave hit her. Neither her regenerating wings nor her resistances could protect her as she was flung aside by the ridiculous force. Ilea impacted the side of the wall, breaking stone in the process as she strained to see the impact of the Elemental’s spell. She coughed a few seconds later, when the pressure lessened, hearing dull cracking sounds as an entire section of a mountain came loose and fell into the valley. Not one valley now, but two, slightly offset with the second one produced by the monstrous piece of magic.

‘ding’ ‘You have survived the Twin Walls spell – One Core skill point awarded’

“Beautiful,” she muttered as she flew up yet again, finding the Elemental near a hundred meters away. Its near ten meter height felt more imposing now, the wings near twice as large, more than ten times that of her own.

The mountain side was barely halfway to the ground when the creature moved again, closing the distance in mere moments.

Ilea didn’t miss a beat. She teleported and sent out ash, pushed to the defensive not to gain an advantage, but out of necessity. Her spells were flung aside or outright ignored, burning away at the Elemental’s form. Three quick close range blasts of lightning cracked her shields and shred away her mantle, her healing pushed to the limits before a gust of wind followed, sending her tumbling through the air as she tried to heal her burnt insides and her twisted joints.

She saw the Elemental catch up with her spinning form, Ilea teleporting and healing before the creature once more closed the distance. Air coalesced and punched downwards, sending her into the ground where she impacted with stone shattering momentum. Another gust followed when her wings twitched, shaking what remained of her organs. The third gust kept her down. She could see through one regenerating eye, the gathering dark clouds far above the valley, heard from one ear the low rumbling thunder.

The Elemental raised its arms and the world turned white again. Lightning roared in an unending maelstrom of true power, impacting Ilea’s downed form.

For the third time, Ilea’s perception slowed down. She knew the spell would not outright vaporize her, and compared to the first time she had seen it, the impact was considerably lessened. Still, it was enough to kill her, if she lay there and took it.

Primordial Shift activated, sheltering her within a framework of her own. Fleshy tendrils and white flame pushed against the unending energies unleashed to destroy her. Ilea screamed, she pushed her magic, her fires, ash, and her barriers.

I will survive, and then I will punch the ever living shit out you. She said the words in her mind as she focused on her spells, her framework wavering against the stream of lightning. She absorbed all the mana that she could, with all the spells that allowed her so. The shift was burned aside, her eyes burst as she looked up, her teeth gritted as she felt her very form disintegrated by lightning.

And yet she stood, summoning another gate above herself to alleviate the damage. She aimed to take in a deep breath but there was no air to be had.

When the spell ended, and the ground was glowing and flame covered, Ilea spread her wings and flew up, locking eyes with the Elemental as her flame burst back to life. The switch in her mind returned. Her spell was ready.

This is getting fun, she thought and cracked her neck, her smile wide and her renewed eyes focused.

This time she did not avoid the being. The arcane surged within her, pushing her, elevating her. Fires and waves of arcane energy clashed with air and lightning. Mana came and went as she punched and teleported, the two beings flying through the burning and destroyed valleys, impacts resounding from the falling rocks.

Reconstruction burned away at the Elemental as its defenses were eaten by intrusion and the Flame of Creation. For the first time in the battle, Ilea felt like she was on the offensive. Trading blows instead of merely surviving. Each impact sent shock waves outwards, fires and lightning burst to life and searing into each of their forms. Ilea, in this brief moment, felt as if she could flatten mountains, as if she could burn the seas. She felt her heart beat within her chest, the arcane flowing through her veins. Her punch connected, a wave of destructive healing searing into the remnants of a wall, shredding away at the defense as she summoned a gate to deflect another blast of lightning.

She looked aside and saw her hammer, twirling in the air as it came flying down. She raised her arm and gripped it with her Space Manipulation, flinging it towards the Elemental as a beam of heated fires met a blast of wind, sending an explosion over both herself and her enemy, neither of them pushed back, instead moving forward to exchange yet another blow.

Ilea watched her hammer grapple against the mist like form, barely protected by the winds. She wanted to push further when she felt something within her precognition. Once again her shift activated, the two walls of wind slamming together from each side. Too fast for her to react, her teleportation irrelevant at the sheer scope of the Fourth tier spell.

The shift bent and cracked, the very fabric pressed together as her mana was quickly depleted. Ilea ended the Fourth tier before she ran out, keeping the Shift active and activating her golden shield around her. Her defenses cracked and neither her teleportation nor her gate activated as she was wedged between the walls, unable to decipher the framework and remove herself from it. She felt the pressure as her eyes burst from her skull, her bones ground and broken one by one as the pressure kept up, unimpeded.

Something burst to life right when she knew her mind would fade. Flesh grew where there was no space, the fabric itself moving to protect her from the incomparable pressure of the two walls. She remained broken within a trembling cocoon of flesh and space, gritting her teeth as the Elemental’s Fourth tier spell continued.

She could not let it happen. There were more monsters out there. More challenges. What of her next fourth tier spell, what of her next evolution. What of the Architect and his plans?

Ilea found the questions to ring hollow. Reasons she thought were relevant. Reasons she had given to herself. She grinned, as well as she could with all the flesh growing from her face and neck.

I don’t want this fight to end, she thought to herself when the pressure finally lessened, her mana regenerating with meditation as she healed her wracked form, ashen limbs cutting her out of the protective growth of flesh. This is way too enjoyable.

Light returned when she fought her way out of the growths, her mantle reforming on her body as her bones cracked back into shape. Wings formed on her back before she ascended, seeing the Elemental finally send the hammer flying, the silver form impacting the nearby mountain side before it rushed back at the Wind of Aveer.

This dance is far from over.

Ilea smiled and rushed forward. No being had infinite mana, not even an Elemental. She knew that retreating here was the safe option. Waiting for her defensive cooldowns to recover, and facing the creature once again when she was ready. It was the sensible option.

But she couldn’t do it.

She was here. She was alive.

What was the point if she did not push further right here? If she did not fight?

“If I don’t return. Tell everyone I went out with a boom,” Ilea sent to the Meadow, and with it the joy she felt.

White flame burned on her form when she saw the Elemental turn her way, its eyes wide before she impacted the remnants of its defenses. Punches and ashen limbs slammed against the air, lightning spells refueling her mana as her body refused to give in, more resilient against the monster’s spells. She teleported when lightning rained down from above, arcane energies mingling with sparks of lightning. She now saw pulsing blue light between the fog of the Elemental’s form. Not that of lightning, but that of arcane.

It blasted her with more spells but the impacts were less focused, less frequent. She teleported after the being when it tried to make distance with its wings, her space manipulation slowing it. More punches came down as her mana continued to recover. Her enemy kept its spells coming, but it seemed its ability to regenerate its form was far less potent than hers.

Ilea landed in front of the creature when it fell to one knee, looking at her with white flames eating away at its fog like form, blue eyes of lightning meeting hers, the kneeling creature still far taller than her.

She hesitated, seconds passing as they locked eyes.

“Do not falter now… in the face of the end. I have waited for millennia, and today once more, I have found meaning. Do not deny me death, for I will not hesitate,” the Elemental spoke.

Ilea watched as the being rose once more, sparks of lightning spreading out, pushing against the arcane and searing the very air around it. The winds were gone but its wings spread wide and thrummed with power. Lightning surged in the clouds above, slamming down into the being with a bright flash near instantaneous. It stood, one arm limp to its side.

“I am the Wind of Aveer, that which rests atop the northern peaks,” it spoke as its power surged once more, a pulse of mana rushing out. “Come now, and meet thine end.”

Ilea watched the surging storm of lightning come towards her. She raised her arm as bright blue runes came to life. Taking in a deep breath, she released a charged push of her space manipulation. The impact slowed the creature, gold and blue shields deflecting parts of the surging lightning. She flew up and charged her fists with as much mana as she could, rushing down into the remaining wall of air. An explosion of arcane healing broke through the shield, shredding into the creature right before she impacted the ground in front of it. Ilea raised her palm towards the Wind of Aveer. A beam of heated fire shot out, punching a hole through the Elemental’s chest as a wave of burning ash rolled down from above, engulfing it in blazing fire.

She raised her chin and watched the mists fade away, eyes of lightning dimming with every passing moment. Ilea opened her eyes wide when she felt another push, a roar coming with it as the Elemental rose one last time, its working arm shrouded in lightning as its burning form crashed down on her.

Ilea met it, Archon Strike and Tempered Seal exploding outwards and against the searing sparks. Her Fourth tier took the hit as she prepared for another strike.

But instead she saw the dissipating mists, the Elemental lying before her, much of its massive form already gone, the rest engulfed in flame. Its eyes had vanished, the remainder of its magic returning to the air and stone itself.

A ding resounded in her mind as she took a step back, unwilling to turn off her spell, in case the creature was somehow still alive.

Was it the end?

She had won, had she not?

And yet she felt, hollow, in a way.

Ilea smiled to herself, still feeling the arcane magic burning away at her health. Because the fight is over. That is why.

She shook her head as her Fourth tier faded, a little confused at everything. Why didn’t she flee? What about her friends, her allies, all the people that relied on her? She could’ve avoided some of the danger. Should have avoided it.

But you stayed. And you won. She looked at her fist and opened it. Sunlight broke through above the vales, the dark clouds dissipating with the death of the Storm Elemental.

Things are a little more complex now, but I suppose I can’t change who I am.

Ilea looked up at the northern skies and took in a deep breath.

She turned and raised her brows at the glowing aftermath of their battle. The entire valley looked different. As if a meteorite had crashed down onto the land.

She cracked her neck and rolled her shoulders, flying up before she landed on a large chunk of jagged heated rock. “Fucking hell,” she muttered to herself.

“I’m hungry.”

Chapter 845 Normalcy

Chapter 845 Normalcy

Ilea watched the dancing flames left behind in the wake of her battle with the Storm Elemental. She summoned a bottle of ale and removed the cap with a flick of her thumb. Her mantle receded from her head and hands, but she didn’t change into anything else yet, her ice magic needed to keep the beverage cool within the heated and magic laden valley.

She looked up at the still dissipating clouds and raised her bottle slightly. “To an insane fight. May you keep on battling, wherever you are now,” she said with a smile. A part of her was appalled at the senseless killing, a part she had lost more and more during her time in Elos. She had felt it, the meaning of their battle. The joy, shared by the Elemental.

It was one thing to kill those who did not want to fight, those hopelessly outmatched and simply trying to survive. But what she felt now was pride and joy, a sense of loss but only because the battle hadn’t endured longer. She was happy that she had met the Elemental, and knew it was glad to have met her too.

“The Wind of Aveer,” she murmured, watching a silver threaded hammer make its way towards her. And the Silent Memory. Maybe we could’ve become friends, if we had met in different circumstances. Maybe if I was weaker, not a challenge at all for the being of storm. Or it would’ve just killed me instantly, who knows.

I should inform the Meadow.

“Can you tell the Meadow that I’m fine. I won,” Ilea sent to Aki.

“Done. I was wondering what that lightning was. I’ll join you shortly,” the Sentinel sent back.

Ilea sipped on her drink when the hammer slowed to a stop in front of her, the threads flowing back into it until it slapped onto the stone next to her. “Well done,” Ilea sent to the hammer and touched her necklace. “You too,” she sent, just in case. High level items were a little unpredictable.

Nothing was left of the Elemental by now, even the clouds above entirely gone. The battlefield would remain, for a time. A mark left by her and the being alike.

Well, mostly the Elemental. My magic is a little more environmentally friendly, she thought, seeing entire areas of the nearby mountains still unstable, some sections about to collapse.

Not that I’m not a tiny bit envious about that fact.

She pouted a little, setting down her bottle before she summoned a meal and ate.

When she was done, she summoned a second plate and looked through her notifications.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Storm Elemental – lvl 2285]’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 787 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 788 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Arcane Eternal has reached lvl 806 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 782 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 783 – Five stat points awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Ashen Titan has reached lvl 801 – Five stat points awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 781 – One stat point awarded’

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 782 – One stat point awarded’

…

‘ding’ ‘The Primordial Arbiter has reached lvl 800 – One stat point awarded – One Core Skill point awarded’

Now that’s a worthy enemy. Turns out leveling after the five hundreds is easy, you just have to kill god like beings.

She smiled to herself, putting all her new stat points into Vitality. With all her bonuses, she was now sitting at a hundred and eight thousand points of health, and change.

Suppose I should invest into Wisdom and Intelligence again soon. But for now it just seems reasonable to extend my Fourth tier use.

And soon I should get my Fourth tier General skill. Already at eighty Core points.

‘ding’ ‘Ashen Limbs reaches 3rd lvl 2’

‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Barrier [Mythic] reaches 3rd lvl 27’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Bulwark of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 29’

‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 3rd lvl 28’

‘ding’ ‘Monstrous reaches 2nd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Spear of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 6’

‘ding’ ‘Telepathy reaches lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Warhammer Mastery reaches 2nd lvl 20’

It does seem like my Warhammer Mastery levels if I just have my hammer around. Guess having one that wields itself against my enemies is rather helpful, she thought and patted the silver hammer head.

‘ding’ ‘Blast Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 24’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 20’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Lightning Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 21’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 22’

‘ding’ ‘Wind Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 23’

Ilea considered investing into the third tier of her Warhammer Mastery but decided against it. She had two points at the moment, and the bonuses so far were related to actually using a war hammer in the more conventional sense. She was just lucky enough to have a divine artifact. One that seemed pretty much as indestructible as her storage necklace and the Azarinth Star.

Monstrous was another option, but again, she thought the bonuses of the skill not quite enough to consider investing a point that could instead go into a resistance skill. Of course if it would allow her to hide her title, she could more easily hide her identity, but at the same time it was kind of fun to see everyone’s reaction. Not that such a bonus was a given at all, should she advance Monstrous to the third tier.

‘ding’ ‘You have been challenged by the Wind of Aveer, and you have emerged victorious – One Core skill point awarded’

Seems appropriate. Worth two or three to be honest, Ilea thought as she ate and read. But then I suppose I did get an entire six from the levels already.

She soon saw a few Hunter Praetorians climbing down from a nearby peak. Fast moving machines made to hunt and kill elves. By now she regarded them as little more than Guardians. How could she not, after her recent fights.

“That is, quite a scene,” one of the machines spoke.

“You weren’t watching?” she asked.

“I tried to get close but lightning bolts damaged one of my Hunters,” Aki said. “What was it?”

“A Storm Elemental,” Ilea said. “Let me know if you find more suspicious cloud patterns somewhere in the wild.”

“I have no data on the beings.”

“I’ll tell you what I learned later,” Ilea said. “It was hovering above the dome structure that still remains. Most of the Ascended facility seems flooded and overgrown by now.”

“I will investigate it,” Aki said, two Hunters already rushing towards the entrance, one more towards the dome. “I suppose this one was part of the original mesh.”

“Probably. Any progress on the search?” Ilea asked.

The machine shook its head. “No. Dungeons, crypts, forgotten cities form before the Extraction, but no new facilities. The leadership of the Accords assumes we’ll soon have to change the flow of information to indicate this is an extensive training exercise.”

“Why?” Ilea asked, finishing her plate and storing it in her domain.

“We’re allocating an extensive amount of resources to a threat that may or may not be legitimate. Our information remains vague, though we are still in agreement that the potential risk outweighs the cost of our efforts,” Aki explained.

“I guess it would still make sense as a training exercise, as you say. Even if Ker Velor has no further interest in Elos, there are other beings out there just as dangerous, if not worse,” she said.

“I hope you’re wrong about that. But it won’t hurt to prepare either way. And having a common goal is beneficial, we found. Even secondary projects are progressing faster than we had anticipated.”

Ilea smiled. “That’s good to hear. Anywhere I’m needed right now?”

“There are four mark targets I have found, but considering the power I saw from these spells, I’m not sure how beneficial a hunt would be. As a friend, I would also suggest a small break. You’re in a certain mood I have seen before.”

“A mood?” Ilea asked, raising her brows.

“Yes. A dangerous one. I can assume why you had me inform the Meadow of your victory. It was not certain, was it?” Aki said.

Ilea avoided the green eyes staring at her, instead glancing at the burning mountain sides. “It wasn’t.”

“Do I have to say more?” Aki asked.

“I’ll take a break,” Ilea said. She refrained from a grounding pun, not about to sully the Elemental’s memory. “Sometimes I forget that you traveled with me for some time.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re hardly difficult to figure out,” Aki said. “That’s part of your diplomatic success.”

“Oh? Back to the banter already?” Ilea asked.

“Influenced by my wielder, remember?” Aki said.

“You’re in a sphere of metal, powered by a sun,” she retorted with a grin.

“And how do you think that makes me feel?” Aki said.

“Powerful, I imagine?” Ilea suggested.

“Terribly lonely and secluded,” Aki said, but his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely serious.

“Right, maybe I’ll find another metal sphere or elven soul copy dagger so you can make friends,” Ilea suggested.

“Please do. And I’ll find some battle maniacs so obsessed with thrill they forget to value their own life.”

“A little too personal that one,” Ilea said as she stood up and stretched, storing her hammer in turn. “You should try it sometime, maybe you’ll understand.”

“I would not have become a dagger if I did,” Aki said in a dry tone.

“Maybe not, no,” Ilea said.

“And do talk to the Meadow. I’m not sure it is quite as familiar with your tendencies,” Aki said.

“Are you suggesting that eldritch tree cares about my well being?” Ilea asked as she summoned a gate.

The Praetorian did not speak, instead its eyes glowed for a moment before it made its way towards the half destroyed dungeon entrance.

Ilea sighed and stepped through the gate, appearing in the domain of the Meadow. She felt a pull and deactivated her space magic resistance.

The Meadow moved her close to the tree. “I am conflicted,” it spoke into her mind.

Ilea didn’t speak.

“Is this what a parent feels when a child leaves on its first adventure?” the Meadow asked.

“Hardly my first adventure,” Ilea said with a smile.

“I know. It is just, that I have seen many go and not return. You are who you are, and I am glad that you came out victorious,” the being spoke and paused. “What I am trying to say, is that it will be sad when you die.”

Ilea grinned. “You should be happy, that I found something powerful enough to kill me.”

Now I sound like that Elemental.

“I get it,” she added. “I’m not always this reckless. It just… felt right. I don’t know what to say. Audur or the Architect weren’t the same. This was… more.”

“I’m not sure I am meant to understand, but I will accept your words. I feel it was not a wish for power that compelled you to be reckless,” the Meadow said.

“No,” Ilea said with a smile. But maybe I’m this powerful exactly because of that. I guess if I just sought power, I would be afraid to lose it.

She looked at the crystal tree and crossed her arms. “Are you done scolding me?”

“I have no right to scold you. I am just a friend, worried for a friend to die.”

“You’re actually going to make me feel bad if you keep this up,” Ilea said with a slight smile.

“Got anything good?” the tree asked.

One of the best fights of my life.

“Just levels. Guess it’s something. Another fifty for my next Fourth tier,” she said. “But I promised Aki that I’d take a break. At least for a short while.”

“He does know you well,” the tree said.

“Envious?” Ilea asked.

“No. I don’t envy his traveling with you. Much too violent for my tastes,” the being spoke.

“Sure, maybe one day you’ll believe your own lies,” Ilea said as she stretched. She ignored the Meadow’s attempt to teleport her away. “I can leave on my own, thank you.”

“The child thinks itself an adult,” the Meadow spoke. “Perhaps we’ll have that bout after all. In due time.”

Ilea grinned as she formed a gate behind herself. “In due time, my friend.” She spread her wings and covered herself in her mantle, flying backwards through the spatial rift.

Her wings moved once more as the gate closed, Ilea ascending above the hill near Riverwatch. The town she had once known best in Elos. It felt more distant now. The walls higher, enchanted and protected, dwarven machines she had once feared walking on the battlements.

Wagons arrived at the open city gate, smaller versions that could be moved in the teleportation network, pulled by Guardians or people. There were scouts moving nearby, machines looking out for monsters. She saw Sentinels flying past above the many houses, inspired in part by no one else but her. Lilith. The Godslayer.

She smiled. Guess you were right after all, Aki. I think I could do with some normalcy. My kind of normalcy. Ilea turned around and flew into the forest, teleporting past the trees she had once ran by. Towards the dungeon where she had slain her first undead. When the world had felt more vast, and quite a lot more simple.

She was glad that the people had remained.

Knocking on the hidden door, she waited for a minute until it opened.

“Mistress. You have returned,” Weavy spoke into her mind. He wore a ragged black tunic and a cape. On his terrifying head sat a straw hat.

She couldn’t help but smile. “Good to see you. Nice hat.”

“Oh! Yes, it was a suggestion by one of the humans. To make me more, approachable. I am still not sure why such is necessary, but Celene seemed joyous,” Weavy explained.

Ilea grinned. “That does sound like her. Can I come in?”

“The Mistress does not ask. She owns all within this mountain, and beyond,” Weavy said and bowed, stepping aside with the gesture.

Ilea may have been slightly annoyed at his words in light of her recent conversations, but the hat really did make him more approachable.

She walked past whilst shaking her head ever so slightly.

“Mistress,” Weavy asked when they had reached the bottom of the stone stairs.

“What is it, Weavy?” she asked.

“What god have you slain?”

Oh. Right. “A big lamp fish in Kohr,” she answered. “More interestingly, I fought a Storm Elemental recently.”

“Splendid! Will you share your stories?” the demon asked.

“I’m supposed to take a break. Maybe later. What have you been up to in the past months?” she asked instead, walking next to the floating being.

The stone hallway looked just as drab as it had the first time she had stumbled upon it. Though there were a few more defensive enchantments. Nothing particularly dangerous, and the undead they met on the way let them pass without a fuss.

“Teaching the boy. And I’ve been asked to help in the west. Clearing out monsters. Well, until the machines arrived and took over that task. Far faster than I am. Green menaces. At least we still have the mountain,” he spoke.

Ilea didn’t want to tell him that the very core of the ancient Taleen army was right below them, under the very mountain he spoke of.

“Is Eyn here?”

“No, no. The boy left to receive basic studies in the Ravenhall Academy. Not that I agree. I can teach him all he needs to know,” Weavy said.

“I’m sure a broad education is helpful. We’re not in Kohr after all. There are quite a few things here that you know little about, and socializing is important,” she said.

The demon grumbled something to himself, in a language she did not speak. “You sound like Celene and Walter. What possible benefit is socialization to a mind mage? We bend the wills of others, and destroy the minds of those who would stand in our way.”

“And you sound like some of my class evolution descriptions,” she said. “Didn’t you get to come here because we became friends?”

“You showed your power, mistress. I had no choice but to follow,” Weavy said.

“I’m not sure we’ll find a consensus here,” Ilea said with a smile. “How’s fishing?”

The navuun lit up, as much as he could with the dark lack of eyes. “The fish, are plenty! Mr Bones has recently excavated an underground cavern with his many gem blessed skeletons. I am trying to acclimate the fish from Kohr but it’s proving difficult.”

“You could ask the Meadow,” Ilea suggested.

“No. No. I shall find my own way, here in these caverns,” the Mind Weaver said, touching the stone wall with an almost gentle hand.

Ilea found the sight peculiar, though she got the impression he was genuinely happy. She was glad he found something beyond killing and conquering, same as those brought here by Octavia.

She smiled to herself and looked away, continuing to follow the hallway towards the common room.

The same two undead protected the door, but she found they had gotten an upgrade in both armor and weaponry. They looked almost passable. She tried not to make a comparison to the knights she had fought earlier that day. It just wasn’t fair. Ilea took in a deep breath and knocked on the door.

She entered and smiled at Walter, the man sitting at one of the tables with Indra and Lucia, the initiates occupying another table and engaged in a card game Ilea had played before, down below the city of Dawntree.

Six heads turned her way, brows and hands rising as greetings resounded.

It felt good, she found, to be back. Once again, with more stories, and a few more corpses.

Chapter 846 Reminisce

A note from Rhaegar

Thanks for reading :).

Chapter 846 Reminisce

Ilea didn’t budge when Ellie hugged her with a jump, the black leather coat of the now level eighty five necromancer flapping slightly.

The girl looked up with a wide smile, her brown hair in a braid that didn’t hide her freckles any longer. “Godslayer!” she whispered in an excited voice.

“What are you talking about?” Walter said before his eyes went a little wider. “Oh by the go-” he shut his mouth and shook his head, his eyes losing some of their life. But not in the same way as when he used his magic, really more on a soul level.

“Wow! I can’t move you at all!” Ellie said, glancing over at Naiir.

The young man seemed apprehensive, bowing to Ilea with his long black hair falling in front of his face.

[Dark Mage – lvl 73]

A few more levels, but I suppose that’s how it goes if you don’t fight monsters, and have no access to elixirs. She welcomed it. Ilea understood those who went out and sought a thrill, but she could see the value in this as well. Maybe that’s what some of us fight to protect. No me though, I just like fighting big monsters.

She still hugged the necromancer back and smiled at the silly bow. Lucas had stood up from his chair but didn’t move closer.

“Tell me you have brought the god corpse,” Indra said, his voice trembling slightly. He glanced over to the still shaken Walter and touched his shoulder. “She forgot, didn’t she. Uncaring for the value of such an impossible treasure! Oh the woe of life, and the disregard of the powerful!”

“I brought pieces, old man. What remained,” Ilea said, finding him to look as tired as usual, though with her words it seemed like she breathed some fresh life into him.

“Truly?” he spoke in a gasp and stood up. “Oh blessed be you, Lilith! Godslayer! Mother of Sentinels!”

“Mother of Sentinels? What does that even mean?” Ilea asked when Lucia rolled her eyes and stood up.

The woman walked over and grabbed the initiates. She pulled them away and flicked Walter’s forehead, then glared at Indra. “Let the woman arrive. She may be a godslayer, but she’s still a guest, and not some relic to glare, pray, or grovel to.”

Ilea gave her a light nod and smiled, stepping down the stairs with Weavy following behind.

“Wow, did you gain weight again?” Ellie asked with a grin.

Ilea raised her brows.

“Wait, what happens when you fly up and then impact the ground as fast as you can? Wait, that might be dangerous,” the girl murmured.

“Last time I did that, I didn’t pay much attention,” Ilea said, last time being less than an hour ago somewhere in the North. Long range teleportation truly is a marvel. She formed a seat of ash next to the table, not about to test the nonenchanted wooden benches. She could see the insects moving in them after all.

Ilea glanced at the wide eyes Indra. “You’ll get your corpses in due time,” she said. “Wait… hmm… maybe you should do that with the Meadow actually. If there’s any magic or poison left on those bits, you’ll be dead immediately.”

The man moved a hand through his lack of hair. “Now I’m even more excited,” he murmured, trying to sit down in a calm manner.

Ilea rolled her eyes and opened a gate. She teleported the man next to her and stepped through. “Heya, can you supervise this?” she sent to the Meadow. “I need a powerful barrier around some monster remains.”

“Here,” the Meadow sent as a stone platform rose from the ground.

Ilea dumped whatever was left of the deep sea monsters when she saw Indra poke his head through the barrier. “Here you go. Just tell the Meadow when you want to go back.”

“Of c… of course, yes, indeed. Thank you, Liliela, godsayer, I will. I will do such,” he spoke and walked towards the platform where a barrier appeared.

“Thanks,” Ilea sent to the tree with a wave.

“Happy to help,” the Meadow sent back right before she stepped back into the Vulture’s Den.

The gate closed and she sat down on her ashen chair.

“I still can’t believe you have long range teleportation at your beck and call,” Lucia murmured as Harthome and Celene joined.

“It’s even more convenient than you could imagine,” Ilea said. “And I can also teleport to a bunch of select people and beings.”

Lucia supported her chin with both hands and glanced at Ilea with a wistful expression. “Oh, maybe I should go out there and slay a few gods myself, what do you think sweetheart?”

Some light returned to Walter’s eyes at the attention from Lucia. “Gods.”

“Is it that surprising?” Ilea asked, leaning back as she summoned a bottle from his bar. “When I came here first, I helped you kill a demon. Supposed demon,” she said, winking at the Navuun now sitting at the edge of the bench.

The initiates sat down close to Ilea.

Are they still initiates? she asked herself as she opened the bottle and took a sip. How long does a necromancer apprenticeship take? Eyn is already at the academy, hmm, maybe mind magic is easier? Or he’s just very talented.

“What is a god like?” Celene asked as she sat down. She didn’t seem particularly fazed by the displayed title.

“I’ve met a few creatures that I think were considered divine beings. The only thing I can say about them is that they’re incredibly powerful. Magic to destroy half a mountain,” Ilea said.

“Just half?” Harthome asked and crossed his arms.

“Does that mean you can destroy half a mountain?” Celene asked.

Ilea considered. Could she? “Maybe if I have enough time… but no, I suppose not in that sense. Their magic is just beyond. Resource wise I guess.”

“How come you managed to slay one then?” Harthome asked.

“You seem skeptical,” Ilea said with a grin, raising her bottle towards him.

He raised his brows and grinned back. “Well. We’re down here a lot. Maybe you managed to get an illusion spell or something of the like, to fool us into thinking you’re a little more powerful than you are.”

Ilea considered for a moment and leaned back. “I like that idea actually. I’m really just a level one hundred illusion mage.”

“Hah, I knew it!” Harthome said, to the amusement of the others.

“How is the search going? I heard the Accords are on high alert,” Walter said.

“It’s not public knowledge?” Ilea asked.

“I could probably investigate, but we’ve not been informed by Alistair,” the man answered.

“I see. Guess I can give you a quick summary of what’s been happening lately,” Ilea said, and proceeded to do just that, telling the others about Octavia and Adam, her contact with the Mava, and recent hunting.

Walter summoned food and drinks in between, the hearth restocked with firewood.

“… and that was earlier today, so not much of an update really,” Ilea finished, raising a chicken leg to her mouth and taking a bite out of it.

“Well,” Lucia started. “I don’t suppose there’s anything we could do to help?”

Ilea smiled, continuing to eat as she switched to her telepathy. “You can ask Aki, maybe there is something. I’ve been pretty much relegated to hunting powerful monsters and maybe the occasional diplomatic mission.”

“You contacted and integrated the Mava into the Accords, that’s hardly… well, who am I talking to,” Walter said, the last few words a murmur. “I think if there was anything we could do, Alistair or one of the Guardians would’ve contacted us already. It is quite worrying nonetheless.”

“Maybe, but you know there’s a lot of scary stuff out there. If you constantly worry about every little thing, you’ll go bald by thirty,” Ilea said.

“A potential Ascended attack is not a little thing,” Walter said before he took in a deep breath. “But I suppose at the end of the day, we can only do what we can do.”

Ilea pointed her chicken leg at him. “Exactly. And what I can do is get stronger, and maybe get allies. You guys didn’t accidentally stumble upon a few four marks in any caverns below?”

“Luckily not,” Walter said. “I would inform you via the mark.”

“Right. How’s the brewery business going?” she asked instead.

Walter raised his brows. “You want to talk about that?”

“I’ve been fighting four marks, trying to prepare for an Ascended perhaps capable of taking a sun, from the literal sky. Yes, I’d very much like to talk about something else,” Ilea said, continuing to eat.

“Ah I’d like to see that,” Celene said.

Walter raised a brow at the woman before he spoke. “It’s all business. I showed the process to a few dozen people by now and they’re doing good work, but, I prefer my little brewery down here.” He smiled. “Suppose I can’t produce quite as much as they can, but I get a cut. It’s been quite lucrative, and I’ve hardly been in town the past few months.”

“That sounds like a good deal,” Ilea said.

“There are a lot of businesses and organizations in Riverwatch that bear your name, or are somehow connected to you. You must be quite wealthy yourself,” Celene said, raising her brows a few times.

“Claire manages my gold. She bought up a lot of things and I just bring her whatever wealth I find, not that there’s been a lot recently. Suppose the independence of Ravenhall and the war here has helped a lot in that regard. I’m not great with all that, but I’m glad someone I trust can have an impact with it,” Ilea said.

“You don’t want to be directly involved?” Lucia asked. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

Ilea shrugged. “Not really. I’ve gotten directly involved in too many things already,” she said and smiled.

“You have a talent for finding the right people for the right positions,” Walter said.

“The Meadow and Aki alone have changed the Plains permanently,” Lucia said.

“They’re pretty incredible, yeah,” Ilea mused.

They were quite for a few seconds.

Ilea thought about Erendar and the Taleen dungeon where she had found the little dagger. A dagger that now controlled an entire army, and a shit ton of facilities. And the Meadow who could now oversee an entire settlement, with hundreds of different species and monsters in its domain it could try and help lead to awakening.

“Did the gods you slayed have penises?” Celene asked, breaking the silence.

A few grumbling complains resounded at the same time.

She rolled her eyes. “Or other sexual organs.”

“I don’t know,” Ilea said in between a few more annoyed exclamations. “I don’t see why many of them would even have sexual organs. They’ve either evolved to this state or were born from magic, so no need for natural procreation? Maybe.”

“That is a valid point. But wouldn’t they want offspring? Smaller gods?” Celene asked, gesturing with her hands as if to indicate a smaller being.

“Would they still be gods if they were weaker?” Harthome asked.

“Didn’t you say beings become divine when people believe them to be gods?” Ellie asked.

Lucas glanced at her. “Maybe there are different ways to become a god?”

“Who would have believed some underwater monster to be a god, in a dead realm nonetheless,” Naiir interjected.

“Maybe we can ask Violence when he visits again,” Ellie suggested.

“The Meadow could know too,” Naiir said.

“No, let’s not go there again. Too many annoying nobles and scholars,” Ellie said. “I don’t like the way they look at us. Just because we’re at a lower level.”

“It’s because we’re dark mages and necromancers,” Naiir retorted. “The only thing they accept is blood magic, even though it’s the only magic that destroyed entire cities in recent history.”

“Necromancy and the dark arts are feared for a reason,” Walter said. “Recent history is not the only history out there.”

“Then how did we not know about the third sun?” Ellie asked.

“I don’t know,” Walter said.

“Evan knew about it,” Ilea said.

“Evan?” Walter asked.

“The founder of the Foundation, I thought you knew him,” she said.

“No. I have traveled there once, to learn what I could, of the world and magic. But I did not join the Seekers. I was not allowed access to large sections of the libraries, let alone what was still hidden farther down,” Walter said.

“Would you like to?” Ilea asked.

“You wouldn’t…” Walter said, considering. He looked at Lucia.

She shrugged. “A vacation? It’s been a while.”

“Traveling there would take months, even with the gates we would have to cross the desert,” Walter said. “And how well do you know him exactly? The Seekers do not just let anyone join their ranks, and even then it takes time to gain access to more knowledge.”

“I can ask him,” Ilea said.

“I. I would very much like to go there again,” Walter said. “For a time.”

“I can teleport you around, that’s not a problem,” Ilea said.

“Hey. Dark mage friend would like to visit and learn from your library. Can I bring them?” she sent to Evan.

“I don’t think I can repay the debt of knowledge that I owe to you. They are welcome,” came the answer, mere seconds later.

“Yeah, he’ll have you. We can leave whenever,” Ilea said as she continued eating. “After dinner.”

Walter had already stood up. “I need to pack.”

“Dear, I don’t think there is any haste. And if we go to this library, you can’t stay in there for more than twelve hours per day. A good balance is important,” Lucia said, giving Ilea a glance. “I haven’t seen him this excited in a while,” she whispered, knowing Ilea would hear.

“Be sure to thank Evan,” Ilea said. “And just contact me when you want to get back. The trip would be annoying without a way to fly.”

“Or long range teleportation,” Ellie said, propping up her chin with one hand whilst glaring at Ilea.

Ilea glared back.

“It’s so unfair,” the necromancer said.

“Is it?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. You get to fly around and teleport to all of those interesting places, get to meet interesting creatures, and all that,” Ellie said.

“You can do that too. First I would suggest training with a Guardian or ten, then maybe you can hunt in the region, then go to a few dungeons, get to two hundred, and look for something more specialized. After that you’ll have to find more powerful creatures, but I’m sure Aki, the Sentinels, or Shadows can help with that as well,” Ilea said, considering her words for a moment. “It’s really so much easier now that the teleportation gates and Aki are around. I’m sure he’s found dozens if not hundreds of dungeons by now.”

Ellie’s smile wavered. “No. You see. I want all of the benefits, with none of the work. And the killing. Gross.”

Ilea raised her brows. “Well, I don’t have a suggestion for that then. Not yet. Maybe there will be a way to level up Classes without any effort in the future. Oh, becoming an Ascended or something like that could be an option. They’re not the strongest beings I’ve encountered, but they do wield formidable magic.”

“I doubt such a process is simple,” Harthome said. “Let alone the resources it would require. And if we’re talking about souls, then no offense, but Ellie, you would not survive.”

“So we’re back to getting strong to get stronger,” Ellie said. “I’d rather study here, and maybe in the Ravenhall Academy in a year or two, when Indra considers me ready.”

“That’s fair. You might be able to resurrect a flying being or something, to carry you for traveling,” Ilea said. She enjoyed having her own wings more, but the thought of flying around with a bunch of large eagles or riding a Wyvern into battle was enticing.

Or a dragon, she thought with a devious grin. Not Audur though. Something with fire. What was the name of Fey’s dragon again? I should visit them at some point.

The rest of the dinner progressed with a few more exchanged stories and considerations of potential study and leveling places for the initiates. Ilea’s suggestion of them joining the Sentinels was rejected by everyone at the table. She wasn’t particularly surprised.

Ilea rolled her shoulders when she stood up, yawning right after. “So, you’re ready to go?”

Walter and Lucia had packed their bags, the two giving her a strange dark magic tourist vibe. Both of them wore hats, and enchanted armor.

I suppose they have some Heat Resistance.

Ilea remembered the Isanna desert to be rather hot, when she first visited at least. By now her entire understanding of temperature had changed a tiny bit.

They said their goodbyes when Ilea focused on Evan’s mark.

“Alright, hold on tight then,” Ilea said.

“Wait!” Lucia said. “Hold on to what?”

“It’s just a figure of speech. You don’t need to hold anything,” Ilea said and activated her third tier transfer.

Her spell manifested as she connected Walter and Lucia, the three of them appearing in a well lit and furnished office, next to Evan who sat behind his desk.

He looked up and sighed. “You are all too close.”

Ilea smiled and teleported them all in front of the desk. “That’s how the spell works, I’m afraid. You’re never safe, ancient librarian.”

“I did just realize that in a very real way,” he said and paused. “Godslayer. I assume congratulations are in order?”

“I’m working towards my next Fourth tier, maybe then,” Ilea said.

“Your, next one?” Evan said, raising his brows. “I am far too busy to be surprised about your progress. It is good to know that one of our most important assets in this supposed conflict is growing with such haste.” He looked at Walter. “Ethinu Skorn, it is not the first time you have been to the Foundation.”

Walter bowed. “It is not.”

“Then I hope you remember the rules in place. Because you are an associate of Lilith, you will receive special privileges. I hope you do not intend to abuse such. Your actions here are your own, as are potential consequences,” Evan said.

“Can I leave? Or do you want me to listen to the lecture as well?” Ilea asked.

“You may,” Evan said. “If you ever find the time, I would be interested in your findings in regards to the divine, and the Fourth tier.”

“Sure,” Ilea said, considering her marks before she decided on her home instead. “Enjoy your vacation,” she said to her two slightly lost looking friends before her spell started to manifest.

Chapter 847 Initiates

Chapter 847 Initiates

Ilea appeared, this time not forgetting about the very vulnerable wooden floor. Her wings spread in her rather empty living room. She looked at the layer of dust covering everything.

Yeah. I really don’t come here particularly often.

She smiled to herself. With how much she traveled, this place really didn’t have a chance of ever becoming a true home for her. With her visit to the Vulture’s Den, it was even more clear to her. Ilea didn’t have a home, a place where she could return to. Instead she had several. The den, the domain of the Meadow, maybe Ravenhall as a whole. Places where she felt safe, where she knew and cared for the people.

There were no people here, and the tigers she had forcefully befriended really just tolerated her. Or they saw her as a powerful being not to mess with.

She teleported out onto the balcony and looked over the ocean. The suns would set soon, night returning to the lands of Elos.

The view is fucking incredible. I won’t deny that. Maybe when I retire in eighteen thousand years. She smiled at the thought and glanced at a few clouds in the distance. Who am I kidding. I’ll find my match long before then. At least I hope. Would be fucking boring otherwise.

Ilea moved her wings and ascended upwards, charging them before she shot off in an arc towards the snow covered mountains south of Lys. The flight to Ravenhall was quick, a few short activations of her Fourth Tier making the trip even faster than before.

She watched the large cannons on the sturdy walls. The enchanted machines inspired and partially designed by the dwarves of the Pit had been added to all three of them. Guardians patrolled the walls alongside the Shadowguard as people arrived at the many gates outside the city. Compared to some places she had seen, no merchants sold their goods near the teleportation gates, nor were there any additional buildings set up. The guard presence in the area was higher than even at the city gates.

She landed near the large entrance, keeping her mantle up as adventurers and merchants alike took a few steps back, their eyes wide.

Don’t they see Sentinels every day?

Even the guards were lost for words, and a few of them she was sure she had seen and talked to before.

“What’s so special today?” she asked one of the men.

He gulped. “Oh. It’s you. The… I mean… your identification,” he said and pointed at her.

Right, the Godslayer again. Well changing it doesn’t make any sense with the cooldown.

“Hmm, this is gonna spread,” she murmured, nodding towards the gate.

The man stood aside, as did the few others that weren’t frozen by what they saw.

At least the people who know me won’t be that shocked, Ilea thought and spread her wings as soon as she was past the outer wall. She noted the enchantments in the walls had been extended again, the space magic defenses now quite formidable, though still nothing that would keep her out for long. They would need a Meadow for that.

“Hey, just arrived in Ravenhall. Busy?” she sent to Trian, seeing his mark below the city, and within the Headquarters of the Medic Sentinels.

She hadn’t talked to any of her team in a few days, but she assumed Claire to be incredibly busy at the moment. And with the administrative work she wouldn’t be much of a help. Trian and Kyrian on the other hand, she could maybe help out. The latter was somewhere in the northern lands, likely scouting or clearing out a dungeon that Aki had found. Or maybe he’s training Sentinels. He didn’t seem incredibly keen on fighting yet more powerful monsters to increase his levels. At this point, the risk is enormous anyway.

“I try to keep busy. Do visit. I have something to discuss,” Trian answered through the mark.

Ilea would’ve considered having breakfast in the city if she had arrived in the morning. And second dinner, she may as well have in the Headquarters.

Landing before the entrance, she teleported inside and found a few Sentinels on guard duty.

Both of them recognized her, Ilea passing by with a nod before she appeared in front of Trian’s office. She knocked once, unable to pierce the wall with her dominion.

The door opened a moment later, looking up at Ilea was a small woman with long straight brown hair, her eyes a dark shade of green. Aurelia wore well made light metal armor. Perhaps a set once belonging to the Alymie family, though it did not show an insignia. A dull white in color.

Her eyes opened wide when she saw Ilea, her mouth opening and closing.

“Good to see you,” Ilea said. “May I come in?”

Aurelia nodded quickly and stepped aside.

“How have you been?” Ilea asked, glancing at the woman before she looked to Trian, the man sitting behind his desk. His beard had grown a little longer, the man well groomed and wearing a fitting black shirt and pants, neither enchanted nor lined with metal.

The girl closed the door and leaned against it. She considered the question. “I’ve been okay,” she said finally.

Ilea smiled. “I’m glad.”

“The Godslayer,” Trian murmured, setting aside the book he had been writing in. “I don’t assume nobody saw you?”

“Plenty did. But at this point, what does it matter?” Ilea said, forming an ashen chair and sitting down. “You look older. Wiser.”

“The beard?” he asked.

“The beard,” Ilea stated.

He smiled. “I like it. Claire might want to have a word, but I suppose you’re already a legend as it is. I’m sure a lot of people already thought you a godslayer. How was it? Slaying a god.”

Aurelia sat down in the armchair next to Ilea, giving her a few glances but generally looking away, focusing on the bookshelves or the large wooden desk.

“I think they’re really just more powerful monsters. Compared to something like the Meadow, I’m not sure if I’ve killed anything that I myself would consider a god,” Ilea said. She thought about the Storm Elemental but wasn’t quite sure. Suppose it comes down to definitions. If we’re talking something like a greek or roman god, maybe the Elemental could pass. Christian? Not exactly. Then maybe the Meadow is closer, but I guess it’s hard to compete with supposed omnipotence.

“Well, there are people who think you a goddess. And if you struggle against anything, then I suppose such a being could be considered a god as well,” Trian said.

Ilea shrugged. “You know how I feel about being considered a goddess.”

“Does it matter in the end? You do what you do,” the man said.

“Fair. So how have you been? Preparations and search going well?” Ilea asked.

The man summoned himself a tea set and glanced her way.

She nodded.

“It’s been. Considerably less work. Not because of the recent revelations, but just because of Aki, and I suppose the gates,” Trian said as he poured the two cups.

Ilea summoned hers when he was done, taking a sip of the near boiling liquid. Then another. That’s some of the strongest tea I’ve ever had. She didn’t say anything.

“The Guardians have now integrated into the training process so well, there’s no major need for the other instructors. At least when it comes to combat, though even the classes can be done by any machines capable of speech. Aki is a wonderful teacher as well. I feel like he’s learning faster, now that he’s the Guardian of Iz. The others have more free time, so we focus more on interviewing new potential students, supporting Sentinels where Aki has difficulties connecting, and writing as well as testing new material to teach. It’s, a lot of freedom,” the man explained.

“Do you like it?” Ilea asked.

He took a sip of his tea, shrugged slightly. “Hmm. I like it because we’re far more efficient. In recruiting new members and training them. And with the gates coupled with the Guardian presence in near every country of the Plains, Sentinels constantly have access to level appropriate jobs and dungeons. The speed of their growth is, frightening. Though of course beyond the two and three hundreds it slows, with the Guardians having difficulties finding suitable or enough enemies to provide ample progress, though the Hunters and Veterans of course show enough initiative to go out there alone.”

“An optimized Shadow’s Hand, with teleportation gates,” Ilea murmured.

“And healers. Sometimes entire teams don’t report back for weeks or months, but then they show up in Ravenhall, their gear half destroyed and fifty levels higher. Do I like it? Yes. Because the Sentinels are growing. Both in number and strength. It will be a long time until more than a few can match even a Praetorian, but the time will come,” he said.

“Those are the thoughts of the Headmaster,” Ilea said with a smile.

He sighed. “That’s true. For me, I guess I feel a little old,” the man smiled. “Left behind by a world moving faster than I can keep up. The Academy alone provides lessons and secrets the Virilya nobility would’ve killed for to protect or steal. Guardians provide dangerous opponents for real training, far more dangerous than most monsters in their range of levels. Information is abundant, entire regions of the Plains previously marked as dangerous or rarely traveled are now well known and explored. Dungeons are cleared out with ease, expeditions of eager adventurers going in with the help of young Sentinels. Not to find treasure or clear a true monster threat, but simply to learn and advance.”

“Are you annoyed you didn’t have the same opportunities?” Ilea asked.

“No. I had ample opportunities. More than most. The path of the Sentinel is not mine. It never was and never will be. I’ve been, writing more. Poetry,” he said with a smile before he shook his head and chuckled.

“Fits with the beard,” Ilea said, taking a sip of tea.

“I won’t show them to you,” Trian said.

She raised her brows. “I am terribly offended.”

“Most certainly,” he confirmed. “Aurelia mentioned you a few times.”

Ilea looked at the blushing girl, her attention now fully focused on a singular bookshelf.

“You did?” she asked.

“I… yes. You are quite impressive, Lilith,” the girl said, steeling herself before she met Ilea’s eyes. She faltered for a split second before looking back up.

“Thank you. I just do what I enjoy,” Ilea said. “And you can call me Ilea.”

“Ilea, ma’am, of course,” Aurelia said, a smile blooming on her face.

“How is she doing?” she sent to the girl’s brother.

“Better, though while I found the aftermath, she was there. And younger. But she will find her way, I’m sure of it,” Trian said.

“She is your sister after all,” Ilea said out loud, and reached over to touch the girl’s shoulder.

“That she is,” the man sent through the connection, finishing his tea. “But before Aurelia bursts from embarrassment, there was something I wanted to discuss.”

The girl got up and nodded to her brother. “I’ll see you later, then.”

“Enjoy the spars,” he said with a smile.

“I will,” she said and walked to the door. “Bye… Ilea.”

“Until next time,” Ilea said, looking her way until the door closed behind the girl. “What did you want to discuss?” she said, turning around again.

“The Elexir. Based on your Azarinth Bluemoon Grass. We have found suitable volunteers,” he said.

Ilea raised her brows.

“Many were interested of course, but I talked those of a higher level out of it. Their own progress and evolutions should be powerful enough, let alone the experience they’ve gained fighting with their abilities. The risk may not be worth it. Of the lower leveled ones yet to receive a Class related to the Sentinels, the interest was much higher,” he said and sighed.

“Aren’t those the ones who could use it the most?” Ilea asked.

“Yes. But while I can accept resistance training as an important tool to power, potential death from Elixir ingestion is not quite as easily justified. We wanted recruits that would understand the dangers. Recruits that did not come here to reach your heights as fast as possible, or would lay down their own lives for a chance to be helpful. You have impacted a lot of people, Ilea, if you wanted to or not,” Trian said. “We need people fit to be Medic Sentinels, who can reasonably assess the risk and choose to take the elixir, despite them.”

“That all sounds reasonable. So who did you choose then?” Ilea asked.

“We have accepted a team of four after eight interviews with those interested,” Trian said. “If you have time, we can meet them now. They’ve been waiting for a while.”

Ilea stood up and stretched. “Sure. I’m here.”

____________________

Malise tapped her arm, biting her lip as she looked at the perfect drawing of another monster. She didn’t listen to the green metal Centurion standing next to the depicted creature, pointing out weaknesses, strengths, talking about speed and spells. The illustration alone was proof of the quality of education, let alone the obscure monsters talked about, most she had never even heard of.

But still, despite the machines, the gates, everything she had heard about the Medic Sentinel Corps, its faculty, the Headmaster, and Lilith herself, there just had to be a catch. It was too good to be true. There was always a catch. Always.

Glancing over to Halra, the woman was listening intently, taking notes for each of the discussed creatures. It was one of her favorite classes, next to combat training of course. Malise thought Halra looked ridiculous in her chair, her height and muscle barely fitting. The sixteen braids of brown hair bobbed ever so slightly when she looked up from her notes, her attention back on the green eyed machine.

Does she harbor no suspicions? Or was she so enamored when Aki proved to be a suitable teacher of combat arts? More capable than even her.

Malise knew it was the case. Halra was not the most complex being in the Plains. She was capable, smart, and loyal. Three virtues Malise held in high regard. Most of the recruits and Sentinels they had talked to didn’t seem to question the organization at all, many even going further, their views on the faculty and Lilith going beyond anything reasonable. In that the Healing Orders don’t much differ after all, even this one.

She supposed the communicated goals and required behavior was agreeable, though organizations this powerful normally had a lot going on behind the curtains. Curtains that would surely not be lifted for low level initiates like themselves.

The lesson finished with Malise lost in thought, a slap on her arm by Halra returned her to the now.

She remained seated, watching the Sentinels walk or teleport out, eager for their next lessons, bouts, or torturous resistance training. Many were easy going, or seemed that way at first. She didn’t have to poke long to realize what kind of people were admitted to this organization.

Former slaves. Refugees. Unfortunate souls born into families too poor to feed themselves, let alone provide for the education of their children. Each had their story, one worse than the next. Some were open to share them, others would not speak of it, but she could tell. In their eyes. The way they checked their backs, the way they fought, the way they bled. The way they pushed, themselves, and each other. All warriors who had known death, in one way or the other. Knew the weight of it, and chose to become healers. Chose to come here, in search of power. To enact revenge, to protect those as unfortunate as they had been, to heal, to hunt monsters that others would not dare to face.

It was something she could admit both the Headmaster and his faculty knew how to do. They could filter out the useless, the unambitious, the opportunistic, greedy, slimy, pieces of shit, that roamed every part of this gods forsaken world.

The question remained then, why they had been admitted.

“No word yet?” another voice asked. Veyra, the former Truth healer, or soon to be. Her long blonde hair was set within a single braid, her athletic build and average height fitting to the Sentinel clothes and armor. Though they had yet to receive their bone and steel sets.

They were alone now, in the classroom, the entire facility free for everyone to use as they saw fit, as long as nobody had scheduled the rooms. Nobody here would leave a mess or destroy any of the furniture. They knew better. Were better.

It was infuriating. Where is the catch.

Balt, the last member of her team stood beside the door, guarding them from prying ears or potential threats. His tall form and intense gaze would scare away most of the shifty adventurers and merchants they had encountered since the blood ritual in Seyna. Here, he was just another man. Another recruit, soon to be Sentinel. To be respected but just as much a rival. Someone who understood, who viewed the world in a similar way, in at least some ways.

“I assume that’s a no. She’s lost in her internal monologue again,” Veyra said, glancing over to the tall dark skinned woman.

Halra grunted, confirming but likely not seeing a need to do anything about Malise’s state.

I can hear you, Malise thought, annoyed that the woman’s remark had taken her out of her accused internal monologue. “No word yet.”

“The Headmaster said they require Lilith to be present,” Halra said. “She is an important individual.”

“And you think she would care to show up, for us?” Malise asked.

“The explanations made sense. The Sentinels have given us no reason to question their intent, nor their sincerity,” Halra said.

“Which makes me even more suspicious,” Malise said.

“Maybe you’re just not the most intelligent human being in the entirety of the Plains after all,” Veyra said, a sweet smile on her lips. “And maybe it really is just paranoia and arrogance.”

“I’d rather be paranoid and arrogant, than dead,” Malise said.

“Then you continue to do that,” Veyra said. “I’m off to join some resistance training, anyone coming?”

Balt clicked with his tongue, the group instantly on alert.

A Centurion rounded the corner and took them in with its glowing green eyes, the speech module added to its shoulder activating. “The Headmaster summons you. Lilith has arrived to see you. Please follow if you will.”

Malise gulped. She had heard a lot about the supposed woman. If even ten percent of it was true, she was about to meet a monster more powerful than the entire army of the former Baralia. She grinned ever so slightly. “Lead the way.”

Chapter 848 Root

Chapter 848 Root

Malise wasn’t surprised when she entered the training hall, her team in a loose formation around her as they followed the Centurion to meet the Headmaster and Lilith.

The woman looked nice enough. Long black hair, blue eyes, seeming more entertained than really interested in the affairs happening around her. But then how interested could she be in a group of below level one hundred recruits, when she faces monsters we couldn’t even comprehend on a daily basis.

Lilith obviously didn’t care to make an impression with her clothes and accessories. Malise had met few powerful people like that, but what she learned was that they usually were the most dangerous. Uncaring for the perception of others, and thus one fewer avenues to gauge and manipulate them. Lilith would not be prone to flattery, or gifts. What she had on the woman was information. Songs and hearsay, though she trusted more in the stories she heard from the Sentinels than the words in a random song played in a faraway tavern. The fact that the Sentinel stories were even more ridiculous didn’t paint a reassuring picture.

She stopped at a suitable distance and bowed, her team doing the same. A respectful bow of one individual to another, not that of a slave to its master.

[Godslayer – lvl ???]

Malise’s mind raced, her breathing picking up slightly before she managed to calm herself. She had thought herself prepared, but what she saw was not part of her predictions.

“I greet you, Godslayer,” she said, choosing something respectful. While Lilith did not flaunt her wealth, she did flaunt what Malise assumed to be a title of sorts. The three marks were no surprise, impressive still, to see in the flesh. Kyrian was supposed to be in the five hundreds as well, but she had yet to meet the man.

“Nice to meet you all,” the woman spoke, her expression suggesting slight annoyance.

She is not pleased with us? Though she was uncaring before. The mention of her title then? Perhaps not something she wishes to bear, but a necessity? A curse?

“You may call me Ilea,” she added.

I see.

“Ilea then, it is good to finally meet you. I am Malise, former slave of Seyna,” Malise spoke. “And my greetings to you, Headmaster. May I introduce the team?”

Take control of the conversation. Tell her who you are, what you can do. She will be sympathetic to former slaves, and has placed capable people in positions of importance.

“Good evening, Malise. You may,” Trian spoke with a slight smile.

He knew what she was doing, the man a noble trained from birth. He would not fail to see it, but it didn’t matter. She only had to speak the truth in the most beneficial manner. She didn’t feel nervous, knowing at the very least that whatever she said, the godslayer would not kill or abuse them. That far, she trusted her intuition, based on all the information she had gathered.

“I used to manage farms and estates for my former masters in and near Seyna. We were far enough away from the city when the blood ritual reached to the sky with its impossible magic. Many chose to flee in the chaos, an opportunity like none before. As did we,” she said and looked at her allies. She ground her teeth ever so slightly. Still awe struck by the monster. Have you forgotten everything I told you?

Malise continued with barely a breath lost, though she knew the two listeners would’ve noticed. “This is Halra. A former slave who used to train those meant to fight in the great gladiator battles of Seyna.”

“So that’s what those arenas were for,” the godslayer murmured.

She was there then, Malise thought. It hardly mattered. If anything it helped.

“She is far more experienced than most warriors you will find, though of course she was not allowed to battle monsters or kill others, for fear that she would grow too strong,” Malise spoke.

“Show me,” Ilea said.

“Now?” the Headmaster asked.

Malise didn’t interrupt. Claims had been made, and the godslayer wanted proof. That was no issue, for her words had been the truth.

“Halra was it? Do you mind fighting me for a few minutes?” Ilea asked.

“No, mistress,” Halra spoke, bowing, as a slave would.

Malise hissed.

“It is not required,” Trian spoke. “You are free to do as you wish.”

“I don’t mind either way,” Ilea said, and by the tone of her voice, Malise gauged that she meant it.

“I will fight,” Halra spoke. “As you are one of those who has provided this opportunity. What is it you wish to see?”

“Use whatever weapons you like, and come at me with the intent to kill,” Ilea said.

“Very well,” Halra spoke, magic flowing out as lines of fire appeared on her skin. “May I have a spear?”

The weapon of choice appeared in Trian’s hand before he threw it over.

“I thank thee, Headmaster,” Halra said as she stepped over to make some space for the battle.

Ilea appeared nearby.

Malise felt no magic from the woman, though there was something about her presence. She knew it would be fatal to attack her, even without the title she had seen. And she could see it in her eyes now. A warrior. Not one driven by fanaticism, insecurity, wealth, or power. No, she was the sort that simply enjoyed battle. One like Halra, Malise thought, her face a perfect mask.

“You are a Fire Enhancer,” Ilea remarked.

“I am, Mistress,” Halra replied. “Is my magic not suitable for this bout?”

“No, no. It’s just that I had the same Class once,” Ilea said. “Now come at me, and don’t hold back.”

“I will not,” Halra said and flashed one of her rare smiles. She crouched and rushed forward, closing the distance in mere moments before she thrust her spear straight at her target’s heart. A feint, followed by two side steps and a slash aimed at Ilea’s hand.

To Malise’s surprise, the blade of the spear connected. She realized a moment later that there was no cut however, Halra jumping back as she kept her spear angled forward, assessing her opponent.

Ilea grinned and crouched, moving towards Halra with far greater speed. She dodged two spear thrusts from a Halra that took several steps backwards to keep the distance, slashing wide when she realized Ilea was too fast.

Halra didn’t wait when Ilea stopped advancing, instead closing the distance yet again and striking straight at her throat. This time it was no feint, the lines of fire on her skin flaring up when the metal struck skin.

Ilea reached up as Halra made distance at the movement. She touched her throat where the spear had struck, her brows rising. “Not bad,” she spoke. “But what will you do…” Ilea said, blue runes appearing on her skin as the pressure of the hall changed.

Malise activated every enhancing spell she had, holding her breath against the flow of magic that she felt.

“… in the face of overwhelming power?” Ilea finished, dark ashen wings spreading from her back, wisps of blue energies moving. Blue light left a trail where the runes moved.

Halra was already running, towards the exit of the hall.

“Damn. I mean I guess that one makes the most sense,” Ilea said and started laughing, her wings dissolving as the light of the runes waned. She landed on the stone floor with a noticeable impact before raising her hand towards the spear wielder who had just about reached the closed double doors.

Halra vanished and appeared in her initial position, spear in hand and crouched.

“The bout is over,” Ilea said. “Before you run again.”

“There were no restrictions,” Halra spoke. “I deemed it the approach most likely to succeed.”

“You might be right, and you’re certainly experienced. Just missing the required Classes. Are you sure you want to do this? You could succeed with anything. If the Elixir kills you, it would be such a waste,” Ilea said.

Malise could breathe again. Her spells waned just as the power she had felt. She heard genuine concern from the tone of the woman.

“I wish to seek challenge, and I do not strive for mediocrity, now that I am free,” Halra spoke, her words deliberate and spoken with conviction. “If this is how I shall die, then let it be my choice.”

“Very well,” Ilea spoke. “Who is the rest?”

Malise had to catch her breath but she managed. “Balt, a former slave and meant to become a gladiator for the purpose of entertainment. He is young, but his talents are promising, both to the eyes of Halra, and my own.”

“And you would make that choice yourself?” Ilea asked, looking at the man.

Balt glanced to Malise.

“You are free. Speak freely,” Malise confirmed.

He looked to the woman and considered his words. “I have been granted freedom. And I was trained by the best. I shall not be left behind, and I shall wish to be the first, if such is possible.”

“I will be the first,” Malise spoke up, eyes on Trian. If he had wanted to test something on slaves or fanatics, he would’ve done so long ago. Balt may be the only one not to receive the elixir, but if there was a way for him to get it, she would fight for him. “He will be last, and if possible, only if the others have survived.”

The Headmaster gave her a slight nod.

“And you are?” Ilea asked.

“Veyra, Lady Ilea,” the woman said and bowed. She considered and glanced to Malise.

The truth only. “She was to be a healer of the Order of Truth, until she learned of their deep running corruption. We met in the northern regions of Lys, months after our escape. Veyra had chosen to help former slaves and refugees from the war. She is to me like a sister.”

And sisters can be such a pain.

“We don’t know what the Elixir will do. Hopefully it will provide the same change that I went through, and provide you with Classes related to Arcane healing. If it works, you’ll be in high demand among the Sentinels, and we’ll be able to perhaps use the Elixir on others. The original elixir had a high rate of fatality. The Medic Classes are powerful as they are, perhaps even more powerful than mine. Would you still make that choice?” Ilea asked.

“I would. And I shall uphold the decrees of the Medic Sentinels,” Malise spoke. Decrees so simple anyone with the right mind would find it easy to uphold. Compared to what any other Order demanded, they would practically be free to do as they saw fit. Malise did not miss the obvious existence of unwritten debt, but she would not dismiss it. She never forgot those who helped her, or those who wronged her.

“As will I,” Halra spoke. “And while I may not reach your heights, I shall become what I am meant to be.”

“Your offer is quite ridiculous. Any sane woman would take you up on it,” Veyra said. “You two don’t have to pretend like it’s a sacrifice.”

Malise was careful to watch Ilea as her companion spoke her arrogant words. Amused. She was not sure if that meant there was a catch or if the godslayer was in a position of such privilege, she did not understand the value of this gift. Either was possible with what she knew.

“I will accept this gift and the risk that comes with it, should you allow it,” Balt spoke.

“Suppose that’s as much as we can ask,” Ilea said and looked to the Headmaster.

“Sure,” he spoke after a few seconds.

Telepathy, as expected.

“We can go ahead until the others are ready,” the godslayer spoke. “Have you met the Meadow?”

“We did not have the honor quite yet,” Malise said. Visiting a four mark being that saw all was not on her list of priorities. Let alone when it controlled space itself.

“Then follow me,” Ilea said with a smile on her face.

Malise watched the woman take a few steps and vanish. She raised her brows, glancing at Trian.

“There’s a gate here,” he said, pointing where Ilea had walked.

Malise took in a deep breath and followed, gesturing for her team to do the same. One moment she was in the training hall of the Medic Sentinel Corps, the next, she stood within a dome like barrier.

Trapped, something shouted within her, but the voice was suppressed, smothered. Something long gone. Something she had long defeated. Malise had not been a slave for a long time, no matter what her masters had thought. And now she was truly free, merely in the presence of powerful beings.

Powerful beings that were willing to give her a slew of opportunities, and she would not waste it.

“So you are the ones. Greetings, future Sentinels, to my domain,” a voice resounded in her mind.

She bowed once more. “Endless Meadow of the Accords. It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” she sent back through the connection that she felt within her mind.

“I dare say your journey has been long, and I will watch with interest, to where it leads, Malise,” the being spoke once more.

Malise felt herself wanting to gulp, but she stopped the urge. She would respect its power. Nothing more and nothing less. Her breathing slowed.

The other faculty arrived, one by one. Sidney, Orthan, Lyza, a large silver machine that resembled the Centurions, and a man Malise did not know.

“Elder Lucas,” Trian introduced. “He aided in the modification of the Elixir.”

An elder of the Shadow’s Hand.

Malise bowed to him before she turned to Trian. “We shall not waste the time of the esteemed beings present. If you would accept, I am ready.”

Lyza walked over and opened her palm. “Try not to die,” she said with an exaggerated smile, handing over the slightly glowing blue root.

[Bluemoon root]

No indication as to the quality or what it will do.

She saw the entire faculty of the Medic Sentinels look at her with differing expressions, all of them waiting. This time she gulped.

May fortune be with me, she thought and ate the root.

“That was quick,” Lyza spoke.

“Not a surprise,” Trian said with a smile.

Malise focused on her breathing, closing her eyes when she felt the first pulse flow through her.

Pain.

Searing pain.

As if her very veins were ripped out of her body. She tried to endure it, but failed. Screaming, she fell to her knees, growing wooden roots catching her in a gentle embrace. She screamed and screamed. The world faded to black.

Malise woke and shivered, gritting her teeth when the pain resumed. Please, she begged in her mind, a part of her glad she had not spoken aloud, the rest of her screaming yet again.

It did not stop, her consciousness fading time and time again.

When it finally stopped, Malise did not know how long she had been gone. She remained in the wooden embrace, no indication of blood or puke on the ground before her.

The faculty remained, close now and all around. She looked out and found the face of Halra, a smile on the woman’s face. I survived, she thought, triumphant.

“Welcome back, Malise,” a voice resounded in her mind.

“Did it work?” Ilea asked. “She doesn’t feel that different.”

“Any messages?” the Headmaster asked.

Malise tried to focus, then nodded weakly.

‘ding’ The Bluemoon Root has changed your body permanently.

You grow more resilient +10 Vitality

The flow of your mana was changed +10 Intelligence +10 Wisdom

You recharge mana at a faster pace +100% mana recovery rate.

She read the words out loud.

“Yeah, I think that’s close to the one that I got back then,” Ilea said.

“More importantly, her body was changed to accept the arcane on a fundamental level. A lot of paths just opened up to you, Sentinel Malise. Congratulations,” the Meadow spoke.

Malise took in a deep breath and for the first time in a while, she allowed herself a genuine smile. Perhaps these people really were that stupid, and there was no catch at all.

_______________________

“The elixir has shown an efficient change. We should observe the others, but I believe it to be safe for usage,” the Meadow sent.

“That’s great news,” Ilea answered. “So now we’re going to get arcane healing classes?”

“With this elixir there are a lot of possibilities. Not just for healing,” the Meadow spoke. “However the path is merely different. It is not an inherent advantage compared to other elixirs, though if they unlock the mental healing aspect, it should be a major benefit to the Sentinels as a whole. It will be interesting to see in what other ways the arcane may manifest.”

Trian took in a deep breath. “Three more left,” he spoke with a serious tone.

“Right, who’s next?” Ilea asked.

The other three followed. Several hours of agony as their bodies were changed by the elixir, neither Ilea nor the Meadow interfering with the process.

While invasive, there didn’t seem to be any danger to their lives, the root doing the same that the Bluemoon Grass had done without the supposed danger.

“The four first Sentinels with the potential for arcane healing,” Ilea said.

“You better get to training, I want to know if it worked,” Lyza spoke, her arms crossed.

Ilea smiled. “Let’s get back then and have a celebratory feast.”

“You always have feasts,” Trian said.

“Yes, they’re wonderful after all,” she said and chose a mark that resided in Ravenhall. Perfect.

“Keyla, I’m coming with a group of people for a feast. Are you available?”

She waited for a moment.

“Give me. Ten minutes. I’m doing something,” the answer came.

Did she sound more raspy than usual? Ilea raised her brows. “We’re leaving in fifteen minutes. How are you four doing?”

She looked at the future Sentinels, changed by nearly the same elixir she had found so long ago in the Azarinth temple. “Did we just revive something terrible, or something great?” she sent to the Meadow.

The recruits looked well enough. Exhausted to be sure, but that was no surprise.

“Let it be what they make of it,” the Meadow sent. “As you did.”

Chapter 849 Feast

A note from Rhaegar

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And Audio: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Hedge-Wizard-Audiobook/B09ZVLQ2HX

It’s a gritty, dnd inspired progression fantasy, with a cool magic system and some subtly included LitRPG. It’s about a wandering wizards apprentice who takes up the mantle of his master after his death, taking on quests and clearing dungeons.

Chapter 849 Feast

Dawn had yet to break when Ilea arrived in Ravenhall. With her came an entire party. Four future Sentinels changed by the Bluemoon root. With them the entire faculty of the Medic Sentinel Corps, including the elder who had helped in the endeavor to change the Bluemoon Grass into a less dangerous Elixir.

Torches and magical lamps lit the cobbled street in front of the now famous Golden Drake. A single cook stood in front of the building, wearing a yellow hooded cloak that covered much of her reptilian features.

“Good morning, everyone,” she spoke, not in the least surprised at the high number of people. She was familiar with most of them after all.

“You seem relaxed. Did I interrupt something?” Ilea sent, her brows raised.

“Oh not at all, friend, how come you would suggest something so insidious?” Keyla sent back. “I suspect you will all want to be fed?” Her tone was accusatory, though not entirely unkind.

“If you and your cooks area available,” Ilea answered. “We have reason to celebrate.”

“Oh? Does it have to do with the four slightly lost adventurers I have yet to know?” Keyla said.

“Indeed. And I think having the celebration in the Headquarters seems appropriate, what do you think Trian?” Ilea asked.

“Yes, I suppose that’s a good option. Though once news gets out, I’ll have dozens of fresh students knocking on my door to get the elixir,” the man said. “Let’s go. The sooner we can start, the sooner I’m done with the work.”

“The Meadow can take care of it. Won’t be long,” Orthan spoke and smiled.

“And I’m around for a few hours too, I can send them up. How much of the root is available anyway?” Ilea asked, glancing at Lucas.

He shrugged. “Not enough for an entire Healing Order, but hmm. I suspect there won’t be quite that many.”

“Eighteen people,” Trian said, grumbling slightly as he started towards the Headquarters.

“I will go get a few people,” Keyla said and vanished.

Ilea didn’t miss the many knives on the cook’s belt, a few of them flashing in the mix of torchlight and the blueish hue of magical street lamps.

They didn’t have to wait long, though some of the cooks didn’t seem quite as ready as Keyla herself.

[Chef – lvl 210]

“You’re quite a bit higher leveled,” Ilea remarked as their band of adventurers and cooks made its way to the northern section of town. Glowing green eyes watched them from the walls and rooftops, the familiar tapping of metal against stone audible from time to time. Large cannons loomed above, sure to cast long shadows once the suns would rise.

“I am,” Keyla said with a smile.

“Interesting adventures?” Ilea asked.

“I would like to say. Some were, but the main contributor is your former dagger, as far as I understand,” the cook replied.

“Just skill levels from training? Or did you destroy machines?” Ilea said.

“You didn’t know Guardians were being destroyed? Only if you could actually beat them of course, but the levels are great. I’m not sure if they’re set to kill people, but it feels real enough,” Keyla sent, shaking her head as if reminiscing.

Ilea turned to the Hunter Praetorian walking with them, the black metal machine looking as dangerous as the first time she had seen one. Despite knowing she could easily destroy it. “You let people destroy your machines?”

“Guardians are numerous and they have many uses. Helping adventurers train and level up against dangerous foes is one of them. I resumed production in a few of the facilities. The waste is hardly worth a mention. I’m far more concerned about the Hunters and Executioners I lose to the search of Ascended facilities. Creating one of them is far more resource demanding, in every aspect,” the machine explained. “Plus, Guardians cannot gain levels on their own. Other beings can.”

“I guess they would be great way to both train and level,” Ilea said. She certainly knew. “Do you set them to try and kill the trainees?”

“I’ll leave that to your interpretation. Danger provides more experience. I certainly don’t shy away to show those who employ my services just how dangerous and painful the wilds will be,” Aki spoke. “Though I don’t go quite as hard as with the Sentinels of course.”

“And anyone can just employ you for free?” she asked. I would’ve loved that kind of opportunity. I guess the dungeons I found were plenty. But an inn nearby would’ve been nice.

“I evaluate it on defined rules. Income levels, background, reasons for training, association with both countries and organizations. Students of the Ravenhall Academy can train for free. As do most organizations based in Accords territory. However only the Sentinels get to destroy Centurions, their core explosions turned off, against the wishes of the young Medics.”

Ilea smiled, shaking her head a little. Idiots.

They reached the headquarters where Keyla and her cooks set up in the available kitchen space, added to the mess hall. The faculty informed the present Sentinels and recruits about the feast, word spreading fast. Many were still asleep at this time of day, their low levels not yet allowing them to stay awake through the night.

A few teams in stonehammer and bone armor were present as well, delaying their departures to join in on the celebrations.

“Are more arriving?” Ilea asked, seeing people come down the spiral stairs.

“I took the liberty of informing those I could reach,” Aki spoke.

Ilea raised her brows and sat down on one of the benches, leaning her back against the stone wall.

She didn’t have to wait long for the first Sentinels to find her.

“Ilea! May we join you?” a young woman asked. Her blue eyes downright sparkled as she looked at Ilea. Her brown hair was bound in a well done braid.

[Battle Healer – lvl 175]

“Raphia, sure, sit down,” Ilea said with a smile. She was surprised to find that the girl didn’t avoid her eye contact. She doesn’t look as ghostly anymore either. And the look in her eyes has changed. For all of them actually. She saw Cornelius and Dany standing a little farther back.

How fast they grow, she thought with a smile, seeing many more familiar faces arrive in the hall, the Sentinels sporting enchanted weapons, armors of metals she had never seen before, spells or perhaps familiars following them around. They hugged and spoke as if returning to their home after a long journey. Which she supposed was true for many of them, despite the availability of the gates.

“Godslayer,” a deep voice called out from her left.

Thick and sturdy looking spiked armor made of dense ash covered the large man, his crimson eyes taking her in.

[Berserker – lvl 356]

“Good to see you, Gael,” Ilea said. She glanced at the cup he held out towards her. “For me?”

He nodded.

She didn’t miss the many eyes nearby turning her way, those who didn’t slowed their breathing and stopped their movements, likely watching through alternative perception options.

She grinned and took the cup. What poison did you concoct?

Ilea didn’t even check. She locked eyes with Gael and took a deep drink from the wooden cup.

‘ding’ ‘You were poisoned by Cinderberry Tea – You resist its effects’

She smiled. The spicy taste that she remembered was tuned down to a slight tinge, either by her high resistance and enhanced body, or because the tea was not quite as strong. She doubted the latter.

“You can still just call me by my names,” Ilea said and took another sip.

A few cheers resounded before everyone joined in, some shaking their heads with smiles on their faces, others sitting in quiet contemplation, faces covered by their helmets or elemental armors.

“Why don’t you join me?” she sent to the four slightly lost looking recruits she had brought to the domain of the Meadow earlier. They were sitting alone at their table, three of them looking around with somewhat nervous glances.

Malise looked her way. “With all due respect, Lilith, it would not do our standing well to take such a privileged position.”

“You will be Sentinels, like everyone here,” Ilea spoke, the room calming down again. “We are to have a feast, and I’ll be here, at least this morning. Been a while since I got to know the new faces here, and caught up with the old. The Elixir works, and I hope soon, you’ll have arcane healers here.”

Quick whispers were exchanged, many of the people, even Hunters and Veterans celebrating in silence.

“Thank the Meadow,” someone called out.

“No shit, finally,” another voice said.

“You four got the elixir?” an armored woman spoke as she walked closer to the table, chains wrapped around her arms.

“Yes, ma’am,” Malise spoke, respectful but not subservient.

The Sentinel chuckled. “We’ll have to train you then, and see what kind of Classes you will get. We’ll be first to support you,” she said and looked behind herself. “Nathan, let’s take them with us later.”

“It’s too dangerous,” the man replied, sitting at his table.

“We’ll train them here,” another voice came from near the stairwell, a group shrouded in ash and moving wind. Vienna and her team.

“Don’t come in and take the glory,” Celeste spoke, chains falling to the ground as the nearby Sentinels moved out of the way, chairs and tables dragged over the stone floor to provide space.

Silver was exchanged between people as murmurs broke out throughout the hall. Someone got out a lute and started playing.

“I’ll take care of her,” the small muscly woman next to Vienna said as she walked forward. Stone formed on her skin, her smirk growing wide as powerful magic emanated from her.

Barriers appeared to protect the kitchen and the walls, Ilea saw a few Sentinels who had activated the enchantments, powering them with their mana.

She glanced at Gael who still stood at the same spot, looking at her instead of the oncoming fight. “You can sit down, you know,” she said and teleported the four elixir recipients to the opposite bench as well. “Better get out of the way of those two,” she said to them, a smile on her face, once more gesturing for Gael to sit.

Halra made wide eyes as she looked at the giant of an armored man sitting down next to her with a careful motion.

“Would you like something to eat?” Ilea asked him.

He shook his head.

“That’s alright,” Ilea said and returned her attention to the battle when the first cheers resounded, followed by heavy impacts.

A few Sentinels teleported through the hall and started placing the first plates onto the various tables while the fight was taking place, heavy punches striking ash and stone as the two high level Medics exchanged blows.

A wince went through the crowd when Celeste was slammed into the stone floor, dragged by the smaller Chana before her armor, jaw, and teeth were broken.

Silver was once more exchanged as many turned their attention to the food instead, or conversation. Celeste slapped away a few helping hands as her own healing took care of the damage. “Unfair,” she muttered. “I’ll get you next time.”

“You’re free to try, sweetheart,” Chana said and blew a kiss her way.

Ilea turned to the food as well, some of the Sentinels challenging each other in the impromptu ring. They had earth and wood mages in the lot to fix any damage done, though she knew none of them were going at it seriously outside the training halls. Most of the faculty was present after all.

“You look strong,” Halra spoke, her eyes on Gael.

He didn’t meet hers.

“And you are thoughtful,” she added. “Would you help me train?”

Ilea could see the misery flashing in Malise’s eyes before she hid again behind her perfect mask.

“I have to train myself,” he answered.

“I understand that. Then maybe I can watch you fight, and give you pointers. I have trained many men and women. To fight and kill,” Halra said. “And you have killed many before. But you move like a beast.”

He turned his head and growled.

She held her own.

Gael watched her before turning back again. “We may train. Once the crowd disperses.”

“We can leave now,” Halra said, giving a questioning look to Ilea.

“You can do what you want,” Ilea said.

Halra stood up and grabbed Gael’s arm. She didn’t pull but he stood up and followed.

Now that is an interesting match, Ilea thought.

Veyra followed them with her eyes before she drank from her tankard. “They won’t even know if they’re fighting or fucking.”

“That monster will kill her,” Malise murmured.

“That’s her choice to make,” Veyra said with a grin. “And he seemed more gentle than you might think.”

“He is dangerous, like most people here,” Malise said.

“You don’t have to stay if you’re uncomfortable,” Ilea said, piling food onto her plate.

Malise considered and then just remained quiet, tapping the table with her fingers.

“Do you not want to eat?” Dany asked, looking at Balt.

The former slave looked at her and slowly moved his hand to one of the plates. He took it and seemed surprised when nothing happened.

“You can eat as much as you like,” Dany said with a smile. “The Headquarters is safe. Except when you train. But nearly everyone has healing spells, so you should be fine anyway.”

He still seemed suspicious, but soon started to eat.

“So,” Cornelius said, glancing over at Ilea. “About that Class or whatever it is. Did you really kill a god?”

She sighed, already kind of lost in the food conjured up by Keyla and her cooks. How many times will I have to tell that story?

Ilea finished her last plate in one of the training halls. The grounds in her vicinity were blood covered, severed limbs and innards scattered all around. Panting could be heard from the Sentinels crouching or kneeling at a safe distance from the monster in her ashen throne.

“Nothing left in you?” Ilea asked as she made her empty plate vanish, wings extending before they lifted her out of the large ashen chair. She smiled at the knocked out Sentinels too stubborn to give up, though they too would recover in mere minutes. You really have to kill them quickly, or they’re just standing up again and again.

“I’ll be on my way then,” she said and stretched, the chair behind her dissolving.

“Thank you for your guidance, Lady Lilith,” a few voices called out, the rest following.

“Dangerous travels to you,” Vienna said, the Huntress of the Corps regenerating both of her missing arms.

“And to you,” Ilea said with a grin, summoning a gate before herself and stepping through.

A bath would be nice.

“Felicia, meeting in a few hours at your mansion?” she sent, amused by the thought of her girlfriend owning a mansion.

______________________

Vienna broke down to her knees. She didn’t feel pain, but she felt exhaustion. Entirely ripped apart. Effortless.

She had known Ilea was powerful. Had known that she could face multiple Executioners, but they had faced Executioners too. Granted it wasn’t much of a fight yet, but they at least felt graspable.

“The Fourth tier,” Elias murmured. He stood, uninjured but out of mana, eyes wide still at what he had seen.

A growl resounded when Gael woke from his unconscious state. The beating he had taken was beyond anything Aki had subjected him to. The machine was precise and calculated.

Ilea was brutal.

So nice and casual, sitting at her table, eating, as if she was a human being. But when her eyes changed. Vienna gulped, still seeing the smile on the woman’s face as her ribs were shattered in a single punch.

“We have a long way to go,” Niram spoke. The man vanished without another word.

“That we do,” Raka said, helping her team recover from the training session.

“Almost reminds me of the first few weeks,” Chana said. “When she was here more often.”

“She has returned to her own hunt,” Vienna said.

“I pity the gods that face her,” Nathan said. “Come on guys,” he said to his team. “Let’s go before Gael wants another round.”

“He does seem frustrated,” Chana murmured.

“Another round?” Vienna asked.

The woman cracked her neck, the shattered stone armor reforming. “While we’re here.”

“While we’re here,” Vienna confirmed, a smile on her face as they watched the Berserker stumble up and turn their way.

Chapter 850 Prototype

Chapter 850 Prototype

Ilea rolled over on the bed and grabbed a blanket. She smiled when Felicia moved closer to hug her from behind.

“I missed this,” the woman said in a whisper.

Ilea turned around, close to her now, looking into the yellow eyes. She could feel her breath. “If you’re looking for more…”

Felicia shook her head. “No. This is quite alright.” She sighed. “I have my duties, just as you have yours.”

“I just fight monsters,” Ilea said and smiled.

Felicia tapped her forehead. “A duty to yourself is still a duty.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Ilea said and kissed the woman. “But we should keep making time.”

“We should,” Felicia said and kissed her back. “I should prepare. We have another meeting with the military in an hour,” she said and sat up.

“Aki wanted to show me something anyway,” Ilea said as she cleaned herself with heated ash, summoning a set of comfortable clothes onto her body. She fell back onto the bed and sighed, looking at the curved ceiling painted in a dark red color, intricate carvings decorating each corner of the room. The windows were massive, the busy sounds of Virilya floating into the room as Felicia cleared the air with the help of her magic.

“Best not tell me about it. People know about us, and Alyris loves collecting whatever she can know. And not just her,” Felicia said, turning around. “How do I look?”

A well fitted vest in red and gray covered her chest and arms, the neckline high and tight. Her hair was put up and perfectly in line, a pin showing the Redleaf insignia held it all together. She wore no makeup. Felicia wore black leather pants neither too tight nor too loose, her boots black as well and both fitting for a town hall and the battlefield.

“Like a General,” Ilea said. She bit her lip and flopped onto her belly, her ash supporting the bed in this dangerous maneuver. Both hands supporting her chin, she smiled a mischievous smile. “Maybe next time we should start like that.”

Felicia stared at her, not a hint of a smile on her face before she tilted her head slightly. “Maybe we should.”

“Not bad,” Ilea said, grinning like an idiot.

Felicia turned and looked at the large mirror in her room. “Maybe I should have something similar made for you. Your interest in clothing is far too limited for a lady of your standing. Your legend, really.”

“I’m famous for my terrifying ash armor, not for dresses and skirts,” Ilea said.

“I know. I’ll still have some things put together if you don’t mind,” Felicia said.

“I don’t,” Ilea said and teleported out of the bed. She stretched before hugging Felicia.

“My hair,” the woman said but hugged her back a moment later.

“Your hair is fine,” Ilea said. “I’ll see you.”

“If you don’t get yourself killed,” Felicia said.

Ilea kissed the woman one last time before she teleported out into the city. Her wings spread and moved, bringing her a few hundred meters ahead. She slowed and landed on a busy road.

Wagons pulled by Guardians rushed past, some of the machines simply carrying crates themselves, others carrying people.

Public transport I suppose, Ilea thought. Guess something more akin to trains or buses would make more sense. She didn’t doubt Aki had something in the making already. Ilea assumed changing up the production facilities to make anything other than the intended Guardians was quite an undertaking.

She watched a group of soldiers walk past, trying very hard not to stare at her.

This title is going to be the end of me.

The end of my peace, she thought with a sigh. Oh the woes faced by Lilith!

She walked into a bakery she found by smell alone and bought a few pastries. More than five people would eat at a breakfast. But the she wasn’t exactly normal people.

Teleporting up to the roof of an especially nice looking, and sturdy house, Ilea leaned back and enjoyed the view over a large section of Virilya, eating croissants filled with jam and covered in powdered sugar.

Life is good, she thought, straining her eyes for a moment to look at the suns. She almost expected them to vanish in that moment, but nothing happened. They shined on, as they had for likely millions of years before.

Ilea finished her breakfast lunch or whatever description would’ve been the appropriate choice for a normal human with actual physiological need for food.

She summoned a gate below and fell off the roof, rolling to a stop in the domain of the Meadow.

“Hello. Aki wanted to see me,” Ilea said, lying on her back on the ground and looking towards the tree.

“Indeed, here he is,” the Meadow sent before a Hunter Praetorian appeared next to Ilea.

“You are lying on the floor,” the machine said, looking down at her.

“I’m digesting,” Ilea answered.

Aki looked up for a few seconds and then returned his eyes to her. “I managed to modify a Destroyer, creating a prototype of something quite exciting. I wanted to test it in the field.”

“How can I help?”

“A gate in Iz,” Aki said.

“I had to remove that location, but I can set it again,” Ilea said. “Got a teleportation gate nearby?”

“I can move you,” the Meadow sent.

Ilea was moved to a random cave in the outskirts of the Meadow’s domain, a taleen gate bringing her to Iz where she could place her Fabric Tear destination once more, replacing the one in the Mava tower after confirming a gate had been added to the current home of the Skal.

“This is it?” Ilea asked, looking at the large flying machine, almost looking like an armored upside down scorpion.

“Yes,” Aki sent.

“It’s a little bulkier,” Ilea said.

“Let’s go back to the Meadow, we can test it in the northern lands within its Domain,” Aki said.

“What about the storms?” Ilea asked.

“A Destroyer will withstand them,” Aki answered.

“If you say so,” Ilea murmured, stepping back into the domain of the Meadow.

The tree moved her out into the desolate northern landscape. There was nothing but sun, stone, and dust. She couldn’t see any storms in the vicinity.

“Aki asks that you open a gate large enough for the Destroyer to fly through,” the Meadow sent to her, from its distant location below Hallowfort.

Ilea focused on the area and opened the gate. She watched as the Destroyer came flying through and landed, the top bit shifting and expanding, metal support beams extending before digging into the ground around the machine that had turned into a platform instead.

She flew up to get a better view when she felt magic thrum to life. A dozen Guardians appeared and rushed out, securing the location. Another thrum and a second Destroyer appeared. The third brought two Praetorians while the second Destroyer landed and shifted into a platform in turn.

“You got your mobile setup,” Ilea said. “Kind of terrifying to be honest.”

“It’s good that it’s in my hands then,” Aki spoke through one of the Praetorians nearby, more and more machines appearing. “If I have forty seconds to set up uninterrupted, I can bring an army one hundred thousand strong onto the field. Anywhere on this continent.”

“Terrifying, as I said,” Ilea repeated.

“Once I have enough modified Destroyers that is. Currently it’s just these two,” Aki spoke. “The Meadow reports no issues with the enchantments. This version should be good.”

Ilea just watched as more and more machines appeared on the platforms, already a few hundred present. The larger more powerful models took up more space on the platforms but not every enemy required Praetorians, let alone Executioners.

“Are you working on higher level models by the way?” Ilea asked.

The Praetorian glanced at her. “Of course. The intricacy of production is difficult, even for the Accords including the Meadow, me, and the Taleen, but the bottle neck will likely be the same as for the Core Guardians. Energy consumption. There are no places known to me with enough ambient mana to power the four mark machines for longer than a few minutes at most. The Source can support them at a certain distance, but beyond that, it’s near impossible as consumption seems to be increasing at an exponential curve compared to levels.”

“No way to tap into another source? Like the fabric or something?” Ilea asked.

“We are conducting research, but we don’t expect any major breakthroughs in the coming decades sadly,” Aki spoke. “With the pooled resources of the Accords however, and the rich realm of Elos, we are however sure to progress.”

“Sounds good. So you still need me to deploy the first Destroyer I assume?” she asked.

“For now. But strategically placed static platforms are being constructed as we speak. Many have already been finished. Throughout Accord territory and the wilderness,” the machine said. “Both to deploy machines and troops, but just as much for the transport of goods and civilians. The network will be the main key to evacuation plans concerning threats that endanger entire cities or even countries.”

“I doubt there would be much time if a Monarch, Oracle, or an Elemental attack a city,” Ilea said.

“No. Any calculations suggest a high mortality rate. But any improvement is not only desirable but necessary,” the machine said. “Until I can protect the Accords from any possible threat.”

“Is that your goal?” she asked.

“One among many,” Aki answered.

“What kind of entity are you basing those threats on by the way? Me?” she said.

“The most powerful being on which I have reliable data. The Meadow,” Aki said.

Ilea crossed her arms. “Right. I was walking right into that one.”

“The Meadow with your resilience, ability to regenerate, your mobility and your teleportation,” Aki added. He sounded entirely serious.

“That suggestion is a little more terrifying than your network, I won’t lie,” Ilea said after thinking about it for a moment.

“And that is why we need to prepare, why my goal is yet to be met, if ever I can fulfill such a monumental task,” Aki said. “But it’s exciting, I think. To even consider it. Compared to my previous form as a consciousness imprinted on a dagger.”

“You are pretty impressive, old friend,” Ilea said.

“I do what I can,” the machine spoke as the Guardians started to return to Iz.

“Should I open a gate for the Destroyer?” Ilea asked.

“No. One can remain in the Domain of the Meadow.”

“Fair,” Ilea said.

“A successful test scenario,” the Meadow sent. “My congratulations. Ilea, Ren Va has asked for you. Something in regards to the Heart of Verivyen. There is not rush.”

“I have time, before I go hunting again,” Ilea sent back. And I should get back to it soon. Aki is already building mobile teleportation platforms. She cracked her neck. “You can bring me to him.”

Her space magic resistance deactivated as the last of the machines left, metal plating shifting with mechanical noises as the remaining platform started to turn back into a Destroyer.

Ilea felt the spell of the Meadow manifest before she was moved through the fabric, and into it’s Domain.

The Mava was waiting for her, bowing his head before he established a telepathic link.

“Godslayer. You honor me with your presence,” the arcane fox sent. “Our Skal has invited many from the desert and beyond, to witness and take part in the ritual of our Heart’s revival. You too have been invited to this sacred festival, if you would find interest in such matters.”

“It does sound pretty interesting. How long are we talking?” she asked.

“The ritual itself will take place tonight. The festival will endure for twelve cycles, but do not fret if you are considering social or political ramifications. You do not require to join, or stay. But to have one more present, blessed with the fires of creation, would be a great honor,” Ren Va explained. “And the very one who has returned the Heart.”

“I’ll join you tonight, but I should be back to my hunt by tomorrow,” Ilea answered.

“That is most welcome,” the fox spoke and bowed yet again. “The location of the ritual lies deep within the desert. I would show the way, if you please, or you may contact me within the next five hours.”

“I can join you now,” Ilea said. She didn’t have a specific target in mind at the moment. Maybe the Mava have a suggestion for me. They must know of some powerful beings in the west.

Ren Va glanced up before Ilea felt another space magic pull from the Meadow.

They appeared in the same cavern housing the Taleen teleportation platform. Aki was already informed and the gate set for the intended destination.

Ilea appeared alongside Ren Va in the tower of his Skal.

Dry desert winds flowed past as Ilea felt the different air and the heat. They were high up but as she looked around, she couldn’t find a single fox or even one of the Druned. Instead there were two standard Praetorians present to guard the gate.

“Everyone else already left?” she asked.

“Indeed. I have returned after your inclusion was requested by our Skal, and accepted by the others,” Ren Va said. “I apologize for the short notice. Many of us have committed time to the efforts of the Accords, otherwise this festival would have been planned for months in the future. And it would last far longer than mere twelve days and nights.”

“No worries,” Ilea said as she spread her wings, the fox already flying out of the tower.

She followed, the two quickly speeding up towards their destination.

Ilea struck up a conversation a few minutes into their flight. “What is the Heart anyway?”

The fox glanced back at her. “You will see.”

“Mysterious are we. Do you know of any high level creatures in the area? Anything worth for me to hunt?” she asked instead.

“There are beings that come and go. Some considered gods by our Skal or others. Some a mere menace to our kind and the creatures of our lands, while others are a blessing. We do not track such beings as your green eyed machines would, I’m afraid. If you seek dangerous creatures, I suggest the Elven Domains to the north and east, the oceans to the south and west, or the Cursed Marsh, though even the Elves dare not venture there.”

“Seems like a good destination for me then,” Ilea said. Not sure if I want to see that Leviathan again to be honest. I guess I should, if only because I’m afraid of it.

“Do you have many festivals?” she asked.

“We do. However as I understand it, your kind counts the days and seasons of the years. Our festivities are less, static,” the fox replied, with a slight grin. “I must ask, Lady Ilea. Did you bring more of the sacred cake, gifts of revered Popi?”

Ilea smiled at that. “Maybe I did.”

The fox took in a deep breath but kept flying, dunes rushing past below.

“I was wondering. Why is the flame of creation so special? What do you know of it?” Ilea asked.

“You bear it, yet you do not know. I am not surprised. A Spirit of Old travels with you and sits on your shoulder. You are blessed, and I am sure the flame was gifted to you by their kind, in one way or the other,” he spoke.

“So it’s all about the Fae?” Ilea said.

“Indeed. It is said, when first the creatures of the world started to feel and to see, that it was the Spirits of Old who guided them, who protected them against ravaging monsters and the fury of the elements themselves. It was them it is said, who have taught our kind how to wield magic, how to fight for ourselves, how to build, and thrive. I have considered those words and stories, and perhaps some of it is an exaggeration. Are we not born with the ability to wield magic? Are we not born with the ability to fight? And yet I still believe, that in a time long past, the Fae were there, teaching and protecting, as they are here now, watching, and learning themselves,” Ren Va explained.

“I can imagine them being helpful to random creatures,” Ilea said. Maybe beings started to develop consciousness at some point and the Fae were just interested in this new phenomenon, and wanted to prolong it, observe it. Or they really just wanted to help. Who knows.

How old exactly is Baron Violence?

“You don’t know when that time was, do you?” Ilea asked.

“Nobody does,” Ren Va said. “It is said the world was formed, when the first Dragon fought the Primordial Elemental, the latter winning the battle which lasted millennia, fracturing in the process, the remains of those two entities now shaping the magic and the elements you see all around. I assume if such a story could be true, that the Fae came soon after.”

“Why did the Dragon and the Elemental start to fight?” Ilea asked.

“Do they need reason to battle?” Ren Va asked.

Ilea would’ve thought the question a cheap answer for a possible plot hole in the history of existence, but all she could think of was the Wind of Aveer. Maybe that’s actually how it happened. At least moving on the corpse of a massive Dragon is pretty awesome.

“It’s a nice story,” she said.

“That it is,” the fox replied.

They continued in silence for the better part of twenty minutes before he slowed.

Ilea could already see the strange structures in the distance, a bustling mess of towers connected by bridges swaying in the winds. Spells flashed up from time to time, small creatures running after each other on and around what she could only describe as a city.

“Your capital? Or an old town the Druned once built?” she asked.

Ren Va stopped in the air and looked at the city of towers. “No. The place chosen for the Heart. Only sands were here when we arrived three days ago.”

“Cool, what are we waiting for then?” Ilea asked with a smile, checking to make sure that she had brought the remaining cakes from Popi.

She had.

Chapter 851 Tales

A note from Rhaegar

A few more shoutouts for RR stories from authors you may or may not have read before. Either way, give their new work a chance :).

Melas' new litrpg Violet: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/55057/violet-an-isekai-litrpg

And Ravensdagger's Sporemageddon: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/54658/sporemageddon

Chapter 851 Tales

Ilea arrived at the new settlement created by the Druned and populated by both the stone golem type beings and the Mava. Compared to what she felt was an isolated but powerful tribe or settlement when she had first met the Mava on their tower, this felt like the gathering of a nation.

Magic lit up all over the place, creatures hunting each other for fun or competition. Druned working together in clusters that reminded Ilea of her encounter with the Earth Elemental in the Isanna desert. Structures rose as if conjured from thin air, interlinking with the existing architecture all around. A city born in the sand, raised by the experience, collaboration, and power of a species she hardly understood. Protected by nomadic fox beings strong enough to rival Elven kind or any other predators and civilizations in the surrounding territories.

There were thousands. Both of the Druned, and the Mava.

Ilea landed on one of the outermost structures, holding on to the swaying bridge connected by stone links and roots. Her weight was of no issue. Druned both floating and walking on the bridges passed by with neither greetings or commentary. Only to group up for the next building project to be raised from the endless desert.

She stood there on the bridge and smiled as she looked at the magical lights, the fires, and rising structures.

“Impressed?” Ren Va asked, the fox landing on the roots of the swaying railings.

Ilea considered. She had seen the capital of Lys, had seen the battle between the Meadow and the Daughters of Sephilon. She had entered the Still Valley, and seen one of the Elven Oracles. All of that had been impressive, and so was this. “No wonder your kind has been around for so long,” she said ultimately, more just glad that she had managed to make an impression on some of them. “I guess that Heart was quite important after all.”

The fox chuckled but chose not to address her words. Instead he ascended once more. “Feel free to linger, or to explore. The word of who you are and what you have done has surely spread. By nightfall, follow the Mava to the center of it all, if you wish to see the Heart bloom once more.”

Ilea watched the fox leave, standing on the bridge with her mantle shrouding her in ash. And he just leaves me here, to explore for myself, Ilea thought. She smiled at the idea of inviting Mava into Ravenhall to just let them explore without any guides or informing the populace. Most certainly not something any reasonable ruler, diplomat, or stateswoman would allow. It was however, something she herself would do.

Maybe I’ll get some Elven Mava Meadow hybrid option for my next set of evolutions, she thought, deciding to explore the strange city without using her wings for the time being. Instead she walked along the bridge and found herself standing on a tower at the other end. Below she could see Druned moving about, and a large bonfire with several Mava lying close.

There were neither stairs nor ladders on the high tower, and so she simply jumped down. Ilea hit the ground with a reverberating impact. Dense is good, she reminded herself and looked up at the cliff side leading to the bonfire. I can’t make that jump. Her fourth tier activated for a single moment, runes lighting up as arcane power flowed through every fiber of her being. Ilea crouched and jumped, a small shock wave of air and sand rushing out from where she had stood. She flew and grabbed on to the ledge, pulling herself up with no effort before she landed atop and close to the bonfire she had seen.

Only two of the Mava turned her way, the rest either eating or asleep.

“The godslayer, so the word was true. Are you the wielder of the creating flame?” one of them spoke, a small fox with copper colored fur and orange eyes.

Ilea set alight a speck of floating ash in response to the question.

“Then is it true that you are the bearer of gifts from the great and renowned Popi?” the other fox asked. A few more of the nearby Mava stirred at the mention of the name. Though telepathic, Ilea assumed the fox was sending her words to everyone nearby.

She grinned and summoned a single cake. All they really want. She set it down and continued on her way, leaving the ensuing battle behind herself, though she didn’t miss the growls and flares of magic. None of them seem to care much for my title or level. They just want cake.

Might just be they have a different way to look at power. As if they’re nonchalant about it. Just something some beings have. They’re at least not attacking me like Hak Ro did.

She wasn’t sure as to how the foxes viewed her but neither felt particularly interested in prying too much. They invited her to join their fires, feasts, and bouts as she continued into the strange landscape she may have described as ruins without the numerous present creatures. Some of the foxes followed her for a time, some even asking questions, but they left as they came. A novelty to look at and to talk to. Something to pique their interest for a short while. Nothing more, nothing less.

She assumed they had all seen their fair share of interesting things in their long lives, and essentially living in the wild. Not quite the same experience as a human identifying her as a three mark Godslayer inside the more or less safe walls of their cities.

Ilea distributed cakes as she saw fit. It didn’t come as a massive surprise that many of the foxes knew of Popi, perhaps even more than knew of her.

She ate her share of food in turn, mostly various monster meats prepared with magic. The mava used spices liberally, some better at cooking than others.

Ilea bit off a piece from the skewer, watching a few Druned play the same game she had seen them play before. She raised her brows and glanced to one of the Mava nearby. “What kind of meat is this?”

The Mava glanced at her. His fur was brown with a touch of green, his eyes near black but retaining some of the color of his fur. A level four hundred wood mage. “Horn ram from the northwest. Boring to hunt, but their meat is plenty.”

“And the spices?” she asked, not exactly expecting an answer. She had tasted plenty of spicy food in Elos but this one she assumed was borderline uneatable for most humans.

“I don’t know what it’s called. Different ones,” the fox said, sniffing the air a few times.

Ilea watched the balance game between the two Druned, raising her brow after a few seconds. “Do you cultivate those yourself?”

“No,” the Mava said.

“The Druned then?”

“From Orcs in the north. Some of us like to trade with them,” the Mava explained.

“I thought the Cursed Marshes were separating the desert and the orc lands,” Ilea said.

The Mava just shrugged. “I don’t know how they pass the Marshes. The ones I’ve seen and fought were certainly not strong enough to survive in there. Maybe they have secret passages. Who knows.”

“You never cared to find out?”

“It’s cold and wet up there,” the Mava said with a hint of disgust.

Like the UK, Ilea thought and nodded sagely.

She kept watching the game as she finished eating the skewer, the Mava speaking up after a while.

“You are interested in their game?”

“I played and lost before,” she said. “You?”

“I never cared to try. I do what I do best, and they do what they do best. I don’t care much for those games, but I have occasionally helped decorate some of their structures,” the fox spoke. “But do not interfere in this challenge, they do not take to that kindly.”

“I didn’t plan to,” Ilea sent. She knew the two Druned were not the same ones she had seen playing in the tower. Maybe I should ask them to play. My Fourth tier might help.

“You’re not from the Skal I visited before, are you?” she asked the Mava.

“You have met the Skal of the Snake, have you not?” the fox said. “I am Ger Ikir, Skal of the Worm.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lilith of Ravenhall,” she said.

“The Godslayer, and the one to return the Heart of Verivyien. Yes, much is said about you, and the gifts you bear,” he spoke, squinting his eyes slightly.

“You don’t seem particularly happy about that,” she said.

“Walks on two legs and bears gifts. I wonder what your motives are. Though I won’t deny you my respect for the return of the Heart. And for your impressive power,” Ger Ikir spoke.

“I came with a warning, and hope to get some help and information from your kind. Very little is known about you in the human plains,” she said.

“The suns and all that, yes. It is quite troubling. I trust the word of Ohn Ika and will do my part, should this conflict come to pass,” the fox spoke. “What kind of information were you looking for?”

“Then, more about the Architect, and what you knew about the events three thousand years ago. Now, not sure. I’m looking for high level monsters to fight,” she said.

The fox grinned slightly. “I see. Yes, a being like you would not slay gods without the wish to do so. An effort to prepare for this threat you have shared with us, or do you merely enjoy it?”

Ilea glanced at the fox before she crossed her arms and moved her attention back to the game. “A bit of both, I suppose.”

“A good way to justify risk. Be careful on the path that you are on. Many have fallen, though I suppose I’m neither the first one to tell you this, nor the one you would listen to. I have heard stories, much like everyone else you will find here, of high level beings. Legends that have wiped out entire Skal, have flattened settlements, have fought Elven Monarchs and survived or even won. Though you are not looking for stories, I presume?”

“Stories are fine, but yes, precise locations would be more beneficial. Dungeons and the like,” she said.

“Of course. A hunter of gods,” the Mava said and chuckled. “Though you are the first I meet who can claim without lies to have slain one. The Marshes would serve you well, I think. Strong Mava have not returned from their ventures into those lands. It is said that crazed beings of pure magic roam those cursed lands. Creations of wretched intent, hatred, and cruelty.”

“What are they like? Their levels?” Ilea asked.

“Four marks, and I hear they are varied. Not of one kind. Monsters one and all,” Ger Ikir said.

“Have you fought them?”

“No. They do not roam outside of their Marshes, and I do not enter their lands. Just the way it is supposed to be.” He smiled.

“I’ll have to see it for myself,” she said.

“And so you will. There is one other thing I could think of,” he said.

“Another place?” she asked.

“Perhaps,” he said and licked his lips.

“You’re not giving it to me for free,” she said.

“I will, if you ask. Though I have heard stories of the great Popi,” Ger Ikir spoke.

Ilea rolled her eyes and summoned a cake. “Information first.”

“Of course,” the fox said and stood up, moving closer. He glanced around as if to check if someone was listening to their telepathic conversation. “It is a story told to me by Toq Meer. She was the oldest Mava in our Skal. She was-” He paused and considered. “Special. Toq Meer conversed not only with Mava, but with all kinds of creatures. Often she returned injured, because of monsters she tried to converse with. Most think her gone, lost to some powerful being beyond the desert. Some think she went into the Marshes, others think she went into the seas.”

“But you know where she went,” Ilea said.

He grinned. “Perhaps, though I do not presume that she told me the truth. Nobody knew, and she was special. Lost perhaps, in one way or the other. In the last few years before she left, I often saw her talking to the Druned, bothering them to the point where they avoided her. Until one day when I found her triumphant. I had listened to her here and there, her stories amusing enough, even with the repetition. She had found out something from the Druned. A challenge. The ultimate challenge of the Druned, given only to those that they truly trusted. That they deemed worthy.”

Ilea raised her brows.

“She claimed to have learned the location of the sealed city of Paarah. There are stories here and there, that mention the name. They make little sense. Orcs and Elves of all beings ruling together, deep below the westernmost mountains of these lands. I thought it peculiar, that Toq Meer would learn of it from the Druned. Nothing I have heard or learned since has offered a connection between the two. I thought it peculiar, but it’s possible I suppose. These golems have once served a purpose. Many have mused on what that must have been, but nobody knows where they have come from. Who had created them, or if they too have been born of magic.

“A legend as old as Paarah. The ultimate challenge of the Druned. Who knows what it might entail? Toq Meer left on her journey one week after, and she has not since returned,” Ger Ikir spoke.

“How strong was she?” Ilea asked.

“Stronger than me. Not as strong as you are. I do not know if this ancient city remains, or even existed. Nor do I know if you would find a challenge there. But it might be worth your time, to talk to the Druned. The gods of these lands are ever moving. And so are we. Seldom do our paths cross, and even rarer is a violent clash. But a city. A city does not move,” he spoke and smiled.

Ilea moved the cake with her space manipulation. “It’s an interesting story either way. I’ll see what I can find out,” she said. Could be something akin to Tremor. But Orcs and Elves ruling together?

“Before you eat. How do the Elves treat the Orcs?” she asked.

“Their lands, much like ours, are separated by the expansive Marshes. But Elven kind is not known to be gracious to those not their own,” he spoke and paused. “And neither to their own. They are a violent people, where sheer power rules. The same is true for Orcs as far as I know.”

“So a city ruled in collaboration between the two would be very unlikely,” Ilea said.

“More than unlikely. A legend. An amusing story perhaps, but nothing more,” the fox spoke.

Ilea send over the cake and ignored the following violence.

Elves are violent, but the Cerithil Hunters are proof that they can change if they have reason enough to go against their Oracles. Maybe the same is true for Orcs. If they’re capable of trade with the Mava, they’re capable of trade and perhaps building a settlement with another species.

She turned to the two Druned, the structure they’d been building for their game toppling about a minute later.

“Greetings. I’m Ilea, guest of the Mava. May I play?” she sent to the two of them.

Both of them looked humanoid, one standing and one sitting. Neither had any facial features and both were earth mages at exactly level three hundred.

They turned her way and waited for a full ten seconds before the one on the right replied. “You may.”

Ilea smiled and joined them, watching as the other Druned walked away without a comment.

“Is it always just two players?” she asked, summoning her ash to build the base.

“No,” the Druned replied and then fell silent.

Probably shouldn’t talk while we’re playing. She considered it her only way to even interact with them for now, so she considered her questions. Asking about Paarah could reveal information that she should probably not have. Asking them about monsters or dungeons would likely not lead to anything either, though both questions were worth a shot.

Ilea had learned plenty from the previous games, but she still lose halfway through setting down her second layer.

“You played before?” the Druned asked. Its voice sounded just as deep and echoing in her mind as the last one she had talked to. Not quite the same, but similar enough.

“I did,” Ilea answered. “You don’t mind if I use all of my magic, right?”

“I do not,” the Druned replied a few seconds later.

Ilea nodded and activated her Fourth tier. All of her skills benefited, and she could tell immediately that it would help with the strange balancing game of the Druned. Of course her initial intent was to find out more about Paarah and the supposed challenge that Ger Ikir had mentioned, but already she was absorbed by the detailed platform appearing before her.

The puzzles of the Meadow had always been tailored to her current skill. They had space magic in mind and were meant to bring her further. It had never truly been a competition. This however, was different. The game was not about space magic, but her space magic helped. While she knew the Druned understood everything about the platforms, knew every intricate little detail and how to keep the balance just perfect enough to have her attempts topple it, she herself had the advantage of several perception skills boosted by her arcane Fourth tier.

Ilea was a novice earth mage at best, and certainly no engineer, but with all of her abilities, she could brute force some understanding of the problems before her.

Chapter 852 Life

Chapter 852 Life

Four platforms were easy this time. She nearly finished the fifth when the structure toppled over, ever so slightly but it was enough. In the last moment, she could see the web of carefully placed cracks, as if the puzzle finally formed in her mind.

“Well done,” she said. “I missed the entire section,” she murmured. Her Fourth tier came and went several times during the game. She didn’t know if there was a time limit between building but even with her considerations, she didn’t take much longer for her turns than the being before her. Doesn’t hurt to ask though.

“Is there a time limit between turns?” she asked.

“Five minutes, with this version,” the Druned replied near instantly this time.

“There are other versions with other limits?” she asked.

“Yes,” the being spoke but did not elaborate further.

Ilea imagined two Druned sitting somewhere on a mountain top, their tower reaching tens of meters in height with the last finished platform over a year past. Would they plan in for wind, dust, and snow? She nodded to her self. Of course they would.

Another game came and went. Once more she got to the fifth layer. She was closer this time. The game after was worse, but on the third one, she managed a stable fifth platform.

Ilea watched as the Druned built the sixth, her mood dropping instantly when her Fourth Tier kicked in again and she recognized the complex connections running through all the layers, all the way up to the newly formed sixth one. It finished and she knew she had lost. Any ash she would place would bring the tower to a collapse.

“This is insane,” she sent.

The Druned did not reply.

“I don’t think I’ll ever match any of you in this game, but I’ll try again,” she said.

“You are adequate. For a human,” the Druned spoke.

“I try whatever I can. But I’m best at fighting. Any other challenges you might have for me?” she sent.

The Druned didn’t speak nor move, but it kept its head angled towards her.

Ilea waited for ten minutes until something changed. Instead of receiving an answer however, more Druned gathered nearby. It wasn’t obvious, but she was observing her surroundings quite carefully, with little else to do, and determined to wait out the Golem. She had piqued its interest. That much she could tell.

“Friend to the Fae,” a new voice spoke. It almost sounded the same as the Druned she had played with, but the echoes were a little longer.

“Friend to the Mava,” another voice.

“Godslayer. And human,” a third voice.

Now the Druned who had played moved its head, upwards slightly. “Ilea of Ravenhall. You seek a challenge fit for one such as yourself.”

“I do,” she sent back.

“It could mean death.” Another voice.

“I’ve faced death many times,” she sent.

“There is no glory.”

“I don’t care,” Ilea spoke.

“Why would one such as thee, seek challenge from the Druned?”

“I have faced Elementals, and Gods of other realms. Is it so strange that I would ask you for another challenge?”

Another few minutes passed.

“You are. Eligible,” one of the voices spoke.

“We shall talk to you, once the suns rise again. Meet us at the southernmost point of this settlement,” one of the Druned sent before they all started to move away once more.

“I will,” Ilea sent before she turned to the one she had played with. “Another round?”

The being began to clear up the mess from the last game without another word.

Ilea played for another few hours. She didn’t get past the sixth layer.

When the suns started to set, she soon started to see the first groups of Mava move westward and towards the center of the newly built settlement.

“Guess that’s the sign to leave,” Ilea sent to the Druned who had patiently played the balance game with her. “Will you be watching as well?”

She didn’t expect an answer, but received one nonetheless.

“The Heart of Verivyen was given to the Mava. It is honor enough, to be near when it once more takes root within this continent.”

“Fair enough. Thanks again for the games, I know I’m not much of a challenge to you,” she sent to the being and stood up.

“Patience and learning. A new mind, yet to be tainted by knowledge, is valuable. Thank you, for your time,” the Druned replied.

They’re far more eloquent than I thought. Guess they’re really just anti social. But once you get to know them, she thought and found a group of Mava running in the distance. “I’ll see you around!” she sent and rushed off.

Ilea found herself enjoying the run quite a lot after so much sitting. The game had occupied her mind for hours. In some ways she understood now how beings like the Meadow could sit around for years just contemplating magic. If there was no need to eat, drink, and sleep, one could really get lost in certain activities. She still didn’t think either was for her. Magic she liked to use, not extensively study, and while the game was a pleasant distraction, it mostly served as a new shiny thing to explore. Before she went back to fighting. And her other much more important hobbies, like food, flying, and food. Fighting too.

Couldn’t forget feasts either, she thought with a grin, jumping over rocks and climbing structures as fast as the foxes. She formed ashen handholds to pull herself up, each grab propelling her for several meters despite her weight.

Gods, I love my body.

Coming up onto a massive stone sphere, she watched the Mava jump off, a few of them calling out.

She followed, flying through the air without wings before she impacted the sands below, digging deep into the ground before she moved up again. The motions were easy, thanks to her second tier of Sand Magic Resistance. She wasn’t quite as graceful as the Seekers of the Foundation, but for a non sand mage, she at least felt like she was pretty impressive.

Ilea kept running until she came up on a high dune, slowing to a stop at its peak.

The suns had nearly set, the sands painted in a near orange hue. Before her, Ilea could see a sprawling space. Kilometers of flattened sand, dunes all around. At the center stood a structure made of stone. A few hundred meters high and thrice as wide, all of it resembling the leaves of a blooming flower. Not quite tulip nor rose.

“You really outdid yourself,” Ilea murmured, now seeing the hundreds of Mava walking over the dunes and towards the massive flower. Looks like a pilgrimage.

That or a music festival.

Ilea sighed. I do miss modern music.

Suppose this sight makes up for it. Kind of. She smiled to herself and started sliding down the side of the dune, Mava to her right and left doing the same, some walking, others instead flying.

Compared to the festivities she had observed, the foxes here did not cast any overly flashy spells. Flying and perception abilities were present of course. Ilea watched the congregation in silence, most of the foxes doing the same due to their likely innate ability to communicate via telepathy. Glancing behind herself and scanning the nearby dunes, Ilea realized there were no guards at all. No dedicated defenders, no perimeter, nothing.

I suppose it makes sense with the gathered power here. Weird that I even noticed it.

When it came to larger groups or settlements, she had gotten used to walls, defensive enchantments, guards, and dwarven machines. To see something this large not defended by something like the Meadow, without any defensive measures in place, it just felt a little strange. But then the people around her was quite different than most humans. She was sure they could face near every threat she had faced before, with their combined spells, and the high level individuals that were surely present. And if they couldn’t, they could probably still escape.

She soon reached the flower itself and passed below the stone blossom winding up towards the skies. The long shadow cast by the structure truly showed its scale.

Inside the flower was nothing but sand. Mostly flat, occasional winds slightly moving the surface. Ilea saw various spells now, foxes climbing up the inside of the blossoms to get a better view of the center, or so she assumed. Many were simply gliding in the winds, some floating with various wings, while others stood on conjured platforms.

Ilea herself chose to stay where she was, standing among the many foxes who remained on the ground. She could feel the excitement in the air, hushed quipping voices resounding, strange laughs and giggles coming from the fox like beings.

“You came!” Myr Iva’s voice sounded out in her head.

Ilea found the source of the mental connection and glanced over, finding the enthusiastic fox standing amidst a slew of others. “I did. Didn’t expect you here,” Ilea said. “But I guess it makes sense. Did the others crack the seals yet?”

The fox shook her head. Somewhat violently. “No. They are struggling. But it’s no wonder. I’m great. Maybe they aren’t?”

“That might just be it,” Ilea suggested.

“I will return daily to check in, as I discussed with Aki!” Myr Iva spoke. “Are you excited about the Heart?”

Ilea smiled. “I don’t really know what to expect.”

“OH! Well, you’ll see! There are tales of it, tales and stories. I haven’t seen it either,” the fox said.

Right. I mean the Heart was gone for what I assume thousands of years. Ilea wondered how many of the foxes were old enough to remember the Extraction. And if they did, did they care?

“Well, let’s hope it’s exciting,” Ilea sent back and saw the fox nod enthusiastically.

Ilea didn’t have to wait for long. The crowd grew until it seemed like every Mava in the new settlement had gathered within the stone flower. Thousands of them standing in the sand, flying, or hanging on to the large stone blossoms all around.

A few flying figures gathered at the center, among them the form of Ohn Ika.

“Welcome, Skal of the desert. Kin, all,” a voice rang out. Not that of Ohn Ika, but female.

Ilea assumed it was the silver fox at the center, her eyes lacking pupils, her form smaller than that of Ohn Ika. She hovered in the air, eight tails flowing behind her.

“Welcome, Lilith of Ravenhall and of the Accords,” the voice added, many of the foxes turning their attention to Ilea.

Yeah. I don’t like that, she thought, raising her brows. She was poised for something to happen when the attention shifted back to the Mava at the center.

“Tonight, we celebrate the return of the Heart. A gift given to our ancestors, to cherish.”

Cheers resounded all around, spells flashing up and shooting to the skies. Hundreds at the same time. Everything calmed once more a few moments later.

“Now share with me, your magic.” the Mava spoke, her tails moving out when the others at the center formed a circle around her.

Ilea felt the thrum of mana, a flow from all around towards the center.

“And let us plant again, into the sands, what has once been taken,” the Mava spoke, when the pulsing black and white heart appeared in front of her. Floating, then descending.

Ilea watched as a flow of visible magic moved to the foxes at the center, then down into the descending heart. She saw the sands on the ground start to turn, swirling upwards as if to grasp the pulsing Heart of Verivyen. A pulse of magic, then another. The heart thrumming. Beating with the power of thousands of Mava.

Ilea didn’t try to add her own mana to the mix, not wanting to interrupt the complex ritual woven between the many mages. She simply watched as the beating heart joined into the sands, the first rows of Mava pushed back by the increasingly powerful pulses. For several minutes, the stream of mana continued, many of the Mava near her sitting down, spent and exhausted, their connection to the ritual gone. Others continued or rejoined when some of their mana had returned.

The line of Mava soon reached her, the beings pushed away by the dense tapestry of magic. Some damaged but quickly taken care of by nearby healers. Those at the center remained, as did others, standing firm against the beating of the buried heart. Ilea was one of them, the exuded power nowhere near what she had felt from the Wind of Aveer.

And then it stopped.

Everything was still, quiet.

Ilea saw a wisp in the fabric, moving towards the center, followed by more. Dozens at first, then hundreds, thousands. A swirl of space itself coalescing into something new. Ilea’s eyes went wide when she felt a presence. Familiar, and yet entirely new. She held her breath, and felt the hair on her neck stand up. Her Fourth Tier activated an instant later, followed by the Primordial Shift. Instinctual perhaps. It was all she could do against the terrifying truth she perceived with every cell of her being.

The ground shook and thick roots of wood sprouted, shooting out in every direction as rain started to fall. Sand turned to earth, flowers sprung to life. The very ground split as rivers flowed to fill the gaps.

Ilea could see all that with her eyes. She could hear the rejoicing Mava, knew on some level that life itself was formed through magic.

And yet all that she could see, was fire.

Wings. Too many to count. Too strange to perceive, and yet she knew them to be there. Wings of fire. White and black. The fabric itself stood still. Shattered and alight with the flames she knew so very well. But not her own.

“Arbiter,” a thousand voices resounded. A thousand eyes. A thousand minds. A thousand wills.

Ilea screamed within her Shift. She screamed at what she could and could not see. At what she now knew. Or thought to know.

“Arbiter and friend. Dost thou not see?” the thousand voices spoke.

Ilea snapped up, her scream gone as she remembered, but for a moment. She looked up within her Shift. There was no danger here, she knew, and yet she dared not end her spell. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her eyes and mind aflame. She was blind, or thought to be. Moments only, and then the truth returned.

“Be not afraid, Ilea,” the voices sounded close and distant, intense and quiet, still and so loud Ilea felt as if her head would split.

She could not breathe. Could not move. She could only see, and feel, as reality itself was bent to the will of a god.

Once more she felt the attention of the being, or beings, shift in her direction. As if the very oceans of the world chose to look her way. She could not help but be afraid, and yet she pushed her skills, felt the arcane flow through her veins, her own fires defiant against the primal inferno she could perceive all around.

“Arbiter, Valkyrie of the Fae, and friend to Violence. Show thy flames!” the voices spoke and demanded. They asked and pleaded, were caring, loving, passionate and joyous. All at once. All knowing. All seeing. All present. As if the very world had converged at this point in the fabric.

How could she refuse?

Ilea felt the arcane surge within her. She screamed as her power rushed out, white flames extending from her Shift, out into nothingness, out into the world. She felt her magic mingling with the presence, felt it take shape, molded with perfect mastery. Trees and flowers, built from their very core, brought to life with the very flames that she willed into the world.

Her shift ended, her fires gone, when the fabric returned to what it should have been, what it always was, and would be.

Ilea stood, tear streaked face and hands trembling. She fell to her knees when the arcane left her body, Reconstruction bringing back her health as she gulped and took in the first breath in what felt like an eternity. Trees and roots were all around, chirping birds, leaves moving in the wind above, the sound of water.

She shivered, and turned to see a few of the Mava rush her way, concern and fear in their eyes.

“Are you there!” Myr Iva spoke, the fox running past the more hesitant Mava.

“I’m here,” Ilea sent back, brushing away the tears clinging to her face. She turned back to the trees but instead looked at the ground. Dirt. Dirt, moss, and grasses.

What did I do?

She looked at her hands and summoned a bit of ash, setting it alight with the flame of creation.

What did I see?

She gulped again and shook her head.

“You were screaming, and sent out fires all around! That was quite dangerous. Did you want to kill and eat us all?” Myr Iva spoke, rushing up to Ilea and circling around her. The Mava’s tails embraced her in a fluffy hug.

“You didn’t see?” Ilea asked, her voice hollow.

“See what? The birth of the heart? Roots and trees! Life!” the fox spoke, stopping in her tracks and looking into Ilea’s eyes with her own.

“Fire,” Ilea spoke. Quietly. As if not to disturb the lingering sense of divinity.

“Your fires. As I said, you burned some of the trees. Many were concerned, but you seem fine. Safe,” the fox spoke.

“Not mine…” Ilea murmured in her mind.

“Not yours? Was there someone else?” Myr Iva spoke, intrigued now and moving closer, ever so slightly.

Ilea nodded. She opened her mouth and closed it, thinking back on the wings, the eyes, the minds. A ringing came to her ears and vanished a split second later, healed away by her recovery. She knew she had only perceived as much as her mind could take.

She collected her thoughts for a few seconds, taking in a deep breath before she spoke.

“Just a Fae,” she said with a slight smile.

“One was here? You didn’t say you brought another one!” Myr Iva rejoiced. “Like the one riding your shoulder when we first met, yes?”

“Something like that,” Ilea replied with a slight smile, looking up towards the star laden sky hanging above the desert. Something like that.

Chapter 853 Nap

Chapter 853 Nap

Ilea sat between a set of trees, birds chirping, a creek flowing past beyond massive roots breaking out of the moss covered earth. Fireflies illuminated the surrounding forest as she leaned back against the wood of what should have been an old palm tree. This time it was her to eat cake, though she shared with the few Mava around her, Myr Iva included.

Lights of small fires had sprung up all over in the vicinity, flashes of magic spells into the sky reminding of the many beings still present.

Entire rivers and trees had sprung from the Heart of Verivyen, born through the magic provided by the Mava, that or conjured by the being she had seen.

Ilea focused on the cake, not quite able to shake the memory. Just one unbelievable being after the other. And this one I wasn’t exactly prepared for.

It had been a Fae, perhaps a fragment, perhaps the full thing. She didn’t know. The fires had been, tremendous, and space moved to its will. It had almost felt like they were the fabric itself. And yet it had spoken with her, had recognized her. It had known the Baron, had known that she had been a Faen Valkyrie, that she now carried the title of Arbiter. How, she didn’t know.

Was it the same Fae she had already met? Just now with further understanding and awareness? The Mava hadn’t even seen the flames, let alone the winged being. Did the heart summon it, formed a connection to it, or is it some kind of trapped spell that requires a ritual and fuel to function?

I’m just trying to distract myself with these questions, Ilea thought and took another bite of cake. Sweet. A lemon flavored flour base with plenty of butter, sweet berries and cream to top it off.

“Thank you for the gifts,” Myr Iva spoke, the fox lying sprawled out on the ground, her pupils slightly dilated. It seemed like it took quite a lot of effort for her to formulate the telepathic message.

Ilea smiled. “I’m just the delivery service.”

“An important task. Without you, there would be no cake,” the Mava observed.

I suppose that’s true. Maybe they should take baking classes from humans. This desert would be transformed by magic into industrialized animal farms and kilometers of wheat fields. An entire ancient and powerful people devoted to cake.

She didn’t know if that would be a good thing or not. What really was the goal of civilization? Here in Elos, she supposed for many it was just survival. Walls to fend off the creatures of the wild. Now with the Accords, she supposed that many could start to ask such questions. She herself was more than happy with all the things she got to experience.

Ilea formed an ashen blanket and watched as the Mava built a small campfire. She felt tired, not because her body was exhausted but because her mind had been battered with impossibilities. For the first time in a while, Ilea fell asleep.

She woke with blinking eyes, something itching her nose. Ilea rose up between the trees, sunlight streaming past the high reaching stone petals, the high reaching palm trees colored in lush green. She was careful not to disturb the pile of Mava all around, realizing she had slept on top of them. Maybe that’s why I didn’t wake up, she thought with a yawn, stretching her arms and realizing she didn’t need stretching at all. Her body was far beyond what such an exercise would provide.

This time she did spread her wings, mostly due to the minefield of sleeping foxes. Teleporting up, she moved the ashen appendages. Her eyes went wide. A forest of palm trees, rivers, and rock spread out in each direction. Thick high reaching trunks breaking out here and there, branches large as entire trees growing in every direction, birds and foxes populating the newly formed ecosystem with Druned adding stairwells, platforms, and rooms.

The stone petals were broken through by roots in more than a few places, but they remained mostly as a reminder of what this place had looked like before.

Ilea flew southwards, slowing when she saw a set of waterfalls flowing down into a small valley that had not existed before. This was far beyond just an oasis, it was an entire new landscape, terraformed by the Heart or the Fae that it had summoned. She glanced back towards the center, holding her breath as she expected to see the winged being once more. All she found was a small lake, Mava drifting or swimming in the waters.

She could see the desert in the distance, but the roots and waters had spread far into the newly added settlement. And when she reached the edge where sand and dirt now met, she could tell that the artifact uncovered from the vault of Ker Velor was not quite done.

With the stories about the Fae, teaching others magic. Maybe they really made Elos into what it is today, Ilea wondered. Or It’s the dragon body and elementals. She grinned at the thought. The one thing she knew for sure, was that she knew terribly little, and that there were beings out there with incredible powers. Beings she wanted to meet, and perhaps one day, fight.

The growing city of strange shapes and bridges brought her back to the moment, sand and winds pushing the memory of the Fae and the oasis to the back of her mind. She knew she could just turn around and see it, but Ilea chose not to. Instead she used her marks to find the southernmost point in the settlement.

Wait was this why Violence hasn’t been around for a while? Was it there yesterday?

She squinted her eyes, the mark of the being somewhere in the North. Close to Hallowfort. Maybe not.

Suppose the critter just has other friends, and interests besides violence. Hmm, no. I doubt that. I guess the levels of violence wouldn’t matter to it much, otherwise it would’ve never traveled with me back in the Descent.

She landed on a long suspension bridge made of stone, the structure swaying in the wind, a thin layer of sand covering parts of it. At the end stood a single tower, added onto a large outcrop of rock, as if a lighthouse looking onto the desert seas.

Ilea reached the structure. Inside she found a circular hall, two Druned sitting beside a set of layered stone. She counted twenty four.

“I’m here,” she sent to the two of them.

“That you are,” one of the Druned replied after a delay.

Ilea sat down near the two and waited.

“You remain a seeker of challenge,” the Druned spoke into her mind.

She nodded.

“Then you shall travel west, to the mountains of Olruin. There you shall find the entrance to Paarah. Sealed eons past, and sealed it shall remain,” the Druned spoke.

“How do I get in then?” Ilea asked.

“Sealed to those within. Not those without,” it spoke.

“Fair, and what’s sealed inside? The challenge?” she asked.

“The remnants of Paarah. We ask that you bring to an end what we could not. Return the cursed silver crown that rests upon the first warrior, so that we may bury it in the depths of the desert. Do not wear it. Hide it away in your storage device or spell, or encase it, in stone or ash.

“Rid Paarah of its remnants, and the history that befell its glory,” the Druned spoke, its voice more intense than she had heard any of them speak. She couldn’t quite place the emotion she heard.

“Sounds like your average clean up job. What kind of monsters can I expect? Level ranges and abilities?” she asked.

“That knowledge shall remain with us, shall die, with us. It is sworn. You will find your way, and you will find what remains,” the Druned spoke and stood up, walking over to Ilea before it raised its arm.

A small stone sphere covered in runes fell out of its bulky hand.

Ilea caught the thing and looked at it. Pushing mana into the thing, it started to exude a dim blue light. Moving it around, she realized the runes moved, the light pointing in the same direction. And here I thought the name of those mountains was all I would get.

Guess that’s my activity for the day, she thought and bowed her head to the beings. “Thank you, I’ll return once I have the crown.”

The Druned did not reply, instead returning to their game.

Ilea teleported out and spread her wings. Westward, she thought, looking at the small sphere in her hand. She looked at the overgrown section of the settlement in the distance and charged her wings. Cracking her neck, she paused and rolled her shoulders. Time for the next hunt. Let’s hope the Paarah doesn’t disappoint.

Magic surged before she shot off, her mantle around her, her hand protecting the precious artifact of the Druned. Quickly, she left behind the settlement of the Mava, trying to mentally register the location based on the marks she had left on a few of the fox like beings.

Dunes rushed past, the morning suns not quite as unforgiving as they would become later in the day. Neither would matter to Ilea as she flew over uncharted territory with full confidence. She wondered when the last human had traveled through these lands. Perhaps she was the first one. Still, there was more life here than in Erendar or Kohr. Small critters unable to notice her passing far above, monsters, some of them able to see her but far too slow to escape the godslayer, if she cared to hunt them down.

Ilea left them be, watching with her enhanced eyes and perception, seeing every little creature on the sands a hundred or more meter below. A high dune came up but she kept going, sand exploding outwards when she emerged on the other side, hardly slowed and gone long before the sand would settle.

She laughed, speeding over the lands with her wings moving in slow patterns. This time she didn’t use her Fourth Tier, just in case a four mark was hiding in the expansive desert, her loud passing an annoyance perhaps.

Ilea traveled for hours, nothing standing in her way, no challenge emerging from the dunes. To her disappointment. Even the western lands felt too safe to her. I’ll have to visit those Marshes, and maybe the Vampire territory. And the Frozen Wasteland.

Plenty of options for her to choose, including the domain of Audur, though she didn’t think herself quite ready to face a Dragon, let alone that one. Devious, was all that she thought, reminded of the trap Audur had lain. Maybe she prepared as well, in case she meets me again. Seemed pretty angry that we got away. She smiled at the thought. A good memory, that one.

When the suns were high on the horizon, Ilea slowed, seeing a distant mountain range in the west. High reaching. Higher than those near Ravenhall. The sky was cloudless, the only thing reducing visibility, the heat itself.

Checking the sphere, Ilea assumed this to be the place. Either that or there were mountains beyond this range.

She crossed the rest of the distance and slowed once more, landing atop the first peak she came across. Ilea took in a deep breath and looked at the sunlit mountain sides, kilometers of rock and stone, reaching up towards the skies. Dark valleys lay below. Winds whistling past when she heard the roar of a monster. She felt enticed to find and fight it, but her instincts told her there was little to be gained.

Is this how most four marks feel when I use Monster Hunter? Did someone just try to lure me in for some leveling? She grinned, deciding the idea was still not enough to go check it out. Crouching, she saw a four winged creature rush past from beyond another valley, towards where the call had come from. Lightning surged around the bird as it rushed down to hunt.

Silence followed. Either their fight had been quick or quiet. She didn’t mind either way, checking the sphere in her hand that pointed deeper into the mesh of mountains. Those more distant were snow capped. She spread her wings and crossed to the next mountain, and then past another one, higher, bringing her to a plateau.

Ilea looked at the faraway dark clouds, twitching when she saw a purple bolt crack into the land, the sound not quite reaching all the way but she was too familiar to mistake it for anything but arcane lightning. There were more clouds as well, moving in the same way as they did in the north.

The same phenomenon.

“Just so you know. I just found arcane lightning in the western mountains of the Sava Desert,” Ilea sent to Aki. She stood amidst boulders, watching the occasional flashes, easily missed due to the light and distance. There seemed to be fewer clouds than in the north, but they were here nonetheless. She wondered if the mists would come at night as well.

Growls resounded nearby, a four legged Salamander the size of a crocodile stepping out from a small cavern. Red feathers adorning its head fanned out as if to warn her.

[Mountain drake – lvl 352] – [Fearful]

She just looked at it and raised her brows.

It hissed.

Ilea hissed back.

She looked at the sphere and once more spread her wings, unsure how far she would have to travel. The territory could be as extensive as the north for all she knew. And so she continued, from mountain to mountain, through storms she now knew provided the same experience as those in the north, and the Krahen Isles.

Until the artifact of the Druned shifted, pointing down and to the north. Ilea landed on an outcrop of rocks on the side of a mountain. Looking down, she saw a valley cast in shadow. It looked the same as all the others did, but she didn’t doubt the sphere in her hand.

Jumping down, she spread her wings once more and watched the ground. The occasional crack or cavern she could see, but nothing that would point to an ancient city. But she hadn’t seen Tremor either.

Choosing the largest of the cracks, she went inside. There was no light, but she saw well enough, both through her dominion and her enhanced eyes. She had to teleport through a few tight sections, but soon arrived in a larger cavern. Water dripped from the stalactites above, a tiny creek breaking out of a jagged stone wall and ending somewhere in the ground. Insects and a few bat like creatures rushed away at the sound of her passing, or because they perceived her magic.

A cavern much like others.

The artifact pointed downwards. And so down she went. Through more cracks and crevices, more often teleporting than scraping against stone or punching her way through. Deeper and deeper she went, soon hearing the sound of rushing water. Coming out into another cavern, Ilea saw an underground river break out through the stone ceiling, falling down into the dark, the torrent turning into mist before it reached a lake.

Hundreds of meters down she went, her wings moving in serene patterns as she observed the surroundings. She saw two blue furred creatures glance up, each with four black eyes and two horns jutting out of their skulls. They rushed away at the sight of her broad wings.

She didn’t chase them, instead looking at the broken stone bridge that led onto the lake. Beyond she saw an obsidian gate that looked darker yet than the cavern all around. Ten meters high and carved into the rock itself.

Ilea landed on the broken bridge and looked towards the entrance. There were no runes she could see, but words etched into the black stone. Words that she could read.

Traveler of might

Heed these words

Sealed in stone

Our home remains

Turn away from here

For death yet lingers

Simple enough warning, Ilea thought, after reading the words. She walked closer and started to feel the enchantments in the stone, brimming with power. Defensive and structural, much like what she felt in the walls of Ravenhall. But something felt strange. The direction of it all was aimed inwards.

To keep death inside, she thought with a smile. She reached what she had presumed to be a gate, but found no seam at the center. She touched the wall and traced the words. Her dominion could see within the stone, but there was nothing there but solid rock. Solid and enchanted rock. And they must keep it running as well, or they have mana sources somewhere. Density is pretty high around here too.

Before destroying the enchanted walls, Ilea looked around. She assumed there was another way in, one that wouldn’t disturb the seals, or no Druned would send anyone here. That other Mava went as well. Could be she died on the way here, but her being sent makes it likely that others were sent as well, and some must’ve made it here at least. But it’s still locked tightly. She looked down into the waters. Well, they could’ve just repaired it I suppose.

Looking at the sphere, she realized the light still pointed downwards.

Can’t be scarier than the oceans of Kohr, Ilea thought with a smirk and jumped.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter 1 Boring introduction - Where is the magic?

Chapter 2 Generic wolves - who would've guessed

Chapter 3 Glowing Moss

Chapter 4 Exploration

Chapter 5 Civilization

Chapter 6 E X P O S I T I O N

Chapter 7 Broken Bones

Chapter 8 Death

Chapter 9 Graves to dig

Chapter 10 Catch a ride

Chapter 11 City life

Chapter 12 Bread and Circuses

Chapter 13 Relaxing afternoon

Chapter 14 It's a party!

Chapter 15 Bad doggos

Chapter 16 Loss

Chapter 17 Bracers and Books

Chapter 18 Through the fire and flames

Chapter 19 Caves. Still caves.

Chapter 20 Superhero landing, yea that's really hard on your knees

Chapter 21 The Unlife

Chapter 22 Not a cliffhanger

Chapter 23 Sun

Chapter 24 The Queen

Chapter 25 Woman and Monster

Chapter 26 Not a title

Chapter 27 It's a roadtrip!

Chapter 28 Actual healing, what?

Chapter 29 Force of nature

Chapter 30 Claymore

Chapter 31 Arrival

Chapter 32 Slice of life

Chapter 33 #Traveling

Chapter 34 Dungeon diving

Chapter 35 Outclassed

Chapter 36 Sparring and advice

Chapter 37 Azarinth Leecher

Chapter 38 Centurion

Chapter 39 Traps

Chapter 40 Fire and Ash

Chapter 41 Trash compactor

Chapter 42 Sushi

Chapter 43 Reasons and talks

Chapter 44 Newcomers

Chapter 45 Cake

Chapter 46 I feel like my titles are boring

Chapter 47 Darkness

Chapter 48 Treasures and fire

Chapter 49 On the trail of history

Chapter 50 Demon of Ash

Chapter 51 That is no bird

Chapter 52 New companions and enemies

Chapter 53 The forgotten title

Chapter 54 Cards and poison

Chapter 55 Welcome to the Internet

Chapter 56 Cleanup crew

Chapter 57 Loony steel

Chapter 58 Resisting

Chapter 59 Boss battles are easy

Chapter 60 Scythes and Swords

Chapter 61 Sharing is caring

Chapter 62 Survivors

Chapter 63 Onwards through the storm

Chapter 64 Snow and Ice

Chapter 65 There is a title though it holds no meaning

Chapter 66 Hunting

Chapter 67 Evolution

Chapter 68 Library

Chapter 69 Return

Chapter 70 Bait

Chapter 71 A dark night

Chapter 72 Old Beings

Chapter 73 Decisions and Ale

Chapter 74 Hashtag Traveling

Chapter 75 A Guild and a Bed

Chapter 76 Storage Skills

Chapter 77 Evaluation

Chapter 78 Excursion

Chapter 79 Iron

Chapter 80 Team

Chapter 81 Class

Chapter 82 Vampyr

Chapter 83 Team building excercises

Chapter 84 Yield

Chapter 85 A fine Establishment

Chapter 86 Dinner

Chapter 87 A Knowing Trade

Chapter 88 Questions

Chapter 89 Shields and Explosions

Chapter 90 Picnic

Chapter 91 Hide and Seek

Chapter 92 Vampire?

Chapter 93 Workaholics

Chapter 94 Rarities

Chapter 95 Negotiations

Chapter 96 Survival

Chapter 97 Change

Chapter 98 Statistics

Chapter 99 Housing

Chapter 100 Mission

Chapter 101 Inheritor

Chapter 102 Lost Wanderer

Chapter 103 Mission accomplished

Chapter 104 Another settlement needs our help

Chapter 105 Don't fear the old blood

Chapter 106 Cleanup Crew

Chapter 107 Everyday Life

Chapter 108 Tactical Defusing

Chapter 109 Dangerous Leeching

Chapter 110 Barriers

Chapter 111 Useless Ruins

Chapter 112 Another one of them missions

Chapter 113 Advances

Chapter 114 Bedtalk

Chapter 115 Tournament

Chapter 116 Horde

Chapter 117 Salt

Chapter 118 Mind Weaver

Chapter 119 Bone dog

Chapter 120 Diamonds in the sky

Chapter 121 Chambers of the Lost

Chapter 122 Flashy Beams

Chapter 123 Horde Mode?

Chapter 124 Into the Light

Chapter 125 Ripples

Chapter 126 Return

Chapter 127 Air Support

Chapter 128 Family Dinner

Chapter 129 A Good Show

Chapter 130 Noble Halls

Chapter 131 Escort Missions

Chapter 132 Recovery

Chapter 133 Immigration Documents

Chapter 134 Virilya

Chapter 135 Roguey Rogues Doing Rogue Stuff

Chapter 136 Vihal - Town Defense Simulator

Chapter 137 The Storm after the Storm

Chapter 138 Upgrade - Cave to Sewers

Chapter 139 Flying in the Dark

Chapter 140 Infected City

Chapter 141 Green, the not so stupid demon

Chapter 142 It's just a Fleshwound

Chapter 143 Bloody Entrails

Chapter 144 Lakes and Crystals

Chapter 145 Horde mode is exhausting

Chapter 146 Night Shift

Chapter 147 Chaos is a laddah

Chapter 148 Bearded Follower

Chapter 149 Reminiscing and Planning

Chapter 150 Politics, meh.

Chapter 151 I did this before but #traveling

Chapter 152 An Inn and a Boy

Chapter 153 Friends

Chapter 154 How much we grow

Chapter 155 A Night of Investigations

Chapter 156 Electric boogaloo

Chapter 157 Judge and Executioner

Chapter 158 Loose Ends

Chapter 159 The Hunted

Chapter 160 Ashen Afternoon

Chapter 161 #Economics

Chapter 162 Contracts, a Guide to Bland Titles

Chapter 163 Bad News

Chapter 164 Estate Investigation

Chapter 165 Silver Lining

Chapter 166 The Next Steps

Chapter 167 Reunited

Chapter 168 Tools and Information

Chapter 169 Shopping

Chapter 170 Ambush

Chapter 171 Silent Escape

Chapter 172 Crash

Chapter 173 Void

Chapter 174 Following the Trail

Chapter 175 Hunting in the Woods

Chapter 176 Tracks

Chapter 177 Negotiations

Chapter 178 The Price of Information

Chapter 179 Moonlit Talk

Chapter 180 The Path of Revenge

Chapter 181 Plan and Execution

Chapter 182 Murder

Chapter 183 Demolition Crew

Chapter 184 Shoes?

Chapter 185 A Bright Night

Chapter 186 Night Attack

Chapter 187 Bath before the Storm

Chapter 188 War

Chapter 189 First Huntress

Chapter 190 The Walls of Virilya

Chapter 191 Black Death

Chapter 192 The Librarian

Chapter 193 Prison Break

Chapter 194 Dangerous Flight

Chapter 195 Detour

Chapter 196 Rebuilding

Chapter 197 Preparations

Chapter 198 Demonic Fishes

Chapter 199 The Island

Chapter 200 The Baker

Chapter 201 Engage

Chapter 202 Old Friend

Chapter 203 Hunters and Prey

Chapter 204 Ice, Silver and Blood

Chapter 205 Discovery Channel

Chapter 206 Pancakes? Pancakes.

Chapter 207 Farewells

Chapter 208 The Journey South

Chapter 209 Technological Possibilities

Chapter 210 Evaluation from the other Side

Chapter 211 Drowning for Fun

Chapter 212 Resistance Roulette

Chapter 213 Blood Clotting

Chapter 214 A Winter Night

Chapter 215 Of Ash and Ember

Chapter 216 Ashen Considerations

Chapter 217 Preparation

Chapter 218 A new addition to the schedule

Chapter 219 A City on the Rise

Chapter 220 Cooking Dragons

Chapter 221 Wood and Drakes

Chapter 222 Wrong Time, Wrong City

Chapter 223 Pointers

Chapter 224 The Daily Grind

Chapter 225 The Shadow’s Hand

Chapter 226 Meditation

Chapter 227 Hope

Chapter 228 Farewells

Chapter 229 Journey through the Night

Chapter 230 Back to the Roots

Chapter 231 Compass Rose

Chapter 232 The Northern Night

Chapter 233 Chicken Nuggets

Chapter 234 Roses

Chapter 235 Tunnel Vision

Chapter 236 A City of Dust

Chapter 237 Palace Guards

Chapter 238 Questions

Chapter 239 Of the World

Chapter 240 Mapping out

Chapter 241 Contact

Chapter 242 Floating Wisdom

Chapter 243 Metal Gear

Chapter 244 Real Steel

Chapter 245 The slowing Grind

Chapter 246 Knights Knights Knights

Chapter 247 Wingwoman

Chapter 248 Ilea Spears

Chapter 249 The Need for Steel

Chapter 250 Undead Rose

Chapter 251 Compromise?

Chapter 252 Questioning a Robot

Chapter 253 Resourceful Dwarf

Chapter 254 Questionable Cooperation

Chapter 255 Alien Town

Chapter 256 The Blue Reaper

Chapter 257 Wormholes

Chapter 258 Cake

Chapter 259 Exterminator

Chapter 260 Survival

Chapter 261 History

Chapter 262 Discovery

Chapter 263 The Keys

Chapter 264 The Queen of Rhyvor

Chapter 265 Underground Paradise

Chapter 266 Scouting the Unknown

Chapter 267 Treasure Hunters

Chapter 268 Bloody Mess

Chapter 269 The Inner Circle

Chapter 270 Two Monsters

Chapter 271 Poison

Chapter 272 Overconfidence is a quick and direct Killer

Chapter 273 Regeneration

Chapter 274 Blood and Bones

Chapter 275 Search and Exploration

Chapter 276 Dark Ones

Chapter 277 Mist and Ash

Chapter 278 Royal Advice

Chapter 279 Survivor?

Chapter 280 Green Memories

Chapter 281 Helping out Strangers

Chapter 282 Decisive Battle

Chapter 283 Factory

Chapter 284 Legion of Centurions

Chapter 285 Training Considerations

Chapter 286 A Test

Chapter 287 The Freedom of Choice

Chapter 288 Lunchtime

Chapter 289 Rules

Chapter 290 Routine

Chapter 291 Inquisitive Fox

Chapter 292 Forges and Armor

Chapter 293 Resistance Dance

Chapter 294 Powerlevel

Chapter 295 Change of Plans

Chapter 296 Azarinth First Hunter

Chapter 297 Helpful Advice

Chapter 298 Fear and Void

Chapter 299 Terrific Suggestions

Chapter 300

Chapter 301 The Ashen side of Things

Chapter 302 Testing

Chapter 303 Missing Pieces

Chapter 304 Approach to Power

Chapter 305 Power Cleaning Montage

Chapter 306 King Invalar of Rhyvor

Chapter 307 The Vineyard Caves

Chapter 308 Mansion of Bones

Chapter 309 Pyre

Chapter 310 Opinions and food

Chapter 311 Challenger

Chapter 312 Unreasonable Demands

Chapter 313 Cycle of War

Chapter 314 Worthy Opponents

Chapter 315 Survivors

Chapter 316 Cleanup

Chapter 317 The End of Patience

Chapter 318 Engage

Chapter 319 Taleen Praetorian

Chapter 320 Aftermath

Chapter 321 Relaxed Exploration

Chapter 322 Traps and Treasure

Chapter 323 The Beach Episode

Chapter 324 The Path Ahead

Chapter 325 The Vault

Chapter 326 Cleaning out a Ruin

Chapter 327 Theories and Assumptions

Chapter 328 Rescue Mission

Chapter 329 Monsters left untouched

Chapter 330 Weather

Chapter 331 A relaxing Vacation

Chapter 332 The Uses of Gold

Chapter 333 The Way Back

Chapter 334 Priorities

Chapter 335 Catching up

Chapter 336 Revelations

Chapter 337 Plans put in motion

Chapter 338 Sparky

Chapter 339 Skill Testing

Chapter 340 Craftswoman

Chapter 341 Maximum Overbusiness

Chapter 342 Are you not entertained?

Chapter 343 A Breath of Air

Chapter 344 Influence of the Rich

Chapter 345 Corpses

Chapter 346 The Necromancer

Chapter 347 Steel and Ash

Chapter 348 Moving out

Chapter 349 Angel of Death

Chapter 350 Hunters

Chapter 351 Evaluation

Chapter 352 Azarinth Sentinel

Chapter 353 The Value of Lives

Chapter 354 Conflicting Interests

Chapter 355 Compromises

Chapter 356 Man of Conviction

Chapter 357 Sanctuary

Chapter 358 Double Tap

Chapter 359 A slice of life

Chapter 360 The Vultures

Chapter 361 Demonic Tendencies

Chapter 362 The Word of a Shadow

Chapter 363 Breadcrumbs

Chapter 364 Detective Smash

Chapter 365 Captain of the Guard

Chapter 366 The Gray Company

Chapter 367 Deal with the Devil

Chapter 368 Blissful Edge

Chapter 369 Cursed Meeting

Chapter 370 Red Scales

Chapter 371 Potential Allies

Chapter 372 Contact

Chapter 373 A relaxing afternoon

Chapter 374 Loot and Levels

Chapter 375 Departure

Chapter 376 Slaughterhouse

Chapter 377 “Healing”

Chapter 378 Turning Tides

Chapter 379 Fire and Ash

Chapter 380 Taking Stock

Chapter 381 Packing mule

Chapter 382 Sushi

Chapter 383 Powerburning

Chapter 384 Drawn to the Flame

Chapter 385 Mine Residents

Chapter 386 Recovery

Chapter 387 Hiding Beasts

Chapter 388 Safety?

Chapter 389 Bunker of Steel

Chapter 390 Don’t Fear the Reaper

Chapter 391 Newfound beverages

Chapter 392 Remnant

Chapter 393 Findings

Chapter 394 Break

Chapter 395 Solitary Gains

Chapter 396 Math Resistance

Chapter 397 Sunglasses

Chapter 398 Benevolent Sentinel

Chapter 399 Lethal Voltage

Chapter 400 Fear

Chapter 401 Ice Valley

Chapter 402 Getting Lost

Chapter 403 Layers

Chapter 404

Chapter 405 Ancient Mind

Chapter 406 Strange Acquaintances

Chapter 407 Air Pressure

Chapter 408 The Winds of Time

Chapter 409 Hunting Grounds

Chapter 410 Taking Flight

Chapter 411 Games

Chapter 412 Magic

Chapter 413 Ghosts

Chapter 414 That’s no Moon

Chapter 415 Nemesis of the never Master

Chapter 416 Remnants

Chapter 417 Friends with Benefits

Chapter 418 Ancients

Chapter 419 Meeting the Competition

Chapter 420 Blaze that Fucker

Chapter 421 Buried

Chapter 422 Recovery

Chapter 423 Friends?

Chapter 424 Regen powers

Chapter 425 Creature of the Night

Chapter 426 Threshold

Chapter 427 Open threads

Chapter 428 Routine Training?

Chapter 429 Questions

Chapter 430 Nature

Chapter 431 Grounding

Chapter 432 Core

Chapter 433 Breach

Chapter 434 Negotiations

Chapter 435 Cosmic Knowledge

Chapter 436 Considerations

Chapter 437 Ancient Mentor

Chapter 438 Basically just exposition, isn’t it?

Chapter 439 Quiet Arrival

Chapter ???

Chapter 440 Catching up

Chapter 441 Administrator

Chapter 442 Performance

Chapter 443 Impressions

Chapter 444 Busy Schedule

Chapter 445 Rotten Treasures

Chapter 446 Purpose

Chapter 447 Truly Enchanting

Chapter 448 Corruption

Chapter 449 Lessons

Chapter 450 Steady Climb

Chapter 451 Displacing Circumstances

Chapter 452 Seeker

Chapter 453 Adventuring

Chapter 454 A test?

Chapter 455 Abominations

Chapter 456 Blood

Chapter 457 Worthy Adversaries

Chapter 458 Reputation

Chapter 459 Request

Chapter 460 Problematic Conflicts

Chapter 461 Infiltration

Chapter 462 Mark of Trust

Chapter 463 Quest

Chapter 464 Thresholds

Chapter 465 Moving Pieces

Chapter 466 Bells of War

Chapter 467 Shadow

Chapter 468 Lilith

Chapter 469 Aftermath

Chapter 470 Reinforcements

Chapter 471 Shadows

Chapter 472 Expectations

Chapter 473 Practice

Chapter 474 Guardian

Chapter 475 Possibilities

Chapter 476 Baking

Chapter 477 The Way of the Sentinel

Chapter 478 Inquiries

Chapter 479 Reminiscing

Chapter 480 Requirements

Chapter 481 Choices

Chapter 482 Experimentation

Chapter 483 Training

Chapter 484 Noble Ideas

Chapter 485 The Three Shadows

Chapter 486 Excursion

Chapter 487 Fame and Confusion

Chapter 488 Woman vs Machine

Chapter 489 Arcane Energy

Chapter 490 Client

Chapter 491 Reminiscence

Chapter 492 Arrangements

Chapter 493 Influence

Chapter 494 Toys and Theatrics

Chapter 495 Cake and Tea?

Chapter 496 Assignment

Chapter 497 Ruins

Chapter 498 Water

Chapter 499 Briefing

Chapter 500 Invasion

Chapter 501st Ilea’s Fist

Chapter 502 Destroyers

Chapter 503 Questions

Chapter 504 Fractures

Chapter 505 Golden Boy

Chapter 506 Intervention

Chapter 507 Impressions

Chapter 508 A hunch

Chapter 509 Revenge

Chapter 510 Messy Solutions?

Chapter 511 Infiltration

Chapter 512 Myth

Chapter 513 Alchemy

Chapter 514 Seeking the Faithful

Chapter 515 Discovery

Chapter 516 Mess

Chapter 517 Pirates

Chapter 518 Road Construction

Chapter 519 Catching up

Chapter 520 Rituals

Chapter 521 Warriors

Chapter 522 Mantises – Manti – Mantuu?

Chapter 523 To the Bone

Chapter 524 Loss

Chapter 525 Diverging Possibilities

Chapter 526 Progression and Possibilities

Chapter 527 Species

Chapter 528 Meadow

Chapter 529 Deadly Spirits?

Chapter 530 Dangerzone

Chapter 531 The days ahead

Chapter 532 Activities

Chapter 533 Arrangements

Chapter 534 Escort Mission

Chapter 535 This is a litrpg, in case you forgot

Chapter 536 Storm

Chapter 537 Foxy

Chapter 538 Teleportation

Chapter 539 Playtime

Chapter 540 Puzzling

Chapter 541 Beatdown

Chapter 542 Docking

Chapter 543 Training Training Training

Chapter 544 Off the beaten path

Chapter 545 Hunting

Chapter 546 Of Gods and Myths

Chapter 547 Challenger

Chapter 548 Catching up

Chapter 549 Arrival

Chapter 550 Storm

Chapter 551 A realm of wonder

Chapter 552 Tourist Guide

Chapter 553 Degrees of Monstrosity

Chapter 554 Overleveled

Chapter 555 Roots

Chapter 556 Friends of old

Chapter 557 Contenders

Chapter 558 Normal Exams

Chapter 559 Experience

Chapter 560 Breakfast?

Chapter 561 The very capable and cool divine tree that is awesome and definitely hasn’t taken over a

Chapter 562 Stone

Chapter 563 Boning

Chapter 564 Uphill Battle

Chapter 565 Perseverance

Chapter 566 Concerns

Chapter 567 Decisions

Chapter 568 Reaping Rewards

Chapter 569 Request

Chapter 570 Fire Proof

Chapter 571 Defenders

Chapter 572 Training Considerations

Chapter 573 Royal Reception

Chapter 574 Younglings

Chapter 575 Reunion

Chapter 576 Feast

Chapter 577 Flames

Chapter 578 Expansion Pack (Pre order now for exclusive skins)

Chapter 579 Molten Steel

Chapter 580 Mapping

Chapter 581 Incinerate

Chapter 582 Entanglement

Chapter 583 Discoveries

Chapter 584 Gates

Chapter 585 Dungeons and depths

Chapter 586 The Grind

Chapter 587 Opportunity?

Chapter 588 Writing

Chapter 589 Some Lore for the Wiki

Chapter 590 Magic Turtle

Chapter 591 Proposals

Chapter 592 Peculiar Meetings

Chapter 593 Deus Ex Meadow

Chapter 594 Beaming

Chapter 595 Visiting the Sentinels

Chapter 596 Common Adventurers

Chapter 597 Wondrous Travelers

Chapter 598 Extraction

Chapter 599 Northward

Chapter 600 Shortcuts and Ambitions

Chapter 601 Sneaking?

Chapter 602 Jobbing

Chapter 603 Quarry

Chapter 604 Dressing for the Occasion

Chapter 605 Drinks and Baths

Chapter 606 Noble Things

Chapter 607 Murders

Chapter 608 Follow the White Rabbit

Chapter 609 Ruins left behind

Chapter 610 Search

Chapter 611 Catching up

Chapter 612 A Hunter must hunt

Chapter 613 Wyverns

Chapter 614 A simple spell

Chapter 615 Tour

Chapter 616 Fear

Chapter 617 Slice and Dice

Chapter 618 Grant us Eyes

Chapter 619 Bird food

Chapter 620 Seal

Chapter 621 Terror of Krahen Keep

Chapter 622 Ceaseless Discharge

Chapter 623 Arcane Power

Chapter 624 Lizards

Chapter 625 Furnace

Chapter 626 Snêk

Chapter 627 A satisfying drink

Chapter 628 New toys

Chapter 629 Priorities

Chapter 630 Broadening Horizons

Chapter 631 Orders

Chapter 632 Enhance!

Chapter 633 Glowing Eyes

Chapter 634 Old Acquaintances

Chapter 635 Eye of the Storm

Chapter 636 Forgery

Chapter 637 Paths

Chapter 638 Bonding

Chapter 639 Steps

Chapter 640 A tense welcome

Chapter 641 Negotiations

Chapter 642 Trust

Chapter 643 Royalty

Chapter 644 A monster’s feast

Chapter 645 Demon

Chapter 646 Speaker

Chapter 647 Paladin

Chapter 648 Sightseeing

Chapter 649 Lessons

Chapter 650 Reputation

Chapter 651 Balance

Chapter 652 Acquaintances

Chapter 653 Banquet

Chapter 654 Growing Awareness

Chapter 655 Intruders

Chapter 656 Treasure Island

The Union of Dubious Dames II

Chapter 657 Drilling

Chapter 658 Search

Chapter 659 Suspicions

Chapter 660 Audur

Chapter 661 Prey

Chapter 662 Wormholes

Chapter 663 A short rest

Chapter 664 Upgrades

Chapter 665 Tombs

Chapter 666 Stormy Weather

Chapter 667 Gods

Chapter 668 History

Chapter 669 The lore man cometh

Chapter 670 Ice

Chapter 671 Gauntlet

Chapter 672 Sphering Voidening

Chapter 673 Absolutely Nothing

Chapter 674 Rebirth

Chapter 675 League of common humans

Chapter 676 Living Steel

Chapter 677 The Pit

Chapter 678 Reputation

Chapter 679 Titan

Chapter 680 Undying

Chapter 681 Fire

Chapter 682 New Toys

Chapter 683 Beings lurking in the Deep

Chapter 684 Master of the Mind

Chapter 685 Demons of the Ancient World

Chapter 686 The Fires of Creation

Chapter 687 Ingenuity

Chapter 688 Forges

Chapter 689 Heavy

Chapter 690 Puzzle masters

Chapter 691 Can we get a zoom on that?

Chapter 692 Domain

Chapter 693 This chapter is sponsored by the Endless Meadow

Chapter 694 Lockpicking Mages

Chapter 695 Coordination

Chapter 696 King of Souls

Chapter 697 Free Real Estate

Chapter 698 Magu

Chapter 699 S P O R T S

Chapter 700 Bets

Chapter 701 Deals

Chapter 702 Brawl

Chapter 703 Ripples in Space

Chapter 704 Brunch

Chapter 705 Spy

Chapter 706 College Life

Chapter 707 Gates and Wings

Chapter 708 Hunters and Prey

Chapter 709 Impressions

Chapter 710 Introductions

Chapter 711 The Harbinger of Cake

Chapter 712 Arrangements

Chapter 713 History

Chapter 714 Planning

Chapter 715 Looking for a Challenge

Chapter 716 Access denied

Chapter 717 Swarm

Chapter 718 Bath

Chapter 719 Delivery Sentinel

Chapter 720 The Halls of Eternity

Chapter 721 Hidden Figures

Chapter 722 Taunting

Chapter 723 Demonstration

Chapter 724 Third Dinner

Chapter 725 Cocks

Chapter 726 Some gates close. Some gates open.

Chapter 727 Descent

Chapter 728 Pieces of the Puzzle

Chapter 729 Desert

Chapter 730 Founder

Chapter 731 Exchange

Chapter 732 Sand Creator

Chapter 733 Monastery

Chapter 734 Destinations

Chapter 735 Grinding Grounds

Chapter 736 Definitely not a cult gathering

Chapter 737 Visitors

Chapter 738 Concentrated Power

Chapter 739 Card Tricks

Chapter 740 Dinner

Chapter 741 Humanity

Chapter 742 Drinking

Chapter 743 Contestants

Chapter 744 Wolf

Chapter 745 Introductions

Chapter 746 Blades

Chapter 747 Art

Chapter 748 Competition

Chapter 749 Knives and Noodles

Chapter 750 Warmth

Chapter 751 Remnants

Chapter 752 Twenty Eight

Chapter 753 Finals

Chapter 754 Dancing Spells

Chapter 755 Era

Chapter 756 Scrambled Eggs or something

Chapter 757 Super fucking busy

Chapter 758 Feast

Chapter 759 Keys

Chapter 760 Thief

Chapter 761 Myths

Chapter 762 Flesh

Chapter 763 Master of the Fabric

Dedicated Post

Chapter 764 Gathering

Chapter 765 Golden Eyes

Chapter 766 Enhance

Chapter 767 Wasteland

Chapter 768 The Fires of Creation

Chapter 769 In time of need

Chapter 770 Hunt

Chapter 771 Mist

Chapter 772 Sea

Chapter 773 Shift

Chapter 774 Wall

Chapter 775 Barrier

Chapter 776 Immune. Immune. Immune.

Chapter 777 Assault

Chapter 778 Sphere

Chapter 779 Guardian

Chapter 780 Meat

Chapter 781 Allies

Chapter 782 Io

Chapter 783 Talks

Chapter 784 Conflict

Chapter 785 Individuals

Chapter 786 Power

Chapter 787 Votes

Chapter 788 Rogue

Chapter 789 Signatures

Chapter 790 Dinner

Chapter 791 Drinks

Chapter 792 Ripples

Chapter 793 Corpses?

Chapter 794 Father

Chapter 795 Curses

Chapter 796 Missions

Chapter 797 Instant travel

Chapter 798 Frontier

Chapter 799 Blood

Chapter 800 Market

Chapter 801 Shades

Chapter 802 Dealings

Chapter 803 Remembrance

Chapter 804 Farewells

Chapter 805 Blood

Chapter 806 Silver Storm

Chapter 807 Silver Storm 2 Electric Baraloo

Chapter 808 Orbital Strike

Chapter 809 A settlement needs your help

Chapter 810 Rip and Tear

Chapter 811 The negotiations were short

Chapter 812 Search

Chapter 813 Isn’t this why you’re here? Are you not entertained?

Chapter 814 Brave New World

Chapter 815 Opportunities

Chapter 816 Request

Chapter 817 Orange Juice

Chapter 818 Wasteland

Chapter 819 Journey

Chapter 820 Plea

Chapter 821 Octavia

Chapter 822 Allies

Chapter 823 Extraction

Chapter 824 Westward

Chapter 825 Gods

Chapter 826 Flame

Chapter 827 Snake Eater

Chapter 828 The Tower

Chapter 829 Heart

Chapter 830 Excavation

Chapter 831 Black Sea

Chapter 832 About time

Chapter 833 Choice

Chapter 834 Whispers

Chapter 835 Mind

Chapter 836 Excursion

Chapter 837 Haven

Chapter 838 Barrier

Chapter 839 Riddles

Chapter 840 A relaxing afternoon break

Chapter 841 Will

Chapter 842 Fire

Chapter 843 Wind of Aveer

Chapter 844 Who we are

Chapter 845 Normalcy

Chapter 846 Reminisce

Chapter 847 Initiates

Chapter 848 Root

Chapter 849 Feast

Chapter 850 Prototype

Chapter 851 Tales

Chapter 852 Life

Chapter 853 Nap